Indicator sleeve for the assembly of a face gear, as well as a connecting unit with a face gear.

Abstract

The invention relates to an indicator sleeve for the assembly of a face gear, comprising the following components: - a sleeve base body forming a screw receptacle with a fastening section for fastening to a first toothing component of a face gear; - at least one blocking rib extending radially outwards from the sleeve base body, which is axially spaced from the fastening section; - at least one support rib arranged axially between the at least one blocking rib and the fastening section, which extends radially inwards from the sleeve base body into the screw receptacle; wherein the at least one blocking rib is reversibly bendable radially inwards relative to an unloaded initial position when the at least one blocking rib is pushed through a bore which falls below a minimum diameter, so that the screw receptacle can be blocked against the insertion of a screw by means of inward bending, and wherein at least one locking rib is designed to spring back radially outwards when the locking rib leaves the bore which falls below the minimum diameter. An indicator sleeve for a face gear is proposed, which makes the correct tooth alignment of a face gear verifiable and simplifies the assembly of a central screw.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an indicator sleeve for the assembly of a face gear, a connecting unit with a face gear, and an assembly method for such a connecting unit.

[0002] A torque-transmitting connection, for example in third-generation wheel bearings, can be implemented using a so-called Hirth coupling (face teeth) at the interface of the components to be joined. This connection is held under axial preload, for example by a central bolt, to keep the face teeth engaged and enable torque transmission. When joining the two toothed components, care must be taken during assembly to avoid a tooth-to-tooth alignment when tightening the bolts. In such a position, the two components have a correspondingly larger axial distance from each other. During torque transmission, the face teeth then engage, reducing the axial distance between the components. Consequently, the axial preload or tightening torque of the central bolt decreases, and the components are no longer securely and effectively connected to transmit torque.

[0003] DE 10 2013 205 340 B3 discloses an elastic expanding sleeve associated with a wheel bearing hub as an assembly aid, which interacts with the joint bell and which, upon reaching an end position, a tooth-in-gap position of the face teeth, releases a feed opening for the clamping screw.

[0004] DE 10 2008 050 127 A1 discloses a device for axial fixing, wherein the locking lug or locking ring is provided for emitting a noise which serves the fitter as a recognition signal for the correct tooth position of a face gear.

[0005] US 2023 / 0160420A1 discloses a bearing seal for a ball bearing of a wheel bearing on an inner ring of the wheel bearing, wherein the bearing seal has a retaining sleeve which projects over the inner ring with a retaining tab which, when in axially correct position between inner ring and joint element, engages in a groove of the joint element.

[0006] DE 10 2018 103 219 A1 discloses an elastomeric element having such an outer contour and a central bore having such a corresponding inner contour that the elastomeric element has a radial contact surface with an axial extension and is compressed in a tooth-in-gap position of a face toothing with the counter-face toothing such that the elastomeric element exerts a radial pressure on the inner contour over at least part of the axial extension.

[0007] Based on this, the present invention aims to overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features of the invention are defined in the independent claims, for which advantageous embodiments are shown in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically meaningful way, whereby the explanations in the following description and features from the figures, which comprise supplementary embodiments of the invention, can also be used.

[0008] The invention relates to an indicator sleeve for the assembly of a face gear, comprising at least the following components: - a sleeve base body forming a screw receptacle with a fastening section for fastening to a first toothing component of a face gear; - at least one blocking rib extending radially outwards from the sleeve base body, which is axially spaced from the fastening section; - at least one support rib arranged axially between the at least one blocking rib and the fastening section, which extends radially inwards from the sleeve base body into the screw receptacle; wherein the at least one blocking rib is reversibly bendable radially inwards relative to an unloaded initial position when the at least one blocking rib is pushed through a bore which falls below a minimum diameter, so that the screw receptacle can be blocked against the insertion of a screw by means of inward bending, and wherein at least one locking rib is designed to spring back radially outwards when the locking rib leaves the bore which falls below the minimum diameter.

[0009] The following text refers to the aforementioned axis of rotation whenever the axial direction, radial direction, or direction of rotation and corresponding terms are used, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Ordinal numbers used in the preceding and subsequent descriptions serve solely for unambiguous identification and do not indicate any order or ranking of the components referred to. An ordinal number greater than one does not necessarily imply the presence of another such component.

[0010] The proposed indicator sleeve serves as an assembly aid for a spur gear, also known as a Hirth gear. Such spur gears are torque-transmitting connections between two gear components, each of which has a toothed rim on its face. Preferably, two gear components that abut each other axially in a line are connected by means of such a spur gear. Preferably, the connection is reversibly detachable. Particularly preferably, the spur gear is part of a wheel bearing unit.

[0011] The indicator sleeve comprises a sleeve base body, at least one locking rib, and at least one support rib. Preferably, the indicator sleeve is formed in one piece and is particularly preferably made of plastic or metal.

[0012] The sleeve body has a mounting section. The indicator sleeve can be attached to a second toothed component of the face gear by means of this mounting section. For example, the second toothed component is a joint part of a wheel bearing unit. For example, the second toothed component has an axially central, cylindrical projection onto which the indicator sleeve is pushed by means of the mounting section. Preferably, the sleeve body has the form of a hollow cylinder.

[0013] The sleeve body forms a screw receptacle. The screw receptacle is formed by the axial cavity of the sleeve, through which a central screw of the face gear can be slid.

[0014] At least one locking ridge extends radially outwards from the sleeve body. Preferably, several locking ridges extend radially outwards from the sleeve body in an axial plane, for example, six or eight locking ridges. Preferably, such a plurality of locking ridges is arranged in a fan shape around the base body.

[0015] The support rib is arranged along the axial direction between the at least one locking rib and the fastening section. Preferably, the at least one support rib is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the fastening section. Preferably, the at least one support rib is spaced a maximum of five cm [centimeters], a maximum of two cm [centimeters], or a maximum of one cm [centimeter] in the axial direction from the fastening section.

[0016] The at least one support web extends radially inwards from the sleeve body. Preferably, several support webs extend radially inwards in an axial plane from the sleeve body, for example, six or eight support webs. Preferably, such a plurality of support webs is arranged in a fan shape around the base body.

[0017] The support ribs are designed to come into contact with a central screw of the face gear, which is received in the screw receptacle, during assembly. Preferably, the support ribs are slightly bent upon such contact, without offering significant resistance to the insertion of the central screw. The support ribs serve to radially guide and / or radially fix the central screw during assembly, before it is fastened in an internal thread of the second toothed component of the face gear. Preferably, axial fixation in this assembly state can also be achieved using the support ribs.

[0018] The locking lugs are reversibly bendable radially inwards. This occurs when the indicator sleeve, attached to the second gear component of the face gear, is inserted into the central bore of the first gear component during assembly. The diameter spanned by the at least one locking lug, or the plurality of locking lugs, orthogonally to the axial direction, is larger than the minimum diameter. Preferably, the bore, which is smaller than the minimum diameter and through which the at least one locking lug is inserted, is a through-bore of the central bore with a first inner diameter.

[0019] Thus, the indicator sleeve is compressed radially by means of the at least one locking ridge. In the area of ​​the at least one locking ridge, the free diameter of the axial cavity, which forms the screw receptacle, is reduced, preferably to such an extent that a central screw cannot be inserted into the indicator sleeve or can only be inserted into the indicator sleeve against strong resistance.

[0020] The indicator sleeve is designed to be long enough along the axial direction that at least one locking lug protrudes from the through-hole section when the two tooth components of the face gear are in their intended axial position relative to each other, i.e., when the two tooth rings are engaged. For this purpose, a hub recess is arranged downstream of the through-hole section within a hub recess section of the through-hole. The through-hole thus widens in diameter downstream of the through-hole section, forming a hub recess into which the locking lugs can engage.

[0021] The locking bars are pushed radially outwards due to their elastic restoring force and lock into the hub return as soon as they move from the feed section into the hub return section.

[0022] The indicator sleeve proposed here thus enables simple and safe assembly of a face gear.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the indicator sleeve, it is proposed that at least one blocking ridge extends radially inwards from the sleeve base body.

[0024] According to this embodiment, it is now proposed that the blocking struts are further extended radially inwards.

[0025] This allows for better closure or locking of the screw receptacle in a state where the face teeth are not in correct engagement. Preferably, the radially inwardly extending section of the locking lugs is designed to come into contact with the central screw when a central screw is inserted. Therefore, the inner diameter defined by at least one locking lug, or the majority of locking lugs, is preferably smaller than the shank diameter of the central screw.

[0026] Thus, the indicator sleeve allows the central screw to be supported or guided at two axially spaced points in the central bore.

[0027] This design therefore enables a particularly simple and safe assembly of the face gearing.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the indicator sleeve, it is proposed that the sleeve base body comprises radially resilient lamellae which connect the blocking struts to the fastening section.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the sleeve body forms lamellae by means of which the locking lugs are connected to the mounting section. In other words, the sleeve body has axially extending slot-shaped recesses that separate the lamellae from one another. The lamellae are designed as springs that provide the reversible movement of the locking lugs. Preferably, a locking lug is arranged at a mounting-side end, i.e., the end opposite the second component of the face gear or the mounting section, of each lamella.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment of the indicator sleeve, it is proposed that a support rib is formed along a circumferential direction of the indicator sleeve between two lamellae.

[0031] According to this embodiment, a support rib is arranged along the circumference of the indicator sleeve between each pair of lamellae. Preferably, the support ribs are arranged at the ends of the slot-shaped recesses by which the lamellae are formed.

[0032] This embodiment provides a particularly simple and cost-effective indicator sleeve.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the indicator sleeve, it is proposed that a plurality of locking bars are arranged on an axial plane along the circumferential direction, preferably at least two, at least three, six or eight locking bars; and / or a plurality of support ribs are arranged on an axial plane along the circumferential direction, preferably at least two, at least three, six or eight support ribs.

[0034] According to another aspect, a connecting unit with a face toothing is proposed, comprising at least the following components: - a first gearing component with a first tooth ring of the face gearing and a central bore; - a second gearing component with a second tooth ring of the face gearing and an internal thread; - a central screw fixing the second gearing component to the first gearing component in the axial direction; - an indicator sleeve to show whether the first gear ring and the second gear ring are in engagement with each other, based on the relative axial position of the first gear component and the second gear component to each other, which is arranged at least partially in the central bore of the first gear component and is attached to the second gear component, wherein the first toothed ring is in a torque-transmitting engagement with the second toothed ring at their end faces, wherein the indicator sleeve comprises a sleeve base body which forms a screw receptacle for the central screw, and at least one locking rib which extends radially outwards from the sleeve base body, wherein the central screw is arranged in the screw receptacle of the indicator sleeve and is axially supported at one mounting-side end on a support stop of the first toothed component, and engages with the internal thread of the second toothed component by means of an external thread, wherein the central bore has a feed-through section, a hub return section and a mounting section, wherein the inner diameter of the feedthrough section is smaller than the inner diameter of the hub return section and is an extension diameter of the at least one locking rib, and wherein the at least one locking rib engages with a hub return in the hub return section and the hub return is arranged along the axial direction such that the inner diameter in the assembly section, which extends axially from the hub return section away from the second gearing component, is designed such that the hub return is visually visible from an assembly side.

[0035] The proposed connecting unit with a face toothing therefore comprises a first toothing component, a second component, a central screw and an indicator sleeve.

[0036] The first gear component has a first tooth ring of the face gear and a central bore. The first tooth ring is arranged around the central bore on the face of the gear. The central bore is aligned with the internal thread.

[0037] The second gear component has a second tooth ring of the face teeth and an internal thread. The second tooth ring of the second gear component is arranged around the centrally located internal thread on the face side.

[0038] The second and first gear components are axially connected to each other by means of the central screw. Preferably, the second and first gear components are clamped together by means of the central screw with an axial preload.

[0039] The indicator sleeve is designed to show, during the assembly of the face gear, whether the first and second gear teeth are engaged. The indicator sleeve allows verification that the first and second gear components are in their correct axial positions relative to each other. If the gear teeth are not correctly engaged, the second and first gear components will be further apart axially than they would be in correct engagement.

[0040] Preferably, the indicator sleeve is designed according to the preceding description, wherein, according to this aspect of the invention, the indicator sleeve only optionally includes the support ribs.

[0041] In a correctly assembled state, the first gear ring and the second gear ring are in a torque-transmitting engagement with each other, and thus the first gear component and the second gear component are in the axial target position relative to each other.

[0042] The central screw is located in the screw receptacle of the indicator sleeve, which in turn is located in the central bore of the first toothed component. The central screw is axially supported at one end, preferably by means of a screw head, against a support stop of the first toothed component. In the second toothed component, the central screw is threaded into the internal thread of the second toothed component by means of an external thread located at its opposite end, thus clamping the first and second toothed components axially.

[0043] The central bore has a through-pass section with a first inner diameter, a hub recess section with a second inner diameter, and a mounting section with a third inner diameter.

[0044] The central screw extends axially through the entire feedthrough section and is axially supported in the assembly section or the hub recess section by the first toothed component. It is proposed here that the first inner diameter of the feedthrough section is smaller than the second inner diameter of the hub recess section and represents the extension diameter of at least one or more locking lugs. Thus, the locking lugs or the indicator sleeve are radially compressed within the feedthrough section as long as the locking lugs are located axially within the feedthrough section. As previously explained, the radially inwardly compressed locking lugs block the screw receptacle from being inserted by the central screw.

[0045] When the locking lugs reach the hub recess, they spring back radially outwards and engage the hub recess. This widens the screw receptacle and allows the insertion of a central screw. Preferably, the second inner diameter of the hub recess is larger than the extension diameter of the locking lugs in a relaxed, i.e., unloaded, state.

[0046] In the assembled state of the face gear, the locking lugs engage in the hub recesses. The assembly section is preferably arranged and designed to allow the central screw to be tightened. Preferably, the assembly section is designed to accommodate the screw head and, most preferably, to provide space for a tool for tightening the screw. The axial length and diameter of the assembly section are designed such that the indicator sleeve is visible during assembly when the locking lugs are engaged in the hub recess, preferably when the locking lugs are located within the guide section.

[0047] The hub recess is located directly adjacent to the assembly section. For example, the hub recess forms the support stop.

[0048] The proposed connection unit offers the advantage that it is possible to visually verify during assembly whether the face teeth are engaged.

[0049] According to another aspect, a connecting unit with a face toothing is proposed, comprising at least the following components: - a first gearing component with a first tooth ring of the face gearing and a central bore; - a second gearing component with a second tooth ring of the face gearing and an internal thread; - a central screw fixing the second gearing component to the first gearing component in the axial direction; - an indicator sleeve according to an embodiment as described above for indicating whether the first gear ring and the second gear ring are in engagement with each other, based on the relative axial position of the first gear component and the second gear component to each other, which is arranged at least partially in the central bore of the first gear component and is attached to the second gear component, wherein the first gear ring is in a torque-transmitting engagement with the second gear ring at their end faces, wherein the central screw is arranged in the screw receptacle of the indicator sleeve and is axially supported at a mounting-side end on a support stop of the first toothed component, and engages with the internal thread of the second toothed component by means of an external thread, wherein the central bore has a through-bore and a hub return section, wherein the inner diameter of the feedthrough section is smaller than the inner diameter of the hub return section and is an extension diameter of the at least one locking rib, and wherein the central screw is in contact with the support ribs.

[0050] The wheel bearing unit proposed in accordance with this aspect corresponds to the wheel bearing unit described above, with the difference that the indicator sleeve is designed according to the present description. Furthermore, the visual verifiability of the tooth engagement and the associated design and arrangement of the hub return section and mounting section are optional.

[0051] The wheel bearing unit proposed here therefore offers the advantage of being particularly easy and safe to install. Specifically, the central screw can be guided and fixed radially in the through-hole and is axially secure before it is screwed into the internal thread of the second toothed component.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment of the connecting unit, it is further proposed that the connecting unit is a wheel bearing unit, the first toothed component is a connecting element, and the second toothed component is a joint piece.

[0053] In a further advantageous embodiment of the connecting unit, it is proposed that the indicator sleeve is suitable such that, in a state in which the first toothed ring and the second toothed ring are not arranged in the axial intended position relative to each other, the at least one blocking rib is pressed radially inwards through the inner surface of the through-passage section of the central bore, so that the screw receptacle is blocked by means of the at least one blocking rib by the radial compression of the indicator sleeve in such a way that the central screw cannot be guided through the indicator sleeve.

[0054] According to another aspect, an assembly method for a connecting unit with a face tooth is proposed, comprising the following steps: a. Attaching the indicator sleeve to a face-tooth end of the second gear component; b. Insert the indicator sleeve into the central bore of the first gear component until the first gear ring and the second gear ring are in contact with each other, whereby the blocking ridges are pressed radially inwards by means of contact with an inner surface of the central bore and thus block the screw receptacle of the indicator sleeve; c. Checking whether the second gear component and the first gear component have reached an axial target position by checking whether the locking lugs of the indicator sleeve have reached a radial target position in which the locking lugs engage with a radially outward offset hub rebate and release the screw receptacle of the indicator sleeve; and d. Inserting and tightening the central screw in the second gearing component.

[0055] The assembly method is preferably used for assembling a connecting unit according to the above description, and particularly preferably for assembling a wheel bearing unit described above.

[0056] Verification that the second and first gear components have reached their target axial positions is performed visually, or alternatively, additionally by tactile inspection. The visual inspection checks whether the locking lugs have engaged in the hub recess. The tactile inspection verifies, for example, whether the central screw can be inserted into the indicator sleeve without significant resistance.

[0057] For example, step d. is performed in two sub-steps. In the first sub-step, the central screw is inserted into the indicator sleeve and held by it, and in the subsequent second sub-step, the central screw, held by the indicator sleeve, is screwed in.

[0058] The invention described above is explained in detail below against the relevant technical background with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments. The invention is in no way limited by the purely schematic drawings, although it should be noted that the drawings are not dimensionally accurate and are not suitable for defining size relationships. It is illustrated in Fig. 1: a wheel bearing unit with an indicator sleeve in an assembled state; Fig. 2: the indicator sleeve after Fig. 1 on the joint piece; Fig. 3: the indicator sleeve made of Fig. 2 in a cross-sectional view; Fig. 4: the wheel bearing unit after Fig. 1 in a blocked state; Fig. 5: A detailed view of the face gearing of the wheel bearing unit after Fig. 4; Fig. 6: A detailed view of the indicator sleeve of the wheel bearing unit after Fig. 4; Fig. 7: the wheel bearing unit after Fig. 1 in a released state; Fig. 8: the wheel bearing unit after Fig. 7 in an assembled state; Fig. 9: A detailed view of the face gearing of the wheel bearing unit after Fig. 7; and Fig. 10: A detailed view of the indicator sleeve of the wheel bearing unit after Fig. 4.

[0059] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a wheel bearing unit 28 with an indicator sleeve 1 in a sectional view in its assembled state. The wheel bearing unit 28, i.e., a connecting unit 12, comprises a connecting element 19, i.e., a first toothed component 6, and a joint piece 20, i.e., a second toothed component 7, wherein the connecting element 19 comprises a first toothed ring 14 (shown at its right end) and the joint piece 20 comprises a second toothed ring 13 (shown at its left end). In the assembled state, the two toothed rings 14, 13 form a face tooth 2, so that torque transmission from the connecting element 19 to the joint piece 20 or vice versa is possible.

[0060] The connecting element 19 comprises a central bore 15, which (as shown from left to right) is divided into a mounting section 25 for receiving a screw head of the central screw 18, a hub recess section 24, which connects to the mounting section 25 and is limited towards the mounting section 25 by a support stop 21, and a feed-through section 23.

[0061] The feedthrough section 23 has a first inner diameter that is smaller than a second inner diameter of the hub return section 24 and a third inner diameter of the assembly section 25. The locking webs 8 span a diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter of the feedthrough section 23 and smaller than the second inner diameter of the hub return section 24.

[0062] The joint piece 20 includes an internal thread 16, which is aligned with the central bore 15, so that it can engage with the external thread 22 of the central screw 18 passing through the central bore 15. The indicator sleeve 1 is pushed onto a complementary cylindrical section of the joint piece 20 and thus secured by means of a fastening section 5. At the mounting-side end, i.e., in the direction of the mounting side 27, locking ribs 8 are integrally formed on the indicator sleeve 1, which, in this embodiment, are connected to the fastening section 5 by means of lamellae 10 forming the sleeve base body 4.

[0063] The connecting element 19 and the joint piece 20 are axially clamped together by means of the central screw 18, so that a torque-transmitting connection can be ensured by means of the face teeth 2.

[0064] The indicator sleeve 1 comprises support ribs 9, by means of which the central screw 18 can be guided and held in place during assembly, and a locking rib 8, by means of which it can additionally be verified whether the joint piece 20 and the connecting element 19 are in the correct assembly position. This functionality is explained in detail in the following drawings.

[0065] In Fig. 2 is the indicator sleeve 1 after Fig. Figure 1 shows the joint piece 20 in a perspective view. The joint piece 20 includes a mounting section 5, which is designed to receive the indicator sleeve 1 or its sleeve base body 4. The internal thread 16 is formed in a central section of the joint piece 20. The second toothed ring 13 is arranged around this thread. A cylindrical projection extends axially from the center of the second toothed ring 13, on which the indicator sleeve 1 is arranged.

[0066] The sleeve body 4 forms lamellae 10. The indicator sleeve 1 is attached to the joint piece 20 at its left end (as shown) by the fastening section 5. The locking tabs 8 are arranged at the right end (as shown) of the lamellae 10. The lamellae 10 are designed to provide a spring effect. When the locking tabs 8 are pressed radially inwards, bending of the lamellae 10 allows movement in this direction. Correspondingly, the lamellae 10 provide a restoring force by which the locking tabs 8 are returned to their initial position (as shown) when the compressing force is removed. The support tabs 9 are arranged along the axial direction 17 between the locking tabs 8 and the fastening section 5, extending radially inwards from the sleeve body 4.The support struts 9 are arranged in the immediate vicinity, i.e., adjacent to the (as shown, to the left of) fastening section 5 on the assembly side.

[0067] In this embodiment, the indicator sleeve 1 has eight locking lugs 8, eight lamellae 10, and eight support lugs 9. The indicator sleeve is formed in one piece. Each locking lug 8 is arranged at a mounting-side end (shown on the left) of a lamella 10. The indicator sleeve 1 forms a screw receptacle 3 for the central screw 18, in which the central screw 18 is arranged in a mounted state.

[0068] In Fig. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the indicator sleeve 1. Fig. Figure 2 shows the blocking ribs 8, lamellae 10, and support ribs 9 of the indicator sleeve 1. The blocking ribs 8 extend from the sleeve base 4, i.e., the lamellae 10, both radially inward and radially outward. The support ribs 9 are arranged between two lamellae 10 in the circumferential direction 11 and extend radially inward.

[0069] In Fig. 4 is the wheel bearing unit 28 after Fig. Figure 1 shows the screw receptacle 3 in a blocked state. The screw receptacle 3 is blocked by means of the indicator sleeve 1. In this case, there is a tooth-to-tooth alignment between the first tooth ring 14 of the connecting element 19 and the second tooth ring 13 of the joint piece 20. Therefore, the face teeth 2 are not in correct engagement, and the joint piece 20 and the connecting element 19 are further apart in the axial direction 17 than in the correct engagement of the face teeth 2.

[0070] The indicator sleeve 1 is therefore not inserted far enough into the central bore 15 of the connecting element 19 (shown on the left) for the locking lugs 8 to engage in the hub recess 26. Instead, the indicator sleeve 1 is in a state where it is radially compressed at one mounting-side end by the radially outwardly projecting sections of the locking lugs 8. The locking lugs 8 are located in the axial direction 17 within the passage section 23 of the central bore 15. Thus, the radially inwardly extending sections of the locking lugs 8 block the screw receptacle 3 of the indicator sleeve 1, and the central screw 18 cannot be inserted into the indicator sleeve 1.

[0071] In Fig. Figure 5 is a detailed view of the face gear 2 of the wheel bearing unit 28. Fig. Figure 4 shows that the teeth of the first tooth ring 14 are not in engagement with the teeth of the second tooth ring 13, but are in a tooth-on-tooth position.

[0072] In Fig. Figure 6 is a detailed view of the indicator sleeve 1 of the wheel bearing unit 28 according to Fig. Figure 4 shows that the blocking ribs 8 could not be pushed in the axial direction 17 up to the hub recess 26, but remained just before it in the passage section 23 of the central bore 15 and thus compressed the indicator sleeve 1 radially inwards.

[0073] In Fig. 7 is the wheel bearing unit 28 after Fig. Figure 1 shows the gear in a released state. In this state, the tooth-to-tooth alignment of the first gear ring 14 and the second gear ring 13 is now released, and the face gear 2 is in correct engagement. Thus, in comparison to the illustrations in Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The indicator sleeve 1 is further inserted into the connecting element 19 so that the locking tabs 8 are engaged in the hub recess 26. Thus, the indicator sleeve 1 is in an unloaded initial state and the screw receptacle 3 is released.

[0074] As shown, the central screw 18 is already inserted into the indicator sleeve 1. In this state, the central screw 18 has slightly bent the radially inwardly directed sections of the locking lugs 8 and the support lugs 9 and is in contact with them. Thus, the central screw 18 is radially supported or guided at two points along the axial direction 17 by means of the locking lugs 8 and the support lugs 9 and is held in place in the axial direction 17. Therefore, the central screw 18 is particularly easy to assemble and can be screwed into the internal thread 16.

[0075] Due to the arrangement of the hub recess 26 close to the mounting-side end of the connecting element 19 and the large third inner diameter of the mounting section 25, it is visually easy for a fitter to see whether the indicator sleeve 1 is in a blocked state. Fig. 4 or the released state shown here.

[0076] In Fig. 8 is the wheel bearing unit 28 after Fig. Figure 7 shows the wheel bearing unit 28 in an assembled state. The wheel bearing unit 28 corresponds to the wheel bearing unit 28 from [reference missing]. Fig. 7, wherein the central screw 18 was screwed into the internal thread 16.

[0077] In Fig. Figure 9 is a detailed view of the face gear 2 of the wheel bearing unit 28. Fig. 7. The interlocked, i.e., engaged, position of the first gear ring 14 and the second gear ring 13 is recognizable, so that the joint piece 20 and the connecting element 19 are in a different position compared to the illustration in Fig. 5 in axial direction 17 are now closer together.

[0078] In Fig. Figure 10 is a detailed view of the indicator sleeve 1 of the wheel bearing unit 28 according to Fig. 4. It is particularly evident that the blocking bars 8 are now engaged with the hub recess 26 and the radial deflection is thus eliminated, so that the screw receptacle 3 is released.

[0079] An indicator sleeve for a face gear is proposed, which makes the correct tooth alignment of a face gear verifiable and simplifies the assembly of a central screw.

Claims

[1] Indicator sleeve (1) for the assembly of a spur gear (2), comprising at least the following components: - a sleeve base body (4) forming a screw receptacle (3) with a fastening section (5) for fastening to a first toothing component (6) of a spur toothing (2); - at least one blocking web (8) extending radially outward from the sleeve base body (4) and axially spaced from the fastening section (5); - at least one support web (9) arranged axially between the at least one blocking web (8) and the fastening section (5), which support web extends radially inward from the sleeve base body (4) into the screw receptacle (3), wherein the support webs are designed to come into contact with a central screw of the spur gearing, which is received in the screw receptacle, during assembly of a spur gearing; wherein the at least one blocking web (8) is reversibly bendable radially inwardly relative to an unloaded initial position when the at least one blocking web (8) is pushed through a bore which is below a minimum diameter, so that the screw receptacle (3) can be blocked against receiving a screw by means of the inward bending, and wherein the at least one blocking web (8) is designed to spring back radially outward when the blocking web (8) leaves the bore which is below the minimum diameter. [2] Indicator sleeve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one blocking web (8) further extends radially inward from the sleeve base body (4). [3] Indicator sleeve (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sleeve base body (4) comprises radially resilient lamellae (10) which connect the blocking webs (8) to the fastening section (5). [4] Indicator sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a support web (9) is formed along a circumferential direction (11) of the indicator sleeve (1) between two lamellae (10). [5] Indicator sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of blocking webs (8) are arranged on an axial plane along the circumferential direction (11); and / or a plurality of support webs (9) are arranged on an axial plane along the circumferential direction (11). [6] Connecting unit (12) with a spur gear (2), comprising at least the following components: - a first gear component (6) with a first gear ring (14) of the spur gear (2) and a central bore (15); - a second gear component (7) with a second gear ring (13) of the spur gear (2) and an internal thread (16); - a central screw (18) fixing the second toothing component (7) to the first toothing component (6) in the axial direction (17); - an indicator sleeve (1) for indicating whether the first gear ring (14) and the second gear ring (13) are in engagement with each other, based on the relative axial position of the first gear component (6) and the second gear component (7) to each other, which is arranged at least in sections in the central bore (15) of the first gear component (6) and is fastened to the second gear component (7), wherein the first gear ring (14) is in torque-transmitting engagement with the second gear ring (13) at the front, wherein the indicator sleeve (1) comprises a sleeve base body (4) which forms a screw receptacle (3) for the central screw (18), and at least one blocking web (8) which extends radially outward from the sleeve base body (4), wherein the central screw (18) is arranged in the screw receptacle (3) of the indicator sleeve (1) and is axially supported at one end on the assembly side on a support stop (21) of the first toothed component (6), and is in engagement with the internal thread (16) of the second toothed component (7) by means of an external thread (22), wherein the central bore (15) has a lead-through section (23), a hub recess section (24) and a mounting section (25), wherein the inner diameter of the lead-through section (23) is smaller than the inner diameter of the hub recess section (24) and is an extension diameter of the at least one blocking web (8), wherein the at least one blocking web (8) engages with a hub recess (26) in the hub recess section (24) and the hub recess (26) is arranged along the axial direction (17) in such a way and the inner diameter in the mounting section (25), which extends from the hub recess section (24) in the axial direction away from the second toothed component (7), is designed such that the hub recess (26) is visually visible from a mounting side (27), and wherein the hub recess (26) is arranged directly adjacent to the mounting section (25). [7] Connecting unit (12) with a spur gear (2), comprising at least the following components: - a first gear component (6) with a first gear ring (14) of the spur gear (2) and a central bore (15); - a second gear component (7) with a second gear ring (13) of the spur gear (2) and an internal thread (16); - a central screw (18) fixing the second toothing component (7) to the first toothing component (6) in the axial direction (17); - an indicator sleeve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 for indicating whether the first gear ring (14) and the second gear ring (13) are in engagement with each other, based on the relative axial position of the first gear component (6) and the second gear component (7) to each other, which is arranged at least in sections in the central bore (15) of the first gear component (6) and is fastened to the second gear component (7), wherein the first gear ring (14) is in torque-transmitting engagement with the second gear ring (13) at the front, wherein the central screw (18) is arranged in the screw receptacle (3) of the indicator sleeve (1) and is axially supported at one end on the mounting side on a support stop (21) of the first toothed component (6), and is in engagement with the internal thread (16) of the second toothed component (7) by means of an external thread (22), wherein the central bore (15) has a lead-through section (23) and a hub recess section (24), wherein the inner diameter of the lead-through section (23) is smaller than the inner diameter of the hub recess section (24) and is an extension diameter of the at least one blocking web (8), and wherein the central screw (18) is in contact with the support webs (9). [8] Connecting unit (12) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the connecting unit (12) is a wheel bearing unit (28), the first toothed component (6) is a connecting element (19) and the second toothed component (7) is a joint piece (20). [9] Connecting unit (12) according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the indicator sleeve (1) is suitable such that, in a state in which the first gear ring (14) and the second gear ring (13) are not arranged in the axial desired position relative to one another, the at least one blocking web (8) is pressed radially inward by the inner surface of the lead-through section (23) of the central bore (15), so that the screw receptacle (3) is blocked by means of the at least one blocking web (8) by the radial compression of the indicator sleeve (1) in such a way that the central screw (18) cannot be guided through the indicator sleeve (1). [10] Assembly method for a connecting unit (12) with a spur gear (2), comprising the following steps: a. Attaching the indicator sleeve (1) to a spur gear end of the second gear component (7); b. Inserting the indicator sleeve (1) into the central bore (15) of the first gear component (6) until the first gear ring (14) and the second gear ring (13) are in contact with each other, wherein the blocking webs (8) are pressed radially inward by means of contact with an inner surface of the central bore (15) and thus block the screw receptacle (3) of the indicator sleeve (1); c. Check whether the second gear component (7) and the first gear component (6) have reached an axial target position by visually checking whether the blocking webs (8) of the indicator sleeve (1) have engaged in the hub recess and have reached a radial target position in which the blocking webs (8) engage with a radially outwardly offset hub recess (26) and release the screw receptacle (3) of the indicator sleeve (1); and d. Insert and tighten the central screw (18) into the second gear component (7).

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