Axially tightened flat surface serration assembly and method for joining a constant velocity joint to a wheel hub with a wheel bearing using the flat surface serration assembly

Abstract

The axially tightened flat serration assembly includes a first component (10), particularly a constant velocity joint, having first flat serrations (11), and a second component (20), particularly a wheel hub with a wheel bearing, having second flat serrations (21), the first flat serrations (11) and the second flat serrations (21) meshing with each other. The assembly also includes a fastening device (30) by which the first flat serrations (11) and the second flat serrations (21) are axially tightened to each other when the fastening device is in a tightened state, and a ring (40) that surrounds and seals the first flat serrations (11) and the second flat serrations (21) from the radially outer side. The ring (40) provides an assembly retaining member that, in the untensioned state of the tightening device (30), holds the first planar serrations (11) and the second planar serrations (21) in loose engagement with one another such that the axial play (x) is less than the tooth height (h) of the first planar serrations (11) and the tooth height (h) of the second planar serrations (21). Further described is a method for joining a constant velocity joint to a wheel hub with a wheel bearing using the planar serration assembly.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an axially-tightened flat serration assembly including a first component having first flat serrations and a second component having second flat serrations, the first and second serrations intermeshing, a clamping device that, in a clamped state, axially clamps the first and second serrations together, and a ring that radially surrounds and seals the first and second serrations from the outside.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a method for joining a constant velocity joint to a wheel hub with a wheel bearing using a flat serration assembly.

[0003] Axially-tightened planar serration assemblies, sometimes also called Hirth tooth assemblies or end-face tooth assemblies, are used in vehicle construction as connections for torque transmission without play, for example, between a drive joint shaft and a wheel hub. Especially when transmitting high torques, such as in automobiles with electric drives, the use of axially-tightened planar serration assemblies has advantages over conventional longitudinally interlocking tooth assemblies, since torque transmission can be well guaranteed even under high alternating torques without relative movement that may result from the torsional elasticity of the longitudinally interlocking toothing and without annoying noise.

[0004] To ensure torque transmission, the serration assembly must be tightened with a high axial force. The mating serrations, which are subjected to high material stresses, must be appropriately protected against corrosion. Furthermore, during assembly, care must be taken to ensure that the corresponding serrations mesh correctly with each other to prevent tooth-on-tooth assembly.

[0005] To avoid such tooth-on-tooth assembly, German Patent Application Publication No. 102007057047 proposes a planar serration assembly in which the associated clamping device in the form of a connecting screw is supported by a spring element whose possible spring stroke between the tooth-on-tooth position and the tooth-in-tooth gap position is not significantly smaller than the height of the planar serration teeth. The spring element can be an elastomer sleeve and / or a coil spring. When assembling a wheel hub component with a shaft joint component connected via a planar serration assembly, the connecting screw is tightened with a very slight torque in the first step, so that in the case of a tooth-on-tooth position, the tooth-in-tooth gap position of the planar serration assembly is formed automatically by the application of torque or under the action of the spring element. Only after a certain time interval is the screw connection tightened with a high torque to fully tighten the component. However, the incorporation of the spring element requires additional assembly effort. Furthermore, to avoid tooth-on-tooth positions, spring elements that are only required for assembly remain in the entire assembly, increasing the weight of the assembly. Furthermore, a corresponding construction space must be created for the spring elements. Therefore, efforts are made to avoid providing such spring elements in this case.

[0006] An axially tightened planar serration assembly of the aforementioned type is known from German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2005 018 126 A1. This known technology dispenses with the aforementioned spring element. However, it is difficult to avoid tooth-on-tooth positions during tightening. This is because not only must the two mating planar serrations be aligned with one another, but also the installation and screwing of the clamping device must be performed simultaneously while ensuring accurate alignment. In other words, the position of the constant velocity joint of the joint shaft relative to the wheel hub must be maintained at the same time as the connecting screw is screwed in. This can be done manually or automatically. However, it has been proposed to time-couple the positioning and screwing of the components to be joined together in the same assembly cycle. However, this is technically relatively complex, since three components must be handled simultaneously, leaving room for improvement in this regard.

[0007] Furthermore, sealing the flat serration assembly according to DE 10 2005 018 126 A1 is relatively complex. However, for the reasons already mentioned, such sealing should not be omitted. For this reason, DE 10 2005 018 126 A1 proposes a simple sealing ring made of plastic or alternatively a sealing paste to prevent the ingress of moisture and dirt from the outside into the joint between the paired flat serrations.

[0008] In this regard, German Patent Application No. 10 2012 207 054 A1 proposes a rubber-to-metal seal that radially surrounds the interlocking planar serrations. This seal is extremely complex. The contact surface of the rubber lip of this seal on the axle pin must be painted. However, this painting involves considerable effort and costs. Furthermore, the rubber lip must be protected from damage during assembly. For this reason, rubber-to-metal seals in wheel bearings are protected before installation by transport protection elements in the form of covers. This too leaves room for simplification and improvement.

[0009] In summary, the object of the present invention may be seen as further improving the assembly and sealing of axially tightened planar serration assemblies.

[0010] This problem is solved by an axially-tightened flat serration assembly having the features of claim 1. The axially-tightened flat serration assembly according to the invention includes a first component with first flat serrations and a second component with second flat serrations, the first and second serrations meshing with each other, a clamping device by which the first and second serrations are axially clamped together in a clamped state of the clamping device, and a ring surrounding and sealing the first and second serrations from the radial outside. In this case, the ring provides a retaining assembly that, in an untightened state of the clamping device, holds the first and second serrations in loose engagement with each other such that the axial play is smaller than the height of the teeth of the first and second serrations.

[0011] This allows, in comparison with DE 10 2005 018 126 A1, a division of the assembly steps, i.e., on the one hand, the assembly step of aligning the components to be joined and, on the other hand, the assembly step of tightening, to be carried out without any problems, while ensuring that tooth-on-tooth assembly is avoided. Handling remains simple. However, due to the ring design, additional spring elements can be dispensed with compared with DE 10 2007 057 047 A1.

[0012] Furthermore, the ring simultaneously provides a seal against the ingress of moisture and dirt, so that no additional measures need to be taken in this regard. In particular, the need for complex rubber-to-metal seals and / or painting of the components is eliminated. The need for transport protection, as described in connection with DE 10 2012 207 054 A1, is also eliminated.

[0013] The solution according to the invention thus simultaneously overcomes the above-mentioned problems with assembly and corrosion in a surprisingly simple manner and reduces the number of components and measures required in this regard, resulting in significant cost savings in the manufacture of axially tightened planar serration assemblies.

[0014] Special embodiments of the invention are the subject of further claims.

[0015] Thus, for example, the ring may be fixed to one of the first and second components and connected to the other of the first and second components via a locking mechanism, thereby allowing the ring to be pre-assembled to one of the components to be joined together, for example by tightly press-fitting, gluing, or otherwise attaching the ring to one of the components.

[0016] According to a further particular embodiment of the invention, the ring has locking projections distributed around its periphery, which engage with one or more recesses on the other component after passing over a protrusion on the other component. When passing over the protrusion, the ring is temporarily elastically expanded to some extent, and then springs back after passing over the protrusion. The number of locking projections, which are preferably spaced apart from one another, can be selected as needed. Typically, the number is preferably selected in the range of 3 to 20.

[0017] In particular, the ring may have a section forming the locking protrusion, which section of the ring forming the locking protrusion is elastically contractible and expandable in the radial direction in order to easily and reliably overcome the locking resistance.

[0018] Due to the locking, a correct connection can be ensured during assembly, in particular making it possible to determine that no undesired tooth-on-tooth positions exist.

[0019] According to a further special embodiment of the invention, the locking projections are accommodated in the corresponding recesses with axial play in the untightened state of the clamping device. Starting from this pre-assembly state, the flat serration assembly can then be tightened in a further step. For the pre-assembly, the ring with the locking projections is preferably configured so that it can support the weight of the components to be joined together and the force of the clamping device when it is attached, without the pre-assembly state being released again.

[0020] Preferably, the ring may be adjusted to match the planar serrations to be paired with each other so that when the locking protrusions overcome the protruding portions, the overlap between the tooth row of the first planar serration and the tooth row of the second planar serration is 30% to 90% of the height of the tooth row of the first planar serration and the tooth row of the second planar serration. This makes it possible to reliably eliminate positions where teeth overlap after temporary assembly.

[0021] Instead of the temporary fastening being effected via the locking projections, the ring may be provided with slits at several points around its periphery for this purpose, so that the ring can be inserted into the other component with sufficient adhesion, the slits being dimensioned in such a way that the holding and sealing functions described above for the locking projections are also ensured.

[0022] According to a further specific embodiment of the invention, the ring has an annular sealing surface which, in the tightened state of the clamping device, is pressed against a corresponding sealing surface on the other component. The tightening process of the clamping device can then be used to further increase the sealing action. It should be understood that the force required for this additional sealing action only accounts for a minimal proportion of the total axial force of the clamping of the flat serration assembly.

[0023] Additionally, optionally, the annular sealing surface on the ring and the corresponding sealing surface on the other component may be conically shaped to further improve sealing.

[0024] According to a further special embodiment of the invention, the ring is made of plastic over its entire circumference, which makes it particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0025] Preferably, the above-described axially clamped planar serration assembly is used to connect a constant velocity joint to a wheel hub with a wheel bearing, although the invention is not limited to this application. In the first case, the first component is a constant velocity joint, the second component is a wheel hub with a wheel bearing, and the clamping device is a clamping pin that is guided centrally through the first planar serration and the second planar serration, thereby clamping the first and second components together. It has been shown that such a connection can transmit high alternating torques reliably and with compact external dimensions, without annoying noise generation and without any relative movement at the connection.

[0026] In one embodiment, the ring may be anchored to and sealed against the inner race of a wheel bearing which is itself mounted on the wheel hub, the inner race being understood in this case as a component which can be separately mounted on the wheel hub.

[0027] In another embodiment, the clamping pin can press the ring axially against the seal ring of the wheel bearing seal of the wheel bearing, sealing the seal ring, so that the mating plain serration seal and the wheel bearing seal can support each other and reduce the number of interfaces to the external environment.

[0028] In a variant thereof, however, the ring can also be anchored to a section of the wheel hub, i.e. whether or not a separate inner race is provided for the wheel bearing.

[0029] The axially clamped flat serration assembly described above allows for an advantageous assembly process, since it is easy to handle, while ensuring precise meshing of the mating flat serrations. For this purpose, a method with the features of claim 15 is proposed. This method specifies joining a constant velocity joint to a wheel hub with a wheel bearing using the above-described flat serration assembly, in which in a first step, the constant velocity joint and the wheel hub with the wheel bearing are loosely assembled together using a ring that ensures that the first and second flat serrations remain partially engaged, and in a second step, the first and second serrations are clamped together using a clamping pin, with the first and second serrations abutting against each other without play and the ring sealing the engagement between the first and second serrations radially outward.

[0030] The manner in which the invention may be carried out will now be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an axially tightened planar serration assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are schematic views of another embodiment showing the pre-assembled position (left) and the final assembled position (right) of components to be joined together, including an axially clamped planar serration assembly. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an axially tightened planar serration assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows an axial view of a first embodiment of a ring. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 shows an axial view of a second embodiment of the ring. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded view of a constant velocity joint and a wheel hub with wheel bearings that can be coupled together via an axially clamped planar serration assembly. FIG.

[0032] The first embodiment in Figure 1 shows an axially clamped planar serration assembly in the clamped final assembly position.

[0033] The axially-tightened planar serration assembly includes a first component 10 having first planar serrations 11. Planar serrations, in this embodiment, are understood to be radial tooth structures on the end face of a component that can be coupled to corresponding radial tooth structures on the end face of another component for torque transmission purposes. The first component 10 is shown in this embodiment as a constant velocity joint 110 of a joint shaft, by way of example only, but not by way of limitation, in FIG. 6.

[0034] The axially-tightened planar serration assembly further includes a second component 20 having second planar serrations 21. The second component 20 is shown in this example, but not limited to, an exemplary wheel hub 120 having a wheel bearing 150 in FIG.

[0035] In this case, the first flat serrations 11 and the second flat serrations 21 mesh with each other. This meshing has no play in FIG. 1 and is suitable for transmitting high torque.

[0036] Furthermore, a clamping device 30, preferably in the form of a clamping pin 130, is provided, by means of which the first planar serration 11 and the second planar serration 21 are axially clamped together in the clamped state of the clamping pin.

[0037] The clamping device 30 extends through both planar serrations 11 and 21, preferably centrally. In particular, the clamping device 30 or clamping pin 130 may be supported on the second component 20 and screwed to the first component 10. The reverse assembly is also possible.

[0038] Finally, the axially tightened flat serration assembly includes a ring 40 that radially surrounds and seals the first flat serration 11 and the second flat serration 21 from the outside.

[0039] The ring 40 provides an assembly retaining member that holds the first planar serrations 11 and the second planar serrations 21 in a loosely engaged state with respect to one another when the clamping device 30 is in an untightened state. Such a loosely engaged state is also considered in this embodiment to be a pre-assembly position in which the first component 10 and the second component 20 are already roughly aligned with one another.

[0040] 2, in this case, in the pre-assembly position, the axial play x between the two planar serrations 11 and 21 is smaller than the height h of the tooth row of the first planar serration 11 and the height h of the tooth row of the second planar serration 21. This means that, once the pre-assembly position is reached, it can be assumed that the tooth-on-tooth positions of the tooth row of the first planar serration 11 and the tooth row of the second planar serration 21 have been eliminated.

[0041] Therefore, in a second step, after the formation of the temporary assembly position, the tightening device 30 can be tightened to form a play-free engagement between the first flat serration 11 and the second flat serration 21, thereby reaching the final assembly position shown on the right side of Figure 2 and in Figure 1.

[0042] In the final assembly position, the ring 40 reliably prevents external moisture and dirt from entering the joint between the first flat serration 11 and the second flat serration 21, thereby protecting the mating toothed portion from corrosion.

[0043] The arrangement and configuration of the ring 40 with respect to the first component 10 and the second component 20 can be implemented in various ways, as will be explained in detail below, with the understanding that the arrangement of the ring 40 and any engagement structures provided can essentially be reversed with respect to the first component 10 and the second component 20.

[0044] 1 to 3, the ring 40 can be fixed to one of the first and second components 10, 20, while being connected to the other of the first and second components 20, 10 via a locking mechanism 41. This locking makes it possible to reliably recognize that the provisional assembly position has been reached, i.e., that the tooth-on-tooth position has been eliminated.

[0045] The fixing of the ring 40 in one of the first and second components 10 and 20, in this example for example the first component 10, can be effected by press fitting, gluing or in any other way, and preferably this fixing is already effected before the two components 10 and 20 are joined together to reach the pre-assembly position.

[0046] For the locking mechanism 41, the ring 40 can be formed with locking protrusions 41a distributed around its periphery, which engage with one or more recesses 23 in the other component or the second component 20 after climbing over a protrusion 22 in the other component, in this embodiment for example the second component 20.

[0047] An axial view of such a ring 40 is shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the ring 40 has three locking projections 41a provided on the inner peripheral surface 42 of the ring. However, the number of locking projections 41a may be less or more than the number shown. Preferably, this number is in the range of about 3 to 20.

[0048] Correspondingly, the corresponding protrusions 22 and corresponding recesses 23 are located on the outer peripheral surface sections of the second component 20. In this case, the protrusions 22 and recesses 23 can be formed as continuous annular structures, so that the angular position of the ring 40 in the circumferential direction during assembly is not important. However, it is also possible to provide the protrusions 22 by a plurality of individual protrusions and / or the recesses 23 by a plurality of individual recesses.

[0049] However, in a variant of the illustrated embodiment, the locking projections 41 a can also be arranged on the outer peripheral surface 43 of the ring 40 rather than on the inner peripheral surface 42 of the ring 40. In this case, the projections 22 and recesses 23 of the second component 20 are correspondingly located on the inner peripheral surface section.

[0050] As already mentioned, the locking projections 41a are accommodated in the corresponding recesses 23 with axial play when the fastening device 30 is in an untightened state. Preferably, when the locking projections 41a overcome the protruding portions 22, the overlap between the tooth rows of the first planar serrations 11 and the tooth rows of the second planar serrations 21 is 30% to 90% of the height of the tooth rows of the first planar serrations and the second planar serrations.

[0051] Temporary fixation in the temporary assembly position, as shown on the left side of FIG. 2, can also be achieved via the ring 40 having slits in this partial region instead of the locking projections 41a. FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the corresponding ring 40, which has slits in several places around its circumference. This facilitates clamping the ring on the outer or inner surface section of the second component 20. The slits 45 are arranged so that the sealing effect of the ring remains guaranteed. Four slits 45 are shown in FIG. 5. However, as with the locking projections 41a, a smaller or larger number of slits may be selected. Adjustments are made to both the locking projections 41a and the slits 45 so that the connection can reliably support the weight of the components 10 and 20 to be joined together and the force exerted when the clamping device 30 is installed.

[0052] To facilitate assembly, particularly when using a locking mechanism 41 with locking projections 41a, the ring 40 can have a section 44 in which the locking projections 41a are formed, which section can be elastically contracted and expanded in the radial direction to more easily overcome the locking resistance created by the protrusions 22.

[0053] Furthermore, the inclined surfaces formed on the locking projections 41a and / or the protruding portions 22 can also function as an auxiliary.

[0054] Furthermore, the ring 40 has an annular sealing surface 46 which, in the tightened state of the tightening device 30, is pressed against a corresponding sealing surface 24 on the other component, in this embodiment, for example the second component 20.

[0055] The sealing surface 46 on the ring 40 may be formed by a wall section at the end face of the ring, as shown in FIGS.

[0056] In particular, as shown in the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the annular sealing surface 46 on the ring 40 and the corresponding sealing surface 24 on the other component 20 may be conically shaped.

[0057] Corresponding conical sealing surfaces 46 or 24 can of course also be provided in other embodiments, and even in the embodiments not shown. For example, the bevel of the projection 22 shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be used as a seating surface for a corresponding beveled sealing surface additionally provided on the ring side.

[0058] The ring 40 can be manufactured from plastic all around, in which case sensitive sealing lips can be avoided.

[0059] The aforementioned ring 40 is, on the one hand, an assembly aid for positioning the components 10, 20 to be joined while avoiding tooth-on-tooth positions. Joining to reach the preliminary assembly position can be carried out in a first step or working cycle. When subsequently mounting and tightening the clamping device 30 in a second step or working cycle, no additional holding device for the second component 20 is required in this embodiment. The axial force applied during clamping is in this case of the order of approximately 80 kN or more.

[0060] In one embodiment, it may be specified that the retention force of the ring 40 is designed so that the clamping force of the clamping device 30 is used to effect axial movement to the final position.

[0061] As already mentioned above, the axially-tightened planar serration assembly described above can be used to couple a constant velocity joint 110 to a wheel hub 120 with a wheel bearing 150, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0062] In this case, in accordance with the above-described embodiment and configuration, the first component 10 is a constant velocity joint 110 and the second component 20 is a wheel hub 120 with a wheel bearing 150, with the ring 40 being fixed to the first component 10 and to the second component 20 via the locking projections 41 a or in the region of the slits 45. However, it is also possible to assemble the ring 40 in the opposite way, i.e. to fasten it to the second component 20 or to the wheel hub 120 with the wheel bearing 150, and to connect the region with the locking projections 41 a or the slits 45 to the first component 10 or to the constant velocity joint 110. In this case, corresponding recesses and protrusions can likewise be provided in the first component 10 or the constant velocity joint 110.

[0063] Sections of the wheel bearing 150 may be integrated into the wheel hub 120. This applies in particular to the inner race of the wheel bearing 150. However, it is also possible to provide the inner race as a completely or, as shown here, partially separate component 151. In the embodiment shown, the outer race 152 of the wheel bearing 150 is supported on the inside via two rolling element rings 153. A slewing bearing 160 is flange-mounted to the outer race 152, as shown in FIG. 6 by way of example.

[0064] In Figure 6, the clamping device 30 is formed by a clamping pin 130 that is guided centrally through a first flat serration 11 provided on the constant velocity joint 110 and a second flat serration 21 provided on the wheel hub, thereby allowing these components to be axially clamped together.

[0065] In this embodiment, the head 131 of the clamping pin 130 is supported on the wheel hub, while the threaded section 132 of the clamping pin 130 is threaded into a threaded opening 12 in the constant velocity joint 110, preferably into a threaded opening 12 in a bell-shaped joint cover of the constant velocity joint.

[0066] A ring 40, which serves as an assembly aid and sealing means, is fixed to an outer peripheral surface section of the constant velocity joint 110. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, this ring 40 is connected to a corresponding structure provided on the wheel hub 120 and / or the wheel bearing 150, in particular on its inner race 151.

[0067] 1 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the above-mentioned protrusions 22 and the above-mentioned recesses 23 are formed in the inner race 151 of the wheel bearing 50 / 150. In particular, in this case, the ring 40 can be locked to the inner race 151 and can be sealed against this inner race.

[0068] 1, the corresponding sealing surface 46 of the ring 40 is supported on a corresponding wall section of the inner race 151. In particular, the sealing surface 46 can be pressed against the corresponding wall section of the inner race 151 during assembly, which improves the sealing effect.

[0069] In a variant of this embodiment, as exemplarily shown in Figure 2, in the clamping state of the clamping pin 130, the ring 40 can be pressed axially against a sealing ring 154 of the wheel bearing seal of the wheel bearing 50 / 150 and can seal against this sealing ring. The sealing ring 154, on which the ring 40 is supported, is in this case arranged fixedly on the inner race 151 of the wheel bearing 50 and, if appropriate, also on the wheel hub 120, so that relative movement between the sealing ring 154 and the ring 40 during operation is prevented.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the corresponding structure for the connection of the ring 40 can be formed directly on the wheel hub 120, regardless of the presence of the inner race 151 of the wheel bearing 50 / 150. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the protrusion 22, the recess 23 and the sealing surface 24 are correspondingly integrally molded directly on the second component 20 forming the wheel hub 120.

[0071] Finally, a method for joining a constant velocity joint 110 to a wheel hub 120 equipped with a wheel bearing 150 using a planar serration assembly of the type described above will be briefly described. It should be noted that this procedure can also be used in other applications of the planar serration assembly described above, in which case the constant velocity joint 110 can be understood as the first component 10 and the wheel hub 120 as the second component 20 in the sense described above.

[0072] During assembly, the ring 40 can first be fixed to the first component 10 or constant velocity joint 110. The first component 10 or constant velocity joint 110 is then fed to the joining process, i.e. already equipped with the ring 40.

[0073] In the first step of the joining process, the constant velocity joint 110 and the wheel hub 120 with the wheel bearing 150 are loosely assembled together using the ring 40. In this case, the first planar serration 11 and the second planar serration 21 are partially engaged, so that their tooth rows already overlap, but they have not yet reached a position where there is no play. In this pre-assembly position, the wheel hub 120 is fixed in position relative to the constant velocity joint 110, so that the two components can no longer be easily separated from each other, but at the same time, the planar serrations 11 and 21 are no longer positioned so that they overlap each other. This process step is easy to handle.

[0074] In a second step, the first serrations 11 and the second serrations 21 are then clamped together using the clamping pin 130. Since the wheel hub 120 is already temporarily fixed to the constant velocity joint 110, no additional retaining means are required for the installation and screwing of the clamping pin 130. The screwing brings the first serrations 11 and the second serrations 21 into contact with each other without play. The appropriate clamping is selected depending on the torque to be transmitted. This process step is also easy to handle. When the assembly position is reached, the ring 40 radially seals the engagement between the first serrations 11 and the second serrations 21 outward, i.e., it is transformed from an assembly aid into a sealing device.

[0075] The axially tightened planar serration assembly is removable, particularly non-destructively, which is advantageous in the case of after-sales servicing.

[0076] For this purpose, for example, the locking mechanism 41 can be configured in such a way that the locking projection 41 a can be released by a high axial force or bending moment, and for this purpose, correspondingly adapted contact bevels or chamfers can be provided.

[0077] Similarly, when slits 45 are used for clamping, the clamping force can be adjusted so that release is possible while overcoming the clamping force.

[0078] For example, in the case of after-sales service, the removal method can be carried out simply as follows: To do this, the clamping device 30 or the clamping pin 130 is first loosened somewhat, preferably so that the partial engagement of the planar serrations 11 and 21 remains. To do this, the clamping pin 130 can be released, for example, by approximately 3 to 9 mm (corresponding to 2 to 6 turns for a 1.5 mm thread pitch). The head 31 of the clamping pin 130 is struck with a soft hammer until the ring 40 is released in the area of ​​the locking mechanism 41 or the slit 45. The falling of the constant velocity joint 110 can be prevented by the clamping pin 130 not yet fully released. After the ring 40 is released, the clamping device 30 or the clamping pin 130 can be completely unscrewed.

[0079] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the embodiments and variants. In particular, technical individual features described in the above context as separate individual features can be realized independently of or in combination with other individual features, as long as this is technically possible, even if not explicitly stated. Therefore, the present invention is obviously not limited to the described embodiments and variants, but encompasses all configurations defined by the patent claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10 First component 11 First flat serration 12 Threaded Openings 20 Second component 21 Second flat serration 22 Protrusion 23 Recess 24 sealing surface 30 Fastening device 40 Rings 41 Locking mechanism 41a Locking protrusion 42 Inner surface 43 Outer surface 44 division 45 Slit 46 Sealing surface 50 Wheel bearings 110 Constant velocity joint 120 wheel hub 130 Fastening device 131 Head 132 Threaded Section 150 Wheel bearing 151 Inner race as a separate component 152 Outer Race 153 Rolling element ring 154 Wheel bearing seal ring 160 Slewing bearing h Tooth height x-axis play A axis

Claims

1. 1. An axially tightened planar serration assembly comprising: a first component (10) having first planar serrations (11); a second component (20) with second planar serrations (21); Including, The first flat serrations (11) and the second flat serrations (21) are intermeshed with each other, The assembly comprises: a fastening device (30) in which the first planar serration (11) and the second planar serration (21) are fastened to each other in the axial direction by the fastening device in a fastened state of the fastening device; a ring (40) surrounding and sealing the first flat serration (11) and the second flat serration (21) from the radially outer side; An axially tightened planar serration assembly comprising:

1. An axially tightened flat serration assembly, comprising: a ring (40) that, when the tightening device (30) is in an untightened state, provides an assembly retaining member that holds the first flat serrations (11) and the second flat serrations (21) in a loose engagement with each other such that an axial play (x) is smaller than a height (h) of the tooth row of the first flat serrations (11) and a height (h) of the tooth row of the second flat serrations (21).

2. 2. The axially tightened planar serration assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ring (40) is fixed to one of the first and second components (10, 20) and is connected to the other of the first and second components (10, 20) via a locking mechanism (41).

3. 22. The axially tightening flat serration assembly according to claim 21, wherein the ring (40) is formed with locking projections (41a) distributed around its periphery, the locking projections engaging with one or more recesses (23) on the other component after climbing over protrusions (22) on the other component.

4. 4. The axially tightening planar serration assembly according to claim 3, wherein the ring (40) has a section (44) that forms the locking projection, and the section (44) of the ring (40) that forms the locking projection is elastically contractible and expandable in a radial direction to overcome locking resistance.

5. 5. The axially tightened flat serration assembly according to claim 3, wherein the locking projections (41a) are accommodated in the corresponding recesses (23) with axial play when the tightening device (30) is in an untightened state.

6. 6. The axially tightening type flat serration assembly according to claim 3, wherein when the locking projection (41 a) overcomes the protrusion (22), an overlap between the tooth row of the first flat serration (11) and the tooth row of the second flat serration (21) is 30% to 90% of a height (h) of the tooth row of the first flat serration and the tooth row of the second flat serration.

7. 3. An axially tightened flat serration assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said ring (40) is provided with slits at a plurality of locations around its circumference.

8. 7. The axially tightened flat serration assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ring has an annular sealing surface (46) which, in a tightened state of the tightening device (30), is pressed against a corresponding sealing surface (24) on the other component.

9. 9. The axially-tightened plain serration assembly of claim 8, wherein said annular sealing surface (46) on said ring (40) and said corresponding sealing surface (24) on said other component are conically shaped.

10. 10. An axially tightened flat serration assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ring (40) is made of plastic over its entire periphery.

11. 11. The axially tightened planar serration assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first component (10) is a constant velocity joint (110), the second component (20) is a wheel hub (120) equipped with a wheel bearing (150), and the tightening device (30) is a tightening pin (130) guided centrally through the first planar serration (11) and the second planar serration (21), thereby tightening the first component (10) and the second component (20) together.

12. 12. The axially tightened flat serration assembly according to claim 11, wherein the ring (40) is itself engaged with an inner race (151) of the wheel bearing (150) assembled to the wheel hub (120) and seals against the inner race.

13. 13. The axially tightened flat serration assembly according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, in a tightened state of the tightening pin (30), the ring (40) is pressed axially against a seal ring (154) of a wheel bearing seal of the wheel bearing (150) to form a seal.

14. The axially-locked planar serration assembly of claim 11, wherein said ring (40) is locked to a section of said wheel hub (120).

15. 15. A method for joining a constant velocity joint (110) to a wheel hub (120) with a wheel bearing (150) using the flat serration assembly of any one of claims 11 to 14, comprising the steps of: In a first step, the constant velocity joint (110) and the wheel hub (120) with the wheel bearing (150) are loosely assembled together using a ring (40), which ensures that the first planar serration (11) and the second planar serration (21) remain partially engaged; and In a second step, the first and second flat serrations (11, 21) are fastened together using a fastening pin (130), so that the first and second flat serrations (11, 21) are pressed against each other without play, and the ring (40) seals the engagement between the first and second flat serrations (11, 21) radially outward. method.

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