Connection between inner joint part and driveshaft

Details Connection between inner joint part and driveshaft Connection between inner joint part and driveshaft

1999-06-01

2001-10-09

Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)

Metal working

Method of mechanical manufacture

Process for making bearing or component thereof

C464S111000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06298556

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a non-rotating and axially secured connection between an inner joint part of a constant velocity joint. The inner joint part, at its outer circumference includes tracks for receiving torque-transmitting balls or tripod arms for sliding on rollers. Also, the inner joint part includes a central bore with inner teeth. A driveshaft, provided with corresponding outer teeth, is inserted into the bore. The invention also relates to a method of producing the inner joint part and the connection.
Connections of this type have so far been designed in such a way that the inner joint part is provided with a through-hole with continuous inner teeth. For this purpose, a pressing produced for the inner joint part by a non-chip-forming deformation operation is initially provided with opposed cup-shaped regions for the through-hole, whereupon the end wall located therebetween is roughly stamped out. Subsequently, the through-hole is produced by turning, and finally, in the bore prepared in such a way the teeth are produced by broaching. The free end of the respective shaft is provided with outer teeth which have approximately the same length as the inner teeth of the inner joint part and which are followed by a stop collar. An annular groove is produced at the end of the shaft. The inner joint part is slid onto the shaft end and axially secured thereon by means of a securing ring inserted into the annular groove. The outer teeth at the shaft end may be produced in a non-chip-forming way by curling. With this type of connection and the method of producing it, it is particularly disadvantageous that the operation of producing the inner teeth at the inner joint part takes place in three consecutive process stages. (See
FIGS. 5
a
through
5
f
).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to improve a connection of the above-mentioned type in such a way that the method of producing the parts is simplified without adversely affecting the safety of the connection. In addition to the above, the invention simplifies the method of assembling the parts to form the finished connection.
The objective is achieved by, at the end of the inner joint part facing the shaft end, the bore, with its inner teeth, changes into a through-hole with a smaller diameter. At the end of the driveshaft, in front of the outer teeth, a cylindrical portion is provided carrying an axial securing means. An inner joint part with the above-described characteristics can be produced in a smaller number of process stages in a simplified way. The pressing produced by non-chip-forming deformation is provided with a bore which extends over a substantial part of its axial length and which includes finished pressed-in inner teeth. In a further process stage the pressing may then be punched continuously on a smaller inner diameter so that the inner joint part is already complete after a second process stage. The resulting position of change in diameter between the bore and through-hole constitutes a first means for axially securing the parts in a first direction. The respective driveshaft is produced in a way which has not changed, e.g. the shaft teeth may be curled in a part which has been upset for example, and subsequently, the means for receiving or constituting the second axial securing means are prepared at the free shaft end. This may be achieved in a conventional way by cutting an annular groove which holds a securing ring.
According to a second advantageous design, the shaft end is provided with a central hollow space which forms a cylindrical projection. The projection axially secures the shaft relative to the inner joint part. The projection may be radially beaded open so that it rests against an end face of the inner joint part, thus constituting the securing means. In a preferred embodiment, the counter face of the inner joint part, a radial end face or a conical aperture is provided with teeth into which the cylindrical projection is pressed in a form-fitting way. To achieve a non-rotating connection, the teeth at the open end of the through-aperture do not have to correspond in any way to the inner teeth of the inner joint part. The latter embodiment in particular is distinctly cheaper than a design involving the production of an annular groove and the use of a separate securing ring. The design of the connection is simplified and the length of the means for achieving a non-rotating connection is changed only slightly, so that the amount of transferable torque is reduced only slightly, although the latter may be compensated for by increasing the axial length of the inner joint part. Production of the reciprocal axial securing means is more advantageous so that it is possible to reduce costs.
From the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and subjoined claims, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.


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