FÌG. 1 shows a side view of the adapter 40 of the present invèntion. As shown, the adapter 40 has a first interface surface 41 that is designed to engage a yoke member interconnected to a rotating member. This yoke member may be interconnected to a power output, a power input, a shaft, a hub, or any other member that rotates to transfer power. In any case, the yoke member is originally designed to receive opposing torque transfer elements (e.g. trunnions) typically on a cruciform connector, as will be more fully discussed herein. An opposing second interface surface 43 is designed to be received within a ring member of a ring joint assembly. In this regard, the adapter allows a yoke member designed for use with a cruciform connector to be converted for use with a ring-type yoke.
FÌG. 2, shows a cruciform joint assembly 200 for transmitting rotary power from a transmission 110 of an automobile to an output shaft 150 (e.g. a drive line). As shown, the cruciform joint assembly 200 includes a cruciform connector 140 having four radially-extending torque transfer elements, each of which is covered by a coaxially aligned bearing cap. A first set of opposing torque transfer elements 142 a-b (only one shown) on the cruciform connector 140 are interconnectable to an output yoke 114 , which is attached to the transmission 110 via a splined hub bolt assembly 112 . As shown, the opposing torque transfer elements 142 a-b are sized for receipt in two opposing radial bores 120 a-b partially defined by the output yoke 114 . When assembled, two interconnection bolts 118 are engaged with two mating threaded holes 119 on the output yoke 114 to securely affix each retaining cap 116 a-b to corresponding radial bores 120 a-b on the output yoke 114 . Accordingly, once the retaining caps 116 are bolted to the output yoke 114 , the torque transfer elements 142 a-b of the cruciform connector 140 are secured within the opposing bores 120 a-b.
A second set of opposing torque transfer elements 144 a-b on the cruciform member connector 140 are connected to a generally U-shaped yoke 130 that is interconnected to the end of the output shaft 150 . The U-shaped yoke 130 includes first and second opposing bores 132 a-b (only one shown) for receiving the second set of opposing torque transfer elements 144 a-b . As shown, the opposing torque transfer elements 144 a-b are press fit within the opposing bores 132 a-b on yoke 130 .
Typically, the operating angle between the transmission 110 and output shaft 150 is designed to be within an acceptable limit for the cruciform joint assembly 200 . However, changes to the suspension of the vehicle caused by worn springs, revisions to driveline components, stretching or shortening the chassis and/or raising or lowering the vehicle, may result in an increased angle between the output shaft 150 and the transmission 110 . Accordingly, the cruciform joint assembly 200 may experience increased stresses and/or decreased performance. In this regard, an increased angle between the output shaft 150 and the transmission 110 may result in a shortened operating life for the cruciform connector 140 . Accordingly, in some instances it may be desirable to replace the joint assembly 200 with a ring joint assembly having a greater allowable range of motion.
FÌG. 3 shows a perspective view of a ring-joint assembly 100 utilized to interconnect first and second shafts 102 , 104 . The ring-joint assembly 100 is universal joint assembly that utilizes an external ring 10 to transfer of a rotary torque between the first and second shafts 102 , 104 . As shown in FÌG. 2, each shaft 102 , 104 has a yoke 106 , 108 attached to their facing ends. The open ends of the yokes 106 , 108 are in a facing relationship and rotated 90° relative to one another. The external ring 10 surrounds the yokes 106 , 108 and receives torque-transfer elements (trunnions 30 ) extending radially outward from the yokes 106 , 108 (see for example, FÌG. 5 ). Accordingly, the external ring 10 includes four radial bores 12 , equally spaced about its circumference for receiving the trunnions 30 . In the embodimènt shown, a removable retainer 20 , in conjunction with the external ring 10 , defines each of the four radial bores 12 . These retainers 20 are interconnected to the ring 10 utilizing two bolts 24 (i.e. one on either side of the radial bore 12 ). However, it will be appreciated that the radial bores may be formed entirely within the ring 10 .
The trunnions 30 may be integrally formed or fixedly attached to the yokes 106 , 108 . Alternatively, the trunnions 30 may be formed as separate pins received by both the yokes 106 , 108 and the ring 10 (e.g. threaded into the yokes 106 , 108 and received within the radial bores 12 of the ring member 10 . Furthermore, each torque transfer element will typically include a bearing assembly allowing each opposing pair of torque transfer elements to create a pivotable connection between the ring 10 and the yoke 106 , 108 . In this regard, a first pair of opposing radial bores 12 defines a first pivot axis with the first shaft 102 , while a second pair of the bores 12 defines a second pivot axis with the second shaft 104 . As will be appreciated, once the shafts 102 , 104 are interconnected via the ring member 10 , the shafts 102 , 104 have two rotational degrees of freedom relative to one another, thereby allowing the shafts 102 , 104 to rotate about non-aligned axes of rotation. Furthermore, due to the geometry of the ring 10 , the shafts 102 , 104 have a greater allowable range of motion as compared to shafts interconnected with a cruciform type joint 200 as shown in FÌG. 2 .
In order to adapt the yoke 114 on the transmission 110 for use with a ring joint as shown above in FÌG. 3, the adapter of FÌG. 1 is utilized. FÌG. 4 shows the adapter 40 being utilized to connect the cruciform-type yoke 114 to a ring joint assembly 100 . The yoke 114 as shown in FÌG. 4 is the same yoke 114 as shown in FÌG. 2 having been removed from the transmission 110 for illustrative purposes. However, it will be appreciated that the adapter 40 may be utilized with yoke members that are interconnectable to other rotating members. To interconnect the adapter 40 to the yoke 114 the bolts 118 , retaining caps 116 , and cruciform connector 140 are removed from the yoke 114 . The four threaded holes 119 previously utilized to connect the two retaining caps 116 a-b to the yoke 114 are utilized to interconnect the adapter 40 to the yoke 114 .
As shown in FÌGS. 4 and 5, the adapter 40 includes four spaced bolt holes 44 for interconnecting the adapter 40 to the threaded holes 119 in the yoke 114 . Further, in the embodimènt shown, the adapter 40 includes first and second torque transfer elements 46 a-b sized for receipt within the portions of the radial bores 120 a-b defined by the yoke 114 . As shown, the torque transfer elements 46 a-b are integrally formed with the adapter 40 . As will be appreciated, the adapter 40 may be formed without the first and second torque transfer elements 46 a-b . However, without the torque transfer elements 46 a-b , torque transfer between the yoke 114 and the adapter 40 is limited to the sheer strength of the four bolts. In this regard, inclusion of the first and second torque transfer elements 46 a-b allows for increased torque transfer between the adapter 40 and the yoke 114 .
The torque transfer elements 46 a-b are also utilized to align the adapter 40 with the output yoke 114 . In this regard, each torque transfer element 46 a-b includes an alignment notch 48 (only one of which is shown) for use in centering the adapter 40 with the yoke 114 . As shown in FÌG. 4, the alignment notch 48 corresponds with a retention tab 122 on the yoke 114 .
As shown in FÌG. 5, the yoke 114 has been removed to better illustrate the first interface surface 41 . This interface surface 41 may be individually designed to engage any number of output yokes. In this regard, it will be appreciated that cruciform connectors and their corresponding yokes are produced in a range of sizes for different applications. Further, a variety of mechanisms exist to interconnect cruciform connectors to cruciform-type yokes. Accordingly, the first interface surface 41 may be formed with any of a variety of differently sized torque transfer elements 46 a-b for receipt within a variety of differently sized yokes. Likewise a variety of attachment means may be utilized to interconnect the adapter 40 to the yokes. That is, the first interface of the adapter 40 may be designed to be fixedly attached to any cruciform yoke utilizing any appropriate attachment means, including releasable mechanical fasteners (e.g. bolts) and/or permanent connection (e.g. welding).
As noted above, the second interface surface 43 of the adapter 40 is interconnectable to a ring 10 of a ring joint assembly 100 . FÌGS. 1 and 6 show side and top views of the second interface surface 43 of the adapter 40 , respectively. As shown in FÌG. 1, the second interface surface 43 generally comprises a U-shaped yoke 60 having first and second ears 62 , 64 equally spaced about a centerline axis of the adapter 40 . This U-shaped yoke member 60 is sized to be received within the aperture of the ring 10 of a ring-joint assembly as shown in FÌG. 5 .
Each ear 62 , 64 of the U-shaped yoke 60 includes a radial bore 66 sized to receive a trunnion 30 and/or bearing assembly (e.g. a bushing) extending inward from the ring 10 . See FÌG. 5 . Though shown as utilizing a radial bore 66 for receiving trunnions extending inward from the ring member 10 , it will be appreciated that the U-shaped yoke 60 may also incorporate outwardly extending trunnions that are fixedly interconnected (e.g., welded, threaded, and/or integrally formed) on the first and second ears 60 , 62 . In this regard, the outwardly extending trunnions are received within opposing radial bores 12 of the ring member 10 . In any case, upon interconnection the adapter 40 and ring 10 are pivotally interconnected.
Though the yoke on the end of shaft 150 utilized with the cruciform connector 140 (See FÌG. 2) is substantially similar to the yoke 70 on the end of the shaft 150 utilized with the ring connector (See FÌG. 5 ), it will be appreciated that the yoke 70 received within the ring member 10 will typically be considerably smaller than a yoke 130 sized to receive a cruciform connector 140 . In this regard, the U-shaped yoke 130 as shown in FÌG. 2 may be removed from the shaft 150 and replaced with a smaller yoke 70 as shown in FÌG. 5 . In this regard, the cruciform member receiving yoke 130 may be cut off of the output shaft 150 and the smaller yoke 70 , sized for receipt within a ring member, may be welded in its place. As will be appreciated, this process may be performed in a manner known to those skilled in the art.
FÌGS. 7 and 8 show an alternate embodimènt of the adapter 40 , wherein the central bore 52 of the bearing housing 50 extends entirely through the adapter 40 . In the embodimènt shown, the bore 52 is sized to receive two bearing assemblies 54 a-b . These bearing assemblies 54 a-b may be press-fit within the bore 52 , or, the bore 52 may further include snap rings and retention grooves (not shown) for retaining the bearing assemblies 54 a-b within the bore 52 . In any case, the bearing assemblies 54 a-b each include a central aperture (not shown) sized to receive the end of a centering means or rigid fixation system, which extends through the ring member 10 of the ring joint assembly 100 . As shown in FÌG. 8, a central bar 56 of a rigid fixation system is illustrated that is utilized to maintain first and second rotating members (typically interconnected by a ring type joint) at a constant angle relative to one another. It this regard, the rigid bar 56 has first and second sections 58 , 59 designed for receipt within central bores of two connected rotating members. Once the two sections 58 , 59 of the rigid bar are received within central bores of the rotating members (i.e., the central bore 50 adapter 40 and a central bore of a rotating member such as a shaft 150 ) those rotating members will maintain an angle between their rotational axes as defined by the angle between the first and second sections 58 , 59 .
Referring again to FÌG. 5, it is noted that in addition to the two torque transfer elements 46 a-b , the first interface surface 41 of the adapter 40 also includes a substantially circular bearing housing 50 disposed between the torque transfer elements 46 a-b . This core member 50 is sized to be received within the open end of yoke 114 when the adapter 40 is interconnected thereto. See FÌG. 4 . The bearing housing 50 provides a central structure that allows the adapter 40 to support a centering means or a rigid fixation system within a central bore (see FÌG. 8) that maintains the output shaft 150 at a desired angle relative to the output yoke 114 . Such a device is illustrated in a co-filed U.S. Patènt Application entitled "Rigid Bent Bar Self-Supporting CV Joint", which has not yet been assigned a filing number and is further identified as attorney docket number 50062-00001; the contents of which are incorporated herein as if set forth in full. However, it will be appreciated that the adapter may also be formed without the bearing housing 50 .
Though discussed herein as utilizing an adapter to convert a cruciform output yoke of a transmission to yoke adapted for use with a ring joint assembly, it will be appreciated that other adapter embodimènts may be utilized. For example, it is common for drive linkages to utilize a carrier (i.e. a short shaft) having a cruciform joint on each end to provide a constant velocity joint and to increase the operating range between an input shaft and an output shaft. That is, some linkages utilize a double cruciform joint assembly. An adapter similar to that discussed above may be utilized with such carriers. In this regard, one or both of the cruciform receiving yokes on the carrier may be adapted for use with a ring-type joint.
本文转自：China Industry News