FR2534334A1 - UNIVERSAL JOINT WITH PLASTIC BEARINGS MOUNTED ON THE CHAPES - Google Patents

Abstract

EACH OF THE ARMS12, 14, 22, 24 OF THE UNIVERSAL SEAL CAPS INCLUDES A PLASTIC BEARING40, 42, 44, 46. EACH PLASTIC BEARING HAS A CENTRAL BORE66, 68, 70, 72 INTENDED TO RECEIVE A DRIVE54, 58, 60 WHICH EXTENDS INTO THE BORE FROM THE HUB 30 OF THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. EACH BEARING40, 42, 44, 46 HAS A SHOULDER48 COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE INTERNAL SURFACE49 OF THE CORRESPONDING ARM14. APPLICATION TO UNIVERSAL JOINTS EQUIPMENT.

Description

-534334

  This invention relates to universal joints O More particularly, this invention relates to a joint

  with a plastic bearing inserted into

  in aligned holes in universal joint clevises. In commonly used universal joints,

  such as the universal joints used in some

  of the motor vehicle, special plastic thrust washers are provided between the surfaces of the universal joint hub and each

  arm of each joint clevis These thrust washers reduce the

  feel the contact friction between the hub and the arms, and also serve as shields against dirt or sealing elements The torque is transmitted by

  the arms of the clevises to the hub of the universal joint through

  of needle bearings mounted on trunnions

which extend from the hub.

  In its broadest definition, this invention relates to a universal joint having a clevis having

  forked arms The arms have aligned bores.

  A plastic bearing introduced into each bore of the arms of the yoke has a longitudinal bore which

  extends from the inside of the landing, at least partially

  through the bearing to receive trunnions.

  Other features and benefits of

  invention will be better understood on reading the description of

  following statement of an example of achievement, and in

  Referring to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view

  universal joint according to a preferred embodiment

  FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, showing part of the universal joint of FIG. 1,

  after it has been assembled.

  In the different figures, analogous parts

  are identified by the same references.

  Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, the universal joint comprises a clevis provided with arms 12 and 14 fork-shaped arms 12 and 14

  have bores 16 and 18 aligned, respectively.

  A second clevis having arms 22 and 24 shaped

  fork having aligned bores 26 and 28,

  Finally, it also forms part of the universal joint.

  A hub 30 is fitted between the arms of the two yokes which are arranged with an angular offset of 900

  relative to each other, as shown.

  A bore 32 extends through the hub 30, permitting

  perpendicular to the surface 34 of the hub A similar bore

  36 extends through the hub 30 perpendicularly

  at the surface 38 of the hub The axis of the bore 32 is

  The two axes of the bores intersect in the hub 300 The universal joint also comprises plastic bearings 40, 42, 44 and 46 The bearing 40 comprises a shoulder, such as the shoulder radially extending annulus 48 which connects the larger diameter portion 50 to the smaller diameter portion 52 The structure of the bearings 42, 44 and 46 is the same as the bearing structure 40. The universal joint also includes a pin 54 having an annular groove 56 disposed axially in a central position The pins 58 and 60, shorter than the pin 54, have V-shaped grooves 62 and 64 respectively Each of the bearings, such as the bearing 40, has a bore extending longitudinally, such as the bore 66, which can extend partially through the bearing from the inner surface 67 (see FIG.

  landing, but which preferably crosses the whole landing.

  In order to assemble the universal joint shown in FIG. 1, the bearings 40 and 42 are introduced into the

  holes-16 and 18, respectively, of the arms 12 and 14, respectively

  and bearings 44 and 46 are placed in the holes

  aligned respectively with arms 22 and 24,

  The hub 30 is then arranged in the clevises of

  so that the bore 36 of the hub is aligned with the holes

  16 and 18 of the arms 12 and 14 and that the bore 32 is

  with the bores 26 and 28 of the arms 22 and 24

  lon 54 can then be introduced, for example, into the hole 66 of the bearing 40, from outside the universal joint, into the bore 36 and into the bore 68 of the bearing 42. The pins 58 and 60 are then introduced from the outside the universal joint in the bores 70 and 72 of the bearings 44 and 46, respectively, and in the bore 32 the grooves

  V-shaped 62 and 64 of the journals 58 and 60, respectively

  adjust around the cylindrical surface delimited by the annular groove 56 on the trunnion 54, in order to

  complete the assembly of the universal joint.

  With particular reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that when the universal joint is assembled, each bearing, such as the bearing 40, is disposed in

  the bore 16 of the arm 14 of the yoke, so that the shoulder

  48 the longitudinal portion of smaller diameter 52 of the bearing 40 extends through the bore 16 of the arm of the clevis Similarly, the shoulders of each of the

  other stages 42, 44 and 46 come into contact with the sur-

  inner side of each corresponding arm, the longitudinal part

  tudinal of smaller diameter extending through

  the bore of the arm of the corresponding screed.

  This invention eliminates the need for conventional and expensive needle bearings. It also eliminates the need for individual and special pylons that are separate from the thrust washers. As the bearings have open ended bores allowing the trunnions to be introduced from the outside of the arms. screeds, the assembly of the universal joint is much easier than the assembly of conventional universal joints, which

  include closed-ended needle bearings.

  The bearings can be molded in different

  plastics which possess self-

  lubrication The bearings can also be realized

  with pockets of fat retention, if characteristics

  Additional lubrication is required.

  Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the device which has just been described by way of non-limiting example,

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims (1)

  Universal joint comprising a yoke having fork-shaped arms (12, 14, 22, 24) having aligned bores (16, 18, 26, 28), characterized in that a plastic bearing (40, 42, 44, 46) is introduced into each bore (16, 18, 26, 28), each of the bearings (40, 42, 44, 46) having a longitudinal bore (66, 68, 70, 72) extending from the interior (67) of the bearing (40) at least partially therethrough to receive journals (54, 58, 60) 2 Universal joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the bore (16 , 18, 26, 28) of each bearing (40, 42, 44, 46) passes entirely through the bearing. 3 o universal joint according to claim 2, characterized in that each bearing (40, 42, 44, 46)   has a shoulder (48) coming into contact with the sur-   internal face (49) of the corresponding arm (14) o 4 universal joint according to claim 3, characterized in that the shoulder is an annular radial shoulder (48) connecting a longitudinal portion of   smaller diameter (52) of the bearing (40) to a longitudinal portion   larger diameter (50) of the bearing (40), the   Longitudinal tie of smaller diameter (52) crossing   the bore (18) of the arm (14) of the yoke.