UNIVERSAL JOINT

Abstract

Prevention of movement of the rotational center of a spherical member provided at one end of a rotary shaft is achieved with an inexpensive structure. A universal joint is equipped with a rotary shaft 21 having a spherical member 22 provided at one end and having a pair of shafts 24 provided on the diameter line of the spherical member 22; and a rotating body 26 having guide grooves 28 formed therein for receiving the shafts of the rotary shaft, and a holding cage 27 formed therein for trapping the spherical member 22, the spherical member rotating about the axis of the shafts and also rotating while tilting the shafts along the guide grooves. Raised portions 30 are provided in the holding cage for preventing the spherical member from falling out of position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the mounting of the universal joint in a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the rotating body in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the process for forming a raised portion in the rotation body in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view with a partial cross section in a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the installation of an O ring in the second embodiment

FIG. 6 is a perspective view with a partial cross section in a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a conventional universal joint.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a spherical member provided at the end of a conventional rotary shaft.

FIG. 9 is a partially sectional view illustrating a conventional universal joint coupled to a drive wheel connected to the steering mechanism of a radio-controlled car.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a pair of rotating bodies positioned on the same axis, in the conventional universal joint

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the position of the pair of rotating bodies after one of them has rotated, in the conventional universal joint.

Claims

1. A universal joint, comprising: a rotary shaft having a spherical member provided at one end and having a pair of shafts provided on the diameter line of the spherical member; anda rotating body having guide grooves formed therein for receiving the shafts of the rotary shaft, and a holding cage formed therein for trapping the spherical member, the spherical member rotating about the axis of the shafts and also rotating while tilting the shafts along the guide grooves,wherein raised portions are formed in the holding cage of the rotating body by performing a punching process on the outer periphery of the rotating body for preventing the spherical member from falling out of the holding cage; anda jib stage is formed at the open end of the holding cage in the circumferential direction of the open end for receiving a jig used in the punching process.

2. A universal joint, comprising: a rotary shaft having a spherical member provided at one end and having a pair of shafts provided on the diameter line of the spherical member; anda rotating body having guide grooves formed therein for receiving the shafts of the rotary shaft, and a holding cage formed therein for trapping the spherical member, the spherical member rotating about the axis of the shafts and also rotating while tilting the shafts along the guide grooves,wherein O-ring grooves are formed in the outer periphery surface of the rotating body for receiving an O ring and have open ends formed in parts of the bottom portions of the O-ring grooves to allow the O ring to protrude from the open ends of the ring grooves to the inside of the holding cage, so that the protruding portions of the O ring prevent the spherical member from falling out of the holding cage, and the bottom portion of each of the ring grooves is formed in an arc shape having a curvature greater than the curvature of the inner surface of the holding cage.

3. A universal joint, comprising: a rotary shaft having a spherical member provided at one end and having a pair of shafts provided on the diameter line of the spherical member; anda rotating body having guide grooves formed therein for receiving the shafts of the rotary shaft, and a holding cage formed therein for trapping the spherical member, the spherical member rotating about the axis of the shafts and also rotating while tilting the shafts along the guide grooves,wherein through holes are formed in the rotating body, and balls are respectively inserted in the through holes and protrude from open ends of the through holes to the inside of the holding cage, so that the protruding portions of the balls prevent the spherical member from falling out of the holding cage.