UNIVERSAL JOINT ASSEMBLY METHOD AND UNIVERSAL JOINT ASSEMBLY APPARATUS

摘要

A universal joint includes: a pair of yokes each including a pair of arms in each of which a bearing hole is formed; four bearings each including a bearing cup press-fitted into the bearing hole and a plurality of needle rollers; and a joint spider including four shafts respectively supported by the bearings. A clinched portion that hinders the bearing cup from slipping out of the bearing hole is formed at the peripheral edge of the bearing hole. In the universal joint, the clinching amount for forming the clinched portion is set in accordance with a radial clearance, which is formed between the shaft of the joint spider and the needle rollers, to adjust the size of the radial clearance.

主权项

1. A universal joint assembly method for assembling a universal joint that includes:
a pair of yokes each including a pair of arms in each of which a bearing hole is formed; four bearings each including a bearing cup press-fitted into the bearing hole and a plurality of rolling elements disposed at an inner periphery of the bearing cup; and a joint spider including four shafts respectively supported by the four bearings, the bearing hole provided with a clinched portion that hinders the bearing cup from slipping out of the bearing hole, the universal joint assembly method comprising: forming the clinched portion at a peripheral edge of the bearing hole, wherein a clinching amount, by which the peripheral edge of the bearing hole is deformed in an axial direction of the bearing hole when forming the clinched portion, is set in accordance with a radial clearance, which is formed between the shaft of the joint spider and the rolling elements after the bearing cup is press-fitted into the bearing hole and before the clinched portion is formed, to adjust a size of the radial clearance after the clinched portion is formed.