Stroking and articulating constant velocity joint assembly
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorsJeffrey P. Courville, Jon N. Miller, Jenny C. Ho, Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A constant velocity joint assembly includes an inner annulus having a first race and an outer annulus having a second race supporting the first race for pivotal movement relative to the second race about a pivot axis. A third race is provided by the outer annulus and a fourth race is provided by an interface member. A ball spline is disposed between the third race and the fourth race for axial stroking movement of the third race relative to the fourth race, wherein the ball spline is axially offset from the pivot axis. Separate boots seal and isolate the pivotal movement and the stroking movement from one another.
Claims9
A constant velocity joint assembly, comprising:
- an inner annulus having a first race;
- an outer annulus provided as a monolithic piece of material, said outer annulus having a second race operably supporting said first race for pivotal movement of said first race relative to said second race about a pivot axis;
- a third race provided by said outer annulus;
- an interface member having a fourth race;
- a ball spline disposed between said third race and said fourth race for axial stroking movement of said third race relative to said fourth race,
- wherein said ball spline is axially offset from said pivot axis;
- a shaft fixed to and extending from said first race;
- a flexible first boot operably coupled to said shaft and said outer annulus, said flexible first boot forming a seal between said shaft and said outer annulus and allowing said shaft and said first race to pivot relative to said second race about said pivot axis;
- a flexible second boot operably coupled to said outer annulus and said interface member, said flexible second boot forming a seal between said outer annulus and said interface member and allowing said outer annulus to move in axial stroking relation relative to said interface member;
- and
- further including a plurality of balls disposed between said first race and said second race, said plurality of balls having a first ball center diameter, wherein said ball spline has a second ball center diameter, said first ball center diameter being greater than said second ball center diameter.
A constant velocity joint assembly, comprising:
- an inner annulus having a first race;
- an outer annulus provided as a monolithic piece of material, said outer annulus having a second race operably supporting said first race for pivotal movement of said first race relative to said second race about a pivot axis;
- a third race provided by said outer annulus;
- an interface member having a fourth race, said interface member extending axially between a first end and an opposite second end, said first end disposed in said outer annulus;
- a ball spline disposed between said third race and said fourth race for axial stroking movement of said third race relative to said fourth race;
- a shaft fixed to and extending from said first race;
- a flexible first boot operably coupled to said shaft and said outer annulus, said flexible first boot forming a seal between said shaft and said outer annulus and allowing said shaft and said first race to pivot relative to said second race about said pivot axis;
- and
- a flexible second boot having a first end operably coupled to said outer annulus and a second end operably coupled to said interface member immediately adjacent said second end of said interface member, said flexible second boot forming a seal between said outer annulus and said interface member and allowing said outer annulus to move in axial stroking relation relative to said interface member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.