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US 2004/0106459 A1Published application
Constant velocity joint
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsSteven Mark Thomas, William Paul Skvarla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A constant velocity joint includes outer and inner races with mating part-spherical surfaces in which a single functional set of ball grooves are formed bearing a single torque-transmitting ball which is urged under an applied torque load toward one axial end of the joint. A retainer is carried by one of the two races or the shafts to which they are connected and acts on the ball to maintain the ball within the grooves during all angles of the joint.
Claims13
A constant velocity joint comprising:
- an outer race coupled to a first shaft and having a socket with a part-spherical inner surface;
- an inner race coupled to a second shaft and having a part-spherical outer surface engaging said part-spherical inner surface to provide relative angular movement of said races about a common joint center of said races;
- and
- torque-transmitting structure acting between said races to prevent relative rotation of said races for effecting transmission of torque between said shafts, said torque-transmitting structure including a single functional ball groove formed in said inner surface of said outer race, a single complementing functional ball groove formed in said outer surface of said inner race opposite the ball groove of the outer race to define a single functional ball track, a single torque-transmitting ball disposed in said ball track and urged by said grooves under torque load toward an axial end of said socket, and a retainer acting on said ball to maintain said ball within said ball track.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.