Tripod roller and tripod joint assembly

A method for forming a tripod roller for a tripod joint, comprising:

• providing an outer ring comprising an outer ring circumference annular running surface, for rolling in a tripod housing, and an inner circumferential surface;
• an inner ring comprising an inner ring circumference annular running surface for mounting on a pin of a tripod star and with an outer circumferential surface and end faces, wherein the end faces comprise recesses opening into the inner ring circumference annular running surface;
• rolling elements configured in an annular space between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring, wherein the outer ring is rotatably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring;
• axial locking rings, configured to be fixed to the outer ring to secure the outer ring axially relative to the inner ring,
• wherein the inner ring comprises recesses on at least one of the end faces for receiving lubricant,
• and wherein the recesses on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring are configured to open into the annular space of the rolling elements to supply the rolling elements with lubricant.

A tripod joint assembly, comprising:

• a tripod star comprising radially projecting pins;
• a tripod roller, mounted on each pin, the tripod roller comprising:
• an outer ring comprising an outer ring circumference annular running surface, for rolling in a tripod housing, and an inner circumferential surface,
• an inner ring comprising an inner ring circumference annular running surface for mounting on a pin of a tripod star and with an outer circumferential surface and end faces,
• rolling elements configured in an annular space between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring, wherein the outer ring is rotatably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring;
• axial locking rings, configured to be fixed to the outer ring to secure the outer ring axially relative to the inner ring,
• wherein the inner ring comprises recesses on at least one of the end faces for receiving lubricant,
• and wherein the recesses on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring are configured to open into the annular space of the rolling elements to supply the rolling elements with lubricant, and
• a tripod housing comprising a pair of tracks for each tripod roller for guiding the annular running surface of the outer ring of a respective tripod roller.