Method of forming a precision ball track
AssigneeGKN Automotive Components Inc.
InventorDaniel W. Hazebrook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for forming a precision ball groove track in a part, especially in an outer race member of a universal joint. The method includes the steps of forming a recess groove in the ball race groove track and ball finish machining the race groove track to a predetermined precision shape, the recess reducing groove the wear on the finish machining tool used during the finish machining step.
Claims15
A method of forming a precision ball race groove track in a race member of a universal joint, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming said race member with a formed ball race groove track and with a recess groove extending along said formed ball race groove track, said recess groove having a base that will not come into contact with a finishing tool used to finish machine said ball race groove track;
- and
- finish machining said formed ball race groove track to a predetermined precision shape to produce said precision ball race groove track by moving said ball race groove track into contact with the finishing tool such that the finishing tool contacts said ball race groove track to thereby finish machine said ball race groove track without coming into contact with said base of said recess groove extending along said formed ball race groove track.
A method of forming an outer race member of a universal joint having an inner race member and a plurality of ball engaging race groove tracks in said inner and outer race members, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a cavity in said outer race member, said cavity having a plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks formed therein, each of said plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks having a recess groove formed in the apex thereof, said recess groove having a base that will not come into contact with a finishing tool used to finish machine said ball race groove track;
- and
- finish machining each of said plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks to a predetermined precision shape to produce a plurality of precision ball race groove tracks by moving said ball race groove track into contact with the finishing tool such that the finishing tool contacts said ball race groove track to thereby finish machine said ball race groove track without coming into contact with the base of said recess groove extending along each of said plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks.
A method of forming an inner race member of a universal joint having an outer race member and a plurality of spaced apart ball engaging race groove tracks in said inner and outer race members, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming an inner race member having an outer spherical surface and a plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks formed thereon, each of said plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks having a recess groove formed in the apex thereof, said recess groove having a base that will not come into contact with a finishing tool used to finish machine said ball race groove track;
- and
- finish machining each of said plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks to a predetermined precision shape to produce a plurality of precision ball race groove tracks by moving said ball race groove track into contact with the finishing tool such that the finishing tool contacts said ball race groove track to thereby finish machine said ball race groove track without coming into contact with the base of said recess groove extending along each of said plurality of spaced apart ball race groove tracks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.