Constant velocity fixed joint with alternate sequential running grooves
AssigneeGKN Automotive AG
InventorWerner Jacob
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A constant velocity fixed joint for large articulation angles and a high torque capacity has an inner member and an outer member produced with undercut-free opposing first outer running grooves and first inner running grooves as well as opposing outer running grooves and second inner running grooves starting from different open end faces. To achieve a constant track depth, as possible, via the articulation angle, the webs between two circumferentially adjoining outer running grooves are divided into first and second inner faces which extend, in an undercut-free way, from the same open end face of the directly adjoining outer running grooves.
Claims19
A constant velocity fixed joint with opposing open end faces comprising:
- an outer member with a central cavity having an inner surface, said inner surface, in meridian planes, being provided with first and second outer running grooves axially extending along the longitudinal axis of the outer member, said first and second outer running grooves having an undercut-free surface disposed in an opposite direction with respect to one another which alternate on the circumference in a predetermined sequence, said inner surface further having webs between circumferentially adjoining outer running grooves divided into first and second inner faces, said first and second inner faces having a partially spherical surface and an undercut-free surface disposed in an opposite direction to one another, said under-free surface of said first and second inner faces being in the same direction as said undercut-free surface of said adjoining outer running groove;
- an inner member arranged in the central cavity of the outer member with a spherical outer face which, in meridian planes, is provided with first and second inner running grooves axially extending along the longitudinal axis of the inner member in an opposite direction with respect to one another which are positioned opposite the respective first or second outer running grooves, the track bases of the first outer running grooves and the first inner running grooves being undercut-free starting from one open end face and the track bases of the second outer running grooves and the second inner running grooves being undercut-free from the other open end face, together the outer and inner running grooves are jaw-like towards one of the two open end faces;
- ball for torque transmitting purposes;
- a cage arranged between the outer face of the inner member and the inner face of the outer member, the cage having a spherical inner face arranged concentrically with the spherical outer face of the inner member and a spherical outer face arranged concentrically with said spherical surface of said first and second inner surfaces of said outer member.
A constant velocity fixed joint according to clam 15 wherein the whole outer member is broken along breaking regions located in the webs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.