Universal joint coupling in particular arranged on a universal joint shaft of an eccentric worm machine

A universal joint coupling, especially for use on a universal joint shaft of an eccentric worm machine, comprising:

• two axial force transmitting pairs of coupling members, each such pair including a spherical cup and a ball segment supported therein, one of said two axial force transmitting pairs of coupling members being subject to a higher load than the other of said two axial force transmitting pairs of coupling members when the universal joint coupling is operating;
• a torque transmitting pair of coupling members arranged between the two pairs of axial force transmitting coupling members, the torque transmitting pair of coupling members including an outer ring member having internal teeth defining gaps and an inner ring having external teeth defining gaps, the teeth of each ring meshing with the gaps of the other ring so as to transmit torque;
• a housing enclosing the said pairs of coupling members and including an annular cavity between each of the two axial force transmitting pairs of coupling members and the torque transmitting pair of coupling members;
• a lubricant inlet on the housing communicating with one of the annular cavities and an air outlet on the housing communicating with the other of the annular cavities, the lubricant inlet and the air outlet each having a closure member;
• wherein at least one tooth is omitted on one of the rings near the lubricant inlet, thereby leaving a gap on the other ring open to form a first lubricant passage between the two annular cavities;
• wherein at least one tooth is omitted on one of the rings near the air outlet, thereby leaving a gap on the other ring open to form a second lubricant passage between the two annular cavities;
• wherein the inner ring and the ball segments are integral parts of a hub;
• wherein at least the spherical cup of said one axial force transmitting pair operating under said higher load is joined to said outer ring by means that clearly and reliably ensures that only one position of said spherical cup relative to the outer ring is possible upon initial assembly and upon each reassembly after a disassembly;
• and
• wherein the teeth and gaps of the inner and outer rings are arranged such that the hub is capable of being assembled to the outer ring in only one position of the inner ring relative to the outer ring;
• whereby following a disassembly and subsequent reassembly of the universal joint coupling, at least the spherical cup of said one axial force transmitting pair that is subject to said higher load is engaged with the corresponding ball segment in the same position as existed upon initial assembly of the universal joint coupling.