Homocinetic ball-and-socket joint with optimized roll error

A constant velocity universal ball joint of the fixed joint type, comprising:

• an outer joint part with curved outer ball tracks extending longitudinally inside,
• an inner joint part with curved inner ball tracks extending longitudinally outside,
• a plurality of torque transmitting balls which are each guided in outer and inner ball tracks associated with one another,
• a ball cage with a plurality of cage windows respectively receiving said balls, wherein the tangential planes at points of contact of said balls with said outer and inner ball tracks—said points of contact serving torque transmitting purposes—define a spatial angle (K) and wherein the superposition of the momentary local relative speeds in said points of contact between said balls and said outer and inner ball tracks defines a rolling error (Δv), said tracks are designed such that when the joint is in an articulated condition, minimum control angles (K) coincide with regions of minimum rolling errors (Δv), and
• wherein when the joint is in an, aligned condition, the center lines of outer and inner ball tracks associated with one another are each positioned in planes (BB) which, in a corresponding circumferential sense, are offset parallel relative to radial reference planes (YZ) through coinciding central axes of said inner joint part and of said outer joint part.

A constant velocity universal ball joint of the fixed joint type, comprising:

• an outer joint part with curved outer ball tracks extending longitudinally inside,
• an inner joint part with curved inner ball tracks extending longitudinally outside,
• a plurality of torque transmitting balls which are each guided in outer and inner ball tracks associated with one another,
• a ball cage with a plurality of cage windows respectively receiving said balls, wherein the tangential planes at points of contact of said balls with said outer and inner ball tracks—said points of contact serving torque transmitting purposes—define a spatial angle (2K) and wherein the superposition of the momentary local relative speeds in said points of contact between said balls and said outer and inner ball tracks defines a rolling error (Δv),
• said tracks are designed such that when the joint is in an articulated condition, minimum control angles (K) coincide with regions of minimum rolling errors (Δv), and
• wherein when the joint is in an aligned condition, the center lines of the outer and inner ball tracks associated with one another are positioned in a radial plane (AA) through the coinciding central axes of the inner joint part and the outer joint part and comprise circular arches whose radius of curvature (R1) is smaller than a rolling circle radius (Ro).