US 7,018,297 B2 · Tripod joint

Abstract

Tripod joints have a joint outer part and a joint inner part which are in driving connection to each other with cylindrical rolling bodies being connected in between and axial displacement and pivotability being ensured. The longitudinal axes of adjacent rolling bodies are arranged at an acute angle to one another. This may result in an improved mechanical behavior of the tripod joint particularly during pivoting. The tripod joints may be suitable for the displaceable and pivotable driving connection of two shaft ends, in particular in conjunction with drive trains or side shafts of motor vehicles.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A tripod joint for transmitting a driving torque between two driving elements of a drive train, comprising:

a joint inner part having a tripod star with a pin;
a joint outer part holding the joint inner part;
and
rolling bodies inserted in a force flux between the joint outer part and the joint inner part, each of the rolling bodies having a cylindrical lateral surface;
wherein the joint outer part and the joint inner part are at least one of axially displaceable and pivotable with respect to each other in accordance with rolling movement of the rolling bodies;
and
wherein longitudinal axes of adjacent rolling bodies arranged along common surfaces of the joint outer part and the joint inner part are orientated at an acute angle with respect to one another.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tripod joint

Life of this patent

Tripod joint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9