# US 7,607,985 B2 · Constant velocity fixed joint

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,607,985 B2
- Document ID: US7607985B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/265,578
- Filed: 2008-11-05
- Published: 2009-03-05
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2000-12-04
- Assignees: GKN Driveline International GmbH
- Inventors: Werner Krude; Peter Harz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607985B2

## CPC

- F16D 3/2237: where the grooves are composed of radii and adjoining straight lines, i.e. undercut free [UF] type joints
- F16D 3/2245: where the groove centres are offset from the joint centre
- F16D 2003/22306: {having counter tracks, i.e. ball track surfaces which diverge in opposite directions}
- F16D 2003/22309: {Details of grooves}
- Y10S 464/906: Torque transmitted via radially spaced balls
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer and inner joint part forming pairs of ball tracks, wherein the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another. The track base lines of the outer ball tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose center is positioned beyond a first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part. The track base lines of the inner ball tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose center is positioned beyond the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A constant velocity fixed joint comprising:
an outer joint part comprising a first longitudinal axis, an attaching part and an axially opposed aperture, and outer ball tracks;
an inner joint part comprising a second longitudinal axis and inner ball tracks; and
a ball cage positioned between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and comprising circumferentially distributed cage windows which each receive a torque transmitting ball;
the outer ball tracks comprise center lines and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the first longitudinal axis;
the inner ball tracks comprise center lines and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the second longitudinal axis;
the outer ball tracks and the inner ball tracks form pairs of tracks with one another which each receive a torque transmitting ball;
the centers of the balls are held by the cage in a central plane when the joint is in an aligned condition and in an angle-bisecting plane when the joint is in an articulated condition;
when the joint is in an aligned condition, the center lines of the pairs of tracks are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the central plane when the joint is articulated; they are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the angle-bisecting plane;
the track base lines of the pairs of tracks diverge from one another running in one direction;
one part of the pairs of tracks forming first pairs of tracks and another part of the pairs of tracks forming second pairs of tracks;
the track base lines of said first pairs of tracks diverge from one another running from the attaching part to the aperture;
the track base lines of said second pairs of tracks diverge from one another running from the aperture to the attaching part;
the track base lines of the outer ball tracks of said second pairs of tracks, continuously, comprise a first radius whose center is positioned radially beyond the first longitudinal axis and axially offset by a first axial offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part; and
the track base lines of the inner ball tracks of said second pairs of tracks, continuously, comprise a second radius whose center is positioned radially beyond the second longitudinal axis and axially offset by a second axial offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The constant velocity fixed joint of claim 1, where the first radius of the outer ball tracks is bigger than the maximum distance between the track base lines of the outer ball tracks and the first longitudinal axis of the outer joint part, and wherein the second radius of the inner ball tracks is bigger than the maximum distance between the track base lines of the inner joint part and the second longitudinal axis of the inner joint part.