Optimized constant-velocity fixed joint with ball tracks free from undercuts
AssigneeGKN Driveline International GmbH
InventorsMarta Diez, José Manuel Cubert, Inaki Gutierrez, Joachim Schmeink
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Abstract
Constant-velocity fixed joints may comprise an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, torque transmitting balls which are guided in pairs of tracks each formed of an outer and an inner ball track, and a ball cage with circumferentially distributed cage windows in which the balls are received. Here, the balls are held in a common central plane and are guided onto the bisecting plane when the joint is deflected. Constant-velocity rotary joints of this type are known as Rzeppa fixed joints (RF) or as undercut-free fixed joints (UF).
Claims19
A constant velocity universal ball joint in the form of a fixed joint comprising:
- an outer joint part with outer ball tracks which are axially undercut-free;
- an inner joint part with inner ball tracks which are axially undercut-free;
- torque transmitting balls which are guided in pairs of tracks each formed of an outer and an inner ball track and whose ball centers are positioned on a pitch circle diameter (PCD) around a joint center (M) and which comprise a ball diameter (D);
- and
- a ball cage with circumferentially distributed cage windows in which said torque transmitting balls are received and held in a common central plane (E), wherein a ratio between said pitch circle diameter (PCD) and said ball diameter (D) ranges between 2.96 and 3.08 (2.96<PCD/D<3.08).
A constant velocity universal ball joint in the form of a fixed joint comprising:
- an outer joint part with outer ball tracks which are axially undercut-free;
- an inner joint part with inner ball tracks which are axially undercut-free;
- a plurality of torque transmitting balls positioned between said outer ball tracks and said inner ball tracks, said torque transmitting balls having ball centers (Z) positioned on a pitch circle diameter (PCD) around a joint center (M), said torque transmitting balls each having a ball diameter (D);
- wherein a ratio between said pitch circle diameter (PCD) and said ball diameter (D) ranges between 2.96 and 3.08 (2.96<PCD/D<3.08).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.