Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Coupling accommodates drive between members having... – Coupling transmits torque via radially spaced ball
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-06-05
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Coupling accommodates drive between members having...
Coupling transmits torque via radially spaced ball
C464S906000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241615
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a constant velocity fixed joint.
DE 40 31 820 C2 describes a constant velocity fixed joint whose outer part comprises a first open end and a second open end. It comprises a cavity which is centered on the longitudinal outer part axis and which is open towards both open ends. Furthermore, in its inner face delimiting its cavity, the outer part comprises two types of outer running grooves which are arranged in a regular sequence around the longitudinal outer part axis in meridian planes relative to the latter. The first outer running grooves start from the first open end and extend towards the second open end. The second outer running grooves start from the second open end and extend towards the first open end. All outer running grooves extend in a curve-like and undercut-free way from the open end from which they start.
In the cavity of the outer part, there is arranged in inner part. The inner part comprises a longitudinal inner part axis and a spherical outer face which is provided with first and second inner running grooves which are arranged opposite the first and second outer running grooves and extend in meridian planes relative to the longitudinal inner part axis. The first inner running grooves are arranged opposite the first outer running grooves in such a way that they form pairs, with the first inner running grooves starting from the first open end and extending towards the second open end in a curve-like and undercut-free way.
The second inner running grooves are arranged opposite the second outer running grooves and form pairs therewith, with the second inner running grooves starting from the second open end and extending towards the first open end in a curve-like and undercut-free way.
Between the inner face of the outer part and the spherical outer face of the outer part and the spherical outer face of the inner part there is arranged a cage whose spherical outer face comprises play relative to the inner face of the outer part. The cage is provided with a cylindrical bore which is held with play relative to the spherical outer face of the inner part. The cage is provided with radial apertures which are distributed in accordance with the pairs of inner running grooves and outer running grooves. The apertures form windows which guide the balls between the lateral guiding faces.
For torque transmitting purposes, the balls engage between the outer part and inner part into the outer running grooves and inner running grooves forming pairs. The centers of all balls are held in a plane which contains the window centers between the lateral guiding faces. The cage is centered entirely by the balls.
The above-described design is disadvantageous in the case of constant velocity joints rotating at high speeds such as they occur, for example, in the propeller shaft for transmitting a rotational movement in passenger cars from the front drive unit of same to the rear axle drive for rear wheel drive vehicles. In particular, vibrations occur due to the displacement of the center of gravity of the cage, as a result of which a centrifugal force is generated.
DE 40 42 390 C2 proposes a constant velocity fixed joint whose design corresponds to that of the joint described in DE 40 31 829 C2. However, the cage is divided; it comprises a spherical inner face and lugs in the region of the lateral guiding faces, with said lugs increasing the size of the lateral guiding faces outwardly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved constant velocity fixed joint which can be easily and quickly assembled and whose cage, nevertheless, securely guides the balls when the cage is articulated relative to the outer part and the inner part respectively.
The foregoing and other objects are achieved by providing a constant velocity fixed joint having an outer part which comprises a first open end and a second open end, a longitudinal outer part axis, a cavity which is centered on the longitudinal outer part axis and is open towards both open ends, and first outer running grooves and second outer running grooves in its inner face delimiting the cavity. The first outer running grooves and the second outer running grooves are arranged in a regular sequence around the longitudinal outer part axis in planes which are distributed around the longitudinal outer part axis and contain same. Further, the first outer running grooves, starting from the first open end, extend in a curve-like and undercut-free way towards the second open end. The second outer running grooves, starting from the second open end, extend towards the first open end in a curve-like and undercut-free way. The constant velocity fixed joint further includes an inner part which is arranged in the cavity of the outer part and which comprises a longitudinal inner part axis, a spherical outer face and first inner running grooves and second inner running grooves which extend in the spherical outer face in planes which are distributed around the longitudinal inner part axis and contain same. Each of the first inner running grooves are arranged opposite a first outer running grove and, while starting from the first open end, extend in a curve-like and undercut-free way towards the second open end. Each of the second inner running grooves are arranged opposite a second outer running groove and, while starting from the second open end, extend in a curve-like and undercut-free way towards the first open end. The constant velocity joint also includes an annular cage which comprises an outer face, an inner face, a longitudinal cage axis and windows which are distributed in accordance with the pairs of opposed first outer running grooves and first inner running grooves as well as with the pairs of second outer running grooves and second inner running grooves and which are open towards said grooves. The windows comprise guiding faces which are offset along the longitudinal cage axis and are arranged opposite one another. The annular cage further comprises outer lugs which project from the outer face and which are arranged in the region of the windows to one side of the guiding faces for the purpose of outwardly lengthening the latter. The annular cage is further arranged between the inner part and the inner face of the outer part, with its outer face being held at a distance from the inner face. The cage includes balls which are each associated with a window for the purpose of engaging an associated first outer running groove and first inner running groove as well as an associated second outer running groove and a second inner running grove, and which are guided between the guiding faces. The outer face of the cage, in the circumferential direction between the lugs, also comprises a cylindrical portion whose axis is formed by the longitudinal cage axis and whose cylinder diameter is smaller than the free open diameter of the first open end. Furthermore, the outer face of the cage is provided with end portions which extend inside an envelope sphere which envelops same and whose center is located in the point of intersection between a plane and the longitudinal cage axis. The plane contains the centers of all windows between the guiding faces. The diameter of the envelope sphere is greater than the cylinder diameter.
The advantage of the present embodiment is that the cage, together with the inner part, can be inserted into the outer part with the balls associated with the first set of inner running grooves. An assembly procedure involving over-articulation only takes place for the balls associated with the second set of inner and outer running grooves. Accordingly, it is possible to automate the first assembly stage concerning the fitting of the cage and inner part and pushing the associated balls into the first inner running grooves as well as inserting said unit into the outer part and engagement of the balls in the first outer running grooves.
According to a preferred embodiment, the end portions also have a spherical shape and are adapted to the shape of the envel
Browne Lynne H.
GKN Lobro GmbH
Thompson Kenn
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