Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Coupling accommodates drive between members having... – Coupling transmits torque via radially spaced ball
Patent
1993-12-03
1996-08-06
Stodola, Daniel P.
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Coupling accommodates drive between members having...
Coupling transmits torque via radially spaced ball
464906, F16D 3224
Patent
active
055428851
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a constant velocity universal ball joint. The joint has an outer joint part with substantially longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed ball tracks and an inner joint part with substantially longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed ball tracks. The tracks are arranged in pairs radially opposite one another and jointly receive a torque transmitting ball. A cage, which receives the balls in circumferentially distributed windows, holds the balls in a common plane and which, upon articulation of the axes of the outer and inner joint parts, guides the balls on to the angle-bisecting plane, with the outer joint part being produced with surfaces between the individual tracks, which, if viewed in the axial direction, constitute undercut-free inner surfaces. At least three cage securing elements are inserted into the outer joint part in each case between two ball tracks, are connected to the outer joint part and form cage contact and cage guiding faces which counter-act any axial movement of the cage out of the outer joint part. The balls are able to move into gaps between the securing elements.
The subject of the invention can be applied to different types of constant velocity universal ball joints, especially to so-called RF joints (Rzeppa fixed joints) and the so-called UF-joints (undercut-free joints). Joints of this type are described in F. Schmelz et al, "Gelenke und Gelenkwellen: Berechnung, Gestaltung, Anwendungen" (Joints and driveshafts: calculation, design, applications), Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 1988 under said headings. In these joints, the cage is not or not entirely controlled by the shape of the cage guiding faces, but primarily by the shape of the ball tracks in the outer joint part and inner joint part, with the centre lines of the ball tracks deviating from one another, but extending symmetrically to a plane defined by the ball centres when the joint is in the extended position.
A joint of the above type is illustrated DE 32 33 759 C 2 where the securing elements are provided in the form of bolts threaded almost radially into the outer joint part. Both the method of preparing the outer joint part for receiving the said securing elements and setting the play are cost- and time-consuming operations. As the outer joint part requires a sufficient amount of material to receive the securing means, the outer joint part has to have a relatively great axial length with reference to the plane extending through the ball centres of an extended joint, which length limits the joint articulation angle in respect of the possible freedom of movement of the connected shaft when the joint is in an articulated condition. A joint of the above type is also shown in DE 24 30 027 B1 in which case the securing means are inserted axially and secured jointly by a securing ring inserted into an annular groove in the outer joint part. The securing ring obstructs the possible ball travel in the tracks in the outer joint part so that a limited joint articulation angle has to be accepted. In the same way, the securing ring limits the articulation angle in respect of the possible freedom of movement of the connected shaft when the joint is in the articulated condition. The cage, in this case, is supported inside the outer joint part on resiliently held further stop means. If the joint which is to act as a fixed joint is subject to greater thrust forces, such a solution is unsuitable because the joint function of an axially fixed joint centre is not complied with.
Furthermore, a joint of a similar type is known from DE 36 26 998 A 1 where the only securing element is a securing ring inserted into an inner groove in the outer joint part. It is not possible to adjust the play at the cage for the purpose of compensating for manufacturing tolerances. The securing ring inserted into the outer joint part after the inner joint part including the cage and balls, have been assembled in the form of a complete unit is disadvantageous in that th
REFERENCES:
patent: 4116020 (1978-09-01), Aucktor et al.
patent: 4120176 (1978-10-01), Ebbinghaus
patent: 4575362 (1986-03-01), Girguis
patent: 4915672 (1990-04-01), Girguis
Harz Peter
Krude Werner
Dunn Eileen A.
GKN Automotive AG
Stodola Daniel P.
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