Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Coupling accommodates drive between members having... – Tripod coupling
Patent
1997-04-30
1998-08-25
Reese, Randolph A.
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Coupling accommodates drive between members having...
Tripod coupling
464123, 464905, F16D 3205
Patent
active
057977984
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a constant velocity universal joint of the tripod type, having an outer joint part formed with circumferentially spaced axial guide tracks in parallel disposition, and a tripod spider which has arranged thereon symmetrically spaced radial ball-headed pins, with each ball-headed pin being associated to a joint bearing which includes an anti-frictionally mounted tripod roller rotatably supported by rolling elements upon an inner ring on which ball-headed pin is guided for angular movement.
A constant velocity universal joint of this type is known, for example, from FIG. 2 of DE-A 40 39 597, with the inner ring being axially secured in the guide track of the outer joint element. The tripod roller which is rotatably supported on the inner ring by rolling elements is supported on one side by a collar of the inner ring and includes on the side facing away from the collar an axial securement in the form of a retainer ring and a stop disk. This construction which requires a great number of parts, can cause tilting of the outer ring in the guide track, together with a disadvantageous excitation of vibrations of the entire universal joint. In addition, the axial securement of the tripod roller by means of a retainer ring does not provide a permanent solution, since the retainer ring is not able to withstand peak loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a constant velocity universal joint constant velocity universal joint; and the tripod roller, without additional parts;
This object is achieved according to the invention by providing a form-fitting coupling directly between the tripod roller and the inner ring. Advantageously, these components are thereby effectively secured with respect to each other, without the need for additional elements, such as, for example, a stop disk and a retainer ring. The configuration according to the invention also ensures a securement of the rolling elements so that the entire joint bearing, comprised of the inner ring, the rolling elements and the tripod roller, is held together, thereby enabling a mounting of a preassembled joint bearing on a tripod spider in a time-saving and cost-efficient manner, and an installation of the tripod spider with several universal joint bearings into the outer joint part. In order to effect a permanent support between the tripod roller and the inner ring, the inner ring is provided in accordance with the invention on its side facing away from the tripod roller with an annular shoulder which bears with its end face upon the tripod roller, thereby forming a relatively large contact surface. This configuration according to the invention together with a construction of the tripod unit in which the inner ring bears on one side of the guide track and the tripod roller bears on the opposite side of the guide track against the outer joint part, effects a direct load support between the inner ring and the tripod roller, regardless of the direction of an applied axial force. The constant velocity universal joint according to the invention advantageously reduces the excitation of characteristic vibrations, in particular as a result of the decreased number of components; so that vibrations transmitted to the vehicle are also reduced and the driving comfort is improved.
According to another feature of the present invention, an elastic latching mechanism is provided for creating a form-fitting coupling between the inner ring and the tripod roller, with the inner ring being formed with a circumferential annular groove which is laterally offset with respect to the track of the rolling elements for locked engagement of a collar disposed on the tripod roller.
Preferably, the latching mechanism is advantageously disposed adjacent to the annular shoulder on the side of the joint bearing facing away from the tripod spider. This positional conformity promotes a desired enlarged support surface between the inner ring and the tripod roller, as a result of the collar of the t
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patent: 5376049 (1994-12-01), Welschof et al.
patent: 5525109 (1996-06-01), Hofmann et al.
Alber Pierre
Bastien Denis
Dunn Eileen A.
Feiereisen Henry M.
INA Walzlager Schaeffler KG
Reese Randolph A.
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