Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Coupling accommodates drive between members having... – Coupling transmits torque via radially directed pin
Utility Patent
1999-02-10
2001-01-02
Dayoan, B. (Department: 3629)
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Coupling accommodates drive between members having...
Coupling transmits torque via radially directed pin
48
Utility Patent
active
06168529
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a spider for a universal joint, of the type comprising a central body intended to be connected to a shaft and from which several arms project, a roller mounted so that it can roll and slide on each arm by means of a ring of needle bearings, and a member for retaining each roller on its arm.
In universal joints comprising a spider of this type, for example constant-velocity joints of the tripod type used in motor vehicle transmissions, the rollers are, after assembling the joint, held captive in pistons of a female element or housing of this joint. Consequently, if the joint is delivered assembled, the rollers cannot escape from their arms.
However, in some cases it is necessary for the spider fitted with rollers and needles on the one hand, and the female element on the other hand to be delivered separately, assembly taking place on a vehicle assembly line. It is therefore necessary to provide means for retaining each roller on its arm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide particularly economical and effective retaining means which can be left in place after assembling the joint, without them impairing the proper operation of the joint.
For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a spider of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the arm includes a hollowed peripheral raceway in which the needle bearings rotate, the retaining member including a collar mounted at the end of the arm and spaced away from the needles, which collar has, on the outside, over at least most of its periphery, a rim for positive retention of the roller.
The spider may according to the invention include one or more of the following characteristics:
the collar is engaged partly in a groove made substantially at the end of the arm and spaced away from the hollowed raceway;
the retaining rim lies at the outside end of the collar, which collar has a running outside diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the roller;
the collar includes, on the inside, a peripheral excrescence engaged in the said groove, which excrescence is axially offset with respect to the said retaining rim;
the excrescence is made in the intermediate part of the collar;
the collar is annular and made of a springy material, in particular a springy plastic;
the collar is springy and split, and is in particular a split metal ring.
The subject of the invention is also a universal joint comprising a spider, as defined hereinabove, and a female element which includes tracks in which the rollers are engaged.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4224806 (1980-09-01), Kobayashi
patent: 4689035 (1987-08-01), Orain
patent: 4810232 (1989-03-01), Farrell et al.
patent: 5069653 (1991-12-01), Mizukoshi
patent: 5098342 (1992-03-01), Mizukoshi
patent: 5376050 (1994-12-01), Krude et al.
patent: 43 31 474 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 2 079 747 (1971-11-01), None
patent: 2 198 576 (1974-03-01), None
patent: 2 438 763 (1980-05-01), None
Dayoan B.
GKN Automotive AG
Thompson Kenneth
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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