Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Coupling accommodates drive between members having... – Coupling transmits torque via radially directed pin
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-08-28
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 directed pin
C411S517000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280335
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a universal joint for use in a driveline of a motor vehicle. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a universal joint equipped with a retention member for securing a bearing cup in a yoke.
2. Discussion
As is commonly known, universal joints are used in motor vehicle driveline applications for interconnecting a pair of rotary shafts and permitting changes in angularity therebetween. Many conventional universal joints include a pair of bifurcated yokes which are secured to the rotary shafts. The bifurcated yokes are interconnected by a spider or a cruciform for rotation about independent axes. The spider includes four orthogonal trunions with each opposing pair of axially aligned trunions mounted in a pair of aligned bores formed in the bifurcated yokes. Typically, a bearing cup is secured in each bore and a bearing assembly is retained in the bearing cup such that each yoke is supported for pivotal movement relative to one of the pairs of trunions.
Various retention methods have been developed for securing the bearing cups to the yokes in a manner wherein the rotary axis of each yoke is aligned centrally with respect to the rotary axis of the spider. Traditional bearing cup retention methods include the use of grooves, belleville washers, and snap rings. However, this method has one or more disadvantages such as, for example, excessive machining requirements, limited serviceability, and high cost of manufacture. In particular, one type of conventional universal joint utilizes a planar snap ring seated in a circumferential groove machined into the bore formed in the yokes for axially retaining the bearing cups. However, due to the dimensional variation of each component, excess clearance between the bearing cup and the snap ring is accumulated to assure assembly. Accordingly, a belleville washer is disposed between the bearing cup and the snap ring to preload the bearing and also center the cruciform within the yoke.
Other universal joint retention devices attempt to compensate for the dimensional variation in the components but sacrifice serviceability. Several examples of bearing cup retention arrangements and methods associated with conventional universal joints are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,062,026, 3,178,907 and 4,000,628.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming the disadvantages commonly associated with the manufacture and subsequent service of conventional universal joints. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the number of components and cost required to construct an easily serviceable universal joint assembly.
The present invention is directed to a universal joint for interconnecting a pair of rotating shafts. The universal joint includes a yoke with a leg having an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture includes an annular groove. The universal joint also includes a cruciform having a trunion, a bearing cup positioned in the aperture and mounted on the trunion and a retention member including an outer ring having a first surface and a second surface. The retention member further includes a spring tab axially extending beyond the first surface and disposed within the aperture such that the spring tab biasedly engages the bearing cup. The second surface of the retention member is at least partially disposed within the groove.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided herein after. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 18144 (1931-08-01), Heiermann
patent: 2512690 (1950-06-01), Smith et al.
patent: 2865076 (1958-12-01), Newton et al.
patent: 2950132 (1960-08-01), Kocsuta
patent: 3062026 (1962-11-01), Pitner
patent: 3145547 (1964-08-01), Lyons
patent: 3178907 (1965-04-01), Lyons
patent: 3986238 (1976-10-01), Fisher
patent: 3987697 (1976-10-01), Wurzel
patent: 4000628 (1977-01-01), Funatani et al.
patent: 4047396 (1977-09-01), McElwain et al.
patent: 4310206 (1982-01-01), Weible
patent: 4343581 (1982-08-01), Millheiser
patent: 4540386 (1985-09-01), Kampf
patent: 4704782 (1987-11-01), Spiess et al.
patent: 4911726 (1990-03-01), Warkentin
patent: 4943262 (1990-07-01), Schultze
patent: 5085548 (1992-02-01), Moyles
patent: 5399053 (1995-03-01), Duran
patent: 5681060 (1997-10-01), Berg et al.
patent: 5725431 (1998-03-01), Myers et al.
patent: 5758909 (1998-06-01), Dole
patent: 6162126 (2000-12-01), Barrett et al.
patent: 906105 (1962-09-01), None
patent: 92240 (1959-10-01), None
Grupido Salvatore N.
Kurecka Donald J.
Oldenburg Thomas J.
Wehner Robert J.
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.
Binda Greg
Browne Lynne H.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
LandOfFree
Universal joint does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Universal joint, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Universal joint will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2546884