Gkn Driveline International Gmbh

Hans-Jürgen Post

Thomas Weckerling

Anna Gremmelmaier

Wolfgang Hildebrandt

Stephan Maucher

Rolf Cremerius

Ida Benner

Ida Hassenrik

A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, wherein respectively an outer ball track and an inner ball track form a pair of tracks with each other; a torque-transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage in which the torque-transmitting balls are received; wherein a first articulation angle range is defined comprising articulation angles of less than twenty degrees, and a second articulation angle range comprising articulation angles greater than twenty degrees; wherein an opening angle within the first articulation angle range increases as the articulation angle (&#x3b2;) increases, and wherein a first mean opening angle increase of the first articulation angle range is greater than a second mean opening angle increase of the second articulation angle range.

Constant velocity joint

A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and first and second outer ball tracks. The outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side. An inner joint part has a longitudinal axis and first and second inner ball tracks. with a torque transmitting ballin each pair of tracks, and a ball cagewith cage windowsin which the ballsare held. In each angular position of the constant velocity jointan opening angle is enclosed between an outer tangent and an inner tangent at the ball. At least one of the first and second pairs of tracks is designed such that, within a small articulation angle range comprising at least the joint central plane, at at least an articulation angle, an opening angle amounts to zero, and within a greater articulation angle range, an aperture-side opening angle of a first pair of tracks widens in the opposite axial direction relative to the aperture-side opening angle of a second pair of tracks.

Constant velocity joint in the form of a counter track joint

A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and outer ball tracks, wherein the outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side; an inner joint part with a longitudinal axis and inner ball tracks; a torque transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held, wherein in each angular position of the constant velocity joint there is enclosed an opening angle &#x3b4; between an outer tangent T and an inner tangent T' at the ball, wherein at least one of the pairs of tracks is designed such that, inside a small articulation angle range, which comprises at least the joint central plane EM, in at least one joint articulation angle &#x3b2;, an opening angle &#x3b4; amounts to zero, and that inside a larger articulation angle range, an aperture side opening angle &#x3b4; of a ball moving towards the aperture side of the outer joint part and an attachment side opening angle &#x3b4; of a ball moving at the same joint articulation angle &#x3b2; towards the attachment side of the outer joint part do not equal zero and open in the same axial direction.

A counter track joint includes an outer joint part with first and second outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with first and second inner ball tracks. The first outer and inner ball tracks, together, form first pairs of tracks, which, when the joint is in an aligned position, widen towards the aperture end of the outer joint part and each accommodate first torque transmitting balls. The second outer and inner ball tracks, together, form second pairs of tracks which, when the joint is in the aligned position, widen towards the attaching end of the outer joint part and which each accommodate second torque transmitting balls. The centers of the balls of the first pairs of tracks each define a first track center line. The first track center line, in the direction from the central joint plane towards the attaching end extends radially inside a first reference arc.

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Bonn, Germany

Hans-Jürgen Post