Lohr & Bromkamp Gmbh

Hans Wormsbacher

Peter Schwarzler

Hans-Heinrich Welschof

Rudolf Beier

Norbert Hofmann

Michael Ricks

Friedhelm John

Dieter Burghardt

A tripod joint has an outer joint component having three circumferentially distributed recesses with parallel axes forming circumferentially opposing tracks. An inner joint component has a spider-shape cross-section with three circumferentially distributed arms which engage recesses of the outer joint component. The arms support roller assemblies. Each roller assembly includes a roller-carrier and a roller that runs directly on the tracks. The roller is arranged to slide axially along the arm axis and swivel with angular movement relative to the arm axis. A support is provided between the roller assembly and the outer joint component. The support absorbs tilting moments exerted on the roller assembly about an axis parallel to the joint axis and tilting moments exerted on the roller assembly about an axis perpendicular to, and spaced from, the joint axis. The support is provided by the roller engaging a pilot groove of the outer joint component whose depth is dimensioned such that the axial guided distance which is (2.times.F1) in the pilot groove affecting the roller, is at least equal to one half of the roller diameter which is 2.times.R.sub.1. This means there is a relation of F.sub.1 .gtoreq.0.5 R.sub.1 .

Tripod joint

A constant velocity ratio universal joint of plunging type, comprising an outer joint member (1), an inner joint member (2), facing pairs of tracks (3, 4) in the joint members receiving balls (5) for torque transmission, and a cage (6) constraining the balls and having first and second control surfaces (7, 9) with centers of curvature unequally off-set from the ball center plane I, in order to guide the balls to the bisect or plane, wherein the first control surface of the cage comprises two portions (7.sub.1, 7.sub.2). The first portion (7.sub.1) is part-spherical, and the second portion (7.sub.2) is a surface of revolution about the axis of the cage of an arc of radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the part-spherical portion (7.sub.1). The effect of the unequal off-set of the control surfaces of the cage is to compensate for axial thrusts on the balls when the joint is articulated, and the provision of the two portions of the first control surface has the effect of reducing such compensation with increasing articulation, thereby preventing possible jamming of the balls.

Plunging constant velocity ratio universal joint

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Dreieich, Germany

Hans Wormsbacher