Gkn Driveline North America, Inc.

Gkn Automotive Gmbh

Gkn Driveline Deutschland Gmbh

Hans Wormsbaecher

Eric James LaMothe

Michael James Miller

Craig Andrew Campbell

Steven C Hahn

Brian Michael Valovick

Danny Lee Booker

Sam Junior D'Angelo

David G Sasseen

Richard Alfred Compau

Volker Bergmann

Frank Braun

Joachim Prölss

A homokinetic rotary ball joint in the form of a plunging joint is described. The joint comprises a joint outer partwith outer first ball tracksand with outer second ball tracks, the outer second ball tracksintersecting a joint mid-axis A when the joint is aligned; a joint inner partwith inner first ball tracksand with inner second ball tracks, the inner second ball tracksintersecting the joint mid-axis A when the joint is aligned; first ballswhich are held in first pairs of tracks including, in each case, an outer first ball trackand of an inner first ball track; second ballswhich are held in second pairs of tracks including, in each case, an outer second ball trackand of an inner second ball track, in each case the outer and the inner ball trackof the second pairs of tracks intersecting one another; a ball cagewhich has, distributed circumferentially, cage windowsin which the first and the second ballsare held in a common plane; a second radial play formed between the second ballsand the second ball tracksis greater than a first radial play formed between the first ballsand the first ball tracks

Homokinetic plunging ball joint with low plunging forces

A sealing cover assembly for an articulating joint. The articulating joint includes a first rotational member and a second rotational member. The sealing cover assembly includes a first portion having a plurality of fastening portions. The fastening portions are coupled to the second rotational member for rotation therewith. The sealing cover assembly also includes a second portion adapted for connecting to the driveline and a plurality of damping members constructed of at least a first material and interconnecting the first portion to the second portion.

Constant velocity joint grease cap with increased torsional compliance

A cross-track plunging constant velocity joint assembly includes an inner race having an outer diameter, an axial length, inner ball tracks, and a spline engageable with a first torque transfer member. An outer race has an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and outer ball tracks. The outer race is connectable to a second torque transfer member. A cage having multiple windows is disposed between the inner and outer races. A plurality of balls (N) having a ball diameter are held by the cage within the windows and engage pairs of the inner and outer ball tracks. The balls define a joint pitch circle diameter (PCD). The inner race has a plunge depth within the outer race. The ratio of 1.2&#x2266;(outer race outer diameter/outer race inner diameter)&#x2266;1.7 is satisfied.

Plunging cross-track constant velocity joint

A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes an outer joint part, and inner joint part, a cage and a plurality of balls. The outer joint part includes outer ball tracks. The inner joint part includes inner ball tracks and a rotational axis, wherein the inner joint part has a face spline oriented about the rotational axis. The plurality of balls are provided in the cage and engage the inner and outer ball tracks of the respective inner and outer joint parts, thereby allowing torque transmission by way of the face splines. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection.

Direct torque flow constant velocity joint face spline connector

A direct torque flow constant velocity joint collet connector includes an outer joint part having outer ball tracks, an inner joint part having inner ball tracks, a cage and a plurality of balls. The inner joint part is articulately secured in a rotationally fast way to the outer joint part with the plurality of balls held in the cage. The inner joint part includes a front portion, an inner bore, a collet extension and at least one slot. The collet extension extends from the inner ball tracks to the front portion of the inner joint part. The slot extends into the collet extension from the front portion between an outer surface and the inner bore of the inner joint part, wherein the collet extension of the inner joint part is compressible for selective attachment to a journal shaft of a supplied drive unit.

Direct torque flow constant velocity joint having collet connection

A constant velocity joint and a boot for a constant velocity joint are disclosed. The boot generally includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is in fluid communication with a joint chamber of the constant velocity joint. The first channel is also in communication with the second channel and generally allows airflow therethrough while resisting clogs from lubricant. Additionally, the second channel generally allows airflow therethrough to the atmosphere while resisting passage of foreign contaminants therethrough.

Dual channel vented boot

A connecting assembly between a shaft journal and a constant velocity universal joint having an outer joint part and an inner joint part engaged by the shaft journal. The inner joint part includes an elongated neck portion with at least one insertion groove formed therein, and the shaft journal has at least one corresponding insertion groove. A securing clip engages the corresponding insertion grooves to axially secure the inner joint part and shaft journal with respect to each other. A boot is axially secured to the inner joint part neck portion, substantially enveloping the inner joint part, and sealingly engaging an outer surface of the outer joint part to seal at least one side of a joint chamber of the constant velocity universal joint.

Connecting assembly between a shaft journal and a constant velocity universal joint

A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes an outer joint part having outer ball tracks and an outer surface, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, a cage, a plurality of balls held in the cage and engaging the inner and outer ball tracks, and a boot. The boot includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is axially secured to the outer surface of the outer joint part while providing rotational freedom between the boot and the outer joint part, and the second end is selectively attachable to a supplied drive unit.

Direct torque flow constant velocity joint having a non-rotating boot

A torque transfer device, such as a transfer case for a motor vehicle, having a constant velocity joint integrated therewith is disclosed. In one embodiment, the constant velocity joint includes an outer race rotatably mounted within the torque transfer device and an inner race positioned within the outer race and operatively connected to the outer race by one or more torque transmitting balls. The torque transfer device further includes a drive mechanism that is connected to the outer race of the constant velocity joint, wherein the drive mechanism transfers torque received from an input shaft to the outer race of the constant velocity joint such that the outer race drives the inner race. The torque transfer device further includes an output shaft that is rotatably connected to the inner race.

Torque transfer device having a constant velocity joint output

A direct torque flow constant velocity joint having a rolling radial boot is provided and includes a DTF CVJ connector, a shroud assembly and a rolling radial boot. The DTF CVJ connector includes an outer joint part and an inner joint part, such that the shroud assembly is connected to the inner joint part and substantially surrounds the outer joint part of the DTF CVJ. The shroud assembly includes a circumferential clamp portion so that a rolling radial boot is connected between it and the outer joint part of the DTF CVJ. The rolling radial boot is covered by the shroud assembly and seals the DTF CVJ. The shroud assembly also protects the boot from external debris.

Constant velocity joint with rolling radial boot

A slip joint assembly provides radial clearance compensation between a slip joint yoke and a receiving member. The slip joint yoke has a plurality of male splines formed externally thereon. The receiving member receives the splined yoke therein and has female splines which mate with the male splines of the yoke. The receiving member also has a plurality of circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending, axis-parallel openings formed therein. The slip joint assembly further includes an elongated member having a C-shaped cross-section. The elongated member is compressibly received within each of the plurality of longitudinally extending openings and engages the splined shaft for providing a radial force between the splined shaft and the receiving member. This elongated member is preferably formed of a spring material to allow it to be compressible.

Universal joint coupling

A tripod universal joint assembly has a substantially annular outer race with three circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending, axis-parallel recesses. An inner joint member is disposed within the outer race and has three circumferentially distributed radial bores which define a centrally disposed cavity therebetween. A plurality of arm members each has a cylindrical body portion disposed in a respective radial bore and a head portion which projects from the inner joint member and engages a respective recess of the outer race. A spherical member is disposed in the cavity of the inner joint to maintain engagement of the head portion to the recess during articulation of the tripod universal joint. A plurality of annular bearing assemblies are each disposed between the cylindrical body portion of the arm member and its respective radial bore to provide a bearing contact surface for the radial and rotatable movement of each arm member with respect to its respective radial bore.

Tripod universal joint assembly

A connector for securing a constant velocity universal joint having a housing to a coupling member, the housing and coupling member each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The connector includes an annular member having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of openings which extend axially from the first end to define a series of radially expanding panels for receiving the constant velocity universal joint and coupling member. The joint and coupling member each have respective mating surfaces which engage each other. The first end of the annular member engages the outer surface of the coupling member and the second end of the annular member is disposed proximate the outer surface of the housing. The mating surfaces are splined for transmitting torque. At least one wave spring is provided with the connector to accommodate axial deviation.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Hans Wormsbaecher