Gkn Driveline International Gmbh

Marta Díez

Inaki Gutierrez

José Manuel Cubert

Inaki Gutiérrez

Enrique Mandado

Joachim Schmeink

Grégory Lucas

Constant-velocity fixed joints may comprise an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, torque transmitting balls which are guided in pairs of tracks each formed of an outer and an inner ball track, and a ball cage with circumferentially distributed cage windows in which the balls are received. Here, the balls are held in a common central plane and are guided onto the bisecting plane when the joint is deflected. Constant-velocity rotary joints of this type are known as Rzeppa fixed joints (RF) or as undercut-free fixed joints (UF).

Optimized constant-velocity fixed joint with ball tracks free from undercuts

An assembly having a shaft () with external splining () of a limited length at a shaft end (), and a hub () with a corresponding internal splining () that extends essentially the length of the hub. A first axial securing mechanism functions between the shaft and hub, prevents the hub from sliding further onto the shaft, and includes a stop surface () on the hub and a counterpart surface () on the shaft. A second axial securing mechanism functions between the shaft and hub, prevents the hub from being pulled off from the shaft, and includes a securing ring () that is situated at the end of the shaft and the end of the hub oriented toward the shaft end and that engages in radial recesses () in the shaft and hub. The recesses form contact surfaces for the securing ring on the shaft and hub.

Shaft/hub connection with securing system

Growing community of inventors

San Sebastián, Spain

Marta Díez