Lohr & Bromkamp Gmbh

Gkn Automotive Ag

Gkn Lobro Gmbh

Gkn Driveline Deutschland Gmbh

Gkn L&ouml;bro Gmbh

Norbert Hofmann

Michael Ricks

Hans-Heinrich Welschof

Peter Schwarzler

Volker Bergmann

Dieter Burghardt

Werner Krude

Peter Harz

Rudolf Beier

Dieter Jost

Volker Hainz

Friedhelm John

Jorg Bensinger

Hans Wormsbacher

Friedholm John

A tripode joint having an outer joint part () having three uniformly circumferentially distributed recesses () which forms pairs of circumferentially opposed tracks () for receiving a roller assembly (). Each roller assembly () is carried on an arm () of a tripode star (). Each arm head has a spherical surface portion. Each roller assembly () includes an annular roller carrier (), bearing needles () rotating on the roller carrier (), and rollers () which are rotatably supported on the bearing needles (). The roller carriers () include stop collars which delimit the needle contact face, and which are held with an axial displacement clearance in the direction of the roller axes between axial securing members () in such a way that they are secured against being lost relative to the rollers ().

Tripode joint for increased articulation angles

A method of and device for forming a tripode star for a tripode joint, which tripode star comprises an annular hub member and three arms which adjoin the hub member, extend radially relative to a longitudinal axis (A) and form faces of spherical portions each positioned circumferentially relative to arm axes (Z) of the arms, wherein, in a first production stage, the hub member and the three arms are preformed from a blank by means of a first tool divided in a plane (E ) containing the arm axes (Z) and wherein, in a second production stage, pairs of burr-free faces of spherical portions positioned opposite one another in the circumferential direction relative to the hub member ( ) are formed on to the preformed arms by means of a second tool divided in planes extending through the longitudinal axis (A) of the hub member and through the arm axes (Z).

Method and device for moulding a tripod spider

A constant velocity plunging joint is disclosed that includes an outer joint part having a cylindrical hollow chamber with an aperture at a first end, which cylindrical hollow chamber, at its other end, is closed by a base and in which there are formed uniformly circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending tracks; an inner joint part which is positioned centrally in the cylindrical hollow chamber of the outer joint part so as to be angularly movable and longitudinally displaceable; and torque transmitting elements which, in the direction of rotation, are form-fittingly connected to the inner joint part and which, in the direction of rotation, engage the tracks of the outer joint part from-fittingly and so as to roll therein in the longitudinal direction; wherein, at the open end of the outer joint part, the end face is provided with caulkings which form raised portions reducing the free inner cross-section of the -cylindrical hollow chamber; wherein an assembly consisting of the inner joint part and the torque transmitting elements can be introduced through the aperture into the hollow chamber while temporarily deforming the raised portions; and wherein the raised portions apply an axial holding force to the assembly consisting of the inner joint part and of the torque transmitting elements, which axial holding force effectively acts against any automatic dismantling.

Constant velocity plunging joint with anti-dismantling means

An outer joint part of a constant velocity universal joint comprises an externally cylindrical casing part. An inside is provided with tracks to allow the engagement of torque transmitting elements, and which further comprises a substantially annular flange part which is provided with a central inner recess and which is slid on to the casing part and connected thereto, as well as circumferentially distributed fixing holes for threading on a counter flange. The flange part comprises circumferentially distributed, individual, separate fixing portions which receive the fixing holes, and connecting portions which connect the fixing portions and have a greater flexibility than said fixing portions.

Outer part of a constant velocity universal joint

A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis parallel recesses and an inner joint part. The inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section with three circumferentially distributed arms which engage the recesses of the outer joint part. The roller assemblies are supported on the arms. Each roller assembly includes a roller carrier and a roller rotatably supported by a needle bearing on the roller carrier. The rollers are pivotably arranged relative to the respective arms so as to be axially and angularly movable relative to the arm axis. The rollers have running faces, which are loaded under torque transmission, and end or annular faces, which adjoin the running faces on the radial outside and inside with reference to the joint axis. The annular faces, in cross-section through the outer joint part, are complementary to the outer joint part, axially relative to the roller axis and supportingly, come to rest in and against the outer joint part recesses. The running faces of the rollers have the shape of spherical segments. In a cross-section, through the outer joint part, the tracks in the recesses have the shape of concave circular segments. With reference to the roller axis, mutual axial securing mechanisms, between each roller carrier and roller, are formed in both directions entirely by two securing rings.

Tripod joint with mechanism for securing the rollers

A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three axially extending recesses and an inner joint part with three radially circumferentially distributed arms, each engaging one of the longitudinal recesses. Roller assemblies, with roller carriers and roller elements, are carried on the arms. A mechanism cooperating with the inner joint part provides a form-fitting resistance to prevent the roller assemblies from axial removal from their respective arm.

Tripod joint with a projection or bead for securing a roller assembly to

A tripode joint with an outer joint part which comprises three circumferentially distributed axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially opposed tracks, and an inner joint part whose cross-section is star-shaped and which is provided with three circumferentially distributed arms which engage the recesses of the outer joint part, with the arms supporting roller assemblies each comprising a roller carrier and a roller, which by way of a needle bearing, is rotatably supported on the roller carrier, with the rollers being arranged relative to the respective arms so as to be axially movable relative to the arm axis and angularly movable relative to the arm axis; and with reference to the roller axis (B), there is provided only one mutually effective axial securing element between each roller carrier and the respective roller in the form of only one single securing ring which may be subjected to loads in both directions and which engages radially opposed first and second annular grooves in the inner face in the roller on the one hand and in the outer face of the roller carrier on the other hand.

Tripode joint with roller securing ring

A constant velocity universal joint of the tripod type has an outer joint part with three axially extending, circumferentially distributed longitudinal recesses with circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. The tracks have surfaces which are grooved so as to have the shape of a circular cylindrical portion. An inner joint part includes three radial circumferentially distributed arms each engaging one of the longitudinal recesses and carrying roller assemblies having roller carriers and roller elements. The roller elements have running faces in the shape of a spherical portion and are axially guided so as to roll on the tracks in the longitudinal recesses of the outer joint part. The roller carriers are guided on the arms so as to be pivotable and longitudinally movable relative to the respective arm axis. The roller elements are coaxially supported on the roller carriers so as to be rotatable, with the roller assemblies consisting of the roller carriers and roller elements, to prevent them from tilting relative to the outer joint part, are supported on the base of the recesses and on longitudinally extending guiding shoulder faces of the outer joint part which radially inwardly adjoin the tracks, with the roller elements, on their respective radial insides, each including an annular shoulder face which adjoins the running face in the shape of a spherical portion and which provides the supporting contact between the respective roller assembly and the guiding shoulder faces.

Constant velocity universal joint

A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. An inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section and three circumferentially distributed arms engaging the recesses in the outer joint part. The arms support roller assemblies. When torque is transmitted with the joint in an extended position, the resultant K.sub.1 of the forces acting from the inner joint part directly on a roller forms a shorter perpendicular distance from the joint axis than the resultant K.sub.2 of the counter forces acting from the outer joint part on the roller, so that, when torque is introduced into the joint, at any angle of articulation of the operating range, the roller is subject to a tilting moment.

Tripod joint

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 .

A hub assembly comprising a hub member (10), a flange (4) for wheel attachment, a double row bearing (2), and a constant velocity ratio universal joint (3), wherein the bearing has at least one inner bearing ring (13, 14) which is a separate component received on the hub member, and a connection between the hub member and a further part of the assembly is established by a welding and upsetting operation, and the inner bearing ring is engaged to hold it in position and to set the bearing as a result of such welding and upsetting operation. The welded and upset connection may be provided between the hub member and an outer member (15) of the constant velocity ratio universal joint, or between the hub member and flange. A weld bead formed by the welding and upsetting operation may engage the inner bearing ring either directly or indirectly, or a projection extending from the part welded to the hub member may engage the inner bearing ring.

Growing community of inventors

Ronneburg, Germany

Norbert Hofmann