Lohr & Bromkamp Gmbh

Gkn Automotive Ag

Gkn Lobro Gmbh

Gkn Driveline Deutschland Gmbh

Peter Schwarzler

Hans-Heinrich Welschof

Rudolf Beier

Norbert Hofmann

Michael Ricks

Friedhelm John

Markus Eschbach

Hans Wormsbacher

Dieter Burghardt

Heiko Harnischfeger

Peter Bilz

Volker Bergmann

Russell Osborn

Frank Braun

A constant velocity counter track joint having an outer joint part with outer ball tracks having first tracks opening toward the aperture end and second tracks opening toward the attaching end. The center line of the second tracks, departs, radially inwardly, a first reference radius centered in the point of intersection of a perpendicular line on the tangent at the center line of the ball track and the longitudinal axis. In the inner joint part, the center line of the ball tracks departs, radially inwardly, a second reference radius centered in the point of intersection of a perpendicular line on the tangent at the center line of the ball track and the longitudinal axis. In the outer joint part, the center line of the ball tracks towards the aperture end, moves radially outwardly beyond said first reference radius. In the inner joint part, the center line of the ball tracks towards the attaching end, moves radially outwardly beyond said second reference radius.

Counter track joint for large articulation angles

A constant velocity fixed joint comprising an outer joint part forming an annular member with a first longitudinal axis and comprising first ball tracks. The first ball tracks extend at a distance from the first longitudinal axis and each form a first angle of crossing therewith. The joint also includes an inner joint part forms a hub with a second longitudinal axis and comprising second ball tracks. The second ball tracks extend at a distance from the second longitudinal axis and each form a second angle of crossing therewith. The first ball tracks and the second ball tracks are circurnferentially distributed and associated with one another in pairs, with the first angles of crossing and the second angles of crossing of the pairs of ball tracks being identical in size and opening in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal axes. When the longitudinal axes coincide, the points of intersection of the pairs of ball tracks form a central joint plane. The joint also includes an annular ball cage arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and comprising circumferentially distributed cage windows in which torque transmitting balls are held in a common plane. The outer joint part comprises two separate circumferential areas which are positioned on either side of the central joint plane and which are interrupted by the first ball tracks and which, as inner guiding faces, are simultaneously in guiding contact with an outer counter face of the ball cage.

Constant velocity fixed joint with cross-groove tracks

A longitudinally plungeable constant velocity universal ball joint has an outer joint part (1) with inner first straight ball tracks (2), an inner joint part (7) with outer second straight ball tracks (8). Each set of associated first and second ball tracks (2, 8) accommodates one ball (10) of a plurality of torque transmitting balls (10) and with the center lines of at least part of the associated first and second ball tracks (2, 8) intersecting one another while crossing the axes (M.sub.i, M.sub.a) of the outer joint part (1) and inner joint part (7) respectively at opposed angles of equal size. Further, an annular cage (5) comprises a plurality of windows (6) corresponding to the plurality of balls (10), each window accommodating one of the balls (10), with the cage (5) having an outer contour which comprises a central spherical surface portion centering the cage (5) relative to the outer joint part (1) when the joint is in the aligned position, and adjoining conical faces half the opening angle of which corresponds to half the maximum articulation angle .beta./2, with the conical faces (32, 33, 42, 43) being positioned inwardly by a distance .DELTA. relative to conical reference faces (12, 13) which tangentially adjoin a central reference face (11) in the form of a segment of a sphere and half the opening angle of which corresponds to half the maximum articulation angle .beta./2.

VL joint for long plunging distance and large articulation angle

A universal joint for small articulation angles, especially, an intermediate joint in a propeller shaft of motor vehicles, has an outer joint part (11) with longitudinally extending first ball tracks (14) which, between stop faces, include an axial length with an unchanged cross-section; an inner joint part (31, 51) with longitudinally extending second ball tracks (36, 56) whose axial length is greater than that of the first ball tracks (14); and torque transmitting balls (15) guided in the radially opposed first and second ball tracks (14, 36, 56). The outer joint part (11), at least in the axial region of the ball tracks (14) is produced as a formed plate metal part with an approximately constant wall thickness. The ball tracks (14), in the outer joint part (11), are formed by circumferentially distributed formations (13) axially closed at both ends by stops (16, 17).

Universal joint

A convoluted boot (11) seals an annular gap between two parts which are non-rotatably connected to one another and articulatable relative to each other. The invention is especially useful at a constant velocity universal joint. The boot has a plurality of fold units (20) which each consist of two annular flanks (21, 22) connected to one another by an outer annular fold (23). Two fold units (20) are connected to one another by an inner annular fold (24). The boot has a first collar (14) to be fixed to one of the parts, and a second collar (15) to be fixed to the second one of the parts. The collar adjoin the longitudinally outer fold units (20). Annular ribs (27) are formed on the annular flanks (21, 22) at a distance from the outer annular folds (23) and the inner annular folds (24).

Convoluted boot with inner annual ribs

A universal joint for small articulation angles has parallel, longitudinally extending tracks in the inner joint part and in the outer joint part and axially freely movable torque transmitting balls held in an uncontrolled way in the tracks. The tracks in the two joint parts include a constant cross-section adapted substantially, without a clearance, to the balls. The rolling movement of the balls is limited by axial stops in one of the joint members. The inner joint part includes outer spherical surface parts which are interrupted by the tracks. The spherical surface parts act as sliding faces. The outer joint part includes inner surface parts which are interrupted by the tracks and which act as guiding faces. When the joint is articulated, the surface parts which act as guiding faces, supportingly act on the surface parts acting as sliding faces around at least one fulcrum positioned on the longitudinal axis of the outer joint part.

A fixed constant velocity universal ball joint has an outer joint part with an inner aperture including substantially longitudinally extending outer ball tracks. An inner joint part forms a hub member positioned in the inner aperture of the outer joint part. The inner joint part includes substantially longitudinally extending inner ball tracks. Torque transmitting balls are guided in outer and inner ball tracks associated with one another in pairs. The ball tracks are curved in the longitudinal direction. An annular ball cage is positioned between the outer joint part and inner joint part. The cage includes circumferentially distributed cage windows which hold the balls in a common plane and guide the balls onto an angle bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. The ball tracks are asymmetric in section. The outer track pairs of two adjoining outer ball tracks are formed in the outer joint part. The outer ball tracks extend parallel relative to one another. The inner track pairs of two adjoining inner ball tracks are formed in the inner joint part. The inner ball tracks extend parallel relative to one another. The respective outer and inner track pairs are associated with one another.

Constant velocity universal ball joint

A connection for transmitting torque between an internally toothed hub and an externally toothed shaft insertable into the hub has internal hub teeth and shaft teeth which are provided with different tooth flank profiles. The tooth flanks of the shaft teeth rest against the tooth flanks of the internal teeth on the pitch circle diameter D.sub.T. Thus, off the pitch circle diameter a clearance exists between the tooth flanks and the circumferential direction. The shaft teeth at its end directed towards the shaft shank, include a run-out region with a tooth height h.sub.Z decreasing as a function of the axial direction. The run/out region of the shaft teeth is substantially positioned within the internal hub teeth with respect to both their axial extensions.

Connection for the harmonic transmission of torque

A bearing assembly for a wheel hub/constant velocity universal joint unit which includes a double-row bearing which has a one-piece outer bearing ring to be connected to a wheel carrier. The bearing inner bearing rings are directly formed by the wheel hub, on the one hand, and by the outer part of the constant velocity universal joint, on the other hand. The parts non-rotatingly engage one another in a form-fitting way and are axially tensioned relative to one another, with the wheel hub, on the one hand, and the outer part of the constant velocity universal joint, on the other hand, including form-fitting engaging mechanism, which are adapted to one another and which enable the two parts to be connected in only one single angular position relative to one another.

Bearing assembly for a wheel hub/constant velocity universal joint unit

A driveshaft assembly has external profiled teeth at its end and a slide-on hub with a shaft bore with corresponding inner profiled teeth. A first securing mechanism form-fittingly engages a groove or thread radially cut into the profiled teeth and provided at the free end of the driveshaft and axially supporting the hub in the direction of the end of the driveshaft. External profiled teeth, which are provided at the driveshaft and which, when the hub is fully slid on to the driveshaft while being in contact with the first securing mechanism, extend axially relative to the shaft shank and beyond the length of the hub. A second securing mechanism, with a radially undisturbed profile of the profiled teeth, is supported on the run-out of the profiled teeth or on an adjoining conical face of the driveshaft. The second securing mechanism is plastically formed in-situ and axially supports the hub in the direction of the shaft shank of the driveshaft.

Drive assembly for slide-on hub

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 convoluted boot made of a resilient material has a first collar with a large diameter and a second collar with a smaller diameter. The collars are positioned on rotatable parts which are rotatable relative to one another in an articulatable and/or axially movable condition. Also, the boot has a guiding portion positioned between at least one first freely deformable and movable fold and at least one second freely deformable and movable fold. The guiding portion is angularly movably held on a guiding member connected to one of the rotatable parts. The guiding member, on its outside, is enveloped and defines a spherical face.

Convoluted boot device

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 rotary ball joint, especially for angularly movable driveshafts for motor vehicles, has an outer joint member (11) with ball tracks (18) uniformly distributed on its inner circumference and an inner joint member (12) non-rotatingly connected to the outer joint member (11). The inner joint member (12) includes ball sockets (13) which correspond to the ball tracks of the outer joint members (11). The ball sockets comprise spherical inner faces and, via the balls (14) supported therein, establish a form-fitting connection between the inner joint member (12) and the outer joint member (11). A plurality of bearing balls (15) are positioned in the sockets to provide a bearing surface for the force-transmitting balls (14). In the inner joint member, the force-transmitting balls (14) are guided in the ball sockets (13) and in the outer joint member they are guided in the ball tracks (18).

Rotary ball joint having a plurality of force transmitting balls

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.

Growing community of inventors

Glattbach, Germany

Peter Schwarzler