Spicer Gelenkwellenbau Gmbh & Co. Kg

Walter Bischoff

Wilfried Gille

A joint yoke for a universal joint, as well as to a universal joint having the same. In such a universal joint, the two joke arms in the joint yoke are separated into a base portion having integrally arm portions and bridge elements. For attaching the bridge elements, headed screws are used, for which in the end faces of the arm portions threaded bores are arranged. The threaded bore which, when projected onto the bore axis of the neighboring support bore, has the largest distance from the longitudinal axis has a diameter remarkably increased compared to the other threaded bores . Compared to embodiments in which several headed screws and corresponding threaded bores are provided, which have the same diameter, an above proportional increase of the torque transmission can be achieved.

Joint yoke and universal joint comprising the same

A cross member for a universal joint has a base member (,) and four arms (,). The arms (,) extend away from a base member (,). To increase the torque bearing capacity of the cross member, the outer face of the arm (,) (if viewed in a longitudinal section) extends curve-like in a transition region (,) to the base member with a continually increasing diameter and with a decreasing radius of curvature (R). If viewed in a sectional plane extending through the axes (,), a distance (X) exists between a first tangent (,), on the outer face of the transition region, and a second tangent parallel to the first tangent (,). The first tangent (,) extends at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the axis (,). The second tangent (,), if viewed from the center (,), is positioned behind the first tangent (,). The second tangent (,) contacts the outer face of the base member (,) at a point (,) which is located on a line of symmetry (,) of the cross member. The line of symmetry (,) extends at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the axis (,). The distance (X) corresponds to {fraction (1/10)} of the smallest radius (B) of the respective arm (,). The arms (,) are induction-hardened. The hardness run-out occurs in a region of the base member (,) which is subjected to low stresses only under operational conditions.

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Münster, Germany

Walter Bischoff