The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 06, 1990
Filed:
Jan. 29, 1990
Werner Jacob, Frankfurt am Main, DE;
Uni-Cardan AG, , US;
Abstract
A constant velocity ratio universal joint comprises a hollow outer joint member (1), an inner joint member (2), a plurality of balls engaging grooves (5, 14) in meridian planes in the outer and inner joint members, and a cage (17) with windoes (21) wherein the balls are guided. The grooves in the joint members ae of non-undercut configuration considered from one end (6) of the outer joint member, and between its grooves the inner joint member has a spherical surface (13) which engages a complementary surface (8) on a member (9) connected to he outer joint member at its end (6) to center the joint members relative to one another. The cage has an internal part-spherical surface (18) which engages the surface (13) of the inner joint member, the surface (18) extending from the cage end oppsite the end (6) of the outer joint member, and ending before a plane containing the centers of the balls, while the outer surface of the cage has a clearance from the internal surface of the outer joint member. The configuration of the grooves is such that the balls always engage them with a cage control angle .beta. which is at least 7.degree., sufficient to hold the cage surface (18) in engagement with the inner joint member and prevent any tendency for the joint to become jammed against articulation. The joint is able to articulate with low frictional resistance.