Transmission assembly for transmitting torque across an angular connection between a torsional drive component and a torsionally driven component
US12247628B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2023 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D3/18
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A universal joint (U-joint) assembly transmits torque from a drive component to a driven component across an articulating joint. The U-joint assembly includes male and female U-joint members, a central ball joint, and a retaining device configured to secure the assembly in an assembled configuration. The female U-joint member includes a cavity extending into a receptacle end thereof. The cavity terminates in a circular receptacle and includes a plurality of rectangular channels extending radially outward from the cavity at equal intervals, each channel defined by three planar drive surfaces. The male U-joint member has a drive end with a plurality of corresponding rectangular extensions protruding from an outer periphery of the drive end, each extension including a plurality of axial angular surfaces. When assembled, each of the angular surfaces of the drive end opposes a corresponding one of the drive surfaces of the cavity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.