Multi-roller ball for constant velocity joints
US7137896B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S464/906
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A constant velocity joint includes an outer joint member, an inner joint member, torque transmitting ball assemblies guided in pairs of tracks, and a cage having windows for receiving the ball assemblies and cage webs defined between the windows. Each ball assembly comprises a slide shaft having lugs at the ends, a roller shaft rotatably and slidably disposed on the slide shaft, and a first and second annular sub-rollers rotatably disposed on the roller shaft. Each of cage webs includes web grooves formed radially at the circumferential faces, engaging the lugs of the slide shaft, thereby allowing a limited radial movement of the ball assembly relative to the cage window, and transmitting any axial force to and from the ball assembly. The ball assemblies reduce the friction loss and wear of constant velocity joints by providing the sub-rollers that roll independently on the inner or outer tracks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.