Needle roller retainer for tripot joint
US7396283B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49947
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ball assembly (118) for a tripot-style joint includes an annular outer ball (124) having a central axis (L) extending therethrough and a depression (182) formed therein. A plurality of needle rollers (122) is positioned along an interior of the outer ball (124). A needle roller retainer (140) is provided for retaining the needle rollers (122) within the outer ball (124) during operation of the ball assembly (118). The retainer (140) has a base portion (142) axially opposed to an end portion (121) of the needle roller (122), and a flange portion (144) extending from the base portion (142) into the depression (182), the flange portion (144) of the retainer (140) being resiliently pivotable within the depression (182) in response to application of an axial load to the retainer (140). In a particular embodiment, an inner ball (120) is positioned in the interior of the outer ball (124f), and a series of resilient tabs (148f) extends from the base portion (142f) of the retainer (140f). The tabs (148f) are axially opposed to a portion of the inner ball (120) and are resiliently deflectable in response to application of an axial load thereto by the inner ball (120), thereby permitting at…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.