Driveshaft comprising a counter track joint featuring a delimited axial displacement path

US7927220B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GKN Driveline International GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Weckerling · Bonn, DE
• Orkan Eryilmaz · Lohmar, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 4, 2009
• Grant date: Apr 19, 2011
• Expiry date: Aug 4, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S464/906
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A constant velocity universal ball joint 11 having first and second outer ball tracks 16, 18, and first and second inner ball tracks 17, 19, forming first pairs of tracks 16, 17 which widen in a first axial direction. Ri1 (α), and forming second pairs of tracks 18, 19 which widen in a second axial direction Ri2 (β). Balls 20 are guided in the pairs of tracks and have centers Z positioned on a pitch circle radius PCR around a joint centre M. A ball cage 21 holds the balls 20 in a common central plane E on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. There is provided an axial clearance permitting a relative axial displacement S wherein, when in the aligned condition, the ratio between the axial clearance S and the pitch circle radius PCR ranges between 0.01 and 0.09 (0.01<S/PCR<0.09).