GB2115521A - Universal joints - Google Patents

Universal joints Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2115521A
GB2115521A GB08302893A GB8302893A GB2115521A GB 2115521 A GB2115521 A GB 2115521A GB 08302893 A GB08302893 A GB 08302893A GB 8302893 A GB8302893 A GB 8302893A GB 2115521 A GB2115521 A GB 2115521A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
balls
joint
joint member
central supporting
universal joint
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08302893A
Other versions
GB2115521B (en
GB8302893D0 (en
Inventor
Wergner Krude
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GKN Automotive GmbH
Original Assignee
Uni Cardan AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Uni Cardan AG filed Critical Uni Cardan AG
Publication of GB8302893D0 publication Critical patent/GB8302893D0/en
Publication of GB2115521A publication Critical patent/GB2115521A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2115521B publication Critical patent/GB2115521B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16DCOUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/84Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor
    • F16D3/843Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor enclosed covers
    • F16D3/845Shrouds, e.g. casings, covers; Sealing means specially adapted therefor enclosed covers allowing relative movement of joint parts due to the flexing of the cover
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16DCOUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/16Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
    • F16D3/20Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members
    • F16D3/22Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members the rolling members being balls, rollers, or the like, guided in grooves or sockets in both coupling parts
    • F16D3/221Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts one coupling part entering a sleeve of the other coupling part and connected thereto by sliding or rolling members the rolling members being balls, rollers, or the like, guided in grooves or sockets in both coupling parts the rolling members being located in sockets in one of the coupling parts

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
  • Sliding-Contact Bearings (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Friction Gearing (AREA)

Abstract

A universal joint comprises an outer member 1 and an inner member 3, the inner member having balls 5 arranged in radially displaceable manner in openings 7 therein and engaging grooves 6 in the outer member for torque transmission, the balls being supported by a central supporting member 9, e.g. a further ball disposed within an interior space of the inner joint member. The balls have point contact with the central supporting member, and when the joint articulates the balls are able to roll along the grooves in the outer member to minimize friction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Universal joint This invention relates to a universal joint comprising an outer joint member and an inner joint member, the inner member having at least three equally circumferentially distributed balls arranged in radially displaceable manner in openings in the inner joint member and engaging in grooves in the outer joint member for torque transmission between the joint members. The balls may be complete balls, or could possibly be of truncated form having diametrically opposed flats which engage the sides of the openings in the inner joint member.
One example of such a joint is disclosed in British Patent Specification 1 378 691. However, that joint has a disadvantage in that, during articulation of the joint, the efficiency of the joint is reduced by sliding friction of the balls along the tracks in the outer joint member. Further, the overall dimensions of the joint are closely constrained by the size of balls used, which in turn is determined by the torque to be transmitted.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a joint in which one or more of these disadvantages is overcome or reduced.
The invention provides a universal joint of the kind specified wherein said balls engage a central supporting member disposed within an interior space of the inner joint member and held by said balls, said balls having point contact with said central supporting member and the contact points lying in the common central plane of the balls.
This construction enables a joint to be designed in which, for a given size of torque transmitting ball, different sizes of central supporting member can be used to achieve different overall joint dimensions. Further, provided the central supporting member is capable of rotation when the joint articulates the torque transmitting balls will roll rather than slide along the grooves in the outer joint member, and thereby reducing frictional losses.
When the joint is articulated, the central supporting member carries out a slightly eccentric movement to the bending centre of the joint (i.e.
the point of intersection of the axes of rotation of the inner and outer joint members). This at least partially compensates for the balls' centre displacement caused by articulation of the joint.
The magnitude of displacement depends on the angle of articulation.
The central supporting member preferably is of spherical form.
The openings in the inner joint member may be provided by drilled bores of inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the torque transmitting balls, the axes of such bores intersecting the rotational axis of the inner joint member. Provided that such bores are of sufficient depth, they together form the interior space which accommodates the central supporting member.
This simplifies manufacture.
There may be provided resilient supporting members, e.g. of plastics or rubber between the balls, to reduce noise in operation by eliminating any free play present.
Such joints may be used as drive couplings, control couplings, or for certain automotive shaft applications.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which; Figure 1 is an axial section through a joint according to the invention; Figure 2 is a transverse section through the joint; Figure 3 is a simplified transverse section showing the inner joint member of the joint; Figure 4 is a diagram showing the principle of operation of the joint.
Referring firstly to figure 1 and 2, this shows a universal joint comprising an outer member 1 which is of hollow form defining an internal cavity 2 which receives an inner joint member 3 formed on the end of a drive shaft 4. Torque is transmitted between the joint members by a plurality of balls 5 which engage in grooves 6 in the interior of the outer joint member and are received in openings 7 in the inner joint member. The grooves 6 in the outer joint member are straight and parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer joint member. The diameter of each of the openings 7 in the inner joint member corresponds to the diameter of the balls 5, such that the balls 5 are radially displaceable in their openings 7.
The balls 5 are supported by point contact with a central supporting member in the form of a ball 9. The ball 9 occupies an interior space 10 created by the intersection of the drilled openings 7 in the inner joint member. The point contact between the central ball 9 and the torque transmitting balls 5 is shown in figure 2 at 12.
Aflexible sealing boot 11 connected between the drive shaft 4 and outer joint number 1 seals the joint to retain lubricant therein and exclude dirt.
The arrangement of the torque transmitting balls 5 and central supporting ball 9 is shown in more detail in figures 3 and 4. The central ball 9 has its position within the interior space 10 of the inner joint member determined by its contact at 12 with the balls 5. Thus the amount by which the balls 5 extend out of the opening 7 in the inner joint member to engage grooves 6 in the outer joint member is determined by the size of ball 9.
When the joint is articulated at an angle /3, as shown in figure 4, one of the balls 5 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 13 and another in the direction indicated by arrow 14. During this movement, the balls 5 roll along the groove 6, each ball rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon. The central supporting ball 9 is also caused to rotate in the sense as shown by the arrows thereon, so that the major resistance to joint articulation is due to rolling friction rather than sliding friction. The efficiency of the joint is thus increased.
Referring back to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, these show resilient supporting elements, e.g. of plastics or rubbers material, between the balls of the joint. This compensates for any play between the balls, and reduces noise.

Claims (5)

1. A universal joint comprising an outer joint member and an inner joint member, the inner joint member having at least three equally circumferentially distributed balls arranged in radially displaceable manner in openings in the inner joint member and engaging in grooves in the outer joint member for torque transmission between the joint members, wherein said balls engage a central supporting member disposed within an interior space of the inner joint member and held by said balls, said balls having point contact with said central supporting member and said contact points lying in the common central plane of the balls.
2. A universal joint according to claim 1 wherein said central supporting member is of spherical form.
3. The universal joint according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said openings in the inner joint member are drilled bores of diameter corresponding to the diameter of said balls and whose axes intersect the rotation axis of the joint to form said interior space.
4; A universal joint according to any one of the preceeding claims wherein resilient supporting members are provided between said balls.
5. A universal joint substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08302893A 1982-02-23 1983-02-02 Universal joints Expired GB2115521B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3206435A DE3206435C2 (en) 1982-02-23 1982-02-23 Angularly movable cardan shaft coupling

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8302893D0 GB8302893D0 (en) 1983-03-09
GB2115521A true GB2115521A (en) 1983-09-07
GB2115521B GB2115521B (en) 1985-08-14

Family

ID=6156455

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08302893A Expired GB2115521B (en) 1982-02-23 1983-02-02 Universal joints

Country Status (6)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS58152932A (en)
BR (1) BR8207612A (en)
DE (1) DE3206435C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2522094A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2115521B (en)
IT (2) IT1158486B (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2578013A1 (en) * 1985-02-22 1986-08-29 Gkn Automotive Components Inc UNIVERSAL JOINT AND COUPLING COMPRISING IT, IN PARTICULAR FOR TRANSMITTING A COUPLE
US4685897A (en) * 1985-02-22 1987-08-11 Gkn Automotive Components Inc. Universal joint for tilt steering wheel
US4753626A (en) * 1985-02-22 1988-06-28 Gkn Automotive Components Inc. Constant velocity universal joint and apparatus embodying the same
FR2611379A1 (en) * 1987-02-27 1988-09-02 Keeper Kk CARDAN JOINT MOUNTED IN A WATERTIGHT NITROGEN SPACE
US4832657A (en) * 1987-09-08 1989-05-23 Gkn Automotive Inc. Constant velocity universal joint for transmitting a torque at various angles
US5334096A (en) * 1991-01-21 1994-08-02 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Uniform motion type universal joint with no generation of high frequency vibrating component

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2171492B (en) * 1985-02-22 1989-08-31 Gkn Automotive Components Inc Universal joint

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1185868B (en) * 1961-02-24 1965-01-21 Daimler Benz Ag Angularly movable shaft coupling, especially for motor vehicles
JPS4427295Y1 (en) * 1965-02-11 1969-11-14
JPS5234699B1 (en) * 1971-05-25 1977-09-05
FR2250916B3 (en) * 1973-11-08 1977-05-06 Schmid Leopold
JPS584397B2 (en) * 1975-09-11 1983-01-26 株式会社富士通ゼネラル Kanshi Souchi
DE2634581C2 (en) * 1976-07-31 1978-10-12 Uni-Cardan Ag, 5204 Lohmar Angularly movable cardan shaft coupling
DE2816765A1 (en) * 1978-04-18 1979-10-31 Willi Zeidler Ball and socket sync. shaft union - has balls projecting into groove around disc, ring, or ball housed at centre
JPS5623053A (en) * 1979-08-01 1981-03-04 Hitachi Ltd Communication system of loop shape
DE3005054C2 (en) * 1980-02-11 1982-01-28 Leopold F. 7000 Stuttgart Schmid Tripod joint with positive control for the three rollers that transmit the torque

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2578013A1 (en) * 1985-02-22 1986-08-29 Gkn Automotive Components Inc UNIVERSAL JOINT AND COUPLING COMPRISING IT, IN PARTICULAR FOR TRANSMITTING A COUPLE
US4634402A (en) * 1985-02-22 1987-01-06 Gkn Automotive Components Inc. Universal joint capable of accommodating thrust loads
US4685897A (en) * 1985-02-22 1987-08-11 Gkn Automotive Components Inc. Universal joint for tilt steering wheel
US4753626A (en) * 1985-02-22 1988-06-28 Gkn Automotive Components Inc. Constant velocity universal joint and apparatus embodying the same
FR2611379A1 (en) * 1987-02-27 1988-09-02 Keeper Kk CARDAN JOINT MOUNTED IN A WATERTIGHT NITROGEN SPACE
US4832657A (en) * 1987-09-08 1989-05-23 Gkn Automotive Inc. Constant velocity universal joint for transmitting a torque at various angles
US5334096A (en) * 1991-01-21 1994-08-02 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Uniform motion type universal joint with no generation of high frequency vibrating component

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2115521B (en) 1985-08-14
IT8205264A0 (en) 1982-12-20
FR2522094A1 (en) 1983-08-26
DE3206435C2 (en) 1984-03-22
GB8302893D0 (en) 1983-03-09
IT8207156V0 (en) 1982-12-20
JPS58152932A (en) 1983-09-10
BR8207612A (en) 1983-10-25
DE3206435A1 (en) 1983-09-08
IT1158486B (en) 1987-02-18

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee