GB2269439A - Constant velocity joint - Google Patents
Constant velocity joint Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2269439A GB2269439A GB9216892A GB9216892A GB2269439A GB 2269439 A GB2269439 A GB 2269439A GB 9216892 A GB9216892 A GB 9216892A GB 9216892 A GB9216892 A GB 9216892A GB 2269439 A GB2269439 A GB 2269439A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cage
- aperture
- intermediate member
- ball
- constant velocity
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
- F16D3/16—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
- F16D3/20—Universal 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
- F16D3/22—Universal 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
- F16D3/223—Universal 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 guided in grooves in both coupling parts
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
- F16D3/16—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
- F16D3/20—Universal 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
- F16D3/22—Universal 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
- F16D3/223—Universal 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 guided in grooves in both coupling parts
- F16D2003/22303—Details of ball cages
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
- Automatic Assembly (AREA)
Abstract
A constant velocity joint comprises an inner race, an outer race, a cage (16) positioned between the inner race and the outer race, the cage having a number of windows (26) formed therein, an intermediate member (18) positioned in each window and being capable of sliding movement in its respective window in the direction of the longitudinal dimension thereof, each intermediate member having an aperture (28) therethrough, and a ball (20) positioned in the aperture of each intermediate member and in contact with the inner and outer races. Each aperture is shaped and sized relative to its respective ball positioned therein to allow the ball to rotate within its respective aperture and to move in a radial direction relative to the centre of the cage. <IMAGE>
Description
CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
This invention relates to a constant velocity joint, otherwise known as a rzeppa joint.
Known such joints include an inner race or ball member and an outer race or cup member with a cage positioned therebetween. The cage includes a number of windows within each of which is positioned a ball. The inner and outer races have corresponding semi-circular grooves therein within which the balls can rotate and move in a longitudinal direction. Each window in the cage is substantially rectangular in shape and is sized relative to the ball to allow the ball to rotate within the window, slide longitudinally between the ends of the window, and move radially relative to the centre of the cage.
During actuation of the joint, the balls can make a point contact with the edge of its respective window.
Such an arrangement has a potential problem in that the forces exerted on the cage (due to high contact pressures at the point of contact) during actuation of the joint can result in fracture of the cage.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a constant velocity joint in which the contact pressure between each ball and the edge of its respective window is reduced to substantially reduce the risk of fracture of the cage.
To this end, a constant velocity joint in accordance with the present invention comprises an inner race; an outer race; a cage positioned between the inner race and the outer race, the cage having a number of windows formed therein, the windows being substantially rectangular in shape and having a longitudinal dimension greater than a height dimension; an intermediate member positioned in each window, the intermediate members being substantially rectangular in shape, having a height dimension substantially the same as the height dimension of its respective window and a longitudinal dimension which is less than the longitudinal dimension of its respective window to allow sliding movement of the intermediate member in its respective window in the direction of the longitudinal dimensions, each intermediate member having an aperture therethrough; and a ball positioned in the aperture of each intermediate member and in contact with the inner and outer races, each aperture being shaped and sized relative to its respective ball positioned therein to allow the ball to rotate within its respective aperture and to move in a radial direction relative to the centre of the cage.
Preferably, the aperture in each intermediate member is defined by a concave surface having a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the ball positioned therein.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-section of part of a constant velocity joint in accordance with the present invention;
Figures 2a to 2c are side views of the cage, balls and intermediate members of the constant velocity joint shown in Figure 1 indicating the possible relative movement between the cage and the intermediate members;
Figures 3a to 3c are side views of the balls and intermediate members of the constant velocity joint shown in Figure 1 indicating the possible relative movement between each ball and its respective intermediate member; and
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line IV-IV of Figure 2a.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a constant velocity joint 10 is shown which comprises an inner race or ball member 12, an outer race or cup member 14, a cage 16, one of a number of intermediate members 18, and one of a similar number of balls 20.
Each ball 20 is positioned between corresponding semi-circular grooves 22,24 in the inner and outer race 12,14 respectively. The grooves 22,24 extend longitudinally such that the balls 20 can roll along their respective grooves.
As can be seen more clearly in Figures 2a to 2c and 4, the cage 16 is substantially annular having a centre C, and comprises a number of windows 26. An intermediate member 18 is positioned in each window 26. Each intermediate member 18 has an aperture 28 therein within which is positioned one of the balls 20. Each window 26 is substantially rectangular in shape with a longitudinal dimension L greater than a height dimension H. Each intermediate member 18 has sides 30 which are curved to match the curvature of the cage 16, and is also substantially rectangular in shape and has a height dimension which is substantially the same as (fractionally smaller than) the height dimension H of the window, but a longitudinal dimension L' which is less than the longitudinal dimension L of the window.With this arrangement, each intermediate member 18, and hence its respective ball 20, can move (slide) relative to the window 26 in the direction of the longitudinal dimensions L,L', as can be seen in Figures 2a to 2c, with corresponding edges 32,34 of the window 26 and intermediate member 18 respectively being substantially in contact.
The aperture 28 in each intermediate member 18 has a surface 36 which is shaped (concave or part hemi-spherical) and sized (with a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the ball 20 positioned in the aperture) to allow the ball to rotate and to move out of the window 26 (as can be seen in Figures 3a to 3c), and hence move in a radial direction relative to the centre C of the cage 16.
This arrangement allows the balls 20 to move relative to the inner and outer races 12,14 and the cage 16 in exactly the same manner as in known constant velocity joints. However, in the present invention, there is no direct contact between the balls 20 and the cage 16. Forces exerted by the balls 20 on the cage 16 during actuation of the constant velocity joint 10 in accordance with the present invention are transferred from the balls to the edge 32 of each window 26 by way of the intermediate members 18. These forces are spread over the areas of contact between the ball 20 and the surface 36 of its respective aperture 28, and between edges 34,32 of the intermediate member 18 and its respective window 26, rather than being a point contact as with known constant velocity joints.As the area of contact is greatly increased in comparison to previously known designs, the contact pressure on the cage 16 is reduced to substantially reduce the risk of fracture of the cage. Further, lubrication grease in the constant velocity joint of the present invention is better able to support the reduced contact pressure and so reduces frictional effects compared to previously known designs. Still further, tests have shown an improvement in terms of heat generation compared to previously known designs. The present invention has particular application in constant velocity joints having cages made from composite or plastics material.
The embodiment disclosed herein shows a constant velocity joint having four balls. This is for ease of illustration of the present invention.
It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the present invention is equally applicable to the more conventional arrangement having six balls, or to a constant velocity joint having any other suitable number of balls.
Claims (3)
1. A constant velocity joint comprising an inner race; an outer race; a cage positioned between the inner race and the outer race, the cage having a number of windows formed therein, the windows being substantially rectangular in shape and having a longitudinal dimension greater than a height dimension; an intermediate member positioned in each window, the intermediate members being substantially rectangular in shape, having a height dimension substantially the same as the height dimension of its respective window and a longitudinal dimension which is less than the longitudinal dimension of its respective window to allow sliding movement of the intermediate member in its respective window in the direction of the longitudinal dimensions, each intermediate member having an aperture therethrough; and a ball positioned in the aperture of each intermediate member and in contact with the inner and outer races, each aperture being shaped and sized relative to its respective ball positioned therein to allow the ball to rotate within its respective aperture and to move in a radial direction relative to the centre of the cage.
2. A constant velocity joint as claimed in
Claim 1, wherein the aperture in each intermediate member is defined by a concave surface having a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the ball positioned therein.
3. A constant velocity joint substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9216892A GB2269439A (en) | 1992-08-08 | 1992-08-08 | Constant velocity joint |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9216892A GB2269439A (en) | 1992-08-08 | 1992-08-08 | Constant velocity joint |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9216892D0 GB9216892D0 (en) | 1992-09-23 |
| GB2269439A true GB2269439A (en) | 1994-02-09 |
Family
ID=10720071
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9216892A Withdrawn GB2269439A (en) | 1992-08-08 | 1992-08-08 | Constant velocity joint |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2269439A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010099867A3 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2010-11-04 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Constant velocity fixed joint |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1498836A (en) * | 1974-06-22 | 1978-01-25 | Loehr & Bromkamp Gmbh | Constant velocity universal joints |
-
1992
- 1992-08-08 GB GB9216892A patent/GB2269439A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1498836A (en) * | 1974-06-22 | 1978-01-25 | Loehr & Bromkamp Gmbh | Constant velocity universal joints |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010099867A3 (en) * | 2009-03-02 | 2010-11-04 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Constant velocity fixed joint |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9216892D0 (en) | 1992-09-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |