Patents Assigned to GKN Automotive AG
  • Patent number: 6743482
    Abstract: The invention relates to an impregnating agent for a convoluted boot consisting of a thermplastic or elastomer material and used for covering the chamber of a joint, especially a rotating joint subjected to large articulation angles, which joint chamber is filled with a lubricant, said convoluted boot comprising a plurality of folds and two end collars, with the surfaces of the convoluted boot wall contacting one another when the joint is subjected to large articulation angles. It is the object of the invention to reduce the wear and eliminate squeaking symptoms of convoluted boots treated with the inventive impregnating agent. In accordance with the invention, the objective is achieved in that the impregnating agent contains a carrier fluid, an oil dissolved in the carrier fluid and having a molecular weight of >200, and a wetting agent which is soluble in oil and which reduces the surface tension of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Joachim Wette, Thomas Schafferus, Herbert Konegen, Hans Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6569021
    Abstract: The invention relates to an impregnating agent for a convoluted boot consisting of a thermplastic or elastomer material and used for covering the chamber of a joint, especially a rotating joint subjected to large articulation angles, which joint chamber is filled with a lubricant, said convoluted boot comprising a plurality of folds and two end collars, with the surfaces of the convoluted boot wall contacting one another when the joint is subjected to large articulation angles. It is the object of the invention to reduce the wear and eliminate squeaking symptoms of convoluted boots treated with the inventive impregnating agent. In accordance with the invention, the objective is achieved in that the impregnating agent contains a carrier fluid, an oil dissolved in the carrier fluid and having a molecular weight of >200, and a wetting agent which is soluble in oil and which reduces the surface tension of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Joachim Wette, Thomas Schafferus, Herbert Konegen, Hans Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6547669
    Abstract: The invention concerns a bellows (7) designed to be coupled by a front end region (30) to a first rotary member (8) and by a rear end region (34) to a second rotary member (6). The bellows rear end region (34) is provided, over at least part of its periphery whereof the axial curve has a transverse contour with inflection points, a radially projecting lug (36) designed to be housed in a groove (20) of the second rotary member to retain axially the bellows rear end region (34) relative to the second rotary member (6), and sealing means designed to be supported on the second rotary member. The sealing means are axially located on the same side as at least part of the lug (36) retaining the bellows rear end region (34). The invention is applicable to tripod constant velocity universal joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Claude Neviani
  • Patent number: 6517278
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a shaft (14) and a female part (6) fixed in terms of rotation on the shaft by rotational-fixing means which cooperate through complementary shapes (16), the female part also being fixed axially on the shaft, and the female part (6; 160; 360) comprising axial first stops (52; 54; 152) which cooperate with associated second stops (44; 46; 144) belonging to the shaft. The first and second stops (44; 46; 52; 54; 144; 152) act in the direction of mounting. The female part (6) further comprises first axial-retention surfaces (60; 160; 360) cooperating with associated second axial-retention surfaces (50; 150; 350) belonging to the shaft. The first and second retention surfaces (50; 60; 150; 160; 350; 360) act in the opposite direction to mounting. The invention applies in particular to ball-type constant-velocity joints for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: François Moulinet
  • Patent number: 6471595
    Abstract: This transmission joint comprises a first and a second rotary member, a boot (7) connected by a front end region to the first rotary member and by a rear end region (33) to the second rotary member (6), and means for axially retaining the rear end region of the boot with respect to the second rotary member which comprise a retaining enlargement (20) and a groove (38) for housing the retaining enlargement, the rear end region (33) of the boot and the second rotary member having matching transverse outlines of which the directrix curves exhibit points of inflection. The enlargement is situated on the periphery of the second rotary member and spaced axially from the front end (22) of the second rotary member, and the groove (38) is formed on the periphery of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Claude Neviani
  • Patent number: 6431337
    Abstract: A coupling for controllably transmitting torque, having a first coupling member and a second coupling member—especially a shaft and a coupling housing—which are supported so as to be rotatable relative to one another; the coupling comprises a friction coupling and a viscous coupling switched in parallel; the friction coupling comprises two sets of friction plates and the viscous coupling comprises two VC plate carriers; the sets of friction plates of the friction coupling are each connected in a rotationally fast way to the first and the second coupling member and axially loadable by an adjusting device, and a first VC plate carrier of the viscous coupling is permanently connected in a rotationally fast way to the first one of the coupling members, and a second VC plate carrier of the viscous coupling is disconnectably connected to the second coupling member, with an axial adjusting device connecting and disconnecting the second VC plate carrier of the viscous coupling in a friction locking way an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Michael Höck, Klaus Mätzschker
  • Patent number: 6426033
    Abstract: A rolling boot for sealing a universal joint, having a first collar with a larger diameter to be secured to the outer joint part of the universal joint and having a second collar with a smaller diameter to be secured to a shaft at the inner joint part of the universal joint, and having a semi-toroidal boot wall connecting the collars, wherein the rolling boot is an injection-moulded or blow-moulded product, the rolling boot consists of a thermo-plastic elastomer and the elastomer is irreversibly cross-linked up to a degree ranging between 15 and 85%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Joachim Wette, Karl-Heinz Müller, Thomas Schafferus
  • Patent number: 6416231
    Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly (9) comprising an inner ring (10), an outer roller (11) surrounding the inner ring, a needle race (12) placed between the inner ring and the outer roller to allow their relative pivoting about a common longitudinal axis (Z—Z), and an axial retention assembly (13) for retaining the outer roller and the needle race with respect to the inner ring. The retaining assembly comprises at least one split thrust washer (16) which extends radially from a radially outer peripheral region (26) of an axially outer surface of the inner ring towards a retaining groove (24) formed radially inside the outer roller. The split washer comprises an annular central zone (17) for axially retaining the needle race, and at least one series of peripheral supports (18, 19) which are spaced apart and which radially extend the annular central zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Francois Verbrugge, Michel Margerie
  • Patent number: 6413008
    Abstract: A connecting assembly at a driveshaft between the driveshaft and a wheel hub, having end toothing of an outer joint part of a constant velocity joint of the driveshaft, which outer joint part is at the wheel hub end, and having end toothing of the wheel hub, wherein the end toothings are axially inserted into one another and circumferentially engage one another in a play-free way and wherein the teeth of the end toothings each comprise radially outwardly opening circumferential grooves which are delimited by two flanks and which, jointly, form a circumferentially extending annular groove in which, on the outside, there is arranged a securing ring; as well as a connecting assembly at a driveshaft between the driveshaft and a shaft flange, having end toothing of an outer joint part of a constant velocity joint of the driveshaft, which outer joint part is at the shaft flange end, and having end toothing of the shaft flange, wherein the end toothings are axially inserted into one another and circumferentially eng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude van Dest, Werner Krude
  • Patent number: 6398886
    Abstract: A process of finishing outer joint parts formed in a non-cutting way and intended for constant velocity joints, said outer joint parts having a longitudinal axis and an inner recess which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis and which, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is substantially undercut-free, with the inner recess being provided with tracks which comprise contact zones for the rolling contact of rolling contact members, characterized by the following sequence of process stages: non-cutting forming of the outer joint part, surface-layer-hardening of the inner recess at least along the length of the contact zones, for the purpose of producing a hardened surface layer, at least in the region of the contact zones above an unhardened matrix, calibrating the contact zones in respect of their radial positions and axial linearity by displacing the hardened surface layer in the region of the contact zones within the unhardened matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Peter Fuhrmann, Hans-Willi Kinzel
  • Patent number: 6398657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity fixed joint and to the introduction of the cage into the outer joint part of a constant velocity fixed joint. The joint comprises an outer joint part, an inner joint part, a ball cage and balls. The outer joint part forms a bell-shaped member comprising a first longitudinal axis, a base, an aperture and circumferentially alternating first and second outer ball tracks. The inner joint part forms a hub comprising a second longitudinal axis and circumferentially alternating first and second inner ball tracks. The first outer and first inner ball tracks, together form first track pairs and the second outer and second inner ball tracks, together, form second track pairs. Each track pair accommodates a torque transmitting ball, with the tangents at the balls in the points of contact with the track pairs forming control angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 6383082
    Abstract: In this ball joint the centers (B, C) of the director lines (16, 17) of the two grooves (9, 12) in each of said axial half-planes, in the aligned position of the joint, being offset axially and symmetrically relative to the transverse diametral plane (P) of the joint and radially by the same distance (d2) relative to the central axis (X—X, Y—Y) of the joint on the side opposite the grooves, with a radial offset from approximately 15% to approximately 25% of the pitch circle diameter of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Frédéric Déclas
  • Patent number: 6375576
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanical transmission member comprising an inner ring (9), an outer ring (11) and pivot linkage means (12) for coupling the inner and outer rings. The pivot linkage means compromise means for axially retaining the outer ring relative to the inner ring, wherein are comprised at least an axially abutment collar (30, 31) co-operating with an annular radially internal groove (16, 17) of the outer ring and with an axially external surface (23, 24) of the inner ring, and at least an elastic snap ring (32, 33) co-operating with an axially external retaining surface (18, 19) of a groove and with the abutment collar support surface (42, 43). The invention is applicable to tripod constant velocity joints for motor vehicle transmission systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Michel Margerie
  • Patent number: 6354952
    Abstract: A spring ring (41) of rectangular cross section has adjacent its ends arms which extend generally radially outwardly. The ring (41) is used to hold together two members (31, 40) in telescopic engagement by engaging in an internal groove (45) in one member and in an external groove (46) in the other. During assembly of the members the ring is located entirely in one of the grooves by a holding element (51) supported wholly by the arms on the ring. After assembly the holding element is withdrawn radially outwardly through a slot (47) in the external member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Frederick William Boulton, Paul John Bibb, Anthony Green
  • Patent number: 6290020
    Abstract: An intermediate shaft includes, as a single piece (12), a female element (13B) of sliding articulated joint (7B), an internal raceway (15), and a tubular part (16) which stretches, from this raceway, in the opposite direction to the female element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Bernard Poulin, Frederic Declas, Michel Margerie
  • Patent number: 6227978
    Abstract: A constant velocity tripode joint is disclosed as having an outer joint part with an inner aperture and with uniformly circumferentially distributed recesses which widen the inner aperture and each of which include two opposed tracks. An inner joint part includes a center piece and three uniformly distributed tripode arms arranged radially relative to the center piece and each of which extends into one of the recesses. A roller assembly is mounted on each arm and in rolling contact with the tracks of the respective recess. Each roller assembly comprises at least two rollers that are independently rotatable relative to their respective tripode arm and that are at least indirectly supported on the tripode arm in the radial direction relative to the arm axis. A first roller rolls on the first of the two tracks and is spaced from the other track. A second roller rolls on the other one of the two tracks and is spaced from the first track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Stephen Maucher, Jochen Balken
  • Patent number: 6193419
    Abstract: A wheel hub/constant velocity joint unit having a double-row bearing assembly 18 arranged on the wheel hub 11 and comprising at least one separate inner bearing ring 42 pointing towards the constant velocity joint. The outer joint part 25 of the constant velocity joint comprises a central inner aperture 26 which points towards the wheel hub 11 and includes inner teeth 30. An annular member 36 with outer teeth 37 is non-rotatingly inserted into the inner aperture 26. Removable axial connecting means are provided between the outer joint part 25 and the annular member 36. The annular member 36 is non-removably connected to the wheel hub 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Herbert Frielingsdorf
  • Patent number: 6183369
    Abstract: A cross member unit for universal joints has a cross member (6) with four arms (17). Each opposing two arms (17) define a common longitudinal axis 7. A bearing bush (9) is provided per arm (17) which covers the arm (17). Rolling contact members (29), in the form of a ring, are arranged in the intermediate space between the casing (23) of the bearing bush (9) and the cylindrical running face (19) of the arm (17). A preseal (38) is arranged towards the open end (27) of the bearing bush (9) between the arms (17) and the casing (23). To achieve a high running performance and a static sealing effect, the preseal (38), in its bore (40), is provided with beads (41, 42) which are firmly positioned on the seat portion (22) of the arm (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Gerd Faulbecker, Manfred Meineke, Rolf Sedlmeier
  • Patent number: 6174239
    Abstract: The joint is of the type in which each arm (3) of the tripod (1) has a spherical bearing surface (4) that cooperates with a cylindrical bore (8) in a one-piece intermediate shoe (7). A series of rolling members (12) is disposed between each side of the shoe and a rolling track (6) of the female member (5) of the joint. The bearing distance (D) between the center (A) of the spherical bearing surface (4) of each arm (3) and the main axis (X—X) of the male member (1) is significantly different from the rolling distance (d) between the main axis (X—X) and the mean plane (P′) of the rolling members (12) associated with the same arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Pierre Guimbretiere
  • Patent number: 6168529
    Abstract: This spider for a universal joint includes a central body (2) intended to be connected to a shaft and from which several arms (3) project, a roller (5) mounted so that it can roll and slide on each arm (3) by means of a ring of needles (4), and a member (8) for retaining each roller (5) on its arm (3). The arm (3) includes a hollowed peripheral raceway (12) in which the needles (4) run. The retaining member includes a collar (8) mounted at the end of the arm and spaced away from the needles (4), which collar has, on the outside, over at least most of its periphery, a rim (18) for positive retention of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Francois Moulinet