Torque Transmitted Via Radially Spaced Balls Patents (Class 464/906)
  • Patent number: 7686695
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint (11) in the form of a counter track joint wherein, when the joint is in the aligned condition, the ratio (V1) of the pitch circle diameter (PCDS) of the shaft toothing in the inner joint part (15) in the power of three relative to the product of the ball diameter (DK) squared and pitch circle diameter (PCDB) of the balls (17) assumes a value ranging between 0.9 and 1.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Anna Gremmelmaier, Ida Hassenrik
  • Patent number: 7682257
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint having an inner hub and an outer hub (1) in which races or tracks (3) associated with one another in pairs are provided and with balls received in respective pairs of races or tracks for transmitting torque. The constant velocity joint is further provided with at least one joint connector (2) which, when the joint is assembled, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of the hubs (1) by mating profile members (6, 7) in order to transmit torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH, BF New Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Disser, Manfred Niederhuefner, Mathias Lutz, Volker Szentmihalyi
  • Patent number: 7677981
    Abstract: A sealed joint assembly includes an outer joint part (3) with outer ball tracks (9), an inner joint part (4) with inner ball tracks (10), torque transmitting balls (6) which are guided in pairs of tracks and held in a cage (7) with cage windows (8). A sleeve (16) is connected to the inner joint part (4) and is coaxially arranged thereto. A sealing mechanism (12) with an annular cap (13) is fixed to the outer joint part (3) and includes a sealing diaphragm (15) with an outer collar (18) connected to the annular cap (13) and an inner collar (19) sealingly connected to the sleeve (16). A securing ring (20) fixes the inner collar (19) on the sleeve (16). The sleeve (16) has an annular groove (33) which is engaged by the sealing diaphragm (15) by an inner annular bead (32) formed on the inner collar (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Zierz, Friedhelm John, Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 7677984
    Abstract: A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection interface includes a drive unit, a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector and a sealant. The drive unit includes a shaft having a second interface surface. The direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes a unitary inner joint part having a first interface surface, where the first interface surface is connected to the second interface surface of the drive unit. The sealant provides filling between the first and second interface surfaces. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector having sealant on an interface portion of an inner joint part and a method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Hahn, Robert Benson
  • Patent number: 7677983
    Abstract: A drive assembly of a propeller shaft for use in the driveline of a motor vehicle, includes an intermediate bearing (31); a constant velocity universal joint (34); a shaft journal (33) having a first journal diameter (D1), and a free journal end which is connected to the constant velocity universal joint (34) and having a second journal diameter (D2), wherein a first journal length (L1) is measured between the bearing center of the intermediate bearing (31) and the joint center (34), and a second journal length (L2) is measured between the axial securing ring and the joint center; a rolling boot (43) is connected to an outer joint part (35) by a first collar and is positioned on the shaft journal (33) by a second collar; wherein the ratio between the second journal length (L2) and the second journal diameter (D2) is less than 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 7674183
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive joint for permitting a rotationally and axially fixed connection between a first and second shaft sub-section, the connection allowing a limited angular displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Shaft-Form Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Lutz, Bernd Patzelt
  • Patent number: 7666102
    Abstract: A ball cage for a constant velocity plunging joint which having an outer joint part with a internally cylindrical guiding face and an inner joint part with an outer spherical guiding face and torque transmitting balls held in the ball cage. The ball cage includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed windows (3) for receiving the torque transmitting balls, and defining a central window plane (M); an outer free face (10) and an outer spherical control face (9) for guiding the ball cage relative to the outer joint part; and an inner spherical control face (16) for guiding the ball cage relative to the inner joint part. The center of the outer spherical control face (9) and the center of the inner spherical control face (16) are positioned at an axial distance from the central window plane (M). The outer spherical (9) is hard-machined and the outer free face (10) is soft-machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Bruneck AG
    Inventor: Bruno Feichter
  • Patent number: 7651400
    Abstract: An inner ring is configured to simultaneously ensure the strength thereof and the dimensional accuracy of a female spline portion of a shaft hole thereof in the case where the female spline portion is subjected to heat treatment. Also it is configured to suppress the backlash of spline fit with a shaft. The inner ring is mounted in a constant velocity universal joint for transmitting torque while the inner ring is allowed to be angularly displaced relative to an outer ring and is spline-fitted to a shaft inserted into a shaft hole formed through the inner ring. The inner ring has a hardened layer by means of heat treatment which is formed only in an axial central portion of the shaft hole, but is not formed in remaining inner diameter surface other than the axial central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Kisao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7648419
    Abstract: A joint arrangement including a constant velocity ball joint (1) which is constructed as a counter track joint, with an inner hub (4) having first inner track grooves (16) and second inner track grooves (17), and an outer hub (7) in which first outer track grooves (20) and second outer track grooves (21) are arranged on an inner surface in an alternating matter distributed around the axis of the outer hub. The joint arrangement also includes a displacement unit (12), which transmits torque and permits axial displacements along a longitudinal axis (9), and which is constructed as a roller guide unit with inner tracks 28 and outer tracks (29) extending parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Jacob, Ernst-Guenter Paland, Renate Paland, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7648418
    Abstract: A constant velocity twin ball joint, having an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks. Circumferentially adjoining pairs of tracks comprise center lines of the outer and inner ball tracks which, when the longitudinal axes are aligned, are positioned in planes which extend parallel relative to one another and are symmetric relative to the longitudinal axes. A ball cage is positioned between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and comprises circumferentially distributed cage windows which each accommodate pairs of balls of adjoining pairs of tracks positioned in parallel planes. The circumferential length of second cage windows for second pairs of balls is smaller than the circumferential length of first cage windows for first pairs of balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Harnischfeger
  • Patent number: 7641564
    Abstract: Grooves as ball rolling grooves are formed in a side peripheral wall of a preparatory formed body that is to be an inner member. A recess opened so as to be continuous to curved bottom sections of the grooves, which face a through-hole, is formed in one end surface of the preparatory formed body. In carburizing, carburizing gas entering into space between the through-hole and a support shaft member flows through the recess after coming into contact with inner teeth, and is then discharged to the outside of the preparatory formed body via the curved bottom sections of the grooves. On the contrary, the carburizing gas having been in contact with the curved bottom sections of the grooves flows through the recess to come to be in contact with the inner teeth and is then discharged through the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Usui, Junichi Suto, Minoru Sugiyama, Hidetoshi Isogai, Munenori Tate, Toshio Takaku, Takashi Ichimura, Toshio Izawa
  • Patent number: 7637818
    Abstract: An opposed path joint comprising an inner hub, which is provided with first inner grooves and second inner grooves, and comprising an outer hub, which is provided with first outer grooves and second outer grooves that respectively form a pair with the first and second inner grooves. The opposed path joint also comprises an annular cage, which is placed between the inner hub and the outer hub and which has a radial openings whose number corresponds to that of the groove pairs. Balls that engage inside the grooves are guided inside these radial openings. According to the invention, the outer hub of the opposed path joint is a single-piece closed ring, in which the outer grooves are formed without cutting. Alternatively, the outer hub has at least two elements that are located one behind the other on the outer hub axis and, together, center the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Jacob, Martin D. Jacob
  • Patent number: 7637819
    Abstract: An inner joint part for a constant velocity universal joint, more particularly a constant velocity plunging joint. The inner joint part (2) includes an outer spherical guiding face (3) for guiding a ball cage (24) of the constant velocity universal joint; a plurality of circumferentially distributed ball tracks (4) formed into the spherical guiding face (3) and provided for receiving torque transmitting balls (25); wherein the ball tracks (4) each comprise a hard-machined first track portion (11) for guiding the balls (25) as well as an unmachined second track portion (12) which does not have a guiding function for the balls. A process of producing an inner joint part as well as a constant velocity universal joint with an inner joint part are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Bruneck AG
    Inventors: Bruno Feichter, Carlo Faustini
  • Patent number: 7635307
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment includes a propshaft system including a first constant velocity joint generally defining a first axis and having an inner first race, an outer first race, and a first grease cover mated to the outer first race. The propshaft system also includes a first flange having a first flange mating surface and a first flange contour surface. The propshaft system also includes a second constant velocity joint generally defining a second axis and having an inner second race, an outer second race, and a second grease cover mated to the outer second race. The second grease cover is defined, at least in part, by a second grease cover flange surface and a second grease cover contour surface. The propshaft system additionally includes a propshaft portion extending at least partially between the first connection apparatus and the second connection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason T. Curi
  • Patent number: 7632190
    Abstract: Lateral cross-sections of first guiding grooves provided in the inner wall surface of an outer cup are formed in a circular arc shape for one point contact with balls, and lateral cross-sections of second guiding grooves provided in the outer wall surface of an inner ring are formed in an elliptic arc shape for two-point contact with the balls. The diameter of a ball and an offset amount between a first and a second groove is set to satisfy the expression of 0.12?V?0.14 with V being the ratio of the two values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouichi Nakao, Kazuki Ido, Akira Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7632189
    Abstract: A constant velocity counter track joint having an outer joint part with outer ball tracks having first tracks opening toward the aperture end and second tracks opening toward the attaching end. The center line of the second tracks, departs, radially inwardly, a first reference radius centered in the point of intersection of a perpendicular line on the tangent at the center line of the ball track and the longitudinal axis. In the inner joint part, the center line of the ball tracks departs, radially inwardly, a second reference radius centered in the point of intersection of a perpendicular line on the tangent at the center line of the ball track and the longitudinal axis. In the outer joint part, the center line of the ball tracks towards the aperture end, moves radially outwardly beyond said first reference radius. In the inner joint part, the center line of the ball tracks towards the attaching end, moves radially outwardly beyond said second reference radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schwärzler, Heiko Harnischfeger
  • Patent number: 7621816
    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 (?), and forming second pairs of tracks 18, 19 which widen in a second axial direction Ri2 (?). 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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Orkan Eryilmaz
  • Patent number: 7621817
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint-wheel hub assembly wherein the wheel hub includes a sleeve portion for receiving a wheel bearing and a flange for threading on a wheel and wherein the constant velocity joint has an annular outer joint part with apertures at both ends. Axial tensioning means pass through the sleeve portion and, through one aperture, engage the outer joint part. The sleeve portion and the outer joint part contact one another in an axially mutually supporting way. The axial tensioning means include a hollow member which is supported on the wheel hub and on the outer joint part. Between the sleeve portion and the outer joint part, there are provided form-fitting engagement means for the purpose of transmitting torque between the wheel hub and the constant velocity joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 7607985
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer and inner joint part forming pairs of ball tracks, wherein the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another. The track base lines of the outer ball tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose center is positioned beyond a first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part. The track base lines of the inner ball tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose center is positioned beyond the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 7607984
    Abstract: An angle-limiting ring coupled to an interconnecting shaft of a driving axle coupled to a fixed ball type outer constant velocity joint. The angle-limiting ring prevents the overarticulation of the joint at any time when the driving axle is not fully assembled into a rear wheel drive system. This prevents the loss of the ball bearings contained within the joint associated with this overarticulation. A snap ring may also be installed on the interconnecting shaft that allows the positive retention of the interconnecting shaft into the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Hopson, Richard L. Seidel
  • Patent number: 7604545
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint (1) which is constructed as a counter track joint and which includes an inner hub (4) in which first outer grooves (16) and second outer grooves (17) are arranged in an alternating and distributed manner around the axis (9) on the outer surface of the inner hub. An annular cage (5) which is guided on the inner hub (4) is arranged between the inner hub (4) and an outer hub. Insertion surfaces (24, 25) are provided, which extend from the driven-side end, which have an undercut free design, and which extend toward the drive-side end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignees: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH, BF New Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Jacob
  • Patent number: 7591729
    Abstract: A double constant velocity universal joint includes two constant velocity universal joints, each having a cylindrical outer joint member with a plurality of axially extending guide grooves in a spherical inner circumferential surface thereof, an inner joint member with a plurality of axially extending guide grooves formed in a spherical outer circumferential surface, torque transmitting balls each arranged in the ball tracks formed by both guide grooves of the outer joint member and the inner joint member, and a retainer for retaining the balls. The outer joint members are coaxially united back to back, and a cover member having an inner spherical surface that makes sliding contact with the outer circumferential surface of the outer joint member is attached to a shaft that is connected to the inner joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Sakaguchi, Yasuaki Takekawa
  • Patent number: 7591730
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer joint part (12) with outer ball tracks (221, 222), an inner joint part (13) with inner ball tracks (231, 232), the outer ball tracks and the inner ball tracks forming pairs of tracks (211, 231; 222, 232), the pairs of tracks each accommodate a torque transmitting ball (141, 142). Each two adjoining pairs of tracks comprise outer ball tracks with center lines in planes extending substantially parallel relative to one another, as well as inner ball tracks with center lines in planes extending substantially parallel relative to one another. An annular ball cage (16) is positioned between the outer joint part (12) and the inner joint part (13). In an aligned joint, centers of the balls are held by the ball cage in the joint center plane and when the joint is articulated, they are guided onto the angle-bisecting plane between the longitudinal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schwärzler, Heiko Harnischfeger
  • Patent number: 7582021
    Abstract: A longitudinal shaft for use in particular in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive motor vehicles includes a gearbox-side articulation, a differential-side articulation, as well as a central articulation through which a gearbox-side section is integrally linked in rotation to a differential-side section of the longitudinal shaft. To reduce the centrifugal forces occurring at the longitudinal shaft 1 in operation, the gearbox-side articulation and the differential-side articulation have each an inner hub designed to connect the longitudinal shaft integrally in rotation respectively to a gearbox output shaft and to a differential input shaft, the longitudinal shaft being centered on the gearbox output shaft and the differential input shaft by interlocking through the inner hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Jacob
  • Patent number: 7568977
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint shaft, capable of suppressing a rotational backlash when incorporated in the constant velocity universal joint, and improving the assembly efficiency as well as reducing the manufacturing cost. A constant velocity universal joint shaft has a spline that fits an inner race of the constant velocity universal joint. The shaft includes a shaft body with a spline formed thereon, and a yoke portion with a ring-shaped fitting portion. The shaft body and the yoke portion are integrally formed of medium carbon steel. By a pressing force of a pressing member the fitting portion of the yoke portion is tightened, so that such fitting portion fits a shaft external to the joint. In the constant velocity universal joint, the pressing member and an abutment member are elastically butted via an elastic member, so that a ball constantly remains in contact with a raceway of an outer member and a raceway of an inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Ishijima, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7553238
    Abstract: A connecting assembly between a shaft journal and a constant velocity universal joint having an outer joint part and an inner joint part engaged by the shaft journal. The inner joint part includes an elongated neck portion with at least one insertion groove formed therein, and the shaft journal has at least one corresponding insertion groove. A securing clip engages the corresponding insertion grooves to axially secure the inner joint part and shaft journal with respect to each other. A boot is axially secured to the inner joint part neck portion, substantially enveloping the inner joint part, and sealingly engaging an outer surface of the outer joint part to seal at least one side of a joint chamber of the constant velocity universal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Wormsbaecher, Eric LaMothe
  • Patent number: 7547254
    Abstract: In a drive shaft installed in a mounted type vehicle to traverse uneven terrains and adapted to transmit drive power to wheels through constant velocity joints J1 and J2 on the inboard and outboard sides, rubber boots are used as constant velocity joint boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Tohru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7544132
    Abstract: A constant-velocity fixed joint includes an outer joint part with ball raceways and an inner joint part with ball raceways which are separated by webs. A cage, which is disposed between the outer joint part and the inner joint part, has windows for holding balls. The inner joint part can be inserted into the cage only when at least one of its webs engages in a window in the cage. As a result of certain ratios of the raceway angle to the web angle, a high resistance to fracturing at large deflection angles is achieved and a weakening at the functional faces of the inner joint part is avoided. The large angle of wrap around the balls at the ends of the raceways is advantageous for the load bearing capacity of the raceways. Due to its simple form, the cage can be manufactured with a small thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Schaaf, Gerhard Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7534172
    Abstract: A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes an outer joint part having outer ball tracks and an outer surface, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, a cage, a plurality of balls held in the cage and engaging the inner and outer ball tracks, and a boot. The boot includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is axially secured to the outer surface of the outer joint part while providing rotational freedom between the boot and the outer joint part, and the second end is selectively attachable to a supplied drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Wormsbaecher
  • Patent number: 7520815
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint includes an inner race having an outer peripheral face on which inner grooves are formed, an outer race having an inner peripheral face on which outer grooves are formed, a plurality of balls each engaging with each pair of inner groove and outer groove, and an annular cage disposed between the inner race and the outer race and including window portions for retaining respective balls. A coefficient of sliding friction between the ball and a rolling face on the inner groove with which the ball is in contact, and a coefficient of sliding friction between the ball and a rolling face on the outer groove with which the ball is in contact are larger than a coefficient of sliding friction between the ball and a sliding face on the window portion with which the ball is in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ichikawa, Isashi Kashiwagi, Hiroyuki Iwashita, Atsushi Ando, Junji Ando, Yosei Ando, Hiroyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 7507160
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint in the form of a counter-track joint. The circumferential length (L1) of the first cage windows for the balls in the first pairs of tracks is greater than the circumferential length (L2) of the second cage windows for the balls in the second pairs of tracks. This permits a method of assembly wherein first the first balls, one after the other, are mounted in first pairs of tracks which widen from the aperture end to the attaching end and wherein then the second balls, one after the other, are mounted in second pairs of tracks which widen from the attaching end to the aperture end. For mounting the second balls in the second pairs of tracks, only a small over-articulation angle is necessary, and thus a shorter circumferential length of the respective windows than there is required for mounting the first balls in the first pairs of tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Ida Hassenrik, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 7507161
    Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes a substantially cylindrical hollow propeller shaft, a stub shaft and a constant velocity joint having inner race and an outer race drivingly interconnected by a plurality of balls. The stub shaft has a first end fixed to the propeller shaft and a second end drivingly coupled to the inner race. The second end includes a portion positioned adjacent to the inner race that defines an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter defined by the interface between the inner race and the plurality of balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Worman, Jr., James P. Downs
  • Patent number: 7497801
    Abstract: A power distribution apparatus of high reliability and long life and that can be reduced in size. A differential gear identified as a power transmission mechanism includes a drive shaft, a diff case provided with an opening that opens towards the drive shaft, constant velocity universal joints connected to the drive shaft, and side gears connected to drive shafts via the constant velocity universal joints. Outer races of the constant velocity universal joints are formed at the end of drive shafts. Inner races of the constant velocity universal joints are formed at side gears. The outer races are arranged so as to block an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuma Kakinami, Takeo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7481711
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint structure including an inner joint member, a retaining ring, and a shaft which are configured to prevent the shaft from being withdrawn from the inner joint member when a pulling force is applied to one side of the shaft is disclosed. A retaining ring groove is disposed at an opposite side of the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining groove has at least two points which contact an inner surface of the retaining ring when the pulling force is applied to prevent the retaining ring from contracting in a radial direction, thereby preventing the shaft from being withdrawn from the inner joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Fukumura, Tsuyoshi Ueno, Chikaya Shinba, Takaaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 7470198
    Abstract: A connecting assembly between a shaft journal (11) which is supported, and a universal joint (12) whose inner joint part (24) is engaged by the shaft journal (11) in a rotationally fast way, wherein there is provided an axially effective engaging connection between a securing sleeve (41) axially firmly connected to the inner joint part (24) and an annular groove (39) on the shaft journal (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 7462107
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer and inner joint part forming pairs of ball tracks, wherein the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another. The track base lines of the outer ball tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose center is positioned on a first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part. The track base lines of the inner ball tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose center is positioned on the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Krude, Peter Harz
  • Patent number: 7448952
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer race and an inner race arranged within the outer race. The joint includes a cage arranged between the outer race and inner race and a rolling element arranged between the outer race and inner race. The cage includes relatively flat portions on an outer face the cage surrounding window areas that hold the rolling elements in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramon Kuczera, Frederick J. Uchman
  • Patent number: 7431653
    Abstract: The constant velocity universal joint includes a plurality of vehicle body attachment flanges provided apart from each other in the outer circumferential direction of the joint outer ring and partly protruding in the radial direction. The joint outer ring has a flower outer circumferential shape corresponding to the inner circumferential shape, and the vehicle body attachment flanges are provided at outer recesses positioned between the track grooves of the joint outer ring. In this joint, the number of the balls is six, and the pitches of the ball tracks are random, unequal and not less than 55 degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Mochinaga, Manabu Hoshino, Katsuhiro Suzuki, Tomoaki Kaneko, Masazumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7429216
    Abstract: A vehicular steering apparatus, includes an input shaft for transmitting rotation from a steering wheel, an intermediate shaft including an upper intermediate shaft, a lower intermediate shaft and a buffer coupling for coupling the upper intermediate shaft and the lower intermediate shaft, an output shaft for driving a steering mechanism on a side of a vehicle, and universal joints for respectively coupling the input shaft and the upper intermediate shaft as well as the lower intermediate shaft and the output shaft, in which at least one of the universal joints is a universal ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 7419434
    Abstract: A torque transfer device, such as a transfer case for a motor vehicle, having a constant velocity joint integrated therewith is disclosed. In one embodiment, the constant velocity joint includes an outer race rotatably mounted within the torque transfer device and an inner race positioned within the outer race and operatively connected to the outer race by one or more torque transmitting balls. The torque transfer device further includes a drive mechanism that is connected to the outer race of the constant velocity joint, wherein the drive mechanism transfers torque received from an input shaft to the outer race of the constant velocity joint such that the outer race drives the inner race. The torque transfer device further includes an output shaft that is rotatably connected to the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Wormsbaecher
  • Patent number: 7419433
    Abstract: An ATV drive shaft which can be produced at low costs is provided. In a drive shaft installed in an uneven terrain traversing, mounted type vehicle and adapted to transmit drive power to wheels through constant velocity joints J1 and J2 on the inboard and outboard sides, a double offset type constant velocity joint J2 is used on the inboard side and an undercut free type constant velocity joint J1 is used on the outboard side, and the track clearances of the constant velocity joints J1 and J2 are in the range of 20 ?m-200 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Nakagawa, Hiroshi Tone
  • Patent number: 7413515
    Abstract: In a drive shaft which is installed in a mounted type vehicle designed to traverse uneven terrains and which transmits drive power to the wheels through constant velocity joints on the inboard and outboard sides, a double offset type constant velocity joint is used on the inboard side and an undercut free type constant velocity joint is used on the outboard side, the ratio of the PCD of the double offset type constant velocity joint to the ball diameter (PCD/d=r1) being in the range 3.0<r1<3.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Nakagawa, Masazumi Kobayashi, Takaaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 7407441
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer race having a plurality of ball grooves formed in an inner spherical surface thereof, which ball grooves extend in a direction of a rotation axis of the outer race, an inner once having a plurality of ball grooves formed in an outer spherical surface thereof, which ball grooves extend in a direction of a rotation axis of the inner race and are paired with the ball grooves of the outer race, and a plurality of balls disposed between the ball grooves of the outer race and the ball grooves of the inner race. In the constant velicity joint, the ball grooves of at least one of the outer race and the inner race are partially formed with relief profiles to provide a plurality of relief groove portions such that a load applied to each of the balls located in the relief groove portions during torque transmission between the inner race and the outer race is smaller than a load applied to each of the balls located in the other portions of the ball grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Matsumoto, Takashi Matsuda, Tetsuo Nimura, Kouichi Matsuura, Satoshi Suzuki, Shinji Nakai
  • Patent number: 7396285
    Abstract: A constant velocity counter track joint (11) having an outer joint part with first outer ball tracks (18) and second outer ball tracks (20), an inner joint part with first inner ball tracks (19) and second inner ball tracks (21). A ball cage (16) is positioned between the outer joint part and the inner joint part with cage windows which each accommodate at least one of the balls. When the joint is in the aligned condition, the aperture angle (?1) of the pairs of first tracks opens in the central joint plane (E) from the aperture end to the attaching end of the outer joint part (12), and the aperture angle (?2) of the pairs of second tracks opens in the opposite direction. The central track lines (L18, L19) of the first pairs of tracks each have a turning point (T1-2), and the center angle (?) from the joint center to the turning point (T1-2), is greater than 4°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 7396284
    Abstract: An opposed path joint comprising an inner hub, which is provided with first inner grooves and second inner grooves, and comprising an outer hub, which is provided with first outer grooves and second outer grooves that respectively form a pair with the first and second inner grooves. The opposed path joint also comprises an annular cage, which is placed between the inner hub and the outer hub and which has a radial openings whose number corresponds to that of the groove pairs. Balls that engage inside the grooves are guided inside these radial openings. According to the invention, the outer hub of the opposed path joint is a single-piece closed ring, in which the outer grooves are formed without cutting. Alternatively, the outer hub has at least two elements that are located one behind the other on the outer hub axis and, together, center the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Jacob, Martin D. Jacob
  • Patent number: 7393284
    Abstract: A counter track joint having an outer joint part (10), inner joint part (20), a ball cage (30) and torque transmitting balls. First outer tracks and first inner tracks form first pairs of tracks which widen in a first direction, and second outer tracks and second inner tracks form second pairs of tracks which widen in an opposed second direction. The annular cage (30) includes four first and four second circumferentially distributed cage windows which each accommodate one of the balls and which hold the balls in one plane. The second outer ball tracks (12), at one end, include widened, non-contacting assembly portions (13) for inserting balls (32) into the second cage windows from the radial outside, with all the first cage windows already having balls, and with the second cage windows axially projecting from the outer joint part (10) as a result of the joint being over-articulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Ida Hassenrik, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 7393283
    Abstract: An Rzeppa joint 1 comprises an inner hub 4, an outer hub 7 and a cage 5, which is guided between the two and which holds a number of balls 6 inside radial openings 8. The aim of the invention is to facilitate the assembly of the Rzeppa joint 1. To this end, the inner hub 4 is provided with a first element 10a, 10b and with a second element 11a, 11b that are located, in essence, one behind the other along the inner hub axis 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Jacob, Martin D. Jacob
  • Patent number: 7377854
    Abstract: A direct torque flow constant velocity joint having a rolling radial boot is provided and includes a DTF CVJ connector, a shroud assembly and a rolling radial boot. The DTF CVJ connector includes an outer joint part and an inner joint part, such that the shroud assembly is connected to the inner joint part and substantially surrounds the outer joint part of the DTF CVJ. The shroud assembly includes a circumferential clamp portion so that a rolling radial boot is connected between it and the outer joint part of the DTF CVJ. The rolling radial boot is covered by the shroud assembly and seals the DTF CVJ. The shroud assembly also protects the boot from external debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Wormsbaecher
  • Patent number: 7374493
    Abstract: A power transmission shaft such as a spline shaft and a serration shaft is provided which has improved static strength and fatigue strength. In a power transmission shaft, a diameter expansion surface is formed in a valley section of a tooth on the opposite side of a shaft end. First blunt sections in the shape of a curved surface are formed in corners between the diameter expansion surface and a tooth surface adjacent to the diameter expansion surface, in order to blunt edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Sakurai, Tohru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7361094
    Abstract: A multi-part propeller shaft for transmitting torque in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The shaft includes a first shaft portion (3) having a shaft tube (11) with an inner diameter (d), a second shaft portion (4) with an outer diameter (D) which is smaller than the inner diameter (d) of the shaft tube (11), and a universal joint (5) connecting the two shaft portions. The universal joint (5) has been provided in the form of a nominal separating region, and, after the universal joint (5) has been disassembled, due to an axial force resulting from a crash event, the first and the second shaft portion (3, 4) can be inserted into one another. To be able to accommodate kinetic energy, a deformable energy absorbing mechanism is provided in the shaft tube. The energy absorbing mechanism can be a filler member, a friction sliding element and/or a friction-inducing sliding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 5213963
    Abstract: A procedure for finding and identifying red cell antibodies by means of the solid-phase method, comprising contacting erythrocytes having selected antigen patterns with sera or plasmas that are to be tested for antibodies and transferred along with a polyspecific anti-human globulin reagent onto a substrate coated with protein A or protein G, thereby to transfer the detection or identification cells or, in the case of autocontrols, inherent cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Biotest Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Uthemann