Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint provided with an outer joint with outer tracks and an inner joint part with inner tracks. The outer tracks and inner tracks form sets of tracks, with a torque transmitting ball being guided in each set of tracks. A ball cage accommodates the balls in circumferentially distributed cage windows and, when the joint is articulated, guides the balls on to the angle-bisecting plane between the longitudinal axes. The cage windows each accommodate pairs of balls. When the joint is in the aligned condition, in the central joint plane, the angular distance of the balls within the individual pairs of balls is smaller than the angular distance between balls associated with pairs adjoining one another; and the center lines of the sets of tracks of the pairs of balls extend in planes which extend parallel relative to one another.

Abstract: An axial plunging unit for torque transmission within a driveline which includes a profiled journal (11) with first circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending ball grooves (12), a profiled sleeve (13) with second circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending ball grooves (14), balls (15) which are arranged in pairs of first and second ball grooves (12,14) in identical groups, and a supporting and attaching sleeve (21) which is slid on to the profiled sleeve (13) so as to ensure the transmission of torque.

Abstract: A longitudinal plunging unit (11) for torque transmitting purposes in a shaft assembly, comprising an outer profiled sleeve (21) having circumferentially distributed, inner, longitudinally extending first ball grooves (22) to be connected to a first attachment part, a profiled journal (31) positioned inside the outer profiled sleeve (21) and having circumferentially distributed, outer, longitudinally extending second ball grooves (32) to be connected to a second attachment part, groups of balls (41) arranged in pairs of first and second ball grooves (22, 32), and a sleeve-shaped ball cage (42) which is positioned in the annular space between the profiled sleeve (21) and the profiled journal (31) and which fixes the groups of balls (41) in their respective positions relative to one another. The profiled journal (31) is a hollow journal comprising a material with a substantially uniform wall thickness with a maximum deviation of ±15%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity joint having an outer part (3), an inner part (8), a cage (14) and balls (24). For the purpose of fitting the inner part (8) in the cage (14), there is provided a groove (16a) which can be entered by the inner part (8) by means of the web (13), so that the inner part (8) can be introduced into the cage (14), although the outer diameter of the inner part (8) is greater than that of the end aperture of the cage (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rolling boot (26) and to a rolling boot assembly including such a rolling boot and two attaching parts. The rolling boot (26) comprises a first axially flexible portion (38) having a first radially outer collar (27), a second axially flexible portion (39) having a second radially outer collar (28), and an approximately cylindrical connecting portion (40) which adjoins the two portions (38, 39) on the radial inside. The rolling boot assembly is provided with a first attaching part (24) comprising a fixing portion (34) which opens towards the second portion and which, from the outside, continuously approaches the first portion (38) of the rolling boot (26) in the direction of the first collar (27), as well with a second attaching part (25) comprising a fixing portion (37) which opens towards the first portion (38) and which approaches the second portion (39) in the direction of the second collar (28).

Abstract: A longitudinal plunging unit (11) for torque transmitting purposes in a shaft assembly, comprising an outer profiled sleeve (21) having circumferentially distributed, inner, longitudinally extending first ball grooves (22) to be connected to a first attachment part, a profiled journal (31) positioned inside the outer profiled sleeve (21) and having circumferentially distributed, outer, longitudinally extending second ball grooves (32) to be connected to a second attachment part, groups of balls (41) arranged in pairs of first and second ball grooves (22, 32), and a sleeve-shaped ball cage (42) which is positioned in the annular space between the profiled sleeve (21) and the profiled journal (31) and which fixes the groups of balls (41) in their respective positions relative to one another.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint includes an outer joint part, an inner joint part, torque transmitting balls guided in pairs of tracks, and an annular ball cage held between the outer joint part and the inner joint part, wherein the ball cage forms an inner face which is internally widened between two end apertures of the ball cage. The inner joint part has a greatest outer diameter which is greater than each of the inner diameters of the end apertures of the ball cage. Adjoining inner ball tracks of the inner joint part form webs whose axial length is greater than the circumferential extension of the cage windows of the ball cage. The ball cage can be elastically ovalised to the extent that, when the axes of the ball cage and of the inner joint part intersect one another approximately perpendicularly upon contact between a web of the inner joint part and the inner face of the ball cage, the opposed web of the inner joint part is able to pass through an end aperture.

Abstract: A longitudinal plunging unit for a shaft assembly used for torque transmitting purposes. The unit includes a profiled sleeve (11) with circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending first ball grooves (12), a profiled journal (21) with circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending second ball grooves (22), balls (31, 32, 33) which are arranged in groups of balls in pairs of first and second ball grooves (11, 21), and a ball cage (41) which is positioned between the profiled sleeve (11) and the profiled journal (21) and axially fixes the balls in their positions relative to one another, wherein in the region of the ball grooves (12, 22), the profiled sleeve (11) and the profiled journal (21) include the same torsional stiffness, such that, during the introduction of torque, they are subject to the same angles of torsion.

Abstract: A method of and device for forming a tripode star for a tripode joint, which tripode star comprises an annular hub member and three arms which adjoin the hub member, extend radially relative to a longitudinal axis (A) and form faces of spherical portions each positioned circumferentially relative to arm axes (Z) of the arms, wherein, in a first production stage, the hub member and the three arms are preformed from a blank by means of a first tool divided in a plane (E1) containing the arm axes (Z) and wherein, in a second production stage, pairs of burr-free faces of spherical portions positioned opposite one another in the circumferential direction relative to the hub member (12) are formed on to the preformed arms by means of a second tool divided in planes extending through the longitudinal axis (A) of the hub member and through the arm axes (Z).

Abstract: An axial plunging unit for transmitting torque within a driveline, includes a profiled sleeve (11) with circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending first ball grooves (12), a profiled journal (13) with circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending second ball grooves (14), and balls (15) which are arranged in pairs of first and second ball grooves (12, 14) in groups (k) of balls, wherein the number of first ball grooves (11) corresponds to m times the number k of the groups of balls and wherein the longitudinal axes of the first, second, etc. to the mth of the first ball grooves 12, as counted circumferentially, are positioned on different pitch circle diameters.

Abstract: An annular outer part (2) for a constant velocity joint. In its inner wall (10), the annular outer part (2) includes circumferentially distributed first outer grooves and second outer grooves (13) which start from different end faces (8) and (9) respectively and extend towards the respective other end face in an undercut-free way. First webs (16) and second webs (21) which correspond to the first outer grooves (11) and second outer grooves (13) are projectingly arranged on the cylindrical outer face (15) of the outer joint part (2). In sectional planes (19, 20) containing the groove base (12, 14) of the respective outer groove (11, 13), the outer faces (17) of the webs (16, 21) follow the groove base (12, 14) at a constant distance. There is provided an outer joint part whose wall thickness, if viewed on the circumference, is largely unchanging. In addition, it is possible to use the webs for accommodating the outer joint part in a receiving part in a rotationally fast way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plunging assembly for a driveshaft, especially for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The plunging assembly comprises a tubular outer joint part (3) with a longitudinal axis and circumferentially distributed outer running grooves (5) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis; an inner part (1) with inner running grooves (10) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, as well as a plunging unit (2) with a cage (16) and balls (15) provided for torque transmitting purposes. Furthermore, there are provided means for delimiting the path which can be covered by the inner part (1) relative to the outer part (3) during the moving-in and moving-out motion. The means being arranged between the inner part (1) and the plunging unit (2) as well as between the plunging unit (2) and the outer part (3). The length of the inner running grooves (10) differs from that of the outer running grooves (5).

Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint comprising an outer joint part forming an annular member with a first longitudinal axis and comprising first ball tracks. The first ball tracks extend at a distance from the first longitudinal axis and each form a first angle of crossing therewith. The joint also includes an inner joint part forms a hub with a second longitudinal axis and comprising second ball tracks. The second ball tracks extend at a distance from the second longitudinal axis and each form a second angle of crossing therewith. The first ball tracks and the second ball tracks are circurnferentially distributed and associated with one another in pairs, with the first angles of crossing and the second angles of crossing of the pairs of ball tracks being identical in size and opening in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal axes. When the longitudinal axes coincide, the points of intersection of the pairs of ball tracks form a central joint plane.

Abstract: A driveshaft (11) having two ball type constant velocity fixed joints (12, 13), a shaft part (14) connecting said two joints, and an axial plunging part (15) arranged in said shaft part (14). The ball type constant velocity fixed joints (12, 13) each comprise: a bell-shaped outer joint part (16, 26) provided with internally positioned first ball tracks (18, 28); a hub-shaped inner joint part (19, 29) provided with externally positioned second ball tracks (21, 31) and arranged inside said outer joint part (16, 26); balls (24, 34) engaging pairs of first ball tracks (18, 28) and second ball tracks (21, 31); and an annular ball cage (22, 32) with circumferentially distributed cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane. The pairs of first ball tracks (18, 28) and second ball tracks (21, 31), when viewed in a longitudinal section, form opening angles (&agr;12, &agr;13) relative to one another for controlling the balls (24, 34) in the ball tracks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly for transmitting torque, having a propeller shaft (1) and an intermediate bearing (2), such as they are used in motor vehicles for example, wherein the propeller shaft (1) includes a first shaft portion (3) with a first joint (8), a second shaft portion (4) with a second joint (21), and a third joint (5) in the form of a constant velocity fixed joint which connects the first shaft portion (3) and the second shaft portion (4), and wherein the intermediate bearing (2), which adjoins the constant velocity fixed joint (5) and is associated with the first shaft portion (3), including rolling contact bearing (15); in the drive assembly, the smallest inner diameters (dcA, dwz) of the outer joint part (25) of the joint (5) and of the second shaft tube (19) associated with the second shaft portion (4) are greater than the greatest outer diameters (Dw, DL) of the first shaft portion (3) and of the rolling contact bearing (15) of the intermediate bearing (2); this assembly permi

Abstract: The invention relates to a driveshaft and to a method of producing the driveshaft having three components a first attaching element 1 and a second attaching element 13 and a tube element 8 arranged therebetween. The tube element 8 is provided with a first end face 9 and a second end face 12. Both attaching elements 1, 13 comprise cylindrical receiving faces 4, 16 whose diameter is smaller than that of the tube bore 10 of the tube element 8. This permits a radial adjustment of the elements relative to one another with reference to a longitudinal reference axis 25 in order to keep any out-of-balance minimized. In the axial direction, close tolerances can be observed in that a first reference face 6 of the first attaching element 1 is set relative to the first end face 9 of the tube element at a fixed distance 7.

Abstract: A sealing assembly on a constant velocity universal joint which comprises an outer joint part with at least one aperture at an axial end, an inner joint part having a driveshaft connected thereto and being inserted into said outer joint part, and further comprising rolling members effective between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and serving the transmission of torque. The sealing assembly includes at least one sheet metal element having an annular face, which rests on an end face of the outer joint part, with the outer joint part and the sheet metal element being clamped to one another. A first face—the annular face or the end face—has a surface structure, with planar contact faces and grooves provided therein. The respective other face—the annular face or the end face—forms a planar counter face.

Abstract: A monobloc hollow shaft for transmitting torque, having two end portions, which, at their axial outer ends, are provided with shaft toothings for introducing torque, and having a central portion which, as compared to the end portions, has a smaller wall thickness, wherein, when torque is introduced via the shaft toothings, due to torsional forces a central part of the central portion of at least 25% of the length of the shaft is first of all uniformly plastically deformed.

Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint has an outer part 1, an inner part 9, a cage 18 and balls 23 which are guided by the cage 18 in the outer running grooves 5 of the outer part 1 and in the inner running grooves 14 of the inner part 9. The inner part 9 is held relative to the outer part 1 entirely by the balls 23 in the radial direction and by the ball 23 on the one hand and by a control element 24 on the other hand, which control element 24 is supported on the inner part 9 and on a supporting element 35 associated with the outer part 1. Beyond the advantageous supporting conditions achieved by said assembly, it is possible to achieve a further reduction in friction by friction-reducing means which are provided in the form of lubricating grooves 31, 33 for example, thus achieving hydro-dynamic lubrication conditions which are advantageously affected in that the control element 24 achieves high sliding speeds relative to the supporting element 35.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for transmitting torque, having an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, torque transmitting balls guided by pairs of outer and inner ball tracks positioned in corresponding meridian planes, and a ball cage which receives the balls in circumferentially distributed windows and holds same in a common plane and guides same on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is ariculated, with the center lines of the outer and inner ball tracks being composed of at least two differently curved portions adjoining one another, with the center lines of the ball tracks of the outer joint part each comprising convexly curved inner portions and, towards the open end, concavely curved end portions.