Patents by Inventor Stephan Maucher

Stephan Maucher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070111807
    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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Ida Hassenrik, Thomas Weckerling
  • Publication number: 20070021223
    Abstract: A longitudinal plunging unit for the transmission of torque in a drive assembly. It comprises a profiled sleeve (21) with circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending first ball grooves (22); a profiled journal (11) with circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending second ball grooves (12); balls (31) which are arranged in groups of pairs of first and second ball grooves (12, 22); a ball cage (41) which is arranged between the profiled sleeve (21) and the profiled journal (11) and fixes the balls (31) in their positions relative to one another; and a spring mechanism (51) which is supported on at least one axial stop (42, 43) and designed in such a way that, in an unloaded condition, the ball cage (42) is held at a distance from the at least one axial stop (42, 43).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Heiko Kossack, Arnee Berger, Olaf Wolf, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Martin Garzorz, Christian Kramer
  • Publication number: 20060252558
    Abstract: A driveshaft assembly having two CV joints and an intermediate shaft. One of the CV joints (11) includes an outer joint part (12) with first ball tracks (14), an inner joint part (17) with second ball tracks (18), and balls (19) held in a common plane by a cage (20). First and second angles of intersection of the ball tracks (14, 18) of a pair of tracks are identical in size and are positioned symmetrically relative to the joint axis. The ball cage (20) is axially fixed in the constant velocity joint. The intermediate shaft includes a longitudinal plunging unit (41) having a sleeve (42) with first ball grooves (43) which extend axially, a journal (44) with second ball grooves (45) which extend axially, balls (46) which are held in a cage (47) in groups in pairs of the first and second ball grooves (43, 45).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Michael Ricks, Peter Bilz, Kiyoshi Taniyama
  • Publication number: 20060154734
    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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Ida Hassenrik, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 7022022
    Abstract: A counter track joint including first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction, and second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction. The outer joint part forms an introducing aperture for the ball cage. The ball cage, while engaging the outer tracks, can be threaded into the outer joint part in the second axial direction. The outer joint part forms a first stop and guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage. Between the introducing aperture and the first stop and guiding face, the outer joint part comprises a displacement region for the ball cage. A securing element forms a second stop and guiding face for the spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ida Hassenrik, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20050090317
    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 12 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 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Ida Hassenrik, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 6872143
    Abstract: A driveshaft having at least one counter-track joint, the joint having an outer joint part (11), an inner joint part (21), torque-transmitting balls (36) accommodated in pairs of tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane. First outer tracks and first inner tracks form first pairs of tracks which diverge from one another when viewed in a first axial direction towards the connection end of the inner joint part (21) and hold first balls. Second outer tracks and second inner tracks form second pairs of tracks which diverge from one another when viewed in a second axial direction towards the connection end of the outer joint part 11 and hold second balls. The first pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite each other and the second pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Anna Gremmelmaier, Herbert Taureg
  • Patent number: 6848999
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter-track joint comprising an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque-transmitting balls accommodated in pairs of tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane. First outer tracks and first inner tracks form first pairs of tracks which diverge from one another running in a first axial direction towards the connection end of the inner joint part and hold first balls. Second outer tracks and second inner tracks form second pairs of tracks which diverge from one another running in a second axial direction towards the connection end of the outer joint part and hold second balls. First pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite other first pairs of tracks, and second pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite other second pairs of tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Anna Gremmelmaier, Herbert Taureg
  • Publication number: 20040137992
    Abstract: A driveshaft assembly having two CV joints and an intermediate shaft. One of the CV joints (11) includes an outer joint part (12) with first ball tracks (14), an inner joint part (17) with second ball tracks (18), and balls (19) held in a common plane by a cage (20). First and second angles of intersection of the ball tracks (14, 18) of a pair of tracks are identical in size and are positioned symmetrically relative to the joint axis. The ball cage (20) is axially fixed in the constant velocity joint. The intermediate shaft includes a longitudinal plunging unit (41) having a sleeve (42) with first ball grooves (43) which extend axially, a journal (44) with second ball grooves (45) which extend axially, balls (46) which are held in a cage (47) in groups in pairs of the first and second ball grooves (43, 45).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Michael Ricks, Peter Bilz, Kiyoshi Taniyama
  • Publication number: 20040072622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, comprising an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls received in pairs of tracks formed of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction, with the control angles being defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks when the joint is in the aligned condition. The ball cage comprises a spherical outer face with a greatest diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ida Hassenrik, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 6709338
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, having an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls received in pairs of tracks formed of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction, with the control angles being defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks when the joint is in the aligned condition. The outer joint part forms a first stop-and-guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20040033837
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter-track joint comprising an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque-transmitting balls accommodated in pairs of tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane. First outer tracks and first inner tracks form first pairs of tracks which diverge from one another running in a first axial direction towards the connection end of the inner joint part and hold first balls. Second outer tracks and second inner tracks form second pairs of tracks which diverge from one another running in a second axial direction towards the connection end of the outer joint part and hold second balls. First pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite other first pairs of tracks, and second pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite other second pairs of tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Anna Gremmelmaier, Herbert Taureg
  • Publication number: 20040005930
    Abstract: A driveshaft having at least one counter-track joint, the joint having an outer joint part (11), an inner joint part (21), torque-transmitting balls (36) accommodated in pairs of tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane. First outer tracks and first inner tracks form first pairs of tracks which diverge from one another when viewed in a first axial direction towards the connection end of the inner joint part (21) and hold first balls. Second outer tracks and second inner tracks form second pairs of tracks which diverge from one another when viewed in a second axial direction towards the connection end of the outer joint part 11 and hold second balls. The first pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite each other and the second pairs of tracks are positioned radially opposite each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Anna Gremmelmaier, Herbert Taureg
  • Patent number: 6672965
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, having an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls which are received in pairs of tracks consisting of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and are guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction and in which first balls are held. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction and in which second balls are held. The control angles are defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks. The outer joint part, on its inside, forms a stop-and-guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Hans Wormsbächer
  • Publication number: 20020128079
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, having an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls which are received in pairs of tracks consisting of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and are guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction and in which first balls are held. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction and in which second balls are held. The control angles are defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks. The outer joint part, on its inside, forms a stop-and-guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Hans Wormsbacher
  • Publication number: 20020094230
    Abstract: A constant velocity fixed ball joint in the form of a counter track joint, having an outer joint part with outer tracks, an inner joint part with inner tracks, torque transmitting balls received in pairs of tracks formed of outer tracks and inner tracks, and a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held in a common plane and guided on to the angle-bisecting plane when the joint is articulated. First outer tracks, together with first inner tracks, form first pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a first axial direction. Second outer tracks, together with second inner tracks, form second pairs of tracks whose control angles open in a second axial direction, with the control angles being defined as angles between the tangents at the ball contact points in the tracks when the joint is in the aligned condition. The outer joint part forms a first stop-and-guiding face for a spherical outer face of the ball cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Peter Harz, Wolfgang Hildebrandt