Abstract: A constant velocity universal ball joint has a bell-shaped outer joint part which is open at one end. The outer joint part includes longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. An inner joint part with longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks is positioned within the outer part such that the outer and inner tracks are arranged radially opposite one another to form pairs. A torque transmitting ball is received in each track pair. A cage is arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and holds the balls in a common plane in circumferentially distributed cage windows. The cage guides the balls on to the angle bisecting plane when the axes of the outer and inner joint part are articulated relative to one another. The outer joint part is produced, especially by extrusion, forging or deep-drawing. The forming provides outer ball tracks which, if viewed from the open end, are axially undercut-free.

Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint having an outer joint part, an inner joint part, a cage and torque transmitting balls has the cumulative clearance errors of the joint minimized via the fixing method of supporting inserts. This is achieved in that a ring is provided with at least two fingers pointing axially and radially inward into the cavity of the outer joint part and arranged between two outer running grooves so as to abut the spherical contact face of the cage. While the clearances between the internal joint components are positioned at a predetermined relationship, the ring is positioned at an axial distance from a reference face located at the open end of the outer joint part and that the ring, while observing a predetermined axial play, is connected to the outer joint part. The inner faces of the outer joint part arranged between the outer running grooves thus being held at a predetermined position relative to the spherical outer face of the cage.

Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis-parallel recesses forming circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. An inner joint part has a star-shaped cross-section and three circumferentially distributed arms engaging the recesses in the outer joint part. The arms support roller assemblies. When torque is transmitted with the joint in an extended position, the resultant K.sub.1 of the forces acting from the inner joint part directly on a roller forms a shorter perpendicular distance from the joint axis than the resultant K.sub.2 of the counter forces acting from the outer joint part on the roller, so that, when torque is introduced into the joint, at any angle of articulation of the operating range, the roller is subject to a tilting moment.

Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with three circumferentially distributed, axis-parallel recesses which form circumferentially opposed tracks. An inner joint part with a star-shaped cross-section and three circumferentially distributed arms engaging the recesses in the outer joint part is associated with the outer part. The arms support roller assemblies. Each roller assembly has at least one inner ring and an outer roller. The inner ring is angularly movable relative to the arm and axially movable relative to the arm axis. A rolling contact bearing is arranged between an outer surface of the inner ring and an inner surface of the outer roller. Also, the outer surface of the outer roller rolls directly on the tracks. The inner ring and outer roller, with reference to the joint axis, are each supported radially outwardly independently of one another.

Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part with an annular housing (1) and roller track elements forming roller tracks, and an inner joint part with a tripod member (6) including rollers (5). The rollers (5) are guided on roller tracks (4) in the roller track elements (2). The roller track elements (2) include longitudinal edges (3) facing an inner face (10) of the tripod housing (1). At the end faces of their longitudinal edges (3), the roller track elements (2) are non-releasably connected to the annular housing (1). The substantially cylindrical tripod housing (1), at one end face, has a housing aperture whereas at the opposite end, it is connected to a shaft journal.

Abstract: A wheel hub/constant velocity joint unit has a two-row wheel bearing with a common outer bearing race (16). A joint member (4) with an end sleeve (5) is slid on to the wheel hub (1) and connected thereto while the wheel bearing is in a pretensioned condition. The connection of the hub (1) and joint member (4) is effected by a weld (23, 24, 29) located in the region of a plug-in connection between the externally positioned end sleeve (5) of the joint member (4) and the internally positioned wheel hub (1).

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint designed as a fixed or plunging joint permits the use of balls with a larger diameter, with the selectable shaft diameter not being adversely affected by using such balls with a larger diameter. The objective is achieved in that, in a first operation, the inner joint part is assembled with the cage while being pivoted at an angle of up to 90.degree. and that, subsequently, in a second operation, the inner joint part is welded to an associated shaft.

Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part (1, 41, 61) with three circumferentially distributed longitudinal recesses (2, 42, 62) each forming circumferentially opposed tracks (4, 5; 45, 65). An inner joint part (7, 47, 67) with tripod arms (9, 49, 69) which extend into the longitudinal recess (2, 42, 62) is positioned within the outer joint part (1, 41, 61). Rolling members (10, 50, 70) in rolling contact with the tracks (4, 5; 45, 65) are supported and movably and pivotably held on the tripod arms (9, 49, 69). The longitudinal recesses (2, 42, 62) include guiding means (18, 19) holding the rolling members (10, 50, 70) in the longitudinal recesses (2, 42, 62) so as to be axis-parallel with the joint. The rolling member (10, 50, 70) are in contact with one of the tracks (4, 5,; 45; 65). In each case, there is provided a first contact point (C) for accommodating a circumferentially extending transmission force F.sub.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for transmitting driving torque between rotative members, such universal joint including a hub fixed to one of the rotative members and an outer joint member attached to the hub, an inner joint member attached to another one of the rotative members and a ball containing cage positioned between the outer joint member and the inner joint member. The balls are engaged in ball races positioned in the outer joint member and in the inner joint member. The ball races are sloped so as to provide maximum material at the location of highest stress, the major ball races being of the undercut free design.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint is used as a fixed joint having an outer joint part (2) provided with first meridional ball tracks (6), and a ball hub (4) provided with second meridional ball tracks (7), the center lines of the ball tracks (6, 7) being undercut-free in the same axial projection. A joint base (1) is connected to the outer joint part (2) and is positioned at the open end of the undercut-free ball tracks (6, 7). The joint interior is provided with semi-spherical contact faces (16) between an axially inner partial region of the outer surface (11) of the cage (3) and guiding faces (9) in the joint base (1) while the joint exterior is provided with semi-spherical contact faces (17) between an axially outer partial region of the inner face (12) of the cage (3) and guiding faces (10) of the ball hub (4).

Abstract: A tripod joint has an outer joint part (1) with three uniformly circumferentially distributed axis-parallel recesses (2) forming circumferentially opposed tracks (4, 5), and an inner joint part (6) having a tripod-shaped cross-section with three circumferentially distributed arms (7) which extend into the recesses (2) of the outer joint part (1). Roller assemblies (8) are supported on the arms 7. Each roller assembly has at least one inner ring (12) and one outer roller (9) supported by the arms (7). The roller surface of the outer roller (9) rolls directly on the track (4, 5), with surfaces in each case being paired, such surface pairing enabling at least one radial sliding movement of at least part of a roller assembly (8) relative to the associated arm (7). A space (16) is formed between the roller assemblies (8) and the arms (7) for storing a first lubricant for the surface pairs enabling the radial sliding movement. The remaining joint interior or cavity (3) is filled with a second lubricant.

Abstract: Constant-velocity joints in tripod construction have an external joint component (1) in which are formed three circumferentially spaced axial guide tracks (2) with bearing surfaces opposite each other in the circumferential direction. An interior joint component (3) has three circumferentially spaced radial trunnions (4) which engage in the guide tracks (2). A roller unit (8) is on each of the trunnions (4) and is radially supported in the guide tracks (2). The roller units (8) are essentially held at constant angles in the guide tracks. The roller units (8) are, relative to the trunnions (4) and radially movable with angular mobility. The roller unit (8) are each mounted, free to rotate, on a roller carrier (6). The trunnions (4) have connected to their ends, spherical heads (5) which engage a radial internal recess of the roller carrier (6). A needle bearing (7) with a cage (9) is located between each roller carrier (6) and roller unit (8).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a universal joint outer housing which produces an extrusion which consists of two outer housing instead of one. The outer housing are formed adjacent to each other and are separated during the machining of the finished housings. This provides a significant cost saving by providing two extrusions during a process which originally produced only a single extrusion.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint of the tripod type having an outer joint part provided with three circumferentially distributed, axially extending longitudinal recesses with circumferentially distributed opposed running faces, an inner joint part provided with three circumferentially distributed radial journals engaging the longitudinal recesses, with the journals being provided with roller members which are held substantially isogonally in the longitudinal recesses and which are held relative to the journals so as to be radially displaceable and angularly movable, with each roller member being rotatably supported on a roller carrier and with the journals, at their ends, each having pivot heads which are firmly connected thereto and which engage a radial cylindrical inner recess of a roller carrier so as to be radially movable and angularly movable at right angles thereto around two axes.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint and a method for assembly thereof. The constant velocity universal joint has an inner race having a plurality of ball tracks. At least one ball track has an edge chamfered to provide a second diametral width which allows the inner race to be inserted into a cage. There is no requirement for the cage windows to be enlarged or the inner race lobes to be modified in any other way to accept the inner race during assembly.

Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint, comprising an outer joint member (1), an inner joint member (14), tracks (2, 15) circumferentially spaced in meridian planes about the joint members and facing one another in pairs, a plurality of balls (13) received one in each facing pair of tracks, and a cage (11) between the joint members and holding the balls with their centers in a common plane; wherein the cage has a part-spherical outer surface engaging a part-spherical guide surface with a first portion provided in the outer joint member between the tracks therein and a second portion in a base member (5) connected to the outer joint member at its largest diameter end. The tracks in the joint members are of non-undercut configuration considered from such end of the outer joint member, as is the first guide surface portion therebetween, while the guide surface portion in the joint base member is non-undercut in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission system having a fixed variable diameter pulley connected by a drive belt to at least one other pulley. A tensioner pulley maintains the tension on the drive belt within predetermined limits as the effective diameter of the variable diameter pulley changes. The effective diameter of the variable diameter pulley is determined by a balance between a resilient force biasing a plurality of belt engaging members in a predetermined direction and a radial force acting on the plurality of belt engaging members in the opposite direction. In a first embodiment, the resilient force biases the plurality of belt engaging members outwardly and the radial forces are generated by displacing the tensioner pulley to increase the tension on the drive belt. In an alternate embodiment, the plurality of belt engaging members are biased inwardly by a resilient force and are displaced outwardly by centrifugal forces.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having a differential with an output axis therethrough, the differential being coupled to a transverse support tube pivotable about a transverse axis therethrough and by an inboard constant velocity universal joint to a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly being coupled by an arm to a torsion rod carried by the transverse support tube and pivotable about a swing axis through the inboard constant velocity universal joint, whereby the differential is adapted to pivot relative to each of the output, the transverse and the swing axes.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having a variable diameter pulley assembly. The variable diameter pulley assembly has an array of belt engaging elements arranged in a circular pattern having a diameter variable as a function of the relative rotational orientation of supporting inner disk members and outer disk members. A hub connected to the outer disk members has a plurality of helical slots concentric with the axis of rotation. A concentric disk drive member has a plurality of helical slots which rotate in the opposite direction of the helical slots in the hub. Each helical slot in the disk drive member crosses one of the helical slots in the hub to form a plurality of through apertures. An actuator pin disposed in each through aperture locks the disk member to the hub for rotation. An axially displaceable pin cage displaces the actuator pins along the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A variable diameter pulley having a plurality of belt support members arranged in a circular pattern between a pair of side members. Each side member consists of a pair of adjacent disk members rotatable relative to each other. The disk members have crossing guideways which control the radial position of the belt support members as a function of the rotational orientation between them. Extendible elements are disposed between adjacent belt support members to provide the variable diameter pulley with a generally cylindrical belt engagement surface.