Sleeve Has Spherical Or Semi-spherical Bearing Surface Patents (Class 464/124)
  • Patent number: 11162539
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes spherical rollers. At least parts of first inner bottom wall portions provided on an inner bottom wall surface of a cylindrical portion of the constant velocity joint are located in closer proximity to the side of an opening of the cylindrical portion than second inner bottom wall portions. When the spherical rollers are disposed at an innermost location inside the cylindrical portion and the axial directions of the spherical rollers are perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, at least parts of the first inner bottom wall portions abut against inner side outer circumferential surface portions of the spherical rollers, and the second inner bottom wall portions are separated away from outer side outer circumferential surface portions of the spherical rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Bono, Taisuke Sakakibara, Taichi Sasaki, Junji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7147564
    Abstract: A universal joint assembly includes a universal joint and a housing encasing the universal joint. An isolator encases the housing. The isolator includes at least one chamber formed therein. The housing is moveable relative to the isolator by compression of the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn F. Gehrke
  • Patent number: 7121950
    Abstract: A tripod type constant velocity universal joint that can suppress generation of shudder by reducing the 3rd order cyclic axial force and has high rotation durability. In a double-roller tripod type constant velocity universal joint, a track gap ?1 between one of the roller guiding surfaces formed on both sides of a track groove, which is on the no-load applied side, and an outer circumferential surface of an outer roller is set to satisfy ?1>0.03/A. Also, a shoulder gap ?2 between a guide shoulder surface formed at the bottom of the track groove and a side surface of the outer roller is set to satisfy ?2>0.15×A. In both the expressions, a degree of torus A is defined as a ratio of a radius of curvature r of a generatrix of the outer circumferential surface to a radius R of an outer circumference of the outer roller (A=r/R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Izumino, Minoru Ishijima, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7022020
    Abstract: A tripod constant velocity universal joint including an outer joint member having three axial track grooves in an inner periphery and roller guide surfaces formed in opposing side walls of each track groove. A tripod member has three radially projecting trunnion journals and rollers that rotate around respective trunnion journals through a plurality of needle rollers and are received in the track grooves of the outer joint member. Each roller is guided on an outer peripheral surface by the roller guide surfaces. Contact between the roller and roller guide surfaces is circular having a contact ratio that is 1.01 or higher. The contact ratio is defined by a widthwise length of the contact ellipse formed by the roller contacting the guide surface relative to the width of said roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Watanabe, Hideki Kondo, Kenji Terada, Hisaaki Kura
  • Patent number: 6902486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tripod joint assembly, suited for the driveline of motor vehicles. It includes an outer joint part, rollers and an inner joint part which is connected to a shaft in a rotationally fast way, with an annular gap being formed between the shaft and the outer joint part, as well as a convoluted boot for sealing the annular gap. The outer joint part comprises a wall whose outer contour, in cross-section, deviates from the circular shape and which comprises a radially outwardly directed, circumferentially extending bead. The convoluted boot comprises an adapter ring and a convoluted portion connected to the adapter ring, with the adapter ring, on its radial inside, comprising an annular circumferential recess and, in its cross-section, being suitable for being fitted on to the outer joint part. When the adapter ring is fitted on to the outer joint part, the bead of the outer joint part engages the circumferential recess of the adapter ring in order to provide axial security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Wette
  • Patent number: 6893351
    Abstract: A tripod type constant velocity universal joint of a single roller type is provided, which can be used in a vehicle operating at high angles without causing an increase in costs by lowering the level of vibration even at a high operating angle. A tripod type constant velocity universal joint is composed of an outer joint member with three track grooves, extending in its axial direction, on the inner circumferential surface of the outer joint member, a tripod member with three radially projecting leg shafts around the circumference of the tripod member, and rotatable rollers mounted on each leg shaft through a plurality of needle rollers and positioned in the track grooves of the outer joint member, the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers being guided by roller guide surfaces provided on both sides of the track grooves. In this construction, grooves extending along the track grooves are provided on the roller guide surfaces where the rollers contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Ishiguro, Tatsuro Sugiyama, Haruo Nagatani
  • Patent number: 6881934
    Abstract: A process for producing a barrel for a twin-screw extruder with intermeshing screws from a steel block, wherein the barrel has a wear resistant inner surface, includes producing two partially intersecting bores passing completely through the steel block, the two intersecting bores forming a spectacle-shaped bore having narrowed regions where the two intersecting bores intersect, and hardening an inner surface of the spectacle-shaped bore with essentially constant depth of penetration by passing an inductor through the spectacle-shaped bore from one end to the other, the inductor is smaller than but having approximately the same shape as the inner contour of the spectacle-shaped bore and is configured such that less energy for heating the inner surface of the spectacle-shaped bore is delivered in the vicinity of the two narrowed regions of the spectacle-shaped bore by the longitudinal sections on the periphery of the inductor than in regions on the inner contour remote from the narrowed regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Berstoff GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Behling, Volker Wesling, Uwe Motzkau
  • Patent number: 6776719
    Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces having a parabolic profile, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The parabolic side surface has a radially outward portion having a smaller radius of curvature than a radial inward portion of the parabolic side surface. Moreover, the radius of the inward portion is equal to or greater than the maximum radius of the outer ball thereby assuring the tread face of the outer ball does not bind against the inward portion of the parabolic side surface on the unloaded side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Jay Perrow
  • Patent number: 6758758
    Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The ball assembly being free to wobble about a Z-axis wherein the assembly pivots about an X-axis disposed laterally to the outer drive member and pivots about a Y-axis disposed longitudinally to the outer drive member. The channel carries a guide rail which extends longitudinally lengthwise to the channel and projects radially inward in order to contact the outer ball when the ball assembly pivots about the X-axis, i.e., tilts relative to the axis of the outer drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Jay Perrow
  • Patent number: 6749516
    Abstract: A constant velocity transmission joint having a male element (10) having a plurality of arms (14); a female element (20) defining a pair of facing tracks (22, 23) for each arm (14), which tracks are situated on opposite sides of the arm; and, mounted on each arm, a mechanical transmission member (30) that is movable in the longitudinal direction of the pair of tracks (22, 23), being held axially by the tracks, and establishing a connection with the arm that is swiveling and axially movable along the axis (Y—Y) of the arm. The transmission member includes a circularly symmetrical outer roller placed between the corresponding tracks to roll on one or other of them. For each arm, the outside profile in meridian half-section of the outer roller (32) comprises two arcs (32A, 32B) having curvature of the same sign and cooperating with two arcs (22A, 22B) of the substantially complementary profile of the associated tracks (22, 23) so as to form two spaced-apart contact zones (37A, 3TB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: GKN Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Michel Margerie
  • Publication number: 20040077412
    Abstract: A tripot universal joint has a plurality of roller assemblies that are rotatably mounted on respective trunnions of a spider that is attached to a drive shaft and that run in respective longitudinal grooves or tracks of a housing. Each roller assembly includes a roller and a needle roller bearing for rotatably mounting the roller on a roller carrier. Each needle bearing includes a plurality of needle rollers and a cage. The cage has spaced end rings that are connected by a plurality of cross bars to form a plurality of roller receiving pockets for receiving the needle rollers and retaining the needle rollers with respect to the roller in the longitudinal or axial direction, and conformations that cooperate with the roller to retain the cage with respect to the roller in the longitudinal or axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Scott Jay Perrow
  • Patent number: 6682433
    Abstract: In an arrangement of a running roller on a coupling journal of a coupling half of a moveable shaft coupling, a radial rolling bearing, the inner ring of which is connected to the coupling journal by a ball joint, is inserted into the running roller. In order to maintain an additional degree of freedom for the relative movements of the coupling journal in relation to the complementary coupling half in the directions perpendicular to the central axis of the latter, either the running face of the running roller is configured cylindrically or the rolling bearing is configured as a loose bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Henkel, Andreas Kollmann, Peter Münich, Wolfgang Niechoj, Olaf Rindfleisch, Rolf Schröder, Stefan Weniger, Günter Wörner
  • Patent number: 6632143
    Abstract: The tripod member has three trunnions which are projected radially. Each of the trunnions carries a roller, and this roller is accommodated in one of the track grooves in the outer joint member. The outer peripheries of the rollers and the roller guideways make angular contact with each other. Support rings are fitted onto the outer peripheries of the trunnions. These support rings and the rollers are assembled (unitized) via a plurality of needle rollers to constitute roller assemblies capable of relative rotations. In longitudinal sections, the outer peripheries of the trunnions have straight shapes parallel to the axes of the trunnions. In cross sections, the outer peripheries are elliptic in shape, with their respective major axes perpendicular to the axis of the joint. The inner peripheries of the support rings have arcuate convex sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuro Sugiyama, Tatsuhiro Goto, Kenji Terada, Kenta Yamazaki, Hisaaki Kura
  • Patent number: 6547667
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint comprises an outer joint member 10 formed with three track grooves 12 having roller guide surfaces 14 arranged in circumferentially opposed relation to each other, a tripod member 20 having three radially projecting trunnions 22, rollers 34 inserted in the track grooves 12, and rings 32 fitted on the trunnions 22 to support the rollers 34 for rotation, the rollers 34 being movable along the roller guide surfaces 14 axially of the outer joint member 10, wherein the roller 34 is composed of a set of annular roller portions 34a and 34b and a plurality of balls 36 are interposed between outer raceway surfaces formed in rows each in the inner periphery of the annular roller portion 34 and two rows of inner raceway surfaces formed in the outer periphery of the ring 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuro Sugiyama, Hisaaki Kura, Masayuki Kuroda, Haruo Nagatani
  • Patent number: 6533668
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a constant velocity joint of tripod type which is both highly strong and durable, and which can minimize rolling resistance when transmitting torque at a joint angle. A tripod type constant velocity joint comprises a housing secured to a first rotating shaft and a tripod having trunnion axes spaced apart equally in a circumferential direction and securing equally to the second rotating shaft. The cross section normal to the trunnion axis is shaped to an ellipse and the direction of its short diameter is arranged parallel to the second rotational shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Mizukoshi, Minoru Ishijima, Toshihiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6475092
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint with a further reduction in inductive thrust and slide resistance. The constant velocity universal joint comprises: an outer joint member 10 having three track grooves 12 each having circumferentially-opposed roller guideways 14; a tripod member 20 having three radially-projecting trunnions 22; a roller 34 inserted in each of the track grooves 12; and a ring 32 fitted on each of the trunnions 22 to support the roller 34 rotatably, the roller 34 being movable in axial directions of the outer joint member 1 along the roller guideways 14. Here, the inner periphery of the ring 32 is shaped arcuate and convex in section. The outer periphery of each of the trunnions 22 is shaped straight in longitudinal section, as well as formed in cross section so as to make a contact with the inner periphery of the ring 32 along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the joint and create a clearance with the inner periphery of the ring 32 in an axial direction of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaaki Kura, Tatsuro Sugiyama, Masayuki Kuroda, Kenji Terada
  • Patent number: 6390926
    Abstract: A retainer system for use in a tripot type universal joint is provided. The universal joint includes a spider having a plurality of rollers thereon. The rollers travel in drive channels within a housing of the joint. The retainer system comprises a retaining ring, having generally planar small diameter segments and generally planar and axially offset large diameter segments. The small diameter and large diameter segments are connected by blocking segments. The retainer system also comprises an annular groove having a retaining ring movement portion. The retaining ring movement portion allows for movement of the small diameter segments and blocking segments between an uncompressed state and a compressed state. In the compressed state, the spider can be inserted into the housing, because the blocking segments move out of the drive channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Jay Perrow
  • Patent number: 6322453
    Abstract: A perpendicular distance (PCR1) between a centerline (L1) including the center (O3) of the outer circumference surface (4b) of an outer roller (4), orthogonal to axis Z of a trunnion (2a) and a joint center O is shifted by &Dgr;h (=PCR1−PCR2) from a perpendicular distance (PCR2) between a centerline (L2) including the center (O1) of the outer circumference surface (3b) of an inner roller (3), orthogonal to axis Z of a trunnion (2a) and a joint center O. Under the most favorable conditions, PCR2 is shifted by an optimal amount of &Dgr;H from PCR1 toward the proximal end of the trunnion, and the position of contact (S) between the inner circumference surface (4a) of the outer roller 4 and the outer circumference surface (3b) of the inner roller (3) is located on the centerline (L1) (on PCR1) of the outer circumference surface (4b) of the outer roller (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Ishiguro, Kenji Terada, Yoshimasa Ushioda, Akio Sakaguchi, Hisaaki Kura, Katsuhiro Suzuki, Masaru Komatsu
  • Patent number: 6251019
    Abstract: A constant velocity plunging joint is disclosed that includes an outer joint part having a cylindrical hollow chamber with an aperture at a first end, which cylindrical hollow chamber, at its other end, is closed by a base and in which there are formed uniformly circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending tracks; an inner joint part which is positioned centrally in the cylindrical hollow chamber of the outer joint part so as to be angularly movable and longitudinally displaceable; and torque transmitting elements which, in the direction of rotation, are form-fittingly connected to the inner joint part and which, in the direction of rotation, engage the tracks of the outer joint part from-fittingly and so as to roll therein in the longitudinal direction; wherein, at the open end of the outer joint part, the end face is provided with caulkings which form raised portions reducing the free inner cross-section of the -cylindrical hollow chamber; wherein an assembly consisting of the inner joint part an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Lobro GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Hofmann, Michael Ricks
  • Patent number: 6217454
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint of a tripod type comprising a housing formed with three recesses having first and second guide grooves each extending axially in the housing, a tripod comprising trunnions with a bearing assembly having an inner roller and an outer roller in a rolling contact relationship and the first and second guide grooves formed such that the outer roller is tightly pressed on the first guide groove when a rotating force is transmitted, and that the axis of each of the trunnions is displaced from a parallel relationship with the flat bottom face of the first guide groove when the outer roller is pressed thereon with the joint angle kept zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ikeda, Minoru Ishijima, Yasumasa Mizukoshi
  • Patent number: 5951401
    Abstract: Tripod joints, each of which includes revolvable rollers to be directly fitted to outer circumferential surfaces of spider shafts, are provided respectively at both ends of an input-side shaft to which slave driving force is transmitted. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a slave driving system from transmission of unnecessary torque, and obtain a slave driving force-transmitting mechanism which is compact and light in weight, having a structure simplified as compared with those of the conventional technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Kita, Shigeo Kurita, Yasuhiro Kawashima, Tohru Mabuchi, Takeji Shino
  • Patent number: 5830070
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint for high-speed drives such as propeller shafts in motor vehicles has the outer joint part and the inner joint part held relative to one another in an optimum way so that they rotate centrally relative to one another at any angle occurring in operation. This is achieved in that the constant velocity universal joint is provided in the form of a so-called quadripode joint consisting of an outer joint part and an inner joint part which is supported by centering the cross member associated with the inner joint part by means of the arms thereof against respective stops in the outer joint part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Werner Krude
  • Patent number: 5788577
    Abstract: An inner roller is rotatably fitted on a trunnion of a tripod member through a plurality of needle rollers and held in position against slipping off the trunnion by a slip-off preventing ring and a stopper ring mounted on the distal end of the trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kadota, Yoshimasa Ushioda, Yukio Asahara, Hiroki Terada, Masaru Komatsu, Hiroyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5782695
    Abstract: An axially fixed homokinetic tripod joint for high-speed motor vehicle transmission has a tube (2) constituting a transmission shaft connected to a sleeve (26) in which extends a stem (6) provided at its end with a tripod element (10) cooperative with an adapted barrel (20) carried by a complementary transmission shaft. The sleeve (26) has at its free end three centering lugs (34A) which have an outer spherical surface and which cooperate with a spherical central cavity in the barrel (20) for providing an axially fixed and articulated assembly of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Bernard Poulin
  • Patent number: 5525111
    Abstract: The four trunnions (11) transmit the rotation of the shaft (8) to the body (1) through the intermediately of four tracks (3) which oscillate by rolling without sliding on the inner wall of the body (1). In addition, each track (3) is coupled angularly with the two adjacent tracks by mating teeth (7) so that any inclination of one track produces a contrary inclination of the two adjacent tracks and consequently an inclination in the same direction of the opposite track. The radii (a, b) according to which the tracks roll against the inner wall of the body and the position of the center of gravity (G) of the tracks are such that the centrifugal force (F) returns the tracks into neutral position. The inherent oscillation frequency of the tracks under the effect of this return is equal to twice the speed of rotation of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Glaenzer Spicer
    Inventor: Michel Orain
  • Patent number: 5507693
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint of the tripod type has an outer joint part with three axially extending, circumferentially distributed longitudinal recesses with circumferentially distributed opposed tracks. The tracks have surfaces which are grooved so as to have the shape of a circular cylindrical portion. An inner joint part includes three radial circumferentially distributed arms each engaging one of the longitudinal recesses and carrying roller assemblies having roller carriers and roller elements. The roller elements have running faces in the shape of a spherical portion and are axially guided so as to roll on the tracks in the longitudinal recesses of the outer joint part. The roller carriers are guided on the arms so as to be pivotable and longitudinally movable relative to the respective arm axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schwarzler, Volker Bergmann, Dieter Burghardt, Norbert Hofmann, Michael Ricks, Hans-Heinrich Welschof
  • Patent number: 5474500
    Abstract: A constant-velocity joint has an outer member formed centered on an axis with three radially inwardly open and axially extending channels each having a pair of angularly confronting and axially extending inner running surfaces that are each concave toward the other inner running surface of the respective pair, an inner member formed centered on a respective axis with three radially outwardly projecting trunnions each engaged in a respective one of the channels and each defining respective radially extending trunnion axes, and respective annular rollers rotatable on the trunnions about the respective trunnion axes and having outer running surfaces riding on the inner running surfaces of the respective channels and each radially outwardly convex relative to the respective trunnion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Sobhy L. Girguis
  • Patent number: 5428933
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an insulating construction member having top and bottom edges and interconnecting members on the top and bottom edges. The interconnecting members comprise alternating projections and recesses, the projections and recesses being of substantially the same dimension. The interconnecting members on the top and bottom edges are symmetrically arranged whereby the insulating construction member can be interconnected with a like member in a bi-directional or reversible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Michel Philippe
  • Patent number: 5362275
    Abstract: A constant-velocity joint has an outer member formed centered on an axis with three radially inwardly open and axially extending channels each having a pair of angularly confronting and axially extending inner running surfaces that are each concave toward the other inner running surface of the respective pair, an inner member formed centered on a respective axis with three radially outwardly projecting trunnions each engaged in a respective one of the channels and each defining respective radially extending trunnion axes, and respective annular rollers rotatable on the trunnions about the respective trunnion axes and having outer running surfaces riding on the inner running surfaces of the respective channels and each radially outwardly convex relative to the respective trunnion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Sobhy L. Girguis
  • Patent number: 5224899
    Abstract: A constant velocity ratio universal joint of the tripod type comprising a hollow outer joint member having a rotational axis and three interior guide grooves parallel to its rotational axis and equally circumferentially spaced thereabout, each guide groove having a base portion and opposed side portions; an inner joint member, inside the outer joint member, having a rotational axis and three arms equally spaced about this rotational axis and extending radially into the outer member guide grooves; each arm carrying a roller assembly with an outer roller element having an external surface engaging opposed side portions of a guide groove; an inner roller element mounted on the arm and supporting the outer roller element so that the outer roller element can rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm; and a guide element engaging the base portion of the guide groove for sliding movement therealong and also engaging the outer roller element to constrain the outer roller element against tilting r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Hardy Spicer Limited
    Inventors: Colin F. S. Turner, Colin A. Bird
  • Patent number: 5213546
    Abstract: A tripod joint separates the internal components of the joint responsible for angular and plunging movement of the joint. The tripod joint comprises an outer race, a spider having three radially extending trunnions, three rollers and a plurality of barrel shaped rollers. The barrel shaped rollers are disposed between the outer rollers and a respective trunnion located on the spider. Plunging movement of the joint either at 0.degree. joint angle or when the joint is at an angle is accommodated by a rolling action of the rollers against the outer race. Angular movement is accommodated by sliding movement of the barrel shaped rollers against an adjacent component or by the outer rollers against the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: GKN Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5184977
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint with a hollow outer part having three equally spaced longitudinal grooves, each having two opposite groove walls; an inner part with three outwardly projecting trunnions, the axes of the trunnions lying in one plane; and a roller surrounding each of the trunnions and rotating thereabout. Rings are placed around the rollers within the opposite groove walls and are slidably engaged with the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Sobhy L. Girguis
  • Patent number: 5171185
    Abstract: A plunging tripod constant velocity universal joint consists of an outer joint member with a cavity having three longitudinal chambers. An inner joint member is displaced within this cavity. The inner joint member consists of a spider member and three sets of roller assemblies. The roller assemblies each have an annular inner roller, an annular outer roller and a plurality of needle rollers. The inner and outer rollers are provided with flanges which form a pocket to retain the plurality of needles without the use of snap rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: GKN Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4886479
    Abstract: The bearing is used in a constant velocity universal joint of the type used in front wheel drive axles for motor vehicles. The universal joint housing has arcuately spaced apart pairs of parallel flat raceways. A bearing is provided in the arcuate space between each pair of housing raceways. The bearing has a single roller which contacts one raceway at a time with a very small clearance from the other raceway. The single roller has a curved outer periphery. A cylindrical sleeve separates the single roller from a plurality of rollers which roll about a bearing support on a shaft which extends into the universal joint housing. The inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve is in contact with the plurality of rollers, each of which have a curved outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Richtmeyer, Kelvin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 4786270
    Abstract: A homokinetic tripod type universal joint including a tripod member having three trunnions, with a roller rotatably mounted on each trunnion is mounted in an outer member. The roller consists of an inside ring and an outside ring wherein contact is established between a spherical outer periphery of the inside ring and a cylindrical inner periphery of the outside ring. The outside ring is guided in a direction parallel with the axis of the outer member by guide surfaces provided internally of grooves formed on the outer member. This arrangement helps to reduce sliding resistance, temperature rise and vibrations due to induced thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: NTN Toyo Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 4773890
    Abstract: A slidable-type homokinetic tripod joint includes an outer member formed with track grooves, a tripod member having three trunnions and mounted in the outer member with the trunnions on the tripod member received in the track grooves in the outer member, and a spherical roller rotatably mounted on each trunnion. Each track groove is formed at each side with a guide surface for the spherical roller. The spherical roller is kept in contact with the roller guide surface at two points. This decreases unbalanced load and the turning moment acting on the spherical roller and decreases the friction force causing vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: NTN Toyo Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Iwasaki, Yukimitsu Yamamoto, Masao Kato, Mikio Banno
  • Patent number: 4693698
    Abstract: A free-plunging constant velocity joint of the tripod type in which rollers are disposed in rolling engagement with the tracks of a tulip member and are rotatably and slidably supported by needles on the trunnions of a tripod. Each roller has an outer bearing surface and an inner bearing surface, the hardness of the outer bearing surface being less than the hardness of the inner bearing surface and less than the hardness of the tracks in order to reduce accelerated wear of the tracks as the roller rolls back and forth on the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Rockford Acromatic Products Co.
    Inventor: Dean A. Olson, II
  • Patent number: 4689035
    Abstract: A joint which includes a barrel (1) in which are pivotally mounted four channels (3) defining rolling tracks (5) having a circular cross-sectional shape, adjacent channels defining mutually engaged teeth (7). Received in these rolling tracks are rollers (12) of spherical shape rotatively and slidably mounted on trunnions (11) connected to a shaft (8). Such a joint has, for a given overall size, a torque-transmitting capacity much higher than that of a universal joint and can slide very freely while transmitting torque. It is moreover homokinetic, silent and of relatively low constructional cost, and has application in particular to motor vehicle transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Uni-Cardan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michel A. Orain
  • Patent number: 4592736
    Abstract: A joint comprises a tripod element connected to a wheel shaft and provided with three trunnions on which are mounted rollers received in runways formed in a tulip element connected to a driving shaft. A mushroom element disposed in the tripod element bears against the tulip element, and a muzzle element axially retains the tripod element against the tulip element. The radius of curvature of the spherical dome of the mushroom element and/or of the tripod element is such that its center of curvature is offset toward the spherical dome relative to the axial plane of the tripod element. This arrangement eliminates vibrations and seizure which are liable to occur for intermediate angles of operation of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Glaenzer Spicer
    Inventor: Jacques Mangiavacchi
  • Patent number: 4578048
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint of the type having rollers carried by radial trunnions of an inner rotary member and which are received in axial grooves in an outer rotary member, including abutment members which engage abutment surfaces of the grooves and which prevent locking engagement of the rollers with both of the opposed walls of the axial grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Hirai, Akira Nishizawa, Nobuyuki Otsuka
  • Patent number: 4571214
    Abstract: This joint comprises rollers (106) and rolling tracks (102,103) which are unsymmetrical relative to a diametrical plane (D) perpendicular to the axis of the trunnion (105), the facing surfaces of the roller and the rolling tracks being larger on the side of this plane located radially adjacent the exterior of the joint, while the needles are disposed symmetrically relative to this plane. In this way, there is obtained a joint which is capable of rotating at high speed (for example 6,000 rpm) while performing in an excellent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Glaenzer Spicer
    Inventor: Michel A. Orain
  • Patent number: 4565540
    Abstract: Each arm of a tripod element of a joint has a spherical region. A roller maintained in the plane of two runways therefor provided in a barrel of the joint and having a convex toric inner surface is mounted on the spherical region by means of a ring arrangement of rolling elements having a periphery which has a curvilinear concave shape in axial section of the rolling elements. The mutual contact between the rolling elements prevents the rollers from coming away from the spherical regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Glaenzer Spicer
    Inventor: Michel A. Orain
  • Patent number: 4541817
    Abstract: A drive shaft assembly has a first shaft, a casing receiving an end portion of the first shaft through an opening at its one end and provided with a first flange on the periphery of the other end, a second shaft provided with a second flange to be joined with the first flange, and an end cover held between the first and second flanges and adapted to hold a sealing member in association with the first flange. The first and second flanges and end cover are respectively provided with bolt holes through which bolts extend. Two knock pins are secured to one of the first and second flanges and extend in an axial direction through knock pin holes in the end cover and are received in knock pin holes provided in the other flange. Centering of the first and second shafts can effectively be made by centering the first and second flanges by way of the knock pin engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Sawabe, Tadanobu Kumagai
  • Patent number: 4507100
    Abstract: A universal joint comprising an inner element, integral with a first shaft having at least two journals which support rollers adapted to cooperate with roller tracks provided in an outer element made integral with a second shaft, this outer element comprising a rigid casing provided with housings in which are situated the roller tracks, resilient member being provided in connection with these roller tracks. The whole is arranged so that the resilient member tend to apply the walls of the roller tracks against the rollers, each roller being gripped between the two walls defining a roller track, said walls being maintained constantly under pressure against the rollers with the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Automobiles Citroen and Automobiles Peugeot
    Inventors: Jacques P. Dore, Bernard G. J. Guerlet
  • Patent number: 4484900
    Abstract: An articulated transmission joint includes a plurality of arms, each arm carrying a roller. Each roller is biased axially outwardly of the respective arm by an elastically yieldable device which is operative between a washer rigid with a hub carrying the arms of the joint and the inner end of a groove formed in the axially inner face of the roller. The elastically yieldable device is fully withdrawable into the groove when it is compressed so as to avoid reducing the effective thickness of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Glaenzer Spicer
    Inventor: Michel A. Orain
  • Patent number: 4472157
    Abstract: A Pot-type universal joint transmits torque from one shaft to another using four rollers mounted on four trunnions. The trunnions maintain their mutual perpendicularity under all operating conditions. They are free to move relatively to each other and to the shaft to which they are joined but in a way that satisfies the kinematic requirements set forth in the specification, while providing a torsionally rigid connection between the shafts. The transmission of torque is homokinetic. The joint is adaptable for either axially fixed or axially displaceable requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Inventor: William F. Sindelar
  • Patent number: 4384860
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has an outer female or track part having three grooves within it running in its axial direction. Within the female part the trunnion part is placed which is designed with three rollers which, like the grooves, are equally spaced in angle about the joint's axis, and they are keyingly taken up in the grooves. The rollers are generally mushroom-like and their heads are designed for making rolling contact against sides of the grooves, while their radial stems take the form of turnpins for turningly supporting the rollers in the male joint half. The outer faces of the mushroom-like rollers are spherical and centered on the middle of the joint when the joint halves are in the in-line position. The radially inner ends of the rollers are flat and between them a ball or cylindrical body is placed for positively keeping the outer spherical faces of the rollers against narrow lands (running in the axial direction of the joint) on the floors of the three grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Inventor: Leopold F. Schmid
  • Patent number: 4379706
    Abstract: A slidable type constant velocity universal joint comprising an outer member formed with at least three axially extending guide grooves disposed in parallel to one another, and an inner member disposed inside the outer member and provided with at least three radially extending pods projecting therefrom, the respective pods being in engagement, via respective rollers mounted thereon so as to be rotatable and slidable, within the respective guide grooves. The respective rollers are so mounted on the respective pods so as to be, additionally, tiltable in all directions so that the rollers will always be in longitudinally aligned relation in the guide grooves. Each pod is formed with an outer surface with curved generatrices and the surface can be, for example, a spherical surface of comparatively large curvature, and each roller can be formed with an inner surface supported on the pod surface via suitable bearings or guide rings for undergoing universal movement thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Otsuka, Seiichi Hirai
  • Patent number: 4339931
    Abstract: The method permits mass-producing axially retained tripod joints having high rigidity and a given prestressing force which is reproducible from one joint to another. According to this method, after having clipped a resiliently yieldable attachment onto a tulip-shaped element of the joint while the joint is in its assembled position, the value of the gap between the shoulder of a thrust member and a bearing surface of a hub carrying the trunnions is determined for the position of the joint in which the hub and tulip-shaped member are in alignment and the thrust member is axially shifted away from the hub and there is introduced in the gap produced between the thrust member and the hub a shim the thickness of which is chosen to be slightly larger than the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Glaenzer Spicer
    Inventor: Michel A. Orain
  • Patent number: RE39715
    Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three longitudinal drive channels which include two opposing concave side surfaces, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having a radially outward facing semi-spherical surface for tiltably mounting a drive ball assembly which has a bearing train disposed radially between an inner ball tiltably engaged to the trunnion and an outer ball having a tread face which directly opposes the concave side surfaces of the drive channels. The ball assembly being free to wobble about a Z-axis wherein the assembly pivots about an X-axis disposed laterally to the outer drive member and pivots about a Y-axis disposed longitudinally to the outer drive member. The channel carries a guide rail which extends longitudinally lengthwise to the channel and projects radially inward in order to contact the outer ball when the ball assembly pivots about the X-axis, i.e., tilts relative to the axis of the outer drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Jay Perrow