With Intermediate Positioning Cage For Ball Patents (Class 464/145)
  • Patent number: 11927226
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has an operation mode in which, when a maximum operating angle is taken, in a column portion that is one of column portions on both sides of a pocket of a cage receiving a torque transmission ball at a phase angle and is located on a side corresponding to a phase angle larger than the phase angle, a projection end portion obtained by projecting an end portion of a spherical inner peripheral surface of the outer joint member on the opening side in a perpendicular direction toward the spherical outer peripheral surface of the cage and a projection end portion obtained by projecting an end portion of the spherical outer peripheral surface of the inner joint member on the back side in the perpendicular direction toward the spherical inner peripheral surface of the cage overlap in the axial direction of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruaki Fujio, Masashi Funahashi
  • Patent number: 11815138
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with outer ball tracks and an inner joint part with inner ball tracks. An outer ball track and an inner ball track respectively form a pair of tracks with one another; in each, a torque-transmitting ball is guided. The torque-transmitting balls are accommodated in a ball cage with circumferentially distributed cage windows. In any angular position of the constant velocity joint an opening angle is formed between an outer tangent to the outer ball track and an inner tangent to the inner ball track. At an articulation angle of zero degrees the opening angle is greater than zero degrees. A central articulation angle range is defined with articulation angles less than fifteen degrees. The opening angle increases by at least two degrees within the central articulation angle range, and is less than twelve degrees for all articulation angles within the central articulation angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maucher, Anna Gremmelmaier, Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 11796008
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, wherein respectively an outer ball track and an inner ball track form a pair of tracks with each other; a torque-transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage in which the torque-transmitting balls are received; wherein a first articulation angle range is defined comprising articulation angles of less than twenty degrees, and a second articulation angle range comprising articulation angles greater than twenty degrees; wherein an opening angle within the first articulation angle range increases as the articulation angle (?) increases, and wherein a first mean opening angle increase of the first articulation angle range is greater than a second mean opening angle increase of the second articulation angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Ida Benner, Rolf Cremerius, Anna Gremmelmaier, Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Hans-Jürgen Post, Thomas Weckerling
  • Patent number: 11698109
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint is provided with at least a pair of tracks whose geometry is defined based on ball path that follows a parametric equation and the parametric function is in the form of a polynomial displacement function of a fourth order or larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra, James M. Petrowski, Jun J. Lu, Jenny C. Ho
  • Patent number: 11566671
    Abstract: A constant-velocity universal joint including a generally cup-shaped outer joint member and an inner joint member that define first and second groove portions. A pinch angle by which a ball is pinched in the first groove portion is open toward an opening of the outer joint member. A pinch angle by which the ball is pinched in the second groove is open toward a bottom of the outer joint member. An absolute value of the pinch angle in a larger-pinch-angle groove portion that is one of the first and second groove portions, is larger than an absolute value of the pinch angle in a smaller-pinch-angle groove portion that is the other of the first and second groove portions in a reference state. A radial clearance in the smaller-pinch-angle groove portion is larger than a radial clearance in the larger-pinch-angle groove portion when torque is not transmitted in the reference state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinoda, Masahito Ikeo, Yoshinari Sakai
  • Patent number: 11536319
    Abstract: A constant-velocity rotary joint includes an outer joint portion with outer ball tracks, an inner joint portion with inner ball tracks, balls guided in a track pair formed by one outer ball track and one inner ball track, and a cage with windows to accommodate and retain the balls. Each outer ball track has an outer ball track center line. Each inner ball track has an inner ball track center line. When the constant-velocity rotary joint is straight, the inner ball track center line and the outer ball track center line of the track pair intersect in an intersection point and are not mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane through the intersection point, and the inner portion of the inner ball track center line widens more, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer joint portion, than the outer portion of the outer ball track center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NEAPCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventor: Dominik Krings
  • Patent number: 11519462
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint includes an inner ring and an outer ring. A cage is disposed between an outer spherical surface of the inner ring and an inner spherical surface of the outer ring, and has windows in which respective balls are received. The cage has ball contact surface areas with which the balls come into contact, and includes soft portions that are lower in hardness than the ball contact surface areas. The soft portions are formed by local heat treatment at portions of the windows that are kept out of contact with the balls or surface portions around the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsubasa Nishikawa, Masashi Funahashi, Tomoshige Kobayashi, Teruaki Fujio
  • Patent number: 11421743
    Abstract: A constant-velocity universal joint including a generally cup-shaped outer joint member and an inner joint member that cooperate with each other to define first and second groove portions. A pinch angle by which a ball is pinched in the first groove portion is open toward an opening end of the outer joint member. A pinch angle by which the ball is pinched in the second groove is open toward a bottom wall of the outer joint member. An absolute value of the pinch angle in the first groove portion is larger than an absolute value of the pinch angle in the second groove portion in a reference state in which centerlines of the outer joint member and the inner joint member lie in a straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Shinoda, Koji Matsumoto, Masahito Ikeo, Kimio Hibi, Yoshinari Sakai
  • Patent number: 11359676
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3) includes an outer joint member (31), an inner joint member (32), eight balls (33), and a cage (34). A diameter (D31c) of the outer joint member (31) at an opening end of an inner peripheral surface (31c) is set larger than an outer diameter (D34b) of the cage (34) at a center portion in a circumferential direction of pockets (34a) when the cage (34) is seen from an axial direction of the joint. A bottom surface (31f) of a mouth section (31a) of the outer joint member (31) is arranged so as to interfere with an imaginary spherical surface (Q) being an extension of the inner peripheral surface (31c) of the outer joint member (31) toward a deep-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoshige Kobayashi, Masazumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11353066
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3) includes an outer joint member (31), an inner joint member (32), eight balls (33), and a cage (34). A curvature center (O31d) of track grooves (31d) of the outer joint member (31) and a curvature center (O32e) of track grooves (32e) of the inner joint member (32) are offset to opposite sides in an axial direction of the joint with respect to a joint center (O(f)) by an equal distance. A ratio (PCDBALL/DBALL) of a pitch circle diameter (PCDBALL) of the balls (33) to a diameter (DBALL) of each of the balls (33) is set from 3.70 to 3.87. A ratio (TC/DBALL) of a radial thickness (TC) of the cage (34) to the diameter (DBALL) of each of the balls (33) is set from 0.22 to 0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoshige Kobayashi, Masazumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11353065
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer joint portion with a first longitudinal axis, a first attaching end, an aperture end and outer ball tracks on an inner circumferential surface, an inner joint portion with a second longitudinal axis, a second attaching end, an inner face facing towards the outer joint portion and inner ball tracks on its outer circumferential surface, balls for torque transmission between the outer and inner joint portions, an annular ball cage between the outer and inner joint portions with several cage windows in which the balls are guided. The inner and outer joint portions are arranged so that one outer ball track and one inner ball track are in each case arranged opposite to each other to form three different types of track pairs to receive one respective balls. The balls have different controlling behaviors due to different track geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: NEAPCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLC.
    Inventor: Dominik Krings
  • Patent number: 11326649
    Abstract: A rear-wheel drive shaft (1) includes a fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3), a plunging type constant velocity universal joint (2), and an intermediate shaft (4) coupling both the constant velocity universal joints to each other. A ratio (PCDBALL(f)/DBALL(f)) of a pitch circle diameter (PCDBALL(f)) of balls (33) of the fixed type constant velocity universal joint (3) to a diameter (DBALL(f)) of each of the balls (33) is set from 3.70 to 3.87. A ratio (PCDBALL(s)/DBALL(s)) of a pitch circle diameter (PCDBALL(s)) of balls (23) of the plunging type constant velocity universal joint (2) to a diameter (DBALL(s)) of each of the balls (23) is set from 3.3 to 3.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masazumi Kobayashi, Tomoshige Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11272461
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting a plurality of packets by a sidelink terminal in a wireless communication system, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a first packet of a plurality of packets with a first period and a first transmission power value; and transmitting a second packet of the plurality of packets with a second period and a second transmission power value, wherein the first period is longer than the second period, and the first transmission power value is greater than the second transmission power value. The UE is capable of communicating with at least one of another UE, a UE related to an autonomous driving vehicle, the BS or a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seungmin Lee, Hyukjin Chae, Kyuhwan Kwak
  • Patent number: 11261918
    Abstract: In a constant velocity joint, a center locus of a first ball rolling on a first outer central portion is inclined such that a distance from a central axis of an outer joint member decreases toward a bottom side of the outer joint member. A center locus of a second ball rolling on a second outer central portion is formed in a linear shape and inclined such that a distance from the central axis of the outer joint member increases toward the bottom side of the outer joint member. A center locus of the second ball rolling on the second outer bottom side portion is formed in an arc shape and disposed in the outer joint member at a position radially inwardly from a tangent at a connecting position between the second outer central portion and the second outer bottom side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isashi Kashiwagi, Masahito Ikeo, Yoshitaka Shinoda, Hideki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11248660
    Abstract: A joint-center-fixed constant velocity joint configured to be provided in a vehicle includes an outer joint member, an inner joint member, a first ball, a second ball, and a cage. While a center of the first ball is moving to a position of the maximum use angle on an opening side from a joint center, a first open angle faces the opening side. While a center of the second ball is moving to a position of the maximum use angle on a bottom side from the joint center, a second open angle is not reversed from a state where the second open angle faces the bottom side to a state where the second open angle faces the opening side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isashi Kashiwagi, Masahito Ikeo, Yoshitaka Shinoda, Hideki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11124191
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for limiting a load applied to a rotatable shaft joint. An example apparatus comprises a comparator to, based on at least one of an angle of a rotatable shaft joint or a torque applied to the joint, determine whether at least one of the torque or the angle exceeds a threshold, and a limiter to limit at least one of the angle or the torque when at least one of the torque or the angle exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Gerard Offerle, Erick Michael Lavoie, Geoffrey Bossio
  • Patent number: 11053985
    Abstract: A joint assembly for a motor vehicle. The joint includes an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of balls and a cage. The inner race is drivingly connected to a sleeve having an axially inboard portion, an intermediate portion and an axially outboard portion. Circumferentially extending from the intermediate portion of the sleeve is an abutment portion. At least a portion of the abutment portion is in direct contact with an end of the inner race. Axially outboard from the abutment portion is a stepped portion. A shaft is drivingly connected to an inner surface of a hollow interior portion of the axially outboard portion of the sleeve. A first end portion of a boot is connected to an outer surface of the outer race and a second end portion of the boot is connected to an outer surface of the axially outboard portion of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Seung Tark Oh
  • Patent number: 10962063
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member having a cup shape, an inner joint member, which is received in the outer joint member, and transmits torque between the outer and inner joint members through intermediation of balls while allowing angular displacement, and a shaft, which is coupled to the inner joint member so as to allow torque transmission. A recessed portion is formed in a bottom portion of the outer joint member, and an embedded stopper that enters the recessed portion of the outer joint member is mounted to a shaft end portion of the shaft opposed to the recessed portion. The embedded stopper is allowed to interfere with the recessed portion of the outer joint member at an angle that is smaller than an incorporating angle of the balls and larger than a maximum operating angle during use of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Asano, Tomoshige Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10900552
    Abstract: A forged composite inner race for a constant velocity joint is forged from a composite preform compact including a first powder metal material and a second powder metal material. The forged composite inner race includes a plurality of ball tracks formed on an outer section of the forged composite inner race with corresponding lands between adjacent ball tracks and an axially-extending splined opening formed in an inner section of the forged composite inner race. The outer section comprises the first powder metal material in a higher concentration than the second powder metal material and the inner section comprises the second powder metal material in a higher concentration than the first powder metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy E. Geiman
  • Patent number: 10724607
    Abstract: Provided is a speed reduction or speed increasing apparatus where the rotational stiffness can be increased, including a housing, a first crown gear, a support unit placed radially outward of the first crown gear to support the first crown gear to be capable of wave motion and incapable of rotation with respect to the housing, a second crown gear configured to be rotatable with respect to the housing, the second crown gear having a different number of teeth from the first crown gear, the second crown gear facing the first crown gear, and a cam unit configured to incline the first crown gear with respect to the second crown gear in such a manner that the first crown gear engages with the second crown gear, and to cause the first crown gear to undergo wave motion in such a manner that the location of contact moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Saito, Yuichi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 10533613
    Abstract: A joint includes an outer race, a first inner race installed in the outer race and a second inner race installed in the first inner race. The outer race includes an inner surface and first grooves formed on the inner surface. The first inner race includes an outer surface, an inner surface and second grooves formed on the outer surface, and a plurality of third grooves formed on the inner surface. First balls are disposed between the first grooves and the second grooves for transmitting rotation of the first inner race to the outer race. The second inner race includes an outer surface and fourth grooves formed on the outer surface. Second balls disposed between the third grooves and the fourth grooves for transmitting rotation of the second inner race to the first inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HYUNDAI WIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Soo Young Moon
  • Patent number: 10508692
    Abstract: Apparatus, such as a propeller shaft, includes an outer circumferential portion or outer race to rotate as a unit with an internal shaft (serving as the propeller shaft), an inner circumferential member or inner race to rotate as a unit with an external shaft and a plurality of balls disposed between the outer race and inner race, for transmitting rotation therebetween. A sleeve rotating as a unit with the inner race includes an inside cavity for receiving the external shaft. The sleeve is coated with a coating formed on an inside circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutomo Mabe, Hiromichi Komai
  • Patent number: 10364849
    Abstract: In a constant-velocity joint, a center locus of a ball rolling on a first outer large-diameter portion has an arc shape having an arc center, and a center locus of the ball rolling on a second outer large-diameter portion has an arc shape having an arc center. Center loci of the ball rolling on an outer extension portion are positioned, throughout their lengths, in a region inducing a tangent line to an opening-side end portion of the center locus of the ball rolling on the second outer large-diameter portion, the region being positioned outward of the tangent line in a radial direction of the outer joint member. An opening-side end portion of the center locus of the ball rolling on the outer extension portion is positioned outward of the tangent line in the radial direction of the outer joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukinobu Nishiyama, Tetsuji Kawasumi, Satoshi Kato, Keishi Kobata, Masahito Ikeo, Hideki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 10309464
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member having eight curved track grooves, an inner joint member having eight curved track grooves, eight torque transmission balls, and a cage configured to hold the torque transmission balls in pockets. A curvature center of each of the track grooves of the outer joint member and a curvature center of each of the track grooves of the inner joint member are offset from a joint center by an equal distance to opposite sides in the axial direction. The joint has grease sealed therein. Initial pocket gaps between the pockets and the balls each have a positive value. The grease has an initial consistency equivalent to consistency number 1 or 2, and a mixture stability of from 390 to 440.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoshige Kobayashi, Mika Kohara, Teruaki Fujio
  • Patent number: 10260569
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint of a track groove crossing type has track grooves of an inner joint member formed so as to be mirror-image symmetrical with the paired track grooves of an outer joint member with respect to a joint center plane at an operating angle of 0°. The track grooves of both the joint members each have a length corresponding to a maximum operating angle required for a rear-wheel drive shaft. Further, each axial clearance between the inner joint member and the cage is set larger than an axial clearance formed by a ball track clearance between each of balls and each track groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Teruaki Fujio
  • Patent number: 10247250
    Abstract: An outer joint member includes a cutout portion that is formed at least at each corner portion on an opening side of a cup section, which is defined between a radially inner opening end portion of each of track grooves and a radially inner spherical surface portion formed between the track grooves. The cutout portion is configured to prevent a cage from interfering with the outer joint member when the cage is incorporated into the outer joint member. The cutout portion and the track grooves of the outer joint member are finished by cold-forging ironing using a single ironing punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoshige Kobayashi, Kouji Masuoka
  • Patent number: 10213868
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint includes forming cup and shaft members of medium carbon steel, the cup member being manufactured by preparing a cup member having cylindrical and bottom portions being integrally formed, and a fitting hole formed in a thick portion of the bottom portion, the shaft member being manufactured by preparing a shaft member having a fitting outer surface formed at an end portion of the shaft member to be joined to the bottom portion of the cup member, and fitting the fitting hole of the cup member to the fitting outer surface of the shaft member. The method also includes welding the cup and shaft members from an inner side of the cup member to a fitted portion between the cup and shaft members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Nakagawa, Shintaro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10082182
    Abstract: A constant-velocity universal joint includes: an outer joint member having a plurality of outer ball grooves; an inner joint member having a plurality of inner ball grooves; a plurality of torque transmitting balls; and a ball cage. The outer ball groove and the inner ball groove respectively have a double shape, and a ratio O/H of an offset value O which is a distance between an inflection point of the outer ball groove and a line connecting centers of the torque transmitting balls in a state that the outer joint member and the inner joint member form 0 angle and a distance H between a center line of the inner joint member and a center of the torque transmitting ball in a state that the outer joint member and the inner joint member form 0 angle is within a range of 0.07 to 0.11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: erae AMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Il Lee, Jang-Sun Lee, Dong-Jin Kim, Jae-Seung Jeong
  • Patent number: 9816565
    Abstract: Provided is a cage (5, 65, 95) for a constant velocity universal joint, which is formed into a ring shape with a substantially uniform thickness, including a plurality of pockets (20, 80, 110) formed in a circumferential direction of the cage (5, 65, 95), for receiving torque transmitting balls, respectively, the cage (5, 65, 95) being formed of carbon steel including 0.41 to 0.51 mass % of C, 0.10 to 0.35 mass % of Si, 0.60 to 0.90 mass % of Mn, 0.005 to 0.030 mass % of P, and 0.002 to 0.035 mass % of S, with the balance being Fe and an element inevitably remaining at the time of steelmaking and refining, the cage (5, 65, 95) being subjected to carburizing, quenching, and tempering as heat treatment, each of the plurality of pockets (20, 80, 110) having a side surface (23, 83, 113) finished after the heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yoshida, Masafumi Osugi, Kenta Yamazaki, Masato Chokyu, Rikuou Takagi
  • Patent number: 9810269
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and first and second outer ball tracks. The outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side. An inner joint part has a longitudinal axis and first and second inner ball tracks. with a torque transmitting ball 14 in each pair of tracks, and a ball cage 15 with cage windows 18 in which the balls 14 are held. In each angular position of the constant velocity joint 11 an opening angle is enclosed between an outer tangent and an inner tangent at the ball. At least one of the first and second pairs of tracks is designed such that, within a small articulation angle range comprising at least the joint central plane, at at least an articulation angle, an opening angle amounts to zero, and within a greater articulation angle range, an aperture-side opening angle of a first pair of tracks widens in the opposite axial direction relative to the aperture-side opening angle of a second pair of tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Thomas Weckerling, Stephan Maucher, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Hans-Jurgen Post, Anna Gremmelmaier
  • Patent number: 9664236
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an outer member defining a plurality of outer member ball tracks and an inner member defining a plurality of inner member ball tracks. The outer member ball tracks and the inner member ball tracks cooperate to define a plurality of uniform funnels having a uniform width along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of diverging funnels having a diverging width along the longitudinal axis. A drive ball is disposed within each of the uniform funnels and the diverging funnels. A cage is disposed between the outer member and the inner member, and defines a plurality of windows with one of the drive balls disposed within each of the windows. The diverging funnels urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis to pre-load the cage, while the uniform funnels do not urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis, thereby reducing the amount of heat generated between the cage and the drive balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Eduardo Mondragon
  • Patent number: 9656517
    Abstract: A wheel bearing includes a constant velocity universal joint and a wheel bearing. The wheel bearing is separably coupled to the constant velocity universal joint with a screw fastening structure, in which a stem section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint is fitted to an inner diameter portion of the hub wheel. Projecting portions extending in an axial direction are formed on the stem section of the outer joint member, and depressed portions having an interference with respect to the projecting portions are formed on the hub wheel. The stem section of the outer joint member is press-fitted to the hub wheel, and a shape of the projecting portions is transferred to the other, to thereby provide a projection and depression fitting structure in which the projecting portions and the depressed portions are in close contact at an entire fitting contact portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Mochinaga, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 9581206
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has an outer joint member including first track groove portions and second track groove portions. Each of the first track groove portions includes an arc part having a curvature center that is not offset in an axial direction with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with inclination directions opposite to each other. Each of the second track groove portions has a different shape than the first track groove portions. Each of the first track groove portions and each of the second track groove portions are connected to each other at a position on an opening side with respect to the joint center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9464674
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first track groove portions positioned on an interior side and second track groove portions positioned on an opening side. The first track groove portions each have an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center that is prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions alternately opposite to each other in the first track groove portions that are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 9284990
    Abstract: One embodiment of a constant velocity joint has an inner race with a first set of splines. A sleeve is provided and it is engaged with the inner race. A drive nut connects the sleeve with a pinion shaft. In another embodiment, the sleeve may be provided with a boot groove. A clamping device may be used to secure a boot within the boot groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Seung Tark Oh
  • Patent number: 9168577
    Abstract: A bending machine for helically bending an elongated workpiece (T) has at least three bending rollers (2) that, being rotatable integrally with respective supporting shafts (3) with parallel axes (y), co-operate in bending the elongated workpiece (T). Each bending roller (2) is arranged to shift along its own supporting shaft (3) by way of a prismatic coupling for a limited stroke and to swing with respect to the axis of the supporting shaft (3) by way of a partially spherical body (8) forming a rotary coupling with the supporting shaft (3) in a limited amount of angular displacement according to an arc of meridian of the partially spherical body (8), so that each bending roller (2) is orientated coplanar to the elongated workpiece (T) that takes an inclined position on the basis of a desired helix pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: CML INTERNATIONAL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Caporusso
  • Patent number: 9133887
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and outer ball tracks, wherein the outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side; an inner joint part with a longitudinal axis and inner ball tracks; a torque transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held, wherein in each angular position of the constant velocity joint there is enclosed an opening angle ? between an outer tangent T and an inner tangent T? at the ball, wherein at least one of the pairs of tracks is designed such that, inside a small articulation angle range, which comprises at least the joint central plane EM, in at least one joint articulation angle ?, an opening angle ? amounts to zero, and that inside a larger articulation angle range, an aperture side opening angle ? of a ball moving towards the aperture side of the outer joint part and an attachment side opening angle ? of a ball moving at the same joint articulation angle ? towards th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Hans-Jurgen Post, Anna Gremmelmaier
  • Patent number: 8998729
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has pairs of track grooves, each pair forming a wedge angle (?). The wedge angle (?) includes a wedge angle (?0) formed, when an operating angle is 0°, with respect to each of torque transmitting balls arranged in a joint center plane, and opening to the same side in an axial direction for all pairs of track grooves. Further, the pairs of track grooves are mirror-image symmetrical with each other when the operating angle is 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ooba
  • Patent number: 8992335
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint including an outer race having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface including a plurality of outer bail tracks. The constant velocity joint also includes an inner race having a plurality of inner ball tracks which correspond to the outer ball tracks, a ball cage disposed between the outer race and the inner race, a plurality of balls arranged within the ball cage and contacting the outer ball tracks and the inner ball tracks. A damping assembly is connected to the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Cassell
  • Publication number: 20150072795
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part with a longitudinal axis and outer ball tracks, wherein the outer joint part comprises an attachment side and an aperture side; an inner joint part with a longitudinal axis and inner ball tracks; a torque transmitting ball in each pair of tracks; a ball cage with cage windows in which the balls are held, wherein in each angular position of the constant velocity joint there is enclosed an opening angle ? between an outer tangent T and an inner tangent T? at the ball, wherein at least one of the pairs of tracks is designed such that, inside a small articulation angle range, which comprises at least the joint central plane EM, in at least one joint articulation angle ?, an opening angle ? amounts to zero, and that inside a larger articulation angle range, an aperture side opening angle ? of a ball moving towards the aperture side of the outer joint part and an attachment side opening angle ? of a ball moving at the same joint articulation angle ? towards th
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hildebrandt, Stephan Maucher, Thomas Weckerling, Rolf Cremerius, Ida Benner, Hans-Jurgen Post, Anna Gremmelmaier
  • Publication number: 20140329608
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first track groove portions positioned on an interior side and second track groove portions positioned on an opening side. The first track groove portions each have an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center that is prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions alternately opposite to each other in the first track groove portions that are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Publication number: 20140309045
    Abstract: In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint, track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions positioned on interior and open sides, respectively. Each of the first track groove portions includes an arc-shaped ball raceway center line having a curvature center prevented from being offset in an axial direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint center. Planes each including at least the ball raceway center line and the joint center are inclined with respect to a joint axial line with their inclination directions opposite to each other in the first track groove portions, which are adjacent to each other in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member. Each of the second track groove portions includes a ball raceway center line having a straight part when being projected onto corresponding one of the planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hirukawa, Kenta Yamazaki, Kisao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8852005
    Abstract: An angled offset ball type constant velocity joint for a vehicle, which can enhance the strength of the joint by compensating for a contact surface pressure between an outer race groove and a ball while maintaining an outer diameter of the outer race by making rotation centers of the outer race and the inner race positioned to be symmetrical with respect to each other by an offset angle. The angled offset ball type constant velocity joint includes an inner race connected to an end of a shaft, an outer race installed outside the inner race, a plurality of balls for transmitting a torque of the inner race to the outer race, and a cage having windows for supporting the respective balls, wherein a rotation center of an outer race ball track is symmetrical with a rotation center of an inner race ball track by an offset angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventor: Pil Ki Kim
  • Publication number: 20140243104
    Abstract: Track grooves of an outer joint member include first and second track groove portions positioned on interior and opening sides, respectively. Each first track groove portion has an arc shape with a curvature center at a position offset to the opening side with respect to a joint center. The first track groove portions are inclined in a peripheral direction of the outer joint member with respect to a joint axial line and adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction with their inclination directions opposite to each other. Each second track groove portion has a shape that is different than each of the first track groove portions so as to increase an effective track length at a maximum operating angle. The second track groove portions are connected to the first track groove portions at a position on the opening side with respect to the joint center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Yamazaki, Hiroyasu Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 8814711
    Abstract: Provided is a ball type constant velocity joint for a vehicle. The ball type constant velocity joint includes an inner race installed at an end of a shaft, an outer race installed outside the inner race, a plurality of hails for transmitting rotational power of the inner race to the outer race, and a cage having windows for supporting the balls, wherein a ball track of the outer race is divided into two sections consisting of an outer race radial track and an outer race linear track contiguous to the outer race radial track, and when a joint angle is not created, a rotation center of the outer race radial track and a rotation center of the inner race linear track are positioned at the same point on a vertical center axis and have the same vertical offset amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventor: Pil Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8808098
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint including an outer race including a plurality of outer race ball grooves on an internal surface thereof; an inner race arranged inside the outer race and including a plurality of inner race ball grooves on a peripheral surface thereof; a plurality of balls respectively received in the outer and inner race ball grooves for transmitting a torque between the outer race and the inner race; and a cage arranged between the outer and inner races and including a plurality of window portions that respectively receive balls in a circumferential direction thereof. On at least one of a plurality of groove wall protrusions that are configured by sidewall surfaces of the inner race ball grooves adjoining cutouts are respectively formed on axially opposite sides of an inner race on a peripheral side of the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yuri Handa, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140221108
    Abstract: A constant velocity universal includes an outer joint member having an inner peripheral surface including track grooves that are formed at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface and extend in an axial direction, and an inner joint member having an outer peripheral surface including track grooves that are formed at a plurality of positions on the outer peripheral surface and in pairs with the track grooves of the outer joint member, the track grooves extending in the axial direction. Balls are interposed between the track grooves of the outer and inner joint members. A track chamfer is provided at each boundary portion between each of the track grooves and the inner peripheral surface of the outer joint member, and a track chamfer is provided at each boundary portion between each of the track grooves and the outer peripheral surface of the inner joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Kenji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140213374
    Abstract: A high angle constant velocity joint having an outer joint member defined by inner and outer surfaces; an inner joint member having an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the outer joint member and the outer surface of the inner joint define tracks, including a front track and a rear track for a joint articulation; a cage disposed between the outer joint member and the inner joint member and positioned adjacent to the tracks; a plurality of torque transmitting bails arranged within the cage and contacting at least one of the front track and the rear track; and a high angle sealing member secured to the outer surface of the outer joint member and providing a fluid barrier to the inner surface of the outer joint member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Leslie Cassell, Michael James Miller, Sam Junior D'Angelo, Hans Wormsbaecher
  • Patent number: 8771092
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint is configured such that an axial offset amount of a curvature center of each track groove of an outer joint member and an axial offset amount of a curvature center of each track groove of an inner joint member are zero. Track grooves of the outer joint member are formed alternately in a circumferential direction to be inclined in mutually opposite directions with respect to an axis, and track grooves of the inner joint member are formed alternately in the circumferential direction to be inclined in mutually opposite directions with respect to the axis. An outer surface of the inner joint member is formed into a spherical surface which is held in slide-contact with an inner spherical surface of a cage. An inner surface of the outer joint member is formed into a cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Teruaki Fujio
  • Patent number: 8771086
    Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint comprises a ball and a lubricating grease sealed therein. A surface roughness of the ball is set to Ra 0.15 ?m or less and a surface roughness of a counterpart surface on which the ball rolls is set to be higher than the surface roughness of the ball. An additive composition of the lubricating grease comprises a base oil, a diurea compound, molybdenum dithiocarbamate, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, melamine cyanurate, molybdenum disulfide, and calcium salt of alkylaromatic sulfonic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yoshida, Keisuke Sone, Mika Kohara