Torque Transmitted Via Radially Spaced Balls Patents (Class 464/906)
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Publication number: 20140141895Abstract: An inner race and boot sleeve combination is provided. The inner race has an inner surface with a groove formed therein. The boot sleeve has a groove in an outer surface. A ring is located in both grooves to axially secure the inner race and boot sleeve together. Devices to prevent relatively rotation between the inner race and the boot sleeve are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Donald W. Dine, Dee E. Bear
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Patent number: 8721461Abstract: A constant velocity joint may include a joint chamber and a cover defining a bore and configured to seal the joint chamber and prevent lubricant from leaving the joint chamber. A vent valve may be disposed within the bore and define at least one opening. The opening may be a one-way valve configured to exhaust gas from the joint chamber and while maintaining lubricant within the joint chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.Inventors: Eric James LaMothe, Michael James Miller
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Patent number: 8696472Abstract: An arrangement with a joint and a gearwheel body for a transmission is provided in which the joint is a constant velocity joint arranged at least partially in an interior space enclosed by the gearwheel body. The constant velocity joint has inner and outer hub tracks and a bearing cage arranged to maintain an essentially constant control angle between tangential ball contact points with the inner and outer tracks while the bearing cage holds the balls in a plane.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbHInventors: Alexander Ebert, Martin Lehmann, Tobias Roser, Thomas Etzold, Tim Benz
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Patent number: 8690690Abstract: A shaft assembly that includes a propshaft member and a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint has an outer race, which is coupled for rotation with the propshaft member, an inner race, a plurality of bearing balls disposed between the outer and inner races to transmit rotary power therebetween, a shaft member coupled for rotation with the inner race, and a boot assembly that is sealingly engaged to the outer race and the shaft member. The shaft member defines a coupling portion that extends from the boot assembly. A method for coupling a shaft member to a driveline component is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan David Conger, Arvind Srinivasan, Richard Lawrence Seidel
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Patent number: 8684849Abstract: An eight-ball fixed type constant velocity universal joint of an undercut free type is capable of increasing a torque capacity at high operating angles while securing durability at low operating angles. When a distance between a center of a track groove and a center of a ball is denoted by Rt, and when an axial distance between the center of the track groove and a joint center plane is denoted by F, a ratio R1 of F to Rt is set to fall within a range of 0.061?R1?0.087. When a radial offset amount, which is a distance between the center of the track groove and a joint center axial line is denoted by fr, a ratio R3 of fr to Rt is set to fall within a range of 0.07?R3?0.19. When an effective cured-layer depth with Hv 513 is denoted by Di and the diameter of the ball is denoted by d, a bottom surface of a track groove of an inner joint member includes a cured layer with an effective cured-layer depth ratio Di/d of at least 0.111 or more.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Keisuke Sone, Hirokazu Ooba, Kazuhiko Yoshida, Kiyohiro Itou
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Patent number: 8684850Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has track shapes which facilitate quality control on a forging die set, securing higher durability through securement of a stable contact state of forging-molded tracks and finishing-processed tracks with respect to balls. At least one of each of track grooves of an outer joint member and each of track grooves of an inner joint member is formed by cold-forging finishing. A track groove bottom side of the at least one of each of the track grooves is formed into a Gothic arch shape in horizontal cross-section, and a track groove opening side of the at least one of each of the track grooves is are each formed into an elliptical shape in horizontal cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Yoshinori Terasaka, Tomoshige Kobayashi, Kisao Yamazaki, Minoru Ishijima
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Patent number: 8668393Abstract: A wheel hub joint unit is provided that includes, but is not limited to a constant velocity rotary joint and a wheel bearing. The constant velocity rotary joint has a joint outer part. The wheel bearing supports a wheel hub with a double-row bearing, and the double-row bearing is disposed on the joint outer part.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Juergen Siebeneick, Richard Starck
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Patent number: 8641538Abstract: A double offset constant velocity joint is provided. The constant velocity joint includes an outer element, an inner element, an annular element, and a plurality of torque transferring elements. The annular element has a first spherical outer surface, a second spherical outer surface, a spherical inner surface, and a plurality of perforations formed therethrough. The first spherical outer surface and the spherical inner surface have a center common with a spherical outer surface of the inner element. The second spherical outer surface has a center different from a joint pivot point and the first spherical outer surface. The second spherical outer surface has a diameter complementary to a diameter of the inner surface of the outer element. The annular element is disposed between the inner element and the outer element.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventor: Seung Tark Oh
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Patent number: 8616987Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes: an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Wia CorporationInventors: Seung Tark Oh, Tae Hong Kim
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Patent number: 8568245Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint prevents heat generation when a high load is applied or during high-speed rotation to improve durability, and suppresses contact resistance between a cage and inner and outer races to improve constant velocity performance. Curvature centers of track grooves of outer and inner joint members have an offset of 0 in an axial direction. Track grooves of the outer joint member and the inner joint member, which are tilted in opposite directions from each other with respect to an axis line, are alternately formed in a circumferential direction. An outer surface of the inner joint member is a spherical surface which is to be brought into sliding contact with an inner spherical surface of the cage. An inner surface of the outer joint member is a cylindrical surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Teruaki Fujio, Tatsuro Sugiyama
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Patent number: 8545337Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint of an eight-ball undercut-free type has improved torque capacity at high operating angle while ensuring durability at low operating angle. Centers of a track groove (32) of an outer joint member and a track groove (35) of an inner joint member are respectively separated from a center plane (P) toward axially different sides, and are offset away from a joint center axis (X) to a radially opposite side relative to grooves (35). When Rt represents a distance between a center of a ball (37) and the center of groove (32), and F represents an axial distance between plane (P) and the center of groove (32), a ratio R1 between F and Rt is 0.061?R1?0.087. When fr represents a radial offset amount as a distance between axis (X) and the center of groove (32), a ratio R3 between fr and Rt is 0.07?R3?0.19.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Keisuke Sone, Hirokazu Ooba, Kazuhiko Yoshida, Kiyohiro Itou
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Patent number: 8523687Abstract: A joint, particularly a constant velocity ball joint, including an inner hub and an outer hub, which hubs exhibit respective inner and outer ball tracks which are associated with each other in pairs, and further including balls disposed in the pairs of associated inner and outer ball tracks, the tracks being configured such that at the contact points of the balls with the ball tracks the tangential planes form an angle of inclination, and the ball tracks exhibiting at any given time a continually changing curvature, as a result of which the angle of inclination is constant.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbHInventors: Mathias Lutz, Thomas Gregor
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Patent number: 8517844Abstract: A torque transmitting device comprises a vibration damping unit for damping torsional vibrations, said unit having at least two transmission parts, wherein one of the transmission parts is assigned to one of the shaft sections and the other transmission part is assigned to the articulated arrangement, and wherein the transmission parts each have segment formations with radial or axial segment sections, which interact in a torque-transmitting manner with one another in a transmission area, wherein at least one damper arrangement is provided between neighboring segment sections in the transmission area.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: SGF Sueddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Joachim Rothe
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Patent number: 8512156Abstract: A sliding ball type constant velocity joint for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a sliding ball type constant velocity joint for a vehicle, which can absorb idle vibration generated from the vehicle during idling by creating a clearance between an outer spherical surface of an inner race and an inner spherical surface of a cage. The sliding ball type constant velocity joint includes a shaft which receives rotational power from an engine and rotates, an outer race which is installed at an end of the shaft and having grooves formed therein, an inner race installed in the outer race, a plurality of balls for transmitting the rotational power of the outer race to the inner race, and a cage for supporting the balls, wherein a center of a radius of an outer spherical surface of the inner race is formed at a different location from a center of a radius of an inner spherical surface of the cage.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Wia CorporationInventor: Pil Ki Kim
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Patent number: 8506202Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint having a recess-projection engagement configuration in which backlash at a shaft connecting region does not easily occur, and an inner joint component and a shaft can he firmly connected. hi the constant velocity universal joint, the inner joint component and the shaft (5) fitted into an axis hole (22) of the inner joint component are connected by die recess-projection engagement configuration. Engagement contacting regions (38) of projections (35) and recesses (36) corresponding thereto are in close contact over the whole region.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa, Kisao Yamazaki, Taku Itagaki
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Patent number: 8500566Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system comprises an outer joint member and an inner joint member each having a plurality of ball grooves in pairs for accommodating balls therein, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves, each groove of which having a linear groove shape with no skew angle or a skewed groove shape with a relatively smaller skew angle, and a second group of grooves, each groove of which having a skewed groove shape with a relatively larger or regular skew angle. In addition to having the differentiated skew angles in the first and second groups of grooves, a taper angle is provided to the pair of grooves of at least one or both of the first and second groups of grooves in order to reduce the potential risk of ball locking in the grooves.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Wia CorporationInventors: Seung Tark Oh, Tae Hong Kim
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Patent number: 8499457Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member, an inner joint member, a plurality of balls interposed between the outer and inner joint members, and a cage to hold the plurality of balls. At least one of the plurality of track grooves of the outer joint member and the plurality of track grooves of the inner joint member is formed by cold-forging finishing. The outer joint member, the inner joint member, the balls, and the cage are assembled to each other based on matching in which the plurality of balls and the cage each having a rank corresponding to a measured value of a pitch circle diameter of the outer joint member and to a measured value of a pitch circle diameter of the inner joint member, which have been arbitrarily selected, are selected with respect to the arbitrarily selected outer and inner joint members.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Masazumi Kobayashi, Kisao Yamazaki, Minoru Ishijima
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Publication number: 20130172091Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Yuri Handa, Satoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 8469829Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member including an inner surface in which a plurality of track grooves are formed, an inner joint member including an outer surface in which a plurality of track grooves are formed, a plurality of balls between the track grooves of the outer joint member and the inner joint member so as to transmit torque, and a cage having pockets for housing the balls, and being between the outer joint member and the inner joint member. At a maximum operating angle, the balls roll up to track-groove-opening-end portions of the outer joint member. Each of the track grooves of the outer joint member includes a hardened layer formed so as to extend from a track-groove deep side to the track-groove-opening-end portion, the hardened layer being thinner at the track-groove-opening-end portion compared with the other portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Masazumi Kobayashi, Kenji Yamada
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Patent number: 8449399Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling a first rotating part and a second rotating part includes a first rotating part comprising a first mounting flange having a first shoulder and a first axis and a second rotating part comprising a second mounting flange having a second shoulder and a second axis, the first flange and the second flange configured to secure the joint assembly. It also includes a cylindrical inner surface disposed in the second shoulder. It further includes a centering flange disposed on the first shoulder, the centering flange having a first length and disposed about the first axis; the centering flange having an axially extending non-contact section and an axially coextending contact section that is disposed within and extends radially outwardly from the noncontact section, the contact section having an annular convexly curved outer surface disposed about the first axis and a second length substantially smaller than the first length.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Sergio Molinar
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Patent number: 8444495Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Hyundai WIA CorporationInventors: Seung Tark Oh, Tae Hong Kim
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Patent number: 8435125Abstract: A power transmission shaft includes a torque-transmission teeth portion formed on an outer peripheral surface on an end portion side, and a smooth portion formed on the outer peripheral surface adjacent to the torque-transmission teeth portion so as to have a stepwise reduced diameter. A ratio of a minimum diameter of the smooth portion to a minimum diameter of the torque-transmission teeth portion is set to 0.9 or more and 1.02 or less. Further, the torque-transmission teeth portion and the smooth portion undergo heat treatment so as to form a heat-treated hardened layer. The heat-treated hardened layer is formed to increase in depth from a side of the torque transmission teeth portion to a side of the smooth portion. At least a minimum diameter portion of the smooth portion undergoes full hardening.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Hirokazu Ooba, Kazuhiko Yoshida, Keisuke Sone
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Patent number: 8430758Abstract: A constant velocity fixed joint. The center line (M22) of the outer ball tracks (22) towards a first side (S1) departs, radially inwardly, a reference radius centered in the point of intersection between a perpendicular line on tangents (T22) at the center line (M22), and the longitudinal axis (L12). The center line (M23) of the inner ball tracks (23) towards a second side (S2) departs, radially inwardly, a reference radius centered in the point of intersection of a perpendicular line on the tangent at the center line (M23), and the longitudinal axis (L13). In the outer joint part, from the joint center plane (EM) to the second side (S2), the center line (M22) moves beyond the reference radius radially outwardly. In the inner joint part (13), from the joint center plane (EM) to the first side (S1), the center line (M23) moves beyond the reference radius, radially outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbHInventors: Peter Schwärzler, Heiko Harnischfeger
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Patent number: 8425142Abstract: A connecting arrangement for a rotationally fixed connection of components in the drive train of a motor vehicle, comprising a shaft journal and a hub of an articulation, which has a central opening for receiving the shaft journal, wherein the shaft journal can be axially fixed in the hub, for example by a retaining ring. The invention further relates to an articulated shaft comprising such a connecting arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: BF New Technologies GmbHInventor: Claus Disser
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Patent number: 8419554Abstract: A cage for a ball joint, the cage being configured annularly about a longitudinal axis and having an inner surface and an outer surface, two edges delimiting the inner surface and the outer surface and a window, in which the inner surface surrounds an inner space of the cage and two webs laterally adjoin the window. One edge of the cage has an offset relative to the longitudinal axis in relation to one of the two webs at the height of the window. A ball joint with a corresponding cage is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbHInventors: Volker Szentmihalyi, Arne Schmidbauer
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Patent number: 8414405Abstract: A fixed center constant velocity joint includes a first group of funnels and a second group of funnels arranged radially about a longitudinal axis in alternating relationship. The first group of funnels diverges in a first direction and the second group of funnels diverges in a second direction opposite the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The first group of funnels defines a first diverging width increasing in value along the longitudinal axis and the second group of funnels defines a second diverging width increasing in value at a different rate than the first diverging width to bias the joint in one of the first direction and the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Keith A. Kozlowski, Eduardo Mondragon
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Patent number: 8414406Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly and a method of securing a shaft to the assembly are described. The assembly may have an outer race with a first portion having a plurality of grooves and a second portion that extends from the first portion and is substantially parallel to the shaft. The method of securing the shaft to the assembly includes the step of magnetically pulse welding the shaft to the outer race.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Donald W. Dine, Boris A. Yablochnikov
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Patent number: 8409020Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system comprises: an outer joint member having a plurality of inwardly facing outer ball grooves, the outer ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves and a second group of grooves with composite or non-linear groove pattern; an inner joint member disposed inside the outer joint member and having a plurality of outwardly facing inner ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves and a second group of grooves with composite or non-linear groove pattern, each inner ball groove of the inner joint member being coupled with a corresponding outer ball groove of the outer joint member generally in crossed pair.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Wia CorporationInventors: Seung Tark Oh, Tae Hong Kim
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Patent number: 8403765Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint is disclosed that comprises an outer joint part, an inner joint part, torque transmitting balls, an annular ball cage, and a supporting mechanism. The outer joint part includes circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. The inner joint part includes circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks. The torque transmitting balls are guided in pairs of tracks, wherein each track includes an outer ball track and an inner ball track. When the joint is in the aligned condition, the pairs of tracks, at least in a central joint plane, widen in coinciding axial directions. The annular ball cage is defined by a cage axis. The cage is positioned between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and comprises circumferentially distributed windows in which the torque transmitting balls are held with a clearance. The ball cage comprises an axial clearance relative to the outer joint part.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbHInventor: Stephan Maucher
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Patent number: 8403764Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member having an inner surface with a plurality of track grooves, an inner joint member having an outer surface with a plurality of track grooves which are paired with the track grooves of the outer joint member, and an inner surface having a shaft hole with a spline, a plurality of balls interposed between the track grooves of the outer joint member and the track grooves of the inner joint member so as to transmit torque, and a cage interposed between the inner surface of the outer joint member and the outer surface of the inner joint member so as to retain the balls, in which the inner joint member includes an axial step portion between an inlet-side end surface thereof and a spline end portion of the shaft hole so as to form a recessed end surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventor: Masazumi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8398494Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has a boot with enhanced durability and compactness, which are achieved by suppressing abrasion of the boot. The constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member, an inner joint member, a torque transmitting member, a shaft, and a boot. The surface roughness of an outer peripheral surface of the shaft satisfies Rsk<0, Rpk<2 ?m, and Ra<4 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventor: Shinichi Takabe
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Patent number: 8393974Abstract: A driving wheel bearing apparatus has an inner ring 5 secured to a wheel hub 1 by a caulked portion 13. An outer joint member 14 of a constant velocity universal joint 3 has a shoulder portion 19 and a cylindrical shaft portion. Face splines 19a and 13a are formed at the end faces of the shoulder portion 19 and the caulked portion 13. Face splines 19a and 13a are supported with pressure by a fastening bolt 21 that abuts the outer side end face of the wheel hub 1 and is threadedly connected to an internal thread 20a of the shaft portion 20. Compressive remaining stress is placed on the surfaces of the face splines 19a and 13a as a result of surface modification, by shot peening. The surface hardness is set at 300 Hv or more.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Isao Hirai, Kiyotake Shibata
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Patent number: 8388456Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has cutout round portions (32) provided at two portions of a ball-contact-point corresponding part on a track inlet end (22a) of each of the track grooves (22) of the outer joint member for reduce biting of balls. The fixed type constant velocity universal joint is capable of achieving reduction of stress generated when balls and edge portions interfere with each other, suppression of chipping of the edge portions, and prolongation of a service life of the joint as a whole. These advantages are achieved even at a time of an unexpected high-angle operation, and in particular even when an angle expected during use of the constant velocity universal joint is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Kisao Yamazaki, Masazumi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8388457Abstract: A vehicle, such as off road vehicle, includes a plunge pin assembly located in a flexible joint, which maybe actuated without tools to decouple and thus remove a driven system from a driving system. The plunge pin assembly includes a plunge pin biased to an installed position such that a clip of the plunge pin assembly retains the driven system to the driving system during operation of a vehicle. The clip (e.g., circlip, snap ring, coil spring or crest wave spring) is circumferentially contractable and expandable. A transfer element cooperates with tapered and recessed contours of the plunge pin to permit the aforementioned actuation of the clip. Movement of the transfer pin along with contraction of the clip allows the driven system to be decoupled from the driving system. The plunge pin may include a head portion positioned at a desired distance from a drive axle of the driven system.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: Dustin D. Keller
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Patent number: 8387740Abstract: A motor vehicle has a frame and drive mechanism mounted to the frame. A differential gear box is mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive mechanism. The differential gear box includes a housing cover, differential planetary gear assembly mounted within the housing cover, CV joint housing mounted within the housing cover and rotationally coupled to the planetary gear assembly, and CV joint bearing having a plurality of rounded bearing surfaces contacting the slotted bearing drive surfaces. The CV joint housing includes a cavity with a plurality of slotted bearing drive surfaces formed in a sidewall of the cavity. An axle has a spring-loaded plunger disposed through a center portion of the CV joint bearing and contacting a bearing surface formed in the cavity of the CV joint housing. The slotted bearing drive surfaces permit angular movement of the CV joint bearing within the CV joint housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventor: Thomas W. Melcher
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Patent number: 8382600Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system comprises: an outer joint member having a plurality of inwardly facing outer ball grooves, the outer ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves and a second group of grooves with composite or non-linear groove pattern; an inner joint member disposed inside the outer joint member and having a plurality of outwardly facing inner ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves and a second group of grooves with composite or non-linear groove pattern, each inner ball groove of the inner joint member being coupled with a corresponding outer ball groove of the outer joint member generally in crossed pair; and a cage having circumferentially displaced cage windows to accommodate a plurality of balls therein. The groove patterns of the ball grooves can be a combination of skewed grooves and non-linear grooves, a combination of non-linear grooves such as a curved groove or a compositely shaped groove, or a combination of linear grooves and non-linear grooves.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Wia CorporationInventors: Seung Tark Oh, Tae Hong Kim
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Patent number: 8382595Abstract: A torque-limiting device assembly is provided that includes a bell having a top wall and a circumferential side wall defining a bell interior. A plurality of radially-arrayed engagement grooves are formed on an inner surface of the top wall. A clutch stub shaft having a stem and a plurality of engagement protrusions formed on a clutch flange is disposed within the bell interior. A resilient member is secured to the bell, and the resilient member biases the clutch stub shaft towards the top wall of the bell such that the engagement grooves frictionally engage the engagement protrusions to transfer torque from the stem to the bell when the stem is rotated. An input torque applied to the stem that is greater than a predetermined input torque causes the engagement protrusions to disengage from the engagement grooves such that the input torque is not transferred from the stem to the bell.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Neapco LLCInventors: Joseph W. Lonergan, III, Luther Gates
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Patent number: 8353779Abstract: A support structure for bolting components of a drive shaft via a mounting member that comprises at least are mounting member of the drive shaft having formed through a bolt hole, a female thread portion which is formed in the mounting member, the bolt having a male thread portion can be screwed into the female thread portion by inserting the bolt into the bolt hole, and a heat-shrinkable tube that is adapted to provide elastic contact at an inner surface of the bolt hole.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masao Kishi, Masanori Oinuma
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Patent number: 8348772Abstract: A plunging type constant velocity universal joint includes an inner joint member having an outer peripheral surface in which a plurality of linear track grooves are formed in an axial direction and inclined with respect to an axial line, an outer joint member having an inner peripheral surface in which a plurality of linear track grooves are formed in the axial direction and inclined with respect to the axial line in a direction opposite to that of the track grooves of the inner joint member, and having an inside filled with a lubricant, balls incorporated in respective crossing portions between the track grooves of the inner and outer joint members, and a cage arranged between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface for retaining the balls in the same plane, in which a large number of minute recesses are formed at random in surfaces of the balls.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Naohiro Une, Tatsuro Sugiyama, Shin Tomogami, Hisaaki Kura
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Patent number: 8342973Abstract: A sliding joint for motor vehicles, having an inner race which includes inner running grooves, an outer race which includes outer running grooves, a cage, and balls. The inner running grooves are constructed parallel to each other in the axial dimension and include a displacement segment and a functional segment, and the outer running grooves are likewise constructed parallel to each other in the axial dimension and also include a displacement segment and a functional segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignees: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH, Hofer PDC GmbHInventor: Matthias Lutz
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Patent number: 8342972Abstract: An outer joint member (10) and an inner joint member (40) each have a shaft portion (18 and 46) having a male spline formed thereon, and shaft clamps (60) are press-fitted onto the respective shaft portions (18 and 46). Each of the shaft clamps (60) includes: a connection hole (66) that has a female spline formed therein, extends from a first axial end partway toward a second axial end, and has no quench-hardened layer; and a cylindrical portion (64) that has no female spline formed therein and extends from the second axial end partway toward the first axial end. The shaft portions (18 and 46) each have a quench-hardened layer on the outer circumference thereof. The inner diameter of the connection hole (64) at a portion having no female spline formed therein is less than the outer diameters of the shaft portions (18 and 46).Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Kenta Yamazaki, Minoru Ishijima
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Patent number: 8342971Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint secures smooth rotation and reduces a load on a cage even at a large operating angle and when bearing large torque. The universal joint includes an outer joint member having an inner spherical surface in which track grooves are circumferentially formed in an axial direction and an inner joint member having an outer spherical surface in which track grooves paired with the track grooves of the outer joint member are circumferentially formed in the axial direction and multiple outer spherical surface portions circumferentially arranged. Balls are interposed between the track grooves of the outer and inner joint members for transmitting torque. A cage is interposed between the inner spherical surface and the outer spherical surface for retaining the balls. A spherical surface angle of the outer spherical surface on a joint opening side is set to 12.5° or more.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Masazumi Kobayashi, Kisao Yamazaki, Hisaaki Kura, Shin Tomogami
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Patent number: 8328649Abstract: A displacement unit comprising a tubular outer part on an inner surface of which outer paths are provided. An inner part displaceable in the tubular outer part in axial direction, on whose exterior surface inner paths are provided and a plurality of balls guided in a cage, the balls respectively located in outer and inner paths that are associated with each other in pairs. The tubular outer part and/or the inner part provided with cage guide paths between at least some of the paths for axial guiding the cage. A quantity of the cage guide paths is smaller than the quantity of pairs of paths formed by the outer and inner paths. The cage may comprise a plurality of integral guide path protrusions that engage the cage guide paths.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Shaft-Form-Engineering GmbHInventor: Claus Disser
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Patent number: 8323117Abstract: A wheel bearing device, a method of assembling a wheel bearing device, an assembly configured by the wheel bearing device and a drive shaft, and a method of assembling the assembly, in which the wheel bearing device eliminates a nut tightening operation, is capable of reducing costs, and has a projection and recess mating structure that can firmly connect an outer joint member and a hub. Axial direction load is applied to a stepped surface is provided on an outer diameter surface of an outer joint member. A projection that extends in the axial direction and is provided on one of a stem shaft of the outer joint member and an inner diameter surface of a hole section of a hub is press-fitted into a partner member along the axial direction, As a result, a recess that is in close contact with the projection over an overall mating contact area is formed in the partner member, thereby configuring a projection and recess mating structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano, Masahiro Ozawa
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Patent number: 8317630Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an outer joint part, an inner joint part, a ball cage and a plurality of balls located in the cage. The outer surface of the inner joint part is provided with two radii and the inner surface of the ball cage is provided with two radii resulting in a joint that is more compact, more durable and lubricated better than known joints.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventor: Seung Tark Oh
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Patent number: 8317629Abstract: An inner joint member for a constant velocity universal joint is incorporated in an outer joint member and has multiple ball track grooves which are formed in an outer diameter surface thereof. A spherical surface roughness in a range extending from an axial center of the outer diameter surface to an end side of the outer diameter surface which corresponds to an opening side of the outer joint member is larger than a spherical surface roughness in a range extending from the axial center of the outer diameter surface to an end side of the outer diameter surface which corresponds to an inner side of the outer joint member.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Hiromitsu Hamaguchi, Yasunori Hamaguchi, legal representative, Yumiko Yokoyama, legal representative
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Patent number: 8313387Abstract: A cage for a constant velocity universal joint include, an outer diameter surface guided by an outer joint member; an inner diameter surface guided by an inner joint member; and pockets for accommodating multiple balls which are interposed between the outer joint member and the inner joint member. A spherical surface roughness in a range extending from an axial center of the inner diameter surface to an end side of the inner diameter surface which corresponds to an opening side of the outer joint member is different from a spherical surface roughness in a range extending from the axial center of the inner diameter surface to an end side of the inner diameter surface which corresponds to an inner side of the outer joint member.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Hiromitsu Hamaguchi, Yasunori Hamaguchi, legal representative, Yumiko Yokoyama, legal representative
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Patent number: 8297625Abstract: A seal for sealing a cardan shaft housing, particularly at a contact surface between an outer ring and a housing lid, has a first sealing element that at least partially covers the contact surface plane to be sealed, as well as a first shape-stabilizing element that is at least partially firmly connected with the first sealing element. A second sealing element is at least partially firmly connected on the shape-stabilizing element.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: IFA Technologies GmbHInventor: Reiner Schmid
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Patent number: 8292749Abstract: A fixed type constant velocity universal joint is capable of reducing the size and weight of a cage while keeping the strength of the cage, and is also capable of improving the high angle strength and the durability. An offset angle ?CAGE of the cage, which is defined by lines that connect a center curvature of an inner spherical surface and a center curvature of an outer spherical surface of the cage and centers of torque transmission balls, and a line that connects the centers of the torque transmission balls and a joint center in a state where a joint operating angle is 0°, is set in a range of 2.7°??CAGE<5.7°.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Manabu Hoshino, Teruaki Fujio, Tohru Nakagawa, Wasaburo Suganuma
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Patent number: 8287393Abstract: An inner seal is provided for protecting a CV joint boot for a CV joint. The CV joint includes a bearing, a back sealing means and a front can. The bearing operatively connects a first shaft and a second shaft. The bearing has an inner race and an outer race and has a front and a back. The first shaft is connected to the inner race. The second shaft is connected to the outer race. The front can is connected to the outer race. The back sealing means seals against leakage of lubricant from the back of the bearing. The inner seal comprises an inner seal body having a front can sealing portion for sealing with the front can to inhibit the migration of lubricant from the bearing therebetween. The inner seal body has a shaft sealing portion for sealing with the first shaft to inhibit the migration of lubricant from the bearing therebetween. The inner seal body has a shield portion that extends between the front can sealing portion and the shaft sealing.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Inventors: Duc Dao, Jamie White, Max Gibbs, Michael R. Harrison, Mike Hopson