Homocinetic fixed joint

Abstract

A constant velocity fixed joint having the following characteristics: an outer joint part comprises a first longitudinal axis and an attaching part and an aperture which are axially opposed relative to one another, as well as outer ball tracks; an inner joint part comprises a second longitudinal axis and inner ball tracks; the track base lines of the pairs of tracks each form an opening angle relative to one another which opens from the aperture to the attaching part; the track base lines of the outer ball tracks of the pairs of tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius whose centre is positioned on the first longitudinal axis and is offset by a first offset OFF 1 from the central plane of the outer joint part towards the attaching part, and move away from a circle with said radius outwardly towards the aperture end; the track base lines of the inner ball tracks of the pairs of tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius whose centre is positioned on the second longitudinal axis and is offset by a second offset OFF 2 from the central plane of the inner joint part towards the aperture, and move away from a circle with said radius outwardly towards the attaching part end.

1 . A constant velocity fixed joint ( 11 ) having the following characteristics: 
 an outer joint part ( 12 ) comprises a first longitudinal axis (L 12 ) and an attaching part ( 14 ) and an aperture ( 16 ) which are axially opposed relative to one another, as well as outer ball tracks ( 17 );    an inner joint part ( 22 ) comprises a second longitudinal axis (L 22 ) and inner ball tracks ( 24 );    the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) comprise centre lines (S 12 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the first longitudinal axis (L 12 );    the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) comprise centre lines (S 22 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the second longitudinal axis (L 22 );    the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) and the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) form pairs of tracks with one another which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 35 );    a ball cage ( 29 ) is positioned between the outer joint part ( 12 ) and the inner joint part ( 22 ) and comprises circumferentially distributed cage windows which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 35 );    the centres of the balls are held by the cage ( 29 ) in a central plane (E) when the joint is in an aligned condition and in the angle-bisecting plane (E′) when the joint is in an articulated condition;    when the joint is in an aligned condition, the centre lines (S 12 , S 22 ) of the pairs of tracks are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the central plane (E) and when the joint is articulated, they are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the angle-bisecting plane (E′);    the track base lines of the pairs of tracks diverge from one another running from the aperture ( 16 ) to the attaching part ( 14 );    the track base lines of the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) of the pairs of tracks, at the attaching part end, form a radius r a  whose centre (Z 1 ) is positioned on the first longitudinal axis (L 12 ) so as to be offset by a first offset OFF 1  from the central plane (E 12 ) of the outer joint part towards the attaching part, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r a  outwardly towards the aperture end;    the track base lines of the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) of the pairs of tracks, at the aperture end, comprise a radius r i  whose centre (Z 2 ) is positioned on the second longitudinal axis (L 22 ) so as to be offset by a second offset OFF 2  from the central plane (E 22 ) of the inner joint part towards the aperture, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r i  outwardly towards the attaching part end.    
     
     
         2 . A joint according to  claim 1 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ). (FIG. 12)  
   
     
     
         3 . A joint according to  claim 1 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a tangentially adjoining second circular-arch-shaped portion (S 5 ) with the radius R ae , R ie  which is greater than the radius r a , r i . (FIG. 7)  
   
     
     
         4 . A joint according to  claim 1 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r I , a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) with the radius r 1a , r 1i  curved in the opposite direction, and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 8)  
   
     
     
         5 . A joint according to  claim 1 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i , a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ), a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) curved in the direction opposite to that of the portion (S 1 ) and having the radius r 1a , r 1i , and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 9)  
   
     
     
         6 . A constant velocity fixed joint ( 11 ) having the following characteristics: 
 an outer joint part ( 12 ) comprises a first longitudinal axis (L 12 ) and an attaching part ( 14 ) and an aperture ( 16 ) which are axially opposed relative to one another, as well as outer ball tracks ( 17 );    an inner joint part ( 22 ) comprises a second longitudinal axis (L 22 ) and inner ball tracks ( 24 );    the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) comprise centre lines (S 12 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the first longitudinal axis (L 12 );    the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) comprise centre lines (S 22 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the second longitudinal axis (L 22 );    the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) and the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) form pairs of tracks with one another which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 35 );    a ball cage ( 29 ) is positioned between the outer joint part ( 12 ) and the inner joint part ( 22 ) and comprises circumferentially distributed cage windows which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 35 );    the centres of the balls are held by the cage ( 29 ) in a central plane (E) when the joint is in an aligned condition and in the angle-bisecting plane (E′) when the joint is in an articulated condition;    when the joint is in an aligned condition, the centre lines (S 12 , S 22 ) of the pairs of tracks are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the central plane (E) and when the joint is articulated, they are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the angle-bisecting plane (E′);    the track base lines of the pairs of tracks diverge from one another running from the aperture ( 16 ) towards the attaching part ( 14 );    the track base lines of the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) of the pairs of tracks, continuously, comprise a radius r a  whose centre (Z 3 ) is positioned beyond the first longitudinal axis (L 12 ) and offset by a first offset OFF 1 ′ from the central plane (E 12 ) of the outer joint part towards the attaching part;    the track base lines of the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) of the pairs of tracks, continuously, comprise a radius r i  whose centre (Z 4 ) is positioned beyond the second longitudinal axis (L 22 ) and offset by a second offset OFF 2 ′ from the central plane (E 22 ) of the inner joint part towards the aperture. (FIG. 10)    
     
     
         7 . A constant velocity fixed joint ( 11 ) having the following characteristics: 
 an outer joint part ( 12 ) comprises a first longitudinal axis (L 12 ) and an attaching part ( 14 ) and an aperture ( 16 ) which are axially opposed relative to one another, as well as outer ball tracks ( 17 );    an inner joint part ( 22 ) comprises a second longitudinal axis (L 22 ) and inner ball tracks ( 24 );    the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) comprise centre lines (S 12 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the first longitudinal axis (L 12 );    the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) comprise centre lines (S 22 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the second longitudinal axis (L 22 );    the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) and the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) form pairs of tracks with one another which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 35 );    a ball cage ( 29 ) is positioned between the outer joint part ( 12 ) and the inner joint part ( 22 ) and comprises circumferentially distributed cage windows which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 35 );    the centres of the balls are held by the cage ( 29 ) in a central plane (E) when the joint is in an aligned condition and in the angle-bisecting plane (E′) when the joint is in an articulated condition;    when the joint is in an aligned condition, the centre lines (S 12 , S 22 ) of the pairs of tracks are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the central plane (E) and when the joint is articulated, they are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the angle-bisecting plane (E′);    the track base lines of the pairs of tracks diverge from one another running from the aperture ( 16 ) towards the attaching part ( 14 );    the track base lines of the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) of said pairs of tracks, at the attaching part end, comprise a radius r a  whose centre (Z 3 ) is positioned beyond the first longitudinal axis (L 12 ) and offset by a first offset OFF 1 ′ from the central plane (E 12 ) of the outer joint part towards the attaching part, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r a  outwardly towards the aperture end;    the track base lines of the inner ball tracks ( 24 ) of the pairs of tracks comprise a radius r i  whose centre (Z 4 ) is positioned beyond the second longitudinal axis (L 22 ) and offset by a second offset OFF 2 ′ from the central plane (E 22 ) of the inner joint part towards the aperture end, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r i  outwardly towards the attaching part end.    
     
     
         8 . A joint according to  claim 7 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ). (FIG. 11)  
   
     
     
         9 . A joint according to  claim 7 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) curved in the opposite direction with the radius r 1a , r 1i  and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 8)  
   
     
     
         10 . A joint according to  claim 7 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i , a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ), a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) curved in the direction opposite to that of the portion (S 1 ) and having the radius r 1a , r 1i , and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 9)  
   
     
     
         11 . A constant velocity fixed joint ( 41 ) having the following characteristics: 
 an outer joint part ( 42 ) comprises a first longitudinal axis (L 42 ) and an attaching part ( 44 ) and an aperture ( 46 ) which are axially opposed relative to one another, as well as outer ball tracks ( 47 ,  49 );    an inner joint part ( 52 ) comprises a second longitudinal axis (L 52 ) and inner ball tracks ( 54 ,  56 );    the outer ball tracks ( 47 ,  49 ) comprise centre lines (S 42 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the first longitudinal axis (L 42 );    the inner ball tracks ( 54 ,  56 ) comprise centre lines (S 52 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the second longitudinal axis (L 52 );    the outer ball tracks ( 47 ,  49 ) and the inner ball tracks ( 54 ,  56 ) form pairs of tracks with one another which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 65 );    a ball cage ( 59 ) is positioned between the outer joint part ( 42 ) and the inner joint part ( 52 ) and comprises circumferentially distributed cage windows which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 65 );    the centres of the balls ( 65 ) are held by the cage ( 59 ) in a central plane (E) when the joint is in an aligned condition and in the angle-bisecting plane (E′) when the joint is in an articulated condition;    when the joint is in an aligned condition, the centre lines of the pairs of tracks are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the central plane (E) and when the joint is articulated, they are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the angle-bisecting plane (E′);    the track base lines of the pairs of tracks move away from one another in one direction;    the track base lines of one part of the pairs of tracks ( 49 ,  56 ) diverge from one another running from the attaching part ( 44 ) to the aperture ( 46 );    the track base lines of another part of the pairs of tracks ( 47 ,  54 ) diverge from one another running from the aperture ( 46 ) to the attaching part ( 44 );    the track base lines of the outer ball tracks ( 17 ) of said latter pairs of tracks, at the attaching part end, comprise a radius r a  whose centre (Z 1 ) is positioned on the first longitudinal axis (L 42 ) and offset by a first offset OFF 1 ′ from the central plane (E 42 ) of the outer joint part towards the attaching part, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r a  outwardly towards the aperture end;    the track base lines of the inner ball tracks ( 54 ) of said latter pairs of tracks,at the aperture end, comprise a radius r i  whose centre (Z 2 ) is positioned on the second longitudinal axis (L 52 ) and offset by a second offset OFF 2 ′ from the central plane (E 52 ) of the inner joint part towards the aperture, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r i  outwardly towards the attaching part end.    
     
     
         12 . A joint according to  claim 11 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines of the latter pairs of tracks ( 47 ,  54 ) each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ). (FIG. 12)  
   
     
     
         13 . A joint according to  claim 11 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines of the latter pairs of tracks ( 47 ,  54 ) each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a tangentially adjoining second circular-arch-shaped portion (S 5 ) with the radius R ae , R ie  which is greater than the radius r a , r i . (FIG. 7)  
   
     
     
         14 . A joint according to  claim 11 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines of the latter pairs of tracks ( 47 ,  54 ) each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) curved in the opposite direction and having the radius r 1a , r 1i  and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 8)  
   
     
     
         15 . A joint according to  claim 11 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines of the latter pairs of tracks ( 47 ,  54 ) each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i , a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ), a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) curved in the direction opposite to that of the portion (S 1 ) and having the radius r 1a , r 1i , and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 9)  
   
     
     
         16 . A constant velocity fixed joint ( 41 ) having the following characteristics: 
 an outer joint part ( 42 ) comprises a first longitudinal axis (L 42 ) and an attaching part ( 44 ) and an aperture ( 46 ) which are axially opposed relative to one another, as well as outer ball tracks ( 47 );    an inner joint part ( 52 ) comprises a second longitudinal axis (L 52 ) and inner ball tracks ( 54 );    the outer ball tracks ( 47 ) comprise centre lines (S 42 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the first longitudinal axis (L 42 );    the inner ball tracks ( 54 ) comprise centre lines (S 52 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the second longitudinal axis (L 52 );    the outer ball tracks ( 47 ) and the inner ball tracks ( 54 ) form pairs of tracks with one another which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 65 );    a ball cage ( 59 ) is positioned between the outer joint part ( 42 ) and the inner joint part ( 52 ) and comprises circumferentially distributed cage windows which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 65 );    the centres of the balls ( 65 ) are held by the cage ( 59 ) in a central plane (E) when the joint is in an aligned condition and in the angle-bisecting plane (E′) when the joint is in an articulated condition;    when the joint is in an aligned condition, the centre lines of the pairs of tracks are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the central plane (E) and when the joint is articulated, they are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the angle-bisecting plane (E′);    the track base lines of the pairs of tracks diverge from one another running in one direction;    the track base lines of one part of the pairs of tracks ( 49 ,  56 ) diverge from one another running from the attaching part ( 44 ) to the aperture ( 46 );    the track base lines of another part of the pairs of tracks ( 47 ,  54 ) diverge from one another running from the aperture ( 46 ) to the attaching part ( 44 );    the track base lines of the outer ball tracks ( 47 ) of said latter pairs of tracks, continuously, comprise a radius r a  whose centre (Z 3 ) is positioned beyond the first longitudinal axis (L 42 ) and offset by a first offset OFF 1 ′ from the central plane (E 42 ) of the outer joint part towards the attaching part;    the track base lines of the inner ball tracks ( 54 ) of said latter pairs of tracks, continuously, comprise a radius r i  whose centre (Z 4 ) is positioned beyond the second longitudinal axis (L 52 ) and offset by a second offset OFF 2 ′ from the central plane (E 52 ) of the inner joint part towards the aperture. (FIG. 10)    
     
     
         17 . A constant velocity fixed joint ( 41 ) having the following characteristics: 
 an outer joint part ( 42 ) comprises a first longitudinal axis (L 42 ) and an attaching part ( 44 ) and an aperture ( 46 ) which are axially opposed relative to one another, as well as outer ball tracks ( 47 );    an inner joint part ( 52 ) comprises a second longitudinal axis (L 52 ) and inner ball tracks ( 54 );    the outer ball tracks ( 47 ) comprise centre lines (S 42 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the first longitudinal axis (L 42 );    the inner ball tracks ( 54 ) comprise centre lines (S 52 ) and track base lines which extend at equal distances therefrom, which are curved and extend in planes through the second longitudinal axis (L 52 );    the outer ball tracks ( 47 ) and the inner ball tracks ( 54 ) form pairs of tracks with one another which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 65 );    the ball cage ( 59 ) is positioned between the outer joint part ( 42 ) and the inner joint part ( 52 ) and comprises circumferentially distributed cage windows which each receive a torque transmitting ball ( 65 );    the centres of the balls ( 65 ) are held by the cage ( 59 ) in a central plane (E) when the joint is in an aligned condition and in the angle-bisecting plane (E′) when the joint is in an articulated condition;    when the joint is in an aligned condition, the centre lines of the pairs of tracks are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the central plane (E) and when the joint is articulated, they are mirror-symmetrical relative to one another with reference to the angle-bisecting plane (E′);    the track base lines of the pairs of tracks diverge from one another running in one direction;    the track base lines of one part of the pairs of tracks ( 49 ,  56 ) diverge from one another running from the attaching part ( 44 ) to the aperture ( 46 );    the track base lines of another part of the pairs of tracks ( 47 ,  54 ) diverge from one another running from the aperture ( 46 ) to the attaching part ( 44 );    the track base lines of the outer ball tracks ( 47 ) of said latter pairs of tracks, at the attaching part end, comprise a radius r a  whose centre (Z 3 ) is positioned beyond the first longitudinal axis (L 42 ) and offset by a first offset OFF 1 ′ from the central plane (E 42 ) of the outer joint part towards the attaching part, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r a  outwardly towards the aperture end;    the track base lines of the inner ball tracks ( 54 ) of said latter pairs of tracks comprise a radius r i  whose centre (Z 4 ) is positioned beyond the second longitudinal axis (L 52 ) and offset by a second offset OFF 2 ′ from the central plane (E 52 ) of the inner joint part towards the aperture, and said track base lines diverge from a circle with said radius r i  towards the attaching part end.    
     
     
         18 . A joint according to  claim 17 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines of the latter pairs of tracks each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i  and a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ). (FIG. 11)  
   
     
     
         19 . A joint according to  claim 17 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines of the latter pairs of tracks each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a ,r i , a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) with the radius r 1a , r 1i  curved in the direction opposite thereto, and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 8).  
   
     
     
         20 . A joint according to  claim 17 , 
 characterised in 
 that the track base lines of the latter pairs of tracks each consist of a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 1 ) with the radius r a , r i , a tangentially adjoining straight line portion (S 2 ), a circular-arch-shaped portion (S 3 ) curved in the direction opposite to that of the portion (S 1 ) and having the radius r 1a , r 1i , and a tangentially adjoining straight line (S 4 ). (FIG. 9)