Patent ID: 7025682
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A double-jointed cardan shaft for a vehicle, comprising: a first yoke journal assembly a second yoke journal assembly a first fork joint accommodating the first yoke journal assembly and including a ball calotte; a second fork joint accommodating the second yoke journal assembly; a connection element connecting the first and second fork joints in a drive-connection; a centering ball disposed in the ball calotte and including a bore, a first cavity being defined between the centering ball and the ball calotte; an elastic gasket sealing a second cavity between the elastic gasket and the ball calotte; a centering pin connected to the second fork joint and disposed in the bore; and a plurality of lubricant recesses for accommodating a lubricant, the plurality of lubricant recesses disposed at an interface between the centering pin and the bore, wherein the centering ball includes at least one indentation extending along an outer circumferential surface of the centering ball in a manner such that lubricant may not pass from the first cavity to the second cavity.