Patent ID: 8221249
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A tripot universal joint, comprising: a first rotatable shaft member having a first longitudinal axis and a housing, the housing having three longitudinal guide channels disposed parallel to the first longitudinal axis and equally spaced circumferentially from one another, each one of the three longitudinal guide channels defined by two opposing concave side surfaces and a back surface, the back surface of each guide channel facing radially inwardly with respect to the first longitudinal axis, the opposing concave side surfaces of each guide channel disposed parallel to one another and separated circumferentially with respect to the outer drive member by the back surface of that guide channel; a rotatable second shaft member having a second longitudinal axis and comprising a spider having three radially extending trunnions equally spaced circumferentially from one another and on respective coplanar radial axes which intersect the second longitudinal axis at a spider center, each of the trunnions having a convex outer surface disposed within an associated longitudinal guide channel and facing the opposing concave side surfaces thereof; and three rotatable rollers, each rotatably disposed on the convex outer surface of a respective trunnion and configured to tilt and rotate about the trunnion and to slide along the radial axis of the trunnion, each roller having a convex outer surface that is configured for disposition within the concave side surfaces of the longitudinal guide channel with which it is associated for moveable engagement within the channel and an inner surface that is rotatably disposed on and abutting the convex surface of the trunnion.