Patent ID: 8145097
Filing Date: 2012-03-27
Classification: F16D,G03G,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A constant-velocity joint comprising: an outer ring having an opening at a first axial end thereof, said outer ring including a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall which define an annular space therein, at least one of said radially outer wall and said radially inner wall having three axially extending track grooves circumferentially spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees; a cage shaped to be inserted in said annular space, said cage including a synthetic resin and a plurality of pockets having a radially inner open end and a radially outer open end, said pockets disposed at positions corresponding to said track grooves, respectively; and a plurality of balls, each ball of the plurality of balls received in a respective pocket of said plurality of pockets, so as to roll along said track grooves; wherein said cage includes a plurality of arrangements disposed at said pockets, said plurality of arrangements configured to prevent said balls from radially outwardly or radially inwardly coming out of said pockets, when said cage is pulled out of said outer ring with said each ball of said plurality of balls received in said respective pocket of said plurality of pockets, said arrangements being disposed at said radially inner and outer open ends of said pockets, whereby said cage is configured to be inserted into and pulled out of said outer ring with said each ball of said plurality of balls received in said respective pocket of said plurality of pockets; wherein no lubricating grease is disposed in the annular space and no boot is mounted for preventing leakage of lubricating grease, such that one end of said outer ring is open; and wherein each of said track grooves has an axial end near said first axial end of said outer ring, and a tapered surface that tapers outward from each said axial end to said first axial end of said outer ring, such that the diameter of said annular space increases toward said first axial end of said outer ring.