Patent ID: 6461244
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: F16D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A fixed constant-velocity-ratio universal joint, comprising:an outer joint part of hollow configuration having a rotational axis, a plurality of at least partially arcuate tracks circumferentially spaced about said axis in the interior of the outer joint part and having center lines extending in meridian planes relative to the axis, and lands defined between said tracks and which are integral with the outer joint part and have inwardly directed surfaces; an inner joint part disposed within the outer joint part and having a rotational axis, a plurality of at least partially arcuate tracks on the exterior of the inner joint part having center lines extending in meridian planes with respect to the rotational axis of the inner joint part and which faces the tracks in the outer joint part in opposed pairs, and lands defined between the tracks on the inner joint part having radially-outwardly directed surfaces; a plurality of balls disposed one in each pair of facing tracks in the outer and inner joint parts for torque transmission between the parts; and a unitary ball cage disposed between the inner and outer joint parts and having windows in which respective balls are received and constrained such that their centers lie in a common plane, at least two opposing windows being wider than said outer joint part lands to accommodate receiving said lands during assembly, the cage having substantially spherical inner and outer surfaces which engage the land surfaces on the inner and outer joint parts respectively, wherein the ball cage includes a relief groove between at least one pair of adjacent windows thereby providing a reduced circumference for said ball cage outer surface in the region of said groove, said groove being wider than one of said outer joint part lands to accommodate introduction of the ball cage into said outer joint part when the ball cage is rotated about a transverse axis by 90Â° with respect to said outer joint part axis.