Patent ID: 6776719
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
A tripot universal joint comprising:a first drive member having a first longitudinal axis and three longitudinal drive channels disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and equally spaced circumferentially from one another, each one of the three longitudinal drive channels defined by two opposing concave side surfaces and a back surface, the back surface facing radially inward with respect to the first drive member, the opposing concave side surfaces disposed parallel to one another and separated circumferentially with respect to the first drive member by the back surface; a second drive member having a second longitudinal axis and three radial trunnions equally spaced circumferentially from one another and on respective coplanar radial axes which intersect the second longitudinal axis at a spider center, each one of the three trunnions having part-spherical outer convex surface disposed in the respective longitudinal drive channels adjacent the opposing concave side surfaces of the first drive member; three ball assemblies constructed and arranged to rotate and wobble about the radial axis of the respective trunnion, each one of the three ball assemblies contacting and encircling the circular surface of the respective trunnion, each one of the three ball assemblies having an inner ball with a concave inner surfaces captured on said outer convex surface of the respective trunnion on which it is mounted a semi-spherical outer ball being in rolling contact with only one of the two opposing concave side surfaces of the first drive member and slideable axially relative to said inner ball and said trunnion on which it is mounted; and the opposing concave side surfaces of the first drive member having a lateral cross section profile being substantially parabolic in shape, wherein a radius of curvature becomes smaller as the profile extends radially outward with respect to the axis of the first drive member.