Patent ID: 6174239
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
A tripod sliding constant velocity joint comprising:a male member (1) having ternary symmetry about a first main axis (X--X) and including a hub (2) from which project three arms (3) that each delimit a spherical bearing surface (2);a female member (5) defining three pairs of rolling tracks (6) and having ternary symmetry about a second main axis (X'--X'); andfor each arm:a one-piece intermediate shoe (7) incorporating a cylindrical bore (8) that cooperates with the spherical bearing surface (4) and has two opposed rolling tracks (10), andtwo series of rolling members (12) each of which rolls on a rolling track (6) of the female member (5) and on a rolling track (10) of the shoe, wherein the bearing distance (D) between the center (A) of the spherical bearing surface (4) of each arm (3) and the first main axis (X--X) is significantly different, for each rotation direction of the joint, from the rolling distance (d;d.sub.A d.sub.B) between the first main axis (X--X) and the mean plane (P';P'.sub.A P'.sub.B) of the rolling members (12;12.sub.A,12.sub.B) associated with the same arm and transmitting torque in the direction concerned so that in operation the two series of rolling members (12) are loaded regardless of the direction of the applied torque even when the joint is aligned.