US3789624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Homokinetic joints
Assignee: SKF Industrie SpA
•
Filing: 1972-03-15
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A homokinetic or constant velocity coupling joint having an outer member having a spherical inner surface, an inner member having a spherical outer surface, and a cage locating a plurality of rolling elements between the inner and outer elements. The inner member has a number of longitudinal tracks for the rolling elements and the tracks are shaped so that when a torque tending to rotate the inner member with respect to the outer member is applied the rolling elements are caused to rock across the tracks and to jam against the outer member, the inner surface of which is completely smooth with no tracks, to transmit the torque from one member to the other. Either member can be the driving member.
Inventors
- 👤 D Camosso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16D3/22; F16D3/223; F16D3/224; F16D3/2245; F16D2003/22309; F16D2003/2232; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S464/00; Y10S464/904; Y10S464/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A homokinetic joint for coupling two shafts, said joint comprising, an inner member said inner member having means for connecting the member to one of said two shafts, an outer member, said outer member having means for coupling said member to the other of said two shafts, a cage between said inner and outer members, said cage having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of barrel-shape rolling elements located in respective said apertures in said cage, said rolling elements contacting both the inner surface of said outer member and the outer surface of said inner member, the axes of said barrelshape rolling elements all lying in a plane which bisects the angle between said two shafts, a plurality of longitudinal recesses in said inner member, said longitudinal recesses forming tracks for respective said rolling elements, that part of the inner surface of said outer member which is in contact with said rolling elements being substantially spherical and smooth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A homokinetic joint for coupling two shafts, said joint comprising, an inner member said inner member having means for connecting the member to one of said two shafts, an outer member, said outer member having means for coupling said member to the other of said two shafts, a cage between said inner and outer members, said cage having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of barrel-shape rolling elements located in respective said apertures in said cage, said rolling elements contacting both the inner surface of said outer member and the outer surface of said inner member, the axes of said barrelshape rolling elements all lying in a plane which bisects the angle between said two shafts, a plurality of longitudinal recesses in said inner member, said longitudinal recesses forming tracks for respective said rolling elements, that part of the inner surface of said outer member which is in contact with said rolling elements being substantially spherical and smooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 1 wherein the ratio between the transverse radius of curvature of said barrel-shape rolling elements and the transverse radius of curvature of said spherical inner surface of said outer member lies in the range between 0.95 and 0.98.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 1 wherein the surfaces of said recesses in said inner member are curved in cross section, said curve having two parts of equal radius which meet at the centre line of said track in a cusp which is spaced from said rolling element on said track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 3 wherein said radii of curvature of said two curved parts of said track are substantially equal to the radius of curvature of said spherical portion of said inner surface of said outer member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 3 wherein the centre of curvature of each of said two curved parts of said track lies on the opposite side of a meridian plane containing said cusp from said curved part, and a line joining each said centre of curvature to the centre of transverse curvature of said rolling element in contact with said recess forms with said meridian plane an oblique angle not greater than the angle of friction between said rolling element and said inner member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 5 wherein said oblique angles between said lines joining said transverse centre of curvature of each of said two curved parts of said tracks and said transverse centre of curvature of said rolling element in contact with said recess is less than or equal to 6*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 1 wherein said outer and iNner members have substantially concentric surfaces with which sliding contact is made by respective surfaces of said cage, said cage and said outer member being cup-shaped and said members contacting at a single region corresponding to the bases of said cups.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The homkinetic joint of claim 1 wherein said outer member is cup-shaped, the inner surface of the base of said cup being flat and cooperating with the end of a shaft which is connected to and passes through said inner member, said shaft having a substantially spherical end which abuts said flat inner surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 7 wherein said inner and outer members are shaped such that the facing surfaces thereof are separated by a greater distance at the closed end of said outer member than at the open end of said outer member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The homokinetic joint of claim 8 wherein said inner and outer members are shaped such that the facing surfaces thereof are separated by a greater distance at the closed end of said outer member than at the open end of said outer member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |