Abstract The joint comprises an outer member and an inner member disposed therein and having respective longitudinal axes. They are pivotally movable between positions in which the longitudinal axes include different angles and are telescopically slidable relative to each other. The outer member has an inside peripheral surface and the inner member has an outside peripheral surface respectively formed with straight grooves extending parallel to the respective longitudinal axes of the member. Torquetransmitting rolling elements are disposed between the inside and outside peripheral surfaces and adapted to be guided in the respective grooves and to move in a plane which bisects the angle included by the longitudinal axes and thus to cause both members to rotate at the same speed. A plurality of guiding elements each associated with a respective one of the rolling elements are slidably guided on the outside peripheral surface between the guiding grooves therein. A guiding cage is disposed in the outer member and is axially slidable relative thereto but incapable of a pivotal movement relative thereto. The guiding cage is in sliding contact with the inside peripheral surface and defines inside guiding surfaces arranged to guide said guiding elements so as to cause them to constrain the rolling elements to move in the plane.
In a synchronizing torque-transmitting universal joint which comprises an outer member and an inner member disposed in the outer member, the inner and outer members having respective longitudinal axes and being pivotally movable between positions in which the longitudinal axes include different angles and the members being telescopically slidable relative to each other, the outer member having an inside peripheral surface formed with straight guide grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer member, and the inner member having an outside peripheral surface formed with straight guide grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner member; and a plurality of torque-transmitting rolling elements disposed between the inside and outside peripheral surfaces and adapted to be guided by the grooves and to move in a plane which bisects the angle included by the longitudinal axes and thus to cause the members to rotate at the same speed, the improvement of a like plurality of guiding elements each associated with a respective one of the guided rolling elements and slidably guided on the outside peripheral surface between the guide grooves therein, and a guiding cage disposed in the member for axially slidable, but against any pivotal, movement relative thereto, the guiding cage being in sliding contact with the inside peripheral surface and defining inside guiding surfaces arranged to guide the guiding for the rolling elements so as to cause the guiding elements to constrain the rolling elements to move in said plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a synchronizing torque-transmitting universal joint which comprises an outer member and an inner member disposed in the outer member, the inner and outer members having respective longitudinal axes and being pivotally movable between positions in which the longitudinal axes include different angles and the members being telescopically slidable relative to each other, the outer member having an inside peripheral surface formed with straight guide grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer member, and the inner member having an outside peripheral surface formed with straight guide grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner member; and a plurality of torque-transmitting rolling elements disposed between the inside and outside peripheral surfaces and adapted to be guided by the grooves and to move in a plane which bisects the angle included by the longitudinal axes and thus to cause the members to rotate at the same speed, the improvement of a like plurality of guiding elements each associated with a respective one of the guided rolling elements and slidably guided on the outside peripheral surface between the guide grooves therein, and a guiding cage disposed in the member for axially slidable, but against any pivotal, movement relative thereto, the guiding cage being in sliding contact with the inside peripheral surface and defining inside guiding surfaces arranged to guide the guiding for the rolling elements so as to cause the guiding elements to constrain the rolling elements to move in said plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A universal joint as set forth in claim 1, in which each of said guiding elements contacts said cage at a point of contact and said point of contact and the center of the associated rolling element lie substantially on a straight line which is parallel to the axis of said inner member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A universal joint as set forth in claim 1, in which said guiding surfaces have an involute shape in axial section.