CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

Abstract

A constant velocity joint includes an outer race that extends about an axis and is configured to be coupled with a first shaft. The outer race extends axially between a top surface and a bottom surface. An inner race is located in the compartment and is pivotable relative to the outer race for being connected with a second shaft. A plurality of balls are positioned between the outer and inner races for guiding the pivoting movement outer and inner races while transmitting rotational movement between the outer an inner races. An upper can is coupled to the top surface of the outer race for sealing the compartment of the outer race. A plurality of bolt holes extend axially through the outer race radially outwardly of the upper can.

Claims

1. A constant velocity joint, comprising: an outer race extending about an axis and configured to be coupled with a first shaft; the outer race extending axially between a top surface and a bottom surface and extending radially between a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, the radially inner surface of the outer race defining a compartment; an inner race in the compartment and pivotable relative to the outer race for being connected to a second shaft; a plurality of balls positioned radially between the outer and inner races for guiding the pivoting movement of the inner race relative to the outer race while transmitting rotational movement between the outer an inner races; an upper can coupled to the top surface of the outer race for sealing the compartment of the outer race; and a plurality of bolt holes extending axially through the outer race and arranged circumferentially around the outer race and positioned radially outwardly of the upper can for receiving bolts to attach the outer race to the first shaft.

2. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the outer race defines a counter bore along the radially inner surface of the outer race radially inward of the bolt holes, and wherein the upper can is fixed in the counter bore.

3. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 2, wherein the upper can is press fit in the counter bore.

4. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 2, wherein the upper can has a rim portion in the counter bore, and wherein the rim portion engages the top surface of the outer race in the counter bore continuously and uninterrupted 360 degrees around the rim.

5. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 4, wherein the counter bore includes a radial wall extending along a plane being perpendicular to the axis and a axial wall extending axially, and wherein the rim portion overlies the radial wall of the counter bore of the outer race and terminating at a lip extending axially upwardly and engaging the axial wall of the counter bore.

6. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner circumference of the outer race presents at least one rim extending radially over the balls under the counter bore of the outer race to limit axial movement of the balls.

7. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 6, wherein the at least one rim is hemispherical shaped.

8. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 6, wherein the radially inner surface of the outer race defines a plurality of axially extending first ball tracks, a radially outward surface of the inner race defines a plurality of axially extending second ball tracks, wherein the first and second ball tracks are circumferentially aligned with one another with one of the plurality of balls positioned between each of the aligned ball tracks, and wherein the at least one rim includes a plurality of rims each located at a top of one of the first ball tracks of the outer race.

9. A constant velocity joint, comprising: an outer race extending about an axis and configured to be coupled with a first shaft; the outer race extending axially between a top surface and a bottom surface and extending radially between a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, the radially inner surface of the outer race defining a compartment; an inner race located in the compartment and pivotable relative to the outer race for being connected with a second shaft; a plurality of balls positioned radially between the outer and inner races for guiding the pivoting movement of the inner race relative to the outer race while transmitting rotational movement between the outer and inner races; an upper can coupled to the top surface of the outer race for sealing the compartment of the outer race; and the inner circumference of the outer race presenting at least one rim and extending radially over the balls under the counter bore of the outer race to inhibit axial movement of the balls.

10. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 9, wherein the rim is hemispherical shaped.

11. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 10, wherein the radially inner surface of the outer race defines a plurality of axially extending first ball tracks, a radially outward surface of the inner race defines a plurality of axially extending second ball tracks, wherein the first and second ball tracks are circumferentially aligned with one another and with one of the plurality of balls positioned between each of the aligned ball tracks, and wherein the at least one rim includes a plurality of rims each located at a top of one of the first ball tracks of the outer race.

12. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 10, wherein the top surface of the outer race defines a plurality of bolt holes extending axially through the outer race and arranged circumferentially around the outer race and positioned radially outwardly of the upper can for receiving bolts to attach the outer race to the first shaft.

13. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 10, wherein the top surface of the outer race defines a counter bore along the radially inner surface of the outer race radially inward of the bolt holes, and wherein the upper can is fixed in the counter bore.

14. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 13, wherein the upper can has a rim portion in the counter bore, and wherein the rim portion engages the top surface of the outer race in the counter bore continuously and uninterrupted 360 degrees around the rim.

15. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 13, wherein the upper can is press fit in the counter bore.

16. The constant velocity joint as set forth in claim 13, wherein the counter bore includes a radial wall extending along a plane being perpendicular to the axis and a axial wall extending axially, and wherein the upper can has a rim portion overlying the radial wall of the counter bore of the outer race and terminating at a lip extending axially upwardly and engaging the axial wall of the counter bore.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1A is a perspective cross-sectional view of a first conventional arrangement of a constant velocity joint;

[0013] FIG. 2A is a side, cross-sectional view of a connection between the first conventional arrangement of a constant velocity joint and a first shaft;

[0014] FIG. 1B is a perspective cross-sectional view of a second conventional arrangement of a constant velocity joint;

[0015] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an upper can of the second conventional arrangement of a constant velocity joint;

[0016] FIG. 1C is a side, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a constant velocity joint according to an aspect of the present disclosure, illustrating a connection to first and second shafts;

[0017] FIG. 2C is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the constant velocity joint of FIG. 1C;

[0018] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of an upper can of the constant velocity joint of FIG. 1C; and

[0019] FIG. 4C is a perspective, cross-sectional view of an outer race of the constant velocity joint of FIG. 1C, illustrating an arrangement of first ball tracks and associated rims for limiting movement of balls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In particular, a number of non-limiting embodiments of a constant velocity joint 20 (CV joint) are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the true and intended scope to those who are skilled in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. It should also be appreciated that the present invention can be utilized in connection with other types of automobile components not described fully herein.

[0021] The CV joint 20 could be used on various vehicle components such as propeller shafts, drive shafts, half shafts, axles, transfer cases, power takeoff (PTO) units, and/or other components that operate to transmit rotational forces (i.e., rotational energy), between and/or through one or more other driveline components.

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1C-4C, the CV joint 20 includes an outer race 22 that extends about an axis A and is configured to be coupled with a first shaft 21 via an arrangement of a number of bolts 23. The outer race 22 extends axially between a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26, and extends radially between a radially outer surface 28 and a radially inner surface 30. The radially inner surface 30 defines a compartment 32. The top surface 24 of the outer race 24 defines a counter bore 34, 36 that extends axially downwardly along the radially inner surface 30. More particularly, the counter bore 34, 36 is defined by an annular radial wall 34 that extends along a plane that is perpendicular to the axis A, and an annular axial wall 36 that extends axially. As will be described in further detail below, the top surface 24 of the outer race 22 defines a plurality of bolt holes 86 that are spaced circumferentially from one another around the outer race 22 and around the counter bore 34, 36 for connecting the outer race 22 to the first shaft 21 via the arrangement of bolts 23.

[0023] A second shaft 38 extends along the axis A to a terminal end 40 in the compartment 32 of the outer race 22. An inner race 42 is coupled with the second shaft 38 adjacent to the terminal end 40 in the compartment 32. The inner race 42 is pivotable relative to the outer race 22 such that the second shaft 38 and inner race 42 together are pivotable relative to the outer race 22 and the first shaft. The inner race 42 has a radially inward surface 44 and a radially outward surface 45.

[0024] As best shown in FIG. 2C, the radially inward surface 44 of the inner race 42 defines a plurality of axial slots 46 that are arranged in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another around the radially inward surface 44. An outside surface 48 of the second shaft 38 presents a plurality of axially extending ribs 50 positioned in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another around the outside surface 48. Each of the ribs 50 are received by one of the axial slots 46 of the inner race 42 to rotationally connect the second shaft 38 and the inner race 42 while accommodating axial movement of the second shaft 38 relative to the inner race 42 to connect the second shaft 38 to the inner race 42. Furthermore, a retaining ring 47, is positioned radially between the second shaft 38 and the inner race 42 to affix the inner race 42 to the second shaft 38.

[0025] The radially inner surface 30 of the outer race 22 defines a plurality of first ball tracks 52 that are arranged in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another. The radially outward surface 45 of the inner race 42 defines a plurality of second ball tracks 54, each in circumferential alignment with the first ball tracks 52 of the outer race 22. A plurality of balls 56 are positioned radially between the outer and inner races 22, 42, each in one of the first and second ball tracks 52, 54 for guiding the pivoting movement of the outer and inner races 22, 42 relative to one another while also transmitting rotational movement between the outer and inner races 22, 42. As best illustrated in FIG. 3C, the radially inner surface 30 of the outer race 22 presents a plurality of rims 88 at an axial top of each the first ball tracks 52. Each of the rims 88 are hemispherical-shaped and extend radially over the balls 56 axially under the counter bore 34, 36 of the outer race 22 to define a pocket for axially limiting movement of/containing the balls 56. Because the first ball tracks 52 are truncated in this manner beneath the top surface 24 of the outer race 22 to form the rims 88, it is feasible to form the counter bore 34, 36 radially inwardly of the bolts holes 86. This is contrary to prior CV joints in which pockets are formed in an upper can.

[0026] With reference back to FIGS. 1C-2C, a cage 58 is positioned in the compartment 32 between the outer and inner races 22, 42. The cage 58 defines a plurality of openings 60 each for receiving one of the balls 56 for aligning the balls 56 in predetermined locations.

[0027] A lower can 62 is fixed to the bottom surface 26 of the outer race 22 about the second shaft 38. A boot seal 64 extends radially between, and is sealed against the second shaft 38 and the lower can 62. The lower can 62 has a crimped end 66 that is crimped about a first end 67 of the boot seal 64 in order to seal the first end 67 of the boot seal 64 to the lower can 62. Furthermore, a clamp 68 is wrapped annularly about a second end 69 of the boot seal 64 and the second shaft 38 to seal the second end 69 of the boot seal 64 to the second shaft 38.

[0028] As best shown in FIGS. 2C and 4C, a generally cup-shaped upper can 70 is coupled with the top surface 24 of the outer race 22 in the counter bore 34, 36 of the outer race 22. The upper can 70 has a rim portion 72 and a protruding portion 74 located centrally relative to the rim portion 72. The upper can 70 extends axially upwardly relative to the rim portion 72. The rim portion 72 overlies the radial wall 34 of the counter bore 34, 36 of the outer race 22 and terminates at a lip 76 that extends axially upwardly and engages the axial wall 36 of the counter bore 34, 36. The upper can 70 is fitted within the counter bore 34, 36 with a press/interference fit. Together, the lower and upper cans 62, 70 and the boot seal 64 are configured to seal the compartment 32 to prevent contaminants from entering the compartment 32.

[0029] The upper can 70 defines a vent plate portion 78 along the axis A. The vent plate portion 78 includes a mounting aperture 80 that is defined by the upper can 70 along the axis A. A vent valve 82 is received by the mounting aperture 80 for sealing the compartment 32 and to operate as a one-way valve to allow air to escape the compartment 32 when the air in the compartment 32 reaches a predetermined pressure, while preventing contaminants from entering the compartment 32. The terminal end 40 of the second shaft 38 may define a recess 84 for aiding in positioning the second shaft 38 during various manufacturing operations.

[0030] As previously noted, the top surface 24 of the outer race 22 defines the plurality of bolt holes 86. The bolt holes 86 extend axially through the outer race 22 and are arranged circumferentially around the outer race 22. The bolt holes 86 are positioned radially outwardly of the counter bore 34, 36 and the upper can 70 for receiving bolts 23 to attach the outer race 22 to the first shaft (best shown in FIG. 1C).

[0031] Because the upper can 70 is located radially inwardly of the bolt holes 86, it provides continuous and uninterrupted sealing 360 degrees around the upper can 70 against outer race 22. This is contrary to prior art CV joints which had scallops for receiving bolts defined in the upper can which were prone to inconsistent sealing and grease leaks. Furthermore, the arrangement of the upper can 70 being free of ball pockets due to the presence of the rims 88 of the outer race 22 removes design/manufacturing tolerances and provides simpler positioning of the upper can 70.

[0032] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.