3-ZONE VARIABLE CONTACT-TRIPOD CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

摘要

PURPOSE: A 3-zone variable contact-tripod constant velocity joint is provided to reduce axial force of a shaft and reduce noise and vibration through smooth operation of a joint. CONSTITUTION: A tripod constant velocity joint(1) is equipped with a tripod housing(3) forming three track grooves(2) with guide surfaces(P,Q), and a spider(5) with tree protruded trunnions(4) is fit into the track groove of the tripod housing. A needle roller(6), an inner, and an outer rollers(7,8) are installed on the outer periphery of each trunnion. A retainer(9) and a retainer ring(10) are assembled to the outer peripheral upper part of the trunnions to prevent separation of the inner roller. The contact angle change of the outer roller and the inner roller derived from the orbital motions of the center of the spider is divided into three zones of the contact angle zone corresponding to the lower joint angle, the contact angle zone corresponding to the intermediate joint angle, and the contact angle zone corresponding to the great joint angle and is controlled from the track grooves and the outer surface of the outer roller. Accordingly, the self-adjust angle of the inner roller or the working angle of the driving force is in accordance with the contact angle produced by contact of the track grooves and the outer roller.