Tripot universal joint.

摘要

A tripot universal joint (10) for transmitting torque between two rotatable shafts (12,14) comprising a substantially annular outer housing (16) connectable to one of the shafts; a substantially annular inner race (18) positioned inside the outer housing and connectable to the other of the shafts, the inner race having three slots (30) therein which extend longitudinally; a spider member (26) positioned inside the inner race and having three trunnions (28) each of which extend in a radial direction through one of the slots, the spider member being pivotable relative to the inner race; a roller ball (34) rotatable on each trunnion and slidable in the respective slot; a substantially annular ball cage (24) positioned between the inner race and the outer housing and secured to the trunnions; and a plurality of balls (58) retained by the ball cage in longitudinally extending grooves (54) in the outer housing, the balls being rotatable to allow the ball cage and the spider member to translate in a longitudinal direction relative to the outer housing. <IMAGE>