Constant velocity sliding joint for motor vehicle - has tapered ball bearing carrier tracks increasing differential longitudinal forces and returning carriers to mean position

摘要

The transmission comprises a shaft with three, equi-spaced radial arms terminating in a spherical end (3). A carrier (12) with spherical bearing surface (4), rotates about the arm (3). This assembly slides with a tube (10) with three pairs of equi-spaced longitudinal tracks (11). Ball bearings (15) contained in a cage (16) are interposed between the tracks (11) and carriers (12). The bearing surfaces (14a,14b) of the carriers are tapered such that the distance between these surfaces and the tracks (11) increase from the central stops (17). ADVANTAGE - Ball bearings and carriers (12) are maintained in mean relative positions and rolling contact is thus maintained.