US-12624732-B2 - Constant velocity joint spider and constant velocity joint therewith

US12624732B2US 12624732 B2US12624732 B2US 12624732B2US-12624732-B2

Abstract

A constant velocity joint spider and constant velocity joint therewith, wherein the constant velocity joint spider has an annular body with a through bore extending along a central axis and a plurality of trunnions. Each trunnion has an outer surface extending radially outwardly from the annular body to a free end. Each outer surface defines at least one running surface. Each free end has a first portion having a first radius and at least one second portion having a second radius, the at least one second portion extends between the first portion and the at least one running surface. The first radius is greater than the second radius.

Inventors

Jeffrey P. Courville
Eduardo R. Mondragon-Parra
Jon N. Miller
Jenny C. Ho

Assignees

STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230531

Claims (10)

1 . A constant velocity joint spider, comprising: an annular body having a through bore extending along a central axis; and a plurality of trunnions, each trunnion having an outer surface extending radially outwardly from the annular body in generally transverse relation with the central axis to a free end, each outer surface defining at least one running surface, each free end having a convex first portion having a first radius and at least one convex second portion having a second radius, the at least one convex second portion extending between the convex first portion and the at least one running surface, the first radius being greater than the second radius.
2 . The constant velocity joint spider of claim 1 , wherein the at least one running surface includes a pair of diametrically opposite running surfaces, and the at least one convex second portion includes a pair of convex second portions, one of the convex second portions extending between the convex first portion and one of the running surfaces, and the other of the convex second portions extending between the convex first portion and the other of the running surfaces.
3 . The constant velocity joint spider of claim 2 , wherein each second radius is between about 1-4 mm.
4 . The constant velocity joint spider of claim 2 , further including a pair of chamfered surfaces, the convex second portions being formed along the chamfered surfaces.
5 . The constant velocity joint spider of claim 4 , wherein each chamfered surface is inclined relative to a plane extending generally transversely to the central axis between about 10-45 degrees.
6 . A constant velocity joint, comprising: a housing body having an inner surface bounding a bore, the bore extending along an axis between a first housing end and a second housing end; a plurality of guide channels that extend axially from the first housing end toward the second housing end with the plurality of guide channels being radially spaced apart from each other about the longitudinal axis by separators; a spider having an annular body with a through bore extending along a central axis and a plurality of trunnions, each trunnion having an outer surface extending radially outwardly from the annular body in generally transverse relation with the central axis to a free end, each outer surface defining at least one running surface; and a plurality of ball assemblies, each ball assembly supported for rotation by the at least one running surface of a separate one of the trunnions, wherein the free end of each trunnion has a convex first portion having a first radius and at least one convex second portion having a second radius, the at least one convex second portion extending between the convex first portion and the at least one running surface, the first radius being greater than the second radius.
7 . The constant velocity joint of claim 6 , wherein the at least one running surface includes a pair of diametrically opposite running surfaces, and the at least one convex second portion includes a pair of convex second portions, one of the convex second portions extending between the convex first portion and one of the running surfaces, and the other of the convex second portions extending between the convex first portion and the other of the running surfaces.
8 . The constant velocity joint of claim 7 , wherein each second radius is between about 1-4 mm.
9 . The constant velocity joint of claim 7 , further including a pair of chamfered surfaces, the convex second portions being formed by the chamfered surfaces.
10 . The constant velocity joint of claim 9 , wherein each chamfered surface is inclined relative to a plane extending generally transversely to the central axis between about 10-45 degrees.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tripot joints interconnect first and second rotary shafts of a vehicle to one another. The tripot joint includes a tripot housing fixed to the first shaft, with an inner surface of the tripot housing providing a plurality of roller tracks for guiding a plurality of roller assemblies rotatably carried by a spider, with the second shaft fixed to the spider. Vehicle manufactures are continuously facing demands for advances in compact, lightweight drive axles for low cost, high performance, increased torque carry capacity, while at the same time, providing increased life and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Tipping and oscillation of the roller assemblies within the roller track under high torque results in high loads and friction at an interface between an inner surface of an inner race, also referred to as inner ball, of the ball assembly and an outer surface of a trunnion of the spider. Efforts are made to lubricate the interface with grease, but advancements are needed increase the flow of lubrication to prevent damaging wear at the interface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a constant velocity joint spider includes an annular body having a through bore extending along a central axis and a plurality of trunnions. Each trunnion has an outer surface extending radially outwardly from the annular body in generally transverse relation with the central axis to a free end. Each outer surface defines at least one running surface. Each free end includes a first portion having a first radius and at least one second portion having a second radius. The at least one second portion extends between the first portion and the at least one running surface, and the first radius is greater than the second radius. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a constant velocity joint includes a housing body having an inner surface bounding a bore. The bore extends along an axis between a first housing end and a second housing end. A plurality of guide channels extend axially from the first housing end toward the second housing end. The plurality of guide channels are radially spaced apart from each other about the longitudinal axis by separators. A spider has an annular body with a through bore extending along a central axis and a plurality of trunnions. Each trunnion has an outer surface extending radially outwardly from the annular body in generally transverse relation with the central axis to a free end. Each outer surface defines at least one running surface. A ball assemblies are provided, with each ball assembly being supported for rotation by the at least one running surface of a separate one of the trunnions. The free end of each trunnion includes a first portion having a first radius and at least one second portion having a second radius. The at least one second portion extends between the first portion and the at least one running surface, wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius. These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive shaft with a tripot joint; FIG. 1A is a cross-section view of a housing of the tripot joint taken generally along the ling 1A-1A; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spider, constructed in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, of the tripot joint of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a front elevation view looking generally along the arrow 3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a view looking generally along the arrow 5 of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the encircled region 6 of FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spider, constructed in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, of the tripot joint of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a front elevation view looking generally along the arrow 8 of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a view looking generally along the arrow 10 of FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a portion of the spider looking generally along the arrow 11 of FIG. 7; and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the Figures, where the invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments, without limiting same, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that is embodied in various and alternative forms. The f