Constant velocity universal ball joint

Abstract

A constant velocity universal ball joint has a bell-shaped outer joint part which is open at one end. The outer joint part includes longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. An inner joint part with longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks is positioned within the outer part such that the outer and inner tracks are arranged radially opposite one another to form pairs. A torque transmitting ball is received in each track pair. A cage is arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and holds the balls in a common plane in circumferentially distributed cage windows. The cage guides the balls on to the angle bisecting plane when the axes of the outer and inner joint part are articulated relative to one another. The outer joint part is produced, especially by extrusion, forging or deep-drawing. The forming provides outer ball tracks which, if viewed from the open end, are axially undercut-free. Inner faces are positioned between the outer ball tracks. The outer part includes wall regions which start from the open end, are axially limited, are deformed radially inwardly, and are arranged between two outer ball tracks. The wall regions, whose width is smaller than the circumferentially directed distance between the respective outer ball tracks, are deformed. The deformed wall regions each form cage guiding faces positioned between the outer ball tracks and provide support towards the open end.

We claim: 
     
       1. A constant velocity universal ball joint comprising: a bell-shaped outer joint part open at one end, longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks on an inner surface of said outer joint part, said outer ball tracks, viewed from the open end, being axially undercut-free, and inner faces in said outer part positioned between said outer ball tracks;   an inner joint part with longitudinally extending circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks, said inner joint part being positioned within the outer part such that the outer and inner ball tracks are arranged radially opposite one another to form pairs;   a torque transmitting ball being received in each track pair;   a cage arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part, said cage including circumferentially distributed cage windows holding the balls in a common plane and guiding the balls on to the angle bisecting plane when the respective axes of the outer and inner joint part are articulated relative to one another; and   wall regions in said outer joint part . .in a first position starting from the open end and being axially limited, in a second position said wall regions deformed radially inwardly.!., .Iadd.said wall regions being radially inwardly deformed, said wall regions axially extend a limited distance from the open end, .Iaddend.and said wall regions arranged between two outer ball tracks, the width of said wall regions being smaller than the circumferentially directed distance between the respective outer ball tracks, said deformed wall regions each forming cage guiding faces positioned between the outer ball tracks and providing support towards the open end.   
     
     
       2. The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the cage, relative to the outer joint part, is supported inwardly directly on the inner faces between the outer ball tracks. 
     
     
       3. The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the cage, relative to the outer joint part, is supported inwardly indirectly by the cage windows, on the balls which, in turn, are supported in the outer ball tracks. 
     
     
       4. The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the radially deformed wall regions are provided in circumferential regions with a reduced wall thickness. 
     
     
       5. The universal joint according to claim 4, wherein the regions with a reduced wall thickness are formed by radially outer recesses which are axially limited and which start from the open end of the outer joint part. 
     
     
       6. The universal joint according to claim 4, wherein the regions with a reduced wall thickness are formed by axially limited recesses which start from the open end of the outer joint part and which divide the wall thickness into two. 
     
     
       7. The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein between the radially deformed wall regions and the outer ball tracks a circumferential distance is provided which, at least, corresponds to the depth of useful hardness of the outer ball tracks.