Inner joint component for opposed roller joints
By introducing recesses and reducing radial thickness unevenness in the inner joint component of the opposed raceway joint, stress distribution is improved, the torsional fatigue problem of the inner joint component is solved, service life is extended, and the diameter and weight of the shaft are reduced.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GKN DRIVELINE ZUMAIA SA
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
The internal joint components of existing opposed raceway joints are prone to torsional fatigue during long-term use, resulting in a short service life.
Design an internal joint component including a through opening and a ball raceway, the raceway having recesses to improve stress distribution and reduce radial thickness unevenness. By introducing recesses in the circumferential portion to reduce stiffness, especially at the joint structure, the number of joint elements is reduced to decrease the shaft diameter.
By improving stress distribution, torsional fatigue is reduced, the service life of internal joint components is extended, and the diameter and weight of the shaft are reduced.
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Figure CN122129492A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an inner joint component for a constant velocity joint of the type of opposed raceway joint. Background Technology
[0002] The opposed raceway joint has an even number of raceway pairs. A first number of raceway pairs are open in the direction of a first end of the outer joint portion, and another number of raceway pairs are open in the direction of a second end of the outer joint portion. The first pair of raceways and the second pair of raceways are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The number of raceway pairs is even, for example, 6, 8, or 10.
[0003] For example, an opposed raceway type connector is known from WO 2013 / 029655 A1. When the connector is in the aligned position, the first pair of raceways opens in the direction of the opening side, and the second pair of raceways opens in the direction of the connection side. The control angle of the first pair of raceways is greater than the control angle of the second pair of raceways. The inner connector portion has a continuous opening with a conical insertion surface into which the drive shaft is inserted.
[0004] WO 2022 / 122170 A1 discloses another type of opposed raceway joint. The first and second ball raceways of the outer joint portion undergo soft machining and hardening treatment. The first and second ball raceways of the inner joint portion are pre-formed, hardened, and then hardened.
[0005] JP2008095804A discloses a constant velocity joint comprising an outer ring and an inner ring. The outer ring has a plurality of guide grooves on a concave spherical inner surface, and the inner ring has a plurality of guide grooves on a convex spherical outer surface. All pairs of guide grooves have the same shape, such that they open in the same axial direction. Torque-transmitting balls are disposed in each pair of grooves. The balls are received in recesses of a ball cage located between the spherical inner surface of the outer ring and the spherical outer surface of the inner ring.
[0006] Another constant velocity joint is known from JP2008267478A, in which paired ball raceways have the same shape, such that they open in the same axial direction. To facilitate installation of the inner ring into the ball cage, one end of the outer spherical surface of the inner ring is cut off to form an inclined or stepped surface. In this way, the convex portion of the inner ring can be inserted into the cage window without being obstructed by the spokes cut out from the adjacent window.
[0007] Another constant velocity joint is known from JP2008249070A, in which all paired raceways have the same shape. The inner ring includes a chamfered portion in one or all of the ball raceways to facilitate mounting the inner ring into the ball cage. The chamfered portion is located at the end edge region of the ball raceway. Summary of the Invention
[0008] The object of this invention is to provide an inner connector component for opposed raceway joints with a long service life. This object further aims to provide an opposed raceway joint with this inner connector component and a long service life.
[0009] To address this objective, an inner joint component for a opposed raceway joint is proposed, comprising: a through opening having a longitudinal axis and a engagement structure, into which a drive shaft can be axially inserted from the front side for transmitting torque, wherein the through opening has an axial fixing structure between its central plane and its rear side for axially fixing the drive shaft; a first ball raceway, which, when viewed in the central plane, is inclined towards the front side, wherein the inner joint component has a minimum radial thickness on its front side between the first ball raceway and the through opening; and a second ball raceway. Viewed in the central plane, the second ball raceway is inclined toward the rear side, wherein the inner connector component has a minimum radial thickness on the rear side between the second ball raceway and the through opening; wherein the inner connector component has a recess at least in the circumferential portion overlapping with the second ball raceway, and viewed in a longitudinal section through the raceway base, the recess is recessed relative to a continuous imaginary raceway baseline and extends axially to the front side, wherein the radial thickness formed on the front side between the recess and the through opening is less than 1.3 times the minimum radial thickness on the front side between the first ball raceway and the through opening.
[0010] The advantage of the inner joint component according to the invention for a opposed raceway joint is that the recesses on the ball raceways opening towards the first side cause a reduction in stiffness in these circumferential regions of the inner joint component. This results in improved stress distribution in the inner joint component, particularly at the engagement structure used for rotational fixation to the drive shaft. This reduces torsional fatigue of the inner joint component and extends its service life. In another advantageous configuration, due to the improved stress distribution, the inner joint component may also have a smaller number of engagement elements, such as splines for torque transmission. This allows for a reduction in shaft diameter, which in turn has a favorable effect on size and weight.
[0011] The circumferentially distributed spoke sections of the inner connector component can form a curved outer surface, particularly a spherical one. The center plane of the inner connector component can be defined by the point on the curved outer surface furthest from the longitudinal axis. The axial fixing structure for axially fixing the drive shaft to the inner connector component is located in the rear portion of the through opening, specifically at a position between the center plane and the rear end face.
[0012] Each of the first ball raceways may have a central section for guiding the associated balls during operation, a front section extending toward the front end face, and a rear section extending toward the rear section. When the joint is in operation (i.e., at a hinge angle beyond the operating hinge angle), the front and rear sections have no guiding function. The inner joint component has a minimum radial thickness on the front end face, in the region of the front raceway section, i.e., the annular portion of the inner joint component surrounding the through opening is relatively thin in the circumferential region of the first ball raceway. To improve stress distribution, the recessed portion at the second ball raceway may be designed such that the thickness of the annular portion surrounding the through opening on the front end face in the circumferential region of the recess in the second ball raceway is similar to the thickness in the circumferential region of the first ball raceway. Specifically, it may be configured such that the minimum radial thickness of the inner joint component in the recessed portion at the front end of the second ball raceway is less than 1.1 times the minimum radial thickness of the inner joint component in the circumferential section of the first ball raceway.
[0013] Alternatively or additionally, regarding the second ball raceway, the radial thickness formed on the front side between the recess and the through opening may also be less than 1.3 times, and in particular less than 1.1 times, the minimum radial thickness on the rear front side between the second ball raceway and the through opening.
[0014] According to a first embodiment, a plurality of recesses are provided circumferentially, i.e., one recess at every other ball raceway extending to the front end face. Each recess may extend at least ±10° in the circumferential direction relative to a radial plane defined or traversed by the baseline of a correspondingly associated second ball raceway. Alternatively or additionally, the circumferential extension of the recess may be less than the angular pitch between two adjacent spoke segments in the circumferential direction, and correspondingly between two adjacent ball raceways in the circumferential direction. The angular pitch between two spokes and / or ball raceways depends on their number. A joint having six ball raceways and six spokes (when uniformly distributed circumferentially) has an angular pitch of 60°; a joint having eight ball raceways and eight spokes (when uniformly distributed) has an angular pitch of 45°. Spoke segments adjacent to the recesses in the circumferential direction may be continuously fused into the front end face.
[0015] The circumferentially distributed recesses (also referred to as indentations) may extend from the front end face by at least 0.1 times the axial length of the inner connector component. More specifically, the recesses may extend by a length greater than 0.2 or 0.3 times, or even greater than 0.5 times, the axial length of the inner connector component. Viewed in longitudinal section, the recesses, and corresponding indentations, may have a circular, particularly concave, or straight shape.
[0016] According to the second embodiment, the recess is formed by an annular groove arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis in the front end face, the annular groove being radially arranged between the inner and outer edges of the front end face. In this embodiment, a single recess is thus provided, which is annular and intersects with the front sections of all the first and second ball raceways in the circumferential direction. The annular groove can be easily machined in the front of the inner connector component by turning or forming processes. Viewed in a half longitudinal section, the annular groove may have a radial extension of at least 0.3 times the radial extension from the inner edge to the outer edge of the first axial end face. In the cross section passing through the annular groove, and correspondingly in the longitudinal section passing through the connector, the annular groove preferably has a circular shape. In particular, the axial depth of the annular groove may be at least 0.1 times and / or greater than 0.1 times the axial length of the inner connector component.
[0017] The aforementioned objective is further achieved by a constant velocity joint in the form of an opposed raceway joint, comprising: an inner joint component designed according to one of the embodiments mentioned above; and an outer joint component having a longitudinal axis, a connecting side and an opening side, and a first ball raceway and a second ball raceway; wherein, in the aligned state of the opposed raceway joint, the first ball raceway of the outer joint component and the first ball raceway of the inner joint component together form a first pair of ball raceways, the first pair of ball raceways being widened toward the opening side of the outer joint component; and wherein, in the aligned state of the opposed raceway joint, the second ball raceway of the outer joint component and the second ball raceway of the inner joint component together form a second pair of ball raceways, the second pair of ball raceways being widened toward the connecting side of the outer joint component; torque transmission balls in each of the first pair of ball raceways and in each of the second pair of ball raceways; and an annular ball cage disposed between the outer joint component and the inner joint component, having cage windows distributed in the circumferential direction, each of the windows receiving at least one of the torque transmission balls.
[0018] The opposed raceway joint according to the invention, having an inner joint component according to the invention, advantageously has a long service life. For example, the opposed raceway joint can be designed for relatively small operating hinge angles of less than 25°. The inner joint component and the outer joint component may also be referred to as the inner joint portion and the outer joint portion. Attached Figure Description
[0019] The preferred embodiments will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1A A perspective view of the internal connector component according to the invention in the first embodiment is shown; Figure 1B Showing from Figure 1A Another perspective view of the internal connector component; Figure 1C Shown from the side view or radial view Figure 1AInternal connector components; Figure 1D A longitudinal section showing the flow from the base of the first ball raceway (upper half of the cross-section) and the second ball raceway (lower half of the cross-section) is shown. Figure 1A Internal connector components; Figure 2A It shows that it has the following characteristics: Figures 1A to 1D The axial view of the internal joint component according to the invention and the opposed raceway joint according to the invention shown is illustrated. Figure 2B It shows the data from Figure 2A The 2B-2B cross-section line of the opposed roller joint; Figure 3A A perspective view of the internal connector component according to the invention in the second embodiment is shown; Figure 3B Showing from Figure 3A Another perspective view of the internal connector component; Figure 3C Shown in side view or radial view Figure 3A The internal connector component shown; Figure 3D A longitudinal section is shown passing through the base of the first ball raceway (upper half of the cross-section) and the second ball raceway (lower half of the cross-section). Figure 3A The internal connector component shown; Figure 4A It shows that it has the following characteristics: Figures 3A to 3D The axial view of the internal joint component according to the invention and the opposed raceway joint according to the invention shown is illustrated. Figure 4B It shows the data from Figure 4A The 4B-4B cross-section line of the opposed raceway joint; Figure 5A A perspective view of the internal connector component according to the invention in the third embodiment is shown; Figure 5B Showing from Figure 5A Another perspective view of the internal connector component; Figure 5C The longitudinal section passing through the two spoke sections shows the origin from Figure 5A Internal connector components; Figure 5D A longitudinal section showing the flow from the base of the first ball raceway (upper half of the cross-section) and the second ball raceway (lower half of the cross-section) is shown. Figure 5A Internal connector components; Figure 6A It shows that it has the following characteristics: Figures 5A to 5D The axial view of the internal joint component according to the invention and the opposed raceway joint according to the invention shown is illustrated. Figure 6B It shows the data from Figure 6A The cross-section line 6B-6B of the opposed roller joint; Figure 7A A longitudinal section passing through the two spoke sections shows an inner joint component according to the invention in another embodiment; Figure 7B A longitudinal section showing the flow from the raceway base through the first ball raceway (upper half of the section) and the second ball raceway (lower half of the section) is shown. Figure 7A The internal connector component. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Figures 1A to 1D (Together, Figure 1) shows an inner connector component 13 for an opposing raceway type joint according to the present invention. Figure 2A and Figure 2B (Together, this is also referred to as Figure 2) shows an opposed raceway joint 11 with this inner joint component 13.
[0021] The opposed raceway joint 11 includes an outer joint component 12, an inner joint component 13, a plurality of torque-transmitting balls 14A, 14B, and a ball cage 15 arranged between the inner surface 24 of the outer joint component 12 and the outer surface 26 of the inner joint component 13. The balls 14A, 14B are received in circumferentially distributed cage windows 18 within the ball cage 15, and in the aligned state of the constant velocity joint, they define a joint center plane EM. The outer joint component 12 has a longitudinal axis A12, and the inner joint component 13 has a longitudinal axis A13. The intersection of the longitudinal axes A12, A13 and the joint center plane EM forms the joint center point M. The opposed raceway joint 11 is specifically designed such that the outer joint component 12 and the inner joint component 13 can move relative to each other at an angular angle β of up to a maximum of 30°. However, it is understood that designs with larger hinge angles are also possible.
[0022] The inner connector component 13 is annular and has a plurality of circumferentially distributed first ball raceways 23A and second ball raceways 23B, with spoke sections 25 formed between them in the circumferential direction. The spoke sections 25 form the outer surface 26 of the inner connector component 13. The position of the side of the inner connector component 13 into which the shaft is inserted is also referred to as the front side 20 or the opening side. The position of the opposite side of the inner connector component 13 is also referred to as the rear side 19 or the bottom side. The inner connector component 13 also has a first end face (also referred to as the front end face 27) and an opposite second end face (also referred to as the rear end face 28).
[0023] The through opening 21 defines the longitudinal axis A13 of the inner connector component 13, and the journal of the drive shaft 30 can be inserted into the through opening in a rotatably fixed manner to transmit torque. The through opening 21 has a engagement structure to transmit torque about the longitudinal axis A13 to the drive shaft 30. For this purpose, the drive shaft 30 has a corresponding engagement structure. For example, the engagement structure can be designed in the form of a spline or the like. The through opening 21 also has an axial fixing structure 31 in the rear section of the inner connector component to axially fix or connect the inserted drive shaft 30. For example, the axial fixing structure 31 can be designed in the form of an annular groove, into which an axial fixing ring and a corresponding retaining ring can be inserted, but is not limited thereto.
[0024] With the outer connector component 12 and the inner connector component 13 coaxially aligned, the tangents T22A and T23A of the balls 14A at the contact points with the first raceways 22A and 23A form an opening angle δA, which opens towards the front side 20 and correspondingly towards the opening side. The second ball 14B is guided in the outer ball raceway 22B in the outer connector component 12 and the inner ball raceway 23B in the inner connector component 13. The balls 14A in the first ball raceways 22A and 23A are shown in contact with the raceway base of the ball raceway, but are not limited thereto. Therefore, in this embodiment, the balls 14B of the second ball raceways 22B and 23B have a small gap with the raceway base 29B of the inner ball raceway 23B. In the alignment position shown in Figure 2, the tangents T22B and T23B of the second ball 14B at the contact point with the second raceways 22B and 23B form a second opening angle δB, which opens toward the rear side 19 or the corresponding bottom side.
[0025] More details of the inner connector component 13 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will now be described in more detail. The outer surface 26, formed by the circumferentially distributed spoke segments 25, is particularly spherical, but not limited thereto. The point on the outer surface 26 furthest from the longitudinal axis A13 defines the center plane E13 of the inner connector component 13. The through opening 21 has an annular groove 31 for retaining a ring, which is arranged in the rear region of the inner connector component, i.e., axially located between the center plane E13 and the rear end face 28. Figure 1D The markings in the center plane are shown by the tangents T23A and T23B on the ball raceway. The first ball raceway 23A is inclined towards the front side 20, while the second ball raceway 23B is inclined towards the rear side.
[0026] In the circumferential section of the second ball raceway 23B, the inner connector component 13 has a radial thickness RB19 at the rear end face 28. At the front end face 27, the inner connector component 13 has a recessed portion 32 in the circumferential section, which overlaps with the second ball raceway 23B in the circumferential direction. Viewed in a longitudinal section through the raceway base, as... Figure 1DAs shown in the lower half of the cross-section, the recessed portion 32 is recessed relative to the continuous imaginary raceway baseline L29B and extends axially to the first end face 27. The recessed portion 32 may be designed such that the radial thickness RB20 of the recessed portion at the front end face 27 is less than 1.3 times, particularly less than 1.2 times or 1.1 times, the radial thickness RB19 in the circumferential section of the second ball raceway 23B at the rear end face 28. It is also possible that the radial thickness RB20 of the annular portion at the front side is less than the radial thickness RB19 at the rear side.
[0027] The first ball raceway 23A has a central section 23Ac for guiding the associated balls 14A during operation, and a front section 23Af extending to the front end face 27 and a rear section 23Ar extending to the rear end face 28, the front and rear sections not having a guiding function during joint operation. The inner joint member 13 has a minimum radial thickness RA20 in the area of the front raceway section 23Af at the front end face 27. The recessed portion 32 on the second ball raceway 23B can be designed such that the annular region 34 of the inner joint member 13 surrounding the through opening has a similar radial thickness in its circumferential overlap with the first ball raceway 23A and the second ball raceway 23B. Specifically, at the front end face 27, the minimum radial thickness RB20 of the inner connector component 13 in the recessed portion 32 on the second ball raceway 23B may be less than 1.3 times, and particularly less than 1.2 times or 1.1 times, the minimum radial thickness RA20 of the inner connector component 13 in the circumferential section of the first ball raceway 23A. However, the radial thickness RB20 below the recessed portion 32 may also be equal to or less than the radial thickness RA20 below the front section of the first ball raceway 23A.
[0028] In this embodiment, the recessed portion 32 is further configured such that it extends at least ±10° relative to the radial plane E23B, which is crossed by the baseline of the associated ball raceway 23B. In this example, the circumferential extension of the recessed portion 32 is less than the angular pitch between the two spoke sections 25 in all cases, and correspondingly less than the angular pitch between two adjacent ball raceways in the circumferential direction. As particularly in Figure 1A and 1B As can be seen, the spoke sections adjacent to the recess 32 in the circumferential direction are continuously fused into the front end face 27. To simplify assembly, a number of portions of the spoke sections 25 may have flat regions 35 on one or both axial sides. Therefore, the axial length of the spoke sections 25 with flat regions 35 is less than the circumferential extension of the cage window 18 of the ball cage 15, and can be introduced therein during assembly.
[0029] In this embodiment, the circumferentially distributed recessed portion 32 (also referred to as a recess) extends from the front end face 27 over a relatively large axial length L32. The axial length 32 of the recess is greater than 0.5 times the axial length L13 of the inner connector component 13. In this embodiment, the recess has a straight profile when viewed in longitudinal section, but a curved shape is also possible.
[0030] One or more of the features mentioned above can improve the stress distribution on the circumference of the inner joint component 13, which leads to a longer service life.
[0031] Figures 3A to 3D Another embodiment of the inner joint component 13 for the opposed raceway joint 11 according to the present invention is shown. This largely corresponds to Figures 1A to 1D The embodiment shown (with brief reference to its description) uses the same and / or corresponding reference numerals as those used in the internal connector component shown in FIG1. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The corresponding opposed raceway joint 11 is shown in the figure, with a brief reference also to the description of common features in Figure 2.
[0032] A specific feature of this embodiment according to FIG. 3 is that the recessed portion 32 has a smaller axial extension and a larger circumferential extension than in the embodiment according to FIG. 1. Specifically, the recessed portion 32 may extend at least ±15° relative to the radial plane E23B crossed by the raceway baseline. The axial length L32 is greater than 0.1 times and less than 0.3 times the axial length L13 of the inner joint member 13. When viewed in longitudinal section, the recessed portion 32 is also concave and circular.
[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment according to FIG3, the minimum radial thickness RB20 of the inner connector component 13 in the recessed portion 32 at the second ball raceway 23B is less than 1.3 times, particularly less than 1.1 times, of the minimum radial thickness RB19 of the second ball raceway 23B at the rear end face, and / or less than 1.3 times, particularly less than 1.1 times, of the minimum radial thickness RA20 of the first ball raceway 23A at the front end face.
[0034] In this embodiment, one or more of the aforementioned features can be used to improve the stress distribution on the circumference of the inner connector component 13, resulting in a longer service life.
[0035] Figures 5A to 5D An inner connector component 13 for an opposing raceway type connector 11 according to the invention is shown in another embodiment. This largely corresponds to Figures 1A to 1D And accordingly Figures 3A to 3D(Brief reference will be made to this embodiment.) The same and / or corresponding details are provided with the same reference numerals as those used for the inner connector components shown in Figures 1 and 3. The opposing raceway connector 11 with the inner connector component shown in Figure 5 is in Figure 6A and 6B As shown in Figure 2. For details regarding connector-related features, please refer briefly to the description in Figure 2, where identical and / or corresponding details are indicated by the same reference numerals.
[0036] A distinctive feature of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that the recessed portion 32 is formed by an annular groove 33 arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis A13 in the front end face 27. For example, particularly... Figure 5C and 5D As can be seen, the annular groove 33 is radially arranged between the inner edge 36 and the outer edge 37 of the front end face 27. Viewed in a semi-longitudinal section, the annular groove 33 has a radial extension Sr33 that is at least 0.3 times the radial extension Sr27 from the inner edge to the outer edge of the front end face 27. In a cross-section passing through the annular groove 33, the latter has a particularly circular shape, such as a C-shaped profile. The axial depth La33 of the annular groove 33 is at least 0.1 times the axial length L13 of the inner connector component 13. In this embodiment, only a single recess is provided, which intersects the front sections of all the first ball raceways 23A and the second ball raceways 23B in the circumferential direction. The annular groove 33 can be easily formed in the end face of the inner connector component 13 by turning or forming processes.
[0037] Figure 7A and 7B An inner connector component 13 for an opposing raceway type connector 2 according to the invention is shown in another embodiment. This largely corresponds to Figures 5A to 5D The embodiment shown (with brief reference to its description) uses the same and / or corresponding details as those in the inner connector component shown in FIG. 5. A distinctive feature of the embodiment according to FIG. 7 is that the inner connector component 13 has an axially projecting annular region 34, and therefore a longer engagement structure 38. For this purpose, the inner connector component 13 has a sleeve protrusion 40 projecting axially from the front end of the spoke section 25. The sleeve protrusion 40 has an axial length L40, for example, which may be between 0.5 and 3 times the radial thickness RB20 below the recess 32. The embodiment with an axial sleeve protrusion 40 on the front side 20 can contribute to a particularly uniform stress distribution.
[0038] As described above, the inner connector component 13 according to the invention has the following advantages: the annular portion surrounding the through opening 21 (particularly in the front axial end section) exhibits a highly uniform stiffness in the circumferential sections of the first ball raceway 23A and the second ball raceway 23B. This, in turn, results in a more uniform stiffness of the inner connector component 13 in the circumferential sections of the first ball raceway 23A and the second ball raceway 23B, and thus consequently, a more uniform load on the engagement structure 38 of the inner connector component 13. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5 with the annular recess, in some cases, the stress level of the engagement structure 38 in the circumferential section of the first ball raceway 23A may be increased. However, the stress in these circumferential sections is then still lower than the stress in the circumferential section of the second ball raceway 23B. Overall, an improved stress distribution is achieved in the inner connector component 13, and thus a longer service life is achieved.
[0039] Reference Symbol List 11 Opposite raceway joint 12 External connector components 13 Internal connector components 14A, 14B ball bearings 15 Ball Cage 16 Outside (15) 17 inner surface (15) 18 windows 19 Rear / Base Side 20 Front / Opening Side 21 Through opening 22 External ball raceway 23 Inner ball raceway 24 inner surface (12) 25-spoke section 26 Outside (13) 27 Front end 28. Rear End Face 29. Raceway base 30 drive shafts 31 Axial fixed structure 32 recess 33 Annular groove 34. Circular area 35 Flat area 36 Inner edge 37 Outer edge 38 Joint structure 39 Axial fixed structure 40 sleeve protrusion A. Longitudinal axis L length M connector center E plane EM center plane T-tangent R radial thickness PCD pitch circle diameter α circumferential angle β Joint hinge angle δ is the opening angle.
Claims
1. An inner joint component (13) for a counter-race type joint, comprising: A through opening (21) having a longitudinal axis (A13) and a joint structure (38) into which a drive shaft (30) can be axially inserted from the front side (20) for transmitting torque, wherein the through opening (21) has an axial fixing structure (31) between the central plane (EM) and the rear side (19) for axially fixing the drive shaft (30). The first ball raceway (23A), when viewed in the central plane (EM), is inclined toward the front side, wherein the inner connector component (13) has a minimum radial thickness (RA20) at the front side (20) between the first ball raceway (23A) and the through opening (21). The second ball raceway (23B), when viewed in the center plane (EM), is inclined toward the rear side (19). The inner connector component (13) has a recess (32) at least in the circumferential section relating to the second ball raceway (23B), which, when viewed in a longitudinal section through the raceway base (29), is recessed relative to a continuous imaginary raceway baseline (L29B) and extends axially to the front side (20), wherein the radial thickness (RB20) formed at the front side (20) between the recess (32) and the through opening (21) is less than 1.3 times the minimum radial thickness (RA20) at the front side (20) between the first ball raceway (23A) and the through opening (21).
2. The internal connector component according to claim 1, Its features are, Each of the first ball raceways (23A) has a central section (23Ac) for guiding the associated ball (14A) during operation, a front section (23Af) extending toward the front end face (27), and a rear section (23Ar) extending toward the rear end face (28). The recess (32) is designed such that the minimum radial thickness (RB20) between the recess (32) and the through opening (21) is less than 1.1 times the minimum radial thickness (RA20) between the front portion (23Af) of the first ball raceway (23A) and the through opening (21).
3. The internal connector component according to claim 1, Its features are, Regarding the second ball raceway (23B), the radial thickness (RB20) formed on the front side (20) between the recess (32) and the through opening (21) is less than 1.3 times the minimum radial thickness (RB19) formed on the rear side (19) between the second ball raceway (23B) and the through opening (21).
4. The internal connector component according to claim 1, Its features are, Viewed in an axial view, the recess (32) extends over a circumferential angle (α32) of at least ±10° relative to the radial plane (EB) defined by the raceway baseline of the associated second ball raceway (23B).
5. The internal connector component according to claim 4, Its features are, Each of the recesses (32) has a circumferential extension smaller than the angular pitch between two adjacent spoke segments (25) in the circumferential direction. The spoke section adjacent to the recess (32) in the circumferential direction is continuously fused into the front end face (27) of the inner connector component (13).
6. The internal connector component according to claim 5, Its features are, Each of the recesses (32) extends from the front end face (27) by an axial length (L32) that is at least 0.1 times the axial length (L13) of the inner connector component (13).
7. The internal connector component according to claim 5, Its features are, When viewed in longitudinal section, the recess (32) has a circular concave shape.
8. The internal connector component according to claim 1, Its features are, The recess (32) is formed by an annular groove (33) coaxially disposed in the front end face (27) with the longitudinal axis (A13), wherein the annular groove (33) is arranged radially between the inner edge (36) and the outer edge (37) of the front end face (27).
9. The internal connector component according to claim 8, Its features are, When viewed in longitudinal section, the annular groove (33) has a circular profile.
10. The internal connector component according to claim 8, Its features are, Starting from the front end face (27), the annular groove (33) has an axial depth of at least 0.1 times the axial length (L13) of the inner connector component (13).
11. The internal connector component according to claim 8, Its features are, The annular groove (33) intersects with the front section (23Af) of the first ball raceway (23A) in the circumferential direction.
12. The internal connector component according to claim 8, Its features are, In the corresponding intersection area with the annular groove (33), the front section (23Af) of the first ball raceway (23A) is recessed relative to the annular surface formed by the annular groove (33).
13. The internal connector component according to claim 8, Its features are, Viewed in a semi-longitudinal section, the annular groove (33) has a radial extension (R33) that is at least 0.3 times the radial extension (R27) from the inner edge (36) to the outer edge (37) of the front end face (27).
14. Constant velocity joints of the opposed raceway type, including: External connector component (12), comprising a longitudinal axis (A12), a connecting side and an opening side, and a first ball raceway (22A) and a second ball raceway (22B); and The internal connector component (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. In the aligned state of the opposing raceway joint, the first ball raceway (22A) of the outer joint component (12) and the first ball raceway (23A) of the inner joint component (13) together form a first pair of ball raceways (22A, 23A). The first pair of ball raceways is widened towards the front side of the outer joint component (12), and In the aligned state of the opposing raceway joint, the second ball raceway (22B) of the outer joint component (12) and the second ball raceway (23B) of the inner joint component (13) together form a second pair of ball raceways (22B, 23B), and the second pair of ball raceways are widened toward the rear side (19) of the outer joint component (12); Torque transmission balls (14A, 14B) in each first pair of ball raceways (22A, 23A) and each second pair of ball raceways (22B, 23B); An annular ball cage (15) is arranged between the outer joint member (12) and the inner joint member (13) and has cage windows (18) distributed in the circumferential direction, each of which receives at least one of the torque transmission balls (14).
15. The constant velocity joint according to claim 14, Its features are, The opposed raceway joint (11) is designed for an operating hinge angle of less than 25°.
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