Driveshaft plunging unit
An axial plunging unit for torque transmission within a driveline which includes a profiled journal ( 11 ) with first circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending ball grooves ( 12 ), a profiled sleeve ( 13 ) with second circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending ball grooves ( 14 ), balls ( 15 ) which are arranged in pairs of first and second ball grooves ( 12,14 ) in identical groups, and a supporting and attaching sleeve ( 21 ) which is slid on to the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) so as to ensure the transmission of torque.
1. An axial plunging unit for torque transmission within a driveline comprising:
a profiled journal ( 11 ) with first circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending ball grooves ( 12 );
a profiled sleeve ( 13 ) with second circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending ball grooves ( 14 );
balls ( 15 ) which are arranged in pairs of the first and second ball grooves ( 12 , 14 ) in groups; and
a supporting and attaching sleeve ( 21 ) engaging the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) for torque transmission therebetween, wherein the supporting sleeve ( 21 ), in cross-section, is in abutting contact with the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) in the regions of the second bail grooves ( 14 ) over a range of a supporting angle and the supporting sleeve ( 21 ), in cross-section, extends between regions of the second ball grooves ( 14 ) at a distance from the profiled sleeve ( 13 ).
2. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) comprises a one-piece tubular sleeve.
3. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) includes a flange at one end thereof.
4. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the groups of balls ( 15 ) are held by a cage ( 16 ) in identical arrangements.
5. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) and the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) engage one another form-fittingly in the direction of rotation.
6. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the profiled sleeve ( 13 ), in the cross-section between each two ranges of supporting angles, establishes an additional central supporting contact with the supporting sleeve ( 21 ).
7. A unit according to claim 1 wherein, in cross-section, the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) extends in an arch-like way between each two second ball grooves ( 14 ).
8. A unit according to claim 1 wherein, in cross-section, the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) extends in a straight line between each two second ball grooves ( 14 ).
9. A unit according to claim 1 wherein in a longitudinal direction, the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) and the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) engage one another in a friction locking way.
10. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) and the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) are connected to one another in a material-locking way.
11. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the range of the supporting angle having a surface contact between the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) and the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) approximately corresponds to a contact angle ( 2 α) of the balls ( 15 ) in the second ball grooves ( 14 ) in the profiled sleeve ( 13 ).
12. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the range of the supporting angle having surface contact between the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) and the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) amounts to at least 60°.
13. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the profiled sleeve ( 13 ), as an individual part, is under-dimensioned with reference to a design torque of the unit.
14. A device according to claim 1 wherein the supporting sleeve ( 21 ), as an individual component, comprises a greater dimensional stability than the profiled sleeve ( 13 ).
15. A unit according to claim 1 wherein, in the region of the profiled sleeve ( 13 ), the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) has a polygonal cross-section.
16. A unit according to claim 15 wherein each second ball groove ( 14 ) in the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) is associated with an edge of the polygon of the supporting sleeve ( 21 ).
17. A unit according to claim 1 wherein the supporting sleeve forms a profile with a plurality of external arches.
18. A unit according to claim 17 wherein each second ball groove ( 14 ) of the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) is associated with each nth external arch of the supporting sleeve, with n being greater than or equal to 2.
19. An axial plunging unit for torque transmission within a driveline comprising:
a profiled journal ( 11 ) with first circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending ball grooves ( 12 );
a profiled sleeve ( 13 ) with second circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending ball grooves ( 14 );
balls ( 15 ) which are arranged in pairs of the first and second ball grooves ( 12 , 14 ) in groups; and
a supporting and attaching sleeve ( 21 ) engaging the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) in such a way that the transmission of torque is ensured, wherein the supporting sleeve ( 21 ), in cross-section, is in abutting contact with the profited sleeve ( 13 ) in the regions of the second ball grooves ( 14 ) over a range of a supporting angle and the supporting sleeve ( 21 ), in cross-section, extends next to regions of the second ball grooves ( 14 ) at a distance from the profiled sleeve ( 13 ), and wherein, interspaced between the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) and the supporting sleeve ( 21 ) in the non-abutting contact area of the profiled sleeve ( 13 ) and the supporting sleeve ( 21 ), there is inserted a resilient damping material.