Formed Grease Cover Retention Feature

• US 20100016088A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Madden, Michael, Valovick, Brian Michael, Lawson, Jake
• Granted Patent: US 8,267,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 464/173
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/843 enclosed covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 464/906 Torque transmitted via radially spaced balls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49938 Radially expanding part in cavity, aperture, or hollow body

Abstract

An embodiment of a connection system for a grease cover of a constant velocity joint includes a groove portion formed in a generally annular portion of the constant velocity joint. The generally annular portion is defined, at least in part, by an inner surface. The system also includes a grease cover selectively positioned at least partially within the groove portion. The grease cover includes an outer edge portion.

Claims

1. A connection system for a grease cover of a constant velocity joint comprising:

a groove portion formed in a generally annular portion of the constant velocity joint, wherein the generally annular portion is defined, at least in part, by an inner surface; and

a grease cover selectively positioned at least partially within the groove portion, wherein the grease cover includes an outer edge portion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner surface is generally cylindrical.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the generally annular portion is an outer race of the constant velocity joint.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the edge portion of the grease cover includes a plurality of finger portions, wherein each finger portion is defined, at least in part, by an end surface, and at least a portion of the end surfaces bindingly engage at least a portion of a surface defining a portion of the groove portion to retain the grease cover in a desired axial position relative to the generally annular portion.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sealing ring molded to a portion of the grease cover.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the grease cover is defined, at least in part, by a peripheral end surface that selectively contacts a surface portion of the groove portion.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an insertion tool for radially expanding at least a portion of the edge portion of the grease cover into a portion of the groove portion, wherein the insertion tool includes an expanding surface to selectively contact the edge portion of the grease cover.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the insertion tool includes an expanding portion and a mating portion, the expanding portion is selectively axially moveable relative to the mating portion, and the mating portion selectively contacts the grease cover to position the grease cover relative to the generally annular portion.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein an interference between the grease cover and the groove portion selectively positions the grease cover relative to the generally annular portion.

10. A constant velocity joint comprising:

a rotational member having a generally cylindrical surface, wherein the generally cylindrical surface is defined, at least in part, by a groove portion;

a grease cover selectively positioned adjacent the rotational member, wherein at least a portion of an edge portion of the grease cover is positioned within the groove to at least partially retain the grease cover in a desired axial position relative to the rotational member.

11. The constant velocity joint of claim 10, wherein the groove portion extends generally radially outward from the cylindrical surface and the cylindrical surface is an interior surface forming a recess within the rotational member.

12. The constant velocity joint of claim 10, wherein the edge portion of the grease cover includes a plurality of finger portions, wherein each finger portion is defined, at least in part, by an end surface, and at least a portion of the end surfaces bindingly engage at least a portion of a surface defining a portion of the groove portion to retain the grease cover in a desired axial position relative to the rotational member.

13. The constant velocity joint of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the end surfaces do not contact the surface defining a portion of the groove portion.

14. The constant velocity joint of claim 10, wherein the groove portion is a generally continuous groove.

15. The constant velocity joint of claim 10, wherein the edge portion is defined by a plurality of end surface portions, and at least a portion of the end surface portions bindingly engage a surface defining a portion of the groove portion to retain the grease cover in a desired axial position relative to the rotational member.

16. The constant velocity joint of claim 10, wherein a portion of the edge portion is not positioned within the groove.

17. The constant velocity joint of claim 10, wherein a plurality of surface portions of the grease cover bindingly contact a surface portion of the groove to maintain a desired amount of compression on a sealing member.

18. The constant velocity joint of claim 10, wherein the rotational member is an outer race of the constant velocity joint.

19. A method of assembling a constant velocity joint comprising:

forming a groove in a generally cylindrical inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a portion of the constant velocity joint;

positioning a portion of a cover member within the groove.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of positioning includes expanding at least a portion of the edge into the groove with an insertion tool.