Skip to main content
Log in

New constant velocity fixed joints for front-wheel drivecars

Neue Gleichlauf-Festgelenke für den Frontantrieb

  • Cover Story
  • Powertrain
  • Published:
ATZ worldwide Aims and scope

Abstract

For the outboard fixed joints, which have an operating angle of up to 50°, well-established concepts, that originated in the 1930s, have been used since the early days of the modern front-wheel drive. Today, the further development possibilities of the “Rzeppa” joint, as regards weight-saving and power density, have been mostly used up. GKN Driveline has succeeded in making a significant improvement to this component by creating a new type of constant velocity fixed ball joint. This article introduces the new “countertrack” joint technology and explains its advantages for front-wheel drive cars.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pierburg, B., Amborn, P.: Gleichlaufgelenke für Personenfahrzeuge: Antriebssysteme, Gelenke, Profilund Längswellen; GKN Löbro — Landsberg / Lech: Verlag Moderne Industrie, 1998 (Die Bibliothek der Technik; Bd. 170)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schmelz, F; Graf v.Seherr-Thoss, H.-Ch.; Aucktor, E.: Gelenke und Gelenkwellen: Berechnung, Gestaltung, Anwendungen; 2.Aufl., Berlin; Heidelberg; New York; Barcelona; Hongkong; London; Mailand; Paris; Tokio: Springer 2002

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rzeppa,A.H.: US Patent 1665280, 1927

  4. Rzeppa,A.H.: US Patent 1916442, 1929

  5. Rzeppa,A.H.: US Patent 2046584, 1934

  6. Amberg,W.E: US Patent 2325460, 1940

  7. Welschof,H.H. et al: US Patent 3879960, 1973

  8. Schwärzler,P. et al: US Patent 6319133, 1999

  9. Macielinski, J.W.: Propeller Shafts and Universal Joints — Characteristics and Methods of Selection; Conference of Driveline Engineering 1970; Automotive Division of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers; Session 3, Paper No. 29

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hildebrandt, W.; Seigert, P.; Nowack, H.: Beanspruchung, Lebensdauer und Ausfallmechanismen von Kugelgleichlaufgelenken; VDI-Berichte Nr. 1207; VDI- Verlag GmbH; Düsseldorf 1995, S.207–221

    Google Scholar 

  11. Weckerling, T. et al: DE 10220711A1, 2002

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hildebrandt, W., Horst, J. & Rickell, R.A. New constant velocity fixed joints for front-wheel drivecars. ATZ Worldw 108, 2–4 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03224822

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03224822

Keywords

Navigation