Effect of Dimensional Factors on the Life of Rzeppa Universal Joint

Certain dimensional factors and a method for evaluating dimensional errors have been developed to improve the service life of the Rzeppa universal joint.

The Rzeppa joint Spalling life is extended by disposition of the balls on a constant velocity plane under loading conditions which include proper determination of the offsets of the ball grooves and the windows of the cage. The ball center containment ranges, which consist of the grooves of both inner and outer races, can be affected by dimensional miscalculation of components. Moreover, the extent of scatter in the ball center containment ranges has a remarkable effect on the Rzeppa joint service life.