GKN Countertrack
GKN Driveline has unveiled its countertrack™ technology, the first major breakthrough in fixed constant velocity ball joint (CVJ) technology for the auto industry in the last 70 years.
“The vehicle level value of our countertrack™ technology for automakers, as well as their customers, will be significant,” said Al Deane, global engineering director for GKN Driveline Driveshafts. “We’ve achieved noteworthy improvements in the areas of fuel economy and manoeuvrability with countertrack™ technology.”
While still meeting the same durability needs of current CVJs, the technology provides:
- More than 8% smaller package size for a given power rating
- More than 15% lighter than current CVJs
- More than 30% increased efficiency
Today’s fixed CVJs are based on designs developed and patented by Alfred Rzeppa in the mid 1930’s . Originally referred to as “ball-type universal joints,” they first appeared on the front-wheel-drive Cord 810/812 in 1936. Most vehicles today have (two) fixed CVJs per vehicle and some SUVs have up to (seven) per vehicle. Although modified and improved, the basic design for these components has remained unchanged for nearly 70 years.
GKN Driveline’s countertrack™ technology uses a new principle of sets of opposed tracks for package size and efficiency. By combining these with a specific track shape profile for operating angles, new levels of performance are achieved for driveshaft products.
For sideshafts, the opposed
tracks are used with an S-curve track shape to achieve high steering angles up to 50 degrees. An
option exists of 52 degrees for improved low speed vehicle steerability. For propshafts, the
opposed tracks are used with a flat radial offset track shape to achieve high endurance at a wide
operating angle range.
Rob Rickell, GKN Driveline Driveshafts sideshaft engineering director, comments, ”the sideshaft countertrack™, named SX joint, originated as a concept at GKN Driveline’s Advanced Product Development Group. This was in response to customer trends toward increasing power ratings of multiple engines, while wanting to maintain common suspension and platform dimensions.” The design has been patented in many countries and other worldwide rights are pending.
“Similarly, the propshaft countertrack™ has been named the PX joint and it also originated as a concept at GKN Driveline’s Advanced Product Development Group. In this case, customers were seeking to solve endurance and operating temperature issues of high speed CVJs at mid to high installed angles, such as in light duty trucks or sports utility vehicles (SUVs)” stated Dan Booker, GKN Driveline Driveshafts propshaft engineering director. The design has been patented in the USA and other worldwide rights are pending.
“GKN Driveline’s countertrack™ technology will undoubtedly become the industry’s product of choice for fixed CVJs,” Al Deane added. “This technology has changed the ‘rules of the game’ and will enable GKN Driveline to extend its leadership position in this important field.”
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