A constant velocity joint includes an external joint part including internal ball tracks, an internal joint part including external ball tracks assigned to the internal ball tracks, and a ball cage holding balls. The external joint part is connectable to a connecting part and sealed by a closure cap on the side facing this connecting part. The internal joint part is an integral internal joint part connected permanently to a shaft piece, sealed on this side towards the external joint part by a flexible sealing element, hardened, and has a protruding welding attachment for an adapter on its free end. The welding attachment outer diameter is larger than the smallest integral internal joint part outer diameter. In a method, the sealing element is mounted over the integral internal joint part free end and connected to the external joint part, the adapter subsequently welded near the welding attachment.

A constant velocity joint includes an external joint part including internal ball tracks, an internal joint part including external ball tracks assigned to the internal ball tracks, and a ball cage holding balls. The external joint part is connectable to a connecting part and sealed by a closure cap on the side facing this connecting part. The internal joint part is an integral internal joint part connected permanently to a shaft piece, sealed on this side towards the external joint part by a flexible sealing element, hardened, and has a protruding welding attachment for an adapter on its free end. The welding attachment outer diameter is larger than the smallest integral internal joint part outer diameter. In a method, the sealing element is mounted over the integral internal joint part free end and connected to the external joint part, the adapter subsequently welded near the welding attachment.

A joint assembly for connecting a first rotating part and a second rotating part. The joint assembly includes a constant velocity joint that has an inner race for being connected to the first rotating part and an outer race that is pivotable relative to the outer race. A mating flange couples the outer race to the second rotating part. The outer race and the mating flange each have a radially inner surface. A piloting cover is positioned axially between the outer race and the mating flange and radially supports the radially inner surface of the outer race at a first pilot point, and radially supports the radially inner surface of the mating flange at a second pilot point for centering the outer race relative to the mating flange. The first and second pilot points are located radially inwardly of a bolt circle diameter.

A propeller shaft includes constant-velocity joints at both the end portions of a first shaft member.

A propeller shaft includes constant-velocity joints at both the end portions of a first shaft member.

A constant-velocity slip ball joint includes an outer joint part with an axis of rotation and outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, a plurality of torque-transmitting balls, each guided in associated outer and inner ball tracks, and a cage provided with a plurality of cage windows, which each accommodate each one or more of the balls. The inner joint part can be displaced in relation to the outer joint part by a displacement distance along the axis of rotation. At least a part of the outer ball tracks and at least a part of the inner ball tracks are at a track-helix angle in relation to the axis of rotation. A floor of each ball track, along the displacement path, is spaced apart from the axis of rotation by a respectively constant spacing along a radial direction. A maximum angle of deflection of the inner joint part in relation to the outer joint part is predetermined by an outer contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a first contact surface of the outer joint part and/or by an inner contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a second contact surface of the inner joint part. The cage has a center axis and the inner contact surface is conical. The inner contact surface is at an opening angle of more than 0 degrees in relation to the center axis of the cage.

A constant-velocity slip ball joint includes an outer joint part with an axis of rotation and outer ball tracks, an inner joint part with inner ball tracks, a plurality of torque-transmitting balls, each guided in associated outer and inner ball tracks, and a cage provided with a plurality of cage windows, which each accommodate each one or more of the balls. The inner joint part can be displaced in relation to the outer joint part by a displacement distance along the axis of rotation. At least a part of the outer ball tracks and at least a part of the inner ball tracks are at a track-helix angle in relation to the axis of rotation. A floor of each ball track, along the displacement path, is spaced apart from the axis of rotation by a respectively constant spacing along a radial direction. A maximum angle of deflection of the inner joint part in relation to the outer joint part is predetermined by an outer contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a first contact surface of the outer joint part and/or by an inner contact surface of the cage establishing contact with a second contact surface of the inner joint part. The cage has a center axis and the inner contact surface is conical. The inner contact surface is at an opening angle of more than 0 degrees in relation to the center axis of the cage.

A wheel drive unit for a vehicle includes a connecting member separably coupled to a constant velocity joint, a hub housing accommodating the constant velocity joint, and a hub cap to seal the hub housing. In particular, a fixing groove is formed around a first end of the constant velocity joint, and the connecting member is fitted in the fixing groove in a ring shape. When the hub cap is separated from the hub housing, the connecting member can be easily disassembled from the constant velocity joint such that inner components of the wheel drive unit can be easily replaced and repaired.

A wheel drive unit for a vehicle includes a connecting member separably coupled to a constant velocity joint, a hub housing accommodating the constant velocity joint, and a hub cap to seal the hub housing. In particular, a fixing groove is formed around a first end of the constant velocity joint, and the connecting member is fitted in the fixing groove in a ring shape. When the hub cap is separated from the hub housing, the connecting member can be easily disassembled from the constant velocity joint such that inner components of the wheel drive unit can be easily replaced and repaired.

A segmented driveshaft for transmission of torque and thrust loads from one member to another along an eccentric axis of rotation. The segmented driveshaft includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected vertebrae that is distributed along a connecting rod that is pivotally connected to a drivetrain assembly. The each vertebra has male and female interlocks that are pivotally mated with the male and female interlocks of an adjacent vertebra. Interposed between the adjacent vertebrae are independent male and female pivots that pivotally engage with each another. The pivotally mated interlocks of adjacent vertebrae and the pivotally engaged pivots allow the driveshaft to extend between connecting points of a drivetrain assembly that have offset axes of rotation.