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 universal joint configured to transfer rotational movement from a first shaft to a second shaft at an angle and method of manufacturing the same.

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.

A ball cage for universal use both in a cross-groove type plunging constant velocity joint and in a cross-groove type fixed constant velocity joint has an external contour with sections of different curvature. Axial edge sections of the external contour are designed as spherical sections located on the circumference of an imaginary sphere, whereas a center section of the external contour located axially between the edge sections runs radially inside the diameter of the imaginary sphere.

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 boot comprising a central axis and an inner surface and an outer surface. The boot having a first fastening region the inner surface of which is adapted to seal against a first component and a second fastening region the inner surface of which is adapted to seal against a second component. The boot having an interior volume between the first fastening region and the second fastening region. The boot having an intermediate region connected at a first end to the first fastening region and connected at a second end to the second fastening region. The intermediate region having a convolution located between the first end and second end, wherein the outer surface of the convolution is convex.

In a fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to the present invention, six torque transmitting ball tracks (20) are defined as a first track, a second track, a third track, a fourth track, a fifth track, and a sixth track along a circumferential direction. Further, in the fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to the present invention, an axial offset amount of a curvature center of each of track grooves (12) of an outer joint member (13) and an axial offset amount of a curvature center of each of track grooves (15) of an inner joint member (16) are set to 0. Further, in the fixed type constant velocity universal joint according to the present invention, the track grooves (12) of the outer joint member (13) and the track grooves (15) of the inner joint member (16) are each inclined with respect to an axis line.

A universal joint configured to transfer rotational movement from a first shaft to a second shaft at an angle and method of manufacturing the same.

A constant velocity universal joint is assembled as a crown ball meshed within a housing socket for rotation about respective rotational axes. The outside diameter of the crown ball is greater than the inside diameter of the socket. A plurality of channels, equally spaced around the crown ball perimeter are cut into the crown ball surface generally along or parallel with the crown ball drive axis. An arcuate cup is cut into each crown ball channel to confine a respective torque transfer element. A number, corresponding to the number of crown ball channels, of partial cylinder channels are cut into the inside surface of the housing socket. One of opposite side walls for each housing channel is given an arcuate radius corresponding to that of the force transfer elements. Ridges between adjacent crown ball channels mesh with ridges between adjacent housing socket channels. Torque transfer elements confined within said crown ball cups engage the partial cylinder wall of the housing channels to transfer drive forces between the crown ball and socket housing through a departure angle between the respective rotational axes.

A ball cage for universal use both in a cross-groove type plunging constant velocity joint and in a cross-groove type fixed constant velocity joint has an external contour with sections of different curvature. Axial edge sections of the external contour are designed as spherical sections located on the circumference of an imaginary sphere, whereas a center section of the external contour located axially between the edge sections runs radially inside the diameter of the imaginary sphere.