A constant-velocity universal joint including a generally cup-shaped outer joint member and an inner joint member that define first and second groove portions. A pinch angle by which a ball is pinched in the first groove portion is open toward an opening of the outer joint member. A pinch angle by which the ball is pinched in the second groove is open toward a bottom of the outer joint member. An absolute value of the pinch angle in a larger-pinch-angle groove portion that is one of the first and second groove portions, is larger than an absolute value of the pinch angle in a smaller-pinch-angle groove portion that is the other of the first and second groove portions in a reference state. A radial clearance in the smaller-pinch-angle groove portion is larger than a radial clearance in the larger-pinch-angle groove portion when torque is not transmitted in the reference state.

A constant velocity housing is provided to couple a plunging CV joint with a transaxle. The constant velocity comprises an elongate housing configured to retain the plunging CV joint and a splined shaft configured to engage with a transaxle. A locking system removably retains the splined shaft within the transaxle. The locking system comprises a lock pin in mechanical communication with pins slidably retained within radial holes disposed in the splined shaft underneath a snap-ring. An actuator moves the lock pin to push the pins to operably change a diameter of the snap-ring. When the actuator is loosened, the snap-ring constricts to a diameter less than the diameter of the splined shaft, allowing removal of the splined shaft from the transaxle. When the actuator is fully tightened, the snap-ring assumes a diameter greater than the diameter of the splined shaft, such that the spline shaft remains engaged with the transaxle.

A constant velocity joint is provided with at least a pair of tracks whose geometry is defined based on ball path that follows a parametric equation and the parametric function is in the form of a polynomial displacement function of a fourth order or larger.

A joint assembly and method of utilizing the same. The joint assembly includes a first joint member drivingly connected to a second joint member by using one or more third joint members. At least a portion of a cage member is interposed between the first and second joint members. When the first joint member is plunged in a first direction, at least a portion of one or more first engagement portions of the first joint member are in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more first engagement portions of the cage member. When the first joint member is plunged in a second direction, opposite the first direction, at least a portion of one or more second engagement portions of the first joint member are in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more second engagement portions of the cage member.

A constant-velocity rotary joint includes an outer joint portion with outer ball tracks, an inner joint portion with inner ball tracks, balls guided in a track pair formed by one outer ball track and one inner ball track, and a cage with windows to accommodate and retain the balls. Each outer ball track has an outer ball track center line. Each inner ball track has an inner ball track center line. When the constant-velocity rotary joint is straight, the inner ball track center line and the outer ball track center line of the track pair intersect in an intersection point and are not mirror-symmetrical with respect to a mirror plane through the intersection point, and the inner portion of the inner ball track center line widens more, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer joint portion, than the outer portion of the outer ball track center line.

A constant velocity universal joint includes outer and inner joint members that transmit torque while allowing angular displacement via balls, a power transmission shaft connected to the inner joint member in a torque transmittable manner, and a detachable mechanism between the inner joint member and the power transmission shaft to detach the power transmission shaft from the inner joint member. The detachable mechanism includes a cylindrical member externally fit onto the power transmission shaft, spheres movable in a radial direction in the cylindrical member, and an annular member movable in an axial direction on an outer periphery of the cylindrical member. Locking claws are provided at an end of an inner joint member side of the annular member, and a locking groove is provided at an end of an annular member side of the inner joint member. The locking claws are fitted into the locking groove.

A propeller shaft as a power transmission shaft is provided between vehicle-side first second shaft parts, and a first tube as a first shaft member is connected to the first shaft part through a first joint member and to the second shaft part through a second joint member. The first tube is connected to the first joint member through a first collar member and to the second joint member through a second collar member. The first collar member includes a first main body part exposed from a first end portion of the first tube, and a first insertion part inserted into the inside of the first end portion. In at least the first collar member, the maximum value of the outer diameter of the first main body part is set to be no greater than the maximum value of the outer diameter of the first insertion part.

A constant velocity universal joint has an outer joint member and an inner joint member that transmits torque while permitting angular displacement due to balls between the inner and outer joint members. An attaching and detaching mechanism for attaching and detaching a power transmission shaft to and from the inner joint member is provided between the inner joint member and the power transmission shaft such that torque can be transmitted between the two. The attaching and detaching mechanism has a cylindrical member that fits over the power transmission shaft, a retaining ring that is radially movable, and an annular member that is axially movable. By using a boot band to fixedly tighten, to the power transmission shaft, a small diameter end portion of a boot closing an opening portion of the outer joint member, the axial position of the annular member is restricted by the small diameter end portion.

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.

Outer ball grooves of an outer joint member of a constant velocity joint each have a first ball groove for allowing a ball to roll therein when the constant velocity joint operates, and a second ball groove having a ball groove radius larger than a ball groove radius of the first ball groove. The second ball groove has a curved line and a connecting line. The curved line is connected to a groove bottom end of the first ball groove located closer to an opening of the outer joint member and is curved radially outward in a concave manner. The connecting line connects the curved line and the opening. The curved line is curved with a curvature center that is located closer to the opening than the groove bottom end of the first ball groove and that is located radially inside the outer joint member.