CROSS GROOVE CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT HAVING FIXED CENTER

摘要

A cross groove variety of constant velocity universal joint includes an inner race having a plurality of grooves formed in an outer surface thereof and an outer race having a plurality of grooves formed in an inner surface thereof. For each pair of associated inner and outer race grooves, the inner race groove is inclined in one direction relative to the rotational axis of the joint, while the outer race groove is inclined in the opposite direction. A ball is disposed in each of the associated inner and outer race grooves for providing a driving connection between the inner and outer races. A cage is provided for retaining the balls in the grooves. In a first embodiment, mating spherical surfaces are formed on the inner surface of the outer race and the outer surface of the cage. The engagement of these spherical surfaces prevents the center of the joint from moving axially during use. In a second embodiment, mating spherical surfaces are formed on the inner surface of the cage and the outer surface of the inner race for the same purpose.