Constant velocity joint

摘要

A constant velocity joint assembly (10) comprises outer and inner joint members (12, 14) having engaging contact surfaces which support the joint (10) for articulation about a common center point. The joint members (12, 14) have ball grooves (44) which diverge inwardly of the joint (10) and whose inner and outer ball groove surfaces (46, 48) are axially offset with respect to the center point (40) for urging the balls (16) axially inwardly. A ball retainer (18) is provided within the outer joint member (12). The ball retainer (18) is spring-biased into engagement with an end of the inner joint member (14) and pivots about the center point (40) of the joint (10) to engage and hold the balls (16) within the ball grooves (44), maintaining them in a common plane (P).