Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly includes an inner annulus having a first race and an outer annulus having a second race supporting the first race for pivotal movement relative to the second race about a pivot axis. A third race is provided by the outer annulus and a fourth race is provided by an interface member. A ball spline is disposed between the third race and the fourth race for axial stroking movement of the third race relative to the fourth race, wherein the ball spline is axially offset from the pivot axis. Separate boots seal and isolate the pivotal movement and the stroking movement from one another.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes an inner race having a main body defining a central opening. The constant velocity joint also includes a shaft member extending through the central opening, wherein the shaft member is staked to the inner race to axially retain the shaft member to the inner race.

Abstract: A motor vehicle shaft assembly has a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends, with the shaft having a male spline adjacent at least one of the opposite ends, and a housing having a through bore extending about the longitudinal axis, with the through bore having a female spline configured for meshed engagement with the male spline to prevent relative torsional movement between the shaft and the housing. At least one of the male and female splines includes a tapered spline extending in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A boot for a shaft assembly joint and method of construction thereof are provided. The boot has a flexible hollow wall extending about a central axis between a first end and a second end. The first end has a skirt portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a housing of the constant velocity joint and the second end has a neck portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a shaft extending away from the constant velocity joint. At least one of the skirt portion and the neck portion has interior surface formed of a first material having a first coefficient of friction and an exterior surface formed of a second material having a second coefficient of friction, the first coefficient of friction being greater than the second coefficient of friction.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A tripot housing includes a housing body that extends between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal central axis. The housing body defines a guide channel that extends from the first housing end toward the second housing end. The guide channel has a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall that extends between the first wall and the second wall. An elliptical contact surface area transitions the first wall with the third wall and the second wall with the third wall, with the elliptical contact surface areas being configured for engagement with an outer roller of a roller assembly to inhibit a locking condition.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for transmitting a torque in a driveline system. The shaft assembly comprises an outer shaft member that extends along an axis and includes an interior surface defining a bore and a plurality of outer grooves at least partially delimiting the bore. An inner shaft member extends along the axis and includes an outer surface defining at least one of a plurality of inner pockets or a plurality of inner grooves aligned with the outer grooves. At least one rolling element is located between the outer grooves and the inner pockets or the outer grooves and the inner grooves. At least one of the outer surface of the inner shaft or the inner surface of the outer shaft is configured to axially retain the at least one rolling element and the shaft assembly does not include a ball retaining cage.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes a trunnion extending radially outwardly about a trunnion axis. The joint also includes a ball surrounding the trunnion and rotatable relative thereto about a plurality of needle rollers. The joint further includes a retainer that is a single, unitary structure coupled to the trunnion and positioned to limit movement of the ball and the needle rollers in a direction parallel to the trunnion axis.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A boot for a shaft assembly joint and method of construction thereof are provided. The boot has a flexible hollow wall extending about a central axis between a first end and a second end. The first end has a skirt portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a housing of the constant velocity joint and the second end has a neck portion configured for snug engagement with an outer surface of a shaft extending away from the constant velocity joint. At least one of the skirt portion and the neck portion has interior surface formed of a first material having a first coefficient of friction and an exterior surface formed of a second material having a second coefficient of friction, the first coefficient of friction being greater than the second coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A tripot housing includes a housing body that extends between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal central axis. The housing body defines a guide channel that extends from the first housing end toward the second housing end. The guide channel has a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall that extends between the first wall and the second wall. An elliptical contact surface area transitions the first wall with the third wall and the second wall with the third wall, with the elliptical contact surface areas being configured for engagement with an outer roller of a roller assembly to inhibit a locking condition.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Abstract: A half shaft system includes first and second universal joints, a shaft, a torque sensor device, and computing circuitry. The shaft is engaged to, and extends between, the first and second universal joints. The shaft is adapted to rotate about an axis. The torque sensor device is attached to the shaft, and includes a torque sensor and a transmitter. The torque sensor is configured to measure torque placed upon the shaft. The transmitter is configured to wirelessly output torque signals indicative of the measured toque. The computing circuitry is configured to receive the torque signals, process the torque signals, establish a load history of the half shaft assembly from the processed torque signals, compare the load history to a pre-programmed life model, and estimate a service life of the half shaft assembly from the load history.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes a trunnion extending radially outwardly about a trunnion axis. The joint also includes a ball surrounding the trunnion and rotatable relative thereto about a plurality of needle rollers. The joint further includes a retainer that is a single, unitary structure coupled to the trunnion and positioned to limit movement of the ball and the needle rollers in a direction parallel to the trunnion axis.

Abstract: A tripot constant velocity joint includes a housing defining a guide channel. A spider member is received within the housing and includes a trunnion having a functional outer surface with a convex profile defined by a first principal radius of curvature and a second principal radius of curvature different from the first principal radius of curvature. A first inner surface of a first ball member engages the functional outer surface of the trunnion. A first outer surface of the first ball member is provided with a non-symmetric piecewise continuous profile that engages the first sidewall.

Abstract: A tripot constant velocity joint includes a housing defining a guide channel. A spider member is received within the housing and includes a trunnion having a functional outer surface with a convex profile defined by a first principal radius of curvature and a second principal radius of curvature different from the first principal radius of curvature. A first inner surface of a first ball member engages the functional outer surface of the trunnion. A first outer surface of the first ball member is provided with a non-symmetric piecewise continuous profile that engages the first sidewall.

Abstract: A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member has an inner surface that defines a plurality of engagement elements. The second member has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the second member defines a splined portion. Each member of the splined portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of engagement elements. Each member of the splined portion includes a first protrusion that engages the inner surface of the first member.