Abstract: A vehicle joint has a drive sleeve, a pinion shaft and a drive nut. The sleeve has a vent hole, a first set of splines and a first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft has a second set of splines engaged with the first set of splines. A fluid gap radially outboard of the engaged spines extends the length of the engaged splines. A second set of venting grooves is engaged with the first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft also has a first set of threads. The drive nut has a second set of threads engaged with the first set of threads. The drive nut also has a radial aperture extending through the drive nut. The first vent hole is in fluid connection with the radial aperture through some of the features described above.

Abstract: A fluid path for a plug-in constant velocity joint assembly between a boot sleeve and a boot. The boot sleeve has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is disposed against and is in driving engagement with an inner race. The boot sleeve second end portion defines an inner ridge, a sleeve channel and an outer ridge. The boot has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion comprises an inner seal where the inner seal comprises an inner axial groove and an outer axial groove. A fluid path is formed between the inner ridge and the boot, between inner axial groove and the sleeve, in the sleeve channel, between the outer axial groove and the sleeve and between the outer ridge and the boot.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an inner race and a sleeve. The sleeve connects with the inner race. In addition, the sleeve connects with a pinion shaft via splines. A nut attaches to the sleeve and also the shaft. The nut/shaft attachment is through threads.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly with a boot can having a first end portion connected to an outer race and a second end portion cantilevered from the outer race. The second end portion has a planar portion extending from the first end portion at an angle. A radially outward extending end extends from the planar portion. A boot has a first end and a second end. The first end has an inner surface that is directly connected to an inner surface of the planar portion of the boot can. A sleeve has one end portion connected to an inner surface of an inner race with complementary splines and a second end portion extending axially away from the inner race. The boot has a lower portion engaged with the sleeve.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly has a boot can connected to an outer race of the joint. The boot can receives a portion of a boot. The thickness of the boot may be changed in different areas to result in different boot performances. A sleeve is connected to the inner race. A portion of the sleeve may have a complementary shape to a portion of the boot, also to result in different boot performance. A clamp may be located over a portion of the boot to secure it to the sleeve.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly (20) includes an outer race (22) having a plurality of outer tracks (42) formed in an inner surface thereof and an inner race having a plurality of inner tracks (54) formed in an outer surface thereof. A cage (26) is disposed between the inner race and the outer race. A plurality of torque transferring elements (28) are disposed in the cage. Each torque transferring element contacts one of the outer tracks of the plurality of outer tracks and one of the inner tracks of the plurality of inner tracks. A drive sleeve (30) is separated from the plurality of torque transferring elements by the inner race. Also, the drive sleeve is in driving engagement with the inner race. A stopper portion (74) is attached to the drive sleeve. The stopper portion comprising a portion that reduces in thickness toward an outer end thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle joint has a drive sleeve, a pinion shaft and a drive nut. The sleeve has a vent hole, a first set of splines and a first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft has a second set of splines engaged with the first set of splines. A fluid gap radially outboard of the engaged spines extends the length of the engaged splines. A second set of venting grooves is engaged with the first set of venting grooves. The pinion shaft also has a first set of threads. The drive nut has a second set of threads engaged with the first set of threads. The drive nut also has a radial aperture extending through the drive nut. The first vent hole is in fluid connection with the radial aperture through some of the features described above.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an inner race and a sleeve. The sleeve connects with the inner race. In addition, the sleeve connects with a pinion shaft via splines. A nut attaches to the sleeve and also the shaft. The nut/shaft attachment is through threads.

Abstract: One embodiment of a constant velocity joint has an inner race with a first set of splines. A sleeve is provided and it is engaged with the inner race. A drive nut connects the sleeve with a pinion shaft. In another embodiment, the sleeve may be provided with a boot groove. A clamping device may be used to secure a boot within the boot groove.

Abstract: A fluid path for a plug-in constant velocity joint assembly between a boot sleeve and a boot. The boot sleeve has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is disposed against and is in driving engagement with an inner race. The boot sleeve second end portion defines an inner ridge, a sleeve channel and an outer ridge. The boot has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion comprises an inner seal where the inner seal comprises an inner axial groove and an outer axial groove. A fluid path is formed between the inner ridge and the boot, between inner axial groove and the sleeve, in the sleeve channel, between the outer axial groove and the sleeve and between the outer ridge and the boot.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot assembly has a boot can connected to an outer race of the joint. The boot can receives a portion of a boot. The thickness of the boot may be changed in different areas to result in different boot performances. A sleeve is connected to the inner race. A portion of the sleeve may have a complementary shape to a portion of the boot, also to result in different boot performance. A clamp may be located over a portion of the boot to secure it to the sleeve.

Abstract: A plug-in constant velocity joint has an outer race and an inner race. The inner race has a plurality of splines and inner tracks. A cage is located between the outer race and the inner race. A boot sleeve is disposed against the inner race and has a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion defines a race seat and is in contact with an end of the inner race. The second end portion defines an inner ridge, a sleeve channel and an outer ridge. A boot assembly is coupled to the outer race and comprises a boot retainer and a boot. A plug-in stub shaft is engaged with the boot sleeve and both are drivingly engaged into the inner race.

Abstract: One embodiment of a constant velocity joint has an inner race with a first set of splines. A sleeve is provided and it is engaged with the inner race. A drive nut connects the sleeve with a pinion shaft. In another embodiment, the sleeve may be provided with a boot groove. A clamping device may be used to secure a boot within the boot groove.

Abstract: A shaft assembly includes a first shaft. The first shaft has a first annular crest and a second annular crest. The first annular crest and the second annular crest are separated by an inclined surface. The second annular crest includes an axially extending surface attached to an end of the inclined surface. A boot is secured to the shaft. The boot includes a channel and a diaphragm portion disposed adjacent an end of the channel. The channel includes an inlet portion, a partially helical portion, and an outlet portion formed in an inner surface of the boot. The diaphragm portion is provided over the inclined surface and includes a lip which contacts the second annular crest.

Abstract: A plug-in constant velocity joint has an outer race and an inner race. The inner race has a plurality of splines and inner tracks. A cage is located between the outer race and the inner race. A boot sleeve is disposed against the inner race and has a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion defines a race seat and is in contact with an end of the inner race. The second end portion defines an inner ridge, a sleeve channel and an outer ridge. A boot assembly is coupled to the outer race and comprises a boot retainer and a boot. A plug-in stub shaft is engaged with the boot sleeve and both are drivingly engaged into the inner race.

Abstract: A double offset constant velocity joint is provided. The constant velocity joint includes an outer element, an inner element, an annular element, and a plurality of torque transferring elements. The annular element has a first spherical outer surface, a second spherical outer surface, a spherical inner surface, and a plurality of perforations formed therethrough. The first spherical outer surface and the spherical inner surface have a center common with a spherical outer surface of the inner element. The second spherical outer surface has a center different from a joint pivot point and the first spherical outer surface. The second spherical outer surface has a diameter complementary to a diameter of the inner surface of the outer element. The annular element is disposed between the inner element and the outer element.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes: an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises: a hollow housing having a plurality of guide grooves; a tripod having a plurality of trunnions positioned in the guide grooves; and a roller assembly disposed on each trunnion. The outer roller includes a convex outer surface, the convex outer surface having a first radius (Rry) seen from a cross section taken in an orthogonal direction of the outer roller, the convex outer surface having a second radius (Rrx) seen from a cross section taken along the central axis of the outer roller, in which the center of the second radius (Rrx) is displaced outwardly from the center of the first radius (Rry), and the second radius (Rrx) is shorter than the first radius (Rry).

Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes: an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.

Abstract: A shaft assembly is provided. The shaft assembly includes a first shaft. The first shaft has a first annular crest and a second annular crest. The first annular crest and the second annular crest are separated by an inclined surface. The second annular crest includes an axially extending surface attached to an end of the inclined surface. A boot is secured to the shaft. The boot includes a channel and a diaphragm portion disposed adjacent an end of the channel. The channel includes an inlet portion, a partially helical portion, and an outlet portion formed in an inner surface of the boot. The diaphragm portion is provided over the inclined surface and includes a lip which contacts the second annular crest.