Double universal joint constant velocity adjustable joint
By introducing annular walls, yokes, and offset components into the double universal joint constant velocity joint, the pivot range of the shaft is increased, solving the problem of limited relative pivot range of the shaft in the prior art, and achieving better automotive design and cost reduction.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing dual universal joint constant velocity joints have limited range of pivoting motion of the shafts relative to each other after connection, which restricts automotive design choices and wiring optimization, and is also costly.
A double universal joint constant velocity joint was designed. By setting an annular wall, first and second yokes, balls and offset members in the housing, the yoke is allowed to translate at the maximum pivot angle and the offset members are allowed to expand axially, increasing the pivot range of the shaft. Plastic materials are used to reduce friction and weight.
This increases the range of pivoting motion of the connected shafts relative to each other, optimizes automotive design choices, reduces costs, and improves service life and durability.
Smart Images
Figure CN116857294B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure generally relates to constant velocity joints, and more specifically, to double cardanconstant velocity joints. Background Technology
[0002] Automobiles are known to include dual universal joint constant velocity joints (DUPs) for various applications, such as steering. A DUP allows two separate shafts to be coupled to each other via separate spider members pivotally attached to a housing, enabling each shaft to pivot relative to the housing and relative to itself. While DUPs are effective in allowing angular movement of the coupled shafts relative to each other, they are limited by the extent of this pivoting movement. One factor limiting the extent of this pivoting movement is preventing axial movement of the ends of the coupled shafts, which are fixed to the housing via the spider members, relative to each other. Another factor limiting the extent of this pivoting movement is the cylindrical shape of the housing's inner wall surface, which prevents the ends of the coupled shafts from pivoting beyond a predetermined angle (to contact the cylindrical inner wall surface).
[0003] There is a need for a dual universal joint constant velocity joint that provides a greater range of pivoting motion relative to each other after coupling, while also providing a long service life. This dual universal joint constant velocity joint enhances vehicle design options by allowing an increased range of angular movement between the coupled shafts, thereby allowing the coupled shafts to be routed around adjacent vehicle components. This optimizes vehicle performance and simultaneously reduces its overall cost. Summary of the Invention
[0004] One object of this disclosure is to provide a double universal joint constant velocity joint that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the known double universal joint constant velocity joints discussed above.
[0005] One object of this disclosure is to provide a double universal joint constant velocity joint for automotive applications that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known automotive double universal joint constant velocity joints discussed above.
[0006] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a dual universal joint constant velocity joint for automotive applications that is robust and durable in use, while increasing the range of pivoting motion of the connected shafts relative to each other.
[0007] In accordance with these and other objects and advantages, one aspect of this disclosure provides a double universal joint constant velocity joint, comprising: a housing having an annular wall extending about a central axis between a first end of the housing and an opposing second end of the housing, wherein the annular wall has an inner surface defining a cavity; a first yoke pivotally connected to the first end of the housing via a first star member, the first yoke extending between a first end having a socket and a second end configured to be attached to a first shaft; a second yoke pivotally connected to the second end of the housing via a second star member, the second yoke extending between a first end having a ball stud and a second end configured to be attached to a second shaft; a ball disposed in the socket, wherein the ball has a recess sized to receive the ball stud therein; and a biasing member. Member (biasing member) is disposed in a recess to apply bias to a ball, wherein the pivoting motion of one of the first yoke and the second yoke, through the engagement of the ball head pin with the ball, causes the simultaneous pivoting motion of the other of the first yoke and the second yoke, and also causes the ball to pivot in the socket.
[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the socket has cylindrical sidewalls extending to the ball seat. When the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the ball is biased to engage with the ball seat by an offset member.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the first yoke and the second yoke are pivotable relative to the central axis to a maximum pivot angle, wherein when the first yoke and the second yoke are pivoting between a coaxial alignment and the maximum pivot angle, the ball translates in the socket.
[0010] According to another aspect of this disclosure, when the first yoke and the second yoke are pivoted to the maximum pivot angle, the ball disengages from the ball seat, thereby facilitating the ability to maximize the maximum pivot angle.
[0011] According to another aspect of this disclosure, when the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the biasing member is biased to an axially compressed state, and when the first yoke and the second yoke are pivoted to the maximum pivot angle, the biasing member is extended to an axially extended state.
[0012] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the biasing member can be configured as a helical spring, wherein the spring stiffness of the helical spring can be selected as needed to apply a desired biasing force on the ball.
[0013] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the ball seat can be formed of a plastic material, and further, it can be formed as an insert with cylindrical sidewalls, the insert being configured to be fixed to the first yoke.
[0014] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the ball can be formed from a plastic material, thereby reducing friction, cost, and weight.
[0015] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the inner surface of the annular wall of the housing has a central region between the first end and the second end of the housing, wherein the central region may be provided with an annular concave profile, thereby increasing the radially outward volume in which the first yoke and the second yoke can pivot and swing, thus increasing the maximum working angle of the double universal joint constant velocity joint.
[0016] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the first star-shaped member is supported by a plurality of bearings adjacent to the first end of the housing for pivoting and oscillating motion, and the second star-shaped member is supported by a plurality of bearings adjacent to the second end of the housing for oscillating motion.
[0017] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a double universal joint constant velocity joint constructed according to this disclosure includes: a housing having an annular wall extending about a central axis between a first end of the housing and an opposing second end of the housing, the annular wall having an inner surface defining a cavity; a first yoke pivotally connected to the first end of the housing via a first star member, the first yoke extending between a first end having a socket and a second end configured to be attached to a first shaft; a second yoke pivotally connected to the second end of the housing via a second star member, the second yoke extending between a first end having a ball head pin and a second end configured to be attached to a second shaft; and a ball disposed in the socket for pivoting and translating motion, the ball having a recess sized to receive the ball head pin therein, wherein pivoting motion of one of the first yoke and the second yoke causes simultaneous pivoting motion of the other of the first yoke and the second yoke by engagement of the ball head pin with the ball, which causes the ball to pivot and translate in the socket.
[0018] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the socket has a cylindrical sidewall extending to the ball seat, and when the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the ball is biased to engage with the ball seat by an offset member.
[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the first yoke and the second yoke are pivotable relative to the central axis to a maximum pivot angle, wherein when the first yoke and the second yoke pivot between their coaxial alignment and the maximum pivot angle, the ball translates in the socket.
[0020] According to another aspect of this disclosure, when the first yoke and the second yoke are pivoted to the maximum pivot angle, the ball disengages from the ball seat.
[0021] According to another aspect of this disclosure, when the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the biasing member is biased to an axially compressed state, and when the first yoke and the second yoke are pivoted to the maximum pivot angle, the biasing member is extended to an axially extended state.
[0022] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the biasing member may be configured as a helical spring.
[0023] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the ball seat can be formed of plastic.
[0024] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the ball can be formed from plastic.
[0025] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the inner surface of the annular wall has a central region between the first end and the second end of the housing, the central region having an annular recessed profile.
[0026] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the first star-shaped member is supported by a plurality of bearings adjacent to the first end of the housing for oscillating motion, and the second star-shaped member is supported by a plurality of bearings adjacent to the second end of the housing for oscillating motion.
[0027] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for increasing the maximum pivot angle of a double universal joint constant velocity joint is provided. The method includes providing a housing having an annular wall extending about a central axis between a first end of the housing and an opposing second end of the housing, the annular wall having an inner surface defining a cavity; further, providing a first yoke extending along a central axis of the first yoke between a first end having a socket and a second end configured to be attached to a first shaft; further, providing a second yoke extending along a central axis of the second yoke between a first end having a ball-head pin and a second end configured to be attached to a second shaft; further still, providing a ball in a socket having a recess, and providing a ball-head pin in the recess; further still, connecting the first yoke to the first end of the housing by a first star member, and connecting the second yoke to the second end of the housing by a second star member, wherein pivoting movement of one of the first yoke and the second yoke causes simultaneous pivoting movement of the other of the first yoke and the second yoke by engagement of the ball-head pin with the ball, and also causes the ball to pivot and translate within the socket.
[0028] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the method may further include disposing a biasing member in a recess to maintain bias on the ball.
[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include configuring the biasing member to be axially compressed when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are in a coaxial alignment with each other, and configuring the biasing member to be axially expanded when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are tilted relative to each other.
[0030] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the method may further include providing a socket having cylindrical sidewalls extending to the ball seat, and configuring an offset member to apply an offset to the ball, thereby maintaining engagement between the ball and the ball seat when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are in a coaxial alignment relationship with each other, and allowing disengagement of the ball from the ball seat when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are not aligned with each other.
[0031] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the method may further include providing an inner surface of an annular wall having a central region between a first end and a second end of the housing, and providing the central region having an annular recessed profile.
[0032] These and other objects, advantages and features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0033] The subject matter considered to be the invention is specifically pointed out and explicitly claimed in the claims at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0034] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an automobile having one or more double universal joint constant velocity joints constructed according to one aspect of this disclosure;
[0035] Figure 2 It is constructed in accordance with one aspect of this disclosure. Figure 1 A three-dimensional side view of a double universal joint constant velocity joint of an automobile.
[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view of a double universal joint constant velocity joint;
[0037] Figure 4A yes Figure 2 A side view of a double universal joint constant velocity joint shows a first yoke and a second yoke axially aligned with each other on opposite sides of the housing.
[0038] Figure 4B It is similar to Figure 4A The view shows that the first and second yokes are axially misaligned with each other at the maximum operating angle of the double universal joint constant velocity joint.
[0039] Figure 5 A partial view of the second yoke according to one aspect of this disclosure shows the sphere and biasing member assembled therewith; and
[0040] Figure 6This is a flowchart illustrating a method for increasing the maximum pivot angle of a double universal joint constant velocity joint according to one aspect of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation
[0041] The invention will now be described in more detail, but not limited thereto, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular embodiments. Figure 1 The illustration shows a vehicle 10 having one or more dual universal joint constant velocity joints (hereinafter referred to as constant velocity joints or CVJ 12), which may be included, for example, in the steering system 14, and in particular, the intermediate shaft assembly 16, by way of example but not limitation. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B As best shown, CVJ 12 includes a housing 18 having an annular wall 20 extending about a central axis 26 between a first end 22 of the housing and an opposing second end 24 of the housing. The annular wall 20 has an inner surface 28 that circumferentially defines a cavity 30. A first yoke 32 is pivotally connected to the first end 22 of the housing via a first star-shaped member 33. The first yoke 32 has a recess 35 ( Figure 4A and 4B The first yoke 38 extends between a first end (hereinafter referred to as first end 34) of a first yoke and a second end (hereinafter referred to as second end 36) of a first yoke configured to be attached to a first shaft 37 by a fastener 45 (e.g., a bolt), the first yoke being shown as the upper intermediate shaft of the intermediate shaft assembly 16. The second yoke 38 is pivotally connected to the second end 24 of the housing by a second star member 39. The second yoke 38 has a ball head pin 41 ( Figure 3 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 5 The second yoke extends between its first end (hereinafter referred to as first end 40) and its second end 42, which is configured to be attached to the second shaft 43 by a fastener 45 (e.g., a bolt), the second yoke being shown as the lower intermediate shaft of the intermediate shaft assembly 16. A ball 44 is disposed in a socket 35, wherein, as... Figure 5As best noted, ball 44 has a recess 46 sized to slide within which ball head pin 41 is received. By way of example and not limitation, a biasing member 48 (such as a coil spring) is provided in the recess 46 to apply bias to ball 44, wherein pivoting of one of the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 causes simultaneous pivoting of the other of the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 by engagement of ball head pin 41 with the inner surface of the recess 46 of ball 44, and wherein the biasing member 48 causes ball 44 to pivot and remain seated in the socket 35. The biasing member 48 may be held by ball head pin 41 as needed, for example by a diameter-reducing portion surrounding the outer surface of ball head pin 41, wherein the biasing member 48 may face a radial shoulder (not shown), or the biasing member 48 may be provided in a central hole 49 extending into the end of ball head pin 41. Figure 5 The biasing member 48 extends outward from the central hole 49 for bias engagement with the ball 44.
[0042] By way of example and not limitation, housing 18 may be formed of any desired metal, including steel or aluminum. The inner surface 28 of the annular wall 20 extends over a central region 50 between the first end 22 and the second end 24 of housing, with the first end 34 of the first yoke 32 and the first end 40 of the second yoke 38 pivoting on this inner surface. The central region 50 has an annular recessed profile, as... Figure 4A and Figure 4B The best view is shown in the middle. The concave contour expands the volume at the first ends 34, 40 of the first and second yokes 32, 38 that can pivot radially outward relative to the central axis 26. Therefore, the maximum working angle α of each of the first and second yokes 32, 38 is... Figure 4BThe potential pivoting angles of the first and second yokes 32, 38 relative to the central axis 26 are increased by increasing the volume of space in which the corresponding first ends 34, 40 can move freely. The first end 22 of the housing is defined by a pair of diametrically opposed first bosses, also referred to as first ears 52, configured to support the first star member 33. The first ears 52 have a receiving portion (shown as a through opening 54), sized, by way of example and not limitation, to receive a bearing 56 (such as a journal bearing, needle roller bearing, or roller bearing), wherein the bearing 56 is configured to receive a shaft (also referred to as trunnions 58) of the first star member 33 that oscillates with low friction therein. The second end 24 of the housing is defined by a pair of diametrically opposed second bosses, also referred to as second ears 60, configured to support the second star member 39. The second ear 60 has a receiving portion (shown as a through opening 62), which, by way of example and not limitation, is sized to accommodate a bearing 64 (such as a journal bearing, needle roller bearing, or roller bearing) therein, wherein the bearing 64 is configured to accommodate a shaft (also referred to as a trunnion 68) of the second star 39 in which it oscillates with low friction.
[0043] The recess 35 extending into the first end 34 of the first yoke 32 has a cylindrical sidewall 68 that extends from the free end 69 defining the opening to the base (also referred to as the ball seat 70). In a non-limiting embodiment, the cylindrical sidewall 68 has an inner diameter sized to loosely fit the outer diameter of the ball 44, allowing the ball 44 to slide along the cylindrical sidewall 68 from the free end 69 to the ball seat 70. The cylindrical sidewall 68 and the ball seat 70 can be formed as separate inserts 72 made of a different material than the first yoke 32. Figure 3 The first yoke 32 may be formed of metal (such as cast metal, machined metal, or forged metal), and the insert 72 may be formed of a polymeric material including lubricated, low-friction, bearing-grade plastic. By way of example and not limitation, the insert 72 may be secured, for example, by press fit and / or a suitable adhesive, to a hole 74 extending into the first end 34 of the first yoke 32. Figure 3 It should be recognized that any suitable lubricant (such as grease) can be placed in the socket 35 to minimize friction and noise between the ball 44 and the socket 35.
[0044] like Figure 3As best shown, the first yoke 32 has a pair of flanges, also referred to as ears or protrusions 76 laterally spaced apart from each other between the first end 34 and the second end 36. The protrusion 76 has a receiving portion (shown as a through opening 78), which, by way of example and not limitation, is sized to accommodate a bearing 80 (such as a journal bearing, needle roller bearing, or roller bearing) therein, wherein the bearing 80 is configured to accommodate a shaft (also referred to as a trunnion 58') pivotally connected to the first star member 33. Thus, the first star member 33 connects the first yoke 32 and the first end 22 of the housing to each other, wherein the first star member 33 is configured to allow pivoting and oscillating movement therebetween. Similarly, the second yoke 38 has a pair of flanges, also referred to as ears or protrusions 82 laterally spaced apart from each other adjacent to the first end 40. The protrusion 82 has a receiving portion (shown as a through opening 84), which, by way of example and not limitation, is sized to accommodate a bearing 86 (such as a journal bearing, needle roller bearing, or roller bearing), wherein the bearing 86 is configured to accommodate a shaft (also referred to as a trunnion 66') pivotally connected to the second star member 39. Thus, the second star member 39 connects the second yoke 38 and the second end 24 of the housing to each other, wherein the second star member 39 is configured to allow pivoting and oscillating movements therebetween.
[0045] When the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis 26, the ball 44 is biased by the biasing member 48 to engage with the ball seat 70, such that the longitudinal central axis 26' of the first and second yokes 32, 38 is coaxial with the central axis 26. Figure 4A As shown. The first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 can pivot relative to the central axis 26 to the maximum pivot angle ( Figure 4B The longitudinal central axes 26' of the first and second yokes 32 and 38 are simultaneously inclined toward the central axis 26 of the housing 18 at the same angle α, and in the exemplary embodiment, the inclination is approximately 26 degrees, such that the maximum operating angle (2α) of the CVJ 12 is 52 degrees (the angle between the longitudinal central axes 26' of the first and second yokes 32 and 38). To facilitate obtaining an increased maximum operating angle 2α, the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 are in a coaxial alignment relationship with each other ( Figure 4A ) and the maximum pivot angle 2α ( Figure 4B During pivoting between the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38, ball 44 translates within the socket 35 to resist the offset of the offset member 48. As the working angle increases, ball 44 translates within the socket 35 to compress the offset member 48 against its offset. As the working angle decreases, ball 44 translates within the socket 35 under the offset of the offset member 48, while the offset member axially expands to engage ball 44 with the ball seat 70. When the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 are pivoted toward or pivoted to the maximum pivot angle 2α, ball 44 disengages from the ball seat 70; however, ball 44 remains forcibly engaged with the sidewall 68.
[0046] When the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis 26, the biasing member 48 is biased into an axially compressed state, and when the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 are pivoted to their maximum pivot angle α, the biasing member 48 automatically extends into an axially extended state by an internal bias within the biasing member 48. When the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 are pivoted to their maximum pivot angle α, the bias applied to the ball 44 is maintained by the biasing member 48, thereby maintaining the forced engagement of the ball 44 with the cylindrical sidewall 68. Figure 4B This maintains the connection between the first end 34 of the first yoke 32 and the first end 40 of the second yoke 38, and further prevents vibration and noise.
[0047] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method 1000 is provided to increase the maximum pivot angle of a dual universal joint constant velocity joint 12. Method 1000 includes the step 1100 of providing a housing 18 having an annular wall 20 extending about a central axis 26 between a first end 22 of the housing and an opposing second end 24 of the housing, the annular wall 20 having an inner surface 28 defining a cavity 30. Method 1000 further includes the step 1150 of providing a first yoke 32 extending along a first yoke central axis 26' between a first end 34 having a recess 35 and a second end 36 configured for attachment to a first shaft 37. Furthermore, step 1200 involves providing a second yoke 38 extending along the central axis 26” of the second yoke between a first end 40 having a ball-end pin 41 and a second end 42 configured for attachment to a second shaft 43. Another step 1250 includes providing a ball 44 having a recess 46 in a socket 35, and providing the ball-end pin 41 in the recess 46. Furthermore, step 1300 includes connecting the first yoke 32 to the first end 22 of the housing via a first star member 33, and connecting the second yoke 38 to the second end 24 of the housing via a second star member 39, wherein pivoting of one of the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 causes simultaneous pivoting of the other of the first yoke 32 and the second yoke 38 through engagement of the ball-end pin 41 with the ball 44, and also causes the ball 44 to pivot and translate within the socket 35.
[0048] According to another aspect, method 1000 may also include step 1400: disposing bias member 48 in recess 46 to maintain bias on ball 44.
[0049] According to another aspect, method 1000 may further include step 1500: configuring the biasing member 48 to be axially compressed when the first yoke center axis 26' and the second yoke center axis 26" are in a coaxial alignment with each other, and to be axially expanded when the first yoke center axis 26' and the second yoke center axis 26" are tilted relative to each other.
[0050] According to another aspect, method 1000 may further include step 1600: providing a socket 35 having a cylindrical sidewall 68 extending to the ball seat 70, and configuring an offset member 48 to apply an offset to the ball 44, thereby maintaining engagement of the ball 44 with the ball seat 70 when the first yoke center axis 26' and the second yoke center axis 26" are in a coaxial alignment relationship with each other, and allowing the ball 44 to disengage from the ball seat 70 when the first yoke center axis 26' and the second yoke center axis 26" are not aligned with each other.
[0051] According to another aspect, method 1000 may further include step 1700: providing an inner surface 28 of an annular wall 20 having a central region 50 between a first end 22 of the housing and a second end 24 of the housing, and providing a central region 50 having an annular recessed profile.
[0052] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not previously described but commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the invention may include only a few of the described embodiments. Even if not specifically shown or described, individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable and can be used in alternative embodiments where applicable. Therefore, the invention should not be considered as limited to the foregoing description.
Claims
1. A double universal joint constant velocity joint, comprising: A housing having an annular wall extending about a central axis between a first end of the housing and an opposite second end of the housing, the annular wall having an inner surface defining a cavity; A first yoke, pivotally connected to a first end of the housing via a first star-shaped member, extends between a first end having a recess and a second end configured for attachment to a first shaft; The second yoke, which is pivotally connected to the second end of the housing via a second star-shaped member, extends between a first end having a ball-head pin and a second end configured for attachment to a second shaft; A ball, disposed in the socket, the ball having a recess sized to accommodate the ball-head pin therein; as well as A biasing member is disposed in the recess to apply a bias to the ball. The pivoting motion of one of the first yoke and the second yoke causes the simultaneous pivoting motion of the other of the first yoke and the second yoke through the engagement of the ball-head pin with the ball, and also causes the ball to pivot in the socket; and The socket has a cylindrical sidewall extending to the ball seat, and when the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the ball is biased by the biasing member to engage with the ball seat.
2. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 1, wherein, The first yoke and the second yoke are pivotable relative to the central axis to a maximum pivot angle, wherein the ball translates in the socket when the first yoke and the second yoke pivot between their coaxial alignment and the maximum pivot angle.
3. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 2, wherein, When the first yoke and the second yoke are pivoted to the maximum pivot angle, the ball disengages from the ball seat.
4. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 2, wherein, When the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the biasing member is biased to an axially compressed state, and when the first yoke and the second yoke are pivoted to the maximum pivot angle, the biasing member is extended to an axially extended state.
5. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 4, wherein, The biasing component is a helical spring.
6. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 1, wherein, The ball seat is made of plastic.
7. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 6, wherein, The ball is made of plastic.
8. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 1, wherein, The inner surface of the annular wall has a central region between the first end and the second end of the housing, and the central region has an annular recessed profile.
9. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 8, wherein, The first star-shaped member is supported by a plurality of bearings adjacent to the first end of the housing for swinging motion, and the second star-shaped member is supported by a plurality of bearings adjacent to the second end of the housing for swinging motion.
10. A double universal joint constant velocity joint, comprising: A housing having an annular wall extending about a central axis between a first end of the housing and an opposite second end of the housing, the annular wall having an inner surface defining a cavity; A first yoke, pivotally connected to a first end of the housing via a first star-shaped member, extends between a first end having a recess and a second end configured for attachment to a first shaft; The second yoke, which is pivotally connected to the second end of the housing via a second star-shaped member, extends between a first end having a ball-head pin and a second end configured for attachment to a second shaft; as well as A ball, configured to pivot and translate within the socket, has a recess sized to accommodate the ball-head pin therein. The pivoting motion of one of the first yoke and the second yoke causes the other of the first yoke and the second yoke to pivot simultaneously through the engagement of the ball head pin with the ball, and also causes the ball to pivot and translate in the socket; The socket has cylindrical sidewalls extending to the ball seat. When the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the ball moves to engage with the ball seat; and when the first yoke and the second yoke are misaligned relative to the central axis, the ball moves to disengage from the ball seat. The dual universal joint constant velocity joint further includes an offset member, which applies an offset to the ball when the first yoke and the second yoke are in a coaxial alignment relationship, thereby forcing the ball to engage with the ball seat.
11. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 10, wherein, When the first yoke and the second yoke are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis, the biasing member is biased to an axially compressed state, and when the first yoke and the second yoke pivot relative to the central axis toward the maximum pivot angle, the biasing member is extended to an axially extended state.
12. The double universal joint constant velocity joint according to claim 10, wherein, The inner surface of the annular wall has a central region between the first end and the second end of the housing, and the central region has an annular recessed profile.
13. A method for increasing the maximum pivot angle of a double universal joint constant velocity joint, comprising: A housing is provided, the housing having an annular wall extending about a central axis between a first end of the housing and an opposite second end of the housing, the annular wall having an inner surface defining a cavity; A first yoke is provided, which extends along the central axis of the first yoke between a first end having a socket and a second end configured for attachment to a first shaft. A second yoke is provided, which extends along the central axis of the second yoke between a first end having a ball-head pin and a second end configured for attachment to a second shaft. A ball with a recess is provided in the socket; The ball-head pin is disposed in the recess; The first yoke is connected to the first end of the housing via the first star-shaped component; The second yoke is connected to the second end of the housing via the second star-shaped component. The pivoting motion of one of the first yoke and the second yoke causes the simultaneous pivoting motion of the other yoke through the engagement of the ball-head pin with the ball, and also causes the ball to pivot and translate within the socket; and The method further includes: disposing a biasing member in the recess to maintain bias on the ball.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: The biasing member is configured to be axially compressed when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are in a coaxial alignment with each other, and axially expanded when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are tilted relative to each other.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: A socket is provided with a cylindrical sidewall extending to the ball seat, and the biasing member is configured to apply bias to the ball, thereby maintaining engagement of the ball with the ball seat when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are coaxially aligned with each other, and allowing the ball to disengage from the ball seat when the first yoke center axis and the second yoke center axis are misaligned with each other.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: An inner surface of an annular wall is provided, the inner surface of which has a central region between the first end and the second end of the housing; And providing the central region with a ring-shaped concave profile.