Centering device for a constant velocity joint

In a universal joint having an input shaft assembly and an output shaft assembly with each being connected to a housing, the input shaft assembly being rotatable to rotate the housing and the output shaft assembly, the input and output shaft assemblies cooperating with the housing to define a pair of substantially arcuate interfaces therebetween which permit sliding movement in a first plane between said housing and said assemblies, torque being transmitted from said input shaft assembly to said output shaft assembly via said housing interfaces, and a pilot assembly disposed within the housing in engagement with said input and output shaft assemblies and cooperating with the assemblies to substantially maintain equal angles between the assemblies and housing, the pilot assembly comprising a first pilot member and a second pilot member each received in and rotatably engaging a respective shaft assembly, the members each having an elliptically shaped angled surface complementary with each other and engaging one another in face-to-face engagement across the surfaces, and pin means disposed between said members and extending through each surface.

In a universal joint having connecting means for coupling together an input shaft assembly and an output shaft assembly, the input shaft assembly being rotatable to rotate the connecting means and the output shaft assembly, the input and output shaft assemblies cooperating with the connecting means to define a pair of rotatable connections therebetween which permit rotational movement in a first plane between said connecting means and said assemblies, torque being transmitted from said input shaft assembly to said output shaft assembly via said rotatable connections, and a pilot assembly disposed between and in rotatable engagement with the shaft assemblies and cooperating with the assemblies to substantially maintain equal angles between the assemblies and connecting means, the pilot assembly comprising a first pilot member and a second pilot member each received by and rotatably engaging a respective shaft assembly, the members each having an elliptically shaped angled surface complementary with each other and engaging one another in face-to-face engagement across the surfaces, and pin means disposed between said members and extending through each surface.

In a universal joint having an input shaft assembly and an output shaft assembly each being connected to a housing, the input shaft assembly being rotatable to rotate the housing and the output shaft assembly, the input and output shaft assemblies cooperating with the housing to define a pair of substantially arcuate interfaces therebetween which permit sliding movement in a first plane between said housing and said assemblies, torque being transmitted from said input shaft assembly to said output shaft assembly via said housing interfaces, and a pilot assembly disposed within the housing in engagement with said input and output shaft assemblies and cooperating with the assemblies to substantially maintain equal angles between the assemblies and housing, the pilot assembly comprising a first pilot member and a second pilot member each received in and rotatably engaging a respective shaft assembly, the members each having an angled surface complementary with each other and engaging one another in planar face-to-face engagement across the surfaces, and pin means disposed between said members and extending through each surface.

In a universal joint having connecting means for coupling together an input shaft assembly and an output shaft assembly, the input shaft assembly being rotatable to rotate the connecting means and the output shaft assembly, the input and output shaft assemblies cooperating with the connecting means to define a pair of rotatable connections therebetween which permit rotational movement in a first plane between said connecting means and said assemblies, torque being transmitted from said input shaft assembly to said output shaft assembly via said rotatable connections, and a pilot assembly disposed between and in rotatable engagement with the shaft assemblies and cooperating with the assemblies to substantially maintain equal angles between the assemblies and connecting means, the pilot assembly comprising a first pilot member and a second pilot member each received by and rotatably engaging a respective shaft assembly, the members each having an angled surface complementary with each other and engaging one another in planar face-to-face engagement across the surfaces, and pin means disposed between said members and extending through each surface.