Rotary constant velocity universal joint

A rotary constant velocity universal joint, comprising:

• an outer hollow joint member having an inner wall with curved grooves formed therein and a first shaft member connected thereto;
• an inner joint member arranged in said outer joint member having an outer wall provided with a number of curved grooves corresponding to the number of said curved grooves in said outer joint member and a second shaft member connected thereto;
• a plurality of torque-transmitting balls received in said grooves in torque-transmitting engagement between said inner and outer joint member, each of said grooves comprising a groove base and a track base area along which said balls are supported, said balls being in contact with said track base area across an angle .delta. extending angularly equidistantly from both sides of said groove base;
• said grooves in said inner and in said outer joint members having a curved configuration such that each pair of said grooves consisting of one groove of each of said outer and inner joint member is arranged to form a jaw-like opening through which said balls may pass in one direction axially of said joint, said jaw-like opening facing toward the direction of said first shaft member;
• a supporting element engaging said balls from only the side thereof facing toward said first shaft member to prevent said balls from passing through said jaw-like opening to hold said balls in torque-transmitting engagement within said curved grooves of said inner and outer joint members;
• said supporting element being held within said joint so as to be movable relative to both said inner and outer joint members whereby it may be angled freely relative thereto in all directions of articulation of said joint;
• said curvature of said grooves in both said inner and outer joint members being formed such that a connecting line extending between the center of the radius of curvature of each of said grooves and the center of said torque-transmitting balls forms an angle .omega. relative to the axis of rotation of said respective joint member, said angle .omega. being smaller than or equal to 80.degree. and said angle .delta. being smaller than or equal to 50.degree..