A Fully Compliant Constant Velocity Universal Joint

This paper presents the concept and fabrication of a large deflection compliant Constant Velocity universal joint (CV joint). A novel compliant structure is proposed based on the 6R Hybrid spatial overconstrained linkage. Due to symmetry, its kinematic properties are such that can transfer rotational motion between two angled shafts with true constant velocity. The kinematic of the mechanism and the Pseudo-Rigid-Body model of its compliant configuration are studied and analyzed. A prototype was manufactured and experimentally evaluated. It was verified that the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical expectations.