Driveshaft with single constant-velocity joint and locking mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10047800-B2
Application number	US-201615081980-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 28, 2016
Priority date	Mar 28, 2016
Publication date	Aug 14, 2018
Grant date	Aug 14, 2018

Abstract

A vehicle has a transfer case that is configured to receive power from a transmission, and transfer the power to one or both of a front axle and a rear axle. The transfer case has an output, such as an output rod, that delivers the power to a differential on one of the axles. A driveshaft has a single constant-velocity joint thereon. A first shaft of the driveshaft is directly connected to the output of the transfer case by a fixed connection, such as a spline connection, that inhibits axial slipping. The first shaft is connected on its other end to the constant-velocity joint. A second shaft of the driveshaft is connects to the constant-velocity joint to the differential. The driveshaft can also have a clamp at the splint to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising:
a transfer case having an output and being configured to deliver torque from a transmission toward a differential; and
a driveshaft with a single constant-velocity joint, the driveshaft having
a first shaft directly connected to the output by a fixed connection that inhibits axial slipping, and connected to the constant-velocity joint, and
a second shaft connecting the constant-velocity joint to the differential;

wherein the first shaft is connected to the output via a spline connection, and wherein the driveshaft further includes a clamp at the spline connection configured to inhibit axial slipping at the spline connection.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a weld yoke at the fixed connection.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the differential includes an input, and the second shaft is connected to the input via a spline connection.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 , further comprising a boot disposed about the spline connection.

5. The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the spline connection includes female splines integrally formed in the second shaft and male splines integrally formed on the input of the differential.

6. A vehicle comprising:
a first shaft having first spline connection features coupled to an output of a transfer case;
a second shaft having second spline connection features coupled to an input of a differential;
a constant-velocity joint coupled to the first and second shafts for transferring rotational speed therebetween; and
a clamp disposed at least partially radially outward from the first spline features to inhibit axial slipping between the first shaft and the output.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the first spline connection features are disposed radially outward of the output shaft, and wherein the clamp is disposed about at least a portion of the first spline connection features.

8. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the clamp is a collet.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle does not include a second constant-velocity joint between the transfer case and the differential.

10. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the second spline connection features are unclamped with the input of the differential to permit axial slipping between the second shaft and the input.

11. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the differential is a front-axle differential.

12. A vehicle comprising:
a transfer case having an output;
a front-axle differential having an input;
a first shaft spline-connected to the output and disposed radially about a portion of the output;
a second shaft spline-connected to the input;
a constant-velocity joint coupled to and between the first and second shaft; and
a collet disposed about a portion of the first shaft and configured to axially lock the first shaft to the output.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the output includes male spline connection features protruding outward therefrom that engage with female spline connection features integrally formed in the first shaft.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the second shaft is connected to the input via a slip spline connection that enables axial slipping.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the first shaft is connected to the output via a locked spline connection that inhibits axial slipping.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Nicholas Chris Peter
• Paskus Anthony
• Wilkins Marc Thomas

Classifications

• F16D3/223

  the rolling members being guided in grooves in both coupling parts · CPC title

• F16D3/06 Primary

  specially adapted to allow axial displacement · CPC title

• F16D1/02

  for connecting two abutting shafts or the like · CPC title

• F16D1/104

  having retaining means rotating with the coupling and acting only by friction · CPC title

• B60K17/16

  of differential gearing · CPC title