Composite linkshaft bracket
OwnerCarsten Behrensmeier, Holm Schmittinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composite linkshaft bracket having a composite upper portion and a lower portion used to support a bearing supported linkshaft in a vehicle driveline replaces known cast iron brackets. The composite upper portion is formed of a polymer material that is designed for sufficiently high eigenfrequencies due to a low specific weight and high stiffness and the ability to withstand heat distortion temperatures of at least 180 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the polymer material is reinforced with fibrous material such as glass fiber. The lower portion is preferably formed from the same polymer material used in the composite upper portion, however may alternatively be formed of stamped metal.
Claims19
A driveline for a vehicle comprising:
- a differential transmission placed eccentrically relative to the vehicle centerline;
- a first inboard joint coupled to one side of said differential transmission;
- a first interconnecting shaft coupled to said first inboard joint and to a first outboard joint;
- a linkshaft coupled to said differential transmission and to a second inboard joint;
- a second interconnecting shaft coupled to said second inboard joint and a second outboard joint;
- a bearing for supporting said linkshaft;
- and
- a composite linkshaft bracket used to support said bearing.
A composite linkshaft bracket used to support a bearing supported linkshaft in a vehicle driveline comprising:
- a composite upper portion having a plurality of mounting holes, a pair of mounted studs, and an upper spherical region;
- and
- a lower portion coupled to said upper portion, said lower portion having a lower spherical region and a pair of inlets, wherein each of said pair of inlets couples with a corresponding one of said pair of mounted studs to surround and support the bearing supported linkshaft.
A method for decreasing weight in a transversally mounted driveline comprising:
- providing a composite linkshaft bracket having a composite upper portion and a lower portion, said composite upper portion having a heat distortion temperature of at least 180 degrees Celsius;
- coupling said composite upper portion to said lower portion of said composite linkshaft bracket such that said composite linkshaft bracket surrounds a bearing used to support a linkshaft in the transversally mounted driveline;
- and
- coupling said composite linkshaft bracket to a vehicle ladderframe or engine block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.