Drive train member having convex splines
AssigneeTorque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDouglas E. Breese, Mark S. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle drive train assembly includes a source of rotational power and at least one rotatably driven vehicle wheel. A male splined member and a female splined member are connected between the source of rotational power and the vehicle wheel to transmit rotational power therebetween. At least one of the splined members is a driveshaft. The splines of the male splined member have side surfaces and outer surfaces which are convex in shape. The convex splines of the male splined member cooperate with the splines of the female splined member to connect the splined members together in a manner that allows for limited angular and axial movement therebetween.
Claims20
A vehicle drive train assembly comprising:
- a source of rotational power;
- at least one rotatably driven vehicle wheel;
- and
- a male splined member and a female splined member which are connected between the source of rotational power and the at least one vehicle wheel to transmit rotational power therebetween, wherein at least one of the splined members is a driveshaft, the splines of the male splined member having side surfaces which are convex in shape and outer surfaces which are convex in shape, the convex splines of the male splined member cooperating with the splines of the female splined member to connect the splined members together in a manner that allows for limited angular and axial movement therebetween, wherein the angular movement is caused at least in part by up or down movement of the at least one vehicle wheel during operation of the vehicle.
A vehicle drive train assembly comprising:
- a source of rotational power;
- at least one rotatably driven vehicle wheel;
- and
- a male splined driveshaft and a female splined member which are connected between the source of rotational power and the at least one vehicle wheel to transmit rotational power therebetween, the driveshaft including a main tubular portion, a male splined end portion, and a neck portion between the male splined end portion and the main tubular portion, the neck portion having a diameter which is less than the diameters of both the male splined end portion and the main tubular portion, the splines of the male splined member having side surfaces which are convex in shape and outer surfaces which are convex in shape, the convex splines of the male splined member cooperating with the splines of the female splined member to connect the splined members together in a manner that allows for limited angular and axial movement therebetween.
A vehicle drive train assembly comprising:
- a source of rotational power;
- at least one rotatably driven vehicle wheel;
- and
- a male splined member and a female splined member which are connected between the source of rotational power and the at least one vehicle wheel to transmit rotational power therebetween, wherein at least one of the splined members is a driveshaft which is located completely outside of the source of rotational power, the splines of the male splined member having side surfaces which are convex in shape and outer surfaces which are convex in shape, the convex splines of the male splined member cooperating with the splines of the female splined member to connect the splined members together in a manner that allows for limited angular and axial movement therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.