Lubricated engine compensator assembly and motorcycle having the same
AssigneeHarley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
InventorsRick A. Schmidt, Karl W. Monis, Alfredo Cartes, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a compensator assembly for use in a motorcycle. The compensator assembly includes an input member, and an output member driven by the input member through a torque-buffering interface. The compensator assembly also includes one or more lubrication passageways formed therein extending between a distal end and one or more interfaces to provide lubricant thereto.
Claims20
A retention assembly for axially retaining a compensator assembly on a distal end of a crankshaft, the crankshaft having a threaded aperture, the retention assembly comprising:
- a retainer including a central bore extending therethrough, a surface configured to abut the compensator assembly, a distal end disposed opposite the surface, and a plurality of lubrication passageways extending between the distal end of the retainer and the surface;
- and
- a retainer bolt having a threaded end,
- wherein the central bore receives the retainer bolt, and
- wherein the retainer bolt is configured to be threaded into the aperture of the distal end of the crankshaft.
A compensator assembly for transmitting torque along a drivetrain, the drivetrain having at least one shaft therein, the compensator assembly comprising:
- an input member rotatably fixed to and axially movable with respect to the shaft;
- an output member driven by the input member;
- and
- a retainer mounted to the shaft and configured to retain the input member and the output member thereto, the retainer and output member being rotatably coupled to one another, wherein the retainer defines at least one lubrication passageway extending from a distal end of the retainer.
A method for lubricating a compensator assembly on a distal end of a crankshaft having a threaded aperture, the method comprising:
- providing a retainer including a central bore therethrough, a plurality of lubrication passageways, and a surface;
- providing a retainer bolt with a threaded end;
- abutting the surface of the retainer with the compensator assembly;
- receiving the retainer bolt through the central bore of the retainer;
- threading the threaded end of the retainer bolt into the threaded aperture of the distal end of the crankshaft;
- and
- lubricating the compensator assembly by directing lubricant through the plurality of lubrication passageways.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.