Power transfer unit for awd vehicles having integrated joint assembly

A power take-off unit for use in an all-wheel drive vehicle having first and second drivelines, comprising:

• a drive member adapted to be rotatably coupled to a first shaft for rotation about a first rotary axis;
• a driven member rotatable about a second rotary axis and being in torque transferring arrangement with the drive member;
• a hypoid gearset including a ring gear coupled for rotation with the driven member about the second axis and a pinion gear rotable about a third rotary axis and being in a torque transferring arrangement with the ring gear;
• a second shaft rotatable about a fourth rotary axis and which is adapted to be interconnected to the second driveline;
• and
• a joint positioned within a cavity formed in the pinion gear and drivingly interconnecting the second shaft for rotation with the pinion gear, the joint being operable to permit pivotal movement of the second shaft relative to the pinion gear so as to vary the angular relationship between the fourth axis and the third axis.

A power take-off unit for use in an all-wheel drive vehicle having a power source and first and second drivelines, the power take-off unit comprising:

• a first shaft driven by the power source about a first rotary axis associated with the first driveline;
• a transfer assembly adapted to be driven by the power source and including a hypoid gearset and a clutch assembly, the hypoid gearset including a ring gear supported for rotation about the first rotary axis and a pinion gear meshed with the ring gear and supported for rotation about a second rotary axis that is transversely oriented relative to the first rotary axis, wherein the clutch assembly is operable for selectively connecting and disconnecting the ring gear and the first shaft;
• a second shaft adapted to transmit drive torque to the second driveline;
• and
• a joint positioned within a cavity formed in the pinion gear and drivingly interconnecting the pinion gear and the second shaft, the joint operable to permit pivotal movement of the second shaft so as to vary the orientation of the second shaft relative to the second axis.