Back to results
US 2016/0238084 A1Published application
Vehicle transfer case with variable angle joint
AssigneeGKN Driveline North America, Inc.
InventorsMichael James Miller, Eric J. LaMothe, Sam Junior D'Angelo, Robert Leslie Cassell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One exemplary illustration of a torque transfer device for a vehicle may include a housing and a variable angle constant velocity joint integrated with the housing. The joint may be connected between a drive mechanism and an output shaft for transmitting torque from the drive mechanism to the output shaft.
Claims18
A torque transfer device for a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing;
- a constant velocity joint that includes:
- an outer race rotatably mounted within the housing;
- and
- an inner race positioned within the outer race and connected to the outer race by a plurality of torque transmitting balls;
- a drive mechanism connected to said outer race of the constant velocity joint, and the drive mechanism transferring torque received from an input shaft of the torque transfer device to the outer race of the constant velocity joint such that the outer race drives the inner race;
- an output shaft connected to said inner race of the constant velocity joint;
- and
- an elastic boot extending between and connected to the inner race and the outer race, and the elastic boot prevents contaminants from depositing on at least one of the outer race, the inner race and the torque transmitting balls;
- wherein the inner race is pivotally mounted within the outer race such that the inner race may pivot relative to the outer race up to a predetermined angle.
7 more elements
(canceled)
(canceled)
A torque transfer device for a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing having a cavity;
- a variable angle constant velocity joint integrated with the housing, and the joint has an outer race connected to a drive mechanism and an inner race connected to an output shaft for transmitting torque from the drive mechanism to the output shaft;
- a boot connected to the inner race and the outer race to provide a seal between them;
- and
- a seal extending between the housing and at least one of a boot cap and an outer race of the joint to prevent a contaminant from entering the cavity;
- wherein the inner race is movable to a plurality of angles with respect to the outer race.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.