Driveline angle reducer
AssigneeTorque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
InventorRalph W. Baxter, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A driveline system for a motor vehicle includes at least two propeller shafts and a driveline angle reducer disposed therebetween for drivingly interconnecting the propeller shafts at a fixed operating angle. The driveline angle reducer includes a housing rotatably supporting therewithin a fixed-angle constant-velocity joint. The housing of the driveline angle reducer is mounted to a vehicle body and contains a supply of a lubricant for lubrication of the constant-velocity joint. The driveline angle reducer allows propeller shaft operating angles to be in a range where conventional Cardan joints can be used in the driveline systems without causing excessive cyclic vibrations.
Claims15
In an automotive vehicle having a body that supports a source of rotational power, a final drive and a driveline system for transmitting the rotational power from the source to the final drive, said driveline system comprising:
- at least two propeller shafts;
- and
- at least one driveline angle reducer including a fixed-angle universal joint connecting a pair of said at least two propeller shafts, said driveline angle reducer is connected to at least one of said pair of propeller shafts through a universal joint.
In an automotive vehicle having a body that supports a source of rotational power, a final drive and a driveline system for transmitting the rotational power from the source to the final drive, said driveline system comprising:
- at least two propeller shafts;
- and
- a driveline angle reducer including:
- a fixed-angle constant-velocity joint connecting a pair of said at least two propeller shafts;
- a housing enclosing said fixed-angle constant-velocity joint and mounted to said body of said vehicle, said housing containing a supply of lubricant for lubricating said fixed-angle constant-velocity joint;
- a first shaft member coupled to an inner joint member of said fixed-angle constant-velocity joint;
- and
- a second shaft member coupled to an outer joint member of said fixed-angle constant-velocity joint;
- an outboard end of said first shaft member is coupled to one of said pair of propeller shafts through a universal joint;
- an outboard end of said second shaft member is coupled to the other of said pair of propeller shafts through a universal joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.