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.
Claims21
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 first surface configured to abut the compensator assembly, a distal end disposed opposite the first surface, and a lubrication passageway;
- and
- a retainer bolt having a threaded end and a head portion engaging a second surface of the retainer,
- wherein the central bore receives the retainer bolt,
- wherein the retainer bolt is configured to be threaded into the aperture of the distal end of the crankshaft;
- and
- wherein the lubrication passageway extends from the second surface through the retainer to the first surface.
A compensator assembly for transmitting torque along a drivetrain, the drivetrain having a crankshaft therein, the compensator assembly comprising:
- an input member rotatably fixed to and axially movable with respect to the crankshaft;
- an output member driven by the input member;
- a retainer mounted to the crankshaft and configured to retain the input member and the output member thereto, the retainer and the output member being rotatable with respect to one another, wherein at least one lubrication passageway is provided through the retainer extending from a distal end of the retainer and is enclosed by an outer surface of the retainer, and wherein at least one aperture is provided on the outer surface of the retainer in fluid communication with the at least one lubrication passageway;
- and
- a retainer bolt engaged with a surface 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 lubrication passageway extending through the retainer, and a surface;
- providing a retainer bolt with a threaded end;
- abutting the surface of the retainer with a portion of 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;
- engaging an end of the retainer bolt opposite the threaded end with the surface of the retainer;
- gathering lubricant at the surface engaged by the head of the retainer bolt;
- and
- directing the lubricant gathered at the surface through the lubrication passageway to lubricate the compensator assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.