Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-07-10
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
C403S357000, C464S074000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257798
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a universal joint coupling and more particularly to a universal joint assembly having an associated coupling with a radial clearance compensator.
BACKGROUND ART
The four-wheel drive feature on certain motor vehicles is a power transfer system that allows the vehicle to be driven by all four wheels, resulting in improved traction and control of the vehicle. Some types of four-wheel drive vehicles include a driveline which is equipped with a transfer case. The transfer case allows both the front and rear axles to be driven. Particularly, the function of the transfer case is to transfer engine torque from the transmission to the relevant propeller shafts which extend to both the front and rear axles.
Typically the four-wheel drive feature of such vehicles is operable via an auxiliary switch or a manual shifting by which the front-wheel drive can be engaged and disengaged at will. All-wheel drive (AWD) is a variation of four-wheel drive which shifts automatically during the appropriate driving situations, instead of requiring the operator to manually shift as in four-wheel drive. Because the propeller shafts which extend to each axle are continually moving with respect to each other, the transfer case is normally located in the mid-point area of the vehicle in order to provide service to both axles.
The driveline of a typical four-wheel drive vehicle also includes a slip joint between the propeller shafts and the transfer case which serves to accommodate the changes in distance between the axles and the transfer case as the front and rear wheels move up and down during operation of the vehicle. The slip joint is used to lengthen or shorten the propeller shaft and is typically a splined shaft coupling such as a universal joint of the cardan type. Proper alignment of this type of universal joint in conjunction with its attached coupling, such as the transfer case, is desirable. Such alignment is particularly desirable because improper or incorrect positioning of the splined shaft with the mating splines of the coupling may result in noise, vibration and harshness in the joint and in the overall assembly. Misalignment may also result in undesirable forces therebetween.
Consequently, a need has developed for an improved connection between a slip joint and its mating coupling, in order to reduce any noise, vibration and harshness in the assembly. There is a further need to improve the connection between the splined universal joint shaft to the adjoining coupling. The improved connection should also provide for a better and more efficient torque transmittal generally between mating splined components.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object according to the present invention to provide an improved connection between a mating externally splined shaft and an internally splined bore.
It is another object according to the present invention to provide an improved splined connection assembly which provides for a radial force from an internally splined shaft to an externally splined shaft in order to better compensate for radial clearance deviations therebetween.
It is still another object according to the present invention to provide a splined connection assembly which results in less noise, vibration and harshness during operation.
It is also an object according to the present invention to provide a splined connection assembly which has better shock absorption properties.
It is a further object according to the present invention to provide an improved connection for a motor vehicle between a transfer case having an internally splined shaft and an slip joint having an externally splined yoke, as well as providing for improved gearing tolerances.
It is also another object according to the present invention to provide for a radially adjustable force between the splined universal joint shaft and the coupling in which it is received.
In carrying out the above objects, features and advantages of the present invention, provided is a slip joint and connector assembly which has slip joint with an externally splined shaft which is received in and mates with an internally splined shaft of a connector housing. The slip joint and connector assembly includes a plurality of radially compressible, elongate members. Each elongate member is received within a corresponding longitudinally extending, axis-parallel opening disposed in the housing. Each elongate member engages the externally splined shaft and the internally splined shaft and provides for a radial force which compensates for clearance deviations therebetween. In a preferred embodiment the radially compressible, elongate member has a C-shaped cross-section which permits radial compression.
In another embodiment, the invention includes a transfer case of a motor vehicle having a housing and an internally splined shaft therein for mating with an externally splined shaft. The housing includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed, longitudinally extending, axis parallel recesses. Received within each recess is a radially compressible elongate member which engages the splined output shaft and provides a radial force between the universal joint and the transfer case. In a preferred embodiment, there are three axis parallel recesses which are radially distributed at 120° from each other. In a still preferred embodiment, the elongate member has a C-shaped cross-section and is received within a correspondingly shaped recess. In still another embodiment, the recess is disposed in the housing adjacent the internally splined shaft so that the internally splined shaft opening and each of the recesses forms a continuous cavity.
The above objects and other objects, features an advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals correspond to like components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1645342 (1927-10-01), Moorhouse
patent: 2807485 (1957-09-01), Seibert
patent: 3487903 (1970-01-01), Stickan
patent: 3722929 (1973-03-01), Gilman
patent: 4437782 (1984-03-01), Geisthoff
patent: 4552544 (1985-11-01), Beckman et al.
patent: 4792713 (1988-12-01), Bush
patent: 5674026 (1997-10-01), Ishibashi et al.
patent: 5807180 (1998-09-01), Knodle et al.
GKN Automotive Inc.
Kim Harry C.
Nylander Mick A.
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