IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,004,842
Granted Patent B2
US 7,004,842 · App. 10/356,620 · Granted Feb 28, 2006

Compound driveshaft assembly with constant velocity joint

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,004,842
App. No.
10/356,620
Granted
Feb 28, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A compound driveshaft assembly includes a first driveshaft section that is connected through a front stub shaft to an inner race of a constant velocity universal joint. The constant velocity universal joint includes a unitary outer race and splined member having an outer race portion that is disposed about the inner race and a splined portion that extends axially rearwardly from the outer race portion. The unitary outer race and splined member is formed from a single piece of material, not from an assembly of two or more separate components. A plurality of balls provide a driving connection between the outer race portion of the unitary outer race and splined member and the inner race. The splined portion of the unitary outer race and splined member is connected for rotation with a rear stub shaft. To accomplish this, the rear stub shaft includes a splined portion that cooperates with the splined portion of the unitary outer race and splined member. The rear stub shaft is connected to a front end of a second driveshaft section. The second driveshaft section has a rear end that is connected through a second universal joint to the input shaft of the axle assembly.

Claims (28)

1. A compound driveshaft assembly comprising:

a first driveshaft section;

a center bearing assembly that supports said first driveshaft section for rotation;

a constant velocity universal joint including an inner race, a unitary outer race and splined member, and a plurality of balls, said inner race being connected for rotation with said first driveshaft section, said unitary outer race and splined member being formed from a single piece of material and including an outer race portion that is disposed about said inner race and a splined portion that extends from said outer race portion, said plurality of balls provide a driving connection between said inner race and said outer race portion of said unitary outer race and splined member; and

a second driveshaft section connected for rotation with and for relative axial movement to said splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member.

2. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 1 further including a stub shaft that is connected between said first driveshaft section and said inner race of said constant velocity universal joint.

3. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said stub shaft includes a first end that is connected to said first driveshaft section and a second end having a splined portion that is connected to said inner race of said constant velocity universal joint.

4. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 1 further including a stub shaft that is connected between said splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and said second driveshaft section.

5. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 4 wherein said stub shaft includes a first end having a splined portion that is connected to said splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and a second end that is connected to said second driveshaft section.

6. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member includes a female splined portion that extends from said outer race portion.

7. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 6 further including a stub shaft that is connected between said female splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and said second driveshaft section.

8. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 7 wherein said stub shaft includes a first end having a male splined portion that is connected to said female splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and a second end that is connected to said second driveshaft section.

9. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said unitary outer race and splined member includes a male splined portion that extends from said outer race portion.

10. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 9 further including a stub shaft that is connected between said male splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and said second driveshaft section.

11. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said stub shaft includes a first end having a female splined portion that is connected to said male splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and a second end that is connected to second first driveshaft section.

12. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said center bearing assembly engages said stub shaft and supports said first driveshaft section and said stub shaft for rotation.

13. A compound driveshaft assembly comprising:

a first driveshaft section;

a first stub shaft having a first end that is secured to said first driveshaft section and a second end;

a center bearing assembly that engages said first stub shaft and supports said first driveshaft section and said first stub shaft for rotation;

a constant velocity universal joint including an inner race, a unitary outer race and splined member, and a plurality of balls, said inner race being connected for rotation with said second end of said first stub shaft, said unitary outer race and splined member being formed from a single piece of material and including an outer race portion that is disposed about said inner race and a splined portion that extends from said outer race portion, said plurality of balls provide a driving connection between said inner race and said outer race portion of said unitary outer race and splined member;

a second stub shaft having a first end that is connected for rotation with and for axial movement relative to said splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and a second end; and

a second driveshaft section connected for rotation with said second end of said second stub shaft.

14. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 13 wherein said second end of said first stub shaft has a splined portion that is connected to said inner race of said constant velocity universal joint.

15. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 13 wherein said first end of said second stub shaft has a splined portion that is connected to said splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member.

16. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 13 wherein said splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member includes a female splined portion that extends from said outer race portion.

17. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 16 wherein said second stub shaft is connected between said female splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member and said second driveshaft section.

18. The compound driveshaft assembly defined in claim 17 wherein said first end of said second stub shaft has a male splined portion that is connected to said female splined portion of said unitary outer race and splined member.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2020
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA LIMITED; FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 053309/0686 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (BRIDGE) Recorded Apr 21, 2020
From: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 052459/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Apr 21, 2020
From: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; FAIRFIELD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 052459/0224 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REVOLVING FACILITY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2008
From: DANA HOLDING CORPORATION; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA SEALING PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA SEALING MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA THERMAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; SPICER HEAVY AXLE & BRAKE, INC.; DANA OFF HIGHWAY PRODUCTS, LLC; DTF TRUCKING INC.; DANA WORLD TRADE CORPORATION; DANA AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET, INC.; DANA GLOBAL PRODUCTS, INC.; DANA STRUCTURAL MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020859/0249 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TERM FACILITY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2008
From: DANA HOLDING CORPORATION; DANA LIMITED; DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA DRIVESHAFT MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA LIGHT AXLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA SEALING PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA SEALING MANUFACTURING, LLC; DANA STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA THERMAL PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PRODUCTS, LLC; DANA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURING, LLC; SPICER HEAVY AXLE & BRAKE, INC.; DANA OFF HIGHWAY PRODUCTS, LLC; DTF TRUCKING INC.; DANA WORLD TRADE CORPORATION; DANA AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET, INC.; DANA GLOBAL PRODUCTS, INC.; DANA STRUCTURAL MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 020859/0359 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2008
From: TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: DANA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 020518/0949 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 2, 2006
From: TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 017240/0259 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2003
From: FAIRCHILD, SCOTT M.; WANG, D. DENNIS
To: TORQUE-TRACTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 013731/0702 →