IP Library Granted Patent US 9,017,175
Granted Patent B2
US 9,017,175 · App. 13/939,266 · Granted Apr 28, 2015

Propshaft assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,017,175
App. No.
13/939,266
Granted
Apr 28, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A propshaft assembly includes an axle flange, a propshaft, and a damper. The propshaft includes a prop flange, which may be mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith. The damper includes an outer mass that annularly surrounds the prop flange. The damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and a flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft without fasteners.

Claims (48)

1. A propshaft assembly, comprising:

an axle flange;

a propshaft having;

a prop flange mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith; and

a flange pilot formed on the prop flange and configured to align the prop flange to the axle flange; and

a damper having an outer mass annularly surrounding the prop flange, wherein the damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and the flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft for common rotation therewith.

2. The propshaft assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of bolt holes formed through the prop flange and the axle flange; and

a plurality of bolts located within the bolt holes and fixedly attaching the prop flange to the axle flange.

3. The propshaft assembly of claim 2 , wherein the damper further includes:

an outer hub annularly surrounding the prop flange;

an inner hub radially connecting the prop flange to the outer hub; and

a rubber ring mating the outer mass to the outer hub.

4. The propshaft assembly of claim 3 ,

wherein the outer hub, the inner hub, and the prop flange are formed in one piece as an integral, single component, and

wherein the rubber ring is pressed onto the outer hub of the integral, single component.

5. The propshaft assembly of claim 4 , further comprising:

a plurality of access holes formed through the inner hub of the damper, wherein the access holes provide access to the propshaft from outside of the damper.

6. A propshaft assembly, comprising:

an axle flange rotatable about an axis;

a propshaft having;

an input shaft;

a universal joint mated to the input shaft;

a prop flange mated to the input shaft via the universal joint, such that the universal joint is configured to allow an offset angle between the input shaft and the axis, wherein the prop flange is directly mated to the axle flange for common rotation about the axis; and

a flange pilot formed on the prop flange and configured to radially and axially align the prop flange to the axle flange; and

a damper having an outer mass annularly surrounding the prop flange, wherein the damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and the flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft for common rotation therewith.

7. The propshaft assembly of claim 6 , wherein the damper further includes:

an outer hub annularly surrounding the prop flange;

an inner hub radially connecting the prop flange to the outer hub; and

a rubber ring mating the outer mass to the outer hub.

8. The propshaft assembly of claim 7 , wherein a portion the inner hub is sandwiched between the prop flange and the axle flange.

9. A propshaft assembly, comprising:

an axle flange rotatable about an axis;

a propshaft having;

an input shaft;

a universal joint mated to the input shaft;

a prop flange mated to the input shaft via the universal joint, such that the universal joint is configured to allow an offset angle between the input shaft and the axis, wherein the prop flange is directly mated to the axle flange for common rotation about the axis; and

a flange pilot formed on the prop flange and configured to radially and axially align the prop flange to the axle flange; and

a damper having:

an outer mass annularly surrounding the prop flange;

an outer hub annularly surrounding the prop flange;

an inner hub radially connecting the prop flange to the outer hub, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft; and

a rubber ring mating the outer mass to the outer hub,

wherein a portion the inner hub contacts the axle flange,

wherein the outer hub, the inner hub, and the prop flange are formed in one piece as an integral, single component, and

wherein the rubber ring is pressed onto the outer hub of the integral, single component.

10. The propshaft assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:

a plurality of access holes formed through the inner hub of the damper, wherein the access holes provide access to the propshaft from outside of the damper.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034189/0065 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0336 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2013
From: CREEK, STEVEN W.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 030775/0415 →