Dana Corporation

Torque-traction Technologies, Inc.

Spicer Driveshaft, Inc.

Albert Aiken

Johnny Neal Smith

David W Maxwell

James A Duggan

Jeffrey A Dutkiewicz

Ray A Gall

Blake T Garretson

Daniel E Beitzel

Michael D Penn

Jeffrey Paul Patrisso

A center bearing assembly includes a generally U-shaped bracket and a support member containing a bearing. In a first embodiment, a plurality of openings is formed through the bracket. Each of the openings has axially forward and rearward tabs provided thereon which extend inwardly toward the center of the bracket. The outer surface of the support member is formed having a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions. When the support member is installed in the bracket, the outwardly extending protrusions of the support member are received within the openings formed in the legs of the bracket to prevent the support member from being withdrawn radially from the bracket. Portions of the axially facing surfaces of the support member are engaged respectively by the tabs to prevent the support member from moving axially relative to the bracket. In a second embodiment, a plurality of openings is formed through the bracket, and a pair of circumferential inwardly extending flanges is provided thereon. The protrusions of the support member cooperate with the openings formed through the bracket to retain it therein.

Center bearing bracket and support

A driveshaft assembly that is axially collapsible in a reliably controlled manner includes a male splined slip yoke that cooperates with a female splined transition member for concurrent rotational movement and for relative axial movement. The transition member is, in turn, secured to a hollow cylindrical driveshaft tube. The transition member has an inner surface that tapers or otherwise extends radially inwardly, and a wedge is supported within the transition member. When a large compressive force is applied to the ends of the driveshaft assembly, the slip yoke causes the wedge to move axially relative to the transition member, thereby causing the transition member and a portion of the hollow cylindrical driveshaft tube to be expanded radially outwardly and creating a weakened region. When the wedge is moved yet axially further relative to the transition member, the driveshaft tube is further deformed in a controlled and consistent, thereby absorbing energy from the collision. Optionally, a bladder may be provided within the hollow cylindrical driveshaft tube and filled with a material so as to allow the amount of compressive force that is required to cause the driveshaft assembly to axially collapse to be varied.

Axially collapsible driveshaft assembly

One or more piezo-based devices are mounted on a center bearing assembly of a drive train assembly for reducing the amount of vibrations that are generated therein during operation. The piezo-based device is used to dampen these vibrations by converting the physical vibratory motion of the driveshaft tube into an electrical current that is dissipated through a resistive element as heat. By varying the magnitude of the resistive element, the center damping frequency of the piezo-based device can be varied as needed for center bearing assembly and drive train. If desired, an inductive element may be provided with the resistive element to dissipate the electrical current. The magnitude of the resistive element may be varied by a controller in response to the magnitude and/or frequency of the vibrations sensed by a sensor. Alternatively, the stiffness of the piezo-based device may be controlled by an electrical current generator that can be operated by a controller in response to the magnitude and/or frequency of the vibrations sensed by a sensor.

Vehicle center bearing assembly including piezo-based device for vibration damping

A steering shaft assembly for a vehicle uses a ball spline as a slip member. In general, the slip member includes an outer race member, an inner race member, and a pair of end return members. The outer race member includes one or more grooves or recesses, each groove forming an outer race. The inner race member includes a corresponding number of grooves and inner bores to form an outer race track and inner race tracks, respectively. Each outer race and corresponding outer race track form an outer ball recirculating track for transmitting torque through the recirculating ball bearings. Each inner race track forms an inner ball recirculating track for providing a circumferential path for the ball bearings. In one embodiment, the inner race member and end return members are generally cylindrical in cross sectional shape that is disposed within the outer race member. The outer race member, inner race member and end return member can be any desired cross sectional shape. For example, the inner race member and return end members can include one or more projections extending outwardly to the outer race member. The slip member can be used a steering shaft assembly that is in production by forming grooves in the outer race member to form the outer races and inserting ball recirculating track members within a corresponding number of slots formed in an existing yoke tube.

Axially adjustable steering shaft assembly with ball spline

A method for pre-positioning the driveshaft sections of an axially adjustable driveshaft assembly prior to installation within a vehicle to facilitate the installation process. An installation tool is provided with first and second members which are movable relative to one another. Reference indicia are provided on one or both of the members such that mounting surfaces provided thereon can be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined amount. The mounting surfaces of the installation tool are mounted on separate sections of the driveshaft assembly. Then, the driveshaft sections are moved relative to one another until the reference indicia provided on the installation tool are properly aligned. When such alignment is achieved, the overall axial length of the driveshaft assembly is approximately equal to the desired length between the engine/transmission assembly and the axle assembly. Then, the installation tool is removed, and the driveshaft assembly is installed in the vehicle. Because the overall axial length of the driveshaft assembly has been pre-positioned to the desired length, little or no adjustment thereof will be required to install the driveshaft assembly within the vehicle.

Method for facilitating the installation of an axially adjustable

An alignment fixture to rotationally align driveshaft components includes a first driveshaft component having a yoke secured to it, the yoke having opposed arms with openings for receiving universal joint bearings, with the openings being aligned on a yoke axis, and wherein a cross with bearing cups is mounted within the yoke, with the bearing cups being positioned within the yoke arm openings, and wherein the first driveshaft component has splines for transmitting torque, and wherein a second driveshaft component has splines for interengagement with the splines of the first driveshaft component in a slip joint, the second driveshaft component having an alignment mark indicative of angular orientation with respect to a universal joint yoke fixed to the second driveshaft component. The fixture includes a main body having a concave surface for positive contact with the first driveshaft component. The fixture also has a pair of opposed locator pads mounted from a forward end of the main body, the opposed locator pads being shaped to contact the bearing cups positioned within the yoke arm openings, the opposed locator pads defining a transverse locator axis therebetween, wherein contact between the opposed locator pads and the bearing cups causes the fixture to become aligned with the yoke of the first driveshaft component resulting in parallel alignment of the transverse locator axis with the yoke axis. The fixture also has an indicator collar on a rearward end of the main body, the indicator collar having indicia indicative of angular displacement of locations on the collar relative to the transverse locator axis, wherein the angular orientation of the second driveshaft component relative to the transverse locator axis, and hence the yoke openings of the first driveshaft component, can be determined by comparing the alignment mark of the second driveshaft component with the indicia on the collar.

Alignment tool for phasing of splined slip joint driveshaft components

An apparatus is disclosed for positioning a bearing cup with respect to a universal joint having a yoke. The apparatus includes a base. A support is connected to the base and disposed at a distance therefrom. A spacer connects the support to the base and fixes the distance. A ram is mounted on the support. The ram is movable relative to the support and toward the base. Movement of the ram is adapted for positioning the bearing cup with respect to the yoke.

Apparatus for removing or mounting a bearing cup

A universal joint assembly includes a yoke having a recess formed in an arm. A bearing cap is rotatably mounted on a trunnion of a cross and received in the recess of the yoke arm. The bearing cap includes an outer circumferential surface engaging the recess, an end surface and at least one axially extending protrusion formed in the end surface. A retainer strap is secured to the yoke arm to retain the bearing cap in the recess. A slot is formed in the retainer strap which receives the protrusion of the bearing cap to prevent rotation of the bearing cap relative to the yoke.

Anti-rotation bearing cap and retainer for universal joint

A structure restrains a bearing cap mounted on a universal joint cross from rotating relative to an end yoke connected thereto during use. The bearing cap has a plurality of axially extending protrusions provided on its end surface. In a first embodiment of the invention, the bearing cap is connected to a half round end yoke, and means are provided for engaging the protrusions to prevent rotation of the bearing cap relative to the half round end yoke. A preferred structure for this is a nib formed integrally with the half round end yoke arm, wherein the nib extends over the end of the recess and engages the protrusions to prevent rotation. A second embodiment includes a half round end yoke and a retainer strap for retaining the bearing cap within the recess of the yoke arm. The retainer strap includes a flange portion extending partially across the end surface of the bearing cap. The flange portion includes a slot positioned to engage the protrusions to prevent rotation. A third embodiment includes a half round end yoke and a retainer strap including a pair of flange portions extending partially across the end surface of the bearing cap. The flange portions define a gap therebetween to engage the protrusions to prevent rotation. A fourth embodiment includes a full round end yoke and a retainer strap extending completely across the end surface of the beating cap. The retainer strap engages the protrusions to prevent rotation. A fifth embodiment includes a full round end yoke and a spring tab including a flange portion extending partially across the end surface of the bearing cap. The flange portion is positioned to engage the protrusions to prevent rotation.

Bearing cap for universal joint having anti-rotation protrusions

A structure for retaining a bearing cup mounted on a universal joint cross within an opening formed through an arm of an end yoke during use. An external circumferential groove is formed about the outer surface of the bearing cup. An internal circumferential groove is formed about the inner surface of the opening formed through the arm of the end yoke. A recessed area is formed on a surface of the arm of the end yoke adjacent to the opening. The recesses area is of sufficient depth that it extends below the internal groove formed within the opening. Thus, a portion of the internal groove is exposed to the arm surface. To retain the bearing cup within the opening, a snap ring having a ventral portion and a pair of leg portions is installed such that the leg portions extend into the internal groove formed in the opening. The bearing cup is inserted within the opening until the external groove on the bearing cup is aligned with the internal groove formed in the opening. When this occurs, the leg portions of the snap ring extend into both the external groove formed in the bearing cup and the internal groove formed in the opening. The central portion of the snap ring is maintained within the recesses area formed in the surface of the end yoke arm. As a result, access to the snap ring is maintained for easy removal when disassembly of the bearing cup from the end yoke arm is desired.

Growing community of inventors

Toledo, OH, United States of America

Albert Aiken