Constant Velocity Joint Attachment Method

• US 20100267455A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Valovick, Brian Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,262,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 464/142
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/0858 due to the elasticity of the hub (including shrink fits)
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/116 the interengaging parts including a continuous or interrupted circumferential groove in the surface of one of the coupling parts circlips for retaining hubs on shafts F16B21/18
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2001/103 the torque is transmitted via splined connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2003/22323 Attachments to the shaft of the inner joint member whereby the attachments are distanced from the core
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/223 the rolling members being guided in grooves in both coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A shaft member (72) includes a plurality of shaft splines (166) and a shaft preloading portion (170). The assembly also includes a collar member (80) adjustably coupled to the shaft member and having a collar member groove (214) and a preloading portion formed (226) therein; a first member (126) having a first member groove (242)and a plurality of first member splines (238) formed therein; and a retaining member (122) selectively at least partially interposed within both the collar member groove and the first member groove for restraining axial movement between the shaft member and the collar member. At least a portion of the first member groove and at least a portion of the collar member groove are selectively aligned when the shaft member is at least partially interposed within the first member to permit the retaining member to be at least partially positioned within both the first member groove and the collar member groove.

Claims

1. A joint assembly comprising:

a shaft member rotationally coupled to a housing, the shaft member including a plurality of shaft splines and a shaft preloading portion;

a collar member adjustably coupled to the shaft member and having an collar member groove and a preloading portion formed therein;

a first member having an first member groove and a plurality of first member splines formed therein; and

a retaining member selectively at least partially interposed within both the collar member groove and the first member groove for restraining axial movement between the shaft member and the collar member,

wherein at least a portion of the first member groove and at least a portion of the collar member groove are selectively aligned when the shaft member is at least partially interposed within the first member to permit the retaining member to be at least partially positioned within both the first member groove and the collar member groove.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaft member includes a plurality of gear teeth formed thereon for transmitting torque through a driveline.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaft splines are dimensioned for an interference fit with the first member splines.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member is an inner race of a constant velocity joint.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the constant velocity joint includes an outer race and a plurality of spherical rotational members interposed between and in contact with the outer race and the first member.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of shaft splines are selectively positioned within an array of the spherical rotational members.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one bearing interposed between the housing and the shaft member, wherein the collar member may be moved relative to the shaft member to apply a preload to the at least one bearing.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first member groove and the collar member groove is a circumferential groove.

9. A joint assembly comprising:

a shaft member rotationally coupled to a housing, the shaft member including a plurality of shaft splines and a shaft preloading portion;

a collar member adjustably coupled to the shaft member and having an collar member groove and a preloading portion formed therein; and

a constant velocity joint, including an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of spherical rotational members interposed between and in contact with the outer race and the inner race, wherein the inner race includes a inner race groove and a plurality of inner race splines formed therein, and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of shaft splines are selectively positioned within an array of the spherical rotational members.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the shaft member includes a plurality of gear teeth formed thereon for transmitting torque through a driveline.

11. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising at least one bearing interposed between the housing and the shaft member, wherein the collar member may be moved relative to the shaft member to apply a preload to the at least one bearing.

12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a preload biasing portion interposed between the bearing and a portion of the shaft member for, wherein the preload biasing portion is at least partially deformed when the bearing is preloaded.

13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the shaft splines are dimensioned for an interference fit with the inner race splines.

14. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a retaining member selectively at least partially interposed within both the collar member groove and the inner race groove for restraining axial movement between the shaft member and the inner race.

15. A method of assembly for a driveline component, comprising:

interposing a shaft within at least one bearing;

positioning the shaft adjacent a preload member;

preloading the bearing, wherein moving a collar member relative to the shaft, at least in part, increases the preload;

coupling a first portion of a constant velocity joint to a portion of the collar member such that at least a portion of a collar member groove formed in the collar member and at least a portion of a shaft groove formed in the shaft are selectively at least partially aligned when the shaft is at least partially interposed within the first portion; and

inserting a retaining member at least partially within at least one of the collar member groove and the shaft groove.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising applying a generally axial interference fit force to at least one of the preload member and the first portion to urge the shaft to move relative to the first portion, wherein the axial interference fit force will at least elastically deform a at least a portion of one of the shaft and the first portion.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the first portion of the constant velocity joint includes inserting a portion of an inner race of the constant velocity joint into a portion of the collar member.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising interposing the shaft within the first portion of the constant velocity joint.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising interposing a seal between a surface of the preload member and a surface of the first portion of the constant velocity joint.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising deflecting at least a portion of the retaining member radially as the first portion is inserted within the portion of the preload member.