Abstract: A two-stage universal joint includes a sleeve, a driving member and a restricting member. The sleeve defines an axial direction and includes a receiving groove and an assembling portion. The driving member includes a polygonal ball head. The polygonal ball head has a plurality of arcuate portions. The polygonal ball head is inserted into the receiving groove. The driving member is slidable between a first position and a second position relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing a tooth shear strength without also increasing a torsional rigidity of a flexible sleeve disposed between two hubs of a flexible coupling for transmitting mechanical motion between two shafts includes attaching a stiffening caps to both ends of a flexible sleeve, between the flexible sleeve and the hubs.

Abstract: A center bearing assembly for a multi-piece propeller shaft includes a stud yoke extending along an axis A between first and second stud yoke ends to define a central stub shaft rotatable about the axis A. A rotatable weld collar is operably connected to the second stud yoke end of the central stub shaft for simultaneous rotation therewith. The rotatable weld collar includes a body extending from a first collar end disposed adjacent the central stub shaft to a second collar end to define an exterior surface. A tuned damper extends radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the rotatable weld collar for reducing noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH) generated during operation of the multi-piece propeller shaft. A first shaft segment is operably connected to the rotatable weld collar and a second shaft segment is operably connected to the stud yoke for transferring a rotational force therebetween.

Abstract: A flexible coupling comprises a flexible torque disc (24) having a first plurality of fixing points (24a) whereby it can be mounted upon a first rotatable component (12), in use, and a second plurality of fixing points (24b) whereby it can be mounted upon a second rotatable component (14), in use, a support ring (26), and mounting means (34) whereby the flexible torque disc (24) is secured to the support ring (26), the mounting means (34) restricting deflection of the flexible torque disc (24) relative to the support ring (26).

Abstract: A sliding constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member connected to a power transmission member and an inner joint member connected to an end portion of a shaft, for torque transmission between the outer joint member and the inner joint member while allowing an angle change and an axial change therebetween. The outer joint member incorporates therein an elastic member axially expandable/retractable between a tip of the shaft connected to the inner joint member and the outer joint member; the tip of the shaft is provided with a shaft protruding portion for supporting an inner diameter portion of a shaft-side end of the elastic member; the elastic member has its outer-joint-member side end provided with a receptacle for fitting into an inner diameter portion of the elastic member; the outer joint member has its inner surface press-fitted by an end plate; and the receptacle is pressed onto the end plate in the inner surface of the outer joint member.

Abstract: A propeller shaft including a first shaft, a first constant velocity joint drivingly connected with the first shaft, a second shaft, a second constant velocity joint drivingly connected with the second shaft, a connecting shaft drivingly connecting the first constant velocity joint and the second constant velocity joint and a grease cover disposed about an axial end of the second constant velocity joint. The second constant velocity joint is provided with a spring mechanism including a spring, wherein a spring seat of the spring mechanism is positioned on one axial end of the spring and mates with the second shaft, and wherein another axial end of the spring mates with an additional spring seat that is formed in the grease cover of the second constant velocity joint.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member and an inner joint member between which torque is transferred through intermediation of balls while allowing angular displacement. A power transmission shaft is coupled to the inner joint member to allow torque transmission therebetween. A mounting and dismounting mechanism configured to mount and dismount the power transmission shaft to and from the inner joint member is provided between the inner joint member and the power transmission shaft. The mounting and dismounting mechanism includes a tubular member, a snap ring mounted inside the tubular member, a pushing member arranged on a radially outer side of the snap ring to be movable in a radial direction, and an annular member arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member to be movable in an axial direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a universal bellhousing which may be adapted to a variety of automotive engine and transmission combinations is disclosed. The bellhousing is made by spin forming a sheet of material and welding a transmission plate to the cone. The cone and transmission plate are indexed to mount to a specific, desired engine-transmission combination.

Abstract: A boot includes a large-diameter tubular portion, a small-diameter tubular portion, and a bellows portion. The large-diameter tubular portion includes a fastening groove into which a fastening member is fitted, an opening end to which the bellows portion is coupled and into which an outer case is inserted, at least one seal lip having an annular shape and protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter tubular portion at the position where the fastening groove is projected to the inside in the radial direction, so as to be continuous over the entire circumference, and a protrusion protruding from the inner circumferential surface on the opening end side with respect to the seal lip so as to be provided over the entire circumference. A height of the protrusion is set to be smaller than a height of the seal lip.

Abstract: A connection device for an agricultural machine includes a front having an input shaft coupled with an input yoke and installed passing therethrough, a rear body having an output shaft coupled with an output yoke and installed passing therethrough, a joint part provided to allow each of the bodies to be coupled with each other and to be rotatable via center pins installed on central parts of upper and lower tip ends of each of the bodies, and a connection yoke fastening each of the input and output yokes thereto via cross-shaped bearings. In the cross-shaped bearings, a length (L) of the connection yoke fastening shafts fastened to the connection yoke is formed to be longer than the length (l) of the input and output connection yoke fastening shafts fastened to the input and output yokes.

Abstract: A damper device includes a damper device body, an output shaft and a dynamic vibration absorber. The damper device body includes an input member and an output member. The input member and the output member are coupled to be rotatable relative to each other. The output shaft outputs a torque transmitted to it from the damper device body. The dynamic vibration absorber is attached to the output shaft.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes spherical rollers. At least parts of first inner bottom wall portions provided on an inner bottom wall surface of a cylindrical portion of the constant velocity joint are located in closer proximity to the side of an opening of the cylindrical portion than second inner bottom wall portions. When the spherical rollers are disposed at an innermost location inside the cylindrical portion and the axial directions of the spherical rollers are perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, at least parts of the first inner bottom wall portions abut against inner side outer circumferential surface portions of the spherical rollers, and the second inner bottom wall portions are separated away from outer side outer circumferential surface portions of the spherical rollers.

Abstract: A joint assembly for a vehicle. The joint assembly incudes an outer race having a stepped portion with a chamfer portion circumferentially extending along an outer surface of an axially outermost end of a second end portion of the outer race. A first end portion of a flexible boot is connected to an outer surface of the outer race. Integrally connected to an inner surface of the boot is an adapter. Circumferentially extending from a first side of the adapter is an outer race mating portion having a size and shape complementary to the stepped and chamfer portions of the outer race. Extending radially inboard from the outer race mating portion is a substantially disc-shaped portion. A first side of the disc-shaped portion is in contact with the axially outermost end of the outer race and a second side is in contact with the inner surface of the boot.

Abstract: A vehicle shaft assembly (500). The shaft assembly includes a coupling assembly having a first (506), a second (508) and a third (510) joint member. A substantially cylindrical body portion of the second joint member is drivingly connected to a first shaft (560) having an increased diameter portion. The increased diameter portion of the first shaft has a retaining member groove (604) circumferentially extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the increased diameter portion. At least a portion of the increased diameter portion of the first shaft is drivingly connected to a crash collapse adapter (608) having a crash collapse feature circumferentially extending along an inner surface of the crash collapse adapter. A second shaft (640) is integrally connected to at least a portion of an outer surface of the crash collapse adapter (608). At least a portion of a retaining member is disposed within the retaining member groove and the crash collapse feature.

Abstract: A steering shaft for a motor vehicle has an inner shaft, arranged in an outer shaft that is displaceable axially in the direction of an axis of rotation. The inner shaft includes axially running radial projections on its outer side. The outer shaft includes axially running grooves on its inner side, into which grooves the projections of the inner shaft engage in a positively locking manner in a direction of rotation and displaceably in an axial direction. With regard to fault-free operation during fluctuating temperatures, on the inner shaft, there is arranged a profiled sleeve with undulating cross-sectional profile, the inner surface of which lies against the flanks of the projections of the inner shaft and the outer surfaces of which lie against the flanks of the grooves of the outer shaft, wherein the profiled sleeve is connected to the inner shaft at one or more fastening points.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly includes an outer race having a first bore defined by an inner surface of the outer race. A ball cage has an outer surface and a second bore defined by an inner surface of the ball cage. The ball cage is axially received in the first bore of the outer race. At least one of the inner surface of the outer race or the inner surface the ball cage includes a first portion having a cylindrical contour and a second portion having a spherical contour.

Abstract: A damper device includes a plurality of rotational elements, a plurality of elastic bodies, a rotary inertia mass damper and a housing that houses the plurality of rotational elements, the plurality of elastic bodies and the rotary inertia mass damper, the housing including a front cover. The rotary inertia mass damper is configured to include a planetary gear that includes a sun gear, a plurality of pinion gears, and a carrier that rotatably supports the plurality of pinion gears. The carrier is centered by either the sun gear or a member that rotates integrally with the sun gear by being radially supported by either the sun gear or the member that rotates integrally with the sun gear. In addition, the carrier is spline-engaged to the front cover when a lockup clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly includes an elongate member and a tuned absorber assembly. The elongate member has an exterior surface that is disposed about an axis. The tuned absorber assembly includes a mass and a sleeve. The mass is at least partially disposed about the exterior surface. The sleeve extends between a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end. The sleeve is disposed about the mass and spaces the mass apart from the exterior surface of the elongate member.

Abstract: A universal joint (U-joint) assembly transmits torque from a drive component to a driven component across an articulating joint. The U-joint assembly includes male and female U-joint members, a central ball joint, and a retaining device configured to secure the assembly in an assembled configuration. The female U-joint member includes a cavity extending into a receptacle end thereof. The cavity terminates in a circular receptacle and includes a plurality of rectangular channels extending radially outward from the cavity at equal intervals, each channel defined by three planar drive surfaces. The male U-joint member has a drive end with a plurality of corresponding rectangular extensions protruding from an outer periphery of the drive end, each extension including a plurality of axial angular surfaces. When assembled, each of the angular surfaces of the drive end opposes a corresponding one of the drive surfaces of the cavity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filament wound composite fibre reinforced polymer shaft comprising helical wound fibres, the shaft having at least one hole perpendicular to an axis of the shaft; wherein fibre paths of the helical wound fibres divert around the hole. The hole can be used as an attachment point to connect the shaft to other parts, e.g. by means of a pin passed directly through the hole. The amount of metal used in this type of connection can be significantly reduced compared to using metal end fittings, thus greatly reducing cost and weight of the whole system. Fibres are diverted around the hole rather than the hole being cut through the fibres which would reduce the strength of the shaft as a whole. By diverting the fibres around the hole, the fibres retain their load bearing properties and the strength of the shaft is maintained even in the presence of the hole.