DRIVELINE ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED JOINT AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

摘要

The present invention provides a driveline assembly (10) for transferring power from a vehicle transmission (12) to a driveline component (14), such as a transfer case or differential. The driveline assembly (10) comprises a drive shaft (16) having a first end configured for operatively coupling to the vehicle transmission (12). A constant velocity (CV) joint assembly (26) is mounted to a second, opposite end (20) of the drive shaft (16). More specifically, the joint assembly (26) includes an outer race (28) welded to a tubular member (22) of the drive shaft (16) and an inner race (40) disposed within the outer race (28). A plurality of torque-transmitting balls (48) are disposed between the inner (40) and outer (28) races to transmit torque from the outer race (28) to the inner race (40) and on to the driveline component (14). The inner race (40) is configured for mating with a secondary shaft (46) coupled to the driveline component (14).