| 摘要 |
<p>The subject invention comprises a driveline assembly including a tubular male member (12) and a tubular female member (16) both disposed about an axis and having thin walls defining inner (24,28) and outer (26,30) surfaces. Both the male and female members are fixed to yokes (14,18). The yoke of the female member is coupled to a transmission and the yoke of the male member is coupled to a wheel axle. An elastomeric sleeve (48) is adhered to and conforms with the inner surface of the female member and is complementary in configuration to the outer surface of the male member. A male tooth (34) is formed within the thin wall of the male member and a female tooth (40) is formed within the thin wall of the female member. Each tooth has a linear portion (32,38) and a pair of legs (44,46). The legs of the male and female teeth are separated by additional circumferentially extending linear portions (36,42). The male member nonrotatably engages the female member for transmitting torque from the transmission to the axle. Specifically, the female member is the drive shaft and the male member is the driven shaft. The male member can also slide within the female member to permit relative longitudinal movement between the two members for assembly and disassembly and for absorbing exterior forces. <IMAGE> <IMAGE></p> |
