Drive system with intermediate shaft for automobiles

摘要

A drive system for an automobile comprising an engine, a transmission coupled to an output end of the engine, and a final speed reduction gear unit coupled to the lateral side of the engine. An output shaft of the transmission and an input shaft of the final speed reduction gear unit are positioned substantially coaxially with each other and coupled to each other through an axially intermediate shaft through splines. The intermediate shaft is axially movable with respect to output and input shafts and can be locked by a lock member in a position in which the splines of the three shafts are engaged. By releasing the lock member the intermediate shaft is movable axially until the intermediate shaft disenagages from either the output shaft or the input shaft. For allowing separate removal of the transmission or the final speed reduction gear unit from the engine.