초록 ▼

A driveshaft assembly includes a universal joint and a driveshaft tube. The universal joint includes a hollow journal and bearing carrier that is adapted to support a cross having a plurality of outwardly extending trunnions therein. In a first embodiment, the universal joint is assembled by initial

A driveshaft assembly includes a universal joint and a driveshaft tube. The universal joint includes a hollow journal and bearing carrier that is adapted to support a cross having a plurality of outwardly extending trunnions therein. In a first embodiment, the universal joint is assembled by initially disposing a pair of bearing supports loosely about a first pair of opposed trunnions of the cross. Next, the cross and the bearing supports are inserted within the carrier. The bearing supports are preferably sized to fit snugly within the carrier. Then, bearing cups are inserted through openings formed through upper and lower panels of the carrier and through openings formed through the bearing supports onto the opposed trunnions of the cross. The carrier and the cross are then connected to the driveshaft tube by moving them axially such that the carrier is received within opposed channel regions provided in a pair of arms formed in an end portion of the driveshaft tube. Lastly, the outermost ends of the arms of the end portion are bent inwardly toward one another to enclose portions of the carrier therein. The bent ends of the arms function to positively retain the universal joint within the end portion of the driveshaft tube.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A driveshaft tube and universal joint assembly comprising:a driveshaft tube including an end portion having a pair of axially extending arms formed integrally therewith; anda universal joint assembly connected to said arms of said end of said driveshaft tube, said unive

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A driveshaft tube and universal joint assembly comprising:a driveshaft tube including an end portion having a pair of axially extending arms formed integrally therewith; anda universal joint assembly connected to said arms of said end of said driveshaft tube, said universal joint assembly including a hollow carrier supported on said arms of said driveshaft tube, a pair of bearing supports supported on said carrier, and a cross including a pair of trunnions having respective bearing cups rotatably mounted thereon, said bearing cups being supported in said bearing supports.