A space-saving method for early determination of wear of a universal joint with four journals projecting from a base is provided and relates to the field of drive technology. The journal cross of the universal joint is provided with a temperature sensor for the purpose of determining wear of the universal joint.

A space-saving method for early determination of wear of a universal joint with four journals projecting from a base is provided and relates to the field of drive technology. The journal cross of the universal joint is provided with a temperature sensor for the purpose of determining wear of the universal joint.

A combine header includes a header frame and a set of reciprocating knives at a front of the combine header. The combine header includes a driveline for driving reciprocating movement of the knives, the driveline including a transverse drive shaft at a back of the header frame, a bevel gearbox, a lateral drive shaft, and a transmission near the knives. The lateral drive shaft is coupled respectively to the bevel gearbox and the transmission by first and second universal joints. An inlet axle of the transmission is integral with or fixed to a flywheel configured to stabilize rotation of the lateral drive shaft. The second universal joint includes two orthogonal forks coupled by a cross-piece One of the forks is integral with or fixed to a flange that is attached to a surface of the flywheel that faces the lateral drive shaft. The flange is configured to contribute to the stabilizing function of the flywheel when the flange is attached to the surface.

A combine header includes a header frame and a set of reciprocating knives at a front of the combine header. The combine header includes a driveline for driving reciprocating movement of the knives, the driveline including a transverse drive shaft at a back of the header frame, a bevel gearbox, a lateral drive shaft, and a transmission near the knives. The lateral drive shaft is coupled respectively to the bevel gearbox and the transmission by first and second universal joints. An inlet axle of the transmission is integral with or fixed to a flywheel configured to stabilize rotation of the lateral drive shaft. The second universal joint includes two orthogonal forks coupled by a cross-piece One of the forks is integral with or fixed to a flange that is attached to a surface of the flywheel that faces the lateral drive shaft. The flange is configured to contribute to the stabilizing function of the flywheel when the flange is attached to the surface.

A flexible coupling for a drive train, the coupling having a drive yoke, a driven yoke, and a connector for transferring rotational torque between the yokes. The drive and driven yokes are manually inserted into slots in the connector. The drive yoke connects to a drive shaft and the driven yoke connects to a driven shaft. Rotating the drive shaft rotates the drive yoke against the connector causing it to rotate; which in turn transfers torque to and rotates the driven yoke. Surfaces on the yokes and connector that contact one another during rotation define contact surfaces. Portions of the yokes and/or connector having the contact surfaces are obliquely profiled so that contact surfaces on the yokes are complementary to corresponding contact surfaces on the connector, which increases the areas of force transfer between the yokes and connectors to reduce stress concentrations.

A flexible coupling for a drive train, the coupling having a drive yoke, a driven yoke, and a connector for transferring rotational torque between the yokes. The drive and driven yokes are manually inserted into slots in the connector. The drive yoke connects to a drive shaft and the driven yoke connects to a driven shaft. Rotating the drive shaft rotates the drive yoke against the connector causing it to rotate; which in turn transfers torque to and rotates the driven yoke. Surfaces on the yokes and connector that contact one another during rotation define contact surfaces. Portions of the yokes and/or connector having the contact surfaces are obliquely profiled so that contact surfaces on the yokes are complementary to corresponding contact surfaces on the connector, which increases the areas of force transfer between the yokes and connectors to reduce stress concentrations.

A joint structure is used in connecting a first region and a second region of a robot. The joint structure includes a first member provided in the first region, a second member provided in the second region and having an engagement face that engages with the first member, and a coupling mechanism that causes a coupling force of the first member and the second member to be utilized to the full so that an engaged state of the first member and the second member is maintained. The coupling mechanism breaks the engaged state when a relative displacement of the first member and the second member from the engaged state exceeds a predetermined amount.

A joint structure is used in connecting a first region and a second region of a robot. The joint structure includes a first member provided in the first region, a second member provided in the second region and having an engagement face that engages with the first member, and a coupling mechanism that causes a coupling force of the first member and the second member to be utilized to the full so that an engaged state of the first member and the second member is maintained. The coupling mechanism breaks the engaged state when a relative displacement of the first member and the second member from the engaged state exceeds a predetermined amount.

A composite vehicle driveshaft assembly includes a composite tube and a yoke bonded to one of the ends of the tube. The yoke has an inner sleeve that is concentrically received in the end of the tube. The sleeve has an outer peripheral surface that faces the inner peripheral surface of the tube with a cavity formed therebetween. An adhesive injection passage is formed in the yoke and extends at an acute angle from an inlet that is formed in an axial surface of the yoke to an outlet that is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve and that opens into the cavity. Also disclosed is a method of bonding a yoke of such a driveshaft assembly to a composite tube.

A composite vehicle driveshaft assembly includes a composite tube and a yoke bonded to one of the ends of the tube. The yoke has an inner sleeve that is concentrically received in the end of the tube. The sleeve has an outer peripheral surface that faces the inner peripheral surface of the tube with a cavity formed therebetween. An adhesive injection passage is formed in the yoke and extends at an acute angle from an inlet that is formed in an axial surface of the yoke to an outlet that is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve and that opens into the cavity. Also disclosed is a method of bonding a yoke of such a driveshaft assembly to a composite tube.