Drive device for vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle drive device (12) comprises: a drive unit (MDU); a final speed reducer (22) designed to distribute the power of the drive unit (MDU) to the drive wheels (18); and a transmission shaft (44) through which the power of the drive unit (MDU) is transmitted to the final speed reducer (22). The transmission shaft (44) comprises: an intermediate shaft (46); a first joint (66) connecting the intermediate shaft (46) to the drive unit (MDU); and a second joint (68) connecting the intermediate shaft (46) to the final speed reducer (22). The second joint (68) comprises: a second outer race (68c); and a second connecting shaft (68d) extending from the second outer race (68c) and connected to the final speed reducer (22). The transmission shaft (44) includes a most sensitive section (68h) whose load-carrying capacity is smaller than that of all other sections of the transmission shaft (44).The most sensitive section (68h) lies between the second outer running ring (68c) and a connected section (68g) to which the second connecting shaft (68d) is connected to the final speed reducer (22).

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