Importance

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Abstract

A noise reduction structure is provided for use with a meshing gear assembly, such as in a power take-off unit for selectively providing power to one or more rotatably driven accessories. The meshing gear assembly includes meshing input and output gears that are supported within a housing and are rotatably driven during use. A helical coil wrap spring extends about and is frictionally engaged with a portion of the output gear. A first end of the wrap spring extends outwardly therefrom to form a control tang that extends adjacent to an abutment surface provided on the housing of the power take-off unit. As a result, the wrap spring is prevented from rotating relative to the housing as the output gear is rotatably driven. The wrap spring is wound and sized to frictionally engage the output gear and thereby impart a constant drag thereon as the output gear is rotated in a first rotational direction during use and to prevent the output gear from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. As a result, the amount of noise that is generated when the power take-off unit is operated is significantly reduced.

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First Claim