Propshaft with crash-worthiness

• US 7,288,029 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2005
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Lyon, James, Nicholls, Mark, Sasseen, David
• Primary Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/039,525
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 464/162, 464/167, 464/163, 464/164, 464/169, 280/777, 403/359.6, 4033591-359, 744/92
• US Class Current: 464/162
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 3/03 telescopic axially displaceable couplings F16D3/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7035 Specific angle or shape of rib, key, groove, or shoulder

Abstract

A telescoping propeller shaft includes an elongated hollow cylindrical body having a splined interior surface, the splines defining a minor diameter (x) and a major diameter (y), and a correspondingly splined shaft mating in register with the cylindrical body along an engagement length (L). Major (c) and minor (b) diameters of the splined shaft are less than the respective major (y) and minor (x) diameters of the interior splines of the cylindrical body such that the two shafts can freely telescope at least along the engagement length (L) and a free plunge region (D1). In response to a sufficient inward axial load, the cylindrical body is adapted to telescope over the splined shaft through an interference region (D2) comprising an interference mechanism for energy dissipation.

Claims

1. A propeller shaft for a vehicle comprising:

an elongated hollow cylindrical body having a splined interior surface along at least an engagement length (L) thereof; and

a correspondingly splined shaft mating in register with and directly contacting the cylindrical body along the engagement length (L), wherein major (c) and minor (b) spline diameters of the splined shaft are less than respective major (y) and minor (x) spline diameters of the cylindrical body, and wherein the splined shaft includes a stub shaft at a connecting end thereof, a diameter (a) of the stub shaft being less than the splined shaft minor diameter (b) such that, in response to an inward axial load, the cylindrical body telescopes over the splined shaft including the stub shaft portion,

wherein the cylindrical body is adapted to telescope over the splined shaft along a free plunge region (D1) while being rotationally fixed with respect to each other such that the propeller shaft can transmit torque and, thereafter, telescope through an interference region (D2) comprising an interference mechanism for energy dissipation, and

wherein the interference mechanism comprises an increasing minor spline diameter (b) of the splined shaft.

2. A propeller shaft according to claim 1 wherein the interference mechanism further comprises an increasing major spline diameter (c) of the splined shaft.

3. A propeller shaft according to claim 1 wherein the interference mechanism further comprises a decreasing minor spline diameter (x) of the cylindrical body.

4. A propeller shaft according to claim 1 wherein the interference mechanism further comprises a decreasing major spline diameter (y) of the cylindrical body.

5. A propeller shaft according to claim 1 wherein the interference region comprises between 5 and 30 percent of the length of the propeller shaft.

6. A telescoping propeller shaft comprising:

an elongated hollow cylindrical body having a splined interior surface, the splines defining a minor spline diameter (x) and a major spline diameter (y); and

a correspondingly splined shaft mating in register with and directly contacting the cylindrical body along an engagement length (L), wherein major (c) and minor (b) spline diameters of the splined shaft are less than the respective major (y) and minor (x) diameters of the interior splines of the cylindrical body, the engagement length defining a free plunge region (D1) permitting axial displacement of the shaft and cylindrical body while being rotationally fixed with respect to each other such that the propeller shaft can transmit torque,

wherein, in response to an inward axial load, the cylindrical body is adapted to telescope over the splined shaft through an interference region (D2) comprising an interference mechanism for energy dissipation, and

wherein the interference mechanism comprises an increasing major spline diameter (c) of the splined shaft.

7. A propeller shaft according to claim 6 wherein the interference mechanism further comprises an increasing minor spline diameter (b) of the splined shaft.

8. A propeller shaft according to claim 6 wherein the interference mechanism further comprises a decreasing minor spline diameter (x) of the cylindrical body.

9. A propeller shaft according to claim 6 wherein the interference mechanism further comprises a decreasing major spline diameter (y) of the cylindrical body.

10. A propeller shaft according to claim 6 comprising a constant velocity joint at an attachment end of either the cylindrical body or the splined shaft.