Collapsible driveshaft

Details Collapsible driveshaft Collapsible driveshaft

1998-08-10

2001-02-27

Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)

Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro

Coupling facilitates relative axial motion between coupled...

C464S183000, C180S337000, C188S374000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06193612

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a driveshaft for a motor vehicle and more particularly to a telescoping driveshaft having an energy absorption feature.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In a rear wheel drive motor vehicle, a driveshaft transmits torque from the transmission through a differential to the rear wheels of the motor vehicle. During a frontal crash, energy is imparted upon the vehicle and deforms the components in a longitudinal manner. Typically, the engine and transmission are driven rearward in a frontal crash, causing the driveshaft to buckle during such an impact. This is likely to cause extensive damage to adjacent underbody components.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,314 describes an energy-absorbing intermediate shaft for a steering column. With a column as described in the '314 patent, a portion of the intermediate shaft is reduced to more predictably buckle during a crash and thereby absorb energy during a crash. However, the radial excursion of this design while the shaft buckles may cause damage to adjacent components, and therefore may require a large amount of clearance around the shaft to function properly.
It would be desirable to provide a telescoping shaft with better energy absorption characteristics and one which provides improved longitudinal deformation during a crash.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a driveshaft which axially collapses during a crash and absorbs energy while remaining substantially axially aligned.
A driveshaft assembly according to the present invention includes a male shaft having an outer surface and a female shaft slidably engaged with the male shaft. The shafts absorb energy during axial deformation of the driveshaft while maintaining alignment of the male and female shafts.


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