Composite vehicle driveshaft with crash collapse system
US11384787B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/7033
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A composite vehicle driveshaft is provided with a crash collapse system that allows for a controlled longitudinal collapse of the driveshaft by facilitating telescopic movement of various components with respect to each other during a crash event. The crash collapse system may include a collapsible joint with a sleeve that is concentrically bonded in an end of a composite tube and a stub end assembly that is spline-engaged and interference fit within the sleeve, such as by way of a press-fit and/or a thermal shrink-fit procedure. This relationship may rotationally lock and axially fix the stub end assembly to the sleeve unless, during a crash event, the composite vehicle driveshaft experiences a compression or push-type force that exceeds a minimum breakaway or collapse force value that longitudinally and telescopically collapses the composite vehicle driveshaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.