Driveshaft

US5243880A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• GKN Automotive Limited · DE
• Lohr & Bromkamp GmbH
• Ford-Werke GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Rudolf Beier · Offenbach am Main, DE
• Peter Amborn · Neunkirchen, DE
• Wolfgang Exner · Hennef (Sieg), DE
• Herbert Frielingsdorf · Lohmar, DE
• Klaus Greulich
• Joachim Altdorf · Cologne, DE
• Ivan Rericha · Sinnersdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 27, 1991
• Grant date: Sep 14, 1993
• Expiry date: Mar 27, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/2188
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A driveshaft for a motor vehicle has an approximately constant wall thickness and a changing outer diameter which extends analogously to the amplitude of the second basic vibration of the natural bending frequency. In this way it is possible to achieve a distribution of cross-sectional area which is functionally optimized and meets the respective strength requirements. At the same time, torsional stiffness values may be set as required and natural resonance frequency values may be varied. With help of this design it is possible to move the natural resonance frequency of the tubular shaft into a speed range of minimum external excitation energy.