A driveshaft assembly for use in a drive train system includes an inner driveshaft tube section including an end portion having an outer surface and an outer driveshaft tube section including an end portion having an inner surface. A plurality of axially extending wires is positioned on either the outer surface of the inner driveshaft tube section or on the inner surface of the outer driveshaft tube section. Then, the end portion of the outer driveshaft tube section is disposed about the end portion of the inner driveshaft tube section so as to define an overlapped region therebetween. At least one of the end portions of the inner and outer driveshaft tube sections is then deformed so as to compress the wires therebetween. As a result, recesses are formed in the outer surface of the inner driveshaft tube section and in the inner surface of the outer driveshaft tube section. The wires cooperate with the recesses to prevent relative axial and rotational movement between the inner driveshaft tube section and the outer driveshaft tube section during normal operating conditions.
Energy absorbing steering devices may include an outer cylindrical member (OU) that is press-fited around an inner shaft member (IN). The outer shape of the inner shaft member and the inner shape of the outer cylindrical member have a circular cross-section and the diameter of the inner shape of the outer cylinder member is larger than the diameter of the outer shape of the inner shaft member. A plurality of fine members (W) is disposed along the axial direction between the circular cross-sectional outer shape and the circular cross-sectional inner shape in order to provide a clearance (G) between the inner shaft member and the outer cylindrical member. The arrangement of the fine members may be modified in order to adjust the rigidity of relative movement along the axial direction of the outer cylindrical member and the inner shaft member.
The present invention relates to a universal joint which includes a slip joint in which a shaft is inserted into an interior of a hollow pipe for thereby implementing a rotation force transferring and slipping operation, a hollow yoke joint installed at both sides of the slip joint and having one side which surrounds the pipe and shaft, and an elastic means inserted between the pipe and shaft and both ends of the slip joint and the yoke joint for generating an elastic force in a radial direction.
To manufacture an axially collapsible driveshaft assembly, first and second tubular members are disposed in an axially overlapping relationship. Central portions of the concentric tubular members are then deformed into conformance with a die cavity having a non-circular cross sectional shape. The deformed first and second tubular members are then cut to provide two pairs of outer and inner tubular sections. Next, the outer tubular sections are removed from the associated inner tubular sections, and the inner tubular sections are oriented such that the deformed portions thereof are aligned with the deformed portions of the outer tubular sections. Lastly, the deformed portions of the inner tubular sections are inserted within the deformed portions of the outer tubular sections to form a pair of axially collapsible driveshaft assemblies.
A vertically adjustable pedestal for a boat accessory such as a table or seat is made up of a pair of telescoped tubular members having opposite facing lengthwise recesses which contain rods to allow one member to adjustably slide with respect to the other yet preventing rotation. A releasable locking device holds the adjusted member at its desired elevation.
A collapsible driveshaft and method of making the same. The collapsible driveshaft includes a tubular member having first and second portions that are integrally formed as a one-piece member. The first portion has splines formed on an exterior surface thereof. The second, opposite portion has both outer and inner diameters that are greater than the outer diameter of the first portion. The method includes placing a tubular metal blank into a hydroforming die having a die cavity and expanding the blank by pressurizing the interior of the blank with hydroforming fluid. During the hydroforming process, the first portion of the blank is expanded to form splines while the second portion is expanded to form inner and outer diameters that are greater than the outer diameter of the first portion.
