Abstract: A shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a joint assembly having a first joint member, a second joint member and one or more third joint members drivingly connecting said first and second joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft is drivingly connected to the second joint member. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of a second end portion of the first shaft is a first and second increased diameter portion having a wall portion that connects the first increased diameter portion to the second increased diameter portion. Drivingly connected to the second increased diameter portion of the first shaft is a second shaft. During a crash condition, an amount of force is applied to the wall portion until it fractures and at least a portion of the first shaft and/or the joint assembly translates into a hollow portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: A joint assembly (10) including a female member (12), a male member (40) and a retaining member (60). The female member has a first axial end (18), a second axial end (20) and a cylindrical body portion (14) extending between the first axial end and the second axial end having a splined radially inner surface. The male member has a first axial end portion (42), a second axial end portion (46), and a splined tubular portion (44) extending between the first axial end portion and the second axial end portion. The retaining member (60) includes an annular portion and a plurality of attachment features defining an aperture. The second axial end portion of the male member has a circumferential groove (48) on the outer surface thereof. The second axial end portion of the male member extends through the aperture of the retaining member and the attachment features extend into the groove of the male member.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having a first member drivingly connected to a second member via one or more third members. A first shaft is drivingly connected to the first member and a second shaft is drivingly connected to the second member. The second member includes a flange portion having one or more seating portions on a first end portion of the flange. Additionally, the flange has one or more flange portion attachment apertures extending from the seating portions to a second end portion of the flange. An increased diameter portion of the second shaft has one or more increased diameter portion apertures extending from a first end portion to a second end portion. The flange portion apertures and the increased diameter portion apertures have a center-line with an angle from an axial center-line of the assembly. Additionally, the seating portions have an angle relative to a radial center-line of the assembly.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having a first member drivingly connected to a second member via one or more third members. A first shaft is drivingly connected to the first member and a second shaft is drivingly connected to the second member. The second member includes a flange portion having one or more seating portions on a first end portion of the flange. Additionally, the flange has one or more flange portion attachment apertures extending from the seating portions to a second end portion of the flange. An increased diameter portion of the second shaft has one or more increased diameter portion apertures extending from a first end portion to a second end portion. The flange portion apertures and the increased diameter portion apertures have a center-line with an angle from an axial center-line of the assembly. Additionally, the seating portions have an angle relative to a radial center-line of the assembly.

Abstract: A shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a joint assembly having a first joint member, a second joint member and one or more third joint members drivingly connecting said first and second joint members. At least a portion of a first shaft is drivingly connected to the second joint member. Circumferentially extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of a second end portion of the first shaft is a first and second increased diameter portion having a wall portion that connects the first increased diameter portion to the second increased diameter portion. Drivingly connected to the second increased diameter portion of the first shaft is a second shaft. During a crash condition, an amount of force is applied to the wall portion until it fractures and at least a portion of the first shaft and/or the joint assembly translates into a hollow portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: A joint assembly (10) including a female member (12), a male member (40) and a retaining member (60). The female member has a first axial end (18), a second axial end (20) and a cylindrical body portion (14) extending between the first axial end and the second axial end having a splined radially inner surface. The male member has a first axial end portion (42), a second axial end portion (46), and a splined tubular portion (44) extending between the first axial end portion and the second axial end portion. The retaining member (60) includes an annular portion and a plurality of attachment features defining an aperture. The second axial end portion of the male member has a circumferential groove (48) on the outer surface thereof. The second axial end portion of the male member extends through the aperture of the retaining member and the attachment features extend into the groove of the male member.

Abstract: A tube yoke has a tube seat, lugs and stiffening ribs. The tube seat has a base, a wall and the stiffening ribs. The lugs project outwardly from the tube seat. Various designs of the tube yoke may be used to achieve different performance characteristics.

Abstract: Tube yoke designs with each having a tube seat, lugs and stiffening ribs are disclosed. The tube seats each have a base, a wall and the stiffening ribs. The lugs project outwardly from the tube seat. The stiffening ribs are located within the tube seat to reduce the amount of radial deformation experienced by the tube seat when a torque force is applied.

Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly includes a tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base, a wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface of the base and an end surface of the wall. Each stiffening rib comprises an outer end portion which is attached to a middle portion and a pair of side portions. The tube yoke also includes a pair of lugs outwardly projecting from the tube seat. Each lug has a crosshole and the crossholes are aligned so as to have a common centerline. Each stiffening rib is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the common centerline of the crossholes and each stiffening rib gradually decreases in thickness from the side portions to the outer end portion and from the middle portion to the outer end portion.

Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly includes a tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base, a wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface of the base and an end surface of the wall. Each stiffening rib comprises an outer end portion which is attached to a middle portion and a pair of side portions. The tube yoke also includes a pair of lugs outwardly projecting from the tube seat. Each lug has a crosshole and the crossholes are aligned so as to have a common centerline. Each stiffening rib is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the common centerline of the crossholes and each stiffening rib gradually decreases in thickness from the side portions to the outer end portion and from the middle portion to the outer end portion.

Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly includes a tube seat and a pair of lugs. The lugs outwardly project from the tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base, a wall, and a plurality of stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface of the base and an end surface of the wall. A portion of the stiffening ribs between the inner surface of the base and the end surface of the wall gradually decreases in thickness. A method of reducing the radial deformation of the tube yoke of a driveshaft assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A tube yoke for a driveshaft assembly is provided. The tube yoke includes a tube seat (42) and a pair of lugs (44). The lugs outwardly project from the tube seat. The tube seat comprises a base (48), a wall (46), and a plurality of stiffening ribs (68). The stiffening ribs extend between an inner surface (60) of the base (48) and an end surface (51) of the wall (46). A portion of the stiffening ribs (68) between the inner surface of the base and the end surface of the wall gradually decreases in thickness. A method of reducing the radial deformation of the tube yoke of a driveshaft assembly is also provided.