Abstract: A frangible grease cap for use in a collapsible constant velocity joint. The frangible grease cap includes a body generally having a circular shape. The frangible grease cap includes an orifice through a center section of the body. The grease cap also includes at least one reduced thickness groove on a surface of the body of the constant velocity joint grease cap. The grease cap has a circumferential flange extending from an end thereof. The grease cap includes reduced thickness grooves having predetermined shapes which will peel or rupture when a predetermined axial load is applied thereto. The grease cap is secured to an inner surface of an outer race through any known securing method which also influences when the grease cap will fracture during or completely release during a crash event when a predetermined axial load is applied thereon.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes an inner member having an outer surface with a plurality of splines defining a splined portion, and an outer member having an inner surface with a plurality of splines defining a splined portion. The splined portion of the inner member is capable of being slidably engaged with the splined portion of the outer member to form a splined connection therebetween. One of the inner and outer members includes a tunable energy absorption feature that controls an amount of interference between the inner and outer members. For example, the tunable energy absorption feature can be in the form of a friction ramp on one member that frictionally engages an angled leading ramp on the other member, a raised portion on one or more splines, or splines having different length that can progressively absorb energy during axial deformation of the propeller shaft assembly.

Abstract: A frangible grease cap for use in a collapsible constant velocity joint. The frangible grease cap includes a body generally having a circular shape. The frangible grease cap includes an orifice through a center section of the body. The grease cap also includes at least one reduced thickness groove on a surface of the body of the constant velocity joint grease cap. The grease cap has a circumferential flange extending from an end thereof. The grease cap includes reduced thickness grooves having predetermined shapes which will peel or rupture when a predetermined axial load is applied thereto. The grease cap is secured to an inner surface of an outer race through any known securing method which also influences when the grease cap will fracture during or completely release during a crash event when a predetermined axial load is applied thereon.