Abstract: Systems are provided for an axle housing for a vehicle. In one example, system includes a differential housing comprising a modular Salisbury style center section comprising tube mounts configured to receive tube assemblies via a press fit.

Abstract: A tire condition telematics system. The system includes a vehicle having an onboard computer and one or more wheel assemblies with one or more tires with a tire tread. A prediction as to when said tire tread will fall below a minimum tread depth in performed. The prediction is based on an amount of distance said wheel assemblies experience said wheel slip condition, a distance said wheel assemblies drive over said one or more road materials, a distance said wheel assemblies drive in rain and snow, a distance one or more loads are on said vehicle.

Abstract: An input arrangement for a drive axle system and a drive axle system are provided. The input arrangement comprises a splined sleeve and an input shaft. The splined sleeve has a first end drivingly engaged with a portion of a driveshaft and a second end which defines a splined recess. The input shaft has a first splined portion on an end of the input shaft. The first splined portion is complimentary to and axially slidably engageable with the splined recess of the splined sleeve. The input arrangement for a drive axle drive system eliminates a need for a companion flange, reduces a weight of the drive axle system, and reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

Abstract: A method of providing road and vehicle diagnostics, includes providing a vehicle axle system having a first axle half shaft housing, a second axle half shaft housing and a differential housing. Attached to one or more of the housings is one or more tri-axis accelerometers. In communication with the accelerometers is one or more data processors configured to receive and analyze data from the accelerometers. An occurrence of one or more road events is determined by one or more spikes in the Z-direction of the data collected from the accelerometers. A depth of the road event is determined by a magnitude of the positive and negative changes in acceleration of the spike in the Z-direction and a length of road event is determined by an amount of time between two spikes of opposite magnitudes in said Z-direction. Once identified, the time and geographic location of the road event is identified.

Abstract: An input arrangement for a drive axle system and a drive axle system are provided. The input arrangement comprises a splined sleeve and an input shaft. The splined sleeve has a first end drivingly engaged with a portion of a driveshaft and a second end which defines a splined recess. The input shaft has a first splined portion on an end of the input shaft. The first splined portion is complimentary to and axially slidably engageable with the splined recess of the splined sleeve. The input arrangement for a drive axle drive system eliminates a need for a companion flange, reduces a weight of the drive axle system, and reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

Abstract: A method of providing road and vehicle diagnostics. The method includes providing a vehicle axle system having a first axle half shaft housing, a second axle half shaft housing and a differential housing. Attached one or more of said housings is one or more tri-axis accelerometers. In communication with the accelerometers is one or more data processors operably configured to receive and analyze data from the accelerometers. An occurrence of one or more road events is determined by one or more spikes in the Z-direction of said data collected from said accelerometers. A depth of the road event is determined by a magnitude of said positive and negative changes in acceleration of said spike in said Z-direction and a length of road event is determined by a span of said one or more spikes in said Z-direction. Once the road event is identified the time and geographic location of the road event is identified.

Abstract: A tire condition telemetrics system. The system includes a vehicle having an onboard computer and one or more wheel assemblies with one or more tires with a tire tread. A prediction as to when said tire tread will fall below a minimum tread depth in performed. The prediction is based on an amount of distance said wheel assemblies experience said wheel slip condition, a distance said wheel assemblies drive over said one or more road materials, a distance said wheel assemblies drive in rain and snow, a distance one or more loads are on said vehicle, an amount of braking force applied by one or more braking systems to said wheel assemblies and a speed of said vehicle when said braking force is applied.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first transition portion, a first constriction portion, a second constriction portion, and a second transition portion and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first constriction portion and the second constriction portion and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first distension, a constriction, and a second distension and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The constriction is formed between the first distension and the second distension and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first transition portion, a first constriction portion, a second constriction portion, and a second transition portion and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first constriction portion and the second constriction portion and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first distension, a constriction, and a second distension and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The constriction is formed between the first distension and the second distension and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for securing first and second splined members together, such as a midship tube shaft to an end fitting in a driveshaft assembly, to prevent relative axial movement from occurring therebetween. Initially, a first splined member is provided that includes an outer surface having a recess and a plurality of external splines provided thereon. Also, a second splined member is provided that includes an inner surface a plurality of internal splines provided thereon. The inner surface of the second splined member is disposed about the outer surface of the first splined member such that the plurality of internal splines cooperate with the plurality of external splines. Then, a portion of the second splined member is deformed into the recess of the first splined member to secure the first and second splined members together, while preventing relative axial movement from occurring therebetween.

Abstract: A damper insert for assembly in a tubular drive shaft of a motor vehicle includes a tubular sleeve, a helically wound, resiliently deformable wiper secured to the sleeve, and a corrugated winding secured to the sleeve. The wiper includes an arch that spans mutually spaced supports. The damper insert is sized to fit in the bore of the drive shaft such that the arch frictionally engages the surface of the bore and secures the insert in place within the shaft with a resilient press fit. The arch projects radially outward toward the bore beyond the radially outer surface of the winding.