Patent ID: 11608852

Abstract:
A propeller shaft assembly for a vehicle including a first shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The first shaft has an externally splined region presenting a plurality of external splines axially adjacent to the distal end. The externally splined region has a spline region outside diameter. A second shaft extends axially between a base end and a terminal end. The second shaft has a tube portion that extends from the base end, and an internally splined sleeve region that extends from the terminal end. The internally splined sleeve region receives the externally splined region of the first shaft and presents a plurality of internal splines interleaved with the external splines of the first shaft for providing relative axial movement between the first and second shafts while rotationally fixing the first and second shafts to one another. Components of the propeller shaft assembly have specific dimensional relationships to provide increased tool clearance, optimal bending stiffness, reduced mass and improved safety in vehicle crash situation.