A drive shaft (1) includes a telescopic shaft (3) having an outer tubular shaft (9) and an inner tubular shaft (11) inserted slidable into the outer shaft (9). A lubrication system is further provided, including: a lubricant receiving chamber (39) housed in the inner shaft (11); a lubricant distribution block (41) housed in the inner shaft (11); lubricant supply ports (11.9) for supplying lubricant from the lubricant distribution block (41), through a tubular wall of the inner shaft (11), towards a gap between the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (9); at least a lubricant transferring duct (47.1; 47.2) from the receiving chamber (39) to the distribution block (41). wherein the supplying ports (11.9) are distributed in at least two positions offset in direction of the axis (A-A) of the telescopic shaft (3).

A drive shaft is for selectively connecting a drive input to an output. The drive shaft has a tubular portion, a first diaphragm member, and a second diaphragm member displaced axially along the shaft from the first diaphragm member. The first and second diaphragm members each are formed with two axial ends. At least one undulation extends radially of the ends. The tubular portion connects the first and second diaphragm members. The first and second diaphragm members and the tubular portion are formed of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. The first and second diaphragm members are connected to first and second axial ends of the tubular portion through a mechanical connection at joints. There is also a method of forming a drive shaft.

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.

A telescopic shaft is provided. The telescopic shaft includes a first shaft including a first coupler having an inner circumferential surface including an external straight groove and an external inclination groove formed thereon, the external straight groove having a semi-circular cross section and being formed in parallel to a rotation axis and the external inclination groove having a semi-circular cross section, being inclined with respect to the external straight groove at a predetermined angle, and being shaped like a spiral, a second shaft including a second coupler inserted into the first coupler and having an outer circumferential surface including an internal straight groove and an internal inclination groove formed thereon, the internal straight groove having a semi-circular cross section and corresponding to the external straight groove and the internal inclination groove having a semi-circular cross section, being inclined in an opposite direction to the external inclination groove at a predetermined angle with respect to the internal straight groove, and being shaped like a spiral, and a plurality of balls arranged in a line in an axial direction between the external straight groove and the internal straight groove, one ball being arranged between the external inclination groove and the internal inclination groove, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are coupled to extend and retract in an axial direction, thereby preventing play from occurring in a circumferential direction and preventing separation of balls.

A thermal management system and method includes: a drive shaft; one or more fans or impellers in fluid communication with at least a portion of the drive shaft; and one or more air management baffles configured to direct air flow between the impeller and the portion of the drive shaft. In one embodiment, the system and method further includes insulation positioned about the at least a portion of the drive shaft.

A front final drive assembly for a vehicle can include a housing and a first shaft rotatably supported inside the housing. The first shaft can include a breaking portion such that when a reaction torque applied to the first shaft exceeds a predetermined threshold the first shaft fractures at the breaking portion. The breaking portion can be a reduced diameter portion, and the breaking portion can be positioned inside the housing.

A method and assembly for preventing corrosion between two work pieces. At least a portion of a neck portion of a second end portion of an end piece is disposed within a hollow portion in a first end portion of a drive shaft tube. The inner surface of the first end portion of the drive shaft tube is magnetic pulse welded to a first tapered portion of the neck portion of the end piece. A coating and a sacrificial material is applied over an interface between an end surface of said first end portion of said drive shaft and said end piece defining a gap. The coating and sacrificial material is then leveled and a shrink-wrap material is disposed radially outboard from the gap. Finally, heat is applied to the shrink-wrap material sealing said gap.

A rotational driving force transmission mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft made of fiber reinforced plastic, and a first constant velocity joint. The shaft is joined to the first constant velocity joint via a metallic intervening member which is attached to one end of the shaft in the axial direction. The intervening member includes a shaft portion and a main body portion. The shaft portion is inserted into the one end of the shaft from a distal end side thereof. The main body portion is of a bottomed tubular shape made up from a bottom part joined to a proximal end side of the shaft portion, and a tubular portion fitted over the one end of the shaft. The first constant velocity joint includes an inner ring fitted externally over the tubular portion of the intervening member.

The invention relates to a tube assembly for a driveshaft comprising an elongated first tube portion (14) having a first diameter (d1) and a monoblock tube (10) comprising a coaxially elongated second tube portion (15) having a second diameter (d2) narrow than the first diameter (d1) forming a shaft by shrinking the first tube portion (14) in an elbow section (16) provided therebetween.

A composite shaft with an end fitting mounted on an interface region on at least one end of said shaft, wherein in said interface region the shaft is tapered; and wherein said end fitting comprises a surface with matching taper, the surface engaging with said interface region.