A force-transmitting assembly includes a metal shaft having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an outer surface, and a metal hub having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an inner surface that surrounds the outer surface of the shaft. A plurality of discrete parts is disposed in the at least two longitudinally-extending grooves of the shaft and the hub in an interference-fit manner so as to transmit a torque from the shaft to the hub. Each of the discrete parts is composed of at least 50 mass % of technical ceramic selected from Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, or a mixture of two or more of Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and ZrO.sub.2.

A force-transmitting assembly includes a metal shaft having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an outer surface, and a metal hub having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an inner surface that surrounds the outer surface of the shaft. A plurality of discrete parts is disposed in the at least two longitudinally-extending grooves of the shaft and the hub in an interference-fit manner so as to transmit a torque from the shaft to the hub. Each of the discrete parts is composed of at least 50 mass % of technical ceramic selected from Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, or a mixture of two or more of Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and ZrO.sub.2.

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.

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.

A steering shaft for a motor vehicle may have an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and a profiled sleeve that is fixed on the inner shaft such that the inner shaft is movable together with the profiled sleeve in an axial direction relative to the outer shaft. The inner shaft and the outer shaft may be coupled in a torque-transmitting manner with the profiled sleeve connected therebetween. The profiled sleeve may comprise an aperture into which a projection on an outer face of the inner shaft engages in a manner that secures the profiled sleeve in position on the inner shaft at least in the axial direction.

A steering shaft for a motor vehicle may have an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and a profiled sleeve that is fixed on the inner shaft such that the inner shaft is movable together with the profiled sleeve in an axial direction relative to the outer shaft. The inner shaft and the outer shaft may be coupled in a torque-transmitting manner with the profiled sleeve connected therebetween. The profiled sleeve may comprise an aperture into which a projection on an outer face of the inner shaft engages in a manner that secures the profiled sleeve in position on the inner shaft at least in the axial direction.

Motor shaft adapters include a cylindrical shaft sleeve with a tubular body defined between inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, and frame adapters that include a section of structural tubing and flanges having sides aligned to the sides of the structural tubing section and fixed at respective ends of the section of structural tubing into assembly between a motor and gearhead. Key slot apertures are defined by opposing body end-walls of the tubular body and through the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of the sleeve. A shaft key has outer sidewalls that include opposing outer sleeve aperture sidewall portions that enable the shaft key sidewall portions to fit within and to thereby engage the sleeve via the key slot aperture. The key sidewalls further include a base pair of opposing key seat engagement portions that fit within and engage opposing sidewalls of a key seat aperture defined within a workpiece shaft.

Motor shaft adapters include a cylindrical shaft sleeve with a tubular body defined between inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, and frame adapters that include a section of structural tubing and flanges having sides aligned to the sides of the structural tubing section and fixed at respective ends of the section of structural tubing into assembly between a motor and gearhead. Key slot apertures are defined by opposing body end-walls of the tubular body and through the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of the sleeve. A shaft key has outer sidewalls that include opposing outer sleeve aperture sidewall portions that enable the shaft key sidewall portions to fit within and to thereby engage the sleeve via the key slot aperture. The key sidewalls further include a base pair of opposing key seat engagement portions that fit within and engage opposing sidewalls of a key seat aperture defined within a workpiece shaft.

In some examples, a rotor drive key assembly configured to be positioned on a wheel includes an insert and a rotor drive key. The insert is configured to mate with a wheel boss of the wheel and mechanically connect the rotor drive key with the wheel boss. The rotor drive key is configured to mate with the insert such that the insert limits movement of the rotor drive key relative to the wheel boss in at least a radial direction of the wheel. In some examples, the rotor drive key includes a tab having a tab aperture configured to receive a fastener extending in an axial direction of the wheel and engaging the wheel boss.

In some examples, a rotor drive key assembly configured to be positioned on a wheel includes an insert and a rotor drive key. The insert is configured to mate with a wheel boss of the wheel and mechanically connect the rotor drive key with the wheel boss. The rotor drive key is configured to mate with the insert such that the insert limits movement of the rotor drive key relative to the wheel boss in at least a radial direction of the wheel. In some examples, the rotor drive key includes a tab having a tab aperture configured to receive a fastener extending in an axial direction of the wheel and engaging the wheel boss.