Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Kyle R Mazure

Terry E Burkhard

David E Moore

Leslie E Edmundson

Benjamin J Kolhagen

Jeffrey J Toth

An intermediate shaft for a steering system includes a main body having a radially outer surface. The intermediate shaft also includes a grooved portion located along the main body and defining at least one groove to allow deformation of the main body when a predetermined force on the main body is exceeded, wherein the entirety of the grooved portion does not radially exceed the radially outer surface of the main body.

Grooved intermediate shaft for energy absorption in steering system

An intermediate shaft assembly and method of assembly thereof. The intermediate shaft assembly includes a first shaft extending between a first end and a second end. The first shaft has a tubular wall portion with an inner surface bounding a hollow bore extending into said first end. The inner surface has a plurality of female splines and the tubular wall portion has at least one through opening. A second shaft extends between a coupling end and a connection end. The connection end has an outer surface sized for a clearance fit within the hollow bore. The outer surface has a plurality of male splines configured for an interdigitated fit with the female splines. The interdigitated fit establishes a clearance gap between the male splines and the female spines. A polymeric material at least partially fills the clearance gap and extends into the at least one through opening.

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Saginaw, MI, United States of America

Kyle R Mazure