Torque transmitting shaft

Abstract

A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed: 
     
         1 . A torque transmitting shaft comprising:
 a first member extending along an axis, the first member having an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end;   a second member extending along the axis and received within the first member, the second member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion having a first spline portion, each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements; and a first torsional stiffness rate is provided by the second member while a first torque is applied to the second member and while there is a tangential clearance between the first spline portion and the plurality of first engagement elements and a second torsional stiffness rate is provided by at least one of the first member and the second member while a second torque is applied to the second member and while there is no tangential clearance between the member of the first spline portion and an engagement element of the plurality of first engagement elements;   a third torsional stiffness rate is provided by at least one of the first member and the second member while a third torque is applied to the second member; and   further comprising a plurality of engaging rolling elements disposed between the plurality of first engagement elements of the first member and the first spline portion of the second member.   
     
     
         2 . The torque transmitting shaft of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion has an intermediate spline portion. 
     
     
         3 . The torque transmitting shaft of  claim 2 , further comprising an intermediate part having a plurality of intermediate engagement elements, the intermediate part rotatable relative to the second member, wherein each member of the intermediate spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of intermediate engagement elements. 
     
     
         4 . The torque transmitting shaft of  claim 3 , wherein the third torsional stiffness rate is provided by at least one of the intermediate part and the second member, while the third torque is applied to the second member and while there is a tangential clearance between a member of the first spline portion and the plurality of first engagement elements and while there is no tangential clearance between a member of the intermediate spline portion and an engagement element of the plurality of intermediate engagement elements. 
     
     
         5 . A torque transmitting shaft comprising:
 a first member extending along an axis, the first member having a generally cylindrical body extending between a first end and a second end, the first end having a first opening extending substantially perpendicular to the axis and the second end having a second opening extending substantially perpendicular to the axis;   a second member extending along the axis and received within the first member, the second member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion having a first end portion opening extending substantially perpendicular to the axis and the second end portion having a second end portion opening extending substantially perpendicular to the axis; and   a first pin received within the first opening and the first end portion opening, a first torsional stiffness rate is provided by the second member while a first torque is applied to the second member and while there is a tangential clearance between an exterior surface of the first pin and an edge of the first opening and a second torsional stiffness rate is provided by at least one of the first member and the second member while a second torque is applied to the second member and while there is no tangential clearance between the exterior surface of the first pin and the edge of the first opening.   
     
     
         6 . The torque transmitting shaft of  claim 5 , further comprising a second pin received within the second opening and the second end portion opening. 
     
     
         7 . The torque transmitting shaft of  claim 5 , further comprising a bushing received within the first opening. 
     
     
         8 . The torque transmitting shaft of  claim 7 , wherein the bushing receives the first pin and a third torsional stiffness rate is provided by at least one of the first member, the bushing, and the second member while a third torque is applied to the second member and while the first pin at least partially compresses the bushing. 
     
     
         9 . A torque transmitting shaft comprising:
 a first member extending along a axis, the first member having an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end; and   a second member extending along the axis, the second member having a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion, an end of the intermediate portion fixedly attached to the second end and the first end portion having a first spline portion, each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.   
     
     
         10 . The torque transmitting shaft of  claim 9 , wherein a first torsional stiffness rate is provided by at least one of the first member and the second member while a first torque is applied to the first member and while there is a tangential clearance between the first spline portion and the plurality of first engagement elements and a second torsional stiffness rate is provided by at least one of the first member and the second member while a second torque is applied to the first member and while there is no tangential clearance between the member of the first spline portion and the engagement element of the plurality of first engagement elements.