| 摘要 |
A driveshaft formed from a single piece of material having a constant diameter includes a controlled collapse zone in the interior thereof. The controlled collapse zone includes a collapse initiation portion, a collapse distance control portion, and a collapse termination portion. The collapse initiation portion extends from a first normally sized portion of the driveshaft and is preferably formed having a generally semi-circular bulge or bump shape that extends a relatively short axial distance. Preferably, the collapse initiation portion is formed having a diameter that is somewhat larger that the normal diameter of the driveshaft. The collapse distance control portion extends from the collapse initiation portion and is preferably formed having an elongated cylindrical shape that extends a relatively long axial length. Preferably, the collapse distance control portion is formed having a diameter that is slightly larger than the normal diameter of the driveshaft, but smaller than the diameter of the collapse initiation portion. The collapse termination portion extends from the collapse distance control portion to a second normally sized portion of the driveshaft and is preferably formed having a frusto-conical shape that extends a relatively short axial length. Preferably, the collapse termination portion tapers at a constant angle from the diameter of the collapse distance control portion to the normal diameter of the driveshaft. |
