US 12,286,149 B1
Grooved intermediate shaft for energy absorption in steering system
Kyle R. Mazure, Saginaw, MI (US); Benjamin J. Kolhagen, Frankenmuth, MI (US); Jeffrey J. Toth, Auburn, MI (US); and Leslie E. Edmundson, Clio, MI (US)
Assigned to Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed by Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 2, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/624,665.
Int. Cl. B62D 1/19 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 1/192 (2013.01) 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An intermediate shaft for a steering system comprising:
a main body having a radially outer surface; and
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, wherein the grooved portion is a first grooved portion, the intermediate shaft further comprising a second grooved portion located along the main body spaced from the first groove portion, the second grooved portion 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 second grooved portion does not radially exceed the radially outer surface of the main body.