GB2196079A - Connecting structure between rack and rack end ball joint in rack-and-pinion steering gear - Google Patents
Connecting structure between rack and rack end ball joint in rack-and-pinion steering gear Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2196079A GB2196079A GB08719402A GB8719402A GB2196079A GB 2196079 A GB2196079 A GB 2196079A GB 08719402 A GB08719402 A GB 08719402A GB 8719402 A GB8719402 A GB 8719402A GB 2196079 A GB2196079 A GB 2196079A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- rack
- ball joint
- end ball
- constricted area
- connection structure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B39/00—Locking of screws, bolts or nuts
- F16B39/22—Locking of screws, bolts or nuts in which the locking takes place during screwing down or tightening
- F16B39/28—Locking of screws, bolts or nuts in which the locking takes place during screwing down or tightening by special members on, or shape of, the nut or bolt
- F16B39/284—Locking by means of elastic deformation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D3/00—Steering gears
- B62D3/02—Steering gears mechanical
- B62D3/12—Steering gears mechanical of rack-and-pinion type
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
Abstract
A connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear wherein a female thread and a male thread are formed in the adjacent end portions of the rack and ball joint, respectively, and the female thread is provided with a constricted area of an elliptical or triangular cross section which has an effective diameter which is smaller than the effective diameter of the male thread, whereby, when the male thread is screwed into the female thread, a prevailing torque is generated at the constricted area. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Connecting structure between rack and rack end ball joint in rack-and-pinion steering gear
This invention relates to a connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear.
The rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear connects the adjacent ends of the rack bar and side rod so as to form a steering link. It is important that the rack and side bars are connected together at their adjacent ends extremely reliably but can be disassembled for servicing.
In order to attain these objects, it has been conventionally practiced that the rack and rack end ball joint are connected together by screwing the ball joint into the rack, and they are held in the assembled position by means of a pin or washer, or alternatively by caulking the rack against the ball joint, to prevent relative rotation between the rack and ball joint.
Before preferred embodiments of the invention are described, reference will be made to
Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c of the accompanying drawings wherein prior art connection structures between a rack and a rack end ball joint are illustrated. In these figures, reference number 10 denotes the rack and reference number 15 denotes the ball joint. A female thread 11 is formed in the end portion of the rack 10.
The ball joint 15 comprises a ball receiving portion 16 and a ball 17 received in the ball receiving portion 16 so as to rotate therein.
The ball receiving portion 16 has an integral reduced-diameter extension 18 whose outer surface is formed with a male thread 1 8a which is screwed into the female thread 11 in the rack 10. In the connection structure shown in Fig. 3a, the rack 10 and rack end ball joint 15 are connected together by the male thread 1 8a on the extension 18 of the ball receiving portion 16 of the rack end ball joint 15 in threaded engagement with the female thread 11 in the rack 10, and relative rotation between the rack and rack end ball joint is prevented by driving a pin 20 into a notch 19 formed at the end of the rack 10, as shown.In the connection structure shown in Fig. 3b, recesses are formed in the peripheries of the end of the rack 10 and the adjacent end of the ball receiving portion 16 of the rack end ball joint 15, and a washer 21 is fitted into the recesses to prevent relative rotation between the rack and the rack end ball joint. In the connection structure shown in
Fig. 3c, a peripheral recess 22 is formed in the end of the extension 18 adjacent to the ball receiving portion 16, and the adjacent end of the rack 10 is caulked radially inward into the recess 22 to prevent relative rotation between the rack and rack end ball joint.
In the connection structure shown in Fig.
3a, since the notch 19 has to be formed in the rack 10 and the separation pin 20 is employed, the number of parts is large and the number of assembling steps is also large, resulting in a high cost. In the connection structure shown in Fig. 3b, since the washer 21 is required as a separate part, the connection structure is also expensive. In the connection structure shown in Fig. 3c, since the rack and rack end ball joint are connected together by caulking the end of the rack against the ball joint, the rack and ball joint cannot be disassembled for servicing.
In order to eliminate the drawbacks inherent in the prior art connection structures referred to hereinabove, the present invention has as its object the provision of an improved rack and rack end ball joint connecting structure in a rack-and-pinion steering gear.
According to the present invention, there is provided an improved connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear wherein a female thread is formed in each end portion of the rack, the adjacent end portion of the rack end ball joint is formed with a male thread which is screwed into the female thread, and the female thread is provided with a constricted area of an elliptical or triangular cross section having an effective diameter which is smaller than the effective diameter of the male thread, whereby, when the male thread is screwed into the female thread, a prevailing torque is generated at the constricted area.
The above and other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of the invention and prior arts for comparison's sake.
Fig. la is a fragmentary longitudinally sectioned view of a first embodiment of the connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 1b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 1a;
Fig. 2a is a fragmentary longitudinally sectioned view of a second embodiment of the connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of Fig. 2a;
Fig. 2c is a cross-sectional view of an elliptical cross section male thread;
Fig. 2d is a cross-sectional view of a triangular cross section male thread;
Fig. 3a is a fragmentary longitudinally sectioned view of a prior-art connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint;;
Fig. 3b is a fragmentary longitudinally sectioned view of another prior-art connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint; and
Fig. 3c is a fragmentary longitudinally sectioned view of a further prior-art connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint.
Figs. 1a and 1b show the first embodiment of the connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 1a is a fragmentary longitudinally sectioned view and Fig. 1 b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 1a.
A female thread 2 is formed at each of the opposite end portions of the rack 1 (the female thread in only one end portion of the rack is shown in Fig. 1a), for receiving a male thread on the associated rack end ball joint.
Since the rack end ball joint to be connected to the rack is identical to that shown in Figs.
3a, 3b and 3c and described hereinabove, description of the rack end ball joint will be omitted.
In the embodiment of Figs. la and 1b, the female thread 2 is constricted into an elliptical cross section midway between the opposite ends of the female thread, as shown at 2a, and the constricted elliptical cross section area 2a has an effective diameter which is smaller than the effective diameter of the male thread on the associated rack end ball joint to be connected to the rack. The expression "effective diameter of the constricted elliptical cross section area" used herein means the smaller diameter of the ellipse of the constricted area in the illustrated embodiment.
By the provision of the elliptical cross section constricted area 2a in the female thread 2, when the male thread on the rack end ball joint is screwed into the female thread 2, a prevailing torque is generated at the elliptical cross section constricted area 2a whereby the rack and rack end ball joint are firmly connected together to prevent them loosening.In contrast to the prior art connection structure shown in Fig. 3c wherein the rack and rack end ball joint are firmly connected together by caulking the end of the rack against the rack end ball joint, in the embodiment shown in
Figs. la and 1b, since the male thread on the rack end ball joint is screwed into the female thread 2 with the elliptic cross section constricted area 2a in the rack 1 so as to firmly connect the rack and ball joint together, the rack and ball joint can be disassembled for servicing and reassembled after the servicing.
Figs. 2a and 2b show the second embodiment of the connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, a triangular cross section constricted area 2a which has an effective diameter which is smaller than the effective diameter of the male thread on the associated rack end ball joint to be connected to the rack is formed midway between the opposite ends of the female thread 2 in the rack 1. The expression "effective diameter of the triangular cross section constricted area" used herein means the diameter of an inscribed circle within the triangle of the constricted area.As in the case of the first embodiment, when the male thread on the rack end ball joint is screwed into the female thread in the rack, a prevailing torque is generated at the triangular cross section constricted area to thereby firmly connect the rack and rack end ball joint together to prevent them loosening.
It is also contemplated that the male thread has an elliptical cross section configulation as shown in Fig. 2c or a triangular cross section configuration as shown in Fig. 2d whereas the constricted area 2a of the female thread 2 has a circular cross section configuration within the scope of the present invention.
As described hereinabove, according to the present invention, in a connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear, each end portion of the rack is provided with a female thread, the adjacent end portion of the rack end ball joint is provided with a male thread which is screwed into the female thread, a constricted area of an elliptic or triangular cross section which has an effective diameter which is smaller than the effective diameter of the male thread is formed midway between the opposite ends of the female thread, and thus, when the male thread is screwed into the female thread, a prevailing torque is generated at the constricted area whereby the rack and rack end ball joint can be connected together highly reliably but can be disassembled for servicing. Furthermore, since no separate part is required for connecting the rack and rack end ball joint together, as is used in prior-art connection structures, the number of parts is less than those of the prior-art connection structures.
While only two specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that these are for illustration purposes only and are not to be taken as a definition of the invention, reference being made for this purpose to the ap
Claims (6)
1. In a connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear, characterized by the improvement that a female thread is formed in each end portion of said rack, an end portion of said ball joint adjacent to said rack is formed with a male thread which is to be screwed into said female thread, and said female thread is provided with a constricted area having an effective diameter which is smaller than the effective diameter of said male thread whereby, when the male thread is screwed into said female thread, a prevailing torque is generated at said constricted area.
2. The connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said constricted area has an elliptical cross section and said effective diameter of the constricted area is the smaller diameter of the ellipse of the constricted area.
3. The connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said constricted area has a triangular cross section and said effective diameter of the constricted area is the diameter of an inscribed circle within the triangle of the constricted area.
4. The connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said male thread has an elliptical cross section configuration and said constricted area has a circular cross section configuration.
5. The connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said male thread has a triangular cross section configuration and said constricted area has a circular cross section configuration.
6. A connection structure between a rack and a rack end ball joint in a rack-and-pinion steering gear substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1a and 1b, Figures 2a and 2b, Figure 2c, or Figure 2d of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP19957686A JPS6357912A (en) | 1986-08-26 | 1986-08-26 | Fastening structure for rack and rack end ball joint |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8719402D0 GB8719402D0 (en) | 1987-09-23 |
| GB2196079A true GB2196079A (en) | 1988-04-20 |
Family
ID=16410131
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08719402A Withdrawn GB2196079A (en) | 1986-08-26 | 1987-08-17 | Connecting structure between rack and rack end ball joint in rack-and-pinion steering gear |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6357912A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2196079A (en) |
Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB840578A (en) * | 1958-02-10 | 1960-07-06 | Frederick William Rohe | Improvements in lock nuts |
| GB841421A (en) * | 1956-07-11 | 1960-07-13 | Ulrich Maase | Improvements in or relating to self-locking nuts and methods for their manufacture |
| GB1312043A (en) * | 1969-06-16 | 1973-04-04 | Firth Cleveland Extrusions Ltd | Self-locking nuts |
| GB1334291A (en) * | 1970-08-13 | 1973-10-17 | Medschroef Ocstrooi Maatschppi | Method for manufacturing a self-locking nut |
| GB1376851A (en) * | 1972-03-23 | 1974-12-11 | Simmonds Sa | Method of rendering self-locking nuts |
| GB1391065A (en) * | 1971-03-29 | 1975-04-16 | Firth Cleveland Fastenings Ltd | Self-locking nuts |
| GB1485850A (en) * | 1974-05-30 | 1977-09-14 | Lamson & Sessions Co | Locknut and method of making the same |
| GB2043818A (en) * | 1979-03-05 | 1980-10-08 | Burdsall & Ward Co | Prevailing torque lock nut and method of forming same |
| US4588213A (en) * | 1983-10-05 | 1986-05-13 | Thread Technology International, Inc. | Threaded pipe connection |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS562606A (en) * | 1979-06-21 | 1981-01-12 | Nec Corp | Circuit device |
-
1986
- 1986-08-26 JP JP19957686A patent/JPS6357912A/en active Pending
-
1987
- 1987-08-17 GB GB08719402A patent/GB2196079A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB841421A (en) * | 1956-07-11 | 1960-07-13 | Ulrich Maase | Improvements in or relating to self-locking nuts and methods for their manufacture |
| GB840578A (en) * | 1958-02-10 | 1960-07-06 | Frederick William Rohe | Improvements in lock nuts |
| GB1312043A (en) * | 1969-06-16 | 1973-04-04 | Firth Cleveland Extrusions Ltd | Self-locking nuts |
| GB1334291A (en) * | 1970-08-13 | 1973-10-17 | Medschroef Ocstrooi Maatschppi | Method for manufacturing a self-locking nut |
| GB1391065A (en) * | 1971-03-29 | 1975-04-16 | Firth Cleveland Fastenings Ltd | Self-locking nuts |
| GB1376851A (en) * | 1972-03-23 | 1974-12-11 | Simmonds Sa | Method of rendering self-locking nuts |
| GB1485850A (en) * | 1974-05-30 | 1977-09-14 | Lamson & Sessions Co | Locknut and method of making the same |
| GB2043818A (en) * | 1979-03-05 | 1980-10-08 | Burdsall & Ward Co | Prevailing torque lock nut and method of forming same |
| US4588213A (en) * | 1983-10-05 | 1986-05-13 | Thread Technology International, Inc. | Threaded pipe connection |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| WO A1 86/03570 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS6357912A (en) | 1988-03-12 |
| GB8719402D0 (en) | 1987-09-23 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| AU705842B2 (en) | Alternate pinch bolt yoke construction | |
| US7578744B2 (en) | Slip joint for use in steering system | |
| US4407603A (en) | Friction joint | |
| DE69105442T4 (en) | Control system for vehicle with wheels. | |
| US20020165031A1 (en) | Steering column shaft assembly having trunion pin retention features | |
| EP0318266A1 (en) | Press-fit splined connection | |
| US4820241A (en) | Tubular transmission shaft | |
| US3328976A (en) | Engine coupler | |
| JPS61103014A (en) | Connecting bonding device for shaft and boss | |
| GB2196079A (en) | Connecting structure between rack and rack end ball joint in rack-and-pinion steering gear | |
| US5115879A (en) | Centering device for a servo valve of a power steering device | |
| EP0751310B1 (en) | Ball joint | |
| KR100510798B1 (en) | Joint yoke and universal joint comprising the same | |
| US3547460A (en) | Steering gear | |
| CA1262644A (en) | Bicycle sprocket drive assembly | |
| KR19980079410A (en) | Power steering device | |
| JP4410358B2 (en) | Handle mounting structure | |
| US5405270A (en) | Electrical connector assembly with jackscrew coupling | |
| JPH0211925A (en) | Shaft coupling device | |
| KR200285621Y1 (en) | Assembly Structure of Inner Ball Joint of Car Steering System | |
| SU580375A1 (en) | Hinged connection | |
| JPH11278291A (en) | Power steering device | |
| JPH0544237Y2 (en) | ||
| KR200160763Y1 (en) | Rack and inner ball joint coupling construction of automobile steering arrangement | |
| SU1199996A1 (en) | Detachable joint |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |