GB2320548A - Shaft connecting device - Google Patents
Shaft connecting device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2320548A GB2320548A GB9626626A GB9626626A GB2320548A GB 2320548 A GB2320548 A GB 2320548A GB 9626626 A GB9626626 A GB 9626626A GB 9626626 A GB9626626 A GB 9626626A GB 2320548 A GB2320548 A GB 2320548A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- connecting device
- pin
- tooth
- assembled state
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
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
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D1/00—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
- F16D1/10—Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
Abstract
A connecting device for joining a first shaft 12 to a second shaft 14 comprises a portion 24 of the first shaft having an outer surface 28 which widens towards the end 26, a diagonally extending tooth 30 formed at the end of the first shaft, and a diagonally extending groove 32 formed adjacent the tooth; a portion 34 of the second shaft having an outer surface 38 which tapers towards the end 36, a diagonally extending tooth 40 formed at the end 36 and a diagonally extending groove 42 adjacent the tooth, the tooth 30 having substantially the same shape and size as the groove 42 and being positioned therein in an assembled state of the connecting device, the tooth 40 having substantially the same shape and size as the groove 32 and being positioned therein in the assembled state of the connecting device. The outer surfaces 28, 38 of the portions of the first and second shafts when joined define a frustum of a cone and a tapered sleeve 16 has an inner surface 44 having substantially the same shape and size as the frustum. Releasable mounting means 52, 54 mount the tapered sleeve adjacent the portion of the first shaft in a dis-assembled state of the connecting device; and a spring 18 biases the inner surface of the tapered sleeve into engagement with the outer surfaces of the portions of the first and second shafts in the assembled state.
Description
SHAFT CONNECTING DEVICE
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a connecting device for providing a rapid coupling between a pair of shafts. In particular, the present invention relates to a connecting device which allows a rapid coupling between a drive shaft and a driven shaft in the steering system of a motor vehicle.
Background of the Invention
EP-A-0391758 describes a connecting device which allows a rapid coupling between a drive shaft and a driven shaft in the steering system of a motor vehicle. In this known arrangement, a first shaft pivots relative to a second shaft to bring the shafts into axial alignment with a portion of the second shaft being located within a suitably shaped slot in the first shaft. A spring biased sleeve is then released to prevent subsequent relative pivoting between the shafts. A camming arrangement is provided between the first shaft and the sleeve such that the sleeve rotates relative to the first shaft as the sleeve moves to the assembled position. The design of this known connecting device is complicated in order to provide the camming arrangement. Further, it is possible for the locking sleeve to move to its assembled position before the second shaft is correctly positioned with the first shaft. Still further, it appears possible that this connecting device will allow relative movement between the shafts in an axial direction.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages.
To this end, a connecting device in accordance with the present invention for joining one end of a first shaft to one end of a second shaft comprises a portion of the first shaft at the one end of the first shaft, the portion of the first shaft having an outer surface which tapers outwardly towards the one end of the first shaft, a diagonally extending tooth formed at the one end of the first shaft, and a diagonally extending groove formed adjacent the tooth in the portion of the first shaft; a portion of the second shaft at the one end of the second shaft, the portion of the second shaft having an outer surface which tapers inwardly towards the one end of the second shaft, a diagonally extending tooth formed at the one end of the second shaft, and a diagonally extending groove formed adjacent the tooth in the portion of the second shaft, the tooth of the portion of the first shaft having substantially the same shape and size as the groove in the portion of the second shaft and being positioned therein in an assembled state of the connecting device, the tooth in the portion of the second shaft having substantially the same shape and size as the groove in the portion of the first shaft and being positioned therein in the assembled state of the connecting device, and the outer surfaces of the portions of the first and second shafts when joined defining a frustum of a cone; a tapered sleeve having an inner surface having substantially the same shape and size as the frustum of the cone defined by the outer surfaces of the portions of the first and second shafts when joined; releasable mounting means for mounting the tapered sleeve adjacent the portion of the first shaft in a dis-assembled state of the connecting device; and a spring for biasing the inner surface of the tapered sleeve into engagement with the outer surfaces of the portions of the first and second shafts in the assembled state of the connecting device.
The parts of the connecting device are simple in design and easy to manufacture. The interconnection of the teeth and grooves in the assembled state of the connecting device substantially prevents relative axial movement between the first and second shafts. The arrangement of the teeth and grooves substantially prevents incorrect joining of the first and second shafts. The connecting device of the present invention is easy and quick to assemble, and simply requires interengagement of the teeth and grooves, and release of the mounting means.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of a first embodiment of connecting device in accordance with the present invention with the connecting device in a dis-assembled state;
Figure 2 is a side view of the first shaft, tapered sleeve and spring of the connecting device of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 with the connecting device in a partly assembled state;
Figure 4 is a side view of the connecting device of Figure 1 with the connecting device in a fully assembled state;
Figure 5 is an end view of the first shaft of the connecting device of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is an end view of the second shaft of the connecting device of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first shaft, tapered sleeve "and spring of a second embodiment of connecting device in accordance with the present invention with the connecting device in a dis-assembled state;
Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the releasable mounting means of the connecting device of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a similar view to Figure 8 with the connecting device in an assembled state;
Figures 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views on the line X-X of
Figure 9 with the connecting device in the dis-assembled state and the assembled state respectively;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the first shaft, tapered sleeve and spring of a third embodiment of connecting device in accordance with the present invention with the connecting device in a dis-assembled state;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view on the line Y-Y of Figure 12; and
Figure 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of the releasable mounting means of the connecting device of Figure 12 with the connecting device in an assembled state.
Description of the Preferred Embodlment Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the first embodiment of connecting device 10 in accordance with the present invention for joining a first shaft 12 to a second shaft 14 comprises a portion 24 of the first shaft 12, a portion 34 of the second shaft 14, a tapered sleeve 16, and a spring 18. The first shaft 12 is integrally formed with a yoke 20, and the second shaft 14 is integrally formed with splines 22. The first and second shafts 12, 14, when connected together, form a part of the steering system (not shown) of a motor vehicle.
One of the shafts is rotatably driven about its longitudinal axis on rotation of the vehicle steering wheel (not shown), to rotatably drive the other shaft about its longitudinal axis to steer the steerable wheels (not shown) of the motor vehicle. The connecting device 10 of the present invention simplifies the assembly of the connection between the first and second shafts 12, 14 during assembly of the motor vehicle.
The portion 24 of the first shaft 12 is at the end 26 of the first shaft remote from the yoke 20. The outer surface 28 of the portion 24 tapers outwardly away from the axis A of the first shaft 12 towards the end 26 of the first shaft. The portion 24 has a cross-section (in its axial direction) in the shape of an L to define a tooth 30 at the end 26 of the first shaft 12, and a groove 32 adjacent the tooth. The tooth 30 and groove 32 extend diagonally across the portion 24 of the first shaft 12. The portion 34 of the second shaft 14 is at the end 36 of the second shaft remote from the splines 22. The outer surface 38 of the portion 34 tapers inwardly towards the axis B of the second shaft 14 at the end 36 of the second shaft. The portion 34 has a cross-section (in its axial direction) in the shape of an L to define a tooth 40 at the end 36 of the second shaft 14, and a groove 42 adjacent the tooth. The tooth 40 and groove 42 extend diagonally across the portion 34 of the second shaft 14.
The tooth 30 in the first shaft 12 substantially corresponds in shape and size to the groove 42 in the second shaft 14. The tooth 40 in the second shaft 14 substantially corresponds in shape and size to the groove 32 in the first shaft 12. The outer surfaces 28, 38 are shaped and sized such that when the first and second shafts 12, 14 are connected together the outer surfaces, in combination, define the frustum of a cone.
The tapered sleeve 16 has an inner surface 44 which substantially corresponds in shape and size to the frustum of the cone defined by the combined outer surfaces 28, 38 of the portions 24, 34 of the first and second shafts 12, 14, respectively. An outwardly directed lip 48 is formed at the end 46 of the sleeve 16 having the larger diameter, that is, the end directed towards the second shaft 14. The sleeve 16 is releasably mounted on the first shaft 12 by way of pin 52 which is secured to the first shaft and which extends through an L-shaped slot 54 formed in the other end 50 of the sleeve. The pin 52 and slot 54 define a releasable mounting means in the form of a bayonet type of connection. A substantially identical pin and slot may be used on the diagonally opposite side of the first shaft. The spring 18 is in the form of a coil spring which is positioned around the sleeve 16 and which is compressed between a shoulder defined by the yoke 20 and the lip 48.
The connecting device 10 is basically assembled in two stages.
In a first stage, the tooth 30 of the first shaft 12 is positioned in the groove 42 of the second shaft 14, and the tooth 40 of the second shaft 14 is positioned in the groove 32 of the first shaft 12, with the axes A, B of the first and second shafts being aligned, as shown in Figure 3. In a second stage, the sleeve 16 is rotated to release the pin 52 from the slot 54 and the compressed spring 18 acts on the sleeve 16 to push the inner surface 44 of the sleeve into engagement with the outer surfaces 28, 38 of the connected portions 24, 34 of the first and second shafts 12, 14, respectively, as shown in Figure 4. The spring 18 then acts on the sleeve 16 to retain the sleeve in this position.
The connecting device 10 of the present invention is quick and easy to use (connection can be made by hand without the use of tooling), and has components which are simple and easy to manufacture. The interengagement of the teeth 30, 40 and grooves 32, 42 substantially prevents incorrect connection of the first and second shafts 12, 14, and substantially prevents any relative axial movement (lash) between the first and second shafts 12, 14 when the connecting device is in the assembled state.
Other forms of releasable mounting means may be used, as described below. Referring to Figures 7 to 11, the second embodiment of connecting device 100 in accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above, and like parts have been given the same reference numeral. Compared to the first embodiment, the pin 52 and slot 54 are omitted, and the releasable mounting means comprises a lever 56 which is pivotally mounted in a slot 58 formed through the portion 24 of the first shaft 12; and a tab 60 extending radially away from the tooth 40 of the portion 34 of the second shaft 14. The slot 58 extends substantially radially from the groove 32 in the portion 24 of the first shaft 12 to an opening 62 in the outer surface of the first shaft. In the dis-assembled state of the connecting device 100, the lever 56 has one end 64 positioned adjacent (or extending into) the groove 32, with the other end 66 extending out of the opening 62 and engaging the larger end 46 of the tapered sleeve 16. During assembly of the connecting device 100, the tab 60 engages the one end 64 of the lever 56 to pivotally move the lever such that the other end 66 of the lever disengages the end 46 of the tapered sleeve 16. The spring 18 then acts on the tapered sleeve 16 to push and then retain the sleeve as described above with respect to the first embodiment.
Referring to Figures 12 to 14, the third embodiment of connecting device 200 in accordance with the present invention is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above, and like parts have been given the same reference numeral. Compared to the first embodiment, the pin 52 and slot 54 are omitted, and the releasable mounting means comprises a first pin 68 which is slidably mounted in a first bore 70, and second and third pins 72, 74 which are slidably mounted in a second bore 76. The first bore 70 opens through a surface 78 of the portion 24 of the first shaft 12 adjacent the groove 32. The first pin 68 has a diagonally extending aperture 80 having a diameter which is equal to or greater than the diameter of the second and third pins 72, 74, and the first pin is biased to extend out of the first bore 70 at the surface 78 by a spring 82 when the connecting device 200 is in its disassembled state. In the dis-assembled state of the connecting device 200, the aperture 80 is offset from the second bore 76. The second bore 76 extends diagonally across the first shaft 12, through the first bore 70, and opens at either end adjacent the larger end 46 of the tapered sleeve 16 when the connecting device 200 is in its dis-assembled state. The second and third pins 72, 74 are positioned in the second bore 76 on either side of the first pin 68.
The second pin 72 engages the first pin 68 at one end 84, and extends out of the second bore 76 to engage the end 46 of the tapered sleeve 16 at the other end 86 of the second pin, in the dis-assembled state of the connecting device 200. Similarly, the third pin 74 engages the first pin 68 at one end 88, and extends out of the second bore 76 to engage the end 46 of the tapered sleeve 16 at the other end 90 of the third pin, in the dis-assembled state of the connecting device 200. During assembly of the connecting device 200, the end 36 of the second shaft 14 engages the first pin 68 to push the first pin into the first bore 70 against the bias of the spring 82. This movement of the first pin 68 brings the aperture 80 into alignment with the second bore 76. The force of the spring 18 acting on the tapered sleeve 16 then acts on the second and third pins 72, 74 to push their respective ends 84, 88 into the aperture 80 to release the tapered sleeve. The spring 18 then acts on the tapered sleeve 16 to push and then retain the sleeve as described above with respect to the first embodiment. Springs may be positioned in the second bore 76 to act on the second and third pins 72, 74 to bias the second and third pins towards the first pin 68 to help the second and third pins move into the aperture 80 during assembly of the connecting device 200.
As with the first embodiment, the second and third embodiments provide a connecting device which can quickly join two shafts by hand without the need for tooling, which provides a positive connection which cannot be misaligned, and which is substantially free from lash once assembled.
Claims (10)
1. A connecting device for joining one end of a first shaft to one end of a second shaft comprising a portion of the first shaft at the one end of the first shaft, the portion of the first shaft having an outer surface which tapers outwardly towards the one end of the first shaft, a diagonally extending tooth formed at the one end of the first shaft, and a diagonally extending groove formed adjacent the tooth in the portion of the first shaft; a portion of the second shaft at the one end of the second shaft, the portion of the second shaft having an outer surface which tapers inwardly towards the one end of the second shaft, a diagonally extending tooth formed at the one end of the second shaft, and a diagonally extending groove formed adjacent the tooth in the portion of the second shaft, the tooth of the portion of the first shaft having substantially the same shape and size as the groove in the portion of the second shaft and being positioned therein in an assembled state of the connecting device, the tooth in the portion of the second shaft having substantially the same shape and size as the groove in the portion of the first shaft and being positioned therein in the assembled state of the connecting device, and the outer surfaces of the portions of the first and second shafts when joined defining a frustum of a cone; a tapered sleeve having an inner surface having substantially the same shape and size as the frustum of the cone defined by the outer surfaces of the portions of the first and second shafts when joined; releasable mounting means for mounting the tapered sleeve adjacent the portion of the first shaft in a dis-assembled state of the connecting device; and a spring for biasing the inner surface of the tapered sleeve into engagement with the outer surfaces of the portions of the first and second shafts in the assembled state of the connecting device.
2. A connecting device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the releasable mounting means comprises a pin securable on the first shaft and an
L-shaped slot formed in an end of the tapered sleeve, the pin and slot being connected in a bayonet type connection in the dis-assembled state of the connecting device.
3. A connecting device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the tapered sleeve has an outwardly extending lip at its end directed towards the second shaft, wherein the L-shaped slot is formed in the other end of the tapered sleeve, and wherein the spring is a coil spring which surrounds the tapered sleeve and which engages the lip and a shoulder associated with the first shaft.
4. A connecting device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the releasable mounting means comprises a lever which is pivotally mounted in a slot extending through the first shaft, the lever being engageable at one end by the tooth of the portion of the second shaft during assembly of the connecting device, and being engageable at the other end with the tapered sleeve in the dis-assembled state of the connecting device.
5. A connecting device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the tooth of the portion of the second shaft has a radially extending tab which engages the one end of the lever during assembly of the connecting device.
6. A connecting device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the releasable mounting means comprises a first pin slidably mounted in a first bore in the first shaft; and second and third pins slidably mounted in a second bore in the first shaft; the first pin having a diagonally extending aperture having a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the second and third pins; the first pin extending out of the first bore in the dis-assembled state of the connecting device and being engageable by the second shaft; the second bore extending diagonally across the first shaft and through the first bore; the second and third pins being positioned on either side of the first pin; wherein in the dis-assembled state of the connecting device the second and third pins engage the first pin and the tapered sleeve; and wherein in the assembled state of the connecting device, the second and third pins extend into the aperture in the first pin.
7. A connecting device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein a spring is positioned in the first bore to bias the first pin to extend out of the first bore.
8. A connecting device as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the first bore extends out of a surface adjacent the groove in the portion of the first shaft, and wherein the first pin is engageable by the one end of the second shaft during assembly of the connecting device.
9. A connecting device as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein springs are positioned in the second bore to bias the second and third pins towards the first pin.
10. A connecting device substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9626626A GB2320548B (en) | 1996-12-21 | 1996-12-21 | Shaft connecting device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9626626A GB2320548B (en) | 1996-12-21 | 1996-12-21 | Shaft connecting device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9626626D0 GB9626626D0 (en) | 1997-02-12 |
| GB2320548A true GB2320548A (en) | 1998-06-24 |
| GB2320548B GB2320548B (en) | 2000-07-19 |
Family
ID=10804846
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9626626A Expired - Fee Related GB2320548B (en) | 1996-12-21 | 1996-12-21 | Shaft connecting device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2320548B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109681538A (en) * | 2019-01-22 | 2019-04-26 | 浙江正泰新能源开发有限公司 | Tracker transmission shaft connecting structure |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2134217A (en) * | 1983-01-29 | 1984-08-08 | Walterscheid Gmbh Jean | Drive shaft |
| EP0300883A1 (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1989-01-25 | Ecia - Equipements Et Composants Pour L'industrie Automobile | Rapid connection between two torque transmitting elements |
| US5106224A (en) * | 1989-04-07 | 1992-04-21 | Nacam | Device for rapid coupling of a driveshaft and a driven shaft and its application, in particular, to a motor vehicle steering system |
| EP0603114A1 (en) * | 1992-12-15 | 1994-06-22 | Usm U. Schaerer Soehne Ag | Clamping device |
-
1996
- 1996-12-21 GB GB9626626A patent/GB2320548B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2134217A (en) * | 1983-01-29 | 1984-08-08 | Walterscheid Gmbh Jean | Drive shaft |
| EP0300883A1 (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1989-01-25 | Ecia - Equipements Et Composants Pour L'industrie Automobile | Rapid connection between two torque transmitting elements |
| US5106224A (en) * | 1989-04-07 | 1992-04-21 | Nacam | Device for rapid coupling of a driveshaft and a driven shaft and its application, in particular, to a motor vehicle steering system |
| EP0603114A1 (en) * | 1992-12-15 | 1994-06-22 | Usm U. Schaerer Soehne Ag | Clamping device |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109681538A (en) * | 2019-01-22 | 2019-04-26 | 浙江正泰新能源开发有限公司 | Tracker transmission shaft connecting structure |
| CN109681538B (en) * | 2019-01-22 | 2024-04-19 | 浙江正泰新能源开发有限公司 | Tracker transmission shaft connection structure |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2320548B (en) | 2000-07-19 |
| GB9626626D0 (en) | 1997-02-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20061221 |