JP2010038301A - Connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve simpler structure for not connecting members at wrong position. <P>SOLUTION: In the connection structure for connecting an end part of a second shaft inserted to an opening part of a first shaft 10 at a predetermined position, a bolt 16 provided for a first member is displaced when the second shaft is inserted to a predetermined position. The bolt 16 is fitted to a female screw part 20 with its center shaft C2 corresponding to a center shaft C3 of the female screw part 20 formed at a position deviated from the center shaft C2 of the bolt 16. This can prevent the first shaft 10 and the second shaft from being connected at a wrong position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a coupling structure that couples a plurality of members to each other, and can be applied, for example, to an assembly portion of shafts used in a vehicle steering apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an assembling structure for preventing an input shaft of a steering gear from being assembled at an incorrect position with respect to a joint yoke when assembling an input shaft of a steering gear and a joint yoke is known. As such an assembly structure, Patent Document 1 discloses an assembly in which a joint yoke is provided with an insertion preventing portion that is positioned in the bolt hole and prevents the bolt from being inserted when the bolt engaging groove and the bolt hole do not coincide with each other. A structure is disclosed.
JP-A-7-186777

  However, the assembly structure described above requires a complex-shaped misassembly prevention member in addition to the bolt, and must be attached to the joint yoke, so there is room for further improvement from the viewpoint of the number of parts and workability. There is.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the technique which implement | achieves more simply the structure which members are not couple | bonded in the incorrect position.

  In order to solve the above problems, a coupling structure according to an aspect of the present invention is a coupling structure that couples the end of the second member inserted into the opening of the first member at a predetermined position. When the second member is inserted to the predetermined position, the bolt provided in the first member is displaced and coincides with the axis of the female screw formed at a position shifted from the bolt axis until then. In the state, the bolt is fitted onto the female screw.

  According to this aspect, since the bolt is displaced so as to be fitted to the female screw when the second member is in a predetermined position with respect to the first member, the first member and the second member are misplaced. Can be prevented from being combined. Moreover, since such a coupling structure can be realized by devising the positional relationship between the bolt and the female screw, the structure can be simplified.

  Another aspect of the present invention is also a binding structure. This coupling structure is a coupling structure that couples the end of the second rotating member inserted into the opening of the first rotating member at a predetermined position, and the first rotating member is the first rotating member. A bolt having a central axis in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating member, the bolt being held so as to be displaced by the insertion of the second rotating member, and the second rotating member An internal thread formed at a position where the bolt cannot be fastened when the predetermined position is not reached. The second rotating member is formed with a groove that engages with the bolt at the predetermined position, and the bolt is separated from the groove when the second rotating member is inserted to the predetermined position. It is engaged and coincides with the female screw shaft that has been displaced from the bolt shaft until then, and is fitted to the female screw in that state.

  According to this aspect, since the female screw is formed at a position where the bolt cannot be fastened when the second rotating member is not in the predetermined position, the first member and the second member are in an erroneous position other than the predetermined position. It is possible to prevent the members from being combined. Further, the bolt has an axis that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the first rotating member, and is fixed to the female screw while being engaged with the groove of the second rotating member. It is more reliably prevented that the second rotating member moves from the predetermined position and comes out of the first member. Moreover, since such a coupling structure can be realized by devising the positional relationship among the bolt, the female screw, and the groove, the structure can be simplified.

  The first rotating member may include a round hole that supports the bolt such that the center of the first rotating member coincides with the center of the female screw shaft and the shaft of the bolt swings in the radial direction of the first rotating member. Thereby, it is possible to ensure a wide and even seating surface when fastening the bolt, and it becomes easy to ensure the surface pressure and the loosening of the bolt is suppressed.

  The first rotating member may include an elastic member that holds the bolt at a position where the bolt does not fit into the female screw in a state where the second rotating member is not inserted. Thereby, even if it is in the state where the 2nd rotation member is not inserted in the 1st rotation member, accidental bolt is prevented from being located in the same axis as an internal thread.

  The first rotating member may include an elastic member that urges the bolt toward a position overlapping the cross section of the second rotating member to be inserted when the opening is viewed from the axial direction. Thus, when the second rotating member is inserted to a predetermined position, the bolt engages with the groove portion with a sense of moderation, so that the operator has inserted the second rotating member to the predetermined position. Easy to perceive. Here, the sense of moderation can be referred to as a click feeling, for example, and is created by changing the force required when inserting the second rotating member before and after the predetermined position. It can also be called a sense.

  The first rotating member may be provided with an elongated hole that guides the bolt obliquely upward in a state where the second rotating member is inserted from below. As a result, for example, even if an elastic body that urges the bolt in a predetermined direction is not provided, the bolt is placed at a position that does not coincide with the axis of the female screw due to its own weight when the second rotating member is not inserted. It is easy to move.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more simply realize a structure in which members are not coupled at an incorrect position.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
First, an example of a member suitable for employing the coupling structure of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a first member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  The coupling structure according to the present embodiment is suitable when, for example, a joint yoke or a hook joint is coupled to an end portion of an extension shaft disposed between an intermediate shaft and a steering gear of a vehicle steering device. is there. In addition, for example, the present invention can be applied to coupling of a main shaft, an intermediate shaft of a steering device, a pinion shaft of a steering gear, and the like. Note that either the first member or the second member may be upstream in the force transmission direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the 1st shaft 10 as a 1st member is a cylindrical member by which the opening part 12 is provided in one edge part. A female serration 14 is formed on the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the opening 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the first shaft 10 has a long hole 18 into which the bolt 16 can be inserted and is formed in a direction L1 orthogonal to the central axis C1. The long hole 18 has a long opening in the radial direction R <b> 1 of the first shaft 10, and is formed only halfway from one side surface 10 a of the first shaft 10. A screw hole 22 in which the female screw portion 20 is formed is provided at a position where the long hole 18 overlaps the long hole 18 at the back end portion of the long hole 18.

  An elastic body 24 is inserted into the elongated hole 18 together with the bolt 16, and the bolt 16 having a central axis in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first shaft 10 by the action of the elastic body 24 is the elongated hole 18. It is pressed toward the lower end face, that is, toward the rotation axis of the first shaft 10 and temporarily fixed at a predetermined position. As the elastic body 24, a spring, sponge, rubber, or the like can be appropriately employed.

  When no other member is inserted into the first shaft 10, the bolt 16 is moved in the direction of the central axis C <b> 1 of the first shaft 10 due to the pressing force of the elastic body 24. It abuts against the arcuate lower end 18a. Since the screw hole 22 is formed at a position shifted from the arcuate lower end portion 18a of the elongated hole 18, the center axis C2 of the bolt 16 and the center axis C3 of the screw hole female screw portion 20 do not coincide with each other. Therefore, even if the bolt 16 is rotated in this state, it is not fastened to the screw hole 22. The first shaft 10 is provided with a slit 26 so that the diameter of the first shaft 10 is reduced when the bolt 16 is fastened to the screw hole 22 in order to securely connect the other shaft to be inserted. It has been.

  Next, the second member will be described. FIG. 3 is a side view of the main part of the second member according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second shaft 28 as the second member has male serrations 30 and 32 formed on the outer peripheral surface of one end thereof. The serrations 30 and 32 are shaped to fit with the serrations 14 of the first shaft 10 described above. Further, between the serration 30 and the serration 32, a groove portion 34 with which the bolt 16 engages at a predetermined position where the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 28 are coupled is formed over the entire circumference. Further, the second shaft 28 has a tapered chamfered portion 36 formed at the tip thereof.

  4 to 6 are cross-sectional views of the main part showing the assembling process of the coupling structure according to the present embodiment. The coupling structure 100 according to the present embodiment couples the end of the second shaft 28 inserted into the opening 12 of the first shaft 10 at a predetermined position. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second shaft 28 is inserted from the opening 12 of the first shaft 10, the chamfered portion 36 first strikes the bolt 16. When the second shaft 28 is further inserted, since the chamfered portion 36 has a tapered shape, the bolt 16 is displaced upward while compressing the elastic body 24 so as to be pushed up by the inclined surface. If the bolt 16 can be pushed up without the chamfered portion 36, the chamfered portion 36 may be omitted.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the displacement of the bolt 16 stops in a state where the bolt 16 is pushed upward by the outer peripheral surface of the serration 30 while the serration 30 passes after the chamfered portion 36 passes therethrough. Note that in the coupling structure 100 of the present embodiment, the displacement amount of the bolt 16 is normally maximized in this state.

  The screw hole 22 is located at a position where the center axis of the bolt 16 and the center axis of the female screw portion 20 do not coincide with each other when the second shaft 28 is inserted while the bolt 16 and the outer peripheral surface of the serration 30 are in contact with each other. Is formed. Therefore, when only the serration 30 on the distal end side of the second shaft 28 is fitted with the serration 14 of the first shaft 10, the bolt 16 is not fastened to the screw hole 22 even if it is rotated.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, when the second shaft 28 is further inserted and the groove portion 34 comes below the bolt 16, the bolt 16 is moved downward by the urging force of the elastic body 24 and fits into the groove portion 34. The groove portion 34 is formed so that the axis of the bolt 16 and the axis of the female screw portion 20 of the screw hole 22 coincide with each other with the bolt 16 in contact with the center portion (bottom portion) thereof. Therefore, by fastening the bolt 16 to the screw hole 22 in this state, the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 28 are coupled at a predetermined position where the bolt 16 and the groove 34 are engaged. .

  The first shaft 10 includes an elastic body 24 that urges the bolt 16 toward a position overlapping the section of the inserted second shaft 28 when the opening 12 is viewed from the axial direction ( (See FIG. 2). Accordingly, when the second shaft 28 is inserted to a position where the bolt 16 and the groove 34 can be engaged, the bolt 16 is engaged with the groove 34 with a sense of moderation. Even in the work, it is easy for the worker to sense that the second shaft 28 has been inserted to a predetermined position. Here, the sense of moderation can be rephrased as, for example, a click feeling, and is created by changing the force required to insert the second shaft 28 before and after a predetermined position. It can also be called a sense.

  As described above, the coupling structure 100 according to the present embodiment is temporarily fixed to the first shaft 10 when the second shaft 28 is inserted to a position where the bolt 16 and the groove 34 can be engaged with each other. The bolt 16 is displaced, and the bolt 16 is fitted to the female screw portion 20 in a state where it coincides with the central axis of the female screw portion 20 that has been formed at a position shifted from the central axis of the bolt 16 until then.

  Accordingly, the bolt 16 can prevent the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 28 from being coupled at an incorrect position, for example, a position where the second shaft 28 is not completely inserted. Moreover, since such a coupling structure 100 can be realized by devising the positional relationship between the bolt 16 and the female screw portion 20, the structure can be simplified.

  In other words, in the coupling structure 100, the first shaft 10 has a central axis in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first shaft 10, and is long so as to be displaced by the insertion of the second shaft 28. The bolt 16 is held by the action of the hole 18 and the elastic body 24, and is formed at a position where the bolt 16 cannot be fastened when the second shaft 28 is inserted in a position where the bolt 16 does not fit into the groove 34. A female screw portion 20. On the other hand, the second shaft 28 has a groove 34 that engages the bolt 16 at a predetermined position.

  Since the center axis of the bolt 16 is perpendicular to the center axis of the first shaft 10 and is engaged with the groove portion 34 of the second shaft 28, the bolt 16 is engaged with and tightened. It is more reliably prevented that the second shaft 28 moves from a predetermined position and comes out of the first shaft 10.

  Further, in the coupling structure 100, the first shaft 10 includes the elastic body 24 that holds the bolt 16 at a position where the bolt 16 does not fit into the female screw portion 20 when the second shaft 28 is not inserted, as described above. It has. Therefore, even when the second shaft 28 is not inserted into the first shaft 10, the bolt 16 is prevented from being accidentally positioned coaxially with the female screw portion 20. Further, the work of the elastic body 24 makes it difficult for the bolts 16 to fall out of the long holes 18, and the workability is improved.

  Further, according to the coupling structure 100, the bolt 16 is urged by the elastic body 24 in a state in which the bolt 16 is engaged with the groove 34 even before being fastened to the female screw portion 20 at a predetermined position. Even if the direction in which the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 28 are assembled is opposite to the direction of gravity (when the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 28 are pulled out from below to be fitted), it is difficult to pull out the lower shaft due to gravity after fitting. , Workability is improved. Further, according to the coupling structure 100, even if the bolt 16 that has been fastened is loosened, the bolt 16 is pressed against the groove 34 by the elastic body 24, so that it is difficult to further loosen due to rotational resistance.

  In order to prevent the second shaft from being accidentally coupled to the first shaft at a position other than a predetermined position, a protrusion that shields the bolt from being caught in the screw hole during insertion of the shaft is further provided in the serration of the shaft. It can also be provided on the tip side. However, in this case, since the entire length of the shaft is increased by the amount of the protrusion, for example, in a vehicle where the stroke amount of the intermediate shaft is small, when trying to connect the shafts at the end, the protrusion at the tip of one shaft It may be difficult to put the part into the opening of the other shaft.

  On the other hand, the coupling structure 100 according to the present embodiment can prevent the shafts from being coupled at an incorrect position without providing a protrusion. Therefore, the protrusion at the tip of the second shaft 28 becomes unnecessary, and not only can the weight be reduced, but also the shaft length can be shortened by the amount of the protrusion at the time of assembling the vehicle, so that the movement locus of the first shaft 10 can be easily secured. Improves.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the first member according to the second embodiment. In the coupling structure according to the present embodiment, the second member is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The first shaft 110 according to the present embodiment is a long hole that guides the bolt 16 obliquely upward in a state where the second shaft 28 as shown in FIG. 3 is inserted from below. 118 is provided. Thereby, in the coupling structure 200 that couples the first shaft 110 and the second shaft 28, for example, even if the elastic body that biases the bolt 16 in a predetermined direction is not provided, the second shaft 28 is provided. In a state where is not inserted, the bolt 16 moves to the lowest point of the elongated hole 118 by its own weight. That is, in the coupling structure 200, it is easy to move the axis of the bolt 16 to a position that does not coincide with the axis of the female screw portion 120 by using the weight of the bolt 16.

  The female screw portion 120 has a central axis that coincides with the axis of the bolt 16 when the second shaft 28 is inserted to a predetermined position where the bolt 16 engages with the groove portion 34 of the second shaft 28. Is formed. Thereby, according to the coupling structure 200, similarly to the first embodiment, the first shaft 110 and the second shaft 28 are prevented from being erroneously coupled except at a predetermined position.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the first member according to the third embodiment. In the coupling structure according to the present embodiment, the second member is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first shaft 210 according to the present embodiment has a side hole 210a formed with a round hole 218 whose center coincides with the central axis C3 of the female screw portion 20. This makes it possible to ensure a wide and even seating surface when fastening the bolts 16, making it easy to ensure the surface pressure and suppressing the loosening of the bolts. In addition, a space is formed inside the round hole 218 so as to gradually become a long hole toward the back. Therefore, the round hole 218 can support the bolt 16 so as to be swingable in the radial direction R1 of the first shaft 210.

  An elastic body 224 is disposed inside the round hole 218 together with the bolt 16, and the bolt 16 is pressed toward the lower end surface 210 b of the inner space of the round hole 218 by the action of the elastic body 224. Is temporarily fixed at a predetermined position. At this time, since the central axis C2 of the bolt 16 is not parallel to the central axis C3 of the female screw portion 20, the bolt 16 is not rotated and fastened to the female screw portion 20 in this state.

  The bolt 16 swings around the center C4 of the round hole 218 when the second shaft 28 is inserted to a predetermined position where the bolt 16 engages with the groove 34 of the second shaft 28. The central axis C2 is held so as to coincide with the central axis C3 of the female screw portion 20. Thereby, according to the coupling structure 300, similarly to the first embodiment, the first shaft 210 and the second shaft 28 are prevented from being erroneously coupled except at a predetermined position.

  Next, another effect by adopting the coupling structure of each embodiment described above will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the difference in the processing shape of the second member due to the difference in the positioning method between the members.

  When positioning is performed on the first shaft 10 shown in FIG. 9 by abutting a predetermined place between the members, the second shaft 128 is abutted against the end surface 10 b of the opening 12 of the first shaft 10. The flat stepped portion 128a must be provided on the root side from the serration 132. However, when such a flat stepped portion 128a is provided, a region where serration cannot be formed from the stepped portion 128a over the width L occurs due to the limitation of the processing method. Therefore, the length in which the serration 14 of the first shaft 10 and the serration 132 of the second shaft 128 are fitted is shortened.

  However, according to the coupling structure of each of the embodiments described above, since the positioning when the members are coupled at a predetermined position can be performed by the engagement between the bolt and the groove, the predetermined location between the members is pushed. There is no need to position it. Therefore, in the case of the second shaft 28, it is not necessary to provide a flat stepped portion, and the length of the serration 32 can be easily extended according to the serration 14 of the first shaft 10. As a result, it is possible to increase the length with which the serrations are fitted, and it is possible to improve the strength when the first shaft and the second shaft are coupled.

  The present invention has been described with reference to each of the above-described embodiments. However, this is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations of the respective embodiments are appropriately combined. Those that have been replaced or replaced are also included in the present invention. Various modifications such as design changes can be added to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the embodiments to which such modifications are added are also included in the scope of the present invention. sell.

  In addition, the above-mentioned coupling structure does not necessarily have to be a coupling between rotating members that transmit forces while rotating together, and a non-rotating member as long as it is coupled so that the other member does not fall off from one member. It may be. In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the rod-shaped member is inserted into the circular opening has been described. However, if the other member is inserted into one member, the cross-sectional shape is particularly limited. is not. For example, an oval cross section or an oval shape may be used.

It is principal part sectional drawing of the 1st member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a principal part side view of the 2nd member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment process of the coupling structure which concerns on this Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment process of the coupling structure which concerns on this Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment process of the coupling structure which concerns on this Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the 1st member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the 1st member which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the difference in the process shape of the 2nd member by the difference in the positioning method of members.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st shaft, 10a side surface, 10b end surface, 12 opening part, 14 serration, 16 bolt, 18 long hole, 18a lower end part, 20 internal thread part, 22 screw hole, 24 elastic body, 26 slit, 28 2nd shaft , 30 serrations, 32 serrations, 34 grooves, 36 chamfered portions, 100 connection structure, 110 first shaft, 218 round hole.

Claims (6)

A coupling structure for coupling the end of the second member inserted into the opening of the first member at a predetermined position,
When the second member is inserted to the predetermined position, the bolt provided in the first member is displaced and coincides with the axis of the female screw formed at a position shifted from the bolt axis until then. The coupling structure, wherein the bolt is fitted to the female screw in a state. A coupling structure that couples the end of the second rotating member inserted into the opening of the first rotating member at a predetermined position;
The first rotating member is
A bolt having a central axis in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first rotating member, the bolt being held so as to be displaced by inserting the second rotating member;
A female screw formed at a position where the bolt cannot be fastened when the second rotating member is not at the predetermined position;
The second rotating member is formed with a groove that engages with the bolt at the predetermined position.
The bolt is engaged with the groove when the second rotating member is inserted to the predetermined position and coincides with the female screw shaft that has been displaced from the bolt shaft until then, and is fitted to the female screw in that state. A combined structure characterized by that.   The first rotating member includes a round hole for supporting the bolt such that the center of the first rotating member coincides with the center of the female screw shaft and the shaft of the bolt swings in the radial direction of the first rotating member. The coupling structure according to claim 2.   The said 1st rotation member is provided with the elastic member which hold | maintains this bolt in the position where the said bolt does not fit in the said internal thread in the state in which the said 2nd rotation member is not inserted. Bonding structure described in 1.   The first rotating member includes an elastic member that biases the bolt toward a position overlapping the cross section of the second rotating member to be inserted when the opening is viewed from the axial direction. The coupling structure according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   The first rotating member is provided with an elongated hole that guides the bolt obliquely upward in a state where the second rotating member is inserted from below. Item 3. A bonded structure according to Item 2.

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