JP4020666B2 - Shaft coupling - Google Patents

Shaft coupling Download PDF

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Publication number
JP4020666B2
JP4020666B2 JP2002067852A JP2002067852A JP4020666B2 JP 4020666 B2 JP4020666 B2 JP 4020666B2 JP 2002067852 A JP2002067852 A JP 2002067852A JP 2002067852 A JP2002067852 A JP 2002067852A JP 4020666 B2 JP4020666 B2 JP 4020666B2
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resin plate
rubber
shaft
shaft coupling
plate member
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JP2003269483A (en
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稔 片山
勝敏 太田
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Kurashiki Kako Co Ltd
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Kurashiki Kako Co Ltd
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Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、駆動軸と被動軸の間に設けられて駆動軸の回転を被動軸に伝達する軸継手に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、特開平７−７１４７１号公報に開示されているように、駆動軸と被動軸の間に設けられて回転力を伝達する軸継手が知られている。この種の軸継手は、例えば、自動車のステアリングシャフトやプロペラシャフトに設けられる。ここでは、上記公報に開示されている軸継手について、図２５を参照しながら説明する。
【０００３】
この軸継手は、一つの樹脂盤体ａと、四つのゴム弾性体ｂと、四つの筒体ｃとを備えており、全体としてやや厚肉の円板状に形成されている。合成樹脂製の樹脂盤体ａは、円板の四箇所を切り欠いたような十字状に形成されている。ゴム製の各ゴム弾性体ｂは、樹脂盤体ａの切欠き部分に対応した形状に形成され、この切欠き部分にはめ込まれた状態で樹脂盤体ａと加硫接着されている。金属製の筒体ｃは、短いパイプ状に形成され、各ゴム弾性体ｂに一つずつ設けられている。各筒体ｃは、ゴム弾性体ｂをその厚さ方向へ貫通し、ゴム弾性体ｂと加硫接着されている。また、四つの筒体ｃは、一つのピッチ円上に９０°間隔で配置されている。
【０００４】
この軸継手では、１８０°離れて位置する二つの筒体ｃに駆動軸が係合され、残りの二つの筒体ｃに被動軸が係合される。そして、この軸継手は、駆動軸の回転力を被動軸へと伝達する。また、この軸継手は、駆動軸や被動軸の軸方向と捻り方向の振動等を緩和できるように構成されている。例えば、軸方向の振動が軸継手に加えられると、図２５における紙面の手前側又は奥側へ筒体ｃが移動し、その際にゴム弾性体ｂが変形することで振動が緩和される。また、捻り方向の振動が軸継手に加えられると、図２５における円周方向へ筒体ｃが移動し、その際にゴム弾性体ｂが変形することで振動が緩和される。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上述のように、上記軸継手においては、それぞれ材料の異なる樹脂盤体ａとゴム弾性体ｂと筒体ｃとが互いに加硫接着されている。一方、この軸継手を廃棄する際には、各部材のリサイクルを行うために、材料ごとに部材を分別するのが望ましい。ところが、上記軸継手では、材料の異なる部材が互いに加硫接着されている。このため、上記軸継手の廃棄時に部材を材料ごとに分別する作業に多大な時間を要し、リサイクル性に劣るという問題があった。
【０００６】
また、軸継手の製造時においても、各部材を加硫接着する工程が必要となる。このため、軸継手の製造工程の複雑化や生産効率の低下を招き、ひいては製造コストの増大を招くと行った問題もあった。
【０００７】
本発明は、かかる点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、異なる材料の部材で構成された軸継手のリサイクル性を向上させ、更にはその製造工程を簡素化することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明が講じた第１の解決手段は、駆動軸の軸端部及び被動軸の軸端部に複数ずつ設けられた棒状突起部に連結されて駆動軸の回転を被動軸へ伝達する軸継手を対象としている。そして、平板状に形成された平板部と該平板部の前面側に一体形成された複数の突出部とをそれぞれが有すると共に、それぞれの突出部が互いに当接するように向かい合って配置される一対のゴム状弾性部材と、互いに向かい合うゴム状弾性部材の平板部によって挟み込まれる樹脂板部材と、互いに当接し合う２つの上記突出部を貫通するように設けられて駆動軸又は被動軸の棒状突起部が挿通される管状部材とを備え、上記ゴム状弾性部材と樹脂板部材と管状部材とが互いに非接着状態で組み合わされるものである。
【０００９】
本発明が講じた第２の解決手段は、上記第１の解決手段において、樹脂板部材には、該樹脂板部材の周側面から中心に向かって延びる切欠き部が複数形成される一方、向かい合う２つの突出部は、上記切欠き部にはめ込まれた状態で互いに当接しているものである。
【００１０】
本発明が講じた第３の解決手段は、上記第１の解決手段において、樹脂板部材には、該樹脂板部材を板厚方向に貫通する貫通孔が複数形成される一方、向かい合う２つの突出部は、上記貫通孔に挿入された状態で互いに当接しているものである。
【００１１】
本発明が講じた第４の解決手段は、上記第２の解決手段において、樹脂板部材は、その両側面における切欠き部の周囲が座ぐり状に一段低く形成されるものである。
【００１２】
本発明が講じた第５の解決手段は、上記第３の解決手段において、樹脂板部材は、その両側面における貫通孔の周囲が座ぐり状に一段低く形成されるものである。
【００１３】
本発明が講じた第６の解決手段は、上記第１，第２又は第３の解決手段において、ゴム状弾性部材には、平板部における突出部の周囲と樹脂板部材との間に隙間が形成されるように該平板部の前面側へ盛り上がって樹脂板部材に当接する膨出部が形成されるものである。
【００１４】
本発明が講じた第７の解決手段は、上記第１，第２又は第３の解決手段において、複数設けられた管状部材が一つのピッチ円上に配置される一方、樹脂板部材とゴム状弾性部材の相対的な位置は、少なくとも上記ピッチ円の周方向において突出部と樹脂板部材の間に隙間が形成されるように定められるものである。
【００１５】
本発明が講じた第８の解決手段は、上記第１，第２又は第３の解決手段において、複数設けられた管状部材が一つのピッチ円上に配置される一方、樹脂板部材とゴム状弾性部材の相対的な位置は、少なくとも上記ピッチ円の半径方向において突出部と樹脂板部材の間に隙間が形成されるように定められるものである。
【００１６】
本発明が講じた第９の解決手段は、上記第３の解決手段において、複数設けられた管状部材が一つのピッチ円上に配置され、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部は、樹脂板部材の貫通孔に挿入された状態で該突起部の周側面全体が樹脂板部材と密着するような形状に形成される一方、上記突起部には、上記ピッチ円の半径方向における管状部材の両側に空洞部が一つずつ形成されるものである。
【００１７】
−作用−
上記第１の解決手段では、ゴム状弾性部材、樹脂板部材、及び管状部材を互いに非接着状態で組み合わせることによって軸継手が構成される。この軸継手では、樹脂板部材を挟んで２つのゴム状弾性部材が設けられる。互いに向かい合うゴム状弾性部材は、それぞれの平板部が樹脂板部材を挟み込み、それぞれの突出部が互いに当接する。互いに当接して対となった２つの突出部には、１つの管状部材が取り付けられる。つまり、軸継手には、一つのゴム状弾性部材に形成された突出部と同数の管状部材が設けられる。
【００１８】
本解決手段の軸継手では、複数設けられた管状部材のうちの半数に駆動軸の棒状突起部が挿通され、残りの半数に被動軸の棒状突起部が挿通される。つまり、この軸継手は、駆動軸の軸端部と被動軸の軸端部とによって挟み込まれた状態となる。従って、樹脂板部材とこれを挟み込むゴム状弾性部材とが非接着状態となる構成であっても、少なくとも軸継手が駆動軸や被動軸に連結された状態において軸継手の形態は保持される。
【００１９】
上記第２の解決手段では、樹脂板部材に複数の切欠き部が形成される。各切欠き部は、樹脂板部材の周側面に開口している。樹脂板部材の切欠き部には、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部がはめ込まれる。互いに向かい合って対となる２つの突出部は、１つの切欠き部にはめ込まれた状態で互いに当接する。
【００２０】
上記第３の解決手段では、樹脂板部材に複数の貫通孔が形成される。各貫通孔は、樹脂板部材をその板厚方向へ貫通している。樹脂板部材の貫通孔には、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部が挿入される。互いに向かい合って対となる２つの突出部は、１つの貫通孔に挿入された状態で互いに当接する。
【００２１】
上記第４の解決手段では、樹脂板部材における切欠き部の周囲が、座ぐり状に一段低く形成される。駆動軸又は被動軸がそれらの軸方向へ変位すると、それに伴って軸継手のゴム状弾性部材が変形する。その際、切欠き部の周囲に形成された一段低い部分の深さに対し、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその深さ未満であれば、ゴム状弾性部材の平板部は、樹脂板部材における切欠き部の周縁と接触しない。一方、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその深さ以上であれば、ゴム状弾性部材の平板部は、樹脂板部材における切欠き部の周縁と接触する。
【００２２】
上記第５の解決手段では、樹脂板部材における貫通孔の周囲が、座ぐり状に一段低く形成される。駆動軸又は被動軸がそれらの軸方向へ変位すると、それに伴って軸継手のゴム状弾性部材が変形する。その際、貫通孔の周囲に形成された一段低い部分の深さに対し、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその深さ未満であれば、ゴム状弾性部材の平板部は、樹脂板部材における貫通孔の周縁と接触しない。一方、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその深さ以上であれば、ゴム状弾性部材の平板部は、樹脂板部材における貫通孔の周縁と接触する。
【００２３】
上記第６の解決手段では、ゴム状弾性部材の平板部に膨出部が形成される。この膨出部は、突出部と同様に平板部の前面側に形成される。本解決手段の軸継手では、この膨出部が樹脂板部材に当接することで、平板部における突出部の周囲と樹脂板部材との間には隙間が形成される。
【００２４】
ここで、駆動軸又は被動軸がそれらの軸方向へ変位すると、それに伴って軸継手のゴム状弾性部材が変形する。その際、平板部における突出部の周囲と樹脂板部材との間隔に対し、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその間隔未満であれば、平板部における突出部の周囲は、樹脂板部材と接触しない。一方、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその間隔以上であれば、平板部における突出部の周囲は、樹脂板部材と接触する。
【００２５】
上記第７の解決手段では、複数の管状部材が同一ピッチ円上に配置される。突出部と樹脂板部材の間には、少なくとも管状部材のピッチ円の周方向に隙間が形成される。樹脂板部材とゴム状弾性部材の相対的な位置は、このような隙間が形成されるように定められる。
【００２６】
ここで、駆動軸からの回転力が軸継手に伝わると、その回転力によって軸継手のゴム状弾性部材が変形する。その際、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部と樹脂板部材との間隔に対し、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその間隔未満であれば、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部は樹脂板部材と接触しない。一方、ゴム状弾性部材の変形量がその間隔以上であれば、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部は樹脂板部材と接触する。
【００２７】
上記第８の解決手段では、複数の管状部材が同一ピッチ円上に配置される。突出部と樹脂板部材の間には、少なくとも管状部材のピッチ円の半径方向に隙間が形成される。樹脂板部材とゴム状弾性部材の相対的な位置は、このような隙間が形成されるように定められる。
【００２８】
上記第９の解決手段では、複数の管状部材が同一ピッチ円上に配置される。ゴム状弾性部材の突出部は、樹脂板部材の貫通孔と同じような形状に形成され、その周側面全体が樹脂板部材と密着する。また、各突出部には、管状部材のピッチ円の半径方向における管状部材の両側に空洞部が形成される。従って、突出部を貫通する管状部材のピッチ円の半径方向へ多少傾いても、この傾きは空洞部が変形することによって吸収される。
【００２９】
【発明の効果】
本発明では、軸継手の構造を樹脂板部材が一対のゴム状弾性部材で挟み込まれる構造とし、その上でゴム状弾性部材、樹脂板部材、及び管状部材を互いに非接着状態としている。このため、ゴム状弾性部材と樹脂板部材と管状部材とを互いに接着することなく、少なくとも駆動軸や被動軸の軸端部に軸継手が連結された状態でこれら３種類の部材を互いに組み合わされた状態に保持できる。
【００３０】
このように、本発明によれば、軸継手を構成する各部材を互いに接着することなく、一つの軸継手を形成することができる。このため、本発明に係る軸継手の廃棄時には、この軸継手を分解する作業を短時間で容易に行うことができる。また、軸継手の各部材が互いに接着されている場合に比べ、その部材を材料ごとに確実に分別できる。従って、本発明によれば、軸継手を廃棄する際の分別作業を短時間で確実に行うことが可能となり、軸継手のリサイクル性を向上させることができる。
【００３１】
また、上述のように、本発明によれば、複数の部材を互いに接着せずに一つの軸継手を構成できる。このため、本発明に係る軸継手の製造時には、部材同士を接着する工程が全く不要となる。従って、本発明によれば、軸継手の製造工程を簡略化してその生産効率を高めることができ、更にはその製造コストの低減を図ることができる。
【００３２】
ここで、駆動軸の軸心と被動軸の軸心は完全に一致していないのが普通であり、一方の軸心に対して他方の軸心が傾いている場合も多い。このような場合には、駆動軸や被動軸の棒状突起部が挿通された管状部材が傾けられる。そして、突出部の周側面全体が樹脂板部材と密着していると、傾いた管状部材と樹脂板部材によって突出部が押し潰され、ゴム状弾性部材が変形する際の特性が変化してしまう。
【００３３】
これに対し、上記第２の解決手段では、樹脂板部材の切欠き部にゴム状弾性部材の突出部をはめ込んでいる。このため、切欠き部の開口側へ管状部材が傾いた状態でも、管状部材と樹脂板部材に挟まれて突出部が押し潰されることはない。また、上記第８の解決手段では、樹脂板部材とゴム状弾性部材を組み合わせた状態において、突出部と樹脂板部材の間に隙間が形成される。このため、この隙間の方へ管状部材が傾いた状態でも、管状部材と樹脂板部材に挟まれて突出部が押し潰されることはない。また、上記第９の解決手段では、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部に空洞部を形成している。このため、空洞部の方へ管状部材が傾いた状態でも、管状部材と樹脂板部材に挟まれて突出部が押し潰されることはない。従って、これら上記第２，第８，第９の解決手段によれば、傾いた筒状部材と樹脂板部材に挟まれて突出部が押し潰されるのを回避でき、ゴム状弾性部材が変形する際の特性を一定に保つことができる。
【００３４】
上記第４，第５，第６の解決手段によれば、駆動軸や被動軸の軸方向へゴム状弾性部材が変形する際の特性を、二段特性とすることができる。具体的に、第４の解決手段によれば、ゴム状弾性部材の平板部が樹脂板部材における切欠き部の周縁に接している状態と接していない状態とで、ゴム状弾性部材のバネ定数を変化させることができる。また、第５の解決手段によれば、ゴム状弾性部材の平板部が樹脂板部材における貫通孔の周縁に接している状態と接していない状態とで、ゴム状弾性部材のバネ定数を変化させることができる。また、第６の解決手段によれば、平板部における突出部の周囲が樹脂板部材に接している状態と接していない状態とで、ゴム状弾性部材のバネ定数を変化させることができる。
【００３５】
このように、これら第４，第５，第６の解決手段によれば、駆動軸や被動軸の軸方向へのゴム状弾性部材の変形量に応じて、ゴム状弾性部材のバネ定数を変化させることができる。従って、軸継手の設計自由度を高めることができ、軸継手の特性をその用途に応じて的確に設定することが可能となる。
【００３６】
上記第７の解決手段によれば、駆動軸や被動軸の捻り方向へゴム状弾性部材が変形する際の特性を、二段特性とすることができる。具体的には、ゴム状弾性部材の突出部が樹脂板部材に接している状態と接していない状態とで、ゴム状弾性部材のバネ定数を変化させることができる。このように、本解決手段によれば、駆動軸や被動軸の捻り方向へのゴム状弾性部材の変形量に応じて、ゴム状弾性部材のバネ定数を変化させることができる。従って、軸継手の設計自由度を高めることができ、軸継手の特性をその用途に応じて的確に設定することが可能となる。
【００３７】
【発明の実施の形態１】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。本実施形態は、自動車のステアリング装置１であって、本発明に係る軸継手６を備えるものである。
【００３８】
図１に示すように、上記ステアリング装置１は、メインシャフト２と、連結シャフト３と、ステアリングギアボックス４とを備えている。メインシャフト２は、その上端にステアリングホイール５が取り付けられている。メインシャフト２の下端は、自在継手を介して連結シャフト３の上端に連結されている。連結シャフト３の下端は、自在継手を介してステアリングギアボックス４の入力軸に連結されている。ステアリングギアボックス４の出力軸は、図示しないが、自動車の左右の前輪に連結されている。
【００３９】
連結シャフト３は、メインシャフト２側の第一シャフト１１と、ステアリングギアボックス４側の第二シャフト１４とを備えている。そして、上記軸継手６は、第一シャフト１１の下端と第二シャフト１４の上端との間に設けられている。
【００４０】
図２に示すように、第一シャフト１１の下端と第二シャフト１４の上端には、端板１２,１５が一つずつ設けられている。端板１２,１５は、まゆ状の中央がくびれた形状に形成され、その中央部が第一シャフト１１又は第二シャフト１４の軸端に固定されている。第一シャフト１１の端板１２には、その端部に連結用ボルト１３が一本ずつ下向きに突設されている。第二シャフト１４の端板１５には、その端部に連結用ボルト１６が一本ずつ上向きに突設されている。つまり、第一シャフト１１の端板１２と第二シャフト１４の端板１５には、それぞれ二本ずつの連結用ボルト１３,１６が棒状突起部として設けられている。
【００４１】
同じく図２に示すように、上記軸継手６は、二つのゴム部材２０と、一つの樹脂板部材３０と、四つのカラー４０とを備えている。これらの部材は、互いに接着されることなく組み合わされて一つの軸継手６を構成している。
【００４２】
図３に示すように、ゴム部材２０は、一つの平板部２１と四つの突出部２２とを備えている。このゴム部材２０は、天然ゴム製や合成ゴム製の部材であって、ゴム状弾性部材を構成している。
【００４３】
平板部２１は、やや薄肉の円板状に形成されている。突出部２２は、やや短い円柱状に形成され、平板部２１の前面側（図３における上面側）に平板部２１と一体成形されている。四つの突出部２２は、平板部２１と同心のピッチ円上に９０°間隔で配置されている。また、円柱状の突出部２２には、これと同軸に挿入孔２３が形成されている。この挿入孔２３は、突出部２２だけでなく平板部２１をも貫通している。
【００４４】
図４に示すように、樹脂板部材３０は、ナイロン樹脂等の合成樹脂からなる部材であって、やや厚肉の円板状に形成されている。この樹脂板部材３０は、その直径がゴム部材２０の平板部２１の直径と等しく、その厚みが突出部２２の高さの二倍となっている。
【００４５】
樹脂板部材３０には、これを貫通する円形の貫通孔３１が四つ形成されている。つまり、樹脂板部材３０には、一つのゴム部材２０に形成された突出部２２と同数の貫通孔３１が形成されている。この四つの貫通孔３１は、樹脂板部材３０と同心のピッチ円上に９０°間隔で形成されている。尚、樹脂板部材３０における貫通孔３１のピッチ円直径は、ゴム部材２０における突出部２２のピッチ円直径と同じである。また、貫通孔３１の直径は、突出部２２の外径とほぼ同じになっている。
【００４６】
樹脂板部材３０の両側面（図４における上下面）において、各貫通孔３１の周囲には座ぐり部３２が形成されている。即ち、樹脂板部材３０の両側面では、各貫通孔３１の周囲が一定の幅に亘って座ぐり状に一段低くなっており、この一段低くなった部分が座ぐり部３２を構成している。
【００４７】
カラー４０は、合成樹脂製あるいは金属製の部材であって、管状に形成されている。このカラー４０の高さは、突出部２２の高さと平板部２１の厚みの和を二倍した値となっている。また、カラー４０の直径は、ゴム部材２０における貫通孔３１の直径とほぼ同じになっている。
【００４８】
図５，図６，図７に示すように、二つのゴム部材２０は、一つの樹脂板部材３０を挟んで向かい合うように配置されている。互いに向かい合ったゴム部材２０の平板部２１は、その間に設けられた樹脂板部材３０を挟み込んでいる。
【００４９】
各ゴム部材２０の突出部２２は、樹脂板部材３０の貫通孔３１に挿入されている。その際、一つの貫通孔３１には、一方の側から第一のゴム部材２０の突出部２２が挿入され、その反対側から第二のゴム部材２０の突出部２２が挿入される。そして、一つの貫通孔３１に挿入された二つの突出部２２は、それぞれの端面において互いに当接している。また、貫通孔３１に挿入された状態で、各突出部２２はその全周に亘って樹脂板部材３０と接触している（図６，図７参照）。
【００５０】
カラー４０は、互いに当接する二つの突出部２２の挿入孔２３に挿入されている。つまり、このカラー４０は、一つの貫通孔３１に挿入された二つの突出部２２を貫通して設けられている。また、各カラー４０は、挿入孔２３に挿入された状態で、その周側面がゴム部材２０と密着している。そして、カラー４０とゴム部材２０の間の摩擦力により、二つのゴム部材２０が保持されて軸継手６の形態が保たれる。
【００５１】
軸継手６において、四つのカラー４０は、一つのピッチ円上に９０°間隔で配置されている（図５参照）。これら四つのカラー４０のうち、１８０°離れて位置する二つのカラー４０には第一シャフト１１の連結用ボルト１３が挿通され、残りの二つのカラー４０には第二シャフト１４の連結用ボルト１６が挿通される（図２参照）。
【００５２】
例えば、運転者がステアリングホイール５を回して操舵を行う場合には、第一シャフト１１が駆動軸となり、第二シャフト１４が被動軸となる。この場合、第一シャフト１１の回転力は、軸継手６を介して第二シャフト１４へ伝達される。
【００５３】
ここで、連結シャフト３に振動や衝撃が加わると、第一シャフト１１や第二シャフト１４がそれらの軸方向へ変位する場合がある。第一シャフト１１や第二シャフト１４が軸方向へ変位すると、それに伴って軸継手６のカラー４０がその軸方向（図６，図７における上下方向）へ移動し、ゴム部材２０が変形する。その際、カラー４０の変位量が座ぐり部３２の深さｄよりも小さければ、ゴム部材２０の平板部２１は樹脂板部材３０の座ぐり部３２に接触しない。一方、カラー４０の変位量が座ぐり部３２の深さｄ以上になれば、ゴム部材２０の平板部２１は樹脂板部材３０の座ぐり部３２に接触する。
【００５４】
ゴム部材２０の平板部２１が樹脂板部材３０の座ぐり部３２に接触している状態と両者が接触していない状態とでは、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が変化する。即ち、同じだけ荷重が増えた場合でも、平板部２１が座ぐり部３２に接している状態におけるカラー４０の変位量の増分は、平板部２１が座ぐり部３２に接していない状態におけるカラー４０の変位量の増分よりも小さくなる。このように、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数は、カラー４０の変位量によって二段階に変化する。
【００５５】
例えば、振幅の小さい軸方向の振動がカラー４０に伝わった場合には、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が小さい状態となり、この振動がゴム部材２０の変形によって緩和される。一方、大きな荷重がカラー４０に伝わった場合には、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が大きい状態となり、この大荷重をゴム部材２０が確実に支える。
【００５６】
−実施形態１の効果−
本実施形態では、軸継手６の構造を樹脂板部材３０が一対のゴム部材２０で挟み込まれる構造とし、その上でゴム部材２０、樹脂板部材３０、及びカラー４０を互いに非接着状態としている。このため、ゴム製のゴム部材２０と、合成樹脂製の樹脂板部材３０と、合成樹脂製又は金属製のカラー４０とを、互いに接着することなく組み合わされた状態に保持できる。
【００５７】
このように、本実施形態によれば、軸継手６を構成する各部材を互いに接着することなく、一つの軸継手６を形成することができる。このため、本実施形態の軸継手６を廃棄する際には、この軸継手６を分解する作業を短時間で容易に行うことができる。また、軸継手６の各部材が互いに接着されている場合に比べ、その部材を材料ごとに確実に分別できる。従って、本実施形態によれば、軸継手６を廃棄する際の分別作業を短時間で確実に行うことが可能となり、軸継手６のリサイクル性を向上させることができる。
【００５８】
また、上述のように、本実施形態によれば、複数の部材を互いに接着せずに一つの軸継手６を構成できる。このため、本実施形態の軸継手６を製造する際には、部材同士を接着する工程が全く不要となる。従って、本実施形態によれば、軸継手６の製造工程を簡略化してその生産効率を高めることができ、更にはその製造コストの低減を図ることができる。
【００５９】
また、本実施形態によれば、カラー４０がその軸方向へ変位する際のゴム部材２０のバネ定数を、カラー４０の変位量に応じて二段階に変化させることができる。このため、軸継手６を設計する際の設計自由度を高めることができ、軸継手６の特性をその用途に応じて的確に設定することが可能となる。
【００６０】
ここで、図２５に示す従来の軸継手において、同図に現れるゴム弾性体ｂの最も幅の狭い部分は、その幅が長さＬ'となる。そして、筒体ｃがその軸方向（同図における紙面に垂直方向）へ変位すると、この狭い幅Ｌ'の部分が筒体ｃの変位量と同じだけのせん断変形を受けることになる。一方、図６に示す本実施形態の軸継手６は、樹脂板部材３０の両側面をゴム部材２０の平板部２１で覆ったような構造を採り、更には樹脂板部材３０とゴム部材２０を非接着状態としている。従って、カラー４０がその軸方向（同図における上下方向）へ変位した場合には、ゴム部材２０のうち同図の長さＬに亘る部分が変形する。そして、軸継手の直径が同程度と仮定すると、本実施形態の軸継手６における長さＬは、従来の軸継手における長さＬ'に比べて大幅に長くなる。
【００６１】
このように、本実施形態によれば、カラー４０の軸方向変位によって変形を受けるゴム部材２０の長さＬを、従来の軸継手においてこれに対応する長さＬ'よりも長くすることができる。従って、カラー４０が軸方向に変位した場合におけるゴム部材２０の歪みを小さくすることができ、ゴム部材２０の耐久性、ひいては軸継手６の耐久性を向上させることができる。
【００６２】
−実施形態１の変形例−
本実施形態では、カラー４０がその軸方向へ変位した場合におけるゴム部材２０のバネ定数を二段階に変化させるため、樹脂板部材３０に座ぐり部３２を形成しているが、これに代えて次のような構成としてもよい。
【００６３】
図８に示すように、本変形例のゴム部材２０には、平板部２１の前面側（同図における上面側）へ盛り上がるように十字状の膨出部２４が形成されている。この膨出部２４は、平板部２１の前面における突出部２２の周囲以外の部分に形成されている。
【００６４】
一方、図９に示すように、本変形例の樹脂板部材３０には、座ぐり部３２が形成されておらず、四つの貫通孔３１だけが形成されている。そして、この樹脂板部材３０には各平板部２１の膨出部２４が当接し、平板部２１における突出部２２の周囲と樹脂板部材３０の間には隙間が形成される。
【００６５】
第一シャフト１１や第二シャフト１４が軸方向へ変位すると、それに伴って軸継手６のカラー４０がその軸方向（図９における上下方向）へ移動し、ゴム部材２０が変形する。その際、カラー４０の変位量が膨出部２４の高さｈよりも小さければ、平板部２１における突出部２２の周囲は樹脂板部材３０に接触しない。一方、カラー４０の変位量が膨出部２４の高さｈ以上になれば、平板部２１における突出部２２の周囲は樹脂板部材３０に接触する。
【００６６】
平板部２１における突出部２２の周囲が樹脂板部材３０に接触している状態と両者が接触していない状態とでは、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が変化する。即ち、同じだけ荷重が増えた場合でも、両者が接している状態におけるカラー４０の変位量の増分は、両者が接していない状態におけるカラー４０の変位量の増分よりも小さくなる。このように、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数は、カラー４０の変位量によって二段階に変化する。
【００６７】
【発明の実施の形態２】
本発明の実施形態２は、上記実施形態１の軸継手６において、ゴム部材２０及び樹脂板部材３０の構成を変更したものである。ここでは、本実施形態の軸継手６について、上記実施形態１と異なる点を説明する。
【００６８】
図１０，図１１に示すように、本実施形態のゴム部材２０では、突出部２２の形状が上記実施形態１のものと相違している。本実施形態の突出部２２は、平板部２１の外周から中心に向かって延びると共に、内側の端部が半円弧状となるような形状に形成されている。この突出部２２において、平板部２１の外周側に位置する側面は、平板部２１の外周面に連続している。
【００６９】
図１２に示すように、本実施形態の樹脂板部材３０には、上記実施形態の貫通孔３１に代えて、切欠き部３３が形成されている。つまり、この樹脂板部材３０には、四つの切欠き部３３が形成されている。尚、樹脂板部材３０の直径や厚みは、上記実施形態１と同じである。
【００７０】
具体的に、この切欠き部３３は、円板形状の一部をその外周側から中心に向かって切除したような形状に形成されている。それぞれの切欠き部３３は、樹脂板部材３０の半径方向へ延びると共に、その中心側端部が半円弧状となっている。つまり、各切欠き部３３は、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２に対応した形状となっている。そして、四つの切欠き部３３は、９０°間隔で配置されている。
【００７１】
樹脂板部材３０の両側面（図１２における上下面）において、各切欠き部３３の周囲には座ぐり部３２が形成されている。即ち、樹脂板部材３０の両側面では、各切欠き部３３の周囲が一定の幅に亘って座ぐり状に一段低くなっており、この一段低くなった部分が座ぐり部３２を構成している。
【００７２】
図１０，図１３，図１４に示すように、二つのゴム部材２０は、一つの樹脂板部材３０を挟んで向かい合うように配置されている。互いに向かい合ったゴム部材２０の平板部２１は、その間に設けられた樹脂板部材３０を挟み込んでいる。これらの点は、上記実施形態１と同様である。
【００７３】
各ゴム部材２０の突出部２２は、樹脂板部材３０の切欠き部３３にはめ込まれている。その際、一つの切欠き部３３には、一方の側から第一のゴム部材２０の突出部２２がはめ込まれ、その反対側から第二のゴム部材２０の突出部２２がはめ込まれる。そして、一つの切欠き部３３に挿入された二つの突出部２２は、それぞれの端面において互いに当接している。また、切欠き部３３にはめ込まれた状態で、各突出部２２は、円板部の外周側に位置する側面以外の側面が樹脂板部材３０と接触している（図１３，図１４参照）。つまり、各突出部２２において、円板部の外周側に位置する側面は、樹脂板部材３０の外周面と共に軸継手６の外周面を形成している。
【００７４】
カラー４０は、上記実施形態１と同様に、互いに当接する二つの突出部２２の挿入孔２３に挿入されている。つまり、このカラー４０は、一つの切欠き部３３にはめ込まれた二つの突出部２２を貫通して設けられている。
【００７５】
本実施形態の軸継手６では、上記実施形態１と同様に、四つのカラー４０のうちの二つに第一シャフト１１の連結用ボルト１３が挿通され、残りの二つには第二シャフト１４の連結用ボルト１６が挿通される。そして、運転者がステアリングホイール５を回して操舵を行う場合には、第一シャフト１１の回転力が軸継手６を介して第二シャフト１４へ伝達される。
【００７６】
ここで、第一シャフト１１の軸心と第二シャフト１４の軸心が完全に一致するのは希であり、一方の軸心に対して他方の軸心が傾いている場合も多い。このような場合には、第一シャフト１１や第二シャフト１４の連結用ボルト１３,１６が挿通されたカラー４０が傾けられる。そして、仮に突出部２２の周側面全体が樹脂板部材３０と密着していると、傾いたカラー４０と樹脂板部材３０によってゴム製の突出部２２が押し潰され、ゴム部材２０が変形する際の特性が変化してしまう。つまり、ゴム部材２０に作用する荷重が同じ大きさであっても、突出部２２が押し潰された状態と押し潰されていない状態とでは、ゴム部材２０の変形量が相違してしまう。
【００７７】
一方、本実施形態の軸継手６では、樹脂板部材３０に切欠き部３３を形成し、この切欠き部３３にゴム部材２０の突出部２２をはめ込んでいる。このため、突出部２２を貫通するカラー４０が軸継手６の外側へ多少傾いても、突出部２２におけるカラー４０よりも外側の部分が押し潰されることはない。従って、第一シャフト１１の軸心に対して第二シャフト１４の軸心が傾いた状態であっても、傾いたカラー４０で突出部２２が押し潰されることに起因するゴム部材２０の特性変化は抑制される。
【００７８】
また、本実施形態の軸継手６では、上記実施形態１と同様に、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が二段階に変化する。つまり、軸継手６のカラー４０がその軸方向（図１４における上下方向）へ移動してゴム部材２０が変形する際には、カラー４０の変位量が座ぐり部３２の深さｄよりも小さい場合と、カラー４０の変位量が座ぐり部３２の深さｄ以上の場合とで、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が変化する。
【００７９】
−実施形態２の効果−
本実施形態２によれば、上記実施形態１において得られる効果に加え、以下のような効果が発揮される。
【００８０】
つまり、本実施形態によれば、第一シャフト１１の軸心と第二シャフト１４の軸心が一致していない状態でも、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２が押し潰されることに起因するゴム部材２０の特性変化を抑制することができる。この結果、軸継手６を使用する際の制約条件を緩和でき、軸継手６の使い勝手を向上させることができる。
【００８１】
【発明の実施の形態３】
本発明の実施形態３は、上記実施形態１の軸継手６において、樹脂板部材３０の構成を変更したものである。ここでは、本実施形態の軸継手６について、上記実施形態１と異なる点を説明する。
【００８２】
図１５，図１６に示すように、本実施形態の樹脂板部材３０において、各貫通孔３１は、樹脂板部材３０の半径方向に長い長円形に形成されている。具体的に、この貫通孔３１は、上記実施形態１のものに比べ、樹脂板部材３０の半径方向の内側と外側の両方へ同じだけ延ばされている。また、この貫通孔３１において、樹脂板部材３０の半径方向と直交する方向の幅は、上記実施形態１における貫通孔３１の直径と同じである。
【００８３】
尚、本実施形態の樹脂板部材３０においても、貫通孔３１の周囲には座ぐり部３２が形成されている。また本実施形態の軸継手６におけるゴム部材２０は、上記実施形態１と全く同じものである（図３参照）。
【００８４】
ゴム部材２０に形成された円柱状の突出部２２は、樹脂板部材３０に形成された長円形の貫通孔３１に挿入される。その際、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２は、その中心が貫通孔３１の中心に一致するような姿勢で貫通孔３１に挿入されている。従って、樹脂板部材３０の半径方向において、突出部２２の両側には樹脂板部材３０との間に隙間４５が形成されている。一方、樹脂板部材３０の半径方向に直交する方向では、突出部２２の周側面が樹脂板部材３０と接している。
【００８５】
ここで、上述したように、第一シャフト１１の軸心と第二シャフト１４の軸心が一致していない場合には、傾いたカラー４０によってゴム製の突出部２２が押し潰されてゴム部材２０の特性が変化するおそれがある。
【００８６】
これに対し、本実施形態の軸継手６では、樹脂板部材３０の貫通孔３１を長円形に形成し、突出部２２と樹脂板部材３０の間に隙間４５を形成している。このため、突出部２２を貫通するカラー４０が多少傾いたとしても、この傾いたカラー４０と樹脂板部材３０に挟まれて突出部２２が押し潰されることはない。従って、本実施形態によれば、第一シャフト１１の軸心に対して第二シャフト１４の軸心が傾いた状態であっても、傾いたカラー４０でゴム製の突出部２２が押し潰されることに起因するゴム部材２０の特性変化を防止できる。そして、軸継手６を使用する際の制約条件を緩和でき、軸継手６の使い勝手を向上させることができる。
【００８７】
−実施形態３の変形例−
本実施形態の軸継手６においては、ゴム部材２０の構成を次のように変更してもよい。
【００８８】
図１７，図１８に示すように、本変形例のゴム部材２０では、各突出部２２が長円形の柱状に形成されている。具体的に、この突出部２２は、その周側面全体が樹脂板部材３０と接するように、貫通孔３１の形状に対応した長円形に形成されている。尚、突出部２２の個数や配置は、上記実施形態１と同じである。
【００８９】
本変形例のゴム部材２０において、突出部２２には一対の空洞部２５が形成されている。具体的に、それぞれの突出部２２では、その長手方向（即ち平板部２１の半径方向）における挿入孔２３の両側に空洞部２５が一つずつ形成されている。この空洞部２５は、突出部２２の端面（図１７における上面）に開口する有底の穴状に形成されている。また、空洞部２５は、突出部２２の幅方向へ細長く延びると共に、突出部２２の端部へ向かってやや湾曲する形状となっている。尚、この空洞部２５は、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２及び平板部２１を貫通するように形成されていてもよい。
【００９０】
このように、本変形例では、突出部２２に一対の空洞部２５を形成している。このため、第一シャフト１１の軸心と第二シャフト１４の軸心が一致していなくてカラー４０が傾いてしまっても、突出部２２の空洞部２５がひしゃげるだけで、突出部２２のゴムの部分が押し潰されることはない。従って、本変形例によっても、第一シャフト１１の軸心に対して第二シャフト１４の軸心が傾いた状態であっても、傾いたカラー４０でゴム製の突出部２２が押し潰されることに起因するゴム部材２０の特性変化を防止できる。
【００９１】
【発明の実施の形態４】
本発明の実施形態４は、上記実施形態１の軸継手６において、ゴム部材２０及び樹脂板部材３０の構成を変更したものである。本実施形態の軸継手６では、突出部２２の全周に亘って樹脂板部材３０との間に隙間４６が形成されている。ここでは、本実施形態の軸継手６について、上記実施形態１と異なる点を説明する。
【００９２】
図１９に示すように、本実施形態のゴム部材２０には、十字状の凸部２６が形成されている。この凸部２６は、ゴム部材２０における平板部２１の前面側（同図における上面側）へ盛り上がっている。また、この凸部２６は、その十字の中心が平板部２１の中心と一致するように、平板部２１の中央に配置されている。
【００９３】
図２０に示すように、本実施形態の樹脂板部材３０には、その両側面（同図における上下面）に十字状の凹部３４が形成されている。この凹部３４は、樹脂板部材３０の側面から一段低くなるように形成され、その深さが凸部２６の高さと同じになっている。また、この凹部３４は、その十字の中心が樹脂板部材３０の中心と一致するように、樹脂板部材３０の中央に配置されている。更に、本実施形態の樹脂板部材３０において、貫通孔３１の内径は、ゴム部材２０における突出部２２の外径よりも大きくなっている。
【００９４】
図２１，図２２に示すように、二つのゴム部材２０で樹脂板部材３０を挟み込んだ状態では、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２が樹脂板部材３０の貫通孔３１へ挿入されると同時に、ゴム部材２０の凸部２６が樹脂板部材３０の凹部３４にぴったりとはまり込む。このように凸部２６が凹部３４にはまり込むことで、各ゴム部材２０と樹脂板部材３０の相対的な位置が定められる。そして、凸部２６と凹部３４でゴム部材２０と樹脂板部材３０の相対位置を定めることで、貫通孔３１に挿入された突出部２２と樹脂板部材３０の間には、一定幅の隙間４６が突出部２２の全周に亘って形成される。
【００９５】
ここで、連結シャフト３で回転力を伝える場合、軸継手６のカラー４０は、第一シャフト１１や第二シャフト１４の連結用ボルト１３,１６によって押され、軸継手６の円周方向（図２２における左右方向）へ変位する。このようにカラー４０が変位すると、それに伴ってゴム部材２０が変形する。その際、カラー４０の変位量が隙間４６の幅δよりも小さければ、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２は樹脂板部材３０に接触しない。一方、カラー４０の変位量が隙間４６の幅δ以上になれば、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２は樹脂板部材３０に接触する。
【００９６】
ゴム部材２０の突出部２２が樹脂板部材３０に接触している状態と両者が接触していない状態とでは、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が変化する。即ち、同じだけ荷重が増えた場合でも、突出部２２が樹脂板部材３０に接している状態におけるカラー４０の変位量の増分は、突出部２２が樹脂板部材３０に接していない状態におけるカラー４０の変位量の増分よりも小さくなる。このように、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数は、カラー４０の変位量によって二段階に変化する。
【００９７】
例えば、連結シャフト３の捻り方向の振幅の小さい振動がカラー４０に伝わった場合には、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が小さい状態となり、この振動がゴム部材２０の変形によって緩和される。一方、運転者の操舵等によって大きな荷重がカラー４０に伝わった場合には、ゴム部材２０のバネ定数が大きい状態となり、この大きな荷重をゴム部材２０が確実に支える。
【００９８】
また、上述したように、第一シャフト１１の軸心と第二シャフト１４の軸心が一致していない場合には、傾いたカラー４０によってゴム製の突出部２２が押し潰されてゴム部材２０の特性が変化するおそれがある。これに対し、本実施形態の軸継手６では、樹脂板部材３０の貫通孔３１をゴム部材２０の突出部２２よりも大径に形成し、突出部２２と樹脂板部材３０の間に隙間４６を形成している。このため、突出部２２を貫通するカラー４０が多少傾いたとしても、この傾いたカラー４０と樹脂板部材３０に挟まれて突出部２２が押し潰されることはない。
【００９９】
−実施形態４の効果−
本実施形態４によれば、上記実施形態１において得られる効果に加え、以下のような効果が発揮される。
【０１００】
つまり、本実施形態によれば、軸継手６の円周方向へカラー４０が変位する際のゴム部材２０のバネ定数を、カラー４０の変位量に応じて二段階に変化させることができる。このため、軸継手６を設計する際の設計自由度を高めることができ、軸継手６の特性をその用途に応じて的確に設定することが可能となる。
【０１０１】
更に、本実施形態によれば、第一シャフト１１の軸心に対して第二シャフト１４の軸心が傾いた状態であっても、傾いたカラー４０でゴム製の突出部２２が押し潰されることに起因するゴム部材２０の特性変化を防止できる。そして、軸継手６を使用する際の制約条件を緩和でき、軸継手６の使い勝手を向上させることができる。
【０１０２】
−実施形態４の変形例−
本実施形態の軸継手６では、ゴム部材２０の凸部２６と樹脂板部材３０の凹部３４とによってゴム部材２０と樹脂板部材３０の相対位置を定めているが、これに代えて、次のような構成としてもよい。
【０１０３】
第１の変形例について説明する。図２３に示すように、本変形例の軸継手６において、ゴム部材２０の突出部２２には位置決め突起２７が形成されている。尚、本変形例のゴム部材２０において、凸部２６は形成されていない。また、本変形例の樹脂板部材３０において、凹部３４は形成されていない。
【０１０４】
位置決め突起２７は、突出部２２における突端付近の周側面から突き出すように形成されている。また、この位置決め突起２７は、突出部２２の全周に亘って鍔状に形成され、その外径が樹脂板部材３０の貫通孔３１の内径と同じになっている。だたし、この位置決め突起２７は、必ずしも突出部２２の全周に亘って形成されていなくてもよい。例えば、突出部２２の周方向へ９０°ごとに四つの位置決め突起２７を形成してもよい。
【０１０５】
突出部２２を貫通孔３１に挿入した状態では、位置決め突起２７が貫通孔３１の内面に当接し、ゴム部材２０と樹脂板部材３０の相対位置が定められる。そして、本変形例においても、貫通孔３１に挿入された突出部２２と樹脂板部材３０との間には、突出部２２の全周に亘って隙間４６が形成されている。
【０１０６】
第２の変形例について説明する。図示しないが、本変形例の軸継手６において、ゴム部材２０にはピン状突起が複数形成される。また、樹脂板部材３０には、ゴム部材２０のピン状突起に対応して複数のピン穴が形成される。そして、ゴム部材２０の各ピン状突起をそれぞれ対応する樹脂板部材３０のピン穴に挿入することで、ゴム部材２０と樹脂板部材３０の相対位置が定められる。そして、本変形例においても、貫通孔３１に挿入された突出部２２と樹脂板部材３０との間には、突出部２２の全周に亘って隙間４６が形成される。
【０１０７】
【発明のその他の実施の形態】
上記各実施形態の軸継手６は、次のような構成としてもよい。ここでは、本変形例を上記実施形態３の軸継手６に適用したものについて説明する。
【０１０８】
図２４に示すように、本変形例の樹脂板部材３０は、該樹脂板部材３０の両側面に突設された係合突起３５を備えている。この係合突起３５は、樹脂板部材３０における各側面の中央に一つずつ形成されている。また、この係合突起３５は、軸部３６と大径部３７とによって構成されている。軸部３６は、樹脂板部材３０の側面から延びる短い円柱状に形成されている。大径部３７は、軸部３６の突端に形成され、その直径が軸部３６の直径よりも大きくなっている。
【０１０９】
一方、本変形例のゴム部材２０は、上記係合突起３５が挿入される係合孔２８を備えている。この係合孔２８は、平板部２１の中央に形成されている。係合孔２８の直径は、係合突起３５の軸部３６よりも僅かに大径で、その大径部３７よりも小径になっている。
【０１１０】
樹脂板部材３０の係合突起３５をゴム部材２０の係合孔２８へ押し込むと、係合突起３５の大径部３７にゴム部材２０の平板部２１が引っ掛かる。そして、この係合突起３５がゴム部材２０に引っ掛かることで、一対のゴム部材２０が樹脂板部材３０に保持される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施形態１におけるステアリング装置の概略斜視図である。
【図２】実施形態１における軸継手と連結シャフトの要部とを示す斜視図である。
【図３】実施形態１におけるゴム部材を示す斜視図である。
【図４】実施形態１における樹脂板部材を示す斜視図である。
【図５】実施形態１における軸継手を示す平面図である。
【図６】図５におけるＡ-Ａ断面を示す軸継手の断面図である。
【図７】図５におけるＢ-Ｂ断面を示す軸継手の断面図である。
【図８】実施形態１の変形例におけるゴム部材を示す斜視図である。
【図９】実施形態１の変形例における軸継手の断面を示す図６相当の断面図である。
【図１０】実施形態２における軸継手を示す斜視図である。
【図１１】実施形態２におけるゴム部材を示す斜視図である。
【図１２】実施形態２における樹脂板部材を示す斜視図である。
【図１３】実施形態２における軸継手を示す平面図である。
【図１４】図１３におけるＣ-Ｃ断面を示す軸継手の断面図である。
【図１５】実施形態３における軸継手を示す平面図である。
【図１６】図１５におけるＤ-Ｄ断面を示す軸継手の断面図である。
【図１７】実施形態３の変形例におけるゴム部材を示す斜視図である。
【図１８】実施形態３の変形例における軸継手の断面を示す図１６相当の断面図である。
【図１９】実施形態４におけるゴム部材を示す斜視図である。
【図２０】実施形態４における樹脂板部材を示す斜視図である。
【図２１】実施形態４における軸継手を示す平面図である。
【図２２】図２１におけるＥ-Ｅ断面を示す軸継手の断面図である。
【図２３】実施形態４の変形例における軸継手の断面を示す図２２相当の断面図である。
【図２４】その他の実施形態における軸継手の断面を示す図１６相当の断面図である。
【図２５】従来の軸継手を示す平面図である。
【符号の説明】
６ 軸継手
１１ 第一シャフト（駆動軸）
１３ 連結用ボルト（棒状突起部）
１４ 第二シャフト（被動軸）
１６ 連結用ボルト（棒状突起部）
２０ ゴム部材（ゴム状弾性部材）
２１ 平板部
２２ 突出部
２４ 膨出部
２５ 空洞部
３０ 樹脂板部材
３１ 貫通孔
３３ 切欠き部
４０ カラー（管状部材）
４５ 隙間
４６ 隙間[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shaft coupling that is provided between a drive shaft and a driven shaft and transmits the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as disclosed in JP-A-7-71471, a shaft coupling that is provided between a drive shaft and a driven shaft and transmits a rotational force is known. This type of shaft coupling is provided, for example, on a steering shaft or propeller shaft of an automobile. Here, the shaft coupling disclosed in the above publication will be described with reference to FIG.
[0003]
This shaft coupling includes one resin board body a, four rubber elastic bodies b, and four cylinder bodies c, and is formed in a slightly thick disk shape as a whole. The synthetic resin resin disc body a is formed in a cross shape in which four portions of a disk are cut out. Each rubber elastic body b made of rubber is formed in a shape corresponding to a notch portion of the resin disc body a, and is vulcanized and bonded to the resin disc body a in a state of being fitted into the notch portion. The metal cylinder c is formed in a short pipe shape, and is provided for each rubber elastic body b. Each cylinder c penetrates the rubber elastic body b in the thickness direction, and is vulcanized and bonded to the rubber elastic body b. Further, the four cylinders c are arranged at 90 ° intervals on one pitch circle.
[0004]
In this shaft coupling, the drive shaft is engaged with the two cylinders c positioned 180 ° apart, and the driven shaft is engaged with the remaining two cylinders c. The shaft coupling transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the driven shaft. In addition, the shaft coupling is configured so as to reduce vibrations in the axial direction and torsional direction of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. For example, when an axial vibration is applied to the shaft coupling, the cylindrical body c moves to the front side or the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 25, and the rubber elastic body b is deformed at that time, so that the vibration is alleviated. Further, when vibration in the torsional direction is applied to the shaft coupling, the cylindrical body c moves in the circumferential direction in FIG. 25, and at that time, the rubber elastic body b is deformed so that the vibration is mitigated.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the shaft coupling, the resin disc body a, the rubber elastic body b, and the cylindrical body c, which are different from each other, are vulcanized and bonded to each other. On the other hand, when discarding the shaft coupling, it is desirable to separate the members for each material in order to recycle each member. However, in the shaft coupling, members of different materials are vulcanized and bonded to each other. For this reason, when disposing of the shaft coupling, it takes a lot of time to separate the members for each material, and there is a problem that the recyclability is poor.
[0006]
In addition, a process for vulcanizing and bonding each member is also required when manufacturing the shaft coupling. For this reason, there has been a problem that the manufacturing process of the shaft coupling is complicated and the production efficiency is lowered, and as a result, the manufacturing cost is increased.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object of the present invention is to improve the recyclability of a shaft coupling composed of members made of different materials and to further simplify the manufacturing process. is there.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first solving means provided by the present invention is a shaft coupling that is connected to a plurality of rod-like projections provided at the shaft end portion of the drive shaft and the shaft end portion of the driven shaft to transmit the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft. Is targeted. And each has the flat plate part formed in flat form, and the some protrusion part integrally formed in the front side of this flat plate part, and a pair of each arrange | positioned facing each other so that each protrusion part may mutually contact | abut There are provided a rubber-like elastic member, a resin plate member sandwiched between flat plate portions of the rubber-like elastic member facing each other, and a rod-like projection portion of the drive shaft or driven shaft provided so as to pass through the two protruding portions that abut each other. The rubber-like elastic member, the resin plate member, and the tubular member are combined in a non-adhered state.
[0009]
According to a second solving means of the present invention, in the first solving means described above, the resin plate member is formed with a plurality of notches extending from the peripheral side surface of the resin plate member toward the center while facing each other. The two protrusions are in contact with each other in a state of being fitted into the notch.
[0010]
According to a third solving means of the present invention, in the first solving means, the resin plate member is formed with a plurality of through-holes penetrating the resin plate member in the plate thickness direction, and two protrusions facing each other. The parts are in contact with each other while being inserted into the through hole.
[0011]
According to a fourth solving means provided by the present invention, in the second solving means described above, the resin plate member is formed so that the periphery of the notch portions on both side surfaces thereof is formed in a spot shape.
[0012]
According to a fifth solving means of the present invention, in the third solving means, the resin plate member is formed so that the periphery of the through-holes on both side faces thereof is formed in a spot shape.
[0013]
According to a sixth solving means of the present invention, in the first, second, or third solving means, the rubber-like elastic member has a gap between the periphery of the protruding portion of the flat plate portion and the resin plate member. A bulging portion that rises to the front side of the flat plate portion and contacts the resin plate member is formed.
[0014]
The seventh solving means taken by the present invention is that, in the first, second or third solving means, a plurality of tubular members are arranged on one pitch circle, while a resin plate member and a rubber-like member are arranged. The relative position of the elastic member is determined so that a gap is formed between the protruding portion and the resin plate member at least in the circumferential direction of the pitch circle.
[0015]
According to an eighth solving means of the present invention, in the first, second, or third solving means, a plurality of tubular members are arranged on one pitch circle, while a resin plate member and a rubber-like member are arranged. The relative position of the elastic member is determined such that a gap is formed between the protruding portion and the resin plate member at least in the radial direction of the pitch circle.
[0016]
According to a ninth solving means of the present invention, in the third solving means, a plurality of tubular members are arranged on one pitch circle, and the protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member penetrates the resin plate member. While the entire peripheral side surface of the protrusion is in close contact with the resin plate member when inserted into the hole, the protrusion has a cavity on both sides of the tubular member in the radial direction of the pitch circle. Are formed one by one.
[0017]
-Action-
In the first solving means, the shaft coupling is configured by combining the rubber-like elastic member, the resin plate member, and the tubular member in a non-adhered state. In this shaft coupling, two rubber-like elastic members are provided with a resin plate member interposed therebetween. In the rubber-like elastic members facing each other, the respective flat plate portions sandwich the resin plate member, and the respective protruding portions are in contact with each other. One tubular member is attached to the two projecting portions that are in contact with each other to form a pair. That is, the shaft coupling is provided with the same number of tubular members as the protrusions formed on one rubber-like elastic member.
[0018]
In the shaft coupling of the present means for solution, the rod-like projections of the drive shaft are inserted into half of the plurality of tubular members, and the rod-like projections of the driven shaft are inserted into the other half. That is, the shaft coupling is sandwiched between the shaft end portion of the drive shaft and the shaft end portion of the driven shaft. Therefore, even if the resin plate member and the rubber-like elastic member sandwiching the resin plate member are in the non-bonded state, the shape of the shaft coupling is maintained at least in a state where the shaft coupling is connected to the drive shaft or the driven shaft.
[0019]
In the second solution means, a plurality of notches are formed in the resin plate member. Each notch is open to the peripheral side surface of the resin plate member. The protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member is fitted into the notch portion of the resin plate member. The two protrusions facing each other and making a pair come into contact with each other in a state of being fitted into one notch.
[0020]
In the third solving means, a plurality of through holes are formed in the resin plate member. Each through hole penetrates the resin plate member in the plate thickness direction. The protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member is inserted into the through hole of the resin plate member. The two protrusions that face each other and make a pair come into contact with each other while being inserted into one through hole.
[0021]
In the fourth solving means, the periphery of the notch portion in the resin plate member is formed in a spot-like shape one step lower. When the drive shaft or the driven shaft is displaced in the axial direction, the rubber-like elastic member of the shaft joint is deformed accordingly. At that time, if the amount of deformation of the rubber-like elastic member is less than the depth of the lower portion formed around the notch, the flat portion of the rubber-like elastic member is in the resin plate member. Do not touch the periphery of the notch. On the other hand, if the deformation amount of the rubber-like elastic member is equal to or greater than the depth, the flat plate portion of the rubber-like elastic member is in contact with the peripheral edge of the notch portion in the resin plate member.
[0022]
In the fifth solving means, the periphery of the through hole in the resin plate member is formed in a counterbore shape one step lower. When the drive shaft or the driven shaft is displaced in the axial direction, the rubber-like elastic member of the shaft joint is deformed accordingly. At this time, if the amount of deformation of the rubber-like elastic member is less than the depth of the lower portion formed around the through-hole, the flat portion of the rubber-like elastic member penetrates the resin plate member. Do not touch the periphery of the hole. On the other hand, if the deformation amount of the rubber-like elastic member is equal to or greater than the depth, the flat plate portion of the rubber-like elastic member contacts the periphery of the through hole in the resin plate member.
[0023]
In the sixth solving means, the bulging portion is formed in the flat plate portion of the rubber-like elastic member. This bulging portion is formed on the front side of the flat plate portion in the same manner as the protruding portion. In the shaft coupling of the present means for solution, a gap is formed between the periphery of the protruding portion of the flat plate portion and the resin plate member by the bulging portion coming into contact with the resin plate member.
[0024]
Here, when the drive shaft or the driven shaft is displaced in the axial direction, the rubber-like elastic member of the shaft joint is deformed accordingly. At this time, if the amount of deformation of the rubber-like elastic member is less than the distance between the periphery of the protrusion in the flat plate portion and the resin plate member, the periphery of the protrusion in the flat plate portion does not contact the resin plate member. . On the other hand, if the amount of deformation of the rubber-like elastic member is equal to or greater than the interval, the periphery of the protruding portion in the flat plate portion contacts the resin plate member.
[0025]
In the seventh solving means, the plurality of tubular members are arranged on the same pitch circle. A gap is formed at least in the circumferential direction of the pitch circle of the tubular member between the protruding portion and the resin plate member. The relative positions of the resin plate member and the rubber-like elastic member are determined so that such a gap is formed.
[0026]
Here, when the rotational force from the drive shaft is transmitted to the shaft coupling, the rubber-like elastic member of the shaft coupling is deformed by the rotational force. At this time, if the deformation amount of the rubber-like elastic member is less than the distance between the protrusion of the rubber-like elastic member and the resin plate member, the protrusion of the rubber-like elastic member does not contact the resin plate member. On the other hand, if the amount of deformation of the rubber-like elastic member is equal to or greater than the distance, the protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member contacts the resin plate member.
[0027]
In the eighth solving means, the plurality of tubular members are arranged on the same pitch circle. A gap is formed at least in the radial direction of the pitch circle of the tubular member between the protruding portion and the resin plate member. The relative positions of the resin plate member and the rubber-like elastic member are determined so that such a gap is formed.
[0028]
In the ninth solving means, the plurality of tubular members are arranged on the same pitch circle. The protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member is formed in the same shape as the through hole of the resin plate member, and the entire peripheral side surface thereof is in close contact with the resin plate member. Moreover, a cavity part is formed in each protrusion in the both sides of the tubular member in the radial direction of the pitch circle of a tubular member. Therefore, even if the pitch of the tubular member penetrating the protrusion is slightly inclined in the radial direction, this inclination is absorbed by the deformation of the cavity.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, the structure of the shaft coupling is a structure in which the resin plate member is sandwiched between a pair of rubber-like elastic members, and the rubber-like elastic member, the resin plate member, and the tubular member are in an unbonded state. For this reason, these three kinds of members are combined with each other in a state where the shaft coupling is connected to at least the shaft end portion of the drive shaft or the driven shaft without bonding the rubber-like elastic member, the resin plate member, and the tubular member to each other. It can be kept in the state.
[0030]
Thus, according to the present invention, one shaft coupling can be formed without bonding the members constituting the shaft coupling to each other. For this reason, when the shaft coupling according to the present invention is discarded, the operation of disassembling the shaft coupling can be easily performed in a short time. Moreover, compared with the case where each member of a shaft coupling is mutually adhere | attached, the member can be reliably classified for every material. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably perform the sorting operation when discarding the shaft coupling in a short time, and the recyclability of the shaft coupling can be improved.
[0031]
Further, as described above, according to the present invention, one shaft joint can be configured without bonding a plurality of members to each other. For this reason, the process which adhere | attaches members at the time of manufacture of the shaft coupling which concerns on this invention becomes completely unnecessary. Therefore, according to this invention, the manufacturing process of a shaft coupling can be simplified, the production efficiency can be improved, and also the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0032]
Here, it is normal that the axis of the drive shaft and the axis of the driven shaft do not completely coincide with each other, and the other axis is often inclined with respect to one axis. In such a case, the tubular member into which the rod-like protrusion of the drive shaft or the driven shaft is inserted is tilted. If the entire peripheral side surface of the protruding portion is in close contact with the resin plate member, the protruding portion is crushed by the inclined tubular member and the resin plate member, and the characteristics when the rubber-like elastic member is deformed change. .
[0033]
On the other hand, in the said 2nd solution means, the protrusion part of the rubber-like elastic member is inserted in the notch part of the resin board member. For this reason, even if the tubular member is inclined toward the opening side of the notch, the protruding portion is not crushed between the tubular member and the resin plate member. Moreover, in the said 8th solution means, in the state which combined the resin board member and the rubber-like elastic member, a clearance gap is formed between the protrusion part and the resin board member. For this reason, even if the tubular member is inclined toward the gap, the protruding portion is not crushed between the tubular member and the resin plate member. In the ninth solving means, a hollow portion is formed in the protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member. For this reason, even if the tubular member is inclined toward the hollow portion, the protruding portion is not crushed between the tubular member and the resin plate member. Therefore, according to these second, eighth, and ninth solving means, the protruding portion can be prevented from being crushed by being sandwiched between the inclined cylindrical member and the resin plate member, and the rubber-like elastic member is deformed. The characteristics can be kept constant.
[0034]
According to the fourth, fifth, and sixth solving means, the characteristic when the rubber-like elastic member is deformed in the axial direction of the drive shaft or the driven shaft can be a two-stage characteristic. Specifically, according to the fourth solving means, the spring constant of the rubber-like elastic member between the state in which the flat plate portion of the rubber-like elastic member is in contact with the peripheral edge of the notch portion in the resin plate member and the state in which it is not in contact. Can be changed. Further, according to the fifth solving means, the spring constant of the rubber-like elastic member is changed between the state where the flat plate portion of the rubber-like elastic member is in contact with the peripheral edge of the through hole in the resin plate member and the state where it is not in contact. be able to. Moreover, according to the 6th solution means, the spring constant of a rubber-like elastic member can be changed with the state which the circumference | surroundings of the protrusion part in a flat plate part is in the state which is in contact with the resin plate member.
[0035]
As described above, according to the fourth, fifth, and sixth solving means, the spring constant of the rubber-like elastic member is changed according to the deformation amount of the rubber-like elastic member in the axial direction of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. Can be made. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in designing the shaft coupling can be increased, and the characteristics of the shaft coupling can be accurately set according to the application.
[0036]
According to the seventh solving means, the characteristic when the rubber-like elastic member is deformed in the twisting direction of the drive shaft or the driven shaft can be a two-stage characteristic. Specifically, the spring constant of the rubber-like elastic member can be changed depending on whether the protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member is in contact with the resin plate member or not. Thus, according to this solution, the spring constant of the rubber-like elastic member can be changed according to the deformation amount of the rubber-like elastic member in the twisting direction of the drive shaft or the driven shaft. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in designing the shaft coupling can be increased, and the characteristics of the shaft coupling can be accurately set according to the application.
[0037]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is a steering apparatus 1 for an automobile, and includes a shaft coupling 6 according to the present invention.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, the steering device 1 includes a main shaft 2, a connecting shaft 3, and a steering gear box 4. The main shaft 2 has a steering wheel 5 attached to the upper end thereof. The lower end of the main shaft 2 is connected to the upper end of the connecting shaft 3 through a universal joint. The lower end of the connecting shaft 3 is connected to the input shaft of the steering gear box 4 via a universal joint. Although not shown, the output shaft of the steering gear box 4 is connected to the left and right front wheels of the automobile.
[0039]
The connecting shaft 3 includes a first shaft 11 on the main shaft 2 side and a second shaft 14 on the steering gear box 4 side. The shaft coupling 6 is provided between the lower end of the first shaft 11 and the upper end of the second shaft 14.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 2, one end plate 12 and 15 is provided at each of the lower end of the first shaft 11 and the upper end of the second shaft 14. The end plates 12 and 15 are formed in a constricted shape at the center of the eyebrows, and the center is fixed to the shaft end of the first shaft 11 or the second shaft 14. The end plate 12 of the first shaft 11 has a connecting bolt 13 projecting downward at the end thereof one by one. The end plate 15 of the second shaft 14 is provided with a connecting bolt 16 projecting upward at one end thereof. That is, two connecting bolts 13 and 16 are provided as rod-shaped protrusions on the end plate 12 of the first shaft 11 and the end plate 15 of the second shaft 14, respectively.
[0041]
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the shaft coupling 6 includes two rubber members 20, one resin plate member 30, and four collars 40. These members are combined without being bonded to each other to form one shaft joint 6.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 3, the rubber member 20 includes one flat plate portion 21 and four projecting portions 22. The rubber member 20 is a member made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber, and constitutes a rubber-like elastic member.
[0043]
The flat plate portion 21 is formed in a slightly thin disk shape. The protruding portion 22 is formed in a slightly short cylindrical shape, and is integrally formed with the flat plate portion 21 on the front surface side (upper surface side in FIG. 3) of the flat plate portion 21. The four protruding portions 22 are arranged at 90 ° intervals on a pitch circle concentric with the flat plate portion 21. An insertion hole 23 is formed coaxially with the cylindrical protrusion 22. The insertion hole 23 penetrates not only the protruding portion 22 but also the flat plate portion 21.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 4, the resin plate member 30 is a member made of synthetic resin such as nylon resin, and is formed in a slightly thick disk shape. The resin plate member 30 has a diameter equal to the diameter of the flat plate portion 21 of the rubber member 20, and its thickness is twice the height of the protruding portion 22.
[0045]
The resin plate member 30 has four circular through holes 31 penetrating therethrough. In other words, the resin plate member 30 has the same number of through holes 31 as the protrusions 22 formed in one rubber member 20. The four through holes 31 are formed at 90 ° intervals on a pitch circle concentric with the resin plate member 30. The pitch circle diameter of the through holes 31 in the resin plate member 30 is the same as the pitch circle diameter of the protrusions 22 in the rubber member 20. Further, the diameter of the through hole 31 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the protruding portion 22.
[0046]
Counterbore portions 32 are formed around each through hole 31 on both side surfaces (upper and lower surfaces in FIG. 4) of the resin plate member 30. That is, on both side surfaces of the resin plate member 30, the periphery of each through-hole 31 is stepped down in a counterbore shape over a certain width, and this stepped portion constitutes the counterbore portion 32. .
[0047]
The collar 40 is a synthetic resin or metal member, and is formed in a tubular shape. The height of the collar 40 is a value obtained by doubling the sum of the height of the protruding portion 22 and the thickness of the flat plate portion 21. The diameter of the collar 40 is substantially the same as the diameter of the through hole 31 in the rubber member 20.
[0048]
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the two rubber members 20 are arranged to face each other with one resin plate member 30 interposed therebetween. The flat plate portions 21 of the rubber members 20 facing each other sandwich the resin plate member 30 provided therebetween.
[0049]
The protrusion 22 of each rubber member 20 is inserted into the through hole 31 of the resin plate member 30. At that time, the protruding portion 22 of the first rubber member 20 is inserted into one through hole 31 from one side, and the protruding portion 22 of the second rubber member 20 is inserted from the opposite side. And the two protrusion parts 22 inserted in the one through-hole 31 are mutually contact | abutted in each end surface. Moreover, in the state inserted in the through-hole 31, each protrusion part 22 is contacting the resin board member 30 over the perimeter (refer FIG. 6, FIG. 7).
[0050]
The collar 40 is inserted into the insertion holes 23 of the two protrusions 22 that are in contact with each other. That is, the collar 40 is provided through the two protrusions 22 inserted into the single through hole 31. Each collar 40 is in close contact with the rubber member 20 in a state where the collar 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 23. And the two rubber members 20 are hold | maintained with the frictional force between the collar 40 and the rubber member 20, and the form of the shaft coupling 6 is maintained.
[0051]
In the shaft coupling 6, the four collars 40 are arranged at intervals of 90 ° on one pitch circle (see FIG. 5). Of these four collars 40, the connecting bolts 13 of the first shaft 11 are inserted into the two collars 40 that are separated by 180 °, and the connecting bolts 16 of the second shaft 14 are inserted into the remaining two collars 40. Is inserted (see FIG. 2).
[0052]
For example, when the driver performs steering by turning the steering wheel 5, the first shaft 11 serves as a drive shaft and the second shaft 14 serves as a driven shaft. In this case, the rotational force of the first shaft 11 is transmitted to the second shaft 14 via the shaft coupling 6.
[0053]
Here, when vibration or impact is applied to the connecting shaft 3, the first shaft 11 and the second shaft 14 may be displaced in the axial direction thereof. When the first shaft 11 and the second shaft 14 are displaced in the axial direction, the collar 40 of the shaft coupling 6 is moved in the axial direction (the vertical direction in FIGS. 6 and 7), and the rubber member 20 is deformed. At this time, if the displacement amount of the collar 40 is smaller than the depth d of the spot facing portion 32, the flat plate portion 21 of the rubber member 20 does not contact the spot facing portion 32 of the resin plate member 30. On the other hand, when the amount of displacement of the collar 40 is greater than or equal to the depth d of the spot facing portion 32, the flat plate portion 21 of the rubber member 20 contacts the spot facing portion 32 of the resin plate member 30.
[0054]
The spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes between the state in which the flat plate portion 21 of the rubber member 20 is in contact with the spot facing portion 32 of the resin plate member 30 and the state in which both are not in contact. That is, even if the load increases by the same amount, the increment of the displacement amount of the collar 40 in a state where the flat plate portion 21 is in contact with the counterbore portion 32 is the collar 40 in a state where the flat plate portion 21 is not in contact with the counterbore portion 32. It becomes smaller than the increment of the displacement amount. Thus, the spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes in two steps depending on the amount of displacement of the collar 40.
[0055]
For example, when axial vibration with a small amplitude is transmitted to the collar 40, the rubber member 20 has a small spring constant, and this vibration is mitigated by deformation of the rubber member 20. On the other hand, when a large load is transmitted to the collar 40, the rubber member 20 has a large spring constant and the rubber member 20 reliably supports the large load.
[0056]
-Effect of Embodiment 1-
In the present embodiment, the structure of the shaft coupling 6 is a structure in which the resin plate member 30 is sandwiched between the pair of rubber members 20, and the rubber member 20, the resin plate member 30, and the collar 40 are not bonded to each other. Therefore, the rubber member 20 made of rubber, the resin plate member 30 made of synthetic resin, and the collar 40 made of synthetic resin or metal can be held in a combined state without being bonded to each other.
[0057]
Thus, according to this embodiment, one shaft coupling 6 can be formed without adhering each member which comprises the shaft coupling 6 mutually. For this reason, when discarding the shaft coupling 6 of this embodiment, the operation | work which decomposes | disassembles this shaft coupling 6 can be performed easily in a short time. Moreover, compared with the case where each member of the shaft coupling 6 is mutually adhere | attached, the member can be reliably classified for every material. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably perform the sorting operation when discarding the shaft coupling 6 in a short time, and the recyclability of the shaft coupling 6 can be improved.
[0058]
Further, as described above, according to the present embodiment, one shaft coupling 6 can be configured without bonding a plurality of members to each other. For this reason, when manufacturing the shaft coupling 6 of this embodiment, the process which adhere | attaches members is completely unnecessary. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the manufacturing process of the shaft coupling 6 can be simplified to increase its production efficiency, and further its manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0059]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the spring constant of the rubber member 20 when the collar 40 is displaced in the axial direction can be changed in two stages according to the amount of displacement of the collar 40. For this reason, the design freedom at the time of designing the shaft coupling 6 can be increased, and the characteristics of the shaft coupling 6 can be accurately set according to the application.
[0060]
Here, in the conventional shaft coupling shown in FIG. 25, the narrowest portion of the rubber elastic body b appearing in the drawing has a width L ′. When the cylindrical body c is displaced in the axial direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in the figure), the narrow width L ′ portion is subjected to shear deformation as much as the displacement amount of the cylindrical body c. On the other hand, the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6 adopts a structure in which both side surfaces of the resin plate member 30 are covered with the flat plate portions 21 of the rubber member 20, and further, the resin plate member 30 and the rubber member 20 are connected. Non-adhesive state. Therefore, when the collar 40 is displaced in the axial direction (vertical direction in the figure), the portion of the rubber member 20 that extends over the length L in the figure is deformed. Assuming that the diameters of the shaft couplings are approximately the same, the length L of the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment is significantly longer than the length L ′ of the conventional shaft coupling.
[0061]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the length L of the rubber member 20 that is deformed by the axial displacement of the collar 40 can be made longer than the corresponding length L ′ in the conventional shaft coupling. . Therefore, the distortion of the rubber member 20 when the collar 40 is displaced in the axial direction can be reduced, and the durability of the rubber member 20 and thus the durability of the shaft joint 6 can be improved.
[0062]
-Modification of Embodiment 1-
In this embodiment, the counterbore portion 32 is formed on the resin plate member 30 in order to change the spring constant of the rubber member 20 in two stages when the collar 40 is displaced in the axial direction. It is good also as the following structures.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 8, the rubber member 20 of the present modification has a cross-shaped bulging portion 24 formed so as to rise to the front side of the flat plate portion 21 (upper surface side in the figure). The bulging portion 24 is formed in a portion other than the periphery of the protruding portion 22 on the front surface of the flat plate portion 21.
[0064]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the counterbore part 32 is not formed in the resin plate member 30 of this modification, and only the four through-holes 31 are formed. The bulging portion 24 of each flat plate portion 21 abuts on the resin plate member 30, and a gap is formed between the periphery of the protruding portion 22 in the flat plate portion 21 and the resin plate member 30.
[0065]
When the first shaft 11 and the second shaft 14 are displaced in the axial direction, the collar 40 of the shaft coupling 6 is moved in the axial direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 9), and the rubber member 20 is deformed. At this time, if the amount of displacement of the collar 40 is smaller than the height h of the bulging portion 24, the periphery of the protruding portion 22 in the flat plate portion 21 does not contact the resin plate member 30. On the other hand, when the amount of displacement of the collar 40 is equal to or greater than the height h of the bulging portion 24, the periphery of the protruding portion 22 in the flat plate portion 21 contacts the resin plate member 30.
[0066]
The spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes between the state in which the periphery of the protruding portion 22 in the flat plate portion 21 is in contact with the resin plate member 30 and the state in which both are not in contact. That is, even when the load increases by the same amount, the increment of the displacement amount of the collar 40 in a state where the two are in contact with each other is smaller than the increment of the displacement amount of the collar 40 in a state where the two are not in contact with each other. Thus, the spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes in two stages depending on the amount of displacement of the collar 40.
[0067]
Second Embodiment of the Invention
The second embodiment of the present invention is obtained by changing the configuration of the rubber member 20 and the resin plate member 30 in the shaft coupling 6 of the first embodiment. Here, the difference between the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be described.
[0068]
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the rubber member 20 of the present embodiment, the shape of the protruding portion 22 is different from that of the first embodiment. The protruding portion 22 of the present embodiment is formed in a shape that extends from the outer periphery of the flat plate portion 21 toward the center, and that the inner end portion has a semicircular arc shape. In the protruding portion 22, the side surface located on the outer peripheral side of the flat plate portion 21 is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the flat plate portion 21.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 12, the resin plate member 30 of this embodiment has a notch 33 formed in place of the through hole 31 of the above embodiment. That is, the four notches 33 are formed in the resin plate member 30. The diameter and thickness of the resin plate member 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0070]
Specifically, the notch 33 is formed in a shape such that a part of the disk shape is cut from the outer peripheral side toward the center. Each notch 33 extends in the radial direction of the resin plate member 30, and the center side end thereof has a semicircular arc shape. That is, each notch 33 has a shape corresponding to the protrusion 22 of the rubber member 20. And the four notch parts 33 are arrange | positioned at 90 degree intervals.
[0071]
Counterbore portions 32 are formed around the notches 33 on both side surfaces (upper and lower surfaces in FIG. 12) of the resin plate member 30. That is, on both side surfaces of the resin plate member 30, the periphery of each notch 33 is stepped down in a counterbore shape over a certain width, and this stepped down portion constitutes the counterbore portion 32. Yes.
[0072]
As shown in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, the two rubber members 20 are arranged to face each other with one resin plate member 30 interposed therebetween. The flat plate portions 21 of the rubber members 20 facing each other sandwich the resin plate member 30 provided therebetween. These points are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0073]
The protrusion 22 of each rubber member 20 is fitted in the notch 33 of the resin plate member 30. At that time, the protruding portion 22 of the first rubber member 20 is fitted into one notch portion 33 from one side, and the protruding portion 22 of the second rubber member 20 is fitted from the opposite side. And the two protrusion parts 22 inserted in the one notch part 33 are mutually contact | abutted in each end surface. Further, in a state in which the protrusions 22 are fitted into the notches 33, the side surfaces other than the side surfaces located on the outer peripheral side of the disk portion are in contact with the resin plate member 30 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). . That is, in each protrusion 22, the side surface located on the outer peripheral side of the disk portion forms the outer peripheral surface of the shaft joint 6 together with the outer peripheral surface of the resin plate member 30.
[0074]
Similar to the first embodiment, the collar 40 is inserted into the insertion holes 23 of the two protrusions 22 that are in contact with each other. That is, the collar 40 is provided so as to penetrate through the two projecting portions 22 fitted into one notch portion 33.
[0075]
In the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, the connection bolt 13 of the first shaft 11 is inserted into two of the four collars 40, and the second shaft 14 is inserted into the remaining two, as in the first embodiment. The connecting bolt 16 is inserted. When the driver turns the steering wheel 5 to perform steering, the rotational force of the first shaft 11 is transmitted to the second shaft 14 via the shaft coupling 6.
[0076]
Here, the axial center of the first shaft 11 and the axial center of the second shaft 14 rarely coincide with each other, and the other axial center is often inclined with respect to one axial center. In such a case, the collar 40 through which the connecting bolts 13 and 16 of the first shaft 11 and the second shaft 14 are inserted is tilted. If the entire peripheral side surface of the protruding portion 22 is in close contact with the resin plate member 30, the rubber protruding portion 22 is crushed by the inclined collar 40 and the resin plate member 30, and the rubber member 20 is deformed. Changes its characteristics. That is, even if the load acting on the rubber member 20 is the same magnitude, the deformation amount of the rubber member 20 differs between the state in which the protrusion 22 is crushed and the state in which the protrusion 22 is not crushed.
[0077]
On the other hand, in the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, a notch 33 is formed in the resin plate member 30, and the protruding portion 22 of the rubber member 20 is fitted into the notch 33. For this reason, even if the collar 40 penetrating the protruding portion 22 is slightly inclined to the outside of the shaft coupling 6, the portion outside the collar 40 in the protruding portion 22 is not crushed. Therefore, even when the axis of the second shaft 14 is inclined with respect to the axis of the first shaft 11, the characteristic change of the rubber member 20 due to the protrusion 22 being crushed by the inclined collar 40. Is suppressed.
[0078]
Further, in the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, the spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes in two stages, as in the first embodiment. That is, when the collar 40 of the shaft joint 6 moves in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 14) and the rubber member 20 is deformed, the displacement amount of the collar 40 is smaller than the depth d of the spot facing portion 32. The spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes depending on the case and the case where the amount of displacement of the collar 40 is greater than or equal to the depth d of the spot facing portion 32.
[0079]
-Effect of Embodiment 2-
According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.
[0080]
That is, according to the present embodiment, the rubber member 20 caused by the protrusion 22 of the rubber member 20 being crushed even when the axis of the first shaft 11 and the axis of the second shaft 14 are not aligned. The characteristic change of can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to relax the constraint conditions when using the shaft coupling 6 and to improve the usability of the shaft coupling 6.
[0081]
Embodiment 3 of the Invention
The third embodiment of the present invention is obtained by changing the configuration of the resin plate member 30 in the shaft coupling 6 of the first embodiment. Here, the difference between the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be described.
[0082]
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the resin plate member 30 of this embodiment, each through hole 31 is formed in an oval shape that is long in the radial direction of the resin plate member 30. Specifically, the through hole 31 is extended by the same amount to both the inside and the outside in the radial direction of the resin plate member 30 as compared with that of the first embodiment. Further, the width of the through hole 31 in the direction orthogonal to the radial direction of the resin plate member 30 is the same as the diameter of the through hole 31 in the first embodiment.
[0083]
In the resin plate member 30 of the present embodiment, a spot facing portion 32 is formed around the through hole 31. Further, the rubber member 20 in the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3).
[0084]
The columnar protrusion 22 formed on the rubber member 20 is inserted into an oval through hole 31 formed on the resin plate member 30. At this time, the protruding portion 22 of the rubber member 20 is inserted into the through hole 31 in such a posture that the center thereof coincides with the center of the through hole 31. Accordingly, a gap 45 is formed between the protruding portion 22 and the resin plate member 30 in the radial direction of the resin plate member 30. On the other hand, the circumferential side surface of the protrusion 22 is in contact with the resin plate member 30 in the direction orthogonal to the radial direction of the resin plate member 30.
[0085]
Here, as described above, when the axis of the first shaft 11 and the axis of the second shaft 14 do not coincide with each other, the rubber protruding portion 22 is crushed by the inclined collar 40 and the rubber member 20 characteristics may change.
[0086]
On the other hand, in the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, the through hole 31 of the resin plate member 30 is formed in an oval shape, and a gap 45 is formed between the protrusion 22 and the resin plate member 30. For this reason, even if the collar 40 penetrating the protrusion 22 is slightly inclined, the protrusion 22 is not crushed between the inclined collar 40 and the resin plate member 30. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when the axis of the second shaft 14 is inclined with respect to the axis of the first shaft 11, the rubber protrusion 22 is crushed by the inclined collar 40. The change in the characteristics of the rubber member 20 due to the above can be prevented. And the restriction condition at the time of using the shaft coupling 6 can be relieved, and the usability of the shaft coupling 6 can be improved.
[0087]
-Modification of Embodiment 3-
In the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, the configuration of the rubber member 20 may be changed as follows.
[0088]
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in the rubber member 20 of this modification, each protrusion 22 is formed in an oval column shape. Specifically, the projecting portion 22 is formed in an oval shape corresponding to the shape of the through hole 31 so that the entire peripheral side surface thereof is in contact with the resin plate member 30. The number and arrangement of the protrusions 22 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0089]
In the rubber member 20 of this modification, a pair of cavities 25 are formed in the protrusion 22. Specifically, in each protrusion 22, one cavity 25 is formed on each side of the insertion hole 23 in the longitudinal direction (that is, the radial direction of the flat plate 21). The cavity 25 is formed in a bottomed hole shape that opens on the end surface (upper surface in FIG. 17) of the protrusion 22. The cavity 25 extends in the width direction of the protrusion 22 and is slightly curved toward the end of the protrusion 22. The hollow portion 25 may be formed so as to penetrate the protruding portion 22 and the flat plate portion 21 of the rubber member 20.
[0090]
Thus, in this modification, a pair of hollow portions 25 are formed in the protruding portion 22. For this reason, even if the axial center of the first shaft 11 and the axial center of the second shaft 14 do not coincide with each other and the collar 40 is inclined, the hollow portion 25 of the projecting portion 22 is merely sluggish. The rubber part is not crushed. Therefore, even in this modification, even when the axis of the second shaft 14 is inclined with respect to the axis of the first shaft 11, the rubber protrusion 22 is crushed by the inclined collar 40. The characteristic change of the rubber member 20 resulting from the can be prevented.
[0091]
Embodiment 4 of the Invention
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the rubber member 20 and the resin plate member 30 in the shaft coupling 6 of the first embodiment is changed. In the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, a gap 46 is formed between the protrusion 22 and the resin plate member 30 over the entire circumference. Here, the difference between the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment and the first embodiment will be described.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 19, the rubber member 20 of the present embodiment has a cross-shaped convex portion 26 formed therein. The convex portion 26 swells to the front surface side (upper surface side in the figure) of the flat plate portion 21 in the rubber member 20. Further, the convex portion 26 is arranged at the center of the flat plate portion 21 so that the center of the cross coincides with the center of the flat plate portion 21.
[0093]
As shown in FIG. 20, the resin plate member 30 of the present embodiment is formed with a cross-shaped recess 34 on both side surfaces (upper and lower surfaces in the figure). The concave portion 34 is formed to be one step lower than the side surface of the resin plate member 30, and the depth thereof is the same as the height of the convex portion 26. The recess 34 is disposed at the center of the resin plate member 30 so that the center of the cross coincides with the center of the resin plate member 30. Further, in the resin plate member 30 of the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the through hole 31 is larger than the outer diameter of the protruding portion 22 in the rubber member 20.
[0094]
As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, when the resin plate member 30 is sandwiched between the two rubber members 20, the protrusion 22 of the rubber member 20 is inserted into the through hole 31 of the resin plate member 30 and at the same time, the rubber The convex portion 26 of the member 20 fits into the concave portion 34 of the resin plate member 30 exactly. Thus, when the convex part 26 fits into the concave part 34, the relative position of each rubber member 20 and the resin board member 30 is defined. Then, by defining the relative positions of the rubber member 20 and the resin plate member 30 with the convex portion 26 and the concave portion 34, a gap 46 having a constant width is provided between the protruding portion 22 inserted into the through hole 31 and the resin plate member 30. Is formed over the entire circumference of the protrusion 22.
[0095]
Here, when transmitting the rotational force with the connecting shaft 3, the collar 40 of the shaft coupling 6 is pushed by the connecting bolts 13 and 16 of the first shaft 11 and the second shaft 14, and the circumferential direction of the shaft coupling 6 (see FIG. 22 in the left-right direction). When the collar 40 is displaced in this way, the rubber member 20 is deformed accordingly. At this time, if the displacement amount of the collar 40 is smaller than the width δ of the gap 46, the protruding portion 22 of the rubber member 20 does not contact the resin plate member 30. On the other hand, when the amount of displacement of the collar 40 is equal to or greater than the width δ of the gap 46, the protrusion 22 of the rubber member 20 contacts the resin plate member 30.
[0096]
The spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes between the state in which the protruding portion 22 of the rubber member 20 is in contact with the resin plate member 30 and the state in which both are not in contact. That is, even when the load increases by the same amount, the increment of the displacement amount of the collar 40 in a state where the protruding portion 22 is in contact with the resin plate member 30 increases the collar 40 in a state where the protruding portion 22 is not in contact with the resin plate member 30. It becomes smaller than the increment of the displacement amount. Thus, the spring constant of the rubber member 20 changes in two stages depending on the amount of displacement of the collar 40.
[0097]
For example, when vibration with a small amplitude in the twisting direction of the connecting shaft 3 is transmitted to the collar 40, the rubber member 20 has a small spring constant, and this vibration is mitigated by deformation of the rubber member 20. On the other hand, when a large load is transmitted to the collar 40 by the driver's steering or the like, the spring constant of the rubber member 20 becomes large, and the rubber member 20 reliably supports this large load.
[0098]
As described above, when the axial center of the first shaft 11 and the axial center of the second shaft 14 do not coincide with each other, the rubber protruding portion 22 is crushed by the inclined collar 40 and the rubber member 20. There is a risk of changes in the characteristics. On the other hand, in the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, the through hole 31 of the resin plate member 30 is formed to have a larger diameter than the protruding portion 22 of the rubber member 20, and a gap 46 is formed between the protruding portion 22 and the resin plate member 30. Is forming. For this reason, even if the collar 40 penetrating the protrusion 22 is slightly inclined, the protrusion 22 is not crushed between the inclined collar 40 and the resin plate member 30.
[0099]
-Effect of Embodiment 4-
According to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.
[0100]
That is, according to the present embodiment, the spring constant of the rubber member 20 when the collar 40 is displaced in the circumferential direction of the shaft coupling 6 can be changed in two stages according to the displacement amount of the collar 40. For this reason, the design freedom at the time of designing the shaft coupling 6 can be increased, and the characteristics of the shaft coupling 6 can be accurately set according to the application.
[0101]
Further, according to the present embodiment, even when the axis of the second shaft 14 is inclined with respect to the axis of the first shaft 11, the rubber protrusion 22 is crushed by the inclined collar 40. The change in the characteristics of the rubber member 20 due to the above can be prevented. And the restriction condition at the time of using the shaft coupling 6 can be relieved, and the usability of the shaft coupling 6 can be improved.
[0102]
-Modification of Embodiment 4-
In the shaft coupling 6 of the present embodiment, the relative positions of the rubber member 20 and the resin plate member 30 are determined by the convex portion 26 of the rubber member 20 and the concave portion 34 of the resin plate member 30. It is good also as such a structure.
[0103]
A first modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 23, in the shaft coupling 6 of this modification, a positioning protrusion 27 is formed on the protrusion 22 of the rubber member 20. In addition, in the rubber member 20 of this modification, the convex part 26 is not formed. Moreover, in the resin plate member 30 of this modification, the recessed part 34 is not formed.
[0104]
The positioning protrusion 27 is formed so as to protrude from the peripheral side surface of the protrusion 22 near the protrusion. The positioning protrusion 27 is formed in a bowl shape over the entire circumference of the protruding portion 22, and the outer diameter thereof is the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 31 of the resin plate member 30. However, the positioning protrusion 27 does not necessarily have to be formed over the entire circumference of the protrusion 22. For example, four positioning protrusions 27 may be formed every 90 ° in the circumferential direction of the protrusion 22.
[0105]
In a state in which the protruding portion 22 is inserted into the through hole 31, the positioning projection 27 contacts the inner surface of the through hole 31, and the relative position between the rubber member 20 and the resin plate member 30 is determined. Also in this modified example, a gap 46 is formed over the entire circumference of the protruding portion 22 between the protruding portion 22 inserted into the through hole 31 and the resin plate member 30.
[0106]
A second modification will be described. Although not shown, a plurality of pin-shaped protrusions are formed on the rubber member 20 in the shaft coupling 6 of this modification. The resin plate member 30 has a plurality of pin holes corresponding to the pin-like protrusions of the rubber member 20. And the relative position of the rubber member 20 and the resin board member 30 is defined by inserting each pin-shaped protrusion of the rubber member 20 in the pin hole of the corresponding resin board member 30, respectively. Also in this modification, a gap 46 is formed over the entire circumference of the protrusion 22 between the protrusion 22 inserted into the through hole 31 and the resin plate member 30.
[0107]
Other Embodiments of the Invention
The shaft coupling 6 of each of the above embodiments may have the following configuration. Here, what applied this modification to the shaft coupling 6 of the said Embodiment 3 is demonstrated.
[0108]
As shown in FIG. 24, the resin plate member 30 of this modification includes engagement protrusions 35 protruding from both side surfaces of the resin plate member 30. One engagement protrusion 35 is formed at the center of each side surface of the resin plate member 30. Further, the engaging protrusion 35 is constituted by a shaft portion 36 and a large diameter portion 37. The shaft portion 36 is formed in a short columnar shape extending from the side surface of the resin plate member 30. The large diameter portion 37 is formed at the protruding end of the shaft portion 36, and the diameter thereof is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 36.
[0109]
On the other hand, the rubber member 20 of this modification includes an engagement hole 28 into which the engagement protrusion 35 is inserted. The engagement hole 28 is formed at the center of the flat plate portion 21. The diameter of the engagement hole 28 is slightly larger than the shaft portion 36 of the engagement protrusion 35 and smaller than the large diameter portion 37.
[0110]
When the engagement protrusion 35 of the resin plate member 30 is pushed into the engagement hole 28 of the rubber member 20, the flat plate portion 21 of the rubber member 20 is caught by the large diameter portion 37 of the engagement protrusion 35. Then, the engagement protrusion 35 is hooked on the rubber member 20, whereby the pair of rubber members 20 are held by the resin plate member 30.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a steering device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a shaft coupling and a main part of a connecting shaft in the first embodiment.
3 is a perspective view showing a rubber member in Embodiment 1. FIG.
4 is a perspective view showing a resin plate member in Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a shaft coupling in the first embodiment.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft coupling showing the AA cross section in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a shaft coupling showing a BB cross section in FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a rubber member in a modification of the first embodiment.
9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 showing a cross-section of a shaft coupling in a modification of the first embodiment.
10 is a perspective view showing a shaft coupling in Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rubber member in the second embodiment.
12 is a perspective view showing a resin plate member in Embodiment 2. FIG.
13 is a plan view showing a shaft coupling in Embodiment 2. FIG.
14 is a cross-sectional view of a shaft coupling showing a CC cross section in FIG. 13; FIG.
15 is a plan view showing a shaft coupling in Embodiment 3. FIG.
16 is a cross-sectional view of a shaft coupling showing a DD cross section in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a rubber member in a modified example of the third embodiment.
18 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 16, showing a cross section of a shaft coupling in a modification of the third embodiment.
19 is a perspective view showing a rubber member in Embodiment 4. FIG.
20 is a perspective view showing a resin plate member in Embodiment 4. FIG.
FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a shaft coupling according to a fourth embodiment.
22 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft coupling showing the EE cross section in FIG. 21. FIG.
23 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 22 and showing a cross section of a shaft coupling in a modification of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 16 and showing a cross section of a shaft coupling in another embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a conventional shaft coupling.
[Explanation of symbols]
6 shaft coupling
11 First shaft (drive shaft)
13 Connecting bolt (bar-shaped protrusion)
14 Second shaft (driven shaft)
16 Connecting bolt (bar-shaped protrusion)
20 Rubber member (rubber-like elastic member)
21 Flat plate
22 Protrusion
24 bulge
25 Cavity
30 Resin plate members
31 Through hole
33 Notch
40 color (tubular member)
45 Clearance
46 Clearance

Claims (9)

駆動軸の軸端部及び被動軸の軸端部に複数ずつ設けられた棒状突起部に連結されて駆動軸の回転を被動軸へ伝達する軸継手であって、
平板状に形成された平板部と該平板部の前面側に一体形成された複数の突出部とをそれぞれが有すると共に、それぞれの突出部が互いに当接するように向かい合って配置される一対のゴム状弾性部材と、
互いに向かい合うゴム状弾性部材の平板部によって挟み込まれる樹脂板部材と、
互いに当接し合う２つの上記突出部を貫通するように設けられて駆動軸又は被動軸の棒状突起部が挿通される管状部材とを備え、
上記ゴム状弾性部材と樹脂板部材と管状部材とが互いに非接着状態で組み合わされている軸継手。A shaft coupling connected to a plurality of rod-shaped protrusions provided at a plurality of shaft ends of the drive shaft and a shaft end of the driven shaft to transmit the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft,
A pair of rubber-like members each having a flat plate portion formed in a flat plate shape and a plurality of protrusions integrally formed on the front surface side of the flat plate portion and disposed so as to face each other so that the respective protrusion portions are in contact with each other An elastic member;
A resin plate member sandwiched between flat plate portions of rubber-like elastic members facing each other;
A tubular member provided so as to pass through the two projecting portions that come into contact with each other, and through which the rod-like projection portion of the drive shaft or the driven shaft is inserted,
A shaft coupling in which the rubber-like elastic member, the resin plate member, and the tubular member are combined in a non-adhered state. 請求項１記載の軸継手において、
樹脂板部材には、該樹脂板部材の周側面から中心に向かって延びる切欠き部が複数形成される一方、
向かい合う２つの突出部は、上記切欠き部にはめ込まれた状態で互いに当接している軸継手。The shaft coupling according to claim 1,
While the resin plate member is formed with a plurality of notches extending from the peripheral side surface of the resin plate member toward the center,
The two joints facing each other are shaft couplings that are in contact with each other in a state of being fitted into the notch. 請求項１記載の軸継手において、
樹脂板部材には、該樹脂板部材を板厚方向に貫通する貫通孔が複数形成される一方、
向かい合う２つの突出部は、上記貫通孔に挿入された状態で互いに当接している軸継手。The shaft coupling according to claim 1,
The resin plate member is formed with a plurality of through holes penetrating the resin plate member in the thickness direction,
The two joints facing each other are shaft couplings that are in contact with each other while being inserted into the through hole. 請求項２記載の軸継手において、
樹脂板部材は、その両側面における切欠き部の周囲が座ぐり状に一段低く形成されている軸継手。The shaft coupling according to claim 2,
The resin plate member is a shaft coupling in which the periphery of the notch portion on both side surfaces thereof is formed in a counterbore shape one step lower. 請求項３記載の軸継手において、
樹脂板部材は、その両側面における貫通孔の周囲が座ぐり状に一段低く形成されている軸継手。In the shaft coupling according to claim 3,
The resin plate member is a shaft coupling in which the periphery of the through-holes on both side surfaces thereof is formed to be one step lower in a spot shape. 請求項１，２又は３記載の軸継手において、
ゴム状弾性部材には、平板部における突出部の周囲と樹脂板部材との間に隙間が形成されるように該平板部の前面側へ盛り上がって樹脂板部材に当接する膨出部が形成されている軸継手。In the shaft coupling according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
The rubber-like elastic member is formed with a bulging portion that rises to the front side of the flat plate portion and contacts the resin plate member so that a gap is formed between the periphery of the protruding portion of the flat plate portion and the resin plate member. Shaft coupling. 請求項１，２又は３記載の軸継手において、
複数設けられた管状部材が一つのピッチ円上に配置される一方、
樹脂板部材とゴム状弾性部材の相対的な位置は、少なくとも上記ピッチ円の周方向において突出部と樹脂板部材の間に隙間が形成されるように定められている軸継手。In the shaft coupling according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
While a plurality of provided tubular members are arranged on one pitch circle,
A shaft coupling in which a relative position between the resin plate member and the rubber-like elastic member is determined so that a gap is formed between the protruding portion and the resin plate member in at least the circumferential direction of the pitch circle. 請求項１，２又は３記載の軸継手において、
複数設けられた管状部材が一つのピッチ円上に配置される一方、
樹脂板部材とゴム状弾性部材の相対的な位置は、少なくとも上記ピッチ円の半径方向において突出部と樹脂板部材の間に隙間が形成されるように定められている軸継手。In the shaft coupling according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
While a plurality of provided tubular members are arranged on one pitch circle,
A shaft coupling in which a relative position between the resin plate member and the rubber-like elastic member is determined such that a gap is formed between the protruding portion and the resin plate member in at least the radial direction of the pitch circle. 請求項３記載の軸継手において、
複数設けられた管状部材が一つのピッチ円上に配置され、
ゴム状弾性部材の突出部は、樹脂板部材の貫通孔に挿入された状態で該突起部の周側面全体が樹脂板部材と密着するような形状に形成される一方、
上記突起部には、上記ピッチ円の半径方向における管状部材の両側に空洞部が一つずつ形成されている軸継手。In the shaft coupling according to claim 3,
A plurality of provided tubular members are arranged on one pitch circle,
While the protruding portion of the rubber-like elastic member is formed in a shape such that the entire peripheral side surface of the protruding portion is in close contact with the resin plate member while being inserted into the through hole of the resin plate member,
A shaft coupling in which a hollow portion is formed on each side of the tubular member in the radial direction of the pitch circle on the protrusion.
JP2002067852A 2002-03-13 2002-03-13 Shaft coupling Expired - Fee Related JP4020666B2 (en)

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CA2993964A1 (en) * 2017-02-06 2018-08-06 Hunter Douglas Inc. Methods and apparatus to reduce noise in motor assemblies

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JPS54118952U (en) * 1978-02-09 1979-08-20
JP3398160B2 (en) * 1991-11-16 2003-04-21 株式会社ブリヂストン Shaft coupling
JPH06101720A (en) * 1992-09-18 1994-04-12 Bridgestone Corp Shaft coupling
JPH06185538A (en) * 1992-12-15 1994-07-05 Bridgestone Corp Shaft coupling
JPH07224855A (en) * 1994-02-07 1995-08-22 Bridgestone Corp Coupling
JP2696307B2 (en) * 1994-07-08 1998-01-14 株式会社ブリヂストン Shaft coupling
JPH09264330A (en) * 1996-03-28 1997-10-07 Nippon Piston Ring Co Ltd Elastic flexible shaft coupling
JP3570230B2 (en) * 1998-07-24 2004-09-29 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Radiator lower support
JP2002046407A (en) * 2000-08-07 2002-02-12 Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Co Ltd :The Agricultural wheel

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