JP4155125B2 - Connection structure of joint member and shaft - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection structure between a joint member that forms a part of a joint used in, for example, an automobile steering device and a shaft.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 5, the automobile steering apparatus includes an operation mechanism 51, a gear mechanism 52, and a link mechanism 53. The operating mechanism 51 transmits the driver's operating force to the gear mechanism 52, and the gear mechanism 52 decelerates and increases the operating force to change the direction and transmit it to the link mechanism 53, and the link mechanism 53 receives the converted operating force. Based on this, the front wheel 54 is operated.
Of these, the operation mechanism 51 is generally composed of a steering wheel 55, a steering shaft 56, a first universal joint 57, an intermediate shaft 58, and a second universal joint 59.
The steering wheel 55 is attached to an end portion of the steering shaft 56, and the steering shaft 56 is inserted into a steering column 60 fixed in the interior of the automobile and is rotatably supported. The other end of the steering shaft 56 is connected to the intermediate shaft 58 via the first universal joint 57, and the intermediate shaft 58 is further connected to the gear mechanism 52 via the second universal joint 59.
[0003]
In such an assembly process of the steering device, a gear mechanism 52 in which a steering shaft 56 to which a steering wheel 55 is attached is attached to the vehicle body via a steering column 60 and an intermediate shaft 58 is connected via a second universal joint 59. Are attached to the chassis, the vehicle body side and the chassis side are assembled, and the first universal joint 57 is connected to the intermediate shaft 58 by the manual operation of the worker. Since the connecting operation of the intermediate shaft 58 and the first universal joint 57 is performed in a dark place and is performed in a narrow space where it is difficult to perform complicated operations, the first universal joint 57 is aligned with the intermediate shaft 58. To do it relies heavily on the experience of the workers.
[0004]
Therefore, in order to improve the working efficiency by omitting such alignment in the connecting work, as described in JP-A-9-79279, the middle of the first universal joint 57 is used. The connection structure of the joint member 61 on the shaft 58 side and the intermediate shaft 58 is configured such that the joint member 61 forms a shaft fitting portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the intermediate shaft is rocked with respect to the shaft fitting portion of the joint member. A structure has been proposed in which the intermediate shaft is positioned with bolts by being moved and fitted.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-79279 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a connection structure, as shown in FIG. 6, even when the intermediate shaft 58 is provided with a notch 62 for positioning, the operator places the intermediate shaft 58 with respect to the joint member 61. Even if it is fitted in a position shifted in the direction, a bolt for positioning (not shown) can be inserted into the bolt hole 63 of the joint member 61, and the intermediate shaft 58 and the joint member 61 are connected at a position shifted in the axial direction. There is a problem that the fitting between the member 61 and the intermediate shaft 58 is incomplete.
Therefore, the present invention provides a coupling structure between a joint member and an intermediate shaft, which can prevent displacement of the joint member and the intermediate shaft even in a structure in which the intermediate shaft is swung with respect to the joint member. Is.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1, which achieves the above object, is a coupling structure of a joint member and a shaft, wherein the shaft is fitted to a joint member forming a part of the joint, and the shaft is coupled to the joint member by a bolt. The joint member is provided with a shaft fitting portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section, a bolt hole penetrating both of them is provided in the vicinity of the open end of the opposite side wall of the shaft fitting portion, A joint member fitting portion that is fitted to the shaft fitting portion of the joint member on the shaft, and a notch portion that allows a bolt to be inserted into the bolt hole at a position where the shaft is fitted to the shaft fitting portion. And a protrusion projecting to the side opposite to the notch forming side with respect to the central axis of the shaft is provided in the joint member fitting portion of the shaft, and the shaft of the joint member is further provided. A through hole or notch groove that allows the protrusion of the shaft to protrude outside the joint member is provided in a portion that connects the opposite side walls of the joint, and the protrusion is inserted into the through hole or notch groove to The notch allows the bolt to be inserted into the bolt hole at a position where the joint member fitting portion is fitted to the shaft fitting portion of the joint member.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2 is the connection structure of the joint member according to claim 1 and the shaft, wherein the shape of the notch portion in a cross section including the central axis of the shaft and passing through the center of the notch portion. A curved portion at both end portions in the central axial direction and a straight linear portion between them, the protrusion is inserted into the through hole, and the joint member fitting portion of the shaft is fitted into the shaft fitting of the joint member. The shaft is slidable with respect to the joint member in the center axis direction at a position where the shaft is fitted to the joint portion, and is shorter than the length of the linear portion of the shaft in the center axis direction. It is what.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is a coupling structure of a joint member and a shaft, in which the shaft is fitted to a joint member forming a part of the joint, and the shaft is coupled to the joint member by a bolt. A shaft fitting portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a bolt hole penetrating both of them in the vicinity of the open end of the opposite side wall of the shaft fitting portion. A joint member fitting portion that is fitted to the shaft fitting portion of the member, and a notch portion that allows insertion of a bolt into the bolt hole at a position where the shaft is fitted to the shaft fitting portion, and Protrusions that protrude to the opposite side of the notch formation side with respect to the center axis of the shaft are provided in the joint member fitting part of the shaft, and the projecting part extends from the center position of the notch in the shaft center axis direction. The distance of the joint member is slightly longer than the distance from the center of the bolt hole of the joint member in the length direction of the joint member to the end face on the opposite side of the shaft fitting portion of the coupling portion of the opposite side wall. It is a feature.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that, in the coupling structure of the joint member according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the shaft, the protrusion is provided to be removable from the shaft.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the shaft is swung with respect to the joint member and the shaft is fitted to the shaft fitting portion of the joint member, the protrusion provided on the shaft is inserted into the through hole of the joint member. The shaft notch part can be positioned with respect to the bolt hole of the joint member by inserting or inserting the shaft into the notch groove and contacting the bottom of the groove. It is possible to prevent fitting and connection at positions shifted to each other.
Moreover, it is possible for the operator to prevent the operator from making a mistake in the insertion direction of the shaft with respect to the joint member by checking the protrusion provided on the shaft visually or tactilely.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a coupling structure between a joint member and a shaft according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
1 (a) and 1 (b) are perspective views showing an embodiment of the joint member of the present invention.
The shaft fitting portion 2 of the joint member 1 has a substantially U-shape as shown in FIG. The respective bearing tongue pieces 5 and 6 are provided so as to protrude in the length direction of the shaft fitting portion 2 from the respective side walls 3 and 4 facing the shaft fitting portion 2. Opposing bolt holes 7 for inserting bolts for positioning the shaft are provided from the open ends of the respective side walls 3 and 4 of the shaft fitting portion 2. A through hole 9a is provided from the bearing tongue pieces 5 and 6 of the curved connecting portion 8 that connects the side walls 3 and 4 of the shaft fitting portion 2 of the joint member 1.
Here, in place of the through hole 9a, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), a notch groove 9b extending from the end surface B of the connecting portion 8 on the protruding side of the bearing tongue piece to the opposite side can be used.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a coupling structure of a joint member and a shaft according to the present invention.
FIG. 2A shows a shaft 10 having a cylindrical shape as a whole. The shaft 10 is provided with a joint member fitting portion 11 as a portion to be fitted to the side walls 3 and 4 of the joint member 1. The joint portion 11 is provided with a cutting surface that is cut so as to be a back-to-back plane. Further, the joint member fitting portion 11 is provided with a notch portion 12 and is protruded to the opposite side of the notch portion 12 across the central axis of the shaft to provide a rod-like protrusion 13a. A telescopic mechanism 14 is provided in the main body portion of the shaft 10.
[0015]
FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a coupling structure between a joint member and a shaft according to the present invention.
Here, the shaft center axial direction distance L from the center of the notch 12 of the shaft 10 to the center of the protrusion 13a is the length direction of the joint member from the center of the bolt hole 7 of the joint member 1 to the center of the through hole 9a. It is almost the same as the distance M. Thereby, the protrusion of the protrusion 13a provided on the shaft 10 to the outside of the joint member 1 is allowed at a position where the bolt passes through the notch 12 of the shaft 10.
In fitting the shaft 10 to the joint member 1, the telescopic mechanism 14 is adjusted so that the protrusion 13 a of the shaft 10 is inserted into the through hole 9 a of the joint member 1, and the shaft 10 is attached to the joint member 1. The joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10 is fitted into the shaft fitting portion 2 of the joint member 1.
[0016]
Thereby, the bolt hole 7 of the joint member 1 and the notch part 12 of the shaft 10 can be positioned accurately. Thereafter, a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the bolt hole 7, and this is also screwed into a nut (not shown) to engage the bolt and the notch portion 12, so that the shaft 10 is brought into a desired position with respect to the joint member 1. It can be fitted and connected.
[0017]
FIG.2 (c) is a schematic diagram showing other embodiment of the connection structure of the coupling member and shaft of this invention shown in FIG.2 (b).
Here, the diameter P of the through-hole 9a of the joint member 1 is made larger than the diameter Q of the shaft-like protrusion 13a of the shaft, and the axial length R of the shaft 10 at the bottom of the notch 12 is defined as the joint member 1. This is longer than the diameter P of the through hole 9a in the length direction. Furthermore, also here, the distance L from the center of the notch 12 of the shaft 10 to the center of the protrusion 13a in the shaft center axis direction is set from the center of the bolt hole 7 to the center of the through hole 9a in the length direction of the joint member 1. The distance M is substantially the same. In fitting the shaft 10 to the joint member 1, the telescopic mechanism 14 is adjusted so that the protrusion 13 a of the shaft 10 can be inserted into the through hole 9 a of the joint member 1, and the shaft 10 is attached to the joint member 1. The joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10 is fitted into the shaft fitting portion 2 of the joint member 1.
[0018]
As a result, the bolt hole 7 of the joint member 1 and the notch 12 of the shaft 10 can be positioned while allowing a certain amount of deviation in the central axis direction of the shaft, and then a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the bolt hole 7. The shaft 10 can be fitted and connected to the joint member 1 by being inserted through and screwed into a nut (not shown) and engaged with a bolt (not shown) and the notch 12.
[0019]
FIG. 2D shows a connection structure between the joint member 1 and the shaft 10 when the connection portion 8 is provided with a notch groove 9b instead of the through hole 9a.
In this case, the distance L from the center of the notch 12 of the shaft 10 in the axial direction of the shaft 10 to the center of the protrusion 13 a is set to the notch groove from the center of the bolt hole 7 of the joint member 1 in the length direction of the joint member 1. Slightly longer than the distance N to the bottom of the groove 9b. Thereby, the protrusion of the protrusion 13a provided on the shaft 10 to the outside of the joint member 1 is allowed at a position where the bolt passes through the notch 12 of the shaft 10.
In fitting the shaft 10 to the joint member 1, the telescopic mechanism 14 is adjusted so that the protruding portion 13a of the shaft 10 is inserted into the notch groove 9b of the joint member 1 and brought into contact with the groove bottom of the notch groove 9b. At the same time, the shaft 10 is swung with respect to the joint member 1, and the joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10 is fitted into the shaft fitting portion 2 of the joint member 1.
[0020]
Thereby, the bolt hole 7 of the joint member 1 and the notch part 12 of the shaft 10 can be positioned accurately. Thereafter, a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the bolt hole 7, and this is also screwed into a nut (not shown) to engage the bolt and the notch portion 12, so that the shaft 10 is brought into a desired position with respect to the joint member 1. It can be fitted and connected.
Of course, this notch groove 9b is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be a groove extending from the end face on the shaft 10 side of the connecting portion 8 to the bearing tongue pieces 5 and 6 side.
[0021]
Fig.3 (a) is a schematic diagram showing other embodiment of the connection structure of the coupling member and shaft of this invention.
Here, the distance L from the center of the notch 12 of the shaft 10 in the axial direction of the shaft 10 to the protrusion 13a is defined as the connecting portion between the center of the bolt hole 7 of the joint member 1 in the length direction of the joint member 1 and both side walls. 8 is slightly longer than the distance N ′ to the end surface B on the bearing tongues 5 and 6 side. When fitting the shaft 10 to the joint member 1, the telescopic mechanism 14 is adjusted so that the protruding portion 13 a of the shaft 10 abuts on the end surface B of the connecting portion 8 on the bearing tongue pieces 5, 6 side. The shaft 10 is swung with respect to the joint member 1, and the joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10 is fitted into the shaft fitting portion 2 of the joint member 1.
[0022]
Thereby, the bolt hole 7 of the joint member 1 and the notch part 12 of the shaft 10 can be positioned accurately. Thereafter, a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the bolt hole 7, and this is also screwed into a nut (not shown) to engage the not shown bolt and the notch 12, thereby bringing the shaft 10 into a desired position with respect to the joint member 1. Can be fitted and connected.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), even if the bolt 10 is inserted by fitting the shaft 10 with respect to the joint member 1 at a position shifted from a predetermined axial direction position, the protrusion 13a of the shaft 10 is connected to the joint member 1. Since the bolt hole 7 is blocked by the end portion of the shaft 10 because it interferes with the connecting portion 8 of the member 1 and the bolt cannot be inserted, the shaft 10 is displaced in the central axis direction with respect to the joint member 1. It is possible to prevent them from being fitted and connected to each other.
[0023]
In any of the above forms, when assembling the steering device, the projecting portion 13a allows the operator to confirm the insertion direction of the shaft 10 with respect to the joint member 1 by visual and tactile sensation, and prevent assembly errors. Can do.
Further, by providing the protrusion 13a so as to be detachable from the shaft 10, after the shaft 10 is swung and connected to the joint member 1, the protrusion 13a is removed, and when the steering device is disassembled, After extracting a bolt (not shown), it is possible to pull the joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10 in the axial direction with respect to the joint member 1 by the expansion / contraction mechanism 14 of the shaft 10. Can be increased.
[0024]
Next, other embodiments of the shaft and the protrusion will be described.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, a cap portion 15 a that matches the shape of the joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10 is provided on the projection 13 b, and the projection 13 b of the joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10 is provided. The projecting portion 13b is attached to the shaft 10 by covering the cap portion 15a.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, a concave portion 16 that is recessed in the axial direction of the shaft 10 is provided at the end of the joint member fitting portion 11 of the shaft 10, and the concave portion 16 is formed at the center of the cap portion 15b of the protruding portion 13c. A projection 17 that fits into the shaft 10 is provided, the projection 17 of the projection 13 c is fitted into the recess 16 of the shaft 10, and the projection 13 c is attached to the shaft 10.
[0025]
The shaft 10 shown in FIG. 4C is provided with a substantially U-shaped groove portion 18 including a plane and a curved surface of the joint member fitting portion 11, and the protrusion 13 d is fitted into the U-shaped groove portion 18. The fastening portion 19 is fitted into the groove portion 18 of the shaft 10 and the fastening portion 19 of the projection 13 d is fitted into the groove portion 18 of the shaft 10, and the projection 13 d is attached to the shaft 10.
The shaft 10 shown in FIG. 4 (d) is provided with an insertion hole 20 that is parallel to the opposing plane of the joint member fitting portion 11 and passes through the central axis of the shaft 10, and a pin-like protrusion 13 e is formed in the insertion hole 20. The protrusion 13e is attached to the shaft 10 through insertion.
Any of the above-described protrusions can be removed from the shaft, and after the shaft is attached to the joint member, it can be removed from the shaft to facilitate the work of removing the shaft from the joint member during vehicle inspection and disassembly. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a joint member showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a coupling structure between a joint member and a shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a coupling structure between a joint member and a shaft according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the shaft of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a general structure of a steering shaft.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a connection structure between a conventional joint member and a shaft.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Joint member 2 Shaft fitting part 3 Side wall 4 Side wall 5 Bearing tongue piece 6 Bearing tongue piece 7 Bolt hole 8 Connection part 9a Through hole 9b Notch groove 10 Shaft 11 Joint member fitting part 12 Notch parts 13a-13e Projection part 14 Expansion / contraction Mechanism 15a, 15b Cap portion 16 Recess 17 Protrusion 18 Groove 19 Fastening 20 Insertion hole 51 Operation mechanism 52 Gear mechanism 53 Link mechanism 54 Front wheel 55 Steering wheel 56 Steering shaft 57 First universal joint 58 Intermediate shaft 59 Second universal joint 60 Steering column 61 Joint member 62 Notch 63 Bolt hole

Claims (4)

The shaft is fitted to a joint member that forms a part of the joint, and the shaft is connected to the joint member by a bolt.
The joint member is provided with a shaft fitting portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and provided with a bolt hole penetrating both of them in the vicinity of the open end of the opposite side wall of the shaft fitting portion,
A joint member fitting portion that is fitted to the shaft fitting portion of the joint member on the shaft, and a notch that allows a bolt to be inserted into the bolt hole at a position where the shaft is fitted to the shaft fitting portion. And providing a protrusion projecting to the opposite side of the notch formation side with respect to the central axis of the shaft in the joint member fitting portion of the shaft,
Furthermore, a through hole or a notch groove that allows the protrusion of the shaft to protrude outside the joint member is provided in a portion that connects the opposing side walls of the shaft fitting portion of the joint member,
Inserting the bolt into the bolt hole at the position where the protrusion is inserted into the through hole or notch groove and the joint member fitting portion of the shaft is fitted into the shaft fitting portion of the joint member. A coupling structure of a joint member and a shaft, wherein The shape of the notch in the cross section including the center axis of the shaft and passing through the center of the notch is formed by curved portions at both end portions in the direction of the center axis and straight portions between them. Is inserted into the through hole, and the shaft is slidable relative to the joint member in the direction of the central axis thereof at a position where the joint member fitting portion of the shaft is fitted to the shaft fitting portion of the joint member. The coupling structure of the joint member and shaft according to claim 1, wherein the length is shorter than the length of the linear portion in the central axis direction of the shaft. The shaft is fitted to a joint member that forms a part of the joint, and the shaft is connected to the joint member by a bolt.
The joint member is provided with a shaft fitting portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and provided with a bolt hole penetrating both of them in the vicinity of the open end of the opposite side wall of the shaft fitting portion,
A joint member fitting portion that is fitted to the shaft fitting portion of the joint member on the shaft, and a notch that allows a bolt to be inserted into the bolt hole at a position where the shaft is fitted to the shaft fitting portion. And providing a protrusion projecting to the opposite side of the notch formation side with respect to the central axis of the shaft in the joint member fitting portion of the shaft,
The distance from the center position of the notch portion in the axial direction of the shaft center to the protrusion is set so that the distance from the center of the bolt hole of the joint member in the length direction of the joint member to the opposite side of the shaft fitting portion of the connecting portion of the opposite side wall A coupling structure between a joint member and a shaft, which is slightly longer than the distance to the end surface of the joint. The joint structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protrusion is provided so as to be removable from the shaft.

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