JP4205714B2 - Steering shaft connection structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a type in which two shaft members are connected and fixed in a non-movable state by a caulking structure in a steering device. In particular, a large load is applied to form a caulking portion and firmly connect and fix both shaft members. The present invention relates to a steering shaft coupling structure that can be made unnecessary, can reduce costs, and can suppress backlash in the axial direction and rotational direction.

  Conventionally, in a steering shaft of a steering device, as means for connecting and fixing different shaft members in a non-movable state, they are firmly connected and fixed by fixing by welding or using a fixing tool such as a fixing pin. . Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which shaft members are connected by caulking. This is composed of two member shafts, one of the two members is a solid shaft with male serrations and the other is a hollow shaft with female serrations, and the solid shaft is inserted into the hollow shaft Thus, it can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction.

Then, using the circumferential groove formed in the circumferential direction of the solid shaft, a radially inward recessed portion is formed at the outer position of the hollow shaft corresponding to the circumferential groove portion, and then the hollow shaft and the middle shaft are formed. The solid shaft is moved relative to each other, and the depressed portion is bitten by serrations on the outer periphery of the solid shaft. This intermediate shaft connection is a tangential depression with respect to the circular outer periphery of the solid shaft, and when subjected to an impact load exceeding a predetermined value, it is shortened in the axial direction and absorbed. Is.
JP-A-9-272447

  When welding, a fixing pin, or the like is used as a connecting and fixing means for a steering shaft composed of two members, there are the following drawbacks. That is, in welding, a thermal influence due to thermal distortion or the like occurs due to the configuration of the connecting shaft. In the case of connecting and fixing as a fixing pin, processing of a fitting hole and a member such as a fixing pin are required. Furthermore, if the fitting hole and the fixing pin are not firmly fitted or if the work accuracy is poor, the play in the axial direction and the rotational direction may occur and the steering feeling may be impaired. For this reason, since the fitting hole and the fixing pin reduce the clearance between the members by high-precision processing and reduce the occurrence of backlash, the cost increases. For these reasons, it is not preferable to use a connection fixing means such as welding and fixing pins.

  Moreover, what was disclosed by the said patent document 1 can move a superposition | polymerization location in the mutually stable state by applying the load more than predetermined. This absorbs an impact applied to the steering device, and does not firmly connect and fix the shaft members in a non-movable state.

  However, in order to connect and fix the two shaft members in a non-movable state via the caulking means, the connection strength of one caulking portion is insufficient and it is extremely weak against impact in the axial direction, and the two shaft members move relative to each other. There is a risk. For this reason, a plurality of crimping portions are required. However, if the number of crimping portions increases, shaft members interfere with each other through the crimping portions during connection work, a large load is required, the manufacturing machine becomes large, and the work is extremely difficult. Difficult and eventually expensive. An object of the present invention is to enable two shaft members in a steering shaft to be connected and fixed by caulking means with a relatively small load.

  Therefore, as a result of intensive studies and researches to solve the above problems, the inventor devised the present invention from the shaft end side to the outer gear-shaped shaft portion and the outer gear-shaped shaft portion substantially in the middle and in the axial circumferential direction. A solid shaft composed of the formed groove portion and a small diameter shaft portion formed at the shaft end of the external gear-shaped shaft portion, and an internal gear-shaped portion are formed, in the axial direction of the internal gear-shaped portion and the A caulking deforming portion that protrudes inward at a first position and a second position set at an appropriate interval shorter than the axial length of the outer gear-shaped shaft portion is formed, and the first position and the second position An intermediate position corresponding to the groove portion of the outer gear-shaped shaft portion is a third position, and an intermediate caulking deformed portion is formed at the third position. The caulking deformation portions at the first and second positions of the internal gear-like portion are engaged in a pressed state, and the intermediate caulking deformation portion at the third position is As a type that connects and fixes two shaft members to each other in a non-movable state by a caulking structure, the caulking structure is formed, and both shaft members are firmly connected. The fixing can be performed without requiring a large load, the cost can be reduced, and the backlash in the axial direction and the rotational direction can be suppressed, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems.

The invention of claim 1 includes an external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 from the shaft end side, a groove portion 3 formed substantially in the middle of the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 in the axial circumferential direction, and the shaft of the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1. A solid shaft A composed of a small-diameter shaft portion 2 formed at the end and an internal gear-shaped portion 6 are formed. The axial direction length of the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 is the axial direction of the internal gear-shaped portion 6. A caulking deformation portion 7 is formed which protrudes inward at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ set at an appropriate interval shorter than the first position P _1, and between the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ . intermediate at a position corresponding to the groove 3 positions of the outer toothed shaft portion 1 and the third position P _3, consists of a hollow shaft B intermediate caulking deformable portion 8 in the third position P ₃ is formed in the abovementioned The caulking deformed portion 7 at the first and second positions P ₁ and P ₂ of the inner gear-shaped portion 6 is engaged with the outer gear-shaped shaft portion 1 of the real shaft A in a pressed state, and is intermediate between the third positions P ₃ . Caulking By adopting a steering shaft coupling structure in which the deformable portion 8 is engaged with the groove portion 3, firstly, in the steering device, when both shaft members are firmly coupled and fixed, a large load is not required, Costs can be reduced, and effects such as axial and rotational play can be suppressed.

The above effect will be described in detail. Since the caulking deformation portions 7 formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ of the hollow shaft B are provided, a stable connection can be achieved along the axial direction. . Furthermore, the circumferential fixing can be strengthened by the meshing of the outer gear-shaped shaft portion 1 and the inner gear-shaped portion 6. In addition, since the steering shaft is connected, backlash in the rotational direction is suppressed and the steering feeling is not impaired.

In the first and second positions P ₁ and P ₂ , if a plurality of caulking deformation portions 7 are formed at equal intervals along the respective circumferential directions, the outer gear-like shaft portion 1 of the solid shaft A is In addition to the two axial directions, the two caulking deformed portions 7, 7,... Are bitten in two circumferential directions, and the strength of the connection and fixation can be increased.

  Thus, in the first aspect of the invention, the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B can be connected and fixed more firmly.

In detail, the hollow shaft B includes the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ in addition to the crimping deformation portions 7 formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ . A third position P ₃ is set in between, and an intermediate caulking deformed portion 8 is formed at the third position P _3, and the hollow shaft B protrudes inward from the intermediate caulking deformed portion 8 so that the solid shaft A Since it is made to engage with the groove portion 3, a strong connected and fixed state can be obtained. The structure in which the intermediate caulking deformed portion 8 of the hollow shaft B is engaged with the groove portion 3 of the solid shaft A is an uneven type fitting state, so that it is compared with the pressing state by the caulking deforming portion 7 alone. Thus, a higher retaining structure can be achieved.

A second aspect of the present invention, according to claim 1, wherein the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ a plurality of crimping deformation portions 7 in the axial peripheral direction on, ... are formed, the third position P ₃ A plurality of intermediate caulking deformation portions 8 are formed along the axial circumferential direction, and the intermediate caulking deformation portion 8 at the third position P ₃ is formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P _2. By connecting the steering shaft to the deformed portion 7 at a position displaced from each other, the connection and fixing state of the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B is stabilized, and the caulking is fixed to the hollow shaft B. There is also an advantage that the deformation portion 7 and the intermediate crimp deformation portion 8 are appropriately dispersed positions, so that distortion at the time of caulking molding can be prevented from concentrating on a certain location.

More specifically the above effect, after evenly provided in the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ of the caulking deformation portions 7, ... a plurality of locations in Jikushu direction (e.g., three), the third position intermediate caulking deformation portions 8 of P _3, ... a plurality of locations (e.g., three) along the Jikushu direction that equally provided, in the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ axial circumferential direction The intermediate caulking deformed portions 8, 8,... Are located in a portion that is not caulked deformed between the adjacent caulking deformed portions 7, 7, that is, an uncaulked portion. As a result, the caulking deformation part 7 and the intermediate caulking deformation part 8 exist at a distance from each other in the axial direction and the axial circumferential direction, so that distortion due to caulking molding does not reach each other, and the strength of the hollow shaft B Will not deteriorate. Moreover, the hollow shaft B on which the crimping deformation portion 7 and the intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 are formed can be provided with a large number of crimping locations in the circumferential direction of the shaft, even if the shaft diameter is not large. Miniaturization can be realized, and the connection structure can be stabilized without impairing the strength of connection fixing by caulking.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, the steering shaft is a member that constitutes the steering device, and is composed of a solid shaft A and a hollow shaft B. As shown in FIG. 2A, the solid shaft A has an external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 and a small-diameter shaft portion 2 formed in the axial direction from the shaft end portion. The outer gear-shaped shaft portion 1 has a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction formed in a substantially gear shape, and is specifically a serration or a spline. In the external gear shaft 1, grooves 3 are formed in the axial circumferential direction at appropriate positions along the axial direction. Further, the solid shaft A is formed with a flange portion 4 and can be connected to other members constituting the steering device [see FIG. 1 (B), FIG. 4 etc.].

  The hollow shaft B has an internal gear-like portion 6 formed on the inner peripheral side of a tubular shaft body 5. The internal gear-shaped portion 6 is configured to mesh with the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 of the solid shaft A, and can transmit the rotational direction between the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B to each other. The cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the internal gear-shaped portion 6 is an internal gear shape, and specifically, it is a serration or a spline as with the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1.

Its hollow shaft B, the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ is set along the shaft end in the axial direction, in its first position P ₁ and the second position P _2, FIG. 2 (A), the As shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. Actually, the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ are places where caulking deforming portions 7 for firm fixation are formed during the connecting and fixing operation with the solid shaft A [FIG. (See (B)) Before the assembly for connecting and fixing, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), the crimping deformation portion 7 is not formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ . The solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B are connected and fixed in the axial direction, the other end side of the solid shaft A is connected to the handle side shaft via a joint, and the hollow shaft B is connected in the axial direction. The other end side is connected to the steering mechanism side of the front wheel.

Next, a process of assembling and fixing the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B will be described. First, the outer gear-shaped shaft portion 1 and the small-diameter shaft portion 2 of the solid shaft A are inserted on the inner peripheral side of the hollow shaft B. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the thin shaft portion 2 of the solid shaft A is inserted deeply into the shaft end portion of the hollow shaft B. Here, the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ are set to the hollow shaft B in the hollow shaft B. The first position P ₁ is set on the shaft end side, and the second position P ₂ is set on the back side in the axial direction with respect to the first position P ₁ .

The first position P ₁ of the hollow shaft B corresponds to the position of the small-diameter shaft portion 2 of the solid shaft A, and the second position P ₂ corresponds to the position of the groove portion 3. In this state, caulking deformation portions 7 are formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ of the hollow shaft B, respectively. A plurality of the crimping deformation portions 7 are formed at equal intervals in the respective circumferential directions of the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ of the hollow shaft B. Specifically, it is preferable that three places are formed at equal intervals [see FIG. 3A], but two places may be formed [see FIG. 3B], and only one place is formed. It may be formed (see FIG. 3C).

The caulking deformation portion 7 is formed so as to protrude toward the inner peripheral side of the hollow shaft B (see FIG. 2C). Then, the hollow shaft B is moved in a direction away from the solid shaft A. Here, the caulking deformed portion 7 formed at the second position P ₂ moves from the position of the groove portion 3 to the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1, and the caulking deformed portion 7 keeps the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 as it is. Toward the shaft end of the external gear shaft 1 [see FIG. 4C].

On the other hand, the caulking deformed portion 7 formed at the first position P ₁ moves along the axial direction of the thin shaft portion 2, and when the caulking deformed portion 7 formed at the second position P ₂ reaches the shaft end. At the same time, it moves from the small diameter shaft portion 2 to the external gear shaft portion 1. Then, the caulking deformed portions 7 formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ respectively contact the external gear shaft 1 in a strong pressure state so as to bite at an appropriate interval in the axial direction. Then, the connecting and fixing operation of the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B is completed (see FIG. 4D).

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a process in which the caulking deformed portion 7 formed on the solid shaft A is connected so as to bite into the external gear shaft portion 1 of the solid shaft A. FIG. When moving with respect to the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 of the caulking deformation portion 7, the caulking deformation portion 7 gradually bites into the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 with respect to the axial radial direction of the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1. It can be transformed into a stable tightening state.

Further, even if the caulking deformation portion 7 is provided at two locations of the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ , the caulking deformation portion 7 that bites into the external gear shaft 1 is formed at the second position P ₂ . It is from the crimping deformation | transformation part 7 formed, ie, the crimping deformation | transformation part 7 formed in the position corresponding to the groove part 3 of the external gear-shaped shaft part 1 (refer FIG. 5 (A)). The caulking deformation portion 7 formed at the first position P ₁ is moved from the small-diameter shaft portion 2 to the external gear when the caulking deformation portion 7 at the second position P ₂ is stable in the ironing state with respect to the external gear shaft portion 1. 5 enters the outer shaft 1 and bites the outer gear shaft 1 to complete the biting of the caulking deformed portion 7 at the first position P ₁ and the second position P _{2 on} the outer gear shaft 1 [FIG. B) and (C)].

The caulking deformed portion 7 at the first position P ₁ formed on the small shaft portion 2 side of the solid shaft A is in the axial radial direction of the caulking deformed portion 7 that bites into the outer gear shaft 1 first. The direction of caulking of the outer gear-shaped shaft portion 1 is improved while the staking state of the direction is stabilized and the movement of the caulking deformation portion 7 at the second position P ₂ with respect to the outer gear-shaped shaft portion 1 is guided. It can be ensured, and the biting state of the caulking deformation part 7 can be made stable and strong. The thin shaft portion 2 of the solid shaft A not only forms the caulking deformed portion 7 of the hollow shaft B, but also serves as a fuse portion of the steering shaft. It is possible to prevent the radial shaft portion 2 from being broken, interrupting the impact energy, and transmitting the primary impact to the driver.

By providing the hollow shaft B with the caulking deformation portion 7 at an appropriate distance in the axial direction at two locations, the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ , the strength against the bending force at the connecting portion is increased. Can be secured. Further, at the time of working, the two caulking deforming portions 7 do not bite and move the solid shaft A to the external gear shaft portion 1 at the same time, so that the hollow shaft B is pulled away from the solid shaft A. Even when moved and connected and fixed, it is possible to avoid chamfering due to a large load and to prevent excessive deformation of the workpiece due to the heavy load.

FIG. 6 is a type in which the groove portion 3 is not formed in the external gear-like shaft portion 1 of the solid shaft A, and shows a connecting step. In this case, the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ are set at two places on the small-diameter shaft portion, and the crimping deformation portion 7 is formed (see FIG. 6B). Then, the hollow shaft B is pulled out from the solid shaft A in the same manner as described above, and the caulking deformed portion 7 is bitten on the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 (see FIGS. 6C and 6D).

Next, a second embodiment of the steering shaft coupling structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as described above, in the previous embodiment, the caulking deformed portions 7 at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ are the outer gear-like shaft portion 1 of the solid shaft A and the inner gear-like shape of the hollow shaft B. The caulking deformation part 7 projecting inward of the hollow shaft B and the external gear shaft part 1 are engaged with each other in a pressed state by relative movement of the part 6 in the axial direction.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 10, etc., in addition to the caulking deformed portions 7, 7,... Respectively formed and provided at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ respectively, The caulking deformation portion 7 is provided at the set third position P ₃ . The third position P ₃ is set to a predetermined position between the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ set on the hollow shaft B.

Specifically, the outer gear-like shaft portion 1 and the small-diameter shaft portion 2 of the solid shaft A are inserted on the inner peripheral side of the hollow shaft B, and the first position P ₁ and the second position are respectively inserted into the hollow shaft B. The position P ₂ is set, and the crimp deformation portions 7 are formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ , respectively. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the third position P ₃ is between the first position P ₁ and the second position P _{2 in} the crimping deformed portions 7 and 7 in the axial direction, and is hollow. A position corresponding to the axial circumferential groove 3 in the middle of the external gear-like shaft 1 of the solid shaft A connected in a fixed state with the shaft B is a third position P ₃ .

An intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 is also formed at the third position P ₃ . The intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 has substantially the same shape as the crimping deformation portion 7 formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ . The intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 formed at the third position P ₃ is in a state of being engaged with the groove portion 3 of the hollow shaft B as shown in FIGS. 9 (A) and 9 (B). In addition, normally, as shown in FIG. 9C, a plurality of the intermediate crimping deformation portions 8 are formed along the axial direction of the hollow shaft B.

When a plurality of intermediate crimping deformation portions 8, 8,... Are formed in this way, it is preferable that they are formed at equal intervals in the axial circumferential direction, but it is not always necessary to have equal intervals. Further, if necessary, only two intermediate crimping deformation portions 8 may be formed in the axial circumferential direction (see FIG. 9D). Further, only one intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 may be formed in the axial circumferential direction (see FIG. 9E). Further, the state in which the intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 formed at the third position P ₃ is engaged with the groove portion 3 is such that the groove portion 3 and the intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 are at least one as shown in FIG. Further, the intermediate crimping deformed portion 8 may be engaged with the groove portion 3 and a pressing state may be applied. Moreover, although the intermediate crimping deformation | transformation part 8 enters into the groove part 3, the intermediate crimping deformation part 8 and the bottom of the groove part 3 may be in a non-contact state.

Further, when a plurality of intermediate crimping deformation portions 8 are formed along the axial direction of the hollow shaft B, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ It is preferable that the crimping deformation portion 7 is appropriately deviated from the position in the axial circumferential direction. That is, the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ in the crimping deformation portions 7, ... may have been formed at regular intervals along the axial circumferential direction, the axial peripheral direction of the third position P ₃ The intermediate caulking deformation portions 8, 8,... Formed along the axial direction are formed so as to be positioned between the caulking deformation portions 7, 7 adjacent to each other in the axial circumferential direction.

For example, the a first and second position P ₂ a reference, if a plurality of crimping deformation portions 7 along the axial circumferential direction, ... are formed at equal intervals in three places, Jikushu direction respectively The caulking deformation portions 7 and 7 adjacent to each other are 120 degrees with respect to the diametrical center of the hollow shaft B [FIG. 10B shows X at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ . ₂ -X ₂ arrow sectional view]. When the intermediate caulking deformation portion 8 formed in the axial peripheral direction of the third position P ₃ is formed by setting so that the intermediate position of the crimping deformation portions 7 adjacent to the axis circumferential direction, The angle in the axial circumferential direction between the crimping deformation portion 7 and the intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 is formed at a position shifted by approximately 60 degrees (see FIG. 10C).

Of course, as described above, the caulking deformation portion 7 and the intermediate caulking deformation portion 8 are not limited to be shifted by approximately 60 degrees in the axial circumferential direction, and may be set at an appropriate angle. In addition, it is preferable that the caulking deformation portion 7 at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ and the intermediate caulking deformation portion 8 at the third position P ₃ are shifted in the axial circumferential direction. Instead, the caulking deformation portion 7 and the intermediate caulking deformation portion 8 may be formed at the same position along the axial direction. Due to the engagement between the intermediate caulking deformed portion 8 at the third position P ₃ of the hollow shaft B and the groove portion 3 of the solid shaft A, the coupling and fixing is stronger than the connecting and fixing state in which only the caulking deformed portion 7 is engaged. Can be obtained.

Next, an assembling method of the second embodiment of the present invention, that is, an assembling process of connecting and fixing the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B will be described. This process is almost the same as the previous embodiment, but differs in the final stage. First, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the outer gear-like shaft portion 1 and the small-diameter shaft portion 2 of the solid shaft A are inserted deeply into the inner peripheral side of the hollow shaft B so that the hollow shaft A first position P ₁ and a second position P ₂ are set on the shaft B as the hollow shaft B. At this time, the first position P ₁ is set on the axial end side, and the second position P ₂ is set on the far side in the axial direction from the first position P ₁ .

As shown in FIG. 11C, the first position P ₁ of the hollow shaft B corresponds to the position of the small-diameter shaft portion 2 of the solid shaft A, and the second position P ₂ corresponds to the groove portion 3. Correspond to the position of. In this state, caulking deformation portions 7 are formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ of the hollow shaft B, respectively. A plurality of the crimping deformation portions 7 are formed at equal intervals in the respective circumferential directions of the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ of the hollow shaft B.

The caulking deformation portion 7 is formed so as to protrude toward the inner peripheral side of the hollow shaft B, and moves the hollow shaft B in a direction away from the solid shaft A. Here, as shown in FIG. 11 (D), the caulking deformed portion 7 formed at the second position P ₂ moves from the position of the groove portion 3 to the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1, and the caulking deforming portion 7 is moved as it is. The external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 is moved toward the shaft end side of the external gear-shaped shaft portion 1 so as to be squeezed.

On the other hand, the caulking deformed portion 7 formed at the first position P ₁ moves along the axial direction of the thin shaft portion 2, and when the caulking deformed portion 7 formed at the second position P ₂ reaches the shaft end. At the same time, it moves from the small-diameter shaft portion 2 to the external gear shaft portion 1 and the crimping deformation portions 7 formed at the first position P ₁ and the second position P ₂ respectively move the external gear shaft portion 1 in the axial direction. At an appropriate interval, they come into contact with each other in a strong pressure state (see FIG. 11D). Next, when the intermediate caulking deformed portion 8 is formed at the third position P ₃ of the hollow shaft B, the intermediate caulking deformed portion 8 engages in a state of entering the groove portion 3 of the solid shaft A [FIG. (See (E)). Thereby, the coupling and fixing of the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B are completed.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part showing steps in the second embodiment. In FIGS. 12A to 12C, the hollow shaft B is caulked to the first position P ₁ and the second position P _2. In a state where the portion 7 is formed, the solid shaft A and the hollow shaft B are set at predetermined positions, and in this state, the intermediate crimping deformed portion 8 is formed at the third position P ₃ in FIG. Thus, the intermediate crimping deformation portion 8 is in a state of biting into the groove portion 3.

(A) is the side view which shows the whole steering shaft of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (B) is the principal part enlarged view which made the partial cross section of (A). (A) is the principal part perspective view of the solid shaft and hollow shaft of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (B) is a perspective view of the connection state of a solid shaft and a hollow shaft, (C) is caulking deformation of a hollow shaft It is an expansion perspective view of a portion. (A) is principal part sectional drawing which shows the type which made the number of the crimping deformation parts of 1st Embodiment of this invention the number 3 in the circumferential direction, (B) made the number of the crimping deformation parts 2 in the circumferential direction. FIG. 4C is a main part sectional view showing a type in which the number of crimping deformation parts is one in the circumferential direction. (A) is a state diagram in which the solid shaft of the first embodiment of the present invention is to be inserted into the hollow shaft, (B) is a state diagram in which the solid shaft is inserted into the hollow shaft, and (C) is a state diagram of the hollow shaft. The state figure which formed the crimp deformation | transformation part in 1st position and 2nd position, (D) is the state figure which the connection fixation was completed. (A) The expanded state figure before the caulking deformation part of 1st Embodiment of this invention bites into an external gear-like axial part, (B) is the expanded state where the caulking deformation part began to bite into an external gear-like axial part FIG. 4C is an enlarged state diagram in which the connection and fixing are completed. (A), (B), (C), (D) is a process diagram of a type in which no groove is formed in the external gear shaft portion of the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a principal part perspective view of the solid shaft and hollow shaft in 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (B) is a perspective view of the connection state of the solid shaft and hollow shaft in 2nd Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional perspective view of the caulking deformation part and middle caulking deformation part part of a hollow shaft in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of a portion of the intermediate caulking deformed portion of the hollow shaft in the second embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow X ₁ -X _{1 in} (A), and (C) is an intermediate A longitudinal front view in which three caulking deformation portions are formed in the axial circumferential direction, (D) is a longitudinal front view in which two intermediate caulking deformation portions are formed in the axial circumferential direction, and (E) is an intermediate caulking deformation portion in the axial circumferential direction. It is the vertical front view formed in one place. (A) is the principal part side view which shows the state which shifted the position in the axial direction in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the crimping deformation part and the intermediate crimping deformation part were formed, (B) is the 1st of (A). 1 position, X ₂ -X ₂ cross-sectional view taken in the two positions of the second position, an X ₃ -X ₃ cross-sectional view along a line (C) is (a). (A) is a state diagram in which the solid shaft is to be inserted into the hollow shaft in the second embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a state diagram in which the solid shaft is inserted into the hollow shaft, and (C) is a state diagram of the hollow shaft. A state diagram in which crimping deformation portions are formed at the first position and the second position, (D) is a state diagram in which the solid shaft and the hollow shaft are set at predetermined positions, and (E) is an intermediate crimping deformation portion in the third position. It is a state diagram in which the connection and fixing is completed. (A) is the expanded state figure before a caulking deformation | transformation part bites into an external gear-shaped axial part in 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (B) is an caulking deformation | transformation part in an external gear-like axis | shaft in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The enlarged state diagram which started to bite into the part, (C) is an enlarged view showing that the caulking deformation part has finished biting into the first position and the second position of the external gear shaft part in the second embodiment of the present invention. State diagram (D) is an enlarged state diagram showing that the intermediate caulking deformed portion bites into the third position.

Explanation of symbols

A ... Solid shaft B ... hollow shaft 1 ... external gear shaped shank 2 ... small diameter shaft portion 6 ... internal gear shaped portion 7 ... caulking deformation portion 8 ... intermediate caulking deformation portion P ₁ ... the first position P ₂ ... second Position P ₃ ... Third position

Claims (2)

  An external gear-shaped shaft portion from the shaft end side, a groove portion formed substantially in the middle of the external gear-shaped shaft portion and in the axial circumferential direction, and a small-diameter shaft portion formed at the shaft end of the external gear-shaped shaft portion A solid shaft and an internal gear-shaped portion are formed, and the first position and the first position are set at an appropriate interval in the axial direction of the internal gear-shaped portion and shorter than the axial length of the external gear-shaped shaft portion. A caulking deformation portion protruding inward at two positions is formed, and a position corresponding to the groove portion of the outer gear shaft portion between the first position and the second position is defined as a third position. A hollow shaft formed with an intermediate caulking deformed portion, and the caulking deformed portions at the first and second positions of the inner gear-shaped portion are engaged with the outer gear-shaped shaft portion of the solid shaft in a pressed state, A connecting structure for a steering shaft, wherein the intermediate caulking deforming portion at the third position is engaged with the groove portion.   In Claim 1, a plurality of caulking deformation portions are formed in the axial direction in the first position and the second position, and a plurality of intermediate caulking deformation portions are formed in the third position along the axial direction. In addition, the steering shaft coupling structure is characterized in that the intermediate caulking deformation portion at the third position is shifted from the caulking deformation portion formed at the first position and the second position.

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