JPH0678630U - Joint between shaft and universal joint yoke - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The tip of the shaft 10 is connected to the base 1 of the yoke 15.
After insertion into 7, the tip is prevented from slipping out of the base 17. [Structure] With a locking cylinder 24 fitted onto the tip of a shaft 10, the tip is inserted into a base end 17 of a yoke 15. When the insertion is completed, the locking projections 26, 26 formed on the locking cylinder 24 are engaged with the locking recesses 23, 23 formed on the base end 17 side.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The connecting portion between the shaft and the yoke of the universal joint according to the present invention is used for connecting the yoke of the universal joint, the lower end portion of the steering shaft, and the input shaft of the steering ring gear in, for example, a steering device.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In a steering system that gives a steering angle to the front wheels of a vehicle, the movement of the steering shaft that rotates with the operation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the input shaft of the steering gear via a cross joint. To do. When assembling such a steering device, usually, after the steering shaft and the steering gear are supported and fixed to the vehicle body, the steering shaft and the input shaft of the steering gear (hereinafter, simply referred to as "shaft") are universal joints. Bind by.

Therefore, it is preferable that the yoke of the universal joint that constitutes the steering device be of a so-called side-mounting type that enables connection work without moving the shaft. The horizontal insertion type yoke has a base end that is U-shaped in cross section and is open to the side. After inserting the end of the shaft inside the base, the side opening is opened by bolts and nuts. Suppress. In the case of such a horizontal insertion type yoke, the connection work can be performed without moving the shaft, but in order to facilitate the connection work, the shaft inserted in the base end should be the bolt and nut mentioned above. Before tightening with, it is necessary to attach a mechanism to prevent it from coming out of the base end. Such a retaining mechanism is necessary in order to prevent the shaft from coming out of the base end even if the bolt is cut off after the base end is connected to the shaft.

As such a shaft retaining mechanism, for example, US Pat. No. 5,090,833 discloses a structure as shown in FIGS. The base end portion 1 of the yoke that constitutes the universal joint is U-shaped in cross section and is open at the side (downward in FIGS. 11 to 12). The end portion of the shaft 2 coupled to the base end portion 1 has an outer peripheral surface shape that can be non-rotatably fitted inside the base end portion 1.

A circular hole 4 having a size large enough to allow the tightening bolt 3 to be inserted, and a circular hole 4 which is larger than the circular hole 4 near the openings on both side portions of the base end portion 1 and aligned with each other. The circular holes 5 having a sufficiently large diameter are formed concentrically with each other. Then, the cylinder tube 6 is fixed to the outer end opening portion of the circular hole 5 therein. A locking piece 7 is provided on the inside of the cylinder tube 6, and the locking piece 7 is pressed by a compression spring 8 in a direction protruding from the inner side surface of the base end portion 1. Further, a screw hole 9 for screwing the tip end portion of the bolt 3 is formed in the bottom portion of the cylinder cylinder 6.

When the shaft 2 and the base end portion 1 are coupled, as shown in FIG. 11, the end portion of the shaft 2 is inserted into the base end portion 1 through the side opening of the base end portion 1. . At this time, the locking piece 7 retracts into the cylinder tube 6 against the elastic force of the compression spring 8 and allows the shaft 2 to pass. After the passage, as shown in FIG. 12, the tip end of the locking piece 7 projects from the inner side surface of the base end portion 1 based on the elasticity of the compression spring 8, and the end portion of the shaft 2 extends from the base end portion 1. Prevent it from falling off. Therefore, as shown in the figure, if the bolt 3 is screwed into the screw hole 9 and further tightened, the base end portion 1 and the shaft 2 are joined together without rattling.

[0007]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in the case of the shaft retaining mechanism configured and operating as described above, not only the structure is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high, but also because the cylinder cylinder 6 is installed, the universal joint becomes large and interference with other parts occurs. The degree of freedom in design will be reduced, for example, due to the need to consider to avoid

In addition to this, as a mechanism for preventing the shaft from coming off, those described in US Pat. No. 4,900,178 and No. 4,927,174 are known, but a spring having a complicated shape is used. Assembling work is troublesome (US Pat. No. 4,900,178 specification), and it is not possible to prevent the slip-out by one action (US Pat. No. 4,927,174 specification).

The joint between the shaft and the yoke of the universal joint according to the present invention is designed to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The joint between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint includes a shaft that rotates during use, a pair of outer flat surfaces that are parallel to each other and that are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the shaft, and have a U-shaped cross section. A yoke that has a base end portion that is open on one side and that constitutes a universal joint; a pair of inner planes that are formed inside the base end portion and that are parallel to each other; and a part of at least one of the inner plane surfaces. A formed locking recess or locking hole, and a locking cylinder that is formed into a shape that is substantially in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion by bending the spring plate material and is externally fitted and supported by the tip portion; A part of the locking cylinder is provided with a locking projection formed on a portion that covers the outer flat surface. Then, by inserting the distal end portion of the shaft fitted with the locking cylinder into the base end portion from the side opening with the outer plane and the inner plane facing each other, the locking projection and the engagement piece are inserted. It is to be engaged with the stop recess or the locking hole.

[0011]

[Action]

 According to the joint portion between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint configured as described above, the tip of the shaft from the base end portion of the yoke can be obtained without troublesome work despite the simple structure. You can reliably prevent the parts from coming off.

That is, when the tip end portion of the shaft is fitted with the locking tube and the tip end portion is inserted into the base end portion of the yoke, the locking projection formed on the locking tube and the base end portion The engaging concave portion or the engaging hole formed in the portion is engaged with each other, so that the tip portion does not come out from the base end portion.

[0013]

【Example】

 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention. The tip of the shaft 10 that rotates during use is formed as shown in FIGS. That is, by making the cross-sectional shape of the tip portion oval, a pair of outer flat surfaces 11, 11 parallel to each other are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion. Further, a part of the arcuate surfaces 12, 12 connecting the outer flat surfaces 11, 11 with each other is within the length dimension of the locking cylinder 24 described later, and is equal to the thickness of the spring plate material forming the locking cylinder 24. Only the concave portion is used as the fitting portion 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 10 has a hollow tubular shape for weight reduction.

The yoke 15 forming the universal joint is formed as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7 by subjecting a steel material to forging. That is, the tip portion 16 of the yoke 15 is formed in a bifurcated shape, and the base end portion 17 is formed in a U-shaped cross section. Further, a pair of circular holes 18, 18 which are concentric with each other are formed in the tip portion 16 in this. Inside the circular holes 18, 18, the end of a cross shaft (not shown) is pivotally supported via needle bearings.

On the other hand, the base end portion 17 is opened laterally, and a pair of inner flat surfaces 19 and 19 parallel to each other are formed inside. The distance D between the inner flat surfaces 19 and 19 is slightly larger than the distance d between the outer flat surfaces 11 and 11 (D> d). Further, projecting portions 20a and 20b are formed on both edge portions of the opening of the base end portion 17, respectively. A circular hole 21 for inserting a bolt (not shown) is formed in one of the protrusions 20a (left of FIGS. 1 and 7, upper of FIG. 6), and the other (right of FIGS. 1, 7 and lower of FIG. 6). The screw holes 22 for screwing the front end portions of the bolts are formed in the projecting portions 20b). Further, locking recesses 23, 23 are formed at the rear end portions of the both inner flat surfaces 19, 19, respectively.

Further, a locking cylinder 24 as shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 9, and 10 is externally fitted to the fitting portion 14 formed at the tip of the shaft 10. The locking cylinder 24 is formed by bending a spring plate material such as a stainless steel plate into a cylindrical shape having a slit 25 in a part thereof so that it can be brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 14. Further, the length dimension l of the locking tube 24 is equal to or slightly smaller than the length dimension L of the fitting portion 14 (l≤L), and the locking tube 24 is fitted into the fitting portion 14. It can be freely fitted inside 14. Further, the thickness t of the spring plate material is equal to or slightly smaller than half the difference between the distance D between the inner flat surfaces 19 and 19 and the distance d between the outer flat surfaces 11 and 11. t ≦ (D−d) / 2), and the distal end portion of the shaft 10 can be inserted into the base end portion 17 while the locking cylinder 24 is externally fitted.

Further, a louver-shaped locking protrusion is provided on a part of the locking cylinder 24, which covers the outer flat surfaces 11 in a state where the locking cylinder 24 is fitted onto the fitting portion 14. The pieces 26, 26 are formed. Each of the locking projections 26, 26 is formed by bending up the inside of a U-shaped cut open on the slit 25 side.

When the shaft 10 and the yoke 15 are coupled to each other, the locking cylinder 24 is fitted and held in the fitting portion 14 formed at the tip of the shaft 10. Then, the locking cylinder 24 and the tip of the shaft 10 are inserted into the base end 17 of the yoke 15 from the side opposite to the slit 25 from the side opening of the base end 17. At this time, the positional relationship between the shaft 10 and the yoke 15 is adjusted in the direction in which the outer flat surfaces 11, 11 and the inner flat surfaces 19, 19 face each other.

With such insertion work, the locking projections 26, 26 are elastically crushed and pushed into the inner flat surfaces 19, 19 as far as they will go. When the locking projections 26, 26 and the locking recesses 23, 23 face each other, the locking projections 26, 26 elastically restore, and the locking projections 26, 26 engage with each other. It enters into the stop recesses 23, 23. In this state, the front end edges of the locking projections 26, 26 and the end edges of the locking recesses 23, 23 are engaged with each other, and the locking cylinder 24 and the shaft 10 on which the locking cylinder 24 is fitted. Block the movement toward the side opening.

Therefore, in this state, a bolt is inserted into the circular hole 21, the tip of the bolt and the screw hole 22 are screwed together, and further tightened, the shaft 10 and the yoke 15 are connected. Can be fixed. In the illustrated embodiment, a recess 27 is formed in a part of the arc surface 12 on one side (downward in FIG. 3) at the tip of the shaft 10 and is cut at both end portions of the locking cylinder 24. The notches 28, 28 are formed to prevent interference between the tip portion of the shaft 10 and the locking cylinder 24 and the bolt.

According to the connecting portion between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint constructed and assembled as described above, the base end of the yoke 15 can be used without any troublesome work despite the simple structure. It is possible to reliably prevent the tip portion of the shaft 10 from coming off from the portion 17. The locking projections 26, 26 formed on the locking cylinder 24 are not limited to the louver shape as shown in the drawing, but may be hemispherical projections, for example. Also, it is not always necessary to provide two sets of the locking projections and the locking recesses, and it is sufficient to provide at least one set. Further, instead of the locking recess, a locking hole may be formed in the base end portion 17 of the yoke 15, and the locking hole and the locking projection piece may be engaged with each other.

[0022]

[Effect of device]

 The joint between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint is constructed and operates as described above, but despite the simple construction, it does not require any troublesome work and can be easily connected from the base end of the yoke. Since the tip of the shaft can be reliably prevented from coming off, a structure with good assembly efficiency can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a tip portion of a shaft.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the yoke.

FIG. 6 is a view seen from below in FIG. 5;

7 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the locking cylinder.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shaft tip portion and a locking cylinder.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional structure in a state where the shaft is being assembled.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similarly showing a state after completion of assembly.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Base End 2 Shaft 3 Bolt 4, 5 Circular Hole 6 Cylinder Cylinder 7 Locking Piece 8 Compression Spring 9 Screw Hole 10 Shaft 11 Outer Plane 12 Arc Surface 14 Fitting Part 15 Yoke 16 Tip 17 Base End 18 Circular Hole 19 inner planes 20a, 20b protrusions 21 circular holes 22 screw holes 23 locking recesses 24 locking cylinders 25 slits 26 locking projections 27 recesses 28 notches

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A shaft that rotates during use, a pair of outer flat surfaces that are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the shaft and are parallel to each other, and a proximal end portion that is U-shaped in cross section and that is open to the side, A yoke forming a universal joint, a pair of parallel inner planes formed inside the base end portion, and a locking recess or a locking hole formed in at least a part of the one inner plane; By forming the spring plate material into a shape that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion, and a locking cylinder externally fitted and supported by the tip portion, and a part of this locking cylinder, the outer flat surface A locking projection formed on a covering portion, and a front end of the shaft fitted with the locking cylinder is inserted into the base end from a side opening thereof in a state where an outer plane and an inner plane are opposed to each other. By engaging the locking projection with the locking recess or the locking hole. The joint between the shaft and the yoke of the universal joint.