JPH08326767A - Combining part of shaft with yoke of universal joint - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily execute a combining work of a yoke with a shaft by simple constitution. CONSTITUTION: A clip 29 mounted on a yoke 3 allows to insert the end part of a shaft 7 into the yoke 3, but prevents the shaft from slipping out. When a tap bolt 15 is tightly fastened in order to press the shaft 7 between a pair of presser plate parts 9a, 9b constituting the yoke 3, a part of the clip 29 presses the shaft 7 toward the inner part of the yoke 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The joint portion between the shaft and the yoke of the universal joint according to the present invention, for example, in a steering device, couples the end portions of various shafts constituting the steering device with the yoke of the universal joint. To use for.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a steering apparatus for imparting a steering angle to a front wheel of an automobile, the movement of a steering shaft that rotates with the operation of the steering wheel is passed through a cross shaft type universal joint 1 as shown in FIG. And transmits it to the input shaft of the steering gear. The universal joint 1 is formed by connecting a pair of yokes 2 and 3 via a cross shaft 4.
The four end portions provided on the cross shaft 4 are swingably supported at the tip portions of the yokes 2 and 3 via needle bearings provided in the bearing cups 5 and 5, respectively. . Therefore, even if the centers of the two yokes 2 and 3 are not on the same straight line, the rotational force can be transmitted between the two yokes 2 and 3.

When a steering device is assembled using such a universal joint 1, for example, one side (right side of FIG. 24)
The yoke 2 is fixed to the end of one shaft 6 such as the steering shaft in advance by welding, screwing or the like, and the other (left in FIG. 24) yoke 3 is connected to the end of the other shaft 7. To do. In order to perform such an assembling work, normally, after supporting the one shaft 6 on the vehicle body,
The shaft 6 and the other shaft 7 are connected by the universal joint 1.

Therefore, among the yokes 2 and 3 of the universal joint 1 that constitutes the steering device, at least the other yoke 3 is a so-called side-mounting type in which connection work can be performed without moving the shaft 6 in the axial direction. Is preferred. For example, in the case of the universal joint 1 shown in FIG. 24, one yoke 2 is welded and fixed to the end portion of one shaft 6, but the other yoke 3 has a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. It has a base end portion 8 and is of a horizontal insertion type.

The base end portion 8 of the horizontal insertion type yoke 3 is 1
It is configured to include a pair of restraining plate portions 9a and 9b. These restraining plate portions 9a and 9b which are arranged apart from each other have their inner surfaces formed as restraining surfaces 10 and 10 which are parallel to each other. Then, the nut 11 is internally fitted and fixed to the opening side end of the one (left side in FIG. 25) holding plate 9a.
2 is provided. Further, through holes 13 concentric with the screw hole 12 and having a larger diameter than the screw hole 12 are formed at the opening side end of the other restraining plate portion 9b. The screw hole 12
May be formed directly on the restraining plate portion 9a, as in a structural example described later.

On the other hand, in the yoke 3 constructed as described above,
The shaft 7 to which the tip portion is coupled has at least the cross-sectional shape of the tip portion in an oval shape as shown in FIG.
That is, a pair of outer flat surfaces 14, 14 which are parallel to each other are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the shaft 7, and the outer flat surfaces 14, 14 and the restraining surfaces 10, 10 are brought into close contact with each other at the time of connection. The rotation of the shaft 7 with respect to the yoke 3 is prevented.

When the end portion of the shaft 7 having the above-mentioned shape is connected and fixed to the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3 as described above, first, as shown by a solid line in FIG. The end portion is arranged on the opening side of the base end portion 8. Then, from this state, for example, by rotating the yoke 3 about the cross shaft 4, the yoke 3 is swung clockwise from the solid line state to the chain line state in FIG. The end of the shaft 7 is inserted into the base end 8 of the yoke 3.
The end of the shaft 7 may be inserted into the base end 8 of the yoke 3 by moving the end of the shaft 7 without moving the yoke 3. In any case, before inserting the end portion of the shaft 7 into the base end portion 8, the retaining bolt 15 (see FIG. 27, etc. described later) is not inserted into the through hole 13.

If the end portion of the shaft 7 is inserted into the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3 as described above and the restraining surfaces 10 and 10 and the outer flat surfaces 14 and 14 (FIGS. 25 to 26) face each other. For example, the male screw portion formed at the tip of the holding bolt 15 inserted into the through hole 13 is screwed into the screw hole 12 and further tightened. Based on this tightening, the pair of holding surfaces 10, 10
The space between them is narrowed, and the restraining surfaces 10 and 10 and the outer flat surfaces 14 and 14 come into strong contact with each other, so that the distal end of the shaft 7 is fixedly coupled to the proximal end 8. In addition, a notch 16 is formed on one edge of the end of the shaft 7,
The shaft 7 is prevented from interfering with the rod portion of the holding bolt 15, and the yoke 3 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction of the shaft 7 even if the holding bolt 15 is loosened.

By the way, the work of connecting the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3 and the end portion of the shaft 7 constituting the universal joint 1 as described above can be easily performed in a narrow space such as the inside of the engine room. For that purpose, after inserting the end of the shaft 7 into the base end 8, it is necessary to prevent the end of the shaft 7 from coming out of the base end 8. Therefore, conventionally, various retaining mechanisms have been considered for preventing the end portion of the shaft 7 from coming out of the base end portion 8 even before the retaining bolt 15 is inserted into the through hole 13.

27 to 28 show a first example of such a retaining mechanism described in US Pat. No. 5,090,833. A circular hole 17 having a size large enough to allow the holding bolt 15 to be inserted is provided at a position aligned with each other near both side openings of the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3.
A circular hole 18 having a diameter sufficiently larger than the circular hole 17 is formed concentrically with each other. The cylinder tube 19 is fixed to the outer end opening of the circular hole 18 among them. A pressing piece 20 is provided inside the cylinder tube 19, and the pressing piece 20 is pressed by a compression spring 21 in a direction projecting from the inner side surface of the base end portion 8. In addition, a screw hole 22 is formed in the bottom of the cylinder cylinder 19 for screwing the tip of the restraining bolt 15 into the screw hole 22. Further, a pair of inclined surfaces 23 and 24 having different inclination directions are formed on the inner end surface (right end surface in FIGS. 27 to 28) of the pressing piece 20 to form the inner end surface in a mountain shape. .

When the end portion of the shaft 7 and the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3 are joined, the end portion of the shaft 7 is placed inside the base end portion 8 as shown in FIG. Insert from the side opening side. At this time, the pressing piece 20 retreats into the cylinder cylinder 19 against the elastic force of the compression spring 21 based on the sliding contact between the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the shaft 7 and the one inclined surface 23. Allow passage of the shaft 7. After passing, as shown in FIG. 28, the tip end of the pressing piece 20 projects from the inner side surface of the base end portion 8 based on the elasticity of the compression spring 21, and the end portion of the shaft 7 falls off the base end portion 8. Prevent from doing. Further, in this state, the other inclined surface 24 presses the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the shaft 7 and pushes the end portion of the shaft 7 to the rear end of the base end portion 8. In this state, the above alignment is completed. Then, as shown in FIG. 28, if the holding bolt 15 is screwed into the screw hole 22 and further tightened, the base end portion 8 and the shaft 7 are joined together without rattling.

Next, FIGS. 29 to 31 show a second example of a conventionally known centering mechanism, which is the actual construction of Sho-55-38024.
It is shown in the publication. In a part of the outer flat surface 14 formed at the end of the shaft 7, two recessed holes 2 are provided at two positions separated from each other in the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 29).
5 and 25 are formed, and a compression spring 26 is formed in each recess 25, 25.
30 and the steel ball 27, as shown in FIG.
Is inserted from the back side of. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31, a part of the restraining surface 10 provided on the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3 is
A groove 55 extending in the axial direction (front and back direction in FIG. 31) is formed.

When the end portion of the shaft 7 and the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3 are connected to each other so that the end portion is inserted into the base end portion 8, each of the steel balls 27 is moved by the elastic force of the compression spring 26. The groove 55 is elastically engaged with the groove 55. And each steel ball 2 like this
The shaft 7 is prevented from slipping out of the base end portion 8 while the groove 7 and the groove 55 are engaged with each other, and at the same time, the alignment is performed.

[0014]

However, in the case of the connecting portion between the conventional shaft and the yoke of the universal joint which is constructed and operates as described above, there are the following inconveniences. First, in the case of the structure of the first example shown in FIGS. 27 to 28, not only the structure is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high, but also because the cylinder cylinder 19 is installed, the universal joint becomes large in size and other components are not formed. The degree of freedom in design is reduced, for example, consideration must be given to avoid interference. Further, in the case of the structure of the second example shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, it is inevitable that the processing and assembling of the respective constituent parts are troublesome and the manufacturing cost is increased.

In addition to this, the structure for preventing the shaft from coming out of the yoke before inserting the holding bolt is
For example, JP-A-2-35222 and US Pat. No. 509.
What is described in the specification of 0833 is known. However, in the case of the structure described in this specification etc., since a special shape and a large nut are used, the cost is high, and the radius of gyration of the universal joint is large, and a large installation space is required. And The connecting portion between the shaft and the yoke of the universal joint according to the present invention is designed to eliminate any of these disadvantages.

[0016]

The joint between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint is the same as the joint between the conventional shaft and the yoke of the universal joint described above, and the shaft that rotates during use, A pair of outer flat surfaces, which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the shaft and are parallel to each other, and a base end portion, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is open to the side, and which constitutes a universal joint, are separated from each other. A pair of restraining plate portions which are arranged and whose inner side faces are opposed to the respective outer planes and which constitute the base end portion, and a screw hole provided at an opening side end portion of one restraining plate portion. , A through hole that is concentric with the above-mentioned screw hole and has a diameter larger than this screw hole, and a male screw part formed at the tip of this through-hole, formed at the opening-side end of the other restraining plate And a holding bolt for screwing the screw into the screw hole.

In particular, the connecting portion between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint is provided with a clip made of a plate material having elasticity. The clip is formed on the base portion supported by the base end portion in a state of being imparted with an elastic force in a direction approaching the outer side surface of the other restraining plate portion, and is formed on the tip end portion of the base plate portion so as to secure the restraining bolt. A mountain shape that includes a through hole that can be inserted, a bent plate portion that is bent from the side edge portion of the distal end portion toward the inside of the base end portion, and first and second inclined edges that are inclined in opposite directions. A bent plate portion edge of which an intermediate portion thereof is projected inward from the restraining surface.

[0018]

According to the connecting portion between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint configured as described above, the shaft can be attached to the base end portion of the yoke without troublesome work despite the simple structure. After inserting the end of the shaft, the end of the shaft will not come out of the base end. Further, the central axis of the shaft and the central axis of the yoke can be made to coincide with each other so that the rotary motion can be smoothly transmitted through the universal joint.

That is, when the end portion of the shaft is inserted into the base end portion of the yoke, the base end portion of the first and second inclined edges constituting the end peripheral surface of the shaft and the bent plate portion end edge is The first inclined edge present on the opening side abuts the leading edge of the shaft end in the insertion direction. Then, while elastically deforming the board portion in a direction away from the outer surface of the other restraining plate portion, the central portion of the bent plate portion end edge retreats outward, and the end portion of the shaft is placed inside the base end portion. To enter. After the entry, the second inclined edge abuts the trailing edge in the insertion direction of the shaft end portion, and prevents the shaft end portion from coming out of the base end portion. In this state, the substrate portion is slightly separated from the other restraining plate portion due to elastic deformation.

Further, the tip end of the holding bolt inserted through the through hole formed in the base plate portion and the through hole formed in the other holding plate portion is screwed into the screw hole formed in the one holding plate portion and further tightened. Then, the substrate portion is pressed against the outer surface of the other restraining plate portion. Then, the second inclined edge strongly presses the rear edge of the shaft end portion in the insertion direction toward the inner side of the base end portion. As a result, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft end portion is pressed against the inner surface of the base end portion, and the central axis of the shaft and the central axis of the yoke coincide with each other.

[0021]

1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The cross-sectional shape of the tip of the shaft 7 that rotates when used is oval as shown in FIG.
It forms a pair of outer planes 14, 14 which are parallel to each other. In addition, the one edge portion of the tip portion (the upper edge portion in FIG. 1) prevents interference with the holding bolt 15 and, even if the holding bolt 15 is loosened, the yoke 3 is attached to the shaft of the shaft 7. A notch 16 is formed to prevent the notch 16 from coming off in the direction.

On the other hand, the yoke 3 which constitutes the universal joint 1 as shown in FIG. 1 has a U-shaped cross section and is lateral (see FIGS.
(Above 8 and 9, before in FIG. 4, below in FIG. 5, right in FIG. 6)
Has a base end portion 8 which is open. The base end portion 8 has a pair of restraining plate portions 9a and 9b arranged apart from each other. The inner side surfaces of the restraining plate portions 9a and 9b are the restraining surfaces 10 and 10 that face the outer flat surfaces 14 and 14, respectively. In addition, a nut 11 is fitted and fixed to the opening side end of one of the holding plate portions 9a (the left side of FIGS. 3, 8 and 9 and the upper side of FIGS. , 8 and 9 (to the right of FIGS. 4 and 6), the through hole 1 is provided at the opening side end of the restraining plate 9b.
3 are formed respectively. The through hole 13 is concentric with the screw hole 12 and has a larger diameter than the screw hole 12. The retaining bolt 15 has a male screw portion 28 formed at its tip portion screwed into the screw hole 12 in a state of being inserted through the through hole 13.

A clip 29 made of an elastic plate material such as a spring steel plate is attached to the base end portion 8.
The clip 29 has a main portion 30 that is bent and formed in a U shape in accordance with the outer surface shape of the base end portion 8. The main portion 30 is a flat plate-shaped first and second substrate portion 31, 32 attached to the outer surface of each of the restraining plate portions 9a, 9b, and one end of both of these substrate portions 31, 32 (see FIG. The lower end of 1, 3, 8, 9 and the upper end of FIG. 5, the left end of FIG. 6) are connected to each other, and the curved connecting portion 33 is provided. The connecting portion 33 is provided with an elastic force in the direction of increasing the curvature (decreasing the radius of curvature) in the free state. Therefore, in a state where the clip 29 is mounted and supported on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 8, the first and second base plate portions 3 that form the main portion 30 of the clip 29.
The Nos. 1 and 32 are in a state of being imparted with the elastic force in the direction of approaching the outer side surfaces of the respective restraining plate portions 9a and 9b.

At the tip portion of the first board portion 31, which corresponds to the board portion described in the claims, the above-mentioned holding bolt 1 is provided.
The through hole 34 is formed so that the insertion hole 5 can be inserted therethrough. This through hole 34
Can loosely insert the rod portion of the presser bolt 15, but the head 3
5 cannot be inserted. In addition, the first substrate portion 31
At the side edge portion of the front end portion of the first bending plate portion 3 which also corresponds to the bending plate portion described in the claims.
6 is formed. The first bent plate portion 36 is
The first substrate portion 31 is bent at a right angle from the tip portion toward the inside of the base end portion 8. Then, only the middle portion of the bent plate portion end edge 37 which is the tip edge of the first substrate portion 31 is made to project inward from the holding surface 10 of the holding plate portion 9b. Such a bent plate portion edge 37 is
First and second inclined edges 38, 39 inclined in opposite directions
It is in the shape of a mountain including.

[0025] The inclination angle theta ₃₉ of the first tilt angle theta ₃₈ and the second inclined edge 39 of the inclined edge 38, in relation to the thickness of the plate material having elasticity spring steel or the like constituting the clip 29 Determine by design. According to an experiment conducted by the present inventor, when the plate thickness is about 0.8 to 1.4 mm, the first inclined edge 3
The inclination angle θ _{38 of} 8 is about 15 to 40 degrees, and the second inclination edge 3
It is preferable to regulate the inclination angle θ _{39 of} 9 to about 40 to 65 degrees.

On the other hand, a second bent plate portion 40 is formed on the side edge portion of the tip end portion of the second substrate portion 32. The second bent plate portion 40 is bent at a right angle from the tip end portion of the second substrate portion 32 toward the inside of the base end portion 8. Then, only the tip end portion of the second bent plate portion 40 is made to project inward from the holding surface 10 of the holding plate portion 9a. At the tip edge of the second bent plate portion 40, a third inclined edge 4 symmetrical with the first inclined edge 38 is provided.
1 and a step portion 42 continuing from the third inclined edge 41 are formed to form the second bent plate portion 40 in a hook shape.

The second bent plate portion 40 and the first bent plate portion 36 as described above are respectively the base end face of the base end 8 of the yoke 3 (the left end face of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). The clip 29 is prevented from displacing to the tip end side (right side in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) of the base end portion 8 in opposition to. On the other hand, an L-shaped locking piece 43 extends from the leading end edge of the intermediate portion of the connecting portion 33 (the right end edge in FIGS. 1 and 5), and the leading end portion of this locking piece 43 is attached to the base end portion 8 of It is locked to the tip surface (right end surface in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5). Therefore, the clip 29 is prevented from being displaced toward the base end side of the base end portion 8 (left side in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5). Furthermore, from the base end surface of the continuous portion 44 that connects the pair of restraining plate portions 9a and 9b forming the base end portion 8, a protruding portion 45 that protrudes in the axial direction opposite to the cross shaft 4 is formed. are doing. The base end edges (lower end edges of FIGS. 1 and 3) of the first and second bent plate portions 36 and 40 face the protruding portion 45 and prevent the clip 29 from coming out of the base end portions. . Therefore, the clip 29 can be attached to the base end portion 8 in a state where the gap between the first and second substrate portions 31 and 32 is elastically widened, but after attachment, the substrate portion 8 is carelessly attached. There is no departure from.

When assembling the connecting portion of the shaft of the present invention configured as described above and the yoke of the universal joint, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in 6, a clip 29 is attached to the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the cross shaft 4
By rotating the yoke 3 from the solid line state to the chain line state in the same figure in the clockwise direction in the figure, the end portion of the shaft 7 is inserted into the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3.
The first and second base plate portions 31 and 32 forming the clip 29 in association with this insertion work are based on the abutment between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 7 and the first and third inclined edges 38 and 41. 8
As shown in (3), they elastically deform in a direction away from each other (a direction away from the outer side surfaces of the pressing plate portions 9a and 9b). Then, based on this elastic deformation, the first and second bent plate portions 3
The end portion of the shaft 7 is allowed to pass between 6 and 40. And, each restraining surface 10, 10 and outer flat surface 14,
14 are opposed to each other. Such insertion work is performed in a state where the holding bolt 15 is not yet inserted into the through hole 13.

Then, in the state where the above-mentioned insertion work is completed, as shown in FIG. 9, the second board portion 32 is held by the holding plate portion 9a.
Reposition until it touches the outer surface of. As a result, the step portion 42 of the second bent plate portion 40 and the notch 16 at the end portion of the shaft 7 are engaged with each other, and the end portion of the shaft 7 is connected to the yoke 3
It will not come out of the base end 8 of the. On the other hand, in this state, the second inclined edge 39 provided on the first bent portion 36 abuts the edge of the cutout 16. In this state, the second inclined edge 39 elastically presses the shaft 7 toward the inner side of the base end portion 8 based on the elasticity of the first bent portion 36. As a result, the central axis of the shaft 7 and the central axis of the yoke 3 tend to coincide with each other.

When the end portion of the shaft 7 is inserted into the base end portion 8 as described above, the restraining bolt 15 is inserted into the through hole 34 formed in the first base plate portion 31 constituting the clip 29. It is inserted into the through hole 13 formed in the restraining plate portion 9b. Then, the male screw portion 28 formed on the tip portion of the restraining bolt 15 is screwed into the screw hole 12 of the nut 11 fitted and fixed to the one restraining plate portion 9a and further tightened. Due to this screw tightening, the first substrate portion 31 is pushed by the head portion 35 of the holding bolt 15 and strongly pressed toward the outer side surface of the other holding plate portion 9b. Then, the second inclined edge 39 formed on the first bent plate portion 36 continuing from the first substrate portion 31 is the rear edge in the insertion direction of the end portion of the shaft 7, and the end edge of the notch 16. The portion is strongly pressed toward the back of the base end portion 8. As a result, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the shaft 7 is pressed against the inner surface of the base end portion 8,
The central axis of the shaft 7 and the central axis of the yoke 3 coincide with each other.

In order to fix the yoke 3 firmly to the end of the shaft 7, the restraining bolt 15 is strongly tightened, and the head 35 of the restraining bolt 15 and the outer side surface of the other restraining plate 9b. Due to the frictional force acting between them, a moment that tries to rotate around the restraining bolt 15 is applied to the yoke 3. For example, when the male screw formed on the male screw portion 28 of the retaining bolt 15 is a commonly used right-hand screw, the tightening of the retaining bolt 15 causes the yoke 3 to rotate clockwise in FIG. The moment of is added. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, due to the presence of the protrusion 45 formed on the yoke 3, the yoke 3 is unlikely to be displaced with respect to the shaft 7 regardless of the clockwise moment.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10 showing the second embodiment of the present invention, when the protrusion 45 is not formed on the yoke 3, the male screw formed on the male screw portion of the holding bolt 15 is right-handed. In this case, the yoke 3 is inclined with respect to the shaft 7 based on the tightening of the holding bolt 15 as shown in FIG. However, even in this case, if the male screw formed on the male screw portion of the retaining bolt 15 is a left-handed screw, the inclination of the yoke 3 with respect to the shaft 7 can be kept small.
The reason for this is that the second inclined edge 39 provided on the clip 29 is used.
This is because the distance between (FIG. 9) and the base end portion 8 of the yoke 3 that abuts the shaft 7 as the yoke 3 rotates is large. In the structure shown in FIG. 10, when the male screw is the right-handed screw, the distance becomes almost zero, which is extremely smaller than that of the left-handed screw.

Next, FIGS. 11 to 13 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, the width of the projection 45a formed on the rear end edge of the yoke 3 is reduced to reduce the weight of the yoke 3 and simplify the shape of the clip 29a. More specifically, the locking piece 43 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7) is omitted from the first embodiment described above, and instead the central portion of the connecting portion 33 that constitutes the main portion 30 is replaced by the weld portion 46. It is fixed by welding. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment described above.

Next, FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the case of this embodiment, the protrusion 45a (FIGS. 11 to 13) is omitted from the structure of the third embodiment described above, and the yoke 3 is made even lighter. Instead, the insertion direction of the retaining bolt with respect to the yoke 3 is reversed from that in the first embodiment, and the yoke 3 is less likely to incline with respect to the shaft regardless of the large moment generated at the final tightening period of the retaining bolt. In addition, the second locking piece 4 is attached to the end edges of the pair of first and second base plate portions 31 and 32 forming the main portion 30 of the clip 29b.
7 and 47 are formed, and both of the locking pieces 47 and 47 are engaged with the opening edge portion of the yoke 3. These second locking pieces 47, 47 prevent the clip 29b from falling off the yoke 3. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment described above.

Next, FIGS. 15 to 20 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the case of this embodiment, the second bent plate portion 40 as in each of the above-described embodiments is not formed on the second substrate portion 32 which constitutes the main portion 30 of the clip 29c. Instead, in the case of the present embodiment, this second substrate portion 32
A locking arm piece 48 is formed on the locking arm piece 48, and a locking portion 49 formed at the tip of the locking arm piece 48 is connected to the holding plate portion 9 that constitutes the yoke 3.
It is locked at the opening edge of a. The first substrate portion 31 includes
The first bent plate portion 36 having the bent plate portion end edge 37 similar to that of the first embodiment described above is provided.

When assembling the structure of this embodiment, the clip 29c is inserted into the yoke 3 from the direction shown in FIG. 16 and mounted in the state shown in FIG. Then, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 9, the end of the shaft 7 is inserted into the yoke 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the holding bolt 15
Tighten the screw. In the case of the present embodiment, the effect of preventing the shaft 7 from coming out from the inside of the yoke 3 becomes low because the second bent plate portion 40 is not provided. However, by increasing the elasticity of the elastic plate that constitutes the clip 29c,
Even with only the first bent plate portion 36, a practically sufficient retaining effect can be secured. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment described above.

Next, FIG. 21 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, a U-shaped locking portion 51 is provided at the base end portion of the base plate portion 50 constituting the clip 29d, and this locking portion 51 is recessed in a part of the restraining plate portion 9a of the yoke 3. It is locked to the part where 52 is formed. The substrate section 50 includes
A first bent plate portion 36, which is similar to that provided in each of the above-described embodiments, is formed. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the inclination angle between the first inclined edge 38 and the substrate portion 50 is made large (close to a right angle). Other configurations and operations are
This is similar to the fifth embodiment described above.

22 to 23 show a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the case of this embodiment, not only the first bent plate portion 36 is provided on the clip 29e, but also three locking arm pieces 53, 53 are provided. This clip 29e
Is attached to the yoke 3 and the end portion of the shaft is further inserted into the yoke 3, the three locking arm pieces 53, 53
Hold down the shaft at axially separated positions. As a result, it is possible to prevent the yoke 3 from inclining with respect to the shaft even when the restraining bolt 15 is tightened. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment described above.

In any of the above-mentioned embodiments, even if the holding bolt 15 falls out or is broken, the shaft and the yoke are not immediately disengaged from each other. Therefore, the minimum function of the universal joint can be secured. Also, repair,
It is easy to attach and detach the yoke and shaft for replacement. Also, since the work of connecting the shaft and the yoke can be performed with one hand, work in a narrow space is easy.
Although illustration is omitted, the weight of the universal joint can be reduced by directly forming a screw hole into which the holding bolt is screwed, in the yoke. Further, the structure of the connecting portion of the yoke 2 other than the yoke 3 which is the subject of the present invention and the shaft 6 connected to this yoke 2 has a tightening bolt 54 as shown in FIG.
7, 10), or welding as in the conventional structure may be used. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the shaft may be square. In this case, the yoke has an angular V-shape (U-shape).

[0040]

Since the connecting portion between the shaft of the present invention and the yoke of the universal joint is constructed and operates as described above,
Despite the simple structure, the separation of the yoke and the shaft can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, if necessary, the shaft can be aligned without requiring troublesome work, so that a universal joint with good assembling ability can be provided at low cost. In this case, since the centering can be surely performed, it is possible to realize a small-sized and lightweight universal joint which is easy to assemble.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention in a state after completion of assembly.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view seen from above in FIG. 1 except for a shaft.

5 is a view of the yoke and the clip taken out and viewed from above in FIG. 4;

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

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the shaft is inserted into the yoke.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the shaft is being inserted into the yoke,
1. The figure corresponded to the BB cross section of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a B- of FIG. 1, also shown with the insertion completed.
The figure corresponding to B cross section.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the second embodiment of the present invention in a state after completion of assembly.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view of the left end portion of FIG. 11 viewed from the opposite side to FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram viewed from the left side of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a shaft and a yoke to which a clip is attached, showing the fifth embodiment.

16 is a view seen from the right side of FIG. 15, showing a state in which the clip is attached to the yoke.

17 is a view seen from the opposite side of FIG. 15 with the clip attached and the shaft omitted.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which the shaft is being inserted into the yoke as seen from the right side of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which the shaft has been inserted into the yoke, as viewed from the right side of FIG. 15;

20 is a diagram viewed from the right side of FIG.

FIG. 21 is an end view of the yoke to which the clip is attached, showing the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a yoke to which a clip is attached, showing the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a clip.

FIG. 24 is a side view showing a state where the end portion of the shaft and the base end portion of the yoke are joined together.

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

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a first example of a conventional structure in a state where a shaft is being assembled.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view similarly showing a state after the assembly is completed.

FIG. 29 is a side view of a shaft end portion showing a second example of the conventional structure.

30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shaft and the base end portion of the yoke are coupled to each other.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Universal Joint 2, 3 Yoke 4 Cross Shaft 5 Bearing Cup 6, 7 Shaft 8 Base Ends 9a, 9b Retaining Plate 10 Retaining Surface 11 Nut 12 Screw Hole 13 Through Hole 14 Outer Flat 15 Retaining Bolt 16 Notch 17, 18 Circular hole 19 Cylinder cylinder 20 Holding piece 21 Compression spring 22 Screw hole 23, 24 Inclined surface 25 Recessed hole 26 Compression spring 27 Steel ball 28 Male screw part 29, 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e Clip 30 Main part 31 First part Base plate part 32 Second base plate part 33 Connecting part 34 Through hole 35 Head part 36 First bending plate part 37 Bending plate part end edge 38 First inclined edge 39 Second inclined edge 40 Second bending plate part 41 Third inclined edge 42 Step portion 43 Locking piece 44 Continuous part 45, 45a Projecting portion 46 Weld portion 47 Second locking piece 48 Locking arm piece 49 Locking Tightening 50 substrate portion 51 engaging portion 52 recess 53 Kakaritomeudehen 54 volts 55 groove

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A shaft which rotates during use, a pair of outer flat surfaces which are formed on an outer peripheral surface of a distal end portion of the shaft and which are parallel to each other, and a proximal end portion which is substantially U-shaped in cross section and is open to the side. A pair of restraint plate portions constituting the base end portion, which are arranged separately from each other, and whose inner side surfaces are restraining surfaces facing the respective outer flat surfaces,
A screw hole provided at the opening side end of one restraining plate portion, and a through hole concentric with the screw hole formed at the opening side end portion of the other restraining plate portion and having a larger diameter than this screw hole, In the joint portion between the shaft of the universal joint and the shaft having the male screw portion formed at the tip of the through hole in the state where the male screw portion is screwed into the screw hole, the joint of the yoke of the universal joint is made of an elastic plate material. The clip is formed on the base portion supported by the base end portion in a state in which the elastic force is applied in a direction approaching the outer surface of the other restraining plate portion, and the tip portion of the base plate portion. A through hole through which the retaining bolt can be inserted, a bent plate portion that is bent from the side edge portion of the distal end portion toward the inside of the base end portion, and first and second inclinations that are inclined in opposite directions. It has a chevron shape that includes the edges, and the middle part of the And a bending plate portion end edge, wherein the second inclined edge facing the inner side of the yoke and the end edge of the shaft are abutted against each other, the connecting portion between the shaft and the universal joint yoke. .