JPH0874873A - Elastic shaft coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an elastic shaft coupling which can use a common part even when the phase of a stopper pin or the length of a shaft is differed according to specifications or vehicle kinds, and comply with the difference of the shaft length. CONSTITUTION: An elastic coupling has a yoke 1 having a cross pin fitting hole bored in an arm part 1a and a notched recessed part 1d circumferentially formed on the end part of a cylindrical part 1b, and a cylindrical elastic body 2 to be fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 1b of the yoke 1. It also has a stopper sleeve 3 having a cylindrical part 3a to be fitted and fixed to the bore part of the cylindrical elastic body 2 and a projection part 3b to be arranged with a circumferential space on the notched recessed part 1d of the yoke 1 radially outward from the cylinder part end part, and a shaft 4 to be fitted and fixed to the stopper sleeve 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an elastic shaft joint provided on a steering shaft of an automobile or the like, and more particularly to an elastic shaft joint in which a stopper pin and a sleeve are integrated so that the length of the shaft can be adjusted to some extent.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A shaft for a steering device of an automobile or the like is provided with an elastic shaft coupling for absorbing vibrations from a road surface or an engine or fluid sounds of a power steering device. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a yaw provided at the end of the shaft 22 connected to the steering wheel 20.
The cross pins 15 and 25 are respectively provided between the crank 21 and the yoke 31 provided at the end of the shaft 32 connected to the steering gear device (or the power steering device) 30.
An elastic shaft coupling 10 having a universal joint structure is provided, which includes the yokes 11 and 13 to which is attached.

As shown in FIG. 5A, in the elastic shaft coupling 10 described above, the shaft 14 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 11a of the one yoke 11 to which the cross pin 15 is attached, and the cylindrical portion 11a and the shaft 14 are fitted together. Between the sleeve 12b
The rubber damper 12 formed by baking the rubber portion 12a is fitted between the sleeve 12c and the sleeve 12c. The sleeve 12b is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11a,
The sleeve 12c is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 14.
Further, stopper pins 16 are fitted and inserted into the shaft 14, and both ends of the stopper pins 16 are perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 11a of the yoke 11 as shown in FIG. 5 (B). The holes 11b are formed so as to have a constant circumferential clearance t. Further, the other yoke (not shown) is fitted on the shaft 14, but a flat surface 14a and a selection 14b are formed on a part of the shaft 14 as shown in FIG. 5 (C). It is assembled to rotate with the other party.

In the elastic shaft coupling described above, the rubber damper 12 is used when a small torque is transmitted, such as during steering while the vehicle is traveling.
The rubber damper 12 is deformed when a large torque is transmitted, such as during steering while the vehicle is stopped, and the stopper pin 16 and the hole 11 provided in the cylindrical portion 11a of the yoke 11 are used.
This is performed by engaging the side surface of b.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional elastic shaft coupling, the position of the flat surface 14a formed on the shaft 14 is different because the arrangement of parts around the steering device is different depending on the specifications of the vehicle or the type of vehicle, and thus the stopper is used. It is necessary to change the phase of the hole of the pin 16 (that is, the angle formed by the hole into which the stopper pin 16 is fitted and the flat surface 14a), the length of the shaft 14, and the like depending on the specification and vehicle type of the vehicle. Therefore, the holes of the stopper pin are drilled at different phases depending on the car specifications and car models, so the number of shaft types increases, and the shaft types increase to accommodate different shaft lengths, resulting in higher cost. there were. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is possible to use common parts even if there are differences in the stopper pin phase and shaft length due to specifications, vehicle types, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide an elastic shaft coupling that can cope with a difference in height.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a means for forming an elastic shaft coupling in which a cross pin fitting hole is formed in an arm portion at one end. Cylindrical elastic body fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the yoke, the yoke having notched concave portions formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction at the end portion of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical elastic body. A stopper sleeve formed with a cylindrical portion fitted and fixed to the inner diameter portion of the cylinder and a protruding portion arranged radially outward from the end portion of the cylindrical portion in the notched concave portion of the yoke with a constant circumferential gap. And a shaft fitted into the stopper sleeve and fixed to the stopper sleeve.

[0007]

When the elastic shaft coupling is used as the above means, the stopper pin as in the prior art is not required and the assembly is simplified. If it is necessary to change the phase between the stopper sleeve and the shaft, the shaft is rotated before welding to change the phase and welding is fixed at a predetermined position. Further, when the length of the shaft needs to be varied depending on the vehicle type, etc., the end portion of the shaft is taken in and out from the inner peripheral surface of the stopper sleeve to adjust the fitting length to a predetermined length. Since it suffices to fix them by welding, the types of shafts can be greatly reduced.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is an axial sectional view of an elastic shaft coupling of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. This elastic shaft joint is composed of a yoke 1 into which a cross pin 5 is fitted, a rubber damper 2, a stopper sleeve 3 and a shaft 4. The yoke 1 is connected to the other yoke (a steering gear device or a steering wheel) via a cross pin 5.
(6 connected to the shaft on the side of the cable) and is connected to the universal joint.

3A is a sectional view of the yoke 1 in the axial direction, and FIG. 3B is a view taken in the direction of arrow P of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3C is a view on arrow Q in FIG. The yoke 1 is formed by a fork-shaped arm portion 1a and a cylindrical portion 1b, and a hole 1c for fitting a cross pin 5 into the arm portion 1a.
Is drilled. Further, notch recesses 1d for arranging projections 3b of a stopper sleeve 3 described later with a constant circumferential gap t are formed at the end of the cylindrical portion 1b at intervals of 180 degrees. .

A rubber damper 2 is fixed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b of the yoke 1 by baking or press-fitting. The rubber damper 2 is a cylindrical rubber portion 2a and a sleeve fixed on the rubber portion 2a by baking. -Bub 2b. This rubber damper 2
The end portion of is not projected from the bottom of the recess 1d.

FIG. 4 (A) is a partial axial sectional view of the stopper sleeve 3, and FIG. 4 (B) is a view taken in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 4 (A). The stopper sleeve 3 is composed of a cylindrical portion 3a and radially outwardly projecting portions 3b and 3b formed at the end of the cylindrical portion 3a at intervals of 180 degrees. The cylindrical portion 3
When a is assembled, it is fixed to the sleeve 2b of the rubber damper 2 that is baked and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b of the yoke 1, and the projections 3b and 3b are constant when they are arranged in the recess 1d of the yoke 1. Is formed so as to have a circumferential clearance t.

The projection 3b of the stopper sleeve 3
3 may be formed at equal intervals instead of 180 degrees, and in this case, the recesses 1d of the yoke 1 are also formed correspondingly. Further, the rubber damper 2 may be fixed by baking or press-fitting to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 3a of the stopper sleeve 3.

Next, the shaft 4 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 3a of the stopper sleeve 3 and fixed by welding, and the other end of the shaft 4 is splined (or selected).
4a is formed, and is fitted into a mating portion on the side of a mating yoke (not shown) to be assembled.

When assembling this elastic shaft joint, the rubber portion 2a of the rubber damper 2 is baked and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1a of the yoke 1, and the sleeve 2 of the rubber damper 2 is fixed.
The cylindrical portion 3a of the stopper sleeve 3 is fixed to b, the end portion of the shaft 4 is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 3a of the stopper sleeve 3, and the end portion of the stopper sleeve 3 and the outer periphery of the shaft 4 are fitted. Weld around the joint with the surface and fix.

In the elastic shaft coupling having the above construction, the stopper pin 16 (see FIG. 5) as in the prior art is not required and the assembly is simplified. When it is necessary to change the phase between the stopper sleeve 3 and the shaft 4, the shaft 4 is rotated before welding and the phase is changed to fix the welding at a predetermined position. Further, when the length of the shaft 4 needs to be varied depending on the vehicle type, etc., the end portion of the shaft 4 is adjusted to the inner peripheral surface of the stopper sleeve 3 by adjusting the fitting length to a predetermined length. Since it is only necessary to fix and weld and fix it, it is possible to greatly reduce the types of shafts.

In this elastic shaft coupling, the torque is transmitted between the shaft 4 and the yoke 1 by utilizing the elastic force of the rubber damper 2 when transmitting a small torque such as when the vehicle is running. On the other hand, at the time of transmitting a large torque, the shaft 4 and the stopper sleeve 3 rotate around the axis to deform the rubber damper 2 and the protrusion 3b of the stopper sleeve 3 is deformed by the gap t of the recess 1d of the yoke 1. The torque is transmitted between the shaft 4 and the yoke 1 by engaging with the inner wall of the recess 1d of the yoke.

[0017]

Since the elastic shaft coupling of the present invention is constructed as described above in detail, the phase of the stopper and the shaft can be adjusted by positioning at the time of welding. Can be used as a common part. Further, the length of the shaft can be adjusted to some extent by adjusting the fitting length between the stopper sleeve before welding and the shaft, so that the number of types of the shaft can be reduced. Therefore, the cost of the elastic shaft coupling can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of an elastic shaft joint of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3A is an axial cross-sectional view of the yoke.
3B is a view as seen from the arrow P of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a view as seen from the arrow Q of FIG. 3A.

4 (A) is a partial axial sectional view of the stopper sleeve, and FIG. 4 (B) is a view taken in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 4 (A).

5 (A) is an axial sectional view of a conventional elastic shaft coupling, FIG. 5 (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 5 (A),
5C is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a conventional vehicle steering system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Yoke 1a Arm part 1b Cylindrical part 1d Notched recessed part 2 Rubber damper 2a Rubber part 2b Sleeve 3 Stopper sleeve 3a Cylindrical part 3b Projection part 4 Shaft 5 Cross pin

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Tae Nakajima, 3-5-8 Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A yoke in which a hole for fitting a cross pin is bored in an arm portion at one end and notched concave portions are formed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction at an end portion of a cylindrical portion at the other end, and A cylindrical elastic body fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the yoke, a cylindrical portion fitted and fixed to the inner diameter portion of the cylindrical elastic body, and a radial outer side of the yoke from an end portion of the cylindrical portion. An elastic shaft coupling comprising: a stopper sleeve having a notch concave portion provided with a protruding portion arranged with a constant circumferential clearance, and a shaft fitted and fixed in the stopper sleeve.