KR20170052710A

KR20170052710A - Intermediate shaft

Info

Publication number: KR20170052710A
Application number: KR1020150153509A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 권오훈; 신진욱; 김광래; 김남우
Original assignee: 태림산업(주)
Priority date: 2015-11-03
Filing date: 2015-11-03
Publication date: 2017-05-15
Also published as: KR101736950B1

Abstract

In the present invention, the washer is inserted into the inner tube so as to be placed in the lid closing the end of the outer tube inserted in the inner tube, and then the lid is caulked and fixed by fixing the snap ring to the end, The present invention provides an intermediate shaft that can receive torque from the intermediate shaft and adjust the length of the intermediate shaft to prevent the torque transmitting member from protruding from the outer tube or coming off from the end of the inner tube, There is a purpose.
In particular, the present invention is characterized in that a protrusion is formed on the inner periphery of the outer periphery of the snap ring, and outer protrusions formed on the outer periphery of the snap ring are provided with guide grooves And the inner projections formed on the inner periphery are fitted and fixed in the fixing grooves formed in the ring grooves of the inner tube for installing the snap ring so that when the intermediate shaft receives a torque, these projections function as a torque ball This function also prevents the torque ball from being assembled or assembled when the torque transmitting member is assembled, even if the torque ball is broken due to the use of the intermediate shaft or the torque ball is lost from the retainer. So that the torque transmission can be safely performed.

Description

Intermediate axis {INTERMEDIATE SHAFT}

[0001] The present invention relates to an intermediate shaft, and more particularly, to an intermediate shaft, and more particularly, to a method for sealing an outer tube by inserting a washer into a lid for closing the end of the outer tube, caulking the lid against the outer tube, and inserting a snap ring at the end of the inner tube, (Rotation) of the intermediate shaft. In particular, the snap ring is provided with protrusions to receive rotational interference between the outer tube and the inner tube, thereby assembling the torque ball in the process The snap ring assists torque transmission even if the torque ball breaks or leaves the guide during use.

Generally, a steering apparatus of an automobile transmits a torque generated as a driver turns a steering wheel to a tire through a gear box, so that a steering operation is performed. At this time, a column is connected between the handle and the gear box. Recently, an intermediate shaft is additionally provided between the column and the gear box.

The intermediate shaft is also called a telescopic shaft. The length of the shaft can be adjusted by two tubes (shafts) extending and retracting in the longitudinal direction, so that the length of the shaft can be adjusted to suit the driver's body, It is configured to increase the safety of the driver by causing deformation when an accident occurs. As such intermediate axes, various techniques have been developed as in the following Patent Documents 1 to 3.

(Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No. 1246957 (Registered on March 31, 2013)

An inner shaft connected to the steering shaft or the gear box by a universal joint and having at least two inner coupling grooves formed in the outer circumferential surface thereof as axial grooves; And an outer coupling groove is formed at a position corresponding to the inner coupling groove on an inner circumferential surface of the inner shaft so that the inner shaft is inserted and slid. The outer coupling groove is spaced apart in the circumferential direction by at least two positive integer numbers of the inner coupling groove An outer shaft having an inner diameter gradually increased in order, the outer coupling grooves being sequentially adjacent to one side of the circumferential direction; And a ball provided between the inner joining hose and the outer joining groove. The present invention provides an intermediate shaft of an automotive steering system. Accordingly, it is possible to assemble the inner shaft and the outer shaft, which are slidably coupled to each other, so as to be able to slide most optimally without any separate parts, thereby reducing the number of components, work process and disposal cost, and improving assembling performance.

(Patent Document 2) Korean Patent No. 1498651 (Registered on Feb. 201, 2015)

The lock ball mounted on the middle shaft can be selectively inserted into any one of the drive shaft and the ball fixing groove formed in the inner shaft so as to be selectively fixed so that the structure is simple and each shaft is accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction And an object of the present invention is to provide a three-piece intermatic shaft locking device capable of adjusting the length in accordance with a predetermined order while moving. Particularly, since the middle shaft is fixed to the drive shaft or fixed to the inner shaft as the lock ball adjusts the length of the shaft, the length of the intermediate shaft can be adjusted in a predetermined order only by adjusting the length of the intermediate shaft Another object is to provide a three-piece intermittent shaft locking device that is adjustable in sequence. Since the inner shaft and the middle shaft are moved together by using the lock ball or the middle shaft is fixed to the drive shaft to move the inner shaft, the respective shafts can be quickly and precisely adjusted in the predetermined order Another object is to provide a three-piece intermatic shaft locking device that is adjustable.

(Patent Document 3) Korean Registered Patent No. 1503113 (Registered on May 31, 2015)

The present invention relates to an intermediate shaft of an automotive steering system, and more particularly, to an intermediate shaft of an automotive steering system, in which a middle shaft is transported for assembling the automobile, a foreign body such as moisture, It is possible to prevent the component from being deformed and damaged by preventing penetration into the inside of the shaft.

However, the existing intermediate axis has the following problems.

(1) A torque transmitting device for transmitting torque between an inner tube and an outer tube is usually fitted in an inner tube, and an intermediate tube is assembled by inserting an outer tube on the torque transmitting device.

(2) Because of this, the torque transmitting device may move in the longitudinal direction along the inner tube, which may damage the lid by applying an impact to the lid closing the end of the outer tube.

(3) If the lid is broken as described above, there is a possibility that foreign matter may flow into the gap between the inner tube and the outer tube, and the lubricating oil or grease injected for lubrication may leak to the outside.

(4) In particular, this problem often occurs when a shock is applied to a cover that closes the outer tube, such as when the inner tube connected to the column side is pulled up to the top.

(5) On the other hand, this problem can also occur when the inner tube is inserted in the shortest depth, that is, deeply into the outer tube.

(6) Because of this, the torque transmitting member provided between the outer tube and the inner tube may be detached from the inner tube, and this may cause torque transmission (rotation) action and difficulty in adjusting the length.

(7) On the other hand, the torque transmitting member is provided in such a manner that the middle portion of the torque ball is rotatably mounted on a retainer formed in a cylindrical shape, and the outer tube is guided by a torque ball protruding outside the retainer, And the torque ball is projected into the guide hole. However, when assembling the torque transmitting member, there is a fear that the torque ball is broken or detached from the retainer when the torque ball is omitted or the torque transmitting member is mounted and used.

(8) As a result, the torque ball is not transmitted to the outer tube through the inner tube when the driver turns the steering wheel, and the tire does not rotate as much as desired. There is a possibility of an accident while driving.

Korean Registered Patent No. 1246957 (Registered on March 31, 2013) Korean Registered Patent No. 1498651 (Registered on Feb. 2015) Korean Registered Patent No. 1503113 (Registered on Apr. 2015)

In view of the above, the present invention takes into consideration the fact that the washer is inserted into the inner tube so as to be placed in the lid closing the end of the outer tube inserted in the inner tube, and then the lid is fixed by caulking, and the inner tube is fitted with a snap ring The torque transmitting member can be prevented from being pulled out to receive the external force generated in the adjustment of the length of the intermediate shaft or in the torque transmitting process to prevent the torque transmitting member from protruding from the outer tube or coming off from the end of the inner tube, The purpose is to provide an intermediate axis.

In particular, the present invention is characterized in that a protrusion is formed on the inner periphery of the outer periphery of the snap ring, and outer protrusions formed on the outer periphery of the snap ring are provided with guide grooves And the inner projections formed on the inner periphery are fitted and fixed in the fixing grooves formed in the ring grooves of the inner tube for installing the snap ring so that when the intermediate shaft receives a torque, these projections function as a torque ball This function also prevents the torque ball from being assembled or assembled when the torque transmitting member is assembled, even if the torque ball is broken due to the use of the intermediate shaft or the torque ball is lost from the retainer. So that the torque transmission can be safely performed.

In order to achieve this object, an intermediate shaft according to [Embodiment 1] of the present invention comprises a yoke 110 on one side, and an outer tube having a first guide groove 120 formed at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction, (100); An inner tube 200 having a yoke 210 at one side and a second guide groove 220 at a position facing the first guide groove 120 on the other side; And a torque transmitting member having a plurality of torque balls 310 installed between the outer tube 100 and the inner tube 200 so as to be guided by the first guide groove 120 and the second guide groove 220, The outer tube 100 is covered with a lid 130 fitted in the inner tube 200 to finish the inner tube 200. The inner tube 200 is provided with a cover 130 in the lid 130, The inner tube 200 has a snap ring 230 at its end so that the torque transmission member 300 inserted into the inner tube 200 is prevented from protruding out of the outer tube 100. [ So that the torque transmitting member (300) is not pulled out.

Particularly, the lid 130 is caulked and fixed to the outer tube 100.

The intermediate shaft according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same structure as that of the first embodiment except that the inner tube 200 is provided with the fixing groove 241 in the ring groove 240 for fitting the snap ring 230 And at least one outer protrusion 231 protruding from the outer circumference of the snap ring 230 to be guided by the first guide groove 120 to be guided and inserted into the fixing groove 241 At least one inner protrusion 232 is formed so as to be protruded.

The intermediate shaft according to [Embodiment 3] of the present invention has the same structure as the [Embodiment 1], and the outer tube 100 is provided with an intermediate shaft between two adjacent first guide grooves 120, A fixing groove 241 is formed in a ring groove 240 for inserting a snap ring 230 into the inner tube 200 and the snap ring 230 is formed on the outer circumference At least one inner protrusion 232 protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the fixing groove 241 so as to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the fixing groove 241 .

Finally, the outer protrusions 231 and the inner protrusions 232 are formed at positions facing each other with respect to the snap ring 230.

The intermediate axis according to the present invention has the following effects.

(1) When adjusting the length of the intermediate shaft, the torque transmitting member may fall out of the outer tube or the inner tube due to the external force applied in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. However, by using the washer fitted to the outer tube and the snap ring fitted to the inner tube, Thereby limiting the flow range of the transmitting member and thus preventing the torque transmitting member from falling out of the tube.

(2) Particularly, the outer protrusion and the inner protrusion are formed in the snap ring, and the outer protrusion moves along the guide for guiding the groove or the torque ball formed on the outer tube, and the inner protrusion moves the ring groove And this snap ring performs the same action as the torque ball. In other words, the inner protrusion is fixed to the fixing groove, and the outer protrusion moves in the longitudinal direction along the yaw groove or guide to adjust the length. When the inner protrusion is rotated, the outer protrusion is interfered with the yaw groove or guide, Torque transmission is performed by interference of the grooves.

(3) This is because, when assembling the torque transmitting member, the torque ball assembly is not assembled by mistake, or the torque ball is broken during the assembly of the torque transmitting member and the torque ball is detached from the retainer or the like, It can be used as an auxiliary torque transmitting means.

(4) On the other hand, the outer tube is provided with a cover to prevent foreign matter from entering into the tube and to prevent the lubricating oil from leaking to the outside. Caulking is used to stably support the above- ), It is possible to securely fasten the lid while fixing the lid easily and quickly.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall shape of an intermediate shaft according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[Fig. 2] is a perspective view exploded to show a structure of an intermediate shaft according to [Embodiment 1] of the present invention. [Fig.
[Fig. 3] is a longitudinal sectional view for showing a coupling state of an intermediate shaft according to [Embodiment 1] of the present invention. [Fig.
[Fig. 4] is a cross-sectional view in the width direction for showing the engagement state of the intermediate shaft according to [Embodiment 1] of the present invention. [Fig.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a configuration of a coupling portion of a washer and an inner tube according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG.
6 is a view showing a shape of a washer, an inner tube, and an outer tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view of the snap ring, (b) (c) is a cross-sectional view of the outer tube.
FIG. 7 is a combined view of a structure of a washer, an inner tube, and an outer tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a shape of a washer, an inner tube, and an outer tube according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 8A is a front view of the snap ring, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the outer tube.
[Fig. 9] is a combined view showing a combination of a washer, an inner tube and an outer tube according to [Embodiment 3] of the present invention, which is shown in Fig.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary terms, and the inventor should properly define the concept of the term to describe its invention in the best possible way The present invention should be construed in accordance with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Thus, various equivalents And variations may be present.

The intermediate shaft according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an outer tube 100, an inner tube 200 which is fitted in the outer tube 100 and extends and contracts in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, And a torque transmitting member 300 mounted between the outer tube 100 and the inner tube 200 to transmit a change in length and torque of the intermediate shaft.

Particularly, according to the present invention, the cover 130 having the end of the outer tube 100 is provided with a washer 131 and caulked to prevent the torque transmitting member 300 from being exposed to the outside of the outer tube 100 And the torque transmitting member 300 is configured not to be detached from the inner tube 200 by mounting the snap ring 230 at the end of the inner tube 200 so that the torque transmitting member 300 is disengaged from the tube So that it is possible to stably perform the expansion and contraction in the longitudinal direction and the torque transmission operation.

Hereinafter, this configuration will be described in more detail.

The outer tube 100 is provided with a yoke 110 so that a universal joint can be installed on one side and an inner tube 200 described later in the longitudinal direction on the other side as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 .

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of first guide grooves 120 are formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction within the inner tube 200 in which the outer tube 100 is inserted . A torque ball 310 of a torque transmission member 300 to be described later is inserted into the first guide groove 120 to receive the guide of the rolling. In FIG. 4, six first guide grooves 120 are formed at equal intervals.

Meanwhile, a lid 130 to be fitted to the inner tube 200 is attached to the outer tube 100 at its end, as shown in [FIG. 1] to [FIG. 3]. The lid 130 closes the gap between the outer tube 100 and the inner tube 200 to prevent foreign matter from entering and also to prevent the oil for lubrication from leaking out. Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover 130 is provided with a washer 131, and a torque is generated by adjustment or rotation of the intermediate shaft, The torque transmitting member 300 serves as a protecting member for protecting the lid 130 from damage to the outside while being exposed to the outside. The lid 130 may be fixed to the outer tube 100 by caulking so that the lid 130 can be easily and easily assembled. Here, caulking refers to a conventional technique of deforming and fixing a member using a tool such as a chisel.

3, an unillustrated reference numeral 132 denotes a hermetic member which is attached to the lid 130 and makes it possible to maintain airtightness between the lid 130 and the inner tube 200, Reference numeral 140 denotes a groove formed in the outer tube in parallel with the first guide groove 120 in the longitudinal direction for weight reduction and the like.

The outer tube 100 thus formed is assembled by inserting the lid 130 and the washer 131 into the inner tube 200 in order and then inserting the inner tube 200 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 The cover 130 is fixed to the outer tube 100 by caulking.

The inner tube 200 is provided with a yoke 210 so as to be universally jointed to one side thereof and is provided at a position corresponding to the aforementioned first guide groove 120 on the other side as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 A second guide groove 220 is formed.

In the inner tube 200, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the torque transmitting member 300 is fitted in the second guide groove 220. At this time, the inner tube 200 is assembled by inserting the snap ring 230 at the end portion of the second guide groove 220, so that the torque transmitting member 300 is configured not to be detached from the inner tube 200. At this time, the snap ring 230 is formed by forming a ring groove 240 in the form of a strip in the inner tube 200 as shown in Fig. 5, and the ring groove 240 is formed in a state where both sides of the snap ring 230 are opened outward 240, and is returned to its original state.

The inner tube 200 is fixed so as not to fall out by interposing a torque transmitting member 300 to be described later, and then inserted into the outer tube 100 described above.

The torque transmitting member 300 includes a cylinder-shaped retainer 300 'having a predetermined thickness, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and a retainer 300' And includes a plurality of torque balls 310 installed therein.

Particularly, the torque ball 310 is mounted on the retainer 300 'so that the intermediate portion thereof can rotate in place, and the portion exposed to the outside is inserted into the first guide groove 120, And is guided by the second guide grooves 220, respectively.

When the length of the intermediate shaft is adjusted, the torque transmitting member 300 may adjust the length of the torque ball 310 while being guided along the guide grooves 120 and 220. When the torque ball 310 rotates, And causes interference with these guide grooves 120 and 220 to transmit the torque.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the torque transmitting member 300 is formed by sequentially laminating the lid 130 and the washer 131 on the inner tube 200, And the torque transmitting member 300 is not pulled out of the inner tube 200 as the snap ring 230 is fitted to the ring groove 240 at the end of the inner tube 200. The cover 130 is fixed to the end of the outer tube 100 by caulking so that the torque transmission member 300 can not protrude out of the outer tube 100.

The first embodiment thus configured prevents the torque transmitting member from protruding or protruding out of the outer tube through the washer and the cover, and also prevents the torque transmitting member from being pulled out of the inner tube through the snap ring. At this time, the lid can be fastened to the outer tube through the caulking process.

Therefore, the torque transmitting member does not fall out of the outer tube or the inner tube due to the external force received during the torque transmission process such as the adjustment of the length of the intermediate shaft or the steering, so that it is possible to smoothly elongate the shaft and transmit torque.

The intermediate shaft according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same structure as that of the first embodiment as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, but the snap ring 230 'can be utilized as auxiliary torque transmitting means There is a difference in the composition. Hereinafter, the structure of the inner tube 200 'having a different structure due to the snap ring 230' having a different structure will be described. The same components as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In Embodiment 2, the snap ring 230 'has outer protrusions 231 and inner protrusions 232 formed on the outer periphery and the inner periphery, respectively, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. At this time, the outer protrusion 231 is fitted in the first guide groove 120 already formed in the outer tube 100 and is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction.

The inner protrusion 232 has a fixing groove 241 formed in a ring groove 240 'for mounting the snap ring 230' as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, (232) is fitted and fixed. 5, the ring groove 240 'of the [second embodiment] has the fixing groove 241 on the outer periphery of the circular shape, while the ring groove 240' of the [Embodiment 2] The inner protrusion 232 is fitted and fixed in the fixing groove 241 when the snap ring 230 'is inserted into the ring groove 240. [

Meanwhile, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer protrusion 231 and the inner protrusion 232 are preferably formed to face each other with respect to the snap ring 230 '. This is to increase the torque transmission effect by matching the positions of the projections 231 and 232 receiving the torque through the outer tube 100 and the inner tube 200. Of course, even if the positions of the protrusions 231 and 232 are changed, it may be formed at any position where the outer tube 100 and the inner tube 200 can receive interference for torque transmission.

Since the inner protrusion 232 is fixed to the inner tube 200 when the adjustment action is performed in the longitudinal direction, the outer protrusion 231 moves along the first guide groove 120, When the steering operation is performed, the outer protrusion 231 is interfered with the first guide groove 120, and the inner protrusion 232 receives the interference of the fixing groove 241 to transmit the torque.

Therefore, the snap ring 230 'according to the [second embodiment] can be used not only when the intermediate shaft functions normally, but also when, for example, when assembling the torque transmitting member, The outer protrusion and the inner protrusion formed on the snap ring 230 'according to the present invention perform the function of the torque ball to perform the assist torque transmission function even if the torque ball is broken or deviates from the guide groove, do.

The intermediate shaft according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same structure as that of the second embodiment as shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, but has an outer projection 231 'formed on the snap ring 230 & In the present embodiment, there is a difference in that it is inserted and guided in the groove 140 formed in the outer tube 100 for the purpose of weight reduction or the like. The same reference numerals are used for the configurations and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In Embodiment 2, the concave groove 140 is formed by two first guide grooves formed to guide the torque ball 310 in the outer tube 100, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, Is formed in the outer tube (100) so as to be positioned between the outer tube (120). Here, the groove 140 may be a groove for reducing the overall weight of the outer tube 100, or a groove for guiding the outer protrusion 231 'according to the present invention.

On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the snap ring 230 " forms an outer protrusion 231 'at a position where it can be fitted into each of the recessed grooves 140 on its outer periphery. And an inner projection 232 is formed on the inner side.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the outer protrusions 231 'are guided along the grooves 140 and the rest are the same in construction. .

Therefore, since the present invention uses the yaw grooves formed for the purpose of losing or the like as a guide, it can be utilized as an auxiliary torque transmitting means by utilizing the existing configuration as it is without separately forming a guide for guiding the outer projections.

100: outer tube 110, 210: yoke
120: first guide groove 130: cover
131: Washer 140: Groove groove
200: Inner tube 220: Second guide groove
230: snap ring 231: outer projection
232: inner projection 240: second groove
300: torque transmitting member 310: torque ball

Claims

An outer tube (100) having a yoke (110) on one side and a first guide groove (120) in a longitudinal direction at a predetermined interval; An inner tube 200 having a yoke 210 at one side and a second guide groove 220 at a position facing the first guide groove 120 on the other side; And a torque transmitting member having a plurality of torque balls 310 installed between the outer tube 100 and the inner tube 200 so as to be guided by the first guide groove 120 and the second guide groove 220, (300)
The outer tube 100 is covered with a lid 130 fitted in the inner tube 200 to finish the outer tube 100. The lid 130 is further provided with a washer 131 fitted in the inner tube 200 The torque transmitting member 300 inserted into the inner tube 200 is configured not to protrude out of the outer tube 100,
Wherein the inner tube (200) is fitted with a snap ring (230) at its end to prevent the torque transmitting member (300) from falling out.

The method according to claim 1,
The cover (130)
And caulking is applied to the outer tube (100).

The method according to claim 1,
The inner tube 200 is formed with a fixing groove 241 in a ring groove 240 for fitting the snap ring 230,
At least one outer protrusion 231 is formed on the outer periphery of the snap ring 230 so as to be guided by the first guide groove 120 so as to be guided. And an inner protrusion (232) protruding from the inner periphery.

The method according to claim 1,
The outer tube 100 is provided with a weight reducing recess 140 between two adjacent first guide grooves 120 in parallel with the first guide grooves 120,
The inner tube 200 is formed with a fixing groove 241 in a ring groove 240 for fitting the snap ring 230,
At least one outer protrusion 231 protruding from the outer circumference of the snap ring 230 is formed to protrude from the outer circumference of the snap ring 230 and is guided by the recess groove 140. The inner circumference of the snap ring 230 includes at least one inner And the protrusion (232) is protruded from the intermediate shaft.

The method according to claim 3 or 4,
Wherein the outer protrusion (231) and the inner protrusion (232) are formed at positions facing each other with respect to the snap ring (230).