US20010002966A1 - Expansion shaft - Google Patents
Expansion shaft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010002966A1 US20010002966A1 US09/726,326 US72632600A US2001002966A1 US 20010002966 A1 US20010002966 A1 US 20010002966A1 US 72632600 A US72632600 A US 72632600A US 2001002966 A1 US2001002966 A1 US 2001002966A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- shaft section
- expansion
- section
- fit hole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C3/00—Shafts; Axles; Cranks; Eccentrics
- F16C3/02—Shafts; Axles
- F16C3/03—Shafts; Axles telescopic
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
- F16D3/02—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions
- F16D3/06—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions specially adapted to allow axial displacement
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
- F16C2326/20—Land vehicles
- F16C2326/24—Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D2250/00—Manufacturing; Assembly
- F16D2250/0038—Surface treatment
- F16D2250/0046—Coating
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/70—Interfitted members
- Y10T403/7026—Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
- Y10T403/7033—Longitudinally splined or fluted rod including a lock or retainer
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/70—Interfitted members
- Y10T403/7026—Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
- Y10T403/7035—Specific angle or shape of rib, key, groove, or shoulder
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an expansion shaft. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved structure of the expansion shaft for preventing vibrations resulting from play in fit portions of a pair of shaft sections.
- the expansion shaft is used as, for example, a steering shaft of an automobile.
- the expansion shaft is also used as an intermediate shaft interconnecting the automotive steering shaft and a steering mechanism such as a rack and pinion type mechanism.
- the extending function is used for adjustment of the intermediate shaft length for accommodating a relative displacement between a steering gear and a steering column while a vehicle is driven, or used for adjustment of the length of the intermediate shaft at the time of being assembled.
- a spline or serration is generally employed as a structure for establishing fitting engagement between the pair of shaft sections of the expansion shaft.
- the two shaft sections may be integrally rotatably joined together by inserting an end of a second shaft section into a fit hole formed at an end of a first shaft section.
- the fit hole includes a female serration (also called an internal serration) while the end of the second shaft section includes a male serration (also called an external serration).
- the second shaft section cannot be inserted into the fit hole if there is no clearance between the male serration and the female serration.
- the clearance has the adverse effect of permitting the shaft sections to be radially or circumferentially displaced relative to each other, thus causing rattle which is annoying to a driver.
- the second shaft section is configured such that a part of the male serration is cut away to produce a cutaway portion or to define a D-shape in section.
- the second shaft section With a flat plate spring of a bent form placed on the cutaway portion, the second shaft section is fitted in the fit hole of the first shaft section thereby preventing the occurrence of rattle.
- the configuration suffers a poor assemblability because of a fear that the plate spring on the cutaway portion of the second shaft section may move out of place when the second shaft section is inserted in the fit hole of the first shaft section.
- the second shaft section may be assembled with the plate spring displaced out of place. This leads to the variations of an anti-rattle effect.
- an anti-rattle member as shown in FIG. 8 has heretofor been proposed (Unexamined Japanese Utility Model No.7(1995)-40360).
- the anti-rattle member is arranged such that one shaft section 51 is formed with a thick shaft portion 52 at an end thereof, which is formed with a male serration 53 , while a female serration 54 for fittingly receiving the male serration 53 is formed at an inner circumferential surface of a fit hole 56 of the other shaft section 55 .
- the male serration 53 includes a first portion 53 a and a second portion 53 b which are axially separated from each other.
- a thin shaft portion 57 is defined between the first and second portions 53 a, 53 b and is adapted to be brought into fitting engagement with an anti-rattle member 58 .
- the anti-rattle member 58 includes two legs 59 substantially of an annular shape (C-shape) having a smaller inside diameter than an outside diameter of the thin shaft portion, and a body 60 interconnecting these legs 59 at their mid portions.
- the body 60 is of a bent shape raised at its intermediate portion.
- the body is designed to prevent the occurrence of rattle by way of its top portion resiliently pressing against the female serration 54 .
- the thin shaft portion 57 is increased in the axial length because of the anti-rattle member 58 having the pair of legs 59 , 59 axially spaced from each other by a distance D.
- the male serration 53 is increased in the overall axial length.
- a fit length between the pair of shaft sections 51 , 55 is increased so that the overall weight and costs of the expansion shaft increase.
- an expansion shaft comprises a first and a second shaft section aligned on the same axis, the expansion shaft further comprising a fit hole formed at the first shaft section for receiving the second shaft section; a thin shaft portion defined on the second shaft section; a pair of thick shaft portions formed on the second shaft section as axially sandwiching the thin shaft portion therebetween; a groove and a ridge respectively formed in an inner circumferential surface of the fit hole and on the thick shaft portions for coming into fitting engagement thereby integrally rotatably interconnecting the first and second shaft sections as allowing the shaft sections to axially move relative to each other; and a resilient member interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section and an opposite outer peripheral surface of the second shaft section for preventing the shaft sections from radially moving relative to each other.
- the resilient member includes a single C-shaped snap ring resiliently clamping the thin shaft portion, and an arm extended from the snap ring in at least one axial direction of the second shaft section and serving to press against the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section.
- the single C-shaped snap ring is used for retaining the resilient member on the thin shaft portion of the second shaft section so that the thin shaft portion can be reduced in the axial length.
- This contributes to the reduction of the fit length between the first and second shaft sections, thus enabling the realization of a compact, lightweight expansion shaft.
- the arm resiliently presses against the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section thereby positively preventing the vibrations due to a loose fit between the first and second shaft sections as well as the occurrence of noise associated with the vibrations.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an expansion shaft according to one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an anti-rattle member
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view showing the anti-rattle member attached to a second shaft section;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the expansion shaft in which two shaft sections are assembled with an arm of the anti-rattle member pressing against a female serration;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an anti-rattle member according to another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an expansion shaft according to still another embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views showing an expansion shaft according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional expansion shaft
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are a perspective view and a plan view showing an anti-rattle member employed by the expansion shaft of FIG. 8.
- FIGS. 1 - 4 an expansion shaft according to one embodiment of the invention will be described.
- the expansion shaft is constructed such that a fit hole 4 with a female serration 3 is formed at an end 2 of a first shaft section 1 while an end 7 of a second shaft section 6 is inserted in the fit hole 4 , the end 7 of the second shaft section 6 having a male serration 5 to engage with the female serration 3 .
- the end 7 of the second shaft section 6 includes a thin shaft portion 8 having a smaller diameter and a predetermined width, and a pair of thick shaft portions 16 , 17 of a greater diameter axially sandwiching the thin shaft portion 8 therebetween.
- the thick shaft portions 16 , 17 are respectively formed with a male serration 5 a, 5 b at their outer peripheries. That is, the male serration 5 is divided into the two male serrations 5 a, 5 b disposed on axially opposite sides of the thin shaft portion 8 .
- FIG. 1 schematically shows the male serrations 5 a, 5 b and the female serration 3 .
- An anti-rattle member 9 formed of a resilient member is mounted on the thin shaft portion 8 .
- the anti-rattle member 9 is constructed from a sheet metal by press forming.
- the anti-rattle member 9 includes a leg portion 10 serving as a single snap ring substantially of an annular form (C-shaped arcuate form) extending along a circumference of the thin shaft portion 8 , and a pair of arms 11 , 12 extended from an intermediate portion (a midportion, for example) of the leg portion 10 in axially opposite directions of the thin shaft portion 8 .
- the leg portion 10 extends substantially along the overall circumference of the thin shaft portion 8 , resiliently clamping the thin shaft portion 8 .
- Each of the arms 11 , 12 is of a bent form, raised at its intermediate portion 13 such that the intermediate portion 13 may resiliently contact the female serration 3 , as shown in FIG. 4, when the two shaft sections 1 , 6 are assembled.
- the male serrations 5 a, 5 b are respectively formed with teeth-free areas 14 , 15 for accommodating the corresponding arms 11 , 12 .
- each serration tooth 18 defines a ridge, the serration tooth extending axially of the male serration 5 a and having a triangular shape in section.
- Each serration tooth 18 as the ridge of the male serration 5 a is fitted in a groove 20 defined between adjoining serration teeth 19 of the female serration 3 .
- an axial length L 1 of the thin shaft portion 8 can be reduced because a single leg portion 10 serves to retain the anti-rattle member 9 on the thin shaft portion 8 of the second shaft section 6 .
- This contributes to a reduced fit length L 2 between the serrations 3 , 5 (see FIG. 3B) and hence, to the realization of a compact, lightweight expansion shaft.
- a sufficient anti-rattle effect can be attained by virtue of the pair of arms 11 , 12 pressing against the female serration 3 , the arms extended axially of the thin shaft portion 8 in a bent fashion.
- the arms 11 , 12 are accommodated in the corresponding teeth-free areas 14 , 15 of the male serrations 5 a, 5 b so that the arms 11 , 12 may not interfere with the assembly of the shaft sections.
- the assembly of the expansion shaft is facilitated.
- an anti-rattle member 9 A may include either one of the arms 11 , 12 .
- Such a design requires only one teeth-free area, further reducing the production costs.
- a second shaft section 6 A may comprise a spline shaft.
- each spline tooth 22 defines the ridge, the spline tooth extending on a male spline 21 of the second shaft section 6 A and having a trapezoidal or groove-like shape in section.
- a groove 25 is defined between adjoining spline teeth 24 of a female spline 23 of a first shaft section 1 A.
- the male serration 5 may be coated with a synthetic resin of low friction coefficient such as fluoroplastics to provide a coating film 26 .
- the synthetic-resin coating film 26 serves to reduce sliding resistance between the serrations 3 , 5 .
- the synthetic-resin coating film 26 not only serves to reduce the clearance between the serrations 3 , 5 but also cooperates with the anti-rattle member 9 to prevent the occurrence of rattle. The reasons for this are the following.
- the synthetic-resin coating film 26 may be laid over the female serration 3 , as shown in FIG. 7B.
- Other various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
- Snaps, Bayonet Connections, Set Pins, And Snap Rings (AREA)
- Springs (AREA)
Abstract
An expansion shaft includes a first and a second shaft section aligned on the same axis. The second shaft section is inserted in a fit hole of the first shaft section while both the shaft sections are interconnected via a spline or serration. A resilient member is provided which possesses a single snap ring of C-shape fitted on a thin shaft portion of the second shaft section. An arm is axially extended from the snap ring. The arm resiliently presses against an inner circumferential surface of the fit hole for preventing the shaft sections from radially vibrating relative to each other.
Description
- This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 11-343700 and 2000-350738, the abstract of disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to an expansion shaft. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved structure of the expansion shaft for preventing vibrations resulting from play in fit portions of a pair of shaft sections.
- The expansion shaft is used as, for example, a steering shaft of an automobile.
- The expansion shaft is also used as an intermediate shaft interconnecting the automotive steering shaft and a steering mechanism such as a rack and pinion type mechanism. In this case, the extending function is used for adjustment of the intermediate shaft length for accommodating a relative displacement between a steering gear and a steering column while a vehicle is driven, or used for adjustment of the length of the intermediate shaft at the time of being assembled.
- A spline or serration is generally employed as a structure for establishing fitting engagement between the pair of shaft sections of the expansion shaft.
- For instance, the two shaft sections may be integrally rotatably joined together by inserting an end of a second shaft section into a fit hole formed at an end of a first shaft section. The fit hole includes a female serration (also called an internal serration) while the end of the second shaft section includes a male serration (also called an external serration).
- In this case, the second shaft section cannot be inserted into the fit hole if there is no clearance between the male serration and the female serration. Unfortunately, the clearance has the adverse effect of permitting the shaft sections to be radially or circumferentially displaced relative to each other, thus causing rattle which is annoying to a driver.
- For this reason, the second shaft section is configured such that a part of the male serration is cut away to produce a cutaway portion or to define a D-shape in section. With a flat plate spring of a bent form placed on the cutaway portion, the second shaft section is fitted in the fit hole of the first shaft section thereby preventing the occurrence of rattle.
- However, the configuration suffers a poor assemblability because of a fear that the plate spring on the cutaway portion of the second shaft section may move out of place when the second shaft section is inserted in the fit hole of the first shaft section. In some cases, the second shaft section may be assembled with the plate spring displaced out of place. This leads to the variations of an anti-rattle effect.
- As an approach to overcome this problem, an anti-rattle member as shown in FIG. 8 has heretofor been proposed (Unexamined Japanese Utility Model No.7(1995)-40360). The anti-rattle member is arranged such that one
shaft section 51 is formed with athick shaft portion 52 at an end thereof, which is formed with amale serration 53, while afemale serration 54 for fittingly receiving themale serration 53 is formed at an inner circumferential surface of afit hole 56 of theother shaft section 55. Themale serration 53 includes afirst portion 53 a and asecond portion 53 b which are axially separated from each other. Athin shaft portion 57 is defined between the first andsecond portions anti-rattle member 58. - Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B, the
anti-rattle member 58 includes twolegs 59 substantially of an annular shape (C-shape) having a smaller inside diameter than an outside diameter of the thin shaft portion, and abody 60 interconnecting theselegs 59 at their mid portions. - When the one
shaft section 51 is inserted in thefit hole 56 of theother shaft section 55, theanti-rattle member 58 is stably retained on the oneshaft section 51 by way of thelegs 59 resiliently clamping thethin shaft portion 57. This eliminates a fear of disengagement of theanti-rattle member 58 during assembly. - The
body 60 is of a bent shape raised at its intermediate portion. The body is designed to prevent the occurrence of rattle by way of its top portion resiliently pressing against thefemale serration 54. - However, the
thin shaft portion 57 is increased in the axial length because of theanti-rattle member 58 having the pair oflegs male serration 53 is increased in the overall axial length. Hence, a fit length between the pair ofshaft sections - In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an expansion shaft capable of achieving the reduction of size and weight.
- In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention for achieving the above object, an expansion shaft comprises a first and a second shaft section aligned on the same axis, the expansion shaft further comprising a fit hole formed at the first shaft section for receiving the second shaft section; a thin shaft portion defined on the second shaft section; a pair of thick shaft portions formed on the second shaft section as axially sandwiching the thin shaft portion therebetween; a groove and a ridge respectively formed in an inner circumferential surface of the fit hole and on the thick shaft portions for coming into fitting engagement thereby integrally rotatably interconnecting the first and second shaft sections as allowing the shaft sections to axially move relative to each other; and a resilient member interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section and an opposite outer peripheral surface of the second shaft section for preventing the shaft sections from radially moving relative to each other. The resilient member includes a single C-shaped snap ring resiliently clamping the thin shaft portion, and an arm extended from the snap ring in at least one axial direction of the second shaft section and serving to press against the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section.
- According to the embodiment, the single C-shaped snap ring is used for retaining the resilient member on the thin shaft portion of the second shaft section so that the thin shaft portion can be reduced in the axial length. This contributes to the reduction of the fit length between the first and second shaft sections, thus enabling the realization of a compact, lightweight expansion shaft. In addition, the arm resiliently presses against the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section thereby positively preventing the vibrations due to a loose fit between the first and second shaft sections as well as the occurrence of noise associated with the vibrations.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an expansion shaft according to one embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an anti-rattle member;
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view showing the anti-rattle member attached to a second shaft section;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the expansion shaft in which two shaft sections are assembled with an arm of the anti-rattle member pressing against a female serration;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an anti-rattle member according to another embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an expansion shaft according to still another embodiment of the invention;
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views showing an expansion shaft according to yet another embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional expansion shaft; and
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are a perspective view and a plan view showing an anti-rattle member employed by the expansion shaft of FIG. 8.
- Now, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIGS.1-4, an expansion shaft according to one embodiment of the invention will be described.
- As seen in FIG. 1, the expansion shaft is constructed such that a fit hole4 with a
female serration 3 is formed at anend 2 of afirst shaft section 1 while anend 7 of asecond shaft section 6 is inserted in the fit hole 4, theend 7 of thesecond shaft section 6 having amale serration 5 to engage with thefemale serration 3. - The
end 7 of thesecond shaft section 6 includes athin shaft portion 8 having a smaller diameter and a predetermined width, and a pair ofthick shaft portions thin shaft portion 8 therebetween. Thethick shaft portions male serration male serration 5 is divided into the twomale serrations thin shaft portion 8. FIG. 1 schematically shows themale serrations female serration 3. Ananti-rattle member 9 formed of a resilient member is mounted on thethin shaft portion 8. Theanti-rattle member 9 is constructed from a sheet metal by press forming. - Referring to FIGS. 2, 3A and3B, the
anti-rattle member 9 includes aleg portion 10 serving as a single snap ring substantially of an annular form (C-shaped arcuate form) extending along a circumference of thethin shaft portion 8, and a pair ofarms leg portion 10 in axially opposite directions of thethin shaft portion 8. - The
leg portion 10 extends substantially along the overall circumference of thethin shaft portion 8, resiliently clamping thethin shaft portion 8. Each of thearms intermediate portion 13 such that theintermediate portion 13 may resiliently contact thefemale serration 3, as shown in FIG. 4, when the twoshaft sections male serrations free areas corresponding arms - Referring to FIG. 4, each
serration tooth 18 defines a ridge, the serration tooth extending axially of themale serration 5 a and having a triangular shape in section. Eachserration tooth 18 as the ridge of themale serration 5 a is fitted in agroove 20 defined between adjoiningserration teeth 19 of thefemale serration 3. - In the present embodiment, an axial length L1 of the thin shaft portion 8 (see FIG. 3B) can be reduced because a
single leg portion 10 serves to retain theanti-rattle member 9 on thethin shaft portion 8 of thesecond shaft section 6. This contributes to a reduced fit length L2 between theserrations 3, 5 (see FIG. 3B) and hence, to the realization of a compact, lightweight expansion shaft. In addition, a sufficient anti-rattle effect can be attained by virtue of the pair ofarms female serration 3, the arms extended axially of thethin shaft portion 8 in a bent fashion. - During the assembly of the expansion shaft, in particular, the
arms free areas male serrations arms - It is to be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the foregoing embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, for instance, an
anti-rattle member 9A may include either one of thearms - As shown in FIG. 6, a
second shaft section 6A may comprise a spline shaft. In this case, eachspline tooth 22 defines the ridge, the spline tooth extending on amale spline 21 of thesecond shaft section 6A and having a trapezoidal or groove-like shape in section. On the other hand, agroove 25 is defined between adjoiningspline teeth 24 of afemale spline 23 of afirst shaft section 1A. - Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the
male serration 5 may be coated with a synthetic resin of low friction coefficient such as fluoroplastics to provide acoating film 26. - In this case, the synthetic-
resin coating film 26 serves to reduce sliding resistance between theserrations resin coating film 26 not only serves to reduce the clearance between theserrations anti-rattle member 9 to prevent the occurrence of rattle. The reasons for this are the following. - If the prevention of rattle depends only on the synthetic-resin coating film adjusting the clearance between the
serrations individual serrations individual serrations resin coating film 26, contributing the low-cost production. Thus, the reduction of sliding resistance and the prevention of rattle can be attained at low costs. - It is noted that the synthetic-
resin coating film 26 may be laid over thefemale serration 3, as shown in FIG. 7B. Other various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims (9)
1. An expansion shaft comprising a first and a second shaft section aligned on the same axis, the expansion shaft further comprising:
a fit hole formed at the first shaft section for receiving the second shaft section;
a thin shaft portion defined on the second shaft section;
a pair of thick shaft portions formed on the second shaft section as axially sandwiching the thin shaft portion on the second shaft section therebetween;
a groove and a ridge respectively formed in an inner circumferential surface of the fit hole and on the thick shaft portions for coming into fitting engagement thereby integrally rotatably interconnecting the first and second shaft sections as allowing the shaft sections to axially move relative to each other; and
a resilient member interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section and an opposite outer peripheral surface of the second shaft section for preventing the shaft sections from radially moving relative to each other,
wherein the resilient member includes a single C-shaped snap ring resiliently clamping the thin shaft portion, and an arm extended from the snap ring in at least one axial direction of the second shaft section and serving to press against the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole of the first shaft section.
2. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein at least one of the thick shaft portions of the second shaft section includes a ridge-free areas capable of accommodating a corresponding arm.
claim 1
3. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein the ridge-free area is continuous to the thin shaft portion.
claim 2
4. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein the second shaft section includes a spline shaft.
claim 1
5. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein the second shaft section includes a serration shaft.
claim 1
6. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein a synthetic-resin layer is interposed between the ridge and groove.
claim 1
7. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein the synthetic-resin layer is laid over a region at least including the thick shaft portions of the second shaft section.
claim 6
8. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein the synthetic-resin layer is laid over a region at least including the groove in the inner circumferential surface of the fit hole.
claim 6
9. The expansion shaft as claimed in , wherein the resilient member includes a sheet metal formed by press forming.
claim 1
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP11-343700 | 1999-12-02 | ||
JP34370099 | 1999-12-02 | ||
JP2000350738A JP3853150B2 (en) | 1999-12-02 | 2000-11-17 | Telescopic shaft |
JP2000-350738 | 2000-11-17 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010002966A1 true US20010002966A1 (en) | 2001-06-07 |
US6428236B2 US6428236B2 (en) | 2002-08-06 |
Family
ID=26577590
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/726,326 Expired - Fee Related US6428236B2 (en) | 1999-12-02 | 2000-12-01 | Expansion shaft |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6428236B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1106847B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3853150B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60009427T2 (en) |
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US20080315679A1 (en) * | 2007-06-19 | 2008-12-25 | Shook William B | Steel insert for aluminum spline body |
US20090066152A1 (en) * | 2007-09-11 | 2009-03-12 | Gwo-Dong You | Protection structure for outer shell of a hub |
US20110175433A1 (en) * | 2010-01-19 | 2011-07-21 | Joy Industrial Co., Ltd. | Tubular portion of bicycle hub |
US20110193406A1 (en) * | 2010-02-09 | 2011-08-11 | Joy Industrial Co., Ltd. | Tubular portion of bicycle hub |
TWI415753B (en) * | 2010-06-15 | 2013-11-21 | William B Shook | Drive body for bicycle wheel hub |
US20140116184A1 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-05-01 | Michael W. Clark | Steering wheel retention assembly |
US20140119810A1 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-05-01 | Melvin Lee Tinnin | Steering wheel shaft retention mechanism assembly and service tool |
CN110053762A (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2019-07-26 | 波音公司 | The method of torque tube assembly and assembling torque tube assembly |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE19954969A1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2001-06-07 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Device for connecting a shaft to a ring |
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- 2000-11-17 JP JP2000350738A patent/JP3853150B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-11-30 DE DE60009427T patent/DE60009427T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-11-30 EP EP00126222A patent/EP1106847B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-12-01 US US09/726,326 patent/US6428236B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US20090066152A1 (en) * | 2007-09-11 | 2009-03-12 | Gwo-Dong You | Protection structure for outer shell of a hub |
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US20110175433A1 (en) * | 2010-01-19 | 2011-07-21 | Joy Industrial Co., Ltd. | Tubular portion of bicycle hub |
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US20140116184A1 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-05-01 | Michael W. Clark | Steering wheel retention assembly |
US20140119810A1 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-05-01 | Melvin Lee Tinnin | Steering wheel shaft retention mechanism assembly and service tool |
CN110053762A (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2019-07-26 | 波音公司 | The method of torque tube assembly and assembling torque tube assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1106847A2 (en) | 2001-06-13 |
DE60009427T2 (en) | 2004-12-30 |
EP1106847A3 (en) | 2002-09-18 |
EP1106847B1 (en) | 2004-03-31 |
JP2001221245A (en) | 2001-08-17 |
JP3853150B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 |
US6428236B2 (en) | 2002-08-06 |
DE60009427D1 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
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