US20030026644A1 - Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same - Google Patents
Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030026644A1 US20030026644A1 US10/191,818 US19181802A US2003026644A1 US 20030026644 A1 US20030026644 A1 US 20030026644A1 US 19181802 A US19181802 A US 19181802A US 2003026644 A1 US2003026644 A1 US 2003026644A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cavity
- joint assembly
- telescoping joint
- effective
- telescoping
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/16—Steering columns
- B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
- B62D1/185—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically
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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
- F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
- F16C29/02—Sliding-contact bearings
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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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- 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
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49616—Structural member making
- Y10T29/49622—Vehicular structural member making
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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
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49636—Process for making bearing or component thereof
- Y10T29/49641—Linear bearing
-
- 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
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49885—Assembling or joining with coating before or during assembling
-
- 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
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53096—Means to assemble or disassemble including means to provide a controlled environment
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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
- Y10T403/32—Articulated members
- Y10T403/32254—Lockable at fixed position
- Y10T403/32467—Telescoping members
Definitions
- This invention relates to a joint assembly and a method for making a joint assembly, and more particularly to a telescoping joint assembly and a method for making a telescoping joint assembly having a pair of members which telescopingly cooperate to form a relatively tight and reliable joint.
- a vehicle steering system or assembly generally includes a steering shaft or column and a telescoping intermediate shaft which is coupled to and transfers torque between a steering column and a steering gear assembly. Particularly, the rotational energy of the steering column is transferred through the telescoping intermediate shaft to the gear assembly and the wheel suspension assembly, thereby allowing the vehicle to be selectively steered.
- the inner member is typically coated or lined with a resin, rubber or polymer material, or contains a bearing assembly.
- the telescoping intermediate shaft compensates for the relative movement between the vehicle body and vehicle frame which occurs as the car is driven and allows at least one of the coupled members, such as the steering column, to substantially and desirably “collapse” in the event of a collision or accident, thereby substantially reducing the probability of injury to the driver.
- the telescoping shaft may further allow the steering column to be adjusted by the driver in an axial or telescopic manner.
- these prior joint assemblies are typically relatively loose fitting and do not have a relatively precise fit or “correspondence” between the telescoping members and/or between one or more of the telescoping members and the liner or bearing assembly.
- the members and the liner/bearing assembly are each formed by separate and independent processes, the manufacturing “tolerance” associated with each of the members and the liner/bearing assembly are additively accumulated or “stacked”, thereby resulting in a relatively “loose” overall tolerance and a relatively imprecise or relatively loose fit.
- these prior telescoping joint assemblies suffer from undesirable “slop”, “lash”, vibration, frictional loss, and/or “frictional lock-up”, which require relatively costly and complicated modifications.
- Efforts to improve these relatively loose joints typically include but are not limited to relatively costly sizing, adjusting, or machining of the respective shafts. Furthermore, in order to obtain a more precise tolerance or fit between the inner and outer members, the members must typically undergo relatively complex and undesirable machining processes after they have been formed and/or after a lining has been applied to the inner and/or outer member. This “post-fabrication” machining undesirably increases the expense, time, and difficulty of the manufacturing process.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective unassembled view of a joint assembly which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the joint assembly which is shown in FIG. 1 and which is taken along view line 2 - 2 ;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the joint assembly which is shown in FIG. 1, which is taken along the view line 2 - 2 , and which is shown in a partially fabricated state;
- material 16 substantially and uniformly coats or lines the portion of member 12 which telescopically penetrates cavity 34 and/or engages member 14 .
- Material 16 is resinous and/or polymeric in nature and, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, comprises thermoplastic material such as acetal, 6:6 nylon material. As discussed more fully and completely below, once assembly 10 is fully assembled and/or formed, material 16 substantially and uniformly occupies or resides within gap 44 .
- the outer surface 18 of the solidified material 16 is substantially similar in shape to surfaces 20 and 32 with the exception that surface 18 is relatively larger in size and/or has a relatively larger surface area than does surface 20 and is relatively smaller in size and/or has a relatively smaller surface area than does surface 32 .
- cavity 34 is filled with the inert gas and the members 12 , 14 are heated, a predetermined amount of material 16 is placed within cavity 34 , as best shown in FIG. 2.
- material 16 is melted or liquefied prior to its insertion within cavity 34 .
- material 16 may be placed within cavity 34 in a substantial “solid form” or “solid state” and subsequently melted within the cavity 34 by the use of heat induction from coil 52 and member 14 .
- Member 12 is then gradually inserted into cavity 34 .
- assembly 10 may be selectively used within various other applications requiring the coupling of two axially compliant members and the transmission or resistance of torque and/or rotational energy by and between these coupled members. It should further be appreciated that while a pair of shaft type members 12 , 14 are shown, assembly 10 , as well as the various other coupling assemblies described herein, is adapted to couple other types, shapes, and/or forms or members and to provide the described coupling benefits and/or attributes to these other coupling arrangements.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
Abstract
A telescoping joint assembly and a method for making a telescope joint assembly 10. The joint assembly 10 has a pair of members 12, 14 which are telescopically engaged. Assembly 10 further includes a resinous, plastic and/or polymer material 16 which shrinkably coats or lines the inner shaft 12 after the inner shaft 12 is heated and exposed to a substantially inert gas, thereby providing a relatively durable and substantially “low friction” bearing or surface 18 which is effective to promote and/or assist the telescopic sliding motion between the members 12, 14.
Description
- This invention relates to a joint assembly and a method for making a joint assembly, and more particularly to a telescoping joint assembly and a method for making a telescoping joint assembly having a pair of members which telescopingly cooperate to form a relatively tight and reliable joint.
- Automotive vehicles and other types of assemblies often utilize telescoping type joints and/or joint assemblies to operatively couple selectively rotatable shafts or members in a manner which allows torque or rotational energy to be communicated and/or transmitted by and between the coupled members, while concomitantly allowing the coupled members to independently move axially with respect to each other (e.g., to selectively move “toward and away” from each other).
- For example and without limitation, a vehicle steering system or assembly generally includes a steering shaft or column and a telescoping intermediate shaft which is coupled to and transfers torque between a steering column and a steering gear assembly. Particularly, the rotational energy of the steering column is transferred through the telescoping intermediate shaft to the gear assembly and the wheel suspension assembly, thereby allowing the vehicle to be selectively steered.
- Typically, the intermediate shaft comprises and/or includes an inner shaft or member and an outer shaft or member which movably and selectively receives and/or “mates” with the inner shaft or member and which cooperates with the inner member to allow the steering column and gear shaft to be “axially compliant” (i.e., to selectively and independently move “toward and away” from each other).
- In order to substantially reduce friction and improve the performance, compliance, and efficiency of this intermediate shaft and/or steering shaft assembly (as well as other types of joint assemblies), the inner member is typically coated or lined with a resin, rubber or polymer material, or contains a bearing assembly. The telescoping intermediate shaft compensates for the relative movement between the vehicle body and vehicle frame which occurs as the car is driven and allows at least one of the coupled members, such as the steering column, to substantially and desirably “collapse” in the event of a collision or accident, thereby substantially reducing the probability of injury to the driver. The telescoping shaft may further allow the steering column to be adjusted by the driver in an axial or telescopic manner.
- Although this intermediate shaft, as well as other substantially similar types of prior joint assemblies, effectively transmit torque between a pair of coupled members or shafts while concomitantly allowing the coupled members to be axially compliant, they suffer from some drawbacks.
- For example and without limitation, these prior joint assemblies are typically relatively loose fitting and do not have a relatively precise fit or “correspondence” between the telescoping members and/or between one or more of the telescoping members and the liner or bearing assembly. Particularly, because the members and the liner/bearing assembly are each formed by separate and independent processes, the manufacturing “tolerance” associated with each of the members and the liner/bearing assembly are additively accumulated or “stacked”, thereby resulting in a relatively “loose” overall tolerance and a relatively imprecise or relatively loose fit. As a result, these prior telescoping joint assemblies suffer from undesirable “slop”, “lash”, vibration, frictional loss, and/or “frictional lock-up”, which require relatively costly and complicated modifications.
- Particularly, these undesirable attributes hinder and/or undesirably diminish the sliding engagement between the telescoping members, resulting in an inefficient transmission of torque or rotational energy while concomitantly creating excessive wear and fatigue to and of the telescoping members, thereby causing failure and/or diminished performance (e.g., undesirably allowing vibrational forces and/or other movements/forces to be readily transferred between the coupled components and/or members, such as between the wheel suspension assembly and the steering column).
- Efforts to improve these relatively loose joints typically include but are not limited to relatively costly sizing, adjusting, or machining of the respective shafts. Furthermore, in order to obtain a more precise tolerance or fit between the inner and outer members, the members must typically undergo relatively complex and undesirable machining processes after they have been formed and/or after a lining has been applied to the inner and/or outer member. This “post-fabrication” machining undesirably increases the expense, time, and difficulty of the manufacturing process.
- There is therefore a need to provide a telescoping joint assembly for coupling two members or shafts which overcomes at least some of the various and previously delineated drawbacks of prior coupling assemblies; which allows torque and rotational energy to be relatively efficiently transmitted between the two coupled members or shafts, while concomitantly allowing each of the members or shafts to be axially compliant; which provides for a substantially “tight” fit between the telescoping members; which substantially eliminates and/or reduces “slop”, lash, frictional loss, and/or “frictional lock-up”; and which substantially eliminates the need for post-fabrication “machining” of the telescoping members.
- It is a first object of the invention to provide a telescoping joint assembly and a method for making a telescoping joint assembly which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior telescoping joint assemblies.
- It is a second object of the invention to provide a telescoping joint assembly which selectively allows torque and/or rotational energy to be transmitted and/or communicated between two telescoping members, while concomitantly allowing the telescoping members to selectively, independently, and reciprocally move toward and away from each other.
- It is a third object of the present invention to provide a telescoping joint assembly which provides for substantially “tight” or precise dimensional fit or correspondence between two operatively assembled telescoping members.
- It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a telescoping joint assembly which substantially eliminates and/or reduces “slop”, “lash”, frictional losses and/or “frictional lock-up”, and which substantially eliminates and/or reduces the amount of vibrational forces transferred between the coupled members.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, a telescoping joint assembly is provided. The telescoping joint assembly includes a first member having an inner cavity; a second member which is selectively and movably disposed within the cavity and which cooperates with the first member to form a gap; a certain amount of a thermoplastic material which is disposed within the gap and which selectively shrinks and solidifies, thereby bonding to the second member and allowing the second member to be slidably disposed within the cavity.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention a method for making a telescoping joint assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first member having a cavity of a first shape; providing a second member adapted to be inserted within the cavity; placing an amount of thermoplastic material within the cavity; heating the cavity effective to liquefy the thermoplastic material; heating the second member; inserting the heated second member within the cavity, effective to cause the thermoplastic material to be distributed within the cavity and around the second member; cooling the first member effective to solidify the material, thereby bonding the material onto the second member and creating a telescoping joint assembly.
- These and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification and the attached drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective unassembled view of a joint assembly which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the joint assembly which is shown in FIG. 1 and which is taken along view line2-2;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the joint assembly which is shown in FIG. 1, which is taken along the view line2-2, and which is shown in a partially fabricated state;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the joint assembly which is shown in FIG. 1, which is taken along the view line2-2, and which is shown in a fabricated state;
- FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the joint assembly which is shown in FIG. 1, which is taken along the view line2-2, and which is shown in a fabricated and unassembled state; and
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the joint assembly which is shown in FIG. 4, which is taken along view line6-6, and which is shown in an assembled state.
- Referring now to FIGS.1-6, there is shown a telescoping
joint assembly 10, which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Thejoint assembly 10 includes an inner shaft ormember 12 which is adapted to be selectively, operatively and slidably inserted into and to selectively engage a generally hollow or tubular outer shaft ormember 14.Assembly 10 further includes a resinous, plastic orpolymer material 16 which is inserted intomember 14 and which, as explained more fully below, coats or lines theinner shaft 12, thereby providing a relatively durable and low friction bearing orsurface 18 which is effective to promote and/or assist the telescopic sliding motion between themembers - In the preferred embodiment of the invention,
member 12 includes anouter surface 20, which is coated, lined or covered bymaterial 16, as best shown in FIGS. 4-6. Particularly, as best shown in FIG. 6,surface 20 has a generally oblong cross sectional shape which is cooperatively formed by two opposing substantiallyflat surface portions semi-circular surface portions Surface 20 includes a knurled or raised projection, protuberance, orformation 30 which protrudes and/or outwardly projects fromsurface 20 and which, as described more fully and completely below, is adapted to selectively engage thesolidified material 16, thereby securing the material to member 12. In other alternate embodiments,projection 30 comprises one or more indentations, grooves or openings disposed upon and/or withinsurface 20 and which are each effective to “hold” or secure at least a portion of the solidifiedmaterial 16 ontosurface 20, thereby securing at least a portion of the solidifiedmaterial 16 tomember 12. -
Member 14 further includes and/or forms acavity 34 which is bounded by and/or is defined by aninner surface 32.Cavity 34 has a generally oblong cross sectional shape which is substantially and integrally formed by two opposing substantiallyflat surface portions semi-circular surface portions surface 20 andsurface 32 have substantially similar and corresponding shapes with the exception thatsurface 32 is relatively larger in size and/or surface area thansurface 20. Hence, wheninner member 12 is inserted intocavity 34, a substantially uniform distance orgap 44 is formed betweensurface 20 andsurface 32. In one non-limiting embodiment, the distance orgap 44 betweensurfaces 20 and 32 (i.e., between each of surfaces 22-28 and the respective and opposing surfaces 36-42) is substantially uniform. In alternate embodiments,surfaces respective surfaces - As best shown in FIGS. 4 through 6,
material 16 substantially and uniformly coats or lines the portion ofmember 12 which telescopically penetratescavity 34 and/or engagesmember 14.Material 16 is resinous and/or polymeric in nature and, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, comprises thermoplastic material such as acetal, 6:6 nylon material. As discussed more fully and completely below, onceassembly 10 is fully assembled and/or formed,material 16 substantially and uniformly occupies or resides withingap 44. Theouter surface 18 of thesolidified material 16 is substantially similar in shape tosurfaces surface 18 is relatively larger in size and/or has a relatively larger surface area than doessurface 20 and is relatively smaller in size and/or has a relatively smaller surface area than doessurface 32. Hence, a substantially uniform distance orgap 48 is formed betweensurfaces gap 48 betweensurfaces members gap 48 betweensurfaces minute gap 48 substantially preventsmembers joint assembly 10 to effectively transmit torque between the selectively coupledmembers small distance 48 and precise “dimensional fit” betweenmaterial 16 andouter member 14 further substantially eliminates “lash” and vibration and improves the overall operational “smoothness” ofassembly 10. - This relatively minute gap or
distance 48 is created through the novel method of assembling and/or fabricatingjoint assembly 10. As best shown in FIGS. 1-5,assembly 10 is assembled and/or fabricated as follows. -
Member 14 is initially inserted into afixture 56, which securesmember 14 in a substantially “upright” position.Cavity 34 is then filled or “flooded” with an inert gas (e.g., the air and/or other gasses resident withincavity 34 are forcibly and intentionally replaced with an inert gas). In another non-limiting embodiment,member cavity 34. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the inert gas comprises argon gas, although other inert gasses may be utilized. The presence of the inert gas withincavity 34 substantially prevents the metal ofmembers material 16. In other alternate embodiments, the entire assembly and/or fabrication process is performed within an inert gas environment, thereby causing substantially theentire surface 32 ofmember 12 andsurface 20 ofmember 14 to be selectively exposed to the inert gas.Members members material 16. - After
cavity 34 is filled with the inert gas and themembers material 16 is placed withincavity 34, as best shown in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiment of the invention,material 16 is melted or liquefied prior to its insertion withincavity 34. However, it should be appreciated thatmaterial 16 may be placed withincavity 34 in a substantial “solid form” or “solid state” and subsequently melted within thecavity 34 by the use of heat induction fromcoil 52 andmember 14.Member 12 is then gradually inserted intocavity 34. - Since the temperature of
members material 16, asmember 12 is inserted intocavity 34,material 16 remains in its liquid or molten state and is displaced around the outer surface ofmember 12 as themember 12 is inserted intocavity 34. Particularly, as shown best in FIG. 3, whenmember 12 is fully inserted intocavity 34,material 16 substantially fills thegap 44 formed between theouter surface 20 ofmember 12 and theinner surface 32 ofmember 14. - Once
member 12 has been fully inserted intocavity 34, the liquefiedmaterial 16 is substantially and evenly distributed betweensurfaces coil 52 is then selectively removed or “lowered”, thereby allowing heat to dissipate fromassembly 10 and reducing the temperature ofmembers material 16. As the temperature ofmaterial 16 decreases, thematerial 16 begins to solidify and/or harden. The solidification ofmaterial 16 causes thematerial 16 to shrink or decrease in size by a predetermined and relatively highly predictable amount, and further causes thematerial 16 to bond or attach tomember 12. As thematerial 16 solidifies, the relatively small, uniform andprecise gap 48 is formed, thereby providing a highly precise mating betweenmembers material 16 within the engagedmembers gap 48 is determined solely by the relatively highly predictable, uniform and controlled shrinkage ofmaterial 16. As such, the present invention substantially avoids the “tolerance stacking” associated with prior art telescoping joint assemblies. - Once
material 16 has solidified,projection 30 securesmaterial 16 tomember 12. Aftermaterial 16 has solidified and cooled,member 12 is removed fromcavity 34 and a conventional and commercially available lubricant, such as grease or oil, may be selectively applied to theouter surface 18 of solidifiedmaterial 16 and/or to theinner surface 32 ofmember 14 in order to reduce sliding type friction between the engagedmembers - In one non-limiting embodiment,
joint assembly 10 replaces the traditional and previously delineated telescoping intermediate and/or steering shaft which is resident within a vehicle steering assembly. In this configuration, end 54 ofmember 12 is operatively attached to the vehicle steering column in a conventional manner and end 56 ofmember 14 is operatively attached to the vehicle gear shaft or gearbox in a conventional manner. In this manner, the selective torque or rotational energy, which is generated by the steering column, is transferred and/or communicated throughassembly 10 to the gear shaft in a manner which allows the gear shaft to concomitantly and axially articulate toward and away from the steering column. - Particularly, as forces and/or vibrations are imparted upon
assembly 10, by way of the typical wheel suspension assembly,member 12 selectively, telescopically, and movably penetratesmember 14 andcavity 34, thereby substantially eliminating the relative torsional motion betweenmember 12 andmember 14, and substantially preventing such movement, vibration, lash, or slop from being communicated to the steering column. The axial movement provided byassembly 10 also allows the steering column to desirably “collapse” in the event of a collision or accident and/or to be selectively adjusted in a telescoping manner or motion. - Importantly, the relatively tightly fitted
telescoping members - It should be appreciated that the
assembly 10 may be selectively used within various other applications requiring the coupling of two axially compliant members and the transmission or resistance of torque and/or rotational energy by and between these coupled members. It should further be appreciated that while a pair ofshaft type members assembly 10, as well as the various other coupling assemblies described herein, is adapted to couple other types, shapes, and/or forms or members and to provide the described coupling benefits and/or attributes to these other coupling arrangements. - It is understood that the invention is not limited by the exact construction or method illustrated and described above but that various changes and/or modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of Applicants' inventions.
Claims (18)
1) A telescoping joint assembly comprising:
a first member having an inner cavity;
a second member which is selectively and movably disposed within the cavity and which cooperates with the first member to form a gap; and
a certain amount of thermoplastic material which is disposed within the gap and which selectively shrinks and solidifies, thereby bonding to the second member and allowing the second member to be slidably disposed within the cavity.
2) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 1 wherein said cavity has an oblong shape.
3) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 1 wherein said formation comprises a knurled portion.
4) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 1 wherein said formation comprises an indentation.
5) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 1 wherein said material comprises a polymeric material.
6) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 5 wherein said polymeric material comprises 6:6 nylon, acetal, thermoplastic.
7) A telescoping joint comprising:
a first member having an inner cavity with a concave surface;
a second member having a convex surface which is disposed within said cavity and which is separated from said concave surface by a substantially uniform gap; and
an amount of a thermoplastic material disposed within said gap, said material solidifying in response to a decrease in temperature, said solidification of said material effective to bond said material to said convex surface and to shrink said material by a predetermined amount, thereby allowing said second member to be slidably movable within said cavity.
8) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 7 wherein said convex surface includes a protuberance effective to further bond said material to said convex surface.
9) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 7 wherein said convex surface includes an indentation effective to further bond said material to said convex surface.
10) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 7 wherein said thermoplastic material comprises 6:6 nylon, acetal thermoplastic.
11) The telescoping joint assembly of claim 7 wherein said first member and said second member concave surface are each oblong in shape.
12) A method for manufacturing a telescoping joint assembly, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a first member having a cavity of a first shape;
providing a second member;
heating said first member;
placing an amount of liquefied thermosetting material within said cavity;
heating said second member;
inserting said heated second member within said cavity effective to cause said liquefied thermosetting material to be distributed within said cavity and around said second member; and
cooling said first member effective to solidify said material and to shrink said material, thereby bonding said material onto said second member.
13) The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of disposing a knurl upon said second member, said knurl being effective to secure said solidified material upon said second member.
14) The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of creating an indentation within said second member, said indentation being effective to secure said solidified material upon said second member.
15) The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of placing said first member, said second member, and said material within an environment containing inert gas.
16) The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of applying a lubricant to said solidified material.
17) The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of filling said cavity with an inert gas.
18) The method of claim 12 wherein said inert gas comprises argon.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/191,818 US20030026644A1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2002-07-09 | Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/443,222 US6473968B1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 1999-11-18 | Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same |
US10/191,818 US20030026644A1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2002-07-09 | Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/443,222 Division US6473968B1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 1999-11-18 | Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same |
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US20030026644A1 true US20030026644A1 (en) | 2003-02-06 |
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US09/443,222 Expired - Fee Related US6473968B1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 1999-11-18 | Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same |
US10/191,818 Abandoned US20030026644A1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2002-07-09 | Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same |
Family Applications Before (1)
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US09/443,222 Expired - Fee Related US6473968B1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 1999-11-18 | Telescoping joint assembly and a method for making the same |
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US (2) | US6473968B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1101686A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE69922335T2 (en) * | 1999-02-23 | 2005-12-15 | Matsui Universal Joint Corp. | Drive shaft and method for producing the same |
US20050200111A1 (en) * | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-15 | Cymbal William D. | Multi piece bearing for telescoping steering column assembly |
US7516985B2 (en) * | 2004-03-11 | 2009-04-14 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Multi piece bearing for telescoping steering column assembly |
US8092635B2 (en) * | 2007-03-21 | 2012-01-10 | Nexteer (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. | Adjustable steering column utilizing a sleeve and a method of forming a filler with a sleeve |
EP3166480A4 (en) * | 2014-07-08 | 2018-02-14 | Scinovia, Corp. | Fluid flow rate determinations using velocity vector maps |
DE102015216326B4 (en) * | 2015-08-26 | 2016-09-08 | Thyssenkrupp Ag | Motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle |
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GB706795A (en) | 1951-08-03 | 1954-04-07 | Glacier Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to bearing assemblies |
US4033020A (en) | 1975-08-04 | 1977-07-05 | Trw Inc. | Method of making a slip joint |
US4563912A (en) | 1983-12-19 | 1986-01-14 | Allied Corporation | Telescoping polygonal steering column |
JP2832934B2 (en) | 1987-08-22 | 1998-12-09 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Method of manufacturing telescopic shaft |
US5042153A (en) * | 1988-02-16 | 1991-08-27 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Method for producing a sliding part |
AU630941B2 (en) | 1989-04-10 | 1992-11-12 | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation | A method for producing a sliding coupling by a monomer casting method |
JPH02307710A (en) * | 1989-05-23 | 1990-12-20 | Aisin Seiki Co Ltd | Telescopic shaft having formed resin layer |
US5243874A (en) | 1992-02-24 | 1993-09-14 | Pittsburgh Tubular Shafting, Inc. | Method and apparatus for telescopically assembling a pair of elongated members |
JP2935950B2 (en) * | 1993-12-03 | 1999-08-16 | 株式会社山田製作所 | Steering shaft and apparatus for manufacturing the same |
US5444911A (en) * | 1994-05-05 | 1995-08-29 | Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation | Gas turbine engine vane assembly repair |
US5720102A (en) * | 1995-01-27 | 1998-02-24 | Dana Corporation | Method for making a drive line slip joint assembly |
JP3004590B2 (en) * | 1996-08-02 | 2000-01-31 | 株式会社山田製作所 | Steering shaft |
US5722300A (en) * | 1996-08-16 | 1998-03-03 | General Motors Corporation | Motor vehicle steering column |
DE19758004A1 (en) | 1997-12-29 | 1999-07-01 | Volkswagen Ag | Process for the production of a plastic layer |
-
1999
- 1999-11-18 US US09/443,222 patent/US6473968B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2000
- 2000-10-30 EP EP00309562A patent/EP1101686A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2002
- 2002-07-09 US US10/191,818 patent/US20030026644A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1101686A1 (en) | 2001-05-23 |
US6473968B1 (en) | 2002-11-05 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |