JP3833021B2 - Universal joint - Google Patents

Universal joint Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3833021B2
JP3833021B2 JP27583299A JP27583299A JP3833021B2 JP 3833021 B2 JP3833021 B2 JP 3833021B2 JP 27583299 A JP27583299 A JP 27583299A JP 27583299 A JP27583299 A JP 27583299A JP 3833021 B2 JP3833021 B2 JP 3833021B2
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Japan
Prior art keywords
shaft
tab
holding
receiving groove
clip
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Expired - Fee Related
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JP27583299A
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Japanese (ja)
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JP2001099178A (en
Inventor
昇 源
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JTEKT Corp
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JTEKT Corp
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Priority to JP27583299A priority Critical patent/JP3833021B2/en
Publication of JP2001099178A publication Critical patent/JP2001099178A/en
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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
    • F16D3/16—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
    • F16D3/26—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected
    • F16D3/38—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected with a single intermediate member with trunnions or bearings arranged on two axes perpendicular to one another
    • F16D3/382—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected with a single intermediate member with trunnions or bearings arranged on two axes perpendicular to one another constructional details of other than the intermediate member
    • F16D3/387—Fork construction; Mounting of fork on shaft; Adapting shaft for mounting of fork
    • 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
    • F16D1/00—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
    • F16D1/06—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end
    • F16D1/08—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with clamping hub; with hub and longitudinal key
    • F16D1/0852—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with clamping hub; with hub and longitudinal key with radial clamping between the mating surfaces of the hub and shaft
    • F16D1/0864—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with clamping hub; with hub and longitudinal key with radial clamping between the mating surfaces of the hub and shaft due to tangential loading of the hub, e.g. a split hub
    • 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
    • F16D1/00—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
    • F16D1/10—Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially
    • F16D1/108—Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially having retaining means rotating with the coupling and acting by interengaging parts, i.e. positive coupling
    • F16D1/116—Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially having retaining means rotating with the coupling and acting by interengaging parts, i.e. positive coupling the interengaging parts including a continuous or interrupted circumferential groove in the surface of one of the coupling parts
    • 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
    • F16D3/16—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
    • F16D3/26—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected
    • F16D3/38—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected with a single intermediate member with trunnions or bearings arranged on two axes perpendicular to one another
    • F16D3/40—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected with a single intermediate member with trunnions or bearings arranged on two axes perpendicular to one another with intermediate member provided with two pairs of outwardly-directed trunnions on intersecting axes
    • F16D3/405—Apparatus for assembling or dismantling

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば車両のステアリング装置に用いる自在継手に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
車両のステアリング装置におけるステアリングシャフトは、複数に分割されて自在継手により相互に連結されながら、車室内から車体前方へ延設されている。このステアリングシャフトを自在継手のヨークに連結する際には、ヨークに形成された収容溝にステアリングシャフトを挿入して仮保持しながら、収容溝を横切って形成されたボルト挿通孔にボルトを挿通してナットにより締結している。
【０００３】
このボルト・ナットによる締結が完了するまで、締結作業を容易にするため、ヨークに予め装着したクリップにより、収容溝内にステアリングシャフトを仮保持してシャフトが収容溝から抜け出るのを防止している。
例えば、特許第２７３５２６０号公報では、上記ナットとして、ボルト挿通孔に摺動自在に挿通されるスリーブと、タブの外面に沿うフランジ部とを有する特殊形状の特殊ナットを用いている。この特殊ナットは、ヨークに予め装着された弾性変形可能なクリップの付勢力によって押圧されることにより、フランジ部がヨークの一方のタブの外面に当接した状態で、ボルト挿入孔に挿通されたスリーブの先端部が収容溝内に進出している。
【０００４】
そして、収容溝にシャフトを挿入する際には、特殊ナットをクリップの付勢力に抗しながら収容溝から挿入孔内へ一旦、退避させ、次いで、シャフトが収容溝内に完全に挿入された後には、クリップの付勢力により特殊ナットのスリーブの先端部を収容溝内に突出させて、特殊ナットのスリーブの先端部によりシャフトを収容溝内に仮保持するようにしている。
一方、クリップとして、Ｕ字状のヨークの外面全体に沿ってＵ字状をなす本体と、この本体の第１および第２の端部に延設され、対応するヨークの第１および第２のタブの端部にそれぞれ係合する第１および第２の延設片とを備えるクリップを有する自在継手が提供されている。この自在継手のクリップでは、第１のタブに対応する第１の延設片に、収容溝内に延びてシャフトの抜け防止に寄与する弾性変形可能な舌片を設けている。また、ボルトに締結するための特殊ナットを用いて、クリップをヨークに保持するようにしている。
【０００５】
具体的には、この特殊ナットは、クリップの本体の第２の端部の挿通孔を挿通して、第２のタブの圧入孔に圧入されるスリーブと、クリップの本体の第２の端部を第２のタブの外面に止定してクリップ全体をヨークに保持するためのフランジとを有するものからなり、クリップをヨークに固定するよう機能している。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記何れの例においても、汎用品とは異なる特殊ナットが必要であり、部品点数が多くなって、製造コストが高くなる。
また、特殊ナットをクリップの弾性力により収容溝内に進出させてシャフトを仮保持する前者の例では、クリップがヨークから外れ易いことに起因して、シャフトの仮保持が不確実であるという問題がある。
【０００７】
一方、特殊ナットがクリップを保持する状態で特殊ナットをヨークに圧入固定してしまう後者の例では、抜け止め用の舌片を有するクリップをヨークから取り外すことができないので、ヨークの収容溝からシャフトを離脱させる必要が生じた場合に、これに対処することができないという問題がある。
本発明は上記課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、本発明の目的はシャフトの仮保持が確実に行え、しかも、シャフトを離脱する必要が生じた場合には容易にクリップを取り外してシャフトを離脱させることができる安価な自在継手を提供することである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段および発明の効果】
上記目的を達成するための課題解決手段として、請求項１記載の発明は、互いに平行な第１および第２のタブを含んでＵ字状をなすヨークの嵌合部に、シャフトを挿入してヨークに連結する際、ヨークに予め装着されたクリップによって、シャフトを嵌合部の収容溝に仮保持する自在継手において、上記クリップは、第１のタブの端部を挟持する第１および第２の挟持片を含んで逆Ｕ字状をなす本体と、第１の挟持片から延設され収容溝内に進出する弾性舌片と、第２の挟持片から延設され第１のタブの外面の保持溝に嵌め入れられる保持突起とを備え、第１のタブの端部の内面には、シャフトを収容溝内に挿入するときに、対応する弾性舌片を一旦退避させてシャフトの挿入を許容するための一対の凹部が形成されており、各弾性舌片は、収容溝にシャフトが挿入される際には対応する凹部内に退避してシャフトの挿入を許容する一方、シャフトが収容溝に収められた後には元の位置に復帰して収容溝からのシャフトの抜脱を阻止することを特徴とするものである。
【０００９】
本発明では、収容溝内にシャフトを導入すると、弾性舌片が一旦退避した後、元の位置に復帰し、収容溝からのシャフトの抜脱を阻止する。一方、収容溝からシャフトを抜くことが必要となったときには、第２の挟持片と第１のタブの外面との間に、例えばマイナスドライバ等を差し込んで、保持突起を保持溝から抜脱することにより、クリップを第１のタブから容易に離脱させることができる。
従来のクリップはヨークの外面全体に被せられるような形状であったが、本発明では第１のタブの端部のみに被せられる形状となり、格段に小型にできる。
【００１０】
また、従来では、第２のタブのボルト孔にクリップを保持するための特殊なナットを用いていたが、本発明では、第１のタブの保持溝にクリップの保持突起を嵌め入れてクリップを保持するので、上記の特殊なナットが不要となり、構造を簡素化することができる。このように小型で構造も簡単となるので、製造コストが格段に安くなる。
請求項２記載の発明は、請求項１において、上記一対の凹部は、ボルト挿通孔を挟んだ両側に配置され、第１のタブの先端まで延びていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の好ましい実施の形態を添付図面を参照しつつ説明する。
図１は本発明の一実施の形態に係る自在継手の正面図である。図１を参照して、自動車のステアリング装置におけるステアリングシャフト１（以下では、単にシャフト１ともいう）は、ヨーク２に嵌合されており、このヨーク２は十字軸３を介して他のヨーク４に連結されている。ヨーク２はシャフト１に嵌合する嵌合部５と、十字軸３に連結するためのアーム部６とからなり、プレス成形により一体に形成されている。１１はシャフト１を嵌合部５に仮保持するためのクリップであり、２２は嵌合部５を貫通して固定されるボルトである。
【００１２】
図１のII−II線に沿う断面図である図２に示すように、嵌合部５は、平行に延びる第１および第２のタブ７，８と、これら第１および第２のタブ７，８を相互に接続する架橋部９とを有する断面Ｕ字形形状をなしている。第１および第２のタブ７，８の内面７ａ，８ａと架橋部９の内面９ａによって、対向する一対の平坦面１ａ，１ａと対向する一対の円弧部１ｂ，１ｂを有するシャフト１の断面形状に対応した収容溝１０が区画されている。
【００１３】
また、ヨーク２の嵌合部５には、収容溝１０内に挿入されるシャフト１を図３（ｂ）に示すように収容溝１０内に仮保持するための上記クリップ１１が、図３（ａ）に示すように予め装着されている。
図２に示すように、第１および第２のタブ７，８は、両者の端部を貫通する上記ボルト２２によって互いに連結されるようになっており、第１のタブ７の端部にはボルト２２が挿通されるボルト挿通孔２３が形成され、第２のタブ８の端部にはボルト２２のねじ部がねじ込まれるねじ孔２４が形成されている。
【００１４】
図３（ａ）および図４を参照して、クリップ１１は板金による折り曲げ形成により製作されている。クリップ１１は、第１のタブ７の端部１２に被せられる逆Ｕ字状をなす本体１３を有している。この本体１３は、第１のタブ７の内面７ａに沿う左右一対の第１の挟持片１４，１４と、第１のタブ７の外面７ｂに沿う第２の挟持片１５と、これら第１および第２の挟持片１４，１５の端部を互いに連結し、第１のタブ７の端部１２の先端面１５に沿うコの字形形状の連結板１７とを有している。
【００１５】
各第１の挟持片１４の先端には収容溝１０内に進出する弾性舌片１８が延設されている。各弾性舌片１８は収容溝１０の奥側にいくにしたがって収容溝１０側へ突出するように、対応する第１の挟持片１４に対して傾斜しており、第１の挟持片１４に片持ち状に支持されている。弾性舌片１８は、図３（ａ）に二点鎖線で示すように弾力的に撓み変形し、後述する凹部１９に収容されるようになっている。
【００１６】
すなわち、第１のタブ７の端部１２の内面７ａには、シャフト１を収容溝１０内に挿入するときに、対応する弾性舌片１８を一旦退避させてシャフト１の挿入を許容するための一対の凹部１９が形成されている（図５参照）。各弾性舌片１８は、図３（ｂ）に示すように、シャフト１が収容溝１０に完全に収められた後には元の位置に復帰して収容溝１０からのシャフト１の抜脱を阻止する。上記一対の凹部１９はボルト挿通孔２３を挟んだ両側に配置され、第１のタブ７の先端まで延びており図３（ａ）および（ｂ）に示すようにボルト２２が締めつけられない状態では、対応する第１の挟持片１４を収容している。
【００１７】
図３（ａ）および図４に示すように、第２の挟持片１５はボルト２２を挿通させるボルト挿通孔２５を形成している。また、第２の挟持片１５の先端には、第１のタブ７の外面７ｂに形成された一対の保持溝２０にそれぞれ嵌め入れられる一対の保持突起２１が形成されている。各保持突起２１は第２の挟持片１５の先端から内向きに直角状に折り曲げられている。逆Ｕ字状をなす本体１３がヨーク４の第１のタブ７の端部１２に被せられた状態で各保持突起２１が対応する保持溝２０に嵌め入れられることにより、クリップ１１が第１のタブ７の端部１２に傾斜状に保持されるようになっている。すなわち、図３（ａ）に示すように、保持溝２０に係合する保持突起２１の弾性反発力によって、第１のタブ７の外面７ｂに対向する側の本体１３の第２の挟持片１５が相対的に下がり、上記のように本体１３が傾斜状となる。これにより、第１のタブ７の内面７ａに対向する側の本体１３の第１の挟持片１４は凹部１９内に後退し、シャフト１を収容溝１０に導入し易くしている。
【００１８】
さらに、図２に示すように、シャフト１を収容溝１０に収容した状態でボルト２２をボルト挿通孔２５，２３に挿入し、第２のタブ８のねじ孔２４に締め付けることにより、タブ７，８の中間部でシャフト１を締め付けると同時に、弾性舌片１８の先端でシャフト１の上面を強く押さえ付けてシャフト１の芯ずれを略完全に防止する。
本実施の形態によれば、収容溝１０からシャフト１を抜くことが必要となったときには、図６に示すように、第２の挟持片１５と第１のタブ７の外面７ｂとの間に、例えばマイナスドライバ２６等を差し込んで、保持突起２１を保持溝２０から抜脱することにより、クリップ１１を第１のタブ７の先端側（図中、白抜き矢符で示す方向）へ移動させて第１のタブ７から容易に離脱させることができる。
【００１９】
また、従来のクリップはヨークの外面全体に被せられるような形状であったが、本実施の形態では第１のタブ７の端部１２のみに被せられる形状となり、クリップ１１を格段に小型にできる。
また、従来では、第２のタブのボルト孔にクリップを保持するための特殊なナットを用いていたが、本実施の形態では、第１のタブ７の保持溝２０にクリップ１１の保持突起２１を嵌め入れてクリップ１１を第１のタブ７の端部１２に保持するので、上記の特殊なナットが不要となり、構造を簡素化することができる。特殊ナットの代わりに、第２のタブ８に設けたねじ孔２４にボルト２２が直接ねじ込まれる。
【００２０】
上記のように小型で構造も簡単となるので、製造コストが格段に安くなる。
本発明は上記実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の範囲で種々の変更を施すことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態の自在継手の正面図である。
【図２】ヨークの嵌合部の両タブをボルトにより締結した状態の自在継手の断面図である。
【図３】（ａ）は嵌合部の収容溝からシャフトを取り外した状態の自在継手の断面図であり、（ｂ）は収容溝に挿入されたシャフトが仮保持された状態の自在継手の断面図である。
【図４】クリップの斜視図である。
【図５】ヨークの嵌合部の第１のタブの平面図である。
【図６】クリップを取り外すときの動作を示す第１のタブの断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ ステアリングシャフト
２，４ ヨーク
３ 十字軸
５ 嵌合部
６ アーム部
７ 第１のタブ
７ａ，８ａ，９ａ 内面
７ｂ 外面
８ 第２のタブ
９ 架橋部
１０ 収容溝
１１ クリップ
１２ 端部
１３ 本体
１４ 第１の挟持片
１５ 第２の挟持片
１７ 連結板
１８ 弾性舌片
１９ 凹部
２０ 保持溝
２１ 保持突起
２２ ボルト
２３，２５ ボルト挿通孔
２４ ねじ孔[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a universal joint used in, for example, a vehicle steering apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A steering shaft in a vehicle steering device is divided into a plurality of parts and connected to each other by a universal joint, and extends from the vehicle interior to the front of the vehicle body. When this steering shaft is connected to the universal joint yoke, the steering shaft is inserted into the housing groove formed in the yoke and temporarily held, while the bolt is inserted into the bolt insertion hole formed across the housing groove. And fastened with nuts.
[0003]
In order to facilitate the fastening operation until the fastening with the bolts and nuts is completed, a clip previously mounted on the yoke is used to temporarily hold the steering shaft in the housing groove to prevent the shaft from coming out of the housing groove. .
For example, in Japanese Patent No. 2735260, a special-shaped nut having a sleeve slidably inserted into a bolt insertion hole and a flange portion along the outer surface of the tab is used as the nut. This special nut was inserted into the bolt insertion hole in a state where the flange portion was in contact with the outer surface of one tab of the yoke by being pressed by the urging force of an elastically deformable clip mounted in advance on the yoke. The tip of the sleeve has advanced into the receiving groove.
[0004]
When inserting the shaft into the receiving groove, the special nut is temporarily retracted from the receiving groove into the insertion hole against the urging force of the clip, and then the shaft is completely inserted into the receiving groove. The tip of the special nut sleeve protrudes into the receiving groove by the urging force of the clip, and the shaft is temporarily held in the receiving groove by the tip of the special nut sleeve.
On the other hand, as a clip, a U-shaped main body is formed along the entire outer surface of the U-shaped yoke, and the first and second ends of the corresponding yoke are extended to the first and second ends of the main body. A universal joint is provided having a clip with first and second extending pieces that respectively engage the ends of the tab. In this universal joint clip, the first extending piece corresponding to the first tab is provided with an elastically deformable tongue that extends into the receiving groove and contributes to preventing the shaft from coming off. Further, the clip is held on the yoke by using a special nut for fastening to the bolt.
[0005]
Specifically, the special nut is inserted into the insertion hole of the second end portion of the clip main body and press-fitted into the press-fitting hole of the second tab, and the second end portion of the clip main body. Is fixed to the outer surface of the second tab and has a flange for holding the entire clip on the yoke, and functions to fix the clip to the yoke.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In any of the above examples, special nuts different from general-purpose products are required, the number of parts increases, and the manufacturing cost increases.
Further, in the former example in which the special nut is advanced into the accommodation groove by the elastic force of the clip to temporarily hold the shaft, the temporary holding of the shaft is uncertain due to the clip being easily detached from the yoke. There is.
[0007]
On the other hand, in the latter case where the special nut is press-fitted and fixed to the yoke while the special nut is holding the clip, the clip having the tongue piece for retaining can not be removed from the yoke. There is a problem that this cannot be dealt with when it becomes necessary to detach.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to ensure that the shaft can be temporarily held, and when it is necessary to remove the shaft, the clip can be easily removed to remove the shaft. It is providing the cheap universal joint which can be made to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
As a problem solving means for achieving the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a shaft is inserted into a fitting portion of a U-shaped yoke including first and second tabs parallel to each other. In the universal joint that temporarily holds the shaft in the receiving groove of the fitting portion by a clip that is pre-mounted on the yoke when connected to the yoke, the clip includes first and second clips that sandwich the end portion of the first tab. A main body having an inverted U shape including the holding piece, an elastic tongue piece extending from the first holding piece and extending into the receiving groove, and an outer surface of the first tab extending from the second holding piece A holding projection fitted into the holding groove, and when the shaft is inserted into the receiving groove on the inner surface of the end of the first tab, the corresponding elastic tongue is temporarily retracted to insert the shaft. a pair of recesses for tolerated are formed, each resilient tongue, While allowing the insertion of the shaft is retracted into the corresponding recesses when the shaft is inserted into contents groove and after the shaft is housed in a receiving groove of the shaft from the housing groove and return to the original position It is characterized by preventing withdrawal.
[0009]
In the present invention, when the shaft is introduced into the housing groove, the elastic tongue piece once retracts and then returns to the original position to prevent the shaft from being pulled out of the housing groove. On the other hand, when it is necessary to remove the shaft from the housing groove, for example, a minus driver or the like is inserted between the second clamping piece and the outer surface of the first tab, and the holding projection is removed from the holding groove. Thus, the clip can be easily detached from the first tab.
The conventional clip has a shape that covers the entire outer surface of the yoke. However, in the present invention, the clip can be applied only to the end of the first tab, and can be made much smaller.
[0010]
Further, conventionally, a special nut for holding the clip in the bolt hole of the second tab has been used. However, in the present invention, the clip is attached by fitting the holding protrusion of the clip into the holding groove of the first tab. Since it holds, the above-mentioned special nut becomes unnecessary, and the structure can be simplified. Since it is small in size and simple in structure, the manufacturing cost is remarkably reduced.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the pair of recesses are disposed on both sides of the bolt insertion hole and extend to the tip of the first tab .
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a universal joint according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a steering shaft 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as a shaft 1) in a steering apparatus for an automobile is fitted to a yoke 2, and this yoke 2 is connected to another yoke 4 via a cross shaft 3. It is connected to. The yoke 2 includes a fitting portion 5 that is fitted to the shaft 1 and an arm portion 6 that is connected to the cross shaft 3 and is integrally formed by press molding. Reference numeral 11 denotes a clip for temporarily holding the shaft 1 in the fitting portion 5, and 22 denotes a bolt that penetrates and is fixed to the fitting portion 5.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, the fitting portion 5 includes first and second tabs 7 and 8 that extend in parallel, and the first and second tabs 7. , 8 have a U-shaped cross section having a bridging portion 9 for connecting the two to each other. The cross-sectional shape of the shaft 1 having a pair of arcuate portions 1b, 1b opposed to the pair of flat surfaces 1a, 1a opposed by the inner surfaces 7a, 8a of the first and second tabs 7, 8 and the inner surface 9a of the bridging portion 9. A housing groove 10 corresponding to is defined.
[0013]
Further, the clip 11 for temporarily holding the shaft 1 inserted into the receiving groove 10 in the receiving groove 10 as shown in FIG. As shown in a), it is mounted in advance.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second tabs 7 and 8 are connected to each other by the bolt 22 penetrating the end portions of the first and second tabs 7 and 8. A bolt insertion hole 23 through which the bolt 22 is inserted is formed, and a screw hole 24 into which a screw portion of the bolt 22 is screwed is formed at the end of the second tab 8.
[0014]
With reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 4, the clip 11 is manufactured by bending with a sheet metal. The clip 11 has a main body 13 having an inverted U shape that covers the end 12 of the first tab 7. The body 13 includes a pair of left and right first clamping pieces 14 and 14 along the inner surface 7a of the first tab 7, a second clamping piece 15 along the outer surface 7b of the first tab 7, The end portions of the second holding pieces 14 and 15 are connected to each other, and a U-shaped connecting plate 17 is provided along the distal end surface 15 of the end portion 12 of the first tab 7.
[0015]
An elastic tongue piece 18 extending into the accommodation groove 10 is extended at the tip of each first clamping piece 14. Each elastic tongue piece 18 is inclined with respect to the corresponding first holding piece 14 so as to protrude toward the receiving groove 10 side toward the inner side of the receiving groove 10. Supported by holdings. The elastic tongue 18 is elastically bent and deformed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3A, and is accommodated in a recess 19 described later.
[0016]
That is, on the inner surface 7 a of the end 12 of the first tab 7, when inserting the shaft 1 into the receiving groove 10, the corresponding elastic tongue piece 18 is temporarily retracted to allow insertion of the shaft 1. A pair of recesses 19 is formed (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 3B, each elastic tongue piece 18 returns to its original position after the shaft 1 is completely stored in the receiving groove 10 and prevents the shaft 1 from being pulled out of the receiving groove 10. To do. The pair of recesses 19 are arranged on both sides of the bolt insertion hole 23 and extend to the tip of the first tab 7. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the bolt 22 is not tightened. The corresponding first clamping piece 14 is accommodated.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the second clamping piece 15 forms a bolt insertion hole 25 through which the bolt 22 is inserted. In addition, a pair of holding projections 21 that are respectively fitted into a pair of holding grooves 20 formed on the outer surface 7 b of the first tab 7 are formed at the tip of the second holding piece 15. Each holding projection 21 is bent in a right angle inward from the tip of the second clamping piece 15. When the holding projection 21 is fitted into the corresponding holding groove 20 in a state where the main body 13 having an inverted U shape is placed on the end 12 of the first tab 7 of the yoke 4, the clip 11 is inserted into the first holding groove 20. The end portion 12 of the tab 7 is held in an inclined manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second holding piece 15 of the main body 13 on the side facing the outer surface 7 b of the first tab 7 by the elastic repulsive force of the holding protrusion 21 that engages with the holding groove 20. Is relatively lowered, and the main body 13 is inclined as described above. As a result, the first clamping piece 14 of the main body 13 on the side facing the inner surface 7 a of the first tab 7 is retracted into the recess 19, and the shaft 1 is easily introduced into the receiving groove 10.
[0018]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the bolts 22 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 25 and 23 in a state in which the shaft 1 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 10, and tightened into the screw holes 24 of the second tab 8. At the same time as the shaft 1 is tightened at the intermediate portion 8, the top surface of the shaft 1 is strongly pressed by the tip of the elastic tongue piece 18 to substantially prevent the shaft 1 from being misaligned.
According to the present embodiment, when it is necessary to remove the shaft 1 from the housing groove 10, as shown in FIG. 6, it is between the second clamping piece 15 and the outer surface 7 b of the first tab 7. For example, by inserting a flathead screwdriver 26 or the like and removing the holding projection 21 from the holding groove 20, the clip 11 is moved to the tip side of the first tab 7 (in the direction indicated by the white arrow in the figure). Thus, it can be easily detached from the first tab 7.
[0019]
In addition, the conventional clip has a shape that covers the entire outer surface of the yoke. However, in the present embodiment, the clip can be covered only by the end 12 of the first tab 7, and the clip 11 can be made much smaller. .
Conventionally, a special nut for holding the clip in the bolt hole of the second tab has been used. However, in this embodiment, the holding protrusion 21 of the clip 11 is held in the holding groove 20 of the first tab 7. And the clip 11 is held at the end 12 of the first tab 7, so that the special nut is not necessary and the structure can be simplified. Instead of the special nut, the bolt 22 is screwed directly into the screw hole 24 provided in the second tab 8.
[0020]
As described above, since the structure is small and the structure is simple, the manufacturing cost is remarkably reduced.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a universal joint according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the universal joint in a state where both tabs of the fitting portion of the yoke are fastened with bolts.
3A is a cross-sectional view of the universal joint with the shaft removed from the receiving groove of the fitting portion, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the universal joint with the shaft inserted into the receiving groove temporarily held. It is sectional drawing.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clip.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first tab of a fitting portion of a yoke.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first tab showing the operation when removing the clip.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering shaft 2, 4 Yoke 3 Cross shaft 5 Fitting part 6 Arm part 7 1st tab 7a, 8a, 9a Inner surface 7b Outer surface 8 2nd tab 9 Bridging part 10 Accommodating groove 11 Clip 12 End part 13 Main body 14 First 1 clamping piece 15 2nd clamping piece 17 connecting plate 18 elastic tongue piece 19 recess 20 holding groove 21 holding projection 22 bolt 23, 25 bolt insertion hole 24 screw hole

Claims (2)

互いに平行な第１および第２のタブを含んでＵ字状をなすヨークの嵌合部に、シャフトを挿入してヨークに連結する際、ヨークに予め装着されたクリップによって、シャフトを嵌合部の収容溝に仮保持する自在継手において、
上記クリップは、第１のタブの端部を挟持する第１および第２の挟持片を含んで逆Ｕ字状をなす本体と、第１の挟持片から延設され収容溝内に進出する弾性舌片と、第２の挟持片から延設され第１のタブの外面の保持溝に嵌め入れられる保持突起とを備え、
第１のタブの端部の内面には、シャフトを収容溝内に挿入するときに、対応する弾性舌片を一旦退避させてシャフトの挿入を許容するための一対の凹部が形成されており、
各弾性舌片は、収容溝にシャフトが挿入される際には対応する凹部内に退避してシャフトの挿入を許容する一方、シャフトが収容溝に収められた後には元の位置に復帰して収容溝からのシャフトの抜脱を阻止することを特徴とする自在継手。When the shaft is inserted into the fitting portion of the U-shaped yoke including the first and second tabs that are parallel to each other and connected to the yoke, the fitting portion of the shaft is fitted by a clip previously attached to the yoke. In the universal joint temporarily held in the receiving groove of
The clip includes a first U-shaped main body including first and second holding pieces for holding the end of the first tab, and an elastic member extending from the first holding piece and extending into the receiving groove. A tongue piece and a holding projection extending from the second clamping piece and fitted into a holding groove on the outer surface of the first tab,
On the inner surface of the end portion of the first tab, a pair of recesses for allowing the insertion of the shaft by temporarily retracting the corresponding elastic tongue piece when the shaft is inserted into the receiving groove is formed ,
Each elastic tongue is retracted into the corresponding recess when the shaft is inserted into the receiving groove to allow the insertion of the shaft, while the shaft returns to its original position after the shaft is received in the receiving groove. A universal joint characterized in that the shaft is prevented from being removed from the receiving groove. 請求項１記載の自在継手において、上記一対の凹部は、ボルト挿通孔を挟んだ両側に配置され、第１のタブの先端まで延びていることを特徴とする自在継手。2. The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the pair of recesses are arranged on both sides of the bolt insertion hole and extend to the tip of the first tab .
JP27583299A 1999-09-29 1999-09-29 Universal joint Expired - Fee Related JP3833021B2 (en)

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Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6692177B2 (en) 2001-02-26 2004-02-17 The Torrington Company Steering shaft retaining clip
JP4178261B2 (en) * 2003-01-29 2008-11-12 株式会社ジェイテクト Connection structure of shaft body and shaft coupling
JP2004278698A (en) * 2003-03-17 2004-10-07 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd Coupling structure between shaft body and shaft coupling

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