WO1996020862A1 - Variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996020862A1
WO1996020862A1 PCT/EP1996/000028 EP9600028W WO9620862A1 WO 1996020862 A1 WO1996020862 A1 WO 1996020862A1 EP 9600028 W EP9600028 W EP 9600028W WO 9620862 A1 WO9620862 A1 WO 9620862A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
profile
profiles
coupled
male
female
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP1996/000028
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Felice Ballin
Original Assignee
Felice Ballin
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IT95TO000005A external-priority patent/IT1279095B1/en
Priority claimed from ITTO950800 external-priority patent/IT1281381B1/en
Application filed by Felice Ballin filed Critical Felice Ballin
Priority to AU44371/96A priority Critical patent/AU4437196A/en
Publication of WO1996020862A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996020862A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B62D1/19—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible
    • B62D1/192—Yieldable or collapsible columns
    • 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
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B21/00—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings
    • F16B21/10—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings by separate parts
    • F16B21/16—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings by separate parts with grooves or notches in the pin or shaft
    • F16B21/165—Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it; Stud-and-socket releasable fastenings by separate parts with grooves or notches in the pin or shaft with balls or rollers
    • 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
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B7/00—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections
    • F16B7/04—Clamping or clipping connections
    • F16B7/0406—Clamping or clipping connections for rods or tubes being coaxial
    • F16B7/0413—Clamping or clipping connections for rods or tubes being coaxial for tubes using the innerside thereof
    • 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
    • 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
    • F16D3/065—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 by means of rolling elements

Definitions

  • a steering-gear control shaft of the type specified comprises, in a conventional manner, two coaxial mutually coupled metal profiles, that is to say a tubular profile, forming a female element, into which another profile is inserted with one of its end zones, in the manner of a male element.
  • Said profiles are secured mutually both against relative rotation, for example by positive coupling, and against relative movements in the axial direction, for example by non-positive coupling, in antagonism to forces applied to the shaft itself which are smaller than a predetermined threshold value, exceeding which brings about the relative telescopic axial sliding of the same profiles.
  • Such a shaft has the advantage of yielding by "structural collapse” in the event of violent impact of the motor vehicle, and also of allowing adjustment in length, according to the disposition of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle itself.
  • the main aim of the present invention is to provide a variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles which makes it possible to guarantee over time: the correct connection of the two coupled profiles; the safe and correct relative telescopic axial sliding of said two coupled profiles, both in the event of collision and in the event of changing the disposition of the steering wheel, and this notwithstanding the action of the atmospheric agents and the dimensional indefinitenes ⁇ of the same profiles within the characteristic range of tolerance of the process of manufacture and working; the effective take-up of play and the damping of the vibrations induced between said two coupled profiles, due both to torsional forces and to forces orthogonal to the axis of the profiles themselves, in order to avoid the onset of noise and to ensure good driving comfort; the correct mutual axial centring of said two coupled profiles, facilitating the operations of mounting of the shaft itself and avoiding malfunctions due to incorrect assembly.
  • Another aim is to provide a steering-gear control shaft as specified which is of simplified structure and is easy and economical to produce.
  • the present invention provides a variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles, the essential characteristic of which forms the subject of the main claim which is reproduced in full here. Further advantageous characteristics appear in the subordinate claims which are also reproduced in full here.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a steering device for motor vehicles incorporating the variable- length steering-gear control shaft, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention
  • - Fig. 2 is a view in elevation and on larger scale of the steering-gear control shaft according to Fig. 1, the coupled profiles of which are represented in an interrupted manner and with parts in partial section for reasons of illustrative clarity
  • - Figures 3 and 4 are views in partial axial section of the steering-gear control shaft in Fig. 2, showing respectively the coupled profiles of said shaft in extended telescopic arrangement (normal working state of the shaft) and telescopically retracted arrangement (for example in the safety state following impact of the motor vehicle) ;
  • Figures 5 and 6 are views in cross-section, along the lines V-V and VI-VI respectively in Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 7 is a detailed view, on larger scale, of the detail VII in Fig . 3 ;
  • Fig. 8 shows, in a perspective view and on larger scale, two first elements of a body for centring and connection of the coupled profiles of said shaft;
  • - Figures 9 and 10 are views, in elevation and in plan view respectively, of said two first elements of the body for centring and connection according to Fig. 8;
  • Figures 11 and 12 are views, in elevation and in plan view and on larger scale, of another element of said body for centring and connection of the coupled profiles of said shaft;
  • Fig. 13 is a view in elevation of the variable- length steering-gear control shaft according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the coupled profiles are represented in an interrupted manner and with parts in partial section for reasons of illustrative clarity;
  • Figures 14 and 15 are views thereof in section, according to the lines XIV-XIV and XV-XV respectively in Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 16 is a perspective view, exploded and on different scale, of the steering-gear control shaft in Fig. 13.
  • a steering device D of a motor vehicle comprises, between a steering column P and a steering-gear box S, a steering-gear control shaft, here indicated as a whole by 10 and made according to the principles of the present invention.
  • Gl and G2 indicate universal joints for articulated connection of the ends of the shaft 10 to the column P and a corresponding member of the steering-gear box S respectively.
  • Fl and F2 indicate the two end forks of the shaft 10, which belong to the universal joints Gl and G2 respectively.
  • the steering-gear control shaft 10 is of the variable-length type.
  • Said shaft 10 comprises essentially two profiles, 11 and 12 respectively, both tubular and coupled telescopically to one another in a coaxial manner.
  • One of said profiles, that indicated by 12 is inserted with one of its end zones 12.1, in a male manner, inside the other profile 11, functioning as female, forming a telescopic arrangement.
  • the male profile 12 has an essentially oval cross-section and essentially flattened sides and is received, with play, by one of its end zones 12.1 in a corresponding axial cavity of the female profile 11 in such a manner that said profiles 11, 12 are mutually secured against relative rotation by means of positive coupling.
  • a body for centring and connection 13 (Fig. 1) is provided, which is borne by said male tubular profile 12 in its said end zone 12.1 and engaged with gentle forcing against the internal lateral surface of said female tubular profile 11.
  • Said male profile 12 is provided, in its said end zone 12.1, with a pair of buttonhole-like through-holes 12.2 which are relatively large and have an axis essentially parallel to the axis of the profile. Said buttonhole-like holes 12.2 are opposite, one on each side of the profile 12 itself. Moreover, in said end zone 12.1 of the profile 12, a plurality of through-holes 12.3 of smaller size is provided in the two opposite curved zones of the wall of the profile itself. According to the example, a pair of through-holes 12.3 is formed in each curved zone of the wall of the profile 12.
  • Said centring and connection body 13 comprises
  • two internal cheeks 14 made of plastic material, for example nylon or teflon (registered names) .
  • Said internal cheeks 14 are inserted into said end zone 12.1 of the male tubular profile 12, each essentially against a respective curved wall zone, of which it copies the shape with one face.
  • Said internal cheeks 14 are mutually spaced and have respective opposite faces 14.1 which are specularly symmetrical - in relation to a median plane containing the main axes of the oval contour of said buttonhole-like holes 12.2.
  • Each internal cheek 14 also has a plurality of integral tooth-like projections 14.2 which are limitedly yielding in an elastic manner and correspond in number and arrangement to said through-holes 12.3 of the respective curved wall zone of the male profile 12.
  • each internal cheek 14 is provided with a respective integral half-head 14.3 extended axially on the outside of the mouth of said end zone 12.1 of the male profile 12, in relation to the external lateral surface of which the half-head itself juts out so as to be juxtaposed against a corresponding part of the internal lateral surface of said female profile 11.
  • Said half-heads 14.3 are mutually spaced in a specularly symmetrical manner in relation to said median plane and are limitedly elastically yielding.
  • limitedly elastically yielding material for example nylon or teflon
  • Said block 15 also has, centrally, a longitudinal slot 15.1 which has larger faces essentially orthogonal to said median plane of symmetry and which increases the elastic yieldingness thereof in directions parallel to said same median plane in such a manner that said block member 15 - when interposed between said internal cheeks 14 - acts on the same by elastic deformation while it is elastically compressed against the internal lateral surface of said female profile 11.
  • said body 13 brings about both the centring and the connection by non- positive coupling between said two coupled profiles 11, 12.
  • said body 13 brings about both the centring and the connection by non- positive coupling between said two coupled profiles 11, 12.
  • the profiles themselves are made to slide telescopically.
  • the tooth-like projections 14.1 of the internal cheeks 14 of said same body act, in a similar manner, mainly to deaden the vibrations caused by forces acting in directions essentially orthogonal to the plane itself.
  • the two half- heads 14.3 of the body 13 not only interact with said block 15 and with said cheeks 14 but also, for their elastic yieldingness, carry out, mainly, an action which deadens the vibrations generated by torsional forces applied to said coupled profiles 11, 12.
  • Said body 13 also ensures the take-up of existing play which can be manifested over time between said coupled profiles 11, 12.
  • centring and connection body 13 is made of materials which guarantee over time its "autolubrication" so as to avoid, for example, the disadvantages deriving from the action of the atmospheric agents, such as oxidation of said coupled profiles 11, 12.
  • variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles is indicated by 20.
  • Said shaft 20 comprises essentially two metal profiles, 21 and 22 respectively, both tubular and mutually telescopically coupled for relative low-friction axial sliding.
  • the profile 22 is inserted with one of its axial end parts 22.1, in a male manner, inside the other profile 21, functioning as female, according to a telescopic arrangement.
  • Said end part 22.1 of the male profile 22 has, seen in cross-section, an essentially hexagonal external and internal peripheral contour and is received, with play, in a corresponding axial cavity of the female profile 21 in such a manner that said profiles 21, 22 are secured against relative rotation by means of positive coupling.
  • through-holes 22.2 are provided in said end zone 22.1 of the male profile 22, which are each arranged in the region of a respective corner thereof and the axes of which are essentially orthogonal to the axis of the profile itself.
  • Each hole 22.2 partially contains a corresponding ball 23, for example made of steel, interposed for free rolling between the internal lateral surface of the female profile 21 and an elastically deformable cylindrical support body 24, for example made of elastomeric material, which is firmly inserted in a coaxial manner in said end part 22.1 of the male profile 22 in such a manner that the internal lateral faces of the profile itself are essentially tangential to the cylindrical lateral surface of the body 24.
  • a corresponding ball 23 for example made of steel, interposed for free rolling between the internal lateral surface of the female profile 21 and an elastically deformable cylindrical support body 24, for example made of elastomeric material, which is firmly inserted in a coaxial manner in said end part 22.1 of the male profile 22 in such a manner that the internal lateral faces of the profile itself are essentially tangential to the cylindrical lateral surface of the body 24.
  • Said containing holes 22.2 are distributed in two axially spaced rows of three holes each, mutually angularly spaced by approximately 120° .
  • said cylindrical support body 24 is axially perforated at 24.1.
  • the steering- gear control shaft according to the invention performs effectively and safely the following functions, according to the forces applied to the shaft itself: - mutual axial centring of said coupled profiles 21 and 22; firm connection of said coupled profiles 21, 22 in a static disposition, by means of interaction of the elastic support body 24 and the balls 23 in the male profile 22, which act in the manner of "pressure balls” against the internal lateral surface of the female profile 21; transmission of the "steering" torque between said coupled profiles 21, 22, first by means of the balls 23 which are radially drawn back in antagonism to the elastic action of the support body 24, bringing about a deadening and damping effect which is effective for the take-up of the play, and then by means of mutual contact of respective opposite zones of said coupled profiles, in particular of corner zones of the male profile 22 against corresponding opposite zones of the female profile 21, which act as zones of resistance to torsion; relative axial sliding of said coupled profiles 21,
  • the coupled outlines - in other words the internal outline of the female profile and the external outline of the male profile - can in cross-section have any shape with a closed broken line, if appropriate also with rounded angles.
  • a support means shaped in the manner of a spring can be provided.
  • a cylindrical helical spring can be arranged, in a firm manner, inside and coaxially with the male profile so as to receive partially between its coils the steel balls when pushed in the radial/centripetal direction by components of forces acting orthogonally to the axis of the profile and to push back elastically said balls radially towards the outside when the action of these forces stops.
  • a means in the manner of an elastic pin firmly inserted into the male profile.
  • a core made of elastically deformable material is associated with the support means with a spring or a pin to interact with said same means of support.
  • the body made of elastomeric material, inserted directly inside the male element or, in any case, wedged inside other elastic means of compression of the balls, performs the important function of damping the induced and endogenous structural vibration ⁇ with the consequent advantage of reduction of the noise or of shifting (at will) of the resonance frequencies into particular frequency ranges.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

A variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles comprises a first profile, forming a male element, coupled for telescopic sliding with one of its axially hollow ends in a second tubular profile, forming a female element. According to the invention, said end zone (12.1) of said male profile (12) is coupled for telescopic sliding in relation to said female profile (11) by means (13) of mutual centring and connection which are provided in said same end zone (12.1) and act against the internal lateral surface of said female profile (11) so as to ensure over time the correct mutual axial centring of said telescopically coupled profiles (11, 12), the take-up of play and the damping of the vibrations induced between the coupled profiles, and the mutual connection of said profiles (11, 12) by non-positive coupling, in a static disposition and in antagonism to forces, for example axial, which are applied to the shaft itself and are smaller than a predetermined value, exceeding which brings about yielding of the structure by relative telescopic sliding of the same profiles.

Description

VARIABLE-LENGTH STEERING-GEAR CONTROL SHAFT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
The present invention relates to a variable- length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles. A steering-gear control shaft of the type specified comprises, in a conventional manner, two coaxial mutually coupled metal profiles, that is to say a tubular profile, forming a female element, into which another profile is inserted with one of its end zones, in the manner of a male element. Said profiles are secured mutually both against relative rotation, for example by positive coupling, and against relative movements in the axial direction, for example by non-positive coupling, in antagonism to forces applied to the shaft itself which are smaller than a predetermined threshold value, exceeding which brings about the relative telescopic axial sliding of the same profiles.
Such a shaft has the advantage of yielding by "structural collapse" in the event of violent impact of the motor vehicle, and also of allowing adjustment in length, according to the disposition of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle itself.
The main aim of the present invention is to provide a variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles which makes it possible to guarantee over time: the correct connection of the two coupled profiles; the safe and correct relative telescopic axial sliding of said two coupled profiles, both in the event of collision and in the event of changing the disposition of the steering wheel, and this notwithstanding the action of the atmospheric agents and the dimensional indefinitenesβ of the same profiles within the characteristic range of tolerance of the process of manufacture and working; the effective take-up of play and the damping of the vibrations induced between said two coupled profiles, due both to torsional forces and to forces orthogonal to the axis of the profiles themselves, in order to avoid the onset of noise and to ensure good driving comfort; the correct mutual axial centring of said two coupled profiles, facilitating the operations of mounting of the shaft itself and avoiding malfunctions due to incorrect assembly.
Another aim is to provide a steering-gear control shaft as specified which is of simplified structure and is easy and economical to produce. In view of these aims, the present invention provides a variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles, the essential characteristic of which forms the subject of the main claim which is reproduced in full here. Further advantageous characteristics appear in the subordinate claims which are also reproduced in full here.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example only, in which:
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a steering device for motor vehicles incorporating the variable- length steering-gear control shaft, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention; - Fig. 2 is a view in elevation and on larger scale of the steering-gear control shaft according to Fig. 1, the coupled profiles of which are represented in an interrupted manner and with parts in partial section for reasons of illustrative clarity; - Figures 3 and 4 are views in partial axial section of the steering-gear control shaft in Fig. 2, showing respectively the coupled profiles of said shaft in extended telescopic arrangement (normal working state of the shaft) and telescopically retracted arrangement (for example in the safety state following impact of the motor vehicle) ;
Figures 5 and 6 are views in cross-section, along the lines V-V and VI-VI respectively in Fig. 3;
Fig. 7 is a detailed view, on larger scale, of the detail VII in Fig . 3 ;
Fig. 8 shows, in a perspective view and on larger scale, two first elements of a body for centring and connection of the coupled profiles of said shaft; - Figures 9 and 10 are views, in elevation and in plan view respectively, of said two first elements of the body for centring and connection according to Fig. 8;
Figures 11 and 12 are views, in elevation and in plan view and on larger scale, of another element of said body for centring and connection of the coupled profiles of said shaft;
Fig. 13 is a view in elevation of the variable- length steering-gear control shaft according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the coupled profiles are represented in an interrupted manner and with parts in partial section for reasons of illustrative clarity;
Figures 14 and 15 are views thereof in section, according to the lines XIV-XIV and XV-XV respectively in Fig. 13;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view, exploded and on different scale, of the steering-gear control shaft in Fig. 13.
With reference first of all to Fig. 1, a steering device D of a motor vehicle comprises, between a steering column P and a steering-gear box S, a steering-gear control shaft, here indicated as a whole by 10 and made according to the principles of the present invention. Gl and G2 indicate universal joints for articulated connection of the ends of the shaft 10 to the column P and a corresponding member of the steering-gear box S respectively. Fl and F2 indicate the two end forks of the shaft 10, which belong to the universal joints Gl and G2 respectively. With reference also to Figures 2 to 7, the steering-gear control shaft 10 is of the variable-length type.
Said shaft 10 comprises essentially two profiles, 11 and 12 respectively, both tubular and coupled telescopically to one another in a coaxial manner. One of said profiles, that indicated by 12, is inserted with one of its end zones 12.1, in a male manner, inside the other profile 11, functioning as female, forming a telescopic arrangement.
The male profile 12 has an essentially oval cross-section and essentially flattened sides and is received, with play, by one of its end zones 12.1 in a corresponding axial cavity of the female profile 11 in such a manner that said profiles 11, 12 are mutually secured against relative rotation by means of positive coupling.
According to the present exemplary embodiment of the invention, a body for centring and connection 13 (Fig. 1) is provided, which is borne by said male tubular profile 12 in its said end zone 12.1 and engaged with gentle forcing against the internal lateral surface of said female tubular profile 11.
Said male profile 12 is provided, in its said end zone 12.1, with a pair of buttonhole-like through-holes 12.2 which are relatively large and have an axis essentially parallel to the axis of the profile. Said buttonhole-like holes 12.2 are opposite, one on each side of the profile 12 itself. Moreover, in said end zone 12.1 of the profile 12, a plurality of through-holes 12.3 of smaller size is provided in the two opposite curved zones of the wall of the profile itself. According to the example, a pair of through-holes 12.3 is formed in each curved zone of the wall of the profile 12. Said centring and connection body 13 comprises
(as illustrated in Figures 8 to 12 also) two internal cheeks 14 made of plastic material, for example nylon or teflon (registered names) . Said internal cheeks 14 are inserted into said end zone 12.1 of the male tubular profile 12, each essentially against a respective curved wall zone, of which it copies the shape with one face. Said internal cheeks 14 are mutually spaced and have respective opposite faces 14.1 which are specularly symmetrical - in relation to a median plane containing the main axes of the oval contour of said buttonhole-like holes 12.2.
Each internal cheek 14 also has a plurality of integral tooth-like projections 14.2 which are limitedly yielding in an elastic manner and correspond in number and arrangement to said through-holes 12.3 of the respective curved wall zone of the male profile 12.
Through said holes 12.3, the teeth 14.2 extend with one of their free end parts to against the internal lateral surface of the female profile 11, emerging in relation to the external lateral surface of said profile 12. Furthermore, each internal cheek 14 is provided with a respective integral half-head 14.3 extended axially on the outside of the mouth of said end zone 12.1 of the male profile 12, in relation to the external lateral surface of which the half-head itself juts out so as to be juxtaposed against a corresponding part of the internal lateral surface of said female profile 11. Said half-heads 14.3 are mutually spaced in a specularly symmetrical manner in relation to said median plane and are limitedly elastically yielding.
A spacer block 15 made of limitedly elastically yielding material, for example nylon or teflon, which is essentially parallelepipedal with rounded corners and has bases corresponding to the opening of said buttonhole¬ like holes 12.2, is interposed with gentle forcing between said internal cheeks 14 and juts out with its base parts - through the holes 12.2 themselves - in relation to the external surface of both the sides of said male profile 12 so as to act with elastic compression against the internal lateral surface of said female profile 11.
Said block 15 also has, centrally, a longitudinal slot 15.1 which has larger faces essentially orthogonal to said median plane of symmetry and which increases the elastic yieldingness thereof in directions parallel to said same median plane in such a manner that said block member 15 - when interposed between said internal cheeks 14 - acts on the same by elastic deformation while it is elastically compressed against the internal lateral surface of said female profile 11.
By means of this arrangement, said body 13 brings about both the centring and the connection by non- positive coupling between said two coupled profiles 11, 12. On the other hand, under the action of an axial force which is applied to said coupled profiles 11, 12 and is greater than the predetermined force of connection exerted by means of said body 13, the profiles themselves are made to slide telescopically.
Moreover, while said block 15 of the body 13 acts mainly in the manner of a deadening means for the vibrations caused by forces acting in directions parallel to said median plane of symmetry, the tooth-like projections 14.1 of the internal cheeks 14 of said same body act, in a similar manner, mainly to deaden the vibrations caused by forces acting in directions essentially orthogonal to the plane itself. The two half- heads 14.3 of the body 13 not only interact with said block 15 and with said cheeks 14 but also, for their elastic yieldingness, carry out, mainly, an action which deadens the vibrations generated by torsional forces applied to said coupled profiles 11, 12.
Said body 13 also ensures the take-up of existing play which can be manifested over time between said coupled profiles 11, 12.
It will further be noted that said centring and connection body 13 is made of materials which guarantee over time its "autolubrication" so as to avoid, for example, the disadvantages deriving from the action of the atmospheric agents, such as oxidation of said coupled profiles 11, 12.
It goes without saying that it will be possible for the shape of said body for centring and connection of the coupled profiles of the control shaft according to the invention to vary greatly in relation to what is described and illustrated by way of non-limiting example only.
With reference now to Figures 13 to 16, the variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles according to the other exemplary embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 20.
Said shaft 20 comprises essentially two metal profiles, 21 and 22 respectively, both tubular and mutually telescopically coupled for relative low-friction axial sliding. Specifically, the profile 22 is inserted with one of its axial end parts 22.1, in a male manner, inside the other profile 21, functioning as female, according to a telescopic arrangement.
Said end part 22.1 of the male profile 22 has, seen in cross-section, an essentially hexagonal external and internal peripheral contour and is received, with play, in a corresponding axial cavity of the female profile 21 in such a manner that said profiles 21, 22 are secured against relative rotation by means of positive coupling.
According to the present further exemplary embodiment of the invention, through-holes 22.2, six in the example, are provided in said end zone 22.1 of the male profile 22, which are each arranged in the region of a respective corner thereof and the axes of which are essentially orthogonal to the axis of the profile itself.
Each hole 22.2 partially contains a corresponding ball 23, for example made of steel, interposed for free rolling between the internal lateral surface of the female profile 21 and an elastically deformable cylindrical support body 24, for example made of elastomeric material, which is firmly inserted in a coaxial manner in said end part 22.1 of the male profile 22 in such a manner that the internal lateral faces of the profile itself are essentially tangential to the cylindrical lateral surface of the body 24.
Said containing holes 22.2 are distributed in two axially spaced rows of three holes each, mutually angularly spaced by approximately 120° .
To increase the elastic deformability thereof, said cylindrical support body 24 is axially perforated at 24.1. By means of the above arrangement, the steering- gear control shaft according to the invention performs effectively and safely the following functions, according to the forces applied to the shaft itself: - mutual axial centring of said coupled profiles 21 and 22; firm connection of said coupled profiles 21, 22 in a static disposition, by means of interaction of the elastic support body 24 and the balls 23 in the male profile 22, which act in the manner of "pressure balls" against the internal lateral surface of the female profile 21; transmission of the "steering" torque between said coupled profiles 21, 22, first by means of the balls 23 which are radially drawn back in antagonism to the elastic action of the support body 24, bringing about a deadening and damping effect which is effective for the take-up of the play, and then by means of mutual contact of respective opposite zones of said coupled profiles, in particular of corner zones of the male profile 22 against corresponding opposite zones of the female profile 21, which act as zones of resistance to torsion; relative axial sliding of said coupled profiles 21,
22 by means of rolling movement, essentially without friction, of said balls 23 along the internal lateral surface of the female profile 21 (if appropriate spread with grease to favour the same movement) , and durability of said functions of mutual connection, of damping of the vibrationβ induced and of mutual centring of said profiles 21, 22, and of safe and uniform relative telescopic sliding of the same profiles by means of the interaction between balls 23 and elastic support body 24 which maintains lastingly its elastic properties.
It goes without saying that the coupled outlines - in other words the internal outline of the female profile and the external outline of the male profile - can in cross-section have any shape with a closed broken line, if appropriate also with rounded angles.
As replacement for the cylindrical support body made of elastomeric material, for example made of elastomer, a support means shaped in the manner of a spring can be provided.
For example, a cylindrical helical spring can be arranged, in a firm manner, inside and coaxially with the male profile so as to receive partially between its coils the steel balls when pushed in the radial/centripetal direction by components of forces acting orthogonally to the axis of the profile and to push back elastically said balls radially towards the outside when the action of these forces stops. With a similar function, use can also be made, in interaction with the balls, of a means in the manner of an elastic pin, firmly inserted into the male profile. In such a case, advantageously, a core made of elastically deformable material is associated with the support means with a spring or a pin to interact with said same means of support.
The body made of elastomeric material, inserted directly inside the male element or, in any case, wedged inside other elastic means of compression of the balls, performs the important function of damping the induced and endogenous structural vibrationβ with the consequent advantage of reduction of the noise or of shifting (at will) of the resonance frequencies into particular frequency ranges.
On the other hand, for particular shapes of the conjugate outlines of the two coupled profiles, it may be sufficient to provide in the male profile even a single hole for containing a corresponding ball, which interacts with an elastic support means provided in said same male profile.

Claims

1. Variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles, in which two profiles are mutually coupled in a coaxial manner in such a manner that a first profile, forming a male element, is inserted with one of its axially hollow end zones into a second tubular profile, forming a female element, and in which said profiles are mutually secured both against relative rotation, for example by positive coupling, and against relative movements in the axial direction, for example by non-positive coupling, in antagonism to forces applied to the shaft itself which are smaller than a predetermined threshold value, exceeding which brings about the relative telescopic axial sliding with low friction of the same profiles, characterized in that said end zone (12.1, 22.1) of said male profile (12, 22) is coupled for telescopic sliding in relation to said female profile (11, 21) by means (13, 23, 24) of mutual centring and connection provided in said same end zone (12.1, 22.1) and acting against the internal lateral surface of said female profile (11, 21) so as to ensure over time the correct mutual axial centring of said telescopically coupled profiles, the take-up of play and the damping of the vibrations induced between the coupled profiles and due both to forces of torsion and to forces, for example, with components which are orthogonal in relation to the axis of the profiles themselves, and the mutual connection of said profiles by non-positive coupling, in a static disposition and in antagonism to forces, for example axial, which are applied to the shaft itself and are smaller than a predetermined value, exceeding which brings about yielding of the structure by relative telescopic sliding of the same profiles.
2. Shaft according to Claim 1, characterized in that said male profile (12) is provided, in its end zone
(12.1), with a plurality of through-holes (12.2, 12.3), through which a centring and connection body (13) , for example made of plastic material, at least partially inserted in said same zone (12.1) of the male profile (12) , is applied by forcing against the internal lateral surface of said female profile (11) , ensuring the mutual axial centring and the connection by non-positive coupling of said two profiles (11, 12) . 3. Shaft according to Claim 2, characterized in that said male profile (12), in its said end zone (12.1), has at least one pair of opposite through-holes (12.2) and a plurality of other through-holes (12.3), offset in relation to said opposite holes, and in that said centring and connection body (13) comprises a pair of preferably elastically deformable internal cheeks (14) , for example made of plastic material, at least partially inserted into said .end zone (12.1) of said male profile
(12) , mutually opposite and βpaced at least in the region of said opposite through-holes (12.2) and having respective tooth-like projections (14.2) which extend - through said other through-holes (12.
3) - to against the internal lateral surface of said female profile (11) , and moreover comprises a preferably elastically deformable spacer block (15) , for example made of plastic material, interposed by forcing between said cheeks (14) , extended through said opposite through-holes (12.2) and compressed against said internal lateral surface of said female profile (11) in such a manner that said block member (15) acts by thrust also against said cheeks (14) , making their tooth-like projections (14.2) adhere by force against said internal lateral surface of said female profile (11) .
4. Shaft according to Claim 3, characterized in that said spacer block (15) has a slot (15.1) which increases the elastic yieldingness thereof, favouring the thrusting action thereof by elastic deformation against said cheeks (14) , between which it is interposed.
5. Shaft according to Claim 3, characterized in that each of said cheeks (14) is provided with a respective preferably elastically deformable half-head (14.3), for example made of plastic material, extended outside said end zone (12.1) of said male profile (12) and applied against a corresponding part of the internal lateral surface of said female profile (11) , preferably in a limitedly elastically yielding manner.
6. Shaft according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in said end zone (22.1) of the male profile (22), at least one through-hole (22.2) is provided, and in that said at least one through-hole (22.2) partially contains a corresponding ball (23) , for example made of steel, interposed for free rolling between the internal lateral surface of the female profile (21) and elastically deformable support means (24) inserted into said axially hollow end zone (22.1) of the male profile (22).
7. Shaft according to Claim 6, in which said male profile (22) and said female profile (21) have respective coupled outlines (seen in cross-section) with a closed broken line, if appropriate with rounded angles, characterized in that said male profile (22) is coupled, in the region of its said end zone (22.1), for telescopic axial sliding with low friction in relation to the female profile (11) by means of connection and centring, comprising elastically deformable support means (24) , inserted in said axially hollow end part (22.1) of the male profile (22) itself, and a plurality of balls (23), for example made of steel, interposed for free rolling between the internal lateral βurface of the female profile (21) and said means of support (24) , through respective containing through-holes (22.2) provided in said end zone (22.1) of the male profile (22), in such a manner that said means of connection and centring (24, 23) perform the following functions, according to the forces applied to the shaft: mutual axial centring of said coupled profiles (21, 22); firm connection of said coupled profiles (21, 22) in a static disposition, by means of interaction of said elastically deformable support means (24) and said balls (23) in the male profile (22), which act in the manner of "pressure balls" against the internal lateral surface of the female profile (21) ; transmission of the "steering" torque between said coupled profiles (21, 22), first by means of the balls (23) which are radially drawn back towards the inside of said end zone (22.1) of the male profile in antagonism to the elastic action of the support means (24) , bringing about a deadening and damping effect which is effective for the take-up of the play, and then by means of mutual contact of respective opposite zones of said coupled profiles, which act as zones of resistance to torsion; relative axial sliding of said coupled profiles (21, 22) by means of rolling movement, essentially without friction, of said balls (23) along the internal lateral surface of the female profile (21) , and durability of said functions of mutual connection, of damping of the vibrations induced and of mutual centring of said profiles (21, 22), and of safe and uniform relative telescopic sliding of the same profiles by means of the interaction between said balls (23) and said elastic support means (24) which maintain lastingly their elastic properties.
8. Shaft according to Claim 7, characterized in that said containing holeβ (22.2) are provided in the vicinity of at least some corner zones of said end zone (22.1) of the male profile (22) , which - when the corresponding balls (23) are drawn back elastically in the same profile - act, in interaction with corresponding opposite zones of the female profile (21) , as zones of resistance to torsion.
9. Shaft according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said containing holes (22.2) with respective balls (23) are distributed in a number of rows, the axes of the holes of each row being contained in a respective plane orthogonal to the axis of the profile (22) .
10. Shaft according to Claim 6, characterized in that said elastically deformable support means (24) comprise means which are elastic by structure and/or constituent material, such as spring means, elastic pin means, means with a body made of elastomeric material, and combinations thereof.
11. Shaft according to Claim 1, characterized in that said male profile is made as a tubular body.
PCT/EP1996/000028 1995-01-05 1996-01-05 Variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles WO1996020862A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU44371/96A AU4437196A (en) 1995-01-05 1996-01-05 Variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT95TO000005A IT1279095B1 (en) 1995-01-05 1995-01-05 Steering control shaft for vehicle steering devices
ITTO95A000005 1995-01-05
ITTO95A000800 1995-10-06
ITTO950800 IT1281381B1 (en) 1995-10-06 1995-10-06 Variable length steering gear control shaft for motor vehicles - has first profile forming male element, coupled for telescopic sliding with one of its axially hollow ends in second tubular profile which forms female element

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996020862A1 true WO1996020862A1 (en) 1996-07-11

Family

ID=26332275

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP1996/000028 WO1996020862A1 (en) 1995-01-05 1996-01-05 Variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4437196A (en)
WO (1) WO1996020862A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1065397A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-03 NACAM France S.A. Telescopic ball coupling for two shafts
FR2795787A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-05 Nacam Sliding shaft coupling e.g. for vehicle steering column comprises spring-loaded balls in concave channels in inner and outer shafts
FR2795786A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-05 Lemforder Nacam Sa Sliding shaft coupling e.g. for vehicle steering column comprises spring-loaded balls in concave channels in inner and outer shafts
CN101983886A (en) * 2010-10-09 2011-03-09 江苏格尔顿传动有限公司 Anti-collision and anti-theft steering column for vehicle
WO2016131600A1 (en) * 2015-02-16 2016-08-25 Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Gmbh Intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle, and method for operating an intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle
RU2666044C1 (en) * 2016-08-31 2018-09-05 Др. Инж. х.к. Ф. Порше Акциенгезелльшафт Telescopic intermediate shaft of steering mechanism
US10773747B2 (en) * 2017-11-17 2020-09-15 Mando Corporation Steering column for vehicle

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3434369A (en) * 1965-08-05 1969-03-25 Bendix Corp No-lash axially movable steering column
DE2232552A1 (en) * 1971-09-10 1973-03-22 D Assortiments Reunies Divisio DEVICE FOR MUTUAL FASTENING OF TWO PARTS
DE3601044A1 (en) * 1986-01-16 1987-07-23 Volkswagen Ag Steering device for a motor vehicle and method for the fitting and assembly thereof

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3434369A (en) * 1965-08-05 1969-03-25 Bendix Corp No-lash axially movable steering column
DE2232552A1 (en) * 1971-09-10 1973-03-22 D Assortiments Reunies Divisio DEVICE FOR MUTUAL FASTENING OF TWO PARTS
DE3601044A1 (en) * 1986-01-16 1987-07-23 Volkswagen Ag Steering device for a motor vehicle and method for the fitting and assembly thereof

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1065397A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-03 NACAM France S.A. Telescopic ball coupling for two shafts
FR2795787A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-05 Nacam Sliding shaft coupling e.g. for vehicle steering column comprises spring-loaded balls in concave channels in inner and outer shafts
FR2795785A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-05 Nacam BALL COUPLING DEVICE FOR TWO SLIDING SHAFTS
FR2795786A1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-01-05 Lemforder Nacam Sa Sliding shaft coupling e.g. for vehicle steering column comprises spring-loaded balls in concave channels in inner and outer shafts
US6343993B1 (en) 1999-06-30 2002-02-05 Nacam France S.A. Ball-type system for coupling two sliding shafts
CN101983886A (en) * 2010-10-09 2011-03-09 江苏格尔顿传动有限公司 Anti-collision and anti-theft steering column for vehicle
CN101983886B (en) * 2010-10-09 2013-01-02 江苏格尔顿传动有限公司 Anti-collision and anti-theft steering column for vehicle
WO2016131600A1 (en) * 2015-02-16 2016-08-25 Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Gmbh Intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle, and method for operating an intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle
US10538264B2 (en) 2015-02-16 2020-01-21 Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Gmbh Intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle, and method for operating an intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle
RU2666044C1 (en) * 2016-08-31 2018-09-05 Др. Инж. х.к. Ф. Порше Акциенгезелльшафт Telescopic intermediate shaft of steering mechanism
US10773747B2 (en) * 2017-11-17 2020-09-15 Mando Corporation Steering column for vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4437196A (en) 1996-07-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP4750667B2 (en) Steering device slip joint
JP4419841B2 (en) Telescopic shaft for vehicle steering
DE3624473C2 (en)
US6343993B1 (en) Ball-type system for coupling two sliding shafts
EP1827766B1 (en) Handle
US4269043A (en) Coupling for resiliently connecting two shafts for transmission of torque
EP1547903B1 (en) Vehicle steering telescopic shaft
EP1790868B1 (en) Extendable shaft
US7168741B2 (en) Steering apparatus
DE4138582C1 (en)
EP1156229B1 (en) Connection structure of extensible shaft
US20060068924A1 (en) Extendable vehicle steering shaft
WO1996020862A1 (en) Variable-length steering-gear control shaft for motor vehicles
CA1038728A (en) Shock absorbing type steering device
EP2027397B1 (en) Torque transmission device for the low vibration transmission of torque via at least one shaft
US20200156693A1 (en) Steering shaft for a motor vehicle
DE3420570C1 (en) Torsional vibration damper
US7972217B2 (en) Universal joint having slip bush
US7174803B2 (en) Steering shaft for motor vehicles
US4693136A (en) Telescopic sub-assembly for a steering column
US5224781A (en) Slide for a vehicle seat comprising a device for reducing play and noise
US6260672B1 (en) Vehicle seat with an adjusting mechanism
JPH11314572A (en) Automobile steering shaft having two axial blocks
JP2001239944A (en) Joining structure of telescopic shaft
DE202005007332U1 (en) Damping structure for a pneumatic tool

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN AZ BY KZ RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE LS MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA