Steering device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10753404-B2
Application number	US-201816170092-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 25, 2018
Priority date	Nov 30, 2017
Publication date	Aug 25, 2020
Grant date	Aug 25, 2020

Abstract

A steering device includes an inner shaft and an outer shaft. The inner shaft includes an axial member provided on an axial line, a first abutting member provided on an outer circumference of the axial member, and a second abutting member disposed adjacent to the first abutting member, and having a different hardness from that of the first abutting member. An abutting member support of the axial member where the first abutting member and the second abutting member are provided is formed in a shape other than a circular shape. The outer shaft includes a torque transmitting member which abuts only either the first abutting member or the second abutting member and which is capable of transmitting torque only with the abutting member that is abutting the torque transmitting member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A steering device comprising:
an inner shaft rotatable around an axial line; and
an outer shaft partially covering the inner shaft and rotatable together with the inner shaft;
wherein the inner shaft and the outer shaft are provided so as to be relatively movable to each other along the axial line;
wherein the inner shaft comprises:
an axial member provided on the axial line;
a first abutting member provided on an outer circumference of the axial member; and
a second abutting member provided on the outer circumference of the axial member, said second abutting member being axially adjacent to the first abutting member, and having a hardness that is different from a hardness of the first abutting member;
wherein an abutting member support of the axial member where the first abutting member and the second abutting member are provided is formed in a shape other than a circular shape with reference to a vertical cross-section to the axial line; and
wherein the outer shaft comprises a torque transmitting member which abuts only either the first abutting member or the second abutting member and which is capable of transmitting torque only with the abutting member that is abutting the torque transmitting member.

2. The steering device according to claim 1 , wherein the torque transmitting member protrudes toward the inner shaft.

3. The steering device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the torque transmitting member is disposed along an outer circumference of the first abutting member and an outer circumference of the second abutting member; and
an inner circumference surface of a portion of the outer shaft adjacent to the torque transmitting member is formed in a circular shape.

4. The steering device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first abutting member is formed of a rubber; and
the second abutting member is formed of a resin.

5. The steering device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the abutting member support is formed in a substantially X-shape with reference to a vertical cross-section to the axial line; and
the first abutting member and the second abutting member are formed in a shape along an outer circumference of the abutting member support.

6. A steering device comprising:
an inner shaft rotatable around an axial line; and
an outer shaft partially covering the inner shaft and rotatable together with the inner shaft;
wherein the inner shaft and the outer shaft are provided so as to be relatively movable to each other along the axial line;
wherein the inner shaft comprises:
an axial member provided on the axial line;
a first abutting member provided on an outer circumference of the axial member; and
a second abutting member provided on the outer circumference of the axial member, and having a hardness that is different from a hardness of the first abutting member;
wherein an abutting member support of the axial member where the first abutting member and the second abutting member are provided is formed in a shape other than a circular shape with reference to a vertical cross-section to the axial line;
wherein the outer shaft comprises a torque transmitting member which abuts only either the first abutting member or the second abutting member and which is capable of transmitting torque only with the abutting member that is abutting the torque transmitting member,
wherein the torque transmitting member protrudes toward the inner shaft, and
wherein the outer shaft comprises:
a first cylindrical member formed in a substantially cylindrical shape; and
a second cylindrical member coupled to an end of the first cylindrical member and formed in a substantially cylindrical shape;
circular portions of the inner circumference surface of the first cylindrical member are formed at two locations so as to hold the torque transmitting member therebetween with reference to a direction of the axial line;
the second cylindrical member comprises the two torque transmitting members; and
the two torque transmitting members and the circular portions of the inner circumference surface at the two locations are arranged alternately.

7. The steering device according to claim 6 , wherein:
the torque transmitting member is disposed along an outer circumference of the first abutting member and an outer circumference of the second abutting member; and
an inner circumference surface of a portion of the outer shaft adjacent to the torque transmitting member is formed in a circular shape.

8. The steering device according to claim 6 , wherein:
the first abutting member is formed of a rubber; and
the second abutting member is formed of a resin.

9. The steering device according to claim 6 , wherein:
the abutting member support is formed in a substantially X-shape with reference to a vertical cross-section to the axial line; and
the first abutting member and the second abutting member are formed in a shape along an outer circumference of the abutting member support.

Assignees

• Yamada Mfg Co Ltd

Inventors

• Sekiguchi Toru

Classifications

• F16C3/03 Primary

  telescopic (axially displaceable couplings F16D3/06) · CPC title

• F16C2208/10

  Elastomers; Rubbers · CPC title

• F16C2326/24

  Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns · CPC title

• F16C2208/20

  Thermoplastic resins · CPC title

• F16C2202/04

  Hardness · CPC title