Joint structure and power steering device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9777776-B2
Application number	US-201615015914-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 4, 2016
Priority date	Aug 9, 2013
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A joint structure includes first and second engagement members, and an elastic member. The first engagement member includes a first body and a first engagement claw. The second engagement member includes a second body and a second engagement claw. The elastic member is disposed between the first and second engagement portions in a circumferential direction. When a relative rotation angle between the first and second engagement members is less than a predetermined angle, the first and second engagement claws are not in direct contact with each other in the circumferential direction, and a rotational force is transmitted through the elastic member while the elastic member is being elastically deformed. When the relative rotation angle is equal to the predetermined angle, the first and second engagement claws are in direct contact with each other in the circumferential direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A joint structure comprising:
a first engagement member integral to a first rotation shaft;
a second engagement member integral to a second rotation shaft; and
an elastic member having an elasticity and disposed between the first engagement member and the second engagement member to transmit a rotational force between the first engagement member and the second engagement member,
wherein the first engagement member comprises;
a first body integral to the first rotation shaft, and
one or more first engagement portions extending from the first body toward the second engagement member in a direction of a rotation axis,

the second engagement member comprises;
a second body integral to the second rotation shaft, and
one or more second engagement portions extending from the second body toward the first engagement member in the direction of the rotation axis,

the elastic member is disposed between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in a circumferential direction,
when a relative rotation angle between the first engagement member and the second engagement member is less than a predetermined angle, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are not in direct contact with each other in the circumferential direction, and the rotational force is transmitted through the elastic member while the elastic member is being elastically deformed, and
when the relative rotation angle is equal to the predetermined angle, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are in direct contact with each other in the circumferential direction.

2. The joint structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portion comprises
a first holding portion holding the elastic member in an axial direction, and
a first direct contact portion in direct contact with the second engagement portion when the relative rotation angle is equal to the predetermined angle.

3. The joint structure according to claim 2 , wherein the second engagement portion comprises
a second holding portion holding the elastic member in the axial direction, and
a second direct contact portion in direct contact with the first engagement portion when the relative rotation angle is equal to the predetermined angle.

4. A power steering device comprising the joint structure according to claim 3 ,
wherein the first rotation shaft is an output shaft of a motor configured to generate an assisting force, and
the second rotation shaft is a transmission member configured to transmit the assisting force to a steering device.

5. A power steering device comprising the joint structure according to claim 2 ,
wherein the first rotation shaft is an output shaft of a motor configured to generate an assisting force, and
the second rotation shaft is a transmission member configured to transmit the assisting force to a steering device.

6. The joint structure according to claim 1 , wherein the second engagement portion comprises
a second holding portion holding the elastic member in an axial direction, and
a second direct contact portion in direct contact with the first engagement portion when the relative rotation angle is equal to the predetermined angle.

7. A power steering device comprising the joint structure according to claim 6 ,
wherein the first rotation shaft is an output shaft of a motor configured to generate an assisting force, and
the second rotation shaft is a transmission member configured to transmit the assisting force to a steering device.

8. A power steering device comprising the joint structure according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first rotation shaft is an output shaft of a motor configured to generate an assisting force, and
the second rotation shaft is a transmission member configured to transmit the assisting force to a steering device.

9. The joint structure according to claim 1 , wherein
the first engagement member has a first spline hole on a central axis of the first body,
the second engagement member has a second spline hole on a central axis of the second body, and
the first spline hole is provided coaxially with the second spline hole.

10. The joint structure according to claim 9 , wherein
the first rotation shaft and the first spline hole are spline-connected to each other.

11. The joint structure according to claim 9 , wherein
the second rotation shaft has a spline shaft portion extending in the axial direction, and
the spline shaft portion is spline-connected to the second spline hole so that the second body is fixed to the spline shaft portion.

Assignees

• Showa Corp

Inventors

• Kogure Akihiro

Classifications

• F16D3/12

  specially adapted for accumulation of energy to absorb shocks or vibration (by making use of fluid elements F16D3/80) · CPC title

• B62D3/10

  with worm engaging in sector or roller gear · CPC title

• F16D3/66 Primary

  the elements being metallic, e.g. in the form of coils · CPC title

• F16D3/68

  the elements being made of rubber or similar material · CPC title

• B62D5/0421

  Electric motor acting on or near steering gear · CPC title