Yoke joint and intermediate shaft assembly for vehicle comprising same

Abstract

A yoke joint according to the present invention comprises a yoke connection portion which extends in the axial direction and connects a spider coupling portion to a yoke body, wherein the yoke connection portion has deformation prevention portions, which are recessed more than the outer surfaces of the spider coupling portion, in both sides thereof in a diameter direction of the spider coupling hole, the diameter direction being a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, so that deformation due to a clamping force of a pinch bolt can be prevented, and moreover, the weight can be reduced.

Description

Yoke joint and intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a yoke joint and an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a yoke joint and an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle including the same, which can prevent deformation due to the tightening force of a pinch bolt and reduce weight.

[0002] In general, a steering device for a vehicle is installed so that a driver can control the driving direction in a desired direction by rotating a steering wheel, and includes a steering wheel, a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel and rotated together with the steering wheel, a steering column that rotatably supports the steering shaft, a gearbox that converts the rotational motion of the steering shaft into a straight motion and increases steering force to change the direction of the wheels, and a universal joint that transmits the rotational force of the steering shaft to the gearbox.

[0003] The above universal joint is a general term for an assembly that is rotatable to transmit the rotational force transmitted to the steering shaft to the gearbox, and is also called an intermediate shaft assembly.

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vehicle intermediate shaft assembly is installed in a conventional vehicle steering device.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a typical vehicle intermediate shaft assembly (1) includes a shaft (2) and a tube (3) into which the shaft (2) is assembled so as to be able to slide, a splined external gear (4) is formed long in the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the shaft (2), and a splined internal gear (not shown) corresponding to the splined external gear (4) is machined on the hollow inner surface of the tube (3), so that the shaft (2) and the tube (3) can slide in the axial direction while the splined external gear (4) and the splined internal gear are coupled to each other.

[0006] Here, one of the ends of the shaft (4) and the tube (5) may be provided with one (11 or 12) of the components of the yoke assembly (10) integrally or assembled via a pinch bolt (14).

[0007] In particular, when a part assembled via a pinch bolt (14) among the components of a yoke assembly (10) is defined as a one-sided yoke joint (11), and a part joined to the one-sided yoke joint (11) via a cross-shaped spider (13) is defined as a other-sided yoke joint (12), the one-sided yoke joint (11) is generally assembled via a pinch bolt (14) to one side of a tube (3), and the other-sided yoke joint (12) can be integrally formed at the end of a shaft (2).

[0008] However, among the configurations of the yoke assembly (10) described above, one side yoke joint (11) is assembled to the tube (3) via a pinch bolt (14), but there is a problem that assembly is difficult because the one side yoke joint (11) and the tube (3) are separated from each other during the assembly process. This difficulty in assembling the pinch bolt (14) leads to a problem that makes it difficult to implement automated assembly of the parts.

[0009] As a technology for solving the problem of difficulty in assembling the pinch bolt (14) above, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2451434 (October 7, 2022) (hereinafter referred to as “prior art”) discloses “a yoke fixing clip and an intermediate shaft assembly of a steering device including the same.”

[0010] The above-mentioned conventional technology includes an intermediate shaft formed of a hollow tube and a shaft inserted into the hollow portion of the tube, a yoke assembly coupled to an end of the intermediate shaft, and a yoke temporary fixing clip that is removably coupled to the end of the intermediate shaft and temporarily fixes the yoke assembly, wherein the yoke temporary fixing clip is temporarily hooked to the yoke assembly before the fixation to the intermediate shaft is completed by a pinch bolt.

[0011] However, the above-described prior art was able to solve the problem of difficulty in assembling the pinch bolt by temporarily fixing the yoke assembly to the end of the intermediate shaft with the yoke fixing clip and then fixing the yoke assembly to the intermediate shaft with the pinch bolt, but had the disadvantage that the yoke assembly was deformed due to the tightening force of the pinch bolt and the yoke assembly was heavy.

[0012]

[0013] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a yoke joint and an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle including the same, which can reduce weight while preventing deformation due to the tightening force of a pinch bolt.

[0014] Another technical object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle in which a yoke joint can be easily assembled to an end of an intermediate shaft.

[0015] Another technical task of the present invention is to provide an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle that can automate the process of assembling the yoke joint to the end of the intermediate shaft by preventing arbitrary detachment of the yoke joint from the end of the intermediate shaft.

[0016] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0017]

[0018] In order to achieve the above object, a yoke joint according to the present invention comprises a yoke body, a spider coupling portion, and a yoke connection portion. The yoke body is coupled to an end of an intermediate shaft. A spider coupling hole is formed in the spider coupling portion. The yoke connection portion extends in the axial direction. The yoke connection portion connects the spider coupling portion to the yoke body. A deformation prevention portion is formed on both sides of the yoke connection portion in the radial direction of the spider coupling hole, which is orthogonal to the axial direction. The deformation prevention portion is recessed into an outer surface of the spider coupling portion.

[0019] The above deformation prevention part can be formed into a curved surface.

[0020] The above spider joint can be formed in a ring shape.

[0021] The above spider joint may have flat surfaces on both sides in the diameter direction of the spider joint hole, which is orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0022] The yoke body may be formed with an insertion hole into which an end of the intermediate shaft is inserted. A bolt assembly hole may be formed in the yoke body. A portion of the bolt assembly hole may overlap the insertion hole. A pinch bolt may be inserted into the bolt assembly hole.

[0023] The yoke body may have a pinch hole formed on one side near the bolt assembly hole. The pinch hole may be tightened by the pinch bolt. The pinch hole may extend from an end of the yoke body to one side of the spider joint, which is an end of the yoke connection.

[0024] One side surface close to the above bolt assembly hole may be a surface perpendicular to the surface of the yoke body where the bolt assembly hole is formed.

[0025] The above yoke body may further be formed with a hook engaging groove. A yoke temporary fixing clip may be installed at the end of the intermediate shaft. A temporary fixing hook portion may be formed on the yoke temporary fixing clip. The temporary fixing hook portion may be engaged with the hook engaging groove.

[0026] The above hook catch groove can be formed on the surface of the yoke body where the bolt assembly hole is formed.

[0027] The above spider joint may be formed by a pair of spider joints. The above yoke joint may be formed by a pair of yoke joints that respectively connect the pair of spider joints to the yoke body. The above deformation prevention member may be formed on the pair of yoke joints.

[0028] An intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises an intermediate shaft and a yoke joint. The intermediate shaft comprises a hollow tube and a shaft inserted into the hollow portion of the tube. The yoke joint is disposed at an end of the intermediate shaft. The yoke joint comprises a yoke body, a spider coupling portion, and a yoke connection portion. The yoke body is coupled to an end of the intermediate shaft. A spider coupling hole is formed in the spider coupling portion. The yoke connection portion extends in the axial direction. The yoke connection portion connects the spider coupling portion to the yoke body. A deformation prevention portion is formed on both sides of the yoke connection portion in the radial direction of the spider coupling hole, which is orthogonal to the axial direction. The deformation prevention portion is recessed into an outer surface of the spider coupling portion.

[0029] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0030]

[0031] The yoke joint according to the present invention and the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly including the same have a deformation prevention portion formed in the yoke connection portion, thereby preventing deformation due to the tightening force of the pinch bolt and reducing the weight.

[0032] In addition, the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly according to the present invention has the effect of enabling the yoke joint to be easily assembled to the end of the intermediate shaft after the yoke joint is temporarily fixed to the end of the intermediate shaft through a yoke fixing clip.

[0033] In addition, the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the yoke joint from being accidentally detached from the end of the intermediate shaft by temporarily fixing the yoke joint to the end of the intermediate shaft through the yoke temporary fixing clip, thereby automating the process of assembling the yoke joint to the end of the intermediate shaft.

[0034] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0035]

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vehicle intermediate shaft assembly is installed in a conventional vehicle steering device.

[0037] Figure 2 is a side view and an enlarged view of a portion thereof showing an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 2;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention from a different direction than FIG. 2;

[0040] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 4;

[0041] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the installation state of the tube and yoke fixing clips in the configuration of Fig. 2.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the yoke assembly and the yoke fixing clip among the configurations of Fig. 2;

[0043] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the one-sided yoke joint illustrated in Fig. 7;

[0044] Fig. 9 is a rear side perspective view of Fig. 8;

[0045] Figure 10 is a side view of Figure 8.

[0046]

[0047] <Explanation of symbols>

[0048] 100: Intermediate shaft assembly for vehicle 110: Shaft

[0049] 120: Tube 140: Yoke Joint

[0050] 141: Yoke body 143: Hook catch groove

[0051] 144: Spider joint 144A: Spider joint hole

[0052] 144B: Flat surface 145: Pinch bolt

[0053] 146: Yoke connection 146A: Anti-deformation part

[0054] 147: Bolt assembly 148: Insertion hole

[0055] 149: Pinch hole 200: York fixing clip

[0056] 220: Fixed hook part

[0057]

[0058] Hereinafter, a yoke joint and an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

[0059] When assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that identical components are assigned the same numerals whenever possible, even if they appear on different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present invention, if a detailed description of a related known configuration or function is deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0060] When describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by these terms. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0061] FIG. 2 is a side view and a partially enlarged view showing an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an intermediate shaft assembly (100) for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an intermediate shaft (not shown, separate drawing reference numerals are not indicated, see drawing reference numerals 110 and 120) formed by a tube (120) having a hollow interior (not shown) formed in the longitudinal direction, a shaft (110) partially inserted into the hollow interior of the tube (120) and provided to be slidably moved in the longitudinal direction, and a yoke assembly (130) assembled to or integrally formed with an outer end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120).

[0063] Here, among the configurations of the intermediate shafts (110, 120), a spline external gear (114) may be formed lengthwise on the outer surface of the shaft (110), and among the configurations of the intermediate shafts (110, 120), a spline internal gear (not shown) that meshes with the spline external gear (114) of the shaft (110) may be formed lengthwise on the hollow inner surface of the tube (120).

[0064] In this way, the splined external gear (114) of the shaft (110) is provided to mesh with the splined internal gear of the tube (120), so that when the steering column (not shown) is rotated by the driver's steering wheel (not shown), the rotational driving force is transmitted through the shaft (110) and the tube (120), and road vibration or body shaking according to the vehicle's suspension (not shown) can be easily absorbed by the shaft (110) and the tube (120) sliding in the axial direction.

[0065] A retainer assembly (170) is provided between the shaft (110) and the tube (120) to prevent the shaft (110) and the tube (120) from being separated from each other. Although not shown in the drawing, the retainer assembly (170) may include a plurality of bearings that guide the relative sliding movement of the shaft (110) and the tube (120), and a separation prevention ring may be interposed between the shaft (110) and the tube (120).

[0066] In addition, a dust cover (160) may be further provided on the outer surface of the tube (120) to mediate coupling to a specific part of the vehicle body and prevent the inflow of foreign substances such as dust from the outside. The dust cover (160) may be installed to absorb road vibrations of the vehicle body by a dust cover tube (165) provided to surround the outer surface of the tube (120).

[0067] Meanwhile, a yoke assembly (130) may be provided at the outer end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120). Here, the yoke assembly (130) may be provided at the outer end of either the shaft (110) or the tube (120) among the components of the intermediate shaft (110, 120). However, for convenience of explanation, the yoke assembly (130) is described below as being provided at the outer end of the tube (120) among the components of the intermediate shaft (110, 120). However, it should be noted that the scope of the rights is not limited thereby.

[0068] The yoke assembly (130) may include a one-sided yoke joint (140) provided at one of the ends of the shaft (110) and the tube (120), and a second-sided yoke joint (150) provided at the other of the ends of the shaft (110) and the tube (120). One of the one-sided yoke joint (140) and the second-sided yoke joint (150) may be integrally formed at one end of the shaft (110) and the tube (120), and the other of the one-sided yoke joint (140) and the second-sided yoke joint (150) may be provided separately and assembled to the other end of the shaft (110) and the tube (120) by a pinch bolt (145) described later.

[0069] In the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention, one side yoke joint (140) is provided as a separate part to be assembled to an end of a tube (120) (more specifically, an insertion end (120') described later) by a pinch bolt (145), and the other side yoke joint (150) is illustrated as being integrally formed in a U shape at an end of a shaft (110). However, the positions where the one side yoke joint (140) and the other side yoke joint (150) are provided are not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and it will be understood that they may be provided at opposite positions.

[0070] The one-sided yoke joint (140) may include a one-sided yoke body (141) and a one-sided yoke arm (142) that extends in a U shape from the one-sided yoke body (141) in the direction in which the other-sided yoke joint (150) is provided, and the other-sided yoke joint (150) may include a one-sided yoke body (151) and a one-sided yoke arm (152) that extends in a U shape from the other-sided yoke body (151) in the direction in which the one-sided yoke joint (140) is provided.

[0071] Here, in the case of an embodiment in which one side yoke joint (140) and the other side yoke joint (150) are integrally formed on the shaft (110) or the tube (120), the one side yoke arm (142) and the other side yoke arm (152) can be integrally formed by extending directly from the end of the shaft (110) and the tube (120) without providing the one side yoke body (141) and the other side yoke body (151) described above on the shaft (110) or the tube (120).

[0072] A one-sided yoke joint (140) and an other-sided yoke joint (150) are mutually diffractively connected to each other via a cross-shaped spider (135) provided between a pair of one-sided yoke arms (142) and a pair of other-sided yoke arms (152), and can easily transmit the rotational driving force of the steering wheel in a direction bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shaft (110) and the tube (120).

[0073] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a vehicle intermediate shaft assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention from a different direction from FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the installation state of a tube and a yoke temporary fixing clip among the configurations of FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a yoke assembly and a yoke temporary fixing clip among the configurations of FIG. 2.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a yoke temporary fixing clip (200) that is detachably coupled to the outer end of a shaft (110) or a tube (120) and temporarily fixes a yoke assembly (130).

[0075] One end of the shaft (110) or the tube (120) can be connected by assembling a one-side yoke joint (140) or the other-side yoke joint (150) with a bolt.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, a one-sided yoke joint (140) is assembled and connected to the end of the tube (120), but this is not necessarily limited to this. That is, depending on the embodiment, a different-sided yoke joint (150) provided as a separate object at the end of the shaft (110) may be assembled and connected by bolts.

[0077] Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, it will be briefly described that a one-sided yoke joint (140) of a separate object is assembled to the end of a tube (120) by a pinch bolt (145) described later. However, it should be understood that the tube (120) can be defined as being replaced with a shaft (110), and that the one-sided yoke joint (140) can be defined as the other-sided yoke joint (150).

[0078] An insertion end (120') may be formed at the outer end of the tube (120) into which a portion is inserted longitudinally into a one-sided yoke joint (140), and an insertion hole (148, see FIG. 7) into which the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) is inserted may be formed in the one-sided yoke joint (140).

[0079] Meanwhile, in the one-sided yoke joint (140), a pinch bolt (145) may be inserted and fastened, and a bolt assembly hole (147) machined in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the insertion hole (148) is formed may be formed. The insertion hole (148) and the bolt assembly hole (147) are machined so that a portion of the space overlaps (or overlaps) with each other, and the outer surface of the pinch bolt (145) inserted into the bolt assembly hole (147) is caught with a portion of the outer surface of the insertion end (120') of the tube (120), thereby preventing the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) inserted into the insertion hole (148) from being separated to the outside. To this end, a bolt fixing groove (125) that fits a portion of the outer surface of a pinch bolt (145) inserted and fastened into a bolt assembly hole (147) may be formed on the outside of the insertion end (120') of the tube (120).

[0080] In this way, when the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) is inserted into the insertion hole (148) of the one-sided yoke joint (140), and the pinch bolt (145) is fastened to the bolt assembly hole (147), the outer surface of the pinch bolt (145) fits into the bolt fixing groove (125) formed in the insertion end (120') of the tube (120), thereby preventing the tube (120) from being detached in the opposite direction (i.e., the separation direction) to the insertion direction for the insertion hole (148).

[0081] However, when implementing automation of assembly of parts, there is a concern that the tube (120) may come off from the insertion hole (148) before assembling the pinch bolt (145) to the bolt assembly hole (147), and in this case, there is a problem that the assembly of the pinch bolt (145) is delayed. In addition, if such arbitrary separation occurs between the tube (120) and the one-sided yoke joint (140), it may lead to a problem that makes it difficult to implement automation of assembly of parts.

[0082] The yoke fixing clip (200) serves to prevent the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) inserted into the insertion hole (148) of the one-sided yoke joint (140) from being arbitrarily detached, so as to facilitate the implementation of an automated assembly system of the above-described parts.

[0083] More specifically, the yoke fixing clip (200) may be provided to be hooked onto the yoke assembly (130, here, one-sided yoke joint (140)) before fixation with the tube (120) by the pinch bolt (145) is completed.

[0084] At the end of the tube (120), a fixing rib (127) for fixing a yoke fixing clip (200) is formed in a circumferential direction, but may be formed in steps in the longitudinal direction of the tube (120).

[0085] Here, the yoke fixing clip (200) can be temporarily fixed to the fixing rib (127) formed on the tube (120) before inserting the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) into the insertion hole (148) of the one-sided yoke joint (140), and can be hooked to the one-sided yoke joint (140) at the same time as inserting the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) into the insertion hole (148) of the one-sided yoke joint (140).

[0086] More specifically, the yoke fastening clip (200) may include a hook ring portion (210) that is detachably connected to the end of the tube (120), and a fastening hook portion (220) that fastens the tube (120) and the yoke assembly (130) in a mutual hook manner before bolting the yoke assembly (130) to the tube (120) by the pinch bolt (145) while the hook ring portion (210) is fixed to the end of the tube (120).

[0087] Here, at least one tube fixing hook (211) may be formed in the hook ring portion (210) to be fixed to a fixing rib (127) formed stepwise at the end of the tube (120).

[0088] In addition, the fixed hook portion (220) is formed to extend a predetermined length in the direction in which the one-sided yoke joint (140) is provided with an insertion hole (148) into which the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) is inserted, and a hook projection (221) that is inserted into and caught in a hook catch groove (143) formed in a step manner in the one-sided yoke body (141) of the one-sided yoke joint (140) can be formed at the end thereof.

[0089] The hook engaging groove (143) may be formed on the surface of one side of the yoke body (141) where one end of the bolt assembly hole (147) is located. The hook engaging groove (143) may be arranged spaced apart from one side of the bolt assembly hole (147).

[0090] Here, the hook catch groove (143) formed on one side of the yoke body (141) is preferably formed in a range that does not overlap with the bolt assembly hole (147) so as not to interfere with the assembly of the pinch bolt (145), if possible, and the temporary fixing hook portion (220) of the temporary fixing clip (200) formed to catch thereon may be provided with an interference avoidance portion (223) so as not to interfere with the bolt head (not shown) portion of the pinch bolt (145) that is bolted to the bolt assembly hole (147) (i.e., so that interference is avoided).

[0091] The interference avoidance part (223) is formed to be round so as to accommodate a portion of the bolt head of the pinch bolt (145), thereby enabling a firm connection of the pinch bolt (145) to the bolt assembly hole (147).

[0092] The assembly process of the yoke joint and the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly including the same according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is briefly described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0093] First, as referenced in Fig. 6, a yoke fixing clip (200) is fixed to the end of the tube (120).

[0094] At this time, the hook ring portion (210) of the yoke fixing clip (200) can be inserted so as to surround the end of the tube (120), and at the same time, at least one tube fixing hook (121) formed on the hook ring portion (210) can be fixed by an action of hooking on a fixing rib (127) formed on the end of the tube (120).

[0095] Next, as referenced in Fig. 7, the insertion end (120') of the tube (120) can be inserted and installed toward the insertion hole (148) formed in the one-side yoke body (141) of the one-side yoke joint (140).

[0096] At this time, the hook projection (221) of the temporary fixing hook portion (220) of the yoke temporary fixing clip (200) is hooked to the hook hooking groove (143) formed in the one-sided yoke body (141) of the one-sided yoke joint (140), thereby temporarily fixing the one-sided yoke joint (140) to the end of the tube (120).

[0097] As described above, by temporarily fixing the one-sided yoke joint (140) to the tube (120) using the yoke fixing clip (200), the one-sided yoke joint (140) is prevented from being accidentally detached from the tube (120) during the assembly process for the bolt assembly hole (147) of the pinch bolt (145), thereby improving the convenience of assembly and providing the advantage of enabling the implementation of automation of parts assembly.

[0098]

[0099] Hereinafter, a structure capable of preventing deformation of the one-sided yoke joint (140) due to the tightening force of the pinch bolt (145) and reducing the weight of the one-sided yoke joint (140) will be described as follows. However, for the sake of understanding the explanation, the one-sided yoke joint (140) will be described as a yoke joint (140), the one-sided yoke body (141) will be described as a yoke body (141), and the one-sided yoke arm (142) will be described as a yoke arm (142).

[0100] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the one-sided yoke joint illustrated in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a rear-side bottom perspective view of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a side view of Fig. 8.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, each of a pair of yoke arms (142) may include a spider coupling portion (144) and a yoke connection portion (146). That is, the yoke joint (140) may include a yoke body (141), a pair of spider coupling portions (144), and a pair of yoke connection portions (146).

[0102] The yoke body (141) can be coupled to the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120). After the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120) is inserted into the insertion hole (148) of the yoke body (141), the pinch bolt (145) is inserted into the bolt assembly hole (147), and the pinch bolt (145) is fastened by a rotational motion by a worker, thereby allowing the yoke body (141) to be coupled to the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120).

[0103] A pinch hole (149) may be formed on one side of the yoke body (141) close to the bolt assembly hole (147). Here, the one side close to the bolt assembly hole (147) may be a side that is perpendicular to the side of the yoke body (141) where the bolt assembly hole (147) is formed. The pinch hole (149) may be tightened or released by the pinch bolt (145) inserted into the bolt assembly hole (151) when the worker rotates the pinch bolt (145).

[0104] The pinch hole (149) may be formed to extend from an end of the yoke body (141) to an end of one of the pair of yoke connecting portions (146). Here, the end of one of the pair of yoke connecting portions (146) may be an end located on one side of one of the pair of spider connecting portions (144). Accordingly, the pinch hole (149) may be formed to extend from an end of the yoke body (141) to one side of the pair of spider connecting portions (144).

[0105] A cross-shaped spider (135) can be coupled to a pair of spider coupling parts (144). That is, a spider coupling hole (144A) can be formed in each of the pair of spider coupling parts (144), and both ends of the straightly arranged portions of the cross-shaped spider (135) can be inserted into each of the spider coupling holes (144A) and coupled to the pair of spider coupling parts (144).

[0106] A pair of spider coupling parts (144) can be arranged so that the spider coupling holes (144A) formed in each of the pair of spider coupling parts (144) are in communication with each other.

[0107] A pair of spider coupling holes (144A) can be formed to communicate in a direction perpendicular to the bolt assembly hole (147).

[0108] Each of the pair of spider coupling portions (144) may be formed in a ring shape. Each of the pair of spider coupling portions (144) may have a flat surface (144B) on both sides in the radial direction of the spider coupling hole (144A) that is orthogonal to the axial direction. However, the flat surface (144B) is not necessarily formed on each of the pair of spider coupling portions (144), but when the flat surface (144B) is formed on each of the pair of spider coupling portions (144), the weight of the yoke joint (140) can be reduced compared to a case where the flat surface (144B) is not formed.

[0109] A pair of yoke connecting portions (146) may be formed in a curved plate shape. A pair of yoke connecting portions (146) may be arranged with their wide surfaces facing each other.

[0110] Each of the pair of yoke connecting portions (146) can extend axially. The pair of yoke connecting portions (146) can be formed to protrude axially from both ends of the yoke body (141). The pair of yoke connecting portions (146) can connect each of the pair of spider connecting portions (144) to the yoke body (141).

[0111] Each of a pair of yoke connecting portions (146) may have a deformation prevention portion (146A) formed on both sides in the radial direction of the spider connecting hole (144A) orthogonal to the axial direction. The deformation prevention portion (146A) may be recessed into the outer surface of the spider connecting portion (144). Therefore, compared to a case where the deformation prevention portion (146A) is not formed on each of a pair of yoke connecting portions (146), the weight of the yoke joint (140) can be reduced.

[0112] The deformation prevention portion (146A) may be formed into a curved surface. That is, the deformation prevention portion (146A) may be formed into a concave round shape. However, the shape of the deformation prevention portion (146A) may be changed to various groove shapes, such as a square groove shape or a triangular groove shape, in addition to a round shape.

[0113] A hook engaging groove (143) may be further formed in the yoke body (141). The hook engaging groove (143) may be formed close to one side of the bolt assembly hole (147). The hook engaging groove (143) may be formed on the surface of the yoke body (141) where the bolt assembly hole (147) is formed. The temporary fixing hook portion (220) of the yoke temporary fixing clip (200) installed at the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120) may be caught in the hook engaging groove (143). That is, the hook protrusion (221) formed at the end of the temporary fixing hook portion (220) may be inserted into and caught in the hook engaging groove (143).

[0114]

[0115] As described above, the yoke joint (140) according to the embodiment of the present invention and the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly (100) including the same have a deformation prevention portion (146A) formed in the yoke connection portion (146), and thus, deformation due to the tightening force of the pinch bolt (145) can be prevented and the weight can be reduced.

[0116] In addition, the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be easily assembled to the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120) after the yoke joint (140) is temporarily fixed to the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120) through the yoke fixing clip (200).

[0117] In addition, since the vehicle intermediate shaft assembly (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention temporarily fixes the yoke joint (140) to the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120) through the yoke temporary fixing clip (200), the yoke joint (140) is prevented from being accidentally detached from the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120), thereby enabling the process of assembling the yoke joint (140) to the end of the intermediate shaft (110, 120) to be automated.

[0118]

[0119] A yoke joint (140) and an intermediate shaft assembly (100) for a vehicle including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and it will be understood that various modifications and equivalent implementations are possible by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below.

[0120]

[0121] The present invention provides a yoke joint and an intermediate shaft assembly for a vehicle including the same, which can reduce weight while preventing deformation due to the tightening force of a pinch bolt.

Claims

1. A yoke body connected to the end of the central shaft; A spider joint having a spider joint hole formed therein; and A yoke connection portion extending axially and connecting the spider joint portion to the yoke body; A yoke joint in which a deformation prevention portion is formed on both sides of the spider coupling hole in the axial direction and in the diametric direction perpendicular to the yoke connection portion, and is recessed further than the outer surface of the spider coupling portion.

2. In claim 1, The above deformation prevention part is a yoke joint formed into a curved surface.

3. In claim 1, The above spider joint is a yoke joint formed in a ring shape.

4. In claim 3, The above spider joint is a yoke joint having flat surfaces on both sides in the radial direction of the spider joint hole, which is orthogonal to the axial direction.

5. In claim 1, A yoke joint having an insertion hole into which an end of the intermediate shaft is inserted, and a bolt assembly hole partially overlapping the insertion hole and into which a pinch bolt is inserted, formed in the yoke body.

6. In claim 5, The above yoke body has a pinch hole formed on one side close to the bolt assembly hole to be tightened by the pinch bolt. The above pinch hole is a yoke joint formed to extend from the end of the yoke body to one side of the spider joint, which is the end of the yoke connection.

7. In claim 6, A yoke joint in which one side near the bolt assembly hole is a surface perpendicular to the surface of the yoke body on which the bolt assembly hole is formed.

8. In claim 5, A yoke joint in which a hook engaging groove is further formed in the above yoke body to engage a temporary fixing hook portion of a yoke temporary fixing clip installed at an end of the above intermediate shaft.

9. In claim 8, The above hook engaging groove is a yoke joint formed on the surface of the yoke body where the bolt assembly hole is formed.

10. In claim 1, The above spider joint is formed by a pair of spider joints, The above yoke connection portion is formed by a pair of yoke connections each connecting a pair of spider coupling portions to the yoke body, The above deformation prevention part is a yoke joint formed at the pair of yoke connecting parts.

11. An intermediate shaft comprising a hollow tube and a shaft inserted into the hollow portion of the tube; and including a yoke joint arranged at an end of the above intermediate shaft; The above yoke joint, A yoke body coupled to an end of the above intermediate shaft; A spider joint having a spider joint hole formed therein; and A yoke connection portion extending axially and connecting the spider joint portion to the yoke body; An intershaft assembly for a vehicle, wherein a deformation prevention member is formed on both sides of the spider coupling hole in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and is recessed more than the outer surface of the spider coupling member in the above yoke connection member.

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