Split-Clamp Torque Transmission Shaft for Steering Coaxiality
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Solution Overview
Problem
The torque transmission shafts in automobile steering apparatuses face challenges in securing high coaxiality due to the integration of a clamp portion, leading to potential whirling of connected shafts, resulting in abnormal noises like sliding or stick-slip vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A torque transmission shaft design featuring a separate shaft and clamp, where the shaft has a hollow cylindrical shape with a male serration and slit, and the clamp has a discontinuous portion and flange portions, allowing for precise alignment and deformation to reduce the shaft diameter, thereby enhancing coaxiality and preventing whirling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the clamp portion is integrally provided with the torque transmission shaft to reduce diameter, then the structure is simplified, but the coaxiality between male serration and non-circular hole deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission shaft is divided into two separate components: the shaft body and the clamp portion. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, ensuring that the clamp portion can be precisely positioned to maintain coaxiality with the male serration and non-circular hole, while still achieving the diameter reduction function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clamp portion is integrally provided with the torque transmission shaft, then manufacturing is easier, but whirling of connected shafts increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the clamp portion from the shaft body, each component can be manufactured using optimized processes. The shaft body can be forged or machined to precise tolerances, while the clamp portion can be separately formed and then assembled. This separation ensures that the clamp does not introduce additional complexity that would compromise the precision and reliability of the connection.
3Manufacturing precision
If the torque transmission shaft uses cold forging, then shape precision is improved, but the flow of metal material becomes complicated due to the clamp portion
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission shaft is divided into two separate components: the shaft body and the clamp portion. This segmentation allows the shaft body to be manufactured by cold forging with optimized metal flow, while the clamp portion can be separately formed using appropriate manufacturing processes. The separation eliminates the complication of metal flow around the clamp portion during forging.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively suppresses whirling of connected shafts, preventing abnormal noises and ensuring a high degree of coaxiality between serration components, thus improving the operational stability and reducing wear in the steering apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the clamp has an incomplete cylindrical shape and includes: a discontinuous portion arranged at one place in a circumferential direction... The clamp is externally fitted onto the fitting cylinder portion and is able to reduce the diameter of the fitting cylinder portion by narrowing a width dimension of the discontinuous portion
Data Source
AI summary
A torque transmission shaft includes a shaft and a clamp. The shaft includes: a male serration in one axial end portion; a slit in the other axial end portion, the slit axially extending and having a closed end on one side and an open end on the other side; a fitting cylinder portion in the other axial end portion; and a female serration provided in of the other axial end portion. The clamp includes: a discontinuous portion arranged at one place in the circumferential direction; a pair of flange portions arranged on both sides of the discontinuous portion; a connecting portion connecting the flange portions; and an insertion hole for fitting cylinder portion. The clamp is fitted onto the fitting cylinder portion to reduce the diameter of the fitting cylinder portion by narrowing the width dimension of the discontinuous portion.