Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-13
2001-02-13
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
C403S379200, C464S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186697
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to power transmission devices which can absorb axial impact energy for use, e.g. in propeller shafts and steering columns for motor vehicles.
One of the power transmission devices of this type is disclosed, e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,258 wherein a shaft and a tube engaged therewith are interconnected by a spline joint to relatively be movable in the axial direction and not to relatively be rotatable in the direction of rotation, and they are also interconnected by a breakable pin arranged through through holes of the shaft and the tube.
The power transmission device ensures torque transmission between the shaft and the tube. When axially undergoing a force or impact greater than a predetermined value, the device absorbs impact energy through relative axial movement of the shaft and the tube produced by breaking of the breakable pin.
With the known power transmission device, the breakable pin is arranged through the through hole of the shaft and that of the tube which has outer peripheral openings communicating with the air. As a consequence, when the shaft and the tube are rotated for power transmission, the breakable pin can be disengaged with the through holes. Moreover, when muddy water, etc. enter the through holes from the outer peripheral openings, the breakable pin may be corroded by formation of rust to vary its breaking load, resulting in impossible achievement of a desired impact absorbing effect.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide power transmission devices with impact absorbing potential, which allow sure and constant engagement of the component parts, and stable impact absorbing effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention lies in providing a device for transmitting power with impact absorbing potential, comprising:
a shaft formed with a through hole;
a tube engaged with said shaft, said tube having an end formed with a through hole;
a sliding joint arranged to interconnect said is shaft and said tube;
a pin arranged through said through holes of said shaft and said tube; and
a member mounted at said end of said tube, said member being disposed on said through hole of said tube.
Another aspect of the present invention lies in providing a device for transmitting power with impact absorbing potential, comprising:
a shaft formed with a through hole;
a tube engaged with said shaft, said tube having an end formed with a through hole;
a sliding joint arranged to interconnect said shaft and said tube;
a pin arranged through said through holes of said shaft and said tube; and
means for concealing said trough hole of said tube.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3472046 (1969-10-01), Potter
patent: 3800555 (1974-04-01), Arneson
patent: 4167860 (1979-09-01), Sakaguchi et al.
patent: 4184345 (1980-01-01), Cutler
patent: 4279131 (1981-07-01), Pringle
patent: 4752275 (1988-06-01), Lindenthal et al.
patent: 4756240 (1988-07-01), Mielke
patent: 5411383 (1995-05-01), Parnell et al.
patent: 5562360 (1996-10-01), Huang
patent: 0 370 653 (1990-05-01), None
patent: WO 97/07344 (1997-02-01), None
Katagiri Yasuo
Kishi Masao
Masuda Toshiyuki
Browne Lynne H.
Foley & Lardner
Thompson Kenneth
Unisia Jecs Corporation
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