Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Coupling facilitates relative axial motion between coupled... – Coupler includes antifriction rolling body engageable with...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-20
2004-10-19
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3679)
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Coupling facilitates relative axial motion between coupled...
Coupler includes antifriction rolling body engageable with...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06805637
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to shaft assemblies and more particularly to a shaft assembly with recirculating ball roller joint unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Shaft assemblies including relatively axially movable inner and outer shafts have many different functions, one being the transmission of torque in an automotive steering column. In a typical steering column, the shaft assembly may connect a steering shaft of the steering column to a steering gear and is often referred to as an intermediate shaft. A slip joint is usually provided between the shafts to facilitate relative axial movement.
One requirement of the joint is that its resistance to relative axial movement, commonly referred to as “slip load”, be kept to a minimum so that the shafts may be put together easily at the point of manufacture to speed up production without raising ergonomic concerns. A low “slip load” is particularly important if the shaft assembly transmits torque as it is required to do when used with the steering column of an automotive vehicle. A low “slip load” also facilitates collapse of the steering column in the event of a head on collision.
Customers are demanding lower and lower “slip loads”. However, it has been difficult to meet these demands with designs currently available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a recirculating ball joint is provided to facilitate relative axial movement between an inner shaft and an outer shaft and is especially designed for use with the steering column of an automotive vehicle. The ball joint includes a shell assembly secured within the outer shaft and defining recirculation races for balls which have a rolling engagement with the inner shaft.
Preferably the shell assembly includes two shells, with the shells respectively extending about opposite sides of the inner shaft and together extending around the entire periphery of the inner shaft.
Preferably each shell comprises a radially inner cage, a radially outer cage, and a ball retainer between the cages. At least one closed circuit race is provided for each shell. An inner cage groove and an outer cage groove cooperate to define a portion only of the closed circuit race, leaving open a remaining portion thereof. The retainer has a retainer groove which cooperates with a longitudinally extending groove in the inner shaft to define the remaining portion of the closed circuit race. The balls are adapted to circulate in the closed circuit race to facilitate axial movement of the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft. Preferably each shell has two such closed circuit races with balls circulating in each.
One object of this invention is to provide a shaft assembly with a recirculating ball roller joint having the foregoing features and capabilities.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2791894 (1957-05-01), Duckworth
patent: 3800558 (1974-04-01), Buthe et al.
patent: 4165195 (1979-08-01), Teramachi
patent: 4406502 (1983-09-01), Teramachi
patent: 4509386 (1985-04-01), Kimberlin
patent: 5613780 (1997-03-01), Ng
patent: 6350203 (2002-02-01), Zernickel
patent: 6439177 (2002-08-01), Pierik
patent: 6533369 (2003-03-01), Baumgartner et al.
patent: 6582313 (2003-06-01), Perrow
Daenzer Troy
Garcia Jesus Raul
Perea, Jr. Lorenzo
Browne Lynne H.
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Smith Michael D.
Thompson Kenn
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