US 2006/0039747 A1 · Telescopic shaft for vehicle steering

Abstract

According to the present invention, a rolling element 7 for rotating upon relative movement of both shafts 1 and 2 in the axial direction is disposed between three pairs of axial grooves 3 and 5 which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male shaft 1 and on the inner peripheral surface of the female shaft 2, respectively, a raceway surface element 9 which is in contact with the rolling element 7 and an elastic member 10 for pressurizing the rolling element 7 against the male shaft 1 and the female shaft 2 through the raceway surface element 9 are interposed between the axial groove 3 on the male shaft side 1 and the rolling element 7, and a sliding member 8 for slidably moving upon relative movement of the both shafts 1 and 2 in the axial direction is disposed between another three pairs of axial grooves 4 and 6 which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the male shaft 1 and on the inner peripheral surface of the female shaft 2, respectively.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A telescopic shaft for vehicle steering which is installed in a steering shaft of a vehicle and in which a male shaft and a female shaft are fitted to each other to be unrotatable and slidable, characterized in that:

rolling elements for rotating upon relative movement of said both shafts in the axial direction are disposed between at least one pair of grooves which are extended in the axial direction and respectively formed on the outer peripheral surface of said male shaft and on the inner peripheral surface of said female shaft;
a raceway surface element which is in contact with said rolling elements and an elastic member for preloading said rolling elements against said male shaft and said female shaft through said raceway surface element is interposed between said groove extended in the axial direction on said male shaft side or said female shaft side and said rolling element;
and
a sliding member for slidably moving upon relative movement of said both shafts in the axial direction is disposed between at least another one pair of grooves which are extended in the axial direction and respectively formed on the outer peripheral surface of said male shaft and on the inner peripheral surface of said female shaft.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Telescopic shaft for vehicle steering

Life of this patent

Telescopic shaft for vehicle steering

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4