Hot upset solid shaft sub-assembly
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorsWilliam S. Anders, Daniel C. Simon, Patrik M. Ryne, Troy A. Daenzer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one aspect, a solid shaft sub-assembly is provided. The solid shaft sub-assembly includes a solid shaft having a first portion and a second portion, and a yoke including an inner wall defining an aperture to receive the solid shaft. The aperture has a non-circular first cross-sectional profile, and the solid shaft first portion is positioned within the aperture and is deformed such that the first portion is formed with a second cross-sectional profile complementary to the first cross-sectional profile to axially and torsionally couple the solid shaft to the yoke.
Claims20
A solid shaft sub-assembly comprising:
- a solid shaft having a first portion and a second portion;
- and
- a yoke comprising an inner wall defining an aperture to receive the solid shaft, the aperture having a non-circular first cross-sectional profile, wherein the solid shaft first portion is positioned within the aperture and is deformed such that the first portion is formed with a second cross-sectional profile complementary to the first cross-sectional profile to axially and torsionally couple the solid shaft to the yoke.
An intermediate shaft for a steering column assembly, the intermediate shaft comprising:
- a tubular shaft;
- a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end inserted into the tubular shaft;
- and
- a yoke comprising an inner wall defining an aperture to receive the solid shaft second end, the aperture having a non-circular first cross-sectional profile, wherein the solid shaft second end is positioned within the aperture and is deformed such that the solid shaft second end is formed with a second cross-sectional profile complementary to the first cross-sectional profile to axially and torsionally couple the solid shaft to the yoke.
A method of assembling a solid shaft sub-assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a solid shaft having a first portion and a second portion;
- providing a yoke having an inner wall defining an aperture to receive the solid shaft, the aperture having a non-circular first cross-sectional profile;
- inserting the solid shaft first portion into the aperture;
- and
- axially and torsionally coupling the solid shaft to the yoke by deforming the solid shaft first portion such that the first portion is formed with a second cross-sectional profile complementary to the first cross-sectional profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.