Shaft assembly with anti-pull apart stake
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorsMatthew D. Vasicek, Brandon G. Wynn, Zachery P. Schultz, David G. Matousek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a shaft coupling is provided. The shaft coupling comprises a first shaft having a splined outer surface, a tubular second shaft having an end surface and a splined inner surface, the second shaft receiving the first shaft along a longitudinal axis of the second shaft, and at least one stake extending axially into the second shaft end surface. The at least one stake deforms at least a portion of the splined inner surface to facilitate an interference fit between the first and second shafts and configured to resist a predetermined axial separation load being applied to the first and second shafts.
Claims16
A shaft coupling comprising:
- a first shaft having a splined outer surface;
- a tubular second shaft having an end surface and a splined inner surface, the second shaft receiving the first shaft along a longitudinal axis of the second shaft;
- and
- at least one stake extending axially into the second shaft end surface, the at least one stake configured to deform at least a portion of the splined inner surface to facilitate an interference fit between the first and second shafts and configured to resist a predetermined axial separation load being applied to the first and second shafts.
A steering shaft assembly comprising:
- a first shaft having a first end, a second end, and a splined outer surface;
- a tubular second shaft having a first end, a second end having an end surface, and a splined inner surface, the second shaft second end receiving the first shaft first end along a longitudinal axis of the second shaft;
- and
- at least one stake extending axially into the second shaft end surface, the at least one stake configured to deform at least a portion of the splined inner surface to facilitate an interference fit between the first and second shafts and configured to resist a predetermined axial separation load being applied to the first and second shafts.
A method of manufacturing a shaft coupling, the method comprising:
- providing a first shaft having a splined outer surface;
- providing a tubular second shaft having an end surface and a splined inner surface, the second shaft receiving the first shaft along a longitudinal axis of the second shaft;
- providing a die pot having at least one pin;
- disposing the first and second shafts in the die pot such that the at least one pin is oriented against the second shaft end surface;
- and
- forcing the at least one pin into the second shaft end surface to form at least one stake extending axially into the second shaft end surface, the at least one stake configured to deform at least a portion of the splined inner surface to facilitate an interference fit between the first and second shafts preventing axial removal of first shaft from second shaft until a predetermined axial load is applied to the first and second shafts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.