# US 9,005,038 B2 · Rotation transmitting apparatus, vehicle steering system, and intermediate shaft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,005,038 B2 - Document ID: US9005038B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/025,136 - Filed: 2013-09-12 - Published: 2014-03-20 - Granted: 2015-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-19 - Assignees: Jtekt Corporation - Applicants: JTEKT Corporation - Inventors: Koichi Nabeshima; Eiji Kaneuchi; Yoshimasa Yamada; Ryousuke Imai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9005038B2 ## CPC - F16D 1/108: having retaining means rotating with the coupling and acting by interengaging parts, i.e. positive coupling - B62D 1/185: adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically (B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence) - F16C 3/035: with built-in bearings - F16D 3/06: specially adapted to allow axial displacement - F16C 2326/24: Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns - F16D 2001/103: {the torque is transmitted via splined connections} - Y10T 403/7035: Specific angle or shape of rib, key, groove, or shoulder - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A rotation transmitting apparatus includes a first shaft on which multiple external teeth are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second shaft in which multiple internal teeth are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second shaft being fitted to the first shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth. A protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of one of the external tooth and the internal tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the other of the external tooth and the internal tooth. The protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotation transmitting apparatus including a first rotary shaft on which multiple external teeth projected radially outward and extending in an axial direction are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second rotary shaft in which multiple internal teeth projected radially inward and extending in the axial direction are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second rotary shaft being fitted to the first rotary shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first rotary shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first rotary shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth, wherein the external teeth and the internal teeth have tooth flanks that are engaged with each other in the rotational direction; a protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of the external tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the internal tooth and extending in the axial direction; and the protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank, wherein an area of contact between the protrusion and the tooth flank of the internal tooth is made smaller than an area of contact between the tooth flank of the external tooth and the tooth flank of the internal tooth to allow the protrusion to be deformed elastically. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotation transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is used in a state where an amount of elastic compression by the tooth flank of the internal tooth has been deceased by carrying out relative rotation in a normal direction and a reverse direction between the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A vehicle steering system comprising the rotation transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first rotary shaft is an inner shaft rotatably coupled to an intermediate shaft which is distributed at the downstream of the inner shaft side; and the second rotary shaft is an outer shaft rotatably coupled to a steering wheel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A vehicle steering system comprising the rotation transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the first rotary shaft is an outer shaft rotatably coupled to a steering wheel; and the second rotary shaft is an inner shaft rotatably coupled to an intermediate shaft which is distributed at the downstream of the inner shaft side. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An intermediate shaft provided with the rotation transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first rotary shaft is a lower shaft rotatably coupled to a second universal joint on a pinion shaft side; and the second rotary shaft is an upper shaft rotatably coupled to a first universal joint on a steering shaft side.