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KR-20260063193-A - Universal joint for vehicle

KR20260063193AKR 20260063193 AKR20260063193 AKR 20260063193AKR-20260063193-A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a universal joint for a vehicle that can improve collision performance by increasing the amount of collision of the universal joint. A universal joint according to one embodiment comprises: a hollow tube; a shaft, one end of which is inserted into the tube through one side of the tube; and a first yoke connected to the other end of the tube, wherein the first yoke includes a through hole formed to communicate with the hollow of the tube, and the inner diameter or inner width of the through hole may have a dimension larger than at least the outer diameter or outer width of the shaft.

Inventors

  • 정대석

Assignees

  • 현대자동차주식회사
  • 기아 주식회사

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20241030

Claims (13)

  1. Hollow tube; A shaft having one end inserted into the tube on one side of the tube; and A first yoke connected to the other end of the above tube Includes, The first yoke above includes a through hole formed to communicate with the hollow of the tube, and A universal joint in which the inner diameter or inner width of the through hole is at least larger than the outer diameter or outer width of the shaft.
  2. In paragraph 1, The above tube and the above first yoke are each manufactured separately and then joined together in a fixed manner, or are integrally molded universal joints.
  3. In paragraph 2, The above through hole is formed to communicate with the hollow in the longitudinal direction of the tube from the first yoke and is a universal joint having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the shaft.
  4. In paragraph 1, The above shaft is a universal joint that is capable of sliding relative to the tube in the longitudinal direction within the hollow and is fixed in the circumferential direction.
  5. In paragraph 4, A universal joint further comprising a hollow slip bush interposed between the above tube and the above shaft.
  6. In paragraph 5, The slip bushing comprises a plurality of rotating members arranged in a plurality of spaced rows along the circumferential direction of the slip bushing, which penetrate the slip bushing and are arranged in the axial direction of the slip bushing. A universal joint in which a guide groove is formed along the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the tube, respectively, and the rotating member is seated in the guide groove.
  7. In paragraph 6, A universal joint in which, when a collapse occurs in the above universal joint, the slip bushing is prevented from moving by the first yoke-side groove end at least in the guide groove of the tube.
  8. In paragraph 5, A universal joint in which a ring stopper is mounted on the outer surface of one end of the shaft to prevent the slip bush from coming off.
  9. In paragraph 8, A universal joint having an inner diameter of the through hole that is larger than the outer diameter of the ring stopper.
  10. In paragraph 1, A first pinch yoke coupled to the first yoke via the first spider; and A cap fixedly installed at one end of the above tube A universal joint that further includes
  11. In Paragraph 10, A second yoke connected to the other end of the shaft; and A second pinch yoke coupled to the second yoke via the second spider A universal joint that further includes
  12. In Paragraph 11, The above universal joint is a universal joint having a shaft-side collapse amount that moves until the cap contacts the second yoke, and a tube-side collapse amount that moves until one end of the shaft passes the tube and the first yoke and reaches the first spider.
  13. In Paragraph 11, The above universal joint is applied to a steering system of a vehicle equipped with a steering column and a steering gear, and A universal joint in which the first pinch yoke is coupled to the output shaft of the steering gear and the second pinch yoke is coupled to the input shaft of the steering column.

Description

Universal joint for vehicle The present invention relates to a universal joint for a vehicle that can improve collision performance. A universal joint is applied to the vehicle's steering system. In addition to transmitting the rotational torque of the steering column generated by the steering wheel to the steering gear, the universal joint can also prevent deformation of the steering column by blocking the transmission of impact loads through collapse when the steering gear moves upward due to a vehicle collision. When the steering column and steering gear are close together, resulting in a short universal joint length, the physical collapse amount of the universal joint is reduced upon a collision. Consequently, the universal joint fails to sufficiently absorb the upward and backward movement of the steering gear, causing the steering column to be pushed upward. At this time, bending loads occur in the steering column, preventing the collapse function designed to absorb impact loads from operating properly. Simultaneously, as the steering column tilts downward, the deployment position of the airbag changes, thereby reducing the airbag's protective function. Consequently, the risk of injury to the driver increases. (Patent Document 1) KR 1294180 B1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a steering device of a vehicle to which a universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating examples of the combination of a tube and a first yoke. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the state of a universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention after a collision of a vehicle. The present invention is described in detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. In this specification, terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the order, size, location, or importance of these components is not limited by terms such as first, second, etc., and are named solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. In this specification, terms used in relation to direction, such as "up," "down," "front," and "rear," are defined based on the vehicle body or the object to be installed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a steering device of a vehicle to which a universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. When the driver rotates the steering wheel (not shown) in the desired direction, the steering column (2) connected to the steering wheel rotates, and the steering column transmits rotational force, i.e., rotational torque, to the steering gear (3) composed of a rack and pinion gear through a universal joint (1). At this time, the steering gear (3) converts the rotational motion of the steering column (2) into linear motion by means of a rack and pinion gear and transmits it to the rack bar, and the rack bar transmits force to the tie rod connected to the wheel knuckle, thereby enabling the vehicle to change its direction of travel. As shown in FIG. 1, the input shaft of the steering column (2) that transmits rotational force and the output shaft of the steering gear (3) that receives rotational force are not positioned coaxially with each other but are arranged at an angle. Accordingly, since rotational force cannot be transmitted between the steering column (2) and the steering gear (3) using a general shaft coupling method, it is essential to use a universal joint (1) that connects two shafts inclined to each other and enables power transmission. One end of this universal joint (1) can be connected to a steering column (2) connected to a steering wheel by bending at a predetermined angle, and the other end can be connected to a steering gear (3) by bending at a predetermined angle. In this way, the universal joint can transmit the rotational torque of the steering column generated from the steering wheel to the steering gear. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a universal joint according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a universal joint (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a tube (10); a shaft (20); and a first yoke (31). The tube (10) may have a hollow formed inside in the longitudinal direction. A shaft (20) may be assembled inside the tube so as to be able to slide. One end of the shaft (20) is inserted into one side of the tube (10) and is capable of sliding relative to the tube in the longitudinal direction within the hollow, but is fixed in the circumferential direction and cannot rotate relative to the tube. As a result, when the tube (10) and the shaft (20) are assemb