Abstract:
Device for coupling an inner shaft and an outer shaft which slide along their common axis with balls positioned between the two shafts. The balls rest directly in axial grooves of the outer shaft and on two rails positioned in axial grooves of the inner shaft. The two rails pivot about the balls, by pressing against flanks of mating curved profile of the axial groove, and are held in place by an elastic element which presses against the bottom of the axial groove.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a rotatable coupling device for two shafts sliding along their common axis. The coupling device of the invention is applied to a motor vehicle steering column, by adapting it to the intermediate column portion connected to the steering gear case, or to the upper column portion connected to the steering wheel. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Vehicle steering columns are assembled from a number of universal or Cardan joints. Typically, an intermediate axis of a steering column has a Cardan joint at each end: one Cardan joint is connected to the motion input of the steering gear case, and the other Cardan joint is connected to the upper column. In order for the steering mechanism to function properly, the length of the intermediate axis must be variable. The variability of the intermediate column is adapted to oscillations of the front of the vehicle. These oscillations are due to the profile and the surface condition of the road. A variable length of the intermediate axis is also required in order to facilitate the assembly of the rack pinion, and to absorb motions of a front impact. 
         [0003]    There exist many sliding shaft coupling devices, which transfer torque between the shafts by using splines, which are provided on each of the two shafts with curved profiles. However, this type of device develops wear over the life of the vehicle. In order to delay the occurrence of this wear, many prior art sliding shaft coupling devices use very tight tolerances between the shafts during manufacture. The tight tolerancing requires a relatively large axial force for proper assembly, hence a longer assembly time and more labor required to assemble the coupling device. 
         [0004]    There also exist coupling devices which use plastic injection on splined portions belonging to a male metal shaft and a female metal tube. This solution poses problems for absorbing axial movements when the torque on the shaft is high, as the sliding forces increase proportionally with the friction forces between both splined portions. Moreover, the wear of the plastic parts leaves play between the shafts, which causes deteriorated performance of the coupling device. 
         [0005]    As a last solution, rolling elements and strain springs may be introduced between the shaft and the tube. This solution is satisfactory for the sliding, under a torque with a relatively low axial force, but it poses problems in terms of angular rigidity because the torsional stiffness is directly proportional to the stiffness of the pre-tensioning of the springs. 
         [0006]    The axial variability of the column should be accurate so as to allow proper absorption of the axial movements. In current coupling devices, the axial force is a function of the torque to be transmitted. There is an increased sliding force with an increased torque, which is related to the friction coefficient. With a sudden axial release, jerks can occur. These jerks are detrimental to maintaining proper adjustment of the axial sliding while maintaining reduced rotational play. The jerks are further harmful to driving and handling performance. 
         [0007]    There is a need for an improved coupling device with a variable length that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Further, a function is required for transmitting the rotary movement between both shafts and for the torque necessary for maneuvering the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The object of the invention is to propose a coupling device for a sliding shaft which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art. Therefore, it is desirable to create a coupling device where the axial sliding resistance is more constant for a range of torque imposed upon the coupling device. The axial force should therefore experience a very small increase when the torque to be transmitted increases. At the same time, there must be sufficient angular rigidity to accomplish transmission of torque inputs. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coupling device with improved wear characteristics and reduced play between the inner and outer shafts over the life of a vehicle. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coupling device that may be easily mounted on existing motor vehicles by reducing the axial force required for installation. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved coupling device where elastic members are not involved in the transmission of the torque, in order to preserve high angular rigidity of the coupling device. 
         [0012]    These and other objects are achieved by providing a device for coupling two shafts: an inner shaft and an outer shaft which slide into each other along the direction of their common axis. The coupling device for two shafts includes balls, which are arranged between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. In the coupling device, each of the balls is arranged in a concave portion of the inner shaft and a concave portion of the outer shaft. Each of the balls moves along two rails arranged on either side of a median plane passing through the common axis and through the center of the balls. Each of the two rails engages with the concave portion of one of the two shafts and pivots around each of the balls. Each rail is parallel to the common axis. Each of the two rails is pushed against each of the balls by an elastic element arranged and bearing on the concave portion; each of the balls moves directly against the concave portion of the other shaft. 
         [0013]    The assembly is carried out so that at rest, there is no torque transmission. When there is torque transmission, each of the balls is in contact on either side of the median plane through a bearing area with the corresponding rail arranged in the concave portion of one of the two shafts, the rails pivoting around the balls. The assembly is also carried out so that each of the rails is always in contact with the bearing area of the concave portions, which are laid out to compensate for the play and to keep the rails from escaping the concave portions on either side of the balls. Each of the balls is always in contact with a bearing area with the concave portion of the other shaft. 
         [0014]    According to the invention, the concave portion of the shaft receives both rails, and includes a bottom with flanks arranged on either side of the median plane, the flank having a circular section. The center of the section is located in the median plane at a slight distance from the center of the ball and closer to the bottom than the center of the ball, so as to keep the rails within the concave portion of the shafts that is to either side of the balls. Both flanks have a slight bulge at the junction of the sliding face of the shaft. 
         [0015]    According to the invention, upon transmitting the torque, the force transmitted between the rail and the corresponding flank should be located inside the friction cone in order to avoid any sliding of the rail. Further, both bearing and contact faces between each of the two rails and each of the balls and each of the two flanks are faces having curved profiles in order to avoid high contact pressure. 
         [0016]    In order to increase the operating safety of the coupling device of the invention, male grooves and female grooves with curved profiles having some clearance, are laid out on the inner shaft and on the outer shaft, so that in the case that the balls fail, the torque may still be transmitted between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. 
         [0017]    Several structures of the coupling device may be elaborated. In one embodiment, the elastic members are arranged in the inner shaft. In another embodiment, the elastic members are arranged in the outer shaft. In yet another embodiment, the elastic members are arranged in both the inner and outer shafts. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the coupling device has balls which are arranged in one or several axial rows. For each row of balls, a concave portion is laid out in the outer shaft as an axial groove, the section of which includes two concave faces tilted with respect to each other, which will come into contact with the balls. A concave portion is laid out in the inner shaft as an axial groove, a section of which includes a bottom and two flanks, both flanks having a circular section, the center of which is on the median plane passing through the common axis and through the axis of the centers of the balls of said row; said center being closer to said bottom than the center of the ball. Two rails are arranged on either side of the median plane and cooperate with the concave portion in the form of an axial groove of the inner shaft. Each rail has the shape of an axial bar, the section of which has an internal bearing face and an external bearing face. 
         [0019]    The internal bearing face has a concave shape so as to come into contact with the relevant portion of the balls, through a curved profile. The external bearing face has a convex shape in order to come into contact with the corresponding flank with a concave shape through a curved profile. 
         [0020]    Each of the two rails is pushed by an elastic member including two axial bars tilted relatively to each other. Each bar bears upon a corresponding face of the bottom approximately perpendicular to the corresponding flank, so that the rails may pivot and rotate around the row of balls. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling device has balls which are arranged in one or more axial rows. For each row of balls, a concave portion in the form of an axial groove is laid out in the inner shaft. The section of the shaft includes two concave faces tilted with respect to each other, which come into contact with the balls. In the inner shaft, there is a concave portion with the shape of an axial groove. The section of the groove has a bottom and two flanks, both flanks have a circular section. The center of the circular section is on the median plane passing through the common axis and through the axis of the centers of the balls, the center of the circular section being closer to the bottom than to the center of the balls. 
         [0022]    For each row of balls, two rails are positioned on either side of the median plane. The rails contact the concave portion having the shape of an axial groove of the outer shaft. Each rail has the shape of an axial bar, the section of which has an internal bearing face and an external bearing face. The internal bearing face has a concave shape that contacts the relevant portion of the balls through a curved profile. The external bearing face has a convex shape that contacts the corresponding flank of concave shape through a curved profile. 
         [0023]    Each of the two rails is pushed by an elastic member including two axial bars tilted with respect to each other. Each bar bears upon a corresponding face of the bottom approximately perpendicular to the corresponding flank, so that the rails may pivot and rotate around the row of balls. 
         [0024]    According to alternate embodiments of the invention, the elastic member is metal and includes two axial bars tilted with respect to each other. Each axial bar has elastic tabs which push the corresponding rail by bearing upon the corresponding face of the bottom. The rails have an attachment member at each axial end. 
         [0025]    In other embodiments of the invention, the elastic member is in an elastic material and includes two bars tilted with respect to each other. Each axial bar has an axial bulge which pushes the corresponding rail by bearing upon the corresponding face of the bottom. 
         [0026]    According to another embodiment of the coupling device of the invention, the balls are arranged in a first axial row, the inner shaft having with an axial groove and the outer shaft having with an axial groove. The device including another row of balls which is diametrically opposite to the first row of balls and which are directly supported in an axial groove of the inner shaft and in an axial groove of the outer shaft. 
         [0027]    According to another embodiment of the coupling device of the invention, the balls are arranged in two diametrically opposite axial rows. The inner shaft having with two diametrically opposite axial grooves, and the outer shafts having with two diametrically opposite axial grooves. 
         [0028]    According to another embodiment of the coupling device of the invention, the balls are arranged in three axial rows which are transversely positioned at 120° with respect to each other. The inner shafts have three axial grooves, which are arranged transversely at 120° with respect to each other. The outer shafts have with three axial grooves, which are arranged transversely at 120° with respect to each other. 
         [0029]    The coupling device according to the invention is either applied to the intermediate portion of a steering column of a motor vehicle, or to the upper portion of a steering column of a motor vehicle. 
         [0030]    The device for coupling two shafts along their common axis according to the invention thus has the advantage of always having two bearing areas for each of the two inner and outer shafts and for each row of balls, which are always in contact even if there is no transmission of a torque. 
         [0031]    Further, there is a reduced axial force which is required for assembly. The accurate variability in length of the coupling device of the invention gives the possibility of avoiding axial jerks during the driving of the vehicle, and guarantees enhanced wear characteristics while avoiding the occurrence of coupling play. Further, when torque is transmitted through the device, the axial force necessary to vary the length is considerably reduced because of the rolling and sliding contact. Additionally, the torque transmission is not directly influenced by the elastic members, because the elastic members are not involved in the transmission of the torque. This allows the coupling device to retain strong angular rigidity during torque transmission. The coupling device may also be easily mounted in existing motor vehicle steering columns. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the following description of several embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the corresponding drawings. 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle steering system, wherein the coupling device of the invention is applied to the intermediate column portion. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is an axial perspective view of the intermediate column portion. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention with a single row of balls in the inner shaft. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention with three rows of balls in the inner shaft. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  are detailed views of a row of balls of  FIG. 5 , with an alternate position of the two rails. 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 5 , the rails being shown as a section. 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is a detailed view of a row of balls of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 4 , with a single row of balls in the outer shaft. 
           [0042]      FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14  are detailed sectional views of a row of balls in the outer shaft, with an alternate position of the two rails. 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the invention corresponding to  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the elastic member illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 15 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention with three rows of balls in the inner shaft. 
           [0046]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment with three rows of balls in the outer shaft. 
           [0047]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the elastic member illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    The invention relates to a rotatable coupling device for two shafts, the shafts sliding within each other along their common axis. 
         [0049]    This coupling device is particularly well applied to a motor vehicle steering system, as the one which is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  shows a steering system including a steering column with an upper column portion  6  also called upper column, and an intermediate column portion  7  also called intermediate axis. The upper column portion  6  is connected through its upper end to the steering wheel  5 , and through its lower end to the intermediate column portion  7 . The intermediate column portion  7  is connected through its upper end to the upper column portion  6 , and through its lower end to the steering gear case  8  of the steering stem  9 . The intermediate column portion  7  is connected at each of its ends by means of a Cardan joint hinge referenced as  10  for the upper column portion  6  and also referenced as  10  for the steering gear case  8 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show a coupling device which is made in the intermediate column portion  7 . The coupling device of the invention may also be made in the upper column portion  6 . An inner shaft  1  and an outer shaft  2  slide within each other along the direction of their common axis  4 . The device for coupling both shafts includes balls  3  in the different embodiments described hereafter. The balls  3  are arranged between the inner shaft  1  and the outer shaft  2 . In the coupling device of the invention, each of the balls  3  is arranged in a concave portion of the inner shaft  1 , and in a concave portion of the outer shaft  2 . Each of the balls  3  moves on two rails which cooperate with the concave portion of one of the two shafts, which pivot around the balls  3  and which are parallel to the common axis  4 . Each of the two rails is pushed against each of the balls  3  by an elastic member, which is arranged and supported in the concave portion. Each of the balls  3  moves against the concave portion of the other shaft. The coupling device according to the invention is laid out so that whether or not there is torque transmitted through the coupling device, the balls  3  are always in contact with a bearing area with the corresponding rail. The rail is arranged in the concave portion of one of the two shafts and pivots around the ball  3  according to an essential feature of the invention. According to another essential feature of the invention, each of the rails is in contact through a bearing area with the concave portion, which is arranged so as to compensate for all the clearances due to manufacturing tolerances and to avoid escape of each other two rails; each of the balls  3  always being in contact through a bearing area with the concave portion of the other shaft. 
         [0052]    The whole of the intermediate portion  7  is illustrated in perspective in  FIG. 2  and in an exploded view in  FIG. 3 . The inner shaft  1  and the outer shaft  2  slide with the balls  3  along their common axis  4 . The intermediate column portion  7  is connected to the steering gear case  8  through the Cardan joint  10 , and it is connected to the upper column portion  6  through the Cardan joint  10 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 4 and 11  show the coupling device including balls  3  which are arranged in one or several axial rows: 1 axial row 2 axial rows are illustrated by similarity with  FIGS. 4 and 11 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  9 ,  15 ,  17  and  18  show the coupling device including 3 axial rows. 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view and  FIGS. 5 ,  9  and  17  are sectional views of the coupling device including balls which are arranged in three axial rows  20 . The axial rows  20  are located transversely at 120° with respect to each other. The inner shaft  1  is provided with three axial grooves  31  which are located transversely at 120° with respect to each other. The outer shaft  2  is provided with thee axial grooves  32 , which are located transversely at 120° with respect to each other. For each row  20  of balls  3 , a concave portion with the shape of an axial groove  32 , the section of which includes two concave faces  33 ,  34  tilted with respect to each other, which come into contact with the balls  3 , is made in the outer shaft  2 . For each row  20  of balls  3 , a concave portion with the shape of an axial groove  31 , the section of which includes the bottom  35  and two flanks  36 ,  37  is made in the inner shaft  1 . Both flanks  36 ,  37  have a circular section, the center  40  of which is on the median plane  30  passing through the common axis and through the axis of the centers of the balls  3  of the row  20 . The center  40  is at a slight distance from the center of the ball and is closer to the bottom  35  than the center of the ball  3 , so as to avoid escape of the two rails  45 . Further, each flank  36 ,  37  includes a corresponding slight bulge  38 ,  39  which is outside each flank  36 ,  37  at the junction of the sliding face  21  of the inner shaft  1 . For each row  20  of balls  3 , there are two rails  45 , which are arranged on either side of the median plane  30 . The rails  45  cooperate with the concave portion with the shape of an axial groove  31  of the inner shaft  1 . Each rail  45  has the shape of an axial bar, the section of which has an internal bearing face  46  and an external bearing face  47 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 10  shows the internal bearing face  46  has a concave shape and contacting the balls  3 . The internal bearing face  46  has a curved profile contacting the balls  3 . The external bearing face  47  has a convex shape and contacts the corresponding flank  36 ,  37  of the corresponding concave shape. The external bearing face  47  and the corresponding flanks  36 ,  37  have curved profiles. The curved profiles of the rail  45  and the flank  36 ,  37  along with the balls, allows for reduced contact pressure. Further, during transmission of the torque, the transmitted force between the rail  45  and the corresponding flank  36 ,  37  is located inside the friction cone of the contact faces, which avoids any sliding of the rail  45 . 
         [0057]    Each of the two rails  45  is pushed by an elastic member  70  ( FIG. 16 ) or  80  ( FIG. 19 ). The elastic member  70 ,  80  includes two axial bars  71 ,  72  or  81 ,  82  which are tilted with respect to each other. Each of the axial bars  71 ,  72  or  81 ,  82  bears upon a corresponding face  41 ,  42  of the bottom  35 , which is approximately perpendicular to the corresponding flank  36 ,  37  so that the rails  45  may pivot and rotate around the row  20  of balls  3  for compensating all the clearances due to manufacturing tolerances. Various positions are illustrated in  FIGS. 6 to 8 :  FIG. 6  during assembly, and  FIGS. 7 and 8  for each of the extreme positions. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 11 ,  15  and  18  show the coupling device including balls  3  which are arranged in three axial rows  20 . The axial rows  20  are located transversely at 120° with respect to each other. The inner shaft  1  is provided with three axial grooves  51 , which are located transversely at 120° with respect to each other. The outer shaft  2  is provided with three axial grooves  52  which are located transversely at 120° with respect to each other. 
         [0059]    For each row  20  of balls  3 , a concave portion with the shape of an axial groove  51 , the section of which includes two concave faces  53 ,  54  tilted with respect to each other, which come into contact with the balls  3 , is laid out in the inner shaft. A concave portion with the shape of an axial groove  52 , the section of which includes a bottom  55  and two flanks  56 ,  57  is laid out in the outer shaft  2 . Both flanks  56 ,  57  have a circular section, the center  60  of which is on the median plane  30  passing through the common axis  4  and through the axis of the centers of the balls  3  of the row  20 . The center  60  is at a slight distance from the center of the balls  3  and is closer to the bottom  55  than to the center of the ball  3 , so as to avoid escape of the two rails  65 . Further, each flank  56 ,  57  includes a slight corresponding bulge  58 ,  59  which is outside each flank  56 ,  57  at the junction of the sliding face  22  of the outer shaft  2 . 
         [0060]    There are two rails  65 , which are arranged on either side of the median plane  30 . The rails  65  cooperate with the concave portion with the shape of an axial groove  52  of the outer shafts  2 . Each rail  65  has the shape of an axial bar, the section of which has an internal bearing face  66  and an external bearing face  67 . The internal bearing face  66  has a concave shape and contacts the relevant portion of the balls  3 . The internal bearing face  66  has a curved profile with the relevant portion of the balls  3 . The external bearing face  67  has a convex shape that contacts the corresponding flank  56 ,  57  of concave shape. The corresponding external bearing face  67  and the flank  56 ,  57  have curved profiles. The curved profiles of the rail  65  with the portion of the balls  3  and the flanks  56 ,  57  give the possibility of having reduced contact pressure. Further, during transmission of the torque, the force transmitted between the rail  65  and the corresponding flank  56 ,  57  is located inside the friction cone of the contact faces, which avoids any sliding of the rail  65 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0061]    Each of the two rails  65  is pushed by an elastic member  70  ( FIG. 16 ) or  80  ( FIG. 19 ). The elastic member  70 ,  80  includes two axial bars  71 ,  72  or  81 ,  82  which are tilted with respect to each other. Each of the axial bars  71 ,  72  or  81 ,  82  bears upon a corresponding face  61 ,  62  of the bottom  55  which is approximately perpendicular to the corresponding flank  56 ,  57 , so that the rails  65  may pivot and rotate around the row  20  of balls  3  for compensating all the clearances due to manufacturing tolerances. Various positions of the rails are illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 .  FIG. 12  shows the position during mounting.  FIG. 13  shows an extreme position and  FIG. 14  shows an average position. 
         [0062]    Regardless of the embodiment illustrated in the figures, each of the two rails  45  or  65  may be pushed by an elastic member  70  or  80 . The elastic member  70 , illustrated in  FIG. 16 , is metal and includes two axial bars  71  and  72  which are tilted with respect to each other. Each axial bar  71  or  72  is provided with elastic tabs  73  which push the rail  45  or  65 . Each axial bar  71  or  72  is provided with an attachment member  74  and  75  corresponding to each axial end, and then upon the corresponding face  41 ,  42  or  61 ,  62  of the bottom  35  or  55  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 16 . 
         [0063]    The elastic member  80  illustrated in  FIG. 19  is an elastic material and includes two axial bars  81  and  82  which are tilted with respect to each other. Each axial bar  81  or  82  is provided with a corresponding axial bulge or boss  83  or  84  which pushes the rail  45  or  65 , and it bears upon the corresponding face  41 ,  42  or  61 ,  62  of the bottom  35  or  55 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 17 ,  18  and  19 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  11  and  15  show the inner shaft  1  has a sliding face  21  which is provided with male grooves  23  and the outer shaft  2  has a sliding face  22  which is provided with female grooves  24 . The sliding face  21  of the inner shaft  1  corresponds to the external face of the inner shaft  1  and the sliding face  22  of the outer shaft  2  corresponds to the internal face of said shaft  2 . The male grooves  23  and the female grooves  24  have curved profiles with a certain play so that in the case of balls  3  being lost, the torque may still be transmitted between the inner shaft  1  and the outer shaft  2 . 
         [0065]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the balls  3  are deposited in a first axial row  20 , with the inner shaft  1  which is provided with an axial groove  31  or  51 , and the outer shaft  2  which is provided with an axial groove  32  or  52 . A second axial ball  3  row  19  is diametrically opposite to the first axial row  20  of balls  3 , and it is directly supported in an axial groove  32  of the outer shaft  2 . 
         [0066]    In another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures but relating to  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the balls are deposited in two diametrically opposite rows  20 . The inner shaft  1  is provided with two diametrically opposite axial grooves  31 ,  51  and the outer shaft  2  is provided with two diametrically opposite axial grooves  32 ,  52 . 
         [0067]    In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 ,  9 ,  15 ,  17  and  18 , the balls  3  are deposited in three axial rows  20  which are arranged transversely at 120° with respect to each other. The inner shaft  1  is provided with three axial grooves  31 ,  51  which are arranged transversely at 120° with respect to each other. The outer shaft  2  is provided with three axial grooves  32 ,  52  which are arranged transversely at 120° with respect to each other. 
         [0068]    In embodiments not shown in the figures, the elastic members  70  or  80  are arranged with some in the inner shaft  1  and others in the outer shaft  2 ; the elastic members  70 ,  80  pushing the two corresponding rails  45  or  65 , which cooperate with the relevant shaft  1 ,  2 . In order to mount the system and as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the rails  45  used for compressing the springs  70  generate play between the balls  3  and the rails  45 . Once mounted, the rails  45  are released, and the rails  45  are pushed by the springs  70 , the system is set into place thereby allowing compensation for the play due to manufacturing tolerances. 
         [0069]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the rails  45  pivot around an axis of rotation which corresponds to the center of the balls  3 , this axis is parallel to the common axis  4  of both shafts  1  and  2 . The rails  45  are set into place when they come into contact with the surfaces laid out in the shaft  2  via the balls  3 . In this step, both shafts  1  and  2  may slide relatively to each other via balls  3  which gives the possibility of obtaining a relatively weak sliding force. 
         [0070]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , during the transmission of a torque  14  around a common axis  4  to the shaft  1  and to the tube  2 , a tangential force  11  given by the fictitious lever arm  16  generates a normal force  12  between the shaft  2  and the ball  3 . This normal force  12  in turn generates a force  13  between the rail  45  and the shaft  1  by passing through the ball and rail contact. In order to allow the system to have torque transmission without any movement, the force  13  has to be comprised in a friction cone  15  resulting from the contact between the shaft and the rail. 
         [0071]    During the service life of the vehicle, the fatigue of the spring will have less impact on present system since it is not taken into consideration during transmission of the torque, accordingly the stiffness of the coupling device will lose less stiffness.