Variable angle torque transmitting coupling apparatus

Abstract: A torque transmitting universal coupling (10) comprises T-shaped first member (12) having at right angles to the axis of rotation, a cylindrical head (27) with spherical ends (28), the cylindrical surface of the head engaging flat surfaces of first bearing elements (18), mounted in a second hollow member (14) (e.g. a vehicle steering column) via springs (38), the spherical ends (28) engaging corresponding surfaces of second bearing elements (20) also mounted in the second member (14).

Description: The invention relates to a torque transmitting apparatus intended for coupling two misaligned shafts. More particular, the present invention relates to a non-constant velocity torque transmitting device or coupling although it will be understood by those skilled in the art that with various modifications the coupling in accordance with the invention could be a constant velocity joint. A very common example of such a torque transmitting device is the universal joint typically disposed at the axial extremities of an automobile drive shaft. Many other variable angle torque transmitting devices are known. If there is no misalignment of the shafts then it is easy to use flanges on the respective shafts that are bolted together. Coupling apparatus which permits the tilting or transmission of torque between two shafts which are disposed at a fixed angle or a varying angle are also well known. In some case the requirement to transmit torque between angle shafts may occur because of space limitation. Apparatus of known types includes Cardan Joints which have two yokes which cooperate with a cross assembly. This is the construction commonly utilized for automobile universal joints. Other well known designs are known as constant velocity joints because the input and output shafts maintain the same angular velocity through out each rotation of the respective shafts. Constant velocity joints are in general more complex and more expensive than joints which do not have this construction. The non-constant velocity joints are typically limited in operating speed because of the velocity fluctuation. The prior art non- constant joints include slipper couplings, ball joints, so called aircraft joints and ball and trunnion joints. Known constant velocity U-joints include Rzeppa, Tripot, Weiss and Tracta. Still other known couplings include shear couplings in which two facing plates are capped and joined with a resilient angular element shaped and constructed like an automobile tire. Other elastomeric flex members include so called rubber block constructions and flexible sleeve couplings which utilize two flanges with internal teeth that engaged a flexible sleeve with external teeth. Others include a rubber block construction and a compression construction. Flexible coupling constructions includes spring, Schmidt and silent chain constructions. Still other constructions utilize flexible disks, plastic chains and sliding disks. The prior art also includes the apparatus described in United States Patent 3,081,114 which shows a cylindrical section shaped surface retained in a cylindrical section shaped cavity. United States Patent 1,143,571 shows a universal joint with a casing having a spherical socket. The socket receives a ribbed shaft extremity. United States Patent 2,109,935 shows a coupling having a driving member and a driven member each having recesses. Bearing blocks are disposed in the recesses and contact the outer surface of the other member to transmit power from one member to the other member. United States Patent 3,587,249 shows a universal joint with a driving ball mounted on a shaft which is received in a hemispherical shell. A projection on the driving ball enters a groove in the shell to permit a transmission of torque when the respective shafts are at angles with respect to each other. GB-A-9 422 52 shows a variable angle torque transmitting coupling apparatus comprising a first member including an elongated shaft secured to a generally spherical head having oppositely disposed cylindrical surface sections cut into the otherwise spherical head surface. The first member is disposed within a cavity of a housing mounted on a shaft to be rotated, the cavity having a generally spherical interior shape for receipt of the spherical head and oppositely disposed flat bearing surfaces for sliding engagement with the cylindrical surface sections of the head. The head is generally angularly movable with respect to the head, but rotation of the head about an axis of the shaft connected thereto causes rotation of the housing via contact between the head cylindrical sections and the housing slot flat bearing surfaces. United States Patent 2,305,696 discloses a universal coupling for transmitting a torque between two angularly disposed shafts, the coupling including a slipper bearing which is subject to wear. For ease of replacement of the worn slipper bearing parts, the bearing is made of separate parts which are rigidly held together by snap springs. The springs can be readily pried open, thereby allowing simple and rapid replacement of the worn bearing parts. The prior art apparatus in general has been much more complex than is desirable and in many cases has been constructed in a manner that was relative large for a given amount of torque transmission. Some of these apparatus are very difficult to rebuild and thus must be replaced in their entirety and accordingly are relatively expensive. As noted above, the non-constant angular velocity joints are limited with respect to the speed at which they can be operated because of the effects of angular velocity changes. Many of the earlier apparatus are also severely limited with respect to the angles which can be tolerated between the respective shafts. In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a variable angle torque transmitting coupling apparatus including a first member including a first member including an elongated shaft having a head mounted thereon, a housing having a slot therein for receipt of said first member for transmitting a torque from said elongated shaft to a shaft secured to said housing, said slot including first and second planar bearing surfaces disposed on a first pair of opposite sides of said slot, and a first spherical section bearing surface disposed within said slot, said head including a first spherical section surface slidingly and concentrically engaged with said first spherical section bearing surface and a pair of oppositely disposed cylindrical surface sections contacting said planar bearing surfaces, characterized in that said head comprises an elongated, circular cylinder terminating in said first spherical section surface at one end and a second spherical section surface at the opposite end, said second spherical section surface slidingly and concentrically engages a second spherical bearing surface within said slot, and said first and second spherical section surfaces have circumferential edges coincident with respective circumferential edges of said cylinder at the ends thereof. The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 3. Figure 2 is a partially sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 3. Figure 3 is a top view in partial section of the coupling in accordance with one form of the invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the T-shaped member that is one of the two primary parts of the coupling. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of one of the flat faced torque bearings, that cooperate with the cylindrical surface of the T-shaped member, and the spring that retains that bearing. Figure 6 is a top view in partial section of a second embodiment of the coupling in accordance with one form of the invention. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the second embodiment showing one of the flat faced torque bearings, that cooperate with the cylindrical surface of the T-shaped member, and the spring that retains that bearing. Figure 8 is a top view in partial section of a third embodiment of the coupling in accordance with one form of the invention. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the third embodiment showing two of the flat faced torque bearings, that cooperate with the cylindrical surface of the T-shaped member and the bearings that cooperate with the spherical section shaped ends of the T-shaped member, and the hoop shaped spring that retains the bearings. Referring now to Figures 1-5 there is shown a variable angle torque transmitting coupling device 10 in accordance with one form of the invention. The variable angle torque transmitting coupling device 10 includes a T-shaped member 12 and a column 14. As used for a steering column application the term "column" will be understood to refer to a steering column that has a steering column (not shown) attached to the upper axial extremity. The column 14 is provided with a slot shaped recess 16 in which are disposed a first flat faced torque bearing 18 and a second opposed flat faced torque bearing 18 as best shown in Figure 2. Also disposed in the slot shaped recess 16 is a first spherical face bearing 20 and a second opposed spherical face bearing 20. It will be understood that successive sides of the slot shaped recess 16 have a first flat faced torque bearing 18, a first spherical face bearing 20, a second flat faced torque bearing 18 and a second spherical face bearing 20. Disposed in the slot shaped recess 16 is the T-shaped member 12. The T-shaped member 12 includes a shaft 24 having a relief 26 to allow clearance with respect to the slot shaped recess 16. the T-shaped member 12 includes a cylindrical head 27 having a first axial extremity which is a spherical face bearing 20 and a second axial extremity which is a second spherical face bearing 20. The respective first and second spherical face bearings 20 engage the first and second spherical bearing surfaces 28, 28. As best seen in Figure 5 the flat faced torque bearings torque bearings 18, 18 are each retained by respective led springs 38, 38. Each leaf spring 38 includes two projections 38a which engage respective passageways 40, 40 in the side wall of column 14 as best seen in Figure 2. In a similar manner the spring 38 has a rib 38b that engages a slot 42 in the flat faced torque bearing 18 to maintain the position of the flat faced torque bearing 18 against the cylindrical head 27 as best seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3. The spring 38 further includes four resilient protrusions or arms 38c that engage the back of the associated flat faced torque bearing 18. As best seen in Figure 5, each of the arms 38c are disposed in side abutting relationship to one of two raised locating surfaces 18a disposed on the back of flat faced torque bearing 18 adjacent to the groove 42 as best seen in Figure 5. The location of the flat faced torque bearings 18 are thus maintained during the operation of the variable angle torque transmitting coupling device 10. More specifically, the spring 38 provides compensation and tolerance compensation. At least a part of each spring 38 has a generally U-shaped cross section. In various embodiments of the invention the torque bearings 18, 18 may be various metals or they may be plastic or other materials. For light duty applications the bearing 18 may, for example, be nylon and such a bearing may be supported by a spring such as spring 38 or may merely rely on the elasticity of the nylon or other somewhat pliable member to provide the desired wear and tolerance compensation. It will thus be seen that a torque applied to the shaft 24 is transmitted to the cylindrical head 27 which rides between two flat faced torque bearings 18 carried in the slot shaped recess 16 in the column 14. Accordingly, the torque is transmitted to the column 14. Conversely, a torque applied to the shaft 24 of the T-shaped member 12 will be transmitted will be transferred to the two flat faced torque bearings 18 and thus to the column 14. Referring now to Figures 6-7 there is shown a second embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention. Elements of this embodiment that are the same are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment the flat faced torque bearing 118 is provided with a boss 142 projecting form the opposite face. The boss is dimensioned and configured to pass through a hole 144 in the leaf spring. The boss 142 also engages a hole 140 in the column 114. The spring 138 is provided with elements 138c that are substantially the same as the elements 38c in the first embodiment. It will be understood that the hole 144 in the spring 138 is aligned with the hole 140 in the assembled apparatus. Referring now to Figures 8-9 there is shown a third embodiment of the invention in which a ring shaped spring 238 hold the bearings 218, 218, 220, 220 against the T-shaped member 12. The bearings 220, 220 have a convex face on the side facing the column 14 and a concave face which cooperates with the spherical bearing surfaces 28 of the T-shaped member 12. In various forms of the invention the convex face may be either a spherical or cylindrical section. The bearings 218, 218 each include a slotted boss 246 that cooperates with the ring shaped spring 238. The flat faced bearings 218, 218 cooperate with the cylindrical sides of the head 27. The slotted bosses 246, 246 engage holes 140, 140 as in the embodiment of Figures 6-7. It will thus be seen that various forms of the springs and bearings may be utilized in various forms of the invention.

Claims: A variable angle torque transmitting coupling apparatus including a first member (12) including an elongated shaft (24) having a head (27) mounted thereon, a housing having a slot (16) therein for receipt of said first member for transmitting a torque from said elongated shaft to a shaft (14) secured to said housing, said slot including first and second planar bearing surfaces (18) disposed on a first pair of opposite sides of said slot, and a first spherical section bearing surface (20) disposed within said slot, said head including a first spherical section surface (27) slidingly and concentrically engaged with said first spherical section bearing surface and a pair of oppositely disposed cylindrical surface sections (28) contacting said planar bearing surfaces, characterized in that said head comprises an elongated, circular cylinder (27) terminating in said first spherical section surface at one end and a second spherical section surface (28) at the opposite end, said second spherical section surface slidingly and concentrically engages a second spherical bearing surface (18) within said slot, and said first and second spherical section surfaces have circumferential edges coincident with respective circumferential edges of said cylinder at the ends thereof. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said planar bearing surfaces are resiliently mounted on said slot sides for biasing said planar bearing surfaces against said cylindrical surface sections for compensating for wear of, and maintaining proper fit between, said planar bearing surfaces and said cylindrical surface sections. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said planar bearing surfaces is part of a respective rigid bearing member (18) and is disposed on one side thereof, and a spring member (38) engages an opposite side of each of said bearing members for resiliently mounting said bearing members on said slot sides. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said opposite side of each of said bearing members includes an elongated slot (42) therein and a pair of extending bosses on each side of said slot, said spring member is a leaf spring having an elongated rib (38) and a pair of extending spring arms (38c) extending forwardly of said rib, said spring member being secured to said bearing member by means of said spring member rib being disposed within said slot and being clamped in place therein by means of said spring arms being clamped around said bosses. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said opposite side of each of said bearing members includes a rearwardly extending boss (142), said spring member (138) being a leaf spring having an opening (144) therethrough, and said spring member being secured to said bearing member by means of said boss extending through said opening and into an opening (140) in said slot side. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said opposite side of each of said beating members (18) includes a rearwardly extending boss (218), said spring member comprises a C-ring (238) disposed around both of said bearing members and compressingly engaged with said extending bosses, and said bosses extend into respective openings in said slot sides for the mounting of said bearing members. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that each of said spherical bearing surfaces comprises a concave surface disposed on a first end of a cylinder (220), the second end of said cylinder being engaged by said C-ring (238) and being resiliently biased thereby against the corresponding spherical section surface of said head.

Inventors: WUEBKER ROBERT A, WUEBKER, ROBERT A.
Applicants: GEN SIGNAL CORP, GENERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1991
Main classification: F16D3
IPC codes: F16D3