Telescoping torque transmitting shaft assembly
US6038941A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2326/24
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (10) comprising an outer tubular member (30) having an axis (32). An inner member (90) extends into the outer tubular member (30, 90) and is coaxial with the outer tubular member. The members (30) have surfaces (52a, 102a, 102b) which define a plurality of races (112) spaced circumferentially around one of the members (90). At least one rotatable element (140) is in each of the races (112). The rotatable elements (140) engage the outer tubular member (30) and the inner member (90) and guide relative axial movement of the outer tubular member and the inner member and transmit torque between the outer tubular member and the inner member. One of the members (30) applies radially directed force to the rotatable elements (140) urging the rotatable elements radially into contact with the other member (90) to provide for a no-lash torque transmission between the members. In a preferred embodiment, the one member (30) applies the radially directed force through an elastically deformed portion provided by a plurality of aligned slits (88).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.