| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an extensible shaft capable of reducing transmission of vibration and achieving proper steering response. <P>SOLUTION: An intermediate shaft 5 as this extensible shaft comprises an inner shaft 12 and a cylindrical outer shaft 13 fitted in such a state that they are axially slidable and torque can be transmitted to each other. Balls 14 as rolling elements are mounted between raceway grooves 15, 16 corresponding to an inner shaft 12 and an outer shaft 13 in a row in such a state that pre-load is applied thereto. A contact angle of the balls 14 in no-load is set to 0 degree, and torsional stiffness of the intermediate shaft 5 is lowered when transmission torque is small to effectively absorb vibration from a road surface. The contact angle A1 of the balls is gradually increased in accordance with the increase of load torque, and the torsional rigidity of the intermediate shaft 5 is relatively increased when transmission torque is large. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT |
