IP Library Granted Patent US 6,935,657
Granted Patent B2
US 6,935,657 · App. 10/023,795 · Granted Aug 30, 2005

Steering shaft for energy absorbing steering column and manufacturing method thereof

Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,935,657
App. No.
10/023,795
Granted
Aug 30, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A steering shaft for an energy absorbing steering column includes a lower shaft, an upper shaft fitted therein, and a projection formed with the lower shaft at a predetermined spot and protruding inwardly from the inner surface of the lower shaft.

Claims (18)

1. A steering shaft for an energy absorbing steering column, comprising:

a first hollow shaft;

a second hollow shaft fitted in the first shaft;

a first convex formed on the first shaft at a first predetermined spot, wherein the first convex protrudes inwardly from an inner surface of the first shaft;

a pair of expansions formed on the second shaft, wherein the pair of expansions develops from an outer surface of the second shaft in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to that of the first convex.

2. The steering shaft as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a second convex formed on the first shaft at a second predetermined spot, wherein the second convex protrudes inwardly from the inner surface of the first shaft.

3. A steering shaft for an energy absorbing steering column, comprising:

a first shaft;

a second shaft having an end fitted in the first shaft;

a projection formed with the first shaft at a predetermined spot, the projection protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the first shaft;

a shank having an end disposed adjacent to the end of the second shaft and another end being free, the shank having a smaller diameter than a maximum diameter of the end of the second shaft; and

R-chamfered and straight portions formed with the shank, the R-chamfered and straight portions being continuously connected to each other, the R-chamfered portion being located at the end of the shank.

4. A steering shaft for an energy absorbing steering column, comprising:

a first shaft comprising an engaging recess on an inner peripheral surface;

a second shaft comprising an engaging protrusion on an outer peripheral surface in an end portion, the end portion being filled in the first shaft;

a shank having an end disposed adjacent to the end portion of the second shaft and another end being free, the shank having a smaller diameter than a maximum diameter of the end portion of the second shaft;

R-chamfered and straight portions formed with the shank, the R-chamfered and straight portions being continuously connected to each other, the R-chamfered portion being located at the end of the shank; and

a depression formed with the first shaft, the depression being in press contact with the engaging protrusion of the second shaft, wherein a distance between the depression and a base end of the engaging protrusion forms a predetermined impact-energy absorbing stroke.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2001
From: KONDOU, AKIRA; YAMAMURA, MITSUJI
To: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 012397/0351 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2000-398050 · Dec 27, 2000 · national
JP 2001-054171 · Feb 28, 2001 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20020079686A1 · Jun 27, 2002