Abstract: A shaft coupling structure includes a rotating shaft, a worm shaft, a first member, a second member, and an intermediate member that is an elastic member. The intermediate member is interposed between the first member and the second member. Coupling protrusions of the first member that extend in an axial direction are each inserted between second radial protrusions of the intermediate member and between a plurality of first radial protrusions of the second member. Protruding portions of the first radial protrusions engage with the corresponding recessed portions of the second radial protrusions in the axial direction. When a relative rotation angle between the first member and the second member is smaller than a predetermined angle, ends of each of the second radial protrusions in a circumferential direction each projects in the circumferential direction with respect to a corresponding end of the corresponding first radial protrusion in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A shaft-to-universal joint coupling structure includes: a column shaft; a universal joint including a shaft yoke; a sleeve to which the column shaft and the universal joint are fitted; and a coupling pin inserted into a through-hole of the shaft yoke and an insertion hole of the sleeve. The coupling pin has a small-diameter portion inserted into the insertion hole, and a step portion positioned inward of an inner peripheral face of the sleeve in the radial direction of the sleeve.

Abstract: In a coupling structure for coupling a shaft to a universal joint yoke, an insertion portion of a shaft is passed through an insertion hole of a universal joint yoke. An outward protrusion of a distal end portion of the shaft faces a peripheral edge of a first opening of the insertion hole across a gap in an axial direction. A fixed portion that adjoins the insertion portion is fixed to a peripheral edge of a second opening of the insertion hole by welding. An engaging portion formed on an outer periphery of the insertion portion and an engaged portion formed in an inner periphery of the universal joint yoke, which defines the insertion hole, are engageable with each other in a rotational direction with a rotation permitting gap for phase adjustment.

Abstract: A shaft-to-universal joint coupling structure includes: a column shaft; a universal joint including a shaft yoke; a sleeve to which the column shaft and the universal joint are fitted; and a coupling pin inserted into a through-hole of the shaft yoke and an insertion hole of the sleeve. The coupling pin has a small-diameter portion inserted into the insertion hole, and a step portion positioned inward of an inner peripheral face of the sleeve in the radial direction of the sleeve.

Abstract: In a coupling structure for coupling a shaft to a universal joint yoke, an insertion portion of a shaft is passed through an insertion hole of a universal joint yoke. An outward protrusion of a distal end portion of the shaft faces a peripheral edge of a first opening of the insertion hole across a gap in an axial direction. A fixed portion that adjoins the insertion portion is fixed to a peripheral edge of a second opening of the insertion hole by welding. An engaging portion formed on an outer periphery of the insertion portion and an engaged portion formed in an inner periphery of the universal joint yoke, which defines the insertion hole, are engageable with each other in a rotational direction with a rotation permitting gap for phase adjustment.

Abstract: A steering shock absorbing apparatus for motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a first universal joint for interconnecting a first end of an intermediate shaft and a steering shaft, and a second universal joint for interconnecting a second end of the intermediate shaft and an input shaft of a steering gear. The intermediate shaft includes a hollow bellows portion having slant convexes and slant concaves alternating with each other. A line interconnecting the joint centers of the first and second universal joints is tilted to the center axis of the intermediate shaft at a predetermined angle. At motor vehicle collision, a bending moment derived from an impact force of the collision is exerted on the intermediate shaft because the line is tilted. As a result, the intermediate shaft is bucklingly contracted at the bellows portion thereof.

Abstract: A shock absorbing steering apparatus for motor vehicle includes an intermediate shaft including first and second ends. The intermediate shaft includes a hollow bellows portion having convexes and concaves alternating with each other. The convexes include at least one slant convex. A plane including a ridge line of the slant convex is tilted to a perpendicular plane perpendicular to a center axis of the intermediate shaft. As a result, a part of an axial force exerted on the intermediate shaft at a motor vehicle collision is converted to a bending force on the intermediate shaft.