Connection structure of lateral insert type yoke and shaft

Abstract

A connection structure of a yoke and a shaft comprises a shaft including a pair of flat surfaces formed in parallel to each other on an outer peripheral surface of a front side end thereof, a yoke having a connection portion, formed at one side end thereof, for connecting the shaft, and having the other side end connected to a universal joint. The connection portion includes holding members, for holding the flat surfaces of the shaft, taking substantially a U-shape in section within a plane orthogonal to an axial direction thereof, a screw hole formed in the vicinity of one side end of the U-shape, and a bolt hole formed in the vicinity of the other side end thereof, concentric with the screw hole and having a diameter larger than the screw hole. This connection structure functions to insert from the bolt hole a bolt externally fitted with a cam member having a fitting hole by inserting the shaft in between the holding members, then screw the bolt into the screw hole, thus join the shaft to the joint portion, and perform centering of the shaft with the rotations of the cam member. The cam member is movable on the bolt facing at least a part of the shaft in the axial direction of the bolt, and the bolt is provided with a frictional engagement portion frictionally engaging with the cam member and rotating the cam member when the bolt is screwed into the screw hole and fastened thereto.