Method of coupling two concentrically disposed members

Claim 2

A process of two coupling members in which a first member to-be-coupled and a second member to-be-coupled are coupled by non-elastically deforming a coupling member, comprising the steps of: forming a concave portion on a coupling face of each member to-be-coupled, each concave portion having planar surfaces inclined to a flowing direction of the coupling member, concentrically arranging the first and second members to-be-coupled with their coupling faces directed toward each other and a gap therebetween, a space being formed which comprises the two concave portions and the gap, interposing in the space, a coupling member having a smaller deformation resistance than that of the members to-be-coupled, said coupling member being no more than slightly different in height than the height of said space, and supporting one end of the coupling member and applying pressure on the other end by using a metal mould to force non-elastical flowing of a part of the coupling member into the concave portions until the flowed part tightly contacts with the inclined planar surfaces by pre-selecting the volume of the coupling member so as to satisfy the relationship: ≦ S≦3/4b where S is the length of a rubbing face of the members to-be-coupled by the coupling member in the pressure applying direction within the gap and b is the width of the gap in a direction at right angles to the rubbing direction, whereby a mechanically strong combination which can transfer a large torque from one member to the other member is created.

Claim 3

A coupling process of two members of claim 1, wherein the following extent is preferably satisfied: 1/8b≦S≦3/4b.

Claim 4

A coupling process of two members of claim 1, wherein the inclined angle α 1 of the inclined surfaces against the coupling face is respectively made so as to satisfy the following extent: 20°≦α.sub.1 ≦70°.

Claim 5

A coupling process of two members of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the metal mould has a side surface with the inclined angle δ to the coupling face in the range as follows: 3°≦δ≦15°.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4, wherein the pressure applying step is performed with a tapered tip end of the mould that is slightly narrower than said gap, so that the side face is spaced from the coupling faces.

Claim 7

A coupling process of two members of claim 1, wherein each concave portion is a trapezoid in section.

Claim 8

A coupling process of two members of claim 1, wherein the first member to-be-coupled is a circular plate having a bore or a cylinder and the second member to-be-coupled is a circular plate or a shaft having an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of said bore and the concave portions are spherical grooves.

Claim 9

A coupling process of two members of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is made of non-magnetic material.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1, wherein the members to-be-coupled are radially supported against deformation thereof during the pressure applying step.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is selected to have a height within 0.2 to 0.3 mm of the height of said space.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1, wherein the members to-be-coupled are parts of a clutch rotor.

Claim 13

The method of claim 1, wherein the members to-be-coupled are parts of a clutch plate.

Claim 14

The method of claim 1, wherein the members to-be-coupled comprise a compressor swashplate and shaft.

Claim 15

The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure applying step is performed with any portions of the coupling member extending from the space being radially unsupported.

Claim 16

A process of two coupling members in which a first member to-be-coupled and a second member to-be-coupled are coupled by non-elastically deforming a coupling member, comprising the steps of: forming a concave portion on a coupling face of each member to-be-coupled, each concave portion having planar surfaces inclined to a flowing direction of the coupling member, concentrically arranging the first and second members to-be-coupled with their coupling faces directed toward each other and a gap therebetween, a space being formed which comprises the two concave portions and the gap, interposing in the space, a coupling member having a smaller deformation resistance than that of the members to-be-coupled, providing a member around the members to-be-coupled so as to support against deformation thereof when pressure is applied to the coupling member, and supporting one end of the coupling member and applying pressure on the other end by using a metal mould to force non-elastical flowing of a part of the coupling member into the concave portions until the flowed part tightly contacts with the inclined planar surfaces by pre-selecting the volume of the coupling member so as to satisfy the relationship: 0≦S≦3/4b where S is the length of a rubbing face of the members to-be-coupled by the coupling member in the pressure applying direction within the gap and b is the width of the gap in a direction at right angles to the rubbing direction, whereby a mechanically strong combination which can transfer a large torque from one member to the other member is created.

Claim 17

A process of two coupling members in which a first member to-be-coupled and a second member to-be-coupled are coupled by non-elastically deforming a coupling member, comprising the steps of: forming a concave portion on a coupling face of each member to-be-coupled, each concave portion having planar surfaces inclined to a flowing direction of the coupling member, concentrically arranging the first and second members to-be-coupled with their coupling faces directed toward each other and a gap therebetween, a space being formed which comprises the two concave portions and the gap, interposing in the space, a coupling member having a smaller deformation resistance than that of the members to-be-coupled, providing a member around the members to-be-coupled so as to support against deformation thereof when pressure is applied to the coupling member, and supporting one end of the coupling member and applying pressure on the other end by using a metal mould to force non-elastical flowing of a part of the coupling member into the concave portions until the flowed part tightly contacts with the inclined planar surfaces by pre-selecting the volume of the coupling member so as to satisfy the relationship: 0≦S≦3/4b where S is the length of a rubbing face of the members to-be-coupled by the coupling member in the pressure applying direction within the gap and b is the width of the gap in a direction at right angles to the rubbing direction, whereby a mechanically strong combination which can transfer a large torque from one member to the other member is created.