阅读说明：本技术 一种高强度汽车中间轴 (High-strength automobile intermediate shaft ) 是由 杨善美 于 2019-11-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及汽车中间轴领域,且公开了一种高强度汽车中间轴,包括中间轴体,所述中间轴体的两端设置有连接头,所述连接头与中间轴体的连接处设置有活动结构,所述中间轴体的前端外表面设置有气缸,所述气缸的两侧伸缩端分别连接有连接结构,所述气缸与活动结构之间通过连接结构活动连接,所述中间轴体的下端外表面设置有加强板簧,所述加强板簧的靠近两端的外表面与中间轴体的外表面之间设置有加固结构,所述中间轴体的前端外表面靠近中心处设置有安装头,所述安装头的外表面活动安装有密封结构。该一种高强度汽车中间轴,具备转向处结构强度较好、轴体的整体强度提升、连接主轴的连接处可以配合保持高密合程度、加强结构连接处稳固。(The invention relates to the field of automobile intermediate shafts, and discloses a high-strength automobile intermediate shaft which comprises an intermediate shaft body, wherein two ends of the intermediate shaft body are provided with connectors, a movable structure is arranged at the joint of the connectors and the intermediate shaft body, the outer surface of the front end of the intermediate shaft body is provided with a cylinder, telescopic ends at two sides of the cylinder are respectively connected with a connecting structure, the cylinder is movably connected with the movable structure through the connecting structure, the outer surface of the lower end of the intermediate shaft body is provided with a reinforced plate spring, a reinforced structure is arranged between the outer surface of the reinforced plate spring, close to the two ends, and the outer surface of the front end of the intermediate shaft body, close to the center, is provided with an installing head, and the outer. This high strength car jackshaft possesses that the bulk strength who turns to a better, the axis body promotes, the junction of connecting the main shaft can cooperate and keep high driving fit degree, additional strengthening junction firm.)

1. The utility model provides a high strength car jackshaft, includes middle axis body (1), its characterized in that: the two ends of the middle shaft body (1) are provided with connectors (3), the joint of the connectors (3) and the middle shaft body (1) is provided with a movable structure (2), the outer surface of the front end of the middle shaft body (1) is provided with a cylinder (4), the telescopic ends at the two sides of the cylinder (4) are respectively connected with a connecting structure (5), the cylinder (4) is movably connected with the movable structure (2) through a connecting structure (5), the outer surface of the lower end of the middle shaft body (1) is provided with a reinforced plate spring (8), a reinforcing structure (9) is arranged between the outer surface of the reinforcing plate spring (8) close to the two ends and the outer surface of the middle shaft body (1), an installation head (6) is arranged on the outer surface of the front end of the middle shaft body (1) near the center, and a sealing structure (7) is movably arranged on the outer surface of the mounting head (6).

2. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 1, wherein: the connector (3) is the surface and sets up the cylindrical shape of tooth mouth, the inboard cavity of connector (3), the one end of connector (3) is opened and is communicate the outside, be fixed connection between the surface of connector (3) and active structure (2), connector (3) are the symmetry in the both ends department of middle axis body (1) and arrange.

3. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 1, wherein: activity structure (2) are including outer clamshell (21), card income spheroid (22) and pivot (23), the one end of spheroid (22) fixed connection is gone into in the middle shaft body (1) to the card, outer clamshell (21) overlaps in the surface of card income spheroid (22), and the inner wall of outer clamshell (21) and the activity laminating between the surface of card income spheroid (22), pivot (23) run through in the upper and lower both ends surface of outer clamshell (21), pivot (23) extend from the outside of card income spheroid (22), outer clamshell (21) and card go into through pivot (23) swing joint between spheroid (22).

4. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 1, wherein: the fixed bolster is provided with in the upper end surface of middle axis body (1) department that corresponds cylinder (4), cylinder (4) run through in the inboard of fixed bolster, be fixed connection between cylinder (4) and the fixed bolster, be fixed connection between fixed bolster and middle axis body (1).

5. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 4, wherein: connection structure (5) include connecting rod (51), pullover (52) and connecting bolt (53), connecting rod (51) fixed connection is at the flexible end of cylinder (4), pullover (52) fixed connection is in the one end of connecting rod (51), connecting bolt (53) run through in the inboard of pullover (52), connecting bolt (53) extend to the surface that runs through in outer shell (21) downwards, be fixed connection between connecting bolt (53) and outer shell (21), be swing joint between connecting bolt (53) and pullover (52), through pullover (52) and connecting bolt (53) swing joint between connecting rod (51) and outer shell (21).

6. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 1, wherein: strengthen the lower extreme surface of leaf spring (8) and be close to the front and back end and upwards extend the anchor frame, the upper end laminating of anchor frame is at the surface of middle axis body (1), be fixed connection between reinforcement and middle axis body (1), the quantity of anchor frame is two sets of, the anchor frame is symmetrical the arranging at the front and back both ends outward appearance of middle axis body (1), strengthen the both ends of leaf spring (8) and upwards tilt up and laminate the lower extreme surface at middle axis body (1), strengthen being the welding between both ends and the middle axis body (1) of leaf spring (8) perk.

7. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 1, wherein: the reinforcing structure (9) comprises a reinforcing plate (91), a reinforcing bolt (92), a reinforcing rod (93), a reinforcing block (94) and a reinforcing nut (95), the reinforcing plate (91) is arranged on the outer surface of the front end of the middle shaft body (1), the reinforcing bolt (92) penetrates through the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing plate (91), the reinforcing plate (91) is fixedly connected with the middle shaft body (1) through a reinforcing bolt (92), a reinforcing rod (93) extends from the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing plate (91) close to the lower end, the reinforcing block (94) is sleeved on the outer surface of the reinforcing rod (93), the outer surface of the reinforcing rod (93) is provided with threads, a reinforcing nut (95) is sleeved on the outer surface of the reinforcing rod (93) close to the front of the reinforcing block (94), the reinforcing nut (95) is in threaded connection with the reinforcing rod (93), and the outer surface of the rear end of the reinforcing nut (95) is attached to the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing block (94).

8. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 7, wherein: the reinforcing blocks (94) are concave and are sleeved on the outer surfaces of the reinforcing plate springs (8), the number of the reinforcing structures (9) is two, and the reinforcing structures (9) are symmetrically arranged at the positions, close to two ends, of the reinforcing plate springs (8).

9. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 1, wherein: seal structure (7) are including adjusting ring (71), rubber ring (72), card income mouth (73) and go into bulge loop (74), the round is seted up along the front end surface of adjusting ring (71) to card entry (73), the rear end surface department of following rubber ring (72) of card income bulge loop (74) extends out the round, card income bulge loop (74) activity card is in the inboard of card entry (73), laminate each other between adjusting ring (71) and the rubber ring (72).

10. The high strength automotive intermediate shaft according to claim 9, wherein: the mounting head (6) comprises a cylinder body (61) and a thread surface (62) arranged on the outer surface of the cylinder body (61), the adjusting ring (71) is sleeved on the outer surface of the thread surface (62), and the adjusting ring (71) is in threaded connection with the cylinder body (61) through the thread surface (62).

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of automobile intermediate shafts, in particular to a high-strength automobile intermediate shaft.

Background

The joint between the tie rod is taken through universal joint fork and steering gear input shaft under the jackshaft to the electric steering tube column assembly of production on the existing market and mechanical steering gear, the two is again together through the spline fit, this kind of jackshaft is the steering jackshaft of car, there is the drawback when current jackshaft uses, the switching-over structure only links to each other through the pivot, it is easy not hard up, secondly, the bulk strength is not enough, the damage is warp easily to axis body self, still, it is not enough to the junction driving fit degree of external main shaft, finally, the additional strengthening junction of axis body takes place easily not hard up, for this reason, we propose a high strength car jackshaft.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved

Aiming at the defects of the prior art, the invention provides the high-strength automobile intermediate shaft which has the advantages that the structural strength of a steering part is good, the overall strength of a shaft body is improved, the joint of a connecting main shaft can be matched to maintain high sealing degree, and the joint of a reinforcing structure is stable.

(II) technical scheme

In order to achieve the purposes of better structural strength of the steering part, improvement of the overall strength of the shaft body, matching and keeping high sealing degree of the joint of the connecting main shaft and stability of the joint of the reinforcing structure, the invention provides the following technical scheme: the utility model provides a high strength automobile jackshaft, includes middle axis body, the both ends of middle axis body are provided with the connector, the connector is provided with the active structure with the junction of middle axis body, the front end surface of middle axis body is provided with the cylinder, the flexible end in both sides of cylinder is connected with connection structure respectively, through connection structure swing joint between cylinder and the active structure, the lower extreme surface of middle axis body is provided with strengthens the leaf spring, it is provided with reinforced structure to strengthen between the surface that is close to both ends of leaf spring and the surface of middle axis body, the front end surface of middle axis body is close to center department and is provided with the installation head, the surface movable mounting of installation head has seal structure.

Preferably, the connector is the cylindrical shape that the tooth mouth was seted up to the surface, the inboard cavity of connector, the one end of connector is opened and is communicate the outside, be fixed connection between connector and the movable structure's the surface, the connector is the symmetry in the both ends department of middle axis body and arranges.

Preferably, the movable structure includes outer clamshell, card income spheroid and pivot, the one end of spheroid fixed connection in the middle axis body is gone into to the card, outer clamshell overlaps in the spheroid surface of card income, and the inner wall of outer clamshell and the card income movable fit between the spheroid surface, the pivot runs through in the upper and lower both ends surface of outer clamshell, the pivot extends from the spheroid outside of card income, outer clamshell and card income are gone into through pivot swing joint between the spheroid.

Preferably, a fixing support is arranged on the outer surface of the upper end of the middle shaft body corresponding to the air cylinder, the air cylinder penetrates through the inner side of the fixing support, the air cylinder is fixedly connected with the fixing support, and the fixing support is fixedly connected with the middle shaft body.

Preferably, connection structure includes connecting rod, pullover and connecting bolt, connecting rod fixed connection is at the flexible end of cylinder, pullover fixed connection is in the one end of connecting rod, connecting bolt runs through in pullover inboard, connecting bolt extends to the surface that runs through in outer jacket downwards, be fixed connection between connecting bolt and the outer jacket, be swing joint between connecting bolt and the pullover, through pullover and connecting bolt swing joint between connecting rod and the outer jacket.

Preferably, strengthen the lower extreme surface of leaf spring and be close to the front and back end and extend the anchor frame to the top, the upper end laminating of anchor frame is at the surface of middle axis body, be fixed connection between reinforcement and the middle axis body, the quantity of anchor frame is two sets of, the anchor frame is symmetrical arrangement in the front and back both ends outward appearance of middle axis body, strengthen the both ends of leaf spring and tilt up and laminate the lower extreme surface at middle axis body to the top, strengthen being the welding between the both ends of leaf spring perk and the middle axis body.

Preferably, the reinforcing structure comprises a reinforcing plate, a reinforcing bolt, a reinforcing rod, a reinforcing block and a reinforcing nut, the reinforcing plate is arranged on the outer surface of the front end of the middle shaft body, the reinforcing bolt penetrates through the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing plate, the reinforcing plate is fixedly connected with the middle shaft body through the reinforcing bolt, the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing plate is close to the lower end and extends out of the reinforcing rod, the reinforcing block is sleeved on the outer surface of the reinforcing rod, threads are formed in the outer surface of the reinforcing rod, the reinforcing nut is sleeved on the outer surface of the reinforcing rod close to the front of the reinforcing block, the reinforcing nut is in threaded connection with the reinforcing rod, and the outer surface of the rear end of the reinforcing nut is attached to the outer surface of the front end.

Preferably, the reinforcing blocks are concave and are sleeved on the outer surface of the reinforcing plate spring, the number of the reinforcing structures is two, and the reinforcing structures are symmetrically arranged at the two ends, close to the two ends, of the reinforcing plate spring.

Preferably, seal structure includes adjustable ring, rubber ring, card entry and card income bulge loop, the round is seted up along the front end surface of adjustable ring to the card entry, the card goes into the bulge loop and extends out the round from the rear end surface department of rubber ring, the activity card of card income bulge loop is in the inboard of card entry, laminate each other between adjustable ring and the rubber ring.

Preferably, the mounting head includes barrel and the flank of screw thread of seting up in the barrel surface, the surface of flank of screw thread is overlapped to the adjustable ring, pass through flank of screw thread threaded connection between adjustable ring and the barrel.

(III) advantageous effects

Compared with the prior art, the invention provides a high-strength automobile intermediate shaft which has the following beneficial effects:

1. this kind of high strength car jackshaft, through being provided with movable structure and connection structure, by the flexible connecting rod that drives of cylinder removal, the cooperation pullover rotates at connecting bolt's surface, and then can make the connecting rod pull or promote outer shell, outer shell will rotate along the axle pivot, thereby the completion turns to, and turning to the in-process, the great area of outer shell parcel is lived the card and is gone into spheroidal surface, outer shell is difficult for breaking away from, consequently, whole structure that turns to the part is comparatively firm, difficult emergence fracture, phenomenons such as not hard up, intensity is better.

2. This high strength car jackshaft, strengthen the leaf spring through being provided with, because strengthen fixed connection between the lower extreme surface of the both ends department of leaf spring and middle axis body, at the in-process of installing, the lower extreme external surface fixed connection who ensures to strengthen the leaf spring is on vehicle chassis, when the middle axis body takes place crooked deformation, strengthen the leaf spring and play better supporting role, and strengthen the spring action of leaf spring, can ensure that the middle axis body is whole to recover after slightly deforming, thereby effectively increase the intensity of middle axis body department, and the service life is prolonged.

3. This high strength car jackshaft, through being provided with installation head and seal structure, connect the main shaft behind the front end of barrel, through rotating the adjustable ring, make the adjustable ring remove towards one side of pressing close to the main shaft, until making the rubber ring laminating in the junction of main shaft, can ensure better driving fit degree after sheltering from the gap, through pulling out the rubber ring, make the card go into the bulge loop and extract from the inboard of card income mouth, can separate the rubber ring, be convenient for change and adaptation, provide convenience, it is better to the junction driving fit degree with the main shaft.

4. This high strength car jackshaft through being provided with reinforced structure, has gusset plate and anchor strut, the cooperation of reinforcing block, and the reinforcing block bearing plays the effect of support in the below of whole enhancement leaf spring, and gusset plate, reinforcing rod play the effect of support to the reinforcing block, do not influence the reinforcing block simultaneously and rotate along the anchor strut, have effectively ensured that reinforced structure strengthens the structural strength of leaf spring department promptly to further promote holistic intensity.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an overall structural view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the mobile structure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a reinforcing structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the present invention at a mounting head;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of the sealing structure of the present invention.

In the figure: 1. a middle shaft body; 2. a movable structure; 21. an outer casing; 22. clamped into the sphere; 23. a rotating shaft; 3. a connector; 4. a cylinder; 5. a connecting structure; 51. a connecting rod; 52. sleeving heads; 53. a connecting bolt; 6. a mounting head; 61. a barrel; 62. a thread face; 7. a sealing structure; 71. an adjusting ring; 72. a rubber ring; 73. a card entrance; 74. clamping into a convex ring; 8. a reinforcing plate spring; 9. reinforcing the structure; 91. a reinforcing plate; 92. reinforcing the bolt; 93. a reinforcing rod; 94. a reinforcing block; 95. and (5) reinforcing the nut.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1-5, a high-strength automobile intermediate shaft comprises an intermediate shaft body 1, wherein two ends of the intermediate shaft body 1 are provided with connectors 3, a movable structure 2 is arranged at the joint of the connectors 3 and the intermediate shaft body 1, a cylinder 4 is arranged on the outer surface of the front end of the intermediate shaft body 1, two telescopic ends of the cylinder 4 are respectively connected with connecting structures 5, the cylinder 4 is movably connected with the movable structure 2 through the connecting structures 5, a reinforcing plate spring 8 is arranged on the outer surface of the lower end of the intermediate shaft body 1, a reinforcing structure 9 is arranged between the outer surface of the reinforcing plate spring 8, which is close to the two ends, and the outer surface of the intermediate shaft body 1, which is close to the center, is provided with an installation head 6, and a.

The connector 3 is the surface and has been offered the cylindrical shape of tooth mouth, and the inboard cavity of connector 3, the one end of connector 3 open the intercommunication outside, be fixed connection between connector 3 and the surface of active structure 2, and connector 3 is the symmetry in the both ends department of middle axis body 1 and arranges, and be convenient for both ends department and wheel hub looks fixed connection.

The movable structure 2 includes an outer casing 21, a snap-in sphere 22 and a rotating shaft 23, the snap-in sphere 22 is fixedly connected to one end of the middle shaft body 1, the outer casing 21 is sleeved on the outer surface of the snap-in sphere 22, the inner wall of the outer casing 21 is movably attached to the outer surface of the snap-in sphere 22, the rotating shaft 23 penetrates through the outer surfaces of the upper and lower ends of the outer casing 21, the rotating shaft 23 extends out of the snap-in sphere 22, and the outer casing 21 is movably connected with the snap-in sphere 22 through the rotating shaft 23, so as to ensure that the outer casing 21 can rotate along the surface of the.

The upper end surface of middle axis body 1 corresponds cylinder 4 department and is provided with the fixed bolster, and cylinder 4 runs through in the inboard of fixed bolster, is fixed connection between cylinder 4 and the fixed bolster, is fixed connection between fixed bolster and the middle axis body 1, and the model of cylinder 4 is SCJ63 for ensure the firm establishment of cylinder 4.

The connecting structure 5 comprises a connecting rod 51, a sleeve head 52 and a connecting bolt 53, the connecting rod 51 is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the cylinder 4, the sleeve head 52 is fixedly connected to one end of the connecting rod 51, the connecting bolt 53 penetrates through the inner side of the sleeve head 52, the connecting bolt 53 extends downwards to the outer surface of the outer sleeve shell 21, the connecting bolt 53 is fixedly connected with the outer sleeve shell 21, the connecting bolt 53 is movably connected with the sleeve head 52, the connecting rod 51 is movably connected with the outer sleeve shell 21 through the sleeve head 52 and the connecting bolt 53, and the sleeve head 52 can rotate along the surface of the connecting bolt 53.

Strengthen leaf spring 8's lower extreme surface and be close to the front and back end and extend the anchor frame to the top, the upper end laminating of anchor frame is at the surface of middle axis body 1, be fixed connection between reinforcement and the middle axis body 1, the quantity of anchor frame is two sets of, the anchor frame is symmetrical arranging in the front and back both ends outward appearance of middle axis body 1, strengthen leaf spring 8's both ends to the top perk and laminate at middle axis body 1's lower extreme surface, strengthen being the welding between leaf spring 8 perk's both ends and the middle axis body 1, ensure to strengthen leaf spring 8's intensity.

The reinforcing structure 9 comprises a reinforcing plate 91, a reinforcing bolt 92, a reinforcing rod 93, a reinforcing block 94 and a reinforcing nut 95, wherein the reinforcing plate 91 is arranged on the outer surface of the front end of the middle shaft body 1, the reinforcing bolt 92 penetrates through the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing plate 91, the reinforcing plate 91 is fixedly connected with the middle shaft body 1 through the reinforcing bolt 92, the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing plate 91 is close to the lower end and extends out of the reinforcing rod 93, the reinforcing block 94 is sleeved on the outer surface of the reinforcing rod 93, threads are formed in the outer surface of the reinforcing rod 93, the reinforcing nut 95 is sleeved on the outer surface of the reinforcing rod 93 close to the front of the reinforcing block 94, the reinforcing nut 95 is in threaded connection with the reinforcing rod 93, the outer surface of the rear end of the reinforcing nut 95 is attached to the outer surface of the front end of the reinforcing block.

Reinforcing block 94 is the concave type and overlaps in the surface of strengthening leaf spring 8, and the quantity of reinforced structure 9 is two sets of, and reinforced structure 9 is the symmetry in the both ends department of being close to of strengthening leaf spring 8 and arranges, ensures to consolidate the both ends department of strengthening leaf spring 8, prevents that the fracture from dropping.

The sealing structure 7 comprises an adjusting ring 71, a rubber ring 72, a clamping opening 73 and a clamping convex ring 74, wherein the clamping opening 73 is provided with a circle along the outer surface of the front end of the adjusting ring 71, the clamping convex ring 74 extends out of the outer surface of the rear end of the rubber ring 72 for a circle, the clamping convex ring 74 is movably clamped on the inner side of the clamping opening 73, the adjusting ring 71 and the rubber ring 72 are mutually attached, the integration degree is ensured, and a better sealing effect is achieved.

The mounting head 6 comprises a cylinder 61 and a thread surface 62 arranged on the outer surface of the cylinder 61, an adjusting ring 71 is sleeved on the outer surface of the thread surface 62, the adjusting ring 71 is in threaded connection with the cylinder 61 through the thread surface 62, and the adjusting ring 71 can move after rotating.

In summary, by providing the movable structure 2 and the connecting structure 5, the cylinder 4 stretches and retracts to drive the connecting rod 51 to move, and the sleeve head 52 is matched to rotate on the surface of the connecting bolt 53, so that the connecting rod 51 can drag or push the outer casing 21, the outer casing 21 will rotate along the shaft rotating shaft 23, and thus steering is completed, and in the steering process, the outer casing 21 wraps the surface of the clamped sphere 22 in a large area, and the outer casing 21 is not easy to disengage, so that the whole steering part has a stable structure, is not easy to break, loosen and the like, and has good strength; by arranging the reinforcing plate spring 8, because the two ends of the reinforcing plate spring 8 are fixedly connected with the outer surface of the lower end of the middle shaft body 1, the outer surface of the lower end of the reinforcing plate spring 8 is ensured to be fixedly connected to an automobile chassis in the installation process, when the middle shaft body 1 is subjected to bending deformation, the reinforcing plate spring 8 plays a better supporting role, the elastic action of the reinforcing plate spring 8 is enhanced, and the integral restoration after the middle shaft body 1 is slightly deformed can be ensured, so that the strength of the middle shaft body 1 is effectively increased, and the service life is prolonged; by arranging the mounting head 6 and the sealing structure 7, the main shaft is connected to the front end of the cylinder body 61, the adjusting ring 71 is rotated to move towards one side close to the main shaft until the rubber ring 72 is attached to the joint of the main shaft, a good sealing degree can be ensured after a gap is blocked, the rubber ring 72 is pulled out from the inner side of the clamping opening 73 by pulling the rubber ring 72, the rubber ring 72 can be separated, replacement and adaptation are facilitated, convenience is provided, and the sealing degree of the joint with the main shaft is good; through being provided with reinforced structure 9, there are reinforcing plate 91 and reinforcing bar 93, reinforcing block 94's cooperation, reinforcing block 94 bearing in the below of whole enhancement leaf spring 8, plays the effect of support, and reinforcing plate 91, reinforcing bar 93 play the effect of support to reinforcing block 94, do not influence reinforcing block 94 simultaneously and rotate along reinforcing bar 93, have effectively ensured that reinforced structure strengthens the structural strength of leaf spring 8 department promptly to further promote holistic intensity.

It is noted that, herein, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.