The embodiments herein generally relate to fitting of woodruff keys on shafts, and more particularly but not exclusively, the embodiments herein relate to a tool and a method for fitting woodruff key on an automobile steering shaft by hammerless operation.
BACKGROUND
[002] A Woodruff key assembly is an example of a key and a keyway shape which is used for positioning a fixture on a shaft. The woodruff key includes a rounded surface which cooperates with a rounded surface in the keyway which is usually formed by a simple grinding or machining process. Such an arrangement provides the desirable effect of preventing or at least limiting axial motion of the key when placed with the assembled shaft. Machine tools and automotive components use woodruff keys, which are semicircular in shape so as to be installed with a protruding flat end. The shaft keyway is also formed as a semi-circular cavity, thereby forming a longitudinal slot. While assembling steering shaft and its components, a plurality of woodruff key grooves are defined in the steering shaft to fit corresponding woodruff keys.
[003] Conventionally, the woodruff key is fixed to the shaft by an operator in an assembly plant, i.e. the woodruff key is held in the operators hand and is manually placed in the woodruff key groove defined in the

steering column, and then assembled in the key groove by hammer strikes. This mainly causes fatal injuries to the operators as the woodruff key is held in bare hands. Further, hammering may cause quality risks in the shaft and the shaft bearing bushes which may lead to customer dissatisfaction and malfunctioning of steering wheel. The steering column may be rejected due to distortion of the woodruff key groove by hammering operation. It may further cause installation difficulties and poor ergonomics.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a tool for fitting woodruff key on an automobile steering shaft by hammerless operation which eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a tool for fitting woodruff key on a shaft by hammerless operation.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a tool for safely fitting woodruff key on shafts.
[007] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for fitting woodruff key on shafts by hammerless operation.
[008] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an easy and safe method for fitting woodruff key on shafts.

[009] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a tool for fitting a woodruff key on shafts which reduces fatigue and stress to an operator.
[0010] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a tool for fitting woodruff key on a shaft by hammerless operation, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the tool for fitting the woodruff key on the shaft by hammerless operation, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a sectional side view of the tool for fitting the woodruff key on the shaft by hammerless operation, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart showing a method for fitting a woodruff key on a shaft by hammerless operation, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a tool for fitting woodruff key on a shaft by hammerless operation. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a method for fitting a woodruff key on a shaft by hammerless operation. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve an easy and safe method for fitting a woodruff key on a shaft. Also, the embodiments herein achieve the tool for fitting the woodruff keys on the shaft which reduces the fatigue and stress to an operator. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a tool for fitting woodruff key on a shaft by hammerless operation, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the tool 100 includes a main body 102, a first end 102a, a second end 102b, a central bore 102c (as shown in FIG. 3), a key holding portion 104, a shank 106, a mid-section 112, a key engaging member 108 (not shown), and a magnet 110 (as shown in FIG. 3).
[0019] For the purpose of explanation and ease of understanding the key is considered to be a woodruff key, the shaft for receiving the woodruff key is considered to be an automobile steering shaft and the key engaging member is considered to be a pneumatic nut runner. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use any other type of key, any other type of shaft and key engaging member without otherwise deterring the intended function of fitting key on the shaft by hammerless operation as can be deduced from the description and drawings.
[0020] The tool 100 for fitting the woodruff key (not shown) on the shaft (not shown) by hammerless operation includes the main body 102. The main body 102 is defined between the first end 102a, and the second end 102b as shown in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the main body 102 is cylindrical in shape and is defined for a predetermined length LI. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any shape for the main body 102 without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting

the key as can be deduced from the description and drawings. The main body 102 includes the key holding portion 104. The key holding portion 104 is defined towards the first end of the main body 102. The key holding portion 104 is configured to grip the woodruff key (not shown). In an embodiment, the main body 102 is made up of at least one of at least one of mild steel and hardened steel.
[0021] The tool 100 for fitting the woodruff key (not shown) on the shaft (not shown) by hammerless operation includes the mid-section 112. The mid-section 112 is defined in the tool 100 to separate the main body 102 from the shank 106. The mid section 112 facilitates in easy holding of the tool 100. The mid-section 112 is formed of a predetermined length L2.
[0022] The tool 100 for fitting the woodruff key (not shown) on the shaft (not shown) by hammerless operation includes the shank 106 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The shank 106 is a cylindrical member which is configured to be received inside the key engaging member 108 (not shown). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any shape for the shank 106 without otherwise deterring the intended function of being received inside the key engaging member as can be deduced from the description and drawings. The shank 106 extends away from the main body 102 at the second end 102b. The shank 106 couples the key engaging member 108 to the main body 102. The shank 106 is defined for a predetermined length L3.

[0023] The tool 100 for fitting the woodruff key (not shown) on the shaft (not shown) by hammerless operation includes a central bore 102c which extends between the shank 106 up to the first end 102a of the main body 102. The magnet 110 is received inside the central bore 102c from shank end and is displaced to the first end 102a of the main body 102 to magnetically engage with the woodruff key. In an embodiment, the magnet 110 may be removed from the central bore 102c by removing the magnet 110 from the shank end. The magnet 110 is configured to magnetically secure the woodruff key in the key holding portion 104.
[0024] The tool 100 for fitting the woodruff key (not shown) on the shaft (not shown) by hammerless operation includes the key engaging member 108 (not shown). The key engaging member 108 is a pneumatic nut runner. The key engaging member 108 includes a housing (not shown) to receive the shank 106. The key engaging member 108 may further include a runner to displace the key in the keyway of the shaft. In an embodiment, the key may be displaced in the keyway by at least one of pneumatic arrangement and by oil pressure supplied by a hydraulic system.
[0025] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart showing a method for fitting a woodruff key on a shaft by hammerless operation, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The method 200 includes providing a main body 102 having a first end 102a and a second end 102b (at step 202). The method further includes defining a key holding portion

104 at said first end 102a (at step 204). Furthermore, the method includes providing a shank 106 extending away from said main body 102 at said second end 102b (at step 206). Also, the method includes assembling a key engaging member 108 with said shank 106 (at step 208). And, the method includes operating said key engaging member 108 to displace said key into a keyway defined on said shaft (at step 210).
[0026] The advantages of the embodiments described herein include ease in fitment of woodruff key in steering shaft, reduced steering shaft rejections, reduced assembly time, provide customer satisfaction, and proper fitment and functioning of steering wheel.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We claim

1. A tool 100 for hammerless fitting of a key on a shaft, said tool 100
comprising:
a main body 102 having a first end 102a and a second end 102b;
a key holding portion 104 defined at said first end 102a; wherein said key holding portion 104 is adapted to grip said key;
a shank 106 extending away from said main body 102 at said second end 102b; and
a key engaging member 108 adapted to receive said shank 106, wherein said key engaging member 108 configured to displace said key into a keyway defined on said shaft.
2. The tool 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool 100 includes:
said main body 102 defining a central bore 102c extending between said first end 102a and said shank 106, and at least one magnet 110 disposed within said central bore 102c towards said first end 102a of said main body 102, wherein,
said magnet 110 is configured to magnetically engage with said key and thereby secure said key to said key holding portion 104.

3. The tool 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shank 106 defines at least one opening 102d to receive said magnet 110.
4. The tool 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool 100 includes a mid-section 112 extending between said main body 102 and said shank 106.
5. The tool 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said key engaging member 108 is a pneumatic nut runner.
6. The tool 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said key is a woodruff key.
7. The tool 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is an automobile steering shaft.
8. A method 200 for fitting a key on a shaft by hammerless operation, said method comprising:
providing a main body 102 having a first end 102a and a second end 102b;
defining a key holding portion 104 at said first end 102a, wherein said key holding portion 104 is adapted to grip said key;
providing a shank 106 extending away from said main body 102 at said second end 102b;
assembling a key engaging member 108 with said shank 106; and operating said key engaging member 108 to displace said key into a keyway defined on said shaft.
9. The method 200 as claimed in claim 8, wherein

said main body 102 defines a central bore 102c extending between said first end 102a and said shank 106; and
at least one magnet 110 disposed within said central bore 102c towards said first end 102a of said main body 102, wherein,
said magnet 110 is configured to magnetically engage with said key and thereby secure said key to said key holding portion 104. 10. The method 200 as claimed in claim 9, wherein said shank 106 defines at least one opening 102d to receive said magnet 110.