CN1906076A - Impact absorbing steering column device and electrically driven power steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

To realize a structure which can obtain at low cost, a structure with a high level of freedom of design, a collapse load which can be stabilized, and which can maintain flexural rigidity, engaging portions 14 having interference are provided at two location around the circumferential direction in an overlap portion 13 of an outer column 11 and an inner column 12. Moreover, the position of the overlap portion 13 and a bracket 16 for supporting a steering column 3 on a vehicle is matched in relation to the axial direction. Furthermore a welding part of the bracket 16 and the outer column 11 is positioned separated from the engaging portions 14.

Description

Impact absorbing steering column device and electric type power steering device

Technical field

Shrink total length when the present invention relates to crash, with the impact absorbing steering column device of protection and the chaufeur of bearing circle collision with utilize the electric type power steering device of this device.

Background technology

With in the pilot instrument, use driving device shown in Figure 14 that the action of bearing circle is delivered to steering gear at automobile.As shown in figure 14, bearing circle 2 is fixed on the rearward end (right part of Figure 14) of first steering shaft 1.And by rear portion, anterior two carriages 4,5, the place is fixed on the vehicle body below instrument face plate 6 etc. with Steering gear 3.Above-mentioned first steering shaft 1 is inserted the inboard of logical this Steering gear 3 free to rotately.And, be connected with the rearward end of second steering shaft 8 by first Hooke's coupling 7 in the leading section (left part of Figure 14) of above-mentioned first steering shaft 1, the part of giving prominence to from the front opening of above-mentioned Steering gear 3.And the leading section of this second steering shaft 8 is connected with the 3rd steering shaft 10 that leads to steering gear (not having diagram) by second Hooke's coupling 9.

Automobile with the transmission device of pilot instrument because as constitute above-mentionedly, therefore, the action of above-mentioned bearing circle 2 is delivered on the steering gear by first steering shaft 1, first Hooke's coupling 7, second steering shaft 8, second Hooke's coupling 9 and the 3rd steering shaft 10 of inserting logical Steering gear 3.Then, this steering gear mechanism applies deflection angle corresponding to the action of above-mentioned bearing circle 2 to wheel.

And, when changing working direction,, be extensive use of the driving force assistance device that is called power steering gear in order to alleviate the required power (driving power) of steering wheel rotation 2.And, in the small-sized automobile of lilliput car etc., for example, described in patent documentation 1 (spy opens flat 11-171029 communique), generally use electro-motor as the propulsion source of power steering gear.As shown in figure 15, such electric type power steering device have with bearing circle 2 be fixed on the rear end first steering shaft 1, can freely insert the Steering gear 3 of logical this first steering shaft 1 and the electro-motor 28 that applies the power of rotation direction along with energising to this first steering shaft 1.During driving, this electro-motor 28 applies auxiliary torque by the reductor 29 of worm reduction gear etc. to above-mentioned first steering shaft 1, to alleviate the driving power that is used to rotate above-mentioned bearing circle 2.

With in the pilot instrument,, generally make Steering gear 3 and each steering shaft 1,8 form the shock absorption type that total length is shunk along with collision at automobile as constituted above for protection chaufeur when the collision.Wherein as the total length that when being subjected to impacting, shortens Steering gear 3, absorb the impact absorbing steering column device of this collision, the device described in the patent documentation 1～4 (spy opens flat 11-171029 communique, the spy opens clear 63-25517 communique, real fair 8-5095 communique and spy and opens flat 8-142885 communique) etc. is for example arranged.Like this, existing impact absorbing steering column device becomes sleeve shaped with an end (right part of Figure 14) of the end (left part of Figure 14) of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 is chimeric as shown in figure 14.And, between these column jackets 11 and inner prop 12, applying under the situation of big axial load, these column jackets 11 and inner prop 12 are at axially relative displacement, the axial dimension of free shrink Steering gear 3.

Above-mentioned impact absorbing steering column device because the contraction load (damage and load) when forming by above-mentioned column jacket 11 with inner prop 12 relative displacements absorbs the structure of collision, therefore, need stably obtain this damage and load.Below be specifically described, as shown in figure 16, in the structure described in the patent documentation 2 in above-mentioned each patent documentation, under the state of the inboard, an end of an end of inner prop 12 being inserted the column jacket 11 that constitutes Steering gear 3, with these column jackets 11 and inner prop 12 in the overlapping part of diametric(al) as overlapping 13.And, on this overlapping 13, be arranged on the part of circumferencial direction by the fitting portion 14 that will have the magnitude of interference, with this up to the regulation load act on the above-mentioned Steering gear 3 before, the not relative displacement of above-mentioned column jacket 11 with inner prop 12.Therefore, in order to make the relative displacement of these column jackets 11 and inner prop 12 unit, the size of needed load (that is, damaging load) is subjected to constituting the influence of the chimerism (for example, the quantity of the size of the magnitude of interference, fitting portion and position etc.) of above-mentioned overlapping 13 fitting portion 14.

Utilize Figure 17 to describe damaging effects of load with regard to the chimerism of above-mentioned fitting portion 14.In addition, in Figure 17, the variation of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14 tied up among above-mentioned Figure 16 (A) with the pass of damaging load represent, in (B)～(D), dot with solid line.From Figure 17 of such expression, can find out, fitting portion 14 is arranged on Figure 16 (B)～(D) everywhere in a circumferential direction equably, the above-mentioned Figure 16 (A) that has two places with fitting portion 14 in a circumferential direction compares, under the situation of the magnitude of interference that increases fitting portion 14, damage the ratio height that load increases.

As mentioned above, under the situation of the structure of above-mentioned Figure 16 (B)～(D), the variation of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14 is to damaging the reasons are as follows that load has a significant impact.Promptly, above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is owing to be present on the above-below direction and left and right directions of each figure respectively, therefore, under the situation that the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 changes, this variation has very big influence to the size with the resistance to deformation of column jacket 11 when inner prop 12 is chimeric.For example, the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 of the above-below direction in above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is compared under the excessive situation with desirable value, because each fitting portion 14 also is present in left and right directions, therefore, elastic deformation (not crooked) takes place in diametric(al) in above-mentioned column jacket 11 hardly.Therefore, the amount that the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned above-below direction increases almost is not absorbed owing to the elastic deformation of above-mentioned column jacket 11, directly causes the increase of above-mentioned resistance to deformation.Structure as above-mentioned Figure 16 (B)～(D), the quantity of fitting portion 14 is more, be arranged on equably under the situation of circumferencial direction at these fitting portions 14, as mentioned above, because the variation of the magnitude of interference of these fitting portions 14 directly influences above-mentioned resistance to deformation, therefore, the above-mentioned damage load that the size by this resistance to deformation is determined also is subjected to the influence of variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14.

And under the situation of above-mentioned Figure 16 (A), 14 of fitting portions are present in the above-below direction of figure, are not present in left and right directions.Therefore, even under the situation that the size of the magnitude of interference of these fitting portions 14 changes, above-mentioned column jacket 11 is also easily to the direction bending of the above-below direction size that increases Figure 16 (A).Therefore, even compare with desirable value under the excessive situation, because this column jacket 11, therefore absorbs the amount that the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 increases easily to the direction bending of the size of the above-below direction that increases Figure 16 (A) at this magnitude of interference.Therefore, the variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is less to the influence of above-mentioned resistance to deformation, can suppress the variation of above-mentioned damage load by the variation of this magnitude of interference.

In addition, in above-mentioned Figure 16 (B)～(D), though fitting portion 14 is present in four positions respectively, the shape of these fitting portions 14 has nothing in common with each other.Specifically be, in above-mentioned Figure 16 (B), it is square that the part of an end of column jacket 11 is formed, and makes the outer peripheral face that constitutes this square plane and inner prop 12 chimeric with the state with magnitude of interference, with this part as fitting portion 14.And, in above-mentioned Figure 16 (C), form the outstanding protuberance 15 in side in diametric(al) at an end inner peripheral surface of column jacket 11, make these protuberances 15 chimeric with the outer peripheral face of state with magnitude of interference and inner prop 12, with this part as fitting portion 14.And, in above-mentioned Figure 16 (D), at an end inner peripheral surface formation protuberance 15 of column jacket 11, the front end face of this protuberance 15 forms concave arc shape, the front end face that makes these protuberances 15 is chimeric with the outer peripheral face of state with magnitude of interference and inner prop 12, with this part as fitting portion 14.Like this, in Figure 16 (B)～(D), the quantity of fitting portion 14 is identical, but different.Though it is in Figure 16 (B)～(D), the shape of fitting portion 14 has nothing in common with each other, as can be seen from Figure 17, roughly the same to damaging effects of load.

As mentioned above, according to the quantity and the position difference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14, the variation of the magnitude of interference is also different to damaging effects of load.Therefore, as adopt the situation of the structure shown in above-mentioned Figure 16 (B)～(D) such, in the variation of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14 to damaging under the big situation of load influence, if because the very little scale error of above-mentioned column jacket 11 or inner prop 12 etc. change the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 a little, then damaging loads might change a lot.On the other hand,, need make the damage steady load, and under situation, need to shrink really above-mentioned Steering gear because of the load of collision effect regulation at when collision protection chaufeur.On the contrary, change easily as mentioned above in case damage load, even then under the situation of the load effect of afore mentioned rules, Steering gear does not shrink yet, can not protect chaufeur fully.

In order to make above-mentioned damage steady load, the precision of the inner peripheral surface by improving column jacket 11 and the outer peripheral face of inner prop 12, make the magnitude of interference value stabilization of fitting portion 14, or described in patent documentation 4, liner by making easy slip or ball reduce the friction drag when shrinking between overlapping 13.But in order to improve the precision of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, each post 11,12 needs to use the high drawn tube of precision height, cost of comparing size and dimension with electric welded steel pipe (former pipe).In addition, make liner or ball under the situation of the structure between above-mentioned overlapping 13 in formation, number of parts increases.Its manufacturing cost rising as a result.

On the other hand, under the situation of above-mentioned patent documentation 1 shown in Figure 15 or patent documentation 4 described structures, impact absorbing steering column device is used for electric type power steering device.But, impact absorbing steering column device is being used for having following problem under the situation of electric type power steering device in this wise.At first, under the situation of patent documentation 1, the 2 described structures in above-mentioned each patent documentation, as above-mentioned shown in Figure 14, because from overlapping 13 position that rearward (Figure 14's is right-hand) left of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, be fixed with and be used for Steering gear 3 is supported on back carriage 4 on the vehicle body, therefore the electro-motor that constitutes electric type power steering device and the position of reductor are set are restricted.Specifically be, different according to the position that electro-motor and reductor are set, the amount of contraction of Steering gear 3 in the time of can not fully guaranteeing to collide.For example, forwardly be provided with under the situation of these electro-motors etc. between carriage 5 and above-mentioned overlapping 13, the contractile amount of this Steering gear 3 is quite little.Therefore, in order fully to guarantee the amount of contraction of this Steering gear 3, restriction is provided with the position of above-mentioned electro-motor and reductor, and the design-calculated degree of freedom reduces.Especially, above-mentioned electric type power steering device is being used under the situation of compact car etc., because it is narrow and small that the space is set, it is very unfavorable therefore reducing Design freedom as described above.

On the contrary, under the situation of above-mentioned patent documentation 1,4 described structures, make column jacket and inner prop overlapping with the position consistency that is fixed for Steering gear is supported on the carriage on the vehicle body.That is, as above-mentioned shown in Figure 15, fixed rear portion carriage 4 on column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 overlapping 13.Under the situation of this structure, even under the situation that the electro-motor 28 that constitutes electric type power steering device and reductor 29 are set, also guarantee easily Steering gear 3 amount of contraction, can improve the design-calculated degree of freedom.Specifically be, by making above-mentioned back carriage 4 and above-mentioned overlapping 13 position consistency, this position of overlapping 13 can be provided with by rear end (by the right-hand member of Figure 15), therefore, even above-mentioned electro-motor 28 grades are arranged between this overlapping 13 and the front carriage 5, also can make this overlapping 13 interval become big with these electro-motor 28 grades.Its result, the distance that can guarantee to be used to shrink above-mentioned Steering gear 3.

But, as mentioned above, under the situation of the structure of the position consistency that makes back carriage 4 and overlapping 13, have following problem.That is, because this back carriage 4 is fixed by welding on the above-mentioned column jacket 11 usually, therefore, this back carriage 4 is being fixed under above-mentioned overlapping 13 situation, overlapping 13 part of above-mentioned column jacket 11 is out of shape because of welding sometimes.And; at column jacket 11 like this under the situation because of welding deformation; because the relation of the position of weld of above-mentioned overlapping 13 fitting portion 14 (with reference to Figure 16), above-mentioned column jacket 11 and above-mentioned back carriage 4 has and damages the possibility that load is unstable, can not protect chaufeur when colliding fully.

And, on above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 overlapping 13, pass through welding fixed rear portion carriage 4, and make under the situation of this part of overlapping 13 distortion, the side face butt state labile each other of above-mentioned column jacket 11 in this overlapping 13 and the gap between the inner prop or two cylinders 11,12, the possibility that also has the bending stiffness of Steering gear 3 to reduce.And, as mentioned above, damaging steady load and carrying out cutting on the side face of two posts 11,12 and improving under the situation of precision of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, the wall thickness attenuation of each cylinder 11,12 sometimes in order to make.Like this, under the situation of the wall thickness attenuation of each post 11,12, the bending stiffness of above-mentioned Steering gear 3 also reduces.And, under the low situation of the bending stiffness of this Steering gear 3, follow on the road that difficulty is walked travel etc. and the transfer of vibration that produces to bearing circle 2, become the reason that makes chaufeur that human discomfort be arranged.

In addition, when above-mentioned Steering gear 3 shrinks unobstructedly, also require to improve the rigidity that when common travelling, is used to keep bearing circle 2 when requiring to collide.Promptly, the vibration of above-mentioned bearing circle 2 in order to suppress to travel when can stably obtaining above-mentioned damage load or during idle running requires the bending force strong (rigidity height) of the above-below direction under the chimerism comparison installing condition of fitting portion 14 of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12.For the chimerism that makes each fitting portion 14 is stronger than bending force, need to increase each fitting portion 14 the magnitude of interference, improve chimeric intensity, or increase the chimeric length of each fitting portion 14.But if only improve the chimeric intensity of each fitting portion 14 or increase chimeric length, then the damage of Steering gear 3 load will rise, and be difficult to obtain stable damage load.Like this, be difficult to accomplish when the chimerism that makes above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is stronger than bending force, make above-mentioned damage steady loadization.

Especially as the situation of the electric type power steering device of above-mentioned column type shown in Figure 15 under, because the parts of electro-motor 28 or reductor 29 etc. are arranged on the part of Steering gear 3, therefore, the axial dimension of this Steering gear 3 shortens, and is difficult to guarantee the chimeric length of fitting portion 14.Therefore, the electric type power steering device of column type is difficult to make the chimerism of fitting portion 14 than bending force strong (being difficult to improve bending stiffness).And, as mentioned above, if the axial size of above-mentioned Steering gear 3 is shorter, the length (damage stroke) of shrinking when then being difficult to guarantee to collide.And above-mentioned Steering gear 3 as Fig. 6, shown in Figure 7, is provided with direction bevelled state up and down under installing condition.Therefore, during collision, the bending force of last direction one side acts on one side to bearing circle 2 and shrinks.Therefore, if especially the crooked intensity of force (bending stiffness) to last direction is not enough, then will produce distortion on the part of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 when collision, possible above-mentioned Steering gear 3 can not (sleekly) contraction stably in above-mentioned bending force effect.

On the contrary, guarantee intensity for the axial dimension of not guaranteeing Steering gear 3, can increase the thickness of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 bending of fitting portion 14.But, under the situation that increases thickness in this wise, for the variation of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14, damage load variation very responsive.That is, under the situation of the thickness that increases above-mentioned each post 11,12, each post 11,12 variation with respect to the magnitude of interference is difficult to elastic deformation, is difficult to absorb the variation of the magnitude of interference.Therefore, with respect to the variation of this magnitude of interference, damage load variation very responsive, be not easy to obtain suitable damage load.

In addition, damage steady loadization, have outer peripheral face to the inner peripheral surface of column jacket 11 or inner prop 12 and carry out the low-friction surface treatment technology that metallic soap is handled (gold belongs to stone Soap to be handled) etc. in order not only to improve 3 pairs of crooked intensity of forces of Steering gear but also to make.That is,,, also can suppress to damage the increase of load even then improve the chimeric intensity of fitting portion 14 or increase chimeric length if any one side face in these side faces is carried out surface treatment, dwindles the friction between each side face.But, to carry out in this wise under the surface-treated situation, the manufacturing cost of impact absorbing steering column device improves.

In addition, shown in Figure 9 described in patent documentation 10 for example, when fitting portion 14 equally spaced is arranged on circumferencial direction, be arranged on each fitting portion 14 everywhere more than under the situation of (being eight places in the graphic example), because following reason can not be guaranteed fully to crooked intensity of force, can not prevent vibration fully.Promptly, if the quantity of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is many, then inner prop 12 (make inner prop 12 distortion, with the chimeric situation of column jacket 11 under be column jacket 11) the bad situation of circularity under, difference will appear in the butt state of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 (intensity of running into), be not easy to guarantee to crooked intensity of force.If make the circularity of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 good, then can not produce such problem, but manufacturing cost will increase still.

Patent documentation 1: the spy opens flat 11-171029 communique

Patent documentation 2: the spy opens clear 63-255171 communique

Patent documentation 3: real fair 8-5095 communique

Patent documentation 4: the spy opens flat 8-142885 communique

Patent documentation 5: open flat 6-65149 communique in fact

Patent documentation 6: open flat 1-145771 communique in fact

Patent documentation 7: open flat 1-145770 communique in fact

Patent documentation 8: open clear 63-192181 communique in fact

Patent documentation 9: open clear 62-6074 communique in fact

Patent documentation 10: the spy opens the 2004-130849 communique

Summary of the invention

In view of the foregoing, the purpose of impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention and electric type power steering device is: improve Design freedom, the stable load of damaging, simultaneously, obtain to guarantee the structure of bending stiffness with low price.

In addition, In view of the foregoing, the purpose of impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention and electric type power steering device is: with low price obtain regardless of fitting portion the magnitude of interference, can make the structure of damaging steady load.

In addition, In view of the foregoing, the purpose of impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention and electric type power steering device is: with low price obtain regardless of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion error (variation), can make and damage steady load and can guarantee structure crooked intensity of force (bending stiffness).

Impact absorbing steering column device in impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention and the electric type power steering device has column jacket and inner prop.Column jacket wherein for by bracket support on vehicle body, by the welding part that it is axial be fixed on this carriage.

In addition, above-mentioned inner prop inserts the one end inboard, one end of above-mentioned column jacket.

And, applying between above-mentioned column jacket and the inner prop under the situation of big axial load, by the relative displacement in the axial direction of these column jackets and inner prop, but the axial size of free shrink.

Especially, in the impact absorbing steering column device of first scheme of the present invention, on the part of the circumferencial direction of overlapping portion overlapping on the diametric(al), be provided with fitting portion with magnitude of interference at described column jacket and described inner prop.And the position that makes described carriage and this overlapping portion be axial consistent, and make the weld of this carriage and described column jacket become in this overlapping from position that described fitting portion leaves.

And, in the impact absorbing steering column device of alternative plan of the present invention, the fitting portion that many places have the magnitude of interference is set on the circumferencial direction of overlapping portion overlapping on the diametric(al) at described column jacket and described inner prop.And, supposition will this overlapping portion under situation about being divided into two on the diametric(al), the locational state existence that each fitting portion leaves with the part (becoming discrete part owing to cut apart fitting portion) that leans against partially after cut apart.And, the position of described carriage axially with described overlapping consistent, and the weld of this carriage and above-mentioned column jacket is formed on, be present in and suppose and cut apart on the fitting portion of the side's side wherein after this overlapping.

In addition, the position that makes above-mentioned carriage and the position of above-mentioned overlapping portion be axial consistent, an axial at least part that is meant the axial at least part of this carriage and above-mentioned overlapping portion overlapping state on diametric(al).

And, in the impact absorbing steering column device of third party's case of the present invention, on the circumferencial direction of the overlapping overlapping portion of diametric(al), the fitting portion that many places have the magnitude of interference is set at described column jacket and described inner prop, each fitting portion is arranged on circumferencial direction unevenly.

And, in the impact absorbing steering column device of cubic case of the present invention, on the part of overlapping portion overlapping on the diametric(al), the fitting portion with magnitude of interference is set respectively on equally spaced in a circumferential direction a plurality of positions in an end of end of described column jacket and described inner prop.

And, under the situation of the impact absorbing steering column device of above-mentioned cubic formula, in each fitting portion, make to being positioned at above-below direction under the state of installing on the vehicle or being positioned near the magnitude of interference of the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion the above-below direction greater than other fitting portions.

And, under the situation of the impact absorbing steering column device of above-mentioned the 5th scheme, in each fitting portion, make to the area of the area that is positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or the above-below direction under the state of installing on the vehicle greater than other fitting portions.

In addition, above-below direction near be meant that the center of fitting portion begins along the circumferential direction to be present in 10 ° respectively with the situation in the interior scope (in totally 20 ° the scope) in both sides from above-below direction.

And, in the impact absorbing steering column device of the 6th mode of the present invention, in an end of end of described column jacket and described inner prop in overlapping overlapping of diametric(al), on two positions that isolate mutually, the fitting portion with magnitude of interference is set respectively on the equally spaced a plurality of positions of circumferencial direction in the axial direction.And, in each fitting portion, make the area of the area of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at bending force effect when colliding greater than other fitting portions.

And, electric type power steering device of the present invention have with bearing circle be fixed on the rear end steering shaft, can freely insert the Steering gear of logical this steering shaft and the electro-motor that applies the power of rotation direction along with energising to this steering shaft.

Especially, in electric type power steering device of the present invention, the Steering gear that makes above-mentioned each scheme is above-mentioned impact absorbing steering column device.

The impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention that constitutes respectively all is the Design freedom height as described above, can making of can obtaining to low price damage the structure that steady load also can be guaranteed bending stiffness.Like this, if can make the damage steady load, then can be easily energy absorbing during with collision set the most appropriately, can realize safe impact absorbing steering column device.

And under the situation of the impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention that constitutes as described above, no matter how the magnitude of interference of fitting portion changes, and can obtain to low price making the structure of damage steady load.That is,, can make the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion little to damaging effects of load by making being provided with of each fitting portion inhomogeneous.In other words, make the variation of damaging load insensitive to the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion.Its result, the precision that need not improve the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion just can obtain stable damage load.Like this, just can make the damage steady load if need not improve the precision of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion, then can be easily energy absorbing during with collision set the most appropriately, can obtain safe impact absorbing steering column device by qurer.

And, under the situation of each impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention that constitutes as described above, no matter how the magnitude of interference of fitting portion changes, and can obtain to low price making damaging steady load and can guaranteeing structure to crooked intensity of force (bending stiffness).That is and since make the magnitude of interference that is positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction in each fitting portion or area greater than or wide in the magnitude of interference or the area of other fitting portion, therefore, the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion can be little to damaging effects of load.In other words, for the magnitude of interference or the area of above-mentioned other fitting portion, part that it is little or narrow part can absorb the magnitude of error (variation) of the magnitude of interference on other fitting portion, therefore, make the variation of damaging load insensitive to the variation of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion.Its result, the precision that need not improve the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion just can obtain stable damage load.And,, therefore, can guarantee crooked intensity of force to above-below direction owing to make the magnitude of interference or the area that are positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction bigger or wider.Like this, just can make the damage steady load if need not improve the precision of the magnitude of interference of fitting portion, simultaneously, can guarantee crooked intensity of force to above-below direction, then can be easily energy absorbing during with collision be set at the most appropriate, and, can obtain not having to low price the uncomfortable vibration when travelling, safe impact absorbing steering column device.

And, because in overlapping, make the area of the area of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at bending force effect when colliding that is separately positioned in the locational fitting portion in two places that axially is separated from each other greater than other fitting portion, therefore, also can make the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion little to damaging effects of load.And the bending force that Steering gear acts on when being not easy because of collision twists, and stably (sleekly) carries out the contraction of this Steering gear.And with respect to the load based on the bending force in when collision, the part that constitutes above-mentioned each fitting portion also is not easy plastic deformation, can obtain stable damage load.

And,, then can further improve crooked intensity of force if each invention of these schemes increases the column jacket of formation Steering gear and the wall thickness of inner prop.In this case, owing to make the variation of damaging load also insensitive to the magnitude of interference of fitting portion, therefore no matter how the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion changes, and can make the damage steady load.

And, if will have the impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention of above-mentioned effect is assembled in the electric type power steering device, then can obtain to low price improving the Design freedom of position of weld of freely determining carriage etc., and safe electric type power steering device.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the figure identical with Figure 16 of expression embodiments of the invention 1.

Fig. 2 is the A-A line cutaway view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the figure identical with Fig. 1 of other shape of expression carriage.

Fig. 4 is the figure other example, that see from the side of Fig. 3 of the welding method of expression carriage and column jacket.

Fig. 5 is the figure identical with Fig. 1 of expression embodiments of the invention 2.

Fig. 6 is the B-B line cutaway view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 represents the figure identical with Fig. 1 of embodiments of the invention 3.

Fig. 8 is the C-C line cutaway view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is the figure identical with Fig. 1 of expression embodiments of the invention 4.

Figure 10 is the D-D line cutaway view of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is the figure identical with Fig. 1 of expression embodiments of the invention 5.

Figure 12 is the E-E line cutaway view of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is the figure identical with Fig. 1 of expression embodiments of the invention 6.

Figure 14 is the lateral plan of expression as an example of the steering hardware of object of the present invention.

Figure 15 is the lateral plan of expression as an example of the electric power steering mechanism of object of the present invention.

Figure 16 be expression column jacket and inner prop overlapping portion existing structure four examples, be equivalent to the figure of the F-F section of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is the variation and the line chart of damaging the relation of loading of the magnitude of interference of expression fitting portion.

Figure 18 is the figure identical with Figure 16 of expression embodiments of the invention 8.

Figure 19 is the H-H line cutaway view of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is the figure identical with Figure 16 of expression embodiments of the invention 9.

Figure 21 represents embodiments of the invention 10, (A) is the figure that is equivalent to the F-F section of Figure 19, (B) is to be equivalent to the figure that the G-G of Figure 19 analyses and observe.

Figure 22 is the figure identical with Figure 19 of expression embodiments of the invention 11.

Figure 23 is the figure other example, identical with Figure 16 of existing structure of the overlapping portion of expression column jacket and inner prop.

Figure 24 is the figure identical with Figure 16 of expression embodiments of the invention 12.

Figure 25 is the figure identical with Figure 16 that represents embodiment 13 equally.

Figure 26 is the figure identical with Figure 16 that represents embodiment 14 equally.

Figure 27 is the figure identical with Figure 16 that represents embodiment 15 equally.

Figure 28 is the figure identical with Figure 16 that represents embodiment 16 equally.

Figure 29 is a local longitudinal sectional view of representing the column jacket of embodiment 17 equally.

Figure 30 is the figure that represents the J-J section that is equivalent to Figure 24 of embodiment 18 equally.

Figure 31 is the K-K line cutaway view of expression Figure 30.

Figure 32 is the L-L line cutaway view of expression Figure 30.

The specific embodiment

In order to implement the present invention of above-mentioned first scheme, preferably make the position of weld of carriage and column jacket be arranged in overlapping leave fitting portion position farthest at circumferencial direction.

According to such structure, can further suppress to damage the variation of load with the influence of fitting portion being limited in Min. by the distortion that forms of welding.

Perhaps, at column jacket and inner prop on the diametric(al) overlapping overlapping, fitting portion with magnitude of interference is set on a plurality of positions of circumferencial direction, supposition will this overlapping portion under situation about being divided into two on the diametric(al), each fitting portion is existed to lean on the state away from the position of the part after cutting apart partially.And, the position of weld of carriage and above-mentioned column jacket is positioned near the fitting portion, the side's side wherein after this fitting portion is present in supposition this lap is cut.

According to such structure,, therefore, can further suppress to damage the variation of load because the influence that welding produces feeds through to the fitting portion that is present in opposite side hardly.

And, in order to implement above-mentioned each invention, be preferably in axially the going up of overlapping portion, each fitting portion be provided with two places in a circumferential direction respectively existing on the part of fitting portion, this each fitting portion is provided with symmetrically in the center shaft of column jacket toward each other.

According to such structure, can make the variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion less to damaging effects of load.

And, in order to implement the present invention of above-mentioned alternative plan, that is, supposition will this overlapping portion under the situation that diametric(al) is divided into two, make each fitting portion partially to exist, each fitting portion is existed unevenly at circumferencial direction by state away from the position of the part after cutting apart.

According to such structure, be present between the fitting portion of circumferencial direction between be separated with the wide part of narrow partial sum, column jacket is easily to the direction elastic deformation that has the narrow part in interval between each fitting portion.Therefore, can make the variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion less to damaging effects of load.

Specifically be, at fitting portion under circumferencial direction is present in everywhere situation, make across and cut apart interval on the circumferencial direction between the fitting portion that the dummy line of direction quadrature exists less than the interval on the circumferencial direction between the fitting portion that exists across the dummy line of cutting apart direction.

Perhaps, be present under the situation at three places at circumferencial direction at fitting portion, with on the two side's sides that are under the situations of supposition after cutting apart wherein, across with the dummy line setting of cutting apart the direction quadrature, another is in opposite side after cutting apart, be arranged on and this virtual online of cutting apart the direction quadrature, make interval on the circumferencial direction between the fitting portion at above-mentioned two places less than the interval on each circumferencial direction of this two places fitting portion and above-mentioned another place's fitting portion.

And, preferably make at least one side's of column jacket and inner prop parts use the former pipe that does not carry out the fine limit work processing from the teeth outwards.

According to such structure, can further reduce manufacturing cost.In addition, column jacket and inner prop can use former pipe in this wise, be since under situation of the present invention in order to make the damage steady load, need not make column jacket and inner prop accurately.

In order to implement the present invention of above-mentioned third party's case, preferably make the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion inhomogeneous.

According to such structure, can make the variation of damaging load more insensitive to the magnitude of interference of fitting portion.

And, preferably each fitting portion is against partially the above-below direction setting under the installing condition.

And, preferably make the magnitude of interference that is arranged on the locational fitting portion that is against the above-below direction under the installing condition partially in each fitting portion greater than the magnitude of interference that is arranged on other locational fitting portion.

According to such structure, can improve intensity, the vibration of the bearing circle in the time of can preventing to travel to the bending of the above-below direction under the installing condition.That is, under situation about impact absorbing steering column device being installed on the automobile,, need guarantee crooked intensity of force to above-below direction in order to prevent the vibration of bearing circle.And the present invention is by making each fitting portion partially by the above-below direction setting, or increases the magnitude of interference that is arranged on partially by the locational fitting portion of this above-below direction and improve crooked intensity of force to this above-below direction, the vibration of bearing circle under the situation such as in the time of can preventing to travel with this.And if can guarantee crooked intensity of force to above-below direction, Steering gear will be difficult to distortion when then colliding, and stably (sleekly) shrinks Steering gear.And; under the situation of the electric type power steering device of the axial dimension that such impact absorbing steering column device of the present invention is used to be difficult to guarantee Steering gear; need not be in order to ensure the axial intensity that crooked intensity of force is increased fitting portion; can shorten the axial length of overlapping portion, therefore guarantee to damage stroke easily.In addition, if increase the column jacket of formation Steering gear and the wall thickness of inner prop, then can further improve crooked intensity of force.In this case, because it is insensitive to the magnitude of interference of fitting portion to damage the variation of load, therefore, no matter how the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion changes, and can make the damage steady load.

And, in order to implement the present invention of this mode, be preferably in along on the position of the axial separation of the overlapping portion of column jacket and inner prop, there is the fitting portion that is provided with unevenly in a circumferential direction respectively, in each fitting portion, the quantity of the fitting portion of bending force effect is more than the quantity of other fitting portion when making collision.

The area of the fitting portion of bending force effect is greater than the area of other fitting portion when perhaps, making collision in above-mentioned each fitting portion.

According to such structure, to press owing to can dwindle the face of the fitting portion of bending force effect when colliding, Steering gear is not easy distortion when therefore colliding, and further stably (sleekly) carries out the contraction of this Steering gear.And with respect to the load based on the bending force in when collision, the part that constitutes this fitting portion also is not easy plastic deformation, can obtain stable damage load.

In addition, in this case, the axial length of the fitting portion of bending force effect is greater than the axial length of other fitting portion in the time of also can making collision.That is,, also can enlarge the area of this fitting portion by strengthening the axial length of fitting portion.

According to such structure, the crooked intensity of force of effect in the time of can further guaranteeing collision easily.

And, in order to implement the invention of this scheme, form the many places projection on the circumferencial direction of a side's that also can be in column jacket and inner prop parts, by having under the state of the magnitude of interference each projection (protuberance) chimeric, constitute each fitting portion with the opposing party's parts.

According to such structure, form the position of each projection or the height of each projection etc. by adjustment, can implement to have the above-mentioned respectively invention of the structure that makes being provided with of each fitting portion lean on a side or the change magnitude of interference partially easily.

And, also can between the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, be provided with low-friction material system liner, make each fitting portion chimeric by this liner.

Perhaps, be preferably on the side face of at least one side in the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, with the chimeric part of the opposing party's side face on carry out low-friction surface and handle.

According to such structure,, can more stably obtain damaging load though cost has some raisings a little.

In order to implement the invention of above-mentioned the 5th scheme, under the state of installing on the vehicle, make the length dimension of the axial length dimension that is positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction or circumferencial direction, greater than the axial length dimension of other fitting portion or the length dimension of circumferencial direction.

Even constitute in this wise, also can improve crooked intensity of force near the area of the fitting portion being positioned at above-below direction or this above-below direction to expansion under the state of installing on the vehicle to above-below direction.And, under the situation of the length dimension that only strengthens circumferencial direction, just can improve above-mentioned crooked intensity of force owing to need not strengthen the direction of principal axis size of overlapping portion, therefore, can guarantee to damage stroke easily.

And, also each above-mentioned invention can be carried out suitable combination, enforcement.

That is, one of such embodiment is under the state of installing on the vehicle, and expansion (increasing) is positioned near the area (axial length or circumferencial direction length) of the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction, simultaneously, increases the magnitude of interference.

And, in other embodiments, under the state of installing on the vehicle, increasing or expansion are positioned near the magnitude of interference or the area (axial length or circumferencial direction length) of the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction, simultaneously, enlarge the area of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at bending force effect when colliding.For example, in the fitting portion that is arranged at two positions that axially are being separated from each other respectively, increasing is positioned at the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion of above-below direction, simultaneously, enlarges the area of the fitting portion on part fitting portion, bending force effect when being positioned at collision that is arranged in this above-below direction.

If form such structure, then can strengthen crooked intensity of force to above-below direction, simultaneously, can obtain bending force for when collision effect and also be not easy the impact absorbing steering column device that twists.

And,, also can strengthen the axial length dimension of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at bending force effect when colliding or the length dimension of circumferencial direction in order to implement the invention of above-mentioned the 6th mode.That is,, also can enlarge the area of this fitting portion by the axial long size degree of increasing fitting portion or the length dimension of circumferencial direction.

And, in order to implement the invention of above-mentioned the 4th to the 6th scheme, on a plurality of positions of the circumferencial direction of a side's that also can be in column jacket and inner prop parts, formation is to the outstanding projection (protuberance) of diametric(al), by each projection is chimeric with state with magnitude of interference and the opposing party's parts, constitute each fitting portion.

If form such structure, the position by adjust forming each projection or the height of each projection etc., above-mentioned each invention that can easily implement to have the structure that the magnitude of interference that makes each fitting portion or area (axial length, circumferencial direction length) change.

And, the liner of low-friction material system also can be set between the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, make each fitting portion chimeric by this liner.

Perhaps, also can be on the side face of at least one side in the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, handle carrying out low-friction surface with the chimeric part of the opposing party's side face.

If form such structure,, can further stably obtain damaging load though cost improves a little.

Embodiment 1

Fig. 1 to 2 represents embodiments of the invention 1.In addition, the invention is characterized in, in order to improve Design freedom, even the position that makes carriage 16 and column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 diametric(al) overlapping overlapping 13 under axially (left and right directions of direction, Fig. 2 in the table of Fig. 1) consistent situation, for the stable load of damaging, also to limit the weld of above-mentioned carriage 16 and above-mentioned column jacket 11 and be present in the position relation of the fitting portion 14 on this overlapping 13.Because other structure is identical with above-mentioned existing design, therefore, omission repeat specification or carry out simple declaration below is that the center describes with characteristic of the present invention.

Under the situation of present embodiment, formation will not have above-mentioned column jacket 11 and the inner prop 12 that graphic steering shaft is supported on the Steering gear 3 of internal side diameter free to rotately, directly use the electric welded steel pipe (former pipe) that surface is not carried out fine limit work processing or drawing processing etc.And, identical with the described situation of above-mentioned Figure 16 (A), on two positions that separate in the axial direction in an end (left part of Fig. 2) of the column jacket 11 that directly uses former pipe, be the oval part 17 of substantially elliptical by formation section shapes such as punch process.In addition, this ellipse part 17 also can axially be provided with more than two places, maybe should ellipse part 17 be in axially upward lengthening as one.Like this, if with oval part 17 divide in the axial direction be arranged or with oval part 17 at axial lengthening, then as described below, in an end of an end that makes inner prop 12 (right part of Fig. 2) and above-mentioned column jacket 11 when chimeric, can guarantee the bending stiffness of the above-mentioned Steering gear 2 that constitutes by inner prop 12 and column jacket 11 easily.

And, make the outer peripheral face of an end of above-mentioned inner prop 12 be shaped as barrel surface.The external diameter of one end of this inner prop 12 is less than the length of the major diameter part of the inner peripheral surface of above-mentioned oval part 17, greater than minor axis length partly.And above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 by an end of this inner prop 12 being inserted the inboard, an end of this column jacket 11, and make an end of an end of this column jacket 11 and this inner prop 12 overlapping in diametric(al), constitute above-mentioned overlapping 13.Therefore, under this state, the minor axis part that is formed on the above-mentioned oval part 17 on the end of above-mentioned column jacket 11 is chimeric with an end outer peripheral face of state with magnitude of interference and this inner prop 12.This part becomes above-mentioned each fitting portion 14.Therefore, each fitting portion 14 makes curvature and other parts slightly different for the outer peripheral face butt with big area and above-mentioned inner prop 12.Such fitting portion 14 is present in two places on each oval part 17.And above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 that is present on each oval part 17 is to be provided with symmetrically with respect to the center shaft of above-mentioned column jacket 11.In addition, under the situation of present embodiment, the oval part 17 of above-mentioned column jacket 11 is owing to the above-below direction at Fig. 1, Fig. 2 has the shape that is crushed, therefore, above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is present in the above-below direction both sides of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, is not present in the left and right directions (direction in the table of Fig. 2) of Fig. 1.

And, in the present embodiment, make the position that is fixed on the above-mentioned carriage 16 on the no graphic vehicle body with above-mentioned overlapping 13 consistent in the axial direction.And, make the weld of this carriage 16 and above-mentioned column jacket 11 be located at the position that circumferencial direction leaves above-mentioned each fitting portion 14.That is, above-mentioned carriage 16 has supporting board 18 on the left and right directions (direction in the left and right directions of Fig. 1, the table of Fig. 2) that is arranged on above-mentioned column jacket 11, connects this supporting board 18 connecting portion 19 each other and the curve 20 that connects these supporting boards 18 and connecting portion 19 respectively.And, in these supporting boards 18, the no graphic installation board that will be arranged on the opposition side of above-mentioned connecting portion 19 (Fig. 1,2 upside) is supported on the above-mentioned vehicle body.And, make above-mentioned curve 20 on the position of along the circumferential direction leaving above-mentioned each fitting portion 14, be positioned on the minor axis of above-mentioned oval part 17 part major diameter part farthest, by welding the outer peripheral face of fixing above-mentioned curve 20 and this major diameter part with above-mentioned each fitting portion 14.Therefore, under the situation of present embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the weld of above-mentioned carriage 16 and above-mentioned column jacket 11 on consistent with above-mentioned oval part 17 vertically position, is present in two places of the left and right sides of Fig. 1.

In addition, above-mentioned connecting portion 19 is by crossing over the outer peripheral face of above-mentioned column jacket 11 to the bending of the top of Fig. 1, Fig. 2.On the contrary, as shown in Figure 3, also connecting portion 19 can be arranged on the below of column jacket 11.In this case, the outer peripheral face of the major diameter of welding pars intermedia of supporting board 18 and oval part 17 part, or as shown in Figure 4, form hole 30 on supporting board 18 welds the limit portion of upside of periphery in this hole 30 and the outer peripheral face of above-mentioned major diameter part.And, also can form the left and right directions that fitting portion 14 is arranged on Fig. 1, Fig. 3, in the above-below direction weld brackets 16 of Fig. 1 to 4 and the structure of column jacket 11.

The assembly operation of the impact absorbing steering column device of present embodiment is preferably undertaken by following operation.At first, on an end of above-mentioned column jacket 11, form above-mentioned oval part 17.Then, above-mentioned carriage 16 is fixed on the major diameter part of oval part 17 of an end of this column jacket 11 by welding.Then, by in this wise an end of above-mentioned inner prop 12 being inserted the inboard, an end of the above-mentioned column jacket 11 of having fixed carriage 16, and the inner peripheral surface of the minor axis of chimeric (having magnitude of interference ground butt) above-mentioned oval part 17 part and an end outer peripheral face of this inner prop 12, form above-mentioned impact absorbing steering column device with this.

Under the situation of the impact absorbing steering column device of the present embodiment that constitutes as described above, since above-mentioned carriage 16 and above-mentioned overlapping 13 position axial consistent, therefore guarantee easily by above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 axially on relative displacement and the amount of contraction of the axial dimension that produces.Therefore, can improve the design-calculated degree of freedom.

And, by the weld that makes above-mentioned carriage 16 and above-mentioned column jacket 11 is the position of leaving the fitting portion with magnitude of interference 14 in above-mentioned overlapping 13, therefore, the distortion that welding is formed is less to the influence of fitting portion 14, can make the damage steady load of above-mentioned Steering gear 3.Especially under the situation of present embodiment, because making the weld of above-mentioned carriage 16 and above-mentioned column jacket 11 is to leave fitting portion 14 position farthest at circumferencial direction in above-mentioned overlapping 13, promptly, the major diameter part of above-mentioned oval part 17, therefore, the distortion that welding can be formed is restricted to Min. to the influence of each fitting portion 14, can further reduce the variation of above-mentioned damage load.

And, as mentioned above because the axial part of the end by making this column jacket 11 forms above-mentioned oval part 17 chimeric column jacket 11 and inner props 11, therefore on each oval part 17,14 of above-mentioned each fitting portions respectively are present in two places at circumferencial direction.Therefore, identical with the structure shown in above-mentioned Figure 16 (A), shown in the solid line (A) of above-mentioned Figure 17, the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 changes damaging effects of load less.Therefore, even the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14 changes, also can reduce the variation of above-mentioned damage load.Like this, if can make the damage steady load, the energy absorbing in the time of then can the most suitably setting collision is realized safe impact absorbing steering column device.

And in the present embodiment, even under the situation of the magnitude of interference that strengthens above-mentioned each fitting portion 14, generation plastic deformation, the variation of above-mentioned damage load is also little.Promptly, as above-mentioned shown in Figure 17, the quantity of fitting portion 14 for the situation that two places are respectively arranged on the oval part 17 in ((A) of Figure 16, the solid line of Figure 17), even it is big at the magnitude of interference, producing on each fitting portion 14 under the situation of plastic deformation, no matter how the magnitude of interference changes, and damages load and does not also almost change.Like this, even under the situation that produces plastic deformation on each fitting portion 14, to damage that load do not change yet be because the less cause (insensitive) of variation of damaging load with respect to the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14.On the contrary, shown in above-mentioned Figure 16 (B)～(D), at fitting portion 14 under circumferencial direction is present in everywhere situation, because with respect to the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14, the variation big (sensitivity) of damaging load, therefore, under the situation that produces plastic deformation, the variation of the magnitude of interference is bigger to damaging the load influence.

And, under the situation of present embodiment, as mentioned above, since with respect to the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14, damage load variation little, therefore can form above-mentioned oval part 17 accurately, even do not make the precision of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 very high, can make above-mentioned damage steady load yet.Therefore, need not carry out surface treatment etc. to the former pipe that uses in each cylinder 11,12.And, on column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 overlapping 13, liner or ball need not be set.Therefore, can reduce the manufacturing cost that is used to make the damage steady load.Its result can obtain damaging to low price the impact absorbing steering column device of steady load.

And, in the present embodiment, guarantee the bending stiffness of Steering gear 3 easily.That is, as mentioned above,, then be difficult to make butt state labile between the side face of gap between above-mentioned column jacket 11 and the inner prop 12 or two posts 11,12, can suppress the reduction of bending stiffness by welding if the distortion that welding produces is little to the influence of fitting portion 14.And, in order to make the damage steady load, need not improve the precision of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, therefore, can increase the wall thickness of each post 11,12, can improve bending stiffness.Like this, if can guarantee the bending stiffness of Steering gear 3, then can suppress to be accompanied by and on the road that difficulty is walked, travel etc. and make transfer of vibration arrive problem on the bearing circle 2 (with reference to Figure 14,15).

Embodiment 2

Fig. 5～6 expression embodiments of the invention 2.Under the situation of present embodiment 2, the weld of carriage 16 and column jacket 11 is arranged near the fitting portion 14 of upsides overlapping 13, Fig. 5～6 of this column jacket 11 and inner prop 12.That is, the situation of present embodiment is also identical with the above embodiments 1, forms oval part 17 at two places separately of axially going up of the end (right part of Fig. 6) of above-mentioned column jacket 11.And under the state of the inboard, an end of an end (left part of Fig. 6) of above-mentioned inner prop 12 being inserted above-mentioned column jacket 11, the minor axis part of above-mentioned each oval part 17 is chimeric with the state with magnitude of interference with the outer peripheral face of this inner prop 12.And this part becomes above-mentioned each fitting portion 14.And as shown in the figure, each fitting portion 14 is present in above-below direction (Fig. 5,6 above-below direction), is not present in left and right directions (direction in the left and right directions of Fig. 5, the table of Fig. 6).In other words, the hypothesis with above-mentioned overlapping 13 under the situation that left and right directions is cut apart, above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is to be present in as on the two side portions up and down of leaving this partitioning portion position farthest by state partially.And under the situation of present embodiment, the weld of above-mentioned carriage 16 and column jacket 11 is present in the both sides of circumferencial direction of the above-mentioned column jacket 11 of the fitting portion 14 that is positioned at upside.

Further be elaborated, above-mentioned carriage 16 makes the shape of the connecting portion 19 that connects the supporting board 18 be present in the left and right sides become the shape with following radius of curvature, and the radius of curvature of the part that this radius of curvature and minor axis part, curvature and the other parts of the oval part 17 that is present in above-mentioned column jacket 11 are slightly different is roughly the same.And, make the connecting portion 19 with such shape left and right directions width than the width of the fitting portion 14 that is present in above-mentioned upside a little more greatly.And, make above-mentioned supporting board 18 from pars intermedia until the bottom, tilt to the center position of above-mentioned column jacket 11, this bottom is connected with the left and right directions both ends of above-mentioned connecting portion 19 by curve 20.Therefore, each curve 20 is positioned at the both sides of the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned upside.And, the fixing above-mentioned column jacket 11 in both sides and the above-mentioned carriage 16 of the fitting portion 14 by welding each curve 20 and this upside.

Under the situation of the structure of the present embodiment that constitutes as described above, because 14 of above-mentioned each fitting portions are present in above-below direction, are not present in left and right directions, therefore, the above-mentioned column jacket 11 easy direction bendings that change to the diameter that makes the direction (above-below direction) that has each fitting portion 14.Therefore, as present embodiment, under near the situation of welding the fitting portion 14 that is present in the upside in above-mentioned overlapping 13, the distortion that produces when carrying out this welding is absorbed by the bending of above-below direction easily, can reduce the influence to each fitting portion 14.And because the distortion that welding forms is not easy to feed through to the fitting portion 14 that is present in the downside in each fitting portion 14, therefore, the fastening state of the inner peripheral surface of the above-mentioned column jacket 11 on the fitting portion 14 of this downside and the outer peripheral face of aforementioned inner prop 12 is not easy to change.Its result even weld, also can suppress to damage the variation of load near the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned upside.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the fitting portion 14 that welds a side also can be the fitting portion 14 of downside.That is, the connecting portion 19 of carriage 16 is welded near the fitting portion 14 of downside and is not welded on the fitting portion 14 of upside.And, also can be to suppose that the direction of cutting apart overlapping 13 is the structure that above-below direction, fitting portion 14 are present in left and right directions.In this case, the weld of carriage 16 and column jacket 11 is arranged near a side the fitting portion 14 of the fitting portion 14 that is present in the left and right sides.Such structure is also identical with above-mentioned situation, can suppress to weld the variation of the damage load of generation.Other structure is identical with the foregoing description 1 with effect.

Embodiment 3

Fig. 7～8 expression embodiments of the invention 3.In present embodiment 3, make the weld of carriage 16 and column jacket 11 be arranged in this column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 overlapping 13, in the axial position of the fitting portion 14 of the upside of (left and right directions of direction, Fig. 8 in the table of Fig. 7) slip chart 7～8.That is, the situation of present embodiment is also identical with the foregoing description 1, forms oval part 17 on two positions axially leaving in an end (left part of Fig. 8) of above-mentioned column jacket 11.And,, constitute above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 by the minor axis of each oval part 17 part is chimeric with an end (right part of Fig. 8) of state with magnitude of interference and above-mentioned inner prop 12.And, under the situation of present embodiment, make connecting portion 19 between the stay bearing plate 18 that connects above-mentioned carriage 16 to be shaped as part cylindric, this part is cylindric have with above-mentioned oval part 17 in an end of above-mentioned column jacket 11 the roughly the same radius of curvature of radius of curvature of outer peripheral face of part (part identical shaped) with former pipe.And, above-mentioned connecting portion 19 is arranged on the upside of above-mentioned column jacket 11, fix an end (left part of Fig. 8) of this connecting portion 19 and the part between the above-mentioned oval part 17 at the upside of this column jacket 11, by welding.And the other end of above-mentioned connecting portion 19 (right part of Fig. 8) at the upside of above-mentioned column jacket 11, be fixed by welding in than above-mentioned overlapping 13 more on the position that rear side (right-hand member of Fig. 2) departs from.

The situation of the present embodiment of Gou Chenging is also identical with the foregoing description 2 as described above, and the weld of carriage 16 and column jacket 11 is present near the fitting portion 14 of the upside that is arranged in above-mentioned overlapping 13 fitting portion 14, and is not present in fitting portion 14 sides of downside.Therefore, the influence of welding does not feed through on the fitting portion 14 of this downside.And under the situation of present embodiment, being present in a fitting portion 14 on the oval part 17 has two places, and therefore, the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 is little to damaging effects of load.Therefore, under the situation of the structure of present embodiment, also can suppress to make the situation that load changes of damaging because of welding.Other structure is identical with the foregoing description 2 with effect.

Embodiment 4

Fig. 9～10 expression embodiments of the invention 4.Under the situation of present embodiment, part in the weld of carriage 16 and column jacket 11 is arranged on a part of fitting portion 14 of the fitting portion 14 on overlapping 13 that is present in this column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, promptly, under the situation of present embodiment, make this carriage 16 form the U font of corner angle, the bottom of supporting board 18 is welded on respectively on the outer peripheral face of above-mentioned column jacket 11.Wherein a side's (left of Figure 10) supporting board 18 is welded on the fitting portion 14 of upside of oval part 17 of the side in the oval part 17 that is formed on above-mentioned overlapping 13.The opposing party's (Figure 10's is right-hand) supporting board 18 is welded on departing from above-mentioned overlapping 13 position in the outer peripheral face of above-mentioned column jacket 11.And, the following ora terminalis of above-mentioned each supporting board 18, with the part of the outer peripheral face welding of above-mentioned column jacket 11 on circular arc ground form grooving, the outer peripheral face of the shape of this grooving and above-mentioned fitting portion 14 or to depart from each shape of outer peripheral face of above-mentioned overlapping 13 part of above-mentioned column jacket 11 identical.Therefore, under state,, can guarantee this weld zone more longways at the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned column jacket 11 by this part is welded with this slot portion and each self-corresponding outer peripheral face butt.

As mentioned above under the situation of the present embodiment of Gou Chenging, owing to an above-mentioned side's supporting board 18 is welded on an above-mentioned side's the fitting portion 14 of upside of oval part 17, so the fitting portion 14 of this upside might be because of welding deforms, the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion of this upside 14 changes.But it is under the situation of present embodiment,, therefore,, also very little to damaging effects of load even the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion of above-mentioned upside 14 changes because fitting portion 14 only is present in two places on an oval part 17.And because the weld part of fitting portion 14 and supporting board 18 only is present in the upside of above-mentioned oval part 17, therefore, on the fitting portion 14 of downside, above-mentioned column jacket 11 can not change because of welding with the fastening state of above-mentioned inner prop 12.Therefore, though not as the various embodiments described above, the variation that can suppress to damage load to a certain extent.Other structure is identical with the above embodiments 2 with effect.

Embodiment 5

Figure 11～12 expression embodiments of the invention 5.Present embodiment is along being provided with variant part 21 respectively on two positions that axially separate of the end (left part of Figure 12) of column jacket 11, and this variant part 21 is formed with the outstanding protuberance 15 in side in diametric(al).Be separately positioned on each protuberance 15 on each variant part 21 on a variant part 21, be respectively formed at everywhere at circumferencial direction.And the shape of each protuberance 15 can be above-mentioned Figure 16 (C), the Any shape in the shape shown in (D), but present embodiment forms the shape identical with the protuberance 15 shown in wherein (C).That is, the shape with the front end face of raised part 15 forms the dome arc.

And above-mentioned each protuberance 15 forms the state that leans on the above-below direction of above-mentioned column jacket 11 partially being provided with of circumferencial direction.That is, under cut-off rule N (dummy line of direction be equivalent to cut apart after) overlapping 13 situation about being divided into two with this column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 of supposition with left and right directions, as shown in figure 11, the angle θ that this cut-off rule N and above-mentioned each protuberance 15 form respectively ₁With, with the dummy line M of the above-below direction of this cut-off rule N quadrature and the angle θ that above-mentioned each protuberance 15 forms respectively ₂Vary in size.In the present embodiment, make above-mentioned angle θ ₁Greater than angle θ ₂(θ ₁＞θ ₂).Like this, can partially under the state by the position of the cut-off rule N that leaves above-mentioned left and right directions above-mentioned each protuberance 15 be set.In other words, each protuberance 15 is arranged on the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned column jacket 11 unevenly.Therefore, above-mentioned column jacket 11 is easily to the section shape direction bending of direction stretching, extension up and down.

Present embodiment as mentioned above, owing on above-mentioned column jacket 11, form protuberance 15, therefore, under the state of the inboard, an end of an end (right part of Figure 12) of above-mentioned inner prop 12 being inserted this column jacket 11, the outer peripheral face of above-mentioned each protuberance 15 and this inner prop 12 is chimeric with the state with magnitude of interference, and this part constitutes fitting portion 14.And, in the present embodiment,, therefore, on each variant part 21, all have above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 respectively everywhere because above-mentioned each protuberance 15 is separately positioned on everywhere at the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned each variant part 21.And, each fitting portion 14 is inhomogeneous at above-mentioned overlapping 13 circumferencial direction, specifically be, to be arranged to interval across the interval of the circumferencial direction between the fitting portion 14 that above-mentioned dummy line M exists, exist with the state by this above-below direction of overlapping 13 partially less than the circumferencial direction between the fitting portion 14 that exists across above-mentioned cut-off rule N.

And, the weld of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and carriage 16 is arranged near the fitting portion 14 of upside of outer peripheral face of this column jacket 11.That is, the curve 20 that will constitute above-mentioned carriage 16 by welding be fixed in the outer peripheral face of above-mentioned column jacket 11 with above-mentioned each protuberance 15 on the position that circumferencial direction staggers.Under the situation of present embodiment, the weld is positioned at than each protuberance 15 more inclined to one side positions of leaning on the cut-off rule N side of above-mentioned left and right directions.But this weld also can be near the dummy line M of above-mentioned above-below direction.Just, as long as the weld is positioned in a circumferential direction on the position of staggering with above-mentioned each protuberance 15.And the influence of the distortion that present embodiment forms for further reduction is welded by the fitting portion 14 to above-mentioned upside makes above-mentioned relatively each variant part 21 in above-mentioned weld stagger at axial (left and right directions of Figure 12).That is, make the axial front side (left side of Figure 12) or the rear side (right side of Figure 12) of partial sum each variant part 21 of this weld between above-mentioned each variant part 21.And in the present embodiment, this weld only is present in the upper portion of above-mentioned column jacket 11, is not present in downside.

Under the situation of the present embodiment that constitutes as described above, because respectively there are 4 places in fitting portion 14 on above-mentioned each variant part 21, therefore, as each above-mentioned embodiment, exist the situation at two places to compare, the variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 becomes big to damaging effects of load with each.But, under the situation of present embodiment, owing to as described above each fitting portion 14 is set, therefore, above-mentioned column jacket 11 is easily to the direction bendings of the change in size that makes above-below direction, and this above-below direction is the direction that has the narrow part in interval between each fitting portion 14.Therefore, even the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 changes, the direction elastic deformation that the section that the variation of this magnitude of interference also can be by making above-mentioned column jacket 11 changes to the size that makes above-below direction and easily being absorbed.Therefore, the variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 can suppress damaging effects of load.And the weld of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and above-mentioned carriage 16 is owing to only be present in the upside of this column jacket 11, therefore, is present in the influence that the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14 of the downside of this column jacket 11 is not easy to be welded.Therefore, even on a variant part 21, there is fitting portion 14 everywhere,, also can suppress variation, the variation that can suppress to damage load because of the magnitude of interference that welds each fitting portion 14 that produces by adopting the structure of present embodiment.Other structure is identical with the above embodiments 2 with effect.

Embodiment 6

Figure 13 represents embodiments of the invention 6.In the present embodiment, on three positions of the circumferencial direction of a variant part 21 of column jacket 11, form protuberance 15 respectively.Therefore, under the state of the inboard, an end of an end of inner prop 12 being inserted this column jacket 11, on each above-mentioned variant part 21, fitting portion 14 is present in respectively on three positions.And each fitting portion 14 is provided with two places at overlapping 13 upside of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, is provided with a place at downside.And, the interval of the circumferencial direction of each fitting portion 14, the angle that forms at the fitting portion 14 of the fitting portion 14 of setting side and upside is θ ₃, upside fitting portion 14 between the angle that forms be θ ₄Situation under, by making the angle θ relevant with the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned downside ₃Greater than with the fitting portion 14 of upside between relevant angle θ ₄(θ ₃＞θ ₄), can form unequal state at circumferencial direction.That is, the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned upside is present in dummy line M from above-below direction a little to (each θ ₄/ 2) circumferencial direction bevelled position, the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned downside is present on this dummy line M.In other words, the upside that two in the fitting portion 14 at three places is in Figure 13 is provided with across this dummy line M, and other one downside that is in Figure 13 is arranged on this dummy line M.And the fitting portion 14 at above-mentioned two places is at the interval of circumferencial direction, less than this two places fitting portion 14 respectively with the fitting portion 14 at above-mentioned another place interval at circumferencial direction.

And, under the situation of present embodiment, also carriage 16 is fixed on the upside of above-mentioned column jacket 11 by welding.And, the weld for from the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned upside in the circumferencial direction and the position of axially staggering.Under the situation of present embodiment, owing to make the quantity of fitting portion 14 on a variant part 21, three places be arranged, therefore, the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 is less than the above embodiments 5 to damaging effects of load, but basic structure is identical with this embodiment 5 with effect.

Embodiment 7

Present embodiment is embodiments of the invention 7.Under the situation of present embodiment, the impact absorbing steering column device by each embodiment that will constitute as described above is assembled in the electric type power steering device, can obtain to low price Design freedom and safe electric type power steering device.That is, the structure of present embodiment and above-mentioned structure shown in Figure 15 are roughly the same.Especially, in the electric type power steering device of present embodiment, make Steering gear 3 (with reference to Figure 15) become impact absorbing steering column device with any structure in the various embodiments described above.

Under the situation of the electric type power steering device of the present embodiment that constitutes as described above, owing to make the position of back carriage 4 (being equivalent to Fig. 1～carriage 16 shown in Figure 13) identical with overlapping 13 position of column jacket 11 that constitutes this Steering gear 3 and inner prop 12, therefore, can improve the Design freedom that position etc. is set of above-mentioned electro-motor 28 and reductor 29.And because even the position of back carriage 4 is identical with above-mentioned overlapping 13 position, the variation that also can suppress to damage load it is hereby ensured safety.In addition, the existing structure described in the above-mentioned in this way patent documentation 1 and 4 of the structure example of electric type power steering device, so detailed.

Embodiment 8

Figure 18～19 expression embodiments of the invention 8.In addition, the invention is characterized in, how the magnitude of interference that no matter is present in column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 fitting portion 14 on overlapping overlapping 13 of diametric(al) changes, to damage steady load (not changing a lot) and guarantee crooked intensity of force (rigidity) in order to make, all work hard being provided with of each fitting portion 14 to the above-below direction under the installing condition.The structure of other parts is identical with above-mentioned existing design with effect, and therefore omit or simplify diagram or the explanation that repeats, below be that the center describes with the characteristic of present embodiment.

Under the situation of present embodiment, along the variant part 21 that the outstanding projection 15 in formation side in diametric(al) is set respectively on two positions that axially separate of the end (left part of Figure 19) of the above-mentioned column jacket 11 that constitutes Steering gear 3, this Steering gear 3 will not have graphic steering shaft and will be supported on internal side diameter free to rotately.Be separately positioned on each projection 15 on each variant part 21 in a variant part 21, be respectively formed at everywhere at circumferencial direction.And the shape of each projection 15 can be any shape in the shape of above-mentioned Figure 16 (C), the projection 15 shown in (D), under the situation of present embodiment, forms the shape identical with the projection shown in (C) wherein 15.That is, make the shape of the front end face of above-mentioned each projection 15 form the dome arc.In addition, the parts that form each projection 15 also can be in inner prop 12 sides that constitute above-mentioned Steering gear 3.That is, each projection 15 is formed highlightedly respectively to diametric(al) foreign side in an end (right part of Figure 19) of this inner prop 12.

And present embodiment is arranged on above-mentioned each projection 15 circumferencial direction of above-mentioned column jacket 11 unevenly.And, under the state below the instrument face plate that above-mentioned Steering gear 3 is installed in automobile, each projection 15 is arranged in a circumferential direction the position of leaning on above-below direction partially.That is, under dummy line N overlapping 13 situation about being divided into two with above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 of supposition with horizontal direction (left and right directions of Figure 18), as shown in figure 18, the angle θ that this dummy line N and above-mentioned each projection 15 form respectively ₁With, the dummy line M of above-below direction and the θ of the angle that above-mentioned each projection 15 forms respectively ₂Size is different.In the present embodiment, make above-mentioned angle θ ₁Greater than above-mentioned angle θ ₂(θ ₁＞θ ₂).Like this, can under the state by the nearer position of the dummy line M of the above-mentioned above-below direction of distance above-mentioned each projection 15 be set partially.

Under the situation of present embodiment, owing on above-mentioned column jacket 11, form projection 15 as described above, therefore, under the state of the inboard, an end of an end (right part of Figure 19) of above-mentioned inner prop 12 being inserted this column jacket 11, above-mentioned each projection 15 is chimeric with the state with magnitude of interference with the outer peripheral face of this inner prop 12, and this part constitutes fitting portion 14.And in the present embodiment, because above-mentioned each projection 15 is arranged on everywhere at the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned each variant part 21, therefore on each variant part 21, above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is present in four positions.

And, under the situation of present embodiment, above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 unevenly, specifically is that the compartment of terrain of the circumferencial direction between the fitting portion 14 that exists less than the dummy line N across above-mentioned horizontal direction across the interval of the circumferencial direction between the fitting portion 14 that the dummy line M of above-mentioned above-below direction exists is provided with at above-mentioned overlapping 13 circumferencial direction, exists to lean on the state of this above-below direction of overlapping 13 partially.In addition, under the situation of present embodiment, by will be formed on projection 15 and inner prop on the column jacket 11 12 chimeric, constitute each fitting portion 14.Also can (B) or the structure shown in Figure 23, make the section shape of the part of column jacket form ellipse or polygon, by constituting this part and inner prop 12 are chimeric as above-mentioned Figure 16 (A).

Under the situation of the present embodiment that constitutes as described above, no matter how the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14 changes, and can make the damage steady load, simultaneously, can be guaranteed to low price the structure to the intensity of the bending of the above-below direction under the installing condition easily.That is,, can make the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 little to damaging effects of load by making being provided with of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 inhomogeneous.In other words, for the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14, the variation of damaging load is insensitive.Below be elaborated with regard to this point.

Under the situation of present embodiment, above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is leaned on the above-below direction setting partially.Therefore, above-mentioned column jacket 11 easy direction bendings to the change in size that makes above-below direction.Therefore, even the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 changes, the section that the variation of this magnitude of interference also can be by making this column jacket 11 is to the direction elastic deformation of the change in size that makes above-below direction and easily absorbed.Its result, effects of load is little to damaging, the precision of the magnitude of interference that need not improve each fitting portion 14 just can obtain stable damage and load in the variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14.

And under situation about Steering gear 3 being installed on the automobile, the vibration of the bearing circle 2 (with reference to Figure 14, Figure 15) in order to prevent to travel or during idle running need be with respect to the crooked intensity of force of above-below direction.In the present embodiment, owing to make being provided with of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 lean on above-below direction partially, therefore, can guarantee crooked intensity of force (rigidity of support) to this above-below direction.Its result, can suppress in motion or when dallying transfer of vibration to above-mentioned bearing circle 2.And, under the situation of present embodiment, as shown in figure 19,, therefore, can further increase crooked intensity of force to above-below direction owing to will be provided with by above-below direction ground partially respectively at each fitting portion 14 of the two place's variant parts 21 that axially separate.Its result, Steering gear 3 is not easy distortion during collision, and stably (sleekly) shrinks this Steering gear 3.

And, as mentioned above,,, also can absorb butt state poor of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 even then the precision with the circularity of the chimeric above-mentioned inner prop 12 of above-mentioned each projection 15 is low if above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is set unevenly, guarantee intensity to bending.Its result even the precision of the circularity of above-mentioned inner prop 12 is low, also can obtain sufficient vibration-isolating effect.Like this, if need not improve the circularity of the precision of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 or inner prop 12 (or column jacket 11), just can prevent vibration and can make the damage steady load, energy absorbing in the time of then can easily the most suitably setting collision can obtain to low price safe impact absorbing steering column device.

And,, then can obtain to low price safe electric type power steering device if the impact absorbing steering column device of present embodiment is assembled in the above-mentioned electric type power steering device shown in Figure 15.And,, therefore, can easily shorten above-mentioned overlapping 13 axial length, guarantee to damage stroke owing to, need not increase the axial length of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 in order to ensure to crooked intensity of force.In addition, in graphic example, in the end of above-mentioned inner prop 12, make the part that is embedded on the above-mentioned column jacket 11 form the thin taper of front end, this part also can only form (not changing at whole axial top external diameter) cylindrical shape.

Embodiment 9

Figure 20 represents embodiments of the invention 9.In the present embodiment, the circumferencial direction at a variant part 21 of column jacket 11 forms projection 15 respectively on three positions.Therefore, under the state of the inboard, an end of an end of inner prop 12 being inserted this column jacket 11, fitting portion 14 is present in three places respectively on each above-mentioned variant part 21.And each fitting portion 14 is present in two places at upside above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 overlapping 13, under the installing condition, is present in a place at downside.

And, the interval of each circumferencial direction of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14, the angle that forms respectively at the fitting portion 14 of the fitting portion 14 of setting side and upside is θ ₃, the angle that forms between the fitting portion 14 of upside is θ ₄Situation under, by making the angle θ relevant with above-mentioned downside fitting portion 14 ₃Greater than with the fitting portion 14 of upside between relevant angle θ ₄(θ ₃＞θ ₄), and be provided with unevenly at circumferencial direction.That is, the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned upside is present in (each θ a little from the dummy line M of above-below direction ₄/ 2) to circumferencial direction bevelled position, the fitting portion 14 of above-mentioned downside is present on this dummy line M.In other words, two in three place's fitting portions 14 are in the upside of Figure 20, and M is provided with across this dummy line, and the downside that another is in Figure 20 is arranged on this dummy line M.And the interval that makes the circumferencial direction between above-mentioned two place's fitting portions 14 is less than the interval on each circumferencial direction of the fitting portion 14 at this two places fitting portion 14 and above-mentioned another place.Other structure is identical with the foregoing description 8 with effect.

Embodiment 10

Figure 21 represents embodiments of the invention 10.Under the situation of present embodiment, as at the Figure 19 as shown in the above embodiments 8,, have the fitting portion 14 that is provided with unevenly at circumferencial direction respectively along on the position of overlapping 13 axial separation of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12.And in the present embodiment, bearing circle is present in the right of above-mentioned Figure 19, to tilting towards the direction of top more towards the right side of Figure 19 more.Therefore, by the direction of secondary collision, from the anticlockwise direction of above-mentioned column jacket 11 with respect to above-mentioned inner prop 12, formation Figure 19 to the bending force of Steering gear effect.And the fitting portion 14 with on the part in above-mentioned each fitting portion 14, that be present in the F-F section that is equivalent to Figure 19 right side is provided with shown in Figure 21 (A).Meanwhile, the fitting portion 14 that will be present on the part of G-G section in the left side that is equivalent to Figure 19 is provided with shown in Figure 21 (B).

That is, the fitting portion 14 that exists on the part that is equivalent to above-mentioned F-F section is provided with two places at the downside of Figure 21 (A), at upside one place only is set.And the fitting portion 14 that is present on the part that is equivalent to above-mentioned G-G section is provided with two places at the upside of Figure 21 (B), at downside one place only is set.Under the situation of present embodiment, as mentioned above, the application force that secondary collision produces is to the anticlockwise direction effect of Figure 19.Therefore, during collision, on the part that is equivalent to above-mentioned F-F section, above-mentioned bending force acts on the fitting portion 14 of downside, and on the part that is equivalent to above-mentioned G-G section, above-mentioned bending force acts on the fitting portion 14 of upside.Therefore, in the present embodiment,, increase the quantity of the fitting portion 14 of this bending force effect with this by each fitting portion 14 is provided with as described above.If form such structure, the face of the fitting portion 14 of bending force effect is pressed in the time of then can dwindling collision, and therefore, Steering gear is not easy distortion during collision, can the more stable contraction of (sleekly) carrying out this Steering gear.And for the load based on the bending force in when collision, the part that constitutes this fitting portion also is not easy plastic deformation, can obtain stable damage load.

In addition, above-mentioned structure is the right side (that is, the bearing circle side) that column jacket 11 is arranged on Figure 19, and inner prop 12 is arranged on the left side of Figure 19, even but opposite setting also can utilize same structure to implement.That is, bearing circle is present in the left side of Figure 19, to tilting towards the direction of top more towards the left side of Figure 19 more.In this case, by secondary collision the direction of the bending force of Steering gear effect is formed the clockwise direction of Figure 19 with respect to column jacket 11 from inner prop 12.Therefore, this bending force acts on the fitting portion 14 of downside on the part of the F-F on the right side that is equivalent to Figure 19 section, on the part of the G-G in the left side that is equivalent to Figure 19 section, acts on the fitting portion 14 of upside.Therefore, identical with above-mentioned structure, if make the part of the F-F section that is equivalent to Figure 19 form the structure shown in Figure 21 (A), make the part of the G-G section that is equivalent to Figure 19 form the structure shown in Figure 21 (B), then can support above-mentioned bending force fully, Steering gear is not easy to be twisted by this bending force.Other structure is identical with the foregoing description 9 with effect.

Embodiment 11

Figure 22 represents embodiments of the invention 11.Under the situation of present embodiment, identical with the foregoing description 10, along on the position of overlapping 13 axial separation of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, have the fitting portion 14 that is provided with unevenly at circumferencial direction respectively.And under the situation of present embodiment, bearing circle is present in the right of above-mentioned Figure 22, to tilting towards the direction of top more towards the right side of Figure 22 more.Therefore, by secondary collision to the direction of the bending force of Steering gear effect from above-mentioned column jacket 11 beginnings with respect to above-mentioned inner prop 12, form the anticlockwise direction of Figure 22.And, as the above embodiments 8 or embodiment 9 etc., at circumferencial direction above-mentioned each fitting portion 14 is set unevenly.Especially under the situation of present embodiment, make the axial length a of fitting portion 14 in the fitting portion 14 on the right side that is present in Figure 22, that be present in downside greater than the axial length b of the fitting portion 14 that is present in upside (a＞b).And, make the axial length c of fitting portion 14 in the fitting portion 14 in the left side that is present in Figure 22, that be present in upside greater than the axial length d of the fitting portion 14 that is present in downside (c＞d).

For example, if utilize the Figure 18 shown in the above embodiments 8 to describe, then for the fitting portion 14 on the right side that is present in Figure 22, increasing is present in the axial length of fitting portion 14 of the downside of Figure 18, for the fitting portion 14 in the left side that is present in Figure 22, strengthen the axial length of the fitting portion 14 of the upside that is present in Figure 18.And, be used in structure under the situation of structure of the Figure 20 shown in the above embodiments 9 present embodiment, as the structure of above-mentioned embodiment 10 shown in Figure 21, each fitting portion 14 is set, simultaneously, preferably strengthen the axial length of fitting portion 14 of the upside of the axial length of fitting portion 14 of downside of Figure 21 (A) and Figure 21 (B) respectively.Under the situation of present embodiment, as mentioned above, the bending force that secondary collision forms acts on the anticlockwise direction of Figure 22.Therefore, during collision, act on the fitting portion 14 of downside, act on the fitting portion 14 of upside at the left part of Figure 22, above-mentioned bending force at the right side of Figure 22 part, above-mentioned bending force.Therefore, present embodiment limits the axial length of each fitting portion 14 as described above, strengthens the axial length of the fitting portion 14 of this bending force effect with this.If form such formation, can dwindle the face of each fitting portion 14 of bending force effect during then owing to collision and press, therefore, Steering gear is not easy distortion during collision, and stably (sleekly) carries out the contraction of this Steering gear.

In addition, above-mentioned structure is the right side (that is, the bearing circle side) that column jacket 11 is arranged on Figure 22, and inner prop 12 is arranged on the left side of Figure 22, even but opposite setting also can utilize same structure to implement.That is, bearing circle is present in the left side of Figure 22, to tilting towards the direction of top more towards Figure 22 left side more.In this case, by secondary collision the direction of the bending force of Steering gear effect is formed the clockwise direction of Figure 22 with respect to column jacket 11 from inner prop 12.Therefore, this bending force in the right side of Figure 22 part, act on the fitting portion 14 of downside, in the left part of Figure 22, act on the fitting portion 14 of upside.Therefore, identical with above-mentioned structure, if the right side of Figure 22 part strengthen the fitting portion 14 of downside axial length, strengthen the axial length of the fitting portion 14 of upside in the left part of Figure 22, then can support above-mentioned bending force fully, Steering gear is not easy to be twisted by this bending force.

And in above-mentioned structure, the axial length of the fitting portion 14 by strengthening the bending force effect increases this bending intensity of force, but also can increase the length of the circumferencial direction of this fitting portion 14.In a word, if increase the area of the fitting portion of this bending force effect, then can improve this bending intensity of force.And if increase the area of the fitting portion of this bending force effect in this wise, then with respect to the load based on the bending force in when collision, the part that constitutes this fitting portion will be not easy plastic deformation, can suppress to damage the variation of load.Its result can obtain stable damage load.

Other structure is identical with the above embodiments 8 or embodiment 9 with effect.

In addition, in the various embodiments described above, the situation that each fitting portion 14 only just is set unevenly is illustrated, and the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14 also can be uneven.For example, on a variant part 21, fitting portion everywhere 14 except above-mentioned Fig. 8, two place's fitting portions also are set in the horizontal direction, form one and have under the situation of structure of six fitting portions, make to be arranged on partially by the magnitude of interference of the locational fitting portion 14 of above-below direction the magnitude of interference greater than two place's fitting portions 14 of this horizontal direction.Even form such structure, also can make the variation of damaging load insensitive with respect to the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14.And therefore the fitting portion 14 that increases the magnitude of interference, can improve the bending stiffness of this above-below direction fully owing to be arranged on the locational fitting portion 14 that leans on above-below direction partially.

And, the liner of the low-friction material system of synthetic resin etc. also can be set between the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12.That is, can insert this liner, make this each fitting portion 14 of overlapping 13 chimeric by this low-friction material to column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 overlapping 13.Perhaps, also can be on the side face of at least one side in the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, to the part chimeric with the opposing party's side face, that is, overlapping 13 part is carried out the low-friction surface of metallic soap processing etc. and is handled.If form such structure,, also can more stably obtain damaging load even then cost has some raisings.

Embodiment 12

Figure 24 represents embodiments of the invention 12.In addition, the invention is characterized in, no matter how the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14a, 14b changes, to damage steady load (not changing a lot) and guarantee in order to make, and limit the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned fitting portion 14a, 14b under the state of installing on the vehicle, to the crooked intensity of force (rigidity) of above-below direction.The structure of other parts is identical with above-mentioned existing design with effect, and therefore omit or simplify diagram or the explanation that repeats, below be that the center describes with the characteristic of present embodiment.

Present embodiment on overlapping 13 an overlapping part of an end of end of the column jacket 11 that constitutes Steering gear 3 respectively and inner prop 12, be formed on the structure that above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b equally spaced are set on the circumferencial direction.And, under the state of installing on the vehicle, make the magnitude of interference of the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion 14a that is present in above-below direction greater than the fitting portion 14b that is present in horizontal direction.Therefore, under the situation of present embodiment, size to variant part 21 is carried out following restriction, and described variant part 21 has on the end that was formed on this column jacket 11 before an end of an end that makes above-mentioned column jacket 11 and above-mentioned inner prop 12 is chimeric and utilizes the chimeric part in an end of interference fit and above-mentioned inner prop 12.

That is, in the present embodiment, being shaped as of the variant part 21 of above-mentioned column jacket 11 is square, and this is square at mutual relative parallel separately from each other planar portions 22a, the 22b of face of having everywhere of circumferencial direction.And, make an end outer peripheral face of each planar portions 22a, 22b and above-mentioned inner prop 12 chimeric with state with magnitude of interference, with this part as fitting portion 14a, 14b.Especially under situation of the present invention, under the state before chimeric above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, under the state of installing on the vehicle, make at the interval Y between the planar portions 22a of above-below direction less than the (Y＜X) of the interval X between the planar portions 22b in horizontal direction.Certainly, all the external diameter than above-mentioned inner prop 12 is slightly little for X, Y.On the other hand, it is planar that the outer peripheral face of this inner prop 23 forms cylinder.

Therefore, under the chimeric state of an end outer peripheral face of variant part 21 that makes above-mentioned column jacket 11 and above-mentioned inner prop 12, the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14a that is positioned at above-below direction is greater than the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion 14b that is positioned at horizontal direction.Under the situation of the present embodiment that constitutes in this wise, no matter how the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14a, 14b changes, can make the damage steady load, simultaneously, can obtain to low price in the structure that under the state of installing on the vehicle, can guarantee the crooked intensity of force (bending stiffness) of above-below direction.Promptly, because the magnitude of interference that makes fitting portion 14a among above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b, that be positioned at above-below direction is greater than the magnitude of interference as the fitting portion 14b that is positioned at above-mentioned horizontal direction of other fitting portion described in the claim, therefore, can make the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14a, 14b less to damaging effects of load.In other words, with respect to the variation of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14a, 14b, the variation of damaging load is insensitive.Below be elaborated with regard to this point.

Under the situation of present embodiment, make among above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b, at the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion 14a that under the state of installing on the vehicle, is positioned at above-below direction the magnitude of interference greater than the fitting portion 14b that is positioned at left and right directions.Therefore, above-mentioned column jacket 11 easy direction bendings to the change in size that makes above-below direction.Therefore, even the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b changes, the section that the variation of this magnitude of interference also can be by making this column jacket 11 is easily absorbed to the direction elastic deformation of the change in size that makes above-below direction.Its result, the variation of the magnitude of interference of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b is little to damaging effects of load, and the precision that need not improve the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14a, 14b just can obtain stable damage load.

And under situation about Steering gear 3 being installed on the automobile, the vibration of the bearing circle 2 (with reference to Figure 14, Figure 15) in order to prevent to travel or during idle running need be with respect to the crooked intensity of force of above-below direction.Under the situation of present embodiment,, therefore, can guarantee crooked intensity of force (rigidity of support) to this above-below direction owing to strengthen the magnitude of interference of fitting portion 14a among above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b, that be positioned at above-below direction.Its result in motion or when idle running, can suppress transfer of vibration to above-mentioned bearing circle 2.

And, as mentioned above, if the magnitude of interference that makes above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b is different on the fitting portion 14b of the fitting portion 14a of above-below direction and horizontal direction, even then the precision with the circularity of the chimeric above-mentioned inner prop 12 of above-mentioned planar portions 22a, 22b reduces, also can absorb butt state poor of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b, guarantee with respect to crooked intensity of force.Its result even the precision of the circularity of above-mentioned inner prop 12 reduces, also can obtain sufficient vibration-isolating effect.Like this, if need not improve the precision of the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14a, 14b or the circularity of inner prop 12 (or column jacket 11), just can prevent vibration and make the damage steady load, energy absorbing in the time of then can easily the most suitably setting collision can obtain to low price safe impact absorbing steering column device.

And,, then can obtain to low price safe electric type power steering device if the impact absorbing steering column device of present embodiment is assembled in the above-mentioned electric type power steering device shown in Figure 5.And, because in order to ensure with respect to crooked intensity of force, need not strengthen the axial length of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b, therefore can shorten above-mentioned overlapping 21 axial length, guarantee to damage stroke easily.

Embodiment 13

Figure 25 represents embodiments of the invention 13.Present embodiment is also identical with the foregoing description 12, on a part of overlapping 13 of an end of end of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, is formed on the structure that fitting portion 14a, 14b equally spaced are set on the circumferencial direction.And, in above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b, make at the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion 14a that under the state of installing on the vehicle, is positioned at above-below direction the magnitude of interference greater than the fitting portion 14b that is positioned at horizontal direction.Therefore, under the situation of present embodiment, on the variant part 15 of each above-mentioned column jacket 11, the overhang that is formed at equally spaced four locational projection 15a, 15b on the circumferencial direction is carried out following restriction.Promptly, each projection 15a, 15b equally spaced are arranged on the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned variant part 21, square outstanding in diametric respectively with upper and lower under the state of installing on the vehicle, and make the shape of front end face form the dome arc to the mode at two places, horizontal direction two places.In addition, the parts of above-mentioned each projection 15a, 15b of formation also can be in above-mentioned inner prop 12 1 sides.That is, also can make each projection 15a, 15b in an end of this inner prop 12, form highlightedly to diametric(al) foreign side respectively.

Especially, in the present embodiment, be entrenched in a end under the state before the end of above-mentioned inner prop 12, make among above-mentioned each projection 15a, 15b, be positioned at the overhang of projection 15a of above-below direction greater than the overhang of the projection 15b that is positioned at horizontal direction with above-mentioned column jacket 11.Therefore, at the interval Y between the projection 15a of above-below direction less than the (Y＜X) of the interval X between the projection 15b in horizontal direction.Under the variant part 21 of the above-mentioned column jacket 11 that will have in this wise each projection 15a, the 15b that form and the chimeric state in an end of above-mentioned inner prop 12, above-mentioned each projection 15a, 15b is chimeric with an end of state with magnitude of interference and this inner prop 12, constitute above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b.And, as mentioned above,, make among each fitting portion 14a, 14b, at the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion 14a that under the state of installing on the vehicle, is positioned at above-below direction the magnitude of interference greater than the fitting portion 14b that is positioned at horizontal direction in order to limit the overhang of each projection 15a, 15b.Other structure is identical with the above embodiments 12 with effect.

Embodiment 14

Figure 26 represents embodiments of the invention 14.In the present embodiment, make the shape of the leading section of the projection 15c, the 15d that constitute fitting portion 14a, 14b form concave arc shape.Therefore, under the chimeric state in an end of an end that makes column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, be formed in above-mentioned projection 15c, the 15d big scope on (comparing) circumferencial direction on the variant part 21 of this column jacket 11 chimeric with the outer peripheral face of above-mentioned inner prop 12 with projection 15a, the 15b of the above embodiments 13.Other structure is identical with the foregoing description 13 with effect.

Embodiment 15

Figure 27 represents embodiments of the invention 15.In the present embodiment, between an end outer peripheral face of end inner peripheral surface of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, the liner 23 of the low-friction material system of synthetic resin etc. is set.That is, overlapping 13 this liner 23 of insertion to this column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 makes each fitting portion 14a, 14b carry out chimeric by this liner 23.Under the situation of the present embodiment that constitutes in this wise, though the part of liner 23 is set manufacturing cost is improved, can more stably obtain damaging load.In addition, also can be on the side face of at least one side in the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, with the chimeric part of the opposing party's side face, be that the low-friction surface of overlapping 13 the enterprising row metal soap of part processing etc. is handled to replace above-mentioned liner 23 is set.Other structure is identical with the foregoing description 14 with effect.

Embodiment 16

Figure 28 represents embodiments of the invention 16.In the present embodiment, in fitting portion 14a, the 14b of column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, in the circumferencial direction length that under the state of installing on the vehicle, makes the fitting portion 14a that is present in above-below direction greater than the fitting portion 14b that is present in horizontal direction.That is, on equally spaced four positions of the circumferencial direction of the variant part 21 of above-mentioned column jacket 11, square one- tenth projection 25a, 25b in diametric(al).And each projection 25a, 25b respectively form a pair of with relative state mutually on the above-below direction of above-mentioned variant part 21 and horizontal direction.

Especially, in the present embodiment, the length dimension of circumferencial direction that makes the projection 25a that is present in above-below direction among above-mentioned projection 25a, the 25b is greater than the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of the projection 25b that is present in horizontal direction.Therefore, the angle θ that the dummy line of circumferencial direction two ora terminalis of the center that connects above-mentioned column jacket 13 and above-mentioned each projection 25a is formed each other _a, θ _bCarry out following restriction.That is, make the angle θ of the projection 25a that is present in above-mentioned above-below direction _aAngle θ greater than the projection 25b that is present in above-mentioned horizontal direction _b(θ _a＞θ _b).And, in the present embodiment, the liner 23 of the low-friction material system of synthetic resin etc. is set, between an end outer peripheral face of end inner peripheral surface of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and above-mentioned inner prop 12 by this liner 23 chimeric above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b.

The present embodiment of said structure, owing to make the length dimension of the circumferencial direction length dimension of the fitting portion 14a that is present in above-below direction greater than the circumferencial direction of the fitting portion 14b that is present in horizontal direction, therefore, no matter how the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion 14a, 14b changes, and can make the damage steady load.And also can increase crooked intensity of force to above-below direction.And because it is big to be present in the area of fitting portion 14a of above-mentioned above-below direction, therefore, the face pressure drop of each fitting portion 14a that acts on above-below direction respectively is low, improves (being not easy plastic deformation) for the durability of the bending force of each fitting portion 14a of above-below direction.And,, therefore, can obtain stable damage load because the load of the bending force with respect to based on such collision the time also is not easy plastic deformation.And, in the present embodiment,, therefore, can guarantee the damage stroke of Steering gear easily because the axial size that need not strengthen overlapping 13 just can improve crooked intensity of force.In addition, in the present embodiment, owing to, therefore, can make the damage steady load easily by liner 23 chimeric above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a, 14b.But there is not liner 23 can implement present embodiment yet.And, also can strengthen the length dimension that axial length replaces the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned each fitting portion 14a.But, in this case, be not easy to guarantee to damage stroke.

Embodiment 17

Figure 29 represents embodiments of the invention 17.In the present embodiment, in an end (left part of Figure 29) of column jacket 11, be embedded on the part of an end of inner prop (omit diagram) and be arranged on axially separated a pair of variant part 21 outside.On this variant part 21, the state that is embedded in an end of above-mentioned inner prop in addition forms outside fitting portion 24a, the 24b that constitutes fitting portion.That is, each outside fitting portion 24a, 24b are on an end of above-mentioned column jacket 11 is respectively formed at equally spaced a plurality of positions on the circumferencial direction.And, outside a end, being embedded under the state on the end of above-mentioned inner prop this column jacket 11, the outer peripheral face of an end with magnitude of interference ground and this inner prop is chimeric.In addition, above-mentioned outside fitting portion 24a, 24b can adopt for example above-mentioned planar portions shown in Figure 24 or above-mentioned Figure 25, projection shown in Figure 26 etc.

Especially, under the situation of present embodiment, to among above-mentioned outside fitting portion 24a, the 24b, carrying out following restriction to the outside fitting portion 24a that is positioned near above-below direction (under situation about not having on the above-below direction, this above-below direction) under the state of installing on the vehicle, the axial length dimension of 24b.Promptly, in the fitting portion of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, axial length dimension a, the b of outside fitting portion 24a that makes the fitting portion on the part that constitutes bending force effect when being positioned at collision is greater than axial length dimension c, the d of the outside fitting portion 24b that constitutes other fitting portion (a＞c, b＞d).

Be specifically described with regard to illustrated example.In above-mentioned column jacket 11 being assembled into above-mentioned Figure 14, impact absorbing steering column device shown in Figure 15, be arranged under the situation on the automobile, bearing circle is present in the right side of Figure 29, to tilting towards the direction of top more towards the right side of Figure 29 more.In this case, the bending force that acts on during collision is from the anticlockwise direction effect of 11 pairs of inner props of above-mentioned column jacket to Figure 29.Therefore, this bending force on the variant part 21 on the right side of Figure 29, to by below the fitting portion effect that constitutes of outside fitting portion 24a, on the variant part 21 in the left side of Figure 29, to by above the fitting portion effect that constitutes of outside fitting portion 24a.Therefore, under the situation of present embodiment, axial length dimension a, the b that makes the outside fitting portion 24a that constitutes each fitting portion on the part be positioned at above-mentioned bending force effect is respectively greater than axial length dimension c, the d of the outside fitting portion 24b of the fitting portion that constitutes other (a＞c, b＞d).Its result is embedded in outside the end with above-mentioned column jacket 11 under the state of an end of above-mentioned inner prop, the axial length dimension of the fitting portion that the axial length that can make the fitting portion that is made of above-mentioned outside fitting portion 24a constitutes greater than the outside fitting portion 24b by other.

Under the situation of the present embodiment that constitutes as described above, in the fitting portion of an end of end of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12, owing to make the axial length dimension of the axial length dimension of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at the bending force effect when colliding greater than other fitting portion, therefore, no matter how the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion changes, and can make the damage steady load.And above-mentioned each fitting portion is not easy distortion when collision, and stably (sleekly) carries out the contraction of Steering gear.And owing to can enlarge the area of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at above-mentioned bending force effect, therefore, the face pressure drop that acts on each fitting portion respectively is low, improves (being not easy plastic deformation) for the durability of the bending force of each fitting portion.And,, therefore can obtain stable damage load owing to also be not easy plastic deformation with respect to the load of the bending force that the time acts in this wise based on collision.

In addition, in the present embodiment, owing to strengthen the axial length dimension of fitting portion, though therefore be not easy to guarantee to damage stroke, the crooked intensity of force that acts on when fully guaranteeing above-mentioned collision easily.Therefore, the structure of present embodiment is fully to have the structure of the axial length of Steering gear, and is preferably used in the structure of the crooked intensity of force that acts on when requiring to increase to above-mentioned collision.

Embodiment 18

Figure 30～32 expression embodiments of the invention 18.In the present embodiment, also be with Steering gear 3 under the state of installing on the vehicle, Steering gear is present in the right of above-mentioned Figure 30, to more towards the right side of figure more the direction towards the top tilt.Therefore, under the situation of present embodiment, the bending force that acts on during collision also from 11 pairs of inner props 12 of column jacket, to the anticlockwise direction effect of Figure 30.In addition, under the situation of present embodiment,, variant part 21a, the 21b of fitting portion 26a, 26b outside having is set respectively along on axial separated two positions of the end (left part of Figure 30) of the column jacket 11 that constitutes above-mentioned Steering gear 3.The section shape of each variant part 21a, 21b is a substantially elliptical, under the state of installing on the vehicle, dwindles the size of above-below direction.And, form the part of the above-below direction that is present in each variant part 21a, 21b in mode, as above-mentioned outside fitting portion 26a, 26b along the outer peripheral face (change radius of curvature) of above-mentioned inner prop 12.

Be embedded in outside the end with above-mentioned column jacket 11 under the state on the end (right part of Figure 30) of above-mentioned inner prop 12, it is chimeric that above-mentioned outside fitting portion 26a, 26b have an end outer peripheral face of magnitude of interference ground and this inner prop 12, constitutes fitting portion 27a, 27b.Therefore, as mentioned above, do the time spent at above-mentioned bending force to the anticlockwise direction of Figure 30, this bending force the variant part 21a on the right side of Figure 30, to by below the fitting portion 27a effect that constitutes of outside fitting portion 26a, on the variant part 21b in the left side of Figure 30, to by above the fitting portion 27a effect that constitutes of outside fitting portion 26a.

Especially, under the situation of present embodiment, the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned each fitting portion 27a, 27b is carried out following restriction.That is, for the variant part 21a of the bearing circle side (right side of Figure 30) of above-mentioned Steering gear 3, as shown in figure 31, the length dimension of circumferencial direction of fitting portion 27a that makes the below is greater than the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of the fitting portion 27b of top.And for the variant part 21b of the bearing circle opposition side (left side of Figure 30) of above-mentioned Steering gear 3, then shown in figure 32, the length dimension of circumferencial direction of fitting portion 27a that makes the top is greater than the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of the fitting portion 27b of below.Therefore, under the situation of present embodiment, the angle θ that forms between the dummy line to the center of circumferencial direction two end edge portions of the outside fitting portion 26a, the 26b that connect and compose above-mentioned each fitting portion 27a, 27b and above-mentioned column jacket 11 ₁～θ ₄Carry out following restriction.

That is, make the angle θ relevant with the outside fitting portion 26 of the top of the variant part 21a of above-mentioned bearing circle side ₁Less than the angle θ relevant with the outside fitting portion 26 of below ₂(θ ₁＜θ ₂).On the other hand, make the relevant angle θ of outside fitting portion 26a with the top of the variant part 21a of the opposition side of above-mentioned bearing circle ₃, greater than with the relevant angle θ of outside fitting portion 26b of below ₄(θ ₃＞θ ₄).Outside each outside fitting portion 26a, the 26b that will constitute like this, be embedded under the situation on the end outer peripheral face of above-mentioned inner prop 12, can obtain having fitting portion 27a, the 27b of the circumferencial direction length of afore mentioned rules.In addition, in graphic example,, make the part that is embedded in above-mentioned column jacket 11 form the thin taper in top, but this part also can only form (external diameter is unconverted in the axial direction) cylindrical shape in an end of above-mentioned inner prop 12.

Under the situation of the present embodiment that constitutes as described above, also identical with above-mentioned embodiment shown in Figure 29 17, the crooked intensity of force of effect in the time of can improving collision fully.That is, under the situation of present embodiment, fitting portion 27a, the fitting portion 27a variant part 21b on be above of fitting portion below on the variant part 21 being when being positioned at collision on the part of bending force effect.Therefore, the length dimension of the circumferencial direction by making each fitting portion 27a can strengthen above-mentioned crooked intensity of force fully greater than the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of other fitting portion 27b.Therefore, the bending force of effect twisted when above-mentioned each fitting portion 27a, 27b were not easy because of collision, can stablize the contraction of (sleekly) carrying out Steering gear.And, owing in order to improve crooked intensity of force, and strengthened the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of above-mentioned each fitting portion 27a, therefore to when collision effect, overlapping 13 axial dimension of above-mentioned column jacket 11 and inner prop 12 can not increase, and guarantees the damage stroke of Steering gear easily.Other structure is identical with the foregoing description 17 with effect.

In addition, in the foregoing description 17 and the foregoing description 18, the situation that is present in column jacket 11 sides with regard to bearing circle is illustrated, but is present under the situation of inner prop 12 sides the structure of also applicable the various embodiments described above 17～18 at bearing circle.Utilize Figure 30 to be specifically described, bearing circle is present in the left side of Figure 30, with to following direction, promptly more towards the left side of Figure 30 more towards above direction bevelled state be provided with under the situation of Steering gear 3, the bending force that acts on during collision is from 12 pairs of column jackets 11 of inner prop, to the clockwise direction effect of Figure 30.Therefore, the fitting portion 27a of the fitting portion of this bending force effect below the variant part 21a on the right side of Figure 30 is, the fitting portion 27a above the variant part 21b in the left side of Figure 30 is.Therefore, identical with the various embodiments described above 17～18, if strengthen the axial length of each the fitting portion 27a on the part that is positioned at above-mentioned bending force effect or the length of circumferencial direction, then can fully strengthen above-mentioned crooked intensity of force.

And in each above-mentioned embodiment, the situation that is positioned at above-below direction with regard to fitting portion is illustrated, but the present invention also goes for the situation that fitting portion is not present in above-below direction.That is, on the part of the overlapping portion of column jacket and inner prop, equally spaced be arranged in a plurality of fitting portions of circumferencial direction, near the fitting portion that is present in above-below direction also goes for each above-mentioned embodiment, can obtain same effect.In addition, this above-below direction near be meant fitting portion the center begin along the circumferential direction to be present in 10 ° respectively with the situation in the interior scope (amount to 20 ° scope in) from above-below direction in both sides.That is, be meant the dummy line at the circumferencial direction central portion that connects fitting portion and the center of Steering gear, with the angle of the dummy line formation of the above-below direction at center by this Steering gear at 10 ° with interior situation.

And, each above-mentioned embodiment also respectively appropriate combination implement.That is, under the state of installing on the vehicle, expansion (increasing) is positioned near the area (axial length or circumferencial direction length) of the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction, simultaneously, can strengthen the magnitude of interference.For example in the structure of above-mentioned embodiment 5 shown in Figure 28, the length of the circumferencial direction of restriction fitting portion 14a, 14b, and make the magnitude of interference of the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion 14a that is present in above-below direction greater than the fitting portion 14b that is present in horizontal direction.

And, under the state of installing on the vehicle, increasing or expansion are positioned near the magnitude of interference or the area (axial length or circumferencial direction length) of the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction, simultaneously, also can enlarge the area of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at the bending force effect when colliding.For example, in the structure of above-mentioned embodiment shown in Figure 29 17, beyond the axial length dimension of the fitting portion on strengthening the part that is positioned at the bending force effect when colliding, in the fitting portion that is arranged at respectively on axial separated two positions, strengthen the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion that is positioned at above-below direction.Promptly, strengthen the axial dimension of the outside fitting portion 24a of the fitting portion that constitutes above-mentioned bending force effect, simultaneously, the overhang of outside fitting portion 24a, 24b that makes in each fitting portion, constitutes the fitting portion that is positioned at above-below direction is respectively greater than the overhang of the outside fitting portion that constitutes other fitting portion.According to such structure, can increase crooked intensity of force to above-below direction, simultaneously, can obtain bending force to when collision effect and also be not easy the impact absorbing steering column device that twists.

Claims (34)

1. impact absorbing steering column device, have column jacket and inner prop, described column jacket for via bracket support on the vehicle body and by the welding an axial part is fixed on this carriage with it, described inner prop inserts the one end inboard, one end of described column jacket, applying between these column jackets and the inner prop under the situation of big axial load, but, it is characterized in that by these column jackets and the inner prop axial size of relative displacement free shrink in the axial direction

At described column jacket and described inner prop on the part of the circumferencial direction of overlapping portion overlapping on the diametric(al), be provided with fitting portion with magnitude of interference, the position that makes described carriage and this overlapping portion be axial consistent, and make the weld of this carriage and described column jacket become in this overlapping from position that described fitting portion leaves.

2. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, make the weld of carriage and column jacket become in overlapping in a circumferential direction from position that fitting portion leaves farthest.

3. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, at column jacket and inner prop on overlapping overlapping of diametric(al), the fitting portion that many places have the magnitude of interference is set in a circumferential direction, supposition will this overlapping portion under situation about being divided into two on the diametric(al), the locational state that each fitting portion leaves with the part that leans against partially after cut apart exists, the weld of carriage and above-mentioned column jacket is formed on, is present in supposition and cuts apart near the fitting portion of the side's side wherein after this overlapping.

4. impact absorbing steering column device, have column jacket and inner prop, described column jacket for via bracket support on the vehicle body and by the welding an axial part is fixed on this carriage with it, described inner prop inserts the one end inboard, one end of described column jacket, applying between these column jackets and the inner prop under the situation of big axial load, but, it is characterized in that by these column jackets and the inner prop axial size of relative displacement free shrink in the axial direction

At described column jacket and described inner prop the fitting portion that many places have the magnitude of interference is set on the circumferencial direction of overlapping portion overlapping on the diametric(al), supposition will this overlapping portion under situation about being divided into two on the diametric(al), the locational state that each fitting portion leaves with the part that leans against partially after cut apart exists, the position of described carriage axially and described overlapping consistent, and the weld of this carriage and above-mentioned column jacket is formed on, is present in supposition and cuts apart on the fitting portion of the side's side wherein after this overlapping.

5. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that, overlapping portion axially on have on the each several part of fitting portion, each fitting portion is present in two places at circumferencial direction, each fitting portion is provided with symmetrically in the center shaft of column jacket toward each other.

6. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 3 to 4, it is characterized in that each fitting portion exists in a circumferential direction unevenly.

7. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, fitting portion is present in everywhere in a circumferential direction, make the interval on the fitting portion circumferencial direction each other that exists with the dummy line of cutting apart the direction quadrature, less than the interval on the fitting portion circumferencial direction each other that exists across the dummy line of cutting apart direction.

8. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, fitting portion is present in three places at circumferencial direction, with two places wherein across being arranged on side's side after supposition is cut apart with the dummy line of cutting apart the direction quadrature, another is in the opposing party's side after cutting apart, is arranged on this and cuts apart on the dummy line of direction quadrature, make described two places fitting portion circumferencial direction each other the interval less than this two places fitting portion respectively with the interval in a circumferential direction of described another place's fitting portion.

9. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 1 to 8, it is characterized in that the parts of at least one side in column jacket and the inner prop directly use and do not carry out the former pipe that fine limit work is handled on the surface.

10. electric type power steering device, have with bearing circle be fixed on the rear end steering shaft, can freely insert the Steering gear of logical this steering shaft and the electro-motor that applies the power of rotation direction along with energising to this steering shaft, it is characterized in that this Steering gear is each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 1 to 9.

11. impact absorbing steering column device, have column jacket and the one end is inserted the inner prop of the inboard, an end of this column jacket, applying between these column jackets and the inner prop under the situation of big axial load, by these column jackets and inner prop relative displacement in the axial direction, but the size that free shrink is axial, it is characterized in that, at described column jacket and described inner prop on the circumferencial direction of the overlapping overlapping portion of diametric(al), the fitting portion that many places have the magnitude of interference is set, each fitting portion is arranged on circumferencial direction unevenly.

12. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, makes the magnitude of interference of each fitting portion inhomogeneous.

13. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, the above-below direction that each fitting portion is against under the installing condition partially is configured.

14. as claim 12 or 13 described impact absorbing steering column devices, it is characterized in that, in each fitting portion, make the magnitude of interference that is arranged on the locational fitting portion that leans on the above-below direction under the installing condition partially greater than the magnitude of interference that is arranged on other locational fitting portions.

15. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 11 to 14, it is characterized in that, along on the position of the axial isolation of the overlapping portion of column jacket and inner prop, there is the fitting portion that is provided with unevenly in a circumferential direction respectively, in each fitting portion, make the quantity of the quantity of the fitting portion of bending force effect when collision more than other fitting portions.

16. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 11 to 15, it is characterized in that, along on the position of the axial isolation of the overlapping portion of column jacket and inner prop, there is the fitting portion that is provided with unevenly in a circumferential direction respectively, in each fitting portion, make the area of the area of the fitting portion of bending force effect when collision greater than other fitting portions.

17. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, the axial length of the fitting portion of bending force effect is greater than the axial length of other fitting portions when making collision.

18. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 11 to 17, it is characterized in that, form the many places projection on the circumferencial direction of the parts of the side in column jacket and inner prop, by having under the state of the magnitude of interference each projection chimeric, constitute each fitting portion with the opposing party's parts.

19. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 11 to 18, it is characterized in that, between the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, be provided with low-friction material system liner, make each fitting portion chimeric by this liner.

20. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 11 to 18, it is characterized in that, on the side face of at least one side in the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, with the chimeric part of the opposing party's side face on carry out low-friction surface and handle.

21. electric type power steering device, have with bearing circle be fixed on the rear end steering shaft, can freely insert the Steering gear of logical this steering shaft and the electro-motor that applies the power of rotation direction along with energising to this steering shaft, it is characterized in that this Steering gear is each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 11 to 20.

22. impact absorbing steering column device, have column jacket and the one end is inserted the inner prop of the inboard, an end of this column jacket, applying between these column jackets and the inner prop under the situation of big axial load, by these column jackets and inner prop relative displacement in the axial direction, collapsible axial size, it is characterized in that

In an end of end of described column jacket and described inner prop on the part of overlapping portion overlapping on the diametric(al), fitting portion with magnitude of interference is set respectively on equally spaced in a circumferential direction a plurality of positions, in each fitting portion, make to being positioned at above-below direction under the state of installing on the vehicle or being positioned near the magnitude of interference of the magnitude of interference of the fitting portion the above-below direction greater than other fitting portions.

23. impact absorbing steering column device, have column jacket and the one end is inserted the inner prop of the inboard, an end of this column jacket, applying between these column jackets and the inner prop under the situation of big axial load, by these column jackets and inner prop relative displacement in the axial direction, collapsible axial size, it is characterized in that

In an end of end of described column jacket and described inner prop on the part of overlapping portion overlapping on the diametric(al), fitting portion with magnitude of interference is set, in each fitting portion, make to the area of the area that is positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or the above-below direction under the state of installing on the vehicle on equally spaced in a circumferential direction a plurality of positions respectively greater than other fitting portions.

24. impact absorbing steering column device as claimed in claim 23, it is characterized in that, make to the axial length dimension that is positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction under the state of installing on the vehicle, greater than the axial length dimension of other fitting portions.

25. as claim 23 or 24 described impact absorbing steering column devices, it is characterized in that, make at length dimension, greater than the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of other fitting portions to the circumferencial direction that is positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction under the state of installing on the vehicle.

26. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 23 to 25, it is characterized in that, make to the magnitude of interference of the magnitude of interference that is positioned near the fitting portion above-below direction or this above-below direction under the state of installing on the vehicle greater than other fitting portions.

27. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 22 to 26, it is characterized in that, in an end of end of column jacket and inner prop in overlapping overlapping of diametric(al), in the axial direction on two positions that isolate mutually, fitting portion with magnitude of interference is set respectively on equally spaced in a circumferential direction a plurality of positions, in each fitting portion, make the area of the area of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at bending force effect when colliding greater than other fitting portions.

28. impact absorbing steering column device, have column jacket and inner prop, described inner prop inserts the one end inboard, one end of described column jacket, applying between these column jackets and the inner prop under the situation of big axial load, but by these column jackets and the inner prop axial size of relative displacement free shrink in the axial direction, it is characterized in that

In an end of end of described column jacket and described inner prop in overlapping overlapping of diametric(al), in the axial direction on two positions that isolate mutually, fitting portion with magnitude of interference is set respectively on the equally spaced a plurality of positions of circumferencial direction, in each fitting portion, make the area of the area of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at bending force effect when colliding greater than other fitting portions.

29. as claim 27 or 28 described impact absorbing steering column devices, it is characterized in that, make the axial length dimension of the axial length dimension of the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at bending force effect when colliding greater than other fitting portions.

30., it is characterized in that the length dimension of circumferencial direction that makes the fitting portion on the part that is positioned at the bending force effect of when collision is greater than the length dimension of the circumferencial direction of other fitting portions as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 27 to 29.

31. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 22 to 30, it is characterized in that, form many places on the circumferencial direction of the parts of the side in column jacket and inner prop to the outstanding projection of diametric(al), by having under the state of the magnitude of interference each projection chimeric, constitute each fitting portion with the opposing party's parts.

32. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 22 to 31, it is characterized in that, between the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, be provided with low-friction material system liner, make each fitting portion chimeric by this liner.

33. as each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 22 to 31, it is characterized in that, on the side face of at least one side in the outer peripheral face of the inner peripheral surface of column jacket and inner prop, with the chimeric part of the opposing party's side face on carry out low-friction surface and handle.

34. electric type power steering device, have with bearing circle be fixed on the rear end steering shaft, can freely insert the Steering gear of logical this steering shaft and the electro-motor that applies the power of rotation direction along with energising to this steering shaft, it is characterized in that described Steering gear is each described impact absorbing steering column device in the claim 22 to 33.

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