JP2002067881A - Steering device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase strength of a steering lock. SOLUTION: Hardness of a locking groove 6 is increased while keeping hardness of a locking pin low to increase strength of a steering lock. An inclined plane shaped chamfer or a curved surface chamfer is added on an insertion opening side end edge of the locking groove 6 for reducing contact pressure at the insertion opening side end edge to prevent the locking pin 4 from being damaged by the insertion opening side end edge of the locking groove 6 even if hardness of the locking pin 4 is low. Consequently strength of the steering lock can be increased by adding the chamfer on the insertion opening end edge of the locking pin 4 in case of increasing hardness of the locking groove 6 while keeping hardness of the locking pin low.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle steering system equipped with a steering lock mechanism for locking a steering wheel so that the steering wheel cannot rotate when the vehicle is stopped.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art From the viewpoint of vehicle safety and theft prevention, a steering device for a vehicle includes a steering lock mechanism for locking a steering wheel so that the steering wheel cannot be rotated when a driver operates a key to a lock position while the vehicle is stopped. Is installed.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 3 (a), a steering shaft 2 is rotatably provided in a steering column 1, and a lock is provided outside the steering column 1 in response to operation of a key 3. There is provided a steering lock mechanism 5 for moving the use pin 4 back and forth. A lock groove 6 for inserting the lock pin 4 is formed in the steering shaft 2.

As shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the vehicle is stopped, when the driver operates the key 3 to the lock position, the lock pin 4 protrudes and is inserted into the lock groove 6. The steering wheel (not shown) is locked. As a result, even if the driver or the like tries to rotate the steering wheel (not shown) to the left or right, the locking pin 4 is engaged with the side wall of the locking groove 6, and the steering wheel (not shown) cannot be rotated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), when the driver operates the key 3 to the traveling position when the vehicle starts traveling, the locking pin 4 retreats from the locking groove 6 and the steering wheel ( The lock (not shown) is released.

[0006]

By the way, when the steering wheel is locked, there is a demand for maintaining the locked state even if an excessive force acts on the steering wheel, that is, a demand for increasing the lock strength.

For example, there is an attempt to increase the lock strength by separately fitting a locking collar having a locking groove formed on the steering shaft, and increasing the thickness of the locking collar. However, this may cause an increase in weight due to an increase in the thickness of the collar.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when a locking groove is formed in the steering shaft, there is an attempt to increase the hardness of the entire shaft or the locking groove to increase the locking strength. . However, in this case, the hardness of the locking pin cannot be increased due to various circumstances, and remains low.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, when an excessive force is applied to the steering wheel during locking, the edge of the locking groove 6 on the insertion opening side becomes angular,
The locking pin 4 having low hardness may be damaged (indented). For example, there is a possibility that the edge of the locking groove 6 on the insertion opening side bites into the locking pin 4 and burrs or the like protrude from the locking pin 4, so that the locking pin 4 cannot retreat from the locking groove 6.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vehicle steering apparatus which can increase the strength of a steering lock even with a simple configuration. And

Next, the technical background of the present invention will be supplemented. Originally, it seems that it is most effective to make the (collar) groove section hit the entire surface of the lock pin. However, FIG.
As shown in (a), the lock pin is generally dimensionally spaced so that the thickness of the lock pin can be easily dropped into the groove. If the contact is made in this state, the details should be as shown in FIG. Thus, considering only the surface pressures of the two, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, it is considered that the groove has a V-shape in which the outer circumferential direction is widened in cross section as described above.
However, this is problematic in processing and has a large cost U
In this case, even in this case, there is a clearance between the pin and the main body of the lock main body, and there is a tolerance in the thickness of the pin. It is possible. In this case, depending on the combination, the contact position may be the tip of the lock pin as shown in FIG. 4 (e), and when viewed from the lock body side, a large bend occurs at the root of the lock pin. Is not preferred. Considering this point, it is preferable that the outer peripheral portion of the collar be brought into contact. Therefore, the present invention has been studied.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a key provided in a locking groove formed on a steering shaft or a locking collar externally fitted to the steering shaft. In a vehicle steering device which inserts a locking pin from a steering lock mechanism in response to an operation and retreats, at least a part of an insertion opening side edge of the locking groove is chamfered in a slope or a curved shape. It is characterized by the following.

By the way, in order to increase the strength of the steering lock, the hardness of the locking groove may be increased while the hardness of the locking pin may be kept low.

At this time, if the edge of the locking groove is not chamfered at the insertion opening side edge and the insertion opening edge is angular, if an excessive force is applied to the steering wheel at the time of locking, the locking groove is locked. The locking pin having low hardness is damaged (indented) by the edge of the locking groove on the insertion port side, and for example, the insertion port edge of the locking groove cuts into the locking pin, and burrs and the like protrude from the locking pin. Therefore, there is a possibility that the locking pin cannot retreat from the locking groove.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the edge of the locking groove on the side of the insertion opening is chamfered to reduce the surface pressure of the edge on the side of the insertion opening. For this reason, even if the hardness of the locking pin is low, the locking pin is not damaged (indented) by the edge of the locking groove on the insertion port side. For example, the insertion port edge bites into the locking pin. Without
There is no burrs or the like protruding from the lock pin, and the lock pin cannot be retracted from the lock groove.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the hardness of the locking groove is increased while the hardness of the locking pin is kept low, the edge of the locking groove on the insertion opening side is chamfered. Thus, the strength of the steering lock can be increased.

[0017]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a steering apparatus for a vehicle equipped with a steering lock mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vehicle steering device shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which a locking groove formed in the steering shaft is rounded. FIG. 1D is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which a C groove is applied to the locking groove.

As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a hollow steering shaft 2 is rotatably provided in a steering column 1, and a steering shaft 2 is provided outside the steering column 1 in response to a key operation. A steering lock mechanism 5 for moving the lock pin 4 back and forth is provided. A lock groove 6 for inserting the lock pin 4 is formed in the steering shaft 2.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the locking groove 6
Is formed in a long hole in the axial direction, and the locking pin 4 is also formed long in the axial direction.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), when the vehicle is stopped, when the driver operates the key to the lock position, the lock pin 4 protrudes and is inserted into the lock groove 6, and the steering is performed. The wheel (not shown) is locked. As a result, even if the driver or the like tries to rotate the steering wheel (not shown) to the left or right, the locking pin 4 is engaged with the side wall of the locking groove 6, and the steering wheel (not shown) cannot be rotated.

On the other hand, when the driver operates the key to the traveling position when the vehicle starts traveling, the locking pin 4 retreats from the locking groove 6 and the steering wheel (not shown) is unlocked.

In the present embodiment, the edge of the locking groove 6 on the insertion opening side is chamfered. Here, “chamfering” refers to an inclined C-chamfer or a curved R-chamfer.

Further, in order to increase the strength of the steering lock, the hardness of the locking groove 6 may be increased while the hardness of the locking pin 4 may be decreased.

At this time, in the present embodiment, the locking groove 6
Is chamfered on the insertion opening side edge to reduce the surface pressure of the insertion opening side edge. Therefore, even if the hardness of the locking pin 4 is low, the locking pin 4 is not damaged (indented) by the insertion port side edge of the locking groove 6. There is no intrusion into the pin 4, no burrs or the like protruding from the lock pin 4, and no lock pin 4 cannot retreat from the lock groove 6.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the hardness of the locking groove 6 is increased while the hardness of the locking pin 5 is kept low, the locking groove 6 has an edge on the insertion opening side. By chamfering, the strength of the steering lock can be increased. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle steering system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the steering shaft 2 is solid and formed in an irregular shape, and four locking grooves 6 are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

Also in this embodiment, a curved or inclined chamfer is formed on the edge of the locking groove 6 on the insertion opening side. Therefore, when the hardness of the locking groove 6 is increased while the hardness of the locking pin 5 is kept low, the strength of the steering lock can be increased. (Third Embodiment) FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle steering device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the steering shaft 2 is solid, and a separate locking collar 7 is externally fitted on the outer peripheral surface thereof by welding or the like. Is formed.

Also in the present embodiment, the edge of the locking groove 6 on the side of the insertion opening is chamfered in a curved or inclined shape. Therefore, when the hardness of the locking groove 6 is increased while the hardness of the locking pin 5 is kept low, the strength of the steering lock can be increased.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified. The “chamfer” may be formed over the entire circumference of the locking groove.
As shown in (f), it is sufficient if at least the groove is formed in the outer peripheral straight portion of the lock groove of the long hole, and [the length of the lock pin (B) ≦ the length of the lock groove chamfered]. (L)]. Further, the steering shaft may be hollow or solid.

[0031]

As described above, in order to increase the strength of the steering lock, the hardness of the locking groove may be increased while the hardness of the locking pin may be kept low. In this case, in the present invention, the edge of the locking groove on the insertion port side is chamfered to reduce the surface pressure of the insertion port side edge. For this reason, even if the hardness of the locking pin is low, the locking pin is not damaged (indented) by the edge of the locking groove on the insertion port side. For example, the insertion port edge bites into the locking pin. No burrs or the like protrude from the lock pin, and the lock pin cannot be retracted from the lock groove.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the hardness of the locking groove is increased while the hardness of the locking pin is kept low, the edge of the locking groove on the insertion opening side is chamfered. Thus, the strength of the steering lock can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
It is a longitudinal section of a steering device for vehicles shown to (a), (c) is an enlarged sectional view which performed R chamfering to a lock slot formed in a steering shaft, and (d)
It is an expanded sectional view which performed C chamfering to a lock slot.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle steering device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle steering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a conventional vehicle steering device, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle steering device shown in FIG. .

4 (a) to 4 (e) are schematic views showing the technical background of the present invention, and FIG. 4 (f) is a schematic view of a lock groove and a lock pin according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 steering column 2 steering shaft 3 key 4 locking pin 5 steering lock mechanism 6 locking groove 7 locking collar

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle steering device which retreats by inserting a locking pin from a steering lock mechanism in response to a key operation into a locking groove formed in a steering shaft or a locking collar separately fitted to the steering shaft. The steering device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of an edge of the lock groove on the insertion opening side is chamfered in a slope or a curved shape.