JP2002316651A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in a steering column tube to which a switch bracket for a turn signal switch is fixed at an end part by welding, in which dimensional accuracy is lowered by welding distortion. SOLUTION: A diameter shrunk part 4b of the steering column tube 4 is pressed into a sleeve 9. By recessing a part of the sleeve 9, a protrusion 10 protruding to an inner part of the sleeve 9 is formed and caulked in a manner engaging into a recessed part 4e. Thereby welding is dispensed with and fixing strength is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering apparatus having a switch bracket for a turn signal at an end of a steering column.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A switch bracket is fixed to an end of a steering column tube for rotatably supporting a steering shaft. This switch bracket is a bracket for attaching a turn signal switch, a wiper switch, and the like. Referring to FIG. 6, conventionally, a switch bracket 20 includes a plate-shaped bracket body 21 for mounting a turn signal switch and the like, and a sleeve 23 extending from the bracket body 21 and externally fitted to a steering column tube 22.
And the distal end of the sleeve 23 is welded to the steering column tube 22.

[0003]

However, the dimensional accuracy of the steering column tube 22 may be deteriorated due to the effect of welding distortion. Further, since the welding cost is high, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is high. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a steering device that is inexpensive and has no fear of adverse effects of welding distortion.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a turn signal switch bracket fixed to the end of a steering column tube. A plate-shaped bracket body for mounting the switch, and a sleeve externally fitted to the steering column tube, wherein a protrusion formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve is fitted into a concave portion on the outer periphery of the steering column tube, and Are fixed to the steering column tube.

According to the present invention, the projection of the sleeve of the switch bracket is fitted into the recess of the steering column tube to fix the switch bracket to the steering column tube, so that welding conventionally used can be eliminated. As a result, a reduction in dimension of the steering column tube due to welding distortion can be prevented. Further, manufacturing costs can be reduced through reduction of welding costs. It is preferable that the protrusion be formed by recessing a part of the sleeve and be caulked in the recess, since the fixing strength of the switch bracket can be increased.

[0006] It is preferable that the steering column tube is press-fitted into the sleeve because the fixing strength of the switch bracket can be increased. Also, if the end of the sleeve is brought into contact with the step formed on the outer periphery of the steering column tube and the sleeve is positioned in the axial direction of the steering column tube, the switch bracket is moved in the axial direction of the steering column tube. This is preferable in that positioning can be performed with high accuracy.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Referring to FIG. 1, a steering device 1 includes a steering shaft 3 on which a steering wheel 2 is mounted, and a steering column tube 4 that rotatably supports the steering shaft 3. A turn signal switch 5, a wiper switch 6, and the like are mounted on an end of the steering column tube 4 on the steering wheel 2 side via a switch bracket described later.

Referring to FIG. 2, a switch bracket 7 is fixed to an end of a steering column tube 4 formed of, for example, a cylindrical upper jacket. The switch bracket 7 includes a plate-shaped bracket body 8 for mounting the turn switch 5 and the like, and a sleeve 9 for press-fitting the steering column tube 4. Next, a procedure of fixing the switch bracket 7 to the end 4a of the steering column tube 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a reduced diameter portion 4b is formed on the outer periphery of the end 4a of the steering column tube 4, and the reduced diameter portion 4b is pressed into the sleeve 9. I have. Reduced diameter portion 4b and unreduced diameter portion 4c
An annular step portion 4d is formed between them. The reduced diameter portion 4b is formed with one or a plurality of concave portions 4e formed of through holes penetrating in the radial direction. Then, FIG.
As shown in (b), the reduced diameter portion 4b of the steering column tube 4 is pressed into the sleeve 9. At the time of this press-fitting, the end of the sleeve 9 abuts on the annular step 4d,
Steering column tube 4 of switch bracket 7
The axial position with respect to is determined.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), a portion of the sleeve 9 is recessed at a position corresponding to the concave portion 4e of the reduced diameter portion 4b, thereby protruding inward of the sleeve 9. 10 is formed and swaged so as to fit into the recess 4e. As a result, the switch bracket 7 can be firmly fixed to the steering column tube 4, and the switch bracket 7 can be reliably prevented from turning and coming off.

When the projection 10 is formed by recessing the sleeve 9 of the switch bracket 7, the following measures are taken so that the formation position of the projection 10 does not shift with respect to the recess 4e of the steering column tube 4. . That is,
Referring to FIG. 4, a positioning projection 12 that protrudes radially outward is formed on an edge 11 of the steering column tube 4, while a concave ridge 13 extending in the axial direction is formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 is formed by press-fitting the positioning projection 12 along the concave streak 13.
And the circumferential position of the steering column tube 4 are positioned.

Therefore, the annular stepped portion 4d allows the sleeve 9 to be connected to the steering column tube 4.
The sleeve 9 is positioned in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the steering column tube 4 in combination with the positioning of the sleeve 9 in the axial direction. The protrusion 10 can be easily formed on the inside, and can be crimped into the recess 4e. According to the present embodiment, the projection 10 of the sleeve 9 of the switch bracket 7 is fitted into the recess 4e of the steering column tube 4 to fix the switch bracket 7 to the steering column tube 4, so that the conventionally used welding can be eliminated. . As a result, it is possible to prevent a reduction in dimension of the steering column tube 4 due to welding distortion. Further, manufacturing costs can be reduced through reduction of welding costs.

The switch bracket 7 is formed by press-fitting.
Is fixed to the steering column tube 4, so that the fixing strength of the switch bracket 7 is high. In particular, the sleeve 9
10 is formed inside the sleeve 9 by recessing a part of the
Of the switch bracket 7 is further tightened in the recess 4e. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the reduced diameter portion 4b is abolished, and the switch bracket 7 shown in FIG.
The protrusions 14 previously formed on the sleeve 9 may be fitted into the corresponding recesses 4e of the steering column tube 4 at the time of press fitting as shown in FIG.

In addition, various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a steering column tube, a switch bracket, and a turn signal switch.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are schematic cross-sectional views sequentially showing a process of attaching a switch bracket.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a switch bracket attached to a steering column tube.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views sequentially showing a mounting process of a switch bracket in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially broken side view showing a conventional switch bracket mounting structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering device 2 Steering wheel 3 Steering shaft 4 Steering column tube 4a End part 4b Reduced diameter part 4d Annular step part 4e Depression 5 Turn signal switch 6 Wiper switch 7 Switch bracket 8 Bracket body 9 Sleeve 10, 14 Projection

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Murakami 3-5-8 Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Iwanami 3-58-8 Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hironori Kotani 3-5-8, Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Yamada 3-5-2, Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. Inventor Yoshitaka Yamamoto 3-5-8 Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3D030 DC01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A switch bracket for a turn signal, which is fixed to an end of a steering column tube, the switch bracket being a plate-shaped bracket body for mounting a turning switch, and being externally fitted to the steering column tube. And a projection formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve is fitted into a recess on the outer periphery of the steering column tube, and the sleeve is fixed to the steering column tube. 2. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection is formed by recessing a sleeve and is caulked in the recess. 3. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steering column tube is press-fitted into a sleeve. 4. The steering column tube according to claim 1, wherein the end of the sleeve is brought into contact with a step formed on the outer periphery of the steering column tube to position the sleeve in the axial direction of the steering column tube. A steering device characterized by the above-mentioned.