JP2005053446A - Steering device with variable transmission ratio - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device with the transmission ratio variable, unlikely to generate noise emission when a lock lever is turned. <P>SOLUTION: The steering device 1 with variable transmission ratio is equipped with a motor 4 having a motor shaft 13 rotatable, a wavy motion gear mechanism 5 to emit the rotating angle of the motor shaft 13 to a lower steering shaft 72 upon increasing or decreasing, and a locking mechanism 3 to lock the upper steering shaft 71 relative to the motor shaft 13, and is to change the transmission ratio between the steering angle and the rudder turning angle. The locking mechanism 3 is furnished with a lock holder 24 installed rotatably in a single piece with the motor shaft 13 and provided at the periphery with a plurality of lock grooves 24a and 24b and the lock lever 25 borne by housings 6, 7, 8 capable of swinging round a lock pin 23 parallel with the axis and having at one end an engaging pawl part 25a to be engaged with the lock grooves 24a and 24b, wherein resin coating layers 24c and 25c as a buffer material are formed on the surfaces of the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission ratio variable steering apparatus.

  Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses a transmission ratio variable steering apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the variable transmission ratio steering apparatus includes a housing 90, an input shaft 91 provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the housing 90, an output shaft 92 rotatably supported by the housing 90, and a housing 90. A motor 93 that is fixed inside and capable of rotating the motor shaft 93 a, a gear mechanism 94 including a wave gear mechanism provided in the housing 90, a lock mechanism 95 provided in the housing 90, and an input outside the housing 90. A spiral cable device 96 provided coaxially with the shaft 91 is provided.

  The input shaft 91 is connected to a steering handle (not shown) via a constant velocity joint (not shown) so that the steering angle of the steering handle is transmitted to the input shaft 91. The output shaft 92 is connected to a pinion (not shown) via a constant velocity joint (not shown) so that the rotation of the pinion translates a rack bar (not shown). Thus, the output shaft 92 transmits the turning angle to the turning system.

  The motor 93 has a motor housing 93 b fixed in the housing 90. A stator 93c is fixed in the motor housing 93b, and a rotor 93d that is rotationally driven by the stator 93c is provided in the stator 93c. The motor shaft 93a is fixed to the rotor 93d and protrudes in the axial direction at both ends of the rotor 93d. One end of the motor shaft 93a on the spiral cable device 96 side is rotatably supported by the housing 90 via a ball bearing 90a and can be fixed to the housing 90 by a lock mechanism 95. On the other hand, the other end of the motor shaft 93a is connected to the gear mechanism 94.

  The gear mechanism 94 has a wave generator 94a in which the other end of the motor shaft 93a is fitted and can rotate integrally with the motor shaft 93a. The wave generator 94a includes a cam 941a having an elliptical cross section perpendicular to the axis, and a ball bearing 942a provided on the outer periphery of the cam 941a. The inner ring of the ball bearing 942a is fixed to the outer periphery of the cam 941a, and the outer ring of the ball bearing 942a can be elastically deformed via the ball. On the outer periphery of the wave generator 94a, an annular flexspline 94b is provided integrally with the outer ring of the ball bearing 942a. External teeth are formed on the outer periphery of the flexspline 94b. An annular stay circular spline 94c is formed on the motor 93 side in the housing 90. The same number of inner teeth as the outer teeth of the flex spline 94b are formed on the inner circumference of the stay circular spline 94c, whereby the stay circular spline 94c meshes with the flex spline 94b. Further, an annular drive circular spline 94d is rotatably supported on the outside of the housing 90 via a bearing metal 90b adjacent to the stay circular spline 94c. Inner teeth having a smaller number of teeth than the outer teeth of the flex spline 94b are formed on the inner periphery of the drive circular spline 94d, whereby the drive circular spline 94d is also engaged with the flex spline 94b. The drive circular spline 94d is fixed to the movable flange 94e, and the movable flange 94e is fixed to the output shaft 92.

  The lock mechanism 95 is supported by a lock holder 95a fixed to the outer periphery of one end of the motor shaft 93a on the spiral cable device 96 side, and is pivotally supported with respect to the housing 90 so as to be swingable about a pivot parallel to the axis. And a lock lever 95b driven by. A plurality of lock grooves are formed in the outer periphery of the lock holder 95a, and an engagement claw portion that can be engaged with the lock groove is formed at one end of the lock lever 95b.

  The spiral cable device 96 is provided with a cylindrical casing 96a held by a vehicle body (not shown), and is provided inside the casing 96a so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the casing 96a. And a fixed inner cylinder 96b. A flexible flat cable 96c is provided between the housing 96a and the inner cylinder 96b. The flexible flat cable 96c is formed by insulatingly coating a plurality of lead wires. One end of the flexible flat cable 96c is connected to the inner cylinder 96b. It is wound around the inner cylinder 96b and the other end is connected to the housing 96a. A lead wire connected to the flexible flat cable 96c and extending from the inner cylinder 96b is connected to a stator or the like of the motor 93, and a lead wire connected to the flexible flat cable 96c and extended from the housing 96a is a battery (not shown) of the vehicle body. And a connector connected to an ECU (electronic control unit).

  In this variable transmission ratio steering device, when the driver steers the steering wheel in a state where the engaging claw portion of the lock lever 95b is not engaged with the lock groove of the lock holder 95a, the driver 90 steers the steering wheel through the input shaft 91. Steering angle is transmitted. At this time, the motor 93 rotationally drives the rotor 93d according to the steering angle. The rotation of the rotor 93d is transmitted to the gear mechanism 94 via the motor shaft 93a, and the output shaft 92 is rotationally driven.

  Further, in a state where the engagement claw portion of the lock lever 95b is engaged with the lock groove of the lock holder 95a, when the driver steers the steering wheel, the steering angle is transmitted to the housing 90 via the input shaft 91. At the same time, the steering angle is transmitted to the motor shaft 93a. The rotation of the motor shaft 93a is transmitted to the gear mechanism 94, and the output shaft 92 is rotationally driven.

  In this way, in this variable transmission ratio steering device, the steering angle and the turning angle are set while the input shaft 91 and the motor shaft 93a can be locked by the drive device of the lock mechanism 95 driving the lock lever 95b in an emergency or the like. The steering angle is transmitted to the steering system in a state where the transmission ratio is varied.

JP 2000-211151 A

  However, it has been clarified that the conventional transmission ratio variable steering device generates an abnormal noise when the lock lever is driven.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and an object to be solved is to provide a transmission ratio variable steering device that is unlikely to generate abnormal noise when the lock lever is driven.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors investigated the cause of abnormal noise and its transmission path. And when locking and unlocking the input shaft and motor shaft by the lock mechanism, impact noise and sliding sound are generated between the lock holder, lock lever, lock pin, etc., directly reaching the driver's ear, It was discovered that the impact sound was transmitted as vibration to the housing, the column shaft and the steering handle via the lock pin and the motor shaft, and abnormal noise was generated, and the present invention was completed.

  That is, the invention of the present application includes a housing, an input shaft that is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the housing, transmits a steering angle of a steering handle, a motor that is fixed in the housing and that can rotate a motor shaft, and the housing An output shaft that is rotatably supported by the steering system and transmits a turning angle to the turning system, and is provided between the motor shaft and the output shaft in the housing, and the rotation angle of the motor shaft is increased or decreased to A gear mechanism that outputs to the output shaft; and a lock mechanism that is provided between the input shaft and the motor shaft in the housing and locks the input shaft and the motor shaft. Assuming a transmission ratio variable steering device that varies the transmission ratio with the steering angle,

  A transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is the transmission ratio variable apparatus as the premise, wherein the lock mechanism is provided so as to be able to rotate integrally with the motor shaft, and a plurality of lock grooves are provided on the outer periphery. And a lock lever pivotally supported by the housing so as to be swingable about a lock pin parallel to the shaft center and having an engaging claw portion engageable with the lock groove at one end, the lock holder and the lock lever A buffer material made of an elastic material is provided between the lock lever and the lock lever.

  In the variable transmission ratio steering apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the buffer material made of an elastic body is provided between the lock holder and the lock lever, when the input shaft and the motor shaft are locked by the lock mechanism, The hitting sound (impact sound) generated between the lock lever and the lock lever can be reduced. Therefore, in this transmission ratio variable steering device, it is possible to reduce the impact sound itself generated between the lock holder and the lock lever when the lock lever is driven. In this way, in this transmission ratio variable steering device, since the impact sound transmitted to the input shaft and the steering handle is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, according to the variable transmission ratio steering device of the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise from being generated when the lock lever is driven.

  The buffer material is preferably made of a resin coating layer. By coating the resin coating layer on the lock holder and the lock lever, the impact sound generated between the lock holder and the lock lever is absorbed and attenuated.

  A transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the transmission ratio variable apparatus according to the premise, wherein the lock mechanism is provided so as to be able to rotate integrally with the motor shaft, and a plurality of lock grooves are provided on the outer periphery. And a lock lever that is pivotally supported by the housing around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center and that has an engaging claw portion that can engage with the lock groove at one end, and the motor shaft is elastic. It is rotatably supported by the housing via a cushioning material made of a body.

  In the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, since the motor shaft is rotatably supported by the housing via the cushioning material made of an elastic body, the impact sound generated between the lock holder and the lock lever is generated by the motor shaft. From being transmitted to the housing. For this reason, even if an impact sound is generated between the lock holder and the lock lever, the impact sound is not easily transmitted to the input shaft and the steering handle, and abnormal noise is not easily generated.

  Therefore, even with the transmission ratio variable steering device of the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever is driven.

  It is preferable that the motor has a motor housing fixed to the housing and rotatably supporting the motor shaft via a bearing, and the cushioning material is an O-ring mounted on an outer periphery of the bearing. Thereby, it is difficult for the impact sound generated between the lock holder and the lock lever to be transmitted from the motor shaft to the motor housing.

  A transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the transmission ratio variable apparatus according to the premise, wherein the lock mechanism is provided so as to be able to rotate integrally with the motor shaft, and a plurality of lock grooves are provided on the outer periphery. And a lock lever that is pivotally supported by the housing so as to be swingable around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center, and has an engaging claw portion that can be engaged with the lock groove at one end, the lock pin and the lock A cushioning material made of an elastic body is provided between the lever and the lever.

  In the transmission ratio variable steering device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the shock absorbing material generated between the lock pin and the lock lever when the lock lever is driven is provided with a buffer material made of an elastic body between the lock pin and the lock lever. Sound and sliding sound itself can be reduced. Further, in this transmission ratio variable steering device, it is possible to prevent an impact sound or the like generated between the lock holder and the lock lever from being transmitted from the lock lever to the lock pin. For this reason, in this transmission ratio variable steering device, since the impact sound transmitted to the input shaft and the steering handle is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, even with the transmission ratio variable steering device of the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever is driven.

  The cushioning material is preferably a resin bush. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the impact sound generated between the lock pin and the lock lever, and to prevent the impact sound generated between the lock holder and the lock lever from being transmitted from the lock lever to the lock pin. be able to.

  A transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the transmission ratio variable apparatus as the premise, wherein the lock mechanism is provided so as to be capable of rotating integrally with the motor shaft, and a plurality of lock grooves are provided on the outer periphery. And a lock lever having an engaging claw portion which is pivotally supported by the housing around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center and capable of engaging with the lock groove at one end. It is formed of a vibration material.

  In the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lock pin is made of a damping material, so that the impact sound and the sliding sound generated between the lock pin and the lock lever when the lock lever is driven are reduced. be able to. Further, in this transmission ratio variable steering device, it is possible to prevent the impact sound and the like generated between the lock holder and the lock lever from being transmitted from the lock pin to the housing. For this reason, in this transmission ratio variable steering device, since the impact sound transmitted to the input shaft and the steering handle is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, even with the transmission ratio variable steering device of the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever is driven.

  A transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the transmission ratio variable apparatus according to the premise, wherein the lock mechanism is provided so as to be able to rotate integrally with the motor shaft, and a plurality of lock grooves are provided on the outer periphery. And a lock lever that is pivotally supported by the housing so as to be swingable about a lock pin parallel to the shaft center, and has an engaging claw portion engageable with the lock groove at one end, and the motor shaft and the A cushioning material made of an elastic body is provided between the lock holder and the lock holder.

  In the transmission ratio variable steering device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the shock absorber made of an elastic body is provided between the motor shaft and the lock holder, it is generated between the lock holder and the lock lever when the lock lever is driven. It is possible to prevent the impact sound from being transmitted from the lock holder to the motor shaft. For this reason, in this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus, since the impact sound transmitted to the input shaft and the steering handle is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, even with the variable transmission ratio steering apparatus of the fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever is driven.

  An inner member having the buffer material on the outer peripheral surface is engaged with the motor shaft, and the lock holder is an outer member for positioning the buffer material on the inner peripheral surface, and the inner member, the buffer material, and the outer member Are preferably integral. This makes it difficult for the impact sound generated between the lock holder and the lock lever to be transmitted from the lock holder to the motor shaft.

  The transmission ratio variable steering apparatus of the present embodiment embodies the first invention. The transmission ratio variable steering device 1 is used in a steering device as shown in FIG. In this steering apparatus, a steering handle 70 of a vehicle is connected to an upper end of an upper steering shaft 71 as an input shaft through a constant velocity joint (not shown). Further, the lower end of the upper steering shaft 71 and the upper end of the lower steering shaft 72 as an output shaft are connected via the transmission ratio variable steering device 1.

  Further, a pinion (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the lower steering shaft 72 via a constant velocity joint (not shown), and the pinion is meshed with a rack 74 in the steering gear box 73. One end of each tie rod 75 is connected to each end of the rack 74, and a steered wheel 77 is connected to the other end of each tie rod 75 via a knuckle arm 76.

  Further, the upper steering shaft 71 is provided with a steering angle sensor 78 that detects the steering angle of the steering handle 70, and the lower steering shaft 72 is provided with a steering angle sensor 79 that detects the steering angle of the steered wheels 77. Yes. The steering angle of the steering handle 70 and the turning angle of the turning wheel 77 detected by the steering angle sensor 78 and the turning angle sensor 79 are input to the ECU 80. The ECU 80 also receives a vehicle speed output from a vehicle speed sensor 81 that detects the vehicle speed. The ECU 80 outputs a control signal for controlling the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus 1 to the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus 1.

  The transmission ratio variable steering device 1 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. The variable transmission ratio steering device 1 includes a lock mechanism 3, a motor 4, and a wave gear mechanism 5 as a gear mechanism in housings 6 to 8 that are integrally coupled, and a spiral cable device 2 outside the housing 6. Is provided. A lower end 71 a of the upper steering shaft 71 and an upper end 72 a of the lower steering shaft 72 are connected to the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus 1.

  A cylindrical fitting portion 6 a is formed on the upper steering shaft 71 side of the housing 6. A lower end 71a of the upper steering shaft 71 is fitted to the fitting portion 6a via a leaf spring 6b, so that the housing 6 and the upper steering shaft 71 rotate as a unit.

  The motor 4 has a motor housing 10 fixed in the housing 7. The motor housing 10 includes a motor housing body 10a and a motor end plate 10b. The motor housing body 10 a has a cup shape with a shaft hole 10 c at the center, and is fixed to the housing 7. A motor end plate 10b is fixed to the upper steering shaft 71 side of the motor housing body 10a so as to close the opening of the motor housing body 10a. A stator 12 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the motor housing body 10 a, and a rotor 14 that is rotationally driven by the stator 12 is provided in the stator 12. A motor shaft 13 is fixed to the rotor 14, and the motor shaft 13 protrudes in the axial direction at both ends of the rotor 14. One end 13a of the motor shaft 13 is supported by a ball bearing 15 provided between the motor end plate 10b and the other end 13b of the motor shaft 13 is provided between the shaft hole 10c of the motor housing body 10a. It is supported by a ball bearing 16. Thereby, the motor shaft 13 can rotate coaxially with respect to the motor housing main body 10a and the housings 6-8. One end 13 a of the motor shaft 13 on the spiral cable device 2 side can be fixed to the housings 6 to 8 by the lock mechanism 3. On the other hand, the other end 13 b of the motor shaft 13 is connected to the wave gear mechanism 5.

  The wave gear mechanism 5 has a wave generator 17 in which the other end 13 b of the motor shaft 13 is fitted and can rotate integrally with the motor shaft 13. The wave generator 17 includes a cam 17a having an elliptical cross section perpendicular to the axis, and a ball bearing 17b provided on the outer periphery of the cam 17a. The inner ring of the bearing 17b is fixed to the outer periphery of the cam 17a, and the outer ring of the ball bearing 17b can be elastically deformed via the ball. An annular flexspline 19 that can be elastically deformed integrally with the outer ring of the ball bearing 17 b is provided on the outer periphery of the wave generator 17. External teeth 19 a are formed on the outer periphery of the flex spline 19. An annular stay circular spline 20 is formed on the motor 4 side in the housing 7. Inner teeth 20 a having a greater number of teeth than outer teeth 19 a of flex spline 19 are formed on the inner periphery of stay circular spline 20, whereby stay circular spline 20 meshes with flex spline 19. Further, an annular drive circular spline 21 adjacent to the stay circular spline 20 is rotatably supported on the side of the lower steering shaft 72 in the housing 7 via a bearing metal 7a. The same number of inner teeth 21 a as the outer teeth 19 a of the flex spline 19 are formed on the inner circumference of the drive circular spline 21, whereby the drive circular spline 21 is also meshed with the flex spline 19. A protection plate 9 is provided between the motor housing body 10 a and the wave gear mechanism 5. An upper end 72 a of the lower steering shaft 72 is fixed to the drive circular spline 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 3 includes a lock holder 24 fixed to the outer periphery of one end 13a of the motor shaft 13 on the spiral cable device 2 side, and a disc-shaped lock base fixed to the motor end plate 10b. 38 and a single lock lever 25 that is pivotally supported via a metal bush 31 around a lock pin 23 parallel to the axis of the housing 6 and driven by a solenoid 30. ing. Around the lock pin 23, a first torsion coil spring 23a having one end fixed to the housing 6 and the other end fixed to the surface side of the lock lever 25 is provided. Around the lock pin 23, a second torsion coil spring 23b having one end fixed to the back side of the lock lever 25 and the other end fixed to the lock base 38 is provided. The lock lever 25 is biased toward the lock holder 24 by the first and second torsion coil springs 23a and 23b.

  On the outer periphery of the lock holder 24, there are a plurality of lock grooves comprising a wide-angle first lock groove 24a and a narrow-angle second lock groove 24b that is recessed between the first lock grooves 24a and deeper than the first lock groove 24a. Is recessed. One end of the lock lever 25 is formed with a single engagement claw portion 25a that can be engaged with the first and second lock grooves 24a and 24b. The lock lever 25 is hardened and hardened so as to be harder than the lock holder 24. The surfaces of the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25 are coated with a fluororesin known as a coating agent such as Teflon (registered trademark) with a film thickness of about several tens of μm, and a resin coating layer 24c as a buffer material. 25c are formed. In the lock mechanism 3 configured as described above, when the solenoid 30 is excited, the lock lever 25 swings counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and the engagement between the lock lever 25 and the lock holder 24 is released, and the lock mechanism 25 is unlocked. It becomes a state. When the excitation to the solenoid 30 is stopped, the lock bar 25 swings clockwise by the urging force of the first and second torsion coil springs 23a and 23b, and the lock lever 25 and the lock holder 24 are engaged. The upper steering shaft 71 and the motor shaft 13 are locked (connected).

  The spiral cable device 2 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a cylindrical casing 26 held by a vehicle body (not shown), and provided inside the casing 26 so as to be rotatable relative to the casing 26. And an inner cylinder 27 fixed to the housing 6. In addition, a flexible flat cable 28 is provided between the housing 26 and the inner cylinder 27 by insulatingly coating a plurality of lead wires. One end of the flexible flat cable 28 is connected to the inner cylinder 27. It is wound around the inner cylinder 27 and the other end is connected to the casing 26. The lead wire connected to the flexible flat cable 28 and extending from the inner cylinder 27 is connected to the stator 12 of the motor 4 and the lead wire connected to the flexible flat cable 28 and extended from the housing 26 is not shown in the figure of the vehicle body. The battery and the ECU 80 are connected by a connector.

  In the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus 1 of the embodiment configured as described above, resin coating layers 24c and 25c made of fluororesin are formed on the surfaces of the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25. Since this fluororesin has a good attenuation characteristic against an impact generated between the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25, when the upper steering shaft 71 and the motor shaft 13 are locked by the lock mechanism 3, the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25 are locked. Impact noise generated between the two can be reduced. That is, the conventional lock holder and the lock lever are plated with high electroless nickel plating, and when the input shaft and the motor shaft are locked by the lock mechanism, the lock holder and the lock lever collide with each other. Sound (impact sound) is generated. However, in this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, this impact sound can be reduced by the resin coating layers 24 c and 25 c formed on the surfaces of the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25. Thus, in this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, since the impact sound transmitted to the upper steering shaft 71 and the steering handle 70 is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, according to the transmission ratio variable steering device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise from being generated when the lock lever 25 is driven.

  In this embodiment, a fluororesin is employed as the coating agent, but other resins and rubbers having good vibration damping characteristics such as polyester can be employed. Further, a coating layer may be formed only on one surface of the lock holder 24 or the lock lever 25.

  The variable transmission ratio steering apparatus according to the first embodiment embodies the second invention. In this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, O-rings 35 and 36 as cushioning materials are mounted on the outer circumferences of the ball bearings 15 and 16. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In this variable transmission ratio steering device 1, since the O-rings 35 and 36 are mounted on the outer circumferences of the ball bearings 15 and 16, an impact sound generated between the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25 is generated from the motor shaft 13 to the motor. Transmission to the housing 10 can be prevented. Since the motor housing 10 is fixed to the housings 6 and 7, it is difficult for impact noise generated between the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25 to be transmitted from the motor shaft 13 to the housings 6 and 7. Thus, even if an impact sound is generated between the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25, the impact sound is hardly transmitted to the housings 6 and 7, the upper steering shaft 71 and the steering handle 70, and an abnormal noise is generated. hard.

  Therefore, even with the variable transmission ratio steering device 1 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever 25 is driven.

  The variable transmission ratio steering apparatus according to the second embodiment embodies the third invention. In this transmission ratio variable steering device 1, as shown in FIG. 5, a resin bush 33 as a buffer material is provided between the lock pin 23 and the lock lever 25 instead of the metal bush 31. ing. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, since the resin bush 33 is provided between the lock pin 23 and the lock lever 25, the lock pin 25 is driven between the lock pin 23 and the lock lever 25 when the lock lever 25 is driven. The generated impact sound and sliding sound itself can be reduced. Further, in the transmission ratio variable steering device 1, it is possible to prevent an impact sound or the like generated between the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25 from being transmitted from the lock lever 25 to the lock pin 23. For this reason, in this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, since the impact sound transmitted to the upper steering shaft 71 and the steering handle 70 is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, even with the variable transmission ratio steering device 1 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever 25 is driven.

  The variable transmission ratio steering apparatus of Embodiment 3 embodies the fourth invention. In this transmission ratio variable steering device 1, the lock pin 23 shown in FIG. 2 is formed of a damping material such as a Mn-based damping alloy, cast iron, or stainless alloy. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In this transmission ratio variable steering device 1, since the lock pin 23 is formed of a vibration damping material such as a Mn-based vibration damping alloy, cast iron, stainless steel or the like, the lock lever is compared with a conventional lock pin using S45C carbon steel. It is possible to reduce the impact sound and the sliding sound itself generated between the lock pin 23 and the lock lever 25 at the time of driving 25. Further, in the transmission ratio variable steering device 1, it is possible to prevent the impact sound generated between the lock holder 24 and the lock lever 25 from being transmitted from the lock pin 23 to the housings 6 and 7. For this reason, in this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, since the impact sound transmitted to the upper steering shaft 71 and the steering handle 70 is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, even with the variable transmission ratio steering device 1 according to the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever 25 is driven.

  The variable transmission ratio steering apparatus according to the fourth embodiment embodies the fifth invention. In the variable transmission ratio steering device 1, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a resin cushioning material 42 is provided between the motor shaft 13 and a lock holder 41 which is an outer member. That is, the lock holder portion 40 is configured by the metal lock holder 41, the resin cushioning material 42, and the metal inner member 43. A plurality of lock grooves including a wide-angle first lock groove 41a and a narrow-angle second lock groove 41b provided deeper than the first lock groove 41a between the first lock grooves 41a on the outer periphery of the lock holder 41 Is recessed. The lock holder portion 40 is manufactured by integral molding using the cushioning material 42 as an insert member. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

    In this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, since a resin-made cushioning material 42 is provided between the motor shaft 13 and the lock holder 41, the lock lever 25 is driven between the lock holder 41 and the lock lever 25. It is possible to prevent the impact sound generated in step 1 from being transmitted from the lock holder 41 to the motor shaft 13. For this reason, in this variable transmission ratio steering apparatus 1, since the impact sound transmitted to the upper steering shaft 71 and the steering handle 70 is reduced, it is difficult for abnormal noise to occur.

  Therefore, even with the variable transmission ratio steering device 1 according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated when the lock lever 25 is driven.

  The present invention is applicable to a transmission ratio variable steering apparatus that includes a lock mechanism that locks an input shaft and a motor shaft and varies a transmission ratio between a steering angle and a turning angle.

It is a block diagram of the steering apparatus which concerns on embodiment and the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus of Examples 1-4. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a transmission ratio variable steering apparatus of an embodiment and Examples 1-4. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow III-III in FIG. 2 according to the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus of the embodiment. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2 according to the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view of a lock holder portion according to a variable transmission ratio steering apparatus of Embodiment 4. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6 according to the transmission ratio variable steering apparatus of the fourth embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional transmission ratio variable steering apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmission ratio variable steering apparatus 6, 7, 8 ... Housing 70 ... Steering handle 71 ... Input shaft (upper steering shaft)
72 ... Output shaft (lower steering shaft)
13 ... motor shaft 4 ... motor 5 ... gear mechanism (wave gear mechanism)
3 ... Lock mechanism 23 ... Lock pin 24, 41 ... Lock holder (41 ... Outer member)
24a, 24b, 41a, 41b ... lock groove (24a, 41a ... first lock groove, 24b, 41b ... second lock groove)
25 ... lock lever 25a ... engaging claw 24c, 25c, 35, 36, 33, 42 ... cushioning material (24c, 25c ... resin coating layer, 35, 36 ... O-ring, 33 ... bush)
43 ... Inner member

Claims (9)

A housing, an input shaft that is integrally rotatable with the housing, transmits a steering angle of a steering handle, a motor that is fixed in the housing and that can rotate the motor shaft, and is rotatably supported by the housing; An output shaft that transmits a turning angle to the turning system, and a gear mechanism that is provided between the motor shaft and the output shaft in the housing, and that increases and decreases the rotation angle of the motor shaft and outputs it to the output shaft And a lock mechanism that is provided between the input shaft and the motor shaft in the housing and locks the input shaft and the motor shaft, and has a transmission ratio between the steering angle and the turning angle. In a variable transmission ratio variable steering device,
The lock mechanism is rotatably supported integrally with the motor shaft, and is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center in a lock holder having a plurality of lock grooves formed on the outer periphery. A lock lever having an engaging claw portion engageable with the lock groove at one end, and a cushioning material made of an elastic body is provided between the lock holder and the lock lever. A transmission ratio variable steering device.   The transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the buffer material is made of a resin coating layer. A housing, an input shaft that is integrally rotatable with the housing, transmits a steering angle of a steering handle, a motor that is fixed in the housing and that can rotate the motor shaft, and is rotatably supported by the housing; An output shaft that transmits a turning angle to the turning system, and a gear mechanism that is provided between the motor shaft and the output shaft in the housing, and that increases and decreases the rotation angle of the motor shaft and outputs it to the output shaft And a lock mechanism that is provided between the input shaft and the motor shaft in the housing and locks the input shaft and the motor shaft, and has a transmission ratio between the steering angle and the turning angle. In a variable transmission ratio variable steering device,
The lock mechanism is rotatably supported integrally with the motor shaft, and is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center in a lock holder having a plurality of lock grooves formed on the outer periphery. A lock lever having an engaging claw portion engageable with the lock groove at one end, and the motor shaft is rotatably supported by the housing via a cushioning material made of an elastic body. A transmission ratio variable steering device.   The motor includes a motor housing that is fixed to the housing and rotatably supports the motor shaft via a bearing, and the cushioning material is an O-ring mounted on an outer periphery of the bearing. The transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to claim 3. A housing, an input shaft that is integrally rotatable with the housing, transmits a steering angle of a steering handle, a motor that is fixed in the housing and that can rotate the motor shaft, and is rotatably supported by the housing; An output shaft that transmits a turning angle to the turning system, and a gear mechanism that is provided between the motor shaft and the output shaft in the housing, and that increases and decreases the rotation angle of the motor shaft and outputs it to the output shaft And a lock mechanism that is provided between the input shaft and the motor shaft in the housing and locks the input shaft and the motor shaft, and has a transmission ratio between the steering angle and the turning angle. In a variable transmission ratio variable steering device,
The lock mechanism is rotatably supported integrally with the motor shaft, and is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center in a lock holder having a plurality of lock grooves formed on the outer periphery. A lock lever having an engaging claw portion engageable with the lock groove at one end, and a cushioning material made of an elastic body is provided between the lock pin and the lock lever. The transmission ratio variable steering device.   6. The transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the buffer material is a resin bush. A housing, an input shaft that is integrally rotatable with the housing, transmits a steering angle of a steering handle, a motor that is fixed in the housing and that can rotate the motor shaft, and is rotatably supported by the housing; An output shaft that transmits a turning angle to the turning system, and a gear mechanism that is provided between the motor shaft and the output shaft in the housing, and that increases and decreases the rotation angle of the motor shaft and outputs it to the output shaft And a lock mechanism that is provided between the input shaft and the motor shaft in the housing and locks the input shaft and the motor shaft, and has a transmission ratio between the steering angle and the turning angle. In a variable transmission ratio variable steering device,
The lock mechanism is rotatably supported integrally with the motor shaft, and is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center in a lock holder having a plurality of lock grooves formed on the outer periphery. And a lock lever having an engaging claw portion engageable with the lock groove at one end, and the lock pin is formed of a damping material. A housing, an input shaft that is integrally rotatable with the housing, transmits a steering angle of a steering handle, a motor that is fixed in the housing and that can rotate the motor shaft, and is rotatably supported by the housing; An output shaft that transmits a turning angle to the turning system, and a gear mechanism that is provided between the motor shaft and the output shaft in the housing, and that increases and decreases the rotation angle of the motor shaft and outputs it to the output shaft And a lock mechanism that is provided between the input shaft and the motor shaft in the housing and locks the input shaft and the motor shaft, and has a transmission ratio between the steering angle and the turning angle. In a variable transmission ratio variable steering device,
The lock mechanism is rotatably supported integrally with the motor shaft, and is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing around a lock pin parallel to the shaft center in a lock holder having a plurality of lock grooves formed on the outer periphery. A lock lever having an engaging claw portion engageable with the lock groove at one end, and a cushioning material made of an elastic body is provided between the motor shaft and the lock holder. A transmission ratio variable steering device.   An inner member having the buffer material on the outer peripheral surface is engaged with the motor shaft, and the lock holder is an outer member for positioning the buffer material on the inner peripheral surface, and the inner member, the buffer material, and the outer member 9. The transmission ratio variable steering apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transmission ratio is integrated.

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