JP2007238071A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device that enables smooth a tilt position adjustment while saving time and effort to mount the steering device to a vehicle body since a relative position between a column and a vehicle body mounting upper bracket is not changed even when vibration occurs during transportation of the steering device. <P>SOLUTION: Arcuate protruding parts 71A, 71B of a spacer 7 and an arcuate recess 35 of a lower column 3 are fitted to each other in the same arcuate shape of centering around a tilt center axis 32 of the lower column 3. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles in work for mounting the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 to the vehicle body 11 since the relative position between the lower column 3 and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is not changed even when vibration occurs during transportation of the steering device. It is also possible to smoothly execute the tilt position adjustment of the lower column 3 since the arcuate recess 35 of the lower column 3 is oscillated while being guided by the arcuate protruding parts 71A, 71B of the spacer 7 during the tilt position adjustment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus, and more particularly to a tilt position adjustable electric steering apparatus that can adjust a tilt position of a steering wheel using an electric actuator as a power source in accordance with a driver's physique and driving posture.

  As a device for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel according to the physique and driving posture of the driver, there is an electric steering device called a tilt type steering device. Moreover, there is an electric steering device called a tilt / telescopic steering device as a device for adjusting both the vertical position and the longitudinal position of the steering wheel.

  In such an electric steering device, in order to ensure the rigidity of the steering device and to smoothly adjust the tilt position, there is no play in the gap of the tilt sliding portion between the column and the vehicle body mounting bracket.

  In the electric steering device of Patent Document 1, a vehicle body mounting upper bracket and a vehicle body mounting lower bracket for mounting the column to the vehicle body are configured separately, and a gap in the tilt sliding portion between the column and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket is provided. 1 shows an adjustable electric steering device. In the electric steering device shown in Patent Document 1, a spacer is inserted into a gap between the column and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket, and the spacer is pressed against the column with an adjusting screw, thereby eliminating the gap in the gap of the tilt sliding portion. .

  The tilt sliding part between the spacer and the column is held by the frictional force between the spacer and the column. Therefore, if the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the vehicle body mounting lower bracket are configured separately, if the vibration during transportation before mounting the electric steering device on the vehicle body is large, the spacer will slide between the column and the column. And the relative position between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket change. As a result, the positional relationship between the vehicle body mounting surface of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column axis is deviated from a predetermined position, and it takes time to mount the vehicle body mounting upper bracket to the vehicle body.

JP 2002-2503 A

  According to the present invention, the relative position between the column and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket does not change even if there is vibration during transportation of the steering device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device capable of smoothly performing position adjustment.

  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle body mounting lower bracket that pivotally supports the vehicle body so that the lower side of the column can be pivoted about a tilt central axis, and a vehicle body mounting upper bracket that mounts the column upper side to the vehicle body. A column that is configured as a separate body and that is sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket so as to be tilt-slidable, a steering shaft that is rotatably supported by the column and a steering wheel is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body, A tilt motor, a tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the driving force of the tilt motor, the side plate and the side of the column are formed in an arc shape with the same radius centered on the tilt center axis of the column, A steering apparatus having a concave portion and a convex portion to be fitted.

  According to a second invention, in the steering device according to the first invention, the arc-shaped convex portion is formed in a spacer interposed between one of the left and right side plates and the column side surface. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped concave portion that fits into the arc-shaped convex portion of the spacer is formed on the side surface of the column.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering device of the second aspect, an arc-shaped protrusion centered on the tilt central axis of the column is formed on the other of the left and right side plates, and the arc-shaped protrusion The steering device is characterized in that the arc-shaped recess to be fitted is formed on a side surface of the column.

  According to a fourth invention, in the steering device according to any one of the second to third inventions, an adjustment screw for pressing the spacer toward the column side surface is attached to the side plate. Steering apparatus.

  A fifth invention is the steering device according to the fourth invention, wherein a plurality of the adjusting screws are provided apart from each other in the tilt position adjusting direction.

  According to a sixth invention, in the steering device according to any one of the fourth to fifth inventions, a shaft portion having a smaller diameter than the male screw formed on the outer periphery of the adjusting screw is formed at the tip of the adjusting screw. The steering device is characterized in that the shaft portion is fitted in a through-hole formed in the spacer, and the spacer is pressed by a step surface between the shaft portion and the male screw.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, a vehicle body mounting lower bracket that pivotally supports the vehicle body pivotably with the column lower side as a fulcrum center axis, and a vehicle body mounting upper bracket that mounts the column upper side to the vehicle body are separate from each other. And a column that is sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket so as to be slidable, a steering shaft that is rotatably supported by the column and has a steering wheel mounted on the rear side of the vehicle, and a tilting shaft. A motor, a tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the driving force of the tilt motor, a spacer interposed between at least one of the left and right side plates and the side surface of the column, the left and right side plates, a spacer, or a column Coating the solid lubricant on the tilt sliding part of at least one of the side surfaces A steering device, characterized in that the.

  According to an eighth aspect, in the steering device according to the seventh aspect, the steering assist motor is provided with a steering assisting force applied to the steering shaft by a driving mechanism of the steering assisting motor and the steering assisting motor via a speed reduction mechanism. A steering apparatus including an auxiliary mechanism.

  A ninth invention is the steering device of the seventh invention, wherein the solid lubricant is made of molybdenum disulfide, tetrafluoroethylene, graphite, fluorinated graphite, boron nitride, tungsten disulfide, melamine cyanurate. A steering device characterized by being at least one of them.

  A tenth invention is a steering device according to any of the seventh to ninth inventions, wherein the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column are formed of the same material. .

  In the steering device of the present invention, the left and right side plates and the column side surface of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket are provided with a concave portion and a convex portion that are fitted in each other in an arc shape centering on the column tilt center axis. Therefore, the relative position between the column and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket does not change even if the vibration during the transportation of the steering device is large, so it takes less time to mount the steering device on the vehicle body and the tilt position is adjusted. Can also be performed smoothly.

  Further, in the steering device of the present invention, in order to increase the rigidity of the column in the lateral direction, the solid lubricant can be applied to the tilt sliding portion even if the clearance of the tilt sliding portion between the column and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket is eliminated. Since the friction coefficient of the tilt sliding part is kept small, the reduction device of the tilt drive mechanism and the tilt drive motor can be reduced in weight and size, and smooth tilt position adjustment can be performed. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the steering device of the present invention, even if the normal driving operation is performed in a state where the tilt position adjustment is completed, the solid lubricant is applied even if the steering assist torque is applied and the reaction force is repeatedly applied to the tilt sliding portion. Since the tilt sliding surface is coated, there is little risk of the lubricating oil film being cut off, so that the friction coefficient of the tilt sliding portion can be kept small and smooth tilt position adjustment can be performed.

  In the following embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a tilt / telescopic electric steering apparatus that adjusts both the vertical position and the front / rear position of the steering wheel will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state where an electric steering device 101 of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. The electric steering device 101 supports a steering shaft 102 so as to be rotatable. A steering wheel 103 is attached to the upper end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the steering shaft 102, and an intermediate shaft 105 is connected to the lower end of the steering shaft 102 (front side of the vehicle body) via a universal joint 104.

  A universal joint 106 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 105, and a steering gear 107 including a rack and pinion mechanism is connected to the universal joint 106.

  When the driver rotates the steering wheel 103, the rotational force is transmitted to the steering gear 107 through the steering shaft 102, the universal joint 104, the intermediate shaft 105, and the universal joint 106, and the tie rod is transmitted through the rack and pinion mechanism. 108 can be moved to change the steering angle of the wheel.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing a main part of the electric steering apparatus 101 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2 and shows a main part of the tilt drive mechanism. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2 and shows a tilt sliding portion between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a single column of FIG. FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of arrow P in FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view showing the tilt position adjusting operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the electric steering apparatus 101 of the present invention includes a vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2, a lower column (outer column) 3, an upper column (inner column) 4, and the like.

  The upper plate 21 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 on the rear side of the vehicle body is fixed to the vehicle body 11. A bracket 31 is integrally formed at the vehicle body front end of the lower column 3, and the bracket 31 and the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 12 are connected by a tilt center shaft 32. The vehicle body mounting lower bracket 12 is fixed to the vehicle body 11. With the tilt central shaft 32 as a fulcrum, the front end of the hollow cylindrical lower column 3 is pivotally supported by the vehicle body 11 so that the tilt position can be adjusted (oscillates in a plane parallel to the plane of FIG. 2). ing. That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 and the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 12 are configured separately from each other.

  The upper column 4 is fitted to the inner periphery of the lower column 3 so as to be capable of telescopic position adjustment (sliding parallel to the central axis of the lower column 3). An upper steering shaft 102A is pivotally supported on the upper column 4, and a steering wheel 103 (see FIG. 1) is fixed to a rear side (right side in FIG. 2) end of the upper steering shaft 102A. Yes.

  A lower steering shaft 102B is rotatably supported on the lower column 3, and the lower steering shaft 102B is spline-fitted with the upper steering shaft 102A. Accordingly, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 4, the rotation of the upper steering shaft 102A is transmitted to the lower steering shaft 102B.

  The vehicle body front side (left side in FIG. 2) of the lower steering shaft 102B is connected to the steering gear 107 (see FIG. 1) via the universal joint 104 (see FIG. 1), and the driver turns the steering wheel 103 by hand. The lower steering shaft 102B rotates via the upper steering shaft 102A, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a left side plate 22 and a right side plate 23 extending in parallel downward from the upper plate 21 are formed on the upper plate 21 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2. The left side surface 33 and the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 are sandwiched between the inner side surfaces 221 and 231 of the left side plate 22 and the right side plate 23 so as to be slidable.

  A spacer 7 is interposed between the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 231 of the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2. The lower ends of the left side plate 22 and the right side plate 23 are connected by a lower plate 24 to form a closed rectangular shape by the upper plate 21, the left side plate 22, the right side plate 23, and the lower plate 24, and the rigidity of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is determined. Has improved.

  A telescopic drive mechanism 5 for adjusting the telescopic position is attached to the outer periphery of the lower column 3. A tilt drive mechanism 6 for adjusting the tilt position is attached below the left side plate 22 and the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2.

  The worm 62 attached to the output shaft (not shown) of the tilt motor 61 for the tilt drive mechanism 6 is engaged with the worm wheel 64 attached below the feed screw shaft 63 (see FIG. 3), and the tilt motor 61 The rotation is transmitted to the feed screw shaft 63.

  The feed screw shaft 63 extends perpendicularly to the central axis of the tilt motor 61 (the vertical direction in FIGS. 2 and 3), and its upper and lower ends are rotatable to the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 by bearings 631 and 632. It is pivotally supported. A feed nut 65 is screwed onto a male screw formed on the outer periphery of the feed screw shaft 63.

  A tilt driving force transmission projection 651 is integrally formed on the feed nut 65. The tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 protrudes toward the central axis of the lower column 3, and the tip of the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 is fitted in the engagement hole 66 formed in the lower column 3. When the feed screw shaft 63 rotates, the feed nut 65 and the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 perform linear motion in the vertical direction.

  A telescopic motor 51 that is partially visible in FIG. 2 is attached to the outer periphery of the lower surface of the lower column 3. A feed screw shaft 52 is fixed to the outer periphery of the lower surface of the lower column 3 in parallel with the central axis of the lower column 3, and the rear end (right end in FIG. 2) of the feed screw shaft 52 is connected to the rear end of the upper column 4. It is connected to the lower end of the fixed flange 41. The rotation of a worm attached to an output shaft (not shown) of the telescopic motor 51 is transmitted to a worm wheel (not shown), and a feed nut (not shown) screwed to the feed screw shaft 52 is rotated. By rotating the feed nut, the feed screw shaft 52 is reciprocated (moved in the left-right direction in FIG. 2), and the telescopic position of the upper column 4 is adjusted.

  When the electric steering device 101 needs to adjust the tilt position of the steering wheel 103, the driver operates a switch (not shown) to rotate the tilt motor 61 in either the forward or reverse direction. Then, the feed screw shaft 63 is rotated by the rotation of the tilt motor 61, and the feed nut 65 performs linear motion.

  Then, the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 integrated with the feed nut 65 performs linear motion. Since the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 is engaged with the engagement hole 66 of the lower column 3, the lower column 3 tilts upward or downward with the tilt central shaft 32 as a fulcrum.

  When the electric steering device 101 needs to adjust the telescopic position of the steering wheel 103, the driver operates a switch (not shown) to rotate the telescopic motor 51 in either the forward or reverse direction. Then, the rotation of the telescopic motor 51 causes the feed screw shaft 52 to move in parallel with the central axis of the lower column 3, whereby the upper column 4 performs telescopic movement.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 has an arc-shaped stepped portion 35 </ b> A having a radius R <b> 1 centered on the tilt center axis 32 of the lower column 3 and an arc-shaped stepped portion 35 </ b> B having a radius R <b> 2. An arcuate recess 35 surrounded by is formed. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flat spacer 7 interposed between the inner surface 231 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 and the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 has a tilt of the lower column 3. An arc-shaped convex portion 71A having a radius R1 and an arc-shaped convex portion 71B having a radius R2 are formed with the central axis 32 as the center. The arc-shaped convex portions 71 </ b> A and 71 </ b> B of the spacer 7 are closely fitted into the arc-shaped concave portion 35 of the lower column 3.

  Two female screws 25, 25 are formed in the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 so as to be spaced apart in the vertical direction (tilt position adjusting direction) in FIG. 4, and the female screws 25, 25 penetrate the right side plate 23. ing. Male screws 81, 81 of the adjusting screws 8, 8 are screwed into the female screws 25, 25. Shaft portions 82 and 82 having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the male screws 81 and 81 are formed at the left ends of the adjusting screws 8 and 8.

  The spacer 7 is formed with two through holes 72, 72 at the same interval as the interval between the female screws 25, 25 in the vertical direction. It is formed slightly larger. Therefore, when the shaft portions 82 and 82 and the through holes 72 and 72 are in phase with each other, if the male screws 81 and 81 of the adjusting screws 8 and 8 are screwed in, the shaft portions 82 and 82 are fitted into the through holes 72 and 72. As a result, the spacer 7 is held at predetermined positions of the inner surface 231 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 and the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3.

  If the male screws 81, 81 of the adjusting screws 8, 8 are further screwed in, the stepped surfaces of the male screws 81, 81 and the shaft portions 82, 82 abut against the outer surface 73 of the spacer 7, and the spacer 7 is moved to the circle of the lower column 3. It can be pressed toward the arc-shaped recess 35. As a result, even if the distance between the inner surface 231 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 and the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3 is inclined due to a manufacturing error or the like, the male screws 81, 81 of the adjusting screws 8, 8 If the screwing amount is appropriately adjusted, the inner surface 74 of the spacer 7 can be evenly brought into contact with the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3.

  Accordingly, the tilt sliding resistance between the lower column 3 and the left side plate 22 and the lower column 3 and the spacer 7 can be set to a desired sliding resistance, and the tilt sliding during the tilting operation can be performed regardless of the tilt angle. The dynamic resistance is kept constant. When the adjustment of the adjustment screws 8 and 8 is completed, the lock nuts 83 and 83 are screwed into the male screws 81 and 81 to prevent the adjustment screws 8 and 8 from coming loose.

  As described above, the arc-shaped convex portions 71A and 71B of the spacer 7 and the arc-shaped step portions 35A and 35B of the lower column 3 are arc-shaped with the same radius centered on the tilt central axis 32 of the lower column 3. Are fitted to each other. Therefore, even if there is vibration during the transportation of the steering device, the relative position between the lower column 3 and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 does not change, and this hinders the work of mounting the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 to the vehicle body 11. There is no.

  In order to adjust the tilt position of the steering wheel 103 with the electric steering device 101, the tilt motor 61 is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction. Then, the feed screw shaft 63 is rotated by the rotation of the tilt motor 61, and the feed nut 65 performs linear motion.

  Then, the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 integrated with the feed nut 65 performs linear motion. Since the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 is engaged with the engagement hole 66 of the lower column 3, the lower column 3 is moved upward with the tilt central axis 32 as a fulcrum as shown in FIGS. 8 (1) and (2). Or tilt down. At this time, since the arc-shaped step portions 35A and 35B of the lower column 3 are guided by the arc-shaped convex portions 71A and 71B of the spacer 7 and swing, the tilt position adjustment of the lower column 3 is performed smoothly.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2 showing a tilt sliding portion between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. FIG. 11 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow Q in FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a single column of FIG. 13 is a view taken in the direction of arrow R in FIG. FIG. 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow S in FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the first embodiment, the arc-shaped concave portion 35 is formed only on the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3, but in the second embodiment, the arc-shaped concave portion is formed on both the right side surface 34 and the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3. The example which formed is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 has an arc-shaped stepped portion 35 </ b> A having a radius R <b> 1 centering on the tilt center axis 32 of the lower column 3, An arcuate recess 35 surrounded by the arcuate step 35B of R2 is formed. An arc-shaped recess 36 having an arc-shaped stepped portion 36 </ b> A having a radius R <b> 1 centered on the tilt center axis 32 of the lower column 3 is also formed on the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a flat spacer 7 is interposed between the inner side surface 231 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 and the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3. As in the first embodiment, the spacer 7 is formed with an arc-shaped convex portion 71A having a radius R1 and an arc-shaped convex portion 71B having a radius R2 with the tilt center axis 32 of the lower column 3 as the center. . The arc-shaped convex portions 71 </ b> A and 71 </ b> B of the spacer 7 are fitted in the arc-shaped concave portion 35 of the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the left side plate 22 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is formed with an arc-shaped convex portion 26 having a radius R <b> 1 centered on the tilt center axis 32 of the lower column 3. . The arc-shaped convex portion 26 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is fitted in the arc-shaped concave portion 36 of the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3.

  When the tilt motor 61 is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction in order to adjust the tilt position of the steering wheel 103 with the electric steering device 101, the lower column 3 moves upward or downward with the tilt central shaft 32 as a fulcrum. Move to tilt.

  At this time, the arc-shaped concave portion 35 of the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 is guided by the arc-shaped convex portions 71A and 71B of the spacer 7, and the arc-shaped concave portion 36 of the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3 is also Since the swing is guided by the arc-shaped convex portion 26 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2, the tilt position of the lower column 3 is adjusted more smoothly than in the first embodiment.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a front view showing a main part of the electric steering apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 15 and shows a tilt sliding portion between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column of the third embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  The third embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a steering device including a steering assist mechanism that applies a predetermined steering assist force to a steering shaft via a speed reduction mechanism by a driving force of a steering assist motor.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 16, the electric steering apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2, a lower column (outer column) 3, a steering assist portion 37 (electric assist mechanism), an upper column ( Inner column) 4 and the like.

  The upper plate 21 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 on the rear side of the vehicle body is fixed to the vehicle body 11. The right end of the housing 371 of the steering assist unit (electric assist mechanism) 37 is fixed to the front side (left side) of the lower column 3 by press-fitting. The steering assist unit 37 includes an electric motor 372, a reduction gear box unit 373, an output shaft 374, and the like. The steering assisting portion 37 is supported by the lower vehicle body mounting bracket 375 on the vehicle body 11 via the tilt center shaft 376 so that the tilt position can be adjusted (swing in a plane parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 15).

  The upper column 4 is fitted to the inner periphery of the lower column 3 so as to be capable of telescopic position adjustment (sliding parallel to the central axis of the lower column 3). An upper steering shaft 102A is pivotally supported on the upper column 4, and a steering wheel 103 (see FIG. 1) is fixed to a vehicle body rear side (right side in FIG. 15) end of the upper steering shaft 102A. Yes.

  A lower steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported on the lower column 3, and the lower steering shaft is splined to the upper steering shaft 102A. Therefore, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 4, the rotation of the upper steering shaft 102A is transmitted to the lower steering shaft.

  The steering assist unit 37 detects torque acting on the lower steering shaft, drives the electric motor 372, rotates the output shaft 374 with a required steering assist force, and moves an intermediate shaft (not shown) connected to the front side of the vehicle body. Via, it is connected to the steering gear, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  A left side plate 22 and a right side plate 23 extending in parallel downward from the upper plate 21 are formed on the upper plate 21 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2. The left side surface 33 and the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 are sandwiched between the inner side surfaces 221 and 231 of the left side plate 22 and the right side plate 23 so as to be slidable. That is, the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 is in direct contact with the inner side surface 231 of the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2.

  The lower ends of the left side plate 22 and the right side plate 23 are connected by a lower plate 24 to form a closed rectangular shape by the upper plate 21, the left side plate 22, the right side plate 23, and the lower plate 24, and the rigidity of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is determined. Has improved.

  A telescopic drive mechanism 5 for adjusting the telescopic position is attached to the outer periphery of the lower column 3. A tilt drive mechanism 6 for adjusting the tilt position is attached below the left side plate 22 and the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2.

  The worm attached to the output shaft of the tilt motor 61 for the tilt drive mechanism 6 meshes with a worm wheel attached below the feed screw shaft (not shown) to transmit the rotation of the tilt motor 61 to the feed screw shaft. ing.

  When the feed screw shaft rotates, the lower column 3 swings along an arc-shaped locus (adjusts within a plane parallel to the sheet of FIG. 15) when the tilt position is adjusted with the tilt center shaft 376 as a fulcrum.

  A telescopic motor (not shown) is attached to the outer periphery of the lower surface of the lower column 3. A feed screw shaft 52 is fixed on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the lower column 3 in parallel to the central axis of the lower column 3, and the vehicle body rear end (right end in FIG. 15) of the feed screw shaft 52 is connected to the vehicle rear end of the upper column 4. It is connected to the lower end of the fixed flange 41.

  The rotation of a worm attached to an output shaft (not shown) of the telescopic motor is transmitted to a worm wheel (not shown), and a feed nut (not shown) screwed to the feed screw shaft is rotated. By rotating the feed nut, the feed screw shaft is reciprocated (moved in the left-right direction in FIG. 15) to adjust the telescopic position of the upper column 4.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a spacer 9 having a structure different from that of the first embodiment is inserted between the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 221 of the left side plate 22 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2. Yes. That is, the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3 has no arcuate recess, and the inner side surface 94 of the spacer 9 is in direct contact with the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3. As shown in FIG. 15, the flat spacer 9 does not have an arc-shaped protrusion centered on the tilt center axis 376 of the lower column 3 and is formed in a rectangular shape.

  The left side plate 22 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is formed with two female screws 25, 25 spaced apart in the vertical direction (tilt position adjusting direction) of FIGS. 15 and 16, and the female screws 25, 25 are connected to the left side plate 22. It penetrates. Male screws 81, 81 of the adjusting screws 8, 8 are screwed into the female screws 25, 25. Shaft portions 82 and 82 having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the male screws 81 and 81 are formed at the right ends of the adjusting screws 8 and 8.

  The spacer 9 is formed with two through holes 92, 92 at the same interval as the vertical interval of the female screws 25, 25. It is formed slightly larger. Therefore, when the shaft portions 82 and 82 and the through holes 92 and 92 are in phase with each other, if the male screws 81 and 81 of the adjusting screws 8 and 8 are screwed in, the shaft portions 82 and 82 are fitted into the through holes 92 and 92. As a result, the spacer 9 is held at predetermined positions on the inner side surface 221 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 and the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3.

  In Example 3 of the present invention, in order to reduce the friction coefficient during tilt sliding, a solid lubricant is coated on these tilt sliding portions. That is, at least one of the inner side surface 94 of the spacer 9, the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3, the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3, and the inner side surface 231 of the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is solid. Lubricant is coated.

  There are various types of lubricants, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), ethylene tetrafluoride (PTFE), graphite, fluorinated graphite, boron nitride (BN), tungsten disulfide (WS2), melamine. Cyanurate (MCA) and the like are preferable.

  The male screws 81, 81 of the adjusting screws 8, 8 are strongly screwed in, the stepped surfaces of the male screws 81, 81 and the shaft portions 82, 82 are brought into contact with the outer surface 93 of the spacer 9, and the spacer 9 is moved to the left side 33 of the lower column 3. If the gap between the tilt sliding portion between the lower column 3 and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is eliminated, the rigidity of the lower column 3 in the lateral direction (left-right direction in FIG. 16) is increased. This improves the steering feeling. Although an example in which the spacer 9 is provided on only one side is shown here, a similar spacer is also inserted between the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 231 of the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2. It is also possible to arrange spacers on both the left and right sides of the lower column 3.

  In this way, in order to increase the lateral rigidity of the lower column 3, the solid lubricant can be applied to the tilt sliding portion even if the clearance of the tilt sliding portion between the lower column 3 and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 is eliminated. Since the friction coefficient of the tilt sliding portion is kept small, the reduction device of the tilt drive mechanism and the tilt drive motor can be reduced in weight and size. In addition, since the friction coefficient of the tilt sliding portion can be kept small, smooth tilt position adjustment can be performed.

  Further, when a normal driving operation is performed after the telescopic position adjustment and the tilt position adjustment are completed, the electric motor 372 is operated, and the steering assist torque acts on the output shaft 374. When the steering assist torque acts on the output shaft 374, the reaction force is repeatedly applied from the lower column 3 to the spacer 9 and the right side plate 23.

  As described above, when the tilt position adjustment is completed, the relative speed of the tilt sliding portion is zero. Therefore, when the conventional grease lubrication is applied to the tilt sliding portion, a lubricating oil film is not formed. Therefore, when the reaction force of the steering assist torque is repeatedly applied to the spacer 9 and the right side plate 23, the lubricating oil film is cut, so that the tilt sliding portion is directly contacted and scratched, and the friction coefficient of the tilt sliding portion is increased. It gets bigger.

  In Example 3 of the present invention, since the solid lubricant is coated on the tilt sliding portion, there is no possibility that the lubricating oil film is broken even if the relative speed of the tilt sliding portion is zero. Can be kept small and smooth tilt position adjustment can be performed. Furthermore, since there is no risk of the lubricating oil film being cut, the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 and the lower column 3 can be formed of the same material, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the method of coating the tilt sliding part with the solid lubricant can coat the solid lubricant without changing the shape of the parts, so there is no increase in the number of parts and the weight of the parts, and the assembly procedure is not changed. .

  In the first and second embodiments, the lower column 3 is formed with the arc-shaped concave portion 35 and the spacer 7 is formed with the arc-shaped convex portions 71A and 71B, but the lower column 3 is provided with the arc-shaped convex portion. Alternatively, an arcuate recess may be formed in the spacer 7. Further, the spacer 7 may be omitted, and an arc-shaped convex portion or an arc-shaped concave portion may be directly formed on the right side plate 23 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the arcuate recess 36 is formed in the lower column 3 and the arcuate protrusion 26 is formed in the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2, but the arcuate protrusion is formed in the lower column 3, An arcuate recess may be formed in the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2.

  In the first to third embodiments, the lower column 3 is an outer column and the upper column 4 is an inner column. However, the lower column 3 may be an inner column and the upper column 4 may be an outer column.

  In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the case where the present invention is applied to a tilt / telescopic type electric steering apparatus capable of both tilt position adjustment and telescopic position adjustment has been described. The present invention may be applied to a tilt-type electric steering apparatus capable of performing the above-described operation.

  Furthermore, in Example 1 and Example 2 of the present invention, the effect described in Example 3 can be obtained by coating the tilt sliding portion with the solid lubricant described in Example 3. That is, the inner surface 74 of the spacer 7, the arc-shaped concave portion 35 of the lower column 3, the arc-shaped step portions 35 A and 35 B of the lower column 3, the left side surface 33 of the lower column 3, and the left side plate 22 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2. A solid lubricant may be coated on at least one of the side surface 221, the arc-shaped recess 36 of the lower column 3, and the arc-shaped stepped portion 36A of the lower column 3.

It is a whole perspective view which shows the state which attached the electric steering device 101 of this invention to the vehicle. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the electric steering apparatus 101 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 and shows a main part of the tilt drive mechanism. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2, showing a tilt sliding portion between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the column single-piece | unit of FIG. It is a P arrow view of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the tilt position adjustment operation | movement of Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2, illustrating a tilt sliding portion between a vehicle body mounting upper bracket and a column according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is DD sectional drawing of FIG. It is Q arrow view of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the column single-piece | unit of FIG. FIG. 13 is a view taken in the direction of arrow R in FIG. It is S arrow line view of FIG. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the electric steering apparatus 101 of Example 3 of this invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 15, showing a tilt sliding portion between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Electric steering device 102 Steering shaft 102A Upper steering shaft 102B Lower steering shaft 103 Steering wheel 104 Universal joint 105 Intermediate shaft 106 Universal joint 107 Steering gear 108 Tie rod 11 Car body 12 Car body mounting lower bracket 2 Car body mounting upper bracket 21 Upper plate 22 Left side plate 221 Inner side surface 23 Right side plate 231 Inner side surface 24 Lower plate 25 Female thread 26 Arc-shaped convex portion 3 Lower column 31 Bracket 32 Tilt center axis 33 Left side surface 34 Right side surface 35A, 35B Arc-shaped stepped portion 35 Arc-shaped concave portion 36A Arc-shaped Step part 36 Arc-shaped concave part 37 Steering assist part (electric assist mechanism)
371 Housing 372 Electric motor 373 Reduction gear box 374 Output shaft 375 Lower body mounting bracket 376 Tilt center shaft 4 Upper column 41 Flange 5 Telescopic drive mechanism 51 Telescopic motor 52 Feed screw shaft 6 Tilt drive mechanism 61 Tilt motor 62 Worm 63 Feed screw shaft 631, 632 Bearing 64 Worm wheel 65 Feed nut 651 Tilt driving force transmission projection 66 Engagement hole 7 Spacer 71A, 71B Arc-shaped convex portion 72 Through hole 73 Outer side surface 74 Inner side surface 8 Adjustment screw 81 Male screw 82 Shaft portion 83 Lock nut 9 Spacer 92 Through hole 93 Outer side 94 Inner side

Claims (10)

The vehicle body mounting lower bracket that pivotally supports the vehicle body pivotably with the column lower side as a fulcrum about the tilt center axis, and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket that mounts the column upper side to the vehicle body are configured separately,
A column sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket so as to be capable of tilting and sliding;
A steering shaft rotatably supported by the column and having a steering wheel mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body;
Tilt motor,
A tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the drive force of the tilt motor;
A steering apparatus, comprising: a concave portion and a convex portion that are formed in an arc shape having the same radius around the tilt central axis of the column and are fitted to each other on the side plate and the column side surface. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The arcuate convex portion is formed on a spacer interposed between one of the left and right side plates and the column side surface,
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped concave portion that fits into the arc-shaped convex portion of the spacer is formed on the side surface of the column. The steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
An arc-shaped convex portion centering on the tilt central axis of the column is formed on the other of the left and right side plates,
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped concave portion that fits into the arc-shaped convex portion is formed on the side of the column. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
A steering device, wherein an adjustment screw for pressing the spacer toward the column side surface is attached to the side plate. The steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
A steering device, wherein a plurality of the adjusting screws are provided apart from each other in the tilt position adjusting direction. In the steering device according to any one of claims 4 to 5,
A shaft portion having a smaller diameter than the male screw formed on the outer periphery of the adjustment screw is formed at the tip of the adjustment screw.
A steering device, wherein the shaft portion is fitted into a through hole formed in the spacer, and the spacer is pressed by a step surface between the shaft portion and a male screw. The vehicle body mounting lower bracket that pivotally supports the vehicle body pivotably with the column lower side as a fulcrum about the tilt center axis, and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket that mounts the column upper side to the vehicle body are configured separately,
A column sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket so as to be capable of tilting and sliding;
A steering shaft rotatably supported by the column and having a steering wheel mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body;
Tilt motor,
A tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the drive force of the tilt motor;
A spacer interposed between at least one of the left and right side plates and the side surface of the column;
A steering apparatus characterized in that a solid lubricant is coated on at least one of the left and right side plates, spacers, or column side surfaces. The steering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
Steering assist motor,
A steering apparatus comprising a steering assist mechanism that applies a predetermined steering assist force to the steering shaft via a speed reduction mechanism by a driving force of the steering assist motor. The steering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
The solid lubricant is
A steering device comprising at least one of molybdenum disulfide, ethylene tetrafluoride, graphite, graphite fluoride, boron nitride, tungsten disulfide, and melamine cyanurate. In the steering device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
A steering apparatus, wherein the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column are formed of the same material.

Images