JP2008049938A - Steering device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent inconvenience of deteriorating vibration control rubber of a damper, when grease of a shaft slide surface of a telescopic mechanism sticks to the damper, when arranging the damper for preventing the transmission to a steering wheel of vibration generated in a transmission ratio variable mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: A collar body 60 is arranged on an outer peripheral surface of a second shaft 32 between a slide fitting part 35 slidably fitted in the axial direction by lubricating a first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 by the grease and the damper 50 having the vibration control rubber 53. The grease applied to the slide fitting part 35 is received by the collar body 60, even when intruding downward by going along the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32. Thus, the grease is prevented from sticking to the vibration control rubber 53 of the damper 50. As a result, the damper 50 can maintain original vibration control performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus that outputs a steering output corresponding to a driver's steering operation to a steering apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a steering device including a transmission ratio variable device that changes a transmission ratio between a steering angle of a steering wheel and a turning angle of a steered wheel is known. A system provided with this transmission ratio variable device is generally called VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio System), and has various advantages such as a reduction in the load on the steering operation of the driver and the guarantee of vehicle stability.
The transmission ratio variable device includes, for example, a gear mechanism such as a strain wave gearing driven by an electric motor, as proposed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2005-162124 A

However, the transmission ratio variable device has a problem that the steering handle vibrates due to the vibration of the electric motor or the gear mechanism. Such a problem may occur not only in the transmission ratio variable device but also in a steering device provided with an electric power steering device in a column. That is, when an actuator including an electric motor and a gear mechanism such as a transmission ratio variable device or an electric power steering device is provided in the column, the steering handle may vibrate due to the vibration.
Thus, when considering a configuration in which a damper is interposed between the input shaft of the actuator and the steering shaft, a problem arises in combination with the telescopic mechanism.

  In the telescopic mechanism, the steering shaft is divided into two parts in order to make the length of the steering shaft extendable. In general, a telescopic steering shaft includes a first shaft having a hollow cylindrical portion and a second shaft that is slidably fitted in the hollow cylindrical portion of the first shaft. The second shaft can smoothly slide in the first shaft with a low load, and grease is applied to the fitting surfaces of both shafts in order to suppress wear.

  However, there is a risk that this grease will travel along the steering shaft and adhere to the vibration-proof rubber of the damper. In general, anti-vibration rubber deteriorates when grease is attached, and cracks or breaks. In addition, the anti-vibration characteristic changes with respect to the initial characteristic. As a result, there is a risk that abnormal noise is generated or the steering performance is deteriorated.

  An object of the present invention is to address the above-described problems, and prevents vibration generated by a variable transmission ratio device or an electric power steering device from being transmitted to a steering member and protects a vibration transmission prevention damper. The purpose is to plan.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a steering operation member for a driver to perform a steering operation, a first shaft having a hollow cylindrical portion, and grease lubrication in the hollow cylindrical portion of the first shaft. And a second shaft that is slidably fitted, and can be expanded and contracted by changing the axial relative position between both shafts, and both shafts are integrated with the shaft center by rotating the steering operation portion. Steering shaft, and a transmission ratio variable mechanism for changing a transmission ratio between the rotation angle of the steering shaft and the turning angle of the steered wheels, or steering assist with respect to the steering torque acting on the steering shaft An actuator having at least one of a power steering mechanism for applying torque, and a rotation between the steering shaft and the actuator. A damper provided with a vibration-proof rubber provided in a torque transmission path and preventing vibration generated by the actuator from being transmitted to the steering shaft side, and the second shaft slidable in the hollow cylindrical portion of the first shaft A slide fitting portion to be fitted, and a grease adhesion preventing means provided between the damper and for preventing the grease applied to the slide fitting portion from adhering to the vibration-proof rubber of the damper. That is.

  According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, even when vibration is generated by an actuator such as a transmission ratio variable mechanism or a power steering mechanism, vibration transmission to the steering operation unit is suppressed by the damper provided with the anti-vibration rubber, which is inconvenient for the driver. Does not give pleasure. In addition, even when a telescopic mechanism that adjusts the position of the steering operation unit by expanding and contracting the steering shaft is combined, the grease of the slide fitting portion between the first shaft and the second shaft constituting the steering shaft is used as a vibration isolating rubber for the damper. Therefore, the anti-vibration rubber is prevented from deteriorating. Therefore, the initial performance of the damper can be maintained. As a result, it is possible to combine the variable transmission ratio mechanism or the power steering mechanism and the telescopic mechanism without any problem, and the vehicle performance can be improved.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the damper is provided in a cylindrical shape so as to cover an outer peripheral surface on the actuator side below the slide fitting portion of the second shaft, and the grease adhesion preventing means includes: An object of the present invention is to prevent the grease from adhering to the end portion of the damper that faces the slide fitting portion of the cylindrical anti-vibration rubber.

  According to this invention, it is only necessary to protect the end portion of the cylindrical anti-vibration rubber facing the slide fitting portion from the grease. Therefore, it is possible to easily prevent the adhesion of the grease to the anti-vibration rubber. In this case, for example, the actuator input shaft is provided in a cylindrical shape, and the actuator and the steering shaft are connected to each other through the cylindrical damper by fitting the cylindrical input shaft of the actuator to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical damper. can do.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the grease adhesion preventing means includes a flange portion having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the vibration isolating rubber in the damper, and the slide fitting portion and the damper in the second shaft. It is to be provided between them.

  According to this invention, even if the grease applied to the slide fitting portion travels along the second shaft and comes to the damper side, the grease is received by the flange portion and does not adhere to the vibration-proof rubber of the damper. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the grease from adhering to the vibration-proof rubber with a very simple configuration. In this case, the flange portion may be formed integrally with the second shaft or may be formed separately. In the case where the flange portion is provided separately from the second shaft, the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion may be provided in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the grease adhesion preventing means has one end connected to the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft and the other end connected to the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft between the slide fitting portion and the damper. In other words, the boot is configured by a boot that covers the steering shaft in an axially extendable manner.

  According to this invention, even if the grease applied to the slide fitting portion travels along the second shaft and comes to the damper side, the grease is received by the inner surface of the boot (bellows tube) and does not adhere to the vibration-proof rubber of the damper. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the grease from adhering to the vibration-proof rubber with a very simple configuration. In addition, since the boots that can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction are used, the expansion and contraction operation of the steering shaft by the telescopic mechanism is not disturbed.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the damper is configured in a cylindrical shape with an anti-vibration rubber sandwiched between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are provided coaxially, and the grease adhesion preventing means includes the slide fitting of the damper. The part side end is formed of a cover that covers the anti-vibration rubber across the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the grease from adhering to the anti-vibration rubber with a simple configuration in which one end of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder of the damper is covered with the cover.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the damper is configured in a cylindrical shape with an anti-vibration rubber sandwiched between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are provided coaxially, and the grease adhesion preventing means includes an anti-vibration rubber in the damper. The present invention has a configuration in which a flange having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter is provided at the end of the inner cylinder on the slide fitting portion side.

  According to this invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the grease from adhering to the vibration-proof rubber with a simple configuration in which the flange portion is formed at the inner cylinder end portion of the damper.

Hereinafter, a vehicle steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a vehicle steering apparatus as an embodiment.
This vehicle steering device 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as the steering device 100) is supported by a steering support 102 provided in the instrument panel reinforcement 101 in an inclined posture so that the front side of the vehicle is positioned downward. Further, the steering device 100 includes a front bracket 103 at a front portion and a rear bracket 104 at a vehicle rear side of the front bracket 103, and each of the front bracket 103 and the rear bracket 104 is attached to the steering support 102, thereby Supported in place.

  The supported steering device 100 is in a state in which a rear portion projects from the instrument panel 105 toward the vehicle rear side. A steering wheel 10 which is a steering operation member is attached to the protruding rear end portion, and the steering device 100 holds the steering wheel 10 so as to be operable. A portion protruding from the instrument panel 105 of the steering device 100 is covered with a column cover 106, and a lower part is covered with an instrument panel lower cover 107. The front end portion of the steering device 100 is connected to a steering device provided outside the vehicle compartment via an intermediate shaft (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of the steering device 100. The steering device 100 is roughly divided into a column unit 20 that supports the steering wheel 10, a VGRS unit 80 that realizes a transmission ratio variable function, and an EPS unit 90 that realizes an electric power steering function. 20, 80, 90 are integrated.
Note that the steering device 100 of the present invention is characterized by the column unit 20, and a well-known configuration can be adopted for the VGRS unit 80 and the EPS unit 90, so the description of the internal structure is omitted in this embodiment.

  The column unit 20 includes a steering shaft 30 that holds the steering wheel 10 at an end on the vehicle rear side, and a column tube 40 that rotatably holds the steering shaft 30 in a state where the steering shaft 30 is inserted. The steering shaft 30 includes a first shaft 31 that is located on the vehicle rear side, that is, on the upper side and is connected to the steering wheel 10, and a second shaft 32 that is located on the vehicle front side, that is, on the lower side. The first shaft 31 is formed in a hollow pipe shape, the second shaft 32 is formed in a rod shape, and the rear portion of the second shaft 32 is inserted into the front hollow portion of the first shaft 31.

  Splines 311 and 321 are formed on the front inner peripheral surface of the first shaft 31 and the rear outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32, respectively. The first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 are relative to each other in the axial direction. It is connected in a state where it can move but cannot rotate relative to it. Lubricating grease is applied to the spline forming surfaces 311 and 321 of the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 so that sliding in the axial direction of both the shafts 31 and 32 is smooth and wear is suppressed. ing. Hereinafter, the spline forming surfaces 311 and 321 of the grease-lubricated first shaft 31 and second shaft 32 are referred to as a slide fitting portion 35. The second shaft 32 is connected to the input shaft 81 of the VGRS unit 80 via the damper 50 at the front portion.

  The column tube 40 includes a first tube 41 located on the vehicle rear side (upper side) and a second tube 42 located on the vehicle front side (lower side). The first tube 41 and the second tube 42 are both pipe-shaped, and the front portion of the first tube 41 is inserted into the rear portion of the second tube 42. A liner (not shown) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the front portion of the first tube 41. Through this liner, the first tube 41 is inserted into the second tube 42 without rattling, and the first tube 41 The relative movement in the axial direction between the first tube 41 and the second tube 42 is facilitated.

  The steering device 100 has an electric telescopic mechanism 70. The telescopic mechanism 70 has an axis line provided in parallel with the axis line of the column tube 40, and a rear side end part and a front side end part respectively have a first end part. By fixing to each of the 1 tube 41 and the 2nd tube 42, the relative rotation of the 1st tube 41 and the 2nd tube 42 is made impossible. In the telescopic mechanism 70, the position of the steering wheel 10 in the front-rear direction is adjusted by changing the axial relative position of the first tube 41 with respect to the second tube 42 by operating an electric motor (not shown). The second tube 42 is connected to the VGRS unit 80 at its front end. Further, radial bearings 43 and 44 are provided at the rear end portion and the front portion of the first tube 41, and the first tube 41 holds the first shaft 31 rotatably via the bearings 43 and 44. Yes. With such a configuration, the column unit 20 can be expanded and contracted.

  The VGRS unit 80 includes a strain wave gearing mechanism that transmits the rotation of the input shaft 81 rotatably held in the casing to an output shaft (not shown) in a state where the rotation ratio can be changed. Although this strain wave gearing mechanism is not shown in the figure, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-162124, a first ring gear provided on the input shaft so as not to rotate relative thereto and an output shaft configured so as not to rotate relative thereto. A second ring gear provided with a different number of teeth from the first ring gear, a flexible gear that meshes with both the first ring gear and the second ring gear, and an elliptical cam that is mounted on the outer periphery of the flexible gear. And a wave generator connected to the motor shaft so as not to be relatively rotatable. In such a VGRS unit 80, the rotation ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft is arbitrarily changed by changing the rotation speed of the electric motor.

  The EPS unit 90 includes an EPS shaft connected to the output shaft of the VGRS unit 80, an electric motor for applying assist torque to the EPS shaft, and a reduction gear (for example, an electric motor) that transmits the rotation of the electric motor to the EPS shaft. And a worm provided on the motor shaft and a worm wheel provided on the EPS shaft (not shown). The EPS unit 90 includes a steering torque sensor (not shown) that detects the steering operation force of the driver, and controls the energization of the electric motor in accordance with the detected value of the steering torque sensor, thereby assisting in accordance with the steering operation. Generate torque.

  In the VGRS unit 80 and the EPS unit 90, vibration is generated in the electric motor and the gear mechanism during operation, and the vibration may be transmitted to the steering wheel 10 via the steering shaft 30. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a damper 50 is provided at a connection portion between the input shaft of the VGRS unit 80 and the second shaft 32 of the steering shaft 30.

  A cylindrical protruding portion 82 that protrudes in a cylindrical shape to be connected to the second shaft 32 is formed at the tip of the input shaft 81 of the VGRS unit 80. A damper 50 is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 82 and the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32. In the present embodiment, the damper 50 is press-fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32, and the cylindrical protrusion 82 is press-fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the damper 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the damper 50 is made of a metal inner cylinder 51 that fits on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the second shaft 32, and a metal that fits on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 82 of the VGRS unit 80. A bush type elastic coupling in which the outer cylinder 52 and the anti-vibration rubber 53 as a cylindrical elastic body interposed between the inner cylinder 51 and the outer cylinder 52 are coaxially combined. Configured as The vehicle rear end of the outer cylinder 52 is formed in an L-shaped cross section and comes into contact with the tip of the cylindrical protrusion.

  In a state where the column unit 20 and the VGRS unit 80 are integrated, the connection portion between the steering shaft 30 and the input shaft 81 of the VGRS unit 80 is housed in the second tube 42. In this state, the outer diameter of the connecting portion, that is, the outer diameter of the cylindrical protruding portion 82 of the input shaft 81 is made smaller than the inner diameter of the first tube 41. For this reason, when the column unit 20 contracts, the end of the first tube 41 on the vehicle front side is partitioned by the inner peripheral surface of the second tube 42 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 82. In the space S. This space S enables telescopic operation and absorbs the impact energy of the secondary collision, which is a collision with the driver's steering wheel 10, with the forward movement of the vehicle side rear side portion of the column unit 20. It is secured as a stroke (EA stroke).

  By the way, the first shaft 31 and the second shaft 32 constituting the steering shaft 30 are applied with grease on sliding surfaces formed with splines. Since this grease application surface is above the position of the damper 50, the grease may travel down the second shaft 32 and adhere to the vibration isolating rubber 53 of the damper 50. The anti-vibration rubber 53 used for the damper 50 deteriorates when grease is attached, and cracks or breaks. In addition, the anti-vibration characteristic changes with respect to the initial characteristic. As a result, there is a risk that abnormal noise is generated or the steering performance is deteriorated.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a grease adhesion preventing means for preventing grease from adhering to the vibration isolating rubber 53 of the damper 50 is provided. First, a steering apparatus including a grease adhesion preventing unit as a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this first embodiment, as a grease adhesion preventing means, a ring-shaped ring extending in the radial direction is provided at the intermediate position of the second shaft 32, that is, at the outer peripheral surface between the slide fitting portion 35 and the damper 50 mounting surface. A housing 60 is attached. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 60 is formed with an insertion hole 601 having the same diameter as the intermediate portion of the second shaft 32 at the center of the disk body, and is firmly attached to the second shaft 32 by press-fitting. The casing 60 has a larger outer diameter than that of the vibration-proof rubber 53. The casing 60 is not limited to press-fitting as long as it is formed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32, and may be attached in any manner such as a C-ring stopper. Various materials can be used for the housing 60 as long as it has grease resistance.

  The housing 60 is preferably attached as close to the damper 50 as possible as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but may be close to the slide fitting portion 35 as shown in the modified example of FIG. In this case, the casing 60 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first tube 41 so as not to hinder the telescopic function, and the casing 60 receives the EA load when absorbing the impact energy of the steering shaft (at the time of EA). 60 may be set so that it is disengaged from the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32 and can slide in the direction of the damper 50 (indicated by an arrow in the figure). In the example shown in FIG. 5, one side surface (right side surface in the drawing) of the housing 60 is brought into contact with the step portion 33 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32, and the opposite side surface of the housing 60 is stopped by the C ring 602. Is. In this configuration, the mounting strength is set so that the tip of the first shaft 31 pushes the housing 60 toward the damper 50 and the C-ring 602 is unfixed during EA.

Further, the housing is not limited to the one fixed to the outer periphery of the second shaft 32, and may be a housing 61 integrally formed by processing the second shaft 32 itself as shown in the modification of FIG. . The casing 61 is preferably formed as close as possible to the damper 50 and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the vibration isolating rubber 53.
Furthermore, as shown in the modification of FIG. 7, the grease reservoir 611 may be formed by recessing the slide fitting portion 35 side of the housing 61.

  According to the grease adhesion preventing means in the first embodiment described above, the grease damper 50 side is provided by the casings 60 and 61 provided on the second shaft 32 even when the grease flows downward along the second shaft 32. Therefore, the grease does not adhere to the anti-vibration rubber 53. In particular, since the outer diameters of the casings 60 and 61 are formed larger than the outer diameter of the vibration isolating rubber 53, even if grease adhering to the casings 60 and 61 is dripped, it does not adhere to the vibration isolating rubber 53. Thus, reliable adhesion prevention can be achieved. Therefore, the damper performance can be maintained satisfactorily.

  Next, the grease adhesion preventing means of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 shows the steering device 100 provided with the grease adhesion preventing means of the second embodiment. The grease adhesion preventing means in the second embodiment is constituted by a cover 65 provided at the end of the damper 50 on the slide fitting portion 35 side.

  In the inner cylinder 51 and the outer cylinder 52 of the damper 50, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. . On the other hand, the cover 65 is a bowl-shaped body having an insertion hole opened in the center, and one end of the cover 65 is an inner cylinder attachment portion 651 attached in close contact with the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylinder 51, and the other end is larger than the inner cylinder attachment portion 651. It becomes the outer cylinder attaching part 652 attached closely to the outer peripheral part of the outer cylinder 52 by the diameter.

The cover 65 is inserted into the rear end side of the damper 50 so that the inner cylinder mounting portion 651 covers the periphery of the cover fixing groove 511 and the outer cylinder mounting portion 652 covers the periphery of the cover fixing groove 521. In this state, two sets of clips 111 and 112 are attached to the inner cylinder mounting portion 651 and the outer cylinder mounting portion 652 from the outside of the cover 65. The clips 111 and 112 are, for example, a linear body such as a wire, and by pressing the inner cylinder mounting portion 651 and the outer cylinder mounting portion 652 of the cover 65 into the cover fixing grooves 511 and 521, Is fixed to the end of the damper 50. Therefore, the end portion of the vibration isolating rubber 53 exposed to the slide fitting portion 35 side of the damper 50 is completely covered by the cover 65.
The cover 65 is formed of a material that can move the inner cylinder 51 and the outer cylinder 52 of the damper 50 in the rotational direction and has grease resistance, such as EPDM rubber.

  According to the grease adhesion preventing means of the second embodiment described above, even if the grease travels downward along the second shaft 32, it is prevented by the cover 65 provided at the end of the damper 50 on the slide fitting portion 35 side. Since the vibration rubber 53 is completely covered, the grease does not adhere to the vibration isolation rubber 53. Therefore, the damper performance can be maintained satisfactorily.

  Next, the grease adhesion preventing means of the third embodiment will be described. 10 and 11 show the main part of the steering apparatus 100 provided with the grease adhesion preventing means of the third embodiment. The grease adhesion preventing means in the third embodiment is constituted by a boot 66 provided between the second shaft 32 and the first shaft 31.

  The boot 66 is made of a material having grease resistance, and includes a mounting pipe portion 661 and 662 provided at both ends thereof, and a telescopic bellows pipe portion 663 provided between the mounting pipe portions 661 and 662. One mounting pipe portion 661 of the boot 66 is inserted into the front end of the first shaft 31 on the vehicle front side and is closely fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 31, and the other mounting pipe portion 662 is a damper of the second shaft 32. The slide fitting portion 35 side is inserted slightly from the 50 mounting position, and is closely fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 32. Even if the first shaft 31 slides relative to the second shaft 32, the bellows tube portion 663 does not interfere with the telescopic operation and the EA operation due to its expansion and contraction. FIG. 10 shows a state when the telescopic mechanism is in the neutral position, and FIG. 11 shows a state when the telescopic mechanism is in the short position.

  The boot 66 attached in this way covers the spline forming surface that becomes the grease application surface of the second shaft 32, thereby blocking the space between the spline forming surface and the damper 50. Therefore, the grease is received by the inner surface of the boot 66 even if it travels down along the second shaft 32 surface, and further progressing downward is prevented. As a result, the grease does not adhere to the vibration isolating rubber 53. Therefore, the damper performance can be maintained satisfactorily.

  Next, the grease adhesion preventing means of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a damper 55 shown in FIG. 12 is provided instead of the damper 50 used in the above-described embodiment. The damper 55 has a different inner cylinder from the damper 50 of the previous embodiment, and is the same for the outer cylinder and the anti-vibration rubber. Accordingly, the common components of the damper 55 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The inner cylinder 56 of the damper 55 is integrally formed with a flange portion 561 extending in the radial direction by bending the slide fitting portion 35 side into an L-shaped cross section. The outer diameter of the flange portion 561 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the vibration isolating rubber 53.

  Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, even if the grease flows downward along the second shaft 32, the grease is received by the flange portion 561 formed on the inner cylinder 56 of the damper 55, so that the grease is applied to the vibration isolating rubber 53. There is no adhesion. In particular, since the outer diameter of the flange portion 561 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the vibration isolating rubber 53, even if grease adhering to the flange portion 561 is dripped, it does not adhere to the vibration isolating rubber 53 and is reliably attached. Prevention can be achieved. Therefore, the damper performance can be maintained satisfactorily.

As mentioned above, although the vehicle steering apparatus of this embodiment was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the objective of this invention.
For example, the vehicle steering apparatus according to the present embodiment includes both the VGRS unit and the EPS unit, but may include either one.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the steering column in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of a damper portion and a flange portion of the steering column in the first embodiment. It is a perspective view of the housing in a 1st embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the steering column in the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a side surface expanded sectional view of the damper part and collar part of a steering column in other modifications of a 1st embodiment. It is a side surface expanded sectional view of the damper part and collar part of a steering column in other modifications of a 1st embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the steering column in 2nd Embodiment. It is a side surface expanded sectional view of the damper part of the steering column in 2nd Embodiment. It is a side surface expanded sectional view (state which has a telescopic mechanism in a neutral position) of the damper part and boot attachment part of a steering column in a 3rd embodiment. It is a side surface expanded sectional view (state which has a telescopic mechanism in a short position) of a damper part of a steering column in a 3rd embodiment, and a boot attachment part. It is a side surface expanded sectional view of the damper part of the steering column in a 4th embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering wheel, 20 ... Column unit, 30 ... Steering shaft, 31 ... 1st shaft, 32 ... 2nd shaft, 35 ... Slide fitting part, 40 ... Column tube, 41 ... 1st tube, 42 ... 2nd tube 50, 55 ... damper, 51, 56 ... inner cylinder, 52 ... outer cylinder, 53 ... anti-vibration rubber, 561 ... housing, 60, 61 ... housing, 65 ... cover, 66 ... boot, 80 ... VGRS unit, 81 ... Input shaft, 82 ... Cylindrical protrusion, 90 ... EPS unit.

Claims (6)

A steering operation member for a driver to perform a steering operation;
A first shaft having a hollow cylindrical portion; and a second shaft that is slidably fitted with grease in the hollow cylindrical portion of the first shaft, and the relative axial position between the shafts changes. A steering shaft that can be extended and contracted, and that both shafts can rotate integrally around the shaft center by the rotation operation of the steering operation portion,
At least a transmission ratio variable mechanism that changes a transmission ratio between the rotation angle of the steering shaft and the turning angle of the steered wheels, or a power steering mechanism that applies a steering assist torque to the steering torque acting on the steering shaft. An actuator with one side,
A damper provided with an anti-vibration rubber provided in a rotational torque transmission path between the steering shaft and the actuator, and preventing vibration generated by the actuator from being transmitted to the steering shaft;
The second shaft is provided between a slide fitting portion in which the second shaft is slidably fitted in the hollow cylindrical portion of the first shaft and the damper, and grease applied to the slide fitting portion is provided on the damper. A vehicle steering apparatus comprising: grease adhesion preventing means for preventing adhesion to vibration-proof rubber.   The damper is provided in a cylindrical shape so as to cover an outer peripheral surface on the actuator side below the slide fitting portion in the second shaft, and the grease adhesion preventing means is a cylindrical vibration isolating rubber in the damper. 2. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein adhesion of the grease to an end portion facing the slide fitting portion is prevented.   The grease adhesion preventing means is configured by providing a flange portion having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the vibration-proof rubber in the damper between the slide fitting portion and the damper in the second shaft. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2.   The grease adhesion preventing means has one end connected to the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft and the other end connected to the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft between the slide fitting portion and the damper, and the steering shaft in the axial direction. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle steering apparatus is configured by a boot that covers the vehicle in a stretchable manner.   The damper is formed in a cylindrical shape with an anti-vibration rubber sandwiched between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are provided coaxially, and the grease adhesion preventing means is configured such that the end of the damper on the side of the slide fitting portion is the inner cylinder. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cover that covers the anti-vibration rubber across the outer cylinder and the outer cylinder. The damper is formed in a cylindrical shape with an anti-vibration rubber sandwiched between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder that are provided coaxially, and the grease adhesion preventing means has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the anti-vibration rubber in the damper. The vehicular steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vehicular steering device is configured to be provided at an end portion of the inner cylinder on the slide fitting portion side.

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