JP2008081062A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device capable of enhancing the durability of a tilt sliding part by forming a smooth lubricating film on the tilt sliding part. <P>SOLUTION: An expanding space 381 which is gradually increased toward an upper end side of an arc-shaped recess 35 of a lower column 3 is formed on an upper end of a tilt sliding part between the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3 and an inner side surface 74 of a spacer 7. The lower column 3 is tilt-moved in the direction of an arrow G1. Then, a grease 27 deposited on the inner side surface 74 of the spacer 7 is moved in the direction of an arrow G2 and smoothly flows into the expanding space 381, and further flows into the tilt sliding part between the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 74 of the spacer 7 to form a lubricating film 271. Since the grease constantly flows into the tilt sliding part and the lubricating film is smoothly formed, the durability of the tilt sliding part is enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,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 the physique and driving posture of a driver.

  As a device for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel in accordance with the physique and driving posture of the driver, there is an electric steering device called a tilt type steering device. There is an electric steering device called a tilt / telescopic steering device as a device for adjusting both the vertical position and the front / rear 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.

  The electric steering device of Patent Document 1 is an electric steering device that can adjust the gap of the tilt sliding portion between the column and the vehicle body mounting upper bracket. In the electric steering device shown in Patent Document 1, a spacer is inserted into the 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 play in the gap of the tilt sliding portion. .

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the upper end of the tilt sliding portion of such a conventional electric steering apparatus. That is, FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper end of the tilt sliding portion 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. A corner of the upper end of the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 is a sharp edge 382.

  In order to adjust the tilt position of the steering wheel, the lower column 3 is tilted in the direction of the arrow G1 in FIG. Then, the grease 27 adhering to the inner side surface 231 of the right side plate 23 is blocked by the sharp edge 382, moves in the direction of the arrow G3, accumulates on the upper end surface 341 of the right side surface 34, and the right side surface of the lower column 3 34 does not flow into the tilt sliding part between the inner surface 231 of the right side plate 23 and 34.

  Accordingly, there is a problem in that a lubricant film is not formed on the tilt sliding portion between the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 231 of the right side plate 23, and the durability of the tilt sliding portion is lowered. .

JP 2002-2503 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device in which a lubricating film is smoothly formed on a tilt sliding portion and durability of the tilt sliding portion is improved.

  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, in the first invention, the steering shaft is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body, and is sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body so as to be slidable, so that the steering shaft can be rotated. A column and tilt that can be tilted and adjusted with the tilt center axis as a fulcrum, or tilt position adjustment with the tilt center axis as a fulcrum, and telescopic position adjustment along the center axis of the steering shaft. Motor, a tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the drive force of the tilt motor, left and right side surfaces formed on the column and sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket so as to be tilted and slidable, Tilt slide between the left side of the column and the left side plate of the body mounting bracket Formed on either the upper end or the lower end of the column, or either the upper end or the lower end of the tilt sliding portion between the right side surface of the column and the right side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket. A steering apparatus comprising an enlarged gap in which the gap gradually increases toward the upper end side or the lower end side of the right side surface.

  A second invention is a steering device according to the first invention, wherein the enlarged gap is an inclined surface formed at an upper end or a lower end of a left side surface or a right side surface of the column. is there.

  According to a third invention, in the steering device according to the first invention, the expansion gap is an arcuate surface formed at an upper end or a lower end of the left side surface or the right side surface of the column. It is.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body and a left and right side plate of a vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body are sandwiched so as to be slidable, and the steering shaft is rotatably supported. In addition, a column and tilt motor capable of both tilt position adjustment using the tilt center axis as a fulcrum, tilt position adjustment using the tilt center axis as a fulcrum, and telescopic position adjustment along the center axis of the steering shaft. A tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the drive force of the tilt motor; left and right side surfaces formed on the column and sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket so as to be tilt slidable; Upper end of tilt sliding part between left side and left side plate of body mounting bracket And the lower end and the upper and lower ends of the tilt sliding portion between the right side of the column and the right side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket, toward the upper and lower sides of the left and right sides of the column. A steering apparatus having an enlarged gap in which the gap gradually increases.

  A fifth invention is a steering device according to the fourth invention, wherein the enlarged gap is an inclined surface formed on the upper and lower ends of the left side surface and the right side surface of the column. is there.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the enlarged gap is an arcuate surface formed at the upper and lower ends of the left and right sides of the column. It is.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, at least one of the left and right side plates and the left and right side surfaces that are slidably in contact with each other is provided. The steering device is characterized in that it is formed in an arc shape having the same radius centered on the tilt central axis of the column, and is formed with a recess and a projection that fit together.

  According to an eighth aspect, in the steering device according to the seventh aspect, the arc-shaped convex portion is interposed between one of the left and right side plates and one of the left and right side surfaces of the column. The steering device is characterized in that the arc-shaped concave portion that is formed in the spacer and is fitted to the arc-shaped convex portion of the spacer is formed on one of the left and right side surfaces of the column.

  In the steering device of the present invention, either the upper end or the lower end of the tilt sliding portion between the left side surface of the column and the left side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket, or the right side surface of the column and the right side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket. An expansion gap is formed at either the upper end or the lower end of the tilt sliding portion in between, in which the gap gradually increases toward the upper end side or lower end side of the left side surface or right side surface of the column.

  In the steering device of the present invention, the upper and lower ends of the tilt sliding portion between the left side surface of the column and the left side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket, and between the right side surface of the column and the right side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket. Enlarged gaps are formed at the upper and lower ends of the tilt sliding portion so that the gap gradually expands toward the upper and lower ends of the left and right sides of the column.

  Therefore, when the tilt position of the steering wheel is adjusted and the column is tilted, the lubricating oil adhering to the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket smoothly flows into the enlarged gap and forms a lubricating film on the tilt sliding portion. In addition, the durability of the tilt sliding portion is improved.

  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 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow P in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5 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. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a single column of FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an upper end E1 of the tilt sliding portion of FIG. FIG. 9 is a view taken in the direction of arrow Q in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, 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.

  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. 4), 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 to 4), 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 nut holder 652 is slidably fitted on the feed nut 65 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 4, and a tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 is integrally formed on the nut holder 652. 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. Therefore, it is possible to absorb a positional shift between the circular motion of the lower column 3 and the linear motion of the feed nut 65 when adjusting the tilt position. 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 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 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 nut holder 652 fitted on the feed nut 65 performs linear motion. Since the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 formed integrally with the nut holder 652 engages with the engagement hole 66 of the lower column 3, the lower column 3 moves upward or downward with the tilt center shaft 32 as a fulcrum. Tilt to move.

  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. 7 and 9, on the right side surface 34 of the lower column 3, an arc-shaped stepped portion 35A having a radius R1 and a circular-shaped stepped portion 35B having a radius R2 centered on the tilt center axis 32 of the lower column 3 are provided. An arcuate recess 35 surrounded by is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flat spacer 7 inserted 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 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 on 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. 5. 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 smaller diameters than the outer diameters 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 vertical direction of the female screws 25, 25. The inner diameter of the through holes 72, 72 is smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft portions 82, 82. Is also 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, so that the spacer 7 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.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the arc-shaped concave portion 35 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 74 of the spacer 7, and 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 are A tilt sliding part that can tilt and slide relative to each other is formed.

  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.

  FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an upper end E1 of the tilt sliding portion of FIG. That is, it is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper end of the tilt sliding portion between the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 74 of the spacer 7. As shown in FIG. 8 (1), an arc-shaped chamfered portion 38 is formed at the upper corner of the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3. The arc-shaped chamfered portion 38 extends in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 8A and is formed over the entire length L of the arc-shaped concave portion 35 (L = R1-R2 as shown in FIG. 9).

  Accordingly, a gap is gradually formed at the upper end of the tilt sliding portion between the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 74 of the spacer 7 toward the upper end side of the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3. An enlarged gap 381 that is enlarged is formed. Consider the case where the tilt position of the steering wheel 103 is adjusted by the electric steering device 101 and the lower column 3 is tilted in the direction of the arrow G1 in FIG.

  Then, the grease 27 adhering to the inner surface 74 of the spacer 7 moves in the direction of the arrow G2 and smoothly flows into the enlarged gap 381, and the arc-shaped concave portion 35 of the lower column 3 and the inner surface 74 of the spacer 7. The lubricant film 271 is formed by flowing into the tilt sliding portion between the two. Lubricating films are smoothly formed on the upper and lower ends E2 to E4 of the other three tilt sliding portions by the same action as the upper end E1. Accordingly, grease always flows into the tilt sliding portion and a lubricating film is smoothly formed, so that the durability of the tilt sliding portion is improved.

  FIG. 8 (2) is a modification of FIG. 8 (1). In the following description, only a structural part different from the example of FIG. 8 (1) will be described, and a duplicate description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, an inclined chamfered portion 39 is formed at the upper corner of the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3. The inclined chamfered portion 39 extends in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 8B and is formed over the entire length L of the arc-shaped concave portion 35 (L = R1-R2 as shown in FIG. 9). .

  Accordingly, a gap is gradually formed at the upper end of the tilt sliding portion between the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3 and the inner side surface 74 of the spacer 7 toward the upper end side of the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3. An expanding gap 391 that expands is formed. Consider a case where the lower column 3 is tilted in the direction of arrow G1 in FIG.

  Then, the grease 27 adhering to the inner surface 74 of the spacer 7 moves in the direction of the arrow G 2 and smoothly flows into the enlarged gap 391, and the arc-shaped recess 35 of the lower column 3 and the inner surface 74 of the spacer 7. The lubricant film 271 is formed by flowing into the tilt sliding portion between the two. Lubricating films are smoothly formed on the upper and lower ends E2 to E4 of the other three tilt sliding portions by the same action as the upper end E1. Accordingly, grease always flows into the tilt sliding portion and a lubricating film is smoothly formed, so that the durability of the tilt sliding portion is improved.

  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 nut holder 652 and the tilt driving force transmission protrusion 651 perform 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. 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. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a main part of the electric steering apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 10 and shows a tilt sliding portion between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column according to the second 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 second embodiment is an example in which the lower column 3 does not have the arc-shaped concave portion 35 and is in contact with the inner side surface of the spacer in a plane, and is predetermined by the driving force of the steering assist motor via the speed reduction mechanism. This shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a steering apparatus having a steering assist mechanism that applies a steering assist force to the steering shaft.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, the electric steering device 101 according to the second 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. 10).

  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. 10) 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 oscillates along an arc-shaped locus (adjusts within a plane parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 10) 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 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 vehicle body rear end (right end in FIG. 10) 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. 10), and the telescopic position of the upper column 4 is adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, 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. 10, the flat spacer 9 does not have an arc-shaped convex portion centered on the tilt center axis 376 of the lower column 3 and is formed in a rectangular shape.

  Two female screws 25, 25 are formed on the left side plate 22 of the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 2 so as to be separated from each other in the vertical direction (tilt position adjusting direction) of FIGS. 10 and 11. 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. The inner diameter of the through holes 92, 92 is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portions 82, 82. 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 the second embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the first embodiment, the arc-shaped chamfered portion 38 or the inclined chamfered chamfered portion 39 is formed at the four upper and lower ends E1 to E4 of the tilt sliding portion. In addition, since grease always flows into the tilt sliding portion and a lubricating film is smoothly formed, durability of the tilt sliding portion can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, the arc-shaped concave portion 35 is formed in the lower column 3 and the arc-shaped convex portions 71A and 71B are formed in the spacer 7, but the arc-shaped convex portion is formed in the lower column 3, and the spacer An arcuate concave portion may be formed on 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.

  In the above-described embodiment, the enlarged gaps are formed at all the four positions of the upper and lower ends of the left and right tilt sliding portions, but the enlarged gaps may be formed only at one place.

  In the above embodiment, 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.

  Furthermore, in the 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 the electric steering apparatus.

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 Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow P in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of 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 an expanded sectional view which shows the upper end E1 of the tilt sliding part of FIG. It is Q arrow view of FIG. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the electric steering apparatus 101 of Example 2 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 10, showing a tilt sliding portion between the vehicle body mounting upper bracket and the column according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the upper end of the conventional tilt sliding part.

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 screw 27 Grease 271 Lubricating film 3 Lower column 31 Bracket 32 Tilt center axis 33 Left side surface 34 Right side surface 341 Upper end surface 35A, 35B Arc-shaped step portion 35 Arc-shaped recess portion 37 Steering assist unit (electric assist mechanism)
371 Housing 372 Electric motor 373 Reduction gear box portion 374 Output shaft 375 Lower body mounting bracket 376 Tilt center shaft 38 Arc-shaped chamfered portion 381 Expanded gap 382 Edge 39 Inclined surface-shaped chamfered portion 391 Expanded clearance 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 drive force transmission protrusion 652 Nut holder 66 Engagement hole 7 Spacer 71A , 71B Arc-shaped convex part 72 Through hole 73 Outer side surface 74 Inner side surface 8 Adjustment screw 81 Male screw 82 Shaft part 83 Lock nut 9 Spacer 92 Through hole 93 Outer side surface 94 Inner side surface

Claims (8)

A steering shaft with a steering wheel mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body,
Tilt is slidably held between the left and right side plates of the body mounting bracket that can be mounted on the body, and the steering shaft is pivotally supported, and the tilt position is adjusted with the tilt center axis as a fulcrum, or the tilt center axis is A column capable of both tilt position adjustment as a fulcrum and telescopic position adjustment along the central axis of the steering shaft,
Tilt motor,
A tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the drive force of the tilt motor;
Left and right side surfaces formed on the column and sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket so as to be tilted and slidable,
Tilt between either the upper end or lower end of the tilt sliding part between the left side surface of the column and the left side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket, or between the right side surface of the column and the right side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket A steering apparatus comprising an enlarged gap formed at either the upper end or the lower end of the sliding portion and gradually widening toward the upper end side or lower end side of the left side surface or right side surface of the column. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The expansion gap is
A steering apparatus characterized by being an inclined surface formed at an upper end or a lower end of a left side surface or a right side surface of the column. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The expansion gap is
A steering device, wherein the steering device is an arcuate surface formed at an upper end or a lower end of a left side surface or a right side surface of the column. A steering shaft with a steering wheel mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body,
Tilt is slidably held between the left and right side plates of the body mounting bracket that can be mounted on the body, and the steering shaft is pivotally supported, and the tilt position is adjusted with the tilt center axis as a fulcrum, or the tilt center axis is A column capable of both tilt position adjustment as a fulcrum and telescopic position adjustment along the central axis of the steering shaft,
Tilt motor,
A tilt drive mechanism for adjusting the tilt position of the column by the drive force of the tilt motor;
Left and right side surfaces formed on the column and sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket so as to be tilted and slidable,
The upper and lower ends of the tilt sliding portion between the left side surface of the column and the left side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket, and the tilt sliding portion between the right side surface of the column and the right side plate of the body mounting bracket. A steering apparatus comprising an enlarged gap formed at an upper end and a lower end and gradually widening toward an upper end side and a lower end side of a left side surface and a right side surface of the column. The steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The expansion gap is
A steering apparatus characterized by being inclined surfaces formed at the upper and lower ends of the left and right sides of the column. The steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The expansion gap is
A steering device comprising arcuate surfaces formed at the upper and lower ends of the left and right sides of the column. In the steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
At least one of the left and right side plates and the left and right side surfaces that are slidably in contact with each other is formed in an arc shape having the same radius around the tilt central axis of the column and is a recess that fits into each other And a convex portion are formed. The steering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
The arcuate convex portion is formed on a spacer interposed between one of the left and right side plates and one of the left and right side surfaces of the column,
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 either one of the left and right side surfaces of the column.

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