JP2009056837A - Vehicle steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate rotating operation of a steering wheel by an occupant during failure of a steering assist mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: In this vehicle steering device, the steering wheel 10 is mechanically connected to a wheel W. The wheel W is mechanically turnable by the rotating operation of the steering wheel 10, and the rotating operation of the steering wheel 10 can be assisted by the steering assist mechanism S. The steering wheel 10 is provided with an assist failure time steering wheel 10A enabling rotating operation during failure of the steering assist mechanism S, and the radial length from the rotating center O1 to an operation part of the assist failure time steering wheel 10A is set larger than the radial length from the rotating center to an operation part of the steering wheel 10 during normal operation of the steering assist mechanism S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus, and in particular, a steering handle and a wheel are mechanically connected, and the wheel can be mechanically steered by a turning operation of the steering handle. The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus in which a turning operation can be assisted by a steering assist mechanism.

In this type of vehicle steering device (power steering device), various types have been proposed, such as a steering assist mechanism that is an electric type, a hydraulic type, or an electric / hydraulic type. As one of them, there is an electric power steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.
JP 2003-312511 A

  In this type of vehicle steering device (power steering device), when the steering assist mechanism fails, the turning operation of the steering wheel is not assisted, so that the turning operation of the steering wheel becomes difficult and the wheels are easily steered. This makes it difficult to steer.

  The present invention has been made to cope with the above-described problem, the steering handle and the wheel are mechanically connected, and the wheel can be mechanically steered by the turning operation of the steering handle, In a vehicle steering apparatus in which the steering operation of the steering handle can be assisted by a steering assist mechanism, an assist failure handle that can be rotated when the steering assist mechanism fails is provided on the steering handle. The radial length from the turning center of the steering wheel to the operation portion when set in the depression is set longer than the radial length from the turning center of the steering handle to the operation portion at the normal time of the steering assist mechanism. There is a special feature.

  In the vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention, when the steering assist mechanism fails, the steering handle provided on the steering handle can be rotated. By the way, the radial length from the rotation center of the steering wheel to the operation portion when the assist is lost is longer than the radial length from the rotation center of the steering handle to the operation portion at the normal time of the steering assist mechanism. Is set. For this reason, when the steering assist mechanism fails, it is easier (smaller) to rotate the steering handle when the assist failure occurs than when the steering handle operated during normal operation of the steering assist mechanism is rotated. The wheel can be steered (by the steering force) and the steering performance can be improved.

  In carrying out the present invention, the steering handle includes a plurality of spoke portions for connecting a hub portion connected to a steering main shaft and a circular rim portion, and the rim portion is the number of the spoke portions. The spoke handle is extensible in the radial direction, and the steering handle in a state where the spoke portion is extended in the radial direction and the rim portion is divided is the handle when the assist is lost. It is also possible. In this case, the occupant can turn the wheel by rotating at least one of the divided rim parts when the steering assist mechanism fails, and the assist failure occurs. It is possible to ensure the necessary and sufficient operability of the hour handle.

  In carrying out the present invention, the rim portion includes pipes respectively connected to radially outer ends of the extensible portions of the plurality of spoke portions, and from the inside of the pipe when the rim portion is divided. It is also possible to provide a tube that is drawn out of the pipe, connects the pipes, and transmits a steering force to the pipe. In this case, when the steering assist mechanism fails, the operation section of the steering wheel at the time of the assist failure is drawn into a plurality of pipes and the pipe is drawn out of the pipe and connected between the pipes. It is possible to continuously configure the tube with a tube capable of transmitting the steering force, and to improve the operability of the steering wheel when assist is lost.

  Further, in carrying out the present invention, the assist failure handle includes a lever portion that is assembled to the steering handle so as to extend and be accommodated in a radial direction, and a portion that is radially outward when the lever portion is extended. It is also possible to have an assembled operation knob part. In this case, the handle when the assist is lost is assembled to the lever part that is assembled to the steering handle so that it can be extended and accommodated in the radial direction, and the operation that is assembled to the part that is radially outside when the lever part is extended. Since the knob portion is provided, it is possible to accommodate the steering handle in a compact manner while simply configuring the handle when the assist fails.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show a vehicle steering apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The steering apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a steering handle 10 and wheels W mechanically connected to each other. The wheel W can be mechanically steered by 10 turning operations, and the turning operation of the steering handle 10 can be assisted by the electric steering assist mechanism S.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering handle 10 includes a hub portion 11 connected to the steering main shaft 20, three spoke portions 12 assembled to the hub portion 11, and each of these. A circular rim portion 13 assembled to the spoke portion 12 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hub portion 11 has a connecting hole 11a for connecting to the steering main shaft 20 so that torque can be transmitted, and the upper end of the steering main shaft 20 is connected to the connecting hole 11a. It is fitted to the part (vehicle rear end part) so that torque can be transmitted. The steering main shaft 20 is secured by a nut 21 screwed onto the upper end screw portion 20a. Thereby, the hub portion 11 can be rotated around the axis of the steering main shaft 20, that is, around the rotation center O1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each spoke portion 12 has three fixed spokes 12 a extending radially outward from the outer peripheral end of the hub portion 11, and a diameter with respect to a radially outer end portion of each of the fixed spokes 12 a. Three movable spokes 12b assembled to be movable in the direction, three connecting shafts 12c that assemble each movable spoke 12b to each fixed spoke 12a, each fixed spoke 12a and each movable spoke 12b Three extension assisting springs 12d, and three bolts 12e inserted into the radially inner ends of the movable spokes 12b.

  As shown in FIG. 3 as an example, each fixed spoke 12a is formed integrally with the hub portion 11 and protrudes toward the vehicle rear side (upper side in FIG. 3) at the radially inner end portion. The retainer 12a1 is provided. Each fixed spoke 12a has a rectangular mounting hole 12a2 into which the connecting shaft 12c can be fitted and fixed at the radially outer end portion, and a screw capable of detaching the bolt 12e from the intermediate portion toward the radially inner side. It has a hole 12a3.

  As shown in FIG. 3 as an example, each movable spoke 12b has a projecting piece 12b1 projecting toward the vehicle rear side at the radially inner end, and the rim portion 13 at the radially outer end. It is fixed. Each movable spoke 12b has a long hole 12b2 that extends linearly along the radial direction, and a protrusion 12b3 that is formed from an intermediate portion of the long hole 12b2 toward the radially inner side.

  As shown in FIG. 3 as an example, each connecting shaft 12c includes a leg portion 12c1 fitted and fixed to the fixed spoke 12a, and a waist portion 12c2 assembled above the leg portion 12c1. The body 12c3 assembled above the waist 12c2 in the figure, the neck 12c4 assembled above the body 12c3, and the head assembled above the neck 12c4 in the figure. 12c5.

  The leg portion 12c1 is formed in a rectangular shape and is integrally supported by the fixed spoke 12a. The waist 12c2 is for slidably supporting the movable spoke 12b, and is engaged with the fixed spoke 12a and the movable spoke 12b. The trunk portion 12c3 is for guiding the movement of the movable spoke 12b in the radially outward direction, is formed in a rectangular shape, and is fitted to the radially outer end of the long hole 12b2 of the movable spoke 12b.

  The neck portion 12c4 is for preventing the body portion 12c3 from coming off, and is formed in a rectangular shape. When the neck portion 12c4 is in the state shown in FIG. 6 (when the movable spoke 12b moves in the radially outward direction), the movable spoke The movement of the movable spoke 12b can be restricted by contacting the projection 12b3 of the movable spoke 12b so that the 12b does not move in the radial direction. The head portion 12c5 is formed in a rectangular shape. When the movable spoke 12b moves in the radially outward direction, the head portion 12c5 comes into contact with the right end portion of the projecting piece 12b1 of the movable spoke 12b at the left end portion in the drawing, and is out of the diameter of the movable spoke 12b. Directional movement can be regulated.

  As shown in FIG. 3 as an example, each extension assisting spring 12d assists the movement of each movable spoke 12b in the radially outward direction, and engages with the retainer 12a1 of each fixed spoke 12a at one end. The other end engages with the protruding piece 12b1 of each movable spoke 12b. Each extension assisting spring 12d can be extended in the radially outward direction as the movable spokes 12b, 13b, 14b move in the radially outward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3 as an example, each bolt 12e is provided with each movable spoke 12b when the steering assist mechanism S is normal (when the steering operation of the steering handle 10 is assisted by the steering assist mechanism S). This is to make it impossible to move in the radially outward direction. Each bolt 12e is detachably attached to the radially inner end of the screw hole 12a3 of each fixed spoke 12 and the long hole 12b2 of each movable spoke 12b, and is removed when the steering assist mechanism S fails. As a result, each movable spoke 12b can be moved radially outward.

  The rim portion 13 can be divided by the number of the spoke portions 12, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, three hollow pipes 13a connected to the movable spoke 12b, and the inside of these pipes 13a The three hollow tubes 13b assembled to each other, the three deployment aid springs 13c assembled to the inside of each pipe 13a and the inside of each tube 13b, and the inside of the pipe 13a are fixed. The three support plates 13d are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each pipe 13a is formed in an arc shape, and a metal core 13a1 connected to the radially outer end of each movable spoke 12b, and a resin layer 13a2 covering this metal core 13a1 And inward annular flanges are formed at both ends. Each pipe 13a is configured to be a circular ring by assembling three pipes 13a, and can be divided when the steering assist mechanism S fails.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each tube 13b is a flexible tube, and half is accommodated in one of two adjacent pipes 13a, and the other half is accommodated in the other pipe 13a. Has been. Each tube 13b is formed with an annular flange facing outward at both ends. As shown in FIG. 7, when each pipe 13a is divided, the tube 13b is pulled out from each pipe 13a to the outside of each pipe 13a. In addition, the steering force can be transmitted to each pipe 13a by contacting the annular flange of each pipe 13a.

  Each deployment assist spring 13c and each tube 13b are pulled out smoothly between each divided pipe 13a, and the rigidity of each tube 13b is maintained so that an occupant can hold and rotate each tube 13b. Is. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the deployment assisting springs 13c is interposed between the support plates 13d, penetrating the intermediate portion into the tube 13b and penetrating both ends into the pipe 13a. As shown in FIG. 7, when each pipe 13a is divided, it can extend in the circumferential direction.

  In the first embodiment configured as described above, when the steering assist mechanism S is in a normal state, the occupant can turn the wheel W by turning the steering handle 10 shown in FIGS. Is possible. At this time, since the steering assist mechanism S is normally operated to assist the turning operation of the steering handle 10, the steering handle 10 can be easily turned.

  By the way, when the steering assist mechanism S fails, the turning operation of the steering handle 10 is not assisted, so that the turning operation of the steering handle 10 becomes difficult. Therefore, the occupant removes the bolts 12e inserted through the fixed spokes 12a and the movable spokes 12b, moves the movable spokes 12b radially outward, divides the pipes 13a and divides the movable spokes 12b. At the same time, the tubes 13b are pulled out of the pipes 13a to the outside of the pipes 13a, so that the steering handle 10 shown in FIGS. The handle 10A can be used.

  The assist failure handle 10A can be rotated around the rotation center O1, and the radial length from the rotation center O1 of the assist failure handle 10A to the pipes 13a and the tubes 13b, which are operation units. The length (see FIG. 5) is set to be longer than the radial length (see FIG. 2) from the rotation center O1 of the steering handle 10 at the normal time of the steering assist mechanism S to the operation portion.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the steering assist mechanism S fails, the steering handle 10 (the steering handle that is operated when the steering assist mechanism S is normal) shown in FIGS. Compared to the case, by turning the steering wheel 10A when the steering assist fails, the wheel W can be easily steered (with a small steering force), and the steering performance can be improved. . Further, in the first embodiment, when the steering assist mechanism S fails, the occupant can turn the wheel by rotating at least one of the three pipes 13a. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the necessary and sufficient operability of the handle 10A when the assist is lost.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the operation portion of the assist failure handle 10A is pulled out of the pipe 13a and the pipe 13a from the inside of the pipe 13a and between the pipes 13a. Since the tube 13b that is connected and can transmit the steering force to each pipe 13a is formed in a substantially circular shape, the operability of the handle 10A when the assist is lost can be improved.

  In the first embodiment described above, the rim portion 13 is configured to include each tube 13b and each deployment assisting spring 13c. However, the rim portion 13 includes each tube 13b and each deployment assisting spring 13c. It is also possible to implement as a configuration not provided with. In this case, when the steering assist mechanism S fails, the operation portion of the handle 10A at the time of assist failure becomes the pipe 13a divided into three parts.

  In the first embodiment described above, the rim portion 13 is configured to be divided into three parts by the three movable spokes 12b. However, the number of movable spokes can be changed as appropriate, and the rim portion (13 ) May be divided and implemented by changing the number of movable spokes.

  In the first embodiment described above, the steering handle 10 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is manually used as the assist failure handle 10A shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, but an actuator is attached to the steering handle (10). The steering handle (10) shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 can be changed to the assist failure handle (10A) shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 by operating the actuator.

  In the first embodiment described above, the steering handle 10 in the state shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is used as the assist failure handle 10A, that is, the assist handle failure steering wheel 10 is effectively utilized. 10A has been implemented, but as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the components of the steering handle 110 (having a hub portion 111, a spoke portion 112, and a rim portion 113) It is also possible to configure the handle 130 at the time of assist failure by a separate member.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the assist failure handle 130 includes an I-shaped lever portion 131 that is assembled so as to be able to extend and accommodate in the radial direction of the steering handle 110, An operation knob portion 132 is provided that is assembled to a portion that is radially outward when the lever portion 131 is extended. The lever part 131 can be accommodated in an I-shaped recess provided in the hub part 111 and the spoke part 112, and is connected to the spoke part 112 of the steering handle 110 via the connecting pin 133 at one end part (lower end part in FIG. 8). It is assembled so as to be rotatable downward in the figure. The operation knob portion 132 is assembled to the other end portion (the upper end portion in FIG. 8) of the lever portion 131 via the support pin 134 so as to be rotatable around the support pin 134. The operation knob portion 132 may be assembled to the lever portion 131 either after the lever portion 131 is rotated downward in the drawing or before it is rotated.

  In this assist failure handle 130, when the steering assist mechanism S fails, as shown in FIG. 9, the lever 131 is pivoted downward in the drawing, so that the assist failure handle 130 is moved to the steering handle 110. The lever portion 131 can be rotated around the axis of the steering main shaft 120, that is, the rotation center O <b> 1 by rotating the operation knob portion 132.

  For this reason, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, compared to the case where the steering handle 110 that is operated during normal operation of the steering assist mechanism S is rotated when the steering assist mechanism fails. Thus, the wheel can be easily steered (with a small steering force), and the steering performance can be improved. Further, in the second embodiment, the assist failure handle 130 includes a lever portion 131 assembled to the steering handle 110 so as to be able to extend and accommodate in the radial direction, and a radially outward direction when the lever portion is extended. Since the operation knob portion 132 assembled to the portion to be provided is provided, the steering wheel 130 when the assist is lost can be accommodated in the steering handle 110 in a compact manner with a simple configuration.

  In the second embodiment described above, the assist failure handle 130 is extended manually in the radial direction. However, an actuator is provided in the steering handle (110), and the assist failure handle (130) is activated by the operation of the actuator. ) Can be extended in the radially outward direction.

1 is an overall configuration diagram schematically illustrating a first embodiment of a steering device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the steering handle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged vertical side view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional plan view taken along 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the steering handle shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged longitudinal side view taken along 6-6 in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional plan view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of a steering handle showing a second embodiment of the steering device according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the steering handle shown in FIG. 8.

Explanation of symbols

W ... wheel, S ... steering assist mechanism, 10 ... steering handle, 11 ... hub portion, 12, ... spoke portion, 12a ... fixed spoke, 12b ... movable spoke, 12c ... connecting shaft, 12d ... extension assist spring, 12e ... Bolt, 13 ... Rim, 13a ... Pipe, 13b ... Tube, 13c ... Spring for assisting deployment, 13d ... Support plate, 20 ... Steering main shaft, 21 ... Nut

Claims (4)

  For a vehicle in which a steering handle and a wheel are mechanically connected, the wheel can be mechanically steered by a turning operation of the steering handle, and the turning operation of the steering handle can be assisted by a steering assist mechanism In the steering apparatus, an assist failure handle that can be rotated when the steering assist mechanism fails is provided on the steering handle, and the radial length from the rotation center of the handle to the operation portion when the assist fails is determined. The vehicle steering apparatus is characterized in that the steering assist mechanism is set to be longer than the radial length from the center of rotation of the steering handle to the operating portion during normal operation of the steering assist mechanism.   2. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steering handle includes a plurality of spoke portions that connect a hub portion connected to a steering main shaft and a circular rim portion, and the rim portion includes: The steering handle can be divided by the number of spoke portions, the spoke portions can be expanded in the radial direction, and the steering handle in a state in which the spoke portions are expanded in the radial direction and the rim portion is divided is the assist failure. A steering apparatus for a vehicle, wherein the steering apparatus is an hour handle.   3. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rim portion includes pipes respectively connected to radially outer ends of extendable portions of the plurality of spoke portions, and the rim portion is divided. A vehicle steering apparatus comprising a tube that is drawn out of the pipe to the outside of the pipe, connects the pipes, and transmits a steering force to the pipe.   The steering apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the assist failure handle includes a lever portion that is assembled to the steering handle so as to extend and be accommodated in a radial direction, and a radially outward portion when the lever portion is extended. A steering apparatus for a vehicle, comprising an operation knob portion assembled to a portion to be.

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