JP2009179080A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device with a sufficient assembling property in which a projection portion from a column support member to an outer side is small. <P>SOLUTION: The steering device is made to a structure that an outer periphery of a head part 71b of a tilt guide pin 71 is engaged with a first recession part 721a and a second recession part 722a of a tilt guide slider 72, the tilt guide slider 72 is arranged in a guide hole 32a of a side wall part 32 of an upper bracket 30, and a belleville spring 73 for removing rattling is further arranged in a clearance between the tilt guide slider 72 and a mounting cylindrical part 424. Thereby, the portion of the head part 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 and the belleville spring 73 largely projected out to the outer side than the side wall part 32 of the upper bracket 30 can be reduced. Accordingly, the mounting tool can be prevented from being interfered to the projected out portion, and the steering device with sufficient assembling property (vehicle mounting property) can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device, and more particularly to a steering device having a structure that effectively removes play between a steering column and a column support member that supports the steering column.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a steering device capable of a tilt operation for adjusting the vertical position of a steering handle is known. Patent Document 1 describes an electric tilt type steering apparatus in which a tilting operation is performed by the operation of an electric actuator. This steering device is provided with a tilt mechanism section on one side of the steering column for tilting and tilting the column tube by acting on the column tube by converting the rotational driving force of the electric motor into linear motion. ing. Further, a slide portion is provided on the other side of the steering column so as to be in sliding contact with the column tube when the steering column is tilted. The tilt mechanism portion and the slide portion are assembled to a column support member that supports the steering column so as to allow tilting of the steering column.
JP 2002-193110 A

  When designing the steering column and the column support member, the design may be made in consideration of the assembling space for assembling them. In this case, when both are assembled, a gap may be generated between the two by the amount of the assembly space. In addition, a gap may occur during assembly due to a design error. Such a gap, i.e., play, causes a decrease in rigidity (particularly a decrease in lateral rigidity) of the entire assembly. Therefore, it is necessary to remove this play at the time of assembly. As a method of removing the backlash, for example, the column support member and the steering column are fastened from the outside of the column support member with bolts, and an elastic body such as a spring is interposed between the bolt head and the column support member, and this elasticity is A method of removing looseness by the body can be considered.

  However, in the above method, there is a problem that the bolt head and the elastic body are arranged outside the column support member, and the protruding portion from the column support member to the outside becomes large. If the part projecting outward from the column support member is large, the projecting part may interfere with a tool used when the steering device is attached to the member on the vehicle body, and the assembling property may be deteriorated. Therefore, it is preferable that the portion projecting outward from the column support member is as small as possible.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that has a small outward projecting portion from a column support member and has good assemblability. .

  The steering device of the present invention includes a steering column, a connecting member, a guide member, a column support member, and an elastic body. The steering column is configured to have a steering shaft connected to the steering handle and a cylindrical tube member that accommodates the steering shaft, and can be tilted to a member on the vehicle body side, particularly in a vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body. Can be tilted. The connecting member includes a connecting shaft portion connected to the tube member from the outer peripheral side of the tube member and a head formed on the outer end side of the connecting shaft portion. Here, the above-mentioned “outer end side” means an end portion side opposite to the side connected to the tube member of the connecting shaft portion. Further, the axial direction of the connecting shaft portion may be a direction orthogonal to the tilting plane of the steering column. For example, the guide member is engaged with the outer periphery of the head so as to cover the head of the connecting member. The column support member is assembled to a member on the vehicle body side, has a side wall portion that is disposed on the side of the tube member and has a long hole formed therein, and the guide member slides in the long hole as the steering column tilts. The steering column is supported so as to allow tilting of the steering column by moving. When the column support member has an enclosure structure in which the side wall portions are disposed on both sides of the tube member, and the side wall portions disposed on both sides are connected to the upper and lower sides of the tube member, the present invention is effectively Can be applied. The elastic body is disposed in the gap between the guide member and the tube member.

  Moreover, the long hole side surface which is a wall surface which forms the long hole of the side wall part of a column support member has an inclined surface. This inclined surface has a long hole width (from the front surface to the long hole) as it goes from the outer surface of the side wall (the surface on the side not facing the tube member) to the inner surface (the surface on the side facing the tube member). Inclined in the depth direction (the direction from the outer surface to the inner surface of the side wall) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the long hole so that the length in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) It is formed and opens on the inner surface side of the side wall. That is, it is formed in a taper shape so that at least the inner end side of the side surface of the long hole is chamfered.

  The guide member is composed of a pair of guide pieces. The pair of guide pieces are respectively disposed in the long holes and can be separated in the width direction of the long holes. The pair of guide pieces can be engaged and separated from each other in the long hole. And a pair of guide piece has a recessed part and an engaging surface, respectively. The recess forms a through hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery of the head of the connecting member when the pair of guide pieces are engaged. That is, the head cannot be engaged with the through hole. Further, the recess engages with the outer periphery of the head of the connecting member when the pair of guide pieces are in a separated state in which the pair of guide pieces are separated in the width direction of the long hole. Therefore, when the pair of guide members are in the separated state, the guide members are engaged with the head. The engaging surface is formed to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the long hole and inclined in the depth direction so as to face the inclined surface formed on the side wall portion and engage with the inclined surface.

  In this case, the length of the gap between the guide member and the tube member is the natural length of the elastic member when the pair of guide pieces are engaged and the engagement surface is engaged with the inclined surface. When the engagement surface is engaged with the inclined surface and the outer periphery of the head of the connecting member is engaged with the recess and the head is engaged when separated, the length of the gap is It is good to arrange | position so that it may become less than the natural length of an elastic body.

  According to the steering device having the above configuration, the outer periphery of the head of the connecting member engages with the guide member. Here, since the guide member is disposed in the long hole formed in the side wall portion of the column support member, the head of the connecting member itself is also disposed in the long hole. Therefore, the head of the connecting member does not protrude outwardly from the side wall. The elastic body is disposed in a gap between the guide member and the tube member disposed in the long hole. Therefore, this elastic body does not protrude outward from the side wall portion. Thus, by devising the arrangement structure of the head of the connecting member and the elastic body, the outward projecting portion from the column support member can be reduced. Thereby, it can be set as the steering apparatus with a favorable assembly | attachment property.

  In addition, when the pair of guide pieces are in the engaged state and the engaging surface is engaged with the inclined surface, the length of the gap in which the elastic body is disposed is equal to or greater than the natural length of the elastic body. By disposing the member in the elongated hole so that the engaging surface engages with the inclined surface in the engaged state, the elastic body can be easily incorporated into the gap.

  In addition, after the elastic body is disposed in the gap as described above, a force is applied to the pair of guide pieces so that the pair of guide pieces is separated from the engaged state, so that the engaging surface is on the inclined surface. Slide The pair of guide pieces move in the long holes while the engagement between the engagement surface and the inclined surface is maintained by this slide. At this time, since the guide piece moves according to the inclined surface of the long hole side surface, it moves in the width direction and depth direction of the long hole. The pair of guide pieces are moved away from the engaged state by the movement of the long holes in the width direction. Moreover, the length of the clearance gap between a guide member and a tube member becomes short by the movement to the depth direction of a long hole. In this separated state, the outer periphery of the head of the connecting member engages with the recesses of the pair of guide members, so that the guide member and the connecting member are engaged. In this separated head engagement state (a separation state where the engagement surface is engaged with the inclined surface and the head portion of the connecting member is engaged with the recess), the length of the gap is elastic. Since it is less than the natural length of the body, the elastic body disposed in the gap is compressed and generates a restoring force against the compression. The backlash is removed by this restoring force, and the engaging force between the engaging surface and the inclined surface is increased, and the guide member is prevented from falling out of the long hole.

  Further, the pair of guide pieces has a restriction surface that restricts the movement of the pair of guide pieces in the further separation direction by engaging with the side surface of the long hole when the head engagement state is in the separated state. I like it. According to this, the further movement in the separating direction is restricted by the engagement between the restriction surface and the long hole side surface. Furthermore, the pair of guide pieces is also restricted from moving in the engaging direction by the engagement between the recess and the outer periphery of the head of the connecting member. In this way, the pair of guide pieces can be prevented from moving in the separating direction and the engaging direction. In this case, the regulating surface is preferably engaged with a surface other than the inclined surface among the long hole side surfaces. Particularly, of the long hole side surfaces, the surfaces other than the inclined surface are parallel surfaces that are parallel to the longitudinal direction and depth direction of the long hole, and the restriction surface is long so as to engage with the parallel surface. The surface may be parallel to the longitudinal direction and the depth direction of the hole. Further, the inclined surface and the parallel surface are preferably formed continuously, and the engaging surface and the restricting surface are preferably formed continuously.

  In addition, the inclination angle (θ) of the engagement surface with respect to the depth direction of the long hole is equal to the length (H1) of the gap when the pair of guide members are disposed in the long hole in the engaged state, and at the time of separation. The difference from the length (H0) of the gap when in the engaged state, and the length of the diameter of the through hole formed when the pair of guide members are disposed in the long hole in the engaged state The diameter along the width direction of the long hole among the diameter (A1) along the width direction of the hole and the diameter of the space surrounded by the recesses of the pair of guide members formed when the head is engaged when separated. It may be determined based on a difference from (A0). Preferably, the tangent (tan θ) of the inclination angle (θ) is the length that one of the pair of guide members moves in the width direction of the long hole ((A0−A1) / 2) and the length that moves in the depth direction. It may be determined based on the ratio of (H1-H0) ((A0-A1) / (2 (H1-H0)).

  Further, the outer end of the wall surface forming the concave portion of the guide member (the end closer to the outer surface of the side wall when the guide member is disposed in the long hole) can contact the head of the connecting member in the engaged state. It is good to be chamfered to become. According to this, even when the pair of guide pieces are in the engaged state, the head can be brought into contact with a chamfered portion formed at the outer end of the through hole formed by the recess. Therefore, when engaging the connecting member with the guide member, the head of the connecting member is first brought into contact with the chamfered portion of the through hole formed by the pair of guide members in the engaged state. Thereafter, a force is applied to push the head further into the through hole. This force is transmitted to the pair of guide pieces via the chamfered portion, and the pair of guide pieces is moved away from the engaged state by this force. When the pair of guide pieces are in the separated state, the head can be engaged with the recess of the guide member. In this case, when the connecting shaft portion of the connecting member is screwed to the tube member, the pair of guide pieces receive a force in the direction of pushing from the head into the through hole by screwing the connecting shaft portion into the tube member. Thus, the engaged state is changed to the separated state. For this reason, the pair of guide pieces can be shifted from the engaged state to the separated state using the force required to connect the connecting members, and the outer periphery of the head can be engaged in the recess.

  The tube member includes a cylindrical column tube that supports the steering shaft so that the steering shaft can rotate and cannot move in the axial direction, and a cylindrical shape that is slidably contacted with the outer periphery of the column tube and is axially displaceable with respect to the column tube. It is good to provide a tube guide member and the said connection member is connected with the tube guide member. According to this, the column tube moves in the axial direction with respect to the tube guide member, whereby the steering device can be telescopically operated. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a steering apparatus that can perform not only a tilt operation but also a telescopic operation.

  Hereinafter, a steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The steering device according to the present embodiment is a steering device that can be tilted and tilted in the vertical direction of the vehicle and telescopically operated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the operation of an electric actuator such as an electric motor. FIG. 1 is a side view of a steering apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view. As shown in the figure, the steering device 1 includes a steering column 10, a lower bracket 20, and an upper bracket 30.

  The steering column 10 includes a steering shaft 11 and a column tube 12. The steering shaft 11 is intermediate between an upper shaft 111 connected to a steering handle (not shown) on the vehicle rear end side (rear side in FIG. 1) and a universal joint (not shown) on the vehicle front end (front side in FIG. 1). And a lower shaft 112 connected to a shaft (not shown). The upper shaft 111 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the lower shaft 112 is formed in a rod shape. The vehicle front side of the upper shaft 111 and the vehicle rear side of the lower shaft 112 are coaxially connected by spline fitting so as to be integrally rotatable and axially movable relative to each other.

  The column tube 12 is divided into a tube main body part 121 and a yoke part 122, which are connected so as to be capable of integral operation. The tube main body 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the upper shaft 111, and supports the upper shaft 111 so as to be rotatable and non-movable in the axial direction via a bearing or the like on the inner peripheral side thereof. . The yoke portion 122 is connected to the front end portion of the tube main body portion 121, and is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the lower shaft 112 in the state shown in the figure, and the arm portion 122 a is on both sides of the lower shaft 112 on the front side. It extends toward. In the arm portion 122a, slit holes 122b are formed on both sides in the lateral direction along the column axis direction of the steering column 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower bracket 20 is disposed near the front of the steering column 10 in the vehicle. The lower bracket 20 extends long above the steering column 10 in a direction perpendicular to the column axial direction (the axial direction of the tube main body 121) (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1 and hereinafter referred to as the left-right direction). The upper mounting portion 21 is a portion that is formed and attached to the vehicle body, and a pair of support portions 22 that are suspended from both the left and right sides of the upper mounting portion 21 so as to sandwich the column tube 12 (yoke portion 122).

  One end side (head) of a tilt center pin 23 extending in the left-right direction is rotatably attached to the support portion 22. The other ends of the pair of tilt center pins 23 pass through a slit hole 122b formed in the arm portion 122a of the yoke portion 122 and are screwed into a bearing case (not shown) disposed on the outer periphery of the lower shaft 112. The bearing case includes a bearing therein, and the lower shaft 112 is connected to the bearing case so as to be rotatable about an axis and not movable in the axial direction. Accordingly, the lower shaft 112 is supported by the lower bracket 20 via the bearing case and the tilt center pin 23 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction. Further, when the tilt center pin 23 rotates about the axis with respect to the lower bracket 20, the lower shaft 112 and the yoke portion 122 are integrally tilted in the vertical direction around the tilt center pin 23. In this manner, the steering column 10 is supported by the lower bracket 20 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

  The upper bracket 30 supports the steering column 10 on the vehicle rear side with respect to the lower bracket 20. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 and shows a structure in which the upper bracket 30 and the steering column 10 are assembled. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper bracket 30 is disposed so as to surround the tube main body 121 from four directions, and is disposed above the tube main body 121 and extends in the left-right direction so as to straddle the steering column 10. Steering the upper plate portion 31, the pair of side wall portions 32, 33 that are hung from the upper plate portion 31 so as to sandwich the tube main body portion 121 and disposed on both sides of the steering column 10, and the pair of side wall portions 32, 33 And a bottom surface portion 34 connected below the column 10. The side walls 32 and 33 are formed with guide holes 32a and 33a extending in the vertical direction. Of these guide holes, the guide hole 32a is a long hole in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a tube guide bracket 42 is attached to a portion of the tube main body 121 surrounded by the upper bracket 30 via a tube guide bush 41. The tube guide bracket 42 is a cylindrical member that is axially displaceable with respect to the column tube 12 (tube main body 121). The tube guide bracket 42 is a guide member in the present invention, and the tube guide bracket 42 and the column tube 12 constitute the tube member of the present invention.

  The tube guide bush 41 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the tube main body 121 over a predetermined length in the axial direction of the tube main body 121, and a slit 41a cut out in the axial direction is formed. The cross section is substantially C-shaped. A tube guide bracket 42 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the tube guide bush 41. The tube guide bracket 42 is slidably contacted with the outer periphery of the tube main body 121 via the tube guide bush 41 and can be displaced in the axial direction with respect to the tube main body 121.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tube guide bracket 42. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tube guide bracket 42 includes a guide part 421, a tilting cylindrical part 422, a telescopic support part 423, a mounting cylindrical part 424, and a tightening part 425. It is configured. The guide portion 421 is a portion having a ring-shaped cross section, and other portions (tilting tubular portion 422, telescopic support portion 423, mounting tubular portion 424, and tightening portion 425) are located at different positions in the circumferential direction. Is formed.

  The guide portion 421 covers the outer periphery of the tube guide bush 41, has a substantially cylindrical shape like the tube guide bush 41, has a slit 421a extending in the axial direction, and has a substantially C-shaped cross section. Yes. The tightening portion 425 is located below the guide portion 421 in the figure, and includes a pair of projecting pieces 425a and 425b that hang down from both edges of the guide portion 421 forming the slit 421a and face each other. By fastening the pair of protruding pieces 425a and 425b with fastening bolts 43 (see FIG. 3), a fastening force along the circumferential direction is applied to the guide portion 421. With this fastening force, the tube body 121 is tightened via the tube guide bush 41, and the tube body 121 is connected to the tube guide bracket 42. By adjusting this fastening force, the sliding load and backlash between the tube guide bush 41 and the tube main body 121 during telescopic operation can be adjusted.

  In the assembled state shown in FIG. 3, the tilting cylindrical portion 422 is erected from the right side of the guide portion 421 to the right, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having an axis in the left-right direction. A nut insertion recess 422 a and a screw insertion recess 422 b are formed inside the tilt cylindrical portion 422. The nut insertion recess 422a is formed so as to penetrate the tilt cylindrical portion 422 along the axial direction, that is, along the left-right direction. The screw insertion recess 422b extends in the vertical direction and is formed to penetrate therethrough. The nut insertion recess 422a and the screw insertion recess 422b intersect in the tilt cylindrical portion 422. Further, the screw insertion recess 422b has a long hole whose cross section has an elliptical shape with the long axis in the axial direction of the guide portion 421.

  The telescopic support portion 423 is a portion arranged on the lower left side of the guide portion 421 in FIG. 3, and has a nut insertion recess portion 423a having a rectangular cross section that is opened downward as shown in FIG. Yes. A telescore just nut 63 described later is inserted into the nut insertion recess 423a from the opened side. The telescore just nut 63 is elastically supported by the telescopic support portion 423 via an elastic body (rubber) 423b for preventing slippage (see FIG. 3). Further, the telescopic support portion 423 is formed with a through hole 423c in a direction along the column axis direction in the assembled state. A telescopic screw 62 described later is inserted through the through hole 423c.

  The mounting cylindrical portion 424 is formed at a position symmetrical to the tilting cylindrical portion 422 across the guide portion 421, and is erected to extend leftward from the left side of the guide portion 421 in FIG. In the assembled state, it is formed in a cylindrical shape having a shaft in the left-right direction. The mounting cylindrical portion 424 has a screw hole portion 424a along the axial direction formed inside, and a flange portion 424b that radially expands at an outer end portion thereof as shown in FIG. . A tilt guide pin 71 is screwed into the screw hole 424a as shown in FIG. The tilt guide pin 71 has a screw shaft portion 71a and a head portion 71b. The screw shaft portion 71a has a male screw formed on the outer periphery. This screw shaft portion 71a is a direction (right and left direction of the vehicle) perpendicular to the tilt tilt plane of the steering column 10, and from the radially outer side (outer peripheral side) of the steering column 10, the screw hole portion of the mounting tubular portion 424. The tilt guide pin 71 is connected to the tube guide bracket 42 and the column tube 12 by being screwed to 424a. The head portion 71b is formed on the outer end side of the screw shaft portion 71a, that is, on the end portion side opposite to the end portion on the side inserted into the screw hole portion 424a. A tilt guide slider 72 corresponding to the guide member of the present invention is assembled to the head 71b, and the outer periphery of the head 71b is rotatably engaged with the tilt guide slider 72. As shown in FIG. 1, the tilt guide slider 72 is fitted in a state of slidingly contacting a guide hole 32a formed in one side wall portion 32 of the upper bracket 30, and is movable in the vertical direction in FIG. It is assembled to the upper bracket 30 so that it cannot move in the column axial direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the steering apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an electric tilt mechanism 50 and an electric telescopic mechanism 60 so that a tilt operation and a telescopic operation are automatically performed by driving of the electric motor. Has been. The electric tilt mechanism 50 includes a tilt electric motor 51 (see FIG. 1), a tilt screw 52 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and a tilt adjustment nut 53 (see FIG. 3).

  The tilt electric motor 51 is connected and fixed to the upper bracket 30. A tilt screw 52 is connected to the tilt electric motor 51 via a speed reduction mechanism 54 (see FIG. 3) such as a worm speed reducer including a worm shaft and a worm wheel. The tilt screw 52 is provided with a male screw on the outer periphery, and as shown in FIG. 3, a bearing Br1 fixed to the upper plate portion 31 of the upper bracket 30 and a bearing case 35 and a lock nut 36 at the bottom surface portion 34. It is supported by the upper bracket 30 through a fixed bearing Br2 so that it can rotate and cannot move in the axial direction. The tilt screw 52 is formed to extend in the vertical direction in FIG. Further, the tilt screw 52 is inserted through the screw insertion recess 422 b of the tilt cylindrical portion 422 of the tube guide bracket 42.

  The tilt adjustment nut 53 is a nut member screwed into the tilt screw 52, and is screw-fed by the rotation of the tilt screw 52. The tilt adjustment nut 53 has a screw hole 53a and a holding hole 53b formed therein. The tilt adjustment nut 53 is inserted into the nut insertion concave portion 422a of the tilt cylindrical portion 422 so that the screw hole portion 53a is overlapped with the screw insertion concave portion 422b of the tilt cylindrical portion 422 in the axial direction. In this inserted state, the tilt screw 52 inserted through the screw insertion recess 422b is screwed into the tilt adjustment nut 53 through the screw hole 53a. The screw insertion recess 422b is formed in a long hole shape as described above, and has a gap in the radial direction of the tilt screw 52 when the tilt screw 52 is inserted.

  The holding hole 53b is orthogonal to the screw hole 52a, and a pressing holder 55 and a pressing spring 56 are disposed therein. The pressing spring 56 is disposed in the holding hole 53b along the central axis direction. One end of the pressing spring 56 is fixed to a bolt 57 attached to the opening edge of the holding hole 53 b, and the other end is fixed to the pressing holder 55. The pressing holder 55 is disposed facing the side periphery of the tilt screw 52, and a curved surface having an arcuate cross section that matches the outer diameter of the tilt screw 52 is formed on the side facing the tilt screw 52. The pressing spring 56 is in a state of exerting an extension force in the state shown in FIG. Therefore, the pressing holder 55 biases the tilt screw 52 by the extension force of the pressing spring 56. As a result, the tilt screw 52 is pressed against the inner peripheral wall of the screw hole 53 a on the side opposite to the pressing holder 55. Since a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the screw hole portion 53a, the male screw of the tilt screw 52 and the female screw of the screw hole portion 53a are reliably screwed together by this pressing. Therefore, the play between the tilt screw 52 and the tilt adjustment nut 53 can be removed by the urging force.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tilt adjustment nut 53 is inserted into the nut insertion recess 422 a, but its right portion protrudes from the nut insertion recess 422 a. A tilt guide slider 53c is attached to the protruding portion so as to cover the outer periphery. The tilt guide slider 53c has a rectangular outer shape and is fitted in a guide hole 33a formed in the other side wall 33 of the upper bracket 30, and its side is guided by the guide hole 33a so as to be vertically moved. It is movable and cannot be moved in the front-rear direction (column axis direction). The tilt guide sliders 72 and 53c are supported by the guide holes 32a and 33a of the side walls 32 and 33, so that the entire steering column 10 can be viewed from both sides via the tube guide bracket 42 and the tilt adjustment nut 53. The structure is supported by the upper bracket 30.

  The electric telescopic mechanism 60 includes a telescopic electric motor 61 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a telescopic screw 62 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), and a telescore adjustment nut 63 (see FIG. 3). Yes. The telescopic electric motor 61 is fixed to the yoke portion 122 of the column tube 12. The telescopic electric motor 61 is connected to the telescopic screw 62 via a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) such as a worm speed reducer including a worm shaft and a worm wheel. The telescopic screw 62 is formed to extend in the column axis direction of the steering column 10 and has a male screw formed on the outer periphery. The telescopic screw 62 is supported by the yoke portion 122 via a bearing so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction, and is inserted through a through hole 423 c formed in the telescopic support portion 423 of the tube guide bracket 42.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the telescore adjustment nut 63 is inserted into the nut insertion recess 423a of the telescopic support portion 423, and moves to the telescopic support portion 423 via the elastic body 423b for preventing displacement as described above. The elastic support is impossible. A screw hole 63 a having a female screw on the inner periphery is formed inside the telescore adjust nut 63, and the telescopic screw 62 is screwed into the telescore adjust nut 63 in the screw hole 63 a. Further, a holding hole 63 b is further formed inside the telescore adjust nut 63. The holding hole 63b is formed to extend upward in FIG. 3 from the opening end side of the nut insertion recess 423a so as to be orthogonal to the screw hole 63a, and the tip thereof communicates with the screw hole 63a. A pressing holder 65 and a pressing spring 66 are disposed in the holding hole 63b, and a bolt 67 is fixed to the opening end of the holding hole 63b. The play between the telescopic screw 62 and the telescore just nut 63 can be removed by the pressing holder 65, the pressing spring 66, and the bolt 67.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper plate portion 31 of the upper bracket 30 includes an upper support portion 31a having a portion to which a bearing Br1 for supporting the upper end of the tilt screw 52 shown in the figure is fixed, and an upper support portion 31a It has a pair of attachment parts 31b and 31b which are the part projected horizontally in the direction. Slit holes 31c and 31c are formed in the attachment portions 31b and 31b, respectively, and open to the vehicle rear side. Fastening means such as a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the slit holes 31c and 31c from below in FIG. And this upper bolt 30 is assembled | attached to the vehicle body side by screwing this volt | bolt in the member on the vehicle body side. The fastening load of the bolt may be adjusted by an urging force such as a leaf spring. In this case, when a force greater than the appropriately adjusted fastening load acts on the upper bracket 30, the bolts are pulled out of the slit holes 31c and 31c, thereby releasing the fixing of the upper bracket 30 and the vehicle body side member. As a result, the upper bracket 30 moves away from the vehicle body and can move with the steering column 10 relative to the vehicle body. That is, the upper bracket 30 functions as a breakaway bracket.

  In the steering device 1 configured as described above, when the telescopic electric motor 61 is driven, the telescopic screw 62 connected to the telescopic electric motor 61 via the speed reduction mechanism rotates. At this time, since the telescore just nut 63 screwed into the telescopic screw 62 is elastically supported by the telescopic support portion 423 so as not to move, the telescopic screw 62 moves in the axial direction while rotating.

  As the telescopic screw 62 moves in the axial direction, the yoke portion 122 supporting the telescopic screw 62, the tube main body portion 121 connected to the yoke portion 122, and the upper shaft 111 supported by the tube main body portion 121 move. As a result, the steering column 10 moves in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is the column axial direction, leaving the lower shaft 112, and telescopic operation is performed. At this time, the upper shaft 111 moves in the axial direction with respect to the lower shaft 112. Further, since the lower bracket 20 and the upper bracket 30 are fixed to the vehicle body side, they do not move by the telescopic operation. Further, since the tilt guide sliders 72 and 53c are fitted in the guide holes 32a and 33a and the movement in the column axis direction is restricted, the tube guide bracket 42 and the tube guide bush in which the tilt guide sliders 72 and 53c are assembled. 41 also does not move in the column axis direction due to telescopic operation. Therefore, during the telescopic operation, the tube main body 121 moves in the axial direction while slidingly contacting the tube guide bush 41 against the fastening force (sliding resistance) generated between the tube bolt and the tube guide bracket 42 by the fastening bolt 43. In addition, the tilt center pin 23 attached to the lower bracket 20 during the telescopic operation moves in the column hole direction in the slit hole 122b formed in the arm portion 122a of the yoke portion 122, whereby the axis of the column tube 12 with respect to the lower bracket 20 is reached. Directional movement is allowed.

  When the tilting electric motor 51 is driven, the tilt screw 52 connected to the tilting electric motor 51 via the speed reduction mechanism 54 rotates. Since the tilt screw 52 is supported on the upper bracket 30 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction, a tilt adjustment nut 53 screwed into the tilt screw 52 is screw-fed by the rotation of the tilt screw 52 and the shaft of the tilt screw 52 is It moves in the vertical direction of FIG. 3 along the direction. By the movement of the tilt adjustment nut 53, the tube guide bracket 42 and the tube guide bush 41 connected to the tilt adjustment nut 53 also move, and the tube main body 121 slidably contacting the tube guide bracket 42 also moves. As a result, the steering column 10 including the tube main body part 121, the yoke part 122, the upper shaft 111 and the lower shaft 112 is mounted on the vehicle body around the point (support point) supported by the lower bracket 20 via the tilt center pin 23. On the other hand, it tilts up and down, and a tilt operation is performed. At this time, the tilt guide sliders 72 and 53c move in the guide holes 32a and 33a. As described above, the upper bracket 30 moves the steering column 72 and 53c in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) in the guide holes 32a and 33a as the steering column 10 is tilted. The steering column 10 is supported so as to allow 10 tilting tilts.

  Further, when the steering column 10 is tilted by the tilt operation, the tilt angles of the steering column 10 and the tube guide bracket 42 with respect to the upper bracket 30 are changed. As the tilt angle changes, the tilt adjustment nut 53 attached to the tube guide bracket 42 is tilted in the nut insertion recess 422a, and the tilt guide pin 71 is tilted in the tilt guide slider 72. It is rotationally displaced relatively around an axis perpendicular to the plane (around an axis parallel to the tilt axis). As a result, the tube guide bracket 42 can be tilted in the tilt plane as the steering column 10 is tilted.

  The tilt column causes the steering column 10 to swing (tilt) about a support point by the tilt center pin 23 of the lower bracket 20, whereas the tilt adjustment nut 53 moves according to the movement of the tilt guide slider 53c. It moves linearly along the axial direction of the guide hole 33a. Therefore, the distance from the support point to the tilt adjustment nut 53 changes in the axial direction of the steering column 10 before and after the tilt operation. This change in the axial direction is caused by the movement of the upper shaft 111 (and the column tube 12) in the axial direction with respect to the lower shaft 112, that is, the tilt center pin 23 is inserted into the slit hole 122b of the yoke portion 122 in the same manner as during telescopic operation. Is allowed (absorbed) by moving in the axial direction.

  By the way, the column tube 12, the tube guide bracket 42, and the upper bracket 30 constituting the steering device 1 are assembled after being processed separately. These parts may be machined to a machining dimension provided with a gap for easy assembly in the machining process. Therefore, when these parts are assembled, there is a risk of rattling. In addition, play may occur due to a processing accuracy error.

  This looseness occurs at a site where these parts are not mechanically connected. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the tube guide bracket 42 is mechanically connected to the upper bracket 30 via a tilt screw 52 and a tilt adjustment nut 53 at a tilt cylindrical portion 422. For this reason, the tube guide bracket 42 may cause backlash between the side wall portion 32 of the upper bracket 30 at a portion where the mounting cylindrical portion 424 located on the opposite side of the tilting cylindrical portion 422 is formed. is there. When the play occurs in this portion, the rigidity of the steering device 1 in the lateral direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) decreases.

  The steering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure that removes the play generated as described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a disc spring 73 is disposed between the flange portion 424 b of the mounting tubular portion 424 of the tube guide bracket 42 and the tilt guide slider 72 as a member for removing play. ing. The disc spring 73 is compressed in the arrangement | positioning state shown by FIG. 3, and is exhibiting the restoring force with respect to compression. The play is absorbed (removed) by the restoring force (elastic force) of the disc spring 73. Accordingly, the lateral rigidity of the steering device 1 is improved.

  Further, the disc spring 73 is disposed on the inner side of the tilt guide slider 72 (on the tube main body 121 side), and the tilt guide slider 72 is disposed in the guide hole 32a of the side wall portion 32. There is almost no part projecting outward. For this reason, the attachment property (vehicle mounting property) at the time of attaching the steering apparatus 1 to a vehicle becomes favorable. That is, in order to attach the steering device 1 to a vehicle, a bolt is inserted from below into a slit hole 31c formed in the attachment portion 31b of the upper plate portion 31 of the upper bracket 30, and this bolt is screwed to a member on the vehicle body side. Is done. At this time, if there is a portion protruding outward from the side wall 32 of the upper bracket 30 (the direction opposite to the side facing the tube main body 121), the tool used for screwing the bolt is turned. This overhanging portion may interfere with the tool, thereby making it impossible to screw the fastening means. For example, if the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 protrudes outward from the side wall 32 or the disc spring 73 protrudes outward from the side wall 32, the tool interferes with this portion. However, since the steering device 1 of the present embodiment has almost no portion protruding outward from the side wall portion 32 as described above, the degree of freedom of the tool tightening locus (tool locus) is increased. Therefore, the attachment tool does not interfere with the steering device 1 when the steering device 1 is attached to the vehicle body, and the attachment property (vehicle mounting property) can be improved.

  However, in the case where the upper bracket 30 has side walls disposed on both sides of the steering column 10 or when the upper bracket 30 has a surrounding structure as in the present embodiment, the disc spring 73 is compressed (collapsed). It is necessary to dispose between the flange portion 424b and the tilt guide slider 72 and to assemble them between the side wall portions 32 and 33 of the upper bracket 30 in this disposition state. In order to assemble the disc spring 73 while squeezing it, a special tool or jig is required, and the assembling cost and the assembling man-hour increase. In this respect, the steering device 1 of the present embodiment is devised in the shape of the tilt guide slider 72 and the guide hole 32a of the side wall 32 so that the disc spring 73 can be assembled without being compressed.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembly structure in the vicinity of the mounting cylindrical portion 424 of the upper bracket 30 and the tube guide bracket 42. As shown in this figure, a disc spring 73 is disposed between the tilt guide slider 72 and the mounting cylindrical portion 424. The disc spring 73 has a ring shape, has a thickness in the width direction (axial direction), and generates a restoring force as an elastic force when compressed in this direction. The tilt guide pin 71 screws the tilt guide slider 72 together with the disc spring 73 into the mounting cylindrical portion 424. When this screwing is completed, the tilt guide slider 72 is fitted into the guide hole 32 a formed in the side wall portion 32 of the upper bracket 30 and is engaged with the upper bracket 30.

  6A and 6B are views showing the tilt guide slider 72. FIG. 6A is a perspective view, FIG. 6B is a front view, FIG. 6C is a rear view, and FIG. It is BB sectional drawing in b). As shown in the figure, the tilt guide slider 72 includes a pair of guide pieces (a first guide piece 721 and a second guide piece 722). That is, the tilt guide slider 72 is divided into two members, a first guide piece 721 and a second guide piece 722. The first guide piece 721 is formed in an elongated flat plate shape, and one side surface in the longitudinal direction is a mating surface 721b with the second guide piece 722. The first guide piece 721b is notched in a large arc shape on the mating surface 721b. A recess 721a is formed. Similarly, the second guide piece 722 is also formed in an elongated flat plate shape, and one side surface in the longitudinal direction is a mating surface 722b with the first guide piece 721, and the mating surface 722b is notched in a large arc shape. A second recess 722a is formed. Engaging portions having complementary shapes are formed on the mating surfaces 721b and 722b so as to engage with each other. Specifically, of the mating surface 721b of the first guide piece 721, a convex portion 721c is formed along the longitudinal direction in the plane portion where the first concave portion 721a is not formed, while the second guide piece 722 is mated. A groove 722c is formed along the longitudinal direction in a plane portion of the surface 722b where the second recess 722a is not formed. The convex side 721c and the groove 722c are complementary to each other so that positioning can be performed when both are engaged.

  Therefore, when the convex side 721c and the groove 722c are fitted together, the first guide piece 721 and the second guide piece 722 are engaged. In this engaged state (engaged state), the tilt guide slider 72 has a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and has a flat surface 72a and a flat surface on the back side of the surface 72a. 72b. FIG. 6 shows the tilt guide slider 72 in the engaged state.

  In the engaged state, the first recess 721a formed in the first guide piece 721 and the second recess 722a formed in the second guide piece 722 are abutted with each other, so that the front surface 72a side to the back surface 72b side. A through hole 72c penetrating through is formed. Here, the cross-sectional shapes of the concave portions 721a and 722a are symmetrical arc shapes but are not semicircular, and the center of the arc is outside the concave portions 721a and 722a. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 72c formed by combining both the concave portions 721a and 722a is not a perfect circular shape, but is a shape in which the arcs of the two concave portions 721a and 722a are connected so that the connecting portions of both the concave portions 721a and 722a are pointed ( For example, a substantially spindle shape).

  As shown in FIG. 6D, the first recess 721a and the second recess 722a are along a direction parallel to the through-axis direction of the through-hole 72c from the back surface 72b side of the tilt guide slider 72 toward the front surface 72a side. It has the parallel recessed part 721a1 and 722a1 which are the extended circular arc-shaped wall surfaces. The portions of the parallel recesses 721a1 and 722a1 on the surface 72a side are chamfered, and the chamfered portions are tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2. The tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2 are arcuate wall surfaces formed so that the diameter decreases in a mortar shape from the front surface 72a side to the back surface 72b side of the tilt guide slider 72.

  In the engaged state, the short diameter (diameter A1 in the direction perpendicular to the mating surfaces 721b and 722b) of the space portion having a substantially spindle-shaped cross section formed by the parallel recesses 721a1 and 722a1 is the screw shaft portion 71a of the tilt guide pin 71. It is designed to be larger than the outer diameter and smaller than the outer diameter of the head 71b. Therefore, the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 cannot be engaged with the parallel recesses 721a1 and 722a1 in the engaged state. In the engaged state, the diameter A2 at the opening end surface of the space portion having a substantially spindle-shaped cross section formed by the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2 and opened to the surface 72a is the diameter of the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71. It is larger than the outer periphery. For this reason, in the engaged state, the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 can be brought into contact with the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D, the first guide piece 721 includes a first restriction surface 721d and a first engagement surface 721e formed on the side surface opposite to the mating surface 721b. Have The first regulating surface 721d is formed in a portion near the front surface 72a in the side surface opposite to the mating surface 721b, and the first engagement surface 721e is formed in a portion near the back surface 72b. That is, the first restriction surface 721d and the first engagement surface 721e are formed on the side surface opposite to the mating surface 721b so as to be aligned in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first guide piece 721. The first restricting surface 721d is a surface parallel to the axial direction of the through hole 72c and the longitudinal direction of the first guide piece 721. The first engagement surface 721e is a surface that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first guide piece 721 and is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the through hole 72c. As can be seen from the figure, the first engagement surface 721e is axially formed in the through hole 72c such that the distance from the mating surface 721b (or the parallel recess 721a1) increases from the front surface 72a side to the back surface 72b side. It is inclined with respect to.

  Similarly, the second guide piece 722 has a second restriction surface 722d and a second engagement surface 722e formed on the side surface opposite to the mating surface 722b. The second restriction surface 722d and the second engagement surface 722e are symmetrical to the shapes of the first restriction surface 721d and the first engagement surface 721e. The second restriction surface 722d is formed in a portion near the front surface 72a in the side surface opposite to the mating surface 722b, and the second engagement surface 722e is formed in a portion near the back surface 72b. That is, the second restriction surface 722d and the second engagement surface 722e are formed on the side surface opposite to the mating surface 722b so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the second guide piece 722. The second restriction surface 721d is a surface parallel to the axial direction of the through hole 72c and the longitudinal direction of the second guide piece 722. The second engagement surface 722e is a surface that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second guide piece 722 and is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the through hole 72c. The second engagement surface 722e is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the through hole 72c so that the distance from the mating surface 722b (or the parallel recess 722a1) increases from the front surface 72a side to the back surface 72b side. Yes.

  The outer shape of the first guide piece 721 and the outer shape of the second guide piece 722 are symmetrical except for the complementary shape of the mating surfaces 721b and 722b. Therefore, the outer shapes of the restricting surfaces 721d and 722d and the engaging surfaces 721e and 722e in the engaged state in which the first guide piece 721 and the second guide piece 722 are engaged are shown well in FIG. 6 (d). As described above, the shape hangs down from the edge of the surface 72a in the vertical direction, and the width increases in the form of a spread from the middle.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the first guide piece 721 and the second guide piece 722 of the tilt guide slider 72 are spaced apart from each mating surfaces 721b and 722b by a predetermined distance δ in the vertical direction. ) Is a perspective view, FIG. 7B is a front view, FIG. 7C is a rear view, and FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 7B.

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, in the separated state in which the first guide piece 721 and the second guide piece 722 are separated from each other in the vertical direction with respect to the mating surfaces 721b and 722b, the through hole 72c is formed. Divided. At this time, when the first guide piece 721 and the second guide piece 722 are separated from each other by the distance δ in the vertical direction, the parallel recess 721a1 of the first recess 721a and the parallel recess 722a1 of the second recess 722a are viewed from the front. The outer contour line draws an arc on a perfect circle having a predetermined diameter A0. The cross-sectional outer shape of the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 is circular, and the diameter thereof is approximately equal to the diameter A0. Therefore, when the guide pieces 721 and 722 are separated by a predetermined amount δ, the outer periphery of the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 can be engaged with the parallel recesses 721a1 and 722a1.

  8 is a view showing a state where the tube guide bracket 42 is temporarily attached to the side wall portion 32 of the upper bracket 30 via the tilt guide pin 71, FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the assembly is completed, FIG. It is the figure which took out only the side wall part 32 of the upper bracket 30 among FIG. Here, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show cross sections when the portion where the tilt guide pin 71 is assembled in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the side wall portion 32 and the tube guide bracket 42 are positioned so that the guide hole 32 a faces the screw hole portion 424 a formed in the mounting tubular portion 424. As well shown in FIG. 10, the pair of long hole side surfaces 321 and 322, which are the wall surfaces formed in the longitudinal direction among the wall surfaces forming the guide holes 32a, are inclined surfaces 321a and 322a and parallel surfaces 321b and 321b, respectively. 322b. The inclined surfaces 321a and 322a are formed in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 32a, and from the outer surface (surface not facing the tube guide bracket 42) 32b of the side wall portion 32 to the inner surface (tube guide). The depth direction of the guide hole 32a (longitudinal direction of the guide hole 32a) so that the width of the guide hole 32a (distance between the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a) increases toward the bracket 42). Further, it is formed to be inclined with respect to the direction orthogonal to the width direction, that is, the thickness direction of the side wall portion 32, and opens toward the inner surface 32 c of the side wall portion 32. The parallel surfaces 321b and 322b are parallel to the longitudinal direction and the depth direction of the guide hole 32a, and the inner ends thereof are connected to the outer ends of the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a, respectively. And is open to the outer surface 32 b of the side wall 32.

  The width B1 between the parallel surfaces 321b and 322b of the guide hole 32a is a length A3 between the first restriction surface 721d and the second restriction surface 722d when the tilt guide slider 72 is in the engaged state (FIG. 6). (See (d)) and the maximum length (the first engagement surface 721e on the back surface 72b side and the second engagement) among the lengths between the first engagement surface 721e and the second engagement surface 722e. The length between the surface 722e) is smaller than A4 (see FIG. 6D). In addition, the inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a with respect to the depth direction of the guide hole 32a are set to the same angle θ1. Here, as shown in FIG. 6D, the inclination angle of the first engagement surface 721e with respect to the axial direction of the through hole 72c of the tilt guide slider 72 and the second engagement surface 722e with respect to the axial direction of the through hole 72c. Are equal to each other, and the above θ1 and θ2 are equal.

  To assemble the upper bracket 30 and the tube guide bracket 42, first, the tilt guide slider 72 is engaged with the long hole side surfaces 321 and 322 of the guide hole 32a. For this purpose, first, the tilt guide slider 72 is brought into the engaged state, and the direction in which the pair of guide pieces 721 and 722 are separated (separation direction) is set to coincide with the width direction of the guide hole 32a (that is, the mating surfaces 721b and 722b). The tilt guide slider 72 is inserted into the guide hole 32a from the inner surface 32c side of the side wall 32 with the first restricting surface 721d and the second restricting surface 722d as the head. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the portion of the tilt guide slider 72 where the first restricting surface 721d and the second restricting surface 722d are formed faces the parallel surfaces 321b and 322b of the long hole side surfaces 321 and 322. The In the face-to-face arrangement, the first engagement surface 721e and the second engagement surface 722e of the tilt guide slider 72 face the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a, respectively, and engage with them in a surface contact state. . That is, when the tilt guide slider 72 is disposed in the guide hole 32a as shown in FIG. 8, the first engagement surface 721e and the second engagement surface 722e are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 32a. Therefore, the surface is inclined in the depth direction. In the state where the inclined surface and the engaging surface are engaged, as shown in the figure, between the first restricting surface 721d and the parallel surface 321b, and between the second restricting surface 722d and the parallel surface 322b, In between, a minute gap having the same width is formed. The length of this minute gap is δ / 2.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, the through hole 72c formed by the first recess 721a and the second recess 722a faces the screw hole 424a of the mounting tubular portion 424. Further, a gap (backlash) is formed between the back surface 72b of the tilt guide slider 72 and the flange portion 424b of the mounting tubular portion 424 of the tube guide bracket 42. A disc spring 73 is disposed in the gap. Here, the length H <b> 1 of the gap is made approximately the same as or slightly larger than the thickness of the disc spring 73. Therefore, the disc spring 73 can be easily fitted into the gap.

  After the disc spring 73 is fitted into the gap, the side wall portion 32 of the upper bracket 30 is fastened and fixed to the tube guide bracket 42 by the tilt guide pin 71. At this time, the tilt guide pin 71 is inserted into the through-hole 72c from the outer surface 32b side of the side wall portion 32 on the radially outer side of the tube guide bracket 42 with the tip end side of the screw shaft portion 71a as the head. . The insertion direction of the screw shaft portion 71a coincides with a direction perpendicular to a plane (tilt plane) including the tilt direction (tilt direction) of the steering column 10. Then, the screw shaft portion 71 a is screwed into the screw hole portion 424 a of the mounting tubular portion 424. By this screwing, the tilt guide pin 71 advances in the axial direction of the screw shaft portion 71a, and the tilt guide pin 71 is inserted into the screw hole portion 424a. As the screw tightening progresses, as shown in FIG. 8, the corners of the head 71b come into contact with the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2 with the substantially central portions of the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2 as contact centers. At this time, it is preferable to chamfer the corners of the head 71b that are in contact with the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2.

  When the screw shaft portion 71a is further screwed into the screw hole portion 424a from the state shown in FIG. 8 and the tilt guide pin 71 is further screwed into the screw hole portion 424a, the tapered concave portions 721a2 and 722a2 of the tilt guide slider 72 are obtained. Receives a screwing force from the head 71b. This force is transmitted to the disc spring 73 disposed in the gap between the back surface 72b of the tilt guide slider 72 and the flange portion 424b. As a result, the disc spring 73 is compressed to generate a restoring force as an elastic force. The tilt guide slider 72 receives the reaction force of the restoring force at the contact portion between the tapered concave portions 721a2 and 722a2 and the head portion 71b. Here, since the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2 are inclined with respect to the acting direction of the restoring force (that is, the screwing direction of the tilt guide pin 71), this reaction force is caused by the axial force and the head of the screw shaft portion 71a. It is decomposed into a force in the radial direction of the portion 71b and in the separating direction of the guide pieces 721 and 722. Due to the radial force, the first guide piece 721 and the second guide piece 722 forming the tilt guide slider 72 are moved away from each other so as to be pushed away from the head 71 b of the tilt guide pin 71. Therefore, the tilt guide slider 72 is separated from the engaged state, and the through hole 72c formed in the space surrounded by the first recess 721a and the second recess 722a is divided. Further, the tilt guide slider 72 is moved in the axial direction of the screw shaft portion 71a and closer to the mounting cylindrical portion 424 by the axial force. The movement of both guide pieces 721 and 722 in the separating direction and the movement of the tilt guide pin 71 in the screwing direction are performed simultaneously. For this reason, both guide pieces 721 and 722 move so that the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a slide while the engaging surfaces 721e and 722e maintain the engaged state with the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a, respectively.

  As the tilt guide slider 72 moves in the screwing direction of the tilt guide pin 71, the gap between the back surface 72b of the tilt guide slider 72 and the flange portion 424b of the mounting tubular portion 424 is shortened. Therefore, as described above, the disc spring 73 disposed in the gap is compressed and exhibits a restoring force as an elastic force. Further, as the screwing of the tilt guide pin 71 proceeds, the tilt guide slider 72 moves in the separating direction, and the distance between the first recess 721a and the second recess 722a becomes longer, so the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 is increased. And the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2 of the tilt guide slider 72 also gradually move inward as the above movement occurs.

  When the relative movement distance (separation distance) of the pair of guide pieces 721 and 722 in the separation direction due to screwing of the tilt guide pin 71 becomes δ, the first restriction surface 721d and the second restriction surface 722d face each other. It engages with the parallel surfaces 321b and 322b of the elongated hole side surfaces 321 and 322. As a result, the tilt guide slider 72 is restricted from moving further in the separation direction. When the separation distance is δ, the diameter of the space surrounded by the parallel recess 721a1 of the first recess 721a and the parallel recess 722a1 of the second recess 722a is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71. Therefore, the head 71b can be inserted into the recess space. For this reason, the head 71b slides down from the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2 and is inserted into the space surrounded by these recesses while sliding on the parallel recesses 721a1 and 722a1. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the head 71b comes into contact with the flange portion 424b, the screwing is completed by the tilt guide pin 71.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the state where the screwing by the tilt guide pin 71 is completed, the first guide piece 721 and the second guide piece 722 are in the separated state, and each engagement surface (first engagement surface). 721e, 722e) engages with the inclined surfaces 321a, 322a of the guide hole 32a, and the head portion 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 engages with the first recess portion 721a and the second recess portion 722a. It is in a state. In this separated head engagement state, the gap H0 between the tilt guide slider 72 and the mounting cylindrical portion 424 is made shorter than the natural length of the disc spring 73. Therefore, the disc spring 73 is disposed in a gap between the tilt guide slider 72 and the mounting cylindrical portion 424 in a compressed state. As a result, the disc spring 73 exhibits an elastic force as a restoring force against compression, and the play is effectively removed. Further, the elastic force (restoring force) of the disc spring 73 acts on the tilt guide slider 72 from the back surface 72b side. This elastic force acts in a direction to increase the engagement force between the engaging surfaces 721e and 722e of the tilt guide slider 72 and the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a of the long hole side surfaces 321 and 322. As a result, the tilt guide slider 72 is prevented from falling off, the compressed state of the disc spring 73 is maintained, and the play preventing function by the disc spring 73 is maintained. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the upper bracket 30 and the tube guide bracket 42 when screwing by the tilt guide pin 71 is completed.

  As described above, in the steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer periphery of the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 is engaged with the first recess 721a and the second recess 722a of the tilt guide slider 72, and the tilt guide slider 72 is moved upward. The disc spring 73 is disposed in the guide hole 32a of the side wall portion 32 of the bracket 30, and a disc spring 73 for removing backlash is disposed in the gap between the tilt guide slider 72 and the mounting tubular portion 424. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a portion where the head 71 b of the tilt guide pin 71 and the disc spring 73 project greatly outward from the side wall 32 of the upper bracket 30. Therefore, the mounting tool can be prevented from interfering with the overhanging portion, and a steering device with good assemblability (vehicle mountability) can be obtained.

  In addition, the long hole side surfaces 321 and 322 forming the guide hole 32a of the side wall portion 32 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 32a so that the width of the guide hole 32a increases from the outer surface 32b of the side wall portion 32 toward the inner surface 32c. And inclined surfaces 321a and 322a which are formed to be inclined in the depth direction and open to the inner surface 32c side of the side wall portion 32. On the other hand, the tilt guide slider 72 includes a pair of guide pieces (a first guide piece 721 and a second guide piece 722) that can be separated in the width direction of the guide hole 32a, and the pair of guide pieces is located in the guide hole 32a. Engagement with each other and separation in the width direction of the guide hole 32a are possible. The pair of guide pieces forms a through hole 72c having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery of the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 when the pair of guide pieces are in the engaged state, and are separated. The first recess 721a and the second recess 722a with which the outer periphery of the head 71b is engaged. Further, the pair of guide pieces face the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a and are engaging surfaces (inclined in the depth direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 32a so as to engage with the inclined surfaces). A first engagement surface 721e and a second engagement surface 722e). Accordingly, by sliding the tilt guide slider 72 with respect to the inclined surface while maintaining the engaged state between the inclined surface and the engaging surface, the tilt guide slider 72 is moved away from the engaged state and the tilt guide is moved. By moving the slider 72 also in the depth direction of the guide hole 32a, the gap between the mounting cylindrical portion 424 (column support member) is narrowed.

  Therefore, when the pair of guide pieces are engaged and the engagement surface is engaged with the inclined surface, the tilt guide slider 72 is set so that the length of the gap is equal to or greater than the natural length of the disc spring 73. Can be incorporated into the gap while keeping the disc spring 73 in a natural length, that is, with the disc spring 73 generating no elastic force. Therefore, the disc spring 73 can be assembled to the steering device 1 without using a special jig. Further, the tilt guide slider 72 is disposed in the guide hole 32a so that the length of the gap is less than the natural length of the disc spring 73 when the pair of guide pieces are in the head-engaged state when separated. The disc spring 73 exerts an elastic force (restoring force) to remove backlash, and the elastic force of the disc spring 73 increases the engaging force between the engaging surface and the inclined surface, whereby the tilt guide slider. 72 is prevented from falling off, the compressed state of the disc spring 73 is maintained, and the backlash removing function is also maintained.

  Here, the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface and the inclination angle θ2 of the engaging surface are both equal (for example, θ) as described above. This angle θ is preferably set as follows. That is, the length of the gap when the pair of guide pieces are assembled in the guide hole 32a in the engaged state (that is, in the temporarily assembled state as shown in FIG. 8) is H1 (see FIG. 8). The length of the gap when the head is engaged at the time of separation (that is, when the assembly is completed as shown in FIG. 9) is H0 (see FIG. 9). Further, of the diameters of the through holes 72c formed when the pair of guide pieces are assembled in the guide hole 32a in the engaged state (that is, in the temporary assembled state as shown in FIG. 8), A diameter along the width direction is A1 (see FIG. 6 (d)), and the parallel recesses of the recesses (the first recess 721a and the second recess 722a) of the pair of guide pieces when the head is engaged when separated. A diameter of a space formed by being surrounded by 721a1 and 722a1 is A0 (see FIG. 7B). In this case, the angle θ is preferably determined based on these lengths H1, H0, A1, and A0. Preferably, the angle θ is determined based on the difference between H1 and H0 (H1−H0) and the difference between A0 and A1 (A0−A1). More preferably, the angle θ is determined so that the tangent (tan θ) of the angle θ is ((A0−A1) / (2 (H1−H0)).

  Further, when the pair of guide pieces are in the head-engagement state when separated, the pair of guide pieces engage with parallel surfaces 321b and 322b which are surfaces other than the inclined surfaces 321a and 322a of the long hole side surfaces 321 and 322. And a regulating surface (a first regulating surface 721d and a second regulating surface 722d) for regulating the movement of the pair of guide pieces in the further separating direction. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the pair of guide pieces from being displaced when the assembly is completed.

  Further, the outer end of the wall surface forming the first recess 721a and the second recess 722a of the tilt guide slider 72 is chamfered so that the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 can come into contact in the engaged state. Shaped recesses 721a2 and 722a2. Therefore, when the tilt guide pin 71 is engaged with the tilt guide slider 72, the corners of the head 71b of the tilt guide pin 71 are brought into contact with the tapered recesses 721a2 and 722a2, and the head 71b is further moved in this state. By applying a force so as to be pushed into the through hole 72c, the pair of guide pieces are expanded to be separated from the engaged state. In this way, by using the force required to connect the tilt guide pin 71 to shift the pair of guide pieces from the engaged state to the separated state, the first recessed portion 721a and the second recessed portion can be used without using any other force. The outer periphery of the head 71b can be engaged in 722a.

  In addition, the steering device 1 of the present embodiment includes a cylindrical column tube 12 that supports the steering shaft 11 so that the steering shaft 11 can rotate and cannot move in the axial direction, and is slidably contacted with the outer periphery of the column tube 12 to the column tube 12. An axially movable cylindrical tube guide bracket 42 is provided, and the column tube 12 and the tube guide bracket 42 constitute the tube member of the present invention. The tilt guide pin 71 is connected to the tube guide bracket 42. With such a configuration, the column tube 12 can be moved in the axial direction with respect to the tube guide bracket 42 to perform a telescopic operation. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a steering apparatus that can perform not only a tilt operation but also a telescopic operation.

It is a side view of the steering column apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the steering column apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of a tube guide bracket. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the assembly | attachment structure of the cylindrical part vicinity for attachment of an upper bracket and a tube guide bracket. It is a figure which shows the tilt guide slider in an engagement state, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a rear view, (d) is BB sectional drawing in (b). It is a figure which shows the tilt guide slider in the separation | spacing state, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a rear view, (d) is CC sectional drawing in (b). It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attached the tilt guide slider and the disc spring temporarily to the side wall part of the upper bracket. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the connection with the side wall part of the upper bracket and tube guide bracket by a tilt guide pin was completed. It is sectional drawing which shows the side wall part of an upper bracket. It is sectional drawing which shows the assembly | attachment state of an upper bracket and a tube guide bracket.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering device, 10 ... Steering column, 11 ... Steering shaft, 12 ... Column tube (tube member), 121 ... Tube main body part, 20 ... Lower bracket, 23 ... Tilt center pin, 30 ... Upper bracket (column support member) 31 ... Upper plate portion, 31a ... Upper support portion, 31b ... Mounting portion, 31c ... Slit hole, 32 ... Side wall portion, 32a ... Guide hole (long hole), 32b ... Outer surface, 32c ... Inner surface, 321, 322 Side surface of the long hole, 321a, 322a ... Inclined surface, 321b, 322b ... Parallel surface, 33 ... Side wall portion, 34 ... Bottom surface portion, 42 ... Tube guide bracket (tube member), 421 ... Guide portion, 422 ... Cylindrical shape for tilt , 423 ... Telescopic support part, 424 ... Mounting cylindrical part, 424a ... Screw hole part, 424b ... Flange part, 425 Tightening part, 50 ... electric tilt mechanism, 51 ... electric motor for tilt, 52 ... tilt screw, 53 ... tilt adjustment nut, 53c ... tilt guide slider, 60 ... electric telescopic mechanism, 61 ... electric motor for telescopic, 62 ... telescopic screw , 63 ... Telescore adjustment nut, 71 ... Tilt guide pin (connection member), 71a ... Screw shaft portion, 71b ... Head, 72 ... Tilt guide slider (guide member), 72a ... Front surface, 72b ... Back surface, 72c ... Through hole 721 ... 1st guide piece, 722 ... 2nd guide piece, 721a ... 1st recessed part (recessed part), 722a ... 2nd recessed part (recessed part), 721a1, 722a1 ... Parallel recessed part, 721a2, 722a2 ... Tapered recessed part, 721b, 722b ... mating surface, 721c ... convex side, 722c ... groove, 721d ... first regulating surface, 22 d ... second regulating surface, 721e ... first engagement surface, 722e ... second engaging surface, 73 ... disc spring (elastic member)

Claims (6)

A steering column having a steering shaft coupled to a steering handle, and a cylindrical tube member that accommodates the steering shaft;
A connecting shaft provided with a connecting shaft connected to the tube member from the outer peripheral side of the tube member and a head formed on the outer end side of the connecting shaft; and
A guide member engaged with the outer periphery of the head;
It is assembled to a member on the vehicle body side, has a side wall portion that is disposed on the side of the tube member and has a long hole formed therein, and the guide member is slidably contacted in the long hole as the steering column tilts. A column support member for supporting the steering column so as to allow tilting of the steering column by moving;
A steering device comprising: an elastic body disposed in a gap between the guide member and the tube member;
The long hole side surface, which is the wall surface formed in the longitudinal direction among the wall surfaces forming the long hole, has a long hole length such that the width of the long hole increases from the outer surface toward the inner surface of the side wall portion. An inclined surface that is parallel to the direction and inclined in the depth direction, and that is open on the inner surface side of the side wall,
The guide member comprises a pair of guide pieces that are disposed in the elongated hole and can be separated in the width direction of the elongated hole,
The pair of guide pieces form a through-hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery of the head when in the engaged state, and the head when in the separated state A recess that engages with the outer periphery of the hole, and an engagement surface that is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole and inclined in the depth direction so as to face the inclined surface and engage with the inclined surface. A steering device characterized by having each. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
When the pair of guide pieces are in the engaged state and the engaging surface is engaged with the inclined surface, the length of the gap is equal to or greater than the natural length of the elastic body, and the separated state is When the engagement surface is engaged with the inclined surface and the outer periphery of the head is engaged with the recess, the length of the gap is a natural length of the elastic body. The steering device, wherein the guide member is arranged to be less than a length. The steering apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The pair of guide pieces have a restriction surface that restricts further movement in the separation direction by engaging with the side surface of the long hole when the head piece is in the engagement state at the time of separation. Steering device. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The inclination angle of the engagement surface with respect to the depth direction of the elongated hole is such that the gap when the pair of guide members are in the engaged state and the gap when the paired guide members are in the separated head engagement state. And the diameter formed along the width direction of the long hole of the through hole formed in the engaged state and the head engaged state at the time of separation. A steering device characterized in that the steering device is determined based on a difference between a diameter of the space surrounded by the concave portion of the pair of guide members along a width direction of the long hole. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein an outer end of a wall surface forming the concave portion of the guide member is chamfered so that the head can come into contact in the engaged state. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The tube member includes a cylindrical column tube that supports the steering shaft so that the steering shaft can rotate and cannot move in the axial direction, and a cylindrical shape that is disposed on an outer periphery of the column tube and is axially displaceable with respect to the column tube. A tube guide member,
The steering device, wherein the connecting member is connected to the tube guide member.

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