JP2009190632A - Vehicle steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology regulating an operation range of an operating member by a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle steering device 20 comprises a steering wheel rotated for steering a vehicle, a shaft 52 coupled to the steering wheel, and a rotation regulating mechanism 200 regulating a rotation range of the shaft 52 in a predetermined range which is larger than one rotation. The rotation regulating mechanism 200 comprises pins 202, 204 coupled with the shaft 52 and projecting out in a diametrical direction of the shaft 52, a rotating member 206 rotatably provided around the shaft 52 and engaged with the rotating pins 202, 204 to rotate together, and a lock key 208 engaged with the rotating member 206 to regulate rotations without engaging with the pins 202, 204. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus for steering a vehicle, and more particularly to a technique suitable for a steer-by-wire type vehicle steering apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a steering device provided in a vehicle, a so-called steer-by-wire type vehicle steering device, that is, a system is steered under electrical control regardless of a steering force applied to an operation member such as a steering wheel provided in a steering unit. A vehicle steering apparatus in which the wheels are steered according to the operation of the operation member by the power of the power source provided in the section has been studied.

  In such a vehicle steering apparatus, since the operation member and the steered portion are not normally connected so as to be able to transmit rotation, it is necessary to define the operation range of the operation member in the steering portion for convenience of steering operation.

  For example, Patent Document 1 includes a moving member that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the steering wheel, and a blocking member that blocks the movement of the moving member, and the blocking member is positioned with the movement of the moving member. A vehicle steering apparatus is disclosed that is movable and that fixes the position of the blocking member when blocking the movement of the moving member.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an operation member, a displacement body that moves in accordance with the operation amount of the operation member in association with the operation member, and a displacement body that locks the displacement body so as to restrict the operation range of the operation member. There is disclosed a steering operation device including a locking means.

Patent Document 3 includes means for allowing movement along the axial direction of the shaft relative to the vehicle body side so as to rotate in conjunction with rotation of the operation member, and preventing relative rotation of the shaft center. A vehicle steering apparatus is disclosed.
JP 2004-249933 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-186861 JP 2001-114123 A

  However, in each of the above-described apparatuses, when the moving member connected to the rotating shaft of the steering wheel moves in the axial direction in response to the rotating operation of the steering wheel, the steering wheel operates by contacting with a certain fixed member. The amount is regulated to a predetermined range. For this reason, a space or mechanism is required so that the moving member can move in a predetermined range in the axial direction of the steering wheel, which contributes to an increase in size and complexity of the apparatus.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The place made into the objective is to provide the technique which regulates the operation range of an operation member with a simple structure.

  In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle steering apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an operation member that is rotated to steer a vehicle, a rotation shaft that is coupled to the operation member, and a rotation range of the rotation shaft. A rotation restricting mechanism for restricting to a predetermined range larger than one rotation. The rotation restricting mechanism does not engage with the restricting portion that restricts the rotation range at the n-th rotation without engaging with the restricting portion that restricts the rotation range without involving the axial movement of the rotation shaft. It is configured to engage.

  According to this aspect, the rotation restricting mechanism can restrict the operation range of the operation member within a predetermined range in which the rotation range of the rotation shaft is greater than one rotation. Further, since the rotation restricting mechanism does not involve the movement of the rotating shaft in the axial direction, a simple configuration can be realized.

  Another aspect of the present invention is also a vehicle steering apparatus. The apparatus includes an operation member that is rotated to steer a vehicle, a rotation shaft that is coupled to the operation member, a rotation restriction mechanism that restricts a rotation range of the rotation shaft to a predetermined range greater than one rotation, Is provided. The rotation restricting mechanism is connected to the rotating shaft, and is engaged with the protruding portion that protrudes in the radial direction of the rotating shaft and the protruding portion that is rotatably provided around the rotating shaft. And a rotating member that rotates together, and an engaging portion that engages with the rotating member without engaging with the protrusion and restricts rotation.

  According to this aspect, when the operation member is operated in one rotation direction, the protrusion connected to the rotation shaft engages with the rotation member during one maximum rotation, and the protrusion further rotates the rotation member in the circumferential direction. The rotation member engages with the engaging portion after both rotations while pushing, and the rotation is restricted. Therefore, the rotation restricting mechanism can restrict the rotation range of the rotating shaft to a predetermined range while allowing multiple rotations of the rotating shaft with a simple configuration in which the protrusion and the rotating member rotate around the rotating shaft. .

  The protrusion is provided so that an axial position of a rotation shaft does not overlap the engagement part so that the protrusion does not directly contact the engagement part when rotated, and the rotation member includes the protrusion And the position of the axial direction of a rotating shaft is provided so that it may overlap with the said protrusion and the said engaging part so that it may engage with the said engaging part. As a result, the rotation restricting mechanism requires a space for moving the protrusion and the rotating member in the axial direction of the rotating shaft in a configuration that restricts the rotating range of the rotating shaft to a predetermined range while allowing multiple rotations of the rotating shaft. Can be realized without. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the rotation restricting mechanism in the rotation axis direction.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a vehicle steering apparatus. The apparatus includes an operation member that is rotated to steer a vehicle, a rotation shaft that is coupled to the operation member, a rotation restriction mechanism that restricts a rotation range of the rotation shaft to a predetermined range greater than one rotation, Is provided. The rotation restricting mechanism is connected to the rotating shaft, and is engaged with the protruding portion that protrudes in the radial direction of the rotating shaft and the protruding portion that is rotatably provided around the rotating shaft. A first rotating member that rotates together, a second rotating member that is rotatably provided around the rotating shaft and rotates together by engaging the rotating first rotating member, the protrusion, and the protrusion An engaging portion that engages with the second rotating member and restricts rotation without engaging with the first rotating member.

  According to this aspect, when the operation member is operated in one rotation direction, the protrusion connected to the rotation shaft engages with the first rotation member during one maximum rotation, and then the protrusion rotates the first time. The first rotating member engages with the second rotating member after rotating one time while pushing the member in the circumferential direction, and the second rotating member moves after one rotation while pushing the first rotating member and the second rotating member in the circumferential direction. Engagement with the engaging portion restricts rotation. For this reason, the rotation restricting mechanism allows the rotation range of the rotation shaft to be set within a predetermined range while allowing multiple rotations of the rotation shaft with a simple configuration in which the protrusion, the first rotation member, and the second rotation member rotate about the rotation shaft. The range can be regulated.

  The protrusion is provided so that the axial position of the rotation shaft does not overlap the engagement portion and the second rotation member so that the protrusion does not directly contact the engagement portion and the second rotation member when rotated. The first rotating member is arranged such that the axial position of the rotating shaft overlaps with the protruding portion and the second rotating member so as to engage with the protruding portion and the second rotating member, and The rotation shaft is provided so that the axial position of the rotation shaft does not overlap the engagement portion so that the rotation shaft does not directly contact the engagement portion, and the second rotation member includes the first rotation member and An axial position of the rotation shaft is provided so as to overlap with the first rotation member and the engagement portion so as to engage with the engagement portion. As a result, the rotation restricting mechanism requires a space for moving the protrusion and the rotating member in the axial direction of the rotating shaft in a configuration that restricts the rotating range of the rotating shaft to a predetermined range while allowing multiple rotations of the rotating shaft. Can be realized without. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the rotation restricting mechanism in the rotation axis direction.

  What is the operation of the operation member in a state where the detection means for detecting information according to the operation amount of the operation member, the turning mechanism for turning the wheel, and the rotating shaft and the turning mechanism are not connected? You may further provide the power source which drives the said steering mechanism independently, and the control means which drives the said power source and controls the amount of steering based on the information according to the said operation amount. Thereby, even if it is in the state where the rotating shaft of a steering member and a steering mechanism are not connected, the steering range of an operation member can be controlled appropriately.

  According to the present invention, the operation range of the operation member can be regulated with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a steer-by-wire type steering system including a vehicle steering apparatus according to a first embodiment. In the steering system 100, the steering unit 10 and the steering unit 12 are mechanically separated, and the steering system 100 is steered regardless of the operation force applied to the steering wheel 14 as an operation member that is rotated to steer the vehicle. This is a steering system that steers the wheels 16 by the power of the power source provided in the section 12. Note that the steering system 100 includes a steering unit 10 and a steering unit 12 including a mechanism that transmits the operation force so that the wheel 16 can be steered by the operation force applied to the steering wheel 14 at the time of a failure or the like. A coupling mechanism 18 for coupling is also provided.

  The steering unit 10 is mainly composed of a vehicle steering device 20. The vehicle steering device 20 includes a steering wheel 14 that is rotated by a driver, and is fixed to the vehicle body. As will be described in detail later, the vehicle steering device 20 functions as a sensor for detecting the operation amount (steering angle) of the steering wheel 14, a function for regulating the range of the steering operation, and a reaction force against the rotation operation of the steering wheel 14. That is, it has a function of giving an operation reaction force. As will be described in detail later, a mechanism that relies on the rotational force of the reaction force application motor is provided as the mechanism that applies the operation reaction force.

  The steered portion 12 is mainly composed of a wheel steered device 24 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “steered device 24”) that is fixed to the vehicle body and reciprocates the steered rod 22 in the axial direction. Although illustration of the inside is omitted, the steering device 24 includes a steering motor as a power source, and a ball nut that meshes with a ball screw formed on the steering rod 22 is rotationally driven by the steering motor. Thus, the steered rod 22 is configured to be moved in the axial direction. Each end of the steered rod 22 is connected to a tie rod 28 via a ball joint 26, and the other end of the tie rod 28 is a steering for holding the wheel 16 rotatably via another kind of ball joint 30. It is connected to a knuckle arm 34 that is a part of the knuckle 32. With such a connection structure, the wheel 16 is steered by moving the steered rod 22 in the axial direction. The steered device 24 has a function as a sensor that detects the amount of movement of the steered rod 22 (a kind of steered amount).

  The steering system 100 is controlled by a steering electronic control unit 40 (steering ECU, hereinafter simply referred to as “ECU 40”) provided therein. The ECU 40 includes a driver, such as a computer, various motors, various actuators, and the like. The ECU 40 obtains a signal θ related to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14 detected by the vehicle steering device 20 and a signal δ related to the amount of movement of the steered rod 22 detected by the steering device 24, and based on them, The steered motor provided in the steered device 24 is controlled and driven so that the steered amount of the wheel 16 becomes an amount corresponding to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14.

  The steering system 100 is a vehicle speed sensitive steering system. When the vehicle body speed is high, the steering system 100 has a function of increasing an operation reaction force in accordance with the vehicle body speed in order to increase the steering operation. Control for that is also performed. The vehicle is provided with a wheel speed sensor 42 for detecting the wheel rotation speed for each wheel 16 (in FIG. 1, only one wheel is shown, and the other wheels are omitted). The ECU 40 obtains a signal v related to the wheel rotation speed of each wheel detected by each wheel speed sensor 42, and can obtain the vehicle body speed therefrom. The ECU 40 controls and drives a reaction force application motor provided in the vehicle steering device 20 based on the calculated vehicle body speed. As a result, the steering wheel 14 is given an increase in the reaction force due to the vehicle speed.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the vehicle steering apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state where the steering wheel 14 is removed. The vehicle steering apparatus 20 includes a housing 50, a shaft 52 is rotatably held by the housing 50, and the steering wheel 14 is attached to one end of the shaft 52. More specifically, the housing 50 is fixed to each of the tube 54 having a substantially cylindrical shape, a housing portion 56 for housing a release mechanism (to be described later) on the side of the tube 54, and both open ends of the tube 54. A front end cap 58 (see FIG. 1) and a rear end cap (not shown), and a front casing 60 (see FIG. 1) for housing a gear mechanism and the like on the front side of the front end cap 58 are configured.

  The shaft 52 is rotatably held via a bearing 64 in a state where the shaft 52 is inserted into a shaft hole (not shown) provided in each of the front end cap 58 and the rear end cap. The shaft 52 has a hollow shape except for the rear end portion 66, and a serration is formed in the rear end portion 66, and the rear end portion 66 is serrated to the boss portion 68 of the steering wheel 14. Thus, the shaft 52 and the steering wheel 14 are connected so as not to be relatively rotatable. That is, in the vehicle steering apparatus 20, the shaft 52 functions as a rotation shaft connected to the steering wheel 14.

  In the vehicle steering device 20, in a space defined by the front end cap 58 and the front casing 60, an output pulley and a large-diameter gear (not shown) can be relatively rotated at the front end portion of the shaft 52 protruding into the space. Is provided. On the output pulley, a belt 134 that ties itself to an input pulley of an operation force transmission device (described later) existing in the connection mechanism 18 (described later) is hung. A reaction force applying motor 57 is attached to the front end of the front casing 60. The vehicle steering apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the shaft 52 is rotated by the rotation of the reaction force applying motor 57, and the steering is generated by generating a rotational force that resists the operation of the steering wheel 14. An operation reaction force is applied to the wheel 14.

  A rotation angle sensor 59 for detecting the rotation angle of the motor shaft is provided behind the reaction force applying motor 57 (right side in FIG. 2). The output signal of this rotation angle sensor becomes a signal indicating the rotation angle of the motor shaft, that is, the operation amount of the steering wheel 14, and the rotation angle sensor 59 serves as a detection means for detecting information according to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14. Function.

  Next, the configuration of the coupling mechanism 18 will be described with reference to FIG. The coupling mechanism 18 is mainly configured by an operation force transmission device 150 that transmits an operation force applied to the steering wheel 14 to the steering device 24 via a shaft 52 that is a rotation shaft. Generally speaking, the operating force transmission device 150 includes an input pulley 152 to which an operating force is input, an output roller 154 for outputting the rotational force of the input pulley 152 to the steering device 24, an output roller 154, and the steering device 24. A transmission cable 158 strung over an input roller 156, a guide tube 160 that guides the transmission cable 158, an electromagnetic clutch 162 that selectively switches between a connected state and a disconnected state of the input pulley 152 and the output roller 154, and the like. It consists of

  The electromagnetic clutch 162 mechanically connects the input pulley 152 and the output roller 154 in a demagnetized state when the power is turned off due to an ignition OFF or a vehicle abnormality, and the like when the ignition is ON or when the vehicle is normal. The connection is released in the excited state. In addition, while the rack is formed in the steering rod 22, and the pinion is provided in the input roller 156, the steered device 24 has a rack and pinion mechanism, and the input roller 156 is rotated. Thus, the wheel 16 is steered.

  In the steering system 100, as described above, during normal times, the wheel 16 is steered by a turning amount corresponding to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14 without depending on the operation force of the steering wheel 14. In this case, since the electromagnetic clutch 162 is energized and is in an excited state, the operating force applied to the steering wheel 14 is not transmitted to the steering device 24. Then, the ECU 40 drives the steered motor in a state where the coupling by the coupling mechanism 18 is released, and controls the steered amount based on information corresponding to the operation amount. In this state, the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is restricted by a rotation restricting mechanism described later.

  On the other hand, for example, when the system is in a fail state, the electromagnetic clutch 162 is deenergized without being energized, so that the wheel 16 is steered by the operating force of the steering wheel 14. The In that case, since the transmission ratio of the operating force transmission device 150 is set to a value that allows the wheels 16 to be steered with a relatively small operating force, if the operating range of the steering wheel 14 is not enlarged, The same steering amount cannot be secured. Therefore, at the time of failure, the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is expanded by releasing the linkage between the shaft 52 and the rotation restricting mechanism by a releasing mechanism described later.

  Next, the rotation restricting mechanism and the releasing mechanism according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle steering apparatus 20 of FIG.

[Rotation restriction mechanism]
The rotation restricting mechanism 200 according to the present embodiment restricts the rotation range of the shaft 52 to a range of about two rotations larger than one rotation. The rotation restricting mechanism 200 includes two pins 202 and 204 that are inserted and connected so as to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 52 with respect to a position located inside the housing 50 of the shaft 52, and the shaft 52 and a rod-like rotating member 206 whose longitudinal direction is parallel, and a lock key 208 provided so as to protrude into a tube from a through hole 54a provided on a side surface of the tube 54.

  The pins 202 and 204 are provided with an interval in the axial direction of the shaft 52. One end of the rotating member 206 is fixed to an annular member 212 that is rotatably supported by the bearing 210, and is provided to be rotatable around the shaft 52 in the circumferential direction. The lock key 208 is energized in a direction in which the lock key 208 is separated from the through hole 54a by a spring 214 which is an elastic member arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the tube 54 and at the edge of the through hole 54a. Yes.

  The pins 202 and 204 are provided so that the axial position of the shaft 52 does not overlap the lock key 208 so that the pins 202 and 204 do not directly contact the lock key 208 when rotated. The shaft 52 is provided so that the axial position of the shaft 52 overlaps with the pins 202 and 204 and the lock key 208 so as to engage with the lock key 208. That is, the lock key 208 regulates the rotation of the shaft 52 by engaging with the rotating member 206 without engaging with the pins 202 and 204.

  In the state shown in FIG. 3, the rotation restricting mechanism 200 has the pins 202 and 204 engaged with the rotating member 206 and the rotating member 206 engaged with the lock key 208, so that the shaft 52 moves in the direction of the arrow R1. Further rotation is restricted. On the other hand, when the steering wheel 14 is operated by the driver from this state and the shaft 52 rotates in the R2 direction, the pins 202 and 204 do not engage with other members until approximately one rotation, so the shaft 52 rotates freely. . The pins 202 and 204 are provided with an interval in the axial direction of the shaft 52, and the position of the shaft 52 in the axial direction does not overlap with the lock key 208. Therefore, when the shaft 52 further rotates in the R2 direction, the lock key It passes without engaging with 208 and engages with the rotating member 206. The pins 202 and 204 rotate in the direction of arrow R <b> 2 while engaging with the rotating member 206. If the pins 202 and 204 are both engaged with the rotating member 206 and rotate about one time, the pins 202 and 204 cannot pass through the lock key 208 and the rotating member 206 hits the lock key 208. As a result, the shaft 52 can no longer rotate in the direction of the arrow R2, and the rotation is restricted.

  As described above, the rotation restricting mechanism 200 according to the present embodiment allows the shafts 52 and 204 and the rotating member 206 to rotate around the shaft 52 while allowing the shaft 52 to make multiple rotations. The 52 lock-to-locks can be restricted to a range of about 2 rotations. The rotation restricting mechanism 200 is configured to restrict the rotation range of the shaft 52 to about two rotations while allowing multiple rotations of the shaft 52 to move the pins 202 and 204 and the rotating member 206 in the axial direction of the shaft 52. It can be realized without the need for space. As a result, the shaft 52 of the rotation restricting mechanism 200 can be reduced in the axial direction.

(Release mechanism)
Release mechanism 300 according to the present embodiment releases the restriction of rotation of shaft 52 by rotation restriction mechanism 200. The release mechanism 300 is connected to a lever 216 that is attached to the end of the lock key 208 and moves integrally with the lock key 208, a rotation support unit 220 that rotatably supports the lever 216, and one end of the lever 216. A solenoid device 218.

  The lever 216 is formed with a circular hole 216 b having the same size as the outer diameter of the rotation support portion 220. The solenoid device 218 includes a cover 222, a plunger 224 incorporated in the cover 222, an electromagnetic coil and a spring (not shown), and the like.

  The state shown in FIG. 3 is a state in which the vehicle is operating normally and the ignition is ON, and the power supply is also ON, so that the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid device 218 is in an excited state. In this case, a force is applied to the plunger 224 in a direction in which the plunger 224 is pulled into the solenoid device 218 by the force of the electromagnetic coil. Since the distal end portion of the plunger 224 is connected to the end portion 216c of the lever 216, the lever 216 moves in the arrow R3 direction around the rotation support portion 220. As a result, the lock key 208 is inserted into the through hole 54a, and the rotation restriction mechanism 200 restricts the rotation range of the shaft 52.

  On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 3, when some abnormality occurs in the vehicle and a failure state occurs, the power is turned off and the energization to the solenoid device 218 is stopped, so that the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid device 218 is also demagnetized. In this case, a force acts on the plunger 224 in a direction in which the plunger 224 protrudes outside the solenoid device 218 by the biasing force of the spring. Since the distal end portion of the plunger 224 is connected to the end portion 216c of the lever 216, the lever 216 moves in the arrow R4 direction around the rotation support portion 220. As a result, the lever 216 moves to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3, the lock key 208 moves backward from the through hole 54a, and the restriction of the rotation range of the shaft 52 by the rotation restriction mechanism 200 is released.

(Second Embodiment)
The vehicle steering apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the vehicle steering apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment in that the lock-to-lock of the shaft can be restricted to a range of about 3 rotations. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the vehicle steering apparatus according to the second embodiment. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle steering apparatus of FIG. 4 taken along the line BB. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The rotation restricting mechanism 400 according to the present embodiment restricts the rotation range of the shaft 52 to a range of about 3 rotations larger than one rotation. The rotation restricting mechanism 400 includes a pin 402 that is inserted and connected so as to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 52 with respect to a position located inside the housing 50 of the shaft 52, and the longitudinal direction of the shaft 52 is A parallel rod-like rotating member 406 and a rotating member 408, and a lock key 208 provided so as to be able to protrude into the inside of the tube from a through hole 54a provided on a side surface of the tube 54 are provided.

  One end of the rotating member 406 is fixed to an annular member 212 that is rotatably supported by the bearing 210, and is provided to be rotatable around the shaft 52 in the circumferential direction. One end of the rotating member 408 is fixed to an annular member 412 that is rotatably supported by the bearing 410. The lock key 208 is energized in a direction in which the lock key 208 is separated from the through hole 54a by a spring 214 which is an elastic member arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the tube 54 and at the edge of the through hole 54a. Yes.

  The pin 402 is provided so that the axial position of the shaft 52 does not overlap the lock key 208 and the rotation member 406 so that the pin 402 does not directly contact the lock key 208 and the rotation member 406 when rotated. The rotation member 408 does not directly contact the lock key 208 when rotated so that the axial position of the shaft 52 overlaps with the pin 402 and the rotation member 406 so as to engage with the pin 402 and the rotation member 406. Thus, the axial position of the shaft 52 is provided so as not to overlap the lock key 208. The rotating member 406 is provided so that the axial position of the shaft 52 overlaps with the rotating member 408 and the lock key 208 so as to engage with the rotating member 408 and the lock key 208. That is, the lock key 208 restricts the rotation of the shaft 52 by engaging with the rotating member 406 without engaging with the pin 402 and the rotating member 408.

  In the state shown in FIG. 5, the rotation restricting mechanism 400 has the pin 402 engaged with the rotating member 408, the rotating member 408 engaged with the rotating member 406, and the rotating member 406 engaged with the lock key 208. Therefore, the shaft 52 is restricted from rotating further in the arrow R1 direction. On the other hand, when the steering wheel 14 is operated by the driver from this state and the shaft 52 rotates in the R2 direction, the pin 402 does not engage with other members until approximately one rotation, so the shaft 52 freely rotates. Since the axial position of the shaft 52 does not overlap with the lock key 208 and the rotation member 406, the pin 402 passes through without being engaged with the lock key 208 and the rotation member 406 when the shaft 52 further rotates in the R2 direction. 408 is engaged. When the pin 402 is engaged with the rotating member 408 and rotates about one time, the rotating member 408 engages with the rotating member 406. When the shaft 52 further rotates in the R2 direction, the pin 402, the rotating member 406, and the rotating member 408 rotate about one while engaging with each other. Then, since the rotating member 406 cannot pass through the lock key 208, the rotating member 406 hits the lock key 208. As a result, the shaft 52 can no longer rotate in the direction of the arrow R2, and the rotation is restricted.

  As described above, the rotation restricting mechanism 400 according to the present embodiment allows the shaft 52 to rotate multiple times with a simple configuration in which the pin 402, the rotating member 406, and the rotating member 408 rotate around the shaft 52. However, the lock-to-lock of the shaft 52 can be restricted to a range of about 3 rotations. Further, the rotation restriction mechanism 400 moves the pin 402, the rotation member 406, and the rotation member 408 in the axial direction of the shaft 52 in a configuration that restricts the rotation range of the shaft 52 to about three rotations while allowing multiple rotations of the shaft 52. Can be realized without the need for a space. As a result, the shaft 52 of the rotation restricting mechanism 400 can be reduced in the axial direction.

  As described above, in the vehicle steering device according to each of the above-described embodiments, when the vehicle is operating normally, the ECU drives the steering motor in a state where the connection by the connection mechanism is released, and the operation is performed. Since the turning amount can be controlled independently of the rotation operation of the steering wheel 14 based on the information according to the amount, various steering characteristics can be realized according to the traveling state of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle steering device restricts the rotation range of the shaft to a predetermined range by the rotation restriction mechanism when the vehicle is operating normally and the connection between the shaft and the steered portion is released in the connection mechanism. Can regulate the operating range of the steering wheel

  As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations of the embodiments are appropriately combined or replaced. Those are also included in the present invention. Various modifications such as design changes can be added to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the embodiments to which such modifications are added are also included in the scope of the present invention. sell.

  For example, in the above-described rotation restricting mechanism, by appropriately selecting the number of rotating members, n−1 (n is 2 or more) with respect to the lock key that restricts the rotation range without accompanying the movement of the shaft 52 in the axial direction. It is possible to configure to engage at the nth rotation without engaging at the rotation.

  In addition, each of the steering systems described above includes a mechanism that transmits the operation force to connect the steering unit and the steering unit so that the wheel can be steered by the operation force applied to the steering wheel during a failure or the like. Although the connecting mechanism is provided, the present invention can be applied to a steering system in which the steering unit and the steered unit are completely separated without providing such a connecting mechanism.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a steer-by-wire type steering system including a vehicle steering apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the vehicle steering apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of the vehicle steering apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the vehicle steering apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is BB sectional drawing of the vehicle steering apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Steering part, 12 Steering part, 14 Steering wheel, 16 Wheel, 18 Connection mechanism, 20 Vehicle steering apparatus, 22 Steering rod, 24 Wheel steering apparatus, 40 ECU, 52 Shaft, 54a Through hole, 56 Accommodating part, 64 bearings, 100 steering system, 150 operating force transmission device, 162 electromagnetic clutch, 200 rotation restricting mechanism, 202 pin, 204 pin, 206 rotating member, 208 lock key, 220 rotation support, 222 cover, 224 plunger, 300 release Mechanism, 400 rotation regulating mechanism, 402 pin, 406 rotating member, 408 rotating member.

Claims (6)

An operating member that is rotated to steer the vehicle;
A rotating shaft coupled to the operating member;
A rotation restricting mechanism for restricting a rotation range of the rotating shaft to a predetermined range larger than one rotation;
With
The rotation restricting mechanism does not engage with the restricting portion that restricts the rotation range at the n-th rotation without engaging with the restricting portion that restricts the rotation range without involving the axial movement of the rotation shaft. A vehicle steering apparatus configured to be engaged. An operating member that is rotated to steer the vehicle;
A rotating shaft coupled to the operating member;
A rotation restricting mechanism for restricting a rotation range of the rotating shaft to a predetermined range larger than one rotation;
With
The rotation restricting mechanism is
A protrusion that is coupled to the rotating shaft and protrudes in a radial direction of the rotating shaft;
A rotating member that is rotatably provided around the rotating shaft and rotates together by engaging with the rotating protrusion;
An engaging portion that engages with the rotating member without engaging with the protrusion and restricts rotation;
A vehicle steering apparatus comprising: The protrusion is provided so that the axial position of the rotation shaft does not overlap the engagement portion so that the protrusion does not directly contact the engagement portion when rotated.
The rotating member is provided so that an axial position of a rotating shaft overlaps with the protruding portion and the engaging portion so as to engage with the protruding portion and the engaging portion.
The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2. An operating member that is rotated to steer the vehicle;
A rotating shaft coupled to the operating member;
A rotation restricting mechanism for restricting a rotation range of the rotating shaft to a predetermined range larger than one rotation;
With
The rotation restricting mechanism is
A protrusion that is coupled to the rotating shaft and protrudes in a radial direction of the rotating shaft;
A first rotating member that is rotatably provided around the rotating shaft and rotates together by engaging the rotating protrusion;
A second rotating member that is rotatably provided around the rotating shaft and rotates together by engaging with the rotating first rotating member;
An engaging portion that engages with the second rotating member without engaging with the protrusion and the first rotating member and restricts rotation;
A vehicle steering apparatus comprising: The protrusion is provided so that the axial position of the rotation shaft does not overlap the engagement portion and the second rotation member so that the protrusion does not directly contact the engagement portion and the second rotation member when rotated. And
When the first rotating member rotates so that the axial position of the rotating shaft overlaps with the protruding portion and the second rotating member so as to engage with the protruding portion and the second rotating member. The axial position of the rotating shaft is provided so as not to overlap the engaging portion so as not to directly contact the engaging portion,
The second rotating member is provided so that an axial position of a rotating shaft overlaps the first rotating member and the engaging portion so as to engage with the first rotating member and the engaging portion.
The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 4. Detecting means for detecting information according to an operation amount of the operation member;
A steering mechanism that steers the wheels;
A power source that drives the steering mechanism independently of the operation of the operation member in a state where the rotating shaft and the steering mechanism are not coupled;
Control means for driving the power source and controlling a turning amount based on information according to the operation amount;
The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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