JP2009292429A - Vehicular steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular steering device allowing sure and smooth tilting motion with a less number of part items and a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: A pair of sliding members 41, 42 are disposed between a second column member 20 and a fixation bracket 30. Tilting surfaces 20a, 20b are formed from a lower end face of the second column member toward both the side surfaces. Tilting surfaces 41a, 42a are formed in a pair of the tilting members respectively so as to be brought in contact with each other. As a distance (L) between a pair of the tilting members is reduced according to the rotational drive of a screw shaft 54 by a drive mechanism 50, the second column member is moved in a vehicle body direction (B) against the urging force of a spring 43 so as to perform the tilting motion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus, and more particularly to a steering apparatus including a tilt mechanism that supports a steering column so as to be swingable with respect to a vehicle body and can adjust an operation position of a steering wheel.

  As a steering apparatus having a tilt mechanism that can adjust the operation position of the steering wheel, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a steering column having a steering wheel connected to an end is supported at a support point with respect to the vehicle body. A steering device is disclosed in which the steering column is moved up and down by swinging about a swing point located on the opposite side of the steering wheel with the support point interposed therebetween. In Patent Document 1, the length between the column swing point and the column support point has a length of 30% or more with respect to the length between the column swing point and the steering wheel. It has been proposed to do.

  In addition, Patent Literature 2 below discloses an electric tilt type steering apparatus, in which “the other member of the vehicle body side bracket and the steering column and the moving member are connected via an eccentric member. Therefore, when the steering column swings, the steering column tends to move together with the eccentric member as the moving member moves along the screw shaft or the stator (linear motion). Rotates based on the eccentricity of the central axis of the second fitting surface and the central axis of the fourth fitting surface, so that the linear motion of the moving member and the rotational motion of the eccentric member are combined. The steering column is allowed to swing about the tilt pivot axis. "

JP 2005-153849 A JP 2008-24068 A

  In the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is unavoidable that the number of link nodes used for tilt driving increases, and the number of parts increases. Further, the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured to swing the steering column by the linear motion of the moving member and the rotational motion of the eccentric member, so that a so-called twisting force is easily generated and smooth operation is achieved. It is not easy to ensure.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicle steering apparatus that can swingably support a steering column with respect to a vehicle body and can adjust the operation position of a steering wheel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device that can ensure a stable tilt operation.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steering column is swingably supported with respect to the vehicle body and the operation position of the steering wheel can be adjusted. A steering wheel is supported at the rear end, a swing center with respect to the vehicle body is disposed in front, a movable column member that supports swinging around the swing center, and a movable column member that extends downward to support the movable column member. A fixed bracket for fixing the upper portion to the vehicle body, a pair of sliding members interposed between the fixed bracket and the movable column member, and sliding with respect to the movable column member, and the pair of slides And a drive mechanism for extending and contracting the distance between the moving members.

  Furthermore, as defined in claim 2, the driving mechanism is provided with urging means for urging the movable column member in the direction of the pair of sliding members, and against the urging force of the urging means. Thus, the movable column member may be configured to move in the vehicle body direction as the distance between the pair of sliding members is reduced. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the drive mechanism is supported by the fixed bracket and inserted between the pair of sliding members, and the shaft of the movable column member below the movable column member. It is provided with a motor that is arranged substantially in parallel with and connected to the screw shaft to rotationally drive the screw shaft, and between the pair of sliding members according to the rotational drive of the screw shaft by the motor. The distance may be configured to extend and contract.

  In addition, as described in claim 4, inclined surfaces are formed from the lower end surface of the movable column member toward both side surfaces, and each of the pair of sliding members is inclined so as to contact each of the inclined surfaces. A pair of male screw portions that form a surface and screw the screw shafts into female screw portions formed on the pair of sliding members, respectively, with the winding directions opposite to each other about the axis of the movable column member Preferably, the movable column member moves in the vehicle body direction against the urging force of the urging means as the distance between the pair of sliding members decreases. Further, as described in claim 5, it is preferable that the pair of sliding members be allowed to swing within a predetermined range in a direction perpendicular to the screw shaft.

  Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the pair of sliding members may be provided with a swing restricting member that restricts swing within the predetermined range. The swing restricting member may be a container-shaped attachment, and may be disposed so as to accommodate the lower end portion of each sliding member with a predetermined gap between the side surface of each sliding member. Or it is set as a rocking | fluctuation-shaped rocking | fluctuation regulating member over the moving range of both of a pair of sliding members, and it adheres to a fixed bracket with the said predetermined clearance between the both sides | surfaces of a pair of sliding members It is good.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle steering apparatus, wherein the steering column is swingably supported with respect to the vehicle body and the operation position of the steering wheel can be adjusted. A first column member to be supported, and a second column that is disposed coaxially with the first column member, has a swing center with respect to the vehicle body forward, and is swingably supported around the swing center. A member, a lower bracket that extends downward to support the second column member, and an upper portion is fixed to the vehicle body, and is interposed between the fixed bracket and the second column member, and the second Provided with a pair of sliding members that slide relative to the column member and a drive mechanism that drives the distance between the pair of sliding members to extend and contract, and has a so-called telescopic function and shock absorbing function. It may be used to.

  Furthermore, as claimed in claim 8, the second column member is provided with an urging means for urging the second column member in the direction of the pair of sliding members, and the urging force of the urging means is resisted. The second column member may be configured to move in the vehicle body direction as the distance between the pair of sliding members is reduced by the driving mechanism. The drive mechanism is supported by the fixed bracket and inserted into the pair of sliding members, and the second column is below the second column member. A motor that is arranged substantially parallel to the shaft of the member and that is connected to the screw shaft and rotationally drives the screw shaft; and the pair of slides according to the rotational drive of the screw shaft by the motor. The distance between the moving members may be configured to extend and contract.

  In addition, as described in claim 10, an inclined surface is formed from the lower end surface of the second column member toward both side surfaces, and the pair of sliding members are in contact with each of the inclined surfaces. A pair of male screw portions each forming an inclined surface and screwing the screw shaft with a female screw portion formed on the pair of sliding members are opposite to each other about the axis of the second column member. The second column member moves in the vehicle body direction against the urging force of the urging means as the distance between the pair of sliding members decreases. Configure. Furthermore, as described in claim 11, it is preferable that the pair of sliding members be allowed to swing within a predetermined range in a direction perpendicular to the screw shaft. Furthermore, as described in claim 12, a swing restricting member for restricting the pair of sliding members to swing within the predetermined range may be provided.

  Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects. That is, in the steering apparatus configured as described in claim 1 or 7, the swing center with respect to the vehicle body is disposed forward and the movable column member or the second column member is supported so as to be swingable around the swing center. A pair of sliding members is interposed between the column member and the fixed bracket, and the distance between the pair of sliding members is configured to be extended and contracted by a drive mechanism. The number of points is small, assembly is easy, and an inexpensive device can be provided. In addition, since the pair of sliding members can hold the movable column member or the second column member from both lower sides with an equal pressing force, the tilt operation can be surely and smoothly performed without generating a twisting force. An inexpensive and highly rigid tilt mechanism capable of ensuring the above can be configured.

  In particular, if the urging means for urging in the direction of the pair of sliding members is provided as described in claim 2 or 8, the movable column member or the second column member is appropriately held. The pair of sliding members can be moved in the vehicle body direction, and a reliable and smooth tilt operation can be performed with inexpensive parts. Further, in the above steering device, when arranged as described in claim 3 or 9, the steering device can be held with a uniform pressing force by a pair of sliding members from both lower sides of the movable column member or the second column member. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small steering device having a tilt mechanism that is inexpensive and has high rigidity.

  In particular, with respect to the pair of sliding members, when configured as described in claim 4 or 10, the contact state of the pair of sliding members with respect to the movable column member or the second column member can be reliably maintained. it can. Further, according to the fifth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, the contact state by the surface contact of the inclined surfaces of the pair of sliding members with the inclined surfaces on both sides of the movable column member or the second column member is maintained. Can do. If the rocking restricting member is provided as described in claim 6 or 12, the pair of sliding members can be restricted to swing within a predetermined range by the rocking restricting member. When the movable column member or the second column member is operated, it is possible to reliably prevent the pair of sliding members from leaving the contact state with these members.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a steering support mechanism 2 capable of adjusting the operation position of a steering wheel 1 with respect to a vehicle body (indicated by B in FIG. 1) is provided. ing. The steering support mechanism 2 is mechanically or electrically connected to a steering mechanism (not shown), and this steering mechanism is driven in accordance with the operation of the steering wheel 1 and via a wheel steering mechanism (not shown). A steered wheel (not shown) is configured to steer. For example, if an electric power steering mechanism (not shown) is provided, the steering support mechanism 2 is mechanically coupled to the steering mechanism. However, if the steering support mechanism 2 is used, the steering support mechanism 2 is electrically connected. To the steering mechanism.

  In the steering support mechanism 2 of the present embodiment, the first column member 10 that supports the steering wheel 1 at the rear end, and the same center axis are arranged, and the swing center (T) with respect to the vehicle body (B) is arranged forward. At the same time, a second column member 20 that is supported so as to be swingable about the swing center (T) is provided, and the second column member 20 is held by a fixed bracket 30. Here, the first column member 10 includes an upper shaft 11 connected to the steering wheel 1 and an upper tube 12 disposed coaxially so as to surround the upper shaft 11, and can integrally move in the axial direction. It is configured as follows. On the other hand, the second column member 20 includes a lower shaft 21 connected to a steering mechanism (not shown) and a lower tube 22 arranged coaxially so as to surround the lower shaft 21. The upper tube 12 is configured to be slidable in the axial direction. Therefore, the first column member 10 and the second column member 20 in the present embodiment include the upper shaft 11 and the lower shaft 21, respectively, and the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 22 constitute a so-called steering column.

  The fixed bracket 30 has a frame 31 that extends downward of the vehicle, the second column member 20 is supported in the frame 31, and the upper part is fixed to the vehicle body (B). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair that slides with respect to the second column member 20 (lower tube 22) between the frame 31 of the fixed bracket 30 and the lower tube 22 of the second column member 20. The sliding members (sliders) 41 and 42 are interposed, and a spring (compression coil spring) 43 is interposed as an urging means for urging the second column member 20 in the direction of the sliding members 41 and 42. Has been. The distance (L) between the sliding members 41 and 42 is adjusted by the drive mechanism 50. The spring 43 may be interposed between the vehicle body (B) and the lower tube 22 at a position separated from the fixed bracket 30 and biased by using various spring members in addition to the compression coil spring. Means can be configured.

  The drive mechanism 50 is configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an electric motor 51 supported below the fixed bracket 30, a worm 52 provided on the output shaft thereof, and a reduction mechanism that meshes with the motor 51. The worm wheel 53 and the screw shaft 54 connected to rotate integrally therewith. The sliding members 41 and 42 each have a female screw portion formed therein, and a pair of male screw portions that are respectively screwed into the female screw portions are formed on the screw shaft 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of male screw portions of the screw shaft 54 has opposite winding directions around the axis of the second column member 20 (lower tube 22) (thus, each The second column member 20 is formed against the urging force of the spring 43 as the distance (L) between the sliding members 41 and 42 is reduced. It is comprised so that it may move to a vehicle body (B) direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, inclined surfaces 20 a and 20 b are formed on the lower tube 22 of the second column member 20 from the lower end surface toward both side surfaces. It is desirable to apply or coat a sliding agent such as grease on the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b to reduce friction. Or it is good also as sticking the plate (not shown) of a low friction coefficient to inclined surface 20a and 20b.

  On the other hand, inclined surfaces 41a and 42a are formed on the sliding members 41 and 42 so as to contact the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b of the second column member 20, respectively. The material of the sliding members 41 and 42 is not limited, but it is necessary to secure the strength of the female screw portion and reduce the friction with the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b. Therefore, it may be made of metal or high-performance resin, but as shown in FIG. 5, different types of resin are used for the sliding portion 42x including the inclined surface 42a and the female screw portion 42y, and insert molding or two-color molding is used. The sliding member 42 (and 41) may be formed. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower ends of the sliding members 41 and 42 are formed in a gentle arc shape (for example, the shape shown in FIG. 7 described later) and are locked to the frame 31. Without being done, it is configured to allow rocking within a predetermined range in a direction orthogonal to the screw shaft 54.

  Thus, the first column member 10, the second column member 20, the fixed bracket 30, the swing center (T), and the vehicle body (B) are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. When the motor 51 shown in FIG. 1 is rotationally driven, the screw shaft 54 rotates at a reduced speed around the shaft, and the sliding members 41 and 42 move along the screw shaft 54 accordingly. That is, the distance (L) between the sliding members 41 and 42 is shortened or extended according to the rotation direction of the screw shaft 54. Thereby, the second column member 20 is smoothly swung around the swing center (T), and the inclination angle is adjusted to a desired angle.

  During this time, the inclined surfaces 41 a and 42 a of the sliding members 41 and 42 slide smoothly with respect to the second column member 20 in a state where they are in contact with the inclined surfaces 20 a and 20 b of the second column member 20. 2 and 3, the urging force of the spring 43 is applied to the second column member 20 from above, and is slidably pressed and supported by the sliding members 41 and 42 from both sides below. Therefore, the contact state by the surface contact of the inclined surfaces 41a and 42a of the sliding members 41 and 42 with respect to the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b of the second column member 20 can be maintained. As a result, the second column member 20 is held with equal pressing force from both the upper and lower sides, and the rigidity (in the vertical direction) against the swing of the second column member 20 around the swing center (T) is improved. Secured.

  In particular, the sliding members 41 and 42 are configured to be allowed to swing within a predetermined range in a direction orthogonal to the screw shaft 54, so that the sliding with respect to the inclined surfaces 20 a and 20 b of the second column member 20 is performed. The contact state by the surface contact of the inclined surfaces 41a and 42a of the moving members 41 and 42 can be maintained. This is because the relative movement trajectory of the sliding members 41 and 42 with respect to the second column member 20 does not coincide with the movement trajectory of the second column member 20 centering on the oscillation center (T). Since slight deviation is inevitable, in order to ensure the surface contact of the inclined surfaces 41a and 42a with respect to the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b, the swing center (T) of the second column member 20 is the center. This is because it is necessary to adjust the relative movement of the sliding members 41 and 42 with respect to the second column member 20 in accordance with the swing. That is, as described above, the lower end portions of the sliding members 41 and 42 are formed in a gentle arc shape, and the inclined surfaces 41a and 42a contact the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b as the second column member 20 swings. Since the sliding members 41 and 42 can swing in a direction orthogonal to the screw shaft 54 according to the change in the contact state, the contact state by the surface contact is maintained.

  As described above, since the sliding members 41 and 42 having the arcuate lower end can rotate around the screw shaft 54, the inclined surfaces 41a and 42a do not separate from the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b of the second column member 20. Need to hold. For example, when the allowable movement distance between the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b of the second column member 20 and the inclined surfaces 41a and 42a of the sliding members 41 and 42 is in a maximum state before the tilt operation by the drive mechanism 50. When the second column member 20 is driven upward against the urging force of the spring 43 by the operation of the driver, a large gap is generated between the inclined surfaces 20a and 20b and the inclined surfaces 41a and 42a. There is a possibility that the moving members 41 and 42 rotate around the screw shaft 54 and be detached from the contact state with the second column member 20. As one means for preventing such a state, an attachment 60 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be provided and used for the swing regulating member of the present invention.

  6 and 7, the attachment 60 of the present embodiment has a container shape, and a sliding member is formed from the lower side of the screw shaft 54 with a predetermined gap (d) between both side surfaces of the sliding member 41. It arrange | positions so that the lower end part of 41 (42 is also the same) may be accommodated. These predetermined gaps (d) correspond to the above-mentioned predetermined range, and the sliding member 41 (and 42) is allowed to swing within a predetermined range in a direction orthogonal to the screw shaft 54 and slide. When the member 41 (and 42) comes into contact with the inner surface of the attachment 60, the swinging is prevented, so that the swinging within a predetermined range is restricted. Thus, the attachment 60 can prevent the sliding members 41 and 42 from being detached from the contact state with the second column member 20.

  The attachment 60 of the present embodiment is individually attached to the sliding member 41 (or 42) as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 so as to follow the movement of the sliding member 41 (or 42). However, the above-mentioned predetermined use is made between both side surfaces of the sliding members 41 and 42 by using a hook-shaped swing regulating member (not shown) over the range of movement of both of the sliding members 41 and 42. It is good also as a structure fixed to the fixing bracket 30 with the clearance gap.

  A tilt operation by the steering device having the above-described configuration will be described. First, when the screw shaft 54 is rotationally driven by the motor 51, the sliding members 41 and 42 move along the screw shaft 54. For example, when the sliding members 41 and 42 move from the state shown in FIG. 2 in a direction close to each other, the distance (L) between the sliding members 41 and 42 is shortened as shown in FIG. The column member 20 is driven upward. Accordingly, the first and second column members 10 and 20 are swung counterclockwise in FIG. 1 about the swing center (T), and the first and second column members 10 and 20 are moved to the horizontal position (horizontal position). From) the rear side is inclined upward, and the operation position of the steering wheel 1 is the uppermost position.

  On the other hand, when the motor 51 is rotationally driven in the direction opposite to the above, the sliding members 41 and 42 are moved in a direction away from each other along the screw shaft 54, as shown in FIG. The distance (L) between the sliding members 41 and 42 is extended. As a result, the first and second column members 10 and 20 swing around the swing center (T) in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1, and the rear sides of the first and second column members 10 and 20 are directed downward. It tilts and the operation position of the steering wheel 1 is the lowest position. Thus, in any state of FIGS. 2 and 3, while the tilting operation is performed by the drive mechanism 50, the spring 43 and the sliding members 41 and 42 move upward and downward with respect to the second column member 20. Since it is held with a uniform pressing force from both sides below, a reliable and smooth tilting operation can be ensured without generating a twisting force.

  Furthermore, in the steering support mechanism 2 of the present embodiment, the upper tube 12 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the lower tube 22, thereby performing a so-called telescopic operation and bringing the steering wheel 1 to a desired axial position. Can be adjusted. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, it can also be set as the structure which has an impact absorption function like the above-mentioned patent document 1. As shown in FIG.

  If the telescopic function is not required, the upper tube 12 and the lower tube 22 can be integrally formed to constitute a single movable column member (not shown). In other words, the steering wheel 1 is supported at the rear end, the swing center (T) with respect to the vehicle body (not shown) is disposed in the front, and the swing wheel 1 is swingably supported around the swing center (T). When a column member (not shown) is configured, the upper shaft 11 and the lower shaft 21 are integrally configured, and the second column member 20 in the above embodiment is replaced with a movable column member, a telescopic function is provided. However, it is possible to provide a steering apparatus having a reliable and smooth tilt function.

It is a side view showing the partial section of the steering device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the upward tilt operation state by the steering device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the 2nd column member in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the sliding member in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the sliding member and rocking | fluctuation control member in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view which shows the sliding member and rocking | fluctuation control member in one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

B Car body T Swing center 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering support mechanism 10 First column member 20 Second column member 30 Fixed brackets 41 and 42 Slide member 43 Spring (biasing means)
50 Drive mechanism 51 Motor 54 Screw shaft 60 Attachment

Claims (12)

  In a vehicle steering apparatus that supports a steering column so as to be swingable with respect to a vehicle body and can adjust an operation position of the steering wheel, the steering wheel is supported at a rear end, and a rocking center with respect to the vehicle body is disposed forward. A movable column member supported to be swingable about the swing center, a fixed bracket that extends downward to support the movable column member and fixes the upper portion to the vehicle body, and the fixed bracket and the movable column member And a pair of sliding members that slide relative to the movable column member, and a drive mechanism that extends and contracts the distance between the pair of sliding members. Steering device.   Biasing means for biasing the movable column member in the direction of the pair of sliding members is provided, and the distance between the pair of sliding members is reduced by the driving mechanism against the biasing force of the biasing means. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable column member is configured to move in the vehicle body direction.   The drive mechanism is supported by the fixed bracket, and is disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the movable column member below the movable column member, and a screw shaft that is inserted between the pair of sliding members. A motor connected to the screw shaft to rotationally drive the screw shaft is provided, and the distance between the pair of sliding members is driven to extend and contract according to the rotational drive of the screw shaft by the motor. The vehicle steering apparatus according to 2.   An inclined surface is formed from the lower end surface of the movable column member toward both side surfaces, and an inclined surface is formed on each of the pair of sliding members so as to abut each of the inclined surfaces, and the screw shaft is The pair of male screw portions that are respectively screwed into the female screw portions formed on the pair of sliding members are formed so as to be in mutually opposite winding directions around the axis of the movable column member, and the pair of sliding members 4. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the movable column member moves in the vehicle body direction against the urging force of the urging means as the distance between the members decreases.   5. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pair of sliding members are configured to allow swinging within a predetermined range in a direction orthogonal to the screw shaft.   6. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a swing restricting member that restricts the pair of sliding members from swinging within the predetermined range.   In a vehicle steering apparatus that can swingably support a steering column with respect to a vehicle body and adjust an operation position of the steering wheel, a first column member that supports the steering wheel at a rear end, and the first column member And a second column member that supports the vehicle body so as to be swingable around the swing center, and extends downward and includes the second column member. A fixed bracket for supporting and fixing the upper part to the vehicle body; a pair of sliding members interposed between the fixed bracket and the second column member and slidable with respect to the second column member; And a drive mechanism for extending and contracting the distance between the pair of sliding members.   An urging means for urging the second column member in the direction of the pair of sliding members is provided, and the distance between the pair of sliding members is reduced by the drive mechanism against the urging force of the urging means. 8. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second column member is configured to move in the vehicle body direction.   The drive mechanism is supported by the fixed bracket and inserted between the pair of sliding members, and below the second column member and substantially parallel to the axis of the second column member. And a motor that rotationally drives the screw shaft by being coupled to the screw shaft, and the distance between the pair of sliding members is extended and contracted according to the rotational drive of the screw shaft by the motor. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 8.   An inclined surface is formed from the lower end surface of the second column member toward both side surfaces, and an inclined surface is formed on each of the pair of sliding members so as to contact each of the inclined surfaces, and the screw shaft is The pair of male screw portions that are respectively screwed with the female screw portions formed on the pair of sliding members are formed so that the winding directions are opposite to each other about the axis of the second column member, 10. The structure according to claim 9, wherein the second column member moves in the vehicle body direction against the urging force of the urging means as the distance between the pair of sliding members decreases. Vehicle steering device.   11. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pair of sliding members are configured to allow swinging within a predetermined range in a direction orthogonal to the screw shaft.   The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a swing restriction member that restricts the pair of sliding members from swinging within the predetermined range.

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