JP2010163115A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device in which sliding torque acting between a keylock collar and a steering shaft is easily set to a prescribed value. <P>SOLUTION: On an inner peripheral face 71 of the keylock collar 7, a non-contact part is formed that is not in contact with a diameter reduced part 32 of the steering shaft 3. Namely, an elastic contact face is configured in which only the range of both end lengths L3, L4 in the axial direction of the inner peripheral face 71 of the keylock collar 7 is elastically deformed and in contact with an outer peripheral face 31 of the steering shaft 3. Therefore, even when there is an error of a curve of the steering shaft 3 and the outer peripheral face 31 and the inner peripheral face 71 of the keylock collar 7, or the dimension of diameters of the outer peripheral face 31 and the inner peripheral face 71, fluctuation of the sliding torque acting between the inner peripheral face 71 of the keylock collar 7 and the outer peripheral face 31 of the steering shaft 3 becomes small, and stable sliding torque of a prescribed value is easily obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device, and more particularly to a steering device having a steering lock device that locks a steering wheel so as not to turn in order to prevent theft of an automobile when an ignition key is turned to a lock position and pulled out from a keyhole.

  In a steering device having a steering lock device, when the ignition key is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the key hole, the lock key protrudes toward the axial center side of the steering shaft. As a result, the tip of the lock key is engaged with the key lock hole of the key lock collar press-fitted into the outer periphery of the steering shaft, so that the steering shaft is fixed to the outer column and the rotation of the steering shaft is prevented. I have to.

  However, if a strong person forcibly rotates the steering wheel while the steering shaft is locked, the lock key is destroyed, the function of the steering lock device is lost, and the function as an anti-theft device is impaired. there is a possibility.

  In order to maintain the function as an anti-theft device, when a large torque is applied to the steering shaft, the key lock collar should slide against the steering shaft to prevent the lock key from being destroyed. There is a need. In other words, the slip torque (frictional force) acting between the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft is insufficient to destroy the lock key, but the steering operation necessary for driving the car is performed. It is necessary to set the size so that it cannot be performed.

  In the steering device of Patent Document 1, the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft is made non-circular, and the diameter of the inscribed circle of the inner peripheral surface in the free state of the key lock collar is set as the steering shaft. It is formed smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface in the free state and is press-fitted. Also, the steering shaft or both the steering shaft and the key lock collar are quenched. This stabilizes the sliding torque that acts between the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft.

  In the steering device of Patent Document 1, the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar is elastically deformed and brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft over the entire axial length of the fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar. . Therefore, in order to obtain a predetermined slip torque, the key lock collar and the steering shaft are accurately manufactured so that a predetermined allowance is provided over the entire axial length of the fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar. It is necessary to do.

  However, if there is a manufacturing error in the key lock collar and the steering shaft, and a uniform predetermined tightening allowance cannot be obtained over the entire axial length of the fitting part, the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer periphery of the steering shaft The slip torque acting between the surfaces fluctuates, making it difficult to obtain a predetermined slip torque. Further, in order to obtain a stable sliding torque, it is necessary to manufacture the key lock collar and the steering shaft with high accuracy, which may increase the manufacturing cost.

JP 2006-335165 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device in which it is easy to set a slip torque acting between a key lock collar and a steering shaft to a predetermined value.

  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the first invention has a hollow cylindrical steering shaft that is rotatably supported by a column and can be fitted with a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle body, and an inner peripheral surface that is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft. A key lock collar having a key lock hole, provided in the column, provided with a lock key whose tip can be engaged with the key lock hole by operation of an ignition key, wherein the key lock collar is in a free state The inner peripheral surface of the steering shaft is made smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft in a free state, and the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft are elastically deformed to contact each other. In the steering device, escape to the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft or the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar. And a non-contact portion where the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft are not in contact is formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to the first aspect, the relief portion is a reduced diameter portion formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft in the axial direction. is there.

  According to a third aspect, in the steering device according to the second aspect, the diameter-reduced portion is formed with a taper that gradually increases in diameter toward the press-fitting direction of the key lock collar. It is a steering device.

  A fourth invention is a steering device according to the second invention, wherein a lubricating oil groove is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft.

  A fifth invention is the steering device according to the first invention, wherein the escape portion is a spiral groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to the first aspect, the escape portion is a diameter-expanded portion formed in a part of the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar in the axial direction. Device.

  A seventh invention is the steering device according to the first invention, wherein the relief portion is a widened portion formed over the entire axial length of the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar. is there.

  In the steering device according to the first, sixth and seventh inventions of the present invention, a relief portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft or the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar, so that the inner periphery of the key lock collar is formed. A part of the surface forms a non-contact portion where the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft are not in contact. Therefore, even if there is a manufacturing error of the steering shaft or key lock collar, the fluctuation of the slip torque acting between the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft is reduced, and a stable predetermined slip torque can be obtained. Easy to get. Further, even if there is a manufacturing error between the key lock collar and the steering shaft, a stable sliding torque can be obtained, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the steering device according to the second aspect of the present invention, a reduced diameter portion as a relief portion is formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft in the axial direction. Therefore, the tip of the lock key can be inserted deeply toward the axial center side of the steering shaft, and the lock key can be made difficult to be removed from the key lock hole.

  In the steering device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the diameter-reduced portion is formed with a taper that gradually increases in diameter in the press-fitting direction of the key lock collar. Therefore, the taper guides the key lock collar even if there is a manufacturing error of the steering shaft or the key lock collar, or the key lock collar is displaced in the press-fitting direction, so that the key lock collar can be pressed smoothly without being caught on the steering shaft. be able to.

  In the steering devices of the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, a lubricating oil groove or a spiral groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft. Therefore, if lubricating oil such as grease is filled in the lubricating oil groove or the helical groove, the lubricating oil is supplied over a long period between the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft, and is stable and predetermined. It becomes possible to maintain the sliding torque over a long period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view showing an entire steering apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting part of the steering shaft of Example 2 of this invention, and a key lock collar. (1) is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between a steering shaft and a key lock collar according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, (2) is an AA sectional view of (1), and (3) is (1). BB sectional drawing of (4) is CC sectional drawing of (1). It is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting part of the steering shaft and key lock collar of Example 4 of this invention. It is an enlarged vertical sectional view which shows the fitting part of the steering shaft and key lock collar of Example 5 of this invention. (1) is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between a steering shaft and a key lock collar according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, and (2) is a DD sectional view of (1).

  Embodiments 1 to 6 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing the entire steering apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a steering shaft 3 having a steering wheel 2 mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body is rotatably supported on the column 1. An extendable intermediate shaft 42 is connected to the front side of the vehicle body of the steering shaft 3 via an upper universal joint 41.

  A steering gear (not shown) such as a rack and pinion type is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 42 via a lower universal joint 43, and a wheel is connected to the steering gear via a tie rod. Thus, when the steering wheel 2 is operated by hand, the wheel can be steered.

  At a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction of the column 1, an upper bracket 5 fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) and a tilt adjusting mechanism 6 for adjusting the tilt of the column 1 with respect to the upper bracket 5 are attached.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body rear side of the hollow cylindrical steering shaft 3 is rotatably supported by a bearing 11 on the inner periphery of the column 1. A key lock collar 7 is press-fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3.

  A key lock hole 72 is formed in the key lock collar 7. When an ignition key (not shown) is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the key hole, the lock key 8 protrudes toward the axial center side of the steering shaft 3. As a result, the tip of the lock key 8 is engaged with the key lock hole 72 of the key lock collar 7 to fix the steering shaft 3 to the column 1 and prevent the steering shaft 3 from rotating. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the key lock collar 7 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape by a metal material having elasticity such as a carbon steel pipe for machine structure. A key lock hole 72 that is a long hole in the axial direction is formed at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the key lock collar 7. The diameter (inner diameter) D1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 is smaller than the diameter (outer diameter) d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the free state of the steering shaft 3 in the free state of the key lock collar 7. .

  With this configuration, the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 and the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 constitute an elastic contact surface that comes into elastic contact with each other. The outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 is formed with a reduced diameter portion 32 as a relief portion at a part of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the axial direction. The diameter (outer diameter) d2 of the reduced diameter portion 32 is smaller than the diameter (inner diameter) D1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 in the free state of the key lock collar 7. The axial length L2 of the reduced diameter portion 32 is formed slightly shorter than the axial length L1 of the key lock collar 7.

  A taper 33 is formed between the left end of the reduced diameter portion 32 and the outer peripheral surface 31. The key lock collar 7 is press-fitted into the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 from the right side to the left side in FIG. The taper 33 gradually increases in diameter toward the press-fitting direction of the key lock collar. The taper 33 guides the key lock collar 7 even if there is a manufacturing error of the steering shaft 3 or the key lock collar 7, for example, bending of the outer peripheral surface 31 or the inner peripheral surface 71 or displacement of the key lock collar 7 in the press-fitting direction. Therefore, the key lock collar 7 can be smoothly press-fitted without being caught on the steering shaft 3.

  Further, since the reduced diameter portion 32 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 and the diameter d2 of the reduced diameter portion 32 is formed smaller than the diameter D1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7, the key The inner peripheral surface 71 of the lock collar 7 forms a non-contact non-contact portion with the reduced diameter portion 32 of the steering shaft 3. In other words, since only the lengths L3 and L4 at both ends in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 need to be brought into elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3, a predetermined tightening allowance can be obtained. Becomes easy.

  Therefore, even if there is a manufacturing error of the steering shaft 3 or the key lock collar 7, for example, bending of the outer peripheral surface 31 or the inner peripheral surface 71 or an error in the diameter dimension of the outer peripheral surface 31 or the inner peripheral surface 71, Variations in the slip torque (friction force) acting between the inner peripheral surface 71 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 are reduced, and it becomes easy to obtain a stable predetermined slip torque.

  Even if there is a manufacturing error between the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3, a stable slip torque can be obtained by changing the lengths L3 and L4. Therefore, the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3 can be manufactured. It is easy and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, since the reduced diameter portion 32 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3, the tip of the lock key 8 can be inserted deeply toward the axial center side of the steering shaft 3. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the lock key 8 to be removed from the key lock hole 72.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, the diameter (inner diameter) D <b> 1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 is the steering in the free state of the key lock collar 7. The diameter (outer diameter) d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the free state of the shaft 3 is made smaller.

  Further, the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 is formed with an enlarged diameter portion 73 as an escape portion at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface 71. The diameter (inner diameter) D <b> 2 of the enlarged diameter portion 73 is formed larger than the diameter (inner diameter) D <b> 1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7. The axial length L5 of the enlarged diameter portion 73 is slightly shorter than the axial length L1 of the key lock collar 7.

  Therefore, the diameter-enlarged portion 73 of the key lock collar 7 forms a non-contact non-contact portion with the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3. That is, since only the lengths L6 and L7 at both ends in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 need to be elastically contacted with the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3, a predetermined tightening allowance can be obtained. Becomes easy.

  Therefore, even if there is a manufacturing error of the steering shaft 3 or the key lock collar 7, for example, bending of the outer peripheral surface 31 or the inner peripheral surface 71 or an error in the diameter dimension of the outer peripheral surface 31 or the inner peripheral surface 71, Variations in the slip torque (friction force) acting between the inner peripheral surface 71 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 are reduced, and it becomes easy to obtain a stable predetermined slip torque.

  Even if there is a manufacturing error between the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3, a stable slip torque can be obtained by changing the lengths L6 and L7. Therefore, the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3 can be manufactured. It is easy and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  5 (1) is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 (2) is an AA sectional view of FIG. 5 (1). 5 (3) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 5 (1), and FIG. 5 (4) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 5 (1). In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a hollow cylindrical portion 74 is formed in the range of the length L8 of the axial position of the key lock collar 7 in the axial direction, and both ends of the key lock collar 7 in the axial direction are formed. Square tubular portions 75 and 75 are formed in the range of the lengths L9 and L10. In other words, the rectangular cylindrical portions 75 and 75 have four side portions 751 having an arcuate convex surface with a large radius of curvature, and four locations having arcuate convex surfaces with a small radius of curvature at both circumferential ends of the side portion 751. The corner portion 752 is connected smoothly.

  By forming the square cylindrical portions 75 and 75 in this way, the lengths L9 and L10 at both ends in the axial direction of the key lock collar 7 are made non-circular. The diameter (inner diameter) D3 of the inscribed circle of the rectangular cylindrical portions 75, 75 is smaller than the diameter (outer diameter) d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the free state of the steering shaft 3 in the free state of the key lock collar 7. ing.

  That is, since only the rectangular cylindrical portions 75 and 75 at both ends in the axial direction of the key lock collar 7 need to be brought into elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3, it becomes easy to obtain a predetermined tightening allowance.

  The diameter D1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the hollow cylindrical portion 74 in the range of the length L8 of the intermediate position in the axial direction of the key lock collar 7 is slightly larger than the diameter d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3. Yes. That is, the inner peripheral surface 71 forms an escape portion. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface 71 of the hollow cylindrical portion 74 of the key lock collar 7 forms a non-contact non-contact portion with the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3.

  Therefore, manufacturing errors of the steering shaft 3 and the key lock collar 7, for example, bending of the inscribed circle of the outer peripheral surface 31 and the rectangular cylindrical portions 75, 75, and the inscribed circle of the outer peripheral surface 31 and the rectangular cylindrical portions 75, 75 Even if there is an error in the diameter dimension, the fluctuation of the sliding torque (frictional force) acting between the inscribed circle of the rectangular cylindrical portions 75 and 75 of the key lock collar 7 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 is reduced. It becomes easy to obtain a stable predetermined slip torque.

  In addition, even if there is a manufacturing error between the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3, since the stable sliding torque can be obtained by changing the length of L8, the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3 can be easily manufactured. Manufacturing costs can be reduced.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in which a lubricating oil groove is added to the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, the diameter (inner diameter) D1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 is in the free state of the key lock collar 7. The diameter (outer diameter) d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the free state of the steering shaft 3 is made smaller. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 is formed with a reduced diameter portion 32 as an escape portion at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface 31.

  On the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3, annular lubricating oil grooves 34 and 34 are formed on the elastic contact surfaces in the range of the lengths L3 and L4 at both ends in the axial direction of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7. Has been. The diameter d3 of the groove bottoms of the lubricating oil grooves 34, 34 is smaller than the diameter d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3. If lubricating oil such as grease is filled in the lubricating oil grooves 34, 34, the lubricating oil is supplied between the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 over a long period of time, and is stable. A predetermined slip torque can be maintained over a long period of time.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, the diameter (inner diameter) D <b> 1 of the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 is the steering wheel in the free state of the key lock collar 7. The diameter (outer diameter) d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the free state of the shaft 3 is made smaller.

  A spiral groove 35 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 as a relief portion. The axial length L11 of the spiral groove 35 is formed slightly shorter than the total axial length L1 of the key lock collar 7. The diameter d4 of the groove bottom of the spiral groove 35 is smaller than the diameter d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3.

  Accordingly, the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 forms a non-contact non-contact portion with the spiral groove 35 of the steering shaft 3, so that it is easy to obtain a predetermined tightening allowance. Therefore, even if there is a manufacturing error of the steering shaft 3 or the key lock collar 7, for example, bending of the outer peripheral surface 31 or the inner peripheral surface 71 or an error in the diameter dimension of the outer peripheral surface 31 or the inner peripheral surface 71, Variations in the slip torque (friction force) acting between the inner peripheral surface 71 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 are reduced, and it becomes easy to obtain a stable predetermined slip torque.

  Even if there is a manufacturing error between the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3, a stable sliding torque can be obtained by changing the groove width and the axial length L11 of the spiral groove 35. Therefore, the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3 can be manufactured easily, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, if the helical groove 35 is filled with lubricating oil such as grease, the lubricating oil is supplied over a long period of time between the inner peripheral surface 71 of the key lock collar 7 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3, so that a stable predetermined It is possible to maintain the sliding torque over a long period of time.

  FIG. 8A is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion between the steering shaft and the key lock collar according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. . In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 (1) and (2), in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, ranges of angles α1 and α1 are provided at two opposite positions on the circumference over the entire length L1 in the axial direction of the key lock collar 7. Hollow arc-shaped portions 76 and 76 are formed in the upper portion. The diameter D1 of the inner peripheral surfaces 761 and 761 of the hollow arcuate portions 76 and 76 is smaller than the diameter d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the free state of the steering shaft 3 in the free state of the key lock collar 7.

  Further, widening portions 77 and 77 as escape portions are formed at two opposite locations on the circumference over the entire length L1 in the axial direction of the key lock collar 7. The widened portions 77 and 77 are formed to be connected to both ends of the hollow arc-shaped portions 76 and 76, and the width W of the inner surface 771 of the widened portions 77 and 77 is the diameter d1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 in the free state of the steering shaft 3. Is bigger than.

  Therefore, the widened portions 77 and 77 of the key lock collar 7 form a non-contact non-contact portion with the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3. Further, since only the inner peripheral surfaces 761 and 761 of the hollow arc-shaped portions 76 and 76 need to be brought into elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3, it is easy to obtain a predetermined tightening allowance.

  By changing the angles α1 and α1 of the hollow arcuate portions 76 and 76, the area of the elastic contact surface is changed, and it acts between the inner peripheral surfaces 761 and 761 of the key lock collar 7 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3. The sliding torque can be set to a predetermined value.

  Therefore, manufacturing errors of the steering shaft 3 and the key lock collar 7, for example, bending of the outer peripheral surface 31 and the inner peripheral surfaces 761 and 761 of the hollow arc-shaped portions 76 and 76, Even if there is an error in the diameter dimension of the peripheral surfaces 761 and 761, the fluctuation of the sliding torque acting between the inner peripheral surfaces 761 and 761 of the key lock collar 7 and the outer peripheral surface 31 of the steering shaft 3 is reduced and stable. It becomes easy to obtain a predetermined slip torque.

  In addition, even if there is a manufacturing error between the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3, since the stable sliding torque can be obtained by changing the angle α1, the key lock collar 7 and the steering shaft 3 can be easily manufactured. Costs can be reduced. Furthermore, a function of changing the contact area between the steering shaft 3 and the key lock collar 7 may be added to the shape of the sixth embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7.

  The key lock collar 7 of the first, second, fourth, and fifth embodiments is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, but is formed into a non-circular cylindrical shape as in the third and sixth embodiments. May be. Further, the molding method of the key lock collar 7 may be any molding method such as forging, press molding, and cutting.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Column 11 Bearing 2 Steering wheel 3 Steering shaft 31 Outer peripheral surface 32 Reduced diameter part 33 Taper 34 Lubricating oil groove 35 Helical groove 41 Upper universal joint 42 Intermediate shaft 43 Lower universal joint 5 Upper bracket 6 Tilt adjustment mechanism 7 Key lock collar 71 Inner peripheral surface 72 Key lock hole 73 Expanded diameter portion 74 Hollow cylindrical portion 75 Square cylindrical portion 751 Side portion 752 Corner portion 76 Hollow arc-shaped portion 761 Inner peripheral surface 77 Widened portion 771 Inner side surface 8 Lock key 81 Arrow

Claims (7)

A hollow cylindrical steering shaft that is pivotally supported by the column and can be fitted with a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle body,
A key lock collar having an inner peripheral surface fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft and having a key lock hole;
Provided with a lock key provided in the column, the tip of which can be engaged with the key lock hole by operation of an ignition key,
The diameter of the inner peripheral surface in the free state of the key lock collar is made smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface in the free state of the steering shaft, and the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft are elastically deformed. In a steering device having an elastic contact surface that comes into contact,
An escape portion is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft or the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar, and the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar and the outer periphery of the steering shaft are formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar. A steering device characterized in that a non-contact portion having a non-contact surface is formed. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the escape portion is a reduced diameter portion formed in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft in the axial direction. The steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the diameter-reduced portion is formed with a taper that gradually increases in diameter in the press-fitting direction of the key lock collar. The steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
A steering device, wherein a lubricating oil groove is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the escape portion is a spiral groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the escape portion is a diameter-expanded portion formed in a part of the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar in the axial direction. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the escape portion is a widened portion formed over the entire axial length of the inner peripheral surface of the key lock collar.

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