JP2015085756A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device which is reducible in size to a lateral direction while achieving a rigid telescopic lock.SOLUTION: A lock mechanism 19 comprises a fastening mechanism 30 which fastens a support side plate 22 of a support bracket 18 by a shaft force of a fastening shaft 21 to column side plates 24 (movable side plates) fixed to an outer tube 11. The lock mechanism 19 comprises a friction engagement cam 42 for making an inner tube 12 friction-engaged with the outer tube 11 by pressing the inner tube at a lock, and an engagement mechanism 50 between a pair of the column side plates 24. The engagement mechanism 50 comprises fixed tooth rows 51, 52 fixed to the outer tube 11, movable tooth rows 53, 54 support by the fastening shaft 21, and the engagement cams 56, 57 which make both the tooth rows engaged with each other at the lock.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device.

In a position-adjustable steering device, there is a demand to increase the lock holding force of the lock mechanism at the adjustment position in order to obtain a required shock absorption performance at the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle.
For this purpose, the pair of vehicle body side friction side plates are fastened to the pair of column side friction plates provided on the steering column by a tooth plate arranged outside the pair of vehicle body side friction plates of the support bracket fixed to the vehicle body. In addition, it has been proposed that a tooth block is engaged with the tooth plate from the outside to improve the lock holding force (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-236440 A

However, since the tooth plate or the tooth block is disposed outside the vehicle body side friction plate of the support bracket, there is a problem that the steering device is enlarged in the lateral direction (left-right direction).
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can be downsized in the lateral direction while achieving a strong telescopic lock.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a steering shaft (4) having a steering member (2) connected to one end thereof, an inner tube (12) on a lower side, and the inner tube in an axial direction (X). The vehicle body (14) includes an upper outer tube (11) movably fitted to the vehicle body, a steering column (8) for rotatably supporting the steering shaft, and a pair of support side plates (22). A support bracket (18) to be supported, a movable bracket (17) including a pair of movable side plates (24) along the inner surface of the pair of support side plates, fixed to the outer tube, and a first insertion of the support side plates A tightening shaft (21) inserted through the hole (23) and the second insertion hole (25) of the movable side plate, an operation lever (20) rotating integrally with the tightening shaft, and the operation lever A locking mechanism (19) that locks the position of the outer tube in accordance with rotation in the locking direction. The locking mechanism is a fastening mechanism that fastens the support side plate to the movable side plate by the axial force of the fastening shaft. An attaching mechanism (30) and the fastening shaft can be rotated together, and the inner tube is frictionally engaged with the inner periphery of the outer tube by pressing the inner tube through the opening (41) of the outer tube when locked. A friction engagement cam (42; 42P) to be moved, a fixed tooth row (51, 52) fixed to the outer tube, a movable tooth row (53, 54) supported by the fastening shaft, and the fastening A meshing cam (56, 57; 56P, 57P) that can rotate integrally with the shaft and presses the movable tooth row when locked to mesh the movable tooth row with the fixed tooth row; Comprising a, a meshing mechanism (50) comprising the frictional engagement cam and the meshing mechanism provides a steering apparatus (1) which is disposed between the pair of movable side plates.

In addition, although the alphanumeric character in a parenthesis represents the corresponding component etc. in embodiment mentioned later, this does not mean that this invention should be limited to those embodiment as a matter of course. The same applies hereinafter.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the movable tooth row may be configured to be driven in the direction of the teeth by the meshing cam so as to mesh with the fixed tooth row.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the meshing mechanism has a guide portion (72, 73) for guiding the movable tooth row to an advanced position where the movable tooth row is engaged with the fixed tooth row and a retracted position where the movable tooth row is retracted from the advanced position. A guide member (55) supported by the tightening shaft and a biasing member (58) for biasing the movable tooth row to the retracted position may be included.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as the engagement cam, a first engagement cam (56; 56P) and a second engagement cam disposed on both sides of the friction engagement cam in the axial direction of the fastening shaft. (57; 57P) provided as the movable tooth row, the first movable tooth row (53) driven by the first meshing cam and the second movable tooth row driven by the second meshing cam. (54), and the fixed tooth row includes a first fixed tooth row (51) meshing with the first movable tooth row and a second fixed tooth row (52) meshing with the second movable tooth row. It may be provided.

In addition, as in the fifth aspect, as the guide member, a single guide member (55) for guiding the first movable tooth row and the second movable tooth row may be provided.
Further, as in claim 6, the first block (64) formed with the first movable tooth row and the second block (65) formed with the second movable tooth row, the first block And each of the second blocks includes a first guided plate (66) and a second guided plate (67) disposed on both sides of the engagement cam, the first guided plate, and the second block. 2 One end of the guided plates is connected to each other, and is a surface opposite to the first surface (69) on the fixed tooth row side and the first surface, and is pressed by the meshing cam (70). ) And a movable tooth row forming plate (71) which is formed to project from the first surface of the connection plate and forms a corresponding movable tooth row, and the guide portion of the guide member The first guide plate (72) and the second guide plate for guiding the first guided plate and the second guided plate, respectively. The second guide plate (73) may contain.

  Further, as in claim 7, an outer periphery (63) fitted and fixed to an inner periphery of the opening, and an inner periphery (62) formed so that the first fixed tooth row and the second fixed tooth row face each other. ), And the friction engagement cam is movable between the first block and the second block when each movable tooth row meshes with the corresponding fixed tooth row. A pair of end surfaces (82, 83) for receiving the back surfaces (53R, 54R) of the movable tooth row of the tooth row forming plate may be included.

Further, as in claim 8, the first block and the second block are interposed between the first surfaces of the connecting plates of the first block and the fixed tooth row forming member that forms the fixed tooth row, and when unlocked. A pair of return springs (58) may be provided as the urging member for returning the movable tooth row of the corresponding block to the retracted position.
Further, as in claim 9, the friction engagement cam (42) and the engagement cam (56, 57) may be integrally formed of a single material.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, each tooth of the fixed dentition and the movable dentition includes a tooth line extending in a direction in which the movable dentition advances and retreats and intersects the axial direction of the outer tube. And chamfers (51a, 52a; 53a, 54a) for guiding meshing in the tooth trace direction are formed at end portions on the meshing direction in the tooth trace direction of at least one tooth of the fixed tooth row and the movable tooth row. It may be.

Further, as in claim 11, the rotation of the clamping shaft is supported by the clamping shaft, the rotation of the clamping shaft around the central axis is restricted by the first insertion hole, and the clamping shaft You may provide the rotation control member (32, 35) which controls rotation of the said guide member around the center axis line (C1) of an axis | shaft.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the tightening mechanism converts a rotational force of the operation lever into an axial force of the tightening shaft, and tightens the support side plate to the movable side plate via the tightening shaft. The force conversion mechanism includes a rotation cam (31) that rotates integrally with the operation lever, and the rotation restriction member that engages with the rotation cam and is restricted by the first insertion hole. The fixed cam (32).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of locking, the friction engagement cam presses the inner tube toward the inner peripheral side of the outer tube to frictionally engage both tubes, and the engagement cam of the engagement mechanism includes the movable tooth row. To engage with the fixed dentition. Thereby, a strong telescopic lock can be achieved. In addition, since the meshing mechanism including the fixed tooth row, the movable tooth row and the meshing cam is laid out between the pair of movable side plates together with the friction engagement cam, the steering device can be reduced in size with respect to the axial direction of the fastening shaft. be able to.

In addition, since the movable tooth row is driven in the tooth trace direction and meshed with the fixed tooth row, the fixed tooth row and the movable tooth row can be reduced in size with respect to the axial direction of the fastening shaft.
According to the invention of claim 3, at the time of locking, the movable tooth row can be guided to the advanced position by the guide member and can be surely engaged with the fixed tooth row. Further, when the lock is released, the movable tooth row can be driven to the retracted position by the urging member, and the meshing can be reliably released.

According to the invention of claim 4, a stronger telescopic lock can be achieved by meshing the two movable tooth rows with the corresponding fixed tooth rows.
According to the invention of claim 5, since the two movable tooth rows are guided by the single guide member supported by the fastening shaft, the structure can be simplified.
According to the invention of claim 6, each block is a connecting plate in which both ends of the first guided plate and the second guided plate are guided by the first guide plate and the second guide plate of the guide member. And a movable tooth row forming plate is formed to protrude from the first surface of the connecting plate, and the second surface, which is the surface opposite to the first surface, is pressed by the engagement cam, so that the movable tooth row can be made smoother. It can be moved forward and backward.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, at the time of locking, the back surfaces of the first movable tooth row and the second movable tooth row that mesh with the first fixed tooth row and the second fixed tooth row facing each other are connected to the friction engagement cam. By being received by the pair of end surfaces, a firm engagement can be achieved.
According to the invention of claim 8, when the lock is released, each movable tooth row can be returned to the retracted position by the pair of return springs as the urging members, and the reliable mesh release can be achieved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the structure can be simplified by integrally forming the friction engagement cam and the engagement cam with a single material.
According to the invention of claim 10, it is possible to smoothly mesh the both tooth rows by guiding the meshing of both tooth rows by chamfering.
According to the invention of claim 11, the rotation restricting member can restrict the rotation of the guide member around the central axis of the tightening shaft, and the movable tooth row moving forward and backward is stably supported by the guide member. can do.

  In addition, since the fixed cam of the force conversion mechanism of the tightening mechanism also serves as the rotation restricting member as in the twelfth aspect, the structure can be simplified.

1 is a schematic side view of a schematic configuration of a steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the steering device of 1st Embodiment, and is equivalent to the cross section which follows the II-II line of FIG. It is a general | schematic disassembled perspective view of the locking mechanism in 1st Embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, it is a schematic sectional drawing of the lock mechanism at the time of lock release. In 1st Embodiment, it is a schematic sectional drawing of the locking mechanism at the time of a lock | rock. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the cam for friction engagement and the cam for engagement which concern on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a schematic configuration of a steering apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a steering device 1 includes a steering member 2 such as a steering wheel, and a steering mechanism 3 that steers steered wheels (not shown) in conjunction with the steering of the steering member 2. As the steering mechanism 3, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism is used.

  The steering member 2 and the steering mechanism 3 are mechanically connected via a steering shaft 4, an intermediate shaft 5, and the like. The rotation of the steering member 2 is transmitted to the steering mechanism 3 via the steering shaft 4, the intermediate shaft 5, and the like. Further, the rotation transmitted to the steering mechanism 3 is converted into an axial movement of a rack shaft (not shown). Thereby, a steered wheel is steered.

  The steering shaft 4 includes a cylindrical upper shaft 6 and a lower shaft 7 which are fitted so as to be slidable relative to each other by, for example, spline fitting or serration fitting. The steering member 2 is connected to one end of the upper shaft 6. Further, the steering shaft 4 can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction. The steering shaft 4 is inserted into a cylindrical steering column 8 and is rotatably supported by the steering column 8 via a plurality of bearings 9 and 10.

  The steering column 8 has an upper-side outer tube 11 and a lower-side inner tube 12 which are fitted so as to be slidable relative to each other. The steering column 8 can extend and contract in the axial direction X (corresponding to the telescopic direction). The outer tube 11 rotatably supports the upper shaft 6 via the bearing 9. The outer tube 11 is connected to the upper shaft 6 via the bearing 9 so as to be able to move along the axial direction of the steering shaft 4.

A lower-side column bracket 13 fixed to the outer periphery 12 a of the inner tube 12 is rotatably supported by a lower-side support bracket 15 fixed to the vehicle body 14 via a tilt center shaft 16. As a result, the steering column 8 and the steering shaft 4 are rotatable (tiltable) with the tilt center axis 16 as a fulcrum.
By rotating (tilting) the steering shaft 4 and the steering column 8 with the tilt central axis 16 as a fulcrum, the position of the steering member 2 can be adjusted (so-called tilt adjustment). Further, the position of the steering member 2 can be adjusted by moving the upper shaft 6 of the steering shaft 4 and the outer tube 11 of the steering column 8 in the axial direction X (so-called telescopic adjustment).

An upper side column bracket 17 (movable bracket) that can move integrally with the outer tube 11 is fixed to the outer tube 11. Further, an upper support bracket 18 is held by a fixed bracket 90 fixed to the vehicle body 14 so as to be movable in the column movement direction (direction parallel to the axial direction X) at the time of a secondary collision.
The steering device 1 includes a lock mechanism 19 that fixes the position of the steering member 2 after position adjustment (tilt adjustment or telescopic adjustment), specifically, the positions of the column bracket 17 and the outer tube 11 after position adjustment to the vehicle body. It has. The lock mechanism 19 has a function of locking the column bracket 17 with respect to the support bracket 18 supported by the fixed bracket 90 via the suspension mechanism T.

The lock mechanism 19 includes an operation lever 20 that is rotated by the driver, and a tightening shaft 21 that can rotate integrally with the operation lever 20 and that passes through both brackets 17 and 18. A central axis C <b> 1 of the fastening shaft 21 corresponds to the rotation center of the operation lever 20.
Specifically, the tightening shaft 21 is provided in the support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18 and is provided in the tilt long hole 23 as a first insertion hole extending in the tilt direction Y, and in the column side plate 24 of the column bracket 17. A telescopic elongated hole 25 as a second insertion hole extending in a direction (corresponding to the axial direction X) is inserted.

1 and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and a long hole extending in the column moving direction (a direction parallel to the axial direction X) at the time of a secondary collision. A main plate 92 on which 91 is formed is provided.
Bolt insertion holes 94 are formed in the top plate 93 of the support bracket 18 facing the main plate 92 of the fixed bracket 90. The suspension mechanism T includes a suspension bolt 95 that passes through the elongated hole 91 and the bolt insertion hole 94, and a nut 96 that is coupled to the suspension bolt 95. The support bracket 18 is suspended by a suspension bolt 95 supported by the fixed bracket 90 and a nut 96 coupled to the suspension bolt 95.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the support bracket 18 includes the top plate 93 and a pair of support side plates 22 that extend downward in the tilt direction Y from both ends of the top plate 93. The column bracket 17 has a groove shape including a pair of column side plates 24 facing the pair of support side plates 22 of the support bracket 18 and a connecting plate 27 for connecting the lower ends of the pair of column side plates 24 in the tilt direction Y. There is no.

The fastening shaft 21 is composed of a bolt that penetrates the tilting long holes 23 of the support side plates 22 of the support bracket 18 and the telescopic long holes 25 of the column side plates 24 of the column bracket 17. A head portion 28 at one end of the fastening shaft 21 is fixed so as to rotate integrally with the operation lever 20. A nut 29 is screwed into a thread portion provided at the other end of the fastening shaft 21.
The steering device 1 includes a tightening mechanism 30 that achieves tilt lock and telescopic lock as the operation lever 20 rotates. The tightening mechanism 30 includes a force conversion mechanism FC interposed between the operation lever 20 fixed to one end of the tightening shaft 21 and one support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18. The force conversion mechanism FC includes a rotating cam 31 and a fixed cam 32 that are fitted and supported on the outer periphery of the fastening shaft 21. Cam projections (not shown) that engage with each other are formed on opposing surfaces of the rotating cam 31 and the fixed cam 32. The force conversion mechanism FC performs the function of converting the rotational force of the operating lever 20 into the axial force of the fastening shaft 21 and fastening each support side plate 22 to the corresponding column side plate 24 (movable side plate) via the fastening shaft 21. It is a cam mechanism.

The tightening mechanism 30 includes a first interposed member 35 and a second interposed member 36 that are fitted and supported on the outer periphery of the tightening shaft 21. A part of the first interposed member 35 (annular plate 37) is interposed between the nut 29 fixed to the other end of the fastening shaft 21 and the other support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18.
The rotary cam 31 is coupled to the operation lever 20 so as to be integrally rotatable, and the axial movement with respect to the fastening shaft 21 is restricted. The fixed cam 32 includes an annular plate 33 as a fastening portion interposed between the rotating cam 31 and the other support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18, and a boss 34 extending from the annular plate 33. The rotation of the fixed cam 32 is restricted by inserting the boss 34 of the fixed cam 32 into the long slot 23 for tilting of the one support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18. The fixed cam 32 is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction Z of the fastening shaft 21.

The first interposed member 35 includes an annular plate 37 as a fastening portion interposed between the second interposed member 36 and the other support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18, and a boss 38 extending from the annular plate 37. . The boss 38 of the first interposed member 35 is inserted into the long slot for tilt 23 of the other support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18, so that the rotation of the first interposed member 35 is restricted.
The second interposed member 36 includes a washer 39 interposed between the nut 29 and the first interposed member 35, and a needle roller bearing 40 interposed between the washer 39 and the first interposed member 35.

The tightening mechanism 30 tightens the pair of support side plates 22 between the annular plate 33 of the fixed cam 32 and the annular plate 37 of the first interposed member 35 at the time of locking, so that the pair of support side plates 22 correspond to the corresponding column. Tighten to the side plate 24 to achieve tilt lock and telescopic lock.
The lock mechanism 19 includes a friction engagement cam 42 that is coupled to the shaft portion of the tightening shaft 21 so as to be integrally rotatable. The cam surface 42 a provided on the outer periphery of the frictional engagement cam 42 has a cam profile formed in an arc shape having a center eccentric with respect to the central axis C <b> 1 of the fastening shaft 21.

The friction engagement cam 42 rotates as the operation lever 20 rotates in the locking direction, pushes up the inner tube 12 through the opening 41 of the outer tube 11, and moves the inner tube 12 to the inner periphery 11 a of the outer tube 11. By frictional engagement, the axial movement of the outer tube 11 is suppressed to achieve telescopic locking.
Further, the lock mechanism 19 includes a meshing mechanism 50 that meshes teeth and achieves telescopic locking as the operation lever 20 rotates in the locking direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the meshing mechanism 50 includes a first fixed tooth row 51 and a second fixed tooth row 52 fixed to the outer tube 11, and a first fixed tooth row 51 and a second fixed tooth row 52. The first movable tooth row 53 and the second movable tooth row 54 that mesh with each other, and the advancement position that is supported by the tightening shaft 21 and meshes the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 with the corresponding fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 (FIG. 5). And a guide member 55 for guiding to a retracted position (see FIG. 4) retracted from the advanced position.

Further, the meshing mechanism 50 biases the first meshing cam 56 and the second meshing cam 57 provided so as to rotate integrally with the fastening shaft 21 and the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 to the retracted positions, respectively. And a pair of return springs 58 as biasing members.
Referring to FIG. 4, the first engagement cam 56 and the second engagement cam 57 are integrally provided with the friction engagement cam 42 with a single material.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first fixed tooth row 51 and the second fixed tooth row 52 are provided on an annular fixed tooth row forming member 59. The fixed dentition forming member 59 includes an annular main body 60 and an annular flange 61 extending outward from one end of the main body 60. The first fixed tooth row 51 and the second fixed tooth row 52 are formed on the inner periphery 62 of the main body 60 of the fixed tooth row forming member 59 so as to face each other. The outer periphery 63 of the main body 60 of the fixed tooth row forming member 59 is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery 41 a (see FIG. 4) of the opening 41 of the outer tube 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the teeth of the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 and the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 are directions in which the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 advance and retreat and intersect the axial direction X of the outer tube 11. It has a tooth trace extending in the tilt direction Y (for example, tilt direction Y). Referring to FIG. 4, the tooth traces of the teeth of at least one of fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 and movable tooth rows 53 and 54 (both fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 and movable tooth rows 53 and 54 in this embodiment). Chamfers 51a, 52a; 53a, 54a for guiding the meshing in the tooth trace direction are formed at the end of the meshing side in the direction (for example, the tilt direction Y).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first movable tooth row 53 is provided in the first block 64, and the second movable tooth row 54 is provided in the second block 65. Since the first block 64 and the second block 65 have a symmetric shape and a common specification is used, description will be made in accordance with the first block 64.
The first block 64 includes a first guided plate 66 and a second guided plate 67 disposed on both sides of a meshing cam (the first meshing cam 56) that face each other and correspond to each other, and both guided plates 66 and 67. And a connecting plate 68 that connects one ends of the two. The connecting plate 68 includes a first surface 69 on the side of the corresponding fixed tooth row (first fixed tooth row 51) and a surface on the opposite side of the first surface 69, and a corresponding engagement cam (first engagement cam). 56) and the second surface 70 pressed. Further, the first block 64 includes a movable tooth row forming plate 71 protruding from the first surface 69 of the connecting plate 68. A corresponding movable tooth row (first movable tooth row 53) is formed on the movable tooth row forming plate 71.

  The guide member 55 guides the first guided plate 66 and the second guided plate 67 of the first block 64 provided with the first movable tooth row 53, respectively, and the second block 65 provided with the second movable tooth row 54. The first guide plate 72 and the second guide plate 73 are provided for guiding the first guided plate 66 and the second guided plate 67, respectively. The inner surfaces of the first guide plate 72 and the second guide plate 73 guide the outer surfaces of the corresponding guided plates 66 and 67.

The only guide member 55 collectively guides the first movable tooth row 53 (the first block 64 provided) and the second movable tooth row 54 (the second block 65 provided). The two guide plates 72 and 73 (guide portions) of the only guide member 55 guide the corresponding guided plates 66 and 67 of both blocks 64 and 65.
Further, the guide member 55 includes a first end plate 74 and a second end plate 75 that connect both ends of the first guide plate 72 and the second guide plate 73, respectively. Both guide plates 72 and 73 and both end plates 74 and 75 form a box shape as shown in FIG.

  The end plates 74 and 75 are provided with insertion holes 76 and 77 through which the shaft portion of the fastening shaft 21 is inserted, respectively. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer surface 78 of the first end plate 74 is fitted to, for example, the boss 34 having a parallelogram-shaped cross section of the fixed cam 32 of the tightening mechanism 30. A recess 80 that restricts rotation is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer surface 79 of the second end plate 75 is formed with a recess 81 that fits, for example, a boss 38 having a parallelogram-shaped cross section of the first interposed member 35 to restrict the rotation of the guide member 55. Has been.

That is, the fixed cam 32 that is supported by the tightening shaft 21 to allow the rotation of the tightening shaft 21 and whose rotation about the central axis C1 of the tightening shaft 21 is restricted by the tilt long hole 23 (first insertion hole). The first interposed member 35 functions as a rotation restricting member that restricts the rotation of the guide member 55 around the central axis C <b> 1 of the fastening shaft 21.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of return springs 58 of the meshing mechanism 50 is fixed to the first surface 69 of the corresponding connecting plate 68 of the first block 64 and the second block 65 and the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52. It is interposed between the lower surface of the annular flange 61 of the tooth row forming member 50 and functions as an urging member that returns the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 of the corresponding blocks 64 and 65 to the retracted position when unlocking.

  The frictional engagement cam 42 has a pair of end faces 82 and 83 facing the axial direction Z of the fastening shaft 21. The end faces 82 and 83 are slidably in contact with the back surfaces 53R and 54R of the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 of the movable tooth row forming plate 71 of the corresponding blocks 64 and 65, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the end faces 82 and 83 of the friction engagement cam 42 correspond to the corresponding blocks 64 and 65 when the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 mesh with the corresponding fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 at the time of locking. The back surfaces 53R and 54R of the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 of the movable tooth row forming plate 71 are respectively received.

  According to the present embodiment, as the operating lever 20 rotates in the locking direction, the rotating cam 31 of the tightening mechanism 30 rotates with respect to the fixed cam 32, so that the fixed cam 32 is the axis of the tightening shaft 21. Moving in the direction Z, both the support side plates 22 of the support bracket 18 are sandwiched and tightened between the annular plate 33 of the fixed cam 32 and the annular plate 37 of the first interposed member 35. As a result, each support side plate 22 of the support bracket 18 is pressed against the corresponding column side plate 24 of the column bracket 17 to achieve tilt lock and telescopic lock.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, at the time of locking, the frictional engagement cam 42 rotated integrally with the tightening shaft 21 presses the inner tube 12 toward the inner periphery 11a of the outer tube 11 so that both the tubes 11 and 12 are frictionally engaged. The meshing cams (the first meshing cam 56 and the second meshing cam 57) of the meshing mechanism 50 which are rotated together with the fastening shaft 21 are movable tooth rows (first movable tooth row 53, second gear). The movable tooth row 54) is pressed and meshed with the fixed tooth rows (the first fixed tooth row 51 and the second fixed tooth row 52). Thereby, a strong telescopic lock can be achieved. Moreover, the meshing mechanism 50 including the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52, the movable tooth rows 53 and 54, and the meshing cams 56 and 57 is laid out between the pair of column side plates 24 (movable side plates) together with the friction engagement cams 42. The size can be reduced with respect to the axial direction Z of the fastening shaft 21.

  Further, when the fixed tooth row is provided on the column side plate of the column bracket fixed to the column tube as in the prior art, the movable tooth row locks the column tube via the column bracket. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 are fixed to the outer tube 11, the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 can lock the outer tube 11 more directly. Therefore, the lock strength and the support rigidity can be increased.

In particular, since the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 can be arranged in the vicinity of the center position of the outer tube 11 with respect to the axial direction X of the fastening shaft 21, the lock strength can increase the support rigidity. it can.
Further, since the meshing cams 56 and 57 drive the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 in the direction of the teeth and mesh with the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52, the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 and The movable tooth rows 53 and 54 can be reduced in size.

Further, at the time of locking, the movable teeth 53 and 54 can be guided to the advanced position by the guide member 55 and can be surely engaged with the fixed teeth 51 and 52. Further, when the lock is released, the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 are driven to the retracted position by the biasing member (return spring 58), so that the meshing of both the tooth rows 51 and 52; 53 and 54 can be reliably released.
Further, by meshing two movable tooth rows (first movable tooth row 53, second movable tooth row 54) with corresponding fixed tooth rows (first fixed tooth row 51, second fixed tooth row 52), more A strong telescopic lock can be achieved.

  Further, since the two movable tooth rows (the first movable tooth row 53 and the second movable tooth row 54) are guided by the single guide member 55 supported by the tightening shaft 21, the structure can be simplified. it can. Further, the first guided plate 66 and the second guided plate 67 in which the blocks 63 and 64 forming the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 are guided by the first guide plate 72 and the second guide plate 73 of the guide member 55. A connecting plate 68 connected between both ends of the connecting plate 68, a movable tooth row forming plate 71 is formed on the first surface 69 of the connecting plate 68, and the second surface 70, which is the surface opposite to the first surface 69, is engaged. Since the pressing is performed by the cams 56 and 57, the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 can be moved back and forth more smoothly.

Further, at the time of locking, the back surfaces 53R and 54R of the first movable tooth row 53 and the second movable tooth row 54 that mesh with the first fixed tooth row 51 and the second fixed tooth row 52 that face each other are connected to the pair of friction engagement cams 42, respectively. By being received by the end faces 82 and 83, a firm engagement can be achieved.
In addition, when the lock is released, the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 are returned to the retracted positions (see FIG. 4) by the pair of return springs 58 as the urging members, so that reliable mesh release can be achieved.

Moreover, the structure can be simplified by integrally forming the friction engagement cam 42 and the engagement cams 56 and 57 with a single material.
Further, at least one of the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 and the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 (both the fixed tooth rows 51 and 52 and the movable tooth rows 53 and 54 in the present embodiment) on the meshing side in the tooth line direction. The chamfers 51a, 52a; 53a, 54a provided at the end portions can guide the meshing of both the tooth rows 51, 52; 53, 54 to smoothly mesh the both tooth rows 51, 52; 53, 54. .

In addition, since the rotation of the guide member 55 around the central axis C1 of the fastening shaft 21 can be restricted by the rotation restricting member (the fixed cam 32, the first interposed member 35), the movable tooth row 53 that moves forward and backward, 54 (blocks 63 and 64) can be stably supported by the guide member 55.
In addition, since the fixed cam 32 of the force conversion mechanism FC of the tightening mechanism 30 also serves as the rotation restricting member, the structure can be simplified.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in the second embodiment in FIG. 6, each of the engagement cams 56P and 57P, which is a member different from the friction engagement cam 42P, is a friction engagement member. The fixed cam 42P may be integrally fixed. In that case, with respect to the rotation direction of the tightening shaft 21, the attachment positions (corresponding to the rotation phase) of the engagement cams 56P and 57P with respect to the friction engagement cam 42P may be changed. For example, bosses 561 having a circular cross section projecting from the main bodies 560 and 570 of the respective engagement cams 56P and 57P are fitted into fitting recesses 84 and 85 having a circular cross section provided on the pair of end surfaces 82P and 83P of the friction engagement cam 42P. You may make it press-fit and fix 571, adjusting the position to the circumferential direction.

  Although not shown, the fixed bracket 90 may be eliminated, and the support bracket 18 may be attached to the vehicle body through a known capsule mechanism or the like so as to be detachable from the vehicle body at the time of a secondary collision. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering device, 2 ... Steering member, 3 ... Steering mechanism, 4 ... Steering shaft, 8 ... Steering column, 11 ... Outer tube, 11a ... Inner circumference, 12 ... Inner tube, 14 ... Car body, 17 ... Column bracket (movable Bracket), 18 ... support bracket, 19 ... lock mechanism, 20 ... operating lever, 21 ... clamping shaft, 22 ... support side plate, 23 ... tilt slot (first insertion hole), 24 ... column side plate (movable side plate) 25 ... Telescopic slot (second insertion hole), 28 ... head, 29 ... nut, 30 ... tightening mechanism, 31 ... rotating cam, 32 ... fixed cam, 33 ... annular plate, 34 ... boss, 35 ... First interposition member, 36 ... second interposition member, 37 ... annular plate, 38 ... boss, 41 ... opening, 42; 42P ... friction engagement cam, 50 ... meshing mechanism, 51 ... first fixed tooth row, 52 ... first 2 Fixed tooth row, 53 ... first movable tooth row, 53R ... back surface, 54 ... second movable tooth row, 54R ... back surface, 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a ... chamfering, 55 ... guide member, 56; 56P ... first meshing 57, 57P ... second meshing cam, 58 ... return spring (biasing member), 59 ... fixed tooth row forming member, 60 ... main body, 61 ... flange, 62 ... inner periphery, 63 ... outer periphery, 64 ... First block, 65 ... second block, 66 ... first guided plate, 67 ... second guided plate, 68 ... connecting plate, 69 ... first surface, 70 ... second surface, 71 ... movable tooth row forming plate 72 ... 1st guide plate (guide part), 73 ... 2nd guide plate (guide part), 74 ... 1st end plate, 75 ... 2nd end plate, 76, 77 ... Insertion hole, 78, 79 ... Outer surface , 80, 81 ... concave portion, 82, 83 ... end face, FC ... force conversion mechanism, X ... axial direction, Y ... tilt direction, Z ... (tightening shaft The axial direction

Claims (12)

A steering shaft having a steering member coupled to one end;
A steering column that rotatably supports the steering shaft, including a lower side inner tube and an upper side outer tube fitted to the inner tube so as to be movable in the axial direction;
A support bracket including a pair of support side plates and supported by the vehicle body;
A movable bracket fixed to the outer tube including a pair of movable side plates along an inner surface of the pair of support side plates;
A tightening shaft that is inserted through the first insertion hole of the support side plate and the second insertion hole of the movable side plate, an operation lever that rotates integrally with the tightening shaft, and the rotation of the operation lever in the locking direction. A lock mechanism for locking the position of the outer tube,
The locking mechanism is
A tightening mechanism for tightening the support side plate to the movable side plate by an axial force of the tightening shaft;
A friction engagement cam that is rotatable integrally with the tightening shaft and that presses the inner tube through the opening of the outer tube when locked to frictionally engage the inner tube with the inner periphery of the outer tube;
A fixed tooth row fixed to the outer tube, a movable tooth row supported by the tightening shaft, and can rotate integrally with the tightening shaft, and the movable tooth row is pressed by pressing the movable tooth row. A meshing mechanism including a meshing cam that meshes with the fixed tooth row,
A steering apparatus in which the friction engagement cam and the meshing mechanism are disposed between the pair of movable side plates.   The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable tooth row is driven in a direction of a tooth trace by the meshing cam and meshed with the fixed tooth row.   3. The meshing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the meshing mechanism has a guide portion that guides the movable tooth row to an advanced position where the movable tooth row meshes with the fixed tooth row and a retracted position where the movable tooth row retracts from the advanced position. And a biasing member that biases the movable tooth row to the retracted position. The first engagement cam and the second engagement cam disposed on both sides of the friction engagement cam in the axial direction of the tightening shaft as the engagement cam according to claim 3,
As the movable tooth row, a first movable tooth row driven by the first meshing cam and a second movable tooth row driven by the second meshing cam are provided,
A steering device provided with a first fixed tooth row that meshes with the first movable tooth row and a second fixed tooth row that meshes with the second movable tooth row as the fixed tooth row.   The steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the only guide member that guides the first movable tooth row and the second movable tooth row is provided as the guide member. In Claim 4 or 5, It provided with the 1st block which formed the 1st movable tooth row, and the 2nd block which formed the 2nd movable tooth row,
Each of the first block and the second block includes a first guided plate and a second guided plate that are opposed to each other and disposed on both sides of the engagement cam, and the first guided plate and the second guided plate. Connecting one end of the guide plate, a connecting plate having a first surface on the fixed tooth row side and a second surface that is a surface opposite to the first surface and pressed by the engagement cam; A movable tooth row forming plate that is formed to protrude from the first surface of the connecting plate and forms a corresponding movable tooth row;
The steering device includes a first guide plate and a second guide plate, wherein the guide portion of the guide member guides the first guided plate and the second guided plate, respectively. 7. An annular fixed dentition having an outer periphery fitted and fixed to an inner periphery of the opening and an inner periphery formed so that the first fixed dentition and the second fixed dentition are opposed to each other. Comprising a member,
The friction engagement cam has a pair of end faces that respectively receive the back surfaces of the movable tooth rows of the movable tooth row forming plates of the first block and the second block when each movable tooth row meshes with the corresponding fixed tooth row. Including steering device.   In Claim 6 or 7, it intervenes between the 1st surface of each connecting plate of the 1st block and the 2nd block, and the fixed tooth row formation member which formed the fixed tooth row, and responds at the time of lock release. A steering apparatus comprising a pair of return springs as the urging members for returning the movable tooth rows of the blocks to their retracted positions.   9. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the friction engagement cam and the engagement cam are integrally formed of a single material. 10. The tooth according to claim 1, wherein each tooth of the fixed tooth row and the movable tooth row extends in a direction in which the movable tooth row advances and retreats and intersects the axial direction of the outer tube. Have tooth traces,
A steering device in which chamfering for guiding meshing in the tooth trace direction is formed at an end portion on the meshing direction in the tooth trace direction of at least one of the fixed tooth row and the movable tooth row.   In any one of Claims 1 to 10, the rotation of the clamping shaft is permitted by being supported by the clamping shaft, and the rotation of the clamping shaft around the central axis is restricted by the first insertion hole. A steering apparatus comprising a rotation restricting member for restricting rotation of the guide member around a central axis of the tightening shaft. 12. The tightening mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the tightening mechanism includes a force conversion mechanism that converts a rotational force of the operation lever into an axial force of the tightening shaft and tightens the support side plate to the movable side plate via the tightening shaft. ,
The force conversion mechanism includes a rotation cam that rotates integrally with the operation lever, and a fixed cam as the rotation restriction member that engages with the rotation cam and is restricted by the first insertion hole.

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