JP2015120414A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device for preventing the occurrence of a tolerance ring shaving scar on a vertical wall of a steering shaft, and preventing execution of illegal steering operation in steering lock time, by restraining a torque characteristic within a range of a maximum torque threshold value and a minimum torque threshold value when inputting excessive illegal external force.SOLUTION: A steering shaft 3 comprises a rear small diameter part 3b of a small diameter to a front large diameter part 3a and a step difference-shaped vertical wall 3c formed between the front large diameter part 3a and the rear small diameter part 3b, and a tolerance ring 14 is installed in the rear small diameter part 3b, and the tolerance ring 14 comprises a cylindrical ring body 14a, a plurality of projection parts 14b projecting outside in the radial direction of the ring body 14a and a slit formed over the total length in the axial direction of the ring body 14a, and the tolerance ring 14 comprises deformation preventive means 14c for preventing two slit side end parts of the ring body 14a from being relatively deformed in the axial direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus including a tolerance ring interposed between an inner peripheral surface of a key ring having a groove portion with which a lock bar can engage with an outer peripheral portion and an outer peripheral surface of a steering shaft.

  In general, when the ignition key is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the keyhole, the lock bar protrudes toward the axis of the steering shaft and locks into the groove (keylock hole) of the keyring provided on the outer periphery of the steering shaft. The front end of the bar is engaged to fix the steering shaft to the outer tube and prevent the steering shaft from rotating.

  When an improper and excessive external force is input to the steering wheel (so-called steering wheel), an excessive input is applied to the key ring via the steering shaft, the components (for example, the lock bar described above) are damaged, and the steering shaft rotates. For this reason, conventionally, a tolerance ring for preventing vehicle theft is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the key ring.

A conventional steering apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 15, an upper shaft 81 constituting a steering shaft and a key ring 82 having a groove portion 82 a with which a lock bar (not shown) can be engaged on the outer peripheral portion are provided, and the outer peripheral surface of the upper shaft 81 and the inner portion of the key ring 82 are provided. A tolerance ring 83 is interposed between the peripheral surface.
The above-described upper shaft 81 includes a rear small diameter portion 81b having a small diameter with respect to the front large diameter portion 81a, and a step-like standing wall 81c formed between the front large diameter portion 81a and the rear small diameter portion 81b. The tolerance ring 83 described above is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rear small diameter portion 81 b, and the key ring 82 is press-fitted into the outer periphery of the tolerance ring 83.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the tolerance ring 83 is made of spring steel, and the tolerance ring 83 has a cylindrical ring body 83a and a plurality of protrusions projecting radially outward of the ring body 83a. A protrusion 83b and a slit 84 formed over the entire length in the axial direction of the ring body 83a are provided to improve the ease of assembly of the tolerance ring 83 to the upper shaft rear small diameter portion 81b.
The frictional resistance between the key ring 82 and the protrusion 83b and between the ring body 83a and the rear small diameter portion 81b is between the maximum torque threshold value SH2 and the minimum torque threshold value SH1 (see FIG. 19). It is set so that torque can be secured. The maximum torque threshold value SH2 is a maximum torque at which a component (for example, a lock bar) is not damaged, and the minimum torque threshold value SH1 is a lower limit torque at which a steering operation is impossible due to a heavy handle.

  As described above, when the tolerance ring 83 is provided between the upper shaft 81 and the key ring 82 constituting the steering shaft, an illegal and excessive external force is input via the steering wheel and the upper shaft 81 when the steering lock is performed by the lock bar. In this case, slippage may occur between the tolerance ring 83 and the key ring 82 or between the tolerance ring 83 and the upper shaft 81, so that damage to components (for example, a lock bar) can be prevented and the handle is heavy. Since the steering operation is impossible, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from being stolen.

  However, if the upper shaft 81 is forcibly turned clockwise or counterclockwise by an improper and excessive external force via the steering wheel during the steering lock described above, the two slit side end portions 84a of the tolerance ring 83, As shown in FIG. 17A, 84b is formed in a standing wall 81c between the front large-diameter portion 81a and the rear small-diameter portion 81b at the edge portion that is relatively deformed in the axial direction and shifted in the axial direction. As shown schematically in FIG. 17 (b), the scratches 85 (specifically, tolerance ring shavings) are generated.

  FIG. 18 shows a mode of a torque load test in a state where the tolerance ring 83 and the key ring 82 are assembled to the upper shaft 81. A positioning member 87 fixed to the pedestal 86 is provided, and the upper shaft 81 is erected on the positioning member 87. At the same time, the outer periphery of the key ring 82 is fixed by the fixing member 89 of the fixing device 88 to schematically form a steering lock state, and the torque load test is executed in this state.

  FIG. 19 is a torque characteristic diagram when a torque load test is performed using the torque load test apparatus shown in FIG. 18, and is an actual measurement value in which the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle and the vertical axis represents the torque.

  In the case where the scratch 85 (tolerance ring shaving) as shown in FIG. 17B does not occur, the torque falls within the range between the maximum torque threshold value SH2 and the minimum torque threshold value SH1, which is particularly problematic. However, when the scratch 85 occurs, as shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b), a short wave appears and the torque fluctuation range increases, so that the torque becomes the maximum torque threshold value SH2. And the minimum torque threshold value SH1.

  By the way, Patent Literature 1 discloses a steering device in which a tolerance ring is interposed between an outer peripheral surface of a steering shaft and an inner peripheral surface of a key ring having a groove portion that can engage a lock bar on the outer peripheral portion. However, the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is substantially equivalent to the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, so that the steering shaft is caused by excessive improper force via the steering wheel when the steering is locked. If it is turned forcibly, a tolerance ring scraping mark will be generated on the standing wall of the steering shaft, the components (for example, lock bar) will be damaged, and the steering operation will be possible. To do.

JP 2009-35104 A

  In view of the above, the present invention provides a deformation prevention means for preventing the two slit side end portions of the ring body of the tolerance ring from being relatively deformed in the axial direction, thereby generating a tolerance ring shaving on the standing wall of the steering shaft. The torque characteristics are kept within the range between the maximum torque threshold and the minimum torque threshold even when an excessive improper external force is input, and the execution of unauthorized steering operation when the steering is locked is prevented. An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can

  A steering device according to the present invention is a steering device provided with a tolerance ring interposed between an inner peripheral surface of a key ring having a groove portion with which a lock bar can engage with an outer peripheral portion and an outer peripheral surface of a steering shaft. The steering shaft includes a rear small diameter portion having a small diameter with respect to the front large diameter portion, and a stepped standing wall formed between the front large diameter portion and the rear small diameter portion, The tolerance ring is attached to the rear small-diameter portion, and the tolerance ring is formed over a cylindrical ring body, a plurality of projecting portions projecting radially outward of the ring body, and the entire axial length of the ring body. The tolerance ring is provided with a deformation preventing means for preventing the two slit side end portions of the ring body from relatively deforming in the axial direction. A.

According to the above configuration, the tolerance ring includes the deformation preventing means for preventing the two slit side end portions of the ring main body from being relatively deformed in the axial direction. Even if an improper excessive external force is input to the steering shaft, the deformation prevention means can prevent the end of the slit side from being displaced, thereby preventing the occurrence of tolerance ring scraping marks on the standing wall of the steering shaft. be able to.
Therefore, the torque characteristics are set to a maximum torque threshold value (a value smaller than the damage start torque of the component (eg, lock bar)) and a minimum torque threshold value (a value larger than the torque at which the steering operation is impossible due to a heavy handle). ) And the execution of an illegal steering operation at the time of steering lock can be prevented.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformation preventing means is a flange portion that is integrally formed with the end surface of the ring main body and is in surface contact with the standing wall.

According to the above configuration, since the standing wall of the steering shaft and the flange portion of the tolerance ring are in surface contact with each other and the receiving surface of the external force is wider than the conventional structure in which the end surface of the tolerance ring is in line contact with the standing wall, It is possible to prevent occurrence of tolerance ring cutting marks (so-called scratches).
Further, since the standing wall and the flange portion are in surface contact, it is possible to prevent the tolerance ring from twisting so that its virtual axis is displaced, and to improve the shape retaining performance of the tolerance ring.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformation preventing means is a flange portion that is integrally formed with the end surface of the ring body and that is in surface contact with the standing wall and the front end surface of the key ring. To do.

According to the above configuration requirements, since the standing wall and the flange portion are in surface contact with each other and the receiving surface of the external force is wide, it is possible to prevent a tolerance ring cut mark (so-called scratch) from being generated on the standing wall.
Furthermore, since the flange portion described above is held in a sandwich shape between the standing wall and the front end surface of the key ring, the shape retaining performance of the tolerance ring is further enhanced, and the reliability can be improved.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the flange portion is integrally formed with a tongue piece to be engaged in the groove portion of the key ring.

  According to the above configuration, since the tongue piece formed integrally with the flange portion of the tolerance ring is engaged in the groove portion of the key ring, the tolerance ring and the key ring are not slipped between the tolerance ring and the key ring. Since it rotates integrally, the torque characteristics can be easily controlled.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformation preventing means includes a convex portion formed in the circumferential direction on one end of the ring body on the slit side and a circumferential portion formed on the other end on the slit side. It is formed by a convex part and a concave part to be fitted.

  According to the above configuration, the fitting structure of the concave portion and the convex portion described above can prevent the two slit side end portions of the ring body of the tolerance ring from being relatively deformed in the axial direction. It is possible to prevent occurrence of tolerance ring cut marks on the standing wall of the steering shaft.

  According to the present invention, since the deformation prevention means for preventing the two slit side end portions of the ring body of the tolerance ring from relatively deforming in the axial direction is provided, the tolerance ring shaving is generated on the standing wall of the steering shaft. The torque characteristics are kept within the range between the maximum torque threshold and the minimum torque threshold even when an excessive improper external force is input, and the execution of unauthorized steering operation when the steering is locked is prevented. There is an effect that can.

The perspective view which shows the steering device of this invention Side view when the tolerance ring is assembled to the steering shaft Side view of the key ring attached to the tolerance ring Side view when key ring assembly is completed 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. Perspective view of tolerance ring Sectional view when steering lock Explanation during torque load test Characteristic diagram showing torque characteristics of the present invention The principal part expanded sectional view which shows the other Example of a steering device 10 is a perspective view of the tolerance ring shown in FIG. Perspective view showing another embodiment of tolerance ring The principal part expanded sectional view which shows other Example of a steering device FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tolerance ring shown in FIG. The principal part expanded sectional view which shows the conventional steering device FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the conventional tolerance ring shown in FIG. (A) is a perspective view which shows the deformation | transformation to the axial direction of a tolerance ring, (b) is explanatory drawing of the tolerance ring cutting trace formed in a standing wall Explanatory drawing during torque load test (A), (b) is a characteristic diagram showing conventional torque characteristics

  Tolerance ring shavings are prevented from occurring on the standing wall of the steering shaft, and the torque characteristics are kept within the range between the maximum torque threshold and the minimum torque threshold even when an excessive improper external force is input. For the purpose of preventing unauthorized steering operation, a tolerance ring interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the key ring having a groove portion that can engage the lock bar on the outer peripheral portion and the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft is provided. The steering shaft includes a rear small diameter portion having a small diameter with respect to the front large diameter portion, and a stepped standing wall formed between the front large diameter portion and the rear small diameter portion. The tolerance ring is attached to the rear small diameter portion, and the tolerance ring includes a cylindrical ring body and a radial direction of the ring body. A plurality of projecting portions projecting outward, and a slit formed over the entire length in the axial direction in order to improve the assemblability to the steering shaft rear small-diameter portion, and the tolerance ring has two slit side ends of the ring body. This is realized by a configuration comprising a deformation preventing means for preventing the portion from relatively deforming in the axial direction.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The drawing shows a steering apparatus. In FIG. 1, a steering wheel 1 is connected to an upper shaft 3 constituting a steering shaft 2, and an intermediate shaft 5 is connected to the lower end of the steering shaft 2 via a universal joint 4. ing.
A pinion shaft 7 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 5 via a universal joint 6, and a steering gear portion 8 is provided below the pinion shaft 7.

Rack bars (not shown) are provided on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction from the steering gear 8 described above, and ball joints 10 and 10 are connected to the vehicle outer sides of these left and right rack bars via tie rods 9 and 9, respectively. Yes.
The outer ends in the vehicle width direction of the ball joints 10 and 10 are connected to a knuckle arm (not shown) on the front wheel side, and the front wheel (not shown) is to be steered through the above-described elements when the steering wheel 1 is operated. It is composed.
A tolerance ring mechanism 11 is provided at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the upper shaft 3 described above.

  In addition, the above-described upper shaft 3 is formed to be hollow inside for the purpose of reducing the weight, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the rear small diameter portion 3b having a small diameter with respect to the front large diameter portion 3a, and the front A step-like standing wall 3c formed between the part large diameter part 3a and the rear small diameter part 3b is provided.

  Furthermore, a screw portion 3d and a serration portion 3e are formed at the end portion on the steering wheel 1 side of the above-described upper shaft 3 in order to connect the both 3 and 1. In addition, an annular concave portion (so-called meat thinning) 3f is formed in a recessed manner at the front end of the rear small diameter portion 3b.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a key ring 13 having grooves 12 formed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral portion is provided, and as shown in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral surface of the rear small-diameter portion 3b of the upper shaft 3 and the above-mentioned A tolerance ring 14 is provided between the key ring 13 and the inner peripheral surface of the key ring 13.
Here, when the ignition key is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the key hole, the tip of the lock bar 15 protruding toward the shaft core side of the upper shaft 3 is engaged with the groove 12 of the key ring 13 described above, Steering lock state is secured.

  When the tolerance ring 14 is inserted into the rear small diameter portion 3b of the upper shaft 3 from the state shown in FIG. 2, the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. When the key ring 13 is press-fitted into the outer periphery of the tolerance ring 14 from the state shown in FIG. 4 state is obtained.

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the tolerance ring 14 as a single product.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tolerance ring 14 is formed of spring steel. The tolerance ring 14 is formed in a cylindrical ring body 14a and radially outward at both front and rear portions of the ring body 14a. A plurality of projecting portions 14b... Projecting, and a slit 16 formed over the entire axial length of the ring body 14a in consideration of the ease of assembly of the tolerance ring 14. A plurality of the protruding portions 14b are formed integrally with the ring body 14a at equal intervals on the circumference.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ring main body 14 a of the tolerance ring 14 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rear small-diameter portion 3 b of the upper shaft 3, and the outside of the protruding portion 14 b is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the key ring 13.
The above-described tolerance ring 14 includes deformation preventing means for preventing the two slit side end portions 16a and 16b of the ring body 14a from relatively deforming in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the first embodiment, the above-described deformation preventing means is a flange portion that is integrally formed with the end surface on the side of the standing wall 3c (that is, the front end surface) of the ring body 14a and is in surface contact with the standing wall 3c. 14c. The slit 16 is formed continuously from the inner end to the outer end of the flange portion 14c.
The frictional resistance between the key ring 13 and the protruding portion 14b is set so that a torque equal to or smaller than the maximum torque threshold SH2 (see FIG. 9) smaller than the breakage starting torque of the lock bar 15 can be secured. Further, the friction resistance between the rear small-diameter portion 3b and the ring main body 14a is greater than the minimum torque threshold value SH1 (see FIG. 9) greater than the torque at which the steering wheel is heavy and the steering operation is impossible. It is set so that it can be secured.

  FIG. 8 shows an aspect of a torque load test in a state where the tolerance ring 14 and the key ring 13 are assembled to the upper shaft 3, and a positioning member 18 fixed to the pedestal 17 is provided, and the upper shaft 3 is erected on the positioning member 18. At the same time, the outer periphery of the key ring 13 was fixed by the fixing member 19 of the fixing device 20, and the steering lock state was schematically formed. In this state, the torque load test was executed.

FIG. 9 is a torque characteristic diagram when a torque load test is performed using the torque load test apparatus shown in FIG. 8, and is an actual measurement value in which the horizontal axis indicates the rotation angle and the vertical axis indicates the torque.
In the first embodiment, the entire surface of the upright wall 3c of the upper shaft 3 and the entire front surface of the flange portion 14c of the tolerance ring 14 are brought into surface contact with each other, thereby preventing a tolerance ring shaving (so-called flaw) from being generated on the upright wall 3c. In addition, it is possible to prevent the tolerance ring 14 from being twisted so that the imaginary axial center line is displaced due to surface contact, and the shape retaining performance of the tolerance ring 14 can be secured, so the result of the torque load test is shown in FIG. As described above, the actually measured torque falls within the range between the maximum torque threshold value SH2 and the minimum torque threshold value SH1.

As described above, the steering device of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 includes the inner peripheral surface of the key ring 13 having the groove portion 12 with which the lock bar 15 can be engaged on the outer peripheral portion, and the steering shaft (see the upper shaft 3). ) With a tolerance ring 14 interposed between the outer peripheral surface and the steering shaft (upper shaft 3), the rear small diameter portion 3b having a smaller diameter than the front large diameter portion 3a, A step-like standing wall 3c formed between the front large-diameter portion 3a and the rear small-diameter portion 3b;
The tolerance ring 14 is mounted on the rear small-diameter portion 3b. The tolerance ring 14 includes a cylindrical ring body 14a, a plurality of protrusions 14b protruding outward in the radial direction of the ring body 14a, and the The tolerance ring 14 prevents the two slit side end portions 16a, 16b of the ring body 14a from being relatively deformed in the axial direction. Deformation preventing means (see the flange portion 14c) is provided (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 7).

According to this configuration, the tolerance ring 14 includes the deformation preventing means (the flange portion 14c) that prevents the two slit side end portions 16a and 16b of the ring main body 14a from relatively deforming in the axial direction. Even when an excessive excessive external force is input to the steering shaft (see the upper shaft 3) via the steering wheel 1 at the time of steering lock, the slit side end portions 16a and 16b are displaced by the deformation preventing means (flange portion 14c). As a result, it is possible to prevent occurrence of tolerance ring cutting marks on the standing wall 3c of the steering shaft (upper shaft 3).
Therefore, the torque characteristic is expressed by the maximum torque threshold value (a value smaller than the breakage starting torque of the lock bar 15) SH2 and the minimum torque threshold value (a value larger than the torque at which the steering operation is impossible due to a heavy handle) SH1. Within the range, it is possible to achieve both the prevention of breakage of the lock bar 15 and the prevention of unauthorized steering operation at the time of steering lock.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the deformation preventing means is a flange portion 14c that is integrally formed on the end surface (that is, the front end surface) of the ring main body 14a on the side of the standing wall 3c and is in surface contact with the standing wall 3c. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

According to this configuration, the entire surface of the standing wall 3c of the steering shaft (see the upper shaft 3) and the entire front side of the flange portion 14c of the tolerance ring 14 are in surface contact, and the conventional tolerance ring end surface is in line contact with the standing wall. Since the receiving surface of the external force is wide, it is possible to prevent the tolerance ring cut mark (so-called scratch) from occurring on the standing wall 3c.
Further, since the standing wall 3c and the flange portion 14c are in surface contact with each other, the tolerance ring 14 is prevented from being twisted so that its virtual axis is displaced, and the shape retaining performance of the tolerance ring 14 is improved. be able to.

10 and 11 show another embodiment of the steering device, FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the tolerance ring shown in FIG.
In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a flange portion 14d having a long projecting length outward in the radial direction with respect to the flange portion 14c of the first embodiment is integrally formed at the front end of the ring body 14a of the tolerance ring 14. The flange portion 14d constitutes a deformation preventing means.

  That is, the entire surface of the flange portion 14d is in surface contact with the entire surface of the upright wall 3c of the upper shaft 3, and the rear surface of the flange portion 14d is formed in surface contact with the front end surface of the key ring 13, and the front portion of the upright wall 3c and the key ring 13 is formed. The flange portion 14d is configured to be sandwiched with the end face.

  As described above, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the deformation preventing means is integrally formed on the end surface (that is, the front end surface) of the ring body 14a on the standing wall 3c side, and the standing wall 3c and the key ring are formed. It is comprised by the flange part 14d which surface-contacts to 13 front-end end surfaces.

According to this configuration, since the standing wall 3c and the flange portion 14d are in surface contact with each other and the receiving surface of the external force is wide, it is possible to prevent a tolerance ring scraping mark (so-called scratch) from occurring on the standing wall 3c.
Furthermore, since the flange portion 14d described above is held in a sandwich shape between the standing wall 3c and the front end surface of the key ring 13, the shape retaining performance of the tolerance ring 14 is further improved, and the tolerance ring 14 is more reliably bent. Can be prevented, and reliability can be improved.

  In addition, in this Example 2 shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, about another structure, an effect | action, and an effect, since it is the same as that of previous Example 1, in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, it is the same as the previous figure. Parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the tolerance ring.
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the slit 16 of the ring body 14a of the tolerance ring 14 (specifically, the ring body 14a between the front and rear protrusions 14b, 14b). A convex portion 14e integrally formed in the circumferential direction from one end portion 16a on the side, and a concave portion 14f formed to be recessed in the circumferential direction on the other end portion 16b on the slit 16 side and fitted with the convex portion 14e. Both constitute the deformation preventing means.
The protrusion 14e and the recess 14f described above are fitted so that no gap is formed in the axial direction of the tolerance ring 14, thereby deforming the tolerance ring 14 (the slit side end is relatively displaced in the axial direction). And are fitted so that a gap equivalent to the slit 16 is formed in the circumferential direction.

  As described above, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the deformation preventing means includes the convex portion 14e formed in the circumferential direction on one end portion 16a on the slit 16 side of the ring body 14a and the slit 16 side. The other end portion 16b is formed in the circumferential direction and is formed by a concave portion 14f that fits with the convex portion 14e.

According to this configuration, the fitting structure between the concave portion 14f and the convex portion 14e described above prevents the two slit side end portions 16a and 16b of the ring body 14a of the tolerance ring 14 from being relatively deformed in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent occurrence of tolerance ring cutting marks on the standing wall 3c of the steering shaft (see the upper shaft 3).
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 as well, other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those in the second embodiment. Therefore, in FIG. The detailed description is omitted.

13 and 14 show still another embodiment of the steering device, FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the tolerance ring shown in FIG.
In Example 4 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in addition to the configuration of Example 2 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a tongue piece 14 g to be engaged in the groove part 12 of the key ring 13 is provided on the flange part 14 d. It is integrally formed.

  In this embodiment, a single tongue piece 14g, which once extends rearward from the outer peripheral end portion of the flange portion 14d and extends radially inward from the rear end portion to engage with the groove portion 12, is provided with a tolerance ring. However, a structure that forms a plurality of tongue pieces (for example, two tongue pieces) may be adopted.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the flange portion 14d is integrally formed with the tongue piece 14g engaged in the groove portion 12 of the key ring 13.
According to this configuration, the tongue piece 14g formed integrally with the flange portion 14d of the tolerance ring 14 is engaged in the groove portion 12 of the key ring 13, so that slip does not occur between the tolerance ring 14 and the key ring 13. Since the tolerance ring 14 and the key ring 13 rotate integrally, torque characteristics can be easily controlled.

  In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those in the second embodiment. Therefore, in FIGS. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The steering shaft of the present invention corresponds to the upper shaft 3 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The deformation preventing means corresponds to the fitting structure of the flange portions 14c and 14d or the convex portion 14e and the concave portion 14f.
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.
For example, in the above embodiment, the tolerance ring mechanism 11 is provided on the upper shaft 3, but the mechanism 11 may be provided on another shaft such as a lower shaft or an intermediate shaft that constitutes the steering shaft.

  As described above, the present invention provides a steering apparatus including a tolerance ring interposed between an inner peripheral surface of a key ring having a groove portion engageable with a lock bar on an outer peripheral portion and an outer peripheral surface of a steering shaft. Useful for.

3 ... Upper shaft (steering shaft)
3a ... Front large diameter portion 3b ... Rear small diameter portion 3c ... Standing wall 12 ... Groove portion 13 ... Key ring 14 ... Tolerance ring 14a ... Ring body 14b ... Projection portions 14c, 14d ... Flange (deformation preventing means)
14e ... convex portion (deformation preventing means)
14f ... concave portion (deformation preventing means)
14g ... tongue 15 ... lock bar 16 ... slit 16a, 16b ... end

Claims (5)

A steering device comprising a tolerance ring interposed between an inner peripheral surface of a key ring having a groove portion with which a lock bar can be engaged on an outer peripheral portion and an outer peripheral surface of a steering shaft,
The steering shaft includes a rear small diameter portion having a small diameter with respect to the front large diameter portion, and a stepped standing wall formed between the front large diameter portion and the rear small diameter portion,
The tolerance ring is mounted on the rear small diameter portion,
The tolerance ring includes a cylindrical ring main body, and a plurality of protrusions protruding radially outward of the ring main body,
A slit formed over the entire axial length of the ring body,
The tolerance ring is a steering apparatus provided with a deformation preventing means for preventing the two slit side end portions of the ring body from relatively deforming in the axial direction. 2. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformation preventing means is a flange portion that is integrally formed with the end face of the ring body and that is in surface contact with the standing wall. 2. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformation preventing means is a flange portion that is integrally formed with the end surface of the ring body and that is in surface contact with the front wall and the front end surface of the key ring. The steering device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a tongue piece engaged with the groove portion of the key ring is integrally formed on the flange portion. The deformation preventing means includes a convex portion formed circumferentially at one end of the ring body on the slit side and a concave portion formed circumferentially at the other end on the slit side and fitted with the convex portion. The steering device according to claim 1 formed.

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