JP2015150987A - Steering device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device that can appropriately suppress wobbling in a rotating direction which may occur between an inner shaft and an outer shaft by a low-cost configuration.SOLUTION: An inner shaft 1 has: two plane parts 1a that oppose to each other in a radial direction with an axial center as a center and formed parallely in an axial direction; and two fitting parts 1b having male splines formed in the axial direction on an outer peripheral surface between the two plane parts. An outer shaft 2 has an inner peripheral surface 2b on which a female spline to be fitted to the male splines of the two fitting parts of the inner shaft is formed, and comprises holding mechanisms (protruding parts 2a) that are pressure-contacted with the two plane parts of the inner shaft so as to regulate rotation around the axial center of the inner shaft as the center.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a steering apparatus including an inner shaft and an outer shaft that accommodates the inner shaft and is relatively movable in the axial direction and connected to be relatively non-rotatable.

  BACKGROUND ART A steering device mounted on a vehicle includes an inner shaft and an outer shaft that accommodates the inner shaft, is relatively movable in the axial direction, and is coupled so as not to be relatively rotatable. Generally, the inner shaft and the outer shaft are connected by spline coupling. A telescopic shaft mechanism is used in which the shaft is connected to the shaft so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction but not to be relatively rotatable. For example, the following Patent Document 1 states that “the telescopic shaft mechanism of the steering device that can reliably suppress the backlash between the two with an inexpensive configuration without particularly increasing the processing accuracy of the spline portions of the inner shaft and the outer shaft. (A paragraph [0006] of Patent Document 1), “having a spline portion in which a male spline is formed on the outer peripheral surface of one end portion, and a main body portion continuing to the spline portion and reaching the other end. An inner shaft and a hollow outer shaft that accommodates the inner shaft and has a female spline that engages with a male spline of the spline portion on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and the outer shaft and the inner shaft are relatively moved in the axial direction. In a telescopic shaft mechanism of a steering device that is connected so as to be non-rotatable, the inner shaft is directly connected to the central axis of the inner shaft. A first spline portion formed by dividing the spline portion into two on the surface to be processed and a second spline portion on the main body portion side, and the first spline portion and the second spline portion face each other. The first spline portion and the second spline portion are formed in the first spline portion and the second spline portion, respectively. A torsion bar that accommodates one end side in the recess and is fixed near the bottom of the first recess, and the other end side in the second recess and fixed near the bottom of the second recess is provided. In the state where the torsion bar is applied with a torsional force and the male spline of the first spline part and the male spline of the second spline part have a phase difference from each other, Female spline Engaged to "telescopic shaft mechanism has been proposed (paragraph Patent Document 1 [0007]).

  For the same purpose as described above, “a spline portion having a male spline formed on the outer peripheral surface of one end portion, an inner shaft having a main body portion that continues to the spline portion and reaches the other end, and an inner periphery that accommodates the inner shaft. And a telescopic expansion / contraction of a steering device having a hollow outer shaft formed with a female spline that engages with a male spline of the spline portion on a surface, and the outer shaft and the inner shaft are relatively movable in the axial direction and are relatively non-rotatable. In the "shaft mechanism", the following Patent Document 2 states that "at least a pair of locking portions that are locked at a radially symmetrical position with respect to the central axis of the inner shaft, and the pair of locking portions are integrally formed. The outer shaft and the inner shaft so that the pair of body portions extend in parallel to the central axis of the inner shaft. It interposing the elastic member between the Yafuto "has been proposed (described in paragraph Patent Document 2 [0007]). Further, in Patent Document 3 below, “the inner shaft has a first spline portion formed by dividing the spline portion into two parts by an inclined surface inclined with respect to the central axis of the inner shaft, and a first spline portion on the main body side. A support mechanism that has two spline portions and supports one of the first spline portion and the second spline portion movably in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the inner shaft with respect to the other, And a biasing means for biasing one of the first spline portion and the second spline portion in the axial direction with respect to the other, and the biasing force of the biasing means causes the first spline portion and the second spline portion to be biased. The spline part of the first spline part and the second spline part are arranged so as to press against the female spline of the outer shaft by relative movement of the spline part along the inclined surface. There has been proposed (described in paragraph of Patent Document 3 [0007]).

JP 2012-112422 A JP 2012-102820 A JP 2012-087836 A

  As described above, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose a telescopic shaft mechanism that can reliably suppress backlash between the inner shaft and the outer shaft spline portion without making the processing accuracy of the inner shaft and the outer shaft particularly high. Although the described telescopic shaft mechanisms have been proposed, the inner shaft and outer shaft spline portions need to be splined over the entire circumference, although it is not necessary to make the processing accuracy particularly high. is there. Furthermore, the device described in Patent Document 1 requires a torsion bar, the device described in Patent Document 2 requires an elastic member, and the device described in Patent Document 3 has a support mechanism and biasing means. Since both are necessary and increase costs, it is desired to further reduce costs.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can appropriately suppress the play in the rotational direction that can occur between the inner shaft and the outer shaft with an inexpensive configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an inner shaft, and an inner shaft that includes the inner shaft, and an outer shaft that accommodates the inner shaft and is relatively movable in the axial direction and connected to be relatively non-rotatable. However, there are two flat portions that are opposed to each other in the radial direction around the axial center and are parallel to the axial direction, and two fittings in which a male spline is formed in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface between the two flat portions. The outer shaft has an inner peripheral surface formed with a female spline to be engaged with the male spline of the two fitting portions of the inner shaft, and is pressed against the two flat portions of the inner shaft. Then, a holding mechanism for restricting rotation around the axis of the inner shaft is provided.

  In the steering apparatus, the holding mechanism includes two projecting portions formed to project from the outer shaft so as to contact the two planar portions at positions facing the two planar portions of the inner shaft. It is good to have The two protrusions may be configured to be in pressure contact with the two flat portions of the inner shaft in the axial direction of the inner shaft. Alternatively, the two projecting portions may be formed so as to be in pressure contact with the two flat portions of the inner shaft in a direction offset from the axis of the inner shaft. Furthermore, it is preferable that the two projecting portions are formed at two locations separated in the axial direction of the outer shaft.

  Alternatively, in the steering apparatus, the holding mechanism is interposed between a cylindrical member fixed to the opening end portion of the outer shaft, and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and two flat portions of the inner shaft. It is good to be provided with the two press-contacting members. Further, it is preferable that a step portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and the pressure contact member is interposed between the step portion and the two flat portions of the inner shaft. Also, a flange portion extending radially outward from the opening end of the cylindrical member and having an opening that fits into each of the two flat portions and the two fitting portions of the inner shaft is formed integrally with the cylindrical member. It is good also as the structure currently made. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure currently formed so that the center of the outer diameter of the said cylindrical member and the center of an internal diameter may offset.

  The two pressure contact members may further include at least one lubrication groove formed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inner shaft on a surface contacting the two flat portions of the inner shaft. Further, the two pressure contact members may have at least one lubricating groove formed in the axial direction of the inner shaft, on the surface contacting the two flat portions of the inner shaft. The two pressure contact members may be made of synthetic resin and integrally joined to the cylindrical member.

  Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects. That is, in the steering device according to the present invention, the inner shaft is opposed to the two plane portions formed in parallel with each other in the radial direction with the axial center as the center and the outer peripheral surface between the two plane portions. The outer shaft has an inner peripheral surface formed with a female spline that fits with the male spline of the two fitting portions of the inner shaft, and has two fitting portions formed with a male spline in the axial direction; Since it has a holding mechanism that presses against the two flat portions of the inner shaft and restricts rotation about the axis of the inner shaft, the inner structure can be manufactured at a low cost without particularly high accuracy in spline processing. The play in the rotational direction that can occur between the shaft and the outer shaft can be appropriately suppressed.

  For example, if the holding mechanism includes two projecting portions that are formed to protrude from the outer shaft so as to abut against the two planar portions at positions facing the two planar portions of the inner shaft, the inner shaft And since the processing accuracy required for the outer shaft is relaxed, it can be processed at low cost. The two protrusions are offset from the inner shaft axis with respect to the two plane portions of the inner shaft, respectively, even though they are formed so as to be pressed against the two plane portions of the inner shaft in the axial direction of the inner shaft. Although it may be formed so as to be pressed in the direction, in the latter case, a structure that is not easily displaced in the torsional direction can be obtained. Furthermore, if the two projecting portions are formed at two locations separated in the axial direction of the outer shaft, respectively, even when an external force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inner shaft, the outer shaft The inclination of the inner shaft with respect to the shaft can be suppressed.

  Alternatively, the holding mechanism includes a cylindrical member fixed to the opening end portion of the outer shaft, and two pressure contact members interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and the two flat portions of the inner shaft. If so, it is possible to easily and inexpensively pack the backlash in the rotational direction that may occur between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. With regard to this holding mechanism, if the stepped portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and the pressure contact member is interposed between the stepped portion and the two flat portions of the inner shaft, the pressure contact member It is possible to prevent the inner shaft from moving in the axial direction. Further, a flange portion that extends radially outward from the opening end of the cylindrical member and has openings that respectively fit into the two flat portions and the two fitting portions of the inner shaft is formed integrally with the cylindrical member. If it is set as a structure, a cylindrical member can be arrange | positioned easily and appropriately between an inner shaft and an outer shaft. Furthermore, if the configuration is such that the center of the outer diameter and the center of the inner diameter of the cylindrical member are offset, play in the rotational direction of the inner shaft and the outer shaft can be more appropriately suppressed.

  The two pressure contact members are formed on at least one lubrication groove formed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inner shaft and / or in the axial direction of the inner shaft, respectively, on the surfaces contacting the two flat portions of the inner shaft. If at least one lubrication groove is provided, when grease is applied to the sliding surface of the pressure contact member, a grease reservoir is formed by the lubrication groove, so that the inner shaft can be smoothly operated. Can be secured. If the two pressure contact members are made of synthetic resin and are integrally joined with the cylindrical member, the number of parts can be reduced.

It is a cross-sectional view which shows a part of steering apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view having a phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to FIG. 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting state of the inner shaft and outer shaft in one Embodiment of this invention, and is the sectional view on the AA line and BB line of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting state of the inner shaft and outer shaft in one Embodiment of this invention, and is AA sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting state of the inner shaft and outer shaft in one Embodiment of this invention, and is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view which shows a part of steering apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a steering apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view having a phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to FIG. 6. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting state of the inner shaft and outer shaft in other embodiment of this invention, and is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting state of the inner shaft and outer shaft in other embodiment of this invention, and is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a part of steering device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a part of steering apparatus which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a steering apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fitting state of the inner shaft and outer shaft in another embodiment of this invention, and is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the top view and FF sectional view taken on the line which show the one aspect | mode of the press-contacting member with which another embodiment of this invention is provided. It is the top view and GG sectional view which show the other aspect of the press-contacting member with which another embodiment of this invention is provided. It is the top view and HH sectional view taken on the line which show the further another aspect of the press-contacting member with which another embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the one aspect | mode of the cylindrical member with which it uses for another embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the one aspect | mode of the cylindrical member with which it uses for another embodiment of this invention, and is the JJ sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a part of a steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The steering shaft of this embodiment is also called a lower shaft, and is made of a metal inner shaft 1 and the inner shaft 1. It has a metal outer shaft 2 that is accommodated and is relatively movable in the axial direction and connected so as not to be relatively rotatable. The inner shaft 1 of the present embodiment has two planar portions (typically represented by 1a) that are opposed to each other in the radial direction around the axial center and that are parallel to the axial direction, and an outer periphery between the two planar portions 1a. It has two fitting parts (typically represented by 1b) in which male splines are formed in the axial direction with respect to the surface. On the other hand, the outer shaft 2 is a hollow cylindrical member and has an inner peripheral surface (denoted by 2b) on which a female spline that fits with the male spline of the two fitting portions 1b of the inner shaft 1 is formed. The holding mechanism HM is configured to be in pressure contact with the two flat portions 1 a of the inner shaft 1 and restrict rotation about the axis of the inner shaft 1.

  The holding mechanism HM according to the present embodiment includes two projecting portions (typically, projectingly formed on the outer shaft 2 so as to come into contact with the two planar portions 1a at positions facing the two planar portions 1a of the inner shaft 1 respectively. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, at two locations separated in the axial direction of the outer shaft 2, the lines AA and BB in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 3. As shown in the cross section, the two projecting portions 2 a are formed so as to be in pressure contact with the two flat portions 1 a of the inner shaft 1 in the axial direction of the inner shaft 1. The inner shaft 1 is also called a lower shaft, the outer shaft 2 is also called an upper shaft, and a steering wheel (not shown) is connected to the rear end portion (the right side in FIG. 1). Thus, the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 are connected so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction but not to be relatively rotatable, and the front end portion (left side in FIG. 1) of the inner shaft 1 is connected to a steering mechanism (not shown). The

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 are accommodated in a metal inner tube 3, and the outer shaft 2 accommodated in the inner tube 3 is a rear end of the inner tube 3. It is rotatably supported by the part via a bearing. However, the axial relative movement between the outer shaft 2 and the inner tube 3 is restricted, and the outer shaft 2 and the inner tube 3 are configured to be able to move in the axial direction as a unit. Further, the inner tube 3 is accommodated in a metal outer tube 4, and when a load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the outer shaft 2, the inner tube 3 is relatively moved in the axial direction with respect to the outer tube 4 (and consequently the outer shaft 2 of the outer shaft 2). The inner tube 3 and the outer tube 4 function as energy absorbing means.

  In the steering apparatus provided with the holding mechanism HM, for example, after the spline processing is performed over the entire outer peripheral surface of one end of the inner shaft 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft 2, the shaft of the inner shaft 1 is processed. The two flat portions 1a are formed by cutting in parallel to the axial direction while facing each other in the radial direction around the center. That is, one end portion of the inner shaft 1 is formed in a cross-sectional shape (hose race track shape) as shown in FIG. 3, and the so-called “two-side width” is constituted by the two flat portions 1a. The inner shaft 1 is accommodated in the outer shaft 2, the male splines of the two fitting portions 1b are fitted to the female splines of the inner peripheral surface 2b, and the two protruding portions 2a with respect to the two flat portions 1a. Is held so as to be slidable in the axial direction. As a result, the backlash in the rotational direction about the axis of the inner shaft 1 disappears, and so-called backlash filling is performed. In this case, strict tolerance is required for the press contact state of the flat surface portion 1a and the protruding portion 2a, but compared with the tolerance required for spline processing over the entire circumference of the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 in the past, It can be performed easily and inexpensively. For example, broaching at the time of resin coating performed after the conventional spline processing becomes unnecessary.

  Also in the structure shown in FIG. 1, since the flat portion 1a slides with respect to the protruding portion 2a, the contact surface of the flat portion 1a and the protruding portion 2a may be coated with resin, but only the flat portion 1a is provided. It may be a resin coating. For example, when the resin coating is applied to the flat surface portion 1a and the protruding portion 2a, if the resin coating is performed so that only the flat surface portion 1a is a thick film, the inner shaft 1 is placed in the outer shaft 2 in the resin coating portion. Since it will be crushed when accommodated, the press-contact state of the plane part 1a and the protrusion part 2a can be set appropriately. Thus, by managing the gap between the two flat portions 1a (width of two surfaces) and the two protrusions 2a or the sliding load between the two, the rotation direction of the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 can be reduced. The backlash can be properly packed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the two projecting portions are pressed against the two flat portions 1 a of the inner shaft 1 in the axial direction of the inner shaft 1 at two locations separated in the axial direction of the outer shaft 2. Since 2a is formed, even when an external force is applied in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the inner shaft 1, the inclination of the inner shaft 1 with respect to the outer shaft 2 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to provide the flat portion 1a and the protruding portion 2a only at one place instead of the two flat portions 1a and the protruding portion 2a. However, the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 may be misaligned. Therefore, so-called centering becomes difficult.

  In the case where the two projecting portions 2a (two-sided width) are formed on the outer shaft 2, if the outer shaft 2 is pressed by a pressing device or the like while changing the phase by 180 °, it is shown in FIGS. Thus, the protruding portion 2a can be formed. In this case, if a plurality of cores having two-side widths having different dimensions are prepared as master works, the master works are selected and assembled according to the gap between the two flat portions 1a of the inner shaft 1. This makes it possible to easily manage the backlash. Alternatively, if the two projecting portions 2a are formed on the outer shaft 2 by using the inner shaft 1 itself having the two flat portions 1a as the core, the above-described selective assembly becomes unnecessary.

  Instead of the above holding mechanism HM, as shown in FIG. 4 in section AA in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 5 in section BB in FIG. It is good also as forming so that it may press-contact with the direction offset from the axial center of the inner shaft 1 with respect to these two plane parts 1a. That is, in FIG. 4, the two protrusions 2 a are offset by a distance d counterclockwise from the axial center of the inner shaft 1 with respect to the two flat portions 1 a of the inner shaft 1. The two protrusions 2 a are offset from the two flat portions 1 a of the inner shaft 1 by a distance d from the axis of the inner shaft 1 in the clockwise direction. As a result, a play in the rotation direction around the axis of the inner shaft 1 is unlikely to occur, and in particular, it is difficult to displace in the torsional direction. 3 to 5, illustration of the male spline of the inner shaft 1 and the female spline of the outer shaft 2 is omitted.

  6 to 10 relate to another embodiment of the present invention, and the holding mechanism HM includes a metal cylindrical member 5 fixed to the open end of the outer shaft 2, an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 5, and an inner surface. Resin sleeves (typically represented by 6) are provided as two pressure contact members interposed between the two flat portions 1a of the shaft 1. As shown in FIG. 6, a step portion 5 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 5, and a resin sleeve 6 is interposed between the step portion 5 a and the two flat portions 1 a of the inner shaft 1. . Further, an oval shape (cross-sectional shape of the inner shaft 1 shown in FIG. 3) that extends radially outward from the opening end of the cylindrical member 5 and fits into the two flat portions 1 a and the two fitting portions 1 b of the inner shaft 1. ) Having an opening of) is formed integrally with the cylindrical member 5. Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, the cylindrical member 5 is press-fitted and fixed to the opening end of the outer shaft 2 to form a lid, whereby the resin sleeve 6 is press-fitted into the two flat portions 1 a of the inner shaft 1. To be held. The other parts in FIGS. 6 and 7 are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 and are not shown. Further, FIG. 8 shows a cross section taken along the line CC of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 shows a cross section taken along the line DD of FIG. 7. In these figures, the male spline of the inner shaft 1 and the female spline of the outer shaft 2 are shown. Illustration of the spline is omitted.

  As described above, when the resin sleeve 6 is press-fitted between the two flat surface portions 1a of the inner shaft 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft 2, the backlash in the rotational direction of the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 is reduced. Can be packed properly. The sliding load between the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 can also be adjusted by the press-fit load of the resin sleeve 6, and this press-fit load can be adjusted by the thickness of the resin sleeve 6. The sliding load at this time can also be used for adjusting the operation force during manual telescopic operation.

  As shown in FIG. 6, since the resin sleeve 6 is interposed in the step portion 5 a of the cylindrical member 5, the resin sleeve 6 does not move in the axial direction of the inner shaft 1, but a step is formed at both axial ends of the cylindrical member 5. Since the wall which comprises the part 5a will exist, an assembly | attachment and a process are difficult. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the opposite side of the flange 5b of the cylindrical member 5 is the open end, and after the two resin sleeves 6 are accommodated in the cylindrical member 5, the washer 7 is attached (or the washer). The cylindrical member 5 may be configured to be press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft 2. Thus, when assembled as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 can be easily and inexpensively packed.

  The two resin sleeves 6 are formed separately from the cylindrical member 5. However, if the resin sleeve 6 is formed integrally with the cylindrical member 5 by injection molding (outsert molding), the washer 7 is provided. Since it is possible to prevent the cylindrical member 5 from moving in the axial direction, the number of parts can be reduced. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of communication holes (typically represented by 5 c) are formed in the cylindrical portion of the cylindrical member 5, and the resin communicates with each other when the resin sleeve 6 is molded. If the resin sleeve 6 is formed so as to flow into the hole 5c, the resin sleeve 6 can serve as an anchor to prevent the resin sleeve 6 from being displaced or dropped. The other parts in FIG. 12 are the same as those in FIG. Further, in FIG. 13 showing a cross section taken along line EE of FIG. 12, illustration of the male spline of the inner shaft 1 and the female spline of the outer shaft 2 is omitted.

  The resin sleeve 6 provided for the above embodiment is formed as shown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, and the cross sections on the right side of each figure show the cross sections of the FF line, the GG line, and the HH line, respectively. Yes. The resin sleeve 6 shown in FIG. 14 is provided in the embodiment shown in FIGS. The resin sleeve 6 shown in FIG. 15 has a plurality of lubrication grooves 6b formed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inner shaft 1 on the surface that abuts on the flat portion 1a of the inner shaft 1, and the resin sleeve 6 shown in FIG. Are formed with a plurality of lubricating grooves 6 c in the axial direction of the inner shaft 1 on the surface of the inner shaft 1 that contacts the flat portion 1 a. Thus, when grease is applied to the sliding surface of the resin sleeve 6, a grease reservoir is formed by the lubricating grooves 6b and 6c. For this reason, one end side of the lubricating groove 6c shown in FIG. 16 is closed so that grease does not flow out. A plurality of the lubricating grooves 6b or 6c are formed, but at least one of them may be formed. Alternatively, both the lubricating grooves 6b and 6c may be formed (for example, formed in a lattice shape), and may be formed in an oblique direction.

  FIGS. 17 and 18 show another embodiment of the cylindrical member and the resin sleeve, which extends radially outward from the opening end of the cylindrical member 5x, and includes two planar portions 1a and two fitting portions of the inner shaft 1. The flange portions 5xb each having an opening to be fitted to 1b are formed integrally with the cylindrical member 5x. The center (Co) of the outer diameter (Do) and the center (Ci) of the inner diameter (Di) of the cylindrical member 5x are offset (distance e), and the resin sleeve 6x is formed in the cylindrical member 5x. Mated. Thereby, a twisting force is generated between the spline fitting portions of the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 and the resin sleeve 6x, and play in the rotational direction of the inner shaft 1 and the outer shaft 2 can be further reliably suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inner shaft 1a Flat part 1b Fitting part 2 Outer shaft 2a Protrusion part 2b Inner peripheral surface 3 Inner tube 4 Outer tube 5, 5x Cylindrical member 6, 6x Resin sleeve (pressure contact member)
HM holding mechanism

Claims (12)

  In a vehicle steering apparatus including an inner shaft and an outer shaft that accommodates the inner shaft and is relatively movable in the axial direction and connected in a relatively non-rotatable manner, the inner shaft is opposed in the radial direction about the axis. And two planar portions formed parallel to the axial direction, and two fitting portions formed with male splines in the axial direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface between the two planar portions, and the outer shaft includes The inner shaft has an inner peripheral surface formed with a female spline to be engaged with the male spline of the two fitting portions of the inner shaft, and is in pressure contact with the two flat portions of the inner shaft and is centered on the axis of the inner shaft. A vehicle steering apparatus comprising a holding mechanism for restricting rotation.   The holding mechanism includes two projecting portions that are formed to project from the outer shaft so as to contact the two planar portions at positions facing the two planar portions of the inner shaft. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the two projecting portions are formed so as to be in pressure contact with two planar portions of the inner shaft in the axial direction of the inner shaft.   3. The vehicle steering system according to claim 2, wherein the two projecting portions are formed so as to be in pressure contact with two plane portions of the inner shaft in a direction offset from an axis of the inner shaft. apparatus.   5. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the two projecting portions are formed at two locations separated in an axial direction of the outer shaft. 6.   The holding mechanism includes a cylindrical member fixed to the opening end portion of the outer shaft, and two pressure contact members interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and the two flat portions of the inner shaft. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein a step portion is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and the pressure contact member is interposed between the step portion and two flat portions of the inner shaft. Steering device.   A flange portion that extends radially outward from the opening end of the cylindrical member and has an opening that fits into each of the two planar portions and the two fitting portions of the inner shaft is formed integrally with the cylindrical member. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that   The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the center of the outer diameter and the center of the inner diameter of the cylindrical member are offset.   The two pressure contact members have at least one lubrication groove formed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inner shaft, respectively, on a surface contacting the two flat portions of the inner shaft. The vehicle steering device according to any one of 6 to 9.   The said two press-contact member has at least 1 lubrication groove | channel formed in the axial direction of the said inner shaft, respectively in the surface contact | abutted to the two plane parts of the said inner shaft. The vehicle steering device according to any one of the preceding claims.   The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the two pressure contact members are made of synthetic resin and are integrally joined to the cylindrical member.

Images