JP2018131121A - Dust cover for steering shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a position in a shaft direction of an inner cylinder member to be changed according to layout of peripheral equipment without changing sealability between a column hole of a dust cover for a steering shaft and the steering shaft, eccentric followability to the shaft and sound insulation to a vehicle interior for noise from an engine room side.SOLUTION: A dust cover 1 for a steering shaft, which blocks a column hole between a steering shaft penetrating through the column hole provided in a panel partitioning an engine room 18 and a vehicle interior 19 and the panel, comprises: an outer cylinder member 2 which fits to an inner peripheral surface of the column hole; an inner cylinder member 4 which fits to an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft; and at least one bellows 3 that blocks a gap between the inner cylinder member 4 and the outer cylinder member 2. Further the cover has a slider block 5 that can slide relatively in a shaft direction at one side of the bellows 3, which allows a position in the shaft direction of the inner cylinder member to be changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a dust cover for a steering shaft that closes a gap (column hole) between a steering shaft passing through a column hole provided in a panel that partitions an engine room and a vehicle compartment and the panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a steering shaft dust cover provided with a bellows for following the tilting of the steering shaft.

  As a conventional dust cover for a steering shaft, an outer cylinder member fitted into a column hole of a dash panel, an inner cylinder member fitted to a steering shaft, and a gap between the outer cylinder member and the inner cylinder member are closed. Some have bellows.

  For example, a dust cover for a steering shaft disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a panel fixing member (corresponding to an outer cylinder member) fitted in a column hole provided in a panel that partitions an engine room and a vehicle compartment, A shaft seal portion (corresponding to an inner cylinder member) that penetrates the steering shaft and contacts the steering shaft, and two bellows in which an inner peripheral end is connected to the shaft seal portion and an outer peripheral end is bonded to the panel fixing member The shaft seal portion and the two bellows portions are integrally formed with a mold using a rubber material.

  A dust cover for a steering shaft disclosed in Patent Document 2 is an attachment portion (corresponding to an outer cylinder member) that is fitted into a hole cover that forms a column hole provided in a panel that partitions an engine room and a vehicle compartment. And a bush made of a low friction material (corresponding to the inner cylinder member) through which the steering shaft passes, and a plurality of bellows in the axial direction of the steering shaft and disposed between the bush and the panel to seal between them A dust seal body (corresponding to the bellows part) made of rubber, and the dust seal body is formed by integrally forming a plurality of bellows at the end portions of each outer peripheral side. The end of the fixed part is directly aligned with the fitting part of the bush and fitted, and the fixed part of one bellows and the fixed part of the other bellows Is provided so that a plurality of bellows is fixed to a bushing that is separate from the dust seal body by being surrounded by a mounting member in a state in which some of them are overlapped and tightening the inner peripheral side fixing portion with the bushing. It has been.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-324018 Japanese Patent No. 4987300

  However, in any of the steering shaft dust covers, the position of the inner cylinder member is automatically determined when the outer cylinder member is mounted on the dash panel. For this reason, when it is necessary to change the axial position of the inner cylinder member due to a change in the layout of peripheral devices or a shift at the time of mounting, it is necessary to newly develop a dust cover for the steering shaft.

  When the inner cylinder member cannot be fixed in the axial direction, the inner cylinder member may be detached from the outer cylinder member. If the inner cylinder member is detached from the outer cylinder member, the gap in the column hole cannot be closed, and noise from the engine room side reaches the vehicle compartment side, so that it is impossible to ensure sound insulation against noise. .

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an inner cylinder adapted to the layout of peripheral devices while maintaining the sealing performance between the column hole and the steering shaft, the eccentricity following the shaft, and the sound insulation from the engine room to the vehicle compartment. An object of the present invention is to provide a dust cover for a steering shaft that enables the axial position of a member to be changed.

  In order to achieve this object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a dust cover for a steering shaft that closes a column hole between the steering shaft passing through the column hole provided in the panel that partitions the engine room and the vehicle compartment and the panel. The outer cylindrical member fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the column hole, the inner cylindrical member fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft, and at least one bellows closing the space between the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member. The bellows is attached to either the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member, and the other bellows is opposed to either the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member and is slidable in the axial direction. It has a block, and the axial position of the inner cylinder member relative to the outer cylinder member can be changed by sliding the slider block relative to the axial direction. I am doing it.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the dust cover for a steering shaft according to claim 1, wherein the slider block attached to either the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member and the inner cylinder member facing the slider block or Select between either one of the outer cylinder members as long as it is slidable in the axial direction relative to either the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member facing the slider block and a constant external force is not applied. And a slide mechanism that stops at the position.

  Here, the slide mechanism is not limited to a specific mechanism, but at least one recess material formed of a rack tooth shape continuously or intermittently formed in the axial direction and at least one meshable with the recess material. It is preferable that it is comprised with the convex member which consists of teeth, More preferably, it is that there are a plurality of teeth of the convex member. In addition, the slide mechanism includes a strip-shaped multipolar magnet body in which a plurality of pairs of N poles and S poles are alternately magnetized in the axial direction, and at least a pair of N poles and S poles disposed opposite to the strip-shaped multipole magnets. A block-shaped magnetized body that is magnetized side by side in the axial direction, and the position of the slider block is held when the strip-shaped multipole magnet and the block-shaped magnet are facing the corresponding magnetic poles. It may be.

  According to the dust cover for a steering shaft according to claim 1, since the axial position of the inner cylinder member with respect to the outer cylinder member can be changed, the axial position of the inner cylinder member can be changed by changing the layout of the peripheral device or shifting at the time of mounting. Even if a change is necessary, the axial position of the inner cylinder member can be easily changed along with the change. Therefore, a single type of product can be used together with various devices, so even if the axial position of the inner cylinder member needs to be changed due to a change in the layout of peripheral devices or a shift during installation, a new steering shaft There is no need to develop a dust cover for the printer, and development costs can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the slide mechanism that is slidable and stops at the selected position unless a constant external force is applied is provided with the slider block and either the outer cylinder member or the inner cylinder member facing the slider block. Therefore, the axial position of the inner cylinder member can be changed as necessary, and it remains at the selected position unless a force to intentionally slide is applied. It can be prevented that the slider block is moved by vibration or the like, that is, the axial position of the inner cylinder member is changed.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, it is a simple structure of a combination of a concave member made of a rack tooth profile and a convex member made of at least one tooth meshing with the concave member, and the axial position of the inner cylinder member can be easily set. Can be adjusted. Further, since the position of the slider block in the axial direction is stopped by the engagement of the concave member and the convex member, it is possible to prevent the inner cylinder member from moving due to engine vibration or the like during use in the actual machine.

  Further, if the number of teeth of the convex member is made plural, the starting point where the concave member and the convex member mesh is increased, so that the force applied to the teeth is dispersed, and the movement of the inner cylinder member can be further prevented by pulling the slider block. .

  Further, when the slider block is pulled by the magnetic attractive force to prevent the movement of the inner cylinder member, the influence of mechanical wear can be reduced.

It is a center longitudinal section half cross-sectional view which shows an example of embodiment of the dust cover for steering shafts concerning this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the modification of the tooth | gear and protrusion which comprises the convex member formed in the outer peripheral surface of a slider block. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional half-sectional view which shows other embodiment of a bellows. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional half-sectional view which shows other embodiment of a slide mechanism.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a dust cover for a steering shaft according to the present invention. The steering shaft dust cover 1 is attached to a column hole (not shown) provided in a panel (not shown) for partitioning between the vehicle compartment 19 and the engine room 18, and a steering shaft (not shown) penetrating the column hole. (Omitted) and the gap (column hole) between the panel. The steering shaft dust cover 1 includes an outer cylinder member 2 fitted to a column hole and attached to the edge of the column hole, an inner cylinder member 4 fitted to the steering shaft, an inner cylinder member 4 and an outer cylinder member. And at least one bellows 3 that closes the space 2 and a radially inner annular portion (hereinafter referred to as an inner peripheral end 6) or a radially outer annular portion (hereinafter referred to as an outer peripheral end 7) of the bellows 3. And a slider block 5 that is opposed to either the inner cylinder member 4 or the outer cylinder member 2 and is slidable in the axial direction. The slider block 5 is slid relatively in the axial direction. It is provided so that the axial direction position of the inner cylinder member 4 with respect to the outer cylinder member 2 can be changed. The bellows 3 has an inner peripheral end 6 or an outer peripheral end 7 attached to either the inner cylindrical member 4 or the outer cylindrical member 2 and is attached to the inner peripheral end 6 or the outer peripheral end 7 of the bellows 3 on the free end side. A slider block 5 is provided.

  In the case of the steering shaft dust cover of the present embodiment, the bellows 3 has an inner peripheral end 6 attached to the inner cylindrical member 4 and a slider block 5 attached to the outer peripheral end 7 so that the slider block 5 and the outer cylindrical member 2 are extended. The position of the inner cylinder member 4 is slidable in the axial direction. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the slider block 5 is caused by a certain external force, specifically, a force to intentionally slide the outer cylinder member 2, that is, due to vibration of the engine or the vehicle body. The external force is provided so that it does not move in the axial direction but stops at the selected position. For example, a slide mechanism 8 is configured between the outer peripheral surface of the slider block 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 2 so as to be slidable in the axial direction and staying at a selected position unless a constant external force is applied. . The slide mechanism 8 is not limited to a specific mechanism. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, the slide mechanism 8 includes the outer cylinder member 2 and the slider block 5 that slides along the inner peripheral surface thereof. In order to stop at the meshing position by providing a combination of concave / convex meshing, for example, a concave member 10 composed of a rack tooth shape (a plurality of grooves) and a convex member 9 composed of at least one tooth (protrusion) meshing with this Is provided.

  The connection of the bellows 3 to the outer cylinder member 2 or the inner cylinder member 4 via the slider block 5 allows the axial position of the inner cylinder member 2 to be arbitrarily set while keeping the followability and sound insulation of the dust cover 1 for the steering shaft. It can be changed. For example, the slider block 5 wraps around the outer peripheral end 7 or the inner peripheral end 6 of the bellows, and supports the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 2 or the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member 4 facing each other so as to be slidable in the axial direction. doing. Although not shown in the figure, the slider block 5 allows the convex member 9 on the outer periphery to be fitted into and over the groove of the concave member 10 of the inner ring 12 of the outer cylinder member 2. It is good also as a cyclic | annular body which is divided | segmented into the circumferential direction as needed, and can displace slightly to radial inside or outside. The slider block 5 is not limited to a specific material, but is a slippery material such as a resin material having a low friction characteristic known as a sliding material such as PTFE (fluororesin) or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide). It is preferable that the solid lubricant (graphite) is composed of a metal-based oil-free bearing material in which fine and uniform dispersion is performed, a metal material such as a lubricating metal, and aluminum.

  In the case of this embodiment, the slider block 5 has a convex member 9 on the outer peripheral surface side that can mesh with the concave member 10 formed of a rack tooth shape on the inner peripheral surface provided on the inner ring 12 of the outer cylinder member 2. doing. The convex member 9 is formed by at least one tooth / projection, but in the case of the present embodiment, it is formed by two teeth as shown in FIG. The two teeth / protrusions of the convex member 9 are provided so as to simultaneously contact the inclined surfaces of the grooves of the concave member 10 that are opposite to each other. That is, the convex member 9 and the concave member 10 are provided so as to be simultaneously in contact with the slopes opposite to each other when fitted. Therefore, a wedge-like force is applied between the inclined surfaces of the concave member 10 and the convex member 9 that are in contact with each other, so that there is no play in the axial direction, and a high sealing performance is obtained. Of course, it suffices that there is at least one tooth to be a protrusion, and it is not limited to two examples as shown in the figure, but there may be three or more in some cases.

  Although not shown, the concave member 10 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 2 and the convex member 9 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider block 5 are formed continuously in the circumferential direction. It is not restricted and may be formed discontinuously (intermittently) in the circumferential direction. Further, the rack tooth profile constituting the concave member 10 may be intermittently formed in the axial direction depending on the case. For example, when the convex member 9 is constituted by two separated teeth (protrusions), the position adjustment amount (range) is not substantially reduced even if the corresponding rack tooth profile is intermittently formed. .

  Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the slider block 5 can be divided in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 1, and is integrated so as to sandwich the outer peripheral end 7 of the bellows from the axial direction. . For example, the slider block 5 is divided into two in the axial direction by the seal joint structure and is provided with irregularities on the stamping joint portion that meshes with each other. ing. One block of the slider block 5 divided into two in the axial direction has an L-shaped bellows holding portion 5a having a side that serves as a barb for supporting the outer peripheral end 7 of the bellows from the axial direction and the radially inner side. The other block is provided with an I-shaped bellows holding portion 5b for holding the outer peripheral end of the bellows in the axial direction, and the outer peripheral ends 7 of the first and second bellows 3a, 3b are provided by these blocks 5a, 5b. Is integrated by being sandwiched. In this case, the work of incorporating the outer peripheral ends 7 of a plurality of bellows into the slider block 5 is facilitated. Of course, the slider block 5 may be integrally formed as a single block that cannot be divided without the seal joint structure in FIG. In this case, the slider block 5 is assembled to the outer peripheral end 7 or the inner peripheral end 6 of the bellows 3 by pushing the outer peripheral end 7 or the inner peripheral end 6 of the bellows into the inner space while deforming.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the teeth of the convex member 9 and the grooves (in other words, the teeth) of the concave member 10 have a trapezoidal cross section in the axial plane and an axial force is applied in this embodiment. It has a structure that has a slope that generates a component force acting in a direction in which the fitting between the convex member 9 and the concave member 10 is released in both directions. According to this tooth / projection or groove shape, when it is desired to slide the engine block 19 or the vehicle compartment 18 side, a load is applied in the direction in which the slider block 5 is to be moved. The teeth / protrusions of the projecting member 9 in contact with each other slide over the slope, and the slider block 5 can be separated from the outer cylinder member 2. Therefore, the slider block 5 can be slid with respect to the outer cylinder member 2 regardless of the direction from which the load is applied.

  In the case of this embodiment, the convex member 9 has two teeth and protrusions, and the respective teeth and protrusions are provided so that the surfaces in contact with the inclined surfaces of the grooves of the concave member 10 are opposite to each other. That is, the convex member 9 and the concave member 10 are provided such that when they are fitted to each other, the inclined surfaces are simultaneously brought into contact with each other in both directions in the axial direction so that there is no play in the axial direction. Accordingly, the positional relationship in which the force acts relatively in a wedge shape between the inclined surfaces of the concave member 10 and the convex member 9 that are in contact with each other is maintained, and the concave member 10 and the convex member 9 are provided so as to be in close contact with each other by being pressed outward in the radial direction. Yes. Thereby, the clearance gap between tooth surfaces is eliminated and high sealing performance is obtained. At the same time, since the starting points at which the concave member 10 and the convex member 9 mesh with each other are increased, the force applied to the teeth is dispersed, and the movement of the inner cylinder member 4 can be further prevented by pulling the slider block 5. Of course, it is sufficient that there is at least one tooth to be a protrusion, and the present invention is not limited to two examples as shown in the figure, but there may be three depending on circumstances. Further, in the present embodiment, the convex member 9 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider block 5 is formed on one of the two divided slider blocks 5, but is not particularly limited to this. It may be provided in blocks.

  In this embodiment, the rack tooth profile of the concave member 10 on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 2 and the teeth (projections) of the convex member 9 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider block 5 are the grooves of the concave member 10 in this embodiment. Although the size of the teeth of the convex member 9 is smaller than the size, it is not particularly limited to this, and may be a congruent or similar shape depending on the case. In this case, the sealing performance in a state where the convex member 9 is fitted to the concave member 10 can be enhanced.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the teeth of the convex member 9 and the grooves (in other words, the teeth) of the concave member 10 is not limited to the trapezoidal shape illustrated in FIG. 1, and for example, bidirectional movement as shown in FIG. It is good also as a tooth | gear for one-way movement by the combination of the substantially R shape (bead of semi-circular cross section) and a slope and a vertical surface (cliff) as shown to FIG. 2 (B), (C). In the present embodiment, the teeth and grooves of the recess member 10 are continuous grooves of rack-shaped teeth formed in the axial direction at a constant pitch, and the outer peripheral surface side of the slider block 5 has at least one protrusion. However, it is not particularly limited to this. For example, at least one tooth corresponding to the protrusion may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 2, while rack-like teeth may be provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the slider block 5.

  In this embodiment, the outer cylinder member 2 fitted to the edge (inner peripheral surface) of the panel hole defining the column hole includes the outer ring 11 fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the column hole, and the slider block 5. A concave member 10 having a rack tooth shape (a plurality of grooves) is formed in the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 12. The outer ring 11 is made of rubber such as natural rubber (NR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), NR / SBR, chloroprene rubber (CR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and the like. The inner ring 12 is preferably a low-friction resin known as a sliding material such as a sliding material such as PTFE (fluorine resin), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), etc. It is configured. In addition, when the inner ring 12 and the outer ring 11 made of rubber are integrally formed by insert molding, it is desirable that the resin be excellent in high temperature resistance.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the outer cylinder member 2 has a two-layer structure of a rubber outer ring 11 and a resin inner ring 12, but is not particularly limited thereto, for example, the whole is injection molded with resin. It is also possible to use a single-layered cylindrical member and provide the concave member 10 or the convex member 9 on the inner peripheral surface thereof. When the outer cylinder member 2 is formed as an integrally molded product made of resin, it is preferable that the concave member 10 or the convex member 9 is also molded at the same time as the injection molding. In the present embodiment, the recess material 10 is an example of a rack tooth shape in which teeth are formed at a constant pitch. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and in some cases, recesses may be provided at an indefinite pitch. good.

  The inner cylinder member 4 is a resin fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft, preferably a resin having good sliding properties and excellent low friction characteristics (self-lubricating sliding material PTFE (fluorine resin), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), etc.) Plastic as a sliding material).

  In the present embodiment, the bellows 3 includes a plurality of bellows arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the steering shaft, for example, a first bellows 3a near the vehicle compartment 19 side, and a second bellows 3b near the engine room 18 side. It consists of Here, as the rubber material constituting the bellows 3, it is preferable to use a material having high flexibility so that the tilt of the steering shaft can be satisfactorily followed. For example, ethylene propylene rubber is used in this embodiment. However, the above-mentioned materials are only one preferable example, and other materials may be used. In this embodiment, an example in which a pair of first and second bellows 3a and 3b is provided will be mainly described. However, it is sufficient that at least one bellows is provided, and in some cases, three or more bellows are provided. A bellows may be provided.

  The first and second bellows 3a and 3b are integrated by fitting the outer peripheral ends 7 of the first and second bellows 3a and 3b so as to partially overlap the slider block 5 in the radial direction. 4 is provided so as to be partially overlapped with the outer peripheral surface of 4 in the radial direction and then fixed by the bellows mounting member 13. As a result, the slider block 5, the first and second bellows 3a, 3b, and the inner cylinder member 4 are integrated and configured as one component, so that the assembly work of the dust cover for the steering shaft becomes easy. Furthermore, the operation of attaching the steering shaft dust cover 1 to the panel can be easily performed. The first and second bellows 3a and 3b of the present embodiment have a shape that protrudes toward the engine room 18, but may be a shape that protrudes toward the vehicle compartment 19 in some cases. Moreover, although the 1st, 2nd bellows 3a, 3b of this embodiment is a shape which has one top part, it is good also as a shape which has a some top part depending on the case.

  The bellows 3 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the first and second bellows 3a, 3b molded separately are connected and integrated by the slider block 5 and the inner cylinder member 4, and therefore, at the time of injection molding Die cutting can be made extremely easy. Of course, even when the first bellows 3a and the second bellows 3b are integrally formed on either the inner side or the outer side in the radial direction, if they are formed so as to be separated on the other side, the mold can be easily removed during injection molding. It goes without saying that you can do it.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inner cylinder member 4 through which the steering shaft passes is provided with at least one groove 22 for mainly holding grease as a lubricant on the inner peripheral surface with which the steering shaft slides. . By holding the grease as the lubricant in the groove 22, the steering shaft can be rotated and slid smoothly with respect to the inner cylinder member 4 for a longer period of time. Here, the low friction material constituting the inner cylinder member 4 has good slidability, that is, a low coefficient of friction, and can be easily deformed by rotation or tilting of the steering shaft or by the tightening force of the bellows mounting member 13. It is preferable to use a hard low friction material having a certain degree of rigidity. For example, in this embodiment, a polyamide resin is used, but a metal material such as polytetrafluoroethylene resin or aluminum may be used. Further, polyacetal or oil-containing resin may be used.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member 4, a fitting recess 16 into which the inner peripheral ends 6 of the first and second bellows 3a and 3b are fitted, and a step portion 17 for preventing the first and second bellows 3a and 3b from coming off. Then, a snap lock type bellows mounting member mounting portion 20 is formed which is fixed when the bellows mounting member 13 is fitted in a predetermined position. The snap lock is provided with at least one hook 21 that is elastically deformed in the radial direction at the end of the inner cylinder member 4 on the side of the passenger compartment 19, and when the ring-shaped bellows attachment member 13 is fitted, the tip of the hook 21 Is bent radially inward and after the bellows mounting member 13 passes, the tip of the hook 21 returns to its original position, and the hook 21 is hooked on the rear end of the bellows mounting member 13 and fitted into the inner cylinder member 4. The mounting member 13 is made to function as a retaining member. Therefore, the inner peripheral ends 6 of the first and second bellows 3a and 3b are sandwiched and fixed between the bellows mounting member 13 and the step portion 17.

  Since the first and second bellows 3a and 3b are combined so that the inner peripheral ends 6 partially overlap in the radial direction and are fitted into the fitting recess 16 of the inner cylinder member 4, only the tightening force thereof is used. Although it is fixed to the inner cylinder member 4, it is more securely fixed to the inner cylinder member 4 by further tightening from around with the bellows attachment member 13. The bellows 3 can be reliably fixed to the inner cylinder member 4 without deteriorating the slidability of the steering shaft with respect to the inner cylinder member 4.

  In the steering shaft dust cover according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle interior side seal lip 14 disposed on the end surface of the inner cylinder member 4 on the engine room 18 side and the end surface of the vehicle interior 19 are disposed. The engine room side seal lip 15 is arranged to contact the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft and seal the grease filled in the groove 22 of the inner cylinder member 4 from both sides. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the grease filled between the steering shaft and the inner cylinder member 4 from flowing out and sufficiently prevent the occurrence of stick-slip due to the lack of grease. The engine room side seal lip 15 and the vehicle interior side seal lip 14 are preferably made of, for example, a rubber material or an elastomer excellent in slidability and sealability, and are not limited to a specific material, but seal the sliding portion. It is preferable to use a rubber having excellent physical properties such as NBR (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber).

  Here, the bellows mounting member 13 in the present embodiment is directly fitted to the inner cylindrical member 4 and the large-diameter cylindrical portion 13a that holds the inner peripheral ends 6 of the first and second bellows 3a and 3b with a synthetic resin such as polyamide resin. The first and second bellows 3a and 3b are formed between the large-diameter cylindrical portion 5a and the inner cylindrical member 4 when formed into a stepped ring shape having a small-diameter cylindrical portion 13b. These inner peripheral ends 6 are clamped and held in a partially overlapped state. In the case of this embodiment, the bellows attachment member 13 is integrally provided with a vehicle interior side seal lip 14 by insert molding.

  In addition, the steering shaft dust cover of the present embodiment employs a snap lock type that is fixed when the bellows mounting member 13 is pushed into a predetermined position as a structure for mounting the bellows mounting member 13 to the inner cylinder member 4. Yes. The snap lock is provided with at least one hook 21 that is elastically deformed in the radial direction at the end of the inner cylinder member 4 on the side of the passenger compartment 19, and when the ring-shaped bellows attachment member 13 is fitted, the tip of the hook 21 Is bent radially inward and after the bellows mounting member 13 passes, the tip of the hook 21 returns to its original position, and the hook 21 is hooked on the rear end of the bellows mounting member 13 and fitted into the inner cylinder member 4. The mounting member 13 is made to function as a retaining member.

According to the steering shaft dust cover 1, the axial position of the inner peripheral portion by the slide can be arbitrarily changed without changing the followability and sound insulation of the steering shaft dust cover. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, even if the outer cylinder member 2 is mounted and fixed to the dash panel, the slider block 5 is slid in the axial direction within the range of the recess 10 on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 2. Thus, the position of the inner cylinder member 4 can be arbitrarily moved in the axial direction. For this reason, even if a change in the layout of the peripheral device or a shift at the time of mounting the cover occurs, it can be dealt with by changing the axial position of the inner cylinder member. Therefore, one type of steering shaft dust cover 1 can be used in various devices.
In addition, since a slide mechanism that is slidable and stops at a selected position unless a certain external force is applied is provided between the slider block and one of the outer cylinder member or the inner cylinder member facing the slider block, If necessary, the axial position of the inner cylinder member can be changed, and it remains at the selected position unless a force to intentionally slide is applied, and the slider block moves due to engine vibration or the like. It is possible to prevent the axial position of the inner cylinder member from being changed or coming off from the outer cylinder member.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the bellows 3 is attached to the inner cylindrical member 4 and the slider block 5 is attached to the outer peripheral end 7 side of the bellows 3, so that it is necessary between the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member 2 and the slider block 5. Accordingly, the slide mechanism (unevenness) 8 is configured to be slidable in the axial direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The bellows 3 is attached to the outer cylinder member 2 and the inner peripheral end 6 of the bellows 3 is attached. A slider block 5 that is slidable in the axial direction is attached to the inner cylinder member 4, and a slide mechanism 8 that is slidable as necessary is configured between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the slider block 5. You may make it do. That is, the arrangement of the slider block 5 is assumed to be both the arrangement of the bellows 3 on the outer peripheral end 7 and the arrangement of the bellows 3 on the inner peripheral end 6, and when the bellows 3 is attached to the outer cylinder member 2, the slider block 5 is When the concave member 10 or the convex member 9 is provided on the inner peripheral end 6 side of the bellows 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member 4 is provided, the convex member 9 or the concave member 10 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the slider block 5. Will be provided.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the inner cylinder member 4, the bellows 3 and the slider block 5 are formed as one part by assembling the components formed as independent separate parts, but not limited thereto. In some cases, it may be integrally formed in advance by insert molding or the like.

  Further, although not shown, in order to enhance the sealing performance of the fitting portion between the slider block 5 and the outer cylinder member 2, for example, a side surface (axis orthogonal plane) portion facing the vehicle compartment 19 and the engine room 18 of the slider block 5 An annular lip that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 2 may be provided. Similarly, the outer peripheral end 7 of the bellows 3 is attached to the outer cylindrical member 2, while the slider block 5 is provided at the inner peripheral end 6 of the bellows 3 and the convex member 9 and the concave member 10 are provided between the inner cylindrical member 4. Even when the slide mechanism 8 is provided, an annular lip that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member 4 may be provided on the side surface portion of the slider block 5.

  In the above-described embodiment, the bellows 3 is constituted by two bellows 3a and 3b that are independent of each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an integral structure that can be punched, for example, as shown in FIG. One of the inner peripheral end 6 and the outer peripheral end 7 may be connected to the other, and the other may be formed as an openable shape with a plurality of bellows integrally formed. In this embodiment, the inner peripheral ends 6 of the first bellows 3 a and the second bellows 3 b are integrally formed, whereas the outer peripheral end 7 is partially in the radial direction when surrounded by the slider block 5. While forming an outer peripheral surface that is flush with and overlapped, it is divided into a first bellows 3a and a second bellows 3b and is formed into an openable shape at the time of die cutting.

  Further, the slide mechanism 8 is not limited to the combination of the sliding of the self-sliding resin and the meshing of the concave member 10 and the convex member 9 as in the above-described embodiment, and the slider block 5 using a magnetic attractive force. It is good also as what permits it to move to an axial direction as needed, fixing. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the slide mechanism 8 includes a strip-shaped multipole magnet (corresponding to the recess material 10) 10 ′ magnetized so that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in the axial direction. The block-shaped magnetized body (corresponding to the convex member 9) 9 'magnetized by arranging at least a pair of N poles and S poles in the axial direction is opposed to each other so that the N poles and S poles face each other. Sometimes the magnetic attractive force is maximized so that the position of the slider block 5 is maintained. In this embodiment, the strip-shaped multipolar magnetized body 10 'and the block-shaped magnetized body 9' are embedded in the inner ring 12 of the outer cylinder member 2 and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the slider block 5, or fixed by bonding or the like. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. If at least a part of the material of the inner ring 12 or the slider block 5 is a magnetizable material such as a bond magnet, the magnet is integrally magnetized. A portion may be formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering shaft dust cover 2 Outer cylinder member 3 Bellows 3a 1st bellows 3b 2nd bellows 4 Inner cylinder member 5 Slider block 6 Inner peripheral end of bellows 7 Outer end of bellows 8 Slide mechanism 9 Convex member (tooth / projection) )
9 'block magnetized body (corresponding to the convex member 9)
10 Recess material (rack tooth profile / groove)
10 'strip-shaped multipolar magnet (corresponding to the recess material 10)

Claims (5)

In the steering shaft dust cover for closing the column hole between the steering shaft passing through the column hole provided in the panel that partitions the engine room and the vehicle compartment and the panel,
An outer cylinder member fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the column hole;
An inner cylinder member fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft;
Comprising at least one bellows closing between the inner cylinder member and the outer cylinder member;
The bellows is attached to either the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member, and the other side of the bellows is opposed to the other of the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member in the axial direction. It has a slider block that can slide,
A dust cover for a steering shaft capable of changing an axial position of the inner cylinder member with respect to the outer cylinder member by sliding the slider block relatively in the axial direction.   Between the slider block attached to either the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member and the inner cylinder member or the corresponding member facing the slider block, the slider block faces 2. The steering shaft according to claim 1, further comprising a slide mechanism that is slidable in an axial direction relative to either the inner cylinder member or the outer cylinder member and stops at a selected position unless a constant external force is applied. Dust cover.   The slide mechanism is composed of a concave member made of a rack tooth shape formed continuously or intermittently in the axial direction and a convex member made of at least one tooth that can mesh with the concave member. The dust cover for a steering shaft according to claim 2.   The dust cover for a steering shaft according to claim 3, wherein the convex member has a plurality of teeth.   The slide mechanism includes a strip-shaped multipole magnet in which a plurality of pairs of N poles and S poles are alternately magnetized in the axial direction, and is disposed opposite to the strip-shaped multipole magnet, and includes at least a pair of N poles and S poles. Are arranged in the axial direction, and the position of the slider block is maintained when the strip-shaped multipole magnet and the block magnet are opposed to the corresponding magnetic poles. The dust cover for a steering shaft according to claim 2, wherein the dust cover is used.

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