JP2020098112A - Detachable jacket and environment testing device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a detachable jacket that can form a temperature adjustable thermostatic chamber in each desired part in a testing device, as well as that can be easily attached to and detached from each desired part in the testing device.SOLUTION: A jacket 10 for a steering gear comprises: a lower jacket 10L mounted on a table 30TA; and an upper jacket 10U connected to the lower jacket 10L separably via a fastener 10Z1. A jacket 12 for a steering column comprises: a lower jacket 12L having a sleeve member covering an output shaft 48 and a part of an intermediate shaft 52; and an upper jacket 12U connected to the lower jacket 12L separably via a fastener 12Z1, and having a sleeve member covering a main shaft 44 of a steering column 46.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a detachable jacket and an environmental test device including the same.

As a steering gear test apparatus, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a test stand to which a steering gear is attached is provided in a constant temperature bath during a durability test and a performance test. One end of the column shaft that rotates the pinion of the steering gear projects from the constant temperature bath toward the outside and is connected to the steering device. Further, both ends of the rack bar that meshes with the pinion of the steering gear protrude from the constant temperature tank and are connected to the tie rod angle varying device and the load absorbing device via tie rods. The above-mentioned constant temperature bath is fixed on a common plane of the base on which the tie rod angle varying device and the load absorbing device are provided. The temperature in the constant temperature bath provided with the thermometer is controlled by the atmosphere control device. Thus, by appropriately adjusting the temperature in the constant temperature tank with the atmosphere control device, the atmosphere around the steering gear in the constant temperature tank can be changed to perform the test.

In another test apparatus, for example, as shown in Patent Document 2, a cover material and a top plate made of a flexible material are surrounded by an outer container body arranged in a constant temperature bath. It has been proposed to cover the vibration generator. In such a test apparatus, the air from the blower provided outside the constant temperature chamber is the space that becomes the inner circumference of the cover material and the top plate portion on the outer circumference of the outer container body, the inside of the outer container body, and the constant temperature. It is supplied into the cover material and the outer container body through a concentric double structure flow path that communicates with the outside of the tank. The temperature of the air passing through the cover material is adjusted by an electric heater provided on the inner circumference of the cover material, and when the test environment in the thermostatic chamber is low, dew condensation occurs on the inner surface of the cover material and inside the vibration generator. Is prevented.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-11819 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-34670

In the steering gear testing device described above, the test temperature range of the column shaft and the steering device arranged in the vehicle compartment may be different from the test temperature range of the steering gear arranged near the engine room. Further, for a steering gear mounted on a vehicle for cold regions, the test may be performed in a test temperature range from extremely low temperature to high temperature of approximately -50°C to 140°C. In such a case, depending on the constant temperature bath that covers only the steering gear, as shown in Patent Document 1, the column shaft and the steering device are in an environment where the temperature is adjusted within a test temperature range different from the test temperature range of the steering gear. At the same time, it is difficult to carry out the test.

Further, the weight of the constant temperature bath fixed to the base and covering the steering gear as shown in Patent Document 1 is relatively heavy and not easy to handle. Further, since the installation area of the constant temperature bath in the base becomes large, there is a limit to installing the constant temperature bath in the base having a predetermined installation area when the steering gear becomes large depending on the vehicle type.

Further, in the steering gear for the right-hand drive vehicle and the steering gear for the left-hand drive vehicle in the test device, one end of the column shaft for rotating the pinion of the steering gear is fixed to the base because the position where the column shaft protrudes to the outside is different. An individually designed constant temperature bath is required.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is a detachable jacket, and an environmental test apparatus including the same, in each desired site in the test apparatus, respectively, to form a temperature-controllable constant temperature chamber, Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a detachable jacket that can be easily attached to and detached from desired portions of the test apparatus, and an environmental test apparatus including the same.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the detachable jacket according to the present invention is made of a flexible and heat-insulating material, and has at least one of temperature and humidity around the DUT to be tested. An outer shell that forms a temperature-controlled room, and a hole that is formed in the outer shell and through which a transmission shaft that transmits the driving force from the drive unit to the DUT for testing passes. A suction port for sucking air into the temperature-controlled room and an exhaust port for discharging air in the temperature-controlled room.

Further, the detachable jacket according to the present invention is made of a material having flexibility and heat insulation so that it can be divided or combined into a plurality of parts, and the temperature and humidity can be kept around the object to be tested. At least the temperature-adjustable outer shell and the outer shell, which is formed in the outer shell and through which the transmission shaft for transmitting the driving force from the driving device to the DUT for the test passes, and the outer shell. The suction port is formed and has an inlet for sucking air into the temperature-controlled room, and an exhaust port for discharging air in the temperature-controlled room.

The dough may be composed of a heat resistant sheet and a heat insulating member arranged between the heat resistant sheets. A sealing sheet may be arranged between the heat-resistant sheets along the seams in the heat-resistant sheet of the cloth, and the paste-like sealing material may be applied to the outer peripheral portion of the heat-resistant sheet along the seams. Further, the cloth may be made so as to be divided into a plurality of parts by a fastener or capable of being combined, and may include an inner flap that covers the entire fastener, and an outer flap that further covers the inner flap from the outside. The connection end of the supply duct may be inserted into the suction port, and the connection end of the return duct may be inserted into the exhaust port.

The environmental test device according to the present invention is made of a cloth having flexibility and heat insulation, and at least the temperature and humidity of the temperature around the first portion of the DUT to be tested can be adjusted. At least the temperature and humidity are adjusted around the first outer part that forms the temperature-controlled room and the second part that is made of cloth and is different from the first part of the DUT to be tested. A second outer shell forming a possible constant temperature room, and a transmission formed in the first outer shell and the second outer shell, respectively, for transmitting the driving force from the driving device to the DUT for the test. At least one hole through which the shaft passes, each of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion is formed with an inlet for sucking air into the temperature-controlled room, and an exhaust port for discharging air in the temperature-controlled room, And a temperature-adjusting air for supplying temperature-controlled air to the inlets of the first outer shell and the second outer shell of the removable jacket and discharging the air from the exhaust outlet. And a supply source.

Further, the environmental test apparatus according to the present invention is made of a material having flexibility and heat insulation so that it can be divided or combined into a plurality of parts, and the temperature around the first part of the DUT to be tested is kept. And a first outer part forming a thermostatic chamber in which at least the temperature of humidity can be adjusted, and a first part of the DUT to be subjected to the test, which is made so as to be divided or combined into a plurality of parts with a dough. And a second outer shell part forming a temperature-controlled room in which at least the temperature and the humidity of the second part different from the first outer shell part and the second outer shell part are formed, respectively. At least one hole through which the transmission shaft for transmitting the driving force from the driving device to the DUT passes for the test, and the first outer shell and the second outer shell, respectively, are formed and placed in the temperature-controlled room. A detachable jacket including an inlet for sucking in air and an outlet for exhausting the air in the temperature-controlled room, and temperature control for the inlets of the first outer shell and the second outer shell of the removable jacket. And a temperature adjustment air supply source for discharging the air from the exhaust port.

The first shell of the detachable jacket forms a temperature-controlled room in which at least the temperature and humidity can be adjusted at least around the steering gear housing, and the second shell at least surrounds the steering column. It may form a thermostatic chamber in which at least the temperature of the temperature and the humidity can be adjusted.

The first outer portion is a sleeve member that is detachably attached to an opening peripheral edge through which the right-hand drive vehicle intermediate shaft connected to the steering gear housing passes or an opening peripheral edge through which the left-hand drive vehicle intermediate shaft passes. May be included.

At least one support member that receives the inner peripheral portion of the first outer portion so as to retain the shape of the first outer portion is provided on the test stand that supports the steering gear housing, and the shape of the second outer portion is changed. At least one support member that receives the inner peripheral portion of the second outer portion so as to hold may be provided in the reinforcement that supports the steering column.

According to the detachable jacket according to the present invention, and the environmental test device including the detachable jacket, the outer shell is made of a cloth having flexibility and heat insulation, and the temperature is maintained around the DUT to be tested. Since the adjustable temperature-controlled room is formed, the temperature-controlled temperature-controlled room can be formed at each desired portion of the test apparatus, and can be easily attached to and detached from each desired portion of the test apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of an environmental test device including a first embodiment of a detachable jacket according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature adjusting air supply source used in the first and second embodiments of the detachable jacket according to the present invention. It is a front view of the jacket for steering gears shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the front view shown in FIG. 3. It is a top view of the front view shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the front view shown in FIG. 3. (A) is a front view showing a part of the steering gear jacket shown in FIG. 1 in a cutaway manner, and (B) is a right side view of the front view shown in (A). (A) is a partial cross-sectional view partially showing a part of the fabric of the steering gear jacket shown in FIG. 1, and (B) of the fabric around the fastener in the steering gear jacket shown in FIG. 1. It is a partial cross section figure which shows a part. It is a front view of the jacket for steering columns shown in FIG. It is a top view in the front view shown by FIG. FIG. 10 is a right side view of the front view shown in FIG. 9. It is a bottom view in the front view shown by FIG. It is a rear view in the front view shown by FIG. (A) is a front view showing a part of the steering column jacket shown in FIG. 1 in a cutaway manner, (B) is a right side view of the front view shown in (A), and (C). FIG. 4 is a diagram partially showing a state in which a connection end portion of a supply duct or a return duct is inserted into an input side connection portion or a discharge side connection portion of a steering column jacket. (A) is a block diagram which shows schematically the structure of another example of the environmental testing device provided with the 2nd Example of the removable jacket which concerns on this invention, (B) is the removable which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the structure of the other modified example of the environmental testing device provided with the 2nd Example of the possible jacket. FIG. 9 is a left side view schematically showing the configuration of a steering gear jacket in a third embodiment of the detachable jacket according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is a rear view of the steering gear jacket shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of the steering gear jacket shown in FIG. 16. 19A and 19B are perspective views respectively showing a hole position adjusting sheet used for the steering gear jacket shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 9 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of a steering column jacket in the third embodiment of the detachable jacket according to the present invention. It is a right view in the example shown by FIG. FIG. 21 is a front view including a broken sectional view in the example shown in FIG. 20. It is a front view which shows schematically the structure of another example of the jacket for steering columns used in 3rd Example of the detachable jacket which concerns on this invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of an example of an environment test apparatus including a first embodiment of a detachable jacket according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the environment test apparatus is configured to include, for example, a durability test apparatus including a steering gear housing, a steering column, and the like that are to be actually mounted on a vehicle as a test object. Such an endurance test apparatus is arranged on a predetermined test station and arranged on a surface plate SP having a plurality of T grooves. A steering gear housing 56 covered by a steering gear jacket 10 composed of an upper jacket 10U and a lower jacket 10L, which will be described later, is tested on a movable table 30TA of a base 30 which is fixed by using a T groove on a surface plate SP. It is supported via a stand 32. The test table 32 includes an upper surface of the table 30TA via connecting portions 30a, 30b, 30c that penetrate rectangular holes 10Lc, 10Lb, 10La (see FIG. 6) formed in the lower surface portion 10LB of the lower jacket 10L at predetermined intervals. It is fixed to. The test stand 32 receives the steering gear housing 56 from below and supports it detachably.

Although not shown, the steering gear housing 56 including the rack shaft and the pinion (not shown) is provided with an electric power steering, a torque sensor, a rotation angle sensor, and the like. Actuators 34 and 36 for reciprocating a tie rod, which will be described later, along the X coordinate axis shown in FIG. 1 are arranged to face each other at both longitudinal ends of the steering gear housing 56 and the steering gear jacket 10. The X coordinate axis in the orthogonal coordinates shown in FIG. 1 is set parallel to the axis of the rack shaft of the steering gear housing 56 which is parallel to the surface of the surface plate SP, and the Y coordinate axis is set to be perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The Z coordinate axis is orthogonal to the coordinate axes, and the Z coordinate axis is orthogonal to the Y coordinate axis and the X coordinate axis.

The actuation rod 34A of the actuator 34 and the actuation rod 36A of the actuator 36 are connected to each other via tie rods that are connected to rack shafts 58 and 60 protruding from both ends of the steering gear housing 56, respectively. By a control unit (not shown), the actuation rod 34A of the actuator 34 and the actuation rod 36A of the actuator 36 are drive-controlled so as to be reciprocally movable in the direction indicated by the arrow along the X coordinate axis shown in FIG. As a result, the rack shafts 58 and 60 in the steering gear jacket 10 are reciprocated, so that the intermediate shaft 52 and the like, which will be described later, are rotated via the pinion.

The pinion in the steering gear housing 56 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 52 via a gear ratio variable steering (VGRS) not shown and a universal joint 54. The upper end of the intermediate shaft 52 is connected to the output shaft 48 of the steering column 46 via a universal joint 50. One end of the main shaft 44 of the steering column 46 is connected to the output shaft of the steering motor 42M. The steering column 46 is supported by a reinforcement 38R extending in a direction orthogonal to the intermediate shaft 52 and the output shaft 48. The steering motor 42M projects from a steering column jacket 12 described below and is supported by a motor support base 42, and one end of the reinforcement 38R is supported by the reinforcement support bases 38 and 40, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the steering gear jacket 10 includes a lower jacket 10L placed on the above-mentioned table 30TA and an upper jacket 10U separably coupled to the lower jacket 10L by a fastener 10Z1. It is configured.

The separable coupling means is not limited to the fastener 10Z1, but may be, for example, a zipper, a chuck, or a velcro tape instead of the fastener.

The lower jacket 10L includes a lower surface portion 10LB (see FIG. 6) placed on the table 30TA, a rear surface portion 10LR forming a peripheral edge of the substantially rectangular lower surface portion 10LB, and a front surface portion 10LF facing the rear surface portion 10LR (see FIG. 4). ) And a pair of side surface portions 10LS (see FIG. 4) that connect the back surface portion 10LR and the front surface portion 10LF and face each other.

A fastener 10Z1 that separably connects the lower jacket 10L and the upper jacket 10U extends along the steering gear housing 56, the rack shafts 58 and 60 in the front surface portion 10LF and the rear surface portion 10LR, and is continuous with the pair of side surface portions 10LS. Are provided. The front face portion 10LF is provided with two drain holes DL at predetermined intervals. A waterproof sheet (not shown) that receives the drainage discharged from the drainage port DL may be further provided around the lower jacket 10L.

The fabric 2 of the lower jacket 10L is, for example, as shown in a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8A, a heat-resistant rubber sheet in which a silicone rubber topping is attached to a base cloth made of aramid fiber as a heat-resistant sheet. (For example, product number SI-450: manufactured by Achilles Co., Ltd.), an outer layer 2A and an inner layer 2B, and a heat insulating layer 4 made of glass wool as a heat insulating member interposed between the outer layer 2A and the inner layer 2B. It is configured. The outer layer 2A and the inner layer 2B are sewn together via a silicone sheet 6 as a sealing sheet extending along the seam 8. Further, silicone pastes 2SA and 2SB as paste-like sealing materials are applied to the recesses along the seams 8 in the outer layer 2A and the inner layer 2B, respectively. As a result, the heat insulating layer 4 is held evenly between the outer layers 2A and the inner layers 2B in each of the small chambers partitioned by the seams 8, and the dew in the atmosphere adhered to the outer layers 2A and the inner layers 2B is transferred to the seams 8. Accumulation in the recess along the side will be avoided. The heat insulating layer 4 is not limited to such an example, and may be made of another heat insulating material such as rock wool.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper jacket 10U includes a front surface portion 10UF and a rear surface portion 10UR which are respectively coupled to the front surface portion 10LF and the rear surface portion 10LR of the lower jacket 10L by a fastener 10Z1 and a lower surface of the lower jacket 10L. The upper surface portion 10UU facing the portion 10LB, the slope portion 10UC diagonally connecting the end of the upper surface portion 10UU and the end of the rear surface portion 10UR, the front surface portion 10UF, the rear surface portion 10UR, the slope portion 10UC, and the upper surface portion 10UU to each other. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the pair of side surface portions 10US to be coupled with each other and the window portion 10W that can be opened and closed in the inclined surface portion 10UC and the upper surface portion 10UU by the fastener 10Z2 are included as main elements. Has been done.

The fabric 2 of the upper jacket 10U has the same structure as the fabric 2 of the lower jacket 10L described above shown in FIG. 8(A).

A sleeve member through which the rack shafts 58 and 60 pass is provided on each of the pair of side surface portions 10US. Since the sleeve members have the same structure, the sleeve member through which the rack shaft 58 passes will be described, and the description about the sleeve member through which the rack shaft 60 passes will be omitted.

The sleeve member through which the rack shaft 58 passes is composed of a square tubular base portion 10EL having one end attached to the side surface portion 10US, and a square truncated pyramid portion 10BL which is separably coupled to the base portion 10EL by a fastener 10Z4. There is. One end of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 10BL is open, and the other end of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 10BL is joined to the base 10EL by a fastener 10Z4. The internal cross section of the truncated quadrangular pyramid portion 10BL communicating with the inside of the base portion 10EL is formed in a tapered shape. As shown in FIG. 5, a string ST made of a heat resistant material and having a predetermined length is attached to the outer peripheral portion of one end of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 10BL. As a result, the string ST is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the square truncated pyramidal portion 10BL so that the peripheral edge of the open end of the square truncated pyramid portion 10BL is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tie rod. , Cut off from the outside. Further, when the peripheral edge of the open end of the truncated pyramid 10BL is worn by sliding of the tie rods, the truncated pyramid 10BL can be separated by the fastener 10Z4 and can be easily replaced with a new truncated pyramid. .. Also in the sleeve member through which the rack shaft 60 passes, similarly, when the peripheral edge of the truncated pyramid 10BR is worn, the truncated pyramid 10BR can be separated from the base 10ER by the fastener 10Z3. Can be easily exchanged with the department.

In addition, the shape of the sleeve member is not limited to the truncated pyramid-shaped portion 10BL described above, and may be, for example, a cylinder or a truncated cone.

The window portion 10W is coupled to the back surface portion 10UR, the inclined surface portion 10UC, and the upper surface portion 10UU via the fastener 10Z2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the fastener 10Z2 extends substantially parallel to the fastener 10Z1 on the back surface portion 10UR, and reaches the side surface portion 10US and the side surface portion 10US before reaching the side surface portion 10US. And extends for a predetermined length substantially parallel to.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, an opening portion is formed at a position corresponding to the above-mentioned intermediate shaft 52 in the right side portion from the center of the slope portion 10UC in the window portion 10W. As shown in FIG. 4, a sleeve member through which the intermediate shaft 52 passes is provided on the peripheral edge of the opening so as to be inclined obliquely to the upper left. The sleeve member is composed of a quadrangular cylindrical base portion 10ET having one end attached to the window portion 10W, and a quadrangular truncated pyramidal portion 10T that is separably coupled to the base portion 10ET by a fastener 10Z5.

One end of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 10T has an open end 10t, and the other end of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 10T is joined to the base 10ET by a fastener 10Z5. The internal cross section of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 10T that communicates with the inside of the base 10ET is tapered. As shown in FIG. 5, a string ST made of a heat-resistant material and having a predetermined length is attached to the outer peripheral portion of one end of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 10T. As a result, the string ST is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the square truncated pyramidal portion 10T so that the peripheral edge of the open end 10t of the square truncated pyramid portion 10T is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate shaft 52. The inside of the portion 10T is cut off from the outside. Further, when the peripheral edge of the open end 10t of the truncated pyramid 10T is worn by the rotation of the intermediate shaft 52, the truncated pyramid 10T can be separated by the fastener 10Z5 so that it can be easily separated from a new truncated pyramid. Can be exchanged.

As shown by the chain line in FIG. 3, a shield plate BP for closing the opening through which the intermediate shaft passes in the case of the steering gear for a left-hand drive vehicle is provided on the left side from the center of the slope 10UC in the window 10W. , Is removably coupled to the base of the peripheral edge of the opening via the fastener 10Z6. As a result, in the case of the steering gear for a left-hand drive vehicle, the shield plate BP is removed, the above-mentioned quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 10T is coupled to the base portion via the fastener 10Z6, and the shield plate BP is attached via the fastener 10Z5. It is coupled to the base 10ET so as to close the opening.

As shown in FIG. 8B in an enlarged manner, the entire fastener 10Z1 is covered around the fastener 10Z1 in the cloth 2 so that the air inside the steering gear jacket 10 does not leak to the outside as much as possible. An inner flap 2CI and an outer flap 2CO that covers the inner flap 2CI further from the outside are provided. The base end of the inner flap 2CI is sewn on the outer peripheral surface of the cloth 2 along the seam 8. The inner flap 2CI extends along the fastener 10Z1. The base end of the outer flap 2CO faces the base end of the inner flap 2CI, sandwiching the fastener 10Z1, and is sewn along the seam 8. A velcro tape 2MT is adhered to the inner surface of the tip of the outer flap 2CO. Further, a magic tape 2MT is provided adjacent to the seam 8 at a position facing the magic tape 2MT of the outer flap 2CO in the cloth 2. As a result, the fastener 10Z1 and the periphery of the fastener 10Z1 on the outer peripheral surface of the cloth 2 are covered with the double structure including the fastener 10Z1 and the inner flap 2CI that covers the fastener 10Z1 and the outer flap 2CO that overlaps the inner flap 2CI from the outside. The air inside the steering gear jacket 10 does not leak outside as much as possible. Although illustration is omitted, the same inner flaps and outer flaps as the inner flap 2CI and the outer flap 2CO are also provided around the fasteners 10Z2, 10Z3, 10Z4, 10Z5, and 10Z6. ..

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a cylindrical input-side connecting portion 10D1 and a discharge-side connecting portion 10D2 are formed on the upper surface portion 10UU of the window portion 10W with a predetermined gap therebetween. A connection end of a cylindrical supply duct 14D1 and a connection end of a cylindrical return duct 14D2, which will be described later, are inserted into the input-side connection portion 10D1 and the discharge-side connection portion 10D2, respectively. The supply duct 14D1 is configured to supply the temperature/humidity-adjusted air from the temperature/humidity adjusting air supply source 20 (see FIG. 2) into the steering gear jacket 10. The return duct 14D2 returns the air discharged from the steering gear jacket 10 to the temperature adjusting air supply source 20. At that time, each of the input-side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 10D2 has a slit 10DS extending at a predetermined length along the central axis line at a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 3, a string ST made of a heat resistant material and having a predetermined length is attached to the outer peripheral portions of one ends of the input side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 10D2. As a result, the peripheral edges of the open ends 10d of the input-side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 10D2 are respectively cylindrical connecting ends DU of the cylindrical supply duct 14D1 and the return duct 14D2 (FIG. 14C). The string ST is wound around the outer peripheral portions of the input-side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 10D2 so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the input side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 10D2. To be cut off. The cylindrical connection end portion DU is formed of, for example, a metal pipe having a predetermined length.

This prevents the open ends 10d of the input-side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 10D2 from being crushed by the connecting end portions DU of the cylindrical supply duct 14D1 and the return duct 14D2. Therefore, the shapes of the input side connection portion 10D1 and the discharge side connection portion 10D2 are maintained.

In addition, a heat insulating material such as a collar may be wound around the input side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 10D2. Further, the heat insulating material may be attached to the inner peripheral portions of the connection end portions DU of the cylindrical supply duct 14D1 and the return duct 14D2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14C, the cylindrical heat insulating material 11 includes the outer peripheral portion of the connection end portion DU of the supply duct 14D1 and the return duct 14D2, the input side connection portion 10D1 and the discharge side connection portion 10D2. It may be provided between the inner peripheral portion of and.

As shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the window 10W of the upper jacket 10U does not hang inside the steering gear jacket 10 toward the steering gear housing 56. Supporting members (supporting metal fittings) 30S1, 30S2, and 30S3 that receive and support the portion 10W from the inside are provided on the table 30TA at three positions along the longitudinal direction of the steering gear housing 56 at predetermined intervals. Since the support members (support metal fittings) 30S1, 30S2, and 30S3 have the same structure, the support member (support metal fitting) 30S1 will be described, and the description of the support members (support metal fittings) 30S2 and 30S3 will be omitted. The support member (support metal fitting) 30S1 is formed by, for example, bending a polygon into a strip-shaped stainless steel plate. The support member (support metal fitting) 30S1 has a side facing the slope 10UC, the top surface 10UU, and the front surface 10UF of the upper jacket 10U, respectively, and a pair of fixed ends connected to the sides facing the slope 10UC and the front surface 10UF. doing. The pair of fixed ends are fixed to the table 30TA at a predetermined interval.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the steering column jacket 12 can be separated into a lower jacket 12L having a sleeve member that covers a part of the output shaft 48 and the intermediate shaft 52, and a lower jacket 12L by a fastener 12Z1. It is composed of an upper jacket 12U having a sleeve member that is coupled to and covers the main shaft 44 of the steering column 46. A direction substantially orthogonal to the main shaft 44 of the steering column jacket 12 is supported by the reinforcement 38R. The steering column jacket 12 is made of the same material as the material 2 of the steering gear jacket 10 described above.

The lower jacket 12L includes a lower surface portion 12LB (see FIG. 9) provided with a sleeve member that covers a part of the output shaft 48 and the intermediate shaft 52, a rear surface portion 12LR orthogonal to the substantially rectangular lower surface portion 12LB, and a rear surface portion 12LR. The front portion 12LF facing each other and the pair of side portions 12LS connecting the rear portion 12LR and the front portion 12LF and facing each other.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the fastener 12Z1 that couples the lower jacket 12L and the upper jacket 12U in a separable manner is provided along the axis of the reinforcement 38R extending along the X coordinate axis in the front surface portion 12LF. After linearly extending to the ends of the pair of side surface portions 12LS and further bending along the pair of side surface portions 12LS toward the sleeve members along the pair of side surface portions 12LS, the ends of the fastener 12Z1 are connected to the lower jacket 12L and the upper portion. Each sleeve member is reached so as to separate a part of the sleeve member in the direction of the Z coordinate axis together with the jacket 12U. The X coordinate axis in the orthogonal coordinates shown in FIG. 12 is set parallel to the axis of the reinforcement 38R parallel to the surface of the surface plate SP, and the Y coordinate axis is orthogonal to the X coordinate axis so as to be perpendicular to the paper surface. , Z coordinate axes are taken to be orthogonal to the X coordinate axis and the Y coordinate axis.

As shown in FIG. 10, the sleeve member provided on the lower surface portion 12LB of the lower jacket 12L extends along the Z coordinate axis and has a square tubular base portion 12EL having one end attached to the lower surface portion 12LB and a fastener to the base portion 12EL. It is composed of a quadrangular pyramid frustum portion 12VT which is separably coupled by 12Z3. One end of the quadrangular truncated pyramid 12VT has an open end 12CT, and the other end of the quadrangular truncated pyramid 12VT is joined to the base 12EL by a fastener 12Z3. The internal cross section of the truncated quadrangular pyramid 12VT communicating with the inside of the base 12EL is tapered. As shown in FIG. 10, a string ST made of a heat resistant material and having a predetermined length is attached to the outer peripheral portion of one end of the quadrangular truncated pyramidal portion 12VT. As a result, the string ST is wound around the outer periphery of the truncated pyramidal portion 12VT so that the peripheral edge of the open end 12CT of the truncated pyramidal portion 12VT is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate shaft 52, thereby forming the truncated pyramid portion 12VT. The inside of the part 12VT is cut off from the outside. Further, when the peripheral edge of the open end 12CT of the quadrangular truncated pyramidal portion 12VT is worn by the rotation of the intermediate shaft 52, the quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 12VT can be separated by the fastener 12Z3, so that it can be easily replaced with a new quadrangular truncated pyramid portion. Can be exchanged.

As shown in FIG. 11, the upper jacket 12U has a plane common to the upper surface portion 12UT (see FIG. 13) on which the sleeve member is provided and the rear surface portion 12LR of the lower jacket 12L which is orthogonal to the substantially rectangular upper surface portion 12UT. It is composed of a rear surface portion 12UR that is formed, a front surface portion 12UF that faces the rear surface portion 12UR, and a pair of side surface portions 12US that connect the rear surface portion 12UR and the front surface portion 12UF and that face each other. Since the back surface portion 12UR of the upper jacket 12U is formed integrally with the back surface portion 12LR of the lower jacket 12L, the upper jacket 12U is partially connected to the lower jacket 12L.

The sleeve member provided on the upper surface portion 12UT of the upper jacket 12U extends along the Z coordinate axis shown in FIG. 12, and has one end attached to the rectangular cylindrical base portion 12EU and the base portion 12EU separated by a fastener 12Z2. It is composed of a quadrangular pyramid frustum portion 12VS which is coupled as possible. One end of the quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 12VS has an open end 12CS (see FIG. 13), and the other end of the quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 12VS is joined to the base portion 12EU by a fastener 12Z2. The internal cross section of the quadrangular truncated pyramid-shaped portion 12VS communicating with the inside of the base portion 12EU is formed in a tapered shape. As shown in FIG. 12, a string ST made of a heat resistant material and having a predetermined length is attached to the outer peripheral portion of one end of the quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 12VS. As a result, the string ST is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the square truncated pyramidal portion 12VS such that the peripheral edge of the open end 12CS of the square truncated pyramid portion 12VS is slidably contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the main shaft 44. The inside of 12VS is cut off from the outside. Further, when the peripheral edge of the open end 12CS of the truncated pyramid 12VS is worn by the rotation of the main shaft 44, the truncated pyramid 12VS can be separated by the fastener 12Z2, so that it can be easily separated from a new truncated pyramid. It will be exchangeable.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL, which are provided so as to straddle the side surface portions 12US and the side surface portions 12LS of the upper jacket 12U and the lower jacket 12L, respectively, are provided along the X coordinate axis. It extends and is arranged on a common straight line. At that time, the center positions of the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL are set to be positions displaced toward the back surface portions 12UR and 12LR by a predetermined distance with respect to the common axis of the truncated pyramidal portion 12VT and the truncated pyramidal portion 12VS. One end of each of the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL formed in the truncated pyramid shape is open. The inner cross sections of the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL are formed in a tapered shape. As shown in FIG. 12, a string ST made of a heat resistant material and having a predetermined length is attached to the outer peripheral portions of one ends of the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL. As a result, the string ST is wound around the outer peripheral portions of the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL so that the peripheral edges of the open ends 12b of the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL come into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcement 38R. The inside is cut off from the outside.

The means for closing the open ends 12b of the sleeve members 12BR and 12BL is not limited to the string ST, and may be, for example, a rubber band or a magic tape.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, on the back surface portions 12LR and 12UR, a cylindrical input-side connecting portion 12D1 and a discharge-side connecting portion 12D2, which extend along the Y coordinate axis, are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. Has been formed. The input-side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 12D2 respectively have a connecting end portion of a cylindrical supply duct 16D1 and a connecting end portion DU of a cylindrical return duct 16D2 (see FIG. 14C). Is inserted. The supply duct 16D1 supplies temperature-adjusted air from a temperature-adjusting air supply source 18 (see FIG. 2) described later. The return duct 16D2 returns the air discharged from the steering column jacket 12 to the temperature adjusting air supply source 18. At that time, the input-side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 12D2 each have a slit 12DS extending at a predetermined length along the central axis at a predetermined position. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, a string ST made of a heat resistant material and having a predetermined length is attached to the outer peripheral portions of one ends of the input side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 12D2. There is. Thus, the cords are attached so that the peripheral edges of the open ends 12d of the input-side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 12D2 are in close contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the connecting end portions DU of the cylindrical supply duct 16D1 and the return duct 16D2, respectively. By winding ST around the outer peripheral portions of the input-side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 12D2, the insides of the input-side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharging-side connecting portion 12D2 are cut off from the outside.

Inside the steering column jacket 12, as shown in FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B), the rear surface portions 12UR and 12LR of the upper jacket 12U and the lower jacket 12L hang inwardly toward the steering column 46. In order to prevent the rear portions 12UR and 12LR from being supported, support members (support metal fittings) 42S1 and 42S2 are provided on the reinforcement 38R along the axis of the reinforcement 38R at predetermined intervals. Since the support members (support metal fittings) 42S1 and 42S2 have the same structure, the support member (support metal fitting) 42S1 will be described, and the description of the support member (support metal fitting) 42S2 will be omitted. The support member (support metal fitting) 42S1 is formed by, for example, bending a quadrangle from a strip-shaped stainless steel plate. The support member (support metal fitting) 42S1 has sides facing the rear surface portions 12LR and 12UR, the upper surface portion 12UT, the lower surface portion 12LB, and the front surface portions 12UF and 12LF of the steering column jacket 12, respectively. The side of the support member (support metal fitting) 42S1 facing the front surface portions 12UF and 12LF has a substantially semicircular recess that engages with a part of the outer peripheral portion of the reinforcement 38R. As a result, the sides of the support member (support metal fitting) 42S1 facing the front surface portions 12UF and 12LF are supported by the outer peripheral portion of the reinforcement 38R by the substantially semicircular mounting metal fittings.

In an example of the environment test apparatus according to the present invention, in addition, as shown in FIG. 2, temperature adjustment air supply sources 18 and 20 are provided. Since the temperature/humidity adjusting air supply sources 18 and 20 have the same structure, the temperature/humidity adjusting air supply source 18 will be described, and the description of the temperature/humidity adjusting air supply source 20 will be omitted. To do.

The temperature/humidity adjusting air supply source 18 is, for example, a binary refrigeration system (not shown), a heating device including a heater, a temperature adjusting chamber connected to an evaporator and a heating device of the binary refrigeration system. And a fan (blower) provided at the delivery outlet of the temperature adjustment chamber as main components. One end of the above-mentioned supply duct 16D1 is connected to the blower opening of the above-mentioned fan. Further, one end of the above-mentioned return duct 16D2 is connected to the return port provided adjacent to the delivery outlet of the temperature adjusting chamber. The temperature adjusting chamber described above is provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air in the chamber and a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity. The fan is supposed to deliver a constant flow of air. Accordingly, the temperature of the air in the chamber is within a desired temperature range based on the detection output signal of the temperature sensor by the controller for controlling the dual refrigeration system and the heating device (not shown), for example, about -50°C to 140°C. It is controlled to a predetermined temperature within the following range. Further, the humidity of the air in the chamber is controlled within a desired humidity range based on the detection output signal of the humidity sensor. Note that the air supply source is not limited to such an example, and may be configured such that, for example, only at least the temperature or the humidity is adjusted.

With such a configuration, the air maintained at the predetermined temperature in the temperature adjustment chamber is supplied into the steering column jacket 12 via the fan and the supply duct 16D1.

In attaching the steering column jacket 12 and the steering gear jacket 10 to the steering gear housing 56, the test stand 32, the steering column 46, and the reinforcement 38R, respectively, first, in the steering gear jacket 10, After the connecting portions 30a, 30b, 30c of the table 30TA are passed through the holes 10Lc, 10Lb, 10La of the lower jacket 10L separated from the upper jacket 10U, only the lower jacket 10L is placed on the table 30TA. At that time, the test stand 32 supporting the steering gear housing 56 is connected to the connecting portions 30a, 30b, 30c. Next, the tie rods were inserted into the quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 10BR and the quadrangular pyramid trapezoidal portion 10BL of the upper jacket 10U, respectively, while the upper jacket 10U having the window portion 10W in the open state was stacked on the lower jacket 10L. After that, one end of the intermediate shaft 52 which is not connected by the universal joint 50 is inserted into the quadrangular pyramid trapezoidal portion 10T in the window 10W. The upper surface portion 10UU of the upper jacket 10U is positioned so as to cover the support members (support metal fittings) 30S1 to 30S3.

Subsequently, the lower jacket 10L and the upper jacket 10U are joined and integrated by the fastener 10Z1. Further, the window 10W is closed by the fastener 10Z2 and is joined to the upper jacket 10U.

At that time, the string ST is wound around the outer peripheral portions of the quadrangular truncated pyramidal portions 10BR and 10BL and the quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 10T, so that the insides of the quadrangular truncated pyramid portions 10BR and 10BL and the quadrangular truncated pyramid portion 10T are external. Is cut off. In addition, the string ST is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the connection end portion DU of the cylindrical supply duct 14D1 and the return duct 14D2 connected to the input side connection portion 10D1 and the discharge side connection portion 10D2. By being wound around the outer peripheral portion of the discharge side connecting portion 10D2, the inside of the input side connecting portion 10D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 10D2 are cut off from the outside.

Subsequently, in the steering column jacket 12, with the lower jacket 12L and the upper jacket 12U partially separated, the other end of the intermediate shaft 52 and the main shaft 44 respectively have a quadrangular pyramid truncated portion 12VT and four. After being inserted into the truncated pyramid-shaped portion 12VS, the lower jacket 12L and the upper jacket 12L and the upper peripheral portion of the upper jacket 12U are aligned with the support members (supporting metal fittings) 42S1 and 42S2, and then the lower jacket 12L and the upper jacket 12L are aligned. The jacket 12U covers the steering column 46 and the reinforcement 38R. At that time, the universal joint 50 is connected to the other end of the intermediate shaft 52, and one end of the main shaft 44 is connected to the output shaft of the steering motor 42M. The lower jacket 12L and the upper jacket 12U are joined by the fastener 12Z1.

Further, the string ST is wound around the outer peripheral portions of the truncated pyramidal portions 12BR and 12BL and the truncated pyramidal portions 12VT and 12VS, so that the insides of the lower jacket 12L and the upper jacket 12U are shielded from the outside. Furthermore, the string ST is attached to the input side connecting portion 12D1 so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connecting end portion DU of the cylindrical supply duct 16D1 and the return duct 16D2 connected to the input side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 12D2. By being wrapped around the outer peripheral portion of the discharge side connecting portion 12D2, the inside of the input side connecting portion 12D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 12D2 are cut off from the outside. The actuating rod 34A of the actuator 34 and the actuating rod 36A of the actuator 36 are respectively connected to the tie rods. This completes the test preparation of the environmental test device. After that, when the temperature adjusting air supply sources 18 and 20 are activated, the durability according to a predetermined program is maintained while the internal temperatures of the steering gear jacket 10 and the steering column jacket 12 are maintained at a predetermined temperature. The test will be executed based on the detection output signals of the torque sensor, the rotation angle sensor, and the like described above.

On the other hand, when removing the steering gear jacket 10 and the steering column jacket 12 from the steering gear housing 56, the test stand 32, the steering column 46, and the reinforcement 38R, it is easy to perform the procedure reverse to the above-described mounting procedure. Can be removed.

Therefore, the steering gear jacket 10 and the steering column jacket 12 can form a plurality of temperature-controllable thermostatic chambers at different portions, for example, around the steering gear housing 56 and the steering column 46, and The relatively lightweight steering gear jacket 10 and steering column jacket 12 can be easily attached to and detached from desired parts of the environmental testing device.

FIG. 15(A) schematically shows the configuration of another example of the environmental test apparatus including the second embodiment of the detachable jacket according to the present invention.

The environment test apparatus shown in FIG. 15A is, for example, an endurance test apparatus for a shock absorber 72 used in a vehicle suspension. The shock absorber 72 is configured to include, for example, an upper support portion, a coil spring, and a cylinder as main elements. Although not shown, the shock absorber has, for example, oil and high-pressure gas sealed in two small chambers partitioned by a free piston, respectively. The small chamber in which the oil is enclosed is provided with a rod having one end supported by the upper support portion and a different diameter laminated valve at the other end, and a coil spring wound around the rod.

The end of the small chamber in which the high-pressure gas is filled in the cylinder is connected to the connecting portion 78 of the movable portion of the vibrator 80 supported on the lower surface plate (not shown) of the test table 86. The movable part of the shaker 80 is controlled by a controller (not shown) so as to be capable of reciprocating in a direction indicated by an arrow with a predetermined stroke.

The upper support portion is detachably fixed to the upper support fixing portion 76 of the upper surface plate 82. The upper surface plate 82 is supported in parallel with the lower surface plate by a plurality of columns 84 that are vertically supported with respect to the lower surface plate of the test table 86. The shock absorber 72 supported between the connecting portion 78 of the movable portion of the shaker 80 and the upper support fixing portion 76 is a shock absorber jacket 70 (hereinafter, referred to as a shock absorber jacket 70 that forms a thermostatic chamber 70A that can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature). (Also referred to as a jacket 70).

The jacket 70 includes a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion that are separable into two around the axis of the shock absorber 72, for example, by a fastener (not shown) formed along the axis of the rod described above. It is configured. Each of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion is made of, for example, the same cloth as the cloth 2 described above in a semi-cylindrical shape. The periphery of the hole 70b formed in the upper ends of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion seals around the upper support fixing portion 76. Further, the peripheral edges of the holes 70a at the lower end portions of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion seal around the movable portion of the vibrator 80. The input side connecting portion 70D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 70D2 in the connecting portion of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion are respectively provided with a supply duct 74D1 and a return duct of a temperature adjusting air supply source (not shown). The connection end of 74D2 is connected. The description of the temperature adjusting air supply source is omitted because the structure of the temperature adjusting air supply source is the same as that of the temperature adjusting air supply sources 18 and 20 described above.

Thereby, for example, the air in the temperature adjusting chamber of the temperature adjusting air supply source maintained at a predetermined temperature in the range of approximately −50° C. or higher and 140° C. or lower passes through the fan and the supply duct 74D1. Will be supplied into the jacket 70. Therefore, the jacket 70 can form a temperature-controlled thermostatic chamber 70A for the shock absorber 72, and the relatively lightweight jacket 70 can be easily attached to and detached from the test bench 86 around the shock absorber 72.

Therefore, since the jacket 70 has a simple and slim tank shape, weight reduction, cost reduction, and space saving can be achieved. Moreover, since the jacket 70 is made of a flexible cloth and can be divided, the mounting work can be performed. The man-hour becomes small.

FIG. 15(B) schematically shows the configuration of another example of the environmental testing device including a modified example of the second embodiment of the detachable jacket according to the present invention shown in FIG. 15(A). Note that in FIG. 15B, the same components as those in the example shown in FIG. 15A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

The shock absorber 72 supported between the connecting portion 78 of the movable portion of the shaker 80 and the upper support fixing portion 76 is a shock absorber jacket 70′ that forms a temperature-controlled room 70′A that can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature. (Hereinafter, also referred to as a jacket 70').

The jacket 70' includes a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion that are separable into two around the axis of the shock absorber 72, for example, by a fastener (not shown) formed along the axis of the rod described above. It is composed of Each of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion is made of, for example, the same cloth as the cloth 2 described above in a semi-cylindrical shape. The periphery of the hole 70 ′ b formed at the upper end portions of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion seals around the upper support fixing portion 76. Further, the peripheral edges of the holes 70 ′ a at the lower end portions of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion seal around the movable portion of the vibrator 80. The input side connecting portion 70'D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 70'D2 in the connecting portion of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion are respectively provided with a supply duct 74D1 of a temperature adjusting air supply source (not shown). And the connection end of the return duct 74D2 is connected. The description of the temperature adjusting air supply source is omitted because the structure of the temperature adjusting air supply source is the same as that of the temperature adjusting air supply sources 18 and 20 described above. Further, the expansion/contraction parts 70′BE1 and 70′BE2 formed of flexible and expandable/contractible bellows are used as the input side connecting part 70′D1 and the discharge side connecting part 70′D2 in the first jacket part and the second jacket part. It is formed along the circumferential direction of the cylinder between each other. This facilitates the attachment/detachment of the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion, and at the same time, the vibration transmitted from the movable portion of the vibration exciter 80 to the jacket 70′ is attenuated by the expansion/contraction portions 70′BE1 and 70′BE2. To be done.

In such an example, for example, the air in the temperature adjusting chamber of the temperature adjusting air supply source maintained at a predetermined temperature in the range of about -50°C to 140°C is a fan and a supply duct. It will be supplied into the jacket 70' via 74D1. Therefore, the temperature controllable temperature chamber 70'A for the shock absorber 72 can be formed by the jacket 70', and the relatively lightweight jacket 70' can be easily attached to and detached from the test stand 86 around the shock absorber 72. be able to.

By devising the shape of the jacket, not only the above-mentioned steering gear, steering column, and shock absorber, but also various jacket specimens can be handled.

FIG. 16 schematically shows a main part of a configuration of an example of an environmental testing device provided with a third embodiment of a detachable jacket according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows the steering gear jacket 90 and the steering gear jacket 90 of the steering column jacket 100 (see FIG. 20) described later in the third embodiment of the detachable jacket according to the present invention. The steering gear jacket 90 and the steering column jacket 100 detachably cover the durability test apparatus shown in FIG. 16 to 23, the same components as those in the example shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

The steering gear housing (not shown) of the endurance test device covered with the steering gear jacket 90 is tested on a movable table (not shown) of the base 30, which is fixed by using the T groove on the surface plate SP. It is supported through a stand.

The steering gear jacket 90 has, for example, a substantially half-moon-shaped cross section as a whole, and a lower jacket placed on the above-mentioned table and an upper jacket separably coupled to the lower jacket by a fastener (not shown). It consists of and. The material of the lower jacket and the upper jacket is, for example, a heat-resistant rubber sheet in which a silicone rubber topping is attached to a base fabric made of aramid fibers similar to the example shown in FIG. 3 (for example, product number SI-450: Achilles Corp. Outer layer and an inner layer formed of a glass wool, and a heat insulating layer formed of glass wool interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer.

As shown in FIG. 18, the upper jacket includes a front surface portion, a rear surface portion to which a detachable sleeve member described later is attached, a top surface portion connecting the front surface portion and the rear surface portion, a front surface portion, a rear surface portion, Also, a pair of side surface portions 90RS and 90LS connecting the top surface portions to each other, and a sleeve member 90T that is detachably provided by a magic tape (not shown) on the periphery of the window portion 90TW on the back surface are main elements. It is configured to include.

As shown in FIG. 17, sleeve members 90BR and 90BR through which the rack shafts 58 and 60 pass are provided on the pair of side surface portions 90RS and 90LS, respectively. Since the sleeve members 90BR and 90BR have the same structure, the sleeve member 90BL through which the rack shaft 60 passes will be described, and the description of the sleeve member 90BR through which the rack shaft 58 passes will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 18, the sleeve member 90BL through which the rack shaft 60 passes has a hole position adjusting sheet 91 at one end attached to the side surface portion 90LS. The hole position adjusting sheet 91 is made of the same material as that of the upper jacket, and is detachably attached to the peripheral edge of the opening 90LW of the side surface portion 90LS by a velcro (not shown). The hole position adjusting sheet 91 has an elongated hole 91a through which the rack shaft 60 passes. The size of the long hole 91a and the relative position of the long hole 91a with respect to the opening 90LW may be appropriately set according to the position and the diameter of the rack shaft 60, and although not shown, for example, the size of the long hole 91a and A plurality of types of hole position adjusting sheets 91 may be prepared in which the relative positions of the long holes 91a with respect to the opening 90LW are different from each other.

The window portion 90TW in the rear surface portion is formed so as to spread relatively large at a position corresponding to the above-mentioned intermediate shaft 52. A sleeve member 90T through which the intermediate shaft 52 passes is provided on the peripheral edge of the window 90TW so as to incline obliquely to the upper right as shown in FIG. The sleeve member 90T has a hole position adjusting sheet 92 at one end attached to the back surface portion. The hole position adjusting sheet 92 is made of the same material as the material of the upper jacket, and is detachably attached to the peripheral edge of the window portion 90TW on the back surface by a velcro (not shown). The hole position adjusting sheet 92 has a long hole 92a through which the intermediate shaft 52 passes at a predetermined position, for example, in the vicinity of the right end of the window 90TW in FIG. The hole position adjusting sheet 92 is not limited to such an example, and for example, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the positions of the long holes 96a and 94a through which the intermediate shaft 52 passes. Different hole position adjusting sheets 96 and 94 may be prepared. The position of the elongated hole 96a of the hole position adjusting sheet 96 is near the left end of the window 90TW, and the position of the elongated hole 94a of the hole position adjusting sheet 94 is approximately the center of the window 90TW.

As shown in FIG. 17, a cylindrical input side connecting portion 90D1 and a discharge side connecting portion 90D2 are formed on the front surface portion with a predetermined gap therebetween. The connection end of the cylindrical supply duct 14D1 and the connection end of the cylindrical return duct 14D2 are inserted into the input side connection 90D1 and the discharge side connection 10D2, respectively. The input-side connecting portion 90D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 90D2 are, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, supporting the input-side connecting portion and the discharge-side connecting portion provided on the surface plate SP so as to face the front surface portion of the upper jacket. It may be supported by the member 98. Further, the input-side connecting portion 90D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 90D2 may be configured to be hung from the upper side instead of the supporting member 98, for example. A spare wiring and piping hole 90D3, which is closed when not in use, may be further provided between the input-side connecting portion 90D1 and the discharge-side connecting portion 90D2.

As shown in FIG. 20, the steering column jacket 100 is formed in a substantially tubular shape as a whole, and includes a lower jacket 100L having a sleeve member 100VT that covers a part of the output shaft 48 and a part of the intermediate shaft 52, and a fastener 100Z1. The upper jacket 100U includes a sleeve member 100VS that is detachably connected to the lower jacket 100L and covers the main shaft 44 of the steering column 46. A direction substantially orthogonal to the main shaft 44 of the steering column jacket 100 is supported by the reinforcement 38R and a sub support rod 102 described later. The steering column jacket 100 is made of the same material as that of the steering gear jacket 90 described above.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the lower jacket 100L has a substantially half-moon cross-sectional shape and includes a lower semi-cylindrical portion 100LC to which the above-mentioned sleeve member 100VT is coupled and sleeve members 100BR1 and 100BR2. It is composed of a side surface portion 100LSR forming a side surface of one end portion of the cylindrical portion, and a side surface portion 100LSL having sleeve members 100BL1 and 100BL2 and forming a side surface of the other end portion of the lower semi-cylindrical portion.

As shown in FIG. 21, the sleeve member 100VT covering a part of the output shaft 48 and the intermediate shaft 52 is provided adjacent to the fastener 100Z1 in the lower semi-cylindrical portion 100LC so as to extend obliquely downward to the right. There is. The sleeve member 100VT has an open end 100CT at one end and can be separated by a fastener 100Z4.

The sleeve members 100BR1 and 100BL1 can be separated by the fasteners 100Z3 and 100Z2, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the upper jacket 100U has a substantially half-moon cross-sectional shape and includes an upper semi-cylindrical portion 100UC to which the sleeve member 100VS described above is coupled and a lower semi-cylindrical portion 100BR1. A side surface portion 100USR forming a side surface of one end portion and a side surface portion 100USL including a sleeve member 100BL1 and forming a side surface of the other end portion of the lower semi-cylindrical portion.

As shown in FIG. 21, the sleeve member 100VS covering the main shaft 44 of the steering column 46 is provided adjacent to the fastener 100Z1 in the upper semi-cylindrical portion 100UC so as to extend obliquely upward to the left. The sleeve member 100VS has an open end 100CS at one end and can be separated by a fastener 100Z5. As shown in FIG. 20, the blind plate BS2 closes the holes through which the wiring and the pipes pass during use at a position separated by a predetermined distance to the left side of the sleeve member 100VS adjacent to the side surface portion 100USR. ing. Further, a hole to which the sleeve member 100VS can be attached is closed by a blind plate BS1 at a position further away from the blind plate BS2 by a predetermined distance.

The cylindrical input side connecting portion 100D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 100D2 are provided at predetermined positions in the upper jacket 100U at positions separated from the blind plate BS1, the blind plate BS2, and the sleeve member 100VS by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. It is formed with a space.

The connection end portion of the supply duct 16D1 and the connection end portion DU of the return duct 16D2 (see FIG. 14C) are inserted into the input side connection portion 100D1 and the discharge side connection portion 100D2, respectively. ..

As shown in FIG. 22, the sub-support rod 102 provided in parallel with the axis of the reinforcement 38R is supported by the reinforcement 38R by a connecting support member 104. Both ends of the sub-support rod 102 respectively penetrate the above-mentioned sleeve members 100BR2, 100BL2 and project therefrom. The sleeve members 100BR2, 100BL2 may be inserted together with piping, wiring, and the like. As a result, the sub-support rod 102 avoids the situation in which the lower jacket 100L hangs down due to its own weight and the weight of piping, wiring, and the like.

FIG. 23 shows another example of the steering column jacket used in the third embodiment of the detachable jacket according to the present invention described above.

In the cylindrical steering column jacket shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 described above, the input side connecting portion 100D1 and the discharge side connecting portion 100D2 are separated by a predetermined distance in the X coordinate axis (see FIG. 21) direction and the upper half. Although arranged in parallel with each other in the cylindrical portion 100UC, on the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 23, the reinforcement 38R in the steering column jacket 110, and the reinforcement column 38R in the steering column jacket 110, so that the steering column jacket can be made compact. The length of the sub-support rod 102 along the axis is set smaller than, for example, the length of the steering column jacket shown in FIG. 22 along the X coordinate axis, whereby a cylindrical steering column jacket is obtained. 110 is smaller than the steering column jacket shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 23, the same components as those in the example shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

The steering column jacket 110 is connected to a lower jacket having a sleeve member (not shown) that covers a part of the output shaft 48 and the intermediate shaft 52 described above, and is separably coupled to the lower jacket by a fastener (not shown). It is composed of an upper jacket having a sleeve member 110VS that covers the main shaft 44 of the column 46. A direction substantially orthogonal to the main shaft 44 of the steering column jacket 110 is supported by the reinforcement 38R and a sub support rod 102 described later. The steering column jacket 110 is made of the same material as that of the steering gear jacket 90 described above.

The lower jacket described above includes a side surface portion having sleeve members 110BR1 and 110BR2, and a side surface portion having sleeve members 110BL1 and 110BL2.

The upper jacket includes an upper portion to which the above-mentioned sleeve member 100VS is coupled, a side surface portion having the sleeve member 110BR1, and a side surface portion having the sleeve member 110BL1.

The sleeve member 110VS that covers the main shaft 44 of the steering column 46 is provided in the upper portion so as to extend obliquely upward to the left. The sleeve member 110VS has an open end 110CS at one end. A cylindrical input-side connecting portion 110D1 is formed at a position spaced apart from the sleeve member 110VS in the upper jacket by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction, and a discharge is provided at a position facing the input-side connecting portion 110D1 in the lower jacket. The side connecting portion 110D2 is formed. The connection end portion of the supply duct 16D1 and the connection end portion DU of the return duct 16D2 (see FIG. 14C) are inserted into the input side connection portion 110D1 and the discharge side connection portion 110D2, respectively. ..

The sleeve members 110BR2, 110BL2 may be inserted together with piping, wiring, and the like. As a result, the sub-support rod 102 prevents the lower jacket from hanging down along the Z coordinate axis in FIG. 21 due to its own weight and the weight of piping, wiring, and the like.

10 Steering Gear Jackets 10D1, 12D1 Input Side Connections 10D2, 12D2 Discharge Side Connections 10Z1, 12Z1 Fasteners 12 Steering Column Jacket 38R Reinforcement 46 Steering Column 52 Intermediate Shaft 56 Steering Gear Housing 70 Shock Absorber Jacket 72 Shock Absorber

Claims (11)

An outer shell made of a flexible and heat-insulating material and forming a temperature-controlled room in which at least the temperature and humidity of the temperature and humidity can be adjusted around the object to be tested.
A hole formed in the outer shell, through which a transmission shaft for transmitting a driving force from a driving device to the device under test passes for the test;
A detachable jacket, which is formed in the outer portion and has an inlet for sucking air into the temperature-controlled room and an outlet for discharging air in the temperature-controlled room. Made of flexible and heat-insulating material that can be divided or combined into multiple parts to form a temperature-controlled room around the DUT to be tested, in which at least temperature and humidity can be adjusted. The outer shell,
A hole formed in the outer shell, through which a transmission shaft for transmitting a driving force from a driving device to the device under test passes for the test;
A detachable jacket, which is formed in the outer portion and has an inlet for sucking air into the temperature-controlled room and an outlet for discharging air in the temperature-controlled room. The removable jacket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cloth comprises a heat resistant sheet and a heat insulating member arranged between the heat resistant sheets. A sealing sheet is arranged between the heat-resistant sheets along the seams of the heat-resistant sheet of the cloth, and a paste-like sealing material is applied to the outer peripheral portion of the heat-resistant sheet along the seams. The removable jacket according to claim 3. The cloth is made of a fastener so that it can be divided or combined into a plurality of parts, and includes an inner flap that covers the entire fastener, and an outer flap that further covers the inner flap from the outside. The removable jacket according to claim 2. The removable jacket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a connection end of the supply duct is inserted into the suction port, and a connection end of the return duct is inserted into the exhaust port. A first enclosure made of a flexible and heat-insulating material and forming a temperature-controlled room in which at least the temperature and/or the humidity can be adjusted around the first part of the DUT to be tested. Department,
A second outer shell formed of the dough and forming a temperature-controlled room in which at least the temperature and/or the humidity can be adjusted around a second portion different from the first portion of the DUT to be tested. Department,
At least one hole formed in each of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion and through which a transmission shaft for transmitting a driving force from a driving device to the device under test passes for the test;
A detachable jacket, which is formed in each of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion and has an inlet for sucking air into the temperature-controlled room and an outlet for discharging air in the temperature-controlled room. When,
A temperature-adjusting air supply source for supplying temperature-controlled air to the suction ports of the first outer shell and the second outer shell of the detachable jacket and discharging air from the exhaust port. An environmental test apparatus comprising: It is made of a flexible and heat-insulating material so that it can be divided or combined into a plurality of parts, and at least the temperature and/or humidity can be adjusted around the first part of the DUT to be tested. A first shell forming a temperature-controlled room,
At least the temperature and the humidity of the temperature can be adjusted around a second portion different from the first portion of the DUT to be tested, which is made of the dough so as to be divided into a plurality of portions or can be combined. A second shell forming a temperature-controlled room,
At least one hole formed in each of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion and through which a transmission shaft for transmitting a driving force from a driving device to the device under test passes for the test;
A detachable jacket, which is formed in each of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion and has an inlet for sucking air into the temperature-controlled room and an outlet for discharging air in the temperature-controlled room. When,
A temperature-adjusting air supply source for supplying temperature-controlled air to the suction ports of the first outer shell and the second outer shell of the detachable jacket and discharging air from the exhaust port. An environmental test apparatus comprising: The first outer shell of the removable jacket forms a temperature-controlled room in which at least the temperature and humidity of the steering gear housing can be adjusted, and the second outer shell of the detachable jacket includes at least the steering column. The environment test apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a constant temperature chamber in which at least the temperature of the temperature and the humidity is adjustable is formed around the environment. The first outer portion is detachably attached to an opening peripheral edge through which an intermediate shaft for a right-hand drive vehicle connected to the steering gear housing passes or an opening peripheral edge through which an intermediate shaft for a left-hand drive vehicle passes. The environmental test device according to claim 9, further comprising a sleeve member. At least one support member that receives the inner peripheral portion of the first outer portion so as to retain the shape of the first outer portion is provided on a test stand that supports the steering gear housing, and the second outer portion is provided. 10. The reinforcement for supporting the steering column is provided with at least one support member for receiving the inner peripheral portion of the second outer portion so as to maintain the shape of the portion. Environmental test equipment.

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