JP2023008477A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a steering device which can perform operation that has been performed by use of a driving force generated by a motor even if the motor cannot be driven.SOLUTION: A steering device comprises a steering column 10 having a fixed bracket 11 and a column holder 20, and a lower side telescopic actuator 80 which displaces the column holder 20 in axial direction. The lower side telescopic actuator 80 has a screw shaft 83 which rotates together with a worm wheel 87. An engagement part 83a, with which an operation member 110 engages, is formed at one end of the screw shaft 83, the screw shaft 83 is inserted in an insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87 via a torque limiter 89 which transmits rotation of the worm wheel 87 to the screw shaft 83 from the worm wheel 87, and the torque limiter 89 permits relative rotation of the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 when a rotational torque of a prescribed amount or more acts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present disclosure relates to steering systems.

In a device that performs arbitrary operations by using an electric motor as an actuator, if the motor becomes inoperable, the device will not operate as a device that operates with the driving force of the motor. When the operation of the device is stopped in this way, other operations may be affected, so some conventional devices using a motor have countermeasures in case the motor becomes inoperable. there is something For example, in the motors for electric brake devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the end of the rotating shaft of the motor is processed so that it can be engaged with a jig, and when the motor becomes inoperable, makes it possible to manually operate the apparatus by manually rotating the rotating shaft with the jig by engaging a jig with the end of the rotating shaft of the motor.

JP-A-2002-39240 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-234958

Here, in recent years, there has been an increasing number of steering devices mounted on vehicles that use motors to perform arbitrary operations. A telescopic mechanism, which is a mechanism for moving a steering wheel in the front-rear direction, is an example of an operation using a motor in a steering system. Even in such a telescopic mechanism, if the motor used in the telescopic mechanism fails to operate due to a problem, the telescopic mechanism uses the driving force of the motor to move the steering wheel forward and backward. Can no longer be moved.

However, when the driver is seated in the driver's seat inside the vehicle, the range in which the driver can reach the steering device is limited. It can be difficult to manually rotate the axis of rotation. For this reason, in a telescopic mechanism that operates by driving force generated by a motor, even if the motor cannot be operated due to a problem occurring in the motor, the operation such as moving the steering wheel in the front-rear direction will not be possible. There is room for improvement in terms of securing the operation that was performed by the driving force generated by the motor.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and provides a steering device that can perform the operation that has been performed using the driving force generated by the motor even when the motor cannot be operated. intended to

A steering apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a steering shaft having a steering wheel attached to one end thereof and rotated by torque input from the steering wheel, a first column member, and axial relative displacement with respect to the first column member. a steering column for rotatably supporting the steering shaft; and for axially displacing the second column member with respect to the first column member. a telescopic actuator, the telescopic actuator comprising a telescopic motor as a drive source, a worm wheel rotated by the driving force from the telescopic motor, and an insertion hole formed in the worm wheel. and a nut that displaces in the axial direction of the screw shaft as the screw shaft rotates and is supported and fixed to the second column member by a nut support member. The threaded shaft is formed at one end thereof with an engaging portion for engagement with an operating member for inputting rotational torque to the threaded shaft, the threaded shaft being formed in an annular shape and being attached to the worm wheel. A torque limiter is inserted into the insertion hole via a torque limiter that transmits rotation from the worm wheel to the screw shaft by frictional force, and the torque limiter prevents rotation of a predetermined amount or more between the worm wheel and the screw shaft. The worm wheel and the screw shaft are allowed to rotate relative to each other by sliding relative to the worm wheel or the screw shaft when torque is applied.

According to this configuration, when the telescopic motor cannot be operated due to a problem with the telescopic motor, the operating member is engaged with the engaging portion of the screw shaft, and the screw shaft is moved from the operating member to the screw shaft. By applying rotational torque to the worm wheel, the torque limiter can be caused to slip and the screw shaft can be rotated relative to the worm wheel. As a result, the nut screwed onto the screw shaft can be displaced in the axial direction of the screw shaft as the screw shaft rotates, and the second column member, in which the nut is supported and fixed by the nut support member, can be moved together with the nut to the second column member. It can be axially displaced with respect to one column member. Therefore, even if the telescopic motor cannot be operated, the second column member can be axially displaced with respect to the first column member by rotating the screw shaft using the operating member. can be done. As a result, even if it becomes impossible to operate the motor, it is possible to perform the operation that was performed using the driving force generated by the motor.

Preferably, the threaded shaft is arranged parallel to the steering shaft, and the engaging portion is formed at the end of the threaded shaft on the side where the steering wheel attached to the steering shaft is located.

According to this configuration, the engaging portion of the screw shaft is formed at the end portion of the screw shaft on the side where the steering wheel attached to the steering shaft is located. The members can be engaged. Therefore, when the screw shaft is rotated using the operating member, the operating member can be engaged with the engaging portion of the screw shaft, and the screw shaft can be rotated using the operating member. As a result, even when the motor cannot be operated, it is possible to perform the operation that was performed using the driving force generated by the motor.

Preferably, the engaging portion is a polygonal hole, and the portion of the operation member that engages with the engaging portion is formed in the same polygonal shape as the engaging portion. , engages with the engaging portion by being inserted into the engaging portion.

According to this configuration, the engaging portion of the screw shaft is a polygonal hole, and the portion of the operating member that engages with the engaging portion is formed in the same shape as the polygonal shape of the engaging portion. The operating member can be engaged with the engaging portion by being inserted into the engaging portion. As a result, the operating member can be engaged with the engaging portion of the screw shaft in a state in which relative rotation is prohibited, and the screw shaft can be rotated using the operating member. Therefore, even if the motor cannot be operated, the operation that was performed using the driving force generated by the motor can be performed.

The steering apparatus according to the present disclosure has the effect of being able to perform the operation that has been performed using the driving force generated by the motor even when the motor cannot be operated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a steering system incorporating a steering device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of a steering column device included in the steering system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steering column device included in the steering system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a steering column device included in the steering system according to the embodiment. 5 is a view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the displacement bracket, and is an explanatory view of the feed screw device for tilting arranged in the swing support bracket portion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along BB in FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the lower telescopic actuator. FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view of the lower telescopic actuator. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the steering column device showing a state in which the column holder is in the forward position and the lower telescopic motor is inoperable. 11 is a perspective view of the steering column device shown in FIG. 10. FIG. FIG. 12 is a side view of the steering column device showing a state in which the operating member is engaged with the engaging portion of the screw shaft. FIG. 13 is a side view of the steering column device showing a state in which the column holder is relatively displaced with respect to the fixed bracket using the operating member.

Modes (embodiments) for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited by the contents described in the following embodiments. In addition, the components described below include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the components described below can be combined as appropriate.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a steering system 120 incorporating a steering device 1 according to an embodiment. A steering device 1 according to the present embodiment is incorporated in a steer-by-wire steering system 120 . The steer-by-wire steering system 120 includes a steering device 1 having a steering wheel 121 and a sensor (not shown) for measuring the steering amount of the steering wheel 121, and a pair of steering wheels 135 for giving a steering angle. It is electrically connected to the steering device 130 . That is, in the steer-by-wire steering system 120 , the amount of operation of the steering wheel 121 by the driver is measured by the sensor of the steering device 1 . Based on the output signal of the sensor, the actuator 131 of the steering device 130 is driven to displace the linear shafts such as the rack shaft and the screw shaft arranged in the width direction of the vehicle in the width direction of the vehicle. The tie rod 132 is pushed and pulled to give a steering angle to the pair of steered wheels 135 .

In addition, the steering device 1 according to the present embodiment communicates with sensors and map information mounted on the vehicle, positional information of the vehicle obtained by GPS (Global Positioning System), and external devices such as other vehicles. Based on a communication device or the like that performs the operation, the vehicle automatically drives without depending on the driving operation of the driver. For this reason, a vehicle equipped with the steering device 1 is provided with an operation control unit (not shown) that switches the operation control of the vehicle between automatic operation and manual operation. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the operation control of the vehicle between automatic operation and manual operation.

The steering device 1 includes a steering column device 2 , a steering shaft 3 and a reaction force applying device 70 . The front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the width direction of the steering device 1 refer to the front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the width direction of the vehicle when the steering device 1 is attached to the vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the steering column device 2 included in the steering device 1 according to the embodiment. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the steering column device 2 included in the steering device 1 according to the embodiment. 4 shows a state in which the reaction force application device 70 is removed. The steering column device 2 includes a steering column 10 , a lower telescopic actuator 80 , an upper telescopic actuator 90 and a tilt actuator 100 .

The steering column 10 includes a fixed bracket 11, a column holder 20, and an upper column 40, and is configured to extend and contract over its entire length. Specifically, the steering column 10 combines the fixed bracket 11 and the column holder 20 to allow relative displacement in the axial direction, and the column holder 20 and the upper column 40 to allow relative displacement in the axial direction. Combined.

The fixed bracket 11 includes a fixed plate portion 12 and a fixed side bracket portion 15 .

The fixed plate portion 12 has a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction when viewed from the top-bottom direction, and has through holes 13 penetrating in the up-down direction at two locations in the front-rear direction on both sides in the width direction. The fixing bracket 11 is supported and fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) on which the steering column device 2 is mounted by mounting bolts 14 inserted through the through holes 13 of the fixing plate portion 12 from below.

The fixed-side bracket portion 15 has a substantially U-shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to the front end portion of the fixed plate portion 12 . That is, the fixed side bracket portion 15 includes a pair of fixed side plate portions 16a and 16b that hang downward from both ends in the width direction of the front end portion of the fixed plate portion 12, the fixed side plate portions 16a, 16b, and 16b. It has a fixed side connecting portion 17 that connects the lower ends of 16b. In other words, the fixed-side connecting portion 17 spans between the lower ends of the pair of fixed-side plate portions 16a and 16b.

The column holder 20 includes a displacement bracket 21 supported so as to be able to move relative to the fixed bracket 11 in the axial direction (front-rear direction), and a lower column 50 supported so as to be able to swing vertically with respect to the displacement bracket 21 . Prepare.

The displacement bracket 21 includes a displacement plate portion 22 , a pair of hanging plate portions 24 a and 24 b , and a swing support bracket portion 25 .

The displacement plate portion 22 has a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

The pair of hanging plate portions 24a and 24b hangs downward from both ends in the width direction of the portion from the front portion to the intermediate portion of the displacement plate portion 22 .

5 is a view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. The swing support bracket portion 25 has a substantially U-shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to the rear end portion of the displacement plate portion 22 . That is, the swing support bracket portion 25 includes a pair of displacement-side side plate portions 26a and 26b hanging downward from both width direction end portions of the rear end portion of the displacement plate portion 22, and the pair of displacement side plate portions 26a and 26b. It has a displacement side connecting portion 27 that connects the lower ends of the side plate portions 26a and 26b.

A linear guide 30 is arranged between the fixed bracket 11 and the column holder 20, and the fixed bracket 11 and the column holder 20 are combined via the linear guide 30 so as to allow relative displacement in the axial direction. there is The linear guide 30 is arranged between the displacement bracket 21 of the column holder 20 and the fixed bracket 11. The displacement bracket 21 is supported by the linear guide 30 so as to be axially displaceable relative to the fixed bracket 11. ing. That is, in this embodiment, the fixed bracket 11 constitutes a first column member, and the column holder 20 constitutes a second column member.

The linear guide 30 has a guide rail 31 having a rectangular shape extending in the axial direction (front-rear direction) and a substantially U-shaped shape when viewed from the axial direction. and a slider 32 combined to allow axial displacement. In this embodiment, the guide rail 31 is coupled and fixed to the lower surface of the fixed plate portion 12 of the fixed bracket 11 . Also, the slider 32 is coupled and fixed to the upper surface of the displacement plate portion 22 of the displacement bracket 21 .

As the linear guide 30, any one of a sliding linear guide, a ball circulating linear guide, and a non-circulating roller linear guide may be used. The sliding linear guide is formed by engaging an engaging protrusion formed on a slider with a rail groove formed on a guide rail. A ball circulating linear guide has a plurality of balls rotatably arranged in a load path provided between a guide rail and a slider, and rotates inside the slider according to relative displacement between the guide rail and the slider. A circulation path is provided for returning the ball that has moved to the end point of the load path to the start point of the load path. A non-circulating roller type linear guide has a plurality of rollers rotatably supported by a slider which are brought into rolling contact with a rolling surface formed on a guide rail.

The lower column 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is supported by the displacement bracket 21 so as to be able to swing vertically. The lower column 50 has a large-diameter portion 51 in the front portion and a small-diameter portion 52 smaller in inner diameter than the large-diameter portion 51 in the rear portion.

The rear portion of the lower column 50 can be displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the swing support bracket portion 25 of the displacement bracket 21 via a feed screw device 102 (see FIG. 6) for tilting that constitutes the actuator 100 for tilting. Supported. The front portion of the lower column 50 is pivotally supported via the inner column 60 and the housing 71 of the reaction force applying device 70 to the stationary bracket portion 15 of the stationary bracket 11 supported by the vehicle body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the displacement bracket 21, and is an explanatory view of the tilting feed screw device 102 arranged in the swing support bracket portion 25. FIG. A tilting feed screw device 102 constituting a tilting actuator 100 is arranged on the displacement bracket 21 . The feed screw device 102 for tilting includes a screw shaft 103 having a male threaded portion on its outer peripheral surface, and a nut 105 having a female threaded portion formed on its inner peripheral surface to be screwed with the male threaded portion of the screw shaft 103 . has a cylindrical pivot shaft portion 104 on its outer peripheral surface.

The screw shaft 103 is inserted through a bearing device 106 inside the recessed groove 28 formed in the displacement side plate portion 26 a on one side in the width direction of the swing support bracket portion 25 and the circular hole formed in the displacement side connecting portion 27 . It is rotatably supported. Specifically, one displacement side plate portion 26a of the pair of displacement side plate portions 26a and 26b of the swing support bracket portion 25 of the displacement bracket 21 has a groove 28 extending in the vertical direction on the inner surface in the width direction. is formed. In addition, the displacement-side connecting portion 27 of the swing support bracket portion 25 of the displacement bracket 21 has one side portion in the width direction, that is, the portion on the side where the displacement-side side plate portion 26a in which the recessed groove 28 is formed is vertically mounted. A circular hole is formed through the . The screw shaft 103 is supported via a bearing device 106 inside the recessed groove 28 and the circular hole of the displacement-side connecting portion 27 formed as described above.

As the bearing device 106, for example, a radial rolling bearing or a slide bearing is used. The pivot shaft portion 104 formed on the nut 105 screwed onto the male thread portion of the screw shaft 103 is a pivot recess formed in the rear portion of the lower column 50 , that is, in the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 52 of the lower column 50 . and pivotably supports the lower column 50 . Therefore, when the screw shaft 103 rotates, the nut 105 is displaced along the screw shaft 103 in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the screw shaft 103 as the screw shaft 103 rotates. The rear portion is vertically displaced with respect to the swing support bracket portion 25 of the displacement bracket 21 .

The inner column 60 (see FIG. 4) has a flange portion 62 bent radially outward from the front end of the inner column 60 . The inner column 60 is combined with the lower column 50 so that relative displacement of the lower column 50 in the axial direction is possible. That is, in the steering column device 2, the inner column 60 is internally fitted to the lower column 50 so that relative displacement of the lower column 50 in the axial direction is possible.

A housing 71 of the reaction force applying device 70 is supported and fixed to the inner column 60 by being fixed to the flange portion 62 of the inner column 60 with a fixing bolt 64 (see FIG. 4). Further, the housing 71 is pivoted to the fixed bracket 11 by pivot bolts 65 inserted through through holes formed in the fixed side plate portions 16 a and 16 b of the fixed side bracket portion 15 .

Therefore, when the screw shaft 103 of the tilt feed screw device 102 rotates, the nut 105 is displaced in the vertical direction, so that the rear portion of the lower column 50 moves vertically with respect to the swing support bracket portion 25 of the displacement bracket 21 . When displaced in the direction, the lower column 50 swings vertically around the pivot bolt 65 . That is, the pivot bolt 65 serves as a swing shaft when the lower column 50 swings vertically.

The upper column 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is combined with the column holder 20 so that relative displacement in the axial direction is possible. Specifically, the front portion of the upper column 40 is fitted into the small-diameter portion 52 of the lower column 50 with clearance. As a result, the upper column 40 is fitted to the lower column 50 so that relative displacement in the axial direction of the lower column 50 is possible.

The lower-side telescopic actuator 80 has a lower-side telescopic motor 81 and uses the lower-side telescopic motor 81 as a drive source to axially displace the column holder 20 with respect to the fixed bracket 11 . In this embodiment, the lower telescopic actuator 80 constitutes a telescopic actuator, and the lower telescopic motor 81 constitutes a telescopic motor. The position of the lower telescopic motor 81 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 is closer to the steering wheel 121 (see FIG. 1) than the position of the pivot bolt 65, which is the pivot axis when the lower column 50 swings. are doing. In other words, the steering wheel 121 can be attached to the steering wheel attachment portion 3a located at the rear end of the steering shaft 3, and the lower telescopic motor 81 can be attached to the steering shaft 3 in the axial direction by the pivot bolt. It is positioned closer to the steering wheel mounting portion 3a of the steering shaft 3 than the position 65 is. In other words, the position of the lower telescopic motor 81 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 is positioned on the rear side of the position of the pivot bolt 65 .

The lower telescopic actuator 80 further has a lower feed screw device 82 for converting the rotational motion of the output shaft of the lower telescopic motor 81 into linear motion. The lower feed screw device 82 includes a screw shaft 83 that has a male threaded portion on its outer peripheral surface and is driven to rotate by the lower telescopic motor 81, and a nut that has a female threaded portion on its inner peripheral surface that engages with the male threaded portion. 84.

In the steering column device 2 according to this embodiment, the threaded shaft 83 is rotatably supported with respect to the fixed bracket 11 , and the nut 84 is supported and fixed with respect to the displacement bracket 21 of the column holder 20 . Specifically, the screw shaft 83 is rotatably fixed to the width direction outer surface of the fixed side plate portion 16 b of the fixed side bracket portion 15 constituting the fixed bracket 11 , and the nut 84 is attached to the displacement bracket 21 . is supported and fixed to the widthwise outer surface of the hanging plate portion 24b.

Further, the lower telescopic motor 81 is supported and fixed to the fixed bracket portion 15 so that the rotational driving force generated by the lower telescopic motor 81 can be transmitted to the screw shaft 83 via the reduction mechanism. there is As the reduction mechanism, a worm reduction gear is used in this embodiment. The nut 84 is displaced in the front-rear direction along the screw shaft 83 as the screw shaft 83 is rotationally driven by the rotational driving force transmitted from the lower telescopic motor 81 to the screw shaft 83 through the reduction mechanism. is possible. Since the nut 84 is supported and fixed to the hanging plate portion 24b of the displacement bracket 21, the displacement bracket 21 moves with the nut 84 displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the fixed bracket 11 in the axial direction of the fixed bracket 11, i.e., , can be displaced in the front-rear direction.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along BB in FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the lower telescopic actuator 80. FIG. FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view of the lower telescopic actuator 80. FIG. The configuration of the lower feed screw device 82 will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the rotational driving force generated by the lower telescopic motor 81 can be transmitted to the screw shaft 83 via the worm reduction gear. One end of the screw shaft 83 is located inside a housing 86 in which the worm speed reducer is arranged. A worm wheel 87 that constitutes a worm speed reducer, a rolling bearing 88 that rotatably supports the screw shaft 83, and a torque limiter 89 interposed between the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 are arranged in the housing 86. It is

A portion of the lower telescopic motor 81 on the output shaft (not shown) side is attached to the housing 86 . Specifically, the housing 86 has screw holes 86a for fixing bolts 81a formed in the surface to which the lower telescopic motor 81 is attached. It is attached to the housing 86 by screwing a fixing bolt 81a inserted through a through hole (not shown) into the screw hole 86a. As a result, the lower telescopic motor 81 is attached to the housing 86 in such a manner that the output shaft to which the worm (not shown) constituting the worm speed reducer is attached is inserted into the housing 86 . The housing 86 is attached to the fixed side plate portion 16b (see FIG. 2) of the fixed side bracket portion 15 (see FIG. 2) of the fixed bracket 11. As shown in FIG.

The worm wheel 87 is arranged in the housing 86 in mesh with a worm attached to the output shaft of the lower telescopic motor 81, and can be rotated by the driving force from the lower telescopic motor 81. there is The worm wheel 87 is formed with an insertion hole 87a penetrating in the thickness direction at a portion on the rotation center side. A portion of the screw shaft 83 near one end is inserted into an insertion hole 87 a formed in the worm wheel 87 within the housing 86 , thereby allowing the screw shaft 83 to rotate together with the worm wheel 87 . there is

The rolling bearing 88 is disposed on the opposite side of the screw shaft 83 from the nut 84 in the axial direction of the housing 86 . The rolling bearing 88 has an outer peripheral surface side fitted in the housing 86 and an inner peripheral surface side through which the screw shaft 83 is passed. Thereby, the rolling bearing 88 is The threaded shaft 83 supports the threaded shaft 83 rotatably with respect to the housing 86 .

The torque limiter 89 has an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the insertion hole 87a formed in the worm wheel 87, and an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the portion of the screw shaft 83 that is inserted into the insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87. It is formed in an annular shape of about. A torque limiter 89 is fitted into the insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87, and the threaded shaft 83 is fitted into the insertion hole 87a and inserted into the torque limiter 89. It is inserted through the torque limiter 89 . A torque limiter 89 arranged between the insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 can transmit the rotation of the worm wheel 87 from the worm wheel 87 to the screw shaft 83 by frictional force. .

Further, the torque limiter 89 slides on the worm wheel 87 or the screw shaft 83 when a rotational torque of a predetermined magnitude or more acts between the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83, thereby Relative rotation with the screw shaft 83 is permitted. In other words, the torque limiter 89 is not in a state of being unable to rotate relative to at least one of the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 , and the torque limiter 89 is not in a state of being unable to rotate relative to at least one of the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 . Slip occurs when the rotational torque above is applied. Thereby, the torque limiter 89 can allow relative rotation between the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 when a rotational torque of a predetermined magnitude or more acts. The rotational torque at which slip occurs in the torque limiter 89 is set to, for example, 5 to 10 Nm. Allows relative rotation with 83. A tolerance ring can also be used as the torque limiter 89 .

Note that the rotational torque of a predetermined magnitude in this case is the rotational torque when the worm wheel 87 rotated by the rotational driving force received from the lower telescopic motor 81 transmits the rotational driving force to the screw shaft 83 side. torque is greater than Therefore, when the worm wheel 87 rotated by the rotational driving force received from the lower telescopic motor 81 transmits the rotational driving force to the screw shaft 83 side, the torque limiter 89 does not slip. Rotational driving force can be transmitted by frictional force.

The threaded shaft 83 inserted into the insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87 via the torque limiter 89 is arranged parallel to the steering shaft 3, and extends from the end of the side inserted into the insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87 to the rear. arranged to extend to the side. That is, the threaded shaft 83 is arranged to extend parallel to the steering shaft 3 from the housing 86 in which the worm wheel 87 is installed, toward the side where the steering wheel 121 attached to the steering shaft 3 is located. there is

A nut 84 screwed onto the male threaded portion of the screw shaft 83 can be relatively displaced in the axial direction of the screw shaft 83 as the screw shaft 83 rotates. It is supported and fixed to the holder 20 . Specifically, the nut 84 is supported and fixed by a nut support member 85 to the hanging plate portion 24b (see FIG. 3) of the displacement bracket 21 of the column holder 20. As shown in FIG.

The screw shaft 83 is formed at one end with an engaging portion 83a with which the operation member 110, which is a member for inputting rotational torque to the screw shaft 83, engages. The engaging portion 83 a is formed at the end of the threaded shaft 83 on the side where the steering wheel 121 attached to the steering shaft 3 is located, that is, at the rear end of the threaded shaft 83 . In this embodiment, the engaging portion 83a is a polygonal hole formed at the end of the screw shaft 83. Specifically, the engaging portion 83a is formed in the shape of a hexagonal hole. ing.

The upper-side telescopic actuator 90 (see FIG. 4) has an upper-side telescopic motor 91 and uses the upper-side telescopic motor 91 as a drive source to axially displace the upper column 40 with respect to the column holder 20 . In this embodiment, the upper telescopic actuator 90 further has an upper feed screw device 92 (see FIG. 2) for converting the rotary motion of the output shaft of the upper telescopic motor 91 into linear motion.

The upper side feed screw device 92 has a male threaded portion on its outer peripheral surface, a screw shaft 93 that is rotationally driven by the upper side telescopic motor 91, and a nut that has a female threaded portion on its inner peripheral surface to be screwed with the male threaded portion. 94.

In this embodiment, the threaded shaft 93 is rotatably supported with respect to the lower column 50 of the column holder 20 , and the nut 94 is supported and fixed with respect to the upper column 40 . Specifically, the screw shaft 93 is rotatably supported on the lower surface of the front portion of the large diameter portion 51 of the lower column 50, and the nut 94 is connected to the upper column 40 by a connecting member 95 consisting of a plurality of members. It is supported and fixed against the lower surface of the front part of the. Specifically, an elongated hole extending in the axial direction is formed in the lower surface of the lower column 50 , and the coupling member 95 is arranged to pass through the elongated hole formed in the lower column 50 . A lower portion of connecting member 95 is connected to nut 94 positioned below lower column 50 , and an upper portion of connecting member 95 is connected to upper column 40 positioned within lower column 50 . Thereby, the connecting member 95 supports and fixes the nut 94 positioned below the lower column 50 to the upper column 40 positioned inside the lower column 50 . Also, the upper-side telescopic motor 91 is supported and fixed to the lower column 50 .

The rotational driving force generated by the upper-side telescopic motor 91 can be transmitted to the screw shaft 93 via a reduction mechanism such as a worm reduction gear. Therefore, the rotational driving force generated by the upper-side telescopic motor 91 is transmitted to the screw shaft 93 via the reduction mechanism, and the screw shaft 93 is rotationally driven by the driving force transmitted to the screw shaft 93. A nut 94 screwed onto the shaft 93 is displaced in the front-rear direction along the screw shaft 93 . As a result, the upper column 40 to which the nut 94 is supported and fixed can be displaced in the axial direction of the lower column 50, that is, in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lower column 50 as the nut 94 is displaced in the longitudinal direction. there is

The steering column device 2 configured as described above moves the relative position of the steering shaft 3 with respect to the fixed bracket 11 in the longitudinal direction by operating the lower telescopic actuator 80 and the upper telescopic actuator 90. It can be displaced as appropriate.

The tilting actuator 100 (see FIG. 4) has a tilting motor 101, which is a driving source of the tilting actuator 100, and a tilting feed screw device 102 (see FIG. 6).

A tilting actuator 100 having a tilting motor 101 and a tilting feed screw device 102 is mounted on the steering column 10 at the end opposite to the side where the steering wheel mounting portion 3a of the steering shaft 3 is located. , and the steering shaft 3 can be swung around a swing axis perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 . In the present embodiment, the pivotal bolt 65 is used as the swing axis that is the center of swing by the tilt actuator 100 .

The pivotal bolt 65, which is a swing shaft, is arranged on the opposite end side of the steering column 10 to the side where the steering wheel mounting portion 3a is located, that is, on the front end side of the steering column 10. is arranged at a position on the rear side of the position of the pivot bolt 65 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 . That is, the tilt actuator 100 having the tilt motor 101 is located closer to the steering wheel 121 (see FIG. 1) than the pivot bolt 65 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 .

The tilting actuator 100 configured as described above transfers the rotational driving force generated by the tilting motor 101 to the screw shaft 103 (see FIG. 6) of the tilting feed screw device 102 via a reduction mechanism such as a worm reduction gear. can be transmitted to Therefore, the rotational driving force generated by the tilting motor 101 is transmitted to the screw shaft 103 of the tilting feed screw device 102 via the reduction mechanism, and the driving force transmitted to the screw shaft 103 drives the screw shaft 103 to rotate. As a result, the nut 105 (see FIG. 6) screwed onto the screw shaft 103 moves vertically along the screw shaft 103 . As a result, the tilt actuator 100 vertically displaces the rear portion of the lower column 50 pivotally supported by the pivot shaft portion 104 formed on the nut 105 with respect to the displacement bracket 21 .

The steering shaft 3 is rotatably supported radially inward of a steering column 10 of the steering column device 2 .

A steering wheel 121 (see FIG. 1) is attached to one end of the steering shaft 3 and is rotated by torque input from the steering wheel 121 . Specifically, the steering wheel 121 is attached to a steering wheel attachment portion 3 a formed at the rear end of the steering shaft 3 and supported by the steering shaft 3 . A reaction force applying device 70 (see FIG. 2) for applying an operation reaction force to the steering wheel 121 is connected to the front end of the steering shaft 3 . That is, the reaction force applying device 70 is arranged on the end side of the steering column 10 opposite to the side where the steering wheel 121 attached to the steering shaft 3 is located.

The reaction force application device 70 includes a housing 71, a reaction force application motor 72 that is a driving source of the reaction force application device 70, and a speed reducer. Note that the reaction force application motor 72 is indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. The reaction force application device 70 drives the reaction force application motor 72 when the steering wheel 121 is operated by the driver, and the torque of the reaction force application motor 72 is increased by the reduction gear housed inside the housing 71. After that, it can be applied to the steering shaft 3.

The speed reducer is arranged in a housing 71 and is a worm speed reducer including a worm gear and a worm wheel that meshes with the worm gear. The reaction force imparting motor 72 has a rotating shaft directly connected to the worm gear of the speed reducer arranged in the housing 71. That is, the reaction force applying motor 72 has an output shaft directly connected to the worm gear of the speed reducer. ing. Thus, the reaction force application motor 72 is arranged such that the rotation axis of the reaction force application motor 72 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 . In other words, the reaction force application motor 72 applies the torque generated by the reaction force application motor 72 to the steering shaft 3 via a speed reducer having a worm gear and a worm wheel, thereby rotating the rotation axis of the reaction force application motor 72. are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 .

At that time, the reaction force application motor 72 is arranged so that the position of the rotation axis of the reaction force application motor 72 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 is a pivotal support bolt used as a swing axis that is the center of swing in the tilt actuator 100 . 65, on the side opposite to the side on which the steering wheel 121 is located. In other words, the pivot bolt 65 is arranged so that its position in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 is located behind the position of the rotation shaft of the reaction force applying motor 72 .

The torque applied to the steering shaft 3 from the reaction force applying device 70 configured as described above is in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the steering wheel 121 operated by the driver. The torque is in a direction that acts as a reaction force with respect to the rotation operation of the steering wheel 121 . Therefore, the reaction force applying device 70 can apply to the steering shaft 3 a torque whose rotational direction is opposite to the torque input from the steering wheel 121 to the steering shaft 3 . Thereby, the reaction force application device 70 can apply an operation reaction force to the driver's operation to the steering wheel 121 operated by the driver.

The magnitude of the reaction force applied to the steering wheel 121 by the reaction force application device 70 is determined according to the steering angle of the steering wheel 121 and the torque applied to the steering shaft 3 acquired by the sensor. Also, the speed reducer is configured by, for example, a worm speed reducer.

In the steering apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, when adjusting the longitudinal position of the steering wheel 121, the displacement bracket 21 is axially moved with respect to the fixed bracket 11 based on the energization of the lower telescopic motor 81. , relative displacement in the longitudinal direction, thereby relatively displacing the column holder 20 in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the upper-side telescopic motor 91 is energized to displace the upper column 40 relative to the lower column 50 of the column holder 20 in the axial direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, when adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel 121, the column holder 20 is relatively displaced in the front-rear direction based on the energization of the lower-side telescopic motor 81, and the energization of the upper-side telescopic motor 91 is performed. Based on this, the upper column 40 may be relatively displaced in the front-rear direction.

Specifically, when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 is energized, the rotational driving force of the lower-side telescopic motor 81 is transmitted from the worm attached to the output shaft of the lower-side telescopic motor 81 to the worm wheel 87. A wheel 87 rotates. The rotational driving force transmitted from the lower telescopic motor 81 to the worm wheel 87 is transmitted to the screw shaft 83 via the torque limiter 89 . That is, the torque limiter 89 rotates together with the worm wheel 87 due to the frictional force between the worm wheel 87 and the torque limiter 89 , and the rotational driving force is transferred to the screw shaft 83 due to the frictional force between the screw shaft 83 and the torque limiter 89 . to rotate the screw shaft 83 .

As the screw shaft 83 rotates, the nut 84 screwed onto the screw shaft 83 is displaced in the axial direction of the screw shaft 83, that is, in the front-rear direction. As a result, the displacement bracket 21 of the column holder 20 to which the nut 84 is supported and fixed by the nut support member 85 is displaced in the longitudinal direction together with the nut 84 . When the lower-side telescopic motor 81 is energized, displacing the nut 84 in the front-rear direction in this way causes the displacement bracket 21 to move in the axial direction of the fixed bracket 11, that is, in the front-rear direction. Displace.

When the upper-side telescopic motor 91 is energized, the upper-side telescopic motor 91 rotates the screw shaft 93 of the upper-side feed screw device 92 to displace the nut 94 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the upper column 40 to which the nut 94 is supported and fixed is displaced relative to the lower column 50 in the axial direction of the lower column 50, that is, in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the full length of the steering column 10 is expanded and contracted, and the full length of the steering shaft 3 is expanded and contracted, thereby adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel 121 . After the longitudinal position of the steering wheel 121 is adjusted to the desired position, the power supply to the lower telescopic motor 81 and the upper telescopic motor 91 is stopped.

When adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 121 , the rear portion of the lower column 50 is vertically displaced relative to the displacement bracket 21 based on the power supply to the tilting motor 101 . That is, the tilting motor 101 is energized, and the tilting motor 101 rotates the screw shaft 103 of the tilting feed screw device 102 to displace the nut 105 screwed on the screw shaft 103 in the vertical direction. As a result, the lower column 50 pivotally supported by the pivot shaft portion 104 formed in the nut 105 is swung about the pivot bolt 65, and the rear portion of the lower column 50 is vertically displaced. In the steering column device 2 according to the present embodiment, by vertically displacing the rear end of the steering shaft 3 rotatably supported radially inwardly of the steering column 10, the steering wheel 121 can be moved. Adjust the vertical position. After the vertical position of the steering wheel 121 is adjusted to the desired position, power supply to the tilting motor 101 is stopped.

The adjustment of the front-rear position and the adjustment of the vertical position of the steering wheel 121 can be performed simultaneously, or can be performed independently at different times. Further, when adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel 121, for example, after displacing the column holder 20 in the axial direction with respect to the fixed bracket 11 at high speed, the amount of axial displacement of the column holder 20 with respect to the fixed bracket 11 is calculated. Alternatively, by finely adjusting the amount of axial displacement of the upper column 40 with respect to the column holder 20, the longitudinal position of the steering wheel 121 can be adjusted to a desired position.

In the steering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel 121, the front-rear position is adjusted based on the energization of the lower-side telescopic motor 81 or the upper-side telescopic motor 91. If these motors become inoperable due to malfunction, it becomes impossible to adjust the front-rear position of the steering wheel 121 by the driving force of the motors. In this embodiment, in such a case, the longitudinal position of the steering wheel 121 can be manually adjusted.

For example, when the operation control of a vehicle in which the steering device 1 is mounted is set to automatic operation, the operation control unit that switches the operation control of the vehicle between automatic operation and manual operation includes the lower telescopic actuator 80 and the upper telescopic actuator 80. The steering wheel 121 is displaced forward by controlling the actuator 90 . As a result, during automatic driving, the distance between the driver and the steering wheel 121 is increased to increase the space in front of the driver, thereby making it easier for the driver to relax.

When switching the vehicle operation control from automatic operation to manual operation, the operation control unit controls the lower telescopic actuator 80 and the upper telescopic actuator 90 to displace the steering wheel 121 rearward. Let As a result, during manual driving, the steering wheel 121 is displaced to a position where the driver can appropriately perform a driving operation on the steering wheel 121 .

As described above, when the operation control of the vehicle is switched from automatic operation to manual operation, the motor used as a drive source for displacing the steering wheel 121 in the front-rear direction may malfunction, causing the motor to operate. If it becomes impossible, the steering wheel 121 cannot be displaced rearward. In such a case, in this embodiment, the vehicle is temporarily stopped at a position such as the shoulder of the road where the vehicle can be stopped, and the driver manually adjusts the front-rear position of the steering wheel 121 so that the driver can control the driving operation. The steering wheel 121 can be displaced to a position where it can be done properly.

Next, a method for manually displacing the steering wheel 121 will be described. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the steering column device 2 showing a state in which the column holder 20 is in the forward position and the lower telescopic motor 81 is disabled. 11 is a perspective view of the steering column device 2 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the column holder 20 is in the forward position and the lower telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, the steering wheel 121 attached to the steering shaft 3 is moved forward. It will stop at a closer position. In this case, in the steering device 1 according to the present embodiment, the driver of the vehicle manually displaces the column holder 20 by engaging the operating member 110 with the engaging portion 83 a formed at the end of the screw shaft 83 . It is possible to let

The portion of the operating member 110 that engages with the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83 is formed in the same polygonal shape as the engaging portion 83a. It is a member that can be engaged. Since the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83 is formed in the shape of a hexagonal hole, the operating member 110 is a hexagonal rod-like member that is inserted into the engaging portion 83a and engaged with the engaging portion 83a. It has become. A so-called hexagonal wrench, for example, is used as the operating member 110 .

12 is a side view of the steering column device 2 showing a state where the operating member 110 is engaged with the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83. FIG. The operation member 110 is engaged with the engaging portion 83a by inserting it from the rear side into the engaging portion 83a formed at the rear end portion of the screw shaft 83 . That is, the operating member 110 is engaged with the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83 from the side where the steering wheel 121 attached to the steering shaft 3 is located. After engaging the operating member 110 with the engaging portion 83a, the driver applies a force to the operating member 110 to rotate the screw shaft 83 in a direction to displace the column holder 20 in a desired direction.

For example, in a state where the steering wheel 121 is positioned toward the front, if the lower telescopic motor 81 becomes unable to operate due to a problem occurring in the lower telescopic motor 81, the screw shaft 83 is engaged. A force for rotating the screw shaft 83 in a direction to displace the column holder 20 rearward is applied to the operating member 110 engaged with the joining portion 83a. As a result, rotational torque is input from the operating member 110 to the screw shaft 83 with which the operating member 110 is engaged with the engaging portion 83a.

The screw shaft 83 is inserted through a torque limiter 89 into an insertion hole 87a of a worm wheel 87 at a portion closer to the end opposite to the end on which the engaging portion 83a is formed. The machine has a so-called self-locking characteristic in which the transmission of rotation from the worm wheel 87 to the worm is difficult. Therefore, even if a rotational torque is applied to the screw shaft 83 by the operating member 110, the worm wheel 87 does not rotate due to self-locking, so that there is a relatively large gap between the screw shaft 83 and the worm wheel 87. Rotational torque acts.

Here, the screw shaft 83 is inserted into the insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87 via a torque limiter 89, and the torque limiter 89 causes rotation between the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 by frictional force. introduce. For this reason, when a relatively large rotational torque acts between the screw shaft 83 and the worm wheel 87, the torque limiter 89 is placed between the screw shaft 83 and the torque limiter 89, or between the worm wheel 87 and the torque limiter. 89, slippage occurs due to rotational torque. That is, when the rotational torque acting from the screw shaft 83 to the worm wheel 87 side is greater than the torque that the torque limiter 89 can transmit without causing slippage, the screw shaft 83 and the torque limiter 89 or between the worm wheel 87 and the torque limiter 89. As a result, the screw shaft 83 is rotated relative to the worm wheel 87 by the rotational torque applied to the screw shaft 83 by the operation member 110, and the worm wheel 87 is in a non-rotatable state. The screw shaft 83 can be rotated.

13 is a side view of the steering column device 2 showing a state in which the column holder 20 is relatively displaced with respect to the fixed bracket 11 using the operating member 110. FIG. When the screw shaft 83 rotates due to the rotational torque imparted to the screw shaft 83 from the operating member 110, the nut 84 screwed onto the screw shaft 83 rotates as the screw shaft 83 rotates. Axial displacement. As a result, the displacement bracket 21 of the column holder 20 to which the nut 84 is supported and fixed by the nut support member 85 is also displaced in the axial direction of the screw shaft 83 together with the nut 84 . For this reason, for example, when the threaded shaft 83 is rotated in a direction that displaces the column holder 20 rearward by a force applied to the threaded shaft 83 by the operation member 110, the nut screwed onto the threaded shaft 83 will not rotate. 84 is displaced rearward as the screw shaft 83 rotates, and the column holder 20 to which the nut 84 is supported and fixed is also displaced rearward as shown in FIG.

As a result, the steering wheel 121 attached to the steering shaft 3 is also displaced rearward together with the column holder 20, and the steering wheel 121 can be displaced to a position where the driver can easily perform the steering operation. Therefore, when the operation control of the vehicle is switched from automatic operation to manual operation, if the lower telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, the operation member 110 can be used to rotate the screw shaft 83. The steering wheel 121 can be displaced in the front-rear direction, and the steering wheel 121 can be positioned at a position where the driver can easily perform the steering operation.

In the steering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the threaded shaft 83 of the lower telescopic actuator 80 that axially displaces the column holder 20 with respect to the fixed bracket 11 has an engaging portion 83a with which the operating member 110 engages. is formed at one end, and the screw shaft 83 is inserted into an insertion hole 87 a of a worm wheel 87 via a torque limiter 89 . A torque limiter 89 interposed between the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 prevents the worm wheel 87 or the screw shaft from rotating when a rotational torque of a predetermined magnitude or more acts between the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 . It is possible to allow relative rotation between the worm wheel 87 and the screw shaft 83 by sliding on the worm wheel 83 .

Therefore, when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated due to a malfunction of the lower-side telescopic motor 81, the operating member 110 is engaged with the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83. By applying rotational torque from the operating member 110 to the screw shaft 83 , the torque limiter 89 is caused to slip and the screw shaft 83 can be rotated relative to the worm wheel 87 . As a result, the nut 84 screwed onto the screw shaft 83 can be displaced in the axial direction of the screw shaft 83 as the screw shaft 83 rotates, and the column holder 20 in which the nut 84 is supported and fixed by the nut support member 85 can be moved. , together with the nut 84 can be axially displaced with respect to the fixed bracket 11 . Therefore, even when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, the operation member 110 is used to rotate the screw shaft 83 to displace the column holder 20 in the axial direction with respect to the fixed bracket 11. can be done. As a result, even when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, the driving force generated by the lower-side telescopic motor 81 can be used to perform the operation.

In addition, in the steering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the engaging portion 83a of the threaded shaft 83 is formed at the end of the threaded shaft 83 on the side where the steering wheel 121 attached to the steering shaft 3 is located. The operating member 110 can be engaged with the engaging portion 83a from a position near the wheel 121 . Therefore, when the screw shaft 83 is rotated using the operation member 110, the operation member 110 can be engaged with the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83, and the screw shaft 83 can be rotated using the operation member 110. can be rotated. As a result, even when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, the driving force generated by the lower-side telescopic motor 81 can be used to perform the operation.

Further, in the steering device 1 according to the present embodiment, the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83 is a polygonal hole, and the portion of the operating member 110 that engages with the engaging portion 83a is the engaging portion 83a. Since it is formed in the same shape as a polygon, the operating member 110 can be engaged with the engaging portion 83a by being inserted into the engaging portion 83a. As a result, the operation member 110 can be engaged with the engaging portion 83a of the screw shaft 83 in a state in which relative rotation is prohibited, and the operation member 110 can be used to rotate the screw shaft 83 . As a result, even when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, the driving force generated by the lower-side telescopic motor 81 can be used to perform the operation.

In addition, in the steering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure the displacement operation of the column holder 20 in the axial direction when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 becomes inoperable. As a result, even if the steering wheel 121 cannot be displaced in the front-rear direction by the lower telescopic motor 81 because the lower telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated in a vehicle capable of automatic operation, manual operation can be performed. The steering wheel 121 can be displaced to a position suitable for driving. As a result, when the steering apparatus 1 is installed in a vehicle capable of automatic operation, it is possible to ensure the operability of steering by manual operation.

Further, in the steering device 1 according to the present embodiment, the steering column 10 is formed by combining the fixed bracket 11 and the column holder 20 so as to allow relative displacement in the axial direction, and the column holder 20 and the upper column 40 are arranged in the axial direction. It is constructed by combining possible relative displacements. That is, the steering column 10 has a two-stage telescopic structure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the axial dimension of the screw shaft 83 of the lower feed screw device 82 and the screw shaft 93 of the upper feed screw device 92 from becoming excessively large while ensuring a sufficient amount of expansion and contraction of the entire length of the steering column 10 . can be prevented.

Further, in the steering system 1 of the present embodiment, the lower telescopic motor 81 of the lower telescopic actuator 80 and the upper telescopic motor 91 of the upper telescopic actuator 90 are simultaneously energized, thereby moving the column holder 20. The upper column 40 can be axially displaced with respect to the column holder 20 at the same time as the upper column 40 is axially displaced with respect to the fixed bracket 11 . Therefore, compared to a structure in which the entire length of the steering column is expanded and contracted by one electric motor, the expansion and contraction speed of the steering column 10 can be easily increased.

In addition, when the steering column 10 has a two-stage telescopic structure in order to increase the telescopic speed while securing the telescopic amount of the steering column 10 as described above, the axial direction of the column holder 20 and the upper column 40 is increased. can be reduced respectively. In other words, when the steering column 10 has a two-stage telescopic structure, the amount of axial movement of the column holder 20 by the lower feed screw device 82 and the The amount of movement of the upper column 40 in the axial direction by the upper feed screw device 92 can be reduced. As a result, when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, manual movement of the column holder 20 is required when the screw shaft 83 is manually rotated to manually adjust the front-rear position of the steering wheel 121. It is possible to prevent the amount from becoming too large. As a result, even when the lower-side telescopic motor 81 cannot be operated, it is possible to easily perform the operation that was performed using the driving force generated by the lower-side telescopic motor 81.例文帳に追加

[Modification]
In the steering apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the screw shaft 83 of the lower telescopic actuator 80 is inserted into the insertion hole 87a of the worm wheel 87 rotated by the driving force from the lower telescopic motor 81, and the torque limiter is inserted into the insertion hole 87a. 89, actuators other than the lower telescopic actuator 80 may have the same configuration.

For example, the column holder 20 may constitute a first column member, the upper column 40 may constitute a second column member, and the upper-side telescopic actuator 90 may have a torque limiter. In this case, the upper-side telescopic actuator 90 is a worm wheel (see FIG. 4) in which a screw shaft 93 (see FIG. 2) of the upper-side feed screw device 92 is rotated by driving force from an upper-side telescopic motor 91 (see FIG. 4). (not shown) is inserted through a torque limiter (not shown) similar to the torque limiter 89 of the lower telescopic actuator 80 . Further, the screw shaft 93 is formed with an engaging portion similar to the engaging portion 83a formed at the end portion of the screw shaft 83 of the lower telescopic actuator 80 at the rear end portion of the screw shaft 93. . Like the screw shaft 83 of the lower telescopic actuator 80, the screw shaft 93 is arranged such that the rear end thereof is exposed rearward so that the operating member can be engaged with the engaging portion. be done.

By being configured as described above, the upper telescopic actuator 90 engages the operating member with the engaging portion of the screw shaft 93 even when the upper telescopic motor 91 cannot be operated. By applying rotational torque to the screw shaft 93 , slippage occurs in the torque limiter and the screw shaft 93 can be rotated. Therefore, even when the upper-side telescopic motor 91 cannot be operated, the operation of axially displacing the upper column 40 with respect to the column holder 20 can be performed by rotating the screw shaft 93 using the operating member. can be done. As a result, even when the upper-side telescopic motor 91 cannot be operated, it is possible to perform the operation that has been performed using the driving force generated by the upper-side telescopic motor 91 .

Further, in the steering device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the engaging portion 83a formed at one end of the screw shaft 83 is a polygonal hole, and the operating member 110 engages with the engaging portion 83a. The engaging portion 83a is engaged with the engaging portion 83a by being formed in the same polygonal shape as the shape of the engaging portion 83a. good. For example, a hole is formed on the operation member 110 side into which the engaging portion 83a formed on the screw shaft 83 enters, and the engaging portion 83a formed on the screw shaft 83 enters the hole formed on the operating member 110. The engaging portion 83a and the operating member 110 may be configured to engage with each other. The engaging portion 83a formed at one end of the screw shaft 83 and the operating member 110 can be engaged with each other, and the screw shaft 83 can be rotated by the operating member 110 engaged with the engaging portion 83a. As long as it is possible, the configuration does not matter.

Moreover, although the steering column 10 according to the above-described embodiment has a two-stage telescopic structure, the present disclosure can also be applied to a steering column device in which the steering column has a one-stage telescopic structure.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the present disclosure, the steering column device 2 is provided with both a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the longitudinal position of the steering wheel 121 and a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position. Although described in terms of the case, the present disclosure can also be applied to steering column arrangements that include only telescopic mechanisms.

Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to those described in the above embodiments. The configurations described as the embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

Reference Signs List 1 steering device 2 steering column device 3 steering shaft 10 steering column 11 fixed bracket 12 fixed plate portion 20 column holder 21 displacement bracket 22 displacement plate portion 30 linear guide 40 upper column 50 lower column 60 inner column 65 pivot bolt 70 reaction force applying device 71 housing 72 reaction force application motor 80 lower telescopic actuator 81 lower telescopic motor 82 lower feed screw device 83 screw shaft 83a engaging portion 84 nut 85 nut support member 86 housing 87 worm wheel 87a insertion hole 89 torque limiter 90 Upper-side telescopic actuator 91 Upper-side telescopic motor 92 Upper-side feed screw device 100 Tilting actuator 101 Tilting motor 102 Tilting feed screw device 110 Operation member 120 Steering system 121 Steering wheel 130 Steering device 131 Actuator 132 Tie rod 135 Steering ring

Claims (3)

a steering shaft having a steering wheel attached to one end thereof and rotated by torque input from the steering wheel;
a steering column that has a first column member and a second column member that is combined with the first column member so as to be axially displaceable relative to the first column member, and that rotatably supports the steering shaft;
a telescopic actuator that axially displaces the second column member with respect to the first column member;
with
The telescopic actuator,
a telescopic motor as a drive source;
a worm wheel rotated by the driving force from the telescopic motor;
a screw shaft that is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the worm wheel and rotates together with the worm wheel;
a nut displaced in the axial direction of the screw shaft as the screw shaft rotates and supported and fixed to the second column member by a nut support member;
has
An engaging portion is formed at one end of the screw shaft with which an operation member for inputting rotational torque to the screw shaft engages,
The screw shaft is inserted into the insertion hole through a torque limiter that is formed in an annular shape and transmits the rotation of the worm wheel from the worm wheel to the screw shaft by frictional force,
The torque limiter slides on the worm wheel or the screw shaft when a rotational torque of a predetermined magnitude or more acts between the worm wheel and the screw shaft, thereby causing the worm wheel and the screw shaft to slide. A steering device that permits relative rotation with respect to an axis. The screw shaft is arranged parallel to the steering shaft,
The steering system according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is formed at an end portion of the threaded shaft on a side where the steering wheel attached to the steering shaft is located. The engaging portion is a polygonal hole,
A portion of the operating member that engages with the engaging portion is formed in the same polygonal shape as the shape of the engaging portion, and is engaged with the engaging portion by being inserted into the engaging portion. 3. A steering system according to item 1 or 2.

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