JP2024053984A - Steering system - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To improve the rigidity and strength of a support that supports a main body portion on a shaft member in a steering device. [Solution] A steering device 1 includes a main body portion and a hollow support 60 that supports the main body portion on a shaft member 8, and the support 60 includes a pair of support walls 61 having a first through hole 61a through which the shaft member 8 passes, and a side wall 62 that connects the pair of support walls 61 to each other around the first through hole 61a and is open on a first side in a first direction perpendicular to an axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

This disclosure relates to a steering device.

Patent Document 1 discloses, as an example of a steering device, an electric power steering device that has a tilt hinge portion through which a tilt hinge shaft passes and tilts and swings around the tilt hinge shaft.

JP 2016-117390 A

In steering devices, there is a demand to further improve the rigidity and strength of the tilt hinge portion (support body) that supports the main body portion relative to the tilt hinge shaft (shaft member).

The objective of this disclosure is to improve the rigidity and strength of a support that supports a main body portion relative to a shaft member in a steering device.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a steering device that includes a main body and a hollow support that supports the main body on a shaft member, the support including a pair of support walls having a through hole through which the shaft member passes, and a side wall that connects the pair of support walls around the through hole and is open on a first side in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole.

According to the aspects of the present disclosure, the rigidity and strength of the support against the force acting from the shaft member can be improved compared to when the support does not have a side wall.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, in a second direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole and the first direction, the width of the inside of the side wall decreases from the first side of the first direction toward the second side of the first direction along the first direction.

This allows the side walls to be easily manufactured using a mold method.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the main body includes a steering shaft, and the axis of the steering shaft is parallel to the first direction.

This allows the direction of movement of the mold that forms the side wall to be parallel to the axis of the steering shaft. This makes it easy to provide a support for the steering device components that are formed by the mold that moves parallel to the axis of the steering shaft.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the support extends along the first direction and further includes a partition wall that partitions the inside of the support.

This improves the rigidity and strength of the support compared to when the support does not have a partition wall.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, the partition wall has a curved surface that is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole.

This allows the force acting from the shaft member on the support to be directly received by both the pair of support walls and the partition wall. This prevents the force acting from the shaft member from concentrating on the support, improving the strength of the support.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, the partition walls are arranged on both sides of the through hole in the first direction.

This allows the rigidity and strength of the support to be improved against fastening forces when a fastening force acts on the support along the axial direction of the shaft member when attaching the shaft member to the support.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the main body includes a reduction gear connected to the output shaft of the motor and a housing that houses the reduction gear, and the support is integral with the housing and opens toward the inside of the housing.

When the steering device is an electric power steering device, the support is integrally provided in a housing that houses the reduction gear of the motor. Compared to a case in which the support does not have a side wall, the rigidity and strength of the support against the reaction force generated by the output of the motor can be improved.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the shaft member further includes a cylindrical sleeve through which the shaft member passes, the sleeve is attached to the through hole, and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve is in intimate contact with the inner circumferential surface of the through hole.

The sleeve prevents foreign matter from entering the support and further into the housing through the through hole, and prevents grease applied to the gear from leaking out of the through hole.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, in a steering device, it is possible to improve the rigidity and strength of the support that supports the main body portion relative to the shaft member.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a steering device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assist device. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the assist device as viewed from the -X side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assist device taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support taken along line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cover portion of a steering device according to a first modified example of the present embodiment, as viewed from the +X side. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support taken along line CC shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a cover portion in a steering device according to a second modified example of the present embodiment, as viewed from the +X side. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the support taken along line DD shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cover portion of a housing in a steering device according to a third modified example of the embodiment, as viewed from the -X side. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view of the cover portion of the housing shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axis of a first through hole of a support body in a steering device according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment.

Below, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The components of each embodiment described below can be combined as appropriate. Also, some components may not be used.

In the following description, the direction parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10 (described later) is defined as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction and parallel to the axis 8a of the shaft member 8 (described later) is defined as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction. The X direction corresponds to the "first direction." The +X side of the X direction corresponds to the "first side of the first direction," and the -X side of the X direction corresponds to the "second side of the first direction." The Z direction corresponds to the "second direction." Note that the X, Y, and Z directions are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to these directions.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the steering device 1. The steering device 1 is an electric power steering device that is attached to the vehicle body and assists the operation of the steering wheel 2 with the output of a motor 33, which will be described later.

The steering device 1 includes a steering shaft 10, a steering column 20, and an assist device 30. The steering shaft 10 extends along the X direction and rotates around an axis 10a, which is the central axis of the steering shaft 10.

The steering wheel 2 is fixed to the first end of the steering shaft 10 on the +X side so as to rotate integrally with the steering shaft 10.

The first end of the intermediate shaft 4 is attached to the second end of the steering shaft 10 on the -X side via the first joint 3a. The second end of the intermediate shaft 4 is connected to a pinion shaft 5, which is included in, for example, a rack-and-pinion steering gear unit (not shown), via the second joint 3b. The first joint 3a and the second joint 3b are, for example, universal joints.

When the driver operates the steering wheel 2, the steering shaft 10, the intermediate shaft 4, and the pinion shaft 5 rotate, and the running wheels (not shown) are steered.

The steering shaft 10 includes a first shaft 11 and a second shaft 12. The first shaft 11 is disposed on the +X side of the second shaft 12 and is engaged with the second shaft 12 so as to be movable along the X direction relative to the second shaft 12.

The steering column 20 is a hollow column extending along the X direction. The steering shaft 10 passes through the steering column 20. The steering column 20 supports the steering shaft 10 via a bearing (not shown) so that the steering shaft 10 can rotate around the axis 10a.

The steering column 20 includes a first column 21 and a second column 22. The first column 21 is disposed on the +X side of the second column 22 and engages with the second column 22 so as to be movable along the X direction relative to the second column 22. The first column 21 is movable along the X direction integrally with the first shaft 11.

The first column 21 and the second column 22 are each formed, for example, by casting, using a mold that moves in the X direction (i.e., the direction parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10). The material of the first column 21 and the second column 22 is, for example, an aluminum alloy.

The first column 21 is also fitted with a first bracket 7a which is fixed to a body member 6 included in the vehicle body. A mechanism (not shown) is attached to the first bracket 7a, which allows the first column 21 and the first shaft 11 to move along the X direction relative to the body member 6, and allows the steering column 20 and the steering shaft 10 to swing around an axis 8a of an axis member 8 (described later) relative to the body member 6. In other words, the mechanism functions as a so-called telescopic mechanism and tilt mechanism. The mechanism includes a lever member (not shown) which allows and restricts the movement of the first column 21 and the swing of the steering column 20 relative to the body member 6.

The assist device 30 assists in the operation of the steering wheel 2. The assist device 30 is fixed to the second column 22. The second shaft 12 passes through the assist device 30. The assist device 30 supports the second shaft 12 rotatably around the axis 10a via a bearing (not shown).

The assist device 30 is attached to the shaft member 8 so that the assist device 30 can swing around the axis 8a of the shaft member 8 relative to the vehicle body member 6. As a result, when the mechanism allows the steering column 20 to swing, the assist device 30, the steering column 20, and the steering shaft 10 can swing around the axis 8a of the shaft member 8 relative to the vehicle body member 6.

The shaft member 8 is attached along the vehicle width direction to the second bracket 7b fixed to the vehicle body member 6. In other words, the axis 8a of the shaft member 8 is parallel to the vehicle width direction, extends along the Y direction, and is perpendicular to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assist device 30. The assist device 30 includes a housing 31, a torque sensor 32, a motor 33, and a reduction gear 34. The housing 31 houses the reduction gear 34. The housing 31 includes a base portion 40 and a cover portion 50.

The base part 40 and the cover part 50 are fastened together using bolts and nuts. The base part 40 and the cover part 50 are each formed by casting using a mold that moves in the X direction (i.e., the direction parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10). The material of the base part 40 and the cover part 50 is, for example, an aluminum alloy.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the assist device 30 as seen from the -X side. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assist device 30 along line A-A shown in Figure 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base portion 40 has a cylindrical portion 41, a first storage portion 42, and a second storage portion 43. The cylindrical portion 41, the first storage portion 42, and the second storage portion 43 are integral.

The second column 22 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 41. The cylindrical portion 41 supports the second shaft 12 on the inside via a bearing (not shown).

The first storage section 42 is shaped so that the -X side is open. The first storage section 42 has a bottom wall 42a that is annular in plan view and continues from the -X side end of the cylindrical section 41, and a peripheral side wall 42b that is disposed around the entire periphery of the bottom wall 42a.

The second storage section 43 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is cylindrical with the +Z side open and the -Z side closed, and the motor 33 is attached to the +Z side. The second storage section 43 is continuous with the peripheral side wall 42b, and the inside of the second storage section 43 and the inside of the first storage section 42 are connected via the communication port 42b1 (Figure 4).

The cover part 50 is a disk-shaped part that covers the -X side of the first storage part 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover part 50 has a hole part 51 through which the second shaft 12 passes, and supports the second shaft 12 via a bearing (not shown).

The torque sensor 32 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed in the housing 31 and detects the rotational torque of the steering shaft 10.

The motor 33 is an integrated motor with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The ECU controls the output of the motor 33 based on the detection results of the torque sensor 32. The ECU controls the output of the motor 33, for example, by adjusting the amount of rotation per unit time of the motor 33.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reduction gear 34 includes a worm gear 34a and a worm wheel 34b. The worm gear 34a is attached to the output shaft 33a of the motor 33 and is stored in the second storage section 43. As shown in FIG. 4, the worm wheel 34b is attached to the second shaft 12 so as to be rotatable together with the second shaft 12, and is stored in the first storage section 42 in a state in which it meshes with the worm gear 34a via the communication port 42b1.

When the output shaft 33a of the motor 33 rotates, the output of the motor 33 is applied to the steering shaft 10 via the reduction gear 34. This assists the driver in operating the steering wheel 2.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the assist device 30 further includes a support 60 through which the shaft member 8 passes and which supports the assist device 30, as well as the steering column 20 and the steering shaft 10 via the assist device 30. The steering shaft 10, the steering column 20 and the assist device 30 constitute the "main body."

The support body 60 supports the main body (steering shaft 10, steering column 20, and assist device 30). The shaft member 8 is attached to the support body 60 so that the shaft member 8 can swing about its axis 8a relative to the vehicle body. In other words, the support body 60 supports the main body so that the main body can swing about the axis 8a of the shaft member 8.

The support 60 is integral with the housing 31. Specifically, the support 60 is integral with the cover portion 50, and is disposed above the hole portion 51 in the cover portion 50. When the cover portion 50 is molded, the support 60 is also molded. In other words, the support 60 is molded by casting.

As shown in FIG. 4, the support 60 is a hollow box. The +X side of the support 60 is open. As a result, the support 60 opens toward the inside of the housing 31. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the support 60 has a pair of support walls 61 and a side wall 62. The pair of support walls 61 and the side wall 62 are integral.

The pair of support walls 61 extend from the cover portion 50 toward the -X side along the X direction and are plate-shaped with a plate surface that intersects with the Y direction. The pair of support walls 61 are inclined toward the inside in the Y direction (i.e., the side toward which the pair of support walls 61 approach each other in the Y direction) as they move from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. In other words, the width in the Y direction of the pair of support walls 61 becomes smaller as they move from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Specifically, the plate surface on the outside in the Y direction and the plate surface on the inside in the Y direction of the pair of support walls 61 are each tapered surfaces that are inclined toward the inside in the Y direction as they move from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support body 60 taken along line B-B in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pair of support walls 61 have a first through hole 61a through which the shaft member 8 passes. The inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 61a is in slidable contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 8. Note that in Figure 5, the axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a and the axis 8a are shown overlapping each other.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the side wall 62 connects the pair of support walls 61 around the first through hole 61a, and is open on the +X side in the X direction perpendicular to the axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a. As shown in Figure 4, the side wall 62 has a U-shaped cross section that opens on the +X side, and the open end of the side wall 62 is connected to the cover part 50. The inner surface of the side wall 62 is shaped so that it can be seen entirely when viewed along the X direction from the +X side.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the Z direction perpendicular to the axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a and the X direction, the inner width of the side wall 62 decreases from the +X side of the X direction toward the -X side of the X direction along the X direction. The inner width of the side wall 62 is the distance between points facing each other in the Z direction on the inner surface of the side wall 62.

The inner surface of the side wall 62 has a first surface 62a, a second surface 62b, and a connection surface 62c. The first surface 62a and the second surface 62b face each other.

The first surface 62a is a tapered surface that intersects with the Z direction and slopes from the +Z side to the -Z side along the Z direction as it moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction.

The second surface 62b is a tapered surface that intersects with the Z direction and slopes from the -Z side to the +Z side along the Z direction as it moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction.

The connection surface 62c connects the -X side end of the first surface 62a and the -X side end of the second surface 62b, and has an arc-shaped cross section that is open on the +X side. Note that the connection surface 62c may be configured to include a plane that intersects with the X direction.

The outer surface of the sidewall 62 has a shape that is entirely visible when viewed from the -X side along the X direction. The -X side surface of the outer surface of the sidewall 62 has a plane 62d that intersects with the X direction. The outer surface of the sidewall 62 on the +Z side of the plane 62d has a gradient from +Z side to -Z side along the Z direction as it moves from +X side to -X side along the X direction. On the other hand, the outer surface of the sidewall 62 on the -Z side of the plane 62d has a gradient from -Z side to +Z side along the Z direction as it moves from +X side to -X side along the X direction. The -X side surface of the outer surface of the sidewall 62 may be a curved surface.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shaft member 8 has a head H, which corresponds to the head of a bolt, integrally formed at the first end. The shaft member 8 corresponds to the shaft portion of a bolt. When attaching the shaft member 8 to the support body 60, the shaft member 8 is inserted through the second bracket 7b and the first through-hole 61a of the support body 60, and then a nut N is attached to the threaded portion at the second end of the shaft member 8. A fastening force is applied to the support body 60 from the head H and the nut N along the axis 8a of the shaft member 8.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the steering device 1 includes a main body and a hollow support 60 that supports the main body with respect to the shaft member 8. The support 60 includes a pair of support walls 61 having a first through hole 61a through which the shaft member 8 passes, and a side wall 62 that connects the pair of support walls 61 to each other around the first through hole 61a and is open on the +X side in the X direction perpendicular to the axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a.
This can improve the rigidity and strength of the support 60 against the force acting on the support 60 from the shaft member 8, compared to a case in which the support 60 does not include the side wall 62. When the rigidity of the support 60 is improved, vibrations of the steering wheel 2 transmitted from the vehicle body via the support 60 when the mechanical unit limits the swinging of the steering column 20 are suppressed. Furthermore, the rigidity and strength of the support 60 against the fastening force acting on the support 60 when the shaft member 8 is attached to the support 60 can be improved.

In addition, in the Z direction perpendicular to the axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a and the X direction, the inner width of the side wall 62 decreases from the +X side in the X direction toward the -X side in the X direction.
This allows the side wall 62 to be easily manufactured by a method using a mold.

The main body also includes a steering shaft 10. An axis 10a of the steering shaft 10 is parallel to the X direction.
According to this, the moving direction of the die for molding the side wall 62 can be made parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10 along the X direction. Therefore, the side wall 62 can be easily disposed on a component of the steering device 1 (in this embodiment, the cover portion 50 included in the assist device 30) molded by a die moving parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10, without adding a slide die intersecting the X direction to the die for the component.
Furthermore, as described above, the plate surfaces of the pair of support walls 61 are tapered surfaces that incline inward in the Y direction as the pair of support walls 61 moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Therefore, the support body 60 can be easily disposed on a component of the steering device 1 (in this embodiment, the cover part 50 included in the assist device 30) that is molded by a mold that moves parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10, without adding a slide mold that intersects with the X direction to the mold of the component. This allows for a reduction in the cost of the mold and further the cost of the steering device 1.

The main body also includes a reduction gear 34 connected to an output shaft 33a of the motor 33, and a housing 31 that houses the reduction gear 34. The support body 60 is integral with the housing 31 including the cover portion 50, and opens toward the inside of the housing 31.
When the steering device 1 is an electric power steering device, the support body 60 is provided integrally with the housing 31 (the cover portion 50 in this embodiment) that houses the reduction gear 34 of the motor 33. Compared to a case in which the support body 60 does not include the side wall 62, the rigidity and strength of the support body 60 against the reaction force generated by the output of the motor 33 can be improved.

Next, a steering device 1 according to a first modified example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cover portion 50 in the steering device 1 according to the first modified example of this embodiment, as viewed from the +X side. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support body 60 taken along line CC shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the support 160 of this first modified example further includes a first partition wall 163 in addition to the support 60 of the above embodiment. The first partition wall 163 is plate-shaped with a plate surface that intersects with the Y direction.

The first partition wall 163 is integral with the support 160, extends along the X direction, and partitions the inside of the support 160. The periphery of the first partition wall 163 is connected to the inner surface of the side wall 62.

The thickness of the first partition wall 163 increases from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Specifically, the +Y side plate surface of the first partition wall 163 is a tapered surface that slopes from the -Y side to the +Y side along the Y direction as it moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. On the other hand, the -Y side plate surface of the first partition wall 163 is a tapered surface that slopes from the +Y side to the -Y side along the Y direction as it moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction.

The first partition wall 163 has a second through hole 163a. The shaft member 8 passes through the second through hole 163a. The inner peripheral surface of the second through hole 163a is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 8. The second through hole 163a is coaxial with the first through hole 61a, and the diameter of the second through hole 163a is equal to the diameter of the first through hole 61a. In other words, the first partition wall 163 has an inner peripheral surface of the second through hole 163a that corresponds to a curved surface located on the same plane as the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 61a. In addition, the first partition wall 163 is arranged on both sides of the first through hole 61a in the radial direction of the first through hole 61a.

The second through hole 163a is formed, for example, by cutting after the cover part 50 is molded by casting. The second through hole 163a may be formed using a mold when the cover part 50 is cast.

As described above, according to the first modified example, the support 160 extends along the X direction and further includes the first partition wall 163 that partitions the inside of the support 160 .
This makes it possible to improve the rigidity and strength of the support 160 compared to a case in which the support 160 does not include the first partition wall 163 .

The first partition wall 163 has an inner circumferential surface of the first through hole 61a and an inner circumferential surface of a second through hole 163a that corresponds to a curved surface located on the same plane.
According to this, the force acting on the support 160 from the shaft member 8 can be directly received by both the pair of support walls 61 and the first partition wall 163. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the force acting from the shaft member 8 from being concentrated on the support 160, and the strength of the support 160 can be improved.

As described above, the plate surface of the first partition wall 163 is a tapered surface in which the thickness of the first partition wall 163 increases from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Therefore, the support body 160 can be easily placed on a component of the steering device 1 (in this embodiment, the cover part 50 included in the assist device 30) that is molded by a mold that moves parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10, without adding a slide mold that intersects with the X direction to the mold of the component.

The thickness of the first partition wall 163 may be smaller than the diameter of the first through hole 61a. In this case, the occurrence of blowholes in the first partition wall 163 can be suppressed.

Next, a steering device 1 according to a second modified example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the cover portion 50 in the steering device 1 according to the second modified example of this embodiment, viewed from the +X side. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the support body 60 taken along line D-D shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the support 260 of this second modified example further includes a second partition wall 264 in addition to the support 160 of the first modified example described above. The second partition wall 264 is plate-shaped with a plate surface that intersects with the Z direction.

The second partition wall 264 is integral with the support body 260, extends along the X direction, and partitions the inside of the support body 260. The periphery of the second partition wall 264 is connected to the connection surface 62c of the side wall 62 and the inner plate surfaces of the pair of support walls 61. When viewed along the X direction, the second partition wall 264 overlaps with the axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a.

The thickness of the second partition wall 264 is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole 61a. The thickness of the second partition wall 264 increases from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Specifically, the +Z side plate surface of the second partition wall 264 is a tapered surface that slopes from the -Z side to the +Z side along the Z direction as it moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. On the other hand, the -Z side plate surface of the second partition wall 264 is a tapered surface that slopes from the +Z side to the -Z side along the Z direction as it moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction.

The second partition wall 264 has a curved surface 264a that is continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 61a. The curved surface 264a is in slidable contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 8. When viewed along the Y direction, the curved surface 264a coincides with the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 61a. In other words, the curved surface 264a is located on the same plane as the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 61a. In addition, the second partition wall 264 is disposed on both sides of the first through hole 61a in the radial direction of the first through hole 61a. Specifically, the second partition wall 264 is disposed on both sides of the first through hole 61a in the X direction.

The curved surface 264a is formed, for example, by cutting after the cover portion 50 is molded by casting. The curved surface 264a may be formed using a mold when the cover portion 50 is cast.

As described above, according to the second modified example, the support 260 extends along the X direction and further includes the second partition wall 264 that partitions the inside of the support 260 .
This makes it possible to improve the rigidity and strength of the support 260 compared to a case in which the support 260 does not include the second partition wall 264 .

Further, the second partition wall 264 has a curved surface 264a that is located on the same plane as the inner circumferential surface of the first through hole 61a.
According to this, the force acting on the support 260 from the shaft member 8 can be directly received by both the pair of support walls 61 and the second partition wall 264. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the force acting from the shaft member 8 from being concentrated on the support 260, and the strength of the support 260 can be improved.

The second partition walls 264 are disposed on both sides of the first through hole 61a in the radial direction of the first through hole 61a.
By arranging the second partition walls 264 on both sides of the first through hole 61a in the radial direction of the first through hole 61a, the rigidity and strength of the support 260 against the fastening force acting on the support 260 when attaching the axial member 8 to the support 260 can be improved.

As described above, the second partition wall 264 overlaps with the axis 61a1 of the first through hole 61a when viewed along the X direction. As a result, the second partition wall 264 overlaps with the line of action of the force acting from the shaft member 8 when viewed along the X direction. This can further improve the strength of the support body 260 against the force acting from the shaft member 8.

Furthermore, the thickness of the second partition wall 264 is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole 61a. Therefore, the occurrence of blowholes in the second partition wall 264 can be suppressed, and the strength of the second partition wall 264 can be improved. The thickness of the second partition wall 264 may be larger than the diameter of the first through hole 61a. The thickness of the second partition wall 264 may also be equal to the thickness of the first partition wall 163.

The plate surface of the second partition wall 264 is a tapered surface in which the thickness of the second partition wall 264 increases from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Therefore, the support body 260 can be easily positioned on the component of the steering device 1 (in this embodiment, the cover part 50 included in the assist device 30) that is molded by a die that moves parallel to the axis 10a of the steering shaft 10, without adding a slide die that intersects with the X direction.

In this second modified example, the support 260 does not have to have the first partition wall 163. In this case, the second partition wall 264 is a plate that connects the inner plate surfaces of the pair of support walls 61.

Next, a steering device 1 according to a third modified example of this embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the cover portion 350 of the housing 31 in the steering device 1 according to the third modified example of this embodiment, as viewed from the -X side. Figure 11 is an axial cross-sectional view of the cover portion 350 of the housing 31 shown in Figure 10.

Compared to the cover part 50 of the above embodiment, the cover part 350 of this third modified example has a peripheral side wall 352b and a second storage part 353 that correspond to the peripheral side wall 42b and the second storage part 43 included in the base part 40. The cover part 350 shown in FIG. 11 has a communication opening 352b1 that corresponds to the communication opening 42b1 of the above-mentioned base part 40. In this third modified example, the base part 40 included in the housing 31 has a cylindrical part 41 and a bottom wall 42a, but does not have a peripheral side wall 42b or a second storage part 43.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first surface 362a of the side wall 362 in the support 360 of this third modified example has a relatively large gradient from +Z side to -Z side along the Z direction as it moves from +X side to -X side along the X direction. The second surface 362b has a relatively large gradient from -Z side to +Z side along the Z direction as it moves from +X side to -X side along the X direction. Furthermore, the connection surface 362c has an arc-shaped cross section that opens on the +X side. Furthermore, the thickness of the side wall 362 is approximately constant.

As described above, when the cover portion 350 has the peripheral side wall 352b and the second storage portion 353 integrally, the stress of the cover portion 350 generated by the reaction force generated by the output of the motor 33 may be greater than the stress of the above-mentioned cover portion 50 that does not have the peripheral side wall 42b and the second storage portion 43. However, by having the side wall 362 of the support body 360, the rigidity and strength of the support body 360 against the reaction force generated by the output of the motor 33 can be improved.

In addition, the first surface 362a and the second surface 362b have a relatively large gradient, and the base end of the support 360 is wider in the Z direction than the tip end, allowing the width of the opening in the Z direction to be relatively large, thereby improving the rigidity and strength of the support 360 against the reaction force generated by the output of the motor 33.

Next, a steering device 1 according to a fourth modified example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along the axis 61a1 of the first through-hole 61a of the support body 460 in the steering device 1 according to the fourth modified example of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the steering device 1 according to this fourth modified example further includes a cylindrical sleeve 470.

The sleeve 470 passes through the first through hole 61a and is attached to the first through hole 61a. The shaft member 8 passes through the inside of the sleeve 470. The inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 470 is in slidable contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 8. The outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 470 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 61a.

As described above, according to the fourth modified example, the steering device 1 further includes the cylindrical sleeve 470 through which the shaft member 8 passes on the inside. The sleeve 470 is attached to the first through hole 61a, and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 470 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the first through hole 61a.
According to this, the fastening force from the head H and the nut N acts on the sleeve 470 and the support body 460. The sleeve 470 can improve the rigidity and strength of the assist device 30.
Furthermore, since the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 470 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 61a, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the support body 460 and further into the inside of the housing 31 through the first through hole 61a, and to prevent grease applied to the reduction gear 34 from leaking from the first through hole 61a.

Next, we will explain the steering device 1 according to another modification of this embodiment.

The steering device 1 does not need to include the assist device 30. In this case, the steering shaft 10 and the steering column 20 constitute the "main body." In this case, the support body 60 is disposed in the steering column 20 (e.g., the second column 22) and is integral with the steering column 20 (e.g., the second column 22).

The inner surface of the side wall 62 may have a shape that allows the entire surface to be seen when viewed from the +X side along the X direction. In this case, the inner surface of the side wall 62 has a gradient such that the inner width of the side wall 62 in the Z direction decreases from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Similarly, the pair of support walls 61 may have a shape that allows the entire Y-direction inner plate surface of the pair of support walls 61 to be seen when viewed from the +X side along the X direction. In this case, the Y-direction inner plate surface of the pair of support walls 61 has a gradient such that the Y-direction inner width of the pair of support walls 61 in the Y direction decreases from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction. Similarly, the pair of support walls 61 may have a shape that allows the entire Y-direction outer plate surface of the pair of support walls 61 to be seen when viewed from the -X side along the X direction. In this case, the plate surfaces of the pair of support walls 61 on the outer side in the Y direction have a gradient such that the width of the pair of support walls 61 on the outer side in the Y direction becomes smaller as it moves from the +X side to the -X side along the X direction.

The inner width of the side wall 62 in the Z direction may be constant. In this case, the distance in the Z direction between the first surface 62a and the second surface 62b is constant, and the connection surface 62c is a plane perpendicular to the X direction.

The steering device 1 does not need to have a tilt mechanism that allows the steering column 20 and the steering shaft 10 to swing around the axis 8a of the shaft member 8. In this case, the support 60 is fixed in a state where it cannot swing relative to the shaft member 8 and the second bracket 7b.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Steering device 6 Vehicle body member 8 Shaft member 8a Axis of shaft member 10 Steering shaft 10a Axis of steering shaft 20 Steering column 30 Assist device 31 Housing 33 Motor 33a Output shaft of motor 34 Reduction gear 60 Support 61 Pair of support walls 61a First through hole (through hole)
61a1 Axis of first through hole 62 Side wall 163 First partition wall (partition wall)
163a: second through hole 264: second partition wall (partition wall)
264a Curved surface 470 Sleeve

Claims (8)

A main body portion,
a hollow support member that supports the main body portion relative to the shaft member,
The support is
A pair of support walls having a through hole through which the shaft member passes;
a side wall that connects the pair of support walls around the through hole and has a first side that is open in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole,
Steering gear. In a second direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole and the first direction, an inner width of the side wall decreases from a first side in the first direction toward a second side in the first direction along the first direction.
The steering device according to claim 1 . The main body includes a steering shaft,
The axis of the steering shaft is parallel to the first direction.
The steering device according to claim 2. The support body extends along the first direction and further includes a partition wall that partitions an inside of the support body.
A steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The partition wall has a curved surface that is flush with an inner circumferential surface of the through hole.
5. A steering device according to claim 4. The partition walls are disposed on both sides of the through hole in the first direction.
5. A steering device according to claim 4. The main body includes a reduction gear connected to an output shaft of a motor and a housing that accommodates the reduction gear.
The support is integral with the housing and opens toward the inside of the housing.
The steering device according to claim 1 . The shaft member further includes a cylindrical sleeve through which the shaft member passes.
The sleeve is attached to the through hole,
The outer circumferential surface of the sleeve is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the through hole.
A steering device according to claim 7.

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