JP5759093B2 - Rack bar and steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rack bar used in a rack and pinion gear used in a power steering device of an automobile and the like, and a steering device in which the rack bar is incorporated. In particular, the flexibility of layout is increased and durability and strength are increased. It relates to technology that can be enhanced.

  A steering device for steering a vehicle includes a pinion gear on the steering shaft side and a rack bar in which a rack is formed on the tie rod side that connects the left and right wheels, and is transmitted from the handle by the pinion gear and the rack. The rotational steering force is converted into a lateral force on the left and right by a gear box and transmitted to the wheel, and the turning force around the kingpin is applied to the wheel (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The steering amount of the steering device is determined by the axial length of the rack tooth forming portion where the tooth portion of the rack bar is formed.

  On the other hand, in the manufacturing process of a rack bar, a technique is known in which strength is increased by obtaining an even metal flow with respect to a concave portion of a mold of a material at the time of press-fitting and rolling (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-253190 A JP 2002-86243 A (see paragraph number [0028] and FIG. 8)

  The rack bar described above has the following problems. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, rod portions 101 for connecting to tie rods (not shown) are formed at both ends of the rack bar 100. In addition, Q in FIG. 14 has shown the range which a pinion gear meshes | engages. In the rack tooth forming portion 102, the tooth portion 103 could not be formed near the boundary with the rod portion 101, and a sufficient steering amount could not be secured (see the broken line 104 in FIG. 14).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, the configuration of the tooth portion 103 itself has an R shape in which the shape of the tooth tip and the tooth bottom is different. In FIG. 15, F0 indicates a tooth tip, S0 indicates a straight line portion, and B0 indicates a tooth bottom. Further, the length of the straight line portion S0 is defined as a straight length L0. The tooth tip F0 and the straight portion S0, and the straight portion S0 and the tooth bottom B0 are connected along a predetermined R shape. The connection in the R shape is for forming the tooth portion 103 by forging or the like and for improving the life of the tooth mold. The larger the radius of the R shape, the longer the tooth life and the smooth engagement with the pinion gear can be obtained, but the length (straight length) L0 of the straight portion between the tooth tip and the tooth bottom becomes shorter. . Since the straight portion is a portion to which the rotational force is directly transmitted from the tooth surface of the pinion gear, if the straight length L0 is short, the contact area becomes small, and the durability and strength of the tooth portion 103 are not sufficient.

  Further, when the number of moldings (the number of shots) of the tooth mold is increased, fine cracks are generated due to high stress generated in the root R portion of the tooth mold during tooth molding. For this reason, the meat of the rack bar 100 enters, and burrs are generated in the tooth tips F1. When the burrs occur, the rack bar becomes defective, and the tooth mold has to be replaced with a new one.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a rack bar that can increase the steering amount by sufficiently obtaining the range in which the tooth portion is provided, a sufficient durability and strength by ensuring a straight length, and a long life of the tooth mold. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rack bar that can be realized and a steering device that uses these rack bars.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the rack bar and the steering device of the present invention are configured as follows.

In the rack bar meshed with the pinion gear, a shaft portion and a plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshed with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and the pinion gear of each tooth portion A rack tooth forming portion in which a contact surface having a linear portion to be contacted is disposed obliquely with respect to the axial direction, and a rod having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion provided on both ends of the shaft portion. A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the linear portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth The tip, the straight portion, and the straight portion and the tooth bottom are connected along an R shape formed of an arc shape that constitutes at least one ellipse, and the rack tooth forming portion is connected to the tooth portion. Single unit located at both ends Only the tooth section, length along the contact surface than the other teeth is characterized in that it is formed short.

In the rack bar meshed with the pinion gear, a shaft portion and a plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshed with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and the pinion gear of each tooth portion A rack tooth forming portion in which a contact surface having a linear portion to be contacted is disposed obliquely with respect to the axial direction, and a rod having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion provided on both ends of the shaft portion. A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the linear portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth The tip is formed by connecting the temporary tooth tip and the straight line portion along the R shape made of an arc shape, and then cutting the temporary tooth tip on the surface along the axial direction. The rack tooth forming portion is positioned at both ends of the tooth portion. Only a single tooth portion which is, length along the contact surface than the other teeth is characterized in that it is formed short.

In the rack bar meshed with the pinion gear, a shaft portion and a plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshed with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and the pinion gear of each tooth portion A rack tooth forming portion in which a contact surface having a linear portion to be contacted is disposed obliquely with respect to the axial direction, and a rod having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion provided on both ends of the shaft portion. A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the linear portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth The tip is formed by connecting the temporary tooth tip and the straight line portion along an R shape formed of at least one elliptical arc shape, and then cutting the temporary tooth tip along a surface along the axial direction. with those, the rack teeth forming portion, Only a single tooth portions located at both ends of the tooth portions, length along the contact surface than the other teeth is characterized in that it is formed short.

A steering shaft coupled to a steering member, a pinion shaft coupled to the steering shaft and having a pinion gear at a tip thereof, and a rack bar meshed with the pinion gear, the rack bar including a shaft portion A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged side by side along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion in the axial direction. A linear portion that is provided obliquely with respect to the rack tooth forming portion and a rod portion that is provided on both ends of the shaft portion and has an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion and that contacts the pinion gear A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a tip is formed from a tooth tip, the straight portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip, the straight portion, the straight portion, and the Bottom and, respectively with and is connected along the R shape composed of a circular arc shape constituting at least one of an ellipse, the rack teeth forming portion, only a single tooth portions located at both ends among the toothing The length along the contact surface is shorter than the other teeth.

A steering shaft coupled to a steering member, a pinion shaft coupled to the steering shaft and having a pinion gear at a tip thereof, and a rack bar meshed with the pinion gear, the rack bar including a shaft portion A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged side by side along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion in the axial direction. A linear portion that is provided obliquely with respect to the rack tooth forming portion and a rod portion that is provided on both ends of the shaft portion and has an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion and that contacts the pinion gear A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface having a contact point is formed from a tooth tip, the straight line portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip is a circle between the temporary tooth tip and the straight line portion. Arc shape After along R shape formed by connecting consisting, along a plane along the axial direction is obtained by forming by cutting the Kariha destination, the rack teeth forming part is at both ends of the teeth Only the single tooth portion that is positioned is characterized in that the length along the contact surface is shorter than the other tooth portions.

A steering shaft coupled to a steering member, a pinion shaft coupled to the steering shaft and having a pinion gear at a tip thereof, and a rack bar meshed with the pinion gear, the rack bar including a shaft portion A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged side by side along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion in the axial direction. A linear portion that is provided obliquely with respect to the rack tooth forming portion and a rod portion that is provided on both ends of the shaft portion and has an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion and that contacts the pinion gear A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface having a contact point is formed from a tooth tip, the straight portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip includes a temporary tooth tip and the straight portion. After also formed by connecting along the R shape of one of the elliptical arc-shaped, with a plane along the axial direction is obtained by forming by cutting the Kariha destination, the rack teeth forming portion, Only the single tooth part located in both ends among the said tooth parts is formed in the length along the said contact surface shorter than the other tooth part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, the steering amount can be increased by sufficiently obtaining the range in which the tooth portion is provided, and the durability and strength can be sufficiently maintained by ensuring the straight length.

1 is a perspective view showing a steering device in which a rack bar according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. The top view which shows the same rack bar. Explanatory drawing which shows the principal part shape of the tooth | gear part of the rack bar. The side view which shows the principal part of the metal core which concerns on an example of the manufacturing process of the rack bar. Sectional drawing which shows the hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus with which a concentric metal bar is applied. Sectional drawing which shows the hollow rack bar of the state by which the concentric metal was inserted. The side view which shows the principal part of the metal core which concerns on another example of the manufacturing process of the rack bar. It is a figure which shows the hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus using the same metal core, Comprising: Sectional drawing which shows a metal mold | die and the metal core holder periphery in the state by which the metal core was clamped. Sectional drawing which shows the metal mold | die of the said hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus, and a metal core holder periphery in a metal core delivery state. Sectional drawing which shows the metal mold | die of the same hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus, and the core metal holder periphery in the state which press-fit of the metal core was completed. Explanatory drawing which shows the principal part shape of the tooth | gear part of the rack bar which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the principal part shape of the tooth | gear part of the rack bar which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which compares and shows the straight length of the tooth part of various shapes. The top view which shows an example of a general rack bar. Explanatory drawing which shows the principal part shape of the tooth | gear part of the rack bar.

  1 is a perspective view showing a steering apparatus 10 in which a rack bar 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the rack bar 20, and FIG. 3 is a tooth portion 22a of the rack bar 20. , 22b is an explanatory view showing the main part shape.

  The steering device 10 includes a steering shaft 12 connected to a steering wheel (steering member) 11, a pinion shaft 13 having a pinion gear 13a at the tip thereof, and a rack bar engaged with the pinion gear 13a. 20. The rack bar 20 is further connected to the front wheels WR and WL via tie rods 30 and 30.

  The rack bar 20 is provided with a shaft portion 21 formed from a solid or hollow round bar, a rack tooth forming portion 22 provided at the center of the shaft portion 21, and provided at both ends of the shaft portion 21. The rod part 23 which has an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the part 22 is provided.

  The rack tooth forming portion 22 includes a plurality of tooth portions 22a and 22b that mesh with the pinion gear 13a along the axial direction C. Further, the contact surface E that comes into contact with the pinion gear of the tooth portion 22a is disposed obliquely with respect to the axial direction C. Moreover, the tooth part 22b located in both ends is formed in the length along the contact surface E shorter than the other tooth part 22a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cross sections of the tooth portions 22a and 22b are formed of a tooth tip F1, a straight portion S1, and a tooth bottom B1, and the tooth tip F1, the straight portion S1, the straight portion S1, and the tooth bottom B1. Are connected along a predetermined R shape. This R shape is an ellipse, and is formed so that the straight part S1 side approaches the top of the long axis, and the tooth tip F1 / bottom B1 side approaches the top of the short axis.

  In addition, Q in FIG. 2 has shown the range which the pinion gear 13a meshes | engages.

  When the tooth portions 22a and 22b are formed in such a shape, the straight length L of the straight portion S can be made longer than when the R shape is a perfect circle, and the contact area with the pinion gear 13a is increased. be able to. For this reason, since transmission of a steering force can be performed with a wider contact area, durability and intensity | strength of tooth part 22a, 22b can fully be maintained. Moreover, since the pinion gear 13a meshes with the tooth portion 22b, the meshing strength can be sufficiently maintained.

  For example, the straight length can be increased by 0.39 mm when the R shape is an ellipse having a major axis of 2 mm, compared to a case where the R shape is a perfect circle having a radius of 2 mm. In addition, although it changes with products, R shape is good also as a combination of ellipses or a combination of an ellipse and a circle.

  4-6 is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the rack bar 20 mentioned above. 4 is a side view showing the cored bar 110, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing a hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 200 in which the cored bar 110 is used. In FIG. 5, P indicates an iron pipe (hollow material). In FIG. 5, reference numeral 110 </ b> A denotes a cored bar having the same configuration as the cored bar 110. The pipe P is used as the rack bar 20 described above.

  The cored bar 110 includes a semicircular bar 111. The bar 111 includes a distal end portion 112 positioned on the distal end side in the press-fitting direction that is first inserted into the pipe P, and a proximal end portion 113 connected to the driving device.

  The bar 111 has a flat upper surface as a whole, but is formed with a flat portion 111 a in which three protrusions 121, 122, and 123 are integrally provided along the axial direction of the bar 111. On the other hand, the bar 111 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pipe P on the back side opposite to the flat portion 111a, and maintains the close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pipe P during the forging process. A linear movement in the axial direction is possible. Moreover, it has the largest cross-sectional area smaller than the minimum cross-sectional area of the hollow part of the pipe P. That is, as will be described later, the pipe P is formed in such a size that it can move smoothly even after the upper surface is flattened and the flat portion Pa is formed. When the pipe P is used as a hollow rack bar, the back side of the bar 111 opposite to the protrusions 121 to 123 corresponds to a sliding surface with a guide member for guiding from the outer peripheral surface side. The outer peripheral pressing surface 114 is formed over a range Q (120 to 150 ° centering on the axis).

  Each of the protrusions 121 to 123 is formed with a gently tapered guide surface so that a smooth movement of the cored bar 110 can be obtained regardless of the flow resistance at the time of molding.

  Next, the structure of the hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 200 using this core metal 110 will be described. The hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a lower mold 210 and an upper mold 220 that hold an iron pipe P. The hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 200 presses the metal core 110 into the internal cavities of the pipes P held by the lower mold 210 and the upper mold 220 to stretch the meat of the pipe P from the inner diameter side toward the tooth mold 230 described later. It is an apparatus for producing a hollow rack bar 20 by letting it out.

  The lower mold 210 includes a semicircular inner peripheral surface 211 in the cross section, and the pipe P is placed on the semicircular inner peripheral surface 211. The upper die 220 is detachably provided with a tooth die 230 whose upper inner surface is spaced in the length direction over a predetermined length, and the tooth die is placed at a predetermined length on the upper surface of the pipe P by transfer forging. A rack can be formed according to the unevenness of 230.

  The pipe P is forged using the hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 200 and the core bars 110 and 110A configured as described above.

  A pipe P is prepared in advance by using another mold and flattening the central part into a central concave shape. The pipe P is held between the upper mold 220 and the lower mold 210, and the flat portion Pa of the pipe P is brought into contact with the tooth mold 230.

  In this state, press-fitting of the core metal 110 into the pipe P is started. The core metal 110 is introduced into the hollow portion of the pipe P from the tip 112 thereof. Then, the first protrusion 121 acts on the inner surface of the flat portion Pa of the pipe P via the tapered guide surface, and the meat of the pipe P is projected toward the tooth profile of the tooth mold 230. Then, by continuing the press-fitting of the core metal 110, the overhanging of the meat by the protrusions 122 and 123 is sequentially received, and the press-forging is performed. Next, the metal core 110 is moved in the backward direction. Subsequently, press forging is alternately performed by press-fitting the core metal 110A. At this time, since the outer peripheral pressing surface 114 is formed on the cores 110 and 110A, an R shape is formed on the lower surface of the pipe P.

  In addition, after that, press-forging is performed in the same manner using the cored bar 110 in which the protruding amount of the protruding portion is slightly increased. Thereafter, the final processing is completed by repeating predetermined processes while changing the size of the core metal 110 little by little in the same manner. Finally, the height of the metal core 110 completes the transfer forging of the rack in which the meat of the pipe P is sufficiently extended corresponding to the unevenness of the tooth mold 230 by the metal core press-fitting.

  7-10 is a figure which shows another example of the manufacturing process of the rack bar. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a short-type metal core 110B which is one of the metal core sets, and FIGS. 8 to 10 are views showing a hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 300 using the metal core set. 8 shows a state where the core metal is clamped around the mold and the core metal holder, FIG. 9 shows a state where the core metal is delivered around the mold and the core metal holder, and FIG. 10 shows press-fitting of the core metal around the mold and the core metal holder. Is shown in a completed state. 10, the same functional parts as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The length of the bar 111 of the core metal 110B is as short as half or less of the length of the tooth part of the tooth mold 313 described later.

  The hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a metal mold 310, a metal core holder 320 that stores a set of a plurality of metal cores 110B, a first metal core push bar 330, a second metal core push bar 340, a metal core guide 350, and the like. It has.

  The mold 310 includes a lower mold 311 and an upper mold 312 that hold the iron pipe material P. The lower mold 311 includes a semicircular inner peripheral surface 311a in the cross section, and the pipe material P is placed on the semicircular inner peripheral surface 311a. The upper die 312 is detachably provided with a tooth die 313 whose inner surface on the upper side is spaced in the length direction over a predetermined length, and a tooth is placed on a portion of the predetermined length on the upper surface of the pipe material P by transfer forging. A rack can be formed according to the unevenness of the mold 313.

  The core metal holder 320 is disposed only on one side of the mold 310, for example, on the right side of the mold 310 in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the cored bar holder 320 has a plurality of holding holes 321. These holding holes 321 pass through the cored bar holder 320 in the direction in which the pipe material P extends, and the cored bar 110B is individually accommodated therein. The accommodated core metal 110B is held in a proper posture with respect to the mold 310 and by a leaf spring or the like (not shown) so as not to fall off carelessly. Each core metal 110 </ b> B supported by the core metal holder 320 is positioned on the side where the first core metal push bar 330 is inserted and removed from the mold 310.

  The cored bar holder 320 is moved by a holder driving unit (not shown). Each time this driving is performed, one of the plurality of holding holes 321 is sequentially selected and opposed to one end of the pipe material P that is joined together. Therefore, the cored bar 110B supported by the cored bar holder 320 can be taken in and out of the pipe material P sequentially. For this purpose, the metal core holder 320 is moved by a fixed pitch in the vertical direction (vertical direction) in FIGS. However, instead of this, it may be moved in the horizontal direction (the front and back direction of the paper on which FIGS. 8 to 10 are drawn). Alternatively, the cored bar holder 320 can be rotatably provided and rotated by a predetermined angle by the holder driving unit.

  The tip end side of the first cored bar 330 is formed so as to be detachable with respect to the pipe material P held by the mold 310. In that case, it inserts in the pipe material P hold | maintained at the metal mold | die 310 with the core metal 110B. In addition, the code | symbol 360 in FIGS. 8-10 has shown the tubular push rod guide.

  The tip end side of the second cored bar 340 is formed to be detachable with respect to the pipe material P held by the mold 310.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the cored bar guide 350 is disposed between the mold 310 and the cored bar holder 320 and close to the mold 310. The core bar guide 350 is made of metal or the like and has a through hole 351 that penetrates in the thickness direction. The through hole 351 communicates with a hollow portion of the pipe material P held by the mold 310.

  Next, a procedure for manufacturing a hollow rack bar using the hollow rack bar manufacturing apparatus 300 having the above configuration will be described. The set pipe material P is arranged in the mold 310, and the other end side of the pipe material P protrudes from the mold 310. Further, the mold is clamped between the lower mold 311 and the upper mold 312 and the tooth mold 313 is brought into contact with the flat portion Pa.

  Before or after this setting operation, the cored bar holder 320 is operated to hold one of the plurality of cored bars 110B accommodated in the state facing the through hole 351 of the cored bar guide 350. At the same time, the tip end of the first metal core push bar 330 is engaged with the right end of the metal core 110B facing the through hole 351.

  Next, the second metal core push rod 340 is inserted into the pipe material P, and the tip of the second metal core push rod 340 is inserted through the through hole 351 of the pipe material P and the metal core guide 350, and this through hole 351 is inserted. It comes in contact with the left end of the metal core 110B in the metal core holder 320 facing the. Therefore, the metal core 110B in the through hole 351 is sandwiched between the first metal core push bar 330 and the second metal core push bar 340 that are in contact with both ends from both ends in the axial direction.

  Thereafter, the first cored bar 330 passes through the holding hole 321 of the cored bar holder 320 and the through hole 351 of the cored bar guide 350, and the pipe material P held in the mold 310 as shown in FIG. Inserted into.

  At this time, the metal core 110B is pressed by the first metal core push bar 330 and press-fitted into the pipe member P while being held between the first metal core push bar 330 and the second metal core push bar 340. Is done. By this press-fitting, press-fitting forging is performed in response to overhanging of the meat by the protrusions 121 to 123 of the core metal 110B. The press-fitting of the cored bar 110B is completed in a state where the cored bar 110B cannot be removed from the flat portion Pa as shown in FIG.

  Next, the first cored bar 330 is pulled back. At this time, the second cored bar pusher 340 is moved toward the cored bar holder 320. As a result, the core metal 110B is pressed by the second core metal push bar 340 while being held between the first core metal push bar 330 and the second core metal push bar 340 in contact with both ends of the core bar 110B. Then, it is pushed back into the metal core holder 320 through the pipe material P and the through hole 351 of the metal core guide 350. Also in this case, press forging is performed in response to the overhanging of the meat by the protrusions 121 to 123 of the core metal 110B.

  Thereafter, the metal core holder 320 is moved so that the metal core 110B having the next largest protrusion amount and the holding hole 321 in which the metal core 110B is accommodated are opposed to the opening of the pipe material P through the through hole 351 of the metal core guide 350. .

  Then, after the core bar 110B to be used next is clamped, the core bar 110B is similarly held between the first core bar push bar 330 and the second core bar push bar 340. Then, it is pressed by the first cored bar 330 and press-fitted into the pipe material P and reciprocated once. By sequentially repeating these procedures, the hollow rack bar 20 having the rack corresponding to the tooth mold 313 of the mold 310 on the pipe material P is manufactured.

  Finally, after returning the last used metal core 110B to the metal core holder 320, the second metal core push rod 340 is pulled out from the pipe material P, and then the mold 310 is opened.

  As described above, according to the steering device 10 having the rack bar 20 according to the present embodiment, the range in which the tooth portions 22a and 22b are provided can be increased, and the steering amount can be increased. Moreover, durability and intensity | strength can fully be maintained by ensuring the straight length L of tooth part 22a, 22b. In addition, due to the manufacturing method of the hollow rack bar as described above, if the tooth mold 230 is formed, rack teeth such as the tooth portion 22b can be easily formed.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the main shape of the teeth 42a and 42b of the rack bar according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The tooth portions 42a and 42b are provided at the same positions as the above-described tooth portions 22a and 22b, and only the cross-sectional shapes thereof are different. Since other parts are common, detailed description is omitted.

  The cross sections of the tooth portions 42a and 42b are formed of a tooth tip F2, a straight portion S2, and a tooth bottom B2. In addition, P2 in FIG. 11 indicates a temporary tooth tip.

  Here, the formation process of the tooth portions 42a and 42b will be described. That is, the temporary tooth tip P2 is formed after transfer forging by a tooth mold (not shown). The provisional tooth tip P2 and the straight line portion S2 and the straight line portion S2 and the tooth bottom B2 are connected along the R shape of one circle. The temporary tooth tip P2 is deleted by a cutting process in a subsequent process, and the tooth tip F2 actually becomes the tooth tip.

  Further, the metal flow inside the tooth portions 42a and 42b is formed continuously in the region meshed with the pinion gear 13a from the tooth bottom, that is, in the straight portion S2, and discontinuously on the surface where the provisional tooth tip P2 is cut off. Therefore, the strength of the tooth portions 42a and 42b is not reduced by resection.

  If the tooth portions 42a and 42b are formed in such a shape, the height of the tooth portion can be reduced by the amount removed by the cutting process, so that the straight portion compared to the case where the provisional tooth tip P2 is left. The straight length L2 of S2 can be made longer, and the contact area with the pinion gear 13a can be increased. For this reason, since transmission of a steering force can be performed with a wider contact area, durability and intensity | strength of tooth part 42a, 42b can fully be maintained. Further, since the pinion gear 13a meshes with the tooth portion 42b, the meshing strength can be sufficiently maintained. Therefore, for example, it is possible to employ a hollow rack bar that is subjected to a large stress such as an electric power steering device.

  On the other hand, even if the tooth mold is cracked due to an increase in the number of moldings (number of shots) and burrs are generated in the temporary tooth tip P2, the tooth portions 42a and 42b are of high quality because they are removed by cutting in a later process. Can keep. In addition, the tooth mold can be used for a long time. Therefore, the cost reduction effect by extending the service life of the tooth mold is greater than the cost increase due to the addition of the cutting process.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the main shape of the tooth portions 52a and 52b of the rack bar according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The tooth portions 52a and 52b are provided at the same positions as the above-described tooth portions 22a and 22b, and only the cross-sectional shapes thereof are different. Since other parts are common, detailed description is omitted.

  The cross sections of the tooth portions 52a and 52b are formed of a tooth tip F3, a straight portion S3, and a tooth bottom B3. In addition, P3 in FIG. 12 has shown the temporary tooth tip.

  Here, the formation process of the tooth parts 52a and 52b will be described. That is, the temporary tooth tip P3 is formed after the transfer forging by the tooth mold (not shown). The provisional tooth tip P3 and the linear portion S3, and the linear portion S3 and the tooth bottom B3 are connected along a predetermined R shape. This R shape is an ellipse, and is formed so that the straight portion S3 side is closer to the top of the long axis, and the provisional tooth tip P3 / tooth bottom B3 side is closer to the top of the short axis. The provisional tooth tip P3 is deleted by a cutting process in a subsequent process, and the tooth tip F3 actually becomes the tooth tip.

  Further, the metal flow in the tooth portions 52a and 52b is formed continuously in the region meshed with the pinion gear 13a from the tooth bottom, that is, in the straight portion S3, and discontinuously on the surface where the provisional tooth tip P3 is cut off. Therefore, the strength of the tooth portions 52a and 52b is not reduced by resection.

  If the tooth portions 52a and 52b are formed in such a shape, the height of the tooth portion can be reduced by the amount removed by the cutting process, so that the straight portion compared to the case where the provisional tooth tip P3 is left. The straight length L3 of S3 can be made longer, and the contact area with the pinion gear 13a can be increased. For this reason, since transmission of a steering force can be performed with a wider contact area, durability and intensity | strength of tooth part 52a, 52b can fully be maintained.

  Therefore, the same effects as those of the tooth portions 42a and 42b described above can be obtained.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a comparison of straight lengths of tooth portions of various shapes. The unit of the numerical values in the figure is mm. From the left side in FIG. 13, the tooth part (H0) as a comparative example, the tooth parts 22a and 22b (H1) according to the first embodiment, the tooth parts 42a and 42b (H2) according to the second embodiment, and the third The tooth parts 52a and 52b (H3) which concern on embodiment of this are shown. Here, the height of each tooth H0 to H3 is 3 mm, the width at the root of the tooth is 2.1 mm, and the root R is 0.5 mm. ~ L3 was compared.

  Here, in the tooth part H0 of the comparative example, the tooth tip is formed along a circle with a radius of 1 mm. Here, the straight length L0 is shortened by 0.7 mm due to chamfering of the tooth tip. Further, in the tooth portion H1, tooth tips are formed along an ellipse having a major axis of 2 mm and a minor axis of 1 mm. Here, the straight length L1 is shortened by 0.41 mm due to chamfering of the tooth tip. In the tooth part H2 and the tooth part H3, the amount of shortening due to chamfering of the tooth tip is very small, 0.098 mm and 0 mm, respectively.

  Accordingly, the straight length L0 of each tooth H0 to H3 was 2.142 mm, L1 was 2.433 mm, L2 was 2.744 mm, and L3 was 2.842 mm. That is, the straight length L3 of the tooth portions 52a and 52b (H3) is the longest.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a rack bar capable of increasing the steering amount by sufficiently obtaining a range in which the tooth portion is provided, a rack bar capable of sufficiently maintaining durability and strength by ensuring a straight length, and A steering device using these rack bars is obtained.

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering device, 11 ... Steering wheel (steering member), 13 ... Pinion shaft, 13a ... Pinion gear, 20 ... Rack bar, 21 ... Shaft part, 22 ... Rack tooth formation part, 22a, 22b, 42a, 42b, 52a, 52b ... tooth part, 23 ... rod part, F0-F3 ... tooth tip, S0-S3 ... straight part, B ... tooth bottom, L0-L3 ... straight length.

Claims (6)

In the rack bar meshed with the pinion gear,
The shaft,
A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion is in the axial direction. Rack tooth forming portions arranged diagonally,
Provided on both ends of the shaft portion, provided with a rod portion having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion,
A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a straight portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the straight portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip and the straight portion. And the straight line portion and the tooth bottom are connected along an R shape composed of an arc shape forming at least one ellipse,
The rack tooth forming part is a rack in which only a single tooth part located at both ends of the tooth part is formed to have a shorter length along the contact surface than the other tooth parts. bar. In the rack bar meshed with the pinion gear,
The shaft,
A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion is in the axial direction. Rack tooth forming portions arranged diagonally,
Provided on both ends of the shaft portion, provided with a rod portion having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion,
A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the linear portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip is a temporary tooth. After forming the tip and the straight portion along the R shape formed of an arc shape, the temporary tooth tip is formed by cutting off the temporary tooth tip on the surface along the axial direction,
The rack tooth forming part is a rack in which only a single tooth part located at both ends of the tooth part is formed to have a shorter length along the contact surface than the other tooth parts. bar. In the rack bar meshed with the pinion gear,
The shaft,
A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion is in the axial direction. Rack tooth forming portions arranged diagonally,
Provided on both ends of the shaft portion, provided with a rod portion having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion,
A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the linear portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip is a temporary tooth. After connecting the tip and the straight portion along an R shape formed of at least one elliptical arc shape, the tip is formed by cutting the temporary tooth tip along a surface along the axial direction,
The rack tooth forming part is a rack in which only a single tooth part located at both ends of the tooth part is formed to have a shorter length along the contact surface than the other tooth parts. bar. A steering shaft coupled to the steering member;
A pinion shaft coupled to the steering shaft and having a pinion gear at the tip;
A rack bar meshed with the pinion gear,
The rack bar includes a shaft portion,
A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion is in the axial direction. Rack tooth forming portions arranged diagonally,
Provided on both ends of the shaft portion, provided with a rod portion having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion,
A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a straight portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the straight portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip and the straight portion. And the straight line portion and the tooth bottom are connected along an R shape composed of an arc shape forming at least one ellipse,
The rack tooth forming portion is a steering in which only a single tooth portion positioned at both ends of the tooth portion is formed to have a shorter length along the contact surface than the other tooth portions. apparatus. A steering shaft coupled to the steering member;
A pinion shaft coupled to the steering shaft and having a pinion gear at the tip;
A rack bar meshed with the pinion gear,
The rack bar includes a shaft portion,
A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion is in the axial direction. Rack tooth forming portions arranged diagonally,
Provided on both ends of the shaft portion, provided with a rod portion having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion,
A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the linear portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip is a temporary tooth. After forming the tip and the straight portion along the R shape formed of an arc shape, the temporary tooth tip is formed by cutting off the temporary tooth tip on the surface along the axial direction,
The rack tooth forming portion is a steering in which only a single tooth portion positioned at both ends of the tooth portion is formed to have a shorter length along the contact surface than the other tooth portions. apparatus. A steering shaft coupled to the steering member;
A pinion shaft coupled to the steering shaft and having a pinion gear at the tip;
A rack bar meshed with the pinion gear,
The rack bar includes a shaft portion,
A plurality of tooth portions provided on the shaft portion and meshing with the pinion gear are arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and a contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear of each tooth portion is in the axial direction. Rack tooth forming portions arranged diagonally,
Provided on both ends of the shaft portion, provided with a rod portion having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the rack tooth forming portion,
A cross section of the tooth portion cut in a direction orthogonal to the contact surface having a linear portion that contacts the pinion gear is formed from a tooth tip, the linear portion, and a tooth bottom, and the tooth tip is a temporary tooth. After connecting the tip and the straight portion along an R shape formed of at least one elliptical arc shape, the tip is formed by cutting the temporary tooth tip along a surface along the axial direction,
The rack tooth forming portion is a steering in which only a single tooth portion positioned at both ends of the tooth portion is formed to have a shorter length along the contact surface than the other tooth portions. apparatus.

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