JPH03271069A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set a rim part and a spoke part toward the correct direction very easily by rotating a lower boss with a taper part and an upper boss of a steering shaft by a gear mechanism within the range regulated by a rotation regulating part, in a state before clamping screws and so on. CONSTITUTION:A lower boss 22 is rotated within the specified range with a taper part 16 and an upper boss 21 of a steering shaft 11 by a gear 45 of a gear mechanism 41. With this rotation, each setting angle of a rim part 1 and a spoke part 3 connected to the lower boss 22 is adjusted, through which the rim part 1 and the spoke part 3 can be directed to the correct direction. In the state that those of rim part 1 and spoke part 3 are directed to the correct direction, a nut 12 is clamped whereby the lower boss 22 is attached, under pressure, to the taper part 16 of the steering shaft 11 via a washer 13 and an upper boss 21, thus the lower boss 22 is firmly clamped to the taper part 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a steering wheel for an automobile or the like.

(Prior Art) A steering wheel for an automobile has a structure in which an annular rim part and a boss part in the center are connected through spoke parts. The boss is fitted into the serrations and tapered part formed at the tip of the steering shaft, and the boss is fixed to the steering shaft with a screw fitting such as a nut or countersunk screw screwed onto the tip of the steering shaft. There are 36 to 40 teeth formed on the part.

Therefore, when attaching the steering wheel to the steering shaft, even if the engagement between the boss of the steering wheel and the serrations of the steering shaft shifts by just one tooth, the angle at which the steering wheel is attached will change by 10 degrees.
The difference will be ~9 degrees, so in this case, pull out the steering wheel boss from the steering shaft, orient the steering wheel in the correct direction, and then re-engage the boss with the serrations on the steering shaft. Because it is necessary, the work is troublesome.

Even if the boss engages with the serrations of the steering shaft with the steering wheel facing in the correct direction, there is an error in the assembly of the steering mechanism connected to the lower part of the steering shaft, so the steering shaft itself Since there is an error in the rotational direction, the steering wheel cannot be turned in the completely correct direction, and an error of about 5 degrees, which is equivalent to half of one tooth of the serration section, occurs.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-241262 discloses a method of reducing the error in the mounting angle of the steering wheel by selectively using several types of stopper pieces. A stopper piece must be prepared, and the steering shaft must be machined into a special shape - it cannot be applied to steering shafts with serrations and tapered parts inside the shell. Ta.

Separately, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-263166 discloses that a bushing is interposed between the steering shaft and the boss of the steering wheel, and the mounting angle of the bushing with respect to the steering shaft and the mounting angle of the boss with respect to the bushing are changed. shows a method to reduce the error in the steering wheel installation angle.
This method requires refitting the bushing to the steering shaft and refitting the boss to the bushing, which is cumbersome.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional case, when trying to install the steering wheel in the correct direction, it was necessary to refit the boss or bushing, which made the work troublesome, and the steering wheel Sometimes the shaft had to be machined into a special shape.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems.The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems.
The purpose is to allow the steering wheel to be easily installed in the correct direction.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) Claim 1 of the present invention provides that an annular rim portion 1 and a boss portion 2 at the center thereof are connected via spoke portions 3, and the boss portions 2
The boss 4 provided on the steering shaft 11 is fitted into the serration portion 15 and the tapered portion 16 formed at the tip of the steering shaft 11, and the boss 4 is attached to the steering shaft 11 with a threaded fitting 12 screwed onto the tip of the steering shaft 11. An upper boss 21 that engages the boss 4 with the serration portion 15 and a lower boss 22 that connects the spoke core metal 5 of the spoke portion 3 and rotatably fits into the tapered portion 16 of the steering wheel to be fixed. divided into
Between this upper boss 21 and lower boss 22,
Gear mechanism 4 that rotates the lower boss 22 with respect to the boss 21
1, and a lower boss 22 for the upper boss 21 is provided between the upper boss 21 and the lower boss 22.
A rotation restriction portion 49 is provided to restrict the rotation range of the steering shaft 11, and the screw fitting 12 is tightened to press the lower boss 22 to the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11 via the upper boss 21.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an annular rim portion 1 and a boss portion 2 at the center thereof are connected via spoke portions 3, and the boss portions 2
The boss 4 provided on the steering shaft 11 is fitted into the serration portion 15 and the tapered portion 16 formed at the tip of the steering shaft 11, and the boss 4 is attached to the steering shaft 11 with a threaded fitting 12 screwed onto the tip of the steering shaft 11. An upper boss 21 that engages the boss 4 with the serration portion 15 and a lower boss 22 that connects the spoke core metal 5 of the spoke portion 3 and rotatably fits into the tapered portion 16 of the steering wheel to be fixed. divided into
A gear mechanism 51 consisting of a worm 53 on the upper boss 21 side and a worm wheel 56 on the lower boss 22 side is provided between the upper boss 21 and the lower boss 22. 22 is pressed onto the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11.

(Function) The steering wheel according to claim 1 of the present invention has a rim portion l.
and fitting the lower boss 22 connecting the spoke portions 3 to the tapered portion 1G of the steering shaft 11,
After the upper boss 21 is engaged with the serration portion 15 of the steering shaft 11 and before the screw fitting 12 is tightened, the gear mechanism 41 moves the lower boss 22 within the range restricted by the rotation restriction portion 49. Rotate and rim part 1
Then, adjust the installation angle of the spoke part 3 so that it faces in the correct direction, and then tighten the screw fitting 12 and press-fit the lower boss 22 to the tapered part 16 of the steering shaft 11. 16.

In the steering wheel according to claim 2 of the present invention, the rim portion 1
and fitting the lower boss 22 connecting the spoke parts 3 to the tapered part 16 of the steering shaft 11,
After the upper boss 21 is engaged with the serration portion 15 of the steering shaft 11 and before the screw fitting 12 is tightened, the lower boss 22 is rotated by rotating the worm wheel 56 with the worm 53 of the gear mechanism 51. Rotate to adjust the mounting angle of the rim part 1 and spoke part 3 to point them in the correct direction, then tighten the screw fitting 12,
By press-fitting the lower boss 22 to the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11, the lower boss 22 is fixed to the tapered portion 16.

(Example) An example of the steering wheel of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 show a first embodiment corresponding to claim 1.

FIG. 3 shows a steering wheel for an automobile, and this steering wheel has a structure in which an annular rim portion 1 and a boss portion 2 at the center thereof are connected via spoke portions 3. As shown in FIG.

The boss portion 2 has a cylindrical boss 4 made of metal or the like.
A spoke core metal 5 of the spoke part 3 is fixed to this boss 4 by welding or the like, and a rim core metal 6 of the rim part 1 is fixed to this spoke core metal 5 by welding or the like. The rim core bar 6 is covered with a cover 7 made of soft synthetic resin.

As shown in FIG. 1, the boss 4 has a nut 12 attached to the tip of the steering shaft 11 of the N-type vehicle.
The steering shaft 11 has a bolt portion 14 for the nut 12 and a serration portion 15 and a tapered portion 16 for the boss 4 at the distal end of the steering shaft 11.

Here, the boss 4 is divided into upper and lower halves, an upper boss 21 that engages with the serration portion 15 of the steering shaft 11, and a lower boss 22 that rotatably engages with the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11. ,
The spoke core metal 5 of the spoke portion 3 is located between the flange portion 23 of the upper boss 21 and the flange portion 24 of the lower boss 22, and the spoke core metal 5 is fixed to the flange portion 24 of the lower boss 22 by welding or the like. , by screwing and tightening the nut 12 onto the bolt portion 14,
The lower boss 22 is crimped onto the tapered portion 16 via the washer 13 and the upper boss 21, so that the lower boss 22 is firmly fixed to the tapered portion 16, i.e., unrotatable.

Note that the lower end of the upper boss 21 is fitted with a fitting convex portion 31 on the upper end surface of the lower boss 22 relative to the upper boss 21.
A fitting recess 32 that fits into the fitting protrusion 31 is formed.

A gear mechanism 41 is provided between the upper boss 21 and lower boss 22.

This gear mechanism 41 is connected to the flange portion 2 of the upper boss 21.
A support plate 42 is fixed to 3 by welding or the like, and this support plate 42
A shaft 44 is vertically supported via a bearing 43, and this shaft 44
A small-diameter gear 45 consisting of a spur gear is attached to the lower end, and a gear portion 46 for this gear 45 is formed within a predetermined range of the outer periphery of the flange portion 24 of the lower boss 22, here a range of a little over 20 degrees. The lower end of the shaft 44 is supported by a support piece 47 connected to the support plate 42, and the upper end of the shaft 44 has a hexagonal engagement portion 48 for engaging a rotating tool such as a wrench.
is formed.

When the gear mechanism 41 rotates the gear 45 on the upper boss 21 side via the engaging portion 48, the gear 45 is rotated.
By meshing with the gear portion 46 of the lower boss 22, the lower boss 22 can be rotated with respect to the upper boss 21, and at this time, both ends 49 of the gear portion 46 engage the gear 4.
Further rotation of the lower boss 22 is prevented, and with both ends 49 of the gear portion 46 serving as rotation restriction portions, the rotation range of the lower boss 22 is limited to 20 as shown in FIG. It is regulated within a range of degrees.

Then, when attaching this steering wheel to the steering shaft 11, first, attach the upper boss 21
The boss 4 consisting of the upper boss 21 and the lower boss 22 is fitted to the tip of the steering shaft 11, and the lower boss 22 to which the spoke core metal 5 is fixed is rotatably fitted to the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11.
The bolt part 1 of the steering shaft 11 is engaged with the serration part 15 of the steering shaft 11.
After attaching the washer 13 to 4, lightly screw the nut 12 on.

Note that here, it is necessary to mesh the gear 45 of the gear mechanism 41 with the center portion of the gear portion 46 and with the upper boss 21 facing the serration portion 15 in a substantially correct direction.

In this state, the lower boss 22 can be rotated within the range shown in FIG. 2 with respect to the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11 and the upper boss 21 by the gear 45 of the gear mechanism 41. lower boss 22
It is possible to orient the rim part 1 and the spoke parts 3 in the correct direction by adjusting the mounting angle of the rim part 1 and the spoke part 3 connected to the rim part 1 and the spoke part 3. Tighten the nut 12, thereby
By press-fitting the lower boss 22 to the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11 via the washer 13 and the upper boss 21, the lower boss 22 is firmly fixed to the tapered portion 16.

Therefore, when attaching the steering wheel to the steering shaft 11, the steering wheel can be easily attached in the correct direction without refitting the boss 4, etc. Moreover, since the angle is adjusted by the gear mechanism 4I, the angle It is possible to fine-tune the
The steering wheel can be installed accurately and reliably in the correct direction, and the steering shaft 11
There is no need to process it into a special shape.

Even if the nut 12 screwed onto the bolt part 14 of the steering shaft I+ becomes loose while the car is being driven, the lower boss 22 and the tapered part 16 of the steering shaft 11 are normally kept in contact with each other. There is no problem with lower boss 22.
Even if the tapered portion 16 is crimped, the serration portion 15 of the steering shaft 11 and the upper boss 2
1 is maintained, and the rotation of the lower boss 22 with respect to the upper boss 21 is regulated within a predetermined range shown in FIG. As a result, the rim portion 1 does not rotate idly, and there is little wobbling, so that no serious problems occur.

In this first embodiment, both ends 49 of the gear portion 46 meshed with the gear 45 of the gear mechanism 41 are used as rotation restriction portions that restrict the rotation range of the lower boss 22 with respect to the upper boss 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to form a concave portion, a convex portion, etc. in the upper boss 21 and the lower boss 22 that engage with each other so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range, and to use these as the rotation regulating portion.

Next, FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment corresponding to claim 2.

This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above.
The only difference is the gear mechanism, and the other configurations and operations are the same as in the first embodiment described above, so similar parts are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted.

In this second embodiment, the gear mechanism 51 between the upper boss 21 and the lower boss 22 includes a support frame 52 fixed to the flange portion 23 of the upper boss 21 by welding or the like, and an axis of an ohm 53 attached to the support frame 52. 54 and 55 are supported horizontally, and a worm wheel 56 for the worm 53 is formed on a part of the outer circumference of the flange portion 24 of the lower boss 22, and a driver or the like is attached to the end of one shaft portion 54 of the worm 53. An engaging portion 57 for engaging a co-movement tool is formed, and the lower boss 22 is held at the lower part of the upper boss 21 by a part of the support frame 52.

When the gear mechanism 51 rotates the worm 53 on the upper boss 21 side via the engagement part 57, the worm 53 and the worm wheel 56 on the lower boss 22 side engage with each other, so that the gear mechanism 51 rotates the lower boss against the upper boss 21. 2
2 can be rotated.

Therefore, in the case of this second embodiment as well, when attaching the steering wheel to the steering shaft 11, first, the boss 4 consisting of the upper boss 21 and the lower boss 22 is fitted to the tip of the steering shaft 11, and then
The lower boss 22 to which the spoke core metal 5 is fixed is rotatably fitted to the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11, and the upper boss 21 is fitted to the steering shaft 11.
After that, the washer 13 is attached to the bolt part 14 of the steering shaft 11, and the nut 12 is lightly screwed together.

In this state, the worm 53 of the gear mechanism 51 can rotate the lower boss 22 with respect to the tapered part 16 of the steering shaft 11 and the upper boss 21, so the rim part 1 connected to the lower boss 22 and the spokes The mounting angle of the part 3 can be adjusted to orient the rim part 1 and the spoke part 3 in the correct direction. With the rim part 1 and the spoke part 3 facing in the correct direction, tighten the nut 12. By pressing the lower boss 22 onto the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11 via the washer 13 and the upper boss 21, the lower boss 22 is firmly fixed to the tapered portion 16.

Therefore, when attaching the steering wheel to the steering shaft 11, the steering wheel can be easily attached in the correct direction without refitting the boss 4, etc. Moreover, since the angle is adjusted by the gear mechanism 51, the angle It is possible to fine-tune the
The steering wheel can be installed accurately and reliably in the correct direction, and the steering shaft 11
There is no need to process it into a special shape.

Even in the unlikely event that the nut 12 screwed onto the bolt portion 14 of the steering shaft 11 loosens while the vehicle is in operation, the pressure between the lower boss 22 and the tapered portion 16 of the steering shaft 11 is normally maintained. , there is no problem with driving, and if in this condition, lower boss 2
2 and the tapered portion 16 come off, the engagement between the serration portion 15 of the steering shaft 11 and the upper boss 21 is maintained, and the simultaneous movement of the lower boss 22 with respect to the upper boss 21 is caused by the upper boss 21 of the gear mechanism 51. The rim portion] is regulated by the engagement of the worm 53 on the side and the worm wheel 56 on the lower boss 22 side.
Since there is no idle spinning and no rattling, there is no need for anything serious to happen.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to claim 1 of the present invention, before the screw fastening tool is tightened, the gear mechanism moves the lower boss to the tapered part of the steering shaft within the range regulated by the rotation regulating part. and can be rotated relative to the upper boss, so the mounting angle of the rim and spokes connected to the lower boss can be adjusted and the rim and spokes can be oriented in the correct direction very easily.
In this state, by tightening the screw fitting to the tip of the steering shaft, the lower boss can be firmly fixed by being crimped to the tapered part of the steering shaft. The steering wheel can be easily installed in the correct direction without having to refit the steering wheel, and since the angle is adjusted using a gear mechanism, fine adjustment of the angle is possible, ensuring that the steering wheel is correctly and reliably installed in the correct direction. It can be mounted in any direction, and there is no need to process the steering shaft into a special shape.

Even if the threaded fitting screwed onto the steering shaft becomes loose and the tapered part of the lower boss and steering shaft come undone, the engagement between the serration part of the steering shaft and the upper boss is maintained, and this・Since the rotation of the lower boss relative to the y-tsuk boss is restricted within a predetermined range by the rotation restriction section,
The rim part does not spin freely and there is little play, so there is no chance of any serious problems.

According to claim 2 of the present invention, in a state before the screw fastening tool is tightened, the worm wheel of the gear mechanism is rotated to move the lower boss between the tapered part of the steering shaft and the ametZ. - Since it can rotate relative to the boss, it is possible to adjust the mounting angle of the rim and spokes connected to the lower boss and to orient the rim and spokes in the correct direction very easily. By tightening the screw fitting to the tip of the steering shaft, the lower boss can be firmly fixed by being crimped onto the tapered part of the steering shaft. You can easily install the steering wheel in the correct direction without making any adjustments, and since the angle is adjusted using a gear mechanism, you can make fine adjustments to the angle, and you can accurately and reliably position the steering wheel in the correct direction. It can be installed, and there is no need to process the steering shaft into a special shape.

Even if the screw fitting screwed onto the steering shaft becomes loose and the tapered part of the lower boss and steering shaft become unbonded, the engagement between the serration part of the steering shaft and the upper boss is maintained, and the upper The rotation of the lower boss relative to the boss is regulated by the engagement of the worm on the upper boss side of the gear mechanism and the worm wheel on the lower boss side, so the rim part will not spin idle and there will be no wobbling, which will prevent any serious problems. do not have.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention, and FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment corresponding to claim 1, and FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the boss portion, and FIG. Plan view,
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the whole, FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment corresponding to claim 2, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the boss portion, and FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof. , FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. l・Rim part, 2...Boss part, 3...Spoke part, 4...
・Boss, 5.. Spoke core metal, 1. Steering shaft, 12.. Nut as screw fitting, 15.. Serration part, +6.. Taper part, 21.. Upper boss, 2.
2. Lower boss, 4-toe gear mechanism, 49. End of gear portion 46 as rotation regulating portion, 51. Gear mechanism, 53.
・Worm, 56・Worm wheel. ”! L Go

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An annular rim part and a central boss part thereof are connected through spoke parts, and the boss provided on the boss part is fitted into a serration part and a tapered part formed at the tip of the steering shaft, A steering wheel in which the boss is fixed to the steering shaft by a screw fitting screwed onto the tip of the steering shaft, the upper boss meshing the boss with the serration part and the spoke core metal of the spoke part being joined together. and a lower boss that rotatably fits into the tapered part, and a gear mechanism is provided between the upper boss and the lower boss to rotate the lower boss with respect to the upper boss,
A rotation restriction part is provided between the upper boss and the lower boss to restrict the rotation range of the lower boss with respect to the upper boss, and the screw fitting is tightened to press the lower boss to the tapered part of the steering shaft via the upper boss. A steering wheel characterized by: (2) connecting an annular rim part and a central boss part thereof through spoke parts, and fitting the boss provided on the boss part into a serration part and a tapered part formed at the tip of the steering shaft; A steering wheel in which the boss is fixed to the steering shaft by a screw fitting screwed onto the tip of the steering shaft, the upper boss meshing the boss with the serration part and the spoke core metal of the spoke part being joined together. A gear mechanism consisting of a worm on the upper boss side and a worm wheel on the lower boss side is provided between the upper boss and the lower boss to tighten the screw fastener. A steering wheel characterized in that a lower boss is crimped onto a tapered portion of a steering shaft via an upper boss.