JPH0582721U - Steering shaft lock hole structure - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To strengthen the steering shaft A without changing the wall thickness or thickness. [Structure] A lock hole 2 is formed on the outer periphery of a steering shaft A. Induction hardening Q1 is formed on the outer periphery of the lock hole 2 by induction hardening.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a steering shaft lock hole structure capable of strengthening a steering shaft lock hole.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, the lock hole of the steering shaft is a lock hole into which a lock pin is inserted to prevent the vehicle from being stolen. In order to prevent the lock pin from coming off, it is made of a material that increases the strength of the lock hole, or is made thicker.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, at present, considering the fuel efficiency of a car, reducing the total weight is becoming the most effective means. To this end, even the steering shaft is required to be thinner, but even if the steering shaft is thin, the strength when locked should be kept to a minimum. Is required. There was no simple and inexpensive product that satisfied the conditions in such a situation.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 Therefore, as a result of earnest and repeated studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor has formed a lock hole portion on the outer periphery of the steering shaft, and induction-hardened the outer periphery of the lock hole portion by induction hardening. With the structure of the lock hole portion of the steering shaft having the insertion portion, the lock hole portion can be strengthened, the above-mentioned problems are solved, and the purpose thereof is achieved.

[0005]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2, 6 and 7. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the steering shaft A has a lock hole 2 formed at an appropriate position in the middle of the shaft body 1.

The lock hole 2 is formed in an oval shape (see FIG. 1 or the like) or a square shape (see a chain line in FIG. 3). When formed in a rectangular shape, the four corners are formed in an arc shape. 1 and 2 of the embodiment, the lock hole is a through hole, but it may be formed in a key groove shape, though not shown.

The outer periphery of the lock hole portion 2 is processed as an induction hardening portion Q1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an induction hardening portion Q 1 is formed on the outer periphery of the lock hole 2 and an induction hardening upper portion Q 2 is formed on the circumference of a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft A. Are formed.

The induction hardening apparatus B used in the first embodiment is composed of an electrode plate 10, an induction coil 11, a cooling water pipe 13, a coil cooling pipe 14, and the like. As a specific configuration thereof, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the leading ends of the electrode plates 10 and 10 which are conductors facing each other are connected to an induction coil 11 which is a hollow annular conductor. The guide coil 11 has a space into which the insulating plate 12 is inserted so as to cut a part of an annular shape, and its end is closed. The insulating plate 12 is constructed so as to be interposed between the electrode plates 10 and 10. A circuit S by a high frequency power source P is provided between the electrode plates 10, 10.

The inner diameter of the induction coil 11 has a size such that the steering shaft A can be loosely inserted, and a large number of small-diameter injection ports 11a, 11a, ... Are bored in the inner diameter. Furthermore, the ends of the cooling water pipes 13, 13 are connected in the diameter direction of the induction coil 11, and after induction heating, cooling water is introduced into the induction coil 11 from both tanks (not shown) via both cooling water pipes 13, 13. The cooling water enters and is jetted toward the center of the induction coil 11 from the small-diameter jet ports 11a, 11a, ....

A coil cooling pipe 14 for cooling the induction coil 11 itself is provided along the outer periphery of the induction coil 11, and is provided along the outside of the electrode plates 10, 10. ing. Water from the water tank flows in from one end of the coil cooling pipe 14, passes through the inside of the coil cooling pipe 14 and returns to the tank again from the other end, which is circulated.

By using such an induction hardening apparatus B, an induction hardening portion Q1 is formed on the outer periphery of the lock hole 2 and an induction hardening upper portion Q2 is formed on the circumference of the steering shaft A in cross section.

Further, as a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the induction hardening portion Q1 is formed in a similar shape only on the outer periphery of the lock hole portion 2. The induction hardening apparatus B in this case also has the same components as the apparatus used in the first embodiment, and in particular, the shape of the induction coil 11 is made substantially similar to the shape of the lock hole portion 2, The part 2 is installed in parallel with a certain distance and quenched.

Further, as a third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, an induction hardening portion Q1 is formed in a gourd shape on the outer periphery of the lock hole portion 2. The induction hardening apparatus B in this case also has the same structural members as the apparatus used in the first embodiment, and in particular, the induction coil 11 is formed into a gourd shape with a certain distance from the lock hole 2. It is installed in parallel and quenched.

Although the shaft body 1 is formed as a hollow shaft, it may be formed as a solid shaft. The lock hole 2 in this case is formed in a key groove shape. In the figure, 15 is a steering column, 16 is a tilt adjusting lever, 17 is a telescopic adjusting lever, R is a lock pin, and W is a steering wheel.

[0015]

[Effect of the device]

 In the present invention, the steering shaft A has the lock hole portion 2 formed on the outer periphery thereof, and the induction hole Q1 is formed on the outer periphery of the lock hole portion 2 by induction hardening to form the steering shaft lock hole portion structure. First, there is an effect that the steering shaft A can be strengthened without changing the thickness or thickness.

[0016] To explain this effect in detail, the induction hardening portion Q1 on the outer periphery of the lock hole portion 2 can strengthen the two lock hole portions of the steering shaft A without changing the thickness or thickness, and by extension, The steering shaft A can be significantly reduced in weight. This kind of thing can be useful for improving the fuel efficiency of automobiles.

Further, since the lock hole portion 2 is strengthened, the wear resistance to the lock pin R is also improved, so that the steering shaft A can be prevented from being deformed or damaged, and the thickness or the thickness can be endured to the strength. It can be thinner or thinner in the range.

[0018]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

2A is a longitudinal sectional view of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an essential part of an induction hardening apparatus for forming the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

6A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of FIG.

7A is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a steering column portion provided with the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Steering shaft Q1 ... Induction hardening 2 ... Lock hole

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A lock hole structure for a steering shaft, wherein a lock hole is formed on the outer periphery of the steering shaft, and an induction hardened part is formed on the outer periphery of the lock hole by induction hardening.