JPS6120463B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a restoring mechanism for an automobile steering device.

In automobiles, restoring force is applied to the steering system during steering by the kingpin angle and scrub of the steered wheels (front wheels), but this restoring force is generally applied when driving straight as shown in Figure 4 A. Usually, it has the characteristic that it becomes almost zero at . Therefore, when the frictional force of each part of the steering system is large, the restoring force is completely lost in the range b where the frictional force a is greater than the restoring force, and the vehicle cannot return to the straight-ahead state, resulting in poor stability during straight-ahead traveling. In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, a system in which a restoring device is incorporated into the steering main shaft has already been developed (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 118244/1983).

In the present invention, a restoring device is provided on the rack shaft using the attractive force of a magnet, and the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described below.

1 to 3, 1 is a gearbox main body, 2 is a rack shaft supported by a bearing 3 so as to be able to slide in the axial direction within the gearbox main body 1. Although not shown, the gearbox When the pinion mounted in the main body 1 and meshing with the rack shaft is rotated by rotation of the steering handle, the rack shaft 2 slides in the axial direction and rotates the steered wheels (front wheels) via a tie rod or the like. It's getting old.

There are magnets 4, 4 on the inner surface of the gearbox main body 1.
are fixed, for example, with an adhesive or the like, and magnets 5, 5, which face each other and have polarities different from those of the magnets 4, are fixed on the outer peripheral surface of the rack shaft 2 by means of adhesive or the like. and 5 are in a positional relationship where they are closest to each other and face each other in a straight-ahead state.

In the figure, 6 indicates a clip for fixing the bearing, and 7 indicates a boot.

In the above configuration, when turning the steering wheel by turning the steering wheel greatly, both magnets 4 and 5 are separated by a large distance due to the sliding movement of the rack shaft 2 to the left or right, and there is no influence of mutual magnetic force, and the steering system has a kingpin angle. , only the restoring force due to wheel alignment such as scrubbing acts, and shows the same restoring force characteristics as before.

When the magnets 4 and 5 come close to each other, the attractive force of the magnets 4 and 5 gradually begins to act. In this state, the attractive force of the magnets is added to the restoring force due to wheel alignment, increasing the restoring force as a whole. increases. The attractive force of the magnet increases as the two magnets approach each other, as shown by the dotted line A in Figure 4B.
In the straight-ahead state where both magnets 4 and 5 are closest to each other, the attractive force between the two becomes maximum, and as shown by the solid line in FIG. Maintain a level greater than the frictional force a of each part of the system,
This can bring about a significant improvement in steering stability.

As described above, according to the present invention, with an extremely simple configuration, the restoring force of the steering system can be maintained at a predetermined level even in the vicinity of the straight-ahead state, thereby ensuring accurate return during steering,
In addition to significantly improving the stability when traveling straight, there is no effect of magnets except near the straight traveling position, so smooth steering can be performed without impairing the feeling of steering operation. This can have a great effect.

The magnets 4 and 5 can be installed at any location where they most face each other when the magnets are traveling straight; however, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the magnets 4 and 5 are installed at the end of the gearbox body 1, that is, on the outside of the bearing 3. It is optimal in terms of workability. Moreover, the number of attachments can be arbitrarily selected within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing the main parts in cross section. Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the X part in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a YY sectional view of Figure 2, and Figure 4
Figures A and B are diagrams showing the restoring force characteristics of the conventional steering system and the steering system of the present invention, respectively. 1...Gearbox body, 2...Rack shaft, 4, 5
…magnet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a steering device in which steering is performed by axial movement of a rack shaft installed in a gearbox body, magnets that attract each other to the gearbox body and rack shaft are installed so that they face each other most closely when traveling straight. A steering device restoration mechanism characterized by: