KR20230094287A - Apparatus for adjusting position of steering wheel for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle, comprising: a driving motor; a lead screw rotated in a forward or reverse direction by the driving force of the driving motor and having a male thread formed in a predetermined area; a housing provided with a support for supporting rotation of the lead screw on one side to which the driving force is transmitted; a stopper fixed to an end of the lead screw with a cross section larger than that of the lead screw; A female screw thread engaged with the male screw thread is formed on an inner circumferential surface and rotation is restricted, and the moving nut is connected to the steering wheel and moves the steering wheel while moving by a predetermined operating stroke in the longitudinal direction according to the rotation of the lead screw. ; It is configured to include, improves economic feasibility by using parts used in other existing actuators, reliably implements the operating stroke of the steering wheel, and reduces vibration and noise generated in the process of adjusting the position of the steering wheel. Provided is a device for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle.

Description

Vehicle steering wheel position adjustment device {APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING POSITION OF STEERING WHEEL FOR VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle, and more particularly, to an apparatus for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle capable of reducing vibration and noise generated in the process of adjusting the position according to the tilting or protruding length of the steering wheel. It is about.

A steering device of a vehicle is a device for adjusting the driving direction of a vehicle, and is also referred to as a steering device. In general, a steering device is configured to adjust the traveling direction of a vehicle by rotating a steering wheel installed in a driver's seat clockwise or counterclockwise.

Conventionally, since the axial length of the steering wheel of a vehicle is fixed to a certain length, there is an inconvenient problem of having to take a driving posture suitable for the steering wheel while the driver's seat is operated forward or backward, depending on the driver's physical condition. There is a problem in that it is difficult to drive a vehicle in an optimal driving posture.

Recently, a device capable of selectively adjusting the tilt angle of the steering wheel 10 or the protruding length of the steering wheel protruding toward the driver according to the driver's physical condition has been applied. However, in the conventional steering wheel control device 20, vibration and operation noise are generated while the movable member moves linearly along the lead screw by the rotation of the lead screw, and the driver feels uncomfortable due to the vibration transmitted to the steering wheel. problems have arisen Therefore, a method of reducing noise and vibration generated during steering wheel adjustment is being sought.

Meanwhile, a number of actuators for realizing various purposes and functions, such as adjusting a seat or a steering wheel, are provided in a vehicle. These actuators have a different stroke distance for linear reciprocating motion depending on the device or specifications. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture actuators that meet each specification one by one, but it is not economical to manufacture new actuators one by one if other configurations are the same except for the operating stroke.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method of reducing noise and vibration generated during adjustment of a steering wheel while increasing economic feasibility by utilizing the configuration of the existing actuator as it is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle capable of reducing vibration and noise generated in the process of adjusting the position of the steering wheel.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to suppress contact between the lead screw and the moving nut and operation noise by minimizing the flow of the moving nut moving the steering wheel to the lead screw.

At the same time, an object of the present invention is to increase the reliability of moving by the operating stroke of the steering wheel.

Further, an object of the present invention is to suppress vibration and noise when a steering wheel is reciprocally moved by a moving nut even if a male thread is not formed on a part of the lead screw.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to reduce costs and improve assembly and productivity.

In order to achieve the above objects of the present invention, the present invention is a device for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle, comprising: a drive motor; a lead screw rotated in a forward or reverse direction by the driving force of the driving motor and having a male thread formed in a predetermined area; a housing provided with a support for supporting rotation of the lead screw on one side to which the driving force is transmitted; a stopper fixed to an end of the lead screw with a cross section larger than that of the lead screw; A female screw thread engaged with the male screw thread is formed on an inner circumferential surface, rotation is restricted, and is connected to the steering wheel to move the steering wheel by a predetermined operating stroke while moving in the longitudinal direction of the lead screw according to the rotation of the lead screw. Letting move the nut; It provides a device for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises.

As described above, according to the present invention, an advantageous effect of reducing vibration and noise generated in the process of adjusting the position of the steering wheel can be obtained.

In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of minimizing vibration and noise generated while moving the steering wheel by minimizing the movement of the moving nut relative to the lead screw moving the steering wheel.

Through this, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain advantageous effects of improving vehicle steering and creating a quiet indoor driving environment.

In addition, according to the present invention, as the engagement length of the movable nut with respect to the lead screw is formed longer than in the prior art, an advantageous effect of reducing vibration and noise generated during movement of the movable nut can be obtained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a first area in which the tooth thickness of the moving nut is formed to be a larger first tooth width than the tooth thickness of the lead screw, and the tooth thickness of the moving nut is formed to a second tooth width smaller than the first tooth thickness. By providing a second area to form, vibration and noise are suppressed in the first area by the engagement of the tooth thickness of the moving nut and the male thread of the lead screw, and at the same time, the difference in thermal deformation amount in winter or summer is absorbed in the second area. The advantageous effect of reliably ensuring the operation of the steering wheel can be obtained even with changes in air temperature.

Similarly, according to the present invention, a first region is provided in which the pitch of the female threads of the movable nut is formed with a smaller first pitch than the pitch of the lead screw, and the pitch of the movable nut is larger than the first pitch. By providing a second area formed with a second pitch identical to the pitch of the lead screw, vibration and noise are suppressed by engagement between the tooth thickness of the moving nut and the male thread of the lead screw in the first area, and at the same time, in the second area By absorbing the difference in thermal deformation amount in winter or summer, an advantageous effect of ensuring reliable operation of the steering wheel even when the temperature changes can be obtained.

In addition, according to the present invention, by using the configuration of many actuators applied to automobiles as it is, it is possible to improve economic feasibility, stably implement the operating stroke of the steering wheel, and obtain an advantageous effect of reliably reducing vibration and noise. .

1 is a view for explaining a vehicle steering device to which a device for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a position adjusting device for a steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the position adjusting device of the vehicle steering wheel of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the dotted line portion of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of Figure 2;
Figure 6a is an enlarged view of 'A' part of Figure 5;
Figure 6b is an enlarged view of part 'B' of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part 'A' of Figure 5 as another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8a is an enlarged view of part 'C' of Figure 5, showing a state in which the moving nut is located in the first position;
FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of part 'C' of FIG. 5 showing a state in which the moving nut is located in the second position.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited by the embodiments. For reference, in the present description, the same numbers refer to substantially the same elements, and descriptions may be made by citing contents described in other drawings under these rules, and contents determined to be obvious to those skilled in the art or repeated contents may be omitted.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the device 100 for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention rotates in a forward or reverse direction by a drive motor 110 and a driving force of the drive motor 110 and A housing provided with a lead screw 130 having a male thread 130x formed in the region 130s and a support part 121 supporting rotation of the lead screw 130 on one side to which the driving force of the driving motor 110 is transmitted ( 120), a moving nut 140 connected to the steering wheel 10 and linearly reciprocating by a predetermined operating stroke according to the rotation of the lead screw 120, and a lead screw with a cross section larger than that of the lead screw 130 It is configured to include a stopper 150 fixed to the end of the screw 120 to limit the operating stroke of the moving nut 140.

For reference, in the present invention, the steering wheel 10 means a handle for controlling the driving direction of the vehicle, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the structure and shape of the steering wheel 10.

The driving motor 110 is provided to generate driving force for rotating the lead screw 130 . As the driving motor 110, a conventional motor capable of providing rotational driving force may be used, and the present invention is not limited or limited by the type and structure of the motor.

The power transmission structure of the driving motor 110 and the lead screw 130 may be variously changed according to required conditions and design specifications. For example, the lead screw 130 may be configured to rotate by receiving the driving force of the driving motor 110 directly or by receiving the driving force through a power transmission unit.

Hereinafter, an example in which the drive motor 110 and the lead screw 130 are connected via a power transmission unit will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the power transmission unit includes a worm gear 115a formed on a rotational shaft 115 in which a motor shaft of a drive motor 110 rotates by being connected to a coupler 113, and a worm gear 115a ) and a worm wheel 135a formed on the lead screw 130 to engage with.

More specifically, when the worm gear 115a is rotated by the drive motor 110, the worm wheel 135a meshed with the worm gear 115a rotates, thereby rotating the lead screw 130 in a forward or reverse direction. According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to construct a power transmission unit using other gears or gear combinations without using a worm and a worm wheel.

The lead screw 130 receives the driving force of the driving motor 110 through the power transmission unit and rotates in a forward or reverse direction, and male threads 130x are formed with a uniform pitch and tooth width in a predetermined area 130s.

Here, the lead screw 130 may have a male thread 130x formed over the entire area exposed to the outside of the housing 120, but as shown in FIG. 5, it is common with the lead screw used as an actuator for automobiles. In order to use the parts of the housing 120, the male thread 130x is not formed in the adjacent region 130n.

In the housing 120, support parts 121 for rotationally supporting the lead screw 130 in a cantilever shape are provided at a plurality of positions spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the lead screw 130, and the rotation axis is located in the accommodation space 120A therein. (115) and the worm wheel (135a) of the lead screw (130). Here, the support part 121 may be formed as a bush or bearing supporting the lead screw 130 . Even if the lead screw 130 is installed in a cantilever shape, it is possible to minimize fluctuations of the free end of the lead screw 130 during rotation as it is rotationally supported at two or more spaced apart positions.

A hinge hole 121 is formed at one end of the housing 120, and the vehicle steering wheel position adjusting device 100 is rotatably installed on the vehicle body via the hinge hole 121.

The housing 120 may be provided with an accommodating portion 124 in which a bush for rotationally supporting the upper end of the rotating shaft 115 is accommodated. Further, the housing 120 is provided with an annular protrusion 125 protruding around the lead screw 130 so that the front end 125e of the annular protrusion 125 limits one side of the operating stroke of the moving nut 140. to be limited Therefore, the annular protrusion 125 of the housing 120 has the operating stroke of the steering wheel 10 due to the protruding length of the annular protrusion 125 even if the lead screw 130 commonly used in other actuators of the automobile is applied. It is possible to fit

The moving nut 140 has a female thread 140x that engages with the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130, is formed on the inner circumferential surface, and is installed in a state in which rotation is restricted, according to the rotation of the lead screw 130. It is installed to enable reciprocating linear movement in the longitudinal direction along the lead screw 130 .

The moving nut 140 is provided with a coupling portion 145 rotatably coupled to an extension member (not shown) extending from the steering wheel 10 . Accordingly, the steering wheel 10 is capable of tilting rotational movement in conjunction with the linear reciprocating movement of the moving nut 140, and the position adjustment of the steering wheel 10 does not coincide with the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 130. It is also possible to adjust by displacement. Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the coupling part 145 may be connected so as not to be rotatably coupled to the extension member extending from the steering wheel 10 .

The first stroke of the moving nut 140 along the lead screw 130 by a predetermined amount is when one side 141 of the moving nut 140 contacts the front end 125e of the annular protrusion 125 of the housing 120. The distance that the other side 142 of the moving nut 140 reciprocates from the position (P1 in FIG. 8A) to the second position (P2 in FIG. 8B) where the other side 142 contacts the stopper 150 fixed to the end of the lead screw 130 is determined by

Here, the length of the moving nut 140 is three or more times larger than the diameter of the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130, and is preferably set to a length of 5 to 8 times. Through this, since the screw engagement length between the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130 and the female thread 140x of the moving nut 140 is increased, the female thread 140x of the moving nut 140 and the lead screw 130 ) It is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of reducing vibration and noise generated by the gap play between the male threads 130x.

In addition to this, as the length of the moving nut 140 is increased much more than before, when the length of the lead screw 130 is formed longer than the tilting rotation angle range of the steering wheel 10 in the driver's seat Since the conventional spacer disposed between the housing 120 and the moving nut 140 can be excluded in order to secure the operating stroke required for adjusting the position of the steering wheel 10, the total number of parts is reduced and the assembly time is reduced. It can be shortened to obtain an advantageous effect of lowering the manufacturing cost.

Meanwhile, the female threads 140x of the moving nut 140 may be formed to have a uniform pitch and tooth width as a whole. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the female thread 140x of the moving nut 140 is further formed than the first area 140A1 of FIG. 6A formed with the first tooth width W1 and the first tooth width W1. It may be formed as the second area 140A2 of FIG. 6B formed with a small second tooth width W2 and formed at the same pitch as the first tooth width W1.

For example, the first area 140A1 of the first tooth width W1 is formed on one side based on the central portion of the female thread 140x, and the second tooth width W2 is formed on the other side based on the central portion of the female thread 140x. ) of the second area 140A2.

Through this, in the first area 140A1 of the moving nut 140, all the tooth surfaces of the female thread of the wider first tooth width W1 come into contact with all the tooth surfaces of the male thread gear of the lead screw 130 and are engaged with the steering wheel. While adjusting the position of the wheel 10, generation of vibration and noise is minimized.

In addition, a difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the lead screw 130 and the moving nut 140 may occur depending on the operating season of the vehicle or the temperature difference according to the region. Even if the movable nut 140 is thermally expanded by a different amount, the gap cc between the female thread of the smaller second tooth width W2 and the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130 in the second region 140A2 By accommodating the thermal expansion deviation, the female thread 140x of the moving nut 140 and the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130 do not get caught in each other and do not reach a state in which they cannot move, and an advantageous effect of ensuring a reliable operating state is obtained. can

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. Similarly, the pitch P1 of the female threads in the first region 140A1 is formed larger than the pitch of the lead screw 140, while the first tooth width W1 is formed smaller than the second tooth width W2. can be configured. In this case, the second pitch in the second area 140A2 may be formed to be the same as the pitch of the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130 . Accordingly, a similar effect of preventing an operation error due to a difference in thermal expansion according to a use temperature can be obtained while minimizing generation of vibration and noise while adjusting the position of the steering wheel 10 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a lead screw generally used for a plurality of actuators installed in automobiles has a male thread in an adjacent area 130n facing the housing 120, as shown in FIG. 130x may not be formed, and male peaks 130x may be formed only in other predetermined regions 130s.

As described above, when the lead screw 130 in which the male thread 130x is formed only in the partial region 130s is applied to the steering wheel position adjusting device 100, one end 141 of the moving nut 140 is the housing At the first position (P1) in contact with 120 to reach the one-side boundary of the operating stroke (140d1), more than a part of the first area 140A1 and more than a part of the second area 140A2 of the moving nut 140 All of them are engaged with the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8A , when the moving nut 140 reaches the first position P1, all of the female threads of the first region 140A1 are the male threads of the lead screw 130. 130x, and at the same time, a part of the female thread of the second region 140A2 remains engaged with the male thread 130x of the lead screw 130. Through this, as the engagement state of the female thread of the first region 140A1 and the male thread of the lead screw 130 is always maintained, the tilt angle of the steering wheel 10 or It is possible to greatly reduce noise and vibration generated while adjusting the position of the protruding length, etc., and to obtain an advantageous effect of preventing an operation error due to a difference in thermal expansion according to the operating temperature.

As described above, although it has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can variously modify and modify the present invention within the scope not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. You will understand that it can be changed.

10: steering wheel 100: position control device
110: drive motor 120: housing
121: support 130: lead screw
130x: male thread 140: moving nut
140x: female thread 140A1: first region
140A2: second area 145: coupling part
150: stopper W1: first tooth width
W2: 2nd tooth width

Claims (10)

A device for adjusting the position of a steering wheel for a vehicle,
a driving motor;
a lead screw rotated in a forward or reverse direction by the driving force of the driving motor and having a male thread formed in a predetermined area;
a housing provided with a support for supporting rotation of the lead screw on one side to which the driving force is transmitted;
A female screw thread engaged with the male screw thread is formed on an inner circumferential surface, rotation is restricted, and is connected to the steering wheel to move the steering wheel while moving in the longitudinal direction of the lead screw by a predetermined operating stroke according to the rotation of the lead screw. Letting move the nut;
Position control device for a steering wheel for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises.
According to claim 1,
a stopper fixed to an end of the lead screw with a cross section larger than that of the lead screw;
The operating stroke is determined by a distance reciprocating from a first position where one side of the movable nut contacts the housing to a second position where the other side of the movable nut contacts the stopper. Adjusting the position of the steering wheel.
According to claim 2,
The moving nut is a vehicle steering wheel position adjusting device, characterized in that the female thread is formed with a length of at least three times the diameter of the lead screw.
According to claim 3,
The female screw thread includes a first area formed with a first tooth width and a second area formed with a second tooth width smaller than the first tooth width.
According to claim 3,
wherein the female screw thread includes a first area formed with a smaller first pitch than the pitch of the male screw thread, and a second area formed with a second pitch identical to the pitch of the male screw thread. regulator.
According to claim 4,
The position adjusting device of a steering wheel for a vehicle, characterized in that the first area is formed on one side with respect to the central portion of the female screw thread, and the second area is formed on the other side based on the central portion of the female screw thread.
According to claim 2,
The position adjusting device of a steering wheel for a vehicle, characterized in that the support portion rotates and supports the lead screw at two or more positions spaced apart in an axial direction inside the housing.
According to claim 2,
The movable nut is provided with a coupling portion rotatably coupled to an extension member extending from the steering wheel.
According to any one of claims 2 to 8,
The position adjusting device of a steering wheel for a vehicle, characterized in that the housing includes an annular protruding part protruding around the lead screw, and the first position is a front end of the annular protruding part.
According to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The lead screw has no external thread formed in an area adjacent to the housing, and at least a portion of the first area and a portion of the second area are located in a state in which one side of the moving nut is positioned at the first position. The vehicle steering wheel position adjusting device, characterized in that in a state engaged with the male thread of the lead screw.

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