US20040194570A1 - Electric steering column device - Google Patents
Electric steering column device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040194570A1 US20040194570A1 US10/484,499 US48449904A US2004194570A1 US 20040194570 A1 US20040194570 A1 US 20040194570A1 US 48449904 A US48449904 A US 48449904A US 2004194570 A1 US2004194570 A1 US 2004194570A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- steering column
- joint element
- feed screw
- electrically
- electric motor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
- F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
- F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
- F16C11/0619—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints the female part comprising a blind socket receiving the male part
- F16C11/0623—Construction or details of the socket member
- F16C11/0657—Construction or details of the socket member the socket member being mainly made of plastics
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/16—Steering columns
- B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
- B62D1/181—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
- B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
- B62D1/16—Steering columns
- B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
- B62D1/185—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
- F16C2326/20—Land vehicles
- F16C2326/24—Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/45—Flexibly connected rigid members
- Y10T403/455—Elastomer interposed between radially spaced members
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
- Y10T74/20012—Multiple controlled elements
- Y10T74/20018—Transmission control
- Y10T74/2003—Electrical actuator
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to an electrically-driven steering column apparatus, and more particularly to a technology scheming to configure the apparatus in a compact size and to reduce a manufacturing costs thereof, and so on.
- a steering apparatus of an automobile is used (steered) by a multiplicity of unspecified drivers, and it is therefore desired that a position of a steering wheel be easily adjusted corresponding to an individual physique, a driving posture, etc.
- the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus is an apparatus for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in up-and-down directions.
- the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus is constructed of a steering shaft, a steering column divided into a swing-side column and a fixed-side column, a tilt pivot about which the swing-side column swings, and a tilt driving means composed of an electric motor, a screw mechanism, etc. (refer to, for example, Japanese Utility Model Post-Exam. Publication No.6-1503 (pp.2-3 and FIGS. 1 and 2) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2000-238647 (p.4 and FIG. 1)).
- the electrically-driven telescopic type steering column apparatus is constructed of an outer column attached to a car body side, a steering shaft, a lower column supporting the steering shaft and slidably fitted in the outer column, and a telescopic driving means composed of an electric motor, a screw mechanism, etc. (refer to, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No.63-165269 (p.1 and FIGS. 6 and 7) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.13-18809 (p.3 and FIGS. 1 and 2)).
- the tilt driving means and the telescopic driving means have the electric motors defined as power sources, and power transmission means for converting rotational driving forces of the electric motors into a tilt motion driving force for the swing-side column and into a telescopic motion driving force for the inner column.
- the power transmission means includes, e.g., a worm gear mechanism for decelerating rotations of the electric motor, a feed screw mechanism for converting a rotational driving force into a rectilinear driving force, and so on.
- the tilt motion driving means further includes a link mechanism for converting the rectilinear driving force into a swing driving force for the swing-side column.
- the link mechanism, etc. explained above becomes large in scale in terms of swinging the swing-side column having a comparatively heavy weight about the tilt pivot as a fulcrum, and therefore the configuration of the whole apparatus has no alternative but to become complicated and large in scale.
- the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Mode Post-Exam. Publication No.6-1503 takes such a structure that the worm wheel (nut member) of the worm gear mechanism is made swingable as an inner race of an angular bearing, and an end of a screw shaft screw-engaged to the worm wheel is connected to a bracket on an undersurface of the swing-side column.
- the electric motor, the worm gear mechanism and the feed screw mechanism are unitized and thus connected in a swingable manner to the fixed-side column, and a front side end of an actuator rod of the feed screw mechanism is connected to a tilt swing member supported in the swingable manner to the sing-side column.
- the electrically-driven telescopic type steering column apparatus has a variety of problems derived from the power transmission means.
- a telescopic motion of an inner column through the screw shaft and a support bracket involves elongating a transmission route for the driving force given from the electric motor, with the result that vibrations and noises are rarely caused because of the screw shaft and the support bracket being flexed.
- the screw shaft is not allowed to increase much of a diameter for the reasons of saving a space, a weight and a cost, and hence its strength inevitably decreases.
- the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.13-18809 given above has less of such inconveniences, however, on the occasion of engaging the feed screw mechanism as a driving rod with the bracket, if not precisely attached so that the driving rod becomes parallel with the telescopic direction of the inner column, it happens that those components do not move smoothly as an excessive force acts thereon when in the telescopic operation. Therefore, a high accuracy is required of positioning the components such as the bracket defined as the engaging member of the feed mechanism, etc.
- an electrically-driven steering column apparatus comprises a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is attached, a steering column, for rotatably holding the steering shaft, capable of adjusting a tilt position about a tilt pivot as a fulcrum on the basis of a car-body-side member, an electric motor for a tilt motion of the steering column, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to the steering column a rotational driving force of the electric motor as a tilt motion driving force for the steering column, wherein the power transmission mechanism includes a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which the spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route from the electric motor to the steering column.
- the spherical joint element is fixed to or molded integrally with the slider of the feed screw mechanism attached to the steering column.
- the cylindrical joint element in which this spherical joint element is fitted can be fixed to or molded integrally with the bracket on the car body side.
- the slider is driven into the rectilinear motions in the up-and-down directions by the screw mechanism, etc., whereby an upward or downward driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical joint element via the spherical joint element.
- the spherical joint element rotates and slides within the cylindrical joint element, and the steering column swings, accompanied with such rotations and slides, up and down with respect to the bracket.
- an electrically-driven steering column apparatus comprises a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is attached, a steering column, for rotatably holding the steering shaft, capable of adjusting a telescopic position on the basis of a car-body-side member, an electric motor for a telescopic motion of the steering column, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to the steering column a rotational driving force of the electric motor as a telescopic motion driving force for the steering column, wherein the power transmission mechanism includes a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which the spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route from the electric motor to the steering column.
- the spherical joint element is fixed to or molded integrally with the slider of the feed screw mechanism attached to the car-body-side member.
- the cylindrical joint element in which this spherical joint element is fitted can be fixed to or molded integrally with the steering column.
- the slider is driven into the rectilinear motions in the back-and-forth directions by the screw mechanism, etc., whereby a forward or backward driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical joint element via the spherical joint element.
- a flexure, etc. of the screw shaft is absorbed as the spherical joint element rotates and slides within the cylindrical joint element, whereby the steering column makes smooth telescopic motions.
- a synthetic resin member may be interposed between the spherical joint element and the cylindrical joint element.
- the synthetic resin member may be formed as a sleeve fitted in the cylindrical joint element.
- the synthetic resin member may be formed as a slider having a concave spherical surface in which the spherical joint element is fitted.
- an elasticity of the synthetic resin member makes it difficult to cause a backlash between the spherical joint element and the cylindrical joint element, and, in addition, it is possible to restrain an emission of noises and an occurrence of abrasion due to a metal-to-metal contact.
- the power transmission mechanism may include a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to the electric motor and of a plurality of feed nuts screw-engaged to the feed screw shaft, and a backlash adjusting means for changing an axial distance between the feed nuts in order to make a backlash of the feed screw mechanism adjustable.
- the power transmission mechanism may include a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to the electric motor and of a feed nut formed with a slit and screw-engaged to the feed screw shaft, and a backlash adjusting means for changing a width of the slit in order to make a backlash of the feed screw mechanism adjustable.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing car-room-side components of a hydraulic power steering apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a tilt operation in the embodiment
- FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the tilt operation in the embodiment
- FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state of how a ball stud engages with a sleeve
- FIG. 8 is a side view showing an electrically-driven telescopic type steering apparatus in a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the steering apparatus in the second embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state of how the ball stud engages with the sleeve in the second embodiment
- FIG. 11 is a view showing how the steering apparatus in the second embodiment operates
- FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven apparatus in a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven apparatus in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a view showing a method of assembling a joint in the fourth embodiment
- FIG. 15 is a view showing a method of manufacturing a synthetic resin slider in the fourth embodiment
- FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an operation in the fourth embodiment
- FIG. 17 is a side view showing a synthetic resin sleeve in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is a front view of the same synthetic resin sleeve in the fifth embodiment.
- FIG. 19 is a side view showing a feed screw mechanism in a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a view taken along the arrowed line C in FIG. 19;
- FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 20;
- FIG. 22 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 22;
- FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing an operation in the eighth embodiment
- FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing the operation in the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing a state where the slider in the seventh embodiment tilts
- FIG. 29 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 30 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in an eleventh embodiment.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing car-room-side components of a hydraulic power steering apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment.
- a member designated by the numeral 1 in FIG. 1 is a steering column that rotatably supports an upper steering shaft 3 .
- a steering wheel 5 is attached to an upper end of the upper steering shaft 3 , and a lower steering shaft 9 is connected via a universal joint 7 to a lower end thereof.
- a steering gear 11 constructed of a rack & pinion mechanism, a hydraulic power assist mechanism, etc. is further connected to a lower end of the lower steering shaft 9 .
- the numeral 13 represents a column cover for covering the steering column 1
- the numeral 15 denotes a tie rod connected to right and left ends of the steering gear 11 .
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2. Note that a left side in FIG. 2 corresponds to a front part, a left side in each of FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponds to a left part, and an upper side in each of FIGS. 1 through 3 corresponds to an upper part in the description of the apparatus.
- the steering column 1 is supported on a column bracket 23 that is a steel plate press molded product fixed to a car-body-side member 21 in a swingable manner about a pivot pin 25 serving as a fulcrum and defined as a tilt pivot.
- the column bracket 23 is constructed of a fitting member 22 fixed to the car-body-side member 21 , a pivot member 27 extending downwards from a front side end of the fitting member 22 , and a column support member 29 extending downwards from a rear end of the fitting member 22 .
- a side surface of the steering column 1 is fitted with an electric motor 33 having a motor shaft (unillustrated) to which a worm gear 31 is fixed and with a feed screw mechanism 35 defined as a power transmission means.
- the feed screw mechanism 35 includes a feed screw shaft 39 to which a worm wheel 37 meshing with the worm gear 31 is fixed, and a slider 41 defined as a feed nut screw-engaged onto the feed screw shaft 39 .
- a ball stud 43 defined as a spherical joint element is fixed to a rear side of the slider 41 on one hand, and a sleeve 45 defined as cylindrical joint element is fixed to the column support member 29 of the column bracket 23 on the other hand, wherein the ball stud 43 is slidably fitted in the sleeve 45 , thereby configuring a joint 47 .
- a member designated by the numeral 51 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a bracket used for supporting the electric motor 33 and the feed screw shaft 39 .
- the feed screw shaft 39 is rotatably supported on an unillustrated rolling bearing held by the bracket 51 .
- the numeral 53 in FIG. 4 represents an elongate hole formed in the column support member 29 of the column bracket 23 , and the steering column 1 , when in a tilt operation, loosely moves within this elongate hole 53 .
- the electric motor 33 is rotationally driven in one of forward and reverse directions by manipulating an unillustrated switch. Thereupon, rotations of the electric motor 33 are decelerated and transmitted to the worm wheel 37 from the worm gear 31 , with the result that the feed screw shaft 39 integral with the worm wheel 37 rotates, whereby, e.g., the slider 41 descends with respect to the steering column 1 .
- the ball stud 43 on the occasion of the tilting motion of the steering column 1 , as in FIG. 7 showing an enlarged view, moves back and forth while rotating within the sleeve 45 .
- the ball stud 43 defined as the spherical joint element rotates with no obstruction within the sleeve 45 defined as the cylindrical joint element and slides in the axial directions thereof, and hence there is neither a hindrance to the tilting motion of the steering column 1 nor occurrences of unnecessary stress on and friction against the respective constructive members.
- the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus in the first embodiment does not necessitate an angular bearing and a link mechanism that have been employed so far in the conventional apparatuses, whereby an extremely compact framework of the apparatus can be attained and the smooth operation can be actualized in a way that remarkably reduces the number of the constructive members.
- the sleeve 45 may be fixed to the slider 41 , and the ball stud 43 may also be fixed to the column support member 29 of the column bracket 23 .
- FIGS. 8 and 9 are views of an electrically-driven telescopic type steering apparatus as viewed respectively from sideways and from under according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- an inner column 63 is slidably fitted in an outer column 61 .
- An opening 65 taking a substantially rectangular shape is formed in a lower portion of the outer column 61 , and, through this opening 65 , the sleeve 45 defined as the cylindrical joint element protrudes downwards and outwards from the inner column 63 .
- the opening 65 performs a function as a stopper when in a telescopic operation and also a function as a rotation preventer in a rotating direction of the inner column 63 .
- a steering shaft 3 provided with the steering wheel 5 at its front end is rotatably sustained in the inner column 63 .
- the lower steering shaft is connected via the universal joint to a lower side end of the steering shaft 3 , and further the rack & pinion mechanism and the hydraulic power steering mechanism are connected to the lower side end thereof.
- Support holders 71 , 73 extending downwards and protruding outwards are provided at front and rear portions of the outer column 61 with the opening 65 interposed therebetween, and both ends of the axially-extended feed screw shaft 39 structuring the feed screw mechanism 35 , are rotatably supported by these support holders 71 , 73 .
- the worm wheel 37 fixed to the feed screw shaft 39 and the worm gear 31 fixed to an output shaft of the electric motor 33 are interposed between the feed screw shaft 39 and the output shaft of the electric motor 33 , whereby the rotations of the electric motor 33 are decelerated and transmitted to the feed screw shaft 39 .
- the electric motor 33 is attached to the outer column 61 .
- the slider 41 defined as the feed nut structuring the feed screw mechanism 35 is screw-engaged onto the feed screw shaft 39 , whereby the slider 41 moves in the axial directions (as a set of arrowheads indicated in FIG. 8) when the feed screw shaft 39 rotates.
- the ball stud 43 defined as the spherical joint element is fixed on the side of the steering shaft 3 . This ball stud 43 is slidably fitted in the sleeve 45 and, when the feed screw shaft 39 rotates, moves the sleeve 45 in the axial directions (as another set of arrowheads indicated in FIG. 8).
- the sleeve 45 is provided on the side of the inner column 63 , and the ball stud 43 slidably fitted in the interior of the sleeve 45 is provided on the side of the outer column 61 .
- the joint 47 composed of the ball stud 43 and the sleeve 45 relatively slides, thereby absorbing this axis deviation.
- a ball unit 43 autonomously rotates and slides within the sleeve 45 when in the telescopic operation, thereby absorbing this deviation and also a deviation in parallelism that might occur when assembling the components. Further, if there occurs a deviation in axis-to-axis distance between the feed screw shaft 39 and the steering shaft 3 , the ball stud 43 slides in the axial directions within the sleeve 45 , thereby absorbing the deviation in axis-to-axis distance that might be caused when assembling the components, and so on. Hence, even if the deviation between the feed screw shaft 39 and the steering shaft 3 occurs due to an error, etc. in assembly of the components and if there occur the deviations in parallelism and in axis-to-axis distance, these deviations are absorbed by the ball stud 43 rotating and sliding within the sleeve 45 .
- the sleeve may be provided on the side of the outer column 61
- the ball stud may be provided on the side of the inner column 63
- the ball stud may be engaged with the sleeve.
- the same operation and effects as those in the second embodiment can be exhibited.
- a synthetic resin member is interposed between the ball stud 43 defined as the spherical joint element and the sleeve 45 defined as the cylindrical joint element.
- the synthetic resin member in the third through fifth embodiments is formed by injection molding, a cutting work, etc.
- a variety of materials, which can be adopted for the synthetic resin member are a polyacetal resin, a polyamide resin, an oil-impregnated resin, an ethylene tetrafluoride and a resin mixed with a low-friction material such as ethylene tetrafluoride, etc.
- FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven steering apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention.
- a cylindrical synthetic resin sleeve 81 formed by the injection molding, the cutting work, etc. is fitted in and fixed to the sleeve 45 .
- Dimensions of minor and major diameters of the synthetic resin sleeve 81 are properly set corresponding to a major diameter of the ball stud 43 and a minor diameter of the sleeve 45 .
- the sleeve 81 is fitted with a predetermined slack to the ball stud 43 but is, on the other hand, fitted by fastening to the sleeve 45 .
- the third embodiment adopts this contrivance, thereby making it possible to substantially eliminate a backlash caused when the ball stud 43 rotates and slides in the axial directions within the sleeve 45 and to, at the same time, prevent an emission of noises and an occurrence of abrasion due to a metal-to-metal contact.
- FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven steering apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- a synthetic resin slider 85 having a concave spherical surface 83 and fitted on the ball stud 43 , is slidably fitted in the sleeve 45 .
- the synthetic resin slider 85 may be, as shown in FIG. 14, formed by the injection molding in accordance with a length of fitting thereof to the ball stud 43 , wherein the ball stud 43 is press-fitted in the thus formed slider 85 ; and the synthetic resin slider 85 may be formed by the injection molding in a way that, as shown in FIG.
- the fourth embodiment adopts this configuration, thereby preventing the backlash, the emission of noises and the occurrence of abrasion as in the third embodiment and further, as shown in FIG. 16, preventing the deviation between the ball stud 43 and the synthetic resin slider 85 even when the ball stud 43 slides within the sleeve 45 , with the result that the ball stud 43 smoothly rotates within the synthetic resin slider 85 .
- FIG. 17 is a side view showing a synthetic resin sleeve in fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 18 is a front view showing the same.
- the synthetic resin sleeve 81 is formed by the injection molding, the cutting work, etc. and is formed partially with, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a slit 89 extending in the axial directions thereof.
- the fifth embodiment adopts this configuration, whereby the synthetic resin sleeve 81 is easily flexed in the radial directions, which eliminates the necessity of precisely setting the dimensions of the minor and major diameters with respect to the minor diameter of the sleeve 45 and the major diameter of the ball stud 43 and makes an operational defect, etc. hard to occur due to a thermal expansion and so on.
- FIG. 19 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 20 is a view taken along the arrowed line C in FIG. 19.
- FIG. 21 s a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 20.
- the whole configuration of the apparatus is the same as the first and second embodiments described above have, however, a dodecagonal drive adjust nut 91 defined as a second feed nut is attached to a side end surface (upper side in FIG. 19) of the slider 41 defined as the feed nut.
- the adjust nut 91 is screw-engaged onto the feed screw shaft 39 and advances towards or recedes away from the slider 41 as the adjust nut 91 rotates.
- the adjust nut 91 is fixed to the end surface (upper side in FIG. 19) of the slider 41 through a fixing ring 93 defined as a backlash adjusting means and through a locking screw 95 .
- the fixing ring 93 includes a dodecagonal hole 97 into which the adjust nut is fitted and an elongate hole 99 through which the locking screw 95 penetrates.
- the adjust nut 91 may involve using a hexagonal drive nut, a square drive nut, etc. as a substitute for the dodecagonal drive nut
- the fixing ring 93 may involve using a ring formed with a hexagonal hole, a square hole, etc. as a substitute for the dodecagonal hole.
- the sixth embodiment if an excessive backlash exists between the slider 41 and the feed screw shaft 39 , an assembly worker advances the adjust nut 91 towards the slider 41 by use of spanner, etc. and fixes the adjust nut 91 by use of the fixing ring 93 and the locking screw 95 just when a proper backlash is acquired.
- the fixing ring 93 has the dodecagonal hole 97 and the elongate hole 99 , and hence the adjust nut 91 can be fixed to the slider 41 at a desired rotational angle.
- the sixth embodiment adopts this configuration, thereby restraining a tilt, etc. of the slider 41 to the feed screw shaft 39 when the feed screw mechanism 35 operates and improving a support rigidity, etc. of the steering column 1 .
- FIG. 22 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 22.
- the slider 41 is formed with a slit 101 extending along an axis of the feed screw shaft 39 in a position where there is a 180° phase difference from the ball stud 43 , and is provided with an adjust screw 103 defined as a backlash adjusting means for adjusting a width of this slit 101 .
- the assembly worker narrows the width of the slit 101 by fastening the adjust screw 103 with a hexagonal wrench, etc., thereby reducing the backlash between the feed screw shaft 39 and the slider 41 .
- FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
- the eighth and ninth embodiments adopt substantially the same configuration as the seventh embodiment has, however, positions where the slits 101 are formed are different.
- the slit 101 is formed in a position where there is a 90° phase difference from the ball stud 43 .
- the slit 101 is formed in a position where there is a 120° phase difference from the ball stud 43 .
- the phase difference of the slit 101 from the ball stud 43 is not limited to 90° and 120°, but arbitrary angles are available.
- each of the eighth and ninth embodiments is substantially the same as that in the seventh embodiment, however, as a state of deformation of the slider 41 in the eighth embodiment is illustrated in exaggeration in FIG. 26, when fastening the adjust screw 103 , the slider 41 elastically deforms in the right-and-left directions in FIG. 26 so as to eliminate a gap between the feed screw shaft 39 and the slider 41 itself.
- FIG. 28 shows a state the slider 41 tilts due to the input of the bending moment from the ball stud 43 in the seventh embodiment.
- FIG. 29 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 30 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the eleventh embodiment.
- the whole configuration of the apparatus in each of the tenth and eleventh embodiments is the same as the first and second embodiments have, however, the slider 41 is formed with the slit 101 extending in directions that are right-angled to the axis of the feed screw shaft 39 , and an adjust screw 103 for adjusting a width of this slit 101 is provided as a backlash adjusting means.
- the assembly worker narrows the width of the slit 101 by fastening the adjust screw 103 with the hexagonal wrench, etc., thereby reducing the backlash between the feed screw shaft 39 and the slider 41 as in the seventh embodiment discussed above.
- the slit 101 shows a well-balanced condition in upper-and-lower directions, and the slider 41 comes to have a high strength, however, a high torque is required of fastening the adjust screw 103 .
- the slider 41 is easy to elastically deform in an upper part of the slit 101 , and hence the torque required of fastening the adjust screw 103 decreases with the result that the adjustment of the backlash is facilitated.
- the mode of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed above.
- the present invention is applied to the electrically-driven tilt type or electrically-driven telescopic type steering column apparatus.
- the present invention may be, however, applied to an electrically-driven tilt/telescopic type steering column apparatus.
- the worm gear mechanism may involve using a mechanism constructed of the worm gear and a helical gear in addition to the mechanism constructed of the worm gear and the worm wheel.
- the spherical joint element and the cylindrical joint element may be, in addition to their being fixed to the slider, the column bracket, etc., formed integrally with these components; or alternatively, the cylindrical joint element may be fixed to the slider, while the spherical joint element may be attached to a member on the face-to-face side.
- the embodiments discussed above have exemplified the hydraulic power steering apparatus to which the present invention is applied, however, the present invention may be applied to the steering apparatuses such as the electrically-driven power steering apparatus, a manual steering apparatus and so forth. Still further, the whole configurations of the steering apparatus and of the electrically-driven steering column apparatus and the shapes of the respective members, can be properly changed if these changes fall within the range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.
- the present invention enables the apparatus to be configured in a compact size and the smooth operation to be actualized while reducing the number of the members.
Abstract
An electrically-driven steering column apparatus includes a steering column rotatably holding a steering shaft and capable of adjusting a position of the steering wheel, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to the steering column a rotational driving force of an electric motor as a position adjusting motion driving force, wherein the power transmission mechanism has a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which the spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to an electrically-driven steering column apparatus, and more particularly to a technology scheming to configure the apparatus in a compact size and to reduce a manufacturing costs thereof, and so on.
- A steering apparatus of an automobile is used (steered) by a multiplicity of unspecified drivers, and it is therefore desired that a position of a steering wheel be easily adjusted corresponding to an individual physique, a driving posture, etc. There increases the number of apparatuses adopting an electrically-driven tilt mechanism and an electrically-driven telescopic mechanism in order to meet such a demand.
- The electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus is an apparatus for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in up-and-down directions. The electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus is constructed of a steering shaft, a steering column divided into a swing-side column and a fixed-side column, a tilt pivot about which the swing-side column swings, and a tilt driving means composed of an electric motor, a screw mechanism, etc. (refer to, for example, Japanese Utility Model Post-Exam. Publication No.6-1503 (pp.2-3 and FIGS. 1 and 2) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2000-238647 (p.4 and FIG. 1)). Further, the electrically-driven telescopic type steering column apparatus is constructed of an outer column attached to a car body side, a steering shaft, a lower column supporting the steering shaft and slidably fitted in the outer column, and a telescopic driving means composed of an electric motor, a screw mechanism, etc. (refer to, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No.63-165269 (p.1 and FIGS. 6 and 7) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.13-18809 (p.3 and FIGS. 1 and 2)).
- The tilt driving means and the telescopic driving means have the electric motors defined as power sources, and power transmission means for converting rotational driving forces of the electric motors into a tilt motion driving force for the swing-side column and into a telescopic motion driving force for the inner column. Then, the power transmission means includes, e.g., a worm gear mechanism for decelerating rotations of the electric motor, a feed screw mechanism for converting a rotational driving force into a rectilinear driving force, and so on. The tilt motion driving means further includes a link mechanism for converting the rectilinear driving force into a swing driving force for the swing-side column.
- In the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus described above, the link mechanism, etc. explained above becomes large in scale in terms of swinging the swing-side column having a comparatively heavy weight about the tilt pivot as a fulcrum, and therefore the configuration of the whole apparatus has no alternative but to become complicated and large in scale. For instance, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Mode Post-Exam. Publication No.6-1503 takes such a structure that the worm wheel (nut member) of the worm gear mechanism is made swingable as an inner race of an angular bearing, and an end of a screw shaft screw-engaged to the worm wheel is connected to a bracket on an undersurface of the swing-side column. Moreover, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication N-2000-238647, the electric motor, the worm gear mechanism and the feed screw mechanism are unitized and thus connected in a swingable manner to the fixed-side column, and a front side end of an actuator rod of the feed screw mechanism is connected to a tilt swing member supported in the swingable manner to the sing-side column.
- On the other hand, the electrically-driven telescopic type steering column apparatus has a variety of problems derived from the power transmission means. For instance, in the Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No.63-165269, a telescopic motion of an inner column through the screw shaft and a support bracket involves elongating a transmission route for the driving force given from the electric motor, with the result that vibrations and noises are rarely caused because of the screw shaft and the support bracket being flexed. Especially, the screw shaft is not allowed to increase much of a diameter for the reasons of saving a space, a weight and a cost, and hence its strength inevitably decreases. Further, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.13-18809 given above has less of such inconveniences, however, on the occasion of engaging the feed screw mechanism as a driving rod with the bracket, if not precisely attached so that the driving rod becomes parallel with the telescopic direction of the inner column, it happens that those components do not move smoothly as an excessive force acts thereon when in the telescopic operation. Therefore, a high accuracy is required of positioning the components such as the bracket defined as the engaging member of the feed mechanism, etc. Note that in the apparatus disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No.63-165269, unless the screw shaft is parallel with an upper shaft, there occurs a deviation between the two shafts, and the high accuracy is required of positioning the components such as the support bracket defined as the engaging member of the feed mechanism.
- It is an object of the present invention, which was devised under the circumstances described above, to provide an electrically-driven steering column apparatus actualizing a compact configuration, a high rigidity and a reduction in the number of components while scheming to attain a smooth operation.
- To accomplish the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an electrically-driven steering column apparatus comprises a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is attached, a steering column, for rotatably holding the steering shaft, capable of adjusting a tilt position about a tilt pivot as a fulcrum on the basis of a car-body-side member, an electric motor for a tilt motion of the steering column, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to the steering column a rotational driving force of the electric motor as a tilt motion driving force for the steering column, wherein the power transmission mechanism includes a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which the spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route from the electric motor to the steering column.
- According to the first aspect of the present invention, for instance, the spherical joint element is fixed to or molded integrally with the slider of the feed screw mechanism attached to the steering column. Then, the cylindrical joint element in which this spherical joint element is fitted, can be fixed to or molded integrally with the bracket on the car body side. With this configuration, the slider is driven into the rectilinear motions in the up-and-down directions by the screw mechanism, etc., whereby an upward or downward driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical joint element via the spherical joint element. Then, the spherical joint element rotates and slides within the cylindrical joint element, and the steering column swings, accompanied with such rotations and slides, up and down with respect to the bracket.
- Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, an electrically-driven steering column apparatus comprises a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is attached, a steering column, for rotatably holding the steering shaft, capable of adjusting a telescopic position on the basis of a car-body-side member, an electric motor for a telescopic motion of the steering column, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to the steering column a rotational driving force of the electric motor as a telescopic motion driving force for the steering column, wherein the power transmission mechanism includes a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which the spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route from the electric motor to the steering column.
- According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, the spherical joint element is fixed to or molded integrally with the slider of the feed screw mechanism attached to the car-body-side member. Then, the cylindrical joint element in which this spherical joint element is fitted, can be fixed to or molded integrally with the steering column. With this configuration, the slider is driven into the rectilinear motions in the back-and-forth directions by the screw mechanism, etc., whereby a forward or backward driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical joint element via the spherical joint element. Then, a flexure, etc. of the screw shaft is absorbed as the spherical joint element rotates and slides within the cylindrical joint element, whereby the steering column makes smooth telescopic motions.
- Moreover, in the electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, preferably a synthetic resin member may be interposed between the spherical joint element and the cylindrical joint element.
- In the electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to the present invention, preferably the synthetic resin member may be formed as a sleeve fitted in the cylindrical joint element.
- Further, in the electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to the present invention, preferably the synthetic resin member may be formed as a slider having a concave spherical surface in which the spherical joint element is fitted.
- Thus, in the case of adopting the synthetic resin member, an elasticity of the synthetic resin member makes it difficult to cause a backlash between the spherical joint element and the cylindrical joint element, and, in addition, it is possible to restrain an emission of noises and an occurrence of abrasion due to a metal-to-metal contact.
- Moreover, in the electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to the present invention, preferably the power transmission mechanism may include a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to the electric motor and of a plurality of feed nuts screw-engaged to the feed screw shaft, and a backlash adjusting means for changing an axial distance between the feed nuts in order to make a backlash of the feed screw mechanism adjustable.
- Further, in the electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to the present invention, the power transmission mechanism may include a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to the electric motor and of a feed nut formed with a slit and screw-engaged to the feed screw shaft, and a backlash adjusting means for changing a width of the slit in order to make a backlash of the feed screw mechanism adjustable.
- With this configuration, the backlash and a fall-down between the spherical joint element and the cylindrical joint element become hard to occur by properly adjusting the axial distance between the feed nuts and the width of the slit by use of the back lash adjusting means.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing car-room-side components of a hydraulic power steering apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a tilt operation in the embodiment;
- FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the tilt operation in the embodiment;
- FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state of how a ball stud engages with a sleeve;
- FIG. 8 is a side view showing an electrically-driven telescopic type steering apparatus in a second embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the steering apparatus in the second embodiment;
- FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state of how the ball stud engages with the sleeve in the second embodiment;
- FIG. 11 is a view showing how the steering apparatus in the second embodiment operates;
- FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven apparatus in a third embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven apparatus in a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 14 is a view showing a method of assembling a joint in the fourth embodiment;
- FIG. 15 is a view showing a method of manufacturing a synthetic resin slider in the fourth embodiment;
- FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an operation in the fourth embodiment;
- FIG. 17 is a side view showing a synthetic resin sleeve in a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 18 is a front view of the same synthetic resin sleeve in the fifth embodiment;
- FIG. 19 is a side view showing a feed screw mechanism in a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 20 is a view taken along the arrowed line C in FIG. 19;
- FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 20;
- FIG. 22 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 22;
- FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing an operation in the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing the operation in the eighth embodiment;
- FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing a state where the slider in the seventh embodiment tilts;
- FIG. 29 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in a tenth embodiment of the present invention; and
- FIG. 30 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in an eleventh embodiment.
- Embodiments of an electrically-driven steering column apparatus of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing car-room-side components of a hydraulic power steering apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment. A member designated by the
numeral 1 in FIG. 1 is a steering column that rotatably supports anupper steering shaft 3. Asteering wheel 5 is attached to an upper end of theupper steering shaft 3, and alower steering shaft 9 is connected via auniversal joint 7 to a lower end thereof. - A
steering gear 11 constructed of a rack & pinion mechanism, a hydraulic power assist mechanism, etc. is further connected to a lower end of thelower steering shaft 9. Referring again to FIG. 1, the numeral 13 represents a column cover for covering thesteering column 1, and the numeral 15 denotes a tie rod connected to right and left ends of thesteering gear 11. - FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2. Note that a left side in FIG. 2 corresponds to a front part, a left side in each of FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponds to a left part, and an upper side in each of FIGS. 1 through 3 corresponds to an upper part in the description of the apparatus.
- As shown in FIG. 2, the
steering column 1 is supported on acolumn bracket 23 that is a steel plate press molded product fixed to a car-body-side member 21 in a swingable manner about apivot pin 25 serving as a fulcrum and defined as a tilt pivot. Thecolumn bracket 23 is constructed of afitting member 22 fixed to the car-body-side member 21, apivot member 27 extending downwards from a front side end of thefitting member 22, and acolumn support member 29 extending downwards from a rear end of thefitting member 22. - A side surface of the
steering column 1 is fitted with anelectric motor 33 having a motor shaft (unillustrated) to which aworm gear 31 is fixed and with afeed screw mechanism 35 defined as a power transmission means. Thefeed screw mechanism 35 includes afeed screw shaft 39 to which aworm wheel 37 meshing with theworm gear 31 is fixed, and aslider 41 defined as a feed nut screw-engaged onto thefeed screw shaft 39. Aball stud 43 defined as a spherical joint element is fixed to a rear side of theslider 41 on one hand, and asleeve 45 defined as cylindrical joint element is fixed to thecolumn support member 29 of thecolumn bracket 23 on the other hand, wherein theball stud 43 is slidably fitted in thesleeve 45, thereby configuring a joint 47. - A member designated by the numeral51 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a bracket used for supporting the
electric motor 33 and thefeed screw shaft 39. Thefeed screw shaft 39 is rotatably supported on an unillustrated rolling bearing held by thebracket 51. Further, the numeral 53 in FIG. 4 represents an elongate hole formed in thecolumn support member 29 of thecolumn bracket 23, and thesteering column 1, when in a tilt operation, loosely moves within thiselongate hole 53. - An operation in the first embodiment will hereinafter be discussed.
- In the power steering apparatus according to the first embodiment, if there arises a necessity of adjusting an up-and-down position of the
steering wheel 5 because of an exchange of a driver, etc., theelectric motor 33 is rotationally driven in one of forward and reverse directions by manipulating an unillustrated switch. Thereupon, rotations of theelectric motor 33 are decelerated and transmitted to theworm wheel 37 from theworm gear 31, with the result that thefeed screw shaft 39 integral with theworm wheel 37 rotates, whereby, e.g., theslider 41 descends with respect to thesteering column 1. - Then, it follows that the
ball stud 43 fixed to theslider 41 descends likewise with respect to thesteering column 1, and, theball stud 43 engaging with thesleeve 45, as shown in FIG. 5, thesteering column 1 is tilted up. Further, when theslider 41 ascends, through procedures opposite to the above-mentioned, as shown in FIG. 6, the steering column is tilted down. - The
ball stud 43, on the occasion of the tilting motion of thesteering column 1, as in FIG. 7 showing an enlarged view, moves back and forth while rotating within thesleeve 45. In the case of the first embodiment, however, theball stud 43 defined as the spherical joint element rotates with no obstruction within thesleeve 45 defined as the cylindrical joint element and slides in the axial directions thereof, and hence there is neither a hindrance to the tilting motion of thesteering column 1 nor occurrences of unnecessary stress on and friction against the respective constructive members. - Thus, the electrically-driven tilt type steering column apparatus in the first embodiment does not necessitate an angular bearing and a link mechanism that have been employed so far in the conventional apparatuses, whereby an extremely compact framework of the apparatus can be attained and the smooth operation can be actualized in a way that remarkably reduces the number of the constructive members.
- Note that inversely to the first embodiment discussed above, the
sleeve 45 may be fixed to theslider 41, and theball stud 43 may also be fixed to thecolumn support member 29 of thecolumn bracket 23. - FIGS. 8 and 9 are views of an electrically-driven telescopic type steering apparatus as viewed respectively from sideways and from under according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the
steering column 1 according to the second embodiment, aninner column 63 is slidably fitted in anouter column 61. Anopening 65 taking a substantially rectangular shape is formed in a lower portion of theouter column 61, and, through thisopening 65, thesleeve 45 defined as the cylindrical joint element protrudes downwards and outwards from theinner column 63. Note that theopening 65 performs a function as a stopper when in a telescopic operation and also a function as a rotation preventer in a rotating direction of theinner column 63. - Further, a
steering shaft 3 provided with thesteering wheel 5 at its front end is rotatably sustained in theinner column 63. The lower steering shaft is connected via the universal joint to a lower side end of thesteering shaft 3, and further the rack & pinion mechanism and the hydraulic power steering mechanism are connected to the lower side end thereof.Support holders outer column 61 with theopening 65 interposed therebetween, and both ends of the axially-extendedfeed screw shaft 39 structuring thefeed screw mechanism 35, are rotatably supported by thesesupport holders worm wheel 37 fixed to thefeed screw shaft 39 and theworm gear 31 fixed to an output shaft of theelectric motor 33, are interposed between thefeed screw shaft 39 and the output shaft of theelectric motor 33, whereby the rotations of theelectric motor 33 are decelerated and transmitted to thefeed screw shaft 39. Theelectric motor 33 is attached to theouter column 61. - The
slider 41 defined as the feed nut structuring thefeed screw mechanism 35 is screw-engaged onto thefeed screw shaft 39, whereby theslider 41 moves in the axial directions (as a set of arrowheads indicated in FIG. 8) when thefeed screw shaft 39 rotates. Theball stud 43 defined as the spherical joint element is fixed on the side of thesteering shaft 3. Thisball stud 43 is slidably fitted in thesleeve 45 and, when thefeed screw shaft 39 rotates, moves thesleeve 45 in the axial directions (as another set of arrowheads indicated in FIG. 8). - Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the
sleeve 45 is provided on the side of theinner column 63, and theball stud 43 slidably fitted in the interior of thesleeve 45 is provided on the side of theouter column 61. Thus, it may be sufficient to simply fit theball stud 43 into thesleeve 45 as illustrated in FIG. 10. With this contrivance, even if an axis deviation occurs to some extent between thefeed screw shaft 39 and thesteering shaft 3, the joint 47 composed of theball stud 43 and thesleeve 45 relatively slides, thereby absorbing this axis deviation. - If there occurs a deviation in parallelism of the
feed screw shaft 39 with respect to thesteering shaft 3, aball unit 43 autonomously rotates and slides within thesleeve 45 when in the telescopic operation, thereby absorbing this deviation and also a deviation in parallelism that might occur when assembling the components. Further, if there occurs a deviation in axis-to-axis distance between thefeed screw shaft 39 and thesteering shaft 3, theball stud 43 slides in the axial directions within thesleeve 45, thereby absorbing the deviation in axis-to-axis distance that might be caused when assembling the components, and so on. Hence, even if the deviation between thefeed screw shaft 39 and thesteering shaft 3 occurs due to an error, etc. in assembly of the components and if there occur the deviations in parallelism and in axis-to-axis distance, these deviations are absorbed by theball stud 43 rotating and sliding within thesleeve 45. - Even if there occurs the deviation in parallelism between the steering
shaft 3 and thefeed screw shaft 39, this deviation can be absorbed by rotating and sliding of theball stud 43 within thesleeve 45. Furthermore, even if there is caused the deviation in axis-to-axis distance between the steeringshaft 3 and thefeed screw shaft 39, this deviation can be absorbed by theball stud 43 sliding within thesleeve 45 in directions indicated by arrowheads of one-dotted chain line in FIG. 11. - As a result, even if an assembly error occurs when assembling the components such as the
support holders feed screw shaft 39, etc., this assembly error is absorbed by the joint 47 constructed of theball stud 43 and thesleeve 45. Then, the telescopic mechanism of thesteering column 1 is configured by a simple structure, resulting in a less possibility of generating extra vibrations and noises, etc. Further, the engagement of theball stud 43 with thesleeve 45 is attained by the simple and compact structure, and it is therefore feasible to save a space for the apparatus and to reduce the costs for the apparatus without a high accuracy required of manufacturing and assembling the component such as thefeed screw shaft 39, etc. - Note that inversely to the second embodiment discussed above, the sleeve may be provided on the side of the
outer column 61, the ball stud may be provided on the side of theinner column 63, and the ball stud may be engaged with the sleeve. In this case also, the same operation and effects as those in the second embodiment can be exhibited. - Electrically-driven steering apparatuses in third through fifth embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be explained. All these embodiments relate to the joints, and other configurations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments discussed above. According to the third through fifth embodiments, a synthetic resin member is interposed between the
ball stud 43 defined as the spherical joint element and thesleeve 45 defined as the cylindrical joint element. The synthetic resin member in the third through fifth embodiments is formed by injection molding, a cutting work, etc. A variety of materials, which can be adopted for the synthetic resin member, are a polyacetal resin, a polyamide resin, an oil-impregnated resin, an ethylene tetrafluoride and a resin mixed with a low-friction material such as ethylene tetrafluoride, etc. - FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven steering apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a cylindrical
synthetic resin sleeve 81 formed by the injection molding, the cutting work, etc. is fitted in and fixed to thesleeve 45. Dimensions of minor and major diameters of thesynthetic resin sleeve 81 are properly set corresponding to a major diameter of theball stud 43 and a minor diameter of thesleeve 45. For example, thesleeve 81 is fitted with a predetermined slack to theball stud 43 but is, on the other hand, fitted by fastening to thesleeve 45. The third embodiment adopts this contrivance, thereby making it possible to substantially eliminate a backlash caused when theball stud 43 rotates and slides in the axial directions within thesleeve 45 and to, at the same time, prevent an emission of noises and an occurrence of abrasion due to a metal-to-metal contact. - FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view showing principal components of the electrically-driven steering apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the fourth embodiment, a
synthetic resin slider 85 having a concavespherical surface 83 and fitted on theball stud 43, is slidably fitted in thesleeve 45. Thesynthetic resin slider 85 may be, as shown in FIG. 14, formed by the injection molding in accordance with a length of fitting thereof to theball stud 43, wherein theball stud 43 is press-fitted in the thus formedslider 85; and thesynthetic resin slider 85 may be formed by the injection molding in a way that, as shown in FIG. 15, sets theball stud 43 in adie assembly 87, and may also be formed by the injection molding directly between theball stud 43 and thesleeve 45. The fourth embodiment adopts this configuration, thereby preventing the backlash, the emission of noises and the occurrence of abrasion as in the third embodiment and further, as shown in FIG. 16, preventing the deviation between theball stud 43 and thesynthetic resin slider 85 even when theball stud 43 slides within thesleeve 45, with the result that theball stud 43 smoothly rotates within thesynthetic resin slider 85. - FIG. 17 is a side view showing a synthetic resin sleeve in fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a front view showing the same. In the case of the fifth embodiment, the whole configuration of the apparatus is the same as that in the third embodiment discussed above, however, the
synthetic resin sleeve 81 is formed by the injection molding, the cutting work, etc. and is formed partially with, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, aslit 89 extending in the axial directions thereof. The fifth embodiment adopts this configuration, whereby thesynthetic resin sleeve 81 is easily flexed in the radial directions, which eliminates the necessity of precisely setting the dimensions of the minor and major diameters with respect to the minor diameter of thesleeve 45 and the major diameter of theball stud 43 and makes an operational defect, etc. hard to occur due to a thermal expansion and so on. - Electrically-driven steering apparatuses in sixth through eleventh embodiments of the present invention, will hereinafter be discussed. All these embodiments relate to the
feed screw mechanism 35, and other configurations are the same as those in the first and second embodiment described above. The sixth embodiment is that the feed nut is divided into two pieces of feed nuts, and an axial distance between these two feed nuts is made adjustable. Further, according to the seventh through ninth embodiments, the feed nut is formed with the slit, and a width of this slit is made adjustable. - FIG. 19 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a view taken along the arrowed line C in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 s a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 20. In the case of the sixth embodiment, the whole configuration of the apparatus is the same as the first and second embodiments described above have, however, a dodecagonal drive adjust
nut 91 defined as a second feed nut is attached to a side end surface (upper side in FIG. 19) of theslider 41 defined as the feed nut. The adjustnut 91 is screw-engaged onto thefeed screw shaft 39 and advances towards or recedes away from theslider 41 as the adjustnut 91 rotates. The adjustnut 91 is fixed to the end surface (upper side in FIG. 19) of theslider 41 through a fixingring 93 defined as a backlash adjusting means and through a lockingscrew 95. The fixingring 93 includes adodecagonal hole 97 into which the adjust nut is fitted and anelongate hole 99 through which the lockingscrew 95 penetrates. Note that the adjustnut 91 may involve using a hexagonal drive nut, a square drive nut, etc. as a substitute for the dodecagonal drive nut, and the fixingring 93 may involve using a ring formed with a hexagonal hole, a square hole, etc. as a substitute for the dodecagonal hole. - According to the sixth embodiment, if an excessive backlash exists between the
slider 41 and thefeed screw shaft 39, an assembly worker advances the adjustnut 91 towards theslider 41 by use of spanner, etc. and fixes the adjustnut 91 by use of the fixingring 93 and the lockingscrew 95 just when a proper backlash is acquired. Note that the fixingring 93 has thedodecagonal hole 97 and theelongate hole 99, and hence the adjustnut 91 can be fixed to theslider 41 at a desired rotational angle. The sixth embodiment adopts this configuration, thereby restraining a tilt, etc. of theslider 41 to thefeed screw shaft 39 when thefeed screw mechanism 35 operates and improving a support rigidity, etc. of thesteering column 1. - FIG. 22 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 22. In the case of the seventh embodiment also, the whole configuration of the apparatus is the same as the second embodiment has, however, the
slider 41 is formed with aslit 101 extending along an axis of thefeed screw shaft 39 in a position where there is a 180° phase difference from theball stud 43, and is provided with an adjustscrew 103 defined as a backlash adjusting means for adjusting a width of thisslit 101. According to the seventh embodiment, if an excessive backlash exists between theslider 41 and thefeed screw shaft 39, the assembly worker narrows the width of theslit 101 by fastening the adjustscrew 103 with a hexagonal wrench, etc., thereby reducing the backlash between thefeed screw shaft 39 and theslider 41. - FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in the eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view showing the feed screw mechanism in the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth and ninth embodiments adopt substantially the same configuration as the seventh embodiment has, however, positions where the
slits 101 are formed are different. To be specific, in the eighth embodiment, theslit 101 is formed in a position where there is a 90° phase difference from theball stud 43. In the ninth embodiment, theslit 101 is formed in a position where there is a 120° phase difference from theball stud 43. Note that the phase difference of theslit 101 from theball stud 43 is not limited to 90° and 120°, but arbitrary angles are available. - The operation in each of the eighth and ninth embodiments is substantially the same as that in the seventh embodiment, however, as a state of deformation of the
slider 41 in the eighth embodiment is illustrated in exaggeration in FIG. 26, when fastening the adjustscrew 103, theslider 41 elastically deforms in the right-and-left directions in FIG. 26 so as to eliminate a gap between thefeed screw shaft 39 and theslider 41 itself. As a result, even when a bending moment is, as shown in FIG. 27, inputted from theball stud 43 when thefeed screw mechanism 35 operates, theslider 41 is hard to tilt. Note that FIG. 28 shows a state theslider 41 tilts due to the input of the bending moment from theball stud 43 in the seventh embodiment. - FIG. 29 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the tenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a side view showing the feed screw mechanism in the eleventh embodiment. The whole configuration of the apparatus in each of the tenth and eleventh embodiments is the same as the first and second embodiments have, however, the
slider 41 is formed with theslit 101 extending in directions that are right-angled to the axis of thefeed screw shaft 39, and an adjustscrew 103 for adjusting a width of thisslit 101 is provided as a backlash adjusting means. - According to the tenth and eleventh embodiments, if an excessive backlash exists between the
slider 41 and thefeed screw shaft 39, the assembly worker narrows the width of theslit 101 by fastening the adjustscrew 103 with the hexagonal wrench, etc., thereby reducing the backlash between thefeed screw shaft 39 and theslider 41 as in the seventh embodiment discussed above. Note that theslit 101 shows a well-balanced condition in upper-and-lower directions, and theslider 41 comes to have a high strength, however, a high torque is required of fastening the adjustscrew 103. On the other hand, in the case of the eleventh embodiment, theslider 41 is easy to elastically deform in an upper part of theslit 101, and hence the torque required of fastening the adjustscrew 103 decreases with the result that the adjustment of the backlash is facilitated. - The specific descriptions of the embodiments come to an end so far. However, the mode of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed above. For example, in each of the embodiments, the present invention is applied to the electrically-driven tilt type or electrically-driven telescopic type steering column apparatus. The present invention may be, however, applied to an electrically-driven tilt/telescopic type steering column apparatus. Further, the worm gear mechanism may involve using a mechanism constructed of the worm gear and a helical gear in addition to the mechanism constructed of the worm gear and the worm wheel. Moreover, the spherical joint element and the cylindrical joint element may be, in addition to their being fixed to the slider, the column bracket, etc., formed integrally with these components; or alternatively, the cylindrical joint element may be fixed to the slider, while the spherical joint element may be attached to a member on the face-to-face side. Further, the embodiments discussed above have exemplified the hydraulic power steering apparatus to which the present invention is applied, however, the present invention may be applied to the steering apparatuses such as the electrically-driven power steering apparatus, a manual steering apparatus and so forth. Still further, the whole configurations of the steering apparatus and of the electrically-driven steering column apparatus and the shapes of the respective members, can be properly changed if these changes fall within the range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.
- As obvious from the discussion given above, the present invention enables the apparatus to be configured in a compact size and the smooth operation to be actualized while reducing the number of the members.
Claims (14)
1. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus comprising:
a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is attached;
a steering column, for rotatably holding said steering shaft, capable of adjusting a tilt position about a tilt pivot as a fulcrum on the basis of a car-body-side member;
an electric motor for a tilt motion of said steering column; and
a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to said steering column a rotational driving force of said electric motor as a tilt motion driving force for said steering column,
wherein said power transmission mechanism includes a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which said spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route from said electric motor to said steering column.
2. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus comprising:
a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is attached;
a steering column, for rotatably holding said steering shaft, capable of adjusting a telescopic position on the basis of a car-body-side member;
an electric motor for a telescopic motion of said steering column; and
a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to said steering column a rotational driving force of said electric motor as a telescopic motion driving force for said steering column,
wherein said power transmission mechanism includes a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which said spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route from said electric motor to said steering column.
3. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a synthetic resin member is interposed between said spherical joint element and said cylindrical joint element.
4. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said synthetic resin member is a sleeve fitted in said cylindrical joint element.
5. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said synthetic resin member is a slider having a concave spherical surface in which said spherical joint element is fitted.
6. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said power transmission mechanism includes:
a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to said electric motor and of a plurality of feed nuts screw-engaged onto said feed screw shaft; and
backlash adjusting means for changing an axial distance between said feed nuts in order to make a backlash of said feed screw mechanism adjustable.
7. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said power transmission mechanism includes:
a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to said electric motor and of a feed nut formed with a slit and screw-engaged onto said feed screw shaft; and
backlash adjusting means for changing a width of the slit in order to make a backlash of said feed screw mechanism adjustable.
8. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus comprising:
a steering shaft having its rear end to which a steering wheel is attached;
a steering column, for rotatably holding said steering shaft, capable of adjusting a position of said steering wheel;
an electric motor for a position adjusting motion of said steering column; and
a power transmission mechanism for transmitting to said steering column a rotational driving force of said electric motor as a position adjusting motion driving force.
9. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said power transmission means includes a joint constructed of a spherical joint element and a cylindrical joint element in which said spherical joint element is slidably fitted, on within a driving force transmission route.
10. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a synthetic resin member is interposed between said spherical joint element and said cylindrical joint element.
11. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said synthetic resin member is a sleeve fitted in said cylindrical joint element.
12. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said synthetic resin member is a slider having a concave spherical surface in which said spherical joint element is fitted.
13. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said power transmission mechanism includes:
a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to said electric motor and of a plurality of feed nuts screw-engaged onto said feed screw shaft; and
backlash adjusting means for changing an axial distance between said feed nuts in order to make a backlash of said feed screw mechanism adjustable.
14. An electrically-driven steering column apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said power transmission mechanism includes:
a feed screw mechanism constructed of a feed screw shaft connected to said electric motor and of a feed nut formed with a slit and screw-engaged onto said feed screw shaft; and
backlash adjusting means for changing a width of the slit in order to make a backlash of said feed screw mechanism adjustable.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/826,183 US7444900B2 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2007-07-12 | Electrically-driven steering column apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002078447 | 2002-03-20 | ||
JP2002-078447 | 2002-03-20 | ||
JP2002250301 | 2002-08-29 | ||
JP2002-250301 | 2002-08-29 | ||
JP2003002454 | 2003-01-08 | ||
JP2003-02454 | 2003-01-08 | ||
PCT/JP2003/003094 WO2003078234A1 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2003-03-14 | Electric steering column device |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/826,183 Division US7444900B2 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2007-07-12 | Electrically-driven steering column apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040194570A1 true US20040194570A1 (en) | 2004-10-07 |
Family
ID=28046105
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/484,499 Abandoned US20040194570A1 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2003-03-14 | Electric steering column device |
US11/826,183 Expired - Lifetime US7444900B2 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2007-07-12 | Electrically-driven steering column apparatus |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/826,183 Expired - Lifetime US7444900B2 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2007-07-12 | Electrically-driven steering column apparatus |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20040194570A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1486395B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4325403B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60324397D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003078234A1 (en) |
Cited By (14)
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US20040144192A1 (en) * | 1998-12-25 | 2004-07-29 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric steering column apparatus |
US20070180945A1 (en) * | 2006-02-09 | 2007-08-09 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric steering device |
US20080047382A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-02-28 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering apparatus |
US20080128197A1 (en) * | 2006-11-30 | 2008-06-05 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric steering apparatus |
US20080167778A1 (en) * | 2007-01-10 | 2008-07-10 | Yuichiro Tsukasaki | Left-right independent steering device for steering left and right wheels independently |
US20090308189A1 (en) * | 2006-06-29 | 2009-12-17 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering device |
US20110121552A1 (en) * | 2009-11-25 | 2011-05-26 | Zf Systemes De Direction Nacam Sas | Device for adjusting a steering column |
US20110174100A1 (en) * | 2010-01-18 | 2011-07-21 | Smc Kabushiki Kaisha | Feed screw mechanism |
AT511962B1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-04-15 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag | Steering column for a motor vehicle |
DE102011001765B4 (en) * | 2011-04-04 | 2013-10-17 | Zf Lenksysteme Gmbh | Steering column manufacturer independent adaptation for steering column / actuator interface |
EP2412607A3 (en) * | 2010-07-27 | 2013-12-11 | Fujikiko Co., Ltd. | Steering column device |
US8991861B1 (en) | 2012-05-25 | 2015-03-31 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric position adjustment apparatus for steering wheel |
US11041521B2 (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2021-06-22 | Nsk, Ltd. | Nut, feed screw mechanism, and electric position adjustment device for steering wheel |
EP4144615A1 (en) * | 2021-09-02 | 2023-03-08 | Oechsler AG | Actuator, steering column for a motor vehicle and method for manufacturing and / or mounting an actuator |
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US20040144192A1 (en) * | 1998-12-25 | 2004-07-29 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric steering column apparatus |
US20070180945A1 (en) * | 2006-02-09 | 2007-08-09 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric steering device |
US7886630B2 (en) * | 2006-02-09 | 2011-02-15 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric steering device |
US20090308189A1 (en) * | 2006-06-29 | 2009-12-17 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering device |
US20080047382A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-02-28 | Nsk Ltd. | Steering apparatus |
US20080128197A1 (en) * | 2006-11-30 | 2008-06-05 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric steering apparatus |
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AT511962B1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-04-15 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag | Steering column for a motor vehicle |
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US8991861B1 (en) | 2012-05-25 | 2015-03-31 | Nsk Ltd. | Electric position adjustment apparatus for steering wheel |
US11041521B2 (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2021-06-22 | Nsk, Ltd. | Nut, feed screw mechanism, and electric position adjustment device for steering wheel |
EP4144615A1 (en) * | 2021-09-02 | 2023-03-08 | Oechsler AG | Actuator, steering column for a motor vehicle and method for manufacturing and / or mounting an actuator |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1486395A4 (en) | 2005-10-19 |
WO2003078234A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 |
JPWO2003078234A1 (en) | 2005-07-14 |
US20070262576A1 (en) | 2007-11-15 |
DE60324397D1 (en) | 2008-12-11 |
JP4325403B2 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
EP1486395A1 (en) | 2004-12-15 |
US7444900B2 (en) | 2008-11-04 |
EP1486395B1 (en) | 2008-10-29 |
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Owner name: NSK LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TOMARU, MASAKI;MITSUHASHI, CHIE;FUJIWARA, TAKESHI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:015485/0030;SIGNING DATES FROM 20031202 TO 20031203 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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