Steering mechanism

Abstract

The steering device (1) includes: a steering shaft (3) connected to the center of a steering wheel (2) and movable in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle; a steering shaft cover (4) covering the steering shaft (3) and allowing the steering shaft (3) to move internally; and a protector (10) mounted on the steering shaft cover (4), which internally inserts and accommodates a portion of a wire harness (W / H) consisting of multiple wires (W) laid along the steering shaft (3). The wire harness (W / H) located within the protector (10) is laid out in a state where the multiple wires (W) are not bundled and are spread out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a steering device equipped with a protector for wire harnesses. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a protector for a steering device. This protector has a passage through which a wiring harness for the steering device passes, and within this passage, the wiring harness is held in an S-shape. The protector has contacts serving as holding surfaces on the inner surfaces of the sidewalls forming the passage. These contacts contact the wiring harness, maintaining the S-shape of the wiring harness when the steering wheel is in its maximum movable position at the rear of the vehicle.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131794 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the aforementioned protector, with the steering wheel at its maximum movable position towards the front of the vehicle, the wiring harness, composed of multiple bundled wires, requires greater force to bend. Therefore, when moving the steering wheel towards its maximum movable position towards the front of the vehicle, the steering wheel's operability deteriorates. Thus, there is room for improvement in the steering system to enhance the steering wheel's operability.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a steering device that improves the operability of the steering wheel when it is moved to its maximum movable position toward the front of the vehicle.

[0009] Technical means for solving problems

[0010] The steering device according to the present invention comprises: a steering shaft connected to the center of a steering wheel and movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a steering shaft cover covering the steering shaft and allowing the steering shaft to move internally; and a protector mounted on the steering shaft cover, which internally inserts and accommodates a portion of a wire harness consisting of multiple wires bundled together and laid along the steering shaft. The wire harness located within the protector is laid out in a dispersed state where the multiple wires are not bundled.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the present invention, the operability of the steering wheel when it is moved toward the movable limit position of the steering wheel in the steering device toward the front side of the vehicle can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a side view showing an example of the steering device involved in the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a plan view showing the housing method of the wiring harness in the protector used for the aforementioned steering device.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of the aforementioned protector.

[0016] Figure 4A This is a side view showing the steering wheel of the aforementioned steering device in a position behind the vehicle.

[0017] Figure 4B This is a plan view showing how the wiring harness inside the protector is housed when the steering wheel is located at the rear of the vehicle.

[0018] Figure 5A This is a side view showing the position of the steering wheel in front of the vehicle.

[0019] Figure 5B This is a plan view showing how the wiring harness inside the protector is housed when the steering wheel is positioned in front of the vehicle.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a plan view showing the arrangement of the wire harness inside the protector when transporting a wire harness assembly equipped with the aforementioned wire harness and protector. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, the steering device according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a side view showing an example of a steering device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a plan view showing the housing arrangement of the wiring harness W / H within the protector 10 for the steering device 1. Figure 3 This is a 3D view of protector 10. Figure 4A This is a side view showing the steering wheel 2 of the steering device 1 in the position of being located at the rear of the vehicle. Figure 4B This is a plan view showing the arrangement of the wiring harness W / H within the protector 10 when the steering wheel 2 is positioned at the rear of the vehicle. Figure 5A This is a side view showing the position of the steering wheel 2 in front of the vehicle. Figure 5B This is a plan view showing the arrangement of the wiring harness W / H within the protector 10 when the steering wheel 2 is positioned in front of the vehicle. Figure 6This is a plan view showing the housing state of the wire harness W / H within the protector 10 when transporting the wire harness assembly 6, which includes the wire harness W / H and the protector 10.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the steering device 1 includes a steering wheel 2, a steering shaft 3, a steering shaft cover 4, a combination switch / steering column 5, and a wiring harness assembly 6. Figure 2 As shown, the wiring harness assembly 6 is arranged along the steering axis 3 and includes a wiring harness W / H composed of multiple wires W, a first protector (protector) 10, and a second protector 20.

[0024] Figure 1 The steering device 1 shown in this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and has a telescopic function that allows adjustment of the position of the steering wheel 2 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Figure 1 As shown, a steering shaft 3 extending forward of the vehicle is connected to the center of the steering wheel 2. The steering shaft 3 is covered by a steering shaft cover 4 and can slide (move) within the steering shaft cover 4. A combination switch / steering column 5 is connected to the steering wheel 2. A first protector 10 is installed on the steering shaft cover 4, which allows a portion of the wiring harness W / H located on the front side of the vehicle to pass through. A second protector 20 is installed on the combination switch / steering column 5, which allows a portion of the wiring harness W / H on the steering wheel 2 side (rear side of the vehicle) to pass through. The end of the wiring harness W / H on the steering wheel 2 side is connected to the combination switch / steering column 5.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the first protector 10 houses and protects a portion of the wiring harness W / H located on the front side of the vehicle. (As...) Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the first protector 10 has a protector body 11 and a cover 16 mounted on the protector body 11 and covering the opening 11c on the upper surface of the protector body 11. The protector body 11 is made of synthetic resin and has a bottom wall portion 11a and a pair of side wall portions 11b extending from both sides of the bottom wall portion 11a. A wire insertion space 12 is formed between the bottom wall portion 11a and the pair of side wall portions 11b, which allows multiple wires W of the wiring harness W / H to be inserted in an unbundled and loose state. The wire insertion space 12 is a space for accommodating multiple unbundled and loose wires W, and also a space for absorbing excess length of multiple wires W as they move with the steering wheel 2. Normally, the wiring harness W / H consists of multiple wires W, which are bundled together by straps or the like. However, the wiring harness W / H located on the front side of the vehicle inside the first protector 10 is accommodated with multiple wires W in an unbundled and loose state. The wiring harness W / H located on the rear side of the vehicle within the second protector 20 is also contained in a state where multiple wires W are not bundled and are scattered, or it can be contained in a state where multiple wires W are bundled using straps or similar methods.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, a pair of support through holes 13 are formed in the bottom wall portion 11a of the protector body 11. When multiple unbundled and loose wires W are laid in the wire insertion space 12, the pair of support through holes 13 are connected to the pair of supports 9a of the power line receiving platform 9. The portion of the bottom wall portion 11a with the pair of support through holes 13 is formed into a trapezoid wider than the width of the wire guide portion 11d on the vehicle front side of the protector body 11 and the width of the wire guide portion 11e on the vehicle rear side of the protector body 11, forming an S-shape when viewed in plan view. When assembling the wire harness assembly 6, multiple unbundled and loose wires W are laid in an S-shape via the pair of supports 9a in the wire insertion space 12. In this arrangement, as Figure 4B As shown, when the steering wheel 2 is moved to the rear of the vehicle and is in its maximum movable position (first maximum movable position) at the rear side of the vehicle, the multiple wires W, which are not tied up and are scattered in the wire insertion space 12 of the first protector 10, gently bend into an S-shape. Figure 5B As shown, when the steering wheel 2 is moved forward and is in the movable limit position (second movable limit position) on the front side of the vehicle, the multiple wires W, which are not bundled and are scattered in the wire insertion space 12 of the first protector 10, are further bent into an S-shape. The wire receiving platform 9 of the wire harness manufacturing jig, which is provided with a pair of pillars 9a, receives the protector body 11 and is used when assembling the wire harness assembly 6.

[0027] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, a protruding tab 15A is provided at the wire outlet 11d. The wire harness W / H located on the front side of the vehicle is inserted through and housed in a corrugated tube (cylindrical protective component) 30. The corrugated tube 30 is secured to the protruding tab 15A on the front side via a cable tie 34. A protruding tab 15B is provided at the rear side of the wire outlet 11e. The wire harness W / H located on the rear side of the vehicle is inserted through and housed in a plastic tube (cylindrical protective component) 31. The plastic tube 31 abuts against the protruding tab 15B on the rear side. Figure 6 As shown, the protruding piece 15B on the rear side and the plastic tube 31 can also be made to abut against the protruding piece 15B on the rear side. After the outer periphery of the protruding piece 15B on the rear side and the plastic tube 31 are covered with a foamed polyurethane sheet (buffer sheet) 33, it is fixed with a rubber strap (tipping strap) 35.

[0028] like Figure 3As shown, the cover 16 is made of synthetic resin and has a stepped top wall portion 16a and a pair of side wall portions 16b extending from both sides of the top wall portion 16a. A pair of fixing protrusions (locking portions) 17 are provided at both ends of the top wall portion 16a. The first protector 10 is mounted to the steering shaft cover 4 via the pair of fixing protrusions 17. Locking claws 18 are provided at both ends and the center of the pair of side wall portions 16b, and these locking claws 18 lock with frame-shaped engaging portions 14 that are provided at both ends and the center of the pair of side wall portions 11b of the protector body 11.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the second protector 20 has a four-cornered cylindrical and L-shaped protector body 21 made of synthetic resin. An electrical wiring passage space 22 is provided inside the protector body 21. The protector body 21 is mounted to the combination switch / steering column 5 via a fixing unit (not shown).

[0030] A fixing hole 24 is provided on the wire outlet 23 on the vehicle front side of the protector body 21 of the second protector 20. A plastic tube 31, which abuts against the protruding piece 15B on the rear side of the first protector 10, is fixed to the wire outlet 23 on the vehicle front side of the second protector 20 via a cable tie 34 inserted through the fixing hole 24. A protruding piece 26 is provided on the wire outlet 25 on the vehicle rear side of the protector body 21. A portion of the wiring harness W / H located on the vehicle rear side is inserted into and accommodated in the plastic tube (cylindrical protective component) 32. The plastic tube 32 is fixed to the protruding piece 26 via adhesive tape 36.

[0031] The wiring harness W / H consists of multiple wires W, and the wiring harness, at least between the first protector 10 and the second protector 20, is housed in each protector 10, 20 in a loose state where the multiple wires W are not bound or tied with straps. Connectors (not shown) are connected to both ends of the wiring harness W / H. The multiple wires W constituting the wiring harness W / H are partially covered from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side by corrugated tubing 30, plastic tubing 31, and plastic tubing 32. The multiple wires W constituting the wiring harness W / H covered by these tubing 30 to 32 are inserted into the wire insertion spaces 12, 22 of the first protector 10 and the second protector 20. Furthermore, the corrugated tubing 30 is secured to the front side of the first protector 10 by strapping 34. The plastic tubing 31 is secured to the front side of the second protector 20 by strapping 34. The plastic tubing 32 is secured to the rear side of the second protector 20 by adhesive tape 36. Thus, the wiring harness assembly 6 is assembled. In the assembled state, the front end of the plastic tube 31 is located within the wire insertion space 12 of the first protector 10. Furthermore, within the wire insertion space 12 of the first protector 10, the multiple wires W constituting the wire harness W / H are accommodated in a loose, unbundled state. These multiple wires W are arranged in an S-shape via a pair of supports 9a on the wire receiving platform 9 of the wire harness manufacturing fixture, thus forming an S-shape.

[0032] In the steering device 1 according to the embodiment, the state of the steering wheel 2 moving in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the state of multiple wires W in the wiring harness W / H in the wiring insertion space 12 of the first protector 10 being untied and scattered are described.

[0033] Figure 1 This shows the steering wheel 2 in its central position within the steering shaft cover 4. Figure 2 As shown, within the wire insertion space 12 of the first protector 10, multiple wires W, which are not bundled and are scattered, are bent into an S-shape.

[0034] Figure 4A This shows the steering wheel 2 at its maximum movable position relative to the rear of the vehicle. Figure 4B As shown, within the wire insertion space 12 of the first protector 10, compared to the state where the steering wheel 2 is in the middle position, the multiple wires W, which are not tied up and are scattered, are gently bent into an S-shape.

[0035] Figure 5A This shows the steering wheel 2 at its maximum movable position when moved forward towards the vehicle. (Example:) Figure 5B As shown, within the wire insertion space 12 of the first protector 10, compared to the state where the steering wheel 2 is in the middle position, the multiple wires W that were not tied up and were scattered are further bent into an S-shape.

[0036] Thus, in the steering device 1 according to this embodiment, when moving the steering wheel 2 towards its movable limit position toward the front of the vehicle, a force is required to move the steering wheel 2 and a force is required to further bend the multiple wires W that are in a dispersed state. However, compared to the conventional case where the multiple wires are tied together by straps or the like, the force required to bend the dispersed multiple wires W is smaller. As a result, the operability of the steering wheel 2 when moving it towards its movable limit position toward the front of the vehicle can be improved.

[0037] exist Figure 6 In the illustrated method, after covering the outer periphery of the plastic tube 31 through which the wire harness W / H is inserted with a polyurethane foam sheet 33, it is fixed to the protruding piece 15B on the rear side of the first protector 10 with a rubber strap 35. Therefore, when handling the wire harness assembly 6, it can be transported as a compact wire harness assembly 6. In addition, when the wire harness assembly 6 is placed in a box or the like and transported, the operation of placing the wire harness assembly 6 in the box or the like is also made easier.

[0038] In the above embodiment, a wire harness W / H in which multiple wires W are spread out is used between the first protector 10 and the second protector 20. However, a wire harness W / H formed by bundling multiple wires W other than those in the first protector 10 with straps or the like can also be used.

[0039] According to the above embodiment, a protruding piece 15A for fixing cylindrical protective components such as bellows 30 is provided on the protector body 11 side of the first protector 10, but a protruding piece may also be provided on the cover 16 side of the first protector 10.

[0040] According to the above embodiment, the corrugated tube 30 and plastic tubes 31 and 32, which serve as cylindrical protective components for plugging in and protecting the wiring harness W / H, are arranged sequentially from the front of the vehicle, but their arrangement and combination can also be changed appropriately.

[0041] This document quotes the full contents of Japanese Special Application No. 2021-195531 (application date: December 1, 2021).

[0042] The foregoing has described several embodiments of the present invention, but these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A steering device, characterized in that, have: A steering shaft, which is connected to the center of the steering wheel and is movable in the forward and backward directions of the vehicle; A steering shaft cover that covers the steering shaft and allows the steering shaft to move internally; as well as A protector, mounted on the steering axle cover, internally inserts and accommodates a portion of a wiring harness consisting of multiple wires bundled together and laid along the steering axle. The wiring harness located within the protector is laid out with the multiple wires unbundled and spread out.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protector has: Protector body; and A cover, which is installed on the body of the protector and covers the opening on the upper surface of the body of the protector. The cover includes at least one pair of locking portions. The protector is mounted to the steering shaft cover via the at least one pair of locking parts.

3. The steering device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The protector body has: Bottom wall; and A pair of sidewall portions, which extend from both sides of the bottom wall portion. A wire insertion space is formed between the bottom wall portion and the pair of side walls, serving as a wire receiving space for accommodating multiple wires that are not bundled and are in a loose state. The bottom wall has a pair of support through holes. When multiple wires are laid out in a loose state without being bundled within the wire insertion space, the pair of support through holes are penetrated by a pair of supports of the wire receiving platform. Within the wire insertion space, multiple unbound and scattered wires are arranged in an S-shape via the pair of supports.

4. The steering device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steering device also includes: A protruding tab, wherein the protruding tab is disposed on the wire outlet portion on the rear side of the protector body; and A cylindrical protective component that houses a portion of the wiring harness located on the rear side of the vehicle. The protruding piece and the cylindrical protective component are secured by a buffer sheet and strapping.

5. The steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that, With the steering wheel moved to its first movable limit position at the rear of the vehicle, the multiple untied and scattered wires form a gently curved S-shape within the wire insertion space. When the steering wheel is moved forward and is located at the second movable limit position on the front side of the vehicle, the multiple wires that are not tied up and are spread out become more curved in an S-shape within the wire insertion space than in the first movable limit position.

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