Vehicle steering apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus. The vehicle steering apparatus includes: an upper tube having a steering shaft rotatably coupled to an interior thereof; a lower column having an upper tube inserted therein and having recesses formed in outer surfaces of distance portions provided to face each other, with cutting holes axially formed in an outer periphery provided between the distance portions; mounting brackets coupled to respective outer surfaces of the distance portion and having inclined grooves formed in two opposite sides of the mounting brackets; a fixed gear member provided on an outer surface of one side of the mounting bracket and having a communication hole communicating with the inclined groove; and a movable gear member movably coupled to the fixed gear member and positioned in the recess through the communication hole and the inclined groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle steering device. More specifically, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle steering device that allows a mounting bracket to remain in place during a transportation process before a steering column and a vehicle are assembled while preventing the mounting bracket from rotating, thereby preventing assembly defects and delays during the assembly process and malfunctions due to incorrect assembly while driving. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a vehicle steering column includes a mounting bracket for fixing an upper tube and a lower column which are embedded in a steering shaft and are relatively slidable.

[0003] The vehicle steering column has a restricting device that can perform tilting for adjusting a fixed angle of a steering wheel and telescoping for adjusting a degree of protrusion of the steering wheel.

[0004] However, in a conventional vehicle steering column, due to the dispersion of the locking force and the supporting force of the restricting device, the mounting bracket may not be held in place during the transportation process before being assembled in the vehicle, but may be slightly rotated.

[0005] Furthermore, due to such slight rotation of the mounting bracket, the assembly position with the vehicle may not be securely maintained, thereby causing assembly defects and delays in the assembly process. Summary of the invention

[0006] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a vehicle steering device that allows a mounting bracket to remain in place during a transportation process before a steering column and a vehicle are assembled while preventing the mounting bracket from rotating, thereby preventing assembly defects and delays during the assembly process and failures due to incorrect assembly while driving.

[0007] In one aspect, the present embodiment can provide a vehicle steering device, which includes: an upper tube having a steering shaft rotatably connected to its interior; a lower column having the upper tube inserted therein and having a recess formed in the outer surface of a distance portion arranged to face each other, wherein a cutting hole axially formed in the outer periphery is arranged between the distance portions; a mounting bracket connected to the corresponding outer surface of the distance portion and having an inclined groove formed in two opposite sides of the mounting bracket; a fixed gear member arranged on the outer surface of one side of the mounting bracket and having a connecting hole connected to the inclined groove; and a movable gear member connected to the fixed gear member and positioned in the recess through the connecting hole and the inclined groove.

[0008] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the movable gear member may include a gear coupling portion having movable gear teeth on two opposite sides of a surface facing the fixed gear member.

[0009] Furthermore, the gear coupling portion may have a bolt through hole communicating with the inclined groove.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the movable gear member may further include an extension support connected to the gear coupling portion, protruding toward the distance portion between the movable gear teeth, and having a hollow portion communicating with the bolt through hole.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the end of the extension support may be positioned within the recess.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, two opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of the extension support may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the recess.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, one side of the outer peripheral surface of the extension support may be cut to communicate with the hollow portion.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, two opposing side surfaces of the recess may be formed as flat surfaces parallel to each other.

[0015] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, two opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of the extension support may be formed as flat surfaces parallel to two opposite side surfaces of the recessed portion.

[0016] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a gear block that moves while supporting the movable gear member during tilting or telescoping may be coupled to the outside of the gear coupling portion.

[0017] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the gear block may include a gear support having a block hole communicating with the bolt through hole and disposed outside the gear coupling portion.

[0018] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the gear block may further include side supports extending from two opposite ends of the gear support to the movable gear member to support two opposite surfaces of the gear coupling portion.

[0019] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the gear block may further include a curved support piece which is bent inwardly from the side support piece to face each other to support an inner surface of the gear coupling portion.

[0020] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a thrust bearing may be coupled to an outer surface of the gear block.

[0021] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the thrust bearing may be supported by a fastening member threadedly connected to the adjustment bolt.

[0022] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a vehicle steering device can be provided that allows a mounting bracket to remain in place during a transportation process before a steering column and a vehicle are assembled while preventing the mounting bracket from rotating, thereby preventing assembly defects and delays during the assembly process and failures due to incorrect assembly while driving. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0027] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the vehicle steering device taken along line A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the following description of examples or embodiments of the present disclosure, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which specific examples or embodiments that can be implemented are shown by way of illustration, and in which the same reference numerals and symbols may be used to represent the same or similar parts, even when they are shown in different drawings from each other. In addition, in the following description of examples or embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the description may make the subject matter in some embodiments of the present disclosure quite unclear, a detailed description of the well-known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted. Terms such as "including", "having", "containing", "constituting", "comprising" and "formed by..." used herein are generally intended to allow the addition of other components unless the term is used together with the term "only". As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] Terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(A)" or "(B)" may be used herein to describe elements of the present disclosure. Each of these terms is not used to define the nature, order, sequence or quantity of the elements etc., but is only used to distinguish the corresponding element from other elements.

[0030] When it is mentioned that a first element is "connected or coupled to", "contacts or overlaps", etc. a second element, it should be explained that the first element may not only be "directly connected or coupled to" or "directly contact or overlaps" the second element, but a third element may also be "interposed" between the first element and the second element, or the first element and the second element may be "connected or coupled to", "contacts or overlaps", etc. each other via a fourth element. Here, the second element may be included in at least one of two or more elements that are "connected or coupled to", "contacts or overlaps", etc. each other.

[0031] When time relative terms such as "after", "subsequently", "next", "before" and the like are used to describe a process or operation of an element or configuration, or a flow or step in an operation, process, or manufacturing method, these terms may be used to describe non-sequential or non-sequential processes or operations unless the terms "directly" or "immediately" are used together.

[0032] In addition, when any dimension, relative size, etc. is mentioned, even when no relevant description is specified, it should be considered that the numerical value or corresponding information (e.g., height, range, etc.) of the element or feature includes a tolerance or error range that may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences, noise, etc.). In addition, the term "may" fully encompasses all meanings of the term "can".

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the vehicle steering device taken along line A.

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 6, the vehicle steering device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an upper tube 102, which has a steering shaft 101 rotatably connected to the inside thereof; a lower column 120, which has the upper tube 102 inserted therein and has a recess 121 formed in the outer surface of distance portions 120a and 120b arranged to face each other, wherein a cutting hole 125 is axially formed in the outer periphery and arranged between the distance portions 120a and 120b; a mounting bracket 110, which is connected to the corresponding outer surfaces of the distance portions 120a and 120b and has an inclined groove 113 formed in two opposite sides thereof; a fixed gear member 130, which is arranged on the outer surface of one side of the mounting bracket 110 and has a connecting hole 133 connected to the inclined groove 113; and a movable gear member 140, which is connected to the fixed gear member 130 and is positioned in the recess 121 through the connecting hole 133 and the inclined groove 113.

[0035] The steering shaft 101 coupled to the steering wheel is rotatably coupled to the inside of the upper tube 102 via, for example but not limited to, a bearing.

[0036] Since the lower column 120 is coupled to the outer circumference of the upper tube 102 formed to have a cylindrical shape, when the driver performs extension and retraction of the vehicle steering device 100 , the upper tube 102 can be extended and retracted into or out of the lower column 120 .

[0037] The lower column 120 formed to have a hollow shape has a cut hole 125 axially formed in an outer circumference thereof, and the distance portions 120 a and 120 b are disposed to face each other with the cut hole 125 disposed therebetween.

[0038] Therefore, when the driver performs extension and retraction of the vehicle steering device 100, through the limiting device connected to the two opposite ends of the adjusting bolt 105, the distance portions 120a and 120b contract or relax in the length direction of the adjusting bolt 105 passing through the distance portions 120a and 120b, and the axial movement of the upper tube 102 can be selectively allowed or restricted.

[0039] Furthermore, when the driver performs tilting, the restriction device pressurizes or depressurizes the mounting bracket 110 and the distance portions 120 a and 120 b in the length direction of the adjustment bolt 105 , thereby allowing the upper tube 102 and the lower column 120 to perform tilting.

[0040] The limiting device may include an adjustment rod 103 , a pair of cam members 107 a and 107 b , a spring 159 , a fixed gear member 130 , a movable gear member 140 , a gear block 150 , a thrust bearing 160 , and fasteners or fastening members 170 coupled to two opposite ends of the adjustment bolt 105 .

[0041] The recess 121 is formed on or in the outer surfaces of the distance portions 120 a and 120 b so that the movable gear member 140 may be positioned in the recess 121 to fix the position of the mounting bracket 110 .

[0042] The mounting bracket 110 coupled to the outer surface of the distance parts 120 a and 120 b has an inclined groove 113 elongated in an upward or downward inclined direction, and a fixed gear member 130 engaged with the movable gear member 140 is provided on the outer surface of the mounting bracket 110 .

[0043] The tilt bracket 111 may be coupled to or integrally formed with the mounting bracket 110 , and the tilt groove 113 may be formed in the tilt bracket 111 .

[0044] The fixed gear member 130 has a communication hole 133 communicating with or at least partially aligned with the inclined slot 113, so that the adjusting bolt 105 is coupled with the movable gear member 140 through the inclined slot 113 and the communication hole 133. The fixed gear teeth 131 for coupling with the movable gear member 140 are provided at two opposite sides of the inclined slot 113.

[0045] The movable gear member 140 may include a gear coupling portion 141 having movable gear teeth 145 at two opposite sides of a surface of the movable gear member 140 facing the fixed gear member 130 .

[0046] The gear coupling portion 141 has a bolt through hole 141 a communicating with or at least partially aligned with the inclined groove 113 .

[0047] In addition, the movable gear member 140 may include an extension support 143 connected to the gear coupling portion 141 and protruding toward the distance portions 120a and 120b between the movable gear teeth 145. The movable gear member 140 may have a hollow portion communicating with the bolt through hole 141a.

[0048] The gear coupling portion 141 has a plate shape of a predetermined thickness, has a bolt through hole 141 a formed at the center of the gear coupling portion 141 to communicate with the hollow portion 147 , and is integrally connected with the extension support 143 .

[0049] The extension support 143 protrudes from the gear coupling portion 141 and extends to the fixed gear member 130 , and has movable gear teeth 145 formed at two opposite sides thereof to engage with the fixed gear teeth 131 .

[0050] The end of the extension support member 143 is positioned within the recess 121, and two opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of the extension support member 143 are spaced apart from the inner surface of the recess 121 to prevent noise caused by contact between the active gear member 140 and the recess 121 when the driver or user performs tilting or extension of the vehicle steering device 100 or external force is applied to the vehicle steering device 100.

[0051] Furthermore, one side of the outer circumferential surface of the extension support 143 has a cut portion communicating with the hollow portion 147 , thereby reducing the weight of the movable gear member 140 and saving costs.

[0052] Furthermore, two opposing surfaces of the recess 121 in the axial direction may be formed flat, and two opposing sides of the outer peripheral surface of the extension support 143 are formed flat and parallel to the two opposing surfaces of the recess 121 in the axial direction.

[0053] Therefore, even when external force is applied to the mounting bracket 110 while transporting the steering column to be assembled to a vehicle, the mounting bracket 110 and the fixing gear member 130 may remain in place without rotating, thereby preventing assembly defects by workers and reducing assembly processes.

[0054] In addition, the gear block 150 , which is movable while supporting the movable gear member 140 during tilting or telescoping of the vehicle steering apparatus 100 , is coupled to the outside of the gear coupling portion 141 .

[0055] Here, the gear block 150 may include a gear supporter 151 having a block hole 151 a communicating with or at least partially aligned with the bolt through hole 141 a and disposed outside the gear coupling portion 141 .

[0056] In addition, the gear block 150 may further include side supports 153 extending from two opposite ends of the gear support 151 toward the movable gear member 140, and may include curved supports 155 bent inwardly from the side supports 153 to face each other to support the inner surface of the gear coupling portion 141.

[0057] The gear support 151 , the side support 153 and the curved support 155 of the gear block 150 are vertically connected to each other to surround the gear coupling portion 141 , and are coupled to limit the axially movable distance of the movable gear member 140 when the adjustment bolt 105 is locked and released.

[0058] The curved support 155 supports the inner surface of the gear coupling portion 141 to prevent the movable gear member 140 from escaping or falling off in the axial direction, and the side support 153 is coupled while supporting the sliding of the gear coupling portion 141 .

[0059] The thrust bearing 160 is coupled to the outer surface of the gear block 150 to support the rotation of the gear block 150 when the adjusting bolt 105 rotates.

[0060] Here, the thrust bearing 160 is supported and fixed by a fastening member 170 threadedly connected to the adjustment bolt 105 .

[0061] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure having such a shape and structure, a vehicle steering device can be provided that allows a mounting bracket to remain in place during a transportation process before a steering column and a vehicle are assembled while preventing the mounting bracket from rotating, thereby preventing assembly defects and delays during the assembly process and malfunctions due to incorrect assembly during driving.

[0062] The above description has been presented to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the technical concept of the present disclosure, and the above description has been provided in the context of a specific application and its requirements. Various modifications, additions and substitutions to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The above description and the accompanying drawings provide examples of the technical concept of the present disclosure for illustrative purposes only. That is, the disclosed embodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown, but should conform to the widest scope consistent with the claims. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted based on the claims, and all technical concepts within the scope of its equivalents should be interpreted as included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0064] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0074146, filed on Jun. 9, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering device, comprising: an upper tube, wherein the steering shaft is rotatably coupled to an interior of the upper tube; a lower column, wherein the upper tube is inserted into the lower column, and the lower column has recesses formed on outer surfaces of distance portions of the lower column facing each other, and has a cut portion formed between the distance portions of the lower column in an axial direction of the lower column; a mounting bracket coupled to an outer surface of the distance portion of the lower column and having inclined grooves formed at opposite sides of the mounting bracket; a fixed gear member disposed on an outer surface of one of the opposite sides of the mounting bracket and having a communication hole at least partially aligned with one of the inclined grooves of the mounting bracket; and A movable gear member is movably coupled to the fixed gear member of the mounting bracket and is positioned in the recess of the lower column through the communication hole of the fixed gear member and the inclined groove of the mounting bracket.

2. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The movable gear member includes a gear coupling portion having movable gear teeth formed at an opposite side of a surface of the movable gear member facing the fixed gear member of the mounting bracket.

3. The vehicle steering device according to claim 2, wherein: The gear coupling portion of the movable gear member has a bolt through hole that is at least partially aligned with the one of the inclined grooves of the mounting bracket.

4. The vehicle steering device according to claim 3, wherein: The movable gear member further includes an extension support that protrudes between the movable gear teeth from the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member toward the distance portion of the mounting bracket and has a hollow portion that communicates with the bolt through hole of the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member.

5. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein: An end of the extension support of the movable gear member is positioned in the recess of the lower column.

6. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein: Opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of the extension support of the movable gear member are spaced apart from an inner surface of the recess of the lower column.

7. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein: One side of an outer peripheral surface of the extension support of the movable gear member has a cut portion configured to communicate with the hollow portion of the movable gear member.

8. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein: Opposite side surfaces of the recessed portion of the lower pillar have flat surfaces parallel to each other.

9. The vehicle steering device according to claim 8, wherein: Opposite sides of the outer peripheral surface of the extension support of the movable gear member have flat surfaces parallel to the opposite side surfaces of the recessed portion of the lower column.

10. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein: A gear block configured to be movable during tilt or telescoping of the vehicle steering device and to support the movable gear member is coupled to an exterior of the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member.

11. The vehicle steering device according to claim 10, wherein: The gear block includes a gear support having a block hole and disposed outside the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member, the block hole being at least partially aligned with the bolt through hole of the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member.

12. The vehicle steering device according to claim 11, wherein: The gear block further includes side supports extending from opposite ends of the gear support toward the movable gear member to support opposite surfaces of the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member.

13. The vehicle steering device according to claim 12, wherein: The gear block further includes curved supports bent inwardly from the side supports to face each other to support an inner surface of the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member.

14. The vehicle steering device according to claim 10, wherein: A thrust bearing is coupled to an outer surface of the gear block coupled to an outer portion of the gear coupling portion of the movable gear member.

15. The vehicle steering device according to claim 8, wherein: The thrust bearing is supported by a fastener that is threaded into the adjusting bolt.

Images