Vehicle steering device

Abstract

In a vehicle steering device, both end portions of a coupling shaft portion of a fixed gear are integrally formed with the fixed gear, a portion between the both end portions is disposed so as to form a separation hole with a main body of the fixed gear, and a coupling rotation portion of a moving gear is integrally formed with the moving gear. The fixing gear is provided with a separation hole and is combined with the combination shaft part through clamping fit of the separation hole and the combination shaft part, so that the strength and hardness of the fixing gear are improved, and the combination strength of the fixing gear and the combination shaft part is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device for a vehicle (A STEERING APPPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE), and more particularly, to a steering device for a vehicle with a telescopic function. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a vehicle steering device is a device for changing the vehicle's forward direction according to the driver's wishes, comprising: a steering shaft that can rotate in a peripheral direction; a steering wheel that is connected to the upper end of the steering shaft so that the driver can hold it with his hand; and a steering column that surrounds the outer circumference of the steering shaft.

[0003] As the driver holds the steering wheel with his hands and rotates it, the steering shaft rotates along the rotation direction of the steering wheel. As a result, the left and right tie rods move along the axial direction through the steering gear linked to the steering shaft, so that the steering knuckles arranged on the left and right wheels rotate, thereby turning the front ends of the vehicle's wheels to the left or right.

[0004] In addition, the vehicle steering device has tilt and telescope functions, thereby being able to adjust the position of the steering wheel according to the driver's physical condition (eg, seat height, arm length).

[0005] The tilt function is a function of adjusting the position of the steering wheel by adjusting the inclination of the steering column.

[0006] In addition, the telescopic function is as follows: the steering column is composed of an inner tube and a column shell, the inner tube surrounds the outer periphery of the steering shaft, and the column shell is used to insert the inner tube, so that when the inner tube surrounds the outer periphery of the steering shaft, it moves relative to the column shell along the axial direction together with the steering shaft, so that the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted along the axial direction. The telescopic function also has a function of folding the steering wheel and the steering column to absorb the impact energy when the vehicle collides.

[0007] The vehicle steering device is provided with an operating lever, and the operating lever enables the driver to perform the tilting or telescopic operation on the position of the steering wheel according to his / her physical condition. That is, the driver can use the tilting or telescopic function after rotating the operating lever to unlock the position, and after using the tilting or telescopic function, the driver rotates the operating lever to the original position to lock the position again, thereby fixing the position of the steering wheel.

[0008] A “steering column tilting device” is disclosed in Korean Patent Gazette No. 10-2053708 (2019.12.09) (hereinafter referred to as “the prior art”).

[0009] The above-mentioned prior art includes: a tilt shaft, which passes through the tilt bracket; the above-mentioned operating rod, which is combined with one end of the above-mentioned tilt shaft; and a fixing force holding means, which is combined with the other end of the above-mentioned tilt shaft, so that the above-mentioned tilt bracket can or cannot be tilted.

[0010] In the above-mentioned prior art, the above-mentioned fixing force holding means is composed of a fixed gear and a movable gear, and the above-mentioned movable gear is rotatably arranged with respect to a rotation axis provided on the above-mentioned fixed gear as a reference, and is arranged to be movable along the above-mentioned rotation axis.

[0011] However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the above-mentioned fixed gear and the above-mentioned movable gear are formed by a die-casting process, and their strength and hardness are low, so there is a problem that the gear teeth are deformed when used for a long time. In addition, the above-mentioned rotating shaft provided in the above-mentioned fixed gear is a structure formed separately from the above-mentioned fixed gear and assembled with the above-mentioned fixed gear. Therefore, the bonding strength of the above-mentioned fixed gear and the above-mentioned rotating shaft is low, and there is also a problem that deformation caused by external axial force occurs. Summary of the invention

[0012] Technical issues

[0013] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering device in which the strength and hardness of at least one of a fixed gear and a movable gear as a structure of a tilt adjustment device are improved.

[0014] Another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a steering device for a vehicle, wherein, when the fixed gear is formed, a coupling shaft portion which is arranged on the fixed gear and rotatably connected to the movable gear is integrally formed together with the fixed gear, so that the coupling strength between the fixed gear and the coupling shaft portion is improved.

[0015] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and ordinary technicians can clearly understand other problems not mentioned through the following description.

[0016] Technical Solution

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle steering device of the present invention includes a tilting shaft, a fixed gear and a moving gear. The tilting shaft passes through both sides of the column housing. A tilting rod is coupled to one end of the tilting shaft. The fixed gear is fixed to one side of the column housing that is away from the tilting rod. The other end of the tilting shaft passes through the fixed gear. A coupling shaft is formed at one end of the fixed gear. The other end of the tilting shaft passes through the moving gear. A coupling rotating part is formed at one end of the moving gear. The coupling rotating part is rotatably coupled to the coupling shaft and can move along the length of the coupling shaft. When the tilting rod rotates, the moving gear moves along the axial direction of the tilting shaft, rotates with the coupling shaft as the rotation center, and engages or disengages with the fixed gear. The two ends of the coupling shaft of the fixed gear are integrally formed with the fixed gear, and the portion between the two ends is configured in a manner to form a separation hole between the two ends and the main body of the fixed gear. The combined rotating portion of the moving gear is integrally formed with the moving gear and is combined by locking and fitting with the combined shaft portion through the separation hole.

[0018] The fixed gear may be formed by a sintering process. When the fixed gear is formed by a sintering process, the coupling shaft is formed together with the fixed gear by a sintering process to be integrally formed with the fixed gear.

[0019] The moving gear may be formed by a sintering process. When the moving gear is formed by a sintering process, the combined rotating part is formed together with the moving gear by a sintering process to be integrally formed with the moving gear.

[0020] A plurality of gear teeth are formed on the opposite surfaces of the other end of the fixed gear and the other end of the movable gear. In the combined rotating part, the opposite side of the surface of the movable gear on which the plurality of gear teeth are formed may be opened. The combined rotating part may be rotatably combined with the combined shaft part through the opening.

[0021] The above-mentioned coupling shaft portion may include a curved portion and a flat portion. The above-mentioned curved portion may be formed by a curved surface corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the above-mentioned coupling rotating portion to contact the inner circumferential surface of the above-mentioned coupling rotating portion. The above-mentioned flat portion may be formed on the opposite side of the above-mentioned curved portion. When the above-mentioned moving gear is meshed with the above-mentioned fixed gear, the above-mentioned flat portion may face the above-mentioned opening.

[0022] The grooves formed between the plurality of gear teeth of the fixed gear may gradually increase in depth and width as they approach the coupling shaft. The plurality of gear teeth formed on the moving gear may be formed in a shape that meshes with the grooves formed between the plurality of gear teeth of the fixed gear.

[0023] A first setting block may be formed on one side of the column shell. The outer side surface of the first setting block may be formed by a flat surface. A second setting block may be formed on the other side of the column shell. The outer side surface of the second setting block may be formed by a flat surface. The tilting axis may pass through the first setting block and the second setting block.

[0024] The vehicle steering device of the present invention may further include a mounting bracket. A first coupling plate portion and a second coupling plate portion may be formed on the mounting bracket. The first coupling plate portion may be arranged on the outer side surface of the first setting block portion. The second coupling plate portion may be arranged on the outer side surface of the second setting block portion. The tilting shaft may penetrate the first coupling plate portion and the second coupling plate portion. The fixed gear may be fixedly arranged on the outer side of the second coupling plate portion.

[0025] The vehicle steering device of the present invention may further include a nut, a first washer, a second washer and a needle roller retainer. The nut may be coupled to the other end of the tilting shaft. The first washer may be disposed between the moving gear and the nut. The first washer may contact the moving gear. The second washer may be disposed between the first washer and the nut. The second washer may contact the nut. The needle roller retainer may be disposed between the first washer and the second washer. Both sides of the needle roller retainer may contact the first washer and the second washer, respectively.

[0026] The vehicle steering device of the present invention may further include a bushing tube, an elastic component and a moving block. The above-mentioned tilting shaft may pass through the above-mentioned bushing tube. One end of the above-mentioned bushing tube passes through the above-mentioned fixed gear and may support the above-mentioned moving gear along the direction of disengagement of the above-mentioned fixed gear. The above-mentioned tilting shaft may pass through the above-mentioned elastic component. The above-mentioned tilting shaft may pass through the above-mentioned moving block. The other end of the above-mentioned bushing tube may be installed on one side of the above-mentioned moving block. One end of the above-mentioned elastic component may be installed on the other side of the above-mentioned moving block. The above-mentioned moving block may move the above-mentioned bushing tube along the direction of disengagement of the above-mentioned moving gear from the above-mentioned fixed gear by the elastic force of the above-mentioned elastic component.

[0027] Specific matters of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0028] Effects of the Invention

[0029] In the vehicle steering device of the present invention, at least one of the fixed gear and the movable gear is formed by a sintering process, thereby having an effect of improving the strength and hardness of at least one of the fixed gear and the movable gear.

[0030] In addition, in the vehicle steering device of the present invention, when the fixed gear is formed, the coupling shaft portion provided on the above-mentioned fixed gear to rotatably connect with the movable gear is formed together with the above-mentioned fixed gear through a sintering process to be integrally formed with the above-mentioned fixed gear, thereby improving the coupling strength between the above-mentioned fixed gear and the above-mentioned coupling shaft portion, thereby having the effect of preventing deformation caused by external axial force.

[0031] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and a person skilled in the art can clearly understand other effects not mentioned through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 It is a side perspective view showing a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a partial perspective view of another side of the vehicle steering device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the main structure of the vehicle steering device shown in FIG.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a vehicle steering device provided with a tilt adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state in which a moving gear is meshed with a fixed gear when a tilt lever is locked.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a vehicle steering device provided with a tilt adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state in which a moving gear is disengaged from a fixed gear when a tilt lever is unlocked.

[0037] Figure 6 To show Figure 3 A side perspective view of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in FIG.

[0038] Figure 7 To show Figure 3 Another side perspective view of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in .

[0039] Figure 8 To show Figure 6 and Figure 7 A side perspective view of the combined state of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in FIG.

[0040] Fig. 9 To show Figure 6 and Figure 7 Another side perspective view of the combined state of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in FIG.

[0041] Description of reference numerals:

[0042] 1: Steering device for vehicle 40: Column housing

[0043] 71: Mounting bracket 71A: First connecting plate portion

[0044] 71B: Second connecting plate portion 200: Inclined axis

[0045] 300: Tilt rod 500: Nut

[0046] 600: Fixed gear 610: Joint shaft

[0047] 611: curved surface 612: flat surface

[0048] 620, 720: gear teeth 640: separation hole

[0049] 700: moving gear 710: combined rotating part

[0050] 715: opening 810: first gasket

[0051] 820: Second washer 830: Needle roller cage

[0052] 910: Bushing tube 920: Elastic component

[0053] 930: Move Block DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Hereinafter, a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0055] Figure 1 It is a side perspective view showing a vehicle steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 The vehicle steering device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a steering shaft 10 and a steering column 20 .

[0057] The steering shaft 10 may penetrate the steering column 20 along an axial direction. The axial direction may refer to the length direction of the steering shaft 10 . In the following description, the axial direction may refer to the same direction as the length direction of the steering shaft 10 .

[0058] The steering column 20 may surround the outer circumference of the steering shaft 10. The steering column 20 may be disposed on the vehicle body. The steering column 20 may support the steering shaft 10 so that it can rotate.

[0059] The steering shaft 10 may be configured to be rotatable along the circumferential direction. A steering wheel (not shown) may be coupled to one end of the steering shaft 10. The steering wheel may be disposed near the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat in the vehicle interior, and may be a configuration that the driver holds in order to steer the wheels of the vehicle. That is, the driver may hold the steering wheel to the left to adjust the vehicle's forward direction to the left, and hold the steering wheel to the right to adjust the vehicle's forward direction to the right during the vehicle's driving.

[0060] The steering column 20 may include an inner tube 30 and a column shell 40 .

[0061] The inner tube 30 may surround the outer circumference of the steering shaft 10. The steering shaft 10 may be arranged to be rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the inner tube 30. A ball bearing may be provided between the outer circumferential surface of the steering shaft 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 30, and the steering shaft 10 may be coupled to the inner tube 30 in the circumferential direction through the ball bearing. The inner tube 30 may be arranged to move along the axial direction together with the steering shaft 10.

[0062] The steering shaft 10 is divided into two parts, and may include a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft may be formed into an official shape, one end of the second shaft may be inserted into the interior of the first shaft, and the other end of the second shaft may protrude outward from the first shaft, and may be rotatably coupled to the column housing 40 via a ball bearing, and the first shaft may be rotatably coupled to the inner tube 30 via a ball bearing. The inner tube 30 may move along the axial direction relative to the column housing 40, and at this time, the first shaft may move along the axial direction relative to the column housing 40 together with the inner tube 30.

[0063] The column shell 40 can surround the outer circumference of the inner tube 30. A portion of the inner tube 30 can be inserted into the interior of the column shell 40 through one end of the column shell 40, and the remaining portion of the inner tube 30 can be configured to protrude to the outside of the column shell 40 through one end of the column shell 40. The inner tube 30 can penetrate the column shell 40 along the axial direction. The inner tube 30 is arranged on the column shell 40 in a manner that it can move along the axial direction. The column shell 40 can support the inner tube 30 so that it can move along the axial direction.

[0064] The column housing 40 may be disposed on the vehicle body. The column housing 40 may be combined with mounting brackets 71 and 72, and the column housing 40 may be disposed on the vehicle body through the mounting brackets 71 and 72. The mounting brackets 71 and 72 may include: a first mounting bracket 71 disposed on the upper end of the column housing 40; and a second mounting bracket 72 disposed on the lower end of the column housing 40.

[0065] The column housing 40 may be provided with a tilt adjustment device 100 .

[0066] The tilt adjustment device 100 may include a tilt lever 300 , and after the user rotates the tilt lever 300 to one side to unlock it, the user may adjust the tilt of the column housing 40 relative to the mounting brackets 71 , 72 according to his / her own body condition.

[0067] Adjusting the inclination of the column housing 40 relative to the mounting brackets 71 and 72 may be referred to as inclination adjustment. After performing the inclination adjustment, the user may rotate the inclination lever 300 to the other side to lock it.

[0068] In addition, the user rotates the tilt rod 300 to one side to unlock it, allowing the column shell 40 to open outward and the inner circumference of the column shell 40 to loosely adhere to the outer circumference of the inner tube 30. The user can then adjust the length of the inner tube 30 relative to the column shell 40 according to his or her own body condition.

[0069] Adjusting the length of the inner tube 30 relative to the column shell 40 can be called telescopic adjustment. After performing the above-mentioned telescopic adjustment, the user rotates the tilt rod 300 to the other side to lock it, and contracts the column shell 40 inward, so that the inner circumference of the column shell 40 is tightly attached to the outer circumference of the inner tube 30, so that the inner tube 30 will not move along the axial direction relative to the column shell 40.

[0070] Figure 2 It is a partial perspective view of another side of the vehicle steering device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A pair of setting blocks 41 and 42 may be formed at the upper end of the column housing 40. The outer side surfaces of the pair of setting blocks 41 and 42 may include a flat surface. The pair of setting blocks 41 and 42 may be arranged on opposite sides along the radial direction of the inner tube 30.

[0072] In the following description, of the pair of setting blocks 41 and 42 , one setting block 41 disposed adjacent to the tilting rod 300 is referred to as a first setting block 41 , and the other setting block 42 is referred to as a second setting block 42 .

[0073] The first setting block 41 may form one side of the column case 40 , and the second setting block 42 may form the other side of the column case 40 .

[0074] The first mounting bracket 71 may be formed with a first coupling plate portion 71A and a second coupling plate portion 71B that are symmetrical to each other. The first coupling plate portion 71A may be disposed on one side of the column housing 40, and the second coupling plate portion 71B may be disposed on the other side of the column housing 40. That is, the first coupling plate portion 71A may be coupled to the outer side of the first setting block portion 41, and the second coupling plate portion 71B may be coupled to the outer side of the second setting block portion 42.

[0075] The tilt adjustment device 100 may include a tilt shaft 200 , a tilt lever 300 , a first tilt cam 320 , a second tilt cam 400 , and a nut 500 .

[0076] The tilt shaft 200 may have a predetermined length extending in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the steering shaft 10. The tilt shaft 200 may pass through the first setting block 41 and the second setting block 42. That is, the tilt shaft 200 may pass through both sides of the column housing 40. The tilt shaft 200 may extend straight in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the steering shaft 10. A tilt rod 300 may be coupled to one end of the tilt shaft 200, and a nut 500 may be coupled to the other end of the tilt shaft 200.

[0077] The tilting rod 300 can be formed in various shapes with a predetermined length. A handle portion can be formed at one end of the tilting rod 300, and the tilting shaft 200 can be combined at the other end of the tilting rod 300. The tilting rod 300 can rotate with the position combined with the tilting shaft 200 as the rotation center.

[0078] A first tilt cam 320 may be coupled to the inner side of the other end of the tilt lever 300. One end of the tilt shaft 200 may pass through the center of the first tilt cam 320 and be coupled to the other end of the tilt lever 300. A shaft through hole for passing one end of the tilt shaft 200 may be formed in the center of the first tilt cam 320.

[0079] The second tilt cam 400 may be disposed on the outer side of the first coupling plate portion 71A of the first mounting bracket 71, and the tilt shaft 200 may pass through the center of the second tilt cam 400. A shaft through hole for passing the tilt shaft 200 may be formed in the center of the second tilt cam 400.

[0080] If the user rotates the tilt lever 300 for locking or unlocking, the tilt shaft 200 may move in the length direction due to the linkage of the first tilt cam 320 and the second tilt cam 400 .

[0081] The tilt shaft 200 is arranged so as not to rotate relative to the second tilt cam 400 but to be movable along the length direction. When the tilt lever 300 rotates, the tilt shaft 200 rotates with the tilt lever 300 and is movable along the length direction of the tilt shaft 200 .

[0082] Specifically, a plurality of cam protrusions may be formed on the facing surfaces of the first tilt cam 320 and the second tilt cam 400. The plurality of cam protrusions formed on the first tilt cam 320 and the plurality of cam protrusions formed on the second tilt cam 400 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other along the rotation direction of the tilt lever 300.

[0083] The shapes of the plurality of cam protrusions formed on the first inclined cam 320 and the plurality of cam protrusions formed on the second inclined cam 400 may be formed in a triangular shape, but may be changed to various shapes other than a triangular shape.

[0084] When the tilt lever 300 rotates, the tilt lever 300 may rotate together with the tilt lever 300 in a state where the plurality of cam protrusions formed on the first tilt cam 320 and the plurality of cam protrusions formed on the second tilt cam 400 are in contact. At this time, the tilt lever 300 may move along the length direction of the tilt shaft 200 by the plurality of cam protrusions formed on the first tilt cam 320 moving inwardly or outwardly along with the plurality of cam protrusions formed on the second tilt cam 400. When the tilt lever 300 moves inwardly, the tilt lever 300 may be unlocked, and when the tilt lever 300 moves inwardly, the tilt lever 300 may be locked.

[0085] In addition, the driver can adjust the position of the steering wheel according to his / her physical condition by moving the inner tube 30 relative to the column housing 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 when the tilt lever 300 is unlocked. Afterwards, the driver can lock the tilt lever 300 so that the inner tube 30 does not move relative to the column housing 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10.

[0086] In the unlocked position of the tilt lever 300, the inner tube 30 can move relative to the column housing 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10. In addition, in the locked position of the tilt lever 300, the inner tube 30 cannot move relative to the column housing 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10.

[0087] That is, when the locked state of the tilt lever 300 is to be switched to the unlocked state, the handle portion of the tilt lever 300 is gripped and the tilt lever 300 is rotated in one direction.

[0088] Thus, as the tilt lever 300 rotates, the first tilt cam 320 can be moved outward in conjunction with the second tilt cam 400. At this time, the inner circumference of the column housing 40 is of course loosely attached to the outer circumference of the inner tube 30, so that the inner tube 30 can move along the length direction of the steering column 20 relative to the column housing 40. Therefore, the driver moves the inner tube 30 along the length direction of the steering column 20, thereby adjusting the position of the steering wheel according to his or her physical condition.

[0089] Furthermore, when the driver wants to switch the unlocked state of the tilt lever 300 to the locked state, the driver can hold the handle portion of the tilt lever 300 and rotate the tilt lever 300 in the opposite direction.

[0090] Thus, as the tilt lever 300 rotates, the first tilt cam 320 can move inward in conjunction with the second tilt cam 400. At this time, the inner circumference of the column housing 40 can be closely attached to the outer circumference of the inner tube 30 to fix the inner tube 30 so that it does not move relative to the column housing 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10.

[0091] A clamping groove 44 may be formed between the first setting block portion 41 and the second setting block portion 42 of the column shell 40. The clamping groove 44 may be formed long on the outer circumferential surface of the column shell 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10. The clamping groove 44 may be formed opening on the outer circumferential surface of the column shell 40. Since the clamping groove 44 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the column shell 40, when the tilt rod 300 is in the locking position, the column shell 40 contracts inwardly so that the inner circumferential surface of the column shell 40 is tightly attached to the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 30, and when the tilt rod 300 is in the unlocking position, the column shell 40 opens outwardly so that the inner circumferential surface of the column shell 40 is loosely attached to the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 30.

[0092] The tilt shaft 200 may be disposed outside the clamping groove 44 when penetrating both sides of the column housing 40 , and may be disposed inside the clamping groove 44 when a portion of the inner tube 30 is inserted into the column housing 40 .

[0093] In addition, in the vehicle steering device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, when the tilt rod 300 is in the locked position, when an external impact caused by a collision accident of the vehicle is applied, the inner tube 30 is moved relative to the column shell 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10, thereby preventing the driver from hitting the above-mentioned steering wheel and causing serious injuries. Moreover, in the unlocked position of the tilt rod 300, when the inner tube 30 moves relative to the column shell 40 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 due to its own weight, the inner tube 30 is prevented from further moving along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 at a specific position, thereby allowing the driver to easily adjust the position of the inner tube 30.

[0094] For this purpose, a stopper 31 is protrudingly formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 30. When the inner tube 30 moves along the length direction of the steering shaft 10, the stopper 31 can move along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 in the clamping groove 44.

[0095] The stopper 31 may be disposed protruding from the inside of the inner tube 30 to the outside of the inner tube 30 through a hole formed on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 30. However, the stopper 31 may also be formed to directly protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube 30.

[0096] When the inner tube 30 moves in the axial direction due to external impact in the locked position of the tilt lever 300, the stopper 31 can move along the clamping groove 44. Therefore, in the case of external impact due to a vehicle collision accident, the inner tube 30 does not rotate in the circumferential direction, but moves accurately along the length direction of the clamping groove 44, thereby preventing the driver from hitting the steering wheel and being seriously injured.

[0097] When the inner tube 30 moves in the axial direction due to its own weight in the unlocked position of the tilt lever 300, the stopper 31 contacts the stopper protrusion (not shown) provided on the tilt shaft 200, thereby limiting the axial movement of the inner tube 30. Thus, when the driver places the tilt lever 300 in the unlocked position in order to adjust the position of the steering wheel according to his / her physical condition, the inner tube 30 is limited from moving in the axial direction due to its own weight, so that the driver can easily adjust the position of the steering wheel.

[0098] In the locked state of the tilt lever 300, the stopper 31 can be arranged in a position where it is not locked even if the inner tube 30 moves along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 in the above-mentioned stopper protrusion. Therefore, in the locked state of the tilt lever 300, when an external impact caused by a vehicle collision occurs, the inner tube 30 can move along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 relative to the column housing 40 due to the above-mentioned external impact.

[0099] In the unlocked state of the tilt lever 300, the stopper 31 in the above-mentioned stopper protrusion can be arranged at a locked position when the inner tube 30 moves along the length direction of the steering shaft 10. Therefore, when the driver places the tilt lever 300 in the unlocked position in order to adjust the position of the above-mentioned steering wheel according to his or her physical condition, the inner tube 30 moves along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 relative to the column housing 40 due to its own weight, and thus the stopper 31 moves along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 along the clamping groove 44 and is locked to the above-mentioned stopper protrusion. Therefore, the inner tube 30 no longer moves along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 due to its own weight, so that the driver can easily move the inner tube 30 along the length direction of the steering shaft 10 and adjust the position of the above-mentioned steering wheel according to his or her physical condition.

[0100] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the main structure of the vehicle steering device shown in FIG. Figure 4 The invention is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a vehicle steering device provided with a tilt adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state in which a moving gear is meshed with a fixed gear when a tilt lever is locked. Figure 5 This is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of a vehicle steering device provided with a tilt adjustment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state in which a moving gear is disengaged from a fixed gear when a tilt lever is unlocked.

[0101] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The tilt adjustment device 100 may further include a fixed gear 600 , a moving gear 700 , a first washer 810 , a second washer 820 , a needle roller cage 830 , a bushing tube 910 , an elastic component 920 and a moving block 930 .

[0102] The tilt shaft 200 may sequentially penetrate the first connecting plate portion 71A, both sides of the column housing 40 , and the second connecting plate portion 71B.

[0103] One end of the bushing tube 910 may be inserted into the second washer 820 by passing through the fixed gear 600, the movable gear 700, the first washer 810, and the needle roller holder 830. A hole for passing one end of the bushing tube 910 may be formed in the fixed gear 600, the movable gear 700, the first washer 810, and the needle roller holder 830, and a hole for inserting one end of the bushing tube 910 may be formed in the second washer 820.

[0104] Furthermore, one end of the tilt shaft 200 may be coupled to the tilt lever 300 by passing through the first tilt cam 320, and the remaining portion of the tilt shaft 200 may pass through the second tilt cam 400, the first coupling plate portion 71A, the first setting block portion 41, the elastic component 920, the moving block 930, the second setting block portion 42, the second coupling plate portion 71B, the bushing tube 910, the second washer 820, and the nut 500. A hole for passing the tilt shaft 200 may be formed in the second tilt cam 400, the first coupling plate portion 71A, the first setting block portion 41, the elastic component 920, the moving block 930, the second setting block portion 42, the second coupling plate portion 71B, the bushing tube 910, the second washer 820, and the nut 500.

[0105] The nut 500 is caulked to the other end of the tilt shaft 200 , so that the tilt adjustment device 100 is fixed to the first setting block 41 and the second setting block 42 of the column housing 40 without being separated from the first setting block 41 and the second setting block 42 of the column housing 40 .

[0106] The fixed gear 600 can be fixedly arranged on one side of the two sides of the column housing 40 that is far away from the tilt rod 300. That is, the fixed gear 600 can be fixedly arranged on the second setting block 42 of the column housing 40. In this embodiment, the first coupling plate portion 71A is arranged on the outer side surface of the first setting block 41, and the second coupling plate portion 71B is arranged on the outer side surface of the second setting block 42. Therefore, the fixed gear 600 can be fixedly arranged on the outer side surface of the second coupling plate portion 71B, and the movable gear 700 can be rotatably coupled to the fixed gear 600.

[0107] When the tilt lever 300 is in a locked state, the moving gear 700 may be engaged with the fixed gear 600 , and when the tilt lever 300 is in an unlocked state, the moving gear 700 may be disengaged from the fixed gear 600 .

[0108] The first washer 810 may be disposed between the moving gear 700 and the nut 500. The first washer 810 may be disposed between the moving gear 700 and the second washer 820. The first washer 810 may be disposed between the moving gear 700 and the needle roller holder 830. The first washer 810 may contact the moving gear 700.

[0109] The second washer 820 may be disposed between the first washer 810 and the nut 500. The second washer 820 may be disposed between the moving gear 700 and the nut 500. The second washer 820 may be disposed between the needle roller cage 830 and the nut 500. The second washer 820 may contact the nut 500.

[0110] The needle roller retainer 830 may be disposed between the first washer 810 and the second washer 820. The needle roller retainer 830 may be disposed between the moving gear 700 and the nut 500. The needle roller retainer 830 may be disposed between the first washer 810 and the nut 500. The needle roller retainer 830 may be disposed between the moving gear 700 and the second washer 820. Both surfaces of the needle roller retainer 830 may contact the first washer 810 and the second washer 820, respectively. The needle roller retainer 830 may be made of a material having elasticity, and in this embodiment, may be formed of a rubber material.

[0111] One end of the bushing tube 910 passes through the fixed gear 600 and can support the movable gear 700 in the direction of disengaging from the fixed gear 600. The outer diameter of the one end of the bushing tube 910 can be smaller than the other end of the bushing tube 910. Therefore, a height difference can be formed between the one end of the bushing tube 910 and the other end of the bushing tube 910 on the outer side surface of the bushing tube 910, and the bushing tube 910 is stuck to the movable gear 700 in the movable gear 700, thereby supporting the movable gear 700 in the direction of disengaging from the fixed gear 600.

[0112] When the tilt lever 300 is in the unlocked state, the elastic component 920 may have an elastic force that enables the mobile gear 700 to unlock and engage with the fixed gear 600. The elastic component 920 may be made of a coil spring. However, the elastic component 920 is not necessarily made of a coil spring, and when the tilt lever 300 is in the unlocked state, it may include any component that has an elastic force that enables the mobile gear 700 to unlock and engage with the fixed gear 600.

[0113] The other end of the bushing tube 910 may be mounted on one side of the moving block 930. One end of the elastic member 920 may be mounted on the other side of the moving block 930. The moving block 930 may move the bushing tube 910 in a direction in which the moving gear 700 is disengaged from the fixed gear 600 by the elastic force of the elastic member 920. That is, when the bushing tube 910 is moved by the elastic force of the elastic member 920, the moving gear 700 is rotated by the bushing tube 910 and may be disengaged from the fixed gear 600.

[0114] The elastic member 920 and the moving block 930 may be disposed inside the column housing 40 , one end of the bushing tube 910 may be disposed outside the column housing 40 , and the other end of the bushing tube 910 may be disposed inside the column housing 40 .

[0115] Figure 6 To show Figure 3 A side perspective view of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in FIG. Figure 7 To show Figure 3 The other side perspective view of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in, Figure 8 To show Figure 6 and Figure 7 A side perspective view of the combined state of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in FIG. Fig. 9 To show Figure 6 and Figure 7 Another side perspective view of the combined state of the fixed gear and the moving gear shown in FIG.

[0116] Reference Figures 4 to 9 A coupling shaft portion 610 may be formed at one end of the fixed gear 600. In the coupling shaft portion 610 of the fixed gear 600, both ends are integrally formed with the fixed gear 600, and a portion between the two ends is configured in such a manner that a separation hole 640 can be formed between the fixed gear 600 and the main body.

[0117] A plurality of gear teeth 620 may be formed on an outer side surface of the fixed gear 600. The plurality of gear teeth 620 may be formed on a surface of the other end of the fixed gear 600 that faces the moving gear 700.

[0118] In the fixed gear 600, a first through hole 630 may be formed between one end of the fixed gear 600 and the other end of the fixed gear 600. The other end of the tilt shaft 200 may penetrate through the first through hole 630.

[0119] A press-in portion 650 that is pressed into the hole formed in the second coupling plate portion 71B may be formed protrudingly on the surface of the fixed gear 600 that faces the second coupling plate portion 71B. The press-in portion 650 is formed in a form that surrounds the first through hole 630, and may be formed in a shape with both ends opening in the length direction of the coupling shaft portion 610. A plurality of press-in protrusions may be formed on the peripheral surface of the press-in portion 650 at intervals from each other along the peripheral direction. The plurality of press-in protrusions may be pressed into the inner peripheral surface of the hole formed in the second coupling plate portion 71B.

[0120] A coupling rotation portion 710 may be formed at one end of the moving gear 700, and the coupling rotation portion 710 may be rotatably coupled to the coupling shaft portion 610 of the fixed gear 600. The coupling rotation portion 710 of the moving gear 700 is integrally formed with the moving gear 700, and may be coupled to the coupling shaft portion 610 of the fixed gear 600 by engaging with the separation hole 640 formed between the body of the fixed gear 600 and the coupling shaft portion 610. The coupling rotation portion 710 may be rotatably coupled to the coupling shaft portion 610, and may move along the length of the coupling shaft portion 610.

[0121] A plurality of gear teeth 720 may be formed on the inner side surface of the moving gear 700. The plurality of gear teeth 720 may be formed on the surface of the other end of the moving gear 700 facing the fixed gear 600.

[0122] That is, a plurality of gear teeth 620 and 720 may be formed on the opposite surfaces of the other end of the fixed gear 600 and the other end of the movable gear 700, respectively. The grooves formed between the plurality of gear teeth 620 of the fixed gear 600 gradually increase in depth and width as they approach the coupling shaft 610. The plurality of gear teeth 720 formed on the movable gear 700 may be formed in a shape that meshes with the grooves formed between the plurality of gear teeth 620 of the fixed gear 600. Thus, the meshing force between the fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 may be increased.

[0123] The moving gear 700 may have a second through hole 730 formed between one end of the moving gear 700 and the other end of the moving gear 700. The other end of the tilt shaft 200 may penetrate the second through hole 730.

[0124] The first through hole 630 of the fixed gear 600 through which the tilt shaft 200 passes is formed long along the tilt adjustment direction to achieve the tilt adjustment. The second through hole 730 of the movable gear 700 may be formed in a long elliptical shape along a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the first through hole 630 of the fixed gear 600. The length of the first through hole 630 may be formed longer than the length of the second through hole 730. The length of the second through hole 730 may be formed shorter than the length of the first through hole 630.

[0125] When the tilt lever 300 rotates, as the tilt shaft 200 moves along the length direction, the moving gear 700 rotates with the coupling shaft portion 610 as the rotation center, thereby meshing with or disengaging from the fixed gear 600. The meshing of the moving gear 700 with the fixed gear 600 may refer to the meshing of the plurality of gear teeth 720 formed on the inner side surface of the moving gear 700 with the plurality of gear teeth 620 formed on the outer side surface of the fixed gear 600.

[0126] That is, the movable gear 700 rotates toward the fixed gear 600 with the coupling shaft 610 as the rotation center, so that the multiple gear teeth 720 formed on the inner side of the movable gear 700 mesh with the multiple gear teeth 620 formed on the outer side of the fixed gear 600, thereby placing the tilt lever 300 in a locked state.

[0127] In addition, when the tilt lever 300 is in an unlocked state, the movable gear 700 rotates in a direction away from the fixed gear 600 with the coupling shaft 610 as the rotation center, so that the multiple gear teeth 720 formed on the inner side surface of the movable gear 700 are disengaged from the multiple gear teeth 620 formed on the outer side surface of the fixed gear 600, thereby placing the tilt lever 300 in an unlocked state.

[0128] The fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 may be formed by a sintering process. Of course, only the fixed gear 600 may be formed by a sintering process, and the movable gear 700 may also be formed by a sintering process. That is, at least one of the fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 may be formed by a sintering process.

[0129] When the fixed gear 600 is formed by the sintering process, the coupling shaft portion 610 is formed by the sintering process together with the fixed gear 600, so that it can be integrally formed with the fixed gear 600. In addition, when the moving gear 700 is formed by the sintering process, the coupling rotating portion 710 is formed by the sintering process together with the moving gear 700, so that it can be integrally formed with the moving gear 700.

[0130] The fixed gear 600 and the coupling shaft portion 610 are integrally formed together through a sintering process. Therefore, the fixed gear 600 and the coupling shaft portion 610 are separately formed through a die-casting process. Therefore, compared with the case where the fixed gear 600 and the coupling shaft portion 610 are formed as separate structures, the coupling strength of the fixed gear 600 and the coupling shaft portion 610 is high, thereby preventing deformation caused by external axial force.

[0131] In addition, the fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 are formed by a sintering process. Therefore, compared with the case where the fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 are formed by a die-casting process, the fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 have a higher hardness, which is beneficial to maintaining the shape of the multiple gear teeth 620 and 720.

[0132] The coupling rotating part 710 of the moving gear 700 may have an opening 715 on the opposite side of the surface where the plurality of gear teeth 720 of the moving gear 700 are formed. The coupling rotating part 710 is rotatably coupled to the coupling shaft part 610 through the opening 715. The coupling rotating part 710 of the moving gear 700 can be easily coupled to the coupling shaft part 610 of the fixed gear 600 through the opening 715.

[0133] The coupling shaft portion 610 of the fixed gear 600 may include a curved portion 611 and a flat portion 612. The curved portion 611 is formed as a curved surface corresponding to the inner circumference of the coupling rotating portion 710 so as to be in contact with the inner circumference of the coupling rotating portion 710. The flat portion 612 may be formed on the opposite side of the curved portion 611. The flat portion 612 may be formed on the opposite side of the curved portion 611 in a protruding form. The flat portion 612 may face the opening 715 when the movable gear 700 is engaged with the fixed gear 600. Among them, the curved portion 611 configures the section where the movable gear 700 rotates to be the curved portion 611, and the movable gear 700 can be smoothly rotated by the curved portion 611. In addition, the flat portion 612 configures the section where the movable gear 700 rotates to be the flat portion 612, and the weight of the coupling shaft portion 610 can be reduced by the flat portion 612, and the coupling shaft portion 610 can be easily manufactured by a sintering process.

[0134] As described above, in the vehicle steering device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 is formed by the sintering process, so that the strength and hardness of at least one of the fixed gear 600 and the movable gear 700 can be improved.

[0135] In addition, in the vehicle steering device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the coupling shaft portion 610 is formed together with the fixed gear 600 through a sintering process when the fixed gear 600 is formed, so as to be integrally formed with the fixed gear 600. The above-mentioned coupling shaft portion 610 is arranged on the fixed gear 600 to be rotatably combined with the movable gear 700, thereby improving the coupling strength between the fixed gear 600 and the coupling shaft portion 610 and preventing deformation caused by external axial force.

[0136] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical concept or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, rather than the above detailed description, and should be interpreted as the meaning and scope of the claims and all changes or forms derived from their equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0137] Industrial Applicability

[0138] The present invention provides a vehicle steering device in which the strength and hardness of at least one of a fixed gear and a movable gear as a structure of a tilt adjustment device are improved.

Claims

1. A steering device for a vehicle, comprising: A tilting shaft, which passes through both sides of the column shell and is combined with a tilting rod at one end; A fixed gear, which is fixed to one side of the two sides of the column housing and is arranged away from the tilt rod, passes through the other end of the tilt shaft, and has a coupling shaft portion formed at one end; and A movable gear is penetrated by the other end of the tilting shaft, one end of the movable gear is rotatably coupled to the coupling shaft, and a coupling rotating portion is formed that can move along the length of the coupling shaft. When the tilting lever rotates, the tilting shaft moves in the axial direction and rotates around the coupling shaft as the rotation center to mesh with or disengage from the fixed gear. The two ends of the coupling shaft of the fixed gear are integrally formed with the fixed gear, and the portion between the two ends is configured in a manner of forming a separation hole between the two ends and the main body of the fixed gear. The combined rotating portion of the moving gear is integrally formed with the moving gear and is combined by locking and fitting with the combined shaft portion through the separation hole.

2. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The fixed gear is formed by sintering process. When the fixed gear is formed by a sintering process, the coupling shaft portion is formed together with the fixed gear by a sintering process to be integrally formed with the fixed gear.

3. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The above-mentioned moving gear is formed by sintering process. When the moving gear is formed by a sintering process, the combined rotating portion is formed together with the moving gear by a sintering process to be integrally formed with the moving gear.

4. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of gear teeth are formed on the facing surfaces of the other end of the fixed gear and the other end of the movable gear, respectively. In the coupling rotation portion, the opposite side of the surface of the moving gear on which the plurality of gear teeth are formed is opened so as to be rotatably coupled to the coupling shaft portion through the opening.

5. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein: The above-mentioned combined shaft portion comprises: a curved surface portion formed by a curved surface corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the above-mentioned combined rotating portion, so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the above-mentioned combined rotating portion; and The flat surface portion is formed on the opposite side of the curved surface portion and faces the opening when the moving gear is meshed with the fixed gear.

6. The vehicle steering device according to claim 4, wherein: The grooves formed between the plurality of gear teeth of the fixed gear gradually increase in depth and width as they approach the coupling shaft. The plurality of gear teeth formed on the moving gear are formed in a shape to mesh with grooves formed between the plurality of gear teeth formed on the fixed gear.

7. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein: A first setting block portion having an outer side formed of a flat surface is formed on one side of the column housing. A second setting block portion having an outer side formed of a flat surface is formed on the other side of the column housing. The tilting shaft passes through the first setting block and the second setting block.

8. The vehicle steering device according to claim 7, wherein: The device further comprises a mounting bracket, which is formed with a first coupling plate portion disposed on the outer side surface of the first setting block portion and a second coupling plate portion disposed on the outer side surface of the second setting block portion. The inclined shaft passes through the first connecting plate portion and the second connecting plate portion. The fixed gear is fixedly disposed on the outer side of the second coupling plate portion.

9. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: a nut coupled to the other end of the tilting shaft; A first washer, which is disposed between the moving gear and the nut and contacts the moving gear; A second washer is disposed between the first washer and the nut and in contact with the nut; and The needle roller retainer is arranged between the first washer and the second washer, and its two surfaces are in contact with the first washer and the second washer respectively.

10. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: a bushing pipe through which the tilting shaft passes, one end of which passes through the fixed gear and supports the movable gear in a direction in which the movable gear is disengaged from the fixed gear; an elastic member, through which the tilting shaft passes; and The moving block passes through the above-mentioned inclined shaft, has the other end of the above-mentioned bushing tube installed on one side, and one end of the above-mentioned elastic component installed on the other side, and moves the above-mentioned bushing tube along the direction in which the above-mentioned moving gear disengages from the above-mentioned fixed gear through the elasticity of the above-mentioned elastic component.

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