Rotation limiting device and steering device

Abstract

Provided is a structure capable of improving the degree of freedom of setting the amount of rotation of a rotating member. A rotation restricting device (4) is provided with: a first member (14) having a protrusion (17) on one side in the axial direction of the end; a second member (15) having an end-side abutment surface (23) and an end-side abutment surface (24); and at least one intermediate member (16) having an intermediate radial projection (29) and an intermediate axial-side projection (30). The intermediate radial projection (29) has an intermediate one-side abutment surface (32) on one side surface in the circumferential direction, and has an intermediate other-side abutment surface (33) on the other side surface in the circumferential direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rotation limiting device for limiting a rotatable amount of a rotating member and a steering device. Background Art

[0002] In a rack-and-pinion type steering device, when the steering wheel is operated to the right or left to the maximum extent, the rack end supported and fixed to the end of the rack shaft collides with the housing. Thus, in a rack-and-pinion type steering device in which a steering unit and a steering unit are mechanically connected, the number of rotations of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is operated to the left or right to the maximum extent from the state in which the steering wheel is operated to the right or left to the maximum extent is limited, i.e., locked to the locked number of rotations, is limited by limiting the stroke of the rack shaft constituting the steering unit.

[0003] In contrast, in a steer-by-wire steering device, the steering unit and the turning unit are not mechanically connected. Therefore, the lock-to-lock rotation number of the steering wheel constituting the steering unit cannot be limited by limiting the stroke of the rack shaft constituting the turning unit.

[0004] Fig. 20 The invention shows a limiter unit 100 for mechanically limiting the locking rotation number of the steering wheel in the steer-by-wire steering device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-69844. Fig. 20 Replaced Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-69844 Figure 4 The limiting unit 100 includes a first rotating member 101 , a housing 102 , and a second rotating member 103 .

[0005] The first rotating member 101 has an axial side surface ( Fig. 20 The first rotating member 101 is fixedly connected to the end of the other axial side of the steering shaft (not shown) in a manner that it cannot rotate relative to the first rotating member 101. That is, the first rotating member 101 rotates integrally with the steering shaft as the steering wheel is operated.

[0006] The housing 102 is disposed on the other axial side ( Fig. 20 The right side of the housing 102 has a fixing protrusion 105 protruding toward the other axial side, and does not rotate during use. The steering shaft is supported on the radial inner side of the housing 102 in a manner that it cannot rotate relative to the housing 102.

[0007] The second rotating member 103 has a cylindrical portion 106 and a second rotating protrusion 107 that protrudes radially outward from one position in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 106. The second rotating member 103 is supported around the steering shaft so as to be non-rotatable relative to the steering shaft and the first rotating member 101 and the housing 102.

[0008] That is, the steering shaft is inserted through the housing 102 and the second rotating member 103 from one axial side to the other axial side, and the first rotating member 101 is fixedly coupled to the front end portion of the steering shaft protruding from the end surface on the other axial side of the second rotating member 103. In addition, a steering wheel is supported and fixedly supported at the end portion on one axial side of the steering shaft.

[0009] In the steering device having the limiting unit 100, for example, if the steering wheel is operated to the right (from Fig. 20 (when viewed from the left side of the device, the first rotating member 101 rotates clockwise from the first rotating member 101 together with the steering shaft. Fig. 20 The upper side of the first rotating protrusion 104 rotates toward the lower side. Fig. 20 The lower side surface of the second rotating protrusion 107 and the other side surface of the circumferential direction of the other side of the axial direction ( Fig. 20 upper side) collision.

[0010] If the steering wheel is further turned rightward from this state, the second rotating member 103, the steering shaft and the first rotating member 101 are turned rightward. Fig. 20 The upper side of the second rotating protrusion 107 rotates toward the lower side. And, the circumferential side surface of the axial side portion of the second rotating protrusion 107 abuts against the circumferential side surface of the fixed protrusion 105. Thus, the steering wheel is restricted from being operated to the right to a point above the limit.

[0011] Prior art literature

[0012] Patent Literature

[0013] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-69844 Summary of the invention

[0014] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0015] In the limit unit 100 described in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2020-69844, the angle at which the first rotating member 101 can rotate relative to the second rotating member 103 is less than 360 degrees, which is equivalent to the total amount of the circumferential width of the first rotating protrusion 104 and the circumferential width of the second rotating protrusion 107. In addition, the angle at which the second rotating member 103 can rotate relative to the housing 102 is less than 360 degrees, which is equivalent to the total amount of the circumferential width of the fixed protrusion 105 and the circumferential width of the second rotating protrusion 107. Therefore, in a steering device equipped with the limit unit 100, the rotatable amount (rotatable angle) of the steering shaft is limited to less than ±360 degrees. Therefore, the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel is limited to less than 2 turns.

[0016] However, in the steering devices for general passenger cars that have become popular in recent years, the lock-to-lock rotation number is greater than 2 turns. For example, it is about 4 turns in a so-called family car, and about 2 to 3 turns in a sports car. Therefore, a rotation restriction device with a high degree of freedom in setting the lock-to-lock rotation number of the steering wheel is desired.

[0017] An object of the present disclosure is to realize a rotation restricting device having a high degree of freedom in setting the rotatable amount of a rotating member.

[0018] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0019] A rotation restricting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first member, a second member, and at least one intermediate member.

[0020] The first member has an end axial side protrusion protruding toward one axial side at a position offset in the radial direction from the central axis thereof.

[0021] The second member has an end one side abutment surface facing one side in the circumferential direction and an end other side abutment surface facing the other side in the circumferential direction. The second member is arranged coaxially with the first member and rotatable relative to the first member.

[0022] The at least one intermediate component has an intermediate radial protrusion protruding radially outward and an intermediate axial one side protrusion protruding axially from an axial one side surface of the intermediate radial protrusion toward one side. The at least one intermediate component is axially arranged between the first component and the second component in a manner coaxial with the first component and the second component and rotatable relative to the first component and the second component.

[0023] The above-mentioned middle radial protrusion has a middle one side abutment surface on one side surface in the circumferential direction, and has a middle other side abutment surface on the other side surface in the circumferential direction.

[0024] The end one side abutting surface and the end other side abutting surface are circumferentially opposed to the intermediate axial one side protrusion of the intermediate component disposed adjacent to the second component in the axial direction of the at least one intermediate component. In other words, the end one side abutting surface and the end other side abutting surface overlap in the circumferential direction with the intermediate axial one side protrusion of the intermediate component disposed adjacent to the second component in the axial direction of the at least one intermediate component.

[0025] The middle one side abutting surface and the middle other side abutting surface of one of the at least one intermediate components are circumferentially opposed to the middle axial one side protrusion or the end axial one side protrusion of the other intermediate component disposed adjacently on the axial other side of the one intermediate component. In other words, the middle one side abutting surface and the middle other side abutting surface of one of the at least one intermediate components overlap with the middle axial one side protrusion or the end axial one side protrusion of the other intermediate component disposed adjacently on the axial other side of the one intermediate component in the circumferential direction.

[0026] In a rotation limiting device of one embodiment of the present invention, the second component has an end radial protrusion protruding radially, and the end radial protrusion can have an end one side abutment surface on one side in the circumferential direction and an end other side abutment surface on the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0027] Alternatively, in a rotation limiting device of one embodiment of the present invention, the second component has a groove portion that is open on at least the other axial side surface, and can have an abutment surface on one side of the end portion on the surface of the inner surface of the groove portion facing one side in the circumferential direction, and can have an abutment surface on the other side of the end portion on the surface of the inner surface of the groove portion facing the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0028] In a rotation limiting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0029] One of the first component and the second component may include a cylindrical portion protruding in the axial direction.

[0030] The other of the first component and the second component may have a circular hole in which the cylindrical portion is fitted so as to be relatively rotatable, and,

[0031] The at least one intermediate member may include an intermediate circular hole in which the cylindrical portion is relatively rotatably fitted.

[0032] The rotation restricting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may include a retaining ring engaged with a portion of the cylindrical portion that protrudes in the axial direction from the other member.

[0033] The rotation restricting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may include an annular elastic ring fitted on the end axially one side protrusion and / or the intermediate axially one side protrusion.

[0034] In a rotation limiting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0035] The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion on one axial side of the end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion on one axial side of the middle portion can be formed by cylindrical surfaces having the same curvature radius, and,

[0036] The end side abutment surface and the end side abutment surface are respectively equal to the middle side abutment surface and the middle side abutment surface, and can be composed of a concave surface in the shape of a local cylindrical surface having a curvature radius larger than the curvature radius of the outer peripheral surface protruding on the axial side of the end.

[0037] In a rotation limiting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0038] The radius of a first imaginary circle centered on the central axis of the first component and passing through the central axis of the outer peripheral surface protruding on one axial side of the end portion can be made smaller than the radius of a second imaginary circle centered on the central axis of the intermediate component and passing through the center of curvature of the intermediate one side abutting surface and the center of curvature of the intermediate other side abutting surface.

[0039] In a rotation limiting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0040] The at least one intermediate component can be composed of a plurality of intermediate components.

[0041] The remaining intermediate members of the plurality of intermediate members except the intermediate member disposed closest to the other axial side may have an intermediate axial other side protrusion protruding from the side surface of the intermediate protrusion on the other axial side toward the other axial side, and,

[0042] The above-mentioned second component has an end axial protrusion on the other side at a position radially offset from its central axis, and the end axial protrusion on the other side protrudes toward the other side of the axial direction and is opposite to the above-mentioned middle one side abutment surface and the above-mentioned middle other side abutment surface of the middle component arranged closest to the axial side among the above-mentioned multiple middle components in the circumferential direction.

[0043] In this case, the intermediate member disposed closest to the other axial side may include an intermediate other axial side protrusion protruding from the other axial side side of the intermediate protrusion toward the other axial side, and,

[0044] The first member may be provided with the intermediate axially second side protrusion of the intermediate member disposed most axially second side and may have a weight reduction portion for allowing the intermediate member disposed most axially second side to rotate relative to the first member.

[0045] A steering device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a steering shaft and a rotation restricting device that restricts a rotatable amount of the steering shaft to a predetermined value.

[0046] The above-mentioned rotation limiting device is constituted by a rotation limiting device of one embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0047] The first member is supported and fixed to the steering shaft, and the second member is supported and fixed to a fixed portion which does not rotate during use, or the first member is supported and fixed to the fixed portion, and the second member is supported and fixed to the steering shaft.

[0048] Effects of the Invention

[0049] According to the rotation restricting device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in setting the rotatable amount of the rotating member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a steer-by-wire steering device including a rotation restricting device according to a first example of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the rotation restricting device of the first example.

[0052] Figure 3 This is an end view showing the rotation restricting device of the first example.

[0053] Figure 4 This is an end view showing the first component and an intermediate component removed from the rotation restricting device of the first example.

[0054] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Magnified view of the X section.

[0055] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Y-Y section view.

[0056] Figure 7 It is an exploded perspective view showing the rotation restricting device of the first example.

[0057] Figure 8 (A)~ Figure 8 (E) is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rotation restricting device when the steering wheel is operated to the left to the maximum extent from the state in which it is operated to the right to the maximum extent.

[0058] Fig. 9 (A)~ Fig. 9 (E) is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rotation restricting device when the steering wheel is operated to the right to the maximum extent from the state in which it is operated to the left to the maximum extent.

[0059] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the structure of the press-fit portion of the pin.

[0060] Fig.11 It is a perspective view showing a rotation restricting device according to a second example of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Fig.12 It is from Fig.11 Perspective views of the rotation restricting device of the second example viewed from different angles.

[0062] Fig.13 It is an exploded perspective view showing a second example of a rotation restricting device.

[0063] Fig.14 (A)~ Fig.14 (E) is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rotation restricting device of the third example of the embodiment of the present disclosure when the steering wheel is operated to the left to the maximum extent from the state in which it is operated to the right to the maximum extent.

[0064] Fig.15 (A)~ Fig.15 (E) is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the rotation restricting device of the third example when the steering wheel is operated to the right to the maximum extent from the state in which it is operated to the left to the maximum extent.

[0065] Fig.16 This is an end view of the first member removed from the rotation restricting device of the third example and viewed from one side in the axial direction.

[0066] Fig.17 It is a partially enlarged view of an intermediate member constituting a fourth example of the rotation restricting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Fig.18 (A) and Fig.18 (B) is a partial enlarged view showing two other examples of how to install the elastic ring.

[0068] Fig.19 (A) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an intermediate member constituting a fourth example of a rotation restricting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.19 (B) is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a substrate and a pin constituting the intermediate member. Fig.19 (C) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the substrate and the pin are combined.

[0069] Fig. 20 This is an exploded view showing a conventional limiter unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] [First example]

[0071] use Figures 1 to 10The first example of the embodiment of the present disclosure is described. This example is an example in which a rotation limiting device 4 is assembled in a steering unit 3 constituting a steering device 1 in order to limit the lock-to-lock rotation number of a steering wheel 2 of a steer-by-wire type steering device 1. Below, after describing the overall structure of the steering device 1, the structure and operation of the rotation limiting device 4 are described. In the following description, the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0072] <Overall Structure of Steering Device 1>

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, the steering device 1 includes a steering unit 3 having a steering wheel 2, a steering unit 6 for applying a steering angle to a pair of steering wheels 5, and a control unit (ECU) 7. The steering device 1 has a linkless structure in which the steering unit 3 and the steering unit 6 are not mechanically connected but are electrically connected via the control unit 7.

[0074] The steering unit 3 includes a steering column 8 , a steering shaft 9 , a reaction force applying device 10 , and a rotation restricting device 4 .

[0075] The steering column 8 has a cylindrical shape and is supported by the vehicle body.

[0076] The steering shaft 9 is rotatably supported on the radially inner side of the steering column 8. The steering wheel 2 is supported and fixed to the rear end of the steering shaft 9.

[0077] The reaction force applying device 10 is connected to the front end of the steering shaft 9. The reaction force applying device 10 includes a reaction force applying motor and a speed reducer such as a worm gear speed reducer, and increases the output torque of the reaction force applying motor by the speed reducer and applies the resultant to the steering shaft 9.

[0078] The rotation limiting device 4 is provided between the steering shaft 9 and a portion that does not rotate during use, and limits the number of rotations of the steering wheel 2 to be locked. In this example, the rotation limiting device 4 is provided between the front portion of the steering shaft 9 and the front end of the steering column 8 that does not rotate during use. However, the rotation limiting device 4 can be provided at any position as long as it is between the steering shaft 9 and a fixed portion that does not rotate during use.

[0079] Specifically, the rotation restricting device 4 can be provided at a portion close to the steering wheel 2, for example, between the rear portion of the steering shaft 9 and the rear end of the steering column 8. Alternatively, the rotation restricting device 4 can be provided between the front end of the steering shaft 9 and the housing of the reaction force applying device 10 that does not rotate during use. As long as the rotation restricting device 4 is arranged between the front end of the steering shaft 9 and the housing of the reaction force applying device 10, the rotation restricting device 4 can be relatively easily attached or detached.

[0080] The steering unit 3 further includes sensors (not shown) such as a torque sensor and a steering angle sensor for measuring the operation of the steering wheel 2 by the driver.

[0081] The steering unit 6 includes a gear housing 11 supported and fixed to a vehicle body, a linear motion member (not shown), and a steering actuator 12 for linearly driving the linear motion member.

[0082] The linear motion component is composed of a rack shaft, a threaded shaft, etc. The linear motion component is oriented in the axial direction of the width direction of the vehicle body and is supported on the inner side of the gear housing 11 in a manner that allows axial linear motion. The base ends of a pair of tie rods 13 are connected to the ends of the linear motion component on both sides of the axial direction via spherical joints (not shown), and a pair of steering wheels 5 are supported at the front ends of the pair of tie rods 13.

[0083] When the linear motion component is composed of a rack shaft, the steering actuator 12 includes a pinion shaft meshing with the rack shaft, a steering motor, and a reducer. The output torque of the steering motor is increased by the reducer and input to the pinion shaft, and the rack shaft is linearly moved by rotating the pinion shaft.

[0084] In the case where the linear motion component is composed of a threaded shaft, the steering actuator 12 includes a nut supported around the threaded shaft in a manner that allows rotation relative to the threaded shaft, a steering motor, and a speed reducer. The steering actuator 12 increases the output torque of the steering motor by the speed reducer and inputs it to the nut, and drives the nut to move linearly. In addition, the feed screw mechanism including the threaded shaft and the nut can be composed of a sliding screw type feed screw mechanism or a ball screw type feed screw mechanism. The sliding screw type feed screw mechanism is a mechanism in which an external threaded portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the threaded shaft is directly threadedly connected with an internal threaded portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the nut. The ball screw type feed screw mechanism is a mechanism in which a plurality of balls are rotatably arranged between an inner diameter side ball screw groove provided on the outer peripheral surface of the threaded shaft and an outer diameter side ball screw groove provided on the inner peripheral surface of the nut.

[0085] In the steering device 1 of this example, when the driver operates the steering wheel 2, the operation of the steering wheel 2 is measured by the sensor of the steering unit 3, and the measurement result is output to the control unit 7. Various signals indicating the operation status, such as the steering torque measured by the torque sensor, the steering angle measured by the steering angle sensor, the vehicle speed, the yaw rate, and the acceleration, are input to the control unit 7. Based on the various signals indicating the operation status, the control unit 7 drives the steering actuator 12 provided in the steering unit 6. As a result, the linear motion member is displaced in the width direction of the vehicle body, the pair of tie rods 13 are pressed and pulled, and the steering angle is applied to the pair of steering wheels 5.

[0086] <Structure of rotation restricting device 4>

[0087] The rotation limiting device 4 of this example is provided between the front portion of the steering shaft 9 and the steering column 8 which does not rotate during use, and limits the lock-to-lock rotation number of the steering wheel 2 by limiting the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 to a predetermined value.

[0088] The rotation limiting device 4 includes a first member 14, a second member 15, and at least one intermediate member 16a, 16b, 16c. The rotation limiting device 4 can adjust the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 connected and fixed to the second member 15 by changing the number of the intermediate members 16a, 16b, 16c. That is, the more the number of the intermediate members 16a, 16b, 16c is increased, the more the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 can be increased, and on the contrary, the more the number of the intermediate members 16a, 16b, 16c is reduced, the more the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 can be reduced.

[0089] In this example, at least one intermediate member 16a, 16b, 16c is composed of three intermediate members 16a, 16b, 16c. In this example, for the sake of convenience, the intermediate members 16a, 16b, 16c have different symbols but have the same shape. In this example, the second member 15 constitutes one member having a cylindrical portion, and the first member 14 constitutes the other member having a circular hole.

[0090] The first component 14 has a portion facing one axial side ( Figure 6 The protruding end portion (on the left side) protrudes 17 axially to one side.

[0091] In this example, the first member 14 includes a base plate 18 and pins 19 .

[0092] The substrate 18 is composed of a flat plate having an end face shape that is substantially rhombus-shaped when viewed from the axial direction. The substrate 18 has a circular hole 20 that penetrates the axial direction in the central portion and a circular hole 20 that penetrates the axial direction in the long diagonal direction ( Figure 3 The ends of both sides in the left and right directions have mounting holes 21 extending axially therethrough. Figure 3 The offset portion (the lower side) has a press-fit hole 22 that penetrates in the axial direction.

[0093] The pin 19 has a cylindrical shape.

[0094] The first member 14 is formed by moving the pin 19 to the other side ( Figure 6 The end portion (on the right side) of the pin 19 is pressed into the press-in hole 22 of the base plate 18, thereby combining and fixing the base plate 18 with the pin 19. That is, in this example, the end axial side protrusion 17 is composed of an axial side portion of the pin 19 that protrudes further to the axial side than the axial side surface of the base plate 18.

[0095] like Fig.10 As shown in the figure, a pin flange 19a protruding radially outward is provided at the end of the other axial side of the pin 19, and the pin 19 is pressed into the press-fit hole 22 of the base plate 18 from the other axial side, thereby forming the first component 14. Thus, even if a force in a direction in which the pin 19 tilts relative to the base plate 18 is repeatedly applied to the pin 19 due to the collision between the protrusion 17 on the one axial side of the end of the first component 14 and the middle one side abutment surface 32 or the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the middle component 16c on the other axial side, the pin 19 can be prevented from falling out of the press-fit hole 22.

[0096] In the rotation restricting device 4 of this example, the first member 14 is supported and fixed relative to the steering column 8 which does not rotate during use by screwing the coupling bolts inserted through the respective mounting holes 21 of the base plate 18 into the steering column side threaded holes opened on the front side of the steering column 8. That is, the rotation restricting device 4 of this example is assembled to the steering device 1 in a state where one axial side faces the front side of the vehicle and the other axial side faces the rear side of the vehicle.

[0097] The second component 15 has one side facing the circumferential direction ( Figure 3 The end portion of the front side in the clockwise direction of the abutment surface 23 and the other side in the circumferential direction ( Figure 3 The other side of the end portion (on the clockwise rear side) abuts against the surface 24 and is arranged coaxially with the first component 14 and capable of relative rotation with respect to the first component 14.

[0098] In this example, the second member 15 includes a cylindrical portion 25 , a flange portion 26 , and an end radial protrusion 27 .

[0099] The cylindrical portion 25 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the circular hole 20 of the first member 14. The cylindrical portion 25 has a locking groove 28 over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on the other axial side.

[0100] The flange portion 26 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on one axial direction side of the cylindrical portion 25 toward the radial direction outside over the entire circumference.

[0101] In the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the cylindrical portion 25 is externally fitted and fixed in a manner that it cannot rotate relative to the steering shaft 9. Specifically, the female spline portion provided on the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion 25 is spline-engaged with the male spline portion provided on the outer circumference of the front portion of the steering shaft 9. Thus, the second member 15 is supported and fixed relative to the steering shaft 9 that rotates with the operation of the steering wheel 2.

[0102] The end radial protrusion 27 has a substantially fan-shaped end surface shape when viewed from the axial direction, and protrudes radially outward from a portion of the circumferential direction of the flange portion 26. The end radial protrusion 27 has an end one side abutment surface 23 on one side in the circumferential direction, and an end other side abutment surface 24 on the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0103] In this example, the end one side abutting surface 23 and the end other side abutting surface 24 are formed of concave curved surfaces in the shape of partial cylindrical surfaces.

[0104] In this example, the intermediate components 16a, 16b, and 16c each include a base 31, an intermediate radial protrusion 29, and an intermediate axial one-side protrusion 30. The intermediate components 16a, 16b, and 16c are arranged between the first component 14 and the second component 15 in the axial direction so as to be coaxial with the first component 14 and the second component 15 and rotatable relative to the first component 14 and the second component 15.

[0105] The base 31 has a central circular hole 43 extending axially therethrough in the center. In this example, the base 31 is cylindrical and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 25 of the second member 15 and an outer diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the flange portion 26 .

[0106] The intermediate radial protrusion 29 has an end face shape that is substantially fan-shaped when viewed from the axial direction, and protrudes radially outward from a portion of the circumferential direction of the base 31. The intermediate radial protrusion 29 has an intermediate one side abutment surface 32 on one side in the circumferential direction, and an intermediate other side abutment surface 33 on the other side in the circumferential direction. In this example, the intermediate one side abutment surface 32 and the intermediate other side abutment surface 33 are formed by concave curved surfaces in the shape of a partial cylindrical surface.

[0107] The intermediate axial one side protrusion 30 has a cylindrical shape, and protrudes toward one side in the axial direction from a circumferential center position of one axial side surface of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 .

[0108] The rotation limiting device 4 of this example is composed of a first component 14, a second component 15, and three intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c so as to be relatively rotatable. Specifically, the cylindrical portion 25 of the second component 15 is embedded in the intermediate circular hole 43 of the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c and the circular hole 20 of the first component 14 so as to be relatively rotatable. The locking groove 28 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on the axially other side of the cylindrical portion 25, which protrudes further to the axially other side than the axially other side of the first component 14, locks the annular retaining ring 34.

[0109] The rotation resistance of the intermediate member and the other member with respect to the cylindrical portion is preferably low.

[0110] Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate circular hole and the inner peripheral surface of the circular hole can be lubricated by grease.

[0111] Alternatively, at least one of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate circular hole and the inner circumferential surface of the circular hole can be made of a low-friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene resin, polyamide resin, molybdenum disulfide, etc. Specifically, at least one of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate circular hole and the inner circumferential surface of the circular hole can have a coating layer of a low-friction material.

[0112] Alternatively, a radial rolling bearing or a radial sliding bearing may be arranged between the cylindrical portion and the intermediate member and the other member.

[0113] In the assembled state of the rotation restricting device 4, the end axial one side protrusion 17 of the first member 14 is circumferentially opposed to the middle one side abutting surface 32 and the middle other side abutting surface 33 of the intermediate member 16c on the other side in the axial direction. The middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16c on the other side in the axial direction is circumferentially opposed to the middle one side abutting surface 32 and the middle other side abutting surface 33 of the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction. The middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction is circumferentially opposed to the middle one side abutting surface 32 and the middle other side abutting surface 33 of the intermediate member 16a on the one side in the axial direction. Furthermore, the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16a on the one side in the axial direction is opposed to the end one side abutting surface 23 and the end other side abutting surface 24 of the second member 15.

[0114] In other words, the protrusion 17 on one axial side of the end of the first component 14 and the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side, the intermediate protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side and the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center, the intermediate protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center and the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate component 16a on one axial side, and the intermediate protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate component 16a on one axial side and the radial protrusion 27 on the end of the second component 15 are respectively arranged to overlap in the circumferential direction.

[0115] Furthermore, in the vehicle equipped with the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the neutral position of the steering wheel 2 with the pair of steering wheels 5 facing the forward direction can be adjusted by, for example, operating the steering shaft 9 to the left or right by half of the rotatable amount after operating the steering shaft 9 to the right or left to the maximum extent. However, as long as the neutral position of the steering wheel 2 can be adjusted, it is not limited to this and can be adjusted by any method.

[0116] In this example, the outer diameter of the end axial side protrusion 17 of the first component 14 is the same as the outer diameter of the middle axial side protrusion 30 of each intermediate component 16a, 16b, 16c. In other words, the outer peripheral surface of the end axial side protrusion 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the middle axial side protrusion 30 are composed of cylindrical surfaces with equal curvature radii. In addition, in the assembled state of the rotation restricting device 4, the end axial side protrusion 17 of the first component 14 and the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c are arranged at the same radial position. Therefore, the circumferential width of the end axial side protrusion 17 and the circumferential width of the middle axial side protrusion 30 are the same.

[0117] In addition, in this example, the end surface shape of the end radial protrusion 27 of the second component 15 when viewed from the axial direction is identical to the end surface shape of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of each intermediate component 16a, 16b, 16c when viewed from the axial direction. That is, the curvature radius of the end side abutment surface 23 and the end side abutment surface 24 are identical to the curvature radius of the intermediate side abutment surface 32 and the intermediate side abutment surface 33. In addition, in the assembled state of the rotation restricting device 4, the end radial protrusion 27 of the second component 15 and the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of each intermediate component 16a, 16b, 16c are arranged at the same radial position. Therefore, the circumferential width of the end radial protrusion 27 and the circumferential width of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 are identical to each other.

[0118] The circumferential width of the axial protrusions 17 and 30, that is, the angle θa formed by the ends of the axial protrusions 17 and 30 on both sides of the circumferential direction with the central axis O of the rotation limiting device 4 as the center, and the circumferential width of the radial protrusions 27 and 29, that is, the angle θr formed by the portions of the abutment surfaces 23 and 32 on one side and the abutment surfaces 24 and 33 on the other side that contact the axial protrusions 17 and 30 with the central axis O of the rotation limiting device 4 as the center, are not particularly limited as long as they can ensure strength and rigidity. For example, the total of the angle θa and the angle θr can be set to be greater than 60 degrees and less than 120 degrees. In addition, in the example shown in the figure, the angle θa is 10 degrees, and the angle θr is about 80 degrees.

[0119] In addition, in this example, the curvature radius of the one side abutting surface 23, 32 and the curvature radius of the other side abutting surface 24, 33 are made larger than the curvature radius of the outer peripheral surface of the end axial one side protrusion 17 and the curvature radius of the outer peripheral surface of the middle axial one side protrusion 30. The curvature radius of the one side abutting surface 23, 32 and the curvature radius of the other side abutting surface 24, 33 are not particularly limited, and for example, from the aspect of suppressing the surface pressure at the time of contact to be low, they can be set to 110% or more of the curvature radius of the outer peripheral surface of the end axial one side protrusion 17 and the curvature radius of the outer peripheral surface of the middle axial one side protrusion 30, preferably 110% or more and 120% or less.

[0120] In this example, the diameter D of the first imaginary circle centered on the central axis O of the rotation restricting device 4 and passing through the central axis Ca of the axial protrusions 17 and 30 is set to a The curvature center C of the abutment surfaces 23 and 32 on one side and the curvature center C of the abutment surfaces 24 and 33 on the other side is centered on the central axis O of the rotation restricting device 4. r The diameter D of the second imaginary circle r Small (D a <D r ).

[0121] <Operation of the rotation restricting device 4>

[0122] use Figure 8 (A)~ Fig. 9 (E) The operation of the rotation restricting device 4 of this example will be described. Figure 8 (A)~ Fig. 9 (E) is a diagram schematically showing the situation of viewing the axial end protrusion 17 of the first component 14, the radial end protrusion 27 of the second component 15, the intermediate radial protrusions 29 of the three intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c, and the intermediate axial end protrusion 30 from the radial outside. In the following description, the circumferential side is the front side in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the driver sitting in the driver's seat (viewed from the other axial side), which means Figure 8 (A)~ Fig. 9 The lower side of (E) and the other side in the circumferential direction is the front side in the clockwise direction when viewed from the driver sitting in the driver's seat. Figure 8 (A)~ Fig. 9 (E) upper side.

[0123] When the steering wheel 2 is operated to the maximum rightward (clockwise, the other side in the circumferential direction when viewed from the driver sitting on the driver's seat) and then to the maximum leftward (counterclockwise, the one side in the circumferential direction when viewed from the driver sitting on the driver's seat), the rotation limiting device 4 is as follows: Figure 8 (A) Figure 8 (B) Figure 8 (C) Figure 8 (D) and Figure 8 The operation is performed as shown in the sequence of (E).

[0124] When the steering wheel 2 is turned right to the maximum extent, Figure 8As shown in (A), the end other side abutment surface 24 of the second component 15 abuts against the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16a on the one side in the axial direction. The middle other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16a on the one side in the axial direction abuts against the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16b at the center in the axial direction. The middle other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16b at the center in the axial direction abuts against the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16c on the other side in the axial direction. Furthermore, the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16c on the other side in the axial direction abuts against the axial protrusion 17 of the first component 14.

[0125] If the steering wheel 2 is turned leftward from this state to rotate the steering shaft 9 in the counterclockwise direction, Figure 8 As shown by the arrow in (A), the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16a on one axial side abuts against the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center, the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center abuts against the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side, and the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side abuts against the axial protrusion 17. In this state, only the second component 15 rotates counterclockwise (towards one side of the circumferential direction).

[0126] Furthermore, if the second member 15 is rotated less than 360 degrees by an angle corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the end radial protrusion 27 and the circumferential width θa of the intermediate axial protrusion 30, which is 270 degrees in this example, Figure 8 As shown in (B), the end side contact surface 23 contacts the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16a on the axial side.

[0127] If from Figure 8 (B) If the steering wheel 2 is further turned left, Figure 8 As shown by the arrow in (B), the middle axial protrusion 30 of the axial intermediate component 16a is pressed toward the circumferential direction by the end side abutment surface 23. As a result, the second component 15 and the axial intermediate component 16a are integrated and rotated counterclockwise (toward the circumferential direction).

[0128] Furthermore, if the second member 15 and the axially one side intermediate member 16a are rotated counterclockwise by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by an angle corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the axially one side intermediate member 16a and the circumferential width θa of the intermediate axially one side protrusion 30 of the axially center intermediate member 16b, which is 270 degrees in this example, Figure 8 As shown in (C), the middle side abutment surface 32 of the middle member 16a on the one side in the axial direction abuts against the middle side axial projection 30 of the middle member 16b at the center in the axial direction.

[0129] If through Figure 8 In the state shown in (C), the steering wheel 2 is further operated to the left, so that the second component 15 and the intermediate component 16a on one axial side become one and rotate counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown by the arrow in (C), the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the axially central intermediate component 16b is pressed toward the circumferential direction by the middle side abutment surface 32 of the axially one side intermediate component 16a. As a result, the second component 15 is integrated with the axially one side intermediate component 16a and the axially central intermediate component 16b and rotates counterclockwise (towards the circumferential direction).

[0130] Furthermore, if the second member 15 and the intermediate member 16a on one axial side and the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction are rotated by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by an angle corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction and the circumferential width θa of the intermediate axial protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate member 16c at the other axial side, which is 270 degrees in this example, then Figure 8 As shown in (D), the middle side abutment surface 32 of the intermediate component 16b at the center in the axial direction abuts against the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16c at the other axial side.

[0131] If through Figure 8 In the state shown in (D), the steering wheel 2 is further operated to the left, so that the second component 15, the intermediate component 16a on one axial side and the intermediate component 16b in the axial center are integrated and rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Figure 8 As shown by the arrow in (D), the middle axial protrusion 30 of the middle component 16c on the other axial side is pressed toward the circumferential side by the middle abutment surface 32 of the middle component 16b in the axial center. As a result, the second component 15 and the three middle components 16a, 16b, and 16c are integrated and rotated in the counterclockwise direction (towards the circumferential side).

[0132] Furthermore, if the second member 15 and the three intermediate members 16a, 16b, and 16c are rotated by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by an angle corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate member 16c on the other axial side and the circumferential width θa of the protrusion 17 on the one axial side of the end of the first member 14, which is 270 degrees in this example, Figure 8 As shown in (E), the middle side contact surface 32 of the intermediate member 16 c on the other axial side contacts the axial side projection 17 of the end portion of the first member 14 .

[0133] As a result, the intermediate component 16c on the other side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction relative to the first component 14. If the intermediate component 16c on the other side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction, the intermediate component 16b in the center of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction. If the intermediate component 16b in the center of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction, the intermediate component 16a on one side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction. Furthermore, if the intermediate component 16a on one side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction, the second component 15 is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction, and the steering shaft 9 and the steering wheel 2 supported and fixed to the steering shaft 9 are prevented from rotating more than the amount in the counterclockwise direction.

[0134] On the other hand, when the steering wheel 2 is operated to the right to the maximum extent from the state in which it is operated to the left to the maximum extent, the rotation restricting device 4 is as follows. Fig. 9 (A) Fig. 9 (B) Fig. 9 (C) Fig. 9 (D) and Fig. 9 The operation is performed as shown in the sequence of (E).

[0135] When the steering wheel 2 is turned to the left to the maximum extent, Fig. 9 As shown in (A), the end side contact surface 23 of the second component 15 contacts the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16a on one axial side. The middle side contact surface 32 of the intermediate component 16a on one axial side contacts the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16b at the center in the axial direction. The middle side contact surface 32 of the intermediate component 16b at the center in the axial direction contacts the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side. Furthermore, the middle side contact surface 32 of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side contacts the axial protrusion 17 of the first component 14.

[0136] If the steering wheel 2 is turned rightward from this state to rotate the steering shaft 9 in the clockwise direction, Fig. 9 As shown by the arrow in (A), the middle side abutting surface 32 of the intermediate component 16a on one axial side abuts against the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center, the middle side abutting surface 32 of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center abuts against the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side, and the middle side abutting surface 32 of the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side abuts against the axial protrusion 17. In this state, only the second component 15 rotates in the clockwise direction (towards the other side of the circumferential direction).

[0137] Furthermore, if the second member 15 is rotated less than 360 degrees by an angle corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the end radial protrusion 27 and the circumferential width θa of the intermediate axial protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16a on the axial side, which is 270 degrees in this example, Fig. 9 As shown in (B), the end other side abutment surface 24 abuts against the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16a on the axial side.

[0138] If from Fig. 9 (B) If the steering wheel 2 is further turned right, Fig. 9 As shown by the arrow in (B), the middle axial protrusion 30 of the axially one side intermediate component 16a is pressed toward the circumferentially other side by the end other side abutment surface 24. As a result, the second component 15 and the axially one side intermediate component 16a are integrated and rotated clockwise (towards the circumferentially other side).

[0139] Furthermore, if the second member 15 and the axially one side intermediate member 16a are rotated clockwise by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by an angle corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the axially one side intermediate member 16a and the circumferential width θa of the intermediate axially one side protrusion 30 of the axially center intermediate member 16b, which is 270 degrees in this example, Fig. 9 As shown in (C), the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16a on the one axial side abuts against the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16b at the center in the axial direction.

[0140] If through Fig. 9 In the state shown in (C), the steering wheel 2 is further operated to the right, so that the second component 15 and the intermediate component 16a on one axial side become one and rotate in the clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown by the arrow in (C), the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the axially central intermediate component 16b is pressed toward the other side in the circumferential direction by the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the axially one side intermediate component 16a. As a result, the second component 15 is integrated with the axially one side intermediate component 16a and the axially central intermediate component 16b and rotates in the clockwise direction (towards the other side in the circumferential direction).

[0141] Furthermore, the second member 15 and the intermediate member 16a on one axial side and the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction are rotated by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by an amount corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction and the circumferential width θa of the intermediate axial protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate member 16c at the other axial side, which is 270 degrees in this example. Fig. 9As shown in (D), the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the axially central intermediate component 16b abuts against the middle axially one side protrusion 30 of the axially other side intermediate component 16c.

[0142] If through Fig. 9 In the state shown in (D), the steering wheel 2 is further operated to the right, so that the second component 15, the intermediate component 16a on one axial side and the intermediate component 16b in the axial center are integrated and rotated in the clockwise direction. Fig. 9 As shown by the arrow in (D), the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the middle component 16c on the other axial side is pressed toward the other circumferential side by the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the middle component 16b in the axial center. As a result, the second component 15 and the three middle components 16a, 16b, and 16c are integrated and rotated in the clockwise direction (towards the other circumferential side).

[0143] Furthermore, if the second member 15 and the three intermediate members 16a, 16b, 16c are rotated by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by an angle corresponding to the sum of the circumferential width θr of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate member 16c on the other axial side and the circumferential width θa of the protrusion 17 on the one axial side of the end of the first member 14, which is 270 degrees in this example, then Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 5(E) , the other-side middle abutment surface 33 of the intermediate member 16 c on the other axial side abuts against the one-side axial projection 17 at the end of the first member 14 .

[0144] As a result, the intermediate component 16c on the other side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction relative to the first component 14. If the intermediate component 16c on the other side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction, the intermediate component 16b in the center of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction. If the intermediate component 16b in the center of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction, the intermediate component 16a on one side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction. Furthermore, if the intermediate component 16a on one side of the axial direction is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction, the second component 15 is prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction, and the steering shaft 9 and the steering wheel 2 supported and fixed to the steering shaft 9 are prevented from rotating more than the amount in the clockwise direction.

[0145] Furthermore, when the steering shaft 9 rotates, the intermediate component 16a on one axial side, the intermediate component 16b in the center axially, and / or the intermediate component 16c on the other axial side may be rotated together with the second component 15 due to the friction force acting between the second component 15 and the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c. In this case, the operation sequence of the rotation restricting device 4 is different from that of the intermediate component 16a. Figure 8 (A)~ Figure 8 (E) and Fig. 9 (A)~ Fig. 9(E) shows a different case from the example shown.

[0146] As in this example, when the circumferential width of the end axial side protrusion 17 is the same as the circumferential width of the middle axial side protrusion 30, and the circumferential width of the end radial protrusion 27 is the same as the circumferential width of the middle radial protrusion 29, increasing the number of the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c by one can increase the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by the total amount of the circumferential width θa of the axial protrusions 17, 30 and the circumferential width θr of the radial protrusions 27, 29, which is 270 degrees in this example. Conversely, reducing the number of the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c by one can reduce the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 by an angle smaller than 360 degrees by the total amount of the circumferential width of the axial protrusions 17, 30 and the circumferential width of the radial protrusions 27, 29, which is 270 degrees in this example.

[0147] In addition, the sum of the circumferential width θa of the axial protrusions 17, 30 and the circumferential width θr of the radial protrusions 27, 29 is the same as the angle formed by the center axis of the axial protrusions 17, 30 when the axial protrusions 17, 30 are abutted against the abutment surfaces 23, 32 on one side and the center axis of the axial protrusions 17, 30 when the axial protrusions 17, 30 are abutted against the abutment surfaces 24, 33 on the other side.

[0148] As described above, according to the rotation restriction device 4 of this example, the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 can be adjusted by changing the number of the intermediate members 16 a , 16 b , 16 c , so that the degree of freedom in setting the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 can be increased.

[0149] In particular, in the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the intermediate components 16a, 16b, and 16c all have the same shape. In short, in the rotation limiting device of the present disclosure, by increasing or decreasing the number of intermediate components having the same shape, the rotatable amount of the rotating component can be adjusted. Therefore, according to the rotation limiting device of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the manufacturing cost and management cost of the components, as well as the assembly cost from being uselessly increased, and it is possible to suppress the increase in the manufacturing cost of the rotation limiting device.

[0150] In addition, in this example, the circumferential width of the end axial one side protrusion 17 of the first component 14 is made equal to the circumferential width of the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of all the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c, and the circumferential width of the end radial protrusion 27 of the second component 15 is made equal to the circumferential width of the middle radial protrusion 29 of all the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c. However, in the case of implementing the present disclosure, the circumferential width of the end axial one side protrusion of the first component and the circumferential width of the middle axial one side protrusion of at least one intermediate component may be different from each other. And / or, the circumferential width of the end radial protrusion of the second component and the circumferential width of at least one middle radial protrusion may be different from each other.

[0151] For example, in the rotation restricting device 4 of this example, the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 can be adjusted by making the circumferential width of the end radial protrusion 27 different from the circumferential width of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 .

[0152] In this example, since the circumferential widths of all the axial protrusions 17 and 30 are set to 10 degrees, and the circumferential widths of all the radial protrusions 27 and 29 are set to 80 degrees, the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 is 1080 degrees. On the other hand, if the circumferential widths of all the axial protrusions 17 and 30 are set to 10 degrees, the circumferential widths of the intermediate radial protrusions 29 of the three intermediate members 16a, 16b, and 16c are set to 80 degrees, and the circumferential widths of the end radial protrusions 27 are set to about 70 degrees, the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 can be set to 1090 degrees.

[0153] In addition, when the steering wheel 2 is turned right or left to the maximum extent, if the steering wheel 2 is further turned right or left with an excessively large force, the rotation restricting device 4 may be broken and become unusable. Therefore, in order to stabilize the breaking load that makes the rotation restricting device 4 unusable, the circumferential width of any one of the axial protrusion 17 at the end of the first component 14 and the axial protrusion 30 at the middle of each intermediate component 16a, 16b, 16c can be made smaller than the circumferential width of the remaining axial protrusion.

[0154] In the rotation restriction device 4 of this example, the intermediate axial protrusion 30 of each intermediate member 16a, 16b, 16c protrudes only to one axial side. Therefore, compared with the case where the intermediate member has protrusions protruding to both axial sides, the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0155] That is, each intermediate member 16a, 16b, 16c can be manufactured integrally by stamping. Alternatively, each intermediate member 16a, 16b, 16c can be manufactured by supporting and fixing a cylindrical pin to a flat plate-like member having a base 31 and an intermediate radial protrusion 29. In this case, the flat plate-like member and the pin can be made of the same material or different materials. For example, if the flat plate-like member is made of a metal material and the pin is made of a synthetic resin, the strength and rigidity of the intermediate member can be ensured, and the collision sound generated when the rotation limiting device is used can be reduced.

[0156] In contrast, when the intermediate member has protrusions protruding toward both sides of the axial direction, it is difficult to manufacture the intermediate member integrally by stamping, and it is necessary to manufacture the intermediate member by cutting, etc., which may increase the manufacturing cost. In addition, even when the intermediate member is manufactured by combining the flat plate member and the pin, it is necessary to limit the amount of the pin to be pressed with high precision, which may make the assembly operation troublesome.

[0157] In addition, when each intermediate member 16a, 16b, 16c is formed by combining and fixing a flat plate-shaped member with a pin, Fig.10 The same modification of the first member 14 shown may be performed in that a pin flange may be provided at the end portion on the other axial side of the pin.

[0158] In the rotation restricting device 4 of this example, the three intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c and the first component 14 are clamped between the flange portion 26 of the second component 15 and the retaining ring 34 in the axial direction. Therefore, the rotation restricting device 4 can be pre-assembled (moduleized) even in a state where the first component 14 is supported and fixed to the steering column 8 and the second component 15 is connected and fixed to the steering shaft 9. Therefore, the handling efficiency of the rotation restricting device 4 can be improved.

[0159] Furthermore, according to the rotation restricting device 4 of this example, it is not necessary to increase the axial connection strength of the first member 14 with respect to the steering shaft 9 and the axial connection strength of the second member 15 with respect to the steering column 8 in vain.

[0160] That is, in Fig. 20In the conventional limiter unit 100 shown, when viewed from the radial outside, the side surfaces on both sides of the first rotating protrusion 104 in the circumferential direction, the side surfaces on both sides of the fixing protrusion 105 in the circumferential direction, and the side surfaces on both sides of the second rotating protrusion 107 in the circumferential direction are respectively inclined relative to the axial direction. Therefore, if the first rotating member 101 rotates, a force in a direction of separation in the axial direction is applied between the first rotating member 101 and the second rotating member 103, and / or between the second rotating member 103 and the housing 102. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently increase the axial connection strength of the first rotating member 101 with respect to the steering shaft, and the axial connection strength of the housing 102 with respect to the vehicle body.

[0161] In contrast, in this example, when viewed from the radial direction, the outer peripheral surface of the end axial one side protrusion 17, the end one side abutment surface 23 and the end other side abutment surface 24, the outer peripheral surface of the middle axial one side protrusion 30, and the middle one side abutment surface 32 and the middle other side abutment surface 33 are respectively extended in a straight line in the axial direction. Therefore, even when the first component 14 rotates with the rotation of the steering shaft 9, the axial force does not act between the second component 15 and the middle component 16a on the one side of the axial direction, between the middle component 16c on the other side of the axial direction and the first component 14, and between the adjacent middle components 16a, 16b, 16c. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the axial connection strength of the first component 14 with respect to the steering column 8 and the axial connection strength of the second component 15 with respect to the steering shaft 9 in vain, and it is possible to prevent the manufacturing cost of the steering device 1 having the rotation restricting device 4 from being increased in vain.

[0162] In this example, the diameter D of the first imaginary circle is a Than the diameter D of the second imaginary circle r Small (D a <D r Therefore, when the end axial one side protrusion 17 or the middle axial one side protrusion 30 collides with the middle one side abutment surface 32 or the middle other side abutment surface 33, a force F in the direction of pressing the middle radial protrusion 29 inward in the radial direction can be applied to the middle parts 16a, 16b, 16c (refer to Figure 5 That is, with the collision of the axial protrusions 17, 30 with the middle one side abutment surface 32 or the middle other side abutment surface 33, the portion pressed radially inward can be set as a portion with a larger radial thickness, which makes it easy to ensure the strength of the intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c.

[0163] Furthermore, as long as the strength of the intermediate member can be sufficiently ensured, the diameter of the first imaginary circle may be the same as the diameter of the second imaginary circle or may be larger than the diameter of the second imaginary circle.

[0164] In the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the three intermediate members 16a, 16b, 16c and the first member 14 are relatively rotatable and are fitted to the cylindrical portion 25 of the second member 15 without shaking. That is, in this example, the coaxiality of the first member 14 and the second member 15 is ensured by the fitting portion between the circular hole 20 of the first member 14 and the cylindrical portion 25 of the second member 15.

[0165] However, by achieving radial positioning of the first component 14 relative to the steering column 8 by the fixing portion between the first component 14 and the steering column 8, and achieving radial positioning of the second component 15 relative to the steering shaft 9 by the fixing portion between the second component 15 and the steering shaft 9, the coaxiality of the first component 14 and the second component 15 can be ensured. In this case, the circular hole 20 of the first component 14 and the cylindrical portion 25 of the second component 15 can also be configured to fit with a clearance with play. In this way, the rotation resistance of the steering shaft 9 can be made substantially constant.

[0166] In this example, the first component 14 is supported and fixed relative to the steering column 8 which does not rotate during use, and the second component 15 is supported and fixed relative to the steering shaft 9 which rotates during use. However, in the case of implementing the present disclosure, it is also possible to support and fix the second component relative to a fixed component which does not rotate during use, and to support and fix the first component relative to a fixed component which rotates during use.

[0167] In the case of implementing the present disclosure, the materials constituting the first component, the second component and the intermediate component are not particularly limited as long as they can rotate (slide) relative to each other, and can be composed of, for example, synthetic resin or metal materials. In addition, the first component, the second component and the intermediate component can be integrally formed as a whole or can be composed of a plurality of components.

[0168] The substrate and the pin constituting the first component may be made of the same material or different materials. For example, if the substrate is made of a metal material and the pin is made of a synthetic resin, the strength and rigidity of the first component can be ensured, and the collision sound generated when the rotation restricting device is used can be reduced.

[0169] In addition, in this example, an example of assembling the rotation limiting device 4 to the steering unit 3 constituting the steering device 1 of the wire-controlled steer type is described, but the rotation limiting device disclosed in the present invention is not limited to the steering device of the wire-controlled steer type, and includes a steering device in which the steering unit and the steering unit are mechanically connected, and can be assembled and used to limit the rotatable amount of the rotating parts of any rotating mechanical device.

[0170] In addition, when implementing this example, in order to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust and rainwater, a cover can also be provided to cover the flange portion 26 and the end radial protrusion 27 of the second member 15 and the intermediate members 16a, 16b, and 16c from the radial outside. In this case, for example, the cover can be provided in a manner protruding from one axial side surface of the base plate 18 of the first member 14 toward one axial side.

[0171] [Second example]

[0172] use Figure 11 to Figure 13 A second example of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The rotation restricting device 4a of this example includes a first member 14a, a second member 15a, and three intermediate members 16a, 16b, and 16c.

[0173] The first component 14a has a portion facing one axial side ( Figure 11 to Figure 13 The protruding end portion (on the right side) protrudes 17a on one axial side.

[0174] In this example, the first member 14a includes a cylindrical portion 35, a flange portion 36, a radial protrusion 37, and an axial end portion protrusion 17a on one side.

[0175] The cylindrical portion 35 has a locking groove 38 over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on one axial side.

[0176] The flange portion 36 extends from the other axial side ( Figure 11 to Figure 13 The outer peripheral surface of the end portion (on the left side) protrudes radially outward throughout the entire circumference.

[0177] The radial protrusion 37 has a substantially fan-shaped end surface shape when viewed from the axial direction, and protrudes radially outward from a portion of the circumferential direction of the flange portion 36 .

[0178] The end axially one side protrusion 17 a has a cylindrical shape and protrudes toward one side in the axial direction from the circumferential center position of the radial protrusion 37 .

[0179] The second member 15a has an end one side abutment surface 23a facing one circumferential direction and an end other side abutment surface 24a facing the other circumferential direction, and is arranged coaxially with the first member 14a and rotatable relative to the first member 14a.

[0180] In this example, the second component 15a has an end face shape that is substantially rhombus-shaped when viewed from the axial direction. The second component 15a has a circular hole 39 that penetrates the axial direction in the central portion, and a circular hole 39 that penetrates the axial direction in the long diagonal direction ( Figure 3 The end portions on both sides (in the left-right direction) have mounting holes 40 that penetrate in the axial direction.

[0181] Furthermore, the second component 15a has a groove 41 opened at least on the other axial side around the circular hole 39. In this example, the groove 41 is formed by a through hole penetrating the second component 15a in the axial direction. However, the groove can also be formed by a concave groove opened only on the other axial side of the second component.

[0182] The second member 15a of this example has an end side contact surface 23a on the inner surface of the groove 41 facing one side in the circumferential direction, and has an end side contact surface 24a on the inner surface of the groove 41 facing the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0183] The rotation limiting device 4a is formed by combining the first component 14a, the second component 15a and the three intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c in a manner that they can rotate relative to each other. Specifically, the circular hole 39 of the second component 15a and the intermediate circular holes 43 of the three intermediate components 16a, 16b, 16c are embedded in the cylindrical portion 35 of the first component 14a in a manner that they can rotate relative to each other. A locking groove 38 is formed in the cylindrical portion 35 on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on the axial side that protrudes further to the axial side than the axial side surface of the second component 15a, and a circular ring 42 is locked.

[0184] In the assembled state of the rotation restricting device 4a, the end axial one side protrusion 17a of the first member 14a is circumferentially opposed to the middle one side abutting surface 32 and the middle other side abutting surface 33 of the intermediate member 16a on the other side. The middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16a on the other side is circumferentially opposed to the middle one side abutting surface 32 and the middle other side abutting surface 33 of the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction. The middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16b at the center in the axial direction is circumferentially opposed to the middle one side abutting surface 32 and the middle other side abutting surface 33 of the intermediate member 16c on the one side in the axial direction. Furthermore, the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16c on the one side in the axial direction is opposed to the end one side abutting surface 23a and the end other side abutting surface 24a of the second member 15a.

[0185] In other words, the protrusion 17a on one axial side of the end of the first component 14a and the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate component 16a on the other axial side, the intermediate protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate component 16a on the other axial side and the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center, and the intermediate protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate component 16b in the axial center and the intermediate radial protrusion 29 of the intermediate component 16c on one axial side are respectively overlapped in the circumferential direction, and the intermediate protrusion 30 on one axial side of the intermediate component 16c on one axial side is arranged on the inner side of the groove 41 of the second component 15a.

[0186] In this example, the second member 15a is formed with the groove 41 in the plate material to form the end one side abutment surface 23a and the end other side abutment surface 24a. Therefore, the rotation restricting device 4a can be easily reduced in weight.

[0187] In addition, the shape of the circumferential middle portion of the groove portion 41 can be set to any shape as long as the accuracy of the ends on both sides of the circumferential direction of the abutment surface 23a on one end side and the abutment surface 24a on the other end side can be fully ensured, and interference between the intermediate component 16c on one axial side and the axial protrusion 30 can be prevented.

[0188] In the case of implementing this example, a cover can be provided to cover the flange portion 36 and radial protrusion 37 of the first member 14a and each intermediate member 16a, 16b, 16c from the radial outside. In this case, for example, the cover can be provided to protrude from the other axial side surface of the second member 15a toward the other axial side.

[0189] The structure and effects of other parts of the second example are the same as those of the first example.

[0190] [Third example]

[0191] use Fig.14 (A)~ Fig.16 A third example of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The rotation restricting device 4a includes a first member 14b, a second member 15b, and a plurality of intermediate members 16d, 16e, and 16f. In this example, the plurality of intermediate members 16d, 16e, and 16f are composed of three intermediate members 16d, 16e, and 16f.

[0192] The remaining intermediate components 16d, 16e, 16f, except for the intermediate component 16f arranged closest to the other axial side, have, in addition to the intermediate radial protrusion 29 protruding radially outward and the intermediate axial one side protrusion 30a protruding from the axial one side of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 toward the axial one side, an intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 protruding from the axial other side of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 toward the other axial side.

[0193] In this example, the intermediate component 16f arranged closest to the other axial side also has, in addition to the intermediate radial protrusion 29 protruding radially outward and the intermediate axial one side protrusion 30a protruding from one axial side of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 toward one axial side, an intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 protruding from the other axial side of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 toward the other axial side.

[0194] That is, all the intermediate members 16 d , 16 e , and 16 f have the intermediate radial protrusion 29 , the intermediate axial one side protrusion 30 a , and the intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 .

[0195] In this example, the intermediate components 16d, 16e, and 16f have the same shape. In addition, the intermediate components 16d, 16e, and 16f have symmetrical shapes in the axial direction and have symmetrical shapes on an imaginary plane passing through the circumferential center of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 including its central axis.

[0196] The intermediate axial one side protrusion 30a protrudes toward the axial one side from the circumferential center position of the axial one side surface of the intermediate radial protrusion 29, and the intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 protrudes toward the axial other side from the circumferential center position of the axial other side surface of the intermediate radial protrusion 29. That is, the intermediate axial one side protrusion 30a and the intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 are coaxially arranged.

[0197] The second component 15b has an end axial other side protrusion 45 at a position radially offset from its central axis. The end axial other side protrusion 45 protrudes toward the other axial side and is circumferentially opposite to the middle one side abutment surface 32 and the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the middle component 16d arranged on the axially most side.

[0198] In this example, the end portion axially other side protrusion 45 protrudes toward the axially other side from a circumferentially central position of the axially other side surface of the end portion radial protrusion 27 .

[0199] In addition to the protrusion 17 on one axial side of the end portion, the first component 14b is also provided with a protrusion 44 on the other axial side of the intermediate component 16f which is arranged on the other axial side, and has a weight reduction portion 46 for allowing the intermediate component 16f which is arranged on the other axial side to rotate relative to the first component 14b.

[0200] In this example, the first member 14 b is formed by combining and fixing a base plate 18 a and a pin 19 .

[0201] The base plate 18 a has a lightening portion 46 in addition to the circular hole 20 , the mounting hole 21 , and the press-fit hole 22 .

[0202] The lightening portion 46 is formed by a through hole that penetrates the portion of the base plate 18 a that is offset in the circumferential direction from the press-fit hole 22 around the circular hole 20 in the axial direction.

[0203] In this example, the inner surface of the lightening portion 46 has an end side abutment surface 47 on one side in the circumferential direction, and has an end side abutment surface 48 on the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0204] The other axial end of the pin 19 is press-fitted into the press-fit hole 22. The end axial one side protrusion 17 is constituted by an axial one side portion of the pin 19 that protrudes axially toward one side from the axial one side surface of the base plate 18a.

[0205] The end axial one side protrusion 17 , the end axial other side protrusion 45 , the intermediate axial one side protrusion 30 a , and the intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 each have an axial dimension that is less than or equal to half of the axial thickness of the intermediate radial protrusion 29 .

[0206] In this example, the axial dimensions of the end axial one side protrusion 17 and the axial dimensions of the end axial other side protrusion 45 are the same as the axial dimensions of the intermediate axial one side protrusion 30 a and the intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 .

[0207] In the rotation restriction device 4b of this example, the first member 14b and the three intermediate members 16d, 16e, and 16f are relatively rotatable and are fitted to the cylindrical portion 25 of the second member 15b without looseness (see Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 In other words, the cylindrical portion 25 of the second component 15b is inserted through the circular hole 20 of the first component 14b and the intermediate circular holes 43 of the three intermediate components 16d, 16e, and 16f. The retaining ring 42 locked at the end of the cylindrical portion 35 on one axial side prevents the first component 14b and the intermediate components 16d, 16e, and 16f from axially displacing relative to the second component 15b.

[0208] When the rotation limiting device 4b is assembled, the axial one side protrusion 17a of the end of the first component 14b is circumferentially opposed to the axial other side portion of the middle one side abutment surface 32 of the intermediate component 16f on the axial other side and the axial other side portion of the middle other side abutment surface 33.

[0209] The intermediate axially other side protrusion 44 of the intermediate component 16f on the axially other side is arranged inside the weight reduction portion 46 of the first component 14b, and is circumferentially opposed to the end side abutment surface 47 and the end side abutment surface 48. In addition, the intermediate axially one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16f on the axially other side is circumferentially opposed to the axially other side portion of the intermediate side abutment surface 32 and the axially other side portion of the intermediate side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16e at the axial center.

[0210] The intermediate axially second side protrusion 44 of the axially central intermediate component 16e is circumferentially opposed to the axially first side portion of the intermediate one side abutment surface 32 of the axially second side intermediate component 16f and the axially first side portion of the intermediate other side abutment surface 33. In addition, the intermediate axially first side protrusion 30 of the axially central intermediate component 16f is circumferentially opposed to the axially second side portion of the intermediate one side abutment surface 32 of the axially second side intermediate component 16d and the axially second side portion of the intermediate other side abutment surface 33.

[0211] The intermediate axially second side protrusion 44 of the intermediate component 16d on the one side in the axial direction is circumferentially opposed to the axially first side portion of the intermediate one side abutment surface 32 and the axially first side portion of the intermediate other side abutment surface 33 of the intermediate component 16e at the center in the axial direction. In addition, the intermediate axially first side protrusion 30 of the intermediate component 16d on the one side in the axial direction is opposed to the end side abutment surface 23 and the end side abutment surface 24 of the second component 15b.

[0212] The axially opposite end projection 45 of the second member 15b is circumferentially opposed to the axially opposite portion of the intermediate first abutment surface 32 and the axially opposite second abutment surface 33 of the intermediate member 16d on the axially opposite side.

[0213] When turning the steering wheel 2 (refer to Figure 1 ) When the rotation limiting device 4b of this example is operated from the state of being operated to the right to the maximum limit to being operated to the left to the maximum limit, Fig.14 (A) Fig.14 (B) Fig.14 (C) Fig.14 (D) and Fig.14 In addition, when the steering wheel 2 is operated to the right from the state where it is operated to the maximum limit to the left, the rotation limiting device 4b of this example is as shown in the sequence of (E). Fig.15 (A) Fig.15 (B) Fig.15 (C) Fig.15 (D) and Fig.15 The operation is performed as shown in the sequence of (E).

[0214] In the rotation limiting device 4b of this example, the components adjacent in the axial direction, namely, the first component 14b and the intermediate component 16f on the other side of the axial direction, the intermediate component 16f on the other side of the axial direction and the intermediate component 16e in the axial center, the intermediate component 16e in the axial center and the intermediate component 16d on one side of the axial direction, and the intermediate component 16d on one side of the axial direction and the second component 15d, respectively, abut at two positions in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the circumferential force applied to each component can be effectively dispersed. In addition, even if a part of the protrusion is damaged, the function of limiting the lock to the locked rotation number can be maintained. That is, the redundancy of the rotation limiting device 4b can be ensured.

[0215] Furthermore, when implementing the rotation restriction device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the intermediate axially second side protrusion of the intermediate member disposed closest to the second side in the axial direction can be omitted. In this case, the weight-reducing portion of the first member can be omitted.

[0216] The structure and effects of other parts of the third example are the same as those of the first example.

[0217] [Fourth example]

[0218] use Figure 17-18 (B) A fourth example of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The basic structure of the rotation restricting device of this example is not limited to this, and the structure of the first example, the second example, or the third example can be adopted.

[0219] The rotation restriction device of this example is characterized in that it is provided with an annular elastic ring 49, which is externally fitted to the middle axial one side protrusion 30 of the intermediate member 16g. For example, the elastic ring 49 can be formed by an O-ring having a circular cross-sectional shape. In this example, the elastic ring 49 is externally fitted to the axial middle portion of the middle axial one side protrusion 30.

[0220] In the case of implementing the present disclosure, the external embedding position, number of roots, cross-sectional shape, etc. of the elastic ring 49 are not particularly limited. Fig.18 As shown in (A), the elastic ring 49 is externally fitted to the end of the protrusion 30 on the other side of the middle axial side, or as shown in Fig.18 As shown in (B), two elastic rings 49 are fitted onto the protrusion 30 on one side of the middle axial direction.

[0221] In addition, a locking groove for locking the elastic ring may be formed on the outer peripheral surface protruding on one side of the intermediate axial direction.

[0222] According to this example, the collision sound when the middle axial side protrusion 30 of the middle component 16g collides with the middle one side abutment surface 32 or the middle other side abutment surface 33 of the middle component adjacent to the axial side, or the end one side abutment surface 23 or the end other side abutment surface 24 of the second component 15 can be suppressed to a smaller level.

[0223] In the case of implementing the present disclosure, in addition to fitting the elastic ring on the middle axial one side protrusion, it is also possible to fit the elastic ring on the end axial one side protrusion instead of the middle axial one side protrusion. In addition, when the intermediate component has a middle axial other side protrusion, the elastic ring can also be fitted on the middle axial other side protrusion.

[0224] The structure and effects of other parts of the fourth example are the same as those of the first to third examples.

[0225] [Fifth example]

[0226] use Fig.19 (A)~ Fig.19 (C) A fifth example of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0227] In this example, the intermediate component 16h has: an intermediate radial protrusion 29a protruding radially outward; an intermediate axial one side protrusion 30a protruding from one axial side of the intermediate radial protrusion 29a toward one axial side; and an intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 protruding from the other axial side of the intermediate radial protrusion 29a toward the other axial side.

[0228] An elastic ring 49 is fitted onto the end portion on the other axial side of the intermediate axially one side protrusion 30 a and the end portion on the one axial side of the intermediate axially other side protrusion 44 .

[0229] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the collision sound when the intermediate axial one side projection 30a or the intermediate axial other side projection 44 of the intermediate member 16h collides with other members.

[0230] The intermediate member 16h is formed by combining and fixing a base plate 50 and a pin 51 .

[0231] The intermediate radial protrusion 29 a is configured to protrude radially outward from a portion of the base portion 31 of the base plate 50 in the circumferential direction, and has a through hole 52 that axially penetrates the circumferential center position.

[0232] The intermediate axial one side protrusion 30 a and the intermediate axial other side protrusion 44 are formed by inserting a pin 51 through a through hole 52 .

[0233] The pin 51 has a cylindrical shape and has two locking grooves 53 at the middle part in the axial direction and all around the circumference. The two locking grooves 53 in the pin 51 are partially fitted into the through hole without play, and the elastic ring 49 is respectively locked in the locking grooves 53. Therefore, the pin 51 cannot be relatively displaced in the axial direction with respect to the substrate 50.

[0234] The structure and effects of other parts of the fifth example are the same as those of the first and third examples.

[0235] Explanation of symbols

[0236] 1—steering device, 2—steering wheel, 3—steering unit, 4, 4a, 4b—rotation limiting device, 5—steering wheel, 6—steering unit, 7—control unit, 8—steering column, 9—steering shaft, 10—reaction force imparting device, 11—gear housing, 12—steering actuator, 13—tie rod, 14, 14a—first component, 15, 15a—second component, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h—intermediate component, 17, 17a—axial protrusion on one side of the end, 18—base plate, 19—pin, 19a—pin flange, 20—circular hole, 21—mounting hole, 22—press-fit hole, 23—end side abutment surface, 24—end other side abutment surface, 25—cylindrical portion, 26—flange portion, 27—end radial protrusion, 28—locking groove, 29—intermediate radial protrusion, 30, 30a—protrusion on one side of the middle axial direction, 31—base, 32—abutment surface on one side of the middle, 33—abutment surface on the other side of the middle, 34—retaining ring, 35—cylindrical portion, 36—flange portion, 37—radial protrusion, 38—locking groove, 39—round hole, 40—mounting hole, 41—groove portion, 42—retaining ring, 43—middle round hole, 44—protrusion on the other side of the middle axial direction, 45—protrusion on the other side of the end axial direction , 46—weight reduction portion, 47—abutment surface on one side of the end portion, 48—abutment surface on the other side of the end portion, 49—elastic ring, 50—base plate, 51—pin, 52—through hole, 53—locking groove, 100—limiting unit, 101—first rotating component, 102—housing, 103—second rotating component, 104—first rotating protrusion, 105—fixing protrusion, 106—cylindrical portion, 107—second rotating protrusion.

Claims

1. A rotation limiting device, characterized in that: have: The first member has an end axial side protrusion protruding toward one axial side at a position radially offset from the central axis thereof; A second member having an end one side abutment surface facing one side in the circumferential direction and an end other side abutment surface facing the other side in the circumferential direction, and arranged coaxially with the first member and rotatable relative to the first member; and at least one intermediate member having an intermediate radial protrusion protruding radially outward and an intermediate axial one side protrusion protruding axially toward one side from an axial one side surface of the intermediate radial protrusion, and being axially arranged between the first member and the second member in a manner coaxial with the first member and the second member and rotatable relative to the first member and the second member, The above-mentioned middle radial protrusion has a middle one side abutment surface on one side in the circumferential direction, and has a middle other side abutment surface on the other side in the circumferential direction. The end one side abutment surface and the end other side abutment surface are circumferentially opposed to the intermediate axial one side protrusion of the intermediate component disposed adjacent to the second component on the axial other side of the at least one intermediate component. The above-mentioned middle one side abutment surface and the above-mentioned middle other side abutment surface of one of the above-mentioned at least one middle component are circumferentially opposed to the above-mentioned middle axial one side protrusion or the above-mentioned end axial one side protrusion of the other middle component arranged adjacent to the other axial side of the one middle component.

2. The rotation limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second component has an end radial protrusion protruding in the radial direction. The end radial protrusion has the end one side abutting surface on one side surface in the circumferential direction, and has the end other side abutting surface on the other side surface in the circumferential direction.

3. The rotation limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second component has a groove portion that is open at least on the other axial side surface, has an end side abutment surface on the surface of the inner surface of the groove portion facing one side in the circumferential direction, and has an end side abutment surface on the surface of the inner surface of the groove portion facing the other side in the circumferential direction.

4. The rotation restricting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: One of the first component and the second component has a cylindrical portion protruding in the axial direction, The other of the first component and the second component has a circular hole in which the cylindrical portion is fitted so as to be relatively rotatable, and The at least one intermediate member has an intermediate circular hole in which the cylindrical portion is fitted so as to be relatively rotatable.

5. The rotation limiting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A retaining ring is provided, the retaining ring being engaged with a portion of the cylindrical portion that protrudes in the axial direction from the other member.

6. The rotation restricting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: An annular elastic ring is provided, and the annular elastic ring is fitted on the end axial one side protrusion and / or the middle axial one side protrusion.

7. The rotation restricting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion on one axial side of the end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion on one axial side of the middle portion are formed by cylindrical surfaces having equal curvature radii. The end one side abutment surface and the end other side abutment surface are respectively equal to the middle one side abutment surface and the middle other side abutment surface, and are composed of a partially cylindrical concave surface having a curvature radius larger than the curvature radius of the outer peripheral surface protruding on the axial side of the end.

8. The rotation limiting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The radius of a first imaginary circle centered on the central axis of the first component and passing through the central axis of the outer peripheral surface protruding on one axial side of the end portion is smaller than the radius of a second imaginary circle centered on the central axis of the intermediate component and passing through the center of curvature of the intermediate one side abutting surface and the center of curvature of the intermediate other side abutting surface.

9. The rotation restricting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The at least one intermediate component is composed of a plurality of intermediate components. The remaining intermediate components of the plurality of intermediate components, except for the intermediate component disposed closest to the other axial side, have an intermediate axial other side protrusion protruding from the side surface on the other axial side of the intermediate radial protrusion toward the other axial side. The above-mentioned second component has an end axial protrusion on the other side at a position radially offset from its central axis, and the end axial protrusion on the other side protrudes toward the other side of the axial direction and is opposite to the above-mentioned middle one side abutment surface and the above-mentioned middle other side abutment surface of the middle component arranged closest to the axial side among the above-mentioned multiple middle components in the circumferential direction.

10. The rotation limiting device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The intermediate member disposed closest to the other axial side has an intermediate axial other side protrusion protruding from the side surface on the other axial side of the intermediate radial protrusion toward the other axial side. The first member is provided with the intermediate axially other side protrusion of the intermediate member disposed most axially on the other side, and has a weight reduction portion for allowing the intermediate member disposed most axially on the other side to rotate relative to the first member.

11. A steering device, characterized in that: A steering shaft and a rotation limiting device for limiting the rotatable amount of the steering shaft to a predetermined value are provided. The rotation restricting device is constituted by the rotation restricting device described in any one of claims 1 to 10, The first component is fixedly coupled to the steering shaft, and the second component is supported and fixedly coupled to a fixed portion that does not rotate during use. Alternatively, the first component is fixedly coupled to the fixed portion, and the second component is supported and fixedly coupled to the steering shaft.

Images