Steering device for a vehicle

Abstract

Steering device (200) comprising: a joint tube (207) penetrated by a fixing element connecting a tube (203) surrounding a steering spindle (201) and a fixing bracket (205) in such a way that the tube (203) is rotatably coupled to the fixing bracket (205), characterized in that the joint tube (207) has several projections (301) formed in a circumferential direction on a side surface facing an inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205) in order to prevent slippage noise between the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205) and the side surface facing the inner surface (401).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device according to the preamble of claim 1 and in particular to a steering device which is able to prevent the occurrence of noises resulting from slippage between an inner surface of a fixing bracket and a side surface of a joint tube facing the inner surface, thereby providing the driver with a comfortable steering environment. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional steering device.

[0003] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, a conventional steering device 100 is configured such that a hollow inner tube 105, surrounding a steering spindle 101, is inserted into an outer tube 103, and when a pivot lever or tilt adjustment lever is fixed or released, a pivot bracket is tightened or loosened or released in the diameter direction, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the steering spindle 101, thereby performing a pivot or tilt adjustment function or a telescopic function.

[0004] The inner tube 105 is provided in a hollow form to surround the steering spindle 101, and a lower mounting bracket 107 is coupled to a fairing bracket (not illustrated) which is coupled to the body, via a pivoting tube 111 and is configured to rotate around the pivoting tube 111, which acts as a shaft when a swiveling or tilting adjustment function is performed; and when a telescoping function is performed, the outer tube 103 slides in the axial direction along the inner tube 105.

[0005] A mounting bracket 109 is coupled to the outer circumferential side of the outer tube 103, and the upper surface of the mounting bracket 109 is fixed to the body of the motor vehicle, thereby fixing or securing the steering device 100.

[0006] An electronic control unit 117 and a gearbox housing 113 are coupled to one side of the steering device 100, wherein the electronic control unit 117 is connected to a torque sensor and the gearbox housing 113 contains a reduction device that assists the steering force by means of a drive force from an electric motor 115.

[0007] However, such a conventional steering device has a problem in that, since smooth surfaces of opposite ends of the pivot tube are coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the fairing bracket, slippage occurs between the smooth surfaces of the opposite ends of the pivot tube and the inner circumferential surface of the fairing bracket when the driver operates the steering wheel or when an inverse input is applied from the wheels, causing noise and making it difficult to provide the user with a comfortable steering environment.

[0008] US. 2011 / 0 100 148 A1 describes a steering column mounting bracket that absorbs impact energy generated by a vehicle collision.

[0009] JP 2014 - 58 280 A describes a swivel mechanism for a vehicle seat.

[0010] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0011] Advantageous further training opportunities arise from the dependent sub-requirements.

[0012] The present invention has been created in view of the above-mentioned background, and one aspect of the present invention is to provide a steering device that is able to prevent the occurrence of noise resulting from slippage between an inner surface of a fixing bracket and a side surface of a joint tube facing the inner surface, thereby providing the driver with a comfortable steering environment.

[0013] The aspect of the present invention is not limited thereto, and other, unmentioned aspects of the present invention can be clearly recognized by those skilled in the field from the following descriptions.

[0014] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the occurrence of noise resulting from slippage between an inner surface of a fixing bracket and a side surface of a joint tube facing the inner surface is prevented, thereby providing the driver with a comfortable steering environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above-mentioned and further tasks and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which will be carried out in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional steering device; Fig. 2 a partially separated perspective view of a steering device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a jointed tube of Fig. 2 illustrated; and Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. Six diagrams illustrate the processes of wear of the projections of the joint tube. Fig. 2 illustrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EXECUTION FORMS

[0016] In the following, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. It should be clear that whenever the following description refers to a component being "connected," "coupled," or "joined" to another component, a third component may be "connected," "coupled," or "joined" between the first and second components, even though the first component may be directly connected, coupled, or joined to the second component.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 is a partially separated perspective view of a steering device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a jointed tube of Fig. 2 illustrated. Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. Six are diagrams illustrating the processes of wear of the projections of the joint tube. Fig. 2 illustrate.

[0018] As illustrated in the drawings, a steering device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it has the following: a joint tube 207, which is penetrated by a fixing element (not illustrated), which connects a tube 203, which surrounds a steering spindle 201, and a fixing bracket 205 in such a way that the tube 203 is rotatably coupled to the fixing bracket 205, wherein the joint tube 207 has several projections 301 which are formed in a circumferential direction on a side surface which faces an inner surface of the fixing bracket 205 in order to prevent slippage noise between the inner surface of the fixing bracket 205 and the side surface which faces the inner surface.

[0019] The tube 203 is configured to surround the steering spindle 201 and is provided in a hollow form; and the steering spindle 201 is connected to a steering wheel (not illustrated) such that when the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering spindle 201 rotates while being firmly joined to or interlocked with the steering wheel.

[0020] Meanwhile, the tube 203 is inserted into and coupled to an upper tube 209 in such a way that when the driver performs a telescoping operation, the tube 203 is pulled into or out of the upper tube 209, thereby performing a telescoping operation; telescoping guide sections 211 are formed on both sides of the lower section of the upper tube 209, and plate holders 213 are provided on both sides of the telescoping guide sections 211.

[0021] Furthermore, the upper ends of the plate holders 213 are connected to each other, forming approximately a “∩” shape, and the plate holders 213 are coupled to a mounting bracket 215 and then fixed to the body.

[0022] Furthermore, a bracket 217 is provided at one end of the tube 203, a through-bore 221 is formed in the bracket 217 such that a hinged tube 207 (which will be described later) is fitted into the through-bore 221 and coupled to it, and the central axis of the through-bore 221, which is formed in the bracket 217, becomes a rotational reference for a swiveling or tilting adjustment operation.

[0023] Furthermore, fixing guides 223 can be provided between the through bore 221 and the articulated tube 207; the fixing guides 223 have the form of hollow cylinders, have ribs 225 which are formed at their ends such that they protrude in the outer diameter direction, and have teeth 227 which are formed on inner circumferential surfaces in the circumferential direction such that both ends of the articulated tube 207 are firmly fixed to the inner circumferential surfaces of the fixing guides 223.

[0024] Next, the joint tube 207 is formed in the structure of a hollow tube, which is penetrated by a fixing element (not illustrated) that connects the tube 203, which surrounds the steering spindle 201, and the fixing bracket 205 in such a way that the tube 203 is rotatably coupled to the fixing bracket 205.

[0025] That is, while the articulated tube 207 is coupled to the bracket 217, the fixing bracket 205 is arranged in the coupling position, and a fixing element (not illustrated) is coupled by penetrating the through-hole 219 of the fixing bracket 205 and the articulated tube 207 in such a way that the tube 203, on which the bracket 217 is formed, is coupled so that it can rotate with respect to the fixing bracket 205, thereby performing a pivoting operation.

[0026] Meanwhile, several projections 301 are formed in the circumferential direction on a side surface of the joint tube 207, which faces an inner surface of the fixing bracket 205, and the projections 301 prevent slippage noises from occurring between the inner surface of the fixing bracket 205 and the side surface of the joint tube 207, which faces the inner surface.

[0027] That is, the opposite ends of a conventional pivot tube have smooth surfaces formed on them, as described above, and when the driver operates the steering wheel or when an inverse input is applied from the wheels, a noise is generated by slippage occurring between the smooth surfaces of the opposite ends of the pivot tube and the inner circumferential surface of the fairing bracket; in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in contrast, the projections 301 of the pivot tube 207 rest against the inner surface of the fixing bracket 205, so that the contact area between the pivot tube 207 and the fixing bracket 205 is considerably reduced compared to the prior art, thereby preventing the occurrence of slippage noise between the pivot tube 207 and the fixing bracket 205.

[0028] Furthermore, the projections 301 formed on a side surface of the hinge tube 207 can be provided in such a structure that several support projections 303 and 305 are formed to project in the axial direction of the hinge tube 207 with different lengths; an example is illustrated in the drawings in which two support projections 303 and 305 are formed.

[0029] When the projections 301 are provided in such a structure that several support projections 303 and 305, which differ from each other, are formed as described above, the first support projection 303, which projects more, initially rests against the inner surface 401 of the fixing holder ((a) in Fig. 4), as in Fig. 4 is illustrated; and even if the first support projection 303 is worn down later, the second support projection 305, which projects less, then rests against the inner surface 401 of the fixing bracket ((b) in Fig. 4), which prevents the occurrence of slipping noises.

[0030] In particular, the support projections can form a first support projection 303, which rests against the inner surface 401 of the fixing bracket, as in Fig. 4 is illustrated, and have a second support projection 305 formed on one side of the first support projection 303 and spaced apart from the inner surface 401 of the fixing bracket.

[0031] Furthermore, the support projections can form a first support projection 303, which rests against the inner surface 401 of the fixing bracket, as in Fig. 5 is illustrated, and have a pair of second support projections 305, each formed on one side and the other side of the first support projection 303, and spaced apart from the inner surface 401 of the fixing bracket.

[0032] Furthermore, the support projections can form a pair of first support projections 303 that abut the inner surface 401 of the fixing bracket, as in Fig. 6 is illustrated, and have a second support projection 305 formed between the first support projections 303 and spaced apart from the inner surface 401 of the fixing bracket.

[0033] In the meantime, the projections 301 formed on a side surface of the hinge tube 207 can be formed such that they are spaced at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0034] Furthermore, recessed sections 307 and 309 on one or both sides of the projections 301 can be formed such that they are recessed in the circumferential direction; such formation of recessed sections 307 and 309 on one or both sides of the projections 301 can improve the tensile strength with respect to parts of the projections 301 where the load is concentrated (lower parts of the projections 301).

[0035] In particular, when the recessed sections 307 and 309 are formed by applying forces to both sides of lower sections of the projections 301, causing them to indent, the texture of the recessed parts becomes denser and improves the strength; therefore, it becomes possible to improve the fracture strength of load-concentrating parts of the lower sections of the projections 301 and to improve the durability of the steering device itself.

[0036] As described above, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the occurrence of noises resulting from slippage between an inner surface of a fixing bracket and a side surface of a joint tube facing the inner surface is prevented, thereby providing the user with a comfortable steering environment.

[0037] Although it has been described above that all components or parts of an embodiment of the present invention are coupled as a single unit or coupled in such a way that they can be operated as a single unit, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such an embodiment. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted on the basis of the appended claims, and it shall be interpreted such that all the technical ideas contained in the scope of protection and equivalent to the claims belong to the present invention. <Kurze Beschreibung der Bezugszeichen> 200 Steering device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention 201 Steering spindle 203 pipe 205 Fixing bracket 207 Joint tube 209 upper pipe 211 Telescopic guide section 213 Plate holder 215 Mounting bracket 217 Bracket 219 Coupling hole 221 Through hole 223 Fixing guide 225 rib 227 Gearing 301 lead 303 first support ledge 305 second support ledge 307,309 in-depth sections

Claims

Steering device (200) comprising: a joint tube (207) penetrated by a fixing element connecting a tube (203) surrounding a steering spindle (201) and a fixing bracket (205) in such a way that the tube (203) is rotatably coupled to the fixing bracket (205), characterized in that the joint tube (207) has several projections (301) formed in a circumferential direction on a side surface facing an inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205) in order to prevent slippage noise between the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205) and the side surface facing the inner surface (401). Steering device (200) according to claim 1, wherein each of the projections (301) has at least two support projections (303, 305) which are formed such that they project in an axial direction of the joint tube (207) with different lengths. Steering device (200) according to claim 2, wherein the support projections (303, 305) have a first support projection (303) which abuts the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205) and a second support projection (305) which is formed on one side of the first support projection and is spaced apart from the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205). Steering device (200) according to claim 2, wherein the support projections (303, 305) have a first support projection (303) which abuts the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205) and a pair of second support projections (305) which are formed on one side and the other side of the first support projections (303) and are spaced apart from the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205). Steering device (200) according to claim 2, wherein the support projections (303, 305) comprise a pair of first support projections (303) that abut the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205) and a second support projection (305) that is formed between the first support projections (303) and is spaced apart from the inner surface (401) of the fixing bracket (205). Steering device (200) according to claim 1, wherein the multiple projections (301) on the side surface of the joint tube (207) are formed such that they are spaced apart at an identical distance in the circumferential direction. Steering device (200) according to claim 1, wherein recessed sections (307, 309) are formed on one side surface or on both side surfaces of the projections (301).

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