Holding bracket for vehicle component and steering device having the holding bracket

Abstract

To provide a holding bracket for a vehicle component that is able to restrict an increase in size and to provide a steering device including the holding bracket.SOLUTION: An attachment plate included in a holding bracket of a vehicle component includes, in a plan view: a first edge; a second edge; a first support portion located on one side in a first direction with respect to an attachment portion and capable of preventing rotation of the attachment plate about the attachment portion; and a second support portion located on one side in a second direction with respect to the attachment portion and capable of preventing rotation of the attachment plate about the attachment portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a retaining bracket for a vehicle component and a steering device including the retaining bracket. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bracket for mounting a vehicle component such as a wire harness to a steering column. The bracket includes a mounting plate and a retaining plate. The mounting plate is attached to the side of the cylindrical steering column via a bolt. The retaining plate is bent at an end of the mounting plate and extends in a direction away from the steering column to hold the wire harness.

[0003] Moreover, the mounting plate has a long hole extending toward the bolt in a plan view. The side surface of the steering column has a convex portion protruding radially outward, and the convex portion fits into the long hole of the mounting plate. When a force that rotates around the bolt is applied from the wire harness via the holding plate to the mounting plate during the work of attaching the wire harness to the bracket or while the vehicle is running, this force acts in a direction perpendicular to the long hole of the mounting plate in a plan view. Therefore, the rotation of the bracket can be stopped by the convex portion of the steering column. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 059764 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, if the protrusion is positioned closer to the bolt, the bracket will be more likely to rotate around the bolt even if the force applied to the bracket is small. Therefore, it is desirable to move the protrusion away from the bolt, but in that case, the bracket may become larger.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a retaining bracket for a vehicle component, which can prevent an increase in size, and a steering device including the retaining bracket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle part retaining bracket according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a mounting plate that faces a side surface of a cylindrical steering column and is attached to the side surface via a fastening member, and a retaining plate that is provided adjacent to the mounting plate and can hold a vehicle part, the mounting plate having a first edge extending in a first direction in a plan view, a second edge extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and a mounting part to which the fastening member is attached is located at a corner of the part intersecting with the first edge, a first support part located on one side of the mounting part in the first direction and capable of preventing rotation of the mounting plate around the mounting part, and a second support part located on one side of the mounting part in the second direction and capable of preventing rotation of the mounting plate around the mounting part. Also, a steering device of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned vehicle part retaining bracket and the steering column.

[0008] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the mounting plate included in the bracket has an elongated hole that extends toward the bolt in a plan view, and a protrusion is inserted into the elongated hole. If the protrusion is positioned closer to the bolt, the bracket will be more likely to rotate around the bolt even if the force applied to the bracket is small, so it is desirable to move the protrusion away from the bolt, but in that case, the bracket may become larger.

[0009] In contrast, the mounting plate according to the present disclosure has a first support portion and a second support portion. The first support portion and the second support portion can prevent the mounting plate from rotating around the mounting portion. In this manner, the retaining bracket according to the present disclosure has two supports, the first support portion and the second support portion, and the first support portion is separated from the mounting portion in a first direction and the second support portion is separated from the mounting portion in a second direction. Therefore, even if the first support portion and the second support portion are brought closer to the mounting portion, the rotation of the mounting plate can be prevented. Therefore, by bringing the first support portion closer to the mounting portion and the second support portion closer to the mounting portion, the retaining bracket can be made smaller, and the steering device can be made smaller.

[0010] In a desirable aspect, the side surface of the steering column has a first convex portion and a second convex portion protruding radially outward, the first support portion has a first notch portion extending from the first edge toward one side in the second direction and into which the first convex portion is inserted, and the second support portion has a second notch portion extending from the second edge toward one side in the first direction and into which the second convex portion is inserted.

[0011] For example, when the mounting plate tries to rotate clockwise around the mounting portion in a plan view, the edge of the second notch abuts against the second convex portion to prevent the mounting plate from rotating. When the mounting plate tries to rotate counterclockwise around the mounting portion in a plan view, the edge of the first notch abuts against the first convex portion to prevent the mounting plate from rotating. Since the support portion is a notch, there is an advantage in that the work of inserting the first convex portion into the first notch and the work of inserting the second convex portion into the second convex are made easier.

[0012] As a desirable aspect, in a planar view, a first straight line passing through the center of the first cutout portion in the first direction and extending in the second direction is perpendicular to a second straight line passing through the center of the second cutout portion in the second direction and extending in the first direction.

[0013] In other words, the direction in which the first cutout portion extends is perpendicular to the direction in which the second cutout portion extends. Therefore, when the mounting plate rotates around the mounting portion, the edge of the second cutout portion is more likely to abut against the second protrusion portion, and the edge of the first cutout portion is more likely to abut against the first protrusion portion, so that even if a large force is applied to the retaining bracket, rotation of the mounting plate can be more reliably prevented.

[0014] In a desirable aspect, in a state in which the first convex portion is inserted into the first notch portion and the second convex portion is inserted into the second notch portion, an end of the first convex portion on one side in the second direction and an end of the first notch portion on one side in the second direction are spaced apart in the second direction, and an end of the second convex portion on one side in the first direction and an end of the second notch portion on one side in the first direction are spaced apart in the first direction. Therefore, even if the position of the first convex portion varies in the second direction or the position of the second convex portion varies in the first direction, there is an advantage in that the operation of inserting the first convex portion into the first notch portion and the operation of inserting the second convex portion into the second notch portion become easier.

[0015] In a desirable aspect, the side surface of the steering column has a third convex portion and a fourth convex portion protruding radially outward, the first support portion has a first through hole located away from the first edge on one side in the second direction and into which the third convex portion is inserted, and the second support portion has a second through hole located away from the second edge on one side in the first direction and into which the fourth convex portion is inserted.

[0016] In this way, because the first support portion is the first through hole and the second support portion is the second through hole, whether the mounting plate rotates clockwise or counterclockwise around the mounting portion, the third convex portion abuts against the annular edge that the first through hole faces, and the fourth convex portion abuts against the annular edge that the second through hole faces. Therefore, even if a large force is applied to the retaining bracket, rotation of the mounting plate can be more reliably prevented.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first protrusion and the second protrusion each have a tapered portion that tapers away from the steering column.

[0018] Therefore, by bringing the mounting plate closer to the first convex portion and the second convex portion, the first convex portion and the second convex portion can be smoothly inserted into the first cutout portion and the second cutout portion.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the height of the first protrusion is different from the height of the second protrusion.

[0020] Therefore, for example, if the height of the first convex portion is lower than the height of the second convex portion, the mounting plate can be smoothly positioned relative to the first convex portion and the second convex portion by first inserting the second convex portion into the second notch portion of the mounting plate and then inserting the first convex portion into the first notch portion.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion each have a tapered portion that tapers away from the steering column.

[0022] Therefore, by bringing the mounting plate closer to the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion, the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion can be smoothly inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the height of the third convex portion is different from the height of the fourth convex portion. Therefore, for example, when the height of the third convex portion is lower than the height of the fourth convex portion, the mounting plate can be smoothly positioned with respect to the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion by first inserting the fourth convex portion into the second through hole of the mounting plate and then inserting the third convex portion into the first through hole. Effect of the Invention

[0024] The present disclosure allows for smaller retainer brackets, which in turn allows for a more compact steering arrangement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper column according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper column showing a state in which the support bracket is removed from FIG. 2. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the holding bracket according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the steering device according to the second embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper column showing a state in which the support bracket is removed from FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the steering device according to the third embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holding bracket according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments). The components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are in the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiments can be appropriately combined. In the following description, the direction along the central axis of the steering shaft is called the axial direction, the direction intersecting the central axis (for example, the direction perpendicular to the central axis) is called the radial direction, and the direction around the central axis is called the circumferential direction. The front of the vehicle is called FR, the rear of the vehicle is called RR, the right side of the vehicle is called RH, and the left side of the vehicle is called LH. Furthermore, the width direction of the vehicle is called the vehicle width direction. The upper side of the vehicle is called UP, and the lower side of the vehicle is called LWR.

[0027] [First embodiment] First, a description will be given of a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device according to the first embodiment.

[0028] First, there will be described a basic configuration of the steering device 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the steering device 100 includes a steering wheel 101, a steering shaft 3, a steering column 4, a column bracket 6, and a tightening mechanism 7.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a steering wheel 101 is connected to the rear end of a steering shaft 3. When a driver operates the steering wheel 101, the steering shaft 3 rotates about a central axis AX, and an operating torque is applied to the steering shaft 3. The steering device 100 of this embodiment is an electric power steering device that assists the driver's steering with a motor and a gear box 103 (not shown). Specifically, a worm shaft 104 is attached to the output shaft of the motor, and the worm shaft 104 meshes with a worm wheel inside the gear box 103. Since the worm wheel is attached to the steering shaft 3, the rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the steering shaft 3.

[0030] The steering shaft 3 includes an upper shaft (input shaft) 31 and a lower shaft (output shaft) 32. The upper shaft 31 and the lower shaft 32 are cylindrical shafts. The upper shaft 31 and the lower shaft 32 extend in the axial direction and are formed into a cylindrical shape along the direction around the central axis AX. A steering wheel 101 is connected to the rear end of the upper shaft 31. The front end of the upper shaft 31 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the lower shaft 32. Specifically, the front end of the upper shaft 31 and the rear end of the lower shaft 32 are spline-fitted.

[0031] The steering column 4 is an outer cylinder that extends in the axial direction of the central axis AX and is disposed on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 3. The steering column 4 includes an upper column 41 and a lower column 42. The upper column 41 is disposed closer to the steering wheel 101 (i.e., on the rear side of the vehicle body) than the lower column 42. The lower column 42 is disposed on the opposite side of the steering wheel 101 than the upper column 41 (i.e., on the front side of the vehicle body). The lower column 42 rotatably supports the lower shaft 32 via a bearing. The upper column 41 and the lower column 42 are cylindrical and are relatively movable relative to each other in the axial direction. The end of the upper column 41 on the vehicle front side is inserted into the outer periphery of the end of the lower column 42 on the vehicle rear side.

[0032] A column bracket 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper column 41. The column bracket 6 includes a top plate portion 61 and a pair of side plate portions 62. The top plate portion 61 extends along the left-right direction. The side plate portions 62 extend downward from the lower surface of the top plate portion 61.

[0033] The tightening mechanism 7 includes an operating lever 70 , a fastening bolt 71 , a nut 72 , and a thrust bearing 73 .

[0034] The fastening bolt 71 extends along the vehicle width direction, and penetrates the side plate portion 62 , the operating lever 70 , the nut 72 , and the thrust bearing 73 .

[0035] When the operating lever 70 is rotated downward to change the vertical position of the steering column 4 relative to the column bracket 6, and the vertical position of the steering column 4 reaches an appropriate height, the operating lever 70 is then rotated upward, whereby the vertical position of the steering column 4 relative to the column bracket 6 is fixed.

[0036] Further, the lower column 42 has an attachment member 112 on the upper surface of the front end portion. The attachment member 112 is supported via a shaft member 111 to be swingable by a vehicle body attachment bracket 110 fixed to the vehicle body.

[0037] Next, the upper column 41 and the retaining bracket 5 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upper column according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper column shown in Fig. 2 with the retaining bracket removed. The steering device 100 according to this embodiment includes the upper column 41 and the retaining bracket 5.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, a bracket mounting portion 412 is provided on the bottom of the lower side of the upper column 41. The bracket mounting portion 412 protrudes downward. As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket mounting portion 412 is substantially rectangular when viewed from below. The bracket mounting portion 412 has a mounting surface 412a. The mounting plate 51 of the holding bracket 5 shown in FIG. 2 faces the mounting surface 412a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting plate 51 is attached to the mounting surface 412a via a bolt (fastening member) BL in a state in which the mounting plate 51 abuts against the mounting surface 412a. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the mounting surface 412a is provided with a blind hole 80, a recess 412b, a first protrusion 81, and a second protrusion 82. A female thread is formed on the inner circumference of the blind hole 80 shown in FIG. 4, and a male thread on the outer circumference of the bolt BL shown in FIG. 2 meshes with the female thread. Also, the recess 412b extends in the left-right direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the first convex portion 81 and the second convex portion 82 each have a tapered portion 81a, 82a that tapers away from the steering column 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the first convex portion 81 is inserted into the first notch portion 511, and the second convex portion 82 is inserted into the second notch portion 512. As shown in FIG. 3, when the steering column 4 is viewed from the bottom to the top, the first convex portion 81 has a length in the Y direction longer than the length in the X direction. That is, the bottom surface of the first convex portion 81 has a rectangular shape that is long in the Y direction and extends along the first notch portion 511. In a plan view, the second convex portion 82 has a length in the X direction longer than the length in the Y direction. That is, the bottom surface of the second convex portion 82 has a rectangular shape that is long in the X direction and extends along the second notch portion 512.

[0040] Here, a configuration of the holding bracket 5 will be described. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the holding bracket according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the holding bracket 5 includes a mounting plate 51, a holding plate 53, and a bent plate 52.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the mounting plate 51 is substantially rectangular when viewed from the bottom to the top. The mounting plate 51 has a first edge 515 and a second edge 516. The first edge 515 extends in the X direction (first direction). In this embodiment, the X direction is parallel to the vehicle width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may not be parallel to the vehicle width direction. The second edge 516 extends in the Y direction (second direction). In this embodiment, the Y direction is parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may not be parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction. The X direction and the Y direction intersect. For example, the X direction and the Y direction are perpendicular to each other. A through hole (mounting portion) 513 is provided at a corner of a portion where the first edge 515 and the second edge 516 intersect. A bolt BL (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) passes through the through hole 513. That is, the bolt BL passes through the through hole 513, and the male thread of the bolt BL is fastened to the blind hole 80 shown in Fig. 4. In this manner, the through hole 513 is a mounting portion to which the bolt BL is attached.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, a first cutout portion (first support portion) 511 is located on the X1 side (one side in the first direction) of the through hole 513 and is spaced apart from the through hole 513. The first cutout portion 511 extends from a first edge 515 toward the Y1 side (one side in the second direction). The first cutout portion 511 faces an edge 511a, an edge 511b, and an edge 511c. The edges 511b and 511c are spaced apart from each other in the X direction and extend parallel to each other. The Y1 side end of the edge 511b and the Y1 side end of the edge 511c are connected via the edge 511a. The edge 511a extends in the X direction. The lengths of the edges 511b and 511c are longer than the length of the edge 511a. The edges 511a, 511b, and 511c have a U-shaped shape in a plan view. That is, the first cutout portion 511 has a U-shape that extends long in the Y direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the second cutout portion (second support portion) 512 is located on the Y1 side (one side in the second direction) of the through hole 513 and is spaced apart from the through hole 513. The second cutout portion 512 extends from the second edge 516 toward the X1 side (one side in the first direction). The second cutout portion 512 faces the edge 512a, the edge 512b, and the edge 512c. The edge 512b and the edge 512c extend parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. The X1 side end of the edge 512b and the X1 side end of the edge 512c are connected via the edge 512a. The edge 512a extends in the Y direction. The length of the edge 512b and the edge 512c is longer than the length of the edge 512a. The edge 512a, the edge 512b, and the edge 512c have a U-shaped shape in a plan view. That is, the second cutout portion 512 has a U-shape that extends long in the X direction.

[0044] 3 and 5, a line passing through the center of the first cutout portion 511 in the X direction and extending in the Y direction is defined as a first line L1, and a line passing through the center of the second cutout portion 512 in the Y direction and extending in the X direction is defined as a second line L2. The first line L1 is perpendicular to the second line L2. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the first line L1 intersects with the second line L2.

[0045] 3, when the first protrusion 81 is inserted into the first cutout 511, a gap 116 is formed between the Y1 side end of the first protrusion 81 and the first cutout 511. In other words, the Y1 side end of the first protrusion 81 and the Y1 side end of the first cutout 511 are spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0046] Furthermore, in a state where the second protrusion 82 is inserted into the second cutout 512, a gap 117 is formed between the X1 side end of the second protrusion 82 and the second cutout 512. In other words, the X1 side end of the second protrusion 82 and the X1 side end of the second cutout 512 are spaced apart in the X direction. Note that, in this manner, in a state where the first protrusion 81 is inserted into the first cutout 511, it is possible to prevent the mounting plate 51 from rotating about the through hole 513. In a state where the second protrusion 82 is inserted into the second cutout 512, it is possible to prevent the mounting plate 51 from rotating about the through hole 513.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the holding plate 53 extends from the bending line 514 toward the vehicle lower side. The holding plate 53 is provided adjacent to the mounting plate 51. For example, in this embodiment, the holding plate 53 is perpendicular to the mounting plate 51. However, in the present invention, the holding plate 53 may be disposed on the same plane as the mounting plate 51. The holding plate 53 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. A protruding portion 530 is provided on the front side. A through hole 531 is formed in the protruding portion 530. A through hole 532 is formed on the rear side of the through hole 531. As shown in FIG. 2, the wire harness (vehicle part) 113 is attached to the through holes 531 and 532 via the clip 114. That is, the clip 114 is attached to the wire harness 113. The clip 114 is fitted into the through holes 531 and 532. Therefore, by fitting the clip 114 into the through holes 531 and 532 , the wire harness 113 is held by the holding plate 53 .

[0048] 5, the bent plate 52 faces the mounting plate 51. The bent plate 52 is bent at a bending line 533 and extends substantially parallel to the mounting plate 51. The bent plate 52 has through holes 521 and 522. For example, column covers are attached to the through holes 521 and 522 via clips.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of FIG. 4 seen from the side. The height of the first convex portion 81 is different from the height of the second convex portion 82. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the height of the first convex portion 81 is lower than the height of the second convex portion 82. Therefore, when the first notch portion 511 in the mounting plate 51 of the holding bracket 5 is inserted into the first convex portion 81 and the second notch portion 512 is inserted into the second convex portion 82, the second notch portion 512 is first inserted into the second convex portion 82, and then the first notch portion 511 is inserted into the first convex portion 81. In a state where the second notch portion 512 is inserted into the second convex portion 82, the first notch portion 511 is not inserted into the first convex portion 81, so that the position of the holding bracket 5 can be shifted slightly.

[0050] As described above, the retaining bracket 5 of the vehicle component according to the first embodiment includes the mounting plate 51 and the retaining plate 53. In a plan view, the mounting plate 51 has a first edge 515, a second edge 516, a first cutout portion (first support portion) 511 located on the X1 side with respect to the through hole (mounting portion) 513 and capable of preventing rotation of the mounting plate 51 about the through hole 513, and a second cutout portion (second support portion) 512 located on the Y1 side with respect to the through hole 513 and capable of preventing rotation of the mounting plate 51 about the through hole 513. The steering device 100 includes the retaining bracket 5 and a steering column 4.

[0051] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the mounting plate included in the bracket has an elongated hole that extends toward the bolt in a plan view, and a protrusion is inserted into the elongated hole. If the protrusion is positioned closer to the bolt, the bracket will be more likely to rotate around the bolt even if the force applied to the bracket is small, so it is desirable to move the protrusion away from the bolt, but in that case, the bracket may become larger.

[0052] In contrast, the mounting plate 51 according to this embodiment has a first cutout portion 511 (first support portion) and a second cutout portion 512 (second support portion). The first support portion and the second support portion can prevent the mounting plate 51 from rotating about the through hole 513.

[0053] In this manner, the retaining bracket 5 of this embodiment has two support parts, a first support part and a second support part, with the first support part spaced apart in a first direction from the mounting part and the second support part spaced apart in a second direction from the mounting part. Therefore, even if the first support part and the second support part are brought closer to the mounting part, rotation of the mounting plate 51 can be prevented, and by bringing the first support part closer to the mounting part and the second support part closer to the mounting part, the mounting plate 51 and the retaining bracket 5 can be made smaller, and ultimately the steering device 100 can be made more compact.

[0054] The first support portion has a first cutout portion 511 into which the first protrusion portion 81 is inserted, and the second support portion has a second cutout portion 512 into which the second protrusion portion 82 is inserted. For example, when the mounting plate 51 attempts to rotate clockwise around the through hole 513 in a plan view, an edge 512a of the second cutout portion 512 abuts against the second protrusion portion 82 to prevent the mounting plate 51 from rotating. When the mounting plate 51 attempts to rotate counterclockwise around the through hole 513 in a plan view, an edge 511a of the first cutout portion 511 abuts against the first protrusion portion 81 to prevent the mounting plate 51 from rotating. Furthermore, if the width of the first convex portion 81 and the second convex portion 82 are increased and fitted into the first notch portion 511 and the second notch portion 512, the edges 512b, 512c of the second notch portion 512 will abut against the side of the second convex portion 82, and the edges 511b, 511c of the first notch portion 511 will abut against the side of the first convex portion 81, so that rotation of the mounting plate 51 can be prevented even if a greater force is applied to the retaining bracket 5.

[0055] Furthermore, since the support portion is a notch portion, there is an advantage in that the operation of inserting the first convex portion 81 into the first notch portion 511 and the operation of inserting the second convex portion 82 into the second notch portion 512 are made easier.

[0056] In a plan view, the first straight line L1 is perpendicular to the second straight line L2. In other words, the direction in which the first cutout portion 511 extends is perpendicular to the direction in which the second cutout portion 512 extends. Therefore, when the mounting plate 51 rotates around the through hole 513, the edge 512a of the second cutout portion 512 is more likely to abut against the second protrusion 82, and the edge 511a of the first cutout portion 511 is more likely to abut against the first protrusion 81. Therefore, even if a large force is applied to the holding bracket 5, the rotation of the mounting plate 51 can be more reliably prevented.

[0057] The Y1 side end of the first convex portion 81 and the Y1 side end of the first cutout portion 511 are spaced apart in the Y direction, and the X1 side end of the second convex portion 82 and the X1 side end of the second cutout portion 512 are spaced apart in the X direction.

[0058] Therefore, even if the position of the first convex portion 81 varies in the Y direction or the position of the second convex portion 82 varies in the X direction, the insertion of the first convex portion 81 into the first cutout portion 511 and the insertion of the second convex portion 82 into the second cutout portion 512 are advantageously made easier.

[0059] The first protrusion 81 and the second protrusion 82 each have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. This makes it easier to insert the first protrusion 81 into the first cutout 511 and the second protrusion 82 into the second cutout 512.

[0060] The height of the first protrusion 81 is different from the height of the second protrusion 82. Therefore, for example, when the height of the first protrusion 81 is lower than the height of the second protrusion 82, first, the second protrusion 82 is inserted into the second cutout 512 of the mounting plate 51, and then the first protrusion 81 is inserted into the first cutout 511, whereby the mounting plate 51 can be smoothly positioned with respect to the first protrusion 81 and the second protrusion 82.

[0061] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of a steering device according to the second embodiment as viewed from below. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an upper column showing a state in which a support bracket has been removed from Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a schematic view of Fig. 8 as viewed from the side.

[0062] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the convex portion provided on the upper column 41A of the steering column 4A. The retaining bracket 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, the upper column 41A has a bracket mounting portion 412A, and the bracket mounting portion 412A is provided with a mounting surface 412Aa. A first convex portion 81A and a second convex portion 82A are provided on the mounting surface 412Aa. The first convex portion 81A and the second convex portion 82A protrude downward. Specifically, each of the first convex portion 81A and the second convex portion 82A has a truncated cone shape that is convex downward. In other words, each of the first convex portion 81A and the second convex portion 82A has a tapered portion 81Aa, 82Aa that tapers away from the steering column 4A.

[0064] 7, the first convex portion 81A is inserted into the first cutout portion 511 of the holding bracket 5. The second convex portion 82A is inserted into the second cutout portion 512. Then, as shown in Fig. 9, the height of the first convex portion 81A is different from the height of the second convex portion 82A. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the height of the first convex portion 81A is lower than the height of the second convex portion 82A.

[0065] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the first convex portion 81A and the second convex portion 82A each have a tapered portion that tapers away from the steering column 4. Therefore, by bringing the mounting plate 51 closer to the first convex portion 81A and the second convex portion 82A, the first convex portion 81A and the second convex portion 82A can be smoothly inserted into the first cutout portion 511 and the second cutout portion 512.

[0066] The height of the first protrusion 81A is different from the height of the second protrusion 82A. Therefore, for example, when the height of the first protrusion 81A is lower than the height of the second protrusion 82A, first, the second protrusion 82A is inserted into the second cutout 512 of the mounting plate 51, and then the first protrusion 81A is inserted into the first cutout 511, whereby the mounting plate 51 can be smoothly positioned with respect to the first protrusion 81A and the second protrusion 82A.

[0067] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the steering device according to the third embodiment as viewed from below. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a retaining bracket according to the third embodiment.

[0068] In the third embodiment, a retaining bracket 5A is different from those in the first and second embodiments. The following mainly describes the differences.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 11, the holding bracket 5A differs from the holding bracket 5 (see Fig. 5) in the shape of the mounting plate 51A. Specifically, the mounting plate 51A has a first through hole 511A and a second through hole 512A. The first through hole 511A is located away from the first edge 515 on the Y1 side. The second through hole 512A is located away from the second edge 516 on the X1 side.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 10, the first through hole 511A and the second through hole 512A are substantially rectangular in plan view. The third protrusion 81B is inserted into the first through hole 511A. This makes it possible to prevent the mounting plate 51A from rotating about the bolt BL, and the first through hole 511A is also referred to as a first support portion. The fourth protrusion 82B is inserted into the second through hole 512A. This makes it possible to prevent the mounting plate 51A from rotating about the bolt BL, and the second through hole 512A is also referred to as a second support portion.

[0071] Each of the third convex portion 81B and the fourth convex portion 82B has a tapered portion that tapers away from the upper column 41B of the steering column 4B. The height of the third convex portion 81B is different from the height of the fourth convex portion 82B. For example, the height of the third convex portion 81B is lower than the height of the fourth convex portion 82B.

[0072] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the third protrusion 81B is inserted into the first support portion (first through hole 511A), and the fourth protrusion 82B is inserted into the second support portion (second through hole 512A). The steering device according to the third embodiment includes a retaining bracket 5A and a steering column 4B.

[0073] In this way, the first support portion is the first through hole 511A and the second support portion is the second through hole 512A, so that when the mounting plate 51A rotates in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the through hole 513, the third protrusion 81B abuts against the annular edge facing the first through hole 511A and the fourth protrusion 82B abuts against the annular edge facing the second through hole 512A. Therefore, even when a large force is applied to the holding bracket 5A, rotation of the mounting plate 51A can be more reliably prevented.

[0074] The third protrusion 81B and the fourth protrusion 82B each have a tapered portion that tapers away from the steering column 4B. Therefore, by bringing the mounting plate 51A closer to the third protrusion 81B and the fourth protrusion 82B, the third protrusion 81B and the fourth protrusion 82B can be smoothly inserted into the first through hole 511A and the second through hole 512A.

[0075] The height of the third convex portion 81B is different from the height of the fourth convex portion 82B. Therefore, for example, when the height of the third convex portion 81B is lower than the height of the fourth convex portion 82B, first, the fourth convex portion 82B is inserted into the second through hole 512A of the mounting plate 51A, and then the third convex portion 81B is inserted into the first through hole 511A, whereby the mounting plate 51A can be smoothly positioned with respect to the third convex portion 81B and the fourth convex portion 82B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 100 Steering device 101 Steering Wheel 103 Gearbox 104 Worm shaft 110 Vehicle mounting bracket 111 Shaft member 112 Mounting material 113 Wire harness 114 clips 116 Gap 117 Gap 3 Steering shaft 31 Upper shaft (input shaft) 32 Lower shaft (output shaft) 4, 4A, 4B Steering column 41 Upper Column 412 Bracket mounting part 412a Mounting surface 412b Depression 41A, 41B Upper column 412A bracket mounting part 412Aa Mounting surface 42 Lore Column 5, 5A Retaining Bracket 51, 51A Mounting plate 511 1st notch part (1st support part) 511A 1st through hole 511a Edge 511b Edge 511c Edge 512 Second notch part (second support part) 512A 2nd through hole 512a Edge 512b Edge 512c Edge 513 Through hole (mounting part) 514 Folding Line 515 First Edge 516 Second Edge 52 Bent Plate 521 Through hole 522 Through hole 53 Retaining plate 530 Protrusion 531 Through hole 532 Through hole 533 Folding Line 6 Column bracket 61 Top plate 62 Side plate part 7 Fastening mechanism 70 Operating lever 71 Fastening bolt 72 Nut 73 Thrust bearing 80 Blind Hole 81, 81A First protrusion 81a, 81Aa Tapered section 81B 3rd convex part 82, 82A Second protrusion 82a, 82Aa Tapered section 82B 4th protrusion AX center axis BL Bolt (fastening member) L1 1st straight line L2 2nd straight line

Claims

1. a mounting plate that faces a side surface of a cylindrical steering column and is attached to the side surface via a fastening member; and a holding plate that is provided adjacent to the mounting plate and is capable of holding a vehicle part, The mounting plate, in a plan view, A first edge extending in a first direction; a second edge extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, the second edge having an attachment portion to which the fastening member is attached located at a corner of the second edge intersecting with the first edge; a first support portion located on one side of the mounting portion in the first direction and capable of preventing rotation of the mounting plate about the mounting portion; a second support portion located on one side of the mounting portion in the second direction and capable of preventing rotation of the mounting plate around the mounting portion, Vehicle part retention bracket.

2. The side surface of the steering column has a first convex portion and a second convex portion protruding radially outward, the first support portion has a first cutout portion extending from the first edge toward one side in the second direction and into which the first protrusion is inserted; the second support portion has a second cutout portion extending from the second edge toward one side in the first direction and into which the second protrusion is inserted; 2. The vehicle component retaining bracket of claim 1.

3. In a plan view, a first straight line passing through a center of the first cutout portion in the first direction and extending in the second direction is perpendicular to a second straight line passing through a center of the second cutout portion in the second direction and extending in the first direction.

3. The vehicle component retaining bracket of claim 2.

4. In a state in which the first protrusion is inserted into the first notch and the second protrusion is inserted into the second notch, an end of the first protrusion on one side in the second direction and an end of the first cutout on one side in the second direction are spaced apart from each other in the second direction, an end of the second protrusion on one side in the first direction and an end of the second cutout on one side in the first direction are spaced apart in the first direction; 4. The vehicle component retaining bracket according to claim 3.

5. The side surface of the steering column has a third convex portion and a fourth convex portion protruding radially outward, the first support portion has a first through hole located away from the first edge on one side in the second direction and into which the third protrusion is inserted; the second support portion has a second through hole located away from the second edge on one side in the first direction and into which the fourth protrusion is inserted; 2. The vehicle component retaining bracket of claim 1.

6. A vehicle part retaining bracket according to any one of claims 2 to 4; The steering column; A steering device comprising:

7. each of the first convex portion and the second convex portion has a tapered portion that tapers away from the steering column; 7. A steering device according to claim 6.

8. The height of the first convex portion is different from the height of the second convex portion. A steering device according to claim 7.

9. A vehicle component retaining bracket according to claim 5; The steering column; A steering device comprising:

10. each of the third convex portion and the fourth convex portion has a tapered portion that tapers away from the steering column; A steering device according to claim 9.

11. The height of the third convex portion is different from the height of the fourth convex portion. A steering device according to claim 10.

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