Steering gear and steering gear liner slot

Abstract

A steering device according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical upper column disposed on the radial-direction outer side of a steering shaft; a cylindrical lower column that is fitted into the upper column and can move relative to the upper column in the axial direction; an attachment part that is attached to the upper column and provided with a column long hole; a column bracket that has side-plate parts positioned on the sides of the upper column and is attached to a vehicle body; a liner slot that is inserted into the column long hole of the attachment part and whose axial-direction movement is restricted; and a pin that extends along the vehicle width direction and passes through the side-plate parts and the liner slot. The liner slot is provided with a through-hole through which the pin passes.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering gear and a steering gear liner slot. [Background technology]

[0002] The steering device of Patent Document 1 includes a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel and extending in the axial direction, a steering column supported on the outer periphery of the steering shaft, and a tilt mechanism for changing the height of the steering wheel according to the driver's physique, driving posture, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-189259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, steering devices may be provided with a telescopic mechanism that changes the axial position of the steering wheel. Steering devices with a telescopic mechanism and steering devices without a telescopic mechanism usually have different structures, so they must be manufactured separately, making it difficult to share parts. Therefore, there is a demand for a steering device that can use the same parts as much as possible for both specifications with a telescopic mechanism and specifications without a telescopic mechanism.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a steering device that suppresses the operation of a telescopic mechanism, and a liner slot that can be attached to a steering device that can be selected between a specification with a telescopic mechanism and a specification without a telescopic mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a steering device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a cylindrical upper column arranged radially outward of a steering shaft; a cylindrical lower column that fits into the upper column and is capable of moving axially relative to the upper column; a mounting portion that is attached to the upper column and has a column long hole; a column bracket that has a side plate portion located to the side of the upper column and is attached to the vehicle body; a liner slot that is inserted into the column long hole of the mounting portion and whose axial movement is restricted; and a pin that extends along the vehicle width direction and passes through the side plate portion and the liner slot, and the liner slot has a through hole through which the pin passes.

[0007] As described above, the steering device of the present disclosure has a liner slot with a through hole through which a pin passes, and the axial movement of the liner slot is restricted when inserted into the column long hole. Therefore, when the liner slot is inserted into the column long hole, the axial movement of the pin is restricted, so a specification without a telescopic mechanism can be achieved. On the other hand, when another liner slot with an opening extending long in the axial direction is inserted into the column long hole, the axial movement of the pin is possible, so a specification with a telescopic mechanism can be achieved. In this way, by replacing the liner slot with a different liner slot, steering devices with the same structure can be divided into specifications with and without a telescopic mechanism. As described above, steering devices with a telescopic mechanism and steering devices without a telescopic mechanism can be made to have the same structure and share parts.

[0008] In a preferred aspect of the steering device, the liner slot has a protrusion that protrudes from an outer surface facing the inner circumferential surface of the column long hole and is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the column long hole. Therefore, when the liner slot is inserted into the column long hole, rattle of the liner slot relative to the mounting portion can be suppressed.

[0009] In a preferred aspect of the steering device, the protrusion is provided at a different position in the axial direction relative to the through hole. In order to suppress rattle of the liner slot relative to the mounting portion, it is desirable to provide the protrusion at a position axially separated from the through hole. In other words, rattle of the liner slot can be suppressed more effectively when the protrusion is provided at a position axially different from the through hole than when the protrusion is provided at a position axially overlapping the through hole.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the steering device, the liner slot is provided with a through-hole that penetrates the vehicle width direction and extends in the axial direction, or a recess that is recessed in the vehicle width direction and extends in the axial direction, and the through-hole or recess overlaps with the protrusion when viewed from a direction intersecting the axial direction and the vehicle width direction, and is located closer to the protrusion than a first straight line that passes through the center of the through-hole and extends in the axial direction. The through-hole or recess forms a thin-walled portion in a portion of the liner slot that is closer to the protrusion than the first straight line. Therefore, when the protrusion is pressed from the inner circumferential surface of the column long hole, the thin-walled portion elastically deforms, increasing the pressing force of the protrusion against the inner circumferential surface of the column long hole. This further reduces rattling of the liner slot.

[0011] In a preferred aspect of the steering device described above, the surface of the protrusion has an inclined surface that approaches the outer surface toward the center in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the inclined surface has a guide function, making it easier to insert the liner slot into the column elongated hole, and improving the efficiency of assembling the liner slot.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the steering device described above, the liner slot includes a first portion located on one side of the through hole in the axial direction and a second portion located on the other side of the through hole in the axial direction. The protrusion is provided in the first portion on one side of the first straight line in the transverse direction, and the protrusion is provided in the second portion on the other side of the first straight line in the transverse direction. When the protrusion in the first portion and the protrusion in the second portion are both located on one side of the transverse direction, the thin-walled portion of the first portion and the thin-walled portion of the second portion are both located on one side of the transverse direction. This reduces the rigidity of the portion of the liner slot on one side of the first straight line in the transverse direction compared to the rigidity of the portion on the other side of the first straight line in the transverse direction, thereby reducing the pressing force of the protrusion against the inner circumferential surface of the column slot. Therefore, by arranging the protrusion in the first portion and the protrusion in the second portion on opposite sides of the transverse direction relative to the first straight line, the pressing force of the protrusion against the inner circumferential surface of the column slot can be increased.

[0013] In a desirable aspect of the above steering device, the liner slot includes a first portion located on one side of the through hole in the axial direction and a second portion located on the other side of the through hole in the axial direction, and the protrusion is provided in the first portion on the other side of the first straight line in the intersecting direction, and the protrusion is provided in the second portion on one side of the first straight line in the intersecting direction. In this case, as with the above, by reversing the intersecting direction positions at which the protrusions are provided in the first portion and the second portion, the pressing force of the protrusions against the inner peripheral surface of the column long hole can be further increased.

[0014] A liner slot according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a liner slot for a steering device that can be inserted into a column long hole in a mounting portion provided on an upper column extending in the axial direction, and that is inserted into the column long hole to restrict movement in the axial direction, and that has a through hole through which a pin that penetrates a side plate portion of a column bracket attached to the vehicle body and extends along the vehicle width direction can pass. This makes it possible to have steering devices with a telescopic mechanism and steering devices without a telescopic mechanism have the same structure and to share parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a steering device and a liner slot for the steering device that have the same structure but can be used in specifications with and without a telescopic mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the steering device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the steering device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a liner slot in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the liner slot of the first embodiment is fitted into the mounting portion of the upper column. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of a liner slot according to a reference example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a liner slot in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view of the liner slot in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as the embodiment). Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components disclosed in the following embodiment can be combined as appropriate. In the following description, the direction along the rotation axis of the steering shaft is referred to as the axial direction, and the direction intersecting the rotation axis (for example, the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis) is referred to as the radial direction. Furthermore, the front of the vehicle body is referred to as FR, the rear of the vehicle body is referred to as RR, the right side of the vehicle body is referred to as RH, and the left side of the vehicle body is referred to as LH. Furthermore, the width direction of the vehicle body is referred to as the vehicle width direction.

[0018] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device in a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view of the steering device in the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of a part of the steering device of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of Fig. 4.

[0019] First, we will explain the basic configuration of the steering device 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the steering device 1 includes a steering wheel 2, a steering shaft 3, a steering column 4, a gearbox 5, a column bracket 6, and a tightening mechanism 7.

[0020] 1 to 3, the steering wheel 2 is connected to the rear end of the steering shaft 3. When the driver operates the steering wheel 2, the steering shaft 3 rotates about the rotation axis Ax, and an operating torque is applied to the steering shaft 3.

[0021] A gearbox 5 is provided at the front end of the steering shaft 3. An ECU 51 and an electric motor 52 are assembled to the gearbox 5. The ECU 51 controls the operation of the electric motor 52. An assist torque is applied to the steering shaft 3 by the ECU 51 and the electric motor 52. In other words, the steering device 1 of this embodiment is an electric power steering device that uses the electric motor 52 to assist the steering of the driver.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the steering shaft 3 includes an upper shaft 31 and a lower shaft 32. The upper shaft 31 and the lower shaft 32 are cylindrical shafts. The upper shaft (input shaft) 31 and the lower shaft (output shaft) 32 shown in FIG. 2 extend in the axial direction and are formed cylindrically along the direction around the rotation axis Ax. The steering wheel 2 is connected to the rear end of the upper shaft 31. The front end of the upper shaft 31 is fitted onto 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. Therefore, the upper shaft 31 can slide in the axial direction relative to the lower shaft 32. In other words, the steering shaft 3 can extend and contract. The upper shaft 31 is also referred to as the input shaft, and the lower shaft 32 is also referred to as the output shaft.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the steering column 4 is an outer cylinder that extends in the axial direction and is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the steering shaft 3. The steering column 4 includes an upper column 41 and a lower column 42. The upper column 41 rotatably supports the upper shaft (input shaft) 31. The upper column 41 is arranged closer to the steering wheel 2 (i.e., on the rear side of the vehicle body). The lower column 42 is arranged on the opposite side of the upper column 41 from the steering wheel 2 (i.e., on the front side of the vehicle body). The lower column 42 rotatably supports the lower shaft (output shaft) 32. The upper column 41 and the lower column 42 are cylindrical and are capable of moving relative to each other in the axial direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, a column bracket 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the steering column 4. The column bracket 6 includes a top plate portion 61, a pair of side plate portions 62, 63, and a vertical plate 64. As shown in FIG. 3, the top plate portion 61 extends in the left-right direction. A notch 611 is provided at the right end of the top plate portion 61. The notch 611 extends parallel to the axial direction (i.e., in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body). The notch 611 has an open end at the end on the rear side of the vehicle body. A breakaway capsule 613 is provided at the right end of the top plate portion 61. In other words, the breakaway capsule 613 holds the right end of the top plate portion 61 from above and below so as to cover the notch 611. The breakaway capsule 613 is a plate-shaped member formed by bending two plates at their rear ends 613a. The breakaway capsule 613 has a circular through-hole 615. When the detachment capsule 613 is fitted into the right end of the top plate portion 61, the through-hole 615 overlaps the notch 611. Therefore, a fixing pin (not shown) fixed to the vehicle body 100 shown in FIG. 2 holds the detachment capsule 613 while passing through the through-hole 615 and the notch 611. The side plate portion 62 extends downward from the underside of the top plate portion 61. The side plate portion 62 is located to the left of the notch 611. A tilt elongated hole 621 is provided in the side plate portion 62. The tilt elongated hole 621 is a long hole that extends in the up-down direction. The vertical plate 64 extends downward from the front end of the top plate portion 61.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, a notch 612 is provided at the left end of the top plate portion 61. The notch 612 extends longitudinally parallel to the axial direction (i.e., in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body). The notch 612 has an open end at the rear end of the vehicle body. A detachment capsule 614 is provided at the left end of the top plate portion 61. In other words, the detachment capsule 614 holds the left end of the top plate portion 61 from above and below so as to cover the notch 612. The detachment capsule 614 is a plate-shaped member formed by bending two plates at their rear ends 614a. The detachment capsule 614 has a circular through-hole 616. When the detachment capsule 614 is fitted into the left end of the top plate portion 61, the through-hole 616 overlaps the notch 612. Therefore, a fixing pin (not shown) fixed to the vehicle body 100 shown in FIG. 2 holds the breakaway capsule 614 while passing through the through-hole 616 and the notch 612. In addition, the side plate portion 63 extends downward from the lower surface of the top plate portion 61. The side plate portion 63 is located to the right of the notch 612. A tilt elongated hole 631 is provided in the side plate portion 63. The tilt elongated hole 631 is a long hole that extends in the up-down direction. As described above, the steering device 1 is fixed to the vehicle body 100 via the breakaway capsules 613, 614, the top plate portion 61, and a fixing pin (not shown). In this way, the column bracket 6 has side plate portions 62, 63 located on the sides of the upper column 41.

[0026] 3 to 5, the steering device 1 includes a tightening mechanism 7. The tightening mechanism 7 includes an operating lever 70, a pin 71, a liner slot 8, a cam 74, and a mounting portion 410.

[0027] The pin 71 includes a head 711, a shaft 712, and a threaded portion 713. The outer periphery of the shaft 712 is smooth, and a male thread is formed on the outer periphery of the threaded portion 713. As will be described later, the pin 71 extends in the left-right direction. That is, the pin 71 extends in the vehicle width direction and penetrates through the side plate portions 62, 63, the pair of liner slots 8, the cam 74, the operating lever 70, the nut 751, the thrust bearing 752, and the washer 753.

[0028] In the first embodiment, one liner slot 8 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the upper column 41. Specifically, a pair of mounting portions 410 are provided facing downward on each of the left and right sides of the upper column 41, and the liner slots 8 are fitted into the mounting portions 410. The mounting portions 410 have a rectangular shape extending in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from the side. The mounting portions 410 are provided with column long holes 411 extending along the axial direction. The column long holes 411 penetrate the mounting portion 410 in the left-to-right direction. The liner slots 8 are fitted into inner circumferential surfaces 411b of the column long holes 411 of the mounting portions 410. In other words, the liner slots 8 are provided in a detachable manner in the column long holes 411 of the mounting portions 410. A recess 411a is provided in the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column long holes 411. The structure of the liner slots 8 will be described in detail below.

[0029] The operating lever 70 includes a base portion 701 and a lever portion 703. The base portion 701 is a cylindrical body, and has an insertion hole 702 penetrating therethrough in the left-right direction. The lever portion 703 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 701. When the lever portion 703 is pressed downward, the base portion 701 rotates.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5 , a rotating cam 741 is fitted onto the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 702 of the base 701. Specifically, teeth are formed on the outer periphery of the rotating cam 741, and concave-convex portions are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 702. The teeth of the rotating cam 741 mesh with the concave-convex portions of the insertion hole 702. Therefore, the base 701 and the rotating cam 741 rotate together. Furthermore, since the fixed cam 742 does not rotate, the rotating cam 741 and the fixed cam 742 can rotate relative to each other. The shaft 712 of the pin 71 passes through the tilt elongated hole 621 of the side plate portion 62 of the column bracket 6, the liner slot 8, the tilt elongated hole 631 of the side plate portion 63, the fixed cam 742, the rotating cam 741, the thrust bearing 752, and the washer 753. Furthermore, threaded portion 713 provided at the tip of shaft portion 712 engages with nut 751, thereby fastening threaded portion 713 to nut 751. As a result, when operating lever 70 is rotated downward to change the vertical position of steering column 4 relative to column bracket 6, pin 71 moves up and down inside tilt elongated hole 621 of side plate portion 62 and tilt elongated hole 631 of side plate portion 63. When operating lever 70 is rotated upward after the steering column 4 has reached the appropriate height position, rotating cam 741 rotates relative to fixed cam 742, and the vertical position of the steering column 4 relative to column bracket 6 is fixed.

[0031] Next, the structure of the liner slot 8 will be described. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the liner slot in the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a side view of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the liner slot of the first embodiment fitted into the mounting portion of the upper column. Fig. 9 is a side view of a liner slot according to a reference example.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the liner slot 8 is a bracket that extends long in the axial direction (front-rear direction). Note that the liner slot 8 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is located on the left side of the vehicle body, but the liner slot 8 located on the right side of the vehicle body has the same structure.

[0033] The liner slot 8 has a shape that extends in the front-rear direction (axial direction, longitudinal direction) and is detachably provided in the column long hole 411 of the attachment portion 410. The liner slot 8 has a first portion 81 on the front side and a second portion 82 on the rear side. The first portion 81 is a portion that is located forward of the through hole 830. The second portion 82 is a portion that is located rearward of the through hole 830. A left side surface 811 of the first portion 81 is flat. An upper surface (outer surface) 812 and a lower surface (outer surface) 814 of the first portion 81 are also flat. As shown in FIG. 8 , the upper surface 812 and the lower surface 814 are outer surfaces that face the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column long hole 411. The front end surface 813 is arc-shaped when viewed from the side. Specifically, the front end surface 813 is arc-shaped and convex forward. A left side surface 821 of the second portion 82 is flat. In addition, the upper surface 822 and the lower surface 824 of the second portion 82 are also flat. As shown in FIG. 8 , the upper surface 822 and the lower surface 824 are outer surfaces that face the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column long hole 411. The rear end surface 823 is arc-shaped when viewed from the side. Specifically, the rear end surface 823 is arc-shaped and convex rearward. A through hole 830 is provided in the center of the liner slot 8 in the front-to-rear direction. The through hole 830 penetrates the liner slot 8 in the left-to-right direction. The through hole 830 is circular when viewed from the left-to-right direction. In other words, the inner circumferential surface 831 of the through hole 830 is a cylindrical surface. The shaft portion 712 of the pin 71 penetrates through the through hole 830. When the shaft portion 712 of the pin 71 penetrates through the through hole 830, movement of the pin 71 in the front-to-rear direction is restricted. Furthermore, protrusions 834 and 835 are provided in the center of the liner slot 8 in the front-to-rear direction. Protrusion 834 is located at the left end of the liner slot 8 and protrudes upward. Protrusion 835 is located at the left end and protrudes downward.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8, when the liner slot 8 is inserted into the inner peripheral surface 411b of the column slot 411, the upper surface (outer surface) 812 and the lower surface (outer surface) 814 are positioned opposite the inner peripheral surface 411b, and the protrusions 834, 835 fit into the recesses 411a of the column slot 411.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9 , the liner slot 8B according to the reference example is a bracket extending in the axial direction (longitudinal direction). The liner slot 8B can have the same structure whether used on the left or right side of the vehicle body. The liner slot 8B extends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction, longitudinal direction) and is detachably mounted in the column slot 411 of the mounting portion 410. The liner slot 8B of the reference example will be described below, focusing on the differences from the liner slot 8 of the embodiment. The liner slot 8B of the reference example is a frame-shaped member extending in the longitudinal direction (axial direction, longitudinal direction). Therefore, the liner slot 8B of the reference example is provided with an opening 80B. The opening 80B extends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction, longitudinal direction). An inner peripheral surface 81B of the opening 80B functions as a guide for the pin 71. An outer surface 82B of the liner slot 8B of the reference example faces the inner peripheral surface 411b of the column slot 411. When viewed in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction), the outer surface 82B extends in an annular shape along the inner peripheral surface 81B. As described above, when the liner slot 8B of the reference example is inserted into the column long hole 411 of the mounting portion 410, the pin 71 becomes movable in the front-rear direction (axial direction, longitudinal direction) within the opening 80B as shown by the arrow, and the operation of the telescopic mechanism becomes effective.

[0036] As described above, the steering device 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a liner slot 8 that is inserted into the column long hole 411 of the mounting portion 410 to restrict axial movement, and a pin 71 that extends along the vehicle width direction and passes through the liner slot 8, and the liner slot 8 is provided with a through hole 830 through which the pin 71 passes.

[0037] As described above, the steering device 1 of the present disclosure has a liner slot 8 provided with a through-hole 830 through which the pin 71 passes, and the liner slot 8 is inserted into the column elongated hole 411 to restrict its axial movement. Therefore, when the liner slot 8 is inserted into the column elongated hole 411, the axial movement of the pin 71 is restricted, so a specification without a telescopic mechanism can be adopted. Furthermore, when the liner slot 8B of the reference example is inserted into the column elongated hole 411, the axial movement of the pin 71 is permitted, so a specification with a telescopic mechanism can be adopted. In this way, by replacing the liner slot 8B of the reference example with the liner slot 8 of the embodiment, a steering device 1 with the same structure can be divided into a specification with a telescopic mechanism and a specification without a telescopic mechanism. That is, when the liner slot 8B of the reference example is used, the specification with a telescopic mechanism is adopted, and when the liner slot 8 of the embodiment is used, the specification without a telescopic mechanism is adopted. As described above, a steering device with a telescopic mechanism and a steering device without a telescopic mechanism can be made to have the same structure and share parts.

[0038] [Second embodiment] Next, a liner slot according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the liner slot according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a side view of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a view of the liner slot according to the second embodiment as seen from the front.

[0039] 10 to 12, the liner slot 8A according to the second embodiment is a bracket that extends long in the axial direction (front-rear direction). The liner slot 8A is located on the left side of the vehicle body, but the liner slot 8A located on the right side of the vehicle body has the same structure.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the liner slot 8A has a shape that extends in the longitudinal direction and is detachably provided in the column long hole 411 of the attachment part 410. The liner slot 8A has a first portion 81A on the front side and a second portion 82A on the rear side. A through hole 830 is provided in the center of the liner slot 8A in the front-to-rear direction. The first portion 81A is a portion forward of the through hole 830. The second portion 82A is a portion rearward of the through hole 830. As shown in FIG. 11, a first straight line L1 is set that passes through the center of the through hole 830 and extends in the front-to-rear direction (axial direction).

[0041] In the first portion 81A, the front end surface 813 has an arc shape when viewed from the side. Specifically, the front end surface 813 has an arc shape that convex forward. Furthermore, an upper surface 812A of the first portion 81A has a protrusion 816. The upper surface 812A is an outer surface that faces the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column slot 411. The side surface 811A of the first portion 81A is flat. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the protrusion 816 protrudes upward from the upper surface 812A. The protrusion 816 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. Specifically, the protrusion 816 has a front surface portion 816a, a rear surface portion 816b, a top surface portion 816c, and an inclined surface portion 816d. The front surface portion 816a is a flat surface that extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The rear surface portion 816b is a flat surface extending in the left-right and up-down directions. The front surface portion 816a and the rear surface portion 816b extend substantially parallel to each other. The front surface portion 816a and the rear surface portion 816b have substantially the same shape. The top surface portion 816c is rectangular when viewed from above. The top surface portion 816c extends substantially parallel to the upper surface 812A. The top surface portion 816c is located higher than the upper surface 812A. The inclined surface portion 816d is rectangular when viewed from above. The inclined surface portion 816d is adjacent to the top surface portion 816c in the left-right direction. That is, the inclined surface portion 816d extends from a right end 816e of the top surface portion 816c toward the right side. Specifically, the inclined surface portion 816d is an inclined surface that slopes downward (toward the through-hole 815) as it approaches the right side (the center in the vehicle width direction). Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , a through-hole 815 is provided in the first portion 81A. The through-hole 815 is a resin-molded lightening portion that penetrates the first portion 81A in the left-right direction. The through-hole 815 extends long in the front-rear direction. The front-rear length of the through-hole 815 is longer than the front-rear length of the protrusion 816. When the liner slot 8A is viewed from above (in a direction intersecting the axial direction and the vehicle width direction), the through-hole 815 overlaps the protrusion 816 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 11 , the position of the protrusion 816 in the front-rear direction is, for example, the center of the through-hole 815 in the front-rear direction. However, in the present invention, the position of the through-hole 815 in the front-rear direction is not limited to the center of the through-hole 815 in the front-rear direction.

[0042] In the second portion 82A, the rear end surface 823 has an arc shape when viewed from the side. Specifically, the rear end surface 823 has an arc shape that convex rearward. Furthermore, a lower surface 824A of the second portion 82A has a protrusion 826. The lower surface 824A is an outer surface that faces the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column slot 411. A side surface 821A of the second portion 82A is flat. The protrusion 826 has a shape similar to the protrusion 816 described above. The protrusion 826 has a rectangular shape when viewed from below. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 , the protrusion 826 protrudes downward from the lower surface 824A. Specifically, the protrusion 826 has a front surface portion 826a, a rear surface portion 826b, a top surface portion 826c, and an inclined surface portion 826d. The front surface portion 826a is a flat surface that extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The rear surface portion 826b is a flat surface extending in the left-right and up-down directions. The front surface portion 826a and the rear surface portion 826b extend substantially parallel to each other. The front surface portion 826a and the rear surface portion 826b have substantially the same shape. The top surface portion 826c is rectangular when viewed from below. The top surface portion 826c extends substantially parallel to the lower surface 824A. The top surface portion 826c is located lower than the lower surface 824A. The inclined surface portion 826d is rectangular when viewed from below. The inclined surface portion 826d is adjacent to the top surface portion 826c in the left-right direction. That is, it extends from a right end 826e of the top surface portion 826c toward the right. In detail, the inclined surface portion 826d is an inclined surface that slopes upward (toward the through-hole 825 in FIG. 10) as it approaches the right side (the center in the vehicle width direction).

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , a through-hole 825 is provided in the second portion 82A. The through-hole 825 is a resin-molded lightening portion that penetrates the second portion 82A in the left-right direction. The through-hole 825 extends long in the front-rear direction. The front-rear length of the through-hole 825 is longer than the front-rear length of the protrusion 826. When the liner slot 8A is viewed from above, the through-hole 825 overlaps the protrusion 826 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 11 , the position of the protrusion 826 in the front-rear direction is, for example, the center of the through-hole 825 in the front-rear direction. However, in the present invention, the position of the through-hole 825 in the front-rear direction is not limited to the center of the through-hole 825 in the front-rear direction.

[0044] As described above, in the steering device 1A according to the second embodiment, the liner slot 8A has the protrusions 816, 826 that protrude from the outer surface facing the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column long hole 411 and are pressed against the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column long hole 411. In this way, because the protrusions 816, 826 of the liner slot 8A are pressed from the inner circumferential surface 411b, when the liner slot 8A is inserted into the column long hole 411, it is possible to suppress rattling of the liner slot 8A relative to the attachment portion 410.

[0045] The protrusions 816, 826 are provided at different axial positions relative to the through hole 830. In order to suppress rattle of the liner slot 8A relative to the mounting portion 410, it is desirable to provide the protrusions 816, 826 at positions axially separated from the through hole 830. In other words, rattle of the liner slot 8A can be suppressed more effectively when the protrusions 816, 826 are positioned at a different axial position from the through hole 830 than when the protrusions 816, 826 are positioned so as to overlap with the through hole 830 in the axial direction.

[0046] The liner slot 8A is provided with through holes 815, 825 extending in the axial direction. The through holes 815, 825 overlap the protrusions 816, 826 when viewed from the vertical direction (intersecting direction) and are positioned closer to the protrusions 816, 826 than the first straight line L1. In this way, the through holes 815, 825 form thin-walled portions in the liner slot 8A between the surfaces on which the protrusions 816, 826 are provided and the through holes 815, 825. Therefore, when the protrusions 816, 826 are pressed by the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column slot 411, the thin-walled portions elastically deform, increasing the pressing force of the protrusions 816, 826 against the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column slot 411. This further reduces rattling of the liner slot 8A.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the steering device described above, the surfaces of the protrusions 816, 826 have an inclined surface that approaches the outer surface toward the center in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the inclined surface has a guide function, making it easier to insert the liner slot into the column elongated hole 411, and improving the ease of assembling the liner slot 8A.

[0048] The liner slot 8A includes a first portion 81A located in front of the through hole 830 (one side in the axial direction) and a second portion 82A located behind the through hole 830 (the other side in the axial direction). A protrusion 816 is provided in the first portion 81A above the first straight line L1 (one side in the intersecting direction), and a protrusion 826 is provided in the second portion 82A below the first straight line L1 (the other side in the intersecting direction). In this manner, the positions in the vertical direction (intersecting direction) at which the protrusions 816, 826 are provided are opposite between the first portion 81A and the second portion 82A. Here, when the protrusion 816 of the first portion 81A and the protrusion 826 of the second portion 82A are both located on the upper side, the thin-walled portions of the first portion 81A and the second portion 82A are also both located on the upper side. As a result, the rigidity of the upper portion of the liner slot 8A is lower than the rigidity of the lower portion, thereby reducing the pressing force of the protrusions 816, 826 against the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column slot 411. As described above, by reversing the up-down positions of the protrusions 816, 826 in the first portion 81A and the second portion 82A, it is possible to increase the pressing force of the protrusions 816, 826 against the inner circumferential surface 411b of the column slot 411. Furthermore, even if the liner slot 8A is rotated 180 degrees about the through hole 830, the shape of the liner slot 8A is the same as that before rotation, which reduces the risk of incorrect assembly of the liner slot 8A.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0050] The liner slots 8, 8A of the first and second embodiments have been described as modes for fixing the pin 71. However, for example, a liner slot having a shape extending in the longitudinal direction may be formed with a frame-like first section on the front side and a second section on the rear side, and a pair of protrusions may be provided on the upper and lower sides of a third section in the center between the front and rear sides, with the pair of protrusions sandwiching the pin 71 from above and below.

[0051] In the second embodiment, through holes 815 and 825 are provided in liner slot 8A, but liner slot 8A may have an opening on the left side in Fig. 10 and a recess recessed from the opening on the left side toward the right side. In other words, the recess recesses in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] Furthermore, a protrusion may be provided that protrudes downward from the lower surface 814 of the first portion 81A, and a protrusion may be provided that protrudes upward from the upper surface 822 of the second portion 82A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Steering device 2 steering wheels 3 Steering shaft 31 Upper shaft (input shaft) 32 Lower shaft (output shaft) 4. Steering column 41 Upper Column 410 Mounting part 411 Column slot 411a depression 411b Inner surface 42 Roar Column 5 Gearbox 51 ECU 52 Electric motor 6 Column bracket 61 Top plate 611, 612 Notch 613, 614 Withdrawal Capsule 613a, 614a rear end 615, 616 Through holes 62, 63 Side plate part 621, 631 Tilt slot 64 Vertical board 7. Clamping mechanism 70 Operating lever 701 Base 702 Insertion hole 703 Lever part 71 pins 711 Head 712 Shaft 713 Threaded part 74 Cam 741 Rotating Cam 742 Fixed Cam 751 Nut 752 Thrust Bearing 753 Washer 8, 8A, 8B liner slots 80B opening 81B Inner surface 81, 81A 1st section 811, 811A side 812, 812A top surface (outside surface) 813 Front end face 814 Bottom surface (outside surface) 815, 825 through holes 816, 826 protrusion 816a, 826a front part 816b, 826b rear part 816c, 826c top section 816d, 826d Slope section 82, 82A 2nd part 82B External surface 821, 821A side 822 Top surface 823 Rear end surface 824, 824A bottom surface (outside surface) 830 Through hole 831 Inner surface 834, 835 Protrusion 100 body

Claims

1. a cylindrical upper column disposed radially outward of the steering shaft; a cylindrical lower column that is fitted to the upper column and is movable relative to the upper column in the axial direction; a mounting portion attached to the upper column and having a column slot; a column bracket having a side plate portion located on a side of the upper column and attached to a vehicle body; a liner slot that is inserted into the column long hole of the mounting portion and restricts movement in the axial direction; a pin extending along the vehicle width direction and passing through the side plate portion and the liner slot, The liner slot is provided with a through hole through which the pin passes. Steering device.

2. The liner slot is a protrusion that protrudes from an outer surface facing an inner peripheral surface of the column long hole and is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the column long hole; The steering device according to claim 1 .

3. The protrusions are provided at different positions in the axial direction with respect to the through hole. The steering device according to claim 2 .

4. The liner slot has: A through hole is provided that penetrates in the vehicle width direction and extends in the axial direction, or a recessed portion recessed in the vehicle width direction and extending in the axial direction; The through hole or the recess is the through hole is provided at a position that overlaps with the protrusion when viewed from a direction intersecting the axial direction and the vehicle width direction, and is closer to the protrusion than a first straight line that passes through a center of the through hole and extends in the axial direction. The steering device according to claim 3.

5. The surface of the protrusion has an inclined surface that approaches the outer surface toward the center in the vehicle width direction. A steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. the liner slot includes a first portion located on one side of the through hole in the axial direction and a second portion located on the other side of the through hole in the axial direction, The protrusion is provided on the first portion on one side of the first straight line in the intersecting direction, and the protrusion is provided on the second portion on the other side of the first straight line in the intersecting direction. The steering device according to claim 4.

7. the liner slot includes a first portion located on one side of the through hole in the axial direction and a second portion located on the other side of the through hole in the axial direction, The protrusion is provided on the first portion on the other side of the first straight line in the intersecting direction, and the protrusion is provided on the second portion on one side of the first straight line in the intersecting direction. The steering device according to claim 4.

8. A liner slot for a steering device, which is insertable into a column elongated hole of a mounting portion provided on an upper column extending in an axial direction, and which is inserted into the column elongated hole to restrict movement in the axial direction, a through hole through which a pin can pass, the pin extending along the vehicle width direction through a side plate portion of a column bracket attached to a vehicle body; Steering gear liner slot.

Images