Steering device

The steering device addresses interference issues by using a movable member and non-coaxial reaction force device, enabling the steering member to be positioned further forward, ensuring a wider space and stability.

JP7747065B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-01JTEKT CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023569061
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-12-20
Filing Date
2022-09-12
Publication Date
2025-10-01
Estimated Expiration
2042-09-12

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Provided is a steering device (100) that holds a steering member (200) so as to be movable between a first position at which the driver is able to steer and a second position toward the front of the vehicle, the steering device comprising: a fixed member (110) attached to the vehicle body; a movable member (120) movably attached to the fixed member (110) by a rail mechanism; a steering shaft (130) which is attached to the movable member and which rotatably holds the steering member (200); and a reaction force device (140) which is attached to the movable member (120) at a position non-coaxial with the steering shaft (130) and which imparts a reaction force to the steering shaft (130).
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device for holding a steering member that is steered by a driver in a vehicle or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] A retractable steering device is known that moves the steering member operated by the driver to the front of the vehicle to improve the driver's comfort during autonomous driving. In some retractable steering devices, the steering shaft that holds the steering member is not mechanically connected to the steered wheels, and linkless steer-by-wire technology is used to steer the steered wheels by outputting steering information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2019 / 005736A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional steering devices that move the steering member forward and backward relative to the driver, when the steering member is moved toward the front of the vehicle, vehicle components such as brake-related components and air conditioning-related components interfere with the moving parts of the steering device, making it difficult to ensure a wide space in front of the driver.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a steering device that can move a steering member further forward on the vehicle while avoiding interference with vehicle components and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the present invention is a steering device that holds a steering member movably between a first position where the driver can steer and a second position in front of the vehicle, and includes a fixed member attached to the vehicle body, a movable member movably attached to the fixed member by a rail mechanism, a steering shaft attached to the movable member and rotatably holding the steering member, and a reaction force device attached to the movable member at a position non-coaxial with the steering shaft and applying a reaction force to the steering shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, since there is no reaction force device in the downward space extending from the steering shaft toward the front of the vehicle, interference with vehicle components can be avoided when the steering member is moved to a second position in front of the vehicle, and the space in front of the driver can be made wider. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a steering device holding a steering member. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a movable member and a member that moves together with the movable member. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a steering device with fixed members, movable members, etc. omitted. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the steering device and vehicle members in a state where the steering device is attached to the vehicle body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a steering device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in a method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiment are examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not indicate mathematical precision and include substantially allowable errors, deviations, etc. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially allowable ranges.

[0010] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions is appropriately made for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of explaining the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0011] In addition, in the following, multiple inventions may be collectively described as one embodiment, and some of the contents described below may be described as optional components related to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a steering device holding a steering member. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fixed member. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a movable member and a member that moves together with the movable member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the steering device with the fixed member, movable member, etc. omitted. The steering device 100 holds a steering member 200 so that it can move between a first position where the driver can steer and a second position at the front of the vehicle, and includes a fixed member 110, a movable member 120, a steering shaft 130, and a reaction force device 140. In this embodiment, the steering device 100 includes a torque detection device 150, a reaction force transmission device 160, a steering angle sensor 170, a reducer 180, and a rotation amount restriction device 190.

[0013] The fixed member 110 is a member fixedly attached to a reinforcement, which is one of the structural members of the vehicle body. The manner in which the fixed member 110 is attached to the vehicle body is not limited, but in this embodiment, the fixed member 110 is attached in a suspended state to a reinforcement stretched across the width direction of the vehicle body. The cross-sectional shape of the fixed member 110 perpendicular to the movement direction of the movable member 120 (the X-axis direction in the drawing) is an L-shape rotated 90 degrees to the right, and the fixed member 110 includes a plate-like fixed top panel portion 111 and a fixed wall portion 112 extending downward from one side (the Y+ side in the drawing) of the fixed top panel portion 111 in the width direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). A first fixed rail 113, which is one of the fixed rails constituting the rail mechanism, is fixedly attached to the underside (the Z-side in the drawing) of the fixed top panel portion 111 in a state in which it extends in the movement direction of the movable member 120. A second fixed rail 114, which is one of the fixed rails that are other components of the rail mechanism, is fixedly attached to the other side in the width direction of the fixed wall portion 112 (the Y-side in the figure), extending in the movement direction of the movable member 120. In this way, the movable member 120 and the components attached to the movable member 120 can be slidably held with high support rigidity by a two-rail mechanism formed by the first fixed rail 113 attached to the fixed top plate portion 111 and the second fixed rail 114 attached to the fixed wall portion 112 that is perpendicular to the fixed top plate portion 111. In particular, by providing rail mechanisms on each of the perpendicular surfaces, torsional rigidity is increased, allowing the movable member 120 and the components attached to the movable member 120 to slide stably. Note that the rail mechanism may be provided with a single fixed rail.

[0014] A moving device 115 for moving movable member 120 is attached below fixed member 110 (on the Z-side in the drawing). The type of moving device 115 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the moving device 115 includes: a feed screw 117 fixedly attached to movable member 120 via a fixed bracket 116 so as to extend in the direction of movement of movable member 120; a movable nut 128 that meshes with feed screw 117 and reciprocates in the direction of movement of movable member 120 as feed screw 117 rotates; and a rotation drive device 118 equipped with a motor that rotates feed screw 117. In this way, by rotating feed screw 117, which extends along first fixed rail 113 and second movable rail 124, and causing movable nut 128 to reciprocate, movable member 120 and the components attached to movable member 120 can be moved smoothly, and by stopping the rotation of feed screw 117, movable member 120 and the components attached to movable member 120 can be fixed in desired positions.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the steering device and vehicle members attached to the vehicle body. When the steering device 100 is attached to the vehicle body, the movement direction (X-axis in the figure) of the movable member 120 is inclined with respect to the vertical axis (V-axis in the figure) so that the driver's side is at the top and the front of the vehicle is at the bottom. A vehicle member 210, such as a dash panel, is disposed on the vehicle front side of the steering device 100. The fixed member 110 is attached to the vehicle body so that under normal circumstances (when no collision has occurred), a first gap 212 between the fixed front end 119 of the fixed member 110 and the vehicle member 210 is larger than the amount of movement of the vehicle member 210 in the event of a collision. As a result, even if a collision occurs, the steering device 100 does not impede the shock absorbing function due to deformation of the vehicle body.

[0016] Movable member 120 is a member attached to fixed member 110 by rail mechanism and moving device 115 so as to be reciprocable between a first position and a second position. The cross-sectional shape of movable member 120 perpendicular to the movement direction (X-axis direction in the figure) is an L-shape rotated 90 degrees to the right, and includes plate-like movable top panel 121 and movable wall section 122 extending downward from one side (Y+ side in the figure) of movable top panel 121 in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the figure). A first movable rail 123, which is a component of the rail mechanism and one of movable rails that moves along first fixed rail 113, is fixedly attached to the top surface (Z-side in the figure) of movable top panel 121 while extending in the movement direction. A second movable rail 124, which is another component of the rail mechanism and one of movable rails that moves along second fixed rail 114, is fixedly attached to one side (Y+ side in the figure) of movable wall section 122 in the width direction while extending in the movement direction. The first fixed rail 113 and the first movable rail 123, and the second fixed rail 114 and the second movable rail 124 are connected to each other so as to be freely linearly movable via two rows of balls (not shown) held by retainers. By providing two rows of balls in each of the two rail mechanisms in this way, a two-row slide structure that slides via rolling members is arranged on a plane parallel to the fixed top plate portion 111, and a two-row slide structure that slides via rolling members is also arranged on a plane perpendicular to the fixed top plate portion 111, so that the movable member 120 and parts attached to the movable member 120 can be slidably held relative to the fixed member 110 with higher support rigidity.

[0017] The movable member 120 integrally includes a first movable portion 121a and a second movable portion 121b. The first movable portion 121a and the second movable portion 121b are arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). The first movable portion 121a is a portion to which a first movable rail 123 is fixedly attached with the first movable rail 123 extending in the movement direction. In the present embodiment, a second movable rail 124 is also attached to the first movable portion 121a. The second movable portion 121b is a portion to which a steering shaft 130 is attached.

[0018] The steering shaft 130 is attached to the second movable part 121b via the first housing 131. The first movable part 121a is longer toward the front of the vehicle (X+ side in the figure) than the second movable part 121b. In other words, the first movable part 121a protrudes toward the front of the vehicle more than the second movable part 121b. This allows the first movable part 121a to be inserted into a space narrower than the movable member 120 in the width direction of the vehicle body, and ensures a long movement stroke of the movable member 120 and the parts attached to the movable member 120 relative to the fixed member 110.

[0019] Movable top panel 121 has a cutout 129 that is L-shaped in plan view. Cutout 129 is defined by the side surface on the other side in the vehicle width direction (Y- side in the drawing) of the portion of first movable part 121a that protrudes further forward in the vehicle than second movable part 121b, and the end surface of second movable part 122a on the front side in the vehicle.

[0020] When the steering member 200 is in the first position, the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120 are not present in the cutout portion 129 and the lower space 139, which is the space where the area below the cutout portion 129 intersects with the area where the steering shaft 130 is virtually extended forward of the vehicle (toward the X+ side in the figure). In other words, even if a vehicle component enters the cutout portion 129 and the lower space 139 when the steering member 200 is moved from the first position to the second position, the vehicle component does not interfere with the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120. This allows the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120 to be positioned as far forward as possible when the steering member 200 is moved to the second position, thereby lengthening the movement stroke of the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120 when the movable member 120 is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0021] The first movable rail 123 is longer toward the front of the vehicle than the second movable part 121b. In this embodiment, the first movable rail 123 extends from the front end to the rear end of the first movable part 121a of the vehicle, but this is not limited thereto. The first movable rail 123 and the second movable rail 124 may extend halfway along the first movable part 121a. Since the first movable part 121a is longer than the second movable part 121b in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, the first movable rail 123 can also be disposed longer than the second movable part 121b and can be disposed to protrude further forward of the vehicle than the second movable part 121b. This allows the engagement length between the first fixed rail 113 and the first movable rail 123 and the engagement length between the second fixed rail 114 and the second movable rail 124 to be longer when the steering member 200 is in the first position, thereby improving support rigidity.

[0022] The movable wall portion 122 is thicker in the width direction than the fixed wall portion 112, and is provided with a through-hole 125 inside for passing through a harness or the like connected to an operation switch or the like. This makes it possible to ensure space for wiring the harness or the like, and to prevent the harness or the like from interfering with the movable member 120 or the like when sliding the movable member 120 or a part attached to the movable member 120.

[0023] When the movable member 120 is disposed in the second position, at least a portion of the front side of the movable member 120 is inserted into a recess 211 of a vehicle member 210 provided in the vehicle body, as shown in FIG. 5 . The steering device 100 is attached to the vehicle body so that a second gap 213 between the movable front end 102 of the movable member 120 and the recess 211 in the second position is larger than the amount of movement of the vehicle member during a collision. Furthermore, the movable front end 102, which is the front end of the vehicle of the movable member 120, is located forward of the fixed front end 119, which is the front end of the vehicle of the fixed member 110. This allows the movable member 120 to be moved as far forward as possible, and even in the event of a collision, the steering device 100 does not impede the shock absorbing function due to deformation of the vehicle body. Furthermore, the fixed member 110 can be made shorter than the movable member 120 in the movement direction of the movable member 120, allowing the steering device 100 to be made smaller and lighter.

[0024] The steering shaft 130 is attached to the movable member 120 and rotatably holds the steering member 200. The shape of the steering shaft 130 is not particularly limited, and examples include a cylindrical shape and a hexagonal prism shape. The cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area of ​​the steering shaft 130 may change in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the steering shaft 130 is attached to the movable member 120 rotatably about its axis via a first housing 131 that is fixedly attached to the movable member 120 in a hanging state. The first housing 131 is a housing that houses a part of the reaction force transmission device 160 and is equipped with a bearing (not shown) that rotatably holds the steering shaft 130. The axis of the steering shaft 130 and the direction of movement of the movable member 120 do not have to be parallel.

[0025] Movable member 120 and components that move with movable member 120 are not present in cutout portion 129 and lower space 139. Specifically, steering shaft 130, reaction force device 140, and the like are not present in cutout portion 129 and lower space 139. In other words, even if a vehicle component enters cutout portion 129 and lower space 139 as movable member 120 is moved from the first position to the second position, the vehicle component does not interfere with movable member 120 and components that move with movable member 120, such as steering shaft 130 and reaction force device 140. This allows movable member 120 and components that move with movable member 120 to be positioned as far forward as possible when movable member 120 is moved to the second position, thereby lengthening the movement stroke of movable member 120 and components that move with movable member 120 when movable member 120 is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0026] A steering angle sensor 170 is attached to the end of the steering shaft 130 on the driver's side (X-side in the figure). In the case of the steer-by-wire steering device 100, the rotation angle of the steering shaft 130, i.e., the steering angle of the steering member 200, is detected by the steering angle sensor 170, and the steered wheels are turned based on a signal from the steering angle sensor 170.

[0027] Furthermore, a rotation amount limiting device 190 is attached to the end of the steering shaft 130 on the vehicle front side (X+ side in the figure). The rotation amount limiting device 190 is a mechanism that limits the rotation angle of the steering shaft 130 within a predetermined range. In the case of the linkless steer-by-wire steering device 100, there is no connection mechanism between the steering shaft 130 and the steered wheels that limits the rotation angle of the steering shaft 130, so the rotation end of the steering member 200 is determined by software by controlling the reaction force device 140. However, in cases such as when power is not supplied to the reaction force device 140, a rotation amount limiting device 190 is provided that mechanically limits the rotation of the steering member 200 within a predetermined angle range. The rotation amount limiting device 190 is not disposed within the lower space 139, so vehicle components that intrude into the lower space 139 do not interfere with the rotation amount limiting device 190.

[0028] The reaction force device 140 is fixedly attached to the first movable part 121a of the movable top plate part 121 of the movable member 120. The reaction force device 140 is attached in a hanging manner to the first movable part 121a via a movable bracket 141, a reaction force transmission device, a reducer 180, and a second housing 142, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the movable bracket 141 is attached to the first movable part 121a, and the second housing 142 is attached across the first movable part 121a and the second movable part 121b. The reaction force device 140 is disposed non-coaxially (offset) with respect to the steering shaft 130. In this embodiment, the output shaft 149 of the motor provided in the reaction force device 140 is disposed parallel to the steering shaft 130, but it does not have to be parallel. The first movable part 121a to which the reaction force device 140 is attached is located on one side in the vehicle width direction (X+ side in the figure) of the second movable part 121b to which the steering shaft 130 is attached. In other words, the reaction force device 140 is disposed on the left side of the steering shaft 130 as viewed from the driver's side. This arrangement makes it possible to move the movable member 120 and the members that move with it toward the front of the vehicle while avoiding interference between the reaction force device 140 and brake-related vehicle components. Furthermore, by disposing the reaction force device 140 on the first movable part 121a non-coaxially with the steering shaft 130, the second movable part 121b can be made as short as possible relative to the first movable part 121a, and it is possible to prevent the movable member 120 (second movable part 121b) from interfering with other components when moving the movable member 120 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0029] The reaction force transmission device 160 is a device that transmits the reaction force generated by the reaction force device 140 to the steering shaft 130 that is arranged along the output shaft 149. The type of the reaction force transmission device 160 is not particularly limited, and examples include a transmission device that uses a belt and a transmission device that uses gears.

[0030] In this embodiment, the reaction force transmission device 160 includes a shaft-side pulley 161, a reaction force-side pulley 162, and a belt 163. The shaft-side pulley 161 and the reaction force-side pulley 162 have the same diameter. The shaft-side pulley 161 is coaxially attached to the steering shaft 130, and the reaction force-side pulley 162 is attached to the output shaft 149 of the reaction force device 140. The distance between the first housing 131 that holds the steering shaft 130 and the second housing 142 that holds the output shaft 149 is adjustable in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the figure), allowing the tension of the belt 163 to be adjusted. In this way, the reaction force transmission device 160, which is arranged on the rear side (X-side in the figure) of the movable member 120, can transmit torque to the steering shaft 130 while locating the reaction force device 140 below the first movable part 121a, thereby ensuring a large lower space 139. This allows the reaction force device 140 to avoid interfering with the vehicle members, and ensures a long movement stroke for the movable member 120 and the parts attached to the movable member 120.

[0031] The reducer 180 is a device that reduces the rotation of the motor included in the reaction device 140 at a predetermined reduction ratio and transmits torque to the steering shaft 130. The type of reducer 180 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a coaxial reducer is employed and is connected to an output shaft 149 of the motor included in the reaction device 140. In this embodiment, the output shaft of the motor included in the reaction device 140 and the output shaft of the reducer 180 arranged coaxially are collectively referred to as the output shaft 149. By employing the reducer 180 as a coaxial reducer that is coaxial with the reaction device 140, torque can be transmitted to the steering shaft 130 while the reducer 180 is arranged below the first movable part 121a, thereby ensuring a large lower space 139. This ensures a long movement stroke of the movable member 120 and the components attached to the movable member 120 without the reducer 180 interfering with the vehicle components.

[0032] The reducer 180 is disposed in the first movable part 121a, to which the reaction force device 140 is attached, of the movable top plate part 121 of the movable member 120. The first movable part 121a protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and is longer than the second movable part 121b, so the reducer 180 can be disposed coaxially with the output shaft of the reaction force device 140. On the other hand, the second movable part 121b does not have the reaction force device 140 coaxially with the steering shaft 130, so it can be made as short as possible relative to the first movable part 121a, and as described above, the notch 129 can be provided in the movable member 120, and the lower space 139 can be provided below the notch 129. Since the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120 are not present in the cutout portion 129 and the lower space 139, even if a vehicle component enters the cutout portion 129 and the lower space 139 when the movable member 120 is moved from the first position to the second position, the vehicle component does not interfere with the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120. This allows the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120 to be positioned as far forward as possible when the steering member 200 is moved to the second position, and makes it possible to lengthen the movement stroke of the movable member 120 and the components that move with the movable member 120 when the steering member 200 is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0033] Furthermore, by arranging the reducer 180 on the reaction force device 140 side, the reduction ratio of the reaction force transmission device 160 can be made 1:1, and the input torque from the steering member 200 can be accurately measured even if the torque detection device 150 is attached coaxially to the output shaft 149 of the reaction force device 140. Therefore, the lower space 139 can be made even longer in the movement direction of the movable member 120, and the second position of the steering member 200 can be positioned further forward of the vehicle while avoiding interference with vehicle members.

[0034] The steering device 100 of the embodiment is a steering device 100 that holds a steering member movably between a first position where the driver can steer and a second position in front of the vehicle, and is equipped with a fixed member 110 attached to the vehicle body, a movable member 120 that is movably attached to the fixed member 110 by a rail mechanism, a steering shaft 130 that is attached to the movable member 120 and rotatably holds the steering member 200, and a reaction force device 140 that is attached to the movable member 120 at a position non-coaxial with the steering shaft 130 and applies a reaction force to the steering shaft 130.

[0035] According to this steering device 100, the reaction force device 140 is not present in the lower space 139 extending from the steering shaft 130 toward the front of the vehicle, and therefore interference with vehicle members can be avoided when the steering member 200 is moved from the first position to the second position. Therefore, the second position of the steering member 200 can be located as far forward as possible of the vehicle, and a large space can be secured in front of the driver when the steering member 200 is located at the second position.

[0036] In addition, in the steering device 100 of the embodiment, the rail mechanism includes fixed rails (first fixed rail 113, second fixed rail 114) attached to the fixed member 110 and movable rails (first movable rail 123, second movable rail 124) attached to the movable member 120, and the movable member 120 includes a first movable part 121a on which the reaction force device 140 and the movable rails (first movable rail 123, second movable rail 124) are arranged, and a second movable part 121b on which the steering shaft 130 is arranged, and the first movable part 121a and the second movable part 121b are arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle, and the first movable part 121a is longer toward the front of the vehicle than the second movable part 121b, and the movable rails (first movable rail, second movable rail 124) are longer toward the front of the vehicle than the second movable part 121b.

[0037] Such a steering device 100 can be positioned to protrude further forward than the second movable part 121b of the vehicle, and when the steering member 200 is moved to the first position, the engagement length with the fixed rails (first fixed rail 113, second fixed rail 114) can be made longer, thereby improving support rigidity.

[0038] In addition, in the steering device 100 of the embodiment, the fixed member 110 is attached to the vehicle body so that the gap 212 between the front end 119 of the fixed member 110 and a vehicle member 210 provided inside the vehicle body is larger than the amount of movement of the vehicle member during a collision.

[0039] With such a steering device 100, interference between the fixed member 110 and the vehicle member 210 can be avoided even in the event of a collision, so that the steering device 100 does not impede the shock absorption function due to deformation of the vehicle body.

[0040] Furthermore, in the steering device 100 of the embodiment, when the movable member 120 is positioned at the second position relative to the fixed member 110, the front end 102 of the movable member 120 is positioned forward of the front end 119 of the fixed member 110 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, at least a portion of the movable member 120 is inserted into a recess 211 of a vehicle member 210 provided inside the vehicle body, and a gap 213 between the front end 102 of the movable member 120 and the recess 211 is larger than the amount of movement of the vehicle member during a collision.

[0041] With this steering device 100, the movable member 120 can be moved as far forward as possible on the vehicle, and even in the event of a collision, interference between the movable member 120 and the vehicle member 210 can be avoided, so that the steering device 100 does not impede the shock absorbing function due to deformation of the vehicle body. Also, in the direction of movement of the movable member 120, the fixed member 110 can be made shorter than the movable member 120, allowing the steering device 100 to be made smaller and lighter.

[0042] The steering device 100 of the embodiment also includes a torque detector 150 arranged coaxially with the output shaft 149 of the reaction device 140 .

[0043] According to such a steering device 100, since the torque detection device 150 is not present in the lower space 139 extending from the steering shaft 130 toward the front of the vehicle, interference with vehicle components can be avoided when the steering member 200 is moved to the second position in front of the vehicle, and the second position of the steering member 200 can be positioned as far forward as possible of the vehicle, thereby widening the space in front of the driver when the steering member 200 is positioned in the second position.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention may be embodied in another embodiment by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present invention also includes various modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0045] For example, as a modified example, the diameter of the shaft-side pulley 161 and the diameter of the reaction-force-side pulley 162 may be different, so that the reaction-force transmission device 160 also functions as a reducer. This makes it possible to remove the reducer 180 from the steering device 100. In this case, it is preferable that the torque detection device 150 is disposed interposed in the steering shaft 130.

[0046] The steering device of the modified example includes a torque detection device 150 arranged coaxially with the steering shaft 130. With such a steering device, the torque input from the steering member 200 can be detected by the torque detection device 150 before it changes due to the deceleration function, thereby improving the torque detection accuracy.

[0047] The steering device 100 may also be provided with a tilt mechanism that tilts the moving direction of the movable member 120. In this case, the fixed member 110 may be attached to the vehicle body so as to be swingable, or the movable member 120 may be attached to the fixed member 110 so as to be swingable.

[0048] Furthermore, in cases where the movable member 120 in the second position can move rearward relative to the fixed member 110 in the event of a collision, the gap between the front end portion 102 of the movable member 120 in the second position and the recessed portion 211 does not have to be larger than the amount of movement of the vehicle member in the event of a collision. This is because the steering member 200 is separated from the driver, and therefore deformation of the vehicle body due to a collision does not affect the driver via the steering member 200. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention can be used in a steer-by-wire type steering device for steering vehicles such as automobiles, buses, and trucks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 100...Steering device, 102...Moving front end portion, 110...Fixed member, 111...Fixed top plate portion, 112...Fixed wall portion, 113...First fixed rail, 114...Second fixed rail, 115...Moving device, 116...Fixed bracket, 117...Feed screw, 118...Rotation drive device, 119...Fixed front end portion, 120...Moving member, 121...Moving top plate portion, 122...Moving wall portion, 123...First movable rail, 124...Second movable rail, 125...Through hole, 128...Moving nut, 12 9...notch portion, 130...steering shaft body, 131...first housing, 139...lower space, 140...reaction force device, 141...movable bracket, 142...second housing, 149...output shaft body, 150...torque detection device, 160...reaction force transmission device, 161...shaft body side pulley, 162...reaction force side pulley, 163...belt, 170...steering angle sensor, 180...reduction gear, 190...rotation amount regulating device, 200...steering member, 210...vehicle member, 211...recess, 212...first gap, 213...second gap

Claims

1. A steering device that holds a steering member movably between a first position where a driver can steer and a second position in front of a vehicle, a fixing member attached to the vehicle body; a movable member movably attached to the fixed member by a rail mechanism; a steering shaft attached to the movable member and rotatably holding the steering member; a reaction force device attached to the movable member at a position non-coaxial with the steering shaft and applying a reaction force to the steering shaft, The movable member includes a first movable portion in which the reaction force device is disposed and a second movable portion in which the steering shaft is disposed, the first movable portion and the second movable portion are disposed side by side in the width direction of the vehicle, and the first movable portion is longer in the front direction of the vehicle than the second movable portion. Steering device.

2. The rail mechanism includes: a fixed rail attached to the fixed member; a movable rail attached to the movable member, The movable member is a first movable portion in which the reaction device and the movable rail are disposed; a second movable portion in which the steering shaft is disposed, The first movable portion and the second movable portion are arranged side by side in a width direction of the vehicle, the first movable portion is longer in a forward direction of the vehicle than the second movable portion, The movable rail is longer in the forward direction of the vehicle than the second movable portion. The steering device according to claim 1 .

3. The fixing member is The fixing member is attached to the vehicle body so that the gap between the front end of the fixing member and a vehicle member provided inside the vehicle body is larger than the amount of movement of the vehicle member during a collision.

3. A steering device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the movable member is located at a second position relative to the fixed member, a front end of the movable member is located forward of a front end of the fixed member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, at least a portion of the movable member is inserted into a recess of a vehicle member provided in the vehicle body, and a gap between the front end of the movable member and the recess is larger than the amount of movement of the vehicle member during a collision.

3. A steering device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a torque detector disposed coaxially with the steering shaft; The steering device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

6. a torque detector arranged coaxially with the output shaft of the reaction device; The steering device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Turn to device and be equipped with its vehicle instrument desk

    CN207389290U

  • Steering unit

    JP2020172139A

  • Steering device

    JP2021169259A

  • Body mounted sliding steering column with offset feedback actuator

    US20190016365A1

  • Steering column assembly

    US20210001916A1