Rotation limiting device and steering device

Abstract

To provide a structure capable of enhancing a degree of freedom in setting of an allowable rotational amount of a rotary member.SOLUTION: A revolution limit device 4 includes: a first member 14 with a first projection 17; a second member 15 with second projections 21 arranged at potions with at intervals in a circumferential direction on one axial side face of the first projection 17; and an end part rotor 16a supported in a relatively rotatable manner with respect to the first member 14 and the second member 15. The end part rotor 16a includes: an end part side plate part 36a arranged between the first projection 17 and the second projection 21 in an axial direction; an end part first projection 37a projecting axially outward from the other axial side face of the end part side plate part 36a; and a same number as that of the second projection 21, of second projections 38a which project from the one axial side face of the end part side plate part 36a toward one axial side and arranged at even intervals in the circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotation limiting device for limiting the amount of rotation of a rotating member, and to a steering device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a rack-and-pinion steering device, when the steering wheel is turned (turned) to the maximum right or left, the rack end, which is supported and fixed to the end of the rack shaft, hits the housing. In this way, in a rack-and-pinion steering device in which the steering unit and the steering unit are mechanically connected, the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel (the number of rotations of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is turned from the maximum right or left to the maximum left or right) is limited by limiting the stroke of the rack shaft that constitutes the steering unit.

[0003] In contrast, in a steer-by-wire steering system, the steering unit and the turning unit are not mechanically connected, so it is not possible to limit the lock-to-lock rotation speed of the steering wheel that constitutes the steering unit by limiting the stroke of the rack shaft that constitutes the turning unit.

[0004] Fig. 8 shows a stopper unit 100 for mechanically limiting the lock-to-lock rotation speed of a steering wheel in a steer-by-wire steering device described in JP 2020-69844 A. However, Fig. 8 is a representation where the left and right sides are reversed (left-right symmetrical) from Fig. 4 of JP 2020-69844 A. The stopper unit 100 includes a first rotating member 101, a housing 102, and a second rotating member 103.

[0005] The first rotating member 101 has a first rotating protrusion 104 that protrudes toward one axial direction on one axial side (the left side in FIG. 8). The first rotating member 101 is connected and fixed to the tip end (the other axial end) of a steering shaft (not shown) so as not to rotate relative to it. In other words, the first rotating member 101 rotates integrally with the steering shaft as the steering wheel is operated.

[0006] The housing 102 has a fixing protrusion 105 that protrudes toward the other axial direction on the other axial side (the right side in FIG. 8) and does not rotate even during use. The steering shaft is supported radially inside the housing 102 so as to be rotatable relative to the housing 102.

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

[0008] That is, the steering shaft is inserted through the housing 102 and the second rotating member 103 from one axial side to the other axial side, and the first rotating member 101 is coupled and fixed to the tip of the steering shaft that protrudes from the end face of the second rotating member 103 on the other axial side. In addition, a steering wheel is supported and fixed to the end of one axial side of the steering shaft.

[0009] In a steering device including the stopper unit 100, for example, when the steering wheel is turned to the right (rotated clockwise as viewed from the left side of FIG. 8), first, the first rotating member 101 rotates together with the steering shaft from the upper side to the lower side of FIG. 8. Then, one circumferential side surface of the first rotating protrusion 104 (the lower side surface in FIG. 8) collides with the other circumferential side surface of the other axial side portion of the second rotating protrusion 107 (the upper side surface in FIG. 8).

[0010] When the steering wheel is turned further to the right from this state, the second rotating member 103 rotates together with the steering shaft and the first rotating member 101 from the top to the bottom in FIG. 8. Then, one circumferential side surface of one axial side portion of the second rotating protrusion 107 abuts against the other circumferential side surface of the fixed protrusion 105. This prevents the steering wheel from being turned further to the right. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-69844 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] In the stopper unit 100 described in JP 2020-69844 A, the angle through which the first rotating member 101 can rotate relative to the second rotating member 103 is smaller than 360 degrees by the sum of the circumferential width of the first rotating protrusion 104 and the circumferential width of the second rotating protrusion 107. Furthermore, the angle through which the second rotating member 103 can rotate relative to the housing 102 is smaller than 360 degrees by the sum of the circumferential width of the fixed protrusion 105 and the circumferential width of the second rotating protrusion 107. Therefore, in a steering device including the stopper unit 100, the amount of rotation (rotational angle) of the steering shaft is limited to less than ±360 degrees. Therefore, the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel is limited to less than two rotations.

[0013] However, in steering devices for general passenger cars that have become widespread in recent years, the number of lock-to-lock rotations is greater than two. For example, in so-called family cars, it is about four rotations, and even in sports cars, it is about two to three rotations. For this reason, a rotation limiting device that allows a high degree of freedom in setting the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel is desired.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotation limiting device that allows a high degree of freedom in setting the amount of rotation of a rotating member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] A rotation limiting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first member, a second member, and an end rotor.

[0016] The first member has a first protrusion.

[0017] The second member is located on one axial side of the first projection. and a plurality of equally spaced apart circumferentially. The second member has a second protrusion. The second member is arranged coaxially with the first member and is rotatable relative to the first member.

[0018] The end rotor has an end side plate portion arranged between the first protrusion and the second protrusion in the axial direction, end first protrusions, and end second protrusions in the same number as the second protrusions, and is supported so as to be able to rotate relative to the first member and the second member.

[0019] The first end projection protrudes from the other axial side surface of the side plate portion toward the other axial side.

[0020] The second end projections protrude from one axial side surface of the side plate portion toward one axial side, and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0021] A rotation limiting device according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include at least one intermediate rotating body having an intermediate side plate portion arranged between the first protrusion and the end first protrusion in the axial direction, an intermediate first protrusion protruding from the other axial side surface of the intermediate side plate portion toward the other axial side, and an intermediate second protrusion protruding from one axial side surface of the intermediate side plate portion toward one axial side.

[0022] In a rotation limiting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first member may have a first side surface facing one axial direction and the first protrusion protruding from the first side surface toward the one axial direction, and the second member may have a second side surface facing the other axial direction and a Regarding the circumferential direction The second projections may be provided at a plurality of equally spaced locations and project toward the other axial direction.

[0023] In one aspect of the rotation limiting device, one of the first member and the second member may have an outer diameter side cylinder portion, and the other of the first member and the second member may have an inner diameter side cylinder portion arranged coaxially with the outer diameter side cylinder portion and radially inside the outer diameter side cylinder portion. In this case, the end rotor is arranged radially between the outer diameter side cylinder portion and the inner diameter side cylinder portion to be rotatable relative to the outer diameter side cylinder portion and the inner diameter side cylinder portion. Furthermore, when the at least one intermediate rotor is included, each intermediate rotor is arranged radially between the outer diameter side cylinder portion and the inner diameter side cylinder portion to be rotatable relative to the outer diameter side cylinder portion and the inner diameter side cylinder portion.

[0024] In one aspect of the present invention, a rotation limiting device includes: The one member is a housing main body having the outer diameter side cylindrical portion and an inward flange portion bent radially inward from an axial end portion of the outer diameter side cylindrical portion, i.e., an end portion on one axial side or an end portion on the other axial side; a cover that covers a radially outer portion of an opening of the outer diameter side cylindrical portion on the side opposite to the side on which the inward flange portion is provided in the axial direction; It can be equipped with:

[0025] In this case, the one member has either the first side surface or the second side surface on one of the axial side surfaces of the inward flange portion and the axial side surface of the cover body, which face each other.

[0026] In the rotation limiting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the other member may have an outward flange portion that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the inner diameter side cylindrical portion. In this case, the outward flange portion has the first side surface on one axial side surface or the second side surface on the other axial side surface.

[0027] A steering device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a steering shaft and a rotation limiting device that limits the amount of rotation of the steering shaft to a predetermined value.

[0028] The rotation limiting device is configured by a rotation limiting device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0029] The first member or the second member is fixedly coupled to the steering shaft, and the second member or the first member is supported and fixed to a portion that does not rotate even during use. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] Advantageous Effects of Invention According to a rotation limiting device according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in setting the amount of rotation of a rotating member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a steer-by-wire steering system equipped with a rotation limiting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a rotation limiting device according to a first example. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a rotation limiting device according to the first example. [Figure 4] 4(A) to 4(D) are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the rotation limiting device when the steering wheel is operated from the maximum left to the maximum right. [Figure 5]5(A) to 5(D) are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the rotation limiting device when the steering wheel is operated from the maximum right to the maximum left. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a rotation limiting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a rotation limiting device according to the second example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing a stopper unit of a conventional structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] [Example 1] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5(D). In this example, a rotation limiting device 4 is incorporated into a steering unit 3 constituting the steering device 1 in order to limit the lock-to-lock rotation speed of a steering wheel 2 of a steer-by-wire steering device 1. First, the overall structure of the steering device 1 will be described below, followed by the structure and operation of the rotation limiting device 4. In the following description, the front-rear direction means the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0033] <Overall structure of steering device 1> As shown in Fig. 1, the steering device 1 includes a steering unit 3 having a steering wheel 2, a steering unit 6 that applies a steering angle to a pair of steered wheels 5, and a control unit (ECU) 7. The steering device 1 has a linkless structure in which the steering unit 3 and the steering unit 6 are not mechanically connected, but are electrically connected via the control unit 7.

[0034] The steering unit 3 includes a steering column 8, a steering shaft 9, a reaction force applying device 10, and a rotation limiting device 4.

[0035] The steering column 8 has a cylindrical shape and is supported by the vehicle body.

[0036] The steering shaft 9 is rotatably supported on the radially inner side of the steering column 8. The steering wheel 2 is supported and fixed to the rear end of the steering shaft 9.

[0037] The reaction force applying device 10 is connected to the front end of the steering shaft 9. The reaction force applying device 10 includes a reaction force applying motor and a reducer such as a worm reducer, and applies the output torque of the reaction force applying motor to the steering shaft 9 after increasing it with the reducer.

[0038] The rotation limiting device 4 is provided between the steering shaft 9 and a portion that does not rotate even when in use, and limits the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel 2. In this example, the rotation limiting device 4 is provided between the front portion of the steering shaft 9 and the front end of the steering column 8. However, the rotation limiting device 4 can be provided anywhere between the steering shaft 9 and a fixed portion that does not rotate even when in use. Specifically, the rotation limiting device 4 can be provided on a portion closer to the steering wheel 2, for example, between the rear portion of the steering shaft 9 and the rear end of the steering column 8. Alternatively, the rotation limiting device 4 can be provided between the front end of the steering shaft 9 and the housing of the reaction force applying device 10. By disposing the rotation limiting device 4 between the front end of the steering shaft 9 and the housing of the reaction force applying device 10, the rotation limiting device 4 can be attached and removed relatively easily. The specific configuration of the rotation limiting device 4 will be described later.

[0039] The steering unit 3 further includes sensors such as a torque sensor and a steering angle sensor that measure the operation of the steering wheel 2 by the driver.

[0040] The steering unit 6 includes a gear housing 11 supported and fixed to the vehicle body, a linear motion member, and a steering actuator 12 that linearly drives the linear motion member.

[0041] The linear motion member is composed of a rack shaft, a screw shaft, etc. The linear motion member has its axial direction oriented in the width direction of the vehicle body and is supported inside the gear housing 11 so as to be able to move linearly in the axial direction. Base ends of a pair of tie rods 13 are connected to both axial ends of the linear motion member via spherical joints (not shown), and a pair of steered wheels 5 are supported at the tip ends of the pair of tie rods 13.

[0042] When the linear motion member is constituted by a rack shaft, the steering actuator 12 includes a pinion shaft that meshes with the rack shaft, a steering motor, and a reducer, and the output torque of the steering motor is increased by the reducer and then input to the pinion shaft, which is then rotationally driven to cause linear movement of the rack shaft.

[0043] When the linear motion member is formed by a screw shaft, steering actuator 12 includes a nut supported around the screw shaft so as to be rotatable relative to the screw shaft, a steering motor, and a reducer. Steering actuator 12 linearly moves the screw shaft by increasing the output torque of the steering motor using the reducer and then inputting it to the nut, which rotates and drives the nut. The feed screw mechanism including the screw shaft and the nut can be formed by a slide screw type feed screw mechanism in which a male threaded portion on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft is directly threadedly engaged with a female threaded portion on the inner peripheral surface of the nut, or by a ball screw type feed screw mechanism in which a plurality of balls are freely rollably arranged between an inner diameter side ball screw groove on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft and an outer diameter side ball screw groove on the inner peripheral surface of the nut.

[0044] In the steering device 1 of this example, when the driver operates the steering wheel 2, the operation of the steering wheel 2 is measured by a sensor in the steering unit 3, and the measurement results are output to the control unit 7. Various signals indicating the driving situation, such as the steering torque measured by a torque sensor, the steering angle measured by a steering angle sensor, the vehicle speed, the yaw rate, and the acceleration, are input to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 drives the steering actuator 12 provided in the steering unit 6 based on the various signals indicating the driving situation. As a result, the linearly moving member is displaced in the width direction of the vehicle body, and the pair of tie rods 13 are pushed and pulled, thereby applying a steering angle to the pair of steered wheels 5.

[0045] <Structure of rotation limiting device 4> The rotation limiting device 4 of this example is provided between the front portion of the steering shaft 9 and the steering column 8, which does not rotate even when in use, and limits the lock-to-lock rotation speed of the steering wheel 2 by limiting the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 to a predetermined value. The rotation limiting device 4 includes a first member 14, a second member 15, one end rotating body 16a, and at least one intermediate rotating body 16b.

[0046] In the following description, including this example, one axial side refers to the front side of the vehicle, which is the left side in Figures 2 to 7, and the other axial side refers to the rear side of the vehicle, which is the right side in Figures 2 to 7.

[0047] The first member 14 has a first protrusion 17 .

[0048] In this example, the first member 14 has a cylindrical inner diameter side tube portion 18 and a hollow circular plate-shaped outward flange portion 19 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the other axial side portion of the inner diameter side tube portion 18.

[0049] The inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18 is fitted and fixed to the front portion of the steering shaft 9 so as not to rotate relative to the front portion of the steering shaft 9. That is, the first member 14 rotates together with the steering shaft 9.

[0050] The outward flange portion 19 has a first side surface 20 on one side surface in the axial direction, and has a first protrusion 17 protruding toward one axial side at one circumferential position on the first side surface 20. In this example, a radially inner end portion of the first protrusion 17 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the axially middle portion of the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18.

[0051] In this example, the first projection 17 has a fan-shaped end face shape when viewed from one axial side. That is, when viewed from one axial side, the radially outer surface of the first projection 17 has an arc-shaped outline shape centered on the central axis O of the first member 14. Specifically, the radially outer surface of the first projection 17 exists within the same cylindrical surface as the outer circumferential surface of the outward flange portion 19. That is, the first projection 17 does not protrude radially outward beyond the outward flange portion 19. When viewed from one axial side, the side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the first projection 17 have a linear outline shape extending in the radial direction centered on the central axis O of the first member 14, and when viewed from the radially outer side, extend linearly in the axial direction. That is, the side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the first projection 17 exist within an imaginary plane including the central axis O of the first member 14. Furthermore, in this example, the circumferential width of the first projection 17, i.e., the angle formed by the side surfaces on both circumferential sides, is 60 degrees.

[0052] The second member 15 is located on one side of the first projection 17 in the axial direction. and a plurality of equally spaced apart circumferentially. The second member has a second protrusion, is arranged coaxially with the first member, and is rotatable relative to the first member.

[0053] In this example, the second member 15 includes a housing main body 22 and a lid body 23.

[0054] The housing body 22 has a cylindrical outer diameter side tubular portion 24 and a hollow circular plate-like inward flange portion 25 bent radially inward from the other axial end of the outer diameter side tubular portion 24 .

[0055] The outer diameter side cylindrical portion 24 is disposed around the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18 of the first member 14 and coaxially with the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18. In other words, the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18 is disposed radially inside the outer diameter side cylindrical portion 24 and coaxially with the outer diameter side cylindrical portion 24.

[0056] The inner peripheral surface of the inward flange portion 25 is formed as a stepped cylindrical surface that connects a large diameter portion 26 on one axial side and a small diameter portion 27 on the other axial side by a stepped surface 28 facing one axial side. One axial side surface of the inward flange portion 25 is formed as a flat surface that is perpendicular to the central axis O of the second member 15.

[0057] The housing body 22 further has two body ears 29 that protrude radially outward from two radially opposite positions on one axial end of the outer diameter side cylindrical portion 24. Each body ear 29 has a body side coupling hole 30 that penetrates in the axial direction. In this example, the body side coupling hole 30 is configured as a cylindrical hole whose inner diameter does not change in the axial direction.

[0058] The lid 23 covers (or blocks) a radially outer portion of an opening on one axial side of the outer diameter side cylindrical portion 24 of the housing body 22, which is opposite in the axial direction to the side on which the inward flange portion 25 is provided. In this example, the lid 23 has a cylindrical portion 31, a hollow circular plate-like blocking plate portion 32 that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of one axial end portion of the cylindrical portion 31, and two lid lugs 33 that protrude radially outward from two radially opposite positions of the cylindrical portion 31.

[0059] The blocking plate portion 32 has a second side surface 34 on the other side surface in the axial direction, and the second side surface 34 Regarding the circumferential direction The second projections 21 are provided at a plurality of locations at equal intervals. Regarding the circumferential direction The second projections 21 are provided at three equally spaced locations. The radially outer end of each second projection 21 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 on the other axial side.

[0060] In this example, each of the second projections 21 has a fan-shaped end face shape when viewed from the other axial side. That is, the radially inner surface of each of the second projections 21 has an arc-shaped outline shape centered on the central axis O of the second member 15 when viewed from the other axial side. The side surfaces on both circumferential sides of each of the second projections 21 have a linear outline shape extending in the radial direction centered on the central axis O of the second member 15 when viewed from the other axial side, and extend linearly in the axial direction when viewed from the radially inner side. That is, the side surfaces on both circumferential sides of each of the second projections 21 exist within an imaginary plane including the central axis O of the second member 15. Furthermore, in this example, the circumferential width of each of the second projections 21 is 30 degrees.

[0061] Each of the lid ears 33 has a lid-side connecting hole 35 penetrating therethrough in the axial direction. In this example, the lid-side connecting hole 35 is configured as a screw hole.

[0062] In this example, two cover ears 33 are overlapped on one axial side of the two main body ears 29, and a connecting bolt (not shown) is inserted into each of the main body connecting holes 30 and screwed into each of the cover connecting holes 35, thereby connecting and fixing the housing main body 22 and the cover 23 to form the second member 15. Note that the rotation limiting device 4 in this example is supported and fixed to the steering column 8, which does not rotate even during use, by screwing the connecting bolt into a column-side threaded hole that opens into the front side of the steering column 8.

[0063] The end rotor 16a has a hollow circular plate-shaped end side plate portion 36a, one end first protrusion 37a, and the same number of end second protrusions 38a as the second protrusions 21 (three in this example), and is supported coaxially with the first member 14 and the second member 15 and capable of relative rotation with respect to the first member 14 and the second member 15.

[0064] The first end protrusion 37a protrudes from one circumferential position on the other axial side surface of the end side plate portion 36a toward the other axial side. In this example, the first end protrusion 37a has a fan-shaped end face shape when viewed from the other axial side. That is, the radially inner and outer surfaces of the first end protrusion 37a have an arc-shaped outline centered on the central axis O of the end rotor 16a when viewed from the other axial side. The side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the first end protrusion 37a have a linear outline shape extending radially from the central axis O of the end rotor 16a when viewed from the other axial side, and extend linearly in the axial direction when viewed from the radially outer side. That is, the side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the first end protrusion 37a exist within an imaginary plane including the central axis O of the end rotor 16a. In this example, the circumferential width of the first end protrusion 37a is 60 degrees.

[0065] Each of the second end projections 38a is formed on one side surface in the axial direction of the end side plate portion 36a. Regarding the circumferential direction At multiple equally spaced locations (in this example, circumferential direction) Regarding The second end projections 38a protrude from three equally spaced positions toward one axial side. In this example, the second end projections 38a have a fan-shaped end face shape when viewed from one axial side. That is, the radially inner and outer surfaces of the second end projections 38a have an arc-shaped outline shape centered on the central axis O of the end rotation body 16a when viewed from one axial side. The side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the second end projections 38a have a linear outline shape extending in the radial direction centered on the central axis O of the end rotation body 16a when viewed from one axial side, and extend linearly in the axial direction when viewed from the radially outer side. That is, the side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the second end projections 38a exist within an imaginary plane including the central axis O of the end rotation body 16a. In this example, the circumferential width of the second end projections 38a is 30 degrees.

[0066] At least one intermediate rotor 16b includes a hollow circular plate-shaped intermediate side plate portion 36b, intermediate first protrusions 37b the same number as the first protrusions 17 of the first member 14 (one in the illustrated example), and an end rotor 16a. EndIt has the same number of intermediate second protrusions 38b as the first protrusions 37a (one in the illustrated example), and is supported coaxially with the first member 14 and the second member 15 and capable of relative rotation with respect to the first member 14 and the second member 15.

[0067] In this example, the at least one intermediate rotor 16b is composed of one intermediate rotor 16b.

[0068] The intermediate first protrusion 37b protrudes from one circumferential position on the other axial side surface of the intermediate side plate portion 36b toward the other axial side. In this example, the intermediate first protrusion 37b has a fan-shaped end face shape when viewed from the other axial side. That is, the radially inner and outer surfaces of the intermediate first protrusion 37b have an arc-shaped outline centered on the central axis O of the intermediate rotor 16b when viewed from the other axial side. The side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the intermediate first protrusion 37b have a linear outline shape extending in the radial direction centered on the central axis O of the intermediate rotor 16b when viewed from the other axial side, and extend linearly in the axial direction when viewed from the radially outer side. That is, the side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the intermediate first protrusion 37b exist within an imaginary plane including the central axis O of the intermediate rotor 16b. In this example, the circumferential width of the intermediate first protrusion 37b is 60 degrees.

[0069] The intermediate second protrusion 38b protrudes toward one axial direction from one circumferential position on one axial side surface of the intermediate side plate portion 36b. In this example, the intermediate second protrusion 38b protrudes toward one axial direction from one circumferential position on one axial side surface of the intermediate side plate portion 36b, the one circumferential position being radially opposite to the intermediate first protrusion 37b, i.e., from one circumferential position being 180 degrees out of phase with the intermediate first protrusion 37b.

[0070] In this example, the intermediate second protrusions 38b have a fan-shaped end face shape when viewed from one axial side. That is, the radially inner and outer surfaces of the intermediate second protrusions 38b have an arc-shaped outline centered on the central axis O of the intermediate rotator 16b when viewed from one axial side. The side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the intermediate second protrusions 38b have a linear outline shape extending in the radial direction centered on the central axis O of the intermediate rotator 16b when viewed from one axial side, and extend linearly in the axial direction when viewed from the radially outer side. That is, the side surfaces on both circumferential sides of the intermediate second protrusions 38b exist within an imaginary plane including the central axis O of the intermediate rotator 16b. In this example, the circumferential width of the intermediate second protrusions 38b is 60 degrees.

[0071] The rotation limiting device 4 of this example further includes a plurality of spacers 39a, 39b. In this example, the plurality of spacers 39a, 39b is configured by four spacers 39a, 39b. Of the four spacers 39a, 39b, the second spacer 39a from the other axial side is configured as a notched cylinder having a discontinuous portion 40 at one location in the circumferential direction, and the remaining three spacers 39b are configured as cylindrical. The circumferential width of the discontinuous portion 40 is the same as the circumferential width of the first protrusion 17 of the first member 14. That is, in this example, the circumferential width of the discontinuous portion 40 is 60 degrees.

[0072] The rotation limiting device 4 in this example is configured by combining the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b inside the second member 15 using four spacers 39a, 39b so that they are rotatable relative to each other and without any axial or radial play.

[0073] Specifically, one cylindrical spacer 39b of the four spacers 39a, 39b is fitted without rattle onto the other axial end of the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18 of the first member 14 that protrudes axially further than the outward flange portion 19. Also, the following are fitted without rattle onto one axial side portion of the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18 of the first member 14 that protrudes axially further than the outward flange portion 19: a notched cylindrical spacer 39a, an intermediate side plate portion 36b of the intermediate rotor 16b, a cylindrical spacer 39b, an end side plate portion 36a of the end rotor 16a, and a cylindrical spacer 39b. In this state, the radially inner end of the first protrusion 17 is disposed between the circumferential ends of the notched cylindrical spacer 39a, i.e., at the discontinuous portion 40.

[0074] The large-diameter portion 26 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the inward flange portion 25 of the housing body 22 constituting the second member 15 is in sliding contact with or closely opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the spacer 39b on the other axial side, and the stepped surface 28 is in sliding contact with or closely opposed to the other axial end surface of the spacer 39b on the other axial side. The radially inner surfaces of the second protrusions 21 of the second member 15 are in sliding contact with or closely opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the spacer 39b on the other axial side, and the other axial side surface of the closing plate portion 32 of the cover 23 constituting the second member 15 is in sliding contact with or closely opposed to the one axial end surface of the spacer 39b on the other axial side. In this manner, when the rotation limiting device 4 is assembled, the outer-diameter cylindrical portion 24 of the housing body 22 is disposed around the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b.

[0075] <Operation of rotation limiting device 4> The operation of the rotation limiting device 4 of this example will be described with reference to Figures 4(A) to 5(D). Figures 4(A) to 5(D) are diagrams that schematically show the first protrusion 17 of the first member 14, the second protrusion 21 of the second member 15, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b as viewed from the radially outer side. In the following description, "one circumferential side" refers to the counterclockwise front side as viewed from the driver seated in the driver's seat, and refers to the lower side in Figures 4(A) to 5(D), and "the other circumferential side" refers to the clockwise front side as viewed from the driver seated in the driver's seat, and refers to the upper side in Figures 4(A) to 5(D).

[0076] First, when the steering wheel 2 is operated from its maximum left position (counterclockwise as seen by the driver sitting in the driver's seat) to its maximum right position (clockwise as seen by the driver sitting in the driver's seat), the rotation limiting device 4 operates in the order shown in Figure 4(A) → Figure 4(B) → Figure 4(C) → Figure 4(D).

[0077] That is, when the steering wheel 2 is turned to the maximum left, as shown in Figure 4(A), one circumferential side of the first protrusion 17 abuts against the other circumferential side of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotating body 16b, one circumferential side of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotating body 16b abuts against the other circumferential side of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotating body 16a, and one circumferential side of each end second protrusion 38a of the end rotating body 16a abuts against the other circumferential side of each second protrusion 21.

[0078] From this state, when the steering wheel 2 is turned to the right and the steering shaft 9 is rotated clockwise, as shown by the arrow in Figure 4(A), one circumferential side of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotating body 16b abuts against the other circumferential side of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotating body 16a, and one circumferential side of each end second protrusion 38a of the end rotating body 16a abuts against the other circumferential side of each second protrusion 21, and only the first member 14 rotates clockwise (towards the other circumferential side). Then, when the first member 14 rotates clockwise by an angle that is smaller than 360 degrees by the sum of the circumferential width of the first protrusion 17 and the circumferential width of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotor 16b, that is, 240 degrees in this example, the other circumferential side of the first protrusion 17 abuts against one circumferential side of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotor 16b, as shown in Figure 4(B).

[0079] 4(B), when the steering wheel 2 is further turned to the right, one circumferential side surface of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotor 16b is pushed toward the other circumferential side by the other circumferential side surface of the first protrusion 17, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4(B). As a result, one circumferential side surface of each end second protrusion 38a of the end rotor 16a remains in contact with the other circumferential side surface of the corresponding second protrusion 21, and the first member 14 and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate clockwise (toward the other circumferential side) together. Then, when the first member 14 and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate clockwise by an angle that is smaller than 360 degrees by the sum of the circumferential width of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b and the circumferential width of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotor 16a, that is, 240 degrees in this example, the other circumferential side of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b abuts against one circumferential side of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotor 16a, as shown in Figure 4(C).

[0080] When the steering wheel 2 is further turned to the right from the state shown in Fig. 4(C), the first member 14 and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate together in the clockwise direction, and the other circumferential side surface of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b presses one circumferential side surface of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotor 16a toward the other circumferential side, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4(C). As a result, the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate together in the clockwise direction (toward the other circumferential side). When the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate clockwise by an angle calculated by subtracting the sum of the circumferential widths of the second end protrusions 38a of the end rotor 16a and the sum of the circumferential widths of the second protrusions 21 from 360 degrees and dividing the result by the number of second end protrusions 38a, that is, 60 degrees in this example, as shown in FIG. 4(D), the other circumferential side surface of each second end protrusion 38a of the end rotor 16a comes into contact with one circumferential side surface of each second protrusion 21. As a result, the end rotor 16a is prevented from rotating further clockwise relative to the second member 15. When the clockwise rotation of the end rotor 16a is prevented, the intermediate rotor 16b is also prevented from rotating further clockwise. When the clockwise rotation of the intermediate rotor 16b is prevented, the first member 14 is prevented from rotating further clockwise, and the steering shaft 9 and the steering wheel 2 supported and fixed to the steering shaft 9 are prevented from rotating further clockwise.

[0081] On the other hand, when the steering wheel 2 is operated from the maximum right position to the maximum left position, the rotation limiting device 4 changes in the order of Fig. 5(A) → Fig. 5(B) → Fig. 5(C) → Fig. 5(D) ) It operates in the order shown below.

[0082] That is, when the steering wheel 2 is turned to the maximum right, as shown in Figure 5(A), the other circumferential side of the first protrusion 17 abuts against one circumferential side of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotating body 16b, the other circumferential side of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotating body 16b abuts against one circumferential side of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotating body 16a, and the other circumferential side of each end second protrusion 38a of the end rotating body 16a abuts against one circumferential side of each second protrusion 21.

[0083] From this state, when the steering wheel 2 is turned to the left and the steering shaft 9 is rotated counterclockwise, as shown by the arrow in Figure 5(A), the other circumferential side of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotating body 16b abuts against one circumferential side of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotating body 16a, and the other circumferential side of each end second protrusion 38a of the end rotating body 16a abuts against one circumferential side of the respective second protrusions 21, and only the first member 14 rotates counterclockwise (towards one circumferential side). Then, when the first member 14 rotates counterclockwise by an angle that is smaller than 360 degrees by the sum of the circumferential width of the first protrusion 17 and the circumferential width of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotor 16b, that is, 240 degrees in this example, one circumferential side surface of the first protrusion 17 abuts against the other circumferential side surface of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotor 16b, as shown in Figure 5(B).

[0084] 5(B), when the steering wheel 2 is further turned to the left, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5(B), the other circumferential side surface of the intermediate first protrusion 37b of the intermediate rotor 16b is pushed toward one circumferential side by one circumferential side surface of the first protrusion 17. As a result, the other circumferential side surfaces of the end second protrusions 38a of the end rotor 16a remain in contact with one circumferential side surface of the respective second protrusions 21, and the first member 14 and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate together counterclockwise (to one circumferential side). Then, when the first member 14 and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate counterclockwise by an angle that is smaller than 360 degrees by the sum of the circumferential width of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b and the circumferential width of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotor 16a, in this example, 240 degrees, one circumferential side surface of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b abuts against the other circumferential side surface of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotor 16a, as shown in Figure 5(C).

[0085] When the steering wheel 2 is further turned to the left from the state shown in Fig. 5(C), the first member 14 and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate counterclockwise together, and as shown by the arrow in Fig. 5(C), one circumferential side surface of the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b presses the other circumferential side surface of the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotor 16a toward one circumferential side, thereby causing the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b to rotate counterclockwise (to one circumferential side) together. Then, when the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b rotate counterclockwise by an angle calculated by subtracting the sum of the circumferential widths of the second end protrusions 38a of the end rotor 16a and the sum of the circumferential widths of the second protrusions 21 from 360 degrees and dividing the result by the number of second end protrusions 38a, that is, 60 degrees in this example, one circumferential side surface of each second end protrusion 38a of the end rotor 16a comes into contact with the other circumferential side surface of each second protrusion 21, as shown in FIG. 5(D). As a result, the end rotor 16a is prevented from rotating further counterclockwise relative to the second member 15. When the counterclockwise rotation of the end rotor 16a is prevented, the intermediate rotor 16b is prevented from rotating further counterclockwise. When the counterclockwise rotation of the intermediate rotor 16b is prevented, the first member 14 is prevented from rotating further counterclockwise, and the steering shaft 9 and the steering wheel 2 supported and fixed to the steering shaft 9 are prevented from rotating further counterclockwise.

[0086] Note that, based on the frictional force acting between the outer peripheral surface of the inner diameter side cylindrical portion 18 of the first member 14 and the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate side plate portion 36b of the intermediate rotor 16b and / or the inner peripheral surface of the end side plate portion 36a of the end rotor 16a, the end rotor 16a and / or the intermediate rotor 16b may rotate so as to be rotated by the first member 14. In this case, the operating sequence of the rotation limiting device 4 may differ from the examples shown in Figures 4(A) to 4(D) and 5(A) to 5(D).

[0087] The rotation limiting device 4 of this example can adjust the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 coupled and fixed to the first member 14 by changing the total number of end rotors 16a and intermediate rotors 16b arranged axially between the first protrusion 17 and the second protrusion 21. Specifically, the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the number of intermediate rotors 16b, each of which has only one intermediate second protrusion 38b.

[0088] For example, if the circumferential widths W of the first protrusion 17, the intermediate first protrusion 37b and the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b, and the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotor 16a are all the same, then each additional intermediate rotor 16b can increase the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 by an angle that is twice the circumferential width W (2W) less than 360 degrees.

[0089] When the circumferential width W is 60 degrees, the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 can be increased by 240 degrees for each additional intermediate rotor 16b, and the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel 2 can be increased by 0.67. For example, in the rotation limiting device 4 having one intermediate rotor 16b and one end rotor 16a as in this example, the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 is 540 degrees (the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel 2 is 1.5), but by adding one intermediate rotor 16b, the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 can be increased to 780 degrees (the number of lock-to-lock rotations of the steering wheel 2 is 2.17).

[0090] In this way, according to the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9 can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the total number of end rotors 16a and intermediate rotors 16b, thereby improving the degree of freedom in setting the rotatable amount of the steering shaft 9. Note that the number of intermediate rotors 16b can also be set to 0. In other words, when implementing the rotation limiting device of the present invention, a plurality of end second protrusions are provided between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. With It is also possible to provide only one end rotor.

[0091] In the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the amount of rotation of the steering shaft 9 can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of intermediate rotors 16b having the same shape. In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in setting the amount of rotation of the rotating member, while preventing unnecessary increases in the manufacturing costs, management costs, and assembly costs of parts, and suppress increases in the manufacturing costs of the rotation limiting device.

[0092] In the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the second member 15, which is supported and fixed to the steering column 8, which does not rotate even when in use, has a plurality of second protrusions 21, and the end rotating body 16a, which faces the second member 15, has the same number of end second protrusions 38a as the second protrusions 21. Therefore, the rotational force resulting from the operation of the steering shaft 9 can be distributed and transmitted to the steering column 8, and the transmitted force per second protrusion 21 and end second protrusion 38a can be kept small. For this reason, the circumferential width per second protrusion 21 and end second protrusion 38a can be reduced, or the second protrusions 21 and end second protrusions 38a can be made of a material with low rigidity.

[0093] For example, since the Young's modulus of an aluminum alloy is about one-third of that of an iron-based alloy, if the second protrusions 21 and the end second protrusions 38a are made of an aluminum alloy and the number of each is three or more, the amount of deformation of the second protrusions 21 and the end second protrusions 38a can be kept small to the same level as or less than when the second protrusions of the second member and the end second protrusions on one axial side are each one and made of an iron-based alloy.

[0094] In implementing the present invention, the materials constituting the first member, the second member, the end rotor, and the intermediate rotor are not particularly limited as long as they are capable of relative rotation (sliding) relative to one another, and can be made of, for example, synthetic resin or metal. Furthermore, the first member, the second member, the end rotor, and the intermediate rotor can each be integrally formed or can be formed by combining multiple components. When combining multiple components, for example, the protrusions and the portions other than the protrusions can be made of different materials. By forming the first protrusions of the first member and the intermediate rotor facing the first member from different metal materials, adhesion between the first protrusions and the intermediate rotor can be prevented. By forming the second protrusions of the second member and the end rotor facing the second member from different metal materials, adhesion between the second protrusions and the end rotor can be prevented. Furthermore, by forming the protrusions from synthetic resin, impact noise can be reduced.

[0095] In this example, the number of second protrusions 21 and end second protrusions 38a is three, but when implementing the present invention, the number of second protrusions of the second member and the number of end second protrusions of the end rotating body facing the second member can be any number as long as they are equal in number (two or more) and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0096] In this example, the circumferential width between the first protrusion 17, the intermediate first protrusion 37b and the intermediate second protrusion 38b of the intermediate rotating body 16b, and the end first protrusion 37a of the end rotating body 16a is 60 degrees, and the circumferential width between the end second protrusion 38a of the end rotating body 16a and the second protrusion 21 is 30 degrees, but when implementing the present invention, these circumferential widths are not particularly limited and can be set to any size as long as the strength of the protrusions can be sufficiently ensured.

[0097] Furthermore, when implementing the present invention, the circumferential width of the first protrusion, the circumferential width of the end first protrusion of the end rotor, and the circumferential width of the intermediate first protrusion and the circumferential width of the intermediate second protrusion of the intermediate rotor do not all need to be the same, and some or all of them can be different.

[0098] In this example, the first intermediate protrusion 37b and the second intermediate protrusion 38b provided on the intermediate rotor 16b are circumferentially out of phase with each other by 180 degrees. This allows the center of gravity of the intermediate rotor 16b to be positioned on the central axis O of the intermediate rotor 16b. This prevents the intermediate rotor 16b from rotating due to gravity even when no torque is applied to the steering shaft 9.

[0099] However, when implementing the present invention, the circumferential phase of one intermediate first protrusion and one intermediate second protrusion provided on the intermediate rotor can be set arbitrarily. For example, the circumferential phases of the first intermediate protrusion and the second intermediate protrusion can be made to coincide. In this case, most of the circumferential force applied to the first intermediate protrusion is transmitted directly to the second intermediate protrusion without acting on the intermediate side plate portion, and is then applied from the second intermediate protrusion to the first intermediate protrusion of the intermediate rotor adjacent to one axial side or the first end protrusion of the end rotor. This prevents a large circumferential force from acting on the intermediate side plate portion. Alternatively, the circumferential phases of one intermediate first protrusion and one intermediate second protrusion provided on the intermediate rotor can be made to differ by 90 degrees.

[0100] In this example, the first protrusions 17, the second protrusions 21, the first end protrusions 37a, the second end protrusions 38a, the first intermediate protrusions 37b, and the second intermediate protrusions 38b all have fan-shaped end faces when viewed in the axial direction. This increases the contact area between the first protrusions 17 and the first intermediate protrusions 37b of the intermediate rotor 16b, the contact area between the second intermediate protrusions 38b of the intermediate rotor 16b and the first end protrusions 37a of the end rotor 16a, and the contact area between the second end protrusions 38a of the end rotor 16a and the second protrusions 21, thereby reducing the contact surface pressure.

[0101] In the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b are sandwiched in the axial direction between the housing main body 22 and the cover 23 that constitute the second member 15, and are disposed radially inside the outer diameter side cylindrical portion 24, and the housing main body 22 and the cover 23 are fastened together with fastening bolts. Therefore, even before the first member 14 is fastened to the steering shaft 9 and the second member 15 is supported and fastened to the steering column 8, the rotation limiting device 4 can be pre-assembled (assembled). This improves the ease of handling of the rotation limiting device 4.

[0102] In this example, the housing body 22 and the lid 23 are connected and fixed by threading a fastening bolt inserted through the cylindrical body-side fastening hole 30 into the threaded lid-side fastening hole 35, but the fastening bolt inserted through the cylindrical lid-side fastening hole can also be threaded into the threaded body-side fastening hole. Alternatively, both the body-side fastening hole and the lid-side fastening hole can be threaded holes.

[0103] Alternatively, if the housing body 22 and the lid body 23 are connected and fixed by another means such as a clip before the rotation limiting device 4 is supported and fixed to the steering column 8, or if there is no need to assemble them in advance, both the body side connecting hole and the lid body side connecting hole can be configured as cylindrical holes.

[0104] Furthermore, with the rotation limiting device 4 of this example, the axial connection strength of the first member 14 to the steering shaft 9 and the axial connection strength of the second member 15 to the steering column 8 do not need to be increased unnecessarily.

[0105] 8 described above, both circumferential side surfaces of the first rotation protrusion 104, both circumferential side surfaces of the fixed protrusion 105, and both circumferential side surfaces of the second rotation protrusion 107 are inclined with respect to the axial direction when viewed from the radial outside. Therefore, when the first rotation member 101 rotates, a force is applied between the first rotation member 101 and the second rotation member 103 and / or between the second rotation member 103 and the housing 102 in a direction that moves them away from each other in the axial direction. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently increase the axial connection strength of the first rotation member 101 to the steering shaft and the axial connection strength of the housing 102 to the vehicle body.

[0106] In contrast, in this example, the circumferential side surfaces of the first protrusion 17, the circumferential side surfaces of the second protrusion 21, the circumferential side surfaces of the end first protrusion 37a, the circumferential side surfaces of the end second protrusion 38a, the circumferential side surfaces of the intermediate first protrusion 37b, and the circumferential side surfaces of the intermediate second protrusion 38b each extend linearly in the axial direction when viewed from the radial direction. Therefore, even when the first member 14 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the steering shaft 9, no axial force acts between the first member 14 and the intermediate rotor 16b, between the intermediate rotor 16b and the end rotor 16a, or between the end rotor 16a and the second member 15. Therefore, there is no need to unnecessarily increase the axial connection strength of the first member 14 to the steering shaft 9 and the axial connection strength of the second member 15 to the steering column 8, and this prevents an unnecessarily high manufacturing cost for the steering device 1 including the rotation limiting device 4.

[0107] In this example, the first member 14 is connected and fixed to the steering shaft 9, which rotates when in use, and the second member 15 is connected and fixed to the steering column 8, which does not rotate when in use. However, when implementing the present invention, it is also possible to connect and fix the second member to a rotating member that rotates when in use, and the first member to a fixed member that does not rotate when in use.

[0108] In this example, a configuration has been described in which the first member 14 having one first protrusion 17 has an inner diameter side tubular portion 18 and an outward flange portion 19, and the second member 15 having a plurality of second protrusions 21 has an outer diameter side tubular portion 24 and an inward flange portion 25, but the present invention can also adopt a configuration in which the first member has an outer diameter side tubular portion and an inward flange portion, and the second member has an inner diameter side tubular portion and an outward flange portion.

[0109] To prevent adhesion and seizure of the first member, second member, end rotor, and intermediate rotor, it is desirable to fill the cylindrical space between the first member and second member with a lubricant such as grease. In this case, an oil seal can also be provided between the first member and second member.

[0110] Furthermore, in this example, an example has been described in which the rotation limiting device 4 is incorporated into the steering unit 3 that constitutes the steer-by-wire steering device 1, but the rotation limiting device of the present invention can be incorporated and used to limit the amount of rotation of a rotating member of any rotating machinery device, not limited to steer-by-wire steering devices, including steering devices in which a steering unit and a turning unit are mechanically connected.

[0111] [Example 2] 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In rotation limiting device 4a of this example, housing main body 22a constituting second member 15a is provided with a plurality of second protrusions 21. Second member 15a includes housing main body 22a and lid 23a.

[0112] The housing main body 22a has a cylindrical outer diameter side tube portion 24, a hollow circular plate-like inward flange portion 25a bent radially inward from one axial end of the outer diameter side tube portion 24, and two main body ear portions 29 protruding radially outward from two radially opposite positions of the other axial end of the outer diameter side tube portion 24.

[0113] The inward flange portion 25a has a second side surface 34 on the other side surface in the axial direction, and the second side surface 34 Regarding the circumferential directionThe second projections 21 are provided at a plurality of locations at equal intervals.

[0114] The cover 23a covers (or blocks) the radially outer portion of the opening on the other axial side of the outer diameter side cylindrical portion 24 of the housing main body 22a. In this example, the cover 23a has a hollow circular plate-shaped closing plate 32a and two cover lugs 33 that protrude radially outward from two radially opposite positions of the closing plate 32a. The inner peripheral surface of the closing plate 32a is formed as a stepped cylindrical surface that connects a large diameter portion 26a on one axial side and a small diameter portion 27a on the other axial side by a step surface 28a facing one axial side.

[0115] The rotation limiting device 4a of this example is configured by assembling the first member 14, the end rotor 16a, and the intermediate rotor 16b inside the second member 15a using four spacers 39a, 39b so that they are rotatable relative to each other and without any backlash in the axial or radial directions. The configuration and effects of the other parts are the same as those of the first example.

[0116] The embodiments of the present invention can be combined as appropriate as long as no contradiction occurs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1 Steering device 2 steering wheels 3 Steering unit 4, 4a Rotation limiter 5 steering wheel 6. Steering unit 7. Control Unit 8. Steering column 9. Steering shaft 10. Reaction force application device 11 Gear housing 12 Steering actuator 13 Tie rod 14 First member 15, 15a Second member 16a End rotor 16b Intermediate Rotor 17 1st protrusion 18 Inner cylinder part 19 Outward flange 20 First aspect 21 2nd protrusion 22, 22a Housing body 23, 23a Lid body 24 Outer cylinder part 25, 25a Inward flange 26 Large diameter section 27 Small diameter section 28 Step surface 29 Main body ear 30 Body side connection hole 31 Cylindrical part 32, 32a Closure plate 33 Lid ear 34 Second aspect 35 Lid body side connection hole 36a End side plate 36b Intermediate side plate 37a End first projection 37b Intermediate 1st protrusion 38a End second protrusion 38b Intermediate 2nd protrusion 39a, 39b spacers 100 Stopper unit 101 first rotating member 102 Housing 103 Second rotating member 104 First rotating protrusion 105 Fixed protrusion 106 Cylindrical part 107 Second rotating protrusion

Claims

1. a first member having a first projection; a second member that is arranged coaxially with the first member and capable of rotating relative to the first member, the second member having a plurality of second protrusions that are arranged on one axial side of the first protrusion and that are equally spaced in the circumferential direction; an end rotor supported so as to be rotatable relative to the first member and the second member; the end rotor has an end side plate portion disposed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion in the axial direction, end first protrusions, and end second protrusions the same number as the second protrusions, the end first projection protrudes from the other axial side surface of the end side plate portion toward the other axial side, The second end projections protrude from one axial side surface of the end side plate portion toward one axial side and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Rotation limiter.

2. the rotor further includes at least one intermediate rotor having an intermediate side plate portion disposed between the first projection and the end first projection in the axial direction, an intermediate first projection protruding from the other axial side surface of the intermediate side plate portion toward the other axial side, and an intermediate second projection protruding from one axial side surface of the intermediate side plate portion toward one axial side, The rotation limiting device of claim 1 .

3. the first member has a first side surface facing one side in the axial direction, and the first protrusion protruding from the first side surface toward one side in the axial direction, the second member has a second side surface facing the other axial side, and the second protrusions protruding from a plurality of equally spaced locations in the circumferential direction on the second side surface toward the other axial side, The rotation limiting device of claim 1 .

4. one of the first member and the second member has an outer diameter side cylindrical portion, and the other of the first member and the second member has an inner diameter side cylindrical portion arranged coaxially with the outer diameter side cylindrical portion radially inside the outer diameter side cylindrical portion, the end rotor is disposed between the outer diameter side cylindrical portion and the inner diameter side cylindrical portion in the radial direction so as to be rotatable relative to the outer diameter side cylindrical portion and the inner diameter side cylindrical portion. The rotation limiting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The one member is a housing main body having the outer diameter side cylindrical portion and an inward flange portion bent radially inward from an axial end of the outer diameter side cylindrical portion; a cover that covers a radially outer portion of an opening of the outer diameter side cylindrical portion on the side opposite to the side on which the inward flange portion is provided in the axial direction; Equipped with the one member has either the first side surface or the second side surface on one of the axial side surfaces of the inward flange portion and the axial side surface of the lid body, which are opposed to each other; 5. A rotation limiting device according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3.

6. the other member has an outward flange portion that protrudes radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the inner diameter side cylindrical portion, the outward flange portion has the first side surface on one side surface in the axial direction, or the second side surface on the other side surface in the axial direction; 5. A rotation limiting device according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3.

7. a steering shaft; and a rotation limiting device that limits the amount of rotation of the steering shaft to a predetermined value; The rotation limiting device is configured as the rotation limiting device of claim 1, The first member or the second member is fixedly coupled to the steering shaft, and the second member or the first member is supported and fixed to a portion that does not rotate even during use. Steering device.

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