Steering device

Abstract

A steering device (10) comprises: a steering shaft (14) that can be operated in a state in which a power transmission path between a steering wheel (34) and the steering shaft is separated; an interlocking rotating body (80) that includes a second facing part (82) of the steering shaft (14); and a rotation stopping body (60) that includes a first facing part (62) of the steering shaft (14). The first facing part (62) and the second facing part (82) are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft (14). In the first facing part (62): an annular elastic member (64) is provided attached to the outer periphery of the first facing part; an outer surface (62b) has a first radial distance (R1); and an inner surface (62c) has a second radial distance (R3). A distal end surface (82a) of the second facing part (82) has a third radial distance (R2). The third radial distance (R2) is greater than a value obtained by adding half the difference between the first radial distance (R1) and the second radial distance (R2) to the second radial distance (R3).

Description

Steering gear

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering device.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-101094 (Patent Document 1) describes a device for mechanically limiting the rotational range of a steering shaft in a steer-by-wire system. Specifically, the device includes a first rotating member that rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft and a second rotating member that rotates with the first rotating member. The device also includes a restricting member that contacts the second rotating member to prevent rotation of the second rotating member when the second rotating member reaches a predetermined rotation angle. When the first rotating member rotates a predetermined amount from the steering angle at which rotation of the second rotating member is prevented by the restricting member, the first rotating member and the second rotating member come into contact with each other, preventing rotation of the first rotating member. This prevents rotation of the first rotating member.

[0003] Furthermore, the same document 1 describes that the contact surfaces of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are covered with an elastic member (paragraph "0076").

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-69844

[0005] However, when the contact surface is covered with an elastic member as described above, the steering angle is likely to fluctuate when the rotation of the steering shaft is restricted, which reduces the accuracy of detecting the upper limit of the rotation angle of the steering shaft.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a steering device including a steering shaft that can be operated in a state where a power transmission path between the steering shaft and the steered wheels of a vehicle is separated, the steering device including an interlocking rotor configured to rotate about the axis of the steering shaft in conjunction with the rotation of the steering shaft, and a rotation stopping body configured to stop the interlocking rotor by contacting the interlocking rotor, the rotation stopping body having a first opposing portion that faces the interlocking rotor when in contact with the interlocking rotor, the interlocking rotor having a second opposing portion that faces the rotation stopping body when in contact with the rotation stopping body, the first opposing portion and the second opposing portion can come into contact with each other in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft, the first opposing portion is provided with an annular elastic member attached to an outer periphery of the first opposing portion, and the first opposing portion is configured to stop the interlocking rotor by contacting the interlocking rotor. The opposing portion has an outer surface located radially outward of the steering shaft and an inner surface located radially inward of the steering shaft, the second opposing portion has a tip surface located radially outward of the steering shaft, the outer surface has a first radial distance with respect to the axis of the steering shaft, the inner surface has a second radial distance with respect to the axis of the steering shaft, and the tip surface has a third radial distance with respect to the axis of the steering shaft, and the third radial distance is greater than a value obtained by adding half the difference between the first radial distance and the second radial distance to the second radial distance.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a steering system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a portion of the reaction force actuator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a portion of the reaction force actuator shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between a housing protrusion and an intermediate stopper protrusion shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a portion of the reaction force actuator shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the stopper function of the reaction force actuator shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contact state between the housing protrusion and the intermediate stopper protrusion via an O-ring.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. "Prerequisite Configuration" The vehicle steering device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a steer-by-wire device. That is, the steering device 10 includes a steering shaft 14 that can be operated with a power transmission path between the steering shaft 14 and the steered wheels 34 of the vehicle separated. More specifically, the steering device 10 includes a steering wheel 12, a steering shaft 14, a reaction force actuator 20, and a steering actuator 30. The steering shaft 14 is connected to the steering wheel 12. The reaction force actuator 20 is used to apply a force that resists the force exerted by the driver to operate the steering wheel 12. The reaction force actuator 20 includes a reaction force motor 22, a reaction force inverter 24, a reaction force reduction mechanism 26, and a device for restricting the rotation of the steering shaft 14, which will be described later. The reaction force motor 22 applies a steering reaction force, which is a force that resists steering, to the steering wheel 12 via the steering shaft 14. The reaction motor 22 is connected to the steering shaft 14 via a reaction reduction mechanism 26. The reaction reduction mechanism 26 is formed, for example, of a worm and wheel.

[0009] The steering actuator 30 is used to steer the steerable wheels 34 in accordance with the driver's steering intention, which is indicated by the driver's operation of the steering wheel 12. The steering actuator 30 comprises a steering shaft 32, a steering motor 42, a steering inverter 44, a steering transmission mechanism 46, and a conversion mechanism 48. The steering transmission mechanism 46 is made up of a belt transmission mechanism. The rotational power of the steering motor 42 is transmitted to the conversion mechanism 48 by the steering transmission mechanism 46. The conversion mechanism 48 converts the transmitted rotational power into displacement power in the axial direction of the steering shaft 32. The steerable wheels 34 are turned by the axial displacement of the steering shaft 32.

[0010] The steering control device 50 controls the control amount of the steering wheel 12 and the steered wheels 34, which are the control objects. That is, the steering control device 50 controls the steering reaction force that resists the steering by the driver, which is the control amount of the steering wheel 12. The steering control device 50 also controls the steering angle, which is the control amount of the steered wheels 34. The steering angle is the turning angle of the steered wheels 34.

[0011] The steering control device 50 executes a process for learning the neutral position of the steering shaft 14 under predetermined conditions. The neutral position corresponds to the straight-ahead direction of the vehicle. As an example, the steering control device 50 detects the upper limit values ​​on the right-turning side and the left-turning side of the steering shaft 14, and determines the midpoint between them as the neutral position.

[0012] "Configuration of Reaction Force Actuator 20" Figures 2 and 3 show the configuration of a portion of the reaction force actuator 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the reaction force actuator 20 includes a housing 60. The housing 60 is fixed to the vehicle body, for example, via a tilt hinge 61 that allows the reaction force actuator 20 to swing relative to the vehicle body. The steering shaft 14 is inserted into the housing 60. The housing 60 rotatably supports the steering shaft 14. The steering shaft 14 is inserted into a shaft hole 60a of the housing 60. A first end 14a of the steering shaft 14 is the end opposite to a second end connected to the steering wheel 12. The first end 14a of the steering shaft 14 protrudes beyond a first surface 60b of the housing 60. The first surface 60b is a surface that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the steering shaft 14, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0013] A plurality of ring-shaped members are inserted into the first end 14a of the steering shaft 14. The ring-shaped members include a washer 70, an intermediate stopper 80, a washer 72, an end stopper 90, a wave washer 74, and a C-shaped retaining ring 76.

[0014] The housing 60 is provided with a housing protrusion 62 that restricts rotation of the intermediate stopper 80. The housing protrusion 62 protrudes from the first surface 60b of the housing 60 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 14, more specifically toward the first end 14a. The housing protrusion 62 is provided on a portion of the periphery of the shaft hole 60a. For example, the housing protrusion 62 has a fan-shaped shape when viewed from the axial direction of the steering shaft 14. The phase position of the housing protrusion 62 relative to the periphery of the shaft hole 60a is, for example, the position farthest from the tilt hinge 61. In this embodiment, the housing 60 is an example of a rotation stopping body. The housing protrusion 62 is also an example of a first opposing portion.

[0015] A groove 62a is provided on the outer periphery of the housing protrusion 62, extending over the entire circumferential direction of the housing protrusion 62. An O-ring 64 is attached to the groove 62a of the housing protrusion 62. The O-ring 64 is made of rubber, such as nitrile rubber. In this embodiment, the O-ring 64 is an example of an annular elastic member.

[0016] 2 and 3, the intermediate stopper 80, which is an interlocking rotating body, is provided with an annular intermediate stopper protrusion 82 whose rotation is limited by the housing protrusion 62. The intermediate stopper protrusion 82 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate stopper 80 radially outward of the steering shaft 14, more specifically, so as to be spaced apart from the steering shaft 14. The intermediate stopper protrusion 82 is provided on a portion of the outer periphery of the intermediate stopper 80. The intermediate stopper protrusion 82 has, for example, a wedge shape when viewed in the axial direction of the steering shaft 14.

[0017] FIG. 4 schematically shows the relationship between the housing protrusion 62 and the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 when viewed in the axial direction of the steering shaft 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing protrusion 62 has an outer surface 62b located radially outward of the steering shaft 14 and an inner surface 62c located radially inward of the steering shaft 14. The outer surface 62b and the inner surface 62c are, for example, arc surfaces centered on the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The outer surface 62b has an outer radius R1 relative to the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The outer radius R1 corresponds to a first radial distance, which is the radial distance of the outer surface 62b from the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The inner surface 62c has an inner radius R3 relative to the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The inner radius R3 corresponds to a second radial distance, which is the radial distance of the inner surface 62c from the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The intermediate stopper projection 82 has a tip surface 82a located on the outer side in the radial direction of the steering shaft 14. The tip surface 82a is, for example, an arcuate surface centered on the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The tip surface 82a has an outer radius R2 relative to the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The outer radius R2 corresponds to a third radial distance, which is the radial distance of the tip surface 82a from the axis L of the steering shaft 14. In addition, the housing projection 62 has two circumferential side surfaces 62d located on the outer side in the circumferential direction around the axis L of the steering shaft 14. The circumferential side surfaces 62d are configured as flat surfaces that extend along the radial direction of the steering shaft 14.

[0018] The tip surface 82a of the intermediate stopper projection 82 is flush with the outer surface 62b of the housing projection 62 in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft 14. In other words, the outer radius R2 is the same as the outer radius R1. The outer radius R2 is greater than the value R4 obtained by adding half the difference between the outer radius R1 and the inner radius R3 to the inner radius R3. The outer radius R2 is also greater than the value R5 obtained by adding three-quarters of the difference between the outer radius R1 and the inner radius R3 to the inner radius R3. The circumferential extension range of the intermediate stopper projection 82 and the circumferential extension range of the housing projection 62 are adjusted to ensure strength. In this embodiment, the intermediate stopper 80 is an example of an interlocking rotating body, and in particular an example of a second rotating member. The intermediate stopper projection 82 is also an example of a second opposing portion. The intermediate stopper projection 82 has two circumferential side surfaces 82b located on the outer side in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft 14. The circumferential side surface 82b is configured as a flat surface that extends in the radial direction of the steering shaft 14. The circumferential side surface 82b can come into contact with the circumferential side surface 62d in the circumferential direction via the O-ring 64. The accuracy of the flat surfaces of the circumferential side surfaces 62d and 82b is ensured within a range that provides the effect of suppressing displacement of the O-ring 64 relative to the groove 62a, which will be described later.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, an elastic force acting in the right direction in the figure is exerted on the end stopper 90 by the wave washer 74. As a result, an elastic force acting in the right direction in the figure is exerted on the intermediate stopper 80 via the washer 72. Meanwhile, the first end 14a of the steering shaft 14 on the left side in the figure is a serrated shaft that has been subjected to serration processing and has a reduced diameter compared to other portions. The washer 70, the intermediate stopper 80, and the washer 72 are inserted into the first end 14a of the steering shaft 14. Therefore, displacement of the washer 70 to the right in the figure is restricted. Therefore, an elastic force acting in the right direction in the figure is exerted on the intermediate stopper 80 by the washer 72, and an elastic force acting in the left direction in the figure is exerted by the washer 70.

[0020] The end stopper 90 has a serrated hole 90a that is serrated. The end stopper 90 is fixed to the steering shaft 14 by serration engagement between the serrated hole 90a and the first end 14a. Therefore, as the steering shaft 14 rotates, the end stopper 90 rotates integrally with the steering shaft 14. As the end stopper 90 rotates, the intermediate stopper 80 rotates as well. In this embodiment, the end stopper 90 is an example of a first rotating member.

[0021] "Rotation restriction of steering shaft 14" The upper part of Fig. 6 shows a case where the steering shaft 14 rotates to the right turning side. The left end of the upper part of Fig. 6 shows a state where the steering angle θs, which is the rotation angle of the steering shaft 14, is a value corresponding to the end of the left turning side. The upper part of Fig. 6 also shows a state where the steering shaft 14 rotates to the right turning side as it moves to the right in the figure. In particular, the right end of the upper part of Fig. 6 shows a state where the steering angle θs is a value corresponding to the end of the right turning side.

[0022] As shown in the upper part of FIG. 6 , when the steering shaft 14 turns right from the end on the left turning side, the intermediate stopper 80 rotates as the end stopper 90 rotates. The center of the upper part of FIG. 6 shows a state in which the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 contacts the housing protrusion 62 via the O-ring 64. As a result, the intermediate stopper 80 is prevented from turning right by the housing protrusion 62, and further right turning is not possible. Therefore, the end stopper 90 rotates independently as the steering shaft 14 rotates. Then, as the steering shaft 14 rotates further, the end stopper protrusion 92 contacts the intermediate stopper protrusion 82. As a result, the end stopper 90 is prevented from turning right by the intermediate stopper protrusion 82, and further right turning is not possible. This state is shown at the right end of the upper part of FIG. 6 . In this state, the steering shaft 14 cannot rotate further to the right. The steering angle θs at this time is the upper limit on the right turning side.

[0023] The lower part of Fig. 6 shows a case where the rotation angle of the steering shaft 14 rotates to the left turning side. The left end of the lower part of Fig. 6 shows a state where the steering angle θs is at a value corresponding to the end of the right turning side. The lower part of Fig. 5 shows a state where the steering shaft 14 rotates to the left turning side as it moves to the right in the figure. In particular, the right end of the lower part of Fig. 6 shows a state where the steering angle θs is at a value corresponding to the end of the left turning side.

[0024] As shown in the lower part of Figure 6, when the steering shaft 14 turns left from the end on the right-turning side, the intermediate stopper 80 rotates as the end stopper 90 rotates. The center of the lower part of Figure 6 shows a state in which the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 contacts the housing protrusion 62 via the O-ring 64. As a result, the intermediate stopper 80 is prevented from turning left by the housing protrusion 62, and further left turning is not possible. Therefore, the end stopper 90 rotates independently as the steering shaft 14 rotates. Then, as the steering shaft 14 rotates further, the end stopper protrusion 92 contacts the intermediate stopper protrusion 82. As a result, the end stopper 90 is prevented from turning left by the intermediate stopper protrusion 82, and further left turning is not possible. This state is shown at the right end of the lower part of Figure 6. In this state, the steering shaft 14 cannot rotate further to the left. The steering angle θs at this time is the upper limit on the left-turning side.

[0025] Note that Figure 6 illustrates an example in which the steering angle θs changes from one of two values, one corresponding to the left-turning end and the other corresponding to the right-turning end. However, in reality, it is rare for the steering angle θs to reach a value corresponding to either the left-turning end or the right-turning end. The steering angle θs usually changes within an intermediate region between the value corresponding to the left-turning end and the value corresponding to the right-turning end, which are set by the steering control device 50. In this case, the intermediate stopper 80 is rotated along with the rotation of the end stopper 90 when the end stopper protrusion 92 is not in contact with the intermediate stopper protrusion 82.

[0026] <Operation of this embodiment> "Contact state between housing protrusion 62 and intermediate stopper protrusion 82 via O-ring 64" The upper part of Fig. 7 shows the state in the center of the lower part of Fig. 6, i.e., the point in time when the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 comes into contact with the housing protrusion 62 via the O-ring 64. The lower part of Fig. 7 shows a state in which the steering shaft 14 has rotated further from the state in the center of the lower part of Fig. 6, causing the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 to be pressed against the housing protrusion 62. In other words, the lower part of Fig. 7 shows a state in which the O-ring 64 is crushed between the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 and the housing protrusion 62.

[0027] 7, when the intermediate stopper projection 82 contacts the housing projection 62 via the O-ring 64, the housing projection 62 and the intermediate stopper projection 82 face each other. In other words, the circumferential side surface 62d of the housing projection 62 and the circumferential side surface 82b of the intermediate stopper projection 82 face each other. As described above, for example, if the outer radii R1 and R2 are the same, the entire circumferential side surface 62d in the radial direction of the steering shaft 14 contacts the circumferential side surface 82b.

[0028] 7, when the intermediate stopper projection 82 is pressed against the housing projection 62, the O-ring 64 is crushed between the housing projection 62 and the intermediate stopper projection 82. In other words, the O-ring 64 is sandwiched between the opposing peripheral side surfaces 62d and 82b, causing a frictional force to act between the O-ring 64 and each of the surfaces 62d, 82b. As described above, for example, if the outer radii R1 and R2 are the same, a frictional force acts on the O-ring 64 over the entire range of the peripheral side surface 62d in the radial direction of the steering shaft 14.

[0029] The two-dot chain line in the lower part of Figure 7 indicates a comparative example in which the amount of protrusion of the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 is smaller than that of the present embodiment, for example, a value R4. In this comparative example, frictional force acts on the O-ring 64 only in a portion of the circumferential side surface 62d. In other words, frictional force does not act on the O-ring 64 in a portion of the circumferential side surface 62d. The area in which frictional force does not act increases as the amount of protrusion of the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 decreases.

[0030] For example, as shown in the lower part of Figure 7, when the O-ring 64 is crushed between the housing protrusion 62 and the intermediate stopper protrusion 82, a portion of the O-ring 64 that is crushed between the peripheral side surface 62d and the peripheral side surface 82b is pushed upward and downward in the figure. Even in this case, the frictional force acts over the entire area of ​​the peripheral side surface 62d, preventing the O-ring 64 from shifting relative to the groove 62a. On the other hand, in the comparative example shown by the two-dot chain line in the lower part of Figure 7, the crushed portion of the O-ring 64 is pushed only upward in the figure. As a result, a force that rotates the O-ring 64 counterclockwise acts on the O-ring 64, causing the O-ring 64 to shift relative to the groove 62a.

[0031] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the entire peripheral side surface 62d is in contact with the peripheral side surface 82b, which means that the peripheral side surface 82b crushes the O-ring 64 in a region including an approximate center of the peripheral side surface 62d in the radial direction of the steering shaft 14, as indicated by "P" in the figure. Furthermore, this means that the O-ring 64 is crushed in regions that are symmetrical in the up-down direction in the figure, sandwiching the approximate center of the peripheral side surface 62d. This also prevents a force that would rotate the O-ring 64 from acting on the O-ring 64.

[0032] <Effects of this embodiment> (1-1) For example, by making the outer radius R1 and the outer radius R2 the same, a frictional force acts on the O-ring 64 over the entire range of the circumferential surface 62d. Therefore, when the intermediate stopper projection 82 is pressed against the housing projection 62, the O-ring 64 is prevented from shifting relative to the groove 62a. This prevents wear and deterioration of the O-ring 64. Wear and deterioration of the O-ring 64 reduces the accuracy of detecting the upper limit values ​​on the right turn side and the left turn side of the steering shaft 14. Therefore, preventing wear and deterioration of the O-ring 64 is effective in detecting the upper limit values ​​on the right turn side and the left turn side of the steering shaft 14 with high accuracy.

[0033] (1-2) Regarding the protrusion amount of the intermediate stopper projection 82, in order to prevent the O-ring 64 from shifting relative to the groove 62a, it is more effective to set the outer radius R2 greater than R4 than to set the outer radius R2 equal to or less than R4. The effect of preventing the O-ring 64 from shifting relative to the groove 62a increases as the outer radius R2 approaches the outer radius R1, and is particularly effective when the outer radius R2 is equal to or greater than R5. Therefore, in this embodiment, the outer radius R1 and the outer radius R2 are set to be the same. This has the advantage of making it easier to set the outer radii R1 and R2.

[0034] (1-3) The O-ring 64 is made of rubber, and therefore has not only elasticity but also viscosity. Therefore, if the O-ring 64 becomes misaligned with respect to the groove 62a, it is prone to wear and deterioration. In response to this, preventing the O-ring 64 from becoming misaligned with respect to the groove 62a is an effective method for solving the wear and deterioration issues that arise when using an inexpensive cushioning member such as a rubber O-ring 64.

[0035] (1-4) When restricting the rotation of the steering shaft 14 by providing the housing 60, the intermediate stopper 80, and the end stopper 90, it is important to pay attention to the contact between the housing protrusion 62 and the intermediate stopper protrusion 82. This is because it affects the accuracy of detecting the upper limit value on the right turn side and the upper limit value on the left turn side of the steering shaft 14. Therefore, in this embodiment, the O-ring 64, which absorbs the impact when the housing protrusion 62 and the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 come into contact, is designed to suppress wear and deterioration. Therefore, when restricting the rotation of the steering shaft 14 by providing the housing 60, the intermediate stopper 80, and the end stopper 90, it is possible to detect the upper limit value on the right turn side and the upper limit value on the left turn side of the steering shaft 14 with high accuracy.

[0036] <Other Embodiments> The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows: The above embodiment and other embodiments below can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0037] Regarding the protrusion amount of the intermediate stopper protrusion 82, as long as the outer radius R2 is greater than the value R4, it is not necessary for the outer radius R1 and the outer radius R2 to be the same. For example, the outer radius R2 may be greater than the value R4 and less than the value R5, or may be greater than or equal to the value R5. However, it is not necessary for the outer radius R2 to be equal to or less than the outer radius R1.

[0038] Although the entire peripheral side surface 62d of the housing protrusion 62 is in contact with the peripheral side surface 82b of the intermediate stopper protrusion 82, it is not essential that the peripheral side surfaces 62d and 82b be in contact with each other entirely. For example, the peripheral side surface 82b may be in local contact in a region including approximately the center of the peripheral side surface 62d in the radial direction of the steering shaft 14, as indicated by "P" in the lower part of Figure 7.

[0039] The configuration in which the intermediate stopper 80 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the end stopper 90 is not limited to a configuration that utilizes the frictional force between the intermediate stopper 80 and the end stopper 90. For example, the intermediate stopper 80 may be rotated by the end stopper protrusion 92 pressing the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 in conjunction with the rotation of the end stopper 90. In this case, when the rotation of the intermediate stopper 80 is stopped by the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 coming into contact with the housing protrusion 62, the rotation of the end stopper 90 is also stopped.

[0040] The outer surface 62b and the inner surface 62c of the housing protrusion 62 do not necessarily have to be arcuate surfaces. For example, the outer surface 62b and the inner surface 62c may be flat. Also, only one of the outer surface 62b and the inner surface 62c may be flat. The other embodiments described herein can be similarly applied to the tip surface 82a of the intermediate stopper protrusion 82. In other words, the tip surface 82a may be flat.

[0041] The housing protrusion 62 may be configured to protrude radially inward of the steering shaft 14 from the periphery of the shaft hole 60a of the housing 60. In contrast, the intermediate stopper protrusion 82 may be configured to protrude axially from one surface of the intermediate stopper 80 toward the steering shaft 14.

[0042] The phase position of the housing protrusion 62 relative to the periphery of the shaft hole 60a does not necessarily have to be the position farthest from the tilt hinge 61. For example, the phase position of the housing protrusion 62 relative to the periphery of the shaft hole 60a may be the position closest to the tilt hinge 61. Furthermore, the phase position of the housing protrusion 62 relative to the periphery of the shaft hole 60a may be a position between the position farthest from the tilt hinge 61 and the position closest to the tilt hinge 61.

[0043] The device for restricting the rotation of the steering shaft 14 is not limited to the device exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, the device may include a plurality of intermediate stoppers, which are second rotating members, that rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the end stopper 90, which is the first rotating member. Here, an example will be described in which a first intermediate stopper and a second intermediate stopper are provided. In this case, the first intermediate stopper and the second intermediate stopper are rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the end stopper 90. Then, the protrusion of the first intermediate stopper comes into contact with the housing protrusion 62 of the housing 60, thereby preventing the rotation of the first intermediate stopper. As a result, only the second intermediate stopper is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the end stopper 90. Then, the protrusion of the second intermediate stopper comes into contact with the protrusion of the first intermediate stopper, thereby preventing the rotation of the second intermediate stopper. As a result, the end stopper 90 rotates independently. Then, the end stopper protrusion 92 comes into contact with the protrusion of the second intermediate stopper, thereby preventing the rotation of the end stopper 90. That is, further rotation of the steering shaft 14 is prevented.

[0044] The O-ring 64, which is an annular elastic member, does not necessarily have to be made of rubber. Even in this case, if the O-ring 64 has not only elasticity but also viscosity, the same problems as in the above embodiment will exist. However, it is not essential that the O-ring 64 have viscosity. Furthermore, when attaching the O-ring 64 to the outer periphery of the housing protrusion 62, the groove 62a is not essential, and it is sufficient that the O-ring 64 is not fixed using an adhesive such as vulcanization adhesion.

[0045] The steering device 10 has a linkless structure in which the power transmission path between the steering wheel 12 and the steered wheels 34 is always separated, but this is not limited to this, and the steering device 10 may have a structure in which the power transmission path between the steering wheel 12 and the steered wheels 34 can be separated by a clutch.

Claims

1. A steering system comprising a steering shaft that can be operated with the power transmission path between it and the steering wheels of a vehicle separated, A linked rotating body configured to rotate around the axis of the steering shaft in conjunction with the rotation of the steering shaft, The system includes a rotation stopper configured to stop the interlocking rotating body by contacting it, The rotation stopper has a first opposing portion that faces the interlocking rotating body when it comes into contact with the interlocking rotating body, The aforementioned interlocking rotating body has a second opposing portion that faces the rotation-stopping body when it comes into contact with the rotation-stopping body, The first opposing portion protrudes in the axial direction of the steering shaft, The second opposing portion protrudes radially from the steering shaft, The first opposing portion and the second opposing portion are capable of contacting each other in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft, The outer circumference of the first opposing portion is provided with a groove that extends over the entire circumferential area of ​​the first opposing portion, and the first opposing portion is provided with an annular elastic member that is mounted on the groove but is not fixed to it. The first opposing portion and the second opposing portion have circumferential surfaces located on the outer side in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft, which are configured to be able to contact each other when the annular elastic member is compressed. The first opposing portion has an outer surface located on the outside in the radial direction of the steering shaft and an inner surface located on the inside in the radial direction of the steering shaft, The second opposing portion has a tip surface located on the outer side in the radial direction of the steering shaft, The outer surface has a first radial distance with respect to the axis of the steering shaft, The inner surface has a second radial distance with respect to the axis of the steering shaft, The aforementioned tip surface has a third radial distance with respect to the axis of the steering shaft, A steering device in which the third radial distance is greater than the value obtained by adding half the difference between the first radial distance and the second radial distance to the second radial distance.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the third radial distance is greater than or equal to the value obtained by adding three-quarters of the difference between the first radial distance and the second radial distance to the second radial distance.

3. The steering device according to claim 2, wherein the third radial distance is the same as the first radial distance.

4. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first opposing portion and the second opposing portion are configured to be able to contact each other in a region including substantially the central portion of the first opposing portion in the radial direction of the steering shaft.

5. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular elastic member is an O-ring.

6. A housing that rotatably supports the steering shaft, A first rotating member is connected to the steering shaft so as to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the steering shaft, The device comprises a second rotating member configured to rotate together with the first rotating member, The first opposing portion is provided in the housing, The second opposing portion is provided on the second rotating member, The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first rotating member is configured such that when the first rotating member is in contact with the second rotating member in a state in which the rotation of the second rotating member in a predetermined direction is obstructed by the first opposing portion, the rotation of the second rotating member in a predetermined direction is obstructed.