Steering column device

Abstract

This steering column device comprises a backlash suppression mechanism (23) configured to suppress backlash of a column tube (22) in a housing (21). The backlash suppression mechanism (23) is provided with a first member (71) which includes an outer bottom surface (81) that faces an inner bottom surface (65) of a bulging part (33) of a housing (21) in a first direction and a first friction surface (82) that is on the opposite side from the outer bottom surface (81) in the first direction, a second member (72) which includes a supporting surface (91) that supports the outer circumferential surface of the column tube (22) and a second friction surface (92) that is on the opposite side from the supporting surface (91) in the first direction and that is in contact with the first friction surface (82), and a biasing member (73) which biases the first member (71) to a biasing side. The first friction surface (82) and the second friction surface (92) are inclined such that the distance from the column tube (22) increases toward the biasing side.

Description

Steering column device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering column apparatus.

[0002] Conventionally, there is a steering column device that allows adjustment of the position of the steering wheel in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the telescopic position). This type of steering column device includes a housing supported by the vehicle body, a column tube accommodated within the housing so as to be movable in the axial direction, and a column shaft rotatably supported within the column tube and to which the steering wheel is connected. When adjusting the telescopic position, the column tube moves axially together with the column shaft and the steering wheel.

[0003] Because the column tube is able to move in the axial direction in this way, there is a risk that the column tube will rattle if an external force is applied to the steering wheel, for example, when the driver operates it. In response, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a steering column device that includes a pressing mechanism disposed between the housing and the column tube. In this steering column device, the pressing mechanism uses the biasing force of a disc spring to press the column tube against the inner peripheral surface of the housing, thereby suppressing rattle of the column tube within the housing.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-52208

[0005] In the steering column device of Patent Document 1, in order to effectively suppress rattle of the column tube, it is necessary to increase the biasing force of the disc spring, thereby increasing the force with which the pressing mechanism presses down on the column tube. However, increasing the force with which the column tube is pressed down increases the sliding resistance between the column tube and the housing, making it difficult to adjust the telescopic position.

[0006] A steering column device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a shaft to which a steering wheel is fixed and a steering column that rotatably supports the shaft. The steering column includes a housing that is supported on a vehicle body, a column tube that is housed within the housing so that it can move axially, and a rattle suppression mechanism that is configured to suppress rattle of the column tube within the housing. A line that intersects with the axis of the column tube is a first line, and a line that intersects with the first line is a second line. The housing has a cylindrical portion that houses the column tube, and a bulging portion that bulges outward from the cylindrical portion, which is one side along the first line, and that houses the rattle suppression mechanism. The bulging portion has an inner bottom surface that faces inward, which is the other side along the first line. The rattle suppression mechanism comprises a first member including an outer bottom surface that faces the inner bottom surface in a first direction that is a direction along the first straight line, and a first friction surface that is located on the opposite side of the outer bottom surface in the first direction from the outer bottom surface, a second member including a support surface that supports the outer peripheral surface of the column tube and a second friction surface that is located on the opposite side of the support surface in the first direction and that comes into contact with the first friction surface, and a biasing member that biases the first member toward a biasing side that is one side along the second straight line. The first friction surface and the second friction surface are inclined surfaces that are inclined so as to move away from the column tube as they move toward the biasing side along the second straight line.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of a steering column device of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the steering column device of Fig. 1 as seen from the upper left of the vehicle. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the steering column device of Fig. 1 as seen from the upper right of the vehicle. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a rattle suppression mechanism provided in the steering column device of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rattle suppression mechanism and its vicinity taken along line V-V in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rattle suppression mechanism and its vicinity taken along the axial direction of the steering column device of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rattle suppression mechanism and its vicinity taken along the axial direction of a steering column device of a modified example.

[0008] An embodiment of a steering column device will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Overall Configuration) As shown in Fig. 1, the steering column device 1 includes a column shaft 2 and a steering column 3 that rotatably houses the column shaft 2. The column shaft 2 and the steering column 3 are disposed on a common axis La. The steering column device 1 is mounted on a vehicle so that the axis La is generally aligned along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0009] In the following description, the left side in FIG. 1 is the front side of the vehicle, the right side in FIG. 1 is the rear side of the vehicle, and directions expressed by terms such as "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" are defined relative to the vehicle. In this specification, "cylindrical" means that the entire object can be considered cylindrical, and includes objects formed by combining multiple parts and objects with a cutout such as a C-shape. "Cylindrical" shapes include, but are not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with sharp or rounded corners when viewed in the axial direction.

[0010] A steering wheel 5 is connected to the rear end of the column shaft 2. An intermediate shaft (not shown) is connected to the front end of the column shaft 2. The intermediate shaft is connected to the steered wheels via a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown).

[0011] 1 to 3, the steering column device 1 is configured to be able to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel 5 (hereinafter referred to as the tilt position) and the front-to-rear position of the steering wheel 5 (hereinafter referred to as the telescopic position). The steering column device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a tilt actuator 6 that adjusts the tilt position, and a telescopic actuator 7 that adjusts the telescopic position. This allows the steering column device 1 to electrically adjust the tilt position and the telescopic position.

[0012] More specifically, the column shaft 2 includes an upper shaft 11 and a lower shaft 12. The upper shaft 11 and the lower shaft 12 are long and cylindrical. In this embodiment, the upper shaft 11 and the lower shaft 12 have a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction. A steering wheel 5 is connected to the rear end of the upper shaft 11. The lower shaft 12 is fitted to the inner periphery of the upper shaft 11 via spline engagement. As a result, the upper shaft 11 is connected to the lower shaft 12 so as to be rotatable together with the lower shaft 12 and movably in the axial direction relative to the lower shaft 12.

[0013] The steering column 3 includes a housing 21, a column tube 22, and a rattle suppression mechanism 23. The housing 21 is made of, for example, a metal material. The housing 21 includes a cylindrical portion 31, a connecting portion 32 that protrudes forward from the front end of the cylindrical portion 31, and a bulge portion 33 that is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 has a circular or C-shape. The connecting portion 32 of the housing 21 is connected to the vehicle body S via a hinge bolt 34. The rear end of the cylindrical portion 31 is connected to the vehicle body S via a link member 44 and a bracket 35, which will be described later. In other words, the steering column 3 is connected to the vehicle body S via the hinge bolt 34 and the bracket 35. The steering column 3 is rotatable about the hinge bolt 34. The tilt position of the steering wheel 5 is changed by rotating the steering column 3 about the hinge bolt 34.

[0014] The cylindrical portion 31 supports the lower shaft 12 rotatably but axially immovably via a bearing 36 provided on the inner periphery of the front end portion of the cylindrical portion 31. The cylindrical portion 31 has an open groove 37 that penetrates the cylindrical portion 31 in the radial direction (see FIG. 3). The open groove 37 has, for example, an oval shape that is long in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 31. The rattle suppression mechanism 23 is housed within the bulge portion 33. Details of the bulge portion 33 and the rattle suppression mechanism 23 will be described later.

[0015] The column tube 22 is made of, for example, a metal material. The column tube 22 is cylindrical. In this embodiment, the column tube 22 has a circular shape. The column tube 22 supports the upper shaft 11 rotatably but immovably in the axial direction via a bearing 38 provided on the inner periphery of the rear end of the column tube 22. This allows the column tube 22 to move axially together with the upper shaft 11. The column tube 22 is accommodated within the housing 21 so that it can move axially. The steering column 3 extends and retracts as the column tube 22 moves axially within the housing 21. At this time, the upper shaft 11 moves axially relative to the lower shaft 12 in conjunction with the movement of the column tube 22, causing the column shaft 2 to also extend and retract. The telescopic position of the steering wheel 5 is changed by extending and retracting the steering column 3.

[0016] 2 and 3 , the tilt actuator 6 includes a tilt motor 41, which is a drive source, a reducer 42, a slide mechanism 43, and a link member 44. The reducer 42 is, for example, a worm reducer. The slide mechanism 43 is, for example, a feed screw mechanism, and includes a slider 45 that moves linearly in response to the rotation of the tilt motor 41. The link member 44 is rotatably supported by the bracket 35, and is connected to the steering column 3 so that the linear movement of the slider 45 rotates the steering column 3 about the hinge bolt 34. In this way, the tilt actuator 6 changes the tilt position by driving the tilt motor 41 to rotate the steering column 3 about the hinge bolt 34.

[0017] The telescopic actuator 7 includes a telescopic motor 51, which is a drive source, a reducer 52, and a slide mechanism 53. The reducer 52 is, for example, a worm reducer. The slide mechanism 53 is, for example, a feed screw mechanism, and includes a slider 54 that moves linearly due to the rotation of the telescopic motor 51. The slider 54 is fixed to the column tube 22 via the open groove 37 of the housing 21. The column tube 22 moves axially together with the slider 54, causing the steering column 3 to extend and retract. Therefore, the telescopic actuator 7 changes the telescopic position by driving the telescopic motor 51 to extend and retract the steering column 3.

[0018] (Bulging Portion 33 and Rattle Suppression Mechanism 23) The configurations of the bulging portion 33 and the rattle suppression mechanism 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 5, a line perpendicular to the axis La will be referred to as a first line L1, and a line perpendicular to the axis La and the first line L1 will be referred to as a second line L2. Therefore, both the first line L1 and the second line L2 can be said to be lines along the radial direction of the tubular portion 31. The direction along the first line L1 will be referred to as a first direction, and the direction along the second line L2 will be referred to as a second direction. One side along the first line L1 will be referred to as the outward side, and the other side will be referred to as the inward side. One side along the second line L2 will be referred to as the biasing side, and the other side will be referred to as the anti-biasing side. In this embodiment, the first line L1 is generally along the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the second line L2 is generally along the left-right direction of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the first straight line L1 may extend along the left-right direction or a diagonal direction of the vehicle, and the second straight line L2 may extend along the up-down direction or a diagonal direction of the vehicle.

[0019] First, the configuration of the bulging portion 33 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the bulging portion 33 bulges outward from the cylindrical portion 31. The interior of the bulging portion 33 is connected to the interior of the cylindrical portion 31. The bulging portion 33 is, for example, box-shaped. Specifically, the bulging portion 33 has a bottom wall 61, a first side wall 62, a second side wall 63, and a third side wall 64. The bottom wall 61 is, for example, rectangular plate-shaped. The first side wall 62 extends inward from an edge of the bottom wall 61 on the biasing side. The second side wall 63 extends inward from an edge of the bottom wall 61 on the non-biasing side. The third side wall 64 extends inward from an edge of the front side of the bottom wall 61. The first side wall 62 and the second side wall 63 face each other in the second direction. The bulge 33 of this embodiment does not have a side wall extending inward from the rear edge of the bottom wall 61, and the interior of the bulge 33 is open to the rear side of the vehicle.

[0020] An inner bottom surface 65 of the bulge portion 33, which is the inner surface of the bottom wall 61, faces inward. In this embodiment, the inner bottom surface 65 gradually slopes outward as it moves rearward along the axial direction. In other embodiments, the inner bottom surface 65 may be a plane perpendicular to the first straight line L1. Two first recesses 66 are provided on the inner bottom surface 65. The two first recesses 66 are spaced apart in the axial direction. Each first recess 66 has a groove shape extending along the second straight line L2. The first recesses 66 in this embodiment have an arc shape when viewed from the second direction.

[0021] The first side wall 62 has an insertion hole 67 penetrating in the second direction. When viewed from the second direction, the insertion hole 67 has a rectangular shape that is long in the axial direction. An outer portion of the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 67 protrudes slightly inward beyond the inner bottom surface 65. The first recess 66 extends continuously from the inner bottom surface 65 onto the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 67 and opens onto the outer surface of the first side wall 62.

[0022] The second side wall 63 has mounting holes 68 that open to the biasing side and are continuous with each of the first recesses 66. That is, two mounting holes 68 are provided in the second side wall 63 with a gap in the axial direction. Each mounting hole 68 is, for example, a circular hole. The outer portion of the inner circumferential surface of each mounting hole 68 is continuous with the inner surface of the first recess 66.

[0023] Next, we will explain the configuration of the rattle suppression mechanism 23. The rattle suppression mechanism 23 includes a first member 71, a second member 72 arranged adjacent to the inward side of the first member 71, and a plurality of biasing members 73 that bias the first member 71 toward the biasing side.

[0024] The first member 71 is made of, for example, a resin material. The first member 71 has a generally rectangular plate shape. The first member 71 is disposed within the bulging portion 33 so as to be substantially parallel to the bottom wall 61. The length of the first member 71 along the second straight line L2 is shorter than the length of the interior of the bulging portion 33, i.e., the length of the inner bottom surface 65 along the second straight line L2. This allows the first member 71 to move in the second direction while disposed within the bulging portion 33.

[0025] The first member 71 has an outer bottom surface 81 that faces the inner bottom surface 65 of the bulging portion 33 in the first direction, and a first friction surface 82 that is located on the opposite side of the outer bottom surface 81 in the first direction. The outer bottom surface 81 is a plane that is perpendicular to the first straight line L1 and extends parallel to the axial direction. The first friction surface 82 is gradually inclined outward as it moves toward the biasing side along the second straight line L2 (see FIG. 5 ). In other words, the first friction surface 82 is an inclined surface that is inclined so as to gradually move away from the column tube 22 as it moves toward the biasing side along the second straight line L2.

[0026] In this embodiment, although the inner bottom surface 65 is inclined with respect to the axial direction as described above, the outer bottom surface 81 extends parallel to the axial direction, and therefore a gap is formed between the inner bottom surface 65 and the outer bottom surface 81. In other embodiments, the outer bottom surface 81 may contact the inner bottom surface 65.

[0027] The outer bottom surface 81 of the first member 71 is provided with two first protrusions 83 that are inserted into the two first recesses 66, respectively. That is, the two first protrusions 83 are arranged with a gap in the axial direction. Each first protrusion 83 has an elongated ridge shape extending along the second straight line L2. When viewed from the second direction, each first protrusion 83 has a semicircular shape corresponding to the first recess 66 and fits into the first recess 66. The first protrusions 83 do not engage with the first recess 66 in the second direction, but do engage with the first recess 66 in the axial direction. That is, the first protrusions 83 and the first recess 66 are configured to allow movement of the first member 71 toward the biasing side while restricting movement in the axial direction.

[0028] The length of the first member 71 along the axial direction is shorter than the length of the insertion hole 67 along the axial direction, and the length of the first member 71 along the first direction is shorter than the length of the insertion hole 67 along the first direction. Therefore, the first member 71 can be inserted into the bulging portion 33 from outside the bulging portion 33 through the insertion hole 67 toward the anti-bias side.

[0029] One second recess 84 is provided in the first friction surface 82 of the first member 71. The second recess 84 is provided in the axial center of the first friction surface 82. In other words, the first friction surface 82 is divided into two in the axial direction. The second recess 84 is a wide groove that opens on both sides in the second direction. The second recess 84 in this embodiment has a flat rectangular shape when viewed from the second direction.

[0030] The first member 71 also has two mounting protrusions 85 that are inserted into the two mounting holes 68 of the bulging portion 33, respectively. Each mounting protrusion 85 is, for example, cylindrical. The outer diameter of the mounting protrusion 85 is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 68. Each mounting protrusion 85 protrudes from the side surface of the first member 71 that faces the anti-bias side.

[0031] The second member 72 is made of, for example, a resin material. The second member 72 has a generally rectangular plate shape. The second member 72 is disposed within the bulge portion 33 so as to be generally parallel to the first member 71. The length of the second member 72 along the second straight line L2 is shorter than the length of the inner bottom surface 65 along the second straight line L2 and longer than the length of the first member 71 along the second straight line L2.

[0032] The second member 72 has a support surface 91 that supports the outer peripheral surface of the column tube 22, and a second friction surface 92 that is located on the opposite side of the support surface 91 in the first direction and that comes into contact with the first friction surface 82. When viewed in the axial direction, the support surface 91 is a curved surface that is curved, for example, in an arc shape. The second friction surface 92 gradually inclines outward as it moves toward the biasing side along the second straight line L2. In other words, the second friction surface 92 is an inclined surface that is inclined so as to gradually move away from the column tube 22 as it moves toward the biasing side along the second straight line L2. The second friction surface 92 is parallel to the first friction surface 82.

[0033] The inclination angles of the first friction surface 82 and the second friction surface 92 with respect to the second straight line L2 are set as follows: That is, the inclination angles are set so that even when a large predetermined external force acts to press the second member 72 outward, movement of the first member 71 to the anti-bias side is restricted by the friction force acting between the first friction surface 82 and the second friction surface 92. The predetermined external force is the maximum external force assumed to act via, for example, the steering wheel 5, and is determined through experiments, etc.

[0034] The second friction surface 92 of the second member 72 is provided with a second protrusion 93 that is inserted into the second recess 84. The second protrusion 93 is provided in the axial center of the second friction surface 92. That is, the second friction surface 92 is divided into two parts in the axial direction. When viewed from the second direction, the second protrusion 93 has a flattened rectangular shape corresponding to the second recess 84 and fits into the second recess 84. The second protrusion 93 does not engage with the second recess 84 in the second direction but does engage with it in the axial direction. That is, the second protrusion 93 and the second recess 84 are configured to allow movement of the first member 71 relative to the second member 72 in the second direction while restricting movement of the second member 72 in the axial direction. Furthermore, the second member 72 contacts the inner surface of the first side wall 62 of the bulge portion 33 (see FIG. 5 ). This restricts movement of the second member 72 toward the biasing side.

[0035] The biasing member 73 in this embodiment is a coil spring. The biasing member 73 is attached to the mounting protrusion 85 of the first member 71. The biasing member 73 is compressed between the bottom surface of the installation hole 68 and the side surface of the first member 71, and biases the first member 71 toward the biasing side. The biasing force of the biasing member 73 is set so that axial movement of the column tube 22 within the cylindrical portion 31 by the telescopic actuator 7 is permitted, with the gap between the cylindrical portion 31 and the column tube 22 filled by biasing the first member 71 toward the biasing side.

[0036] In the rattle suppression mechanism 23 configured in this manner, for example, let us consider a case in which the second member 72 wears due to repeated adjustment of the telescopic position, causing a gap to form between the second member 72 and the column tube 22, or between the first member 71 and the second member 72. In this case, the first member 71 is biased by the biasing member 73 and moves toward the biasing side. Here, because the first friction surface 82 and the second friction surface 92 are inclined so as to move away from the column tube 22 as they move toward the biasing side, the second member 72 also attempts to move toward the biasing side. However, as described above, the second member 72 comes into contact with the inner surface of the first side wall 62, restricting movement toward the biasing side, and so moves inward. This fills the gap that has formed, and the gap between the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 21 and the column tube 22 remains closed.

[0037] Next, the assembly of the rattle suppression mechanism 23 will be described. First, the first member 71 is inserted into the bulge portion 33 of the housing 21 through the insertion hole 67, and the mounting protrusion 85 is inserted into the installation hole 68 to compress the biasing member 73. The biasing member 73 may be attached to the mounting protrusion 85 of the first member 71, or may be disposed in the installation hole 68. At this time, the first member 71 is biased in the biasing direction by the biasing member 73, but because a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 67 protrudes inward beyond the inner bottom surface 65, the first member 71 is unlikely to jump out of the insertion hole 67.

[0038] Next, the second member 72 is placed on top of the first member 71 through the opening at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 31. After that, the column tube 22 is inserted through the opening at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 31 so that the gap between the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 21 and the column tube 22 is filled, thereby assembling the rattle suppression mechanism 23.

[0039] (Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment) Next, the actions and effects of the present embodiment will be described. (1) Because the steering column device 1 is equipped with the rattle suppression mechanism 23, the gap between the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 21 and the column tube 22 is filled as described above. Now, assume a case where, for example, due to the driver's operation, a force is applied from the column tube 22 to the second member 72 via the steering wheel 5, pressing the second member 72 outward. In this case, although the first member 71 is urged in the anti-bias direction by the second member 72 via the first friction surface 82 and the second friction surface 92, movement of the first member 71 in the anti-bias direction is restricted by the friction force acting between the first friction surface 82 and the second friction surface 92. As a result, no gap is generated between the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 21 and the column tube 22, and rattle of the column tube 22 is suppressed.

[0040] In this way, the rattle suppression mechanism 23 suppresses rattle of the column tube 22 by utilizing the frictional force between the first friction surface 82 and the second friction surface 92. As a result, the radial force acting on the column tube 22 can be reduced compared to when the column tube 22 is pressed down by, for example, a disc spring. Therefore, the sliding resistance when the column tube 22 moves axially within the housing 21 can be reduced, making it easy to adjust the telescopic position of the steering wheel 5. This makes it possible to use, for example, a telescopic motor 51 with a small output as its drive source. Furthermore, even if the driver applies axial force to the steering wheel 5, the self-locking of the reducer 52 restricts its rotation, thereby restricting the extension and retraction of the steering column 3, so the telescopic position will not be changed unintentionally.

[0041] (2) The outer bottom surface 81 of the first member 71 is provided with a first convex portion 83 that protrudes toward the inner bottom surface 65, and the inner bottom surface 65 of the bulging portion 33 is provided with a first concave portion 66 into which the first convex portion 83 is inserted. The first convex portion 83 and the first concave portion 66 are configured to allow the first member 71 to move toward the biasing side and to restrict movement of the first member 71 in the axial direction.

[0042] According to the above configuration, the first member 71 is prevented from slipping out in the axial direction by the engagement between the first convex portion 83 and the first concave portion 66. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a separate part for preventing the first member 71 from slipping out in the axial direction, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0043] (3) The second friction surface 92 of the second member 72 is provided with a second convex portion 93 that protrudes toward the first friction surface 82, and the first friction surface 82 of the first member 71 is provided with a second concave portion 84 into which the second convex portion 93 is inserted. The second convex portion 93 and the second concave portion 84 are configured to allow movement of the first member 71 toward the biasing side and to restrict movement of the second member 72 in the axial direction.

[0044] According to the above configuration, the second member 72 is prevented from slipping out in the axial direction by the engagement between the second convex portion 93 and the second concave portion 84. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a separate part for preventing the second member 72 from slipping out in the axial direction, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0045] (4) The bulging portion 33 has an insertion hole 67 that penetrates in the second direction. The insertion hole 67 allows the first member 71 to be inserted into the bulging portion 33 from the outside toward the anti-bias side. For example, when placing the first member 71 into the bulging portion 33 from the opening at the rear end of the tubular portion 31, it is necessary to compress the biasing member 73 using a tool or the like before placing the first member 71 inside the bulging portion 33. In this regard, with the above configuration, when the first member 71 is inserted into the bulging portion 33 toward the anti-bias side, the biasing member 73 is pressed and compressed by the first member 71. This improves the ease of assembly of the rattle suppression mechanism 23.

[0046] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. In the above embodiment, the bulge portion 33 does not have to have the insertion hole 67. In this case, when assembling the rattle suppression mechanism 23, the first member 71 is placed inside the bulge portion 33 through the opening at the rear end of the tubular portion 31.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the portion of the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 67 located on the outer side may be flush with the inner bottom surface 65 or may be recessed outward from the inner bottom surface 65. In the above embodiment, the first convex portion 83 is provided on the outer bottom surface 81 of the first member 71 and the first recess 66 is provided on the inner bottom surface 65 of the bulging portion 33, but it is also possible to provide a first recess on the outer bottom surface 81 and a first convex portion on the inner bottom surface 65. In this case, the first convex portion provided on the inner bottom surface may be the tip of a screw or bolt that is threaded into the bottom wall 61 so as to penetrate through the bottom wall 61.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the first protrusions 83 and the first recesses 66 have a semicircular shape when viewed from the second direction, but they may also have a rectangular shape, for example, and the shape can be changed as appropriate. In the above embodiment, two first protrusions 83 are provided on the outer bottom surface 81 of the first member 71, but one or three or more first protrusions 83 may be provided on the outer bottom surface 81. Similarly, one or three or more first recesses 66 may be provided on the inner bottom surface of the bulging portion 33. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 , when two first protrusions 83 are provided on the outer bottom surface 81 as in the above embodiment, one first recess 66 formed as a wide groove into which the two first protrusions 83 are inserted may be provided on the inner bottom surface 65.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the second convex portion 93 is provided on the second friction surface 92 of the second member 72, and the second concave portion 84 is provided on the first friction surface 82 of the first member 71, but it is also possible to provide a second concave portion on the second friction surface 92 and a second convex portion on the first friction surface 82.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the second convex portion 93 and the second concave portion 84 have a flat rectangular shape when viewed from the second direction, but they may also have a semicircular shape, for example, and the shape can be changed as appropriate.

[0051] In the above embodiment, one second protrusion 93 is provided on the second friction surface 92, but two or more second protrusions 93 may be provided. Similarly, two or more second recesses 84 may be provided on the first friction surface 82. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7 , in the case where one second recess 84 formed in the shape of a wide groove is provided on the first friction surface 82 as in the above embodiment, two second protrusions 93 to be inserted into this second recess 84 may be provided on the second friction surface 92.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the first convex portion 83 and the first concave portion 66 do not have to be provided on the inner bottom surface 65 and the outer bottom surface 81. In this case, a retaining member that contacts the first member 71 from the rear side may be provided on the bulging portion 33. Similarly, the second convex portion 93 and the second concave portion 84 do not have to be provided on the first friction surface 82 and the second friction surface 92. In this case, a retaining member that contacts the second member 72 from the rear side may be provided on the bulging portion 33.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the rattle suppression mechanism 23 includes two biasing members 73, but may include one or three or more biasing members 73. In the above embodiment, the biasing member 73 does not have to be a coil spring and may be, for example, a leaf spring or a disc spring. Furthermore, the biasing member 73 may be an elastic body such as rubber as long as it can bias the first member 71 in the biasing side.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the first member 71 and the second member 72 may be made of, for example, a metal material. In the above embodiment, the first straight line L1 is perpendicular to the axis La, but the first straight line L1 may be oblique to the axis La. Furthermore, the second straight line L2 may be parallel to the axis La as long as it is perpendicular to or oblique to the first straight line L1.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the steering column device 1 is configured to electrically adjust the tilt position and the telescopic position, but this is not limiting and the steering column device 1 may be configured to manually adjust at least one of the tilt position and the telescopic position. Also, the steering column device 1 may be configured so that only the telescopic position is adjustable.

[0056] Next, the technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiment and modified examples will be added below. (Supplementary Note 1) The first member may be configured so that, when a force that presses the second member toward the outward side acts from the column tube against the second member, movement toward the anti-bias side is restricted by a friction force acting between the first friction surface and the second friction surface.

[0057] (Supplementary Note 2) The biasing force of the biasing member may be set so that axial movement of the column tube within the cylindrical portion is permitted in a state in which the gap between the cylindrical portion and the column tube is filled by biasing the first member toward the biasing side.

Claims

1. A steering column device comprising a shaft to which a steering wheel is fixed and a steering column that rotatably supports the shaft, wherein the steering column includes: a housing supported by a vehicle body; a column tube accommodated in the housing so as to be axially movable; and a rattling suppression mechanism configured to suppress rattling of the column tube in the housing. A straight line intersecting the axis of the column tube is a first straight line, and a straight line intersecting the first straight line is a second straight line. The housing has a cylindrical portion in which the column tube is accommodated and a bulging portion that bulges outward, which is one side along the first straight line, from the cylindrical portion and in which the rattling suppression mechanism is accommodated. The bulging portion has an inner bottom surface facing the inner side, which is the other side along the first straight line. The rattling suppression mechanism includes: a first member including an outer bottom surface facing the inner bottom surface in a first direction, which is a direction along the first straight line, and a first friction surface located on the opposite side of the outer bottom surface in the first direction; a second member including a support surface supporting the outer peripheral surface of the column tube and a second friction surface located on the opposite side of the support surface in the first direction and contacting the first friction surface; and a biasing member that biases the first member toward a biasing side, which is one side along the second straight line. The first friction surface and the second friction surface are inclined surfaces that are spaced apart from the column tube as they extend toward the biasing side along the second straight line. Steering column device.

2. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein either the inner bottom surface or the outer bottom surface is provided with a first convex portion protruding toward the other, and the other is provided with a first concave portion into which the first convex portion is inserted. The first convex portion and the first concave portion are configured to allow movement of the first member toward the biasing side and to restrict movement of the first member in the axial direction. Steering column device.

3. The steering column device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein either one of the first friction surface and the second friction surface is provided with a second convex portion protruding toward the other, and the other is provided with a second concave portion into which the second convex portion is inserted, and the second convex portion and the second concave portion are configured to allow the movement of the first member toward the biasing side and to restrict the movement of the second member in the axial direction. Steering column device.

4. The steering column device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bulging portion has an insertion hole penetrating in a second direction which is a direction along the second straight line, and the insertion hole allows the first member to be inserted into the bulging portion from the outside toward the anti-biasing side which is the other side along the second straight line. Steering column device.

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