JP2008068793A - Locking device and steering device equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device equipped with a locking device capable of surely putting a column in a locking state. <P>SOLUTION: The steering device comprises a locking device 10 for switching a locking state for regulating movement of the column 1 with respect to a fixed bracket 2 and an unlocking state for allowing the movement. The locking device 10 includes: a base member 3 having a rack tooth 5 and fixed on the fixed bracket 2; and a meshing member 4 having a fixing tooth 6 for meshing with the rack tooth 5, integrally movable with the column 1, and capable of being brought into contact with and apart from the base member 3. The locking device 10 further includes a switching means 7 which switches the meshing member 4 from a locking position in which the rack tooth 5 and the fixing tooth 4 mesh and the unlocking position in which crest parts of the rack tooth 5 and the fixing tooth 4 have engagement margins only at tip parts by bringing the meshing member 4 into contact with and apart from the base member 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lock device that can be switched between a lock state that restricts relative movement of two members and a lock release state that permits this movement, and a steering device including the lock device.

  Steering with a tilt mechanism or a telescopic mechanism in an automobile, for example, provided with a locking device that can be switched between a locked state that restricts relative movement of the two members and an unlocked state that allows the movement. There is a device. The steering device includes a fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body side, a column that supports the steering shaft and is movable with respect to the fixed bracket, and a lock device that switches the column between a locked state and an unlocked state with respect to the fixed bracket. It has. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a steering apparatus having a conventional locking device includes a rack tooth 41 provided on the fixed bracket side and a fixing tooth provided on the column side, as shown in FIG. 42, the locked state is obtained.

  In this conventional locking device, the fixing teeth 42 can be moved closer to or away from the rack teeth 41 by a switching operation of an operation lever (not shown). Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the state in which the fixing teeth 42 are completely separated from the rack teeth 41 without the rack teeth 41 and the fixing teeth 42 being caught is defined as the unlocked state. In this state, the column can move in the horizontal direction in the figure with respect to the fixed bracket. And the locked state (state of Fig.6 (a)) is obtained by making the fixing tooth | gear 42 approach the rack tooth | gear 41 and meshing it so that it may be in a locked state. In this state, the column cannot move with respect to the fixed bracket.

JP 2004-268841 A

  However, in the case of the conventional locking device, after adjusting the position by moving the column, as shown in FIG. 6C, the fixing teeth 42 on the column side are brought close to the rack teeth 41 on the fixing bracket side and meshed. In doing so, the crests 41a and 42a of the crests of both teeth come into contact with each other, and the rack teeth 41 and the fixing teeth 42 cannot be engaged, and the locked state may not be obtained.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lock device that can be reliably locked and a steering device including the lock device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a locking device according to the present invention comprises a base member having rack teeth composed of a plurality of teeth arranged in one direction, and a fixing tooth meshing with the rack teeth. And a meshing member that is movable relative to the base member in the one direction, and the meshing member is brought into and out of contact with the base member. A lock position at which the rack teeth and the fixing teeth mesh with each other, and a switching means for switching between a rack tooth crest and a locking tooth crest only at the top. It is a thing.

According to this, when the switching means sets the meshing member to the lock position, the fixing teeth of the meshing member mesh with the rack teeth of the base member. Thereby, a movement is controlled between a meshing member and a base member (lock state).
On the other hand, when the switching means sets the meshing member to the unlocking position, the rack tooth ridges and the fixing tooth ridges have a margin only at the top. Since the rack teeth are only on the top, the crests of the fixing teeth forcibly move over the crests of the rack teeth, so that the meshing member and the base member can be moved relative to each other in the one direction. Possible (unlocked state). In this unlocked state, the rack tooth crests and the fixing tooth crests are in a state of having an allowance only at the top, so that the rack teeth and the fixing teeth are to be locked. When making it approach and mesh | engage, it can prevent that the crests of the peak part of both teeth contact | abut and it becomes impossible to lock. In addition, the said hook allowance is the amount of laps in the height direction of the tooth | gear of the peak part of a rack tooth and the peak part of a fixing tooth.

  Further, the switching means is configured such that the meshing member is in a compressed state at the locked position, the meshing member is in a free state at the unlocked position, and expands from the free state to generate an elastic restoring force, thereby causing the meshing member to move. A spring member for returning to the unlocked position; and an operating means for switching the meshing member between the locked position and the unlocked position and maintaining the meshed member at the locked position. Is preferred.

According to this, when a meshing member exists in a locked position, a spring member will be in a compression state, and an operation | movement means can maintain this state. When the meshing member is in the unlocked position, the spring member is in a free state, and when the spring member is extended from the free state, the meshing member can be returned to the unlocked position by an elastic restoring force. That is, even if the meshing member further moves away from the base member against the elastic force of the spring member, the meshing member is returned to the unlocked position by the elastic restoring force.
Therefore, by further extending the spring member from the free state and further separating the meshing member at the unlocking position from the base member, the crest portion of the fixing tooth can get over the crest portion of the rack tooth. It becomes possible to relatively move the base member in the one direction. And after the peak part of the fixing tooth climbs over the peak part of the rack tooth, the meshing member can be returned to the unlocked position by the elastic restoring force of the spring member, and can be maintained in the unlocked position. It is possible to prevent locks from being brought into contact with each other.

Furthermore, in the locking device, it is preferable that at least surfaces of the rack teeth and the fixing teeth are made of resin.
According to this, in order to relatively move the meshing member and the base member in the unlocked state, when the crests of the fixing teeth get over the crests of the rack teeth, the crests of both teeth come into contact with each other. Sound and operational feeling can be eased.

  In order to achieve the above object, a steering device of the present invention includes a fixed bracket fixed to a vehicle body side, a column that supports a steering shaft and is movable with respect to the fixed bracket, and movement of the column with respect to the fixed bracket And a lock device that switches between a lock state that restricts movement of the column with respect to the fixed bracket and a lock release state that allows movement of the column with respect to the fixed bracket. The base member of the locking device is fixed to one side, and the other side and the meshing member of the locking device are fixed in the moving direction of the column.

According to this steering device, in the locking device, the switching means sets the meshing member to the locked position, so that the fixing teeth of the meshing member and the rack teeth of the base member mesh. Thereby, movement between the meshing member and the base member is restricted, and movement of the column relative to the fixed bracket is restricted (locked state).
On the other hand, when the switching means sets the meshing member to the unlocking position, the rack tooth ridges and the fixing tooth ridges have a margin only at the top. Since the rack allowance of both rack teeth is only at the top, the engaging teeth and the base member are moved relative to each other in the column moving direction by forcibly climbing over the rack teeth. The column can be moved relative to the fixed bracket (unlocked state). In this unlocked state, the rack tooth crests and the fixing tooth crests are in a state of having an allowance only at the top, so that the rack teeth and the fixing teeth are to be locked. When making it approach and mesh | engage, it can prevent that the crests of the peak part of both teeth contact | abut and it becomes impossible to lock. As a result, the lock device can be reliably returned to the lock state after the column is moved relative to the fixed bracket and the position is adjusted with the lock device in the unlocked state.

  According to the present invention, in the unlocked state, the rack tooth crests and the fixing tooth crests have a margin only at the top, so that the rack teeth and the fixing When the teeth are brought close to each other and meshed with each other, it is possible to prevent the tops of the crests of both teeth from coming into contact with each other and becoming unable to lock. As a result, the lock device can reliably switch from the unlocked state to the locked state.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a main part of a steering apparatus for an automobile provided with a lock device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the steering apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the steering apparatus. is there. The steering apparatus includes a column 1 that rotatably supports a steering shaft 31 and a fixed bracket 2 that is fixed to the vehicle body. The column 1 is attached to the fixed bracket 2 so as to be movable. Yes. That is, the steering device is provided with a tilt / telescopic mechanism, and the column 1 is movable in the height direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1: tilt direction) with respect to the fixed bracket 2 and the axis C of the steering shaft 31. It can move in the direction (arrow B direction in FIG. 1: telescopic direction).

  The steering device includes a lock device 10, which can be switched between a locked state that restricts the movement of the column 1 relative to the fixed bracket 2 and an unlocked state that allows the movement. . Thereby, the column 1 is moved in the unlocked state to adjust the position, and the column 1 is fixed to the fixed bracket 2 by setting the locked state at the adjusted position. 2 and 3 show the locked state, and FIGS. 4 and 5 show the unlocked state.

  1 and 2, the column 1 has a cylindrical main body 1a and a bracket 1b having a U-shaped cross section fixed to a part of the main body 1a. The bracket 1b includes left and right side wall members 19a and 19b and a lower wall member 20 that connects them at the lower part. The fixed bracket 2 fixed to the vehicle body side has a bracket body 2a having a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section. The bracket body 2a is composed of left and right side wall members 21a and 21b and an upper wall connecting them at the upper part. Member 22. A bracket 1b of the column 1 is provided between the left and right side wall members 21a and 21b. In the present invention, the left-right direction is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the axis C of the steering shaft 31 (column 1).

  The first base member 3 is attached to one side wall member 21a of the bracket main body 2a of the fixed bracket 2. The first base member 3 is formed with a long hole 17a that is long in the height direction. The longitudinal direction of the long hole 17 a coincides with the tilt direction of the column 1. The other side wall member 21b of the bracket body 2a is provided with a long hole 17b that is long in the height direction and faces the long hole 17a.

  A second base member 13 is attached to one side wall member 19a of the bracket 1b of the column 1, and a long slot 18a is formed in the second base member 13 in a direction parallel to the axis C. Has been. The longitudinal direction of the long hole 18a coincides with the telescopic direction of the column 1 (parallel to the telescopic direction). The other side wall member 19b of the bracket 1b is provided with a long hole 18b that is long in the direction parallel to the axis C and faces the long hole 18a.

  A shaft 11 that is long in the left-right direction is inserted into the bracket 1 b of the column 1 and the bracket body 2 a of the fixed bracket 2. The shaft 11 is inserted through the long holes 17a and 17b and the long holes 18a and 18b, and the shaft 11 is movable in the axial direction thereof. Then, the column 1 is moved with respect to the fixed bracket 2 by moving the column 11 side with the long holes 18a and 18b while moving the shaft 11 along the long holes 18a and 18b long in the direction parallel to the axis C. Can be moved in the telescopic direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1). Further, by moving the shaft 11 together with the column 1 along the long holes 17a and 17b that are long in the vertical direction, the column 1 can move in the tilt direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  The locking device 10 provided in the steering device permits the locked state in which the movement of the column 1 with respect to the fixed bracket 2 in the two directions (tilt direction and telescopic direction) is simultaneously restricted and the movement in the two directions at the same time. It can be switched to the unlocked state. The locking device 10 includes the first base member 3, the second base member 13, a meshing member 4 attached to the shaft 11, and switching means for switching the meshing member 4 between a lock position and a lock release position. 7.

  In the illustrated form, the meshing member 4 comprises a first member 4a and a second member 4b. The shaft 11 passes through the first member 4 a and the second member 4 b, and the first member 4 a and the second member 4 b can move along the shaft 11 together. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first member 4 a and the second member 4 b are arranged so as to be able to contact or separate from the first base member 3 and the second base member 13. . A flange plate 12 is attached to the end of the shaft 11. The flange plate 12 is fixed to the shaft 11 by a stopper member 14, and the flange plate 12 can move as a unit with the shaft 11.

In FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the first base member 3 has a first rack tooth 5 composed of a plurality of teeth arranged in a tilt direction that is a first movement direction of the column 1. The second base member 13 has second rack teeth 15 composed of a plurality of teeth arranged in the telescopic direction which is the second movement direction of the column 1. 3 and 5, the first member 4 a of the meshing member 4 has first fixing teeth 6 that mesh with the first rack teeth 5, and the second member 4 b is composed of the second rack teeth 15. The second fixing teeth 16 are engaged with each other. The first fixing teeth 6 are composed of a plurality of teeth aligned in the tilt direction like the meshing first rack teeth 5, and the second fixing teeth 16 are telescopic in the same manner as the meshing second rack teeth 15. It consists of multiple teeth arranged side by side.
When the first rack teeth 5 and the first fixing teeth 6 mesh, the second rack teeth 15 and the second fixing teeth 16 mesh. The position of the meshing member 4 in which these mesh with each other is set as the lock position. On the other hand, the position of the meshing member 4 where both teeth are separated by a predetermined distance is set to the unlocked state.

  The switching means 7 has a coil spring 8 as a spring member and an operating means 9 for switching the meshing member 4 between a lock position and a lock release position. In a state where the shaft 11 is inserted through the coil spring 8, the coil spring 8 is provided between the second base member 13 and the meshing member 4 (second member 4b). The coil spring 8 is fixed to the second base member 13 at one end, and is fixed to the meshing member 4 (second member 4b) at the other end. When the meshing member 4 is in the locked position, the coil spring 8 is in a compressed state, and when the meshing member 4 is in the unlocked position, the coil spring 8 is in a free state without expansion and contraction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, the operation means 9 includes an operation lever 23 and a switching unit 24 that is interlocked with the rotation of the operation lever 23. The operation lever 23 is fixed to the shaft 11 and can rotate the shaft 11 about its axis. The switching unit 24 includes a first cam member 24a that rotates integrally with the operation lever 23 and the shaft 11, and a second cam member 24b that is provided to face the first cam member 24a. The shaft 11 is inserted through the second cam member 24b, and the shaft 11 is rotatable with respect to the second cam member 24b. The second cam member 24b is restricted with respect to the movement of the shaft 11 in the axial direction. Further, the second cam member 24b is partially inserted through the long hole 17b and the long hole 18b, and the second cam member 24b is prevented from rotating in the long hole 17b. Further, the second cam member 24b is movable in the tilt direction together with the shaft 11 and the column 1 along the long hole 17b. Further, the second cam member 24b is arranged along the long hole 18b along the part of the second cam member 24b. The column 1 side with the long hole 18b is movable in the telescopic direction.

  Further, by reciprocally turning the operation lever 23, the first cam member 24a is rotated, and the first cam member 24a remains separated from the second cam member 24b (FIG. 2). One cam member 24a can be switched to a state (FIG. 4) while remaining close to the second cam member 24b. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the first cam member 24a and the second cam member 24b can be separated by bringing the convex surfaces of the first cam member 24a and the second cam member 24b into contact with each other. . Thereby, the shaft 11 fixed to the first cam member 24a can be moved to the left in the axial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first cam member 24a is changed to the second cam member 24b by rotating the operation lever 23 from the state of FIG. Can be approached. Thereby, the shaft 11 in a fixed state with the first cam member 24a can move to the right in the axial direction.

  In this way, when the shaft 11 is moved to the left in the axial direction by the action of the operating means 9 (the state shown in FIG. 2), the flange plate 12 presses the first member 4a and the second member 4b of the meshing member 4. Then, while compressing the coil spring 8, the first member 4a and the second member 4b of the engagement member 4 are brought close to the first base member 3 and the second base member 13, and the first member 4a and the second member 4b are The locking teeth 6 and the second locking teeth 16 can be locked with the first rack teeth 5 and the second rack teeth 15 of the first base member 3 and the second base member 13. That is, the position of the meshing member 4 can be set to the lock position. In the operating means 9, as shown in FIG. 2, the convex surfaces of the first cam member 24a and the second cam member 24b are brought into contact with each other and maintained in a state of being separated from each other. The meshing member 4 can be maintained in the locked position against the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 8 in the state.

  Thus, the 1st rack tooth | gear 5 and the 1st fixing tooth | gear 6 mesh | engage by making the meshing member 4 into a locked position. Thereby, the movement in the tilt direction is restricted between the first base member 3 having the first rack teeth 5 and the first member 4a having the first fixing teeth 6, and the tilt direction of the column 1 with respect to the fixing bracket 2 is restricted. Is in a locked state with restricted movement. At the same time, the second rack teeth 15 and the second fixing teeth 16 mesh with each other by setting the meshing member 4 to the locked position. Thereby, movement in the telescopic direction is restricted between the second base member 13 with the second rack teeth 5 and the second member 4b with the second fixing teeth, and the telescopic direction of the column 1 with respect to the fixing bracket 2 is restricted. The locked state is restricted from moving.

On the other hand, the operation of the operating means 9 allows the shaft 11 to move to the right in the axial direction, so that the coil spring 8 in the compressed state expands to return to the free state, and the meshing member 4 and the flange plate 12 is pressed. The meshing member 4 is separated from the first base member 3 and the second base member 13 by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 8. That is, the position of the meshing member 4 can be set as the unlock position. At this time, the meshing member 4 is separated until the coil spring 8 is in a free state. That is, the coil spring 8 has a spring length that allows the meshing member 4 to be in a compressed state at the locked position and allows the meshing member 4 to be in a free state at the unlocked position.
As described above, by the action of the switching means 7, the locking device 10 can be locked by setting the meshing member 4 to the locked position, and the unlocked state can be obtained by setting the locking member 10 to the unlocked position.

  Further, the movement stroke of the first cam member 24a with respect to the second cam member 24b in the operating means 9, that is, the amount of movement of the shaft 11 and the flange plate 12 in the axial direction is the extension amount of the coil spring 8 (in the free state). It is set larger than the difference between the length of the coil spring 8 and the length of the coil spring 8 in the compressed state. Therefore, the flange plate 12 moves further to the right in the direction away from the meshing member 4 (first member 4a). As shown in FIG. 5, when the meshing member 4 is in the unlocked position, the flange member 12 A gap g is generated between the engagement member 12 and the meshing member 4 (first member 4a).

As shown in FIG. 5, when the meshing member 4 is in the unlocked position, the peak portion 5 a of the first rack tooth 5 and the peak portion 6 a of the first fixing tooth 6 are hooked only at the top portion. The crest portion r1 is provided, and the crest portion 15a of the second rack tooth 15 and the crest portion 16a of the second fixing tooth 16 are in a state of having a crest r2 only at the top. That is, the peak portion 5a of the first rack tooth 5 and the peak portion 6a of the first fixing tooth 6 are not completely separated, and the peak portion 5a of the first rack tooth 5 and the peak of the first fixing tooth 6 are not. The portion 6a wraps by the dimension of the allowance r1 in the tooth height direction, and when the column 1 is moved in the tilt direction, the peak portion 5a and the peak portion 6a come into contact with each other only at the top portion.
Similarly, in the unlocked position, the crest portion 15a of the second rack tooth 15 and the crest portion 16a of the second fixing tooth 16 are not completely separated from each other. The crest 15a and the crest 16a of the second fixing tooth 16 wrap in the height direction of the tooth by the dimension of the engagement allowance r2, and when the column 1 is moved in the telescopic direction, the crest 15a and the crest It becomes the positional relationship which 16a contacts only in a top part.
That is, in the present invention, the length of the coil spring 8 in the free state is set to be longer than the configuration in which the unlocked state is a state in which the fixing teeth are completely separated from the rack teeth without being caught by the rack teeth and the fixing teeth. Short.

  In addition, the coil spring 8 is in a free state when the meshing member 4 is in the unlocked position, and the coil spring 8 is further extended from the free state to generate an elastic restoring force, thereby being fixed to the coil spring 8. The meshing member 4 is returned to the unlocked position. That is, even if the meshing member 4 is further separated from the first base member 3 against the elastic force of the coil spring 8, the meshing member 4 is returned to the unlocked position by the elastic restoring force. Since the first rack tooth 5 and the first fixing tooth 6 have a small engagement margin r1 only at the top in a state where the meshing member 4 is in the unlocked position, the coil spring 8 in a free state is extended. The engagement member 4 is further separated from the first base member 3, and the crest portion 6a of the first fixing tooth 6 forcibly climbs over the crest portion 5a of the first rack tooth 5, so that the engagement member 4 is moved to the first base member. 3, the shaft 11 and the column 1 together with the meshing member 4 can move in the tilt direction with respect to the fixed bracket 2. Even if the meshing member 4 is separated from the first base member 3 by the first fixing teeth 6 getting over the first rack teeth 5, the meshing member 4 is returned to the predetermined unlocking position by the coil spring 8. When the coil spring 8 in the free state is extended, it is necessary to move the meshing member 4 to the right side in FIG. 5 along the shaft 11, but in the gap g formed between the flange plate 12, The meshing member 4 can be moved. That is, the gap g is set larger than both the allowance r1 and the allowance r2.

  In addition, since the second rack tooth 15 and the second fixing tooth 16 have a small engagement margin r2 only at the top when the meshing member 4 is in the unlocking position, the coil spring 8 in the free state is extended. The engagement member 4 is further separated from the second base member 13, and the crest 16 a of the second fixing tooth 16 forcibly climbs over the crest 15 a of the second rack tooth 15, so that the second base member 13 is engaged with the engagement member 4. 4 can be moved in the telescopic direction, and the column 1 together with the second base member 13 can be moved in the telescopic direction with respect to the fixed bracket 2. Even if the meshing member 4 moves away from the second base member 13 by the second fixing teeth 16 getting over the second rack teeth 15, the meshing member 4 is returned to the predetermined unlocking position by the coil spring 8.

  In the present invention, the crest 6 a of the first fixing tooth 6 gets over the crest 5 a of the first rack tooth 5, and the crest 16 a of the second fixing tooth 16 is crest of the second rack tooth 15. In order to get over 15a, in the first rack teeth 5 and the first fixing teeth 6, and in the second rack teeth 15 and the second fixing teeth 16, the tooth pitch is set large or the tooth pressure angle is set large. It is preferable to do. Further, the shape of the teeth is preferably a rounded corner, and preferably has a waveform as shown in FIGS. Thus, by applying a small force to the column 1 in the tilt direction or the telescopic direction, the fixing teeth can easily get over the rack teeth.

  Further, at least the surfaces of the first rack teeth 5 and the first fixing teeth 6 and the second rack teeth 15 and the second fixing teeth 16 are made of resin. That is, all of the teeth in each of these teeth, further, the base members 3 and 13 and the engagement member 4 may be made of resin, or only the tooth surface may be made of resin. Thus, when the column 1 is moved while the peak portion 6a of the first fixing tooth 6 and the peak portion 5a of the first rack tooth 5 are in contact with each other in the unlocked state, The sound and operation feeling generated when the column 1 is moved while the 16 peak portions 16a and the peak portion 15a of the second rack teeth 15 are in contact with each other can be eased. That is, it can be made smaller than a metal sound due to metal contact, and a soft sound due to contact between resins can be obtained.

And according to this invention, after the peak parts 6a, 16a of the first and second fixing teeth 6, 16 get over the peak parts 5a, 15a of the first and second rack teeth 5, 15, When the elastic restoring force is generated in the coil spring 8, the meshing member 4 can be returned to the unlocked position. Therefore, in this unlocked state, the crest portion 5a of the first rack tooth 5 and the crest portion 6a of the first fixing tooth 6 are maintained in the state having the engagement allowance r1 only at the top portion. Therefore, when the first rack teeth 5 and the first fixing teeth 6 are brought close to each other and meshed with each other, it is possible to prevent the peaks 5a and 6a of the teeth 5 and 6 from coming into contact with each other and becoming incapable of locking. .
Similarly, the crest portion 15a of the second rack tooth 15 and the crest portion 16a of the second fixing tooth 16 are maintained in the state having the engagement allowance r2 only at the top, so that the locked state should be established. When the second rack teeth 15 and the second fixing teeth 16 are brought close to each other and engaged with each other, it is possible to prevent the top portions of the peak portions 15a and 16a of both the teeth 15 and 16 from coming into contact with each other and becoming unable to lock. Thereby, after the column 1 is moved in the tilt direction and the telescopic direction with respect to the fixed bracket 2 with the lock device 10 in the unlocked state, and the position is adjusted, the lock device 10 can be reliably returned to the locked state.

  Further, the locking device of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form, and may be another form within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the meshing member 4 includes the first member 4a and the second member 4b that is a separate member. However, both members may be integrated. Moreover, although the both ends of the coil spring 8 were each fixed to the 2nd base member 13 and the 2nd member 4b of the meshing member 4, the edge part of the coil spring 8 was not fixed to these, Another spring member (not shown) may be provided in the gap g (see FIG. 5). This spring member is in the unlocked state when the peak portion 6a of the first fixing tooth 6 gets over the peak portion 5a of the first rack tooth 5, and the peak portion 16a of the second fixing tooth 16 is the second rack. When climbing over the crest portion 15a of the tooth 15, the engagement member 4 is urged in a direction to move away from the flange plate 12, and the engagement member 4 is returned to a predetermined unlocking position. This spring member prevents the peak portion 6a of the first fixing tooth 6 from being completely separated from the peak portion 5a of the first rack tooth 5 in the unlocked state, and maintains the engagement allowance r1. It is possible to prevent the crest 16a of the two fixing teeth 16 from completely separating from the crest 15a of the second rack tooth 15 and maintain the engagement allowance r2.

It is a side view which shows the principal part of the steering device provided with the locking device of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the steering device provided with the locking device, and has shown the locked state. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the steering device provided with the locking device, and has shown the locked state. It is sectional drawing of the steering device provided with the lock device, and has shown the lock release state. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the steering device provided with the locking device, and has shown the lock release state. It is explanatory drawing explaining the conventional locking device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Column 2 Fixing bracket 3 1st base member 4 Engagement member 5 1st rack tooth 6 1st fixing tooth 7 Switching means 8 Spring member 9 Operation | movement means 10 Locking device 31 Steering shaft

Claims (4)

A base member having rack teeth comprising a plurality of teeth aligned in one direction;
A meshing member that has fixing teeth meshing with the rack teeth and is movable toward and away from the base member and relatively movable with respect to the base member in the one direction;
By bringing the meshing member into and out of contact with the base member, the meshing member is brought into a lock position where the rack teeth and the fixing teeth mesh with each other, and the rack tooth ridges and the fixing tooth ridges. Switching means for switching to a lock release position where the part has a hanging margin only at the top;
A locking device comprising: The switching means is
The meshing member is in a compressed state at the locked position, the meshing member is in a free state at the unlocked position, and is extended from the free state to generate an elastic restoring force, thereby returning the meshed member to the unlocked position. A spring member;
An operation means capable of switching the engagement member between the lock position and the unlock position and maintaining the engagement member in the lock position;
The locking device according to claim 1, comprising:   The locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least surfaces of the rack teeth and the fixing teeth are made of resin. A fixing bracket fixed to the vehicle body side,
A column that supports the steering shaft and is movable relative to the fixed bracket;
A lock device that switches between a locked state that restricts movement of the column relative to the fixed bracket and an unlocked state that allows movement of the column relative to the fixed bracket;
The lock device is the lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The base member of the locking device is fixed to one of the fixing bracket and the column, and the other side and the meshing member of the locking device are fixed in the moving direction of the column. Steering device.

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