JP2009179070A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device reduced in failure capable of obtaining sufficient steering feeling by absorbing position deviation and smoothly performing tilt adjustment even if position deviation is generated at the center of a tilt central axis and the pivot center of a universal joint. <P>SOLUTION: When position deviation is generated at the center of the tilt central axis 21 of an upper column 2 and the pivot center of the universal joint 3, a bending force is applied to a space between an upper steering shaft 102A and a lower steering shaft 102B. However, by the bending force, an outer ring 621 of a second bearing 62 at a front side of a vehicle body of the upper steering shaft 102A is moved in a radial direction by an extremely small amount withstanding an urging force of an O-ring 63 to absorb the position deviation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tilt type steering device that can adjust the tilt angle of a steering wheel, and more particularly to a tilt type steering device that is bent in the middle of a steering column (so-called swing type tilt type steering device).

  In a tilt type steering device that can adjust the tilt angle of the steering wheel according to the physique and driving posture of the driver, the tilt angle of the steering wheel is generally within a tilt adjustment range for driving within about ± 10 degrees. Adjustment can be performed (Patent Document 1).

  Then, the steering wheel is raised by a large angle beyond the tilt adjustment range for driving and retracted, and the driver's seat is rotated toward the door, creating a large space in the driver's seat and making it easier to get on and off. There is also known a steering device capable of jumping up at a large angle.

  In the tilt-type tilt steering device, the upper column is pivotally supported on the lower column with the tilt central axis as a fulcrum, and the upper steering shaft on the upper column side and the lower steering shaft on the lower column side are pivoted. They are connected by a universal joint so that the center of movement substantially coincides with the center of the tilt center axis.

  However, since manufacturing errors and assembly errors of parts are inevitable, it is difficult to accurately match the center of the tilt center axis with the swing center of the universal joint. For this reason, when adjusting the tilt angle of the steering wheel, the upper steering shaft should swing around the center of swing as a fixed center. Therefore, the coincidence between the tilt center and the swing center is lost.

  As a result, an unreasonable force such as bending is applied between the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft, which may cause problems such as impaired steering feeling and inability to smoothly perform tilt adjustment.

  Further, in a steering device in which the steering wheel is lifted by a large angle and retracted, the influence of the bending of the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft described above becomes large, which may affect the life and the like.

  Furthermore, in a steering device having a steering torque assist mechanism (column assist type power steering device) for applying a steering assist torque to the lower steering shaft on the lower column side, a steering torque assist mechanism is provided in the middle of the lower steering shaft. The distance from the joint to the steering torque assist mechanism is shortened, and the influence of the error becomes relatively large. Therefore, a large bending force is applied to the lower steering shaft, and an excessive force is applied to the torsion bar and torque sensor connected to the lower steering shaft, which may cause a failure.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-41467

  The present invention relates to a so-called swing-type steering device having a steering torque assist mechanism that applies a steering assist torque to the lower steering shaft on the lower column side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device with little failure that absorbs this misalignment so that a good steering feeling can be obtained and the tilt can be adjusted smoothly.

  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the first invention is a lower column that can be fixed to a vehicle body, a lower steering shaft that is rotatably supported by the lower column and that is connected to a steering gear on the front side of the vehicle body, and is provided on the lower column. Corresponding to the steering torque acting on the steering shaft, a steering torque assist mechanism for applying an assist torque thereto, an upper column pivotally supported on the lower column with a tilt central axis as a fulcrum, and the upper column An upper steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body, the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft and the vehicle body rear side of the lower steering shaft are connected, and the swing center is the tilt center Self-aligned so as to be substantially coincident with the center of the shaft A joint, a first bearing that rotatably supports the vehicle body rear side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column, and a vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft that is rotatably supported in the upper column; A steering device comprising a second bearing provided with play so that the front side of the vehicle body of the upper steering shaft can move in a radial direction with respect to the upper column.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to the first aspect, the second bearing is a rolling bearing, and the play is between the outer periphery of the outer ring and the upper column or the inner ring. The steering apparatus is characterized by being formed by a gap provided between the inner periphery of the upper steering shaft and the upper steering shaft.

  A third invention is the steering device according to the second invention, wherein an elastic member is further inserted in the gap.

  A fourth invention is a steering device according to the third invention, wherein the elastic member is an O-ring.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower column that can be fixed to a vehicle body, a lower steering shaft that is rotatably supported by the lower column and that is connected to a steering gear at a front side of the vehicle body, and is provided on the lower column, and the lower steering shaft A steering torque assist mechanism for applying an assist torque to the steering torque acting on the upper column, an upper column pivotally supported on the lower column about a tilt center axis as a fulcrum, and rotating with respect to the upper column An upper steering shaft to which a steering wheel is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body, the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft and the vehicle body rear side of the lower steering shaft are connected, and the swing center is the tilt center axis Universal joint provided to substantially coincide with the center, above A first bearing that rotatably supports the vehicle body rear side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column, and a second bearing that rotatably supports the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column. The lower steering shaft comprises a telescopic shaft in which shaft members on the front side and the rear side of the vehicle body are spline-coupled, and the shaft member on the rear side of the vehicle body is one of the pair of the universal joints. Steering apparatus.

  In the steering device of the present invention, the first bearing that rotatably supports the vehicle body rear side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column is rotatably supported, and the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft is rotatably supported in the upper column. In addition, a second bearing provided with play so that the front side of the vehicle body of the upper steering shaft can move in the radial direction by a minute amount relative to the upper column is provided.

  Therefore, if there is a misalignment between the center of the tilt center axis of the upper column and the swing center of the universal joint, the front side of the vehicle body of the upper steering shaft is radiused by the bending force acting between the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft. Moves a small amount in the direction to absorb misalignment.

  Therefore, no bending force acts on the lower steering shaft, a good steering feeling is obtained, the tilt of the steering wheel can be adjusted smoothly, and an unreasonable force is applied to the torsion bar and torque sensor connected to the lower steering shaft. Is not added, so there are fewer failures.

    In the following embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a tilt type steering apparatus that adjusts the tilt angle of a steering wheel will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a steering device 101 of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. The steering device 101 pivotally supports a steering shaft 102 so as to be rotatable. A steering wheel 103 is attached to the upper end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the steering shaft 102, and an intermediate shaft 105 is connected to the lower end of the steering shaft 102 (front side of the vehicle body) via a universal joint 104.

  A universal joint 106 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 105, and a steering gear 107 including a rack and pinion mechanism is connected to the universal joint 106.

  When the driver rotates the steering wheel 103, the rotational force is transmitted to the steering gear 107 through the steering shaft 102, the universal joint 104, the intermediate shaft 105, and the universal joint 106, and the tie rod is transmitted through the rack and pinion mechanism. 108 can be reciprocated to change the steering angle of the wheel.

  Next, the detailed structure of the steering device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the steering device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion P in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the steering device 101 of the present invention includes a lower column 1, an upper column 2, an upper steering shaft 102A, and a lower steering shaft 102B.

  The lower column 1 is attached to a vehicle body (not shown). On the lower column 1, an upper column 2 is supported so as to be tiltable about a tilt center axis 21 indicated by a broken line. An upper steering shaft 102A is rotatably supported on the upper column 2, and a steering wheel 103 is fixed to the right end (rear side of the vehicle body).

  A lower steering shaft 102B is rotatably supported on the lower column 1. The right end (rear end of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 102B is a universal joint (universal joint) at the connection between the lower column 1 and the upper column 2. 3 and connected to the upper steering shaft 102A connected to the universal joint 3. The swing center of the universal joint 3 is substantially coincident with the center of the tilt center axis 21.

  A tilt operation lever (not shown) is supported by the upper column 2 so as to be swingable. By operating the tilt operation lever, a tilt clamp is operated, and the upper column 2 is moved to the lower column 1 at a desired tilt adjustment position. On the other hand, it can be in a tilt clamp / tilt unclamp state.

  That is, a segment gear 41 having a center at the center of the tilt center shaft 21 is fixed to the lower column 1 by a bolt (not shown), and a backrest member 42 is provided with a space between the segment gear 41 and the lower column 1. ing. On the other hand, a gear portion 441 of a gear arm 44 that is supported by the upper column 2 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 43 and a protrusion 45 provided on a tilt operation lever (not shown) enter the space.

  The gear arm 44 has an L shape composed of two legs, and the gear portion 441 is formed on one leg. A spring 46 is interposed between the other leg 442 of the gear arm 44 and the back part of the protruding part 45, and an urging force is applied so as to widen the distance between the back part of the protruding part 45 and the leg 442.

  Due to this urging force, the projecting portion 45 is pushed leftward and the gear portion 441 is pushed from behind, so that the gear portion 441 is pushed toward the segment gear 41 and the respective teeth mesh with each other. When the gear portion 441 pushes the segment gear 41, the reaction force applied to the protruding portion 45 is received by the backrest member 42. As a result, the upper column 2 is tilt clamped to the lower column 1. The upper column 2 is fixed at a stepped position at an angular position where the gear portion 441 and the segment gear 41 can mesh with each other.

  When the protrusion 45 of the tilt operation lever moves rightward in FIG. 2, the gear arm 44 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 due to the pressing force of the spring 46, so that these teeth are disengaged. Therefore, when adjusting the tilt position, the protrusion 45 moves to the right by operating the tilt operation lever.

  Accordingly, when adjusting the tilt position, the driver swings a tilt operation lever (not shown) to unclamp the tilt clamp of the upper column 2. Next, the driver can grasp the steering wheel 103 with his / her hand and adjust the tilt of the upper column 2 around the tilt center axis 21 within the tilt adjustment range for driving. In addition, the steering wheel 103 can be raised by a large angle beyond the driving tilt adjustment range.

  When the tilt clamp is released, a downward force acts on the upper column 2 as if a person is stroking its neck due to its weight. For this reason, a stronger spring 47 for counterbalance is provided, and this force is canceled or a force that maintains the steering wheel 103 at the uppermost inclined position is applied to the upper column 2.

  An output shaft 53 is rotatably supported by bearings 52A and 52B on the vehicle body front end of the lower column 1 and the cover 51. The output shaft 53 and the vehicle body front end of the lower steering shaft 102B are connected by a torsion bar 54. ing. A torque sensor 55 that detects torque acting on the torsion bar 54 is fitted between the right end of the output shaft 53 and the inner side of the front end of the vehicle body of the lower column 1.

  When the lower steering shaft 102B is rotated by operating the steering wheel 103, the rotational force is transmitted to the output shaft 53 via the torsion bar 54, and the torsion bar 54 is twisted by the resistance on the steering wheel side. The torque sensor 55 detects this twist as a change in inductance, thereby detecting a steering torque acting on the torsion bar 54, and rotating a worm (not shown) driven by an electric motor (not shown) with a required auxiliary torque.

  The rotation of the worm is transmitted to a worm wheel 56 that is press-fitted and fixed to the output shaft 53, and drives the steering gear 107 via the output shaft 53, the universal joint 104, the intermediate shaft 105, and the universal joint 106. The torsion bar 54, torque sensor 55, output shaft 53, worm wheel 56, and the like described above constitute a steering torque assist mechanism that applies assist torque to the steering gear 107.

  The vehicle body rear side (the right side in FIG. 2) of the upper steering shaft 102 </ b> A is rotatably supported by the upper column 2 by a first bearing 61. Further, the front side of the upper steering shaft 102 </ b> A (the left side in FIG. 2) is rotatably supported by the upper column 2 by a second bearing 62. The first bearing 61 and the second bearing 62 are rolling bearings such as deep groove ball bearings.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a gap is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62 and the bearing hole 22 of the upper column 2. In the O-ring groove 23 formed in the bearing hole 22, An O-ring 63 as an elastic member is inserted, and the O-ring 63 is brought into elastic contact with the outer periphery of the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62. Accordingly, the front side of the vehicle body of the upper steering shaft 102A with respect to the upper column 2 is provided with a play that can be moved by a slight amount in the radial direction.

  A tilt operation lever (not shown) is swung to unclamp the tilt clamp of the upper column 2, hold the steering wheel 103 by hand, and adjust the tilt of the upper column 2 about the tilt center axis 21.

  If there is a misalignment between the center of the tilt center shaft 21 of the upper column 2 and the swing center of the universal joint 3, a bending force acts between the upper steering shaft 102A and the lower steering shaft 102B. However, this bending force causes the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62 on the front side of the upper steering shaft 102A to move against the urging force of the O-ring 63 by a small amount in the radial direction to absorb the positional deviation. To do.

  Therefore, no bending force acts on the lower steering shaft 102B, a good steering feeling is obtained, the tilt of the steering wheel 103 can be adjusted smoothly, and the torsion bar 54 and the torque sensor connected to the lower steering shaft 102B can be obtained. Since an unreasonable force is not applied to 55, failure is reduced.

  In the first embodiment, an O-ring 63 is inserted in a gap formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62 and the bearing hole 22 of the upper column 2, but the inner ring of the second bearing 62 An O-ring may be inserted in a gap formed between the inner periphery of the upper steering shaft 102A and the outer periphery of the upper steering shaft 102A.

  Next, the steering device 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the steering device 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion Q in FIG. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The second embodiment is an example in which the O-ring 63 of the first embodiment is omitted. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, the rear side (right side in FIG. 4) of the upper steering shaft 102 </ b> A is rotatably supported by the upper column 2 by the first bearing 61. Further, the front side of the vehicle body (the left side in FIG. 4) of the upper steering shaft 102 </ b> A is rotatably supported by the upper column 2 by the second bearing 62.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a gap is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62 and the bearing hole 22 of the upper column 2. Accordingly, the front side of the vehicle body of the upper steering shaft 102A with respect to the upper column 2 is provided with a play that can be moved by a slight amount in the radial direction.

  A tilt operation lever (not shown) is swung to unclamp the tilt clamp of the upper column 2, hold the steering wheel 103 by hand, and adjust the tilt of the upper column 2 about the tilt center axis 21.

  If there is a misalignment between the center of the tilt center shaft 21 of the upper column 2 and the swing center of the universal joint 3, a bending force acts between the upper steering shaft 102A and the lower steering shaft 102B. However, the bending force causes the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62 on the front side of the upper steering shaft 102A to move in the radial direction by a small amount within the gap between the bearing hole 22 of the upper column 2 and the outer ring 621. Absorb the misalignment.

  Therefore, no bending force acts on the lower steering shaft 102B, a good steering feeling is obtained, the tilt of the steering wheel 103 can be adjusted smoothly, and the torsion bar 54 and the torque sensor connected to the lower steering shaft 102B can be obtained. Since an unreasonable force is not applied to 55, failure is reduced.

  In the second embodiment, a gap is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62 and the bearing hole 22 of the upper column 2, but the inner periphery of the inner ring of the second bearing 62 and the upper steering shaft 102A. A gap may be formed between the outer periphery and the outer periphery.

  Next, the steering device 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the steering device 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The third embodiment is an example in which the lower steering shaft is constituted by a telescopic shaft in which shaft members on the vehicle body front side and vehicle body rear side are spline-coupled, and the shaft member on the vehicle body rear side is one of a pair of universal joints. .

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the third embodiment, the rear side of the upper steering shaft 102A is rotatably supported by the first bearing 61, and the front side of the vehicle is rotatably supported by the second bearing 62. ing. In the third embodiment, no gap is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 621 of the second bearing 62 and the bearing hole of the upper column 2. Therefore, there is no play that can move in the radial direction on the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft 102A with respect to the upper column 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower steering shaft 102B of the third embodiment is composed of a shaft member 71 on the front side of the vehicle body and a shaft member 72 on the rear side of the vehicle body. The shaft member 72 is spline-coupled so as to be expandable and contractable in the axial direction.

  That is, a male spline 711 is formed on the vehicle body rear side of the shaft member 71 on the vehicle body front side, and the vehicle body front end of the shaft member 71 on the vehicle body front side is connected by the output shaft 53 and the torsion bar 54. A female spline 721 that is spline-engaged with the male spline 711 is formed on the shaft member 72 on the rear side of the vehicle body, and can extend and contract in the axial direction. The shaft member 72 on the rear side of the vehicle body constitutes one (yoke) of a pair of universal joints (universal joints) 3.

  A tilt operation lever (not shown) is swung to unclamp the tilt clamp of the upper column 2, hold the steering wheel 103 by hand, and adjust the tilt of the upper column 2 about the tilt center axis 21.

  If there is a misalignment between the center of the tilt center shaft 21 of the upper column 2 and the swing center of the universal joint 3, a bending force acts between the upper steering shaft 102A and the lower steering shaft 102B. By this bending force, the shaft member 72 on the rear side of the vehicle body expands and contracts by a slight amount in the axial direction with respect to the shaft member 71 on the front side of the vehicle body, and absorbs the positional deviation.

  Therefore, no bending force acts on the lower steering shaft 102B, a good steering feeling is obtained, the tilt of the steering wheel 103 can be adjusted smoothly, and the torsion bar 54 and the torque sensor connected to the lower steering shaft 102B can be obtained. Since an unreasonable force is not applied to 55, failure is reduced.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a tilt type steering apparatus that adjusts only the tilt angle of the steering wheel has been described. However, the tilt that adjusts both the tilt angle of the steering wheel and the vehicle body longitudinal direction is described. The present invention may be applied to a telescopic steering device.

It is a whole perspective view which shows the state which attached the steering device of this invention to the vehicle. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is the P section expanded sectional view of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. It is the Q section expanded sectional view of Drawing 4. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Steering device 102 Steering shaft 102A Upper steering shaft 102B Lower steering shaft 103 Steering wheel 104 Universal joint 105 Intermediate shaft 106 Universal joint 107 Steering gear 108 Tie rod 1 Lower column 2 Upper column 21 Tilt center shaft 22 Bearing hole 23 O-ring groove 3 Universal Joint 41 Segment gear 42 Back member 43 Shaft 44 Gear arm 441 Gear portion 442 Leg 45 Projection 46 Spring 47 Spring 51 Cover 52A, 52B Bearing 53 Output shaft 54 Torsion bar 55 Torque sensor 56 Warm wheel 61 First bearing 62 Second bearing Bearing 621 Outer ring 63 O-ring 71 Shaft member 711 male sprocket Line 72 Shaft member on rear side of vehicle body 721 Female spline

Claims (5)

Lower column that can be fixed to the car body,
A lower steering shaft that is rotatably supported by the lower column and whose front side is connected to a steering gear;
A steering torque assist mechanism that is provided in the lower column and applies an assist torque to the steering torque acting on the lower steering shaft;
An upper column that is pivotally supported by the lower column so as to be able to swing around a tilt center axis as a fulcrum,
An upper steering shaft which is rotatable with respect to the upper column and on which a steering wheel is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body;
A universal joint that connects the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft and the vehicle body rear side of the lower steering shaft, and is provided so that the center of oscillation substantially coincides with the center of the tilt center axis;
A first bearing that rotatably supports the rear side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column in the upper column; and
The upper steering shaft is rotatably supported on the front side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column, and is provided with play so that the front side of the upper steering shaft can move in the radial direction by a small amount relative to the upper column. A steering apparatus comprising a second bearing. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The second bearing is a rolling bearing, and the play is formed by a gap provided between the outer periphery of the outer ring and the upper column or between the inner periphery of the inner ring and the upper steering shaft. The steering apparatus characterized by being made. The steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
A steering device, wherein an elastic member is further inserted in the gap. The steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is an O-ring. Lower column that can be fixed to the car body,
A lower steering shaft that is rotatably supported by the lower column and whose front side is connected to a steering gear;
A steering torque assist mechanism that is provided in the lower column and applies an assist torque to the steering torque acting on the lower steering shaft;
An upper column that is pivotally supported by the lower column so as to be able to swing around a tilt center axis as a fulcrum,
An upper steering shaft which is rotatable with respect to the upper column and on which a steering wheel is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body;
A universal joint that connects the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft and the vehicle body rear side of the lower steering shaft, and is provided so that the center of oscillation substantially coincides with the center of the tilt center axis;
A first bearing that rotatably supports the rear side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column in the upper column; and
A second bearing that rotatably supports the vehicle body front side of the upper steering shaft in the upper column;
The lower steering shaft is composed of a telescopic shaft in which shaft members on the vehicle body front side and vehicle body rear side are spline-coupled, and the shaft member on the vehicle body rear side is one of the pair of universal joints. .

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