JP5673867B2 - Steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device, in particular, an outer column and an inner column are fitted so as to be slidable relative to each other in the axial direction, thereby adjusting a telescopic position of the steering wheel or causing the steering wheel to collapsing during a secondary collision. The present invention relates to a steering device that absorbs an impact load.

  There is a steering device in which an outer column and an inner column are slidably fitted in an axial direction so as to adjust a telescopic position of a steering wheel or absorb an impact load at the time of a secondary collision. In such a steering device, the outer column having a slit is reduced in diameter, the outer periphery of the inner column is tightened with the inner periphery of the outer column, and the inner column is clamped so as not to move relative to the outer column in the axial direction. (Patent Document 1).

  However, in the steering device shown in Patent Document 1, one end of the slit is open to the end surface of the outer column. Therefore, the distance between the closed end of the other end of the slit and the tightening position of the outer column varies depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel. Therefore, even if the operation lever is operated with a constant force, there is a problem that the tightening force with which the outer column tightens the inner column varies depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel.

  The steering apparatus shown in Patent Document 2 directly clamps the inner column with a distance bracket so that the tightening force with which the outer column tightens the inner column is not changed depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel.

  However, in the steering apparatus shown in Patent Document 2, the distance bracket is divided into two parts, the outer periphery of the outer column is tightened with one distance bracket, and the outer periphery of the inner column is tightened with the other distance bracket. Therefore, since only one side of the outer periphery of the inner column is tightened, the right and left balance of the tightening force is poor. Further, since the distance bracket is divided into two parts and supported by pins so as to be swingable, there is a problem that the structure of the distance bracket is complicated and the manufacturing cost increases.

  In the steering device shown in Patent Document 3, the inner column is directly clamped by a pressing piece slidably supported on a distance bracket. Since the steering device shown in Patent Document 3 is tightened only on one side of the outer periphery of the inner column with one pressing piece, the right and left balance of the tightening force is poor. In addition, since the pressing piece, which is a separate part from the distance bracket, is slidably supported by the distance bracket, there is a problem that the structure is complicated and the manufacturing cost increases.

International Publication No. WO2009 / 013457 Pamphlet JP 2002-274393 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-262238

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device that has a simple structure, has a good balance between tightening forces, and prevents the tightening force from changing depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel.

  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the first invention includes an inner column, a hollow outer column externally fitted to the inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction, a vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body, and an outer periphery of the outer column. A pair of left and right tightening portions that are fixed and fasten the outer periphery of the inner column are formed, a distance bracket that is slidably sandwiched between left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, and formed on the outer column. A pair of left and right through-holes through which the tightening portions are inserted, a clamp device for tightening the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket to the distance bracket, the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket are tightened, and the pair of left and right sides of the distance bracket The outer periphery of the inner column is directly A steering device that clamps the inner column so as to be immovable relative to the outer column in the axial direction by tightening the welding, and fixing the distance bracket to the outer column at the center of the outer column. The outer column is formed with an inclination with respect to the axis, and further, a load receiving portion protruding from the end surface on the vehicle body front side to the vehicle body front side is formed on the vehicle body front side end surface. This is a steering device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus of the first aspect, the distance bracket is integrally formed in a U shape or an inverted U shape and is wound around the outer periphery of the outer column. It is a steering device.

  According to a third aspect, in the steering device according to the first aspect, the distance bracket has left and right tightening portions formed as separate parts, and one end of each is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column. Is a steering device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to any one of the second to third aspects, the tightening portion is formed at both ends of the distance bracket in the vehicle longitudinal direction and faces inward in the vehicle width direction. The steering device is characterized in that it is formed on the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the bent portion that is bent.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to any one of the second to third aspects, the fastening portion is formed over the entire length of the distance bracket in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Steering apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to any one of the second to third aspects, the left and right tightening portions of the distance bracket are formed in an arc shape or a linear shape. Device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to any one of the second to third aspects, the left and right tightening portions of the distance bracket include an outer periphery on the vehicle body lower side of the inner column or an outer periphery on the vehicle body upper side This is a steering device characterized by tightening.

  An eighth invention is characterized in that, in the steering device of any one of the second to third inventions, the inner column and the outer column are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape or a hollow polygonal cylindrical shape. Steering apparatus.

  A ninth invention is a steering device according to any one of the second to third inventions, wherein the vehicle body front side of the inner column or the outer column is fixed to the vehicle body. .

  The steering device of the present invention is a distance bracket fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column, formed with a pair of left and right tightening portions that tighten the outer periphery of the inner column, and slidably sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, A pair of left and right through holes formed in the outer column and through which the fastening parts of the distance bracket are inserted, and a clamp device that fastens the left and right side plates of the body mounting bracket to the distance bracket, tighten the left and right side plates of the body mounting bracket. The outer column is directly clamped by a pair of right and left clamping portions of the distance bracket, and the inner column is clamped so as not to move relative to the outer column in the axial direction.

  Therefore, the pair of right and left tightening parts of the distance bracket directly tighten the outer periphery of the inner column from both the left and right sides, so that the right and left balance of the tightening force is good, and depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel, the tightening force for the outer column to tighten the inner column is Does not fluctuate. In addition, since one end of the distance bracket is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column and a tightening portion for tightening the outer periphery of the inner column is formed at the other end, the structure of the distance bracket is simple, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which a vehicle body mounting bracket, a steering shaft, and a clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a steering device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a view corresponding to FIG. It is sectional drawing of the steering apparatus of Example 3 of this invention, and is FIG. 3 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a steering apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a view corresponding to FIG. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 4 of this invention. (A) is a front view showing a state in which the vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 9, and (b) is a bottom view of the single outer column of (a) as viewed from the vehicle body lower side. . It is a disassembled perspective view of the steering apparatus of Fig.10 (a). It is a front view which shows the steering device of Example 5 of this invention, and shows the state which a vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp apparatus were abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 12. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 6 of this invention. (A) is a front view which shows the state which abbreviate | omitted the vehicle body attachment bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp apparatus from the steering apparatus of FIG. 14, (b) is a top view of (a). FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 15. (A) is a disassembled perspective view of the steering apparatus of Example 7 of this invention, (b) is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled | attached the resin member to the distance bracket of (a). It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering device of Example 8 of this invention. It is a front view which shows the outer column of the steering apparatus of FIG. It is a front view which shows the outer column of Example 9 of this invention. It is a front view which shows the outer column of Example 10 of this invention. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering device of Example 11 of this invention. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device of FIG. 22 and is a view corresponding to FIG. (A) is a front view showing a state in which the vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 22, and (b) is a bottom view of the single outer column of (a) as viewed from the vehicle body lower side. . FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 24. It is a disassembled perspective view of the steering apparatus of Example 12 of this invention, and is FIG. 5 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. 14 shows a steering device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view showing a state in which a vehicle body mounting bracket, a steering shaft, and a clamp device are omitted, and (b) is a diagram of the outer column alone in FIG. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the steering device of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the steering apparatus of Example 14 of this invention, and is FIG. 5 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the steering apparatus of Example 15 of this invention, and is FIG. 3 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 30 and is a view corresponding to FIG. It is sectional drawing of the steering apparatus of Example 16 of this invention, and is FIG. 3 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the steering apparatus of Example 17 of this invention, and is FIG. 3 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the steering device of Example 18 of this invention, and is FIG. 3 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the steering apparatus of Example 19 of this invention, and is FIG. 5 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the steering device of Example 20 of this invention, and is the FIG. 3 equivalent view of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 36, showing a state in which a vehicle body mounting bracket, a steering shaft, and a clamp device are omitted. It is sectional drawing of the steering device of Example 21 of this invention, and is FIG. 3 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 38, corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 22 of this invention, and is FIG. 2 equivalent figure of Example 1. FIG.

    Embodiments 1 to 10 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which the steering device of Embodiment 1 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 via the steering shaft 102, the universal joint 104, the intermediate shaft 105, and the universal joint 106. 108 can be moved to change the steering angle of the wheel.

  2 is a front view showing a main part of the steering device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device shown in FIG. 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, an upper steering shaft 41 is rotatably supported in the hollow cylindrical outer column 1, and on the vehicle body rear side (right side in FIG. 2) of the upper steering shaft 41, A steering wheel 103 is attached. The inner column 2 is slidably fitted in the axial direction on the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1 (left side in FIGS. 2 and 4). The outer column 1 is attached to the vehicle body 5 by an upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket (vehicle body mounting bracket) 3.

  A lower-side vehicle body mounting bracket 51 is attached to the vehicle body 5 on the vehicle body front side of the inner column 2, and a tilt center shaft 21 fixed to the vehicle body front side of the inner column 2 can be tilted to the lower-side vehicle body mounting bracket 51. It is pivotally supported.

  A lower steering shaft 42 is rotatably supported on the inner column 2, the lower steering shaft 42 is spline-fitted with the upper steering shaft 41, and the rotation of the upper steering shaft 41 is transmitted to the lower steering shaft 42.

  The left end of the lower steering shaft 42 is connected to the intermediate shaft 105 via the universal joint 104 in FIG. 1, and the lower end of the intermediate shaft 105 is transmitted to the steering gear 107, so that the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of left and right flange portions 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B for attaching the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 to the vehicle body 5 are formed on the upper side of the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3. A distance bracket 6 is sandwiched between inner surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B which are formed integrally with the flange portions 31A and 31B and extend in the vertical direction so as to be telescopically movable and tilted. In the embodiment of the present invention, the left and right side plates 32A, 32B are formed integrally with the flange portions 31A, 31B, but may be formed separately.

  The distance bracket 6 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1 and is integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate material into an inverted U shape. The distance bracket 6 has an upper arc-shaped portion 61 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding. In the embodiment of the present invention, the distance bracket 6 is formed to be bent in an inverted U shape, but may be formed to be bent in a U shape. Further, the arc-shaped portion 61 of the distance bracket 6 may be fixed to the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 by caulking, bolts, pins, rivets or the like.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with flat portions 62A and 62B parallel to the side plates 32A and 32B at both lower ends thereof. Flat portions 62A and 62B are sandwiched between inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B so as to be capable of telescopic movement and tilt movement. Telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B (FIGS. 2 to 5) that are long in the axial direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 3) are formed in the flat portions 62A and 62B. A round rod-shaped fastening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 3 into the long tilt grooves 33A and 33B and the long telescopic grooves 63A and 63B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B. The long tilt grooves 33 </ b> A and 33 </ b> B are formed in an arc shape centered on the tilt center axis 21.

  The flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6 are formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends of the flat portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at right angles from the flat portions 62A and 62B toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Also, bent portions 65A and 65B are formed at the lower ends of the flat portions 62A and 62B over the entire length of the flat portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. The tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted into the through holes 13A and 13B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. The radii of the tightening portions 66A and 66B are preferably formed to be the same as or slightly larger than the radius of the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. An inner column 2 is fitted to the inner periphery 12 of the outer column 1 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The shape of the tightening portions 66A and 66B is not limited to the arc shape, and may be a linear shape. In FIG. 3, the angle α between the central positions of the contact portions between the tightening portions 66A and 66B and the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 can be any angle such as 90 degrees or 120 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a head 341 is formed on the right side of the tightening rod 34, and the head 341 is in contact with the outer surface of the side plate 32B. A rotation preventing portion 342 having a rectangular cross section slightly narrower than the groove width of the tilting long groove 33B is formed on the left outer diameter portion of the head portion 341. The anti-rotation portion 342 is fitted into the long tilt groove 33B to prevent the tightening rod 34 from rotating with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 and slides the tightening rod 34 along the long tilt groove 33B when adjusting the tilt position. Move.

A fixed cam 343, a movable cam 344, a thrust bearing 345, and an adjustment nut 346 are fitted on the outer periphery of the left end of the tightening rod 34 in this order. It is screwed into a male screw 347 formed at the left end.
An operation lever 349 is fixed to the left end surface of the movable cam 344, and the cam lock mechanism is configured by the movable cam 344 and the fixed cam 343 that are integrally operated by the operation lever 349. The fixed cam 343 engages with the long tilt groove 33A and is not rotated with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and slides the fixed cam 343 along the long tilt groove 33A when adjusting the tilt position.

  When the operation lever 349 is rotated during tilt / telescopic tightening, the peak of the movable cam 344 rides on the peak of the fixed cam 343 and pushes the fixed cam 343 to the right side of FIG. The side plates 32A and 32B are tightened by pulling. The inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B fasten the flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6. The flat portions 62A and 62B are elastically deformed inward in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B of the bent portions 64A and 64B tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 from both the left and right sides.

  When the tilt / telescopic is released, the operation lever 349 is rotated in the reverse direction, the valley of the movable cam 344 enters the peak of the fixed cam 343, and the force pushing the fixed cam 343 to the right is released. At the same time, by releasing the force pulling the tightening rod 34 to the left side, the side plates 32A and 32B are separated, the elastic deformation of the flat portions 62A and 62B is released, and the tightening of the tightening portions 66A and 66B is released. As a result, the outer column 1 and the distance bracket 6 can be clamped and unclamped to the upper vehicle body mounting bracket 3 at a desired tilt / telescopic position.

  After the distance bracket 6 and the inner column 2 are unclamped with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, the outer wheel 1 is slid in the axial direction with respect to the inner column 2 by grasping the steering wheel 103 to reach a desired telescopic position. adjust. At this time, the distance bracket 6 is guided by the tightening rod 34 and slides in the axial direction together with the outer column 1.

  Further, by grasping the steering wheel 103, the distance bracket 6 and the outer column 1 are adjusted to a desired tilt position around the tilt center axis 21. Thereafter, the distance bracket 6 and the inner column 2 are clamped with respect to the upper body mounting bracket 3.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B of the distance bracket 6 directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 from both the left and right sides. Therefore, the right and left balance of the tightening force is good, and the tightening force with which the outer column 1 tightens the inner column 2 does not vary depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel 103. Further, since one end of the distance bracket 6 is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column 1 and the fastening portions 66A and 66B for tightening the outer periphery of the inner column 2 are formed at the other end, the structure of the distance bracket 6 is simple and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the first embodiment, the distance bracket 6 is integrally formed, but in the second embodiment, the left and right tightening portions are formed as separate parts. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance bracket 6 according to the second embodiment includes a left distance bracket 6A and a right distance bracket 6B. The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B have a symmetric shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and are formed by bending an iron rectangular plate. In the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B, the upper arc-shaped portions 61A and 61B are wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B are formed with flat portions 62A and 62B parallel to the side plates 32A and 32B, respectively, below the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B. Flat portions 62A and 62B are sandwiched between inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B so as to be capable of telescopic movement and tilt movement. Telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B which are long in the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 6) are formed in the flat portions 62A and 62B.

  Bending portions 64A and 64B are formed at both ends of the plane portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in the plane portion 62A of the left distance bracket 6A and the plane portion 62B of the right distance bracket 6B. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at right angles from the flat portions 62A and 62B toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Also, bent portions (not shown) are formed at the lower ends of the flat portions 62A and 62B over the entire length of the flat portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, as in the first embodiment.

  In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction. The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. The tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted into the through holes 13A and 13B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 as in the first embodiment. The shape of the tightening portions 66A and 66B is not limited to the arc shape, and may be a linear shape.

  In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the tightening portion 66A of the left distance bracket 6A and the tightening portion 66B of the right distance bracket 6B directly tighten the outer periphery of the inner column from both the left and right sides. Therefore, the right and left balance of the tightening force is good, and the tightening force with which the outer column tightens the inner column does not vary depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel. Further, one end of the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column, and a tightening portion for tightening the outer periphery of the inner column is formed at the other end of the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B. The structure of the distance bracket is simple and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and is a view corresponding to FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  The third embodiment is an example in which the left and right tightening portions of the distance bracket 6 are formed as separate parts and the rigidity of the tightening portion is increased. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, a pair of left and right flange portions 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B for mounting the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 to the vehicle body 5 are formed on the upper side of the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3. A distance bracket 6 is sandwiched between inner surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B which are formed integrally with the flange portions 31A and 31B and extend in the vertical direction so as to be telescopically movable and tilted. In the embodiment of the present invention, the left and right side plates 32A, 32B are formed integrally with the flange portions 31A, 31B, but may be formed separately.

  The distance bracket 6 according to the third embodiment includes a left distance bracket 6A and a right distance bracket 6B. The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B have a symmetric shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and are formed by bending an iron rectangular plate. In the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B, the upper arc-shaped portions 61A and 61B are wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B are formed with flat portions 62A and 62B parallel to the side plates 32A and 32B, respectively, below the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B. Flat portions 62A and 62B are sandwiched between inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B so as to be capable of telescopic movement and tilt movement. The flat portions 62A and 62B are formed with telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B that are long in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7).

  Bending portions 67A and 67B bent in a mountain shape toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the inner side surface 621A of the flat surface portion 62A and the inner side surface 621B of the flat surface portion 62B by welding. The bent portions 67A and 67B are formed over the entire length of the plane portion 62A and the plane portion 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  In the bent portions 67A and 67B, linear fastening portions 68A and 68B are formed on the slopes on the upper side of each vehicle body (that is, the side closer to the inner column 2). The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 14A and 14B through which the tightening portions 68A and 68B are inserted. The through holes 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. The tightening portions 68A and 68B are inserted into the through holes 14A and 14B, and the tightening portions 68A and 68B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. A flat portion may be formed on the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 facing the tightening portions 68A and 68B, and when the tightening portions 68A and 68B tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2, the flat surfaces may contact each other.

  Telescopic long grooves 69A and 69B having the same shape as the long telescopic grooves 63A and 63B of the flat surfaces 62A and 62B are formed on the slopes of the bent portions 67A and 67B on the vehicle body lower side (that is, the side far from the inner column 2). . A round rod-like fastening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 7 into the long tilt grooves 33A and 33B and the long telescopic grooves 63A, 63B, 69A and 69B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B. An inner column 2 is fitted to the inner periphery 12 of the outer column 1 so as to be slidable in the axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a head 341 is formed on the right side of the tightening rod 34, and the head 341 is in contact with the outer surface of the side plate 32B. A rotation preventing portion 342 having a rectangular cross section slightly narrower than the groove width of the tilting long groove 33B is formed on the left outer diameter portion of the head portion 341. The anti-rotation portion 342 is fitted into the long tilt groove 33B to prevent the tightening rod 34 from rotating with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 and slides the tightening rod 34 along the long tilt groove 33B when adjusting the tilt position. Move.

A fixed cam 343, a movable cam 344, a thrust bearing 345, and an adjustment nut 346 are fitted on the outer periphery of the left end of the tightening rod 34 in this order. It is screwed into a male screw 347 formed at the left end.
An operation lever 349 is fixed to the left end surface of the movable cam 344, and the cam lock mechanism is configured by the movable cam 344 and the fixed cam 343 that are integrally operated by the operation lever 349. The fixed cam 343 engages with the long tilt groove 33A and is not rotated with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and slides the fixed cam 343 along the long tilt groove 33A when adjusting the tilt position.

  When the operation lever 349 is rotated at the time of tilt / telescopic tightening, the peak of the movable cam 344 rides on the peak of the fixed cam 343 and pushes the fixed cam 343 to the right side of FIG. The side plates 32A and 32B are tightened by pulling. The inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B fasten the flat portion 62A of the left distance bracket 6A and the flat portion 62B of the right distance bracket 6B. The flat portions 62A and 62B are elastically deformed inward in the vehicle width direction, and the fastening portions 68A and 68B of the bent portions 67A and 67B fasten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 from both the left and right sides.

  When the tilt / telescopic is released, the operation lever 349 is rotated in the reverse direction, the valley of the movable cam 344 enters the peak of the fixed cam 343, and the force pushing the fixed cam 343 to the right is released. At the same time, by releasing the force pulling the tightening rod 34 to the left side, the side plates 32A and 32B are separated from each other, the elastic deformation of the flat portions 62A and 62B is released, and the tightening of the tightening portions 68A and 68B is released. Accordingly, the outer column 1, the left distance bracket 6A, and the right distance bracket 6B can be clamped and unclamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 at a desired tilt / telescopic position.

  After the left distance bracket 6A, the right distance bracket 6B and the inner column 2 are unclamped with respect to the upper body mounting bracket 3, the outer wheel 1 is slid in the axial direction with respect to the inner column 2 by grasping the steering wheel 103. Adjust to the desired telescopic position. At this time, the left distance bracket 6 </ b> A and the right distance bracket 6 </ b> B are guided by the tightening rod 34 and slide in the axial direction together with the outer column 1.

  Further, by grasping the steering wheel 103, the left distance bracket 6 </ b> A, the right distance bracket 6 </ b> B, and the outer column 1 are adjusted to a desired tilt position around the tilt center axis 21. Thereafter, the left distance bracket 6 </ b> A, the right distance bracket 6 </ b> B, and the inner column 2 are clamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3.

  In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the tightening portion 68A of the left distance bracket 6A and the tightening portion 68B of the right distance bracket 6B directly tighten the outer periphery of the inner column 2 from both the left and right sides. Therefore, the right and left balance of the tightening force is good, and the tightening force with which the outer column 1 tightens the inner column 2 does not vary depending on the telescopic position of the steering wheel 103.

  Further, one end of the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column 1, and tightening portions 68A and 68B for tightening the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 to the other end of the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B. Since it is formed, the structure of the distance bracket is simple, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Since the tightening portions 68A and 68B for tightening the outer periphery of the inner column 2 are formed in the bent portions 67A and 67B which are bent in a mountain shape over the entire length of the distance bracket in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, the rigidity of the tightening portions 68A and 68B is It is possible to increase the tightening force.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a main part of the steering device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10A is a front view showing a state in which the vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is a diagram of the outer column alone of FIG. FIG. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the above-described embodiment, the through holes 13A and 13B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. However, in the fourth embodiment, the through hole is divided into two parts on the vehicle body front side and vehicle body rear side, and the length in the axial direction is reduced. Is a short example. That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the distance bracket 6 of the fourth embodiment has the same shape as that of the first embodiment and has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. And it is integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate material into an inverted U shape.

  The distance bracket 6 has an upper arc-shaped portion 61 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding. Although the distance bracket 6 of the fourth embodiment is formed integrally, as in the second embodiment, the distance bracket 6 is divided into a left distance bracket and a right distance bracket, and each upper arc-shaped portion is formed. Alternatively, the outer column 1 may be wound around the outer periphery 11 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the outer column 1 is inserted with a pair of left and right through holes 15A and 15B through which the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted, and tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body. A pair of left and right through holes 16A and 16B are formed. The through holes 15A, 15B, 16A, and 16B are formed to be short in the axial direction of the outer column 1 and have dimensions slightly larger than the thicknesses of the tightening portions 66A and 66B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  The tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted into the through holes 15A, 15B, 16A and 16B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since the through holes 15A, 15B, 16A, and 16B are formed short in the axial direction of the outer column 1, the opening area of the through holes is suppressed small, and the rigidity of the outer column 1 is large. The steering feeling of the steering device can be improved.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a front view showing a steering device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which a vehicle body mounting bracket, a steering shaft, and a clamp device are omitted. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the steering apparatus of FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the fourth embodiment, the through hole is divided into the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side and formed in two places, but the fifth embodiment is an example in which the through hole is formed in only one place on the vehicle body rear side. . That is, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 13, the distance bracket 6 of the fifth embodiment has the same shape as that of the first embodiment and has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. And it is integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate material into an inverted U shape.

  The distance bracket 6 has an upper arc-shaped portion 61 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding. Although the distance bracket 6 of the fifth embodiment is integrally formed, as in the second embodiment, the distance bracket 6 is divided into a left distance bracket and a right distance bracket, and each upper arc-shaped portion is formed. Alternatively, the outer column 1 may be wound around the outer periphery 11 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the outer column 1 is formed with only a pair of left and right through holes 15 </ b> A and 15 </ b> B through which the tightening portions 66 </ b> A and 66 </ b> B on the vehicle body rear side are inserted. The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are located on the front side of the vehicle body with respect to the end surface 17 on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1. The through holes 15A and 15B are formed to be short in the axial direction of the outer column 1 and have dimensions slightly larger than the thicknesses of the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the vehicle body rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted into the through holes 15A and 15B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. Further, the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 without passing through the through hole.

  In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, since the through holes 15A and 15B need only be provided at one position on the rear side of the vehicle body, the axial length of the outer column 1 can be shortened, and the collapse stroke of the outer column 1 at the time of collision can be reduced. This is preferable because it can be long. Further, since the through holes 15A and 15B on the rear side of the vehicle body are formed short in the axial direction of the outer column 1, the opening area of the through hole is suppressed to be small, the rigidity of the outer column 1 is large, and the steering feeling of the steering device is increased. Can be improved.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a front view showing the main part of the steering device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 15A is a front view showing a state in which the vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 14, and FIG. 15B is a plan view of FIG. 15A. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  The sixth embodiment is an example in which the through hole is formed only at one position on the rear side of the vehicle body and the holding force when the outer column 1 is fastened to the inner column 2 is improved. That is, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the distance bracket 6 of the sixth embodiment has the same shape as that of the second embodiment, and is composed of the left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B. Arc-shaped portions 61A and 61B are wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and are fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The distance bracket of the sixth embodiment is divided into a left distance bracket 6A and a right distance bracket 6B. However, as in the first embodiment, the distance bracket is integrally formed and wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1. 11 may be fixed by welding.

  The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B are formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the outer column 1 is formed with only a pair of left and right through holes 15 </ b> A and 15 </ b> B through which the tightening portions 66 </ b> A and 66 </ b> B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted. The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are located on the front side of the vehicle body with respect to the end surface 17 on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1. The through holes 15A and 15B are formed to be short in the axial direction of the outer column 1 and have dimensions slightly larger than the thicknesses of the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the vehicle body rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted into the through holes 15A and 15B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. Further, the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 without passing through the through hole.

A load receiving portion 18 that protrudes from the end surface 17 on the front side of the vehicle body to the front side of the vehicle body is formed on the end surface 17 on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1. In Embodiment 6 of the present invention, when the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2, a load on the upper side of the vehicle body acts on the inner column 2. Since the load receiving portion 18 supports the load on the vehicle body upper side, the holding force when the inner column 2 is fastened to the outer column 1 is improved.

  Further, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, since the through holes 15A and 15B need only be provided at one location on the rear side of the vehicle body, the axial length of the outer column 1 can be shortened, and the collapse of the outer column 1 at the time of collision is achieved. This is preferable because the stroke can be lengthened. Further, since the through holes 15A and 15B on the rear side of the vehicle body are formed short in the axial direction of the outer column 1, the opening area of the through hole is suppressed to be small, the rigidity of the outer column 1 is large, and the steering feeling of the steering device is increased. Can be improved.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17A is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17B is a perspective view showing a state in which the fastening portion of the distance bracket in FIG. . In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  Example 7 is an example in which a resin member is covered on the tightening portion of the distance bracket. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the distance bracket 6 of the fifth embodiment has exactly the same shape as that of the first embodiment, has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and is made of iron. The rectangular plate material is integrally formed by bending it into an inverted U-shape.

  The distance bracket 6 has an upper arc-shaped portion 61 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding. The distance bracket 6 of the seventh embodiment is integrally formed. However, as in the second embodiment, the distance bracket 6 is divided into a left distance bracket and a right distance bracket. Alternatively, the outer column 1 may be wound around the outer periphery 11 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the outer column 1 is formed with only a pair of left and right through holes 15A and 15B through which the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the vehicle body rear side are inserted. The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are located on the front side of the vehicle body with respect to the end surface 17 on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1. The through holes 15A and 15B are formed to be short in the axial direction of the outer column 1 and have dimensions slightly larger than the thicknesses of the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the vehicle body rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 17B, synthetic resin resin members 71A and 71B are placed on the bent portions 64A and 64B and the fastening portions 66A and 66B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The resin members 71A and 71B are formed with arc-shaped tightening portions 72A and 72B on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted into the through holes 15A and 15B, and the tightening portions 72A and 72B of the resin members 71A and 71B covering the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are the outer periphery of the inner column 2. 22 is directly tightened. In addition, the tightening portions 72A and 72B of the resin members 71A and 71B placed on the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 without passing through the through holes.

  In Embodiment 7 of the present invention, since the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 is tightened via the tightening portions 72A and 72B of the resin members 71A and 71B, the friction coefficient is reduced and the telescopic position adjustment is performed smoothly. Moreover, since the collapse movement of the outer column 1 at the time of a collision is performed smoothly, impact energy absorption performance is stabilized.

  Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 18 is a front view showing a main part of the steering device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a front view showing an outer column of the steering device of FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the eighth embodiment, when the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the welding length direction is inclined with respect to the central axis of the outer column 1. That is, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 19, the distance bracket 6 according to the eighth embodiment has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and an iron rectangular plate is formed into an inverted U shape. It is integrally formed by bending.

  In the distance bracket 6, inclined sides 61 </ b> C and 61 </ b> D that are inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1 are formed in the arc-shaped portion 61 above the distance bracket 6. The arc-shaped portion 61 is wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1, and the inclined sides 61C and 61D and the outer periphery 11 are fixed by welding. Accordingly, when the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the welding length direction is formed to be inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1.

  When welding is performed so that the length of the weld is parallel or perpendicular to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1, the outer column 1 is thermally deformed by welding heat after welding, and the inner periphery 12 of the outer column 1 is elliptical. Or the outer column 1 may be warped in the axial direction. When the outer column 1 is thermally deformed, the telescopic position adjustment is not smoothly performed, so that a process for correcting the deformation of the outer column 1 after welding is required, and the manufacturing cost increases.

  In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, when the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the welding length direction is formed to be inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1. Accordingly, deformation of the inner periphery 12 of the outer column 1 into an elliptical shape and warpage in the axial direction of the outer column 1 are suppressed, so that the correction process can be omitted, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Although the distance bracket 6 of the eighth embodiment is integrally formed, as in the second embodiment, the distance bracket 6 is divided into a left distance bracket and a right distance bracket. An inclined side may be formed.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  The outer column 1 has a pair of left and right through holes 15A and 15B through which the fastening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted, and a pair of left and right through holes 16A and 16B through which the fastening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are inserted. Is formed. The through holes 15A, 15B, 16A, and 16B are formed to be short in the axial direction of the outer column 1 and have dimensions slightly larger than the thicknesses of the tightening portions 66A and 66B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted into the through holes 15A, 15B, 16A and 16B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2.

  Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 20 is a front view showing the outer column of the ninth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  The ninth embodiment is a modification of the eighth embodiment. When the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the welding length direction is inclined with respect to the central axis of the outer column 1 and the outer bracket 1 is formed. This is an example in which the end surface of the column 1 is approached and welded. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, the distance bracket 6 of the ninth embodiment has the same shape as that of the eighth embodiment, and the upper arc-shaped portion 61 is inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1. Sides 61C and 61D are formed.

  Bending portions 64A and 64B and fastening portions 66A and 66B on the vehicle body front side of the distance bracket 6 are arranged close to the end surface 17 on the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1, and the arc-shaped portion 61 is arranged on the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1. The inclined sides 61C and 61D and the outer periphery 11 are fixed by welding. Accordingly, when the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the welding length direction is formed to be inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1.

  Since the vicinity of the end surface 17 on the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1 is open, the rigidity is small. Therefore, when the distance bracket 6 is welded in the vicinity of the end surface 17 of the outer column 1 on the front side of the vehicle body, the warp in the axial direction of the outer column 1 tends to be particularly large due to thermal deformation after welding.

  In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, when the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the welding length direction is formed to be inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1. Therefore, since the axial warpage of the outer column 1 is suppressed, the correction process can be omitted, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 21 is a front view showing an outer column according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  The tenth embodiment is a modification of the eighth embodiment. When the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the welding length direction is inclined with respect to the central axis of the outer column 1. This is an example in which the welding length direction of the welded portion is formed perpendicular to the central axis of the outer column 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, the distance bracket 6 according to the tenth embodiment has the same shape as that according to the eighth embodiment, and the upper arc-shaped portion 61 is inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1. Sides 61C and 61D are formed.

  The arc-shaped portion 61 of the distance bracket 6 is wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1, and the inclined side 61C and the outer periphery 11 are fixed by welding. Furthermore, an orthogonal side (side orthogonal to the central axis of the outer column 1) 61E and the outer periphery 11 of the arc-shaped portion 61 of the distance bracket 6 are fixed by welding. Therefore, when the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the length direction of the welding is composed of two types, that is, a portion orthogonal to a portion inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1.

  In the tenth embodiment of the present invention, when the distance bracket 6 is welded to the outer column 1, the length direction of the welding is composed of two types: a portion orthogonal to a portion inclined with respect to the central axis 19 of the outer column 1. The Accordingly, deformation of the inner periphery 12 of the outer column 1 into an elliptical shape and warpage in the axial direction of the outer column 1 are suppressed, so that the correction process can be omitted, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Next, Example 11 of the present invention will be described. 22 is a front view showing a main part of the steering device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device shown in FIG. 22, corresponding to FIG. 24A is a front view showing a state in which the vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 22, and FIG. 24B is a diagram of the outer column alone of FIG. FIG. FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the fourth embodiment, the tightening portion is formed at two locations on the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side, and the through hole is divided into two portions on the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side. This is an example in which holes are formed at three locations, the vehicle body front side, the vehicle body rear side, and the intermediate position between the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side. That is, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 25, the distance bracket 6 of the eleventh embodiment has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and an iron rectangular plate is formed into an inverted U shape. It is integrally formed by bending.

  The distance bracket 6 has an upper arc-shaped portion 61 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding. The distance bracket 6 is formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  Projecting portions 641A and 641B projecting inward in the vehicle width direction are welded to the inner side surface 621A of the flat surface portion 62A and the inner side surface 621B of the flat surface portion 62B at the intermediate position of the distance bracket 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. It is fixed with. Arc-shaped tightening portions 661A and 661B are formed on the inner surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portions 641A and 641B, respectively. The shapes of the tightening portions 661A and 661B have the same shape as the tightening portions 66A and 66B of the bent portions 64A and 64B.

  The outer column 1 has a pair of left and right through holes 15A and 15B through which the fastening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted, and a pair of left and right through holes 16A and 16B through which the fastening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are inserted. Is formed. A pair of left and right through holes 151A and 151B are formed at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the through holes 15A and 15B and the through holes 16A and 16B, and the intermediate positions of the through holes 151A and 151B are at an intermediate position. The tightening portions 661A and 661B are inserted. The through holes 15A, 15B, 151A, 151B, 16A, and 16B are formed to be short in the axial direction of the outer column 1 and have dimensions slightly larger than the thicknesses of the tightening portions 66A and 66B and the tightening portions 661A and 661B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Has been.

  Tightening portions 66A and 66B and tightening portions 661A and 661B are inserted into the through holes 15A, 15B, 151A, 151B, 16A and 16B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B and the tightening portions 661A and 661B are arranged on the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. It is tightened directly. In Embodiment 11 of the present invention, in addition to the effects of Embodiment 4, the outer column 22 of the inner column 2 is directly tightened by the six tightening portions 66A and 66B and the tightening portions 661A and 661B. The rigidity of 1 is large, and the steering feeling of the steering device can be improved.

  Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the twelfth embodiment, the right and left tightening portions of the distance bracket 6 are formed as separate parts, and the tightening portion and the through hole are formed at three positions of the vehicle body front side, the vehicle body rear side, and the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side. This is an example. That is, as shown in FIG. 26, the distance bracket 6 according to the twelfth embodiment includes a left distance bracket 6A and a right distance bracket 6B, and the upper arc-shaped portions 61A and 61B are formed on the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1. It is wound and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B are formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  In the middle position of the length of the distance bracket 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, as in the case of the eleventh embodiment, the protruding portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction on the inner surface of the flat surface portion 62A and the inner surface of the flat surface portion 62B. 641A and 641B are fixed by welding. Arc-shaped tightening portions 661A and 661B are formed on the inner surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portions 641A and 641B, respectively. The shapes of the tightening portions 661A and 661B have the same shape as the tightening portions 66A and 66B of the bent portions 64A and 64B.

  The outer column 1 has a pair of left and right through holes 15A and 15B through which the fastening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body are inserted, and a pair of left and right through holes 16A and 16B through which the fastening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are inserted. Is formed. A pair of left and right through holes 151A and 151B are formed at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the through holes 15A and 15B and the through holes 16A and 16B, and the intermediate positions of the through holes 151A and 151B are at an intermediate position. The tightening portions 661A and 661B are inserted. The through holes 15A, 15B, 151A, 151B, 16A, and 16B are formed to be short in the axial direction of the outer column 1 and have dimensions slightly larger than the thicknesses of the tightening portions 66A and 66B and the tightening portions 661A and 661B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Has been.

  The tightening portions 66A and 66B and the tightening portions 661A and 661B are inserted into the through holes 15A, 15B, 151A, 151B, 16A and 16B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B and the tightening portions 661A and 661B are the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. Is tightened directly. In Example 12 of the present invention, the effect of Example 2 and the effect of Example 11 are combined.

  Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 27 shows a steering device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 27 (a) is a front view showing a state in which a vehicle body mounting bracket, a steering shaft, and a clamp device are omitted, and FIG. 27 (b) is FIG. 27 (a). It is the bottom view which looked at the outer column simple substance from the vehicle body lower side. FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the thirteenth embodiment, the tightening portion is formed at three positions of the vehicle body front side, the vehicle body rear side, and the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side, and the through holes are formed at two positions of the vehicle body rear side and the intermediate position. It is. That is, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 28, the distance bracket 6 of the thirteenth embodiment has exactly the same shape as that of the eleventh embodiment, and has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. And it is integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate material into an inverted U shape.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  In the middle position of the length of the distance bracket 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, as in the case of the eleventh embodiment, the protruding portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction on the inner surface of the flat surface portion 62A and the inner surface of the flat surface portion 62B. 641A and 641B are fixed by welding. Arc-shaped tightening portions 661A and 661B are formed on the inner surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portions 641A and 641B, respectively. The shapes of the tightening portions 661A and 661B have the same shape as the tightening portions 66A and 66B of the bent portions 64A and 64B.

  The outer column 1 is formed only with a pair of left and right through holes 15A, 15B, 151A, 151B through which the tightening portions 66A, 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body and the tightening portions 661A, 661B at intermediate positions are inserted. The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are located on the front side of the vehicle body with respect to the end surface 17 on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1.

  The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body and the tightening portions 661A and 661B at the intermediate positions are inserted into the through holes 15A, 15B, 151A and 151B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body and the tightening portions at the intermediate position 661A and 661B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. Further, the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 without passing through the through hole. In Example 13 of the present invention, the effect of Example 5 and the effect of Example 11 are combined.

  Next, Example 14 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the fourteenth embodiment, the right and left tightening portions of the distance bracket 6 are formed as separate parts, and the tightening portions are formed at three positions of the vehicle body front side, the vehicle body rear side, and the vehicle body front side and the vehicle body rear side, and penetrated. This is an example in which holes are formed at two locations, the rear side of the vehicle body and an intermediate position. That is, as shown in FIG. 29, the distance bracket 6 according to the fourteenth embodiment includes a left distance bracket 6A and a right distance bracket 6B, and the upper arc-shaped portions 61A and 61B are formed on the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1. It is wound and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B are formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at a right angle toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction.

  In the middle position of the length of the distance bracket 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, as in the case of the eleventh embodiment, the protruding portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction on the inner surface of the flat surface portion 62A and the inner surface of the flat surface portion 62B. 641A and 641B are fixed by welding. Arc-shaped tightening portions 661A and 661B are formed on the inner surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portions 641A and 641B, respectively. The shapes of the tightening portions 661A and 661B have the same shape as the tightening portions 66A and 66B of the bent portions 64A and 64B.

  The outer column 1 is formed only with a pair of left and right through holes 15A, 15B, 151A, 151B through which the tightening portions 66A, 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body and the tightening portions 661A, 661B at intermediate positions are inserted. The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body are located on the front side of the vehicle body with respect to the end surface 17 on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1.

  The tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body and the tightening portions 661A and 661B at the intermediate positions are inserted into the through holes 15A, 15B, 151A and 151B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the rear side of the vehicle body and the tightening portions at the intermediate position 661A and 661B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. Further, the tightening portions 66A and 66B on the front side of the vehicle body directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 without passing through the through hole. In the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the effects of the second, fifth, and eleventh embodiments are combined.

  Next, a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device of the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. It is. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  The fifteenth embodiment is an example in which the tightening portion of the tightening rod 34 and the distance bracket 6 is disposed on the vehicle body upper side of the outer column 1. That is, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 31, the distance bracket 6 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and is integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate material into a U shape. Is formed. The distance bracket 6 has a circular arc-shaped portion 61 below which is wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 on the lower side of the vehicle body by welding.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with flat portions 62A and 62B parallel to the side plates 32A and 32B at both upper ends thereof. Flat portions 62A and 62B are sandwiched between inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B so as to be capable of telescopic movement and tilt movement. The flat portions 62A and 62B are formed with telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B that are long in the axial direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 15). A round rod-shaped tightening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 30 into the tilt long grooves 33A and 33B and the telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B. Is placed.

  The flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6 are formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends of the flat portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at right angles from the flat portions 62A and 62B toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

  In the bent portions 64A and 64B, a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape are formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted are formed on the vehicle body upper side of the outer column 1. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. The tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted into the through holes 13A and 13B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 on the vehicle body upper side.

  A head 341 is formed on the right side of the tightening rod 34, and the head 341 is in contact with the outer surface of the side plate 32B. A fixed cam 343, a movable cam 344, a thrust bearing 345, and an adjustment nut 346 are externally fitted in this order on the outer periphery of the left end of the tightening rod 34, and a female screw 348 formed on the inner diameter portion of the adjustment nut 346 is attached to the tightening rod 34. It is screwed into a male screw 347 formed at the left end.

  An operation lever 349 is fixed to the left end surface of the movable cam 344, and the cam lock mechanism is configured by the movable cam 344 and the fixed cam 343 that are integrally operated by the operation lever 349. The fixed cam 343 engages with the long tilt groove 33A and is not rotated with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and slides the fixed cam 343 along the long tilt groove 33A when adjusting the tilt position.

  When the operation lever 349 is rotated during tilt / telescopic tightening, the peak of the movable cam 344 rides on the peak of the fixed cam 343 and pushes the fixed cam 343 to the right side in FIG. The side plates 32A and 32B are tightened by pulling. The inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B fasten the flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6. The plane portions 62A and 62B are elastically deformed inward in the vehicle width direction, and the pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B of the bent portions 64A and 64B tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 on the vehicle body upper side from both the left and right sides.

  As a result, the outer column 1 and the distance bracket 6 can be clamped and unclamped to the upper vehicle body mounting bracket 3 at a desired tilt / telescopic position.

  Next, Example 16 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  Example 16 is an example in which the tightening portion of the distance bracket 6 is formed in a straight line. That is, as shown in FIG. 32, the distance bracket 6 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and is integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate material into an inverted U shape. ing. The distance bracket 6 has an upper arc-shaped portion 61 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with flat portions 62A and 62B parallel to the side plates 32A and 32B at both lower ends thereof. Flat portions 62A and 62B are sandwiched between inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B so as to be capable of telescopic movement and tilt movement. The flat portions 62A and 62B are formed with telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B that are long in the axial direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 32). A round rod-shaped fastening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 32 into the long tilt grooves 33A and 33B and the long telescopic grooves 63A and 63B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B.

  The flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6 are formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends of the flat portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B are bent at right angles from the flat portions 62A and 62B toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Also,

  The bent portions 64A and 64B are formed with a pair of right and left tightening portions 662A and 662B on the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction. The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 662A and 662B are inserted. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. The tightening portions 662A and 662B are inserted through the through holes 13A and 13B, and the tightening portions 662A and 662B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. A flat portion may be formed on the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 facing the tightening portions 662A and 662B, and when the tightening portions 662A and 662B tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2, the flat surfaces may contact each other.

  In the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, since the tightening portions 662A and 662B of the distance bracket 6 are formed in a straight line, the processing of the tightening portions 662A and 662B is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, since the clamping force acts perpendicularly to the straight portions of the tightening portions 662A and 662B, the axial tightening force acting on the tightening rod 34 can be efficiently transmitted to the tightening portion.

  Next, Example 17 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  Example 17 is an example in which the fastening portion of the distance bracket 6 is formed in a linear shape, and the cross-sectional shapes of the outer column and the inner column are formed in a hollow polygonal cylindrical shape. That is, as shown in FIG. 33, a hollow polygonal tubular (hollow regular octagonal tubular) outer column 1 is hollowed on the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1 (the back side orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 33). A polygonal cylinder (hollow regular octagonal cylinder) inner column 2 is fitted so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The outer column 1 and the inner column 2 are formed into a hollow polygonal cylinder by hydroforming. The cross-sectional shape of the outer column 1 and the inner column 2 is not limited to an octagon, and may be a polygon such as a quadrangle or a hexagon.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed by being bent into a trapezoidal shape on the vehicle body lower side along the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1. The distance bracket 6 has an upper trapezoidal portion 611 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding.

  The distance bracket 6 is formed with a pair of right and left tightening portions 662A and 662B. The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 662A and 662B are inserted. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. Tightening portions 662A and 662B are inserted through the through holes 13A and 13B, and the tightening portions 662A and 662B directly tighten the left and right sides of the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 on the vehicle body lower side. The inclination angle of the tightening portions 662A and 662B with respect to the axis of the tightening rod 34 is 45 degrees, and a vertical line perpendicular to the tightening portions 662A and 662B is formed so as to pass through the center of the inner column 2.

  In Embodiment 17 of the present invention, the linear fastening portions 662A and 662B of the distance bracket 6 are in surface contact with the linear side of the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2, so that the holding force during clamping is improved. Further, since the tightening portions 662A and 662B are formed in a straight line, the processing of the tightening portions 662A and 662B is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Next, Example 18 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device according to the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  Example 18 is an example in which the tightening portion of the distance bracket 6 is formed in a straight line, and the convex portion that contacts the tightening portion of the distance bracket 6 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner column. That is, as shown in FIG. 34, the bent portions 64A and 64B of the distance bracket 6 are formed with a pair of straight left and right tightening portions 662A and 662B on the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction.

  The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 662A and 662B are inserted. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. The tightening portions 662A and 662B are inserted through the through holes 13A and 13B, and the tightening portions 662A and 662B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2.

  On the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2, convex portions 221A, 221B, 221C, and 221D protruding outward in the radial direction and concave portions 222A, 222B, 222C, and 222D recessed inward in the radial direction are arranged at intervals of 90 degrees on the circumference. The protrusions 221 </ b> A to 221 </ b> D are formed so as to be slidable in the axial direction on the inner periphery 12 of the outer column 1. The recesses 222A to 222D are fitted with the inner periphery 12 of the outer column 1 with a gap. The widths of the convex portions 221A to 221D are formed slightly narrower than the widths of the through holes 13A and 13B. Further, the length of the convex portions 221A to 221D in the axial direction (the length in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 34) is equal to the telescopic adjustment length of the outer column 1 than the axial length of the through holes 13A and 13B. It is formed long. Therefore, the tightening portions 662A and 662B can directly tighten the convex portions 221A and 221B on the vehicle body lower side of the inner column 2 regardless of the telescopic position of the outer column 1.

  In the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, since the contact portions between the tightening portions 662A and 662B of the distance bracket 6 and the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 are ensured, the tightening force with which the distance bracket 6 tightens the inner column 2 is stabilized. . In Example 18 of the present invention, four convex portions 221A to 221D are formed on the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2 at intervals of 90 degrees. As another example, the two convex portions 221C and 221D on the outer periphery of the upper side of the vehicle body are abolished, and instead, one convex portion is formed on the outer periphery directly above the vehicle body, and is configured with a total of three convex portions. May be.

  Next, Example 19 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  In the nineteenth embodiment, a bush having a small friction coefficient is interposed between the inner periphery of the outer column 1 and the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. As shown in FIG. 35, a cylindrical bush 23 is fitted in the hollow cylindrical outer column 1, and an inner column 2 is fitted on the inner periphery of the bush 23 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. ing. The bush 23 is formed of a synthetic resin having a small friction coefficient.

  The bent portions 64A and 64B of the distance bracket 6 integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate material into an inverted U shape are formed with a pair of arc-shaped left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B on the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction. Has been. The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted. The through holes 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1.

  The bush 23 is also formed with a pair of left and right through holes 24A and 24B through which the tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted. The through holes 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1. The tightening portions 66A and 66B are inserted through the through holes 13A, 13B, 24A and 24B, and the tightening portions 66A and 66B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. In the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention, since the bush 23 having a small friction coefficient is interposed between the inner periphery of the outer column 1 and the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2, the outer column 1 is lighter than the inner column 2. Can be moved by force.

  Next, Example 20 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device according to the twentieth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 36, and is a perspective view showing a state in which the vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft, and the clamp device are omitted. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  The twentieth embodiment is an example in which the left and right flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6 are formed with convex surfaces that come into contact with the left and right inner surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B at two locations in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. That is, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the distance bracket 6 of the twentieth embodiment has a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and an iron rectangular plate is formed in an inverted U shape. It is integrally formed by bending.

  The distance bracket 6 has an upper arc-shaped portion 61 wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding. The distance bracket 6 is formed with flat portions 62A and 62B parallel to the side plates 32A and 32B at both lower ends thereof. Flat portions 62A and 62B are sandwiched between inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B so as to be capable of telescopic movement and tilt movement. The flat portions 62A and 62B are formed with telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B that are long in the axial direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 36). A round rod-shaped fastening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 36 into the long tilt grooves 33A and 33B and the long telescopic grooves 63A and 63B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B.

  The flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6 are formed with bent portions 64A and 64B at both ends of the flat portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The bent portions 64A and 64B of the distance bracket 6 are formed with a pair of left and right tightening portions 66A and 66B having an arc shape on the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction.

  On the flat surfaces 62A and 62B, convex portions 622A, 623A, 622B, and 623B protruding outward in the vehicle width direction are formed at two locations in the vehicle body vertical direction. The convex portions 622A, 623A, 622B, and 623B are formed over the entire length of the planar portions 62A and 62B in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The convex portions 622A and 622B on the upper side of the vehicle body are formed at the axial center position of the outer column 1, and the convex portions 623A and 623B on the lower side of the vehicle body are formed at the positions of the tightening portions 66A and 66B of the distance bracket 6. Convex portions protruding inward in the vehicle width direction may be formed at two locations in the vehicle body vertical direction of the left and right inner side surfaces 321A and 321B, and the flat portions 62A and 62B of the distance bracket 6 may be left flat.

  In the twentieth embodiment of the present invention, when the operation lever 349 is rotated and the side plates 32A and 32B are tightened at the time of tilt and telescopic tightening, the distance bracket 6 is interposed via the convex portions 622A, 623A, 622B and 623B of the distance bracket 6. Tighten. Therefore, the clamping force is transmitted to the vicinity of the axial positions of the tightening portions 66A and 66B of the distance bracket 6 and the outer column 1, so that the holding force at the time of clamping is improved.

  Next, Example 21 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device according to the twenty-first embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 38, which corresponds to FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  Example 21 is an example in which the fastening portion of the distance bracket 6 is formed to have a long axial length for fastening the inner column 2. That is, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the distance bracket 6 according to the twenty-first embodiment includes a left distance bracket 6A and a right distance bracket 6B, and the inner side surfaces 621A and 621B in the vicinity of the upper ends of the respective flat portions 62A and 62B. Is fixed to the outer surface of the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 by welding. On the flat surfaces 62A and 62B, convex portions 622A, 623A, 622B, and 623B protruding outward in the vehicle width direction are formed at two locations in the vehicle body vertical direction. The convex portions 623A and 623B on the lower side of the vehicle body are formed over the entire length of the plane portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The convex portions 622A and 622B on the upper side of the vehicle body are formed slightly shorter than the overall length of the flat surface portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The convex portions 622A and 622B on the upper side of the vehicle body are formed at the axial center position of the outer column 1, and the convex portions 623A and 623B on the lower side of the vehicle body are formed at the positions of the following tightening portions 74A and 74B of the distance bracket 6. .

  The left distance bracket 6A and the right distance bracket 6B are formed with bent portions 73A and 73B at the lower ends of the flat portions 62A and 62B, respectively, over the entire length of the flat portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. ing. The bent portions 73A and 73B are bent in a V shape toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The bent portions 73A and 73B extend toward the upper side of the vehicle body toward the axial center of the outer column 1, and a pair of straight left and right tightening portions 74A and 74B are formed at the upper ends thereof. Reinforcing plates 75A and 75B are fixed by welding to both ends of the bent portions 73A and 73B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and both ends of the plane portions 62A and 62B in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body are connected to the bent portions 73A and 73B. The bent portions 73A and 73B are reinforced.

  The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes 13A and 13B through which the tightening portions 74A and 74B are inserted. The through holes 13A and 13B are formed long in the axial direction of the outer column 1, and are formed to have dimensions slightly larger than the axial lengths of the tightening portions 74A and 74B.

  The tightening portions 74A and 74B are inserted into the through holes 13A and 13B, and the tightening portions 74A and 74B directly tighten the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2. In the twenty-first embodiment of the present invention, the tightening portions 74A and 74B have a long axial length for tightening the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2, so that the rigidity at the time of tightening is large and the tightening force can be increased.

  Next, Example 22 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 40 is a front view showing the main part of the steering device according to the twenty-second embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts will be described with the same numbers.

  Example 22 is an example in which the front end of the outer column of the vehicle body is fixed to the vehicle body and arranged on the vehicle body front side, and the inner column is arranged on the vehicle body rear side. That is, as shown in FIG. 40, the lower-side vehicle body mounting bracket 51 is attached to the vehicle body 5 on the vehicle body front side (left side in FIG. 40) of the outer column 1 and is fixed to the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1. The center shaft 111 is pivotally supported by the lower body mounting bracket 51 so as to be tiltable. Further, the vehicle body rear side (the right side in FIG. 40) of the outer column 1 is attached to the vehicle body 5 by an upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket (vehicle body mounting bracket) 3.

  A lower steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported in the hollow cylindrical outer column 1, and the left end of the lower steering shaft is connected to the intermediate shaft 105 via the universal joint 104 in FIG. The lower end of 105 is transmitted to the steering gear 107, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  An inner column 2 is slidably fitted in the axial direction on the vehicle body rear side of the outer column 1 (right side in FIG. 40). An upper steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported on the inner column 2, the upper steering shaft is spline-fitted with the lower steering shaft, and the rotation of the upper steering shaft is transmitted to the lower steering shaft. The steering wheel 103 of FIG. 1 is attached to the rear side of the vehicle body of the upper steering shaft (the right side of FIG. 40).

  A pair of left and right flange portions 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B for attaching the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 to the vehicle body 5 are formed on the upper side of the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3. The distance bracket 6 is sandwiched between inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B which are formed integrally with the flange portions 31A and 31B and extend in the vertical direction so that only the tilt movement is possible.

  The distance bracket 6 integrally formed by bending an iron rectangular plate into an inverted U shape is wound around the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 and fixed to the outer periphery 11 by welding. The bent portion of the distance bracket 6 is formed with a pair of arcuate left and right tightening portions on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction. The outer column 1 is formed with a pair of left and right through holes through which the tightening portion is inserted.

  A round hole (not shown) is formed in the distance bracket 6 in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. It is inserted from the direction orthogonal to the 40 page. The long tilt grooves 33 </ b> A and 33 </ b> B are formed in an arc shape centered on the tilt center axis 111.

  Therefore, the distance bracket 6 is sandwiched between the inner side surfaces of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B so as to be tiltable. When the operation lever 349 is rotated during tilt / telescopic tightening, the side plates 32A and 32B are tightened and the distance bracket 6 is tightened. A pair of left and right tightening portions of the distance bracket 6 tightens the outer periphery 22 of the inner column 2.

  At the time of tilt / telescopic release, the operation lever 349 is rotated in the reverse direction to separate the side plates 32A and 32B and release the tightening of the distance bracket 6. Thus, the distance bracket 6 and the inner column 2 can be clamped and unclamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 at a desired tilt / telescopic position.

  After the distance bracket 6 is unclamped with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, the steering wheel 103 is grasped and the inner column 2 is slid in the axial direction with respect to the outer column 1 to be adjusted to a desired telescopic position. At this time, the distance bracket 6 is held in a fixed position together with the outer column 1.

  In addition, the steering wheel 103 is held and the inner column 2, the outer column 1, and the distance bracket 6 are adjusted to a desired tilt position around the tilt center axis 111. Thereafter, the distance bracket 6 is clamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3.

  In the twenty-second embodiment of the present invention, the distance bracket 6 does not need the telescopic long grooves 63A and 63B of the first embodiment, so that the structure of the distance bracket 6 is simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the distance bracket and the outer cotton are fixed by welding, but may be fixed by bolting, pinning, or caulking. Moreover, in the said Example, although the outer column and the inner column are formed in the cylindrical shape, a non-cylindrical shape may be sufficient and what is necessary is just to change the shape of a fastening part according to the outer periphery shape of an inner column.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a tilt / telescopic steering device capable of both tilt position adjustment and telescopic position adjustment has been described, but the present invention is applied to a telescopic steering device capable of only telescopic position adjustment. The invention may be applied. In the above embodiment, the inner column is slidably fitted in the axial direction on the front side of the outer column, but the outer column is slidably fitted in the axial direction on the front side of the inner column. You may apply to the steering device which does. Further, in the above embodiment, the tightening rod is disposed on the vehicle body lower side of the outer column, but the tightening rod may be disposed on the vehicle body upper side of the outer column.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Steering device 102 Steering shaft 103 Steering wheel 104 Universal joint 105 Intermediate shaft 106 Universal joint 107 Steering gear 108 Tie rod 1 Outer column 11 Outer periphery 111 Tilt center axis 12 Inner periphery 13A, 13B Through hole 14A, 14B Through hole 15A, 15B Through hole 151A, 151B Through-hole 16A, 16B Through-hole 17 End face on the front side of the vehicle body 18 Load receiving portion 19 Center axis 2 Inner column 21 Tilt center shaft 22 Outer periphery 221A, 221B, 221C, 221D Convex portion 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D Concavity 23 Bushing 24A, 24B Through hole 3 Upper side body mounting bracket (vehicle body mounting bracket)
31A, 31B Flange portion 32A, 32B Side plate 321A, 321B Inner side surface 33A, 33B Long groove for tilt 34 Tightening rod 341 Head 342 Non-rotating portion 343 Fixed cam 344 Movable cam 345 Thrust bearing 346 Adjustment nut 347 Male screw 348 Female screw 349 Female screw 349 Upper steering shaft 42 Lower steering shaft 5 Car body 51 Lower side body mounting bracket 6 Distance bracket 6A Left distance bracket 6B Right distance bracket 61 Arc-shaped part 611 Trapezoidal part 61A, 61B Arc-shaped part 61C, 61D Inclined side 61E Orthogonal side 62A, 62B Flat surface 621A, 621B Inner side surface 622A, 622B Convex part 623A, 623B Convex part 63A, 63B Telescopic long groove 64A, 64B Bending Part 641A, 641B Protruding part 65A, 65B Bending part 66A, 66B Clamping part 661A, 661B Clamping part 662A, 662B Clamping part 67A, 67B Bending part 68A, 68B Clamping part 69A, 69B Telescopic long groove 71A, 71B Resin 72B Tightening part 73A, 73B Bending part 74A, 74B Tightening part 75A, 75B Reinforcing plate

Claims (9)

Inner column,
A hollow outer column externally fitted to the inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction;
Body mounting bracket that can be mounted on the body,
A distance bracket fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column and formed with a pair of left and right tightening portions for tightening the outer periphery of the inner column, and slidably sandwiched between the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket;
A pair of left and right through holes formed in the outer column and through which the fastening portions of the distance bracket are respectively inserted;
A clamp device for tightening the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket to the distance bracket;
The left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket are tightened, and the outer periphery of the inner column is directly tightened with a pair of left and right tightening portions of the distance bracket so that the inner column cannot be moved relative to the outer column in the axial direction. A steering device for clamping,
The length direction of welding for fixing the distance bracket to the outer column is formed to be inclined with respect to the central axis of the outer column. And a load receiving portion projecting from the end face of the vehicle body front side toward the vehicle body front side. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The distance bracket is integrally formed in a U-shape or an inverted U-shape and is wound around the outer periphery of the outer column. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The distance bracket includes a left and right tightening portion formed as separate parts, and one end of each distance bracket is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The tightening part is
A steering device characterized in that the distance bracket is formed at both ends in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the distance bracket, and is formed on an inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of a bent portion that is bent inward in the vehicle width direction. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The tightening part is
A steering device characterized in that the distance bracket is formed over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the left and right tightening portions of the distance bracket are formed in an arc shape or a linear shape. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the left and right tightening portions of the distance bracket tighten the outer periphery of the inner column on the lower side of the vehicle body or the outer periphery of the upper side of the vehicle body. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the inner column and the outer column are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape or a hollow polygonal cylindrical shape. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
A steering device characterized in that a vehicle body front side of the inner column or outer column is fixed to the vehicle body.

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