JP2007099260A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

A telescopic steering device having high vibration rigidity and good steering feeling is provided.
A lower steering shaft (32) is pivotally supported by a lower bearing (42) and an intermediate bearing (43) so that the left and right ends are the left and right ends of a lower column (1). For this reason, the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is high and the bending is also small, so that the steering feeling is improved. Further, since a gap in the radial direction is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 and the vehicle body front side inner periphery 133 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13 into which the outer periphery is fitted, lower steering is provided. Since the shaft misalignment between the shaft 32 and the upper steering shaft 31 is absorbed and pivotally supported, the steering shaft is less bent, so that the steering feeling is further improved and the assembly is facilitated.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus, and more particularly, to a telescopic steering apparatus that adjusts a telescopic position of a steering wheel by fitting an outer column and an inner column so as to be slidable in an axial direction.

  There is a telescopic steering device that adjusts a telescopic position of a steering wheel by fitting an outer column and an inner column so as to be slidable in an axial direction (Patent Document 1).

  In such a steering device, the lower steering shaft is engaged with an upper steering shaft having a steering wheel mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body so as to be telescopically movable by spline fitting or the like, and the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering gear. Thus, the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of a conventional steering device. As shown in FIG. 15, the lower column (outer column) 1 is fixed to the vehicle body 7 by a lower vehicle body mounting bracket 61 and an upper vehicle body mounting bracket 62. An outer periphery 21 of a cylindrical upper column (inner column) 2 is closely fitted to an inner periphery 11 of the hollow cylindrical lower column 1 so as to be telescopically slidable in the axial direction.

  An upper steering shaft 31 is inserted into the shaft center of the upper column 2, and the upper bearing 41 press-fitted into the right end (vehicle body rear side) of the inner periphery 22 of the upper column 2 is used for the right end (vehicle body rear side) of the upper steering shaft 31. Is pivotally supported. A steering wheel 5 is attached to the right end of the upper steering shaft 31.

  A lower steering shaft 32 is inserted into the axial center of the inner periphery 11 of the lower column 1, and the lower end of the lower steering shaft 32 is pressed by a lower bearing 42 that is press-fitted into the left end (vehicle body front side) of the inner periphery 11 of the lower column 1. (The front side of the vehicle body) is pivotally supported. A male spline 321 is formed on the right side of the lower steering shaft 32 and engages with a female spline 311 formed on the left side of the upper steering shaft 31.

  Therefore, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 2, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 is transmitted to the steering gear (not shown) via the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  In the conventional steering apparatus, the upper steering shaft 31 is pivotally supported at one right end thereof by the upper bearing 41 at the right end of the upper column 2, and the lower steering shaft 32 has one left end at the lower column 1. It is only pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 at the left end thereof. Therefore, since the distance between the upper bearing 41 and the lower bearing 42 is large, the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is lowered, and the driver feels uncomfortable.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-2211

  An object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic steering device having high vibration rigidity and good steering feeling.

  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the first invention is the lower column, the upper column fitted to the lower column so as to be relatively telescopically movable in the axial direction, and the upper column provided on the vehicle body rear side of the upper column. The lower column is pivotally supported by the lower column by a lower bearing provided on the front side of the vehicle body, and a steering wheel can be mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body. The steering shaft that transmits the rotation of the wheel to the wheel, either the lower column or the upper column is configured by connecting the vehicle body front side column and the vehicle body rear side column, and the vehicle body front side column end surface on the vehicle rear side And both end surfaces of the outer ring are sandwiched between the vehicle body rear side column and the vehicle body front side end surface. A steering device characterized by comprising an intermediate bearing for supporting the shaft rotatably.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering device of the first aspect, an inclined surface having a diameter increasing toward the front side of the vehicle body is formed on the vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side column. The steering device is characterized in that both end surfaces of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing are sandwiched between the vehicle body rear side end surface of the front side column.

  According to a third invention, in the steering device of the second invention, there is a radial gap between the outer periphery of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing and the inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column into which the outer periphery is fitted. A steering apparatus characterized by being formed.

  According to a fourth invention, in the steering device of the third invention, the vehicle body rear side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the steering shaft by a retaining ring, and the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing. Is a steering device which is locked to the steering shaft by a push nut via an elastic member.

  According to a fifth invention, in the steering device of the first invention, there is a radial gap between the outer periphery of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing and the inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column in which the outer periphery is fitted. A steering apparatus characterized by being formed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device of the fifth aspect, the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the steering shaft by a retaining ring, and the vehicle body rear side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing Is a steering device which is locked to the steering shaft by a push nut via an elastic member.

  A fourth invention is the steering device according to the sixth invention, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower column, an upper column fitted to the lower column so as to be relatively telescopically movable in the axial direction, and an upper bearing provided on the vehicle body rear side of the upper column. It is pivotally supported and is pivotally supported by the lower column by a lower bearing provided on the vehicle body front side of the lower column, and a steering wheel can be mounted on the vehicle rear side. A steering shaft that transmits rotation to the wheels, and an engagement recess that is fixed to the outer periphery of a substantially intermediate position of the axial length of the steering shaft and that can engage with the tip of the lock key that appears and disappears by operation of the ignition key is formed. The key lock collar, either the lower column or the upper column is The ram and the vehicle body rear side column are combined, and both end surfaces of the outer ring are sandwiched between the vehicle body rear side end surface of the vehicle body front side column and the vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side column. A steering device comprising an intermediate bearing that pivotally supports the outer periphery of the steering wheel.

  According to a ninth invention, in the steering device according to the eighth invention, there is a radial gap between the outer periphery of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing and the inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column into which the outer periphery is fitted. A steering apparatus characterized by being formed.

  According to a tenth aspect of the steering device of the ninth aspect of the invention, the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the key lock collar by a push nut via an elastic member. The steering wheel device is characterized in that an end surface of the inner ring on the vehicle body rear side is in contact with and locked to the step surface of the key lock collar.

  An eleventh invention is the steering device according to the tenth invention, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower column configured by connecting a vehicle body rear end of a vehicle body front side lower column and a vehicle body front end of a vehicle body rear side lower column, relative to the vehicle body rear side lower column in the axial direction. Upper column fitted telescopically, upper steering shaft pivotally supported on the upper column by an upper bearing provided on the rear side of the upper column and mounted with a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle A lower bearing provided on the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body front side lower column is pivotally supported on the vehicle body front side lower column and is fitted to the upper steering shaft so as to be telescopically movable; Lower steering shaft that transmits the rotation of the wheel to the wheel An intermediate bearing is provided in which both end surfaces of the outer ring are sandwiched between a vehicle body rear side end surface of the lower column and a vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle rear side lower column, and pivotally supports the vehicle body rear side of the lower steering shaft. This is a steering device.

  In a thirteenth aspect of the steering apparatus of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, an inclined surface having a diameter increasing toward the front side of the vehicle body is formed on the vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side lower column. The steering apparatus is characterized in that both end surfaces of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing are sandwiched between the vehicle body rear side end surface of the vehicle body front side lower column.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is the steering device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein a radial gap is provided between the outer periphery of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing and the inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side lower column into which the outer periphery is fitted. Is a steering apparatus characterized by being formed.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus of the fourteenth aspect, the vehicle body rear side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the lower steering shaft by a retaining ring, and the vehicle body front side of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing The end surface is a steering device characterized in that the lower steering shaft is locked by a push nut via an elastic member.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device of the twelfth aspect, a radial gap is provided between the outer periphery of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing and the inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side lower column into which the outer periphery is fitted. Is a steering apparatus characterized by being formed.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device of the sixteenth aspect, the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the lower steering shaft by a retaining ring, and the vehicle body rear side of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing The end surface is a steering device characterized in that the lower steering shaft is locked by a push nut via an elastic member.

  An eighteenth aspect of the invention is the steering apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower column configured by connecting a vehicle body rear end of a vehicle body front side lower column and a vehicle body front end of a vehicle body rear side lower column, relative to the vehicle body rear side lower column in the axial direction. Upper column fitted telescopically, upper steering shaft pivotally supported on the upper column by an upper bearing provided on the rear side of the upper column and mounted with a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle A lower bearing provided on the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body front side lower column is pivotally supported on the vehicle body front side lower column and is fitted to the upper steering shaft so as to be telescopically movable; Lower steering shaft that transmits the rotation of the wheel to the wheel, lower earth A key lock collar that is fixed to the outer periphery of the rear side of the alling shaft and that can be engaged with the tip of the lock key that appears and disappears by the operation of the ignition key. A steering device comprising an intermediate bearing that rotatably supports the outer periphery of the key lock collar, with both end faces of the outer ring being sandwiched between the front end face of the lower column of the vehicle body and the front side of the car body. is there.

  A twentieth aspect of the invention is the steering device of the nineteenth aspect, wherein a radial gap is provided between the outer periphery of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing and the inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side lower column into which the outer periphery is fitted. Is a steering apparatus characterized by being formed.

  According to a twenty-first aspect, in the steering device according to the twentieth aspect, the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the key lock collar by a push nut via an elastic member. The steering wheel device is characterized in that an end surface of the inner ring on the vehicle body rear side is in contact with and locked to the step surface of the key lock collar.

  A twenty-second aspect of the invention is the steering apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer.

  A twenty-third aspect of the invention is the steering apparatus according to any one of the first to the twenty-second aspects, wherein the lower column is an outer column and the upper column is an inner column. is there.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention, in the steering apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to twenty-second aspects, the upper steering shaft is an inner steering shaft, and the lower steering shaft is an outer steering shaft. Steering apparatus.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, in the steering device according to any one of the twelfth to twenty-second aspects, the upper steering shaft is an outer steering shaft, and the lower steering shaft is an inner steering shaft. Steering apparatus.

  In the steering apparatus according to the present invention, the lower steering shaft is pivotally supported at two locations of the lower column on the vehicle body front side of the lower column and the intermediate bearing on the vehicle body rear side, so that the vibration rigidity is increased and the steering feeling is improved.

  Further, a radial gap is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring of the intermediate bearing and the inner periphery of the lower column in which the outer periphery is fitted. Therefore, this radial clearance absorbs the misalignment between the shaft center of the lower steering shaft and the shaft center of the upper steering shaft, and is pivotally supported. Therefore, the steering shaft is less bent, and the steering feeling is further improved. Further improvement and easy assembly.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a steering device 101 of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. The steering device 101 pivotally supports a steering shaft 102 so as to be rotatable. A steering wheel 5 is attached to the upper end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the steering shaft 102, and an intermediate shaft 104 is connected to the lower end of the steering shaft 102 (front side of the vehicle body) via a universal joint 103.

  A universal joint 105 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 104, and a steering gear 106 including a rack and pinion mechanism is connected to the universal joint 105.

  When the driver rotates the steering wheel 5, the rotational force is transmitted to the steering gear 106 via the steering shaft 102, the universal joint 103, the intermediate shaft 104, and the universal joint 105, and the tie rod is transmitted via the rack and pinion mechanism. 107 can be moved to change the steering angle of the wheel.

* First Embodiment FIGS. 2 to 3 show a steering apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a column of the steering apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the intermediate bearing of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the lower column (outer column) 1 is configured by press-fitting a vehicle body rear end of a vehicle body front side lower column 12 and a vehicle body front end of a vehicle body rear side lower column 13. . The vehicle body front side lower column 12 is fixed to the vehicle body 7 by a lower vehicle body mounting bracket 61, and the vehicle body rear side lower column 13 is fixed to the vehicle body 7 by an upper vehicle body mounting bracket 62.

  The outer periphery 21 of the hollow cylindrical upper column (inner column) 2 is closely fitted to the inner periphery 131 of the hollow cylindrical rear body lower column 13 so as to be telescopically slidable in the axial direction. The vehicle body rear side lower column 13 is formed with a slit (not shown) at a position where the upper column 2 slides, and an operation lever (not shown) is operated to reduce or increase the diameter of the vehicle rear side lower column 13. The telescopic position of the upper column 2 can be adjusted during diameter expansion.

  An upper steering shaft (inner steering shaft) 31 is inserted into the shaft center of the upper column 2, and a right end of the upper steering shaft 31 is pressed by an upper bearing 41 press-fitted into the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the inner periphery 22 of the upper column 2. (The rear side of the vehicle body) is rotatably supported. A steering wheel 5 is mounted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the upper steering shaft 31. As the upper bearing 41, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A lower steering shaft (outer steering shaft) 32 is inserted into the axial center of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and is press-fitted into the left end (vehicle body front side) of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12. The lower bearing 42 pivotally supports the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 so as to be rotatable. As the lower bearing 42, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A female spline 322 is formed on the right side of the lower steering shaft 32, and is slidably engaged with a male spline 312 formed on the left side of the upper steering shaft 31. Therefore, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 2, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 is transmitted to the steering gear (not shown) via the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  The right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by an intermediate bearing 43 so as to be rotatable. That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are the vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. It is sandwiched between the end surface (left end) 132.

  A hollow cylindrical resin spacer 44 is fitted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and an inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted on the outer periphery 441 of the spacer 44. The spacer 44 may be omitted, and the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 may be directly fitted on the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32.

  A retaining ring (C-shaped retaining ring for shaft) 45 is mounted in an annular groove 324 formed on the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is engaged by the retaining ring 45. It has been stopped. A push nut 46 is press-fitted to the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the rear side of the vehicle body, and presses the vehicle body rear side end surface 442 of the spacer 44 via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member. Therefore, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46 and pivotally supports the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1. Instead of the wave washer 47, an annular rubber material such as an O-ring may be employed.

  Therefore, in the steering device of the first embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 and the intermediate bearing 43 so that the left and right ends thereof are the left and right ends of the lower column 1. Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

  Further, a radial clearance is formed between the outer periphery of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 and the vehicle body front side inner periphery 133 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13 into which the outer periphery is fitted. The radial gap can be set in a range of about 0.01 mm to 5 mm. The radial gap is preferably set in the range of 0.01 mm to 1 mm. Since the radial gap absorbs the misalignment between the shaft center of the lower steering shaft 32 and the shaft center of the upper steering shaft 31 that are spline-fitted, and supports the shaft, the steering shaft is less bent. The steering feeling is further improved and the assembly is facilitated.

  The contact surface between the vehicle body front side end surface of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 and the vehicle body rear side end surface 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12, the vehicle body rear side end surface of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43, and the vehicle body rear side lower column. If a low friction agent is applied to the contact surface with the vehicle body front side end surface 132, the sliding resistance of the intermediate bearing 43 in the radial direction can be reduced. Thereby, the absorption of the misalignment between the axis of the lower steering shaft 32 and the axis of the upper steering shaft 31 is more smoothly performed.

* 2nd Embodiment Next, the steering device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of the steering device 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only a structural part different from the first embodiment will be described, and a duplicate description will be omitted. In the first embodiment, the outer steering shaft is arranged on the lower side, and the inner steering shaft is arranged on the upper side. However, in the steering device of the second embodiment, the outer steering shaft is arranged on the upper side, It is the Example which has arrange | positioned the inner steering shaft to the lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an upper steering shaft (outer steering shaft) 31 is inserted into the shaft center of the upper column 2, and the upper bearing 41 is press-fitted into the right end (vehicle body rear side) of the inner periphery 22 of the upper column 2. The right end (the vehicle body rear side) of the upper steering shaft 31 is pivotally supported. A steering wheel 5 is mounted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the upper steering shaft 31. As the upper bearing 41, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A lower steering shaft (inner steering shaft) 32 is inserted into the axial center of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and is press-fitted into the left end (vehicle body front side) of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12. The lower bearing 42 pivotally supports the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 so as to be rotatable. As the lower bearing 42, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A male spline 321 is formed on the right side of the lower steering shaft 32 and is slidably engaged with a female spline 311 formed on the left side of the upper steering shaft 31. Therefore, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 2, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 is transmitted to the steering gear (not shown) via the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  The right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by an intermediate bearing 43 so as to be rotatable. The detailed structure of the intermediate bearing 43 is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3, both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are the vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. It is sandwiched between the end surface (left end) 132.

  A hollow cylindrical resin spacer 44 is fitted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and an inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted on the outer periphery 441 of the spacer 44.

  A retaining ring (C-shaped retaining ring for shaft) 45 is mounted in an annular groove 324 formed on the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is engaged by the retaining ring 45. It has been stopped. A push nut 46 is press-fitted to the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the rear side of the vehicle body, and presses the vehicle body rear side end surface 442 of the spacer 44 via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member. Therefore, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46 and pivotally supports the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1.

  Therefore, also in the steering device of the second embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 and the intermediate bearing 43 so that the left and right ends thereof are the left and right ends of the lower column 1. Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

* 3rd Embodiment Next, the steering device of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of the steering device 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the intermediate bearing in FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. The third embodiment is an example in which an intermediate bearing pivotally supports a key lock collar of a steering lock device.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, a cylindrical key lock collar 81 is press-fitted and fixed to the right side (vehicle body rear side) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32. That is, a ring 82 made of spring steel is interposed between the inner periphery 811 of the key lock collar 81 and the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32. A ring 82 in which concave and convex portions are alternately formed in the circumferential direction is interposed between the inner circumference of the key lock collar 81 and the outer circumference 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 by being elastically compressed in the radial direction. The key lock collar 81 is fixed to the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 by the elastic force and frictional force of 82. In FIG. 6, the ring 82 is disposed on the right half of the key lock collar 81, but may be disposed on the left half of the key lock collar 81 (that is, on the inner peripheral side of the key lock groove 812).

  In the key lock collar 81, a plurality of key lock grooves (engagement recesses) 812 are formed at equal angular intervals on the circumference and open to the front side of the vehicle body. When an ignition key (not shown) is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the key hole, the lock key 83 protrudes toward the axial center side of the lower steering shaft 32. As a result, the front end of the lock key 83 is engaged with the key lock groove 812 of the key lock collar 81 so that the lower steering shaft 32 is fixed to the lower column 1 and the rotation of the lower steering shaft 32 is prevented. I have to. The key hole into which the ignition key is inserted is disposed at a position close to the steering wheel 5 and is electrically connected to a lock mechanism in which the lock key 83 appears and disappears.

  A spacer 84 having an L-shaped cross section is fitted on the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the key lock groove 812 of the key lock collar 81, and an inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted on the outer periphery 841 of the spacer 84. The inner periphery of the left portion of the spacer 84 is externally fitted to the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 (either skimming or press fitting may be used). Both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are sandwiched between a vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and a vehicle body front side end surface (left end) 132 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. Yes.

  The end surface 813 of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is in contact with and locked to the step surface 813 of the key lock collar 81. A push nut 46 is press-fitted into the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the front side of the vehicle body, and presses the end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 on the front side of the vehicle body via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member. Accordingly, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46, and pivotally supports the key lock collar 81 and the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1.

  Therefore, in the steering device of the third embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 at the left end of the lower column 1 and the key lock collar 81 is supported at the right end of the lower column 1 at the right end. And is pivotally supported by the intermediate bearing 43 via a pivot. Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

  In the steering device of the third embodiment, the steering wheel is forcibly locked in a locked state in which the tip of the lock key 83 is engaged with the key lock groove 812 and the lower steering shaft 32 is fixed to the lower column 1. Rotate. Then, the lower steering shaft 32 tries to bend away from the lock key 83. However, if the gap in the radial direction between the outer periphery of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 and the vehicle body front side inner periphery 133 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13 into which the outer periphery is fitted is set small, the intermediate bearing 43 becomes the key. The bending of the lock collar 81 is prevented. Therefore, the lock key 83 can be prevented from being detached from the key lock groove 812, and the anti-theft function of the steering lock device can be improved.

* 4th Embodiment Next, the steering device of the 4th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of the steering device 101 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the intermediate bearing of FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. The fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment, in which the shaft support shapes of the key lock collar and the intermediate bearing are changed.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, a cylindrical key lock collar 85 is press-fitted and fixed to the right side (vehicle body rear side) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32. That is, the inner periphery 851 of the key lock collar 85 is press-fitted into the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32. The key lock collar 85 may be fixed to the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 by welding.

  A plurality of key lock holes (engagement recesses) 852 are formed at equiangular intervals in the circumferential direction at a substantially intermediate position in the axial length of the key lock collar 85. When an ignition key (not shown) is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the key hole, the lock key 83 protrudes toward the axial center side of the lower steering shaft 32. As a result, the tip of the lock key 83 is engaged with the key lock hole 852 of the key lock collar 85 so that the lower steering shaft 32 is fixed to the lower column 1 and the rotation of the lower steering shaft 32 is prevented. I have to.

  A small-diameter outer periphery 854 is formed at the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the key lock collar 85, and the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted outside. Both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are sandwiched between a vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and a vehicle body front side end surface (left end) 132 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. Yes.

  The end face 853 of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is in contact with and locked to the step surface 853 of the key lock collar 85. A push nut 46 is press-fitted into the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the front side of the vehicle body, and presses the end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 on the front side of the vehicle body via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member. Accordingly, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46 and pivotally supports the key lock collar 85 and the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1.

  Therefore, in the steering device of the fourth embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 at the left end of the lower column 1 and the key lock collar 85 is supported at the right end of the lower column 1 at the right end. And is pivotally supported by the intermediate bearing 43 via a pivot. Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

  In the steering device of the fourth embodiment, the steering wheel is forcibly locked in a locked state in which the tip of the lock key 83 is engaged with the key lock hole 852 and the lower steering shaft 32 is fixed to the lower column 1. Rotate. Then, the lower steering shaft 32 tries to bend away from the lock key 83. However, if the gap in the radial direction between the outer periphery of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 and the vehicle body front side inner periphery 133 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13 into which the outer periphery is fitted is set small, the intermediate bearing 43 becomes the key. The bending of the lock collar 85 is prevented. Therefore, the lock key 83 can be prevented from being detached from the key lock hole 852, and the anti-theft function of the steering lock device can be improved.

* 5th Embodiment Next, the steering device of the 5th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of the steering device 101 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the intermediate bearing in FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. The fifth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and is an example in which the vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side lower column is an inclined surface whose diameter increases toward the vehicle body front side.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the lower column (outer column) 1 is configured by press-fitting a vehicle body rear end of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and a vehicle body front end of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. . The vehicle body front side lower column 12 is fixed to the vehicle body 7 by a lower vehicle body mounting bracket 61, and the vehicle body rear side lower column 13 is fixed to the vehicle body 7 by an upper vehicle body mounting bracket 62.

  The outer periphery 21 of the hollow cylindrical upper column (inner column) 2 is closely fitted to the inner periphery 131 of the hollow cylindrical rear body lower column 13 so as to be telescopically slidable in the axial direction. The vehicle body rear side lower column 13 is formed with a slit (not shown) at a position where the upper column 2 slides, and an operation lever (not shown) is operated to reduce or increase the diameter of the vehicle rear side lower column 13. The telescopic position of the upper column 2 can be adjusted during diameter expansion.

  An upper steering shaft (inner steering shaft) 31 is inserted into the shaft center of the upper column 2, and a right end of the upper steering shaft 31 is pressed by an upper bearing 41 press-fitted into the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the inner periphery 22 of the upper column 2. (The rear side of the vehicle body) is rotatably supported. A steering wheel 5 is mounted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the upper steering shaft 31. As the upper bearing 41, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A lower steering shaft (outer steering shaft) 32 is inserted into the axial center of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and is press-fitted into the left end (vehicle body front side) of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12. The lower bearing 42 pivotally supports the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 so as to be rotatable. As the lower bearing 42, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A female spline 322 is formed on the right side of the lower steering shaft 32, and is slidably engaged with a male spline 312 formed on the left side of the upper steering shaft 31. Therefore, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 2, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 is transmitted to the steering gear (not shown) via the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  The right side (rear side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 is rotatably supported by an intermediate bearing 43. That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 10, both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are the vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. It is sandwiched between the end surface (left end) 134. The vehicle body front side end surface 134 is formed as an inclined surface whose diameter increases toward the vehicle body front side. The inclination angle θ of the vehicle body front side end face 134 may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and the like. Further, the shape of the vehicle body front side end surface 134 may be a straight line or a curved line as seen in FIG.

  A hollow cylindrical resin spacer 48 is fitted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted on the outer periphery 481 of the spacer 48. . The spacer 48 may be omitted, and the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 may be directly fitted on the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32.

  A retaining ring (C-shaped retaining ring for shaft) 45 is attached to the annular groove 324 formed on the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and the vehicle body rear end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is engaged by the retaining ring 45. It has been stopped. A push nut 46 is press-fitted into the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the front side of the vehicle body, and presses the vehicle body front side end surface 482 of the spacer 48 via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member. Therefore, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46 and pivotally supports the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1. Instead of the wave washer 47, an annular rubber material such as an O-ring may be employed.

  In the steering device of the fifth embodiment, the vehicle body front side end surface 134 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13 is formed as an inclined surface whose diameter increases toward the vehicle body front side. Therefore, both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 can be securely clamped even if there is a machining error in the axial direction of the vehicle body front side lower column 12, the vehicle body rear side lower column 13, and the like. Becomes easy.

  Also in the steering device of the fifth embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 and the intermediate bearing 43 so that the left and right ends thereof are the left and right ends of the lower column 1. Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

  The contact surface between the vehicle body front side end surface of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 and the vehicle body rear side end surface 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12, the vehicle body rear side end surface of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43, and the vehicle body rear side lower column. If a low friction agent is applied to the contact surface with the front end surface (inclined surface) 134 of the vehicle body 13, the sliding resistance of the intermediate bearing 43 in the radial direction can be reduced. Thereby, the absorption of the misalignment between the axis of the lower steering shaft 32 and the axis of the upper steering shaft 31 is more smoothly performed.

* 6th Embodiment Next, the steering device of the 6th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of the steering device 101 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. The sixth embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the outer steering shaft is arranged on the lower side and the inner steering shaft is arranged on the upper side, but in the steering device of the sixth embodiment, the outer steering shaft is arranged on the upper side. In this embodiment, the inner steering shaft is arranged on the lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an upper steering shaft (outer steering shaft) 31 is inserted into the axis of the upper column 2, and the upper bearing 41 is press-fitted into the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the inner periphery 22 of the upper column 2. The right end (the vehicle body rear side) of the upper steering shaft 31 is pivotally supported. A steering wheel 5 is mounted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the upper steering shaft 31. As the upper bearing 41, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A lower steering shaft (inner steering shaft) 32 is inserted into the axial center of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and is press-fitted into the left end (vehicle body front side) of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12. The lower bearing 42 pivotally supports the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 so as to be rotatable. As the lower bearing 42, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A male spline 321 is formed on the right side of the lower steering shaft 32 and is slidably engaged with a female spline 311 formed on the left side of the upper steering shaft 31. Therefore, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 2, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 is transmitted to the steering gear (not shown) via the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  The right side (rear side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 is rotatably supported by an intermediate bearing 43. The detailed structure of the intermediate bearing 43 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment. That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 10, both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are the vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. It is sandwiched between the end surface (inclined surface) 134.

  A hollow cylindrical resin spacer 48 is fitted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted on the outer periphery 481 of the spacer 48.

  A retaining ring (C-shaped retaining ring for shaft) 45 is mounted in an annular groove 324 formed on the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32, and the vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is engaged by the retaining ring 45. It has been stopped. A push nut 46 is press-fitted into the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the rear side of the vehicle body, and presses the vehicle body rear side end surface 482 of the spacer 48 via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member. That is, in the sixth embodiment, the spacer 48, the retaining ring 45, and the push nut 46 are disposed on the left and right opposite to the fifth embodiment. Therefore, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46 and pivotally supports the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1.

  Therefore, also in the steering apparatus of the sixth embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 and the intermediate bearing 43 so that the left and right ends thereof are the left and right ends of the lower column 1. Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

* 7th Embodiment Next, the steering device of the 7th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of the steering device 101 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the intermediate bearing in FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. The seventh embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment, in which the shaft support shapes of the key lock collar and the intermediate bearing are changed.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 to 13, a cylindrical key lock collar 86 is press-fitted and fixed to the right side (vehicle body rear side) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32. That is, a ring 87 formed of spring steel is interposed between the inner periphery 861 of the key lock collar 86 and the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32.

  A ring 87 in which concave and convex portions are alternately formed in the circumferential direction is interposed between the inner circumference 861 of the key lock collar 86 and the outer circumference 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 by being elastically compressed in the radial direction. The key lock collar 86 is fixed to the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 by the elastic force and frictional force of the ring 87. As shown in FIG. 13, the ring 87 is disposed over substantially the entire axial length of the key lock collar 86.

  The key lock collar 86 is formed with a plurality of key lock grooves (engagement recesses) 862 at equal angular intervals on the circumference and opened to the front side of the vehicle body. When an ignition key (not shown) is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the key hole, the lock key 83 protrudes toward the axial center side of the lower steering shaft 32.

  As a result, the tip of the lock key 83 is engaged with the key lock groove 862 of the key lock collar 86 so that the lower steering shaft 32 is fixed to the lower column 1 and the rotation of the lower steering shaft 32 is prevented. I have to. The key hole into which the ignition key is inserted is disposed at a position close to the steering wheel 5 and is electrically connected to a lock mechanism in which the lock key 83 appears and disappears.

  A small diameter outer periphery 864 is formed at the left end (vehicle body front side) of the key lock groove 862 of the key lock collar 86, and the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted on the small diameter outer periphery 864. Both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are sandwiched between a vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and a vehicle body front side end surface (left end) 132 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. Yes.

  The rear end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is in contact with and locked to the step surface 863 of the key lock collar 86. A push nut 46 is press-fitted into the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the front side of the vehicle body, and presses the end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 on the front side of the vehicle body via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member.

  Accordingly, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46 and pivotally supports the key lock collar 86 and the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1 without backlash. Further, since the ring 87 is disposed over substantially the entire length of the key lock collar 86 in the axial direction, the intermediate bearing 43 is also preloaded in the radial direction via the key lock collar 86.

  Therefore, in the steering device of the seventh embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by the lower bearing 42 at the left end of the lower column 1, and the right end of the lower steering shaft 32 is the right end of the lower column 1. And is pivotally supported by the intermediate bearing 43 via the shaft. Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

* 8th Embodiment Next, the steering device of the 8th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a column of the steering device 101 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. The eighth embodiment is a modification of the seventh embodiment. That is, in the seventh embodiment, the outer steering shaft is arranged on the lower side and the inner steering shaft is arranged on the upper side. However, in the steering device of the eighth embodiment, the outer steering shaft is arranged on the upper side. In this embodiment, the inner steering shaft is arranged on the lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 14, an upper steering shaft (outer steering shaft) 31 is inserted into the shaft center of the upper column 2, and the upper bearing 41 is press-fitted into the right end (vehicle body rear side) of the inner periphery 22 of the upper column 2. The right end (the vehicle body rear side) of the upper steering shaft 31 is pivotally supported. A steering wheel 5 is mounted on the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the upper steering shaft 31. As the upper bearing 41, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A lower steering shaft (inner steering shaft) 32 is inserted into the axial center of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and is press-fitted into the left end (vehicle body front side) of the inner periphery 121 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12. The lower bearing 42 pivotally supports the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 so as to be rotatable. As the lower bearing 42, various types of bearings such as a rolling bearing such as a ball bearing and a roller bearing, and a sliding bearing can be used.

  A male spline 321 is formed on the right side of the lower steering shaft 32 and is slidably engaged with a female spline 311 formed on the left side of the upper steering shaft 31. Therefore, regardless of the telescopic position of the upper column 2, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 is transmitted to the steering gear (not shown) via the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32, and the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  The right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the lower steering shaft 32 is pivotally supported by an intermediate bearing 43 so as to be rotatable. The detailed structure of the intermediate bearing 43 is the same as that of the seventh embodiment. That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 13, a cylindrical key lock collar 86 is press-fitted and fixed to the right side (vehicle body rear side) of the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32.

  That is, a ring 87 formed of spring steel is interposed between the inner periphery 861 of the key lock collar 86 and the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32. A ring 87 in which concave and convex portions are alternately formed in the circumferential direction is interposed between the inner circumference 861 of the key lock collar 86 and the outer circumference 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 by being elastically compressed in the radial direction. The key lock collar 86 is fixed to the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 by the elastic force and frictional force of the ring 87. As shown in FIG. 13, the ring 87 is disposed over substantially the entire axial length of the key lock collar 86.

  The key lock collar 86 is formed with a plurality of key lock grooves (engagement recesses) 862 at equal angular intervals on the circumference and opened to the front side of the vehicle body. When an ignition key (not shown) is turned to the lock position and pulled out from the key hole, the lock key 83 protrudes toward the axial center side of the lower steering shaft 32.

  As a result, the tip of the lock key 83 is engaged with the key lock groove 862 of the key lock collar 86 so that the lower steering shaft 32 is fixed to the lower column 1 and the rotation of the lower steering shaft 32 is prevented. I have to. The key hole into which the ignition key is inserted is disposed at a position close to the steering wheel 5 and is electrically connected to a lock mechanism in which the lock key 83 appears and disappears.

  A small diameter outer periphery 864 is formed at the left end (vehicle body front side) of the key lock groove 862 of the key lock collar 86, and the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is fitted on the small diameter outer periphery 864. Both end surfaces of the outer ring 431 of the intermediate bearing 43 are sandwiched between a vehicle body rear side end surface (right end) 122 of the vehicle body front side lower column 12 and a vehicle body front side end surface (left end) 132 of the vehicle body rear side lower column 13. Yes.

  The rear end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 is in contact with and locked to the step surface 863 of the key lock collar 86. A push nut 46 is press-fitted into the outer periphery 323 of the lower steering shaft 32 from the front side of the vehicle body, and presses the end surface of the inner ring 432 of the intermediate bearing 43 on the front side of the vehicle body via a wave washer 47 as an elastic member.

  Accordingly, the intermediate bearing 43 is preloaded in the thrust direction by the wave washer 47 and the push nut 46 and pivotally supports the key lock collar 86 and the lower steering shaft 32 with respect to the lower column 1 without backlash. Further, since the ring 87 is disposed over substantially the entire length of the key lock collar 86 in the axial direction, the intermediate bearing 43 is also preloaded in the radial direction via the key lock collar 86.

  Therefore, also in the steering device of the eighth embodiment, the lower steering shaft 32 is supported at the left end of the lower column 1 by the lower bearing 42 and the right end thereof is the right end of the lower column 1 and the key lock collar. It is pivotally supported by the intermediate bearing 43 via 86.

  Therefore, the upper steering shaft 31 that is spline-engaged with the lower steering shaft 32 is also supported by the upper bearing 41 and the intermediate bearing 43 at both the left and right ends, so that the vibration rigidity of the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 is increased. Is high and the bend is small, and the steering feeling is improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a steering apparatus that manually adjusts a telescopic position has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a steering apparatus that can adjust telescopic adjustment with an electric actuator. Further, the present invention may be applied to a steering apparatus in which a distance bracket is attached to the outer periphery of the outer column or the inner column, and the distance bracket is sandwiched between vehicle body mounting brackets so as to clamp / unclamp the telescopic position.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a steering device that performs only telescopic adjustment has been described. However, both telescopic adjustment and tilt position adjustment may be applied to an adjustable steering device. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a steering device in which the steering wheel collapses during a secondary collision and absorbs an impact load by relative sliding in the axial direction between the outer column and the inner column.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the steering shaft is divided into the upper steering shaft 31 and the lower steering shaft 32 that can telescopically move with each other, but may be integrated. In that case, the integral steering shaft may be moved relative to the lower bearing 42. Alternatively, the lower column may be an inner column, the upper column may be an outer column, the upper column side may be divided into two in the axial direction, and an intermediate bearing may be attached to the divided upper column side. Further, the present invention is not limited to the example in which the outer column is divided into two parts in the axial direction, and the inner column may be divided into two parts in the axial direction, and the intermediate bearing may be attached to the divided inner column side.

It is a whole perspective view which shows the state which attached the steering device 101 of this invention to the vehicle. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering device of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the intermediate bearing in FIG. 2. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the intermediate bearing in FIG. 5. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering device of a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the intermediate bearing vicinity of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering device of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the intermediate bearing in FIG. 9. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering device of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering device of a 7th embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the intermediate bearing in FIG. 12. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the steering device of the 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the column of the conventional steering device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Steering device 102 Steering shaft 103 Universal joint 104 Intermediate shaft 105 Universal joint 106 Steering gear 107 Tie rod 1 Lower column 11 Inner circumference 12 Car body front side lower column 121 Inner circumference 122 Car body rear side end face (right end)
13 Car body rear side lower column 131 Inner circumference 132 Car body front side end face (left end)
133 Car body front side inner periphery 134 Car body front side end face (inclined surface)
2 upper column 21 outer periphery 22 inner periphery 31 upper steering shaft 311 female spline 312 male spline 32 lower steering shaft 321 male spline 322 female spline 323 outer periphery 324 annular groove 41 upper bearing 42 lower bearing 43 intermediate bearing 431 outer ring 432 inner ring 44 spacer 441 442 Car body rear side end face 45 Retaining ring 46 Push nut 47 Wave washer 48 Spacer 481 Outer periphery 482 Car body front side end face 5 Steering wheel 61 Lower car body mounting bracket 62 Upper car body mounting bracket 7 Car body 81 Key lock collar 811 Inner circumference 812 Key lock groove 813 Step surface 82 Ring 83 Lock key 84 Spacer 841 Outer circumference 85 Key lock collar
851 Inner circumference 852 Key lock hole 853 Step surface 854 Small diameter outer circumference 86 Key lock collar
861 Inner circumference 862 Key lock groove 863 Stepped surface 864 Small diameter outer circumference 87 Ring

Claims (25)

Lower column,
An upper column fitted to the lower column so as to be relatively telescopically movable in the axial direction;
The upper column is pivotally supported on the upper column by an upper bearing provided on the vehicle body rear side of the upper column, and can be pivoted on the lower column by a lower bearing provided on the vehicle body front side of the lower column. A steering shaft that is pivotally supported and can be fitted with a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle body, and transmits the rotation of the steering wheel to the wheel,
Either the lower column or the upper column is configured by connecting a vehicle body front side column and a vehicle body rear side column, a vehicle body rear side end surface of the vehicle body front side column, and a vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side column. A steering device comprising an intermediate bearing that sandwiches both end faces of the outer ring and rotatably supports the steering shaft. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
An inclined surface that expands toward the front side of the vehicle body is formed on the front end surface of the vehicle body rear column, and the outer ring of the intermediate bearing is formed between the inclined surface and the rear surface end surface of the vehicle body front column. A steering device characterized in that both end faces of the motor are sandwiched. The steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
A steering device, wherein a radial gap is formed between an outer periphery of an outer ring of the intermediate bearing and an inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column in which the outer periphery is fitted. In the steering apparatus according to claim 3,
A vehicle body rear side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the steering shaft by a retaining ring, and a vehicle body front side end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the steering shaft by a push nut via an elastic member. A steering apparatus characterized by comprising: The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A steering device, wherein a radial gap is formed between an outer periphery of an outer ring of the intermediate bearing and an inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column in which the outer periphery is fitted. The steering apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The front end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring is locked to the steering shaft by a retaining ring, and the rear end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring is locked to the steering shaft by a push nut via an elastic member. A steering apparatus characterized by comprising: The steering apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer. Lower column,
An upper column fitted to the lower column so as to be relatively telescopically movable in the axial direction;
The upper column is pivotally supported on the upper column by an upper bearing provided on the vehicle body rear side of the upper column, and can be pivoted on the lower column by a lower bearing provided on the vehicle body front side of the lower column. A steering shaft that is pivotally supported and can be fitted with a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle body, and transmits the rotation of the steering wheel to the wheel,
A key lock collar fixed to the outer periphery of a substantially intermediate position of the axial length of the steering shaft and having an engagement recess that can be engaged with a tip of a lock key that appears and disappears by operation of an ignition key;
Either the lower column or the upper column is configured by connecting a vehicle body front side column and a vehicle body rear side column, a vehicle body rear side end surface of the vehicle body front side column, and a vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side column. A steering device, comprising: an intermediate bearing that rotatably supports the outer periphery of the key lock collar, with both end faces of the outer ring being sandwiched therebetween. The steering apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
A steering device, wherein a radial gap is formed between an outer periphery of an outer ring of the intermediate bearing and an inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column into which the outer periphery is fitted. The steering apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The front end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring is locked to the key lock collar by a push nut via an elastic member, and the rear end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring contacts the step surface of the key lock collar. Steering device characterized by being locked. The steering apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer. A lower column configured by combining a vehicle body rear end of the vehicle body front side lower column and a vehicle body front end of the vehicle body rear side lower column;
An upper column fitted to the vehicle body rear side lower column so as to be relatively telescopically movable in the axial direction;
An upper steering shaft pivotally supported by the upper column by an upper bearing provided on the rear side of the vehicle body of the upper column and capable of mounting a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle body;
A lower bearing provided on the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body front side lower column is pivotally supported on the vehicle body front side lower column and is fitted to the upper steering shaft so as to be telescopically movable. Lower steering shaft that transmits rotation to wheels,
Both end surfaces of the outer ring are sandwiched between the vehicle body rear side end surface of the vehicle body front side lower column and the vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side lower column, and pivotally support the vehicle body rear side of the lower steering shaft. A steering apparatus comprising an intermediate bearing. The steering apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
An inclined surface that increases in diameter toward the front side of the vehicle body is formed on the vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side lower column, and the intermediate bearing is interposed between the inclined surface and the vehicle body rear side end surface of the vehicle body front side lower column. A steering device characterized in that both end faces of the outer ring are clamped. The steering apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
A steering device characterized in that a radial gap is formed between an outer periphery of an outer ring of the intermediate bearing and an inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column in which the outer periphery is fitted. The steering apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
The rear end surface of the inner ring of the intermediate bearing is locked to the lower steering shaft by a retaining ring, and the front end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring is locked to the lower steering shaft by a push nut via an elastic member. The steering apparatus characterized by being made. The steering apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
A steering device characterized in that a radial gap is formed between an outer periphery of an outer ring of the intermediate bearing and an inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column in which the outer periphery is fitted. The steering apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
The front end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring is locked to the lower steering shaft by a retaining ring, and the rear end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring is locked to the lower steering shaft by a push nut via an elastic member. The steering apparatus characterized by being made. The steering apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer. A lower column configured by combining a vehicle body rear end of the vehicle body front side lower column and a vehicle body front end of the vehicle body rear side lower column;
An upper column fitted to the vehicle body rear side lower column so as to be relatively telescopically movable in the axial direction;
An upper steering shaft pivotally supported on the upper column by an upper bearing provided on the rear side of the vehicle body of the upper column and capable of mounting a steering wheel on the rear side of the vehicle body;
A lower bearing provided on the vehicle body front side of the vehicle body front side lower column is pivotally supported on the vehicle body front side lower column and is fitted to the upper steering shaft so as to be telescopically movable. Lower steering shaft that transmits rotation to wheels,
A key lock collar fixed to the outer periphery of the lower steering shaft on the rear side of the vehicle body and having an engaging recess that can be engaged with a tip of a lock key that appears and disappears by operation of an ignition key;
An intermediate bearing in which both end surfaces of the outer ring are sandwiched between a vehicle body rear side end surface of the vehicle body front side lower column and a vehicle body front side end surface of the vehicle body rear side lower column so as to pivotally support the outer periphery of the key lock collar. A steering apparatus comprising: The steering apparatus according to claim 19, wherein
A steering device characterized in that a radial gap is formed between an outer periphery of an outer ring of the intermediate bearing and an inner periphery of the vehicle body rear side column in which the outer periphery is fitted. The steering apparatus according to claim 20, wherein
The front end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring is locked to the key lock collar by a push nut via an elastic member, and the rear end surface of the intermediate bearing inner ring contacts the step surface of the key lock collar. Steering device characterized by being locked. The steering apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a wave washer. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein
The lower column is an outer column,
A steering apparatus, wherein the upper column is an inner column. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 22,
The upper steering shaft is an inner steering shaft,
A steering apparatus, wherein the lower steering shaft is an outer steering shaft. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 22,
The upper steering shaft is an outer steering shaft,
A steering apparatus, wherein the lower steering shaft is an inner steering shaft.

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