JP2019038440A - Electric steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric steering column device capable of simplifying a detent structure of an inner jacket and improving assembling property. A steering column 3 has an intermediate jacket 15 interposed between an outer jacket 13 and an inner jacket 14. The telescopic mechanism 7 has a tubular member 21 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket 15, and a telescopic nut 23 disposed in the tubular member 21 to which the shaft portion of the electric motor is screwed. The intermediate jacket 15 is formed with a through hole that penetrates the intermediate jacket 15 and communicates with the inside of the tubular member 21, and the telesco nut 23 is formed with a stopper protrusion 25 that protrudes into the intermediate jacket 15 through the through hole. NS. An elongated hole 26 formed in the inner jacket 14 along the axial direction is engaged with the stopper protrusion 25. [Selection diagram] Fig. 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric steering column apparatus.

  Conventionally, an electric steering column device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As this type of electric steering column device, there is one provided with a steering column supported with respect to a vehicle body, a steering shaft rotatably supported on the steering column, and a telescopic mechanism using an electric motor as a drive source. . In such an electric steering column device, the steering column includes an outer jacket, an inner jacket inserted into the outer jacket so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and an intermediate jacket interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket. And have. The inner jacket is press-fitted and fixed to the intermediate jacket, and is normally held integrally with the intermediate jacket.

  In the electric steering column device described in Patent Document 1, a stopper mechanism is provided to prevent the inner jacket from rotating relative to the intermediate jacket in the circumferential direction. The stopper mechanism includes a long hole provided in the upper jacket along the axial direction, and a stopper fixed to the intermediate jacket and inserted through the long hole of the upper jacket.

JP 2014-231288 A

  In the electric steering column device described in Patent Document 1, since the stopper is a separate part from the intermediate jacket, it is necessary to take measures such as fixing the stopper to the intermediate jacket during assembly, and the number of parts increases. As a result, there is a problem that the assemblability is also lowered.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electric steering column device that can simplify the rotation preventing structure of the inner jacket and can improve the assemblability.

  An electric steering column device according to the present invention includes a steering column supported with respect to a vehicle body, a steering shaft rotatably supported on the steering column, and a telescopic mechanism using an electric motor as a drive source. The steering column includes a cylindrical outer jacket, a cylindrical inner jacket that is inserted into the outer jacket so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and an intermediate jacket interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket. . The telescopic mechanism includes a cylindrical member that is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket, and a telescopic nut that is disposed in the cylindrical member and into which the shaft portion of the electric motor is screwed. A through hole that penetrates the intermediate jacket and communicates with the inside of the cylindrical member is formed in the intermediate jacket, and a stopper projection that protrudes into the intermediate jacket through the through hole is formed in the telescopic nut. A long hole formed in the inner jacket along the axial direction is engaged with the stopper projection.

  According to the electric steering column apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to simplify the rotation preventing structure of the inner jacket and improve the assemblability.

1 is a perspective view of an electric steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of an electric steering column apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side sectional view of an electric steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is the BB sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, the arrow FR indicates the vehicle front side, and the arrow RR indicates the vehicle rear side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the electric steering column apparatus 1 includes a vehicle body mounting bracket 2 fixed to the vehicle body, and a steering column 3 supported by the vehicle body mounting bracket 2 so as to be swingable in the vehicle vertical direction. Prepare.

  The electric steering column device 1 is rotatably supported by the steering column 3 and has a steering shaft 5 to which a steering wheel 4 (see FIG. 3) is coupled at the rear end, and a telescopic mechanism 7 using an electric motor 6 as a drive source. And comprising.

  The vehicle body mounting bracket 2 includes a bracket main body 10 and a pair of side wall portions 12 that extend downward from the bracket main body 10 and are disposed on the left and right sides of the swing support portion (front end support portion) 11 of the steering column 3. 12 are formed integrally. The bracket body 10 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and is fixed to the vehicle body. Similar to the bracket body 10, the side wall portion 12 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The vehicle body mounting bracket 2 is, for example, a die cast product (aluminum cast molded product) made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

  The steering column 3 is interposed between a cylindrical outer jacket 13, a cylindrical inner jacket 14 inserted into the outer jacket 13 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and the outer jacket 13 and the inner jacket 14. Intermediate jacket 15. The inner jacket 14 is press-fitted and fixed to the intermediate jacket 15, and is normally held integrally with the intermediate jacket 15. The outer jacket 13 is, for example, a die cast product (aluminum cast molded product) made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The inner jacket 14 and the intermediate jacket 15 are made of a metal material such as steel, for example.

  The steering shaft 5 is a steering wheel-side lower shaft 16 and an upper shaft 17 coupled to the steering wheel 4 that are connected so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction in a state where relative rotation is restricted. The upper shaft 17 is rotatably supported by the steering column 3 via a bearing (rear end side bearing) 18. The lower shaft 16 is rotatably supported by the steering column 3 via a bearing (front end side bearing) 19, and a universal joint 20 is connected to the front end of the lower shaft 16.

  Next, the telescopic mechanism 7 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the telescopic mechanism 7 includes a cylindrical member 21 that is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket 15, a screw shaft of the electric motor 6 that is disposed in the cylindrical member 21. And a telescopic nut 23 to which 22 is screwed.

  A through hole 24 that penetrates the intermediate jacket 15 and communicates with the inside of the cylindrical member 21 is formed in the intermediate jacket 15, and the telescopic nut 23 has a stopper projection 25 that protrudes into the intermediate jacket 15 through the through hole 24. It is formed. The stopper projection 25 is integrated with the telescopic nut 23 and is inserted (freely fitted) into a through hole 24 formed in the intermediate jacket 15. The stopper protrusion 25 is engaged (freely fitted) with a long hole 26 formed at the tip of the stopper protrusion 25 along the axial direction in the inner jacket 14. The cylindrical member 21 is formed of, for example, a metal material such as steel and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket 15 by welding.

  A bush 27 is disposed between the tubular member 21 and the telescopic nut 23. More specifically, the bush 27 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the stopper protrusion 25. The bush 27 is an elastic bush formed of an elastic material such as rubber or a soft synthetic resin material, for example.

  A reduction gear mechanism 28 and a screw shaft 22 are attached to the electric motor 6, and the screw shaft 22 is screwed to a telescopic nut 23 disposed in the cylindrical member 21. The electric motor 6 is rotatably supported by a motor support portion 49 formed at the lower portion of the outer jacket 13 using a motor support pin 29 (see FIG. 2).

  Next, the pressing mechanism 30 for suppressing backlash between the outer jacket 13 and the intermediate jacket 15 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the inner peripheral surface of the outer jacket 13 and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket 15 that are fitted to each other are formed as smooth surfaces without protrusions or the like, and are circular sections having substantially the same radius. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing mechanism 30 is disposed on the outer jacket 13, a first pressing portion 31 that presses the lower surface of the intermediate jacket 15 upward, and the upper jacket 13 is disposed on the outer jacket 13. And a second pressing portion 32 that presses downward. That is, the first pressing part 31 and the second pressing part 32 are arranged with a phase difference of 180 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The first pressing portion 31 is disposed on the rear end side in the axial direction of the outer jacket 13, and the second pressing portion 32 is disposed on the front end side in the axial direction of the outer jacket 13. That is, the 1st press part 31 and the 2nd press part 32 are shifted and arrange | positioned also regarding an axial direction (refer FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the first pressing portion 31 includes a sliding contact member (first sliding contact member) 33 that contacts the lower surface of the intermediate jacket 15 at two points spaced apart by a predetermined angle D in the circumferential direction. A pressing member (first pressing member) 34 that presses the first sliding contact member 33 against the lower surface of the intermediate jacket 15 is provided. That is, the first pressing portion 31 suppresses rattling that may occur between the outer jacket 13 and the intermediate jacket 15 by pressing the intermediate jacket 15 against the inner peripheral surface of the outer jacket 13 by the first sliding contact member 33. It is. The predetermined angle D is, for example, 90 degrees to 120 degrees.

  An opening 35 is formed on the lower surface of the outer jacket 13 from the rear end side along the axial direction, and the cylindrical member 21 fixed to the lower surface of the intermediate jacket 15 is disposed in the opening 35. A first pressing member 34 is disposed so as to close the axial rear end of the opening 35, and a first sliding contact member 33 is disposed between the first pressing member 34 and the lower surface of the intermediate jacket 15. . The first sliding contact member 33 is inserted and held in a slot 36 (FIG. 2) formed at the axial rear end of the outer jacket 13, and the first pressing member 34 is attached to the outer jacket 13 using a bolt 37. It is fixed (screwed) to the rear end portion in the axial direction. A spring (first spring) 38 is interposed between the first pressing member 34 and the head of the bolt 37. The first spring 38 is, for example, a coil spring.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second pressing portion 32 includes a sliding contact member (second sliding contact member) 39 that contacts the upper surface of the intermediate jacket 15, and the second sliding contact member 39 as the upper surface of the intermediate jacket 15. And a pressing member (second pressing member) 40 to be pressed. That is, the second pressing portion 32 suppresses rattling that may occur between the outer jacket 13 and the intermediate jacket 15 by pressing the intermediate jacket 15 against the inner peripheral surface of the outer jacket 13 by the second pressing member 40. is there.

  A through hole (column through hole) 41 is formed through the upper surface of the outer jacket 13, and a second sliding contact member 39 and a second pressing member 40 are disposed in the column through hole 41. The second pressing member 40 is fixed (screwed) to the column through hole 41. In order to screw the second pressing member 40 into the column through hole 41, the outer peripheral surface of the second pressing member 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the column through hole 41 are threaded (threaded). ) A spring (second spring) 42 is interposed between the second sliding contact member 39 and the second pressing member 40. The second spring 42 is, for example, a disc spring.

  In the electric steering column apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the intermediate jacket 15 and the inner jacket 14 are moved in the vehicle front-rear direction by pushing and pulling the cylindrical member 21 disposed on the lower surface of the intermediate jacket 15 by the electric motor 6. It has become. By this moving operation, the steering wheel 4 connected to the rear end of the steering shaft 5 is moved in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the telescopic position of the steering wheel 4 is adjusted.

  Below, the effect by this embodiment is demonstrated.

  (1) The electric steering column apparatus 1 includes a steering column 3 supported with respect to a vehicle body, a steering shaft 5 rotatably supported on the steering column 3, a telescopic mechanism 7 using an electric motor 6 as a drive source, Is provided. The steering column 3 is interposed between a cylindrical outer jacket 13, a cylindrical inner jacket 14 inserted into the outer jacket 13 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and the outer jacket 13 and the inner jacket 14. Intermediate jacket 15. The telescopic mechanism 7 includes a cylindrical member 21 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket 15 and a telescopic nut 23 that is disposed in the cylindrical member 21 and into which a shaft portion (screw shaft 22) of the electric motor 6 is screwed. And have. A through hole 24 that penetrates the intermediate jacket 15 and communicates with the inside of the cylindrical member 21 is formed in the intermediate jacket 15, and the telescopic nut 23 has a stopper projection 25 that protrudes into the intermediate jacket 15 through the through hole 24. It is formed. A long hole 26 formed in the inner jacket 14 along the axial direction is engaged with the stopper protrusion 25.

  In the electric steering column device 1, the inner jacket 14 is rotated relative to the intermediate jacket 15 by inserting the telescopic nut 23 having the stopper protrusion 25 into the cylindrical member 21 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket 15. Can be regulated. For this reason, since it is not necessary to provide a stopper separately, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and improve the assemblability. Furthermore, since there is no need for a space for providing a separate stopper, the degree of freedom in layout can be improved.

  Therefore, according to the electric steering column apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to simplify the rotation preventing structure of the inner jacket 14 and improve the assemblability.

  (2) A bush 27 is disposed between the cylindrical member 21 and the telescopic nut 23.

  The amount of protrusion of the stopper protrusion 25 into the intermediate jacket 15 can be restricted by the bush 27, and the occurrence of vibration due to rattling between the tubular member 21, the telescopic nut 23 and the stopper protrusion 25 can be suppressed by the bush 27. It is.

  By the way, although the electric steering column apparatus of the present invention has been described by taking the above-described embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various other embodiments can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric steering column apparatus 3 Steering column 5 Steering shaft 6 Electric motor 7 Telescopic mechanism 13 Outer jacket 14 Inner jacket 15 Intermediate jacket 21 Cylindrical member 22 Screw shaft (shaft part)
23 Telescopic nut 24 Through hole 25 Stopper projection 26 Long hole 27 Bush

Claims (2)

A steering column supported against the vehicle body;
A steering shaft rotatably supported by the steering column;
A telescopic mechanism using an electric motor as a drive source,
The steering column includes a cylindrical outer jacket, a cylindrical inner jacket that is inserted into the outer jacket so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and an intermediate portion interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket. A jacket,
The telescopic mechanism includes a cylindrical member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate jacket, and a telescopic nut that is disposed in the cylindrical member and into which a shaft portion of the electric motor is screwed.
The intermediate jacket is formed with a through hole that penetrates the intermediate jacket and communicates with the inside of the cylindrical member, and the telescopic nut is formed with a stopper projection that protrudes into the intermediate jacket through the through hole. ,
An electric steering column apparatus, wherein an elongated hole formed in the inner jacket along the axial direction is engaged with the stopper protrusion.   The electric steering column apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bush is disposed between the tubular member and the telescopic nut.

Images