JPH0623871U - Rack support device for rack and pinion type steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a rack support device of a rack and pinion type steering device that can easily adjust the retainer set load even when mounted on a vehicle. [Structure] The retainer 7 is composed of a first retainer portion 7A that directly presses the rack 2 from the side opposite to the meshing position of the pinion 1 and the rack 2, and a second retainer portion 7B to which a load is applied. The portion 7A is formed so as to be movable on the axis P perpendicular to the axis 1a of the pinion 1,
The second retainer portion 7B is movably formed on an axis Q intersecting the axis P of the first retainer portion 7A, and one retainer portion of the first and second retainer portions 7A and 7B is the other retainer portion. When moved to the side, the other retainer portion is formed so as to be pushed and moved by the one retainer portion.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a rack support device for a rack-and-pinion type steering device that facilitates reciprocating motion of a rack during steering operation.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, in a rack supporting device of a rack and pinion type steering device, as shown in FIG. 4, a retainer hole 50 is formed in a housing 3 that accommodates an intersecting portion of a pinion 1 and a rack 2 that mesh with each other. A retainer 70 abutting against the rack 2 is slidably fitted into the housing from the side opposite to the meshing position of the pinion 1 and the rack 2, and the retainer 70 and the adjusting screw 6 screwed into the end of the retainer hole of the housing 4. A spring 12 is contracted between the housing 4 and the retainer set load (spring force) set by the screwing amount of the adjusting screw 6 with respect to the housing 4, and the rack 2 is pressed against the pinion 1 to prevent backlash of the gear. When the rack 2 receives an external force and receives a load in the bending direction, the retainer 70 is spun. Retracted while compressing the ring 12, it is restricted by a certain range of bending of the rack 2 by the retainer 70 and the spool ring 12.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, the retainer 70 is formed so as to be movable only on the axis 70a perpendicular to the axis 1a of the pinion 1, and the spring 12, the adjusting screw 6 and the lock nut 11 are incorporated on the axis 70a. Become. Considering this in a vehicle, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, the retainer set load adjusting part (adjustment screw 6 and lock nut 11) is very close to the dash panel, especially the dash lower 14 that separates the vehicle compartment from the engine compartment. It was close, and the space between them was small. For this reason, it is difficult to adjust the retainer set load when mounted on a vehicle.If no tool is inserted between the retainer set load adjuster and parts such as the dash panel, the steering device must be removed from the vehicle. I had to avoid the inconvenience of having to do it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a rack support device for a rack-and-pinion type steering device capable of easily performing a retainer set load adjusting operation even when mounted on a vehicle. There is.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 This invention is a rack equipped with a pinion that is rotated by steering operation, a rack that reciprocates as the pinion rotates, and a retainer that presses the rack against the pinion with a constant load from the side opposite to the meshing position of the pinion and the rack. In the rack support device for an and pinion type steering device, the retainer includes a first retainer portion that directly presses the rack and a second retainer portion to which the load is applied, and the first retainer portion is the above-mentioned. The second retainer portion is movably formed on an axis line perpendicular to the axis of the pinion, the second retainer portion is formed movably on an axis line intersecting the axis line of the first retainer portion, and the first and second retainer portions are also formed. When one retainer part moves to the other retainer part side, the other retainer part moves to the one retainer part. Are those formed to move min pushed.

[0006]

[Action]

 Even though the axial directions of the first and second retainer portions are different from each other, when the second retainer portion is moved to the first retainer portion side, the first retainer portion is pushed by the second retainer portion. Move and push the rack onto the pinion from the side opposite the meshing position of the pinion and rack. For this reason, if the axial direction of the second retainer portion is oriented in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, the retainer set load adjustment work can be performed from the vehicle body vertical direction side where there is a work space.

When the rack bends to the retainer side, the rack is pushed by the rack and the first retainer portion moves to the second retainer portion side, and the second retainer portion moves by being pushed by the first retainer portion. , Compress the retainer set load setting spring, etc. Therefore, the bending of the rack is restricted within a certain range by the second retainer part and the spring for setting the retainer set load.

[0008]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the outline of the entire apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

In the figure, 1 is a pinion, 2 is a rack, 3 is a housing that accommodates the intersection of the pinion 1 and the rack 2, and when the pinion 1 is rotated by a steering operation, the rack 2 is rotated with the rotation. It reciprocates so that the tie rod 4 can be moved back and forth through the rack 2.

An L-shaped retainer hole 5 is provided in the housing 3 so that the rack 2 side faces the inside of the housing 3 in a direction perpendicular to the shaft center 1 a of the pinion shaft 1, and the adjusting screw 6 side is in the vehicle up-down direction ( In the embodiment, it is formed so as to face directly below).

7A is a first retainer portion, and 7B is a second retainer portion.

The first retainer portion 7A is slidably fitted in the inner portion 5A of the retainer hole 5 and is movable on the axis P perpendicular to the axis 1a of the pinion 1. The second retainer portion 7B is slidably fitted in the outer portion 5B of the retainer hole 5 and is movable on an axis Q intersecting with the axis P of the first retainer portion 7A.

The first retainer portion 7A has an abutting portion 8 having an arcuate cross-section that directly abuts the rack 2 on one side, and a sloped surface 9A oblique to the axis P on the other side of the retainer hole 5A. Is formed so as to face the outer portion 5B side. A spring insertion hole 10 is formed on one side of the second retainer portion 7B, and a sloped surface 9B oblique to the axis Q is formed on the other side so as to face the inner portion 5A side of the retainer hole 5. ing.

Then, the sloped surface 9A of the first retainer portion 7A and the sloped surface 9B of the second retainer portion 7B are intimately slidable by a coating layer (not shown) made of, for example, Teflon (trade name) formed on them. Abutting. The coating layer is for reducing the friction coefficient between the inclined surfaces 9A and 9B.

The adjusting screw 6 is screwed into the outer end of the outer portion 5 B of the retainer hole 5, and the lock nut 11 screwed into the adjusting screw 6 is tightened on the outer surface of the housing 4 to fix the housing 4 to the housing 4. It is fixed by axial force.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a spring, both ends of which are inserted into a spring insertion hole 10 provided in the second retainer portion 7B and a spring insertion hole 13 provided in the adjusting screw 6 to form the second retainer portion 7B and the adjusting screw 6 respectively. It has been reduced to between.

The operation of the rack supporting device thus configured will be described.

When the second retainer portion 7B is moved to the first retainer portion 7A side along the outer portion 5B of the retainer hole 5, the first retainer portion 7A is moved to the side of the second retainer portion 7B via the sloped surface 9A. It is pushed by the inclined surface 9B and moves toward the rack 2 along the inner portion 5A of the retainer hole 5 and on the side opposite to the second retainer portion 7B side. Therefore, the retainer set load applied by the spring 12 via the adjusting screw 6 is transmitted to the rack 2 via the second retainer portion 7B, the inclined surfaces 9A and 9B, the first retainer portion 7A, and the abutting portion 8. Since the rack 2 is pressed against the pinion 1 by the retainer set load, there is no backlash in the gear.

On the contrary, when the first retainer portion 7A is moved to the second retainer portion 7B side along the inner portion 5A of the retainer hole 5, the second retainer portion 7B passes through the inclined surface 9B. Is pushed by the inclined surface 9A of the first retainer portion 7A and moves toward the adjusting screw 6 along the outer portion 5B of the retainer hole 5 on the side opposite to the first retainer portion 7A side. Therefore, when the rack 2 bends toward the first retainer portion 7A, the rack 2 pushes the first and second retainer portions 7A and 7B in sequence, and the second retainer portion 7B and the adjusting screw 6 are separated from each other. Since the spring 12 is compressed by the second retainer portion 7B and the spring 12, the bending of the rack 2 is restricted within a certain range.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG.

The same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the split type retainer 7 having the first and second retainer portions 7A and 7B is used, whereas in this embodiment, the integral type retainer 17 is used.

A retainer hole 15 curved in a substantially predetermined radius of curvature is provided in the housing 3 so that one side faces the inside of the housing 3 in a direction perpendicular to the shaft center 1 a of the pinion 1 and the other side extends upward and downward from the vehicle body. In the example, it is formed so as to face diagonally below).

The retainer 17 is slidably fitted in the retainer hole 15.

The retainer 17 includes a first retainer portion 17A, a second retainer portion 17B, and a curved intermediate retainer portion 17C that integrally connects the first and second retainer portions 17A and 17B. There is.

The first retainer portion 17A is fitted in the inner portion 15A of the retainer hole 15 and is movable on the axis P perpendicular to the axis 1a of the pinion 1.

The second retainer portion 17B is fitted in the outer portion 15B of the retainer hole 15 and is movable on an axis Q intersecting the axis P of the first retainer portion 17A.

The intermediate retainer portion 17C is fitted in the intermediate portion 15C of the retainer hole 15 and is movable on a curved axis line R having the axes P and Q as a tangent line.

A load is applied to the second retainer portion 17 B by a spring 12 that is contracted between the second retainer portion 17 B and the adjusting screw 6.

The operation of the rack supporting device thus configured will be described.

When the second retainer portion 17B is moved to the side of the first retainer portion 17A along the outer portion 15B of the retainer hole 15, the first retainer portion 17A moves through the intermediate retainer portion 17C. It is pushed by 17B and moves toward the rack 2 along the inner portion 15A of the retainer hole 15 and on the side opposite to the second retainer portion 7B side. Therefore, the retainer set load applied by the spring 12 via the adjusting screw 6 is transmitted to the rack 2 via the second retainer portion 17B, the intermediate retainer portion 17C, the first retainer portion 17A, and the contact portion 8, and this retainer set load is transmitted. The rack 2 is pressed against the pinion 1 by the load, and the rattling (backlash) of the gear is eliminated.

On the contrary, when the first retainer portion 17A is moved toward the second retainer portion 17B side along the inner portion 15A of the retainer hole 15, the second retainer portion 17B moves the intermediate retainer portion 17C. It is pushed by the first retainer portion 17A via the first retainer portion 17A, and moves toward the adjusting screw 6 along the outer portion 15B of the retainer hole 15 on the side opposite to the first retainer portion 17A side. Therefore, when the rack 2 bends to the side of the first retainer portion 17A, the rack 2 pushes the rack 2 to sequentially move the first retainer portion 17A, the intermediate retainer portion 17C, and the second retainer portion 17B, and the second retainer portion is removed. The spring 12 is compressed between 17B and the adjusting screw 6. Therefore, the bending of the rack 2 is restricted within a certain range by the retainer 17 and the spring 12.

[0035]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the retainer can be moved on an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pinion, and the first retainer portion that directly presses the rack and the axis that intersects the axis of the first retainer portion can be moved. And a second retainer portion to which a load is applied, and when one of the first and second retainer portions moves toward the other retainer portion, the other retainer portion is pushed by the one retainer portion. Since the second retainer part of the retainer is oriented in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, the lock nut is loosened and the adjusting screw is rotated to adjust the screwing amount into the housing. Tightening the lock nut A series of retainer sets can be used to adjust the load from the vertical direction of the vehicle body, which has a working space, and the steering device can be removed from the vehicle one by one. It is not necessary to. In addition, gear backlash can be eliminated and the original function of restricting rack bending can be secured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pinion 2 Rack 7 Retainer 7A First Retainer Part 7B Second Retainer Part 17 Retainer 17A First Retainer Part 17B Second Retainer Part

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A pinion that is rotated by a steering operation, a rack that reciprocates as the pinion rotates, and a retainer that presses the rack with a constant load from the side opposite to the meshing position of the pinion and the rack. In a rack supporting device of a rack-and-pinion steering device, the retainer includes a first retainer portion that directly presses the rack and a second retainer portion to which the load is applied, and the first retainer portion is the pinion. Is formed so as to be movable on an axis perpendicular to the axis of the second retainer portion, and the second retainer portion is formed so as to be movable on an axis intersecting with the axis of the first retainer portion, and at the same time, the first and second retainer portions. When one retainer part moves to the other retainer part side, the other retainer part becomes the one retainer part. A rack support device for a rack-and-pinion type steering device, which is formed so as to be pushed and moved.