JPH0642931Y2 - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The effect of the invention relates to the structure of the steering wheel of the non-rotatable pad portion, especially the structure of the planetary gear cover.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, there are various types of pad wheel non-rotating type steering wheels, but the present applicant has already proposed a steering wheel (prior art) having a structure shown in FIG.

That is, the pad-side sun gear 53a and the column-side sun gear 53b, which are helical gears, and the two sun gears 53
It is composed of a first planetary member X that revolves around its outer circumference while meshing with a and 53b at the same time, and a second planetary member Y that revolves around the outer circumference of the first planetary member X and that revolves around the same axis as described above. The prior art with a planetary gear mechanism was proposed.

The first planetary member X is embedded in the pad side planetary gear 55a, the column side planetary gear 55b, and the column side planetary gear 55b for connecting the two planetary gears 55a and 55b. Composed of two parallel pins 54 that are slidably inserted into the column sun coil 53 and a coil spring 59 that biases the two planet gears 55a and 55b in directions to separate from each other. The side sun gear 53a has a function of immobilizing the sun gear 53a and a backlash suppressing function between the two sun gears 53a, 53b and the planetary gears 55a, 55.

On the other hand, the second planetary member Y is composed of a pad-side planetary gear 56a, a column-side planetary gear 56b, and a single planetary shaft 52 that connects and fixes them. As with the first planetary member X, the second planetary member Y includes a pad-side sun gear 53a. Although it has the function of making it non-rotating,
Since the first planetary member X rotates relative to the two sun gears 53a and 53b when it exerts the backlash suppressing function, it functions as a rotation stopper.

The first planetary member X and the second planetary member Y are supported by a bearing unit 61 composed of an upper bearing member 57, a lower bearing member 58, etc., each of which has a substantially fan-shaped planar shape. Reason, for example, when the first planetary member X exerts the backlash control function, the pad side planetary gears
The upper planetary shaft 60a of the 55a protrudes from the upper end surface of the pad-side sun gear 53a and interferes with the members inside the pad portion, so that the upper bearing member 57 is formed compactly and the upper bearing member 57 is formed on the upper end surface of the pad-side sun gear 53a. Lower, the lower bearing member 58
At a position higher than the lower end surface of the column side sun gear 53b,
Moreover, the two sun gears 53a and 53b are provided at positions slightly outward from the tooth tips.

Therefore, the tooth tip and the inner end surface 57 of the upper bearing member 57 are
A clearance C is formed between the tooth tip a and the tooth tip and the inner end surface 58a of the lower bearing member 58.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) Cover above the pad-side sun gear 53a (not shown)
However, since the cover is not attached on the upper bearing portion 57, the foreign matter passes from the outside through the clearance C. The two sun gears 53
There is a risk that they will enter between the a and 53b and the planetary gears 55a, 55b, 56a and 56b.

Further, since the outer sides of the planetary gears 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b are open, the two sun gears 53a, 53b are also the same as above.
It is easy for foreign matter to enter between and the planetary gears 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b.

If a foreign matter enters during the above period, there is a problem that abnormal noise occurs.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel in which foreign matter is prevented from entering between the pad-side sun gear, the column-side sun gear and the planetary gears.

Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a planetary gear that rotates while revolving around the pad-side sun gear and the column-side sun gear while meshing with them. A means for covering with a box-shaped cover facing the two sun gears and opening, and setting the clearance between the end face on the opening side and the tooth tips of the two sun gears to 0.5 to 1.5 mm was adopted.

(Operation) Since the planetary gear is covered with the box-shaped cover, foreign matter is prevented from approaching the planetary gear from the outside.

Since the clearance between the opening-side end surface of the cover and the tooth tip of the pad-side sun gear or the column-side sun gear is extremely narrow at 0.5 to 1.5 mm, the clearance between the cover and the sun gear is reduced to within the planetary gear mechanism. Foreign matter is blocked from entering.

(Embodiment) Next, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 3, a steering shaft 10 extends through the column portion 2 of the automobile, and a boss 9 is provided at the tip thereof.
Are fastened and fixed by a nut 15 via an upper stopper 109. A boss plate 11 is formed on the outer periphery of the central portion of the boss 9 so as to extend horizontally outward.

The base ends of the spokes 12 are welded and fixed to the outer edge of the boss plate 11, and the spokes 12 support a ring (not shown) at their tips.

A column-side sun gear 3b, which is a helical gear, is fixed to the column portion 2 on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the boss 9 so as to be rotatable relative to the boss 9 via a bearing 14 and a metal outer race 101.

On the other hand, the pad-side sun gear 3a made of a helical gear is provided on the outer periphery of the upper portion of the boss 9 via the bearing 16 and the metal outer race 201, and the box-shaped pad portion 1 is provided on the pad-side sun gear 3a. It is fixed. The bearings 16 and 14 are pressed into the metal outer races 101 and 201, respectively.

Insulating plates 102 and 202 made of synthetic resin are welded to the outer races 101 and 201 in the two sun gears 3a and 3b, and the upper surface of the insulating plate 102 and the insulating plate 2
Slip rings 103 and 203 are fixed to the lower surface of 02. These slip rings 103 and 203 are boss plates 11
Signals and the like between an electronic device (not shown) in the pad section 1 and an electronic device (not shown) provided on the single side are transferred via the contact pin 111 in the contact pin case 110 fixed to the spring and the spring 112. The purpose is to transfer and receive relays.
Reference numeral 105 is a cancel pin for releasing the winker mechanism, and 113 is a cover for preventing foreign matter from entering the planetary gear mechanism and improving the appearance.

Further, a receiver 106 is fixed to the receiver base 104 screwed to the column-side sun gear 3b, and a fixing pin 107 is press-contacted to the tool 106.

That is, the receiving tool 106 and the fixing pin 107 are provided at two positions respectively, and each receiving tool 106 presses against the fixing pin 107 so as to slightly bend at the opposite positions, so that the column-side sun gear 3b does not rotate. Fixed to. Also, fixed pin 10
7 also fixes a combination switch (not shown) having a turn signal function. The bearings 14 and 16 are fixed to the boss 9 by screwing the upper stopper 109 and the lower stopper 108 to the boss 9, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a box-shaped cover 18 is formed on the outer periphery of the boss plate 11 on both left and right sides of the box-shaped cover 18 that opens toward the two sun gears 3a and 3b. , 19b.

The cover 18 is a fan-shaped upper bearing member 20 and a lower bearing member 21, which are vertically opposed to each other, and those bearing members 20,
Support side plates 22 and 23 that horizontally support 21 to the boss plate 11 via the fastening portions 19a and 19b, and a back plate 24 that is attached to the outer side end portions thereof in a curved shape. It is shaped like a box.

The upper bearing member 20 is formed with two bearing portions 7a and 8a, and the lower bearing member 21 is also formed with two bearing portions 7b and 8b.

In the bearing portion 7b of the lower bearing member 21, a column-side planetary gear 55b having a lower shaft 4b on the lower surface side is provided.
It is rotatably supported so as to mesh with b. Two parallel pins 17 are planted on the upper surface side of the column-side planetary gear 3b, and a coil spring 27 is externally attached to the parallel pins 17.

Further, the sun gear on the pad side is provided on the upper end of the parallel pin 17.
A pad side planetary gear 5a that meshes with 3a is provided slidably in the vertical direction with respect to the parallel pin 17, and an upper planetary shaft 4a of the pad side planetary gear 5a is provided in a bearing portion 7a of the upper bearing member 20. It is pivotally supported. Therefore, the two planetary gears 5
a and 5b are urged by coil springs 27 in directions away from each other, and two sun gears 3a composed of helical gears,
It functions as a backlash suppressing means for 3b.

On the other hand, a planetary gear 6 consisting of a single helical gear is pivotally supported by the bearings 8a, 8b via a planetary shaft 28,
The planetary gear 6 meshes with the two sun gears 3a and 3b at the same time, and immobilizes the pad side sun gear 3a along the column side sun gear 3b.

In the planetary gear mechanism configured as described above, the clearance D between the inner end surface 20a of the upper bearing member 20, which is the opening end surface of the cover 18, and the tooth tip 30a of the pad side sun gear 3a is 0.5 to. It is considerably narrow at 1.5 mm. Similarly, the clearance D between the inner end surface 21a of the lower bearing member 21, which is the end surface on the opening side of the cover 18, and the tooth tip 30b of the column-side sun gear 3b is also in the same range. This clearance D
Is determined as a range in which foreign matter is hard to enter.

That is, it is possible to eliminate all foreign substances of 1.5 mm or more. If the foreign matter is small enough to pass through the clearance D of 1.5 mm, even if the foreign matter is caught between the gears, the abnormal noise is small and there is no practical problem.

In addition, the molding error of the upper and lower bearing members 20, 21 is 0.
Since it is about 3 mm, when the clearance D is made smaller than 0.5 mm, the tooth tips 30a, 30b of the two sun gears 3a, 3b are against the inner end surfaces 20a, 21a of the upper and lower bearing members 20, 21. There is a risk of scratching.

With respect to the embodiment configured as described above, the operation /
Explain the effect.

The pad-side sun gear 3a and the column-side sun gear 3b are arranged concentrically with the steering shaft 10 on the upper outer peripheral side and the lower outer peripheral side of the boss 9. Planetary shafts 4a, 4b, 28 having two sets of planetary gears 5a, 5b, 6 mounted on the upper bearing member 20 and the lower bearing member 21 of the cover 18 are pivotally supported. And the cover
18 fixing portions 19a, 19b are fixed by screws 26, and the planetary gears 5a, 5b, 6 and the two sun gears 3a,
Engagement with 3b is performed.

At this time, the inner end surface 20a of the upper bearing member 20, the inner end surface 21a of the lower bearing member 21, and the pad-side sun gear 3
a, clearance D with column side sun gear 3b is 0.5 to 1.5m
After the position of cover 18 is adjusted so that it is in the range of m,
The screw 26 is tightened.

In the planetary gear mechanism assembled in this way, the planetary gears 5a, 5b, 6 are surrounded by the cover 18, so that the planetary gears
Foreign matter adheres to 5a, 5b, 6 or the planetary gears 5a, 5b
Foreign matter is hardly caught between b and 6 and the two sun gears 3a and 3b.

Further, since the clearance D is not less than 0.5 mm, it does not cause rubbing against the inner end surfaces 20a, 21a of the upper and lower bearing members 20, 21, and since it is not more than 1.5 mm, large foreign matter passes through this clearance D. Even if foreign matter enters and bites between gears, it is as small as 1.5 mm or less, so that the abnormal noise generated can be suppressed to a small level.

In addition, since the back plate is provided on the cover and the cover is opened toward the sun gear side, the rigidity of the entire cover can be improved. As a result, the stress deformation applied to the cover through the planetary gears due to the rotational force of the sun gear and the external force applied to the pad part is suppressed, and the rattling of the pad part is eliminated, the stability of the pad part is increased, and the anti-vibration performance is improved. . In the planetary gear mechanism of this embodiment, the coil spring 27 acts so as to separate the pad-side planetary gear 5a and the column-side planetary gear 5b from each other in the axial direction of the two planetary gears 5a and 5b. Since 6 acts as a rotation stopper for the pad-side planetary gear 3a, backlash between the two sun gears 3a, 3b and the planetary gears 5a, 5b, 6 is suppressed. It should be noted that the fact that the pad portion 1 is in the non-rotating state is the same as in the conventional techniques which have been already proposed variously.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in the following modes, for example.

(1) Upper and lower bearing members 20, 21 and boss plate 11 for them
The cover 18 can be provided outside the upper and lower bearing members 20 and 21 separately from these members without forming the side plates 22 and 23 supported by the above as a part of the cover 18.

(2) Upper and lower bearing members 20, 21 and the two sun gears 3a, 3b
Increase the clearance between the tooth tips 30a, 30b of
A member for adjusting the clearance D is provided on the inner side of the upper and lower bearing members 20 and 21,
The cover 18 may be formed with 20 and 21.

(3) The planetary gear 6 may be divided into two to form a pad-side planetary gear and a column-side planetary gear.

(4) Each of the upper and lower bearing members 20 and 21 can be divided and two sets of planetary gears can be provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the two sun gears 3a and 3b.

(5) The coil springs 27 may be provided between the bearing portion 7a and the pad side planetary gear 5a, and between the bearing portion 7b and the column side planetary gear 5b, respectively, so that the planetary gears 5a and 5b are close to each other.

Effects of the Invention As described in detail above, the present invention covers the planetary gear with the cover, and the clearance between the opening end face of the cover and the tip of the pad-side sun gear and the column-side sun gear 3b is 0.5 to 1.5. Since it is set to mm, it is possible to effectively prevent foreign matter from entering between both gears and the planetary gears, and even if foreign matter enters, abnormal noise generated is extremely small because it is a tiny amount of 1.5 mm or less. It is small and does not cause any problems in practical use.

Further, since the back plate is provided on the cover so that the cover faces the sun gear side and opens, the rigidity of the entire cover can be improved. As a result, the stress deformation applied to the cover through the planetary gears due to the rotational force of the sun gear and the external force applied to the pad part is suppressed, and the rattling of the pad part is eliminated, the stability of the pad part is increased, and the anti-vibration performance is improved. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a part of the cover in a transverse manner, FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a planetary gear meshing with a sun gear, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment, and FIG. It is a partially broken perspective view near a gear. Pad side sun gear 3a, column side sun gear 3b, planetary gear 5
a, 5b, 6, cover 18, end surfaces 20a, 21a, tooth tips 30a, 30b,
Clearance D

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-61-278465 (JP, A) JP-A-61-285169 (JP, A) Actually open Sho-62-163466 (JP, U) Actual-open Sho-62- 129365 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 62-123478 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 62-11064 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A planetary gear (5a, 5b, 6), which rotates while meshing with a pad-side sun gear (3a) and a column-side sun gear (3b), and revolves around the sun gear (3a, 3a). 3b) Box-shaped cover (1
8) and the clearance (D) between the end faces (20a, 21a,) on the opening side and the tooth tips (30a, 30b) of the two sun gears (3a, 3b) is set to 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Steering wheel.