CN116729468A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

The steering device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a column unit having an outer column and an inner column; a plurality of telescopic locking teeth provided in the inner column at intervals in the front-rear direction; and a hook member movable between an engagement position where the hook member engages with any one of the plurality of telescopic lock teeth in the front-rear direction and a retracted position where the hook member is retracted from the telescopic lock tooth. The hook member is provided with: a pivot shaft rotatably supported by the outer column via a rotation shaft; and a claw portion connected to the pivot shaft via a connection portion and engaged with the expansion and contraction lock tooth at an engagement position. The claw portion is configured to be detachable from the pivot shaft in association with forward movement of the inner column relative to the outer column at the time of a secondary collision.

Description

Steering device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a steering device.

Background

The steering device is provided with: a column unit having an outer column and an inner column; and a steering shaft rotatably supported by the inner column. Such a steering device includes a steering device that adjusts a telescopic operation of a front-rear position of a steering wheel according to a difference in physique and a driving posture of a driver. The telescopic motion is a motion in which the inner column and the steering shaft move in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer column.

In the steering device, when a predetermined load acts on the steering wheel at the time of a secondary collision, the impact load applied to the driver at the time of the secondary collision is alleviated by moving the inner column forward relative to the outer column. For example, the following patent document 1 includes: a plurality of engaged portions provided in the inner column side by side in the front-rear direction; and a locking member rotatably provided on the outer column and engaged with the engaged portion. In the steering device described in patent document 1 below, the engaged portion is disengaged from the inner column at the time of a secondary collision, and the inner column moves forward relative to the outer column even in a state where the engaged portion is engaged with the lock member.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication 2016-64807

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, sometimes a bracket that supports wiring or the like extending from, for example, an electrical component is mounted on the inner column. In this case, in the structure in which the engaged portion is disengaged from the inner column as in the above-described conventional structure, it is necessary to adjust the stroke (crushing stroke) of the inner column or to enlarge the column unit so that the engaged portion does not interfere with the bracket at the time of the secondary collision.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a steering device that can ensure a crushing stroke while suppressing the enlargement of a column unit.

Solution for solving the problem

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present disclosure adopts the following schemes.

The steering device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a column unit having: an outer column extending in the front-rear direction; and an inner column which is inserted into the outer column so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and in which a steering shaft is inserted, the steering shaft being rotatable about a 1 st axis extending in the front-rear direction; a plurality of telescopic locking teeth provided at intervals in the front-rear direction in the inner column; and a hook member movable between an engagement position where the hook member engages with any one of the plurality of expansion and contraction lock teeth in a front-rear direction and a retracted position where the hook member is retracted from the expansion and contraction lock teeth, the hook member including: a pivot rotatably supported by the outer column via a rotation shaft; and a claw portion connected to the pivot shaft via a connection portion and engaged with the expansion and contraction lock tooth at the engagement position, wherein the claw portion is configured to be detachable from the pivot shaft in association with forward movement of the inner column relative to the outer column at the time of a secondary collision when the hook member is at the engagement position.

According to this aspect, the hook member is separated into the pivot shaft and the claw portion at the time of the crushing stroke, and the telescopic lock tooth moves forward while being held integrally with the inner column. Thus, for example, even when the switch bracket or the like for supporting wiring of the electric component is provided to the inner column, the crushing stroke is performed in a state where the relative position between the expansion and contraction lock tooth and the switch bracket is kept unchanged. This can suppress interference between the expansion and contraction lock tooth and the switch bracket, and thus can easily ensure a crushing stroke while suppressing an increase in the size of the steering device in the front-rear direction.

(2) In the steering device according to the aspect of (1), preferably, the expansion and contraction lock teeth are formed in a plate member fixed to the inner column, and the plate member includes: a front restricting portion that restricts forward movement of the inner column relative to the outer column by abutting the hook member from the rear at a most contracted position of the column unit; and a rear regulating portion which regulates rearward movement of the inner column relative to the outer column by abutting the hook member from the front side in the most extended position of the column unit.

According to this aspect, the most contracted position and the most expanded position of the column unit at the time of the telescopic operation can be defined by the plate member. Thus, since there is no need to provide a separate restricting member, operability can be improved while the number of components is reduced.

(3) In the steering device according to the aspect of (2), it is preferable that the plate member includes a pair of guide rails extending in the front-rear direction with a space therebetween in the left-right direction, and the pivot shaft includes a guide portion disposed between the pair of guide rails so as to face the pair of guide rails and capable of abutting against the guide rails in the left-right direction.

According to this aspect, the guide portion abuts against the guide rail in the left-right direction, and thus the rotation of the inner column relative to the outer column about the 1 st axis is restricted. Thus, for example, during the telescopic operation, the inner column can be smoothly moved while suppressing the rotation of the inner column about the 1 st axis. Further, since the rotation of the inner column about the 1 st axis is suppressed, for example, at the time of a secondary collision, frictional resistance can be effectively generated between the outer column and the inner column, and a desired impact absorption performance can be easily ensured.

(4) The steering device according to the aspect (2) or (3) above preferably includes: a shaft member supported by the outer column in front of the rotation shaft so as to be rotatable about a 2 nd axis extending parallel to the rotation shaft; a link portion formed on the shaft member and sliding on the hook member in association with rotation of the shaft member, so as to move the hook member from the engagement position to the retracted position; a biasing member that biases the hook member toward the engagement position; and an operation unit that is coupled to the shaft member and rotates the shaft member, wherein the coupling unit is formed by connecting an arc surface centered on the 2 nd axis and a flat surface having a shorter distance from the 2 nd axis than a radius of the arc surface, around the 2 nd axis.

According to this aspect, the contact position with the hook member in the linking portion goes from the flat surface to the circular arc surface, so that the distance of the hook member from the 2 nd axis becomes longer. Thereby, the hook member rotates toward one side around the 2 nd axis against the urging force of the urging member, and the claw portion retreats from the expansion and contraction lock tooth, and the plate member is allowed to move forward and backward with respect to the hook member. On the other hand, with the rotation of the linking portion toward the allowable position, the contact position with the hook member in the linking portion shifts from the circular arc surface to the flat surface. Thereby, the movement of the hook member to the engagement position is allowed. Then, the contact position with the hook member in the linking portion approaches the 2 nd axis, so that the hook member rotates toward the other side around the 2 nd axis due to the urging force of the urging member.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the contact position with the hook member in the linking portion is shifted between the circular arc surface and the flat surface, and the hook member is moved from the engagement position to the retracted position. Further, the hook member is moved from the retracted position to the engagement position by the urging force of the urging member, so that the rotation direction of the shaft member can be defined regardless of the rotation direction of the hook member when moving from the engagement position to the retracted position. As a result, a steering device having high versatility can be provided.

(5) The steering device according to the aspect (4) above preferably includes: a front bracket that is fitted to the vehicle body and that supports the column unit so as to be rotatable about a 3 rd axis extending in the left-right direction; and a rear bracket that is attached to the vehicle body rearward of the front bracket and supports the column unit so as to be movable up and down in accordance with rotation of the column unit about the 2 nd axis, wherein the urging member is disposed between the hook member and the rear bracket and urges the column unit upward via the hook member.

According to this aspect, the biasing member can be provided with both the return spring and the tilt balancing spring for biasing the engagement position. This suppresses an increase in the number of components compared with a case where the return spring and the tilt balance spring are provided separately to the engagement position. Therefore, for example, in the tilting operation, the load of the driver supporting the steering device via the steering wheel is reduced, and the column unit can be prevented from falling to the lowermost end. On the other hand, the hook member is biased toward the engagement position by the biasing member, so that the hook member is easily engaged with the expansion and contraction lock tooth when the linking portion is in the allowable position. Thus, when the column unit is in the locked state, the movement of the telescopic lock tooth in the front-rear direction with respect to the hook member can be restricted. As a result, operability can be improved.

Effects of the invention

According to the above-described aspects of the present disclosure, the crushing stroke can be ensured while suppressing an increase in the size of the column unit.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the steering device.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom view of the steering device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the steering device.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an operation explanatory view of the steering device, and is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the steering device, and is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the steering device at the time of a secondary collision, and is an enlarged side view corresponding to fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is an operation explanatory view of the steering device at the time of a secondary collision, and is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged bottom view of a stopper unit of a modification.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged bottom view of a stopper unit of a modification.

Description of the reference numerals

1: steering device

11: column unit

12: steering shaft

13: front support

14: rear bracket

16: force application member

21: outer column

22: inner column

50: lock bolt (shaft component)

50a1: arc surface

50a2: planar surface

51: operating lever (operation part)

71: hook component

76: telescopic locking tooth

77: front limiting part

78: rear limiting part

79: guide rail

90: pivot shaft

92: guide projection (guide)

95: pin (rotating shaft)

102: claw portion

105: hook bolt (connection part)

O1: axis (1 st axis)

O2: axis (No. 3 axis)

O3: axis (the 2 nd axis)

Detailed Description

Next, embodiments of the present disclosure are described based on the drawings.

[ steering device 1]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device 1.

As shown in fig. 1, a steering device 1 is mounted on a vehicle. The steering device 1 adjusts the rudder angle of the wheels in accordance with the rotation operation of the steering wheel 2.

The steering device 1 includes a column unit 11, a steering shaft 12, brackets (a front bracket 13 and a rear bracket 14), a switching portion 15, and a biasing member 16. The column unit 11 and the steering shaft 12 are formed along an axis (1 st axis) O1, respectively. In the following description, the extending direction of the axis O1 (axial direction of the shaft) of the column unit 11 and the steering shaft 12 may be simply referred to as the front-rear direction, the direction orthogonal to the axis O1 may be referred to as the radial direction of the shaft, and the direction around the axis O1 may be referred to as the circumferential direction of the shaft.

The steering device 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle in a state in which the axis O1 intersects the front-rear direction. Specifically, the axis O1 of the steering device 1 extends upward as going to the rear. However, in the following description, for convenience, the direction toward the steering wheel 2 in the front-rear direction is simply referred to as the rear direction, and the direction toward the side opposite to the steering wheel 2 is simply referred to as the front direction (arrow FR) in the steering apparatus 1. The vertical direction of the steering device 1 in the radial direction of the shaft in the state of being mounted on the vehicle is simply referred to as the vertical direction (arrow UP is the upper direction), and the horizontal direction of the steering device 1 in the radial direction of the shaft in the state of being mounted on the vehicle is simply referred to as the horizontal direction.

< column Unit >)

The column unit 11 includes an outer column 21 and an inner column 22.

The outer column 21 is mounted to the vehicle body via brackets 13 and 14. The outer column 21 includes a holding tube portion 24 and a fastening portion 25.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 2, the holding cylinder 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis O1. The front bearing 27 is fitted (press-fitted) to the front end portion in the holding cylinder portion 24. A slit 28 is formed in a part of the shaft (in the present embodiment, in the lower part of the outer column 21) in the circumferential direction of the shaft at the rear part of the holding cylinder 24. The slit 28 penetrates the outer column 21 in the radial direction of the shaft and is open on the rear end face of the outer column 21.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 3, the fastening portions 25 protrude downward from positions of the holding tube portion 24 that sandwich the slit 28 and face each other in the left-right direction. Each of the fastening portions 25 has a through hole 31 penetrating the fastening portion 25 in the left-right direction.

As shown in fig. 2, the inner column 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis O1. The outer diameter of the inner post 22 is smaller than the inner diameter of the retention barrel 24. The inner post 22 is inserted into the retention barrel 24. The inner column 22 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the holding cylinder 24 while the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 22 slides on the inner peripheral surface of the holding cylinder 24. The rear bearing 32 is fitted (press-fitted) into the rear end portion of the inner column 22.

A switch bracket (support member) 35 is fixed to the rear portion of the inner column 22 at a portion overlapping the slit 28 when viewed in the front-rear direction. The switch bracket 35 holds wiring (extension member) or the like extending from an electric component (vehicle body side component) of the vehicle. The switch holder 35 includes an extension piece 35a and a holding piece 35b.

The extension piece 35a extends downward from the inner column 22 with the front-rear direction being the thickness direction. The width of the extension piece 35a in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the slit 28 in the left-right direction. The extension piece 35a may be inserted into the slit 28 through the rear end opening of the slit 28 in association with the relative movement (crushing stroke, secondary collision, etc.) of the inner column 22 and the outer column 21 in the front-rear direction.

The holding piece 35b is bent rearward at the lower portion of the extension piece 35 a. The holding piece 35b holds wiring of the electric component via a clip or the like, not shown. The holding piece 35b is set so as not to interfere with the outer column 21 and the rear bracket 14 when the column unit 11 is in the most contracted position (the state where the inner column 22 is disposed at the forefront). In addition, the switch bracket 35 is not necessarily constructed.

< steering shaft 12 >)

The steering shaft 12 includes an inner shaft 37 and an outer shaft 38.

The inner shaft 37 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The inner shaft 37 is inserted into the outer column 21 with a part thereof protruding forward from the outer column 21. The front end portion of the inner shaft 37 is supported by the front bearing 27. Thereby, the inner shaft 37 is supported rotatably about the axis O1 via the front bearing 27 in the holding cylinder 24. The front end portion (portion protruding forward from the outer column 21) of the inner shaft 37 is coupled to, for example, a lower shaft (not shown), a steering gear box (not shown), and the like via a universal joint (not shown) and the like.

The outer shaft 38 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The outer shaft 38 is inserted into the inner column 22 in a state where a part thereof protrudes rearward from the inner column 22. The rear end portion of the outer shaft 38 is supported by the rear bearing 32 within the inner post 22. Thus, the outer shaft 38 is supported rotatably about the axis O1 within the inner column 22 via the rear bearing 32.

The rear end portion of the inner shaft 37 is inserted into the outer shaft 38. The outer shaft 38 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the inner shaft 37 in association with the movement of the inner column 22 in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer column 21. In the present embodiment, female splines are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft 38, for example. The female spline is engaged with a male spline formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner shaft 37. Thus, the outer shaft 38 moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the inner shaft 37, while the relative rotation with respect to the inner shaft 37 is restricted. However, the telescopic structure and the rotation restricting structure of the steering shaft 12 can be appropriately changed.

As shown in fig. 1, the steering wheel 2 is coupled to a portion of the outer shaft 38 that protrudes rearward of the inner column 22. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the outer shaft 38 is disposed rearward with respect to the inner shaft 37 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the steering shaft 12 may be configured in such a manner that the outer shaft 38 is disposed forward with respect to the inner shaft 37.

The front bracket 13 protrudes upward from the front end portion of the outer column 21. The front bracket 13 connects the outer column 21 to the vehicle body via a rotation shaft 40. The rotation shaft 40 penetrates the front bracket 13 in the left-right direction. Thereby, the column unit 11 is supported by the rotation shaft 40 so as to be rotatable about an axis (3 rd axis) O2 extending in the left-right direction.

As shown in fig. 3, the rear bracket 14 connects the outer column 21 and the vehicle body via a lock bolt (shaft member) 50 of the switching portion 15, which will be described later. The rear bracket 14 is formed in a U-shape opening downward in a front view (front view) viewed from the front-rear direction. The rear bracket 14 surrounds the upper side and the left-right sides of the outer column 21. The rear bracket 14 includes: a pair of side plate portions (a 1 st side plate portion 41a and a 2 nd side plate portion 41 b) disposed on both left and right sides with respect to the column unit 11; and a bridge 42 connecting the side plate portions 41a, 41b to each other.

The side plate portions 41a, 41b extend in the up-down direction with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. The side plate portions 41a and 41b are formed with inclined guide holes 43 penetrating the side plate portions 41a and 41b in the left-right direction. The inclined guide hole 43 is a long hole extending rearward as going upward.

The bridge 42 connects the upper ends of the side plates 41a and 41b to each other. Both ends of the bridge 42 in the lateral direction extend outward in the lateral direction with respect to the side plate portions 41a, 41 b.

< switching section 15 >)

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the steering device 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom view of the steering device 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the steering device 1.

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, the switching unit 15 includes a lock bolt 50, an operation lever (operation unit) 51, a tightening cam (operation unit) 52, and a stopper 53.

The lock bolts 50 penetrate the through holes 31 of the fastening portions 25 and the inclined guide holes 43 of the rear bracket 14 in the left-right direction, penetrating the fastening portions 25 and the rear bracket 14. In the following description, a direction orthogonal to the axis (2 nd axis) O3 of the lock bolt 50 may be referred to as a radial direction of the bolt, and a direction around the axis O3 may be referred to as a circumferential direction of the bolt.

The portions of the outer peripheral surface of the lock bolt 50 located between the fastening portions 25 constitute bolt-side linking portions 50a. The bolt-side contact portion 50a has a D-shaped cross section perpendicular to the axis O3. Specifically, the bolt-side contact portion 50a includes an arc surface 50a1 and a flat surface 50a2. The arc surface 50a1 is formed in an arc shape centered on the axis O3. In the illustrated example, the center angle of the circular arc surface 50a1 is greater than 180 °. The flat surface 50a2 connects both end portions of the circular arc surface 50a1 in the circumferential direction of the bolt to each other. The flat surface 50a2 extends parallel to a tangent line of the arc surface 50a1 on the inner side in the radial direction of the bolt with respect to the arc surface 50a1 when viewed from the left-right direction. Therefore, the distance between the axis O3 and the flat surface 50a2 is shorter than the distance between the axis O3 and the circular arc surface 50a1 (radius of the circular arc surface 50a 1).

The operation lever 51 is coupled to a 1 st side end (a left side end in the illustrated example) of the lock bolt 50 in the left-right direction. The operation lever 51 is rotatable about the axis O3 together with the lock bolt 50.

As shown in fig. 3, the fastening cam 52 is disposed between the operation lever 51 and the 1 st side plate portion 41 a. The tightening cam 52 includes a driving cam 60 and a driven cam 61.

The drive cam 60 is formed in a disk shape coaxially arranged with the axis O3. The driving cam 60 is fixed to the operation lever 51. That is, the drive cam 60 rotates integrally with the operation lever 51 about the axis O3 in accordance with the operation of the operation lever 51.

The follower cam 61 is disposed between the 1 st side plate portion 41a and the drive cam 60. The driven cam 61 is formed in a disk shape coaxially arranged with the axis O3. The driven cam 61 is supported by the 1 st side plate portion 41a so as not to be rotatable relative to each other in a state where the lock bolt 50 is penetrated.

The fixing cam 52 is configured such that the thickness in the lateral direction changes by the relative rotation of the driving cam 60 and the driven cam 61 about the axis O3 in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation lever 51. In the steering device 1, the thickness of the fastening cam 52 is changed, so that the fastening portions 25 approach each other or separate from each other in the lateral direction (the dimension of the slit 28 in the lateral direction is enlarged or reduced) via the side plate portions 41a and 41 b. Specifically, by rotating the operation lever 51 toward one side in the circumferential direction, the thickness of the tightening cam 52 increases. Then, the fastening portions 25 approach each other together with the side plate portions 41a and 41b, and the diameter of the holding tube portion 24 is reduced. Thereby, the inner column 22 is fastened by the holding tube portion 24, and the telescopic operation and the tilting operation are restricted (locked state). On the other hand, in the locked state, by rotating the operation lever 51 toward the other side in the circumferential direction of the bolt, the thickness of the tightening cam 52 is reduced. Then, the fastening portions 25 are separated from each other together with the side plate portions 41a, 41b, and the diameter of the holding tube portion 24 is enlarged. Thereby, the fastening of the holding cylinder portion 24 to the inner column 22 is released, and the telescopic operation and the tilting operation are allowed (the unlocked state shown in fig. 8).

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, the stopper unit 53 includes an EA (Energy Absorbing) plate 70 and a hook member 71.

The EA plate (plate member) 70 is configured to be movable integrally with the inner column 22 below the inner column 22. The EA plate 70 includes a plate body 75, a telescopic lock tooth 76, a front restricting portion 77, a rear restricting portion 78, and a pair of guide rails 79.

The plate main body 75 is fixed to the lower surface of the inner column 22 by welding or the like. The plate main body 75 is plate-shaped with the vertical direction being the thickness direction and the width in the left-right direction being narrower than the width of the slit 28. The plate main body 75 extends in the front-rear direction in a state where at least a part thereof is disposed in the slit 28.

The plate body 75 has a plurality of expansion and contraction lock teeth 76 formed at intervals in the front-rear direction. By forming the concave portions 80 penetrating the plate main body 75 in the up-down direction side by side in the front-rear direction, the expansion and contraction lock teeth 76 are formed between adjacent concave portions 80 in the plate main body 75.

The front regulating portion 77 protrudes downward from the rear end portion (a portion located rearward of the rearmost expansion and contraction lock tooth 76) of the plate main body 75. The front restricting portion 77 restricts forward movement of the inner post 22 relative to the outer post 21 by a claw portion 102 described later abutting against the hook member 71 from behind. The lower end edge of the front limiting portion 77 is located above the lock bolt 50 (bolt-side linking portion 50 a).

The rear regulating portion 78 protrudes downward from the front end portion of the plate main body 75. The rear restriction portion 78 restricts rearward movement of the inner post 22 relative to the outer post 21 by abutting from the front to the claw portion 102 of the hook member 71. In the illustrated example, the lower end edge of the rear regulating portion 78 is located below the lower end edge of the front regulating portion 77. Further, in the front limiting portion 77 and the rear limiting portion 78, a portion facing the hook member 71 (the claw portion 102) may be provided with a buffer member capable of being elastically deformed, for example. In this way, when the column unit 11 is moved to the most contracted position or the most expanded position during the telescopic operation, abnormal noise and the like generated by the contact between the claw 102 and the restricting portions 77 and 78 can be suppressed.

The guide rail 79 protrudes downward from both end edges of the plate main body 75 in the left-right direction. The guide rail 79 extends over the entire length of the plate main body 75 in the front-rear direction. The lower end edge of the guide rail 79 is located above the lock bolt 50 (bolt-side contact portion 50 a).

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the portion of the hook member 71 located rearward of the lock bolt 50 in the outer column 21 is supported by the outer column 21 so as to be rotatable about an axis O4 extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the hook member 71 includes a pivot 90 and an EA hook 100.

The pivot 90 includes a pivot base 91, a guide projection (guide portion) 92, and an arm 93.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of fig. 6.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the pivot base 91 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxially arranged with the axis O4. A pin 95 penetrates the pivot base 91. The pin 95 extends along the axis O4. The pin 95 is provided between the fastening portions 25 so as to penetrate the pivot base 91. Thereby, the hook member 71 is rotatably supported by the fastening portion 25 via the pin 95. The pin 95 is covered with the 1 st side plate 41a from one side in the left-right direction, and is covered with the 2 nd side plate 41b from the other side in the left-right direction. The pin 95 is restricted from falling off from the fastening portion 25 by abutting against the side plate portions 41a, 41b in the left-right direction.

A relief portion 91a is formed in a central portion of the pivot base 91 in the lateral direction. The escape portion 91a is formed in a portion of the pivot base 91 that overlaps the front limiting portion 77 when viewed from the front-rear direction over the entire rotation range of the hook member 71. In the illustrated example, the relief portion 91a is formed by cutting out a half of the circumference above the axis O4 in the direction around the axis O4 (the circumferential direction of the pivot shaft). The escape portion 91a allows the front limiting portion 77 to pass in the front-rear direction during the telescopic operation.

The guide projection 92 projects from a portion of the pivot base 91 located on both sides of the escape portion 91a in the left-right direction in a direction intersecting the axis O4 (the radial direction of the pivot). The guide projection 92 is formed in an arc shape extending in the circumferential direction of the pivot shaft along the outer peripheral surface of the pivot shaft base 91. The guide projection 92 is disposed inside the guide rail 79. The hook member 71 is restricted from moving in the left-right direction with respect to the EA plate 70 by the guide projection 92 abutting the guide rail 79 in the left-right direction. That is, the guide projection 92 and the guide rail 79 guide the forward and backward movement of the inner column 22 with respect to the outer column 21 during the telescopic operation, for example. The guide projection 92 may be located outside the guide rail 79 in the left-right direction.

The arm 93 extends in a cantilever state from the pivot base 91 toward the front. The arm 93 extends through below the lock bolt 50 to the front of the lock bolt 50. The bolt-side contact portion 50a is slidable on the upper surface of the arm 93. A coupling hole 94 is formed at a distal end portion (tip portion) of the arm 93. The coupling hole 94 is a long hole penetrating the arm 93 in the up-down direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The coupling hole 94 is open at the top end surface of the arm 93. In the illustrated example, the entire area of the coupling hole 94 in the front-rear direction except for the rear end portion extends with a fixed width.

EA hook 100 can be detachably attached to pivot 90 from pivot 90 at the time of a secondary collision. The EA hook 100 includes a coupling piece 101 and a claw portion 102. The coupling piece 101 is connected to the arm 93 via a hook bolt 105 in a state of overlapping with the upper surface of the arm 93. Specifically, the hook bolt 105 is fastened to the coupling piece 101 through the coupling hole 94. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the shaft portion 105a of the hook bolt 105 is smaller than the width of the coupling hole 94 in the lateral direction. Hook bolt 105 connects pivot 90 and EA hook 100 with an axial force acting between head 105b and web 101.

The claw 102 extends upward from the distal end portion (tip portion) of the connecting piece 101. The claw portion 102 enters between the expansion and contraction lock teeth 76 adjacent in the front-rear direction (the concave portion 80) when the column unit 11 is in the locked state, and is engaged with the expansion and contraction lock teeth 76 in the front-rear direction (the engaged position). Thereby, the EA plate 70 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction with respect to the hook member 71. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8, when the column unit 11 is in the lock release state, the claw portion 102 is retracted from the concave portion 80 (retracted position). In the retracted position, movement of the EA plate 70 in the forward-backward direction relative to the hook member 71 is permitted. Further, when the hook member 71 is in the retracted position, at least a portion of the claw portion 102 overlaps the front limiting portion 77 when viewed from the front-rear direction.

Here, the bolt-side linking portion 50a of the lock bolt 50 rotates about the axis O3 between the restricting position and the allowing position in accordance with the rotation of the operation lever 51. Specifically, the restricting position shown in fig. 8 is a position where the arc surface 50a1 (or the boundary portion between the arc surface 50a1 and the flat surface 50a 2) faces downward when the hook member 71 is in the retracted position. In the restricting position, the bolt-side linking portion 50a restricts the rotation of the hook member 71 to the engagement position by abutting the arc surface 50a1 (or the boundary portion between the arc surface 50a1 and the flat surface 50a 2) against the upper surface of the arm 93 from above. The allowable position is a position where the flat surface 50a2 faces downward and is a position where rotation of the hook member 71 from the retracted position to the engagement position is allowable. When the hook member 71 reaches the engagement position, the flat surface 50a2 abuts against the upper surface of the arm 93 from above.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the urging member 16 is interposed between the rear bracket 14 and the hook member 71. The urging member 16 urges the hook member 71 toward the engagement position and also urges the column unit 11 upward via the hook member 71. The urging member 16 is, for example, a double torsion spring. That is, the urging member 16 includes the 1 st coil portion 16a and the 2 nd coil portion 16b, the 1 st connecting portion 16c, the 2 nd connecting portion 16d, and the intermediate portion 16e.

The 1 st coil portion 16a is disposed axially forward of the 1 st side plate portion 41a with respect to the left-right direction.

The 2 nd coil portion 16b is disposed axially forward of the 2 nd side plate portion 41b with respect to the left-right direction. That is, the coil portions 16a and 16b are arranged on both sides in the left-right direction with the slit 28 interposed therebetween.

The 1 st connection portion 16c extends upward from the outer end portion of the 1 st coil portion 16a in the lateral direction. The tip end portion of the 1 st connection portion 16c is connected to the upper portion of the 1 st side plate portion 41 a.

The 2 nd connection portion 16d extends upward from the outer end portion of the 2 nd coil portion 16b in the lateral direction. The tip end portion of the 2 nd connecting portion 16d is connected to the upper portion of the 2 nd side plate portion 41 b.

The intermediate portion 16e connects inner side ends of the 1 st coil portion 16a and the 2 nd coil portion 16b in the lateral direction. The intermediate portion 16e is formed in a U shape that opens toward the front when viewed from the vertical direction. The rear end portion of the intermediate portion 16e is abutted to the arm 93 from below. In this way, the urging member 16 urges the hook member 71 toward the engagement position and urges the column unit 11 upward via the hook member 71 by connecting the 1 st side plate portion 41a and the 2 nd side plate portion 41b in a state of abutting against the arm 93 from below.

[ Effect ]

Next, the operation of the steering device 1 described above will be described. In the following description, the telescopic operation, the tilting operation, and the operation at the time of the secondary collision will be mainly described. Fig. 8 and 9 are operation explanatory views of the steering device 1, and are enlarged side views corresponding to fig. 6.

< tilting, telescoping action >)

As shown in fig. 6 and 8, when the front-rear position and angle of the steering wheel 2 are adjusted, the operation lever 51 is first rotated to unlock the steering device 1. Specifically, the operation lever 51 is rotated in a direction (for example, downward) in which the thickness of the fixing cam 52 decreases. Then, the fastening portions 25 are separated from each other together with the side plate portions 41a and 41b, and the inner diameter (width of the slit 28) of the holding tube portion 24 is enlarged. Thereby, the fastening of the holding cylinder portion 24 to the inner column 22 is released, and the fastening of the side plate portions 41a, 41b to the outer column 21 is released. As a result, the telescopic operation and the tilting operation can be performed.

Here, when the operation lever 51 is turned during the transition of the column unit 11 from the locked state to the unlocked state, the lock bolt 50 rotates toward one side (the bolt-side linking portion 50a is at the restricting position) about the axis O3. Then, the bolt-side linking portion 50a rotates to one side about the axis O3, and the arm 93 slides on the bolt-side linking portion 50 a. At this time, the contact position with the arm 93 in the bolt-side contact portion 50a is moved from the flat surface 50a2 to the circular arc surface 50a1, and the distance between the upper surface of the arm 93 and the axis O3 becomes longer. Thereby, the hook member 71 rotates toward one side about the axis O4 against the urging force of the urging member 16, and the claw portion 102 retreats from the concave portion 80, and the forward and backward movement of the EA plate 70 with respect to the hook member 71 is allowed. Since the bolt-side linking portion 50a reaches the restricting position, the return of the hook member 71 to the engaging position is restricted. Further, in the present embodiment, the rotation direction of the lock bolt 50 and the rotation direction of the hook member 71 are opposite to each other.

In the unlocked state, the steering wheel 2 is pushed forward, and the steering wheel 2 moves forward with respect to the outer column 21 together with the inner column 22 and the steering shaft 12. In the unlocked state, the steering wheel 2 is pulled back rearward, and the steering wheel 2 moves rearward with respect to the outer column 21 together with the inner column 22 and the steering shaft 12. This allows the front-rear position of the steering wheel 2 to be adjusted to an arbitrary position.

During the telescopic operation, the EA plate 70 moves integrally with the inner column 22 as the inner column 22 and the like move in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer column 21. When the column unit 11 is in the most contracted position, the front limiting portion 77 of the EA plate 70 abuts against the claw portion 102. Thereby, the forward movement of the inner column 22 relative to the outer column 21 is restricted. On the other hand, when the column unit 11 is in the most extended position, the rear regulating portion 78 of the EA plate 70 abuts against the claw portion 102 from the front. Thereby, the rearward movement of the inner post 22 relative to the outer post 21 is restricted.

In the tilting operation, in order to adjust the steering wheel 2 upward, the steering wheel 2 is pushed upward while the column unit 11 is in the unlocked state. Then, the steering wheel 2 rotates upward along the inclined guide hole 43 along with the column unit 11 and the steering shaft 12 about the axis O2.

On the other hand, in the tilting operation, in order to adjust the steering wheel 2 downward, the steering wheel 2 is pulled downward while the column unit 11 is brought into the unlocked state. Then, the steering wheel 2 rotates downward along the inclined guide hole 43 about the axis O2 together with the column unit 11 and the steering shaft 12. This allows the angle of the steering wheel 2 to be adjusted to an arbitrary position.

After the steering wheel 2 is adjusted to a desired position by the telescopic operation or the tilting operation, the column unit 11 is again brought into a locked state. Specifically, the operation lever 51 is rotated in a direction (for example, upward) in which the thickness of the fixing cam 52 increases. Then, the fastening portions 25 approach the outer column 21 together with the side plate portions 41a and 41b, and the diameter of the holding tube portion 24 (slit 28) is reduced. Thereby, the inner column 22 is fastened by the holding cylinder portion 24, and the outer column 21 is fastened by the side plate portions 41a, 41 b. As a result, the telescopic operation and the tilting operation are restricted.

In the process of shifting the column unit 11 from the unlocked state to the locked state, when the operation lever 51 is rotated, the bolt-side linking portion 50a is moved to the allowable position, and the hook member 71 is moved to the engaged position. Specifically, the contact position with the arm 93 in the bolt-side linking portion 50a is shifted from the circular arc surface 50a1 to the flat surface 50a2 with rotation of the bolt-side linking portion 50a toward the allowable position. Thereby, the hook member 71 is allowed to move to the engagement position. Then, the contact position with the arm 93 in the bolt-side linking portion 50a approaches the axis O3, so that the hook member 71 rotates toward the other side around the axis O4 due to the urging force of the urging member 16. Thereby, the EA pawl 90c enters between adjacent telescopic locking teeth 76.

As shown in fig. 9, the claw portion 102 may interfere with the telescopic lock tooth 76 (ride over the telescopic lock tooth 76) during the movement of the hook member 71 toward the engagement position. In this case, in the present embodiment, the bolt-side contact portion 50a and the arm 93 are brought into contact with each other. Therefore, in the case where the claw portion 102 rides over the telescopic lock tooth 76, the bolt-side linking portion 50a is separated from the arm 93, and the bolt-side linking portion 50a moves to the allowable position independently of the hook member 71. That is, in a state where the claw portion 102 is pressed against the expansion and contraction lock tooth 76 by the urging force of the urging member 16, the bolt-side linking portion 50a moves to the allowable position. As a result, even when the claw portion 102 rides over the telescopic lock tooth 76, the column unit 11 can be shifted to the locked state.

< during secondary collision >

Next, the operation at the time of the secondary collision will be described.

At the time of the secondary collision, a collision load directed forward acts on the steering wheel 2 from the driver. When the collision load is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the steering wheel 2 tries to move forward with respect to the outer column 21 together with the inner column 22 and the steering shaft 12.

Fig. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the steering device 1 at the time of a secondary collision, and is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to fig. 6. Fig. 11 is an operation explanatory view of the steering device 1 at the time of a secondary collision, and is an enlarged bottom view corresponding to fig. 5.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, when the inner column 22 attempts to move forward with respect to the outer column 21, the EA plate 70 attempts to move forward together with the inner column 22. At this time, the telescopic lock teeth 76 and the claw portions 102 are engaged in the front-rear direction, and therefore the EA plate 70 is restricted from moving forward with respect to the outer column 21. When the load acting between the telescopic lock tooth 76 and the claw portion 102 exceeds the static friction force (axial force) acting between the arm 93 and the connecting piece 101, the EA hook 100 moves forward with respect to the pivot shaft 90. Further, the impact load applied to the driver at the time of the secondary collision is relaxed due to the frictional resistance when the EA hook 100 and the hook bolt 105 move forward with respect to the pivot 90.

When the hook bolt 105 is released from the front end opening of the coupling hole 94, the EA hook 100 and the hook bolt 105 are disengaged from the pivot 90. Thus, the inner column 22 and the EA plate 70 are moved forward with respect to the outer column 21 in a unified state (crushing stroke). Specifically, in the steering device 1, the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 22 slides on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 21, and the inner column 22 and the like move forward relative to the outer column 21. Due to frictional resistance between the outer column 21 and the inner column 22, an impact load applied to the driver at the time of a secondary collision is relaxed.

Here, in the present embodiment, the EA plate 70 moves while being held integrally with the inner column 22 during the crushing stroke, and therefore the relative position of the EA plate 70 and the switch bracket 35 does not change. The crushing stroke of the inner column 22 is stopped at a position where the extension piece 35a approaches or abuts against the pivot base 91 from the rear. In addition, EA hook 100 may also fall from EA plate 70 after EA hook 100 is disengaged from pivot 90.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the impact load is relaxed due to the frictional resistance between the pivot 90 and the EA hook 100 and the frictional resistance between the outer column 21 and the inner column 22.

As described above, in the steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the hook member 71 includes: a pivot 90 rotatably supported by the outer column 21 via a pin 95; and an EA hook 100 connected to the pivot shaft 90 via a hook bolt 105 and engaged with the expansion and contraction lock teeth 76 at an engagement position, the EA hook 100 being configured to be detachable from the pivot shaft 90 in association with forward movement of the inner column 22 relative to the outer column 21 at the time of a secondary collision.

According to this configuration, the hook member 71 is separated into the pivot 90 and the EA hook 100 at the time of the crushing stroke, and the EA plate 70 moves forward while being held integrally with the inner column 22. Thus, for example, even when the switch bracket 35 for supporting the wiring of the electric component is provided to the inner column 22, the crushing stroke is performed in a state where the relative position between the EA plate 70 and the switch bracket 35 is kept unchanged. This can suppress interference between the EA plate 70 and the switch bracket 35, and thus can easily ensure a crushing stroke while suppressing an increase in the size of the steering device 1 in the front-rear direction.

In the steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is provided: the EA sheet 70 includes: a front restricting portion 77 that restricts forward movement of the inner post 22 relative to the outer post 21 by abutting against the claw portion 102 from the rear in the most contracted position of the post unit 11; and a rear restriction portion 78 that restricts rearward movement of the inner post 22 relative to the outer post 21 by abutting the claw portion 102 from the front in the most extended position of the post unit 11.

According to this configuration, the most contracted position and the most expanded position of the column unit 11 during the expansion and contraction operation can be defined by the EA plate 70. Thus, since there is no need to provide a separate restricting member, operability can be improved while the number of components is reduced.

In the steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is provided: the pivot shaft 90 includes guide protrusions 92 disposed so as to face the pair of guide rails 79 and capable of abutting the guide rails 79 in the left-right direction.

According to this configuration, the guide projection 92 abuts the guide rail 79 in the left-right direction, and the rotation of the inner column 22 relative to the outer column 21 in the axial circumferential direction is restricted. Thus, for example, during the telescopic operation, the inner column 22 can be smoothly moved while suppressing the rotation of the inner column 22 about the axis O1. Further, since the rotation of the inner column 22 in the circumferential direction of the shaft is suppressed, for example, at the time of a secondary collision, frictional resistance can be effectively generated between the outer column 21 and the inner column 22, and a desired impact absorption performance can be easily ensured.

In the steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is provided: the bolt-side linking portion 50a is formed by connecting an arc surface 50a1 centered on the axis O3 and a flat surface 50a2 having a shorter distance from the axis O3 than the arc surface 50a1 in the circumferential direction of the bolt.

According to this configuration, the contact position with the arm 93 in the bolt-side contact portion 50a is moved from the flat surface 50a2 to the circular arc surface 50a1, and the distance between the upper surface of the arm 93 and the axis O3 becomes longer. Thereby, the hook member 71 rotates toward one side about the axis O4 against the urging force of the urging member 16, and the claw portion 102 retreats from the concave portion 80, and the forward and backward movement of the EA plate 70 with respect to the hook member 71 is allowed. On the other hand, with the rotation of the bolt-side linking portion 50a toward the allowable position, the contact position with the arm 93 in the bolt-side linking portion 50a is shifted from the circular arc surface 50a1 to the flat surface 50a2. Thereby, the hook member 71 is allowed to move to the engagement position. Then, the contact position with the arm 93 in the bolt-side linking portion 50a approaches the axis O3, so that the hook member 71 rotates toward the other side around the axis O4 due to the urging force of the urging member 16.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the contact position with the arm 93 in the bolt-side contact portion 50a is shifted between the circular arc surface 50a1 and the flat surface 50a2, and the hook member 71 is moved from the engagement position to the retracted position. Further, the hook member 71 is moved from the retracted position to the engagement position by the urging force of the urging member 16, so that the rotational direction of the lock bolt 50 can be defined regardless of the rotational direction of the hook member 71 when moving from the engagement position to the retracted position. Therefore, it is possible to correspond to both a configuration (so-called slide fastener type) in which the operation lever 51 is pulled upward to shift from the unlocked state to the locked state and a configuration (so-called push lock type) in which the operation lever 51 is pushed downward to shift from the unlocked state to the locked state. As a result, the steering device 1 having high versatility can be provided.

In the steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is provided: the urging member 16 is disposed between the hook member 71 and the rear bracket 14, and urges the column unit 11 upward via the hook member 71.

According to this configuration, the biasing member 16 can be provided with both the return spring and the tilt balancing spring in the engaged position. This suppresses an increase in the number of components compared with a case where the return spring and the tilt balance spring are provided separately to the engagement position. Therefore, for example, in the tilting operation, the load of the driver supporting the steering device 1 via the steering wheel 2 is reduced, and the column unit 11 can be suppressed from falling to the lowermost end. On the other hand, the hook member 71 is biased toward the engagement position by the biasing member 16, so that the hook member 71 is easily engaged with the expansion and contraction lock tooth 76 when the bolt-side linking portion 50a is in the allowable position. Thus, when the column unit 11 is in the locked state, the movement of the telescopic lock teeth 76 in the front-rear direction with respect to the hook members 71 can be restricted. As a result, operability can be improved.

Above, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made to the structures without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The disclosure is not to be limited by the foregoing description, but only by the appended claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the axis O1 intersects the front-rear direction has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The axis O1 may coincide with the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

In the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the movement of the inner column 22 in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer column 21 is restricted by fastening the outer column 21 to the inner column 22 has been described, but the structure is not limited to this. The inner column 22 may be restricted from moving in the front-rear direction with respect to the outer column 21 only by engagement of the hook member 71 with the telescopic lock tooth 76.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the expansion and contraction lock teeth 76 are formed in the EA plate 70 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The telescoping locking teeth 76 may also be formed directly on the inner post 22.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the EA plate 70 and the switch bracket 35 are arranged at the same position in the axial circumferential direction has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The EA plate 70 and the switch bracket 35 may be disposed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the shaft.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the hook member 71 is moved from the engagement position to the retracted position in accordance with the rotation of the lock bolt 50 is described in addition to the operation lever 51 being coupled to the lock bolt 50, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The hook member 71 may be directly rotated in association with the rotation of the pin 95 on the basis that the operation lever is coupled to the pin 95.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the hook member 71 rotates about the axis O4 along the left-right direction has been described, but the configuration is not limited thereto. The hook member 71 is also rotatable about an axis in the front-rear direction.

In the above embodiment, the hook bolt 105 is taken as an example of the connecting portion, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The connection portion may be a pin or the like that can be pressed in, or may be an adhesive or the like. The connecting portion may be integrally formed with at least one of the pivot 90 and the hook member 71.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the coupling hole 94 is formed in the pivot shaft 90 has been described, but the configuration is not limited thereto. The EA hook 100 may be formed with a structure (for example, a coupling hole or the like) that can separate the pivot 90 from the EA hook 100.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the EA hook 100 is detachably coupled to the pivot 90 via the arm 93 has been described, but the configuration is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the EA hook 100 may be detachably coupled to the pivot base 91.

In the above embodiment, the structure in which the bolt-side linking portion 50a is linked to the pivot 90 has been described, but the structure is not limited to this. The bolt-side contact portion 50a may be connected to the EA hook 100.

In the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the impact load is relaxed by the frictional resistance caused by the axial force of the hook bolt 105 at the time of the secondary collision has been described, but the structure is not limited to this. For example, the following structure may be adopted: on the locus of movement of the hook bolt 105 at the time of the secondary collision, a deformable portion that is plastically deformed by the hook bolt 105 is provided. For example, as the deformable portion shown in fig. 12, a protrusion 130 protruding inward in the left-right direction from the inner surface of the coupling hole 94 may be used. In such a configuration, at the time of the secondary collision, the hook bolt 105 is pushed and deformed by the protrusion 130 while moving forward in the coupling hole 94, and the hook bolt 105 is separated through the front end opening of the coupling hole 94.

As the deformable portion shown in fig. 13, a cross portion 131 that crosses inner surfaces of the connecting hole 94 toward the inner side in the left-right direction may be used. In this case, during the secondary collision, the cross portion 131 breaks during the forward movement of the hook bolt 105 in the coupling hole 94, and the hook bolt 105 is separated through the front end opening of the coupling hole 94.

The components of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately replaced with known components, and the above-described modifications may be appropriately combined without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (5)

1. A steering device is characterized by comprising:

a column unit having: an outer column extending in the front-rear direction; and an inner column which is inserted into the outer column so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and in which a steering shaft is inserted, the steering shaft being rotatable about a 1 st axis extending in the front-rear direction;

a plurality of telescopic locking teeth provided at intervals in the front-rear direction in the inner column; and

a hook member movable between an engagement position where the hook member engages with any one of the plurality of expansion and contraction lock teeth in a front-rear direction and a retracted position where the hook member is retracted from the expansion and contraction lock teeth,

the hook member includes:

a pivot rotatably supported by the outer column via a rotation shaft; and

a claw portion connected to the pivot shaft via a connection portion, engaged with the expansion lock tooth at the engagement position,

the claw portion is configured to be detachable from the pivot shaft in association with forward movement of the inner column relative to the outer column at the time of the secondary collision when the hook member is at the engagement position.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein,

the telescopic locking tooth is formed on a plate member fixed to the inner column,

The plate member includes:

a front restricting portion that restricts forward movement of the inner column relative to the outer column by abutting the hook member from the rear at a most contracted position of the column unit; and

and a rear regulating portion which regulates rearward movement of the inner column relative to the outer column by abutting the hook member from the front in the most extended position of the column unit.

3. The steering device according to claim 2, wherein,

the plate member includes a pair of guide rails extending in the front-rear direction with a space therebetween in the left-right direction,

the pivot shaft includes a guide portion disposed between the pair of guide rails and capable of abutting the guide rails in a lateral direction.

4. A steering apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, comprising:

a shaft member supported by the outer column in front of the rotation shaft so as to be rotatable about a 2 nd axis parallel to the rotation shaft;

a link portion formed on the shaft member and sliding on the hook member in association with rotation of the shaft member, so as to move the hook member from the engagement position to the retracted position;

a biasing member that biases the hook member toward the engagement position; and

An operation unit which is coupled to the shaft member and which performs a rotational operation on the shaft member,

the joint portion is formed by connecting an arc surface centered on the 2 nd axis and a flat surface having a shorter distance from the 2 nd axis than the radius of the arc surface, around the 2 nd axis.

5. The steering device according to claim 4, comprising:

a front bracket that is fitted to the vehicle body and that supports the column unit so as to be rotatable about a 3 rd axis extending in the left-right direction; and

a rear bracket which is mounted to the vehicle body rearward of the front bracket and supports the column unit so as to be movable up and down in association with rotation of the column unit about the 3 rd axis,

the urging member is disposed between the hook member and the rear bracket, and urges the column unit upward via the hook member.