IP Library Granted Patent US 12,291,165
Granted Patent B2
US 12,291,165 · App. 17/906,880 · Granted May 6, 2025

Steering column device

Inventors: Kazuki Fujiwara (Toyohashi, JP); Takuya Adachi (Toyohashi, JP); Masayoshi Sakuda (Kashihara, JP)
Assignees: JTEKT COLUMN SYSTEMS CORPORATION; JTEKT CORPORATION
B60R25/02115
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,291,165
App. No.
17/906,880
Granted
May 6, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A steering shaft is rotatably provided inside an outer column and an inner column. A key lock collar is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft, the outer peripheral surface facing the outer column. The key lock collar includes a key lock collar body and a cylindrical portion. Multiple concave parts and convex parts extending in the axial direction are provided on an outer peripheral part of the key lock collar body along the circumferential direction. A lock key is engaged with the concave parts from adjacent to the outer column, and thus the rotation of the steering shaft with respect to the outer column is restricted. An outer diameter of the cylindrical portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the convex parts and larger than an outer diameter of the concave parts.

Claims (16)

1. A steering column device, comprising:

a shaft support member in a cylindrical shape provided adjacent to a vehicle body;

a steering shaft rotatably provided inside the shaft support member;

a key lock collar mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft, the outer peripheral surface facing the shaft support member, the key lock collar including a plurality of concave parts each extending in an axial direction on an outer peripheral part thereof and a plurality of convex parts formed between the concave parts along a circumferential direction; and

a lock key provided on the shaft support member and restricting rotation of the steering shaft with respect to the shaft support member by making a tip part of the lock key engage with the concave parts of the key lock collar, wherein

the key lock collar includes a key lock collar body including the plurality of concave parts and the plurality of convex parts, and a cylindrical portion provided adjacent in the axial direction to the key lock collar body,

an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion is smaller than an outer diameter of a circle including tip surfaces of the plurality of convex parts and larger than an outer diameter of a circle including outside surfaces of the plurality of concave parts, and

a rigidity of the cylindrical portion and a rigidity of the key lock collar body are substantially equal.

2. The steering column device according to claim 1 , wherein in the key lock collar, an axial length of the cylindrical portion is shorter than an axial length of the key lock collar body.

3. The steering column device according to claim 1 , wherein in the key lock collar, the cylindrical portion has a thickness that is non-uniform.

4. The steering column device according to claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical portion is thinner at a part thereof opposite to a part thereof adjacent to the key lock collar body than the part thereof adjacent to the key lock collar body.

5. The steering column device according to claim 4 , wherein the thickness of the cylindrical portion gradually decreases from the part thereof adjacent to the key lock collar body toward the part thereof opposite to the part thereof adjacent to the key lock collar body.

6. The steering column device according to claim 5 , wherein at least one of an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to an axis of the cylindrical portion.

7. The steering column device according to claim 5 , wherein at least one of an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is formed in a stepped shape along an axial direction of the cylindrical portion.

8. The steering column device according to claim 1 , wherein a tolerance ring is provided between the key lock collar and the steering shaft.

9. The steering column device according to claim 8 , wherein the tolerance ring is elastically deformed radially outward while being assembled between the key lock collar and the steering shaft, the tolerance ring including a spring-shaped portion that is compressed between the key lock collar and the steering shaft.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 21, 2023
From: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
To: JTEKT COLUMN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065658/0823 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2022
From: FUJIWARA, KAZUKI; ADACHI, TAKUYA; SAKUDA, MASAYOSHI
To: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.; JTEKT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 061164/0394 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2020-057862 · Mar 27, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230150451A1 · May 18, 2023
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