Outer column and steering column apparatus

摘要

A steering-column apparatus minimizes the force required for expanding or contracting the portion where an inner column fits and is supported and improves the ease of operation for adjusting the position of a steering wheel. A split is provided in the bottom surface of the front section of an outer column includes a main slit section in the axial direction and a sub slit section in the circumferential direction, with the front-end section of the main slit section being open on the edge on the rear side thereof. The length from the main slit section to one end section in the circumferential direction of both end sections in the circumferential direction of the sub slit section, is longer than the length from the main slit section to the other end section in the circumferential direction.

主权项

1. An outer column, the outer column formed using a metal material into a cylindrical shape as a whole, and constructing a steering column by fitting with an inner column so that sliding is possible, and the outer column comprising:
a slit formed in one half section in an axial direction of the outer column for decreasing a rigidity in a radial direction of the one half section in the axial direction; and a pair of supported sections provided in positions on both sides of the slit in a width direction of the outer column, with through holes formed in portions of the pair of supported sections that are aligned with each other; the slit comprising a main slit section formed in the axial direction; and a sub slit section formed in a circumferential direction of a front-end section of both end sections in the axial direction of the main slit section in case that the outer column is arranged on a rear side, or in a circumferential direction of a rear-end section of both end sections in the axial direction of the main slit section in case that the outer column is arranged on a front side, with the front or rear end section in the axial direction of the main slit section being open to part in the circumferential direction of the sub slit section; a length in the circumferential direction from the main slit section to one end section of both end sections of the sub slit section, which is in one half section in the width direction of the outer column is, longer than a length in the circumferential direction from the main slit section to the other end section which is in the other half section in the width direction of the outer column; a first area of the slit in the one half section in the width direction is larger than a second area of the slit in the other half section in the width direction, and a rigidity in the width direction of the one half section in width direction of a portion of the outer column where the slit is formed is less than a rigidity in the width direction of the other half section in the width direction of the portion of the outer column where the slit is formed.