Abstract: In a steering system, a pair of first tooth rows that is movable integrally with an upper jacket includes first teeth each of which has a tooth trace extending in an up-down direction Z and which is arranged at a pitch in an axial direction. A tooth member shaped by compression molding includes a pair of second teeth provided on respective side surfaces of a pair of side surfaces of a body portion supported by a lower jacket, the side surfaces extending parallel to each other. The second teeth mesh with the respective first tooth rows in accordance with operation of an operation member that regulates extension and contraction of a column jacket. The second teeth have tooth tips displaced from each other by a distance shorter than a predetermined pitch.

Abstract: A lock device of a steering system includes a tongue piece unit and a frame plate held on a first side plate. The tongue piece unit includes elastic tongue pieces supported in a cantilever manner by a vertical frame provided along at least one of longitudinal edge portions of at least one of first side plates to form a row that extends in a tilt direction. The frame plate includes partitioning portions, between which a plurality of grooves are formed to house the elastic tongue pieces so as to be projectable. When a steering column is locked, some of the elastic tongue pieces are pressed by a pressing surface of a tightening member to be retracted into grooves. Consequently, the tightening member is interposed between the elastic tongue pieces projecting from the grooves in the tilt direction.

Abstract: When telescopic locking is released, a second tooth defining member operating in conjunction with rotation of a clamping shaft acts to separate second teeth of the second tooth defining member from first teeth arranged in a column axial direction. At this time, a second portion of the second tooth defining member on which the second teeth are formed is guided by a second guide mechanism in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the column axial direction to release meshing engagement between the first teeth and the second teeth. A first portion of the second tooth defining member that is supported so as to be rotatable around a support is guided in a column axial direction by a first guide mechanism so as not to hinder operation of the second guide mechanism.

Abstract: When telescopic locking is released, a second tooth defining member interlocked with rotation of a clamping shaft via an interlocking mechanism (a driving member and a coupling shaft) acts to separate second teeth of the second tooth defining member from first teeth arranged in a column axial direction. At this time, the second teeth rotate in a circular-arc-like trajectory around a central axis of a support shaft, while the support shaft itself slides through a long groove formed in an outer jacket in the column axial direction. Thus, the movement trajectory of the second teeth during release of meshing engagement is in a direction approximately orthogonal to the column axial direction (the direction in which the first teeth are arranged).

Abstract: A second tooth defining member includes a first portion rotatably supported around a support so as to be movable in the column axial direction and a second portion defining second teeth coming into meshing engagement with first teeth moving together with an upper jacket. A guide mechanism guides the second portion in an inclination direction inclined with respect to an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the column axial direction. The guide mechanism includes a guide shaft supported by the lower jacket, and a guide hole that is slot formed in the second portion and extending in the inclination direction. The guide hole has a first end and a second end. The second end of the guide hole is arranged farther from the second teeth than the first end and above the first end in the column axial direction.

Abstract: In a steering system configured such that occurrence of a half lock is suppressed, when a body portion of a tooth member is pressed in a lock operation of locking the position of a steering column, the tooth member is extended to move a pair of second tooth row forming portions away from each other obliquely with respect to a lateral direction of an elongate tilt hole along the outer surface of a fastening side plate.

Abstract: A steering system includes a second tooth defining member and an energy absorbing unit. The energy absorbing unit includes energy absorbing portions each including a first portion extending upward in a column axial direction from a restraining portion restrained in the column axial direction and a second portion formed by folding back the energy absorbing portion at a fold-back portion, the energy absorbing portions being separated from each other in a first orthogonal direction, and a coupling portion that couples the second portions together and moves together with the second tooth defining member at the time of the secondary collision. At the time of the secondary collision, the energy absorbing portions allow the fold-back portions to move downward in the column axial direction to absorb impact energy while guiding downward movement of the second tooth defining member in the column axial direction between facing edges of the energy absorbing portions.

Abstract: A steering system includes an engaged member fixed to an upper jacket, an engaging member rotatably supported by a lower jacket, and an impact absorbing member including a movable portion that moves together with the engaging member at the time of a secondary collision, to absorb impact made at the time of the secondary collision. The engaged member has a plurality of engaged teeth. The engaging member comes into engagement with the engaged teeth in accordance with an operation of an operation member. At the time of the secondary collision, the engaging member is disengaged from the lower jacket, and moves along with the upper jacket while in engagement with the engaged teeth.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a lock mechanism that moves a tooth such that the tooth advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes, and retreats from the lock plate to be disengaged from the hole. The lock plate includes a bent portion as a stopper at an end portion of the lock plate in the axial direction, and the stopper restricts a movement of an upper jacket relative to a lower jacket in the axial direction by abutting on the lock mechanism in the axial direction when the steering shaft and the column jacket is telescopically adjusted.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes and a plurality of partition portions arranged in the axial direction; and a tooth that advances to and retreats from the lock plate, and that is engaged with one of the holes of the lock plate. The steering shaft includes a first end to which a steering member is mounted and a second end. The partition portions are provided such that a height of a first end-side partition portion in a direction toward the tooth retreated from the lock plate is greater than that of a second end-side partition portion positioned on a second end side of the first end-side partition portion.

Abstract: A steering system includes an upper bracket having a first tooth row, a rigid tooth member, a second tooth row provided on the tooth member, a first moving member, and an elastic member disposed between the tooth member and the first moving member. The first tooth row includes a plurality of first teeth. The second tooth row includes a plurality of second teeth. The elastic member exerts a constant restoration force. The second tooth row meshes with the first tooth row when the first teeth and the second teeth are alternately arranged in a tilt direction.

Abstract: In a steering system configured such that occurrence of a half lock is suppressed, when a body portion of a tooth member is pressed in a lock operation of locking the position of a steering column, the tooth member is extended to move a pair of second tooth row forming portions away from each other obliquely with respect to a lateral direction of an elongate tilt hole along the outer surface of a fastening side plate.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock member that advances to an advance position at which the lock member is engaged with one of holes of a lock plate and that retreats to a retreat position at which the lock member is disengaged from the hole of the lock plate; an operation member that is mechanically separated from the lock member; a biasing member that constantly biases the lock member toward the advance position; and a transmission member that moves the lock member to the retreat position against a biasing force of the biasing member in accordance with operation of the operation member.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a support shaft that extends in a cross direction crossing the axial direction and includes a low-strength portion to be broken when a load acts on the steering shaft and the column jacket; and a lock member that advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes. The lock member is disengaged from the one of holes when the support shaft is broken in a state in which the lock member is engaged with the one of the holes.

Abstract: A lock device of a steering system includes a tongue piece unit and a frame plate held on a first side plate. The tongue piece unit includes elastic tongue pieces supported in a cantilever manner by a vertical frame provided along at least one of longitudinal edge portions of at least one of first side plates to form a row that extends in a tilt direction. The frame plate includes partitioning portions, between which a plurality of grooves are formed to house the elastic tongue pieces so as to be projectable. When a steering column is locked, some of the elastic tongue pieces are pressed by a pressing surface of a tightening member to be retracted into grooves. Consequently, the tightening member is interposed between the elastic tongue pieces projecting from the grooves in the tilt direction.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes and a plurality of partition portions arranged in the axial direction; and a tooth that advances to and retreats from the lock plate, and that is engaged with one of the holes of the lock plate. The steering shaft includes a first end to which a steering member is mounted and a second end. The partition portions are provided such that a height of a first end-side partition portion in a direction toward the tooth retreated from the lock plate is greater than that of a second end-side partition portion positioned on a second end side of the first end-side partition portion.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock member that advances to an advance position at which the lock member is engaged with one of holes of a lock plate and that retreats to a retreat position at which the lock member is disengaged from the hole of the lock plate; an operation member that is mechanically separated from the lock member; a biasing member that constantly biases the lock member toward the advance position; and a transmission member that moves the lock member to the retreat position against a biasing force of the biasing member in accordance with operation of the operation member.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a lock mechanism that moves a tooth such that the tooth advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes, and retreats from the lock plate to be disengaged from the hole. The lock plate includes a bent portion as a stopper at an end portion of the lock plate in the axial direction, and the stopper restricts a movement of an upper jacket relative to a lower jacket in the axial direction by abutting on the lock mechanism in the axial direction when the steering shaft and the column jacket is telescopically adjusted.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a steering shaft and a column jacket that are telescopically adjustable in an axial direction; a lock plate provided with a plurality of holes; a support shaft that extends in a cross direction crossing the axial direction and includes a low-strength portion to be broken when a load acts on the steering shaft and the column jacket; and a lock member that advances to the lock plate to be engaged with one of the holes. The lock member is disengaged from the one of holes when the support shaft is broken in a state in which the lock member is engaged with the one of the holes.