# US 2014/0150596 A1 · Manufacturing method for a steering column, and steering apparatus that uses that steering column > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150596 A1 - Document ID: US20140150596A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/810,909 - Filed: 2012-07-23 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-26 - Assignees: Nsk Ltd. - Inventors: Makoto Nagasawa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150596A1 ## CPC - B62D 1/16: Steering columns - B22D 19/00: Casting in, on, or around objects which form part of the product (B22D23/04 takes precedence; alumino-thermic welding B23K23/00; coating by casting molten material on the substrate C23C6/00) - B22D 19/04: for joining parts - B22D 19/045: {for joining tubes} - B22D 19/16: for making compound objects cast of two or more different metals, e.g. for making rolls for rolling mills (casting compound ingots B22D7/02) - B22D 17/00: Pressure die casting or injection die casting, i.e. casting in which the metal is forced into a mould under high pressure - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B22D: CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES (shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; metallurgical processing, selection of substances to be added to metal C21, C22) ## Abstract Construction is achieved that is capable of maintaining overall strength of a cylindrical-shaped steering column, while at the same time making it possible to make the thickness part of the steering column thin. An outer column 10b, which is a column member of a steering column is formed by connecting in the axial direction a main portion 18 made using a light metal alloy with a cylindrical member 19 made of an iron-based alloy by a concave groove 20 that is formed around the outer circumferential surface of the front end section of the cylindrical member 19 engaging with a protrusion 21 that is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the rear end section of the main portion 18. A ring 22 made using a metallic material is fitted and fastened inside the inner diameter side of the cylindrical member 19 in the connecting section between the main portion 18 and the cylindrical member 19. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering column having a cylindrical shape as a whole and comprising a column member, the column member comprising: a main portion that is made using a light metal alloy, and comprises a convex section provided at one location or more in the circumferential direction on a circumferential surface on one end thereof; a cylindrical member that is made using an iron-based alloy, and comprises a concave section at one location or more in the circumferential direction on a circumferential surface on one end thereof that faces the circumferential surface of the main portion, and together with fitting with the main portion, is connected in the axial direction to the main portion by the engagement of the convex section and concave section; and a ring that is made using a metal material, and is fitted and fastened on the inner diameter side of a connecting section between the main portion and the cylindrical member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering column according to claim 1, wherein the convex section is a protrusion that is formed around the circumference on the circumferential surface of the main portion, and the concave section is a concave groove that is formed around the circumference on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering column according to claim 1, wherein the convex section is a protrusion that is formed so as to be long in the axial direction on the circumferential surface of the main portion, and the concave section is a concave groove that is formed so as to be long in the axial direction on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The steering column according to claim 3, wherein the concave groove is open on an end surface of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The steering column according to claim 3, wherein the concave groove is formed by performing knurling on an end section of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steering column according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is fitted into the main portion, and the ring is fitted and fastened inside the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member, or the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member and a portion of the main portion that is adjacent to a fitting section with the cylindrical member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The steering column according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is fitted onto the main portion, and the ring is fitted and fastened inside the inner circumferential surface of the main portion and a portion of the cylindrical member that is adjacent to a fitting section with the main portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The steering column according to claim 1, wherein a lock through hole of a steering lock apparatus is provided at one location in the middle section in the axial direction of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A manufacturing method of a steering column that is for manufacturing the steering column described in claim 1, comprising the steps of: fitting the ring inside the one end of the cylindrical member; inserting the one end of the cylindrical member into an insertion through hole that is open on an end surface of a die to protrude the one end of the cylindrical member inside the die; inserting an end section of a core cylinder into the ring; and feeding molten light metal alloy into the die to form the main portion and causing part of the molten light metal alloy to enter into the concave section to form the convex section on the circumferential surface of the main portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The manufacturing method of a steering column according to claim 9, wherein the main portion is formed so that the inner diameter of the ring is smaller than the inner diameter of the main portion, and the inner diameter of the cylindrical member is larger than the inner diameter of the main portion that is separated in the axial direction from the connection section with the cylindrical member, and wherein, after the main portion has been formed, machining is performed on the inner diameter side of the ring so that the inner diameter of the ring is equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the portion of the main portion that is separated in the axial direction from the connecting section with the cylindrical member, and is equal to or less than the inner diameter of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A steering apparatus comprising; a steering column that is supported by a vehicle body; a steering shaft that is supported on the inner diameter side of the steering column so as to be able to rotate; and a steering lock apparatus that is provided between the steering column and the steering shaft and that essentially prevents the steering shaft from rotating inside the steering column when in operation; wherein the steering column is the steering column according to claim 8.