Patent ID: 7252306
Filing Date: 2007-08-07
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A steering assembly comprising: a steering shaft; and a steering column for retaining the steering shaft, the steering column including a column tube for rotatably supporting the steering shaft, and a column housing for retaining the column tube, the column housing including a positioning portion, and a fitting hole having an aperture at the positioning portion, the column tube including an insertable end inserted in the fitting hole, the steering assembly further comprising a reinforcing member to reinforce the insertable end of the column tube, the reinforcing member including a sleeve having a first end and a second end, and a flange extended radially outwardly from the first end of the sleeve, the sleeve being fitted on an outer periphery of the insertable end of the column tube, and inserted in the fitting hole of the column housing at the second end thereof, the flange of the reinforcing member abutted on the positioning portion of the column housing thereby axially and/or radially positioning the column tube; wherein the reinforcing member is made of metal; wherein the sleeve of the reinforcing member is press-fitted onto an outer circumference of the insertable end of the column tube, wherein relative movement between the sleeve of the reinforcing member and the column tube is restricted in an axial direction; wherein the flange of the reinforcing member and the positioning portion of the column housing are coupled to each other in a state where the flange of the reinforcing member abuts the positioning portion; and wherein the column tube is fixed to the column housing by the reinforcing member.