JP2005343331A - Vehicular steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular steering device capable of improving the supporting rigidity of a steering column, enhancing the conductivity to a vehicle body side, stabilizing the behavior during a collision, and performing simplification without increasing the number of components. <P>SOLUTION: Vehicle body mounting parts 13, 13 of a vehicle body side bracket 11 have projection parts 17, 17 protruded higher than resin-made capsules 12, 12 for detachment. The projection part 17 is protruded from a top face A (a vehicle body mounting face) of the resin-made capsule for detachment by the slight interval (δ). Thus, for example, even when a defect is present during the resin injection molding of a shear pin, conductivity between the vehicle body side bracket 11 and the vehicle body side is ensured, and the conductivity to the vehicle body side can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus in which a steering column is supported by a vehicle body side bracket such as a tilt bracket.

  Since the vehicle steering device is used (steered) by an unspecified driver, it is desirable that the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted in accordance with the individual physique, driving posture, and the like. In order to meet such demands, many adopt a tilt type mechanism or a telescopic type mechanism.

  The tilt mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel substantially vertically, and includes a tilt pivot for swingably supporting the steering column and a tilt for clamping the steering column at a desired position (swing angle). -It consists of clamping means.

  Further, the telescopic mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the front-rear direction (the axial direction of the steering shaft). It consists of telescopic clamping means that clamps the steering column at the position (extension amount).

  Furthermore, when the automobile collides with another obstacle, the driver may collide with the steering wheel due to inertia. In recent passenger cars and the like, in order to prevent a driver from being damaged in such a case, an impact absorption type steering shaft and an impact absorption type steering column device are widely adopted. The shock absorption type steering column device is one in which the steering column is detached together with the steering shaft when the driver makes a secondary collision, and usually collides simultaneously with the steering shaft, and at that time, the collision energy is absorbed.

  Further, in the steering device, it is necessary to ground the steering wheel and electric devices provided in the vicinity thereof, such as a horn and other electric switches. Normally, the vehicle body side is energized through a conductive steering column, a vehicle body side bracket, a release resin capsule, a vehicle body mounting screw, etc., connected to a conductive steering shaft.

  In Patent Document 1, the energization between the vehicle body side bracket and the vehicle body side is performed by interposing an electrically conductive member made of a conductive material elastically deformed between the vehicle body mounting portion of the vehicle body side bracket and the release resin capsule. Secure continuity.

In Patent Document 2, energization between the vehicle body side bracket and the vehicle body side is carried out by bending an energizing spring between the vehicle body mounting portion of the vehicle body side bracket and the release resin capsule to ensure electrical conduction. ing.
Utility Model Registration No. 2522250 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-75922

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the connection between the vehicle body attachment portion of the vehicle body side bracket and the release resin capsule is a resin injection molding of a shear pin, the vehicle body attachment portion and the release resin are used depending on the molding method. There is a possibility that a gap is generated between the capsule and the energization is disabled as a result.

  There is also a desire to further improve the support rigidity of a vehicle body side bracket such as a tilt bracket that supports the steering column.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and improves the support rigidity of the steering column, and at the same time, improves the electrical conductivity with the vehicle body side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering device that can be simplified without increasing the number of points.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention supports a steering column by a vehicle body side bracket, and a detachment resin at the time of a secondary collision is provided on a vehicle body mounting portion of the vehicle body side bracket. In a vehicle steering device with a capsule interposed,
The vehicle body attachment portion has a protrusion that protrudes higher than the detachable resin capsule.

  According to the present invention, since the vehicle body mounting portion of the vehicle body side bracket has a protruding portion that protrudes higher than the resin capsule for detachment, the contact point with the vehicle body side is increased, and the support rigidity of the steering column can be improved. it can.

  In addition, by providing the protrusion, even if there is a deficiency in the resin injection molding of the shear pin, it is possible to ensure the energization between the vehicle body side bracket and the vehicle body side, and the electrical conductivity between the vehicle body side is improved. Can be improved.

  In addition, by providing protrusions, the fulcrum with the vehicle body increases, reducing the effects of `` twisting '' and `` bending '' that the vehicle body side bracket receives during secondary collisions and stabilizing the movement behavior of the steering column. Can be

  Further, the protrusion can be formed by press molding or the like on the vehicle body side bracket, and can be simplified without increasing the number of parts.

  A vehicle tilt / telescopic steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a tilt / telescopic steering device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  2 is a front view of the tilt / telescopic clamping mechanism shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the vehicle body side bracket shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. 4 is an enlarged view of a vehicle body mounting portion of the vehicle body side bracket of FIG. 5 is a side view of the vehicle body side bracket shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a side view of the opposite side of the vehicle tilt and telescopic steering device shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering column is composed of a lower column 1 that is swingably attached to the vehicle body, and an upper column 2 that is telescopically slidably fitted to the lower column 1. Thus, at the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, it can collapse and contract. A steering shaft 3 is rotatably provided in both columns 1 and 2.

  An upper vehicle body side bracket 11 is provided at the front portion of the upper column 2, and the upper vehicle body side bracket 11 is a pair of vehicle bodies to be attached to the vehicle body via the release resin capsules 12, 12 at the time of a secondary collision. There are mounting portions 13, 13 and a pair of opposed flat plate portions 14, 14 extending substantially vertically from the vehicle body mounting portions 13, 13 and facing each other. A pair of elongated slots 15 and 15 are formed in the pair of opposed flat plate portions 14 and 14, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the release resin capsules 12 and 12 are attached to the vehicle body side together with the vehicle body attachment portions 13 and 13 by the bolts 16 shown in FIGS. At the time of the secondary collision, the shear pin of the resin injection molding (not shown) is broken, so that the vehicle body attachment portions 13 and 13 are detached from the vehicle body.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle body attachment portions 13 and 13 of the vehicle body side bracket 11 have projections 17 and 17 that protrude higher than the detachable resin capsules 12 and 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 17 protrudes from the top surface A (vehicle body mounting surface) of the release resin capsule by a slight distance (δ). The shape of the protrusion 17 may be any.

  Thus, since it has the projection part 17, the contact point with the vehicle body side increases and the support rigidity of a steering column can be improved.

  In addition, by providing the protrusions 17, even if there is a deficiency in the resin injection molding of the shear pin, it is possible to ensure the energization between the vehicle body side bracket 11 and the vehicle body side, and the energization with the vehicle body side. Can be improved.

  Further, the provision of the protrusions 17 increases the fulcrum with the vehicle body side, alleviates the effects of “squeezing” and “bending” that the vehicle body side bracket 11 receives during a secondary collision, and the steering column starts to move. Can be stabilized.

  Further, the protrusion 17 can be formed by press molding or the like on the vehicle body attachment portion 13 of the vehicle body side bracket 11 and can be simplified without increasing the number of parts.

  The upper vehicle body side bracket 11 is provided with a tilt / telescopic clamp mechanism.

  The upper column 2 is formed in a thick wall shape in the column radial direction and the vehicle width direction through the slit S at the front part of the vehicle, holds the lower column 1, and tightens the lower column 1 by reducing or expanding the diameter. A pair of thick clamp portions 20 and 20 to be released are provided.

  A pair of through holes 21 and 21 are formed in the pair of clamp portions 20 and 20. A tightening bolt 30 is inserted into the through holes 21 and 21.

  A nut 25 is screwed and fixed to the screw portion side of the tightening bolt 30 via a cam lock mechanism including a pair of cam members 22a and 22b, an operation lever 23, and a thrust bearing 24. .

  The cam lock mechanism includes a first cam member 22a having a crest or a trough that rotates with the operation lever 23, and a crest or trough that engages with the crest or trough of the first cam member 22a. And a non-rotating second cam member 22b.

  In addition, a multi-plate friction engagement mechanism is used. That is, tilt friction plates 26 and 26 are attached to the outer surfaces of the opposed flat plate portions 14 and 14, respectively. Between these friction plates 26, 26, telescopic friction plates 27, 27 are interposed.

  The tilt friction plates 26, 26 are formed with tilt long holes 26a corresponding to the tilt long holes 15, and the telescopic friction plates 27, 27 are telescopic corresponding to the telescopic adjustment range. An oblong hole 27a is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the long slots for tilting 15 and 26 a are formed in a straight line and are orthogonal to the axis of the upper column 2.

  As such a background, in the case of only tilt adjustment, conventionally, the long slot for tilting is formed in a curved shape centered on the tilt pivot. However, this curved shape is difficult to process. Therefore, it is formed in a wide linear shape that includes the curved locus drawn by the tightening bolt inside. However, in this case, since the long slot for tilting becomes relatively wide, the gap between the tightening bolt and the long slot for tilting becomes large, the position of the operating lever is not stable, and there is a backlash when the operating lever is released. May be large.

  Therefore, in the case of not only tilt adjustment but also tilt / telescopic adjustment as in the present embodiment, the telescopic long holes 21 and 27a are added, so that the tilt long holes 15 and 26a remain small. It can be formed in a linear shape. This is because even if the column fitting length is kept constant and the tilting operation is performed, the tilting long holes 15 and 26a and the telescopic long holes 21 and 27a are well combined, so that the tilting long holes 15 and 26a are linear. Can operate even with a small gap.

  From the above, in the structure of the present embodiment, the long slots for tilt 15 and 26 a are formed in a straight line and are orthogonal to the axis of the upper column 2. When machining the long slots for tilt 15 and 26a, it is necessary to burring the long slots for tilt 15 and 26a of the outermost tilt friction plate 26, as will be described later. Compared to, the straight shape is easier.

  Further, since the bolt 28 of the fixing means for the tilting friction plate 26 is arranged only on one side (upper side) on the central axis of the tilting long hole 26a, the number of parts can be reduced. The operability at the time of tilt / telescopic adjustment can be further improved by the effect of the gap between the fastening bolt 30 and the long slot for tilt 26a.

  As such a background, if the tilt friction plates are attached on both sides as in the prior art, the degree of freedom of deformation of the tilt friction plates is reduced. On the other hand, when mounted on one side (upper side) as in the present embodiment, the degree of freedom of deformation, in particular, the degree of freedom in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the tilting friction plate 26 increases, and the tilting friction plate 26 and telescopic This is because the operation at the time of tilt / telescopic adjustment when the friction plate 27 moves by passing is smooth.

  The telescopic friction plate 27 is fixed by a bolt 29 only on the front side of the vehicle.

  Further, the tightening bolt 30 through which the tilt elongated holes 15 and 26a and the telescopic elongated holes 21 and 27a are passed is formed with a head 31 having a non-circular shape and a pair of flat surfaces 31a. In addition, a spacer member 32 is provided.

  The spacer member 32 includes a groove wall portion 33 that engages with the flat surface 31a of the non-circular head portion 31 and keeps the head portion 31 non-rotatably so as to be slidable, and a long slot for tilting the friction plate 26 for tilting. 26a, and a ridge 34 that slides in engagement with 26a.

  Note that the long slot for tilt 26a into which the protrusion 34 is slidably fitted is burring processed, and a flange 35 is provided around the long slot for tilt 26a.

  Therefore, when the tilt / telescopic is released, the non-circular head portion 31 of the tightening bolt 30 can be slid while being kept non-rotated by the groove wall portion 33 of the spacer member 32, and the sliding direction is tilted. If the long hole 26a is directed in the width direction, that is, as shown in FIG. 6, the flat surface 31a of the head 31 and the groove wall portion 33 extend in the axial direction of the upper column 2, the tilt The gaps 15 and 26a and the shaft portion of the tightening bolt 30 can be rattled by a gap, and this looseness effect can further improve the operability when releasing tilt and telescopic.

  Further, the tilt friction plate 26 and the telescopic friction plate 27 are interposed, so that the holding force (tightening force) of the upper column 2 at the time of tilt / telescopic tightening is increased, and in particular, the secondary collision. The holding power at the time can be improved. Further, when the upper column 2 is detached from the vehicle body at the time of the secondary collision, the plurality of friction plates are prevented from slipping.

  In addition, by appropriately changing the number of the friction plates 26 and 27 of the multi-plate friction engagement mechanism, it is possible to adjust the starting load at the time of the secondary collision and to avoid the synchronization with the release resin capsule 12. .

  The operation of the tilt / telescopic clamp mechanism is as follows.

  In the case of tilt / telescopic adjustment, when the operation lever 23 is rotated in one direction, the first cam member 22a rotates, and the non-rotating tightening bolt 30 is released from the axial tension, and the opposing flat plate The tightening of the parts 14, 14, the pair of clamp parts 20, 20, the friction plates 26, 27, etc. is released.

  That is, the distance between the pair of opposed flat plate portions 14 and 14 is expanded, the clamping of the pair of clamp portions 20 and 20 is released, and the width thereof is expanded.

  As a result, the lower column 1, the upper column 2, the steering shaft 3, and the like can be rotated around a tilt pivot (not shown) to adjust the tilt.

  Further, the upper column 2 and the steering shaft 3 and the like can be telescopically adjusted by sliding in the axial direction by a pair of widened clamp portions 20 and 20.

  On the other hand, when tilting and telescopic tightening, when the operation lever 23 is rotated in the reverse direction, the first cam member 22a rotates, and the non-rotating tightening bolt 30 is pulled in the axial direction. The pair of opposed flat plate portions 14 and 14 are tightened.

  As a result, the distance between the pair of opposed flat plate portions 14 and 14 is narrowed, and the pair of clamp portions 20 and 20 are tightened. As a result, the pair of clamp portions 20 and 20 can clamp the lower column 1 in pressure contact and can be tilted and telescopically tightened. At this time, the holding force (clamping force) of the upper column 2 can be increased by interposing the tilting friction plate 26 and the telescopic friction plate 27.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a side view of the opposite side of the vehicle tilt / telescopic steering device according to the modification.

  In the above embodiment, when the tilt / telescopic is released, the non-circular head portion 31 of the fastening bolt 30 can be slid while being kept non-rotated by the groove wall portion 33 of the spacer member 32. Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the sliding direction faces the width direction of the long slot for tilt 26a, that is, as shown in FIG. 6, the flat surface 31a of the head 31 and the groove wall portion 33. Extends in the axial direction of the upper column 2.

  On the other hand, in this modified example, the sliding direction is directed to the longitudinal direction of the long slot 26a for tilting, that is, as shown in FIG. 7, the flat surface 31a of the head 31 and the groove wall 33 are the upper column. It extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the two.

  For this reason, in this modified example, it is impossible for the tilt grooves 15 and 26a and the shaft portion of the tightening bolt 30 to be rattled by the gap, and there is no effect of rattling, and tilt telescopic The operation may not be smooth. If the positional relationship between the groove wall 33 and the long slot for tilt 26a is not managed in the same direction, the relationship between the long slot for tilt 26a of the friction plate for tilt 26 and the long slot for tilt 15 of the opposing flat plate section 14 will be described. Will worsen, affecting the tilt and telescopic operation.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible.

1 is a side view of a vehicle tilt / telescopic steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the tilt / telescopic clamping mechanism shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle body side bracket shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the vehicle rear side. It is an enlarged view of the vehicle body attachment part of the vehicle body side bracket of FIG. It is a side view of the vehicle body side bracket shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the opposite side of the vehicle tilt and telescopic steering device shown in FIG. 1. It is a side view of the opposite side of the tilt / telescopic steering device for vehicles which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lower column 2 Upper column 3 Steering shaft 11 Upper vehicle body side bracket 12 Separation resin capsule 13 Car body attachment part 14 Opposite flat plate part 15 Tilt long hole 16 Bolt 17 Protrusion part 20 Clamp part S Slit 21 Through-hole 22a, 22b Cam member 23 Operation lever 24 Thrust bearing 25 Nut 26 Friction plate 26a Long hole 27 Friction plate 27a Long hole 28, 29 Bolt 30 Tightening bolt 31 Head 31a Flat surface 32 Spacer member 33 Groove wall portion 34 Projection portion 35 Flange

Claims (1)

In a vehicle steering apparatus in which a steering column is supported by a vehicle body side bracket and a resin capsule for detachment at the time of a secondary collision is interposed in a vehicle body mounting portion of the vehicle body side bracket.
The vehicle body mounting portion has a protrusion that protrudes higher than the detachable resin capsule.

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