JP2000211534A - Tilt type steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tilt type steering device which can be easily manufactured with less parts. SOLUTION: A tilt adjusting mechanism has a tilt bracket 43 fastened to a cross member 9 by bolts 41, a distance bracket 45 holding a steering column, a tilt bolt 47 constituting a fastening means, a tilt lever 49, and the like. The distance bracket 45 has a 3/4 cylindrical holder portion 63 receiving the steering column, and a collar portion 65 of a substantially rectangular section integrally formed on a lower portion of the holder portion 63. Serrations 67, 69 are formed on an outer peripheral face of the steering column and an inner peripheral face of the holder portion 63, respectively. In an assembled state, the serrations 67, 69 are engaged with each other, which causes the steering column and the distance bracket 45 to be coupled to each other with a predetermined coupling force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tilt type steering apparatus, and more particularly, to a technique for facilitating manufacturing and reducing the number of parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since a steering device of an automobile is used (steered) by an unspecified number of drivers, it is desirable that the position of a steering wheel can be adjusted in accordance with an individual's physique and driving posture. In order to respond to such a demand, a tilt steering device having a tilt mechanism is often used not only in passenger cars but also in freight cars and the like.
The tilt mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting a position of a steering wheel in a vertical direction. A tilt pivot, which is a swing center of a steering shaft and a steering column, and a tilt that fixes the steering column at a desired position (a swing angle). It consists of an adjustment mechanism and the like.

FIGS. 9 and 10 (sectional views taken along the line EE in FIG. 9) show an example of a tilt adjusting mechanism in a conventional steering apparatus. The tilt adjusting mechanism includes a tilt bracket 43 having a substantially U-shaped cross-section formed with a flange portion 81 fixed to the vehicle body-side member 9 at the left and right upper ends, and is movable up and down within a predetermined range inside the tilt bracket 43. Distance bracket 45 and tilt bolt 4
7 and a tightening means including a tilt lever 49 and the like. The steering column 1 is welded to the upper part of the distance bracket 45, while the tilt lever 49 is
, A tilt nut 59 screwed to the tilt bolt is fastened by a bolt 61. When the driver tightens the tilt lever after adjusting the steering wheel up and down, the distance bracket is pressed by the tilt bracket 43, and the steering column 1 is fixed to the vehicle body-side member 9 via the tilt bracket 43. Symbol 5 in the figure
Reference numeral 7 denotes an elongated hole formed on the side surface of the tilt bracket 43, into which the tilt bolt 47 is fitted.

[0004] On the other hand, when an automobile collides with another automobile, a building or the like, the driver collides with the steering wheel due to inertia, which may cause serious damage to the head and chest. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring in recent years, passenger cars and the like have widely adopted a drop-out type steering column. The drop-out type steering column is a type in which the steering column falls off together with the steering shaft when a driver makes a secondary collision. For example, in the steering device described above, the left and right flange portions 8 of the tilt bracket 43 are arranged as shown in FIG.
1, a notch 83 having a substantially U-shape whose rear end is opened is formed, and a capsule 85 made of an aluminum alloy or the like is fitted into these notches 83. A plurality of tilt brackets 43 and capsules 85 (in the illustrated example, four
The tilt bracket 43 is fastened to the vehicle body-side member 9 via the capsule 85 using the bolt 41. Therefore, when a forward load equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the steering column 1 at the time of the secondary collision, the tilt bracket 43 slides and separates forward with respect to the capsule 85 after the resin pin 87 breaks, thereby providing a distance. The bracket 45 (that is, the steering column 1) falls off from the vehicle body side member 9.

[0005]

However, the conventional tilt-type steering apparatus has a problem that its structure complicates the manufacturing process and increases the number of parts. For example, the steering column 1 is fixed and integrated on the upper portion of the distance bracket 45 by fillet welding or the like. However, since this involves a welding process between the press forming process and the assembling process, The flow of the production line is deteriorated, which has a considerable effect on mass productivity. Also, as is well known, defects such as thermal distortion occur at a predetermined rate in welding, so that the yield of products is significantly reduced, and the steering column 1 and the distance bracket 4
There was also a problem that a residual stress was generated in No. 5.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned steering apparatus, since the capsule 85 and the resin pin 87 are used to drop the steering column 1, the number of parts naturally increases, and there are also the following problems. That is, the flange portion 81 of the tilt bracket 43 and the capsule 85 are
Since a plurality of through holes are formed at the same positions, and the resin pins 87 are injection-molded in these through holes, the mold used for hole processing (press molding or die casting) becomes complicated, and at the same time, assembly is performed. It is also necessary to install expensive injection molding machines on the line. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tilt type steering device which facilitates manufacture and reduces the number of parts.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a tilt-type steering device capable of adjusting a vertical position of a steering wheel, comprising: a tilt bracket fixed to a vehicle body side member; A distance bracket supported movably up and down by the tilt bracket, and a steering column held by the distance bracket and detaching forward from the distance bracket when a forward load of a predetermined value or more is applied. Suggest something. According to the present invention, for example, the steering column and the distance bracket are coupled with a predetermined coupling force by serration, caulking, or the like, so that the steering column is securely fixed in the normal state, while the secondary collision of the occupant with the steering wheel is performed. Sometimes the steering column will fall forward.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a vehicle cabin side portion of the steering apparatus according to the first embodiment, and reference numeral 1 in the figure denotes a steering column. The steering column 1 is fixed to cross members 7 and 9 which are body-side members via a pivot pin 3 and a tilt adjustment mechanism 5. A steering upper shaft 11 is rotatably supported inside the steering column 1.
An electric assist mechanism 19 including an electric motor 13, a gear housing 15, an output shaft 17, and the like is integrated at a lower portion.

A steering wheel 21 is attached to the rear end of the steering upper shaft 11. When the driver turns the steering wheel 21, the torque is increased by the electric assist mechanism 19 and transmitted to the output shaft 17. Is done. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 25 denotes a steering upper shaft 11 via a universal joint 27.
5 shows a lower steering shaft connected to a front end of the lower steering shaft.
Reference numeral 29 denotes a column cover that covers the steering column 1, and reference numeral 31 denotes a dashboard that partitions a vehicle compartment and an engine room.

FIG. 2 (enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 1) and FIG.
As shown in (BB sectional view in FIG. 2), the tilt adjusting mechanism 5 includes a tilt bracket 43 of a steel plate welded structure product fastened to the cross member 9 by a bolt 41, and a steel plate holding the steering column 1. It comprises a distance bracket 45 of a press-formed product, a tilt bolt 47 and a tilt lever 49 constituting a fastening means. The tilt bracket 43 includes left and right side pieces 51 having an L-shaped cross section,
53, and an upper piece 55 which is fillet welded to the inner upper end surfaces of both side pieces 51, 53. On both side pieces 51 and 53, an arc-shaped long hole 57 centering on the pivot pin 3 is formed on the side surface, and the distance bracket 45 (that is, the distance bracket 45 (that is, The steering column 1) swings up and down. A member indicated by reference numeral 59 in FIG. 3 is a tilt nut screwed to the tilt bolt 47, and is fastened to the tilt lever 49 by a bolt 61.

On the other hand, the distance bracket 45 comprises a 3/4 cylindrical holder 63 into which the steering column 1 is fitted, and a collar 65 having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape integrally formed below the holder 63. I have. In the case of the first embodiment, serrations 67 and 69 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering column 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the holder 63, respectively. In the assembled state, the serrations 67 and 69 are engaged with each other. The steering column 1 and the distance bracket 45 are connected with a predetermined connecting force. The collar portion 65 has both side surfaces in contact with the inner side surfaces of the left and right side pieces 51 and 53, and has a predetermined gap t in the center of the lower end surface.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described below. When the position of the steering wheel 21 becomes inappropriate due to a change of the driver or the like, in the steering device according to the first embodiment, the driver first turns the tilt lever 49 to the unlock side, and And tilt nut 5
Loosen 9 Then, the tightening force of the left and right side pieces 51 and 53 of the tilt bracket 43 disappears, and the steering column 1 can vertically swing together with the distance bracket 45 around the pivot pin 3 as the swing center. This allows the driver to tilt the steering column 1 and adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel 21.

When the adjustment of the position of the steering wheel 21 is completed, the driver turns the tilt lever 49 to the lock side in the opposite direction from the front, and tightens the tilt nut 59 with respect to the tilt bolt 47. Then, the tilt bracket 43
The left and right side pieces 51, 53 of the distance bracket 45 of the distance bracket 45 interposed between the side pieces 51, 53 are pressed by the tilt bolt 47 and the tilt nut 59 and elastically deformed inward. You. Then, the collar portion 65 is elastically deformed until the gap t at the center of the lower end face disappears, and the holder portion 63 is also slightly reduced in diameter, so that the distance bracket 45 is firmly fixed to the tilt bracket 43, and at the same time, the steering column 1 Holder section 63
And the bonding force with the metal also increases.

On the other hand, when the driver makes a secondary collision with the steering wheel 21 due to the collision of the vehicle, a forward load acts on the steering column 1 via the steering upper shaft 11. In the first embodiment, when the forward load exceeds a predetermined value, as shown in FIG.
The steering column 1 slides forward in the holder portion 63 of the distance bracket 45, and the sliding resistance at that time reduces the impact force on the driver due to the secondary collision.

In the first embodiment, by adopting such a configuration, welding connection between the steering column 1 and the distance bracket 45 is not required, and capsules and resin pins used in the conventional device are not required. Thus, the manufacturing process was simplified and the number of parts was significantly reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the tilt bracket and the method of connecting the steering column and the distance bracket. Therefore, the description will be focused on the differences, and the detailed description of the common parts will be described. Omitted. In the steering device according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5), the tilt bracket 43 has substantially the same shape as the above-described conventional device. In addition, the steering column 1 and the holder 63 of the distance bracket 45 are caulked at two places on each of the left and right sides. That is, the steering column 1 is provided with a pair of front and rear through-holes 71 on the left and right sides, while the holder 63 of the distance bracket 45 is provided with a projection 73 that fits into the through-hole 71 with a caulking punch or the like. Thus, the steering column 1 and the distance bracket 45 are coupled with a predetermined coupling force.

The operation of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, since no serration is performed on the steering column 1 and the distance bracket 45, the tilt bracket 43 may be a simple press-formed product. Together, the production cost can be further reduced. In this embodiment, when the steering column 1 slides forward in the holder 63 of the distance bracket 45, the projection 73 separates from the distance bracket 45.
The steering column 1 may be dropped or the steering column 1 may be plastically deformed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in the method of connecting the steering column and the distance bracket. Therefore, the description will be focused on the differences and the detailed description of the common parts will be omitted. In the steering device according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 7), the steering column 1 is press-fitted into the holder 63 of the distance bracket 45. I have. That is, in the holder portion 63 of the distance bracket 45, three convex ridges 75 are formed on the inner side at an angular interval of 120 °, and these convex ridges 75 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering column 1 press-fitted by a press device or the like. By pressing, the steering column 1 and the distance bracket 45 are connected with a predetermined connecting force.

Although the operation of the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment, caulking in the state where the steering column 1 and the distance bracket 45 are combined becomes unnecessary, so that the manufacture of the steering device is reduced. It became even easier. In the present embodiment, when the steering column 1 slides forward in the holder portion 63 of the distance bracket 45, the ridge 75 of the distance bracket 45
As a result, the steering column 1 is plastically deformed.

The description of the specific embodiment has been completed.
The aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a tilt type steering device having an electric assist mechanism, but may be applied to a normal tilt type steering device. The specific shapes of the tilt bracket and the distance bracket, as well as the method of connecting the steering column and the distance bracket, and the like can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a tilt-type steering apparatus in which the vertical position of a steering wheel can be adjusted. A distance bracket movably supported, and a steering column held by the distance bracket and detaching forward from the distance bracket when a forward load of a predetermined value or more is applied, the steering column And the distance bracket can be eliminated, and the number of capsules and resin pins can be reduced, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a passenger compartment side portion of a steering device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a main part of a steering device according to a second embodiment.

6 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a main part of a steering device according to a third embodiment.

8 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a main part of a conventional steering device.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG. 9;

11 is a view as viewed from the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Steering column 3 Pivot pin 5 Tilt adjustment mechanism 7, 9 Cross member 21 Steering wheel 23 Tilt lever 43 Tilt bracket 45 Distance bracket 47 Tilt bolt 49 {Tilt lever 51, 53} Side piece 59> Tilt nut 63> Holder part 65> Collar part 67, 69 serration 71 {through hole 73} protrusion 75} convex ridge

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A tilt type steering device in which a vertical position of a steering wheel can be adjusted, comprising: a tilt bracket fixed to a vehicle body side member; a distance bracket supported by the tilt bracket so as to be movable up and down; A tilt type steering device, comprising: a steering column held by a bracket and detaching forward from the distance bracket when a forward load equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied.