JP2000289628A - Tilt telescopic steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce manufacturing cost and positively prevent a steering column from moving at the time of the secondary collision of a vehicle with no need of the high machining accuracy of respective lock teeth. SOLUTION: The lower part of a steering column 1 is formed so that a lower bracket 16 hung by a pin 15 may be fixed to a vehicle, the pin 15 is inserted into an elongate hole 17 for telescoping formed in the lower bracket 16, and the pin 15 and a clamping bolt 11 are connected by a connecting member 18. The clamping bolt 11 is inserted into an elongate hole 21 for telescoping formed in the end of the connecting member 18, a lock member 23 having an upper bracket side lock tooth is fixed on the side surface of an upper bracket 7, and a connecting member side lock tooth engaged with the upper bracket side lock tooth is formed on the end of the connecting member 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tilt / telescopic steering apparatus capable of adjusting a tilt angle and an axial position of a steering wheel of a vehicle.
The present invention relates to a tilt / telescopic steering device that can reduce the manufacturing cost and reliably prevents the movement of a steering column at the time of a secondary collision of a vehicle without requiring high processing accuracy of each lock tooth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The tilt angle of a steering wheel is adjusted by tilting a steering column according to the physique and driving posture of a driver, and the shaft of the steering wheel is moved by moving the steering column in the axial direction. 2. Description of the Related Art A tilt telescopic steering device capable of adjusting a directional position is also known.

For example, in a tilt telescopic steering apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-99640, a fixed bracket is fixed to a vehicle body so as to surround the steering column from above, and the steering column is supported from below. As a result, a distance bracket is fixedly provided on the steering column. Tightening bolts are inserted into the long holes for tilting of the fixed bracket and the long holes for telescopic of the distance bracket, and a screw nut at one end of the tightening bolt is screwed with a tightening nut which is turned by an operation lever. Have been combined.

At the time of tilting and telescopic tightening, the operating lever is swung to reduce the distance between the tightening nut and the head of the tightening bolt, and the fixed bracket is pressed against the distance bracket to lock the steering column.

On the other hand, at the time of tilt / telescopic adjustment, the operation lever is swung in the opposite direction to increase the distance between the tightening nut and the head of the tightening bolt, and release the pressing between the fixed bracket and the distance bracket.

Thus, for tilt adjustment, the steering column is tilted while moving the tightening bolt along the tilting long hole of the fixed bracket to adjust the tilt angle of the steering column. For the telescopic adjustment, the distance bracket and the steering column are moved in the axial direction while the telescopic long hole is engaged with the tightening bolt, and the axial position of the steering column is adjusted.

[0007]

In a secondary collision of a vehicle, an impact load acts on the steering column from the rear of the vehicle toward the front. However, since the steering column is provided diagonally on the vehicle, the impact load is reduced. , Acting as a component force in the axial direction (telescopic direction) and a component force in the direction perpendicular to the axis (upward tilt). When this impact load acts on the distance bracket via the steering column, if the tightening force of the tightening bolt and the tightening nut is weak, the distance bracket is moved in the axial direction or the direction perpendicular to the axis,
Accordingly, there is a possibility that the steering column is also moved in the axial direction or the direction perpendicular to the axis.

To cope with this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 640, a tilt lock tooth portion is fixedly provided at an edge of a long slot for tilt, a telescopic lock tooth portion is fixedly provided at an edge of a long hole for telescopic, and a lock which meshes with the tilt lock tooth portion. A tilt-side movable member having a tooth portion and a telescopic-side movable member having a lock tooth portion that meshes with the telescopic lock tooth portion are provided by being inserted into a tightening bolt.

Accordingly, when the tilt / telescopic screw is tightened, the lock teeth of the movable member on the tilt side mesh with the teeth of the tilt lock, and the lock teeth of the movable member on the telescopic side also mesh with the teeth of the telescopic lock. Even if an impact load is applied due to a secondary collision of the vehicle, the movement of the distance bracket and the steering column can be reliably prevented.

During tilt / telescopic adjustment, if the operating lever is swung to widen the space between the tightening nut and the head of the tightening bolt, the lock teeth of both movable members are shifted from the corresponding lock teeth. Because of the separation, the tilt / telescopic adjustment can be performed as described above.

However, a tilt lock tooth portion and a lock tooth portion of the tilt side movable member are required for tilt tightening, and the telescopic lock tooth portion and the telescopic side movable member are required for telescopic tightening. It requires a lock tooth and
Since a total of four lock teeth are required, the number of processing steps is large and the production cost may be increased. In addition, there is a means for reducing the manufacturing cost by integrally molding each lock tooth portion, but it is technically difficult.

Further, when the lock teeth are engaged with each other, if the lock teeth are not machined with high accuracy, the meshing state becomes incomplete. Therefore, a high precision is required as the machining accuracy of each lock tooth. May be done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and can reduce the manufacturing cost, and does not require a high processing accuracy of each lock tooth.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tilt / telescopic steering apparatus that reliably prevents a steering column from moving during a secondary collision of a vehicle.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a tilt telescopic steering apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an upper bracket fixed to a vehicle body on an upper portion of a steering column, and provided inside the upper bracket. , A distance bracket supporting the steering column is slidably provided, and a long hole for tilt of the upper bracket and a long hole for telescoping of the distance bracket are provided.
A tilt / bolt with a tightening bolt inserted and one end of the tightening bolt provided with a pressing mechanism operated by swinging an operating lever
In a telescopic steering device, a lower bracket that suspends a lower portion of a steering column with a pin is fixedly provided on a vehicle body, a pin is inserted into a long telescopic hole formed in the lower bracket, and the pin and a tightening bolt are connected. A connecting member is connected, a tightening bolt is inserted into a telescopic slot formed at an end of the connecting member, and an upper bracket side locking tooth portion is fixedly provided on a side surface of the upper bracket, and the connection is performed. It is characterized in that a connecting member side lock tooth portion which meshes with the upper bracket side lock tooth portion is provided at an end of the member.

As described above, according to the present invention, at the time of tilting and telescopic tightening, the operating lever is swung so that the locking tooth portion of the connecting member is engaged with the locking tooth portion of the upper bracket by the pressing mechanism. By pressing the upper bracket against the distance bracket, the steering column can be firmly locked.

At the time of tilt / telescopic adjustment, the operating lever is swung in the opposite direction to release the pressing mechanism, the locking member on the connecting member is separated from the locking tooth on the upper bracket to release the meshing state, and Release the pressure between the bracket and the distance bracket.

Thus, for tilt adjustment, the steering column is tilted while moving the tightening bolt along the long slot for tilting of the upper bracket to adjust the tilt angle of the steering column. For the telescopic adjustment, the distance bracket and the connecting member, while engaging the telescopic long hole of the distance bracket and the connecting member with the tightening bolt and the telescopic long hole of the lower bracket with the pin. Then, the steering column is integrally moved in the axial direction to adjust the axial position of the steering column.

At the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, the impact load acts on the steering column from the rear of the vehicle toward the front.
Considering the component force in the axial direction (telescopic direction) and the component force in the direction perpendicular to the axis (upward tilt), the component force in the axial direction is
Since the connecting member is pulled forward in the axial direction via the steering column and the pin, this pulling force allows the locking tooth portion on the connecting member side to strongly mesh with the locking tooth portion on the upper bracket side. The force acts to increase the frictional force between the locking teeth, and as a whole, the locking teeth can be firmly engaged. Therefore, even if an impact load is applied due to a secondary collision of the vehicle, the movement of the distance bracket and the steering column can be reliably prevented, and a stable shock absorbing performance can be obtained.

Further, unlike the conventional case, the mechanism for preventing the movement of the steering column can be constituted by the two lock teeth without requiring the four lock teeth, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Can be.

Furthermore, as described above, since the axial force of the impact load pulls the connecting member forward in the axial direction, the locking teeth are strongly engaged with each other.
It is not necessary to precisely process each lock tooth portion, and it is possible to avoid the complexity of the processing operation.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A tilt telescopic steering apparatus 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 apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the tilt telescopic steering device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the connecting member, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a meshing state of the lock teeth. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 1
An upper shaft 2 is rotatably supported via a bearing 3 at an upper portion of the steering column 1. A lower shaft 4 spline-fitted to the upper shaft 2 is rotatably supported at a lower portion of the steering column 1 via a bearing 5. I have. A steering gear (not shown) is provided at a lower end of the lower shaft 4.
Is provided with a universal joint 6 which is connected to.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an upper bracket 7 fixed to the vehicle body is provided above the steering column 1, and a distance bracket 8 for supporting the steering column 1 is provided inside the upper bracket 7.
Are slidably provided.

A slot 9 for tilting of the upper bracket 7 and a slot 10 for telescoping of the distance bracket 8 are
A tightening bolt 11 is inserted, and a cam-type pressing mechanism that is operated by swinging an operation lever 12 is provided at one end of the tightening bolt 11. The other end of the tightening bolt 11 has
A fixing nut 11a is screwed.

In this cam type pressing mechanism, the operation lever 12
A first cam block 13 that is rotated in conjunction with the swing of the first cam block 13 is provided so as to pass through the tightening bolt 11, and a cam sliding contact surface that meshes with and engages with the cam sliding contact surface of the first cam block 13. A second cam block 14 having the following is provided so as to pass through the tightening bolt 11.

Thus, when the operation lever 12 is swung at the time of tightening the tilt / telescopic lens, the first and second cam blocks 13 and 14 cooperate with each other to lock the connecting member-side locking tooth portion 24 described later on the upper bracket side. The upper bracket 7 is pressed against the distance bracket 8 by pressing the lock tooth portion 22. On the other hand, when the tilt / telescopic release is released, when the operation lever 12 is swung in the opposite direction, the first and second cam blocks 13 and 14 are separated from each other, and a connecting member side locking tooth portion 24 and an upper bracket side described later. The pressing (engagement) with the lock tooth portion 22 is released, and the pressing between the upper bracket 7 and the distance bracket 8 is released.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a lower bracket 16 for suspending a lower portion of the steering column 1 with a pin 15 is fixed to the vehicle body. This pin 15
Is fixed to the steering column 1 and is inserted through a telescopic slot 17 formed in the lower bracket 16. Although a cylindrical spacer 19 and a washer-shaped spacer 20 are interposed between the connecting member 18 and the pin 15 to improve the operability, they need not be particularly provided.

The pin 15 and the tightening bolt 11 are connected by a plate-like connecting member 18, and the tightening bolt 11 is inserted into a telescopic slot 21 formed at an end of the connecting member 18.
Is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper bracket 7
A lock member 23 having an upper bracket-side lock tooth portion 22 is fixedly provided on the side surface of the connecting member 18. As shown in FIG. 5, an end portion of the connecting member 18 meshes with the upper bracket-side lock tooth portion 22. Connecting member side locking tooth 2
4 are formed. The lock member 23 has a long tilt hole 25 corresponding to the long tilt hole 9 of the upper bracket 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, all the teeth of the upper bracket side lock tooth portion 22 have a tooth profile with a radius R, and all the teeth of the connecting member side lock tooth portion 24 are also shown in FIG. Thus, the teeth have the same radius R. That is,
The teeth of each of the two lock members are shaped so as to be translated at appropriate intervals. The tooth profile may be a straight tooth (radius R = ∞).

As shown in FIG. 7, a relatively large gap is provided between the tooth surface of the lock tooth portion 22 on the upper bracket side and the tooth surface of the lock tooth portion 24 on the connecting member side. At the time of telescopic tightening, the “peak shape” of the connecting member-side lock tooth portion 24 is set in a meshing state so as to press the “valley shape” of the upper bracket-side lock tooth portion 22. The tilt / telescopic holding force is obtained by the frictional force that presses the “peak shape” on the “valley shape”.

At the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, the "slope" of the connecting member side lock tooth portion 24 comes into close contact with the "slope surface" of the upper bracket side lock tooth portion 22.

Therefore, the impact load acts on the steering column from the rear to the front of the vehicle. However, considering the component force in the axial direction (telescopic direction) and the component force in the direction perpendicular to the axis (upward tilt), this is considered. With respect to the component force in the direction perpendicular to the axis, two types of frictional forces, the frictional force between the closely contacted "slopes" and the frictional force in the "peak and valley shape", oppose each other. 8 and the steering column 1 are prevented from moving in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

The component force in the axial direction pulls the connecting member 18 forward in the axial direction via the steering column 1 and the pin 15. This pulling force causes the locking tooth 24 on the connecting member to lock the locking teeth 24 on the upper bracket. It can be strongly engaged with the portion 22 to prevent the distance bracket 8 and the steering column 1 from moving in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, a leaf spring 26 extends between the side surface of the upper bracket 7 and the connecting member 18. Thus, when the operation lever 12 is loosened at the time of releasing the tilt and telescopic, the leaf spring 26
The urging force releases the pressing (engagement) between the connecting member side locking tooth portion 24 and the upper bracket side locking tooth portion 22.

With the above configuration, tilt /
At the time of telescopic tightening, when the operation lever 12 is swung, the first and second cam blocks 13 and 14 cooperate to press the upper bracket side lock tooth portion 22 so that the connection member side lock tooth portion 24 meshes with the upper bracket side lock tooth portion 22. At the same time, the upper bracket 7 is pressed against the distance bracket 8 to lock the steering column 1 firmly.

At the time of tilt / telescopic adjustment, when the operating lever 12 is loosened, the urging force of the leaf spring 26 causes the connecting member-side lock teeth 24 and the upper bracket-side lock teeth 2 to move.
2 and the pressing between the upper bracket 7 and the distance bracket 8 is released.

Thus, for tilt adjustment, the steering column 1 is tilted while moving the tightening bolt 11 along the tilting holes 9 and 25 of the upper bracket 7 and the lock member 23, thereby tilting the steering column 1. Adjust the angle. For the telescopic adjustment, the distance bracket 8 and the telescopic slots 10 and 21 of the connecting member 18 are engaged with the tightening bolts 11, and the telescopic slot 17 of the lower bracket 16 is engaged with the pins 15. Meanwhile, the distance bracket 8, the connecting member 18, the upper shaft 2, and the steering column 1 are integrally moved in the axial direction, and the axial position of the steering column 1 is adjusted.

At the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, the impact load acts on the steering column 1 from the rear to the front of the vehicle, but is divided into an axial component (telescopic direction) and a component perpendicular to the axial direction (tilt upward). Considering this separately, the axial component force pulls the connecting member 18 forward in the axial direction via the steering column 1 and the pin 15, so that the pulling force causes the connecting member-side locking tooth portion 24 to lock the upper bracket side. The teeth 22 can be strongly engaged with each other, thereby preventing the distance bracket 8 and the steering column 1 from moving in the axial direction.

Also, with respect to the component force in the direction perpendicular to the axis, the frictional force between the "sloped surfaces" of the two lock teeth 22, 24 in close contact with each other, and the "peak / valley" of the two lock teeth 22, 24. Two kinds of frictional forces oppose each other, thereby preventing the distance bracket 8 and the steering column 1 from moving in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

Therefore, as a whole, both lock teeth 2
Since the vehicle 2 and the vehicle 24 are in a firm engagement state, even if an impact load is applied due to a secondary collision of the vehicle, the movement of the distance bracket 8 and the steering column 1 can be reliably prevented, and as a result, stable impact absorption can be achieved. Performance can be obtained.

Further, unlike the conventional case, the movement preventing mechanism of the steering column 1 can be constituted by the two lock teeth 22 and 24 without the need for the four lock teeth, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Reduction can be achieved.

Further, as described above, since the axial component of the impact load pulls the connecting member 18 forward in the axial direction, the locking teeth 22 and 24 are strongly engaged with each other. As shown in FIG.
4, a relatively large gap may be provided, and it is not necessary to precisely process the tooth shapes of the lock tooth portions 22 and 24, and it is possible to avoid complicated processing operations.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if an impact load is applied by a secondary collision of the vehicle, the movement of the distance bracket and the steering column can be reliably prevented, and stable impact absorption performance can be obtained.

Further, unlike the conventional case, the movement preventing mechanism of the steering column can be constituted by the two lock teeth without the need for the four lock teeth, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Can be.

Furthermore, since the axial force component of the impact load pulls the connecting member forward in the axial direction so that the two lock teeth are strongly engaged with each other, it is necessary to precisely process each lock tooth. In addition, the complexity of the processing operation can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the tilt telescopic steering device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the connecting member.

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

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a meshing state of lock teeth.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering column 2 Upper shaft 3 Bearing 4 Lower shaft 5 Bearing 6 Universal joint 7 Upper bracket 8 Distance bracket 9 Long hole for tilt 10 Long hole for telescoping 11 Tightening bolt 11a Nut 12 Operating lever 13 First cam block 14 Second cam Block 15 Pin 16 Lower bracket 17 Telescopic long hole 18 Connecting member 19 Cylindrical spacer 20 Washer-like spacer 21 Telescopic long hole 22 Upper bracket side lock teeth 23 Lock member 24 Connection member side lock teeth 25 Tilt length Hole 26 leaf spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] An upper bracket fixed to a vehicle body is provided on an upper portion of a steering column, and a distance bracket for supporting the steering column is slidably provided inside the upper bracket. In a tilt telescopic steering device in which a tightening bolt is inserted into a long hole for a telescopic bracket and a pressing mechanism operated by swinging an operating lever is provided at one end of the tightening bolt. Is fixed to the vehicle body, and a pin is inserted through a telescopic slot formed in the lower bracket. The pin and the tightening bolt are connected by a connecting member. Insert a tightening bolt into the telescopic slot formed at the end, and tighten the upper bracket An upper bracket-side lock tooth portion is fixedly provided on a side surface of the socket, and a connection member-side lock tooth portion that meshes with the upper bracket-side lock tooth portion is provided at an end of the connection member. Tilt
Telescopic steering device.