JP2000344113A - Steering structure for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering structure for a vehicle capable of making compatible with each other the assurance of supporting rigidity of a steering operation unit and the increase of degree of freedom for positional setting of the steering operation unit by forming the steering operation unit of an operation detection part detecting the operation of a steering wheel by an occupant and the steering wheel and supporting the steering operation unit so that it can be positionally adjusted around a vehicle side support part provided in an instrument panel. SOLUTION: A steering structure of a vehicle comprises an operation detection part 30 detecting the operation of a steering wheel 29 by an occupant, a steering part 26 steering a steered wheel, and flexible transmission means 45 connecting the operation detection part 30 to the steering part 26. A steering operation unit 31 is formed of the steering wheel 29 and the operation detection part 30, and the steering operation unit 31 is positioned adjustably about a vehicle side support part 50 provided in an instrument panel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation detecting section for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant, a steering section for steering a steered wheel, and a flexible transmission means for connecting between the operation detecting section and the steering section. And a vehicle steering structure such as a so-called cable-type steering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a steering structure of a vehicle of the above-described example, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-5543, 11-11325, and 11-11326 disclose the following.
There is a structure of the publication. That is, JP-A-11-5543
In the publication, a cable is stretched between a pulley (drive pulley) provided on a steering wheel side and a pulley (driven pulley) provided on a steering section for steering a steered wheel, and an outer peripheral surface of the drive pulley is provided. While the outer peripheral surface of the driven pulley is convex, while maintaining the tension of the cable constant, the tilting power and tilt of the steering wheel (front wheel) with respect to the rotational force and rotational angle of the steering wheel It is configured to change the angle.

[0003] Also, the cable described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-11325 has a cable stretched between a drive pulley provided on a steering wheel side and a driven pulley provided on a steering section for steering a steered wheel. At the same time, a pulley housing for rotatably storing the pulley is provided, and a slider biased in a direction away from the pulley is mounted in the pulley housing. The tension is applied to the wound cable to compensate for the elongation of the cable.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-11326 discloses that a steering wheel operated by an occupant and a steering gear box for steering the steered wheels are connected by a cable in which an inner member is housed inside an outer member. The rotation of the steering wheel is configured to be transmitted to the steering gear box via the inner member, and the outer member is made of a metal pipe material, thereby preventing the outer member from bending and preventing steering wheel operation. It has enhanced rigidity. When such a so-called cable-type steering is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, it is required to secure the support rigidity of the steering and to improve the degree of freedom in setting the position of the steering.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a steering link operation unit is formed by both an operation detecting unit for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant and the steering wheel. By supporting the operation unit so that its position can be adjusted centering on the vehicle-side support portion provided in the instrument panel, the support rigidity of the steering operation unit is ensured, and the degree of freedom in setting the position of the steering operation unit including the steering wheel is increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure that can achieve both improvement and improvement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect, the steering operation unit is supported so as to be vertically adjustable so that the tilt operation of the steering wheel can be performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering structure of a vehicle that can secure the vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect, the steering operation unit is supported so that the position thereof can be adjusted in the front-rear direction, so that the telescopic operation of the steering wheel is achieved. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering structure of a vehicle that can secure the vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, power is transmitted between the operation detecting section and the steering section by a cable and a pulley. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure capable of improving the degree of freedom of layout of components constituting the steering structure.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect of the present invention, a steering support member (an instrument panel) extending the vehicle-side support portion in the vehicle width direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure that can further increase the support rigidity of the steering operation unit by setting to (agree with members).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the third aspect, the steering wheel is made substantially flat with the instrument panel when the steering operation unit is moved forward of the vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure capable of increasing the space inside the vehicle when the steering wheel is moved forward by moving the steering wheel forward, and improving the getting on / off property and securing sufficient space for a break.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, when the above-mentioned steering operation unit is moved, the steering wheel is moved substantially parallel to the oblique front-rear direction. By configuring as much as possible, it is a simple movement according to the occupant's physique,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure capable of adjusting a steering wheel up and down and front and back.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect, a cable operating unit including a cable and a pulley is provided, and the cable operating unit itself is mounted on a vehicle-side support portion. By letting you support
It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering structure of a vehicle in which a cable operating unit having a relatively large shape is arranged close to a vehicle-side support portion, and a space required for adjusting a steering position can be minimized.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation detecting unit for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant, a steering unit for steering a steered wheel, the operation detecting unit and a steering unit. And a flexible transmission means for connecting between the steering wheel and the operation detection unit, the steering operation unit is formed from the steering wheel and the operation detection unit, the steering operation unit is provided in the instrument panel And a vehicle steering structure in which the position can be adjusted about the vehicle-side support portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the steering operation unit is a vehicle steering structure supported so as to be vertically adjustable in position. Features.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the steering operation unit is a steering structure of a vehicle supported so as to be adjustable in the front-rear direction. Features.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second or third aspect, power is transmitted to the operation detecting section and the steering section by a cable and a pulley. It is a vehicle steering structure configured as described above.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle-side support portion is set to a steering support member extending in the vehicle width direction. And a vehicle steering structure.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, when the steering operation unit moves forward of the vehicle, the steering wheel is made substantially flat with the instrument panel. It is characterized by a steering structure of a vehicle configured as desired.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the steering wheel is moved substantially obliquely in the front-rear direction when the steering operation unit is moved. It is a steering structure of a vehicle configured as described above.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a cable operating unit including a cable and a pulley is provided, and the cable operating unit is mounted on the vehicle-side support portion. It is a steering structure of a supported vehicle.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation of the steering wheel by the occupant is transmitted to the steered wheels via the operation detecting part, the transmitting means and the steering part, and the steered wheels are steered. However, a steering operation unit composed of a steering wheel and an operation detection unit is
Since the position is supported so as to be adjustable around the vehicle-side support portion, the support rigidity of the steering operation unit can be ensured.Since the steering operation unit including the steering wheel does not have a steering shaft as before, There is an effect that the degree of freedom in setting the position of the unit can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the steering operation unit is supported so that the position can be adjusted in the vertical direction, so that the tilt operation of the steering wheel can be ensured.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, since the steering operation unit is supported so as to be position-adjustable in the front-rear direction, the telescopic operation of the steering wheel can be ensured.

According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present invention,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1, 2, or 3,
Since the power of the operation detecting section is transmitted to the steering section by the cable and the pulley, the steering shaft connecting the steering wheel and the steering gear as in the past is not required, and the degree of freedom of the layout of the components constituting the steering structure is eliminated. There is an effect that improvement can be achieved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
A steering support member as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle-side support portion (in agreement with the instrument panel member), in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.
, There is an effect that the support rigidity of the steering operation unit can be further increased.

According to the invention described in claim 6 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the third aspect of the present invention, when the steering operation unit is moved forward of the vehicle, the steering wheel is configured to be substantially flat with the instrument panel, so that the steering wheel can be moved forward. When it is substantially flat with the instrument panel, the interior space of the vehicle is enlarged, and as a result, there is an effect that it is possible to achieve an improvement in getting on and off and a sufficient space for a break.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1, 2, or 3,
When the above-mentioned steering operation unit is moved, the steering wheel is configured to move substantially parallel in the oblique front-rear direction, so that the up-down and front-rear adjustment of the steering wheel can be performed simultaneously while performing simple movements according to the physique of the occupant. There is an effect that can be.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effects of the first aspect of the present invention, a cable operation unit including a cable and a pulley is provided, and the cable operation unit is supported by the vehicle-side support portion. The unit can be arranged close to the vehicle-side support portion, so that the required space for adjusting the steering position can be minimized.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show the steering structure of the vehicle. First, the front body structure of the vehicle will be schematically described with reference to FIGS.

A dash lower panel 1 for partitioning an engine room and a vehicle compartment is provided. A floor panel 2 extending substantially horizontally is joined to a lower end of the dash lower panel 1, while a dash upper panel is attached to an upper end of the dash lower panel 1. 3, cowl upper panel 4, cowl lower panel 5
And a cowl box 6 extending in the vehicle width direction.

In an engine room 8 whose upper portion is openably opened and closed by a hood 7 (hood), a battery 10 is mounted on an upper portion of the tire house 9 and an engine mount (not shown) is mounted on a front side frame 11. )
The engine 12 is mounted via the.

On the other hand, the meter hood 13
The instrument panel 14 is provided with a meter 15, a vent duct 16, and a defroster duct 17.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 18 denotes a front window glass, reference numeral 19 denotes a headlamp, reference numeral 20 denotes a front differential device, reference numeral 21 denotes a front wheel as a steered wheel, and reference numeral 22 denotes a master for converting the depressing force of a brake pedal 23 into hydraulic pressure. This is the back (mass cylinder).

Next, the steering structure of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. A steering gear box 24 which accommodates a rack and a pinion therein and extends in the vehicle width direction is provided, and tie rods 25, 25 are provided at both ends of the rack.
To form a steering unit 26 that steers the front wheels 21.

The above-mentioned steering gear box 24
A cable operating unit 28 on the driven side is mounted on an upper part of a pinion holder 27 integrally formed with the cable. The cable operation unit 28 has a driven pulley therein, and is configured to transmit the rotational force of the driven pulley to the pinion in the pinion holder 27.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, an operation detecting unit 30 for detecting the operation of the occupant on the steering wheel 29 is provided, and a steering operation unit 31 is formed by both the operation detecting unit 30 and the steering wheel 29 described above. ing.

The steering operation unit 31 is configured as follows. That is, a movable shaft 34 is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the fixed shaft 32 via a bearing 33, and a driving bevel gear 35 is integrally formed at a lower end portion of the movable shaft 34.

A column 36 is integrally connected to the outer periphery of the upper end of the movable shaft 34, while the horn pad 3 is connected to the upper end of the fixed shaft 32 via a base member 37.
8 is attached, and an airbag inflator 39 is disposed on the upper surface of the base member.

When the steering wheel 29 is operated, the column 36, the movable shaft 34, and the driving bevel gear 3 are kept in a state where the elements 32, 37 to 39 are not rotated.
5 is configured to rotate.

A pulley box 40 as a cable operation unit attached to the fixed shaft 32 is provided, and a driving pulley 42 is rotatably mounted inside the pulley box 40 via a pulley shaft 41. A driven bevel gear 43 is formed integrally with 42.

A part of the pulley box 40 is cut out to form a notch part 44, a part of the driven bevel gear 43 is led out from the notch part 44, and this lead-out part is connected to the driving bevel gear 35. Are engaged.

Further, a flexible cable 45 is wound around the driving pulley 42 in the pulley box 40 described above, and this cable 45 is led out of the pulley box 40 via a cable guide 46.

The cable 45 is a transmission means for connecting between the driving pulley 42 in the pulley box 40 and the driven pulley in the cable operation unit 28 on the steering section 26 side. The cable 45 is an outer cable and an inner cable. However, for convenience of illustration, only the inner cable is shown. In the drawing, 47 is a combination switch, and 48 is a steering lock unit. Next, a support structure of the steering operation unit 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dash upper panel 3
A steering bracket 51 having a gate-shaped cross section is stretched between a rear surface portion of the vehicle and a steering support member 50 (vehicle side support portion) as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction.

The above-mentioned steering support member 50 is provided with a fixing bracket 52 which is rotatable about the member 50. This fixing bracket 5
Numeral 2 denotes two members located outside the left and right side surfaces of the steering bracket 51 which are integrally connected by a connecting plate 53 (see FIG. 2). The front end of the fixing bracket 52 is formed on the steering bracket 51. A pin 55 (guide means) to be inserted into the arc-shaped guide groove 54 (guide means) is provided.

A bent rail mounting portion 52a is provided at the slanted rear end of the fixing bracket 52, and a slide rail 56 is mounted on the rail mounting portion 52a.

That is, the slide rail 56 includes a plurality of fixed rails (so-called outer rails) 57 and 58 fixed to the rail mounting portion 52a, and fixed rails 57 and 58.
A movable rail (so-called inner rail) 59 slidable along 58, and a ball 6 interposed between these rails
The above-described pulley box 40 is fixed between movable rails 59, 59 having left and right and rollers 61 and configured symmetrically.

Here, the projecting piece 6 is attached to the fixed rail 58 described above.
A support shaft 63 is provided through the support shaft 2, and a lock lever 64 biased by a spring is attached to the support shaft 63 so as to always engage with the locking holes 58 a, 59 a of the rails 58, 59.

That is, the above-mentioned steering operation unit 31 is supported so as to be vertically adjustable (tilt operation possible) around the steering support member 50 and to be adjustable in the front-rear direction (telescopic operation possible) by the slide rail 56.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the steering operation unit 31 moves forward of the vehicle, the lower surface of the steering wheel 29 and the surface of the instrument panel 14 are configured to be substantially flat. The panel 14 has a correspondingly shaped concave portion 14a.

In the drawing, reference numeral 65 denotes a footrest (so-called ottoman) which can be raised and lowered about a support shaft 66.
The spring is always biased to the stowed state shown in the drawing, and when the occupant puts his / her foot during a rest or the like, it turns clockwise in the drawing against the urging force.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure will be described. Steering wheel 29
Is rotated, the operating force is transmitted to the driven bevel gear 43 on the pulley box 40 side via the column 36, the movable shaft 34, and the driving bevel gear 35, whereby the driving pulley 42 is rotated. The rotational force is transmitted to the driven pulley in the cable operation unit 28 via the cable 45, and the front wheel 21 as a steered wheel can be steered via the steering unit 26 having a rack and pinion mechanism.

By the way, the steering operation unit 31
To adjust the position of the steering bracket in the vertical direction, the steering support member 50 is used as a tilt center to fix the fixing bracket 5.
When 2 is changed in the same direction, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the up and down direction within the range in which the arc-shaped guide groove 54 is formed, and the steering wheel 29 can be tilted.

On the other hand, to adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the front-rear direction, the lock lever 6 shown in FIG.
When the movable rail 59 is adjusted in the front-rear direction along the fixed rails 57 and 58 after releasing the slide lock by the slide lock 4 as shown in FIG. 6, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted back and forth. The wheel 29 can be telescopically operated.

As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 (an embodiment corresponding to claims 1 to 6), the operation of the steering wheel 29 by the occupant is controlled by the operation detecting unit 30, the transmission means (see the cable 45) and the steering. The steering wheel is transmitted to the steered wheels (see the front wheels 21) via the unit 26, and the steered wheels are steered. The steering operation unit 31 including the steering wheel 29 and the operation detection unit 30 is connected to the vehicle-side support unit (the steering support member). 50), the support rigidity of the steering operation unit 31 can be ensured, and the steering wheel 29 can be secured.
Since the steering operation unit 31 including the above does not have the steering shaft as before, there is an effect that the degree of freedom in setting the position of the unit 31 can be improved.

The steering operation unit 3 described above
1 is supported so that the position of the steering wheel 29 can be adjusted in the vertical direction, so that the tilting operation of the steering wheel 29 can be ensured.

Further, since the steering operation unit 31 is supported so that the position thereof can be adjusted in the front-rear direction, there is an effect that the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 can be ensured.

In addition, the power of the operation detecting unit 30 is controlled by the cable 45 and the pulley (see the driving pulley 42).
6, the steering shaft connecting the steering wheel and the steering gear as in the prior art is not required, and the layout of components constituting the steering structure can be more freely arranged.

Moreover, the steering support member 50 as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction from the above-described vehicle-side support portion.
Since this is set to (agree with the instrument panel member), there is an effect that the support rigidity of the steering operation unit 31 can be further increased.

As shown in FIG. 7, the steering wheel 29 is configured to be substantially flat with the instrument panel 14 when the steering operation unit 31 is moved forward of the vehicle. When the movable panel is made substantially flat with the instrument panel 14 by moving, the interior space of the vehicle is enlarged, and as a result, there is an effect that improvement in getting on and off and a sufficient space for taking a break can be achieved.

FIGS. 8 to 13 show another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, in FIGS. 8 to 13, the same parts as those in the previous figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the cable 45 is led downward from the pulley box 40 because the cooler unit 67 and the blower unit 68 are installed inside the instrument panel 14. .

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, the movable shaft 34 rotatably provided on the outer periphery of the fixed shaft 32 via bearings 33, 33, and rotatable on the outer periphery of the fixed shaft 32 via bearings 69, 69. And a driving pulley 42 provided integrally with the pulley box 40. The cable 45 is led downward through a cable guide 46 provided below the pulley box 40.

The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is configured as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, a steering support member 50 as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction and a sub-member 70 as a strength member extending in parallel with the steering support member 50 in the vehicle width direction are provided. , These two members 50,7
The fixing bracket 71,
71 is attached.

The left and right fixing brackets 71,
71, the steering support member 5 described above.
A pair of left and right control brackets 72, 72 rotatable about zero is provided.

On the other hand, a steering shaft 73 having a square cross section is integrally attached to the pulley box 40 described above.
A total of three guide rollers 74 are supported between the left and right control brackets 72 so as to sandwich the steering shaft 73 from above and below.

Further, the left and right fixing brackets 7
Between the members 71, 71, the locking means 75
Is installed. The locking means 75 is a sub-member 70
A pipe portion 76 that is loosely fitted to the pipe portion, a lever portion 77 integrally or integrally formed with the pipe portion 76 and extending rearward, and projecting pieces 78 and 78 extending upward from right and left of the pipe portion 76.
A roll 79 is stretched between the projecting pieces 78, 78, and a gear (not shown) is gear-cut or knurled on the outer peripheral surface of the roll 79. A gear (not shown) is also gear-cut at a predetermined portion.

Further, the above-mentioned locking means 75 is always spring-biased in the locking direction so that the gear of the roll 79 meshes with the gear on the lower surface of the steering shaft 73 and regulates the movement of the shaft 73.

On the other hand, the left and right fixing brackets 7
The guide brackets 1 and 71 are formed with arc-shaped guide holes 71a and 71a (guide means) around the steering support member 50, and guide pins 80 and 80 (guide means) provided at the free ends of the control brackets 72 and 72. ) Are inserted into the above-mentioned guide holes 71a, 71a.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure (the embodiment corresponding to claims 1 to 5) will be described. When the steering wheel 29 is turned, the operating force is transmitted to the driving pulley 42 on the pulley box 40 side via the column 36, the movable shaft 34, and the driving bevel gear 35, and the pulley 42 is rotated. This rotational force is transmitted to the driven pulley in the cable operation unit 28 via the cable 45 led downward, and the front wheel 21 as a steered wheel can be steered through the steering unit 26 having a rack and pinion mechanism. .

The steering operation unit 31
In order to adjust the position in the vertical direction, after the lock by the locking means 75 is released, the elements 74 and 80 including the control bracket 72 are changed using the steering support member 50 as a tilt center, and the arcuate guide hole 71 is formed.
a in the formation range of the steering operation unit 31
Can be adjusted in the vertical direction, and the steering wheel 29 can be tilted.

On the other hand, in order to adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the front-rear direction, the position of the steering shaft 73 is adjusted in the front-rear direction along a total of three guide rollers 74 after the lock by the lock means 75 is released. The steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the front-rear direction within the range sandwiched by the guide rollers 74, and the steering wheel 29 can be telescopically operated.

In other respects, the operation and effect are almost the same as those of the previous embodiment. 14 to 16 show still another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, in FIGS. 14 to 16, the same portions as those in the previous drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

14 to 16 show that the cooler unit 67 and the blower unit 68 are installed inside the instrument panel 14, and the pulley box 40
The point that the cable 45 is led downward from FIG.
13 is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 13, but the support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is different.

The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 is configured as follows. That is, an upper shaft 81 and a lower shaft 82 are protrudingly provided on the left and right sides of the pulley box 40, and fixing brackets 83, 83 are fixedly connected to the left and right positions of the steering support member 50. Long hole 83a is formed.

A substantially fan-shaped control bracket 84 having a hole 84a into which the upper shaft 81 is inserted is provided. The control bracket 84 has an arc-shaped guide hole 84b (guide means) having the fitting portion 84a as a tilt center. )
Is formed.

Thus, the upper shaft 81 of the pulley box 40
The lower shaft 82 is located in the hole 84 a of the control bracket 84 and the guide hole 84 of the control bracket 84.
b, control brackets 84, 84 are attached to the left and right sides of the pulley box 40, and the upper shaft 81 is located in the long hole 83a of the fixing bracket 83 or protrudes from the long hole 83a as shown. Fixing brackets 83, 83 are attached to the left and right sides of the control brackets 84, 84, and the left and right fixing brackets 83, 83 are joined and fixed to the steering support member 50 in this state.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure (the embodiments corresponding to the first to fifth and eighth aspects) will be described. To adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the vertical direction, the pulley box 40 is tilted so that the lower shaft 82 moves along the arc-shaped guide hole 84b of the control bracket with the upper shaft 81 as a tilt center. The steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the vertical direction in the formation range of the arc-shaped guide hole 84b, and the steering wheel 29 can be tilted.

In this embodiment, when the lower shaft 82 is moved to the front end side of the arc-shaped guide hole 84b,
Connect the steering wheel 29 to the instrument panel 1.
4) It can be located in the foot space below, so that the interior space of the vehicle can be sufficiently widened, and it is possible to improve getting on and off and secure a sufficiently wide space at the time of a break.

On the other hand, in order to adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the front-rear direction, the fixing bracket 8 is used.
3 so that the upper shaft 81 moves along the long hole 83a,
When the positions of the elements 40, 81, 82, and 84 are integrally adjusted in the front-rear direction, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the front-rear direction in the range in which the elongated holes 83a are formed, and the steering wheel 29 is telescopically operated. Can be.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a cable operation unit (see pulley box 40) including a cable 45 and a pulley (see driving pulley 42) is provided.
) Is supported by the vehicle-side support portion (see the steering support member 50), so that the cable operation unit (see the pulley box 40) having a relatively large shape is connected to the vehicle-side support portion.
(See the steering support member 50), which has the effect of minimizing the space required for steering position adjustment.

In other respects, the operation and effect are almost the same as those of the previous embodiment. FIG. 17 shows still another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, in FIG. 17, the same parts as those in the previous figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 17 uses a driving bevel gear 35 and a driven bevel gear 43 to lead the cable 45 forward from the pulley box 40 in FIG.
7 to FIG. 7, but the support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is different.

The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 in the embodiment of FIG. 17 is configured as follows. That is, the guide shaft 85 is integrally protruded from the pulley box 40, and the steering shaft 86 having a predetermined length is integrally mounted.

On the other hand, a steering bracket 87 having a gate-shaped cross section is joined and fixed to the rear portion of the dash upper panel 3.
A link 89 that can swing about a support shaft 88 is attached to the steering bracket 87, and a free end of the link 89 is connected to a lower end of the steering shaft 86 by a pin 90.

A fixing bracket 91 is joined and fixed to the steering support member 50. The fixing bracket 91 has a substantially circular guide hole 91a.
(Guide means) is formed, and the above-described guide shaft 85 is located in the guide hole 91a.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure (embodiments corresponding to claims 1 to 5, 7 and 8) will be described. The link 89 from the state shown by the solid line in FIG.
When the guide shaft 85 is moved upward along the guide hole 91a of the fixing bracket 91 while swinging the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted obliquely upward. Virtual line α at 17
As shown by 1, α2, the tilt operation and the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 can be performed simultaneously.

The link 8 from the state shown by the solid line in FIG.
When the guide shaft 85 can be moved downward along the guide hole 91a of the fixing bracket 91 while swinging the clockwise direction 9 in the same figure, the position of the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted obliquely downward. Virtual line β at 17
As shown by 1, β2, the tilt operation and the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 can be performed simultaneously.

In short, the above-described steering wheel 29
Can be adjusted in the direction of arrow a in FIG. As described above, when the above-described steering operation unit 31 is moved, the steering wheel 29 is configured to be moved substantially in parallel in the oblique front-rear direction. There is an effect that the adjustment before and after can be performed simultaneously. In other respects, the operation and effects are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show still another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, in FIGS. 18 and 19, the same parts as those in the previous figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 in that the cable 45 is led forward from the pulley box 40 by using the driving bevel gear 35 and the driven bevel gear 43. However, the support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is different.

The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is configured as follows. That is, a link 92 is provided on the steering support member 50 so as to be swingable in the direction of arrow b around the member 50, and the free end of the link 92 and the lower end of the steering shaft 86 are connected by the pin 93.

A holder 95 is provided below the vicinity of the steering shaft 86 so as to be able to swing in the direction of arrow c about the support shaft 94, and the steering shaft 86 is displaceably supported in the holder 95 via a gap g. ing.

The operation of the thus structured vehicle steering structure (the embodiment corresponding to claims 1 to 5, 7) will be described. When the position of the steering operation unit 31 is adjusted, it is possible to move the steering shaft 86 guided by the holder 95 in the front-rear direction while swinging the link 92 swinging about the steering support member 50 in the direction of arrow b. The position of the steering operation unit 31 including the steering wheel 29 is adjusted obliquely in the forward and backward directions along the movement trajectory of the substantially S-shaped curve indicated by the arrow d in FIG. 18, and the tilt operation and the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 are performed simultaneously. Can be.

As described above, when the steering operation unit 31 is moved, the steering wheel 29 is configured to be moved substantially in parallel in the oblique front-rear direction. There is an effect that the up-down and front-back adjustment can be performed simultaneously. In other respects, the operation and effects are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment.

In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the steered wheels of the present invention correspond to the front wheels 21 of the embodiment, and similarly, the transmitting means corresponds to the cable 45, and The support portion corresponds to the steering support member 50 (same as the instrument panel member) as a strength member, the pulley corresponds to the driving pulley 42, and the cable operation unit corresponds to the pulley box 40 (so-called steering unit). The present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above embodiment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a front body structure of a vehicle provided with a steering structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the steering structure of the vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a steering operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an unlocked state.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the steering operation unit is moved forward.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a front body structure of a vehicle provided with the steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a steering operation unit.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a main part of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Instrument panel 21 ... Front wheel (steering wheel) 26 ... Steering part 29 ... Steering wheel 30 ... Operation detecting part 31 ... Steering operation unit 40 ... Pulley box (cable operation unit) 42 ... Driving pulley (pulley) 45 ... Cable ( Transmission means) 50: Steering support member (vehicle side support)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Isao Hirashima 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Kenji Nonaka 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3D030 DA11 DC39 DD05 DD18 DD23

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle comprising: an operation detecting unit for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant; a steering unit for steering a steered wheel; and a flexible transmission unit connecting between the operation detecting unit and the steering unit. The steering structure of the vehicle, wherein a steering operation unit is formed from the steering wheel and the operation detection unit, and the position of the steering operation unit can be adjusted around a vehicle-side support unit provided in an instrument panel. Steering structure. 2. The vehicle steering structure according to claim 1, wherein said steering operation unit is supported so as to be vertically adjustable. 3. A steering structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said steering operation unit is supported so as to be adjustable in position in the front-rear direction. 4. A vehicle steering structure according to claim 1, wherein said operation detecting section and said steering section are configured to transmit power by a cable and a pulley. 5. A steering structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle-side support portion is provided on a steering support member extending in a vehicle width direction. 6. The vehicle steering structure according to claim 3, wherein the steering wheel is configured to be substantially flat with the instrument panel when the steering operation unit moves forward of the vehicle. 7. The steering structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said steering wheel is configured to move substantially parallel in an oblique front-rear direction when said steering operation unit is moved. 8. The vehicle steering structure according to claim 1, further comprising a cable operation unit including a cable and a pulley, wherein the cable operation unit is supported by the vehicle-side support portion.