JP2001315649A - Steering column support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a driver who operates a steering wheel, from feeling a sense of incongruity by improving the support rigidity of a support bracket 5a to a fixed bracket 4. SOLUTION: A reinforcing plate 27 is fixed to an upper end part of the support bracket 5a. Mounting plate parts 17, 17 of the support bracket 5a are screw-fixed to the fixed bracket 4, and the upper edge of protrusion streaks 28, 28 provided at the upper face of the reinforcing plate 27 are brought into contact with the lower face of the fixed bracket 4. With this constitution, the support bracket 5a is hardly displaced swinging from the fixed bracket 4 to attain the above subject.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a steering column support device for supporting a steering column constituting a steering device of an automobile on a vehicle body, and to improve the support rigidity of the steering column to give a driver an uncomfortable feeling. Is to be resolved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 12 to 14 show an example of a conventionally known vehicle steering system. The movement of the steering wheel, not shown, is transmitted to a steering gear, also not shown, via the steering shaft 1 and a universal joint, not shown, so as to impart a steering angle to the front wheels. The steering shaft 1 is rotatably supported inside a steering column 2 supported on a vehicle body. The steering column 2 is supported and fixed via a support bracket 5 and a supported bracket 6 to a fixed bracket 4 welded and fixed to a cross member 3 provided on the vehicle body.

That is, the support bracket 5 is located between the steering column 2 and the middle rearward portion of the steering column 2 (the longitudinal direction in this specification relates to the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the horizontal direction relates to the width direction of the vehicle). A pair of left and right holding plate portions 16, 16 to be sandwiched, and both holding plate portions 16, 16
Mounting plate 1 bent in opposite directions from the upper end
7, 17 are provided. Such a support bracket 5 is composed of the fixing bracket 4, the mounting plates 17, 17, the bolts 7, 7 inserted through the fixing bracket, and the nut 8, which is screwed to the upper end of each of the bolts 7, 7. , 8 to secure the connection. On the other hand, the supported bracket 6 is fixedly connected to an intermediate portion of the steering column 2 by welding. Then, the supported bracket 6 is attached to the pair of holding plate portions 1 with respect to the supporting bracket 5.
In a state sandwiched between 6 and 16, it is supported and fixed by a tilt bolt 9 and a tilt nut 10.

The illustrated example has a shock absorbing function to reduce a shock applied to the driver's body that collides with the steering wheel during a secondary collision, and a function to adjust the height position of the steering wheel. In addition, a shock absorbing tilt steering device is shown. In order to provide a shock absorbing function, a collapsible steering column is used as the steering column 2 that reduces the overall length while absorbing shock energy, and the supported bracket 6 is attached to the support bracket 5 in front. (Left side in FIG. 12).

Further, in order to make the height position of the steering wheel freely adjustable, the front end (the left end in FIG.
2 is supported so as to be freely displaceable. That is, the swing bracket 14 welded and fixed to the front end of the steering column 2 is attached to the lower fixed bracket 13 fixed to the vehicle body 11 by bolts.
Pivoted by Further, the tilt bolt 9 is engaged with arc-shaped long holes 15, 15 formed on the support bracket 5 and centered on the horizontal axis 12. In addition, regarding the structure of the shock absorbing tilt type steering device,
Since it is well known in the art and is not related to the gist of the present invention, a detailed description is omitted.

[0006]

In the case of the conventional structure as described above, the rigidity of the support bracket 5 with respect to the fixed bracket 4 is ensured by a pair of right and left mounting plate portions 17 provided at the upper end of the support bracket 5. , 17 and the rigidity of the connecting portion between the fixing bracket 4 and the mounting plate portions 17, 1
Continuation part (bent part) of 7 and each holding plate part 16, 16
Is supported by increasing the rigidity of However, in the case of such a conventional structure, sufficient rigidity may not always be obtained. In particular, in the case of a structure in which the support rigidity of the steering column 2 as a whole is secured by lowering the support rigidity of the lower end portion of the steering column 2 and increasing the support rigidity of the upper portion, the support bracket 5 is configured. Unless measures such as increasing the thickness of the metal plate are taken, it is difficult to secure the rigidity.

If the rigidity cannot be sufficiently ensured, the steering wheel is displaced when a force is applied to the steering column 2 from the steering wheel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the steering column 2 to give the driver an uncomfortable feeling. ,
Not preferred. Also, increasing the thickness of the metal plate constituting the support bracket 5 is not preferable because it leads to an increase in material costs and an increase in weight. The steering column support device of the present invention was invented in view of such circumstances.

[0008]

A steering column supporting device according to the present invention comprises a fixing bracket fixedly connected to a vehicle body and a steering column supporting device, similarly to the above-described conventionally known steering column supporting device. And a support bracket fixedly connected to the fixed bracket while holding the intermediate portion. The support bracket includes a pair of left and right holding plate portions sandwiching the intermediate portion of the steering column therebetween, and mounting plate portions bent in opposite directions from upper end portions of the both holding plate portions. It is. Further, these mounting plate portions are connected and fixed to the fixing bracket. In particular, the steering column support device of the present invention includes a reinforcing plate fixed to the support bracket in a state of being bridged between upper ends of the pair of holding plate portions. At least a part of the upper surface of the reinforcing plate is in contact with the lower surface of the fixed bracket.

[0009]

In the steering column support device of the present invention configured as described above, at least a part of the upper surface of the reinforcing plate fixed to the support bracket is in contact with the lower surface of the fixed bracket. The support rigidity of the support bracket with respect to the fixing bracket can be increased. That is, even when the support bracket tends to be displaced with respect to the fixed bracket, the contact portion between the upper surface of the reinforcing plate and the lower surface of the fixed bracket serves as resistance to displacement, and the displacement can be reduced or eliminated.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention corresponding only to claim 1. FIG. A support bracket 5a is supported below the fixed bracket 4 that is fixedly connected to the vehicle body. This support bracket 5
a is formed by bending a metal plate such as a steel plate, and has a U-shaped holding portion 18 between a pair of left and right mounting plate portions 17. The holding portion 18 is formed by connecting the lower ends of a pair of left and right holding plate portions 19, 19 bent downward at right angles from the inner edges of the mounting plate portions 17, 17 to a semi-cylindrical connecting plate portion. 20.

An intermediate rear portion of the steering column 2 is held and fixed to such a support bracket 5a.
That is, the intermediate portion of the steering column 2 is sandwiched between the pair of holding plate portions 19, 19, and the lower surface of the intermediate portion is brought into contact with the upper surface of the connecting plate portion 20. The front and rear end edges of the plate portion 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the steering column 2 are welded.

The support bracket 5a, which holds and fixes the intermediate portion of the steering column 2 in this manner, is mounted on the steering column 2 with respect to the fixed bracket 4.
When an impact load is applied to the front, it is supported so that it can drop forward. For this reason, each of the mounting plate portions 17, 17 has a rear edge (lower edge in FIG. 2).
Notches 21, 21 opening to the side are formed, and capsules 22, 22 made of an aluminum alloy are mounted in these notches 21, 21. These capsules 22, 2
Synthetic resins 23, 23 are filled in small through holes formed at positions where the two and the mounting plate portions 17, 17 are aligned with each other. The capsules 22, 22 have through holes 24, 2,
4 are formed.

In order to support the support bracket 5a on the fixed bracket 4, the bolts 25, 25 inserted through the through holes 24, 24 from below are fixed to the fixed bracket 4,
Screwed into the nuts 26, 26 fixed to, and further tightened.
In this state, the support bracket 5a is supported by the fixed bracket 4 via the capsules 22, 22 and the bolts 25, 25. The support bracket 5 fixed to the steering column 2 with a secondary collision in which the driver's body collides with the steering wheel.
When a forward impact load is applied to a, the respective synthetic resins 23, 23 are torn, and the respective capsules 22, 22 come out of the respective notches 21, 21 to the rear (actually, the respective capsules 22). , 22 are displaced forward without changing the position of the steering bracket 2), and the steering column 2 is allowed to be displaced forward to reduce the impact applied to the driver's body.

The structure of the above-described portion of the steering column support device of this embodiment is a conventionally known structure. In the case of the conventional structure, the support bracket 5a is attached to the fixed bracket 4 with respect to the fixed bracket 4. A pair of capsules 22,
Only via 22 was supported. As apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the range in which the upper surface of each of the capsules 22 and the lower surface of the fixing bracket 4 abuts is narrow. Therefore, the rigidity of the support of the steering column 2 with respect to the fixed bracket 4 is not so large, and it has been difficult to sufficiently suppress the displacement of the steering column 2. Specifically, when a force is applied to the steering column 2 in the direction of tilting (swinging) its central axis,
In some cases, the swing displacement of the steering column 2 cannot be sufficiently prevented. Such a displacement is undesirably received by the driver operating the steering wheel as rattling and giving an uncomfortable feeling.

On the other hand, in the case of the steering column support device of the present embodiment, the above-described displacement is prevented by providing the reinforcing plate 27 described below. That is, in the case of the structure of this example, the reinforcing plate 27 is provided between the upper end portions of the pair of holding plate portions 19, 19 constituting the support bracket 5a, and the holding plate portions 19, 19 are connected to each other. It is fixed in a state of being bridged between. The reinforcing plate 27 is formed by bending a metal plate, such as a steel plate, made of the same material as the metal plate forming the support bracket 5a, so that the shape of the front and rear end surfaces is substantially “M” shape. Protrusions 28, 28 long in the front-rear direction are formed on the upper surface.

The reinforcing plate 27 is fixed to the upper end of the support bracket 5a by welding the front and rear ends of a pair of left and right vertical plates 29 to the holding plates 19,19. ing. In the fixed state, the upper edge of each of the ridges 28, 28 is located on the same plane as the upper surface of each of the capsules 22, 22 attached to each of the mounting plate portions 17, 17,
Each of the capsules 22 projects slightly upward from the upper surface. Therefore, in a state where the support bracket 5a is connected to the fixing bracket 4 by the bolts 25, 25 inserted through the through holes 24, 24 of the capsules 22, 22, the upper end edges of the protrusions 28, 28 are provided. Abuts on the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 over substantially the entire length thereof. In particular, when the upper edges of the ridges 28 project slightly upward from the upper surfaces of the capsules 22, the ridges 28 are tightened with the bolts 25. 28, 28 contact the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 with a sufficiently large contact pressure based on the elastic deformation of each member 4, 27.

Incidentally, chamfers 30, 30 are formed on both front and rear ends of each of the ridges 28, 28. Each of these chamfers 3
In the case of the above-mentioned secondary collision, 0 and 30 are the ridges 28,
The front end portion of the support bracket 28 is provided to prevent the front surface of the support bracket 5a from being hindered from biting into the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4. Chamfer 3 on rear end
Although 0 and 30 are not necessary, they are provided to eliminate the mounting direction of the reinforcing plate 27 and to facilitate the mounting operation.

As described above, in the case of the steering column support device of the present embodiment, a pair of right and left ends formed on the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 27 fixed to the support bracket 5a by welding without play. The rigidity of the support bracket 5a with respect to the fixed bracket 4 can be increased by the amount that the upper edges of the ridges 28, 28 are in contact with the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 over substantially the entire length thereof. That is,
Even when the support bracket 5a tends to be displaced with respect to the fixed bracket 4, each of the ridges 28, 28
A contact portion between the upper end edge of the fixing bracket 4 and the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 serves as resistance to displacement, and the displacement can be reduced or eliminated.

For example, even when a force is applied to the steering column 2 in the direction of inclining its central axis, the contact portion between the upper edge of each of the projections 28, 28 and the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 is displaced. Since it is impossible, the swing displacement of the steering column 2 can be sufficiently prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver operating the steering wheel from feeling uncomfortable.

Next, FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second example of the embodiment of the present invention corresponding only to claim 1. FIG. In the case of this example, projections 31, 31 having partial spherical shapes are formed at four corners on the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 27 a, and the upper ends of the projections 31, 31 are in contact with the lower surface of the fixing bracket 4. Also in the case of this example, it is possible to increase the support rigidity of the support bracket 5a with respect to the fixed bracket 4 and prevent the driver operating the steering wheel from feeling uncomfortable. In the illustrated example, the projections 31 are provided at the four corners of the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 27a. However, the direction of the rigidity to be improved is determined, or the capsule 22,
If the relationship with the installation position of 22 can be shifted sufficiently in the front-rear direction, it may be provided only at the two right and left ends at the front end or only at the two left and right ends at the rear end. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described first example.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 and 2. FIG. In the case of this example, a pair of ridges 28, 28 long in the front-rear direction are provided parallel to and adjacent to each other at a portion near the center in the width direction of the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 27b. Part
The groove 32 is long in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, a protruding ridge 33 long in the front-rear direction is formed at the center of the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 in the width direction. And the support bracket 5
a is connected to the fixing bracket 4,
The upper edges of 8, 8 are brought into contact with the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4, and the concave groove 32 and the ridge 33 are fitted without play.

In the case of the present embodiment constructed as described above, the support bracket 5a is displaced in the left-right direction with respect to the fixed bracket 4 based on the fitting of the concave groove 32 and the ridge 33. Can also be prevented. For this reason, the rigidity in this direction can be ensured, and at the same time, the steering column 2 can be displaced only forward, without swinging in the left-right direction at the time of the secondary collision, so that the steering column 2 at the time of the secondary collision can be obtained.
The driver's posture and enhance the protection of the driver. At the time of a secondary collision, a force directed forward and upward is applied to the steering column 2. Therefore, even after the capsules 22, 22 have come out of the notches 21, 21, the groove 32 and the ridge 33 remain fitted. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first example and the second example described above.

Next, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3. FIG. Also in the case of this example, a pair of ridges 28, 28 long in the front-rear direction are provided adjacent to each other at a portion near the center in the width direction of the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 27b, and a portion between these ridges 28, 28 is The groove 32 is long in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, a long ridge 3 in the front-rear direction is provided at the center in the width direction on the lower surface of the fixing bracket 4a.
3a is formed. In particular, in the case of this example, the width of the ridge 33a is gradually changed in a direction in which the width increases toward the front. Then, in a state where the support bracket 5a is connected to the fixed bracket 4a, each of the ridges 28, 2
The upper end of the bracket 8 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the fixing bracket 4a, and the ridge 33a is arranged inside the concave groove 32. The more the support bracket 5a is displaced forward with respect to the fixed bracket 4a,
And the protruding ridges 33a are fitted with an interference with an increased amount. Further, chamfers are formed at the front ends of the ridges 28, 28 at portions where the ridges 33a rub against both side surfaces. When each of the chamfers causes relative displacement between the concave groove 32 and the ridge 33a, galling occurs between the ridges 28, 28 and the ridge 33a. This prevents the absorption of the impact energy applied to the plate from becoming unstable.

In the case of the present embodiment configured as described above, the impact energy applied to the steering column 2 at the time of the secondary collision is absorbed, and the protection of the driver is enhanced. That is, a force directed forward is applied to the steering column 2 with the secondary collision, and together with the steering column 2, the reinforcing plate 2
7b is displaced forward, the ridge 33a is
The width 2 (the interval between the pair of ridges 28, 28) is gradually expanded. The impact energy is absorbed by the plastic deformation of the reinforcing plate 27b caused by pushing the groove 32 in this manner. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described third example. As a modification of the present embodiment, a ridge formed on the upper surface of the reinforcing plate can be engaged with a concave groove formed on the lower surface of the fixed bracket. However, in this case, the width of the ridge or the groove is gradually reduced toward the front.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a fifth example of the embodiment of the present invention corresponding to only claim 1. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tilt type steering column device which supports an intermediate portion of a steering column 2 so that the vertical position can be adjusted. For this reason, in the case of the present example, a reinforcing plate 27c is provided on the upper end of the support bracket 5b, and a pair of left and right holding plate portions 16a, 1a constituting the support bracket 5b.
It is welded and fixed so as to bridge between the inner surfaces of the upper end portion 6a. The upper edge of the ridge 28a formed on the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 27c in the left-right direction is in contact with the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 over substantially the entire length of the ridge 28a. The point of increasing the support rigidity of the support bracket 5b with respect to the fixed bracket 4 is almost the same as in the case of the first example described above, and the point of adjusting the height position of the steering column 2 is described in the above-described diagram. 1
It is almost the same as the conventional structure formed in 2-13.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a sixth example of the embodiment of the present invention corresponding only to claim 1. In this example, the present invention is applied to a steering column support device provided with a tilt mechanism for freely adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel and a telescopic mechanism for freely adjusting the front and rear position. Of the inner column 34 and the outer column 35 combined in a telescope shape, the support shafts 36, 36 formed on the left and right side surfaces of the middle portion of the inner column 34 are combined with a pair of left and right holding plate portions forming the support bracket 5c. The holes 16b, 16b are formed in the long holes 37, 37 which are long in the vertical direction. In addition, portions that are aligned with each other on the left and right sides of the outer column 35 are elongated holes 38, 38 that are long in the front-rear direction (the front-back direction in FIG. 6).
Is formed. The support shafts 36, 36 protrude from both left and right side surfaces of the outer column 35 through the elongated holes 38, 38.

The holding pieces 39, 39 which are fitted to the base ends of the support shafts 36, 36 are inserted into the respective slots 37, 37.
Only vertical movement along these long holes 37, 37 is freely engaged. Each of the support shafts 36, 36
The screw nuts formed on the outer plate of
0a and 40b are screwed. One of them (Fig. 11
The left side of the tilt nut 40b has a tilt lever 41
Is fixed, and the tilt nut 40b is rotatable.

When adjusting at least one of the vertical position and the front-rear position of the steering wheel, the tilt nut 40b is loosened by the tilt lever 41,
The distance between the tilt nut 40b and the other tilt nut 40a is increased. In this state, after adjusting at least one of the vertical position and the front-back position of the steering wheel, the tilt nut 40
By tightening b and reducing the distance between the tilt nut 40b and the other tilt nut 40a, the steering wheel can be supported at the adjusted position.

In order to apply the present invention to a steering column support device provided with such a tilt mechanism and a telescopic mechanism, in the case of this embodiment, a reinforcing plate 27d is provided on the upper end of the support bracket 5c, The pair of left and right holding plate portions 16a, 5c, which constitutes 5c, is welded and fixed so as to bridge between the inner surfaces of the upper ends. The upper edges of a pair of ridges 28b formed on the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the reinforcing plate 27d are in contact with the lower surface of the fixed bracket 4 over substantially the entire length of the ridges 28b. The point of increasing the support rigidity of the support bracket 5c with respect to the fixed bracket 4 is almost the same as in the case of the first example described above.

[0030]

Since the steering column support device of the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, it is possible to increase the support rigidity of the steering column while suppressing the increase in material cost and weight, and to give the driver an uncomfortable feeling. Can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first example of an embodiment of the present invention;
-A sectional drawing.

FIG. 2 is a view from above of FIG. 1 with a fixing bracket and bolts omitted.

FIG. 3 is a view seen from the left side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing a second example of the embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the same direction as FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view from above of FIG. 4 with the fixing bracket and bolts omitted;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing a third example of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view from above of FIG. 6 with the fixing bracket and bolts omitted.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing a fourth example of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view as seen from above in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing a fifth example of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing the sixth example;

FIG. 12 is a side view showing an example of a conventional structure.

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

FIG. 14 is a view taken in a direction indicated by an arrow C in FIG. 12, excluding a steering column and a steering shaft.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering shaft 2 Steering column 3 Cross number 4, 4a Fixing bracket 5, 5a, 5b, 5c Support bracket 6 Supported bracket 7 Bolt 8 Nut 9 Tilt bolt 10 Tilt nut 11 Body 12 Horizontal axis 13 Lower fixed bracket 14 Swing bracket Reference Signs List 15 long hole 16, 16a, 16b holding plate part 17 mounting plate part 18 holding part 19 holding plate part 20 connecting plate part 21 notch 22 capsule 23 synthetic resin 24 through hole 25 bolt 26 nut 27, 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d Reinforcement plate 28, 28a, 28b Projection 29 Vertical plate portion 30 Chamfer 31 Projection 32 Concave groove 33, 33a Projection 34 Inner column 35 Outer column 36 Support shaft 37 Slot 38 Slot 39 Holder 40a, 40b Tilt nut 41 Tilt lever

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fixed bracket fixedly connected to a vehicle body and a support bracket fixedly connected to the fixed bracket while holding an intermediate portion of the steering column, wherein the support bracket is provided at an intermediate position of the steering column. A pair of left and right holding plate portions for holding the holding portion therebetween, and mounting plate portions bent in opposite directions from upper ends of the both holding plate portions. A steering column supporting device fixedly connected to the supporting bracket, the reinforcing plate being fixed to the support bracket in a state of being bridged between upper ends of the pair of holding plate portions; A steering column support device, wherein at least a part of an upper surface of a reinforcing plate is in contact with a lower surface of the fixed bracket. 2. A longitudinally extending ridge or groove is formed on the upper surface of the reinforcing plate, and a longitudinally extending groove or ridge is formed on the lower surface of the fixing bracket, respectively. 2. The steering column support device according to claim 1, wherein the projections are fitted without looseness. 3. A support bracket is supported on a fixed bracket so that the support bracket can be dropped forward when an impact load directed forward is applied to the support bracket, and a ridge or a recess formed on the upper surface of the reinforcing plate. 3. The steering column support according to claim 2, wherein the width of the groove or the width of the concave groove or the ridge formed on the lower surface of the fixed bracket is gradually changed in a direction in which the fitting interference becomes larger toward the front. apparatus.