JP2002046621A - Steering device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To heighten the stiffness of a steering column to a great extent to make tilt adjutment or telescopic adjustment. SOLUTION: An outer column 4 is furnished rigidly with a pair of clamps 11a and 11b, and inside the clamps 11a and 11b, a pair of piece members 12a and 12b equipped with embracing surfaces for embracing the inner column 3 are installed in such a way as interposing. Thereby the clamps 11a and 11b are moved approaching each other using a fastening bolt 13, and the inner column 3 is clamped being embraced by the piece members 12a and 12b. According to this constitution in which the inner column 3 is clamped by the outer column 4 directly, it is possible to heighten the stiffnesses of the columns 3 and 4. The two piece members 12a and 12b are made of metal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vehicle steering system. In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle steering device that can adjust a tilt angle of a steering shaft and / or an axial position of the steering shaft according to a driving posture of a driver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a vehicle steering system, there is a tilt / telescopic type steering system capable of adjusting an inclination angle of a steering wheel and an axial position of the steering wheel in accordance with a driving posture of a driver.

For example, in a tilt telescopic steering apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-278283, an upper inner column is slidably inserted and fitted into a lower outer column. A distance bracket having a telescopic adjustment groove is attached to the inner column on the upper side, and the distance bracket is configured to be in sliding contact with a vehicle body side bracket having a tilt adjustment groove.
A tightening bolt is inserted into the telescopic adjustment groove and the tilt adjustment groove, and an operation lever is attached to one end of the tightening bolt.

Thus, when the operating lever is swung, the tightening bolt moves in the axial direction to release the sliding contact between the vehicle body side bracket and the distance bracket, and the tightening bolt is moved vertically along the tilt adjusting groove. To adjust the inclination angle of the inner column on the upper side, and also move the tightening bolt in the axial direction along the groove for telescopic adjustment to adjust the axial position of the inner column on the upper side. it can.

After the tilt and telescopic adjustment,
When the operation lever is swung in the opposite direction, the tightening bolt moves in the axial direction, and slides and presses the vehicle body side bracket against the distance bracket, thereby adjusting the upper side inner column after tilting and telescopic adjustment. Can be tightened. Further, as described above, both the tilt adjustment and the telescopic adjustment can be performed by swinging one operation lever.

[0006]

In the tilt telescopic steering apparatus disclosed in the above publication, an inner column on the upper side is slidably fitted to an outer column on the lower side to increase the rigidity of both columns. are doing.

However, the inner column on the upper side is not necessarily directly clamped to the outer column on the lower side, so that when a bending load is applied to the steering wheel (ie, the steering wheel is twisted in the vertical direction). ), The inner column on the upper side sometimes moves so as to swing slightly, and the rigidity of both columns was not necessarily high.

It is conceivable to increase the rigidity by providing a plurality of reinforcing plates on the distance bracket provided on the inner column on the upper side. However, the increase in the number of parts may lead to an increase in manufacturing costs. There is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vehicle steering apparatus in which the rigidity of a steering column is significantly increased and the tilt and / or telescopic position can be adjusted. And

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: an inner column for rotatably supporting one end of a steering shaft; An outer column rotatably supporting the other end of the steering shaft, and slidably fitted to the inner column;
A pair of clamp portions formed integrally with the outer column and capable of approaching or separating from each other, and a holding surface interposed between the clamp portions and holding the inner column, respectively, are formed of metal. A pair of top members, and a tightening means for moving the pair of clamp members so as to approach each other and tightening and enclosing the inner column with the pair of top members, and By releasing the tightening of the tightening means and moving the steering shaft in the axial direction, the telescopic position of the steering shaft can be adjusted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the first aspect, wherein the outer column is rotatably supported by a vehicle body. The tilt position of the steering shaft can be adjusted when the fastening means is released.

As described above, in the vehicle steering apparatus according to the invention described in each claim of the present application, the outer column is provided with the pair of clamp portions integrally, and the inner column is provided inside the pair of clamp portions. A pair of top members each having a holding surface for holding the column is interposed. Thus, the pair of clamp portions are moved so as to be close to each other by the tightening means, and the inner column is held by the pair of top members and clamped. Therefore, since the inner column is configured to be directly clamped by the outer column, even when a bending load is applied to the steering wheel (that is, when the steering wheel is twisted up and down), The inner column does not move so as to swing slightly, and the rigidity of both columns can be significantly increased.

Further, in the present invention, the pair of top members are formed from metal. For example, when the top member is formed of resin, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the surrounding parts (clamps and the like) with the metal material is different, and the clamping force is different between high temperature and low temperature. In some cases, the holding power of the tilt telesco is not obtained, and in the resin, there is a fear of creep, and when the temperature becomes high in the passenger compartment, the creep occurs, and then the sufficient holding power cannot be obtained. Sometimes. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the pair of top members are formed of metal, there is no concern about a difference in thermal expansion or a concern about creep, so that a stable holding force of the tilt telescopic can be obtained. Further, rigidity can be improved as compared with resin.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A tilt telescopic type vehicle steering system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tilt telescopic type vehicle steering system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the steering device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 5A is a plan view of the outer column on the lower side, FIG. 5B is a partially cutaway side view of the outer column, and FIG. 5C is a sectional view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line -C.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering shaft comprises an upper shaft 1 which fixedly supports a steering wheel (not shown) at the rear end of the vehicle, and a lower shaft 2 which is spline-fitted to the upper shaft. The steering column is configured to be extendable and contractable. The steering column includes an upper inner column 3 that rotatably supports the upper shaft 1 via a ball bearing 31 at an upper end, and a lower shaft 2 via a ball bearing 33 at a lower end. And is slidably supported by a lower side outer column 4 fitted to the upper side inner column 3. The upper shaft 1 is provided with a C-ring 35 for preventing the upper shaft from slipping out of the inner column 3. The lower shaft 2 also prevents the lower shaft 2 from slipping out of the outer column 4. C-ring 37 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, a vehicle body side bracket 6 having a tilt adjusting groove 5 is provided around the outer column 4 on the lower side. The vehicle-body-side bracket 6 has a flange portion 6a connected to the vehicle body on the rear side of the vehicle, has a generally inverted U-shape downward, and has an opposite side plate portion 6b.
6c are integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the lower side of the vehicle body side bracket 6, a separate lower bracket 7 is provided so as to surround the vehicle body side bracket 6. The lower bracket 7 has an upper plate portion 7a connected to the vehicle body and downward facing side plate portions 7b, 7c for holding the opposite side plate portions 6b, 6c of the vehicle body side bracket 6 in contact therewith. Body side bracket 6
A U-shaped bracket 8 (tilt hinge portion) is provided on the front end of the outer column 4 by welding or the like so that both ends slide in contact with the inside of the opposed side plate portions 6b and 6c. The opposite side plate portions 7b and 7c of the lower bracket 7, the opposite side plate portions 6b and 6c of the vehicle body side bracket 6, and the opposite side plate portions 8a and 8b of the U-shaped bracket 8 are provided with spacers 9 via a tilt center bolt. 10a is inserted and fastened by a nut 10b. Thus, the lower outer column 4 is connected to the tilt center bolt 10a.
It can be tilted around. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the lower bracket 7 is formed with a detachable open slit 7d for detaching the tilt center bolt 10a at the time of the secondary collision collapse.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower outer column 4 extends rearward to a position substantially covering the fitting portion between the upper shaft 1 and the lower shaft 2, and further extends rearward from the fitting portion. Has an outer jacket portion 4a integrally over a certain length range.

The outer jacket portion 4a constitutes a pair of plate-like clamp portions 11a and 11b for clamping the inner column 3 on the upper side. While the top members 12a and 12b are pressed and tightened, during telescopic adjustment, the top members 12a and 12b are separated from each other to release the pressing on the following pair of top members 12a and 12b. The outer column 4 is provided with the clamps 11a, 1
Since 1b is formed integrally, the number of parts can be reduced.

Inside the pair of clamp portions 11a and 11b, a pair of top members 12a and 12b having an axial slit 1 formed in the center of the upper portion are interposed.

The pair of top members 12a and 12b
Each has an inner peripheral surface (enclosing surface) having a shape adapted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 3 and an outer surface that is in sliding contact with the inside of the vehicle body-side bracket 6. It is desirable that the inner peripheral surfaces of the top members 12a and 12b slidably contact the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 3 over 180 degrees in the circumferential direction, and as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the sliding contact may be made from at least three directions in the circumferential direction.

In the present embodiment, the pair of top members 12a and 12b are formed from a metal by casting, forging, or cutting.

For example, when the top members 12a and 12b are formed of resin, the surrounding parts (the clamp 11
a, 11b, etc.), the coefficient of thermal expansion is different from that of the metal material, the clamping force is different at high temperature and at low temperature, and sufficient tilt / telescopic holding force cannot be obtained especially at low temperature. For example, there is a concern that creep may occur. When the temperature of the vehicle interior becomes high, the creep occurs, and thereafter, a sufficient holding force cannot be obtained.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the pair of top members 12a and 12b are formed of metal, there is no concern about a difference in thermal expansion and no concern about creep.
Stable tilt / telescopic holding force can be obtained, and rigidity can be improved as compared with resin.

Clamp portions 11a, 11b and top member 1
A tightening bolt 13 is inserted through 2a and 12b. A tightening nut 14 and a lock nut 15 are screwed into a screw portion of the tightening bolt 13.

An operation lever 16 is mounted on the head side of the tightening bolt 13, and a cam lock mechanism is provided. The cam lock mechanism includes a first cam member 17 that rotates integrally with the operation lever 16, and a shaft that engages with a peak or a valley of the first cam member 17 with the rotation of the first cam member 17. And a non-rotating second cam member 18 that moves in the direction to lock or unlock. Since the projection 17a of the first cam member 17 is fitted to the operation lever, the first cam member 17 is configured to be able to rotate integrally with the operation lever 16, and the second cam member 18 Projection 18a is tilt adjustment groove 5.
, The second cam member 18 is always configured to be non-rotating. In the flange portion 6a of the vehicle body side bracket 6, detachment capsules 19a and 19b at the time of collapse of the secondary collision are provided. That is, the vehicle body side bracket 6 is connected to the vehicle body via the detaching capsules 19a and 19b.

With the above construction, at the time of a vehicle collision, the steering shaft assembly including the outer column 4, the inner column 3, the lower shaft 2 and the upper shaft 1 is moved together with the vehicle body side bracket 6 with respect to the lower bracket 7. Move to the front of the vehicle.

At the time of releasing the tilt / telescopic operation, when the operation lever 16 is swung in a predetermined direction, the first cam member 1 is moved.
7 rotate simultaneously to engage the ridges and valleys of the second cam member 18, and the second cam member 18 moves to the left in FIG.
The sliding fixation of the vehicle body side bracket 6 to the outer column 4 is released, and the pair of clamp portions 11a and 11b are separated from each other to release the pressing on the pair of top members 12a and 12b.

As a result, in the case of tilt adjustment, the tightening bolt 13 is moved along the tilt adjusting groove 5, the outer column 4 and the inner column 3 are tilted about the tilt center bolt 10, and the steering wheel (Not shown) can be adjusted as desired.

In the case of telescopic adjustment, the upper inner column 3 is slid in the axial direction with respect to the lower outer column 4, and the axial position of the steering wheel (not shown) is adjusted as desired. Can be. In addition, a stopper bolt 43 is provided at a protruding portion on the lower side of the outer periphery of the outer column 4 so as to face inward in the radial direction. A long groove 3 having a predetermined length is formed in the inner column 3 so as to face the stopper bolt 43.
b is formed, and the stopper bolt 43 is
Are engaged with each other to form a telescopic position adjusting stopper and a detent member.

When the operation lever 16 is swung in the opposite direction during the tightening of the tilt and telescopic, the first cam member 17 is rotated.
Simultaneously rotate to engage the valley portion from the valley portion to the peak portion of the second cam member 18, the second cam member 18 moves rightward in FIG. 3, and the vehicle body side bracket 6 is Press column 4.

As a result, the pair of clamp portions 11a, 1
1b move so as to approach each other, and a pair of top members 1
2a and 12b are pressed and tightened to form a pair of top members 1
It clamps so that 2a and 12b may hold the inner column 3 of an upper side.

As described above, since the upper inner column 3 is directly clamped by the lower outer column 4, when a bending load is applied to the steering wheel (not shown) (ie, when a bending load is applied to the steering wheel (not shown)). Even when the steering wheel (not shown) is twisted in the vertical direction, the inner column 3 on the upper side does not slightly swing, and the rigidity of both columns 3 and 4 is significantly increased. can do.

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

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A pair of clamp parts are provided integrally with the outer column, and a pair of top members each having a holding surface for holding the inner column are interposed inside the pair of clamp parts. Thus, the pair of clamp portions are moved so as to be close to each other by the tightening means, and the inner column is held by the pair of top members and clamped. Therefore, since the inner column is configured to be directly clamped by the outer column, even when a bending load is applied to the steering wheel (that is, when the steering wheel is twisted up and down), The inner column is
The stiffness of both columns can be significantly increased without swinging slightly.

In the present invention, the pair of top members are formed of metal. For example, when the top member is formed of resin, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the surrounding parts (clamps and the like) with the metal material is different, and the clamping force is different between high temperature and low temperature. In some cases, the holding power of the tilt telesco is not obtained, and in the resin, there is a fear of creep, and when the temperature becomes high in the passenger compartment, the creep occurs, and then the sufficient holding power cannot be obtained. Sometimes. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the pair of top members are formed of metal, there is no concern about a difference in thermal expansion or a concern about creep, so that a stable holding force of the tilt telescopic can be obtained. Further, rigidity can be improved as compared with resin.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tilt telescopic vehicle steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the steering device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1;

5A is a plan view of the outer column and the top member on the lower side, FIG. 5B is a side view of the outer column and the top member, and FIG. It is a cross-sectional view along the C line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper shaft 2 Lower shaft 3 Upper side inner column 4 Lower side outer column 5 Tilt adjustment groove 6 Body side bracket 7 Lower bracket 7d Release slit 8 U-shaped bracket 9 Spacer cylinder 10a Tilt center pin 11 Clamp section 12 Frame member 13 Tightening bolt (Tightening means) 14 Tightening nut 15 Lock nut 16 Operation lever 17 First cam member 18 Second cam member 19 Capsule for disengagement 31, 33 Ball bearing 35, 37 C-ring 43 Stopper bolt

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An inner column rotatably supporting one end of a steering shaft, and rotatably supporting the other end of the steering shaft and slidably fitted to the inner column. An outer column, a pair of clamp portions formed integrally with the outer column and capable of approaching or separating from each other, and a holding surface interposed inside the clamp portion and holding the inner column. A pair of top members formed of metal, and a tightening means for moving the pair of top members so as to approach each other and tightening and enclosing the inner column with the pair of top members. Then, the tightening means is released and the steering shaft is moved in the axial direction, so that the telescopic The vehicle steering device, wherein the pick position can be freely adjusted. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the outer column is rotatably supported by the vehicle body, and the tilt position of the steering shaft is adjustable when the tightening means is released. The vehicle steering device according to any one of the preceding claims.