JP2002220061A - Support structure for tilt telescopic column - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a spring load from being fluctuated remarkably by bringing a spring member into a inclined condition to be pulled remarkably, even when the spring member for going to return regulation for a tilting direction to an initial position conducts regulation to a telescopic direction, and to enhance a tilt telescopic operation thereby. SOLUTION: This support structure is constituted of a fixed bracket 1, a movable bracket 2 mounted with a steering column, two pairs of tilt regulating holes 3 formed in the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2 respectively, out of which at least one is constituted to cross its vertical oblong hole 3a with a lateral oblong hole 3b, two fastening shafts 5 inserted into the regulating holes 3, a shaft supporting member A having bearing holes 6a inserted with the fastening shafts 5, and attached to both shaft end parts of the both shafts 5 to make a distance between the shafts 5 constant, an operation lever member 10 for turning the fastening shafts 5, and the spring member 11 for connecting the shaft supporting member A to the fixed bracket 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering apparatus capable of tilt telescopic adjustment, wherein the spring member is tilted even if the spring member for adjusting the tilt direction to the initial position is adjusted in the telescopic direction. The present invention relates to a tilt telescopic column support structure capable of preventing a large change in spring load by being pulled too much and improving the operability of the tilt telescopic column.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a steering apparatus which can be adjusted in each direction of tilt telescoping, a fixed bracket attached and fixed to a shaft body, a movable bracket fixed to a steering column and movable together with the column, A mechanism for fixing the steering column at an appropriate position or releasing it and fixing it at an appropriate position by means of a tightening shaft passing through the bracket and the movable bracket, and fixing the steering column to a position desired by the driver. There exists a thing which has.

[0003] In order to obtain the stability of position adjustment in the tilt direction, this type of steering apparatus is usually provided with a spring member (also referred to as a return spring) between the fixed bracket and the movable bracket, and the fixed bracket is provided with a spring member. The steering column is elastically supported together with the movable bracket. This resilient support has a role to improve operability by holding the self-weight of the steering column or the like on the movable bracket side at an appropriate position with respect to the fixed bracket so that the driver does not burden the driver during the position adjustment operation. Has made.

[0004]

In the case of a position adjusting device in which the steering column can only move in the tilt direction, the supporting structure in which a spring member (also referred to as a return spring) is provided between the fixed bracket and the movable bracket is used. There is no problem because the elastic deformation of the spring member in the expansion and contraction direction can be performed in a favorable state.

However, in recent years, the original purpose of enabling adjustment to a driver's favorite position may not be achieved only by adjusting the position of the steering column, and in order to expand the adjustment range of the position adjusting device for the steering column. What can be adjusted in both directions of the tilt telesco, and can be adjusted to a position desired by a driver is desired.

In the steering column position adjusting device capable of adjusting the position in both directions of the tilt telescope, it is necessary to elastically support the fixed bracket and the movable bracket in the telescopic direction device as in the device in the tilt direction only. However, generally, this elastic support is performed by directly engaging a spring member provided between the fixed bracket and the movable bracket with the fixed bracket and the movable bracket.

Then, the movable bracket which moves in the telescopic direction with respect to the fixed bracket changes so that the upper and lower engagement positions of the spring member are shifted in the column axis direction, and the extension direction of the spring member is changed in the telescopic direction. In the adjustment of the movement in the tilt direction, the spring load changes, and the sense of stability of the operability is impaired.

That is, the operational feeling changes depending on the telescopic adjustment position, and it is difficult to improve the operability. Also,
The instability of the operability caused by the telescopic adjustment adversely affects the movement adjustment in the tilt direction, and the instability of the spring load also impairs the operability of the tilt adjustment.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems Therefore, the inventor of the present invention has conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, the present invention
A fixed bracket, a movable bracket on which a steering column is mounted, two sets of front and rear tilt telescopic adjustment holes respectively formed in the fixed bracket and the movable bracket, each of which is formed by intersecting a vertically long hole and a horizontally long hole; It has two tightening shafts to be inserted into the tilt telescopic adjustment holes, and a shaft support hole through which the tightening shafts are inserted. The two shafts are mounted on both ends of the two tightening shafts to keep the distance between the two tightening shafts constant. The tilt telescopic column has a support structure including a shaft support member, a control lever member for rotating the tightening shaft, and a spring member for connecting the shaft support member and the fixed bracket. During the adjustment, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the spring member extends in a tilted state along the telescopic direction and is greatly pulled, which makes it difficult to perform the tilt telescopic operation. It is obtained by solving.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the present invention mainly includes a fixed bracket 1, a movable bracket 2, tightening shafts 5, 5 which penetrate predetermined positions of the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2, and the tightening shafts 5, 5. It comprises a shaft support member A mounted on both shaft ends and a spring member 11 [FIG.
(See (A) to (C)).

The fixed bracket 1 is composed of a pair of left and right support side plates 1a, 1a and a mounting top 1b. The mounting top 1b is mounted at a predetermined position in the vehicle via capsule members 12, 12,..., And absorbs shock energy while sliding while receiving resistance against the mounting position only when an impact such as a collision occurs. The structure is designed to reduce the impact and protect the driver from accidents. The movable bracket 2
Has column support portions 2a, 2a formed on both sides in the width direction. The two column support portions 2a, 2a support and fix the steering column 13 and the two column support portions 2a.
a, 2a are both supporting side plates 1a, 1 of the fixed bracket 1.
It is mounted so as to be sandwiched between "a" (see FIG. 1B). Fixed hooks 1c, 1c are formed on both support side plates 1a, 1a of the fixed bracket 1 to lock a spring member 11 described later [[FIGS. 1 (A), 1 (C) and 2 (A)]. ,
(C)). The fixed hook 1c is connected to the support side plate 1a.
Are bent outward at a substantially right angle to the outside.

The fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2
Are the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3, ... and the tightening shafts 5, 5,
And are connected by The tilt telescopic adjustment hole 3 is composed of a combination of a horizontally long hole 3b and a vertically long hole 3a or a horizontally long hole 3b and a round hole 3c. No. The vertically long hole 3a mainly serves to perform tilt adjustment, and the horizontally long hole 3b mainly serves to perform telescopic adjustment.

Specifically, the fixing bracket 1 includes:
A pair of right and left vertically long holes 3a and a round hole 3c are formed through the two supporting side plates 1a, 1a. Similarly, a pair of left and right long holes 3b penetrating in the width direction are formed in both column support portions 2a, 2a of the movable bracket 2, and the left and right long holes 3b extend in the front-rear direction of each column support portion 2a. 2 (see FIGS. 1A and 1C).

One of the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3 is constituted by a vertically long hole 3a and a horizontally long hole 3b, and the other is constituted by a horizontally long hole 3b and a round hole 3c along the axial direction. And the longitudinal hole 3a and the horizontal hole 3
b, and may be adopted as needed. Then, the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2 intersect the vertically long hole 3a and the horizontally long hole 3b in a substantially cross shape to form the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3, which are tightened into the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3. The shafts 5 and 5 are inserted.

The elongated hole 3a is provided in the fixing bracket 1
Are formed in both support side plates 1a, 1a, and the horizontally long holes 3b are formed in the column support portions 2a, 2a of the movable bracket 2. Thereby, when the movable bracket 2 moves in the axial direction with respect to the fixed bracket 1, the tightening shaft 5 inserted into the tilt telescopic adjustment hole 3 is always fixed in the telescopic adjustment direction, and is fixed in the tilt direction. Only move.

The tightening shaft 5 is specifically of a bolt shape, and comprises a screw shaft portion 5a and a shaft head 5b, and the shaft head 5b has a hexagonal shape like an ordinary bolt. Although it does, it may be a polygon such as a square.
The fixing shaft 1 is provided with two fastening shafts 5.
Are inserted through the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3,... Formed in the movable bracket 2 (see FIGS. 2A and 2C).

The two tightening shafts 5 and 5 are inserted into the two brackets 1 and 2 and the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3 and 3, and
The fixed bracket 1 is provided by two shaft support members A, A.
The two tightening shafts 5, 5 are always supported at a constant interval at both sides in the width direction. The shaft support member A is formed with shaft support holes 6a on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the shaft support main body 6 (see FIGS. 2A and 2C). Further, a hook 7 is formed at one longitudinal end of the shaft support main body 6. The hook 7 is formed to be bent so as to be substantially perpendicular to the shaft support main body 6, and the shaft support main body 6 and the hook 7 may be integrally formed from the same material, or A structure in which both are fixed as separate materials may be used.

The two shaft support members A, A have slightly different shapes on both sides of the fixed bracket 1 in the width direction. That is,
A shaft support member A arranged on one side in the width direction of the fixed bracket 1 is provided with a link mechanism for operating both the operation lever member 10 and the tightening shafts 5 and 5. Also,
On the other side, a mechanism is provided for preventing the two fastening shafts 5, 5 from idling.

The tightening shafts 5, 5 are inserted into the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3,... Formed by combining the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2. At this time, the shaft head 5b side of the tightening shaft 5 is opposite to the side on which the operation lever member 10 is mounted, and the shaft head 5b and the fixed bracket 1
The shaft support member A is arranged between the shaft support member (see FIG. 2).
(C)).

On the side of the fixed bracket 1 on which the operation lever member 10 is mounted, the screw shaft portions 5 of the tightening shafts 5 are provided.
a, 5a are inserted into the shaft support holes 6a, 6a of the shaft support member A, and the arm members 14, 14 constituting the link mechanism are mounted on the two screw shaft portions 5a, 5a (see FIG. 3A). .
An inner screw portion 14a screwed to the screw shaft portion 5a is formed at the center of rotation of the arm member 14, and a transmission member 15 is pivotally connected to the free ends of the two arm members 14, 14. ing.

An operating lever member 10 is attached to one of the tightening shafts 5.
Is mounted, and the turning operation of the operation lever member 10 causes the two arm members 14 and 14 to turn via the transmission member 15. By the rotation operation of the operation lever member 10, the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2 are tightened and released, and the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3,.
With the tightening shafts 5 and 5, tilt adjustment, telescopic adjustment, or both adjustments can be performed.

A spring member 11 is locked between the two shaft supporting members A, A and the fixed bracket 1. Specifically, a spring member 11 is stretched between fixed hooks 1c, 1c formed on both support side plates 1a, 1a of the fixed bracket 1 and the hook 7 of the shaft support member A. The fixed hook 1c is formed at an end of the support side plate 1a near the steering wheel. And the said spring member 11
Hook pieces 11 are provided at both ends of the coil spring in the direction of expansion and contraction.
a and 11a are formed, and the hook pieces 11a and 11a are locked to the fixed hook 1c and the hook 7, respectively. Spring member 11 locked by fixed hook 1c and hook 7
Are arranged so as to be substantially perpendicular to the steering column 13 in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 1A and 1C).

In the shaft supporting member A, the tightening shaft 5 moves along the elongated hole 3a during tilt adjustment. That is, in the tilt adjustment, the shaft supporting member A moves along the moving direction of the movable bracket 2, and the spring member 11 expands and contracts in the vertical direction (see FIG. 8A). During the telescopic adjustment, the movable bracket 2 moves with respect to the fixed bracket 1. However, since the movable bracket 2 has the horizontally long hole 3b, the horizontally long hole 3b moves with respect to the tightening shaft 5.
The fastening shaft 5 is immobile. Therefore, in the telescopic adjustment, the shaft support member A is not moved together with the fixed bracket 1, and the spring member 11 is not changed and is not moved in the telescopic direction (see FIG. 8B).

As described above, the tightening shafts 5 and 5 are movable in the tilt direction and immovable in the telescopic direction. The spring members 11 provided between the shaft support member A and the fixed bracket 1 are provided. Can stabilize the original function of the return spring at the time of tilt adjustment, and does not apply a biased load in the telescopic direction to the spring member 11 at the time of telescopic adjustment.

Next, when performing the tilt telescopic adjustment, when the screw shaft portion 5a of the tightening shaft 5 and the inner screw portion 14a of the arm member 14 are tightened and released via the operation lever member 10, One of the shaft support members A is provided with a rotation preventing portion 16 so that the tightening shaft 5 does not idle. The rotation stopper 1
In the sixth embodiment, there are a shaft support member A formed separately from the shaft support main body 6 and a shaft support member A formed integrally with the shaft support main body 6.

The rotation stopper 16 is composed of two stopper members 16a and 16b, each of which has a fixing piece 16 having a polygonal hole into which the shaft head 5b of the tightening shaft 5 is locked.
a ₁ and 16b ₁ are formed, and both stopper members 16 are formed.
Connection pieces 16a ₂ and 16b ₂ having arc-shaped long holes for connecting the holes a and 16b are formed (see FIG. 5). Then, the shaft head 5b of the fixing piece 16a _1, 16b ₁ at both the fastening shaft 5,5, while fixing the 5b, connecting pieces 16a
₂ and 16b ₂ are fixed to the fixed internal screw 8 of the shaft support member A by a fixing tool 16c such as a screw [FIG.
(B)).

Further, as another embodiment, a fixed portion 5c having a non-circular cross section is formed at the shaft head 5b of the tightening shaft 5. Further, the shaft supporting hole 6a _1, the fixed portion 5c
Is formed in a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of
c is prevented from rotating in the axial peripheral direction in a state of being inserted into the shaft supporting hole 6a _1. Specifically, the fixed portion 5c is a cross-sectional square shape, shaft supporting hole 6a ₁ is also intended to the fixed portion 5c has a insertable square [FIG 6 (A), (B) refer to Fig. The fixed portion 5c may have a polygonal shape other than the above-described square cross-section, a tooth shape such as a spline, an oval shape, or a modified shape such as a semicircle shape.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which a rotation restricting portion 17 is mounted on the operation lever member 10. As shown in FIG. The rotation restricting portion 17 locks the operation lever member 10 to the hook 7 in a tightened state and a released state so that the rotation range of the operation lever member 10 is restricted. The rotation restricting section 17 has a structure in which a release contact piece 17a and a tightening contact piece 17b are respectively formed, and rotates together with the operation lever member 10.

The rotation restricting portion 17 is specifically formed integrally with the arm member 14, and a release contact piece 17a and a fastening contact piece 17b are formed on the arm member 14, respectively (FIG. 7). (A)]. A non-circular hole 14b is formed at the center of rotation of the arm member 14, and the operation lever member 10
Engaging projection 10 having the same shape as the non-circular hole 14b formed on the side.
a can be inserted, and the operation lever member 10
Has a structure in which the tightening shaft 5 can be tightened by screwing with the tightening shaft 5.

Then, the arm member 14 rotates together with the rotation of the operation lever member 10, and the release contact piece 17a contacts the hook 7 on the release restricting side so that the operation lever member 10 does not rotate any more. I have to. Similarly, on the tightening regulation side, the tightening contact piece 17b abuts on the hook 7 so that the operation lever member 10 is prevented from further rotating. At this time, the spring member 11 locked to the hook 7, the rotation restricting portion 17, and the operation lever member 10 are configured at positions where they do not interfere with each other (see FIG. 7B). As a result, the operation lever member 10 is overtightened,
Prevent loosening too much. The rotation restricting portion 17 may be formed integrally with the arm member 14, or may be formed from a separate member independent of the arm member 14, though not particularly shown.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a fixing bracket 1 is provided.
And a movable bracket 2 with a steering column
And two sets of front and rear tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3 formed in the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2, at least one of which is formed by crossing a horizontally long hole 3b and a vertically long hole 3a. Insert through 3, 3 2
It has a pair of tightening shafts 5, 5 and shaft support holes 6a, 6a through which the tightening shafts 5, 5 are inserted. Shaft support member A for keeping the distance between the first and fifth members constant
Operating lever member 10 for rotating the tightening shafts 5, 5
And a tilt telescopic column supporting structure including a shaft supporting member A and a spring member 11 for connecting the fixed bracket 1 to the tilt telescopic adjustable steering device. Even if the telescopic direction of the spring member 11 to be returned is adjusted, the spring member 11 is inclined and prevented from being greatly pulled, and the spring load of the spring member 11 is constantly stabilized, so that the tilt telescopic operation is improved. And various other effects are obtained.

The above effect will be described in detail. A vertically long hole 3a is formed on the fixed bracket 1 side, a horizontally long hole 3b is formed on the movable bracket 2 side, and a tilt telescopic adjustment hole including the vertically long hole 3a and the horizontally long hole 3b. 3 and fixing bracket 1
And the movable bracket 2 are separated from a shaft support member A made of a separate material, and the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2 from the tightening shafts 5, 5 inserted through the tilt telescopic adjustment holes 3, 3,. It is composed.

Then, the fixing hook 1 of the fixing bracket 1
c and the spring member 11 hooked between the hook 7 of the shaft support member A, the tightening shaft 5 and the shaft support member A are moved along the elongated hole 3a formed on the fixed bracket 1 side during tilt adjustment. It moves up and down, and the spring member 11 expands and contracts. The movable bracket 2 is formed with a horizontally long hole 3b, and the shaft supporting member A can make the fastening shaft 5 immovable in the telescopic direction by the vertically long hole 3a on the fixed bracket 1 side.

Therefore, in the telescopic adjustment, only the movable bracket 2 moves in the telescopic direction with respect to the fixed bracket 1, and the spring member 11 can function as a return spring regardless of the telescopic position. Can be improved. Further, since no excessive tensile force is applied to the spring member 11, the expansion and contraction of the spring member 11 is inclined and is greatly pulled, so that it is possible to prevent the spring load from becoming large, and the position adjustment operation is strongly performed. Pulling can be reduced, and a stable operation feeling can be obtained.

Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the shaft support hole 6a of the shaft support member A opposite to the shaft support member A provided with the operation lever member 10 is provided with the tightening shaft. By using a support structure for the tilt telescopic column having the same shape as the non-circular portion formed in 5, the idle rotation of the tightening shafts 5 and 5 in tilt telescopic adjustment can be prevented only by the shaft support member A, which is simple. And a weight reduction and cost reduction can be realized.

Next, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the shaft supporting member A is provided at the center of rotation of the operation lever member 10 and rotates together with the operation lever member 10.
And a tilt telescopic column support structure in which a rotation restricting portion 17 is mounted to abut on the hook 7 on which the spring member 11 is locked to restrict the rotation range of the operation lever member 10. Thereby, the rotation of the operation lever member 10 can be restricted. In addition, the structure can be simplified by integrating the rotation restricting portion 17 with the arm member 14, and a more accurate tightening shaft 5 can be formed by interlocking the rotation restricting portion 17 and the arm member 14. , 5 can be tightened and released.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 (A) is a side view as viewed from an operation lever member side, omitting a link mechanism, an operation lever member, and the like of the present invention. FIG. ) Is a side view of the present invention as viewed from the side of the detent portion omitting the detent portion and the like.

2A is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the present invention as viewed from the operation lever member side. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a main part of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the operation lever member according to the present invention as viewed from the side thereof.

FIG. 4 (A) is a side view of the present invention as viewed from the detent portion side, and FIG. 4 (B) is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a rotation stopper.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another type of shaft support member and a fastening shaft of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a side view using the shaft support member and the fastening shaft of FIG.

7A is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the rotation restricting portion of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a structural view of an operation lever member and a rotation restricting portion assembled. FIG. Figure (D) is a diagram showing the released state of the rotation restricting portion.

8A is an operation diagram in tilt adjustment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is an operation diagram in telescopic adjustment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fixed bracket 2 ... Movable bracket 3 ... Tilt telescopic adjustment hole 3a ... Vertically long hole 3b ... Horizontally long hole 5 ... Tightening shaft A ... Shaft support member 6a ... Shaft support hole 7 ... Hook 10 ... Operation lever member 11 ... Spring member 17 ... Rotation restricting part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fixed bracket, a movable bracket on which a steering column is mounted, and two sets of front and rear tilt telescopes formed on the fixed bracket and the movable bracket, at least one of which is formed by crossing a vertically long hole and a horizontally long hole. An adjusting hole, and 2 inserted through the tilt telescopic adjusting hole.
A shaft support member having a shaft support hole through which the tightening shafts are inserted, mounted on both ends of the shafts of the two tightening shafts, and maintaining a constant distance between the two tightening shafts; A support structure for a tilt telescopic column, comprising: an operation lever member for rotating an attached shaft; and a spring member for connecting the shaft support member and the fixed bracket. 2. The shaft support hole of the shaft support member on the side opposite to the shaft support member provided with the operating lever member has the same shape as a non-circular portion formed on the tightening shaft. A support structure for a tilt telescopic column. 3. A hook according to claim 1, wherein said hook is provided at a center of rotation of said operation lever member, rotates together with said operation lever member, is formed on said shaft support member, and is engaged with said spring member. A support structure for a tilt telescopic column, wherein a rotation restricting portion for restricting a rotation range of the operation lever member in contact therewith is mounted.