JP2004314828A - Steering tilt column assembly for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering tilt column assembly capable of decreasing the number of component parts as much as practicable, lowering the manufacturing cost, and preventing a bolt from slackening through improvement of a hinge bolt of a tilt lever by making sturdy the meshing condition of a stationary gear with a moving gear which are in meshing and enhancing further the safety of the tilting and the stop condition. <P>SOLUTION: The steering tilt column assembly for automobile includes a tilt adjusting means 300 composed of the stationary gear 310 fixed to the oversurface of a column bracket 222 and having a toothed part 311 on its upper side face, the movable gear 320 having a toothed part 321 at its bottom surface meshing with the toothed part of the stationary gear, furnished with a protrusion part 323 on the oversurface and capable of rotating on a tilt bracket 212, and the tilt lever 340 formed from a crosswise rod part 342 and and an extension part 345 having an unlocking slope part 346 for lifting a side face projection 324 on the movable gear 320 while it is tied with the other side end of the crosswise rod part 342. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering tilt column assembly for an automobile, and more particularly, to maintain a constant meshing state of a fixed gear and a movable gear engaged with each other in order to maintain a tilting state, By improving the upward rotation operation of the movable gear so that it can be directly operated by the tilt lever, some parts can be omitted, and the bolt used for the lever hinge of the tilt lever affects the rotational friction when the tilt lever rotates. It can prevent noise and loosening, improve the material and structure of the initial shock absorbing capsule used for the mounting bracket, and improve the shock absorbing effect, but it is easy to manufacture and can reduce the cost. The connecting structure of the lower bracket and the low bracket to one with a reduced diameter cross section It is characterized in that the shock-absorbing and fastened to allow all without using a double column with a.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a steering tilt column assembly for a vehicle is provided outside a steering shaft 20 provided to transmit a rotational force generated from a steering wheel to a gearbox, supports the rotation of the steering shaft 20, and connects the rotation to the vehicle body. It is to be.
[0003]
FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of a conventional general steering tilt column assembly.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 1, means for connecting the steering tilt column assembly to the vehicle body include a mounting bracket 70 fixed at an intermediate position of the column 10, a capsule 80 fitted into a slot from both sides of the mounting bracket, and It has a lower bracket 90 fixed to the lower end position of the column 10 formed by the outer tube 10a and the inner tube 10b, that is, to the lower end of the inner tube 10b.
[0005]
The upper and lower ends of the steering shaft 20 are connected to a steering wheel and a gear box, respectively, and are connected to each other by a universal joint that transmits rotational force while being bent within a predetermined angle.
[0006]
In addition, a tilting device for adjusting the angle of the steering wheel according to the driver's physical condition is prepared by fixing the steering column to the steering column supporting the steering shaft so as to maintain the bent state of the steering shaft.
[0007]
This tilting device can be seen in detail through FIG.
[0008]
Here, a column bracket 30 is provided on the upper end side of the steering column 10, and a tilt bracket 40 is provided on both sides of the outside of the column bracket 30 so as to wrap the column bracket 30. The steering shaft 20 is connected to both ends of the divided steering shaft 20.
[0009]
Also, both side surfaces of the column bracket 30 and the tilt bracket 40 are connected to each other by a universal joint (not shown) when the steering shaft 20 provided therein is bent through the tilt hinge 32 and the steering shaft 20 provided therein is bent. Refraction.
[0010]
On the other hand, on one outer side surface of the column bracket 30, an arc-shaped fixed gear 31 having the same center as the center of the tilt hinge 32 and having a toothed portion formed on the outer peripheral surface is prepared. A movable gear 41 is formed so as to mesh with the fixed gear 31.
[0011]
That is, the movable gear 41 is rotatably connected at one end to the tilt bracket 40 by a gear hinge 42, and has a tooth profile with which the tooth profile of the fixed gear 31 meshes on the inner peripheral surface at the tip. Although the portion is formed, it is elastically supported by a spring (not shown) and always meshes.
[0012]
Further, the tilt bracket 40 is provided with a structure in which the movable gear 41 and the fixed gear 31 that mesh with each other are separated, and the movable gear 41 is rotated so that the column bracket 30, the tilt bracket 40, and the steering shaft 20 are bent. .
[0013]
That is, the movable gear 41 is provided with a movable pin 43 protruding from one side surface thereof, and a rotating member 50 is provided below the movable pin 43 so that the movable gear 41 can be lifted through the movable pin 43. However, the center of the rotating member 50 is rotatably provided by the tilt hinge 32.
[0014]
At this time, the rotating member 50 is provided between the tilt bracket 40 and the column bracket 30 with both ends bent to face each other penetrated by the tilt hinge 32, and the intermediate side covers the outside of the movable gear 41. A rotating portion 51 is formed below the movable pin 43.
[0015]
Also, on the side of the rotating member 50 where the rotating portion 51 is formed, the tilt bracket 40 is connected to a gear hinge 42 which is a rotating point of the movable gear 41 and restored after the operation of the rotating member 50. A restoring spring 54 is provided so as to be restored to the original position after one side refraction of the column bracket 30.
[0016]
At the same time, another restoring spring 55 having a larger diameter is provided on the opposite side of the restoring spring 54 with respect to the tilting hinge 32 so that the tilt bracket 40 and the column bracket 30 can be restored after being bent to the other side. Provided.
[0017]
A connecting portion 52 is formed on the side of the turning member 50 opposite to the turning portion 51 and extends toward the tilt bracket 40 and is bent. The connecting portion 52 is a lever provided on the tilt bracket 40. One end of a tilt lever 60 whose middle side is rotatably fixed to a hinge 61 is connected to a hinge 61 through a connection spring 53.
[0018]
As a result, when the handle side of the tilt lever 60 is pulled, one end of the tilt lever 60 pushes the connecting portion 52, whereby the rotating member 50 rotates, and the rotating portion 51 lifts the movable gear 41. As a result, the movable gear 41 and the fixed gear 31 are separated from each other, so that the movable gear 41 and the fixed gear 31 can be freely tilted.
[0019]
On the other hand, the steering tilt column assembly is provided with an impact absorbing structure.
[0020]
One of them is a capsule 80 that is fitted to and fastened to the mounting bracket 70 for exhibiting the initial shock absorbing function, and the other is a collapsing structure that exhibits a shock absorbing function at the lower mounting portion. .
[0021]
In the latter case, as shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 10 is formed by inserting and connecting two hollow tubes to the outer tube 10a and the inner tube 10b so as to contract when transmitting an impact. A curling portion 10c is provided between the tubes.
[0022]
However, such a conventional vehicle steering column tilting device has the following disadvantages.
[0023]
First, since there is no separate structure and device for supporting the meshing between the fixed gear and the movable gear, there is a problem that the movable gear and the fixed gear are easily separated when an external impact is transmitted.
[0024]
That is, when an abnormal external force or vibration is generated, the movable gear 41 may rise because there is no means for constantly pressing the movable gear 41 toward the fixed gear 31. There is a concern that will be lifted.
[0025]
Secondly, the turning member 50 is installed as a tilt hinge between the tilt bracket and the column bracket, and is used as a means for lifting the movable gear 41. This is a thin iron plate that turns and has a rigidity. However, there is a problem in that it is fragile and can be popped up due to bending when transmitting an external impact, so that there is room for omission through structural improvement. is there.
[0026]
Third, in the steering column tilting device shown in FIG. 1, in order to fix the tilt lever 60 rotatably on the tilt bracket 40, the lever hinge 61 is fastened using a general bolt 61a.
[0027]
Referring to the fastening state of the general bolt 61a, as shown in FIG. 4, a separate plate 60b, parts such as a rivet 60a, a bolt 61a, and a lever 60 are required, and a counter bore of the tilt bracket is required. ) There is a disadvantage in terms of manufacturing cost because a work process such as riveting must be added.
[0028]
Also, if the bolt 61a is strongly tightened to maintain a state in which the head of the bolt 61a and the upper surface of the tilt lever 60, and the bottom surface of the tilt lever 60 and the upper surface of the tilt bracket 40 are in close contact with each other, friction occurs when the tilt lever 60 rotates. The operation is difficult due to the large force, and if it is tightened too loosely, there is a problem that a play gap is generated and noise is generated, and of course the bolt 61a is gradually loosened.
[0029]
Fourthly, there is a structural problem of a capsule 80 used for fixing the mounting bracket 70 to the vehicle body and a portion where the capsule is assembled.
[0030]
The mounting bracket 70 has an intermediate side wrapped around the upper end side of the steering column 10 and is joined thereto. At both ends extending therefrom, a wide extension 71 is formed so as to face the vehicle body. An open slot 72 is formed. The capsule 80 is prepared by injection-molding aluminum. An insertion groove 81 is formed on both side surfaces so that the outer peripheral edge of the slot 72 is inserted, and a bolt 84 is passed through the center side. The bolt hole 82 is formed so that it can be fixed to the vehicle body.
[0031]
This can be seen through FIG. 3, where a plurality of capsule holes 83 and slot holes 73 are formed in the outer periphery of the interlocking capsule 80 and the outer periphery of the slot 72, penetrating upward and downward. A plastic material is injected into the inside to solidify it into a pin shape.
[0032]
That is, the solidified plastic material connects the capsule 80 fixed to the vehicle body and the mounting bracket 70 fixed to the steering column 10, and is broken when an external impact is transmitted to the steering column 10. The steering column 10 is separated from the capsule 80.
[0033]
However, the conventional vehicle steering column release device having such a structure has a complicated structure of a capsule and a mounting bracket connected thereto, and at the same time, a plastic hole is formed in a slot hole communicating with a capsule hole formed in the capsule. Since a complicated process of injecting and solidifying the molten material must be performed, the installation process is troublesome, and the more complicated the installation process, the higher the production cost.
[0034]
In addition, when the load is controlled with a fixed pin made of plastic, the applicable range is limited due to the low load control range due to the characteristics of the material, and therefore the number and thickness of the fixed pins are adjusted. Then, there is a problem that the structure becomes more complicated.
[0035]
Fifth, there is a problem with the steering column 10, the low bracket 90 for supporting the lower end of the column, and the shock absorbing structure in this portion.
[0036]
The important point in this shock absorbing structure is that the low bracket must be used to fix the lower end of the column to the vehicle body, and the low bracket under the column is integrated by welding and the shock absorbing structure is prepared For this purpose, a low bracket must be welded to the lower end of the inner tube by using a separate inner tube.
[0037]
A conventional shock absorbing structure for this part can be seen in FIG.
[0038]
That is, the outer tube 10a surrounding the steering shaft 20 and the inner tube 10b to which the lower bracket is fixed cause collapsing to absorb the impact energy at the time of a vehicle collision. While being fixed to the vehicle body side, one end is coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 10a, and a plurality of curling portions 10c are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 10a along the circumferential surface.
[0039]
Particularly, such a curling portion 10c is formed in a form in which a plurality of perforations are formed in the outer tube 10a and the remaining portion is wound inside the outer tube 10a, and the curling portion 10c is formed into the inner tube 10b. It is assembled with the end of the base to exert a frictional force.
[0040]
Therefore, if the impact energy at the time of a vehicle collision is transmitted through the steering shaft 20, the collision energy is absorbed by the collapsing being advanced while the end of the inner tube 10b of the lower mounting portion is in friction with the curling portion 10c of the outer tube 10a. Is Rukoto.
[0041]
However, such a conventional structure has a problem in that the curling portion 10c is torn apart when the outer tube 10a and the inner tube 10b are assembled depending on the material of the material, resulting in a defective product. Not only is the process of forming the portion 10b very complicated, but also the inner tube must be added, so that a large number of parts are required.
[0042]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a new steering tilt column assembly that solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. A main object of the present invention is to provide a guard portion above a tilt bracket and an intervening portion below the guard portion. By providing a wedge member, it is possible to maintain the meshing state of the fixed gear and the movable gear meshed in order to maintain the tilting state in a firm meshing state, and at the same time, the safety of the tilting state The goal is to be able to further enhance
[0043]
Still another object of the present invention is to eliminate the conventional rotating member by improving the upward rotation operation of the movable gear so that it can be directly operated by the tilt lever. The goal is to increase productivity and lower manufacturing costs.
[0044]
Still another object of the present invention is to use a bolt having a stepped straight portion as a lever hinge bolt of the tilt lever so that the fastening force of the bolt does not affect the rotational friction when the tilt lever rotates. Accordingly, it is intended to prevent the occurrence of noise and loosening of the bolt at the tilt lever.
[0045]
Still another object of the present invention is to improve the material and structure of the initial shock absorbing capsule used for the mounting bracket, so that it is easy to manufacture and inexpensive, and the impact can be reduced only by the frictional force between the capsule and the mounting bracket. Absorption is what makes it possible.
[0046]
Still another object of the present invention is to improve the coupling structure between the lower end of the column and the row bracket to one having a cross section having a reduced diameter, so that it is possible to secure the fastening and to absorb the shock when an impact occurs. Is to make it possible.
[0047]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The characteristic means of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a steering shaft including an upper shaft and a lower shaft each having a lower end and an upper end connected by a universal joint, and the steering shaft described above is incorporated. An upper tube wrapped around the shaft, a tilt bracket connected to the upper tube, an upper unit made of a shroud bracket for fixing these to the vehicle body, and a lower wrapped around the lower shaft described above. A tube, a column bracket having a capsule assembling slot in the left and right splash portions while being connected to the upper end of the lower tube, and a mounting bracket for fixing the lower end of the lower tube to the vehicle body. Prepare the lower unit, and move both the left and right The hinge pin holes prepared on the left and right sides of the column bracket are connected to the hinge pin holes prepared on the left and right sides of the column bracket with hinge pins, so that the lower unit including the lower shaft and the upper unit including the upper shaft include the hinge pin. In a steering column which can be bent at a predetermined angle with a fulcrum as a fulcrum, a tilting adjusting means including a fixed gear and a movable gear is prepared between the column bracket and the tilt bracket. Although fixed to the upper surface of the column bracket, a fixed gear having a toothed portion on the upper surface thereof, the toothed portion of the bottom is engaged with the toothed portion of the fixed gear, but a protruding portion is formed on the upper surface, A movable gear that is rotatable on the tilt bracket, and a bottom surface that presses a protrusion of the movable gear. A wedge member having a wedge portion and having a connection protrusion on the bottom surface of the tip, a coupling hole into which the connection protrusion of the wedge member can be fitted, and a hinge bolt can be fitted to be rotatably fastened on the tilt bracket. A horizontal rod portion having a hinge hole, a handle portion connected from one side end of the horizontal rod portion, and an unlocking gradient portion so that a side projection of the movable gear can be lifted while being connected to the other end of the horizontal rod portion. A tilt lever formed by an extension having: a tension spring for pulling the wedge member in one direction; and a tension spring for returning the wedge member to an original position when the tilt lever rotates. It is to configure.
[0048]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0049]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 7 is a front view thereof.
[0050]
As shown in the drawing, the steering tilt column assembly of the present invention includes a steering shaft 100 including an upper shaft 101 and a lower shaft 102 each having a lower end and an upper end connected by a universal joint 103, and the steering shaft 100 described above. The upper unit 210 includes a built-in upper tube 211 wrapped around the upper shaft 101, a tilt bracket 212 connected to the upper tube, and a shroud bracket 213 for fixing these to the vehicle body, and A lower tube 221 wrapped around the lower shaft 102, a column bracket 222 having capsule assembling slots 222b in left and right springs 222a while being connected to the upper end of the lower tube; Tube 221 Consists of lower unit 220 has been made at a low mounting bracket 223 for securing the lower end to the vehicle body.
[0051]
Therefore, when the hinge pin holes 212b provided on the left and right sides of the tilt bracket 212 and the hinge pin holes 212b provided on the left and right sides of the column bracket 222 are connected by the hinge pin 201, tilting is possible.
[0052]
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper unit 210 including the upper shaft 101 can be bent at a predetermined angle about the hinge pin 201 with respect to the lower unit 220 including the lower shaft 102. The tilting adjusting means 300 of the present invention, which is very effective in performing a tilting operation, will be described with reference to an exploded perspective view of FIG.
[0053]
First, the column bracket 222 is fixed to the upper surface. A fixed gear 310 having a toothed portion 311 on the upper surface thereof is engaged with a toothed portion 321 on the bottom surface of the fixed gear. A protruding portion 323 is formed, and has a movable gear 320 rotatable on the tilt bracket 212 and a wedge portion 331 on the bottom surface to press the protruding portion 323 of the movable gear 320, and is connected to the bottom surface at the tip thereof. A wedge member 330 having a protrusion 332 is provided.
[0054]
At this time, the fixed gear 310 is fixed by a normal method of fastening using a fastening bolt, and the movable gear 320 has a hinge support leave 212 e having a rear end protruding from both upper surfaces of the tilt bracket 212. After being fitted in between, the shaft pin 325 is penetrated sideways so as to be rotatable up and down.
[0055]
A particularly important part of the tilt bracket 212 according to the present invention is that the wedge member is formed with a guard portion 212d that crosses both sides at a position higher than the both-side hinge support leaves 212e protruding for installing the movable gear 320. The point is that the upper surface of 330 can be pressed.
[0056]
As described above, the wedge member 330 and the movable gear 320 that are located below the guard portion 212d are operated by the tilt lever 340.
[0057]
The tilt lever 340 has a horizontal rod portion 342 having a coupling hole 344 into which the connection protrusion 332 of the wedge member 330 can be fitted and a hinge hole 343 capable of being rotatably fastened on the tilt bracket 212 by fitting a hinge bolt 347. A handle 341 connected from one side end of the horizontal rod 342, an extension 345 connected from the other end of the horizontal rod 342, and the side projection 324 of the movable gear 320 can be lifted by the extension 345. It has an unlocking slope 346 that is formed to be inclined as much as possible.
[0058]
The tilt lever 340 is fastened by a hinge bolt 347 as shown in FIG.
[0059]
That is, a hinge bolt 347 that is fitted into the hinge hole 343 of the horizontal rod portion 342 of the tilt lever 340 and fastened to a hinge point is fastened with a straight portion 347a below the bolt head.
[0060]
The straight portion 347a has a diameter L larger than the thread diameter of the bolt and a length L larger than the thickness of the lateral rod portion 342, or has the same length but always has a (+) tolerance. Therefore, when fastened with such a hinge bolt 347, the horizontal rod portion 342 is not pressed by the bolt head, so that it does not receive frictional resistance during rotation.
[0061]
At this time, the hinge bolt 347 of the present invention can be implemented differently as shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 13, an extension hole 222f is formed in the upper half part of the screw hole 222e to which the hinge bolt 347 is fastened, and fastening is performed while a part of the straight portion 347a of the hinge bolt 347 is inserted into the extension hole 222f. In this case, it is needless to say that the length L of the linear portion 347a is set to a value obtained by adding the depth d of the expansion hole 222f and the thickness of the horizontal rod portion 342. The tolerance is that it must be a (+) tolerance, not a (-) tolerance.
[0062]
The reason for such fastening is that the loosening of the hinge bolt 347 can be prevented as much as possible and the fastening force can be increased.
[0063]
A tension spring 230 connected between the wedge member 330 and the shroud bracket 213 to pull the wedge member 330 in one direction, and a tilt so that the tilt lever 340 can return to its original position when rotated. There is a tension spring 230 connected between the lever 340 and the shroud bracket 213.
[0064]
On the other hand, in the present invention, the initial shock absorbing means 400 is provided for fixing the column bracket 222 to the vehicle body.
[0065]
That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the capsule 410 of the initial shock absorbing means 400 has an upper plate 411 having a plurality of protrusions 413 on a bottom surface, a lower plate 412 having a plurality of protrusions 413 on an upper surface, and the above-described upper plate. Of the lower plate and one side of the lower plate are integrally connected to each other.
[0066]
When the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412 are parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 17, the capsule 410 has the end surface of the support 416a of the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412. There is an arbitrary interval W between the end faces of the support 416b, and the interval W is formed so as not to be greater than the height h of the protrusion 413 formed on the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412.
[0067]
The distance W is to prevent the bolts from being excessively tightened and the projections 413 of the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412 from being completely collapsed when the bolts are fitted through the bolt holes 415 and fastened to the vehicle body. .
[0068]
If the fastening force of the fastening bolt is too great and the projections 413 of the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412 are all broken, the capsule 410 and the spring portion 222a of the column bracket 222 cannot be detached from each other when an impact occurs. The shock absorbing function cannot be exhibited.
[0069]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the column bracket 222 of the present invention for using the capsule 410 has the recessed groove 222c for the seating of the capsule 410 in the vicinity of the slot 222b of the spring 222a. The capsule 410 is fitted in the seating recess 222c.
[0070]
At this time, a through hole 222d corresponding to the position of the protrusion 413 of the capsule 410 is further formed in the seat groove 222c as shown in FIG. 15, and when the capsule is fastened, the protrusion 413 is formed as shown in FIG. It is also possible to assemble a part of the through hole 222d, and the through hole 222d may not be formed forcibly as shown in FIG.
[0071]
On the other hand, in the present invention, the lower shock absorbing means 500 is provided between the lower tube 221 and the lower mounting bracket 223 described above.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 18, the lower tube 221 has a flat surface 221a formed at the end thereof by reducing the outer diameter, and the mounting bracket 223 has the flat surface of the lower tube. An insertion hole 223a having a straight inner diameter portion 223b is formed so as to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the end portion, and these are mutually assembled.
[0073]
Therefore, when the linear inner diameter portion 223b of the insertion hole 223a is out of the flat surface 221a and enters the circular portion when an impact occurs along the longitudinal direction of the column, the frictional force increases, and the impact can be absorbed by the frictional force. Become like
[0074]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the mounting bracket 223 may have an inner extension 223c formed by extending an inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole 223a and bending the insertion hole 223a to one side in order to increase a frictional force.
[0075]
Also, as shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of a plurality of straight inner diameter portions 223b formed in the flat end surface 221a of the lower tube 221 and the insertion hole 223a of the mounting bracket 223 are formed. You can also.
[0076]
This is to maintain a certain gap so that the initial frictional inertia is not maximized.
[0077]
An unexplained reference numeral 600 in FIG. 5 is a stopper means for limiting a range in which the tilt bracket 212 can be folded up or down.
[0078]
Next, the operation and operation of the present invention will be described.
[0079]
First, when adjusting the angle of the steering wheel, the driver pulls the handle 341 of the tilt lever 340.
[0080]
Accordingly, when the horizontal rod portion 342 of the tilt lever 340 rotates with the hinge bolt 347 as a fulcrum, the unlocking slope portion 346 formed on the extension portion 345 at the other side end is protruded to the side of the movable gear 320. At the same time, and at the same time, pulls the wedge member 330 in which the coupling projection 332 is coupled to the coupling hole 344 of the horizontal rod portion 342.
[0081]
Therefore, the bottom wedge 331 of the wedge member 330 allows the movable gear 320 to be lifted away from the protrusion 323 on the upper surface of the movable gear 320, and the toothed portion 321 of the movable gear 320 to be lifted is the first time the fixed gear 310 Are separated from the tooth profile 311.
[0082]
When the tooth profile 311 of the fixed gear 310 and the tooth profile 321 of the movable gear 320 are separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper shaft 101 and the tilt bracket 212 are In addition, the entire upper unit 210 including a part of the tilting adjustment means 300 can be rotated upward and lifted, or downwardly rotated and lowered.
[0083]
When the upper unit is adjusted upward or downward with the tilt lever 340 being pulled to a desired position, the tilt lever 340 is released in that state.
[0084]
At the moment when the tilt lever 340 is released, the tilt lever 340 returns by the force of the tilt lever return spring 350, and when the tilt lever returns, the horizontal rod portion 342 and the extension 345 at the other end return to their original positions. This is an operation performed because the wedge member 330 in which the coupling protrusion 332 is coupled to the coupling hole 344 of the horizontal rod portion 342 is pulled.
[0085]
The wedge member 330 causes the wedge portion 331 on the bottom surface thereof to push the protruding portion 323 on the upper surface of the movable gear 320 downward to rotate downward, and at the same time, the unlocking gradient portion 346 of the extended portion 345 retracted is movable. Allow the side projection 324 of the gear 320 to descend.
[0086]
Therefore, the wedge member 330 returned by the spring 350 is fitted like a wedge between the guard portion 212d provided above the tilt bracket 212 and the protrusion 323 on the upper surface of the movable gear 320 located thereunder. Since the wedge portion 331 of the wedge member 330 to be fitted presses the projection 323 on the upper surface of the movable gear 320, the movable gear 320 is pressed down, and the tooth profile 321 of the movable gear 320 meshes with the tooth profile 311 of the fixed gear 310. The tilting adjustment is completed.
[0087]
If an impact acts on the steering tilt column assembly of the present invention as described above in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, the initial impact absorbing means 400 acts primarily and almost simultaneously the impact absorbing means 500 below the lower tube acts. Buffer.
[0088]
First, in the initial shock absorbing means 400, the left and right splash portions 222a of the column bracket 222 have frictional force and stick out of the capsule 410 fixed to the vehicle body with bolts.
[0089]
That is, since the protrusions 413 protruding inward from the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412 of the capsule 410 are fastened immediately before being completely pressed down, the shock is absorbed by the frictional force of the protrusions, and FIG. When a part of the projection 413 is fitted in the through hole 222d as shown in FIG. 19, the initial impact absorption force is large because the friction force is further large.
[0090]
In the lower shock absorbing means 500, if the straight inner diameter portion 223b of the insertion hole 223a of the mounting bracket 223 is forcibly inserted into the flat end surface 221a of the lower tube 221 and an impact is generated, the straight line of the insertion hole 223a is generated. Since the inner diameter portion 223b moves out of the flat surface 221a to the circular portion, and thus has to overcome the change in the outer diameter, shock absorption can be performed.
[0091]
To maintain the meshing state of the fixed gear and the movable gear meshed to maintain the tilting state in a more firm meshing state so that the safety of the tilting and stopping states can be further improved. The other is to make the upward rotation of the movable gear directly operated by the tilt lever so that the number of parts can be reduced as much as possible and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. On the other hand, on the other hand, the hinge bolt of the tilt lever is improved to prevent noise or loosening of the bolt at the tilt lever.
[0092]
A characteristic feature of the present invention is to provide a tilting adjusting means 300 including a fixed gear 310 and a movable gear 320 between a column bracket and a tilt bracket 212, and the tilting adjusting means 300 is fixed to an upper surface of the column bracket 222. A fixed gear 310 having a toothed portion 311 on the upper surface thereof is engaged with a toothed portion 321 on the bottom surface of the fixed gear, and a protruding portion 323 is formed on the upper surface thereof. A rotatable movable gear 320, a wedge member 330 having a wedge portion 331 on the bottom surface to press the protrusion 323 of the movable gear 320, and having a connection protrusion 332 on the bottom surface at the distal end thereof; and a connection protrusion of the wedge member 330. The tilt bracket 2 is fitted with a coupling hole 344 into which the 332 can be fitted and the hinge bolt 347. 2, a horizontal rod portion 342 having a hinge hole 343 that can be rotatably fastened on the second horizontal rod portion 342, a handle portion 341 connected from one side end of the horizontal rod portion 342, and the movable gear 320 while being connected from the other side end of the horizontal rod portion 342. When the tilt lever 340 is formed by an extension 345 having an unlocking slope 346 so that the side protrusion 324 can be lifted, a spring 350 for pulling the wedge member 330 in one direction, and when the tilt lever 340 rotates, It includes a tension spring 230 for returning to the original position.
[0093]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention described in detail above has a wedge member that can hold the movable gear at the top of the tilt bracket and a guard portion that can hold the wedge member in order to maintain any tilting state as it is. The meshing state between the fixed gear and the movable gear meshed with each other can be maintained in a more firm meshing state, and thus the safety in the tilting state can be further enhanced.
[0094]
In addition, since the upward rotation operation of the movable gear can be directly operated by the tilt lever, the conventional rotation member can be eliminated, thereby increasing the productivity and reducing the manufacturing cost. .
[0095]
In addition, when the tilt lever is rotatably fastened, a bolt having a straight portion is used as the lever hinge portion bolt, so that the fastening force of the bolt no longer affects the rotational friction of the horizontal rod portion when the tilt lever rotates. This can prevent noise from occurring from the tilt lever and loosening of the bolt.
[0096]
Since the material for the capsule for the initial shock absorbing means is improved to a structure having projections by using only metal material without using synthetic resin material, the manufacturing is easy and the price is low, and the capsule and the mounting bracket are cheap. There is an advantage that the initial impact can be absorbed only by the frictional force between them.
[0097]
Further, in the present invention, the connecting structure between the lower end of the column and the low bracket is improved to have a cross-sectional portion with a reduced diameter, so that the lower bracket can be directly fastened to the vehicle body through the low bracket. An advantage is that the shock absorbing means can be prepared without a separate inner tube inserted under the tube.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional steering column assembly.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tilting structure of a conventional steering column.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional capsule and an assembled state.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a conventional hinge bolt.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a rear view showing the entire configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing the entire configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of the tilting adjusting means of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an operation state of the tilting adjusting means of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a front sectional view showing an operation state of the tilting adjusting means of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a hinge portion of the tilt lever of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the tilt lever hinge portion of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an initial shock absorbing unit of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a capsule of the present invention and an assembled state thereof.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the seating groove for a capsule according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a capsule of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a lower impact absorbing unit of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing an assembled state of the lower shock absorbing means of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of still another embodiment of the lower impact absorbing means of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 steering shaft
101 Upper shaft
102 Lower shaft
103 Universal Joint
200 steering column
201 Hinge pin
210 Upper unit
211 Upper tube
212 tilt bracket
213 Shroud bracket
220 Lower unit
221 Lower tube
222 column bracket
223 Roman mounting bracket
230 tension spring
300 tilting adjustment means
310 fixed gear
311 Tooth profile
320 movable gear
321 Tooth profile
323 protrusion
324 Side projection
325 axis pin
330 wedge member
331 Wedge
332 connecting projection
340 Tilt lever
341 Handle
342 horizontal rod
343 lever hinge hole
344 coupling hole
345 Extension
346 Unlocking slope section
347 Hinge bolt
350 spring
400 Initial shock absorbing means
410 capsules
411 Upper plate
412 Lower plate
413 protrusion
414 elastic part
415 bolt hole
500 Lower impact absorbing means

Claims (10)

A steering shaft 100 including an upper shaft 101 and a lower shaft 102 each having a lower end and an upper end connected by a universal joint 103, and an upper tube 211 containing the above-described steering shaft 100 but surrounding the upper shaft 101. A tilt bracket 212 connected to the upper tube, an upper unit 210 made up of a shroud bracket 213 for fixing them to the vehicle body, and a lower tube 221 wrapped around the lower shaft 102. A column bracket 222 having capsule assembling slots 222b in left and right springs 222a while being connected to the upper end of the lower tube, and a mounting bracket 223 for fixing the lower end of the lower tube 221 to the vehicle body. Done By preparing the lower unit 220, the hinge pin holes 212b provided on the left and right sides of the tilt bracket 212 and the hinge pin holes 212b provided on the left and right sides of the column bracket 222 are joined with the hinge pins 201, In the steering column 200, the upper unit 210 including the upper shaft 101 can be bent at a predetermined angle around the hinge pin 201 with respect to the lower unit 220 including the lower shaft 102.
A tilting adjusting means 300 including a fixed gear 310 and a movable gear 320 is provided between the column bracket 222 and the tilt bracket 212,
The tilting adjusting means 300 is fixed to the upper surface of the column bracket 222, and has a fixed gear 310 having a toothed portion 311 on its upper surface.
A toothed portion 321 on the bottom is engaged with the toothed portion of the fixed gear, and a protruding portion 323 is formed on the upper surface thereof, and a movable gear 320 rotatable on the tilt bracket 212,
A wedge member 330 having a wedge portion 331 on the bottom surface so as to be able to hold down the protrusion 323 of the movable gear 320, and having a connection protrusion 332 on the bottom surface at the tip thereof;
A horizontal rod portion 342 having a coupling hole 344 into which the connection protrusion 332 of the wedge member 330 can be fitted and a hinge hole 343 capable of being rotatably fastened on the tilt bracket 212 by fitting a hinge bolt 347; A handle 341 connected from one end of the side 342 and an extension 345 having an unlocking slope 346 so that the side projection 324 of the movable gear 320 can be lifted while being connected from the other end of the horizontal rod 342. A formed tilt lever 340,
A spring 350 for pulling the wedge member 330 and the tilt lever 340 in one direction;
An automotive steering tilt column assembly comprising a tension spring 230 for returning the tilt lever 340 to its original position when rotated. The steering tilt column assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tilt bracket (212) includes a lateral guard portion (212d) on an upper side thereof to prevent the wedge member (330) from floating. . It is fitted into the above-mentioned hinge hole 343 for the tilt lever 340, and is fastened. The steering tilt column assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tilt lever (340) has no frictional resistance against rotation during rotation. The above-mentioned column bracket 222 constitutes the initial shock absorbing means 400 by assembling the capsule 410 by fitting the capsule 410 into the slots 222b of the splash portions 222a formed on the left and right sides thereof and then fastening the capsule to the vehicle body.
The capsule 410 includes an upper plate 411 having a plurality of protrusions 413 on a bottom surface, a lower plate 412 having a plurality of protrusions 413 on an upper surface, and one side of the upper plate and one side of the lower plate. The steering tilt column assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the steering tilt column assembly is configured by elastic portions (414) connected by (4). In the column bracket 222, the capsule 410 seating recess groove 222c is formed around the slot 222b, and the through hole 222d corresponding to the projection 413 of the capsule 410 is formed in the seat recess groove 222c. The steering tilt column assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: The capsule 410 has an elliptical bolt hole 415 formed in the center of the upper plate 411. The inner peripheral edge of the bolt hole 415 is extended downward to become the upper support 416a, and the lower plate 412 An oval bolt hole 415 is formed at the center, and the inner peripheral edge of the bolt hole 415 is extended upward so as to become a lower support 416b. 5. The steering tilt column assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the plate 411 and the lower plate 412 is not so close. When the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412 are parallel to each other, the capsule 410 has a gap between the end surface of the support 416a of the upper plate 411 and the end surface of the support 416b of the lower plate 412. 7. The steering tilt column assembly for an automobile according to claim 6, wherein W is not larger than a height h of the protrusions 413 formed on the upper plate 411 and the lower plate 412. Although the shock absorbing means 500 is provided between the lower tube 221 and the mounting bracket 223, the lower tube 221 is formed as a single piece and the flat surface 221a is formed by reducing the outer diameter at the end thereof. The mounting bracket 223 described above forms an insertion hole 223a having a straight inner diameter portion 223b so as to match the cross-sectional shape of the end portion where the flat surface of the lower tube is formed. 2. The steering tilt column assembly for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein, when assembled, when a shock occurs, the linear inner diameter portion 223b of the insertion hole 223a is disengaged from the flat surface 221a and increases the frictional force to absorb the shock. The end flat surface 221a of the lower tube 221 and the linear inner diameter portion 223b formed in the insertion hole 223a of the mounting bracket 223 are formed in a plurality respectively while having positions corresponding to each other. An automotive steering tilt column assembly according to claim 8. The mounting bracket 223 has an insertion hole 223a, and an inner extension 223c extending to one side at an inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole 223a to increase a frictional force. An automotive steering tilt column assembly according to claim 8.

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