JP2005212570A - Steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering column device capable of operating a tilt adjusting mechanism part and a telescopic adjusting mechanism part with one operation lever. <P>SOLUTION: This steering column device is structured by providing the telescopic adjusting mechanism part 5 in an outer column 6 of a steering column 2, providing the tilt adjusting mechanism part 4 on an inner column 7 side and an upper column 8 side, turnably supporting a support lever 13 on the upper column 8 side with a bolt 21 arranged at a right angle against a steering shaft 3, turnably supporting a tilt/telescopic operation lever 11 with the support lever 13 through a rotation transmitting rod 28 arranged at a right angle against the bolt 21 so that the rotation transmitting rod 28 is interlocked with the telescopic adjusting mechanism part 5 through a lower rotation transmitting rod 38 and an upper rotation transmitting rod 40 to be engaged with each other for extension and shrinkage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering column device for an automobile, and more particularly to a steering column device including a tilt adjustment mechanism and a telescopic adjustment mechanism.

  Currently, passenger cars are obliged to use shock-absorbing steering shafts to reduce driver injury in the event of a collision. The shock-absorbing steering shaft prevents the shaft from protruding to the driver's seat due to damage (primary impact) at the front of the vehicle body during a collision, and the driver falls forward due to inertial force and hits the steering wheel. In such a case (secondary impact), the structure absorbs the impact.

  Even in a steering column device that is rotatably supported while the steering shaft having such a structure is inserted, in order to prevent a secondary accident in which a driver collides with the steering wheel and is injured in the event of a collision, a column tube ( A structure in which the jacket tube) contracts in the same direction as the steering shaft is employed. This column tube is configured such that a lower column tube located on the lower side of the foot and an upper column tube located on the side of the steering wheel are fitted to each other.

  Some of these steering column devices include a tilt adjustment mechanism and a telescopic adjustment mechanism in order to adjust the position of the steering wheel in accordance with the physique and driving posture of the driver. The tilt adjustment mechanism is a mechanism that allows the steering wheel to be turned in the vertical direction so that the steering wheel can be adjusted to the optimum position for the driver. The telescopic adjustment mechanism is a mechanism that enables the steering wheel to move in the axial direction of the steering column.

Conventionally, as a steering column device including a tilt adjustment mechanism unit and a telescopic adjustment mechanism unit, a tilt operation lever of the tilt adjustment mechanism unit and a telescopic operation lever of the telescopic adjustment mechanism unit are separately provided for the column tube. What is provided is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-78155 (FIG. 5) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-9973 (FIGS. 3 and 4)

  In the above-described steering column device, the tilt operation lever of the tilt adjustment mechanism portion and the telescopic operation lever of the telescopic adjustment mechanism portion are provided independently, and thus there is a problem that the operation is difficult. In particular, the upper tilt type steering column device has a problem that the telescopic operation lever hits the knee at the time of collision because the telescopic operation lever is positioned around the knee of the driver. In addition, when the telescopic operation lever is unlocked, the telescopic operation lever may hit the knee. Furthermore, when unlocking the telescopic operation lever and adjusting the position by moving the steering wheel backward, the driver is forced to extend the hand over the steering wheel moved backward to lock the telescopic operation lever. Therefore, it was difficult to operate.

  Further, in the above-described conventional steering column device, there is a problem that the arrangement space and the operation space of the tilt operation lever and the telescopic operation lever interfere with the driving space, and the layout property and appearance around the column are lowered. is there.

  Furthermore, in the conventional steering column device described above, it is necessary to operate the tilt operation lever and the telescopic operation lever separately. In addition to such independent operations, a function capable of simultaneously performing the tilt operation and the telescopic operation is added. It was requested to do.

  The present invention has been created by paying attention to the above-described problems. Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device having high operability that enables the tilt adjustment mechanism and the telescopic adjustment mechanism to be operated with one operation lever.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device with improved layout around the column.

  Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device that can cope with a change in the amount of expansion and contraction during telescopic operation.

  The invention according to claim 1 relates to a steering column device in which a tilt adjusting mechanism portion and a telescopic adjusting mechanism portion are provided on a separately formed steering column that is fitted to each other and is slidable in the axial direction. is there. The steering column device according to the present invention is characterized in that the tilt adjusting mechanism and the telescopic adjusting mechanism are linked to one tilt / telescopic operating lever.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to a steering column device according to the first aspect. The steering column device according to the present invention is characterized in that the tilt / telescopic operation lever is rotated in different directions depending on the operation of the tilt adjustment mechanism and the operation of the telescopic adjustment mechanism.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer column located on the front side of the vehicle, an inner column that is fitted to the outer column so that one end side is slidable in the axial direction, and the other end side of the inner column is vertically A tilt adjustment mechanism that locks and unlocks the tilted state of the upper column, and an expansion / contraction of the inner column The present invention relates to a steering column device including a telescopic adjustment mechanism that locks and unlocks a state. The steering column device according to the present invention is characterized in that the tilt adjusting mechanism and the telescopic adjusting mechanism are linked to one tilt / telescopic operating lever.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a steering column device according to the third aspect. In the steering column device according to the present invention, the tilt / telescopic operation lever is pivotally supported on a side portion of the upper column by a first support shaft that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the upper column. The support lever is pivotally supported by a second support shaft that is perpendicular to the first support shaft.

  The invention according to claim 5 relates to a steering column device according to claim 4. The steering column device according to the present invention is characterized in that the tilt adjusting mechanism portion performs a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the upper column by rotating the support lever on the first support shaft.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a steering column device according to the fourth aspect. In the steering column device according to the present invention, the telescopic adjustment mechanism is configured such that the tilt / telescopic operation lever rotates on the second support shaft with respect to the support lever, thereby locking and unlocking the inner column. It is characterized by performing operations.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a steering column device according to the sixth aspect. In the steering column device according to the present invention, the second support shaft is connected to a rotation transmission rod that can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction, and the telescopic adjustment mechanism portion operates to lock the inner column in response to the rotation of the rotation transmission rod. And unlocking operation.

  The invention according to claim 8 relates to a steering column device according to claim 7. In the steering column device according to the present invention, the telescopic adjustment mechanism section includes a telescopic bolt having a long hole formed at one end thereof, and a pair of lock nuts through which the telescopic bolt passes and slides relative to the telescopic bolt. A nut member provided at the other end of the telescopic bolt, a rod insertion port formed therein, a cylindrical member surrounding one end of the telescopic bolt, and a cam inserted into the rod insertion port and the elongated hole The cylindrical member is set to change the distance between the lock nuts by the rotation of the cam portion, and the cam portion is provided at the end of the rotation transmission rod. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 9 relates to a steering column device according to claim 8. The steering column device according to the present invention is provided between the tubular member and the lock nut located on the tubular member side, and between the nut retaining member and the lock nut positioned on the nut retaining side. In addition, a thrust bearing is interposed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the tilt adjusting mechanism and the telescopic adjusting mechanism can be operated by one tilt / telescopic operating lever, the operability is improved and the layout around the column can be improved. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to cope with a change in the amount of expansion / contraction of telescopic operation.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the tilt / telescopic operation lever is rotated in different directions depending on the operation of the tilt adjustment mechanism and the operation of the telescopic adjustment mechanism. Therefore, erroneous operation can be prevented.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the tilt adjusting mechanism and the telescopic adjusting mechanism are linked to one tilt / telescopic operating lever, the telescopic adjustment of the inner column with respect to the outer column and the upper column with respect to the inner column are performed. Can be adjusted with a single tilt / telescopic lever. For this reason, the operability is improved and the layout around the column is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 3, by changing the rotation operation direction of the tilt and telescopic operation lever, it is possible to distinguish between the tilt operation and the telescopic operation, Incorrect operation can be prevented.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the tilt adjusting mechanism portion can perform the locking operation and the unlocking operation of the upper column by rotating the support lever around the first support shaft. Therefore, it is possible to perform a tilt adjustment operation that is not uncomfortable compared to a conventional tilt adjustment operation, and also to enable a telescopic adjustment operation.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the tilt / telescopic operation lever is rotated by the second support shaft with respect to the support lever, so that the inner column can be locked and unlocked, and the telescopic adjustment operation can be performed. It becomes possible.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 6, since the second support shaft is connected to the rotation transmission rod that can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction, a change in the expansion / contraction amount of the telescopic operation is achieved. Can be supported.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, by rotating the rotation transmission rod, the cam portion can act on the long hole of the telescopic bolt, and the telescopic bolt can be moved relative to the tubular member. The inner column can be held and released by changing the distance between the lock nuts. By rotating the tilt / telescopic operation lever used in the tilt adjustment operation, the telescopic adjustment mechanism can be operated.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the eighth aspect of the invention, since the thrust bearing is interposed, the rotation transmission rod follows the rotation of the support lever in accordance with the tilt adjustment operation. However, even if the telescopic bolt is rotated about the rotation shaft, the rotational driving force is not transmitted from the cylindrical member to the lock nut by friction. Similarly, it is possible to prevent the rotational driving force from being transmitted due to friction between the nut retaining stopper of the telescopic bolt and the lock nut, and a smooth operation can be realized for the tilt adjustment at the time of telescopic locking.

  Next, a steering column device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The steering column apparatus according to the present embodiment is an application of the present invention to an upper tilt type steering column apparatus.

  The steering column device according to the present embodiment is configured such that a tilt adjustment mechanism portion and a telescopic adjustment mechanism portion provided on the steering column can be operated with one operation lever (tilt / telescopic operation lever). The tilt adjustment mechanism and the telescopic adjustment mechanism share a single tilt / telescopic operation lever, but can be operated independently. For convenience of explanation, in the description of the configuration of the tilt adjustment mechanism section and the telescopic adjustment mechanism section described later, it is assumed that each mechanism section includes a tilt / telescopic operation lever.

[Schematic configuration of steering column device]
Hereinafter, an outline of the configuration of the steering column device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a side view of the steering column device 1, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the steering column device as viewed obliquely from below.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a steering column device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a tubular steering column 2 formed in a divided manner, a steering shaft 3 fitted into the steering column 2, and a steering column. 2 includes a tilt adjustment mechanism portion 4 provided on the steering wheel side (not shown) and a telescopic adjustment mechanism portion 5 located on the front side of the vehicle body in the steering column 2.

  The steering column 2 includes an outer column 6 disposed on the front side of the vehicle body, an inner column 7 having a front portion fitted in the outer column 6, and a steering wheel side end (not shown) of the inner column 7 in the vertical direction. And an upper column 8 that is pivotally supported.

  The inner column 7 is attached to the outer column 6 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. Further, the steering shaft 3 fitted and inserted in the outer column 6 and the inner column 7 is fitted to each other so that it can expand and contract in the axial direction as the inner column 7 moves in the axial direction (slide operation). An outer steering shaft 3A and an inner steering shaft 3B are provided.

  Further, the inner column 7 is provided with an inner side structure 9 for attaching a ratchet plate 14 for tilt fixing described later, for example. The upper column 8 is provided with an upper side structure 10 for mounting the tilt adjustment mechanism portion 4 and the like.

  The steering shaft 3 (3C) fitted in the upper column 8 is connected to the end of the inner steering shaft 3B so as to be capable of being bent through a universal joint (not shown). For this reason, the steering shaft 3C and the upper column 8 surrounding the steering shaft 3C are refracted with respect to the inner steering shaft 3B and the inner column 7, thereby enabling a tilting operation of a steering wheel (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the free end of the steering shaft 3C protrudes from the free end of the upper column 8, and a steering wheel (not shown) is mounted on the free end of the steering shaft 3C. .

  As described above, the tilt adjustment mechanism 4 is mainly provided in the upper side structure 10 of the upper column 8 and operates in conjunction with the inner side structure 9 side. The tilt adjusting mechanism 4 is operated by a tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 provided in the upper side structure 10.

  The telescopic adjustment mechanism 5 described above is mainly provided in the outer column 6 and is operated by a tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 provided in the upper side structure 10.

[Tilt adjustment mechanism configuration]
Next, the tilt adjustment mechanism unit 4 will be described. As described above, the upper column 8 is pivotally supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with respect to the inner column 7. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper side structure 10 fixed to the upper column 8 and the inner side structure 9 fixed to the inner column 7 include a rotation support shaft 12. It is pivotally supported so that it can swing up and down. The inner steering 3B and the upper steering shaft 3C are connected to each other so as to be rotatable and swingable by a universal joint (not shown) as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the tilt adjustment mechanism unit 4 is mainly pivotally supported on the side surface of the upper side structure 10 so as to rotate on a plane parallel to the outer steering shaft 3C. The support lever 13, the tilt lever and the telescopic operation lever 11 that are rotatably supported by a plane orthogonal to the outer steering shaft 3 C, and the lower portion of the inner side structure 9 are fixed to the intermediate portion of the support lever 13. A ratchet plate 14 provided so as to extend downward from the upper-side structure 10 and having a ratchet 14A formed on the lower surface; and a lock tooth 15 having engagement teeth 15A that can be engaged with the ratchet 14A formed on the upper surface; Following the rotation of the support lever 13, it follows the upper side structure 10 along the axial direction of the outer steering shaft 3 </ b> C. Performing sliding operation the lock plate 16 for locking and releasing the lock tooth 15, consisting of Te.

(Description of support lever)
Here, the support lever 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. The support lever 13 is a lever having a substantially L-shaped rigidity when cut along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the support lever 13 has a first plate portion 17 and a second plate portion 18 that are substantially rectangular and share a long side and form a right angle.

  At the lower end of the first plate portion 17, a slide transmission piece 17 </ b> A is provided along the second plate portion 18, which is linked to the lock plate 16 and rotates and slides in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. The first plate portion 17 extends substantially perpendicular to the first plate portion 17. As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft support hole 19 is formed in the vicinity of the end of the first plate portion 17 opposite to the end where the slide transmission piece 17A is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second plate portion 18 has a second plate portion facing the opposite side of the first plate portion 17 at the substantially central portion of the edge located on the opposite side of the first plate portion 17. A rotation restricting piece 18 </ b> A bent so as to form a substantially right angle with 18 is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, a shaft support hole 20 for supporting the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 is formed in the center of the second plate portion 18.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the support lever 13 having such a structure has a bolt 21 as a rotation shaft inserted through a shaft support hole 19 of the first plate portion 17. The side structure 10 is rotatably supported on the side surface.

(Ratchet plate)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ratchet plate 14 is fixed to the lower part of the inner side structure 9 so as to extend below the upper side structure 10. A ratchet 14 </ b> A is formed on the lower surface of the ratchet plate 14 located below the upper side structure 10 along a curved surface having the rotation support shaft 12 as the center of curvature.

(Rock tooth)
As shown in FIG. 1, one end (end portion on the steering wheel side) of the lock tooth 15 is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 22 toward the upper structure 10 side. Further, as described above, on the upper surface of the lock tooth 15, meshing teeth 15 </ b> A that can mesh with the ratchet 14 </ b> A of the ratchet plate 14 are formed. For this reason, in a state where the ratchet 14A and the meshing teeth 15A are engaged, the posture of the upper side structure 10 including the upper column 8 is maintained, and the lock tooth 15 is rotated by the rotation shaft 22 to mesh with the ratchet 14A. In a state where the teeth 15A are separated from each other, the posture of the upper side structure 10 including the upper column 8 (adjustment of the tilt angle) can be adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lock plate engaged piece 15B is provided in the vicinity of the rotary shaft 22 on the opposite side of the lock tooth 15 from the surface on which the meshing teeth 15A are formed. The lock plate 16 is in contact with the lock plate engaged portion 15B, and the lock tooth 15 is forcibly released. Further, a taper surface 15C for the lock plate 16 to ride on and press the meshing teeth 15A against the ratchet 14A is formed on the side opposite to the meshing teeth 15A at the tip of the lock tooth 15.

(Lock plate)
As shown in FIG. 2, the lock plate 16 is a long and thin L-shape, and has a slide transmission plate portion 16 </ b> A whose one end is bent at a substantially right angle. As shown in FIG. 4, the slide transmission plate portion 16 </ b> A is provided with an engagement cylinder 16 </ b> B that houses the slide transmission piece 17 </ b> A described above and links the support lever 13 and the lock plate 16. Further, the other end side of the lock plate 16 is rotatably supported by a pin 24 on a shaft support frame body 23 formed on the upper side structure 10 side. In FIG. 2, a member denoted by reference numeral 25 is a guide member that is formed on the upper side structure 10 side and guides the rotation of the lock plate 16 and restricts the rotation surface.

(Tilt and telescopic lever)
Next, the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 is provided integrally with an arm portion 25 whose one end portion is rotatably supported by the support lever 13 and the other end portion of the arm portion 25. And a gripping portion 26.

  The arm portion 25 is an elongated plate having a predetermined length, and as shown in FIG. 2, a shaft hole 27 is formed in the vicinity of one end portion. The arm portion 25 has the shaft hole 27 aligned with the shaft support hole 20 of the support lever 13, the rotation transmission rod 28 is inserted into these holes, and the outer surface of the arm portion 25 is connected to one end of the rotation transmission rod 28. The nut 29 is rotatably supported by screwing. The washer 42 is provided with a hemispherical projection, and the telescopic operation lever 11 is locked by engaging this projection with one of the holes 43 and 43 provided in the support lever 13. The position or the unlock position is indicated, and the moderation of locking and unlocking is given.

  Further, a step portion 25 </ b> A that engages with the rotation restricting piece 18 </ b> A formed on the support lever 13 is formed on the side edge of the shaft hole 27 in the arm portion 25 (the edge in the direction in which the gripping portion 26 extends). Has been. Further, at one end of the arm portion 25, a rotation restricting portion 25B that defines a rotation limit opposite to the direction restricted by the step portion 25A is formed.

  Therefore, when the arm portion 25 is in the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the step portion 25A is engaged with the rotation restricting piece 18A, and the arm portion 25 is counterclockwise in the rotation direction B indicated by the arrow in the drawing. It is designed to restrict rotation in the turning direction. Further, when the arm portion 25 is rotated in the clockwise direction of the rotation direction B, the rotation restriction portion 25B is engaged with the rotation restriction piece 18A, thereby defining the limit of rotation.

  Note that the rotation operation of the arm unit 25 is related to the operation of the telescopic adjustment mechanism unit 5 described later, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gripping portion 26 includes a tilt gripping portion 26 </ b> A and a telescopic gripping portion 26 </ b> B that are easy to hold when operating in the rotation direction C. In the present embodiment, in consideration of easiness to hold, the gripping portion 26 has a structure including the tilt gripping portion 26A and the telescopic gripping portion 26B. Good.

[Configuration of telescopic adjustment mechanism]
Next, the configuration of the telescopic adjustment mechanism unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the telescopic adjustment mechanism unit 5 is a tunnel-shaped lock nut having a substantially rectangular tube shape in which a cylindrical hole is formed in a direction perpendicular to the outer steering shaft 3A at the lower portion of the outer column 6. In the housing 30, a lock mechanism composed of various members described later is housed and is schematically configured. The telescopic adjustment mechanism unit 5 is operated using the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 described above.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the telescopic adjustment mechanism unit 5 will be described. In the lock nut housing 30 formed in the lower part of the outer column 6, a rectangular notch (opening) is formed in the outer column 6, and the inner column 7 is exposed from the notch. A telescopic bolt 31 is fitted into the lock nut housing 30 along the direction of the cylindrical hole, that is, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the inner column 7 (the direction indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 2).

  The telescopic bolt 31 is disposed so as to protrude from one end of the lock nut housing 30 on the side where the support lever 13 is disposed. A large diameter portion 31 </ b> A is formed at one end of the telescopic bolt 31. A rectangular long hole 31B is formed through the large-diameter portion 31A.

  A cylindrical collar 32 having a pair of rod insertion holes 32A formed at opposite positions on both sides is fitted into the large diameter portion 31A of the telescopic bolt 31. The rod insertion port 32A is a circular opening, and its diameter is set to be approximately the same as the maximum diameter of the cam portion 38A formed at one end of the lower rotation transmission rod 38, which will be described later.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the telescopic bolt 31 includes a thrust bearing 33, a lock nut 34, a lock nut 35, a thrust bearing 36, and a nut 37 with a washer in order from the large diameter portion 31A side. Is fitted. The shaft holes 34 </ b> A and 35 </ b> A of the lock nuts 34 and 35 are set slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the telescopic bolt 31. For this reason, the thrust bearings 33 and 36 and the lock nuts 34 and 35 are rotatable relative to the telescopic bolt 31. The collar 32 and the lock nut 34 are rotatable relative to each other via a thrust bearing 33. Further, the lock nut 35 and the nut 37 are rotatable relative to each other via a thrust bearing 36.

  Here, the lock nuts 34 and 35 are arranged with a predetermined distance therebetween, and are arranged so as to sandwich the lower part of the inner column 7 exposed in the lock nut housing 30 from both sides. Yes. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, tapered surfaces 34 </ b> B and 35 </ b> B are formed on the surface where the lock nuts 34 and 35 come into contact with the inner column 7.

  Further, the rod insertion port 32A of the collar 32 and the long hole 31B formed in the large diameter portion 31A of the telescopic bolt 31 are coaxially formed on one end side of the lower rotation transmission rod 38 in a state where both are in communication. A cam portion 38A having an elliptical cross section is inserted. A male screw part 38B is formed at the tip of the cam part 38A. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the male screw part 38B protrudes from the rod insertion port 32A on the opposite side of the collar 32 and is screwed with the nut 39. It is prevented from coming off.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the other end side of the lower rotation transmission rod 38 is a square tubular fitting cylinder portion 38C over a predetermined length. Then, one end side of the square columnar upper rotation transmission rod 40 is fitted to the fitting cylinder portion 38C so as not to be relatively rotatable with respect to the lower rotation transmission rod 38 and to be slidable in the axial direction. The other end 40A of the upper rotation transmission rod 40 is rotated by a shaft support pin 41 while being sandwiched between a pair of parallel shaft support plates 28A, 28A formed at the other end of the rotation transmission rod 28 described above. It is pivotally supported. Therefore, the cam portion 38A of the lower rotation transmission rod 38 is rotated by rotating the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 pivotally supported on the support lever 13 by the rotation transmission rod 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. Can do. The telescopic bolt 31 can be moved relative to the collar 32 by the rotation of the cam portion 38A. When the telescopic bolt 31 moves relative to the collar 32 in this way, the distance between the lock nuts 34 and 35 can be changed, and the inner column 7 can be held or released.

  The configuration of the steering column device 1 according to the present embodiment has been described above. In the present embodiment, the tilt adjustment operation and the telescopic adjustment operation can be performed independently using one tilt / telescopic operation lever 11. It is a configuration. An embodiment in which the tilt adjustment operation and the telescopic adjustment operation can be performed simultaneously will be described later.

[Operation and operation of tilt adjustment mechanism]
The operation and operation of the tilt adjustment mechanism unit 4 in the steering column device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the upper column 8 and the inner column 7 are arranged on a straight line. For example, when tilt adjustment is performed by tilting the upper column 8 up and down from this state, an arrow C in FIG. An operation of pulling the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 to the right side of the drawing in the direction shown (driver side) is performed. In the case of this operation, it is easy for the driver to hold the tilt holding portion 26A of the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 for operation.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 rotates together with the support lever 13 toward the driver with the bolt 21 that pivotally supports the support lever 13 as the rotation center. At this time, the upper rotation transmission rod 40 connected to the rotation transmission rod 28 can slide so as to come out of the fitting cylinder portion 38C of the lower rotation transmission rod 38, so that the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 and the support lever 13 rotate. Is acceptable. The rotation transmission rod 28 and the upper rotation transmission rod 40 are pivotally connected by a shaft support pin 41, and therefore can be refracted with respect to each other, and are inclined with respect to the upper rotation transmission rod 40. By absorbing the angle change. Further, the collar 32 and the lock nut 34 are rotatable relative to each other via the thrust bearing 33, and the lock nut 35 and the nut 37 are rotatable relative to each other via the thrust bearing 36. When the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 is rotated to the driver side for tilt adjustment operation, the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 and the support lever 13 rotate, and the upper column 8 and the upper side structure 10 move. Thus, the upper rotation transmission rod 40 and the lower rotation transmission rod 38 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG.

  Thus, when the support lever 13 rotates, the slide transmission piece 17A formed at the free end of the first plate portion 17 of the support lever 13 moves the engagement cylinder portion 16B to the driver side. For this reason, the lock plate 16 in which the engagement cylinder part 16B is formed also slides to the driver side. When the lock plate 16 moves to the driver side, the end of the lock plate 16 on the driver side engages with the lock plate engaged piece 15B of the lock tooth 15 so that the lock tooth 15 is centered on the rotation shaft 22 in FIG. Turn counterclockwise. Then, the meshing teeth 15 </ b> A formed on the lock tooth 15 are detached from the ratchet 14 </ b> A of the ratchet plate 14. As a result, the upper column 8 and the upper side structure 10 are in a state of being refractable with respect to the inner column 7 and the inner side structure 9. In this state, the driver may hold the steering wheel and adjust the tilt so as to have a downward angle as shown in FIG. 7, for example, so that the steering wheel (not shown) is at an appropriate position.

  When the tilt adjustment position is determined, the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 is rotated back to the original position while holding the position of the steering wheel, so that the lock plate 16 slides toward the original position. In order to push upward the tapered surface 15 </ b> C formed at the front end of the lock tooth 15, the lock tooth 15 rotates about the rotation shaft 22 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7. Then, the meshing teeth 15 </ b> A of the lock tooth 15 mesh with corresponding positions in the ratchet 14 </ b> A of the ratchet plate 14. At this time, the upper rotation transmission rod 40 slides into the fitting cylinder portion 38C of the lower rotation transmission rod 38 and enters again. As a result, the position of the steering wheel is fixed. In order to return the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11, it is preferable to appropriately provide a biasing means for biasing the support lever 13 or the lock plate 16 toward the original position.

  Further, FIG. 8 shows that the upper column 8 and the upper side structure are operated by operating the tilt adjusting mechanism 5 in a state in which the inner column 7 is pulled out from the outer column 6 and a steering wheel (not shown) is moved to the driver side. 10 shows a state in which the tilt adjustment is performed so that 10 is refracted upward with respect to the inner column 7 and the inner side structure 9.

[Operation and operation of telescopic adjustment mechanism]
Next, the operation and operation of the telescopic adjustment mechanism 5 in the steering column device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows a normal state in which the telescopic adjustment operation is not performed. When telescopic adjustment is performed from this state, the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing along the direction indicated by the arrow B, as shown in FIG. At this time, the driver can easily perform the turning operation by having the telescopic gripping portion 26 </ b> B in the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in a normal state, the step portion 25A of the arm portion 25 is engaged with the rotation restricting piece 18A of the support lever 13, and the arm portion 25 is in the rotation direction B indicated by the arrow in the drawing. The rotation in the counterclockwise direction is restricted. Further, when the arm portion 25 rotates in the clockwise direction of the rotation direction B in the drawing, the rotation restricting portion 25B engages with the rotation restricting piece 18A, thereby limiting the rotation limit. In the present embodiment, in consideration of the driver's operability, the allowable rotation angle range of the arm portion 25 is set to an angle slightly narrower than 90 °. Can be set.

  When the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 is rotated as shown in FIG. 9, the rotation transmission rod 28 is provided integrally with the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11. The rotation is transmitted to. Since the upper rotation transmission rod 40 is deformed (fitted so as to be able to transmit rotation) with the fitting cylinder portion 38C of the lower rotation transmission rod 38, rotation is transmitted to the lower rotation transmission rod 38. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the cam portion 38 </ b> A formed at one end of the lower rotation transmission rod 38 also rotates.

  By the way, in a normal state where the telescopic operation is not performed, the cam portion 38A is formed on the inner wall surface on one end side of the long hole 31B formed in the large diameter portion 31A of the telescopic bolt 31 as shown by a solid line in FIG. I am engaged. In this normal state, since the major axis of the cam portion 38A is in a direction coinciding with the axial direction of the telescopic bolt 31, the one end portion of the telescopic bolt 31 (the end portion of the large diameter portion 31A) is relatively separated from the collar 32. It is in a state of protruding outward. Therefore, the collar 32 is relatively moved to the nut 37 side, and the collar 32 positions the lock nut 34 on the lock nut 35 side via the thrust bearing 33. Therefore, the distance between the lock nuts 34 and 35 is shortened, and the inner column 7 is held in pressure contact with the lock nuts 34 and 35 above the circumferential surface of the outer column 6. , 35 are locked. That is, since the lock nuts 34 and 35 cannot move away from the inner column 7 in the lock nut housing 30, when the distance between the lock nuts 34 and 35 is reduced, the inner column 7 is pressed by the tapered surfaces 34B and 35B. It will be.

  Therefore, as described above, when the cam portion 38A rotates at an angle of slightly less than 90 ° in conjunction with the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11, the cam portion 38A assumes the posture shown by the one-dot chain line shown in FIG. Since the inner wall on the end side of the long hole 31B is no longer pressed, the collar 32 moves relative to one end side of the telescopic bolt 31 to increase the distance between the lock nuts 34 and 35. Then, the lock nuts 34 and 35 do not press the inner column 7 and are not pressed onto the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 6, so that the inner column 7 can slide with respect to the outer column 6. In this state, the driver can place the steering wheel at an appropriate position by holding the steering wheel (not shown) and sliding it back and forth.

  Then, after the position of the steering wheel is determined, the cam portion is rotated via the rotation transmission rod 38, the upper rotation transmission rod 40, and the lower rotation transmission rod 38 by rotating the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 to the original position. The collar 32 can be moved toward the nut 37 provided at the other end of the telescopic bolt 31 by rotating 38A.

  In the present embodiment, since both the tilt adjustment mechanism section 4 and the telescopic adjustment mechanism section 5 can be operated with one tilt / telescopic operation lever 11, the periphery of the steering column can be simplified and the layout can be improved. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, even with one tilt / telescopic operation lever 11, the tilt adjustment operation and the telescopic adjustment operation are set to rotate the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 in different directions, so that an erroneous operation is performed. The steering column device 1 with low possibility and high quality operability is realized.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the steering column device 1 that can cope with a change in the amount of expansion and contraction of the telescopic operation is realized.

  Further, the steering column device 1 according to the present embodiment has an advantage that the operation can be performed in the vicinity of the steering wheel even when the fitting portion between the outer column 6 and the inner column 7 is close to the driver's feet. For this reason, when the telescopic state is locked with the steering wheel pulled out in the rearward direction, the tilt / telescopic operation lever 11 is in the vicinity of the steering wheel. There is no need to perform complicated operations or difficult operations.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiment has been described above, it should not be understood that the description and the drawings constituting a part of the disclosure of the embodiment limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the thrust bearings 33 and 36 are interposed between the collar 32 and the lock nut 34 and between the nut 37 and the lock nut 35 on the telescopic bolt 31 in the telescopic adjustment mechanism unit 5. However, since the swing angle of the lower rotation transmission rod 38 is small, the thrust bearings 33 and 36 may be omitted and a configuration as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the tilt adjustment mechanism unit 4 is provided. However, when only the telescopic adjustment mechanism unit 5 is rotated by the operation lever, the telescopic bolt 31 does not rotate. Therefore, the thrust bearings 33 and 36 are not necessary. Thus, the present invention is also applicable to a steering column device having only the telescopic adjustment mechanism 5.

  Further, the steering column device 1 according to the present embodiment is a type that performs the tilt adjustment operation and the telescopic adjustment operation independently, but in the above-described embodiment, the rotation transmission rod 28 and the upper rotation transmission rod 40 It is also possible to perform telescopic adjustment operations at the same time while performing tilt adjustment operations by connecting them with a universal joint.

  The present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing automobile steering column devices.

1 is a side view of a steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the steering column apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the tilt and the telescopic operation lever of the steering column apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, a support lever, and a telescopic adjustment mechanism part. 1 is a front view of a steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the telescopic adjustment mechanism part in the steering column apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the steering column apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which is performing tilt adjustment operation. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the steering column device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and showing a state in which the tilt adjustment operation is performed and the angle of the upper column is adjusted obliquely downward. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the steering column device according to the embodiment of the present invention and showing a state in which the tilt adjustment operation is performed with the upper column obliquely upward. 1 is a front view showing a steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention and showing a state in which telescopic adjustment is performed by rotating a tilt / telescopic operation lever. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a telescopic adjustment mechanism unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering column apparatus 2 ... Steering column 3 ... Steering shaft 4 ... Tilt adjustment mechanism part 5 ... Telescopic adjustment mechanism part 6 ... Outer column 7 ... Inner column 8 ... Upper column 11 ... Tilt and telescopic operation lever 13 ... Support lever 28 ... Rotation transmission rod 31 ... Telesco bolt 32 ... Collar (tubular member)
32A ... Rod insertion port 33,36 ... Thrust bearing 34,35 ... Lock nut 31B ... Long hole 37 ... Nut (Nut removal prevention)
38 ... Lower rotation transmission rod 40 ... Upper rotation transmission rod

Claims (9)

A steering column device in which a tilt adjustment mechanism portion and a telescopic adjustment mechanism portion are provided on a separately formed steering column that can be fitted and slid relative to each other in the axial direction,
A steering column device, wherein the tilt adjusting mechanism and the telescopic adjusting mechanism are linked to one tilt / telescopic operating lever. The steering column device according to claim 1,
The tilt / telescopic operation lever is rotated in different directions depending on the operation of the tilt adjustment mechanism and the operation of the telescopic adjustment mechanism. An outer column located on the front side of the vehicle, an inner column that is fitted to the outer column so that one end side is slidable in the axial direction, and one end side is connected to the other end side of the inner column so as to be vertically rotatable. And an upper column on which the steering shaft protrudes on the other end side, a tilt adjusting mechanism for locking and unlocking the tilted state of the upper column, and locking and unlocking the telescopic state of the inner column A steering column device having a telescopic adjustment mechanism,
A steering column device, wherein the tilt adjusting mechanism and the telescopic adjusting mechanism are linked to one tilt / telescopic operating lever. A steering column device according to claim 3,
The tilt / telescopic operation lever is supported by a support lever pivotally supported on a side portion of the upper column by a first support shaft that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the upper column. The steering column device is pivotally supported by a second support shaft that forms a right angle with the second support shaft. The steering column device according to claim 4, wherein
The tilt adjustment mechanism section performs a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the upper column by rotating the support lever about the first support shaft. The steering column device according to claim 4, wherein
The telescopic adjustment mechanism unit performs a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the inner column by rotating the tilt / telescopic operation lever with the second support shaft with respect to the support lever. Column device. The steering column device according to claim 6, wherein
The second support shaft is connected to a rotation transmission rod that can extend and contract in the axial direction, and the telescopic adjustment mechanism performs a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the inner column according to the rotation of the rotation transmission rod. Steering column device. A steering column device according to claim 7,
The telescopic adjusting mechanism includes a telescopic bolt having a long hole formed at one end, a pair of lock nuts through which the telescopic bolt passes and slides against the telescopic bolt, and the other end of the telescopic bolt. A nut retaining member provided, a rod insertion port is formed, a cylindrical member surrounding one end portion of the telescopic bolt, and a cam portion inserted into the rod insertion port and the elongated hole, A steering column device, wherein the cylindrical member is set to change a distance between lock nuts by rotation of a cam portion, and the cam portion is provided at an end of the rotation transmission rod. The steering column device according to claim 8, wherein
Thrust bearings are interposed between the tubular member and the lock nut located on the tubular member side, and between the nut retaining member and the lock nut positioned on the nut retaining side. Steering column device characterized by