JP2005255105A - Steering column device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a sufficient collapse stroke and a telescopic stroke even if the overall length of a steering column is short and also make rigid the steering column. <P>SOLUTION: A first projected part 12 projected in the radial inner direction from a lower column 1 (inner column) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of a middle column 2 (outer column), and a recessed groove 11 engageable with the first projected part 12 is formed in the fitting part side end part of the lower column 1 (inner column). Since the recessed groove 11 is overlappingly fitted to (engaged with) the first projected part 12 at a secondary collision, the collapse stroke to the bottom of the recessed groove 11 can be secured. Also, an upper column 3 (second inner column) is telescopically and slidably supported on the first and second projected parts 12 and 13. As a result, also the telescopic stroke can be secured sufficiently. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering column apparatus that can ensure a sufficient collapse stroke and telescopic stroke even when the overall length of the steering column is short.

  Since the steering device of an automobile is used (steered) by an unspecified number of drivers, it is desirable that the position of the steering wheel can be easily adjusted according to an individual's physique and driving posture. In order to respond to such demands, many passenger cars adopt an electric tilt type steering column device or an electric telescopic type steering column device.

  The electric tilt type steering column device is a device that adjusts the position of the steering wheel in the vertical direction, and divides the steering shaft and the steering column into the swing side column and the fixed side column, and the swing center of the swing side column A tilt pivot, and a tilt driving means including an electric motor and a screw mechanism.

  In the electric telescopic steering column device, the steering column includes a lower column fixed to the vehicle body and an upper column slidably fitted to the lower column, and includes an electric motor and a screw mechanism. It consists of telescopic driving means and the like.

  The tilt (or telescopic) driving means includes an electric motor that is used for tilting movement (or telescopic sliding) of the swing side column, and a tilt of the rotational driving force of the electric motor with respect to the swing side column (or sliding side column). (Or telescopic) power transmission means for converting into driving force.

  The power transmission means includes, for example, a worm gear mechanism that decelerates the rotation of the electric motor, a feed screw mechanism that converts the rotational driving force into a linear driving force, and a linear driving force that converts the linear driving force into a swing driving force of the swinging column. It consists of a link mechanism.

Incidentally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, as a safety measure for the driver at the time of a secondary collision, the front end portion of the outer column on the vehicle rear side is elliptically fitted to the rear end portion of the inner column on the vehicle front side. It is. As a result, when an impact load directed toward the front of the vehicle acts on the outer column on the rear side of the vehicle in the event of a secondary collision, the elliptical fitting portion collapses and the outer column overlaps the stationary inner column. In this way, the entire length of the steering column is reduced.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-48353

  Conventionally, the collapsible fitting part of the inner / outer column and the telescopic fitting part of the inner / outer column are difficult to wrap and set, and the fitting length of these two fitting parts, A length that simply added the collapse stroke was required.

  However, in reality, there are layouts where the required length is not sufficient, and in recent car spaces, the steering column is short, so there are many cases where the inner collapse method is difficult to achieve. It has become.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and even when the total length of the steering column is short, a sufficient collapsing stroke and telescopic stroke can be ensured. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering column device that can be maintained rigid.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle steering column apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is configured such that an inner column and an outer column fitted to each other are collapsed at the time of a secondary collision and overlap each other. In a vehicle steering column device that reduces the overall length of the column,
On the inner peripheral surface of the outer column, at least one protrusion is formed that protrudes radially inward from the inner column;
At least one concave groove that can be engaged with the projection is formed at the fitting portion side end of the inner column.

  In the vehicle steering column device according to claim 2 of the present invention, when there are a plurality of the protrusions, the protrusions are formed discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer column. It is characterized by being.

  In the vehicle steering column device according to a third aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of the concave grooves, the concave grooves are discontinuous along the circumferential direction at the fitting portion side end of the inner column. It is formed in this.

In the vehicle steering column device according to claim 4 of the present invention, a second inner column is fitted to the other end of the outer column,
The second inner column is held on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle steering column device including: a fitting portion between the inner column and the outer column; and a fitting portion between the outer column and the second inner column. The part is press-fitted and the other fitting part is fitted so that the telescopic position can be adjusted.

  As described above, according to the present invention, at least one protrusion that protrudes radially inward from the inner column is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column, and the fitting column side end of the inner column is formed. In addition, since at least one concave groove that can be engaged with the protrusion is formed, even when the total length of the steering column is short, a sufficient collapse stroke and telescopic stroke can be secured, In addition, the rigidity can be kept high without deterioration of the rigidity.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle steering column apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a vehicle steering column apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the lower column (inner column) shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a view taken in the direction of arrow b in FIG.

  3A is a transverse sectional view of the middle column (outer column) shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3C is a cc line of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a fitting state of the lower column (inner column) and the middle column (outer column) shown in FIG. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are operation diagrams showing the behavior of the three column members in the secondary collision, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the steering column is composed of three column members fitted to each other. The lower column 1 (inner column) on the front side of the vehicle and the lower column 1 are collapsed by an impact load at the time of a secondary collision. The middle column 2 (outer column) fitted so as to absorb energy, and the upper column 3 (second inner column) fitted to the middle column 2 so as to be telescopically slidable.

  The upper column 3 (second inner column) is configured to be telescopically slidable with respect to the columns 1 and 2 manually or electrically.

  A lower column side bracket 4 is attached to the vehicle front portion of the lower column 1, and the lower column side bracket 4 is provided with a pivot pin 5 as a tilt pivot. The pivot pin 5 is supported by a lower vehicle body side bracket 6 fixed to the vehicle body.

  As a result, the columns 1 to 3 and the like are supported by the pivot pin 5 serving as a tilt pivot so as to be tilted and swingable, and are tilt-adjusted and clamped by an electric type or a manual type.

  The middle column 2 is provided with an upper vehicle body side bracket 7 (tilt bracket) fixed to the vehicle body. The upper vehicle body side bracket 7 includes a pair of vehicle body mounting portions 7a, 7a formed at both ends of the top plate, and a pair of opposing surfaces formed integrally with these vehicle body mounting portions 7a, 7a in a substantially vertical direction. And flat plate portions 7b and 7b.

  The pair of vehicle body mounting portions 7a and 7a are provided with a coating plate (not shown), a capsule, and the like for detachment at the time of a secondary collision. Thereby, at the time of a secondary collision, the upper vehicle body side bracket 7 can be detached from the vehicle body together with the columns 2 and 3 and the like.

  Further, a steering shaft 8 is rotatably supported on the columns 1 to 3, and a steering wheel 9 is attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 8.

  Now, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of concave grooves 11 are formed from the column opening end at the end of the lower column 1 (inner column) on the fitting portion side. These concave grooves 11 are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction and are discontinuous in the circumferential direction. Further, the shape of the concave groove 11 may be a quadrangular shape as shown in FIG. 2, the end edge of the concave groove 11 may be tapered, or other shapes may be used. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of first protrusions 12 and second protrusions 13 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the middle column 2 (outer column). The first and second protrusions 12 and 13 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction so as to correspond to the concave grooves of the lower column, and are discontinuous in the circumferential direction. The first and second protrusions 12 and 13 are an integral part of the middle column 2 (outer column), and are formed by machining inside.

  Further, the first protrusion 12 protrudes radially inward from the outer diameter of the lower column 1 so that it can be engaged with the concave groove 11 of the lower column 1 at the time of a collapse stroke at the time of a secondary collision. It has become.

  Further, like the first protrusion 12, the second protrusion 13 also protrudes inward in the radial direction from the lower column 1, and the upper column 3 (the first column 3) is formed by the first and second protrusions 12 and 13. 2 inner column) can be slidably supported telescopically. However, the 2nd projection part 13 does not need to be formed discontinuously in the peripheral direction, and may be formed continuously.

  Accordingly, a sufficient telescopic stroke can be secured. At this time, it is possible to maintain high rigidity without deteriorating the rigidity.

  Further, the outer diameter of the upper column 3 (second inner column) is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower column 1 (inner column), and enters the inner side of the lower column 1 at the time of a secondary collision.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, normally, the collapse stroke of the inner column 1 is (Cs2). However, in the present embodiment, the concave groove 11 and the first protrusion are formed at the time of the secondary collision. Since 12 is fitted (engaged) and overlapped, the collapse stroke up to the distance (Cs1) to the bottom of the groove 11 can be secured.

  The apparent fitting length of the inner column 1 at this time is (Lk). Further, in order to ensure the collapse stroke of (Cs1), conventionally, only the fitting length of (Lks) can be obtained.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 12 that protrudes radially inward from the outer diameter of the lower column 1 (inner column) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the middle column 2 (outer column). Since the groove 11 that can be engaged with the first protrusion 12 is formed at the end of the lower column 1 (inner column) on the side of the fitting part, the groove 11 and the first protrusion at the time of the secondary collision. Since the portion 12 is fitted (engaged) and overlapped, the collapse stroke to the bottom of the groove 11 can be secured, and even when the overall length of the steering column is short, a sufficient collapse stroke is achieved. The telescopic stroke can be secured, and the rigidity can be maintained without deterioration of the rigidity.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, at the time of the secondary collision, the three columns 1 to 3 show the following behavior.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the lower column 1 (inner column) is press-fitted with a set fitting length. At this time, if the upper column 3 (second inner column) is placed in a lapped positional relationship, there will be no chance of being caught during a collapse. Alternatively, a long hole may be formed in the inner column, and the guide may be guided by inserting a pin from the lower column.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the collapsing is gradually performed, and the collapse stroke is performed until the end of the lower column 1 (inner column) comes into contact with the first protrusion 12 of the middle column 2 (outer column).

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the collapse further proceeds, the concave groove 11 of the lower column 1 (inner column) and the first protrusion 12 of the middle column 2 (outer column) are fitted (engaged). Therefore, the collapse stroke to the bottom of the groove 11 can be secured.

  At this time, the setting of the collapse load can be changed and controlled by changing the width of the concave groove 11 of the lower column 1 (inner column).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 12 protruding radially inward from the lower column 1 (inner column) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the middle column 2 (outer column). Since the concave groove 11 that can be engaged with the first protrusion 12 is formed at the end of the fitting part 1 of the inner ring 1 (inner column), the concave groove 11 and the first protrusion 12 Can be secured by the engagement (engagement), so that the collapse stroke to the bottom of the concave groove 11 can be secured. Even when the total length of the steering column is short, sufficient collapse stroke and telescopic The stroke can be ensured, and the rigidity can be maintained without deterioration of the rigidity.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made, and the middle column 2 and the upper column 3 may be slid to absorb energy during a secondary collision. . Further, the sliding surface of the lower column 1 and the middle column 2 or the sliding surface of the middle column 2 and the upper column 3 may be coated with a low friction material, or a bush may be interposed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a vehicle steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is sectional drawing of the lower column (inner column) shown in FIG. 1, (b) is the side view. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the middle column (outer column) shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof, and (c) is taken along line cc in (b). FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of the lower column (inner column) and middle column (outer column) shown in FIG. (A) (b) (c) is an operation | movement figure which shows the behavior of the three column members at the time of a secondary collision, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

1 Lower column (inner column)
2 Middle column (outer column)
3 Upper column (second inner column)
4 Lower Column Side Bracket 5 Pivot Pin 6 Lower Car Body Side Bracket 7 Upper Car Body Side Bracket 7a Car Body Mounting Part 7b Opposing Flat Plate Part 8 Steering Shaft 9 Steering Wheel 11 Groove 12 First Projection Part 13 Second Projection Part

Claims (5)

In the vehicle steering column device, the inner column and the outer column fitted to each other are collapsed at the time of a secondary collision and overlap each other to reduce the total length of both the columns.
On the inner peripheral surface of the outer column, at least one protrusion is formed that protrudes radially inward from the inner column;
A steering column device for a vehicle, wherein at least one concave groove that can be engaged with the protrusion is formed at an end of the inner column on a fitting portion side.   2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of the protrusions, the protrusions are formed discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer column. Steering column device.   2. The groove according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of the recessed grooves, these recessed grooves are formed discontinuously along the circumferential direction at the fitting portion side end of the inner column. Steering column device for vehicles. A second inner column is fitted to the other end of the outer column;
4. The vehicle steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the second inner column is held on an inner peripheral surface of the outer column. 5.   In the fitting portion between the inner column and the outer column and the fitting portion between the outer column and the second inner column, one fitting portion is press-fitted and the other fitting portion The vehicle steering column device according to claim 4, wherein the telescopic position is adjustable.

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