JP2006224867A - Lock mechanism of steering device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lock mechanism capable of being executed at a small space and sufficiently ensuring secondary stroke at secondary collision at vehicle collision. <P>SOLUTION: A main shaft 11 integrated with a steering wheel can be telescopically adjusted within a set range and can be moved to an away position at a front side in an axial direction than the set range. A lock member 51 advanceable/retreatably into an axial movement area of the main shaft 11 is provided on a steering column 20 for axially movably and rotatably supporting the main shaft 11 and a fitting recession part 11b is provided on the main shaft 11. When the main shaft 11 is moved to the away position, the lock member 51 and the fitting recession part 11b are fitted and rotation of the main shaft 11 is restricted. When the main shaft 11 is moved to the front side in an axial direction than the away position, the lock member 51 is retreated to the outside of the axial movement area of the main shaft 11 and the advancement to the front side in the axial direction of the main shaft 11 is allowed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a locking mechanism for a vehicle steering device, that is, a type of vehicle antitheft device that locks the rotation of a main shaft integrated with a steering wheel based on a locking operation (for example, an ignition key release operation). About.

In a vehicle steering apparatus, an electric telescopic mechanism, that is, a main shaft integrated with a steering wheel is configured to be telescopically adjustable within a setting range by an electric actuator for telescopic operation, and the shaft from the setting range. A tilting electric actuator is used to set the main shaft integrated with the steering wheel, that is, the one that is configured to move to the forward-facing away position (telecore way position). Some are configured to be tilt adjustable within the range and are configured to be movable to an upper position (tilt-out position) above the set range. Equipped with an electric actuator For example, there see below Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-76567

  Patent Document 1 described above discloses a lock mechanism that works in conjunction with an electric telescopic mechanism. In this lock mechanism, a first fitting portion for locking is formed on the steering side (including a main shaft integral with the steering wheel and a steering column that rotatably supports the main shaft). A second fitting portion is formed on the mounting main body side (vehicle body side), and the steering moves to a forward position that is ahead of a normal telescopic position (a setting range in which telescopic adjustment is possible). The steering is locked when the second fitting portion is fitted.

  In the locking mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, the steering fitting is locked by fitting the first fitting portion on the steering side to the second fitting portion on the steering attachment main body portion side. At this time, it is necessary to move the first fitting portion forward until the first fitting portion is fitted to the second fitting portion. However, the steering-side member that moves integrally with the first fitting portion includes a main shaft that is integral with the steering wheel, a steering column that rotatably supports the main shaft, and the like. It is necessary to secure a large space for allowing movement, which is difficult to realize. Further, in a state where the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are fitted (locked state), the steering wheel has a structure that is difficult to move forward of the vehicle. It is difficult to ensure a sufficient secondary stroke that allows the wheel to move forward of the vehicle.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lock mechanism that can be implemented in a small space and can sufficiently ensure a secondary stroke at the time of a secondary collision at the time of a vehicle collision. In order to achieve such an object, the present invention is configured such that a main shaft integrated with a steering wheel is configured to be telescopically adjustable within a set range by a telescopic electric actuator, and is axially forward of the set range. In a vehicle steering apparatus having an electric telescopic mechanism configured to be movable to an away position, the main shaft is moved in the axial direction on a steering column that supports the main shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction and rotatable. A lock member capable of entering and retracting is provided in the region, and when the main shaft is moved to the away position, the lock member is allowed to enter when the main shaft is moved to the away position, and is fitted to the lock member. Moves axially forward from the away position Sometimes, a fitting portion for retracting the lock member outside the axial movement region of the main shaft is provided, and rotation of the main shaft is restricted in a state where the lock member and the fitting portion are fitted, A feature is that the main shaft is allowed to move forward in the axial direction when the lock member is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft.

  The lock mechanism configured as described above can be implemented by providing the steering column with a lock member capable of entering / retracting toward the main shaft and providing a fitting portion on the main shaft where the lock member can be fitted / retracted. Yes, it can be implemented in a small space (a space provided with a lock member that can enter and retract toward the main shaft).

  Further, in this lock mechanism, when the main shaft moves forward in the axial direction from the away position, the fitting portion provided on the main shaft retracts the lock member out of the axial movement region of the main shaft. Further, in this state (a state where the lock member is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft), the main shaft integral with the steering wheel is allowed to move forward in the axial direction. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently secure a secondary stroke in which the steering wheel can move forward of the vehicle at the time of the secondary collision at the time of the vehicle collision.

  Further, according to the present invention, the main shaft integrated with the steering wheel is configured so that the tilt can be adjusted within the setting range by the electric actuator for tilting, and is configured to be movable to the away position above the setting range. In the vehicle steering apparatus provided with the electrically driven tilt mechanism, a support portion that supports the main shaft so as to be movable and rotatable in the axial direction and tiltably supports the steering column that tilts together with the main shaft; A lock member that penetrates the steering column and can be moved into and out of the axial movement region of the main shaft is provided, and when the main shaft moves to the away position, the lock member enters the main shaft. The main shaft is allowed to be fitted with the lock member. When moving forward in the axial direction from the away position, a fitting portion for retracting the lock member outside the axial movement region of the main shaft is provided, and the lock member and the fitting portion are in a fitted state. In the state where the rotation of the main shaft is restricted and the lock member is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft, the main shaft is allowed to move forward in the axial direction. There is.

  The lock mechanism configured as described above is provided with a lock member that penetrates the steering column and can enter and retreat toward the main shaft at a support portion that supports the steering column so as to be tiltable, and the lock member is fitted to the main shaft. This can be implemented by providing a fitting part that can be combined and retracted, and can be implemented in a small space (a space in which a lock member that can enter and retract toward the main shaft is provided).

  Further, in this lock mechanism, when the main shaft moves forward in the axial direction from the away position, the fitting portion provided on the main shaft retracts the lock member out of the axial movement region of the main shaft. Further, in this state (a state where the lock member is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft), the main shaft integral with the steering wheel is allowed to move forward in the axial direction. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently secure a secondary stroke in which the steering wheel can move forward of the vehicle at the time of the secondary collision at the time of the vehicle collision.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a locking mechanism of a vehicle steering device according to the present invention. In this first embodiment, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle steering device is shown. Includes an electric telescopic mechanism A and an electric tilt mechanism B, and the steering shaft 10 is rotatably assembled to the steering column 20 as shown in detail in FIG.

  The steering shaft 10 includes a hollow main shaft 11 and a solid lower shaft 12 splined to the front end portion (the left end portion in the drawing) of the main shaft 11 so as to be movable in the axial direction and capable of transmitting torque. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel 30 is integrally assembled with the rear end of the main shaft 11.

  The main shaft 11 is assembled to the upper column tube 21 of the steering column 20 via a bearing 41 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction, and an inner spline 11a is formed on the inner periphery of the front portion thereof. Yes. Further, four fitting recesses 11b are formed on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of the main shaft 11 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Each fitting recess 11 b is a groove extending in the axial direction and having a slope 11 b 1 at the rear end, and the front end is opened forward by a tapered surface 11 c formed on the main shaft 11.

  The lower shaft 12 is assembled to the lower column tube 22 of the steering column 20 via a bearing 42 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction, and is fitted to the inner spline 11a of the main shaft 11 on the outer periphery of the rear end portion. A mating outer spline 12a is formed. Further, an outer spline 12b is formed on the outer periphery of the front end portion of the lower shaft 12 to be connected to the intermediate shaft through a joint (both not shown).

  The steering column 20 supports the main shaft 11 rotatably and supports an upper column tube 21 that can move integrally with the main shaft 11 in the axial direction, and supports the upper column tube 21 so that it can move in the axial direction. The lower column tube 22 is connected via a support pin 23 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction (not shown).

  The upper column tube 21 is fitted to the rear part of the lower column tube 22 at its front part so as to be movable in the axial direction, and is electrically operated telescopically interposed between the upper column tube 21 and the lower column tube 22. The telescopic electric actuator Aa (see FIG. 1) provided in the mechanism A can be telescopically adjusted within the set range (the range from the long position shown in FIG. 4 to the short position shown in FIG. 5) together with the main shaft 11. In addition, it is configured to be movable from the set range to an axially forward away position (tele-score way position shown in FIG. 6).

  The telescopic electric actuator Aa is configured such that its operation is controlled by the electric control unit ECU, and the upper column tube 21 is within the set range with respect to the lower column tube 22 based on the operation of the telescopic operation switch S1. Telescopic adjustment is possible, and the upper column tube 21 is moved away from the set range in the axial direction with respect to the lower column tube 22 based on an ignition key release operation (detectable by the lock operation detection switch S3). It can be moved to a position.

  The lower column tube 22 is used together with the main shaft 11, the lower shaft 12, and the upper column tube 21 by a tilting electric actuator Ba (see FIG. 1) provided in the electric tilt mechanism B interposed between the lower column tube 22 and the vehicle body. It is configured to be capable of tilt adjustment within the setting range, and is configured to be able to move to an away position (tilt-away position) above the setting range.

  The electric actuator Ba for tilting is configured such that its operation is controlled by the electric control unit ECU, and the lower column tube 22 is tilted with respect to the vehicle body within a set range based on the operation of the tilt operation button S2. The lower column tube 22 can be moved to an upper position above the set range with respect to the vehicle body based on the release operation of the ignition key.

  By the way, in this 1st Embodiment, the lock member 51 and the spring 52 are assembled | attached to the lower column tube 22, and the lock mechanism is comprised by these and the fitting recessed part 11b of the main shaft 11 mentioned above. . The lock member 51 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, has a slope 51a at the rear inner end, passes through an axially extending slit 21a formed in the upper column tube 21, and the axis of the main shaft 11 It can enter and retreat in the direction moving region in the radial direction (the vertical direction in the figure), and is assembled to the radial rectangular support hole 22a provided in the lower column tube 22 so as to be able to advance and retract.

  The lock member 51 has a diameter against the elastic force of the spring 52 when the tapered surface 11c or the inclined surface 11b1 of the main shaft 11 is engaged with the inclined surface 51a and is pushed forward in the axial direction by the main shaft 11. It is configured to be pushed outward. The spring 52 holds the lock member 51 in a retractable manner, and is interposed between the cap 24 fixed to the rectangular support hole 22 a of the lower column tube 22 and the lock member 51.

  In the locking mechanism including the fitting recess 11b of the main shaft 11, the lock member 51, and the spring 52, when the main shaft 11 is moved to the telescore way position, the lock member 51 is fitted as shown in FIGS. It is configured to enter and fit into the joint recess 11b and to restrict the rotation of the main shaft 11. Further, when the main shaft 11 moves axially forward from the telescore way position, as shown in FIG. 8, the lock member 51 is pushed outward in the radial direction and retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft 11. The main shaft 11 is configured to be allowed to move forward in the axial direction.

  In the locking mechanism of the first embodiment configured as described above, the lower column tube 22 of the steering column 20 is provided with a locking member 51 that can enter and retract toward the main shaft 11, and the locking member 51 is fitted / removed. This can be implemented by providing the retractable fitting recess 11 b in the main shaft 11, and can be implemented in a small space (a space for providing the lock member 51 that can enter and retract toward the main shaft 11).

  In this lock mechanism, when the main shaft 11 moves axially forward from the telescore way position, the fitting recess 11b provided in the main shaft 11 retracts the lock member 51 out of the axial movement region of the main shaft 11. Let Further, in this state (a state in which the lock member 51 is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft), the main shaft 11 integral with the steering wheel 30 is allowed to move forward in the axial direction. For this reason, at the time of the secondary collision at the time of a vehicle collision, it is possible to ensure sufficiently the secondary stroke which the steering wheel 30 can move ahead of a vehicle.

  In the first embodiment described above, the upper column tube 21 and the main shaft 11 are integrally configured to move axially toward the front of the vehicle at the time of a secondary collision at the time of a vehicle collision. At the time of the secondary collision, the upper column tube 21 is held at the position shown in FIG. 6 and the main shaft 11 is configured to move in the axial direction toward the front of the vehicle (so that it breaks at the connecting portion of the bearing 41). It is also possible to implement it.

  In the first embodiment described above, the lock mechanism according to the present invention is configured to be interlocked with the operation of the telescopic mechanism A. However, as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. The lock mechanism according to the present invention can be configured and implemented so as to be interlocked with the operation of the tilt mechanism B. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the main shaft 111 and the like are held at the center position of the setting range in which the tilt adjustment is possible at the telescore way position. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the main shaft 111 and the like are held at the upper limit position of the setting range in which the tilt adjustment is possible at the telescore way position. FIG. 11 shows a state where the main shaft 111 and the like are at the telescore way position and are held at an upper position (tilt way position) above the tilt adjustable setting range (a state after the ignition key is released). Show.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a lock member 151 and a spring 152 are assembled to a support bracket 160 that is fixed to the vehicle body and supports the steering column 120 so as to be tiltable. A lock mechanism is configured by the fitting recess 111 b provided in the ring 111. Since the configuration other than the locking mechanism is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals of the 100th generation are attached and description thereof is omitted.

  The lock member 151 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and has a slope 151 a at the rear inner end. The lock member 151 has a through hole 122 b provided in the lower column tube 122 and an axial direction formed in the upper column tube 121. It penetrates through the extending slit 121a, and can enter and retreat in the axial direction moving region of the main shaft 111 in the radial direction (the vertical direction in the figure), and is assembled to the support bracket 160 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the vertical direction. .

  The lock member 151 has a diameter against the elastic force of the spring 152 when the tapered surface 111c or the inclined surface 111b1 of the main shaft 111 is engaged with the inclined surface 151a and pushed forward in the axial direction by the main shaft 111. Pushed outward. The spring 152 holds the lock member 151 in a retractable manner, and is interposed between the support bracket 160 and the lock member 151.

  In the lock mechanism including the fitting recess 111b of the main shaft 111, the lock member 151, and the spring 152, when the main shaft 111 is moved to the tilt-away position, as shown in FIG. 11, the lock member 151 is fitted into the fitting recess 111b. The main shaft 111 is configured so as to be restricted from entering and fitting. Further, when the main shaft 111 moves axially forward from the tilt-away position, the lock member 151 is pushed outward in the radial direction and retracts outside the axial movement region of the main shaft 111, and the axial direction of the main shaft 111 It is configured to be allowed to move forward.

  The lock mechanism of the second embodiment configured as described above enters the support bracket 160 that supports the steering column 120 so as to be tiltable, and penetrates the through hole 122b and the slit 121a of the steering column 120 toward the main shaft 111. This can be implemented by providing a lock member 151 that can be retracted and a fitting recess 111b in which the lock member 151 can be fitted and retracted on the main shaft 111, and a small space (entering and retracting toward the main shaft 111). This is possible in a space where a possible lock member 151 is provided.

  Further, in this lock mechanism, when the main shaft 111 is in the tilt-away position and moves forward in the axial direction from the telescore way position, the fitting recess 111b provided in the main shaft 111 causes the lock member 151 to move to the axis of the main shaft 111. Retreat out of the direction movement area. Further, in this state (the state in which the lock member 151 is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft 111), the main shaft 111 integral with the steering wheel is allowed to move forward in the axial direction. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently secure a secondary stroke in which the steering wheel can move forward of the vehicle at the time of the secondary collision at the time of the vehicle collision.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the steering is locked based on the ignition key release operation. However, the steering is locked based on an operation other than the ignition key release operation (lock operation). The lock operation is not limited to the operation of the above-described embodiment. In each of the above embodiments, the lock mechanism includes the lock members 51 and 151 and the fitting recesses 11b and 111b. However, these shapes and numbers can be changed as appropriate, and the above embodiments are applicable. It is not limited to.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle steering apparatus that can implement a locking mechanism according to the present invention. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of the locking mechanism by this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main shaft taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the steering shaft and the steering column shown in FIG. 2 are telescopically adjusted to the longest (telescopic long state). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the steering shaft and the steering column shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the upper column tube shown in FIG. 2 is moved to a telescore way position together with a main shaft. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lock member and the main shaft taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in a state where the steering shaft and the steering column shown in FIG. 2 are contracted by a secondary collision at the time of a vehicle collision. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of the locking mechanism by this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the steering shaft and the steering column shown in FIG. 9 in a state where the tilt is adjusted to the maximum (tilt up state). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the steering shaft and the steering column shown in FIG. 9 are moved to a tilt away position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering shaft, 11 ... Main shaft, 11a ... Inner spline, 11b ... Fitting recessed part, 11b1 ... Slope, 11c ... Tapered surface, 12 ... Lower shaft, 20 ... Steering column, 21 ... Upper column tube, 22 ... Lower column Tube, 23 ... support pin, 30 ... steering wheel, 51 ... lock member, 51a ... slope, 52 ... spring, 110 ... steering shaft, 111 ... main shaft, 111a ... inner spline, 111b ... fitting recess, 111b1 ... slope, 111c ... taper surface, 112 ... lower shaft, 120 ... steering column, 121 ... upper column tube, 122 ... lower column tube, 123 ... support pin, 151 ... lock member, 151a ... slope, 152 ... spring, A ... telescopic mechanism, Aa ... Les Copic electric actuator, B ... tilt mechanism, Ba ... tilting electric actuator, ECU ... electric control unit

Claims (2)

The main shaft integrated with the steering wheel is configured to be telescopically adjustable within the set range by the telescopic electric actuator, and is also configured to be movable to the forward position in the axial direction from the set range. In a vehicle steering apparatus equipped with a telescopic mechanism of
A steering column that supports the main shaft so as to be movable and rotatable in the axial direction is provided with a lock member capable of entering and retracting into an axial movement region of the main shaft,
When the main shaft moves to the away position, the lock member is allowed to enter and engage with the lock member, and when the main shaft moves axially forward from the away position, the lock member is allowed to enter. A fitting portion for retracting the member out of the axial movement region of the main shaft is provided,
The rotation of the main shaft is restricted when the lock member and the fitting portion are fitted, and the shaft of the main shaft is restricted when the lock member is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft. A lock mechanism for a steering apparatus for a vehicle, characterized in that movement forward in the direction is allowed. The main shaft integrated with the steering wheel is configured so that the tilt can be adjusted within the setting range by the electric actuator for tilting, and the electric tilt is configured to be able to move to the away position above the setting range. In a vehicle steering apparatus provided with a mechanism,
An axially movable region of the main shaft extends through the steering column in a support portion that supports the main shaft so as to be movable and rotatable in the axial direction and tiltably supports a steering column that tilts together with the main shaft. In addition to providing a lock member that can enter and retract,
When the main shaft moves to the away position, the lock member is allowed to enter and engage with the lock member, and when the main shaft moves axially forward from the away position, the lock member is allowed to enter. A fitting portion for retracting the member out of the axial movement region of the main shaft is provided,
The rotation of the main shaft is restricted when the lock member and the fitting portion are fitted, and the shaft of the main shaft is restricted when the lock member is retracted outside the axial movement region of the main shaft. A lock mechanism for a steering apparatus for a vehicle, characterized in that movement forward in the direction is allowed.

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