JP2007069821A - Position adjusting device of steering wheel and manufacturing method for friction plate unit for this position adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make efficient the assembling operation and reduce the cost by facilitating the work for a tensile rod 17 at the time of assembling to be inserted through a first 26 and a second long hole 28 formed in a first 35 and a second friction member 36. <P>SOLUTION: The first 35 and second friction members 36 include each a plurality of first 37 and second friction plate parts 38 and are formed in a single piece construction in which one-side ends of the friction plate parts 37 and 38 in the longitudinal direction are continued by their folded-back parts 39. Between these friction plate parts 37's (38's), a friction plate part 38/(37) of another friction member is pinched. There is no risk that the friction plate parts 37 and 38 swing or rotate independently when the tensile rod 17 is inserted through the first 26 and second long holes 28. This facilitates the inserting operation of the tensile rod 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a position adjustment device for a steering wheel that can adjust a height position, a front-rear position, and the like of a steering wheel for steering an automobile. In particular, the cost of such a steering wheel position adjusting device is reduced by facilitating assembly work. In addition, a method for easily manufacturing a friction plate unit incorporated in such a steering wheel position adjusting device is realized.

  In order to change the height position and the front-rear position of the steering wheel according to the physique and driving posture of the driver, a steering wheel position adjusting device has been conventionally used. In general, such a position adjusting device adjusts the frictional force between the fixed bracket supported and fixed to the vehicle body side and the displacement side bracket fixed to the steering column side based on the operation of the adjusting lever. Structure is used. That is, when adjusting the position of the steering wheel, the frictional force acting between the brackets is reduced by operating the adjusting lever in a predetermined direction. On the other hand, when the position of the steering wheel is held at the adjusted position, the frictional force is increased by operating the adjustment lever in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. In the case of such a structure, it is preferable to increase the friction area in order to increase the force for holding the position of the steering wheel at the adjusted position without increasing the operation amount of the adjusting lever. In view of such circumstances, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a structure in which a friction area is widened by overlapping a plurality of friction members.

FIGS. 10 to 11 show a steering wheel position adjusting device that uses a plurality of friction members to increase the friction area and increase the force for holding the steering wheel 1 at the adjusted position. An example is shown. This structure makes it possible to adjust the vertical position and front / rear position of the steering wheel 1.
The steering wheel 1 is supported and fixed to a rear end portion (upper end portion) of the steering shaft 2 that is provided so as to be inclined upward in the rearward direction (rightward in FIG. 10). This steering shaft 2 is splined between the front end of the outer shaft 3 provided in the rear half (right half of FIG. 10) and the rear end of the inner shaft 4 provided in the front half (left half of FIG. 10). By engaging, the front-rear position of the outer shaft 3 can be adjusted. Such a steering shaft 2 includes a rolling bearing 8a, 8b, 8c such as a deep groove type ball bearing on the inner side of a steering column 7 formed by combining an outer column 5 and an inner column 6 in a telescopic form (in a telescopic manner). In this state, it is supported only in a freely rotating manner (in a state where axial displacement with respect to the steering column 7 is prevented).

  In the example shown in the figure, an electric power steering device for applying an auxiliary steering force to the steering shaft 2 by an electric motor is incorporated. For this reason, the electric motor is fixed to the housing 9 fixed to the front end portion of the steering column 7 and a gear transmission mechanism for transmitting the output of the electric motor to the steering shaft 2 is incorporated. The structure of the electric power steering device has been widely known and is not the gist of the present invention (the present invention can be carried out irrespective of the presence or absence of the power steering device and its structure). Description is omitted. The housing 9 is swingably supported on a part of the vehicle body via a horizontal shaft 10 and a swing bracket 11. Further, a portion of the front end portion of the steering shaft 2 protruding from the housing 9 is connected to the intermediate shaft 13 via a universal joint 12. With respect to the intermediate shaft 13, the spline engaging portion provided in the intermediate portion can be extended and contracted to absorb the displacement in the front-rear direction of the universal joint 12 caused by the swinging of the steering column 7.

  With the above configuration, the height position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted based on the rocking displacement about the horizontal axis 10, and based on the expansion and contraction of the steering shaft 2 and the steering column 7, The front-rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted. In order to fix the position of the steering wheel 1 to the adjusted position, a displacement side bracket 14 is fixed to a part of the steering column 7, and a fixed side bracket 15 is fixed to the vehicle body side. The brackets 14 and 15 can be engaged and disengaged by operating the position adjusting lever 16.

  In the illustrated example, the displacement side bracket 14 is placed on the outer column 5 near the front end of the lower surface of the outer column 5 that is an aluminum alloy cast product (including a die cast product) that constitutes the steering column 7. It is provided integrally. The displacement-side bracket 14 is provided with a longitudinal longitudinal hole 18 which is long in the front-rear direction for inserting the tension rod 17 which is a flange-shaped member described in the claims, and the displacement-side bracket 14 is disposed in the left-right direction ( It is formed in a state of penetrating in the width direction).

  The fixed bracket 15 is formed by connecting and fixing an upper bracket element 19 and a lower bracket element 20 each formed by bending a metal plate by welding or the like. Of these, the upper bracket element 19 is for supporting and fixing the fixed bracket 15 to the vehicle body side, and has a pair of left and right mounting plate portions 21, 21. Both the mounting plate portions 21 and 21 are supported and fixed on the vehicle body side by a structure well known in the technical field of an automobile steering device so as to be able to drop forward during a secondary collision.

  Further, the lower bracket element 20 has a pair of support plate portions 22 and 22 each vertically suspended from the lower surface of the upper bracket element 19. The distance D between the inner side surfaces (side surfaces facing each other) of the support plate portions 22 and 22 is made to substantially coincide with the distance (the width of the displacement side bracket 14) W between the outer side surfaces of the displacement side bracket 14 (D ≒ W). In addition, the support plate portions 22 and 22 are aligned with each other at a position where they are aligned with each other, and are long in the vertical direction for insertion of the tension rod 17 (preferably in a partial arc shape centering on the horizontal axis 10). Directional long holes 23 and 23 are formed. A plurality of first and second friction plates 24 and 25 are disposed on the outer surface portions of the support plate portions 22 and 22, respectively.

  Of these first and second friction plates 24, 25, the first friction plates 24, 24 arranged in the vertical direction along the outer surfaces of the support plate portions 22, 22 include both support plates. First elongated holes 26 and 26 are formed in the portions 22 and 22 and are aligned with the above-described vertically elongated holes 23 and 23. The upper ends of the first friction plates 24, 24 each having such a configuration are coupled and supported by first set screws 27, 27 on the outer surfaces of the upper ends of the support plates 22, 22. is doing. Accordingly, the first friction plates 24, 24 are not displaced in the vertical direction.

  On the other hand, the second friction plates 25, 25 arranged in the front-rear direction along the displacement-side bracket 14 are aligned with the front-rear direction long holes 18 formed in the displacement-side bracket 14. Two elongated holes 28 are formed. The front end portions of the second friction plates 25, 25 each having such a configuration are coupled and supported by a second set screw 29 on the front end portion outer surface of the displacement side bracket 14. Accordingly, the second friction plates 25, 25 are not displaced in the front-rear direction. Each of the second friction plates 25, 25 and the first friction plates 24, 24 are arranged on the outer surfaces of the support plate portions 22, 22 alternately. ing.

  Further, the longitudinally long holes 18, the vertically elongated holes 23 and 23, and the first and second elongated holes 26 and 28 are saddle-like members described in claims. The pull rod 17 is inserted. The pull rod 17 has an outward flange-shaped flange 31 formed at the base end (right end in FIG. 11), and one of the engagement portions 49 formed near the base end of the flange 32 (see FIG. 11). 11 (on the right side) of the upper and lower direction long holes 23, only the displacement (up and down) along the vertical direction long holes 23 is freely engaged. For this purpose, the cross-sectional shape of the engaging portion 49 has a straight portion that is slidably in contact with the inner edge of the vertical slot 23, such as an oval shape, but prevents rotation inside the vertical slot 23. , Non-circular.

  On the other hand, at the portion near the front end of the intermediate portion of the flange portion 32, the first and second support plates 22 disposed on the other (left side in FIG. 11) and the outer surface portion of the support plate portion 22 are arranged. A pressing plate 33 is externally fitted to portions protruding from the friction plates 24 and 25, and a pressing cam mechanism 34 is provided. The cam mechanism 34 and the pull bar 17 constitute a pressing means described in the claims. The cam mechanism 34 also has a structure that is well known in the technical field of automotive steering devices, and has a structure that expands or contracts the axial dimension T based on the operation of the position adjusting lever 16. Then, in a state where the position adjusting lever 16 is rotated in a predetermined direction and the axial dimension T is enlarged, the distance between one side surface of the pressing plate 33 and the inner side surface of the flange portion 31 is reduced. The frictional force which acts between the opposing surfaces which exist between each other and are frictionally engaged with each other is increased.

  That is, in this state, the contact pressure between the both side surfaces of the displacement-side bracket 14 and the inner surfaces of the support plate portions 22 and 22, and the outermost surfaces of the support plate portions 22 and 22, the innermost surfaces are present. Contact pressure with the inner surface of the second friction plates 25, 25, contact pressure between the side surfaces of the adjacent first and second friction plates 24, 25, the first friction plate 24 present on the outermost side, The contact pressure between the outer side surface of 24 and one side surface of the pressing plate 33 or the inner side surface of the flange portion 31 increases. In this state, the total sum of the frictional forces acting between the frictional engagement portions is sufficiently large. As a result, the support strength of the displacement side bracket 14 with respect to the fixed side bracket 15 can be sufficiently increased, and the position of the steering wheel 1 can be maintained as it is with a sufficiently large strength.

  On the other hand, when adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1, the position adjusting lever 16 is rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction to reduce the axial dimension T, and The space | interval of one side and the inner surface of the said collar part 31 is expanded. In this state, the frictional force that exists between these two surfaces and acts between the opposing surfaces that are frictionally engaged with each other is reduced or lost, and the displacement side bracket 14 with respect to the fixed side bracket 15. Can be adjusted in the vertical direction and the front-back direction. Therefore, after adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1 to a desired position in this state, the position adjusting lever 16 is rotated in the predetermined direction. As a result, the position of the steering wheel 1 is held at the desired position.

  In the case of the structure shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, in order to ensure the strength for holding the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position, a plurality of sheets are provided on the outer surface portions of the support plate portions 22 and 22, respectively. The first and second friction plates 24 and 25 are provided to secure a friction area. Each of the first and second friction plates 24 and 25 has a plurality of independent plate-like members for each outer surface portion of the support plate portions 22 and 22, that is, in the illustrated example, For each outer surface portion of the support plate portion 22, two friction plates 24, 25 were provided, a total of four, and a total of eight on both sides. Each of the friction plates 24 and 25 is connected to the support plate portions 22 and 22 (fixed side bracket 15) or the displacement side bracket 14 at the ends thereof by the first and second set screws 27 and 29, respectively. Although it is supported, in the state before the tension rod 17 is inserted inside the first and second elongated holes 26 and 28, the first and second set screws 27 and 29 are respectively centered. Can be swung or rotated.

  When assembling the steering wheel position adjusting device, it is necessary to insert the tension rod 17 not only in the longitudinal and vertical long holes 18 and 23 but also in the first and second long holes 26 and 28. There is. When performing such insertion work, it is necessary to align the first and second elongated holes 26 and 28. However, if the friction plates 24 and 25 swing or rotate independently, Such alignment work needs to be performed for each of the friction plates 24 and 25, and the work becomes troublesome. In particular, in the case of the second friction plates 25, 25 provided in a state along the outer surface of the displacement side bracket 14, in a state before the pulling rod 17 is inserted into the second long holes 28, 28, The second set screw 29 is pivoted downward (90 degrees with respect to the normal position). For this reason, the operation of aligning the second long holes 28, 28 and the second long holes 28, 28 with the first long holes 26, 26 is particularly troublesome. As a result, the efficiency of the assembly operation of the steering wheel position adjusting device is hindered, and it is difficult to reduce the cost of the steering wheel position adjusting device. Patent Document 2 describes a structure in which the base end portions of a plurality of friction plates are overlapped via spacers, and the base end portions of the friction plates and the spacers are fixed by welding. However, in the case of such a structure described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to perform the welding operation in a state where the base end portion of each friction plate and the spacer are appropriately overlapped, and the manufacturing operation is troublesome. It is difficult to reduce costs.

JP 10-35511 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-19483

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention can easily perform the operation of inserting a hook-like member such as a pulling hook into a through hole or a long hole formed in the first and second friction members during assembly. The invention was invented to realize a steering wheel position adjusting device capable of streamlining work and reducing costs.

The steering wheel position adjusting device of the present invention is similar to the steering wheel position adjusting device known in the prior art, and includes a steering shaft, a steering column, a displacement side bracket, a fixed side bracket, And a second friction member and a pressing means.
The steering shaft fixes a steering wheel at an end (rear end or upper end), and is rotated in a desired direction based on the operation of the steering wheel.
The steering column is provided around the steering shaft, and rotatably supports the steering shaft.
The displacement-side bracket is fixed to a part of the steering column (provided as an integral part or connected and fixed separately), and is displaced together with the steering column when adjusting the position of the steering wheel.
The fixed bracket has a pair of left and right support plates provided so as to sandwich the displacement bracket from both the left and right sides, and is fixed to the vehicle body side.
Each of the first and second friction members is plate-shaped.
Further, the pressing means presses the first and second friction members and the both support plate portions toward the side surface of the displacement side bracket, and includes a hook-shaped member such as a pulling rod.

And the said 1st, 2nd friction member has a long hole long in the position adjustment direction of the through-hole or the said steering wheel which can insert the said collar-shaped member freely. Of the first and second friction members, at least a friction member having a long hole in the position adjusting direction is supported by the fixed bracket or the displacement bracket. Further, the first and second friction members are arranged alternately between the side surfaces of the both support plate portions and the mating member facing the side surfaces.
In particular, in the steering wheel position adjusting device of the present invention, at least one of the first and second friction members includes a plurality of friction members having long slots in the position adjusting direction. It is an integrated type in which one end in the longitudinal direction of the friction plate portion is made continuous by the folded portion. A part of another friction member is sandwiched between the friction plate portions.

  In the steering wheel position adjusting apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the plurality of friction plate portions provided on the integrated friction member are displaced (swinged or turned) in a synchronized state. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the through holes or the long holes formed in the respective friction plate portions for each of the friction plate portions in order to perform the insertion operation of the bowl-shaped member. As a result, it is possible to easily perform the operation of inserting the bowl-shaped member into the through holes or the long holes formed in the first and second friction members at the time of assembling, and the assembling operation can be made efficient. Further, the manufacturing work of the first and second friction members is not particularly troublesome, and the cost of the steering wheel position adjusting device can be reduced.

  When carrying out the present invention, for example, as described in claim 2, the first and second friction members are supported by different brackets of the fixed side bracket or the displacement side bracket. Then, at least one friction member of the first and second friction members is an integral type in which one end in the length direction of the plurality of friction plate portions is made continuous by the folded portion.

  Alternatively, as described in claim 3, the adjustment direction of the position of the steering wheel is set to a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering column. Such a right-angle direction is the vertical direction in the case of a structure in which the inclination angle of the steering column is gentle like a general passenger car steering device. On the other hand, in the case of a structure in which the inclination angle of the steering column is steep (upright), such as a cab-over type automobile such as a truck, it is the front-rear direction. When carrying out the present invention with such a structure, the elongated hole formed in the integral friction member or another friction member is elongated in the perpendicular direction, and one end of the friction member formed with the elongated hole is fixed. The side bracket is supported in a state in which this displacement in the perpendicular direction is prevented. When carrying out the present invention with such a structure, the hole for inserting the hook-shaped member into the friction member other than the friction member having the long hole is a through-hole (circular hole) that can be inserted through the hook-shaped member. ).

  Alternatively, as described in claim 4, the adjustment direction of the position of the steering wheel is the axial direction of the steering column. Such an axial direction is the front-rear direction in the case where the steering column has a gentle inclination angle as described above. On the other hand, in the case where the steering column has a steep inclination angle as described above, the vertical direction is obtained. When carrying out the present invention with such a structure, a long hole formed in an integrated friction member or another friction member is elongated in the axial direction, and one end of the friction member formed with the long hole is displaced. The side bracket is supported in a state in which this axial displacement is prevented. The point that the hole of the friction member other than the friction member having the long hole may be a through hole is the same as in the case of the invention described in claim 3 described above.

  Alternatively, as described in claim 5, the adjustment direction of the position of the steering wheel is set to two directions, ie, the axial direction of the steering column and a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. The specific direction of each direction in relation to the inclination angle of the steering column is the same as in the case of the invention described in claims 3 and 4 described above. When the present invention is implemented with such a structure, preferably, the first and second types of friction members, each of which is an integral type, are alternately arranged. Then, the first slot formed in the first friction member is elongated in the perpendicular direction, and one end of the first friction member is fixed to the fixed bracket, and the displacement in the perpendicular direction is prevented. To support. Also, the second elongated hole formed in the second friction member is elongated in the axial direction, and one end of the second friction member is supported by the displacement side bracket in a state in which the displacement in the axial direction is prevented. .

When the present invention is carried out, preferably, as described in claim 6, the folded portion is bent by forming a through hole in the central portion in the width direction of the folded portion of the integrated friction member. To reduce the force required for this.
With this configuration, it is possible to easily perform an integrated friction member processing operation in which a plurality of friction plate portions are continuously connected by a folded portion without using a special tool by a worker's finger or the like. Yes.

  Further, in the case of carrying out the present invention, it is conceivable to provide three or more friction plate portions on the first and second friction members that are sufficiently wide in friction area and frictionally engaged with each other. In this case, in order to easily perform the operation of aligning the through holes or the long holes formed in each friction plate portion, each of the first and second friction members includes three or more pieces. It is preferable that the friction plate portions are of an integrated type in which the friction plate portions are continuous by two or more folded portions. However, the first and second friction members are combined by combining the integrated first and second friction members each having three or more friction plate portions into a final shape. The friction plate portions to be configured cannot be alternately arranged.

Therefore, in such a case, as in the invention described in claim 7, a friction plate for a position adjusting device in which the first and second friction members are combined by a manufacturing method having the following steps. Build a unit. First, in order to make both the first and second friction members, a pair of plate portions is formed by folding back the intermediate portion of the first and second base plates in which long holes or through holes are formed in advance at a plurality of necessary positions. Are the first and second intermediate materials made continuous by the folded portion. Then, it combines in the state which inserted the board part of the other intermediate material between the board parts of these 1st, 2nd intermediate materials. Next, the portions near the leading ends of the plate portions of the first and second intermediate materials are folded back to the opposite sides of the respective other plate portions.
By constructing the position adjusting device friction plate unit by each of these steps, the integrated first and second friction members and the friction plate portions constituting the first and second friction members are alternately arranged. Can be combined with the arranged state.

When carrying out the invention described in claim 7 as described above, more preferably, as described in claim 8, a part of the first and second base plates should be the folded portions. A narrow hole or a through hole at the center in the width direction is formed in the portion. Then, the force required to bend each folded portion is reduced.
If comprised in this way, it is not necessary to use a special tool for the processing operation of the integrated first and second friction members, in which the plate portions are continuously connected by the folded portion, with the fingers of the operator. Can be done easily.

  1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 6. The feature of this embodiment is that the first and second friction members 35 and 36, which are integrated with each other, are used in order to facilitate the assembly operation of the steering wheel position adjusting device. Since the structure and operation of the other parts are the same as those of the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 10 to 11 described above, the illustration and description of the equivalent parts are omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, the characteristic parts of the present invention will be mainly described. Explained. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a structure capable of adjusting the vertical position and the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 10) is shown.

  Therefore, the first friction plate portions 37 and 37 constituting the first friction member 35 disposed along the support plate portions 22 and 22 of the fixed side bracket 15 are substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering column 7. First long holes 26, 26 which are long in the direction are formed. Further, second long holes 28, 28 that are long in the axial direction of the steering column 7 are formed in the second friction plate portions 38, 38 constituting the second friction member 36 disposed along the displacement side bracket 14. Is forming. That is, the illustrated embodiment has a structure corresponding to all of claims 3-5. However, the present invention can be carried out with a structure not corresponding to claims 4 and 5 corresponding to claim 3 or a structure not corresponding to claims 3 and 5 corresponding to claim 4. In these cases, with respect to the friction plate portion of the friction member different from the friction member formed with the long hole necessary for adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1, the other friction plate portion is located inside the long hole. A through-hole having a shape and a size that does not hinder the displacement of the pull rod 17 is formed in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the first and second friction members 35 and 36 includes two first and second friction plate portions 37 and 38 arranged in parallel to each other and folded in a U-shape. It is an integrated type formed continuously by the portion 39. A rectangular through hole 40 is formed in the central portion in the width direction of the folded portion 39 to reduce the substantial width dimension of the folded portion 39 and to reduce the force required for bending the folded portion 39. Yes. The distance between the pair of friction plate portions 37 and 38 constituting the first and second friction members 35 and 36 is set to a size that allows the friction plate portion of the other friction member to be inserted. That is, between the pair of first friction plate portions 37, 37 constituting the first friction member 35, any second friction plate portion 38 constituting the second friction member 36. Can be inserted almost without any gaps. Any one of the first friction plate portions 37 constituting the first friction member 35 is interposed between the pair of second friction plate portions 38, 38 constituting the second friction member 36. Can be inserted almost without any gaps.

  When manufacturing such first and second friction members 35 and 36, first, an intermediate material 41 as shown in FIG. 5 is formed by punching a metal plate as a material such as a stainless steel plate. To do. The intermediate material 41 is formed by providing the first and second friction plate portions 37 and 37 (38, 38) on both sides of the narrow portion 42 to be the folded portion 39. In these first and second friction plate portions 37 and 37 (38 and 38), the first and second elongated holes 26 and 26 (28 and 28), And the circular holes 43 and 43 for inserting the 1st, 2nd set screws 27 and 29 (refer FIGS. 1-3) are formed. Such an intermediate material 41 is formed by turning the narrow portion 42 into a U shape and turning it 180 degrees, thereby forming a pair of first and second friction plate portions 37 and 38 as shown in FIG. The first friction member 35 and the second friction member 36 are formed as a single unit by being continuously connected by the folded portion 39.

  Of the first and second friction members 35 and 36, the first friction members 35 and 35 are fixed to the fixed side by the first set screws 27 and 27 with the folded portion 39 facing upward. The support plate portions 22 and 22 of the bracket 15 are swingably supported on the outer surfaces of the upper end portions. The second friction members 36 and 36 can swing on both side surfaces of the front side of the displacement side bracket 14 by the second set screws 29 and 29 with the folded portion 39 positioned forward. To support. Further, the first and second elongated holes 26 and 28 formed in the first and second friction plate portions 37 and 38 constituting the first and second friction members 35 and 36, and the both supports. The first and second friction plate portions 37 are formed by the tension rods 17 inserted into the vertical direction long holes 23 formed in the plate portions 22, 22 and the front / rear direction long holes 18 formed in the displacement side bracket 14. , 38 and the support plate portions 22, 22 are pressed against the side surface of the displacement side bracket 14 to constitute a pressing means.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the first and second friction members 35 and 36 include a pair of the first and second friction plate portions 37 and 38, respectively. And since each 1st, 2nd friction board part 37, 38 which comprises the same 1st, 2nd friction member 35, 36 is integrally continued by the said folding | returning part 39, said 1st, The second setscrews 27 and 29 are swung in synchronization with each other. Accordingly, the first and second elongated holes 26 and 28 can be easily aligned with each other so that the pull rod 17 can be inserted into the through holes of the first and second elongated holes 26 and 28. The The first and second friction members 35 and 36 can be easily manufactured by a punching operation and a bending operation. As described above, the first and second friction members 35 and 36 that can be easily manufactured can facilitate the assembling work, so that the cost of the steering wheel position adjusting device can be reduced. In addition, the installation position of the folding | returning part 39 of the said 1st, 2nd friction members 35 and 36 is not specifically limited to the part shown in figure. In contrast to the illustrated case, the folded portion of the first friction member 35 may be disposed on the lower side, and the folded portion of the second friction member 36 may be disposed on the rear side.

  6 to 7 show other examples of the shapes of the first and second friction members. Each of these examples shows the case where the number of friction plate portions constituting the first and second friction members 35a and 36a is three or more. Among these, the first and second friction members 35a and 36a shown in FIG. 6 have an integral shape in which three friction plate portions are continuous at two folded portions. Further, the first and second friction members 35b and 36b shown in FIG. 7A have an integrated shape in which four friction plate portions are continuously connected by three folded portions. Furthermore, the structure shown in FIG. 7B is a combination of a pair of two friction plate portions each continued at one folded portion. In any structure, the work of aligning the long holes or through holes formed in the friction plate portions can be facilitated as compared with the conventional structure in which the friction plate portions are independent from each other. 6 to 7 (and FIG. 8 to be described below), the thickness of each friction plate and the gap is exaggerated. Further, the narrow portions 42 and the through holes 40 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 are also formed on the folded portions provided on the first and second friction members 35a, 35b, 36a, and 36b. By doing so, it is preferable to facilitate the bending process.

  As shown in FIG. 6 described above, FIG. 8 is a combination of first and second friction members 35a, 36a each having three friction plate portions, and a friction plate unit for a position adjusting device. The process of 44a is shown. That is, in the case of carrying out the present invention, it is conceivable that the friction area is sufficiently wide and that the first and second friction members 35a and 36a that are frictionally engaged with each other are each provided with three friction plate portions. . In this case, each of the first and second friction members 35a and 36a is made up of 3 in order to easily perform the operation of aligning the through holes or the long holes formed in each friction plate portion. It is preferable that the friction plate portions of one or more sheets are of an integrated type in which each is continuous by two or more folded portions. However, after the integrated first and second friction members 35a and 36a, each having three friction plate portions, are processed into a final shape, the state shown in FIG. 8C. In combination, the friction plate portions constituting the first and second friction members 35a and 36a cannot be alternately arranged.

  Therefore, in such a case, the first and second friction members 35a and 36a are combined in a state in which the friction plate portions are alternately overlapped by a manufacturing method having the following steps. As shown in FIG. 8C, a position adjusting device friction plate unit 44a is manufactured. First, in order to manufacture both the first and second friction members 35a and 36a, among the first and second base plates in which long holes or through holes are formed in advance, a central portion in the longitudinal direction is formed. First, the relatively long long plate portions 45a and 45b and the relatively short short plate portions 46a and 46b are made continuous by the folded portions as shown in FIG. The second intermediate materials 47a and 48a are used.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8B, the short plate portions 46a and 46b of the first and second intermediate materials 47a and 48a are opposed to each other and the first and second intermediate materials 47a and 48a are opposed to each other. The long plate portions 45a and 45b are combined in a state in which the portions near the base ends are opposed to each other. Next, the portions closer to the tips of the long plate portions 45a and 45b of the first and second intermediate materials 47a and 48a are placed on the side opposite to the short plate portions 46a and 46b. Fold in order in the order indicated by. If the above-described position adjusting device friction plate unit 44a is manufactured by each of these steps, the integrated first and second friction members 35a and 36a are configured as the first and second friction members 35a and 36a. The friction plate units 44a can be combined with a state in which the friction plate portions are alternately arranged. FIG. 8 shows the manufacturing method, and the long holes are omitted. The lengths of the first and second friction members 35a and 36a are shorter than the width. I'm drawing. Further, in order to facilitate the folding process of the folded portions provided in the first and second friction members 35a and 36a, it is possible to form narrow portions and through holes in the portions to be the folded portions. Preferred is as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9 shows a position adjusting device by combining the first and second friction members 35b and 36b each having four friction plate portions. It shows about the process used as the friction plate unit 44b. First, in order to manufacture both the first and second friction members 35b and 36b, the first and second base plates in which long holes or through holes are formed in advance at a plurality of positions required in advance, the central portion in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 9A, the first and second intermediate materials 47b and 48b are formed by connecting a pair of plate portions having the same length dimension to each other by the folded portion.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B, one of the pair of plate portions provided for each of the first and second intermediate materials 47b and 48b is connected to the other intermediate portion. It combines in the state inserted between a pair of board parts of a raw material. Next, the order indicated by the circled numbers in FIG. 9B with the portions closer to the tip of the plate portions of the first and second intermediate materials 47b and 48b facing the plate portions of different intermediate materials, respectively. Then, wrap around sequentially. If the above-described position adjusting device friction plate unit 44b is manufactured through these steps, the integrated first and second friction members 35b and 36b are formed into the first and second friction members 35b and 36b. The friction plate units 44b can be combined with a state in which the friction plate portions are alternately arranged. Further, in order to facilitate the folding process of the folded portions provided in the first and second friction members 35b and 36b, a narrow portion or a through hole may be formed in a portion to be the folded portion. Preferred is as described above.

  In carrying out the present invention, it is not always necessary to support the first and second friction members on different brackets of the fixed side bracket or the displacement side bracket. For example, when only a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel is incorporated, the vertical end portion (for example, the upper end portion) of the first friction member having a long hole in the vertical direction is attached to the fixed bracket. A structure in which the second friction member formed in a washer shape is externally fitted to the tilt bolt while being supported can be employed. In the case of such a structure, the second friction member is not directly supported with respect to the displacement side bracket. Alternatively, when only a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel is incorporated, the front-rear direction end portion (for example, the front end portion) of the first friction member formed with a long elongated hole in the front-rear direction is used as the displacement side bracket. A structure in which the second friction member formed in a washer shape is externally fitted to the telescopic bolt while being supported can be employed. In the case of such a structure, the second friction member does not directly support the fixed side bracket.

  Further, the first and second friction members are not necessarily provided on both the left and right sides of both the displacement side and the fixed side brackets. Depending on the required holding strength, the first and second friction members can be provided only on one side of both the displacement side and fixed side brackets. Further, the present invention is not limited to the structure having an electric power steering device as shown in FIG. 10, but has a structure having a hydraulic power steering device and a structure not having a power steering device. It can also be implemented. Furthermore, the friction member (the first friction member 35 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) arranged in the vertical direction along the support plate portion of the fixed side bracket is close to the position after completion of assembly even if not particularly suppressed. Maintain state. Therefore, the friction member disposed in the vertical direction along the support plate portion of the fixed bracket does not necessarily have to be an integral type.

The partial side view which shows Example 1 of this invention. The partial top view which abbreviate | omitted some fixed side brackets and was seen from the upper direction of FIG. The expanded AA sectional view of FIG. The perspective view of a friction member. The front view of the intermediate material for making a friction member. The schematic plan view which shows an example of the friction member provided with the friction plate part of 3 sheets. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing two examples of a friction member provided with four friction plate portions. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a process of manufacturing a friction plate unit formed by combining a pair of friction members each having three friction plate portions. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a process of manufacturing a friction plate unit formed by combining a pair of friction members each having four friction plate portions. A side view showing an example of conventional structure. The expanded BB sectional drawing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering shaft 3 Outer shaft 4 Inner shaft 5 Outer column 6 Inner column 7 Steering column 8a, 8b, 8c Rolling bearing 9 Housing 10 Horizontal shaft 11 Swing bracket 12 Universal joint 13 Intermediate shaft 14 Displacement side bracket 15 Fixed side Bracket 16 Position adjustment lever 17 Pull rod 18 Longitudinal direction long hole 19 Upper bracket element 20 Lower bracket element 21 Mounting plate part 22 Support plate part 23 Vertical direction long hole 24 First friction plate 25 Second friction plate 26 First Long hole 27 first set screw 28 second long hole 29 second set screw 31 collar 32 collar 33 pressing plate 34 cam mechanism 35, 35a, 35b first friction member 36, 36a, 36b second Friction member 37 First friction plate part 3 Second friction plate part 39 Folding part 40 Through hole 41 Intermediate material 42 Narrow part 43 Circular hole 44a, 44b Friction plate unit for position adjusting device 45a, 45b Long plate part 46a, 46b Short plate part 47a, 47b First Intermediate material 48a, 48b Second intermediate material 49 Engaging portion

Claims (8)

  A steering shaft that fixes a steering wheel to an end portion, a steering column that is provided around the steering shaft and rotatably supports the steering shaft, and a displacement side bracket that is fixed to a part of the steering column; The first and second friction members having a pair of left and right support plates provided so as to sandwich the displacement side bracket from both left and right sides and fixed to the vehicle body side, and each plate-shaped And a pressing means configured to include a flange-shaped member that presses the first and second friction members and the both support plate portions toward the side surface of the displacement-side bracket. The friction member has a long hole that can be inserted through the bowl-shaped member, and that is long in the direction of adjusting the position of the steering wheel. Of the first and second friction members, at least a friction member having a long hole in the position adjusting direction is supported by the fixed bracket or the displacement bracket, and the first and second friction members Are arranged between the side surfaces of the two support plate portions and the mating member opposed to the side surfaces in a state where they are alternately stacked, At least one of the friction members is a one-piece type friction member having a long hole in the position adjustment direction in which one end in the length direction of the plurality of friction plate portions is made continuous by a folded portion. A steering wheel position adjusting device, wherein a part of another friction member is sandwiched between the friction plate portions.   The first and second friction members are supported by different brackets of the fixed side bracket or the displacement side bracket, and at least one of the first and second friction members includes a plurality of friction members. The steering wheel position adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the friction plate portion is an integral type in which one end in the length direction of the friction plate portion is made continuous by a folded portion.   The adjustment direction of the position of the steering wheel is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering column, and the long hole formed in the integral friction member or another friction member is long in this perpendicular direction. 3. The steering wheel position adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the formed friction member is supported by the fixed bracket in a state in which the displacement in the perpendicular direction is prevented. 4.   The adjustment direction of the position of the steering wheel is the axial direction of the steering column, and the long hole formed in the integral friction member or another friction member is long in this axial direction. The steering wheel position adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end is supported by the displacement side bracket in a state in which the axial displacement is prevented.   The direction of adjusting the position of the steering wheel is the axial direction of the steering column and two directions substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. The first and second types of friction members, each of which is an integral type, are alternately arranged. Of these, the first elongated hole formed in the first friction member is long in the perpendicular direction, and one end of the first friction member is prevented from being displaced in the perpendicular direction by the fixed bracket. The second long hole formed in the second friction member is elongated in the axial direction, and one end of the second friction member is blocked by the displacement side bracket to prevent the axial displacement. The steering wheel position adjusting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the steering wheel position adjusting device is supported in a closed state.   6. The force required to bend the folded portion is reduced by forming a through hole in the central portion in the width direction of the folded portion of the integral friction member. 2. The steering wheel position adjusting device according to item 1.   First and second friction members, each consisting of three or more friction plate portions, each of which is continuously formed by two or more folded portions, are alternately arranged between the friction plate portions of these two friction members. When the friction plate unit for a steering wheel position adjusting device arranged in the above is manufactured, the first and second elements having long holes or through holes formed in advance at a plurality of necessary positions in order to manufacture both the friction members. After the plate length direction intermediate portion is folded and a pair of plate portions are made to be the first and second intermediate materials made continuous by the folded portion, between the plate portions of these first and second intermediate materials Combined with the state in which the plate portion of the other intermediate material is inserted, and then, a step closer to the tip of the plate portion of the first and second intermediate materials is folded back to the opposite side of each other plate portion, Friction plate unit for steering wheel position adjustment device The method of production.   By reducing the force required to bend each folded portion by forming a through hole in the center in the width direction of the portion that should become each folded portion in a part of the first and second base plates, A method for manufacturing a friction plate unit for a steering wheel position adjusting device according to claim 7.

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