JP2008260352A - Steering operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure predetermined occupant restraining performance by an airbag without reducing operation performance of a steering operation device provided with left and right separate grips. <P>SOLUTION: A spoke is constituted by a fixed spoke 22 fixed to a steering shaft 80 side and a movement spoke 32 relatively movably provided on the fixed spoke 22 and connected to the grip 31, the fixed spoke 22 and the movement spoke 32 are relatively non-movably connected by a connection pin 40. At collision of the vehicle, a connection release device 70 is operated and the connection pin 40 is removed to make the spoke in the stretchable state. When an airbag bag body 52 is deployed, the grip 31 is pushed so as to be fitted to it and is moved in a lateral direction. As a result, the grip 31 does not suppress deployment of the airbag bag body 52. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering operation device in which a steering operation is performed using grips provided separately on the left and right.

Conventionally, a steering operation device using a pair of left and right grips instead of a general circular handle is known. For example, in the tiltable steering handle proposed in Patent Document 1, a steering plate is fixedly provided at the tip of a steering shaft, and a pair of steering handles are provided at both left and right ends of the steering plate so as to be freely rotatable. The left and right steering handles are each formed in the shape of a “U”, and the central part protrudes from the driver's seat as a grip. By rotating, it is configured to be semi-fixed at the storage position inverted to the instrument panel side. An airbag device is provided between the left and right steering handles.
No. 49-40106

However, in the thing of patent document 1, when a vehicle collides and an airbag expand | deploys, there exists a possibility that a right-and-left grip may be pushed by the expansion | deployment and it may reverse to the vehicle front side. In particular, from the viewpoint of operability, when the turning operation radius of the left and right grip handle is set to be small, the grip is pushed by the deployment of the airbag and is easily reversed. When the grip is reversed to the front side of the vehicle, it can be considered that the driver is also pulled forward. In such a case, there is a possibility that the deployment space for the airbag becomes narrow and the deployment pressure on the driver becomes excessive. Therefore, the occupant restraining performance of the airbag is deteriorated.
Such a problem can be solved if the distance between the left and right grips is made larger than the deployment size of the airbag in the left-right direction, but this time the operation performance is deteriorated.

  An object of the present invention is to address the above-described problems, and is to ensure a predetermined occupant restraint performance by an airbag without deteriorating the operation performance of the left and right grip type steering operation device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by a grip for steering operation that is provided separately for the left hand and for the right hand, and the grip for the left hand that extends radially outward from the steering shaft and toward the driver's seat. In a steering operation device comprising a steering handle having spokes for individually supporting a right hand grip and an airbag deployment means for deploying an airbag bag body between the left and right grips at the time of a vehicle collision, A spoke length varying means is provided for allowing the spoke to extend to the radially outer side of the steering shaft.

  In the present invention, a steering handle having separate grips for the left hand and for the right hand and having no grip at the top and bottom is provided. Each grip is supported by spokes. The spokes extend radially outward from the steering shaft and toward the driver's seat, and individually support the left hand grip and the right hand grip. In this case, from the viewpoint of operability, the left hand grip and the right hand grip are preferably supported by the spokes so as to face each other. Further, the spoke and the grip may be formed continuously, and the tip of the spoke may be used as a steering operation grip.

  Airbag deployment means is provided between the left hand grip and the right hand grip. When the vehicle collides, the airbag deployment means is activated to deploy the airbag bag body. At this time, the spoke length varying means makes the spoke extendable outward in the radial direction of the steering shaft. Therefore, even if the airbag bag body is deployed, the two grips do not interfere with the deployment operation. That is, even if the airbag bag body hits the grip in the middle of deployment, the spokes extend due to the deployment force, so that the grip can be pushed out radially outward. For this reason, an airbag bag body expand | deploys to the original expansion | deployment shape. In addition, the deployment pressure for the driver is also appropriate.

As a result, the grip turning operation radius can be shortened to maintain high operation performance, and at the same time, predetermined occupant restraint performance by the airbag bag body can be ensured.
The steering shaft in the present invention forms a rotation axis of the steering handle, and is not limited to a shaft that mechanically transmits the rotation to the steered wheels. For example, the rotation angle of the steering handle is detected, A steer-by-wire type steering shaft that steers the steered wheels by driving and controlling the electric actuator according to the rotation angle may be used.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the spoke length varying means is provided such that the spoke is fixed to the steering shaft side and is relatively movable radially outward of the steering shaft with respect to the fixed spoke. A movable spoke connected to the grip, and a connecting member that connects the fixed spoke and the moving spoke so as not to move relative to each other. There is a means.

  In this invention, it has a spoke provided with a fixed spoke and a moving spoke. The fixed spoke is fixed to the steering shaft, and the moving spoke is provided to be movable relative to the fixed spoke on the radially outer side of the steering shaft. A grip is connected to the moving spoke. The fixed spoke and the moving spoke are immovable relative to each other by being connected by a connecting member. Therefore, in the connected state by the connecting member, the fixed spoke and the moving spoke rotate together, and the spoke length is also constant.

The connection release means releases the connection between the fixed spoke and the moving spoke by the connection member when the vehicle collides. Therefore, the moving spoke is placed in a state in which it can move relative to the fixed spoke radially outward. On the other hand, when the vehicle collides, the airbag bag body starts to be deployed between the two grips. At this time, even if the airbag bag body expands radially outward (radially outward of the steering shaft) and hits the grip, the fixed spoke and the moving spoke are disconnected, so the moving spoke and the grip are radially outward. Move to. In this way, the spokes are extended in accordance with the development of the airbag body, and the grip is retracted radially outward. As a result, the airbag bag body can be deployed in an appropriate shape, and predetermined occupant restraint performance can be ensured.
The fixed spoke does not necessarily have to be directly fixed to the steering shaft, and may be fixed indirectly.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rigidity reducing means for reducing the rigidity of the spoke when the spoke is extended radially outward as compared to a normal time when the spoke is not extended radially outward. It is in.

In the present invention, when the spoke is in an extended state, the rigidity of the spoke is reduced by the rigidity reducing means. In the process in which the driver moves forward due to inertia due to vehicle collision and the airbag bag body is crushed, the spoke's rigidity is reduced, so the support reaction force of the airbag bag body due to the spoke is reduced.
Unlike the circular handle, the steering handle has a shape in which a grip does not exist on the entire circumference but is missing in the middle, so that the performance of receiving the airbag bag body changes depending on the steering angle of the steering wheel. Accordingly, in the present invention, the restraining performance of the occupant by the airbag bag can be stabilized by reducing the support reaction force of the airbag by the spoke.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the rigidity reducing means includes: at least one of the fixed spoke and the movable spoke; the fixed spoke and the movable spoke in a state where the spoke does not extend radially outward. A low-rigidity portion is provided in the overlapping region, and the low-rigidity portion is arranged outside the overlapping region of the fixed spoke and the moving spoke when the spoke extends outward in the radial direction.

  According to the present invention, the low rigidity portion is provided in the overlapping region of the fixed spoke and the moving spoke, and when the airbag bag is deployed and the spoke extends radially outward of the steering shaft, the overlapping region is The low rigidity portion is narrowed and disposed outside the overlapping region. This reduces the spoke stiffness. Therefore, the extension operation | movement to the radial direction outer side of a spoke and rigidity reduction can be linked easily. As the low-rigidity part, for example, it can be provided as a thin part in which the thickness of the spoke is thinner than the surroundings.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the steering operation device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a plan cross-sectional view of the steering operation device according to the present embodiment, in which the upper side of the drawing is the vehicle head side and the lower side of the drawing is the driver's seat side. FIG. 2 is a front view of the steering operation device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the driver's seat side, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the spoke connection structure with the airbag device omitted from FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the steering operation device according to the present embodiment is connected to the steering shaft.

The steering operation device includes a steering handle 10, an airbag device 50 fixed to the front side (driver's seat side) of the steering handle 10, and a connection release device 70 provided on the back side of the steering handle 10.
The steering handle 10 includes a boss member 20 that is connected and fixed to the steering shaft 80, and a left grip member 30R and a right grip member 30L that are connected to the boss member 20. Unlike a general round handle, the steering handle 10 is a left and right grip handle that does not have a vertical grip.

  Both the left grip member 30R and the right grip member 30L are connected to the boss member 20 symmetrically. The left grip member 30 </ b> R is configured by integrally forming a left grip 31 </ b> R that a driver holds and steers with a left hand, and a left movement spoke 32 </ b> R connected to the boss member 20. Similarly, the right grip member 30 </ b> L is configured by integrally forming a right grip 31 </ b> L that a driver holds and steers with a right hand and a right movement spoke 32 </ b> L coupled to the boss member 20.

  Hereinafter, since the left grip member 30R and the right grip member 30L have the same configuration except that they are provided symmetrically, when it is not necessary to specify them, they are simply collectively referred to as the grip member 30, In addition, the left grip 31R, the right grip 31L, the left moving spoke 32R, and the right moving spoke 32L will be collectively referred to simply as the grip 31 and the moving spoke 32 when it is not necessary to specify them. In addition, regarding the detailed configuration provided in the left grip member 30R and the right grip member 30L, the reference symbols (R, L) for specifying left and right are attached to the drawings, and the left and right are not specified unless necessary in the description. A code end symbol (R, L) is also omitted.

  The grip 31 is a bar-shaped member having an arc shape, and a moving spoke 32 extends from the inside of the arc toward the center of the arc. The grip 31 and the moving spoke 32 may be formed by integral processing or may be separately connected separately. Further, the grip 31 is preferably formed with a depression or the like as appropriate so as to be easily gripped.

  The moving spoke 32 is a long plate-like body and is bent at an intermediate position thereof. The moving spoke 32 is provided on a plane whose boss member 20 side (opposite the grip 31) is perpendicular to the axis of the steering shaft 80 with respect to the bent portion. In addition, the grip 31 side of the bent portion of the moving spoke 32 extends obliquely so that the left and right separations are widened toward the driver seat side. A connecting chamber 33 is formed in the moving spoke 32. The connection chamber 33 is formed by forming a rectangular parallelepiped space in the moving spoke 32 and is opened by a rectangular opening 34 formed on the end face. The opening 34 is formed with a pair of opposing stopper pieces 35a and 35b that narrow the opening width of the connection chamber 33 (vertical direction in FIG. 3). Further, the moving spoke 32 is provided with a through hole 36 penetrating the plate surface. The through hole 36 is formed in a cross shape and penetrates the connecting chamber 33.

  Next, the boss member 20 will be described. The boss member 20 is a long plate-like body, and includes a shaft coupling portion 21 that is an intermediate portion thereof, and a left fixed spoke 22R and a right fixed spoke 22L that extend symmetrically from the shaft coupling portion 21. The In the present embodiment, the shaft connecting portion 21, the left fixed spoke 22R, and the right fixed spoke 22L constituting the boss member 20 are integrally formed. However, even if different parts are connected and formed integrally. Good.

  The shaft coupling portion 21 has a shaft fitting portion 23 formed on the back surface (the back surface when viewed from the driver's seat side) of the disk-shaped plate. The shaft fitting portion 23 has a substantially truncated cone shape, and a through hole 24 is formed along the central axis thereof. The through hole 24 is formed to have a diameter that decreases toward the lower side (driver's seat side) in FIG. 1, and a steering shaft 80 is inserted through the through hole 24. The steering shaft 80 has a male screw portion 81 formed at the tip thereof, and is coupled to the shaft fitting portion 23 by screwing a nut 82 into the male screw portion 81. A tapered portion 83 is formed on the steering shaft 80 adjacent to the male screw portion 81. The tapered portion 83 is formed to be tapered, and is inserted into the through hole 24 of the shaft fitting portion 23 so that the wall surfaces are fitted by serration. The steering shaft 80 and the boss member 20 are integrally rotated by this serration fitting.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the steering shaft 80 is rotatably held by the vehicle body by a column tube 90 that includes an inner tube 91 and an outer tube 92 that cover the outer periphery of the steering shaft 80. The lower end of the steering shaft 80 is connected to the VGRS unit 95 and the electric power steering unit 96, and further connected to a pinion gear via an intermediate shaft or the like (not shown). The pinion gear is fitted to a rack shaft having both ends connected to tie rods. Therefore, when the steering shaft 80 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the pinion gear via the intermediate shaft, and further transmitted from the pinion gear to the rack shaft, so that the rotational motion is converted into a straight motion. This linear movement acts on the tie rod, and the steered wheel is steered by the tie rod swinging the knuckle left and right via the knuckle arm.

  The steering shaft 80 is rotatably supported by the vehicle body in an inclined posture so that the front side of the vehicle is positioned downward by supporting the casing of the column tube 90 and the electric power steering unit 96 with brackets 93 and 94. 1, 2, and 3 are a plan view and a front view based on the axial direction of the steering shaft 80 of FIG. 4.

  The boss member 20 is adjusted so that the left fixed spoke 22R and the right fixed spoke 22L face the left horizontal direction and the right horizontal direction, respectively, in a state where the steered wheels are directed straightly (neutral position). Concatenated with

  The left fixed spoke 22R and the right fixed spoke 22L are rectangular plate-like bodies that extend symmetrically from the shaft connecting portion 21 toward the radially outer side of the steering shaft 80. Hereinafter, the left fixed spoke 22R and the right fixed spoke 22L have the same configuration except that they are provided symmetrically. Therefore, when it is not necessary to specify them, they are simply collectively referred to as the fixed spoke 22. explain. In addition, for the detailed configuration provided in the left fixed spoke 22R and the right fixed spoke 22L, the reference numerals (R, L) specifying the left and right are attached to the drawings, and the left and right are not specified unless necessary in the description. The end symbols (R, L) are also omitted.

  The distal end side of the fixed spoke 22 is housed in a connecting chamber 33 formed in the moving spoke 32 of the grip member 30. The width of the fixed spoke 22 is smaller than the width of the connection chamber 33. Accordingly, a gap S is formed between the width direction side surface of the fixed spoke 22 and the width direction wall surface of the connection chamber 33. In addition, a pair of locking pieces 26 a and 26 b extending in the width direction are integrally formed at the tip of the fixed spoke 22. The locking pieces 26a and 26b are provided so that their tips do not tightly contact the widthwise wall surface of the connecting chamber 33 (for example, lightly point contact). Similarly, the stopper pieces 35a and 35b provided on both sides of the opening 34 of the connection chamber 33 are also sized so that the opposite ends thereof are not tightly adhered to the side surface in the width direction of the fixed spoke 22 (for example, lightly point contact). It has been decided. Therefore, the movable spoke 32 and the fixed spoke 22 are capable of smooth relative sliding movement along the longitudinal direction (the radial direction of the steering shaft 80).

  In addition, the maximum sliding movement position of the moving spoke 32 and the fixed spoke 22 is regulated by the locking pieces 26 a and 26 b of the fixed spoke 22 coming into contact with the stopper pieces 35 a and 35 b of the moving spoke 32. Therefore, the boss member 20 and the grip member 30 are not separated from each other even when the movable spoke 32 and the fixed spoke 22 are slidable.

  The fixed spoke 22 is provided with a cross-shaped through hole 24 having the same shape as the through hole 36 of the moving spoke 32. The through hole 24 is provided at a position facing the through hole 36 formed in the movable spoke 32 in a state where the tip of the fixed spoke 22 is inserted into the deepest portion of the connection chamber 33 of the movable spoke 32. In the state where the tip of the fixed spoke 22 is inserted into the deepest portion of the connection chamber 33 of the moving spoke 32, the common connection pin 40 is fitted into the through holes 24 and 36.

  The connecting pin 40 is formed by integrally forming a columnar press-fit body 41 having the same shape (cross shape) as the through holes 24 and 36 and a pull-out rod 42 erected from the axial center of the press-fit body 41. is there. The press-fit body 41 becomes a portion to be press-fitted into the through holes 24 and 36, and the height dimension (vertical direction dimension in FIG. 1) is substantially the same as the plate thickness of the moving spoke 32. The press-fitting of the connecting pin 40 into the through holes 24 and 36 is adjusted to such an extent that the connecting pin 40 comes out of the through holes 24 and 36 when a connection release device 70 described later is operated. The drawing rod 42 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape. At the tip of the pull-out rod 42, an operating arm 43 extending to the shaft connecting portion 21 side is extended in parallel with the plate surface of the moving spoke 32.

  The fixed spoke 22 is provided with a weak portion 25 in which the plate thickness is partially reduced. The weak part 25 is formed by forming grooves on the front and back surfaces of the fixed spoke 22 in a cross-sectional shape or a V-shaped cross-section so as to be thinner than the surrounding plate thickness. It is formed extending in the width direction. The weak part 25 constitutes the low rigidity part of the present invention. The weak portion 25 is housed in the connecting chamber 33 of the moving spoke 32 in a state where the fixed spoke 22 and the moving spoke 32 are connected and fixed by the connecting pin 40, and the fixed spoke 22 and the moving spoke 32 are connected and fixed. Is released and the moving spoke 32 is exposed to the connecting chamber 33 of the moving spoke 32 in a state where the moving spoke 32 has moved to the predetermined slide movement position. That is, the weak portion 25 is located in a region (overlap allowance) where the fixed spoke 22 and the moving spoke 32 overlap in a state where the fixed spoke 22 and the moving spoke 32 are connected and fixed, and the connection and fixing are released and the moving spoke 32 is released. Is formed at a position that deviates from the overlap allowance in a state where it has moved to a predetermined slide movement position.

  A connection release device 70 is provided on the back surface of the moving spoke 32 adjacent to the connection pin 40. The connection release device 70 includes a left connection release device 70R provided on the left movement spoke 32R and a right connection release device 70R provided on the right movement spoke 32L. The left uncoupling device 70R and the right uncoupling device 70R have the same configuration except that they are provided symmetrically. Therefore, when it is not necessary to specify them, they are simply collectively referred to as the uncoupling device 70. In the drawings, reference symbols (R, L) for specifying the left and right are attached to the drawings, and the reference symbols (R, L) are not specified for the left and right in the description. L) is also omitted.

  The connection release device 70 is an actuator using a gas cylinder, and includes a cylinder body 71 fixed to the back surface of the moving spoke 32, a piston 72 slidably provided in the cylinder body 71, and a cylinder body 71. And an inflator 75 (gas generator) provided in the gas chamber 73. The inflator 75 ignites the igniting agent by an ignition signal output from a collision sensor (not shown), burns the gas generating agent, and instantaneously generates a large amount of gas.

  The piston 72 partitions the cylinder body 71 into a gas chamber 73 and an atmosphere release chamber 74, and a rod portion extends from the atmosphere release chamber 74 to the outside of the cylinder body 71. The piston 72 is provided in parallel with the pull-out rod 42 of the adjacent connecting pin 40, and in the normal state where the inflator 75 is not operating, the tip of the rod portion is at the same height as the tip of the connecting pin 40. In this state, the piston 72 is connected and fixed to the operating arm 43 extending from the tip of the connecting pin 40.

  An airbag device 50 is provided on the surface of the boss member 20. The airbag device 50 includes a housing 51, an airbag bag body 52, an inflator 53 connected to an opening of the airbag bag body 52, a pad cover 54, and the like. The housing 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a ring-shaped upper surface 51 a and a bottom surface 51 b, and the bottom surface 51 b is fixed to the disk-shaped plate surface of the shaft coupling portion 21 of the boss member 20. The bottom surface 51 b of the housing 51 is provided with a step so that the outer peripheral side is lifted with respect to the inner peripheral side, and the outer peripheral side does not hit the plate surface of the moving spoke 32 of the grip member 30. An inflator 53 is attached to the center of the upper surface 51a of the housing 51, and the periphery forms a storage portion for the airbag bag body 52.

  The inflator 53 is configured to house an igniter, an igniting agent, a gas generating agent, and the like, and is connected to a collision sensor (not shown). This collision sensor is also used as a sensor for operating the connection release device 70. The inflator 53 operates the igniter by an ignition signal output from a collision sensor at the time of a vehicle collision, ignites the igniting agent, burns the gas generating agent, and instantaneously generates a large amount of gas.

  The airbag bag body 52 is fixed on the inflator 53 so that the gas outlet 53a of the inflator 53 is located inside, and is folded on a predetermined shape on the upper surface 51a of the housing 51. Installed. When the inflator 53 is actuated, the airbag bag body 52 is supplied with gas and expands into a predetermined shape.

  The pad cover 54 is a resin-made cylindrical body that covers the airbag bag body 52 from above in a state where the airbag bag body 52 is folded on the upper surface 51 a of the housing 51, and is fixed to the cylindrical side surface 51 c of the housing 51. The pad cover 54 is provided with a portion to be broken at an appropriate location, and the pad cover 54 is broken when the airbag bag body 52 is deployed.

Next, the operation of the steering operation device of the present embodiment will be described.
<Normal time when the vehicle is not colliding>
In a normal time, the airbag device 50 and the connection release device 70 are not operated. When the connection release device 70 is not operating, the connection pin 40 is fitted in the through holes 24 and 36 of the moving spoke 32 and the fixed spoke 22 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the steering handle 10 is integrated by connecting and fixing the boss member 20 and the grip member 30. In this state, the left and right moving spokes 32 and the fixed spoke 22 each function as one spoke. Hereinafter, the integrated moving spoke 32 and fixed spoke 22 are simply referred to as a spoke.

  The left and right grips 31 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of the steering shaft 80. When the front wheel is directed in the straight direction, the fixed spoke 22 of the boss member 20 is in a position where the longitudinal axis is directed in the horizontal direction, and the left and right grips 31R and 31L are disposed laterally symmetrically. The left and right grips 31 of the present embodiment have an arc shape, and the arcs are arranged on the same circumference, but may be a straight rod-like body. In addition, from the viewpoint of operability, the spoke dimensions are set so that the turning radius of the grip 31 is smaller than that of a general circular handle.

  The driver performs the turning operation by grasping the left grip 31R and the right grip 31L with the left hand and the right hand, respectively. By this steering operation, the steering shaft 80 rotates around the axis and the left and right front wheels are steered. In the present embodiment, the steering control is performed so that, for example, the steering angle is about 120 ° left and right and the maximum turning angle is obtained so that the driver does not have to change the left and right grips 31. This steering control is performed by the VGRS unit 95 shown in FIG. The VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio System) unit 95 includes a mechanism (for example, a strain wave gearing mechanism) that varies the steering gear ratio, and rotates the input shaft and the output shaft by changing the rotational speed of the electric motor. The ratio is arbitrarily changed.

  In a normal state, the boss member 20 and the grip member 30 are rigidly coupled and fixed to the steering handle 10 by the coupling pin 40. In this case, since the weak part 25 is accommodated in the connection chamber 33 of the movement spoke 32, high rigidity is maintained as the spoke. In addition, since the press-fitting of the cross-shaped through holes 24 and 36 and the press-fit body 41 is employed as the connection structure, it is possible to ensure rotational rigidity when the handle is operated. As a result, the driver can perform a steering operation comfortably.

<At the time of vehicle collision>
When the vehicle collides, an ignition signal is output from the collision sensor (not shown) to the airbag device 50 and the connection release device 70. The airbag device 50 operates the inflator 53 by this ignition signal to supply a large amount of gas into the airbag bag body 52. Thereby, the airbag body 52 starts to be deployed. At the same time, the connection release device 70 is also operated. The disconnection device 70 operates the inflator 75 in response to an ignition signal from the collision sensor and supplies gas to the gas chamber 73. As a result, the pressure in the gas chamber 73 increases, and the piston 72 is pushed up. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the piston 72 pulls the pulling rod 42 of the connecting pin 40 upward, and the press-fit body 41 that has been press-fitted into the through-holes 24 and 36 comes out of the through-holes 24 and 36.

  Thereby, the connection between the boss member 20 and the grip member 30 is released. Therefore, the grip member 30 can freely move in the spoke axis direction with respect to the boss member 20. That is, the movable spoke 32 and the fixed spoke 22 can be slid relative to each other in the connection chamber 33. In other words, the overlap margin between the moving spoke 32 and the fixed spoke 22 can be changed, and the distance from the axis of the steering shaft 80 to the grip 31 is variable.

  In parallel with the release of the connection, the airbag body 52 is deployed. The air bag body 52 has an optimal deployment shape set by a base fabric shape so that an occupant can be restrained safely. On the other hand, the steering handle 10 is set to have a smaller turning operation radius of the grip 31 in terms of operability. Therefore, the deployment dimension of the airbag bag body 52 in the left-right direction is larger than the separation between the grips 31.

  Under such conditions, since the airbag bag body 52 hits the left and right grips 31 during deployment, lateral deployment is restricted by the grips 31 and an optimal deployment shape cannot be obtained, resulting in a reduction in passenger restraint performance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the connection between the boss member 20 and the grip member 30 is released, and the spoke dimensions can be increased in accordance with the deployed state so as not to disturb the deployment of the airbag bag body 52. .

  5 and 6 show a state after the air bag device 50 and the connection release device 70 are operated due to the collision of the vehicle. When the gas is supplied from the inflator 53, the airbag body 52 expands in the lateral direction and the height direction (driver direction). At this time, since the connection between the grip member 30 and the boss member 20 is released, even if the airbag body 52 reaches the state where it hits the left and right grip members 30, it further expands while pressing the grip member 30 in the lateral direction as it is. I will do it. Thus, the left and right grip members 30 slide and move in the lateral direction (outside of the spoke axis) so as to increase the distance from each other as the airbag bag body 52 is deployed. Therefore, the airbag bag body 52 is deployed in an appropriate shape without being obstructed by the grip member 30.

  As a result, according to the steering operation device of the present embodiment, the deployment shape and the internal pressure of the airbag bag body 52 are appropriate, and the intended passenger restraint performance can be maintained regardless of the turning operation radius of the grip 31. it can. In addition, the grip 31 can be retracted from a path along which the driver moves forward due to inertia at the time of a vehicle collision. When considering a driver's secondary collision due to a vehicle collision, the grip 31 becomes an obstacle. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the grip 31 is released from the movement path forward of the driver.

  Further, when the moving spoke 32 is moved to a predetermined slide position and the spoke (spoke consisting of moving spoke and fixed spoke) is in an extended state, the weak portion 25 is exposed from the connection chamber 33, so that the rigidity of the spoke is increased. Decreases. For this reason, in the process in which the driver moves forward due to inertia by the vehicle collision and the airbag bag body 52 is crushed, the spokes are deformed to the front side of the vehicle, and the reaction force for supporting the airbag bag body 52 by the spokes is reduced. To do.

  Unlike the circular handle, the steering handle 10 has a shape in which a grip does not exist on the entire circumference but is missing on the way, so that the performance of receiving the airbag body 52 changes depending on the steering angle of the steering wheel 10. For example, when the vehicle collides in a straight traveling state, the support reaction force is smaller than that of the left and right portions with the grip 31 because there is no portion for receiving the airbag bag body 52 in the upper and lower portions. In this case, since the force for receiving the driver's head becomes small, it is preferable to set the internal pressure of the airbag bag body 52 high. For example, when the steering handle 10 is collided while being steered by 90 °, the upper and lower parts On the other hand, since the grip 31 exists, the support reaction force becomes large and the force for receiving the driver's head becomes too large.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the restraint force of the occupant by the airbag bag body 52 can be stabilized by reducing the support reaction force of the airbag bag body 52 by spokes. Moreover, collision energy can be absorbed by the spokes.

  Furthermore, when the airbag bag body 52 is deployed, the locking spokes 22 a and 26 b provided at the tip of the fixed spoke 22 and the stopper pieces 35 a and 35 b provided on the movable spoke 32 are brought into contact with the fixed spoke 22. The mobile spoke 32 is safe because it is not separated. Further, since the movable spoke 32 can smoothly slide with respect to the fixed spoke 22, the grip member 30 can be reliably moved in accordance with the development of the airbag bag body 52.

  The steering operation device according to the present embodiment has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the object of the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the fixed spoke 22 and the moving spoke 32 are overlapped in a connecting chamber 33 formed in the moving spoke 32, but a connecting chamber is provided on the fixed spoke side to connect the moving spoke. You may make it accommodate in a chamber. Moreover, a structure in which the fixed spoke and the movable spoke can be relatively slid along the guide member without providing the connection chamber may be employed. The spoke shape can also be set to any shape as long as it connects the tearing shaft and the grip, such as a rod shape or a plate shape. In this embodiment, the left and right spokes are each composed of two parts, but may be composed of three or more parts.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the weak part 25 is provided and the rigidity of a spoke is reduced, such a low-rigidity part may not be provided. Moreover, the weak part 25 may be provided in one side, without providing in both surfaces of a fixed spoke, The shape can be designed arbitrarily. Moreover, a low-rigidity part can also be provided in the movement spoke side.

  Further, the connection release device is not limited to the gas cylinder, and may be constituted by an actuator such as an electromagnetic solenoid or an electric motor.

  In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a vehicle steering apparatus in which left and right front wheels are mechanically connected to a steering shaft. However, mechanical connection between the steering shaft and left and right front wheels is eliminated, and a steering handle (steering shaft) The present invention can also be applied to a steer-by-wire vehicle steering apparatus in which left and right front wheels are steered by an electric actuator according to a rotation angle.

It is a plane sectional view of a steering operation device concerning an embodiment. It is a front view of the steering operation device concerning an embodiment. It is the front view which omitted the airbag device in the steering operation device concerning an embodiment, and showed the structure of a boss member and a grip member. It is a side view showing the state where the steering operation device concerning an embodiment was connected with the steering shaft. It is a plane sectional view showing the state at the time of vehicles collision of the steering operation device concerning an embodiment. It is a front view showing the spoke extension state of the steering operation device concerning an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering handle, 20 ... Boss member, 21 ... Shaft coupling part, 22L ... Right fixed spoke, 22R ... Left fixed spoke, 23 ... Shaft fitting part, 24 ... Through-hole, 25 ... Weak part, 26a, 26b ... Engagement Stop piece, 30L ... right grip member, 30R ... left grip member, 31L ... right grip, 31R ... left grip, 32L ... right movement spoke, 32R ... left movement spoke, 33 ... connection chamber, 34 ... opening, 35a, 35b ... Stopper piece, 36 ... Through hole, 40 ... Connection pin, 50 ... Airbag device, 51 ... Housing, 52 ... Airbag bag body, 53 ... Inflator, 54 ... Pad cover, 70 ... Connection release device, 70R ... Left connection Release device, 70L ... Right connection release device, 71 ... Cylinder body, 72 ... Piston, 73 ... Gas chamber, 74 ... Air release chamber, 75 ... Inflator, 80 ... Suspension A ring shaft, 90 ... column tube.

Claims (4)

Steering wheel having a steering handle provided separately for the left hand and the right hand, and a spoke extending radially outward from the steering shaft and toward the driver's seat, and individually supporting the left hand grip and the right hand grip A handle,
In a steering operation device comprising airbag deployment means for deploying an airbag bag body between the left and right grips in the event of a vehicle collision,
A steering operation device comprising spoke length varying means for allowing the spoke to extend radially outward of the steering shaft in the event of a vehicle collision. The spoke length variable means is:
A fixed spoke that is fixed to the steering shaft side, a spoke that is movable relative to the fixed spoke radially outward of the steering shaft, and that is connected to the grip; and the fixed spoke A connecting member that connects the moving spokes with each other so as not to move relative to each other.
The steering operation device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection release unit that releases a connection state of the connection member in a vehicle collision.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rigidity reducing unit that reduces rigidity of the spoke when the spoke is extended radially outward as compared to a normal time when the spoke is not extended radially outward. 3. The steering operation device according to 2.   The rigidity reducing means is provided with at least one of the fixed spoke and the moving spoke provided with a low rigidity portion in a region where the fixed spoke and the moving spoke overlap in a state where the spoke does not extend outward in the radial direction. The steering operation according to claim 3, wherein the low-rigidity portion is disposed outside a region where the fixed spoke and the movable spoke overlap when the spoke extends outward in the radial direction. apparatus.

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