JP2009107557A - Electric telescopic arrangement adjusting type steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric telescopic arrangement adjusting type steering device that can reduce a fixing operation of a stroke stopper and can simply assemble an electric actuator. <P>SOLUTION: The electric telescopic arrangement adjusting type steering device comprises: a rod connecting part 57 fixed to an inner column 12a; a telescopic rod 58 connected between an actuator housing 51 fixed to an outer column 12a and the rod connecting part and arranged in parallel on an axis different from an axis of a steering column 12; a stroke stopper 60 connected integrally to an end part of the telescopic rod protruding from the actuator housing so as to separate from the rod connecting part; a maximum stroke regulating member 51 on which the stroke stopper abutts to regulate the stroke of the telescopic rod when the telescopic rod strokes to its maximum stroke position; and a minimum stroke regulating member 61 on which the stroke stopper abutts to regulate the stroke of the telescopic rod when the telescopic rod strokes to its minimum stroke position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes an outer column and an inner column that are relatively telescopically connected, a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft to which a steering wheel is attached, and an electric actuator that expands and contracts the outer column and the inner column; The present invention relates to an electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus including

  As an electric telescopic adjustment type steering device, a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft is composed of an outer column and an inner column that are relatively telescopically connected, and an electric actuator that extends and contracts the outer column and the inner column, A telescopic rod provided in parallel on an axis different from the steering column, one end of the telescopic rod is connected to one of the outer column and the inner column via a connecting portion, and the other end of the telescopic rod is connected to the outer column and the inner column. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device that has a structure connected to the other of a column via an electric motor, and automatically expands and contracts a steering column when a telescopic rod strokes in the axial direction by driving the electric motor.

Here, for example, in the electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus of Patent Document 1, a plate-shaped first stroke stopper is fixed to the other end portion of the telescopic rod that protrudes forward from the electric motor housing to the electric motor housing. An annular second stroke stopper is fixed to the outer periphery of the telescopic rod at a position separated from the rear of the vehicle by a predetermined distance. When the telescopic rod strokes rearward of the vehicle by driving the electric motor, the first stroke stopper is moved to the electric motor housing. The stroke end on the maximum side of the telescopic rod is regulated by abutting on the second stroke stopper, and when the telescopic rod strokes forward of the vehicle, the stroke end on the smallest side of the telescopic rod is regulated by the second stroke stopper contacting the electric motor housing. I try to regulate it.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-30527 (FIGS. 12 and 14)

  By the way, since the apparatus of patent document 1 sets the stroke of the maximum side and the minimum side of a telescopic rod, two stoppers (1st and 2nd stopper) which contact | abut to an electric motor housing do not wobble to a telescopic rod. It must be securely fixed. For this reason, the second stopper must be fixed to the outer periphery of the telescopic rod using an axial stopper such as a C-ring, and the fixing work requires a lot of labor and time.

In addition, before fixing the first stopper to the other end of the telescopic rod, the second stopper is fixed to the outer periphery of the telescopic rod, and the other end of the telescopic rod is inserted into the electric motor and then protrudes from the electric motor. A complicated assembly process of fixing the second stopper to the other end of the telescopic rod is required.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made paying attention to the unsolved problems of the above-described conventional example, and an electric telescopic adjustment type steering that can easily assemble an electric actuator by reducing the work of fixing a stroke stopper. The object is to provide a device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to claim 1 has an outer column and an inner column which are relatively telescopically connected, and a steering shaft to which a steering wheel is attached is rotatable. A steering column to be supported; a linear motion mechanism in which one end is attached to the outer column and the other end is attached to the inner column; and the outer column and the inner column are operated by operating the linear motion mechanism. An electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus including an electric actuator for extending and contracting, wherein the linear motion mechanism includes a rod connecting portion fixed to one of the inner column and the outer column, and an inner column and an outer column. An actuator housing for accommodating an electric actuator fixed to the other; Telescopic rods connected between the connecting portions and arranged in parallel on an axis different from the central axis of the steering column, and ends of the telescopic rods protruding from the actuator housing in a direction away from the rod connecting portions A stroke stopper that is integrally connected to a portion, and a maximum stroke regulating member that regulates the stroke of the telescopic rod when the telescopic rod abuts to the maximum stroke position by driving the electric actuator and the stroke stopper comes into contact with the stroke stopper And a minimum stroke restricting member that restricts the stroke of the telescopic rod by contacting the stroke stopper when the telescopic rod strokes forward of the vehicle to the minimum stroke position by driving the electric actuator.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to the first aspect, the maximum stroke restricting member is fixed to the other of the inner column and the outer column.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the minimum stroke restricting member is located further away from the rod connecting portion than the actuator housing. It is a member fixed to the other of the column and the outer column and abutted when the telescopic rod strokes forward of the vehicle up to the minimum stroke position.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the telescopic rod is connected to one of the rod connecting portion and the actuator housing. An inner rod, an outer rod inserted through the inner rod so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction and connected to the other of the rod connecting portion and the actuator housing, an outer peripheral surface of the inner rod, and an inner peripheral surface of the outer rod. The inner rod and the outer rod are normally disposed relative to each other, and the inner rod and the outer rod are not allowed to move relative to each other, and contraction of the inner rod and the outer rod is allowed while generating predetermined shock absorption energy by sliding friction when a secondary collision load is applied. And an impact absorbing member.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the rod connecting portion is connected to the central axis of the steering column toward the actuator housing. The telescopic rod extends in parallel to different directions, and the telescopic rod has one end connected to the actuator housing and extends in parallel toward the axial extension. The end portion is arranged so as to be close to the tip of the axial extension portion, and the front and rear of the telescopic rod and the axial extension portion are usually between the tips of the telescopic rod and the axial extension portion. The telescoping is performed while generating a predetermined shock absorption energy by plastic deformation when a secondary collision load is applied. And a shock absorbing member for allowing relative movement vehicle longitudinal direction of the rod connecting member.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the impact absorbing member is in contact with a handling member provided between the telescopic rod and the axially extending portion. It was made to plastically deform.
Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 is the electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a steering assist force is applied to the steering shaft on the other of the inner column and the outer column. An electric power steering device for transmission is incorporated, and the gear housing of the electric power steering device is arranged at a position further away from the rod connecting portion than the actuator housing, and is used as the minimum stroke restricting member.

According to the electric telescopic adjustment type steering device of the present invention, in order to restrict the maximum and minimum strokes of the telescopic rod, the stroke stopper that contacts the maximum and minimum stroke restricting members is fixed to the end portion of the telescopic rod only at one place. Due to the structure, the stroke stopper can be easily fixed.
Moreover, since it is sufficient to fix the stroke stopper to the end portion of the telescopic rod at the end of the assembly process, the linear motion mechanism can be easily assembled.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a vehicle equipped with an electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a first embodiment of an electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the main part showing the electric telescopic mechanism of the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an electric motor according to the present invention. 7 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the telescopic adjustment type steering device, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an electric telescopic mechanism of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of the electric telescopic adjustment type steering device according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view showing the third embodiment from the bottom side, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an impact absorbing member used in the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an axial extension of the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of FIG. Sectional view of the B line, Fig. 13 is a side view showing a fourth embodiment of an electric telescopic adjustable steering apparatus according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a steering column device 10 includes a steering column 12 that supports a steering shaft 11 so as to be rotatable. A steering wheel 13 is mounted at the rear end of the steering shaft 11, and an intermediate shaft 15 is connected to the front end of the steering shaft 11 via a universal joint 14. A steering gear 17 composed of a rack and pinion mechanism or the like is connected to the intermediate shaft 15 through a universal joint 16 at the front end thereof. The output shaft of the steering gear 17 is connected to the steering wheel 19 via a tie rod 18.

When the driver steers the steering wheel 13, the rotational force is transmitted to the steering gear 17 via the steering shaft 11, the universal joint 14, the intermediate shaft 15, and the universal joint 16, and the rack and pinion mechanism rotates the vehicle. The steering wheel 19 is steered through the tie rod 18 after being converted into a linear motion in the width direction.
In addition, peripheral parts P such as a control switch, a combination switch, and a column cover for driving an electric telescopic mechanism 50 described later are disposed in the rear part of the steering column 12 in the vehicle.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 3, the steering column device 10 according to the first embodiment is disposed to be inclined rearwardly by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction of the vehicle. A steering shaft 11 of the steering column device 10 includes an outer shaft 11a to which a steering wheel 13 is attached, and an inner shaft 11b that is slidably engaged with the outer shaft 11a by spline coupling or serration coupling. Yes.

  2 and 3, the steering column 12 includes an outer column 12a and an inner column 12b that is telescopically connected to the outer column 12a. The inner periphery of the rear end of the inner column 12b The outer shaft 11a and the inner shaft 11b of the steering shaft 11 are rotatably supported by a rolling bearing 12f disposed on the surface and a rolling bearing (not shown) disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer column 12a. .

  The outer column 12a has a rear end (left end in FIG. 2) on the side of the universal joint 14 supported by a lower bracket 22 attached to the vehicle body side member 21 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction by a pivot pin 23, and steering. A front end (right end in FIG. 2) on the wheel 13 side is supported by an upper bracket 24 attached to the vehicle body side member 21 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper bracket 24 includes a mounting plate portion 24a attached to the vehicle body side member 21, and extends downward from an end portion of the mounting plate portion 24a in the vehicle width direction to the outer column 12a. A pair of holding plate portions 24b facing from the outside in the direction and a tilt mechanism 25 provided on one holding plate portion 24b. One holding plate portion 24b is formed with a long hole 24b1 extending in the vertical direction.

  The tilt mechanism 25 includes a screw member 25a that protrudes from the surface of the outer column 12a facing in the vehicle width direction and is inserted into the long hole 24b1 of one holding plate portion 24b, and a nut member 25b that is screwed into the screw member 25a. And a tilt operation lever 25c whose base end is fixed to the nut member 25b. When the tilt operation lever 25c is operated in the unclamping direction, the nut member 25b is loosened with respect to the screw member 25a. When the holding plate portion 24b rotates and moves outward in the vehicle width direction away from the outer column 12a and the tilt operation lever 25c is operated in the clamping direction, the nut member 25b is rotated and held in the direction to be screwed into the screw member 25a. The plate portion 24b moves inward in the vehicle width direction in contact with the outer column 12a.

The electric telescopic mechanism 50 includes a linear motion mechanism disposed between the outer column 12a and the inner column 12b of the steering column 12, and an electric actuator that operates the linear motion mechanism to extend and contract the outer column 12a and the inner column 12b. ing.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a telescopic gear housing 51 is fixed on the steering wheel 13 side of the outer column 12a. The telescopic gear housing 51 is opposed to the telescopic gear housing 51 by a predetermined distance in the axial direction of the steering column 12. The worm wheel 54 is rotatably supported by the arranged rolling bearings 52 and 53. The worm wheel 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a large-diameter outer peripheral surface at the center and small-diameter outer peripheral surfaces fitted with rolling bearings 52 and 53 on both ends sandwiching the large-diameter outer peripheral surface. A helical gear 54a is formed, and a female screw 54b is formed on the inner peripheral surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a worm 56 connected to an output shaft of an electric motor 55 attached to the telescopic gear housing 51 is engaged with the helical gear 54 a of the worm wheel 54. The worm 56 is rotatably supported by rolling bearings 59a and 59b disposed in the telescopic gear housing 51.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the inner column 12b is positioned in the same direction as the telescopic gear housing 51, and is connected to the connecting plate 57 at a distance from the end surface of the outer column 12a. The connecting rod 58 is disposed between the connecting plate 57 and the telescopic gear housing 51.

  The connecting rod 58 is a single member formed with a male threaded portion 58a on one end side, the end on the vehicle rear side is fixed to the connecting plate 57, and the male threaded portion 58a located on the vehicle front side is connected to a telescopic gear housing. 51 is screwed into the female screw 54b of the worm wheel 54, and is separated from the central axis of the steering column 12 by a predetermined offset value L (see FIG. 3) below the steering column 12 and parallel to the central axis. It is arranged to become.

  Here, a stopper 60 is provided at an end portion of the male screw portion 58a projecting forward from the telescopic gear housing 51 to the vehicle. This stopper 60 has a head having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the male screw portion 58a, and is arranged between a bolt 60a screwed into an end of the male screw portion 58a, and the head of the bolt 60a and the male screw portion 58a. An annular first buffer member 60b made of an elastic body such as rubber or synthetic resin, and a disc made of an elastic body such as rubber or synthetic resin joined to the head of the bolt 60a facing the front of the vehicle It is comprised with the shape 2nd buffer member 60c.

An outer column protrusion 61 is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer column 12a at a position spaced forward from the telescopic gear housing 51 with respect to the vehicle. The surface of the outer column projecting portion 61 facing the rear of the vehicle has a planar shape perpendicular to the axis of the connecting rod 58.
Then, the worm wheel 54 rotates in the forward direction through the worm 56 by the forward drive of the electric motor 55, and the connecting rod 58 in which the male screw portion 58 a is screwed to the worm wheel 54 moves to the vehicle rear side. However, when the first buffer member 60b of the stopper 60 comes into contact with the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the front of the vehicle, the movement of the connecting rod 58 to the rear of the vehicle is stopped.

In addition, the connecting rod 58 moves to the front side of the vehicle by rotating the worm wheel 54 in the reverse direction by the reverse drive of the electric motor 55, but the second buffer member 60 c of the stopper 60 is the vehicle of the outer column protrusion 61. The movement of the connecting rod 58 to the front of the vehicle stops when it comes into contact with the rear facing surface.
The linear motion mechanism of the present invention corresponds to the connecting plate 57, the connecting rod 58, the stopper 60, the telescopic gear housing 51, and the outer column protrusion 61, and the electric actuator of the present invention is a worm wheel 54, a helical gear 54a, a male screw 54b, Corresponding to the worm 56 and the electric motor 55, the rod connecting portion of the present invention corresponds to the connecting plate 57, the telescopic rod of the present invention corresponds to the connecting rod 58, the stroke stopper of the present invention corresponds to the stopper 60, The actuator housing of the invention corresponds to the telescopic gear housing 51, and the minimum stroke restricting member of the invention corresponds to the outer column protrusion 61.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
Now, in order to adjust the tilt of the steering column device 10, the driver operates the tilt operation lever 25c of the tilt mechanism 25 in the unclamping direction. When the tilt operation lever 25c is operated in the unclamping direction, the nut member 25b rotates in a loosening direction with respect to the screw member 25a, and the holding plate portion 24b moves outward in the vehicle width direction away from the outer column 12a. The column 12a can be tilted about the pivot pin 23 as a rotation center. Then, the tilt adjustment is performed by tilting the entire steering column 12 while sliding the screw member 25a of the tilt mechanism 25 in the long axis direction of the long hole 24b1.

After the tilt adjustment is completed, the tilt operation lever 25c is operated in the clamping direction to rotate the nut member 25b in a direction to be screwed into the screw member 25a, and the holding plate portion 24b is inwardly contacted with the outer column 12a. The outer column 12a is fixed to the vehicle body side member 21 via the upper bracket 24.
In addition, in order for the driver to perform telescopic adjustment of the steering column of the steering column device 10, the telescopic mechanism control switch provided on the peripheral part P disposed in the rear part of the vehicle of the steering column 12 is moved in the extension direction (or When operated in the contraction direction), the electric motor 55 of the electric telescopic mechanism 50 is driven forward (or reverse).

  That is, when the telescopic mechanism control switch is operated in the extending direction, the worm wheel 54 is rotated forward via the worm 56 by the forward drive of the electric motor 55, and the connecting rod 58 is moved to the rear side of the vehicle. When the connecting rod 58 moves to the vehicle rear side, the inner column 12b fixed to the connecting rod 58 via the connecting plate 57 is pulled out from the outer column 12a, and the steering column 12 extends. At this time, the outer shaft 11a of the steering shaft 11 also moves to the vehicle rear side along with the movement of the inner column 12b. The connecting rod 58 moved to the vehicle rear side is restricted from moving rearward when the first buffer member 60b of the stopper 60 contacts the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the front of the vehicle. 50 maximum stroke positions are set (see FIG. 5).

  Further, when the telescopic mechanism control switch is operated in the contracting direction, the worm wheel 54 is reversed via the worm 56 by the reverse drive of the electric motor 55, and the connecting rod 58 is moved forward of the vehicle. As the connecting rod 58 moves toward the front side of the vehicle, the inner column 12b is inserted into the outer column 12a and the steering column 12 contracts. At this time, along with the movement of the inner column 12b, the outer shaft 11a of the steering shaft 11 also moves forward of the vehicle. The connecting rod 58 moved to the front side of the vehicle is restricted from moving forward when the second buffer member 60c of the stopper 60 comes into contact with the surface of the outer column protruding portion 61 facing the rear of the vehicle. The minimum stroke position of the mechanism 50 is set (see FIG. 5).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stopper 60 fixed to one end of the connecting rod 58 at the front of the vehicle is the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the front of the vehicle or the surface of the outer column protruding portion 61 facing the rear of the vehicle. The maximum and minimum strokes of the electric telescopic mechanism 50 are set by abutting, and a plurality of stoppers (first and second stoppers) are unnecessary as in the conventional device, and are connected while restricting movement in the axial direction. Since the work of mounting on the outer periphery of the rod 58 becomes unnecessary, the stopper 60 can be fixed easily.

  In the present embodiment, the male threaded portion 58a of the connecting rod 58 is screwed into the female thread 54b of the worm wheel 54 in the telescopic gear housing 51, and is projected from the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the front of the vehicle. The stopper 60 is only fixed to the end of the male threaded portion 58a, and it is not necessary to fix the stopper 60 during the assembly process of the electric telescopic mechanism 50. Therefore, the electric telescopic mechanism 50 can be easily assembled. .

(Second Embodiment)
Next, FIG.6 and FIG.7 shows the steering column apparatus 10 of 2nd Embodiment. The same components as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The connecting rod 58 of the present embodiment is a cylindrical outer rod 71 having a vehicle rear side end fixed to the connecting plate 57, and is fitted into the outer rod 71 so as to be retractable, and a male screw portion 72a is provided at the vehicle front side end. And an inner rod 72 formed.
The male thread portion 72 a of the inner rod 72 is screwed into the female thread 54 b of the worm wheel 54 of the telescopic gear housing 51, and is disposed below the steering column 12 so as to be parallel to the central axis of the steering column 12. Yes.

A portion where the inner rod 72 is inserted into the outer rod 71 is a contraction portion 73, and a thin leaf spring material formed in a ring shape is formed in the contraction portion 73 in a waveform in which the cross section is uneven in the circumferential direction. A holding member 74 is provided.
The connection holding member 74 is in contact with both the outer rod 71 and the inner rod 72 and normally prevents the outer rod 71 and the inner rod 72 from contracting. However, when an impact load of a predetermined level or more is transmitted, the outer rod 71 and The inner rod 72 is allowed to contract. A collapse load allowing the relative movement of the outer rod 71 and the inner rod 72 of the connection holding member 74 is set to, for example, about 2 kN or more.

The telescopic rod of the present invention corresponds to the connecting rod 58, the electric actuator of the present invention corresponds to the electric telescopic mechanism 50, the maximum stroke restricting member of the present invention is the telescopic gear housing 51, and the minimum stroke restricting member of the present invention is Corresponding to the outer column protrusion 61, the shock absorbing member of the present invention corresponds to the connection holding member 74.
Next, an operation different from the first embodiment of this embodiment will be described.

  When the telescopic mechanism control switch is operated in the extending direction, the worm wheel 54 is rotated forward via the worm 56 by the forward rotation of the electric motor 55, and the inner rod 72 is moved to the vehicle rear side. When the inner rod 72 moves to the vehicle rear side, the outer rod 71 that is integrally connected to the inner rod 72 by the connection holding member 74 so as not to slip is also moved to the vehicle rear side. When the outer rod 71 moves to the vehicle rear side, the inner column 12b fixed to the outer rod 71 via the connecting plate 57 is pulled out from the outer column 12a, and the steering column 12 extends. At this time, the outer shaft 11a of the steering shaft 11 also moves to the vehicle rear side along with the movement of the inner column 12b. The connecting rod 58 moved to the vehicle rear side is restricted from moving rearward when the first buffer member 60b of the stopper 60 contacts the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the front of the vehicle. 50 maximum stroke positions are set.

  When the telescopic mechanism control switch is operated in the contracting direction, the electric motor 55 is driven to reverse the worm wheel 54 via the worm 56, thereby moving the inner rod 72 forward of the vehicle. When the inner rod 72 moves to the vehicle front side, the outer rod 71 that is integrally connected to the inner rod 72 by the connection holding member 74 so as not to slip is also moved to the vehicle front side. When the outer rod 71 moves to the front side of the vehicle, the inner column 12b is inserted into the outer column 12a and the steering column 12 contracts. At this time, along with the movement of the inner column 12b, the outer shaft 11a of the steering shaft 11 also moves forward of the vehicle. The connecting rod 58 moved to the front side of the vehicle is restricted from moving forward when the second buffer member 60c of the stopper 60 comes into contact with the surface of the outer column protruding portion 61 facing the rear of the vehicle. The minimum stroke position of the mechanism 50 is set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the impact load F directed to the front of the vehicle acts on the steering wheel 13 at the time of the secondary collision and the component axial force Fx of the impact load F acts on the inner column 12b, the column axis direction The component force Fx is transmitted to the connecting rod 58 via the connecting plate 57. When the column axial component force Fx is equal to or greater than the set collapse load, the outer rod 71 and the inner rod 72 are allowed to contract relative to each other, and the connection holding member 74 is elastically contacted with the outer rod 71 and the inner rod 72 in front of the vehicle. Slides to the side to generate shock absorption energy.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the stopper 60 that sets the maximum and minimum strokes of the electric telescopic mechanism 50 can be easily fixed, and the electric telescopic mechanism 50 can be easily assembled. It can be carried out.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle collides with the driver's steering wheel 13 during the secondary collision, the outer rod 71 and the inner rod 72 are relatively contracted, and the connecting and holding member 74 disposed between the outer rod 71 and the inner rod 72 is in elastic contact. Since the shock absorption energy is generated by sliding to the front side of the vehicle as it is, it is possible to prevent the driver's body from being seriously damaged.

(Third embodiment)
Next, FIGS. 8 to 12 show the steering column device 10 of the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the linear motion mechanism of the present embodiment extends in parallel to a direction different from the central axis of the steering column 12 from the lower end of the connecting plate 57 toward the telescopic gear housing 51 in front of the vehicle. The extension member 62 and the male screw portion 63a formed on one end side are screwed into the female screw 54b of the worm wheel 54 in the telescopic gear housing 51, and extend in parallel toward the extension member 62 at the rear of the vehicle. The shock absorbing member 64 is mounted between the connecting rod 63 and the front end of the extension member 62 and the end of the connecting rod 63 on the rear side of the vehicle. Normally, the extension member 62 and the connecting rod 63 are front and rear of the vehicle. The relative movement in the direction is prevented, and when the secondary collision load exceeding a predetermined value is transmitted, the extension member 62 and the connecting rod 63 are allowed to move in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the shock absorbing member 64 And a shock absorbing connecting portion 65 is plastically deformed by ironing.

  This embodiment also. The connecting rod 63 is moved rearward by the forward rotation of the electric motor 55, and when the stopper 60 comes into contact with the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the front of the vehicle, the connecting rod 63 is moved rearward. Is supposed to stop. Further, when the connecting rod 63 is moved forward by the reverse rotation of the electric motor 55 and the stopper 60 comes into contact with the surface of the outer column protruding portion 61 facing the rear of the vehicle, the connecting rod 63 moves forward. The movement is stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the shock absorbing member 64 is a member formed by bending a plastically deformable metal wire whose cross-sectional shape is a perfect circle, an ellipse, or a polygon, and has a U-shaped base. 64a and a portion extending in one direction from the base portion 64a, and a pair of deformed portions 64b formed by bending the extended portion in the other direction are substantially J-shaped members, The deformable portion 64b is formed with a semicircular arc-shaped folded deformable portion 64c at a position continuous with the respective base portions 64a.

As shown in FIG. 11, a pair of side plates 62a that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction are provided on the front end side of the extension member 62 in the front of the vehicle. Is formed. A hook 62c is formed at the front end of the extension member 62 in the vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 12, a handling member 66 having an outer periphery formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and formed with a shaft hole 66a is fixed to the end of the connecting rod 63 on the rear side of the vehicle.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, a handling member 66 fixed to the end of the connecting rod 63 at the rear of the vehicle is disposed between the pair of side plates 62a of the extension member 62, and the shaft hole 66a of the handling member 66 and the extension member 62 are disposed. A connecting bolt 67 having a head corresponding to the notch 62b is inserted into the shaft hole 66a and the notch 62b, and a nut member 68 is screwed into a threaded portion protruding from one side plate 62a of the connecting bolt 67. By tightening, the extending member 62 and the connecting rod 63 are connected.

  Here, a stopper 60 is provided at an end portion of the male screw portion 58a projecting forward from the telescopic gear housing 51 to the vehicle. This stopper 60 has a head having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the male screw portion 58a, and is arranged between a bolt 60a screwed into an end of the male screw portion 58a, and the head of the bolt 60a and the male screw portion 58a. A first annular cushioning member 60b made of an elastic body such as synthetic resin and a second disc-shaped second body made of an elastic body such as synthetic resin joined to the head of a bolt 60a facing the front of the vehicle. It is comprised with the buffer member 60c.

The shock absorbing member 64 locks the base portion 64 a to the hook portion 62 c of the extension member 62, arranges the folded deformation portion 64 c along the outer periphery of the handling member 66, and the pair of deformation portions 64 b extends along the connecting rod 63. It is mounted in a state that extends forward of the vehicle.
The tightening force of the extension member 62 and the connection rod 63 by the connection bolt 67 and the nut member 68 allows the relative movement of the extension member 62 and the connection rod 63 in the vehicle front-rear direction when an impact load of a predetermined level or more is transmitted. However, the tightening force (collapse load) that allows the extension member 62 and the connecting rod 63 to move relative to each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction is set to, for example, about 2 kN or more.

Note that reference numeral 69 in FIG. 9 denotes a different-direction deformation preventing member that prevents the pair of deforming portions 64b from being deformed in a direction (downward) away from the connecting rod 63 when the shock absorbing member 64 is plastically deformed. . The above-described shock absorbing connecting portion 65 includes a notch 62b, a hook portion 62c, a handling member 66, a connecting bolt 67, and a nut member 68.
Here, the telescopic rod of the present invention corresponds to the connecting rod 63, and the axial extension of the present invention corresponds to the extending member 62.

Next, an operation different from the first embodiment of this embodiment will be described.
When the telescopic mechanism control switch is operated in the extending direction, the worm wheel 54 is rotated forward via the worm 56 by the forward drive of the electric motor 55, and the connecting rod 63 is moved to the vehicle rear side. Is moved to the vehicle rear side, the extension member 62 integrated with the connecting rod 63 by the shock absorbing connecting portion 65 is also moved to the vehicle rear side. When the extension member 62 moves to the vehicle rear side, the inner column 12b fixed to the extension member 62 via the connecting plate 57 is pulled out from the outer column 12a, and the steering column 12 extends. At this time, the outer shaft 11a of the steering shaft 11 also moves to the vehicle rear side along with the movement of the inner column 12b. The connecting rod 63 moved to the vehicle rear side is restricted from moving rearward when the stopper 60 comes into contact with the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the vehicle front, and the maximum stroke position of the electric telescopic mechanism 50 is determined. Is set.

  When the telescopic mechanism control switch is operated in the contracting direction, the electric motor 55 is driven to reverse the worm wheel 54 via the worm 56, whereby the connecting rod 63 moves to the front side of the vehicle. When the connecting rod 63 moves to the front side of the vehicle, the extension member 62 integrated with the connecting rod 63 by the shock absorbing connecting portion 65 also moves to the front side of the vehicle. When the extension member 62 moves to the front side of the vehicle, the inner column 12b is inserted into the outer column 12a and the steering column 12 contracts. At this time, along with the movement of the inner column 12b, the outer shaft 11a of the steering shaft 11 also moves forward of the vehicle. The connecting rod 63 moved to the front side of the vehicle is restricted from moving forward when the stopper 60 comes into contact with the surface of the outer column protruding portion 61 facing the rear of the vehicle. Is set.

  Further, when an impact load F directed to the front of the vehicle acts on the steering wheel 13 at the time of the secondary collision and a column axial component force Fx of the impact load F acts on the inner column 12b (see FIG. 3), this column axial component force Fx is transmitted to the extension member 62 through the connection plate 57. When the column axial component force Fx becomes equal to or greater than the set collapse load, the extension member 62 moves forward of the vehicle, thereby engaging the connection bolt 67 of the shock absorbing connection portion 65 and the notches 62b of the pair of side plates 62a. The state is released. When the extension member 62 moves forward of the vehicle, the base portion 64a of the impact absorbing member 64 is engaged with the hook portion 62c of the extension member 62 and pulled forward, and the folded deformation portion of the impact absorbing member 64 is pulled. 64c is plastically deformed by being handled by the handling member 66 fixed to the vehicle rear end of the connecting rod 63, and shock absorbing energy is generated.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the stopper 60 that sets the maximum and minimum strokes of the electric telescopic mechanism 50 can be easily fixed, and the electric telescopic mechanism 50 can be easily assembled. It can be carried out.
Further, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle collides with the driver's steering wheel 13 during the secondary collision, the extension member 62 and the connecting rod 63 move relative to each other in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the shock absorbing member 64 attached to the shock absorbing connecting portion 65 is provided. Since it is plastically deformed while being handled and shock absorption energy is generated, it is possible to prevent the driver's body from being seriously damaged.
(Fourth embodiment)
Further, FIG. 24 shows the steering column device 10 of the fourth embodiment.

The apparatus of this embodiment transmits a steering assist force to the steering shaft 11 via a reduction gear box 75 connected to the outer column 12a and a reduction mechanism connected to the reduction gear box 75 and accommodated in the reduction gear box 75. A column assist type electric power steering device 77 including an auxiliary force transmitting electric motor 76 is incorporated.
The reduction gear box 75 of the present embodiment is disposed at a position separated from the telescopic gear housing 51 in the front of the vehicle. Then, the worm wheel 54 rotates in the reverse direction by the reverse drive of the electric motor 55 of the electric telescopic mechanism 50 and the connecting rod 63 moves toward the vehicle front side, but the stopper 60 faces the vehicle rear side of the reduction gear box 75. The movement of the connecting rod 63 to the front of the vehicle stops when it comes into contact with the surface.

The electric power steering apparatus of the present invention corresponds to the column assist type electric power steering apparatus 77, and the gear housing of the present invention corresponds to the reduction gear box 75.
According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained, and a column assist type can be provided without specially providing the outer column 12a with a restricting member for setting the minimum stroke of the electric telescopic mechanism 50. Since the reduction gear box 75 of the electric power steering device 77 functions as a member for setting the minimum stroke of the electric telescopic mechanism 50,
The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In each embodiment, the case where the outer column 12a of the steering column 12 is fixed to the vehicle body side member 21 has been described. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and although not illustrated, the inner column 12b is not shown. The lower bracket and the upper bracket are attached to the vehicle body side member 21, the outer column 12a is disposed on the steering wheel 13 side with respect to the inner column 12b, the electric telescopic mechanism 50 is attached to the outer column 12a, and the connecting plate 57 is attached to the inner column 12b. You may arrange | position so that it may attach and may be connected to a linear motion mechanism.

  The stopper 60 shown in each embodiment includes first and second buffer members 60b and 60c made of an elastic body such as rubber and synthetic resin. However, the first and second buffer members 60b and 60c are provided with the first and second buffer members 60b and 60c. You may comprise a metal spring. In addition, the stopper 60 of each embodiment is fixed by screwing a bolt 60a into the end of the male threaded portion 58a of the connecting rod 58. Further, a structure may be adopted in which the nut is fixed by cutting a screw there.

  Further, the stopper 60 of the first to third embodiments fixes the first buffer member 60b to the surface of the telescopic gear housing 51 facing the front of the vehicle, and the second buffer member 60c faces the rear of the outer column protrusion 61. When the connecting rod 58 moves to the rear of the vehicle and the head of the bolt 60a comes into contact with the first buffer member 60b fixed to the telescopic gear housing 51, the maximum stroke of the electric telescopic mechanism 60 is increased. When the connecting rod 58 moves forward of the vehicle and the head of the bolt 60a comes into contact with the second buffer member 60c fixed to the outer column protrusion 61, the minimum stroke of the electric telescopic mechanism 60 is restricted. It may be. In the stopper 60 of the fourth embodiment, the second buffer member 60c is fixed to the surface of the reduction gear box 75 of the column assist type electric power steering device 77 facing the rear of the vehicle, and the connecting rod 58 moves forward of the vehicle. Then, the minimum stroke of the electric telescopic mechanism 60 may be restricted when the head of the bolt 60 a comes into contact with the second buffer member 60 c fixed to the reduction gear box 75.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the shock absorbing member 64 obtained by bending a metal wire is used, but a member formed by bending a metal plate may be used.
Further, the column assist type electric power steering device 77 is incorporated only in the fourth embodiment, but the electric power steering device may be incorporated in the devices of the other first to third embodiments.

  Furthermore, although each embodiment demonstrated the case where the manual tilt mechanism 25 was provided, it is not limited to this, You may provide the electric tilt mechanism.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a vehicle in which an electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to the present invention is assembled. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of an electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to the present invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing on the AA line of FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view which shows the electric telescopic mechanism of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the electric telescopic adjustment type steering device by this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view which shows the electric telescopic mechanism of 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the electric telescopic adjustment type steering device by this invention. It is the figure which showed 3rd Embodiment from the bottom face side. It is a perspective view which shows the impact-absorbing member used in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the axial direction extension part used by 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing on the BB line of FIG. It is a side view which shows 4th Embodiment of the electric telescopic adjustment type steering device by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering column apparatus, 11 ... Steering shaft, 11a ... Outer shaft, 11b ... Inner shaft, 12 ... Steering column, 12a ... Outer column, 12b ... Inner column, 12f ... Rolling bearing, 13 ... Steering wheel, 14 ... Universal joint 15 ... Intermediate shaft, 16 ... Universal joint, 17 ... Steering gear, 18 ... Tie rod, 19 ... Steering wheel, 21 ... Car body side member, 22 ... Lower bracket, 23 ... Pivot pin, 24 ... Upper bracket, 24a ... Mounting plate 24b ... retaining plate part, 24b1 ... long hole, 25 ... tilt mechanism, 25a ... screw member, 25b ... nut member, 25c ... tilt operation lever, 50 ... electric telescopic mechanism, 51 ... telescopic gear housing, 52 ... rolling bearing 54 ... Warm ho 54a ... helical gear, 55 ... electric motor, 56 ... worm, 57 ... connecting plate, 58 ... connecting rod, 58a ... male threaded portion of connecting rod, 59a, 59b ... rolling bearing, 60 ... stopper, 60a ... bolt, 60b ... 1st buffer member, 60c ... 2nd buffer member, 61 ... Outer column protrusion part, 62 ... Extension member, 62a ... Side plate, 62c ... Hook part, 63 ... Connecting rod, 63a ... Screw part, 64 ... Shock absorbing member, 64a ... Base, 64b ... Deformation part, 64c ... Folding deformation part, 65 ... Shock absorbing connection part, 66 ... Handling member, 66a ... Shaft hole, 67 ... Connection bolt, 68 ... Nut member, 69 ... Different direction deformation prevention member, 71 ... Outer rod, 72 ... Inner rod, 72a ... Male thread part, 73 ... Contraction part, 74 ... Connection holding member, 75 ... Reduction gear box, 76 ... For transmission of auxiliary force Dynamic motor, 77 ... column assist type electric power steering system

Claims (7)

A steering column that has an outer column and an inner column that are relatively telescopically connected, and that rotatably supports a steering shaft to which a steering wheel is mounted, one end of the steering column, and the other end of the steering column. An electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus comprising: a linear motion mechanism attached to the inner column; and an electric actuator that operates the linear motion mechanism to expand and contract the outer column and the inner column,
The linear motion mechanism is provided between a rod connecting portion fixed to one of the inner column and the outer column, an actuator housing that houses an electric actuator fixed to the other of the inner column and the outer column, and the rod connecting portion. A telescopic rod that is connected and arranged in parallel on an axis different from the central axis of the steering column, and an end portion of the telescopic rod that protrudes from the actuator housing in a direction away from the rod connecting portion is integrally connected. A stroke stopper, a maximum stroke restricting member that restricts the stroke of the telescopic rod by contacting the stroke stopper when the telescopic rod is moved rearward to the maximum stroke position by driving the electric actuator, and the electric actuator An electric telescopic adjustment comprising: a minimum stroke regulating member that regulates a stroke of the telescopic rod by contacting the stroke stopper when the telescopic rod is moved forward to the minimum stroke position by movement. Steering device.   2. The electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum stroke restricting member is the actuator housing fixed to the other of the inner column and the outer column.   The minimum stroke restricting member is fixed to the other of the inner column and the outer column at a position further away from the rod connecting portion than the actuator housing, and the telescopic rod strokes forward of the vehicle to the minimum stroke position. 3. The electric telescopic adjustment type steering device according to claim 1, wherein the electric telescopic adjustment type steering device is a member that comes into contact with the steering wheel.   The telescopic rod is connected to one of the rod connecting portion and the actuator housing, and the inner rod is inserted through the inner rod so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction and connected to the other of the rod connecting portion and the actuator housing. The inner rod is disposed between the outer rod and the outer circumferential surface of the inner rod and the inner circumferential surface of the outer rod. In a normal state, the inner rod and the outer rod cannot be moved relative to each other. The electric telescopic adjustment type steering according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an impact absorbing member that allows contraction of the inner rod and the outer rod while generating shock absorbing energy. apparatus. The rod connecting portion is provided with an axially extending portion that extends parallel to a direction different from the central axis of the steering column toward the actuator housing,
The telescopic rod is arranged so that one end side is connected to the actuator housing and extends in parallel toward the axial extension, and the other end is close to the tip of the axial extension. And
Normally, the telescopic rod and the axial extension portion are connected to each other so that relative movement of the telescopic rod and the axial extension portion in the vehicle front-rear direction is impossible, and plasticity is applied when a secondary collision load is applied. 4. An impact absorbing member that allows relative movement of the telescopic rod and the rod connecting member in the vehicle front-rear direction while generating predetermined shock absorbing energy by deformation is provided. The electric telescopic adjustment type steering device according to the item.   6. The electric telescopic adjustment type steering apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the impact absorbing member is plastically deformed by being brought into contact with a handling member provided between the telescopic rod and the axially extending portion. An electric power steering device for transmitting a steering assist force is incorporated into the steering shaft on the other of the inner column and the outer column,
7. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gear housing of the electric power steering apparatus is disposed at a position further away from the rod connecting portion than the actuator housing, and is used as the minimum stroke restricting member. The electric telescopic adjustment type steering device according to the item.

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