JP2009143299A - Vehicular steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lock means for positively restraining a telescopic action with a small change from a constitution of an existing vehicular steering column device. <P>SOLUTION: A lock means 40 comprising a lock cam unit 44 capable of increasing and decreasing a friction engaging force of an upper support bracket 24 and a column side bracket 23 by a lock/unlock operation, and an eccentric cam 46 which is integrally assembled on a bolt 41 so as to be rotatable and can be engaged with and disengaged from a bottom of a lower tube 22 by the lock/unlock operation of the operation lever 43 has a left guide piece 48 and a right guide piece 49 arranged movably upward and downward in telescopic long holes 23a, 23b, and capable of rotating relative to a bolt 41 and moving upward and downward integrally with the bolt 41. A plurality of teeth 48a, 49a which can be fit to and released from teeth 23a1, 23b1 extending in a column shaft direction provided at lower parts of the telescopic long holes 23a, 23b are formed on the left guide piece 48 and the right guide piece 49. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering column device, and in particular, a lower tube assembled to a part of a vehicle body via a lower support bracket so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, and slidable in the column axial direction to the lower tube. An assembled upper tube, an upper support bracket assembled to a part of the vehicle body behind the lower support bracket, and a column axis direction and a vertical direction fixed to the upper tube with respect to the upper support bracket. The present invention relates to a vehicle steering column apparatus including a column bracket that is movable and frictionally engageable, and a lock unit that releasably fixes the column bracket to the upper support bracket.

This type of vehicle steering column device is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 below. In the vehicle steering column device described in Patent Document 1 below, the locking means includes a tilt elongated hole provided in the upper support bracket and extending in the vertical direction and a telescopic elongated hole provided in the column side bracket extending in the column axial direction. A bolt that is rotatably inserted and extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle below the lower tube and the upper tube, a nut that is screwed to the bolt, an operation lever that is assembled so as to be integrally rotatable on the bolt, and an upper support A lock cam unit that is assembled on the bolt between the bracket and the control lever and that can increase / decrease the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket by the lock / unlock operation of the control lever, and a single rotation on the bolt It can be assembled and operated by locking / unlocking the control lever. An eccentric cam that can be engaged and disengaged at the lower part of the groove and that can push the lower tube upward against the upper tube by locking the operation lever, and a spring that biases the bolt upward are provided. In the locked state, the column side bracket is movable in the vertical direction and the column axis direction with respect to the upper support bracket.
JP 2007-38833 A

Further, in the vehicle steering column device described in Patent Document 2 below, the vehicle can be rotated into a tilt elongated hole provided in the upper support bracket extending in the vertical direction and a telescopic elongated hole provided in the column side bracket extending in the column axial direction. A bolt extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle above the lower tube and the upper tube, a nut screwed to the bolt, an operation lever assembled so as to be integrally rotatable on the bolt, an upper support bracket, A lock cam unit that is assembled on the bolt between the operation levers and can increase / decrease the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket by locking / unlocking the operation lever, and can be rotated integrally on the bolt The upper part of the lower tube is assembled by locking and unlocking the operation lever. An eccentric cam that can be engaged and disengaged and can press the lower tube downward with respect to the upper tube by a lock operation of the operation lever is provided, and when the operation lever is unlocked, the column side bracket is fixed to the upper bracket. It is movable in the vertical direction and the column axis direction with respect to the support bracket.
JP 2001-322552 A

  In the vehicle steering column device described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 described above, the lock cam unit increases the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket by the lock operation of the operation lever. The eccentric cam engages the lower or upper portion of the lower tube and presses the lower tube upward or downward against the upper tube. Accordingly, it is possible to regulate the vertical movement (tilt operation) of the lower tube and the upper tube with respect to the upper support bracket by the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket, and the frictional engagement force described above. In addition, it is possible to restrict the sliding (telescopic operation) in the column axial direction of the upper tube relative to the lower tube by the pressing action by the eccentric cam.

  However, in the vehicle steering column device described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 described above, the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket increases according to the rotation amount of the operation lever when the operation lever is locked. Therefore, when increasing the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket, it is necessary to increase the operation load of the operation lever accompanying the rotation of the operation lever, which may be a burden on the passenger. In addition, when the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket is low, the upper tube slides in the column axial direction with respect to the lower tube due to impact energy acting on the upper tube at the time of a secondary collision in a vehicle collision. May move.

The present invention (invention according to claim 1) is made to cope with the above-described problem, and a lower tube assembled to a part of a vehicle body via a lower support bracket so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction. An upper tube assembled to the lower tube so as to be slidable in the column axial direction, an upper support bracket assembled to a part of the vehicle body at the rear of the vehicle from the lower support bracket, and the upper support fixed to the upper tube A column side bracket that is movable in the column axial direction and the vertical direction with respect to the bracket and is frictionally engageable, and a lock means for releasably fixing the column side bracket to the upper support bracket;
The locking means is rotatably inserted in a tilt elongated hole provided in the upper support bracket and extending in the vertical direction and a telescopic elongated hole provided in the column side bracket and extending in the column axis direction. A bolt extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle below, a nut screwed to the bolt, an operation lever assembled so as to be integrally rotatable on the bolt, and the bolt between the upper support bracket and the operation lever A lock cam unit that is assembled on the bolt and that can increase / decrease the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket by locking / unlocking the operation lever, and is assembled on the bolt so as to be integrally rotatable. The lower lever tube is operated by locking / unlocking the operation lever. An eccentric cam that can be engaged and disengaged and can press the lower tube upward against the upper tube by a lock operation of the operating lever, and a spring that biases the bolt upward, and the operating lever In the unlocked state, in the vehicle steering column device in which the column side bracket is movable in the vertical direction and the column axial direction with respect to the upper support bracket,
A tooth portion extending in the column axial direction is provided at a lower portion of the telescopic elongated hole in the column-side bracket, and is disposed in the telescopic elongated hole so as to be vertically movable, and is rotatable relative to the bolt and vertically moved integrally with the bolt. A possible guide piece is provided on the same bolt, and a plurality of teeth that can be engaged and disengaged with the teeth of the telescopic elongated hole are provided below the guide piece.

  In the vehicle steering column device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), the bolt is rotated together with the operation lever by the lock operation of the operation lever, and the lock cam unit is moved between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket. While increasing the frictional engagement force, the eccentric cam rotates together with the bolt. At this time, since the eccentric cam engages with the lower portion of the lower tube and presses the lower tube upward against the upper tube, the bolt is pushed downward against the biasing force of the spring by the reaction.

  As a result, the guide piece that can move up and down integrally with the bolt moves downward, and the plurality of teeth provided on the guide piece extend in the column axial direction provided below the telescopic slot in the column side bracket. Engage with teeth. Such a locked state is maintained by the operation lever being held at the lock operation position, and the meshing state between the teeth of the guide piece and the teeth provided at the lower portion of the telescopic elongated hole is determined by the engagement of the eccentric cam with the lower tube. Effectively maintained.

  In such a locked state, the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket restricts the vertical movement (tilt operation) of the lower tube and the upper tube relative to the upper support bracket, and the frictional engagement force described above. And the above-mentioned eccentric cam and the engagement between the teeth of the guide piece and the teeth provided at the lower part of the telescopic elongated hole, the triple movement of the upper tube in the column axial direction (telescopic operation) is achieved. Be regulated.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the sliding (telescopic operation) of the upper tube in the column axial direction with respect to the lower tube can be reliably regulated without increasing the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket more than necessary. Is possible. Therefore, it is possible to accurately regulate the sliding of the upper tube in the column axial direction with respect to the lower tube even when the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket is low at the time of a secondary collision in a vehicle collision. is there.

  On the other hand, the unlocking operation of the control lever causes the bolt to rotate integrally with the control lever, the lock cam unit reduces the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket, and the eccentric cam rotates together with the bolt. To do. At this time, the eccentric cam operates so as to be detached from the lower portion of the lower tube to release the upward pressing of the lower tube against the upper tube. For this reason, the bolt is pushed upward by the urging force of the spring.

  As a result, the guide piece that can move up and down integrally with the bolt moves upward, and the plurality of teeth provided on the guide piece extend in the column axial direction provided below the telescopic slot in the column side bracket. It separates from the teeth and becomes non-meshing, and smooth sliding of the upper tube relative to the lower tube is guaranteed. Such an unlocked state is maintained by the operation lever being held at the unlock operation position. Therefore, in the unlocked state, the occupant can adjust the column axial position (telescopic adjustment) by sliding the upper tube relative to the lower tube in the column axial direction. It is possible to adjust the position in the vertical direction (tilt adjustment) by moving the tube in the vertical direction with respect to the upper support bracket.

  By the way, the vehicle steering column device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) is provided with a tooth portion extending in the column axial direction at a lower portion of the telescopic elongated hole in the column side bracket, and in the telescopic elongated hole of the column side bracket. The guide piece having a plurality of teeth that can be moved up and down and meshed / non-engaged with the above-described tooth portion is assembled on the bolt, and this guide piece is an existing component member (bolt, operation lever, eccentric cam) of the locking means. , Springs, etc.). For this reason, it is possible to configure a lock unit that accurately regulates the sliding of the upper tube with respect to the lower tube with respect to the lower tube with a small change from the existing configuration while effectively using the existing component member in the lock unit, The present invention can be implemented inexpensively and easily.

In addition, the present invention (the invention according to claim 2) is a lower tube assembled to a part of a vehicle body via a lower support bracket so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, and is slidable in the column axial direction on the lower tube. An assembled upper tube, an upper support bracket assembled to a part of the vehicle body behind the lower support bracket, and a column axis direction and a vertical direction fixed to the upper tube with respect to the upper support bracket. A movable side and frictionally engageable column side bracket, and a lock means for releasably fixing the column side bracket to the upper support bracket;
The locking means is rotatably inserted into a tilt elongated hole provided in the upper support bracket and extending in the vertical direction and a telescopic elongated hole provided in the column side bracket and extending in the column axial direction. A bolt extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle in the upper direction, a nut screwed to the bolt, an operation lever assembled so as to be integrally rotatable on the bolt, and the bolt between the upper support bracket and the operation lever A lock cam unit that is assembled on the bolt and that can increase / decrease the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket by locking / unlocking the operation lever, and is assembled on the bolt so as to be integrally rotatable. The upper lever is locked and unlocked by the operation lever. An eccentric cam that can be engaged and disengaged and can press the lower tube downward with respect to the upper tube by a locking operation of the operating lever, and the column side in the state where the operating lever is unlocked In a vehicle steering column device in which a bracket is movable in the vertical direction and the column axial direction with respect to the upper support bracket,
A tooth portion extending in the column axial direction is provided above the telescopic elongated hole in the column side bracket, and is disposed in the telescopic elongated hole so as to be vertically movable, and is rotatable relative to the bolt and vertically moved integrally with the bolt. A possible guide piece is provided on the same bolt, and a plurality of teeth that can be engaged and disengaged with the teeth of the telescopic elongated hole are provided on the upper part of the guide piece.

  In the vehicle steering column device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2), the bolt is rotated together with the operation lever by the lock operation of the operation lever, and the lock cam unit is moved between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket. While increasing the frictional engagement force, the eccentric cam rotates together with the bolt. At this time, since the eccentric cam engages with the upper portion of the lower tube and presses the lower tube downward against the upper tube, the reaction force causes the bolt to be pushed upward against its own weight. The

  As a result, the guide piece that can move up and down integrally with the bolt moves upward, and a plurality of teeth provided on the guide piece extend in the column axial direction provided above the telescopic elongated hole in the column side bracket. Engage with teeth. Such a locked state is maintained by the operation lever being held at the lock operation position, and the meshing state between the teeth of the guide piece and the tooth portion provided at the upper portion of the telescopic elongated hole is determined by the engagement of the eccentric cam with the lower tube. Effectively maintained.

  In such a locked state, the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket restricts the vertical movement (tilt operation) of the lower tube and the upper tube relative to the upper support bracket, and the frictional engagement force described above. And the above-mentioned eccentric cam and the engagement between the teeth of the guide piece and the teeth provided at the lower part of the telescopic elongated hole, the triple movement of the upper tube in the column axial direction (telescopic operation) is achieved. Be regulated.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the sliding (telescopic operation) of the upper tube in the column axial direction with respect to the lower tube can be reliably regulated without increasing the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket more than necessary. Is possible. Therefore, it is possible to accurately regulate the sliding of the upper tube in the column axial direction with respect to the lower tube even when the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket is low at the time of a secondary collision in a vehicle collision. is there.

  On the other hand, when the operation lever is unlocked, the bolt rotates together with the operation lever, the lock cam unit reduces the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket, and the eccentric cam rotates together with the bolt. To do. At this time, the eccentric cam operates so as to be detached from the upper portion of the lower tube to release the lower tube against the lower tube. For this reason, if the upper tube or the like is held by the occupant during the unlocking operation of the operation lever, the bolt or the like is pushed downward by its own weight.

  As a result, the guide piece that can move up and down integrally with the bolt moves downward, and a plurality of teeth provided on the guide piece extend in the column axial direction provided above the telescopic slot in the column side bracket. It separates from the teeth and becomes non-meshing, and smooth sliding of the upper tube relative to the lower tube is guaranteed. Such an unlocked state is maintained by the operation lever being held at the unlock operation position. Therefore, in the unlocked state, the occupant can adjust the column axial position (telescopic adjustment) by sliding the upper tube relative to the lower tube in the column axial direction. It is possible to adjust the position in the vertical direction (tilt adjustment) by moving the tube in the vertical direction with respect to the upper support bracket.

  By the way, the vehicle steering column device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2) is provided with a tooth portion extending in the column axial direction at an upper portion of the telescopic elongated hole in the column side bracket, and in the telescopic elongated hole of the column side bracket. The guide piece having a plurality of teeth that can be moved up and down and meshed / non-engaged with the above-described tooth portion is assembled on the bolt, and this guide piece is an existing component member (bolt, operation lever, eccentric cam) of the locking means. , Springs, etc.). For this reason, it is possible to configure a lock unit that accurately regulates the sliding of the upper tube with respect to the lower tube with respect to the lower tube with a small change from the existing configuration while effectively using the existing component member in the lock unit, The present invention can be implemented inexpensively and easily.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of a vehicle steering column device according to the present invention, and the steering column device according to the first embodiment is rotated by an occupant as shown in FIG. A steering handle SH, an airbag AB provided on the steering handle SH and inflated and deployed between the steering handle SH and the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision, and a steering column SC connecting the steering handle SH are provided.

  The steering wheel SH is for transmitting the steering force input by the occupant to the steering main shaft 10 in the steering column SC as shown by the phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is connected to the side end. The airbag AB is housed in the housing (not shown) of the steering wheel SH in a folded state as shown by the phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is supplied from an inflator (not shown) in the event of a vehicle collision. It can be inflated and deployed by the inflation gas.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering column SC is for rotatably supporting the steering handle SH. The steering column SC is integrally rotatable with the steering handle SH, and the steering main shaft 10 is rotated. A column tube 20 that houses the shaft 10 and rotatably supports it, an EPS (electric power steering) actuator 30 that applies a predetermined auxiliary force to the operation of the steering handle SH, and a tilting operation of the steering column SC ( There is provided a lock means 40 that allows or restricts the tilting operation in the vertical direction) and the telescopic operation (extension / contraction operation in the column axis direction).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering main shaft 10 includes an upper shaft 11 and a lower shaft (not shown) and can transmit torque to the lower shaft (not shown) via a torsion bar (not shown). The output shaft 12 is connected to the output shaft 12. The upper shaft 11 is formed in a hollow shape, and supports the steering handle SH on the upper end side (occupant side) so as to be able to transmit torque, and rotates integrally with the steering handle SH by rotating the steering handle SH. Is possible. The lower shaft (not shown) is formed in a hollow shape, and the lower end portion of the upper shaft 11 is inserted so as to be slidable in the column axis direction and capable of transmitting torque.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the column tube 20 is for rotatably supporting the steering main shaft 10, and the front side of the vehicle is below the steering support member SS provided in the instrument panel reinforcement IR. The upper tube 21, the lower tube 22 disposed in front of the vehicle with respect to the upper tube 21, and the upper tube 21 are fixed to the outer periphery of the lower portion of the vehicle front. A column-side bracket 23 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the instrument panel reinforcement IR and the steering support member SS are vehicle body side members that are assembled and fixed to the vehicle body. An upper support bracket 24 is assembled, and a lower support bracket 25 is assembled at the lower front portion of the steering support member SS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the upper tube 21 is formed in a hollow shape and is assembled to the lower tube 22 so as to be slidable in the column axis direction. The upper tube 21 is assembled to the upper support bracket 24 through the column side bracket 23 and the locking means 40 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and the column axial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper tube 21 can rotate the upper shaft 11 through a bearing Br provided integrally on the inner periphery of the upper end portion (rear end portion of the vehicle) and integrally form a column. An insertion long hole 21a that is long in the column axis direction for inserting the eccentric cam 46 of the lock means 40 is supported at the lower part on the front side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the lower tube 22 can be tilted in the vertical direction toward the lower front portion of the steering support member SS through the housing 31 of the EPS actuator 30, the support pin SP, and the lower support bracket 25 ( Tilt is possible about the axis of the support pin SP (tilt center). The lower tube 22 is formed in a hollow shape, and can rotate a lower shaft (not shown) via a bearing (not shown) provided integrally with an inner periphery of a lower end portion (vehicle front end portion). It is supported so that it cannot move in the column axis direction.

  The lower tube 22 has a resin bush 22a attached to the outer periphery on the vehicle rear side, and is inserted into the lower end portion (vehicle front portion) of the upper tube 21 at the upper end portion (vehicle rear portion). The upper tube 21 is slidably supported in the column axial direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the bush 22 a is for reducing the backlash between the outer periphery of the lower tube 22 and the inner periphery of the upper tube 21. An insertion long hole 22a1 that is long in the column axis direction for inserting the cam 46 is provided.

  The column side bracket 23 is for frictional engagement with the upper support bracket 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and is formed in a substantially U-shape as shown in FIG. In addition, the upper support bracket 24 is movable in the column axial direction and the vertical direction. The column-side bracket 23 is fixed to the lower part of the outer periphery of the upper tube 21 at the upper ends of the pair of left and right side portions, and has telescopic long holes 23a and 23b on the left and right side portions.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6, the telescopic elongated hole 23 a extends in the column axis direction, and is provided so that the bolt 41 of the locking means 40 and the left guide piece 48 of the locking means 40 can be inserted. ing. Moreover, the telescopic long hole 23a has the tooth | gear part 23a1 extended in a column axial direction in the lower part, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the telescopic elongated hole 23 b extends in the column axis direction, and is provided so that the bolt 41 of the locking means 40 and the right guide piece 49 of the locking means 40 can be inserted. The telescopic long hole 23b has a tooth portion 23b1 extending in the column axis direction at the lower portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the upper support bracket 24 uses a resin capsule (not shown), a metal collar (not shown), a mounting bolt (not shown), and a mounting nut (not shown). As is well known, the steering support member SS is attached to the lower rear part of the steering support member SS (a part of the vehicle body) with a load (secondary collision load ahead of the vehicle) of a predetermined value or more. Are connected to the front of the vehicle so that they can be moved and detached. The upper support bracket 24 has tilt long holes 24a and 24b in a pair of left and right arms extending in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tilt elongated hole 24 a is formed in an arc shape centered on the support pin SP (see FIG. 1) and extends in the vertical direction, and the bolt 41 of the lock means 40 and the lock means Forty left guide pieces 48 can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 3, the tilt long hole 24 b is formed in an arc shape centered on the support pin SP (see FIG. 1) and extends in the vertical direction. The right guide piece 49 is provided so that it can be inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the EPS actuator 30 applies assist torque (auxiliary force) to the steering main shaft 10 in order to reduce the steering torque input when the occupant rotates the steering handle SH. The housing 31 is provided to the output shaft 12 and is integrally connected to the lower end portion (vehicle front end portion) of the lower tube 22 by fitting, and the electric motor 32 assembled to the housing 31. And a speed reducer (not shown) that is assembled in the housing 31 and decelerates the output of the electric motor 32.

  The output shaft of the electric motor 32 is connected to the output shaft 12 of the steering main shaft 10 via a speed reducer so that torque can be transmitted, and is interposed between the lower shaft (not shown) of the steering main shaft 10 and the output shaft 12. It is possible to apply an assist torque corresponding to the steering torque to the output shaft 12 by controlling the energization according to the torsion amount of the mounted torsion bar (not shown) (steering torque detected by a torque sensor not shown). It is.

  1 to 5, the locking means 40 is for releasably fixing the column side bracket 23 to the upper support bracket 24. As shown in FIG. And a bolt 41 extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle below the upper tube 21, a nut 42 screwed to the bolt, and an operation of assembling on the bolt 41 at the left end portion of the bolt 41 so as to be integrally rotatable. A lever 43 is provided. The locking means 40 includes a lock cam unit 44 assembled on the bolt 41 at the left portion of the bolt 41, and a thrust needle bearing assembled on the bolt 41 at the right portion of the bolt 41. The unit 45, the eccentric cam 46 assembled to the bolt 41 so as to be integrally rotatable at an intermediate portion of the bolt 41, the spring 47 for biasing the bolt 41 upward, and the lock cam unit 44 are assembled. A left guide piece 48 and a right guide piece 49 assembled to the thrust needle bearing unit 45 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bolt 41 has a head portion 41 a at the left end portion, a screw portion 41 b at the right end portion, and a shaft portion 41 c at the intermediate portion. 2 to 6, the bolt 41 is rotatable in each of the tilt elongated holes 24 a and 24 b provided in the upper support bracket 24 and each of the telescopic elongated holes 23 a and 23 b provided in the column side bracket 23. It is inserted so that it can move up and down. As shown in FIG. 3, the nut 42 is screwed onto the screw portion 41 b of the bolt 41, and can press the right side surface portion of the upper support bracket 24 via the thrust needle bearing unit 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the operation lever 43 is connected to the head 41a of the bolt 41, and is operated to rotate from the locked position shown in FIG. 1 to the unlocked position clockwise in FIG. Lock operation). The operation lever 43 can be rotated (locked) from the unlocked position to the locked position counterclockwise in FIG. When the operation lever 43 is locked, the column side bracket 23 is not movable in the vertical direction and the column axis direction with respect to the upper support bracket 24. When the operation lever 43 is unlocked, The column side bracket 23 is movable in the vertical direction and the column axial direction with respect to the upper support bracket 24.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lock cam unit 44 is assembled on the shaft portion 41c of the bolt 41 between the arm portion on the left side of the upper support bracket 24 and the operation lever 43. Plates 44a and 44b are provided. The left cam plate 44a is integrally connected to the operation lever 43, can rotate integrally with the bolt 41, and can rotate relative to the right cam plate 44b. The right cam plate 44 b can rotate with respect to the bolt 41 and can move up and down integrally with the bolt 41.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of left and right cam plates 44 a and 44 b are in a state where the bolt 41 and the nut 42 are tightened by locking the operation lever 43 (the bolt 41 between the head 41 a and the nut 42 of the bolt 41). In this state, the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket 24 and the column side bracket 23 is increased. The pair of left and right cam plates 44a and 44b are in a loosened state of the bolt 41 and the nut 42 by the unlocking operation of the operation lever 43 (the shaft portion 42c of the bolt 41 is loosened between the head 41a and the nut 42 of the bolt 41). The frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket 24 and the column side bracket 23 can be reduced. In addition, since the detailed structure of a pair of left and right cam plates 44a and 44b is well-known, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the thrust needle bearing unit 45 is assembled on the shaft portion 41 c of the bolt 41 between the arm portion on the right side of the upper support bracket 24 and the nut 42, and is integrated with the bolt 41. Can be moved vertically. The thrust needle bearing unit 45 includes a left plate that is in contact with the right arm portion of the upper support bracket 24, a right plate that is in contact with the nut 42, and the left and right plates. A needle interposed therebetween and a cage for holding the needle are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the eccentric cam 46 is integrally formed with a cylindrical portion 46a that is serrated to the shaft portion 41c of the bolt 41, and the axial center of the cylindrical portion 46a. The cam portion 46b is provided. The cylindrical portion 46 a is assembled on the bolt 41 between the left and right side portions of the column side bracket 23 so as to be integrally rotatable. The cam portion 46b can be engaged with and disengaged from the lower portion of the lower tube 22 as the bolt 41 rotates through the insertion long hole 21a of the upper tube 21 and the insertion long hole 22a1 of the bush 22a, as shown in FIG. The lower lever 22 is engaged by a lock operation of the operation lever 43.

  The eccentric cam 46 is engaged with the lower portion of the lower tube 22 by the operation of locking the operation lever 43 to press the lower tube 22 upward against the upper tube 21. For this reason, the eccentric cam 46 and the bolt 41 are pressed downward from the lower tube 22 by a reaction that presses the lower tube 22 upward. Further, the eccentric cam 46 can be released from the lower portion of the lower tube 22 by the unlocking operation of the operation lever 43, and can release the upward pressing of the lower tube 22 against the upper tube 21. At this time, the eccentric cam 46 and the bolt 41 are released from the downward pressure from the lower tube 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the spring 47 is assembled to the upper support bracket 24 and elastically supports the bolt 41 via the eccentric cam 46. The bolt 41 is urged upward. The spring 47 is moved upward when the operation of the operation lever 43 is permitted to allow the tilting operation (tilting operation in the vertical direction) and the telescopic operation (extending / contracting operation in the column axis direction) of the steering column SC. This is for elastically restricting the downward movement of the tube 21 and the lower tube 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the left guide piece 48 is formed in a substantially rhombus shape and is integrally fixed to the right cam plate 44 a. The left guide piece is disposed in the telescopic long hole 23a of the column side bracket 23 so as to be movable up and down, and is disposed in the tilt long hole 24a of the upper support bracket 24 so as to be movable up and down. The left guide piece 48 is provided on the shaft portion 41 c of the bolt 41, is rotatable with respect to the bolt 41 and can be moved up and down integrally with the bolt 41, and is telescopically attached to the column side bracket 23 at the lower portion. It has a plurality of teeth 48a that can mesh with or disengage from the teeth 23a1 in the long hole 23a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of teeth 48 a are moved downward together with the bolts 41 by the locking operation of the operation lever 43, and mesh with the tooth portions 23 a 1 in the telescopic long holes 23 a of the column side bracket 23. . Thereby, the column side bracket 23 is restricted from moving in the column axial direction with respect to the upper support bracket 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of teeth 48 a are moved upward together with the bolt 41 by the operation of unlocking the operation lever so as not to mesh with the teeth 23 a 1 in the telescopic elongated hole 23 a of the column side bracket 23. It has become. Thereby, the column side bracket 23 is allowed to move in the column axis direction with respect to the upper support bracket 24.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the right guide piece 49 is formed in a substantially rhombus shape and is integrally fixed to the left plate of the thrust needle bearing unit 45. Further, the right guide piece 49 is disposed in the telescopic long hole 23b of the column side bracket 23 so as to be movable up and down, and is disposed in the tilt long hole 24b of the upper support bracket 24 so as to be movable up and down. The right guide piece 49 is provided on the shaft portion 41 c of the bolt 41, is rotatable with respect to the bolt 41 and can be moved up and down integrally with the bolt 41, and is telescopically attached to the column side bracket 23 at the lower portion. It has a plurality of teeth 49a that can mesh with or disengage from the teeth 23b1 in the long hole 23b.

  The plurality of teeth 49 a are moved downward together with the bolt 41 by the locking operation of the operation lever 43, and mesh with the tooth portion 23 b 1 in the telescopic long hole 23 b of the column side bracket 23. Thereby, the column side bracket 23 is restricted from moving in the column axial direction with respect to the upper support bracket 24. Further, the plurality of teeth 49a are moved upward together with the bolts 41 by the unlocking operation of the operation lever so as not to mesh with the tooth portions 23b1 in the telescopic elongated holes 23b of the column side bracket 23. Thereby, the column side bracket 23 is allowed to move in the column axis direction with respect to the upper support bracket 24.

  In the first embodiment configured as described above, when the operation lever 43 is locked, the bolt 41 rotates together with the operation lever 43, and the lock cam unit 44 is connected to the upper support bracket 24, the column side bracket 23, and the like. And the eccentric cam 46 rotates integrally with the bolt 41. At this time, the eccentric cam 46 engages with the lower portion of the lower tube 22 and presses the lower tube 22 upward against the upper tube 21, so that the bolt 41 resists the urging force of the spring 47 due to the reaction. Is pushed.

  Thereby, the bolt 41, the left guide piece 48, and the right guide piece 49 are integrally moved downward, and the plurality of teeth 48a provided on the left guide piece 48 are provided as shown in FIG. The plurality of teeth 49a provided on the right guide piece 49 mesh with the teeth 23b1 of the telescopic elongated hole 23b. Such a locked state is maintained by the operation lever 43 being held at the lock operation position. The engagement state between the teeth 48a of the left guide piece 48 and the teeth 23a1 of the telescopic elongated hole 23a and the right guide piece 49 The meshing state of the tooth 49a and the tooth portion 23b1 of the telescopic long hole 23b is effectively maintained by the engagement of the eccentric cam 46 with the lower tube 22.

  Further, in such a locked state, the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket 24 and the column side bracket 23 restricts the vertical movement (tilt operation) of the lower tube 22 and the upper tube 21 with respect to the upper support bracket 24, and The friction engagement force (first restriction) described above, the pressing action (second restriction) by the eccentric cam 46, and the teeth 48a of the left guide piece 48 and the teeth 23a1 of the telescopic elongated hole 23a. The sliding of the upper tube 21 with respect to the lower tube 22 in the column axial direction (telescopic operation) by the meshing and meshing of the teeth 49a of the right guide piece 49 and the teeth 23b1 of the telescopic elongated hole 23b (third regulation) Is regulated.

  Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the sliding of the upper tube 21 with respect to the lower tube 22 in the column axial direction is reliably regulated without increasing the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket 24 and the column side bracket 23 more than necessary. Is possible. Therefore, even when the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket 24 and the column side bracket 23 is low at the time of a secondary collision in a vehicle collision, the sliding of the upper tube 21 in the column axial direction with respect to the lower tube 22 is accurately regulated. It is possible.

  On the other hand, the unlocking operation of the operation lever 43 causes the bolt 41 to rotate integrally with the operation lever 43, so that the lock cam unit 44 reduces the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket 24 and the column side bracket 23, and the eccentric cam. 46 rotates together with the bolt 41. At this time, the eccentric cam 46 operates so as to be detached from the lower portion of the lower tube 22 to release the upward pressing of the lower tube 22 against the upper tube 21. For this reason, the bolt 41 is pushed upward by the urging force of the spring 47.

  As a result, the bolt 41, the left guide piece 48, and the right guide piece 49 are integrally moved upward, and the plurality of teeth 48a provided on the left guide piece 48, as shown in FIG. The telescopic long hole 23a is disengaged from the tooth portion 23a1, and the plurality of teeth 49a provided on the right guide piece 49 are disengaged from the tooth portion 23b1 of the telescopic long hole 23b. Thus, smooth sliding of the upper tube 21 with respect to the lower tube 22 is ensured. Such an unlocked state is maintained by the operation lever 43 being held at the unlock operation position. Therefore, the occupant can adjust the column axial position (telescopic adjustment) by sliding the upper tube 21 with respect to the lower tube 22 in the column axial direction in the unlocked state. 21 and the lower tube 22 can be moved vertically with respect to the upper support bracket 24 to adjust the vertical position (tilt adjustment).

  By the way, in this 1st Embodiment, while providing the tooth part 23a1 extended in a column axial direction in the lower part of the telescopic long hole 23a, it can move up and down within the telescopic long hole 23a, and it meshes with the above-mentioned tooth part 23a1. A left guide piece 48 having a plurality of possible teeth 48a is assembled on the bolt 41, and a tooth portion 23b1 extending in the column axis direction is provided at the lower portion of the telescopic long hole 23b and can be moved up and down within the telescopic long hole 23b. The right guide piece 49 having a plurality of teeth 49a that can be engaged / disengaged with the tooth portion 23b1 is assembled on the bolt 41, and the left guide piece 48 and the right guide piece 49 in the lock means 40 are assembled. It is configured to operate in cooperation with existing components (bolt 41, operation lever 43, eccentric cam 46, spring 47, etc.). For this reason, the lock means 40 that accurately regulates the sliding of the upper tube 21 with respect to the lower tube 22 in the column axial direction with a small change from the existing configuration while effectively using the existing components in the lock means 40 is configured. Therefore, the present invention can be easily implemented at a low cost.

  In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the column side bracket 23 and the locking means 40 are provided below the upper tube 21 and the lower tube 22, and the eccentric cam 46 is engaged with the lower portion of the lower tube 22. The plurality of teeth 48a and 49a provided at the lower portions of the left guide piece 48 and the right guide piece 49 are engaged with the tooth portions 23a1 and 23b1 provided at the lower portions of the telescopic elongated holes 23a and 23b. Although configured to be non-engaged, the column side bracket 123 and the locking means 140 are provided above the upper tube 121 and the lower tube 122 as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. Thus, the eccentric cam 146 engages and disengages from the upper portion of the lower tube 122 and is provided at the upper portions of the left guide piece 148 and the right guide piece 149. A plurality of teeth 148a, 149a and is telescopic elongated hole 123a, the teeth 123a1,123b1 provided at the top of 123b, it is also possible to carry configured such that the engagement and non-engagement.

  Since the configuration other than the above-described configuration of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration other than the above-described configuration of the above-described first embodiment, the same reference numerals in the 100s are attached to corresponding members. The description is omitted. In the second embodiment, the upper tube 121 or the like is held by the occupant during the unlocking operation of the operation lever 143, and the bolt 141 or the like is moved by its own weight with respect to the upper tube 121 or the like by the unlocking operation of the operation lever 143. In order to move downward, a member corresponding to the spring 47 of the first embodiment is not provided.

  In the second embodiment, the eccentric cam 146 engages with the upper portion of the lower tube 122 and presses the lower tube 122 downward against the upper tube 121 by the locking operation of the operation lever 143. The bolt 141 or the like is pushed upward against the weight of the bolt 141 or the like. As a result, the bolt 141, the left guide piece 148, and the right guide piece 149 integrally move upward, and the plurality of teeth 148a provided on the left guide piece 148, as shown in FIG. The teeth 149a provided on the right guide piece 149 are engaged with the teeth 123b1 of the telescopic elongated hole 123b while meshing with the teeth 123a1 of the telescopic elongated hole 123a.

  On the other hand, when the operation lever 143 is unlocked while the upper tube 121 or the like is being held by the occupant, the eccentric cam 146 operates so as to be detached from the upper portion of the lower tube 122 and the upper tube 121 of the lower tube 122 Release the downward pressure against. For this reason, the bolt 141 and the like move downward due to the weight of the bolt 141 and the like. As a result, the bolt 141, the left guide piece 148, and the right guide piece 149 integrally move downward, and the plurality of teeth 148a provided on the left guide piece 148, as shown in FIG. The telescopic long hole 123a is disengaged from the tooth portion 123a1 and disengaged, and the plurality of teeth 149a provided on the right guide piece 149 are disengaged from the tooth portion 123b1 of the telescopic long hole 123b and disengaged. Thus, smooth sliding of the upper tube 121 with respect to the lower tube 122 is ensured.

  Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the sliding of the upper tube 121 relative to the lower tube 122 in the column axis direction can be accurately regulated by the locking operation of the operating lever 143, and the unlocking operation of the operating lever 143 The upper tube 121 can be slid in the column axial direction with respect to the lower tube 122 to adjust the column axial position, and the upper tube and the lower tube can be moved vertically with respect to the upper support bracket. It is possible to adjust the position in the vertical direction, and it is possible to obtain substantially the same function and effect as the first embodiment described above.

1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of a steering column device for a vehicle according to the present invention. It is a principal part vertical side view of the steering column apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical front view showing a relationship among an upper tube, a lower tube, a column side bracket, an upper support bracket, and a locking unit along line 3-3 in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing a relationship among a column side bracket, a telescopic elongated hole, a bolt, and a guide piece shown in FIG. 3. It is action | operation explanatory drawing shown in FIG. 6 by the unlocking operation of a locking means. It is the front view equivalent to FIG. 3 which showed 2nd Embodiment of the steering device for vehicles by this invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view showing a relationship among a column side bracket, a telescopic elongated hole, a bolt, and a guide piece shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 9 by an unlocking operation of the locking means.

Explanation of symbols

SC ... steering column, SH ... steering handle, AB ... airbag, 10 ... steering shaft, 20 ... column tube, 21 ... upper tube, 22 ... lower tube, 23 ... column side bracket, 23a, 23b ... telescopic slot, 23a1 , 23b1 ... tooth part, 24 ... upper support bracket, 24a, 24b ... tilt long hole, 25 ... lower support bracket, 30 ... EPS actuator, 40 ... locking means, 41 ... bolt, 42 ... nut, 43 ... operating lever, 44 ... Lock cam unit, 45 ... Thrust needle bearing unit, 46 ... Eccentric cam, 47 ... Spring, 48 ... Left guide piece, 48a ... Teeth, 49 ... Right guide piece, 49a ... Teeth

Claims (2)

A lower tube assembled to a part of the vehicle body via a lower support bracket so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, an upper tube assembled to the lower tube so as to be slidable in the column axial direction, and a vehicle rearward from the lower support bracket. An upper support bracket assembled to a part of the vehicle body, a column side bracket fixed to the upper tube and movable in a column axial direction and a vertical direction with respect to the upper support bracket and capable of frictional engagement. A lock means for releasably fixing the column side bracket to the upper support bracket;
The locking means is rotatably inserted into a tilt elongated hole provided in the upper support bracket and extending in the vertical direction and a telescopic elongated hole provided in the column side bracket and extending in the column axial direction. A bolt extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle below, a nut screwed to the bolt, an operation lever assembled so as to be integrally rotatable on the bolt, and the bolt between the upper support bracket and the operation lever A lock cam unit that is assembled on the bolt and that can increase / decrease the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket by locking / unlocking the operation lever, and is assembled on the bolt so as to be integrally rotatable. The lower lever tube is operated by locking / unlocking the operation lever. An eccentric cam that can be engaged and disengaged and can press the lower tube upward against the upper tube by a lock operation of the operating lever, and a spring that biases the bolt upward, and the operating lever In the unlocked state, in the vehicle steering column device in which the column side bracket is movable in the vertical direction and the column axial direction with respect to the upper support bracket,
A tooth portion extending in the column axial direction is provided at a lower portion of the telescopic elongated hole in the column-side bracket, and is disposed in the telescopic elongated hole so as to be vertically movable, and is rotatable relative to the bolt and vertically moved integrally with the bolt. A steering column device for a vehicle, wherein a possible guide piece is provided on the same bolt, and a plurality of teeth that can be engaged and disengaged with the teeth of the telescopic elongated hole are provided below the guide piece. A lower tube assembled to a part of the vehicle body via a lower support bracket so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, an upper tube assembled to the lower tube so as to be slidable in the column axial direction, and a vehicle rearward from the lower support bracket. An upper support bracket assembled to a part of the vehicle body, a column side bracket fixed to the upper tube and movable in a column axial direction and a vertical direction with respect to the upper support bracket and capable of frictional engagement. A lock means for releasably fixing the column side bracket to the upper support bracket;
The locking means is rotatably inserted into a tilt elongated hole provided in the upper support bracket and extending in the vertical direction and a telescopic elongated hole provided in the column side bracket and extending in the column axial direction. A bolt extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle in the upper direction, a nut screwed to the bolt, an operation lever assembled so as to be integrally rotatable on the bolt, and the bolt between the upper support bracket and the operation lever A lock cam unit that is assembled on the bolt and that can increase / decrease the frictional engagement force between the upper support bracket and the column side bracket by locking / unlocking the operation lever, and is assembled on the bolt so as to be integrally rotatable. The upper lever is locked and unlocked by the operation lever. An eccentric cam that can be engaged and disengaged and can press the lower tube downward with respect to the upper tube by a locking operation of the operating lever, and the column side in the state where the operating lever is unlocked In a vehicle steering column device in which a bracket is movable in the vertical direction and the column axial direction with respect to the upper support bracket,
A tooth portion extending in the column axial direction is provided above the telescopic elongated hole in the column side bracket, and is disposed in the telescopic elongated hole so as to be vertically movable, and is rotatable relative to the bolt and vertically moved integrally with the bolt. A steering column device for a vehicle, wherein a possible guide piece is provided on the bolt, and a plurality of teeth that can be engaged and disengaged with the teeth of the telescopic elongated hole are provided on the upper part of the guide piece.

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