JP2009154789A - Steering column unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering column unit capable of improving ease of assembly work to a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This steering column unit includes an upper clamp 7, a distance bracket 8 fixed on an outer tube 4, a bolt 9 for clamping having a shaft part 9b inserted in an oval hole for tilt of the upper clamp 7 and an oval hole for telescopic of the distance bracket 8, an operation lever 10 that integrally rotates with the bolt 9, a pressure contact cam 41 of which dimension in a diametrical direction gradually changes along a circumferential direction, an engagement projection part 42 that is displaced to a position possible to be engaged with the pressure contact cam 41 pressed and abutted on an inner tube 5, displaced to a position impossible to be engaged without the pressure contact cam 41 pressed and abutted on the inner tube 5, and engagement receiving parts 5b, 5c at a position where they are laid over the outer tube 4 of the inner tube 5. The engagement receiving parts 5b, 5c are engaged with the engagement projection part 42 positioned at the position possible to be engaged when the inner tube 5 moves in a direction to remove from the outer tube 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering column device having a telescopic adjustment function capable of adjusting the position of a steering wheel so as to be most easily driven according to a driver's body shape and preference.

  A tilt adjustment function that adjusts the height of the steering wheel according to the driver's physique and driving posture, and so-called telescopic (hereinafter referred to as telescopic) that adjusts the front and back positions of the steering wheel along the axial direction of the steering shaft A steering column device to which an adjustment function is added is known.

In this type of steering column device, as shown in Patent Document 1, the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube so that it can expand and contract in the axial direction. Then, an eccentric cam mounted so as to rotate integrally with the bolt on the outer periphery of the clamping bolt is press-engaged with the inner tube, thereby pressing the outer periphery of the inner tube against the inner periphery of the outer tube. As a result of the locking, the backlash (gap in the radial direction) between the inner tube and the outer tube is removed.
Japanese Patent No. 3783524

  By the way, when a heavy object such as an electric power steering unit is disposed on the inner tube, it is generally disposed on the vehicle upper side of the inner tube in order to widen a driver's foot space.

  However, the engagement force when the inner tube is press-engaged with the outer tube is sufficient to prevent the inner tube and the outer tube from rattling, and when an impact force is applied to the steering wheel during a vehicle collision, etc. Since the steering column is set so as not to interfere with the contraction of the steering column, when the steering column device is assembled to the vehicle, even if the inner tube is in pressure contact with the outer tube, the electric power steering unit There is a possibility that the inner tube may fall out of the outer tube due to weight, or the electric power steering unit may be hung from the inner tube due to rotation, and there is a problem that workability when assembling to the vehicle is poor.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device that can improve the workability of assembling to a vehicle.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, one end is supported by the vehicle body, the one end is supported by an inner tube that rotatably supports the lower shaft inside, and a clamp fixed to the vehicle body, and is linked to the lower shaft. The upper shaft is rotatably supported inside, and is arranged to be slidable along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the inner tube so as to be telescopically adjustable, and opens along the axial direction at a portion overlapping the inner tube. An outer tube having a through hole, a long hole formed in a distance bracket fixed to the outer tube, a clamp bolt having a shaft portion rotatably supported by the clamp, and the clamp bolt; An operating lever that rotates as a unit and the shaft of the bolt for clamping are provided with a radial dimension in the circumferential direction. The steering column has an eccentric shape that gradually changes, and a pressure contact cam that is pressed against the inner tube by being rotated together with the operation lever, and press-engages the inner tube to the outer tube. An engagement receiving portion formed on a portion of the inner tube that overlaps the outer tube, and the engagement receiving portion rotated by the operation lever and in a state in which the pressure contact cam is pressed against the inner tube. And an engagement protrusion that moves to a position of non-engagement with the engagement receiving portion in a non-pressure-contact state with respect to the inner tube.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to the first aspect, the engagement receiving portion is a hole or a recess formed in a side surface portion in the circumferential direction of the inner tube.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to the first or second aspect, the engagement protrusion is disposed on the press-contact cam.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to the first or second aspect, a ring that is rotatably mounted on an outer periphery of the press contact cam, a hook-shaped portion and an elastic claw are provided on the press contact cam. The engaging protrusion is in contact with the hook-shaped portion, contacts the one side surface of the ring with the hook-shaped portion, and contacts the other side surface of the ring with the elastic claw. The ring is rotatably engaged and held on the outer periphery of the pressure contact cam, the operation lever is rotated, the pressure contact cam is rotated and the ring is pressed against the inner tube, whereby the inner tube is It is characterized by press-fitting to the outer tube.

  In the invention of claim 1, the engagement protrusion and the engagement receiving portion engage in a direction that prevents the inner tube from falling out of the outer tube, that is, in a direction that prevents extension. And even if it is a case where a heavy article is assembled | attached, an inner tube can be assembled | attached to a vehicle, without dropping from an outer tube.

  In addition, since the engagement protrusion and the engagement receiving portion are engaged in the circumferential direction of the inner tube, even if it is heavy, it is not suspended from the inner tube and assembled to the vehicle while being held above the vehicle. Therefore, the workability of assembling to the vehicle can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 2, the same effect as that of claim 1 can be obtained.

  In the invention of claim 3, the same effect as that of claim 1 and claim 2 can be obtained.

  In the invention of claim 4, the radial dimension of the press cam can be reduced, and the tightening torque of the clamping bolt can be reduced when the press cam is rotated to be locked. It can be reduced to improve operability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of a steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 schematically shows a locked state of a main part of the steering column device. 4 is a sectional view in the axial direction schematically showing the unlocked state of the main part of the steering column device, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the press-contact cam, FIG. 6 is a front view of the cam body, FIG. 7 is a front view of the clamp bolt, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow XII-XII in FIG. Note that FIG. 1 is shown with a part removed for the sake of explanation.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering column device 1 according to the present embodiment supports a steering shaft 2 in which a steering wheel (not shown) is fixed to an upper end in the axial direction (right end in FIG. 1). A steering column tube 3 is provided. The steering shaft 2 includes an upper shaft 2a and a lower shaft 2b, and is fitted so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction.

  The steering column tube 3 includes an outer tube 4 and an inner tube 5 that are fitted so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction. These tubes 4 and 5 support the steering shaft 2 in a rotatable manner.

  The lower end portion 6 in the axial direction of the inner tube 5 is fixed to the lower support bracket 21 by welding or the like, so that it is supported by the vehicle body 23 via the tilt shaft 22 or the like. Is rotatable around the tilt axis 22.

  Further, the steering column device 1 includes an upper clamp 7 as a clamp having a substantially U-shape that is disposed on the upper end side in the axial direction of the steering column tube 3 and is fixed to the vehicle body 23. A distance bracket 8 fixed to the outer tube 4 by welding or the like and disposed inside the upper clamp 7, a clamping bolt 9 that penetrates the upper clamp 7 and the distance bracket 8, and an axis of the bolt 9. An operation lever 10 that is rotated, a cam body 11 that presses the inner tube 5 against the outer tube 4, and rotates with the rotation of the operation lever 10. The cam mechanism 1 for changing the distance between the head 9 a of the clamp bolt 9 and the upper clamp 7. It has a, and.

  The upper clamp 7 includes a pair of side plates 12 and 13 that face each other and an upper plate 14 that connects the upper portions of the side plates 12 and 13 to each other, and is fixed to the vehicle body 23 by a mounting bracket 16. In the both side plates 12 and 13 of the upper clamp 7, tilt long holes 15 having an arc shape along the vehicle vertical direction are formed.

  The distance bracket 8 has a substantially U-shape that is open upward, and includes a pair of side plates 31 and 32 and a bottom plate 33 that connects the lower ends of the side plates 31 and 32. Telescopic long holes 34 (holes) are formed in the side plates 31 and 32 of the distance bracket 8 along the axial direction of the steering column tube 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the clamping bolt 9 includes a head portion 9 a and a shaft portion 9 b, and penetrates from one side of the upper clamp 7 to the other side. The head portion 9a has a hexagonal hole at the end, and a serration 9d extending in the axial direction is formed on the outer periphery. The shaft portion 9b has a screw portion 9e at the tip and an axial direction on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. Serrations 9f extending to the left are formed. Then, when the nut 9g is screwed into the screw portion 9e at the tip of the clamp bolt 9, the upper clamp 7 and the distance bracket 8 are sandwiched between the head 9a of the clamp bolt 9 and the nut 9g. Yes.

  The cam mechanism 17 is composed of a pair of cam plates including a rotating side plate 18 and a sliding side plate 19. The rotating side plate 18 and the sliding side plate 19 are both disposed between the clamping bolt 9 and the upper clamp 7 and on the axis of the clamping bolt 9. The rotation side plate 18 is fixed to the shaft side of the head 9 a and rotates together with the clamp bolt 9. The sliding side plate 19 is non-rotatable and slidable in the tilt slot 15 and the telescopic slot 34, is rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the shaft portion 9b, and is slid in the axis direction. It is arranged to be movable. The rotation side plate 18 and the sliding side plate 19 are formed with cam crests 18a and 19a on opposite surfaces, respectively, and the contacting position changes in the circumferential direction, so that the rotation side plate 18 and the sliding side plate 19 are in contact with each other. It is the structure which can change the space | interval of the plate 19. FIG.

  By rotating the operation lever 10, the rotation side plate 18 is rotated together with the clamp bolt 9, and the distance between the rotation side plate 18 and the sliding side plate 19 is widened. The distance between the plates 12 and 13 is relatively narrowed, and the side plates 31 and 32 of the distance bracket 8 and the side plates 12 and 13 are brought into pressure contact with each other, so that the steering column tube 3 is fixed at a position desired by the occupant. Further, by adjusting the position of the nut 9g screwed into the threaded portion 9e of the clamping bolt 9, the pressure contact engagement force in the locked state can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the position of the operation lever 10 in the locked state is obtained by engaging the serration 9d of the head 9a of the clamping bolt 9 and interposing the connecting body 10a fixed to the operation lever 10 with the screw 10b. However, the operation lever 10 may be directly connected to the head 9a of the clamping bolt 9.

  The cam body 11 is formed of a resin material, is mounted on the shaft portion 9b of the bolt 9, and has a pressure contact cam 41 whose radial dimension gradually changes along the circumferential direction, and a side end portion of the pressure contact cam 41 in the axial direction. And an engaging protrusion 42 that rotates together with the press-contact cam 41. In addition, a pair of cylindrical portions 43 and 44 are formed at the side end portions of the pressure contact cam 41 and the engaging protrusion 42 so as to extend in the axial direction and to be connected to the respective ends. Serrations 43b and 44b are formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portions 43 and 44, and the bolt 9 is inserted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical portions 43 and 44, and the serration 9f on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 9b is the inner periphery of the cylindrical portions 43 and 44. The rotational force of the bolt 9 is transmitted to the press contact cam 41 by meshing with the serrations 43b and 44b.

  The outer diameter of the cam surface 41a of the press cam 41 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions 43 and 44, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cylindrical portions 43 and 44 rotate around the rotation center C1. The center C2 of the pressure contact cam 41 is eccentric from the rotation center C1 by a predetermined distance D1 in the radial direction. The cam surface 41 a is formed in a curved surface having an arc-shaped cross section so as to be in close contact with the inner tube 5 when being pressed against the inner tube 5.

  The engagement protrusion 42 protrudes in a wedge shape from the cam surface 41a of the pressure cam 41 toward the outer diameter side, and is brought into a position where the pressure cam 41 is in pressure contact with the inner tube 5 (see FIG. 3). 41 is formed so as to be displaced to a non-engagement position (see FIG. 4) in a non-pressure contact state with respect to the inner tube.

  A portion of the inner tube 5 that overlaps the outer tube 4 is formed with a long hole-shaped dropout prevention hole 5a along the longitudinal direction. The outer tube side end portion 5b of the dropout prevention hole 5a and the side wall 5c along the longitudinal direction of the dropout prevention hole 5a function as an engagement receiving portion. In addition, the dimension of the longitudinal direction of the drop-off prevention hole 5a is set longer than the contraction dimension when the impact is applied and the outer tube 4 contracts.

  In the locked state, as shown in FIG. 3, the press contact cam 41 and the engagement protrusion 42 enter the outer tube 4 through a through hole 4 a formed in a portion overlapping the inner tube 5 of the outer tube 4. The inner tube 5 is pressed against the outer tube 4 by the press-contact cam 41 being in press-contact engagement (locking) with the inner tube 5.

  In this state, the engagement protrusion 42 is positioned in the drop-off prevention hole 5a, but does not contact the engagement receiving part and does not hinder the rotation of the engagement protrusion 42. Further, the position and length of the steering column tube 3 are determined by the fastening force by the cam mechanism 17, and the engagement force by the press contact cam 41 is such that rattling between the inner tube 5 and the outer tube 4 is prevented. Is set.

  Further, in the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. 4, the press contact cam 41 and the engagement protrusion 42 retreat to the outside of the inner tube 5, and the press contact cam 41 is separated from the inner tube 5. The state where 5 is pressed against the outer tube 4 is released.

  Next, the operation will be described. By rotating the operation lever 10 to the lock position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 to widen the interval between the rotation side plate 18 and the sliding side plate 19 of the cam mechanism 17, the clamping bolt 9 is moved to the head 9a side. As a result, the distance between the side plates 12 and 13 of the upper clamp 7 is relatively narrowed, and the side plates 31 and 32 of the distance bracket 8 and the side plates 12 and 13 are brought into pressure contact with each other to adjust the tilt of the steering wheel ( Both the vehicle vertical swing) and telescopic adjustment (sliding along the axial direction) are disabled, and the steering column tube 3 is fixed at a position desired by the occupant. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing cam 41 rotates in the locking direction (arrow A1 direction) and moves in the direction of the inner tube 5 (arrow A2 direction) to press contact with the inner tube 5. Since the inner tube 5 is pressed against the outer tube 4, the play (gap in the radial direction) between the inner tube 5 and the outer tube 4 is removed.

Further, the operating lever 10 is rotated to the unlocking position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 to reduce the distance between the rotating side plate 18 and the sliding side plate 19 of the cam mechanism 17, thereby engaging the clamping bolt 9. The tensile force that has been released is released, the distance between the side plates 12 and 13 of the upper clamp 7 is relatively widened, and the press contact engagement between the side plates 31 and 32 of the distance bracket 8 and the side plates 12 and 13 is released, The steering wheel tilt adjustment (swing in the vehicle vertical direction) and telescopic adjustment (sliding along the axial direction) can both be performed, and the position of the steering column tube 3 can be freely changed by the occupant. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressing cam 41 rotates in the unlocking direction (arrow A3 direction) and moves in the direction away from the inner tube 5 (arrow A4 direction) to press the inner cam 5 Since the engagement is released, the outer tube 4 can be telescopically adjusted (slidable in the axial direction) with a small operating force with respect to the inner tube 5.
When the steering column device 1 is assembled to the vehicle, the operation lever 10 is held at the lock position indicated by the solid line in FIG. In this state, since the mounting bracket 16 is not yet fixed to the vehicle body, even if the side plates 31 and 32 of the distance bracket 8 and the side plates 12 and 13 are press-fitted and engaged by the cam mechanism 17, the outer tube 4 and the inner The fastening force that is not involved in the engagement with the tube 5 and that acts on the outer tube 4 and the inner tube 5 is only the pressure engagement force by the pressure contact cam 41.

  However, since the pressure engagement force by the pressure cam 41 is large enough to prevent rattling between the outer tube 4 and the inner tube 5, the inner tube 5 is used as a steering column tube during the assembly work to the vehicle. 3 may move in the direction of expansion. However, when the steering column tube 3 moves in the extending direction, the engagement protrusion 42 engages with the outer tube side end portion 5b of the dropout prevention hole 5a, and the inner tube 5 falls out of the outer tube 4. To prevent. In addition, in the state assembled | attached on the vehicle, the engagement protrusion 42 does not contact | abut to the edge part 5b and the side wall 5c of the drop-off prevention hole 5a, and does not prevent rotation of the engagement protrusion 42.

  Further, when the steering column tube 3 is to be assembled to the vehicle with the electric power steering unit (not shown) or the like installed above the inner tube 5 in the vehicle, the inner tube is caused by the weight of the electric power steering unit. 5 may rotate and the electric power steering unit may hang down. However, when the inner tube 5 tries to rotate, the engaging protrusion 42 engages with the side wall 5c along the longitudinal direction of the drop-off preventing hole 5a, thereby preventing the inner tube 5 from rotating.

  As described above, in order to prevent the inner tube 5 from being pulled out and rotated, when the steering column tube 3 is assembled to the vehicle, it is necessary to have either the outer tube 4 or the inner tube 5. Since it is attached, assembly workability can be improved.

  In addition, although the engagement receiving part of this embodiment is a part of drop-off prevention hole 5a opened to the inner tube 5, a recess is formed along the longitudinal direction of the same shape as the drop-off prevention hole 5a. Even if the step portion is an engagement receiving portion, the same effect can be obtained, and since it is not necessary to make a hole in the inner tube 5, the strength of the inner tube 5 is not reduced.

  Next, another aspect of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cam body having a pressure contact cam according to a first alternative embodiment. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. A significant difference from the above embodiment is the configuration of the cam body 111 in that the engaging protrusions 142 are integrally formed on both sides of the side end portion in the axial direction of the press contact cam 41. As the engagement protrusions 142 are provided on both sides of the pressure contact cam 41, the inner tube 5 has a dropout prevention hole (not shown) serving as an engagement receiving part, or a recess having the same shape as the dropout prevention hole. Two (not shown) are formed.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cam body having a second embodiment of the pressure contact cam. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. A significant difference from the above embodiment is the configuration of the cam body 211 in that the engaging protrusion 242 is integrally formed on the cam surface 41 a of the press-contact cam 41. As the engagement protrusion 242 is provided on the cam surface 41a of the pressure cam 41, the inner tube 5 has the same drop-off prevention hole (not shown) or drop-off prevention hole as the engagement receiving portion. A concave portion (not shown) having a shape is formed at a site where the cam surface 41a abuts.

  11 is a perspective view of a cam body having a third embodiment of a pressure cam, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow XIII-XIII in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a main portion of a steering column device having the cam body of this embodiment. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an axial direction, FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view showing a state when locked, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing a state when unlocking. The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. A significant difference from the above embodiment is the configuration of the cam body 111, particularly the pressure contact cam 341. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the engaging protrusion 342 is formed integrally with the cam body 311 at one of the axial side ends of the press contact cam 341, so that the inner tube 5 serves as an engagement receiving portion. A dropout prevention hole (not shown) or a recess (not shown) having the same shape as the dropout prevention hole is formed.

  The pressing cam 341 includes an eccentric part 345 and a ring 346 that is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the eccentric part 345. The eccentric portion 345 is formed integrally with the cam body 311 and is set to have a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions 343 and 344 and is separated from the rotation center of the cylindrical portions 343 and 344 by a predetermined distance. It is formed eccentrically in position.

  In the locked state, as shown in FIG. 13A, the eccentric portion 345, the engagement protrusion 342, and the ring 346 are formed on the outer tube 4 through the through-hole 4 a formed in a portion overlapping the inner tube 5. The inner tube 5 is pressed against the outer tube 4 by entering into the tube 4 and the ring 346 being pressed and engaged (locked) with the inner tube 5. In this state, the engagement protrusion 342 is positioned in the dropout prevention hole 5a, but is not engaged with the outer tube side end 5b and the side wall 5c, which are engagement receiving portions.

  In the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. 13B, the eccentric portion 345, the engaging protrusion 342, and the ring 346 retreat to the outside of the outer tube 4, and the ring 346 is separated from the inner tube 5. Thus, the state where the inner tube 5 is pressed against the outer tube 4 is released.

  When the ring 346 is pressed and engaged with the inner tube 5 in the locked state and the unlocked state, the rotation of the ring 346 is stopped by friction with the inner tube 5, while the ring 346 is engaged with the inner tube 5. When not aligned, the ring 346 rotates together with the press cam 341. Note that the cam lift amount D2 (D1 × 2) can be obtained by rotating the pressure contact cam 341 by 180 ° from the unlocked state shown in FIG. 13B to the locked state shown in FIG. Since the lever operating angle when used in the embodiment is 30 ° to 90 ° (45 ° in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1), the cam lift amount is D1 to D1 / 3.

  Engaging grooves 346a and 346b are provided at both ends of the inner periphery of the ring 346, respectively. The cylindrical portions 343 and 344 are provided with hook-shaped members 343c and 344c arranged so as to sandwich the ring 346 from both sides in the axial direction. Further, the connecting end portion of the other cylindrical portion 344 and the portion that is most eccentric in the radial direction of the flange-shaped member 344c and the opposite portion surround the flange-shaped member 344c that engages with the engagement groove 346a. By providing a pair of cuts 344d extending in parallel to the axial direction, a pair of elastic claws 344e including a part of the hook-shaped member 344c is formed. When assembling the cam body 311, the ring 346 is inserted from one cylindrical portion 344 side until it hits the flange-like member 343 c, and the flange-like member 343 c is engaged with the engagement groove 346 a of the ring 346, A ring 346 is attached to the outer periphery. At this time, the ring 346 comes into contact with the tapered portion of the hook-shaped member 344c, and thus the ring-shaped member 344c is engaged with the engagement groove 346b of the ring 346 in a state where the ring 346 pushes the pair of elastic claws 344e toward the inner diameter side. After the combination, the pair of elastic claws 344e return to the original state by elastic force, and the other cylindrical portion 344 is assembled. As a result, the ring 346 attached to the outer periphery of the press contact cam 341 is rotatably held with respect to the press contact cam 341.

  According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, since the inner tube 5 is press-engaged via the ring 346 attached to the outer periphery of the press-contact cam 341, the radial dimension R of the press-contact cam 341 is set. Since the tightening torque of the clamping bolt 9 can be reduced when rotating the press-contact cam 341 in the locked state, the operating force of the operating lever 10 can be reduced and the operability can be improved.

  Further, when a force in the contraction direction is applied to the steering column tube 3 while the inner tube 5 is locked to the outer tube 4 by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the ring 346 against the inner tube 5, The ring 346 is rotated when the ring 346 is urged in the unlocking direction by the frictional force, but slippage occurs between the ring 346 and the press-contact cam 341, and the rotation of the press-contact cam 341 in the unlock direction is suppressed. Therefore, the locked state of the inner tube and the outer tube can be firmly held. Furthermore, when the radial dimension R of the press cam 341 is smaller than that of the press cam not via the ring 346, the press cam 341 is driven in the lock release direction when urged in the unlock direction via the ring 346. Therefore, the rotation of the press contact cam 341 in the unlocking direction can also be suppressed.

  In addition, according to this embodiment, the bolt 9 and the pressure contact cam 341 are configured separately, and therefore, the bolt 9 and the pressure contact cam 341 can be easily formed of different materials and shapes according to functions required for each component. For example, the bolt 9 is made of metal and the press contact cam 341 is made of resin.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the ring 346 is mounted on the outer periphery of the press contact cam 341, and the ring 346 is rotatably held by the elastic claw 344e provided on the press contact cam 341. Therefore, from the press contact cam 341 and the ring 346, The cam body 311 can be easily assembled.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the ring 346 is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the pressure contact cam 341. However, a low friction material coating or grease is further interposed between the pressure contact cam 341 and the ring 346, or a bearing is interposed. Thus, by reducing the friction between the pressure cam 341 and the ring 346, the operating force of the operating lever 10 can be further reduced.

  Moreover, although the case where the bolt 9 and the pressure contact cam 341 were configured separately was illustrated in the above embodiment, the number of parts can be reduced if the bolt and the pressure contact cam are configured integrally instead of being configured separately. it can.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ring 346 that is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the press-contact cam 341 is illustrated, but the same press-contact can be obtained by providing another ring having a different radial thickness. Using the cam 341, it is possible to cope with a vehicle type in which the distance between the operation lever 10 and the inner tube 5 of the steering column tube 3 is different.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the tilt and the telescopic adjustment are possible. However, similar effects can be obtained even when only the telescopic adjustment is performed.

It is a front view of the steering column apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention. It is II-II arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the axial direction which shows typically the locked state of the principal part of the steering column apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the axial direction which shows typically the lock release state of the principal part of the steering column apparatus. It is a perspective view of a cam body. It is a front view of a cam body. It is a front view of the bolt for clamp. It is XII-XII arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view of a cam body which has a pressure contact cam of the 1st other mode. It is a perspective view of a cam body which has a pressure contact cam of the 2nd another mode. It is a perspective view of a cam body which has a pressure contact cam of the 3rd other mode. It is a front view of the cam body of the 3rd another mode. It is sectional drawing of the axial direction which shows typically the principal part of the steering column apparatus which has a cam body of 3rd another aspect, (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of a lock | rock, (b) is the state at the time of lock release FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering column apparatus 2 Steering shaft 2a Upper shaft 2b Lower shaft 3 Steering column tube 4 Outer tube 5 Inner tube 5a Fall-off prevention hole (hole)
5b Outer tube side end of the dropout prevention hole (engagement receiving part)
5c Side wall of drop-off prevention hole (engagement receiving part)
7 Upper clamp (clamp)
8 Distance Bracket 9 Clamping Bolt 9a Head 9b Shaft 10 Operation Lever 11 Cam Body 23 Car Body 41 Pressing Cam 42 Engaging Projection 43, 44 Cylindrical Part 344e Elastic Claw 346 Ring

Claims (4)

One end is supported by the vehicle body, and one end is supported by an inner tube that rotatably supports the lower shaft inside, and a clamp that is fixed to the vehicle body, and an upper shaft that is linked to the lower shaft is disposed inside. An outer tube having a through hole that is rotatably supported, slidably disposed along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the inner tube so as to be telescopically adjustable, and has an opening along the axial direction at a portion overlapping the inner tube; A clamp bolt having a long hole portion formed in a distance bracket fixed to the outer tube, a shaft portion rotatably supported by the clamp, and an operation lever that rotates integrally with the clamp bolt; ,
Provided on the shaft portion of the clamping bolt and having an eccentric shape in which the radial dimension gradually changes along the circumferential direction, and is pressed against the inner tube by being rotated together with the operation lever. A steering column device comprising a pressure contact cam for pressure contact engagement of the inner tube with the outer tube,
An engagement receiving portion formed at a portion overlapping the outer tube of the inner tube;
The operation lever is rotated, and the pressure contact cam is moved to a position where it can be engaged with the engagement receiving portion while being pressed against the inner tube, and the pressure contact cam is not pressed against the inner tube. A steering column device, comprising: an engaging projection that moves to a position that is not engaged with the engagement receiving portion. In the steering column device according to claim 1,
The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement receiving portion is a hole or a recess formed in a side surface portion in the circumferential direction of the inner tube. In the steering column device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A steering column device, wherein the engaging protrusion is disposed on the press-contact cam. In the steering column device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A ring rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the press-contact cam;
The press-contact cam is integrally provided with a hook-shaped portion and an elastic claw,
The engagement protrusion is in contact with the hook-shaped portion;
Abutting against one side surface of the ring with the hook-shaped portion and abutting against the other side surface of the ring with the elastic claw, and rotatably engaging the ring with the outer periphery of the pressure contact cam;
A steering column device, wherein the operation lever is rotated, the pressure contact cam is rotated, and the ring is pressed against the inner tube, whereby the inner tube is pressed and engaged with the outer tube.

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