JP2010012980A - Shock absorbing type steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shock absorbing type steering column device adjusting shock absorbing capacity with arbitral stroke of the steering column with simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A movable member 32d and a pair of stationary members 30h are alternately disposed in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, the other stationary members 30i are disposed in front of a pair of the stationary members 30h in the vehicle fore and aft direction. The movable member and stationary members are provided at five positions. An energy absorbing member 48 is a metal wire formed by bending and forming into a two-dimensional shape or a three-dimensional shape engaged with the movable member and the stationary members at five positions for plastic deformation by the stroke of the steering column 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an impact absorption type steering column device that relieves an impact force applied to a driver during a secondary collision.

  In the event of a collision accident, a secondary collision in which the driver's body collides with the steering wheel occurs following a primary collision in which the automobile collides with another automobile or the like. A driver protection device called an impact-absorbing steering column device is used to alleviate the impact on the driver's body during this secondary collision and prevent serious damage to the driver's body. However, various types have been conventionally considered.

  Various members that absorb impact load in the event of a secondary collision are also known. Of these, the energy absorbing member is plastically deformed at the same time as the steering column strokes forward in the vehicle front-rear direction during a secondary collision. Has been generally used as a member that can obtain a shock absorbing steering device that is relatively simple, small and inexpensive (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The device of Patent Document 1 includes a moving member that is fixed to a steering column that strokes forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction due to the impact of a collision accident, and a vehicle longitudinal direction that is fixed to a vehicle body side member and receives an impact of a collision accident. A cylindrical fixing member that does not displace and an energy absorbing member formed by bending a metal wire. The energy absorbing member includes a base, a folded portion integrated with the base, and a deformed portion extending linearly from the folded portion so as to be parallel to the base. It is hung on the locking portion, the folded portion is hung on the outer periphery of the fixing member, and the linear portion is arranged in a state of extending forward in the vehicle front-rear direction. When the steering column strokes forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle due to a collision accident, the folded portion and the deformed portion are handled on the outer periphery of the fixed member and plastically deformed to generate an impact absorbing load and absorb the impact energy. It has become so.
Japanese Patent No. 3389767

  By the way, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, since the folded portion and the deformed portion of the energy absorbing member extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, a secondary collision is required to reliably absorb the impact energy while keeping the impact load low. It is necessary to lengthen the stroke of the steering column. However, when the stroke of the steering column is lengthened and the folded portion and the deformed portion that are plastically deformed in accordance with the stroke are disposed, there is a possibility that a large shock absorbing steering device is obtained.

In addition, when the steering column strokes to the stroke limit position (when the steering column reaches the bottom), there is a possibility that the shock absorbing load will rise rapidly. Therefore, it is desirable that the shock absorbing load is gradually increased immediately before the bottom of the steering column is reached, and the shock absorbing load is equal to or less than a predetermined value at the bottom.
However, since the apparatus of Patent Document 1 does not have a structure in which the absorption capacity of the impact load can be changed according to a change in the stroke of the steering column, the impact absorption load may increase rapidly. That is, since the device of Patent Document 1 absorbs only a constant impact load from the initial stroke position of the steering column to the bottoming, as in the shock absorbing characteristic shown in FIG. May rise rapidly.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned unsolved problems of the conventional example, and it is possible to adjust the shock absorption capacity with an arbitrary stroke of the steering column while having a compact structure, and to perform a secondary collision. An object of the present invention is to provide an impact absorption type steering column device capable of reducing a sudden change in the impact absorption load even when an impact load is applied to the driver.

  In order to achieve the above object, an impact absorption type steering column apparatus according to claim 1 is a steering column that supports a steering shaft rotatably inside and strokes forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the event of a secondary collision. A fixed member that is fixed to the vehicle body side member and does not displace in the vehicle front-rear direction even when an impact at the time of a secondary collision is input, a moving member fixed to the steering column, the moving member, and the fixed member An energy absorbing member that is arranged in an engaged state and absorbs an impact load at the time of a secondary collision by plastic deformation accompanying a stroke of the steering column. The members are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction, or the moving members and the fixed members are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction, and By disposing at least one of the moving member and the fixing member in the vehicle front-rear direction, the moving member and the fixing member are provided in at least five locations, and the energy absorbing member is provided in the at least five locations according to the stroke of the steering column. It is a metal wire formed by being bent into a two-dimensional shape or a three-dimensional shape that is plastically deformed by engaging with the moving member and the fixed member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorbing steering column device according to the first aspect, the energy absorbing member is engaged with one of the moving member and the fixed member in the second half of the stroke of the steering column. A plastic deformation increasing portion for increasing the amount of plastic deformation is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorbing steering column device according to the first or second aspect, the surfaces of the moving member and the fixed member that engage with the energy absorbing member are arc surfaces, and the arc surface The plastic deformation portion of the energy absorbing member that is plastically deformed in contact with the surface is bent into a predetermined curvature that engages along the arc surface.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorbing type steering column device according to the third aspect, when the energy absorbing member is plastically deformed along the arc surface, the curvature of the plastically deformed portion is increased. The curvature increase prevention part which prevents this was provided.

  According to the shock absorbing steering column device of the present invention, at least five moving members and fixed members are provided, and the energy absorbing member is engaged with at least five moving members and fixed members by the stroke of the steering column to be plastically deformed. As a result, it is possible to provide an impact-absorbing type steering column device that can adjust the impact-absorbing capacity with an arbitrary stroke of the steering column while having a compact structure.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention.
In the shock absorbing steering column apparatus denoted by reference numeral 12, a steering shaft 11 having a steering wheel 13 mounted at the rear end in the vehicle front-rear direction is rotatably supported. An intermediate shaft 15 that can be expanded and contracted is connected to the front end of the steering shaft 11 in the vehicle longitudinal direction via a universal joint 14.

  A rack and pinion type steering gear 17 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 15 via a universal joint 16, and a steered wheel 19 is connected to the steering gear 17 via a tie rod 18 and the like. The steered wheel 19 can be steered by steering. Note that peripheral components P such as a combination switch and a column cover are disposed behind the shock absorbing steering column device 12 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

(First embodiment)
2 to 4 show the shock absorption type steering column device 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing the shock absorbing steering column device 12 of the present embodiment from the vehicle width direction. FIG. 3 is a view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows BB in FIG.

  The shock absorbing steering column device 12 of the present embodiment is fixed to an inner column 20 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and a vehicle body side member 22, and a front end portion of the inner column 20 in the vehicle body front-rear direction is connected to a pivot pin 24. Are fixed to the vehicle body side member 22, the column connection bracket 26 connected via the outer column 28, the outer column 28 slidably fitted in the axial direction on the rear side of the inner column 20 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A support bracket 30, a moving bracket 32 supported by the support bracket 30 so as to surround the upper and side portions of the outer column 28, and movable in the vehicle front-rear direction, and bulges below the cylindrical outer column 28. Column-side through-hole 36 formed in the distance bracket 34 formed in this manner, and the side plate 3 of the moving bracket 32 that contacts the distance bracket 34. The bracket side through hole 40 formed in a, the tilt rod 42 inserted through the column side through hole 36 and the bracket side through hole 40, and the movable bracket 32 via the tilt rod 42 by the swinging operation of the operation lever 44. A lock mechanism 46 for coupling to or releasing from the outer column 28 and an energy absorbing member 48 mounted between the support bracket 30 and the moving bracket 32 are provided. A steering shaft 11 on which the above-described steering wheel 13 is mounted is rotatably supported on the outer column 28 on the rear side of the outer column 28 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

The column side through hole 36 is formed in a long hole shape such that the long axis of the distance bracket 34 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The bracket side through hole 40 is formed in a long hole shape on the side plate 32a of the moving bracket 32 that contacts the distance bracket 34 so that the long axis extends in the vehicle vertical direction.

Next, specific configurations of the moving bracket 32, the support bracket 30, and the energy absorbing member 48 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the moving bracket 32 is formed integrally with the upper plate 32 b from both edges in the width direction of the upper plate 32 b so as to have a U-shaped cross section, and extends in parallel with each other. Side plate 32a. A pair of guide rails 32c are formed on both sides of the upper plate 32b so as to be engaged with a pair of guide grooves 30c (to be described later) of the support bracket 30 so that the entire moving bracket 32 is movable in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Match.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical first protrusion is formed on the upper surface of the upper plate 32 b disposed above the outer column 28 in the vehicle vertical direction by the engagement of the support bracket 30 and the pair of guide rails 32 c. A portion 32d is formed to protrude.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support bracket 30 is integrally formed with a bracket body 30 a having a rectangular appearance and the bracket body 30 a, and is fixed by a fixing bolt 50 via a connection linear portion 26 a of the column connection bracket 26. A connecting straight portion 30b connected to the vehicle body side member 22 and a pair of guide grooves 30c provided extending in the vehicle front-rear direction so that the pair of guide rails 32c of the moving bracket 32 described above are fitted thereinto. I have.

  The bracket main body 30a fixed to the vehicle body side member 22 is formed with an opening hole that opens in communication with the vehicle in the vertical direction. This opening hole has a large vehicle width direction length on the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction. A first opening hole 30d that opens in a region, and a second opening hole 30e that is provided continuously to the first opening hole 30d and opens in a region that is smaller in the vehicle width direction than the first opening hole 30d. . Further, a step surface 30g lower than the contact surface 30f that contacts the vehicle body side member 22 is formed around the second opening hole 30e, and the second opening hole 30e on the step surface 30g is sandwiched therebetween. In the vehicle width direction, a pair of cylindrical second protrusions 30h are formed at positions spaced substantially equidistant from each other in the vehicle width direction, and the front position in the vehicle front-rear direction from the pair of second protrusions 30h. A pair of cylindrical third protrusions 30i are formed on the step surface 30g.

And the 1st convex part 32d formed in the upper board 32b of the movable bracket 32 enters the 2nd opening hole 30e of the bracket main body 30a from below, and it is located above the step surface 30g in the vehicle up-down direction. It protrudes.
The energy absorbing member 48 is excellent in corrosion resistance with increased content of chromium and nickel, such as piano wire (for example, SWRS82A) and stainless wire (for example, SUS301), etc., and has a perfect circular shape and a uniform thickness. It is made of wire.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the energy absorbing member 48 includes a central curved portion 48a, a pair of first curved portions 48b formed in the same plane continuously from both ends of the central curved portion 48a, and the pair of A pair of first straight portions 48c continuously extending in the same plane in the direction away from the first curved portion 48b, and continuous in the same plane in a direction close to each other from the pair of first straight portions 48c. A pair of second curved portions 48d formed in this manner and a pair of second curved portions 48d extending continuously in the same plane so as to be parallel to the pair of first linear portions 48c. This is a member obtained by two-dimensionally bending a steel wire rod provided with a second straight portion 48e.

  Then, the central curved portion 48a of the energy absorbing member 48 is stretched over a curved surface facing forward in the vehicle front-rear direction of the first convex portion 32d of the moving bracket 32 protruding upward from the second opening hole 30e of the support bracket 30. The pair of first curved portions 48b spans the curved surfaces of the pair of second convex portions 30h of the support bracket 30 facing the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the pair of first straight portions 48c faces the front in the vehicle front-rear direction. The pair of second curved portions 48d are positioned in front of the pair of third convex portions 30i of the support bracket 30 in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the pair of second linear portions 48e are paired with the third convex portions. It is mounted between the support bracket 30 and the moving bracket 32 while being in contact with the inside of the portion 30i in the vehicle width direction.

  Here, the steering column of the claims corresponds to the outer column 28, the moving member of the claims corresponds to the first convex portion 32d, and the fixed member of the claims corresponds to the second convex portion 30h and the third convex portion 30i. The plastic deformation increasing portion in the claims corresponds to the second bending portion 48d, and the plastic deformation portions in the claims correspond to the central bending portion 48a, the first bending portion 48b, and the second bending portion 48d.

Next, the operation of the shock absorbing steering column device 12 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The shock absorption type steering column device 12 of the present embodiment acts as follows in the event of a collision to alleviate the impact applied to the driver's body that hits the steering wheel 13. At the time of the secondary collision, the moving bracket 32 is displaced forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction together with the outer column 28. On the other hand, the support bracket 30 fixed to the vehicle body side member 22 is not displaced in the vehicle front-rear direction and remains in the position as it is.

  At this time, since the first convex portion 32d of the moving bracket 32 is displaced forward in the vehicle front-rear direction, the central curved portion 48a of the energy absorbing member 48 is handled by the first convex portion 32d and is plastically deformed. Further, since the central curved portion 48a is plastically deformed while being pulled forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the pair of first curved portions 48b and the pair of first linear portions 48c are also handled by the pair of second convex portions 30h. Then, the plastic deformation occurs (range from the initial position in FIG. 6 to the stroke S1). Here, the pair of second curved portions 48d is formed on the third convex portion 30i while maintaining the curved shape together with the plastic deformation of the central curved portion 48a, the pair of first curved portions 48b, and the pair of first linear portions 48c. It moves toward the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  Further, in the latter half of the stroke in which the first convex portion 32d moves to the front bottoming position in the vehicle front-rear direction, the pair of second curved portions 48d of the energy absorbing member 48 are third convex as shown in FIG. The pair of second linear portions 48e are also handled by the third convex portion 30i and plastically deformed while being handled by the portion 30i (from the stroke S1 in FIG. 6 to the bottoming position). range).

As described above, the second half of the stroke of the outer column 28 (first convex portion 32d) includes a pair of second curves in addition to the plastic deformation of the central curved portion 48a, the pair of first curved portions 48b, and the pair of first linear portions 48c. Since the curved portion 48d and the pair of second linear portions 48e are also plastically deformed, the shock absorbing load gradually increases.
That is, in the present embodiment, in the latter half of the stroke of the outer column 28, the energy absorbing member 48 as a whole is plastically deformed to increase the ability to absorb the impact load. Therefore, as is apparent from the impact load absorption characteristics of FIG. The shock absorbing load gradually increases until just before the outer column 28 bottoms, and when the outer column 28 bottoms, an impact load of a predetermined value or less is absorbed.

Therefore, the shock absorbing load is gradually increased until immediately before the steering column (outer column 28) bottoms, and the shock absorbing load below a predetermined value can be obtained at the bottom.
Further, the energy absorbing member 48 of the present embodiment is a curved surface that faces the vehicle front-rear direction of the first convex portion 32d, the pair of second convex portions 30h, and the pair of third convex portions 30i that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. It is formed by bending the metal wire into a two-dimensional shape so as to engage with the shock absorber, so that the impact energy can be absorbed reliably without setting a long stroke of the steering column (outer column 28). Thus, it is possible to provide a shock absorbing steering device having a compact structure.

  Further, by appropriately changing the arrangement position of the first convex portion 32d, the pair of second convex portions 30h and the pair of third convex portions 30i, and the two-dimensional shape of the energy absorbing member 48, the stroke of the steering column can be arbitrarily set. The shock absorption capacity can be adjusted.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, FIG. 7 shows a main part of the shock absorbing steering column device 12 in which the energy absorbing member of the second embodiment according to the present invention is arranged. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The energy absorbing member 48 of the present embodiment includes a central curved portion 48a, a pair of first curved portions 48b formed continuously from both ends of the central curved portion 48a in the same plane, and the pair of first curved portions. A pair of first straight portions 48c extending continuously in the same plane in the direction away from 48b, and continuously formed in the same plane in a direction away from the pair of first straight portions 48c. A pair of second curved portions 48f and a pair of second linear portions that extend continuously from the pair of second curved portions 48f in the same plane so as to be parallel to the pair of first linear portions 48c. And a member obtained by bending a steel wire in a two-dimensional manner.

The pair of second straight portions 48g of the energy absorbing member 48 rises between the contact surface 30f that contacts the vehicle body side member 22 and the step surface 30g, and extends to the wall portion 30j that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. Arranged in contact.
Here, the plastic deformation increasing portion of the claim corresponds to the second bending portion 48f, and the plastic deformation portion of the claim corresponds to the central bending portion 48a, the first bending portion 48b, and the second bending portion 48f, The curvature increase preventing portion corresponds to the wall portion 30j.

According to the present embodiment, the pair of second curved portions 48f of the energy absorbing member 48 are handled by the third convex portion 30i in the latter half of the stroke in which the first convex portion 32d moves to the front bottom position in the vehicle front-rear direction. As it is plastically deformed, the pair of second linear portions 48g are also handled by the third convex portion 30i and plastically deformed continuously.
At this time, since the pair of second straight portions 48g are in contact with the wall portion 30j extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and the movement in the vehicle width direction is restricted, the pair of second curved portions 48f and the pair of second straight lines The portion 48g undergoes plastic deformation while preventing an increase in the radius of curvature, and the amount of plastic deformation does not decrease.

Therefore, the present embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment,
Since an increase in the radius of curvature of the pair of second curved portions 48f and the pair of second linear portions 48g is prevented, a constant shock absorbing load can be generated in the latter half of the stroke at the time of the secondary collision, and the shock absorbing performance can be improved. A decrease can be prevented.

(Third embodiment)
Next, FIG. 8 shows a main part of the shock absorbing steering column device 12 in which the energy absorbing member of the third embodiment according to the present invention is arranged.
In the present embodiment, a pair of cylindrical first protrusions 51 are formed on the upper surface of the upper plate 32b of the moving bracket 32 so as to protrude from each other in the vehicle width direction.
In addition, three cylindrical second convex portions 52 are formed at equal distances in the vehicle width direction on a step surface 30g formed so as to surround the second opening hole 30e of the bracket body 30a.

  And a pair of 1st convex part 51 formed in the upper board 32b of the movable bracket 32 enters the 2nd opening hole 30e of the bracket main body 30a from below, and is located above the step surface 30g in the vehicle up-down direction. The pair of first convex portions 51 are positioned forward in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the three second convex portions 52 formed on the step surface 30g, and the three second convex portions. 52, it is located on one side and the other side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the second convex portion 52 in the center in the vehicle width direction.

The energy absorbing member 53 of the present embodiment is also excellent in corrosion resistance with an increased content of chromium and nickel, such as a piano wire (for example, SWRS82A) and a stainless wire (for example, SUS301), has a perfect cross-sectional shape, and has a thickness of It is made of uniform steel wire.
The energy absorbing member 53 includes a central curved portion 53a, a pair of first curved portions 53b continuously formed in the same plane from both ends of the central curved portion 53a, and the pair of first curved portions 53b within the same plane. And a pair of second curved portions 53c that are continuously formed, and a pair of linear portions 53d that continuously extend in the same plane in a direction away from the pair of second curved portions 53c. A member obtained by two-dimensionally bending a steel wire rod.

  The central curved portion 53a of the energy absorbing member 53 is stretched over the curved surface of the three second convex portions 52 of the support bracket 30 that faces the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction of the central second convex portion 52 in the vehicle width direction. The pair of first curved portions 53b are stretched over the curved surfaces of the pair of first convex portions 51 of the moving bracket 32 protruding upward from the second opening hole 30e of the support bracket 30 and facing the front in the vehicle front-rear direction. The pair of second curved portions 53c are spanned across the curved surfaces of the pair of second convex portions 52 of the support bracket 30 facing the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the pair of linear portions 53d extend toward the front in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this state, it is mounted between the support bracket 30 and the moving bracket 32.

Here, the moving member of the claim corresponds to the first convex portion 51, the fixed member of the claim corresponds to the second convex portion 52, and the plastic deformation portion of the claim includes the central curved portion 53a and the first curved portion 53b. , Corresponding to the second bending portion 53c.
In the present embodiment, when the outer column 28 strokes and the pair of first convex portions 51 are displaced forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the time of a secondary collision, the central curved portion 53a of the energy absorbing member 53 becomes the second convex portion 52. It is handled and plastically deformed, the pair of first curved portions 53b are handled and plastically deformed by the pair of first convex portions 51, and the pair of second curved portions 53c and the pair of linear portions 53d are a pair of second convex portions. It is handled by 52 and undergoes plastic deformation.

As described above, the energy absorbing member 53 of the present embodiment is engaged with the curved surfaces of the pair of first convex portions 51 and the three second convex portions 52 that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction and that face in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this way, it is formed by bending a metal wire into a two-dimensional shape, and it can absorb impact energy reliably without setting a long stroke of the steering column (outer column 28). A shock absorbing steering device having a structure can be provided.
Further, by appropriately changing the arrangement positions of the pair of first convex portions 51 and the three second convex portions 52 and the two-dimensional shape of the energy absorbing member 48, the shock absorbing capacity is adjusted with an arbitrary stroke of the steering column. be able to.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, FIG. 9 shows a main part of the shock absorbing steering column device 12 in which the energy absorbing member of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention is arranged.
In the present embodiment, a pair of first convex portions 54 having curved surfaces facing frontward in the vehicle front-rear direction are formed on the upper surface of the upper plate 32b of the moving bracket 32 so as to protrude from each other while being separated from each other in the vehicle width direction. .

The bracket body 30a is formed with a large opening hole 55 communicating with the vehicle in the vertical direction, and a position spaced apart in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle front-rear direction so as to close a part of the opening hole 55. A pair of first step surfaces 56a is formed, and a second step surface 56b extending from the front to the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction is formed at the center position in the vehicle width direction.
A pair of cylindrical second protrusions 57 are formed on the pair of first step surfaces 56a, and the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction is located at the rearmost position in the vehicle front-rear direction on the second step surface 56b. A third convex portion 58 having a curved surface as a surface is formed.

  Then, the pair of first convex portions 54 formed on the upper plate 32b of the moving bracket 32 enter the opening hole 55 of the bracket body 30a from below, and the vehicle vertical direction with respect to the first and second step surfaces 56a and 56b. The pair of first convex portions 54 protrudes so as to be located above the pair of second convex portions 57 formed on the first step surface 56a and the third convex portion 58 formed on the second step surface 56b. The second stepped surface 56b is positioned between the pair of first convex portions 54 and the second step surface 56b.

Further, the energy absorbing member 59 of the present embodiment is also excellent in corrosion resistance with an increased content of chromium and nickel, such as a piano wire (for example, SWRS82A) and a stainless wire (for example, SUS301), has a perfect cross-sectional shape, and is thick. Is formed of a uniform steel wire rod.
The energy absorbing member 59 extends in a direction orthogonal to the pair of linear portions 59a via a pair of first linear portions 59a extending in parallel with each other and an R portion 59b having a predetermined curvature. This is a member that is provided with a second straight part 59c and is formed by two-dimensionally bending a steel wire rod into a substantially U shape.

The energy absorbing member 59 spans the curved surface of the pair of second convex portions 57 of the support bracket 30 facing the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the pair of first straight portions 59b is forward of the vehicle front-rear direction. The second linear portion 59c extends in the vehicle width direction and is mounted between the support bracket 30 and the movable bracket 32.
Here, the movable member of the claim corresponds to the first convex portion 54, the fixed member of the claim corresponds to the second convex portion 57 and the third convex portion 58, and the plastic deformation portion of the claim corresponds to the R portion 59b. Correspond.

  In the present embodiment, when the outer column 28 strokes and the pair of first convex portions 54 are displaced forward in the vehicle front-rear direction during a secondary collision, as shown in FIG. 59c is handled by the pair of first convex portions 54 and plastically deforms. In addition, the pair of R portions 59b and the pair of first straight portions 59a are also handled by the pair of second convex portions 57 because the second straight portions 59c are plastically deformed while being pulled forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Plastic deformation.

Then, in the latter half of the stroke in which the first convex portion 54 further moves to the front bottom position in the vehicle front-rear direction, the center portion of the second straight portion 59c of the energy absorbing member 48 is the third portion as shown in FIG. It is handled by the convex portion 58 and undergoes plastic deformation.
Thus, the second half of the stroke of the outer column 28 (first convex portion 32d) is in addition to the plastic deformation of the second straight portion 59c, the pair of R portions 59b, and the pair of first straight portions 59a. Since the central portion of the plate also undergoes plastic deformation, the shock absorbing load gradually increases.

That is, in the present embodiment, the ability to absorb the impact load in the second half of the stroke of the outer column 28 increases, so that the shock absorption load gradually increases until just before the outer column 28 reaches the bottom, and the bottom of the outer column 28 increases. At the time of arrival, an impact load below a predetermined value is absorbed.
Therefore, the shock absorbing load is gradually increased until immediately before the steering column (outer column 28) bottoms, and the shock absorbing load below a predetermined value can be obtained at the bottom.

Further, the energy absorbing member 59 of the present embodiment is formed by bending a metal wire into a two-dimensional shape so as to engage with the pair of second convex portions 57 that are separated in the vehicle width direction. Even if the stroke of the column (outer column 28) is not set long, the impact energy can be absorbed with certainty, so that it is possible to provide a shock absorbing steering device having a compact structure.
In addition, by appropriately changing the arrangement positions of the pair of first protrusions 54, the pair of second protrusions 57, and the third protrusions 58, and the two-dimensional shape of the energy absorbing member 59, the stroke of the steering column can be arbitrarily set. The shock absorption capacity can be adjusted.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, FIG. 12 shows a main part of the shock absorption type steering column device 12 in which the energy absorbing member of the fifth embodiment according to the present invention is arranged.
In the present embodiment, a pair of cylindrical first protrusions 60 are formed on the upper surface of the upper plate 32b of the movable bracket 32 so as to protrude from each other in the vehicle width direction.

  The bracket body 30a has an opening hole 61 that opens in the vertical direction. A cylindrical shape is formed at the center in the vehicle width direction of the step surface 62 that is formed so as to surround the rear side of the opening hole 61 in the vehicle front-rear direction. A second convex portion 63 is formed. Further, the wall 30j that rises while extending in the vehicle front-rear direction between the contact surface 30f that contacts the vehicle body side member 22 and the stepped surface 30g is arranged in the vehicle width direction toward the second convex portion 63. A pair of cylindrical third protrusions 64 protruding toward the direction are formed.

The energy absorbing member 65 of this embodiment is also excellent in corrosion resistance with an increased content of chromium and nickel, such as a piano wire (for example, SWRS82A) and a stainless wire (for example, SUS301). It is made of uniform steel wire.
The energy absorbing member 65 includes a central curved portion 65a, a pair of first curved portions 65b formed in the same plane continuously from both ends of the central curved portion 65a, and a continuous pair of these first curved portions 65b. A steel product including a pair of second curved portions 65c formed in a plane orthogonal to the plane described above, and a pair of straight portions 65d extending in a direction away from the pair of second curved portions 53c. A member obtained by bending a wire three-dimensionally.

  The central curved portion 65a of the energy absorbing member 65 is stretched over the curved surface of the second convex portion 63 facing the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the pair of first curved portions 65b are located above the opening hole 61 of the support bracket 30. The pair of first convex portions 60 projecting on the curved surfaces facing forward in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the pair of second curved portions 65c project inward in the vehicle width direction from the wall portion 30j of the bracket body 30a. The pair of third convex portions 64 are spanned, and the pair of linear portions 65d are mounted between the support bracket 30 and the movable bracket 32 in a state of extending toward the front in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Here, the moving member of the claim corresponds to the first convex portion 60, the fixed member of the claim corresponds to the second convex portion 63, the third convex portion 64, and the plastic deformation portion of the claim is the central curved portion 65a. , Corresponding to the first bending portion 65b and the second bending portion 65c.
In the present embodiment, at the time of the secondary collision, when the outer column 28 strokes and the pair of first convex portions 60 are displaced forward in the vehicle front-rear direction, the pair of first curved portions 65b of the energy absorbing member 53 is paired with the first pair of first convex portions 60b. The first convex portion 60 is plastically deformed, the central curved portion 65a is plastically deformed by the second convex portion 63, and the pair of second curved portions 65c and the pair of linear portions 65d are a pair of third convex portions 64. It is handled by the plastic deformation.

  As described above, the energy absorbing member 65 of the present embodiment is formed inward in the vehicle width direction from the pair of first and second convex portions 60 and 63 and the wall portion 30j that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. It is formed by bending the metal wire into a three-dimensional shape so as to engage with the pair of protruding third convex portions 64, and even if the stroke of the steering column (outer column 28) is not set long, the impact Since energy can be absorbed reliably, a shock absorbing steering device having a compact structure can be provided.

In addition, a pair of first convex portions 60 and second convex portions 63 that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of third convex portions 64 that protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from the wall portion 30j. By appropriately changing the position and the three-dimensional shape of the energy absorbing member 48, it is possible to adjust the shock absorbing capacity with an arbitrary stroke of the steering column.
In each embodiment, five moving members (for example, the first convex portion 32d in the first embodiment) and fixing members (for example, the second convex portion 30h and the third convex portion 30i in the first embodiment) are provided. The gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effects as those of the embodiments can be obtained by providing five or more locations.

  In the first and second embodiments, the first convex portion 32d, in the third embodiment, the pair of first convex portions 51, in the fourth embodiment, the pair of first convex portions 54, and in the fifth embodiment, the pair of first convex portions. The convex portion 60 is integrated with the moving bracket 32. In the first and second embodiments, the pair of second convex portions 30h and the pair of third convex portions 30i, and in the third embodiment, the three second convex portions 52, the fourth. In the embodiment, the pair of second protrusions 57 and the third protrusions 5 are integrated into the support bracket 30 in the fifth embodiment, and the second protrusion 63 and the pair of third protrusions 64 are integrated in the support bracket 30. The gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and a part integrated with the moving bracket 32 is integrated with the support bracket 30, and a part integrated with the support bracket 30 is integrated with the moving bracket 32. The direction of the vehicle's longitudinal direction To to be engaged, it is possible to achieve the same effect.

In addition, when a portion of the energy absorbing member of each embodiment that comes into contact with the moving bracket 32 and the member formed on the support bracket is subjected to a coating process, or grease is applied to reduce friction at the time of contact, It is possible to prevent a change in impact load absorption characteristics of each energy absorbing member.
Furthermore, although the cross-sectional shape of the energy absorbing member of each embodiment is a perfect circle shape, other cross-sectional shapes may be used.

It is the schematic of the steering mechanism part of the motor vehicle carrying the shock absorption type steering column apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the shock absorption type steering column apparatus which concerns on this invention from the vehicle width direction. It is an AA arrow directional view of FIG. It is the BB arrow directional view of FIG. 2 which showed the shape of the energy absorption member of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the plastic deformation state of the energy absorption member of 1st Embodiment in the stroke latter half of a steering column. It is a graph which shows the shock absorption characteristic of the shock absorption type steering column apparatus using the energy absorption member of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the impact absorption type steering column apparatus using the energy absorption member of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the shock absorption type steering column apparatus using the energy absorption member of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the impact absorption type steering column apparatus using the energy absorption member of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the plastic deformation state of the energy absorption member of 4th Embodiment in the middle stroke of a steering column. It is a figure which shows the plastic deformation state of the energy absorption member of 4th Embodiment in the stroke latter half of a steering column. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the shock absorption type steering column apparatus using the energy absorption member of 5th Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the shock absorption characteristic of the conventional shock absorption type steering column apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Steering shaft, 12 ... Shock absorption type steering column apparatus, 13 ... Steering wheel, 14 ... Universal joint, 15 ... Intermediate shaft, 16 ... Universal joint, 17 ... Steering gear, 18 ... Tie rod, 19 ... Steering wheel, 20 ... Inner column, 22 ... car body side member, 24 ... pivot pin, 26 ... column connecting bracket, 26a ... connecting linear part, 28 ... outer column, 30a ... bracket body, 30b ... connecting linear part, 30c ... guide groove, 30d ... first 1 opening hole, 30e ... 2nd opening hole, 30f ... contact surface, 30g ... step surface, 30h ... 2nd convex part, 30i ... 3rd convex part, 30j ... wall part, 32 ... moving bracket, 32a ... side plate, 32b ... Upper plate, 32c ... Guide rail, 32d ... First convex part, 34 ... Distance bracket, 36 ... Column side through hole, 40 ... Bracket side passage 42 ... tilt rod 44 ... operating lever 46 ... lock mechanism 48 ... energy absorbing member 48a ... center bending portion 48b ... first bending portion 48c ... first straight portion 48d ... second bending portion 48e ... 2nd linear part, 48f ... 2nd curved part, 48g ... 2nd linear part, 50 ... Fixing bolt, 51 ... 1st convex part, 52 ... 2nd convex part, 53 ... Energy absorption member, 53a ... Central curved part 53b ... first bending portion, 53c ... second bending portion, 53d ... linear portion, 54 ... first convex portion, 55 ... opening hole, 56a ... first step surface, 56b ... second step surface, 57 ... second. Convex part, 58 ... third convex part, 59 ... energy absorbing member, 59a ... first straight part, 59b ... R part, 59c second straight part, 60 ... first convex part, 61 ... opening hole, 62 ... step surface 63 ... 2nd convex part, 64 ... 3rd convex part, 65 ... Energy absorption member, 65a ... Central bay Department, 65b ... first curved portion, 65c ... second curved portion, 65d ... straight portion, P ... peripheral components

Claims (4)

A steering column that supports a steering shaft in a rotatable manner and strokes forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the event of a secondary collision, and a vehicle that is fixed to a vehicle body side member and receives an impact during a secondary collision A fixed member that does not displace in the front-rear direction, a moving member that is fixed to the steering column, and a state in which the moving member and the fixing member are engaged with each other, and a secondary collision occurs due to plastic deformation accompanying the stroke of the steering column. An energy absorbing member that absorbs the impact load at the time, and an impact absorbing steering column device comprising:
The moving member and the fixed member are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction, or the moving member and the fixed member are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction, and at least one of the moving member and the fixed member is arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction. By disposing in the direction, the moving member and the fixed member are provided at least five locations,
The energy absorbing member is a metal wire formed by being bent into a two-dimensional shape or a three-dimensional shape that is plastically deformed by engaging the moving member and the fixed member at the five positions by the stroke of the steering column. A shock-absorbing steering column device characterized by   The said energy absorption member is provided with the plastic deformation increase part which engages with one of the said moving member and the said fixed member in the latter half stroke of the said steering column, and increases a plastic deformation amount. Shock-absorbing steering column device.   The surfaces of the moving member and the fixed member that engage with the energy absorbing member are arcuate surfaces, and the plastically deformed portion of the energy absorbing member that plastically deforms in contact with the arcuate surface is engaged along the arcuate surface. The shock absorbing steering column device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shock absorbing steering column device has a shape bent to a predetermined curvature.   4. The shock absorbing type according to claim 3, further comprising a curvature increase preventing portion that prevents the curvature of the plastic deformation portion from increasing when the energy absorbing member plastically deforms along the arc surface. Steering column device.

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