JP2010030579A - Steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering column device capable of improving operability of an operation lever, and firmly holding a lock condition of an inner tube. <P>SOLUTION: This steering column device includes an upper clamp 7, a distance bracket 8 fixed to an outer tube 4, a clamp bolt 9 including a shank 9b inserted in tilt long holes formed in the upper clamp 7 and telescopic long holes formed in the distance bracket 8, an operation lever 10 configured to rotate integrally with the bolt 9, and a cam body 11 consisting of an eccentric cam 41 provided on the shank 9b with its radial dimension gradually changing in its circumferential direction, and a ring 42 rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 41. The cam body 11 is rotated and pressed, thereby locking the inner tube 5 to the outer tube 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,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, generally, at the same time as telescopic adjustment, an eccentric cam mounted on the outer periphery of a clamping bolt to be rotated integrally with the bolt is press-fitted to the inner tube constituting the steering column. Thus, the inner tube is pressed against the inner periphery of the outer tube, and the inner tube is locked with respect to the outer tube, so that the play (gap in the radial direction) between the inner tube and the outer tube is removed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3783524

  By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the shaft portion of the clamping bolt serving as the rotation shaft of the eccentric cam is disposed outside the outer tube, it is necessary to set a large interval between the shaft portion and the inner tube. Since the eccentric cam's radial dimension (dimension from the center of rotation to the cam outer peripheral surface) is relatively large, it is necessary to rotate the eccentric cam during locking to obtain the force to press the inner tube on the cam outer peripheral surface. However, a large tightening torque is required, and the operation lever has to be operated with a large force, resulting in poor operability.

  In addition, when a force in the contraction direction is applied to the steering column while the inner tube is locked to the outer tube by the eccentric cam, the inner tube biases the eccentric cam in the unlocking direction with a frictional force. The eccentric cam rotates and the locked state of the inner tube is released, so that a so-called operation lever return may occur.

  In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention can improve the operability by reducing the operating force of the operating lever for locking and releasing the steering, and can firmly hold the locked state of the inner tube and the outer tube. An object is to provide a column device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, one end is supported by the vehicle body, 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 the upper shaft is installed inside. An outer tube having a through hole that is slidably disposed along the outer circumference of the inner tube so as to be telescopically adjustable and that is open along the axial direction at a portion overlapping the inner tube. A clamp bracket having a distance bracket fixedly disposed on the outer tube, a long hole formed in the distance bracket, and a shaft portion rotatably supported by the clamp, and the clamp bolt integrated And an operating lever that rotates in the direction of the diameter of the clamping bolt. An eccentric cam that gradually changes along the direction, and a ring that is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam, and the operation lever is rotated to rotate the eccentric cam to connect the ring to the inner tube. The inner tube is pressed against and engaged with the outer tube by pressing against the outer tube.

  A second aspect of the invention is the steering column device according to the first aspect, wherein the hole of the clamp is formed as an arc-shaped long hole along the vehicle vertical direction so that the tilt can be adjusted. To do.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the bolt and the eccentric cam are configured separately.

  Invention of Claim 4 is a steering column apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3, Comprising: An elastic claw and a hook-shaped member are provided in the eccentric cam, These elastic claw and hook-shaped member are the said, The ring is rotatably engaged and held on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein one end is in contact with the outer periphery of the ring and the other end is locked to the clamp, and the distance is An urging member is provided to urge the bracket upward.

  The invention of claim 6 is the steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner tube is made of a metal material and the ring is made of a resin material. To do.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the pair of side plates constituting the distance bracket are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle in the vicinity of the through hole. A shoulder portion wider than the through hole is provided on the outer periphery in the width direction and radially inward of the outer periphery of the ring, and the pair of width direction end faces of the ring are between the pair of side plates. The shoulder portion of the ring is disposed so as to be in contact with the periphery of the through hole while being disposed in proximity to be able to contact.

  In the first aspect of the invention, when the operating lever is turned from the unlocked position to the locked position and the eccentric cam is rotated in the locking direction via the clamping bolt, the radial dimension of the eccentric cam is along the circumferential direction. The inner tube gradually increases and presses the inner tube toward the outer tube through the ring, so that the inner tube is brought into pressure contact with the outer tube and locked. When the operating lever is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position and the cam body is rotated in the unlocking direction via the clamping bolt, the radial dimension of the eccentric cam gradually decreases along the circumferential direction. Since the ring is detached from the inner tube, the state where the inner tube is pressed and engaged (locked) with the outer tube is released, and the outer tube can be telescopically adjusted with a small operating force against the inner tube (axial direction) Slidable).

  Since the inner tube is pressed and engaged via a ring attached to the outer periphery of the eccentric cam, the radial dimension of the eccentric cam can be reduced, and the outer peripheral surface of the ring is attached to the inner tube by rotating the eccentric cam when locked. When pressing, the tightening torque of the clamping bolt can be reduced, so that the operating force of the operating lever can be reduced and the operability can be improved.

  In addition, when the inner tube is locked against the outer tube by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the ring against the outer tube, and a force in the contraction direction is applied to the steering column tube, the ring is locked by the friction force through the inner tube. The ring rotates by being biased in the release direction, but slippage occurs between the ring and the eccentric cam, and the rotation of the eccentric cam in the unlocking direction can be suppressed, so the inner tube and outer tube are locked. Can be held firmly. Further, by reducing the diameter of the eccentric cam in the radial direction relative to the eccentric cam without the ring, the torque that drives the eccentric cam in the unlocking direction when urged in the unlocking direction via the ring is increased. Therefore, the rotation of the eccentric cam in the unlocking direction can also be suppressed in this respect.

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

  In the invention of claim 3, since the bolt and the eccentric cam are configured separately, the bolt and the eccentric cam can be easily formed of different materials and shapes according to the functions required for each component.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the ring mounted on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam is rotatably held by the elastic claw and the hook-shaped member provided on the eccentric cam, the work for assembling the ring to the eccentric cam is easy.

  In the invention according to claim 5, one end of the urging member is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the ring, the other end is locked to the clamp, and the distance bracket is urged upward, so that the distance bracket is moved upward at a substantially central position. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of moment in the rotation direction of the distance bracket, to prevent the pressing force from the distance bracket to the side plate of the upper clamp, and to easily perform the tilt and telescopic operations.

  In the invention of claim 6, when the inner tube is formed of a metal material and the ring is formed of a resin material, the operation lever is operated, and the inner tube is pressed against the outer tube via the ring. Since the friction with the tube can be set larger than when the metals are brought into contact with each other, the tightening torque of the clamping bolt can be reduced, so that the operating force of the operating lever can be reduced and the operability can be improved. Furthermore, since the ring is made of resin, the degree of freedom is increased with respect to the outer peripheral shape of the ring against which the urging member abuts, and the urging member can be disposed so as to act appropriately.

  In the invention of claim 7, the pair of width direction end faces of the ring are disposed so as to be in contact with each other between the pair of side plates, and the shoulder portion of the ring is disposed so as to be able to contact with the periphery of the through hole. Therefore, when assembling the ring and the eccentric cam, positioning in the vertical direction of the vehicle is facilitated, and the ring is prevented from falling in the horizontal direction of the vehicle. Can be improved.

  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 a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an axial view schematically showing a main part of the steering column device. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a locked state, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a unlocked state, and FIG. 4 is an assembly perspective view of a cam body including an eccentric cam and a ring. 5 is a front view of the cam body, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cam body, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state where the ring is removed from the eccentric cam. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ring is removed from the eccentric cam, FIG. 10 is a front view of the clamping bolt, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow XI-XI 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 of the first embodiment supports a steering shaft 2 in which a steering wheel (not shown) is fixed to an axial upper end (right end in FIG. 1) so as to be rotatable. 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 and a cam body 11 that rotates as the operation lever 10 rotates and presses the inner tube 5 against the outer tube 4 are provided.

  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. 10 and 11, 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. The nut 9g is screwed into the threaded portion 9e at the tip of the bolt 9, whereby the upper clamp 7 and the distance bracket 8 are sandwiched between the head 9a of the bolt 9 and the nut 9g.

  The cam body 11 is provided on the shaft portion 9 b of the bolt 9, and is mounted rotatably on the resin-made eccentric cam 41 whose radial dimension gradually changes along the circumferential direction, and on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 41. The ring 42 is configured. The eccentric cam 41 includes a pair of cylindrical portions 43 and 44 that extend in the axial direction and are connected to each other at one end. A large-diameter portion 43a that is eccentric in the radial direction is formed at the connecting end portion of the cylindrical portions 43 and 44. Has been. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 43 a is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions 43 and 44 and is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ring 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the eccentric cam 41 rotates around the rotation center C1, and the center C2 of the large-diameter portion 43a is eccentric from the rotation center C1 by a predetermined distance D1 in the radial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the large-diameter portion 43a and the ring 42 enter the outer tube 4 through a through hole 4a formed in a portion overlapping the inner tube 5 of the outer tube 4 when locked. The inner tube 5 is pressed against the outer tube 4 by the pressure contact engagement (lock) 42 with the inner tube 5. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the lock is released, the large diameter portion 43a and the ring 42 are retracted to the outside of the outer tube 4 and the ring 42 is detached from the inner tube 5, whereby the inner tube 5 is moved to the outer tube. The state of being pressed against the tube 4 is released. When the ring 42 is engaged with the inner tube 5 at the time of locking and unlocking, the rotation of the ring 42 is stopped by friction with the inner tube 5, while the ring 42 is engaged with the inner tube 5. When not, the ring 42 rotates with the eccentric cam 41. The eccentric cam 41 is rotated 180 ° from the unlocked state shown in FIG. 3 (b) to the locked state shown in FIG. 3 (a) to obtain the cam lift amount D2 (D1 × 2).

  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 eccentric cam 41 by meshing with the serrations 43b and 44b.

  Engaging grooves 42a and 42b are provided at both ends of the inner periphery of the ring 42, respectively. The cylindrical portions 43 and 44 are provided with hook-shaped members 43c and 44c that are disposed so as to sandwich the ring 42 from both sides in the axial direction and engage with the engaging grooves 42a and 42b. Further, by providing a pair of cuts 44d extending in parallel to the axial direction in the connecting end portion of the other cylindrical portion 44 and the portion that is most eccentric in the radial direction of the flange-shaped member 44c and the opposing portion, A pair of elastic claws 44e including a part of the hook-shaped member 44c is configured. When the cam body 11 is assembled, the ring 42 is inserted from the one cylindrical portion 44 side until it hits the flange-like member 43c, and the flange-like member 43c is engaged with the engagement groove 42a of the ring 42, so that the large-diameter portion 43a. A ring 42 is attached to the outer periphery of the ring. At this time, the ring 42 abuts against the tapered portion of the hook-shaped member 44c, so that the ring 42 engages the engagement groove 42b of the ring 42 with the pair of elastic claws 44e pushed into the inner diameter side. After the mating, the pair of elastic claws 44e return to their original state by elastic force, and the other cylindrical portion 44 is assembled. Thereby, the ring 42 attached to the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 41 is held rotatably with respect to the eccentric cam 41.

  Next, the operation will be described. By rotating the operation lever 10 to the lock position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 and tightening the bolt 9, the upper clamp 7 and the distance bracket 8 cannot be relatively moved between the head 9a and the nut 9g of the bolt 9. The steering wheel tilt adjustment (swing in the vertical direction of the vehicle) and telescopic adjustment (sliding along the axial direction) can both be disabled. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the eccentric cam 41 rotates in the locking direction (arrow A1 direction) and the ring 42 moves in the direction of the inner tube 5 (arrow A2 direction) to press against the inner tube 5 By engaging, the inner tube 5 is pressed against the outer tube 4, so that the play (gap in the radial direction) between the inner tube 5 and the outer tube 4 is removed.

  Further, by rotating the operation lever 10 to the unlocking position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and loosening the bolt 9, the upper clamp 7 and the distance bracket 8 are interposed between the head 9a and the nut 9g of the bolt 9. Can be moved relative to each other, and both tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment of the steering wheel can be performed. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the eccentric cam 41 rotates in the unlocking direction (arrow A3 direction) and moves in the direction of detachment from the inner tube 5 (arrow A4 direction). Is released from the outer tube 4, so that the outer tube 4 can be telescopically adjusted (slidable in the axial direction) with a small operating force relative to the inner tube 5.

  According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the inner tube 5 is pressed and engaged through the ring 42 attached to the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 41, so that the radial dimension R of the eccentric cam 41 is Since the tightening torque of the clamping bolt 9 can be reduced when the eccentric cam 41 is rotated during locking, the operating force of the operating lever 10 can be reduced and the operability can be improved.

  In addition, when the inner tube 5 is locked to the outer tube 4 by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the ring 42 against the inner tube 5 and a force in the contraction direction is applied to the steering column tube 3, The ring 42 rotates when the ring 42 is urged in the unlocking direction by the frictional force, but slippage occurs between the ring 42 and the eccentric cam 41, and the rotation of the eccentric cam 41 in the unlocking 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 eccentric cam 41 is smaller than that of the eccentric cam that does not pass through the ring 42, the eccentric cam 41 is driven in the unlocking direction when urged in the unlocking direction via the ring 42. Therefore, the rotation of the eccentric cam 41 in the unlocking direction can also be suppressed in this respect.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the bolt 9 and the eccentric cam 41 are comprised separately, the bolt 9 and the eccentric cam 41 can be easily formed with different materials and shapes according to the functions required for each component. For example, the bolt 9 is made of metal, and the eccentric cam 41 is made of resin.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the ring 42 is mounted on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 41 and the ring 42 is rotatably held by the elastic claw 44e provided on the eccentric cam 41, so that the eccentric cam 41 and the ring 42 are separated from each other. The cam body 11 can be easily assembled.

12 to 17 show a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a steering column device, FIG. 13 is a front view of the steering column device, and FIG. 14 is a view of the steering column device viewed from below. 15 is a side view for explaining the operation of the spring member, FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along arrow XVI-XVI in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the spring member.

  As shown in FIGS. 12-17, the steering column apparatus 51 of 2nd Embodiment is the structure substantially the same as 1st Embodiment, and the steering column tube 52 which supports a steering shaft (not shown) so that rotation is possible. It has. The steering column tube 52 has an outer tube 53 and an inner tube 54 which are fitted so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction, and these tubes 53 and 54 support a steering shaft so as to be rotatable. .

  The lower end portion 54a in the axial direction of the inner tube 54 is supported by the vehicle body 55 via a tilt shaft (not shown) or the like by being fixed to a lower support bracket (not shown) by welding or the like. The entire steering column tube 52 is rotatable around the tilt axis.

  Further, the steering column device 51 includes an upper clamp 56 as a clamp having an approximately U-shape that is disposed on the upper end side in the axial direction of the steering column tube 52 and is fixed to the vehicle body 55 and has a substantially downward U shape, and a steering column tube. A distance bracket 57 fixed to the outer tube 53 of the 52 by welding or the like and disposed inside the upper clamp 56, a clamp bolt 58 passing through the upper clamp 56 and the distance bracket 57, and an axis of the bolt 58 An operation lever 59 that is rotated and a cam body 60 that rotates as the operation lever 59 rotates and presses the inner tube 54 against the outer tube 53 are provided.

  The upper clamp 56 has a pair of side plates 61 and 62 that are substantially L-shaped opposite to each other, and an upper plate 63 that connects the upper portions of the side plates 61 and 62 to each other. It is fixed to. In the both side plates 61 and 62 of the upper clamp 56, a tilting long hole 65 having an arc shape along the vehicle vertical direction is formed.

  The distance bracket 57 has an approximately U-shape that is open upward, and includes a pair of side plates 66 and 67 and a bottom plate 68 that connects the lower ends of the side plates 66 and 67. Telescopic long holes 69 (holes) are formed in the side plates 66 and 67 of the distance bracket 57 along the axial direction of the steering column tube 52.

  The clamp bolt 58 includes a head portion 58a and a shaft portion 58b, and penetrates from one side of the upper clamp 56 to the other side. The head portion 58a has a hexagonal hole at the end, and the shaft portion 58b has a screw portion 58c at the tip. The nut 58d is screwed into the screw portion 58c at the tip of the bolt 58, whereby the upper clamp 56 and the distance bracket 57 are sandwiched between the head 58a of the bolt 58 and the nut 58d.

  The cam body 60 is provided on the shaft portion 58b of the bolt 58, and is mounted rotatably on the resin-made eccentric cam 70 whose radial dimension gradually changes along the circumferential direction, and on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 70. It is composed of a ring 71. As in the first embodiment, the eccentric cam 70 rotates about the rotation center of the shaft portion 58b and is eccentric from the rotation center by a predetermined distance D1 in the radial direction. The center of the eccentric cam 70 in the axial direction is on the center line CL in the width direction of the upper clamp 56 and the distance bracket 57.

  On the outer periphery of the ring 71, a curved surface 72 having a recessed central portion in the axial direction is formed over the entire periphery. The upper clamp 56 is provided with a balance spring 83 as a biasing member having a pair of coil springs 73 and 74 for biasing the distance bracket 57 upward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 15). The coil springs 73 and 74 are of a so-called double torsion type formed symmetrically, and contact portions 73 a and 74 a that contact the curved surface 72 of the outer periphery of the ring 71 are formed on one end side of the coil springs 73 and 74. ing. This is because the abutting portions 73 a and 74 a are not easily detached from the ring 71 by making the outer peripheral surface of the ring 71 a curved surface 72. The contact portions 73a and 74a are arranged in parallel with a relatively small interval, and are connected to each other via a connecting portion 75. On the other end side of the coil springs 73 and 74, locking portions 73 b and 74 b are formed that are respectively locked to the notches 61 a and 62 a formed in front of the side plates 61 and 62 of the upper clamp 56.

  When the balance spring 83 is assembled, the locking portions 73b and 74b of the coil springs 73 and 74 are locked to the notches 61a and 62a of the side plates 61 and 62 of the upper clamp 56, respectively, and the contact portions 73a and 74a are locked. The balance spring 83 is attached to the upper clamp 56 by contacting the curved surface 72 on the outer periphery of the ring 71. When the balance spring 83 is attached to the upper clamp 56 in this way, an elastic force that attracts each other upward in FIG. 15 acts between the contact portions 73a and 74a and the locking portions 73b and 74b. By urging the distance bracket 57 upward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 15) via the ring 71 by the portions 73a and 74a, it is possible to suppress the steering column tube 52 from dropping due to gravity to some extent. In addition, since the steering column tube 52 is urged upward in the tilt operation, positioning in the vertical direction is facilitated.

  At the time of locking, the eccentric cam 70 and the ring 71 enter the outer tube 53 through a through hole 53a formed in a portion overlapping the inner tube 54 of the outer tube 53, and the ring 71 is press-engaged (locked) to the inner tube 54. ), The inner tube 54 is pressed against the outer tube 53. Further, when the lock is released, the eccentric cam 70 and the ring 71 are retracted to the outside of the outer tube 53 and the ring 71 is detached from the inner tube 54, so that the state where the inner tube 54 is pressed against the outer tube 53 is released. Has been. When the ring 71 is engaged with the inner tube 54 at the time of locking and unlocking, the rotation of the ring 71 is stopped by friction with the inner tube 54, while the ring 71 is engaged with the inner tube 54. When not, the ring 71 rotates with the eccentric cam 70. Note that the cam lift amount (D1 × 2) is obtained by rotating the eccentric cam 70 by 180 ° from the unlocked state to the locked state shown in FIG. Needless to say, the angle of rotation is not limited to 180 ° and can be changed depending on the specification.

  Next, the operation will be described. By rotating the operation lever 59 to the lock position and tightening the bolt 58, the upper clamp 56 and the distance bracket 57 can be clamped between the head 58a and the nut 58d of the bolt 58 so as not to be relatively movable. Thus, both the tilt adjustment of the steering wheel (swing in the vehicle vertical direction) and the telescopic adjustment (sliding along the axial direction) can be disabled. At the same time, the eccentric cam 70 rotates in the locking direction, and the ring 71 moves in the direction of the inner tube 54 and press-fits the inner tube 54, so that the inner tube 54 is pressed against the outer tube 53. The play (gap in the radial direction) between the inner tube 54 and the outer tube 53 is removed.

  In addition, the upper clamp 56 and the distance bracket 57 can be relatively moved between the head 58a and the nut 58d of the bolt 58 by loosening the bolt 58 by rotating the operation lever 59 to the unlocking position. Thus, both tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment of the steering wheel can be made possible. At the same time, the eccentric cam 70 rotates in the unlocking direction and the ring 71 moves away from the inner tube 54, so that the state in which the inner tube 54 is pressed against the outer tube 53 is released. The outer tube 53 can be telescopically adjusted (slidable in the axial direction) with a small operating force with respect to the tube 54.

  According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since the inner tube 54 is pressed and engaged via the ring 71 attached to the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 70, the radial dimension of the eccentric cam 70 is reduced. Since the tightening torque of the clamping bolt 58 can be reduced when the eccentric cam 70 is rotated at the time of locking, the operating force of the operating lever 59 can be reduced and the operability can be improved.

  Further, when a force in the contraction direction is applied to the steering column tube 52 while the inner tube 54 is locked to the outer tube 53 by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the ring 71 against the inner tube 54, The ring 71 is rotated when the ring 71 is urged in the unlocking direction by the frictional force, but slippage occurs between the ring 71 and the eccentric cam 70 to suppress the rotation of the eccentric cam 70 in the unlocking direction. Therefore, the rotation of the operation lever 59 in the releasing direction can be suppressed, and the locked state of the inner tube and the outer tube can be firmly held. Further, the eccentric cam 70 is driven in the unlocking direction when the radial cam 70 is urged in the unlocking direction via the ring 71 because the eccentric cam 70 has a smaller radial dimension than the eccentric cam. Since the torque is small, the rotation of the eccentric cam 70 in the unlocking direction can also be suppressed in this respect.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the bolt 58 and the eccentric cam 70 are configured separately, so that the bolt 58 and the eccentric cam 70 can be easily formed of different materials and shapes according to the functions required for each component. it can. For example, the bolt 58 is made of metal, and the eccentric cam 70 is made of resin.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, when the distance is released, the distance spring 57 is biased upward by the balance spring 83, so that the steering column tube 52 can be prevented from dropping due to gravity to some extent. Further, since the steering column tube 52 is urged upward in the tilt operation, the steering column tube 52 can be easily positioned. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, it is not always necessary that both the contact portions 73 a and 74 a contact the curved surface 72 on the outer periphery of the ring 71, and only one of the contact portions 73 a and 74 a is the ring 71. The same effect can be obtained even when the outer curved surface 72 is contacted and urged toward the inner tube 54.

  Further, the contact portions 73a and 74a of the balance spring 83 are arranged in parallel with a relatively small interval and contact the approximate center of the curved surface 72 of the ring 71 in the axial direction, that is, the contact portions 73a and 74a. Is in contact with the curved surface 72 in the vicinity of the center line CL in the width direction of the upper clamp 56 and the distance bracket 57, so that the moment in the rotational direction generated in a direction inclined from the center line CL in the width direction of the distance bracket 57 is suppressed. Further, since the pressing force against the side plates 61 and 62 from the distance bracket 57 to the upper clamp 56 can be eliminated and the frictional resistance between them can be reduced, the tilting operation is easy.

  18 to 20 show a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the main part of the steering column device, FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the spring member, and FIG. It is a figure explaining a state. 18 to 20, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 17 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The balance spring 84 provided in the steering column device 81 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 is a so-called single torsion type in which one coil spring 82 is provided on either the left or right side, and the other configuration is fundamental. The same as in the second embodiment. On one end side of the coil spring 82, an abutting portion 82a that abuts on the curved surface 72 on the outer periphery of the ring 71 is formed. On the other end side of the coil spring 82, a locking portion 82b that is locked to a notch 62a formed in the side plate 62 of the upper clamp 56 is formed. When the balance spring 84 is attached to the upper clamp 56, an elastic force is applied between the abutting portion 82a and the locking portion 82b in the upward direction of FIG. 19, so that the distance bracket is interposed via the ring 71 by the abutting portion 82a. 57 is biased upward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 19).

  Even in the steering column device 81 of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment described above can be obtained.

  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-described embodiment, the rings 42 and 71 are rotatably mounted on the outer circumferences of the eccentric cams 41 and 70, but a coating or grease of a low friction material is further interposed between the eccentric cams 41 and 70 and the rings 42 and 71. Alternatively, the operation force of the operation levers 10 and 59 can be further reduced by reducing the friction between the eccentric cams 41 and 70 and the rings 42 and 71 by using a bearing.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the volt | bolts 9 and 58 and the eccentric cams 41 and 70 were comprised separately was illustrated, instead of comprising separately, if a volt | bolt and eccentric cams are comprised integrally, the number of parts will be increased. Can be reduced.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the rings 42 and 71 that are rotatably mounted on the outer circumferences of the eccentric cams 41 and 70 are illustrated, but by providing other rings having different radial thicknesses. Using the same eccentric cams 41 and 70, it is possible to cope with a vehicle type in which the distances between the operation levers 10 and 59 and the inner tubes 5 and 54 of the steering column tubes 3 and 52 are 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. In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the outer periphery of the ring 71 is a curved surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the contact portions 73a and 74a of the balance spring 83 do not come off the ring 71, the first It may be flat like the outer periphery of the ring 71 of the embodiment.

  21 and 22 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is an assembled perspective view of a cam body including an eccentric cam and a ring, and FIG. 22 is a front view of the cam body. 21 and 22, the same components as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The cam body 11 provided in the steering column device 1 of the first embodiment is a combination of the resin eccentric cam 41 and the metal ring 42, and the elastic claw 44e provided on the eccentric cam 41 is a ring. The ring 42 is rotatably held on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 41 by being engaged with the ring 42. However, the cam body 91 of the fourth embodiment includes a metal eccentric cam 92 and a resin ring 93, and the elastic claw 93 a is formed on the inner peripheral side of the ring 93. The outer tube 4 and the inner tube 5 are made of a metal material as in the first embodiment, and other configurations are basically the same as those in the first embodiment.

  When assembling the cam body 91, the ring 93 is inserted from one cylindrical portion 43 side of the eccentric cam 92 until it hits the hook-like member 43c (not shown), and the hook-like member 43c is engaged with the engagement groove 42a (not shown) of the ring 93. In combination, the ring 93 is mounted on the outer periphery of the large-diameter portion 43a. At this time, the eccentric cam 92 moves in the ring 23 with the flange-shaped member 43c and the large-diameter portion 43a pushing the pair of elastic claws 44e outward, and the outer periphery of the large-diameter portion 43a as described above. When the ring 43 abuts, the pair of elastic claws 44e is positioned on the side surface 43d of the large diameter portion 43a. It is done. Thereby, the ring 42 attached to the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 92 is held rotatably with respect to the eccentric cam 92.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the inner tube 5 is made of a metal material and the ring 93 is made of a resin material, so that the operation lever 10 is operated, and the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 5 is placed on the outer surface via the ring 93. When pressing against the inner peripheral surface of the tube 4, the friction between the ring 93 and the inner tube 5 can be set larger than when the metals are brought into contact with each other, and the tightening torque of the clamping bolt 9 can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the force and improve operability.

  23 to 26 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 23 is an assembled perspective view of a cam body comprising an eccentric cam and a ring, FIG. 24 is a side view of the cam body, and FIG. 25 is a front view of the cam body. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the steering column device. In FIGS. 23 to 26, the same components as those in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 17 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The outer tube 53 provided in the steering column device 51 of the second embodiment is formed with a pair of side plates 67 that constitute a distance bracket 57 and are fixedly disposed along the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction. However, in the fifth embodiment, the pair of side plates 98a are formed integrally with the outer tube 53 in the vicinity of the edge portion of the through hole 53a along the vehicle front-rear direction. In the cam body 60 provided in the steering column device 51 of the second embodiment, the ring 71 has a constant width along the circumferential direction, and a balance spring 83 is disposed in contact with the outer periphery of the ring 71. However, in the fifth embodiment, the shape of the ring 97 is greatly different.

  The ring 97 according to the fifth embodiment is located on the vehicle upper side, is inserted into the through hole 53a, and is formed so as to be able to contact the inner tube 54. The width of the ring outer periphery with respect to the pressing portion 97a A shoulder portion 97b formed wider than the through hole 53a is provided on the outer side in the direction and on the inner side in the radial direction. The width direction end face 97c of the ring 97 is set so that the dimension between the width direction end faces 97c is slightly smaller than the dimension between the pair of side plates 98a. Thus, as in the fourth embodiment, the ring 97 is assembled to the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 96 to form the cam body 95, and when the cam body 95 is disposed between the side plates 98a of the distance bracket 98, the shoulder portion The width direction end face 97c is disposed close to the side plate 98a while 97b is disposed close to the periphery of the through hole 53a.

  The ring 97 is formed with a spring receiving portion 97d at a beam portion that is located on the vehicle lower side and protrudes outward in the width direction from the pressing portion 97a. Then, in the state assembled to the steering column device 51, as in the second embodiment, the balance spring 83 is disposed in the spring receiving portion 97d as shown in FIG. 26, and is biased and held above the vehicle.

  According to the fifth embodiment, when the cam body 95 is assembled to the distance bracket 98, the outer tube 53 is placed upside down on the desk, and the cam body 95 is disposed between the distance brackets 98, The pressing portion 97a is inserted into the through hole 53a. Here, the shoulder 97b of the ring 97 abuts on the peripheral edge of the through hole 53a, preventing the ring 97 from falling into the through hole 53a, and facilitating positioning in the vehicle vertical direction.

  Further, the width direction end surface 97c of the ring 97 is set to be slightly smaller than the dimension between the side plates 98a of the distance bracket 98, so that the shoulder 97b is in contact with the periphery of the through hole 53a, Even if the ring 97 is inclined, the end surface 97c in the width direction abuts on the side plate 98a of the distance bracket 98, and the ring 97 is prevented from falling in the lateral direction of the vehicle, so that the assembling workability is improved.

  Further, since the ring 97 is made of resin, the degree of freedom of the shape of the spring receiving portion 97d is increased, and the balance spring 83 can be disposed so as to act appropriately.

It is a front view of the steering column apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is II-II arrow sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the axial direction schematically showing the main part of the steering column device, where (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state when locked, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state when unlocking. It is an assembly perspective view of the cam body which consists of an eccentric cam and a ring. It is a front view of a cam body. It is VI-VI arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view of a cam body. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the ring from the eccentric cam. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the ring from the eccentric cam. It is a front view of the bolt for clamp. It is XI-XI arrow sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a steering column device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a steering column device, showing a second embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed 2nd Embodiment of this invention and looked at the steering column apparatus from the bottom. It is a side view which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention and demonstrates operation | movement of a spring member. FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow XVI-XVI in FIG. 15. It is a perspective view of a spring member, showing a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention and shows the principal part structure of a steering column apparatus. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention and demonstrates operation | movement of a spring member. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention and demonstrates the mounting state of a spring member. FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of a cam body including an eccentric cam and a ring, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of a cam body according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of a cam body including an eccentric cam and a ring according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of a cam body, showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of a cam body according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a steering column device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

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 7 Upper clamp (clamp)
8 Distance Bracket 9 Clamp Bolt 9a Head 9b Shaft 10 Operation Lever 11 Cam Body 23 Car Body 41 Eccentric Cam 42 Ring 43, 44 Cylindrical Part 43a, 44a Large Diameter 44e Elastic Claw 51 Steering Column Device 52 Steering Column Tube 53 Outer Tube 54 Inner tube 55 Car body 56 Upper clamp (clamp)
57 Distance bracket 58 Clamp bolt 58a Head 58b Shaft portion 59 Operation lever 70 Eccentric cam 71 Ring 72 Curved surface 73, 74, 82 Coil spring 81 Steering column device 83, 84 Balance spring 91 Cam body 92 Eccentric cam 93 Ring 95 Cam Body 96 Eccentric cam 97 Ring 97b Shoulder 97c End face in the width direction 98 Distance bracket 98a Side plate

Claims (7)

An inner tube that is supported by the vehicle body at one end and rotatably supports the lower shaft inside;
One end is supported by a clamp fixed to the vehicle body, an upper shaft is rotatably supported inside, and is telescopically arranged on the outer periphery of the inner tube so as to be slidable along the axial direction, and An outer tube having a through hole that opens along the axial direction in a portion overlapping the inner tube;
A distance bracket fixed to the outer tube;
A clamp bolt having a long hole formed in the distance bracket and a shaft portion rotatably supported by the clamp;
An operating lever that rotates integrally with the clamping bolt;
An eccentric cam provided on the shaft portion of the clamping bolt, the radial dimension of which gradually changes along the circumferential direction;
A ring that is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam,
A steering column device, wherein the operation lever is rotated, the eccentric cam is rotated, and the ring is pressed against the inner tube, whereby the inner tube is pressed into engagement with the outer tube. The steering column device according to claim 1,
The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the hole portion of the clamp is formed in an arc-shaped long hole along the vehicle vertical direction so that the tilt adjustment is possible. The steering column device according to claim 1 or 2,
A steering column device, wherein the bolt and the eccentric cam are configured separately. The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A steering column device characterized in that an elastic claw and a hook-like member are provided on the eccentric cam, and the ring is rotatably engaged and held on the outer periphery of the eccentric cam by the elastic claw and the hook-like member. The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A steering column device, characterized in that an urging member is provided so as to urge the distance bracket upward while one end abuts the outer periphery of the ring and the other end is engaged with the clamp. A steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The inner tube is a metal material,
A steering column device, wherein the rings are formed of a resin material. The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A pair of side plates constituting the distance bracket is fixedly disposed in the vicinity of the through hole along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction,
A shoulder wider than the through hole is provided on the outer side in the width direction of the outer periphery of the ring and on the inner side in the radial direction,
While the pair of width direction end faces of the ring are arranged close to each other so as to be abuttable between the pair of side plates,
The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder portion of the ring is disposed close to the periphery of the through hole so as to be in contact therewith.

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