JP2011230754A - Steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering column device for controlling an impact absorbing load by changing tilting/telescoping fastening force when an outer jacket is contracted in the axial direction by a load exceeding a predetermined value.SOLUTION: By fastening up a clamping bolt 20, a slide contact part 11 is pushed against an abutting part 13 to fasten and fix the upper jacket 7 to a vehicle body mounting bracket 2. When the load exceeding the predetermined value is applied to the upper jacket 7 in the axial direction in the state of fastening up the clamping bolt 20, a disconnecting mechanism 9 cancels the connection to cancel the moving range restriction of a telescoping oblong hole 13a. When the upper jacket 7 is moved, the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 to fix the upper jacket 7 to the vehicle body-mounting bracket 2 is changed to control the required impact absorbing load.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering column device including a jacket that rotatably supports a steering shaft.

  Conventionally, as a steering column device, a configuration shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. As shown in FIG. 13, the steering column device 101 includes a pair of vehicle body mounting brackets 102 that are fixed while suspended from a vehicle body 150, a cylindrical jacket 104 that is sandwiched between the vehicle body mounting brackets 102, and a jacket 104. And a lock mechanism 106 that fastens and clamps the jacket 104 to the vehicle body mounting bracket 102 by tightening the clamp bolt 120.

  The jacket 104 includes an outer jacket 107 as an upper jacket having a cylindrical shape, and an inner jacket 108 as a lower jacket having a cylindrical shape and slidably inserted in the cylinder of the outer jacket 107 along the axial direction. The outer jacket 107 is sandwiched between the pair of vehicle body mounting brackets 102.

  In the above configuration, when the operation lever 123 is rotated in the locking direction, the clamp bolt 120 is pulled to the left side in FIG. 13 by the operation of the locking mechanism 106, and the space between the vehicle body mounting brackets 102 is narrowed. The jacket 107 is in pressure contact. The outer jacket 107 is provided with a slit 107a. The slit 107a is narrowed together with the vehicle body mounting bracket 102, and the outer jacket 107 and the inner jacket 108 are pressed against each other. Thereby, the tilt / telescopic position adjustment of the steering shaft 103 is fixed.

  Further, when the operation lever 123 is rotated in the unlocking direction, the fastening force of the clamping bolt 120 is weakened, the space between the vehicle body mounting brackets 102 is expanded, the pressure contact between the vehicle body mounting bracket 102 and the outer jacket 107, and the outer jacket 107. And the inner jacket 108 are released from pressure contact. As a result, the tilt and telescopic position adjustment of the steering shaft 103 can be adjusted.

JP 2007-223383 A European Patent Application No. 0841411

  By the way, in the event of a secondary collision in which the occupant collides with the steering wheel due to a vehicle collision or the like, a structure is adopted that reduces the load acting on the occupant by moving the steering wheel forward of the vehicle. In the technique described in Document 1, in the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the outer jacket 107 is in the axial direction with respect to the vehicle body mounting bracket 102 until the clamping bolt 120 contacts the end of the telescopic elongated hole at the time of a secondary collision. After the vehicle body mounting bracket 102 is detached from the vehicle body 150, the outer jacket 107 and the vehicle body mounting bracket 102 move together and move forward, and an impact is absorbed by an energy absorbing member (not shown) in the course of this movement. Absorption is taking place.

  However, in this structure, since the inner jacket 108 does not detach from the vehicle body, the fastening force when the outer jacket 107 is fixed to the vehicle body mounting bracket 102 continues to act during the process in which the outer jacket 107 contracts. There is a problem that it may affect the function of the absorption structure.

  Moreover, as described in Patent Document 2, there is one in which a detaching structure is provided between a telescopic fastening portion and a jacket.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the fastening force of the tilt / telescope does not affect the function of the shock absorbing structure, and the jacket is supported only via the separation structure. There has been a problem that the required shock absorption load cannot be controlled by changing the fastening force of the bolt.

  In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a steering column device capable of controlling the shock absorbing load by changing the tilt and telescopic fastening when the upper jacket contracts in the axial direction due to a load exceeding a predetermined value. For the purpose.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle body mounting bracket comprising a fixed portion fixed to a vehicle body, a suspension portion hanging from the fixed portion, a steering shaft having a steering wheel fixed to an upper end in the axial direction, and the steering shaft. An upper jacket that is rotatably supported, a sliding contact portion that extends in the axial direction of the upper jacket, and is inserted into the upper jacket so as to be slidable along the axial direction. A lower jacket that is rotatably supported, a detachable member that is integrally connected to the sliding contact portion, and that is released when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied, is supported by the vehicle body mounting bracket, and A detachable member, and a clamping bolt having a shaft portion penetrating the upper jacket, and tightening the clamping bolt. The upper jacket and the detachable member are fastened and fixed to the vehicle body mounting bracket, and when the load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of the upper jacket with the clamp bolt tightened, the detachment is performed. The connection between the member and the upper jacket is released, and an axial force adjusting means for changing the fastening force of the clamping bolt is provided by sliding the upper jacket along the axial direction. .

  A second aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to the first aspect, wherein the upper jacket is provided with a flat surface at the sliding contact portion extending in the axial direction, A contraction long hole formed along the axial direction of the upper jacket is provided, and the separation member is provided with a contact part that contacts the flat surface, and the contact part covers the contraction long hole. It is characterized in that a restriction hole that narrows the axial dimension of the elongated hole for contraction is provided at the site.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to the first aspect, wherein the axial force adjusting means includes a protrusion and a contact step.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to the first aspect, wherein the axial force adjusting means includes a detachment portion formed on the sliding contact portion and the detachment member, and the detachment portion includes the detachment portion, Each of the opposing surfaces of the sliding contact portion and the corresponding contact portion has a protrusion projecting toward the mating side and an abutting stepped portion, and the respective projecting portions are brought into contact with the mating projecting portion. In this state, the separation member is fixed to the sliding contact portion, and a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of the upper jacket with the clamp bolt tightened, and the separation member is in contact with the sliding contact portion. When the connection is released, each protrusion exceeds the corresponding stepped portion, thereby creating a gap between the detachable member and the upper jacket, and reducing the fastening force between the detachable member and the upper jacket. It is characterized by doing.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to the first aspect, wherein the axial force adjusting means is directed to one of the opposing surfaces of the sliding contact portion and the contact portion toward the other. Protruding protrusions and contact stepped portions are provided, and on the other of the opposing surfaces, a protruding portion that contacts the protruding portions, and a contact stepped portion that is inclined in the axial direction in the vicinity of the protruding portion. When the projecting part is in contact with the projecting part, the detachable member is fixed to the sliding contact part, and a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied when the clamping bolt is tightened. When the detachable member is released from the sliding contact portion, the protruding portion slides on the corresponding stepped portion from the receiving portion, so that the detaching member and the upper jacket are And the fastening force between the detachable member and the upper jacket is increased. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the clamping bolt is tightened, the vehicle body mounting bracket and the upper jacket are pressed and engaged with each other via the detachable member, so that the upper jacket is restrained from moving. Is done. Further, when the clamping bolt is loosened, the pressure contact engagement state between the vehicle body mounting bracket and the upper jacket is released, so that the jacket bracket and the jacket can be moved. When an excessive load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the steering wheel via the steering shaft with the clamp bolt tightened, the upper jacket moves in the axial direction and the connection of the release member is released. The fastening force of the clamping bolt is changed by the axial force adjusting means, the upper jacket is detached from the detaching member, and the fastening and holding of the upper jacket to the vehicle body mounting bracket by the pressure contact engagement are released. It can move in the axial direction.

  As a result, the entire steering column device is required when the connection of the detaching member is released at the time of impact, and when the upper jacket moves, the fastening force of the clamping bolt fixed to the vehicle body mounting bracket changes. The shock absorption load can be controlled.

  In the invention of claim 2, in a state where the connection of the detaching member is released and the upper jacket is movable, the clamping bolt is supported by the vehicle body mounting bracket and only moves within the contraction long hole. The steering wheel does not fall, and even if the driver pulls the steering wheel, the lower jacket does not fall out of the upper jacket.

  In the invention of claim 3, since the axial force adjusting means is constituted by the protrusion and the contact step portion, it can be disposed with a simple structure while preventing an increase in manufacturing cost.

  In the invention of claim 4, the fastening force with the clamping bolt tightened is such that when the release mechanism releases the connection when an impact is applied in the axial direction of the upper jacket, It becomes smaller by detaching from the contact step. As a result, the influence of the fastening force when fastening the upper jacket to the vehicle body mounting bracket on the magnitude of the impact absorption load of the upper jacket can be almost eliminated, so that the required shock absorption load can be controlled. .

  In the invention of claim 5, the fastening force can be increased when the protrusion moves on the tapered portion from the receiving portion after the upper jacket is detached from the separating member. As a result, the required shock absorption load can be controlled.

1 is a side view of a steering column device in a normal operation state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which showed 1st Embodiment of this invention and followed the II-II line of FIG. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. 1 is a side view of a steering column device in an impact absorbing state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2 in a shock absorbing state. FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to a position along line III-III in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention and is corresponded in the position along the III-III line | wire of FIG. 2 in an impact absorption state. It is a top view of the steering column apparatus in a normal operation state which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of a steering column device in a normal operation state, showing a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention and is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9. It is sectional drawing which showed 3rd Embodiment of this invention and followed the XI-XI line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed 3rd Embodiment of this invention and followed the XI-XI line | wire of FIG. 10 in an impact absorption state. It is sectional drawing which shows the prior art example of a steering column apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the steering column device 1 of the present embodiment has a vehicle body mounting bracket 2 fixed to the vehicle body 50 and a steering wheel (not shown) at the axial upper end (the right end in FIG. 1). A jacket 4 that rotatably supports a fixed steering shaft 3, a release member 5 that is disposed between the jacket 4 and the vehicle body mounting bracket 2, and a lock mechanism that locks the jacket 4 with respect to the vehicle body mounting bracket 2. 6 is provided.

  The steering shaft 3 includes an upper shaft 3a and a lower shaft 3b, and is fitted so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction.

  The vehicle body mounting bracket 2 includes a fixed portion 2a that is fixed to the vehicle body and a single suspension portion 2b that is suspended from the fixed portion 2a. The suspension portion 2b is provided with a tilting long hole 2c having an arc shape along the vehicle vertical direction.

  The jacket 4 has a cylindrical shape, and has an outer jacket 7 as an upper jacket that rotatably supports the steering shaft 3 and a cylindrical shape, and is inserted into the outer jacket 7 so as to be slidable along the axial direction. The outer jacket 7 and the inner jacket 8 as a lower jacket that rotatably supports the steering shaft 3 are configured.

  Formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer jacket 7 along the axial direction in the sliding contact portion 11, and a sliding contact portion 11 extending integrally along the axial direction of the outer jacket 7 so as to face the suspension portion 2 b. The contraction dimension of the steering shaft 3 when absorbing shock is set by the dimension along the axial direction of the contraction slot 12. Further, a detachment member 5 described later is fixed to the sliding contact portion 11. And the outer jacket 7 is suspended by the suspension part 2b via the lock mechanism 6 mentioned later.

  The inner jacket 8 is pivotally supported by the vehicle body 50 via the lower support bracket 8c at the lower end in the axial direction (left end in FIG. 1).

  The detaching member 5 is in contact with the sliding contact portion 11 while being opposed thereto, is fixed to the sliding contact portion 11, and is disposed between the vehicle body mounting bracket 2 and the outer jacket. Further, the detaching member 5 includes a plate-like contact portion 13 having a U-shaped cross section and a shear pin 14 that fixes the contact portion 13 to the sliding contact portion 11. An oblong telescopic elongated hole (regulation hole) 13a is formed in the side surface portion of the contact portion 13 along the axial direction. And the telescopic adjustment dimension of a steering wheel is set by the dimension along the axial direction of the telescopic long hole 13a. In addition, on the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the abutting portion 13, there are provided a total of four detachment side connection holes 15 each consisting of a through hole in the front and rear.

  In the state where the telescopic elongated holes 13a are overlapped with the contracting elongated holes 12 and the contact portions 13 are overlapped so as to narrow the axial dimension of the contracting elongated holes 12, the four shear pins 14 are used to disengage the connecting side connecting holes. 15 and the four sliding contact side connection holes 16 provided in the sliding contact portion 11, and the contact portion 13 is connected to the sliding contact portion 11, thereby configuring the detachment mechanism 9.

  Further, a separation portion 17 is provided between the side surface portion of the contact portion 13 and the sliding contact portion 11 as an axial force adjusting means for changing the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the detachment portion includes a protrusion 18 that protrudes from each of the opposing surfaces of the sliding contact portion 11 and the contact portion 13, and a contact step that is adjacently disposed in the axial direction of the protrusion 18. It is comprised with the part 19. FIG. The detaching member is fixed to the sliding contact portion 11 by the shear pin 14 in a state where the respective protrusions 18 are in contact with the counterpart protrusion 18.

  When an impact load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of the outer jacket 7 with the clamping bolt 20 tightened, and the shear pin 14 is released from the connection, each projection 18 is on the side of the contact step 19 on the other side. As shown in FIG. 5, a clearance is generated between the separation member 5 and the outer jacket 7 and the gap is clogged, so that the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 is increased. Get smaller.

  When a collision load is applied in the axial direction of the outer jacket 7 and the outer jacket 7 moves in the axial direction corresponding to the telescopic elongated hole 13a of the detachable member 5, a constant load (telescopic holding force generated by locking of the lock mechanism 6) is applied. When the outer jacket 7 comes into contact with the rear edge of the telescopic elongated hole 13a and the outer jacket 7 is detached from the separation member 5, a large separation load is generated, and the outer jacket 7 is separated from the separation member 5. After detachment, the fastening force by the lock of the lock mechanism 6 becomes small.

  The lock mechanism 6 includes a clamp bolt 20 that passes through the suspension portion 2b, an operation lever 23 that is fixed to one end of the clamp bolt 20 and that is rotated with respect to the clamp bolt 20, and an operation lever for the clamp bolt 20. 23 and a lock cam portion 24 disposed between the suspension portion 2b.

  The clamping bolt 20 is disposed such that the shaft portion 20a is substantially horizontal along the vehicle left-right direction, and the extension line of the shaft portion 20a passes through the diameter of the cross section of the steering shaft 3. Further, a head 20b is formed at the other end of the clamping bolt 20, and passes through the deformed hole 8b of the engaging piece 8a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner jacket 8, and is clamped by fitting with the deformed hole 8b. The bolt 20 is locked so as not to rotate.

  The shaft portion 20 a of the clamping bolt 20 passes through the fixed cam 25 and the movable cam 26. The fixed cam 25 is inserted into the tilt long hole 2c of the suspension portion 2b, and is disposed so as to be movable within the tilt long hole 2c and not rotatable. The movable cam 26 is inserted into one end of the clamping bolt 20 and is fixed integrally with the operation lever 23.

  The clamping bolt 20 passes through each member so that the engaging piece 8a of the inner jacket 8, the outer jacket 7, the detaching member 5, the vehicle body mounting bracket 2, the fixed cam 25, and the movable cam 26 are overlapped in this order with a nut 20d. When the operating lever 23 is rotated, the cam crest of the movable cam 26 rides on the cam crest of the fixed cam 25 and tightens, and the head 20b of the clamp bolt 20 approaches the suspension 2b. Displace in the direction (left side in FIG. 2), and fasten and hold.

  In the above configuration, when the vehicle driver rotates the operation lever 23 in the locking direction and tightens the clamping bolt 20 (locked state), the head 20 b of the clamping bolt 20 is suspended from the jacket 4. Since the inner jacket 8, the outer jacket 7, the detaching member 5, and the suspension portion 2 b are pressed and fastened and held in place in a direction approaching the portion 2 b side, the jacket 4 is vertically moved (tilted) and axially ( Telesco) movement is restricted. Further, when the operation lever 23 is rotated in the unlocking direction and the clamping bolt 20 is loosened (in the unlocked state), the head 20b of the clamping bolt 20 is separated from the suspension portion 2b (right side in FIG. 2). ) And the fastening and holding of the jacket 4 are released, so that the jacket 4 can move in the vertical direction (tilt) and the axial direction (telescopic).

  An excessive axial impact load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the outer jacket 7 via the steering shaft 3 due to a driver hitting the steering wheel due to a vehicle collision accident or the like with the locking mechanism 6 locked. In this case, the steering shaft 3 and the outer jacket 7 are axially moved forward of the vehicle body, thereby mitigating the impact load applied to the driver.

  When the steering shaft 3 and the jacket 4 are axially moved forward of the vehicle body, the outer jacket 7 is first axially moved together with the detachable member 5 due to an excessive impact load, and the clamp bolt 20 is used for telescopic of the detachable member 5. It hits the edge of the long hole 13a on the vehicle body rear side. In the state where the clamping bolt 20 is in contact with the vehicle body rear side edge of the telescopic elongated hole 13a, an excessive impact load is applied, and the shear pin 14 of the detachable member 5 is broken by shearing force, The connection with the sliding contact portion 11 is released. When the connection between the contact portion 13 and the slidable contact portion 11 is released, the outer jacket 7 further axially moves forward while leaving the detachable member 5 in the suspension portion 2b. When the outer jacket 7 is axially moved forward of the vehicle body, the protrusions 18 of the contact portion 13 and the sliding contact portion 11 are separated to the contact step portion 19 side, and the clearance between the separation member 5 and the outer jacket 7 is eliminated. As a result, the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 is reduced, and the outer jacket 7 can move smoothly between the detachable member 5 and the inner jacket 8, and the clamping bolt 20 has a contraction length. Move in the hole 12.

  When the impact energy is absorbed, the movement of the outer jacket 7 to the front of the vehicle body stops. However, even if the applied impact load is excessive, the clamping bolt 20 is eventually used for contracting the outer jacket 7. The outer jacket 7 does not fall from the vehicle body 50 because it hits the edge of the long hole 12 on the vehicle body rear side. Further, after the impact energy is absorbed, the clamp bolt 20 is used to contract the outer jacket 7 even if the driver pulls the steering wheel retracted to operate the steering wheel in order to move the vehicle to another place. The outer jacket 7 does not come off the vehicle body 50 because it hits the edge of the long hole 12 on the vehicle body front side.

  According to the present embodiment, when the impact due to the secondary collision acts to release the connection of the separation mechanism 9 and the outer jacket 7 moves forward in the axial direction, the outer jacket 7 is fixed to the vehicle body mounting bracket 2. Since the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 to be reduced is small, the shock absorbing load can be reduced with respect to the telescopic holding force.

  In addition, since the detachment member 5 and the detachment mechanism 9 are provided between the suspension portion 2b fastened and fixed by the lock mechanism 6 and the jacket 4, the connection of the detachment mechanism 9 is released and the outer jacket 7 can be moved. In this state, the clamping bolt 20 is supported by the vehicle body mounting bracket 2 and moves in the contraction long hole 12, so that the steering wheel does not fall, and even if the driver pulls the steering wheel, the outer The jacket 7 does not fall out of the inner jacket 8 and the steering wheel cannot be removed.

  The detachment mechanism 9 is configured to penetrate and fix the detachment side connection hole 15 provided in the detachment member 5 with the shear pin 14 and the slidable contact side connection hole 16 provided in the slidable contact portion 11. Thus, the detachable member 5 can be disposed while preventing an increase in manufacturing cost. Further, since the axial force adjusting means is composed of the protrusion and the contact step portion, it can be arranged with a simple structure while preventing an increase in manufacturing cost.

  The fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 with the clamping bolt 20 tightened is applied in the axial direction of the outer jacket 7, and when the separation mechanism 9 releases the connection when an impact is applied, the separation member 5 and the outer jacket 7 are released. Since the projection 18 serving as the axial force adjusting means is disengaged from the contact step portion 19, the fastening force is reduced, and there is a clearance between the separation member 5 and the outer jacket 7. As a result, the shock absorption load can be reduced with respect to the telescopic holding force.

  In the present embodiment, the steering shaft 3 can be tilted and telescopically adjusted. However, only the tilt adjustment can be performed by making the telescopic elongated hole 13a the same size as the shaft portion of the clamping bolt 20. The telescopic adjustment can be made only by making the tilt long hole 2c have the same hole shape as the shaft portion of the clamp bolt 20, and the telescopic long hole 13a and the tilt long hole 2c can be adjusted. By making both the holes have the same dimensions as the shaft portion of the clamping bolt 20, a structure without tilt and telescopic adjustment functions can be obtained. Further, even when only the telescopic adjustment is performed, only when the tilt adjustment is performed, or when there is no tilt and no telescopic adjustment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above embodiment.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to the said 1st Embodiment. A significant difference between the first embodiment and the present embodiment is the configuration of the axial force adjusting means 31, and the axial force adjusting means 31 of the present embodiment has an energy absorbing function. The outer jacket 7 constitutes the upper jacket and the inner jacket 8 constitutes the lower jacket, and the detachable member 5 abuts against the sliding contact portion 11 of the outer jacket 7 and is fixed to the sliding contact portion 11. The configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the axial force adjusting means 31 of the present embodiment includes an upper detachment portion 31 a and a lower detachment portion 31 b as means for changing the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20. . The upper detachment portion 31a is adjacent to the upper side projection 32a as a projection protruding toward the contact portion 13 of the detachment member 34 and the lower side in the axial direction of the upper projection 32a on the upper side in the axial direction of the sliding contact portion 11. The upper abutment step portion 33a as the abutment step portion provided on the upper abutment step portion 33a as the abutment step portion and the separation member 34 facing the upper projection portion 32a. And an upper tapered portion 36a composed of a tapered portion as a contact portion inclined with respect to the axial direction on the lower side in the axial direction of the upper receiving portion 35a. Further, the lower detachment portion 31b is provided on the lower side in the axial direction of the contact portion 13, on the lower side projection 32b as a projection protruding toward the sliding contact portion 11, and on the upper side in the axial direction of the lower projection 32b. Provided at the site of the lower contact step portion 33b as the contact step portion disposed adjacently and the sliding contact portion 11 facing the lower projection portion 32b, and as a receiving portion with which the lower projection portion 32b contacts. The lower receiving portion 35b includes a lower tapered portion 36b including a tapered portion as an abutting portion inclined with respect to the axial direction on the upper side in the axial direction of the lower receiving portion 35b. The detaching member 34 is fixed to the sliding contact portion 11 by the shear pin 14 in a state where the respective protrusions 32a and 32b are in contact with the counterpart receiving portions 35a and 35b.

  Each of the tapered portions 36a and 36b is inclined at an angle so as to approach the steering shaft 3 as the detachable member 34 and the outer jacket 7 move downward in the axial direction. Further, the taper portions 36a and 36b are set to have a tilt angle and a dimension along the axial direction in accordance with the required shock absorbing load. In the present embodiment, the taper portions 36a and 36b are set to be tapered. , 36b and the lower contact step 33b are set to have a constant thickness. The taper portions 36a and 36b are arranged along the inclination angle and the axial direction so that the taper portions 36a and 36b extend to the lower contact step portion 33b and the upper contact step portion 33a according to the required shock absorbing load. The dimension may be set, and further, the inclination angle may be set to change stepwise in the middle.

  According to the present embodiment, a large load is generated when the outer jacket 7 is detached from the detachable member 34, and then the protrusions 32a and 32b move on the tapered portions 36a and 36b from the protrusions 35a and 35b. When doing so, the fastening force can be increased, and a load larger than the telescopic holding force can be generated. As a result, the required shock absorption load can be controlled.

  In the present embodiment, the inclined portions of the tapered portions 36a and 36b are set in the direction in which the plate thickness of the detachable member 34 is increased, and thereby, the structure is configured to absorb the impact load when contracting. However, if it is only necessary to set the inclination angle so that the thickness of the taper portions 36a, 36b is constant or to contract according to the magnitude of the impact load to be absorbed, the plates of the taper portions 36a, 36b You may set the inclination-angle of taper part 36a, 36b so that thickness may become thin.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although each contact | abutting step part 33a, 33b is set as a substantially perpendicular | vertical level | step difference, you may set to the inclination part along the inclination angle of taper part 36a, 36b. Furthermore, since the taper portions 36a and 36b may be inclined, the taper portions 36a and 36b may be formed with a plurality of steps including substantially right angles.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to the said 1st Embodiment. A significant difference between the first embodiment and the present embodiment is the configuration of the upper jacket and the lower jacket. In the first embodiment, the upper jacket and the lower jacket are the outer jacket 7 and the inner jacket 8, respectively. In the present embodiment, the upper jacket and the lower jacket are the inner jacket 41 and the outer jacket 42, respectively. And by setting it as such a structure, the structure of the detachment | leave part (axial force adjustment means) is changed.

  The inner jacket 41 as an upper jacket includes a sliding contact portion 43 that is integrally extended along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and a contraction long hole 12 that opens along the axial direction in the sliding contact portion 43. Is provided. The shrinkage dimension of the steering shaft 3 when absorbing the impact is set by the dimension along the axial direction of the long hole 12 for shrinkage, as in the first embodiment. Further, a detachment member 47 described later is fixed to the sliding contact portion 43. The inner jacket 41 is suspended on the suspension portion 2b via the lock mechanism 6.

  The outer jacket 42 as a lower jacket is supported at the lower end in the axial direction on the vehicle body 50 via the lower support bracket 8c so as to be swingable.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the detachment portion 47 includes a protrusion 18 protruding from each of the opposing surfaces of the sliding contact portion 43 and the contact portion 45, and an abutment disposed adjacent to the protrusion 18 in the axial direction. It comprises a step part 19. The detaching member 44 is fixed to the slidable contact portion 43 by the shear pin 14 in a state where each of the protrusions 18 is brought into contact with the counterpart protrusion 18.

  The detachment member 44 is fixed to the slidable contact portion 43 while being in contact with the slidable contact portion 43 while facing the slidable contact portion 43, and is disposed inside the inner jacket 41. The detaching member 44 includes a plate-like contact portion 45 formed in a flat plate shape and a shear pin 14 that fixes the contact portion 45 to the sliding contact portion 43. The contact portion 45 is formed with an oblong telescopic elongated hole (regulation hole) 13a along the axial direction. And the telescopic adjustment dimension of a steering wheel is set by the dimension along the axial direction of the telescopic long hole 13a. In addition, the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the abutting portion 45 are provided with four detachment side connecting holes 15 each including a through hole in the front and rear, a total of four, as in the first embodiment. The shearing pin 14 penetrates the detachment side connection hole 15 and the four slidable contact side connection holes 16 provided in the slidable contact portion 43, and connects the contact portion 45 to the slidable contact portion 43. 9 is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the clamping bolt 20 is disposed so that the shaft portion 20 a is substantially horizontal along the vehicle left-right direction, and the extension line of the shaft portion 20 a passes through the diameter of the cross section of the steering shaft 3. ing. Further, a head 20b is formed at the other end of the clamping bolt 20, and it passes through the telescopic long hole 13a provided in the detaching member 44 and engages with the telescopic long hole 13a so as not to rotate. It has been stopped. The shaft portion 20a of the clamping bolt 20 is disposed in the outer jacket 42 by passing through a round hole-shaped support hole 46 provided in the outer jacket 42, and can move within the telescopic elongated hole 13a of the contact portion 45. In addition, the vehicle body mounting bracket 2 is disposed so as to be movable in the long slot 2c for tilting.

  The configuration of the lock mechanism 6 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The clamping bolt 20 penetrates through each member and is fixed by a nut 20d so as to overlap in the order of the separation member 44, the inner jacket 41, the outer jacket 42, the vehicle body mounting bracket 2, the fixed cam 25, and the movable cam 26. By rotating the operation lever 23, the cam crest of the movable cam 26 rides on the cam crest of the fixed cam 25 and tightens, and the head 20b of the clamping bolt 20 approaches the suspension portion 2b (left side in FIG. 10). ), And fasten and hold.

  With the above configuration, when an impact load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of the inner jacket 41 with the clamp bolt 20 tightened, the inner jacket 41 is positioned behind the telescopic elongated hole 13a formed in the release member 44. Abuts against the side edge. Thereafter, the shear pin 14 is released from the connection, and each protrusion 18 moves toward the contact step 19 on the other side and disengages from above the protrusion 18. A clearance is generated between the jacket 41 and the gap is clogged, so that the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 is reduced.

  According to the present embodiment, the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, when the impact of the secondary collision acts to release the connection of the separation mechanism 9 and the inner jacket 41 moves axially forward, the clamping bolt 20 that fixes the inner jacket 41 to the vehicle body mounting bracket 2 is used. Since the fastening force is reduced, the shock absorption load can be reduced with respect to the telescopic holding force.

  Further, since the detaching member 44 and the detaching mechanism 9 are provided between the head 20b of the clamping bolt 20 fixed by the lock mechanism 6 and the inner jacket 41, the connection of the detaching mechanism 9 is released, and the inner jacket In a state in which 41 is movable, the clamping bolt 20 is supported by the vehicle body mounting bracket 2 and moves in the contraction long hole 12, so that the steering wheel does not fall, and the driver removes the steering wheel. Even when pulled, the inner jacket 41 does not fall out of the outer jacket 42, and the steering wheel does not fall off.

  The fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 with the clamping bolt 20 tightened is applied in the axial direction of the inner jacket 41. When the release mechanism 9 releases the connection when an impact is applied, the release member 44 and the inner jacket 41 are released. Since the projection 18 serving as the axial force adjusting means is disengaged from the contact step 19, the fastening force of the clamping bolt 20 is reduced, and the disengagement member 44, the inner jacket 41, Since the clearance is generated between the gaps and the interval is reduced, the shock absorbing load can be reduced with respect to the telescopic holding force.

  In addition, in this embodiment, although it is a structure in the case of making an impact absorption load small, you may make it a structure which makes an impact absorption load large like the said 2nd Embodiment not only this.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering column apparatus 2 ... Car body mounting bracket 2a ... Fixed part 2b ... Suspension part 3 ... Steering shaft 5 ... Detachment member 7 ... Outer jacket (upper jacket)
8 ... Inner jacket (lower jacket)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Detachment mechanism 11, 43 ... Sliding contact part 12 ... Shrinking long hole 13, 45 ... Contact part 13a ... Restriction hole (telescopic long hole)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Shear pin 15 ... Detachment side connection hole 16 ... Sliding contact side connection hole 17, 47 ... Detachment part (Axial force adjustment means)
18 ... Projection (Axial force adjusting means)
19: Contact step (axial force adjusting means)
20 ... Clamping bolt 20a ... Shaft portion 31a ... Upper separation portion (axial force adjusting means)
31b: Lower side detachment part (axial force adjusting means)
32a ... Upper protrusion (protrusion)
32b ... Lower protrusion (protrusion)
33a ... Upper contact step (contact step)
33b ... Lower contact step (contact step)
35a: Upper side receiving part (receiving part)
35b ... Lower side receiving part (receiving part)
36a ... Upper taper part (contact step part)
36b ... Lower taper part (contact step part)
41 ... Inner jacket (upper jacket)
42 ... Outer jacket (lower jacket)

Claims (5)

A fixed part fixed to the vehicle body,
A vehicle body mounting bracket comprising a suspension portion depending from the fixed portion;
A steering shaft with a steering wheel fixed at the upper end in the axial direction;
An upper jacket for rotatably supporting the steering shaft;
A sliding contact portion extending in the axial direction of the upper jacket;
A lower jacket that is slidably inserted along the axial direction into the upper jacket and rotatably supports the steering shaft together with the upper jacket;
A detachable member that is integrally connected to the sliding contact portion and that releases the connection when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied;
A clamping bolt supported by the vehicle body mounting bracket and having a shaft portion penetrating the detachable member and the upper jacket;
By tightening the clamping bolt, the upper jacket and the detachable member are fastened and fixed to the vehicle body mounting bracket,
When a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of the upper jacket with the clamp bolt tightened, the connection between the detachable member and the upper jacket is released, and the upper jacket is moved along the axial direction. A steering column device characterized in that an axial force adjusting means is provided for changing the fastening force of the clamping bolt by sliding it. The steering column device according to claim 1,
The upper jacket is provided with a flat surface at the sliding contact portion extending in the axial direction,
The flat surface is provided with a contraction elongated hole formed along the axial direction of the upper jacket,
The detachable member is provided with a contact portion that contacts the flat surface,
A steering column device, wherein the contact portion is provided with a restriction hole that is positioned at a portion that covers and overlaps the contraction long hole and narrows the axial dimension of the contraction long hole. The steering column device according to claim 1,
The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the axial force adjusting means includes a protrusion and a contact step. The steering column device according to claim 1,
The axial force adjusting means includes a detachment portion formed on the sliding contact portion and the detachment member,
The separation part is
Providing a projecting portion projecting toward the other side on each of the opposing surfaces of the sliding contact portion and the corresponding contact portion, and a contact step portion,
In a state where each protrusion is in contact with the other protrusion, the detaching member is fixed to the sliding contact portion,
When a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of the upper jacket in a state where the clamp bolt is tightened, and when the detaching member releases the connection with the sliding contact portion, each protrusion is a corresponding stepped portion. A steering column device, wherein a clearance is created between the detachable member and the upper jacket to reduce a fastening force between the detachable member and the upper jacket. The steering column device according to claim 1,
The axial force adjusting means is
Providing either one of the sliding contact portion and the facing surface of the contact portion with a protrusion protruding toward the other and a contact step portion,
On the other side of the opposing surface, a projecting portion that the projecting portion abuts, and a contact step portion that is inclined in the axial direction in the vicinity of the projecting portion,
The detachable member is fixed to the sliding contact portion in a state where the protrusion is in contact with the receiving portion,
When a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of the upper jacket in a state where the clamp bolt is tightened, and the release member releases the connection with the sliding contact portion, the protrusion becomes the contact portion. The steering column device is characterized in that the distance between the detachable member and the upper jacket is changed by sliding on the corresponding stepped portion from the position to increase the fastening force between the detachable member and the upper jacket. .

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