JP2012030784A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device having a simple structure of a distance bracket for fastening an outer column to an inner column and hardly fluctuating fastening force of the inner column in relation to the outer column by a telescopic adjustment position.SOLUTION: Clamp members 6A and 6B do not relatively move in an axial direction in relation to an upper side vehicle-body mounting bracket 3 when adjusting the telescopic position, and thereby outside surfaces of the clamp members 6A and 6B do not project from inside surfaces 321A and 321B of side plates 32A and 32B of the upper side vehicle-body mounting bracket 3. Accordingly, the fastening force for fastening the clamp members 6A and 6B by the upper side vehicle-body mounting bracket 3 is not lowered by the telescopic adjustment position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device, in particular, an outer column and an inner column are fitted so as to be slidable relative to each other in the axial direction, thereby adjusting a telescopic position of the steering wheel or causing the steering wheel to collapsing during a secondary collision. The present invention relates to a steering device that absorbs an impact load.

  There is a steering device in which an outer column and an inner column are slidably fitted in an axial direction so as to adjust a telescopic position of a steering wheel or absorb an impact load at the time of a secondary collision. In such a steering device, the distance bracket for clamping the inner column by reducing the diameter of the outer column is formed integrally with the outer column.

  For example, in the case of an outer column made of a steel pipe, a press-formed distance bracket is welded to the outer column and fixed integrally. In addition, there is also an outer column and a distance bracket that are integrally formed by aluminum die casting.

  However, in the conventional configuration in which the distance bracket is welded to the outer column or integrally formed by die casting, the structure of the outer column becomes complicated, resulting in a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

  In the steering device shown in Patent Document 1, a clamp member formed separately from the outer column is engaged with the outer column, and the diameter of the outer column is reduced through the clamp member. Simplifies and reduces manufacturing costs.

  However, in the steering apparatus shown in Patent Document 1, a telescopic long groove is formed in the clamp member, and when adjusting the telescopic position, the clamp member moves relative to the vehicle body mounting bracket in the axial direction together with the outer column. .

  Therefore, at the telescopic position adjustment end, the outer surface of the clamp member partially protrudes from the inner surface of the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket. This causes a problem that the tightening force for reducing the diameter of the outer column and tightening the inner column decreases.

JP 2006-69524 A

  In the steering device in which the outer column and the inner column are slidably fitted in the axial direction, the structure of the distance bracket for fastening the outer column to the inner column is simple, and the inner column relative to the outer column is adjusted by the telescopic adjustment position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device in which the tightening force is hardly changed.

  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the first invention is an inner column, a hollow outer column that is fitted on the inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction, and has a slit formed over a predetermined length in the axial direction. A vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body, a clamp member that is disposed inside the vehicle body mounting bracket, has an engaging protrusion that engages with the outer column, and holds the outer periphery of the outer column, and tightens the vehicle body mounting bracket A clamp device that reduces the diameter of the outer column via the clamp member and clamps the inner column so as not to move in the axial direction relative to the outer column; an outer periphery of the outer column or an outer periphery of the inner column And is engaged with the engaging protrusion of the clamp member, and is telescopically adjusted by the distance from the engaging protrusion. Is formed longer length in the direction, a steering apparatus characterized by comprising an engagement recess for slidably fitted in the axial direction of the outer column is guided to the engagement projection.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to the first aspect, the clamp member is composed of a pair of parts symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column. It is a steering device.

  According to a third aspect, in the steering apparatus according to the first aspect, the engaging projection is provided with a resin spacer that reduces friction between the engaging protrusion and the engaging protrusion. It is.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to any one of the second to third aspects, closed end portions that do not open to an axial end surface of the outer column are provided at both axial ends of the slit. Each of the steering devices is formed.

  According to a fifth invention, in the steering device according to the fourth invention, at least one of the closed ends is formed with a cut in a direction perpendicular to the slit. It is.

  The steering device according to the present invention is disposed inside the vehicle body mounting bracket, has an engaging protrusion that engages with the outer column, clamps the outer periphery of the outer column, and tightens the vehicle body mounting bracket. A clamp device for reducing the diameter of the outer column and clamping the inner column so that it cannot move in the axial direction relative to the outer column, and the outer periphery of the outer column or the outer periphery of the inner column. Engage with the mating protrusion, and the length in the axial direction is longer than the engaging protrusion by the telescopic adjustment distance. The engagement is guided by the engaging protrusion and slidably fitted in the axial direction of the outer column. A recess is provided.

  Therefore, when adjusting the telescopic position, the clamp member does not move relative to the vehicle body mounting bracket in the axial direction, so that the clamp member does not protrude from the vehicle body mounting bracket. Therefore, the tightening force with which the vehicle body mounting bracket tightens the clamp member does not decrease depending on the telescopic adjustment position. Further, since the outer column and the clamp member are formed separately, the structure of the distance bracket for fastening the outer column to the inner column is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which a vehicle body mounting bracket, a steering shaft, and a clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 4. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of Example 2 of this invention. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which a vehicle body mounting bracket, a steering shaft, and a clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. 6. (A) is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 7, (b) is an enlarged perspective view of the engaging projection of the clamp member of (a). (A) is a disassembled perspective view of the steering apparatus of Example 3 of this invention, (b) is an expansion perspective view of the engaging protrusion of the clamp member of (a). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. (A) is a disassembled perspective view of the steering apparatus of Example 4 of this invention, (b) is an expansion perspective view of the resin spacer externally fitted by the engaging protrusion of (a).

    Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. The steering device 101 pivotally supports a steering shaft 102 so as to be rotatable. A steering wheel 103 is attached to the upper end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the steering shaft 102, and an intermediate shaft 105 is connected to the lower end of the steering shaft 102 (front side of the vehicle body) via a universal joint 104.

  A universal joint 106 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 105, and a steering gear 107 including a rack and pinion mechanism is connected to the universal joint 106.

  When the driver rotates the steering wheel 103, the rotational force is transmitted to the steering gear 107 through the steering shaft 102, the universal joint 104, the intermediate shaft 105, and the universal joint 106, and the tie rod is transmitted through the rack and pinion mechanism. 108 can be moved to change the steering angle of the wheel.

  2 is a front view showing a main part of the steering device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the steering device shown in FIG. 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, an upper steering shaft 41 is rotatably supported in the hollow cylindrical outer column 1, and on the vehicle body rear side (right side in FIG. 2) of the upper steering shaft 41, A steering wheel 103 is attached. The inner column 2 is slidably fitted in the axial direction on the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1 (left side in FIGS. 2 and 4). The outer column 1 is attached to the vehicle body 5 by an upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket (vehicle body mounting bracket) 3.

  A lower-side vehicle body mounting bracket 51 is attached to the vehicle body 5 on the vehicle body front side of the inner column 2, and a tilt center shaft 21 fixed to the vehicle body front side of the inner column 2 can be tilted to the lower-side vehicle body mounting bracket 51. It is pivotally supported.

  A lower steering shaft 42 is rotatably supported on the inner column 2, the lower steering shaft 42 is spline-fitted with the upper steering shaft 41, and the rotation of the upper steering shaft 41 is transmitted to the lower steering shaft 42.

  The left end of the lower steering shaft 42 is connected to the intermediate shaft 105 via the universal joint 104 in FIG. 1, and the lower end of the intermediate shaft 105 is transmitted to the steering gear 107, so that the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of left and right flange portions 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B for attaching the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 to the vehicle body 5 are formed on the upper side of the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3. The outer side surfaces 64A and 64B of the pair of left and right clamp members 6A and 6B are tiltable on the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B that are formed integrally with the flange portions 31A and 31B and extend in the vertical direction. Is sandwiched between. In the embodiment of the present invention, the left and right side plates 32A, 32B are formed integrally with the flange portions 31A, 31B, but may be formed separately.

  The clamp members 6A and 6B have a symmetric shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B formed inside the clamp members 6A and 6B are the outer column. 1 is surrounded. In the embodiment of the present invention, the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B are made to coincide with the cross-sectional shape of the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1, and the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B and the outer periphery 11 are clamped. Is in contact with the entire surface. However, protrusions and protrusions extending in the axial direction are formed on a part of the circular arc inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B in the circumferential direction, and the arc inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B and the outer periphery 11 are locally contacted at the time of clamping. You may contact. The clamp members 6A and 6B may have the same shape that can be used regardless of whether they are arranged on the left or right. The clamp members 6A and 6B are formed by a die casting method in which a molten metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy is pressed into a mold by applying pressure. Clamp members 6A and 6B are preferably formed by separate left and right parts because machining after casting can be omitted as compared with a case of forming them integrally.

  On the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B, rectangular engagement protrusions 63A and 63B are integrally formed on a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. The engaging protrusions 63A and 63B are formed from the arcuate inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B toward the center of the outer column 1. The engagement protrusions 63A and 63B are preferably arranged on a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, but may be arranged above or below the horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. Engaging recesses 12A and 12B are formed in the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 so as to penetrate the inner periphery 13, and the engaging protrusions 63A and 63B of the clamp members 6A and 6B are fitted into the engaging recesses 12A and 12B. . The engaging recesses 12A and 12B may be bottomed grooves that do not penetrate the inner periphery 13.

  The engagement recesses 12A and 12B are formed to be longer than the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B in the axial direction (the axial direction of the outer column 1, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) by the telescopic adjustment distance. Guided by the protrusions 63A and 63B, the outer column 1 is slidably fitted in the axial direction.

  A cylindrical bush 22 formed of a material having a small friction coefficient is fitted to the inner periphery 13 of the outer column 1, and the clamp members 6 </ b> A, 6 </ b> B are engaged with engagement recesses 23 </ b> A, 23 </ b> B formed on the outer periphery of the bush 22. The engaging protrusions 63A and 63B are inserted. The inner column 2 is fitted to the inner periphery of the bush 22 so as to be slidable in the axial direction.

  The outer column 1 and the bush 22 are prevented from rotating with respect to the clamp members 6A and 6B by the engagement between the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B and the engagement recesses 12A, 12B, 23A and 23B. When the outer column 1 is telescopically adjusted with respect to the inner column 2, the outer column 1 and the bush 22 can be slid in the axial direction while being guided by the engaging protrusions 63A and 63B. Since the bush 22 having a small coefficient of friction is interposed between the inner periphery 13 of the outer column 1 and the outer periphery 25 of the inner column 2, the outer column 1 can be moved with a light force with respect to the inner column 2. .

  Circular through holes 61A, 61B (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5) are formed in the clamp members 6A, 6B, and the long slots for tilt 33A, 33B formed in the side plates 32A, 32B and the through holes 61A, 61B are formed. The tightening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. The long tilt grooves 33 </ b> A and 33 </ b> B are formed in an arc shape centered on the tilt center axis 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a head 341 is formed on the right side of the tightening rod 34, and the head 341 is in contact with the outer surface of the side plate 32B. A rotation preventing portion 342 having a rectangular cross section slightly narrower than the groove width of the tilting long groove 33B is formed on the left outer diameter portion of the head portion 341. The anti-rotation portion 342 is fitted into the long tilt groove 33B to prevent the tightening rod 34 from rotating with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 and slides the tightening rod 34 along the long tilt groove 33B when adjusting the tilt position. Move.

A fixed cam 343, a movable cam 344, a thrust bearing 345, and an adjustment nut 346 are externally fitted in this order on the outer periphery of the left end of the tightening rod 34, and a female screw 348 formed on the inner diameter portion of the adjustment nut 346 is attached to the tightening rod 34. It is screwed into a male screw 347 formed at the left end.
An operation lever 349 is fixed to the left end surface of the movable cam 344, and the cam lock mechanism is configured by the movable cam 344 and the fixed cam 343 that are integrally operated by the operation lever 349. The fixed cam 343 engages with the long tilt groove 33A and is not rotated with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and slides the fixed cam 343 along the long tilt groove 33A when adjusting the tilt position.

  When the operation lever 349 is rotated during tilt / telescopic tightening, the peak of the movable cam 344 rides on the peak of the fixed cam 343 and pushes the fixed cam 343 to the right side of FIG. By pulling, the side plates 32A and 32B are tightened, and the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened. Since the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B enclose the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1, the outer column 1 is efficiently reduced in diameter when the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened. .

  At the time of tilt / telescopic release, the operation lever 349 is rotated in the reverse direction, the valley of the movable cam 344 enters the peak of the fixed cam 343, and the force pushing the fixed cam 343 to the right is released, and at the same time the clamping rod 34 is moved to the left. By releasing the pulling force, the side plates 32A and 32B are separated, and the clamping of the clamp members 6A and 6B is released. Thus, the outer column 1 and the clamp members 6A and 6B can be clamped and unclamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 at a desired tilt / telescopic position.

  Slits 14 and 24 are formed on the lower surfaces of the outer column 1 and the bush 22, respectively. The slit 24 of the bush 22 is formed over the entire axial length of the bush 22. Further, the slit 14 of the outer column 1 has a closed end portion formed at the vehicle body rear side end portion and the vehicle body front side end portion of the outer column 1, and a closed end portion 141 (FIG. 4, FIG. 5) is cut in a direction perpendicular to the slit 14. Without forming the closed end 142, the slit 14 of the outer column 1 may be formed open to the vehicle body front side end surface 15 of the outer column 1. The slit 14 of the outer column 1 may be formed only in the axial range where the clamp members 6A and 6B are in contact with the outer column 1. The slit 14 of the outer column 1 may be formed up to substantially the same position as the rear end of the engagement recess 12A, 12B when viewed in the axial direction of the outer column 1, but the rear side of the engagement recess 12A, 12B You may form in the vehicle body back side rather than an edge part.

  The clamp members 6A and 6B are disposed at positions where the slits 14 and 24 are sandwiched from both sides. Therefore, when the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened, the outer column 1 and the bush 22 are reduced in diameter, and the inner column 2 can be held with a strong clamping force. The lengths of the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B in the radial direction may be increased, and the inner surfaces of the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B may be in direct contact with the outer periphery 25 of the inner column 2 when the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened. .

  After the clamp members 6A and 6B and the outer column 1 are unclamped with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, the outer wheel 1 is slid in the axial direction with respect to the inner column 2 by grasping the steering wheel 5, and a desired telescopic Adjust to position. At this time, the clamp members 6A and 6B do not move in the telescopic position with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and only the outer column 1 and the bush 22 are guided by the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B of the clamp members 6A and 6B. Slide in the axial direction.

  Further, the steering wheel 5 is held and the outer column 1 and the clamp members 6A and 6B are adjusted to a desired tilt position around the tilt center axis 21. Thereafter, the clamp members 6A and 6B are clamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the clamp members 6A and 6B do not move relative to the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 in the axial direction when adjusting the telescopic position, and therefore the side plates 32A and 32B of the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 are used. The outer surfaces 64A and 64B of the clamp members 6A and 6B do not protrude from the inner surfaces 321A and 321B. Therefore, the fastening force with which the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 fastens the clamp members 6A and 6B does not decrease depending on the telescopic adjustment position.

  Further, since the clamp members 6A and 6B formed separately from the outer column 1 are engaged with the outer column 1 and the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter via the clamp members 6A and 6B, the outer column 1 And the structure of clamp member 6A, 6B becomes simple, and it becomes possible to reduce manufacturing cost.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B of the clamp members 6A and 6B and the engagement recesses 12A and 12B of the outer column 1 can be used as stoppers during telescopic adjustment. Moreover, in the Example of this invention, since clamp member 6A, 6B is comprised by a pair of symmetrical components, it becomes possible to make the amount of diameter reduction of the left and right of the outer column 1 substantially the same.

  Further, since the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B of the clamp members 6A and 6B are short in the axial direction of the outer column 1, the axial lengths of the clamp members 6A and 6B can be shortened to reduce the weight. it can. Even if the arrangement of the outer column 1 and the inner column 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is reversed (the outer column 1 is on the lower side and the inner column 2 is on the upper side), the clamp members 6A and 6B can be shared, so the number of parts is reduced. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment described above, the bush 22 having a small friction coefficient is interposed, but the friction coefficient is not provided on at least one of the sliding surfaces of the outer column 1 and the inner column 2 that are in sliding contact with each other without the bush 22 being interposed. Small materials may be coated.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 6 is a front view showing the main part of the steering device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the vehicle body mounting bracket, the steering shaft and the clamp device are omitted from the steering device of FIG. FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of the steering device of FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged perspective view of an engaging protrusion of the clamp member of FIG. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  Example 2 is a modification of Example 1, in which an outer column is disposed on the front side of the vehicle body, and an inner column disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body is fitted to the outer column so as to be slidable in the axial direction. is there.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, an upper steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported on the inner periphery 27 of the hollow cylindrical inner column 2 disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body. A steering wheel is attached to the rear side (right side in FIG. 6). The outer column 1 is fitted to the inner column 2 on the vehicle body front side (left side in FIGS. 6 and 7) so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The outer column 1 is attached to the vehicle body 5 by an upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket (vehicle body mounting bracket) 3.

  A lower-side vehicle body mounting bracket 51 is attached to the vehicle body 5 at the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1, and the tilt center shaft 16 fixed to the vehicle body front side of the outer column 1 can be tilted to the lower-side vehicle body mounting bracket 51. It is pivotally supported.

  A lower steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported on the outer column 1. The lower steering shaft is spline-fitted with the upper steering shaft, and the rotation of the upper steering shaft is transmitted to the lower steering shaft.

  The left end of the lower steering shaft is connected to the intermediate shaft 105 via the universal joint 104 in FIG. 1, and the lower end of the intermediate shaft 105 is transmitted to the steering gear 107, so that the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  Outer surfaces 64A and 64B of a pair of left and right clamp members 6A and 6B are sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B of the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 so as to be tiltable.

  The clamp members 6A and 6B have a symmetric shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B formed inside the clamp members 6A and 6B are the outer column. 1 is surrounded. The clamp members 6A and 6B are formed by a die casting method in which a molten metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy is pressed into a mold by applying pressure.

  On the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B, rectangular engagement protrusions 65A and 65B are integrally formed on a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. The engaging protrusions 65A and 65B are formed from the arcuate inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B toward the center of the outer column 1. The engagement protrusions 65 </ b> A and 65 </ b> B are preferably disposed on a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, but may be disposed above or below a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. Engaging recesses 17A and 17B are formed in the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 so as to penetrate the inner periphery 13, and the engaging protrusions 65A and 65B of the clamp members 6A and 6B are fitted into the engaging recesses 17A and 17B. .

  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the engagement protrusions 65A and 65B are formed with a large height in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, and the first-stage engagement protrusions 651A and the engagement protrusions 651A and 17B are tightly fitted. 651B and second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B which are formed to protrude from the first-stage engagement protrusions 651A and 651B toward the center of the outer column 1 and have a small height in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

  Further, on the outer periphery 25 of the inner column 2, engagement recesses 26A and 26B are formed penetrating the inner periphery 27, and the second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B of the clamp members 6A and 6B are engaged with the engagement recesses 26A, 26B. The engagement recesses 26A and 26B are formed to be longer in the axial direction (axial direction of the inner column 2) by the telescopic adjustment distance than the second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B. Guided by 652A and 652B, the outer column 1 is slidably fitted in the axial direction. The engaging recesses 26 </ b> A and 26 </ b> B may be bottomed grooves that do not penetrate the inner periphery 27 of the inner column 2.

  The outer column 1 and the inner column 2 are prevented from rotating with respect to the clamp members 6A and 6B by the engagement between the engagement protrusions 65A and 65B and the engagement recesses 17A, 17B, 26A and 26B. Further, when the inner column 2 is telescopically adjusted with respect to the outer column 1, the inner column 2 can be slid in the axial direction while being guided by the second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B.

  Circular through-holes 61A and 61B are formed in the clamp members 6A and 6B, and a tightening rod is inserted into the long slots for tilting 33A and 33B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B and the through-holes 61A and 61B. The long tilt grooves 33 </ b> A and 33 </ b> B are formed in an arc shape centered on the tilt center axis 16.

  When the operation lever 349 is rotated during the tilt / telescopic tightening, the side plates 32A and 32B are tightened and the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened. Since the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B enclose the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1, the outer column 1 is efficiently reduced in diameter when the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened. .

  When the tilt / telescopic release is performed, the operation lever 349 is rotated in the reverse direction, the side plates 32A and 32B are separated, and the clamping of the clamp members 6A and 6B is released. Accordingly, the outer column 1, the inner column 2, and the clamp members 6A and 6B can be clamped and unclamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 at a desired tilt / telescopic position.

  A slit (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the outer column 1. In addition, the outer column 1 has a closed end at the vehicle body rear side end and the vehicle body front side end of the outer column 1, and the vehicle body rear side end closed end 142 corresponds to the slit. Cut at right angles. Without forming the closed end 142, the slit of the outer column 1 may be formed open to the vehicle body rear side end surface of the outer column 1. Further, the slit of the outer column 1 may be formed up to substantially the same position as the front end of the engagement recess 17A, 17B when viewed in the axial direction of the outer column 1, but the front of the engagement recess 17A, 17B You may form in the vehicle body front side rather than a side edge part.

  The clamp members 6A and 6B are arranged at positions where the slits are sandwiched from both sides. Therefore, when the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened, the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter, and the inner column 2 can be held with a strong clamping force.

  After the clamp members 6A and 6B and the outer column 1 are unclamped with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, the steering wheel 5 is gripped and the inner column 2 is slid in the axial direction with respect to the outer column 1 to obtain a desired telescopic Adjust to position. At this time, the clamp members 6A and 6B do not move in the telescopic position with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and only the inner column 2 is guided by the engagement protrusions 65A and 65B of the clamp members 6A and 6B in the axial direction. Slide.

  Further, the inner wheel 2 and the clamp members 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B are adjusted to a desired tilt position around the tilt center axis 16 by grasping the steering wheel. Thereafter, the clamp members 6A and 6B are clamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the clamp members 6A and 6B do not move relative to the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 in the axial direction when adjusting the telescopic position, so that the side plates 32A and 32B of the upper side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 are used. The outer side surfaces 64A and 64B of the clamp members 6A and 6B do not protrude from the inner side surface. Therefore, the fastening force with which the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 fastens the clamp members 6A and 6B does not decrease depending on the telescopic adjustment position.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the engagement projections 652A and 652B of the second stage of the engagement projections 65A and 65B of the clamp members 6A and 6B and the engagement recesses 26A and 26B of the inner column 2 are adjusted during telescopic adjustment. Can be used as a stopper.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged perspective view of the engagement protrusion of the clamp member of FIG. 9A. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment, and is an example in which the tightening rod is disposed on the vehicle body upper side of the outer column 1. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, an upper steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported on the inner periphery 27 of the hollow cylindrical inner column 2 disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body. A steering wheel is attached to the rear side (right side in FIG. 9). The outer column 1 is slidably fitted in the axial direction on the vehicle body front side of the inner column 2 (left side in FIG. 9). The outer column 1 is attached to the vehicle body 5 by an upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket (vehicle body mounting bracket) 3.

  The outer side surfaces 64A and 64B of the pair of left and right clamp members 6A and 6B are sandwiched between the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the left and right side plates 32A and 32B of the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 so as to be tiltable.

  The clamp members 6A and 6B have a symmetric shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B formed inside the clamp members 6A and 6B are the outer column. 1 is wrapped around the upper half of the outer periphery 11 on the vehicle body upper side. The clamp members 6A and 6B are formed by a die casting method in which a molten metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy is pressed into a mold by applying pressure.

  Rectangular engagement protrusions 65A and 65B are integrally formed on a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1 on the vehicle body lower side of the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B. . The engaging protrusions 65A and 65B are formed from the arcuate inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B toward the center of the outer column 1. The engagement protrusions 65 </ b> A and 65 </ b> B are preferably disposed on a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, but may be disposed above or below a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. Engaging recesses 17A and 17B are formed in the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 so as to penetrate the inner periphery 13, and the engaging protrusions 65A and 65B of the clamp members 6A and 6B are fitted into the engaging recesses 17A and 17B. .

  As in the second embodiment, the engagement protrusions 65A and 65B are formed with a large height in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, and the first-stage engagement protrusions 651A and 651B that are closely fitted in the engagement recesses 17A and 17B, The first-stage engagement protrusions 651A and 651B are formed so as to protrude toward the center of the outer column 1 and have second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B having a small height in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

  Further, on the outer periphery 25 of the inner column 2, engagement recesses 26A and 26B are formed penetrating the inner periphery 27, and the second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B of the clamp members 6A and 6B are engaged with the engagement recesses 26A, 26B. The engagement recesses 26A and 26B are formed to be longer in the axial direction (axial direction of the inner column 2) by the telescopic adjustment distance than the second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B. Guided by 652A and 652B, the outer column 1 is slidably fitted in the axial direction. The engaging recesses 26 </ b> A and 26 </ b> B may be bottomed grooves that do not penetrate the inner periphery 27 of the inner column 2.

  The outer column 1 and the inner column 2 are prevented from rotating with respect to the clamp members 6A and 6B by the engagement between the engagement protrusions 65A and 65B and the engagement recesses 17A, 17B, 26A and 26B. Further, when the inner column 2 is telescopically adjusted with respect to the outer column 1, the inner column 2 can be slid in the axial direction while being guided by the second-stage engagement protrusions 652A and 652B.

  In the clamp members 6A and 6B, circular through holes 61A and 61B are formed on the upper side of the arcuate inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B on the vehicle body, and long slots for tilt 33A and 33B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B. The tightening rod 34 is inserted through 61A and 61B.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a head 341 is formed on the right side of the tightening rod 34, and the head 341 is in contact with the outer surface of the side plate 32B. A fixed cam 343, a movable cam 344, a thrust bearing 345, and an adjustment nut 346 are externally fitted in this order on the outer periphery of the left end of the clamping rod 34, and a female screw 348 formed on the inner diameter portion of the adjustment nut 346 is attached to the clamping rod 34. It is screwed into a male screw 347 formed at the left end.

  An operation lever 349 is fixed to the left end surface of the movable cam 344, and the cam lock mechanism is configured by the movable cam 344 and the fixed cam 343 that are integrally operated by the operation lever 349. The fixed cam 343 engages with the long tilt groove 33A and is not rotated with respect to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and slides the fixed cam 343 along the long tilt groove 33A when adjusting the tilt position.

  When the operation lever 349 is rotated during the tilt / telescopic tightening, the side plates 32A and 32B are tightened and the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened. Since the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B enclose the outer periphery 11 on the vehicle body upper side of the outer column 1, the outer column 1 is efficient when the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened. Reduce to diameter.

  When the tilt / telescopic release is performed, the operation lever 349 is rotated in the reverse direction, the side plates 32A and 32B are separated, and the clamping of the clamp members 6A and 6B is released. Thus, the outer column 1 and the clamp members 6A and 6B can be clamped and unclamped to the upper-side vehicle body mounting bracket 3 at a desired tilt / telescopic position.

  A slit 14 (FIG. 9) is formed on the upper surface of the outer column 1. The slit 14 has a closed end formed at the vehicle body rear side end and the vehicle body front side end of the outer column 1, and the vehicle body rear side end closed end 142 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the slit. It is rare. Instead of forming the closed end 142, the slit 14 of the outer column 1 may be formed open to the vehicle body rear end surface of the outer column 1. In addition, the slit 14 of the outer column 1 may be formed up to substantially the same position as the front end of the engagement recess 17A, 17B when viewed in the axial direction of the outer column 1, but the vehicle body of the engagement recess 17A, 17B. You may form longer in the vehicle body front side rather than a front side edge part.

  The clamp members 6A and 6B are disposed at positions where the slit 14 is sandwiched from both sides. Therefore, when the clamp members 6A and 6B are tightened, the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter, and the inner column 2 can be held with a strong clamping force.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of the steering device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is an enlarged perspective view of a resin spacer that is externally fitted to the engaging protrusion of FIG. In the following description, only structural portions and operations different from the above embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and is an example in which a resin spacer is externally fitted to the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B of the clamp members 6A and 6B to reduce friction during telescopic position adjustment. As shown in FIG. 11, the clamp members 6A and 6B have the same shape as that of the first embodiment, have a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, and the clamp members 6A and 6B. Arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62 </ b> A and 62 </ b> B formed on the inner side surround the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1. The clamp members 6A and 6B are formed by a die casting method in which a molten metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy is pressed into a mold by applying pressure.

  On the arc-shaped inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B of the clamp members 6A and 6B, rectangular engagement protrusions 63A and 63B are integrally formed on a horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1. The engaging protrusions 63A and 63B are formed from the arcuate inner peripheral surfaces 62A and 62B toward the center of the outer column 1. A hollow oval resin spacer 66 shown in FIG. 11B is externally fitted around the engaging protrusions 63A and 63B. Engaging recesses 12A and 12B are formed in the outer periphery 11 of the outer column 1 so as to penetrate the inner periphery 13, and resin spacers 66 and 66 externally fitted to the engaging protrusions 63A and 63B are formed in the engaging recesses 12A and 12B. It is inserted.

  The engagement recesses 12A and 12B are formed to be longer in the axial direction (axial direction of the outer column 1) than the resin spacers 66 and 66 by the telescopic adjustment distance, and are guided by the resin spacers 66 and 66, 1 is slidably fitted in the axial direction.

  The outer column 1 is prevented from rotating with respect to the clamp members 6A and 6B by the engagement between the resin spacers 66 and 66 fitted on the engagement protrusions 63A and 63B and the engagement recesses 12A and 12B. Further, when the outer column 1 is telescopically adjusted with respect to an inner column (not shown), the outer column 1 can be slid in the axial direction by being guided by the resin spacers 66 and 66. Since the resin spacers 66, 66 having a small friction coefficient are interposed, the outer column 1 can be moved with a light force with respect to the inner column. Further, vibration and sound during telescopic position adjustment can be reduced, and impact and sound at the telescopic position adjustment end can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engaging protrusion is formed on the horizontal line passing through the central axis of the outer column 1, but the engaging protrusion can be formed at an arbitrary phase position. Furthermore, one engaging protrusion is formed on each of the clamp members 6A and 6B, but a plurality of engaging protrusions may be formed. Further, the engagement protrusion has a rectangular shape that is slightly longer in the axial direction, but may have any shape such as a columnar protrusion or a protrusion that is long in the vertical direction. Moreover, what is necessary is just to shape | mold the shape of an engagement recessed part according to the shape of an engagement protrusion.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a tilt / telescopic steering device capable of both tilt position adjustment and telescopic position adjustment has been described, but the present invention is applied to a telescopic steering device capable of only telescopic position adjustment. The invention may be applied. In the embodiment of the present invention, the outer column 1 may be formed of an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, or carbon steel. Moreover, you may shape | mold the material of clamp member 6A, 6B with aluminum (alloy), magnesium (alloy), the die-cast molded product of a metal material, a synthetic resin, and a sintered member.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Steering device 102 Steering shaft 103 Steering wheel 104 Universal joint 105 Intermediate shaft 106 Universal joint 107 Steering gear 108 Tie rod 1 Outer column 11 Outer periphery 12A, 12B Engaging recess 13 Inner periphery 14 Slit 141 Closed end 142 Closed end 15 Front of vehicle body Side end face 16 Tilt center axis 17A, 17B Engaging recess 2 Inner column 21 Tilt center axis 22 Bushing 23A, 23B Engaging recess 24 Slit 25 Outer circumference 26A, 26B Engaging recess 27 Inner circumference 3 Upper side body mounting bracket 31A, 31B Flange Part 32A, 32B Side plate 321A, 321B Inner side face 33A, 33B Long slot for tilt 34 Tightening rod 341 Head 342 Anti-rotation part 3 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Fixed cam 344 Movable cam 345 Thrust bearing 346 Adjustment nut 347 Male screw 348 Female screw 349 Operation lever 41 Upper steering shaft 42 Lower steering shaft 5 Car body 51 Lower side body mounting bracket 6A, 6B Clamp member 61A, 61B Through-hole 62A, 62B Arc shape Inner peripheral surface 63A, 63B Engagement protrusion 64A, 64B Outer side surface 65A, 65B Engagement protrusion 651A, 651B First-stage engagement protrusion 652A, 652B Second-stage engagement protrusion 66 Resin spacer

Claims (5)

Inner column,
A hollow outer column having a slit formed on the inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction and formed over a predetermined length in the axial direction;
Body mounting bracket that can be mounted on the body,
A clamp member disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body mounting bracket, having an engaging projection for engaging with the outer column, and holding an outer periphery of the outer column;
A clamp device for tightening the vehicle body mounting bracket, reducing the diameter of the outer column via the clamp member, and clamping the inner column so as not to move relative to the outer column in the axial direction;
Formed on the outer periphery of the outer column or the outer periphery of the inner column, engages with the engagement protrusion of the clamp member, and has an axial length longer than the engagement protrusion by the telescopic adjustment distance. A steering device comprising an engaging recess that is guided by the shaft and is slidably fitted in the axial direction of the outer column. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the clamp member is composed of a pair of parts symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the outer column. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A steering apparatus, wherein a resin spacer for reducing friction between the engaging protrusion and the engaging recess is attached to the engaging protrusion. In the steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 3,
The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein closed ends that do not open to the axial end surface of the outer column are formed at both ends of the slit in the axial direction. The steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
A steering apparatus, wherein at least one of the closed ends is formed with a cut in a direction perpendicular to the slit.

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