JP2013071723A - Telescopic steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the feeling of discomfort and the like experienced by a driver when adjusting the forward/backward position of a steering wheel, and to prevent a support bracket from detaching in the forward direction due to the extremely large force of adjustment operation.SOLUTION: An elastic sleeve 35 is mounted inside a forward/backward direction elongated hole 25a, and an adjustment rod 19a is inserted through the inside of the elastic sleeve 35. Gaps 36, 36 are interposed between the outer circumferential surface at the forward and backward ends of the elastic sleeve 35 and the inner circumferential surface at the forward and backward ends of the forward/backward direction elongated hole 25a. In conjunction with an adjustment of the forward/backward position of a steering wheel, when the adjustment rod 19a is displaced forcefully toward the forward or backward end of the forward/backward direction elongated hole 25a and collides forcefully with the inner circumferential surface at the forward or backward end of the elastic sleeve 35, the gaps 36, 36 function in such a way that the amount of elastic deformation at the forward or backward end of the elastic sleeve 35 is increased, thereby alleviating the shock imparted from the adjustment rod 19a to the inner circumferential surface at the end of the forward/backward direction elongated hole 25a.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a telescopic steering device for adjusting the front-rear position of a steering wheel. Specifically, a structure that can alleviate the impact applied when the steering wheel is moved to the adjustable front end position vigorously is realized.

  The steering apparatus for an automobile is configured as shown in FIG. 11, and transmits the rotation of the steering wheel 1 to the input shaft 3 of the steering gear unit 2, and a pair of left and right tie rods 4 in accordance with the rotation of the input shaft 3. 4 is pushed and pulled to give a steering angle to the front wheels. The steering wheel 1 is supported and fixed at the rear end portion of the steering shaft 5, and the steering shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the steering column 6 with the cylindrical steering column 6 inserted in the axial direction. Has been. Further, the front end portion of the steering shaft 5 is connected to the rear end portion of the intermediate shaft 8 via a universal joint 7, and the front end portion of the intermediate shaft 8 is connected to the input shaft 3 via another universal joint 9. Connected to.

  With such a steering device, a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 and a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position according to the physique and driving posture of the driver have been widely known. ing. In order to constitute the tilt mechanism, the steering column 6 is in the width direction with respect to the vehicle body 10 (the width direction is the width direction of the vehicle body and coincides with the left-right direction. Description and claims) The same is applied to the entire range.) The rocking displacement centering on the pivot 11 installed is supported. Further, the displacement bracket fixed to the rear end portion of the steering column 6 with respect to the support bracket 12 supported by the vehicle body 10 is the vertical direction and the front-rear direction (the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The same throughout the specification and claims). Among these, in order to constitute a telescopic mechanism that enables displacement in the front-rear direction, the steering column 6 has a structure in which an outer column 13 and an inner column 14 are telescopically combined to expand and contract, and the steering shaft 5 The outer shaft 15 and the inner shaft 16 are combined with each other so as to be able to transmit torque and expand and contract by spline engagement or the like. The illustrated example also incorporates an electric power steering device that reduces the force required to operate the steering wheel 1 using the electric motor 17 as an auxiliary power source.

  In the case of a tilt mechanism or a telescopic mechanism, the position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted or fixed at the adjusted position based on the operation of the adjustment lever, except for the electric mechanism. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which the cam member 21 is swung and displaced at the same time as the axial dimension of the cam device 20 is expanded and contracted based on the rotation of the adjustment rod 19 by the adjustment lever 18 as shown in FIGS. Is described. In the case of this conventional structure, the displacement bracket 22 fixed to the outer column 13a is engaged / disengaged with respect to the support bracket 12a based on the expansion / contraction of the cam device 20. Further, based on the rocking displacement of the cam member 21, whether the inner column 14a is slidable with respect to the outer column 13a is switched.

  The adjustment rod 19 includes vertically elongated holes 24, 24 formed in a pair of left and right support plate portions 23, 23 constituting the support bracket 12a, and longitudinal elongated holes 25, 25 formed in the displacement bracket 22. Is inserted in the width direction. When adjusting the vertical position or the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 11) supported and fixed to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 5a comprising the outer shaft 15a and the inner shaft 16a, the adjusting lever 18 is moved in a predetermined direction. By swinging, the axial dimension of the cam device 20 is reduced, and the cam member 21 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14a. In this state, the vertical position and the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within a range in which the adjustment rod 19 can be displaced within the long holes 24 and 25. After the steering wheel 1 is moved to a desired position, the adjusting lever 18 is swung in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction to expand the axial dimension of the cam device 20 and the cam member 21 The outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14a is held down. As a result, the steering wheel 1 can be held at the adjusted position.

  When adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1 as described above, if the steering wheel 1 is vigorously moved to an adjustable limit position, the adjustment rod 19 or a sleeve 26a fitted on the adjustment rod 19 is provided. The outer peripheral surface of 26b collides with the end of any one of the long holes 24, 25 vigorously. As a result, an impact is applied to the arm of the driver who operates the steering wheel 1, causing the driver to feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable. Furthermore, if the steering wheel 1 is displaced to the foremost position with an extremely large force, the supporting force of the steering column 6a with respect to the vehicle body may be lost. This point will be described below.

  In the event of a collision accident, a secondary collision occurs in which the driver's body collides with the steering wheel 1. In order to alleviate the impact applied to the driver's body during the secondary collision, the support bracket 12a is detached forward when a large impact load is applied to the vehicle body 10 (see FIG. 11). I support it. On the other hand, the steering wheel 1 is vigorously displaced to the foremost position, and the rear end portions of the longitudinal longitudinal holes 25 and 25 are vigorously formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adjustment rod 19 (the sleeves 26a and 26b fitted on the adjustment rod 19). In the case of collision, an impact in the same direction as the impact load applied during the secondary collision is applied to the support bracket 12a via the displacement bracket 22. For this reason, when a driver with good physique displaces the steering wheel 1 forward with an extremely large force (roughly) when adjusting the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1, the support bracket 12a can be disengaged forward. There is sex. And when it leaves | separates, operation of the said steering wheel 1 becomes difficult.

  Patent Document 2 describes a structure in which elastomeric elastic blocks are arranged at both ends in the length direction of the inner peripheral surface of a plastic liner corresponding to a longitudinal hole. In the case of such an improved structure, it is considered that it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver during the adjustment work, and to a certain extent prevent the occurrence of problems due to the rough adjustment operation. . However, in the case of the improved structure, since the plastic liner and the elastic block which are separate from each other are combined by bonding or the like, the assembly is troublesome and the cost is increased. Further, the elastic deformation amount of the elastic block (the stroke that elastically deforms when absorbing the impact) cannot always be sufficiently obtained, and the effect of reducing the sense of incongruity and the effect of preventing the occurrence of the malfunction cannot always be obtained sufficiently. .

JP 2001-322552 A Japanese National Patent Publication No. 10-512825

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention realizes a structure that can further improve the effect of reducing the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver during the adjustment work and the effect of preventing the occurrence of problems based on the rough adjustment operation. Invented accordingly.

The telescopic steering device of the present invention includes a steering column, a displacement bracket, a steering shaft, a support bracket, an adjustment rod, and an expansion / contraction mechanism.
Of these, the steering column has a cylindrical shape, and includes an outer column capable of expanding and contracting at least an inner diameter of one end in the axial direction, and an inner column fitted and supported on the inner diameter side of the outer column so as to be capable of axial displacement. Combined, it can be stretched.
Further, the displacement bracket is provided on a part of the steering column and is displaced together with the part. The one of the outer column and the inner column (rear side) is a column of the steering wheel. It is fixed to a column that is displaced in the axial direction as it moves back and forth. And it has the longitudinal direction long hole long in the axial direction of this column.
The steering shaft is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of the steering column, and a steering wheel is fixed to a portion protruding rearward from the rear end opening of the steering column. Such a steering shaft is rotatably supported inside the one column in a state of being axially displaced together with the one column. When the steering shaft is configured by combining an outer shaft and an inner shaft so that torque can be transmitted and expanded and contracted, one of the outer shaft and the inner shaft (rear side) is used. A shaft for fixing the steering wheel to the rear end portion is rotatably supported inside the one column while being axially displaced together with the one column.
The support bracket supports the steering column with respect to the vehicle body so that the front / rear position of the steering wheel can be adjusted, a pair of support plate portions sandwiching the displacement bracket from both sides in the width direction, and both the support plates. And a through hole formed in a portion of the portion aligned with each other.
Further, the adjusting rod is inserted through the through holes and the longitudinal longitudinal holes in the width direction of the displacement bracket.
Furthermore, the expansion / contraction mechanism expands / contracts a distance between a pair of pressing portions provided at portions opposite to the outer surfaces of the both support plate portions at both ends of the adjustment rod, so Increase or decrease the distance between the sides.

In particular, in the telescopic steering device of the present invention, it is made of an elastic material such as rubber, an elastomer such as vinyl, or a plastomer such as polypropylene (PP) or polyacetal (POM), and is mounted inside the longitudinal slot. The elastic sleeve is provided, and the adjustment rod is inserted in the width direction inside the elastic sleeve.
This elastic sleeve is a member used to relieve an impact based on elastic deformation. For this reason, the plastomer can be used as the elastic material constituting the elastic sleeve. However, the elastomer is more easily deformed and superior in impact relaxation performance based on the elastic deformation as compared with the plastomer. It is preferred to use.

  When implementing the present invention as described above, the configuration of the invention described in claim 2 is preferably employed. That is, in a state in which the entire length of the steering column is shortened so that at least the front and rear positions of the steering wheel can be adjusted to the foremost position among the front and rear ends of the longitudinal hole and the front and rear ends of the elastic sleeve. A gap is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the longitudinal slot and the outer peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve at the end on the side where the adjustment rod is located. This gap increases the amount of elastic deformation at the end of the elastic sleeve when the adjusting rod collides with the inner peripheral surface of the end of the elastic sleeve vigorously, and from the inner peripheral surface of the end of the longitudinal slot. It functions to alleviate the impact applied to the adjusting rod.

  In carrying out the invention described in claim 2 as described above, specifically, for example, as in the invention described in claim 3, the outer column is on the rear side, and the inner column is on the front side, respectively. Deploy. The one (rear) column is the outer column, and a long slit is formed in the axial direction at the front end of the outer column, so that the inner diameter of the outer column can be elastically expanded and contracted. Further, the displacement bracket is composed of a pair of sandwiched plate portions fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer column with the slit sandwiched from both sides. And the said front-back direction long hole is formed in both these clamping board parts, and the said clearance gap is interposed between the rear-end part internal peripheral surface of the said front-back direction long hole and the rear-end part outer peripheral surface of the said elastic sleeve at least. .

When carrying out the invention described in claim 3 as described above, for example, as in the invention described in claim 4, a pair of longitudinal slots formed in the both sandwiched plate portions respectively. The elastic sleeves separated from each other are respectively attached.
Alternatively, as in the invention described in claim 5, both ends in the width direction of a single elastic sleeve are respectively fitted into the pair of longitudinal slots formed in the both sandwiched plate portions, The elastic sleeve is mounted in a state of being stretched between the sandwiched plate portions.

Further, when the invention described in claims 2 to 5 as described above is carried out, specifically, for example, as in the invention described in claim 6, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the longitudinal slot is Is a semicircular shape with a constant radius of curvature. On the other hand, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the elastic sleeve is such that the radius of curvature of the central portion is smaller than the radius of curvature of the semicircular shape, and the radius of curvature of both side portions sandwiching the central portion is the radius of curvature of the semicircular shape. Larger than that (including the case where the radius of curvature is infinite). Then, at the both side portions, the gap exists between the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the long hole in the front-rear direction and the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the elastic sleeve.
When the invention described in claim 6 is carried out, preferably, as in the invention described in claim 7, a recess is formed in the center of the inner peripheral surface of the end of the elastic sleeve, and the center Thus, the thickness of the elastic sleeve is made smaller than both side portions.

  Alternatively, when carrying out the invention described in claims 2 to 5 as described above, specifically, as in the invention described in claim 8, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the end of the longitudinal slot is formed. The elastic sleeve has a semicircular shape with a constant radius of curvature, and the shape of the end portion of the elastic sleeve is composed of a central flat plate portion and curved plate portions on both sides sandwiching the flat plate portion. And the said clearance gap exists between the edge part inner peripheral surface of the said longitudinal direction long hole, and the edge part outer peripheral surface of the said elastic sleeve in the part corresponding to this flat plate part.

  Further, when the invention described in claims 2 to 8 as described above is carried out, preferably, as in the invention described in claim 9, both the front and rear ends of the longitudinal slot and the front and rear ends of the elastic sleeve are used. The gap is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the longitudinal slot and the outer peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve at both ends of the elastic sleeve.

According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to reduce discomfort and discomfort given to the driver during the operation of adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel (particularly when adjusting to the foremost position). According to the invention described above, it is possible to reduce the supporting force of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body even when a rough adjustment operation is performed (particularly in the invention described in claim 2). Accordingly, a telescopic steering device that can be sufficiently prevented) can be realized.
In other words, according to the present invention, when the front and rear positions of the steering wheel are displaced to the foremost adjustable position, the elastic rod and the inner peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve collide with each other. The end portion of the elastic sleeve is elastically deformed (particularly, in the case of the invention described in claim 2, the end portion of the elastic sleeve is largely elastically deformed based on the presence of the gap). And the impact energy transmitted between the said adjustment rod and a support bracket is relieve | moderated based on this elastic deformation. As a result, in addition to being able to reduce discomfort and discomfort given to the hand of the driver who is adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel, it is possible to prevent the support bracket from being detached forward. In particular, according to the ninth aspect of the invention, not only when the steering wheel is displaced to the foremost position, but also when the steering wheel is displaced to the last position, it is possible to reduce discomfort and discomfort given to the driver's hand.

The principal part side view which shows the 1st example of embodiment of this invention. The top view which abbreviate | omits and shows the left end part of FIG. XX sectional drawing of FIG. The side view which took out only the outer column, the outer shaft, and the adjustment rod, and was seen from the same direction as FIG. The lower left enlarged view of FIG. The enlarged view which shows the lower right part of FIG. 5 in the state (A) before an elastic sleeve elastically deforms, and the state (B) which elastically deformed. The figure similar to FIG. 5 which shows the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention. The same figure as FIG. The figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows the 3rd example of embodiment of this invention. The figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows a 4th example similarly. The partial cutting schematic side view of the steering apparatus provided with the telescopic mechanism and the tilt mechanism conventionally known. The vertical side view which shows the 2nd example of conventional structure. FIG. 13 is an enlarged YY sectional view of FIG. 12.

[First example of embodiment]
FIGS. 1-6 has shown the 1st example of embodiment of this invention corresponding to Claims 1-4, 6, 7, 9. In the structure of this example, the support bracket 12b is supported by the impact load applied at the time of the secondary collision so as to be disengaged forward with respect to the vehicle body side fixing bracket 27 supported and fixed to the vehicle body. For this reason, in the case of this example, the peripheral edge portion of the locking notch 28 formed at the center in the width direction of the fixed bracket 27 and opened to the front is used as the width of the upper surface of the upper plate portion 29 of the support bracket 12b. It is sandwiched between a portion closer to both ends in the direction and the lower surface of the holding plate portion 31 of the holding bracket 30 which is welded and fixed to the upper surface of the upper plate portion 29. Further, the fixing bracket 27 is formed at a portion where the peripheral edge portion of the locking notch 28, the upper plate portion 29 of the support bracket 12b, and the holding plate portion 31 of the holding bracket 30 are aligned with each other. A coupling member made of a material such as a synthetic resin that is easy to tear is passed over the small through hole or notch. With this configuration, the vehicle body side fixing bracket 27 and the support bracket 12b are coupled so as not to be shaken at the normal time, and the support bracket 12b can be detached forward in a secondary collision. In addition, regarding this part, since it is not related to the gist of the present invention and configurations other than those shown in the drawings including various conventionally known structures can be adopted, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The support bracket 12b is formed by bending a metal plate having sufficient strength and rigidity, such as a steel plate, and is perpendicular to the upper plate portion 29 and the left and right end portions of the upper plate portion 29 downward. A pair of bent support plate portions 23a and 23a are provided. Vertically elongated holes 24a and 24a corresponding to the through-holes described in the claims are formed in the portions of the support plate portions 23a and 23a that are aligned with each other. Both the vertical holes 24a and 24a have a partial arc shape with the pivot 11 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) serving as the center of oscillation when the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 is adjusted.

  And between the said support plate parts 23a and 23a, the outer column 13b which comprises the steering column 6b is supported (clamped) so that adjustment of the front-back position and an up-down position is possible. The steering column 6b has a telescopic structure in which a front portion of the outer column 13b and a rear portion of the inner column 14b are fitted so as to be capable of relative displacement in the axial direction. Of these, the outer column 13b is formed in a cylindrical shape by casting (die casting) a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy. Further, the front end of the axial slit 32 formed in the lower end portion of the front half of the outer column 13b and corresponding to the slit described in the claims is formed into a circumferential slit 33 formed in the lower half portion of the front end of the outer column 13b. By opening, the inner diameter of the front half portion of the outer column 13b can be elastically expanded / contracted. The front end portion of the inner column 14b is coupled and fixed to a housing of a power steering device, for example, and the housing is supported by the pivot 11 so as to be swingable and displaceable with respect to the vehicle body. The vertical position of the part can be adjusted.

  Further, a pair of sandwiched plate portions 34 and 34 constituting the displacement bracket 22a are formed at positions near the both ends in the width direction of the lower surface of the outer column 13b so as to sandwich the axial slit 32 from both the left and right sides. . Both the sandwiched plate portions 34 and 34 are basically flat and are cast integrally with the outer column 13b. However, the plurality of sandwiched plate portions 34 and 34 are provided with concave portions for weight reduction and prevention of shrinkage after casting. Is forming. In addition, longitudinal slots 25a and 25a are formed in parallel with the central axis of the outer column 13b at the positions where the both sandwiched brackets 34 and 34 are aligned with each other. Further, the shape of the front and rear end portions of both the front and rear direction long holes 25a and 25a seen from the width direction (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6) is a semicircular shape with a constant curvature radius. In the case of the present example, the inner peripheral surfaces of both the longitudinal direction long holes 25a, 25a have stepped portions at the positions of the two intermediate portions, and the inner surface from the outer surface side of the sandwiched brackets 34, 34. The stepped shape is such that the opening area becomes narrower toward the side.

  And elastic sleeves 35, 35 made of elastomer such as rubber are fitted and supported inside the long holes 25a, 25a in the front-rear direction. These elastic sleeves 35, 35 are a main body part fitted in a middle part in the penetration direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) of both the longitudinal longitudinal holes 25 a, 25 a, and the outer side surfaces of the both sandwiched brackets 34, 34. The side end is provided with a flange formed so as to protrude over the entire circumference. Moreover, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of both front and rear ends of both elastic sleeves 35, 35 is a mountain shape with rounded tops. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, the curvature radius of the central portion of the outer peripheral surface of both front and rear ends of both elastic sleeves 35 and 35 in the free state of both elastic sleeves 35 and 35 is the length in the both front and rear direction. It is smaller than the semicircular curvature radius of the front and rear end portions of the holes 25a, 25a, and the curvature radius of both side portions sandwiching the central portion is larger than the semicircular curvature radius. And in these both side parts, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 between the front-and-rear both-ends inner peripheral surface of both said front-back direction long holes 25a and 25a, and the front-and-rear both-ends outer peripheral surface of both said elastic sleeves 35 and 35, respectively. In addition, arc-shaped gaps 36 and 36 are present. Further, in the case of this example, concave portions 37 and 37 are respectively formed in the central portions of the inner peripheral surfaces of the front and rear end portions of both elastic sleeves 35 and 35, and the thicknesses of both elastic sleeves 35 and 35 are formed in the central portion. It is smaller than both side parts.

  A steering shaft 5b is rotatably supported inside the steering column 6b. The steering shaft 5b is formed by spline-engaging the front half of the rear outer shaft 15b and the rear half of the front inner shaft 16b, and enables torque transmission and expansion / contraction. The outer shaft 15b is rotatably supported on the inner side of the outer column 13b while preventing axial displacement of the outer column 13b. The steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 11) can be fixed to a portion protruding from the rear end opening of the outer column 13b at the rear end portion of the outer shaft 5b.

  Further, an adjustment rod 19a is inserted into the inside of both the vertical slots 24a, 24a and the elastic sleeves 35, 35 mounted inside the longitudinal slots 25a, 25a. Then, by the expansion / contraction mechanism incorporating the adjustment rod 19a, the interval between the support plate portions 23a, 23a is expanded / contracted, and the vertical position and the front / rear position of the outer column 13b can be adjusted, or the outer column 13b can be adjusted. It can be held in the adjusted position. In order to constitute the expansion / contraction mechanism, a vertical length is formed by forming a head 38 provided on the base end portion (right end portion in FIG. 3) of the adjustment rod 19a on one (right side in FIG. 3) support plate portion 23a. The hole 25a is engaged only in a displacement (in a state where rotation is prevented) only along the vertical hole 25a. On the other hand, between the nut 39 screwed and fixed to the tip of the adjusting rod 19a and the outer surface of the other (left side in FIG. 3) support plate 23a, the thrust bearing 40 is sequentially installed from the nut 39 side. And a cam device 20a. The cam device 20a expands and contracts the axial dimension based on the relative displacement between the driving cam 41 and the driven cam 42, and the driven cam 42 is connected to the other support plate portion 23a. Only the displacement along the vertical direction long hole 25a is engaged with the formed vertical direction long hole 25a. On the other hand, the drive side cam 41 can be rotated around the adjustment rod 19a by the adjustment lever 18a.

  When adjusting the vertical position or the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1, the adjusting lever 18a is swung downward to reduce the axial dimension of the cam device 20a. As a result, the distance between the head 38 and the driven cam 42 is widened, and the both support plate portions 23a, 23a hold down the pair of left and right sandwiched plate portions 34, 34 constituting the displacement bracket 22a. Power is reduced or lost. At the same time, the inner diameter of the front half of the outer column 13b is elastically expanded, and the surface pressure of the fitting portion between the inner peripheral surface of the front half of the outer column 13b and the outer peripheral surface of the rear half of the inner column 14b is reduced or lost. . In this state, the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within a range in which the adjustment rod 19a can be displaced in the vertical holes 24a and 24a. Further, the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within a range in which the adjusting rod 19a can be displaced inside the elastic sleeves 35a, 35a. After the steering wheel 1 is moved to a desired position, the adjustment lever 18a is swung upward to expand the axial dimension of the cam device 20a. The distance between the support plate portions 23a and 23a strongly suppresses the pair of left and right sandwiched plate portions 34 and 34 constituting the displacement bracket 22a. At the same time, the inner diameter of the front half of the outer column 13b is reduced, and the fitting strength between the front half of the outer column 13b and the rear half of the inner column 14b is increased. As a result, the steering wheel 1 can be held at the adjusted position.

  In the case of the telescopic steering device of the present example, when adjusting the front / rear position of the steering wheel, even when the adjusting rod 19a is vigorously displaced to both front and rear ends inside the elastic sleeves 35a, 35a. It is possible to prevent a large impact from being applied to the outer column 13b. That is, when the adjusting rod 19a is displaced to the ends of the elastic sleeves 35a and 35a with vigorous force, the elastic sleeves 35a and 35a are changed from the state shown in FIG. It will be elastically deformed even to the state. That is, the ends of the elastic sleeves 35a and 35a are elastically deformed in the direction of retracting from the adjusting rod 19a based on the presence of the gaps 36 and 36. At the same time, the thickness of the portion of the elastic sleeves 35a, 35a where the adjusting rod 19a abuts is also elastically compressed. Together, these two buffering actions absorb a substantial portion of the impact energy applied from the adjusting rod 19a to the ends of the elastic sleeves 34, 34.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce discomfort and discomfort given to the hand of the driver who is adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1. Furthermore, since the impact energy applied to the support bracket 12b from the outer column 13b via the adjustment rod 19a can be reduced, the support bracket can be used even when the driver moves the steering wheel 1 to the foremost position. It is possible to prevent 12b from moving forward. That is, when a driver with a large physique pushes the outer column 13b forward through the steering wheel 1 and the outer shaft 15b with the adjustment lever 18a rotated downward, the adjustment is performed. The rod 19a is displaced vigorously toward the rear end portions of the two longitudinal longitudinal holes 25a, 25a. Then, the kinetic energy for moving the outer column 13b forward is transmitted to the support bracket 19a through the adjustment rod 19a.

  When the impact energy transmitted to the support bracket 19a is large in this way, the synthetic resin coupling member that couples the support bracket 19a and the vehicle body side fixing portion racket 27 is torn, and the support bracket 19a is broken. Leaves ahead. On the other hand, according to the structure of this example, since a substantial portion of the impact energy transmitted from the outer column 13b to the adjusting rod 19a can be absorbed based on the elastic deformation of the elastic sleeves 35, 35, the degree of rough operation is reduced. The impact can prevent the support bracket 19a from moving forward. The impact energy transmitted to the adjusting rod 19a at the time of a secondary collision is much larger than the impact energy applied by the violent operation, so that the driver who has collided with the steering wheel 1 by separating the support bracket 19a forward. Alleviates the impact on the body. Also at this time, the shock absorption based on the elastic deformation of the elastic sleeves 35 and 35 is useful for protecting the driver.

[Second Example of Embodiment]
FIGS. 7-8 has shown the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention corresponding to Claims 1-4,8,9. In the case of this example, the shape of the both ends of the elastic sleeve 35a for interposing the gaps 36a, 36a for absorbing shock is different from that of the first example of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, as in the case of the first example of the above-described embodiment, the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the end portion in the front-rear direction long hole 25a is a semicircular shape with a constant radius of curvature, and the front and rear ends of the elastic sleeve 35a. The shape of the part is composed of a flat plate portion 43 at the center and curved plate portions on both sides sandwiching the flat plate portion 43. And in the part corresponding to this flat plate part 43, both the said clearance gaps 36a and 36a exist between the edge part inner peripheral surface of the said front-back direction long hole 25a, and the both-ends outer peripheral surface of the said elastic sleeve 35a.
Since the configuration and operation of the other parts are the same as in the first example of the embodiment described above, overlapping illustrations and descriptions are omitted.

[Third example of embodiment]
FIG. 9 shows a third example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2, 3, and 5. In the case of this example, a pair of front and rear direction long holes 25a and 25a respectively formed in a pair of left and right sandwiched plate portions 34a and 34a constituting the displacement bracket 22b provided integrally with the outer column 13b, Both ends of the single elastic sleeve 35c in the width direction are fitted inside. In short, the elastic sleeve 35c is mounted in a state of being spanned between the sandwiched plate portions 34a and 34a. Further, in the case of this example, the support bracket 12c can be detached forward from the portion fixed to the vehicle body by the impact energy applied at the time of the secondary collision through a pair of right and left locking capsules 44, 44. I support it. Such a detachment mechanism using the locking capsules 44 and 44 is well known in the art, and thus detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.
Since the configuration and operation of other parts are the same as those in the first example of the above-described embodiment, overlapping illustrations and descriptions are omitted.

[Fourth Example of Embodiment]
FIG. 10 also shows a fourth example of the embodiment of the invention corresponding to claims 1, 2, 3, and 5. In the case of this example, a pair of sandwiched plate portions 34b, 34b constituting the displacement bracket 22c are provided on the lower surface of the outer column 13c made of a steel plate (which is an electric resistance tube or a pull-out tube). The formed axial slit 32a is welded and fixed in a state sandwiched from both the left and right sides. Then, both ends in the width direction of a single elastic sleeve 35d are fitted into the longitudinal long holes 25b, 25b formed in the portions of the sandwiched plate portions 34b, 34b that are aligned with each other, and the elastic sleeve 35d. Is sandwiched between the sandwiched plate portions 34b, 34b.
Since the configuration and operation of other parts are the same as in the third example of the above-described embodiment, overlapping illustrations and descriptions are omitted.

  In general, the pushing force is larger than the pulling force, and when the steering wheel front and rear position is adjusted, the direction in which the steering wheel is moved violently and vigorously is often forward. The support bracket may be disengaged forward when the steering wheel is displaced forward vigorously. Therefore, in the state where the steering wheel is moved to the adjustable rear end position, it is not always necessary to provide a buffer function. However, if it is held in both directions, it is not necessary to regulate the direction of assembly of the elastic sleeve, and in addition to eliminating the possibility of incorrect assembly, the driver will not feel uncomfortable when adjusting to the rear end position. This is advantageous in terms of realizing the structure.

The present invention can also be implemented by a steering device that does not include a tilt mechanism but includes only a telescopic mechanism. However, even in this case, in order to carry out the present invention, the longitudinal hole is formed on the displacement bracket side. As long as the telescopic steering device according to the present invention is not implemented, a simple through hole (circular hole) may be formed in the displacement bracket, and a longitudinal hole may be formed in the pair of left and right support plate portions constituting the support bracket. However, in this case, the adjustment lever also moves back and forth with the adjustment of the front and rear position of the steering wheel. In addition, since the thickness dimension of the both support plate portions is small and the width dimension of the inner peripheral surface of the longitudinally long hole formed in both the support plate portions is small, it is difficult to attach the elastic sleeve as in the present invention. .
Furthermore, in the example shown in the figure, the displacement bracket is shown on the lower side of the steering column, but it can be provided on the upper side, the outer column on the front side, and the inner column on the rear side. The present invention can also be implemented with the arranged structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering gear unit 3 Input shaft 4 Tie rod 5, 5a, 5b Steering shaft 6, 6a, 6b Steering column 7 Universal joint 8 Intermediate shaft 9 Universal joint 10 Car body 11 Axis 12, 12a, 12b, 12c Support bracket 13, 13a, 13b, 13c Outer column 14, 14a, 14b Inner column 15, 15a, 15b Outer shaft 16, 16a, 16b Inner shaft 17 Electric motor 18, 18a Adjusting lever 19, 19a Adjusting rod 20, 20a Cam device 21 Cam member 22 , 22a, 22b, 22c Displacement bracket 23, 23a Support plate portion 24, 24a Longitudinal hole 25, 25a, 25b Longitudinal hole 26a, 26b Sleeve 27 Car body side fixing bracket 28 Locking cut Notch 29 Upper plate 30 Holding bracket 31 Holding plate 32, 32a Axial slit 33 Circumferential slit 34, 34a, 34b Nipped plate 35, 35a, 35c, 35d Elastic sleeve 36, 36a Gap 37 Recess 38 Head 39 Nut 40 Thrust Bearing 41 Drive Side Cam 42 Drive Side Cam 43 Flat Plate 44 Locking Capsule

The telescopic steering device of the present invention includes a steering column, a displacement bracket, a steering shaft, a support bracket, an adjustment rod, and an expansion / contraction mechanism.
Of these, the steering column has a cylindrical shape, and includes an outer column capable of expanding and contracting at least an inner diameter of one end in the axial direction, and an inner column fitted and supported on the inner diameter side of the outer column so as to be capable of axial displacement. Combined, it can be stretched.
The displacement bracket is provided on a part of the steering column and is displaced together with the part. The one of the outer column and the inner column (rear side) is a front and rear of the steering wheel . It is fixed to a column that is displaced in the axial direction as it moves. And it has the longitudinal direction long hole long in the axial direction of this column.
The steering shaft is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of the steering column, and a steering wheel is fixed to a portion protruding rearward from the rear end opening of the steering column. Such a steering shaft is rotatably supported inside the one column in a state of being axially displaced together with the one column. When the steering shaft is configured by combining an outer shaft and an inner shaft so that torque can be transmitted and expanded and contracted, one of the outer shaft and the inner shaft (rear side) is used. A shaft for fixing the steering wheel to the rear end portion is rotatably supported inside the one column while being axially displaced together with the one column.
The support bracket supports the steering column with respect to the vehicle body so that the front-rear position of the steering wheel can be adjusted. And a through hole formed in a portion of the portion aligned with each other.
Further, the adjusting rod is inserted through the through holes and the longitudinal longitudinal holes in the width direction of the displacement bracket.
Furthermore, the expansion / contraction mechanism expands / contracts a distance between a pair of pressing portions provided at portions opposite to the outer surfaces of the both support plate portions at both ends of the adjustment rod, so Increase or decrease the distance between the sides.

When adjusting the vertical position or the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1, the adjusting lever 18a is swung downward to reduce the axial dimension of the cam device 20a. As a result, the distance between the head 38 and the driven cam 42 is widened, and the both support plate portions 23a, 23a hold down the pair of left and right sandwiched plate portions 34, 34 constituting the displacement bracket 22a. Power is reduced or lost. At the same time, the inner diameter of the front half of the outer column 13b is elastically expanded, and the surface pressure of the fitting portion between the inner peripheral surface of the front half of the outer column 13b and the outer peripheral surface of the rear half of the inner column 14b is reduced or lost. . In this state, the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within a range in which the adjustment rod 19a can be displaced in the vertical holes 24a and 24a. Further, the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within a range in which the adjusting rod 19a can be displaced inside the elastic sleeves 35a, 35a. After the steering wheel 1 is moved to a desired position, the adjustment lever 18a is swung upward, if extended axial dimension of the cam device 20a, the head 38 and the driven cam 42 The two support plate portions 23a and 23a strongly suppress the pair of left and right sandwiched plate portions 34 and 34 constituting the displacement bracket 22a. At the same time, the inner diameter of the front half of the outer column 13b is reduced, and the fitting strength between the front half of the outer column 13b and the rear half of the inner column 14b is increased. As a result, the steering wheel 1 can be held at the adjusted position.

As a result, it is possible to reduce discomfort and discomfort given to the hand of the driver who is adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1. Further, since the impact energy applied to the support bracket 12b from the outer column 13b via the adjustment rod 19a can be reduced, the support bracket can be used even when the driver moves the steering wheel 1 to the foremost position. It is possible to prevent 12b from moving forward. That is, when a driver with a large physique pushes the outer column 13b forward through the steering wheel 1 and the outer shaft 15b with the adjustment lever 18a rotated downward, the adjustment is performed. The rod 19a is displaced vigorously toward the rear end portions of the two longitudinal longitudinal holes 25a, 25a. Then, the kinetic energy for moving the outer column 13b forward is transmitted to the support bracket 12b through the adjustment rod 19a.

When the impact energy transmitted to the support bracket 12b is large in this way, the synthetic resin coupling member that couples the support bracket 12b and the vehicle body side fixing portion racket 27 is torn, and the support bracket 12b. Leaves ahead. On the other hand, according to the structure of this example, since a substantial portion of the impact energy transmitted from the outer column 13b to the adjusting rod 19a can be absorbed based on the elastic deformation of the elastic sleeves 35, 35, the degree of rough operation is reduced. The impact can prevent the support bracket 12b from moving forward. The impact energy transmitted to the adjusting rod 19a at the time of the secondary collision is much larger than the impact energy applied by the violent operation, so that the driver who has collided with the steering wheel 1 by separating the support bracket 12b forward. Alleviates the impact on the body. Also at this time, the shock absorption based on the elastic deformation of the elastic sleeves 35 and 35 is useful for protecting the driver.

Claims (9)

A steering column, a displacement bracket, a steering shaft, a support bracket, an adjustment rod, and an expansion / contraction mechanism are provided.
The steering column has a cylindrical shape and combines an outer column that can expand and contract at least an inner diameter at one end in the axial direction, and an inner column that is fitted and supported on the inner diameter side of the outer column so as to be capable of axial displacement. It can be stretched and
The displacement bracket is provided on a part of the steering column and is displaced together with the part. The one of the outer column and the inner column has a shaft as the steering wheel moves back and forth. It is fixed to the column that is displaced in the direction, and has a long hole in the longitudinal direction that is long in the axial direction of this column,
The steering shaft is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of the steering column, and fixes a steering wheel to a portion protruding rearward from the rear end opening of the steering column. With this one column being axially displaced, it is supported rotatably,
The support bracket supports the steering column with respect to the vehicle body so that the front-rear position of the steering wheel can be adjusted. A pair of support plate portions sandwiching the displacement bracket from both sides in the width direction, A through hole formed in a portion aligned with each other,
The adjustment rod is inserted in the width direction of the displacement bracket through the inside of both the through holes and the longitudinal longitudinal hole,
The expansion / contraction mechanism expands / contracts a distance between a pair of pressing portions provided at portions opposite to the outer surfaces of the support plate portions at both ends of the adjustment rod, thereby allowing the inner surfaces of the support plate portions to In the telescopic steering device that expands and contracts
A telescopic steering device, comprising: an elastic sleeve mounted inside the longitudinal slot, wherein the adjustment rod is inserted through the elastic sleeve.   The adjustment rod in a state in which the entire length of the steering column is shortened so that at least the front-rear position of the steering wheel can be adjusted to the foremost position among the front-rear end parts of the elastic sleeve and the front-rear end parts of the longitudinal slot. When the adjusting rod collides with the inner peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve vigorously between the inner peripheral surface of the longitudinal longitudinal hole and the outer peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve at the end on the side where the The clearance gap which performs the function which relieve | moderates the impact added to the said adjustment rod from the inner peripheral surface of the edge part of the said front-back direction long hole by increasing the amount of elastic deformation of the edge part of this elastic sleeve is interposed. Telescopic steering device.   The outer column is disposed on the rear side, and the inner column is disposed on the front side. The one column is the outer column, and a long slit is formed in the axial direction at the front end of the outer column. The inner diameter of the outer column can be elastically expanded and contracted, and the displacement bracket comprises a pair of sandwiched plate portions fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer column with the slit sandwiched from both sides. The front and rear direction long holes are formed in both the sandwiched plate portions, and at least the gap between the rear end inner peripheral surface of the front and rear direction long holes and the rear end outer peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve. The telescopic steering device according to claim 2, wherein   The telescopic steering device according to claim 3, wherein elastic sleeves that are separated from each other are mounted in a pair of longitudinal slots formed in the sandwiched plate portions, respectively.   Both ends in the width direction of a single elastic sleeve are fitted in a pair of longitudinal slots formed in the both sandwiched plate portions, respectively, and this elastic sleeve is connected between the two sandwiched plate portions. The telescopic steering device according to claim 3, wherein the telescopic steering device is mounted in a state of being spanned between.   The shape of the inner peripheral surface of the end of the longitudinal slot is a semicircular shape with a constant radius of curvature, and the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the elastic sleeve is the radius of curvature of the central portion of the semicircular curvature radius. It is small and has a mountain shape with a radius of curvature on both sides sandwiching the central portion larger than the radius of curvature of the semicircular shape, and on both sides, the end inner peripheral surface of the longitudinal slot and the end outer peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve The telescopic steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the gap exists between the two and the other.   The telescopic steering device according to claim 6, wherein a concave portion is formed at a central portion of the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the elastic sleeve, and the thickness of the elastic sleeve is smaller than both side portions at the central portion. .   The shape of the inner circumferential surface of the end portion of the long hole in the front-rear direction is a semicircular shape with a constant radius of curvature, and the shape of the end portion of the elastic sleeve is a curved plate on both sides sandwiching the flat plate portion at the center portion. The gap is present between the end inner peripheral surface of the longitudinal slot and the end outer peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve at a portion corresponding to the flat plate portion. The telescopic steering device according to any one of 5.   The gap is interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the longitudinal slot and the outer circumferential surface of the elastic sleeve at both the longitudinal ends of the longitudinal slot and the both longitudinal ends of the elastic sleeve. The telescopic steering device according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

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