JP2014104871A - Support device for steering column - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a structure which can smoothly displace a steering wheel anteriorly at a secondary collision.SOLUTION: A steering column 4a is supported through a support bracket 38 by an engaging capsule 21a supported by and fixed to a vehicle body 15 using bolts or studs, thereby enabling forward displacement by impact load at a secondary collision. In an undersurface of the engaging capsule 21a, a reinforcement part 41 comprising: a bottom 42 covering the undersurface; and an inclined part 43 which is extended from a rear end edge of the bottom 42 backwards and which is more inclined upwardly toward the back, is provided.

Description

  In the present invention, the steering column is displaced forward with respect to the vehicle body so as to enable the forward displacement of the steering wheel while absorbing the impact energy applied to the steering wheel from the driver's body in the event of a collision. The present invention relates to an improvement of a support device for a steering column for supporting (detachment).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the steering device for giving the steering angle to the steered wheels transmits the movement of the steering wheel 1 to the steering gear unit via the steering shaft 2 and gives the steer angle to the left and right steered wheels 3. I try to do it. In order to protect the driver, it is necessary for such a steering device to have a structure in which the steering wheel 1 is displaced forward while absorbing impact energy in the event of a collision. That is, in the case of a collision accident, a secondary collision in which the driver's body collides with the steering wheel occurs following a primary collision in which the automobile collides with another automobile or the like. In order to alleviate the impact on the driver's body during the secondary collision and protect the driver, the steering column supporting the steering wheel is moved forward with respect to the vehicle body due to the secondary collision. It has been conventionally known and widely practiced to be detachably supported forward by an impact load of, for example, as described in Patent Document 1.

  8 to 9 show a steering apparatus that includes a steering column support device that has been widely known, although it is different from the structure described in Patent Document 1. The steering device includes a tilt / telescopic mechanism that can adjust the vertical position and the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 in accordance with the physique and driving posture of the driver, and further includes an electric power steering device. The steering device includes a steering shaft 2 in which a steering wheel 1 is fixed to a rear end portion (right end portion in FIG. 8. The front-rear direction is represented by the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The same applies to the entire specification and claims). A steering column 4 that rotatably supports the steering shaft 2, a steering force assisting device (assist device) 5 for applying an assisting torque to the steering shaft 2, and rotation of the steering shaft 2. And a steering gear unit 7 for displacing (pushing and pulling) the tie rods 6 and 6.

  Among these, the steering shaft 2 is configured by combining the inner shaft 8 and the outer shaft 9 so as to be able to transmit a rotational force and to allow relative displacement in the axial direction. The inner shaft 8 and the outer shaft 9 are displaced relative to each other in the axial direction so that the front and rear positions of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted, and the entire length of the steering shaft 2 is shortened in the event of a collision.

  The steering column 4 is formed by externally fitting the front end side portion of the outer column 11 to the rear end side portion of the inner column 10 so as to allow relative displacement in the axial direction, and the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted. In addition, in the event of a collision accident, the overall length is shortened together with the steering shaft 2. A front end portion (left end portion in FIG. 8) of the inner column 10 is coupled and fixed to a rear end surface of the gear housing 12 constituting the steering force assisting device 5. The inner shaft 8 is inserted into the gear housing 12, and the front end portion of the inner shaft 8 is coupled to the input shaft constituting the steering force assisting device 5. Further, the front end portion of the output shaft 13 which is connected to the input shaft via a torsion bar and also constitutes the steering force assisting device 5 is protruded from the front end surface of the gear housing 12.

  Of the inner and outer columns 10 and 11 constituting the steering column 4, the inner column 10 disposed on the front side is formed on a part of the vehicle body 15 by the lower bracket 14 via the gear housing 12. It is supported. Further, the lower bracket 14 has the gear housing around the tilt shaft 16 disposed in the width direction (in this specification and claims, “width direction” is the width direction of the vehicle body on which the steering device is installed). 12 is swingably supported.

  On the other hand, of the inner and outer columns 10 and 11 constituting the steering column 4, the outer column 11 arranged on the rear side is a support bracket described in the claims at the front end portion. The bracket 17 is supported by a part of the vehicle body 15. The upper bracket 17 is supported so as to be detached (dropped) forward when a strong impact directed forward is applied to the vehicle body 15.

  For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 9, mounting plate portions 19, 19 project to the side of the steering column 4 at the upper end portions of a pair of left and right support plate portions 18, 18 constituting the upper bracket 17. The mounting notches 20 and 20 are provided in the mounting plate portions 19 and 19 so as to open at the rear end edges of the mounting plate portions 19 and 19. The locking capsules 21 and 21 fixed to the vehicle body 15 are locked to the both locking notches 20 and 20 by bolts or studs (not shown). Each of these locking capsules 21, 21 has locking grooves 22, 22 for engaging the left and right side edges of each of the locking notches 20, 20 on the left and right side surfaces, respectively, and bolts (not shown) in the center. Alternatively, the through holes 23 for inserting the studs are respectively formed.

  In the event of a collision accident, a large impact load directed forward is applied to the steering column 4 from the driver's body via the steering wheel 1 and the steering shaft 2. The steering shaft 2 and the steering column 4 tend to reduce the overall length while absorbing impact energy. As a result, the upper bracket 17 tends to be displaced forward together with the steering column 4 (outer column 11), whereas the locking capsules 21 and 21 remain in the same position together with the bolts or studs. . As a result, both the locking capsules 21 and 21 are allowed to come out rearward from the both locking notches 20 and 20, and the steering wheel 1 is allowed to be displaced forward.

  Further, the outer column 11 is supported by the upper bracket 17 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction so that the front-rear position and the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted. For this purpose, a pair of sandwiched portions 24, 24 are formed on the lower surface of the front end portion of the outer column 11 so as to be separated from each other integrally with the outer column 11. Long longitudinal holes 25, 25 that are long in the front-rear direction are formed at positions where the both sandwiched portions 24, 24 are aligned with each other. Further, a part of the support plate portions 18 and 18 is aligned with each other, and a part of the both longitudinal direction long holes 25 and 25 is aligned with a part of the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal direction. , 26 are formed. And in the state which clamped both said clamping parts 24 and 24 with a pair of support plate parts 18 and 18 which comprise the said upper bracket 17, both the said longitudinal direction long holes 25 and 25 and both the said vertical direction long holes An adjustment nut 28 is screwed into the other end of an adjustment bolt 27 that is inserted from one side to the other side (from right to left in FIG. 9). The adjustment nut 28 is rotatable by an adjustment lever 29.

  Therefore, if the adjusting nut 28 is rotated based on the operation of the adjusting lever 29 and the distance between the adjusting nut 28 and the head 30 of the adjusting bolt 27 is changed, the outer column 11 is connected to the upper bracket 17. The outer column 11 can be fixed to the inner column 10 or can be released by changing the distance between the sandwiched portions 24 and 24. . In the state where the distance between the adjustment nut 28 and the head 30 is widened, the outer bolt 27 can be displaced inside the front and rear long holes 25 and 25 within the range (telescopic adjustment range). By moving the column 11 back and forth (relative displacement with respect to the inner column 10), the front and back position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted. Further, the steering column 4 is moved up and down within a range (tilt adjustment range) in which the adjustment bolt 27 can be displaced inside the two vertical holes 26 and 26 to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel 1. Yes. At this time, the steering column 4 is oscillated and displaced in the vertical direction around the tilt shaft 16.

  Further, the front end portion of the output shaft 13 constituting the steering force assisting device 5 is connected to the rear end portion of the intermediate shaft 32 via a universal joint 31. Further, the input shaft 34 of the steering gear unit 7 is connected to the front end portion of the intermediate shaft 32 via another universal joint 33. The steering gear unit 7 includes a rack and a pinion (not shown), and the input shaft 34 is coupled to the pinion. The rack that meshes with the pinion has both tie rods 6 and 6 connected to both ends thereof, and by pushing and pulling both the tie rods 6 and 6 based on the axial displacement of the rack, the steering wheel A desired steering angle is given to 3 (see FIG. 7). Further, the steering force assisting device 5 applies an assist torque with a predetermined magnitude in a predetermined direction to the output shaft 13 via the worm speed reducer by the electric motor 35.

  The steering device having the conventional structure as described above relieves the impact caused by the secondary collision by reducing the total length of the steering shaft 2 and the steering column 4 at the time of the secondary collision. Specifically, at the same time as the total length of both the members 2 and 4 is shortened, the upper bracket 17 that supports the steering column 4 is disengaged forward from the engaging portion with the vehicle body 15, and the total length of the steering column 4 is reduced. Is allowed to shrink. Thereby, the impact applied to the body of the driver colliding with the steering wheel 1 is alleviated.

  In the shock absorbing steering device as described above, the locking capsules 21 and 21 are further detached from the upper bracket 17 at the time of the secondary collision in order to further enhance the protection of the driver at the time of the secondary collision. There is room for improvement in terms of stable operation. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 10 in addition to FIG. The impact load transmitted from the steering wheel 1 to the steering column 4 (outer column 11) via the steering shaft 2 (outer shaft 9) at the time of the secondary collision is a displacement side bracket (clamped) provided at the front end portion of the outer column 11. Based on the frictional engagement of the abutting portions between the outer side surfaces of the portions 24, 24) and the inner side surfaces of the support plate portions 18, 18, the longitudinally long holes of the sandwiched portions 24, 24 are further provided. Based on the abutment between the adjusting bolt 27 inserted through 25, 25 and the two long holes 26, 26 in the vertical direction, it is input to the upper bracket 17. That is, at the time of a secondary collision, the both support plate portions 18 and 18 are pushed forward based on the friction engagement, and the adjustment bolt 27 is moved to the rear end portions of the front and rear long holes 25 and 25. In this state, the adjusting bolt 27 strongly pushes the front inner edges of the two vertical slots 26, 26. As a result, the upper bracket 17 has the friction engagement portion or the adjusting bolt 27 as a power point (input portion), and the engagement portion between the upper bracket 17 and the locking capsules 21 and 21 serves as a fulcrum. A moment in the clockwise direction is applied shockingly.

  Due to such an impact moment, the upper surfaces of the mounting plate portions 19 and 19 constituting the upper bracket 17 are engaged with the engagement capsules 21 and 21 at a portion surrounded by a chain point α in FIG. The retaining grooves 22 and 22 are strongly pressed against the front end portions of the upper surfaces. Similarly, the lower surfaces of the mounting plate portions 19 and 19 are strongly pressed against the rear end portions of the lower side surfaces of the locking grooves 22 and 22 at the portion surrounded by the chain line β in FIG. Both the locking capsules 21 and 21 are made of a material that is slippery with respect to a metal plate such as a steel plate constituting the both mounting plate portions 19 and 19 such as a soft resin such as a synthetic resin or an aluminum alloy. Since the upper surfaces of the locking capsules 21 and 21 are in contact with or in close proximity to the vehicle body 15 in a state where the shock absorbing steering device is assembled to the vehicle, the upper surfaces of the mounting plate portions 19 and 19. The force that presses the front end edge of the upper surface of both the locking grooves 22, 22 is supported by the vehicle body 15. On the other hand, the lower surfaces of the locking capsules 21 and 21 are neither in contact with nor in proximity to each other. For this reason, there is a possibility that damages such as cracks may occur in the both locking capsules 21, 21 due to the force with which both the mounting plate portions 19, 19 press the rear end portions of the lower side surfaces of the both locking grooves 22, 22. . As a result, the both capsules 21 and 21 may be detached from the both notches 20 and 20 in an unstable manner, and the impact energy at the time of the secondary collision may not be stably absorbed.

JP 2009-154817 A

  The present invention has been invented to realize a steering column support device that can more stably absorb impact energy at the time of a secondary collision in view of the above-described circumstances.

The steering column support device of the present invention includes a steering column, a support bracket, a locking notch, and a locking capsule.
Of these, the steering column supports a steering shaft rotatably inside.
The support bracket supports the steering column and is displaced forward together with the steering column at the time of a secondary collision.
Further, the locking notch is formed in the support bracket in a state where the rear end edge side of the support bracket is opened.
The locking capsule has locking grooves on the left and right side surfaces. Then, in a state of being supported and fixed to a vehicle body (including a vehicle body side bracket that is supported and fixed so as not to be displaced forward in the event of a secondary collision with respect to the vehicle body), both the locking grooves are formed on one of the support brackets. The engaging portion engages with both side portions of the locking notch, and both lower end side portions are positioned below the support bracket at both side portions of the locking notch.
Then, in a state where a part of the locking capsule is positioned inside the locking notch, the locking capsule and the support bracket are torn based on, for example, an impact load applied during the secondary collision. By coupling with a coupling member, the steering column is supported to the vehicle body so that it can be detached forward by an impact load applied during a secondary collision.

In particular, in the case of the steering column support device of the present invention, a reinforcing plate made of a metal plate is provided on the lower surface of the locking capsule to cover at least the rear end portion of the lower surface.
When the present invention as described above is carried out, preferably, as in the invention described in claim 2, the reinforcing plate includes a bottom portion covering at least a rear end portion of the lower surface of the locking capsule, and a bottom portion of the bottom portion. It is provided in a state extending rearward from the rear end edge, and includes an inclined portion that is inclined upward in the direction toward the rear.

  According to the steering column support device of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to realize a structure that can more stably absorb impact energy during a secondary collision. That is, by covering at least the rear end portion of the lower surface of the locking capsule with the reinforcing plate made of a metal plate, the strength and rigidity of the portion are increased. For this reason, even if the lower surface of the support bracket is strongly pressed against the lower surface of the locking groove formed in the locking capsule based on the moment applied to the support bracket from the steering column due to the secondary collision, It is possible to prevent the capsule from being damaged such as a crack. As a result, the locking capsule can be stably detached from the locking notch formed in the support bracket, and the impact energy at the time of the secondary collision can be absorbed more stably.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in a secondary collision, the locking capsule and the ignition case supported and fixed to the rear end portion of the steering column tend to interfere (collision). In this case, the steering column is displaced forward and downward along the rear end surface of the inclined portion. As a result, the steering wheel can be smoothly displaced forward.

The side view (A) of the steering device provided with the support apparatus for steering columns which shows an example of embodiment of this invention, and the same figure (B) as (A) shown in the state which the secondary collision advanced. Similarly, a partially enlarged plan view (A) and a partially enlarged bottom view (B) showing an engaging portion between the support bracket and the locking capsule. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view (A) of (A) in FIG. 2 and BB cross-sectional view (B) of (A). The principal part expanded sectional view which shows another 2 examples of the shape of the inclination part of a reinforcement board. The principal part expanded sectional view which shows two other examples of the structure for aiming at positioning of the said reinforcement board with respect to the said latching capsule. Cc sectional drawing of FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a steering device mounted on a vehicle. The schematic side view which shows an example of the steering device provided with the support apparatus for steering columns of the conventional structure. Dd sectional drawing of FIG. The same figure as FIG. 1 for demonstrating the problem of the conventional steering device.

  1 to 6 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the present invention including this example is that the attachment plate portion 19a of the support bracket 38 is more stably detached from the locking grooves 22a and 22a of the locking capsules 21a and 21a during the secondary collision. The point is to be able to do it.

The steering column 4a incorporated in the structure of the present example enables relative displacement in the axial direction of the front end side portion of the outer column 11a arranged on the rear side on the rear end side portion of the inner column 10a arranged on the front side. A steering shaft 2 that is externally fitted and has a steering wheel 1 fixed to the rear end thereof is rotatably supported on the inner side. The steering column 4a is shortened along with the steering shaft 2 in the event of a collision.
An ignition case 36 that houses a steering lock device and the like is supported and fixed near the rear end of the outer column 11a. And the upper front end surface of this ignition case 36 is made into the inclined surface part 37 which inclined in the direction which goes below, so that it goes ahead.

  The inner column 10a is supported by a lower bracket 14 on a part of the vehicle body 15 via a gear housing 12a so as to be swingable and displaceable about a tilt shaft 16. On the other hand, the outer column 11a is supported at its intermediate portion with respect to the vehicle body 15 by a support bracket 38, and the support bracket 38 receives a strong impact directed forward on the vehicle body 15. In such a case, it is supported so as to be separated forward. For this purpose, a mounting plate portion 19a is provided at the upper end portion of the pair of left and right support plate portions 18a, 18a constituting the support bracket 38, with both end portions protruding to the side of the steering column 4a. The locking capsules 21a and 21a are formed in a pair of locking notches 20a and 20a formed at two positions in the width direction of the plate portion 19a, and the locking capsules 21a and 21a are formed on both left and right side surfaces. The locking grooves 22a and 22a are locked by engaging both side portions of the locking notches 20a and 20a in the mounting plate portion 19a. Both of these locking capsules 21a, 21a are supported and fixed to the vehicle body 15 by bolts or studs 40, 40 inserted through through holes 39, 39 provided in the respective central portions. Such locking capsules 21a and 21a are made of a material that is slippery with respect to a metal plate such as a steel plate that constitutes the mounting plate portion 19a, such as a synthetic resin or a soft metal such as an aluminum alloy.

  In the case of this example, reinforcing plates 41 and 41 for reinforcing the lower surfaces are provided on the lower surfaces of the both locking capsules 21a and 21a. Such reinforcing plates 41 and 41 are made by punching a metal plate such as a steel plate by pressing and then bending. These reinforcing plates 41, 41 are inclined so as to extend rearward from the bottom end 42 covering the lower surfaces of the both locking capsules 21a, 21a and from the rear end edge of the bottom 42, and incline upward toward the rear. Each part 43 is provided. Regarding the inclination angle of the inclined portion 43, the ignition case 36 is directed downward and smoothly based on the collision between the rear end surface of the inclined portion 43 and the inclined surface portion 37 of the ignition case 36. It can be set arbitrarily within the range of displacement. In addition to the planar shape as shown in FIG. 3, the inclined portion 43 has a convex arc shape in cross section as shown in FIG. As shown to (B), what made the cross-sectional shape the concave arc shape is employable. Then, the front end edge of the bottom portion 42 and the right and left side edges of the bottom portion 42 and the inclined portion 43 are bent upward to form a bent portion 44, and one or more places (not shown) in the left-right direction of the inclined portion 43. In the example, the bank-shaped curved portions 45 and 45 (reinforcing beads) are provided by bending the cross-sectional shape so as to have a partial arc shape, and the bending rigidity of the inclined portion 43 of the reinforcing plate 41 is increased. doing. The distance between the left and right inner surfaces of the bent portion 44 in the free state is substantially the same as the width of the locking capsule 21a. That is, the through-hole 39 provided in the locking capsule 21a with the front end surface and the left and right side surfaces of the locking capsule 21a engaged with (in contact with or in close proximity to) the inner surface of the bent portion 44; The through holes 46 for inserting the bolts or studs 40 provided at the center of the bottom 42 are aligned with each other.

The space between the left and right inner surfaces of the bent portion 44 in the free state is slightly smaller than the width of the locking capsule 21a, and the locking capsule 21a is fitted into the reinforcing plate 41 (press-fit). It may be configured so that it can be mounted in a state. By configuring in this way, both the locking capsules 21a, 21a and the two reinforcing plates 41, 41 can be handled as a unit before the both locking capsules 21a, 21a are assembled to the vehicle. Improved parts management and assembly.
However, the positioning of the reinforcing plate 41 with respect to the locking capsule 21a is not limited to the engagement between the inner side surface of the bent portion 44 and the outer side surface of the locking capsule 21a as described above. A structure as shown in (B) can be adopted. First, in the structure shown in FIG. 5A, the convex portions 47 provided at one or a plurality of locations on the lower surface of the locking capsule 21a and the engaging holes 48 provided at the bottom portion 42 of the reinforcing plate 41 are engaged. . In the structure shown in FIG. 5B, the cylindrical portion 49 provided by burring at one or a plurality of locations of the bottom portion 42 of the reinforcing plate 41 is engaged with the recess 50 provided on the lower surface of the locking capsule 21a. .

  In the case of the illustrated example, the outer column 11a is supported to be displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the support bracket 38 so that the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted. For this purpose, the pair of left and right side wall portions 52, 52 of the supported bracket 51 provided by expanding the front end portion of the outer column 11a downward is used as support plate portions 18a, 18a constituting the support bracket 38. It is pinched by. Then, a rod 54 is inserted into the through holes 53, 53 formed in the both side walls 52, 52 and the vertically elongated holes 26a, 26a formed in the both support plate portions 18a, 18a. After the nut 55 is screwed onto (the right end portion in FIG. 6), the nut 55 is prevented from loosening. Further, the axial direction of the adjusting lever 29a is rotated between the head portion 56 of the rod 54 and one of the support plate portions 18a and 18a (the left side in FIG. 6). A cam device 57 capable of expanding and reducing the size is provided. The outer column 11a can be fixed to the support bracket 38 or released by changing the axial dimension of the cam device 57 based on the operation of the adjusting lever 29a. As a result, the state in which the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted and the state in which the steering wheel 1 is fixed can be switched.

  In the case of the steering column support device as described above, in the event of a secondary collision, the locking capsules 21a, 21a are smoothly detached from the locking notches 20a, 20a to absorb impact energy. Can be performed stably. That is, in the case of this example, the lower surfaces of the locking capsules 21a and 21a are covered with the bottom portions 42 and 42 of the reinforcing plates 41 and 41, and the strength and rigidity of both the lower surfaces are increased. Therefore, based on the moment applied to the support bracket 38 from the steering column 4a at the time of the secondary collision, the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 19a of the support bracket 38 is the rear end of the lower surface of the locking grooves 22a, 22a. Even when the portion is pushed, damage such as cracks can be prevented from occurring in the both locking capsules 21a, 21a. As a result, the both locking capsules 21a and 21a can be stably detached from the both locking notches 20a and 20a.

  Further, the reinforcing plates 41, 41 are provided with inclined portions 43, and the rear end surfaces of the inclined portions 43 are inclined surfaces that are inclined downward as they go forward, and on the upper front end surface of the ignition case 36. An inclined surface portion 37 that is inclined downward as it goes is provided. Thereby, the steering wheel 1 can be smoothly displaced forward at the time of the secondary collision. That is, when a larger force is applied to the rod 54 from the outer column 11a than the both support plate portions 18a and 18a hold down the side wall portions 52 and 52, the outer column 11a is displaced forward. Along with this, an impact load directed forward is applied to the support bracket 38. As a result, both the locking capsules 21a and 21a come out of the both locking notches 20a and 20a, and the supporting force of the outer column 11a with respect to the vehicle body 15 is lost. The outer column 11a is displaced forward (displaced) while being displaced upward. Further, such upward displacement is caused by the fact that the rod 54 is moved to the support plate portions 18a, 18a before the engagement between the lock capsules 21a, 21a and the lock notches 20a, 20a is released. It also arises when it rises along the up-and-down direction long holes 26a and 26a. In any case, when the outer column 11a is displaced upward while being displaced upward, the upper front end surface of the ignition case 36 supported and fixed to the rear end portion of the outer column 11a, and the both locking capsules 21a and 21a. There is a possibility of interference (collision) with the rear end surface of the inclined portion 43 of the reinforcing plates 41, 41 supported and fixed to the front.

  In the case of this example, when the inclined surface portion 37 formed on the upper front end surface of the ignition case 36 collides with the rear end surface of the inclined portion 43, the outer column 11a has the rear end surfaces of the inclined surface portion 37 and the inclined portion 43. It moves to the front lower direction along. At this time, the displacement direction of the outer column 11a is gradually changed in accordance with the shapes of the rear end surfaces of the inclined surface portion 37 and the inclined portion 43 (the displacement direction of the outer column 11a approaches the horizontal direction). As a result, the impact load applied to the body of the driver who collided with the steering wheel 1 can be reduced, and the driver can be fully protected in the event of a collision. Further, in order to prevent interference between the locking capsule 21a and the ignition case 36, it is not necessary to restrict the positional relationship between the two members 21a and 36 (separate in the vertical direction), thereby supporting the steering column. The degree of freedom in device design can be improved.

The structure of the present invention is not limited to the structure in which the support bracket is supported with respect to the vehicle body at two positions in the width direction as in the example of the embodiment described above, but is supported with respect to the vehicle body at only one position in the center in the width direction. It can be applied to the structure to be used.
The present invention is not limited to a steering column support device having a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel as shown in FIG. 1, but only a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position. Alternatively, a steering column support device including both of these mechanisms, and further, a steering wheel position fixing type steering column support device that does not include both of these mechanisms may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering shaft 3 Steering wheel 4, 4a Steering column 5 Steering force auxiliary device 6 Tie rod 7 Steering gear unit 8 Inner shaft 9 Outer shaft 10, 10a Inner column 11, 11a Outer column 12, 12a Gear housing 13 Output shaft 14 Lower bracket 15 Car body 16 Tilt shaft 17 Upper bracket 18, 18a Support plate portion 19, 19a Mounting plate portion 20, 20a Locking notch 21, 21a Locking capsule 22, 22a Locking groove 23 Through hole 24 Clamped portion 25 Front and rear Directional long hole 26, 26a Vertically long hole 27 Adjustment bolt 28 Adjustment nut 29, 29a Adjustment lever 30 Head 31 Universal joint 32 Intermediate shaft 33 Universal joint 34 Input shaft 35 Electric motor 36 Ignition case 7 Inclined surface portion 38 Support bracket 39 Through hole 40 Bolt or stud 41 Reinforcement plate 42 Bottom portion 43 Inclined portion 44 Bending portion 45 Curved portion 46 Through hole 47 Protruding portion 48 Engaging hole 49 Cylindrical portion 50 Recessed portion 51 Supported bracket 52 Side wall portion 53 Through hole 54 Rod 55 Nut 56 Head 57 Cam device

Claims (2)

A steering column for rotatably supporting the steering shaft inside,
A support bracket that supports the steering column and is displaced forward together with the steering column in a secondary collision;
A locking notch formed on the support bracket and opened on the rear edge side of the support bracket;
A locking capsule in which both ends are locked to the locking notch while being supported and fixed to the vehicle body, and both lower end side portions are positioned below the supporting bracket at both sides of the locking notch. With
By combining the locking capsule and the support bracket with a part of the locking capsule positioned inside the locking notch, the steering column is added to the vehicle body during a secondary collision. In a support device for a steering column that is supported by an impact load so that it can be detached forward,
A steering column support device comprising a reinforcing plate made of a metal plate and covering at least a rear end portion of the lower surface of the locking capsule. The reinforcing plate is provided with a bottom portion that covers at least the rear end portion of the lower surface of the locking capsule and a state that extends rearward from the rear end edge of the bottom portion, and is inclined upward in the rearward direction. The steering column support device according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined portion.

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