JP2014196065A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device capable of setting a separating load with good accuracy.SOLUTION: At an installation member 20 fixed at a vehicle body 15, a first fixing side plate 22 in which a fixing groove 44 is formed is held with a predetermined holding force. In a secondary collision, first, a first upper tube 11 moves with respect to a second upper tube 12. Movable grooves 45 and 46 formed at a first movable side plate 18 fixed at the first upper tube 11 move with respect to the fixing groove 44. Rolling bodies 47 and 48 for shearing held at an intersection part between the fixing groove 44 and the movable grooves 45 and 46 shear with a shearing load corresponding to a separating load. A lock mechanism 34 achieves telescopic lock by pressing a second fixing side plate 32 to a second movable side plate 29.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device.

  In the steering device, a secondary collision in which the driver hits the steering wheel occurs following a primary collision in which the vehicle hits another vehicle or the like. In Patent Document 1, the resin pin of the capsule that holds the steering column on the top plate on the vehicle body side is broken along with the secondary collision, and the plurality of parts that move when absorbing the impact are the corresponding non-moving parts. Frictional sliding with respect to each other to generate a frictional sliding load.

JP 2012-240628 A

Accordingly, the separation load when the steering column starts to move along the top plate on the vehicle body side is affected by the frictional sliding load at a large number of sliding locations in addition to the shear load of the resin pin. . That is, since there are many factors that influence the separation load, the variation in the separation load tends to increase. In addition, it is difficult to set the separation load with high accuracy.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can set a separation load with high accuracy.

  In order to achieve the object, the invention of claim 1 includes an upper tube and a lower tube (13) which are slidably fitted in the axial direction (X) for telescopic adjustment, and the upper tube A steering column (8) including a first upper tube (11) and a second upper tube (12) which is disposed on the lower side of the first upper tube and is slidable in the axial direction with respect to the first upper tube. ), A first movable bracket (19) including a first movable side plate (18) fixed to the first upper tube, and an outer surface (18a) of the first movable side plate with a predetermined distance therebetween. The first fixed bracket (23) including the first fixed side plate (22) held by the vehicle body (15) with a predetermined holding force, and fixed to the second upper tube for telescopic use A second movable bracket (30) including a second movable side plate (29) having a hole (38) and an outer surface (29a) of the second movable side plate are held on the vehicle body with a predetermined holding force, and tilted. A second fixed bracket (33) including a second fixed side plate (32) having a long hole (37), a tilting long hole in the second fixed side plate, and a telescopic long hole in the second movable side plate. The second fixed side plate is brought into pressure contact with the second movable side plate in accordance with the turning operation of the lock shaft (36) and the operation lever (35) that is turned around the central axis (C1) of the lock shaft. A locking mechanism (34) including a cam mechanism (55) for achieving telescopic locking, a regulating mechanism (42) for regulating an axial movement amount of the first upper tube relative to the second upper tube, and the first 1 facing the movable side plate A fixed groove (44) provided on the opposed surface (22b) of the one fixed side plate and an opposed surface (18a) of the first movable side plate opposed to the first fixed side plate, A movable groove (45, 46) intersecting with each other, and a rolling element for shearing (47, 46) that is held across the fixed groove and the movable groove and connects the first fixed side plate and the first movable side plate. 48), and the shearing load of the shearing rolling element is set as a separation load when the steering column starts to move relative to the vehicle body.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first frictional load when the first upper tube starts to slide relative to the second upper tube at the time of the secondary collision is a top plate of the second fixed bracket ( 31) the second frictional load when starting to slide with respect to the low friction plate (53) fixed to the vehicle body, and the second when the second movable side plate starts sliding with respect to the first fixed side plate. 3 friction load, 4th friction load when the push-up cam (56) rotatable integrally with the lock shaft starts to slide with respect to the lower tube, and the second upper tube with respect to the lower tube The lower friction shaft when the upper shaft (6) included in the steering shaft rotatably supported by the jacket is engaged with the upper shaft (7) Sixth both may be smaller than the friction load when starting to slide.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the movement amount (ST) regulated by the regulation mechanism is a displacement of the first movable side plate with respect to the first fixed side plate, which is necessary for shearing the shearing rolling element. It may be equal to or greater than the amount.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the second fixed side plate may be pressed against the outer surface of the first fixed side plate when locked by the lock mechanism.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the restriction mechanism is provided in the second upper tube, and has a gap (S) corresponding to the movement amount with respect to an axial lower end (41) of the first upper tube. The step part (40) which provides and opposes may be included.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the movable groove includes a first movable groove (45) and a second movable groove (46) extending in directions opposite to each other in a direction opposite to the telescopic direction, and the first movable groove (46). The fixed groove is provided as a single member, and the shearing roller corresponding to the crossing portion of the fixed groove and the first movable groove and the crossing portion of the fixed groove and the second movable groove in a side view, respectively. A moving body may be arranged.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle, first, as the first upper tube moves with respect to the second upper tube, the movable groove moves with respect to the fixed groove, and the separation load The shearing rolling element is sheared by a shear load corresponding to. Since the detachment load can be set by one factor called the shear load of the shearing rolling element, the detachment load can be set with high accuracy. Further, when the relative movement of the first upper tube and the second upper tube is restricted by the restriction mechanism, the entire upper tube including the first upper tube and the second upper tube moves together with respect to the lower tube. The shock is absorbed while the steering column contracts.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first frictional load when the first upper tube starts to move relative to the second upper tube at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle is the friction of the sliding portions of the other parts. Since it is smaller than any of the loads (second friction load to sixth friction load), it is substantially possible to set the separation load by one factor of the shear load of the rolling element for shearing. As a result, an accurate separation load can be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 3, the movement amount of the first upper tube relative to the second upper tube, which is regulated by the regulating mechanism, is the second amount relative to the first fixed side plate that is necessary for shearing the rolling element for shearing. By making the displacement amount equal to or greater than or equal to the displacement amount of the one movable side plate, the shearing rolling element can be reliably sheared.
According to the invention of claim 4, since the second fixed side plate is pressed against the outer surface of the first fixed side plate at the time of locking, the shearing rolling element is interposed between the first fixed side plate and the first movable side plate. Can be pinched strongly. Conversely, during telescopic adjustment after unlocking, since the holding of the shearing rolling element is weakened, the shearing rolling element moves along the fixed groove and the movable groove (mainly rolling) while the first fixed side plate The displacement of the first movable side plate with respect to can be allowed. Therefore, the rolling element for shearing does not hinder telescopic adjustment.

According to the invention of claim 5, the movement amount of the first upper tube with respect to the second upper tube is reduced by the end surface of the first upper tube contacting the stepped portion of the second upper tube at the time of the secondary collision. It can be set with high accuracy.
According to the invention of claim 6, at the time of the secondary collision, the direction of the shearing load of the shearing rolling element arranged in the first movable groove and the shearing load of the shearing rolling element arranged in the second movable groove Since the directions are opposite to each other in the telescopic direction, the steering column can be detached straight in the telescopic direction.

1 is a schematic side view of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially broken schematic side view of the main part of the steering device. It is a schematic exploded perspective view of a detachment load generating mechanism. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of a detachment load generating mechanism. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of a detachment load generating mechanism. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a steering device 1 includes a steering member 2 such as a steering wheel, and a steering mechanism 3 that steers steered wheels (not shown) in conjunction with the steering of the steering member 2. As the steering mechanism 3, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism is used.

  The steering member 2 and the steering mechanism 3 are mechanically connected via a steering shaft 4, an intermediate shaft 5, and the like. The rotation of the steering member 2 is transmitted to the steering mechanism 3 via the steering shaft 4, the intermediate shaft 5, and the like. Further, the rotation transmitted to the steering mechanism 3 is converted into an axial movement of a rack shaft (not shown). Thereby, a steered wheel is steered.

  The steering shaft 4 includes a cylindrical upper shaft 6 and a lower shaft 7 which are fitted so as to be slidable relative to each other by, for example, spline fitting or serration fitting. The steering member 2 is connected to one end of the upper shaft 6. Further, the steering shaft 4 can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction X thereof. The steering shaft 4 is inserted into a cylindrical steering column 8 and is rotatably supported by the steering column 8 via a plurality of bearings 9 and 10.

  The steering column 8 includes a first upper tube 11, a second upper tube 12 having a smaller diameter than the first upper tube, and a lower tube 13 having a smaller diameter than the second upper tube 12. The first upper tube 11 and the second upper tube 12 are slidable relative to each other in the axial direction X (corresponding to the telescopic direction and corresponding to the column movement direction during the secondary collision) when a separation load occurs in the secondary collision. It is mated. The second upper tube 12 and the lower tube 13 are fitted so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction X for telescopic adjustment.

The first upper tube 11 rotatably supports the upper shaft 6 via the bearing 9. Further, the first upper tube 11 is connected to the upper shaft 6 via the bearing 9 so as to be able to move along the axial direction X of the steering shaft 4.
A lower movable bracket 14 fixed to the outer periphery of the lower tube 13 is rotatably supported by a lower fixed bracket 16 fixed to the vehicle body 15 via a tilt center shaft 17. As a result, the steering column 8 and the steering shaft 4 are rotatable (tiltable) with the tilt central axis 17 as a fulcrum.

  By rotating (tilting) the steering shaft 4 and the steering column 8 with the tilt central shaft 17 as a fulcrum, the position of the steering member 2 can be adjusted (so-called tilt adjustment). Further, the position of the steering member 2 can be adjusted by expanding and contracting the steering shaft 4 and the steering column 8 in the axial direction X (so-called telescopic adjustment).

  The steering device 1 includes a first movable bracket 19 including a pair of first movable side plates 18 (only one first movable side plate 18 is shown in FIG. 1) fixed to the outer periphery of the first upper tube 11. A pair of first fixed side plates 22 (in FIG. 1, one of the first fixed side plates 22) is suspended from the attachment member 20 fixed to the vehicle body 15 via the suspension mechanism 21 and faces the outer surfaces of the pair of first movable side plates 18. Only the first fixed side plate 22 is shown).

  The first fixed bracket 23 includes a long top plate 24 that is connected to one end (corresponding to the upper end in FIG. 1) of the pair of first movable side plates 18 and extends along the attachment member 20. The attachment member 20 is formed with a first insertion hole 25 formed of a long hole extending parallel to the column moving direction at the time of the secondary collision. The suspension mechanism 21 is inserted into a first insertion hole 25 and a second insertion hole 26 formed by a circular hole formed in the top plate 24 of the first fixed bracket 23, and a suspension bolt 28 fastened to a nut 27. (Suspending shaft) is included.

The first fixing bracket 23 is held with a predetermined holding force at a predetermined position in the extending direction of the first insertion hole 25 (column moving direction) with respect to the mounting member 20 fixed to the vehicle body 15. When a force exceeding the predetermined holding force is received at the time of a secondary collision, it moves in the direction in which the first insertion hole 25 extends (the vehicle front side).
The steering device 1 includes a second movable bracket 30 including a pair of second movable side plates 29 (only one second movable side plate 29 is shown in FIG. 1) fixed to the outer periphery of the second upper tube 12. The top plate 24 of the first fixed bracket 23 and the top plate 31 integrally formed of a single member, and a pair of second fixed side plates 32 respectively opposed to the outer surfaces of the pair of second movable side plates 29. 2 fixing brackets 33 are provided.

  As the second movable bracket 30 and the second fixed bracket 33 are locked by the lock mechanism 34, the position of the steering column 8 is fixed to the vehicle body 15, and the position of the steering member 2 is fixed. It has become. The lock mechanism 34 includes an operation lever 35 that can be manually rotated by the driver, and a lock shaft 36 that can rotate integrally with the operation lever 35. The lock shaft 36 is provided in the second fixed side plate 32 and has a long slot 37 for tilt extending in the tilt direction Y, and a long hole for telescopic provided in the second movable side plate 29 and extending in the telescopic direction (corresponding to the axial direction X). 38.

  The second fixed side plate 32 of the second fixed bracket 33 has an extended portion 39 that extends upward in the telescopic direction, and the extended portion 39 of the second fixed side plate 32 corresponds to the first fixed bracket 23. It is along the outer side surface 22a (refer FIG. 4 mentioned later) of the 1st fixed side plate 22. As shown in FIG. In the locked state by the lock mechanism 34, the extending portion 39 of the second fixed side plate 32 functions to press the first fixed side plate 22 toward the first movable side plate 18 side.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, a stepped portion 40 as a restricting portion formed by, for example, a reduced diameter is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end in the axial direction X of the second upper tube 12. The step portion 40 of the second upper tube 12 and the axial lower end 41 of the first upper tube 11 are opposed to each other with a gap S in the axial direction X. When a separation load is generated during a secondary collision, the first upper tube 11 moves to the second upper tube 12 side, and the lower end 41 in the axial direction of the first upper tube 11 contacts the step 40 of the second upper tube 12. By contact, the moving amount ST (corresponding to the amount of the gap S) of the first upper tube 12 relative to the second upper tube 12 is regulated.

  That is, a regulation mechanism 42 that regulates the amount of movement of the first upper tube 11 relative to the second upper tube 12 at the time of the secondary collision is configured by the step portion 40 (regulation portion) and the lower end 41 in the axial direction of the first upper tube 11. Has been. In addition, after the step part 40 and the axial direction lower end 41 of the 1st upper tube 11 contact | abut, the 1st upper tube 11 and the 2nd upper tube 12 move to the lower tube 13 side integrally.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the upper portion of the steering device 1. That is, in FIG. 2, the extending portion 39 of the second fixed side plate 32 is broken to expose the first fixed side plate 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the steering device 1 includes a separation load generating mechanism 43 that generates a separation load between the first fixed side plate 22 and the first movable side plate 18.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 that is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 4 that is a cross-sectional view, the detachment load generating mechanism 43 has an inner side surface 22 b (first movable side) of the first fixed side plate 22. A single fixed groove 44 formed on the opposite side of the side plate 18 and extending substantially in the tilt direction Y, and an outer side surface 18a of the first movable side plate 18 (corresponding to the opposite side of the first fixed side plate 22). ) And a first movable groove 45 and a second movable groove 46 that respectively intersect the fixed groove 44 in a side view. The first movable groove 45 and the second movable groove 46 extend in directions intersecting in opposite directions with respect to the telescopic direction (corresponding to the axial direction X).

  Further, the separation load generating mechanism 43 includes a shearing rolling element 47 held across the fixed groove 44 and the first movable groove 45 at the intersection of the fixed groove 44 and the first movable groove 45, and a fixed groove. And a shearing rolling element 48 held across the fixed groove 44 and the second movable groove 46 at the intersection of the second movable groove 46 and the second movable groove 46. The shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 are balls, for example. Although not shown, a roller may be used as the rolling element for shearing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the locked state by the lock mechanism 34, the extending portion 39 of the second fixed side plate 32 strongly presses the first fixed side plate 22 toward the first movable side plate 18 side. As shown in FIG. 5 which is a schematic diagram, when both the movable grooves 45 and 46 move in the telescopic direction (axial direction X) with respect to the fixed groove 44 at the initial stage of the secondary collision, the fixed groove 44 is strongly resisted. The positional relationship with respect to the fixed groove 44 of the first portion 471 (for example, a hemisphere) of the shearing rolling element 47 including the pressed portion is not changed. On the other hand, the second portion 472 (eg, hemisphere) of the shearing rolling element 47 including the portion that is strongly pressed against the first movable groove 45 is positioned relative to the first movable groove 45 that moves in the telescopic direction (axial direction X). The relationship does not change and the first movable groove 45 moves in the telescopic direction. For this reason, the shearing rolling element 47 is sheared into the first portion 471 and the second portion 472.

  Similarly, in the initial stage of the secondary collision, the positional relationship of the first portion 481 (for example, hemisphere) of the shearing rolling element 48 including the portion that is strongly pressed against the fixed groove 44 does not change with respect to the fixed groove 44. On the other hand, the second portion 482 (for example, a hemisphere) of the shearing rolling element 48 including the portion that is strongly pressed against the second movable groove 46 is positioned with respect to the second movable groove 46 that moves in the telescopic direction (axial direction X). The relationship moves in the telescopic direction with the second movable groove 46 without changing the relationship. For this reason, the shearing rolling element 48 is sheared into the first portion 481 and the second portion 482. The total of the shearing loads of these shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 is the separation load.

Referring to FIG. 2, the movement amount ST of the first upper tube 11 relative to the second upper tube 12 regulated by the regulation mechanism 42 causes the rolling elements 47 and 48 to shear as shown in FIG. The amount of displacement of the first movable side plate 18 relative to the first fixed side plate 22 is equal to or greater than that required for the first fixed side plate 22.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steering device 1 taken along line IV-IV in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, the second movable bracket 30 is a groove-shaped member that opens upward in FIG. 6, and is symmetric. The second movable bracket 30 includes the above-described pair of second movable side plates 29 facing each other and a connecting plate 49 that connects one end (the lower end in FIG. 6) of the pair of second movable side plates 29. The other end (the upper end in FIG. 6) of each second movable side plate 29 is fixed to the outer periphery of the second upper tube 12.

  The second fixed bracket 33 includes a pair of second fixed side plates 32 facing each other, and a top plate 31 that connects between one ends (upper ends in FIG. 6) of the pair of second fixed side plates 32. The pair of second fixed side plates 32 and the top plate 31 constitutes a groove portion that opens downward in FIG. The steering shaft 4, the steering column 8, and the second movable bracket 30 are disposed between the pair of second fixed side plates 32 of the second fixed bracket 33 in FIG.

The mounting member 20 includes a pair of mounting plates 50 extending outward. The mounting member 20 is fixed to the vehicle body 15 by a fixing bolt 51 inserted through a screw insertion hole provided in each mounting plate 50.
A pair of suspending mechanisms 21 are provided apart from each other in a direction parallel to the lock shaft 36. Each suspension mechanism 21 includes a suspension bolt 28, a washer 52, a nut 27, and the like. The suspension bolt 28 is screwed into the nut 27 through the washer 52, the first insertion hole 25 of the mounting member 20, and the second insertion hole 26 of the top plate 31 of the second fixing bracket 33 in order. . The first insertion hole 25 extends in a telescopic direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, corresponding to an axial direction X not shown in FIG. 6), which is a column moving direction at the time of a secondary collision. A low friction plate 53 fixed to the mounting member 20 is interposed between the mounting member 20 and the top plate 31 of the second fixed bracket 33.

The lock mechanism 34 sandwiches the pair of second fixed side plates 32 of the second fixed bracket 33, presses the pair of second fixed side plates 32 against the second movable side plate 29 of the second movable bracket 30, and The movable bracket 30 is locked, and the lower tube 13 is pressed to lock the lower tube 13 with respect to the second upper tube 12.
Specifically, the lock mechanism 34 includes a lock shaft 36 that can rotate integrally around the operation lever 35 and the central axis C1, a nut 54 that is screwed into a screw portion formed at one end of the lock shaft 36, and a lock shaft. A cam mechanism 55 (motion conversion mechanism) that is fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft portion 36b of 36 and fastens the second fixed side plate 32 and the second movable side plate 29, and pushes the lower tube 13 upward in the tilt direction Y. And a push-up cam 56 for the purpose.

The push-up cam 56 is integrally formed of a single material with a sleeve 57 that is fitted to the shaft portion 36b of the lock shaft 36 so as to be integrally rotatable using serration fitting, for example. The push-up cam 56 functions to push the lower tube 13 to the inner periphery of the second upper tube 12 through the opening 58 of the second upper tube 12 when locked by the lock mechanism 34.
The cam mechanism 55 includes a first cam 59 and a second cam 60. A plurality of cam projections (not shown) that mesh with each other are formed on the opposing surfaces of both cams 59, 60. Both cams 59, 60 are arranged close to the head 36 a of the lock shaft 36. The first cam 59 and the operation lever 35 are coupled to the head portion 36a of the lock shaft 36 so as to be integrally rotatable.

The second cam 60 is fitted on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 36b of the lock shaft 36 so as to be relatively rotatable. The second cam 60 has a first portion 601 and a second portion 602. The first portion 601 of the second cam 60 runs along the outer side surface 32 a of one second fixed side plate 32 of the second fixed bracket 33.
The second portion 602 of the second cam 60 includes a tilting long hole 37 in one second fixed side plate 32 of the second fixed bracket 33 and a telescopic long hole 38 in one second movable side plate 29 of the second movable bracket 30. Are fitted so as to be movable along the direction in which the long holes 37 and 38 extend. Further, the rotation of the second portion 602 is restricted by the long slot for tilting 37 by forming a two-sided width or the like in a portion that fits into the long slot for tilting 37 of the second fixed side plate 32.

  A first interposed member 61 and a second interposed member 62 are interposed between the nut 54 screwed into one end of the lock shaft 36 and the other second fixed side plate 32 of the second fixed bracket 33. . The first interposed member 61 has a first portion 611 and a second portion 612. The first portion 611 of the first interposed member 61 extends along the outer side surface 32 a of the other second fixed side plate 32 of the second fixed bracket 33.

  The second portion 612 of the first interposing member 61 includes a long slot 37 for the other second fixed side plate 32 of the second fixed bracket 33 and a long hole for the telescopic of the second second movable side plate 29 of the second movable bracket 30. 38 is movably fitted along the extending direction of the long holes 37 and 38. Further, the rotation of the second portion 612 is regulated by the long slot for tilting 37 by forming a two-sided width or the like in a portion that fits into the long slot for tilting 37 of the other second fixed side plate 32. Yes.

  The second interposed member 62 is interposed between the thrust washer 63 interposed between the first portion 611 of the first interposed member 61 and the nut 54, and between the thrust washer 63 and the first portion 611 of the first interposed member 61. And a needle roller bearing 64 for thrust. The nut 54 can rotate smoothly with the lock shaft 36 by the action of the second interposed member 62 including the needle roller bearing 64.

  When the lock shaft 36 rotates as the operation lever 35 rotates, the first cam 59 moves the second cam 60 toward the one second fixed side plate 32 of the second fixed bracket 33. Accordingly, the first portion 601 of the second cam 60 and the first portion 611 of the first interposed member 61 sandwich the pair of second fixed side plates 32 of the second fixed bracket 33 from the outside. Thus, the pair of second fixed side plates 32 of the second fixed bracket 33 sandwich the corresponding second movable side plate 29 of the second movable bracket 30, and the pair of second fixed side plates 32 corresponds to the second movable side plate 29. Pressure contacted. Thereby, the second movable bracket 30 is locked by the second fixed bracket 33.

  The lower tube 13 includes a metal tube 65 and a resin tube 66 fitted to the outer periphery of the metal tube 65. A plurality of convex portions 67 are formed on the resin tube 66 at intervals in the circumferential direction Z thereof. Although not shown, the plurality of convex portions 67 are formed at a plurality of locations spaced in the axial direction of the resin tube 66. In addition, the resin tube 66 may be abolished and the convex portion 67 may be formed on the outer periphery of the metal tube 65.

  When the first upper tube 11 starts to slide with respect to the second upper tube 12 during the secondary collision, the first friction load F1 is generated. Further, the second friction load F2 is generated when the low friction plate 53 and the top plate 31 start to slide relative to each other during the secondary collision. At the time of the secondary collision, the pair of second fixed side plates 32 and the corresponding second movable side plates 29 respectively generate a third friction load F3 when they start to slide relative to each other. When the push-up cam 56 starts to slide with respect to the lower tube 13 at the time of the secondary collision, the push-up cam 56 generates the fourth friction load F4. Further, when the second upper tube 12 starts to slide with respect to the lower tube 13 during the secondary collision, a fifth friction load F5 is generated. Furthermore, a sixth friction load F6 is generated when the upper shaft 6 of the steering shaft 4 starts to slide with respect to the lower shaft 7 during the secondary collision. The first friction load F1 is smaller than any of the second to sixth friction loads F2 to F6. However, the friction loads F1 to F6 are not shown.

  According to the present embodiment, at the time of the secondary collision, first, the first upper tube 11 moves relative to the second upper tube 12, so that the movable groove (first movable groove 45) is fixed to the fixed groove 44. , The second movable groove 46) moves, and the shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 are sheared by a shearing load corresponding to the separation load. Since the detachment load can be set by one factor called the shear load of the shearing rolling elements 47 and 48, the detachment load can be set with high accuracy. Further, when the relative movement of the first upper tube 11 and the second upper tube 12 is restricted by the restriction mechanism 42, the entire upper tube including the first upper tube 11 and the second upper tube 12 is integrated into the lower tube. 13, the shock is absorbed while the steering column 8 contracts.

  Specifically, the first friction load F1 when the first upper tube 11 starts to move with respect to the second upper tube 12 at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle is the friction load (first load) of the sliding portions of the other parts. Since it is smaller than any of the second to sixth friction loads F2 to F6), it is possible to substantially set the separation load by one factor of the shear load of the shearing rolling elements 47 and 48. As a result, an accurate separation load can be obtained.

Further, the first ST with respect to the first fixed side plate 22, which is necessary for shearing the rolling elements 47 and 48 for the shearing movement ST of the first upper tube 11 relative to the second upper tube 12, which is regulated by the regulation mechanism 42. By making the displacement amount of the movable side plate 18 equal to or greater than the displacement amount, the shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 can be reliably sheared.
In addition, since the second fixed side plate 32 (the extended portion 39) is pressed against the outer side surface 22a of the first fixed side plate 22 during locking, it is used for shearing between the first fixed side plate 22 and the first movable side plate 18. The rolling elements 47 and 48 can be strongly clamped. Therefore, at the time of the secondary collision, the shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 can be reliably sheared. On the contrary, during telescopic adjustment after unlocking, since the clamping with respect to the shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 is weakened, the shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 move along the fixed groove 44 and the movable grooves 45 and 46 (mainly The first movable side plate 18 can be allowed to displace with respect to the first fixed side plate 22 while rolling. Therefore, the rolling elements for shear 47 and 48 do not hinder telescopic adjustment.

Further, when the secondary collision occurs, the lower end 41 in the axial direction of the first upper tube 11 abuts on the stepped portion 40 of the second upper tube 12 so that the amount of movement of the first upper tube 11 relative to the second upper tube 12 can be accurately measured. It can be set well.
Further, at the time of the secondary collision, the direction of the shear load of the shearing rolling element 47 arranged in the first movable groove 45 and the direction of the shearing load of the shearing rolling element 48 arranged in the second movable groove 46 are: Since they cross each other in the opposite direction to the telescopic direction, the components in the direction perpendicular to the telescopic direction of the shear load of both shearing rolling elements 47 and 48 are canceled out, and the steering column 8 is detached straightly in the telescopic direction. Can be made.

  After the separation is achieved at the time of the secondary collision and the relative movement between the first upper tube 11 and the second upper tube 12 is restricted by the restriction mechanism 42, the steering column 8, both movable brackets 19 and 30, Both the fixed brackets 23 and 33 start to move integrally in the column moving direction (corresponding to the axial direction X which is the telescopic direction), and generate the shock absorbing load by the second to sixth friction loads F2 to F6. become.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the number of fixing grooves may be one or more. The number of movable grooves may be one or more. In addition, various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering device, 2 ... Steering member, 3 ... Steering mechanism, 4 ... Steering shaft, 6 ... Upper shaft, 7 ... Lower shaft, 8 ... Steering column, 11 ... 1st upper tube, 12 ... 2nd upper tube, 13 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Lower tube, 17 ... Tilt center axis | shaft, 18 ... 1st movable side plate, 18a ... Outer surface (opposite surface), 19 ... 1st movable bracket, 20 ... Mounting member, 21 ... Suspension mechanism, 22 ... 1st fixed side plate , 22a ... outer side surface, 22b ... inner side surface (opposite surface), 23 ... first fixing bracket, 24 ... top plate, 25 ... first insertion hole, 26 ... second insertion hole, 27 ... nut, 28 ... hanging bolt 29 ... second movable side plate, 30 ... second movable bracket, 31 ... top plate, 32 ... second fixed side plate, 32a ... outer surface, 33 ... second fixed bracket, 34 ... lock mechanism, 5 ... control lever 36 ... lock shaft 36a ... head portion 36b ... shaft portion 37 ... tilt elongated hole 38 ... telescopic elongated hole 39 ... extended portion 40 ... stepped portion (regulating portion) 41 ... lower end in the axial direction, 42 ... regulation mechanism, 43 ... separation load generating mechanism, 44 ... fixed groove, 45 ... first movable groove, 46 ... second movable groove, 47 ... rolling element for shearing, 48 ... rolling element for shearing, 53 ... Low friction plate, 54 nut, 55 ... Cam mechanism, 56 ... Push-up cam, 57 ... Sleeve, 58 ... Opening, 59 ... First cam, 60 ... Second cam, ST ... Movement amount, S ... Clearance, X ... Axial direction (telescopic direction, column movement direction during secondary collision), Y ... tilt direction

Claims (6)

An upper tube and a lower tube, which are fitted so as to be slidable relative to each other in the axial direction for telescopic adjustment, and the upper tube is disposed on the lower side with respect to the first upper tube and the first upper tube. A steering column including a second upper tube slidable in the axial direction with respect to the one upper tube;
A first movable bracket including a first movable side plate fixed to the first upper tube;
A first fixed bracket including a first fixed side plate opposed to the outer surface of the first movable side plate at a predetermined interval and held on the vehicle body with a predetermined holding force;
A second movable bracket including a second movable side plate fixed to the second upper tube and having a telescopic elongated hole;
A second fixed bracket including a second fixed side plate facing the outer surface of the second movable side plate and held by the vehicle body with a predetermined holding force and having a long slot for tilt;
The second fixed side plate is moved in accordance with a rotation operation of a lock shaft inserted through the insertion hole of the second fixed side plate and the second movable side plate, and an operation lever rotated around the central axis of the lock shaft. A locking mechanism including a cam mechanism that achieves telescopic locking by pressing against the second movable side plate; and a regulating mechanism that regulates an axial movement amount of the first upper tube relative to the second upper tube;
A fixed groove provided on an opposing surface of the first fixed side plate facing the first movable side plate;
A movable groove provided on an opposing surface of the first movable side plate facing the first fixed side plate, and intersecting the fixed groove in a side view;
A shearing rolling element that is held across the fixed groove and the movable groove and connects the first fixed side plate and the first movable side plate;
A steering device in which a shear load of the shearing rolling element is set as a separation load when the steering column starts to move relative to a vehicle body.   The first friction load when the first upper tube starts to slide with respect to the second upper tube at the time of a secondary collision according to claim 1, wherein the top plate of the second fixed bracket is fixed to the vehicle body. The second friction load when starting to slide relative to the low friction plate, the third friction load when the second movable side plate starts sliding relative to the first fixed side plate, and the lock shaft A fourth friction load when the rotatable push-up cam starts to slide with respect to the lower tube; a fifth friction load when the second upper tube starts to slide with respect to the lower tube; and the jacket. Any of the sixth friction loads when the upper shaft included in the steering shaft rotatably supported starts to slide with respect to the lower shaft fitted to the upper shaft. Steering system are also small.   3. The movement amount regulated by the regulation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount regulated by the regulation mechanism is equal to or equivalent to a displacement amount of the first movable side plate relative to the first fixed side plate necessary for shearing the shearing rolling element. Steering device as described above.   4. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the second fixed side plate is pressed against an outer surface of the first fixed side plate when locked by the lock mechanism. 5.   5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction mechanism is provided on the second upper tube and is opposed to the lower end in the axial direction of the first upper tube with a gap corresponding to the amount of movement. A steering device including a stepped portion. The movable groove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movable groove includes a first movable groove and a second movable groove that extend in directions opposite to each other in a direction opposite to the telescopic direction.
The first fixed groove is provided as a single piece, and corresponds to an intersecting portion of the fixed groove and the first movable groove and an intersecting portion of the fixed groove and the second movable groove in a side view, respectively. A steering device in which shearing rolling elements are arranged.

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