JP2015061775A - Telescopic steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure enabling an inner column 14c to be stably held on the inner diameter side of an outer column 13d.SOLUTION: A fixation side bracket 12b includes a pair of support plate portions 28, 28 for fixing a portion of an outer column 13d of which inner diameter can be expanded/contracted while sandwiching the portion from both sides in the vehicle width direction. A movable side bracket 22b includes a pair of nipped portions 25a, 25a that are arranged in the outer column 13d and nipped by the pair of the support plate portions 28, 28. A lever-shaped member 19 is disposed in width direction while vehicle body side through holes formed at positions where the pair of support plate portions 28, 28 are aligned with each other and column side through holes 30, 30 that are oblong holes formed on the pair of nipped portions 25a, 25a and long in the axial direction pass through the lever-shaped member, and is used for expanding/contracting an interval between opposing surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 28, 28. The nipped portions 25a, 25a of the movable side bracket 22b include projections 31, 31 each protruded to the side of the adjacent support plate portion 28, 28.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a telescopic steering device for adjusting the front-rear position of a steering wheel. Specifically, by improving the structure of the outer column that constitutes the steering column, a structure that can stably hold the inner column on the inner diameter side of the outer column is realized at low cost.

  The vehicle steering apparatus is configured as shown in FIG. 12, 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 according to 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 to 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 vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle body 10 (the vehicle width direction is the width direction of the vehicle body and coincides with the left-right direction. Description and Patents) The same is applied to all the claims.) The swinging displacement centering on the pivot 11 is supported. Further, the movable bracket fixed to the rear end portion of the steering column 6 with respect to the fixed bracket 12 supported by the vehicle body 10 is vertically and longitudinally (the longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body). This is the same throughout the present 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 tube 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, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 14, the axial dimension of the cam device 20 is expanded and contracted and the cam member 21 is oscillated and displaced based on the rotation of the hook-shaped member 19 based on the adjusting lever 18. The structure to be made is described. In the case of this conventional structure, the movable bracket 22 fixed to the outer column 13a is engaged with and disengaged from the fixed 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 outer columns 13 and 13a and the inner columns 14 and 14a constituting the steering device as described above are an inner peripheral surface near the front end of the outer columns 13 and 13a and a rear end of the inner columns 14 and 14a. The outer peripheral surface is fitted in a state where relative displacement in the axial direction is possible. When manufacturing the outer columns 13 and 13a, first, the outer column main body is formed by an aluminum die casting method. Thereafter, the inner peripheral surface of the outer column main body is cut and finished. The movable bracket 22 is provided separately from the outer columns 13 and 13a, and is integrally connected and fixed to the outer columns 13 and 13a by welding.

  In the case of such a steering device, the cutting for accurately finishing the inner diameter of the outer columns 13 and 13a is troublesome and increases the processing cost. Further, since the inner peripheral surfaces of the outer columns 13 and 13a and the outer peripheral surfaces of the inner columns 14 and 14a are fitted over the entire circumference, the inner diameter accuracy of the outer columns 13 and 13a is not sufficient. The uneven contact occurs, and the inner columns 14 and 14a cannot be stably held on the inner diameter side of the outer columns 13 and 13a.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of protruding portions protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface are formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer column overlapping with the outer peripheral surface of the inner column, A structure is described in which the tip end portion (radially inner end portion) of each raised portion is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner column.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of the telescopic steering device described in Patent Document 2. When manufacturing the outer column 13b which comprises this telescopic steering apparatus, an outer column main body is first shape | molded by the aluminum die-casting method, the hydroforming method, etc. Thereafter, of the inner peripheral surface of the outer column main body, the diameter from the inner peripheral surface is increased by forging or broaching at a plurality of circumferential positions (11 in the figure) in the portion facing the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14b. Raised portions 23 and 23 projecting inward in the direction are formed.
Further, in the assembled state, the tips of the raised portions 23, 23 are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14b.

  In the case of the outer column 13b, it is only necessary to perform cutting (broaching or the like) only on the tip portions of the raised portions 23 and 23. For this reason, the machining cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the outer column is cut. However, the method of forming the outer column 13b is different from the method of forming the raised portions 23, 23. For this reason, processing takes time and processing costs increase.

  Further, in order to stably support the inner column 14b on the inner diameter side of the outer column 13b without uneven contact or rattling, all the raised portions 23, 23 and the inner column It is preferable that the contact state with the outer peripheral surface of 14b is the same. However, when a large number of (11 in the illustrated example) raised portions 23, 23 are provided as in the outer column 13b, the processing for making the contact state the same is troublesome.

  FIG. 16 shows the structure of the outer column 13c shown in Patent Document 2 as well. The outer column 13c has a cylindrical shape formed by bending a plate-shaped material and welding circumferential edges (upper edges in FIG. 16) to each other. Further, support claws 24 and 24 are formed at three positions in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13c, which face the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14b in the assembled state. Each of the support claw portions 24, 24 is formed by pressing the outer column 13c and bending it further radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13c.

  A movable bracket 22a is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the outer column 13c in the axial direction. Each of the movable brackets 22a is formed by forming the plate-shaped material, and has a pair of left and right sandwiched portions 25, 25 each having one end edge connected to the outer peripheral surface and the other end edge welded to the outer peripheral surface. Consists of.

  In the case of such an outer column 13c, the support claw portions 24, 24 are formed at substantially equal intervals at three locations in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the process for making the contact | abutting state of the front-end edge of all the support nail | claw parts 24 and 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14b the same is easy. However, each of the support claw portions 24, 24 has a cantilever-like structure formed by bending inward in the radial direction from the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13c. For this reason, it is difficult to secure rigidity for stably supporting the inner column on the inner diameter side of the outer column 13c.

Further, in the case of the telescopic steering device of each conventional structure described above, when the axial dimension of the portion where the outer column and the inner column overlap in the radial direction becomes longer, the rigidity of the movable bracket in the vehicle width direction becomes higher, It becomes difficult to bend. For this reason, it is necessary to change the operating force applied to the adjustment lever according to the axial dimension of the portion where the outer column and the inner column overlap in the radial direction. As a result, the operability of the adjusting lever is not stable, and there is a possibility that stable support rigidity (clamping force) cannot be applied to the inner column.
Incidentally, there is Patent Document 3 as a publication describing a technique related to the present invention.

JP 2001-322552 A JP 2008-302751 A JP 2006-255785 A

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention can stably hold the inner column on the inner diameter side of the outer column and add it to the adjustment lever by devising the structure of the outer column that constitutes the steering column. The invention has been invented to realize a structure capable of obtaining stable operability without increasing the operating force at low cost.

The telescopic steering device of the present invention includes a steering column, a fixed side bracket, a movable side bracket, and a bowl-shaped member.
Among these, the steering column is formed by combining an outer column and an inner column so as to be extendable and contractible. Of these, the outer column has a cylindrical shape capable of expanding and reducing at least a part of the inner diameter in the axial direction, and has a support portion for supporting the inner column on the inner peripheral surface. The inner column is fitted and supported by the outer column support portion so as to allow relative displacement in the axial direction.
Further, the fixed side bracket has a pair of support plate portions for fixing the outer column in a state where the inner diameter of the outer column can be expanded and contracted from both sides in the vehicle width direction.
The movable bracket is provided on an outer column that constitutes the steering column, and has a pair of sandwiched portions that are sandwiched between the pair of support plate portions.
The saddle-shaped member includes a vehicle body side through hole formed at a position where the pair of support plate portions are aligned with each other, and a column side through hole formed in the pair of sandwiched portions and elongated in the axial direction. Are inserted in the vehicle width direction, and the interval between the opposed surfaces of the pair of support plate portions is enlarged or reduced.

  Particularly, in the case of the telescopic steering device of the present invention, each of the pair of sandwiched plate portions has a convex portion protruding toward the adjacent support plate portion around the column side through hole. The convex portion is preferably provided in the vicinity of the center in the axial direction of the column side through hole, as in the invention described in claim 2.

When implementing the telescopic steering device of the present invention as described above, preferably, the outer column including a support portion for supporting the inner column is replaced with a hollow tube as in the invention described in claim 3. Form by inflating radially outward.
The movable bracket is swelled integrally with the outer column (hydroform method, press working, bulging, vacuum forming, air blow molding, explosion forming, etc.).
And the support part of the said outer column and the outer peripheral surface of the said inner column are made to contact | abut at three or more places of the circumferential direction.

Further, when the invention described in claims 1 to 3 is carried out, for example, as in the invention described in claim 4, the outer column including the support portion is formed in the radial direction by the hydroform method. Inflate outward and mold.
The movable bracket is swelled and formed integrally with the outer column by a hydroforming method.

  Further, when the invention described in claims 1 to 4 is carried out, preferably, as in the invention described in claim 5, the support portion of the outer column and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column are connected in the circumferential direction 3. Contact only at the point.

  Further, when the telescopic steering device of the present invention as described above is implemented, it is preferable that the inner peripheral surface of the support portion of the outer column is finished by cutting or pressing as in the invention described in claim 6. Apply.

More preferably, when the telescopic steering device of the present invention as described above is implemented, as in the invention described in claim 7, the movable side bracket includes the both sandwiched portions and the both sandwiched portions. And a bottom portion continuous in the vehicle width direction.
Then, a long hole in the axial direction is formed in the vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the bottom portion.

As described above, in the telescopic steering device of the present invention, the convex portion is provided around the axially intermediate portion of the column side through hole on the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the both sandwiched plate portions of the movable side bracket. . Therefore, the position where the clamped portion of the movable bracket is pressed by the support plate portion of the fixed side column (the position where the outer column outer peripheral surface of the support portion of the outer column is supported) is always set to the same position. I can do things. As a result, the adjustment lever regardless of the position in the axial direction of the flange-shaped member in the column side through hole (the size of the axial dimension of the overlapping portion in the radial direction of the outer column and the inner column) Stable operability can be obtained without increasing the operating force applied to the.
Moreover, in the case of the invention described in claim 2, the convex portion is provided in the vicinity of the center in the axial direction of the column side through hole. For this reason, it is possible to stabilize the tightening force applied from the support plate portion to the convex portion regardless of the relative positions of the inner column and the outer column.

  Further, in the case of the invention described in claim 3 or 4, an outer column including a support portion for supporting the inner column, and a movable bracket provided integrally with the outer column, for example, a hydroform It is integrally molded by bulging molding such as construction method. For this reason, even when the support portion is composed of a plurality of (three or more) raised portions, the processing cost can be reduced and a support portion having high rigidity can be obtained. Further, the movable bracket and the outer column are provided separately, and a troublesome fixing work such as welding is unnecessary.

  Further, in the case of the invention described in claim 5, the support portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column overlapping with the support portion are brought into contact with each other at only three locations in the circumferential direction. Support in the state. For this reason, the said support part can be reliably contact | abutted to the outer peripheral surface of the said inner column. Further, since there are only three contact points, it is easy to process to make the contact state equal in all the contact points.

  In the case of the invention described in claim 6, the surface (inner peripheral surface) in contact with the inner column in the outer column support portion is subjected to finishing processing by cutting or pressing. For this reason, it is possible to stably support the inner column by the support portion while reducing the processing cost as compared with the case of cutting the entire outer peripheral surface of the outer column.

  Furthermore, in the case of the invention described in claim 7, the movable side bracket includes a bottom portion that spans the entire length in the axial direction between the pair of sandwiched portions, and in the vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the bottom portion, the axial direction Long elongated holes are formed. For this reason, the rigidity regarding the vehicle width direction of the to-be-clamped part of the said movable side bracket can be made small. As a result, even when the axial dimension of the portion where the outer column and the inner column overlap in the radial direction is long, stable operability can be obtained without increasing the operating force applied to the adjustment lever. .

The top view (a) which shows the 1st example of the structure of the bottom part of an outer column and shows the 1st example of an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the 2nd example similarly (b) And a side view (c). Similarly, AA sectional drawing (a) of Drawing 1, and the 1st modification (b). Similarly, the 2nd modification (a) of the AA section of Drawing 1, the 3rd modification (b), and the 4th modification (c). Similarly, a side view (a) showing a first example of a convex part of another structure, showing only the outer column, a side view (b) showing the second example, and a side view (showing the third example) c). Similarly, a side view (a) showing the fourth example and a side view (b) showing the fifth example. Similarly, a side view (a) showing the sixth example and a side view (b) showing the seventh example. Similarly, sectional drawing which shows the assembly state of a telescopic steering device. The second example of the embodiment of the present invention shows a side view (a) showing only the outer column, and a bottom view (b) showing a first example of the structure of the bottom of the outer column. The bottom view (c) which shows. Similarly, BB sectional drawing of FIG. Similarly, sectional drawing which shows the assembly state of a telescopic steering device. The figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows an example of the outer column of the reference example regarding this invention. The partial cutting side view which shows an example of the steering device for motor vehicles incorporating the telescopic steering device. The longitudinal section side view showing the 1st example of the telescopic steering device known conventionally. CC sectional drawing of FIG. The figure similar to FIG. 14 which shows the 2nd example of the telescopic steering apparatus known conventionally. The front view which takes out only the outer column and shows the 3rd example.

[First example of embodiment]
1 to 4 show a first example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to all the claims. The feature of the telescopic steering device of the present invention including this example is that the structure of the outer column constituting the steering column is devised. In addition to the telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 12), the present invention provides a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position in the same manner as the structure shown in FIGS. It can also be applied to structures with In addition, the structure other than the characteristic part of the present invention, the structure and the operation method of the telescopic steering device, etc. are substantially the same as the conventionally known telescopic steering device including the structure shown in FIGS. The illustration and description of the parts that are configured in the same manner as in the prior art will be omitted or simplified, and the characteristic parts of this example will be mainly described below.

The telescopic steering device of this example is similar to the telescopic steering device having the conventional structure described above, the steering shaft 5 (see FIG. 7), the steering column 6a, the fixed side bracket 12b, the movable side bracket 22b, and the bowl-shaped member. 19 and an adjustment lever 18.
Among these, the steering column 6a has an outer column 13d as an upper column on the steering wheel 1 side and an inner column 14c as a lower column on the side far from the steering wheel 1 in the same manner as the structure shown in FIGS. .

  Particularly in the case of the telescopic steering device of this example, the outer column 13d has a cylindrical shape in which at least a part of the inner diameter in the axial direction can be elastically expanded and contracted, and the inner column 14c is disposed on the inner diameter side of the outer column 13d. A support portion 26 is provided for fitting and supporting the displacement in the axial direction.

  Further, the support portion 26 is radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13d at three equally spaced positions in the portion overlapping the inner column 14c in the radial direction. It consists of ridges 23a, 23a, 23a formed in a protruding state. Further, in the outer peripheral surface of the outer column 13d, concave portions 27 and 27 that are recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral surface are formed at positions that align with the respective protruding portions 23a, 23a, and 23a in the circumferential direction. Yes. The leading edges (radially inner edges) of the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14c. As will be described later, without increasing the processing accuracy of the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a constituting the support portion 26, the distal ends of the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a are connected to the outer periphery of the inner column 14c. From the viewpoint of ensuring contact with the surface, the number of the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a is preferably three in this example. However, the number of the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a may be more than three (for example, two on the right and left, for a total of four) in consideration of the balance of processing cost and the like. The positions where the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a are formed are not limited to the circumferentially equidistant positions on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13d. However, it is not biased toward the semicircular side, but is distributed in a range exceeding the semicircular circumference. The support portion 26 is not constituted by the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13d and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14c are continuously provided in the circumferential direction. It is also possible to make a structure that fits (in a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13d excluding the portion where the movable bracket 22b is provided). In this case, a finishing process by cutting or pressing is performed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13d (a support portion 26) into which the inner column 14c is fitted, as necessary.

  Such an outer column 13d (including the support portion 26) applies a hydraulic pressure (for example, water pressure) to the inner peripheral surface of a metal tube that is a hollow member made of a steel plate or an aluminum alloy. It is molded by the hydroform method that plastically deforms outward in the direction. In the method of forming the outer column 13d by this hydroforming method, for example, the metal tube as a material is set in a mold having an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer surface shape of the outer column 13d to be enlarged. . Then, both ends of the metal tube are closed with a shaft pushing tool or the like, and a high hydraulic pressure is applied to the metal tube. By applying the hydraulic pressure, the diameter of the metal tube is increased outward in the radial direction until it is in close contact with the inner surface of the cavity of the mold, thereby forming the outer column 13d. Moreover, after shaping | molding by a hydroform construction method, the finishing process by cutting or press is given to the front-end | tip part of each protruding part 23a, 23a, 23a which comprises the said support part 26 as needed. The method of forming the outer column 13d is not limited to the hydroforming method, but may be press forming, bulging, vacuum forming, air blow forming, bulging forming such as explosive forming, or aluminum die casting.

Further, the movable side bracket 22b is formed integrally with the outer column 13d by the hydroforming method described above at the front end portion of the outer column 13d and fitted to the rear end portion of the inner column 14c. Yes.
In the case of this example, the movable side bracket portion 22b is provided so as to protrude upward from the front end portion of the outer column 13d, and is sandwiched between a pair of support plate portions 28 and 28 constituting the fixed side bracket 12b. And a pair of sandwiched plate portions 25a and 25a capable of expanding and contracting in the vehicle width direction, and a bottom portion 29.

  Of these, the both sandwiched portions 25a and 25a have one ends of the raised portions 23a and 23a formed above the raised portion 23a, 23a and 23a of the outer column 13d, as shown in FIG. It is continuous with the upper end and is formed substantially parallel to the pair of support plate portions 28, 28. Further, column-side through holes 30, 30 that are long in the axial direction are formed at positions where the both sandwiched portions 25a, 25a are aligned with each other. Each of the column side through holes 30, 30 can also be formed by a hydroforming method (see Patent Document 3).

  Further, at the lower position in the axial center of each of the column side through holes 30, 30 is the vehicle width direction of both the sandwiched portions 25a, 25a {vertical direction in FIGS. 1 (a), (b), FIG. a) 4 left and right directions} The protrusions 31 are provided in a state of protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface. Therefore, in the assembled state shown in FIG. 7, only the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the convex portions 31, 31 among the outer side surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the both sandwiched portions 25 a, 25 a is the both support plates. The portions 28, 28 are in contact with the inner side surfaces in the vehicle width direction.

  In addition, each said convex part 31 and 31 is the position which presses the said to-be-clamped parts 25a and 25a with both said support plate parts 28 and 28 (Of the inner column 14c of the support parts 26 of the said outer column 13d). The position where the outer peripheral surface is supported) is formed for the purpose of always having the same position in the axial direction. Further, when the flange-like member 19 is located at the rear end portion of each of the column side through holes 30, 30, the axial direction of the portion where the outer column 13d and the inner column 14c overlap in the radial direction Both of the above-mentioned support in the case where the dimension is the largest) and the case where the dimension is located at the front end (the case where the axial dimension of the portion where the outer column 13d and the inner column 14c overlap in the radial direction is the smallest). It is desirable that the tightening force applied from the plate portions 28, 28 to the convex portions 31, 31 (the sandwiched portions 25a, 25a) is not biased. From this point of view, it is preferable that the convex portions 31, 31 are formed in the vicinity of the center in the axial direction of the column side through holes 30, 30 as in this example.

  As will be described later, when the steering wheel 1 is fixed at the adjusted position, the support plate portions 28, 28 of the fixed bracket 12b are moved to the flange-shaped member 19 as the adjusting lever 18 is rotated. A force inward in the vehicle width direction is applied from a holding nut 34 that is a pressing member provided at one end (left end in FIG. 7) and a head 35 that is also a pressing member provided at the other end. And this force is given to each said convex parts 31 and 31 (clamped part 25a, 25a) via both said support plate parts 28 and 28. FIG. At this time, if the position of the hook-shaped member 19 in the axial direction and the position of the convex portions 31 and 31 in the axial direction are deviated in the axial direction, the support plate portions 28 and 28 are twisted in the twisting direction. The power of. Therefore, if necessary, the thickness of the support plate portions 28, 28 is increased, or a long reinforcing bead is formed in the axial direction of the outer column 13d. Make it high.

  Each said convex part 31 and 31 is integrally formed by the hydroforming method at the time of forming the said movable side bracket 22b, for example. In addition, after forming the said movable side bracket 22b with a hydroform construction method, each said convex part 31 and 31 can also be formed by a forge process, a cutting process, etc., for example. Further, each of these convex portions 31 and 31 may be provided as a member different from the movable bracket 22b, and such a member may be coupled and fixed to the movable bracket 22b by welding, bonding, brazing, or the like. it can.

  Further, the shape of the convex portion is not limited to the rectangular shape such as the convex portions 31 and 31 shown in FIG. 1C, and for example, it may be a circular shape such as the convex portion 31a shown in FIG. You can also. Further, the position where the convex portion is provided is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1 (a). For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the column side through hole 30 is positioned above the center in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 4 (c), two circular convex portions 31 b and 31 b are arranged axially above the column through holes 30 in the axial direction as shown in FIG. A structure may be provided in which both corners are arranged side by side. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, two elliptical convex portions 31b and 31b are arranged in the axial direction above each column side through hole 30 in the axial direction at substantially both corner positions. The structure to provide may be sufficient. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a structure in which two circular convex portions 31b and 31b are arranged in the axial direction below the center in the axial direction of each column side through hole 30 may be employed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, a structure in which two quadrangular protrusions 31b and 31b are arranged in the axial direction above each column side through hole 30 in an axial direction so as to be arranged at almost both corner positions of the column through hole 30. But it ’s okay. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, a structure in which protrusions 31 b extending in parallel with the column through holes 30 are provided below the column side through holes 30 side by side. Further, the size of the convex portion is determined by design in consideration of a tightening force required to stably support the inner column 14c on the inner diameter side of the outer column 13d.

  Further, the bottom portion 29 is provided in a state in which the upper end edges of the both sandwiched plate portions 25a and 25a are continuous. Accordingly, the movable side bracket 22b has a box shape with the lower and front sides opened.

Further, at the center of the bottom portion 29 in the vehicle width direction, at a position aligned with at least each of the column side through holes 30 and 30 in the axial direction, a long length in the axial direction as shown in FIGS. Holes 32 and 32a are formed.
Of these, the dimension in the axial direction of the long hole 32 shown in FIG. 1A is larger than the dimension in the axial direction of each of the column side through holes 30, 30. That is, the long hole 32 is substantially the same as the axial front end of each of the column-side through-holes 30 and 30 of the bottom portion 29 in the axial direction, and the axial rear end of the bottom portion 29 and the outer periphery of the outer column 13d. It is formed up to the outer peripheral surface of the outer column 13d through a continuous portion 33 that is continuous with the surface.
On the other hand, the long hole 32a shown in FIG. 1 (b) has its position in the axial direction substantially coincided with the column side through holes 30 and 30. In any case, both the long holes 32 and 32a are formed in a state where the front end edge and the rear end edge are not opened.
The method of forming the movable side bracket 22b integrally with the outer column 13d is not limited to the hydroform method, but includes press forming, bulge forming, vacuum forming, air blow forming, bulging forming such as explosion forming, or aluminum. Die casting method may be used. Further, the movable side bracket may be provided as a separate member from the outer column and connected and fixed by welding or screwing.

The outer column 13d constituting the telescopic steering device of this example is assembled in a state as shown in FIG. In the assembled state, when adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1 with respect to the front-rear direction, the adjustment lever 18 is rotated in a predetermined direction so that one end (see FIG. The space | interval regarding the vehicle width direction of the holding | suppressing nut 34 which is a pressing member provided in the left end), and the head 35 which is also a pressing member provided in the other end is expanded.
Then, the interval between the inner surfaces of the support plate portions 28, 28 is elastically expanded, and the inner surfaces of the support plate portions 28, 28 and the outer sides of the sandwiched portions 25a, 25a of the movable side bracket 22b. The surface pressure of the contact portion with the side surface (the outer surface of the convex portion 31) is reduced or lost. Along with this, the surface pressure of the fitting portion between the support portion 26 of the outer column 13d and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14c is reduced or lost, and the outer column 13d and the inner column 14c are axially ( It becomes a state in which relative displacement is possible in the front-rear direction). As a result, the position of the steering wheel 1 in the front-rear direction can be adjusted.

  Further, after the position adjustment, if the adjustment lever 18 is rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the distance between the holding nut 34 and the head 35 is reduced. Then, the interval between the inner side surfaces of the two support plate portions 28, 28 is reduced, and the convex portions provided on the inner side surfaces of the two support plate portions 28, 28 and the outer side surfaces of the both sandwiched portions 25a, 25a. The surface pressure of the contact part with the outer surface of 31 and 31 becomes large. Accordingly, the surface pressure of the fitting portion between the support portion 26 of the outer column 13d and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14c increases. As a result, the steering wheel 1 is supported at the adjusted position.

  As described above, in the telescopic steering device of this example, the convex portions 31, 31 are provided on the outer surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the sandwiched plate portions 25a, 25a of the movable bracket 22b. Therefore, regardless of the position of the flange-shaped member 19 in the axial direction in each of the column-side through holes 30, 30, the support plate portions 28, 28 allow the sandwiched portion 25a of the movable bracket 22b to be clamped. , 25a (the position of the support portion 26 of the outer column 13d that supports the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14c) compared with the axial rear end of the movable bracket 22b, It can be an axially intermediate portion having low rigidity in the width direction. As a result, stable operability can be obtained without changing the operating force applied to the adjusting lever 18 according to the axial dimension of the portion where the outer column and the inner column overlap in the radial direction. .

  Further, the outer column 13d including the support portion 26 and the movable bracket 22b provided integrally with the outer column 13d are formed by a hydroforming method. For this reason, the processing cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional structure shown in FIGS.

  Further, the support portion 26 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 13d and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14c overlapping the support portion 26 are brought into contact with each other only at three locations in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a are reliably brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 14c without increasing the processing accuracy of the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a constituting the support portion 26. I can do things.

  If the processing accuracy of the support portion 26 is not sufficient by the hydroforming method alone, the tip of the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a of the support portion 26 is subjected to finishing processing by cutting or pressing. . However, in the case of this example, the number of these raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a is only three. For this reason, it is sufficient that the diameters of the inscribed circles of the three raised portions 23a, 23a, and 23a be the same in the axial direction, so that the finishing process is not troublesome. Thus, the inner column 14c can be stably supported.

  Further, the raised portions 23a, 23a, 23a constituting the support portion 26 are formed in a mountain shape by a hydroforming method. Therefore, the rigidity for supporting the inner column 14c can be increased as compared with the conventional structure shown in FIG.

  Further, by forming the long holes 32 and 32a in the bottom 29 of the movable bracket 22b, the rigidity of the bottom 29 and the sandwiched portions 25a and 25a in the vehicle width direction is lowered. Therefore, regardless of the axial length of the portion where the outer column 13d and the inner column 14c overlap in the radial direction, the adjusting lever 18 required to fix the two columns 13d and 14c. It is possible to stabilize the operability of the adjusting lever 18 so that the tightening torque does not vary greatly. As a result, stable support rigidity (clamping force) can be imparted to the inner column 14c. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, rectangular protrusions 31 f and 31 f may be arranged above the column through hole 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, trapezoidal protrusions 31 f and 31 f may be arranged in the lower direction of the column through hole 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, trapezoidal protrusions 31 f and 31 f may be arranged above the column through hole 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, R-shaped protrusions 31 f and 31 f may be arranged below the column through hole 30.

[Second Example of Embodiment]
8 to 10 show a second example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to all claims. The movable bracket 22c constituting the telescopic steering device of this example is provided in a state of projecting downward from the front end portion of the outer column 13e. Such a movable side bracket 22c has a substantially symmetrical structure with respect to the radial direction (vertical direction) with the movable side bracket 22b of the first example of the embodiment shown in FIGS. The sandwiched plate portions 25b and 25b and the bottom portion 29a.

  Of these, the sandwiched plate portions 25b, 25b are provided in a state of being continuous downward from the main body portion of the outer column 13e, and are parallel to each other. The bottom portion 29a is provided in a state in which one end edges (the lower end edges in FIGS. 9 and 10) of the both sandwiched plate portions 25b and 25b are continuous in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the processing method of the outer column 13e and the movable bracket 22c is not limited to the hydroform method, as in the first example of the embodiment described above, but press processing, bulge processing, vacuum forming, air blow molding, An expansion molding such as explosion molding or an aluminum die casting method may be used.

Similarly to the first example of the embodiment, column-side through-holes 30 and 30 that are long in the axial direction are formed in the portions where the sandwiched portions 25b and 25b of the movable bracket 22c are aligned with each other. Yes.
Further, at the upper position in the center in the axial direction of each of the column side through-holes 30, 30, a protruding portion 31 c in a state of protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the both sandwiched portions 25 b, 25 b, 31c is provided.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, at the center of the bottom 29a of the movable bracket 22c in the vehicle width direction center, at a position aligned with at least the column side through holes 30 and 30 in the axial direction, Long holes 32b and 32c that are long in the axial direction are formed.

  The outer column 13e constituting such a telescopic steering device of this example is assembled in a state as shown in FIG. With regard to the operation for adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 12) in the front-rear direction and the operation for fixing the steerin wheel 1 at the position after the position adjustment in the assembled state, The first embodiment is substantially the same as the operation of the telescopic steering apparatus having the conventional structure shown in FIGS. Other structures, functions, and effects are the same as those of the first example of the embodiment.

Each example of the embodiment has been described with respect to the structure of the steering device provided with only the telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel. However, the present invention can be applied to a structure provided with a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel in addition to the telescopic mechanism.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, the structure which forms the convex parts 31d and 31e under the axial direction both ends of the column side through-hole 30 of the movable side bracket 22d is also considered. Further, the positions of these convex portions 31d and 31e can be provided only above the axial end portions of the column side through-hole 30, or can be provided below and above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering gear unit 3 Input shaft 4 Tie rod 5 Steering shaft 6, 6a Steering column 7 Universal joint 8 Intermediate shaft 9 Universal joint 10 Car body 11 Axis 12, 12a, 12b Fixed side bracket 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d , 13e Outer column 14, 14a, 14b, 14c Inner column 15 Outer tube 16 Inner shaft 17 Electric motor 18 Adjustment lever 19, 19a Hook member 20 Cam device 21 Cam members 22, 22a, 22b, 22c Movable side brackets 23, 23a Raised part 24 Support claw parts 25, 25a, 25b Clamped part 26, 26a Support part 27 Recess 28 Support plate part 29, 29a Bottom part 30 Column side through holes 31, 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, 31f Convex part 32 32a , 32b, 32c Long hole 33 Continuous part 34 Retaining nut 35 Head

Claims (7)

A steering column, a fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body, a movable bracket, and a bowl-shaped member;
The steering column is a cylindrical shape that is fitted and supported so that relative displacement in the axial direction can be achieved by an outer column that can expand and contract at least a part of the inner diameter in the axial direction and a support portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column. The inner column and
The fixed side bracket has a pair of support plate portions that are fixed in a state where the inner diameter of the outer column can be expanded and contracted from both sides in the vehicle width direction.
The movable bracket is provided on the outer column, and has a pair of sandwiched portions sandwiched between the pair of support plate portions,
The saddle-shaped member includes a vehicle body side through hole formed at a position where the pair of support plate portions are aligned with each other, and a column side through hole which is a long hole in the axial direction formed in the pair of sandwiched portions. In the telescopic steering device that is arranged in the vehicle width direction in the inserted state and is for expanding and reducing the interval between the opposing surfaces of the pair of support plate portions,
Each of the pair of sandwiched plate portions has a projecting portion that protrudes toward the adjacent support plate portion.   The telescopic steering device according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is provided in the vicinity of the center in the axial direction of the column side through hole. The outer column is formed by inflating a hollow tube radially outward,
The movable side bracket is formed by bulging integrally with the outer column,
The telescopic steering device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support portion and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column are in contact with each other at three or more locations in the circumferential direction. The outer column is formed by inflating a hollow tube radially outward by a hydroform method,
The telescopic steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movable side bracket is formed integrally with the outer column by a hydroforming method.   The telescopic steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support portion and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column are in contact with each other only at three locations in a circumferential direction.   The telescopic steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a surface of the support portion that comes into contact with the inner column is subjected to finishing processing by cutting or pressing.   The movable bracket includes a bottom portion that spans the entire length in the axial direction between the pair of sandwiched portions, and a long hole in the axial direction is formed in the vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the bottom portion. The telescopic steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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