JP2015209091A - Steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To push down a steering wheel while keeping a tilting posture and height, and to eliminate the need of readjusting of the tilting posture and height when the steering wheel is returned to an original position, in a steering column device equipped with a tilting function, a telescopic function, and a retracting function.SOLUTION: In a steering column device, a tilt bracket 2, a column bracket 3, and a tilt supporting plate 4 are coupled by a fastening bolt 5 and a fastening nut 6. The fastening bolt 5 hooks a hooking end 51 to the tilt bracket 2 or the column bracket 3, and screws the fastening nut 6 movably fitted in a nut long hole 112 at a male screw end 52 inserted in the nut long hole 112, a bolt long hole 41, a telescopic long hole 311, and a through-hole 211 to project out, thereby coupling the tilt bracket 2, the column bracket 3, and a tilt supporting plate 4. A hooking lever 7 provided on a device frame 1 can be freely hooked/disengaged to/from a hooking pin 42 of the tilt supporting plate 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering column device for a work vehicle such as a forklift having a tilt function, a telescopic function, and a retracting function of a steering column to which a handle is attached.

  An automobile or a work vehicle changes a traveling direction by rotating a handle attached to a steering column device. The posture of the driver holding the steering wheel is not uniform even if different drivers are seated in the driver's seat in the same way, so it may be difficult to rotate the steering wheel by the driver. Occur. For this reason, the steering column device often has a tilt function and a telescopic function for adjusting the tilt posture (angle) and height of the steering wheel so that the driver can adjust the state of gripping the steering wheel (Patent Document 1).

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a steering column device for a work vehicle (for example, for forklift, Patent Literature 1 [0018]) having a tilt function. The tilt function allows the adjustment shaft (8j) to be moved along the long holes (14a1, 14b1) by loosening the adjustment long nut (16) to separate the adjustment guide plate (14a) from the adjustment long nut (16). Thus, the handle (8) is swung back and forth about the tilt / pedal rotating shaft (12). After adjusting the position of the handle (8), this time, the adjustment long nut (16) is tightened and fixed by pressing the adjustment long nut (16) against the adjustment guide plate (14a) (Patent Document 1, [0031] To [0036]).

JP2008-149942

  The steering column device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has only a tilt function and has not only a telescopic function but also a retracting function. Therefore, the steering column device has a retracting function while maintaining the posture and height. A configuration that can be pushed down cannot be derived. Therefore, in a steering column device for a work vehicle, particularly a forklift that requires the steering wheel to be retracted, the tilting function, the telescopic function, and the retracting function are provided, and the steering wheel is adjusted while maintaining the tilted posture and height of the adjusted steering wheel. We examined a configuration that did not require readjustment of the tilt posture and height when pushed down and the handle returned to its original position.

  What has been developed as a result of the study is that a tilt bracket that swings with respect to the device frame, a column bracket that moves up and down with respect to the tilt bracket, and a tilt support plate that is fixed with respect to the device frame, A steering column device connected by a tightening nut, wherein the device frame is provided with an arc-shaped long hole for a nut centering on the tilt shaft, and the tilt bracket is attached to the tilt shaft, A through hole is provided on a concentric circle, the column bracket is provided with a straight telescopic elongated hole, and the tilt support plate is provided with an arc-shaped bolt elongated hole on the concentric circle of the nut elongated hole. And a tilt bracket or a column bracket, and a latch pin protrudes toward the device frame. The hook end is engaged with the ram bracket, and the nut threaded hole, the bolt long hole, the telescopic long hole, and the male screw end protruding through the through hole are fitted into the nut long hole and tightened freely. A steering wheel characterized in that a tilt bracket, a column bracket and a tilt support plate are connected to each other by screwing on a nut, and a latch lever provided on the apparatus frame can be freely engaged with and disengaged from a latch pin of the tilt support plate. It is a column device.

  In the steering column device of the present invention, the fastening nut to be fastened to the fastening bolt is fastened not to the device frame but to the tilt support plate fixed to the device frame, and the latch lever is removed from the latch pin. By releasing the fixed position of the tilt support plate with respect to the device frame, the tilted posture and height of the handle adjusted with the tightening nut tightened on the tightening bolt, that is, by loosening the tightening nut from the tightening bolt, are maintained. In this way, the steering column can be pushed forward. Since the steering wheel only needs to be retracted, the steering column may be pulled backward.

  The tilt function and the telescopic function are realized by loosening or tightening the tightening nut from the tightening bolt. If the tightening nut is loosened from the tightening bolt while the retaining lever is engaged with the retaining pin, the pressure contact between the tilt support plate, tilt bracket, and column bracket is eliminated, and the tightening bolt is inserted into the telescopic elongated hole. The column bracket can be raised and lowered with respect to the tilt bracket within the range of contact with the lower end and the upper end, and the column bracket and tilt bracket with respect to the apparatus frame within the range of contact with the rear end and front end of the bolt bolt hole. As a result, the tilt posture and height of the handle attached to the steering column can be adjusted (realization of tilt function and telescopic function).

  On the other hand, when the tightening nut is tightened to the tightening bolt with the retaining lever engaged with the retaining pin, the tilt support plate, tilt bracket, and column bracket are in pressure contact with each other. The integral swinging of the column bracket and the tilt bracket with respect to the frame is prohibited, and the tilt posture and height of the handle attached to the steering column are maintained.

  The retracting function is realized if the latching lever is detached from the latching pin of the tilt support plate regardless of the tightening state of the tightening bolt and the tightening nut. Specifically, regardless of the tightening state of the tightening bolt and the tightening nut, when the retaining lever is released from the retaining pin, the tilt posture and height of the handle attached to the steering column are maintained. The column bracket and the tilt bracket can be integrally lowered with respect to the apparatus frame until the tightening nut comes into contact with the front end (pushing down) or the rear end (pulling down) of the long hole for nut.

  The tilt bracket and column bracket may be arranged in parallel so that both side surfaces are in contact with the left and right direction, but from the viewpoint of strength and rigidity, both are channel-shaped channel members and one is covered with the other. A configuration is preferred. From now on, the tilt bracket has a U-shaped cross section in the extending orthogonal direction, has a pair of left and right tilt bracket sides, and has a pair of left and right through holes communicating with the extending direction of the tilt shaft on each side of the tilt bracket, The column bracket covers or covers the tilt bracket, has a pair of left and right column bracket sides, and has a pair of left and right telescopic elongated holes communicating with the extending direction of the tilt shaft. Clamping bolts are provided on each side, inserted from one of the pair of left and right tilt bracket sides and the side of the column bracket and protruded from the other of the side of the tilt bracket and the side of the column bracket. It penetrates in the order of the long holes for nuts.

  Also, if the tilt bracket, column bracket, tilt support plate and device frame can directly contact adjacent combinations (for example, tilt bracket and column bracket, column bracket and tilt support plate), tighten the tightening nut to the tightening bolt. Then, the members of the combination are pressed against each other, and the tilt posture and height of the handle attached to the steering column can be maintained. The tilt bracket, the column bracket, the tilt support plate, and the apparatus frame may be provided with a collar when adjacent combinations do not directly contact each other. The collar may be bridged between the combination members separately from the fastening bolts, but a cylindrical member that is externally fitted to the fastening bolts is suitable.

  The retracting function realized by removing the latch lever of the device frame from the latch pin of the tilt support plate and pushing the steering column forward, for example, is the steering that is released by releasing the latch lever from the latch pin. The column may be pushed down manually by the driver. However, for example, the steering column, the tilt bracket, and the column bracket that are tilted integrally become heavy, and it is difficult to push down manually, and there is a possibility that the steering column in a free state may rattle. Therefore, the tilt bracket is preferably urged in the direction of tilting to retract the handle. Thus, if the latching lever is removed from the latching pin, the steering column can be automatically tilted in the retracting direction, and rattling of the steering column pushed forward can be suppressed or prevented.

  The steering column device of the present invention exhibits the tilt function and the telescopic function capable of adjusting the tilt posture and height of the handle attached to the steering column by loosening the tightening nut from the tightening bolt, and the tightening bolt. A retracting function is realized by retracting the handle forward or backward while maintaining the tilted posture and height of the handle adjusted by tightening the tightening nut. Thereby, when the retracted handle is returned to the original position, it is not necessary to readjust the tilt posture and height of the handle.

It is a perspective view showing an example of a steering column device for a forklift to which the present invention is applied. It is a partial fragmentary perspective view of the principal part in the steering column apparatus of this example. It is a front view of the steering column apparatus of this example. It is a left view of the steering column apparatus of this example. It is a right view of the steering column apparatus of this example. It is a rear view of the steering column apparatus of this example. It is a top view of the steering column apparatus of this example. It is a bottom view of the steering column apparatus of this example. It is a left side view of the steering column device of the present example in a state where the steering column is tilted forward by the tilt function. It is a left view of the steering column apparatus of this example in a state where the steering column is tilted backward by the tilt function. It is a left view of the steering column apparatus of this example in the state which pulled up the steering column by the telescopic function. It is a left view of the steering column apparatus of this example in a state where the steering column is tilted forward by the retracting function.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the steering column device of this example is for a forklift provided with operation pedals 151 and 151 integrally. The front / rear, left / right and top / bottom of the steering column device are the same as the front / rear, left / right and top / bottom of the work vehicle. For example, the left side of the left side surface 11). In addition, in the drawing, a front view (see FIG. 3) is a front view (see FIG. 3) that facilitates understanding of the device configuration, and a vehicle body that fixes the device frame 1 and a handle attached to the upper end of the steering column 32 are omitted. For this reason, the tilt posture and height of the steering wheel will be described as the tilt posture and height of the steering column 32.

  The steering column device of the present invention is attached to a device frame 1 fixed to a vehicle body (not shown), a tilt bracket 2 pivotally attached to the device frame 1, and a steering column 32. It comprises a column bracket 3 movably connected to the tilt bracket 2 and tilt support plates 4 and 4 interposed between the apparatus frame 1 and the column bracket 3 (see FIG. 2). When the tightening nut 6 is loosened from the tightening bolt 5, the steering column device of this example exhibits a tilt function and a telescopic function for tilting or raising / lowering the steering column 32, and when the latch lever 7 is removed from the latch pin 42. The retracting function of tilting the steering column forward (to the left in FIG. 4) is exhibited.

  The apparatus frame 1 includes a left frame side surface 11 provided with a tilt shaft 14 and a nut long hole 112 which is supported by being freely fitted with a tightening nut 6, and a right frame side surface provided with only the tilt shaft 14. 12 are connected by a connecting plate 13 which is bent in a substantially S shape in a side view. In the apparatus frame 1 of this example, a pedal rotation shaft 15 that rotatably supports the operation pedals 151 and 151 is bridged between the frame side surfaces 11 and 12 below the connecting plate 13. As a result, the connecting plate 13 and the pedal rotation shaft 5 function as structural elements that connect the left and right frame side surfaces 11 and 12 and maintain the distance therebetween.

  The left frame side surface 11 is a metal plate member that is long in the vertical direction, has a long nut hole 112 extending in the front-rear direction near the upper end, a tilt shaft 14 near the middle stage, and a pedal turn near the lower end. The drive shaft 5 is connected. The tilt shaft 14 extends in the left-right direction and is orthogonal to the left frame side surface 11. The long hole 112 for nut extends in an arc shape with the tilt shaft 14 as the center, and the tightening nut 6 is fitted to be movable in the front-rear direction. The long hole 112 for nuts in this example has a latch pin 42 protruding from the rear of the tightening nut 6 and a front end (left end in FIG. 4) is formed in a large arc that the tightening nut 6 follows. On the other hand, the rear end (the right end in FIG. 4) is formed into a small circular arc that follows the latching pin 42, and is formed as an arc-shaped elongated hole that is asymmetrical in the front-rear direction.

  In this example, the left frame side surface 11 is provided with a lever rotation shaft 113 slightly above the front end of the nut long hole 112 so that the latch lever 7 is pivotally attached to the outer surface, and the lever rotation shaft 113 is the center. An arc-shaped lever guide groove 114 is provided at the front edge near the middle stage. The lever guide groove 114 penetrates the latching guide pin 72 of the latching lever 7 and guides the latching guide pin 72 to stably swing the latching lever 7, and the latching guide pin 72 The swinging range of the latch lever 7 is limited by engaging the 72 at the front end and the rear end. In addition, the left frame side surface 11 is provided with a mounting bracket 111 for fixing the device frame 1 to the vehicle body on the outer surface.

  Further, the left frame side surface 11 of this example is provided with coil spring hooking portions 115 made of L-shaped brackets provided with notches on the inner side and the front side (see FIG. 2), and the left side of the bracket frame 22 with the tilt bracket 2 standing upright. The coil spring 23 is bridged between the coil spring hooking portion 222 provided on the inner side of the bracket frame side surface 224. Since the coil spring 23 is positioned above the tilt shaft 14 provided on the frame side surfaces 11 and 12 of the apparatus frame 1 and extends as a normal state, the bracket frame 22, that is, the tilt bracket 2, the column covering the tilt bracket 2. The bracket 3 and the steering column 32 to which the column bracket 3 is attached are urged to tilt forward.

  The right frame side surface 12 is a metal plate member that is approximately the lower half of the left frame 11, and is provided with a tilt shaft 14 in the vicinity of the upper end and connected to the pedal rotation shaft 5 in the vicinity of the lower end. As will be understood, the bracket frame 22 in which the tilt bracket 2 is erected on the bracket frame plane 223 parallel to the tilt shaft 14 is supported by the tilt shafts 14 of the left and right frame side surfaces 11 and 12. 2. The column bracket 3 and the tilt support plate 4 are fastened only to the left frame side face 11 by the fastening bolt 5 and the fastening nut 6 and fixed in position. In addition, the right frame side surface 12 is provided with an attachment bracket 121 for fixing the device frame 1 to the vehicle body on the outer surface.

  The tilt bracket 2 is a metal channel member having a U-shaped cross section in the extending orthogonal direction, and has a pair of left and right tilt bracket side surfaces 21, 21 and a pair of left and right penetrating holes communicating with the extending direction of the tilt shaft 14. Holes 211 and 211 are provided in each of the tilt bracket side surfaces 21. The tilt bracket 2 of this example is a connection formed by standing on the front side of the center of the bracket frame plane 223 connecting the left and right bracket frame side surfaces 224, 224 of the U-shaped bracket frame 22 and bending downward from the frame plane 223. The flanges 225 and 225 are respectively attached to the tilt shaft 14 so as to be swingable with respect to the apparatus frame 1. The bracket frame side surface 224 is provided with a through hole 221 through which the fastening bolt 5 is passed in the same manner as the through hole 211 of the tilt bracket 2 (see FIG. 7).

  The tilt bracket 2 of the present example covers the column bracket 3 so as to be inserted from below into a column bracket 3 having a similar cross section, and the tilt bracket side surface extending perpendicularly to the tilt shaft 14 and parallel to the frame side surfaces 11 and 12 of the apparatus frame 1. 21 and column bracket side surfaces 31 are in sliding contact with each other. The through hole 211 provided in the tilt bracket side surface 21 and the through hole 221 provided in the bracket frame side surface 224 are both on the same circumference as the nut long hole 112 provided in the left frame side surface 11. On the other hand, even if the tilt bracket 2 swings relatively in the front-rear direction, the through-hole 211 always communicates with the nut long hole 112.

  In the bracket frame 22 of this example, a coil spring hooking portion 222 made of an L-shaped bracket provided with a notch is provided on the inner side and the rear side of the left bracket frame side surface 224, and the coil spring provided on the left frame side surface 11 of the apparatus frame 1. A coil spring 23 is bridged between the hooking portion 115. As described above, the coil spring 23 that is always in the extended state urges the steering column 32 to tilt forward in an attempt to retract. In the steering column device of this example, the coil spring 23 is provided on the left frame side surface 11 provided with the nut long hole 112. However, if the bias can be applied to the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3, the right frame side surface 12 is provided. It is also possible to provide a biasing means other than the coil spring 23.

  The column bracket 3 is a metal channel material having a U-shaped cross section in the extending orthogonal direction and similar in cross section to the tilt bracket 2, and has a pair of left and right column bracket side surfaces 31, 31. Straight telescopic elongated holes 311 extending in the present direction are provided in the column bracket side surfaces 31 respectively. The steering column 32 is fixed to the column bracket 3 by abutting a side edge of the column bracket 3 extending in the extending direction of the column bracket side surface 31 to the outer cylinder and welding the column bracket 3. Go up and down. The steering column 32 has a handle (not shown) attached to the upper end, and the lower end penetrates the rear side of the bracket frame plane 223 on which the tilt bracket 2 is erected.

  The tilt support plate 4 is a metal plate having a circular arc shape in side view provided with an arc-shaped bolt long hole 41 centering on the tilt shaft 14 and extending on the same circumference as the nut long hole 112. The steering column device of this example uses a pair of tilt support plates 4 and 4 via a washer 43, and the latch pin 42 is the rear end of the tilt support plate 4 on the inner side (right side in FIG. 3). The rear end of the tilt support plate 4 on the outer side (left side in FIG. 3) is passed through and protrudes leftward from a nut long hole 112 provided in the left frame side surface 11 of the apparatus frame 1. As a result, the latch pin 42 protrudes on the circumference centered on the tilt shaft 14.

  The two tilt support plates 4 pass through the fastening bolts 5 through the mutually connected elongated bolt holes 41, 41, and the fastening nuts 6 screwed into the male screw ends 52 of the fastening bolts 5 are nuts. A latch pin 42 that fits into the long hole 112 and connects to each other is protruded from the long hole 112 for nut. Thereby, the clamping bolt 5 and the latching pin 42 are restrained by the positional relationship along the arc-shaped center line of the long hole 112 for nuts, and the tilt support plate according to the positional relationship of the clamping bolt 5 and the latching pin 42. 4, the attitude with respect to the apparatus frame 1 is uniquely specified. This is because when the fastening nut 6 is fastened to the fastening bolt 5 and the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are pressed against the tilt support plate 4 via the collar 54, the device frame 1 is indirectly connected via the tilt support plate 4. This means that the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are fixed in position.

  The fastening bolt 5 is inserted from the outside (right side) of the right bracket frame side surface 224 through the through hole 221 so that the right end latching end 51 is engaged with the outside of the bracket frame side surface 224 and the right column bracket of the column bracket 3 Telescopic slot 311 provided on the side surface 31, through holes 211 and 211 provided on the left and right tilt bracket side surfaces 21 and 21 of the tilt bracket 2, telescopic slot 311 provided on the left column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3, A bolt long hole 41 provided in the right tilt support plate 4, a washer 43, and a bolt long hole 41 provided in the left tilt support plate 4, and a nut long hole provided in the left frame side surface 11 of the apparatus frame 1. A tightening nut 6 to be fitted into the long hole 112 for the nut is screwed onto the left male screw end 52 protruding from the 112 (see FIG. 2).

  The tightening bolt 5 of this example is made of a metal that is externally fitted between the right bracket frame side surface 224 and the right column bracket side surface 31 or between the left column bracket side surface 31 and the right tilt support plate 4. A collar 54, which is a cylinder, is interposed. Both end surfaces of the collar 54 are pressed against the right bracket frame side surface 224, the right column bracket side surface 31, the left column bracket side surface 31, and the right tilt support plate 4 by screwing the tightening nut 6. The The tightening nut 6 is rotated by a tightening nut operating lever 61 that is spline-fitted and bolted.

  The tightening bolt 5 connects and tilts the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3, and moves the column bracket 3 up and down relative to the tilt bracket 2. The steering column device of the present example is tightened from the outside of the right bracket frame side surface 224 having a large interval to the left frame side surface 11 of the device frame 1 in order to secure the stable support by separating the support position of the tightening bolt 5. The bolt 5 is bridged, and the latching end 51 of the tightening bolt 5 that is engaged with the right bracket frame side surface 224 tightens the right column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3 via the collar 54. From this, in the steering column device of the present example, the engaging end 51 of the fastening bolt 5 is not engaged with the right column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3, but substantially via the collar 54. Engages with the right column bracket side 31 of the column bracket 3.

  In addition, the steering column device of this example is configured so that only the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are located above the tightening bolt 5 so that the column bracket 3 that moves up and down does not rattle or tilt with respect to the tilt bracket 2. Are telescopically connected to the telescopic guide pins 53, and the left and right ends of the telescopic guide pins 53 are engaged with the left and right telescopic elongated holes of the column bracket 3, respectively. Thereby, the raising / lowering of the column bracket 3 with respect to the tilt bracket 2 is regulated in the direction in which the fastening bolt 5 and the telescopic guide pin 53 are arranged, and rattling is suppressed or prevented.

  The latch lever 7 is a metal plate having a side view shape with arms extending in four intersecting directions. The latch hook 71 is bifurcated at the arm end extending backward, and the tilt shaft 14 is formed at the arm end extending forward. A guide pin 72 for latching projecting to the right in parallel with the arm end extending downward and a lever operating knob 73 for the arm extending downward, and the arm end extending upward as the upper end of the left frame side surface 11 of the apparatus frame 1 Is pivotally attached to a lever rotation shaft 113 provided on the shaft. The latching guide pin 72 protrudes to the inside of the left frame side surface 11 through the lever guide groove 114, and the coil spring 721 is bridged between the coil spring latching portion (not shown) provided on the frame side surface 11. . As a result, the latch lever 7 is biased in the direction in which the latch hook 71 engages with the latch pin 42 of the tilt support plate 4 from below (counterclockwise in FIG. 4).

  The steering column device of the present invention realizes a tilt function, a telescopic function, and a retracting function as follows. First, in a state where the latching hook 71 of the latching lever 7 is engaged with the latching pin 42 of the tilt support plate 4 protruding from the long hole 112 for nuts, the clamping nut operating lever 61 is rotated to operate the clamping nut. 6 is loosened from the tightening bolt 5, the right bracket frame side surface 224, the right column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3, the left and right tilt bracket side surfaces 21 and 21 of the tilt bracket 2, and the left column bracket side surface of the column bracket 3. 31, the pressure contact between the right tilt support plate 4, the washer 43 and the left tilt support plate 4 directly or via the collar 54 is eliminated.

  As a result, the tightening bolt 5 can move freely in the range of the bolt long hole 41 of the tilt support plate 4, and as shown in FIG. 9 (tilt forward) and FIG. 10 (tilt backward), On the other hand, the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 can swing together. Here, the steering column device of this example is biased by a coil spring 23 spanned between the device frame 1 and the bracket frame 22 so that the steering column 32 tilts forward. For this reason, when the tightening by the tightening bolt 5 and the tightening nut 6 is eliminated, the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are tilted forward under the bias of the coil spring 23.

  The swing range of the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 is a range in which the tightening bolt 5 contacts the front end (see FIG. 9) and the rear end (see FIG. 10) of the bolt long hole 41. In the steering column device of this example, the tightening nut 6 moves through the nut long hole 112 in conjunction with the tightening bolt 5. Therefore, when the tightening bolt 5 contacts the front end of the bolt long hole 41, the tightening nut 6 contacts the front end of the nut long hole 112, and the tightening bolt 5 connects the rear end of the bolt long hole 41. When coming into contact with the nut, the fastening nut 6 is not brought into contact with the latch pin 42 protruding from the nut long hole 112.

  Further, when the tightening nut 6 is loosened from the tightening bolt 5, the tightening bolt 5 can move within the range in which the telescopic elongated hole 311 is relatively moved, and FIG. 4 (downward downward) and FIG. The column bracket 3 can be moved up and down with respect to the tilt bracket 2 as seen in FIG. The column bracket 3 is moved up and down because a telescopic guide pin 53 is provided above the tightening bolt 5, so that the telescopic guide pin 53 comes into contact with the upper end of the telescopic elongated hole 311 (see FIG. 4). ) To the upper limit position (see FIG. 11) where the fastening bolt 5 contacts the lower end of the telescopic elongated hole 311. Thus, by loosening the tightening nut 6 from the tightening bolt 5, the tilt posture and height of the handle (not shown) attached to the steering column 32 can be adjusted.

  After the adjustment of the tilting posture and the height of the handle, the tightening nut 71 is engaged with the latching pin 71 of the tilting support plate 4 protruding from the long hole 112 for the nut. When the operation lever 61 is rotated to tighten the tightening nut 6 to the tightening bolt 5, the right bracket frame side surface 224, the right column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3, and the left and right tilt bracket side surfaces 21 of the tilt bracket 2. 21, the left column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3, the right tilt support plate 4, the washer 43, and the left tilt support plate 4 are in pressure contact with each other directly or via the collar 54, and the tilt bracket 2 with respect to the apparatus frame 1. Further, the column bracket 3 is integrally swung and the column bracket 3 is not allowed to move up and down with respect to the tilt bracket 2 and is attached to the steering column 32. Inclination posture and height of the handle is maintained.

  Thus, in the steering column device of this example, the handle (not shown) attached to the steering column 32 by loosening the tightening nut 6 from the tightening bolt 5 or tightening the tightening nut 6 to the tightening bolt 5. A tilt function for adjusting and maintaining the tilt posture of the camera and a telescopic function for adjusting and maintaining the height of the handle are realized. The escape function for letting the steering wheel move forward is realized separately from the tilt function and the telescopic function. For this reason, the handle can be tilted forward while maintaining the tilted posture and height of the handle after adjustment. Specifically, it is as follows.

  When the latching lever 7 is turned downward until the latching guide pin 72 comes into contact with the front end of the lever guide groove 114, the latching pin is projected from the latching pin 42 of the tilt support plate 4 protruding from the long slot 112 for nut. As shown in FIG. 12, the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are tilted forward according to the bracket frame 22 biased so that the stop hook 71 comes off and the coil spring 23 tilts forward. Since the tightening nut 6 is still tightened to the tightening bolt 5, the right bracket frame side surface 224, the right column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3, the left and right tilt bracket side surfaces 21, 21 of the tilt bracket 2, The left column bracket side surface 31 of the column bracket 3, the right tilt support plate 4, the washer 43, and the left tilt support plate 4 remain in pressure contact with each other directly or through the collar 54, and the handle of the handle after the adjustment is finished. The tilt posture and height do not collapse.

  In order to return the handle to its original position, the handle is tilted backward against the bias of the coil spring 23, and the latch hook 71 of the latch lever 7 which is pivoted upward is projected from the long slot 112 for nut. Re-engage with the latch pin 42 of the tilt support plate 4. Since the latch lever 7 of this example is biased by the coil spring 721 so as to lift the latch hook 71, if the handle is tilted rearward, the latch pin 42 protruding from the long hole 112 for the nut will be Immediately after getting over the front edge of the stop hook 71, the stop hook 71 can be automatically engaged with the stop pin 42. As described above, since the tilted posture and height of the handle after adjustment are maintained only by removing the latch lever 7 from the latch pin 42, the latch lever 7 engages the latch pin 42 again. If the state can be restored, it is not necessary to readjust the tilt posture and height of the handle. In this way, a retracting function is realized in which the handle is tilted forward and restored as it is while maintaining the tilted posture and height of the handle after adjustment.

  The steering column device according to the present embodiment is configured such that the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are coil springs 23 through the bracket frame 22 so that the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 can be smoothly and surely tilted by rotating the latch lever 7. Is urging forward. For this reason, in order to strengthen the tightening of the tightening bolt 5 and the tightening nut 6 that maintain the tilting posture and height of the handle, the tilt support plates 4 are made into a set of two, and the surfaces that are in pressure contact with each other are increased to increase each other. The frictional force that restrains is increased. Thereby, even if the latch lever 7 is removed from the latch pin 42 and the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are tilted forward in accordance with the bias of the coil spring 23, there is no possibility that the tilt posture and height of the handle are released.

  As described above, the coil spring 23 that urges the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 forward via the bracket frame 22 smoothly and reliably tilts the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 as a handle retracting function. However, by continuing the biasing after the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 are tilted, the tilt bracket 2 and the column bracket 3 that are tilted forward also have a function of suppressing or preventing rattling. Similarly, the coil spring 721 for urging the latch lever 7 in the direction of engaging the latch hook 71 with the latch pin 42 of the tilt support plate 4 from below (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) It has a function of suppressing or preventing rattling of the latch lever 7 so that the hook 71 is not released.

1 Equipment frame
11 Left frame side
111 Mounting bracket
112 Long hole for nut
113 Lever rotation axis
114 Lever guide groove
115 Coil spring latch
12 Right frame side
121 Mounting bracket
13 Connecting plate
14 Tilt axis
15 Pedal rotation axis
151 Operation pedal 2 Tilt bracket
21 Side of tilt bracket
211 Through hole
22 Bracket frame
221 Through hole
222 Coil spring latch
223 Bracket frame plane
224 Bracket frame side
225 Connecting flange
23 Coil spring 3 Column bracket
31 Column bracket side
311 Telescopic slot
32 Steering column 4 Tilt support plate
41 Bolt hole
42 Latch pin
43 Washer 5 Tightening bolt
51 Suspended end
52 Male thread end
53 Telescopic guide pin
54 Collar 6 Tightening nut
61 Tightening nut operation lever 7 Latch lever
71 Hook
72 Guide pin for latch
721 Coil spring
73 Lever control knob

Claims (4)

A steering column that connects a tilt bracket that swings with respect to the apparatus frame, a column bracket that moves up and down with respect to the tilt bracket, and a tilt support plate that is fixed in position with respect to the apparatus frame with a tightening bolt and a tightening nut. A device,
The device frame is provided with a long hole for an arc-shaped nut centered on the tilt axis,
The tilt bracket is pivotally attached to the tilt shaft, and has a through hole that is on the concentric circle of the long hole for the nut.
The column bracket has a straight telescopic slot,
The tilt support plate is provided with an arc-shaped bolt long hole concentrically with the nut long hole, and is interposed between the device frame and the tilt bracket or the column bracket, and is hooked toward the device frame. Make the pin protrude,
The tightening bolts are hooked on the tilt bracket or column bracket, and the nut long holes, bolt long holes, telescopic long holes, and male screw ends protruding through the through holes, nut long holes Screwed into a movable clamping nut and connected to the tilt bracket, column bracket and tilt support plate,
A steering column device characterized in that a latching lever provided on the device frame is detachable from a latching pin of a tilt support plate. The tilt bracket has a U-shaped cross-section in the extending orthogonal direction, has a pair of left and right tilt bracket sides, and has a pair of left and right through holes communicating with the extending direction of the tilt shaft on each side of the tilt bracket.
The column bracket covers or covers the tilt bracket, has a pair of left and right column bracket sides, and has a pair of left and right telescopic elongated holes communicating with the extending direction of the tilt shaft. Provided for each,
The tightening bolt is inserted from one of the pair of left and right tilt bracket side surfaces and the column bracket side surface and protrudes from the other of the tilt bracket side surface and the column bracket side surface, and the bolt support elongated hole, the device frame nut elongated hole The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the steering column device is passed through in the order of. 3. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the tilt bracket, the column bracket, the tilt support plate, and the device frame are provided with a collar when adjacent combinations do not directly contact each other. The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tilt bracket is urged in a tilting direction to retract the steering wheel.

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