JP2016222056A - Tilt-type steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a structure which stabilizes a force for holding a steering wheel at a position after adjustment.SOLUTION: Support bracket side salients 30, 30, which project in a width direction, are provided on cross direction both side parts of vertical long holes 15a, 15b of inside surfaces of a pair of support plate parts 13a, 13b constituting a support bracket 12a. In the state that a displacement bracket is pressed from width direction both sides by both support plate parts 13a, 13b so as to hold a steering wheel at a position after adjustment, an apical surface of each of the support bracket side salients 30, 30 are brought into contact with both side faces of the displacement bracket.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a steering column device with a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of a steering wheel in accordance with the physique and driving posture of a driver.

  The steering device for an automobile is configured as shown in FIG. 8, and transmits the rotation of the steering wheel 1 to the input shaft 3 of the steering gear unit 2, and a pair of left and right tie rods 4 in accordance with the rotation of the input shaft 3. 4 is pushed and pulled to give a steering angle to the front wheels. The steering wheel 1 is supported and fixed to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 5, and the steering shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the steering column 6 with a cylindrical steering column 6 inserted in the axial direction. doing. 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. In the present specification and claims as a whole, the front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction), and up-down direction refer to the front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction), and up-down direction of the vehicle unless otherwise specified. .

  As a steering apparatus as described above, a structure incorporating a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 according to the physique and driving posture of the driver is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 It has been widely known. In order to constitute this tilt mechanism, in the case of the conventional structure shown in FIG. 8, the displacement of the steering column 6 with respect to the vehicle body 10 about the pivot 11 installed in the left-right direction with respect to the vehicle body 10 is changed. I support it as possible. A support bracket 12 is installed near the rear end of the steering column 6, and the support bracket 12 is supported with respect to the vehicle body 10. The support bracket 12 includes a pair of left and right support plate portions 13 spaced apart in the width direction, and these support plate portions 13 allow the displacement brackets 14 fixed on the rear end portion of the steering column 6 to be arranged on both sides in the width direction. The vehicle body 10 is supported in a state of being sandwiched from the vehicle body 10.

  The vertical plate holes 15 extending in the vertical direction are formed in the support plate portions 13, and the column-side through holes 16 are formed in portions of the displacement bracket 14 that are aligned with the vertical holes 15. , Each formed. The structure shown in FIG. 8 incorporates a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front / rear position in addition to a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 1, so The elongated shaft extends in the axial direction of the steering shaft 5 and the steering column 6. The steering column 6 is configured such that the front end portion of the rear outer column 17 and the rear end portion of the front inner column 18 are fitted to each other so as to be capable of axial displacement so that the entire length can be expanded and contracted. ing. In addition, the steering shaft 5 is a combination of the outer shaft 19 and the inner shaft 20 that can transmit torque and can be extended and contracted by spline engagement or the like. A more specific structure of the tilt type steering column apparatus incorporating such a telescopic mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 9 in addition to FIG.

  A slit 21 is provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17 constituting the steering column 6 so as to extend in the axial direction of the outer column 17 so that the inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer column 17 can be elastically expanded and reduced. . Further, a pair of left and right sandwiched portions 22 and 22 is provided in a portion of the lower surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17 where the slit 21 is sandwiched from both left and right sides, and the displacement bracket 14 is configured by the both sandwiched portions 22 and 22. doing. And the column side through-hole 16 extended in the axial direction of the said outer column 17 is formed in the state which penetrates the outer side surfaces of both these clamping parts 22 and 22. As shown in FIG. Such a displacement bracket 14 is supported with respect to the support bracket 12 supported by the vehicle body 10 so as to be switchable between a state in which the position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted and a state in which the position is maintained at the adjusted position. The support bracket 12 is provided with a pair of left and right mounting plate portions 23, 23 and bent downward from the inner edge in the width direction of both the mounting plate portions 23, 23, and the displacement bracket 14 is viewed from both sides in the width direction. A pair of left and right support plate portions 13 and 13 are provided. Vertically elongated holes 15, 15 extending in the vertical direction are formed in portions of the support plate portions 13, 13 that are aligned with each other. Then, the adjustment rod 24 is inserted into both the vertically elongated holes 15 and 15 and the column side through hole 16. Of the tip end portion (left end portion in FIG. 9) of the adjusting rod 24, a portion protruding from the outer surface of the support plate portion 13 of one of the support plate portions 13 and 13 (left side in FIG. 9). An adjustment nut 25 is screwed, and the adjustment nut 25 can be rotated by an adjustment lever 26.

  When adjusting the vertical position or the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1, the adjustment nut 25 is rotated by rotating the adjustment lever 26 in a predetermined direction (generally downward). The space | interval with the head 27 provided in the base end part of the said adjustment rod 24 is expanded. As a result, the force with which the inner side surfaces of the support plate portions 13 and 13 press the outer side surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22 and 22 is released. As a result, the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner side surfaces of the support plate portions 13 and 13 and the outer side surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22 and 22 is reduced or lost, and at the same time, the front end portion of the outer column 17 is The inner diameter expands elastically, and the contact pressure between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the inner column 18 is reduced or lost. In this state, the vertical position and the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within a range in which the adjustment rod 24 can be displaced inside the vertical holes 15, 15 and the column-side through holes 16, 16. .

  After the steering wheel 1 is moved to a desired position, the adjusting nut 25 is rotated by rotating the adjusting lever 26 in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction (upward), and the adjusting nut 25 and the adjusting rod are rotated. The distance between the 24 heads 27 is reduced, and the outer surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22 and 22 are pressed by the inner surfaces of the support plate portions 13 and 13. As a result, the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner side surfaces of the two support plate portions 13 and 13 and the outer side surfaces of the both sandwiched portions 22 and 22 increases, and at the same time, the inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer column 17 is elastic. As a result, the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the inner column 18 rises, and the steering wheel 1 can be held in the adjusted position.

  Note that the conventional tilt type steering column device as described above has an impact load applied to the driver's body when a secondary collision occurs in which a driver's body hits the steering wheel 1 in the event of a collision. In order to alleviate this, an impact absorbing mechanism that allows the steering wheel 1 to move forward is provided. For this purpose, the locking notches 28 and 28 formed in the mounting plate portions 23 and 23 of the support bracket 12 are applied to the locking capsules 29 and 29 fixed to the vehicle body 10 and a strong impact directed forward. When added, it is locked so that it can be removed forward. When a strong force (impact load) directed forward is applied from the steering wheel 1 to the outer column 17 with the occurrence of a secondary collision, the both locking capsules 29, 29 are moved to the both locking notches 28, 28. The support bracket 12 is displaced forward while the both locking capsules 29 and 29 remain in the same position. The outer column 19 is displaced forward with respect to the inner shaft 20, and the outer column 17 is displaced forward with respect to the inner column 18 while the entire length of the steering shaft 5 is contracted. The full length of 6 contracts.

In the case of the conventional tilt type steering column apparatus as described above, there is room for improvement in terms of stabilizing the holding force for holding the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position.
That is, in a state where the distance between the adjustment nut 25 and the head 27 of the adjustment rod 24 is shortened so as to hold the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position, the adjustment nut 25 and the head 27 are interposed between them. The both supporting plate portions 13 and 13 that are sandwiched are elastically bent (the width of the support plate portions 13 and 13 between the adjusting nut 25 and the head portion 27 is the most in the width direction). It may be elastically deformed into a substantially V shape so as to protrude inward). Such bending deformation amounts (elastic deformation amounts) of the support plate portions 13 and 13 may vary depending on manufacturing errors and assembly errors of the support bracket 12 and the displacement bracket 14. When such a variation occurs, the inner side surfaces of the support plate portions 13 and 13 and the outer sides of the sandwiched portions 22 and 22 with the distance between the adjustment nut 25 and the head portion 27 reduced. There is a possibility that the surface pressure distribution (contact state) of the contact portion with the side surface varies and the force for holding the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position varies. In particular, in the case of a steering apparatus having an impact absorbing mechanism based on detaching the support bracket 12 from the vehicle body 10 as in the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 8 to 9, the steering wheel 1 is adjusted. If the holding force varies, the design of the shock absorbing mechanism becomes troublesome.

JP 2011-218941 A

  The present invention has been invented to realize a structure of a tilt type steering column apparatus that can stabilize the force for holding the steering wheel at the adjusted position in view of the above-described circumstances.

A tilt type steering column device according to the present invention includes a steering column, a displacement bracket, a column side through hole, a support bracket, a pair of vertically elongated holes, an adjustment rod, a pair of pressing portions, and an expansion / contraction device. With.
Among these, the steering column has a cylindrical shape, and is for supporting a steering shaft having a steering wheel supported and fixed at the rear end thereof in a rotatable manner.
The displacement bracket is fixed to a part of the steering column.
The column side through hole is provided in the displacement bracket so as to penetrate the displacement bracket in the width direction.
The support bracket has a mounting plate portion provided at an upper portion and a pair of support plate portions hanging downward from the mounting plate portion, and the displacement bracket is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction by the both support plate portions. In this state, the mounting plate portion supports the vehicle body.
Both the upper and lower direction long holes are provided in a state in which the two support plate portions are aligned with each other so as to extend in the vertical direction.
The adjustment rod is provided in a state of being inserted in the width direction through the column side through hole and the both vertical elongated holes.
The both pressing portions are provided at portions projecting from the outer surfaces of the both support plate portions at both ends of the adjusting rod.
The said expansion / contraction apparatus is for expanding / contracting the space | interval of the said both press parts.

  In particular, in the case of the tilt type steering column device of the present invention, at least from the upper end portions of both the vertical slots in the vertical direction, on both sides in the front-rear direction of the vertical slots, on the inner side surfaces of the support plates. A support bracket side convex portion that protrudes inward in the width direction is formed in a portion that is aligned with the portion hung on the lower end portion in a state of being continuous in the vertical direction.

  When implementing the tilt type steering column apparatus of the present invention as described above, preferably, the both support bracket side convex portions are arranged on the inner side surfaces of the both support plate portions as in the invention described in claim 2. , Up to a portion located above the upper end edge of both the vertical slots. And in the state where the interval between the both pressing parts is most shortened (the steering wheel is held at the adjusted position), the upper end surface of each support bracket side convex part is the mounting plate part or the mounting plate part. It is brought into contact with or in close proximity to the lower surface of the portion supported and fixed to the lower surface.

  Preferably, as in the invention described in claim 3, the width dimension of the both pressing portions in the front-rear direction is formed in a front side portion of the support bracket side convex portions with respect to the upper and lower direction long holes. The distance between the rear edge of the support bracket-side convex portion and the front edge of the support bracket-side convex portion similarly formed on the rear portion is made smaller.

  Preferably, as in the invention described in claim 4, a displacement bracket side convex portion protruding outward in the width direction is formed on both side surfaces of the displacement bracket in a state of being vertically separated. Then, the front end surfaces of the support bracket side convex portions and the front end surfaces of the displacement bracket side convex portions are brought into contact with each other in a state where the distance between the two pressing portions is minimized.

  Preferably, as in the invention described in claim 5, the support bracket is supported to the vehicle body so as to be able to be detached forward based on an impact load applied in a secondary collision.

According to the tilt type steering column apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the force for holding the steering wheel at the adjusted position can be stabilized.
That is, in the case of the present invention, among the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions constituting the support bracket, at least the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the vertical slot in the vertical direction on both sides in the front-rear direction of the vertical slot. A support bracket-side convex portion protruding inward in the width direction is formed in a portion aligned with the hooked portion. For this reason, in the state which shortened the space | interval of a pair of press parts in order to hold | maintain the said steering wheel in the position after adjustment, each said support bracket side convex part formed in the inner surface of both said support plate parts. The front end surface comes into contact with both side surfaces of the displacement bracket (presses both side surfaces). Therefore, in the case of the present invention, the area of the contact portion between the inner side surfaces of the two support plate portions facing each other and the both side surfaces of the displacement bracket in a state where the distance between the two pressing portions is reduced is described above. 8 to 9, the inner side surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 13 and 13 and both side surfaces of the displacement bracket 14 (outer side surfaces of the pair of sandwiched portions 22 and 22), It can be made smaller than a structure in which substantially the entire surfaces of the mutually facing portions are in contact with each other. As a result, variation in the contact state of the contact portion can be suppressed, and the force for holding the steering wheel in the adjusted position can be stabilized.

Sectional drawing which shows the 1st example of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view (A) which takes out and shows a support bracket, and the perspective view (B) shown in the state before connecting and fixing a mounting plate part and a pair of support plate part. The partial expanded sectional view which shows the contact part of a support plate part and a press part. Sectional drawing which shows the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view shown in the state before connecting and fixing a mounting plate part and a fastening bracket. Sectional drawing which shows the 3rd example of embodiment of this invention. The side view which takes out and shows an outer column. The partial cutting schematic side view which shows an example of the steering apparatus provided with the conventionally known tilt mechanism. XX sectional drawing of FIG.

[First example of embodiment]
1 to 3 show a first example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 5. The tilt type steering column device of this example is similar to the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 8 to 9 described above, and includes a steering column 6a, a displacement bracket 14a, a column side through hole 16a, a support bracket 12a, and a pair of upper and lower parts. Directional long holes 15a and 15b, an adjustment rod 24a, an adjustment nut 25a, and an adjustment lever 26a are provided.

  Of these, the steering column 6a has a cylindrical shape, and the front end portion of the rear outer column 17a and the rear end portion of the front inner column 18a are fitted with each other so as to be capable of axial displacement. The entire length of the steering shaft 5a is configured to be extendable, and a steering shaft 5a that supports and fixes the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 8) is rotatably supported on the inner side. Then, the front end portion of the steering column 6a (the front end portion of the inner column 18a) can be oscillated and displaced about the pivot 11 (see FIG. 8) installed in the left-right direction with respect to the vehicle body 10 (see FIG. 8). I support it. The steering shaft 5a is configured by combining the outer shaft 19 and the inner shaft 20 (see FIG. 8) by spline engagement or the like so that torque can be transmitted and the entire length can be expanded and contracted. .

  A slit 21a is provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17a so as to extend in the axial direction of the outer column 17a. Then, the front end portion of the slit 21a is opened to a circumferential slit formed in a circumferentially extending state on the front end edge of the outer column 17a or the lower surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17a. The inner diameter of the front end portion of 17a can be elastically expanded / contracted. A pair of sandwiched portions 22a and 22a constituting the displacement bracket 14a are provided in a portion of the lower surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17a that sandwiches the slit 21a from both the left and right sides. The column side through hole 16a is provided in a state of extending through the outer surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22a and 22a and extending in the axial direction of the outer column 17a. Such sandwiched portions 22a, 22a are formed integrally with the outer column 17a at the same time that the outer column 17a is made by die-casting a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy, for example. Can do. However, the displacement bracket for supporting the outer column 17a to the support bracket 12a is formed by casting or forging a metal material on the main body portion of the outer column or bending a metal plate such as a steel plate. The member provided separately from the main body portion of the outer column may be provided by being supported and fixed by welding or the like. Alternatively, the displacement bracket may be provided by bulging a part of a cylindrical member made of metal such as carbon steel by a hydroforming method or the like.

  The support bracket 12a is suspended from a mounting plate portion 23a for supporting the vehicle body 10 and a portion of the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 23a separated in the width direction, and sandwiches the displacement bracket 14a from both sides in the width direction. A pair of parallel support plate portions 13a and 13b. Of these, the mounting plate portion 23a is provided with a pair of locking notches 28a, 28a at two positions on both sides in the width direction in a state of opening to the rear edge, and both the locking notches 28a, 28a Locking capsules 29 and 29 fixed to the vehicle body 10 are locked by bolts (not shown). In a state where the both locking capsules 29, 29 are locked to the both locking notches 28a, 28a, the both locking notches 28, 29 and a part of the mounting plate portion 23a are used to form the both locking notches. A plurality of small through-holes 35 and 35 are provided in portions that are aligned with both side portions of 28a and 28a, respectively. And the latching pin (illustration omitted) made from the material which is easy to tear, such as a synthetic resin and an aluminum-type alloy, is provided in the state over which it passes over each said small through-hole 35,35. The both support plate portions 13a and 13b have their upper ends joined and fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 23a by welding or the like. The upper and lower direction elongated holes 15a and 15b are formed in the support plate portions 13a and 13b so as to be aligned with each other in the vertical direction in the form of an arc centered on the pivot 11 or a straight line extending in the tangential direction of the arc. It is formed in a stretched state. In the case of this example, on the inner side surfaces of the both support plate portions 13a and 13b, the support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 projecting inward in the width direction on both front and rear direction both side portions of the both vertical elongated holes 15a and 15b. Is provided. Therefore, in the state where the displacement bracket 14a is pressed (held) from both sides in the width direction by the both support plate portions 13a and 13b in order to hold the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position, the protrusions on the side of each support bracket are provided. The front end surfaces of the portions 30 and 30 are in contact with both side surfaces of the displacement bracket 14a, that is, the outer surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22a and 22a. The front end surfaces of the support bracket side convex portions 30, 30 are the outer surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22a, 22a that come into contact with the front end surfaces while the steering wheel 1 is held in the adjusted position. It is a flat surface parallel to. In the case of this example, the upper end edges of the respective support bracket side convex portions 30, 30 are positioned above the upper end edges of both the vertically long holes 15 a, 15 b, and the respective support bracket side convex portions 30. , 30 are positioned below the lower end edges of the upper and lower long holes 15a, 15b. More specifically, the displacement bracket 14a is supported by the support plate portions 13a and 13b so as to hold the position of the upper edge of each of the support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 at the adjusted position of the steering wheel 1. The upper end surfaces of the support bracket-side convex portions 30 and 30 and the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 23a are in contact with or in close proximity to each other in a state where they are pressed from both sides in the width direction. In order to make the position of the steering wheel 1 adjustable, both the support plate portions 13a, 13b release the force pressing the displacement bracket 14a from both sides in the width direction. , 13b can be elastically deformed in the direction (width direction) in which the distance between the two support plate portions 13a, 13b is reduced, and the upper end surfaces of the support bracket side convex portions 30, 30 and the mounting A gap is interposed between the lower surface of the plate portion 23a. Such support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 can be formed by subjecting a metal plate such as a steel plate constituting both the support plate portions 15a and 15b to an overhanging process using a press. Therefore, in the outer side surfaces of the both support plate portions 13a and 13b, in the portion aligned with the support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 formed on the inner side surface, the vertical groove 36 that is recessed inward in the width direction. , 36 are formed.

  The adjusting rod 24a is inserted through the vertical holes 15a, 15a and the column side through hole 16a. Of the leading end portion (left end portion in FIG. 1) of the adjusting rod 24a, the adjustment rod 24a protrudes from the outer surface of the support plate portion 13a of one of the support plate portions 13a and 13b (leftward in FIGS. 1 and 2). The adjustment nut 25a is screwed into the portion, and the adjustment nut 25a can be rotated by the adjustment lever 26a. Then, by rotating the adjusting lever 26a to rotate the adjusting nut 25a and adjusting the tightening amount (screwing amount) of the adjusting nut 25a, the adjusting nut 25a and the base end of the adjusting rod 24a are adjusted. The distance from the head portion 27a provided in the portion can be enlarged or reduced. That is, in the case of this example, the adjustment nut 25a and the head portion 27a of the adjustment rod 24a correspond to a pair of pressing portions described in claims, and the adjustment rod 24a, the adjustment nut 25a, and The adjustment lever 26a also corresponds to the expansion / contraction device. However, as an expansion / contraction device for expanding / contracting the distance between the pair of pressing portions, for example, a cam device that can expand / contract axial dimensions by engaging the cam surfaces of the pair of cam members can be used. . In other words, the driven cam constituting this cam device is engaged with the vertically elongated hole formed in one of the support plates while preventing rotation, and the driving cam can be rotated by the adjusting lever. And In this case, the driven cam and the head formed at the base end portion of the adjustment rod correspond to a pair of pressing portions.

  In the case of this example, the width dimension in the front-rear direction of the adjusting nut 25a and the head 27a of the adjusting rod 24a, that is, the outer diameter D, each of which is a pressing portion, is set to the support bracket side convex portion 30. , 30, the rear bracket of the support bracket side convex portion 30 (front side) formed on the front side portion of both the vertically long holes 15a, 15a, and the rear side portion (also on the rear side). ) It is made smaller than the interval W with the front side edge of the support bracket convex part 30 (D <W).

  When adjusting the vertical position or the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1, the adjustment lever 26a is operated to increase the distance between the adjustment nut 25a and the head 27a of the adjustment rod 24a. As a result, the surface pressure of the contact portion between the front end surface of each of the support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 and the outer surface of the both sandwiched portions 22a and 22a is reduced or lost, and at the same time, the front end of the outer column 17a The inner diameter of the portion expands elastically, and the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17a and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the inner column 18a is reduced or lost. In this state, the vertical position and the front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 are adjusted within a range in which the adjustment rod 24a can be displaced inside the vertical holes 15a, 15a and the column side through hole 16a.

  After moving the steering wheel 1 to a desired position, the distance between the adjustment nut 25a and the head 27a of the adjustment rod 24a is reduced by operating the adjustment lever 26a. As a result, the surface pressure of the contact portion between the front end surface of each of the support bracket-side convex portions 30 and 30 and the outer surface of the both sandwiched portions 22 and 22 increases, and at the same time, the inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer column 17a. Is elastically contracted, and the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer column 17a and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the inner column 18a increases to hold the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position. it can.

  In the case of the tilt type steering column device of the present example, a secondary collision occurs in which a driver's body hits the steering wheel 1 in the event of a collision, and the steering wheel 1 moves forward to the outer column 17a. When a strong strong force is applied, the locking pins that are stretched between the locking capsules 29, 29 and the locking notches 28a, 28a are torn. Then, both the locking capsules 29, 29 are pulled out rearwardly from the both locking notches 28a, 28a (in practice, the supporting bracket 12a remains in the position where both the locking capsules 29, 29 remain in place). Is displaced forward). Then, the outer shaft 19 is displaced forward with respect to the inner shaft 20, and the outer column 17a is displaced forward with respect to the inner column 18a while contracting the entire length of the steering shaft 5a. The entire length of 6a contracts. Thereby, the impact applied to the driver's body colliding with the steering wheel 1 can be reduced.

According to the tilt type steering column apparatus of the present example as described above, the force for holding the steering wheel in the adjusted position can be stabilized.
That is, in the case of this example, among the inner side surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 13a and 13b constituting the support bracket 12a, on both sides in the front-rear direction of both the vertically long holes 15a and 15b, inward in the width direction. The protruding support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 are formed. For this reason, in a state where the distance between the adjustment nut 25a and the adjustment rod 24a is reduced in order to hold the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position, the front end surfaces of the support bracket side convex portions 30, 30 are The pair of sandwiched portions 22a and 22a constituting the displacement bracket 14a abuts on the outer surface. Therefore, in the case of this example, with the steering wheel 1 held at the adjusted position, the front end surfaces of the respective support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 and the both sandwiched portions 22a and 22a that are in contact with each other. The area of the abutting portion with the outer side surface of the pair of support plate portions 13, 13 and the pair of sandwiched portions 22, 22 is the same as the conventional structure shown in FIGS. Compared to a structure in which the outer surface is in contact with almost the entire surface of the portions facing each other, it can be made smaller. As a result, it is possible to increase the surface pressure of the contact portion between the front end surface of each of the support bracket-side convex portions 30 and 30 and the outer surfaces of the both sandwiched portions 22a and 22a, and to prevent the contact state from varying. The force that holds the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position can be stabilized. Therefore, in the case of this example, it is possible to easily design an impact absorbing mechanism that reduces the impact load applied to the driver's body during a secondary collision.

  In particular, in the case of this example, the upper end portions of the respective support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 are positioned above the upper end portions of both the vertically long holes 15a and 15b, and the respective support bracket side convex portions. The lower end portions of 30 and 30 are positioned below the lower end portions of both the vertically long slots 15a and 15b. Therefore, regardless of the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1, the contact state of the contact portion between the front end surface of each support bracket side convex portion 30, 30 and the outer surface of the both sandwiched portions 22a, 22a varies. Therefore, the force that holds the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position can be stabilized. Furthermore, in the case of this example, in order to hold the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position, the support brackets 13a and 13b hold the displacement bracket 14a from both sides in the width direction, and the support brackets The upper end surfaces of the side convex portions 30 and 30 and the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 23a are in contact with or in close proximity to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the rigidity in the direction in which the both support plate portions 13a and 13b are tilted (tilted) in the width direction with respect to the mounting plate portion 23a while the steering wheel 1 is held at the adjusted position. As a result, the support rigidity in the width direction of the displacement bracket 14a with respect to the support bracket 12a can be further improved.

  In the case of this example, each of the support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 is provided by subjecting the metal plate constituting the both support plate portions 15a and 15b to an overhanging process by press working. The bending rigidity about the left-right direction of board part 15a, 15b can be improved. Therefore, the support rigidity in the width direction of the displacement bracket 14a (the outer column 17a) with respect to the support bracket 12a and the vibration rigidity of the outer column 17a with the steering wheel 1 held at the adjusted position. Can be improved. As a result, the feeling of support rigidity of the steering wheel 1 can be improved, and the uncomfortable feeling of the driver who operates the steering wheel 1 can be reduced or eliminated.

  Furthermore, in the case of this example, the outer diameter D of the head 27a of the adjustment nut 25a and the adjustment rod 24a is set so that the rear edge of the front support bracket side convex portion 30 and the rear support bracket side convex portion 30 are the same. It is smaller than the interval W with the front edge (D <W). For this reason, in order to hold the position after adjusting the steering wheel 1, the adjusting lever 26a is operated to increase the tightening amount of the adjusting nut 25a. It is possible to increase the moment acting between the front end surface and the outer surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22 and 22. As a result, the contact pressure of the contact portion between the front end surface of each of the support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 and the outer surface of the both sandwiched portions 22 and 22 can be increased. The force held in the adjusted position can be further stabilized.

  When the tilt type steering column device of the present invention is implemented, a slit is provided on the upper surface of the front end portion of the outer column so that the inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer column can be enlarged or reduced. Displacement brackets can also be provided. Alternatively, the tilt type steering column apparatus of the present invention can be implemented with a structure in which the rear end portion of the front outer column and the front end portion of the rear inner column are fitted so as to be capable of axial displacement. . In this case, the displacement bracket is provided on the lower surface or the upper surface of the rear end portion of the outer column. The tilt type steering column apparatus of the present invention can also be implemented with a structure that does not include a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel. In this case, the column side through hole penetrating the displacement bracket in the width direction is simply a circular hole.

[Second Example of Embodiment]
FIGS. 4-5 has shown the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention corresponding to Claims 1-3. The support bracket 12 b constituting the tilt type steering column device of the present example includes a mounting plate portion 23 b and a fastening bracket 31. Among these, the fastening bracket 31 is formed by bending a metal plate such as a steel plate into a substantially U-shape, and a pair of support plate portions 13c and 13d and the upper end edges of both the support plate portions 13c and 13d. And an upper plate portion 32 for connecting the two. Vertically elongated holes 15c and 15d are formed in the support plate portions 13c and 13d so as to extend in the vertical direction, and are formed on the inner side surfaces of the support plate portions 13c and 13d. Of these, support bracket side convex portions 30a and 30a projecting inward in the width direction are provided on both front and rear side portions of both the vertically long slots 15c and 15d. In the case of this example, the positions of the upper edge of each of the support bracket side convex portions 30a, 30a are displaced by the support plate portions 13c, 13d so as to hold the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 8) in the adjusted position. In a state where the bracket 14a (see FIG. 1) is pressed from both sides in the width direction, the upper end surfaces of the support bracket side convex portions 30a and 30a and the lower surface of the upper plate portion 32 are in contact or close to each other. Yes.

According to the tilt type steering column apparatus of the present example as described above, the number of parts constituting the support bracket 12b is suppressed, and the cost of the support bracket 12b and thus the entire tilt type steering column apparatus is reduced. I can do things.
The configuration and operation of the other parts are the same as in the first example of the embodiment described above.

[Third example of embodiment]
FIGS. 6-7 has shown the 3rd example of embodiment of this invention corresponding to Claims 1-5. The pair of sandwiched portions 22b and 22b constituting the displacement bracket 14b of the tilt type steering column device of the present example are convex on the side of the displacement bracket projecting outward in the width direction at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the outer surface. The parts 33 and 33 are provided over the axial direction. In other words, concave portions 34, 34 that are recessed inward in the width direction are provided in the intermediate portion in the vertical direction including the opening of the column side through hole 16b on the outer surfaces of the sandwiched portions 22b, 22b. Therefore, in a state where the distance between the adjustment nut 25a and the head portion 27a of the adjustment rod 24a is reduced in order to hold the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 8) in the adjusted position, the tips of the support bracket side convex portions 30, 30 are provided. The surface pressure of the abutting portion between the surface and the front end surface of each of the displacement bracket-side convex portions 33 and 33 rises, and the inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer column 17b is elastically contracted. The surface pressure of the contact portion between the surface and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the inner column 18a increases. That is, in the case of this example, the front end surfaces of the support bracket side convex portions 30 and 30 and the front end surfaces of the displacement bracket side convex portions 33 and 33 are provided at four locations on both sides in the width direction of the displacement bracket 14b. Contact each other at a total of 8 points. Such displacement bracket side convex portions 33 and 33 can be provided at the same time as the outer column 17b and the displacement bracket 14b are integrally formed by die-casting a light alloy.

According to this example as described above, with the steering wheel 1 held at the adjusted position, the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 13c, 13d and the both sandwiched portions 22b, 22b facing each other. The abutting area of the abutting portion with respect to the outer surface can be made smaller than the structures of the first and second examples of the above-described embodiment. As a result, the surface pressure of the contact portion can be increased, and the contact state can be prevented from varying, and the force for holding the steering wheel 1 in the adjusted position can be further stabilized.
The structure and operation of the other parts are the same as in the first and second examples of the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering gear unit 3 Input shaft 4 Tie rod 5, 5a Steering shaft 6, 6a Steering column 7 Universal joint 8 Intermediate shaft 9 Universal joint 10 Car body 11 Axis 12, 12a, 12b Support bracket 13, 13a-13d Support plate part 14, 14a, 14b Displacement brackets 15, 15a-15d Vertically long holes 16, 16a, 16b Column side through holes 17, 17a, 17b Outer column 18, 18a Inner column 19 Outer shaft 20 Inner shaft 21, 21a Slit 22, 22a 22b Clamped portion 23, 23a Mounting plate portion 24, 24a Adjustment rod 25, 25a Adjustment nut 26, 26a Adjustment lever 27, 27a Head 28, 28a Locking notch 29 Locking capsule 30, 30a Lifting bracket-side protrusion 31 fastening bracket 32 the upper plate 33 displaced bracket-side protrusion 34 recess 35 Shotsu hole 36 vertically groove

Claims (5)

Inside, a cylindrical steering column for rotatably supporting a steering shaft with a steering wheel supported and fixed at the rear end,
A displacement bracket fixed to a part of the steering column;
In this displacement bracket, a column side through hole provided in a state of penetrating the displacement bracket in the width direction,
A mounting plate provided on the top and a pair of support plates hanging downward from the mounting plate, the mounting plate being sandwiched from both sides in the width direction by the two support plates; A support bracket supported to the vehicle body by the part,
A pair of vertically elongated holes extending in the up-down direction, provided in portions of the support plate portions that are aligned with each other;
An adjustment rod provided in a state of passing through the column side through hole and the two vertical holes in the width direction;
A pair of pressing portions provided at portions projecting from the outer surfaces of the support plate portions at both ends of the adjustment rod;
An expansion / contraction device that expands / contracts the space between the two pressing parts;
In a tilt type steering column device comprising:
Of the inner side surfaces of the two support plate portions, on both sides in the front-rear direction of the two vertical slots, at least in a portion that is aligned with the portion extending from the upper end to the lower end of both the vertical slots in the vertical direction, The support bracket side convex portion protruding inward in the width direction is formed in a state continuous in the vertical direction,
A tilt-type steering column device characterized by this. Each of the support bracket-side convex portions is formed up to a portion located on the upper side of the upper end edges of the upper and lower direction long holes, of the inner side surfaces of the both support plate portions,
With the space between the two pressing portions being most contracted, the upper end surface of each support bracket side convex portion is in contact with or close to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion or the portion fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion. Facing each other,
The tilt type steering column apparatus according to claim 1. The width dimension in the front-rear direction of the both pressing parts is the same as the rear side edge of the support bracket side convex part formed in the front part of the two vertical bracket elongated holes in the support bracket side convex part. Smaller than the distance from the front edge of the support bracket side convex part formed in the part,
The tilt type steering column apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2. Displacement bracket side convex portions projecting outward in the width direction are formed on both side surfaces of the displacement bracket in a state of being separated in the vertical direction,
In a state where the distance between the two pressing parts is most shortened, the front end surface of each support bracket side convex portion and the front end surface of each displacement bracket side convex portion are brought into contact with each other,
The tilt type steering column apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The support bracket is supported with respect to the vehicle body so that it can be detached forward based on an impact load applied in a secondary collision.
The tilt type steering column apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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