JP2017154716A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a steering device comprising a telescopic adjustment mechanism and an impact absorption mechanism at the time of a secondary collision and capable of stably performing an energy absorption operation and variously changing an energy absorption load.CONSTITUTION: A steering device comprises: a column pipe 6; an outer column A having a holding body part 1 and a fastening part 2; a fixing bracket 4 having a fixing side part 41; a hanger bracket 7 fixed to the column pipe 6, in which a telescopic long hole 73 and an impact absorption long hole 74 are continuously formed along an axial direction; an impact absorption material 8 comprising an impact absorption plate part 8B disposed between the hanger bracket 7 and the fastening part 2 of the outer column A and having elasticity in a thickness direction; both fixing side parts 41 of the fixing bracket 4; the impact absorption plate part 8B; and a fastening tool 5 having a bolt shaft 51 inserted through the hanger bracket 7. In a fastened state by the fastening tool 5, the impact absorption plate part 8B is in contact with the fastening part 2 and a side part of the hanger bracket 7 in an elastically pressing state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention includes a telescopic adjustment mechanism and a shock absorbing mechanism at the time of a secondary collision, and the energy absorbing operation is stably performed from the start to the end, and the energy absorbing load is variously changed. The present invention relates to a steering device that can be operated.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various steering devices that include a telescopic adjustment mechanism and an impact absorbing mechanism for protecting a driver at the time of a secondary collision. One of the common structures in this type of steering device is to absorb the impact in the process of the relative movement of the fastening bolt in telescopic adjustment and the long hole formed in the bracket during secondary collision. Is present.

  Specifically, a crushing portion that is crushed by a fastening bolt is formed between the shock absorbing elongated hole continuously formed in the bracket, and the crushing portion is crushed by a load that is crushed by the fastening bolt. There is something that absorbs energy at the time of the next collision. Patent document 1 is mentioned as such prior art.

  In addition, there is a configuration in which the column is difficult to move in the telescopic direction and the tilt direction during the secondary collision by deliberately increasing the clamping force of the column during clamping, thereby stabilizing the collapse load. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 discloses such a configuration.

JP2015-155218A JP 2013-144531 A

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-155218) discloses a column pipe (6), a holding main body (1) that can be moved and fixed in the front-rear direction, and a tightening part (1) that expands and contracts this in the diameter direction 2) an outer column (A), a fixed bracket (4) having a fixed side portion (41) sandwiching both sides in the width direction, a telescopic elongated hole (73) fixed to the column pipe (6), and A stopper bracket (7) in which an impact absorbing long hole (74) having a crushed portion (75) is continuously formed along the axial direction, a tightening portion (2), a fixed side portion (41), and a stopper bracket It is composed of a fastener (5) having a bolt shaft (51) inserted through (7) and crushing the crushed portion (75).

  In Patent Document 1, the stopper bracket (7) is disposed between both tightening portions (2), and when the outer column (A) is tightened by the tightening tool (5), both tightening portions (2 ). As a result, even when the fastener (5) is tightened, there is no interference between the two tightening portions (2) and the stopper bracket (7), and the outer column (A) and the column pipe at the time of the secondary collision. (6) can move relatively well, and collision energy is absorbed. However, Patent Document 1 leaves room for further excellent energy absorption.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-144431) discloses that the distance bracket (6) is telescopically moved during a secondary collision by increasing the clamping force of the outer column (1) and the inner column (2) during clamping. In addition, it is difficult to move in the tilt direction. However, since the clamping force is increased, the clamping force is not easily weakened even when the clamped state is released, and there is a possibility that the energy absorption stroke at the time of tilt / telescopic adjustment or secondary collision cannot be performed smoothly. An object of the present invention is to enable collision energy absorption in a secondary collision to be stably performed with an extremely simple configuration.

  Therefore, as a result of intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor has found that the invention of claim 1 includes a column pipe, a holding body portion for holding the column pipe, and the holding body portion in the diametrical direction. An outer column having a tightening portion that expands and contracts, a fixing bracket having a fixing side portion that sandwiches both sides in the width direction of the outer column, and a telescopic elongated hole and a shock absorbing elongated hole fixed to the column pipe. A hanger bracket continuously formed along the direction, and a shock absorber provided with a shock absorber plate portion disposed between the hanger bracket and the fastening portion of the outer column and having elasticity in the thickness direction; The fixed bracket includes both the fixed side portions, the shock absorbing plate portion, and a fastener having a bolt shaft that is inserted into the hanger bracket. Plate portion, by the contact with becomes steering device with an elastic pressing state of the side the portion with the hanger bracket tightening, the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

  The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing plate portion of the shock absorbing material includes a curved elastic plate portion, and a claw portion formed at an end portion of the elastic plate portion. By solving the above problem, the above-mentioned problem was solved. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the shock absorber comprises two shock absorbing plate portions and a connecting plate portion that connects the two shock absorbing plate portions symmetrically. By using a steering device, the above problems have been solved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, the claw portion of the shock absorber is configured to abut against the hanger bracket side. The above-mentioned problem was solved. The invention according to claim 5 is the steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the claw portion of the shock absorber is configured to abut against the tightening portion side. Thus, the above-mentioned problem has been solved.

  In the invention of claim 1, since the shock absorbing material is provided, the energy absorption load at the time of the secondary collision can be increased from the beginning. That is, the tightening bolt of the fastener can absorb the impact energy within the telescopic elongated hole range. And, when the fastening bolt reaches the region of the shock absorbing long hole, the energy absorbing ability of the shock absorbing long hole and the shock absorbing material act synergistically to perform a better energy absorbing operation. Can do. As described above, the energy absorbing operation is performed not only in the shock absorbing long hole but also in the telescopic long hole, and the shock absorbing material can shorten the length of the shock absorbing long hole.

  In the invention of claim 2, the shock absorbing plate portion of the shock absorbing material is bent and formed into a flat M-shaped cross section, so that a sufficient elastic force can be obtained even if the size of the shock absorbing plate portion in the thickness direction is reduced. Can be held. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the shock absorber is integrally formed at the connecting portion so that both the shock absorbing plate portions are bilaterally symmetrical, and both the shock absorbing plate portions are rotated by the connecting portion. It is regulated and can be attached to the hanger bracket in an extremely stable state.

  In the invention of claim 4, the end edge of the shock absorber is configured to abut on the hanger bracket side, so that the sharp part abuts with an elastic biasing force, and in the impact absorption at the time of the secondary collision. The resistance load can be increased, and the length of the shock absorbing long hole can be shortened. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, the curved portion of the shock absorber is configured to abut against the hanger bracket side. Shock absorption at the time of collision can be performed smoothly.

(A) is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is an enlarged view taken along arrow X1-X1 in (A), (C) is an enlarged sectional view taken along arrow Y1-Y1 in (A), (D ) Is an enlarged view of part (α) of (C). It is a perspective view of the principal part of the outer column in the present invention, a column pipe, a hanger bracket, and a shock absorber. (A) is an enlarged perspective view of the shock absorbing material in the first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a view taken along arrow X2-X2 in (A), and (C) is a sectional view taken along arrow Y2-Y2 in (A). (D) is an enlarged front view of the shock absorbing material in the first embodiment. (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of the outer column, the hanger bracket, and the shock absorber in a released state, (B) is a view taken along the arrow X3-X3 in (A), and (C) is ( (β) Enlarged view, (D) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part in the tightened state of the outer column, hanger bracket, and shock absorber, (E) is a view taken in the direction of arrows X4-X4 in (D), and (F) is It is the (gamma) part enlarged view of (E). (A) is a principal part side view in the state where the shock absorber was attached to the hanger bracket fixed to the column pipe, and (B) is an enlarged view of (δ) part of (A). (A) is a cross-sectional plan view in which a shock absorber is mounted on a hanger bracket, and (B) is a graph showing a state of shock absorption at the time of a secondary collision. (A) is a plan view showing a modification of the shock absorber in the first embodiment, (B) is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part of the structure in which the modification of the first embodiment is mounted on the outer column and the hanger bracket, (C) is a top view which shows the modification of the shock absorber in 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part in a tightening release state of the shock absorber of the third embodiment to be attached to the outer column and the hanger bracket in a tightening release state, and (B) is the third embodiment. (C) is a view showing a structure for preventing rotation of the third embodiment by providing a rotation stop member on the outer column.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, there are a front side, a rear side, and a thickness direction as words indicating directions. The front side and the rear side are based on the longitudinal direction of the automobile with the steering device of the present invention mounted on the automobile. Specifically, in each component of the steering device, the front wheel side of the automobile is the front side, and the handle (steering wheel) side is the rear side (see FIG. 1A). Moreover, the thickness direction means the direction along the plate thickness in the shock absorbing plate portion 8B of the shock absorbing material 8 constituting the present invention to be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main configuration of the present invention includes an outer column A, a fixing bracket 4, a fastener 5, a column pipe 6, a hanger bracket 7 and an impact absorbing material 8. See FIG. 1A]. The outer column A is composed of a holding main body portion 1 and a tightening portion 2. The holding main body 1 is a substantially cylindrical portion having an inside formed in a hollow shape. Specifically, the inner periphery thereof is a holding inner peripheral surface portion 1a formed in a substantially cylindrical hollow shape. Have. A slit portion 11 is formed on the lower side in the diameter direction of the holding main body portion 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 4A).

  The slit portion 11 has two slit edges 11a and 11a that are formed along the axial direction and face substantially parallel in the width direction. When the slit edges 11a and 11a are close to each other, the diameter of the holding inner peripheral surface portion 1a is reduced, and the column pipe 6 housed and mounted in the holding main body portion 1 is tightened and locked. (Fixed).

  The holding inner peripheral surface portion 1a of the holding main body portion 1 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the column pipe 6 so that the column pipe 6 can easily slide when being tightened (locked). Is formed. Further, the holding main body 1 is formed so as to have a length capable of appropriately supporting a substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction of the column pipe 6 in the axial direction. The column pipe 6 projects from the front end portion and the rear end portion in the axial direction of the holding main body portion 1.

  Fastening portions 2 and 2 are integrally formed at a lower portion of the slit portion 11 below the outer column A. Both tightening portions 2 and 2 have a bilaterally symmetric shape, and are integrally formed respectively at positions on both side ends of the slit portion 11 in the width direction. It is a thick plate-like part formed in a substantially hanging shape from the vicinity. Both slit end edges 11a and 11a of the slit part 11 and both fastening parts 2 and 2 are formed continuously.

  The tightening portion 2 is formed in a block shape on the rear side of the holding main body portion 1 and has a plate thickness up to the positions of both end portions in the horizontal diameter direction of the holding main body portion 1. [Refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 (A), (D)]. The outer surface of the tightening portion 2 is referred to as an outer surface 2a, and the opposing inner surfaces of both the tightening portions 2 and 2 are referred to as an inner surface 2b. The outer side surface 2a can contact the fixed side portion 41 and the tightening portion 2 in a state where the tightening portions 2 and 2 are sandwiched between the two fixed side portions 41 and 41 of the fixing bracket 4. It has a configuration. Tightening through holes 22 and 22 are formed in the tightening portions 2 and 2.

  An arm portion 3 is formed on the front side of the holding main body portion 1 in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The arm portion 3 is composed of two arm-shaped portions 31, 31, and is arranged so that both arm-shaped portions 31, 31 are bifurcated, at a position near the front end of both arm-shaped portions 31, 31. A connecting portion 32 is formed so as to form a bridge between the both arm portions 31 and 31. The connecting portion 32 has a substantially circular shape, and the column pipe 6 is inserted therethrough.

  Next, the fixed bracket 4 is composed of fixed side portions 41 and 41 and mounting top portions 42 formed on both sides in the width direction. Both fixed side portions 41 and 41 are formed with adjustment holes 43 and 43 that are elongated in a substantially vertical direction or vertical direction (see FIGS. 1A and 1C). The fastening tool 5 includes a bolt shaft 51, a lock lever portion 52, a fastening cam 53, and a nut 54 (see FIG. 1C).

  The fastener 5 is attached by a nut 54 together with a lock lever portion 52 and a fastening cam 53. The column pipe 6 is internally provided with a steering shaft, and a steering wheel (handle) is attached to the tip of the steering shaft that protrudes from the rear side of the column pipe 6.

  Next, the hanger bracket 7 is composed of two hanging plate-like portions 71 and 71 and a bottom plate portion 72 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Both hanging plate-like portions 71, 71 of the hanger bracket 7 constitute both sides in the width direction of the hanger bracket 7, extend along the axial direction of the column pipe 6, and below the diametrical direction of the column pipe 6. The drooping plate-like portions 71, 71 are arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval on the side, and the upper ends of the drooping plate-like portions 71, 71 are fixed.

  The bottom plate portion 72 is formed at the lower ends of the both hanging plate-like portions 71, 71, and the section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by the both hanging plate-like portions 71, 71 and the bottom plate portion 72 has a substantially inverted gate shape or It is formed in a square U shape (see FIGS. 1D, 4A, 4D, etc.). The hanger bracket 7 is fixed to the column pipe 6 by welding.

  The hanging plate-like portion 71 is formed with a telescopic elongated hole 73 on the front side and an impact absorbing elongated hole 74 on the rear side [FIG. 1 (A), FIG. 2 (A), FIG. 5 (A). )reference〕. The telescopic long hole 73 is a part used for telescopic adjustment, and the shock absorption long hole 74 is a part used for shock absorption when the column pipe 6 moves toward the front side in a secondary collision. Further, a buffer member such as rubber may be attached to both ends of the telescopic elongated hole 73.

  The shock absorbing long hole 74 is a portion where the bolt shaft 51 of the fastener 5 relatively moves during a secondary collision. In front of the shock absorbing long hole 74, a collapsible portion 75 that absorbs the impact while being crushed by the collision of the bolt shaft 51 is formed (see FIG. 5). There are two types of the crushed portions 75, and the first type is formed as a partition protruding piece 75a between the telescopic elongated hole 73 and the shock absorbing elongated hole 74.

  The partition protruding piece 75a has a shaft shape or a rod shape, and is formed in a protruding shape from one end side to the other end side in the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of the shock absorbing long hole 74. Specifically, it is formed to project from the lower end side to the upper end side of the shock absorbing long hole 74 (see FIG. 5). Alternatively, on the contrary, although not shown, the impact absorbing long hole 74 may be formed to project from the upper end side toward the lower end side. Further, although not shown, the partition protruding piece 75a may be formed continuously at both ends in the longitudinal direction from the lower end side to the upper end side of the shock absorbing long hole 74. Further, the partition protruding piece 75a has a function of restricting the telescopic adjustment range in normal times.

  The crushing portion 75 is crushed by the pressing force at the time of the collision of the bolt shaft 51 in the secondary collision, and the crushing state is a state in which the partition protruding piece 75a falls from its root [see FIG. 5 (B). ]. That is, when the bolt shaft 51 tilts the partition protruding piece 75a, the impact at the time of the secondary collision is absorbed. On the rear side of the portion where the partition projection piece 75a of the shock absorbing long hole 74 is formed, a recess portion 74a is formed for accommodating the partition projection piece 75a when the partition projection piece 75a falls down.

  The recess 74a is substantially the same as the shape when the partition protrusion 75a is collapsed. When the partition protrusion 75a is collapsed and stored in the recess 74a, the vicinity of the front side of the shock absorbing elongated hole 74 is substantially flat. Thus, the bolt shaft 51 can be smoothly moved to the rear end portion of the shock absorbing long hole 74.

  Next, as a second type of the crushed portion 75, although not shown, the vertical width dimension of the shock absorbing long hole 74 is formed smaller than the diameter of the bolt shaft 51. During the secondary collision, when the bolt shaft 51 moves relatively rearward, the upper end side and the lower end side of the shock absorbing long hole 74 are moved while being crushed to absorb the shock.

  Next, the shock absorber 8 will be described. The shock absorbing material 8 is made of metal and basically includes two shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The shock absorbing plate portion 8B includes an elastic plate portion 81 and a claw portion 82. The elastic plate part 81 has a curved part 81a and an arcuate end part 81b formed in a substantially curved or arcuate cross section.

  Claw portions 82 and 82 are formed on both sides in the front-rear direction of the curved portion 81a of the elastic plate portion 81 via arc-shaped end portions 81b and 81b. The shock absorbing plate portion 8B is formed by an elastic plate portion 81 and both claw portions 82 in a substantially flat M-shaped cross section. The claw portion 82 is a portion formed by projecting from both ends of the curved portion 81a of the elastic plate portion 81 through both the arc-shaped end portions 81b and 81b so as to be substantially in the same direction as the bulging direction of the curved portion 81a. is there.

  A through hole 81 c is formed in the elastic plate portion 81. The through hole 81c is for the bolt shaft 51 of the fastener 5 to pass therethrough. The shock absorbing material 8 is connected by a connecting plate portion 83 so that the two shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are symmetrical. The connecting plate portion 83 is formed at the lower ends of both the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B. The interval between the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B is formed so that the upper end is wider than the lower end where the connecting plate portion 83 is formed.

  That is, the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are not perpendicular to the connecting plate portion 83, but are formed so that the upper end extends outward in the width direction, and the cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction has a substantially inverted trapezoidal shape. Therefore, at the time of assembling the steering device of the present invention, the shock absorbing plate portion 8 has a space between the upper ends of the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B narrowed so that the fastening portions 2 and 2 of the outer column A and the hanger bracket 7 are suspended. It inserts between plate-shaped parts 71 and 71.

  Here, in the shock absorbing plate portion 8B, the side where the claw portion 82 exists is referred to as a front side 8Bf, and the opposite side is referred to as a back side 8Br (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). The two shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are connected by the connecting plate portion 83 so that the front sides 8Bf and 8Bf face each other, and the two shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are connected to the back surface. There is an embodiment in which the sides 8Br and 8Br are connected by the connecting plate portion 83 so as to face each other.

  Next, assembly of the constituent members in the present invention will be described. The column pipe 6 is held by the holding inner peripheral surface portion 1 a of the holding main body portion 1 of the outer column A. The hanger bracket 7 fixed to the column pipe 6 is disposed between the tightening portions 2 and 2 of the outer column A. And both the fastening parts 2 and 2 of the said outer column A are clamped between the both fixed side parts 41 and 41 of the fixing bracket 4.

  Further, the distance between the upper ends of both the shock absorbing plates 8B, 8B of the shock absorbing material 8 is narrowed so that both the inner side surfaces 2b, 2b of the tightening portions 2, 2 and both the hanging plate-like portions 71, 71 of the hanger bracket 7 are provided. (See FIG. 4). The position of the connecting plate portion 83 of the shock absorber 8 is arranged below the bottom plate portion 72 of the hanger bracket 7 with a predetermined interval. The connecting plate portion 83 and the bottom plate portion 72 of the hanger bracket 7 may contact each other.

  The connecting plate portion 83 of the shock absorber 8 is in contact with the horizontal shaft portion 91 of the holding spring 9 attached to both the fixed side portions 41, 41 of the fixed bracket 4, so that the shock absorber 8 is brought into a predetermined position. It can hold and prevent rattling. The connecting plate portion 83 is formed with a holding bent portion 83a for receiving the horizontal shaft portion 91 of the holding spring 9 and preventing the horizontal shaft portion 91 from coming off (see FIG. 3).

  Next, the adjustment holes 43 and 43 of the both fixed side portions 41 and 41, both the fastening through holes 22 and 22 formed in the both fastening portions 2 and 2, and the both penetrations of the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B. The bolt shaft 51 of the fastening tool 5 passes through the holes 81 c and 81 c and the telescopic elongated hole 73 of the hanger bracket 7, and is attached by the nut 54 together with the lock lever portion 52 and the fastening cam 53.

  The tightening cam 53 changes its thickness in the axial direction of the bolt shaft 51 by the rotation operation of the lock lever portion 52, and the distance between the fixed side portions 41, 41 of the fixed bracket 4 is changed. The tightening portions 2 and 2 are pressed by being reduced, the interval between the slit portions 11 of the holding main body portion 1 of the outer column A is narrowed, and the column pipe 6 attached to the outer column A is locked in the axial direction ( Fixed). At this time, the holding inner peripheral surface portion 1 a of the outer column A and the outer peripheral surface of the column pipe 6 are in contact with each other, and the column pipe is fixed in the axial direction by increasing the frictional force with the column pipe 6.

  Further, when the fastening of the fastening tool 5 is released, the distance between the two fixed side parts 41 and 41 is increased, and the distance between the both fastening parts 2 and 2 is also opened at the same time. 6 is released, the column pipe 6 can be moved in the axial direction, and telescopic adjustment is possible. At the same time, the outer column A can also be tilted by moving up and down together with the bolt shaft 51 of the fastener 5 with respect to the adjustment holes 43 and 43 of both fixed side portions 41 and 41 of the fixed bracket 4.

  Next, the operation of the shock absorber 8 in the present invention will be described. The shock absorber 8 is premised on an embodiment in which the front plate 8Bf and 8Bf of the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are connected to each other by the connecting plate portion 83 (see FIG. 3). Claw portions 82 in the two shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B inserted into the gaps between the inner side surfaces 2b and 2b of the tightening portions 2 and 2 and the hanging plate-like portions 71 and 71 of the hanger bracket 7 respectively. , 82 are opposed to both hanging plate-like portions 71, 71 of the hanger bracket 7.

  When the outer column A is released from being tightened by the fastener 5, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, both the shock absorbing plates 8B and 8B of the shock absorbing material 8 are No pressing force is applied from the tightening portions 2, 2 and the both hanging plate-like portions 71, 71 of both hanger brackets 7. That is, in a state where tilt / telescopic adjustment is possible, both the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are in an unloaded state. Therefore, the space | interval of the upper end of shock-absorbing board part 8B, 8B expands, and the nail | claw parts 82 and 82 are spaced apart from both the hanging plate-like parts 71 and 71 of the hanger bracket 7, and do not contact | abut.

  As the distance between the upper ends of the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B increases, the arc-shaped end portion 81b contacts the inner side surfaces 2b and 2b of the tightening portions 2 and 2. Thus, since the shock absorber 8 does not abut against both the hanging plate-like portions 71 and 71 of the hanger bracket 7, the tilt telescopic movement can be performed smoothly with the column pipe 6 hanger bracket 7.

  When the outer column A is tightened (locked) by the fastener 5, as shown in FIGS. 4D, 4 E, and 4 F, both shock absorbing plate portions 8 B of the shock absorbing material 8, 8B receives a pressing force from both the fastening portions 2 and 2 and the both hanging plate-like portions 71 and 71 of the both hanger brackets 7. That is, both the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are in a state where a load due to an external force is applied in the thickness direction.

  At this time, when the inner side surface 2b of the tightening portion 2 and the hanging plate-like portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7 come close to each other, a pressing force is applied to the elastic plate portions 81 of the respective shock absorbing plate portions 8B. The upper ends of the portions 81 and 81 are elastically deformed so as to close, and the tips of both the claw portions 82 and 82 abut against the hanging plate-like portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7 with a pressing force.

  When the outer column A is tightened by the fastener 5, the frictional force Fp between the holding inner peripheral surface 1 a of the outer column A and the column pipe 6, the shock absorber 8 and the hanger bracket 7 The sum of the frictional forces Ft between them becomes the energy absorption load F at the time of the secondary collision.

である。 That means

It is.

  As described above, the frictional force Ft generated by the shock absorber 8 is added to the frictional force Fp when the column pipe and the outer column in the conventional structure are tightened, so that energy absorption at the time of the secondary collision is performed regardless of the telescopic position. The load F can be increased from the beginning.

  At the time of the occurrence of a secondary collision, the claw portions 82 and 82 of the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B of the shock absorbing material 8 are in contact with the hanging plate-like portions 71 and 71 of the hanger bracket 7 with a pressing force. The shock absorbing load accompanying the movement of the hanger bracket 7 with respect to the outer column A whose frictional force Ft is stationary in the front-rear direction (axial direction) can be maintained substantially constant.

  When the bolt shaft 51 moves through the telescopic elongated hole 73 of the hanger bracket 7 at the time of the secondary collision, the impact absorbing material 8 moves relative to the frictional force Ft. Further, when the bolt shaft 51 crushes the crushing portion 75, a load for crushing is added. Furthermore, when the bolt shaft 51 moves through the shock absorbing long hole 74, if the shock absorbing long hole 74 does not provide resistance to movement of the bolt shaft 51, only the frictional force Ft acts. Further, when the bolt shaft 51 moves through the shock absorbing long hole 74, when the shock absorbing long hole 74 serves as a resistance to movement of the bolt shaft 51, the bolt shaft 51 causes the shock absorbing long hole 74 to move to the frictional force Ft. A moving resistance is added.

  The claw portions 82 of both the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are in contact with the hanging plate-like portion 71 side of the hanger bracket 7. The outer column A does not move with respect to the vehicle body, and the hanger bracket 7 moves in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body together with the column pipe 6 during telescopic adjustment and secondary collision. The shock absorbing material 8 is not moved by the fastener 5 together with the outer column A. Therefore, the hanger bracket 7 and the shock absorber 8 are in a relative movement relationship.

  In the tightened state, the claw portions 82 of the shock absorbing plates 8B and 8B of the shock absorber 8 are in contact with the hanging plate portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7, and the claw portion 82 is in contact with the hanging plate portion 71. On the other hand, it comes into strong contact with the biting state, and a concentrated load is applied to the hanging plate-like portion 71. Specifically, the drooping plate-like portion 71 is deformed so that a contact portion with the claw portion 82 is shaved or recessed.

  This increases the resistance to shock absorption during a secondary collision. As a result, the length of the shock absorbing long hole 74 formed in the hanger bracket 7 is shortened, whereby the hanger bracket 7 and the column pipe 6 are also shortened, and the entire steering device can be downsized. Further, by changing the plate thickness, shape, and angle of the claw portion 82, the load applied to the hanging plate-like portion 71 by the claw portion 82 can be appropriately changed.

  As a second embodiment of the shock absorbing material 8, there is an embodiment in which the back side 8Br and 8Br are opposed to each other in both shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B [see FIGS. 7A and 7B]. . In this embodiment, the claw portions 82 of both the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are in contact with the inner side surfaces 2b and 2b of both the fastening portions 2 and 2 of the outer column A, and the curved portion 81a is the hanger bracket 7's. It comes into contact with the hanging plate portion 71. In this embodiment, since the claw portions 82 of the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are in contact with the hanger bracket 7 that moves in the axial direction at the time of the secondary collision, the curved portion 81a is in contact with the secondary collision. The energy absorption load at the time can be lowered.

  In the shock absorbing member 8B of the shock absorbing member 8 having the connecting plate 83, there is an embodiment in which the whole is formed in an arc [see FIG. 7C]. In this embodiment, both ends of the arc-shaped elastic plate portion 81 become claw portions 82 and 82, and the overall shape can be simplified. Furthermore, the third embodiment of the shock absorbing material 8 is not provided with the connecting plate portion 83, and the two shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B are independent members (see FIG. 8). In this embodiment, each shock absorbing plate portion 8B, 8B is inserted between the inner side surfaces 2b, 2b of both fastening portions 2, 2 and both hanging plate-like portions 71, 71 of the hanger bracket 7. [Refer to FIG. 8A].

  Specifically, the shape of the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B, which are independent members, is such that the claw portion 82 is substantially in the same direction as the direction in which the curved portion 81a bulges from both ends of the curved portion 81a of the elastic plate portion 81. It is a site | part formed through the arc-shaped edge part 81b [refer FIG. 8 (B)]. In the no-load state, the maximum protruding portion of the curved portion 81a protrudes from the tips of both the claw portions 82. That is, in the no-load state, the elastic plate portion 81 is configured to be elastically deformable. The shock absorbing plate portion 8B has elasticity acting in the thickness direction by the curved portion 81a of the elastic plate portion 81.

  When a load is applied in the thickness direction from the above configuration, the shock absorbing plate portion 8B is deformed so that the elastic plate portion 81 is elastically deformed and the curved portion 81a is further flattened. As a result, the impact absorbing plate portion 8B protrudes so that both the claw portions 82 and 82 are equivalent to the maximum bulging position of the curved portion 81a.

  Here, the relationship between the inner side surface 2b of the tightening portion 2 and the interval between the hanging plate-like portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7 and the dimension in the thickness direction of the shock absorbing plate portion 8B of the shock absorbing material 8 which is an independent member. explain. First, the interval between the inner side surface 2b of the tightening portion 2 and the hanging plate-like portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7 in the tightening release state is defined as W1. Further, T is the dimension in the thickness direction of the shock absorbing plate portion 8B in the no-load state. The interval W1 is larger than the dimension T in the thickness direction.

である。 That means

It is.

  Further, the interval between the inner surface 2b of the tightening portion 2 and the hanging plate-like portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7 in the tightened state is defined as W2. The interval W2 is smaller than the dimension T in the thickness direction. Here, the interval W2 and the thickness direction dimension T may be equal.

である。 That means

It is.

である。 That is,

It is.

  With the above configuration, the shock absorbing plate portion 8B, which is an independent member, is elastically deformed by the elastic plate portion 81 in the tightened state, like the shock absorbing material 8 having the connecting plate portion 83. The claw portion 82 abuts on the hanging plate-like portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7. And at the time of a secondary collision, the drooping plate-shaped part 71 can generate | occur | produce a high energy absorption load by moving ahead, with the nail | claw part 82 contacting strongly in the state of biting. Further, the arc-shaped end portion 81 b may be brought into contact with the hanging plate-like portion 71 of the hanger bracket 7.

  Moreover, both the shock absorbing plate portions 8B and 8B in the third embodiment are not connected to each other and are independent on the left and right. Therefore, there is a possibility of rotating at the time of telescopic adjustment or at the time of a secondary collision, and there is a possibility that shock absorption at an appropriate secondary collision may not be performed. Therefore, both the inner surface sides 2b, 2b of the tightening portions 2, 2 protrude inward in the width direction of the outer column A and extend linearly in the front-rear direction so that the shock absorbing plate portion 8B does not rotate. In some cases, there are formed anti-rotation pedestals 23, 23 (see FIGS. 8A and 8C).

  The shock absorbers 8 and 8 are arranged on the both rotation stop pedestals 23 and 23, respectively, and the respective rotation stop pedestals 23 are in contact with the lower ends of the respective shock absorption plate portions 8B so as to be non-rotatable. It is suitable to be provided. The rotation stop pedestal 23 may be provided as a separate member at the lower end portion of the tightening portion 2 or may be formed such that the lower end of the tightening portion 2 protrudes inward in the width direction.

  Further, the shock absorbing material 8 may be disposed on one of the hanging plate-like portions 71 and 71. Thus, by using the shock absorber 8 having the claw portion 82, the contact with the hanging plate-like portion 71 is changed to the claw portion 82 or the arc-shaped end portion 81b, and the plate thickness and angle of the claw portion 82 are changed. By adjusting the thickness, it is possible to easily change the energy absorption load in various ways.

A ... Outer column, 1 ... Holding body part, 2 ... Fastening part, 4 ... Fixing bracket,
41: Fixed side portion, 5: Fastener, 51 ... Bolt shaft, 6 ... Column pipe,
7 ... Hanger bracket, 73 ... Telesco slot, 74 ... Shock absorption slot, 8 ... Shock absorber,
8B ... shock absorbing plate part, 81 ... elastic plate part, 82 ... claw part, 83 ... connecting plate part.

Claims (5)

  An outer column having a column pipe, a holding main body portion for holding the column pipe, and a fastening portion for expanding and contracting the holding main body portion in the diameter direction, and a fixed side portion for holding both widthwise sides of the outer column A hanger bracket fixed to the column pipe, a telescopic elongated hole and a shock absorbing elongated hole formed continuously along the axial direction, and the hanger bracket and the tightening portion of the outer column. A shock absorber provided with a shock absorber plate portion disposed between and having elasticity in the thickness direction, both the fixed side portions of the fixed bracket, the shock absorber plate portion, and a bolt shaft inserted through the hanger bracket The impact absorbing plate portion is in contact with the fastening portion and a side portion of the hanger bracket in an elastically pressed state in a tightened state by the fastener. Steering apparatus according to claim the door.   2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing plate portion of the shock absorbing material includes a curved elastic plate portion and a claw portion formed at an end portion of the elastic plate portion. Steering device.   3. The steering apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shock absorbing material includes two shock absorbing plate portions and a connecting plate portion that connects both shock absorbing plate portions symmetrically. .   4. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the claw portion of the shock absorbing material is in contact with the hanger bracket side. 5.   4. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the claw portion of the shock absorbing material is in contact with the tightening portion side. 5.

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