JP2017197007A - Position adjusting device for steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position adjusting device for a steering wheel capable of firmly retaining the steering wheel in a state capable of retaining a vertical position or a longitudinal position of the steering wheel.SOLUTION: A position adjusting device for a steering wheel comprises: a fixed side teeth part 47 disposed on a widthwise outer side surface of the other side of a support plate part 22a constituting a support bracket 14a; and a movable side teeth part 55 movable vertically synchronously with an adjusting rod 17a, and disposed in a movable side lock member 48 supported in a state swingable about a pivot shaft 43 disposed independently of the adjusting rod 17a. In a lock state, the fixed side teeth part 47 and the movable part teeth part 55 are vertically engaged with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a position adjustment device for a steering wheel having a function of making it possible to adjust the longitudinal position or vertical position of a steering wheel for steering an automobile, for example.

  The automobile steering device is configured as shown in FIG. 13, and transmits the rotation of the steering wheel 1 to the input shaft 3 of the steering gear unit 2, and a pair of left and right tie rods 4 according to the rotation of the input shaft 3. 4 is pushed and pulled to give a steering angle to the front wheels. The steering wheel 1 is supported and fixed at the rear end portion of the steering shaft 5, and the steering shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the steering column 6 with the cylindrical steering column 6 inserted in the axial direction. Has been. Further, the front end portion of the steering shaft 5 is connected to the rear end portion of the intermediate shaft 8 via a universal joint 7, and the front end portion of the intermediate shaft 8 is connected to the input shaft 3 via another universal joint 9. Connected to.

  Conventionally, the steering apparatus as described above includes a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 and a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position according to the physique and driving posture of the driver. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the illustrated structure, the upper front end portion of the housing 10 fixed to the front end portion of the steering column 6 is formed in the width direction with respect to the vehicle body 11 in order to constitute a tilt mechanism (the width direction refers to the width direction of the vehicle body, The tilt shaft 12 arranged in the left-right direction is the same throughout the present specification and claims). A displacement bracket 13 is provided on the lower surface of the intermediate portion of the steering column 6 in the axial direction, and a support bracket 14 is provided with the displacement bracket 13 sandwiched from both sides in the width direction. A tilt adjustment slot 15 that is long in the vertical direction is formed in each of the pair of left and right support plate portions 22, 22 constituting the support bracket 14. Telescopic adjustment through-holes 16 are formed in portions that are aligned with a part of 15 respectively. Then, the adjusting rod 17 is inserted in a state where both the tilt adjusting long holes 15 and the telescopic adjusting long holes 16 are inserted in the width direction. Further, in order to constitute the telescopic mechanism, the steering shaft 5 and the steering column 6 are configured to be extendable, and the telescopic adjustment long holes 16 are long holes in the front-rear direction. Then, by operating an adjustment lever (not shown) provided at one end of the adjustment rod 17, the force for holding the displacement bracket 13 from both sides in the width direction is adjusted by the support bracket 14, and the position of the steering wheel 1 is adjusted. It is possible to switch between a possible state (unlocked state) and a state that can be held at the adjusted position (locked state).

A more specific structure of the steering device as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
The steering column 6 is slidably fitted to the front part of the outer column 18 arranged on the rear side and the rear part of the inner column 19 arranged on the front side, so that the entire length can be expanded and contracted. Among these, for example, a slit 20 is provided in the front part of the outer column 18 made by die-casting a light alloy so that the inner diameter of the front part can be elastically expanded and reduced. Further, a pair of left and right sandwiched portions 21 and 21 is provided at a portion sandwiching the slit 20 from both the left and right sides, and the pair of sandwiched portions 21 and 21 constitutes the displacement bracket 13. The pair of sandwiched portions 21 and 21 are formed with telescopic adjustment long holes 16 and 16 that are long in the front-rear direction. In addition, a pair of left and right support plate portions 22 and 22 provided on the support bracket 14 are arranged in a portion where the displacement bracket 13 is sandwiched from both left and right sides, and each of the pair of support plate portions 22 and 22 is provided. Tilt adjusting long holes 15, 15 are formed in a partial arc shape centering on the tilt axis 12 (see FIG. 13) and long in the vertical direction. The adjusting rod 17 is inserted in the width direction into the long holes 15 and 15 for both tilt adjustments and the long holes 16 and 16 for both telescopic adjustments.

  Further, an adjusting lever 23 is provided at one end of the adjusting rod 17 in the axial direction (the left end in FIG. 15), a nut 24 is provided at the other end in the axial direction (the right end in FIG. 15), and a thrust is provided at a portion near one end in the axial direction. A cam device 28 composed of a bearing 26 and a driving cam 38 and a driven cam 37 is provided, respectively, and the inner side surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 22, 22 based on the swing of the adjusting lever 23. It is configured to expand and contract the interval between each other.

  When adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1, the adjusting lever 23 is swung in a predetermined direction (generally downward), and the driving cam 38 is rotated in the rotational direction when switching to the unlocked state. Rotate in a certain unlocking direction. Then, the axial dimension of the cam device 28 is reduced, and the distance between the driven cam 37 and the nut 24 is increased. As a result, the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner surface of the pair of support plate portions 22 and 22 and the outer surface of the pair of sandwiched portions 21 and 21 is reduced or lost, and at the same time, the outer column 18 The inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer column 18 is elastically expanded, and the contact pressure between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer column 18 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the inner column 19 is reduced. 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 adjusting rod 17 can move in the tilt adjusting long holes 15 and 15 and the telescopic adjusting long holes 16 and 16.

  In order to hold the steering wheel 1 at a desired position, after the steering wheel 1 is moved to the desired position, the adjusting lever 23 is swung in the reverse direction (generally upward). As a result, the drive cam 38 is rotated in the lock direction, which is the rotation direction when switching to the locked state. And the axial direction dimension of the said cam apparatus 28 is expanded, and the space | interval of the inner surface of the said one pair of support plate parts 22 and 22 is shortened. In this state, the surface pressure of the abutting portion between the inner side surface of the pair of support plate portions 22 and 22 and the outer side surface of the pair of sandwiched portions 21 and 21 rises, and at the same time, the front end of the outer column 18 The inner diameter of the portion is elastically reduced, and the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer column 18 and the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the inner column 19 is increased. Can be held in the position.

  In the steering device having the above-described configuration, the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 is determined by the frictional force acting between the pair of support plate portions 22 and 22 and the pair of sandwiched portions 21 and 21. Although the front and rear positions are held at the adjusted positions, for example, a structure capable of holding the steering wheel 1 more firmly is required from the viewpoint of enhancing the protection of the driver at the time of a secondary collision or the like. ing.

JP 2009-227181 A

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention is to realize a structure that can firmly hold the position of the steering wheel in a state in which the vertical position or the front-rear position of the steering wheel can be held at the adjusted position. Invented.

The steering wheel position adjusting device of the present invention includes a displacement bracket, a fixed bracket, an adjusting rod, a pair of pressing portions, and an expansion / contraction device.
Among these, the displacement bracket is provided in a part of the steering column, and a first through hole is formed so as to penetrate in the width direction.
The fixed side bracket has a pair of support plate portions provided in a state where the displacement side bracket is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction, and a pair of second passages is provided in a portion where the pair of support plate portions are aligned with each other. A hole is formed and fixed to the vehicle body side.
The adjusting rod is provided in a state of being inserted through the first through hole and the pair of second through holes in the width direction.
The pair of pressing portions are provided at portions protruding from the outer surfaces of the pair of support plate portions at both ends of the adjustment rod.
The said expansion / contraction apparatus is for expanding / contracting the space | interval of said one pair of press parts.
Further, at least one of the first through hole and the pair of second through holes is an adjustment long hole that is long in a position adjustment direction, which is a direction in which the position of the steering wheel should be adjustable. Yes. The position adjustment direction is the front-rear direction when the position of the steering wheel is adjusted by a telescopic mechanism, and the vertical direction when the position of the steering wheel is adjusted by a tilt mechanism.
And based on the expansion / contraction of the expansion / contraction mechanism, it is possible to switch between an unlocked state in which the position of the steering wheel in the position adjustment direction can be adjusted and a locked state in which the steering wheel can be held at the adjusted position.

In particular, the steering wheel position adjusting device according to the present invention includes a lock mechanism that engages with the concave and convex portions in the position adjusting direction in the locked state.
Such a locking mechanism includes a fixed side engaging portion, a pivot shaft, and a movable side locking member.
Of these, the fixed-side engaging portion is provided directly or via another member on the fixed-side bracket or the displacement-side bracket in which the adjustment long hole is formed.
The pivot shaft is provided at a position shifted from the central axis of the adjustment rod.
The movable-side lock member has a movable-side engagement portion that can engage with the fixed-side engagement portion so that the adjustment rod can be rotated when switching between the locked state and the unlocked state. Accordingly, it is supported in such a state that it can swing about the pivot shaft and can be synchronized with the adjustment rod and the position adjustment direction.
Then, when switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, the movable side locking member swings in the locking direction about the pivot shaft, and the fixed side engaging portion and the movable side engaging portion are The concave and convex engagement is performed in the position adjusting direction of the adjusting rod.
On the other hand, when switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the movable side locking member swings in the unlocking direction about the pivot shaft, and the fixed side engaging portion and the movable side engaging portion are The concavo-convex engagement is released.

  When implementing the steering wheel position adjusting device of the present invention as described above, specifically, the movable side lock member is configured as the fixed side bracket 1 as in the invention described in claim 2. Between the width direction outer side surface of at least one support plate part of a pair of support plate parts, and the press part provided in the width direction outer side of this at least one support plate part of said one pair of press parts Or a gap in the width direction between the inner surface in the width direction of the at least one support plate portion and the outer surface in the width direction of the displacement side bracket facing the inner surface in the width direction of the at least one support plate portion. It is possible to employ a configuration in which the stop is arranged in a planned state.

  In the case of implementing the steering wheel position adjusting apparatus of the present invention as described above, the center axis of the pivot shaft is additionally parallel to the width direction as in the invention described in claim 3, and It is possible to adopt a configuration that exists on a virtual plane that passes through the central axis of the adjusting rod and is parallel to the position adjusting direction.

  When the steering wheel position adjusting device of the present invention as described above is implemented, specifically, as in the invention described in claim 4, the fixed side engagement portion is a first fixed side engagement. And a second fixed-side engaging portion, and the movable-side engaging portion includes a first movable-side engaging portion and a second movable-side engaging portion. Configuration in which one movable side engaging portion and the first fixed side engaging portion are engaged, and the second movable side engaging portion and the second fixed side engaging portion are engaged. Can be adopted.

  When implementing the steering wheel position adjusting device of the present invention as described above, specifically, as in the invention described in claim 5, each convex portion constituting the fixed side tooth portion is moved to the position. A configuration in which the shape is asymmetric with respect to the adjustment direction and is inclined in the position adjustment direction with respect to a virtual plane orthogonal to the position adjustment direction can be employed.

When implementing the steering wheel position adjusting apparatus of the present invention as described above, specifically, as in the invention described in claim 6, the movable side lock member includes a base portion and a first arm portion. And a second arm portion.
When such a configuration is adopted, a through-hole through which the pivot shaft can be inserted is formed in the base portion.
The movable side engaging portion is formed on a side edge of the first arm portion facing the fixed side engaging portion.
Then, when switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, the movable side locking member is centered on the pivot shaft by the adjusting rod being pressed in a direction approaching the fixed side engaging portion. The fixed side engaging portion and the movable side engaging portion are configured to engage with each other in the position adjusting direction of the adjusting rod.
On the other hand, when switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the movable arm locking member is unlocked about the pivot shaft by pressing the second arm portion away from the fixed side engaging portion by the adjusting rod. By swinging in the locking direction, the concave-convex engagement between the fixed side engaging portion and the movable side engaging portion is released.

  When carrying out the invention described in claim 6 as described above, specifically, as in the invention described in claim 7, a base portion constituting the movable side lock member, a first arm portion, A configuration in which the adjustment rod is inserted inside the support portion defined by the second arm portion can be employed. When this configuration is adopted, preferably, the support hole and the adjustment rod are brought into contact with each other in at least three places.

According to the steering wheel position adjusting device of the present invention configured as described above, the position of the steering wheel in a state where the vertical position or the front-rear position of the steering wheel can be held at the adjusted position (locked state). Can be held firmly.
That is, in the case of the present invention, in the locked state, the fixed side engaging portion provided directly (or indirectly) on the bracket formed with the adjustment long hole of the fixed side bracket or the displacement side bracket, The movable side engaging member of the movable side locking member supported so as to be able to be displaced in the position adjusting direction together with the adjusting rod is engaged with the concave and convex portions in the position adjusting direction. Therefore, even when an impact load in the position adjusting direction is applied to the steering wheel in the locked state, it is possible to prevent the steering wheel from being displaced in the position adjusting direction based on the uneven engagement.

The figure similar to FIG. 15 which shows the 1st example of embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is the figure which shows a lock mechanism in the state seen from the width direction inner side of the other support plate part, Comprising: The figure (a) which shows an unlocked state, The figure (b) which shows a locked state. Similarly, the X section enlarged view of Drawing 2 (a). Similarly, AA sectional view of FIG. Similarly, the perspective view which looked at the driven side cam from the width direction inner side. The figure similar to FIG. 2 which shows the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention. Similarly, the same figure as FIG. Similarly, the perspective view which shows the state which looked at the locking mechanism of the state which abbreviate | omitted the other movable side locking member from the width direction inner side of the other support plate part. Similarly, the perspective view which shows the lock mechanism of the state which abbreviate | omitted one pair of movable side lock members in the state seen from the width direction inner side of the other support plate part. The figure which shows the 3rd example of embodiment of this invention in the state which looked at the locking mechanism from the width direction outer side of one clamping part, Comprising: The figure (a) which shows an unlocked state, and a locked state FIG. Similarly, the figure equivalent to the BB cross section of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of another example of the 3rd example of embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The figure which looked at the locking mechanism of the locked state from the width direction outer side. The fragmentary sectional side view which shows an example of the conventional structure of a steering device. The partial side view for demonstrating the specific structure of a steering device. CC sectional drawing of FIG.

[First example of embodiment]
A first example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic structure of the steering device to which the steering wheel position adjusting device of this example can be applied is substantially the same as the structure of the steering device shown in FIG.
That is, the steering device to which the steering wheel position adjusting device of this example can be applied transmits the rotation of the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 13) to the input shaft 3 of the steering gear unit 2, and the rotation of the input shaft 3 Then, a pair of left and right tie rods 4 and 4 are pushed and pulled through the rack and pinion mechanism to give a steering angle to the wheels.

  The steering wheel 1 is supported and fixed to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 5. The steering shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the steering column 6a in a state where the cylindrical steering column 6a is inserted in the axial direction. Has been. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, 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 another universal joint. 9 is connected to the input shaft 3. In order to apply a steering assist force to the steering shaft 5, an electric motor 27 (see FIG. 13) serving as a power source is provided in front of the steering column 6a.

  The steering shaft 5 that supports and fixes the steering wheel 1 at the rear end includes a front end portion of the outer shaft 28 provided on the rear side (right side in FIG. 13) and a rear shaft 29 provided on the front side (left side in FIG. 13). The front and rear positions of the outer shaft 28 can be adjusted by spline engagement with the end portions. Such a steering shaft 5 is supported inside the steering column 6a by a single row deep groove type ball bearing (not shown) so as to be rotatable only.

  The steering column 6a is slidably fitted to the front part of the outer column 18a arranged on the rear side and the rear part of the inner column 19a arranged on the front side, so that the entire length can be expanded and contracted. Among these, for example, a slit 20a is provided at the front and upper end of the outer column 18a made by die casting of a light alloy so that the inner diameter of the front can be elastically expanded / contracted. Further, a pair of left and right sandwiched portions 21a and 21a is provided at a portion sandwiching the slit 20a from both left and right sides, and the pair of sandwiched portions 21a and 21a constitutes a displacement bracket 13a. In such a pair of sandwiched portions 21a, 21a, telescopic adjustment long holes 16a, 16a that are long in the front-rear direction are formed.

  A housing 10 (see FIG. 13) is fixed to the front end portion of the steering column 6a (the inner column 19a), and the upper front end portion of the housing 10 is disposed in the width direction with respect to the vehicle body 11. The tilt shaft 12 supports the tilt shaft 12 in a state where it can swing in the vertical direction around the tilt shaft 12. In the housing 10, a worm-type speed reducer including a worm and a worm wheel (not shown) constituting an electric assist mechanism is disposed. Then, based on the torque acting on the inner shaft 29, the worm is rotationally driven by the electric motor 27 fixed to the housing 10, thereby applying a steering assist force to the steering shaft 5.

  A support bracket 14a is provided in a state where the displacement bracket 13a is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction. The support bracket 14 a includes a mounting plate portion 30 provided on the upper portion and a pair of left and right support plate portions 22 a and 22 b that hang downward from the mounting plate portion 30. In the case of this example, the upper end edges of the pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b are continuous in the width direction by the connecting plate portion 31, and the upper surface of the connecting plate portion 31 is set in the width direction of the mounting plate portion 30. It is fixed to the lower surface of the central part by welding. Such a support bracket 14a is supported by the mounting plate portion 30 through a pair of release capsules 32, 32 (see FIG. 15) with respect to the vehicle body so that the support bracket 14a can be released forward in a secondary collision. Yes.

The pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b are formed with a pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b which are partially arc-shaped around the tilt shaft 12 and are long in the vertical direction. The pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b can be formed not in a partial arc shape but in a linear shape in a direction toward the rear as it goes upward. In the case of this example, the pair of telescopic adjustment long holes 16a, 16a are the first through holes described in the claims, and the pair of tilt adjustment long holes 15a, 15b are the second through holes, Each corresponds. In the case of this example, as will be described later, the movable-side tooth portion 55 of the movable-side lock member 48 and the fixed-side tooth portion 47 engage with each other in the vertical direction in the locked state. Accordingly, the pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b correspond to the adjusting long holes recited in the claims, and the direction in which the pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b are formed (vertical direction). Corresponds to the position adjustment direction.
With the above configuration, the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted based on the rocking displacement about the tilt shaft 12, and based on the expansion and contraction of the steering shaft 5 and the steering column 6a, The front-rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted.

An adjusting rod 17a is inserted in the width direction into the pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b and the pair of telescopic adjusting long holes 16a and 16a.
Such an adjustment rod 17a includes a male screw portion (not shown) formed at one axial end portion (the right end portion in FIG. 1), a cam portion 33 formed at the axial intermediate portion, and an axial other end portion ( And a head 34 formed on the left end of FIG.

Of these, the cam portion 33 is disposed inside the telescopic adjustment long hole 16a of the other (left side in FIG. 1) of the pair of telescopic adjustment long holes 16a, 16a. To the portion adjacent to the inner side surface in the width direction of the head 34.
Specifically, the cam portion 33 includes a pair of flat surface portions 35a and 35b formed so as to be cut out in two flat positions parallel to each other on the opposite side with respect to the radial direction of the outer peripheral surface, A pair of pressing curved surface portions 36a, 36b formed in a portion between the pair of flat surface portions 35a, 35b with respect to the circumferential direction of the adjusting rod 17a and having an arc cross section centering on the central axis of the cam portion 33; have. Such a cam portion 33 has a two-fold symmetry (a shape that overlaps itself when rotated 180 °), and the distance between the pair of flat surface portions 35a, 35b is the pair of flat surfaces 35a, 35b. It is smaller than the distance between the apexes of the press curved surface portions 36a and 36b. In the case of this example, in a state where the position of the steering wheel shown in FIG. 2 (a) can be adjusted (unlocked state), the pair of flat surface portions 35a and 35b are connected to the pair of tilt adjusting elongated holes 15a, They are arranged so as to be parallel (including substantially parallel) to the forming direction (vertical direction) of 15b. The cam portion 33 can be provided in an arbitrary range of the adjustment rod 17a as long as it includes a portion disposed inside a movable side lock member 48 described later. For example, a portion of the adjustment rod 17a other than the male screw portion and the head portion 34 can be used as the cam portion 33 over the entire length. Further, a cylindrical member provided on a member different from the adjusting rod 17a and having a pair of flat surface portions and a pair of pressing curved surface portions on the outer peripheral surface is attached to the outer peripheral surface in the axially intermediate portion of the adjusting rod 17a. The cam portion can be configured by fitting and fixing. Further, the structure of the cam portion is not limited to the case of this example. For example, a structure having a cross-sectional shape as shown by an oblique lattice in FIG.

  In the case of this example, the nut 24a screwed into the male threaded portion of the adjusting rod 17a and one of the pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b (right side in FIG. 1). A pressing plate 25 and a thrust bearing 26a are arranged in this order from the side of the one support plate portion 22a in the portion between the two plates 22a.

  Further, a driven cam 37a is provided between the head 34 of the adjusting rod 17a and the other support plate portion 22b of the pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b (left side in FIG. 1). The drive side cam 38a and the adjustment lever 23 are arranged.

  The driven cam 37a, together with the driving cam 38a, constitutes a cam device corresponding to the expansion / contraction mechanism described in the claims. The driven cam 37a is made of, for example, sintered metal, and has a center hole 40 through which the adjusting rod 17a is inserted, and has a substantially annular plate shape as a whole. The driven cam 37a has a driven cam surface which is an uneven surface in the circumferential direction on the outer side surface in the width direction (left side surface in FIG. 1). On the other hand, a pair of guide convex portions 42a projecting inward in the width direction are disposed at two positions in the circumferential direction arranged on the upper side and the lower side of the driven side cam 37a in the assembled state. 42b is formed. The longitudinal dimension of such a pair of guide protrusions 42a, 42b is slightly smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b. Further, the inner end surface in the width direction of one (upper) guide projection 42a of the pair of guide projections 42a and 42b protrudes inward in the width direction and has a circular shape when viewed from the width direction. A pivot shaft 43 is formed.

  Such a driven-side cam 37a is in a state in which relative rotation with respect to the adjustment rod 17a can be performed in a state where the portion near the other axial end of the adjustment rod 17a is inserted into the center hole 40, and in the width direction ( The adjusting rod 17a is externally fitted so as to be capable of relative displacement in the axial direction). The pair of guide convex portions 42a and 42b are disposed inside the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b. In this state, the front side surfaces of the pair of guide convex portions 42a and 42b are in close proximity to the front side edge of the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b, and the rear side surface is also the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b. The pair of guide convex portions 42a and 42b are engaged with the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b without rattling. Further, the inner end surface (tip surface) in the width direction of the pivot shaft 43 protrudes inward in the width direction from the inner end edge in the width direction of the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b. In such an assembled state, the central axis of the pivot shaft 43 is parallel to the width direction. The central axis of the pivot shaft 43 exists on a virtual plane that passes through the central axis of the adjusting rod 17a and is parallel to the direction in which the pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b is formed. It should be noted that the central axis of the pivot shaft 43 can be shifted from the virtual plane.

On the other hand, the drive side cam 38a is made of, for example, sintered metal and has a center hole 41 through which the adjustment rod 17a is inserted, and the whole is made into, for example, an annular plate shape or a rectangular plate shape. In the case of this example, the inner peripheral surface of the center hole 41 of the drive side cam 38a has a shape capable of non-circular fitting with the outer peripheral surface of the cam portion 33 of the adjusting rod 17a. Further, on the inner side surface in the width direction of the drive side cam 38a, a drive side cam surface which is an uneven surface in the circumferential direction is formed. Further, a driving side engaging convex portion 44 protruding outward in the width direction is provided on the outer side surface in the width direction of the driving side cam 38a. Such a drive-side cam 38a is located in the other end portion in the axial direction with respect to the center hole 41 in the portion closer to the other end in the axial direction of the adjusting rod 17a than the portion in which the driven-side cam 37a is externally fitted. The outer peripheral surface (a part of the cam portion 33) is assembled in a non-circular fitting state. Further, in this state, the driving side engaging convex portion 44 is engaged with a lever side through hole 45 provided at the base end portion of the adjusting lever 23. In this way, the drive side cam 38a can be rotated integrally with the adjustment lever 23.
In addition, the drive side cam 38a and the adjustment rod 17a can be integrally rotated by press-fitting the axial direction other end portion of the adjustment rod 17a into the center hole 41 of the drive side cam 38a. it can.
With the configuration as described above, the adjusting lever 23, the driving cam 38a, and the adjusting rod 17a are assembled in a synchronized (integral) rotatable state.

Further, a lock mechanism 46 is provided between the inner surface in the width direction of the other (left side in FIG. 1) support plate portion 22b and the other sandwiched portion 21a of the pair of sandwiched portions 21a, 21a. Provided.
Such a lock mechanism 46 includes a fixed tooth portion 47, a pivot shaft 43 of the driven cam 37a, a movable lock member 48, and a cam portion 33 provided on the adjustment rod 17a. Yes. Such a locking mechanism 46 is for preventing the vertical displacement of the adjusting rod 17a in the locked state by the concave-convex engagement.
The fixed-side tooth portion 47 corresponds to the fixed-side engaging portion described in the claims, and the other tilt adjusting elongated hole 15b is formed on the inner surface in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22b. The parallel formation direction (vertical direction) and parallel (the parallel formation direction of the tilt adjusting long hole) are the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the movable side tooth portion 55 of the movable side lock member 48 in the locked state, as will be described later. Includes a substantially parallel state as long as the holding force in the vertical direction of the steering wheel 1 can be increased by engaging with the concave and convex portions. . The fixed-side tooth portion 47 can be directly formed on the other support plate portion 22b, or another member (for example, a plate) fixed to the other support plate portion 22b (for example, by welding). Or the like.

  Specifically, in the case of this example, a concave portion 49 is formed in the inner side surface in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22b at a portion adjacent to the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. ing. In the case of this example, the concave portion 49 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the width direction, but is not limited to such a shape. The front side surface and the rear side surface of the recess 49 are parallel to the direction in which the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b is formed. The fixed tooth portion 47 is formed on the rear side surface of the recess 49.

  The fixed-side tooth portion 47 can be formed not on the rear side surface of the concave portion 49 but on the front side surface. Although not shown in the drawings, as another example of the formation of the fixed side tooth portion 47, a portion of the inner side surface in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22b that is in front of the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b. A pair of vertical protrusions are formed on the rear portion so as to protrude inward in the width direction and parallel to the direction in which the other tilt adjusting elongated hole 15b is formed. The fixed-side tooth portion 47 may be formed on the rear side surface of one (front) vertical convex portion (or the front side surface of the other vertical convex portion) of the portions. Alternatively, a pair of vertical protrusions are formed at both ends in the front-rear direction of the plate-like member provided separately from the other support plate portion 22b, and one of the pair of vertical protrusions is in the vertical direction. The fixed-side tooth portion 47 may be formed on the rear side surface of the convex portion (or the front side surface of the other vertical convex portion). When such a configuration is adopted, this plate member is fixed to the other support plate portion 22b by welding.

In the case of this example, each convex part 50, 50 constituting the fixed side tooth part 47 is formed in a state inclined downward with respect to a virtual plane β perpendicular to the direction in which the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b is formed. doing. Specifically, in the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical center position X ₁ of the base end portion of each convex portion 50, 50 constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47, and the direction central position X ₂ and the virtual plane P ₄₇ parallel to the street and the axial direction of the adjusting rod 17a, and with respect to a virtual plane β perpendicular to the formation direction of the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b (vertical direction) Increasing in the forward direction is inclined downward. Further, the respective convex portions 50 and 50 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the virtual plane _{P 47.}

  The movable lock member 48 is made by pressing a metal plate having elasticity, and includes a base 51, a release arm 52, and a tooth forming arm 53. Such a structure of the movable side lock member 48 will be described with reference to the assembled state shown in FIG. 2A shows a state in which the position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted (unlocked state), and FIG. 2B shows a position after adjusting the vertical position and the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1. The state (lock state) that can be held is shown.

Of these, the base 51 is formed with a through-hole 54 penetrating through the base 51 in the width direction (the length direction of the movable side lock member 48) at the center.
The release arm 52 corresponds to the second arm described in the claims, and has a substantially arc shape in which the shape seen from the width direction is convex forward. Such a release arm portion 52 is formed in a state of being curved downward from the front end portion (the right end portion in FIG. 2) of the base portion 51.
The tooth forming arm portion 53 corresponds to the first arm portion recited in the claims, and has a substantially rectangular shape in which the shape viewed from the width direction extends in the up-down direction. Such a tooth forming arm portion 53 is formed in a state of extending downward from the rear end portion (left end portion in FIG. 2) of the base portion 51. In addition, a movable side tooth portion 55 constituted by a concavo-convex portion formed in the vertical direction is provided in the lower half portion of the rear end edge (rear side surface) of the tooth forming arm portion 53.

The movable side tooth portion 55 has a shape that can mesh with the fixed side tooth portion 47.
Specifically, the convex portions 56, 56 constituting the movable side tooth portion 55 are divided into the vertical center position Y ₁ of the base end portion of each convex portion 56, 56 and the vertical center position of the distal end portion. while the asymmetrical shape with respect to a virtual plane parallel P ₄₉ in the axial direction of the Y ₂ and the street the adjusting rod 17a, the virtual plane P _49, the other forming direction of the tilt adjusting long hole 15b (vertical direction) Is inclined in an upward direction as it goes backward.
In the case of this example, the thickness dimension of the movable lock member 48 is smaller than the depth dimension (width direction dimension) of the recess 49.

  The movable-side lock member 48 having the above-described configuration is configured such that the adjustment rod 17a is mounted on a support portion 57 defined by the base portion 51, the release arm portion 52, and the tooth formation arm portion 53. The cam portion 33 is inserted, and the pivot shaft 43 of the driven cam 37a is inserted into the through hole 54 of the base 51, and the cam plate 33 is disposed inside the recess 49 of the other support plate portion 22a. . In the unlocked state shown in FIG. 2A, the vertical middle portion of the front edge of the tooth forming arm 53 is the lower end of the other (rear) flat surface portion 35b of the pair of flat surface portions 35a and 35b. It is in contact with the part. Further, the distal end portion (lower end portion) of the release arm portion 52 is in elastic contact with the lower end portion of one (front) flat surface portion 35a of the pair of flat surface portions 35a and 35b. On the other hand, the lower end portion (lower end edge) of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 51 is opposed to one (upper) pressing curved surface portion 36a of the pair of pressing curved surface portions 36a and 36b of the cam portion 33 with a slight gap. doing. In this manner, the outer peripheral surface of the cam portion 33 is brought into contact with the support portion 57 at two locations, thereby preventing the movable side lock member 48 from rattling with respect to the adjustment rod 17a. Further, in this state, the movable side lock member 48 enables the displacement relative to the adjustment rod 17a in the vertical and rotational directions.

The movable side lock member 48 is sandwiched between the inner side surface in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22b (the bottom surface of the recess 49) and the outer side surface in the width direction of the other sandwiched portion 21a. Arranged in a state. In this way, the movable side lock member 48 is positioned (prevented from falling out) in the width direction. However, the thickness dimension of the movable lock member 48 is smaller than the depth dimension of the recess 49. For this reason, between the width direction outer side surface of the movable side locking member 48 and the width direction inner side surface (the bottom surface of the concave portion 49) of the other support plate portion 22b, or within the width direction of the movable side locking member 48. A slight gap in the width direction can be present between the side surface and the width direction outer side surface of the other sandwiched portion 21a. As a result, the movable side lock member 48 is strongly clamped by the inner side surface in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22b (the bottom surface of the concave portion 49) and the outer side surface in the width direction of the other sandwiched portion 21a. There is nothing.
In the structure of this example, the lock mechanism 46 is provided only on the other support plate portion 22b (the same side as the adjustment lever 23) of the pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the mechanism is provided only on one support plate portion 22a (on the side opposite to the adjustment lever 23). Or the structure which provides a lock mechanism in both of said one pair of support plate parts 22a and 22b is also employable. Thus, when adopting a configuration different from the present example, the shape, direction, position, and the like related to the lock mechanism 46 of the present example can be appropriately read and applied, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the steering wheel position adjusting device of this example will be described.
When the steering wheel 1 is in a state (locked state) in which the vertical position and front / rear position of the steering wheel 1 can be held at the adjusted position, the adjustment lever in a state (unlocked state) in which the position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted 23 is swung in a predetermined direction (generally upward, hereinafter referred to as a lock direction). Thereby, the space | interval of the said driven cam 37a and the said press plate 25 is shortened by expanding the axial direction dimension of the said cam apparatus. As a result, the frictional force acting on the contact portion between the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 19a and the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 18a and the width direction of the pair of sandwiched portions 21a and 21a constituting the displacement bracket 13a Friction force acting on the contact portion between the outer side surface and the width direction inner side surface of the pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b constituting the support bracket 14a, and the width direction of the pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b The frictional force acting on the contact portion between the outer side surface and the driven side cam 37a and the inner side surface in the width direction of the pressing plate 25 is increased to be locked.

Next, the operation of the lock mechanism 46 will be described.
During the above-described operation, the adjustment rod 17a rotates as the adjustment lever 23 swings. Then, the cam portion 33 presses the tooth forming arm portion 53 of the movable side locking member 48 rearward, and the movable side locking member 48 is shown in FIG. From the state, it swings in the locking direction as shown in FIG. Then, a part of the fixed side tooth part 47 and a part of the movable side tooth part 55 are engaged (concave engagement). In other words, each convex portion constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47 and each convex portion constituting the movable side tooth portion 55 overlap each other in the vertical direction.

In this state, the middle portion in the vertical direction of the front edge of the tooth forming arm portion 53 is in contact with the lower end portion of the other (rear) flat surface portion 35b of the pair of flat surface portions 35a and 35b.
In the case of this example, in the state shown in FIG. 2B (at least from the time immediately before the locked state to the locked state), the cam portion 33 is included in the front side edge of the tooth forming arm portion 53. A portion closer to the pivot shaft 43 than the movable side tooth portion 55 (upper side in FIG. 2) is pressed.
Further, the distal end portion (lower end portion) of the release arm portion 52 is in elastic contact with the lower end portion of one (front) flat surface portion 35a of the pair of flat surface portions 35a and 35b. Note that there is a gap between the lower end portion (lower end edge) of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 51 and one (upper) pressing curved surface portion 36a of the pair of pressing curved surface portions 36a, 36b of the cam portion 33. However, the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 51 can be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cam portion 33.

  When switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, by swinging the adjusting lever 23 in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (generally downward), the axial dimension of the cam device is reduced, The distance between the driven cam 37a and the pressing plate 25 is increased. Thereby, each said friction force becomes small. When the adjusting rod 17a rotates with the swing of the adjusting lever 23, the cam portion 33 presses the release arm portion 52 of the movable side lock member 48 forward, and the movable side lock member 48 is moved. However, it swings around the pivot shaft 43 in the unlocking direction as shown in FIG. 2 (a) from the state shown in FIG. 2 (b). Then, the engagement (concave engagement) between the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the movable side tooth portion 55 is released. In this state, the position of the steering wheel 1 is within a range in which the adjusting rod 17a can be displaced inside the pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b and the pair of telescopic adjusting long holes 16a and 16b. Can be adjusted.

According to this example having the above-described configuration, the position of the steering wheel in the vertical direction can be firmly held in a state where the steering wheel can be held at the adjusted position (locked state).
That is, in the case of this example, in the locked state, the fixed side tooth portion 47 provided on the other support plate portion 22b of the support bracket 14a fixed to the vehicle body, and the movable side of the movable side lock member 48. The tooth portion 55 is engaged. Such a movable side lock member 48 is supported so as to be able to be integrally displaced with respect to the adjustment rod 17a. For this reason, for example, even when a large upward impact force is applied to the steering wheel 1 during the secondary collision, due to the large holding force based on the meshing of the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the movable side tooth portion 55, It is possible to prevent the steering wheel 1 from being displaced in the vertical direction (for example, jumping up). As a result, the position of the airbag inflated behind the steering wheel 1 can be maintained at an appropriate position, and the driver can be easily protected by this airbag. For example, when a driver gets on and off the vehicle and leans on the steering wheel 1 and a downward impact load is applied to the steering wheel 1, the steering wheel 1 is displaced downward. You can prevent things.

In the case of this example, in the locked state, between the width direction outer side surface of the movable side lock member 48 and the width direction inner side surface of the other support plate portion 22a, or of the movable side lock member 48. A slight gap in the width direction exists between the inner surface in the width direction and the outer surface in the width direction of the other sandwiched portion 21a. Therefore, a large frictional force is generated between both side surfaces in the width direction of the movable lock member 48 and the inner surface in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22a and the outer surface in the width direction of the other sandwiched portion 21a. There is nothing. As a result, when switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, it is possible to prevent the movable side lock member 48 from swinging and the operability of the adjusting lever 23 from being lowered.
In this example, the lock mechanism 46 is provided on the inner side in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22c. However, the lock mechanism 46 may be provided on the outer side in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22c.

  In the case of this example, in the state shown in FIG. 2B (at least from the time immediately before the locked state to the locked state), the cam portion 33 is included in the front side edge of the tooth forming arm portion 53. The portion closer to the pivot shaft 43 than the movable side tooth portion 55 is pressed. For this reason, the tip side portion (the lower side portion in FIG. 2) is more easily elastically deformed than the portion of the tooth forming arm portion 53 pressed by the cam portion 33. As a result, the front end portions of the convex portions 50 and 50 constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the front end portions of the convex portions 56 and 56 constituting the movable side tooth portion 55 come into contact with each other and are in a normal meshing state. In such a case, based on the elastic deformation of the tooth forming arm portion 53, the convex portions 50, 50 constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the convex portions 56 constituting the movable side tooth portion 55. , 56 are relatively displaced, and the meshing state of these convex portions 50, 56 can be made normal.

  In the case of this example, when shifting from the unlocked state to the locked state, the movable side locking member 48 is changed from the state shown in FIG. 2A around the pivot shaft 43 to the state shown in FIG. And a part of the fixed side tooth part 47 and a part of the movable side tooth part 55 are engaged (concave engagement). For this reason, the fixed side tooth portion 47 is configured as compared with a structure in which the movable side lock member moves parallel to and approaches the fixed side tooth portion 47 (approximates only displacement in the front-rear direction, not swinging). The tip portions of the convex portions 50, 50 and the tip portions of the convex portions 56, 56 constituting the movable side tooth portion 55 are in contact with each other, and the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the movable side tooth portion 55 It is possible to make it difficult to produce a state where the meshes are not meshed normally.

[Second Example of Embodiment]
A second example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the case of the lock mechanism 46a constituting the steering wheel position adjusting device of the present example, the other tilt adjusting slot 15b (see FIG. 2) of the other inner side surface of the other support plate portion 22b constituting the support bracket 14a. ) Are formed in the portions adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. The concave portion 49a has a substantially rectangular shape as viewed in the width direction and is long in the vertical direction, and the front side surface and the rear side surface are formed in a state parallel to the direction in which the other tilt adjusting long hole 15b is formed. . And the fixed side tooth | gear part 47 is formed in the rear side surface of the said recessed part 49a, and the 2nd fixed side tooth | gear part 58 is similarly formed in the front side surface, respectively. In the case of this example, the convex portions 50 and 50 constituting the fixed-side tooth portion 47 and the convex portions 50a and 50a constituting the second fixed-side tooth portion 58 are formed opposite to each other in the vertical direction. doing. That is, for the fixed side tooth portion 47, the same structure as that of the first example of the embodiment described above is adopted, and for the second fixed side tooth portion 58, the fixed side tooth portion 47 is adjusted to the adjusting rod 17a. The structure is such that it is rotated by 180 ° around the central axis.
In the case of this example, the fixed-side tooth portion 47 and the second fixed-side tooth portion 58 are connected to the fixed-side engaging portion (the first fixed-side engaging portion, the second fixed-side engaging portion described in the claims). This corresponds to a fixed-side engaging portion.

  In addition, the width of the pair of guide protrusions 42a and 42b formed on the inner surface in the width direction of the driven cam 37b (the lower end) of the guide protrusion 42b in the width direction is also wide. A pivot shaft 43 having a circular shape protruding inward in the direction and viewed from the width direction is formed. That is, in the case of this example, the driven cam 37 a has a pair of pivot shafts 43, 43. Other structures of the driven cam 37a are the same as those of the first example of the above-described embodiment.

  In the case of this example, the lock mechanism 46a has a pair of movable side lock members 48,48. Specifically, one of the pair of movable side members 48, 48 (outside in the width direction, the back side in FIG. 6) is configured in the same manner as in the first example of the above-described embodiment. It is arranged with. On the other hand, the other movable side locking member 48 of the pair of movable side members 48, 48 (inner side in the width direction, front side in FIG. 6) is rotated 180 ° with respect to the one movable side locking member 48 (In a locked state, the movable side tooth portion 55 of the other movable side lock member 48 is engaged with the second fixed side tooth portion 58 formed on the rear side surface of the concave portion 49a). ing. In the case of this example, one of the movable side teeth 55 of the pair of movable side locking members 48, 48 is the first movable side described in the claims. It corresponds to an engaging part, and the other movable side tooth part 55 corresponds to the second movable side engaging part described in the claims.

  One movable side locking member 48 of the pair of movable side locking members 48, 48 having the above-described configuration is defined by a base 51, a release arm 52, and a tooth forming arm 53. The cam portion 33 of the adjustment rod 17a is inserted into the support portion 57 to be operated, and one of the pair of pivot shafts 43, 43 of the driven cam 37b (upward) is inserted into the through hole 54 of the base portion 51. This pivot shaft 43 is inserted inside the recess 49a of the other support plate portion 22b.

On the other hand, the other movable side locking member 48 of the pair of movable side locking members 48, 48 is a support portion 57 defined by a base portion 51, a release arm portion 52, and a tooth forming arm portion 53. In addition, the cam portion 33 of the adjusting rod 17a is inserted, and the other (lower) pivot shaft 43 of the pair of pivot shafts 43, 43 of the driven cam 37b is inserted into the through hole 54 of the base portion 51. In the inserted state, it is arranged inside the concave portion 49a of the other support plate portion 22b.
In the case of this example, the sum of the thickness dimensions of the pair of movable side locking members 48, 48 is made smaller than the depth dimension (width direction dimension) of the recess 49a. For this reason, between the width direction outer side surface of the one movable side locking member 48 and the width direction inner side surface (the bottom surface of the concave portion 49a) of the other support plate portion 22b, the width of the one movable side locking member 48 is provided. Between the inner surface in the direction and the outer surface in the width direction of the other movable side locking member 48 or the width between the inner surface in the width direction of the other movable side locking member 48 and the other sandwiched portion 21a (see FIG. 1) A slight gap in the width direction can be present between the outer side surface in the direction. As a result, the pair of movable-side lock members 48, 48 includes an inner side surface in the width direction of the other support plate portion 22b (a bottom surface of the concave portion 49a) and an inner side surface in the width direction of the other sandwiched portion 21a. Will not be pinched.

  In the case of this example having the above-described configuration, when the adjusting rod 17a rotates in the locking direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) with the swing of the adjusting lever 23 when switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, The cam portion 33 of the adjusting rod 17a presses the pair of movable side locking members 48, 48, respectively, and the pair of movable side locking members 48, 48 is changed from the state shown in FIG. It swings in the locking direction in the state shown in (b). Then, a part of the fixed side tooth part 47 and a part of the movable side tooth part 55 of the one movable side locking member 48 are engaged (concave engagement), and the second fixed side tooth part. A part of 58 and a part of the movable side tooth portion 55 of the other movable side lock member 48 are engaged (concave engagement).

  According to the structure of this example as described above, the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 in the locked state is determined between the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the movable side tooth portion 55 of the one movable side lock member 48. Based on the meshing and meshing of the second fixed side tooth portion 58 and the movable side tooth portion 55 of the other movable side locking member 48, compared to the structure of the first example of the embodiment described above, It can be fixed more firmly.

In particular, in the case of the present example, the convex portions 50 and 50 constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the convex portions 50a and 50a constituting the second fixed side tooth portion 58 are opposite to each other in the inclination direction with respect to the vertical direction. Yes. For this reason, the upward displacement of the steering wheel 1 in the locked state is firmly fixed by meshing the fixed side tooth portion 47 with the movable side tooth portion 55 of the one movable side lock member 48, and the first The downward displacement of the steering wheel 1 can be firmly fixed by the engagement between the second fixed side tooth portion 58 and the movable side tooth portion 55 of the other movable side lock member 48.
In the case of implementing the structure of this example, the inclination directions of the fixed side teeth 47 and the second fixed side teeth 58 may be the same.
Other structures, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first example of the embodiment described above.

[Third example of embodiment]
A third example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This example shows the structure of a steering wheel position adjusting device provided with a locking mechanism for strengthening the holding force of the steering wheel 1 in the front-rear direction position in the locked state.
Specifically, in the case of this example, the rear column 18b has, for example, a portion sandwiched between the pair of support plate portions 22a and 22b of the support bracket 14a (see FIG. 15), for example, enough A displacement bracket 13b having a substantially U-shaped cross section formed by bending a metal plate having a sufficient rigidity is fixed by welding or the like.
Further, telescopic adjustment through holes 16c, 16d extending in the axial direction (front-rear direction) are formed in each of the pair of sandwiched portions 21b, 21c constituting the displacement bracket 13b. In this example, the pair of telescopic adjustment through holes 16c and 16d correspond to the adjustment long holes described in the claims, and the front-rear direction corresponds to the position adjustment direction.

  Further, of the widthwise outer side surfaces of the pair of sandwiched portions 21b, 21c, a recess 59a that is long in the front-rear direction is adjacent to the pair of telescopic adjustment through holes 16c, 16d adjacent to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. , 59b.

In the case of this example, lock mechanisms 46b and 46c are provided for each of the pair of sandwiched portions 21b and 21c.
Hereinafter, the lock mechanism 46b provided in one (right side) of the pair of sandwiched portions 21b and 21c (right side) will be described. In the case of this example, the structure of the lock mechanism 46c provided in the other sandwiched portion 21c of the pair of sandwiched portions 21b and 21c is the same as that of the lock mechanism 46b provided in the one sandwiched portion 21b. Since it is the same, description is abbreviate | omitted.

The lock mechanism 46b includes a fixed tooth portion 47b, a support member 60, a movable lock member 48, and a cam portion 33 provided on the adjustment rod 17a.
Of these, the fixed-side tooth portion 47b is provided on the outer side surface of the one sandwiched portion 21b in the width direction, and each of them is one of the pair of telescopic adjustment through holes 16c and 16d. It is comprised by the uneven | corrugated | grooved part formed in the formation direction (front-back direction) of the through-hole 16c.

  Specifically, in the case of the present example, the fixed-side tooth portion is provided on the lower surface of the upper frame portion constituting the rectangular frame-shaped frame member 61 that is provided in a separate body from the one sandwiched portion 21b. 47b is formed. Such a frame member 61 is fixed (for example, fixed by welding) to the inner surface of the recess 59a. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the fixed side tooth | gear part 47b can also be directly formed in the upper surface of the said recessed part 59a. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of (six in this example) notches 62, 62 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the recess 59c, and the upper and lower edges of the outer peripheral surface of the frame member 61a. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of locking projections 63 and 63 are provided on the edge and the notches 62 and 62 are engaged with the locking projections 63 and 63. By adopting such a configuration, the frame member 61a can be reliably positioned in the front-rear direction.

In the case of this example, the convex portions 50b, 50b constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47b are inclined in the front-rear direction with respect to a virtual plane β orthogonal to the formation direction (front-rear direction) of the one telescopic adjustment through hole 16c. I am letting.
Specifically, the convex portion 50b constituting the fixed-side tooth portion 47b, a 50b, each of these convex portions 50b, a front-rear direction central position X ₁ of the base end portion of 50b, likewise the front-rear direction central position of the distal end portion while asymmetrical shape with respect to a virtual plane P _47b parallel to the axis direction of the X ₂ as and the adjusting rod 17a, the virtual plane P _47b, forming direction (longitudinal direction of the one telescopic adjustment long hole 16d ) With respect to the imaginary plane β orthogonal to (). The virtual plane P _47b can be inclined with respect to the virtual plane β in a downward direction as it goes rearward (leftward in FIG. 10).

  The support member 60 is made of, for example, sintered metal, has a center hole through which the adjustment rod 17a is inserted, and has a substantially annular plate shape as a whole. Further, the support member 60 has a pair of guide convex portions 42c (FIG. 11) protruding outward in the width direction at two positions in the circumferential direction arranged on the front side and the rear side in the assembled state on the outer surface in the width direction. Only one guide convex portion 42c disposed on the front side is shown, and the other guide projection portion disposed on the rear side is omitted). The vertical dimension of such a pair of guide protrusions 42c is slightly smaller than the vertical dimension of the pair of telescopic adjustment through holes 16c, 16d. Further, a pivot shaft 43a having a circular shape projecting outward in the width direction and viewed from the width direction on the outer end surface in the width direction of the guide convex portion 42c arranged behind the pair of guide protrusions 42c. Is formed. In short, the structure of the outer surface in the width direction of the support member 60 is a structure obtained by rotating the structure of the inner surface in the width direction (see FIG. 5) of the driven cam 37a of the first example of the embodiment described above by 90 °. have.

The support member 60 having the above-described configuration is externally fitted to a portion of the cam portion 33 of the adjustment rod 17a adjacent to the inner side in the width direction of the one sandwiched portion 21b. The pair of guide projections 42c are inserted inside one of the pair of telescopic adjustment through holes 16c, 16d. In this state, the upper end surfaces of the pair of guide projections 42c are close to and opposed to the upper edge of the one telescopic adjustment long hole 16c, and the lower end surface is also opposite to the lower edge of the telescopic adjustment long hole 16c. ing. Further, the width direction outer end surfaces of the pair of guide convex portions 42c are located on the inner side in the width direction than the width direction outer end edge of the one telescopic adjustment long hole 16c.
The distal end surface of the pivot shaft 43a is located on the outer side in the width direction with respect to the outer edge in the width direction of the one telescopic adjustment long hole 16c.
Further, in the case of this example, among the outer peripheral surface of the adjustment rod 17a, each of these support members 60, between the support member 60 constituting the lock mechanism 46b and the support member 60 constituting the lock mechanism 46c, 60 is provided with a coil spring 64 for applying elasticity in directions away from each other.

  The movable side lock member 48 has the same structure as the movable side lock member 48 of the first example of the embodiment described above, and is rotated by 90 ° with respect to the arrangement mode of the first example of the embodiment. (In a locked state, the movable side tooth portion 55 of the movable side lock member 48 is arranged so as to mesh with the fixed side tooth portion 47b). The other structure of the movable side lock member 48 is the same as that of the first example of the embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Such a movable side lock member 48 has the adjustment rod 17a on the support portion 57 defined by the base 51, the release arm portion 52, and the tooth forming arm portion 53 constituting the movable side lock member 48. The cam portion 33 is inserted into the through hole 54 of the base portion 51 and the pivot shaft 43a of the support member 60 is inserted into the recess portion 59a (the frame member 61) of the one sandwiched portion 21b. Is arranged.

  In the case of this example having the above-described configuration, when the adjustment lever 23 swings, the adjustment rod 17a is moved from the unlocked state shown in FIG. 10A to the locked state shown in FIG. Rotates. Then, the cam portion 33 presses the tooth forming arm portion 53 of the movable side lock member 48 upward, and the movable side lock member 48 is in a state shown in FIG. 10A around the pivot shaft 43a. To swing in the locking direction as shown in FIG. Then, a part of the fixed side tooth part 47 and a part of the movable side tooth part 55 are engaged (concave engagement). In other words, each convex portion constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47 and each convex portion constituting the movable side tooth portion 55 overlap each other in the front-rear direction.

  When switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, if the adjusting rod 17a rotates in the unlocking direction with the swing of the adjusting lever 23, the cam portion 33 will release the movable locking member 48 release arm portion. 52 is pressed downward, and the movable side locking member 48 swings in the unlocking direction as shown in FIG. 10A from the state shown in FIG. 10B around the pivot shaft 43a. Then, the engagement (concave engagement) between the fixed side tooth portion 47 and the movable side tooth portion 55 is released. In this state, the position of the steering wheel 1 is within a range in which the adjusting rod 17a can be displaced inside the pair of tilt adjusting long holes 15a and 15b and the pair of telescopic adjusting long holes 16a and 16b. Can be adjusted.

According to this example having the above-described configuration, the position of the steering wheel in the front-rear direction is engaged with the concave and convex portions in the state where the vertical position or the front-rear position of the steering wheel can be held at the adjusted position (locked state). It can hold firmly.
In particular, in the case of this example, since the convex portions 50 and 50 constituting the fixed side tooth portion 47b are inclined in the above-described direction, the forward displacement of the steering wheel can be held more firmly.
In the case of implementing the structure of this example, the fixed-side tooth portion 47b may be directly formed on the upper side surface of the lower frame portion constituting the frame member 61 or the lower side surface of the recess 59c. it can. In this case, the movable side locking member 48 has a vertically symmetrical structure with respect to the structure shown in FIG. In addition, a structure in which the pair of movable-side lock members 48, 48 of the second example of the above-described embodiment are combined in a state shifted by 180 ° can be applied to the structure of this example. Also, a structure in which a lock mechanism is provided only on one of the support plate portions 21b (21c) of the pair of sandwiched portions 21b and 21c (one of the lock mechanisms 46b and 46c is omitted) Structure) can also be adopted. Furthermore, it is possible to employ a structure in which the lock mechanisms 46b and 46c of this example are provided on the inner side in the width direction of the pair of sandwiched portions 21b and 21c.
Other structures, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first example of the embodiment described above.

The structures of the examples of the above-described embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations within a range where no technical contradiction occurs. In the case of applying the structure of the first example or the second example of the embodiment to the structure of the lock mechanism for reinforcing the holding force in the front-rear direction position of the steering wheel as in the third example of the embodiment, The explanation regarding each direction (front-rear direction and up-down direction) is read as appropriate.
In addition, the present invention includes not only a structure having both a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel and a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position, but also a tilt mechanism alone or only a telescopic mechanism. It can also be applied to the provided structure.
In addition, the displacement bracket can employ either a structure provided below the outer column or a structure provided above the outer column.
In addition, the expansion / contraction mechanism may employ not only a cam device but also a screw type structure that adjusts the tightening amount of the adjustment nut screwed to the male screw portion provided on the adjustment rod based on the swing of the adjustment lever. it can. In this case, for example, a pivot shaft can be provided on a member such as a pair of pressing members provided in synchronization with the adjustment rod and the position adjustment direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering gear unit 3 Input shaft 4 Tie rod 5 Steering shaft 6, 6a Steering column 7 Universal joint 8 Intermediate shaft 9 Universal joint 10 Housing 11 Car body 12 Tilt shaft 13, 13a, 13b Displacement bracket 14, 14a Support bracket 15, 15a, 15b Tilt adjusting long holes 16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d Telescopic adjusting through holes 17, 17a, 17b Adjusting rod 18, 18a, 18b Outer column 19, 19a Inner column 20, 20a Slit 21, 21a, 21b , 21c Clamped portion 22, 22a, 22b, 22c Support plate portion 23 Adjustment lever 24, 24a Nut 25 Press plate 26, 26a Thrust bearing 27 Electric motor 28 Outer shaft 29 Nashaft 30 Mounting plate portion 31 Connecting plate portion 32 Release capsule 33 Cam portion 34 Head portion 35a, 35b Flat surface portion 36a, 36b Press curved surface portion 37, 37a, 37b Drive side cam 38, 38a Drive side cam 39 Cam device 40 Center hole 41 Center hole 42a, 42b, 42c Guide convex part 43, 43a Pivot shaft 44 Drive side engagement convex part 45 Lever side through hole 46, 46a, 46b, 46c Lock mechanism 47, 47a, 47b Fixed side tooth part 48, 48a Movable Side lock member 49, 49a Concave part 50, 50a, 50b Convex part 51 Base part 52 Release arm part 53 Teeth forming arm part 54 Through hole 55 Movable side tooth part 56 Convex part 57 Support part 58 Second fixed side tooth part 59a, 59b, 59c Concave part 60 Support member 61, 61a Frame member 62 Notch 63 Locking convex part 64 Coil spring

Claims (7)

A displacement side bracket provided in a part of the steering column and having a first through hole formed in a state of penetrating in the width direction;
A pair of support plate portions provided in a state where the displacement side bracket is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction, and a pair of second through holes are formed in portions where the pair of support plate portions are aligned with each other; A fixed bracket fixed to the side,
An adjusting rod provided in a state of passing through the first through hole and the pair of second through holes in the width direction;
A pair of pressing portions provided at portions projecting from the outer surfaces of the pair of support plate portions at both ends of the adjustment rod;
An expansion / contraction mechanism that expands / contracts an interval between the pair of pressing portions,
At least one of the first through hole and the pair of second through holes is an adjustment long hole that is long in a position adjustment direction, which is a direction in which the position of the steering wheel should be adjustable,
An unlocked state in which the position of the steering wheel in the position adjustment direction can be adjusted based on the expansion / contraction of the pair of pressing portions by the expansion / contraction mechanism, and a position after adjusting the position of the steering wheel A steering wheel position adjustment device capable of switching between a lock state and a lock state
In the locked state, provided with a locking mechanism that engages with the concave and convex in the position adjustment direction,
The locking mechanism includes a fixed side engaging portion, a pivot shaft, and a movable side locking member,
Of these, the fixed side engaging portion is provided directly or via another member on the bracket on which the adjustment long hole is formed, of the fixed side bracket or the displacement side bracket,
The pivot shaft is provided at a position displaced from the central axis of the adjustment rod;
The movable-side lock member has a movable-side engagement portion that can engage with the fixed-side engagement portion so that the adjustment rod can be rotated when switching between the locked state and the unlocked state. Accordingly, it is supported in a state in which it can swing about the pivot shaft and can be synchronized with respect to the adjustment rod and the position adjustment direction.
When switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, the movable side locking member swings in the locking direction about the pivot shaft, and the fixed side engaging portion and the movable side engaging portion are Concave and convex engagement in the position adjustment direction of the adjustment rod,
When switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the movable side locking member swings in the unlocking direction about the pivot shaft, and the unevenness between the fixed side engaging portion and the movable side engaging portion. Disengagement,
Steering wheel position adjustment device.   The movable side locking member is configured to support at least one of the pair of pressing portions and the widthwise outer surface of at least one of the pair of supporting plate portions constituting the fixed bracket. The displacement-side bracket facing a pressing portion provided on the outer side in the width direction of the plate portion, or facing the inner surface in the width direction of the at least one support plate portion and the inner surface in the width direction of the at least one support plate portion. 2. The steering wheel position adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the steering wheel position adjusting device is disposed in a state in which the width direction is prevented from coming off.   The center axis of the pivot shaft is present on a virtual plane parallel to the width direction and passing through the center axis of the adjustment rod and parallel to the position adjustment direction. The steering wheel position adjusting device described in the above item. The fixed side engaging portion is composed of a first fixed side engaging portion and a second fixed side engaging portion,
The movable side engaging portion comprises a first movable side engaging portion and a second movable side engaging portion,
In the locked state, the first movable side engaging portion and the first fixed side engaging portion are engaged, and the second movable side engaging portion and the second fixed side engaging portion are engaged. The position adjusting device for a steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portion is engaged with the steering wheel.   Each convex part which constitutes the fixed side tooth part has an asymmetric shape with respect to the position adjustment direction, and is inclined in the position adjustment direction with respect to a virtual plane orthogonal to the position adjustment direction. The position adjustment apparatus of the steering wheel described in any one of 1-4. The movable side locking member includes a base, a first arm, and a second arm,
Of these, the base is formed with a through-hole through which the pivot shaft can be inserted,
The movable side engaging portion is formed on a side edge of the first arm portion facing the fixed side engaging portion,
When switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, the movable arm locking member is locked around the pivot shaft by the adjusting rod being pressed in a direction approaching the fixed engagement portion. Swinging in the direction, the fixed-side engagement portion and the movable-side engagement portion engage with the concave and convex in the position adjustment direction of the adjustment rod,
When switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, the movable side locking member is unlocked about the pivot shaft by pressing the second arm portion away from the fixed side engaging portion by the adjusting rod. The steering wheel position adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the concavo-convex engagement between the fixed side engaging portion and the movable side engaging portion is released. .   The adjustment rod is inserted inside a support portion defined by a base portion, a first arm portion, and a second arm portion constituting the movable side lock member, and the support portion and the adjustment rod The steering wheel position adjusting device according to claim 6, wherein the at least three portions are in contact with each other.

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