JP2018062213A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a steering device, having a telescopic adjustment mechanism and a shock absorption mechanism for the secondary collision, capable of achieving setting of an energy absorption load at the secondary collision in a markedly simple configuration.CONSTITUTION: The steering device includes: an inner pipe 6; an outer column A; a fixing bracket 4; a hanger bracket 7; both fastening parts 2 of the outer column A; a hanger bracket 7; and a fastener 5. At a first suspended plate-like part 71 and a second suspended plate-like part 72 of the hanger bracket 7, there are formed a telescopic long hole 73 and an impact absorption long hole 74 and the impact absorption long hole 74 to at least either one of which an inclined side 76 is provided. At a top end of the hanger bracket 7, there is provided a connection part 79 connected with the inner pipe 6 along the cross direction, at the connection part 79, there is provided a front side welded part 81 at an equivalent position to a terminal end of the telescopic long hole 73, and in a formation area of the inclined side 76, a rear side welded part 82 is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus that includes a telescopic adjustment mechanism and a shock absorbing mechanism in a secondary collision, and that can set an energy absorption load in a secondary collision with a very simple configuration.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various types equipped with a telescopic adjustment mechanism and an impact absorbing device for protecting a driver at the time of a secondary collision. One of the general structures of this type of steering device is a type in which the column moves along the axially long hole against the pressing force of the bolt shaft at the time of a secondary collision.

  In addition, there are many types in which the width of the axially long hole is conventionally made smaller than the diameter of the bolt shaft, and when the predetermined load is applied, the edge of the axially elongated hole is crushed by the bolt shaft and moved. It is used. The following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-337699) exists as a prior art as described above. Hereinafter, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 will be outlined. In the description, parentheses are added to the reference numerals of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, and they are used as they are.

  In the steering device in Patent Document 1, a prior art is disclosed in which a column moves along an axial long hole against a pressing force by a tightening bolt at the time of a secondary collision. Further, conventionally, it has been used that the width of the axial long hole is made smaller than the diameter of the tightening bolt, and when a predetermined load is applied, the edge of the axial long hole is moved while being crushed by the tightening bolt. ing.

In Patent Document 1, the short diameter of the shock absorbing region (42a) is set to be smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the shaft (51) in the direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction. The impact is absorbed by the shaft (51) expanding the impact absorbing region (42a). Further, a prior art is disclosed in which the amount of collision energy absorbed by the energy absorbing means at the time of the secondary collision increases when the collapse proceeds.

In Patent Document 2, a guide hole (79) formed in an inner column (13) includes a telescopic portion (111) having a vertical width in which a guide pin portion (75) of a guide bolt (53) is loosely fitted, and a telescopic portion. A collapse portion (113) extending rearward from (111) and gradually decreasing in vertical width. The range in which the guide pin portion (75) moves back and forth in the telescopic portion (111) is the telescopic stroke (S1), and the range in which the guide pin portion (75) moves backward in the collapse portion (113) is the collapse stroke (S2). It becomes. Since the vertical width of the collapsed portion (113) gradually decreases toward the rear, the shock absorption load at the time of the secondary collision of the driver increases in a quadratic curve as the collapse progresses.

JP 2002-337699 A JP 2004-82758 A

  In Patent Document 1, when the lever is tightened, both side walls (22a, 22b) of the second upper bracket (22) in which the telescopic adjustment part and the energy absorption part are formed, and both side walls (21a) of the first upper bracket (21) are formed. , 21b). That is, both side walls (22a, 22b) of the second upper bracket (22) are friction surfaces with both side walls (21a, 21b) of the first upper bracket (21). Accordingly, it is necessary to consider the friction load on the friction surface when setting the energy absorption load, and it is difficult to set the energy absorption load.

The required energy absorption load at the time of the secondary collision differs depending on the type of vehicle to be mounted. In patent document 1, it is the structure which absorbs energy because the upper side of the impact absorption area | region (42a) of a 2nd upper bracket (22) deforms plastically. Therefore, in order to change the energy absorption load, it is conceivable to change the shape and height direction dimension of the shock absorption region (42a). In this case, it is necessary to change the mold of the second upper bracket (22), which is costly. In addition, an upper bracket (22) corresponding to each model having different energy absorption load is created, and it is necessary to take measures against misassembly so as not to install it by mistake.

Similarly, in Patent Document 2, in order to change the energy absorption load, it is necessary to change the angle of the collapse portion (113) of the guide hole (79) formed in the inner column (13). Therefore, it is necessary to change the type of the inner column (13), which increases costs. Thus, in order to set the energy absorption characteristic in the energy absorption at the time of a secondary collision, the problem of a complicated process and the cost increase by this exists. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that includes a telescopic adjustment mechanism and an impact absorption mechanism in a secondary collision and can easily change the energy absorption characteristics in the latter half of the energy absorption operation during the secondary collision. There is.

  In view of the above, the inventors have intensively and researched to solve the above problems. As a result, the inventor of the present invention has an inner pipe, a holding main body for holding the inner pipe, and a diameter of the holding main body. An outer column having a tightening portion that expands and contracts in a direction, a fixing bracket having a fixing side portion that sandwiches both sides of the outer column in the width direction, and is fixed to the inner pipe and disposed between the tightening portions. A hanger bracket, a tightening tool having a bolt shaft for tightening and releasing the tightening portion of the outer column, the tightening portion of the outer column, the hanger bracket, and the fixing bracket. It has a first hanging plate-like portion and a second hanging plate-like portion on both sides, and the bolt shaft is inserted from the front side to the rear side in the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion. Te made possible A long slot and a shock absorbing long hole are formed, and at least one of the first and second hanging plate-like portions has a height dimension as it approaches the terminal end. An inclined side is provided, and a connection portion connected to the inner pipe along the front-rear direction is provided at the upper end of the hanger bracket, and the connection portion has a front position equivalent to the end of the telescopic elongated hole. The above-described problem has been solved by providing a steering device in which a side welded portion is provided and a rear side welded portion is provided in a region where the inclined side is formed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus according to the first aspect, between the telescopic elongated hole and the shock absorbing elongated hole of at least one of the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion. The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing a steering device provided with a protruding plate piece that is bent by a collision with the bolt shaft during a secondary collision. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to the first or second aspect, the rear side welded portion is a steering device provided in an intermediate region in the front-rear direction of the connection portion, thereby solving the above-described problem. . According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to the first or second aspect, the rear welding portion is provided near the rear end in the front-rear direction of the connection portion. did.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to the first or second aspect, the rear side welded portion is a steering device provided near the front end in the front-rear direction of the connection portion, thereby solving the above-described problem. . The invention according to claim 6 is the steering device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein one of the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion. The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing a steering device in which the inclined side is provided in the shock absorbing long hole. A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to the steering apparatus according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects, wherein the shock absorption of both the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion is performed. The above-described problem has been solved by providing a steering device characterized in that the inclined side is provided in a long hole.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the energy absorption load in the latter half of the secondary collision is brought into a desired state, it can be performed by a very simple process. At this time, the constituent parts can be shared, and the steering device having the same configuration can be used for various types of vehicles having different energy absorption loads in the second half in the secondary collision. Therefore, it leads to cost reduction. In the invention of claim 2, by adopting a configuration in which a protruding plate piece is provided between the telescopic elongated hole and the shock absorbing elongated hole, it is possible to prevent the protruding plate piece and the bolt shaft from colliding at the time of a secondary collision. Thus, a load for bending the protruding plate piece is added, and more energy can be absorbed.

  In the invention of claim 3, the rear side welded portion is provided in the middle region in the front-rear direction of the inclined side in the connecting portion, thereby changing the energy absorption load from the middle region of the latter half energy absorption characteristics to a moderate increase. Can do. In the invention of claim 4, the rear side welded portion is provided at a position near the rear end in the front-rear direction of the inclined side in the connection portion, so that the energy absorption load is gradually applied over the entire region of the latter half energy absorption characteristics. Can be increased. In the invention of claim 5, the rear side welded portion is provided at a position near the front end of the inclined side in the connecting portion, so that the energy absorption load can be changed gradually from the beginning of the latter half of the energy absorption characteristics. .

  In the invention of claim 6, since the inclined side is provided in the shock absorbing elongated hole of either the first hanging plate-like portion or the second hanging plate-like portion, The increase in the energy absorption load in the latter half can be changed to a more gradual increase depending on the position. In the seventh aspect of the invention, the shock absorbing elongated holes and the bolts are provided at the time of the secondary collision by providing the inclined sides in the shock absorbing elongated holes of both the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion. The shaft can move relatively in a stable state. Thereby, the increase in the energy absorption load in the latter half can be changed depending on the position of the rear welded portion while performing stable energy absorption.

(A) is a side view of the steering device of the present invention, (B) is an enlarged view of a part of (α) part of (A), (C) is an enlarged sectional view taken along arrow Y1-Y1 of (A). It is. (A) is a principal part perspective view of this invention, (B) is a side view of an inner pipe and a hanger bracket, (C) is a Y2-Y2 arrow expanded sectional view of (B). (A) thru | or (D) is a principal part side view which shows 1st Embodiment of the welding joining of an inner pipe and a hanger bracket, the modification of this 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, and 3rd Embodiment. (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a non-welded portion between the inner pipe and the hanger bracket as viewed from the arrow Y3-Y3 in FIG. 2 (B), and (B) and (C) are the inner pipe and the hanger bracket at the non-welded portion. It is an enlarged view which shows the change of the shape of. (A) is the principal part enlarged view of the hanger bracket which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment in the position of an inclination side, (B) is the principal part enlarged view of the hanger bracket which shows the structure of 3rd Embodiment in the position of an inclination side. is there. It is a graph which shows the characteristic of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, there are a front side and a rear side as wordings indicating directions in the present invention. 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) 9 side is the rear side (see FIG. 1A).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main configuration of the present invention includes an outer column A, a fixed bracket 4, a fastener 5, an inner pipe 6, and a hanger bracket 7. The outer column A is composed of a holding main body portion 1 and a tightening portion 2. The holding main body 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a hollow inside, and specifically has a holding inner peripheral surface portion 1a formed in a hollow shape [FIG. ) And (C)]. A slit portion 11 is formed on the lower side in the diameter direction of the holding main body portion 1.

  The slit portions 11 are spaced apart portions that are discontinuous in the width direction from the front side to the rear side in the axial direction of the holding main body portion 1. When the edge portions facing each other on both sides in the width direction of the slit portion 11 are close to each other, the diameter of the holding inner peripheral surface portion 1a is reduced, and the inner pipe 6 accommodated in the holding main body portion 1 is attached. It can be tightened and locked (fixed).

  The holding inner peripheral surface portion 1a of the holding main body portion 1 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner pipe 6 so that the inner pipe 6 can easily slide in the unlocked state. . In addition, the holding main body 1 is formed to have a length that can support a substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction of the inner pipe 6 in the axial direction as appropriate. The inner pipe 6 projects from the front end portion and the rear end portion of the holding main body portion 1 in the axial direction.

  Fastening portions 2 and 2 are integrally formed at the lower portion of the outer column A (see FIGS. 1C and 2A). Both tightening portions 2 and 2 have a bilaterally symmetric shape, and are integrally formed at positions on both side ends of the slit portion 11 in the width direction. Specifically, it is a thick plate-like portion formed in a substantially hanging shape from both ends in the width direction of the slit portion 11 or the vicinity thereof.

  The tightening portion 2 has a substantially vertical plate shape on the front side in the front-rear direction of the holding main body portion 1 and a block shape on the rear side in the front-rear direction, and positions of both ends of the holding main body portion 1 in the horizontal diameter direction. It has a thickness of up to. The opposing inner surfaces of the tightening portions 2 and 2 are referred to as inner side surfaces 21b. The tightening portions 2, 2 include tightening through holes 22, along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer column A and parallel to the horizontal diameter direction of the holding body 1. 22 is formed. An arm portion 3 is formed on the front side in the front-rear direction of the holding main body portion 1.

  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 the substantially vertical direction or the 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 inner pipe 6 is internally provided with an intermediate portion of the steering shaft, and a steering wheel (handle) 9 is attached to the tip of the steering shaft protruding from the rear side of the inner pipe 6.

  Next, the hanger bracket 7 is comprised from the 1st drooping plate-like part 71, the 2nd drooping plate-like part 72, and the bottom plate part 78 (refer FIG. 1, FIG. 2, etc.). The first drooping plate-like portion 71 and the second drooping plate-like portion 72 extend along the axial direction of the inner pipe 6 and are parallel to each other at a predetermined interval on the diametrically lower side of the inner pipe 6. It arrange | positions and the upper end of the 1st drooping plate-shaped part 71 and the 2nd drooping plate-shaped part 72 is fixed to the inner pipe 6 (refer FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (B)).

  The bottom plate portion 78 is formed at the lower ends of the first hanging plate portion 71 and the second hanging plate portion 72, and the first hanging plate portion 71, the second hanging plate portion 72, and the bottom plate portion 78 form the bottom plate portion 78. The cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is formed in a substantially inverted gate shape or a square U shape (see FIGS. 2A and 2C). The first hanging plate-like portion 71 and the second hanging plate-like portion 72 are respectively formed with telescopic elongated holes 73 and shock absorbing elongated holes 74 (see FIG. 2). The telescopic long hole 73 is a part used for telescopic adjustment, and the shock absorbing long hole 74 is a part used when the steering column moves toward the front side at the time of a secondary collision.

  The height direction dimension of the telescopic elongated hole 73 on the first suspended plate-like portion 71 side and the telescopic elongated hole 73 on the second suspended plate-like portion 72 side is larger than the diameter of the bolt shaft 51, and the bolt shaft 51 is inserted. It is possible. More specifically, the bolt shaft 51 can be inserted into both telescopic elongated holes 73 with a margin.

  The first hanging plate-like portion 71 has a protruding plate piece 75 that is bent by a collision with the bolt shaft 51 of the fastener 5 between the telescopic elongated hole 73 and the shock absorbing elongated hole 74 during a secondary collision. Provided (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). The projecting plate piece 75 has a shaft shape or a rod shape, and is formed so as to project 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 [ See FIG. 2B]. Alternatively, although not shown, the shock absorbing elongated hole 74 may be formed to protrude from the upper end side toward the lower end side. Further, the protruding plate piece 75 may be continuously formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction from the lower end side to the upper end side of the shock absorbing long hole 74.

  The protruding plate piece 75 is crushed by the pressing force at the time of the collision of the bolt shaft 51 at the time of the secondary collision, and the collapsed state is a state in which the protruding plate piece 75 falls from its root portion. When the bolt shaft 51 tilts the protruding plate piece 75, the first half impact at the time of the secondary collision is absorbed. Further, a recessed portion 74d for accommodating the protruding plate piece 75 is formed on the rear side of the portion where the protruding plate piece 75 of the shock absorbing long hole 74 is formed when the protruding plate piece 75 falls down. Yes. The protruding plate piece 75 may be formed on the second hanging plate-like portion 72. Further, the protruding plate piece 75 may not be formed.

Next, the inclined side 76 will be described. The inclined side 76 extends from the start end to the end (
As it goes from the front side to the rear side, the height of the shock absorbing long hole 74 is formed as an inclined side so that the dimension in the height direction becomes gradually smaller (narrower). That is, the upper side 74a of the shock absorbing long hole 74.
And the lower side 74b are gradually narrowed. The inclined side 76 is formed in the shock absorbing long hole 74 of at least one of the first hanging plate-like portion 71 and the second hanging plate-like portion 72.

  A plurality of embodiments exist at the position of the inclined side 76 provided in the shock absorbing long hole 74. In the first embodiment to the second embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76 shown below, either the first hanging plate-like portion 71 or the second hanging plate-like portion 72 of the hanger bracket 7 is provided with the shock absorbing long hole 74. The description will be made assuming that it is provided. In the first embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, the inclined side 76 is formed at the position of the upper side 74a of the shock absorbing long hole 74. In other words, the upper side 74a is inclined to form the inclined side 76. is there.

  That is, the upper side 74a formed in an inclined shape as the inclined side 76 becomes closer to the lower side 74b toward the terminal side as it goes from the starting end to the terminal end (from the front side to the rear side) of the shock absorbing long hole 74. It is. That is, a part of the upper side 74 a becomes the inclined side 76. Specifically, the inclined side 76 is inclined downward by an angle θ with a straight line extending in the axial direction of the inner pipe 6 on the upper side 74a side (see FIGS. 3A to 3D).

  Here, the lower side 74 b where the inclined side 76 is not formed in the shock absorbing long hole 74 is parallel (including substantially parallel) to the axial direction of the inner pipe 6. The inclined side 76 is formed so as to extend toward the rear side of the hanger bracket 7, starting from the same position or substantially the same position as the formation position of the protruding plate piece 75 in the front-rear direction of the hanger bracket 7.

  Next, in the second embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, the lower side 74b of the shock absorbing long hole 74 is formed as the inclined side 76 (see FIG. 5A). The inclined side 76 is configured such that the height dimension of the shock absorbing long hole 74 gradually becomes smaller (narrower) from the start end to the end (front side to rear side) of the lower side 74b of the shock absorbing long hole 74. It is formed as an inclined side. That is, a part of the lower side 74 b becomes the inclined side 76. Specifically, the inclined side 76 is inclined upward by an angle θ with a straight line extending in the axial direction of the inner pipe 6 on the lower side 74b side (see FIGS. 3A to 3D).

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, the height direction dimension of the shock absorbing long hole 74 is formed larger than the height direction dimension of the telescopic long hole 73 via the stepped portion 74c. Yes. In the first embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, a stepped portion 74c is formed on the lower side 74b of the shock absorbing long hole 74, and the lower side 74b is positioned lower than the lower side 73b of the telescopic long hole 73 (see FIG. 3). .

  In the second embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, a stepped portion 74c is formed on the upper side 74a of the shock absorbing long hole 74, and the upper side 74a is positioned higher than the upper side 73a of the telescopic long hole 73 [FIG. )reference〕. With such a configuration, at the time of the secondary collision, the bolt shaft 51 can contact and crush only the inclined side 76 without contacting the upper side 74a or the lower side 74b of the shock absorbing long hole 74 where the inclined side 76 is not formed. it can.

  Next, in the third embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, both the upper side 74a and the lower side 74b of the shock absorbing long hole 74 are set as the inclined side 76 (see FIG. 5B). Specifically, the inclined side 76 is inclined downward and upward by an angle θ with reference to a straight line extending in the axial direction of the inner pipe 6 on the upper side 74a side and the lower side 74b side.

  In the first to third embodiments of the inclined side 76 described above, the inclined side 76 is an impact absorbing long hole of one of the first hanging plate-like portion 71 and the second hanging plate-like portion 72 of the hanger bracket 7. 74 is provided. Furthermore, as another embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, the inclined side 76 in the first to third embodiments has an impact on both the first hanging plate-like portion 71 and the second hanging plate-like portion 72. There is also an embodiment provided in the absorption slot 74.

  Next, the joining of the inner pipe 6 and the hanger bracket 7 will be described. At the upper ends of the first hanging plate-like portion 71 and the second hanging plate-like portion 72 of the hanger bracket 7, and connecting portions 79, 79 are formed along the rear side from a substantially intermediate position in the front-rear direction [FIG. B), (C), FIG. 2, FIG. 3 etc.]

  Specifically, the connecting portions 79 and 79 are formed above the shock absorbing long hole 74. The connecting portion 79 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate piece, and is integrally formed to extend from the upper ends of the first and second hanging plate-like portions 71 and 72 toward the inner pipe 6. It is a part. Further, both connecting portions 79, 79 are formed so as to be inclined so that the interval in the width direction becomes narrower as viewed from the front side or the rear side of the hanger bracket 7 (see FIGS. 2C and 4). .

  Further, the front end of the connecting portion 79 is located at the same position as or in front of the rear end of the Delesco long hole 73. Specifically, it is located at the same position as the protruding plate piece 75 or on the front side of the protruding plate piece 75. The rear ends of the connecting portions 79 substantially coincide with the rear ends of the first and second hanging plate-like portions 71 and 72 [see FIG. 1 (B) and FIG. 3]. The upper end edges of both connection parts 79, 79 are in contact with the lower side in the radial direction of the inner pipe 6 and are fixed by welding means. The inner pipe 6 and the hanger bracket 7 are joined by welding via the connecting portions 79 and 79 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  Welding is performed partially with respect to the front-rear direction of each connecting portion 79. Welding is performed at two locations on one connection portion 79, and the two welded portions have appropriate intervals [FIGS. 1B, 2A, 2B, 3]. Etc.]. The two welded portions in each connecting portion 79 are referred to as a front side welded portion 81 and a rear side welded portion 82.

  The position of the front-side welded portion 81 is a welded portion applied to the front end portion in the front-rear direction of each connecting portion 79, 79. Further, the position of the front-side welded portion 81 is an intermediate location in each of the first hanging plate-like portion 71 and the second hanging plate-like portion 72. Specifically, it is located at the same position as the position where the protruding plate piece 75 is provided or on the front side of the protruding plate piece 75. The rear-side welded portion 82 is formed on the rear side of the front-side welded portion 81 in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 79 and is formed in the formation region of the inclined side 76. Specifically, the hanger bracket 7 is provided behind the position where the protruding plate piece 75 is provided.

  Regarding the position of the rear side welded portion 82 in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 79, there are a plurality of embodiments shown below. In 1st Embodiment in the position of the rear side welding part 82, the back side welding part 82 is provided in the intermediate area in the front-back direction of the inclined side 76 formed in the shock absorption long hole 74 [FIG. See A) and (B)]. Here, the intermediate region in the front-rear direction of the inclined side 76 refers to a range (region) excluding the vicinity of both ends in the front-rear direction of the inclined side 76. In FIG. 3A, the rear side welded portion 82 is provided at the center position in the intermediate region in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 79. In FIG. 3B, the rear side welded portion 82 is provided at the rear side position in the intermediate region in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 79.

  In 2nd Embodiment in the position of the back side welding part 82, this back side welding part 82 is provided in the position near the rear end of the connection part 79 in the front-back direction (refer FIG.3 (C)). In this embodiment, the front side welded portion 81 and the rear side welded portion 82 are in a state of being separated by a maximum distance. Moreover, in 3rd Embodiment in the position of the back side weld part 82, this back side weld part 82 is provided near the front-back direction front end of the connection part 79 [refer FIG.3 (D)].

  In this embodiment, the front side welding part 81 and the back side welding part 82 are adjoining. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the energy absorption characteristics of the present invention, in which the horizontal axis indicates the stroke (stroke) of the bolt shaft 51 relative to the shock absorbing long hole 74, and the vertical axis indicates the protruding plate piece 75 and the inclined side. 76 shows the load when crushing, and in the latter half of the case where the rear side welding portion 82 is provided in the middle of the middle region in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 79, the rear side of the middle region, the rear end side, and the front end side. The energy absorption characteristic change is shown.

Next, the assembly of the main constituent members of the present invention will be described. The inner pipe 6 is held on the holding inner peripheral surface 1a of the holding main body 1 of the outer column A. The hanger bracket 7 fixed to the inner pipe 6 is disposed between the fastening portions 2 and 2 of the outer column A. Then, both the fastening portions 2, 2 of the outer column A are sandwiched between both fixed side portions 41, 41 of the fixing bracket 4, and the adjustment holes 43, 43 of both fixed side portions 41, 41 and The bolt shaft 51 of the fastener 5 passes through the fastening through holes 22 and 22 formed in the attaching portions 2 and 2 and the telescopic elongated hole 73 of the hanger bracket 7, and the lock lever portion 52 and the fastening cam 53 are inserted. At the same time, the nut 54 is mounted (see FIG. 1C).

  The tightening cam 53 is pressed by the tightening portions 2 and 2 by the turning operation of the lock lever portion 52, and both are tightened by the tightening tool 5. Thereby, the space | interval of the slit part 11 of the holding main-body part 1 of the said outer column A becomes narrow, and the inner pipe 6 with which the outer column A was mounted | worn is locked (fixed) to an axial direction.

  The hanger bracket 7 is disposed between the fastening portions 2 and 2 of the outer column A. When the outer column A is tightened by the tightening tool 5, both the tightening portions 2 and 2 are close to each other, but the hanger bracket 7 is separated from the both tightening portions 2 and 2. [See FIG. 1 (C)]. Therefore, since no friction is generated between the tightening portions 2 and 2 of the outer column A and the hanger bracket 7 when the lever is tightened, the optimum energy absorption load can be easily designed (set). .

  Next, the role played by the rear side welding portion 82 in the operation at the time of the secondary collision will be described based on the first to third embodiments at the position of the rear side welding portion 82. Further, in the following description, the position of the inclined side 76 of the shock absorbing long hole 74 will be described by taking the first embodiment as an example. Due to the secondary collision, first, the protruding plate piece 75 provided in the shock absorbing long hole 74 on the first hanging plate-like portion 71 side is pushed down by the bolt shaft 51 of the fastener 5, and the first time in the secondary collision. Peak load occurs. Next, the bolt shaft 51 moves relatively from the telescopic elongated hole 73 to the shock absorbing elongated hole 74.

  The upper side 74a of the shock absorbing long hole 74 on the second hanging plate-like portion 72 side is provided with an inclined side 76, and the bolt shaft 51 is in contact with the inclined side 76, while pressing or squeezing the inclined side 76, The bolt shaft 51 moves relatively rearward. When the inclined side 76 is pressed against the bolt shaft 51 or is crushed and crushed, the latter half load after the peak load can be gradually increased.

  In the energy absorption operation in the latter half at the time of the secondary collision, the energy absorption characteristic, that is, the resistance force at the time of energy absorption changes depending on the position of the rear side weld portion 82. Between the front-side welded portion 81 and the rear-side welded portion 82 in the hanger bracket 7, the connecting portions 79, 79 are not displaced or deformed, and the inclined side 76 is crushed by relative movement with the bolt shaft 51. Thereby, between the front side welding part 81 and the back side welding part 82, it can maintain, without making the resistance in energy absorption low.

  When the inclined side 76 is crushed by the bolt shaft 51 at the non-welded portion on the rear side of the rear side welded portion 82 in both the connecting portions 79, 79, the influence of the crushing of the inclined side 76 is applied to the connecting portions 79, 79. Accordingly, the connecting portions 79 and 79 are deformed from the state before the secondary collision. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a non-welded portion on the rear side from the rear side welded portion 82 in joining the inner pipe 6 and the hanger bracket 7. The connection portions 79 and 79 at the non-welded portions are in a state where they are merely in contact with or close to the inner pipe 6.

  FIG. 4B shows the hanger bracket 7 in the modification of the first embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76. In this case, when the inclined side 76 formed on the upper side 74a is crushed by the relative movement with the bolt shaft 51 in the latter half of the secondary collision, both the connecting portions 79 and 79 of the non-welded part are deformed and both of them are deformed. The interval is widened, and the resistance for absorbing the energy at the non-welded part can be reduced.

  Referring to the graph showing the energy absorption characteristic of the present invention in FIG. 6, in the first embodiment at the position of the rear welded portion 82, the rear welded portion 82 is provided in the intermediate region of the inclined side 76, and the rear welded portion The rear side of 82 is a non-welded part, and both connecting parts 79 and 79 at this part are flexible and variable. Therefore, in the latter half of the energy absorption characteristics in the secondary collision, the energy absorption load can be changed gradually from the intermediate region of the connecting portion 79.

  In the first embodiment at the position of the rear side welded portion 82, as described above, the rear side welded portion 82 may be provided in the middle of the intermediate region of the inclined side 76 and may be provided in the rear side of the intermediate region. is there. In either case, the energy absorption load can be changed from a middle region of the energy absorption characteristics in the latter half to a gradual increase due to the deformation of the connection portions 79 and 79 at the non-welded portion on the rear side of the rear welded portion 82.

  In the second embodiment at the position of the rear welded portion 82, the rear welded portion 82 is provided at a position near the rear end in the front-rear direction of the inclined side 76. Thereby, it is the structure which a non-welding location does not exist substantially, and an energy absorption load can be made to increase gradually over the whole area | region of the latter half energy absorption characteristic in a secondary collision.

  Furthermore, in 3rd Embodiment in the position of the back side weld part 82, the back side weld part 82 is provided in the position near the front-end direction of the front-back direction of the inclined side 76. FIG. Therefore, the range of the non-welded portion on the rear side from the rear side welded portion 82 is the widest, the deformable range of the connecting portions 79, 79 is also widened, and the latter half energy absorption characteristic is the second half initial stage of the secondary collision. Thus, the energy absorption load can be changed to a gradual increase.

  FIG. 4C shows a deformed state of the hanger bracket 7 in the case of the second embodiment at the position on the inclined side 76. In this case, in the latter half of the secondary collision, when the inclined side 76 formed on the lower side 74b is crushed by relative movement with the bolt shaft 51, both connection parts 79, 79 of the non-welded part are deformed downward, It can be set to reduce the resistance to energy absorption at non-welded locations. As in the case of the first embodiment on the inclined side 76, the energy absorption characteristics of the latter half can be changed by various (first to third) embodiments at the position of the rear side welded portion 82.

  In the case of the third embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, when the inclined side 76 formed on the upper side 74 a and the lower side 74 b is crushed by relative movement with the bolt shaft 51, both connection parts 79, 79 of the non-welded part are It is possible to set so as to reduce the resistance in the energy absorption of the non-welded part by deforming and expanding the interval and deforming downward.

  In the case of the second embodiment and the third embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76, the same energy absorption operation as that of the first embodiment at the position of the inclined side 76 is performed. The energy absorption characteristics in the latter half can be changed depending on the position. That is, the resistance force in energy absorption can be set less at the non-welded portion of the connection portion 79 on the rear side than the position of the rear side weld portion 82.

  Therefore, the energy absorption characteristic can be set to a suitable value by moving the position of the rear side welded portion 82 at the joint portion between the inner pipe 6 and the connecting portions 79, 79 according to the vehicle type. In other words, by moving the position of the rear side welded portion 82 in the connecting portion 79 in the front-rear direction, the range of the non-welded portion on the rear side with respect to the position of the rear side welded portion 82 changes. The energy absorption characteristics in the latter half of the secondary collision can be changed depending on the size of the weld.

  As described above, the role of the rear side welded portion 82 for energy absorption in the secondary collision is an example of the first embodiment in which the inclined side 76 is formed on either the first hanging plate-like portion 71 or the second hanging plate-like portion 72. I explained it. On the other hand, when the inclined side 76 is formed in the shock absorbing long holes 74 of both the first hanging plate-like portion 71 and the second hanging plate-like portion 72, similarly, the latter half depends on the position of the rear side welding portion 82. Energy absorption characteristics can be changed.

  By the way, in the embodiment in which the inclined side 76 is formed in the shock absorbing long hole 74 of either the first hanging plate-like portion 71 or the second hanging plate-like portion 72, the inclined side 76 is connected to the bolt shaft 51 at the time of the secondary collision. When the crushing is caused by the relative movement, a load is applied to the hanger bracket 7 in the circumferential direction with the diameter center of the inner pipe 6 as the rotation center. Thereby, the non-welded part of the connection parts 79 and 79 is deformed in the circumferential direction of the inner pipe 6. That is, in addition to the first to third embodiments at the position of the inclined side 76 described above, the connection portions 79 and 79 are deformed in the circumferential direction of the inner pipe 6 to further reduce the resistance to energy absorption at the non-welded portion. [See the energy absorption characteristics indicated by the dotted line in the graph of FIG. 6].

  As described above, in the present invention, the energy absorption characteristics of the latter half in the secondary collision can be obtained only by changing the position of the rear side welded portion 82 regardless of the position and number of the inclined sides 76 provided in the shock absorbing long hole 74 of the hanger bracket 7. Can be changed. Specifically, for example, when the inclined side 76 is formed at one location on the upper side 74a of the first drooping plate-like portion 71, various latter-stage energy absorption characteristics can be set depending on the position in the front-rear direction of the rear-side welded portion 82. it can. Thereby, it can respond, without changing the type | mold of the hanger bracket 7 for every vehicle model to mount. Further, by changing the position and number of the inclined sides 76, it is possible to set the energy absorption characteristics of the latter half in various variations of the secondary collision.

A ... Outer column, 1 ... Holding body part, 2 ... Fastening part, 4 ... Fixing bracket,
41 ... Fixed side part, 51 ... Bolt shaft, 5 ... Fastener, 6 ... Inner pipe,
7 ... Hanger bracket, 71 ... First hanging plate-like portion, 72 ... Second hanging plate-like portion,
73 ... Telescopic slot, 74 ... Shock absorbing slot, 75 ... Projection plate piece, 76 ... Inclined side,
79 ... Connection part, 81 ... Front side welding part, 82 ... Back side welding part.

Claims (7)

  An outer column having an inner pipe, a holding main body that holds the inner pipe, and a tightening portion that expands and contracts the holding main body in the diameter direction, and a fixed side that holds both sides in the width direction of the outer column A fixed bracket having the structure, a hanger bracket fixed to the inner pipe and disposed between the tightening portions, the tightening portions of the outer column, the hanger bracket, and the fixing bracket. And a fastener having a bolt shaft for releasing the tightening, and the hanger bracket has a first hanging plate-like portion and a second hanging plate-like portion on both sides in the width direction, and the first hanging plate-like portion. The second hanging plate-like portion is formed with a telescopic elongated hole and a shock absorbing oblong hole through which the bolt shaft can be inserted from the front side toward the rear side, and the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion. 2 hanging plates At least one of the shock absorbing oblong holes of the portion is provided with an inclined side whose height direction dimension decreases toward the end, and is connected to the inner pipe at the upper end of the hanger bracket along the front-rear direction. A connecting portion is provided, and the connecting portion is provided with a front side welding portion at a position equivalent to the end of the telescopic elongated hole, and a rear side welding portion is provided in the formation region of the inclined side. Steering device.   2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein a secondary collision occurs between the telescopic elongated hole and the shock absorbing elongated hole of at least one of the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion. A steering device comprising a protruding plate piece bent by a collision with the bolt shaft.   3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the rear-side welded portion is provided in an intermediate region in the front-rear direction of the connection portion.   3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the rear-side welded portion is provided near the rear end in the front-rear direction of the connection portion.   3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the rear welding portion is provided near a front end in a front-rear direction of the connection portion.   The steering device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the shock absorbing elongated hole in any one of the first hanging plate-like portion and the second hanging plate-like portion is formed in the steering device. A steering apparatus characterized in that an inclined side is provided.   The steering device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the inclined side is formed in the shock absorbing elongated holes of both the first and second hanging plate-like portions. A steering apparatus comprising:

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