JP2023061719A - Steering column supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a steering column supporting device that can reduce a collision energy applied to a passenger seated on a front passenger seat at the time of a side collision.SOLUTION: A steering column supporting device includes: a first steering shaft; a second steering shaft; a universal joint connecting the first and second steering shafts; first and second steering columns; a first bracket supporting the first steering column; a second bracket supporting the second steering column and attached to a vehicle body; and a fixing member extending in a direction including a component in an up-down direction orthogonal to an axial direction and a lateral direction of the vehicle body and fixing the first and second brackets to each other. When a load in a direction including a component in the lateral direction of the vehicle body acts on the first steering shaft, the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket can move from the fixing member in the direction including a component in the lateral direction of the vehicle body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a support device for a steering column.

A vehicle side impact is a dangerous form of crash. For example, in the event of a side collision from the passenger seat side, the passenger on the front passenger seat may slip out of the seat belt and collide with vehicle parts such as the steering wheel or the driver.

Patent Literature 1 describes that a portion of a door inner panel that overlaps a steering wheel when viewed from the side of the vehicle is provided with a rigidity improving portion having higher rigidity than other portions. As a result, in the event of a vehicle side collision, the amount of intrusion of the door into the passenger compartment is suppressed by bringing the rigidity improving portion into contact with the steering wheel.

Patent Document 2 describes deploying an airbag provided in at least one of the passenger seat side instrument panel and the steering wheel at the time of a side collision. As a result, the deployed airbag catches a passenger who is blown away by the impact from the door that penetrates into the passenger compartment, improving safety in the event of a side collision.

JP 2015-227070 A Jitsuzenhei 3-121155

According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, although the door impact load on the driver in a side collision can be expected to be reduced, there is a possibility that the passenger in the front passenger seat is not sufficiently protected.

In addition, the technique of Patent Document 2 cannot reduce the load when a fellow passenger in the front passenger seat comes into contact with the steering wheel or the driver in the event of a side collision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering column support device capable of reducing the impact energy received by a fellow passenger in the front passenger seat in the event of a side collision.

The above objects of the present invention are achieved by the following configurations.
(1) a first steering shaft to which a steering wheel can be attached;
a second steering shaft;
a universal joint that rotatably couples axial ends of the first and second steering shafts;
the first and second steering columns through which the first and second steering shafts are respectively inserted;
a first bracket that supports the first steering column;
a second bracket that supports the second steering column and is attached to the vehicle body;
a fixing member that extends in a direction including a vertical component that is perpendicular to the axial direction and the lateral direction of the vehicle body and fixes the first and second brackets to each other;
with
When the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including a component in the lateral direction of the vehicle body, the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket move around the fixing member to the capable of moving in a direction including a component in the lateral direction of the vehicle body;
Support device for steering column.
(2) When the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket start to move, the load in the direction including the lateral direction component to the first steering shaft is defined as the movement start load. ,
The steering column support device according to (1), wherein the movement start load is arbitrarily adjusted by changing the fixing load of the fixing member.
(3) The steering column support device according to (2), wherein a plurality of the fixing members are provided.
(4) The second bracket is provided with a stopper that regulates the amount of movement of the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket in the direction including the lateral component. The steering column support device according to any one of (3).
(5) The stopper controls the amount of movement of the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket centering on the fixing member in a direction including the lateral direction component by 30 to 75 degrees. The steering column support device according to (4), which is regulated within the range of
(6) The steering column support device according to (4) or (5), wherein the stopper has a shock absorbing structure that reduces a collision load of the first steering shaft, the first steering column and the first bracket.
(7) The steering column support device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the universal joint is a cross universal joint.
(8) The steering column support device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the universal joint is a ball joint.
(9) the second bracket has a vehicle body attachment portion that is attached to the vehicle body and a column support portion that supports the second steering column;
The vehicle body mounting portion has a mounting portion hole penetrating in a direction including the lateral direction component,
the column support has a support hole penetrating in a direction including the lateral direction component,
the mounting portion hole extends in a direction including the vertical component,
another fixing member inserted through the mounting hole and the supporting hole to fix the vehicle body mounting part and the column supporting part to each other;
When the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including the vertical component, the first steering shaft, the first steering column and the first bracket move along the mounting hole. is movable in the direction containing the component,
The steering column support device according to any one of (1) to (7).
(10) The steering column support device according to any one of (1) to (9), which is for a manual steering device.
(11) The steering column support device according to any one of (1) to (9), which is for an electric power steering device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering column support device capable of reducing the impact energy received by a fellow passenger in the front passenger seat in the event of a side collision.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric power steering apparatus equipped with a steering column support device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the steering column support device. FIG. 3 is a top view of the steering column support device. FIG. 4 is a side view of the steering column support device. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the steering column support device when the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body. FIG. 7 is a top view of the steering column support device when the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including a component in the lateral direction (Y direction) of the vehicle body. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram when another vehicle 200 collides with the vehicle 100 from a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component on the passenger seat side. FIG. 9 is a top view of the steering column support device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 of the steering column support device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the steering column support device when the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body. FIG. 12 is a top view of the steering column support device when the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a steering column support device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of the steering column support device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a steering column support device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the steering column support device according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from below.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the steering column support device according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[First embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric power steering device 1 having a steering column support device 3 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The electric power steering device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called column-type electric power steering device, but the steering column support device 3 of the present invention may be of other types (for example, pinion type, dual pinion type, It can also be applied to an electric power steering device such as a rack type. The type of the electric power steering device is determined by the position at which the electric motor assist section is attached. The assist part is attached to the steering column for the column type, to the pinion under the steering shaft for the pinion type and dual pinion type, and to the rack where the pinion meshes for the rack type. In the dual pinion type, two pinions are provided, one pinion is connected to the steering shaft, and the other pinion is attached to the assist section. In addition, the steering column support device 3 of the present invention can be applied to any type of steering device. Applicable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric power steering device 1 includes a steering shaft 12 to which a steering wheel 11 can be attached on the rear side of the vehicle body (right side in FIG. 1), a steering column 40 through which the steering shaft 12 is inserted, and a 12, and a steering gear 30 connected to the front side of the vehicle body (left side in FIG. 1) of the steering shaft 12 via a rack/pinion mechanism (not shown). , provided.

The steering shaft 12 includes a first steering shaft 12A arranged on the rear side of the vehicle body to which the steering wheel 11 can be attached, and a second steering shaft 12B arranged on the front side of the vehicle body. The vehicle front end (axial end) of the first steering shaft 12A and the vehicle rear end (axial end) of the second steering shaft 12B are connected by a cross joint 80, which will be described later. They are rotatably connected to each other.

The steering column 40 includes tubular first and second steering columns 40A, 40B through which the first and second steering shafts 12A, 12B are respectively inserted.

The first steering column 40</b>A is supported by a first bracket 50 at the front end of the vehicle body. The second steering column 40</b>B is supported by a second bracket 60 at the rear end of the vehicle body and by a third bracket 70 at the front end of the vehicle body. The second and third brackets 60 and 70 are attached to a portion of the vehicle body 18 (such as the underside of the dashboard or a cross car beam fixed to the vehicle body 18). Also, the first bracket 50 is fixed to the second bracket 60 by fixing members (bolts 91 and nuts 93), which will be described later.

The vehicle front end of the second steering shaft 12B is inserted through the inside of the gear housing 21 and connected to the vehicle rear end of the input shaft (not shown) of the assist device 20 .

An upper end portion of the gear housing 21 is supported by the portion of the vehicle body 18 . Further, the electric power steering apparatus 1 is provided with a tilt mechanism and a telescopic mechanism, so that the position of the steering wheel 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and the height position can be freely adjusted.

An output shaft 23 protruding from the front end face of the gear housing 21 is connected to the rear end of the intermediate shaft 16 via a cross joint 15 . An input shaft 31 of a steering gear 30 is connected to the front end of the intermediate shaft 16 via another cross joint 15 . The intermediate shaft 16 has a male shaft 16A and a female shaft 16B. The vehicle body rear side of the female shaft 16B is fitted onto the vehicle body front side of the male shaft 16A. The male shaft 16A and the female shaft 16B are capable of transmitting rotational torque and relatively movable in the axial direction.

A pinion (not shown) is coupled to the input shaft 31 . The pinion is also meshed with a rack (not shown), and rotation of the steering wheel moves tie rods 32 to steer the wheels (not shown).

An electric motor 26 is fixed to the gear housing 21 of the assist device 20 , and a worm is coupled to a rotary shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 26 . A worm wheel (not shown) is attached to the output shaft 23, and the worm of the rotating shaft of the electric motor 26 is meshed with this worm wheel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the steering column support device 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view of the steering column support device 3. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the steering column support device 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4. FIG.

The X direction in the drawing is the axial direction in which the central axis O of the steering column 40 extends, and is the direction toward the front and rear of the vehicle body. It should be noted that the steering column 40 may be installed tilted vertically with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, in which case the X direction does not necessarily coincide with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The Y direction in the drawing is perpendicular to the X direction and is the direction toward the vehicle body sides (left and right). The Z direction in the drawing is a direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction, and is the direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. Note that when the X direction is tilted in the vertical direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, the Z direction does not coincide with the vertical direction of the vehicle body, and is tilted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

The steering column support device 3 of the present embodiment rotatably couples the first and second steering shafts 12A, 12B and the axial ends of the first and second steering shafts 12A, 12B. A cross joint 80, first and second steering columns 40A and 40B through which the first and second steering shafts 12A and 12B are respectively inserted, a first bracket 50 that supports the first steering column 40A, a second A second bracket 60 that supports the steering column 40B and is attached to the vehicle body 18 extends in the vertical direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the axial direction (X direction) and the lateral direction (Y direction). and a bolt 91 and a nut 93 as fixing members for fixing the second brackets 50 and 60 to each other.

The cross joint 80 comprises a first yoke 81A coupled and fixed to the vehicle front end of the first steering shaft 12A, and a second yoke 81B coupled and fixed to the vehicle rear end of the second steering shaft 12B. , and a cross shaft 85 that transmits torque between the first and second yokes 81A, 81B.

The first yoke 81A is coupled and fixed to the front end of the vehicle body of the first steering shaft 12A and extends in a direction (Z direction in the example shown) perpendicular to the axial direction (X direction) of the first steering shaft 12A. It has one base portion 82A and a pair of first arm portions 83A extending from both ends of the first base portion 82A toward the front of the vehicle body. The second yoke 81B is coupled and fixed to the vehicle body rear side end portion of the second steering shaft 12B, and extends in a direction (Y direction in the example of the figure) perpendicular to the axial direction (X direction) of the second steering shaft 12B. It has two base portions 82B and a pair of second arm portions 83B extending from both ends of the second base portion 82B toward the rear of the vehicle body. Therefore, the pair of first arm portions 83A and the pair of second arm portions 83B are arranged with a 90° phase shift.

A first through hole 84A is formed in each of the pair of first arm portions 83A at the front end portion of the vehicle body so as to penetrate in the direction in which the pair of first arm portions 83A face each other (the Z direction in the example of the drawing). A second through hole 84B is formed in each of the pair of second arm portions 83B at the vehicle body rear side end portion so as to pass through in the direction in which the pair of second arm portions 83B face each other (the Y direction in the example of the figure).

Four shaft portions of the cross shaft 85 are rotatably fixed to the pair of first through holes 84A and the pair of second through holes 84B via radial bearings (for example, shell-type needle bearings) (not shown). be done. With such a structure, the first steering shaft 12A and the second steering shaft 12B are combined so that torque can be transmitted.

The first bracket 50 that supports the first steering column 40A includes a plate-shaped side plate 51 extending in the Y direction and the Z direction, an upper plate 52 and a lower plate 53 extending from both ends of the side plate 51 in the Z direction toward the vehicle front side, Prepare. The side plate 51 covers the cross joint 80 from the rear side of the vehicle body, and the upper plate 52 and the lower plate 53 cover the cross joint 80 from both sides in the Z direction.

Approximately at the center of the side plate 51, there is a tubular portion 54 projecting toward the rear side of the vehicle body. A hole inside the tubular portion 54 penetrates the side plate 51 in the X direction. A first steering column 40A is fitted into the tubular portion 54 . Thereby, the first steering column 40A is fixed to the first bracket 50. As shown in FIG. The first steering shaft 12A in the first bracket 50 extends inside the tubular portion 54 and the side plate 51 and is coupled with the second steering shaft 12B via the cross joint 80 as described above.

A second bracket 60 that supports the second steering column 40B has a mounting plate portion 61 that is arranged above the second steering column 40B and attached to the vehicle body 18 . The mounting plate portion 61 has a plate shape extending in the X direction and the Y direction. The mounting plate portion 61 extends to both sides in the Y direction from the first bracket 50 . Through holes 61a for fixing the mounting plate portion 61 to the vehicle body 18 by bolting or the like are provided on both sides of the mounting plate portion 61 in the Y direction at positions not overlapping the first bracket 50 in the Y direction.

The second bracket 60 has a pair of hanging plate portions 63 , 63 hanging down in the Z direction (downward) from the inside of the pair of through holes 61 a of the mounting plate portion 61 in the Y direction. The second bracket 60 is sandwiched between a pair of hanging plate portions 63, 63, and includes a plate-shaped side plate 66 extending in the Y direction and the Z direction, and an upper fixing plate extending from both ends of the side plate 66 in the Z direction toward the rear side of the vehicle body. A portion 64 and a lower fixing plate portion 65 are provided.

A second steering column 40B is fitted in substantially the center of the side plate 66 . The second steering column 40B is thereby fixed to the second bracket 60 .

The upper fixed plate portion 64 and the lower fixed plate portion 65 are spaced apart in the Z direction. The upper fixing plate portion 64 contacts the upper plate 52 of the first bracket 50 in the Z direction, and the lower fixing plate portion 65 contacts the lower plate 53 of the first bracket 50 in the Z direction.

Fixing holes (see FIG. 5) 64a and 52a for screwing bolts 91 are formed in the upper fixing plate portion 64 and the upper plate 52 so as to pass through the upper fixing plate portion 64 and the upper plate 52 in the Z direction. be done. Similarly, the lower fixing plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 have fixing holes 65a and 53a (not shown) for screwing the bolts 91 through the lower fixing plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 in the Z direction. is formed to

FIG. 5 shows how the upper fixing plate portion 64 and the upper plate 52 are fixed to each other by bolts 91 screwed into the fixing holes 64a and 52a and nuts 93 screwed on the bolts 91. As shown in FIG. . Similarly, the lower fixing plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 are fixed to each other by bolts 91 screwed into fixing holes of the lower fixing plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 and nuts 93 screwed onto the bolts 91 . be. The X-direction position of the fixing member (bolt 91 and nut 93) and the X-direction position of the cross shaft 85 of the cross shaft universal joint 80 (the X-direction positions of the first and second through holes 84A and 94B) match. preferably.

In this way, the first and second brackets 50, 60 are fixed together by bolts 91 and nuts 93 extending in the Z direction. It should be noted that the bolt 91 and the nut 93 do not necessarily have to extend in a direction that coincides with the vertical direction (Z direction), as long as they extend in a direction that includes at least a vertical component. That is, the bolt 91 and the nut 93 may extend so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The fixing member for fixing the first and second brackets 50 and 60 to each other is not limited to the bolt 91 and nut 93 as long as it extends in the direction including the Z direction component, and screws, pins, etc. can also be used. Applicable.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the steering column support device 3 when the first steering shaft 12A receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body 18. FIG. FIG. 7 is a top view of the steering column support device 3 when the first steering shaft 12A receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body 18. FIG.

The steering column support device 3 configured as described above includes a load absorbing mechanism that absorbs the load in the direction including the lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body 18 with respect to the first steering shaft 12A. The load absorbing mechanism of this embodiment includes a cross joint 80 that rotatably couples axial ends of the first and second steering shafts 12A and 12B, and bolts 91 and nuts 93 that secure the first and second steering columns 40A, 40B together.

Therefore, when the steering column 40 receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body 18, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 are held together by the bolt 91 and the nut 93. , in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body. This absorbs the load in the direction including the lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body 18 with respect to the first steering shaft 12A.

That is, when the load applied to the first steering shaft 12A in the direction including the lateral direction (Y direction) component exceeds the load fixed between the first bracket 50 and the second bracket 60 by the bolt 91 and the nut 93, the first The bracket 50 moves with respect to the second bracket 60 via the bolt 91 and the nut 93, and the first steering shaft 12A moves with respect to the second steering shaft 12B via the cross universal joint 80. In this way, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 move integrally around the bolt 91 and the nut 93 in an arc shape in a direction including the Y direction component. Therefore, when a fellow passenger in the passenger seat comes into contact with the steering column 40 during a side collision, the collision energy received by the fellow passenger can be reduced.

Further, if the load in the direction including the lateral direction component to the first steering shaft 12A at which the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 start to move is defined as the movement start load, this movement The starting load can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the tightening torque (fixed load) of the bolt 91 and nut 93 . This makes it possible to adjust the collision absorption load. Even if a pin is used instead of the bolt 91 and nut 93, the movement start load can be changed by changing the mounting load (fixed load) of the pin.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram when another vehicle 200 collides with the vehicle 100 from a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component on the passenger seat side. The right side of FIG. 8 shows a vehicle 100 in which the electric power steering device 1 of this embodiment is installed. The traveling direction of the vehicle 100 is the upper side in FIG. A driver 110 sitting in a driver's seat and a fellow passenger 120 sitting in a passenger's seat are on board the vehicle 100 .

Another vehicle 200 is shown on the left side of FIG. The traveling direction of the other vehicle 200 is the right side in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a state in which another vehicle 200 collides with the vehicle 100 from the front passenger seat side. In this case, there is a possibility that the passenger 120 sitting in the front passenger seat may get out of the seat belt due to the impact of the collision and collide with the electric power steering device 1 .

However, since the vehicle 100 is equipped with the electric power steering device 1 of the present embodiment, even if the passenger 120 in the front passenger seat comes into contact with the electric power steering device 1 (first steering shaft 12A) from the side. However, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 move in a direction including a lateral direction component. Therefore, even if fellow passenger 120 in the front passenger seat comes into contact with electric power steering device 1 during a side collision, the collision energy received by fellow passenger 120 in the front passenger seat is reduced.

[Second embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a top view of the steering column support device 3 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 of the steering column support device 3 according to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the fixing member for fixing the upper fixing plate portion 64 and the upper plate 52 and the fixing member for fixing the lower fixing plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 are each only one bolt 91 and one nut 93. However, a plurality of fixing members may be provided.

In this embodiment, the upper fixing plate portion 64 and the upper plate 52 have a pair of insertion holes 64b and 52b (see FIG. 10) for inserting a resin pin 95 as a fixing member. and the upper plate 52 in the Z direction. Similarly, the lower fixed plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 are provided with a pair of insertion holes (not shown) for inserting the pins 95 so as to pass through the lower fixed plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 in the Z direction. formed in

In the illustrated example, a pair of pins 95 are provided on both sides of the bolt 91 and nut 93 in the Y direction, but the number and arrangement of the pins 95 may be changed as needed.

FIG. 10 shows how the upper fixing plate portion 64 and the upper plate 52 are fixed to each other by the pins 95 inserted into the insertion holes 64b and 52b. Similarly, the lower fixing plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 are fixed to each other by the pins 95 inserted into the insertion holes of the lower fixing plate portion 65 and the lower plate 53 .

In this way, the pin 95 is provided as a fixing member in addition to the bolt 91 and the nut 93, and the shear load of the pin 95 is changed by appropriately setting the material, outer diameter, etc. of the pin 95, and the movement start load described above is adjusted. Can be adjusted arbitrarily. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the collision absorption load more appropriately. It should be noted that the pin 95 as a fixing member does not necessarily have to extend in a direction that coincides with the vertical direction (Z direction), and may at least extend in a direction that includes a vertical component. That is, the pin 95 may extend so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

Further, the second bracket 60 of the present embodiment is provided with a stopper 67 that restricts the amount of movement of the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 in the lateral direction.

The stopper 67 is arranged in the second bracket 60 on the right side of the vehicle, that is, in the direction from the passenger's seat side to the driver's side. The position where this stopper 67 is provided corresponds to the direction in which fellow passenger 120 may come into contact with electric power steering device 1 when vehicle 100 is a right-hand drive vehicle. Therefore, when the vehicle 100 is a left-hand drive vehicle, the stopper 67 is arranged on the left side of the second bracket 60 in the Y direction.

The illustrated stopper 67 includes a plate portion 67a extending in the X direction and the Z direction along the Y direction side surface (vehicle right side surface) of the upper fixed plate portion 64, and the vehicle body rear side portion of the plate portion 67a being bent toward the vehicle right side. and a folded portion 67b. The stopper 67 is arranged so as to overlap the upper plate 52 of the first bracket 50 in the Z direction. Therefore, when the first bracket 50 is displaced in the right direction of the vehicle, the first bracket 50 abuts against the stopper 67 and its displacement is restricted.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the steering column support device 3 when the first steering shaft 12A receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body 18. FIG. FIG. 12 is a top view of the steering column support device 3 when the first steering shaft 12A receives a load in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component of the vehicle body 18. FIG.

When the first steering shaft 12A receives a load in the direction including the lateral direction component of the vehicle body 18, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 move in the direction including the Y direction component. , the Y-direction side surface of the upper plate 52 of the first bracket 50 comes into contact with the bent portion 67b of the stopper 67, thereby restricting the amount of movement in the direction including the Y-direction component (movement amount θ in the circumferential direction). .

In this way, when the first steering shaft 12A receives a load in the direction including the lateral direction component of the vehicle body 18, the amount of movement of the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 (circumferential direction The amount of movement θ) can be adjusted by changing the angle of the bent portion 67b. This prevents the steering wheel 11, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 from colliding with other vehicle parts (a door, an instrument panel, etc.).

In order to prevent the steering wheel 11, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A, and the first bracket 50 from rebounding toward the driver 110 due to collision with the vehicle parts, the movement amount θ is preferably 30 to 75 degrees.

The shape, arrangement, material, number, etc. of the stoppers 67 may be changed as appropriate.

For example, the stopper 67 may have a shock absorbing structure that reduces the collision load of the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50. FIG. Examples of the shock absorbing structure include a damper structure and a structure using an elastic member.

If the steering wheel 11, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A, and the first bracket 50 cannot collide with other vehicle parts (a door, an instrument panel, etc.) due to dimensions, arrangement, etc. Alternatively, the stopper 67 may be omitted as in the first embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the steering column support device 3 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the steering column support device 3 according to the third embodiment.

When a driver or a fellow passenger collides with the steering column, the load applied to the steering column does not necessarily include a lateral direction (Y direction) component. The steering column support device 3 of the present embodiment can reduce the collision energy received by the driver or passenger when a load is applied to the steering column in a direction including a vertical component (Z direction). Configured.

The second bracket 60 of this embodiment has a vehicle body attachment portion that is attached to the vehicle body 18 and a column support portion that supports the second steering column 40B.

The vehicle body mounting portion includes the mounting plate portion 61 and the pair of hanging plate portions 63 described above.

The column support portion includes a pair of support plate portions 68 in addition to the side plate 66 , upper fixed plate portion 64 and lower fixed plate portion 65 described above. The pair of support plate portions 68 are arranged between the pair of hanging plate portions 63 , the side plate 66 , the upper fixed plate portion 64 and the lower fixed plate portion 65 . Each of the pair of support plate portions 68 has a plate shape extending in the X direction and the Z direction so as to abut on the inside of the pair of hanging plate portions 63 in the Y direction.

Each of the pair of hanging plate portions 63 of the vehicle body mounting portion has a mounting portion hole 63a penetrating in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component. Each of the pair of support plate portions 68 of the column support portion has a support portion hole 68a penetrating in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component. These mounting portion hole 63a and support portion hole 68a are arranged at positions facing each other in the Y direction, and bolts 97 and nuts 99 as fixing members are inserted therethrough. As a result, the vehicle body attachment portion (the pair of hanging plate portions 63) and the column support portion (the pair of support plate portions 68) are fixed to each other.

Here, the mounting portion hole 63a is an elongated hole extending in a direction including a vertical direction (Z direction) component. Therefore, when the first steering shaft 12A receives a load in a direction including a vertical component, the load is applied to the second steering shaft 12B coupled to the first steering shaft 12A and the second steering shaft 12B that is inserted. The second steering column 40B and the column support portion of the second bracket that supports the second steering column 40B are also loaded.

Then, when the load in the direction including the vertical direction (Z direction) component exceeds the fixed load of the vehicle body mounting portion and the column support portion of the second bracket 60 by the bolt 97 and the nut 99, the vehicle body mounting portion (a pair of hanging The column support portion (the pair of support plate portions 68) moves along the mounting portion hole 63a in a direction including a vertical component with respect to the plate portion 63).

Therefore, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 connected to the column support portions (side plate 66, upper fixed plate portion 64, lower fixed plate portion 65, pair of support plate portions 68) also moves in a direction including a vertical component along the mounting portion hole 63a.

Therefore, even when a driver or a passenger contacts the steering column 40 in a direction including a vertical component, the fixed load by the bolt 97 and nut 99 is exceeded and the steering column 40 moves in a direction including a vertical component (Z direction). By doing so, it is possible to reduce the collision energy received by the driver or passenger. When the fellow passenger contacts the steering wheel 40 in a direction including a lateral component, the fixed load by the bolt 91, nut 93, and pin 95 is exceeded, and the lateral component is displaced, as in the above embodiment. By moving in the containing direction, the impact energy experienced by the passenger can be reduced.

If the load in the direction including the vertical component to the first steering shaft 12A at which the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 start to move in the vertical direction is defined as the vertical movement starting load. , this vertical movement starting load can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the tightening torque (fixed load) of the bolt 97 and nut 99 . This makes it possible to adjust the collision absorption load in the vertical direction. Even if a pin is used instead of the bolt 97 and nut 99, the vertical movement start load can be changed by changing the mounting load (fixed load) of the pin.

[Fourth embodiment]
FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the steering column support device 3 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the steering column support device 3 according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from above.

In the above-described embodiment, the universal joint that connects the first and second steering shafts 12A and 12B is the cross universal joint 80, but the type of universal joint is not limited. 86 may be used.

The ball joint 86 includes a spherical head portion 87 provided at the vehicle front end (axial end) of the first steering shaft 12A and the vehicle rear end (axial end) of the second steering shaft 12B. a housing portion 88 provided in the housing for housing the spherical head portion 87 therein.

The ball joint 86 connects the first steering shaft 12A and the second steering shaft 12B so that torque can be transmitted. The specific structure of the torque transmission mechanism of the ball joint 86 is not particularly limited. may be combined. By using such a pin 89, when a load is applied in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component, the pin 89 is sheared, and the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first steering column 40A are sheared. The bracket 50 can be moved laterally. By adjusting the material, outer diameter, etc. of the pin 89, it is possible to set an arbitrary shear load to an appropriate value.

Instead of the pin 89, the spherical head 87 and the housing portion 88 may be provided with splines and fastened together to enable torque transmission between the first steering shaft 12A and the second steering shaft 12B.

In this way, by using the ball joint 86 as a universal joint, a load is applied in a direction including a lateral direction (Y direction) component to the first steering shaft 12A regardless of the rotation angle of the steering wheel 11. At this time, the first steering shaft 12A, the first steering column 40A and the first bracket 50 can be moved laterally.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Electric power steering device 3 Steering column support device 11 Steering wheel 12 Steering shaft 12A First steering shaft 12B Second steering shaft 15 Cross joint 16 Intermediate shaft 16A Male shaft 16B Female shaft 18 Vehicle body 20 Assist device 21 Gear housing 23 Output Shaft 26 electric motor 30 steering gear 31 input shaft 32 tie rod 40 steering column 40A first steering column 40B second steering column 50 first bracket 51 side plate 52 upper plate 52a fixing hole 52b insertion hole 53 lower plate 54 tubular portion 60 second bracket 61 Mounting plate part (vehicle body mounting part)
61a through-hole 63 hanging plate portion (vehicle body mounting portion)
63a Mounting portion hole 64 Upper fixed plate portion (column support portion)
64a fixing hole 64b insertion hole 65 lower fixing plate portion (column support portion)
66 side plate (column support)
67 stopper 67a plate portion 67b bent portion 68 support plate portion (column support portion)
68a support portion hole 70 third bracket 80 cross shaft universal joint (universal joint)
81A First yoke 81B Second yoke 82A First base 82B Second base 83A First arm 83B Second arm 84A First through hole 84B Second through hole 85 Cross shaft 86 Ball joint (universal joint)
87 spherical head 88 accommodating portion 89 pin 91 bolt (fixing member)
93 nut (fixing member)
95 pin (fixing member)
97 bolt (fixing member)
99 nut (fixing member)
100 vehicle 110 driver 120 fellow passenger 200 other vehicle

Claims (11)

a first steering shaft to which a steering wheel can be attached;
a second steering shaft;
a universal joint that rotatably couples axial ends of the first and second steering shafts;
the first and second steering columns through which the first and second steering shafts are respectively inserted;
a first bracket that supports the first steering column;
a second bracket that supports the second steering column and is attached to the vehicle body;
a fixing member that extends in a direction including a vertical component that is perpendicular to the axial direction and the lateral direction of the vehicle body and fixes the first and second brackets to each other;
with
When the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including a component in the lateral direction of the vehicle body, the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket move around the fixing member to the capable of moving in a direction including a component in the lateral direction of the vehicle body;
Support device for steering column. Assuming that the load in the direction including the lateral direction component on the first steering shaft at which the first steering shaft, the first steering column and the first bracket start to move is defined as a movement start load,
2. The steering column support device according to claim 1, wherein the movement start load is arbitrarily adjusted by changing the fixing load of the fixing member. 3. The steering column support device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of said fixing members are provided. The second bracket is provided with a stopper that regulates the amount of movement of the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket in a direction including the lateral component. A support device for a steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The stopper limits the amount of movement of the first steering shaft, the first steering column, and the first bracket about the fixing member in a direction including the lateral direction component within a range of 30 to 75 degrees. 5. The steering column supporting device according to claim 4. 6. The steering column support device according to claim 4, wherein the stopper has a shock absorbing structure that reduces a collision load of the first steering shaft, the first steering column and the first bracket. The steering column support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the universal joint is a cross universal joint. The steering column support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the universal joint is a ball joint. The second bracket has a vehicle body mounting portion that is mounted on the vehicle body and a column support portion that supports the second steering column,
The vehicle body mounting portion has a mounting portion hole penetrating in a direction including the lateral direction component,
the column support has a support hole penetrating in a direction including the lateral direction component,
the mounting portion hole extends in a direction including the vertical component,
another fixing member inserted through the mounting hole and the supporting hole to fix the vehicle body mounting part and the column supporting part to each other;
When the first steering shaft receives a load in a direction including the vertical component, the first steering shaft, the first steering column and the first bracket move along the mounting hole. is movable in the direction containing the component,
A support device for a steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The steering column supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is for a manual steering device. The steering column supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is for an electric power steering device.

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