JP2023077175A - steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

To facilitate control of steering operations.SOLUTION: A steering column device 10 is configured so that an operation device 22 drives an upper motor 26A and a lower motor 26B to move an upper nut 34A and a lower nut 34B, thereby making straight or tilting a steering column 14 and a steering. At this time, the upper motor 26A and a lower motor 26B are driven and each of the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are moved. Thus, operations of the steering column 14 and the steering can be easily controlled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a steering column device in which a steering column is operated and steering is operated.

In the electric steering column device described in Patent Document 1 below, a column body is supported at different positions by bolts and a drive shaft. is operated.

Here, in this electric steering column device, the bolt is not actuated while the drive shaft is actuated.

JP 2008-143441 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering column device that can easily control the steering operation.

A steering column device according to a first aspect of the present invention supports a steering column that supports steering, and supports the steering column at positions different from each other, and is operable. a pair of operating parts that are operated to operate the steering.

A steering column device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which the pair of operating portions are arranged on the upper side and the lower side.

A steering column device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, in which the pair of operating portions are arranged laterally of the steering column.

A steering column device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the steering column device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, in which the distance between the pair of operating portions is allowed to change.

In the steering column device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the steering column supports the steering, and the pair of actuating portions supports the steering column at positions different from each other, and at least one of the pair of actuating portions is actuated. Then, the steering column is operated and the steering is operated.

Here, a pair of actuating portions are respectively actuated. Therefore, the operation of the steering column can be easily controlled by actuating the pair of operating portions, and the operation of the steering can be easily controlled.

In the steering column device of the second aspect of the present invention, the pair of operating parts are arranged on the upper side and the lower side. Therefore, the size of the steering column device can be reduced in the lateral direction.

In the steering column device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the pair of operating parts are arranged laterally of the steering column. Therefore, the steering column device can be made smaller in the vertical direction.

In the steering column device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, change in distance between the pair of operating portions is allowed. Therefore, the pair of operating parts can operate appropriately.

1 is a perspective view of a steering column device according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear side of the vehicle and the left side of the vehicle; FIG. It is a side view seen from the vehicle left side showing the telescopic operation of the steering column device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view seen from the left side of the vehicle, showing details of the telescopic operation of the steering column device according to the embodiment of the present invention; It is the side view seen from the vehicle left-hand side which shows the tilt operation of the steering column apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a side view seen from the left side of the vehicle, showing details of the tilting operation of the steering column device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a steering column device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the rear side and left side of the vehicle, and FIG. 2 shows the steering column device 10 viewed from the left side of the vehicle. Shown in side view. In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates the front side of the vehicle, an arrow RH indicates the right side of the vehicle, and an arrow UP indicates the upper side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a steering column device 10 according to this embodiment is supported by a steering support 12 of a vehicle, and the steering support 12 is fixed within an instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle. there is The steering support 12 is provided with an upper wall and a vehicle right side wall, and the interior of the steering support 12 is open to the vehicle front side, vehicle rear side, vehicle left side and bottom side. A fixed column 12A in the shape of a long rectangular column is provided as a fixed portion at the vehicle front side end and the vehicle rear side end of the vehicle left side end of the steering support 12. The fixed column 12A is located above the steering support 12. Extending downward from the wall.

A cylindrical steering column 14 is disposed within the steering support 12. The steering column 14 has an axial direction in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extends to the front side and the rear side of the vehicle from the steering support 12. there is A portion of the steering column 14 on the vehicle rear side of the steering support 12 is covered with a substantially cylindrical column cover (not shown) as a covering member, and the column cover is fixed to the steering column 14 . The steering column 14 and the column cover penetrate the instrument panel so as to be vertically movable, and the steering column 14 and the column cover protrude from the instrument panel toward the vehicle rear side.

A rectangular connecting plate 16 (see FIG. 3) as a connecting member is fixed to the vehicle left side of the steering column 14 in the steering support 12. The connecting plate 16 is elongated in the vertical direction. , is arranged on the right side of the vehicle from the pair of fixed columns 12A of the steering support 12. As shown in FIG. An upper connecting hole 16A and a lower connecting hole 16B having the same configuration as connecting portions are formed through the upper portion and the lower portion of the connecting plate 16, respectively. , and their positions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle coincide with each other. Upper and lower end portions of the upper and lower connecting holes 16A and 16B are semicircular, and upper and lower surfaces of the upper and lower connecting holes 16A and 16B are convexly curved.

A cylindrical steering shaft 18 is rotatably fitted in the steering column 14 . The steering shaft 18 is supported by the steering column 14 and protrudes from the steering column 14 toward the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side. ing.

A steering 20 (steering wheel) is supported at the vehicle rear end of the steering shaft 18 . A T-shaped inner portion 20A in a front view is provided on the inner peripheral side of the steering 20, and the steering 20 is fixed to the vehicle rear end portion of the steering shaft 18 at the inner portion 20A. A ring-shaped rim portion 20B is provided on the outer periphery of the steering wheel 20 when viewed from the front. The steering wheel 20 is directed toward the driver's seat of the vehicle on the rear side of the vehicle, and the steering wheel 20 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle for an occupant (driver) seated on the driver's seat. When the passenger turns the steering wheel 20, the steering shaft 18 is rotated together with the steering wheel 20 to steer the vehicle.

An actuator 22 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the vehicle left side of the steering support 12 .

The operating device 22 is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped case 24 as a housing member. and enlarged in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

An upper motor 26A and a lower motor 26B having the same configuration as driving devices are fixed to the upper and lower parts of the case 24 on the front side of the vehicle, respectively. out and inserted into the case 24 . An upper output gear 28A and a lower output gear 28B having the same configuration as the first gear are coaxially fixed to the output shafts of the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B, respectively. , are arranged in the vehicle front end of the case 24 .

An upper feed screw 30A and a lower feed screw 30B having the same configuration as guide members are provided in the upper and lower parts of the case 24, respectively, and the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B are substantially cylindrical. In addition, a male thread is formed on the outer periphery. The vehicle rear end portions of the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B are rotatably supported by the vehicle rear side wall of the case 24, and the vehicle front end portions of the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B are supported by the case 24. The axial direction of the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

An upper working gear 32A and a lower working gear 32B having the same configuration as a second gear are coaxially fixed in the vicinity of vehicle front end portions of the upper feeding screw 30A and the lower feeding screw 30B. The lower operating gear 32B is meshed with the upper output gear 28A and the lower output gear 28B, respectively. The diameters of the upper working gear 32A and the lower working gear 32B are larger than the diameters of the upper output gear 28A and the lower output gear 28B, respectively. The upper working gear 32A and the lower working gear 32B are rotated at reduced speed.

An upper nut 34A and a lower nut 34B having the same configuration as operating portions are arranged on the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B, respectively, on the rear side of the vehicle from the upper operating gear 32A and the lower operating gear 32B. The nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are substantially cylindrical. An upper feed screw 30A and a lower feed screw 30B pass through the insides of the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B, respectively. Female threads are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B, and male threads of the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B are screwed into the female threads of the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B, respectively. are combined. The outer shape of the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B is substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are fitted between the vehicle left side wall and the vehicle right side wall of the case 24 to prevent rotation. is stopped.

An upper support column 36A and a lower support column 36B having the same configuration as support portions are fixed to the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B, respectively. They protrude to the right and are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The upper support column 36A and the lower support column 36B are penetrated through the vehicle right side wall of the case 24 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. are inserted into the upper connecting hole 16A and the lower connecting hole 16B. The upper support column 36A and the lower support column 36B are fitted in the upper connection hole 16A and the lower connection hole 16B, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and are in contact with the lower surface of the upper connection hole 16A and the upper surface of the lower connection hole 16B. Therefore, movement of the connecting plate 16 in the lateral direction of the vehicle with respect to the upper support column 36A and the lower support column 36B is blocked. Therefore, the steering column 14 is supported by the upper support column 36A and the lower support column 36B.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B of the actuator 22 are electrically connected to a control device 38, to which a switch 40 as an operation device is electrically connected. ing. The switch 40 is operable by the passenger, and when the switch 40 is operated, at least one of the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B is driven under the control of the control device 38 .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In the steering column device 10 configured as described above, the upper motor 26A is driven in the operating device 22 to rotate the upper output gear 28A, the upper operating gear 32A and the upper feed screw 30A, whereby the upper nut 34A (upper support column 36A) is moved (actuated) in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the upper feed screw 30A, and the upper connecting hole 16A of the steering column 14 (connecting plate 16) is moved in the vehicle longitudinal direction together with the upper nut 34A. Further, in the actuator 22, the lower motor 26B is driven to rotate the lower output gear 28B, the lower operating gear 32B, and the lower feed screw 30B, thereby lowering the lower nut 34B (including the lower support column 36B). The lower connecting hole 16B of the steering column 14 (connecting plate 16) is moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle together with the lower nut 34B by moving (actuating) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the screw 30B.

When the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B are driven at the same speed and the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are moved at the same speed in the same direction in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are used for steering. The column 14, the column cover, the steering shaft 18, and the steering 20 are telescopically moved (translated) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B move toward the rear side of the vehicle at the same speed, so that the steering wheel 20 moves straight toward the rear side of the vehicle and approaches the occupant. On the other hand, the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are moved to the front side of the vehicle at the same speed, so that the steering wheel 20 moves straight to the front side of the vehicle, and the steering wheel 20 is separated from the occupant.

When the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B are driven at the same speed, for example, and the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B move relative to each other in the opposite directions of the vehicle longitudinal direction, the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B move the steering column. 14, the column cover, the steering shaft 18 and the steering wheel 20 are tilted in the vertical direction for tilting (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Therefore, the upper nut 34A is moved toward the front side of the vehicle relative to the lower nut 34B (the lower nut 34B is moved toward the rear side of the vehicle relative to the upper nut 34A), whereby the steering wheel 20 is rotated upward. , the orientation is changed to upward. On the other hand, the upper nut 34A is moved toward the rear side of the vehicle relative to the lower nut 34B (the lower nut 34B is moved toward the front side of the vehicle relative to the upper nut 34A), whereby the steering wheel 20 is rotated downward. , the orientation is changed to downward.

Here, the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B are driven to move the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B, respectively. Therefore, the steering column 14 can be effectively operated by moving the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B, the operation of the steering column 14 can be easily controlled, and the operation of the steering wheel 20 can be easily controlled.

For example, when the steering column 14 is moved straight, regardless of the tilted position of the steering column 14, the movement of the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B can effectively move the steering column 14 straight. can be effectively straightened. Furthermore, when the steering column 14 is tilted, the steering column 14 can be effectively tilted by moving the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B regardless of the straight-ahead position of the steering column 14. can be effectively rotated.

As a result, the output of each of the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B can be reduced, and the size of the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B can be reduced.

In addition, regardless of the tilting position of the steering column 14, the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B are driven at the same speed, and the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are moved at the same speed in the same direction. 14 is moved straight (translated). Therefore, it is possible to easily control the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B for moving the steering column 14 straight.

Further, the upper connecting hole 16A of the steering column 14 (connecting plate 16) into which the upper supporting column 36A of the upper nut 34A is inserted is elongated, and the steering column 14 into which the lower supporting column 36B of the lower nut 34B is inserted. By lengthening the lower connecting hole 16B of the connecting plate 16, the distance between the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B is allowed to change. Therefore, even when the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B are relatively moved and the distance between the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B is changed, the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B can be moved appropriately.

In the actuator 22, an upper feed screw 30A and a lower feed screw 30B are vertically arranged, and an upper nut 34A and a lower nut 34B are arranged above and below. Therefore, the operating device 22 can be downsized in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the vehicle, and the steering column device 10 can be downsized in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

Further, the operating device 22 (upper nut 34A, lower nut 34B, etc.) is arranged on the side of the steering column 14 (left side of the vehicle). Therefore, the steering column device 10 can be made smaller in the vertical direction. As a result, unlike the case where the actuator 22 is arranged above the steering column 14, the member above the steering column 14 of the vehicle (for example, the steering support 12, reinforcement, instrument panel meter, head-up display, etc.) installation on the vehicle can be suppressed from being hindered by the actuation device 22 . Furthermore, unlike the case where the actuator 22 is arranged below the steering column 14, the space below the steering column 14 of the vehicle can be prevented from being narrowed by the actuator 22, and the column cover can be positioned at the actuator 22. It is possible to suppress deterioration in the design of the column cover due to the downward enlargement of the column cover in order to cover the rear side of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, when the actuator 22 is operated, one of the upper motor 26A and the lower motor 26B may be driven to move one of the upper nut 34A and the lower nut 34B.

Further, in the present embodiment, the upper motor 26A, the lower motor 26B, the upper output gear 28A, the lower output gear 28B, the upper operating gear 32A and the upper operating gear 32A are provided on the vehicle front side of the case 24 (the vehicle front side of the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B). A lower operating gear 32B is arranged. However, the upper motor 26A, the upper output gear 28A and the upper operating gear 32A may be arranged on the vehicle rear side of the case 24 (the vehicle rear side of the upper feed screw 30A), and the case 24 on the vehicle rear side (the lower feed screw 30B). The lower motor 26B, the lower output gear 28B, and the lower operating gear 32B may be arranged on the rear side of the vehicle).

Further, in this embodiment, the axial direction of the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B is the vehicle front-rear direction. However, the axial directions of the upper feed screw 30A and the lower feed screw 30B may be non-parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It may be tilted in the facing direction.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the actuator 22 is arranged on the vehicle left side of the steering column 14 . However, the actuator 22 may be arranged on the vehicle right side, above or below the steering column 14 .

10 Steering column device 14 Steering column 20 Steering 34A Upper nut (operating portion) 34B Lower nut (operating portion)

Claims (4)

a steering column that supports the steering;
a pair of actuating parts that support the steering column at positions different from each other, are respectively operable, and actuate at least one of the actuating parts to operate the steering column to operate the steering;
A steering column device. 2. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of operating portions are arranged on the upper side and the lower side. 3. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of operating parts are arranged on the sides of the steering column. The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a change in distance between the pair of operating portions is permitted.

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