JP2023168046A - steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

To absorb an impact on a steering by a simple structure.SOLUTION: In a steering device 10, a slider 36 of a column module 20 is guided into a guide grove 38A of a reinforcement 38 to move the column module 20 and a steering. Here, when an impact acts on the steering, the slider 36 is fractured by the peripheral surface of the guide groove 38A, thereby allowing the steering and the column module 20 to rotate. Accordingly, the impact can absorbed by using the slider 36 and the guide groove 38A, and thus the impact can be absorbed by a simple structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a steering device in which a support body for supporting a steering wheel is attached to a mounting body.

In the vehicle steering device described in Patent Document 1 below, a steering column supports a steering wheel, a flange of the steering column is coupled to a bracket of a steering cross beam, and the steering column is attached to the steering cross beam. .

Here, in this vehicle steering device, when an impact is applied to the steering wheel, the steering wheel and the steering column are rotated to absorb the impact.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-89745

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned facts, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a steering device that can absorb shocks to the steering wheel with a simple configuration.

A steering device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a steering wheel that is steered to turn steerable wheels of a vehicle, a support body that supports the steering wheel in a steerable manner and is provided with a guided portion, and a guide portion. At the same time, the support body is attached in a state where the guided part and the guide part are engaged, the guided part is guided by the guide part and the position of the support body is adjusted, and the steering and a mounting body that absorbs the impact by releasing the engagement between the guided part and the guide part when an impact is applied to the guide part.

A steering device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the steering device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which at least one of the guided portion and the guide portion is deformed when an impact is applied to the steering wheel.

A steering device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, includes a strength reducing portion provided in at least one of the guided portion and the guiding portion, and whose strength is reduced. Be prepared.

A steering device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the steering device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, in which the attachment force of the support body to the attachment body can be adjusted.

A steering device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a steering device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the steering device is provided on at least one of the support body and the mounting body, and an impact is applied to the steering device. It has a deformation part that deforms when it is deformed.

In the steering device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the steering wheel is steered to turn the steered wheels of the vehicle. Further, the support body supports the steering so that the steering wheel can be steered, and the support body is attached to the attachment body in a state where the guided portion of the steering wheel and the guide portion of the attachment body are engaged with each other. Further, the guided portion is guided by the guide portion, and the position of the support body is adjusted.

Here, when an impact is applied to the steering wheel, the engagement between the guided part and the guide part is released, and the impact is absorbed. Therefore, since the guided portion and the guide portion can be used to absorb the impact, the impact can be absorbed with a simple configuration.

In the steering device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when an impact is applied to the steering, at least one of the guided portion and the guide portion is deformed. Therefore, the impact can be absorbed.

In the steering device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the strength of the reduced strength portion of at least one of the guided portion and the guided portion is reduced. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the steering wheel, the reduced strength portion is deformed, and at least one of the guided portion and the guide portion deforms to adjust the load for absorbing the impact.

In the steering device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the attachment force of the support body to the attachment body can be adjusted. Therefore, when an impact is applied to the steering wheel, the load for the support body and the mounting body to absorb the impact can be adjusted.

In the steering device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when an impact is applied to the steering wheel, the deformable portion of at least one of the support body and the attachment body is deformed. Therefore, the impact can be absorbed by the deformed portion.

1 is a front view of a steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, seen from the rear side of a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side and rear side of a vehicle. (A) is a sectional view of the bracket and reinforcement of the steering device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side of the vehicle, and (B) is a sectional view of the steering device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle seen from the right side and the front side of the vehicle, showing the reinforcement of the vehicle. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the bracket and reinforcement of the steering device according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side of the vehicle; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a bracket and reinforcement of a steering device according to a second modified example of the vehicle as viewed from the right side of the vehicle. (A) to (C) are cross-sectional views of the bracket and reinforcement of the steering device according to the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side of the vehicle; , (B) shows when the impact on the steering starts, and (C) shows after the start of the impact on the steering. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a bracket and reinforcement of a steering device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side of the vehicle. (A) and (B) are sectional views seen from the right side of the vehicle showing the bracket and reinforcement of the steering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the bracket and reinforcement of the steering device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; (B) shows the second tightening state of the bracket to the reinforcement.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a steering device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear side of the vehicle, and FIG. It is shown in a perspective view. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the right side of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow RH, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering device 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a steering wheel 12. As shown in FIGS. An inner portion 12A having a T-shape in front view is provided on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 12, and a rim portion 12B having a U-shape in front view as a grip portion is provided on the outer peripheral side of the steering wheel 12. The rim portion 12B is integrated with the vehicle left end, vehicle right end, and lower end of the inner portion 12A. The steering wheel 12 is directed toward the driver's seat of the vehicle on the rear side of the vehicle, and the steering wheel 12 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle with respect to an occupant (driver) seated in the driver's seat. Therefore, the occupant can grip the rim portion 12B and steer (rotate) the steering wheel 12 in the counterclockwise and clockwise directions.

On the inner side 12A of the steering wheel 12, a substantially box-shaped pad 14 made of resin and serving as a housing member is provided on the rear side of the vehicle at the central portion in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the inside of the pad 14 is open to the front side of the vehicle. An airbag device 16 is housed in both. The airbag device 16 is provided with a bag-shaped airbag (not shown) in a folded state, and the airbag device 16 is electrically connected to a control device 18 of the vehicle.

A substantially rectangular parallelepiped column module 20 serving as a support is provided on the vehicle front side of the steering wheel 12, and the column module 20 is arranged to be inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle.

A substantially cylindrical steering shaft 22 as a rotating member is rotatably supported by the column module 20, and the steering shaft 22 is tilted upward as it goes toward the rear of the vehicle, and tilted toward the rear of the vehicle. It has been extended. A portion above the inner side portion 12A of the steering shaft 12 and at the center in the left-right direction of the vehicle is fixed to the vehicle rear end of the steering shaft 22, and the steering shaft 22 supports the steering wheel 12. The steering shaft 22 is rotatable together with the steering of the steering wheel 12, and the direction of the steering axis of the steering wheel 12 is inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle.

An angle sensor 24 as a detection unit is provided in the column module 20, and the angle sensor 24 detects the rotation direction and rotation angle of the steering shaft 22 to detect the steering direction and steering angle of the steering wheel 12. . The angle sensor 24 is electrically connected to the control device 18, and the steering device 26 of the vehicle is electrically connected to the control device 18. The steering device 26 is mechanically connected to steered wheels 28 (for example, front wheels) of the vehicle, and when the steering wheel 12 is steered and the angle sensor 24 detects the steering direction and steering angle of the steering wheel 12, Under the control of the control device 18, the steering device 26 steers the steered wheels 28 in a steering direction and a steering angle corresponding to the steering direction and steering angle of the steering wheel 12. Thereby, the steering device 10 constitutes a steer-by-wire system, and the steering wheel 12 is configured to be electrically connected to the steered wheels 28 but not mechanically connected.

A metal, substantially cylindrical bracket 30 (see FIG. 3(A)) serving as a mounting portion is fixed to the lower surface of the column module 20, and the axial direction of the bracket 30 is in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The vehicle front side portion of the bracket 30 is separated in the circumferential direction, and rectangular plate-shaped mounting pieces 30A are integrally formed at both ends of the bracket 30 in the circumferential direction. The mounting pieces 30A extend outward in the radial direction of the bracket 30, and the pair of mounting pieces 30A are fastened together by bolts 32 and nuts 34 as adjustment mechanisms. A columnar fitting hole 30B is formed in the upper part of the bracket 30, and the fitting hole 30B is open to the inside (lower side) of the bracket 30 in the radial direction. A metal cylindrical slider 36 serving as a guided portion is fitted into the fitting hole 30B, and the slider 36 protrudes radially inward (lower side) of the bracket 30.

A metal, substantially cylindrical reinforcement 38 (see (A) and (B) in FIG. 3) as a mounting body is fitted into the bracket 30. Both ends in the axial direction are fixed to the vehicle body. A guide groove 38A having a rectangular cross section as a guide portion is formed in the upper part of the reinforcement 38, and the guide groove 38A extends in the entire axial direction of the reinforcement 38 and in the radial direction of the reinforcement 38. It is open to the outside (top).

The slider 36 of the column module 20 (bracket 30) is inserted into the guide groove 38A and is in communication with (engaged with), and by fitting the slider 36 into the guide groove 38A in the circumferential direction of the reinforcement 38, Rotation of the bracket 30 around the reinforcement 38 is restricted, and rotation of the column module 20 and the steering 12 around the reinforcement 38 is restricted.

The slider 36 is guided by the guide groove 38A and is movable (slides), so that the bracket 30 is movable in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38, and the column module 20 and the steering 12 are moved to the reinforcement 38. is movable in the axial direction. As described above, the bracket 30 is tightened (attached) to the reinforcement 38 by fastening the pair of mounting pieces 30A of the bracket 30 with the bolts 32 and nuts 34, and thereby the reinforcement of the bracket 30 is tightened (attached). The movement of the column module 20 and the steering 12 in the direction of the reinforcement 38 axis is restricted.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In the steering device 10 having the above configuration, the slider 36 of the bracket 30 is guided to the guide groove 38A of the reinforcement 38 when the pair of mounting pieces 30A of the bracket 30 in the column module 20 are not fastened with the bolts 32 and nuts 34. By being moved, the bracket 30 is moved in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38, and the column module 20 and the steering 12 are moved in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38. Therefore, unlike the case where the steering wheel 12 is mechanically connected to the steered wheels 28, the mounting positions of the column module 20 and the steering wheel 12 on the vehicle can be adjusted in the left-right direction of the vehicle (in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38). Therefore, the degree of freedom in mounting the column module 20 and the steering wheel 12 on the vehicle is improved.

By the way, in the event of a vehicle collision, high-pressure gas is instantaneously supplied into the airbag of the airbag device 16 in the steering wheel 12 under the control of the control device 18, and the airbag is inflated. 14 is broken and deployed over the entire rear side of the steering wheel 12 of the vehicle. As a result, even if the occupant's head collides with the airbag, the impact from the occupant's head is absorbed by the airbag.

Furthermore, even if an impact from the occupant's head is applied to the steering wheel 12 through the airbag and a rotational force is applied to the steering wheel 12 and the column module 20 toward the front and upper side of the vehicle, the slider 36 of the bracket 30 remains in the link position. The bracket 30 is broken by the circumferential surface of the guide groove 38A of the force 38, and the bracket 30 is rotated around the reinforcement 38 against the frictional force with the reinforcement 38. Therefore, rotation of the steering wheel 12 and the column module 20 toward the front side and the upper side of the vehicle is allowed, and the impact from the occupant's head is absorbed by the fracture of the slider 36 and the frictional force between the bracket 30 and the reinforcement 38.

Here, as described above, when an impact from the occupant's head is applied to the steering wheel 12, the slider 36 of the bracket 30 and the guide groove 38A of the reinforcement 38 are disconnected, and the impact is absorbed. be done. Therefore, since the impact can be absorbed using the slider 36 and the guide groove 38A, the impact can be absorbed with a simple configuration, and the structure for absorbing the impact can be made smaller and lighter.

Further, when an impact from the head of the occupant is applied to the steering wheel 12, the slider 36 is broken (deformed). Therefore, the impact can be absorbed.

Moreover, by adjusting the fastening force of the bolt 32 and nut 34 of the pair of attachment pieces 30A of the bracket 30, the tightening force (attachment force) of the bracket 30 to the reinforcement 38 is adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the frictional force between the bracket 30 and the reinforcement 38 when the bracket 30 is rotated around the reinforcement 38 due to the impact from the occupant's head acting on the steering 12. The load for absorbing the impact can be adjusted by frictional force.

(First modification)
FIG. 4A shows a sectional view of the bracket 30 and the reinforcement 38 of the steering device 50 according to the first modification of the present embodiment, as viewed from the right side of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the steering device 50 according to the first modification, in the bracket 30 of the column module 20, a constricted portion 36A as a strength decreasing portion is coaxially formed in the axially intermediate portion of the slider 36. The diameter of the constricted portion 36A decreases from both axial ends toward the axial center, and its strength decreases.

Here, when an impact from the occupant's head is applied to the steering wheel 12, the slider 36 is broken (deformed) at the axial center of the constricted portion 36A by the circumferential surface of the guide groove 38A of the reinforcement 38. Therefore, the load required for the slider 36 to absorb the impact by breaking can be adjusted.

(Second modification)
FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket 30 and the reinforcement 38 of the steering device 60 according to a second modification of the present embodiment, as viewed from the right side of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4(B), in the steering device 60 according to the second modification, the bracket 30 of the column module 20 has a cylindrical constricted portion 36B as a strength reducing portion in the axially intermediate portion of the slider 36. The constricted portion 36B is formed coaxially, and the diameter of the constricted portion 36B is reduced to reduce its strength.

Here, when an impact from the occupant's head is applied to the steering wheel 12, the slider 36 is broken (deformed) at the constricted portion 36B by the circumferential surface of the guide groove 38A of the reinforcement 38. Therefore, the load required for the slider 36 to absorb the impact by breaking can be adjusted.

(Third modification)
FIG. 5A shows a sectional view of the bracket 30 and reinforcement 38 of a steering device 70 according to a third modification of the present embodiment, as viewed from the right side of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5(A), in the steering device 70 according to the third modification, in the bracket 30 of the column module 20, the lower part of the slider 36 is coaxially shaped like a truncated cone, and the peripheral surface has an inclined surface 36C. The lower part of the slider 36 has a diameter that becomes smaller toward the lower side. A coiled spring 72 as a biasing member is stretched between the top surface of the slider 36 and the bottom surface (top surface) of the fitting hole 30B of the bracket 30, and the spring 72 is compressed in the axial direction. , which urges the slider 36 downward.

Here, when an impact from the occupant's head is applied to the steering wheel 12, the slider 36 causes the slope 36C to come into contact with the vehicle front and upper corner of the guide groove 38A of the reinforcement 38, causing the slider 36 to spring. 72 (see FIG. 5(B)), the slider 36 is disengaged from the guide groove 38A and disconnected from the guide groove 38A (see FIG. 5(B)). See C). Therefore, the impact can be absorbed by the frictional force between the slider 36 and the corner of the guide groove 38A and the biasing force of the spring 72.

[Second embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the bracket 30 and reinforcement 38 of a steering device 80 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the right side of the vehicle.

The steering device 80 according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment, but differs in the following points.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the steering device 80 according to the present embodiment, in the column module 20, a plurality of substantially triangular prism-shaped outer protrusions 30C as guided parts and deformable parts are integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bracket 30. The plurality of external protrusions 30C are arranged continuously in the circumferential direction of the bracket 30, and each extends in the entire axial direction of the bracket 30.

A plurality of substantially triangular prism-shaped inner protrusions 38B are integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcement 38 as a guide portion and a deformable portion, and the plurality of inner protrusions 38B are arranged continuously in the circumferential direction of the reinforcement 38. and extend throughout the entire axial direction of the reinforcement 38. The outer protrusion 30C of the column module 20 (bracket 30) is inserted and communicated (engaged) between the inner protrusions 38B, and the outer protrusion 30C is fitted between the inner protrusions 38B in the circumferential direction of the reinforcement 38. By doing so, the rotation of the bracket 30 around the reinforcement 38 is restricted, and the rotation of the column module 20 and the steering wheel 12 around the reinforcement 38 is restricted.

The outer protrusion 30C is guided between the inner protrusions 38B so that it can move (slide), so that the bracket 30 is movable in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38, and the column module 20 and steering 12 are moved in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38. It is movable in the axial direction of the force 38. Further, the pair of mounting pieces 30A of the bracket 30 are fastened with the bolts 32 and nuts 34, and the bracket 30 is tightened (attached) to the reinforcement 38, whereby the reinforcement 38 of the bracket 30 is axially The movement of the column module 20 and the steering 12 in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38 is restricted.

Here, while the pair of mounting pieces 30A of the bracket 30 in the column module 20 are not fastened with the bolts 32 and nuts 34, the outer protrusion 30C of the bracket 30 is guided between the inner protrusions 38B of the reinforcement 38 and moved. Then, the bracket 30 is moved in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38, and the column module 20 and the steering wheel 12 are moved in the axial direction of the reinforcement 38.

Furthermore, even if a shock from the occupant's head is applied to the steering wheel 12 through the airbag during a vehicle collision, and a rotational force is applied to the steering wheel 12 and the column module 20 toward the front side and upper side of the vehicle, the bracket 30 At least one of the outer protrusion 30C and the inner protrusion 38B of the reinforcement 38 is broken (deformed), and the bracket 30 rotates around the reinforcement 38 against the frictional force with the reinforcement 38 (or the outer protrusion 30C). be done. Therefore, rotation of the steering wheel 12 and the column module 20 toward the front side and the upper side of the vehicle is allowed, and the impact from the occupant's head causes breakage of at least one of the outer projection 30C and the inner projection 38B, and the bracket 30 and the reinforcement 38 ( It is absorbed by the frictional force with the external protrusion 30C).

As a result, this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

Note that in this embodiment, the slider 36 (including the spring 72 in the third modification) and the guide groove 38A in the first embodiment (the first to third modifications may also be used) may be provided.

[Third embodiment]
7A and 7B show a bracket 30 and a reinforcement 38 of a steering device 90 according to a third embodiment of the present invention in cross-sectional view as viewed from the right side of the vehicle.

The steering device 90 according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment described above, but differs in the following points.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the steering device 90 according to the present embodiment, in the bracket 30 of the column module 20, the base end of the rod-shaped lever 32A as an operating member is attached to the head of the bolt 32. are connected. The lever 32A extends radially outward from the bolt 32, and when the lever 32A is rotated, the bolt 32 is rotated together with the lever 32A. The nut 34 is fixed to one mounting piece 30A of the bracket 30, and when the bolt 32 is rotated, the bolt 32 is rotated relative to the nut 34, and the bolt 32 and nut 34 of the pair of mounting pieces 30A are rotated. The fastening force is adjusted.

Here, in this embodiment as well, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

Further, by rotating the lever 32A, the bolt 32 is rotated relative to the nut 34, and the fastening force of the bolt 32 and nut 34 of the pair of attachment pieces 30A on the bracket 30 is adjusted. Therefore, the fastening force of the bolt 32 and nut 34 of the pair of mounting pieces 30A can be easily adjusted, and the fastening force (attachment force) of the bracket 30 to the reinforcement 38 can be easily adjusted. This makes it possible to easily adjust the frictional force between the bracket 30 and the reinforcement 38 when the bracket 30 is rotated around the reinforcement 38 due to the impact from the occupant's head acting on the steering 12. The load for the reinforcement 38 to absorb the impact can be easily adjusted by the frictional force.

Note that this embodiment is applied to the first embodiment described above. However, this embodiment may be applied to the first to third variations of the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Steering device, 12... Steering, 20... Column module (support body), 28... Steering wheel, 30C... External projection (guided part, deformation part), 36... Slider (guided part), 36A... Constricted part (strength reduced part), 36B... Constricted part (strength reduced part), 38... Reinforcement (mounting body), 38A... Guide groove (guide part), 38B...inner protrusion (guide part, deformation part), 50... steering device, 60... steering device, 70... steering device, 80... steering device, 90... steering Device

Claims (5)

a steering wheel that is steered to turn the steering wheels of the vehicle;
a support that steerably supports the steering wheel and is provided with a guided portion;
A guide portion is provided, and the support body is attached with the guided portion and the guide portion engaged, and the guided portion is guided by the guide portion to adjust the position of the support body. and a mounting body that absorbs the impact by releasing the engagement between the guided part and the guiding part when an impact is applied to the steering;
A steering device comprising: The steering device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the guided portion and the guide portion is deformed when an impact is applied to the steering wheel. The steering device according to claim 1, further comprising a strength reducing portion provided in at least one of the guided portion and the guiding portion, the strength of which is reduced. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment force of the support body to the attachment body is adjustable. The steering device according to claim 1, further comprising a deformable portion provided on at least one of the support body and the mounting body, and deformed when an impact is applied to the steering wheel.