JP2611293B2 - Steering device - Google Patents

Description

Description: Object of the Invention (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a steering device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a locking device for a steering device having a flip-up mechanism.

(Prior Art) A conventional steering device of this type is disclosed in
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 21860 is known. this is,
A locking hole is formed in a movable bracket fixed to a steering column assembly including a steering column, a steering shaft, a column shaft, and the like, and a locking bracket fixed to a vehicle body and pivotally supported by the movable bracket so that the movable bracket can swing. A lock member is provided which can be disengaged and is always urged in a direction in which the lock hole is engaged with the return spring, and the lock members are slid against the urging force of the return spring to lock the lock hole. And the lock member is disengaged, so that the steering column assembly can be swung together with the movable bracket.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-described steering device, the swinging of the steering column assembly and the movable bracket is restricted and held only by the engagement of the locking member and the locking hole, and therefore, the steering device is required. When a heavy load is applied from the wheel side, skewing occurs at the sliding part of the locking member,
As a result, the operating force is increased, rattling occurs between the locking member and the locking hole, the steering handle vibrates due to the vibration of the vehicle, and the engagement between the locking hole and the locking member. There was a danger that the lock due to might come off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a locking device capable of more reliably holding a steering column assembly.

[Configuration of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The technical measures taken in the present invention to solve the above technical problems include a main shaft to which a handle is fixed at one end, and a rotatable support for the main shaft. An upper tube, an intermediate shaft having one end connected to the other end of the main shaft via a universal joint, a lower tube rotatably supporting the intermediate shaft, and an opposing surface of the lower tube and the upper tube. A first bracket and a second bracket fixedly attached to the ends and pivotally connected to each other to swingably hold the main shaft and the upper tube with respect to the lower tube; and a first bracket formed on the second bracket. Claw and second
A claw portion, a first stopper formed on the first bracket and configured to abut the first claw portion to restrict swinging of the main shaft and the upper tube to set a return position of the handle; A second stopper formed on one bracket and abutting on the second claw to restrict swinging of the main shaft and the up tube to set a flip-up position of the handle; and the first stopper and the second stopper. A cam rotatably supported between the first stopper and the second stopper at the return position and the flip-up position between the first stopper and the second stopper; A lever rotatably supported by the first bracket and abutting on the cam at the return position and the flip-up position to restrict rotation of the cam; Is to have a biasing means for biasing said lever to said first stopper or said second stopper with disposed between the bracket and the lever rotates with the rotation of the lever.

(Operation) The above technical means operates as follows. In the return state, the first claw portion is sandwiched between the first stopper and the cam, and the cam comes into contact with the lever to restrict the rotation of the cam.
The swing of the main shaft and the upper tube is restricted, and the handle is held at the return position. In this state,
When the lever is rotated, the lever releases the rotation restriction of the cam and rotates the cam, releasing the clamp between the cam of the first claw portion and the first stopper to swing the main shaft and the upper tube. State and swing the handle up. In this state, the second claw portion is
The stopper comes into contact with the stopper, the second claw portion is held between the second stopper and the cam by the rotation of the cam, and the rotation of the cam is restricted by the contact of the cam with the lever. And the handle is held at the flip-up position. In this manner, the handle is at the return position and the flip-up position, and the first claw or the second claw is held between the first stopper or the second stopper and the cam, and the cam is turned by the contact between the cam and the lever. Since the movement is regulated, the swinging of the steering shaft and the tube is regulated and held, so that even if a large load is applied to the steering wheel, the steering force does not increase and the operating force does not increase. The play can be prevented, and the steering wheel does not vibrate or the lock does not come off due to the vibration of the vehicle or the like.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a gear box (not shown) for transmitting power to a tire (not shown) of the vehicle can swing on a shaft 39 via a shaft or the like (not shown). The main shaft 3 is connected via a universal joint 2 to one end of the intermediate shaft 1 connected to the main shaft 3 so as to be swingable and integrally rotate. A handle 4 is fixed to the other end of the main shaft 3 so as to rotate integrally therewith. Therefore, when the handle 4 is rotated, it is transmitted to the gear box via the main shaft 3, the universal joint 2, and the intermediate shaft 1, and the tire of the vehicle operates.

The intermediate shaft 1 is rotatably supported in the lower tube 5 through a bearing or the like (not shown), and the main shaft 3 is rotatably supported in the upper tube 6 through a bearing or the like (not shown). ing.
Further, a U-shaped first bracket 7 having two flanges 7a formed thereon is fixed to one end of the lower tube 5, and a U-shaped bracket having two flanges 8a formed at the other end of the upper tube 6. The second bracket 8 is fixed. The second bracket 8 is connected to the first bracket 7 by fitting a flange portion 7a and a flange portion 8a, and is swingably supported by bolts 9. As a result, the upper housing 6 is swingably supported by the lower housing 5 via the first and second brackets 7 and 8, and integrally swings with the swing of the main shaft 3.

The other end of the lower tube 5 has a first mounting bracket 11 fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) via two links 10.
Is held in. One end of the link 10 is rotatably supported by the lower tube 5 with a bolt 38, and the other end is rotatably supported by the first mounting bracket 11 with a bolt 37. This allows the intermediate shaft 1 and the lower tube 5 to slide back and forth. A cord 12 is provided between the first mounting bracket 11 and the second bracket 8.
A spring 13 is disposed via the main shaft 3 and the attachment 6 so that the main shaft 3 and the attachment 6 are always in the third position around the pin 9.
It is urged to swing clockwise in the figure.

A third bracket 14 is fixed in the vicinity of the lower bracket 5 to which the first bracket 7 is fixed. This fifth
The bracket 14 has two flanges 15a formed therein, and a second mounting bracket 15 fixed to the body of the vehicle body is fitted into the bracket 15 to form an elongated hole 15a.
It is supported by bolts 16 via b. This slot 15b
Thereby, the swing range of the intermediate shaft 1 and the lower tube 5 is regulated. In addition, the bolt 16 has a washer 17
The nut 18 is screwed through the nut 18 and the nut 18 is tightened by the rotation of the tilt lever 19 fixed to the nut 18, so that the flange 15a of the second mounting bracket 15 and the third bracket 14 are brought into close contact with each other. The swing of the intermediate shaft 1 and the lower tube 5 is restricted so that the intermediate shaft 1 and the lower shaft 5 can be held at arbitrary positions.

Further, a fourth bracket 40 is fixed to the flange portion 7a of the first bracket 7. The case 20 is fixed to the fourth bracket 40. In this case 20, the motor 21
And a gear 23 meshing with a worm 22 fixed so as to rotate integrally with the shaft of the motor 21, and a gear rotating integrally with the gear 23
24, and a tooth portion 24a of the gear 24 protrudes outside of the case 20.

Each of the bolts 9 is rotatably supported by a lever 25 and is connected by a shaft 26. A torsion spring 27 is provided between the lever 25 and the second bracket 8. This torsion spring 27 is a lever
The lever 25 can be integrally rotated around the bolt 9 with the rotation of the lever 25, and biases the lever 25 clockwise or counterclockwise in the third illustration depending on its position. A gear 29 having pawls 29a and 29b is pivotally supported on the bolt 9 on the fourth bracket 40 side via a washer 28. The gear 29 is engaged with the gear 24. Further, flanges 25a and 25b are formed on both sides of the lever 25 pivotally supported by the bolt 9 on the fourth bracket 40 side, and the flanges 25a and 25b can be brought into contact with the claws 29a and 29b. I'm sorry. Thereby, the rotational force of the motor 21 is transmitted to the gear 29 via the worm 24, and further, the claw portions 29a, 29
The contact between b and the flange portions 25a and 25b is transmitted to the lever 25, and the lever rotates.

Claw portions 3 are provided at both lower ends of the brim portions 8a and 8b of the second bracket 8.
3,34 are formed respectively. Further, the first bracket 7 is formed with a stopper 35 that can contact the surface 33a of the claw portion 33 and a stopper 36 that can contact the surface 34a of the claw portion 34. The main shaft 3 and the stopper 36 are formed by the stopper 36. The swing range of the attachment 5 is regulated.

Pins 30 are implanted at positions corresponding to the claw portions 33 and 34 of the flange portions 7a and 7b of the first bracket 7, and the pins 30 have cam surfaces 31a and 31c and arc portions, respectively. A cam 31 having a formed 31b is pivotably supported. This cam 31 has a claw
The surface 31d of the cam 31 is in contact with the surface 33b of the claw 33, and the surface 31e is a surface 34b of the claw 34.
It is possible to abut. The cam surfaces 31a and 31c are
Of a circular arc shape that opposes the rotation locus of
Are formed along the outer periphery of the collar 32 fixed to both ends of the collar 32, and are engageable with the collar 32. In addition, the arc
31b has a shape along the outer periphery of the collar 32 and a shape into which the collar 32 fits, and can be fitted to the collar 32.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

The state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is a return state, which is a state at the time of normal running, and the lower bracket 5 is brought into close contact with the flange 15a of the second mounting bracket 15 by tightening the nut 18 and the third bracket 14. Since the swing is regulated, the swing of the intermediate shaft 1 and the main shaft 3 about the shaft 39 is regulated, and the pawl 33 of the second bracket 8 is moved by the cam 31, the stopper 35 and the lever 25. While engaging the shaft 32 of the shaft 26 connected to
The urging force of the torsion spring 27 urges the collar 32 in a counterclockwise direction to restrict the rotation of the cam 31 and the swing of the attachment 6, thereby preventing the bolt 9 from rotating.
The swinging of the main shaft centered on is restricted.

When the tilt lever 19 is pulled down from this state,
The nut 18 is loosened and the contact between the flange 15a of the second mounting bracket 15 and the third bracket 14 is released, so that the lower tube 5 and the upper tube 6 can swing along the elongated hole 15b, and the intermediate shaft 1 and the main shaft 3
Can swing about the shaft 39. Thereby, the position of the steering wheel 4 can be adjusted to an arbitrary upper and lower position as shown by the two-dot chain lines 4a and 4b in the third illustration, and the steering wheel 4 can be positioned at a desired position of the driver. At this time,
The aperture 6 swings up and down while moving back and forth by the link 10 together with the intermediate shaft 1 and the main shaft 3. Thereafter, when the tilt lever 19 is pulled upward, the nut 18 is tightened, and the flange 15a of the second bracket 15 and the third bracket 14 come into close contact with each other. Is held in the position. In the above-described tilt operation, since the swing center is formed at a position farther than the handle 4, the position of the handle can be more finely adjusted, and the operability of the handle 4 can be further improved.

Next, from the state shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.
When the 21 is operated, the gear 29 rotates via the worm 22, the gear 23 and the gear 24. By the rotation of the gear 29, the gear
When the claw portion 29a of the 29 and the flange portion 25a of the lever 25 abut,
Lever 25 rotates torsion spring 27 by rotation of gear 29
Rotate in the third clockwise direction in FIG. By the rotation of the lever 25, the shaft 26 also rotates in the same direction, the engagement between the collar 32 and the cam surface 31a of the cam 31 is released, and the circular arc portion 31b
The cam 31 rotates together with the lever 25 in the third clockwise direction in FIG. This allows the stopper 35 and cam
The holding of the claw 33 of the second bracket 8 with the surface 31d of the base 31 is released, and the attachment 6 can swing about the pin 9. As a result, the second bracket 8 is pulled by the urging force of the spring 13. Then, the aperture 6 and the main shaft 3 swing clockwise until the claw portion 34 comes into contact with the stopper 36, and the handle 4 is flipped up as shown by the two-dot chain line 4c in FIG. During this time, since the motor 21 continues to operate, the lever 25 further continues to rotate clockwise in the third illustration, and the cam 31 also continues to rotate due to the engagement between the arc portion 31b and the collar 32. As a result, the claw portion 34 is sandwiched between the stopper 36 and the surface 31e of the cam 31, and thereafter, the collar 32 is
By the rotation of, it comes off from the arc portion 31b and engages with the cam surface 31c. At this time, the torsion spring 27 rotates clockwise in the third illustration as the lever 25 rotates, so that the torsion spring 27 moves rightward in the third illustration from the line connecting the bolt 9 and the locking portion of the torsion spring 27 with the second bracket. Will be located. As a result, the lever 25 is urged clockwise in the third illustration by the torsion spring 27, and the cam surfaces of the collar 32 and the cam 31 are moved.
The cam 31 rotates in the third illustrated clockwise direction until the cam 31 engages with the surface 31e, and the surface 31e of the cam 31 comes into contact with the surface 34b of the claw portion 34b, and as a result, the locking state is established. As a result, the handle 4 becomes the third
It will be securely fixed at the position of the two-dot chain line 4c in the figure,
Even if a load is applied to the handle 4, the handle 4 does not move, and there is no problem that the handle 4 returns to the return position even if the user touches the hand when getting on and off, which is further safe. In the above-described flip-up operation, the swing center is formed at a position close to the steering wheel 4, so that the flip-up operation angle of the steering wheel 4 can be increased, and the driver's getting on and off can be further improved.

In addition, during the operation described above, when the swing of the main shaft 3 and the aperture 5 due to the urging force of the spring 13 is prevented by the load due to human power or the like, the lever 25 engages the cam surface 31a of the cam 31 with the collar 32. Come off, collar 32 becomes cam 31
However, the surface 34b of the claw portion 34 of the second bracket 8 comes into contact with the surface 31f of the cam 31, and the rotation of the cam 31 is prevented, and the overload detecting means (see FIG. For example, the operation of the motor 21 is stopped. Thereafter, when the load is released, the main shaft 3 and the aperture 6 swing by the biasing force of the spring 13, and the handle 4 is moved to the third position.
As shown in the two-dot chain line 4c in the drawing, it is flipped up,
Since the rotation of the lever 25 causes the torsion spring 27 to be located on the third right side in the drawing from the line connecting the bolt 9, the torsion spring 27, and the engaging portion of the second bracket 8, the lever 25 is moved to the torsion position. The biasing force of the spring 27 rotates the third clockwise direction in the drawing, and the collar 32 rotates the cam 31. As a result, as described above, the claw portion of the second bracket 8 is rotated.
34 is pinched by the stopper 36 and the surface 31e of the cam 31 to be in a locked state.

When the motor 21 is operated in the opposite direction to the above operation from the above-mentioned flipped-up state, the lever 25 rotates counterclockwise in the third illustration and the engagement between the collar 32 and the cam surface 31c of the cam 31 is released. Then, the collar 32 engages with the arc portion 31b of the cam surface 31, the cam 31 rotates counterclockwise in the third illustration, and the surface 33b of the claw portion 33 and the surface 31f of the cam 31 come into contact and stop. The stop of the motor 21 is operated in the same manner as the flip-up. . As a result, the clamp between the stopper 36 of the claw portion 34 of the second bracket 8 and the cam surface 31e of the cam 31 is released, and the aperture 6 and the main shaft 3 can swing. Thereafter, when the main shaft 3 and the attachment 6 are pressed down against the urging force of the spring 13, the surface 33 of the claw 33 of the second bracket 8 is pressed.
The handle a is brought into the second illustrated return state from the flipped-up state as indicated by the two-dot chain line 4c illustrated in the third illustration due to the contact between the a and the stopper 35. At this time, the lever 25 is rotated by the torsion spring 27 with the bolt 9, the torsion spring 27 and the second bracket 8.
Is located on the left side of the third drawing from the line connecting the locking portion with the lever, the lever 25 rotates counterclockwise in the third drawing by the urging force of the torsion spring 27, and the cam 31 also moves 3
As a result, the surface 31d of the cam 31 comes into contact with the surface 33b of the claw 33, the claw 33 is sandwiched by the stopper 35, and the collar 32 and the cam surface 31a engage. The torsional spring 27 is firmly engaged by the third counterclockwise urging force of the torsion spring 27 to restrict the rotation of the cam 31 in the third clockwise direction as shown in FIG. As a result, the handle 4
Is securely fixed at the return position, so that even if a load is applied to the handle 4, the handle 4 does not move and is safe. In addition, the handle 4 reliably returns from the flip-up position to the return position, so that the return position does not shift. Also, the cam surfaces 31a, 31c of the cam 31
Has a shape that follows the shape of the collar 32 and is opposed to the rotation trajectory, so that it can be securely engaged with the collar 32 without play to obtain a secure locking state. It is possible to prevent rattling and unlocking.

〔The invention's effect〕

A main shaft having a handle fixed to one end, an upper tube rotatably supporting the main shaft,
An intermediate shaft, one end of which is connected to the other end of the main shaft via a universal joint; a lower tube rotatably supporting the intermediate shaft; and a lower tube and an upper tube which are fixed to opposed ends of the upper tube, respectively. A first bracket and a second bracket which are pivotally connected to each other and hold the main shaft and the upper tube so as to swing with respect to the lower tube; a first claw portion and a second bracket formed on the second bracket; A first claw formed on the first bracket and abutting on the first claw to restrict the swing of the main shaft and the upper tube to set a return position of the handle;
A stopper, a second stopper formed on the first bracket and abutting against the second claw portion to restrict swinging of the main shaft and the up tube to set a flip-up position of the handle; The first pawl and the second pawl are rotatably supported between the first stopper and the second stopper at the return position and the flip-up position with the first stopper and the second stopper. A lever that is rotatably supported by the first bracket so as to be in contact with the cam at the return position and the flip-up position to restrict the rotation of the cam; And a biasing means disposed between the lever and the lever to rotate with the rotation of the lever and biasing the lever to the first stopper or the second stopper. The handle is securely held at the return position and the flip-up position in the return state and the flip-up state. No, and can prevent the occurrence of backlash,
The steering wheel does not vibrate due to the vibration of the vehicle, and the lock does not come off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Intermediate shaft, 2 ... Universal joint, 3 ... Main shaft, 4 ... Handle, 5 ... Roachubu, 6 ... Atupatubu, 7 ... First bracket, 8 ... Second bracket, 9, 16, 37, 38 ... bolt, 10 ... link, 11 ... first mounting bracket, 12 ... cord, 13 ... spring, 14 ... third bracket, 15 ... second mounting bracket, 17,28 … Washer, 18… nut, 19… tilt lever, 20… case, 21… motor, 22… worm, 23, 24… gear, 25… lever, 26… shaft, 27… Torsion spring, 29 ... Gear, 30 ... Pin, 31 ... Cam, 32 ... Collar, 33,34 ... Claw, 35.36 ... Stopper, 39 ... Shaft, 40 ... 4th bracket,

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main shaft having a handle fixed to one end, an upper tube rotatably supporting the main shaft, and an intermediate shaft having one end connected to the other end of the main shaft via a universal joint. A lower tube rotatably supporting the intermediate shaft; and a main tube and the upper tube which are fixedly attached to opposed ends of the lower tube and the upper tube, respectively, and are pivotally connected to each other. A first bracket and a second bracket movably held;
The first and second claw portions formed on the second bracket are in contact with the first claw portions formed on the first bracket to restrict the swing of the main shaft and the upper tube. A first stopper for setting a return position of the handle; and a flip-up position of the handle which restricts swinging of the main shaft and the up tube by contacting the second claw portion formed on the first bracket. And the first and second pawls pivotably supported between the first and second stoppers at the return position and the flip-up position. A cam pinched by the first stopper and the second stopper; and a cam rotatably supported by the first bracket at the return position and the flip-up position. A lever for restricting rotation of the cam, and a lever disposed between the first bracket and the lever, which rotates with the rotation of the lever and moves the lever to the first stopper or the second stopper. And a biasing means for biasing the vehicle.