JP2838351B2 - Steering device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a steering apparatus for an automobile supports a steering shaft A2 having a steering wheel A1 on a steering column A so as to be freely rotatable. A lower part is supported by a pillar support member F fixed to a dash panel E via a lower bracket D via a lower bracket D via a bracket B and a pillar pillar member C provided in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

The lower bracket D is provided with a tubular main body D1 made of sheet metal into which the lower end of the steering column A can be inserted, and a first flange D2 is integrally provided on an outer peripheral wall of the main body D1. The lower portion of the steering shaft A is fixed by fixing the flange D2 and the second flange F1 provided on the pedal support member F to each other and fixing the flanges D2 and F1 with fixing bolts G. It is fixedly supported on the dash panel E side via the lower bracket D. As shown in FIG. 7, a resin spacer is provided between the distal end of the steering column A and the cylindrical main body D1 in order to increase the precision of tight fitting of the steering column A to the cylindrical main body D1. D3 is interposed, the steering column A is closely fitted to the main body D1 via the spacer D3, and the lower bracket D slides with respect to the steering column A by the action of a predetermined load on the lower bracket D. Like that.

Thus, according to the steering apparatus described above, when the rearward impact load is applied to the dash panel E due to the frontal collision of the vehicle and the pedal support member F retreats, the lower bracket D The tubular main body D1 is about to slide with respect to the steering column A, and the steering column A is arranged to rise obliquely upward toward the rear as shown in FIG. Since the upper side of the steering column A is supported by the pillar pillar member C via the upper bracket B, as the lower bracket D retreats together with the pedal support member F, the lower bracket D The steering column is pushed rearward at the lower end so that the steering column A swings around the upper bracket as a fulcrum. And the steering wheel is defective swinging upward.

Conventionally, in order to prevent the steering column A from retreating and swinging as described above, it has
JP-A-117169 proposes using a first member fixed to the pedal support member on the dash panel side and a second member supporting the steering column as the lower bracket. This second
At a plurality of positions of the member, elongated hole-shaped notches extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and having a rear end side opened are respectively formed, and fixing bolts are inserted through the respective notches from the first member side. By screwing a nut to the insertion end, the lower portion of the steering column is supported via the first and second members D.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the head-on collision of the vehicle,
When an impact load on the pedal support member from the dash panel side to the rear side of a predetermined value or more is applied, the fixing bolt inserted and fixed between the first member and the second member is attached to the first member. Since the rearward escapes from the formed notch, the rearward impact load applied to the pedal support member is not transmitted to the second member or the steering column side, and therefore, the steering column is retracted. And rocking can be prevented.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned publication, many parts are required in order to ensure safety, and the entire configuration is complicated, and complicated processing is required. However, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the number of parts, simplify the overall structure, reduce the manufacturing cost, and prevent the steering column from retreating and swinging when an impact load exceeding a predetermined value is applied. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device having excellent safety.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a steering column 1 which rotatably supports a steering shaft 11 and an upper bracket 2 via an upper bracket 2. The lower end of the steering column 1 is press-fitted into a fitting tubular portion 43 and the lower column supporting member 5 is fixed to the lower column supporting member 5 in a steering device that supports the lower column supporting member 5 via a lower bracket 4. A lower bracket 4 made of a resin which can be broken in a state where the steering column 1 cannot be supported by the action of an impact load of a predetermined value or more, and the steering column is provided via the lower bracket 4. 1 is the lower column supporting member 5
And a receiving portion 44 for receiving the lower end of the steering column (1) is provided at the fitting cylindrical portion (43).

[0010]

According to the steering apparatus described above, the lower bracket 4 supporting the lower side of the steering column 1 is provided.
Is made of a synthetic resin that is damaged in a state where the steering column 1 cannot be supported by an impact load equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When an impact load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the lower bracket 4 side, the lower bracket 4 is damaged by the impact load, and the lower bracket 4
Is separated from the steering column 1. Therefore, the impact load is not transmitted to the steering column 1 side via the lower bracket 4,
This makes it possible to prevent the steering column 1 from retreating and swinging upward.

The lower bracket 4 is entirely formed of a synthetic resin. The lower bracket 4 is provided with a fitting cylinder 43, and the lower end of the steering column 1 is attached to the fitting cylinder 43. Since the supporting portion is directly press-fitted and supported, and the receiving portion 44 receives the lower end of the steering column (1), the above-described portion is provided between the lower end side of the steering column 1 and the lower bracket 4. As described above, it is not necessary to separately interpose a synthetic resin cylinder in order to increase the mounting accuracy of the steering column 1 with respect to the lower bracket 4, and the steering column 1 is directly and accurately connected to the lower bracket 4 reliably. It is possible to support, and as in the above-mentioned publication, it is not necessary to complicate the entire structure or to perform complicated processing. Inexpensive and while the manufacturing cost of the entire structure to simplify, is the initial object can be achieved.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The steering apparatus shown in FIG. 1 rotatably supports a steering shaft 11 in a steering column 1. A steering wheel 12 is provided at an upper rear end of the steering shaft 11. The lower front side is linked to a front wheel steering mechanism (not shown).

The upper portion of the steering column 1 is supported by an upper column support member 3 via an upper bracket 2.
The lower side is supported by a lower column support member 5 via a lower bracket 4. In the embodiment shown in the figure, a pillar pillar member provided in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body is used as the upper column support member 3, and the pillar column member 3 is connected to the steering column via the upper bracket 2. 1 and a pedal support member fixed to the dash panel 6 is used as the lower column support member 5, and the steering column 1 is attached to the pedal support member 5 via the lower bracket 4. The lower side is supported.

In the present invention, however, the steering column 1 moves backward due to a frontal collision of the vehicle or the like, and the steering wheel 12 provided on the steering shaft 11 of the steering column 1 swings upward. In order to prevent this, the lower bracket 4 is configured as follows.

That is, when an impact load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the pedal support member 5 through the dash panel 6 due to a head-on collision of the vehicle, the lower bracket 4 cannot support the steering column 1. The lower bracket 4 is made of a breakable synthetic resin.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a fixing portion 41 having a plurality of bolt insertion holes 41 a to be bolted to a flange 51 provided on the pedal support member 5, and a rear side of the fixing portion 41. And a column support wall 42 integrally formed orthogonally downward from the bottom. The column support wall 42 extends forward in a central portion of the support wall 42, and the front lower end portion of the steering column 1 is press-fittable. At the front end side of the fitting tube portion 43, a positioning receiving portion 44 projecting radially inward and abutting on the lower end surface of the steering column 1 is provided. While forming one,
A cutout groove 45 having a predetermined depth is formed in the fitting cylindrical portion 43 and extends rearward from the receiving portion 44.

A rib 46 is integrally formed on both sides of the fixing portion 41 and the support wall 42 in a continuous manner.

The lower bracket 4 is provided with the fixing portion 4
1 is brought into contact with a flange 51 provided on the pedal support member 5, and a bolt insertion hole 51a formed in the flange 51 is formed.
The lower bracket 4 is fixed to the pedal support member 5 by inserting a fixing bolt BT between the bolt and the bolt insertion hole 41a of the fixing portion 41 and screwing a nut N into the insertion end. Further, the steering column 1 is press-fitted into the fitting cylindrical portion 43 so that the lower end surface thereof is in contact with the receiving portion 44, so that the lower side of the steering column 1 is interposed via the lower bracket 4. To be supported by the pedal support member 5.

The upper bracket 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the steering column 1 is fixed to a lower part of the pillar pillar member 3 and has a first member 21 having a pair of first flanges 21a extending in the front-rear direction on both lower ends. And a second member 22 having a second flange 22a extending in the front-rear direction, which is fixedly supported and held on both upper ends on both sides of the first flange 21a, the second flange 22a of the second member 22 being provided. A notch portion 22b having an open rear end is formed on the rear side, and a shear pin 23 having a U-shaped cross section from the rear side of the second flange 22a is formed with a portion where the notch portion 22b is formed and a portion where no cut portion is formed. And a washer 24 is applied to the lower side of the share pin 23, and the share pin 22, the notch 22b, and the first flange 21a are placed from underneath. It is inserted a fixing bolt BT to the upper side through, and Nishishime the nut N in its insertion end, the fixing bolt BT and the shear pin 23 the first through the second
By connecting the members 22 and 23, the steering column 1 is fixed to the pillar pillar member 3 so that the steering column 1 can move forward when a load on the front side exceeding a predetermined value occurs, and cannot move backward. I support it.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. For example, the dash panel 6
When an impact load equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the pedal support member 5 through the lower bracket 4 by the impact load,
Is damaged so that the steering column 1 cannot be supported. That is, the lower bracket 4 is damaged by the impact load, and the lower bracket 4 is separated from the steering column 1. Therefore, the impact load is transmitted to the steering column 1 side via the lower bracket 4. The steering shaft 11 and the steering wheel 12 of the steering column 1 do not move to the occupant side, and the steering wheel 12 does not swing near the occupant's face. Become. At this time, a notch 4a may be provided in a part of the lower bracket 4 where the impact load is likely to be concentrated upon a frontal collision of the vehicle body, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, at the boundary between the fixing part 41 and the support wall 42. If this is the case, the lower bracket 4 can be reliably damaged by the impact load, and the safety can be further improved.

Further, the lower bracket 4 is entirely formed of synthetic resin, and the lower bracket 4 is provided with a fitting cylindrical portion 43. The lower end of the steering column 1 is attached to the fitting cylindrical portion 43. The lower portion of the steering column 1 and the lower bracket 4 are combined as described above, since the lower portion of the steering column 1 is received by the receiving portion 44 by directly press-fitting the lower portion. The steering column 1 can be accurately and reliably supported on the lower bracket 4 without separately interposing a resin cylinder, and the overall configuration is complicated as in the above-mentioned publication. In addition, since there is no need to perform complicated processing, safety can be ensured while simplifying the overall configuration and reducing manufacturing costs.

Further, the steering column 1 is moved rearward toward the pillar pillar member 3 by the shear pin 23 and the fixing bolt BT interposed between the first and second members 22 and 23 constituting the upper bracket 2. Since the steering column 1 is retracted due to a head-on collision of the vehicle, the retraction is prevented, and the steering wheel 12 is prevented from moving toward the occupant. Accordingly, the rearward movement of the steering column 1 is prevented as described above, and the lower bracket 4 is damaged to prevent the rearward movement of the steering column 1 as described above. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the steering wheel 12 from moving toward the occupant when the vehicle body hits the vehicle.

On the other hand, a driver collides with the steering wheel 12 due to a reaction force due to a collision of the vehicle or the like, and a load of a predetermined value or more forwardly slides on the steering column 1 via the steering wheel 12. When contacted, the second flange member a of the second member 22 is pulled out forward from the shear pin 23 and the fixing bolt BT along the notch portion 22b, and the fitting cylindrical portion of the lower bracket 4 is fitted. The receiving portion 44 provided at 43 is damaged, and the steering column 1 and the steering wheel 12 move forward while absorbing the collision load. Thus, the forward movement of the steering column 1 due to the damage of the receiving portion 12 and The second member 2 of the upper bracket 2
By the forward movement of the second member 2 with respect to the first member 21, when the driver collides with the steering wheel 12, the impact load can be efficiently absorbed, and the safety of the driver can be achieved.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the upper part of the steering column 1 for rotatably supporting the steering shaft 11 is connected to the upper column supporting member 3 via the upper bracket 2 and the lower part is connected to the lower bracket 4. A steering device adapted to be supported by the lower column support member 5 with a fitting cylindrical portion 43 capable of press-fitting a lower end portion of the steering column 1 and a fixing portion 41 for fixing the lower end of the steering column 1 to the lower column support member 5; A lower bracket 4 made of resin that can be broken in a state where the steering column 1 cannot be supported by an impact load of a predetermined value or more is formed, and the lower portion of the steering column 1 is connected to the lower portion via the lower bracket 4. The steering column (1) is supported by the column support member 5 and is fitted to the fitting cylindrical portion (43).
Since the receiving portion 44 for receiving the lower end of the lower bracket 4 is provided, when an impact load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the lower bracket 4 side via the lower column support member 5 in a case where the vehicle hits directly, By damaging the lower bracket 4 and separating the lower bracket 4 from the steering column 1, the impact load is prevented from being transmitted to the steering column 1 via the lower bracket 4. Can be prevented from retreating and swinging upward, and the safety can be improved.

The lower bracket 4 is entirely formed of synthetic resin. The lower bracket 4 is provided with a fitting cylinder 43, and the lower end of the steering column 1 is attached to the fitting cylinder 43. Since the supporting portion is directly press-fitted and supported, and the receiving portion 44 receives the lower end of the steering column (1), the lower end of the steering column 1 and the lower bracket 4 are positioned between the lower end of the steering column 1 and the lower bracket 4 as in the prior art. The steering column 1 can be accurately and reliably supported on the lower bracket 4 without separately interposing a synthetic resin cylinder in order to increase the mounting accuracy of the steering column 1 on the lower bracket 4. In addition, since there is no need to complicate the entire configuration or perform complicated processing, the overall configuration is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced. The purpose is for the can be achieved in the period.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a steering device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the entire structure of the lower bracket.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an upper bracket.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a general steering device.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower bracket portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering column 11 Steering shaft 2 Upper bracket 3 Upper column support member 4 Lower bracket 41 Fixed part 43 Fitting cylinder part 5 Lower column support member

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An upper column support member (3) for supporting an upper portion of a steering column (1) rotatably supporting a steering shaft (11) via an upper bracket (2).
A lower part supported by a lower column support member (5) via a lower bracket (4); a fitting cylinder part (43) capable of press-fitting a lower end part of the steering column (1); A fixing portion (41) for fixing the steering column (1) to the column support member (5), and the resin lower bracket (4) which can be damaged by an impact load of a predetermined value or more so that the steering column (1) cannot be supported. ), The lower portion of the steering column (1) is supported by the lower column support member (5) via the lower bracket (4), and the steering column is attached to the fitting cylindrical portion (43). A steering device comprising a receiving portion (44) for receiving a lower end of (1).