JP2975230B2 - Vehicle steering system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle steering system, and more particularly, to a driver by absorbing forward energy acting on a steering column and vertical energy acting on a steering column when an abnormality such as a collision occurs. The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus which minimizes such impacts and ensures the safety of the driver's body, particularly the chest, abdomen and head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a collision accident occurs due to reckless driving such as excessive speeding on a slippery road surface such as rainy weather or overtaking, the impact on the driver is reduced by wearing a seat belt, It has been demonstrated that the injury to the driver's body is significantly reduced, and that the driver is required to wear a seat belt.

However, at present, the driver of a large vehicle such as a truck has a very low seat belt wearing rate, and if the user does not wear a seat belt at the time of an accident, the driver moves forward due to inertial force. Therefore, the abdomen, chest and head may hit the steering wheel and the like, and these parts may be damaged.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and has as its object to absorb the energy of a collision during an abnormality such as a collision. By configuring the steering column so that it can be tilted forward, the driver's body is prevented from being strongly pressed against the steering wheel, and the impact on the driver is reduced, thereby reducing damage to the chest and abdomen in particular. is there.

Another object is to configure the steering wheel to bend when a force greater than a predetermined magnitude acts on the steering wheel so that the abdomen or chest of the driver is strongly applied to the steering wheel in the event of an abnormality such as a collision. The goal is to minimize damage when pressed.

Still another object is to mount an elastic member on a joint between a steering wheel and a steering column, which often causes the driver to lean forward due to inertia at the time of a collision and to collide with the head, thereby providing the driver with an elastic member. It is to protect the head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which the energy acting in the axial direction of the steering column is absorbed by deforming the energy absorbing pin in the event of an abnormality such as a collision, so that the driver's body, especially the head, is absorbed. The purpose is to prevent it from being strongly pressed against the steering wheel and reduce damage.

Still another object is to provide a steering wheel which is bent, an elastic member mounted on a joint portion between the steering wheel and the steering column, and an energy configured to absorb energy in a vehicle traveling direction and a steering column axial direction. The provision of an absorbing steering device in a vehicle allows the energy of the driver to be absorbed in the event of a collision, thereby protecting the driver's body, especially the abdomen and head.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In short, the present invention (claim 1) enables a steering shaft to be bent.
The vehicle body is fixed horizontally to the left and right above the coupling device.
A fixed shaft, and the vehicle book above the fixed shaft.
A support shaft fixed horizontally to the body in the left-right direction, and
To be pivotable about the longitudinal direction in a vertical plane
A steering column, a column bracket mounted on the steering column, and an engaging portion engaged with a fixed shaft fixed to the vehicle body, and one end rotatably connected to the column bracket and the other end rotatable to the fixed shaft. bent portion fitted intermediate portion to <br/> bent upwardly convex is formed luck on the steering column
Abnormal force acting on the diver's body and facing the vehicle forward
When the engaging portion is deformed and the column is
Remove the bracket and further extend the bent part,
Set the steering column in a vertical plane around the spindle
A bending plate to allow pivoting in the longitudinal direction around the both ends in <br/> co fixed to the steering column, the is more supported by a guide plate fitted to the support shaft steering An energy absorbing pin configured to be deformed when a vertical or higher force is applied to the column, and the engaging portion is provided when an abnormal force is applied when the driver's body hits the steering column. times in the longitudinal direction around in a vertical plane about said the said steering column by extending the bent portion supporting shaft from the fixed shaft by deforming further the bending plate away <br/> is de the column bracket By moving the steering column, the forward energy of the vehicle acting on the steering column is absorbed, and the steering column shaft is moved forward.
The energy absorbing pin is deformed by lowering relative to the guide plate to absorb energy in a vertical direction acting on the steering column. It is.

[0010] The present invention (claim 2), a steering
Above the coupling device that allows the shaft to bend
A fixed shaft horizontally fixed to the vehicle body in the left-right direction;
Horizontally on the vehicle body above the fixed axis in the left-right direction
A fixed support shaft, and a longitudinal axis in a vertical plane around the support shaft.
Steering Collar pivotally mounted so that it can rotate around
Arm and, said the steering wheel, which is composed as to be mounted on the steering column bent by a predetermined magnitude or more forces, the engagement is attached to the steering column engagement portion is pre
A column bracket that engages the serial stationary shaft, one end of the bent portion engages the intermediate portion fitted rotatably on the other end to the column bracket is the fixed shaft is bent upwardly convex is formed a stearyl
When the driver's body hits the aling column and the vehicle is facing forward
When an abnormal force is applied, the engaging portion is deformed to
Release the column bracket from the fixed axis and bend the column bracket further.
Part of the steering column and the support shaft
Rotating around the longitudinal direction in a vertical plane as a center
A bending plate to allow the once fixed to the steering column both ends co, predetermined force or more in the vertical direction to the steering column is more supported in <br/> guide plate fitted to the support shaft And an energy absorbing pin configured to be deformed when acted upon.When the driver's body hits the steering column and an abnormal force is applied, the steering wheel is bent so that the abdomen and chest of the driver are bent. to protect the length in the vertical plane of the steering column around the supporting shaft by stretching the bent portion of further the bending plate is disengaged the column bracket from the fixed shaft by deforming the engagement portion
By turning around the hand direction, the forward energy of the vehicle acting on the steering column is absorbed, and the steering column shaft is opposed to the guide plate.
Then, the energy absorbing pin is deformed by relatively lowering the energy so as to absorb the vertical energy acting on the steering column.

The present invention (claim 3) provides a steering system.
Above the coupling device that allows the shaft to bend
A fixed shaft horizontally fixed to the vehicle body in the left-right direction;
Horizontally on the vehicle body above the fixed axis in the left-right direction
A fixed support shaft, and a longitudinal axis in a vertical plane around the support shaft.
Steering Collar pivotally mounted so that it can rotate around
A steering wheel mounted on the steering column and configured to be bent by a force of a predetermined magnitude or more; an elastic member mounted on a joint between the steering wheel and the steering column; a column bracket mounted engagement portion is engaged with the fixed shaft, one end <br/> bent upwardly convex other end to the column bracket is the rotatably fitted intermediate portion to the fixed shaft The bent part is formed and the steering column is moved.
Abnormal force acting on the diver's body and facing the vehicle forward
When the engaging portion is deformed and the column is
Remove the bracket and further extend the bent part,
Set the steering column in a vertical plane around the spindle
A bending plate to allow pivoting in the longitudinal direction around the both ends in <br/> co fixed to the steering column, the is more supported by a guide plate fitted to the support shaft steering An energy absorbing pin configured to be deformed when a vertical or higher force is applied to the column, and the steering wheel is bent when an abnormal force is applied when the driver's body hits the steering column. While protecting the driver's abdomen and chest, the engaging portion is deformed to separate from the fixed shaft, and the bent portion of the bending plate is extended, so that the steering column is moved vertically about the support shaft.
By rotating the steering column around in the longitudinal direction, the forward energy acting on the steering column is absorbed by the vehicle, the head of the driver is protected by the elastic member, and the steering column shaft is guided by the guide.
The energy absorbing pin is deformed by lowering the energy absorbing pin relatively to the plate to absorb the vertical energy acting on the steering column.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 to 4, a vehicle steering apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a steering wheel 2, a thin metal cover 3 as an example of an elastic member, a column bracket 4, a bending plate 5, and an energy absorbing pin 20. And

The steering wheel 2 is for transmitting the steering operation of the driver 6 to the steering shaft 8 to cause the vehicle to travel in an arbitrary direction, and the outer periphery of the metal ring 9 is softened. and than ash is manufactured in a ring shape so as to surround a resilient material 10 is mechanically connected to the steering shaft 8.

The strength of the steering wheel 2 is set to such a degree that the steering wheel 2 bends when a force greater than a predetermined value acts thereon. When an abnormally large force acts upon a collision or the like, the steering wheel 2 bends and a large impact force acts on the driver 6. Not to be.

The steering shaft 8 is for transmitting a turning motion from the steering wheel 2 to a power steering device (not shown), and is flexibly and rotatably connected by a connecting device 11 such as a universal joint. It consists of two shafts.

A guide plate 13 having an elongated hole 13a is fixed to a steering column 12 on which the steering shaft 8 is rotatably fitted via an energy absorbing pin 20 which will be described later. A so-called tilt steering mechanism is provided, in which a support shaft 14 fixed to a vehicle body that does not fit is fitted, and the position of the steering wheel 2 is adjusted by moving the steering wheel 2 in the vertical direction along the support shaft 14. .

The metal cover 3 protects the head 6a of the driver 6 in the event of a collision, and is made of a metal having a thickness of about 1 mm and attached to the joint between the steering shaft 8 and the steering wheel 2. When an abnormally large force acts from above, it is crushed and absorbs the energy of movement.

Outside the metal cover 3, a decorative cover 15 made of synthetic resin is further mounted.

The column bracket 4 is for mounting the bending plate 5 and is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin, and has a through hole (not shown) for inserting the steering column 12 in the center. ) Is formed.

In the upper block 4b, a slot (not shown) reaching the through hole in the axial direction of the through hole and a screw hole (not shown) orthogonal to the slot are provided in parallel with the screw hole. Is formed with a substantially semicircular engaging portion 4e.

Then, the steering column 12 is inserted into the through hole, and the slot is tightened by a bolt 16 and a nut (not shown) inserted into the screw hole, and is fixed to the steering column 12 together with a bending plate 5 described later.

The bending plate 5 is for absorbing energy at the time of collision, is made of a metal plate having a thickness of about 4 mm, and has an insertion hole (not shown) at one end 5a. A forked protrusion 5c is formed.

The other end 5d is formed in a U-shape and has an insertion hole (not shown) similarly to the one end 5a, and an intermediate portion 5f connecting the both ends 5a, 5d is upward at a substantially right angle. To
It has a convexly bent shape.

Then, the insertion hole of the projecting portion 5c and the screw hole of the column bracket 4 are coaxially combined, and the bolt 16
And is fixed by a nut.

The other end 5d is connected to the left side of the vehicle body (not shown).
The insertion hole is rotatably fitted to a fixed shaft 19 fixed horizontally to the right , and the engaging portion 4e of the column bracket 4 is engaged with the fixed shaft 19 for assembly. So
The bending plate 5 and the steering column 1
2. The driver's body hits the body and abnormal forward-facing force
When used, the engaging portion 4e is deformed and
The bracket 4 is detached and the bend is further extended to
The aligning column 12 is placed in a vertical plane around the support shaft 14.
It is possible to rotate around the longitudinal direction.

The energy absorbing pin 20 is for absorbing energy at the time of a collision acting in the axial direction of the steering column 12, and is a pin made of a relatively deformable metal such as aluminum. The center of the column 12 is fixed to the column 12 by a fixing member 21.

Both ends of the energy absorbing pin 20 are fitted and supported in holes (not shown) of two projections 13b formed on the guide plate 13, and the steering column 12 and the guide plate 13 are in a normal state. Are connected via an energy absorbing pin 20 and are configured to act as one.

The present invention is configured as described above,
Hereinafter, the operation will be described. During normal driving, the positional relationship between the steering wheel 2 and the driver 6 is maintained at an appropriate interval as shown in FIG. 5, and the steering wheel 2 can be easily rotated.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the bending plate 5 has a predetermined shape in which an intermediate portion 5f is bent upward at a substantially right angle, and the engaging portion 4e of the column bracket 4 is fixed. It is in a state of being engaged with the shaft 19.

6 and 7, if a sudden deceleration acts on the vehicle due to a collision accident or the like, the driver 6 moves in the direction of arrow A due to the inertial force, and the abdomen 6b and the chest 6c move in the direction of arrow B. And is strongly pressed against the steering wheel 2.

When the force acting on the steering wheel 2 becomes larger than a predetermined value, the steering wheel 2 bends, and a part of the collision energy is absorbed by the bend.

Therefore, the steering wheel 2 does not bite into the abdomen 6b and the chest 6c of the driver 6, and does not cause a great damage to the driver 6.

The impact force acting on the driver 6 is also reduced by the action of the elastic material 10 mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the steering wheel 2.

In the case of a light collision, the energy of the collision is absorbed by the bending of the steering wheel 2 and the driver 6 is hardly damaged.
If a collision occurs while the vehicle is traveling at a higher speed, the inertia force acting on the driver 6 also increases, and the driver 6 moves more strongly in the direction of arrow A.

When the driver 6 pushes the steering wheel 2, a rotational force in the direction of arrow C acts on the steering column 12 with the support shaft 14 as the center of rotation.

In FIG. 7, the rotational force acts to move the column bracket 4 together with the steering column 12 rightward in the figure. That is, the engaging portion 4 that engages with the fixed shaft 19
When a force acting on the steering wheel 2 becomes, for example, 300 kg or more, the engaging portion 4e is expanded while absorbing a part of the energy of the collision. It deforms and eventually separates from the fixed shaft 19.

When the collision energy is large, the steering column 12 extends the perpendicularly bent intermediate portion 5f of the bending plate 5 while further extending the vertical surface in the direction of arrow F.
In this case, it rotates about 22 ° around the longitudinal direction, and is displaced from the state shown by the solid line to the state shown by the imaginary line in FIG.

In FIG. 7, the driver 6
Is tilted forward, the head 6a collides with the decorative cover 15, but the metal cover 3 attached below the decorative cover 15 is deformed to absorb the collision energy and generate an impact on the head 6a. As a result, the damage to the driver 6 is reduced.

If the collision energy acting in the axial direction of the steering column 12 cannot be completely absorbed by the deformation of the metal cover 3, the collision energy attempts to move the steering column 12 in the direction of arrow G, The absorbing pin 20 is slid in the direction of arrow H in the guide plate 13, which is prevented from moving by the support shaft 14 while deforming the absorbing pin 20 as shown in FIG. 6a is reduced.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the steering column can be tilted forward while absorbing the energy of the collision in the event of an abnormality such as a collision, so that the driver's body is strongly pressed against the steering wheel. This has the effect of reducing the impact on the driver and, in particular, reducing the damage to the chest and abdomen.

The steering wheel is configured to bend when a force greater than a predetermined magnitude acts on the steering wheel. Therefore, even if the driver's abdomen or chest is strongly pressed against the steering wheel in the event of an abnormality such as a collision or the like. This has the effect of minimizing damage.

Further, at the time of collision, the driver leans forward due to the inertial force and the head often collide, and an elastic member is attached to the joint between the steering wheel and the steering column, thereby protecting the driver's head. There is an effect that can be.

Also, since the energy acting in the axial direction of the steering column is absorbed by deforming the energy absorbing pin in the event of an abnormality such as a collision, the driver's body, especially the head, is strongly pressed against the steering wheel. Can be prevented, and there is an effect of reducing damage.

Further, a bending steering wheel, an elastic member mounted on a joint portion between the steering wheel and the steering column, and an energy absorbing steering device configured to absorb energy in a vehicle traveling direction and a steering column axial direction. The vehicle is equipped with
In particular, an excellent effect of protecting the abdomen and head can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a vehicle steering device.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a main part showing a positional relationship before and after operation of a safety device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a normal state of mounting the energy absorbing pin.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an energy absorbing pin is deformed by an impact force in an axial direction of a steering shaft to absorb energy of a collision.

5 to 7 relate to an operation state of the steering apparatus of the vehicle, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing a normal state.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which a driver's abdomen and chest are pressed against a steering wheel.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state where the safety device is operated.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 vehicle steering device 2 steering wheel 3 metal cover as one example of elastic member 4 column bracket 4e engaging portion 5 bending plate 5a one end 5d other end 5f intermediate portion 6 driver 6a head 6b abdomen 6c chest 8 steering shaft 11 Connecting device 12 Steering column 13 Guide plate 14 Support shaft 19 Fixed shaft 20 Energy absorption pin

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] The steering shaft can be bent.
Right and left over the vehicle body
A fixed shaft fixed flat, and the fixed shaft
A support shaft fixed horizontally to the vehicle body in the left-right direction, and the support shaft
Rotation around the longitudinal direction in a vertical plane around the center
A steering column pivotally mounted, a column bracket mounted on the steering column and having an engagement portion engaged with a fixed shaft fixed to the vehicle body, and one end pivotally mounted on the column bracket and the other end pivoted on the fixed shaft. Fits freely and the middle part is up
The bent portion is bent in a convex is formed on the steering Kola
When the driver's body hits the
When used, the engaging portion is deformed and the
Remove the column bracket and extend the bent part.
The steering column vertically around the support shaft.
A bending plate made it possible to rotate longitudinally around in the plane, the both ends in the fixed co the steering column, the guide plate fitted to the support shaft
And an energy absorbing pin configured to be deformed when a vertical force or more is applied to the steering column and an abnormal force is applied when the driver's body hits the steering column. When the column bracket is deformed from the fixed shaft
The vehicle forward energy acting on the steering column by rotating the bent portion by stretching the steering column further the bending plate is disengaged the door in the longitudinal direction around in a vertical plane about said pivot Absorb and the steering column shuff
The guide plate relative to the guide plate.
Vehicle steering apparatus characterized by being configured so as to absorb the energy of vertical direction acting on the steering column by deforming the serial energy absorbing pin. 2. The steering shaft can be bent.
Right and left over the vehicle body
A fixed shaft fixed flat, and the fixed shaft
A support shaft fixed horizontally to the vehicle body in the left-right direction, and the support shaft
Rotation around the longitudinal direction in a vertical plane around the center
A pivotally mounted steering column, the column and the steering wheel, which is composed as bent by a predetermined magnitude or more forces are mounted on the steering column, said steering column mounted engagement portion is engaged with the fixed shaft One end of the bracket and one end of the other end of the column bracket are rotatably fitted to the fixed shaft, and an intermediate portion is bent upward to form a bent portion .
Before an abnormal force acting on the front of the vehicle due to contact with the body
The engaging portion is deformed to remove the column bracket from the fixed shaft.
The seat is removed, and the bent portion is extended, so that the steering
Place the ring column in a vertical
A bending plate made it possible to rotate the direction around the co-once fixed to the steering column
Both end, and a energy absorbing pin which is configured to deform when a predetermined force or more in the vertical direction more supported by the steering column to the guide plate fitted to the support shaft is applied, said steering column protects the abdomen and chest of the driver extraordinary force against the driver's body by bending the steering wheel when applied, the Kola from the fixed shaft by deforming the engagement portion
The vehicle forward energy acting on the steering column by rotating longitudinally around in a vertical plane the steering column said bent portion is extended further the bending plate is disengaged the arm bracket around a support shaft Absorbed and said steering column
Lower the shaft relative to the guide plate.
A steering device for a vehicle , wherein the energy absorbing pin is deformed to absorb vertical energy acting on the steering column. 3. The steering shaft can be bent.
Right and left over the vehicle body
A fixed shaft fixed flat, and the fixed shaft
A support shaft fixed horizontally to the vehicle body in the left-right direction, and the support shaft
Rotation around the longitudinal direction in a vertical plane around the center
A steering column pivotally mounted, a steering wheel mounted on the steering column and configured to be bent by a force greater than a predetermined magnitude, and an elastic member mounted on a joint between the steering wheel and the steering column. the a column bracket mounted engagement portion on the steering column engages with the fixed shaft, one end of the convex upward the other end to the column bracket is freely fitted intermediate portion pivoted to the fixed shaft Bends to form a bend
When the driver's body hits the steering column
When an abnormal forward force is applied, the engaging portion is deformed.
To separate the column bracket from the fixed shaft
The steering column is extended by extending the bending portion.
Rotate around the longitudinal axis in the vertical plane about the spindle
A bending plate to allow Rukoto, co when fixed to the steering column both ends, to the support shaft
A configured energy absorbing pin as fitted guide plates more supported by more than a predetermined force in the vertical direction to the steering column is deformed when applied, abnormal against the body of the driver to the steering column When a strong force is applied, the steering wheel is bent to protect the abdomen and chest of the driver, and the engaging portion is deformed to separate from the fixed shaft, and the bent portion of the bending plate is extended. By rotating the steering column around a longitudinal axis in a vertical plane about a support shaft, the forward energy of the vehicle acting on the steering column is absorbed, and the head of the driver is protected by the elastic member. With the steering
Lower the column shaft relative to the guide plate.
A vehicle steering apparatus , wherein the energy absorbing pin is deformed to absorb energy in a vertical direction acting on the steering column.