JP3645163B2 - Telescopic steering device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a telescopic steering device capable of telescopic adjustment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a tilt steering device in which the height of a steering wheel can be changed in accordance with a driver's physique and driving posture. In addition, there is a tilt steering device to which a so-called telescopic adjustment function for adjusting the position of the steering wheel along the axial direction of the steering shaft is added.
As this type of telescopic type steering device, there is a structure in which a steering shaft is divided into two parts, an upper shaft and an under shaft, and a steering column is divided into two parts, an upper jacket and an under jacket.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, when each of the shaft and the column is divided into two, there is a problem that the overall rigidity is lowered.
Therefore, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-278283, a pair of brackets formed separately from the lower jacket are screwed and fixed to a pair of opposing side portions near the end portion of the lower jacket. Each side plate of the bracket is combined with a pair of side plates fixed to the middle portion of the upper jacket in the axial direction, and these are attached to the pair of side plates of the fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body to achieve telescopic locking. ing.
[0004]
In this case, since the three side plates are attached so as to overlap each other, there is an advantage that the overall rigidity can be improved.
However, since a separate bracket is used and a means for fixing it is necessary, there is a problem that the number of parts is large and the cost is increased.
In addition, when the shaft and the column are each divided into two, the divided columns and the like are slidably fitted in the axial direction, but play is likely to occur in the radial direction. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the accuracy of the fitting portion, which also leads to an increase in cost.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is to provide an inexpensive and highly rigid telescopic steering device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a steering column including an upper jacket and a lower jacket that are slidably connected to each other in the axial direction, and a steering shaft that passes through the steering column. In a telescopic steering apparatus including an upper shaft and a lower shaft that are rotatably coupled to each other and slidable in an axial direction, the lower jacket is integrated with an opening for inserting the upper jacket, and the lower jacket as a single member. A pair of side plates formed in parallel to each other, and an edge of the opening is formed in a U shape by cutting a part of a cylinder constituting the lower jacket, and is formed in the U shape. The edge of the opened opening includes the pair of side plates, and the lower Each side plate of the jacket, and is characterized in that to achieve the telescopic lock sandwiched and fixed between the corresponding side plate and fixed corresponding side plate to the upper bracket fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body.
[0007]
In this case, since the three side plates of the upper jacket, the lower jacket, and the fixed bracket are attached to each other, the overall rigidity can be improved. In addition, since the side plate integrally provided with the lower jacket and a single member is used by cutting a part of the cylinder constituting the lower jacket into a U-shape , the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. be able to. In particular, since the side plate is formed on the lower jacket by cutting a part of the cylinder constituting the lower jacket into a U-shape , the side plate can be easily formed when the lower jacket is formed by sheet metal.
[0008]
Further, the upper jacket and the lower jacket interpose a retainer for guiding the mutual sliding between each other, and the portion where the pair of side plates of the lower jacket are sandwiched and the end of the retainer are the shaft of the steering shaft. It is preferable that a predetermined distance is provided in the direction, and in this case, a substantial fitting length can be secured between the jackets that are divided into two and are slidably fitted to each other. As a result, the backlash of the fitting portion can be eliminated without particularly strictness of the dimensional accuracy of the fitting portion.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a telescopic steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a steering column.
Referring to FIG. 1, the present telescopic steering device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a steering device) includes a steering column 2 that rotatably supports a steering shaft 1. The steering shaft 1 passes through the steering column 2 in the axial direction, and a steering wheel (not shown) is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 1 in the axial direction.
[0010]
The steering column 2 is of a two-divided type in which a tube-like upper jacket 3 and a lower jacket 4 are coaxially slidably fitted together. A cylindrical retainer 32 for guiding the mutual sliding is interposed between the jackets 3 and 4. The retainer 32 is fixed to one of the jackets 3 or 4 and is in sliding contact with the other jacket 4 or 3. In the present embodiment, the upper jacket 3 that is fixed to the inner periphery of the lower jacket 4 and is inserted into the retainer 32 is received and guided. An end 36 of the retainer 32 and a support shaft 23 described later are separated from each other by a distance L in the axial direction of the steering shaft 1.
[0011]
The steering shaft 1 is a two-part type that is configured by fitting a tube-like upper shaft 5 and a lower shaft 6 so that they can slide coaxially and rotate together. Both shafts 5 and 6 are coupled to each other by, for example, spline fitting.
A lower bracket 7 is fixed to the lower end of the lower jacket 4, and a tilt center shaft 8 supported by the vehicle body is inserted into a support hole provided in the lower bracket 7. Thereby, the lower end of the lower jacket 4 is supported by the vehicle body so as to be swingable about the tilt center axis 8. The lower end of the lower shaft 6 protrudes downward from the lower end of the lower jacket 4 and is connected to the intermediate shaft 34 via a universal joint 33. The intermediate shaft 34 is connected to a steering mechanism (not shown).
[0012]
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tilt bracket 9 as an upper bracket is fixed to the upper jacket 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the tilt bracket 9 has a groove shape that opens upward, and laterally long holes 12 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the steering column 2 are formed in the left and right side plates 10 and 11 thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing bracket 13 is fixed to the vehicle, and extends outwardly from a pair of opposing side plates 14 and 15 and the upper ends of these side plates 14 and 15, respectively. Mounting stays 16 and 17 are provided. The fixing bracket 13 is fixed to the vehicle by a bolt that passes through a screw insertion hole formed in each of the mounting stays 16 and 17. Both the mounting stays 16 and 17 are connected to each other via a connecting plate 18, and the fixing bracket 13 is entirely formed of sheet metal. Each side plate 14, 15 of the fixed bracket 13 is formed with a vertically long hole 19 having a substantially arc shape.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3, the opening edge portion 4a of the upper end of the lower jacket 4 is formed in a U-shape shape by Rukoto is opened part of the circumference of the cylinder constituting the lower jacket 4. The opening edge 4a includes a pair of extending side plates 20 and 21 extending downward and parallel to each other . The lower jacket 4 and the pair of extended side plates 20 and 21 are integrally formed of a single member. The extended side plates 20 and 21 are respectively sandwiched between the corresponding side plates 14 and 15 of the fixed bracket 13 and the side plates 10 and 11 of the tilt bracket 9. A laterally long hole 22 similar to that of the tilt bracket 9 is formed in each of the extended side plates 20 and 21.
Reference numeral 23 denotes a support shaft through which the side plates 14, 15; 10, 11 and the extended side plates 20, 21 of the fixed bracket 13 and the tilt bracket 9 are integrally inserted. The support shaft 23 rotatably supports an operation lever 24 for achieving tilt and telescopic locking and unlocking.
[0014]
The lower end of the upper jacket 3 is supported by the vehicle body via the tilt bracket 9, the support shaft 23 and the fixed bracket 13. The laterally long hole 12 of the tilt bracket 9 allows the tilt bracket 9 to be displaced back and forth with the upper jacket 3 and the upper shaft 5 with respect to the support shaft 23 during telescopic adjustment. On the other hand, the support shaft 23 is guided by the vertically elongated holes 19 and 22 of the fixed bracket 13 and the extended side plates 20 and 21, and is allowed to swing only in the vertical direction with respect to the fixed bracket 13.
[0015]
Referring to FIG. 2, the operating lever 24 is inserted into the support shaft 23 and rotates around the support shaft 23, and a long lever portion 26 that rotates together with the rotation plate 25. have. An intermediate plate 27 having a stopper 35 (see FIG. 1) that restricts the rotation range of the operation lever 24 is interposed between the rotation plate 25 and the side plate 14 of the fixed bracket 13.
Referring to FIG. 2, the support shaft 23 is composed of a head 28, a body 29 made of a cylinder, and a bolt having a threaded portion 30. The body 29 penetrates the side plates 14 and 15; 10 and 11 of the fixed bracket 13 and the tilt bracket 9, the intermediate plate 27, and the extended side plates 20 and 21. A portion 29a of the body portion 29 adjacent to the head portion 28a engages with the longitudinal groove 19 (in some cases, also engages with the longitudinal groove 22), and has a shape capable of restricting the rotation of the support shaft 23, for example, substantially rectangular. It is made into a shape. The head 28 is in contact with the outer surface of one side plate 15 of the fixed bracket 13.
[0016]
The intermediate plate 27 has an insertion hole formed of a circular hole through which the support shaft 23 is inserted. Further, the intermediate plate 27 has a portion 27a (for example, a portion having a rectangular cross section) whose rotation is restricted by engaging with the vertically long hole 19 of the side plate 14 of the bracket 13.
A nut 31 is coupled to the screw portion 30 of the support shaft 23. Between the nut 31 and the head portion 28 of the support shaft 23, the rotary plate 25 of the operation lever 24, the intermediate plate 27, the side plates 14 and 15 of the fixed bracket 13, the extended side plates 20 and 21 and the tilt bracket 9 are collectively. And is pinched.
[0017]
The nut 31 is fixed to the rotating plate 25 of the operating lever 24 by, for example, welding. When the operating lever 24 is rotated, the nut 31 is screwed into the screw portion 30 or unscrewed. . This increases or decreases the distance between the nut 31 and the head portion 28 of the support shaft 23, and the corresponding side plates of the fixed bracket 13 and the tilt bracket 9 strongly hold the extending side plates 20 and 21 between each other, The pinch is weakened, and tilt lock and telescopic lock are achieved and released.
[0018]
According to the present embodiment, the side plates 10 and 11 of the tilt bracket 9 fixed to the upper jacket 3, the extended side plates 20 and 21 formed on the lower jacket 4, and the side plates 14 and 15 of the fixing bracket 13 are mutually connected. Since they are attached in a superposed manner, the overall rigidity can be improved. In particular, when tilting and telescopic locking, the extended side plates 20 and 21 are fixed by being sandwiched between the side plates 14 and 15 of the corresponding fixing bracket 13 and the side plates 10 and 11 of the tilt bracket 9, respectively. improves.
[0019]
In addition, since the extended side plates 20 and 21 extending integrally with the lower jacket 4 are used, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. In particular, since the extended side plates 20 and 21 are integrally extended to the opening edge portion 4a of the lower jacket 4, the lower jacket 4 can be easily formed when sheet metal is formed. Further, the end portion 36 of the retainer 32 and the support shaft 23 that guide the mutual sliding of the upper jacket 3 and the lower jacket 4, that is, the portion where the end portion 36 of the retainer 32 and the extended side plates 20, 21 are sandwiched. However, since it is separated by a distance L in the axial direction of the steering shaft 1, the substantial fitting length between the jackets 3 and 4 which are divided into two and are slidably fitted to each other is increased. Can be secured. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the looseness of fitting without particularly strict accuracy of the size of the fitting portion. Also from this point, the rigidity can be improved at a low cost.
[0020]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially broken side view of a telescopic steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a telescopic steering device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a lower jacket.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering shaft 2 Steering column 3 Upper jacket 4 Lower jacket 5 Upper shaft 6 Lower shaft 8 Tilt center axis 9 Tilt bracket 10, 11 Side plate 12 Horizontal hole 13 Fixed bracket 14, 15 Side plate 19 Vertical side hole 20, 21 Extension side plate 22 Horizontal Hole 23 Support shaft 24 Operation lever 25 Rotating plate 26 Lever portion 27 Intermediate plate 28 Head portion 31 Nut 32 Retainer

Claims (2)

A steering column including an upper jacket and a lower jacket that are slidably connected to each other in the axial direction, and a steering shaft that passes through the steering column. The steering shaft is capable of rotating integrally with each other and sliding in the axial direction. In a telescopic steering device including a freely connected upper shaft and a lower shaft,
The lower jacket includes an opening into which the upper jacket is inserted, and a pair of parallel side plates formed integrally with the lower jacket and a single member,
The edge of this opening is formed in a U-shape by opening a part of the cylinder constituting the lower jacket,
The edge of the opening formed in the U-shape includes the pair of side plates,
A telescopic steering device characterized in that each side plate of a lower jacket is sandwiched and fixed between a corresponding side plate of a fixing bracket fixed to a vehicle body and a corresponding side plate fixed to an upper bracket to achieve telescopic locking.   The upper jacket and the lower jacket interpose a retainer that guides the sliding between each other, and the portion where the pair of side plates of the lower jacket is sandwiched and the end of the retainer are in the axial direction of the steering shaft The telescopic steering device according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic steering device is spaced a predetermined distance.

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