JP3651090B2 - Steering shaft fall prevention structure at the time of collision - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fall prevention structure at the time of a collision of a steering shaft that is fixed to the front side of a cab of an automobile and supported by a pedal bracket that supports pedals such as brakes and clutches.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 9 shows a support structure for the steering shaft 3 that has been generally employed. A front frame 25 that supports the windshield 41 and the front lid 42 is provided on the front surface of the automobile, and an instrument panel reinforcement 27 that supports an instrument panel (not shown) (hereinafter abbreviated as instrument panel reinforcement 27). Is provided. A dash panel 44 is fixed to the front frame 25, and the instrument panel reinforcement 27 is fixed to a bracket (not shown) connected to the dash panel 44. On the other hand, in the pedal bracket 1c that supports pedals such as a brake pedal and a clutch pedal (not shown), the upper mounting portion 6 on the front side is fixed to the front frame 25, and the front portion 43 and the foot portion 12 are connected to the dash panel 44. The panel attachment portion 9 on the rear side is fixed to and supported by the instrument panel reinforcement 27. A bracket upper surface portion 8 is formed on the upper surface side of the pedal bracket 1c.
[0003]
On the other hand, the steering shaft 3 on which the steering wheel 45 is mounted is supported on the rear surface portion 10 of the pedal bracket 1c via a steering column bracket 5 fitted on the steering column 4. The steering shaft 3 is connected to the steering unit 48 via universal joints 46 and 46 and a shaft 47. Here, the upper universal joint 46 is fixed to the stationary side of the automobile.
[0004]
A seated person 51 of the seat 50 placed on the floor panel 49 moves and adjusts the seat 50 in the front-rear direction, and keeps the dimension a shown in the figure in a driving posture in which the steering wheel 45 is gripped. .
[0005]
Since the pedal bracket 1c needs to hold the steering shaft 3 at a predetermined position as described above, the pedal bracket 1c is made of a relatively high rigidity and is often made of steel.
[0006]
One known technique related to the present invention is disclosed in JP-A-6-255536. This "vehicle body front structure" is attached to the instrument panel reinforcement, with the engine and the like moving to the rear of the vehicle when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle, and the dash panel and pedal bracket being pushed backward accordingly. This prevents the steering shaft and the like from moving rearward of the vehicle body, and reliably absorbs the load transmitted to the pedal bracket without reducing the overall rigidity of the pedal bracket. Specifically, an extension portion that is easily extended by an external force is provided at the attachment portion of the pedal bracket.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of the pedal bracket 1c having the structure for supporting the steering shaft 3 having the structure shown in FIG. 9, when a large force acts on the front surface in the event of a car collision or the like, the front lid 42 and the front frame 25 as shown in FIG. And the dash panel 44 and the like are greatly deformed rearward. Accordingly, the pedal bracket 1c has high rigidity as described above, and is pushed as it is to move backward. Accordingly, the instrument panel reinforcement 27 to which the pedal bracket 1c is connected and the steering column bracket 5 move rearward, the steering wheel 45 comes close to the seated person 51, and the dimension a shown in FIG. In some cases, the steering wheel 45 comes into contact with the seated person 51, and the seated person 51 is sandwiched between the steering wheel 45 and the seat 50, so that there is a problem that the living space of the seated person is narrowed.
[0008]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when a low-rigidity pedal bracket 1d made of an aluminum material is used as the pedal bracket, the pedal bracket 1d is crushed or cracked by the force at the time of collision, and the pedal bracket 1d is cracked, resulting in impact energy. Is absorbed. Therefore, the above problems are reduced. However, as shown in FIG. 12, there is a case where the steering column bracket 5 is detached from the pedal bracket 1d, and the steering shaft 3 falls backward from the universal joint 46 shown in FIGS. The problem that 3 falls is caused. The depression of the steering shaft 3 is tentatively referred to as dropping.
[0009]
On the other hand, in the case of the above-described known technology, the movement of the steering shaft to the rear of the vehicle body is prevented due to the presence of the extension portion, but there is a case where a collision force that cannot be absorbed by the extension portion acts, and the steering shaft falls. It is difficult to prevent completely. In addition, the extension part has a complicated structure, which increases the cost.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a simple structure capable of absorbing impact energy and reliably preventing the steering shaft from falling when a large force such as a collision is applied. An object of the present invention is to provide a steering shaft fall prevention structure at the time.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is fixed to a dash panel and a front frame on the front side of a cab of an automobile and is fixed to an instrument panel reinforcement and is fixed to a pedal bracket that supports pedals. A steering shaft fall prevention structure, wherein a steering column bracket fitted to the steering shaft is fixed to the pedal bracket directly and via a fall prevention bracket made of a steel material, and the fall prevention bracket is attached to the instrument An impact force absorbing mechanism portion that is fixed to the panel reinforcement and absorbs energy generated at the time of collision or the like is provided on the pedal bracket to constitute a structure for preventing the steering shaft from dropping at the time of collision. Further, the impact force absorbing mechanism portion is a low-rigidity portion that is partially formed on the pedal bracket, and the pedal bracket is made of an aluminum material.
[0012]
The steering column bracket is connected to the pedal bracket and is also connected to the instrument panel reinforcement via a fall prevention bracket. Therefore, even if the connection between the steering column bracket and the pedal bracket is disconnected, the steering column bracket is supported by the instrument panel reinforcement, and the steering shaft is prevented from falling. On the other hand, by providing the pedal bracket with an impact force absorbing mechanism, impact energy is absorbed, and a large force is not transmitted to the steering shaft side. Various types of impact force absorbing mechanism portions can be applied. However, a low-rigidity portion is partially formed in the pedal bracket, and impact energy can be absorbed by breakage of the portion. Moreover, by using a low-rigidity aluminum material, impact energy is effectively absorbed.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a steering shaft fall prevention structure at the time of a collision according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1, the structure of each component relating to the steering shaft fall prevention structure at the time of collision according to the present invention will be described. First, although the pedal bracket 1 may be a steel material, in this example, the bracket is formed of a low-rigidity aluminum material, and has a horn-shaped portion 7 having an upper mounting portion 6 on the front surface side, and a bracket connected to the base end portion of the horn-shaped portion 7. The upper surface portion 8, the rear panel mounting portion 9, the rear surface portion 10 to which the steering column bracket 5 and the like are mounted, the foot portion 12 that supports the pedal 11, and the like. In addition, the horn-shaped part 7, the panel attaching part 9, and the foot | leg part 12 consist of a thing which has a rib.
[0014]
As an impact force absorbing mechanism portion (hereinafter abbreviated as an absorbing mechanism portion) that absorbs impact energy, the pedal bracket 1 itself may be simply formed of an aluminum material as described above, but in this example, the pedal bracket 1 described above is used. A low-rigidity absorbing mechanism portion is formed in each of these parts, and when the impact force is applied, the portion is deformed and cracked, and the pedal bracket 1 is cracked, so that the impact energy is absorbed. Specifically, as the horn-shaped portion 7 moves upward, the rib is made thinner and the upper mounting portion 6 is made thinner to form a low-rigidity portion. Further, the holes 13 and 14 are formed through the bracket upper surface portion 8, and the thin portion 15 is formed at the periphery of the holes 13 and 14. A large number of windows 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 are also formed in the rear surface portion 10, and a low-rigidity portion is formed around the window 16 and the like. The foot 12 is formed with high rigidity to support the pedal 11 via the pedal stopper 24. Further, each of the low-rigidity portions has a difference in rigidity, and deformation, cracks, etc. at the time of impact or the like are sequentially generated according to the magnitude of the impact force, so that the impact energy can be absorbed smoothly. Good.
[0015]
The upper mounting portion 6 has a mounting hole 26 for fixing to the front frame 25, and the panel mounting portion 9 has a mounting hole 26 for fixing to the instrument panel reinforcement 27. Further, the rear surface portion 10 is provided with mounting holes 29, 30, 31, 32 and the like on the top, bottom, left and right.
[0016]
The fall-preventing bracket 2 is made of a U-shaped flat plate member having an appropriate thickness, and through holes 33, 34, 35, and 36 are drilled vertically and horizontally. In this example, the fall-preventing bracket 2 is made of steel.
[0017]
A steering column bracket 5 is fitted to the steering column 4 that supports the steering shaft 3. Mounting holes 37, 38, 39, 40 are formed in the steering column bracket 5 vertically and horizontally.
[0018]
Next, the connection structure of each component described above will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the pedal bracket 1 is fixed to the front frame 25 by the mounting hole 26 of the upper mounting portion 6 of the horn-shaped portion 7, and the front surface portion 43 (FIG. 2) is fixed to the dash panel 44. It is fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 27 by the mounting hole 28 of the panel mounting portion 9.
[0019]
On the other hand, the fall prevention bracket 2 is fixed to the pedal bracket 1 with the lower through holes 35 and 36 aligned with the upper mounting holes 29 and 30 of the rear surface portion 10 of the pedal bracket 1 and as shown in FIG. It is fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 27 by the upper through holes 33 and 34.
[0020]
The steering column bracket 5 has its upper mounting holes 37 and 38 aligned with the lower through holes 35 and 36 of the fall-preventing bracket 2 and is connected to the pedal bracket 1 through the mounting holes 29 and 30 of the pedal bracket 1. It is tightened. Further, the steering column bracket 5 is fixed to the pedal bracket 1 with the lower mounting holes 39 and 40 aligned with the lower mounting holes 31 and 32 of the rear surface portion 10 of the pedal bracket 1.
[0021]
When the pedal bracket 1 is not deformed or cracked, as shown in FIG. 2, the back surface of the seated person 51 on the seat 50 is disposed with a desired seating space separated from the steering wheel 45 by a dimension a. There is no danger. Further, the steering shaft 3 is inclined by a predetermined angle and connected to the universal joint 46.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, when a collision or the like occurs and a large force acts on the front surface of the automobile, the front frame 25, the front lid 42, and the dash panel 44 are deformed rearward, and the pedal bracket 1 is pushed rearward accordingly. Since the instrument panel reinforcement 27 is formed with relatively high rigidity, the instrument panel reinforcement 27 does not move due to the pressing force, and the low rigidity pedal bracket 1 is cracked or broken as shown in the figure. In particular, in this example, the pedal bracket 1 is made of an aluminum material, and as described above, a thin weak point is formed in the horn-shaped portion 7, holes 13 and 14 are formed in the bracket upper surface portion 8, and a thin portion is formed on the periphery thereof. 15 and the rear bracket 10 has many windows 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, etc. so that weak points are formed in various places, so the pedal bracket 1 is easy Transforms into Therefore, the impact energy is absorbed when the pedal bracket 1 breaks due to successive deformations, cracks, or overall deformations or cracks of each of the weak points of the pedal bracket 1, and no large pressing force acts on the steering shaft 3 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, even if the pedal column 1 is broken and the connection between the steering column bracket 5 and the pedal bracket 1 is broken, the steering column bracket 5 is connected to the instrument panel via the fall prevention bracket 2. Since the steering shaft 3 is fixed to the reinforcement 27, the position and angle shown in FIG. Therefore, the dimension a between the back surface of the seated person 51 and the steering wheel 45 does not change, and the steering shaft 3 does not fall. Therefore, the seating space is maintained and there is no danger. Even if the pedal bracket 1 is made of a steel material, the pedal bracket 1 is deformed by the above-described weak points, so that the same effect as described above is produced, and there is no danger for the seated person 51. Of course, the pedal bracket 1 is made of an aluminum material, so that there is an effect of reducing the weight, and when it is formed by aluminum die casting, it can be integrally formed, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced compared to that of a steel material. .
[0023]
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this example, only the shape of the attachment portion of the fall-preventing bracket 2 of the pedal bracket 1 is changed. That is, the pedal bracket 1a of the present example is provided with concave grooves 53, 53 into which the left and right side parts 52, 52 of the fall prevention bracket 2a are fitted on the rear surface part 10a, and the bracket upper surface part 8a between the concave grooves 53, 53. The upper portion 54 of the fall-preventing bracket 2a is placed thereon. Thereby, the fall-preventing bracket 2a can be easily and properly assembled to the pedal bracket 1a, and the peripheral portions of the windows 18, 19, 20, 21 are thinned by the thickness of the fall-prevention bracket 2a so that the rigidity is low. Become. FIG. 4 shows a state immediately before the fall-preventing bracket 2a is inserted into the concave grooves 53, 53.
[0024]
FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the fall prevention bracket is divided into two plate-like members separated left and right, and two concave grooves 55 similar to the concave groove 53 of FIG. 4 are provided, and the respective plate-like members are inserted separately. . As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fall prevention bracket 2b of this example is formed by bending a locking piece 56 in a rectangular plate member and through-holes 57, 58, 59. Consists of things. The through hole 57 is for fixing the fall prevention bracket 2b to the instrument panel reinforcement 27 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and the through hole 59 is a steering column bracket 5b (FIGS. 7 and 8) as shown in FIG. This is for fixing the fall-preventing bracket 2b to the pedal bracket 1b in advance before mounting. And the through-hole 58 and the attachment holes 31 and 32 of the rear surface part 10b shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the attachment holes 37, 38 and 39, 40 of the steering column bracket 5b as described above.
[0025]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the steering column bracket 5b of this example is formed with a locking hole 60 to which the locking piece 56 of the fall prevention bracket 2b is engaged. FIG. 8 shows the engagement state between the fall prevention bracket 2b and the steering column bracket 5b. By engaging the locking piece 56 of the fall prevention bracket 2b with the locking hole 60 of the steering column bracket 5b. Both are connected. Therefore, the mounting holes 37 and 38 of the steering column bracket 5b correspond to the through holes 58 and 58 of the fall prevention bracket, and the mounting holes 39 and 40 of the steering column bracket 5b correspond to the mounting holes 31 and 32 of the pedal bracket 1b. The steering column bracket 5b can be fixed to the pedal bracket 1b side together with the fall-preventing bracket 2b simply by doing so. At that time, the operator can use both hands. That is, by providing the through hole 59, the locking piece 56, and the locking hole 60, the operator can use both hands when attaching the steering column bracket 5b. Therefore, workability is improved and the holding on the steering column bracket 5b side is further ensured.
[0026]
In the above description, the fall-preventing brackets 2, 2a, 2b are illustrated, but the shape and material thereof are not limited to those described above. Further, the pedal brackets 1, 1a, 1b are not limited to the shapes and materials described above.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following remarkable effects.
1) Since the steering column bracket that supports the steering shaft is fixed to the rigid instrument panel reinforcement side via a steel fall prevention bracket, steering can be performed even if the pedal bracket is deformed, cracked, etc. The shaft can be reliably prevented from falling and moving backward, and the seating space for the seated person can be maintained, improving safety.
Further, by providing the pedal bracket with the impact force absorbing mechanism, large energy such as impact energy is absorbed, and the pressing force toward the steering shaft is reduced.
2) In the case where the impact force absorbing mechanism is a low-rigidity portion partially provided on the pedal bracket, the pedal bracket can be deformed and cracked at a desired location, and the safety design is reliably performed.
3) By adopting an aluminum material for the pedal bracket as the impact force absorbing mechanism, the entire pedal bracket becomes low-rigidity, and deformation, cracks, etc. at the time of impact, etc. are sequentially increased according to the magnitude of the impact force. Generated, and can significantly absorb impact energy. Moreover, weight reduction can be achieved by using an aluminum material.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a connection structure between a fall-preventing bracket, a pedal bracket and a steering shaft according to the present invention, and an arrangement in the cab.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view for explaining the action at the time of the collision force action of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a state where the fall prevention bracket according to another example of the present invention is being attached to the pedal bracket.
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a state in the middle of attachment of the fall prevention bracket to the pedal bracket according to still another example of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view (FIG. 6A) showing a detailed structure of the fall-preventing bracket in FIG. 5 according to the present invention, and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the perspective view (FIG. 6B).
7 is a perspective view showing a steering column bracket to which the fall prevention bracket shown in FIG. 6 is engaged. FIG.
8 is a perspective view showing an engagement state between the fall prevention bracket shown in FIG. 6 and the steering column bracket shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing a conventional connecting structure between the pedal bracket and the steering shaft and the arrangement in the cab.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view for explaining problems at the time of impact force action in a conventional pedal bracket.
FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a conventional connecting structure of a steering shaft and a pedal bracket.
12 is a partial perspective view showing a deformed state at the time of the collision in FIG. 11;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pedal bracket 1a Pedal bracket 1b Pedal bracket 2 Fall prevention bracket 2a Fall prevention bracket 2b Fall prevention bracket 3 Steering shaft 4 Steering column 5 Steering column bracket 5b Steering column bracket 6 Upper mounting part 7 Horn part 8 Bracket upper surface part 8a Bracket upper surface portion 9 Panel mounting portion 10 Rear surface portion 10a Rear surface portion 10b Rear surface portion 11 Pedal 12 Foot portion 13 Hole 14 Hole 15 Thin portion 16 Window 17 Window 18 Window 19 Window 20 Window 21 Window 22 Window 23 Window 24 Pedal stopper 25 Front Frame 26 Mounting hole 27 Instrument panel reinforcement (instrument panel reinforcement)
28 mounting hole 29 mounting hole 30 mounting hole 31 mounting hole 32 mounting hole 33 through hole 34 through hole 35 through hole 36 through hole 37 mounting hole 38 mounting hole 39 mounting hole 40 mounting hole 41 windshield 42 front lid 43 front portion 44 dash Panel 45 Steering wheel 46 Universal joint 47 Shaft 48 Steering unit 49 Floor panel 50 Seat 51 Seated person 52 Side part 53 Concave groove 54 Upper part 55 Concave groove 56 Locking piece 57 Through hole 58 Through hole 59 Through hole 60 Locking hole

Claims (3)

Steering that is fixed to a dash panel (44) and a front frame (25) on the front side of a cab of an automobile and is fixed to an instrument panel reinforcement (27) and fixed to a pedal bracket (1) that supports pedals. The shaft (3) has a fall prevention structure in which the steering column bracket (5) fitted to the steering shaft (3) is directly and via the fall prevention bracket (2) made of a steel material, the pedal bracket (1). And an impact force absorbing mechanism that absorbs energy generated at the time of a collision with the pedal bracket (1) and the bracket (2) for preventing the fall to the instrument panel reinforcement (27). steering shaft fall prevention structure at the time of collision, characterized in that provided   2. The structure for preventing a steering shaft from dropping at the time of a collision according to claim 1, wherein the impact force absorbing mechanism portion is a low-rigidity portion that is partially formed on the pedal bracket (1).   The structure for preventing a steering shaft from dropping at the time of a collision according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pedal bracket (1) is made of an aluminum material.

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