JP4050525B2 - Vehicle steering beam - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering beam that supports a steering shaft of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a steering beam made of a steel cylindrical pipe is provided on the front side of the vehicle. The steering beam extends in the vehicle width direction, and both end portions thereof are supported on both sides of the vehicle body via the in-vehicle bracket. A steering shaft is supported on a driver seat side portion of the steering beam via a support bracket. Further, a plurality of mounting brackets are connected to the steering beam by bolts. In-vehicle equipment such as a meter, a car audio, and a passenger airbag is attached to each mounting bracket.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is troublesome to make several brackets separately from the steering beam and connect them with bolts, which requires time and cost.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor has proposed that the steering beam is formed by resin molding and the bracket is integrally formed thereon. On the other hand, when the steering beam is made of resin, a new problem arises that it is inevitable to increase the size and weight in order to ensure the required rigidity. In view of this, the idea of further dividing the steering beam into first and second beam members has been proposed.
[0005]
The first beam member is formed of, for example, an injection-molded product of resin (polypropylene or the like), and integrally has a bracket for supporting a steering shaft, mounting of in-vehicle equipment, or in-vehicle, and extends in the vehicle width direction. This eliminates the need to separately manufacture and attach the bracket to the beam, simplifying the manufacturing and assembling operations, and greatly saving time and cost. The second beam member is made of an extruded product of a material having higher rigidity than the first beam member, for example, a metal (aluminum or the like), and extends in the vehicle width direction. Each of the first and second beam members is formed with a fitting portion that fits the other beam member so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction over substantially the entire length. In this fitted state, the first and second beam members are in contact with each other so as to transmit stress in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. As a result, the strength required for the steering beam can be sufficiently exerted while reducing the weight, and further, the difference in expansion and contraction due to the difference in material between the first and second beam members can be absorbed. .
[0006]
Each of the first and second beam members includes a beam vertical plate whose longitudinal direction is directed in the vehicle width direction and whose width direction is substantially vertically directed, and is integrally connected to the beam vertical plate and has the longitudinal direction directed in the vehicle width direction. It is desirable to have a beam lateral plate whose width direction is substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, a force in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction can be reliably carried out, and the strength required for the steering beam can be more reliably exhibited.
[0007]
It is desirable that the first and second beam members are connected to each other by connecting means such as a bolt in the middle in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, the stress in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction can be transmitted more reliably. Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one of the first and second beam members is formed with a space in which the harness of the equipment can be routed or provided as a ventilation duct so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. . As a result, the wiring of the harness can be facilitated, or a piping space for the ventilation duct need not be secured separately. It is preferable that a plurality of the beam horizontal plates are provided apart in the vertical direction so that the space is defined by the adjacent beam horizontal plate and beam vertical plate.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 show a steering beam module M of a vehicle. The module M includes a steering beam 1 that supports the steering shaft 3 and various in-vehicle equipment such as a meter 7, a display 4, an audio / air conditioner unit 5, and a passenger seat airbag 6 attached to the steering beam 1. 2) between the front engine room and the instrument panel (not shown) facing the vehicle compartment.
[0009]
The steering beam 1 includes first and second beam members 10 and 20. The first beam member 10 is an injection-molded product made of resin, whereas the second beam member 20 is an extrusion-molded product made of a metal having higher rigidity. Specifically, polypropylene (PPG) containing glass fiber is used as the resin material of the first beam member 10, and aluminum is used as the metal material of the second beam member 20. However, the material is not limited to these materials. Absent.
[0010]
The first beam member 10 of the resin injection molded product will be described in detail.
The first beam member 10 integrally includes a plurality of beam plates 11 and 12 having a long plate shape and a plurality of brackets 13 to 18. The longitudinal direction of the beam vertical plate 11 is directed in the vehicle width direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 2 and 3) so as to be bridged between both sides of the vehicle body, and the width direction is directed upward and downward. . Three (plural) beam transverse plates 12 are provided apart vertically. The longitudinal direction of each beam horizontal plate 12 is directed in the vehicle width direction so as to be bridged between both sides of the vehicle body, similarly to the beam vertical plate 11, and the width direction is directed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The edges of the beam lateral plates 12 on the vehicle rear side (vehicle compartment side) are connected to the beam vertical plates 11 respectively. Vertical ribs 19 are provided at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction between the upper and middle beam horizontal plates 12 and between the middle and lower beam horizontal plates 12.
The upper and lower edge portions of the beam vertical plate 11 protrude vertically from the upper and lower beam horizontal plates 12 to constitute a first fitting portion 11a.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle brackets 18 are integrally provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the upper and lower beam horizontal plates 12. The steering beam module 1 is supported by connecting these on-vehicle brackets 18 to both sides of the vehicle body. The in-vehicle bracket 18 is formed with a bolt hole 18a through which the connecting bolt to the vehicle body is inserted. The bolt hole 18a is a long hole that is long in the vehicle width direction.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting bracket 15 is integrally provided downward in the center in the longitudinal direction of the lower beam horizontal plate 12. The lower end of the mounting bracket 15 is connected and supported on the floor of the vehicle body. A mounting portion 5a of the audio / air conditioner unit 5 is bolted to the mounting bracket 15. The audio / air conditioner unit 5 includes a car air conditioner main body, an air conditioner control panel for operating the car air conditioner, and a car audio. Note that an ashtray, a cup folder, or the like may be attached to the mounting bracket 15 in addition to or instead of the audio / air conditioner unit 5.
[0013]
At the center in the longitudinal direction of the upper beam horizontal plate 12, the mounting bracket 14 is integrally provided upward. A mounting portion 4a of the display 4 is bolted to the mounting bracket 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting bracket 16 is integrally provided on the left side (passenger seat side) of the upper beam lateral plate 12 upward, and the mounting bracket 6 a of the passenger seat airbag 6 is provided on the mounting bracket 16. Is bolted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mounting bracket 17 is integrally provided upward on the right side (driver's seat side) of the upper beam horizontal plate 12, and the mounting portion 7 a of the meter 7 is provided on the mounting bracket 17. Is bolted.
[0014]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the support bracket 13 is integrally provided on the right side of the lower beam lateral plate 11. The support bracket 13 includes a connecting portion 13a suspended from the lower beam horizontal plate 11, a horizontal mounting plate 13b provided at the lower end of the connecting portion 13a, and two strips (on the upper surface of the mounting plate 13b). A plurality of ribs 13c. At the four corners of the mounting plate 13b, stoppers 31 are provided. The stopper 31 includes a U-shaped bracket body 31a into which the edge of the mounting plate 13b is fitted, and a nut 31b provided on the upper plate of the bracket body 31a. Below the mounting plate 13b, the connection bracket 30 of the steering shaft 3 is addressed with the lower plate of the metal fitting body 31a interposed therebetween. The connection bracket 30 and the mounting plate 13b are connected by a bolt 32 screwed into the nut 31b. As a result, the steering shaft 3 is supported by the steering beam 1.
[0015]
Next, the 2nd beam member 20 of an aluminum extrusion molding product is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second beam member 20 is arranged closer to the passenger compartment side than the first beam member 10. The second beam member 20 integrally includes a plurality of beam plates 21 and 22 each having a long plate shape, and has an E-shaped cross section. More specifically, the longitudinal direction of the beam vertical plate 21 is directed in the vehicle width direction, and the width direction is directed vertically. Three (plural) beam transverse plates 22 are provided apart vertically. The longitudinal direction of each beam horizontal plate 22 is directed in the vehicle width direction, and the width direction is directed in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to protrude from the beam vertical plate 21 toward the vehicle compartment. As shown in FIG. 1, the lengths of the beam plates 21 and 22 of the second beam member 20 are slightly shorter than the lengths of the beam plates 11 and 12 of the first beam member 10, and It has been trimmed.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper and lower beam horizontal plates 22 of the second beam member 20 have front edges (engine room side) that protrude forward from the beam vertical plate 21, and the protruding edges thereof. Are vertically bent to constitute a pair of upper and lower second fitting portions 22a having an L-shaped cross section. The first fitting portion 11a of the first beam member 10 is fitted into the upper and lower second fitting portions 22a so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (vehicle width direction). In this state, the beam vertical plates 11 and 21 are overlapped in the front-rear direction, and are connected by a rivet 40 (connection means) at the center in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the upper edge of the rib 13 c of the support bracket 13 is abutted against the lower surface of the lower beam horizontal plate 22. As a result, stress in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction can be transmitted between the first and second beam members 10 and 20.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the space 20 a extending in the vehicle width direction defined by the beam vertical plate 21 and the upper and middle beam horizontal plates 22 in the second beam member 20, the above-described equipment 4 to 7 harness 8 is routed. In addition, two insertion grooves 22b are formed over the entire length of the lower edge of the upper beam horizontal plate 22 and the edge of the upper surface of the middle beam horizontal plate 22 on the passenger compartment side. The upper and lower edges of the harness stopper plate 23 are fitted in one of the grooves 22b. A plurality of stop plates 23 are arranged apart in the longitudinal direction of the second beam member 20. These stop plates 23 prevent the harness 8 from falling off the space 20a.
[0018]
A fitting groove 22b similar to the above is also formed over the entire length at the edge of the lower surface of the middle beam horizontal plate 22 and the upper surface of the lower beam horizontal plate 22 on the passenger compartment side. A duct forming plate 24 made of, for example, PPG resin is fitted in these grooves 22b. The duct forming plate 24 extends over the entire length of the second beam member 20 in the longitudinal direction. A blowout portion 24a is provided at the center portion and the left and right side portions of the duct forming plate 24 in the longitudinal direction so as to protrude toward the vehicle compartment side. A space 20b extending in the vehicle width direction defined by the beam vertical plate 21, the middle and lower beam horizontal plates 22 and the duct forming plate 24 is connected to the output port of the car air conditioner body (detailed illustration). Is omitted). Thus, the space 20b is provided as a ventilation duct for circulating conditioned air from the car air conditioner body. The conditioned air is blown out from the outlets 24a of the duct forming plate 24 into the passenger compartment.
[0019]
The operation of the steering beam module M configured as described above will be described. In the steering beam module M, since the various brackets 13 to 18 can be integrally formed at the same time as the beam plates 11 and 12 of the first beam member 10 are formed, it is not necessary to separately manufacture the bracket and attach it to the beam. Work can be simplified and time and cost can be saved significantly.
[0020]
An external force acts mainly on the beam members 10 and 20 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the component force in the vertical direction of the external force can be received by the beam vertical plates 11 and 21. The component force in the front-rear direction can be received by the beam lateral plates 12 and 22. In addition, the force applied to the first beam member 10 made of PPG resin can be transmitted to the second beam member 20 made of aluminum having higher rigidity, and can be received also by the second beam member 20. Thereby, the strength required for the steering beam 1 can be sufficiently exhibited. As a result, it is not necessary to increase the size of the resin beam member 10, and the weight can be reduced.
[0021]
The first beam member 10 made of PPG resin and the second beam member 20 made of aluminum have different linear expansion coefficients at the time of expansion / contraction due to changes in air temperature. Thus, the left and right side portions can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction while sliding with respect to the other beam member. Therefore, the difference in expansion / contraction between the first and second beam members 10 and 20 can be absorbed, and distortion of the beam members 10 and 20 can be prevented. Further, the long hole 18a of the in-vehicle bracket 18 can absorb the expansion / contraction difference between the first beam member 10 and the vehicle body. Furthermore, the both ends of the second beam member 20 are cut off from both sides of the vehicle body, so that the expansion / contraction difference between the second beam member 20 and the vehicle body can be absorbed.
[0022]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the width direction of the beam vertical plate of the first and second beam members may be slightly inclined rather than vertical. Further, the width direction of the beam horizontal plate may be slightly inclined rather than horizontal.
A space for harness wiring or a space for ventilation ducts may be provided in the first beam member. One of the first and second beam members may be provided with a harness routing space, and the other may be provided with a ventilation duct space.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by providing the bracket integrally with the first beam member, it is not necessary to separately manufacture the bracket and attach it to the beam, and the manufacturing and assembling work can be simplified. , Can save a lot of time and cost. Further, the second beam member having higher rigidity than the first beam member can sufficiently exhibit the strength required for the steering beam and can be reduced in weight. Further, by fitting these first and second beam members so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to absorb the difference between expansion and contraction accompanying the change in temperature.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering beam module as viewed from the passenger compartment side.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the module along the crank-like II-II folding line of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the module taken along line III-III in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
M Steering beam module 1 Steering beam 3 Steering shaft 4 Display (equipment in the car)
5 Audio air conditioner unit (equipment in the car)
6 Passenger airbag (in-vehicle equipment)
7 Meter (in-vehicle equipment)
8 Harness 10 First beam member 11 Beam vertical plate 11a First fitting portion 12 Beam horizontal plate 13 Support brackets 14-17 Mounting bracket 18 In-vehicle bracket 20 Second beam member 20a Harness wiring space 20b Ventilation duct space 21 Beam vertical plate 22 Beam horizontal plate 22a Second fitting portion 40 Rivet (connection means)

Claims (5)

A first beam member that integrally has a bracket for supporting a steering shaft, for mounting in-vehicle equipment, or for mounting on a vehicle and that extends in the vehicle width direction, and is made of a material that is more rigid than the first beam member and extends in the vehicle width direction Each of the first and second beam members is formed with a fitting portion that fits the other beam member so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction. A vehicle steering beam, wherein the first and second beam members are in contact with each other so that stress in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction can be transmitted to each other. 2. The vehicle steering beam according to claim 1, wherein the first beam member is made of a resin injection-molded product, and the second beam member is made of a metal extrusion-molded product. Each of the first and second beam members has a beam vertical plate whose longitudinal direction is directed in the vehicle width direction and whose width direction is substantially vertical, and is integrally connected to the beam vertical plate and has its longitudinal direction directed in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle steering beam according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a beam horizontal plate whose width direction is substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The vehicle steering beam according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second beam members are connected by a connecting means in the middle in the longitudinal direction. A space in which the harness of the equipment can be routed or provided as a ventilation duct is formed in at least one of the first and second beam members so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Item 5. The vehicle steering beam according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

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