JP4172694B2 - Steering column device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering column device, and more particularly to a steering column device for a vehicle including a telescopic mechanism and a tilting mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The telescopic mechanism and the tilting mechanism are mechanisms for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the front-rear direction and the tilt angle to a position where the driver can drive most easily according to the body shape and preference of the driver.
[0003]
The telescopic mechanism and the tilting mechanism are provided with a clamp / unclamp mechanism that is operated when adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the front-rear direction and the inclination angle. / The unclamping mechanism is released, and in this state, the front-rear direction position and the inclination angle are adjusted, and then the clamped state is established again.
[0004]
Since the adjustment of the position and the inclination angle of the steering wheel is performed by operating the steering wheel by hand, it is preferable that the clamp / unclamp mechanism can be operated without releasing the hand from the steering wheel. British Patent Application No. 2281375 discloses a steering column device provided with a single operation handle which can be operated while the steering wheel is held.
[0005]
In the steering column device of the above-mentioned British patent, when the operation handle is operated, the clamp device for adjusting the inclination angle in the vicinity of the operation handle is activated, and the operation handle moves through the cable that can move in the flexible tube. Is transmitted to a clamp device for position adjustment in the front-rear direction, which is separated from the head. The cable and its tube are given large deflections in order to make the curvature sufficiently small to allow the cable to move freely over the entire adjustment range of the steering wheel. For this reason, a part will jump out toward the outside of the steering column device, which is not only unsightly but also causes trouble. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism composed of the cable and its tube is not only unreliable, but also the operability is not good because the cable expands and contracts.
[0006]
In order to cope with such a problem, the clamp / unclamp mechanism of the telescopic mechanism and the tilting mechanism can be operated by a single lever provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel, and the part that protrudes greatly from the steering column device. Has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-273484), which is provided with a clamp / unclamp mechanism with high reliability and good operability.
[0007]
The steering wheel longitudinal position and tilt angle adjustment functions are used not only for driving but also for getting on and off. When the steering wheel is retracted for such a purpose, it is sufficient that the steering wheel is flipped up by a tilting mechanism. However, in the steering column device of the above-mentioned British patent or the above-mentioned Japanese application, not only the tilting mechanism but also the telescopic mechanism is unclamped at the same time by the lever operation during adjustment. Therefore, not only a large force is required to operate the lever, but also the unclamped telescopic mechanism is easy to move, so when it moves, it needs to be adjusted again before starting operation.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
GB Patent Application No. 2281375
[Patent Document 2]
US Pat. No. 6,237,438
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the present invention, a telescopic operation lever for operating the clamp / unclamp of the telescopic mechanism and a tilt operation lever for operating the clamp / unclamp of the tilting mechanism are provided independently, and the tilt operation lever can be operated independently. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device that can operate in conjunction with a tilt operation lever when a telescopic operation lever is operated.
[0010]
In addition, simultaneous adjustment of the telescopic mechanism and tilting mechanism can be performed only by operating a single telescopic operation lever, and adjustment of the tilting mechanism alone can be performed by operation of the tilt operation lever. In this case, an object is to provide a steering column device that can be operated with a slight force.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,First1According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixed column member having a vehicle body mounting portion for mounting to a vehicle body, a movable column member supported by the fixed column member so as not to rotate about a central axis and to be movable in the central axis direction, and the movable column member A column head provided at one end of the head, a tilt head supported by the column head so as to be tiltable, a wheel shaft rotatably supported by the tilt head, and a wheel shaft for fixing a steering wheel at one end, and provided in the column head A column clamp shaft that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the central axis of the movable column member, and is movable with respect to the column clamp shaft, and the movable column member is fixed by the rotation of the column clamp shaft. A column clamp for clamping / unclamping the column member; Serial tilt head clamp for clamping / unclamping the tilt head with respect to the column head, provided in the tilt head, Center each lever on a common axisA pair of operating levers composed of a tilt operating lever and a telescopic operating lever, a tilt unclamping force transmission device for transmitting the swing of the tilt operating lever to the tilt head clamp, and the swing of the telescopic operating lever in the column In a steering column device provided with a column unclamping force transmission device for converting into rotation of the clamp shaft and transmitting it to the column clamp,The telescopic operation lever of the operation lever pair is provided with a transmission member that can be pressed against the tilt operation lever only when the telescopic operation lever is attracted toward the steering wheel.When the telescopic operation lever is operatedOnly, Tilt control leverIsInterlocked with the swing of the telescopic operation leverOn the other hand, when the tilt operation lever is operated, only the tilt operation lever is operated independently without interlocking the telescopic operation lever. Further, the tilt operation lever and the telescopic operation lever are They are close to each other so that they can be operated with the fingers of their hands while holding the wheel.This is a steering column device.
[0013]
  First2The second invention is the second invention1In the steering column device of the second invention, the column unclamping force transmission device includes a pusher plate, a pusher rod, and a swing arm, and the pusher plate is provided on the telescopic operation lever, and the pusher rod The pusher rod is slidable in a direction parallel to the tilt center axis of the tilt head, is supported by the column head, and the swing arm is One end is engaged with the rod and the other end is fixed to the column clamp shaft, and the telescopic operation lever swings by swinging motion of the pusher plate, axial motion of the pusher rod, It is sequentially converted into a swinging motion and a rotational motion of the column clamp shaft. Mukuranpu is unclamped, in conjunction with the swinging of the telescopic operation lever swung above the tilt operating lever, a steering column apparatus, characterized in that the tilt head clamp is unclamped.
[0014]
  First3The second invention is the second invention1Th or th2In the steering column device of the second aspect of the invention, the tilt unclamping force transmission device transmits the swing of the tilt operation lever directly to the tilt head clamp, thereby bringing the tilt head clamp into an unclamped state. This is a steering column device.
[0015]
  First4The second invention is the second invention1ThFromFirst3ThUntilIn the steering column device of the invention, in order to apply a clamping force to the tilt head clamp, the tilt head is provided with a first urging spring for urging the tilt operation lever, and the clamp is clamped to the column clamp. In order to apply force, the column head is provided with a second urging spring for urging the pusher rod.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a steering column apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
* Overall overview
The steering column device 1 includes a fixed column member 2, a movable column member 3, a column head 31, a tilt head 4, a wheel shaft 5, a column clamp 21, a tilt head clamp 41 (see FIG. 2), an operation lever pair 7, and a machine. Equipped with automatic transmission.
[0021]
The fixed column member 2 is provided with vehicle body attachment portions 221 and 222, and is attached to the vehicle body 91 by the vehicle body attachment portions 221 and 222. A movable column member 3 is supported on the fixed column member 2 so as not to rotate around the central axis and to be movable in the central axis direction. A column head 31 is provided at one end of the movable column member 3, and a tilt head 4 is supported on the column head 31 so as to be tiltable about a tilt center axis 43. A wheel shaft 5 is rotatably supported on the tilt head 4, and a steering wheel 92 is fixed to one end thereof.
[0022]
The column head 31 is provided with a column clamp shaft 6 that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the central axis of the movable column member 3. The fixed column member 2 is provided with a column clamp 21, which is movable relative to the column clamp shaft 6, and the moving column is rotated by the rotation of the column clamp shaft 6. The member 3 can be clamped / unclamped.
[0023]
Further, the column head 31 is provided with a tilt head clamp 41, and the tilt head 4 is clamped / unclamped with respect to the column head 31. The tilt head 4 supports an operation lever pair 7 by a lever central axis. The operation lever pair 7 is composed of a pair of a tilt operation lever 7A and a telescopic operation lever 7B, which can be operated with a hand on the steering wheel 92. In the example shown below, the tilt operation lever 7A is disposed above the telescopic operation lever 7B. The swing of the telescopic operation lever 7B is converted into the rotation of the column clamp shaft 6 through a mechanical transmission device, and this rotation is transmitted to the column clamp 21 to clamp / unclamp the movable column member 3. . Further, the swing of the tilt operation lever 7A is directly transmitted to the tilt head clamp 41, and the tilt head 4 is clamped / unclamped.
[0024]
A flat transmission member 75 is provided integrally with the telescopic operation lever 7B at a substantially intermediate position in the length direction of the telescopic operation lever 7B. The upper side of the transmission member 75 is in contact with the tilt operation lever 7A, and the upper end 751 of the transmission member 75 has a length that extends slightly beyond the tilt operation lever 7A. By this transmission member 75, the operation of the telescopic operation lever 7B is transmitted to the tilt operation lever 7A, and the tilt operation lever 7A swings in conjunction with the swing of the telescopic operation lever 7B. Therefore, when the telescopic operation lever 7B is operated, the movable column member 3 is clamped / unclamped and the tilt head 4 is clamped / unclamped in parallel. Further, the tilt operation lever 7A can be operated independently from the telescopic operation lever 7B.
[0025]
One end of the wheel shaft 5 is connected to the universal joint 931 (FIG. 3) in the steering column device 1, and a pair of upper intermediate shaft 941 and lower intermediate shaft 942 (FIG. 3) that are spline-coupled, It is connected via a universal joint 932 to a mechanism for manipulating the direction of the front wheels. Note that two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1 indicate some examples of positions and postures that the steering wheel 92 can take by adjustment.
[0026]
* Tilt head clamp
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 1 with a part of the steering column device 1 cut away. FIG. 3 is a partially cut-out top view of the steering column device 1 when viewed from the top of FIG. 2 (P direction). 4 and 5 are bottom views of the steering column device 1 when viewed from the bottom of FIG. 2 (from the Q direction). Here, the solid line in FIG. 4 indicates a state before the telescopic operation lever 7B is pulled, and the two-dot chain line indicates a state where the telescopic operation lever 7B is pulled. Further, the solid line in FIG. 5 indicates a state before the tilt operation lever 7A is pulled, and the two-dot chain line indicates a state where the tilt operation lever 7A is pulled. 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken along lines AA, BB and CC in FIG. 2, respectively.
[0027]
The tilt head clamp 41 has the following configuration. A segment gear 33 having a center on the tilt center shaft 43 is fixed to the movable column member 3 by a bolt 34, and a backrest member 341 is provided with a space between the segment gear 33. On the other hand, the gear portion 442 of the gear arm 44 supported by the tilt head 4 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 441 and the protrusion 71 provided on the tilt operation lever 7A enter the space.
[0028]
The gear arm 44 has an L shape (FIG. 2) made up of two legs, and the gear portion 442 is formed on one leg. A biasing spring 711 is interposed between the other leg 443 of the gear arm 44 and the back part of the projecting part 71, and a bias is given so as to increase the distance between the back part of the projecting part 71 and the leg 443.
[0029]
Due to this bias, the projecting portion 71 is pushed leftward (FIG. 2) and the gear portion 442 is pushed from behind, so that the gear portion 442 is pushed toward the segment gear 33 and the respective teeth mesh with each other. When the gear portion 442 pushes the segment gear 33, the backrest member 341 receives the reaction force applied to the protrusion 71 (FIGS. 2, 6, and 7). Thus, the tilt head 4 is fixed when the tilt operation lever 7A is at the position of the solid line (FIGS. 3 and 5). The tilt head 4 is fixed at a stepped position at an angular position where the gear portion 442 and the segment gear 33 can mesh with each other.
[0030]
When the protrusion 71 of the tilt operation lever 7A moves rightward in FIG. 2 (FIGS. 2 and 3), the gear arm 44 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. Teeth disengage. Therefore, when the tilt operation lever 7A is pulled at the time of adjusting the tilt position, the protrusion 71 moves to the right, and the tilt head clamp 41 enters the unclamped state.
[0031]
* Universal joint and intermediate shaft
As shown in FIG. 3, an upper universal joint 931 is formed between the end of the upper intermediate shaft 941 and the end of the wheel shaft 5. Since the center of the universal joint 931 is on the axis of the tilt center axis 43, the tilt head 4 is not affected by the tilt.
[0032]
The lower intermediate shaft 942 is rotatably supported by the fixed column member 2, and the lower intermediate shaft 942 and the upper intermediate shaft 941 are spline-coupled, so that the movable column member 3 can move in the left-right direction in FIG. ing. The spline coupling allows the rotation of the upper intermediate shaft 941 to be transmitted to the lower intermediate shaft 942 regardless of the movement position. Even if the position of the steering wheel 92 in the front-rear direction is adjusted, the rotation of the steering wheel 92 can be reduced. 942 can be transmitted.
[0033]
* Fixed column member and moving column member
As shown in FIG. 2, a long hole 32 is formed in the cylindrical portion of the movable column member 3 along the axial direction, and a stopper member 22 provided in the fixed column member 2 is engaged in the long hole 32. Match. The movable column member 3 is prevented from coming out of the fixed column member 2 and rotating with respect to the elongated column 32 and the stopper member 22, so that the movable column member 3 can move in the axial direction within the elongated hole 32 within the fixed column member 2. It has become.
[0034]
The fixed column member 2 includes a cylindrical portion 231, and ring-shaped sliding guide portions 232 are provided at two locations inside the cylindrical portion 231 (FIG. 3). The outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the moving column member 3 can be moved with respect to the fixed column member 2 in the axial direction of the moving column member 3 by the sliding guide portion 232 without rattling. The buffer stopper 311 provided on the end surface of the column head 31 is a rubber provided to prevent shock collision between metals when the movable column member 3 collides with the end surface of the fixed column member 2 during adjustment. It is a cushioning material made of synthetic resin.
[0035]
* Column clamp
The configuration of the column clamp 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 2 as described above, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are partially enlarged views in FIG. 8. The relationship between the rotational position of the column clamp shaft 6 and the clamp / unclamp state Is shown. The column clamp 21 is provided on the fixed column member 2 and includes a first wedge 211, a second wedge 212, a clamp bar 213, and reaction force members 2141 and 2142. A wedge hole 215 is formed in the fixed column member 2 from the lateral direction, and a part of the wedge hole 215 opens in the cavity of the fixed column member 2. Each of the first wedge 211 and the second wedge 212 includes inclined surfaces 2111, 1122, and is accommodated in the wedge hole 215 so that the inclined surfaces 2111, 2112 face each other. The inclined surfaces 2111 and 2112 of the two wedges face the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the moving column member 3.
[0036]
Clamp bar holes 2113 and 2114 are formed in the first wedge 211 and the second wedge 212, respectively, and the clamp bar 213 passes through these holes. Reaction force members 2141 and 2142 having a larger outer diameter than the clamp bar holes 2113 and 2114 are fixed to both ends of the clamp bar 213. A column clamp shaft hole 216 is formed in the clamp bar 213 so as to be in contact with one reaction force member 2142, and a substantially elliptical non-circular cross section of the column clamp shaft 6 passes through this hole. .
[0037]
A swing arm 61 is fixed to one end of the column clamp shaft 6. The non-circular cross section of the column clamp shaft 6 has an elliptical major axis direction greatly inclined as shown in FIG. 9 when unclamped, and the major axis direction is substantially close to the axial direction of the clamp bar 213 as shown in FIG. Turn to. With this configuration, when a swinging rotation is applied to the swing arm 61 from the state shown in FIG. 9, the column clamp shaft 6 is rotated to the state shown in FIG. At this time, the reaction force member 2142 is pushed leftward in one vicinity of the elliptical long diameter portion, whereby the clamp bar 213 is pulled leftward, and the reaction force member 2141 pushes the first wedge 211 leftward. become. On the other hand, the second wedge 212 is pushed rightward by the other vicinity of the elliptical long diameter portion. As a result, since the two wedges approach each other, the inclined surfaces 2111 and 2112 press the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the moving column member 3, and the moving column member 3 is clamped against the fixed column member 2. . Since the first wedge 211 and the second wedge 212 can be moved slightly to the left and right as a unit, there is no unbalance that only one of the wedges strongly presses the moving column member 3.
[0038]
When the swing arm 61 is swung and rotated in the opposite direction, the first wedge 211 and the second wedge 212 are separated by the movement opposite to the above, and the clamp of the movable column member 3 is released.
[0039]
* Operation of the control lever pair
Next, the movement of the operation lever pair 7 and each member interlocking with the movement will be described. The operation lever pair 7 is provided on the lower side of the steering column device 1. FIG. 3 shows the operation lever pair 7 (tilt operation lever 7A, telescopic operation lever 7B), and a lever that is a common center of the swing. The central shaft 72 (FIG. 6), the pusher plate 73 fixed to the telescopic operation lever 7B, and the pusher rod 74 are partially visible.
[0040]
4 and 5 when viewed from below, the telescopic operation lever 7B is operated in order to simultaneously adjust the front-rear direction position and the inclination angle of the steering wheel 92, and the entire operation lever pair 7. Alternatively, two states are shown by two-dot chain lines when the tilt operation lever 7A is operated to adjust only the tilt angle (that is, when the respective operation ends are attracted toward the steering wheel 92). Has been. In a state before the tilt operation lever 7A and the telescopic operation lever 7B are operated (positions indicated by solid lines in FIGS. 3 to 5), the flat plate-shaped transmission member 75 provided integrally with the telescopic operation lever 7B is tilted. The operation lever 7A is in contact with the outer periphery at a contact position 752.
[0041]
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, when the telescopic operation lever 7 </ b> B is attracted toward the steering wheel 92, the tilt operation lever 7 </ b> A is pushed by the transmission member 75 and is attracted toward the steering wheel 92. Therefore, when the telescopic operation lever 7B is operated, the movable column member 3 is clamped / unclamped and the tilt head 4 is clamped / unclamped in parallel.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the tilt operation lever 7A is attracted toward the steering wheel 92, the outer periphery of the tilt operation lever 7A moves away from the contact position 752 with the transmission member 75 and is independent of the telescopic operation lever 7B. It can be operated independently. Before the tilt operation lever 7A and the telescopic operation lever 7B are operated, the transmission member 75 is in line contact with the outer periphery of the tilt operation lever 7A at the contact position 752, but the outer periphery of the transmission member 75 and the tilt operation lever 7A. A slight gap may be left between the two.
[0043]
A pusher rod 74 (FIG. 11) having a flange 742 is supported on the column head 31 so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the tilt center axis 43. The pusher rod 74 passes through a biasing spring 741 that biases the rod 742 in the left direction in FIG. 11, and a small long hole 743 that is long in the perpendicular direction is provided at an end of the pusher rod 74. The end of the pusher rod 74 is axially engaged with one end of the swing arm 61 (FIG. 11) through the elongated hole 743. The long hole 743 is for absorbing the amount of displacement of the position relative to the swing arm 61 when the pusher rod 74 moves in the axial direction.
[0044]
The urging spring 741 urges the pusher rod 74 in the left direction (FIG. 11). The swinging arm 61 that is axially engaged at the right end thereof is given a clockwise rotational biasing force. The swing urging force applied to the swing arm 61 maintains the column clamp shaft 6 at the clamp position (FIG. 10, the left and right are reversed because of different directions in FIGS. 10 and 11). The position of the swing arm 61 at this time is indicated by a solid line.
[0045]
* Pusher plate
Since the tilt head 4 tilts on the column head 31, the positional relationship of the pusher rod 74 with respect to the pusher plate 73 changes according to the amount (angle) of tilt. In FIG. 12, two positions where the tilt head 4 is tilted are indicated by a dotted line and a solid line. Since the pusher rod 74 is supported by the column head, its position is not changed by tilting. However, the pusher plate 73 changes its angle around the tilt center axis 43, so that when the tilt head 4 is tilted, its position relative to the pusher rod 74 is changed. Changes. For this reason, the pusher plate 73 has a wide contact surface shape bent like a hockey stick so that the pusher rod 74 can contact the pusher plate 73 at any angular position as viewed in FIG. . The pusher rod 74 is urged in the left direction in FIG. 11 by the urging spring 741 and is in contact with the pusher plate 73. Regarding the clamping, the tilt head 4 is clamped by the biasing force of the biasing spring 711, and the moving column member 3 is clamped by the biasing spring 741.
[0046]
* Steering wheel adjustment
Hereinafter, operations for adjusting the position and the inclination angle of the steering wheel 92 and the operation of each member will be described.
[0047]
** Inclination angle adjustment
When adjusting the angle of the steering wheel 92, the driver extends the finger and pulls the tilt operation lever 7A forward while keeping the hand (thumb) on the steering wheel 92 (FIG. 3). As a result, the tilt operation lever 7A moves away from the transmission member 75 of the telescopic operation lever 7B as shown in FIG. Swings as the center.
[0048]
By swinging the tilt operation lever 7A, the protrusion 71 moves to the right side in FIG. 2, and the gear arm 44 rotates counterclockwise. By rotation of the gear arm 44, the teeth of the segment gear 33 and the teeth of the gear portion of the gear arm 44 are disengaged, and the tilt head 4 can be tilt-adjusted (FIG. 5). At this stage, since the movable column member 3 is in a clamped state, only the tilting mechanism can be adjusted. In case of just getting on and off, the steering wheel can be lifted up and retracted easily, and the tilt operation lever 7A can be operated with a small force, so that frequent boarding and unloading can be done very easily. .
[0049]
** Adjusting the longitudinal position (steering column length) and tilt angle
When simultaneously adjusting the front-rear direction position (steering column length) and the inclination angle of the steering wheel 92, if the telescopic operation lever 7B is swung, the pusher plate 73 is swung to the position of the dotted line in FIG. The spring 741 is overcome and the pusher rod 74 is pushed to the right in FIG.
[0050]
The movement of the pusher rod 74 in the right direction causes the swing arm 61 in FIG. 11 to swing, and thus causes the column clamp shaft 6 to rotate counterclockwise. When the column clamp shaft 6 is rotated, the column clamp shaft 6 in which the long diameter portion has been almost horizontal as shown in FIG. 10 is inclined as shown in FIG. As a result, the first wedge 211 and the second wedge 212 that are close as shown in FIG. 8 are separated from each other, so that the clamp of the moving column member is released, and the front-rear direction position of the steering wheel 92 can be adjusted in this state. . (Fig. 4)
[0051]
The telescopic operation lever 7B is swung in conjunction with the tilt operation lever 7A via the transmission member 75 of the telescopic operation lever 7B. Tilt adjustment is possible (FIG. 4). Accordingly, simultaneous adjustment of both the front-rear direction position and the tilt position of the steering wheel 92 is possible.
[0052]
In this way, the tilt position of the tilt head 4 can be adjusted independently by pulling the tilt operation lever 7A, and both the forward / backward movement of the column head 31 and the tilt position of the tilt head 4 can be adjusted by pulling the telescopic operation lever 7B. Therefore, by selecting and operating an arbitrary operation lever, the driver can adjust the tilt position of the steering wheel 92 or the front-rear position of the steering wheel 92 without releasing his hands from the steering wheel 92 and the operation lever. Simultaneous adjustment of the tilt position can be performed selectively. That is, the tilt operation lever 7A and the telescopic operation lever 7B can be selectively operated with the same finger or different fingers of the hand while holding the hand on the steering wheel.
[0053]
When the tilt head clamp 41 is released, a downward force is applied to the tilt head 4 as if a person is stroking its neck due to its weight. For this reason, a stronger spring 45 (FIGS. 4 and 5) for counterbalance is provided, and the steering wheel 92 is placed at the uppermost inclined position in order to cancel such force or to facilitate getting on and off. It is possible to apply a force for maintaining the tilt head 4 to the tilt head 4.
[0054]
When the adjustment of the front-rear direction position and the tilt angle position is completed and the finger on the telescopic operation lever 7B is released, the tilt operation lever 7A and the telescopic operation lever 7B are moved to the original by the force of the urging spring 711 and the urging spring 741. Return to the position (the position of the solid line in FIG. 3). When these operation levers return to their original positions, the column head 31 (moving column member 3) and the tilt head 4 are first clamped by the reverse operation. The urging spring 711 also applies a force for maintaining the tilt operation lever 7A at the original position (the solid line position in FIG. 3) when the tilt operation lever 7A is not operated. The urging spring 741 applies a force for maintaining the column clamp 21 at the clamp position.
[0055]
When the adjustment of the tilt angle position is completed and the finger on the tilt operation lever 7A is released, the tilt operation lever 7A returns to the original position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3) by the force of the biasing spring 711. When the tilt operation lever 7A returns to the original position, the tilt head 4 is first clamped by the reverse operation. The urging spring 711 also applies a force for maintaining the tilt operation lever 7A at the original position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3) when the tilt operation lever 7A is not operated.
[0056]
Note that if the tip of each operation lever is too close to the steering wheel 92, the operation of the steering wheel during driving may be hindered by interference with a hand or a finger. For this reason, when the front-rear direction position / angle of the steering wheel is not adjusted, the operation unit is positioned at an appropriate distance from the steering wheel. Furthermore, in order to prevent such interference more reliably, each operation lever may be configured to be foldable or extendable. In the above example, the tilt operation lever 7A is disposed on the upper side and the telescopic operation lever 7B is disposed on the lower side, but the reverse order is also possible.
[0057]
According to the embodiment described above, the telescopic mechanism and the clamping / unclamping mechanism of the tilting mechanism can be operated simultaneously by two independent operation levers provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel, and the clamping / unclamping of the tilting mechanism. The mechanism can be operated independently, and since no cable is used, there is no portion that protrudes unsightly from the steering column device, occurrence of trouble can be suppressed, and reliability and operability can be improved.
[0058]
Further, in such a steering column device, any two operation levers can be alternatively operated by providing the two operation levers close to each other. Furthermore, since only the tilt operation lever 7A can be operated at the time of lever operation that is frequently performed at every getting on and off, it can be operated with a very small force. Further, since the tilt operation lever 7A and the telescopic operation lever 7B swing around the common lever central axis 72, when the telescopic operation lever 7B is operated and the two levers operate in conjunction with each other, the transmission member 75 and the tilt lever are tilted. Since no relative movement occurs at the contact position 752 with the operation lever 7A, a smooth operation can be performed.
[0059]
Further, it is possible to shift the lever central axis 72 of the tilt operation lever 7A and the telescopic operation lever 7B. In this case, when the two operation levers are operated in conjunction with each other by operating the telescopic operation lever 7B, A relative sliding motion occurs at the contact position 752 between the transmission member 75 and the tilt operation lever 7A, and the difference in the movement distance between the operation levers is absorbed.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
In the steering column device of the present invention, a pair of operation levers are provided adjacent to each other in the vicinity of the steering wheel, and when one operation lever is operated, the telescopic mechanism and the clamping / unclamping mechanism of the tilting mechanism are simultaneously interlocked. When the other control lever is operated, the tilting / clamping mechanism of the tilting mechanism can be operated independently, which maintains the convenience of simultaneous tilt position adjustment and front / rear position adjustment with a single control lever. However, there is an effect that it is possible to select and perform a single operation of tilt position adjustment that is frequently required when getting on and off. Further, as long as the other operation lever is operated, the operation can be performed with a small force, so that an operation load can be reduced. In addition, since the control lever pair swings around the common lever central axis, even if they are operated in conjunction with each other, there is no relative movement between the control levers, so smooth interlocking operation is possible. There is an effect that becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a steering column apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1 with a part of the steering column device 1 cut away.
3 is a partially cutaway top view of the steering column device 1 when viewed from above (P direction) in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a bottom view when the steering column device 1 is viewed from the bottom of FIG. 2 (from the Q direction) when the telescopic operation lever 7B is operated. FIG.
5 is a bottom view when the steering column device 1 is viewed from the bottom of FIG. 2 (from the Q direction) when the tilt operation lever 7A is operated. FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8, showing the rotational position of the column clamp shaft 6 in the unclamped state.
FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8, showing the rotational position of the column clamp shaft 6 in the clamped state.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG.
12 is an explanatory diagram showing two positions when the tilt head 4 is tilted by a dotted line and a solid line. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Steering column device
2 Fixed column member
21 Column clamp
211 1st wedge
2111,2112 Inclined surface
2113, 2114 Clamp bar hole
212 Second wedge
213 Clamp bar
2141, 2142 Reaction member
215 wedge hole
216 Column clamp shaft hole
22 Stopper member
221, 222 Car body mounting part
231 Cylindrical part
232 Sliding guide
3 Moving column member
31 Column head
311 Buffer stopper
32 long hole
33 segment gear
34 volts
341 Back support member
4 Tilt head
41 Tilt head clamp
43 Tilt center axis
44 Gear arm
441 axes
442 Gear part
443 legs
45 Spring
5 Wheel shaft
6 Column clamp shaft
61 Swing arm
7 Control lever pair
7A Tilt control lever
7B Telescopic control lever
71 Projection
711 Biasing spring
72 Lever center axis
73 Pusher plate
74 Pusher rod
741 Biasing spring
742 鍔
743 oblong hole
75 Transmission member
751 top
752 Contact position
91 body
92 Steering wheel
931, 932 Universal joint
941 Upper intermediate shaft
942 Lower intermediate shaft

Claims (4)

A fixed column member having a vehicle body mounting portion for mounting on the vehicle body;
A movable column member supported by the fixed column member so as to be unrotatable around the central axis and movable in the direction of the central axis;
A column head provided at one end of the moving column member;
A tilt head supported in a tiltable manner on the column head;
A wheel shaft rotatably supported by the tilt head and for fixing a steering wheel at one end;
A column clamp shaft provided in the column head and rotatable about an axis parallel to a central axis of the moving column member;
A column clamp that is movable with respect to the column clamp shaft, and is configured to clamp / unclamp the movable column member with respect to the fixed column member by rotation of the column clamp shaft;
A tilt head clamp for clamping / unclamping the tilt head with respect to the column head;
A pair of operating levers , each of which is provided on the tilt head and includes a tilt operating lever and a telescopic operating lever , each lever having a central axis on a common axis ;
A tilt unclamping force transmission device for transmitting the swing of the tilt operation lever to the tilt head clamp; and
In a steering column device provided with a column unclamping force transmission device for converting the swing of the telescopic operation lever into the rotation of the column clamp shaft and transmitting it to the column clamp,
The telescopic operation lever of the operation lever pair is provided with a transmission member that can be pressed against the tilt operation lever only when the telescopic operation lever is attracted toward the steering wheel.
Only when the telescopic operating lever is operated, the tilt operating lever is interlocked with the swing of the telescopic operating lever ,
When the tilt operation lever is operated, only the tilt operation lever is operated independently without interlocking the telescopic operation lever.
The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the tilt operation lever and the telescopic operation lever are close to each other so as to be operated by a finger of the hand while the hand is held on the steering wheel . In the steering column apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The column unclamping force transmission device is
It has a pusher plate, pusher rod, and swing arm,
The pusher plate is provided on the telescopic operation lever, and can be brought into contact with one end of the pusher rod,
The pusher rod is slidable in a direction parallel to the tilt center axis of the tilt head, and is supported by the column head.
The swing arm has one end engaged with the pusher rod and the other end fixed to the column clamp shaft,
The telescopic operation lever swing is sequentially converted into a swing motion of the pusher plate, an axial motion of the pusher rod, a swing motion of the swing arm, and a rotational motion of the column clamp shaft. The column clamp is unclamped,
A steering column device, wherein the tilt operation lever swings in conjunction with the swing of the telescopic operation lever, and the tilt head clamp is in an unclamped state. In the steering column device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The steering column apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tilt unclamping force transmission device places the tilt head clamp in an unclamped state by transmitting the swing of the tilt operation lever directly to the tilt head clamp. In the steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
In order to apply a clamping force to the tilt head clamp, the tilt head is provided with a first biasing spring that biases the tilt operation lever,
2. A steering column device according to claim 1, wherein a second urging spring for urging the pusher rod is provided on the column head in order to apply a clamping force to the column clamp.

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