JP4270022B2 - Steering device cover structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cover structure of a steering device that covers an opening provided in a panel member such as a dash panel of a vehicle so that a part of the steering device penetrates.

  In general, a vehicle steering device transmits a rotational force applied to a steering wheel in a vehicle interior to a steering gear box disposed on the front side of the vehicle on a dash panel via a steering shaft. The wheel can be steered.

  In such a steering apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a through hole 110 is formed in a dash panel 100 with a carpet 101 attached to the surface, and a steering gear box 120 and a universal joint 130 are provided with an annular boss 140 and a cover. The cover member 160 including the portion 150 is accommodated. Further, it is covered with the through hole 110, the cover member 160 and the annular sheet metal retainer 170.

  Incidentally, in the case of the steering device as described above, for example, a steering shaft and a through-hole disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-315988 (Patent Document 1) are provided in order to ensure airtightness in the passenger compartment and perform soundproofing. A cover structure that covers the entire gap between the two has been put into practical use.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-315988

  By the way, in the cover structure of the steering device in FIG. 9, the annular boss portion 140 and the cover portion 150 are located below the peripheral edge of the through hole 110 of the dash panel, so When the foreign matter moves toward the through hole 110, for example, water w or foreign matter can easily fall into the hole from the periphery of the through hole 110 during braking and accumulate, and the accumulated water or the like can cause steering steering failure. There is sex. In addition, the appearance is also reduced.

On the other hand, the cover structure of the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can prevent water w and foreign matter from being mixed in, but covers the entire through hole. And the mounting workability deteriorates.
The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cover structure for a steering device that can prevent an increase in cost and deterioration of mounting workability and prevent water and foreign matters from being mixed. It is to provide.

  A cover structure for a steering device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a panel member that partitions a vehicle front portion and a vehicle compartment, a through-hole formed in the panel member so that a part of the steering device penetrates, and A housing part that covers the through hole on the vehicle front side and can accommodate a part of the steering device, a covering part that covers a vehicle lower side of the through hole, and a flange part that protrudes from the covering part toward the vehicle compartment side And a cover member having the above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cover structure for a steering apparatus according to the first aspect, the covering portion is fixed to a peripheral portion of the through hole on the vehicle compartment side.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cover structure for a steering apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the housing portion is provided separately from the panel member.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering device cover structure according to the first, second, or third aspect, the steering device includes a gear box having a steering shaft and a joint portion connected to the steering shaft, and the housing portion is The joint portion is accommodated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the cover structure for a steering device according to the fourth aspect, one end of the housing portion is attached to the gear box and the other end is attached to the panel member.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the cover structure for a steering apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the flange portion is formed integrally with an edge of the covering portion on the vehicle upper side. It is characterized by.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the cover structure for a steering device according to the sixth aspect, the flange portion has a slanted portion that extends from the lower side of the steering device to the left and right.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the cover structure for a steering apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the cover member is formed in a plate shape, and the covering portion is along the panel member. Attached to the panel member.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the steering apparatus cover structure according to the third aspect, the accommodating portion includes a cover body that accommodates a part of the steering apparatus, and one end attached to a peripheral edge of the cover body. An end of the retainer is attached to the panel member, the retainer has at least two protrusions, and the cover member has a slit into which the protrusions are inserted. .

According to this invention, even if water or the like accumulated on the floor flows toward the through hole during vehicle braking, the flange protruding from the covering portion toward the passenger compartment restricts the movement of water or the like and enters the housing portion. Can be reliably prevented.
Further, since the covering portion is formed so as to be fixed to the peripheral edge portion of the through hole on the passenger compartment side, the cover member can be easily attached and the structure can be simplified, so that the size of the through hole can be easily adjusted. It can be used, has high versatility, and can reduce costs.
Furthermore, since the accommodating portion is a separate body from the panel member, the degree of freedom in material selection can be maintained.

Furthermore, since the accommodating portion accommodates the joint portion of the steering device, the amount of protrusion of the joint portion to the vehicle compartment can be suppressed.
Further, the accommodating portion is attached between the gear box and the panel member, and the airtightness between them can be maintained.
Furthermore, since the flange portion is formed at the edge portion of the covering portion on the vehicle upper side, the flange restricts the movement of water or the like to the housing portion, and can prevent intrusion.
Furthermore, since the flange portion has the inclined portion extending from the lower side to the left and right upper side, the through hole can be covered widely and water and the like can be more reliably prevented.

Furthermore, since the cover member has a plate shape and is attached along the panel member, the cover member does not enter the passenger compartment side, so that interference with other parts can be prevented.
Furthermore, since the retainer is formed with at least two protrusions and the cover member is formed with a slit into which the protrusion is inserted, the cover member can be attached to the retainer with a simple structure.

1 and 2 show a steering device S in which a cover structure of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention is employed.
The steering device S includes a steering wheel 1 on a vehicle compartment R side of a commercial vehicle (not shown), a steering gear box 3 provided outside a dash panel 2 as a panel member (a vehicle front side opposite to the vehicle compartment), And a steering shaft 4 for connecting the steering wheel 1 and the steering gear box 3.

Here, the steering shaft 4 is integrated with the steering wheel 1 and is pivotally supported by the vehicle body side cross member B via the bearing portion 5. The second shaft is coupled to the first shaft portion 4 u via the first universal joint 6. The second shaft portion 4d (hereinafter simply referred to as the shaft portion 4) is connected to the steering gear box 3 via a second universal joint (hereinafter simply referred to as the joint portion 7).
The steering gear box 3 includes a main cylindrical portion 8 that accommodates a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown), a vertical cylindrical portion 9 that protrudes upward therefrom, and an input shaft that protrudes from the upper end of the vertical cylindrical portion 9 and is connected to the shaft portion 4. 11 and a link system (not shown) connected to a steered wheel (not shown) from the main cylinder portion 8.

  A dash panel 2 divides the passenger compartment R and the front outside thereof, and a carpet 50 is provided on the surface of the dash panel 2. Further, a through hole 13 is formed in the lower inclined portion 12 of the dash panel 2, and a part of the steering device S is fitted into the through hole 13. Note that the lower inclined portion 12 of the dash panel 2 is formed so as to be continuous with the front end side of the rear horizontal floor member 14 in the vehicle front-rear direction X which is a driver's seat side (not shown).

  Here, in the steering device S, the second shaft portion 4d on the shaft center line Ls and the input shaft 11 on the input shaft 11 center line Lp are connected via the joint portion 7 to form a relatively large accommodation space E. The housing space E of the joint portion 7 is disposed opposite to the through hole 13 as required. Here, the through-hole 13 includes an annular inner peripheral edge portion 15, and the inner peripheral edge portion 15 is formed in the lower inclined portion 12 of the inclined dash panel 2. The through hole 13 is covered with the accommodating portion 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, the accommodating portion 16 has a shape capable of accommodating an accommodating space E that forms a part of the steering device S while partitioning between the casing R side and the exterior of the casing R on the vehicle lower side. . Here, the accommodating portion 16 is configured as an assembly of the cover body 16 a and the annular retainer 26.
Here, the central boss portion 18 which is one end of the cover body 16 a is attached to the vertical cylinder portion 9 of the steering gear box 3, and the outer peripheral edge which is the other end is an annular retainer to the annular inner peripheral edge 15 of the through hole 13. 26 is attached.

A screw groove 21 is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the vertical cylinder portion 9 of the steering gear box 3. The screw groove 21 has a shape capable of screwing the central boss portion 18 of the cover body 16 a, and the cover body 16 a side is fixed to the upper end of the vertical cylinder portion 9 by screwing the central boss portion 18 into the screw groove 21. .
The cover body 16a is formed so as to extend toward the vicinity of the inner peripheral edge 15 of the through-hole 13 above the outer periphery of the central boss 18 and the thin plate-like annular bottom 24 extending from the outer periphery. And a container-like portion 25 forming 251. The container-like portion 25 and the inner peripheral edge portion 15 of the through hole 13 are connected via an annular retainer 26.

  Here, the central boss portion 18, the annular bottom portion 24, and the container-like portion 25 are integrally formed of a rubber material, thereby ensuring airtightness between the steering gear box 3 side and the inner peripheral edge portion 15 of the through hole 13 and steering. The transmission of vibration from the gear box 3 to the dash panel 2 side is cut off. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the annular retainer 26 is a thin plate press-molded portion, and has an upper flange portion 261 that overlaps the upper surface of the inner peripheral edge portion 15 of the through-hole 13 and a substantially right angle from the inner peripheral edge of the upper flange portion 261. An inner step 262 that is bent to extend again in a plane parallel to the upper flange portion 261, and a substantially cylindrical portion 263 that is bent downward from the inner step 262 and overlaps the inner wall surface of the container-like portion. Have The container-like portion 25 is in close contact with and adhered to the outer wall surfaces of the substantially cylindrical portion 263 and the inner step portion 262.

  As described above, the accommodating portion 16 includes the rubber cover body 16a and the sheet metal retainer 26, and is provided separately from the lower inclined portion 12 of the dash panel 2 and is formed as a combined body of a plurality of members. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the degree of freedom of material selection, to select and use a material that is effective in ensuring airtightness and sound insulation, and to secure the degree of freedom of its shape.

  The accommodating part 16 can secure a relatively large accommodating space E in the container-like part 25 on the lower side of the inclined plane f1 which is the upper surface of the lower inclined part 12, and a part of the joint part 7 side in the accommodating space E Is housed so as to protrude from the inclined plane f1. Thus, since the accommodating part 16 can form the accommodating space E which accommodates the joint part 7 of the steering apparatus S, the protrusion amount to the compartment R of the joint part 7 here will be suppressed reliably.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper flange portion 261 of the retainer 26 overlaps the entire upper surface of the inner peripheral edge portion 15 of the through-hole 13, and is on the upper side of the through-hole 13 below the vehicle (the lower portion in FIG. 3). ), The cover member 17 is formed so as to cover the floor side half EL on the floor material 14 side (see FIGS. 1 and 3).
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover member 17 is a molding material, and a covering portion 171 that covers the floor-side half EL that is the lower side in the vehicle vertical direction Z of the through-hole 13, and the through-hole 13 of the covering portion 171. And a vertical flange portion 172 projecting upward from the central side end portion toward the vehicle interior R side.

  Here, the cover member 17 formed in a plate shape is fixed by tightening bolts 28 and nuts n using cylindrical spacers a at a plurality of locations on the inner step portion 262 located in the floor side half EL of the through hole 13. Is done. Thus, since the cover member 17 here has a simple mounting configuration, the mounting operation of the cover member 17 is facilitated.

  Since the inner peripheral edge 15 of the through-hole 13 is formed in the lower inclined portion 12 of the dash panel 2, the cover member 17 attached so as to extend along the inclined plane f <b> 1 similarly to the lower inclined portion 12. Inclined. Here, the edge of the covering portion 171 facing the accommodation space E is at the uppermost position of the cover member 17, and a vertical flange portion 172 is bent and formed toward the vehicle interior R side over the entire edge portion on the uppermost position side. A weir is formed to block the flow of accumulated water in the room.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, it forms so that the clearance gap T can be ensured between the vertical flange part 172 and the joint part 7 by the side of the accommodation space E. As shown in FIG. That is, the gap T is a gap (for example, a gap that does not cause rotation resistance when it is wound around the steering shaft 4 side even if an end of a carpet or the like attached to the cover member 17 is frayed in order to improve appearance. 10 mm).
As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical flange portion 172 has a facing edge of the covering portion 171 facing the accommodation space E in the center, and extends a left and right oblique portion extending from the left and right ends to the left and right, and the right and left inclined vertical portions there. Flange portions 172L and 172R are formed.

  In such a steering device S, when a rotational operation force is applied to the steering handle 1 by the driver, the steering force is transmitted to the steering wheel via the steering shaft 4, the steering gear box 3, and a steering link system (not shown), Can be properly steered. When a driver of such a vehicle returns to the inside of the vehicle while being wet with snow or rain from outside the vehicle, for example, when driving on a ski slope, snowy road, or heavy rain, water attached to clothes or footwear is on the floor. The state which accumulates on a surface and a carpet arises. If a braking operation is performed during traveling in this state, water or the like moves toward the through hole 13 formed in the lower inclined portion 12 on the front side of the floor due to its inertia. The side half EL is covered with the cover member 17, and the water flow w reaching the vertical flange portion 172 functioning as a weir at the upper end of the cover member 17 is prevented from further movement.

Thus, since the cover member 17 that is inclined along the inclined plane f1 has the vertical flange portion 172 formed at the uppermost position, even if the water w or the like moves to the uppermost position side, Can function to prevent intrusion.
Here, since the covering portion 171 is formed so as to be fixed to the upper surface of the inner step portion 262 of the through hole 13, the mounting work of the cover member 17 is facilitated. In addition, since the cover member 17 can be simplified in structure, the cover member 17 can easily cope with the size of the through-hole 13, has high versatility, and can easily reduce the cost.

  Further, the edge of the cover portion 171 facing the accommodation space E has left and right inclined vertical flange portions 172L and 172R extending from the left and right ends to the left and right, so that the lower portion of the through hole 13 can be covered as wide as possible. In addition, the movement of the water or the like to the storage unit 16 is distributed to the left and right, and the intrusion can be prevented more reliably. 1 and 2 have left and right inclined vertical flange portions 172L and 172R, the cover member 17b shown in FIG. 6 may be used instead. The cover member 17 b is formed by extending parallel vertical flange portions 172 m and 172 n parallel to each other from the left and right ends of the central portion 172 facing the joint portion 7 without interfering with the joint portion 7. In this case, since the cover member 17b covers not only the floor side half EL of the through hole 13 but also the upper side thereof, water and the like can be prevented from entering the through hole 13 more reliably.

Furthermore, since the cover member 17 here is plate-shaped and is attached along the lower inclined portion 12 of the dash panel 2, the cover member 17 does not excessively enter the vehicle compartment R side, and interference with other parts may also occur. Can be prevented.
The cover member 171 and the vertical flange portion 172 of the cover member 17 have upper surfaces that are relatively easy to reach the occupant's lower line of sight, and may be painted in the same color or similar color as the floor mat. In addition, a sense of incongruity with other members can be eliminated as a component on the vehicle interior R floor side.

  In the above description, the cover member 17 has the vertical flange portion 172 formed only at the edge of the covering portion 171 facing the accommodation space E. However, depending on the case, as shown in FIGS. The cover member 17a may be formed. Here, the cover member 17a forms the vertical flange portions 172u and 172d with a predetermined interval t with respect to the vertical direction Z in the inclined plane f1, and more reliably prevents water and foreign matter from entering the through hole 13. It may be suppressed. Further, the vertical flange portions 172u and 172d may be formed as curved weirs as shown by two-dot chain lines in FIGS. 5A and 5B so as to facilitate reversal of the water flow direction. .

  Further, in the above description, the covering portion 171 of the cover member 17 is fastened to the inner step portion 262 of the retainer 26 with bolts 28 and nuts n. Instead, as shown in FIG. Slits 55a and 55b having different shapes are formed on both sides of the retainer 26, and protrusions 56a and 56b are formed on both ends of the retainer 26. As shown in FIGS. The cover member 17 may be attached to the retainer 26 by being inserted. In this case, the cover member 17 can be attached to the dash panel 2 without using a fastening member such as a bolt, and the mountability of the cover member 17 is improved. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, one slit 55a is formed as a long hole, the protrusion 56a inserted into the slit 55a is formed in a semicircular shape, and the other slit 55b is cut into a substantially U-shaped cut. By forming the protrusion 56b in the shape of a notch and a rectangular shape, the attachment of the cover member 17 to the retainer 26 can be further improved.

  In the above description, the cover structure of the steering device of the present invention has been applied to the steering device of a commercial vehicle. However, it can be effectively used for various vehicles such as a passenger car and a one-box car equipped with other steering devices.

The side view of the steering device of a commercial vehicle to which the cover structure of the steering device as one embodiment of the present invention is applied is shown. It is a top view of the accommodating part and cover member which are used with the cover structure of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the accommodating part and cover member which are used with the cover structure of FIG. 2A and 2B show a housing part and a cover member in FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. The cover member used with the cover structure of the steering device as other embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is sectional drawing of CC in (a). It is a top view of the cover member used with the cover structure of the steering device as other embodiments of the present invention. It is an exploded view of the cover member and retainer which are used with the cover structure of the steering device as other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows the state of attachment of the cover member of FIG. 7 to the retainer, (a) is a sectional view at a position equivalent to the AA position in FIG. 2, and (b) is equivalent to the BB position in FIG. It is sectional drawing in a position. It is sectional drawing of the accommodating part which accommodates the joint part of the conventional steering device.

Explanation of symbols

2 Dash panel 3 Steering gear box 4 Steering shaft 12 Lower inclined portion 13 Through hole 16 Housing portion 17, 17a Cover member 171 Cover portion 172 Flange portion f1 Inclined plane EL Floor side half R Car compartment S Steering device X Front-back direction

Claims (9)

A panel member that partitions the front of the vehicle and the passenger compartment;
A through hole formed in the panel member so that a part of the steering device penetrates;
A housing portion that covers the through hole on the vehicle front side and can house a part of the steering device;
A cover member having a covering portion that covers the vehicle lower side of the through hole and a flange portion that protrudes from the covering portion toward the vehicle compartment;
A cover structure for a steering device, comprising:   2. The cover structure for a steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the covering portion is fixed to a peripheral edge portion of the through hole on the vehicle compartment side.   2. The cover structure for a steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing portion is provided separately from the panel member.   4. The cover structure for a steering device according to claim 1, wherein the steering device includes a gear box having a steering shaft and a joint portion connected to the steering shaft, and the housing portion houses the joint portion. A steering device cover structure.   5. A cover structure for a steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein one end of the housing portion is attached to the gear box and the other end is attached to the panel member.   The steering device cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flange portion is formed integrally with an edge of the covering portion on the vehicle upper side. Cover structure.   7. The cover structure for a steering apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the flange portion has a slant portion extending from the lower side of the steering apparatus to the left and right upper side.   The cover structure for a steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover member is configured in a plate shape, and is attached to the panel member so that the covering portion is along the panel member. A cover structure for a steering device, wherein 4. The cover structure for a steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the accommodating portion includes a cover body that accommodates a part of the steering apparatus, one end attached to a peripheral edge of the cover body, and the other end attached to the panel member. A cover structure for a steering apparatus, wherein the retainer has at least two protrusions, and the cover member has a slit into which the protrusions are inserted.

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