JP4432484B2 - Tilt-type steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is capable of adjusting the tilt of the steering wheel (handle) within the tilt adjustment range for driving, and jumping up by a large angle beyond the tilt adjustment range for driving to secure a space in the driver's seat. The present invention relates to a tilt type steering device for a vehicle that can perform the above-described operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tilt type steering device for a vehicle can adjust a tilt angle of a steering wheel in accordance with a driver's physique and driving posture. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a rear column member is swingably connected to a rear end of a front column member fixed to a vehicle body (a configuration of swing tilt).

  In this tilt type steering apparatus, when the rear column member is tightened to the tilt position, the rear column member is fixed to the rear column member side by a fixed gear having an arcuate tip circle fixed to the front column member side. A movable gear (having an arcuate tip circle along the arc of the fixed gear) urged to the gear side is engaged. Conversely, when the rear column member is released from the tilt position, the movable gear is swung against the urging force to release the engagement of both gears.

  Further, the swing range of the column member when performing the tilt adjustment of the rear column member is within the driving tilt adjustment range suitable for the driving of the vehicle, and is generally about ± 10 degrees.

  By the way, recently, the demand for RV vehicles has increased, and the usage of vehicles has also diversified. For example, a family may eat in the passenger compartment, or the vehicle may be used as a tent in camping. At this time, it is convenient if a relatively large effective space can be created on the driver's seat by lifting the steering wheel at a large angle and retracting it, and rotating the driver's seat toward the rear.

As a structure satisfying such recent requirements, for example, in Patent Document 2, the front column member has a fixed gear having a non-tooth region on the extension of the tip circle of the arc-shaped gear, After the rear column member is flipped up by a large angle, the rear column member is moved to a predetermined upper position beyond the tilt adjustment range for operation by locking the tip of the movable gear with a part of the non-tooth region. There is disclosed a tilt type steering apparatus that has a tiltable structure and is provided with a spring or the like that holds the rear column member tilted to a predetermined position.
JP-A-11-198821 WO 03/055730 A1

  However, in the conventional tilt type steering device for a vehicle, if the peripheral edge of the non-tooth portion region of the fixed gear is simply an arc shape larger than the diameter of the tip circle of the meshing portion (gear portion), the rear column When the members of the movable gear are slid in contact with the non-tooth region when the member is flipped up by a large angle, there is a problem that an abnormal noise is generated immediately before the lock is raised.

  On the other hand, when the large-angle flip-up lock of the rear column member is released and returned to the original state, similarly, the tooth of the movable gear tends to come into contact with the non-tooth region and the sliding friction resistance tends to increase. This is because the movable gear rotates when the tilt is released and its position changes, so that a difference is generated in the trajectory drawn by each tooth tip of the movable gear when the movable gear is flipped up by a large angle.

  The present invention improves the inconvenience of the above-described conventional example, can prevent the generation of noise immediately before locking after the steering wheel is flipped up at a large angle, and performs this jumping up and unlocking operation thereof. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tilt type steering device for a vehicle that can be easily and smoothly performed.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the rear column member is slidably connected to the front column member fixed to the vehicle body within the tilt adjustment range for operation, and the rear column member is fixed to the tilt position. The fixed gear provided on the front column member is engaged with the movable gear provided rotatably on the rear column member, while the movable gear is rotated to release both the gears when the rear column member is released from the tilt position. is disengaged, when moving to the to the fixed gear has a Hiha unit area adjacent to the gear portion and this large angular tilt position beyond the tilt adjustment range for during operation of said rear column member The movable gear rotates together with the rear column member about the swing center of the tilt adjustment for operation , and after the gear portion of the movable gear slides in the non-tooth region of the fixed gear, rear teeth fixed formic Of the tilt type steering apparatus for a vehicle locked configurations at the ends, the non-tooth portion regions of the fixed gear, the addendum circle of the gear portion of the fixed gear range beyond the radially outer side, the A rear column member is formed over an angle range from the tilt adjustment range for operation to the large angle tilt position, and the rear end teeth of the gear portion of the movable gear at the terminal portion of the non-tooth portion region, When the rear column member is moved to the large-angle tilt position, the non-tooth region is slid so as to smoothly reach the end portion of the fixed gear and be locked . .

  According to the present invention, when the rear column member moves to the large-angle tilt position, the sliding of the movable gear becomes smooth, and it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise that has conventionally occurred just before the movable gear is locked. Can do.

  In addition, when the steering wheel moves to the large angle tilt position, the leading part of the movable gear easily rides on the non-tooth area of the fixed gear, so that it can move to a large angle without operating the tilt lever. It can be moved with one click more easily than the conventional flip-up operation.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle-mounted tilt steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when mounted on a vehicle body, FIG. 2 is a view of the tilt steering apparatus of FIG. 1 viewed from below, and FIG. It is an AA partial sectional view of a tilt type steering device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle tilt type steering device of the present invention is attached to vehicle body side strength members (shaded portions) 101a and 101b via an upper bracket 100a and a lower bracket 100b. FIG. 3 shows a rear portion of the AA cross section of the vehicle tilt type steering device of FIG. 2 as viewed from below. In FIGS. 1 and 3, an upper steering shaft 15 is pivotally supported by a bearing 7 fixed to the upper housing 5 and a bearing 8 fitted in the rear column member 3 fixed to the upper housing 5. The front end portion of the upper steering shaft 15 is connected to the front column member 4 via a universal joint 11 to a lower steering shaft 16 that is rotatably fitted by a bearing (not shown), and the upper steering shaft 15 is connected to the lower steering shaft 16. On the other hand, it can be bent around the pin 12 of the universal joint 11. On the other hand, an upper housing 5 integrated with the rear column member 3 is connected to the vehicle body side strength member 101b via the lower bracket 100b so as to be swingable about the pivot C. . The rear column member 3 swings within the tilt adjustment range for driving (about ± 10 degrees) with the pivot C as the center of tilt. The tilt center C of the rear column member 3 is coincident with the tilt center of the universal joint 11. As described above, the rear column member 3 is rotatably installed with the pin 12 of the universal joint 11 as the tilt center C. The lower steering shaft 16 is connected to a steering gear mechanism (not shown) of the vehicle via a universal joint 103 and an intermediate shaft 104.

  The front column member 4 is supported by the lower bracket 100b at its front end portion, and is held by a jacket portion 100c integrated with the upper bracket 100a from the middle to the rear. The rear end portion of the front column member 4 is integrally attached to the lower housing 14 and has the fixed gear 1 at the rear end portion. The gear portion 1a of the fixed gear 1 meshes with the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 rotatably supported by the pin 9 on the upper housing 5. The movable gear 2 can rotate around the pin 9. A reaction force member 10 integrated with the rear column member 5 is provided below the movable gear 2 so as to extend in the vehicle width direction, and between the movable gear 2 and the reaction force member 10, the rear surface of the movable gear 2 is provided. A wedge-shaped member 111 having a pressing taper surface that presses in contact with the taper surface is disposed so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

  A compression coil spring 112 is interposed between the rear end of the wedge-shaped member 111 and the rear extending piece 2 b extending from the movable gear 2. The compression coil spring 112 constantly urges the tooth portion 2a of the movable gear 2 via the wedge-shaped member 111 in the direction in which the tooth portion 2a of the fixed gear 1 meshes with the tooth portion 1a (clockwise in FIG. 3). The compression coil spring 112 releases the movable gear 2 via the extending piece 2b when releasing the rear column member 3 from being fixed to the tilt position (that is, when moving the wedge-shaped member 111 to the right in FIG. 3). It also acts to urge in the direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3).

  A tilt adjustment lever 113 is formed integrally with the wedge-shaped member 111 and extends at the rear portion of the wedge-shaped member 111. The tilt adjustment lever 113 is swingable around a lever rotation center pin 13 a provided in the upper housing 5.

  As shown also in FIG. 2, a compression coil spring 115, which is a first support spring, is interposed between the front column member 4 and the rear column member 3. This prevents the rear column member 3 and the steering wheel from descending when the meshing of both gears 1 and 2 is released.

  In the tilt adjustment type steering apparatus configured as described above, when the tilt adjustment is performed, the tilt adjustment lever 113 is swung to the rear of the vehicle by hand against the urging force of the compression coil spring 112, and the wedge-shaped member 111 is moved backward ( (See FIG. 2).

  As a result, the movable gear 2 rotates counterclockwise around the pin 9 of FIG. 3 with the assistance of the urging force of the compression coil spring 112 to release the meshing with the fixed gear 1. Thereby, fixation to the tilt position of the rear column member 3 can be cancelled | released.

  The tilt adjustment is performed by tilting the rear column member 3 within a driving tilt adjustment range (about ± 10 degrees) suitable for driving the vehicle.

  After tilt adjustment of the rear column member 3, when the tilt adjustment lever 113 is released, the tilt adjustment lever 113 swings forward of the vehicle (see FIG. 2) by the urging force of the compression coil spring 112, and the wedge-shaped member 111 is moved. Move forward (see FIG. 3).

  As a result, the toothed portion 2a of the movable gear 2 is firmly engaged with the toothed portion 1a of the fixed gear 1 by the wedge-shaped member 111 biased by the compression coil spring 112. Thereby, the rear column member 3 can be fastened to the tilt position.

  Next, the case where the rear column member is flipped up by a large angle (tilt up) beyond the tilt adjustment range for operation will be described.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the universal joint 11 in which the front steering shaft 16 and the rear steering shaft 15 are slidably connected has a yoke leg longer than that of the conventional one, and / or Alternatively, the rear column member 3 can be bent to about 60 degrees, for example, by shortening the front end portion of the rear column member 3.

  Accordingly, when the vehicle is parked, the rear column member 3 can be tilted by a large angle (for example, 50 degrees) beyond the driving tilt adjustment range (about ± 10 degrees).

  When the tilt adjustment lever 113 is pulled backward by the vehicle and the rear column member 3 is released from being fixed to the tilt position, the rear column member 3 starts to be flipped up by the first support spring 115. Next, the rear column member 3 is moved to a large angle tilt position by a spring not shown or a manual operation.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the rear column member 3 is flipped up or moved by a large angle, a front end support seat portion formed on the upper housing 5 is formed on a rear end support seat portion 121 (push-up stopper) formed on the lower housing 14. 122 (bounce-up stopper) comes into contact.

  Next, the fixed gear and the movable gear in the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the tilt adjustment meshing state of the fixed gear 1 and the movable gear 2, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the meshing release state of the fixed gear 1 and the movable gear 2, and FIG. 7 is the movable gear at the time of jumping up. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the state of the fixed gear 1 and the movable gear 2 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the latter half of the movement of the movable gear 2 during the jumping. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a state of the fixed gear 1 and the movable gear 2 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed gear 1 includes an arcuate gear portion 1 a that is an engagement portion for tilt adjustment, and an arcuate non-tooth portion that is an area where the movable gear 2 and the fixed gear 1 are not engaged. It has the area | region 1b and the meshing part 1c for the lock | rock at the time of the large angle flip-up which has the same pitch circle as the gear part 1a. The arc shape of the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear 1 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the tooth tip circle (indicated by a two-dot chain line M) of the gear portion 1a. FIG. 5 corresponds to the state of FIG. 3 and shows a tightened state (locked state) in tilt adjustment in which the arcuate gear portion 2a formed on the movable gear 2 meshes with the gear portion 1a.

  When the tilt adjustment lever 113 is operated from this state and the movable gear 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 6, the gear portion 2 a is separated from the gear portion 1 a of the fixed gear 1. The column member 3 is released from the locked state of the tilt adjustment position. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel 13 can be appropriately moved up and down to perform tilt adjustment (indicated by a two-dot chain line). In the present embodiment, in conjunction with the operation of the tilt adjusting lever 113, the holding of the front column member 4 by the jacket portion 100c of the upper bracket 100a is loosened, and the axial position of the steering wheel 13 is also possible. Since this point is not directly related to the present invention, description thereof is omitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the movable gear pivotally supported by the rear column member 3 when the steering wheel 13 is flipped by a large angle from the unlocked state of the tilt adjustment in order to secure a space in the driver's seat. 2 also rotates in the direction of arrow B (counterclockwise) with the pin 12 as the center of tilt. At this time, only the leading tooth t1 of the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 rides on the curved portion L1 of the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear 1, and the rear column member 3 jumps up while sliding.

  The peripheral edge shape of the non-tooth region 1b is concentric with the tooth tip circle (indicated by a two-dot chain line M) of the gear portion 1a, and as shown in FIG. 8, an arc having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the tooth tip circle. A curved portion L1 having a shape (indicated by a two-dot chain line N) and the curved portion L1 smoothly and continuously extend from the curved portion L1 to the locking meshing portion 1c and gradually reach the tip circle M of the gear portion 1a. It consists of a straight line or a continuous part L2 that draws a curve. The boundary between the curved portion L1 and the continuous portion L2 may be anywhere in the non-tooth portion region 1b.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the teeth t1 to t8 of the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 slide smoothly near the boundary between the curved portion L1 and the continuous portion L2 of the non-tooth portion region 1b. The rear column member 3 jumps up while only the rear end tooth t8 is in contact with the continuous portion L2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, such an operation is performed because the movable gear 2 is slightly rotated in the direction of the arrow A to release the tilt. The locus E of the leading tooth t1 of the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 and the locus F of the trailing end tooth t8 are related to a slight deviation.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle tilt type steering apparatus at the time of large-angle jumping, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a locked state at the time of large-angle jumping, corresponding to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the steering wheel 13 is flipped up to a position 13 ', the upper housing 5 and the rear column member 3 are considerably refracted with respect to the front column member 4 as shown in FIG. It will be in the state. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the gear portion 2 a of the movable gear 2 meshes with the locking meshing portion 1 c of the fixed gear 1, so that the movable gear 2 is locked at this position, and the steering wheel 13 is It is temporarily fixed at the position where it is flipped up. This state is shown in FIG.

  As described above, the peripheral portion of the non-tooth region 1b of the fixed gear 1 is concentric with the tooth tip circle of the gear portion 1a and has a curved portion L1 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the tooth tip circle, and the curved portion L1. The movable gear 2 is meshed with the fixed gear because it consists of a continuous curve L1 and a continuous curve L2 that gradually approaches the tooth tip circle M of the gear portion 1a from the curved portion L1 to the meshing portion 1c. When the gear 2a slides on the non-tooth region 1b when the steering wheel 13 is lifted up by a large angle, only the leading tooth t1 of the gear 2a slides in the curved portion L1. Then, after climbing on this portion, in the portion of the continuous portion L2, only the tooth t8 at the rear end of the gear portion 2a slides smoothly, and then the gear portion 2a is locked to the locking meshing portion 1c of the fixed gear 1.

  Therefore, when the steering wheel 13 is flipped up by a large angle, the leading tooth t1 of the movable gear 2 does not come into contact with the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear.

  Next, modified examples of the fixed gear 1 and the movable gear 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the first half of the movable gear movement at the time of jumping in this modification, FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing the state of the fixed gear and the movable gear in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is the jump in this modification. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view showing the state of the fixed gear and the movable gear in FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 shows the locked state at the time of large angle jumping in this modification. It is explanatory drawing.

  This modification is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same members and portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  The difference is that, as shown in FIG. 13, the peripheral portion of the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear 1 is from the top that is large outside on the outer side beyond the tip circle M of the gear portion 1a, near its center portion. The straight portion D1 and the straight portion D2 are straight lines connecting positions near the tip circle M at both ends of the non-tooth portion region 1b. The straight portions D1 and D2 are respectively connected from the top to the gear portion 1a. And the distance from the axial center of the pin 12 becomes small as it approaches the locking meshing portion 1c. When compared with the first embodiment, the straight line portion D1 in the modification corresponds to the curved portion L1, and the straight portion D2 corresponds to the curved portion L2. In addition, the position of a top part may be anywhere in a non-tooth part area | region.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the steering wheel 13 (see FIG. 1) is flipped by a large angle in order to secure a space in the driver's seat, the movable gear 2 also moves in the direction of arrow B with the shaft pin 12 as the center of tilt. Rotating counterclockwise, only the leading tooth t1 of the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 rides on the straight portion D1 portion of the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear 1, and the steering wheel 13 jumps up while sliding. .

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the tooth tips t1 to t8 of the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 slide smoothly in the vicinity of the top of the non-tooth portion region 1b, and the linear portion D2 is Only the rear end tooth t8 jumps up while contacting. As shown in FIG. 6, such an operation is performed because the movable gear 2 is slightly rotated in the direction of the arrow A to release the tilt. The locus E of the leading tooth t1 of the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 and the locus F of the trailing end tooth t8 are caused by a slight deviation.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1, when the steering wheel 13 is flipped up to the position 13 ', the gear portion 2a of the movable gear 2 is engaged with the locking engagement portion 1c of the fixed gear 1 as shown in FIG. As a result, the movable gear 2a is locked at this position, and therefore the upper column 3 and the steering wheel 13 are temporarily fixed at the raised position.

  Also in the present modification, as in the first embodiment, when the steering wheel 13 is flipped up at a large angle, the leading tooth t1 of the movable gear 2 does not contact the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear. The metal sound due to the collision is less likely to occur.

  In this modification, the peripheral portion of the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear 1 is a straight portion D1 from the front end portion to the top portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tooth tip of the gear portion 1a from the top portion. It may be a curved shape that gradually approaches a circle.

  The configuration of the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear 1 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be other configurations. In short, the non-tooth portion region 1b of the fixed gear 1 is formed in a region beyond the tooth tip circle M of the gear portion 1a to the outside in the radial direction, and has a vertex near the center, with this vertex as a boundary. It is only necessary to have a curved or straight peripheral edge continuously connected to the vicinity of the addendum circle at both ends of the non-tooth region 1b, and the height of this apex is the leading tooth of the movable gear 2 at the time of large angle jumping. As long as it can slide and ride easily.

  In the above embodiment, the lock of the rear column member at the time of raising the large angle is exemplified by the engagement of the fixed gear and the movable gear, but this lock may be performed by striking the end faces of these gears. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although illustrated about what attached the movable gear to the rear part column member side and attached the fixed gear to the front part column member, you may make it reverse. Moreover, you may make the tooth tip circle diameter of the locking meshing part 1c smaller than the tooth tip circle diameter of the gear part 1a.

The side view of the vehicle body attachment state of the tilt type steering device for vehicles which shows embodiment concerning this invention. The figure which looked at the tilt type steering apparatus of FIG. 1 from the lower surface. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tilt type steering device of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. Sectional drawing which shows the tilt type steering device for vehicles at the time of a large angle flip-up. Explanatory drawing which shows the tilt adjustment meshing state of a fixed gear and a movable gear. Explanatory drawing which shows the tilt cancellation | release state of a fixed gear and a movable gear. Explanatory drawing which shows the first half of the movable gear movement at the time of large-angle flipping. The enlarged view which shows the state of the fixed gear of FIG. 7, and a movable gear. Explanatory drawing which shows the second half of the movable gear movement at the time of large angle jumping. The enlarged view which shows the state of the fixed gear of FIG. 9, and a movable gear. Explanatory drawing which shows the locked state at the time of large angle flip-up. Explanatory drawing which shows the first half of the movement of the movable gear at the time of the large angle jumping in the modification of 1st Embodiment. The enlarged view which shows the state of the fixed gear of FIG. 12, and a movable gear. Explanatory drawing which shows the second half of the movement of the movable gear at the time of large angle flip-up in the modified example. The enlarged view which shows the state of the fixed gear of FIG. 14, and a movable gear. Explanatory drawing which shows the locked state at the time of the large angle flip-up in this modification.

Explanation of symbols

C: Axis 1: Fixed gear 1a: Gear portion 1b: Non-tooth region 1c: Locking engagement portion 2: Movable gear 2a: Gear portion 3: Rear column member (upper column)
4: Front column member (Telesco pipe)
5: Upper housing 7, 8: Bearing 9, 12: Pin 13: Steering wheel 14: Lower housing 111: Wedge member 112: Compression coil spring 113: Tilt adjustment lever 115: First support spring

Claims (3)

The front column member fixed to the vehicle body, and swingably connected to the rear column member in the tilt adjustment range for operation, at the time fixed in the tilt position of the rear column member, a fixed gear which is provided on the front column member, While the rear column member is engaged with a movable gear provided to be rotatable , when the rear column member is released from the tilt position, the movable gear is rotated to release the engagement of both gears. and has a Hiha region adjacent thereto, upon movement of the large-angle tilt position beyond the tilt adjustment range for during operation of said rear column member, said movable gear is the together with the rear column member Rotating around the swing center of tilt adjustment for driving, the gear part of the movable gear slides on the non-tooth area of the fixed gear, and then the rear tooth is locked at the end of the fixed gear. Vehicle chill configured In the formula steering device,
The non-tooth portion region of the fixed gear is in a region beyond the gear tip circle of the gear portion of the fixed gear outward in the radial direction, and the rear column member is positioned at the large angle tilt position from the driving tilt adjustment range. The rear end teeth of the movable gear at the end of the non-tooth region when the rear column member moves to the large-angle tilt position. A tilt-type steering device for a vehicle, wherein the tilt-type steering device for a vehicle is formed so as to slide and smoothly reach the end portion of the fixed gear by sliding in a tooth portion region . Wherein the gear portion of the fixed gear is arcuate, the portion toward the given portion from the gear portion end of the non-tooth portion region, the addendum circle concentric with the arc-shaped gear portion of the fixed gear der is, the portion toward the end portion of the fixed gear from said given portion is a vehicle for tilting of claim 1, wherein that you have been molded so as to approach gradually to the addendum circle Steering device. A portion of the non-tooth portion region extending from the gear portion side end portion of the fixed gear to the given portion is formed to be inclined so as to gradually approach the tooth tip circle of the gear portion from the given portion. The tilt type steering apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

Images