JP4574303B2 - Vehicle steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus in which the rotation of a steering column with respect to a vehicle body is locked and unlocked by operation of a tilt lever.

  As a vehicle steering device, a rod-like steering column is configured to rotate in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body side, and includes a lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the steering column with respect to the vehicle body side, and is connected to the lock mechanism. It is common to operate with a tilt lever extending toward the driver's seat. That is, the driver can turn the steering column by operating the tilt lever, and can adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel according to his / her physique and the like.

  In this type of vehicle steering device, the steering column is configured to contract in the axial direction due to an impact applied from the occupant to the steering wheel when the vehicle collides. That is, the steering column is crushed so that the rear portion of the steering column moves relatively forward in the axial direction, and energy is absorbed. At this time, a bracket that improves the energy absorption efficiency by using a bracket that supports the steering device as an energy absorbing member has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, if the lock mechanism is unlocked due to the deformation of each component at this time, the steering column is not restrained and energy cannot be absorbed sufficiently, and the occupant is not allowed to rotate and the tilt lever projects freely from the column side. There is a risk of contact. Therefore, a mechanism in which a mechanism for preventing unlocking at the time of a vehicle collision is added to the lock mechanism is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-72778 JP-A-8-20347

  However, in any vehicle steering device, the tilt lever cannot be used as an energy absorbing member at the time of a vehicle collision, and the energy absorption efficiency is poor. Further, although the vehicle steering device described in Patent Document 2 is configured so that the lock mechanism is not unlocked, the tilt lever is allowed to be deformed. Therefore, the tilt lever deformed when the vehicle collides projects from the steering column side. There is a risk. As described above, the tilt lever has various problems with respect to safety performance at the time of a vehicle collision.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering apparatus that improves the safety at the time of a vehicle collision with respect to a tilt lever.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the rotation of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body side is provided on a bracket connected to the vehicle body side, and one end thereof is the lock mechanism. In a vehicle steering apparatus in which locking and unlocking of the steering column are operated by operating a tilt lever that is connected to the other end and has an operating portion formed at the other end, the steering column is relatively forward in the axial direction at the time of a vehicle collision The tilt lever is configured to move, and a stopper portion that restricts the operation of the tilt lever in the unlocking direction of the steering column by interfering with a member installed on the steering column at the time of a vehicle collision is formed. Features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle collides, the member installed on the steering column moves forward with respect to the tilt lever, interferes with the stopper portion of the tilt lever, and moves in the unlocking direction of the steering column. The operation of the tilt lever is restricted.
Thereby, the lock of the steering column is not released by the operation of the tilt lever at the time of a vehicle collision. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for restricting unlocking in the lock mechanism.
Further, since the stopper portion of the tilt lever interferes with a member installed on the steering column, deformation of the tilt lever itself in a direction protruding from the steering column side is suppressed. As a result, there is no possibility that the tilt lever interferes with peripheral devices and occupants, so that the expected energy absorption is not hindered by interference with peripheral devices and the injury value of the occupant does not increase. The safety of the device is improved with respect to the tilt lever.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle steering apparatus according to the first aspect, an energy absorbing portion that absorbs energy acting on the steering column at the time of a vehicle collision is formed in the tilt lever. .

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the action of the first aspect, the steering column moves relatively forward in the event of a vehicle collision, and the stopper of the tilt lever and the member installed on the steering column interfere with each other. After that, when the steering column further moves forward, the energy absorbing portion of the tilt lever is crushed and the energy acting on the steering column is absorbed.
As a result, the tilt lever can be used as an energy absorbing member, and the safety of the apparatus with respect to the tilt lever can be improved. Further, other energy absorbing members, energy absorbing structures and the like can be omitted, and the apparatus can be reduced in weight and the structure can be simplified as compared with the conventional apparatus.

  Thus, according to the vehicle steering device of the present invention, the safety at the time of a vehicle collision can be improved with respect to the tilt lever.

  1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle steering device as viewed from the side, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the tilt lever, and FIG. 3 is a top view of the tilt lever. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the energy absorbing portion of the tilt lever is crushed, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the rotation of the tilt lever is restricted by the steering lock device, and FIG. 6 interferes with the steering lock device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the energy absorption part of the tilt lever was crushed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle steering apparatus 1 includes a steering column 2 that is pivotally supported on the vehicle body side, a lock mechanism 3 that locks and unlocks the steering column 2 with respect to the vehicle body side, and one end of the vehicle. A tilt lever 4 connected to the mechanism 3 and having an operation portion 7 formed at the other end thereof.

  The steering column 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a front lowering like a conventionally known one, and the front side is rotatably supported with respect to the vehicle body. A steering shaft is accommodated in the steering column 2. The steering shaft has a front end connected to the gear box via a universal joint, and a steering wheel connected to the rear end. The steering column 2 is configured to contract in the axial direction due to an impact applied to the steering wheel from an occupant during a vehicle collision. That is, the steering column 2 is configured to move relatively forward in the axial direction when the vehicle collides.

  A mounting bracket related to the fixing bracket 5 connected to the vehicle body side is fixed below the mounting portion of the steering column 2. The fixed bracket 5 and the mounting bracket have a pair of left and right side walls facing each other. In the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 3 includes cams that are installed on the side walls and that engage with each other, and a shaft member 6 that passes through each cam. Each cam is formed in a substantially circular plate shape facing each other, and the fixed bracket 5 and the mounting bracket are restrained to each other at a predetermined rotational position. The relative position of each cam is changed by the rotation of the shaft member 6. The configuration of the lock mechanism 3 is the same as that conventionally known and will not be described in detail here.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the tilt lever 4 is fixed to the left end side of the shaft member 6. An operation unit 7 is formed at the other end of the tilt lever 4. In the present embodiment, the tilt lever 4 is made of metal, and a resin operation portion 7 is attached to the other end. The tilt lever 4 rotates around a connection portion with the shaft member 6. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the tilt lever 4 will be described with reference to the position where the steering column 2 is locked by the lock mechanism 3.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the tilt lever 4 has one end side extending substantially parallel to the steering column 2 from the shaft member 6 and the other end side being separated from the steering column 2 at a predetermined angle with the steering column 2. It is formed to extend in the direction of In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the tilt lever 4 has a plate shape having a predetermined width in the vertical direction on one end side and a thickness on the left and right sides, and a vertical thickness on the other end side with a predetermined width in the horizontal direction. It has a plate shape.

  Further, the tilt lever 4 is formed with a substantially rectangular fitting hole 4 a at a connection portion with the shaft member 6, and is fitted to the shaft member 6 side. Further, an energy absorbing portion 8 that absorbs energy acting on the steering column 2 at the time of a vehicle collision is formed behind the fitting hole 4a on one end side of the tilt lever 4. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the energy absorbing portion 8 includes a first section 8 a that is inclined to the left and right outside toward the rear, and a left section that is formed continuously with the first section 8 a and that is left and right toward the rear. This is a bent section formed from the second section 8b inclined inward. As a result, when a compressive force acts on the tilt lever 4 in the axial direction of the steering column 2, the energy absorbing portion 8 is crushed in the axial direction as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tilt lever 4 interferes with a steering lock device 10 having a key cylinder that is installed on the steering column 2 and extends to the left and right in the event of a vehicle collision, in the unlocking direction of the steering column 2. A stopper portion 9 that restricts the rotation of the tilt lever 4 is formed. And the energy absorption part 8 will extend on the straight line which connected this steering lock apparatus 10 and the shaft member 6. FIG. The stopper portion 9 is formed in a plate shape having a thickness on the left and right sides. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 2 is located at the boundary between a portion extending substantially parallel to the steering column 2 and a portion extending in a direction away from the steering column 2. It is formed so as to protrude rearward substantially in parallel with.

In the vehicle steering apparatus 1 configured as described above, the steering column 2 relatively moves forward in the axial direction when the vehicle collides. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the steering lock device 10 moves forward with respect to the tilt lever 4, interferes with the stopper portion 9 of the tilt lever 4, and rotates the tilt lever 4 in the unlocking direction of the steering column. Movement is regulated. In the present embodiment, the steering lock device 10 is sandwiched between the other end side of the tilt lever 4 and the stopper portion 9.
Thereby, the lock of the steering column 2 is not released by the rotation of the tilt lever 4 at the time of a vehicle collision. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the lock mechanism 3 with a mechanism for restricting unlocking.

  Further, according to the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the steering column 2 moves relatively forward in the event of a vehicle collision, and the steering lock device 10 installed on the stopper portion 9 of the tilt lever 4 and the steering column 2. 6, when the steering column 2 further moves forward as shown in FIG. 6, the energy absorbing portion 8 of the tilt lever 4 is crushed and energy acting on the steering column 2 is absorbed. In particular, since the energy absorbing portion 8 extends on a straight line connecting the shaft member 6 and the steering lock device 10, the energy absorbing portion 8 can be accurately crushed in the axial direction of the steering column 2.

Thereby, the tilt lever 4 can be used as an energy absorbing member, and the safety of the apparatus with respect to the tilt lever 4 can be improved. Further, other energy absorbing members, energy absorbing structures and the like can be omitted, and the apparatus can be reduced in weight and the structure can be simplified as compared with the conventional apparatus.
In addition, since the tilt lever 4 itself is prevented from being deformed in the direction protruding from the steering column 2 side, the tilt lever 4 is not likely to interfere with peripheral devices or passengers. Therefore, the safety of the device with respect to the tilt lever 4 is improved.

  Further, according to the vehicle steering apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the energy absorbing portion 8 is formed by bending the plate-like tilt lever 4, the tilt lever 4 can be formed relatively easily.

In the above-described embodiment, the tilt lever 4 has an energy absorbing portion 8 that absorbs energy acting on the steering column 2 when the vehicle collides, and a stopper that interferes with the steering lock device 10 installed on the steering column 2 when the vehicle collides. Although the one provided with both of the parts 9 is shown, the safety of the apparatus can be improved if either one is provided.
Here, when the energy absorbing portion 8 is provided without providing the stopper portion 9, it is not necessary to fulfill the function of restricting the rotation of the tilt lever 4 in the event of a vehicle collision, but at least the member installed in the steering column 2 and the tilt The lever 4 is configured to interfere with the tilt lever 4, and it is necessary to apply a force from the steering column 2 to the tilt lever 4.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the thing which pinches | interposes the steering lock apparatus 10 with the other end side of the chilled lever 7 at the time of a vehicle collision was illustrated in the said embodiment, for example, the stopper part 9 is made into concave shape toward the axial direction back, You may make it control rotation of the tilt lever 4 by receiving the steering lock apparatus 10 which moves to an axial direction front at the time of a vehicle collision. That is, the shape of the stopper portion 9 is not limited to that of the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the energy absorbing portion 8 formed by bending the tilt lever 4 is shown. However, for example, the energy absorbing portion 8 is used as a bead or a hole formed in the tilt lever 4 so that a vehicle collision occurs. The energy of the energy may be absorbed by controlling the deformation of the tilt lever 4 at the time.

  In the above embodiment, the steering lock device 10 restricts the rotation of the tilt lever 4. However, if the member is installed on the steering column 2, for example, a connector such as an airbag is used. The rotation may be restricted by other members such as a bracket and a knee protector.

  In the above-described embodiment, the tilt lever 4 is rotated to operate the steering column 2 to be locked and unlocked. However, for example, even if the tilt lever 4 moves linearly, it is locked. The movement in the release direction may be restricted. That is, if the operation of the tilting lever 4 allows the steering column 2 to be locked and unlocked, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained by restricting the operation in the unlocking direction by the stopper portion. Can do. Further, the structure of the lock mechanism 3 and the structures of the fixing bracket 5 and the mounting bracket are arbitrary, and it is needless to say that other specific detailed structures can be appropriately changed.

It is the perspective view which looked at the steering device for vehicles which shows one embodiment of the present invention from the side. It is an external appearance perspective view of a tilt lever. It is a top view of a tilt lever. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the energy absorption part of the tilt lever was crushed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which rotation of the tilt lever was controlled by the steering lock device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which interfered with the steering lock apparatus and the energy absorption part of the tilt lever was crushed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering device for vehicles 2 Steering column 3 Lock mechanism 4 Tilt lever 5 Fixed bracket 8 Energy absorption part 9 Stopper part 10 Steering lock apparatus

Claims (2)

Actuation of a tilt lever in which a lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the rotation of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body side is provided on a bracket connected to the vehicle body side, and one end is connected to the lock mechanism and an operation portion is formed on the other end In the vehicle steering device in which the locking and unlocking of the steering column is operated,
The steering column is configured to move relatively axially forward in the event of a vehicle collision,
A steering for a vehicle, wherein the tilt lever is formed with a stopper portion that interferes with a member installed on the steering column in the event of a vehicle collision and restricts the operation of the tilt lever in the unlocking direction of the steering column. apparatus.   The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tilt lever is formed with an energy absorbing portion that absorbs energy acting on the steering column in the event of a vehicle collision.

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