JP4795993B2 - Steering column device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering column device, and more particularly, to a steering column device including a column support bracket in which a long hole is formed in the axial direction of a steering shaft.

  If the driver hits the steering wheel during a car collision or the like, an axial impact is applied to the steering column via the steering wheel. For this reason, the steering device is provided with an impact absorbing structure in order to alleviate the impact applied to the steering column and ensure the safety of the driver (protect the driver).

  Specifically, in the conventional shock absorbing structure, when the driver hits the steering wheel, the steering column moves to the front side of the vehicle body, and energy consumed by plastic deformation of the metal energy absorbing member in this moving process. Some of them absorb impact energy.

  Further, the steering column is connected to a lower bracket provided on the vehicle body via a shaft support member, and a column having a long hole portion that accommodates the shaft support member so as to be movable in the axial direction of the steering column is formed. By providing the support bracket, the steering column can smoothly move to the front side of the vehicle body (close to the column support bracket) in response to the operation of the energy absorbing member.

  The long hole smoothly moves the steering column to the front side of the vehicle in the event of a collision, and the long hole and the shaft support member rotate the steering column in accordance with a tilt operation during normal times except during a collision. It must also serve as a dynamic center.

  Thus, in addition to the energy absorbing member, the steering column device is provided with a column support bracket in which a long hole portion is formed, so that when a predetermined load acts in the axial direction of the steering column at the time of a collision, The support member relatively moves in the long hole portion, and the steering column device moves toward the front side of the vehicle body, so that the impact at the time of collision can be absorbed and the safety of the driver can be ensured (for example, Patent Literature 1).

By the way, the column support bracket is generally made of iron so that it will not break even if it absorbs a large impact at the time of collision, but for the purpose of reducing the manufacturing process and manufacturing cost, Some are formed integrally with a column jacket made of aluminum.
JP 2000-38141 A

  However, column support brackets (hereinafter referred to as “aluminum column support brackets”) that are entirely made of aluminum are formed of aluminum that is less rigid than iron. There was a problem that. Moreover, in order to ensure rigidity equivalent to the column support bracket (henceforth an iron column support bracket) formed with an iron material, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the aluminum column support bracket. As a result, if the elongated hole portion is to be set large, the entire column support bracket needs to be enlarged.

  On the other hand, in the steel column support member, when securing the same rigidity as the aluminum column support bracket, the wall thickness can be reduced and the long hole can be set large without increasing the size. Since it is made of an iron material heavier than the material, there is a problem that the entire column support bracket becomes heavy and the steering column device itself becomes heavy.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device that can set a long hole portion large, is lightweight, and has excellent rigidity.

  In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention has the following features. First, the invention according to the first feature of the present invention includes a column jacket for internally supporting a steering shaft for fixing a steering wheel at a tip thereof, a vehicle body mounting portion for removably supporting an upper portion of the column jacket from the vehicle body, The column jacket has a column support bracket in which a long hole is formed in the axial direction of the steering shaft at the lower part of the column jacket, and a lower bracket that is fixed to the vehicle body and supports the lower part of the column jacket. It is connected to the lower bracket via a shaft support member that is accommodated in the long hole of the bracket. The long hole of the column support bracket is made of the same material as the column jacket and is more plastic than the material of the support member. And an impact receiving member that receives the impact of the shaft support member. To.

  The gist of the invention according to claim 2 is that the support member is formed of an aluminum material or magnesium, and the impact receiving member is formed of an iron material.

  The gist of the invention according to claim 3 is that the impact receiving member forms a rear edge portion which is an edge closest to the steering wheel in the long hole portion.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the impact receiving member forms an upper edge portion that is an edge on the vehicle body upper side in the long hole portion, and a rear edge portion that is the edge on the most steering wheel side in the long hole portion. Is the gist.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the impact receiving member has a refracting portion that refracts toward the front edge portion side that is the edge of the longest hole at the front side of the vehicle body, and the refracting portion faces the steering wheel side. The gist is to cover the support member.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the impact receiving member is provided with a rib.

  In the invention according to claim 7, the column support bracket is connected to the lower bracket via the bush and the shaft support member in which the bush fitting portion to be fitted into the long hole portion is formed in a polygonal shape. The gist is that the long hole fitting portion into which the bush fits is formed in substantially the same shape as the bush fitting portion.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the elongated hole portion of the column support bracket is formed by the support member made of the same material as the column jacket and the impact receiving member made of a material superior in plasticity to the material of the support member. Therefore, it is lighter than a column support bracket made of only iron material, and more rigid than a column support bracket made of only aluminum material. It becomes possible to suppress damage. Moreover, a long hole part can be set large and the time which absorbs impact energy with an energy absorption member can be lengthened.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the support member is formed of aluminum material or magnesium and the impact receiving member is formed of iron material, it is lightweight and excellent in rigidity. Even if a large impact is applied to the column support bracket, the column support bracket can be prevented from being damaged.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the impact receiving member forms the rear edge portion, so that even when a large load acts in the axial direction of the steering column at the time of collision, the shaft supporting member has the long hole portion. When the column jacket (the entire steering column device) moves relative to the front side of the vehicle body, the column support bracket is not damaged even if the shaft support member collides with the rear edge. Can be ensured.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the impact receiving member forms the upper edge portion and the rear edge portion, so that even when a large load acts in the axial direction of the steering column at the time of collision, the shaft support member is When the column jacket (the entire steering column device) moves toward the front of the vehicle body by moving the long hole part relatively, the column support bracket will not be damaged even if the shaft support member collides with the rear edge part. The rigidity of the column support bracket can be ensured.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the impact receiving member has a refracting portion that refracts toward the front edge portion side, and the refracting portion covers the supporting member toward the steering wheel side. It is possible to reduce damage from contact with surrounding parts, and to securely fix the impact receiving member pulled to the rear of the vehicle to the support member when the shaft support member collides with the impact receiving member. Can do.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the rib is provided on the impact receiving member, the rigidity of the impact receiving member can be improved, and the impact receiving member is greatly increased by the movement of the steering column at the time of collision. Even if an impact is applied, the column support bracket can be prevented from being damaged.

  According to the invention of claim 7, the column support bracket is connected to the lower bracket via the bush and the shaft support member in which the bush fitting portion fitted into the long hole portion is formed in a polygonal shape, and the long hole portion The bush is prevented from rotating on the long hole fitting portion by forming the long hole fitting portion into which the bush is fitted with substantially the same shape (substantially the same polygon) as the bush fitting portion. In addition, the mounting operation becomes easier (that is, positioning becomes easier) compared to a bush in which the bush fitting portion is formed in a circular shape.

  Next, an example of a steering column device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of steering column device)
First, the configuration of the steering column device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the steering column device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the steering column device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steering column device 1 is fixed to the vehicle body side as a column jacket, and is movable in the axial direction C of the fixed column jacket 3. A movable column jacket 5 supported to be extensible on the front end side, and a tilt bracket 9 provided to be swingable about a swing center axis 8 with respect to a hinge bracket 7 provided at the front end portion of the movable column jacket 5; The lower bracket 11 is fixed to the vehicle body and rotatably supports the fixed column jacket 3.

  On the upper part of the fixed column jacket 3, there is provided a vehicle body attachment portion 15 that is integrally formed with the fixed column jacket 3 and is detachably attached to the vehicle body via a slide plate 14.

  A column support bracket 17 in which a long hole portion 16 that is long in the axial direction of the steering shaft 13 is formed at the lower portion of the fixed column jacket 3. Details of the column support bracket 17 will be described later.

  In the lower part of the fixed column jacket 3, when the driver collides with the steering wheel, the vehicle body mounting part 15 formed integrally with the upper part of the fixed column jacket 3 can be detached from the vehicle body via the slide plate 14. Since it is attached, the vehicle body attachment portion 15 moves in the axial direction of the steering shaft 13 and is detached from the vehicle body, and a metal energy absorbing member 19 that is torn and absorbs impact energy in this movement process is provided. .

  In the fixed column jacket 3, the movable column jacket 5, the hinge bracket 7 and the tilt bracket 9, the above-described rotatable steering shaft 13 is disposed. The steering shaft 13 is supported so as to be expandable and contractable according to the movable column jacket 5 and swingable according to the swing of the tilt bracket 9. The upper end of the steering shaft 13 protrudes from the tip of the tilt bracket 9, and a steering wheel is fixed to the protruding portion.

  The steering column device 1 includes a telescopic lock means 23 that locks the movable column jacket 5 so as not to move in the axial direction C with respect to the fixed column jacket 3, and a tilt bracket 9 that is centered on the swing center shaft 8. There are provided a tilt lock means 25 for locking so as not to swing, a telescopic operation lever 27A for operating the telescopic lock means 23, and a tilt operation lever 27B for operating the tilt lock means 25.

  The telescopic operation lever 27A is supported rotatably about the shaft 28A. Further, the tilt operation lever 27B is supported so as to be rotatable about the shaft 28B as a rotation center. The telescopic operation lever 27A and the tilt operation lever 27B are displaced between the lever lock position and the lever release position.

(Structure of column support bracket)
Next, the column support bracket 17 provided in the fixed column jacket 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the column support bracket according to the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the column support bracket according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is related to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the column support bracket, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the column support bracket according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the column support bracket 17 is connected to the lower bracket 11 via a shaft support member 29 and extends long in the axial direction of the steering shaft 13, and accommodates the shaft support member 29. A long hole portion 16 is formed.

  Specifically, the column support bracket 17 is connected to a lower bracket 11 constituted by a fixed portion 11A fixed to the vehicle body and a support portion 11B supporting the fixed column jacket 3 via a shaft support member 29 (bolt). It is connected.

  More specifically, the long hole portion 16 of the column support bracket 17 has a support member 31 made of the same material as that of the fixed column jacket 3 and is superior in plasticity (ductility) to the material of the support member 31 and is also a shaft support member. And an impact receiving member 33 for receiving 29 impacts.

  The support member 31 is formed integrally with the fixed column jacket 3. The support member 31 is preferably formed from an aluminum material or magnesium. The support member 31 forms a front edge portion 35 </ b> A that is the most front edge of the long hole portion 16 and a lower edge portion 35 </ b> B that is an edge of the long hole portion 16 on the vehicle body lower side.

  The impact receiving member 33 is formed separately from the fixed column jacket 3. The impact receiving member 33 is preferably formed from an iron material. The impact receiving member 33 forms an upper edge portion 35 </ b> C that is an edge on the vehicle body upper side in the long hole portion 16, and a rear edge portion 35 </ b> D that is the edge on the most steering wheel side in the long hole portion 16.

  The impact receiving member 33 has a refracting portion 33 a that is refracted toward the front edge portion 35 </ b> A of the fixed column jacket 3. The refracting portion 33a refracts in an L shape and covers the support member 31 toward the steering wheel.

  In this refracting portion 33 a, the impact receiving member 33 is fixed to the front edge portion 35 </ b> A of the support member 31 by two bolts 37, but is not necessarily limited to being fixed to the support member 31 by a plurality of bolts 37. Of course, it may be fixed to the support member 31 by one bolt 37.

  Further, the impact receiving member 33 has a mounting portion 33b fixed to the fixed column jacket 3 by a plurality of bolts 39 (two bolts in FIG. 3). That is, the impact receiving member 33 is fixed to the fixed column jacket 3 and the support member 31 that is integral with the fixed column jacket 3 by a plurality of bolts 37 and 39 (four bolts in FIG. 3).

  In order to improve the rigidity of the impact receiving member 33, the impact receiving member 33 is provided with a flange 41 that protrudes toward the long hole portion 16 at the position of the upper edge portion 35C and the rear edge portion 35D. . Further, the impact receiving member 33 is provided with a plurality of ribs 42 on a part of the upper edge portion 35C and the rear edge portion 35D. Specifically, the ribs 42 are provided in a connection portion between the support member 31 and the impact receiving member 33 in the upper edge portion 35C and a connection portion between the rear edge portion 35D and the attachment portion 33b.

  The column support bracket 17 includes a bush 43 in which a bush fitting portion 43 a that fits into the long hole portion 16 is formed in a polygonal shape, and a sleeve 45 that is fitted to the bush 43 and supported by the shaft support member 29. The lower bracket 11 is connected to the shaft support member 29 described above.

  In the front edge portion 35A of the support member 31 in the long hole portion 16, a long hole fitting portion 47 into which the bush 43 is fitted is formed in substantially the same shape (substantially the same polygon) as the bush fitting portion 43a. . Further, the long hole fitting portion 47 is formed of a concave portion substantially the same as the width dimension of the long hole portion 16. That is, the column support bracket 17 is rotatably supported by the lower bracket 11 via the shaft support member 29, the bush 43 and the sleeve 45.

(Example of change)
Although the impact receiving member 33 constituting the column support bracket 17 according to the above-described embodiment has been described as forming the upper edge portion 35C and the rear edge portion 35D, it can be modified as follows. . The difference from the column support bracket 17 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described.

  FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a column support bracket according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 7, the column support bracket 17 is superior in plasticity (ductility) to the support member 31 made of the same material as that of the fixed column jacket 3 and the material of the support member 31, and the impact of the shaft support member 29. An impact receiving member 33 is provided. The long hole 16 is formed by the support member 31 and the impact receiving member 33.

  The support member 31 includes a front edge portion 35A that is the edge of the long hole portion 16 on the front side of the vehicle body, a lower edge portion 35B that is an edge of the long hole portion 16 on the vehicle body lower side, and a vehicle body upper side of the long hole portion 16. An upper edge portion 35C that is an edge of the upper edge portion is formed. Further, the impact receiving member 33 forms only the rear edge portion 35 </ b> D that is the edge closest to the steering wheel in the long hole portion 16.

(Action / Effect)
Normally, in the steering column device 1, the shaft support member 29 is fixed in the bush 43 via the sleeve 45. Therefore, the lower part of the steering column 2 (the front side of the vehicle body of the steering column 2) is attached to the vehicle body by the lower bracket 11. The upper part of the steering column 2 (the rear side of the vehicle body of the steering column 2) is attached to the vehicle body by a vehicle body attachment portion 15 formed integrally with the fixed column jacket 3.

  When the driver collides with the steering wheel at the time of the vehicle collision, the vehicle body mounting portion 15 of the steering column 2 moves out of the slide plate 14 and moves to the front side of the vehicle. At this time, the energy absorbing member 19 provided with one end on the vehicle body side and the other end on the column jacket 3 side is torn and absorbs collision energy.

  At the same time, the shaft support member 29 and the sleeve 45 are integrally detached from the bush 43 and moved in the long hole portion 16 of the column support bracket 17. Accordingly, the steering column 2 can move until the support member 31 collides with the rear edge portion 35D of the impact receiving member 33 while absorbing the collision energy.

  According to the above-described steering column device 1 according to the present embodiment, the long hole portion 16 of the column support bracket 17 is more plastic than the support member 31 made of the same material as the fixed column jacket 3 and the material of the support member 31. The column support bracket formed by the excellent impact receiving member 33 is lighter than a column support bracket made entirely of iron (hereinafter referred to as an iron column support bracket) and made entirely of aluminum or magnesium. Since it is superior in rigidity compared to (hereinafter referred to as an aluminum column support bracket), it is possible to prevent the column support bracket 17 from being damaged even if a large impact is absorbed during a collision. Moreover, the long hole part 16 can be set large and the time which absorbs impact energy with the energy absorption member 19 can be lengthened.

  In particular, since the support member 31 is formed of aluminum or magnesium and the impact receiving member 33 is formed of iron, it is lightweight and excellent in rigidity. Even if a large impact is applied, the column support bracket 17 can be prevented from being damaged.

  Specifically, as an advantage of the iron material column support bracket, when the same rigidity as that of the aluminum material column support bracket is secured, the thickness can be reduced and the long hole portion can be set large. Further, as an advantage of the iron material column support bracket, since it is superior in plasticity as compared with the aluminum material column support bracket, the column support bracket is not damaged even when a large impact is applied. Thereby, the time which absorbs impact energy with an energy absorption member can be lengthened.

  In addition, the disadvantage of the iron column support bracket is that the steel column support bracket itself becomes heavier due to its superior plasticity compared to the aluminum column support bracket. It will be heavy.

  On the other hand, as an advantage of the aluminum column support bracket, it can be integrally formed with the fixed column jacket, and the manufacturing process can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, as a drawback of the aluminum column support bracket, the wall thickness must be increased in order to ensure the same rigidity as that of the iron column support bracket. Thereby, if it is going to set a long hole part large, it is necessary to enlarge the whole column support bracket. For this reason, it is difficult to set a long hole part large, and the time which absorbs impact energy with an energy absorption member cannot be lengthened.

  The column support bracket 17 according to the present invention has the advantages of both the iron column support bracket and the aluminum column support bracket described above, and is light in weight with aluminum or magnesium and has a long hole portion 16 with a large length made of iron. In addition, the time for absorbing the impact energy by the energy absorbing member 19 can be lengthened, and the rigidity of the column support bracket 17 can be ensured by using only the impact receiving member 33 as the iron material.

  Further, by forming the rear edge portion 35D even if the impact receiving member 33 is small, the shaft support member 29 can be formed in the long hole portion 16 even when a large load is applied in the axial direction C of the steering column at the time of collision. When the fixed column jacket 3 (steering column device 1 as a whole) moves toward the front side of the vehicle body, the column support bracket 17 is damaged even if the shaft support member 29 collides with the rear edge portion 35D. Therefore, the rigidity of the column support bracket 17 can be ensured.

  Further, the impact receiving member 33 has a refracted portion 33a that is refracted toward the front edge portion 35A, and the refracted portion 33a covers the support member 31 toward the steering wheel, so that the support member 31 is In addition, the impact receiving member 33 pulled toward the rear of the vehicle when the shaft support member 29 collides with the impact receiving member 33 can be securely attached to the support member 31. Can be fixed.

  In particular, in order to increase the strength of fixing the impact receiving member 33 to the support member 31 and to securely fix the impact receiving member 33 pulled to the rear of the vehicle at the time of the collision to the support member 31, the impact receiving member 33. Is preferably fixed to the support member 31 by a plurality of bolts 37 at the refracting portion 33a.

  Further, since the impact receiving member 33 is provided with the flange 41 and the rib 42, the rigidity of the impact receiving member can be improved, and the column support bracket 17 is greatly increased by the movement of the steering column 2 at the time of collision. Even if an impact is applied, the column support bracket 17 can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, the column support bracket 17 is connected to the lower bracket 11 via a bush 43 and a shaft support member 29 in which a bush fitting portion 43 a that fits into the long hole portion 16 is formed in a polygonal shape. The long hole fitting portion 47 into which the bush is fitted is formed in substantially the same shape (substantially the same polygon) as the bush fitting portion 43a, so that the bush rotates on the long hole fitting portion 47. In addition to being able to prevent, the fitting operation is easier (that is, positioning becomes easier) compared to a bush in which the bush fitting portion 43a is formed in a circular shape.

  As described above, the contents of the present invention have been disclosed through the embodiments and modifications of the present invention. However, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. .

It is a partial perspective view of the steering column device according to the present embodiment. It is a side view of the steering column apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the column support bracket which concerns on this Embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the column support bracket which concerns on this Embodiment. It is front sectional drawing of the column support bracket which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a partially expanded perspective view of the column support bracket which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a partial exploded perspective view of the column support bracket which concerns on the example of a change.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering column apparatus, 2 ... Steering column, 3 ... Fixed column jacket, 5 ... Movable column jacket, 7 ... Hinge bracket, 8 ... Swing center axis, 9 ... Tilt bracket, 11 ... Lower bracket, 11A ... Fixed part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11B ... Support part, 13 ... Steering shaft, 14 ... Slide plate, 15 ... Car body mounting part, 16 ... Long hole part, 17 ... Column support bracket, 19 ... Energy absorption member, 21 ... Column shaft, 23 ... Telescopic lock means, 25: Tilt lock means, 27A: Telescopic operation lever, 27B: Tilt operation lever, 28A, 28B ... Oscillating shaft, 29 ... Shaft support member, 31 ... Support member, 33 ... Shock receiving member, 33a ... Refraction part, 33b ... Attachment part, 35A ... Front edge part, 35B ... Lower edge part, 35C ... Upper edge part, 35D ... Rear edge Min, 37, 39 ... bolt, 41 ... flange, 42 ... rib, 43 ... bush, 43a ... bush fitting portion, 45 ... sleeve, 47 ... elongated hole engaging portion

Claims (7)

A column jacket that supports a steering shaft that fixes the steering wheel at the tip inside,
A vehicle body mounting portion that removably supports the upper portion of the column jacket from the vehicle body;
A column support bracket having a long hole portion formed in the axial direction of the steering shaft at a lower portion of the column jacket;
A lower bracket fixed to the vehicle body and supporting a lower portion of the column jacket;
The lower part of the column jacket is connected to the lower bracket via a shaft support member accommodated in the elongated hole portion of the column support bracket,
The long hole portion of the column support bracket includes a support member made of the same material as the column jacket, and an impact receiving member that is superior in plasticity to the material of the support member and receives the impact of the shaft support member. A steering column device characterized by being formed. The support member is formed of an aluminum material or magnesium,
The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the impact receiving member is formed of an iron material.   3. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the impact receiving member forms a rear edge portion that is an edge closest to the steering wheel in the elongated hole portion.   The impact receiving member includes an upper edge portion that is an edge on the vehicle body upper side in the elongated hole portion, and a rear edge portion that is an edge on the most steering wheel side in the elongated hole portion. The steering column device according to claim 1 or 2. The impact receiving member has a refracting portion that refracts toward the front edge portion side that is the edge on the most front side of the vehicle body in the elongated hole portion,
The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refracting portion covers the support member toward the steering wheel side.   The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the impact receiving member is provided with a rib. The column support bracket is connected to the lower bracket via a bush and a shaft support member in which a bush fitting portion that fits into the elongated hole portion is formed in a polygon.
The long hole fitting portion into which the bush in the long hole portion is fitted is formed in substantially the same shape as the bush fitting portion. The described steering column device.

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