JP5120076B2 - Steering column device - Google Patents

Description

  Since this invention constitutes a telescopic steering device for adjusting the front-rear position of the steering wheel, it is possible to axially displace the end of the outer column and the end of the inner column, each formed in a cylindrical shape. It is related with the improvement of the combined steering column device. Specifically, a cylindrical sleeve (bushing) interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the end of the outer column and the outer peripheral surface of the end of the inner column in order to smoothly perform relative displacement in the axial direction between the two columns. ) Regarding the improvement of the structure.

  The steering apparatus for an automobile is configured as shown in FIG. 7, and transmits the rotation of the steering wheel 1 to the input shaft 3 of the steering gear unit 2. 4 is pushed and pulled to give a steering angle to the front wheels. The steering wheel 1 is supported and fixed to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 5, and the steering shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the steering column 6 with the cylindrical steering column 6 inserted in the axial direction. Has been. The front end portion of the steering shaft 5 is connected to the rear end portion of the intermediate shaft 8 via a universal joint 7, and the front end portion of the intermediate shaft 8 is connected to the input shaft 3 via another universal joint 9. Connected to.

With respect to the steering device as described above, it is widely performed that the front-rear position and the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted according to the physique and driving posture of the driver. Of these, a mechanism for adjusting the front-rear position is called a telescopic mechanism, and is configured by making the steering shaft 5 and the steering column 6 extendable. That is, the steering shaft 5 has a structure in which the outer tube 10 and the inner shaft 11 are combined so as to be able to transmit torque and expand and contract by spline engagement or the like. The steering column 6 has a structure in which an outer column 12 and an inner column 13 are telescopically combined in a telescopic manner. In the illustrated example, in addition to the telescopic mechanism, a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 and the force required to operate the steering wheel 1 using the electric motor 14 as an auxiliary power source are shown. It incorporates an electric power steering device to reduce the power consumption.

  Regarding the telescopic mechanism as described above, in order to smoothly perform the relative displacement between the outer column and the inner column, for example, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 4, a cylindrical sleeve is provided at the fitting portion between these two columns. Intervening is done. 8 to 9 show the conventional structure described in Patent Document 1 among them. The structures shown in FIGS. 8 to 9 are also provided with a tilt mechanism in addition to the telescopic mechanism. The steering column 6a is formed by combining a front outer column 12a and a rear inner column 13a so as to be extendable and contractible. Among these, the front end portion of the outer column 12a made of a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy supports the front bracket 15 fixed to the vehicle body side so as to be capable of swinging and shifting around the horizontal axis 16. . The intermediate portion of the outer column 12a is supported so as to be movable up and down with respect to the rear bracket 17 supported on the vehicle body side. Furthermore, the front end portion of the inner column 13a is fitted into the rear end portion of the outer column 12a so as to be capable of axial displacement. Then, by operating the adjustment lever 18, the distance between the adjustment nut 19 and the head 21 of the adjustment bolt 20 is increased or decreased, so that the vertical position and front / rear position of the inner column 13 a can be adjusted, or the position after adjustment. It can be fixed to. By adjusting the vertical position and the longitudinal position of the inner column 13a, the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 7) fixed to the rear end of the steering shaft 5a rotatably supported inside the inner column 13a. And the front and back position can be adjusted. The configuration and operation of the tilt mechanism and telescopic mechanism for adjusting the vertical position and the front-back position as described above are described in detail in Patent Document 1 and are not the gist of the present invention. Is omitted.

  Further, a sleeve 22 is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the outer column 12a and the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the inner column 13a, thereby facilitating relative displacement between the columns 12a and 13a. A sleeve made of a synthetic resin having a small friction coefficient may be used as such a sleeve 22, but in order to prevent the steering column 6a from contracting in order to prevent harmful deformation in the event of a collision. In order to stabilize the required load, it is described in Patent Document 1 that it is made of a steel plate. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the sleeve 22 made of a steel plate is formed in a state of being bent in a radially outward direction at the end of the main portion 23 and a main portion 23 having a cylindrical shape. And an outward flange-shaped flange 24.

  In such a sleeve 22, the main portion 23 is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the outer column 12a and the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the inner column 13a, and the flange portion 24 is held behind the outer column 12a. The two columns 12a and 13a are assembled between the two columns 12a and 13a while being in contact with the end surfaces. Further, a slip prevention structure using a pin or the like is provided between the outer column 12a and the main portion 23 to prevent the sleeve 22 from coming out of the engaging portion between the columns 12a and 13a. Further, when the steering column 6a is contracted, the flange 24 is pressed against the rear end surface of the outer column 12a, the sleeve 22 is pulled into the outer column 12a, and the main portion 23 is moved to the both columns 12a. , 13a are prevented from being disengaged from each other.

  In the case of the conventional structure as described above, it is difficult to ensure the roundness of the cross-sectional shape of the main portion 23, and it is difficult to stabilize the friction coefficient of the engaging portion between the columns 12a and 13a. The reason for this is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the collar portion 24 is formed in a continuous shape except for one cut portion in the circumferential direction, like the main portion 23, On the other hand, the force required to bend the flange 24 increases. With the processing of the flange portion 24, the end portion on the flange portion 24 side of the main portion 23 is deformed, and the roundness of the cross-sectional shape of the end portion is deteriorated. For this reason, the surface pressure of the contact portion between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the end portion and the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 12a and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 13a is partially increased. As a result, the force required to expand and contract both the columns 12a and 13a increases, and it becomes difficult to adjust the front and rear position of the steering wheel 1 smoothly.

  In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10C, a structure is described in which the flange portion 24a is configured by a plurality of tongue pieces 25, 25 each having a narrow circumferential width. According to such a structure, the deformation of the end portion of the main portion 23 can be suppressed, but it becomes difficult to ensure the bending rigidity of the flange portion 24a, and the positioning of the sleeve 22a tends to be uncertain. As shown in FIG. 11A, if a small number of cutouts 26 and 26 are formed in the middle of the flange portion 24b (in the illustrated example, three locations), the bending rigidity of the flange portion 24b is somewhat increased. Although it can be secured, there is a problem in terms of securing roundness. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, if the number of the notches 26, 26 is increased (formed in seven places in the illustrated example), it is advantageous in terms of ensuring roundness, but the heel portion This is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of securing the bending rigidity of 24c.

JP-A-2005-75183 JP 2006-69524 A JP 2006-306263 A International Publication No. 2004/108502 Pamphlet

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention secures the roundness of the cross-sectional shape of the sleeve interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the end of the outer column and the outer peripheral surface of the end of the inner column, and the bending rigidity of the flange. The invention was invented to realize a structure capable of ensuring both of these.

The steering column device of the present invention is similar to the conventionally known steering column device described above, and the end portion of the outer column and the end portion of the inner column, each configured in a cylindrical shape, via a sleeve, An axial relative displacement is made possible. And the said sleeve is provided with the collar part bent in the radial direction in the edge part of the main part made into the cylindrical shape by bending and forming a metal plate.
In particular, in the steering column device of the present invention, a plurality of through holes are intermittently formed in the circumferential direction in the bent portion where the main portion and the flange portion of the sleeve are continuous. And the front-end edge part of the said collar part is made continuous regarding the circumferential direction except the part from which the said main part is discontinuous.

According to the steering column device of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to ensure both the roundness of the cross-sectional shape of the sleeve and the bending rigidity of the collar portion.
First, the roundness can be ensured by providing a plurality of through holes in a bent portion that connects the main portion and the flange portion. When the flange is bent with respect to the main portion, the force associated with the processing of the flange is not transmitted to the main portion in each of the through-hole portions. For this reason, if the number of each of these through holes is increased (for example, at six or more positions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction), the deterioration of the roundness of the main part can be suppressed to a practically no problem level.
In addition, the bending rigidity can be ensured by making the end edge of the flange portion continuous in the circumferential direction. That is, since the portions existing between the respective through holes are connected to each other in the circumferential direction, these respective portions are not bent with respect to the main portion independently of each other, and the bending rigidity can be sufficiently secured. .

[First example of embodiment]
1 to 3 show a first example of an embodiment of the present invention. The steering column device of the present invention including this example is characterized by the structure of the sleeve 22b interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the end of the outer column 12b and the outer peripheral surface of the end of the inner column 13b. Since the configuration and operation of the entire steering column device including the telescopic mechanism configured by incorporating the sleeve 22b are the same as those conventionally known, including the structures shown in FIGS. The illustration and description are omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of this example and the structural portions that have not been described previously.

  In this example, not only the outer column 12b but also the inner column 13b is manufactured by injection molding a light metal material such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. Of the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 13b, a guide groove 27 is formed in the axial direction of the inner column 13b on the outer peripheral surface of the portion closer to the end portion on the side fitted into the outer column 12b. Further, among the outer column 12b, the guide pin 28 is fixed to the end portion on the side where the inner column 13b is fitted, and the tip end portion is fixed so that it slightly protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the outer column 12b. Yes. Then, the end of the inner column 13b is moved by a predetermined length on the inner diameter side of the end of the outer column 12b by loosely engaging the tip of the guide pin 28 with the guide groove 27 (the guide recess). Only within the range in which the guide pin 28 can be displaced in the groove 27), it is fitted in such a manner that axial displacement is possible.

  In this way, the shape as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the end of the outer column 12b and the outer peripheral surface of the end of the inner column 13b, which are fitted to each other so as to be capable of axial displacement. The sleeve 22b is interposed. The sleeve 22b is formed by bending a metal plate such as a stainless steel plate, a steel plate, a copper plate, or a copper alloy plate such as a brass plate. The sleeve 22b has a main part 23a having a cylindrical shape and an end part of the main part 23a. And an outward flange-shaped flange portion 24d formed in a state of being bent radially outward. Further, a circular through hole 29 is formed in a part of the main portion 23a, and the through hole 29 and the guide pin 28 can be freely engaged.

  In particular, in the case of the sleeve 22b incorporated in the structure of the present example, a plurality of (seven locations in the illustrated example) through holes 31, 31 are provided in the bent portion 30 that continuously connects the main portion 23a and the flange portion 24d. , Are formed intermittently in the circumferential direction. In the case of this example, these through holes 31 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction except for the portion where the main portion 23a is discontinuous. Each of the through holes 31, 31 is formed in a portion extending from the axial end portion of the main portion 23a to the radial intermediate portion of the flange portion 24d. The through holes 31 are not formed at the outer diameter side end of the flange 24d. Accordingly, the outer edge of the flange 24d is continuous in the circumferential direction except for the portion where the main portion 23a is discontinuous.

In such a sleeve 22b, with the guide pin 28 engaged with the through hole 29, the main portion 23a is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the outer column 12b and the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the inner column 13b. Hold between. In this state, the flange 24d is abutted against the rear end surface of the outer column 12b . In the state where the sleeve 22b is assembled between the outer column 12b and the inner column 13b in this way, the inner column with respect to the outer column 12b is adjusted in order to adjust the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1 (see FIG. 7). When sliding 13b, the sleeve 22b is prevented from moving in the front-rear direction based on the engagement between the through hole 29 and the guide pin 28. In this state, since only an axial force is applied to the inner column 13b, the force acting on the sleeve 22b can be small. Therefore, the axial position of the sleeve 22b can be sufficiently restricted only by the engagement between the through hole 29 and the guide pin 28.

  On the other hand, at the time of the secondary collision in which the driver's body hits the steering wheel 1 due to a collision accident, a strong force directed diagonally forward is applied to the inner column 13b. In this state, a large frictional force acts on the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 13b and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 22b, and the force for displacing the sleeve 22b forward increases. In this state, in addition to the engaging portion between the through hole 29 and the guide pin 28, the sleeve 22b is moved by the engaging force of the engaging portion between the flange 24d and the rear end surface of the outer column 12b. It is prevented from being pulled into the column 12b. As a result, the main portion 23a of the sleeve 22b is prevented from being disengaged from the engaging portion between the columns 12b and 13b, and the inner column 13b is smoothly displaced forward.

In particular, according to the structure of this example, it is possible to achieve both the securing of the roundness of the cross-sectional shape of the main portion 23a of the sleeve 22b and the securing of the bending rigidity of the flange portion 24d, thereby adjusting the longitudinal position of the steering wheel 1. Reduction of power required for the vehicle and enhancement of driver protection in the event of a secondary collision.
First, the roundness can be ensured by providing the plurality of through holes 31, 31 in a bent portion 30 that connects the main portion 23a and the flange portion 24d. When the flange portion 24d is bent with respect to the main portion 23a, the force associated with the processing of the flange portion 24d is not transmitted to the main portion 23a in each of the through holes 31 and 31. That is, the portion that aligns with the through holes 31 at the axial end edge of the main portion 23a remains arc-shaped even when the flange portion 24d is bent. In addition, since the width in the circumferential direction is narrow with respect to the portions that are out of the respective through holes 31, 31 as well, the force generated when the flange portion 24d is bent is limited, and the main portion 23a. The magnitude of the force acting in the direction of distorting the shape of (or deviating from the perfect circle) is limited. In the case of this example, the through holes 31, 31 are formed at seven positions, and the circumferential width of the portion existing between the adjacent through holes 31, 31 is limited. Of the main portion 23a, the deterioration of the roundness of the end portion on the side where the flange portion 24d is formed can be suppressed to an extent that there is no practical problem. That is, since the shape of the end portion is kept close to a perfect circle, the contact portion between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the outer column 12b and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 13b. The surface pressure of the steering wheel 1 can be kept low and the force required to extend and contract both the columns 12b and 13b can be kept low, and the front-rear position adjustment of the steering wheel 1 can be performed smoothly.

  The bending rigidity can be ensured by making the end edge of the flange 24d continuous in the circumferential direction. That is, since the portions existing between the through holes 31, 31 are connected in the circumferential direction, these portions are not bent with respect to the main portion 23a independently of each other, and the bending rigidity is increased. Enough can be secured. For this reason, even if the force for pulling the sleeve 22b into the outer column 12b during a secondary collision increases, the flange 24d sufficiently opposes this force, and the sleeve 22b is pulled into the outer column 12b. Is prevented.

  In addition, in order to improve the rigidity of a collar part more, the collar parts 24e-24g which have a cross-sectional shape as shown to (A)-(C) of FIG. 4 are also employable. Among these, the flange part 24e described in FIG. 4A is formed by bending the outer peripheral edge part at a right angle toward the opposite side to the main part 23a. Further, the flange portion 24f shown in FIG. 4B is formed by bending the outer peripheral edge portion toward the main portion 23a side at a right angle. Further, the flange portion 24g shown in FIG. 4C is folded back with the outer peripheral edge portion facing the main portion 23a side. In any structure, the rigidity of the flange portions 24e to 24g can be improved, and the sleeve can be positioned and prevented from being pulled in at the time of a secondary collision.

[Second Example of Embodiment]
5 to 6 show a second example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the case of this example, the inward flange-shaped flange portion 24h is formed by bending the axial end portion of the main portion 23a constituting the sleeve 22c at a right angle inward in the radial direction. The flange 24h is engaged with the front end surface of the inner column 13c. In accordance with this, in the case of this example, a guide groove 27a for the telescopic mechanism is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer column 12c, and the guide pin 28a is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 13c. Further, in the normal state, the rear end portion of the main portion 23a of the sleeve 22c is protruded sufficiently rearward from the rear end surface of the outer column 12c. The configuration and operation other than the point that the inside and outside in the radial direction are reversed and the flange portion 24h is engaged with the front end surface of the inner column 13c accordingly, are the same as in the case of the first example of the above-described embodiment. Since it is the same, the overlapping description is omitted.

Sectional drawing of the telescopic mechanism part of a steering column apparatus for demonstrating the 1st example of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the sleeve integrated in a 1st example. Similarly (B) seen from the right side of the plan views (A) and (A). The partial schematic sectional drawing which shows another 3 examples of the cross-sectional shape of a sleeve. The schematic sectional drawing of the telescopic mechanism part of a steering column apparatus which shows the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the sleeve integrated in a 2nd example. The partial cutaway side view which shows an example of the steering device for motor vehicles. The side view which shows an example of the specific structure of the steering column apparatus incorporating the telescopic mechanism and tilt mechanism conventionally known. XX sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 8 shows a conventionally known sleeve, (A) is a plan view seen from above in FIG. 8, (B) is a view seen from the right side of (A), and (C) shows another example ( The same figure as B). Similarly, the same figure as FIG. 10 (B) which shows another 2 examples.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering gear unit 3 Input shaft 4 Tie rod 5, 5a Steering shaft 6, 6a Steering column 7 Universal joint 8 Intermediate shaft 9 Universal joint 10 Outer tube 11 Inner shaft 12, 12a, 12b, 12c Outer column 13, 13a, 13b, 13c Inner column 14 Electric motor 15 Front bracket 16 Horizontal shaft 17 Rear bracket 18 Adjustment lever 19 Adjustment nut 20 Adjustment bolt 21 Head 22, 22a, 22b, 22c Sleeve 23, 23a Main part 24, 24a, 24b, 24c , 24d, 24e, 24f, 24g, 24h collar 25 tongue piece 26 notch 27, 27a guide groove 28, 28a guide pin 29 through hole 30 bent portion 31 through hole

Claims (1)

  The end of the outer column and the end of the inner column, each configured in a cylindrical shape, are fitted through a sleeve so as to allow relative displacement in the axial direction. The sleeve is formed by bending a metal plate. In the steering column device having a flange portion that is bent in the radial direction at the end portion of the main portion that is formed into a cylindrical shape, a bent portion that continuously connects the main portion of the sleeve and the flange portion is provided. A plurality of through holes are formed intermittently in the circumferential direction, and the leading edge of the flange portion is continuous in the circumferential direction except for a portion where the main portion is discontinuous. Steering column device characterized by

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