JP5229078B2 - Steering column device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering column device, and in particular, a column tube that is movable in the column axial direction with respect to a part of a vehicle body, and a moving and detaching to the front of the vehicle when a predetermined load is applied to the vehicle body. A possible support bracket, an impact absorbing means capable of absorbing impact energy when the support bracket is moved and detached at the time of a secondary collision of a vehicle collision, a column side bracket fixed to the column tube and movable integrally, The present invention relates to a steering column device provided with a lock means for releasably fixing a column side bracket to a support bracket.

  This type of steering column device is described, for example, in Patent Document 1 below. In the steering column device described in Patent Document 1 below, the locking means is inserted into a telescopic elongated hole extending in the column axial direction provided in the column side bracket and extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and on the bolt An operation lever that is assembled so that it can be rotated and can be fixed / released with respect to the support bracket by locking / unlocking operation. The column bracket is attached to the support bracket by locking the operation lever. The column side bracket can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the support bracket in the column axial direction by unlocking the operation lever.

JP 2007-38833 A JP 2005-1517 A

  In the steering column device described in Patent Document 1, the column side bracket moves to the front end of the telescopic stroke when the front position of the column side bracket is adjusted in the column axis direction (at the time of telescopic adjustment in front of the vehicle). Sometimes. At this time, the forward movement of the column side bracket in the column axis direction is restricted by the contact between the rear end of the telescopic elongated hole and the bolt. As a result, the impact force due to the contact described above is transmitted to the support bracket, and the assembled state of the support bracket with respect to a part of the vehicle body changes, and the support bracket may not be able to perform its intended function.

  Further, in the steering column device described in Patent Document 2, an opening is provided in the peripheral wall of the outer jacket that is assembled to a part of the vehicle body and supports the column tube so as to be movable in the column axial direction. In the vicinity of the opening, a limiting member is rotatably mounted. In addition, a restricting portion capable of abutting on the tip end portion (vehicle front end portion) of the column tube is provided at one end of the restricting member, and the other end of the restricting member and the operation lever are connected to each other so as to be tiltable by a link member.

  In the steering column device described in Patent Document 2, the restricting member tilts in conjunction with the link member by the unlocking operation of the operation lever, and the restricting portion of the restricting member is radially inward from the opening of the outer jacket. It is set so as to protrude. On the other hand, the restricting member is tilted in conjunction with the link member by the lock operation of the operation lever, and the restricting portion of the restricting member is set to be drawn radially outward from the opening of the outer jacket.

  When the link member and the restricting member described in Patent Document 2 are applied to the steering column device described in Patent Document 1, the operation lever is locked in the secondary collision of the vehicle collision. When the support bracket is moved away from the front of the vehicle, the tip of the column tube does not come into contact with the restricting part of the restricting member drawn in the radially outward direction from the opening of the outer jacket. It is possible to secure. Also, during telescopic adjustment in front of the vehicle, the front end of the column tube is brought into contact with the limiting portion of the limiting member protruding radially inward from the opening of the outer jacket before the rear end of the telescopic elongated hole comes into contact with the bolt. It is possible.

  However, in this case, when the end of the column tube vigorously abuts the restricting portion of the restricting member, the restricting member tilts in conjunction with the link member, and the restricting portion of the restricting member is outside the diameter of the outer jacket opening. There is a risk of turning so as to be pulled toward the side. As a result, the forward movement of the column side bracket in the column axial direction is not restricted by the contact between the front end portion of the column tube and the restriction portion of the restriction member, but by the contact between the rear end of the telescopic elongated hole and the bolt. There is a risk of being regulated. For this reason, transmission of the impact force to the support bracket described above cannot be suppressed, and the above-described problem may not be solved.

  The present invention has been made to cope with the above-described problems, and a column tube that is movable in the column axial direction with respect to a part of the vehicle body, and a load that is assembled to a part of the vehicle body and that is more than a predetermined force acts. Then, a support bracket that can be moved to and removed from the front of the vehicle, an impact absorbing means that can absorb impact energy when the support bracket is moved and detached at the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, and a column tube that is fixedly moved integrally. And a locking means for releasably fixing the column side bracket to the support bracket. The locking means is inserted into a telescopic elongated hole provided in the column side bracket and extending in the column axial direction. And a bolt that extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and is assembled to the bolt so as to be rotatable. An operation lever capable of fixing and releasing the bracket on the support bracket with respect to the support bracket, and the column bracket is fixed to the support bracket by a lock operation of the operation lever, and the operation lever is unlocked. In the steering column device in which the column side bracket can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the support bracket in the column axial direction by an operation, an extension portion that can move integrally with the column side bracket and extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle; A tilting member which is assembled so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction with respect to a part of the vehicle body, is inserted into the extending portion and is biased upward by a biasing means, and is engaged with an upper end portion of the tilting member The tilting member is tilted downward in accordance with the unlocking operation of the operation lever, and the tilting member is tilted in accordance with the locking operation of the operation lever. A tilting cam that allows the member to tilt upward is provided. The tilting member extends in the column axis direction, and when the operation lever is unlocked, the extension portion extends in the column axis direction. A first allowing portion for allowing a predetermined amount of movement; a portion extending in the column axis direction and overlapping with the first allowing portion; and a portion extending forward therefrom; and the operating lever is locked. A second permissible portion is formed that allows the extension portion to move in the column axis direction when the support bracket moves away from the front of the vehicle, and the extension portion is adjusted when the front position of the column side bracket in the column axis direction is adjusted. The front end of the projecting portion and the first permissible portion is characterized in that it can be contacted before the bolt and the rear end of the telescopic elongated hole abut.

  In the steering column device according to the present invention, the column-side bracket is fixed to the support bracket by the unlocking operation of the operation lever, so that the column-side bracket can be adjusted in the longitudinal position (telescopic adjustment) with respect to the support bracket. . Also, at this time, the tilting member is tilted downward by the tilting cam against the upward biasing force of the biasing means, and the extending portion that can move integrally with the column side bracket has the first member of the tilting member. A predetermined amount of movement in the column axis direction is allowed at one permissible portion.

  As a result, when the front position of the column side bracket in the column axial direction is adjusted (at the time of telescopic adjustment in front of the vehicle), the extension part and the front end of the first allowance part are before the bolt and the rear end of the telescopic elongated hole come into contact with each other. Since it is set so as to be able to come into contact, at the foremost end of the telescopic stroke, the extended portion and the front end of the first allowance portion come into contact. At this time, since the tilting member is biased upward by the biasing means and is engaged with the tilting cam at the upper end portion, it is difficult to tilt even if it is tilted by the contact.

  For this reason, at the foremost end of the telescopic stroke, the impact force due to the contact described above is transmitted to a part of the vehicle body via the tilting member, and is effectively received by a part of the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of the impact force due to the above-described contact to the support bracket, and it is possible to suppress a change in the assembled state of the support bracket with respect to a part of the vehicle body.

  On the other hand, the column side bracket is fixed to the support bracket by the lock operation of the operation lever, and the column side bracket cannot be adjusted in the front-rear position with respect to the support bracket. At this time, the tilting member is allowed to tilt upward by the eccentric cam, and tilted upward by the upward biasing force of the biasing means. For this reason, when the support bracket moves and detaches forward of the vehicle in this state (the operation lever is locked), the extension portion is allowed to move in the column axis direction by the second permission portion.

  Thereby, at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle collision, when the load more than a predetermined value acts on the support bracket and the support bracket moves away from the front of the vehicle, the extension portion passes through the second allowance portion and passes through the first allowance portion. It is possible to move forward from the front end. Therefore, at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle collision, it is possible to ensure an impact absorbing stroke corresponding to the axial length of the second allowable portion, and it is possible to ensure a necessary and sufficient impact absorbing stroke.

  In carrying out the present invention, the line of impact force due to the contact between the extension portion and the front end of the first allowance portion, the tilting center point of the tilt member, the extension portion, and the first allowance portion It is also possible to set the action line connecting the contact point with the front end to be substantially on the same straight line. In this case, when the extension portion and the front end of the first allowance portion abut, the tilting member does not generate a rotational moment with respect to the tilting center point, and the tilting of the tilting member can be accurately regulated. .

It is the side view which showed one Embodiment of the steering column apparatus by this invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state where an operation lever is unlocked in the steering column device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partially longitudinal side view of the steering column device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional front view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view showing a relationship among a tilting member, a supporting member, an extending portion, a telescopic elongated hole, a bolt, a cylindrical protrusion, and a torsion spring shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a tilting member and a support member shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial vertical side view illustrating a relationship among a tilting member, a support member, an extending portion, an eccentric cam, and a torsion spring illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial vertical side view illustrating a relationship among a tilting member, a supporting member, an extending portion, an eccentric cam, and a torsion spring illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram when the extension part illustrated in FIG. 2 and the front end of the first allowance part come into contact with each other.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 9 show a steering column apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering column apparatus is integrated with a steering handle 10 that is turned by an occupant. A steering main shaft 20 that is rotatably supported, a column tube 30 that accommodates the steering main shaft 20 and rotatably supports the steering main shaft 20, and an EPS that applies a predetermined assisting force to the steering of the steering handle 10. (Electric power steering) Actuator 40, lock means 50 for permitting or restricting tilt operation (tilt operation in the vertical direction) and telescopic operation (extension / contraction operation in the column axis direction) of the column tube 30, and the lock means 50 can be tilted up and down by locking / unlocking operation lever 53 And a possible tilting member 60.

  The steering handle 10 is connected to the occupant side end of the upper shaft 21 of the steering main shaft 20 so as to be able to transmit torque, as indicated by phantom lines in FIGS. The steering main shaft 20 includes an upper shaft 21 and a lower shaft 22 (see FIG. 4), and an output shaft 23 connected to the lower shaft 22 via a torsion bar (not shown) so as to transmit torque. . As shown in FIG. 4, the upper shaft 21 is formed in a hollow shape, and a lower end portion is inserted into the lower shaft 22 so as to be slidable in the column axis direction and capable of transmitting torque.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the column tube 30 is for rotatably supporting the steering main shaft 20 and is supported by a steering support member SS provided in the instrument panel reinforcement IR. The upper tube 31, the lower tube 32 disposed in front of the vehicle from the upper tube 31, and the column side bracket 33 integrally fixed to the outer periphery of the lower portion of the upper tube 31 in front of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the instrument panel reinforcement IR and the steering support member SS are vehicle body side members (a part of the vehicle body) that are assembled and fixed to the vehicle body, and the steering support member SS. A breakaway bracket 34 is assembled to the lower rear portion of the vehicle, and a support bracket 35 is assembled to the lower front portion of the steering support member SS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the upper tube 31 is formed in a hollow shape and is assembled to the lower tube 32 so as to be slidable in the column axis direction. The upper tube 31 is assembled to the breakaway bracket 34 via the column side bracket 33 and the lock means 50 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and the column axis direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper tube 31 can rotate the upper shaft 21 through a bearing Br provided integrally on the inner periphery of the upper end portion (rear end portion of the vehicle). An insertion long hole 31a extending in the column axial direction for inserting the eccentric cam 56 of the locking means 50 is provided at the lower part on the front side of the vehicle so as to be movable in the axial direction and the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the lower tube 32 can be tilted in the vertical direction to the support bracket 35 via the housing 41 of the EPS actuator 40 and the support pin SP (the axis (tilt center) of the support pin SP is positioned). It can be tilted as the center). The lower tube 32 is formed in a hollow shape, and can rotate the lower shaft 22 via a bearing (not shown) integrally provided on the inner periphery of the lower end (the front end of the vehicle) and in the column axial direction. Supports immovable.

  The lower tube 32 is provided with a resin bush 32a on the outer periphery and is inserted into the lower end portion (vehicle front portion) of the upper tube 31 at the upper end portion (vehicle rear portion). It is slidably supported in the column axis direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bush 32 a (impact absorbing means) reduces rattling between the outer periphery of the lower tube 32 and the inner periphery of the upper tube 31, and at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle collision, the upper tube The insertion long hole 32a1 that is long in the column axial direction for inserting the eccentric cam 56 of the lock means 50 in the lower part on the rear side of the vehicle. have.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the column side bracket 33 is for frictional engagement with the breakaway bracket 34, and is movable in the vertical direction and the column axial direction with respect to the breakaway bracket 34. It is. The column side bracket 33 is connected to a pair of left and right side portions 33a and 33b fixed to the lower part of the outer periphery of the upper tube 31, and a lower end of the side portions 33a and 33b on the front side of the vehicle. The extending portion 33c extends. Telescopic long holes 33a1 and 33b1 are provided in the side surfaces 33a and 33b. The long telescopic holes 33a1 and 33b1 extend in the column axial direction as shown in FIG. The bolt 51 is provided so that it can be inserted.

  The breakaway bracket 34 (support bracket) is assembled to the steering support member SS, and can be moved and detached forward of the vehicle with respect to the steering support member SS when a predetermined load or more is applied. As shown in FIG. 4, the breakaway bracket 34 has a pair of left and right vertical wall portions 34a and 34b, and has a pair of left and right upper wall portions 34c and 34d above the vertical wall portions 34a and 34b. doing. The breakaway bracket 34 is assembled so as not to move rearward of the vehicle with respect to the steering support member SS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vertical wall portions 34 a and 34 b are frictionally engaged with the side surface portions 33 a and 33 b of the column side bracket 33 at the lower portion, and tilt long holes 34 a 1 and 34 b 1 extending in the vertical direction. have. Each of the tilt long holes 34a1 and 34b1 is formed in a substantially arc shape with the support pin SP as the center, and is provided so that the bolt 51 of the lock means 50 can be inserted. Each of the upper wall portions 34c and 34d has slit holes 34c1 and 34d1, and steering is performed using the resin capsules 36, the metal collars 37, the stud bolts 38, and the nuts 39 in the slit holes 34c1 and 34d1. It is assembled to the support member SS. Each nut 39 is screwed and fixed to a stud bolt 38 that is fixed to the steering support member SS by welding in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slit holes 34c1 and 34d1 are for allowing the breakaway bracket 34 to move and detach from the front of the vehicle. The slit holes 34c1 and 34d1 extend rearward from substantially the center of the upper wall portions 34c and 34d. Open at the rear end. Each resin capsule 36 has a cylindrical portion that fits in each slit hole 34c1, 34d1, and is fixed to the upper surface of each upper wall portion 34c, 34d, and is destroyed when a predetermined load or more is applied. It is like that. Each metal collar 37 is assembled to each stud bolt 38 in a state where the metal collar 37 is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion of each resin capsule 36. As a result, when a predetermined load or more is applied to the upper wall portions 34c and 34d at the time of a secondary collision in a vehicle collision, the resin capsules 36 are broken, and the breakaway bracket 34 moves forward of the vehicle with respect to the steering support member SS. Can move and leave.

  The EPS actuator 40 is for applying an assist torque (auxiliary force) to the output shaft 23 of the steering main shaft 20, and is assembled to the support bracket 35 as shown in FIGS. A housing 41 supporting the lower end of the tube 32, an electric motor 42 assembled to the housing 41, and a speed reducer (not shown) that decelerates the output of the electric motor 42 are provided. A support member 43 for supporting the tilting member 60 so as to be tiltable is assembled to the lower portion of the housing 41. The output shaft of the electric motor 42 is connected to the output shaft 23 of the steering main shaft 20 via a speed reducer so that torque can be transmitted, and the rotational drive is controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown).

  The lock means 50 is for releasably fixing the column side bracket 33 to the breakaway bracket 34. As shown in FIG. 4, a bolt 51 extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the bolt And an operating lever 53 assembled on the bolt 51 at the left end portion of the bolt 51. The locking means 50 includes a lock cam unit 54 assembled on the bolt 51 at the left portion of the bolt 51, and a thrust needle bearing assembled on the bolt 51 at the right portion of the bolt 51. A unit 55 and an eccentric cam 56 assembled on the bolt 51 so as to be integrally rotatable at an intermediate portion of the bolt 51 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the bolt 51 has a head portion 51 a at the left end portion, a screw portion 51 b at the right end portion, and a shaft portion 51 c at the intermediate portion. Further, the bolt 51 is rotatably inserted into the tilt long holes 34 a 1 and 34 b 1 provided in the breakaway bracket 34 and the telescopic long holes 33 a 1 and 33 b 1 provided in the column side bracket 33. The nut 52 is screwed to the threaded portion 51 b of the bolt 51, and can press the vertical wall portion 34 b on the right side of the breakaway bracket 34 via the thrust needle bearing unit 55. The operation lever 53 is connected to the head 51a of the bolt 51 so as to be integrally rotatable. When the operation lever 53 is rotated approximately 90 degrees clockwise from the lock position shown in FIG. The lock position shown in FIG. 1 is obtained when the lock position is rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise from the lock position shown in FIG. 2 (unlock operation).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lock cam unit 54 is assembled on the shaft 51 c of the bolt 51 between the vertical wall 34 a on the left side of the breakaway bracket 34 and the operation lever 53. Cam plates 54a and 54b. The left cam plate 54a is connected to the operation lever 53, can rotate integrally with the bolt 51, and can rotate relative to the right cam plate 54b. The right cam plate 54b is inserted in the tilt elongated hole 34a1 in the up-down direction and on the outer periphery of the cylindrical projection 54b1 formed on the right side of FIG. It is inserted so as to be movable and non-rotatable, and is rotatable relative to the bolt 51.

  The pair of left and right cam plates 54a and 54b is in a tightened state (between the head 51a and the nut 52 of the bolt 51) in the state shown in FIG. 1 (the state where the operation lever 53 is locked). The shaft 51c of the bolt 51 is pulled), and the frictional engagement force between the vertical wall portions 34a, 34b of the breakaway bracket 34 and the side surface portions 33a, 33b of the column side bracket 33 is increased. Yes. Thereby, the column side bracket 33 cannot move in the vertical direction and the column axis direction with respect to the breakaway bracket 34.

  On the other hand, the pair of left and right cam plates 54a and 54b is in a relaxed state (the head 51a of the bolt 51) in the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 (the state where the operation lever 53 is unlocked). And the nut 52 between the vertical wall portions 34a and 34b of the breakaway bracket 34 and the side surface portions 33a and 33b of the column side bracket 33. The resultant force is reduced. Thereby, the column side bracket 33 is movable in the vertical direction and the column axis direction with respect to the breakaway bracket 34. In addition, since the detailed structure of a pair of left and right cam plates 54a and 54b is known, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical projection 54b1 on the right cam plate 54b is aligned with the bolt 51 in the telescopic elongated hole 33a1 when adjusting the longitudinal position of the column side bracket 33 in the column axis direction (at the time of telescopic adjustment). It can move in the column axis direction. The gap in the column axis direction between the cylindrical protrusion 54b1 and the rear end of the telescopic long hole 33a1 is X1, and the gap in the column axis direction between the cylindrical protrusion 54b1 and the front end of the telescopic long hole 33a1 is X2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the thrust needle bearing unit 55 is assembled on the shaft 51 c of the bolt 51 between the vertical wall 34 b on the right side of the breakaway bracket 34 and the nut 52. The thrust needle bearing unit 55 includes a left plate 55a that is in contact with the vertical wall 34b on the right side of the breakaway bracket 34, a right plate 55b that is in contact with the nut 52, and these left plates. The needle 55c interposed between 55a and the right side plate 55b, and the cage 55d holding this needle 55c are provided. The left plate 55a is vertically movable and non-rotatably inserted into the tilt elongated hole 34b1 on the outer periphery of the cylindrical projection 55a1 formed on the left side of FIG. 4, and is movable in the column axial direction to the telescopic elongated hole 33b1. Further, it is inserted so as not to rotate, and is rotatable relative to the bolt 51.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical protrusion 55a1 in the left plate 55a can move in the column axial direction together with the bolt 51 through the telescopic elongated hole 33b1 during telescopic adjustment. The gap in the column axis direction between the cylindrical protrusion 54a1 and the rear end of the telescopic long hole 33b1 is X1, and the gap in the column axis direction between the cylindrical protrusion 55a1 and the front end of the telescopic long hole 33b1 is X2.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the eccentric cam 56 includes a cylindrical portion 56 a that is serrated to the shaft portion 51 c of the bolt 51, and a member that is integrally formed at the axial center of the cylindrical portion 56 a. It has a combination cam portion 56b and a tilt cam portion 56c (tilt means). The engagement cam portion 56b can be engaged and disengaged from the lower portion of the lower tube 32 as the bolt 51 rotates through the insertion long hole 31a of the upper tube 31 and the insertion long hole 32a1 of the bush 32a, and the operation lever 53 is locked. When engaged, the lower portion of the lower tube 32 is engaged. When the operation lever 53 is unlocked, the lower portion of the lower tube 32 is engaged (see FIG. 3). The tilting cam portion 56c is engaged with the upper surface 60a (upper end portion) of the tilting member 60, and protrudes rearward of the vehicle when the operation lever 53 is locked (shown in FIG. 7). Is unlocked (the state shown in FIG. 8), it projects downward.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the tilting member 60 extends in the column axis direction, and tilts in the vertical direction via the tilting pin 61 to the pair of left and right arms 43 a and 43 b of the support member 43 at the front end of the vehicle. It is assembled as possible. The tilting member 60 is biased upward by a torsion spring 62 (biasing means) assembled to the support member 43. The torsion spring 62 is engaged with the lower surfaces of the arm portions 43a and 43b of the support member 43 at both ends, and is engaged with the lower surface 60b of the tilting member 60 at the central portion. It is wound around the tilting pin 61 at an intermediate portion therebetween.

  Further, when the operation lever 53 is locked (the state shown in FIG. 7), the tilt member 60 is allowed to tilt upward by the engagement of the upper surface 60a and the tilt cam portion 56c protruding rearward of the vehicle. The torsion spring 62 is tilted upward by an upward biasing force. On the other hand, when the operation lever 53 is unlocked (the state shown in FIG. 8), the tilting member 60 is moved upwardly of the torsion spring 62 by the engagement of the upper surface 60a and the tilting cam portion 56c protruding downward. It is tilted downward against the biasing force. The tilting member 60 has a first allowance portion 60c and a second allowance portion 60d that extend in the column axis direction and into which the extension portion 33c of the column side bracket 33 can be inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the first allowance portion 60c extends coaxially with the tilting member 60 in the column axis direction and is provided above the second allowance portion 60d. The second permissible portion 60d extends from the lower rear end of the tilting member 60 toward the front and the front of the vehicle, a superposed portion 60d1 that overlaps with the first permissible portion 60c, and a forward extension that extends forward from the superposed portion 60d1. It has a protruding portion 60d2. A strength member 60e is incorporated below the rear end of the second allowable portion 60d in order to increase the strength (rigidity) of the tilting member 60.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the breakaway bracket 34 moves away from the front of the vehicle with the operation lever 53 locked, the extension portion 33c moves in the column axial direction at the second allowance portion 60d. Is allowed. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the operation lever 53 is unlocked, the extension portion 33c is allowed to move in the column axis direction by a predetermined amount by the first allowance portion 60c. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the gap in the column axis direction between the extending portion 33c and the front end 60c1 of the first allowable portion 60c is Y1 smaller than the gap X1, and the extending portion 33c and the first The clearance in the column axis direction with the rear end 60c2 of the 1 allowance portion 60c is Y2 which is smaller than the clearance X2.

  Therefore, during telescopic adjustment in front of the vehicle, the extension portion 33c and the front end 60c1 of the first allowance portion 60c are in contact with the cylindrical protrusions 54b1 and 55a1 assembled to the bolt 51 and the rear ends of the telescopic elongated holes 33a1 and 33b1. Before coming into contact, they come into contact. Further, during telescopic adjustment on the rear side of the vehicle, the extended portion 33c and the rear end 60c2 of the first allowance portion 60c are brought into contact with the cylindrical projections 54b1 and 55a1 assembled to the bolt 51 and the front ends of the telescopic elongated holes 33a1 and 33b1. It comes to abut before.

  Further, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, when the extending portion 33c and the front end 60c1 of the first allowance portion 60c abut, the impact force due to the abutment of the extension portion 33c and the front end 60c1 of the first allowance portion 60c is reduced. An action line S1 connecting the action line F1, the tilting center point O1 of the tilting member 60, and the contact point P1 between the extending portion 33c and the front end 60c1 of the first allowing portion 60c is set to be substantially on the same straight line. ing. Further, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 9, when the extending portion 33c and the rear end 60c2 of the first allowance portion 60c abut, the contact between the extension portion 33c and the rear end 60c2 of the first allowance portion 60c. An action line S1 connecting the action line F2 of the impact force, the tilting center point O1 of the tilting member 60, and the contact point P2 between the extended portion 33c and the rear end 60c2 of the first allowable portion 60c is substantially on the same straight line. Is set to

  In the embodiment configured as described above, the unlocking operation of the operation lever 53 causes the frictional engagement force between the vertical wall portions 34 a and 34 b of the breakaway bracket 34 and the side surface portions 33 a and 33 b of the column side bracket 33. Decrease. As a result, the column side bracket 33 can be adjusted in the vertical position (tilt adjustment) and in the longitudinal position (telescopic adjustment) with respect to the breakaway bracket 34. Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the tilting member 60 is moved downward against the upward biasing force of the torsion spring 62 by the engagement of the upper surface 60a and the tilting cam portion 56c protruding downward. The extending portion 33 c is allowed to move in the column axis direction by a predetermined amount by the first allowing portion 60 c of the tilting member 60.

  Thus, during telescopic adjustment in front of the vehicle, the extension portion 33c and the front end 60c1 of the first allowance portion 60c are in contact with the cylindrical protrusions 54b1 and 55a1 assembled to the bolt 51 and the rear ends of the telescopic elongated holes 33a1 and 33b1. Since it is set so as to be able to come into contact before contact (see FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 9, the extended portion 33c and the front end 60c1 of the first allowance portion 60c come into contact at the foremost end of the telescopic stroke. . At this time, the tilting member 60 is biased upward by the torsion spring 62 and is engaged with the tilting cam portion 56c of the eccentric cam 56 at the upper surface 60a. It has become difficult.

  Therefore, at the foremost end of the telescopic stroke, the impact force due to the above-described contact is transmitted to the steering support member SS via the tilting member 60, the support member 43, the housing 41, and the support bracket 35, and is effective by the steering support member SS. Will be accepted. Therefore, the transmission of the impact force due to the contact described above to the breakaway bracket 34 can be suppressed, and the change in the assembled state of the breakaway bracket 34 with respect to the steering support member SS can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, the locking operation of the operation lever 53 increases the frictional engagement force between the vertical wall portions 34 a and 34 b of the breakaway bracket 34 and the side surface portions 33 a and 33 b of the column side bracket 33. As a result, the above-described tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment become impossible. Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the tilting member 60 is allowed to tilt upward by the engagement of the upper surface 60 a and the second cam portion 56 c protruding rearward of the vehicle, and above the torsion spring 62. It is tilted upward by the urging force. For this reason, when the breakaway bracket 34 moves away from the front of the vehicle in this state (the operation lever 53 is locked), the extension portion 33c moves in the column axis direction at the second allowance portion 60d. Permissible.

  Thereby, at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle collision, when the load more than a predetermined value acts on the breakaway bracket 34 and the breakaway bracket 34 moves and detaches forward of the vehicle, the extending portion 33c becomes the second allowable portion 60d. It is possible to move forward from the front end 60c1 of the first allowing portion 60c through the overlapping portion 60d1 and the forward extending portion 60d2. Therefore, at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle collision, it is possible to ensure a shock absorbing stroke corresponding to the axial length of the front extending portion 60d2 of the second allowable portion 60d, and to secure a necessary and sufficient shock absorbing stroke. Is possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, when the extension portion 33 c and the front end 60 c 1 of the first allowance portion 60 abut, the extension portion 33 c and the front end 60 c 1 of the first allowance portion 60 are The action line F1 of the impact force due to the contact and the action line S1 connecting the contact point P1 between the tilting center point O1 of the tilting member 60, the extending portion 33c, and the front end 60c1 of the first allowable portion 60 are substantially on the same straight line. Become. Therefore, at this time, no rotational moment with respect to the tilting center point O1 is generated in the tilting member 60, and the tilting of the tilting member 60 can be accurately regulated.

  In this embodiment, the torsion spring 62 assembled to the support member 43 elastically supports the bolt 51 via the tilting member 60 and the eccentric cam 56, and the bolt 51 is attached upward. It is fast. For this reason, when tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment are possible by the unlocking operation of the operation lever 53, the downward movement of the upper tube 31 and the lower tube 32 can be elastically restricted, and the conventional steering column There is no need to provide a balancer (a spring member that is assembled to the breakaway bracket and elastically supports the bolt via an eccentric cam) used in the apparatus.

  Further, in this embodiment, during telescopic adjustment at the rear of the vehicle, the extended portion 33c and the rear end 60c2 of the first allowance portion 60c are formed by the cylindrical protrusions 54b1 and 55a1 assembled to the bolt 51 and the telescopic elongated holes 33a1. Since it is set so as to be able to come into contact before the front end of 33b1 abuts (see FIG. 5), as shown by the phantom line in FIG. The rear end 60c2 of the portion 60c abuts. For this reason, at the rear end of the telescopic stroke, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effect as the operational effect at the front end of the telescopic stroke described above.

  In the embodiment described above, the shapes of the first allowance portion 60c and the second allowance portion 60d can be changed as appropriate. For example, the first allowance portion 60c is configured so that the upper portion is open. It is also possible, and the second permissible portion 60d can be configured and implemented such that the lower portion is open.

  In the above-described embodiment, the extension portion 33c and the rear end 60c2 of the first allowable portion 60c are configured to contact each other at the rear end of the telescopic stroke, but the bolt 51 is assembled at the rear end of the telescopic stroke. It is also possible to configure and implement the attached cylindrical projections 54b1 and 55a1 and the front ends of the telescopic elongated holes 33a1 and 33b1. In this case, the cylindrical projections 54b1 and 55a1 assembled to the bolt 51 and the front ends of the telescopic elongated holes 33a1 and 33b1 come into contact with each other at the rear end of the telescopic stroke, and the rearward impact force caused by this contact is the bolt. 51 acts on the front end portions of the tilt elongated holes 34a1 and 34b1 and is transmitted to the breakaway bracket 34.

  However, the rearward impact force transmitted to the breakaway bracket 34 is not added with the inertial force due to the weight of the moving body composed of the upper tube 31, the upper shaft 21, the steering handle 10, etc. This is smaller than the forward impact force transmitted to the breakaway bracket 34 when the cylindrical projections 54b1 and 55a1 and the rear ends of the telescopic elongated holes 33a1 and 33b1 abut. For this reason, even if a rearward impact force is transmitted to the breakaway bracket 34, a change in the assembled state of the breakaway bracket 34 with respect to the steering support member SS is small and hardly causes a problem.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering handle, 20 ... Steering main shaft, 21 ... Upper shaft, 22 ... Lower shaft, 30 ... Column tube, 31 ... Upper tube, 32 ... Lower tube, 32a ... Bush, 33 ... Column side bracket, 33a1, 33b1 ... Telescopic long hole, 33c ... extension part, 34 ... breakaway bracket, 34a1, 34b1 ... tilt long hole, 35 ... support bracket, SS ... steering support member, SP ... support pin, 40 ... EPS actuator, 41 ... housing, 42 ... Electric motor, 43 ... Support member, 50 ... Locking means, 51 ... Bolt, 52 ... Nut, 53 ... Operating lever, 54 ... Lock cam unit, 54b1 ... Cylindrical protrusion, 55 ... Thrust needle bearing unit, 55a1 ... Cylindrical Projection, 56 ... Eccentric cam, 5 b ... engagement cam portion, 56c ... tilting cam portion, 60 ... tilting member, 60a ... upper surface, 60b ... lower surface, 60c ... first allowance portion, 60c1 ... front end, 60c2 ... rear end, 60d ... second allowance portion, 60d1 ... Polymerization part, 60d2 ... Front extension part, 60e ... Strength member, 61 ... Tilt pin, 62 ... Torsion spring, X1, X2, Y1, Y2 ... Gap, F1, F2, S1 ... Action line, O1 ... Tilt center point , P1, P2 ... contact points

Claims (2)

A column tube movable in the column axial direction with respect to a part of the vehicle body, a support bracket that is assembled to a part of the vehicle body and that can be moved away from the vehicle when a predetermined load is applied, and a secondary vehicle collision In the event of a collision, impact absorbing means capable of absorbing impact energy as the support bracket moves and detaches, a column side bracket fixed to the column tube and movable integrally, and the column side bracket to the support bracket. Locking means for releasably fixing,
The locking means is inserted into a telescopic elongated hole extending in the column axial direction provided in the column side bracket, and a bolt extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and a lock / unlock operation that is rotatably mounted on the bolt. The column side bracket is provided with an operation lever capable of fixing and releasing the column side bracket with respect to the support bracket,
The column side bracket is fixed to the support bracket by the lock operation of the operation lever, and the column side bracket can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the support bracket by the unlock operation of the operation lever. In the steering column device
An extension portion that is movable integrally with the column side bracket and extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle;
A tilting member that is assembled so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction with respect to a part of the vehicle body, is inserted into the extending portion, and is biased upward by a biasing means;
Engage with the upper end portion of the tilting member, tilt the tilting member downward with the unlocking operation of the operation lever, and allow the tilting member to tilt upward with the locking operation of the operation lever. A tilting cam is provided,
The tilting member extends in the column axis direction, and when the operation lever is unlocked, the tilting member extends in the column axis direction, and a first allowable portion that allows a predetermined amount of movement of the extension portion in the column axis direction. A portion that overlaps with the first permissible portion and a portion extending forward therefrom, and the column of the extension portion when the support bracket moves and detaches forward of the vehicle in a state where the operation lever is locked. A second permissible portion for allowing movement in the axial direction is formed;
When the front position of the column side bracket in the column axial direction is adjusted, the front ends of the extension portion and the first allowance portion are set so as to be able to come into contact before the bolt and the rear end of the telescopic elongated hole abut. A steering column device characterized by that.   2. The steering column device according to claim 1, an action line of impact force due to contact between the extension portion and a front end of the first permissible portion, a tilt center point of the tilt member, the extension portion, and the A steering column device characterized in that an action line connecting a contact point with the front end of the first permissible portion is set to be substantially on the same straight line.

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