JP5233150B2 - Steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device, and in particular, an outer column and an inner column are fitted so as to be slidable relative to each other in the axial direction, thereby adjusting a telescopic position of the steering wheel. The present invention relates to a steering device that collapses to the side and absorbs an impact load.

  There is a steering device that adjusts a telescopic position or absorbs an impact load at the time of a secondary collision by fitting an outer column and an inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction.

  In such a steering device, an axial slit is formed in the outer column, the tightening rod is tightened, and the clamp portion of the outer column is elastically deformed at the slit portion, and the outer column is turned into the inner column during normal driving operation. On the other hand, the structure of clamping so that sliding is impossible is common (patent document 1).

  The steering device of Patent Document 1 in which a slit is formed in the outer column has an advantage that the outer column can be easily elastically deformed at the slit portion and the inner column can be clamped reliably.

  However, since the distance between the closed end of the slit and the axis of the clamping rod changes depending on the telescopic position, the operating force of the operating lever required to elastically deform the outer column by a predetermined dimension changes. . Therefore, since the operating force for clamping the outer column to the inner column differs depending on the telescopic position, it is difficult to clamp the outer column to the inner column with a stable clamping force.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-2211

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device that stabilizes a clamping force when an outer column is clamped with respect to an inner column.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the first invention is an inner column, a hollow cylindrical outer column fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction, and a predetermined length in the axial direction on the outer column. A slit having an open end with one end opened in the axial direction on the end face of the outer column and a closed end with the other end closed in the axial direction, and the outer column via the slit. A pair of clamp members that are formed so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, expand and contract the inner peripheral surface of the outer column, and clamp / unclamp the outer peripheral surface of the inner column, both left and right side surfaces of the outer column outer peripheral surface A first rib formed in parallel with the outer column at the axial center position of the outer column, and an outer peripheral surface of the outer column, which is located on the upper surface side of the first rib. Second ribs formed on both right side surfaces in parallel with the outer column, arc-shaped ribs connecting the second ribs on the upper surface side of the outer column, and the same axial position as the arc-shaped ribs A third rib formed by connecting the clamp member and the first rib, and the clamp member and the first rib at a position farther from the release end than the third rib. A fourth rib formed so as to be connected to the first rib via a gap, at a position further away from the release end than the fourth rib. It is formed between the clamp member and the first rib to connect through a gap between the first rib Rutotomoni, the third ribs and the outer column periphery than the fourth rib Low height from surface A sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the outer column is formed so as to increase intermittently from the closed end side to the open end side of the slit. This is a featured steering apparatus.

  In the steering device of the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical outer column that is externally fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction extends from the closed end side of the slit to the open end side. The rib which becomes large in cross-sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the axis is provided.

  In the steering apparatus of the present invention, the cross-sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the outer column on the side facing the slit is formed so as to increase from the closed end side to the open end side of the slit.

  With this configuration, the rigidity of the outer column is such that the open end side of the slit is larger than the closed end side of the slit, so that even if the telescopic position changes, the operating lever can be operated with a constant operating force. Since the clamp member is elastically deformed by a predetermined dimension and the inner column can be clamped with a substantially constant and stable clamping force, the vibration characteristics of the entire steering apparatus are improved.

  In the following embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a tilt / telescopic steering device capable of adjusting both the front-rear position and the tilt angle of the steering wheel will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a steering device of the present invention is attached to a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, a hollow cylindrical column 1 is attached to a vehicle body, and a steering shaft 12 is pivotally supported on the column 1 so as to be rotatable. A steering wheel 121 is attached to the steering shaft 12 at the right end (rear side of the vehicle body), and an intermediate shaft 22 is connected to the left end (front side of the vehicle body) of the steering shaft 12 via a universal joint 21.

  The intermediate shaft 22 includes a solid intermediate inner shaft 221 in which a male spline is formed and a hollow cylindrical intermediate outer shaft 222 in which a female spline is formed. The male spline of the intermediate inner shaft 221 is an intermediate outer shaft. The female spline 222 is fitted so as to be extendable (slidable) and transmit rotational torque.

  Further, the vehicle body rear side of the intermediate outer shaft 222 is connected to the universal joint 21, and the vehicle body front side of the intermediate inner shaft 221 is connected to the universal joint 23. A pinion that meshes with a rack (not shown) of the steering gear 24 is connected to the universal joint 23.

  When the driver rotates the steering wheel 121, the rotational force is transmitted to the steering gear 24 through the steering shaft 12, the universal joint 21, the intermediate shaft 22, and the universal joint 23, and the tie rod is transmitted through the rack and pinion mechanism. 25, the steering angle of the wheel can be changed.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing a main part of the steering device of the present invention. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow P in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a component diagram showing an outer column alone according to an embodiment of the present invention. (1) is a view taken from the arrow Q in (2), (2) is a side view of the outer column alone, and (3) is (2). FIG. 6 (1) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5 (2), FIG. 6 (2) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5 (2), and FIG. It is D sectional drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the column 1 includes a hollow cylindrical outer column (upper column) 11 and an inner slidably fitted axially on the left side (front side of the vehicle body) of the outer column 11. It is composed of a column (lower column) 10.

  An upper steering shaft 12A is rotatably supported on the outer column 11, and the above-described steering wheel 121 (see FIG. 1) is fixed to the right end (rear side of the vehicle body) of the upper steering shaft 12A.

  An upper bracket (vehicle mounting bracket) 3 is attached to the left side (front side of the vehicle body) of the outer column 11 so as to sandwich the outer column 11 from both the left and right sides. The upper bracket 3 is detachably attached to the front side of the vehicle body via a capsule 42 made of aluminum alloy or the like fixed to the vehicle body 41.

  When the driver collides with the steering wheel 121 during a secondary collision and a large impact force is applied to the outer column 11, the upper bracket 3 is detached from the capsule 42 to the front side of the vehicle body and guided to the front side of the vehicle body by the inner column 10. It moves to collapse and absorbs impact energy at the time of collision.

  An electric power steering device 6 is attached to the front end of the inner column 10 on the vehicle body, and a flange 61 of the electric power steering device 6 is pivotally supported on the vehicle body 41 via a tilt center shaft 62. The electric power steering device 6 detects the steering torque of the upper steering shaft 12A, and applies an auxiliary steering force proportional to the steering torque to the output shaft 63. The output shaft 63 transmits rotational torque to the steering gear 24 via the universal joint 21 shown in FIG.

  The upper bracket 3 has an upper plate 32 and side plates 33 and 34 extending downward from the upper plate 32. A pair of clamp members 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are integrally formed on the outer column 11 so as to protrude below the outer column 11. The outer surfaces 14A, 14B of the clamp members 13A, 13B are slidably in contact with the inner surfaces 331, 341 of the side plates 33, 34 of the upper bracket 3.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the outer column 11 is an integrally molded product made of aluminum die casting. However, the outer column 11 may be formed by welding clamp members 13A and 13B to a steel pipe. Further, for the purpose of weight reduction, it may be made of magnesium die casting.

  Tilt adjusting long grooves 35 and 36 are formed in the side plates 33 and 34 of the upper bracket 3. The clamp members 13A and 13B are formed with telescopic adjustment long grooves 15A and 15B extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4 and extending in the axial direction of the outer column 11, as shown in FIG. ing.

  The round rod-shaped fastening rod 5 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 4 through the long grooves 35 and 36 for tilt adjustment and the long grooves 15A and 15B for telescopic adjustment. A cylindrical head 51 is formed at the right end of the clamping rod 5. An anti-rotation portion (not shown) is formed on the outer diameter portion of the head 51, and this anti-rotation portion is formed in a rectangular cross section that is slightly narrower than the groove width of the tilt adjusting long groove 36.

  The anti-rotation portion is fitted into the tilt adjusting long groove 36 to prevent the tightening rod 5 from rotating with respect to the upper bracket 3, and when the tilt position of the outer column 11 is adjusted, the tightening rod 5 is aligned along the tilt adjusting long groove 36. Slide. A coil spring 59 is stretched between the head 51 and the upper bracket 3 to constantly apply a biasing force in the tilt raising direction to the tightening rod 5.

  A fixed cam 53, a movable cam 54, an operation lever 55, a thrust bearing 56, and a nut 57 are externally fitted in this order on the outer periphery of the left end of the tightening rod 5, and a female screw formed on an inner diameter portion of the nut 57 is a tightening rod. 5 is screwed into a male screw 58 formed at the left end of the pin 5.

  A rotation preventing portion (not shown) having a rectangular cross section is formed on the outer periphery of the right end of the fixed cam 53. This detent portion fits into the tilt adjusting long groove 35 to prevent the fixed cam 53 from rotating with respect to the upper bracket 3 and, at the time of adjusting the tilt position of the outer column 11, along the tilt adjusting long groove 35, the fixed cam 53 53 is slid.

  Complementary inclined cam surfaces are formed on opposite end surfaces of the fixed cam 53 and the movable cam 54 and mesh with each other. When the operation lever 55 connected to the left side surface of the movable cam 54 is operated by hand, the movable cam 54 rotates with respect to the fixed cam 53.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, a slit 7 penetrating from the outer peripheral surface 11 </ b> A of the outer column 11 to the inner peripheral surface 11 </ b> B is formed on the lower surface of the outer column 11. The slit 7 is opened to the vehicle body front side end surfaces 132A and 132B of the clamp members 13A and 13B integral with the outer column 11, and from the open side of the vehicle body front side end surfaces 132A and 132B to an open end (open side end) 71. , Parallel portion 72 and closed end portion (closed end portion) 73 in this order.

  A parallel portion 72 with a constant width extends from the open end 71 to the rear side of the vehicle body, passes through the vehicle body rear side end surfaces 131A and 131B of the clamp members 13A and 13B, and is at a substantially middle position of the axial length of the outer column 11. An arcuate closed end 73 is formed.

  As described above, the distance between the closed end 73 of the slit 7 and the axis of the clamping rod 5 changes depending on the telescopic position. Therefore, the clamp members 13A and 13B of the outer column 11 are made to have predetermined dimensions on the basis of the lever principle. Only the force required for elastic deformation changes.

  Therefore, the operating force of the operating lever 55 required to obtain a predetermined clamping force differs depending on the telescopic position. That is, the closer the axial center of the tightening rod 5 is to the open end 71 side of the slit 7, the greater the clamping force will be generated even if the operating lever 55 is operated with a constant operating force.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 (2) and 6, the left and right side surfaces of the outer peripheral surface 11A of the outer column 11 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the outer column 11 (FIG. 5 (2)). In the vertical direction, three ribs 81, 82, and 83 are formed. The lower ends of the ribs 81, 82, 83 are connected to the upper surfaces 133A, 133B of the clamp members 13A, 13B, and are formed toward the axial center of the outer column 11 along the left and right side surfaces of the outer peripheral surface 11A of the outer column 11. ing.

Further, ribs 84 and 84 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer peripheral surface 11 </ b> A of the outer column 11 at the axial center position of the outer column 11 and parallel to the axial center of the outer column 11, respectively.
The ribs 84 and 84 are formed from the vehicle body front side end surfaces 132A and 132B of the clamp members 13A and 13B to positions near the vehicle body rear side end surfaces 131A and 131B.

  Further, on both left and right side surfaces of the outer peripheral surface 11 </ b> A of the outer column 11, ribs 85 are formed on the upper surface side of the outer column 11 in parallel with the axis of the outer column 11. The ribs 85 and 85 are formed from the vehicle body front side end surfaces 132A and 132B of the clamp members 13A and 13B to the vehicle body rear side end surfaces 131A and 131B to a substantially intermediate position of the axial length of the outer column 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 (2) and 6 (1), the upper end of the rib 81 closest to the open end 71 of the slit 7 is connected to the rib 84 at the axial center position. The upper end of the rib 82 disposed at a position farther from the open end 71 of the slit 7 than the rib 81 is formed with a slight gap between the rib 84 at the axial center position.

  Furthermore, the upper end of the rib 83 arranged at the position farthest from the open end 71 of the slit 7 is formed with a slight gap between the rib 84 at the axial center position, and the outer column 11. The height from the outer peripheral surface 11 </ b> A (the amount of protrusion from the outer peripheral surface 11 </ b> A) is formed lower than the other ribs 81 and 82.

  That is, the three ribs 81, 82, 83 are formed so that the cross-sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the axis increases from the closed end 73 side of the slit 7 toward the open end 71 side. Therefore, the rigidity of the outer column 11 is formed so that the open end 71 side of the slit 7 is larger than the closed end 73 side of the slit 7.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 (1), 5 (2) and 6 (1), arc-shaped ribs 86 for connecting the ribs 85, 85 are formed on the upper surface side of the outer peripheral surface 11A of the outer column 11. Yes. The arc-shaped rib 86 is formed at the same axial position as the rib 81 closest to the open end 71 of the slit 7 described above.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 (1), (2), and (3), the cross-sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the outer column 11 on the side facing the slit 7 is the open end from the closed end 73 side of the slit 7. It is formed so as to increase toward the portion 71 side. Therefore, the rigidity of the outer column 11 is formed so that the open end 71 side of the slit 7 is larger than the closed end 73 side of the slit 7.

  When the operating lever 55 is rotated in the clamping direction, the mountain of the inclined cam surface of the movable cam 54 rides on the mountain of the inclined cam surface of the fixed cam 53 and pulls the clamping rod 5 to the left side of FIG. Push to the right in FIG.

  The right side plate 34 is pushed to the left by the left end surface of the head 51 of the clamping rod 5 to deform the side plate 34 inward. Then, the inner surface 341 of the side plate 34 is strongly pressed against the outer surface 14B of the clamp member 13B.

  At the same time, the left side plate 33 is pushed to the right by the right end surface of the fixed cam 53 to deform the side plate 33 inward. Then, the inner side surface 331 of the side plate 33 is strongly pressed against the outer side surface 14A of the clamp member 13A.

  As a result, the clamp members 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are elastically deformed inward in a direction approaching each other, and the slit 7 has the closed end portion 73 as a fulcrum and the open end portion 71 and the parallel portion 72 are narrowed. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface 11B of the outer column 11 is reduced in diameter, and the outer peripheral surface 10A of the inner column 10 is clamped.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the rigidity of the outer column 11 is formed so that the open end 71 side of the slit 7 is larger than the closed end 73 side of the slit 7. Therefore, even if the distance between the closed end 73 of the slit 7 and the axis of the clamping rod 5 changes depending on the telescopic position,
When the operating lever 55 is operated with a constant operating force, the clamp members 13A and 13B of the outer column 11 are elastically deformed by a predetermined dimension, and the outer peripheral surface 10A of the inner column 10 is clamped with a substantially constant and stable clamping force. It becomes possible.

  In this way, the outer column 11 is fixed to the upper bracket 3, and displacement of the outer column 11 in the tilt direction and displacement in the telescopic direction are prevented.

  When the operation lever 55 is rotated in the unclamping direction, the crest of the inclined cam surface of the fixed cam 53 falls into the trough of the inclined cam surface of the movable cam 54, and the tightening rod 5 and the fixed cam 53 tighten the side plates 33 and 34. Power is released. Therefore, the side plates 33 and 34 and the clamp members 13A and 13B are elastically returned to the outside.

  In this way, the outer column 11 is unclamped (tilt unclamped) with respect to the upper bracket 3, and the outer column 11 is unclamped (telescopic unclamped) with respect to the inner column 10.

  The outer column 11 is slid in the axial direction with respect to the inner column 10 by grasping the steering wheel 121 and adjusted to a desired telescopic position. Further, after adjusting the tilt positions of the inner column 10 and the outer column 11 around the tilt center axis 62, the outer column 11 is clamped to the upper bracket 3 again.

  In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the axis from the closed end 73 side to the open end 71 side of the slit 7 is interrupted by the three ribs 81, 82, 83 formed by being divided in the axial direction. Although the three ribs 81, 82, 83 are formed continuously in the axial direction so that the cross-sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the axis is continuously increased, the ribs 81, 82, 83 are formed continuously. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the arc-shaped rib 86 causes the cross-sectional area of the outer column 11 on the side facing the slit 7 in the direction perpendicular to the axis to be intermittent from the closed end 73 side to the open end 71 side of the slit 7. It is formed so as to be larger. As a modification, the arc-shaped rib 86 is elongated in the axial direction of the outer column 11, and the cross-sectional area of the arc-shaped rib 86 in the direction perpendicular to the axis is continuous from the closed end 73 side to the open end 71 side of the slit 7. You may form so that it may become large.

  In the above embodiment, the inner column 10 is a lower column and the outer column 11 is an upper column. However, the inner column 10 may be an upper column and the outer column 11 may be a lower column.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a tilt / telescopic steering apparatus capable of both tilt position adjustment and telescopic position adjustment has been described. However, a telescopic steering apparatus capable of only telescopic position adjustment is described. The present invention may be applied to.

It is a whole perspective view which shows the state which attached the steering device of this invention to the vehicle. It is a side view which shows the principal part of the steering apparatus of this invention. FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow P in FIG. 2. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a component diagram which shows the outer column single-piece | unit of the Example of this invention, (1) is Q arrow view of (2), (2) is a side view of an outer column single-piece | unit, (3) is R arrow of (2) FIG. (1) is a BB sectional view of FIG. 5 (2), (2) is a CC sectional view of FIG. 5 (2), and (3) is a DD sectional view of FIG. 5 (2).

Explanation of symbols

1 column 10 inner column (lower column)
10A Outer surface 11 Outer column (upper column)
11A Outer peripheral surface 11B Inner peripheral surface 12 Steering shaft 12A Upper steering shaft 121 Steering wheel 13A, 13B Clamp member 131A, 131B Car body rear side end surface 132A, 132B Car body front side end surface 133A, 133B Upper surface 14A, 14B Outer side surface 15A, 15B Telescopic adjustment Long groove 21 Universal joint 22 Intermediate shaft 221 Intermediate inner shaft 222 Intermediate outer shaft 23 Universal joint 24 Steering gear 25 Tie rod 3 Upper bracket (Body mounting bracket)
32 Upper plate 33, 34 Side plate 331, 341 Inner side surface 35, 36 Long groove for tilt adjustment 41 Car body 42 Capsule 5 Tightening rod 51 Head 53 Fixed cam 54 Movable cam 55 Operation lever 56 Thrust bearing 57 Nut 58 Male screw 59 Coil spring 6 Electric power Steering device 61 Flange 62 Tilt center axis 63 Output shaft 7 Slit 71 Open end 72 Parallel part 73 Closed end 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 Rib 86 Arc-shaped rib

Claims (1)

Inner column,
A hollow cylindrical outer column externally fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner column so as to be relatively slidable in the axial direction;
A slit formed in the outer column over a predetermined length in the axial direction and having an open end whose one end in the axial direction is open to the end face of the outer column and a closed end whose other end in the axial direction is closed ,
A pair of clamp members that are formed in the outer column so as to be able to approach and separate from each other via the slit, and that the inner peripheral surface of the outer column is expanded and contracted to clamp / unclamp the outer peripheral surface of the inner column;
A first rib formed in parallel with the outer column at the axial center position of the left and right side surfaces of the outer peripheral surface of the outer column;
A second rib formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer column on the left and right side surfaces on the upper surface side of the first rib in parallel with the outer column;
Arc-shaped ribs connecting the second ribs on the upper surface side of the outer column;
A third rib formed by connecting the clamp member and the first rib at the same axial position as the arc-shaped rib;
At a position farther from the release end than the third rib, the clamp member and the first rib are formed so as to be connected to the first rib via a gap . The fourth rib,
At a position further away from the release end than the fourth rib, the clamp member and the first rib are formed so as to be connected to the first rib via a gap. And a fifth rib formed lower in height from the outer peripheral surface of the outer column than the third rib and the fourth rib,
With
A steering device, wherein a cross-sectional area of the outer column in a direction perpendicular to the axis is formed to increase intermittently from the closed end side to the open end side of the slit.

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