JP6200290B2 - Steering column device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering column device including a jacket that rotatably supports a steering shaft.

  Conventionally, as a steering column device, an energy absorbing structure for absorbing impact energy of a secondary collision in which a passenger collides with a steering wheel at the time of a vehicle collision has been provided. As an energy absorption structure, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure that can change the amount of energy absorption in accordance with the occupant's physique.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the steering column device 101 of Patent Document 1 includes a sliding bracket 104 and a vehicle body mounting bracket 105 when the steering wheel 102 and the upper jacket 103 move forward due to a secondary collision of the driver. The impact energy is absorbed by the friction between. An electric motor with a tightening torque calculated from the weight, posture, etc. of the driver so that the friction between the sliding bracket 104 and the vehicle body mounting bracket 105 becomes an energy absorption load suitable for each driver's physique. 106 tightens the clamp bolt 107. Further, when the upper jacket 103 moves forward, the clamp bolt 107 moves in the straight slot 108 from the telescopic region 109 to the energy absorption region 111 beyond the boundary projection 110.

JP 2000-355277 A

  By the way, in order to protect the body of the driver who makes a secondary collision, it is desired that the load profile that absorbs impact energy is a constant load or that the load gradually changes.

  In response to such a demand, the energy absorption structure of Patent Document 1 absorbs impact energy because the clamp bolt 107 pushes the straight slot 108 with the boundary projection 110 during impact energy absorption. In the middle, the load applied to the driver increases rapidly, which is not preferable as a load profile.

  Further, since the tightening torque of the clamp bolt 107 is determined by the load profile, when the driver is small and the weight is light, there is a possibility that the steering wheel 102 may rattle during driving without obtaining a sufficient fastening force. is there.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device capable of stably absorbing impact energy with a load profile corresponding to the weight of the driver.

  The invention of claim 1 includes a fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body, a release bracket detachably disposed on the fixed bracket, and an impact energy absorbing structure disposed between the fixed bracket and the release bracket. The impact energy absorption structure includes at least a pair of thin fixed friction plates arranged on the fixed bracket and thin movable friction plates arranged on the release bracket. A laminated pressure welded body, and a control means for applying a pressure contact force between the fixed friction plate and the movable friction plate, the control means comprising: a friction adjusting bolt that penetrates the laminated pressure welded body; and A friction adjustment mechanism having a friction adjustment tool arranged to be movable in the axial direction of the friction adjustment bolt, an actuator for driving the friction adjustment mechanism, and weight information from the outside Being input, and a control signal corresponding to the pressure contact force calculated from the weight information; and a controller for outputting to the actuator.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to the first aspect, the friction adjustment mechanism includes a detent pin protruding from the fixed bracket, and the friction adjuster is one end of the friction adjustment bolt. The anti-rotation pin and the friction adjusting bolt are engaged with each other with respect to the rotational direction around the axis of the friction adjusting bolt.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to the second aspect, in the control means, the actuator and the friction adjustment mechanism are disposed on the fixed bracket side, and the movable friction plate has a slit therebetween. It has a bifurcated shape, and the anti-rotation pin is arranged in the slit portion.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the movable friction plate is provided with a restricting portion that couples two forked end portions.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the release bracket includes a pair of side walls that hang down and a ceiling portion that connects upper edges of the side walls. The laminated pressure contact body and the friction adjusting mechanism are arranged inside the U-shape of the release bracket.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the steering column device according to the first aspect, at least one of the position between the stacked pressure contact body and the friction adjuster and the position between the stacked pressure contact body and the release bracket, An urging means for applying an urging force in the axial direction of the friction adjustment bolt is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the frictional force between the fixed friction plate and the movable friction plate is set by the pressing force set by the control means according to the weight of the driver, and the impact energy of the secondary collision is set by this friction force. Is absorbed. Thereby, the impact energy at the time of a secondary collision can be absorbed with the load profile according to the driver's physique.

  Further, since the function of the impact energy absorbing structure only absorbs the impact energy of the secondary collision, the load does not change greatly during the impact energy absorption as in Patent Document 1, and the structure is stable. Can absorb impact energy.

  Further, since the impact energy absorbing structure only absorbs the impact energy of the secondary collision, when the tilt / telescopic adjustment function is provided, the impact energy absorbing structure is arranged separately from the impact energy absorbing structure. Thereby, the lock | rock after position adjustment can be performed reliably, without affecting a load profile like patent document 1. FIG.

  In the invention of claim 2, the friction adjusting bolt is rotated around the axis and the pressure friction body is tightened to set the magnitude of the impact energy to be absorbed, so that the impact energy can be stably absorbed. Can do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation prevention pin for preventing rotation of the rotation prevention nut is provided in the slit, so that it can be arranged in a space-saving manner in the inner space of the release bracket.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the restricting portion of the movable friction plate comes into contact with the non-rotating pin and restricts the stroke when separated, it is not necessary to provide another configuration only for restricting the stroke. Points can be reduced. Further, after the impact energy is absorbed, the movable friction plate is held by the tilt bolt by the friction adjuster, so that it does not fall out of the fixed bracket, so that the driver's body can be protected.

  In the invention of claim 5, by arranging the laminated pressure contact body and the friction adjusting mechanism between the pair of side walls of the separation bracket, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size, and a space can be secured around the apparatus. it can.

  In the invention of claim 6, since the pressing force is applied through the urging means, the change of the load when setting the load can be moderated. As a result, a fine load can be set according to the physique of the driver.

It is a perspective view which shows the steering column apparatus of this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the steering column apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. It is a top view which shows the steering column apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line VV in FIG. 4. It is a principal part enlarged view which shows VI part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the steering column apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow by which an energy absorption load is set according to a driver | operator's physique. It is a perspective view which shows the steering column apparatus of a prior art example.

  Hereinafter, a steering column apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the steering column device 1 of the present embodiment includes a fixed bracket 10 that is fixed to a vehicle body (not shown), and a release bracket 20 that is detachably disposed on the fixed bracket 10. ing. The release bracket 20 supports a jacket 30 that pivotally supports a steering wheel (not shown) so that a steering shaft (not shown) can rotate. Further, an impact energy absorbing structure 50 is disposed between the fixed bracket 10 and the detachable bracket 20. In the steering column device 1 of the present embodiment, the right side of FIGS. 1 and 4 to 5 is the rear side of the vehicle, the left side is the front of the vehicle, the upper side is the upper side of the vehicle, and the lower side is the lower side of the vehicle.

  The fixing bracket 10 includes fixing portions 12 each having a through hole at both ends of the bracket body 11 in the vehicle width direction. A fixing bolt (not shown) standing from the vehicle body passes through the fixing portion 12, and a nut is inserted into the fixing bolt. It is fixed to the vehicle body by screwing (not shown). A separation guide groove 13 formed of a concave groove along the axial direction of the jacket 30 is formed between the two fixing portions 12 of the bracket body 11. In addition, rail grooves 14 made of concave grooves along the axial direction of the jacket 30 are formed on both side walls of the separation guide groove 13.

  The detachment bracket 20 has a substantially U-shape with a pair of side walls 21 depending on the ceiling and a ceiling portion 22 connecting the upper edges of the side walls 21. The detachment bracket 20 includes a connecting piece 23 erected on the upper side of both side walls 21. The separation bracket 20 is disposed so that the ceiling portion 22 is slidable in the separation guide groove 13 of the fixed bracket 10 and the connection piece 23 is slidable in the rail groove 14 of the fixed bracket 10. Further, the connecting piece 23 is fixed to the fixing bracket 10 by a connecting pin 28 in a state of being arranged in the rail groove 14. The connecting pin 28 is made of a resin material injected into the holes 14a and 23a penetrating the rail groove 14 and the connecting piece 23, and is designed to be broken when a shear stress of a set value or more is applied.

  The jacket 30 has a cylindrical shape, and includes a lower jacket 31 and an upper jacket 32 that are fitted to each other so as to be movable in the axial direction.

  The lower jacket 31 has an axial front end connected to the vehicle body via a tilt shaft (not shown). As a result, the jacket 30 can swing in the vertical direction around the tilt axis.

  The upper jacket 32 is positioned behind the lower jacket 31, and the front end of the upper jacket 32 is fitted to the outer periphery of the rear end of the lower jacket 31 so as to be movable along the axial direction. A distance bracket 33 is disposed on the outer periphery of the front end portion of the upper jacket 32.

  The distance bracket 33 has a substantially U shape with a pair of side walls 33a erected in the vertical direction and a bottom plate portion 33b connecting the lower edges of the side walls 33a, and the upper edges of the side walls 33a are the front ends of the upper jacket 32. It is fixed to the outer periphery. Further, the distance bracket 33 is supported by the separation bracket 20 via the tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40, so that the jacket 30 is disposed on the vehicle body side. That is, the jacket 30 is arranged inside the substantially U-shape of the separation bracket 20.

  The tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40 adjusts the position of a steering wheel (not shown) disposed at the rear end of the steering shaft in the vertical direction (tilt direction) and the vehicle front-rear direction (telescopic direction). 20 and the distance bracket 33. The tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40 is opened along the axial direction of the jacket 30 in the tilt long holes 21 a that open in an arc shape along the vertical direction on both side walls 21 of the separation bracket 20 and the side walls 33 a of the distance bracket 33. A telescopic elongated hole 33c is provided. Then, the rod-shaped operation shaft 42 passes through the tilt long hole 21a and the telescopic long hole 33c intersecting in a substantially cross shape.

  An operation lever 41 is assembled to one end of the operation shaft 42, and the operation shaft 42 rotates around the axis by swinging the operation lever 41. Between the operating lever 41 base of the operating shaft 42 and the detaching bracket 20, fastening cam means 43 for fastening the detaching bracket 20 and the distance bracket 33 so as to be able to loosen and fasten is disposed. In addition, a pressing cam means 44 is disposed at a portion of the operating shaft 42 located between both side walls 33a of the distance bracket 33.

  The fastening cam means 43 includes a fixed cam 43a and a rotating cam 43b disposed on the operation shaft 42.

  The fixed cam 43a has a wide annular shape through which the operation shaft 42 penetrates the center, and the fixed cam surface is arranged facing the operation lever 41 side. The fixed cam 43a is arranged such that the back side of the fixed cam surface is fitted into the tilt long hole 21a, does not rotate around the operation shaft 42, and is movable up and down in the tilt long hole 21a. On the fixed cam surface, crests and troughs are alternately formed in the circumferential direction.

  The rotating cam 43b has a wide annular shape through which the operation shaft 42 penetrates the center, and is arranged so that the rotating cam surface faces the fixed cam surface. The rotary cam 43b is assembled to the operation shaft 42 so as to rotate around the operation shaft 42 together with the operation shaft 42 penetrating therethrough. On the rotating cam surface, crests and troughs are alternately formed in the circumferential direction.

  As for the fastening cam means 43, the peak part of the fixed cam 43a and the peak part of the rotation cam 43b overlap, and an axial direction dimension expands. As a result, the operating shaft 42 is tightened, and the separation bracket 20 and the distance bracket 33 are fastened. Further, the fastening cam means 43 has the axial dimension of the fastening cam means 43 narrowed by the overlapping of the crest of the fixed cam 43a and the trough of the rotating cam 43b. As a result, the operation shaft 42 is loosened, and the upper jacket 32 can be moved with respect to the detachable bracket 20.

  That is, when the operation lever 41 is operated in the release direction, the rotating cam 43b rotates, the peak portion of the fixed cam 43a and the valley portion of the rotating cam 43b overlap, the lock of the tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40 is released, and the operation lever When 41 is operated in the locking direction, the rotating cam 43b rotates in the reverse direction, the crest of the fixed cam 43a and the crest of the rotating cam 43b overlap, and the tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40 is locked.

  The pressure cam means 44 includes a pressure cam 44 a disposed on the operation shaft 42 and a pressure hole 32 a that opens on the circumferential surface of the front end portion of the upper jacket 32.

  The pressure cam 44a has a substantially cylindrical shape with the operation shaft 42 passing through the center thereof, and a pressure cam surface 44b is formed on the circumferential surface.

  The press contact hole 32a is formed so that the press contact cam surface 44b of the press contact cam 44a can be inserted and removed.

  When the operation lever 41 is operated in the locking direction, the pressure contact cam surface 44b of the pressure contact cam 44a abuts against the rear end portion of the lower jacket 31 through the pressure contact hole 32a, and further pushes the rear end portion against the inner peripheral surface of the upper jacket 32. Hit it. As a result, play caused by play between the upper jacket 32 and the lower jacket 31 is eliminated.

  In the tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40 configured as described above, when the tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40 in the locked state is operated to rotate the operation lever 41 in the release direction, the lock is released. In other words, the fastening cam means 43 changes from a state where the peak portion of the fixed cam 43a and the peak portion of the rotating cam 43b overlap with a state where the peak portion of the fixed cam 43a and the valley portion of the rotating cam 43b overlap due to the unlocking operation. To do. Accordingly, the operating shaft 42 is loosened from the state in which the separation bracket 20 and the distance bracket 33 are fastened, and the distance bracket 33 can be moved with respect to the separation bracket 20. Further, the pressure contact cam means 44 is operated by releasing the lock, and the pressure contact cam 44a rotates in the release direction, so that the lower jacket 31 is loosely pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the upper jacket 32, and the upper jacket 32 moves in the axial direction. Is possible.

  Next, in the tilt / telescopic adjustment mechanism 40 in the unlocked state, the operation lever 41 is locked when it is rotated in the lock direction opposite to the release direction. That is, the fastening cam means 43 is changed by the locking operation from a state where the peak portion of the fixed cam 43a and the valley portion of the rotating cam 43b overlap to a state where the peak portion of the fixed cam 43a and the peak portion of the rotating cam 43b overlap. . As a result, the operating shaft 42 is tightened from the state in which the separation bracket 20 and the distance bracket 33 are movable, and the distance bracket 33 is held in pressure contact with the separation bracket 20. Further, the press cam means 44 is configured such that the press cam 44a rotates in the lock direction by pressing the lock, the lower jacket 31 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the upper jacket 32, and the upper jacket 32 is pressed and held.

  The lock of the fastening cam means 43 and the press contact cam means 44 is released by the unlocking operation, so that the operation shaft 42 can move in the tilt long hole 21a and the telescopic long hole 33c. Thereby, the steering wheel can be moved to a position desired by the driver.

  Further, by the locking operation, the fastening cam means 43 and the pressure contact cam means 44 are locked, and the fastening cam means 43 and the pressure contact cam means 44 are locked, whereby the separation bracket 20 and the distance bracket 33 are fastened. In addition, the backlash between the upper jacket 32 and the lower jacket 31 is eliminated. As a result, the steering wheel can be fixed at a position desired by the driver.

  The impact energy absorbing structure 50 includes a laminated pressure contact body 51 having a plurality of friction plates, and a control means 60 for adjusting the frictional force between the friction plates constituting the laminated pressure contact body 51.

  The laminated pressure contact body 51 includes a plurality of fixed friction plates 52 arranged on the fixed bracket 10 and a plurality of movable friction plates 53 arranged on the separation bracket 20, and the fixed friction plates 52 and the movable friction plates 53 are alternately arranged. Are stacked. A fixed friction plate 52 is laminated on the top and bottom of the laminated pressure contact body 51. The number of the fixed friction plates 52 and the movable friction plates 53 is set according to the set impact energy absorption load.

  The fixed friction plate 52 is made of a thin plate material having a washer-like wide annular shape, and a friction adjustment bolt 62 described later passes through the center hole, and is disposed on the fixed bracket 10 via the friction adjustment bolt 62. .

  The movable friction plate 53 is made of a thin plate material having a rectangular frame shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the friction adjustment bolt 62 penetrates through the central movable long hole 53a. Further, the movable friction plate 53 is positioned on the lower surface of the release bracket 20 by passing through the friction plate installation pin 24 standing downward from the inner surface of the ceiling portion 22 in front of the release bracket 20 through the front short side frame portion 53b. . Further, the movable friction plate 53 has a rear short side frame portion set as a restriction portion 53c. Then, when the movable friction plate 53 moves forward, an anti-rotation pin 25 (to be described later) is engaged with the restricting portion 53c, whereby the movement amount (shrinkage stroke) of the separation bracket 20 is set. That is, the movable friction plate 53 has a pair of long side frame portions 53d along the front-rear direction and a front side short side frame portion 53b that connects the front ends of the long side frame portions 53d to form a bifurcated shape having a slit. The rotation prevention pin 25 is disposed in the slit portion. Furthermore, when the restricting portion 53c connects both rear end portions (both front end portions) of the long side frame portion 53d, the movable friction plate 53 is configured in a rectangular frame shape.

  The control means 60 includes a friction adjustment mechanism 61 that applies a pressure contact force between the fixed friction plate 52 and the movable friction plate 53, an actuator 65 that drives the friction adjustment mechanism 61, and a control unit 66 that controls the actuator 65. It has.

  The friction adjustment mechanism 61 includes a rod-like friction adjustment bolt 62 that penetrates the laminated pressure contact body 51 in the lamination direction, and a friction adjustment that moves in the axial direction of the friction adjustment bolt 62 according to the rotation of the friction adjustment bolt 62 about the axis. A tool 63 and a detent pin 25 projecting downward from the lower surface of the fixed bracket 10 and inserted into the movable elongated hole 53a of the movable friction plate 53 are provided. That is, the friction adjustment mechanism 61 is arranged inside the substantially bracket-shaped shape of the separation bracket 20 together with the laminated press contact body 51.

  The friction adjustment bolt 62 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable around an axis in a state where the portion of the bracket body 11 between the fixed portions 12 of the fixed bracket 10 is vertically penetrated. The friction adjusting bolt 62 penetrates the laminated pressure contact body 51 in the laminating direction by alternately passing through the center hole of the fixed friction plate 52 and the movable long hole 53a of the movable friction plate. At the upper end of the friction adjustment bolt 62, there is provided a gear portion 62a comprising a gear linked to a speed reduction mechanism 65b described later. Further, a male screw portion 62 b having a male screw that is screwed into the female screw portion 63 a of the friction adjusting tool 63 is provided at the lower end portion of the friction adjusting bolt 62.

  The friction adjuster 63 includes a female screw part 63 a that can be screwed into a male screw part 62 b formed at the lower end of the friction adjustment bolt 62, and a bifurcated engagement that allows the rotation prevention pin 25 to be disposed between the crotch. And a crotch part 63b. In the friction adjuster 63, the female screw portion 63a is screwed to the male screw portion 62b of the friction adjustment bolt 62 in a state in which the anti-rotation pin 25 is disposed in the locking crotch portion 63b. In this state, when the friction adjustment bolt 62 rotates around the axis, the friction adjustment tool 63 causes the friction crotch 63b to engage the rotation prevention pin 25 around the axis of the friction adjustment bolt 62, thereby adjusting the friction. It cannot rotate with the bolt 62 and moves up and down in the axial direction. The friction adjusting tool 63 moves up and down in the axial direction of the friction adjusting bolt 62 to apply a pressure contact force between the fixed friction plate 52 and the movable friction plate 53 of the laminated pressure contact body 51.

  A biasing means 64 that applies a biasing force in the axial direction of the friction adjustment bolt 62 is disposed between the laminated pressure contact body 51 and the friction adjuster 63.

  The actuator 65 includes an electric motor 65 a and a speed reduction mechanism 65 b, and is installed between both the fixing portions 12 on the upper surface of the bracket body 11 in the fixing bracket 10.

  The speed reduction mechanism 65b reduces the rotational speed of the input electric motor 65a and outputs it to increase the rotational torque on the output side. The speed reduction mechanism 65 b is configured by a plurality of gears that are linked, and the input side is linked to the output shaft of the electric motor 65 a and the output side is linked to the gear portion 62 a of the friction adjustment bolt 62.

  The control unit 66 is electrically connected to the electric motor 65a, the buckle switch 71 disposed outside the apparatus, and the weight sensor 72. The buckle switch 71 is incorporated in the buckle of the seat belt, detects that the driver has worn the seat belt, and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 66. The weight sensor 72 is embedded in the seating surface of the driver's seat, detects the weight of the seated driver, and transmits weight information to the control unit 66. The control unit 66 starts control in response to the detection signal of the buckle switch 71, calculates a pressing force from the weight information of the weight sensor 72, and outputs a control signal corresponding to the pressing force to the actuator 65.

  Next, a control procedure in which the control unit 66 sets the energy absorption load of the impact energy absorption structure 50 will be described using a flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the driver sits on the driver's seat and wears the seat belt, a mounting signal is transmitted from the buckle switch 71 to the control unit 66, and control is started (step S1).

  Next, the controller 66 checks whether or not the system of the friction adjustment mechanism 61 is operating normally (step S2).

  If it is determined in step S2 that there is a failure, a system abnormality is notified by turning on a lamp of an instrument panel (not shown) or the like (step S3), and the pressure contact force is set to a specified value (step S4). .

  If it is determined in step S2 that it is normal, the necessary pressure contact force is calculated from the input weight of the driver (step S5).

  Next, the newly calculated pressure contact force is compared with the previous pressure contact force, and the number of rotations of the electric motor 65a that applies the difference pressure contact force is calculated (step S6).

  Based on the calculated number of rotations, a control signal is output to rotate the electric motor 65a (step S7).

  It is checked whether or not the set pressure contact force is applied to the laminated pressure contact body 51 by the rotation of the electric motor 65a (step S8).

  If it is determined in step S8 that the set pressure contact force is not applied, the number of rotations of the electric motor 65a that applies the differential pressure contact force is calculated again (step S9).

  When it is determined that the pressing force set in step S8 is applied, the updated pressing force is stored (step S10), and the setting of the energy absorption load is completed.

  Next, a flow in which the steering column device 1 absorbs impact energy when the driver has a secondary collision with the steering wheel will be described.

  First, when the driver has a secondary collision with the steering wheel and an excessive load is applied to the jacket 30, the connecting pin 28 is broken and the detachable bracket 20 can be detached from the fixed bracket 10. Furthermore, if an excessive load continues to be applied to the jacket 30, the release bracket 20 moves forward together with the movable friction plate 53. Here, when the separation bracket 20 moves forward, the connecting piece 23 moves in the rail groove 14, and the ceiling portion 22 moves in the separation guide groove 13. When the movable friction plate 53 moves forward, the impact energy is absorbed by the friction with the fixed friction plate 52. Further, when the movable friction plate 53 moves forward, the restricting portion 53c comes into contact with the anti-rotation pin 25, and the absorption of the impact energy is finished. Since the friction plate installation pin 24 standing downward from the inner surface of the detachment bracket 20 moves forward together with the movable friction plate 53, the movable friction plate 53 does not move in the vehicle width direction, and the impact energy is stably supplied. Can be absorbed.

  Further, when the release bracket 20 moves forward, the connecting piece 23 moves in the rail groove 14 and the laminated pressure contact body 51 is held by the friction adjustment bolt 62, so that the release bracket 20 is detached from the fixed bracket 10. Never do. With such a configuration, the steering column device 1 does not fall after absorbing the impact energy, so that the driver's body is not injured.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the frictional force between the fixed friction plate 52 and the movable friction plate 53 is set by the pressing force set by the control means 60 according to the weight of the driver. The impact energy of the next collision is absorbed. Thereby, the impact energy at the time of a secondary collision can be absorbed with the load profile according to the driver's physique.

  Further, since the impact energy absorbing structure 50 only absorbs the impact energy of the secondary collision, the load does not change greatly during the impact energy absorption as in Patent Document 1, and the impact energy absorbing structure 50 Energy can be absorbed stably.

  Furthermore, since the impact energy absorbing structure 50 only absorbs the impact energy of the secondary collision, the impact energy absorbing structure 50 is arranged separately from the impact energy absorbing structure 50 when provided with a tilt / telescopic adjustment function. Thereby, the lock | rock after position adjustment can be performed reliably, without affecting a load profile like patent document 1. FIG.

  Since the pressing force is applied through the urging means 64, the load change when setting the load can be moderated. As a result, a fine load can be set according to the physique of the driver.

  Since the biasing means 64 is interposed between the laminated pressure contact body 51 and the friction adjuster 63, the setting range of the pressure contact force can be expanded, so that a wide range of settings can be made for the driver's weight. .

  By rotating the friction adjusting bolt 62 around the axis and tightening the laminated pressure contact body 51, the impact energy can be stably absorbed because of the configuration for setting the magnitude of impact energy to be absorbed.

  By providing the non-rotating pin 25 for preventing the friction adjuster 63 from rotating in the movable elongated hole 53a, it can be arranged in a space-saving manner inside the separation bracket 20.

  Since the restricting portion 53c of the movable friction plate 53 abuts against the rotation stop pin 25 when it is detached and restricts the movement of the disengagement bracket 20, it is not necessary to provide another configuration only for restricting the movement. The number of parts can be reduced. Further, after the impact energy is absorbed, the laminated pressure contact body 51 is held by the friction adjustment bolt 62 by the friction adjuster 63, so that the detachment bracket 20 and the jacket 30 do not fall out of the fixed bracket 10. The body can be protected.

  By disposing the laminated pressure contact body 51 and the friction adjusting mechanism 61 between the pair of side walls 21 of the detachable bracket 20, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size, and a space can be secured around the apparatus.

  In the friction adjustment mechanism 61 of this embodiment, when the friction adjustment bolt 62 rotates around its axis, the friction adjustment bolt 62 itself does not move in the axial direction, and only the screwed friction adjustment tool 63 moves in the axial direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, when the friction adjustment bolt has a general bolt shape, the head of the bolt is set as a friction adjustment tool, and when the friction adjustment bolt is rotated around its axis, it moves in the axial direction. The friction adjuster can be moved in the axial direction.

  In the control means 60 of the present embodiment, the actuator 65 and the friction adjustment mechanism 61 are arranged on the fixed bracket 10 side, the fixed friction plate 52 has a wide annular shape, and the movable friction plate 53 has a rectangular frame shape. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the actuator and the friction adjustment mechanism are arranged on the side of the release bracket, the fixed friction plate has a rectangular frame shape, the movable friction plate has a wide annular shape, and when the impact energy is absorbed, the actuator and the friction adjustment mechanism are It is also possible to adopt a configuration that moves together with the release bracket.

  In the present embodiment, the urging means 64 is disposed only between the laminated pressure contact body 51 and the friction adjuster 63, but is not limited to such an arrangement form. For example, the urging means 64 can be disposed only between the separation bracket 20 and the laminated pressure contact body 51. Further, the urging means 64 can be disposed both between the laminated pressure contact body 51 and the friction adjuster 63 and between the separation bracket 20 and the laminated pressure contact body 51.

  Further, in this embodiment, when it is determined that there is a failure, the pressure contact force is set to a specified value in step S4, and the subsequent steps are continued. The control procedure may be omitted and the setting is completed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering column apparatus 10 ... Fixed bracket 20 ... Detaching bracket 21 ... Both side wall 21 ... Side wall 22 ... Ceiling part 25 ... Pin 50 ... Impact energy absorption structure 51 ... Laminated press contact body 52 ... Fixed friction plate 53 ... Movable friction plate 53c ... Restriction part 60 ... Control means 61 ... Friction adjustment mechanism 62 ... Friction adjustment bolt 63 ... Friction adjustment tool 64 ... Biasing means 65 ... Actuator 65 ... Control part 65a ... Electric motor 65b ... Deceleration mechanism

Claims (6)

A fixing bracket fixed to the vehicle body,
A detachable bracket disposed detachably on the fixed bracket;
A steering column device comprising an impact energy absorbing structure disposed between the fixed bracket and the release bracket,
The impact energy absorbing structure is
A laminated pressure contact body in which a pair of thin fixed friction plates disposed on the fixed bracket and a thin movable friction plate disposed on the release bracket are alternately stacked; and
Control means for applying a pressure contact force between the fixed friction plate and the movable friction plate,
The control means includes
A friction adjustment mechanism having a friction adjustment bolt penetrating the laminated pressure contact body, and a friction adjustment tool arranged to be movable in the axial direction of the friction adjustment bolt;
An actuator for driving the friction adjustment mechanism;
A steering column device, comprising: a control unit that outputs a control signal corresponding to a pressure contact force calculated from the weight information to the actuator while inputting weight information from the outside. In the steering column device according to claim 1,
The friction adjustment mechanism is
A detent pin projecting from the fixed bracket;
The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the friction adjuster is engaged with a rotation direction around the axis of the anti-rotation pin and the friction adjusting bolt while being screwed to one end of the friction adjusting bolt. The steering column device according to claim 2,
In the control means, the actuator and the friction adjustment mechanism are arranged on the fixed bracket side,
The movable friction plate has a bifurcated shape having a slit in between,
A steering column device, wherein the rotation stopper pin is disposed in the slit portion. In the steering column device according to claim 3,
A steering column device comprising a restricting portion that couples two forked ends to the movable friction plate. In the steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The detachable bracket has a substantially U-shape with a pair of side walls that hang down and a ceiling that connects the upper edges of the side walls,
A steering column device, wherein the laminated pressure contact body and the friction adjusting mechanism are arranged inside a U-shape of the release bracket. In the steering column device according to claim 1,
There is provided urging means for applying an urging force in the axial direction of the friction adjustment bolt between at least one of the laminated pressure contact body and the friction adjuster and between the laminated pressure contact body and the release bracket. A steering column device characterized by that.

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