JP6528968B2 - Steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device.

  The steering column described in Patent Document 1 includes an outer jacket and an inner jacket slidably disposed in the outer jacket. A first portion of the energy absorbing strap is affixed to the inner jacket. The teeth of the second portion of the energy absorbing strap mesh with the teeth of the locking cam supported by the outer jacket. The energy absorbing strap has a U-shaped portion disposed around the tubular mandrel attached to the end of the inner jacket between the first and second portions. In a vehicle crash, the energy absorbing strap is pulled between the inner jacket and the outer jacket. At that time, the energy absorbing strap deforms so that the first portion is longer than the second portion.

U.S. Patent No. 8375822

  In a steering apparatus using an impact absorbing unit including an impact absorbing portion such as an energy absorbing strap described in Patent Document 1, the energy absorbing strap and a locking cam having a tooth portion meshing with the tooth portion of the second portion overlap each other. It is arranged. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the layout of the shock absorbing unit is low, and there is a possibility that the space around the shock absorbing unit can not be used effectively.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device capable of deforming a shock absorbing portion while effectively utilizing a space.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes a steering shaft (3) expandable in the column axial direction (X), a lower jacket (8) and an upper jacket (7) fitted to the lower jacket. A column jacket (6) expandable in the column axis direction rotatably supporting a steering shaft, and a plurality of first teeth (41) are formed side by side in the column axis direction, and a first tooth forming integrally moving with the upper jacket A support shaft (66) supported by the member (40), the lower jacket or the members (71; 71P; 71Q, 121) supported by the lower jacket and extending in the orthogonal direction (Y1) orthogonal to the column axial direction; Forming a second tooth (51) capable of meshing with the first tooth and rotatably supporting the support shaft about a central axis (C2) of the support shaft Therefore, it is supported in the axial direction of the column by the second tooth forming member (50) which is supported by the lower toothed member (50) which is separated from the lower jacket in the state where the second tooth is engaged with the first tooth at the secondary collision. A restraining portion (72), a first portion (73; 73P; 73Q) extending upward in the column axial direction from the restraining portion, a folded portion (74), and the first portion folded back via the folded portion Pair of shock absorbing parts (71; 71P; 71Q, 121) separated from each other in the orthogonal direction respectively including the second part (75) and the second part of the pair of shock absorbing parts An impact absorbing unit (70, 120) including a connecting portion (76) integrally moving with the second tooth forming member at the time of the next collision, and at the time of a secondary collision, the pair of impact absorbing portions face each other Edge ( 1a) while guiding the downward movement of the second tooth forming member in the column axial direction between the two, the folded portion is moved downward in the column axial direction to absorb an impact. It is a steering device (1).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first portion and the second portion of the shock absorbing portion of the shock absorbing unit as the member in which the support shaft is supported by the lower jacket. And the support shaft is configured to guide translation of the second portion relative to the first portion during a secondary collision.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, the first portion of the shock absorbing portion is an inclined portion (110; 111; 112) for improving bending rigidity, which is inclined with respect to the orthogonal direction. And a steering device.

  The invention according to claim 4 relates to the engagement protrusion (140) supported by the lower jacket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and moves integrally with the second tooth forming member at the time of a secondary collision. A moving part (131), an engaged part (132) engaged by the engagement protrusion, and deformation by movement of the moving part with respect to the engaged part to absorb an impact at the time of a secondary collision A second impact absorbing unit (130) including two impact absorbing portions (136), and advancing the engaging projection toward an engaging position engaging with the engaged portion; And a drive mechanism (150) for retracting the engagement protrusion toward an engagement release position where the engagement with the unit is released.

  In the above, the numerals and the like in the parentheses represent the reference numerals of the corresponding components in the embodiments to be described later, but they are not intended to limit the scope of the claims by these reference numerals.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of the secondary collision, the second tooth forming member moves the folded portion while being guided in the movement between the opposing edges of the shock absorbing portions on both sides. Therefore, the shock absorbing portions on both sides can be deformed while effectively utilizing the space around the shock absorbing unit.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, at the time of a secondary collision, the first portion and the second portion can be moved in parallel to move the folded portion smoothly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first portion is less likely to be bent to the second portion side by the inclined portion for improving the bending rigidity. Therefore, the behavior of the shock absorbing portion at the time of the secondary collision can be stabilized.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the movement of the engaged portion of the second shock absorbing unit is restricted by the engagement protrusion supported by the lower jacket advancing to the engagement position. Since the moving part moves integrally with the second tooth forming member, when a secondary collision occurs in a state in which the movement of the engaged part is restricted, the moving part moves with respect to the engaged part. Therefore, the second impact absorbing portion deforms together with the impact absorbing portion to absorb an impact at the time of a secondary collision.

On the other hand, when a secondary collision occurs while the engagement protrusion is retracted to the engagement release position, the engaged portion moves in the column axial direction together with the moving portion. Therefore, while the impact absorbing portion is deformed, the second impact absorbing portion is not deformed, and the impact absorbing load at the time of the secondary collision is smaller as compared with the case where the engaging projection is advanced to the engaging position. Become.
As described above, by changing the position of the engagement projection by the drive mechanism, the shock at the secondary collision can be absorbed by the shock absorbing unit alone, or both of the shock absorbing unit and the second shock absorbing unit. It can be absorbed. Therefore, the impact absorption load at the time of the secondary collision can be adjusted.

It is a schematic side view of a steering device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of a steering device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device, corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view around a tooth lock mechanism. It is a schematic perspective view of a shock absorption unit periphery. It is a typical side view of a tooth lock mechanism, and (a) shows a meshing state, and (b) shows a meshing release state. It is the figure which looked at the periphery of the 2nd tooth formation member from the upper part of the tilt direction. It is sectional drawing along the VIII-VIII line of FIG. It is a typical side view around the 2nd tooth formation member and shock absorption unit, (a) is a figure showing the state before secondary collision, (b) is the 2nd tooth formation member by secondary collision It is the figure which showed the state immediately after which and the connection part contact | abutted, and (c) is a figure which showed the state after the return part moved to the column axial direction by secondary collision. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 1st part of the impact-absorbing part which concerns on the 1st modification of this embodiment along the plane orthogonal to column axial direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 1st part of the impact-absorbing part which concerns on the 2nd modification of this embodiment along the plane orthogonal to column axial direction. It is a disassembled perspective view of the principal part of the steering device concerning a 3rd modification of this embodiment. It is a bottom view of the 2nd shock absorption unit concerning the 3rd modification. It is a typical side view of the important section of the steering device of the 3rd modification. It is sectional drawing along the XV-XV line | wire of FIG. It is a typical side view of an important section of a steering device of the 3rd modification after a secondary collision occurs, in a state where an engagement projection is in an engagement position. It is a typical side view of an important section of a steering device of the 3rd modification after a secondary collision occurs in a state where an engagement projection is in an engagement release position. It is a disassembled perspective view of the principal part of the steering device concerning a 4th modification of this embodiment. It is a typical side view of the principal part of the steering device of the 4th modification. FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which the second tooth forming member is moving in the column axial direction due to a secondary collision. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view along the line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a steering apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the steering apparatus 1 is connected to the steering shaft 3 via a steering shaft 3 to which a steering member 2 such as a steering wheel is connected at one end (the upper end in the axial direction) and an intermediate shaft 4 or the like. A steering mechanism 5 is provided.

  The steering mechanism 5 is, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism that steers the steered wheels (not shown) in conjunction with the steering of the steering member 2. The rotation of the steering member 2 is transmitted to the steering mechanism 5 via the steering shaft 3 and the intermediate shaft 4 or the like. Further, the rotation transmitted to the steering mechanism 5 is converted into axial movement of a rack shaft (not shown). Thereby, the steered wheels are steered.

The steering shaft 3 has a cylindrical upper shaft 3U and a lower shaft 3L fitted so as to be relatively slidable by, for example, spline fitting or serration fitting. The steering member 2 is connected to one end of the upper shaft 3U. The steering shaft 3 is extendable in the column axial direction X.
The steering device 1 comprises a hollow column jacket 6 rotatably supporting a steering shaft 3. The column jacket 6 includes an upper jacket 7 as a cylindrical inner jacket and a lower jacket 8 as an outer jacket fitted to the upper jacket 7.

  The steering shaft 3 is inserted into the column jacket 6 and rotatably supported by the column jacket 6 via a plurality of bearings 9 and 10. The upper jacket 7 is coupled to the upper shaft 3U via the bearing 9 so as to be able to move in the same direction in the column axial direction X. The lower jacket 8 rotatably supports the lower shaft 3L via the bearing 10. When the upper jacket 7 moves in the column axial direction X with respect to the lower jacket 8, the column jacket 6 can extend and contract in the column axial direction X together with the steering shaft 3.

  The steering device 1 includes a fixed bracket 14 fixed to the vehicle body 13, a tilt central shaft 15 supported by the fixed bracket 14, and a column fixed to the outer periphery of the lower jacket 8 and rotatably supported by the tilt central shaft 15. And a bracket 16. The column jacket 6 and the steering shaft 3 are rotatable (tilable) in the tilt direction Z about a tilt center CC which is a central axis of the tilt central axis 15 as a fulcrum.

  The position of the steering member 2 can be adjusted by rotating (tilting) the steering shaft 3 and the column jacket 6 around the tilt center CC (so-called tilt adjustment). Further, by expanding and contracting the steering shaft 3 and the column jacket 6 in the column axial direction X, the position of the steering member 2 can be adjusted (so-called telescopic adjustment).

The steering apparatus 1 includes a bracket 17 including a mounting plate 24 fixed to the vehicle body 13 and a tilt lock by tightening a pair of fastened portions 19 integrally provided on the upper portion in the column axial direction X of the lower jacket 8. And a clamping mechanism 18 for achieving the telescopic lock.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which is a schematic perspective view of the steering device 1, the tightening mechanism 18 is inserted into the tilt elongated hole 23 of the bracket 17 and tightens the pair of tightening portions 19 with the tightening shaft 21. And an operating lever 20 as an operating member for rotating the tightening shaft 21. The central axis C1 of the tightening shaft 21 corresponds to the rotation center of the operation lever 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower jacket 8 includes a slit 26 extending downward from the upper end in the column axial direction X. The pair of fastened portions 19 is disposed on both sides of the slit 26. By clamping the pair of fastened portions 19, the lower jacket 8 can be resiliently reduced in diameter.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 17 includes an attachment plate 24 attached to the vehicle body 13 and a pair of side plates 22 extending downward from the opposite ends of the attachment plate 24 in the tilt direction Z.

  The lower jacket 8 forms a guide groove 27 extending in the column axial direction X. A guided protrusion 28 fixed to the upper jacket 7 is fitted in the guiding groove 27. The guide groove 27 regulates the rotation of the upper jacket 7 with respect to the lower jacket 8 while guiding the axial movement of the upper jacket 7 via the guided projections 28. Further, the end (not shown) of the guide groove 27 in the column axial direction X abuts on the guided protrusion 28 so that the upper jacket 7 is prevented from coming off the lower jacket 8.

The pair of fastened portions 19 of the lower jacket 8 is disposed between the pair of side plates 22 and has a plate shape along the inner side surface 22 a of the corresponding side plate 22. The inner side surface 22 a of each side plate 22 is opposed to the outer side surface 19 a of the corresponding clamped portion 19.
The tightening shaft 21 is a bolt which is inserted into the long holes 23 for tilt of both side plates 22 of the bracket 17 and the tightening shaft insertion holes 29 of the both tightening portions 19 of the lower jacket 8. A large diameter head 21 a provided at one end of the tightening shaft 21 is fixed to the operation lever 20 so as to be integrally rotatable. The tightening mechanism 18 is interposed between the head 21 a of the tightening shaft 21 and one side plate 22, and the operating torque of the operating lever 20 is controlled by the axial force of the tightening shaft 21 (tightening the pair of side plates 22 Further includes a force conversion mechanism 30 for converting the force into an applied force).

The force conversion mechanism 30 is connected to the operation lever 20 so as to be integrally rotatable, and the rotation cam 31 whose movement in the tightening axial direction J, which is the central axial direction of the tightening shaft 21, is restricted with respect to the tightening shaft 21. It includes one clamping member 32 which is a non-rotational cam which is cam-engaged with the cam 31 and clamps one side plate 22.
The tightening mechanism 18 includes a nut 33 screwed to the screw portion 21 b at the other end of the tightening shaft 21, the other tightening member 34 for tightening the other side plate 22, the other tightening member 34 and the nut 33. And an intervening member 35 interposed therebetween. The interposing member 35 includes a washer 36 and a needle roller bearing 37.

The other tightening member 34 and the interposing member 35 intervene between the nut 33 and the other side plate 22 of the bracket 17. The rotating cam 31, one tightening member 32 (non-rotating cam), the other tightening member 34 and the intervening member 35 are supported by the outer periphery of the tightening shaft 21.
One fastening member 32 (non-rotating cam) and the other fastening member 34 are fastening plate parts 32a and 34a for fastening the corresponding side plates 22 and boss parts fitted in the corresponding tilting elongated holes 23 respectively. 32b and 34b. The engagement of the bosses 32b and 34b with the corresponding elongated holes 23 restricts the rotation of the fastening members 32 and 34.

Further, one clamping member 32 (non-rotating cam) and the other clamping member 34 are movably supported by the clamping shaft 21 in the clamping axial direction J.
As the rotating cam 31 rotates with respect to one clamping member 32 (non-rotational cam) with the rotation of the operating lever 20 in the locking direction, the one clamping member 32 moves in the clamping axial direction J Then, the pair of side plates 22 of the bracket 17 is clamped and clamped between (the clamping plate portions 32a and 34a of) the two clamping members 32 and 34.

  Thereby, each side plate 22 of the bracket 17 clamps the corresponding fastened portion 19 of the lower jacket 8. As a result, movement of the lower jacket 8 in the tilt direction Z is restricted, and tilt lock is achieved. In addition, the lower jacket 8 elastically shrinks in diameter and tightens the upper jacket 7 by tightening both the fastening portions 19. Thereby, the movement of the upper jacket 7 in the column axial direction X is restricted, and the telescopic lock is achieved. Thus, the clamping mechanism 18 achieves the telescopic lock by the friction between the two jackets 7 and 8.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the steering apparatus 1 includes an impact absorbing unit 70 including a plate-like impact absorbing portion 71 for absorbing an impact at the time of a secondary collision (EA: Energy Absorption), and a telescopic at the time of a secondary collision. The teeth are tightened by the tightening mechanism 18 to stabilize the initial restraint in the direction (corresponding to the column axis direction X) (in other words, to maintain the telescopic position of the upper jacket 7 at the beginning of the secondary collision) And a tooth lock mechanism TL for engaging the teeth.

  Referring to FIG. 5 which is a schematic perspective view of impact absorbing unit 70 and the like, impact absorbing unit 70 is orthogonal to column axial direction X with a pair of restraint portions 72 restrained in lower axial direction X by lower jacket 8. It includes a pair of shock absorbing parts 71 separated from each other in the first orthogonal direction Y1 as the orthogonal direction and absorbing an impact by being deformed at the time of a secondary collision. The first orthogonal direction Y1 is a direction parallel to the tightening axis direction J.

Each of the pair of shock absorbing parts 71 is folded back from the restraint part 72 through the first portion 73 extending upward in the column axial direction X, the curved folded portion 74, and the first portion 73 via the folded portion 74. And a second portion 75.
Also, the shock absorbing unit 70 includes a connecting portion 76. The connecting portion 76 connects between the second portions 75 of the pair of impact absorbing portions 71, and a second tooth forming member 50 (see FIG. 4) described later and a lower side in the column axial direction X (see FIG. 1) Integrally move in the forward direction of the vehicle).

Each restraint portion 72 is fixed to a recess 19 b formed in the corresponding clamped portion 19 by, for example, a bolt 77. Each impact absorbing portion 71 is supported by the corresponding clamped portion 19 via the corresponding restraint portion 72.
The first portion 73 of each impact absorbing portion 71 has a flat plate shape in the column axis direction X. The second portion 75 of each shock absorber 71 extends parallel to the corresponding first portion 73. The second portion 75 faces a portion of the first portion 73.

  Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6A which is a schematic side view, the tooth lock mechanism TL includes a first tooth forming member 40 which forms the first teeth 41 and moves integrally with the upper jacket 7 in the column axial direction X. An interlocking mechanism which forms a second tooth 51 meshing with the first tooth 41 and interlocks movement of the second tooth forming member 50 with the rotation of the tightening shaft 21 and a second tooth forming member 50 rotatably supported around a fulcrum And 60.

The second tooth forming member 50 includes a supported portion 52 rotatably supported around the fulcrum, and a tooth forming portion 53 separated from the supported portion 52 and forming a second tooth 51.
As shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from above the second tooth forming member 50 from above in the tilt direction Z, the supported portion 52 of the second tooth forming member 50 is located between the opposing edges 71 a of the pair of impact absorbing parts 71. Is arranged. As shown in FIG. 8 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, the supported portion 52 opposes the upper end in the column axial direction X of the connecting portion 76 of the shock absorbing unit 70 in the column axial direction X It has the opposing surface 52a.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 (a), the first tooth forming member 40 is formed using a plate extending longitudinally in the column axial direction X, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the upper jacket 7 by welding or the like. . The first tooth forming member 40 has a recessed groove 42 extending in the column axial direction X formed on the surface 40 a thereof.
The recessed groove 42 has a pair of inner wall surfaces extending in the column axial direction X and facing each other in the tightening axial direction J. A pair of first teeth 41L including a plurality of first teeth 41 aligned in the column axial direction X is formed on the pair of inner wall surfaces.

The tips of the first teeth 41 of the pair of first teeth 41L face each other in the tightening axis direction J. The direction D (corresponding to the width direction) of the first teeth 41 extends in the depth direction of the recessed groove 42 so as to be orthogonal to both the column axial direction X and the tightening axial direction J.
The first tooth forming member 40 may be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the upper jacket 7 by a bolt or the like (not shown). Further, the first tooth forming member 40 may be integrally formed with the upper jacket 7 with a single material.

  The tooth forming portion 53 is provided with a pair of second teeth 51L formed by arranging a plurality of second teeth 51 on the surface on the first tooth forming member 40 side. As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of second dentitions 51 </ b> L directs the tips of the second teeth 51 in mutually opposite outward directions. The second teeth 51 of each second row of teeth 51L can be meshed with the first teeth 41 of the corresponding first row of teeth 41L in the direction of the row of teeth D.

Further, the tooth lock mechanism TL includes a support mechanism 65 including a support shaft 66 for supporting the supported portion 52, and the tooth forming portion 53 in the second orthogonal direction Y2 orthogonal to the column axial direction X and the first orthogonal direction Y1. And a guiding mechanism 80 for guiding. The second orthogonal direction Y2 is a direction parallel to the tooth direction D.
The support mechanism 65 is divided by a pair of support shafts 66 protruding outward from the supported portion 52 of the second tooth forming member 50, and the first portion 73 and the second portion 75 of each impact absorbing portion 71. It is comprised by a pair of support hole 67 which consists of a long hole extended to column axial direction X. As shown in FIG.

  Each support shaft 66 extends in a first orthogonal direction Y1. Each support shaft 66 is inserted into the corresponding support hole 67 and supported by a corresponding shock absorbing portion 71 as a member supported by the lower jacket 8. Specifically, the support shaft 66 is supported between the first portion 73 and the second portion 75 of the shock absorber 71. The support shaft 66 is slidable in the column axial direction X in the corresponding support hole 67.

The support shaft 66 has a substantially rectangular shape having a pair of flat surfaces. The support shaft 66 has a central axis C2 as the fulcrum.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the support shaft 66 is a first supported surface as one flat surface facing the first support surface 73a on the second portion 75 side of the first portion 73 and the second orthogonal direction Y2. It includes the surface 66a. The support shaft 66 includes a second support surface 75a on the first portion 73 side of the second portion 75 and a second supported surface 66b as the other flat surface opposed to the second orthogonal direction Y2. The first support surface 73a and the second support surface 75a function as a guide surface for guiding the support shaft 66 downward in the column axial direction X at the time of a secondary collision.

  In addition, the support shaft 66 includes relief portions 66c provided in each of a pair of corner portions in diagonal positions. The relief 66c is, for example, a chamfer or a recess. The clearances 66 c of the support shafts 66 function as tilt allowances that allow the support shafts 66 to tilt in the corresponding support holes 67. Therefore, the second tooth forming member 50 supported by the support shaft 66 is rotatable about the central axis C2 [see FIG. 6 (b)].

The guide mechanism 80 includes a guide shaft 81 whose both ends are supported by the support holes 38 of the pair of fastened portions 19 of the lower jacket 8 and a guide hole provided in the second tooth forming member 50 and extending in the second orthogonal direction Y2. And 82.
The guide shaft 81 is broken by shear by a load through the meshing region of the first tooth 41 and the second tooth 51 at the time of a secondary collision, and permits integral movement of the first tooth forming member 40 and the second tooth forming member 50 Function as a breakable member.

The interlocking mechanism 60 rotates the second tooth forming member 50 about the central axis C2 of the support shaft 66 (to the side where the second tooth 51 meshes with the first tooth 41), and The releasing member 100 for driving the second tooth forming member 50 to the meshing release side against the biasing member 90 is provided.
The biasing member 90 forms a tooth on the side opposite to the first tooth 91 of the second tooth forming member 50 and the first end 91 which is locked in the locking hole 39 as the locking portion of the fastened portion 19. The torsion spring includes a second end 92 pressed and engaged with the portion 53 and a coil 93 wound around the tightening shaft 21 between the first end 91 and the second end 92.

The release member 100 has an annular main body 102 having a fitting hole 101 (spline hole) in which the tightening shaft 21 is spline fitted so as to be integrally rotatable, and a release projection 103 as a release portion projecting from the outer periphery of the main body 102. Is equipped.
The release projection 103 engages with the engagement projection 54 as an engagement portion provided on the tooth formation portion 53 of the second tooth forming member 50 along with the rotation of the tightening shaft 21 in the unlocking direction. The second tooth forming member 50 is rotated to the disengagement side against the biasing member 90.

When the operating lever 20 is rotated in the locking direction [clockwise in FIG. 6 (a)], the clamping member 21 together with the tightening shaft 21 changes from the state shown in FIG. 6 (a) to the state shown in FIG. , Is rotated clockwise.
As a result, the release projection 103 of the release member 100 pushes up the engagement projection 54 of the second tooth forming member 50. Therefore, the second tooth forming member 50 is a counterclockwise as a center of the fulcrum The second teeth 51 are driven to rotate around, and the second teeth 51 are separated from the first teeth 41 along the direction of the teeth direction D, and the meshing is released [see FIG. 6 (b)]. Thereby, the telescopic lock by the tooth lock is released.

  Next, the operation of the steering device 1 at the time of a secondary collision will be described. Below, it demonstrates with reference to FIG. 9 which is a typical side view of the 2nd tooth formation member 50 and shock absorption unit 70 circumference. Fig.9 (a) is the figure which showed the state before a secondary collision, FIG.9 (b) is the contact | abutting of the supported part 52 and the connection part 76 of the 2nd tooth forming member 50 by a secondary collision. FIG. 9C is a view showing a state immediately after the folded portion 74 is moved in the column axial direction X by a secondary collision.

  Referring to FIG. 9A showing the state before the secondary collision, when the secondary collision occurs in the meshing state (telescopic lock state) of the tooth lock mechanism TL, the first teeth 41 move integrally with the upper jacket 7. The impact is transmitted to the tooth forming portion 53 through the second tooth 51. When the impact is transmitted to the guide shaft 81 inserted into the guide hole 82 provided in the second tooth forming member 50, the guide shaft 81 is broken by shearing.

  When the guide shaft 81 breaks, the second tooth forming member 50 disengages from the pair of fastened portions 19 of the lower jacket 8 in a state in which the second tooth 51 is engaged with the first tooth 41 of the first tooth forming member Do. The second tooth forming member 50 separated from the pair of fastened portions 19 moves in the column axial direction X together with the upper jacket 7, and eventually, as shown in FIG. 9B, the connecting portion 76 of the shock absorbing unit 70 Abut. Specifically, the opposing surface 52 a of the supported portion 52 of the second tooth forming member 50 abuts on the upper end of the connecting portion 76 in the column axial direction X. In Drawing 9 (b) and Drawing 9 (c), illustration of guide axis 81 fractured by secondary collision is omitted.

The second tooth forming member 50 pushes the connecting portion 76 to deform the shock absorbing portion 71 so that the shock absorbing unit 70 changes from the state shown in FIG. 9B to the state shown in FIG. 9C. Move downward in the axial direction X. As a result, an impact absorbing load is generated, and the impact at the time of the secondary collision is absorbed.
Specifically, the pair of impact absorbing portions 71 absorbs impact by moving the folded portion 74 downward in the column axial direction X so that the first portion 73 is shortened and the second portion 75 is elongated. At this time, the pair of impact absorbing portions 71 guides the downward movement of the second tooth forming member 50 in the column axial direction X between the opposing edge portions 71a. At the same time, the support shaft 66 guides the parallel movement of the second portion 75 with respect to the first portion 73, and the first portion 73 guides the downward movement of the support shaft 66 in the column axial direction X.

According to the present embodiment, at the time of the secondary collision, the second tooth forming member 50 moves the turnback portion 74 while being guided in the movement between the facing edges 71a of the impact absorbing portions 71 on both sides. Therefore, while effectively utilizing the space around the shock absorbing unit 70, it is possible to uniformly deform the shock absorbing portions 71 on both sides.
In addition, the movement of the second tooth forming member 50 in the first orthogonal direction Y1 is restricted by guiding the second tooth forming member 50 between the facing edges 71 a of the impact absorbing portions 71 on both sides. Therefore, the posture of the second tooth forming member 50 at the time of the secondary collision is stabilized.

Also, the shock absorbing unit 70 is provided separately from the first tooth forming member 40. Therefore, the material and the shape can be freely applied to the shock absorbing unit 70 regardless of the material and the shape of the first tooth forming member 40. Therefore, the degree of freedom in setting the impact absorbing load is improved as compared with the case where the tooth portion for tooth lock is provided in the impact absorbing unit.
Further, at the time of a secondary collision, the first portion 73 and the second portion 75 can be moved in parallel by the guidance of the support shaft 66, and the folded portion 74 can be moved smoothly.

In addition, the first portion 73 and the second portion 75 guide the downward movement of the support shaft 66 in the column axial direction X, thereby causing the movement of the support shaft 66 in the second orthogonal direction Y2 at the time of a secondary collision. It is regulated. Therefore, the posture of the second tooth forming member 50 at the time of the secondary collision is stabilized.
In addition, the entire shock absorbing portion 71 is deformed so as to be short in the column axial direction X at the time of a secondary collision. That is, the impact absorbing portion 71 and the second tooth forming member 50 can move within the layout space of the impact absorbing unit 70 and the tooth lock mechanism TL before the secondary collision to generate an impact load. Therefore, space can be used effectively.

Below, the 1st modification of this embodiment and the 2nd modification are explained.
As shown in FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view in which the first portions 73P of the pair of impact absorbing parts 71P according to the first modification are cut along a plane orthogonal to the column axial direction X has a C shape. The first portion 73P of the first modified example includes an inclined portion 110 inclined with respect to the first orthogonal direction Y1 for improving bending rigidity. Specifically, the edges 73Pa on the side closer to each other of the pair of first portions 73P are closer to the one side Y2a in the second orthogonal direction Y2 than the edges 73Pb on the sides farther to each other than the pair of first portions 73P (the upper jacket 7 Orientation).

In the first modification of FIG. 10, the same members as those described in this embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted (a second modification of FIG. 11 and FIG. The same applies to the third modification of FIG. 17 and the fourth modification of FIGS.
Although not shown, the pair of first portions 73P may have an inverted V-shaped cross section. Specifically, the edge 73Pa on the near side of the pair of first portions 73P is closer to the other side Y2b in the second orthogonal direction Y2 (the upper jacket 7 than the edge 73Pb on the far side of the pair of first portions 73P). Orientation). The inclined portion 110 may be curved.

In the first modification, the first portion 73P is less likely to be bent toward the second portion 75 by the inclined portion 110 for improving bending rigidity. Therefore, the behavior of the shock absorbing portion 71P at the time of the secondary collision can be stabilized.
In the first modification, the support shaft 66 moving the support hole 67 in the column axial direction X at the time of the secondary collision is prevented from being caught by the first portion 73P bent toward the second portion 75 side. Since it can, it can stabilize shock absorption at the time of secondary collision.

  As shown in FIG. 11 which is a cross-sectional view of the first portion 73Q of the impact absorbing portion 71Q according to the second modification taken along a plane orthogonal to the column axial direction X, each of the pair of first portions 73Q is It is formed in a mountain shape including a pair of inclined portions 111 and 112 inclined in opposite directions. The pair of first portions 73Q project on one side Y2a in the second orthogonal direction Y2. Although not shown, each of the pair of first portions 73Q may be configured to project on the other side Y2b in the second orthogonal direction Y2. Note that each of the pair of inclined portions 111 and 112 may be curved.

In the second modification, the first portion 73 is more unlikely to be bent toward the second portion 75 by the pair of inclined portions 111 and 112 for improving bending rigidity. Therefore, the behavior of the shock absorbing portion 71 at the time of the secondary collision can be further stabilized.
Below, the 3rd modification of this embodiment is explained.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of a steering apparatus 1 according to a third modification of the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 12, a steering apparatus 1 according to a third modification includes a first impact absorbing unit 121 instead of an impact absorbing unit 70 including an impact absorbing unit 71 in the steering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. The first shock absorbing unit 120 is included. The steering device 1 according to the third modification includes a second impact absorbing unit 130 as a second impact absorbing unit, an engagement protrusion 140, a drive mechanism 150, and a lid member 160.

The first shock absorbing unit 120 has substantially the same structure as the shock absorbing unit 70 (see FIG. 5), but the width of the constraining portion 72 in the first orthogonal direction Y1 is stepwise toward the first portion 73 It differs from the shock absorbing unit 70 in that it is configured to be smaller.
The second impact absorbing unit 130 includes a pair of moving parts 131, an engaged part 132, a pair of extending parts 134, a pair of moving parts 131, and a pair of extending parts 134. And a pair of second shock absorbers 136 as shock absorbers. The pair of extending portions 134 extend upward from the engaged portion 132 in the column axial direction X at an interval in the first orthogonal direction Y1. One second impact absorbing portion 136 is installed between one moving portion 131 and one extending portion 134, and between the other moving portion 131 and the other extending portion 134, One second impact absorbing portion 136 is installed.

  Each of the pair of second impact absorbing parts 136 is provided with a first portion 136a extending upward from the extension portion 134 in the column axial direction X, a curved folded portion 136b, and a portion from the first portion 136a to the folded portion 136b. And a folded second portion 136c. Each of the pair of second impact absorbing portions 136 includes a third portion 136d adjacent to the first portion 136a from the inside in the first orthogonal direction Y1 and extending upward from the extending portion 134 in the column axial direction X. In each of the pair of second impact absorbing portions 136, a groove 136e that thins the second impact absorbing portion 136 in the second orthogonal direction Y2 is formed at the boundary between the first portion 136a and the third portion 136d. The groove 136 e extends in the column axial direction X.

  Referring to FIG. 13 which is a bottom view of the second impact absorbing unit 130, the pair of moving parts 131 are disposed apart from each other in the first orthogonal direction Y1. Each moving portion 131 is extended from the second portion 136c of the second impact absorbing portion 136 toward the inside in the first orthogonal direction Y1. Each moving portion 131 is formed with a pin hole 131a penetrating the moving portion 131 in the second orthogonal direction Y2. In the engaged portion 132, an engaged hole 132a is formed which penetrates the engaged portion 132 in the second orthogonal direction Y2.

Referring to FIG. 12, the engagement protrusion 140 has a cylindrical shape extending in the second orthogonal direction Y2. The engagement protrusion 140 is engageable with the engaged portion 132 by being inserted into the engaged hole 132 a of the engaged portion 132 of the second impact absorbing unit 130.
The drive mechanism 150 includes a block-shaped main body portion 152, an extending portion 153 extending downward from the main body portion 152 in the column axial direction X, and a disk-like protruding portion 154 projecting from the main body portion 152 in the second orthogonal direction Y2. including.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the main part of a steering device 1 according to a third modification. In FIG. 14, for convenience of explanation, the second tooth forming member 50 is shown by a two-dot chain line (the same applies to FIGS. 16 and 17 below). Further, in FIG. 14, the drive mechanism 150 is expressed in a partial cross-sectional view. Referring to FIG. 14, body portion 152 has a receiving hole 152 a for receiving engaging protrusion 140 and supporting engaging protrusion 140.

  The drive mechanism 150 is for driving the engagement protrusion 140 in the second orthogonal direction Y2. The drive mechanism 150 is, for example, a pyroactuator operated by a gunpowder or the like. The drive mechanism 150 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown). The control unit is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control unit determines whether to operate the drive mechanism 150 based on information such as the presence or absence of the seat belt, the weight of the driver, the vehicle speed, and / or the acceleration of the vehicle at the time of a collision. Normally, the engagement projection 140 is engaged with the engagement hole 132 a and engaged with the engagement portion 132.

When actuated by the control unit, the drive mechanism 150 retracts the engagement protrusion 140 toward an engagement release position (see the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 14) where the engagement with the engaged portion 132 is released.
Referring to FIG. 12, lid member 160 integrally includes a restricting portion 161 which restricts the lifting of second impact absorbing portion 136, a receiving portion 162 for receiving drive mechanism 150, and a pair of restricting portions 164. .

  The restricting portion 161 is longitudinal in the column axial direction X. In the restricting portion 161, the approximate center in the first orthogonal direction Y1 protrudes to the side (one side Y2a) opposite to the second impact absorbing unit 130 in the second orthogonal direction Y2. The pair of restraint portions 164 is disposed at the lower end of the restriction portion 161 in the column axial direction X. Each constraining portion 164 protrudes from the regulating portion 161 outward in the first orthogonal direction Y <b> 1 of the regulating portion 161. In each of the constraining portions 164, a through hole 164a that penetrates the constraining portion 164 in the second orthogonal direction Y2 is formed.

  The lid member 160, the second shock absorbing unit 130, and the first shock absorbing unit 120 are arranged to overlap in the second orthogonal direction Y2. One bolt 77 is inserted through each of the through holes 164 a of the pair of restraint portions 164 of the lid member 160. The restraint portion 164 is fastened together with the restraint portion 72 of the first impact absorbing unit 120 and is fixed to the recess 19 b of the fastened portion 19. The restraint portion 164 may not be fastened together by the bolt 77, may be fixed to the lower jacket 8 by welding, or may be fixed to the lower jacket 8 by rivets or pins.

  Referring to FIG. 14, the accommodating portion 162 is adjacent to the restricting portion 161 from the lower side in the column axial direction X. The housing portion 162 has an opening 162 a in the second orthogonal direction Y 2, and an inner space 162 b for housing the drive mechanism 150 is formed in the housing portion 162. The accommodation portion 162 is formed with a through hole 162c which penetrates the bottom portion on the opposite side (one side Y2a) of the opening 162a in the second orthogonal direction Y2 in the second orthogonal direction Y2. The through hole 162c communicates with the internal space 162b. The drive mechanism 150 and the engagement protrusion 140 supported by the drive mechanism 150 are supported by the lower jacket 8 via the lid member 160 (see FIG. 14). In this state, the protrusion 154 of the drive mechanism 150 is inserted into the through hole 162 c of the housing portion 162.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. In FIG. 15, the upper jacket 7 is indicated by an alternate long and short dash line. Referring to FIG. 15, a pair of pin holes 76 a are formed in the connecting portion 76 of the first impact absorbing unit 120.
The pair of moving parts 131 of the second impact absorbing unit 130 is in contact with the connecting part 76 of the first impact absorbing unit 120 from the side (one side Y2a) opposite to the upper jacket 7 in the second orthogonal direction Y2. A pair of pins 122 extending in the second orthogonal direction Y2 is press-fit into the pin holes 131a of the pair of moving parts 131 and the pair of pin holes 76a of the connecting part 76. Thus, since the pair of moving parts 131 is fixed to the connecting part 76, the moving parts 131 can move integrally with the connecting part 76. Unlike the third modification, the pair of moving parts 131 may be fixed to the connecting part 76 by welding or the like, or may be fixed to the second portion 75.

  The first portion 73 of the first shock absorbing unit 120 is in contact with the third portion 136 d of the second shock absorbing unit 130 from the other side Y 2 b. The first portion 136 a and the third portion 136 d of the second impact absorbing portion 136 are in contact with the restricting portion 161 of the lid member 160 from the other side Y 2 b. The pair of grooves 136 e are located on the outer sides in the first orthogonal direction Y 1 of the first portions 73 of the pair of first impact absorbing units 120.

Hereinafter, an operation of the steering device 1 of the third modified example at the time of the secondary collision will be described. FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the main part of the steering device 1 of the third modified example after the occurrence of a secondary collision with the engagement protrusion 140 in the engagement position.
At the time of a secondary collision, the connecting portion 76 moves integrally with the second tooth forming member 50 and moves downward in the column axial direction X. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, part of the impact of the secondary collision is absorbed by the deformation of the first impact absorbing portion 121. However, in the third modified example, at the time of the secondary collision, the pair of moving parts 131 fixed to the connecting part 76 also move downward with the second tooth forming member 50 in the column axial direction X. In the state where the engagement protrusion 140 is in the engagement position, the movement in the column axial direction X of the engaged portion 132 engaged by the engagement protrusion 140 is restricted. Therefore, when the moving portion 131 moves downward with respect to the engaged portion 132 in the column axial direction X, the second impact absorbing portion 136 deforms together with the first impact absorbing portion 121 and an impact at the time of a secondary collision Absorb

  Specifically, the pair of second impact absorbing parts 136 is an impact by moving and bending the folded part 136b downward in the column axial direction X so that the first part 136a becomes shorter and the second part 136c becomes longer. Absorb The second impact absorbing portion 136 is torn along the groove 136e between the third portion 136d and the first portion 136a at the same time as the first portion 136a is shortened, whereby the impact in the secondary collision is further absorbed. .

  Thus, if a secondary collision occurs while the engagement protrusion 140 is in the engagement position, the deformation of the first impact absorbing portion 121 of the first impact absorbing unit 120 and the deformation of the second impact absorbing unit 130 The impact of the secondary collision is absorbed by the deformation of the second impact absorbing portion 136. Therefore, since the impact absorption load is larger than when only the first impact absorption portion 121 is deformed, the high load EA becomes possible.

  On the other hand, with reference to FIG. 17 which is a schematic side view of the main part of the steering apparatus 1 of the third modification after the occurrence of a secondary collision with the engagement protrusion 140 in the engagement release position, When a secondary collision occurs while the projection 140 is at the engagement release position, the engaged portion 132 moves in the column axial direction X together with the pair of moving portions 131. Therefore, the second impact absorbing portion 136 is not deformed and does not absorb the impact at the time of the secondary collision.

As described above, when a secondary collision occurs while the engagement protrusion 140 is in the engagement release position, the impact at the time of the secondary collision is caused only by the deformation of the first impact absorbing portion 121 of the first impact absorbing unit 120. Is absorbed. Therefore, as compared with the case where the first impact absorbing portion 121 and the second impact absorbing portion 136 are deformed, the impact absorbing load becomes smaller, and the low load EA becomes possible.
As described above, by changing the position of the engagement protrusion 140 by the drive mechanism 150, the first impact absorbing unit 120 alone absorbs the impact at the time of the secondary collision, or the first impact absorbing unit 120 and the second impact. It can absorb with both the absorption unit 130 and the like. Therefore, the impact absorption load at the time of the secondary collision can be adjusted.

  For example, when the driver's physical size is relatively large or the seat belt is not properly worn, the engagement protrusion 140 can be advanced to the engagement position to increase the shock absorbing load. In addition, when the driver's physique is relatively small or when the seat belt is properly worn, the engagement protrusion 140 can be retracted to the engagement release position to reduce the impact load. As a result, after the steering apparatus 1 is assembled, the shock absorbing load can be changed as appropriate, and the occupant's optimum protection at the time of the secondary collision can be realized.

Further, since the second impact absorbing unit 130 is provided so as to overlap the first impact absorbing unit 120, the degree of freedom in layout can be improved and the size can be reduced.
In the third modified example, the same effect as that of the present embodiment is further achieved.
Below, the 4th modification of this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of a steering device 1 according to a fourth modification.

Referring to FIG. 18, the steering device 1 of the fourth modification includes a lid member 170 unlike the steering device 1 of the present embodiment. Further, unlike the second tooth forming member 50 (see FIG. 4) of the present embodiment, the second tooth forming member 50 of the fourth modified example includes a pair of facing portions 55.
The lid member 170 integrally includes a restricting portion 171 that restricts lifting of the pair of impact absorbing portions 71 of the impact absorbing unit 70 and a pair of restricting portions 164. The pair of restraint portions 164 is disposed at the lower end of the restriction portion 171 in the column axial direction X. Each constraining portion 164 protrudes from the regulating portion 171 outward in the first orthogonal direction Y <b> 1 of the regulating portion 171. The pair of restraint portions 164 has the same configuration as the pair of restraint portions 164 (see FIG. 12) of the lid member 160 of the third modified example, and thus detailed description will be omitted.

The restricting portion 171 has a plate shape elongated in the column axial direction X. In the restricting portion 171, the approximate center in the first orthogonal direction Y1 protrudes to the one side Y2a in the second orthogonal direction Y2. Specifically, the restricting portion 171 integrally includes a pair of first portions 172, a second portion 173, and a pair of inclined portions 174.
The first portions 172 are spaced apart from one another in the first orthogonal direction Y1. The first portions 172 are in contact with the respective first portions 73 of the pair of impact absorbing parts 71 of the impact absorbing unit 70 one by one from the one side Y2a (see also FIG. 21 described later).

  The second portion 173 is disposed on the one side Y2a of the second orthogonal direction Y2 than the first portion 172 inside the pair of first portions 172 in the first orthogonal direction Y1. Referring to FIG. 19 which is a schematic side view of the main part of the steering apparatus 1 of the fourth modification, the second part 173 is a space A which is sandwiched from the first orthogonal direction Y1 by the pair of opposing edges 71a. It covers from one side Y2a.

  Referring to FIG. 18, each inclined portion 174 is bridged between the first portion 172 and the second portion 173. The inclined portions 174 are inclined with respect to the first portion 172 so as to approach the one side Y2a as they approach each other in the first orthogonal direction Y1. Unlike the fourth modification, the pair of inclined portions 174 may be orthogonal portions orthogonal to the first portion 172 when viewed in the column axial direction X.

The pair of facing portions 55 of the second tooth forming member 50 protrudes one by one from the portion 50 a arranged above the supported portion 52 in the column axial direction X in the first orthogonal direction Y1. Each opposing part 55 is block-shaped.
Referring to FIG. 19, the pair of facing portions 55 is located above the shock absorbing unit 70 in the column axial direction X. Therefore, when the second tooth forming member 50 rotates about the central axis C2 of the support shaft 66, the opposing portion 55 does not contact the shock absorbing unit 70. Therefore, the second tooth forming member 50 can rotate about the central axis C2 without being blocked by the facing portion 55, and the second tooth 51 can be engaged with the first tooth 41 of the first tooth forming member 40. .

The lower end 55 a of the facing portion 55 in the column axial direction X is formed in a tapered shape. The lower end portion 55a has an inclined surface 55b inclined toward the other side Y2b as it goes downward in the column axial direction X (see also FIG. 18).
In the meshing state of the tooth lock mechanism TL, when a secondary collision occurs, the guide shaft 81 is broken as in the present embodiment, and the second tooth forming member 50 uses the second tooth 51 as the first tooth of the first tooth forming member 40. In the state of being engaged with the teeth 41, the pair of fastened portions 19 of the lower jacket 8 is disengaged.

The second tooth forming member 50 separated from the pair of fastened portions 19 moves downward with the upper jacket 7 in the column axial direction X. When the opposing surface 52a of the supported portion 52 of the second tooth forming member 50 abuts on the upper end of the connecting portion 76 in the column axial direction X, the second tooth forming member 50 pushes the connecting portion 76 to deform the shock absorbing portion 71. It moves downward in the column axial direction X while causing it to move.
FIG. 20 is a view showing a state in which the second tooth forming member 50 is moving in the column axial direction X by the secondary collision in FIG. In FIG. 20, the illustration of the guide shaft 81 broken due to the secondary collision is omitted. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. In FIG. 21, the illustration of the pair of fastened portions 19 and the bolts 77 is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 20, when the second tooth forming member 50 moves downward in the column axial direction X at the time of a secondary collision, the second tooth forming member 50 enters the space A sandwiched from the first orthogonal direction Y1 by the pair of opposing edges 71a. . As described above, the second portion 173 of the lid member 170 covers the space A from the one side Y2a (see FIG. 21). Therefore, when the second tooth forming member 50 abuts on the second portion 173 of the lid member 170, the second tooth forming member 50 can be prevented from rising. Therefore, since the posture of the second tooth forming member 50 at the time of the secondary collision can be further stabilized, it is possible to prevent the disengagement between the first tooth 41 and the second tooth 51 at the time of the secondary collision.

  Further, at this time, the inclined portions 174 of the lid member 170 face each one of the end surfaces in the first orthogonal direction Y1 (see FIG. 21). Therefore, the posture of the second tooth forming member 50 can be further stabilized. Thus, the second portion 173 and the pair of inclined portions 174 of the lid member 170 constitute a first attitude holding mechanism 181 which holds the attitude of the second tooth forming member 50 at the time of a secondary collision.

  When the second tooth forming member 50 moves downward in the column axial direction X at the time of the secondary collision, the pair of opposing portions 55 includes the second portion 75 of the impact absorbing portion 71 and the upper jacket 7 or the first tooth forming member 40. Into the gap B between Since the opposing portion 55 has the inclined surface 55b, it can smoothly enter the gap B without being caught by the second portion 75 even when the gap B is narrow in the second orthogonal direction Y2.

  Referring to FIG. 21, the facing portion 55 which has entered the gap B faces the second portion 75 of the shock absorbing portion 71 one by one from the other side Y 2 b. Therefore, when the opposing portion 55 abuts on the second portion 75, the second tooth forming member 50 can be prevented from rising. Accordingly, since the posture of the second tooth forming member 50 at the time of the secondary collision can be further stabilized, it is possible to prevent the disengagement between the first tooth 41 and the second tooth 51 at the time of the secondary collision (FIG. See also 20). In other words, meshing between the first tooth 41 and the second tooth 51 at the time of the secondary collision can be ensured. As described above, the facing portion 55 and the second portion 75 constitute the second attitude holding mechanism 182 which holds the attitude of the second tooth forming member 50 at the time of the secondary collision.

The posture of the second tooth forming member 50 at the time of the secondary collision is stably held by the first posture holding mechanism 181 and the second posture holding mechanism 182 in a state in which the second tooth 51 and the first tooth 41 are meshed. Ru. Therefore, the shock absorbing unit 70 can stably absorb shock at the time of secondary collision.
The fourth modification further exhibits the same effect as that of the present embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.
For example, the second tooth forming member 50 may be configured to achieve engagement and release, and to be detachable at the time of a secondary collision.
Moreover, the case where the guide hole 82 is not provided in the second tooth forming member 50 may be possible. In this case, the second tooth forming member 50 is provided with a round hole (not shown) through which the guide shaft 81 is inserted and supported. Further, in this case, the support holes 38 are not provided in the pair of fastened portions 19, and a guide hole (not shown) for inserting the guide shaft 81 and guiding the guide shaft 81 is provided.

Further, the positional relationship between the first portion 73 and the second portion 75 of each impact absorbing portion 71 may be opposite to that of the present embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the second portion 75 is disposed on the other side Y2b in the second orthogonal direction Y2 relative to the first portion 73, but the second portion 75 is disposed in the second orthogonal direction Y2 relative to the first portion 73. It may be disposed on one side Y2a.
Further, in the present embodiment, the shock absorbing unit 70 is provided with a pair of the shock absorbing parts 71, but three or more shock absorbing parts 71 may be provided.

In addition, the first portions 73 may be appropriately connected as long as the movement of the second tooth forming member 50 is not inhibited or the deformation of the impact absorbing portion 71 is not made unstable.
Further, the support shaft 66 may not be supported by the shock absorbing portion 71, and may be directly supported by the lower jacket 8. In this case, the hole defined by the first portion 73 and the second portion 75 of the shock absorber 71 does not function as the support hole 67. Further, in this case, elongated holes (not shown) provided in each of the fastened portions 19 of the lower jacket 8 and extending in the column axial direction X support the support shaft 66 and the support shaft 66 in the column axial direction X invite.

  The steering device 1 is a so-called lever-on-lever type steering device in which the tightening shaft 21 to which the operation lever 20 is fixed is disposed above the upper jacket 7 in the tilt direction Z. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called lever-down type steering device in which is disposed below the upper jacket 7 in the tilt direction Z.

Further, the steering apparatus 1 is not limited to a manual steering apparatus in which the steering of the steering member 2 is not assisted, but a column assist type electric power steering in which the power of the electric motor is applied to the steering shaft 3 to assist the steering of the steering member 2 It may be a device (C-EPS).
In addition, the second impact absorbing portion 136 of the third modification may not include the third portion 136d. In this case, if a secondary collision occurs while the engagement protrusion 140 is in the engagement position, the second impact absorbing portion 136 is deformed only by bending without being torn.

  The steering device 1 according to the third modification may not include the first impact absorbing unit 120.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering apparatus, 3 ... Steering shaft, 6 ... Column jacket, 7 ... Upper jacket, 8 ... Lower jacket, 40 ... 1st tooth forming member, 41 ... 1st tooth, 50 ... 2nd tooth forming member, 51 ... 51st 2 teeth, 66: support shaft, 70: shock absorbing unit, 71: 71P, 71Q: shock absorbing portion, 71a: facing edge portion, 72: restraint portion, 73; 73P; 73Q, first portion, 74: folded portion, 75: second portion 76: connection portion 110: 111; 112: inclined portion 120: first impact absorbing unit 121: first impact absorbing portion 130: second impact absorbing unit 131: moving portion 132 ... engaged portion, 136 ... second shock absorbing section, 140 ... engaging projection, 150 ... drive mechanism, C2 ... central axis, X ... column direction, Y1 ... first orthogonal direction

Claims (4)

Steering shaft that can extend and contract in the column axis direction,
An axially expandable column jacket including a lower jacket and an upper jacket fitted to the lower jacket, the column jacket rotatably supporting the steering shaft;
A first tooth forming member formed by arranging a plurality of first teeth in the column axis direction and moving integrally with the upper jacket;
A support shaft supported by the lower jacket or a member supported by the lower jacket and extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the column;
A state in which a second tooth capable of meshing with the first tooth is formed and supported by the support shaft so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the support shaft, and the second tooth is engaged with the first tooth at the time of a secondary collision A second tooth forming member that disengages from the lower jacket at
A restraining portion restrained in the column axial direction by the lower jacket, a first portion extending upward from the restraining portion in the column axial direction, a folded back portion, and a folded back portion from the first portion via the folded back portion Connection between the pair of shock absorbing parts including the second part and separated in the orthogonal direction, and the second part of the pair of shock absorbing parts, and moving integrally with the second tooth forming member at the time of a secondary collision A shock absorbing unit including:
At the time of a secondary collision, the pair of impact absorbing parts guide the downward movement of the second tooth forming member in the column axial direction between the opposing edges thereof, A steering device that is configured to move downward to absorb an impact. The shock absorber according to claim 1, wherein the support shaft is supported between the first portion and the second portion of the shock absorbing portion of the shock absorbing unit as the member supported by the lower jacket.
Steering device, wherein the support shaft is configured to guide translation of the second portion relative to the first portion during a secondary collision.   The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the shock absorbing portion includes an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to the orthogonal direction for improving bending rigidity. The engagement protrusion supported by the lower jacket according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A moving portion that moves integrally with the second tooth forming member at the time of a secondary collision, an engaged portion engaged by the engagement protrusion, and deformation due to movement of the moving portion with respect to the engaged portion A second shock absorbing unit including a second shock absorbing portion for absorbing a shock at the time of a collision;
The engagement protrusion is advanced toward the engagement position engaged with the engaged portion, or the engagement protrusion is retracted toward the disengagement position where the engagement with the engaged portion is released. And a driving mechanism for driving the steering wheel.

Images