JPH01172054A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold a handle in specific positions surely by furnishing two stoppers which cooperate with pawls to set the return position and hopup position of the handle, and pinching each stopper by cam in their respective working positions. CONSTITUTION:In an arrangement wherein coupling of a main shaft 3 is made, to which a handle is fitted through a universal joint 2 at one of the ends of an intermediate shaft fitted in a lower tube 5 a bracket 7 in a single piece with this lower tube 5 and another bracket 8 in a single piece with an upper tube 6 supporting the main shaft 3 rotatably are coupled together by a bolt 9 swingably. Therein the bracket 8 is equipped with two pawls 33, 34, while the one 7 with stoppers 35, 36 in order to set the return position and hopup position of the handle through contact with the pawls 33, 34. Each stopper 35, 36 is pinched by a cam 31 locked by a lever 25 in their respective working positions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a steering device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a locking device for a steering device having a flip-up mechanism.

(Prior art) A conventional steering device of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 1983-
The one shown in Japanese Patent No. 21860 is known. A lock hole is formed in a movable bracket fixed to a steering column assembly consisting of a steering column, a steering shaft, a column shaft, etc., and a lock hole is formed in a fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body and pivotably supporting the movable bracket. A locking member is provided which is removable and is always biased in the direction of engagement with the lock hole by a return spring, and by sliding the locking member against the biasing force of the return spring, By releasing the engagement between the lock hole and the lock member, the stem and ring column assembly were made swingable together with the movable bracket.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-mentioned steering device, the steering column assembly and the movable bracket are held with their swings restricted only by the engagement of the lock member and the lock hole. If a large load is applied from the wheel side, the sliding part of the locking member may buckle, resulting in increased operating force or play between the locking member and the locking hole, causing damage to the vehicle. The steering handle may vibrate due to the vibrations of the steering wheel, and furthermore, there is a risk that the lock due to the engagement between the lock hole and the lock member may come off.

Therefore, the technical object of the present invention is to provide a locking device that can eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and more reliably hold a steering column assembly.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The technical means taken in the present invention to solve the above technical problems are a steering shaft to which a handle is fixed, and a tube rotatably supporting the steering shaft. a bracket that swingably holds the stelling shaft and the tube; a first claw portion and a second claw portion formed on the tube, respectively; and abutment with the first claw portion formed on the bracket. a first stopper for regulating the swinging of the steering shaft and the tube to set the return position of the handle;
a second stopper that is formed on the bracket and comes into contact with the second claw portion to restrict the swinging of the steering shaft and the tube to set the flip-up position of the handle; the first stopper and the second stopper; a cam rotatably supported between a stopper and sandwiching the first claw part and the second claw part between the first stopper and the second stopper at the return position and the flip-up position;
a lever that is rotatably supported on the bracket and that comes into contact with the cam at the return position and the flip-up position to restrict rotation of the cam; and a lever that is disposed between the bracket and the lever and that The present invention further includes a biasing means that rotates as the lever rotates and biases the lever toward the first stopper or the second stopper.

(Operation) The above technical means operates as follows. In the return state, the first claw is held between the first stopper and the cam, and the cam comes into contact with the lever 7, restricting the rotation of the cam, restricting the swinging of the steering shaft and tube, and returning the steering wheel to the return position. Retained. When the lever is rotated in this state, the lever releases the restriction on rotation of the cam, rotates the cam, releases the grip between the cam of the first claw part and the first stopper, and removes the steering shaft and shaft. is made swingable, and the handle is made to flip up by swinging. In this state, the second claw part
When the cam comes into contact with the stopper, the rotation of the cam causes the second claw to be held between the second stopper and the cam, and the cam comes into contact with the lever to restrict the rotation of the cam, causing the steering shaft and tube to swing. is regulated and the handle is held in the flip-up position. In this way, when the handle is in the return position and the flip-up position, the first claw part or the second claw part is held between the first stopper or the second stopper and the cam, and the cam is rotated by the contact between the cam and the lever. By restricting the movement, the swinging of the steering shaft and tube is restricted and maintained, so even if a large load is applied to the steering wheel, it will not twist and the operating force will not increase. Furthermore, the occurrence of backlash can be prevented, and the steering wheel will not vibrate or become unlatched due to vibrations of the vehicle.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, vehicle tires (
A gearbox (not shown) that transmits power to a gearbox (not shown)
A main shirt 1-3 is attached to one end of the ink mizoite shaft 1 via a universal joint 2 so that it can pivot and rotate integrally with one end of the ink mizoite shaft 1, which is pivotably connected to the shaft 39 via a shaft or the like (not shown). are connected so that A handle 4 is fixed to the other end of the main shaft 3 so as to rotate therewith. Therefore, by rotating the handle 4, the main shaft 3. The signal is transmitted to the gearbox via the universal joint 2 and the ink mizoite shaft 1, and the tires of the vehicle are operated.

The ink mizoite shaft 1 is rotatably supported within the lower tube 5 via a bearing etc. (not shown), and the main shaft 3 is rotatable within the upper tube 6 via a bearing etc. (not shown). is supported by Further, a U-shaped first bracket 7 having a two-sided collar 7a is fixed to one end of the lower tube 5, and a two-sided collar 8a is formed at the other end of the upper tube 6. A U-shaped second bracket 8 is fixed.

The second bracket 8 is connected to the first bracket 7 by fitting a collar portion 7a and a collar portion 8a, and is swingably supported by a bolt 9. This causes the upper tube 6 to move to the first position. It is swingably supported by the lower tube 5 via the second bracket 7.8, and swings integrally with the swinging of the main shaft 3.

The other end of the lower tube 5 is connected to a first mounting bracket 1 fixed to a vehicle body podium (not shown) via two links 1o.
It is held at 1. One end of this link 10 is rotatably supported on the lower tube 5 with a bolt 38, and the other end is rotatably supported on the first mounting bracket 11 with a bolt 37. This allows the ink mizoite shaft 1 and the lower tube 5 to slide back and forth.

Further, a spring 13 is disposed between the first mounting bracket 11 and the second bracket 8 via a cord 12, and the main shaft 3 and upper tube 6 are always connected around the pin 9 as shown in the third figure. It is biased to swing in the a4 direction.

A third bracket 14 is fixed to the lower tube 5 near where the first bracket 7 is fixed. This third
A second mounting bracket 15, which is fixed to the vehicle body, is fitted into the bracket 14 and supported by a bolt 16 through an elongated hole 15b.

The swing range of the ink mizoite shaft 1 and the lower tube 5 is restricted by the elongated hole 15b. Furthermore, bolt 1
A nut 18 is screwed onto the second mounting bracket 15 through a washer 17, and the second mounting bracket 15 is tightened by rotating the tilt lever 19 fixed to the nut 18.
The collar portion 15a and the third bracket 14 are brought into close contact with each other to restrict the swinging of the ink mizoite shaft 1 and the lower tube 5, so that they can be held at any position.

Furthermore, a fourth bracket 40 is fixed to the collar portion 7a of the first bracket 7. The case 20 is fixed to this fourth bracket 40. Inside this case 20,
A motor 21 , a gear 23 that meshes with a worm 22 fixed to the shaft of the motor 21 so as to rotate integrally therewith, and a gear 23 .
A gear 24 that rotates integrally with the case 20 is disposed, and teeth 24a of the gear 24 protrude from the inside of the case 20 to the outside.

A lever 25 is rotatably supported on each bolt 9 and connected by a shaft 26 .

A torsion spring 27 is disposed between the lever 25 and the second bracket 8. This torsion spring 27 can rotate integrally around the bolt 9 as the lever 25 rotates, and biases the lever 25 clockwise or counterclockwise in the third figure depending on its position. Further, a gear 29 having claw portions 29a and 29b is pivotally supported on the bolt 9 of the fourth bracket 40 via a washer 28. This gear 29 meshes with the gear 24.

Furthermore, flange portions 25a are provided on both sides of the lever 25, which is pivotally supported by the bolt 9 on the fourth bracket 40 side.

25b is formed, and this flange portion 25a.

25b can come into contact with the claws 29a and 29b.

Thereby, the rotational force of the motor 21 is transmitted to the gear 29 via the worm 24, and further transmitted to the lever 25 through contact between the claws 29a, 29b and the flanges 25a, 25b, thereby rotating the lenomer.

Claw portions 33 and 34 are formed at both lower ends of the collar portions 3a and 3b of the second bracket 8, respectively. Furthermore, the first bracket 8 is provided with a stopper 3 that can come into contact with the surface 33a of the claw portion 33.
5, and a stopper 36 which can come into contact with the surface 34a of the claw portion 34 is formed, and the swing range of the main shaft 3 and the upper tube 5 is regulated by this stopper 36.

A pin 30 is installed at a position corresponding to between the claw portions 33 and 34 of the collar portions 7a and 7b of the first bracket 7, and the pin 30 has cam surfaces 31a and 31c and an arcuate portion, respectively. A cam 31 formed with a cam 31b is rotatably supported. The cam 31 is located between the claws 33 and 34, and the surface 31d of the cam 31 can come into contact with the surface 33b of the claw 33, and the surface 31e can come into contact with the surface 34b of the claw 34. It is possible to contact. Also, the cam surfaces 31a and 31C are the cam 3.
The shaft 20 has an arcuate shape that runs counter to the rotation locus of the shaft 20, and is shaped along the outer periphery of the collar 32 fixed to both ends of the shaft 20, so that it can be engaged with the collar 32. Furthermore, the arcuate portion 31b has a shape along the outer periphery of the collar 32 and has a shape into which the collar 32 fits, so that the arc portion 31b can be fitted into the collar 32.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is the return state and the state during normal running, and the collar 15a of the second mounting bracket 15 and the third bracket 14 are tightened by tightening the nut 18.
Since the rocking of the lower tube 5 is restricted by close contact with the ink mizoite shaft 1 and the shaft 39,

The swinging of the shaft 3 is restricted, and the claw portion 33 of the second bracket 8 is engaged with the collar 32 of the shaft 26 connected to the cam 31, the stopper 35, and the lever 25, and the torsion spring 27 is The collar 32 is biased counterclockwise by the biasing force, and the rotation of the cam 31 is restricted, and the swinging of the upper tube 6 is restricted, so the swinging of the main shaft about the bolt 9 is restricted. has been done.

From this state, if you pull down the tilt lever 19,
The nut 18 loosens and the collar 15 of the second mounting bracket 15
a and the third bracket 14 are released, the lower tube 5 and the upper tube 6 can swing along the elongated hole 15b, and the intamizoite shaft 1 and the main shaft 3 swing around the shaft 39. It becomes possible. Thereby, the position of the handle 4 can be adjusted to any vertical position as indicated by two-dot chain lines 4a and 4b in the third figure, and the handle 4 can be positioned at the desired position of the driver. At this time, lower tube 5. The upper tube 6 is moved back and forth by the link 10 together with the intermizoite shaft 1 and the main shaft 3, and swings up and down. After that, when the tilt tray/-e-19 is pulled upward, the nut 18 is tightened, and the collar 15a of the second bracket 15 and the third bracket 14 are brought into close contact with each other, and as a result, the tilt tray/-e-19 cannot swing due to friction. Then 1, it is held at any position. In the above-mentioned tilt operation, since the center of swing is formed at a position farther from the handle 4, more delicate position adjustment of the noddle can be performed, and the operability of the handle 4 can be further improved.

Next, from the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the motor 2
1, the worm 22. Gear 23 and gear 2
The gear 29 rotates via the gear 4.

When the claw portion 29a of the gear 29 and the flange portion 25a of the lever 25 come into contact with each other due to this rotation of the gear 29, the lever 25
is rotated clockwise in the third drawing against the biasing force of the torsion spring 27 due to the rotation of the gear 29. As the lever 25 rotates, the shaft 26 also rotates in the same direction, and the collar 32 and the cam surface 31a of the cam 31 are disengaged and fit into the circular arc portion 31b, and the cam 31 is moved to the lever 2.
5 rotates clockwise in the third figure. As a result, the second bracket 8 between the stopper 35 and the surface 31d of the cam 31
The clamping of the claws 33 is released, and the upper tube 6 can swing around the bottle 9. As a result, the spring 13
The second bracket 8 is pulled by the urging force, and the upper tube 6 and main shaft 3 are moved clockwise toward the claw portion 3
4 swings until it comes into contact with the stopper 36, and the handle 4 is in a flip-up state as shown by the two-dot chain line 4C in the third figure.

During this time, since the motor 21 continues to operate, the lever 25 further continues to rotate clockwise in the third figure, and the cam 31 also continues to rotate due to the engagement of the circular arc portion 31b and the collar 32. This allows the claw portion 34 to move between the stopper 36 and the surface 31 of the cam 31.
After that, the collar 32 is held by the lever 25.
As a result of the rotation, it comes off from the circular arc portion 31b and engages with the cam surface 31C.

At this time, the torsion spring 27 rotates clockwise in the third figure as the lever 25 rotates, and is located on the right side in the third figure from the line connecting the locking part of the bolt 9 and the second bracket of the torsion spring 27. That will happen. This results in
The lever 25 is biased clockwise in the third figure by the torsion spring 27, and the collar 32 and the cam 3
The cam 31 rotates clockwise in the third figure until it engages with the cam surface 31C of the cam 31, and the surface 31e of the cam 31 comes into contact with the surface 34b of the claw portion 34b, resulting in a locked state. As a result, the handle 4 is reliably fixed at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line 4C in the third figure, and even if a load is applied to the handle 4, the handle 4 will not move, and even if you touch it when getting on or off, it will not return. The problem of returning to the position is eliminated, and it is also safer. In the flip-up operation described above, since the center of swing is formed near the handle 4, the flip-up operation angle of the handle 4 can be made larger, and the ease of getting on and off the vehicle for the driver can be further improved.

Further, during the above-described operation, if the swinging of the main shaft 3 and the upper tube 5 due to the biasing force of the spring 13 is prevented by a load caused by human power or the like, the lever 25
The cam surface 31a of 1 disengages from the collar 32, and the collar 3
2 rotates to a position where it engages with the circular arc portion 31b of the cam 31, but the surface 34b of the claw portion 34 of the second bracket 8 and the cam 3
The cam 31 is prevented from rotating, and the operation of the motor 21 is stopped by overload detection means (not shown) or the like. Thereafter, when the load is released, the main shaft 3 and the upper tube 6 swing due to the biasing force of the spring 13, the handle 4 flips up as shown by the two-dot chain line 4C in the third figure, and the lever 25 Due to the rotation of the lever 2, the torsion spring 27 is located on the right side in the third figure of the line connecting the bolt 9, the torsion spring 27, and the locking part of the second bracket 8.
5 rotates clockwise in the third figure due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 27, and the collar 32 rotates the cam 31.
As a result, as described above, the claw portion 34 of the second bracket 8
is held between the stopper 36 and the surface 31e of the cam 31, and is in a locked state.

When the motor 21 is operated in the opposite direction to the above-described operation from the flip-up state described above, the lever 25 rotates counterclockwise in the third figure, and the engagement between the collar 32 and the cam surface 31C of the cam 31 is released. The collar 32 is attached to the arcuate portion 31 of the cam surface 31.
b, and the cam 31 rotates counterclockwise in the third figure.
The surface 33b of the claw portion 33 and the surface 31f of the cam 31 come into contact and stop.

Incidentally, the stopping of the motor 21 is performed in the same manner as the lifting up. . As a result, the grip between the stopper 36 of the claw portion 34 of the second bracket 8 and the cam surface 31e of the cam 31 is released, and the upper tube 6 and the main shaft 3 become swingable. Thereafter, when the main shaft 3 and the upper tube 6 are pushed down against the biasing force of the spring 13, the surface 33a of the claw portion 33 of the second bracket 8 comes into contact with the stopper 35, and the handle 4 is rotated as shown in the third figure. As shown by the two-dot chain line 4c, the flip-up state changes to the second illustrated return state. At this time, since the lever 25 is located on the left side in the third figure of the line connecting the bolt 9, the torsion spring 27, and the locking part of the second bracket 8, the lever 25 is positioned on the left side of the torsion spring 27. Due to the biasing force, the cam 31 rotates clockwise in the third illustration, and the cam 31 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the third illustration. As a result, the surface 31d of the cam 31
comes into contact with the surface 33b of the claw portion 33, and the claw portion 33 is moved to the stopper 35.
At the same time, the collar 32 and the cam surface 31a engage with each other, and are firmly engaged by the biasing force of the torsion spring 27 in the counterclockwise direction shown in the third drawing, thereby rotating the cam 31 in the clockwise direction shown in the third drawing. is regulated and becomes locked. As a result, the handle 4 is reliably fixed at the return position, and even if a load is applied to the handle 4, the handle 4 does not move and is safe. Moreover, handle 4
to ensure that it returns from the flip-up position to the return position.
There will be no deviation in the return position. Also, cam 31
The cam surfaces 31a and 31C have a shape that follows the shape of the collar 32 and opposes the rotation locus, so that they can be reliably engaged with the collar 32 without any play and can obtain a reliable locked state. Shaking and unlocking of the handle 4 due to vibration etc. can be prevented.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention provides a steering shaft to which a handle is fixed, a tube that rotatably supports the steering shaft, a bracket that swingably holds the steering shaft and the tube, and a first tube formed on each of the tubes. a claw portion, a second claw portion, and a first stopper formed on the bracket and abutting against the first claw portion to restrict rocking of the steering shaft and the tube to set a return position of the steering wheel; a second stopper that is formed on the bracket and comes into contact with the second claw portion to restrict the swinging of the steering shaft and the tube to set the flip-up position of the handle; the first stopper and the second stopper; a cam rotatably supported between a stopper and sandwiching the first claw part and the second claw part between the first stopper and the second stopper at the return position and the flip-up position; a lever that is rotatably supported on the bracket and abuts against the cam at the return position and the flip-up position to restrict rotation of the cam; and a lever that is disposed between the bracket and the lever and that Since the steering device includes a biasing means that rotates with the rotation of the lenomeer and biases the lever toward the first stopper or the second stopper, in the return state and the flip-up state, /%
The handle can be reliably held in the return position and flip-up position, and even if a large load is applied to the handle, it will not twist, the operating force will not increase, and the occurrence of play can be prevented. The handle does not vibrate due to vibrations of the vehicle, and the lock does not come off.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof. 1... Ink mizoite shaft. 2... Universal joint, 3... Main shaft. 4...Handle, 5...Lower tube. 6... Upper tube. 7...1st bracket. 8...Second bracket. 9.16, 37.38...volts. 10...Link. 11...First mounting bracket. 12...cord, 13...spring. 14...Third bracket. 15...Second mounting bracket. 17.28... washer. 18...Natsuto, 19...Tilt lever. 20...Case, 21...Motor. 22... Warm. 23.24...Gear, 25...Lever. 26...Shaft. 27...Torsion spring. 29...Gear, 30...Bin. 31...Cam, 32...Color. 33.34...Claw part. 35.36...stopper. 39... Axis. 40...4th bracket.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A steering shaft to which a handle is fixed, a tube rotatably supporting the steering shaft, a bracket pivotally holding the steering shaft and the tube, and a first claw portion and a first claw portion formed on the tube, respectively. a first stopper formed on the bracket and configured to restrict the swinging of the steering shaft and the tube and set the return position of the steering wheel by coming into contact with the first claw; and a first stopper formed on the bracket. a second stopper that restricts the swinging of the steering shaft and the tube by coming into contact with the second claw portion and sets the flip-up position of the handle;
It is rotatably supported between the first stopper and the second stopper, and in the return position and the flip-up position, the first claw part and the second claw part are moved between the first stopper and the second stopper. a cam held between a stopper; a lever rotatably supported by the bracket and abutting the cam at the return position and the flip-up position to restrict rotation of the cam; the bracket and the lever; and a biasing means disposed between the lever and the lever to rotate as the lever rotates and bias the lever toward the first stopper or the second stopper.