JPH04112168U - Telescoping steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide a sense of moderation in the operation of the adjustment lever 29 and to securely fix the inner column 6. or,
To prevent deformation of the inner column 6 without particularly increasing the rigidity of the inner column 6. [Structure] A swinging plate portion 31 fixed to an adjustment lever 29 and a pair of swinging pieces 32, 32 constitute a toggle mechanism 30.
A pair of locking members 21, 21 are provided at two positions in the axial direction of the inner column 6, and both locking members 21, 21 can be freely pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6 by the toggle mechanism 30.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

The telescoping steering column device according to this invention has a steering shaft inserted into it. Extend and contract the entire length of the steering column through which it has passed, and attach it to the end of the steering shaft. Adjust the position of the provided steering wheel to suit the driver's physique and driving posture. Use when

0002

[Conventional technology]

To adjust the position of the steering wheel according to the driver's physique and driving posture. The devices include a tilt steering device and a telescoping steering column device (in place). A so-called telescopic steering device) is known.

0003 Figure 10 shows such a tilt steering device and telescopic steering column device. The figure shows a steering device that incorporates both.

0004 In Fig. 10, 1 is the adjustment lever of the tilt steering device. By operating lever 1, the steering wheel is inserted through the steering column 2. Displace one end of the plug shaft 3 (the right end in FIG. 10) in the direction of arrow a in the figure. A steering wheel (not shown) is fixed to one end of the steering shaft 3. Adjust the height position of the

[0005] Further, 4 is an adjustment lever of the telescoping steering column device, and this adjustment lever 4 By operating the outer column 5 and inner column 6, the outer column 5 and inner column 6 are telescoped. The entire length of the steering column 2 combined with the One end of the steering shaft 3 thus formed is displaced in the direction of arrow b in FIG. The steering wheel fixed to one end of this steering shaft 3 Adjust the front and back position of the

[0006] The structure and operation of the tilt steering device among these devices are based on the - It is described in detail in Publication No. 144569, etc., and is not included in the gist of the present invention. Therefore, detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0007] On the other hand, telescopic steering column devices have conventionally been used, for example, as shown in FIGS. It was structured as follows.

[0008] The steering columns 2 are each formed in a cylindrical shape and telescope each other. It is composed of an outer column 5 and an inner column 6 which are combined in a shape. . Inside the inner column 6, there is a deep groove type (or angular type) ball bearing. An intermediate portion of the steering shaft 3 is supported via 7, 7. and, A spline engagement portion 8 is provided in the middle portion of the steering shaft 3, and the spline engagement portion 8 As the steering column 2 expands and contracts, the steering shaft 3 also expands and contracts. I'm doing it like that.

[0009] Further, in the middle part of the outer column 5, a part is attached to the side of the outer column 5. (Downward in Figure 11, Left in Figure 12) with the lock housing 9 secured. It is set up. A part of this lock housing 9 is located on the side of the outer column 5. The protruding portion has a cylinder space 11 in which a locking member 10, which will be described later, is fitted. is provided.

0010 Both sides (upper and lower sides in FIG. 12) of this cylinder space 11 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape are A pair of flat surfaces parallel to the central axis of the outer column 5 and spaced apart from each other. It is divided by surfaces 17, 17, and is a part of the side surface of the outer column 5. This cylinder space 11 and the outer column 5 are located at a position aligned with the cylinder space 11. A communication opening 12 is formed to communicate with the inside of the cylinder, and the cylinder is fitted into the cylinder space 11. The inner surface of the locked lock member 10 is inserted into the inner side of the outer column 5. It can freely abut against the outer peripheral surface of the column 6.

[0011] The inner surface of the locking member 10 has a curvature approximately equal to the outer circumferential surface of the inner column 6. The arc-shaped concave surface 13 has the same curvature, and this arc-shaped concave surface 13 is By strongly pressing against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6, this inner column 6 and the above-mentioned Relative displacement with the outer column 5 is prevented.

0012 On the other hand, a screw hole is provided in the center of the partition wall 14 that partitions the outside of the cylinder space 11. 15, and the inner end of the lock screw 16 screwed into the screw hole 15 is inserted into the lock. It abuts against the center of the outer surface of the member 10. The outer end of the lock screw 16 has a front The base end of the adjusting lever 4 is fixed, and the lock is adjusted based on the operation of the adjusting lever 4. The arcuate concave surface 13 of the locking member 10 can be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6. Ru.

[0013] Also, it is fixed to the bottom of the lock housing 9 and penetrates the bottom surface of the outer column 5. The guide pin 18 has a long hole 19 formed in the lower surface of the inner column 6 in the axial direction. By engaging the inner column 6 with the Only positions are allowed.

[0014] In the telescoping steering column device configured as described above, the steering When adjusting the total length of column 2, do it as follows.

[0015] To perform adjustment work, first operate the adjustment lever 4 to release the lock. The screw 16 is moved back to the left in FIG. 0 to the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6 is released, and the inner column 6 It can be freely displaced inside the outer column 5.

[0016] In this state, the steering wheel (not shown) fixed to the end of the steering shaft 3 Push and pull the steering wheel to adjust the front and back position of this steering wheel. As you push and pull the steering wheel, the steering shaft 3 As the serration engaging portion 8 provided in the middle is displaced, this steering shaft An inner column 6 provided on the outside of the seat 3 via ball bearings 7, 7 extends in the front-rear direction. Displace.

[0017] As a result, if the front and back position of the steering wheel is adjusted, the adjustment lever By operating the bar 4, the lock screw 16 is moved forward (to the right in FIG. 12). The locking screw 16 pushes the locking member 10 onto the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6. Press. As a result, the arcuate concave surface 13 formed on the inner surface of the locking member 10 and the A strong frictional force acts between the inner column 6 and the outer surface of the inner column 6. is undisplaceably supported inside the outer column 5, and the steering wheel remains supported at the adjusted position.

[0018]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, the conventional telescoping steering column device, which is constructed and operates as described above, If the inner column 6 is fixed due to friction of the threaded part, etc., the adjustment lever may - If the operating force required to rotate 4 is large, or if the operating force is small. The amount of operation (rotation angle) has increased. Also, you cannot feel a sense of moderation when operating it. Therefore, the feeling for the operator is not very good.

[0019] Further, the work of connecting the lock screw 16 and the adjustment lever 4 is performed by This is done after tightening to the specified torque, but the rotation of both members 4 and 16 is generally When this is done by serration engagement commonly used, both the members 4, 16 The positional relationship between the two can only be adjusted by one pitch of the serration groove, It is difficult to make fine adjustments.

[0020] In addition to the structure of the telescopic steering column device, for example, -34954 publication, 61-145070 publication, 63-114770 publication Publication No. 63-152771, Publication No. 2-20140 is known, but it still has the same problem.

[0021] On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-220965 discloses that an inner column is provided inside the outer column. - Telescoping steering column device that uses a toggle mechanism to secure the column. is described, but when fixing the inner column, this inner column must be fixed at one point. Since the inner column is only pressed down, the fixation of the inner column may become uncertain or the fixing work may cause problems. In order to prevent the inner column from deforming due to There are issues such as the need to configure.

[0022] In other words, when fixing the inner column inside the outer column, the inner column Press the locking member strongly against the outer circumferential surface of the arm, but if there is only one pressing point, the inner In order to securely fix the column, this locking member must be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the inner column. We have to push hard towards this.

[0023] In order to prevent the inner column from deforming due to such strong pressing force, Sufficient rigidity must be ensured by making the inner column thicker, etc. This is not desirable because it increases production costs and weight.

[0024] The telescoping steering column device of the present invention eliminates all of the above-mentioned disadvantages. It is something that

[0025]

[Means to solve the problem]

The telescoping steering column device of the present invention is formed in a cylindrical shape, and The outer column and inner column are combined in a telescopic manner, and the front At two positions separated in the axial direction in a part of the outer column, the phase extending in the circumferential direction is set. A pair of through holes are formed to match each other, and the above-mentioned i a pair of locking members abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column, and a pair of through-holes. a gate-shaped support portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the outer column at a position between the outer columns; and a toggle mechanism provided between the inner surface of the locking member and the outer surface of the pair of locking members; It consists of an adjustment lever that extends and retracts the lever mechanism.

[0026]

[Effect]

The telescoping steering column device of the present invention configured as described above allows steering. When adjusting the length of the ring column, proceed as follows.

[0027] To perform adjustment work, first operate the adjustment lever to activate the toggle mechanism. The mechanism is retracted, and this toggle mechanism locks the pair of locking members onto the outer circumferential surface of the inner column. The pressure applied to the inner column is released, and the inner column can be freely displaced inside the outer column. state.

[0028] In this state, attach the steering wheel fixed to the end of the steering shaft. Push and pull the steering wheel while displacing the inner column in the front and back direction. Adjust the front and back position of the

[0029] After adjusting the front and rear positions of the steering wheel to the desired position, turn the adjustment lever By operating the bar in the opposite direction to the above case, the toggle mechanism is extended, and the Strongly press the pair of locking members against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column.

[0030] As a result, there is a gap between the inner surface of the pair of locking members and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column. A strong frictional force acts, causing the inner column to move inside the outer column, making it impossible to displace it. the steering wheel remains supported in the adjusted position; becomes.

[0031] A pair of locking members presses the inner column at two positions separated in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to securely fix this inner column with a relatively light pressing force. Even if the rigidity of the inner column is not particularly high, this inner column can be will no longer deform.

[0032]

【Example】

1-2 show a first embodiment of the invention. Each is formed into a cylindrical shape, Outer column 5 and inner column 6 telescoped together A pair of transparent holes are located at two positions separated in the axial direction in a part of the outer column 5. The holes 20, 20 are formed with mutually matching phases in the circumferential direction.

[0033] Locking members 21, 21 are provided inside each of the through holes 20, 20, respectively. The column 5 can only be freely displaced in the internal and external directions (in the vertical direction in FIGS. 1 and 2), It is. The inner surfaces 21a, 21a of each locking member 21, 21 are It has an arcuate concave surface that matches the outer peripheral surface of the ram 6, and each inner surface 21a, 2 1a is butted against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6. In addition, each of the lock parts The outer surfaces 21b, 21b of the materials 21, 21 are flat surfaces, and each outer surface 21b, 21b is formed with arcuate grooves 27, 27 extending in the axial direction at an intermediate position in the circumferential direction. There is.

[0034] In the middle part of the outer column 5, at the middle position between the pair of through holes 20, 20, there is a , fixing the support housing 22. This support housing 22 is a metal die. The outer column 5 is integrally made by molding or the like, and there is a gap in the middle part of the outer column 5. The fixing part 22a is externally fitted and fixed without loosening, and the pair of locking members 21, 21. A gate-shaped support portion 22b protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the outer column 5 at an intermediate position. It is composed of

[0035] Among these, the middle part of the support part 22b has a direction perpendicular to the outer column 5. A screw hole 23 is formed, and an adjustment screw 24 is screwed into this screw hole 23. A circular projection 25 is formed at the center of the inner surface of the adjustment screw 24. 25 is fitted with a recessed hole 26a formed on the outer surface of a disc-shaped seat plate 26. this The inner surface of the seat plate 26 has the same grooves 27, 27 on the outer surface of the locking members 21, 21. , an arcuate groove 28 extending in the axial direction is formed.

[0036] and grooves formed on the outer surfaces 21b, 21b of each of the locking members 21, 21; 27, 27 and the groove 28 on the inner surface of the seat plate 26 by operating the adjustment lever 29. A toggle mechanism 30 that expands and contracts is provided, and the inner surface 2 of each of the locking members 21, 21 is 1a and 21a against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6, or It is made so that the pressing force can be released.

[0037] In other words, the adjustment lever is made by press-forming a metal plate with sufficient rigidity. A rocking plate portion 31 is formed at the tip of the -29. Then, this swing plate portion 31 The outer edge (lower edge in FIGS. 1 and 2) is inserted into the concave groove 28 on the inner surface of the seat plate 26. The inner edges of the pair of triangular swinging pieces 32, 32 are connected to the respective locking members 21, 21. are engaged with grooves 27, 27 formed on the outer surfaces 21b, 21b, respectively. . Along with this, the inner edge of the swing plate portion 31 and the outer edge of each swing piece 32, By engaging the recessed grooves, the swing plate portion 31 and the pair of swing pieces 32, 32 The grooves 27, 27 on the outer surfaces 21b, 21b of the locking members 21, 21 and the The seat plate 26 is swingably supported between the groove 28 on the inner surface of the seat plate 26 and the toggle mechanism 30 is constructed. has been completed.

[0038] Furthermore, a cutout 34 is formed at the edge of the support portion 22b of the support housing 22. The base of the adjustment lever 29 is engaged within this notch 34. So Then, swing the adjustment lever 29 to one end of the notch 34, as shown by the solid line in FIG. In this state, the toggle mechanism 30 consisting of the swing plate portion 31 and the swing pieces 32, 32 is As shown by the chain line in the same figure, the front The toggle mechanism 30 is bent so that the overall length is reduced.

[0039] The telescoping steering column device of the present invention configured as described above allows steering. When adjusting the length of the ring column, proceed as follows.

[0040] To perform adjustment work, first operate the adjustment lever 29 to adjust the toggle. The toggle mechanism 30 is used to retract the locking member 21 from the inner collar. The force pressing against the outer peripheral surface of the arm 6 is released.

[0041] That is, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 2, the adjustment lever 29 has a notch 3 at its base. 4 until it comes into contact with the other end of 4 in the counterclockwise direction in the same figure. As a result, the seat plate 2 6. The groove 28 on the inner surface (the outer edge of the swing plate part 31) and the outer edge of the swing pieces 32, 32. A straight line connecting the groove (inner edge of the rocking plate part) and the outer surface 21b of the locking member 21 grooves 27 (inner edges of the swinging pieces 32, 32) and grooves on the outer edges of the swinging pieces 32, 32. (the inner edge of the rocking plate part 31) is bent into a dogleg shape in FIG. The distance between the recessed groove 27 and the recessed groove 28 is reduced, and each locking member 21, 21 is The force pressing against the outer circumferential surface of the ram 6 is released, and the inner column 6 moves to the outer column. It becomes freely displaceable inside the ram 5.

[0042] Therefore, in this state, the inside of the inner column 6 is set so that it can only rotate freely. Steering fixed to the end of the inserted steering shaft 3 (Figure 10) Push and pull the wheel (not shown) to displace the inner column 6 in the front and back direction. First, adjust the front and back position of the steering wheel.

[0043] After adjusting the front and rear positions of the steering wheel to the desired position, turn the adjustment lever By swinging the bar 29 in the opposite direction to that in the above case, the toggle mechanism 30 is extended. let

[0044] That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the adjustment lever 29 has a notch 3 at its base. Swing clockwise in the figure until it touches one end of 4. As a result, the rocking plate portion 31 and the outer edge of the swing piece 32 are substantially aligned with the groove 28 on the inner surface of the seat plate 26. and the groove 27 on the outer surface 21b of the locking member 21. As a result, the distance between the groove 27 and the groove 28 increases, and the locking member 21 It is strongly pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6.

[0045] As a result, the inner surface 21a of the locking member 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner column 6 A strong frictional force acts between them, causing the inner column 6 to move inside the outer column 5. non-displaceably supported, the steering wheel being held in the adjusted position; It will remain as it is.

[0046] In this state, the outer edge of the swinging piece 32 and the inner edge of the swinging plate portion 31 The contact point is slightly to the right in FIG. 2 of the straight line connecting the grooves 27 and 28. Keep it on the side. This is done by turning the adjustment lever 29 clockwise in FIG. This prevents the adjustment lever 29 from rotating inadvertently. It is for this purpose.

[0047] Also, as the adjustment lever 29 swings, the locking member 21 locks the inner column 6. In order to press the outer peripheral surface with a sufficiently strong force, turn the adjustment screw 24. By adjusting the distance between the grooves 27 and 28, the lock nut 33 is adjusted. This prevents the adjustment screw 24 from rotating inadvertently.

[0048] Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment described above is The swing plate part 31 attached to the joint lever 29 is placed on the side (outside) of the seat plate 26, and the two swing pieces 3 2 and 32 were provided on the side (inside) of the lock members 21 and 21, respectively. , in the case of this embodiment, the rocking plate portion 31 attached to the adjustment lever 29 is connected to the locking member 21 , 21 side (inside), and one swing piece 32 is installed on the seat plate 26 side (outside). It's on. Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, so equivalent parts The same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and redundant explanation will be omitted.

[0049] Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The first to second embodiments mentioned above However, the notch 34 formed in the support portion 22b of the support housing 22 and the adjustment lever 2 Whereas the amount of swinging of this adjustment lever 29 was limited by engagement with the base of the adjustment lever 29. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, the protrusion 35 formed on the swing plate portion 31 and the inside of the adjustment lever 29 The amount of swing of the adjustment lever 29 is limited by the bent portion 36 formed in the middle. ing.

[0050] The other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first and second embodiments described above, so the equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0051] Next, FIGS. 7 to 9 show four embodiments of the present invention. The first to second embodiments described above are , the lock members 21, 21 to be fitted into the respective through holes 20, 20 are separate from each other. On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, the pair of locking members 21, 21 are connected by the connecting plate portion 37. are connected to each other. Then, the swinging motion caused by the adjustment lever 29 Between the plate part 31 and the connecting plate part 37, there is a swinging structure having a substantially H-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. There are 38 pieces.

[0052] In the case of this embodiment, a toggle machine constituted by the swing plate section 31 and the swing piece 38 Due to the expansion and contraction of the structure 30, the locking members 21 are connected to each other by the connecting plate portion 37. , 21 on the inner column 6 is adjusted.

[0053] The other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first and second embodiments described above, so the equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0054]

[Effect of the idea]

The telescoping steering column device of the present invention is constructed and operated as described above. However, since there are few parts that rub against each other as the adjustment lever is operated, the inner column When fixing the lever, the operating force required to rotate the adjustment lever becomes large, Or, the amount of operation does not increase, and you can feel moderation when operating. Therefore, it feels better for the operator.

[0055] Furthermore, locking members provided at two locations separated in the axial direction lock the inner core. Since the ram is pressed, the inner column is securely fixed with a relatively light pressing force. This eliminates the need to particularly increase the rigidity of the inner column. In addition to reducing costs and weight, it also increases the bending rigidity of the steering column. You can also make the steering wheel less likely to vibrate.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of essential parts showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of main parts showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the adjustment lever used in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram seen from the right side of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of locking members connected by a connecting plate portion used in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the swinging piece.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a steering device incorporating a telescoping steering column device and a tilt steering device.

FIG. 11 is a view along arrow C in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to the DD cross section in FIG. 10, showing a conventional telescoping steering column device.

[Explanation of sign]

1 Adjustment lever 2 Steering column 3 Steering shaft 4 Adjustment lever 5 Outer column 6 Inner column 7 Ball bearing 8 Spline engagement part 9 Lock housing 10 Lock member 11 Cylinder space 12 Communication opening 13 Arc-shaped concave surface 14 Bulkhead 15 Screw hole 16 Lock screw 17 Plane 18 Guide pin 19 long hole 20 Through hole 21 Lock member 21a Inner surface 21b Outer surface 22 Support housing 22a Fixed part 22b Support part 23 Screw hole 24 Adjustment screw 25 Protrusion 26 Seat board 26a Recessed hole 27 Groove 28 Groove 29 Adjustment lever 30 Toggle mechanism 31 Rocking plate part 32 Swing piece 33 Lock nut 34 Notch 35 Projection piece 36 Bend part 37 Connecting plate part 38 Swing piece

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An outer column and an inner column, each of which is formed in a cylindrical shape and are combined with each other in a telescoping manner, and a phase extending in the circumferential direction at two positions separated in the axial direction in a part of the outer column. a pair of through holes formed by matching each other, a pair of lock members fitted inside each of the through holes and abutted against the outer peripheral surface of the inner column, and a gate-shaped support protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the outer column at a position between the two; a toggle mechanism provided between the inner surface of the support and the outer surface of the pair of locking members; and a toggle mechanism that extends and contracts the toggle mechanism. A telescoping steering column device consisting of an adjustment lever.