JPH04244479A - Tilt steering column - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability for lock/unlock by mounting an upper and a lower tooth on upper and lower columns, forming gear parts, engaged with each other, in surfaces where the two teeth are overlapped with each other, and locating a tilt lock mechanism to the engaging portion. CONSTITUTION:A pick-up tilt steering column comprises a lower column 2 supported to a fixed bracket 1, a moving bracket 3 rotatably coupled to a hinge bracket 2a located to the upper end part of the lower column, and an upper column 5 fixed to the moving bracket 3. In which case, a tilt lock mechanism 45 is located on the under surfaces of the central part of the lower column part 2 and the moving bracket 3. In which case, a tilt lock mechanism 45 supports an upper tooth 12 to a support bracket 9, formed integrally with the moving bracket 3, by means of 11. A lower tooth 13 is supported to a support bracket 10, formed integrally with the lower column 2, by means of 14. Tooth parts 12a and 13a of the teeth 12 and 13 are held by means of a lock lever 27 in a state that the tooth parts are engaged with each other.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to tilt steering columns.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A tilt steering column is constructed so that the steering column can be rotated in the vertical direction in order to ensure that the steering wheel in the steering system of an automobile is in an optimal operating state for the driver and passenger. In addition, this tilt steering column adopts a structure in which the steering wheel instantly flips upward from a desired tilt angle, in order to maximize the movable space for the knees of passengers when getting on and off the vehicle. is easy.

This tilt steering column includes a hand tilt type steering column in which the upper column can be rotated vertically around a tilt hinge located near the passenger's hand, and a tilt hinge located near the passenger's feet. It is broadly divided into a foot tilt type steering column in which the entire column can be rotated up and down around the center.

[0004] Foot tilt type steering columns are used in large vehicles such as trucks because the entire column can be tilted back and forth toward the passenger, but in passenger cars, the space in which the passenger's legs and knees can move is restricted. Therefore, a hand tilt type steering column was adopted.

[0005] There are various structures for the hand tilt type steering column, but generally, a movable bracket that can be rotated in the vertical direction via a tilt hinge is provided on a fixed bracket that supports the lower column on the vehicle body. A tilt jacket is provided on the movable bracket, and a tilt shaft to which a steering wheel is rotatably attached to the upper end of the steering shaft via a universal joint is provided to be rotatable coaxially with the tilt jacket to form an upper column. In order to adjust the tilt of the movable bracket to a desired angle around the tilt hinge, the fixed bracket is provided with a tooth member that engages with the tooth member provided on the movable bracket, and one of the tooth members can be rotated by an operating lever. The tilt lock mechanism is configured by being pivotally connected to the .

In this case, the configuration for flipping up is such that a tension spring is installed between the fixed bracket and the movable bracket to constantly urge the movable bracket to rotate upward, and when the operating lever is released, the movable bracket is lifted up. is configured so that it instantly springs up in the biasing direction.

By the way, the tilt lock mechanism is of a type that is arranged only on one side of the movable bracket (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-537).
(Refer to Publication No. 30) and the form where it is placed on both sides (Refer to Publication No. 30
123969 (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 123969) and a type in which the airbag is placed on the lower surface of the column center (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-34145). Considering the
It can be said that the optimal format is to place them on both sides.

[0008]

However, when the tilt lock mechanism is provided on both sides of the bracket, the movable teeth members on both sides are likely to be out of synchronization, and the structure becomes complicated and costs increase.

[0009] Furthermore, when considering a method in which a tooth member is disposed on the lower surface of the column center (center lock method), the shape of the teeth of the tooth member on the movable bracket side is located on the circumference of a predetermined radius around the tilt hinge. Since it is a convex arc shape formed on the fixed bracket side and a concave arc shape on the fixed bracket side, if the teeth of the tooth member with a convex arc shape are not fixed so that the center of the teeth is located at the center of the tilt hinge, the teeth of both teeth will be damaged. Since misalignment and poor meshing are likely to occur during meshing, there is a drawback that high mounting accuracy is required.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention was made with the object of eliminating the drawbacks of the above-mentioned center lock system.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A tilt steering column according to the present invention has one end portion of an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a predetermined length arranged approximately parallel to the column axis in the upper column and the lower column, respectively, near the tilt center. The upper teeth and the lower teeth are rotatably attached to each other, and have teeth that engage with each other in the longitudinal direction on the overlapping surfaces of the upper teeth and the lower teeth, and have a tilt lock mechanism that locks or unlocks the engagement between the upper teeth and the lower teeth. It is characterized by

[0012] Further, one end portions of upper teeth and lower teeth of a predetermined length are rotatably attached to the upper column and the lower column, respectively, in a position approximately parallel to the column axis in the vicinity of the tilt center. tooth portions that mesh with each other in the longitudinal direction are formed on the overlapping surfaces of the teeth, and a tilt lock mechanism is provided to lock or unlock the meshing of the upper teeth and the lower teeth, and one end portion is rotatable toward the upper column side. A guide bracket is provided which is pivoted and whose other end is connected to the lower column side through a long hole, and an operating lever for operating a tilt lock mechanism is rotatably supported on the guide bracket,
Moreover, a compression spring is interposed between the upper column and the lower column.

Further, in the tilt lock mechanism, a tooth clamping member that clamps the upper tooth and the lower tooth is integrally formed on the lock lever that partially engages with the operating lever and is movable in the direction of the column axis. It is characterized in that when the lock lever moves toward the upper column, it releases the engagement between the upper and lower teeth, and when it moves toward the lower column, it locks the engagement.

The tooth holding member has a pin that engages with a groove formed on both longitudinal sides of the lower tooth, and also has an inclined elongated hole that engages with a pin projection protruding from both sides of the upper tooth. It is characterized by:

Furthermore, the compression spring is compressed and suspended between a guide bracket and a support bracket fixed to the lower column.

[0016]

[Operation] When setting the tilt, operate the tilt lock mechanism to disengage the upper teeth and lower teeth, rotate the upper column to the desired angle around the tilt center, and in that state return the tilt lock mechanism to its original position. Return to the original state and engage the upper teeth and lower teeth.

When flipping up, if the tilt lock mechanism is operated to disengage the upper teeth and lower teeth, the compression spring loaded between the upper column and the lower column will spring, and the upper column will center around the tilt center. It instantly rotates upwards. The upper limit of rotation of the upper column is stopped by a portion of the lower column that engages with the elongated hole of the guide bracket.

[0018]

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. Figure 1
2 is a half-sectional side view of the flip-up tilt steering column, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts thereof. In the figure 1
2 is a fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body, 2 is a lower column supported by the fixed bracket, and 3 is a movable column rotatably connected to a hinge bracket 2a provided at the upper end of the lower column 2 by a tilt hinge 4 serving as a tilt center. Bracket 5 is an upper column fixed to the movable bracket 3;
A universal joint 6 rotatably and bendably connects an upper shaft 7 passing through the upper column 5 and a steering shaft 8 passing through the lower column 2 inside the movable bracket 3. A center lock type tilt lock mechanism 45 is provided on the lower center surface of the lower column 2 and the movable bracket 3, and a flip-up spring 44 (see FIG. 2) is provided integrally with the tilt lock mechanism.

First, the tilt lock mechanism 45 will be explained. Support brackets 9 and 10 are fixed to the lower surfaces of the lower column 2 and the movable bracket 3, respectively, and a bolt 11 is inserted into a hole 10a drilled in the support bracket 10 on the movable bracket 3 side to clamp the base end of the upper tooth 12. and is rotatably supported. Further, a bolt 14 is inserted into a hole 9a formed in the support bracket 9 on the lower column 2 side, and the base end of the lower tooth 13 is held between the lower teeth 13 and rotatably supported. The upper teeth 12 and the lower teeth 13 have a length that overlaps each other, and tooth portions 12a and 1 are provided at the overlapped portions, respectively.
3a is formed. The tooth portions 12a and 13a each have a rack-like configuration in which a plurality of linear peaks and valleys are formed in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the teeth.

Bolt 11 passing through upper teeth 12
The collar 15 is inserted into the holder. The collar 15 has a substantially drum-shaped cross section, with a large diameter at the center of the cross section and the same small diameter on both left and right sides. The base end of the upper tooth 12 into which the collar 15 is inserted is provided with a truncated conical hole 16 having different left and right diameters and an inner peripheral surface inclined toward one side. The small diameter part of the hole 16 is smaller than the large diameter part of the collar 15, and the upper teeth 12 are configured not to come off from the collar 15. A wave washer 17 is interposed on the small-diameter side, which contacts the inner surface of the support bracket 10 and one side of the upper tooth 12, and presses the upper tooth 12 toward the other side.

A collar 18 is fitted onto the bolt 14 passing through the lower teeth 13. The collar 18 has a substantially drum-shaped cross section, with a large diameter at the center of the cross section and the same small diameter on both left and right sides. A hole 19 in the shape of a truncated cone is bored in the base end of the lower tooth 13 into which the collar 18 is inserted, and the left and right diameters are different, and the inner peripheral surface is inclined to one side. The small diameter portion of the hole 19 is smaller than the large diameter portion of the collar 18, so that the lower tooth 13 is configured not to come off from the collar 18. A wave washer 20 is interposed on the small-diameter side, which contacts the inner surface of the support bracket 9 and one side of the lower tooth 13, and presses the lower tooth 13 toward the other side. In other words, this configuration is exactly the same as the configuration of the shaft support of the upper teeth 12.

Note that grooves 22, 22 are carved on both longitudinal sides of the lower teeth 13 in order to operate the engagement and release of the teeth 12a, 13a of the upper teeth 12 and lower teeth 13 with the operating lever 21. At the same time, the pins 23 are inserted perpendicularly to the left and right sides of the tip of the upper teeth 12. Embosses 24, 24 that engage with the grooves 22, 22 are formed on both the left and right inner walls, and
A lock lever 27 is provided with backwardly inclined elongated holes 25, 25 formed in the left and right side walls for engaging the pin 23, and has a tooth holding portion 26 with a substantially U-shaped cross section. 2
8 and the pin 29. Pin 29 is the operating lever 21
It is fixed in the hole 21a of. The operating lever 21 is rotatably attached by aligning a hole 21b at its base end with a hole 31 formed in the operating lever shaft support 39 of the guide bracket 30, and inserting a pin 32 therethrough. A compressible spring 33 is elastically mounted between the tooth holding portion 26 of the lock lever 27 and the upper tooth 12 via spring seats 34 and 35.

The guide bracket 30 is assembled by inserting the bolt 11 into a hole 36 formed at one end of the support bracket 1.
A long hole 37 is rotatably attached to one side of the support bracket 9 and the other end engages the bolt 14 on one side of the support bracket 9, and a square hole 38 is bored in the middle part, and the operation is perpendicular to one end. It is a plate body formed by bending a lever shaft support 39 and a spring receiver 42.

The flip-up spring 44 will be explained. A key-shaped spring receiver 40 extending from one side is integrally formed on the support bracket 9 and is arranged perpendicular to the column axis, and an embossed spring seat 41 is formed on the spring receiver 40. The spring receiver 40 is loosely fitted into the square hole 38 of the guide bracket 30. A spring receiver 42 arranged orthogonal to the column axis is bent at the end of the guide bracket 30, facing the spring receiver 40, and an embossed spring seat 43 is formed on the spring receiver 42. The spring seats 41, 43 engage the non-hook ends of the spring 44 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Therefore, to explain the operation of the above embodiment, when setting the tilt, when the operating lever 21 is pulled toward the user's hand and rotated, the lock lever 27 is moved to the lower teeth 1.
By moving rightward in FIG. 1 against the force of the spring 33 via the embossing 24 that engages with the groove 22 of No. 3, the pin 23 that engages with the rearwardly inclined elongated hole 25 moves toward the column side (upper side).
As a result, the teeth 12a and 13a of the upper teeth 12 and lower teeth 13 are disengaged from each other.

When the teeth 12a and 13a are disengaged, the movable bracket 3 is moved by the force of the compressed spring 44.
is instantaneously flipped upwards about the tilt hinge 4 as shown in FIG. When the movable bracket 3 is flipped up in this way, the bolt 11 of the support bracket 10 rotates around the tilt hinge 4, and the guide bracket 30, which is pivotally supported by the bolt 11, moves in parallel to the right in the figure, and the elongated hole 37 By moving to the right, bolt 1
It becomes a stopper that comes into contact with 4 and restricts the maximum amount of flip-up. Therefore, the steering wheel pivotally attached to the upper shaft 7 is flipped upward to the maximum extent possible.

When the movable bracket 3 rotates, the guide bracket 30 only moves back and forth and hardly moves in the vertical direction, so the spring receiver 42 provided on the guide bracket 30 does not tilt, so that the spring can be flipped up. 4
4 does not bend and the spring force acts effectively.

Accordingly, when the steering wheel is moved up and down as appropriate to set a desired inclination angle, and in this state the operating lever 21 is pushed back to its original state, the lock lever 27 moves to the left in the figure. Therefore, when the pin 23 that engages with the elongated hole 25 moves toward the lower teeth 13, the upper teeth 12 move away from the column (downward), and the teeth 12a and 13a mesh with each other. This engagement is maintained by the force of the spring 33 so that it will not come off.

[0029]

According to the present invention described above, since the tilt steering column is provided with a tilt lock mechanism having upper teeth and lower teeth that overlap and mesh in the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the column axis, the tilt center can be adjusted. When the tilt lock of the upper column is tilted as desired about the center, all the teeth in the overlapping portions mesh with each other, improving the meshing strength and causing no play (misalignment). Furthermore, since the compression spring for flipping up is mounted between the lower column and the upper column, there is no need to process the spring ends, and the space for the spring seat can be simplified. Furthermore, the lock lever can be moved in the direction of the column axis in conjunction with an operating lever pivoted on a guide bracket that moves together with the rotation and displacement of the upper column, so that the engagement between the upper and lower teeth is always aligned with the column axis. It can be guided and held in a substantially parallel state. Further, the guide bracket always maintains the upper tooth and the lower tooth in a state substantially parallel to the column axis even if the upper column rotates and is displaced, thereby improving the operability of locking and unlocking.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

[Fig. 6] Action explanatory diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

Claims (5)

[Claims] [Claim 1] One end portions of an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a predetermined length are rotatably attached to the upper column and the lower column respectively in the vicinity of the tilt center in a manner substantially parallel to the column axis, and the upper tooth and the lower tooth are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. What is claimed is: 1. A tilt steering column characterized by forming teeth portions that engage with each other in the longitudinal direction on the overlapping surfaces thereof, and having a tilt lock mechanism that locks or unlocks the engagement between the upper teeth and the lower teeth. [Claim 2] One end portions of an upper tooth and a lower tooth of a predetermined length are rotatably attached to the upper column and the lower column respectively in the vicinity of the tilt center in a manner substantially parallel to the column axis, and the upper tooth and the lower tooth are respectively pivoted. tooth portions that mesh with each other in the longitudinal direction are formed on the overlapping surfaces of the teeth, and a tilt lock mechanism is provided to lock or unlock the meshing of the upper teeth and the lower teeth, and one end portion is rotatable toward the upper column side. A guide bracket is provided which is pivoted and whose other end is connected to the lower column side through a long hole, and an operating lever for operating a tilt lock mechanism is rotatably supported on the guide bracket, and the upper column A tilt steering column characterized in that a compression spring is interposed between the lower column and the lower column. 3. The tilt lock mechanism includes a lock lever that partially engages with the operating lever and is movable in the column axis direction.
A tooth clamping member that clamps the upper teeth and lower teeth is integrally formed, and when the lock lever is moved toward the upper column using the operation lever, the engagement between the upper teeth and the lower teeth is released, and when it is moved toward the lower column, the engagement is locked. The tilt steering column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tilt steering column comprises: 4. The tooth holding member has a pin that engages with a groove formed on both longitudinal sides of the lower tooth, and has an inclined elongated hole that engages with an embossed protrusion that projects on both sides of the upper tooth. 4. The tilt steering column according to claim 3, wherein the tilt steering column has the following characteristics: 5. The tilt steering column according to claim 1, wherein the compression spring is compressed and suspended between a guide bracket and a support bracket fixed to the lower column. .