JPH0522463Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a tilt hinge structure for a tilt type steering column device.

[Conventional technology]

In general, various improvements have been made to passenger cars to make them more comfortable to use.In particular, in order to improve maneuverability, seat movement devices are installed to ensure the driver's optimal driving position. Of course, a tilt-type steering column device is used that allows the steering wheel to move up and down.

Therefore, to explain this type of conventional tilt type steering column device, as shown in FIG. possible to be pivoted. The fixed bracket 6 and the movable bracket 8 include
A steering shaft 2 connected via a bendable universal joint 3 coaxially with the tilt hinge 10 is accommodated. The upper part of the steering shaft 2 rotatably passes through an upper tube 7 connected to a movable bracket 8, and a steering wheel 9 is fixed to the end thereof, and the lower part of the steering shaft 2 is connected to a fixed bracket 6. It rotatably passes through the lower tube 4, passes through the vehicle body 5 such as the wall of the engine room, and is connected to the front wheel control device. Although not shown, a flip-up spring is loaded between the fixed bracket 6 and the movable bracket 8 to bias the steering wheel 9 upward (in the direction of arrow R in the figure).
A tilt lever 11 is provided for setting the rotation angle of the movable bracket 8 as desired. By operating the tilt lever 11, the movable bracket 8 rotates about the tilt hinge 10.

By the way, the structure of the above-mentioned tilt hinge 10 is
To explain based on the figure, the bush 18 is passed through the through hole 16 of the movable bracket 8, and the bush 1
8 is fixed to the movable bracket 8 by a welded portion 13. The shaft hole 20 of the bush 18 constitutes a rotation hole for the bolt 12 which projects from the fixed bracket 6 and serves as a rotation shaft. A collar 15 is loosely fitted onto the bolt 12, and the collar 15 is loosely fitted into the shaft hole 20. Furthermore, a nut 14 as a tightening member is screwed into the end of the bolt 12, and a washer 34 is inserted. Both ends of the collar 15 can be pressed into contact with the fixing bracket 6 and the washer 34, and are tightened with nuts 14 that are threaded onto the bolts 12. Therefore, tighten nut 14 and collar 1.
5 is brought into pressure contact with the washer 34 and the fixed bracket 6 and fixed by tightening, the movable bracket 8 becomes freely rotatable via the bush 18 loosely fitted into the collar 15.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, according to the conventional tilt hinge structure as described above, a clearance C is formed between the collar 15 and the bush 18, so when the steering wheel 9 is set and fixed at the desired optimum driving position, the steering When a radial force is applied to the wheel 9, the collar 15 may come into partial contact with the inner surface of the bush 18, that is, the steering wheel may shake, and the feeling of gripping the steering wheel 9 may be accompanied by a slight sense of apprehension. Comfortable maneuverability was not compromised.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention attempts to improve the tilt hinge structure of the above-mentioned tilt type steering column device.The present invention has a structure in which the movable bracket supporting the steering wheel is fixed to the vehicle body. fixed bracket,
It is pivotably supported via a tilt hinge consisting of a rotation hole, a collar loosely fitted into the rotation hole, a collar inserted through the collar, and a tightening member provided on the collar. In the tilt type steering column device, a conical tapered hole is formed at an end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotation hole, and a conical cylindrical elastic body is formed between the collar and the tapered hole. A tilt hinge of a tilt type steering column device, wherein a wedge ring is tightly fitted and the wedge ring is pressed by the tightening member with the collar being tightened and fixed between the fixed bracket and the tightening member. Provide structure.

[Effect]

According to the above structure of the present invention, the wedge ring enters the clearance existing between the rotation hole and the collar and substantially eliminates the clearance, so that even if a radial force is applied to the steering wheel, the steering column remains unchanged. Prevent rattling. Since the wedge ring is a conical cylindrical elastic body, it elastically deforms along the tapered hole of the rotation hole to maintain a constant clearance. It has a buffering effect and alleviates any looseness that may occur. Furthermore, the wedge ring performs a sealing function to prevent dust and the like from entering the rotation hole.

In addition, the collar is loosely fitted into the rotation hole, and only the portion of the collar that faces the tapered hole provided at the end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotation hole is free from the elastic body. Since the structure uses a wedge ring to eliminate clearance, furthermore, even if the coaxiality between the rotation shaft and the rotation hole is poor and they cannot be set on the same axis, the rotation hole and The wedge ring made of an elastic body deforms to compensate for the clearance created between the collar and the collar, and can absorb the axis misalignment between the two.
The movable bracket swings smoothly relative to the fixed bracket without twisting.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below based on an illustrated embodiment.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts, Figure 2 is Figure 1-
It is a line sectional view, and portions in the figure with the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 3 and 4 indicate the same or corresponding components as in the conventional example.

As shown in FIG. 1, a bush 18 is fixed to the tilt hinge 10 of the movable bracket 8, and the bush 18 has a conical tapered hole 32 formed on its inner peripheral surface. And this button 18 has color 15.
A conical cylindrical wedge ring 33 that fits into the collar 15 is inserted, and a bolt 12 serving as a rotation shaft is inserted into the collar 15. Further, a nut 14 as a tightening member is screwed into the end of the bolt 12, and a washer 34 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 2, the bolt 12 is tightened with the nut 14, and the washer 34 presses the collar 15 against the fixing bracket 6 side. On the other hand, the wedge ring 33 is the washer 3.
4 along the tapered hole 32 and the outer periphery of the collar 15 in the axial direction of the bolt 12. Therefore, the tapered portion of the bush 18 and one end of the collar 15 receive a reaction force due to the elastic force of the wedge ring, and the clearance between the shaft hole 20 of the bush 18 and the outer periphery of the collar 15 is maintained constant. I can do it. Therefore, if the nut 14 is tightened with the movable bracket 8 rotatable about the bolt 12 relative to the fixed bracket 6 until the collar 15 is tightened and fixed between the fixed bracket 6 and the washer 34, Color 15 and Button 1
Since the wedge ring 33 pressed by the washer 34 is tightly fitted into the tapered part of the upper tube 7,
Even if there is a looseness due to the dimension of the clearance C, it is alleviated by the wedge ring 33 and prevents the collar 15 and the bush 18 from coming into contact with each other intermittently,
To that extent, the contact feeling transmitted to the steering wheel 9 is reduced or eliminated. Also, Natsu 14
is tightened until the washer 34 hits the collar 15, so the tightening force and pressing force are always equal to the collar 15.
It is possible to prevent the wedge ring 33 from being damaged or the tilt hinge 10 to operate more slowly due to over-tightening of the nut 14. Although the wedge ring 33 is made of an elastic material, the material may be rubber, polyurethane, or the like.

[Effect of idea]

According to the present invention described above, the movable bracket that supports the steering wheel has a rotation hole in the fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body, a collar that is loosely fitted in the rotation hole, and a collar that is inserted through the collar. In a tilt type steering column device which is rotatably supported via a tilt hinge consisting of a collar and a tightening member provided on the collar, a conical taper is provided at the end of the inner circumferential surface of the rotation hole. A wedge ring made of a conical cylindrical elastic body is tightly fitted between the collar and the tapered hole, and the wedge ring is arranged such that the collar is connected to the fixing bracket and the tightening member. Since the wedge ring is pressed by the tightening member while being tightened and fixed between the wedge ring and the collar, the clearance formed between the rotation hole and the collar can always be kept constant.

Furthermore, the collar is loosely fitted into the rotation hole, and only the portion of the collar that faces the tapered hole provided at the end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotation hole is free from the elastic body. Since there is no clearance between the rotation hole, the wedge ring made of the elastic body, and the collar, play can be suppressed.

Therefore, even if the movable bracket is fixed at a predetermined tilt position and a radial force is applied to the steering wheel, clearance play will not occur, or even if it does occur, it will be alleviated.

Therefore, the driver does not feel a slight sense of apprehension while gripping the steering wheel, and can perform comfortable steering.

Moreover, since the wedge ring can fit tightly into the rotation hole and the collar, it prevents dust from entering the rotation hole, and also prevents lubricants such as grease from hardening. Prevent lubricant leakage.

Furthermore, even if the accuracy of coaxiality between the rotation shaft and the rotation hole is poor and they cannot be set on the same axis, the clearance created between the rotation hole and the collar can be compensated for by a wedge made of an elastic body. Since the ring deforms to absorb the axial misalignment between the two, the movable bracket can swing smoothly relative to the fixed bracket without being strained.

In addition, the collar prevents the wedge ring from being damaged due to over-tightening the nut, and by regulating the tightening force of the nut, the pressing force of the wedge ring can be kept constant, preventing the tilt hinge from becoming too heavy to operate. , etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a tilt hinge structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a side view showing an example of a tilt type steering column device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line in FIG. 3 showing an example of a conventional tilt hinge structure. 5...Vehicle body, 6...Fixed bracket, 7...Upper tube, 8...Movable bracket, 9...
Steering wheel, 10... tilt hinge,
12... Bolt (rotation shaft), 14... Nut (tightening member), 15... Collar, 20... Rotation hole, 3
2... Tapered hole portion, 33... Wedge ring, 34...
Washers (tightening members).

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model claims] A movable bracket that supports the steering wheel includes a fixed bracket fixed to the vehicle body, a rotation hole, a collar loosely fitted into the rotation hole, a rotation shaft inserted through the collar, and the rotation shaft. In a tilt type steering column device which is rotatably supported via a tilt hinge consisting of a tightening member provided in the pivot hole, a conical tapered hole is formed at an inner peripheral surface end of the rotation hole. A wedge ring made of a conical cylindrical elastic body is tightly fitted between the collar and the tapered hole, and the wedge ring is tightened between the collar and the fixing bracket and the tightening member. A tilt hinge structure for a tilt type steering column device, characterized in that the hinge structure is pressed by the tightening member in a fixed state.