JPH05330435A - Impact absorbing structure for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To absorb the impact force applied to the driver's chest, in the collision of a vehicle. CONSTITUTION:A contact member 11 which presses the lower edge part of a steering shaft 1 rearward, together with a dashboard 8, in collision of a vehicle, is installed at the position corresponding to the lower edge part of a steering shaft 1 on a dashboard 8. The contact member 11, retreats, together with the dashboard 8 when the vehicle collides, by making the supporting rigidity of the lower edge part of the steering shaft 1 to the weak rigidity for the ordinary support, and the lower edge part of the steering shaft 1 is pressed toward the rear part of the car body, and then the steering shaft 1 turns, and the impact force applied to the driver's chest part can be absorbed efficiently.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile shock absorbing structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-49173, for example, an intermediate portion of a steering shaft is a first supporting portion by a steering supporting member, and a lower end portion is a second supporting portion of a vehicle body side portion such as a dashboard. Steering support structures for motor vehicles that are each supported by a section are known.

By the way, in such a vehicle, when the occupant's chest collides with the steering shaft (steering wheel) at the time of vehicle collision, the steering shaft rotates (moves forward) while absorbing the impact.
Since the turning force greatly reduces the impact force applied to the chest of the occupant, it is desirable that the steering shaft be turned during a vehicle collision.

[0004]

However, in such a structure, since the lower end portion of the steering shaft is connected and supported to the dashboard via, for example, a bracket, the steering shaft of the steering shaft may differ depending on the shape of the bracket. Rotation is restricted, and the steering shaft may not rotate properly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shock absorbing structure for an automobile capable of absorbing the impact force on the chest of an occupant during a vehicle collision.

[0006]

According to the present invention, the first portion of the steering shaft is formed by the steering support member.
It is premised on a shock absorbing structure of an automobile in which the lower end is supported by the second supporting portion of the vehicle body side portion such as a dashboard.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a contact member that presses the lower end portion of the steering shaft rearward in a vehicle collision on the vehicle body side portion such as the dashboard is located at a position corresponding to the lower end portion of the steering shaft. The configuration provided in.

In the second aspect of the invention, the steering shaft is provided with an airbag means at the upper end portion together with the steering wheel.

According to another aspect of the invention, the steering shaft is rotatably supported by the steering column.
The steering column has a collapsible structure that shrinks and absorbs an impact load when a compressive load in the axial direction acts.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the steering shaft is rotatably supported by the tubular steering column, and the steering column includes a tilt mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle of the steering column.

In the invention of claim 5, the lower end of the steering shaft is connected to the arch-shaped support bracket on the side of the vehicle body.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, the second support portion is provided with guide means for restricting a large upward movement of the steering column and moving the steering column downward in the event of a vehicle collision.

According to the invention of claim 7, the steering column has a column cover inside which a key cylinder is provided to cover the steering column, and a spacer member is provided between the column cover and the key cylinder.

[0014]

According to the invention of claim 1, the supporting rigidity of the lower end portion of the steering shaft is made so weak that it does not interfere with the support at the normal time, so that at the time of a vehicle collision, together with the vehicle body side portion such as the dashboard. If the contact member is retracted so that the lower end of the steering shaft is pushed rearward of the vehicle body, the steering shaft is rotated while absorbing the impact, and the impact force on the chest of the occupant is efficiently absorbed.

According to the invention of claim 2, in the event of a vehicle collision,
By the rotation of the steering shaft, the impact force due to the deployment of the airbag of the airbag means received by the occupant is also buffered.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the event of a vehicle collision,
Since the steering shaft rotates, deformation such as bending of the steering shaft is reduced, and when a compressive load in the axial direction acts on the steering column, the steered column easily contracts and the collapsible structure absorbs shock. It is done efficiently.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the tilt mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle of the steering column causes the first support portion for swingably supporting the steering shaft to rotate the steering shaft at the time of a vehicle collision. The center of the steering shaft is easily centered, and the steering shaft can be smoothly rotated when a vehicle collides.

According to the invention of claim 5, the support bracket of the vehicle body side portion such as the dashboard to which the lower end portion of the steering shaft is connected has an arch shape, and the lower end portion of the steering shaft is pressed by the contact member. Since it is easily deformed, the second support portion is easily moved due to the deformation.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the steering shaft is rotated downward by the guide means, and a large upward rotation of the steering shaft that hinders buffering of impact due to a collision is suppressed.

According to the invention of claim 7, the space between the spacer member and the key cylinder is reduced by the spacer member, and the knee portion of the occupant is placed on the column before the tilt movement of the airbag means due to the deployment of the airbag. The tilt movement is performed while abutting on the cover and absorbing the impact.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing a schematic structure, a steering shaft 1 is rotatably supported by a tubular steering column 2, and the steering column 2 is supported by a tilt bracket 3 at an intermediate portion thereof. The tilt brackets 3 are supported on the lower surface of the steering bracket 5 via bolts 4 on both the left and right sides of the steering column 2. Both ends of the steering bracket 5 are fixed to a first support portion of a pipe-shaped steering support member 6 that is a vehicle body side member that is joined to the vehicle body side portion and extends in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, a bow-shaped mounting bracket 7 is attached to the lower end of the steering shaft 1 to form the lower end.

Further, the lower end of the steering shaft 1 is attached to a dashboard 8 (vehicle body portion), and a pin 1 is attached to an arch-shaped support bracket 9 which is curved and extends downward.
It is rotatably connected via 0. The support bracket 9 is curved downward, and an elongated hole 9a is formed in the central portion thereof, which makes it easier to deform. In addition, via the support bracket 9 to the dashboard 8,
Abutting member 11 formed to be curved so as to project rearward
When the vehicle collides, the abutting member 11 abuts the lower end portion (mounting bracket 7) of the steering shaft 1 and pushes the lower end portion of the steering shaft 1 rearward when the dashboard 8 moves backward. It has become.

The tilt bracket 3 has a guide hole 3a.
By adjusting the insertion position of the bolt 12 in the guide hole 3a by the tilt lever 13, the steering column 2 is moved to the pin 1 at the front end thereof.
It is designed to be supported so as to be vertically rotatable about 0.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the tilt brackets 3 are provided on both sides of the steering column 2, and an M-shaped bracket 14 is welded to the lower surface of the steering column 2. Bracket 1
A sleeve 15 that extends in the vehicle width direction is welded to the No. 4. Then, these M-shaped bracket 14 and sleeve 1
5, a long bolt 16 is fitted and screwed to a spacer nut 17. At this time, the bolts 16 are inserted into the guide holes 3a of the tilt brackets 3 located on both sides of the M-shaped bracket 14, so that the tilt brackets 3 are sandwiched between the bolts 16 and the spacer nuts 17 and the M-shaped bracket 14. It has become so. Further, a short bolt 12 fixed to the tilt lever 13 is screwed to the spacer nut 17, and the tilt lever 13 is attached.
The surface pressure of the spacer nut 17 on the tilt bracket 3 can be increased or decreased by rotating the.

Therefore, when the tilt lever 13 is rotated to the unlocked position to reduce the surface pressure, the bolt 1
2 can slide up and down in the guide hole 3a, so after adjusting the steering column 2 to a desired tilt angle in this state,
The tilt angle of the steering column 2 can be adjusted by rotating the tilt lever 13 to the lock position to increase the surface pressure.

The tilt brackets 3 extend in the left-right direction along the lower surface of the steering bracket 5, and the left and right ends thereof wrap around upward along the outer surfaces of the vertical walls 5a at the left and right ends of the steering bracket 5. And constitutes a flange 3b as a restricting piece that engages with the vertical wall 5a. Each flange 3b extends in the axial direction of the steering column 2 along the vertical wall 5a of the steering bracket 5. Therefore, the rotational displacement of both the tilt brackets 3 with respect to the steering bracket 5 is prevented by the engagement between the flange 3b and the vertical wall 5a. In order to prevent the tilt brackets 3 and 3 from being deformed in a V shape at the time of a vehicle collision and to facilitate collapse in the axial direction of the steering shaft 1, as shown in FIG. Reinforcing patches 18, 18 may be provided to reinforce the tilt brackets 3, 3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 2 is formed in a telescope shape, and the steering shaft 1 has a core pin 1a and a sleeve 1b connected to each other via a shear pin 21. Is sheared when a compressive load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the steering shaft 1, whereby the steering column 2 and the steering shaft 1 are contracted in the axial direction, and have a collapsible structure that absorbs an impact load at the time of a vehicle collision. .. When the steering column 2 and the steering shaft 1 are abruptly contracted at the time of a vehicle collision, the impact energy is not sufficiently absorbed. Therefore, each tilt bracket 3 is provided with a U-shaped member 22, and the U-shaped member 22 is deformed. Is designed to absorb impact energy.

A steering wheel 23 is attached to the upper end of the steering shaft 1, and
An airbag means 24 is provided so as to be located at a substantially central portion of the steering wheel 23.

Notches 3c are formed in the tilt bracket 3 so that the tilt bracket 3 is easily damaged so that the bolt 12 does not restrict the collapse during a vehicle collision.

According to the above structure, since the lower end of the steering shaft 1 is supported by the arch-shaped support bracket 9 which is easily deformed, the supporting rigidity of the lower end of the steering shaft 1 is normally supported. When the vehicle collides, the abutting member 11 having a relatively high rigidity is retracted due to the retreat of the vehicle body side portion such as the dashboard 8 and the like, and the corresponding abutting member 11
Presses the lower end of the steering shaft 1 toward the rear of the vehicle body, the steering shaft 1 is rotated counterclockwise while absorbing the impact, and the impact force on the chest of the occupant is efficiently absorbed. Further, when the vehicle collides, the steering shaft 1 is rotated to alleviate the impact force on the occupant due to the deployment of the airbag of the airbag means 24.

In addition, since the steering shaft 1 rotates as described above at the time of a vehicle collision, deformation such as bending of the steering shaft 1 is reduced, and when a compressive load is applied to the steering column 2 in the axial direction thereof. The steering column 2 is easily contracted, and the impact is efficiently absorbed by the collapsible structure.

Since the steering shaft 1 is provided with the tilt mechanism, the first support portion that swingably supports the steering shaft 1 is likely to serve as the center of rotation of the steering shaft 1 in the event of a vehicle collision, thus causing a vehicle collision. At this time, the steering shaft 1 is smoothly rotated.

The mounting bracket 7 at the lower end of the steering shaft 1 is attached to the dashboard 8 (vehicle body side portion).
Since the support bracket 9 is connected to the side arch-shaped support bracket 9, the support bracket 9 is likely to be greatly deformed when the lower end of the steering shaft 1 is pressed by the contact member 11. As the mounting bracket 7 and the support bracket 9 are deformed, the second support portion becomes easy to move.

In the above embodiment, the steering wheel is
So that the shaft 1 moves upward, that is, rotates counterclockwise.
However, if the Steering shaft rotates too much, it will cause an impact.
Since it is considered that the effect of absorption is small, the U-shaped member 22
Change the shape, as shown in Figure 3,
A U-shaped member 22A having an inclined portion 22a inclined to the side.
On the other hand, it is guided by contacting it with a corresponding shape.
The guide member 26 to be mounted on the tilt bracket 3.
Then, as the steering shaft 1 moves downward,
While deforming the holding bracket 9, the guide member 26 and the U-shape are deformed.
Tilt provided with the guide member 26 in the engagement relationship of the member 22A
Move the bracket 3 and thus the steering shaft 1 downward.
To prevent large counterclockwise rotation.
You can also do it.

By the way, in the above embodiment, since the air bag means 24 is provided, the tilt operation is performed due to the input from the chest of the occupant due to the deployment of the air bag of the air bag means 24. If the occupant's knees collide with a highly rigid key cylinder in the column cover covering the steering column due to the relative movement of the occupant after the operation, the occupant's knees cannot be sufficiently protected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, between the column cover 31 covering the steering column and the key cylinder 32, a spacer member 3 made of, for example, an iron plate and functioning as a near protector 3 is provided.
3, the impact energy can be reduced by the spacer member 33 without directly colliding with the key cylinder 32. That is, since the steering shaft 1 rotates after the occupant's knee collides with the spacer member 33, the rotation can reduce the impact.

In the above embodiment, the collapsible structure is adopted, and the steering system is collapsed by the load from the occupant's chest to reduce the load acting on the occupant's chest. Since the column cover of the steering shaft is located at, if the rigidity of the instrument panel core is high, the upward rotation of the steering shaft is hindered. Therefore, in order to rotate the steering shaft while reducing the impact, as shown in FIG. 6, an opening 41a for inserting, for example, a cigarette or an air conditioner is provided above the central portion of the instrument panel core 41. Therefore, the notch 41d is formed in the opening 41b where the column cover is located and the portion 41c located between the opening 41b.
When the column cover is rotated upward together with the steering column to push up the instrument panel core 41, the instrument panel core 41 is broken by using the notch 41a portion as a clasp to reduce the instrument panel deformation load, and the column cover collapses. The impact energy can be absorbed easily and efficiently.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, since the airbag means is provided, the weight of the entire steering system is increased and the vibration is easily generated. Therefore, the dynamic damper can be attached. In that case, it is conceivable to provide a dynamic damper at the lower end of the steering shaft via a dynamic damper mounting bracket. However, if so, the rigidity of that portion is increased by the dynamic damper mounting bracket, and as a result, the steering shaft is It may become difficult to deform due to shock absorption. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a dynamic damper mounting bracket 52 for mounting the dynamic damper 51 to the mounting bracket 7 is provided on one side only with respect to the center of the steering shaft 1 by bolts 53, 53 and nuts. 54, 54
When the vehicle collides, the deformation is concentrated on a portion where the bracket 52 is not provided, and the deformation can be largely changed to be advantageous in absorbing the shock. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the spacer member 5 is provided between the mounting bracket 7 and the dynamic damper mounting bracket 52A.
5, or mounting bracket 7A as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to secure a large deformation by increasing the deformable amount of the mounting bracket 7A by providing the seat surface portion 7a for floating the dynamic damper mounting bracket 52.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the steering shaft is supported by the contact member at the time of a vehicle collision by making the supporting rigidity of the lower end portion of the steering shaft so weak that it can normally be supported. It is possible to push the lower end portion of the vehicle rearward, rotate the steering shaft at the time of a vehicle collision, and efficiently absorb the impact force on the chest of the occupant.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the airbag means is provided, the impact force due to the deployment of the airbag of the airbag means to the occupant is buffered by the rotation of the steering shaft during a vehicle collision.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the steering shaft is rotated in the event of a vehicle collision, the deformation of the steering shaft is suppressed, whereby the steering column contracts when a compressive load in the axial direction acts on the steering column. It becomes easy and the collapsible structure effectively absorbs impact energy.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the tilt mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle of the steering shaft is provided, the first support portion that supports the steering shaft so that it can swing is likely to be the center of rotation, and shock absorption is required. In the above, the advantageous rotation of the steering shaft is smoothly performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the support bracket on the vehicle body side, to which the lower end of the steering shaft is connected, has an arched shape and is easily deformed, the second support part moves along with the deformation. It becomes easier and is advantageous in terms of shock absorption.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the steering shaft is rotated downward by the guide means, a large upward rotation of the steering shaft is suppressed.
It is possible to prevent the shock absorbing effect from being reduced due to a large upward rotation of the steering shaft.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the gap between the spacer member and the key cylinder is reduced by the spacer member, the knee portion of the occupant abuts the column cover prior to the tilt movement due to the deployment of the airbag. Since the tilt movement can be performed while absorbing the impact, it is advantageous in absorbing the impact.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a shock absorbing structure of an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a modified example of a shock absorbing structure of an automobile.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of another modified example of the automobile shock absorbing structure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another modified example.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another modification.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lower end portion of a steering shaft.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the lower end portion of the steering shaft.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the lower end portion of the steering shaft.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Steering shaft 2 Steering column 3 Tilt bracket 6 Steering support member 8 Dashboard 9 Support bracket 11 Abutment member 23 Steering wheel 24 Airbag means 26 Guide means 31 Column cover 32 Key cylinder

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Kadota No. 3 Shinchi Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuaki Matsui No. 3 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Corporation Within

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A shock absorbing structure for an automobile, wherein an intermediate portion of a steering shaft is supported by a first supporting portion by a steering supporting member, and a lower end portion thereof is supported by a second supporting portion of a vehicle body side portion such as a dashboard. When the vehicle collides with the vehicle body side part such as the dashboard,
A shock absorbing structure for an automobile, wherein an abutting member for pressing the lower end of the steering shaft rearward is provided at a position corresponding to the lower end of the steering shaft. 2. The shock absorbing structure for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the steering shaft is provided with an airbag means together with a steering wheel at an upper end portion. 3. A steering shaft is rotatably supported by a steering column, and the steering column is
The collapsible structure which contracts when an axial compressive load is applied to absorb the impact load.
The shock absorbing structure of the automobile described. 4. A shock absorber for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the steering shaft is rotatably supported by a tubular steering column, and the steering column is provided with a tilt mechanism for adjusting an inclination angle of the steering column. Construction. 5. The shock absorbing structure for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a lower end portion of the steering shaft is connected to an arch-shaped support bracket on a vehicle body portion side. 6. The shock absorption of an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the second support portion is provided with guide means for restricting a large upward movement of the steering column and moving the steering column downward in the event of a vehicle collision. Construction. 7. The steering column has a column cover inside which a key cylinder is provided to cover the steering column, and a spacer member is provided between the column cover and the key cylinder. Shock absorption structure of automobile.