JPH0620164U - Shock absorption steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The number of parts is reduced and the parts are assembled in a shock absorbing steering device that is capable of reducing the shock that a driver receives from a collision with a steering wheel in the event of a car collision or the like. Improve workability. [Structure] The steering column 4 and its column support bracket 6 are axially displaceable, and both ends 11, 12 of an energy absorbing member 10 connecting the column support bracket 6 and the vehicle body 1 are opposite to each other. It extends in the direction. The intermediate portion 13 of the energy absorbing member 10 has a bellows shape and absorbs impact energy there.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a shock absorbing steering device capable of reducing a shock that a driver receives from a collision with a steering wheel in the event of an automobile collision or the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 When installing the steering column on the vehicle body, the steering column and the vehicle body are connected by an energy absorbing member, and the energy absorbing member absorbs the impact when the driver collides with the steering wheel, resulting in a vehicle collision accident or the like. At this time, there is known a shock absorbing steering device which is capable of absorbing a shock received by a driver.

As shown in FIG. 8, the shock absorbing steering device of this conventional example has a U-shaped intermediate portion 113 mounted on a vehicle body 1 by means of a bolt 15 for mounting a column support bracket 6 for holding a steering column 4. One end 111 of the energy absorbing member 100 having the above is fixed, and the other end 112 of the energy absorbing member 100 is fixed to the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6 by the rivet 16, and the U-shaped portion of the energy absorbing member 100 is further fixed. 126 is sandwiched between the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6 and the guide bracket 125.

When the steering column 4 receives an impact load from the driver during a vehicle collision or the like, the shock absorbing steering device of this conventional example causes the intermediate portion 113 of the energy absorbing member 100 to move as shown in FIG. The steering column 4 and the column support bracket 6 are displaced in the axial direction while plastically deforming to absorb the energy caused by the collision with the driver.

8 and 9, a U-shaped energy absorbing member 100, a rivet 16 for fixing the energy absorbing member 100 to the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6, and a U of the energy absorbing member 100. The three members of the guide bracket 125 for sandwiching the character portion 126 are used to exert this shock absorbing function.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the case of the conventional shock absorbing steering device, when the one end 112 of the U-shaped energy absorbing member 100 is fixed to the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6 by the rivet 16, the guide bracket 125 is riveted. However, there is a problem that the workability of assembling is poor.

The invention of the present application proposes an impact absorbing steering apparatus which not only reduces the difficulty of the assembling work such as the rivet crimping work but also reduces the number of parts. Is.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the shock absorbing steering device of the present invention is a steering column that rotatably supports a steering wheel shaft 3 having a steering wheel 2 mounted on the upper end side, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7. 4 is mounted on the vehicle body 1 by a column support bracket 6 in a state in which it can be displaced in the axial direction of the steering column 4, and a bellows-shaped intermediate that can be deformed between both ends 11 and 12 extending in mutually opposite directions. The one end 11 side of the energy absorbing member 10 having the portion 13 is locked to the vehicle body 1 and the other end 12 side is locked to the column support bracket.

[0009]

[Action]

 The shock absorbing steering device of the present invention is normally in a normal state as illustrated in FIG. That is, the steering column 4 and the column support bracket 6 that holds the steering column 4 are positioned at regular positions, and the driver can operate the steering wheel 2 normally to drive the automobile.

Next, when the vehicle collides with the steering wheel 2 and the driver strongly collides with the steering wheel 2, the column support bracket 6 as well as the steering column 4 receives the axial force and is displaced in the axial direction. In that case, since one end 11 side of the energy absorbing member 10 is fixed to the vehicle body 1 side and the other end 12 side is locked to the column support bracket 6 side, the energy absorbing member 10 is adapted to the axial displacement of the column support bracket 6. As a result, the bellows-shaped intermediate portion 13 extends, thereby absorbing the collision energy between the driver and the steering wheel 2.

[0011]

[Effect of device]

 According to the present invention, the energy absorbing member 10 having the bellows-shaped intermediate portion 13 which can be expanded and contracted between the both ends 11 and 12 extending in mutually opposite directions is used as the shock absorbing member. Since one side is fastened to the vehicle body 1 side by bolts 15 and the other one end 12 side is fastened to the column support bracket 6 side by rivets 16 respectively, the U-shaped energy in the conventional example shown in FIG. As shown in the conventional example of FIG. 4, the bellows-shaped member is used as an element that absorbs impact energy, while it has the effect of improving the difficulty in working such as when riveting the absorption member 100. Since no member such as the guide bracket 25 is required, it is effective in reducing the number of parts and assembling steps.

[0012]

【Example】

 1 to 7, some embodiments of the present invention will be described. In each drawing, reference numeral 1 is a vehicle body, 2 is a steering wheel, 3 is a steering shaft, 4 is a steering column, and 5 is a steering wheel. A bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft 3 in the steering column 4 and a column support bracket 6 for supporting the steering column 4. The steering column 4 and the column support bracket 6 are integrated with each other by a method such as welding.

The column support bracket 6 has a body portion 21 for holding the steering column 4 from below, and a pair of flange portions 22 for attaching the column support bracket 6 to the vehicle body 1 side (note that 1 to 7 show only one flange portion 22). A long groove 24 (see FIG. 4) is formed in the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6, and the locking member 7 is fitted in the long groove 24. The locking member 7 has a pair of upper flanges 7A and lower flanges 7B on both sides, and the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6 is sandwiched between the upper and lower flanges 7A, 7B and a plurality of them are provided. The pins 17 made of synthetic resin (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are integrated with each other. Each pin 17 is broken by a shearing force when the column support bracket 6 is displaced in the axial direction when an impact occurs.

A long hole 7C is formed in the center of the locking member 7, and the locking member 7 and the column support bracket 6 are attached to the vehicle body 1 by bolts 15 fitted through the long hole 7C.

As the locking member 7, for example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 52-141737, a film made of a synthetic resin having a low friction coefficient is formed on the inner surface of a plate bent in a U-shape. It is also possible to use those coated with and having bolt holes.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an energy absorbing member (material is made of metal) which is a main part of the present invention, and the energy absorbing member 10 is capable of expanding and contracting between both ends 11 and 12 extending in mutually opposite directions. It has a bellows-shaped intermediate portion 13. Then, one end (upper end) 11 side of the energy absorbing member 10 is fixed by the bolt 15 and the other end (lower end) 12 side is locked by the rivet 16 to the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6. ing. The rivet fitting hole 23 formed in the one end 12 of the energy absorbing member 10 is an elongated hole having a width a in the front and rear direction as shown in FIG. When the rivet 16 is fitted, a space having a width b is formed on the lower side thereof.

Next, the operation of the shock absorbing steering device of the above embodiment will be described. In the shock absorbing steering device, in the normal use state, the energy absorbing member 10 has an intermediate portion as shown in FIGS. When the driver collides with the steering wheel 2 with a large force in the event of an automobile collision or the like, the clearance between the flange portion 22 of the column support bracket 6 and the locking member 7 is first reduced. The plurality of synthetic resin pins 17 provided in the column are cut to separate the column support bracket 6 from the locking member 7. During that time, the column support bracket 6 is displaced in the axial direction by a predetermined distance, but the lower edge 23a of the elongated hole 23 formed at the one end 12 of the energy absorbing member 10 remains in contact with the rivet 16 (distance b). When the lower edge 23a of the elongated hole comes into contact with the rivet 16 by the empty feeding, the energy absorbing action of the energy absorbing member 10 is started. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate portion 13 of the energy absorbing member 10 expands to absorb the impact, thereby exerting an impact mitigating effect on the driver.

The shock absorbing action of the shock absorbing steering device of the above-described embodiment is as described above, but the steering device of the same embodiment configured by applying the present invention simply has the energy having the bellows-like intermediate portion 13. A shock absorbing function is obtained by adding two members, the absorbing member 10 and the rivet 16, and a guide bracket 25 is required in addition to the energy absorbing member 100 and the rivet 16 as in the conventional example shown in FIG. As compared with the above case, there is an effect that the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced. Further, the energy absorbing member 10 used in the present invention has both ends 11 and 12 extending in mutually opposite directions (in other words, it is not U-shaped as in the conventional example of FIG. 8), so that one end thereof. It is also excellent in workability when the rivet 16 is caulked on the 12th side. 6 and 7 show various modifications of the energy absorbing member 10 when carrying out the present invention. That is, in carrying out the present invention, it is possible to obtain the required energy absorption characteristics by appropriately selecting the material or shape of the energy absorption member 10. The specific method is, for example, As shown in FIG. 6, the plate thickness t of the energy absorbing member 10, the widths W ₁ and W _{2 of} both end portions 11 and 12, the divergence angle θ in the horizontal direction, or each of the bellows portion 13 as shown in FIG. The height (H ₁₁ , H ₁₂ ) of the ridges (valleys), the pitch P between the ridges (valleys), the radius of curvature (R ₁₁ , R ₁₂ , R ₁₃ ) of each curved portion, etc. can be selected appropriately. There is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an impact absorbing steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a column support bracket and its related portion in the steering device shown in FIG.

3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main member in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a state change diagram at the time of shock absorption in the steering device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing various modifications of the energy absorbing member used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the energy absorbing member shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a main part of a conventional shock absorbing steering device of the same type.

9 is a state change diagram at the time of shock absorption of the steering device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a vehicle body, 2 is a steering wheel, 3 is a steering shaft, 4 is a steering column, 6 is a column support bracket, 7 is a locking member, 10 is an energy absorbing member, 11 is one end of the energy absorbing member, and 12 is an energy absorbing member. The other end, 13 is an intermediate portion of the energy absorbing member, 15 is a bolt, 16 is a rivet, 21 is a body portion of the column support bracket, 22 is a flange portion of the column support bracket, and 24 is a long groove formed in the flange portion. .

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A steering column (4) for rotatably supporting a steering shaft (3) having a steering wheel (2) mounted on the upper end side thereof is displaceable in the axial direction of the steering column (4). Support bracket
An energy absorbing member mounted on the vehicle body (1) by (6) and having a bellows-shaped intermediate portion (13) capable of expanding and contracting between both ends (11), (12) extending in mutually opposite directions.
The one end (11) side of (10) is on the vehicle body (1) and the other end is
(12) side is locked to the column support bracket (6), the shock absorbing steering device.