JPH0737234B2 - Steering column mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steering column mounting structure, and more specifically, a steering jacket is detached from a vehicle body mounting portion at the time of a collision, and is directed in a shaft direction. The present invention relates to an improvement in a structure that contracts and absorbs impact.

(Prior Art) A steering column of an automobile is divided into an upper shaft and a lower shaft. When an impact force is applied by hitting the driver's chest or the like to the steering wheel due to a collision or the like, the steering column contracts in the shaft direction. It has a structure that can reduce the impact force.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional steering column mounting structure, in which a shaft 2 is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion in a jacket 1. When the steering wheel 5 is pushed in the direction of arrow A, the upper shaft is Compresses the buffer portion in the jacket 1 and moves in the direction of arrow A together with the jacket 1, and as a result, the shaft contracts. The jacket 1 is supported by a bracket 3 fixed to the vehicle body 4 by bolts 6.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket 3 and the fastening portion, and FIG. 8 shows a cross section thereof.

In the figure, a notch 8 is formed in the flange portion 7 of the bracket 3, and a shear pin small hole 9 is formed around the notch 8. A capsule K having a V-shaped cross section is fitted in the notch 8. A bolt hole 11 is formed in the center of the capsule K, a small hole 13 for a shear pin is formed in a flange portion F of the capsule K, and a synthetic resin shear pin P is embedded in each of the small holes 9 and 13. Since 1 is bolted to the vehicle body 4 via the bracket 3 and the capsule K, it is completely fixed.

However, since the bracket 3 and the capsule K are fixed only by the fitting frictional force of the shear pin P, when a strong impact force in the direction of arrow A is applied to the steering wheel 5, the shear pin P is attached.
Is broken, the bracket 3 is detached from the capsule K while holding the jacket 1, and the contraction mechanism in the jacket 1 contracts the shaft 2 to absorb the impact.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the above mounting structure has the following problems.

In order to facilitate separation upon impact, it is necessary to increase the distance L between the upper and lower flange portions F of the capsule K with respect to the thickness t of the flange portion 7 of the bracket 3 to provide a clearance S. The steering wheel 5 rattles, which causes a problem in driving operation.

Therefore, if this fitting is made tight, the frictional force between the capsule K and the bracket 3 becomes large and the disengagement cannot be performed smoothly.

In particular, since the pressing force from the steering wheel is normally applied in the horizontal direction, the frictional force between the upper surface of the flange portion 7 of the bracket 3 and the lower surface of the upper flange portion F of the capsule K becomes a problem, and metal-metal (iron, aluminum, etc.) Since the coefficient of friction is extremely medium, there is a risk that it will not separate in an emergency.

Further, a collision of an automobile does not always occur in front of the vehicle, but an impact from an oblique direction is often applied. In that case, the secondary impact from the steering wheel is also angled, and the frictional force between the side surface of the notch 8 and the side surface of the capsule K becomes a problem.

As a solution to the above problem, it has been considered that the capsule is made of synthetic resin. However, when the synthetic resin is bolted, creep occurs, the durability is poor, and there is a safety problem.

The present invention solves each of the problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for a steering column in which disengagement is smooth when an impact is applied and normal fixing is ensured.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, a steering column mounting structure of the present invention is a structure in which a steering jacket having a steering shaft inserted therein is mounted on a vehicle body via a bracket, wherein: In the bracket, while forming a cutout that opens toward the steering wheel side, a recess is formed in the peripheral portion of this cutout, by the metal slider arranged on the lower side of the cutout, and the resin slider arranged on the upper side, A peripheral portion of the cutout is sandwiched and sandwiched, and the metal slider is integrally formed with a flange portion formed to be larger than the size of the cutout, and fitted in the cutout. The resin slider has a convex portion and a bolt hole that penetrates the convex portion in the vertical direction. The opening is formed to be larger than the size of the notch, the opening for fitting the convex portion of the metal slider in the center thereof, and the convex portion in a state of being fitted to the convex portion while sandwiching the bracket on the upper surface thereof. Each of the protrusions has a small protrusion and a small protrusion that fits into a recess formed in the peripheral portion of the cutout on the lower surface of the protrusion. When the abutment is fixed to the vehicle body side, the protrusion of the resin slider causes a gap between the upper surface portion on the opposite side of the small protrusion fitted in the recess of the bracket and the opposing contact surface on the vehicle body side. It is characterized in that it is configured to form.

(Operation) According to the above configuration, in the normal state, the fixing to the vehicle body side is a metal-to-metal connection, so that the axial force of the bolt that fixes the metal slider does not decrease, and the solid strength is high. It becomes a combination. Further, since the recess formed in the bracket and the small protrusion of the resin slider are fitted together, the occurrence of creep is prevented and the movement of the bracket is prevented.

When a shock is applied to the steering wheel, a gap can be formed between the upper surface portion on the opposite side of the small protrusion fitted in the recess of the bracket and the contact surface on the opposite vehicle body side, so that the resin slider The area around the small protrusion is deformed toward the vehicle body side, and the small protrusion can easily get over the depression. In this state, the bracket moves mainly due to the sliding of resin and metal, so the frictional force is small, The bracket can be reliably separated from the vehicle body by receiving an impact of a predetermined amount or more.

As a result, it is possible to obtain a steering column mounting structure in which the disengagement is smooth when an impact is applied and the normal fixing is ensured.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, trapezoidal notches 14 are formed on both side flanges 12, which are mounting parts of the bracket 10 to the vehicle body, and extend in the axial direction toward the steering wheel side. , The resin slider 18 is arranged on the upper side, and the notch 14 is formed by both sliders 16 and 18.
The peripheral part of the is sandwiched in a sandwich shape.

The metal slider 16 is made of, for example, an aluminum block, and has a trapezoidal flange portion 20 that is larger than the size of the notch 14, a trapezoidal protrusion portion 22 that integrally stands up at the center of the flange portion 20, and penetrates the protrusion portion 22 vertically. Long hole bolt hole 24
It consists of

The resin slider 18 has a trapezoidal shape having the same shape as the flange portion 20, and a trapezoidal opening portion 26 into which the convex portion 22 is fitted is formed in the center thereof.

Then, at the four corners of the upper surface thereof, there are formed protrusions 28 for joining, which are protruded with a slight step difference from the protrusion amount of the protrusion 22 in a state of being fitted to the protrusion 22 with the bracket 10 interposed therebetween. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of small projections 30 are formed on both sides of the lower surface.

The small protrusions 30 are formed on both sides of the notch 14 in the flange portion 12 on the bracket 10 side so as to correspond to the recesses 32, and the small protrusions 30 are formed in a state where the sliders 16 and 18 are overlapped. Fits in the recess 32.

In the above configuration, if the bolt B is inserted into the bolt hole 24 with the flange portion 12 of the bracket 10 sandwiched between the sliders 16 and 18 and screwed into the vehicle body 34 side, the above-mentioned joining projections are formed. As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the contact portion 28 is brought into contact with the vehicle body 34 and a fastening force is applied thereto, so that the joining protrusion portion 28 is elastically deformed into a flat shape, and the protrusion portion on the metal slider 16 side. The top surface of 22 comes into contact with the side of the vehicle body 34, and a metal-to-metal contact provides a strong bonded state.

In this combined state, the small protrusion 30 fits into the recess 32. In addition, a predetermined gap d1 is formed between the contact surface and a portion of the vehicle body 34 other than the joining protrusion 28, and the gap d1 is set to a thickness larger than the fitting depth d2 of the small protrusion 30. Has been done.

When a secondary impact is applied from the steering wheel in the direction of arrow A due to a collision or the like, the bracket 10 is pushed in the direction of A.

When this impact force exceeds the fitting strength between the small protrusion 30 and the recess 32, the central portion of the resin slider 18 is pushed upward and is elastically deformed as shown in FIG.
In this state, the lower surface of the resin slider 18 is most strongly rubbed, but since the coefficient of friction between the resin and the metal is low, the resin slider 18 can be easily separated. Further, the trapezoidal shape of the notch 14 further facilitates separation.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention has the following effects.

(1) In a normal state, since the fixing to the vehicle body side is a metal-metal connection, the axial force of the bolt for fixing the metal slider does not decrease, and a strong connection is achieved. Furthermore, since the recess formed in the bracket and the small protrusion of the resin slider are fitted together, the occurrence of creep can be prevented and the movement of the bracket can be prevented.

(2) When a shock is applied to the steering wheel, a gap can be formed between the upper surface portion on the opposite side of the small projection fitted into the recess of the bracket and the facing contact surface on the vehicle body side. The area around the small protrusions of the resin slider is deformed toward the vehicle body side, and the small protrusions can easily get over the dent. In this state, the bracket moves mainly due to the sliding of the resin and metal, which causes frictional force. Is small, and the bracket can be reliably disengaged from the vehicle body by receiving an impact of a predetermined value or more.

(3) As a result, it is possible to obtain a steering column mounting structure in which disengagement is smooth when an impact is applied, and normal fixing is sure.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a mounting structure, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is of FIG. Sectional view taken along line YY, FIG. 4 (a)
Is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a state where bolts are tightened,
FIG. 5B is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a bolt tightened state, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG.
6 to 8 show a conventional example, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a steering column, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting structure, and FIG.
The figure is the same sectional view. 10 …… Bracket 12 …… Flange 14 …… Notch 16 …… Metal slider 18 …… Resin slider 20 …… Flange 22 …… Protrusion 24 …… Bolt hole 26 …… Opening 28 …… Joint protrusion 30 …… Small protrusion 32 …… Dimple 34 …… Body B …… Bolt

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A structure in which a steering jacket having a steering shaft inserted therein is attached to a vehicle body via a bracket, wherein the bracket is formed with a notch opening toward a steering wheel side, and a recess is formed at a peripheral portion of the notch. Then, the metal slider arranged on the lower side of the cutout and the resin slider arranged on the upper side sandwiches the peripheral portion of the cutout in a sandwich shape, and the metal slider is larger than the size of the cutout. A formed flange portion, a convex portion that is integrally formed in the center of the flange portion, and that fits into the notch, and a bolt hole that vertically penetrates the convex portion, and the resin slider is The opening is formed to be larger than the size of the notch, and the center of the notch has an opening for fitting the protrusion of the metal slider. A protrusion that slightly protrudes from the protrusion in a state of being fitted to the protrusion with the bracket sandwiched on its upper surface, and a small protrusion that fits into a recess formed in the peripheral portion of the notch on its lower surface, respectively. A small protrusion fitted into the recess of the bracket by the protrusion of the resin slider when the bolt is inserted into the bolt hole of the metal slider and the protrusion is abutted and fixed to the vehicle body side. A structure for mounting a steering column, characterized in that a gap is formed between an upper surface portion on the opposite side to the contact surface on the opposite vehicle body side.