JPH10167083A - Impact absorption type steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce manufacturing cost while maintaining proper performance by decreasing the number of part items, enhancing the yields of materials, and facilitating parts machining. SOLUTION: An outer column 30 constituting a steering column 1a is supported at its middle on a vehicular body by means of a rear support bracket 10a. When a forward strong impact is applied to the steering column 1a, the rear support bracket 10a drops from the body, permitting forward displacement of the steering column 1a. A rear folding part 26 is provided at the rear end of an energy absorbing member 24a whose front end is locked to the rear support bracket 10a, and the mounting plate part 12a of the rear support bracket 10a is sandwiched. The rear folding part 26 is formed by folding back a brittle part 39 formed into a plate constituting the energy absorbing member 24a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The shock-absorbing steering apparatus according to the present invention is designed to protect the driver's body during a collision by adopting a structure capable of absorbing a collision during a collision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a vehicle collides, a so-called secondary collision occurs in which a driver collides with a steering wheel, following a so-called primary collision in which the vehicle collides with another vehicle or the like. In order to reduce the impact received by the driver during this secondary collision and protect the driver, the support part of the steering column that supports the steering shaft that fixes the steering wheel at one end is shock absorbing type It is generally done.

[0003] Various types of shock absorbing steering devices have been known for such purposes. FIGS. 16 to 20 show an example of a conventionally known shock absorbing steering column as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-468.
No. 28 is described. A steering shaft 2 is provided inside a cylindrical steering column 1.
Is rotatably supported. A steering wheel 3 is fixed to a portion of the rear end of the steering shaft 2 (the right end in FIG. 16) protruding from the rear end opening of the steering column 1. One end of a transmission shaft 5 is connected via a universal joint 4 to a portion of the steering shaft 2 that projects from the front end opening of the steering column 1 at the front end (the left end in FIG. 16). The other end of the transmission shaft 5 is connected to an input shaft 7 of a steering gear via another universal joint 6.

The front end of the steering column 1 is supported on a vehicle body 9 by a front support bracket 8.
The front support bracket 8 supports the steering column 1 so as to be freely displaceable in the axial direction (front-rear direction). On the other hand, a rearward portion of the steering column 1 at an intermediate portion is supported by a rear support bracket 10 on the vehicle body 9.
I support it. The rear support bracket 10 firmly supports the steering column 1 with respect to the vehicle body in a normal state in which no collision accident has occurred, but loses the supporting force on the vehicle body 9 in the case of a secondary collision. Is displaced forward (to the left in FIG. 16). At this time, the energy absorbing member 11 formed integrally with the rear support bracket 10 is plastically deformed to absorb the impact energy accompanying the secondary collision, and to reduce the impact applied to the driver's body hitting the steering wheel 3. ease.

[0005] The rear support bracket 10 is formed by bending a metal plate such as a steel plate.
Is fixed by welding or the like to the rear portion of the middle part. The rear support bracket 10 includes a pair of left and right mounting plate portions 12 protruding from both left and right sides of the steering column 1.
It has 12. Then, each of these mounting plate portions 12, 12
In addition, a notch 13 is formed which is opened at the rear edge (right edge in FIGS. 18 to 20) of each of the mounting plate portions 12. Further, the energy absorbing member 11 is provided with the mounting plate portions 12, 12.
And a U-shaped folded portion 14 is formed in the middle from the front edge (the left edge in FIGS. 18 to 20). A through hole 15 is formed in a portion of the energy absorbing member 11 at a position matching the notch 13 at the tip.

The rear support bracket 10 integrally provided with the energy absorbing member 11 as described above, together with the sliding plate 16,
It is supported on the vehicle body 9 by bolts 17. This sliding plate 16
Is made in a long U-shape by a slippery synthetic resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene resin, polyamide resin, polyacetal resin, or a metal plate having a slip layer made of these slippery synthetic resin formed on the surface. . The sliding plate 16 has a pair of through holes 18, 18 aligned with the notch 13 and the through hole 15. In order to support the rear support bracket 10 on the vehicle body 9, these through holes 15, 1
8 and the notch 13 are inserted through the bolt 17 from below,
It is screwed into a screw hole provided on the vehicle body 9 (including a screw hole of a nut fixed to the vehicle body 9), and tightened with a predetermined torque.

[0007] Due to the secondary collision accompanying the collision accident, the rear support bracket 10
When a strong impact directed forward is applied to the
The rear support bracket 10 is displaced forward in such a manner that the bolt 17 is pulled out. At this time, the sliding plate 16
By the action of the slippery synthetic resin existing between the contact surface of the rear support bracket 10 and the mounting plate 12, the displacement of the rear support bracket 10 can be smoothly started. Also, the rear support bracket 1
As 0 is displaced forward, the energy absorbing member 11 plastically deforms and absorbs the energy of the impact. As a result, the impact applied to the driver's body that hits the steering wheel 3 can be reduced, and the driver can be protected.

In the case of the conventional shock absorbing steering apparatus constructed and operated as described above, the rear support bracket 10 is used.
In addition, the manufacturing cost of the energy absorbing member 11 increases, and the price of the shock absorbing steering device increases. That is, the operation of bending and forming the rear support bracket 10 in which the energy absorbing member 11 is integrally formed is troublesome, the mold for bending is complicated, and the manufacturing cost is increased in terms of processing. Further, when the rear support bracket 10 in which the energy absorbing member 11 is integrally formed from a metal plate is processed, the yield of the material is poor and a large amount of waste material is generated, so that the manufacturing cost is increased in terms of material cost.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 59-4682 mentioned above
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8 (1996) also discloses a structure in which an energy absorbing member formed separately and a rear support bracket are welded later. In the case of such a structure, the production cost does not increase due to the above-mentioned processing problems and material yield. However, since the assembling work is troublesome, the production cost also increases. In view of such circumstances, the present inventor has first described FIGS.
Invented was a shock absorbing steering device as shown in FIG. 4 (Japanese Utility Model Application No. Hei 7-178611).

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the shock absorbing steering apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 21, a steering shaft 2 is rotatably supported inside a cylindrical steering column 1. The steering wheel 3 is fixed to a portion of the steering shaft 2 that projects from the rear end opening of the steering column 1 at the rear end (right end in FIG. 21). This steering column 1
The rear support bracket 10a is provided in the middle rear portion of
It is fixed by welding or the like.

The rear support bracket 10a has left and right
The pair of mounting plate portions 12a are formed so as to protrude from both left and right sides of the steering column 1, respectively. In particular, in the case of the illustrated example, a step portion 19 is formed at the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of each mounting plate portion 12a, and the upper surface of the front half portion 20 is lower than the upper surface of the rear half portion 21. A locking piece 22 having an L-shaped cross section is formed by folding up in a part of the front half portion 20 of this, and a locking groove 23 having an open front is formed.
The locking piece 22 is formed by pressing the inside of the U-shaped cut upward by press working. Also, a notch 13 (see FIGS. 17 to 20) is provided in the rear half 21.
Each mounting plate portion 12a is formed to be open at the rear end edge.

An energy absorbing member 24 extends between the front half 20 and the rear half 21. The energy absorbing member 24 is manufactured by bending a plastically deformable belt-like plate such as a mild steel plate. That is, the front and rear folded portions 25 and 26 are formed by folding the front and rear ends of the band-shaped plate downwardly in a U-shape or a U-shape, respectively. Then, due to the presence of the front folded portion 25, the energy absorbing member 2
The first half (the left half in FIGS. 21 to 24) of No. 4 is free to extend its entire length by plastic deformation. This front folded portion 25
Is locked in the locking groove 23. Therefore,
When the rear support bracket 10a is displaced forward, the rear support bracket 10a
Push the front edge of 5 forward.

A pair of through holes 27, 27 are formed in the U-shaped rear folded portion 26 formed at the rear end of the energy absorbing member 24 so as to be aligned with each other.
In addition, a portion of the inner peripheral side surface of the rear folded portion 26 that comes into contact with the mounting plate portion 12a includes a polytetrafluoroethylene resin,
A sliding layer made of a low friction material such as a polyamide resin or a polyacetal resin is formed. That is, the rear folded portion 26
The sliding layer is formed by coating the low friction material on a portion of the inner peripheral side surface that contacts the mounting plate portion 12a.

The operation of supporting the rear support bracket 10a fixed to the steering column 1 together with the energy absorbing member 24 on the vehicle body 9 is performed as follows. First, as shown in FIG.
To the rear half 21 of the mounting plate portion 12a to align the notch 13 with the through holes 27, 27,
The front edge of the front folded portion 25 is locked in the locking groove 23. Then, a pair of bolts 17 inserted through the pair of through holes 27, 27 and the notch 13 from below are screwed into screw holes provided in the vehicle body 9 and tightened with a predetermined torque. By this fastening operation, the pair of mounting plate portions 12a formed on the rear support bracket 10a are supported on the vehicle body 9 and the rear end of the energy absorbing member 24 is connected to the vehicle body 9.

Due to a secondary collision caused by a collision accident, the rear support bracket 10
When a strong forward shock is applied to a, the bolt 17 is pulled out from the notch 13 and the rear support bracket 10a is displaced forward. At this time, the rear folded portion 2 formed at the rear end of the energy absorbing member 24
The displacement of the rear support bracket 10a is smoothly performed by sliding between the sliding layer formed on the inner peripheral side surface of the base plate 6 and the upper and lower surfaces of the rear half portion 21 of the mounting plate portion 12a. Also, as the rear support bracket 10a is displaced forward, the energy absorbing member 24
Are deformed plastically while moving toward the leading edge of the front-side folded portion 25, and absorb the energy of the impact. As a result, the impact applied to the driver's body that hits the steering wheel 3 can be reduced, and the driver can be protected.

In the case of the shock-absorbing steering apparatus according to the prior invention constructed and operated as described above, FIGS.
The sliding plate 16 (FIG. 1) incorporated in the conventional structure shown in FIG.
6 to 20) become unnecessary, and part management and assembly work can be simplified accordingly. Also, since the energy absorbing member 24 and the rear support bracket 10a are formed separately,
Processing of these members 24 and 10a does not become troublesome, or the yield of the material does not deteriorate. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the shock absorbing steering device of the present invention can be reduced.

The front half of the energy absorbing member 24 constituting the shock absorbing steering apparatus of the above-mentioned prior invention (and the present invention described later) is such that the mounting plate portion 12a is displaced forward while being plastically deformed. If the shape is acceptable,
It is not particularly limited to the illustrated shape. For example, the front half may be corrugated or mesh-shaped, and may be plastically deformable in the extension direction by a forward force. In this case, the front end of the energy absorbing member is welded to a part of the rear support bracket 10a or a part of the steering column 1, or is locked to a locking part fixed to the part.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The shock absorbing steering apparatus according to the prior invention constructed and operated as described above can reduce the manufacturing cost without impairing the original performance such as protection of the driver. , Which can contribute to lowering the cost of automobiles,
Assembly work is not always easy, and improvements are desired. That is, when the rear support bracket 10a fixed to the steering column 1 is supported on the vehicle body 9 together with the energy absorbing member 24, first, as shown in FIG. Must be externally fitted to the rear half 21 of the mounting plate 12a. Then, the notch 13 formed at the rear end edge of the mounting plate portion 12a is aligned with the through holes 27, 27, and the front edge of the front folded portion 25 is locked in the locking groove 23.

However, forming the front folded portion 25 at the front end and the rear folded portion 26 at the rear end of the energy absorbing member 24 by press working is troublesome. The cost will not be low enough. Further, the operation of fitting the rear folded portion 26 to the rear half portion 21 of the mounting plate portion 12a needs to be performed from the side of the mounting plate portion 12a. Therefore, in a state where there is no backlash which causes abnormal noise after assembly, the front edge of the front folded portion 25 is in the locking groove 23, the rear folded portion 26 is in the rear half 21 of the mounting plate portion 12a, In order to engage with each other, it is necessary to increase the dimensional accuracy of the energy absorbing member 24. Such an assurance of accuracy for preventing rattling also causes an increase in cost, and thus an improvement is desired. The shock absorbing steering device of the present invention has been invented in view of such circumstances.

[0020]

According to the present invention, there is provided a shock absorbing steering apparatus comprising: a steering column rotatably supporting a steering shaft inserted therein; a support bracket for fixing an intermediate portion of the steering column;
A pair of left and right mounting plate portions provided on the support bracket and protruding from the left and right sides of the steering column; and a notch formed in each of the mounting plate portions so as to open to the rear edge of each of the mounting plate portions. A pair of energy absorbing members having a folded portion formed at least at a rear end portion of a plastically deformable plate member and a front half portion having a shape in which the entire length can be freely extended by plastic deformation. The pair of mounting plates are supported on the vehicle body by a pair of bolts inserted through the notch and the pair of through holes formed in the folded portion so as to be aligned with each other. Is connected to the vehicle body. The front end portions of the pair of energy absorbing members are connected to a portion fixed to the steering column, and a portion of each of the plate members that constitutes the folded portion can be easily turned over. There is a fragile part to do. Each of the folded portions is formed by aligning a rear end edge of each of the mounting plate portions with a fragile portion of each of the plate materials, and folding each of the plate materials at each of the fragile portions.

[0021]

In the case of the shock absorbing steering apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, each energy absorbing member and the support bracket are separately provided as in the case of the above-described shock absorbing steering apparatus of the prior invention. Since they are formed in the body, processing of these two members does not become troublesome or the yield of the material does not deteriorate. Further, in the case of the shock absorbing steering device of the present invention, each folded portion is formed by a rear end edge of each mounting plate portion constituting the support bracket and a weak portion of a plate material constituting each energy absorbing member. Since the respective plate members are formed by being folded back at the respective fragile portions in alignment with each other, the respective energy absorbing members can be easily manufactured by press working. In addition, rattling does not occur at the assembly portion of each of the energy absorbing members without increasing the accuracy of each of the energy absorbing members. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the shock absorbing steering device can be reduced.

[0022]

1 to 12 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Cylindrical steering column 1
The steering shaft 2a is rotatably supported inside of a by a front end side needle bearing 28 and a rear end side ball bearing 29. The above-mentioned steering column 1a is an outer column 3 constituting a rear half (the right half of FIGS. 1 to 4).
0 and the rear end of the inner column 31 constituting the front half (the left half in FIGS. 1 to 4) are fitted in a telescopic shape, and the entire length is increased by a strong compressive load in the axial direction. Is contractible. Also, the steering shaft 2a
Is formed by spline-engaging the front end of the outer shaft 32 forming the rear half and the rear end of the inner shaft 33 forming the front half, so that the entire length can be contracted by a strong compressive load also in the axial direction. I have. The steering wheel 3 (FIGS. 16 and 21) can be fixed to a portion protruding from a rear end opening of the steering column 1a at a rear end (right end in FIG. 1) of the steering shaft 2a.

A rear support bracket 10a corresponding to the support bracket described in the claims is fixed to an intermediate portion of the outer column 30 constituting the steering column 1a by welding or the like. In the illustrated example, the rear support bracket 10a and the steering column 1a are supported via a tilt mechanism 34 to freely adjust the vertical position of the steering column 1a. For this reason, the front support bracket 8a fixed to the front end of the inner column 31 is pivotally supported on the fixed brackets 35, 35 fixed to the vehicle body so as to be freely displaceable about the horizontal axes 36, 36. The structure and operation for freely adjusting the vertical position of the steering column 1a are well known in the art and are not related to the gist of the present invention.

The rear support bracket 10a has left and right
The pair of mounting plate portions 12a are formed so as to protrude from both left and right sides of the outer column 30, respectively. In the case of the illustrated example, similarly to the case of the above-mentioned invention, steps 19, 19 are formed at the intermediate portions in the front-rear direction of the mounting plate portions 12a, 12a, and the upper surfaces of the front half portions 20, 20 are formed in the rear half portion. 21, 21 are lower than the upper surface. Then, locking holes 37, 37 are formed at the widthwise intermediate portion in a continuous portion between the step portions 19, 19 and the front half portion. Notches 13, 13 are provided in the rear half portions 21, 21.
a, 12a are formed to be open at the rear end edges.

The energy absorbing members 24a, 24a are bridged between the front half 20 and the rear half 21. Each of these energy absorbing members 24a, 24a is made by bending a plastically deformable belt-like plate such as a mild steel plate. That is, the front and rear end portions of the belt-shaped plate are folded in a U-shape or a U-shape toward the lower side, respectively, so that the front-side folded portions 25, 25 and the rear-side folded portions 26,
26 are formed. Rear folded part 2 of these
Reference numerals 6 and 26 correspond to the folded portions described in the claims. Further, the presence of the front folded portions 25, 25 allows the front half of the energy absorbing member 24a (FIGS. 1 to 12).
(The left half) is plastically deformable so that the entire length can be extended. Engagement protruding pieces 38, 38 are formed at the center in the width direction of the leading edge of each of the front folded portions 25, 25, respectively. These locking projections 38, 38 are inserted into the locking holes 37, 37, respectively. Therefore, when the rear support bracket 10a is displaced forward, the front edges of the front folded portions 25, 25 are pushed forward.

The energy absorbing members 24a, 24a
a-shaped rear folded portion 26 formed at the rear end of
26, a pair of through holes 27, 27 are formed so as to be aligned with each other. However, the energy absorbing member 24 incorporated in the shock absorbing steering device of the present invention.
Prior to assembling, a and 24a only have the front folded portion 25 formed at the front end and do not have the rear folded portion 26 formed at the rear end as shown in FIGS.
Instead, in the portion between the pair of through holes 27, 27,
Plate material (mild steel plate) constituting the energy absorbing member 24a
A fragile portion 39 for facilitating the turning back is formed. In the case of the illustrated example, an elongated rectangular through-hole 40 having a length slightly smaller than the width of the plate material is formed in the above-mentioned space, and both sides of the through-hole 40 are easily bent. ing.

The operation of supporting the rear support bracket 10a fixed to the steering column 1a on the vehicle body 9 together with the energy absorbing members 24a, 24a is performed as follows. In the first stage of the support operation, as shown in FIG. 7, the energy absorbing member 24a is not yet mounted on each of the mounting plate portions 12a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower surface of the intermediate portion of the energy absorbing member 24a is brought into contact with the upper surface of the rear half portion 21 of the mounting plate portion 12a, and the front folded portion 25 of the energy absorbing member 24a is formed.
Is inserted into the locking hole 37. In this state, the fragile portion 39 is
1 to the rear edge portion. So, this vulnerable part 39,
As shown in FIG. 9, the rear half 21 is folded so as to be wound around the rear end. And, as shown in FIG.
The portion closer to the rear edge than the fragile portion 39 is
To make the rear folded portion 26. The operation of forming the rear folded portion 26 in this manner can be easily performed by fingers. In the state where the rear folded portion 26 is formed, the pair of through holes 27 are substantially aligned with each other.

Thus, each of the energy absorbing members 2
4a and 24a are mounted on the mounting plate portions 12a and 12a, and the rear folded portions 26 and 26 are formed. As shown in FIG. 11, the pair of through holes 27 and 27 are formed as shown in FIG.
Then, a pair of bolts 17 having the notches 13 inserted therein from below are screwed into screw holes provided in the vehicle body 9 and tightened with a predetermined torque. By this tightening operation, a pair of mounting plate portions 1 formed on the rear support bracket 10a are formed.
2a and 12a are supported by the vehicle body 9, and the rear ends of the energy absorbing members 24a and 24a are connected to the vehicle body 9.

Due to a secondary collision caused by a collision accident, the rear support bracket 1 is connected via the steering column 1a.
When a strong forward shock is applied to 0a, as shown in FIG. 12, the total length of the steering column 1a and the steering shaft 2a is reduced. Then, the outer column 30 and the rear support bracket 10a fixed to the outer column 30 are displaced forward from the state shown in FIG. 11 to the state shown in FIG. With this displacement, the bolt 17 comes out of each of the notches 13, 13 (FIG. 3). At this time, the energy absorbing member 24a
By sliding between the inner peripheral side surface of the rear folded portion 26 formed at the rear end portion and the upper and lower surfaces of the rear half portion 21 of the mounting plate portion 12a,
The rear support bracket 10a is displaced. Further, as the rear support bracket 10a is displaced forward, the energy absorbing members 24a, 24a are bent so that the curved portions of the front folded portions 25, 25 are located at the leading edges of the front folded portions 25, 25. In the state of moving toward the center, the plastic deformation occurs in the direction in which the entire length is extended, and the energy of the impact is absorbed. As a result, the steering wheel 3 (FIGS.
1) Reduce the impact on the driver's body that hits
This protects the driver.

In the case of the shock absorbing steering apparatus of the present invention constructed and operated as described above, the aforementioned FIGS.
4, each of the energy absorbing members 24a, 24a
And the rear support bracket 10a are formed separately.
Therefore, the processing of these two members 24a and 10a does not become troublesome or the yield of the material does not deteriorate. Further, in the case of the shock absorbing type steering device of the present invention, the rear folded portions 26, 26 are connected to the rear edges of the mounting plate portions 12a, 12a constituting the rear support bracket 10a, and the energy absorbing surfaces. The fragile portions 39, 39 of the plate members constituting the members 24a, 24a are aligned with each other, and the respective plate members are formed by folding back at the respective fragile portions 39, 39. Therefore, the energy absorbing members 24a, 24a can be easily formed by press working. That is, since only the front folded portions 25, 25 are required to be formed by the press working, the press working is facilitated. In addition, rattling does not occur at the assembly portions of the energy absorbing members 24a, 24a even if the accuracy of the energy absorbing members 24a, 24a is not particularly increased. That is, the rear folded portions 26, 26 are connected to the respective mounting plate portions 12a, 12a.
Since it is formed at the time of assembling to a, sufficient assembling accuracy is secured and rattling can be prevented. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the shock absorbing steering device can be reduced.

Next, FIG. 13 shows a second example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the case of this example, the rear folded portion 2
6, on the inner peripheral surface, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide resin,
A sliding layer 41 formed of a slippery resin such as a polyacetal resin is formed. Therefore, in the case of this example, the sliding of the sliding layer 41 and the upper and lower surfaces of the rear half portion 21 of the mounting plate portion 12a smoothly starts the displacement of the rear support bracket 10a. As a result, the impact load applied to the driver's body due to the secondary collision can be further reduced. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described first example, and duplicated illustration and description will be omitted.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the case of this example, FIG.
As in the case of the shock absorbing steering device according to the prior invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 24, a locking piece 22 having an L-shaped cross section is provided on a part of the front half portion 20 by pressing the inside of the U-shaped cut upward. The locking groove 23 is formed by folding it up to form a locking groove 23 having an open front. And in this locking groove 23,
The front edges of the front folded portions 25, 25 provided at the front ends of the energy absorbing members 24b, 24b are locked. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described first example, and duplicated illustration and description will be omitted.

[0033]

The shock-absorbing steering apparatus of the present invention is constructed and operated as described above, so that the essential function of protecting the driver is not impaired, the number of components is reduced, and the machining is facilitated. Cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal side view showing a first example of an embodiment of the present invention in a state before a secondary collision.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view in which a part is omitted and viewed from above in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the energy absorbing member in a state before a rear folded portion is formed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a rear support bracket portion in a state where the energy absorbing member is not mounted.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the rear support bracket in a state where the energy absorbing member is being mounted.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the rear support bracket, also showing a state following FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the rear support bracket in a state where the mounting of the energy absorbing member is completed.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state of being attached to the vehicle body before a secondary collision.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state after the secondary collision.

FIG. 13 shows a second example of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the third example.

FIG. 15 is a view as seen from above in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a partial vertical sectional side view showing one example of a conventional structure.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view as seen in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 18, showing a state after a secondary collision.

FIG. 21 is an essential part side view showing a structural example of the prior invention in a state before a secondary collision.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an energy absorbing member.

FIG. 23 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow F in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 21, showing a state after a secondary collision.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a Steering column 2, 2a Steering shaft 3 Steering wheel 4 Universal joint 5 Transmission shaft 6 Universal joint 7 Input shaft 8, 8a Front support bracket 9 Body 10, 10a Rear support bracket 11 Energy absorption member 12, 12a Mounting plate DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Notch 14 Folding part 15 Through hole 16 Sliding plate 17 Bolt 18 Through hole 19 Step 20 Front half 21 Back half 22 Locking piece 23 Locking groove 24, 24a, 24b Energy absorption member 25 Front folding part 26 Rear folding Part 27 Through-hole 28 Needle bearing 29 Ball bearing 30 Outer column 31 Inner column 32 Outer shaft 33 Inner shaft 34 Tilt mechanism 35 Fixing bracket 36 Horizontal axis 37 Locking hole 38 Locking protruding piece 39 Fragmented part 40 Through hole 41 Sliding layer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A steering column for rotatably supporting a steering shaft inserted inside, a support bracket for fixing an intermediate portion of the steering column, and provided on the support bracket and protruding from both left and right sides of the steering column. A pair of left and right mounting plate portions, a notch formed in each of the mounting plate portions so as to open to the rear end edge of each mounting plate portion, and a folded portion formed at least at a rear end portion of a plastically deformable plate material. And a pair of energy absorbing members having a first half formed by plastic deformation so that the entire length thereof can be extended, and a pair of through holes formed in a state aligned with the folded portions and the notches are inserted. The pair of bolts supports the pair of mounting plate portions on the vehicle body, and connects the rear end of the energy absorbing member to the vehicle body. The front end of the energy absorbing member is coupled to a portion fixed to the steering column, and a part of each of the plate members forming the folded portion has a fragile portion for facilitating the folding of the plate material. The above-mentioned each folded portion is formed by aligning the rear edge of each of the mounting plate portions with the fragile portion of each of the plate materials, and folding each of the plate materials at each of the fragile portions to form a shock absorbing type. Steering device.