JPH1045004A - Impact absorbing steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an impact absorbing steering device which can provide the functions of a guide that do not vary at any time during movement in a releasing direction and so can obtain the desired impact absorption characteristic. SOLUTION: This steering device has a steering device side member 12 connected to a body side member at a load not less than a predetermined value in such a way that it can be released in a releasing direction, and when the steering device side member 12 moves in the releasing direction relative to the body side member, a plate-shaped member 16 which is secured to either the steering device side member 12 or the body side member and extends in the releasing direction is curved and deformed by a pressure means 30 provided on the other member, so that impacts applied to the steering side member 12 are absorbed. In this case, guides 29a to 29d by which the relative movements of the plate-shaped member 16 and the pressure means 30 are specified to take place in the releasing direction are provided in proximity to the respective engaging parts of the plate-shaped member 16 and the pressure means 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shock absorbing steering device configured to absorb a shock applied to a steering device in a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of shock absorbing steering devices, a steering device side member is connected to a vehicle body side member so as to be detachable in a detaching direction (front of the vehicle body) with a load of a predetermined value or more. When the member moves in the detaching direction with respect to the vehicle body side member, a plate-shaped member fixed to one of the steering device side member and the vehicle body side member and extending in the detaching direction is sequentially pressed by pressing means provided on the other member. There is one in which the impact applied to the steering device side member by bending deformation is absorbed, for example,
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-30599 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-1697
No. 0 publication.

In a shock absorbing steering device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 6-30599, a clamp bracket as a steering device side member is provided with a pair of parallel slits (pressing means) whose one ends are opened laterally. A strip-shaped flexible member (plate-shaped member) provided on the vehicle body-side member and extending in the detaching direction is inserted through the parallel slit, and the clamp bracket can be moved by the clamp bracket when the clamp bracket is moved in the detaching direction with respect to the vehicle body-side member. The impact applied to the steering device side member due to the bending member being sequentially bent and deformed is absorbed.

In a shock absorbing steering device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 64-16970, a projection as a pressing means is provided on a steering column as a steering device side member in a radial direction, and a vehicle body portion is provided. Is provided with an energy absorbing box and a curling plate (plate-like member), and when the steering column moves in the direction of detachment from the vehicle body portion and the energy absorbing box, the curling plate is pulled out of the energy absorbing box by the projection. The impact applied to the steering device side member due to the plastic deformation (bending deformation) of the plate is absorbed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the shock absorbing steering apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 0599, the flexible member is inserted through a pair of parallel slits having one end opened to the side, so that the flexible member is bent easily by the clamp bracket itself. Although the structure is simple because it can be deformed, nothing is provided between the clamp bracket and the flexible member, and when the clamp bracket is moved in the detaching direction with respect to the body side member, it is attached to the clamp bracket. When a tilting power acts on the vehicle body in the left-right direction, the clamp bracket is tilted in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, and the flexible member moves in a direction other than the detaching direction in the parallel slit of the clamp bracket. There is a possibility that the desired relationship may not be obtained due to the change of the relationship from the expected form.

In the shock absorbing steering apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 64-16970, the plastically deformable base of the curling plate is restrained by the energy absorbing box. Only the part before the plastic deformation of the curling plate,
Since there is nothing to control the curling plate after plastic deformation during the disengagement operation, at this time, when the steering column tilts in the left and right direction of the vehicle body and the steering column tilts in the left and right direction of the vehicle body, the curling plate When the curling plate is pulled out in a direction other than the detaching direction, a plastic deformation of the curling plate occurs in a form different from an expected form, and a desired shock absorbing property may not be obtained.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has a structure in which a steering device-side member can be detached from a vehicle body-side member in a detaching direction with a load greater than a predetermined value. When the steering device side member is moved in the detaching direction with respect to the vehicle body side member, the plate-shaped member fixed to one of the steering device side member and the vehicle body side member and extending in the detaching direction is connected to the other. In a shock absorbing steering device which is sequentially bent and deformed by a pressing means provided on a member to absorb an impact applied to the steering device side member, the plate is provided near an engagement portion between the plate member and the pressing means. A guide is provided to regulate the relative movement of the pressing member and the pressing member in the detaching direction. In this case, the guide may be provided integrally with a resin member separate from the plate member and the pressing means, or the guide may be integrated with the pressing means formed separately from the steering device side member and the vehicle body side member. It is desirable to provide it in an appropriate manner.

[0008]

In the shock absorbing steering device according to the present invention, the guide regulates the relative movement between the plate member and the pressing means in the detaching direction when the steering device side member moves in the detaching direction with respect to the vehicle body side member. Therefore, even when the tilting power of the vehicle body in the left-right direction acts on the steering column, the tilting of the steering column in the left-right direction of the vehicle body is suppressed, and the bending deformation direction of the plate-like member by the pressing means is set to the detaching direction, Desired shock absorption characteristics are obtained.

The guide is provided in the vicinity of the engagement portion between the plate member and the pressing means. When the steering device-side member moves in the detaching direction with respect to the vehicle body-side member, the plate member and the pressing means are engaged. As long as the function of the guide is obtained without change, the bending direction of the plate-like member by the pressing means can be made substantially constant, and the bending means causes the intended bending deformation of the plate-like member. Thus, the shock applied to the steering device side member can be absorbed with desired impact absorption characteristics.

Further, in the present invention, when the guide is integrally provided on a resin member separate from the plate-shaped member and the pressing means, or when the pressing member is formed separately from the steering device side member and the vehicle body side member. In the case where the guide is provided integrally with the means, even if the shape (plate thickness, plate width) of the plate-shaped member is changed to change the shock absorbing characteristics, the shape of the guide, that is, the small resin member or the pressing member is pressed. It can be dealt with by changing only the means, and there is no need to change the steering device side member and the vehicle body side member.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the main part (left side of the upper support) of the shock absorbing steering device according to the present invention. In this shock absorbing steering device, the steering device side member welded to the outer periphery of the column tube 11 is used. Breakaway bracket 12
Is attached to a support bracket 15 as a vehicle body-side member by a capsule 13 with a bolt 14, and a bolt 14 is attached to the base member 14 with a base member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body sandwiched between the capsule 13 and the support bracket 15. To the support bracket 15.

The breakaway bracket 12 is made of a steel plate and press-formed, and has a substantially U-shaped opening 12a opened at the rear of the vehicle body (right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) for mounting the capsule 13, which will be described later. An opening 12b (see FIG. 3) having a substantially rectangular shape, that is, a closed shape, for attaching the resin member 20 and the clip member 30 is provided. Capsule 13
Has a bolt insertion hole 13a at the center and has four connection pins 17 injected with resin (see FIG. 1).
When a load greater than a set value acts on the column tube 11 toward the front of the vehicle body, the connecting pin 17 is sheared and separated from the breakaway bracket 12 to the support bracket 15 side. It is being left behind.

The plate-like member 16 has a predetermined thickness T and a predetermined width W.
Having a bolt insertion hole 16a at the base end and a U-shaped curved portion 16b at an intermediate portion, the curved portion 16b being an opening of the breakaway bracket 12 through the resin member 20. When the breakaway bracket 12 is moved forward with respect to the support bracket 15 with respect to the support bracket 15 in the assembled state as shown in FIGS. It is designed to absorb the applied shock.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 to 6, the resin member 20 is formed in a substantially U-shape by a hard resin (for example, polyacetal resin), and engages with the front surface of the opening 12b. Notch 21, a projection 22 engaging the lower end of the rear surface of the opening 12b, a pair of arms 23, 24 engaging the left and right surfaces of the opening 12b, and a pair of arms 23, 24 engaging the left and right end surfaces of the plate member 16. It has a pair of holding claws 25, 26, 27, 28 and two pairs of guides 29 a, 29 b, 29 c, 29 d, and is provided in the opening 12 b of the breakaway bracket 12 prior to assembly of the plate member 16 and the clip member 30. It can be assembled by fitting from above.

The clip member 30 functions as a pressing means for sequentially bending and deforming the plate-like member 16 when the breakaway bracket 12 moves in the detaching direction (front of the vehicle body) from the support bracket 15.
0, a pressing portion 31 having an engaging surface slidably engaging with the plate member 16 and extending across the plate member 16 at a substantially right angle; A pair of arm portions 3 extending upward from both extending end portions 31 and resiliently engaging notches 12b1 and 12b2 provided in the opening 12b.
2 and 33 and regulating portions 34 and 35 provided at the bases of the arms 32 and 33 to regulate the movement in the disengagement direction by engagement with the left and right lower ends of the opening 12b.

The pressing portion 31 is formed in a ship bottom shape with the both arm portions 32 and 33 facing upward, and is slidably engaged with the upper surface of the plate-like member 16 at a bottom surface having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The outer surfaces of the extending end portions extending left and right correspond to the respective arm portions 32 and 3.
3, the slopes S1 and S2 are inclined outward, and the slope angle θ1 of the left slope S1 is set to the right slope S.
2 is smaller than the inclination angle θ2. Further, the front wall height H1 disposed on the front side of the vehicle body of the pressing portion 31 is higher than the rear wall height H2 disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body, that is, on the side of the plate member 16 in the moving direction.

Each of the arms 32, 33 is bent outward at the tip and is flexible in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, that is, in the direction in which the pressing portion 31 is arranged, and the width of the left arm 32 is set to the right arm 33. The width of the cutouts 12b1 and 12b2 provided in the opening 12b is also formed in accordance with the width of the opening, thereby preventing erroneous assembly. Each regulation part 3
The plate members 4 and 35 are provided long on the vehicle body rear side of the arms 32 and 33, that is, on the movement direction side of the plate member 16 with respect to the clip member 30, and the load when bending and deforming the plate member 16 is mainly rearward. Each of the extending protrusions 34a and 35a is adapted to be received.

In this embodiment, the resin member 20 is inserted into the opening 12b of the breakaway bracket 12.
After fitting, the plate-like member 16 is assembled so that the curved portion 16b is fitted into the opening 12b, and then the clip member 30 is assembled in the procedure shown in FIG. In the state of FIG. 11A, the right arm 33 is inserted into the notch 12b2 of the opening 12b, the upper end of the right regulating portion 35 is in contact with the lower right of the opening 12b, and Slope S1 is opening 1
2b is in contact with the left upper end. FIG. 11B shows a state in which the left arm 32 is pressed with a force in the direction of the arrow in the state of FIG. 11A, and in this state of FIG. While being bent by the deformation, the left inclined surface S1 slides at the contact portion with the upper left end of the opening 12b and fits into the opening 12b. FIG. 11C shows a state in which the clip member 30 is assembled to the opening 12b through the state of FIG. 11B, and in this state of FIG. The upper ends of both restricting portions 34 and 35 are resiliently engaged with the lower ends on both sides of the opening 12b.

In this embodiment constructed as described above, the clip member 30 is fitted with the resin member 20 and the curved portion 16b of the plate-like member 16 fitted into the closed opening 12b provided in the breakaway bracket 12. As shown in FIG. 11, the curved portion 16b and the opening 12b of the plate member 16 are formed.
If the clip member 30 is fitted into the
The upper and lower ends of the apertures 4 and 35 resiliently engage with the lower ends of both sides of the opening 12b, are supported by the breakaway bracket 12, and sandwich the plate-like member 16 with the breakaway bracket 12. Therefore, when the breakaway bracket 12 moves in the detaching direction (front of the vehicle body) with respect to the support bracket 15, the plate-like member 16 is sequentially bent and deformed by the breakaway bracket 12 and the clip member 30, and the impact applied to the column tube 11 is reduced. Absorbed.

At this time, the guides 29a, 29b, 29c and 29d provided on the resin member 20 regulate the relative movement of the plate member 16 and the clip member 30 in the detaching direction (guides 29a, 29c and 29b, 29d is a plate-like member 1 on the left and right sides of the breakaway bracket 12.
6 and guides 29a and 29c, guide 29
b and 29d are guided back and forth (before and after the deformation of the plate-like member 16), so that even if the column tube 11 is subjected to a tilting power in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, the column tube 1
The tilting of the plate member 16 by the clip member 30 is set to the detaching direction by suppressing the tilting of the plate member 1 in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, and desired shock absorbing characteristics can be obtained.

Each guide 29a, 29b, 29c,
29d is provided in the vicinity of the engagement portion between the plate member 16 and the clip member 30, and the breakaway bracket 1
Since the functions of the guides 29a, 29b, 29c, and 29d can be obtained without any change as long as the plate-like member 16 and the clip member 30 are engaged during the movement of the clip member 30 with respect to the support bracket 15, Can make the bending deformation direction of the plate-like member 16 substantially constant, and the clip member 30 can cause the plate-like member 16 to perform the intended bending deformation. The applied shock can be absorbed.

In this embodiment, the plate-like member 1
Since the guides 29a, 29b, 29c, and 29d are provided integrally with the resin member 20 separate from the clip member 30 and the clip member 30, the shape (plate thickness T, plate thickness) Even when the width W) is changed, it can be dealt with by changing only the shape of each guide 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, that is, only the small resin member 20, and there is no need to change the breakaway bracket 12 and the support bracket 15. Therefore, it can be easily and inexpensively dealt with.

In the shock absorbing steering apparatus according to the present embodiment, the resin member 20 and the curved portion 16b of the plate member 16 are provided in the opening 12b of the breakaway bracket 12.
By inserting the clip member 30 into the curved portion 16b and the opening 12b of the plate-like member 16, a portion for absorbing the impact is formed, so that the assembling property is good and the impact is absorbed. Since the structure of the parts is constituted by the breakaway bracket 12, the resin member 20, the plate-like member 16, and the clip member 30, the breakaway bracket 12 is simple and has a high strength provided with a closed opening 12b. Since the plate-like member 16 is bent and deformed by the clip member 30 which is supported at both ends and has high support rigidity, a stable bending deformation load is obtained and stable shock absorption is obtained.

In the present embodiment, the plate-like member 1
6, a pressing portion 31 having an engaging surface slidably engaging with and extending across the plate-like member 16, and extending from both extending ends of the pressing portion 31 into the opening 12b. A pair of arms 32, 33 which resiliently engage with each other;
3, a clip member 30 is provided which has restricting portions 34 and 35 for restricting the movement in the detaching direction by engagement with the end of the opening 12b. The pressing force acting on the pressing portion 31 is transmitted from the regulating portions 34 and 35 of the clip member 30 to the breakaway bracket 12 and received, so that the pressing force from the plate-like member 16 can be reliably received, and the shock absorption can be achieved. Can be stabilized. Also, the clip member 3
Since the projections 34a and 35a of the regulating portions 34 and 35 are provided on the movement direction side of the plate member 16 with respect to 0, that is, on the side that receives a large load, the pressing force from the plate member 16 can be more reliably received. As a result, shock absorption can be further stabilized.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pressing portion 31 of the clip member 30 is disposed substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member 16, and the arms 32 and 33 are connected to the pressing portion 3.
Since it is flexible in the disposition direction 1, the arms 32, 33 of the clip member 30 can be bent and fitted into the opening 12b, and the assemblability of the clip member 30 can be improved. The pressing force acting on the pressing portion 31 of the clip member 30 from the plate-like member 16 can be applied substantially uniformly. In addition, since the outer surfaces of both extending ends of the pressing portion 31 are the inclined surfaces S1 and S2 that are inclined outward toward the arms 32 and 33, the clip member 30 is opened.
b can be easily assembled by pushing along the inclined surfaces S1 and S2, and the inclination angle of the left inclined surface S1 is smaller than that of the right inclined surface S2. In the above, the right inclined surface S2 side is first fitted into the opening 12b to effectively utilize the bending of the right arm portion 33 to obtain good assemblability, and to secure the assembled clip member 30 and the opening 12b. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of backlash between them, and it is possible to sufficiently secure the length of the straight portion of the pressing portion 31 that receives the pressing force from the plate-like member 16.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pressing portion 31 of the clip member 30 is formed in a ship bottom shape having the both arm portions 32 and 33 sides as upper sides, and is formed on the plate-like member 16 at a bottom surface having a substantially U-shaped cross section. Since the engagement is slidable, the rigidity of the pressing portion 31 can be increased, and the clip member 30 can be reduced in size.
Since the wall height H1 of the pressing portion 31 located on the opposite side to the wall height H2 of the pressing portion 31 located on the movement direction side of FIG. 16 does not interfere with the upper end edge of the pressing portion 31 and is not shaved, so that smooth bending deformation is not hindered. In addition, since the resin member 20 is interposed at a portion where the plate-like member 16 and the breakaway bracket 12 are engaged, the sliding friction at two out of three places of the plate-like member 16 is stabilized and stable bending is achieved. Deformation is obtained.

In the above embodiment, the guides 29a, 29b, 29c, and 29d are integrally provided on the resin member 20. However, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, each guide 39a is provided. , 39b, 39c, and 39d may be provided integrally with the clip member 30, and in this case, the same operation and effect as the above embodiment can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part plan view showing an embodiment of a shock absorbing steering device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a closed opening provided in the breakaway bracket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the resin member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the resin member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the resin member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the clip member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the clip member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 9 is a left side view of the clip member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the clip member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view when the clip member is assembled to the opening of the breakaway bracket.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of a clip member integrally provided with a guide.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a clip member provided integrally with a guide.

FIG. 14 is a left side view of a clip member integrally provided with a guide.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Column tube, 12 ... Breakaway bracket (steering device side member), 12b ... Closed opening, 13 ... Capsule, 15 ... Support bracket (vehicle body side member), 16 ... Plate member, 16b ... Bending part, 17 ... connecting pin, 20 ... resin member, 29a, 29b, 29c, 2
9d: guide, 30: clip member (pressing means), 31
... pressing parts, 32, 33 ... arms, 34, 35 ... regulating parts, 3
4a, 35a ... projection, 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d
... Guide, S1, S2 ... Slope, H1, H2 ... Wall length.

Claims (3)

[Claims] A steering device-side member is connected to a vehicle body-side member so as to be detachable in a detaching direction with a load of a predetermined value or more, and when the steering device-side member moves in a detaching direction with respect to the vehicle body-side member, A plate-like member fixed to one of the steering device side member and the vehicle body side member and extending in the detaching direction is sequentially bent and deformed by a pressing means provided on the other member, and an impact applied to the steering device side member is reduced. In the shock absorbing steering device adapted to be absorbed, a guide is provided near the engagement portion between the plate member and the pressing means, the guide defining the relative movement of the plate member and the pressing means in the detaching direction. Shock absorbing steering device. 2. The shock absorbing steering device according to claim 1, wherein the guide is integrally provided on a resin member separate from the plate member and the pressing means. 3. The shock absorbing steering device according to claim 1, wherein the guide is provided integrally with a pressing means formed separately from the steering device side member and the vehicle body side member.