JPH1148990A - Steering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering system capable of protecting the driver from shocks through smooth pivotal motion of its steering column with a simple structure and of preventing breakage of the column even on a forcible turn of a steering wheel being locked. SOLUTION: A steering column 3 that supports a steering shaft 2 also supports a lock member that is displaceable between its shaft-pivot checking position and shaft-pivot allowing position. The column 3 is mounted with a support member 51 for holding the upper portion of the column 3 pivotable forward in the vehicle on a support shaft 50d extending across the vehicle body, and with a torque reception member 11 for receiving the torque transmitted from the steering shaft 2 to the column 3 through the lock member in the shaft-pivot checking position. The pivot of the column 3 is checked until a predetermined load acts on the column 3 in the pivoting direction, which first permits such a pivot.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering device suitable for protecting a driver from an impact in the event of a collision of a vehicle and preventing theft of the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a shock absorbing steering device, a device having a shock absorbing mechanism acting from the steering wheel side is generally used. The absorbing mechanism absorbs an impact acting on the driver at the time of collision between the steering wheel and the driver.

However, in a one-box type vehicle, for example, the angle between the axial direction of the steering shaft and the horizontal direction is large. Therefore, even if a shock absorbing mechanism is provided, the vehicle operates when a driver collides with the steering wheel. The shock may not be absorbed sufficiently.

Therefore, there is provided a steering device which rotatably supports a steering column about a support shaft extending along the left-right direction of the vehicle body and rotates the steering column so that an upper side thereof is directed forward of the vehicle body in the event of a collision between a steering wheel and a driver. It has been disclosed (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 53-3313).
No. 3, JP-A-4-334657, JP-A-48
-5128). As a result, the distance between the driver and the steering wheel increases, so that an excessive collision between the driver and the steering wheel can be prevented, and the impact absorbing effect of the seat belt can be improved.

Further, in order to prevent the vehicle from being stolen, a lock member supported by a steering column supporting the steering shaft can be displaced between a rotation preventing position and a rotation allowable position of the steering shaft. The device is used.

[0006]

Heretofore, a steering column rotatably supported around a support shaft has a low torsional rigidity. Therefore, when the steering wheel is rotated in a state where the rotation of the steering shaft is prevented by the lock member supported by the steering column, the steering column may be damaged.

An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a steering shaft, a steering column supporting the steering shaft, and a lock member supported by the steering column, wherein the lock member rotates the steering shaft. In a steering device capable of being displaced between a blocking position and a rotation allowing position,
A steering member rotatably supports the steering column about a support shaft along the left and right direction of the vehicle body so that an upper side thereof can be directed forward of the vehicle body, and a steering member is steered from a steering shaft via a lock member at a rotation preventing position. A torque receiving member for receiving torque transmitted to the column; rotation of the steering column is prevented until a load in the rotational direction of a certain degree or more acts on the steering column, and a certain degree of load acts on the steering column; It is characterized by being allowed by doing. According to the configuration of the present invention, at the time of collision between the steering wheel and the driver, the upper side of the steering column rotates so as to face forward of the vehicle body, so that the distance between the driver and the steering wheel is increased, and the distance between the driver and the steering wheel is increased. Excessive collision can be prevented and the impact absorbing effect of the seat belt can be improved. In addition, since the torque transmitted from the steering shaft to the steering column via the lock member at the rotation preventing position is received by the torque receiving member, it is possible to prevent the steering column from being damaged by the torque.

Preferably, the torque receiving member has a pair of opposing torque receiving surfaces, and the steering column is guided by the torque receiving surfaces in a rotational direction about the support shaft. This makes it possible to use the torque receiving member to facilitate rotation of the steering column around the support shaft.

[0010] The pair of torque receiving surfaces can be pressed against the steering column, and the frictional force between the torque receiving surfaces and the steering column causes the steering column to rotate on the steering column in a constant rotational direction. It is preferable that the load is prevented until the above-mentioned load is applied, and that the load is allowed by the application of a certain load or more. Thus, it is possible to prevent the steering column from accidentally rotating by using the torque receiving member.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A steering apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 includes a tubular steering shaft 2 and a steering column 3 for supporting the steering shaft 2. A steering wheel H is connected to one end of the steering shaft 2. At the other end of the steering shaft 2, a universal joint 6a, 6b and a connecting shaft 7
, The steering gear 4 fixed to the vehicle body side member 45 is connected. The steering gear 4 changes the steering angle of the wheel W in accordance with the rotation of the steering shaft 2, and may employ, for example, a well-known rack and pinion type steering gear or a ball screw type steering gear.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a lower bracket (support member) 51 is attached to the steering column 3 via a lower holding member 50. The lower bracket 51 extends radially outward of the steering column 3 from a pair of side walls 51a, 51b, a connecting wall 51c connecting one end of each side wall 51a, 51b, and the other end of each side wall 51a, 51b. It has overhanging walls 51d and 51e. Through holes 51 formed in each overhanging wall 51d, 51e
A pair of screw shafts 52 implanted in the vehicle body-side member 45 are inserted through d ′ and 51e ′, and a nut 53 screwed to the screw shaft 52 and the vehicle body-side member 45 project from the wall 51.
The lower bracket 51 is inserted between the lower bracket 51 and the lower bracket 51e.
Is fixed to the vehicle body.

The lower holding member 50 has a peripheral wall portion 50a fixed to the outer periphery of the steering column 3 by welding,
Walls 51d, 51e project from both ends of the peripheral wall portion 50a along the side walls 51a, 51b of the lower bracket 51.
Side walls 50b, 50c extending toward
There are columnar support shafts 50d and 50e protruding outward from the steering column 3 from 50c. Double shaft 50
d and 50e have the same axis along the left-right direction of the vehicle body. One support shaft 50d is rotatably inserted into a through hole 51a 'formed in one side wall 51a of the lower bracket 51, and the other support shaft 50d is connected to the lower bracket 5d.
One is rotatably inserted into a through hole 51b 'formed in the other side wall 51b. Thereby, the support shafts 50d, 50
The steering column 3 is rotatable around e so that the upper side faces forward of the vehicle body.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 (2), a holding tube 90 is welded to the outer periphery of the steering column 3, and a lock member 91 is held by the holding tube 90. The lock member 91 can be displaced between a rotation preventing position that protrudes from the holding cylinder 90 and a rotation allowing position that is immersed in the holding cylinder 90, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. ing. The displacement of the lock member 91 can be performed using a known mechanism operated by an engine key of the vehicle. In the rotation preventing position, the lock member 91 is provided with a through hole 3m formed in the steering column 3.
Through the lock hole 2 a formed in the steering shaft 2, whereby the steering shaft 2
Block the rotation of

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 (1) and (2), an upper bracket 11 (torque receiving member) is attached to the steering column 3 via an upper holding member 10. The upper bracket 11 extends radially outward of the steering column 3 from the pair of side walls 11a, 11b, a connecting wall 11c connecting one end of each side wall 11a, 11b, and the other end of each side wall 11a, 11b. It has overhanging walls 11d and 11e. Each overhanging wall 1
In the through holes 11d 'and 11e' formed in 1d and 11e,
A pair of screw shafts 40 implanted in the vehicle body side member 45 are inserted, and the overhanging walls 11d and 11e are sandwiched between the nut 41 screwed to the screw shaft 40 and the vehicle body side member 45, so that the upper bracket 11 is Fixed to the body. The through-holes 11d 'and 11e' are elongated in the column axis direction in the longitudinal direction, and can cope with positional deviation between members due to manufacturing errors.

The upper holding member 10 has a pair of side walls 10.
a, 10b and a connecting wall 10c connecting the lower ends of the side walls 10a, 10b. The upper ends of the side walls 10a, 10b are welded to the outer periphery of the steering column 3, whereby the upper holding member 10 is integrated with the steering column 3. As shown in Fig. 5, a notch 10 "opening downward is formed across the side walls 10a and 10b of the upper holding member 10 and the connecting wall 10c. The side surface contacts the inner side surface (torque receiving surface) 11a 'of one side wall 11a of the upper bracket 11, and the other side wall 1 of the upper holding member 10
The outer surface of Ob contacts the inner surface (torque receiving surface) 11b 'of the other side wall 11b of the upper bracket 11. Accordingly, when the steering wheel H is rotated in a state where the lock member 91 is located at the rotation preventing position, the torque transmitted from the steering shaft 2 to the steering column 3 via the lock member 91 is changed to the opposite inner surface. It is received by the upper bracket 11 via 11a ', 11b'. In the present embodiment, a stopper 10 d is provided at the lower end of the upper holding member 10, and the notch 1 formed in the connecting wall 11 c of the upper bracket 11 is provided.
1c 'is inserted through a slight gap. When the stopper 10d contacts the connecting wall 11c,
The upper bracket 11 can receive torque transmitted from the steering shaft 2 to the steering column 3 via the lock member 91. Also, the steering column 3 has inner side surfaces 11a ', 11b' of side walls 11a, 11b of the upper bracket 11.
Accordingly, the upper holding member 10 is guided in the rotation direction about the support shafts 50d and 50e through the outer side surfaces of the side walls 10a and 10b of the upper holding member 10.

The side wall 11 of the upper bracket 11
A nut 71 is screwed into a bolt 70 inserted into the through holes 11a ", 11b" formed in the holes 11a, 11b and the notch 10 "formed in the upper holding member 10.
The inner surface 11 of the side walls 11a and 11b of the upper bracket 11 is formed by the head 70a of the bolt 70 and the nut 71.
a ', 11b' are pressed against the upper holding member 10 on the steering column 3 side. Thereby, the inner side surfaces 11a ', 1b of the side walls 11a, 11b of the upper bracket 11 are formed.
Due to the frictional force acting between 1b 'and the upper holding member 10, the rotation of the steering column 3 around the support shafts 50d and 50e is prevented until a certain load or more in the rotational direction acts on the steering column 3. At the same time, when a load equal to or more than a certain value acts, the steering column 3 can be prevented from rotating unexpectedly.

According to the above structure, when the steering wheel H collides with the driver, the upper portion rotates so as to be directed forward of the vehicle body as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Is increased, and an excessive collision between the driver and the steering wheel H can be prevented to improve the shock absorbing effect of the seat belt. Moreover, since the torque transmitted from the steering shaft 2 to the steering column 3 via the lock member 91 at the rotation preventing position is received by the upper bracket 11, the steering column 3 can be prevented from being damaged by the torque. Further, in the above embodiment, the torque is also received by the lower bracket 51 via the lower holding member 50, so that the steering column 3 can be more reliably prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, even if a slight torsional deformation occurs in the steering column 3, the torque can be received by the upper bracket 11 via the stopper 10d, and further deformation of the steering column 3 can be prevented. Side walls 11a and 11 of upper bracket 11 functioning as a receiving surface of the torque
By using the inner side surfaces 11a 'and 11b' of b, the steering column 3 can be guided in the rotation direction about the support shafts 50d and 50e, so that the rotation of the steering column 3 can be smoothed. Furthermore, the side walls 11a, 1
The frictional force between the inner surfaces 11a ', 11b' of 1b and the steering column 3 side can prevent the steering column 3 from accidentally rotating.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the stopper 10d provided on the holding member 10 is not essential.

[0021]

According to the present invention, the steering column can be smoothly rotated with a simple structure, the driver can be protected from impact, and the steering column locked to prevent theft can be rotated. It is possible to provide a steering device that can prevent the vehicle from being damaged.

[0022]

DISCLOSURE OF OTHER ART A shock absorbing steering device 101 shown in FIGS.
02, and the steering shaft 102 is
a and a steering column 103 made of a synthetic resin and supported through 105b. One bearing 105
a is formed by a step formed on the inner periphery of the steering column 103 and a retaining ring 112 attached to the outer periphery of the steering shaft 102.
And the steering column 103 is prevented from moving in the axial direction.

The steering shaft 102 has an upper first shaft portion 102a and a lower cylindrical second shaft portion 102b. The first shaft portion 102
The steering wheel is connected to one end of a, and one end of the second shaft portion 102b is inserted into the other end. A yoke 102c forming a universal joint is integrated with the other end of the second shaft portion 102b. The steering shaft 102 is connected to the steering gear via the universal joint as in the above embodiment.

A plate-shaped energy absorbing member 104 is inserted into the second shaft portion 102b. The energy absorbing member 104 has a sine curve shape in a side view, is curved so as to be rectangular in a plan view, and has one end in contact with the end surface of the first shaft portion 102a and the other end in the yoke 1.
Touches 02c. Thereby, the first shaft portion 102a
The second shaft portion 102b relatively moves in the axial direction due to the impact from the steering wheel H, which causes a certain or more axial load to act to deform the energy absorbing member 104. Impact energy can be absorbed by the deformation of the energy absorbing member 104.

The steering column 10 made of synthetic resin
3, a lower bracket 151 is integrally formed. The lower bracket 151 has a pair of projecting walls 151d and 151e extending radially outward from the steering column 103. Each overhanging wall 151d,
In the notches 151d 'and 151e' formed in 151e,
The lower bracket 151 is fixed to the vehicle body side member via the screw shaft inserted as in the above-described embodiment.

On the outer periphery of the steering column 103,
A metal tubular body 110 such as steel is press-fitted. A metal upper bracket 111 is welded to the cylinder 110. The upper bracket 111 includes a pair of overhanging walls 111 d and 111 e extending radially outward of the steering column 103, and both overhanging walls 111.
d and 111e. Through holes 111 formed in each overhanging wall 111d, 111e
The upper bracket 111 is fixed to the vehicle body-side member via a screw shaft inserted into d 'and 111e' in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

The steering column 103 has a cylinder 11
Since 0 is press-fitted, the steering column 103 and the cylindrical body 110 relatively move in the axial direction when a load equal to or more than a certain value according to the press-fit load is applied by an impact from the steering wheel side. The impact energy corresponding to the press-fit load can be absorbed.

A metal holding cylinder 1 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 110.
90 is welded, and a metal lock member 191 is held by the holding cylinder 190. The lock member 191 is shown in FIG.
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the rotation can be displaced between a rotation preventing position that protrudes from the holding cylinder 190 and a rotation allowing position that is immersed in the holding cylinder 190. The displacement of the lock member 191 can be performed using a known mechanism operated by an engine key of the vehicle. In the rotation preventing position, the lock member 191 is provided with a through hole 103m formed in the steering column 103 and the cylinder 1
10 is inserted through a locking recess 102a 'formed in the steering shaft 102 through a through hole 110m formed in the steering shaft 10, thereby preventing the rotation of the steering shaft 102.

According to the above configuration, the steering column 1
03 is made of a synthetic resin, so that weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, the lock member 19 at the rotation preventing position
Since torque transmitted from the steering shaft 102 via the first shaft 1 can be received by the metal cylinder 110, the steering column 103 can be prevented from being damaged. Also, the cylinder 110 is connected to the steering column 1
03 into the outer periphery of the steering column 10
The impact energy can be absorbed by the relative movement of the cylinder 3 and the cylinder 110. As shown in FIG. 8, a part of the steering column 103 is a bellows portion 103a, and the bellows portion 1a is provided.
The impact energy may be absorbed by deforming 03a by a load applied from the steering wheel side at the time of collision between the steering wheel and the driver.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a steering device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the steering device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a configuration of an upper bracket of the steering device according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the steering device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view of a steering device according to another technology.

FIG. 7 is a partially broken side view of a steering device according to another technique.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a steering column of a steering device according to another technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Steering shaft 3 Steering column 11 Upper bracket (torque receiving member) 11a ', 11b' Inner side surface (torque receiving surface) 50d, 50e Support shaft 51 Lower bracket (supporting member) 91 Lock member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A steering shaft, a steering column supporting the steering shaft, and a lock member supported by the steering column, wherein the lock member is provided between a rotation preventing position and a rotation allowable position of the steering shaft. A supporting member that rotatably supports a steering column around a support shaft along a left-right direction of the vehicle body so that an upper side thereof can be directed forward of the vehicle body; A torque receiving member for receiving torque transmitted from the steering shaft to the steering column via the lock member at the blocking position; and the rotation of the steering column is performed until a load of a certain degree or more in the rotational direction acts on the steering column. Is blocked and a certain amount of load is A steering device characterized by being allowed by the action of weight. 2. The steering according to claim 1, wherein the torque receiving member has a pair of opposed torque receiving surfaces, and the steering column is guided by the torque receiving surfaces in a rotational direction about the support shaft. apparatus. 3. The pair of torque receiving surfaces can be pressed against the steering column side, and the frictional force between the torque receiving surfaces and the steering column side causes the rotation of the steering column to rotate in the direction of rotation of the steering column. 3. The steering device according to claim 2, wherein the steering device is blocked until a certain load or more acts thereon, and is allowed by applying a certain load or more.