JPH115545A - Column hole cover - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make surely blocking possible between an insertion hole inserting a steering column and the steering column. SOLUTION: In a panel side cover 22 mounted in a dash panel 16, an upper connection part 24 forming an inner surface in a spherical surface shape as partly a ball having a fixed radius is formed. In a rubber-made column side cover 42 mounted in a steering gear box 34, a lower connection part 44 forming an outer surface in a spherical surface shape as partly a ball of diameter equal to the inner surface of the upper connection part 24 is formed. Even when the column side cover 42 is moved relating to the panel side cover 22, an absorbing part 52 is elastically deformed, this movement is absorbed, the lower connection part 44 is prevented from position displacement relating to the upper connection part 24. Since a connection surface between the upper/lower connection parts 24, 44 is formed in spherical surface shape, in the periphery of a steering lower shaft 18, a seal circle 18 constituted over a total periphery, between the upper/lower connection parts 24, 44 is sealed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a column hole cover and, more particularly, to a steering column and an insertion hole in a state where the steering column is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a dashboard or a floor panel. And a column hole cover that closes the gap between the column hole cover.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 shows a conventional column hole cover 110 (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-122471). FIG. 11 shows the column hole cover 11.
The cab 112 of the vehicle to which 0 has been applied is shown. Opening 116 formed in floor 114 of cab 112
The steering lower shaft 118 penetrates.

A first cylindrical cover 128 is fixed to an end of a gear case 122 of the steering gear device 120 on an input shaft 124 side by bolts 126. A substantially conical guide portion 130 is formed on the periphery of the end of the first cover 128 on the cab 112 side by bending the flange outward in a direction inclined with respect to the axis J5 of the first cover 128. I have.

On the other hand, one end of a cylindrical and bellows-shaped resin second cover 132 is attached to the periphery of the opening 116 by bolts 140.
It is fastened together. The other end of the second cover 132 is formed in a substantially conical shape corresponding to the guide portion 130 of the first cover 128, and presses and contacts the guide portion 130.

Therefore, the joint 134 can be protected from dust by the first cover 128 and the second cover 132. The opening 116 is formed between the column cover 136 and the second
The cover 132 is doubly closed by the cover 132, and the sealing performance of the opening 116 is improved.

However, in the column hole cover 110, the guide portion 130 and the other end of the second cover 132 are in substantially conical surface contact, and the first cover 128 and the second cover 13 are in contact.
For example, when the gear case 122 to which the first cover 128 is attached is inserted from below into the second cover 132 attached to the peripheral edge of the opening 116 and then assembled, If the insertion position is slightly shifted or the insertion angle is inclined, the guide portion 130 and the second
The other end of the cover 132 does not make surface contact. In particular, the pinion shaft J6 of the steering gear device 120 is
If the chassis frame 138 (suspension member) to which the steering gear device 120 is attached is inclined with respect to the mounting direction (substantially vertically upward), the first cover 128 is attached to the second cover 132 without displacement. It is difficult for the first cover 128 and the second cover 1
32, and the fitting property with 32 is reduced. For this reason, there is a possibility that the opening 116 cannot be reliably closed. At this time, the guide 130 and the other end of the second cover 132 are connected to the gear case 122.
It is difficult to tightly fix after assembling because there is no working space near the gear case 122.

After the gear case 122 is inserted from below and assembled, for example, even if the first cover 128 moves relatively to the second cover 132, the guide portion 130 and the second cover 132 The other end may be separated.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a column hole cover capable of reliably closing a gap between a steering column and an insertion hole through which a steering column is inserted.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a column hole cover for closing a space between an insertion hole through which a steering column is inserted and the steering column, wherein the insertion hole is formed. A panel-side cover that is attached to the panel and has a first joint having an inner surface formed into a spherical shape and having a first opening through which the steering column is inserted, and an outer surface attached to the steering column, A column-side cover having a second joint portion having a spherical surface having the same diameter as the inner surface of the joint portion and having a second opening through which the steering column is inserted while being in surface contact with the inner surface of the first joint portion; It is provided on at least one of the panel-side cover and the column-side cover, and absorbs relative movement between the panel-side cover and the column-side cover by elastic deformation. The inner surface of the joint and the outer surface of the second junction and having a absorption portion kept in contact over the entire circumference around the steering column.

In a state where the steering column is inserted through the insertion hole, the first cover of the panel side cover attached to the panel.
The inner surface of the joint and the outer surface of the second joint of the column-side cover attached to the steering column are in surface contact over the entire periphery of the steering column. A substantially circular sealing circle surrounding the steering column is formed on the contact surface, and the contact surface between the inner surface of the first joint and the outer surface of the second joint is sealed.

Even if the column-side cover and the panel-side cover move relatively, the movement is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the absorbing portion, and the inner surface of the first joint and the outer surface of the second joint become steering. The state of being in contact with the entire periphery of the column is maintained. Further, since the inner surface of the first joint and the outer surface of the second joint are both spherical, even if the column-side cover and the panel-side cover move relatively, the seal circle extends around the steering column. The inner surface of the first joint portion and the outer surface of the second joint portion are kept sealed while moving in the contact surface while being surrounded over the entire circumference. Thereby, the space between the insertion hole and the steering column is reliably closed.

When a suspension member or the like to which a steering column is attached is mounted on a vehicle and the steering column is inserted into the insertion hole, even if the axis of the steering column is inclined with respect to the direction of mounting the suspension member, the absorbing portion is formed. Due to the elastic deformation, the inner surface of the first joint and the outer surface of the second joint come into surface contact, and the space between the insertion hole and the steering column is securely closed. Thereby, the ease of inserting the steering column into the insertion hole and the ease of attaching the suspension member to the vehicle are improved, and the work is facilitated.

[0013]

FIG. 2 shows a column hole cover 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also,
FIG. 1 shows a state where the space between the insertion hole 14 and the steering column 12 is closed by the column hole cover 10. The insertion hole 14 is provided in the dash panel 1 of the vehicle.
6, through which the upper part of the steering lower shaft 18 constituting the steering column 12 is inserted. In this vehicle, the mounting direction of the suspension member, to which the engine and the like are attached, on the vehicle body (vertical line L
The steering lower shaft 18 (this axis is indicated by L2) with respect to
It is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ.

On the lower surface of the dash panel 16 (the surface on the engine room side), a panel side cover 22 constituting the column hole cover 10 is attached around the insertion hole 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the panel-side cover 22 has an upper joint formed by forming a circular arc projecting radially outward and obliquely upward in the circumferential direction and formed as a whole as a whole. It has a part 24. In other words, the upper joint 24
Has a shape lying between two parallel planes when a spherical shell having a constant radius is cut in two parallel planes in the same direction as viewed from the center of the spherical shell. For this reason, the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 has a spherical shape as a part of a sphere having a constant radius. The upper joint portion 24 has a shape that hangs downward while gradually expanding radially outward from the upper end to the lower end.

From the upper end of the upper joint 24, the upper joint 24
, A substantially cylindrical upper cover portion 26 that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the center line J1. An inner flange 28 extending radially inward and an outer flange 30 extending outward from a position closer to the upper joint 24 than the inner flange 28 are formed at the upper end of the upper cover portion 26.

The dash panel 16 is provided on the inner flange 28.
An opening 32 having substantially the same diameter as the insertion hole 14 is formed, and the periphery of the opening 32 is reinforced by the inner flange 28 and the outer flange 30. The inner flange 28 is closely attached to the dash panel 16 around the insertion hole 14, and the panel-side cover 22 is attached to the dash panel 16.

The panel-side cover 22 is integrally formed of a material having a predetermined rigidity such as a metal or a hard resin. Also, the upper cover portion 26 has a low rigidity because the upper joint portion 24, the inner flange 28, and the outer flange 30 are also thin, so that when a stress equal to or more than a predetermined value acts in the vertical direction in FIG. It has become.

The lower portion of the steering lower shaft 18 is inserted into a steering gear box 34. By the steering gear box 34, rotation of the steering lower shaft 18 due to steering operation is converted into movement in the vehicle width direction, and wheels (not shown) are steered.

A column cover 42 made of rubber is attached to the upper end of the steering gear box 34. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the column-side cover 42
In the same manner as the panel-side cover 22, the lower joining portion 44 has a circular arc formed on the outer side in the radial direction and obliquely upward and continuing in the circumferential direction, and formed in an annular shape as a whole.
The outer surface of the lower joint 44 has a spherical shape as a part of a sphere having the same diameter as the inner surface of the upper joint 24.

At the lower end of the inner surface of the lower joint portion 44, a rib 48 bulging inward over the entire circumference is formed, so that the rigidity of the lower joint portion 44 is increased.

From the upper end of the lower joining portion 44, an absorbing portion 52 which is made to protrude upward is formed inward in the axial direction. Further, from the inside of the absorbing portion 52, a substantially cylindrical lower cover portion 46 inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the center line J2 of the lower joining portion 44 is formed obliquely downward inside the lower joining portion 44. ing.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the lower joint portion 44 is inserted into the upper joint portion 24 from below, the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 become spherical having the same diameter. As they are formed, they make surface contact. Furthermore, the column side cover 4
2 is pushed toward the panel-side cover 22, the absorbing section 52
Is elastically deformed, and the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 come into close contact with each other by the elastic reaction force. In particular, the portion indicated by the seal circle C1 in FIG.
8 and tightly adheres in a circular shape to seal between the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as an “attached state”). As shown in FIG. 1, the plane defined by the seal circle C1 is horizontal, and the suspension member mounting direction (vertically upward,
(Indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 1). At this time, the upper joint 24 and the lower joint 44 are positioned such that the lower end of the upper joint 24 is located below the lower end of the lower joint 44.
The length is determined.

As shown in FIG. 1, a holding groove 50 is formed in the lower inner surface of the lower cover portion 46 so as to surround the flange 36 projecting outward from the upper end of the steering gear box 34 from the outside, and to sandwich the flange 36 from above and below. ing. Accordingly, the holding groove 50 holds the flange 36 so that the lower joint 4
4 is in close contact with the upper end of the steering gear box 34, and the column side cover 42 is attached to the steering gear box 34.

The lower cover portion 46 is integrally formed with the upper cover portion 26 of the panel-side cover 22 in the above-mentioned mounted state to form a substantially complete cylinder as a whole.

A dash panel 16 has a column cover (not shown) mounted around the opening 14 on a surface of the dash panel 16 on the vehicle interior side, and surrounds a steering column including a steering lower shaft 18.

Next, the steering column 12 and the insertion hole 1 are provided by the column hole cover 10 according to the present embodiment.
4 and a column hole cover 1
The operation of 0 will be described.

First, the inner flange 2 of the panel side cover 22
8 from the engine room side (lower left side in FIG. 1)
4 is attached to the dash panel 16 around. Attachment can be performed by bolts etc. (not shown),
In particular, when the dash panel 16 and the panel side cover 22 are made of metal, they can be attached by welding.

Next, the steering lower shaft 18 with the column side cover 42 attached to the steering gear box 34 in advance is inserted into the upper cover portion 26 of the panel side cover 22 from below. This operation is performed by moving a suspension member (not shown) to which the steering gear box 34 is attached vertically upward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) relative to the vehicle body and mounting the same. At this time, the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 is formed into a spherical shape,
Since the steering lower shaft 18 gradually widens radially outward from the upper end to the lower end, even if the steering lower shaft 18 is inclined from the suspension member mounting direction (vertically upward),
Easy insertion work.

When the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 comes into contact with the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and further pushes the suspension member upward, the absorbing portion 52 is elastically deformed, and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 becomes the upper joint portion. 24 (closed state). Since the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 and the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 are formed in a spherical shape, as shown by a seal circle C1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a part of the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 and the upper surface are formed. Joint 24
And a part of the inner surface of the lower joint portion surrounds the steering lower shaft 18 and closely adheres in a circular shape, thereby sealing between the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44. Thereby, the space between the insertion hole 14 and the steering column 12 is completely closed. A column cover (not shown) attached to the dash panel 16 on the vehicle interior side and the panel-side cover 2
2 and the column side cover 42 prevent water, air, dust and the like from entering the vehicle interior (upper right side in FIG. 1),
The steering lower shaft 18 is dust-proof.

The plane defined by the seal circle C1 is horizontal and orthogonal to the direction in which the suspension members are mounted. Therefore, when the steering lower shaft 18 is pushed vertically upward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1), the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 uniformly contacts the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 along the seal circle C1, Column side cover 42
Does not skid carelessly.

The upper joint 24 hangs downward while gradually expanding radially outward from the upper end to the lower end, and the lower end of the upper joint 24 is lower than the lower end of the lower joint 44. positioned. As a result, even if water droplets hit from the upper direction or the lateral direction due to rain or the like, the water droplets do not enter between the upper joint portion 24 and the lower joint portion 44.

Since the absorbing portion 52 is elastically deformable, the column side cover 42 is
Is relatively displaced, this displacement is caused by the absorption portion 5
The lower joint 44 is not displaced with respect to the upper joint 24 by being absorbed by the elastic deformation of No. 2. Further, since the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 are both spherical, even if the column-side cover 42 is displaced relative to the panel-side cover 22, the steering lower shaft A seal circle is formed around the periphery of the seal 18 so as to be in close contact with the entire circumference. Thereby, the space between the upper joint 24 and the lower joint 44 is sealed.

As an example, FIGS. 5 and 6 show that a twisting force acts on the column side cover 42 so that the center line J2 of the lower joint portion 44 is aligned with an arrow B with respect to the center line J1 of the upper joint portion 24.
The case where it is inclined in the direction (see FIG. 6) is shown. In this case, since the absorbing section 52 is elastically deformed, the lower joint section 44 does not shift with respect to the upper joint section 24. Then, a portion where the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 are in strong circular contact with the periphery of the steering lower shaft 18 (in a state before the prying force acts on the column side cover 42, The portion indicated by the seal circle C1) also moves. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
The upper contact portion of 2 moves downward, and the opposite contact portion moves upward. Thereby, a part of the inner surface of the upper joint part 24 and a part of the outer surface of the lower joint part 44
A seal circle C2 inclined with respect to the seal circle C1 is formed around the steering lower shaft 18 over the entire circumference. Therefore, the space between the upper joint 24 and the lower joint 44 is sealed.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the column side cover 42.
8 shows a case where a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the center line J2 (the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 8). Even in this case, since the absorbing portion 52 is elastically deformed, the upper joint portion 24 is deformed.
Does not deviate from the lower joint portion 44. Then, the contact surface between the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44 moves, and the portion that is in strong contact with the periphery of the steering lower shaft 18 in a circular shape is the one where the column-side cover 42 moves. The contact portion moves upward and the opposite contact portion moves downward. As a result, a seal circle C3 inclined with respect to the seal circle C1 is formed between a part of the inner surface of the upper joint 24 and a part of the outer surface of the lower joint 44 by the steering lower shaft 18.
Around the entire circumference. Therefore, the upper joint 2
4 and the lower joint 44 are sealed.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a case in which an upward force (in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. 10) along the center line J2 acts on the column side cover 42. Even in this case, since the absorbing portion 52 is elastically deformed, the upper joint portion 24 does not shift with respect to the lower joint portion 44. Then, between the inner surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the outer surface of the lower joint portion 44, the portion that is in strong contact with the periphery of the steering lower shaft 18 in a circular shape moves upward as a whole, and becomes larger than the seal circle C1. A small-diameter seal circle C4 is formed around the entire periphery of the steering lower shaft 18. Therefore, the space between the upper joint 24 and the lower joint 44 is sealed.

In addition, even if the force acting on the column-side cover 42 is a combination of the above three cases, the upper joint 24 is attached to the lower joint 44 by the elastic deformation of the absorbing portion 52. No misalignment. And the upper joint 24
A part of the inner surface and a part of the outer surface of the lower joint part 44 make strong line contact over the entire periphery of the steering lower shaft 18 to form a seal circle, and the upper joint part 24 and the lower joint part 44 are formed. Is sealed. That is, any displacement of the lower joint portion 44 with respect to the upper joint portion 24 can be absorbed, and the space between the insertion hole 14 and the steering column 12 can be completely closed.

The panel side cover 22 or the column side cover 4
2. When a prying force is applied to the steering wheel 2 or a minute vibration generated when the vehicle travels on unevenness of the road surface is transmitted to the steering column via the suspension member, the upper cover portion 26 of the panel-side cover 22 and the column The lower cover portion 46 of the side cover 42 is elastically deformed. Thereby, it is possible to absorb a twisting force, a minute vibration, and the like.

The overall shapes of the panel-side cover 22 and the column-side cover 42 are not limited to those described above.
In short, the panel-side cover 22 is formed with the upper joint 24 having a spherical inner surface, while the column-side cover 42 is formed with a spherical outer surface and is formed on the inner surface of the upper joint 24. It suffices if the lower joining portion 44 that comes into contact is formed.
Therefore, for example, the outer surface of the upper joint portion 24 and the inner surface of the lower joint portion 44 may have any shape.

The column-side cover 42 does not need to be entirely made of rubber, and can absorb a relative displacement between the panel-side cover 22 and the column-side cover 42 by elastic deformation. The part may be formed at least partially. For example, the column side cover 42
Is made of resin or metal, and at least a part thereof is elastically deformed by being made thin, etc., so as to absorb a relative displacement between the panel-side cover 22 and the column-side cover 42. Good. In addition, this absorbing part
It is not necessary to be formed on the column side cover 42, and it may be formed on the panel side cover 22, or may be formed on both the column side cover 42 and the panel side cover 22.

[0041]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first joint portion, which is attached to the panel having the insertion hole formed therein, has a spherical inner surface, and has the first opening through which the steering column is inserted. A second opening, which is attached to the panel-side cover and the steering column, has an outer surface having a spherical shape having the same diameter as an inner surface of the first joint portion, makes surface contact with the inner surface of the first joint portion, and has a second opening through which the steering column is inserted. A column-side cover having the formed second joint portion, and a first cover provided on at least one of the panel-side cover and the column-side cover to absorb relative movement between the panel-side cover and the column-side cover by elastic deformation. Since the inner surface of the joint portion and the outer surface of the second joint portion have an absorbing portion that maintains a state of being in contact with the entire periphery of the steering column, the column side cover is provided with the panel side cover. Even if it is misaligned, the gap between the first joint of the column side cover and the second joint of the panel side cover is securely sealed, and the gap between the insertion hole and the steering column is securely closed. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a space between an insertion hole and a steering column is closed by a column hole cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a column hole cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a column hole cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a column hole cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a column hole cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an axis of a second joint is inclined with respect to an axis of a first joint.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a column hole cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an axis of a second joint is inclined with respect to an axis of a first joint.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the axis of the second joint moves in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first joint in the column hole cover according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the axis of the second joint moves in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the first joint in the column hole cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the axis of the second joint moves in the axial direction with respect to the axis of the first joint in the column hole cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the axis of the second joint moves in the axial direction with respect to the axis of the first joint in the column hole cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a space between an insertion hole and a steering column is closed by a conventional column hole cover.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Column hole cover 12 Steering column 14 Insertion hole 16 Dash panel (panel) 18 Steering lower shaft 22 Panel side cover 24 Upper joint (first joint) 42 Column side cover 44 Lower joint (second joint) 52 Absorption Department

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A column hole cover for closing a space between an insertion hole through which a steering column is inserted and the steering column, the column hole cover being attached to a panel having the insertion hole formed therein, the inner surface being spherical. A panel-side cover having a first joint portion formed with a first opening through which the steering column is inserted; attached to the steering column; an outer surface having a spherical shape having the same diameter as an inner surface of the first joint portion; A column-side cover including a second joint portion that is in surface contact with the inner surface of the first joint portion and that has a second opening through which the steering column is inserted; provided on at least one of the panel-side cover and the column-side cover The relative movement between the panel-side cover and the column-side cover is absorbed by the elastic deformation, so that the inner surface of the first joint and the outer surface of the second joint are separated from each other. A column hole cover, comprising: an absorbing portion that maintains a state in which the steering column is in contact with the entire periphery of the steering column.