JPS6215095Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention relates to an assembly structure of a shell column cover that covers a steering section for both vehicles.

Examples of conventional shell column covers include those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main parts so that the assembly structure can be seen, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly part. In the figure, a is an upper column, b is a lower column, c is a through hole in the steering boss, d is a hole for a key cylinder, and e is a hole for a turn signal switch. f is a connecting rod of a pair of parallel vertical ribs, and a passage hole h is formed between this connecting rod and a locking piece g formed parallel to the lower edge of the inner side of the upper column. K is a locking pawl that projects upward from the inside of the lower column, and during assembly, the locking pawl k passes through the passage hole h and engages with the locking piece g to be fixed. Note that i is a locating pin for positioning, and j is a pin hole.

However, with conventional column covers like this, there is no problem with those with large walls and high rigidity, but with thin walls with low rigidity, when both columns are pulled, or when the arrow There was a problem in that when a pressing force was applied in the A direction, it easily came off due to deflection. Measures to prevent this include increasing the number of locating pins i and pin holes j, and providing a large number of displacement prevention ribs at necessary locations, but these methods have the disadvantage of complicating the mold structure. It was hot.

This idea was devised by focusing on these conventional problems. A pair of parallel guide ribs are vertically provided along the inner surface of the upper column, and the outermost part of the lower part of the rib is connected to the lower column. A locking piece is integrally formed between the parallel guide ribs, and a locking claw that engages with the locking piece is formed protruding from the inside of the lower column. According to
The purpose is to solve the above problems.

Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described based on the attached drawings. Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the main part showing the upper column 1 and lower column 2 separated;
The figure is a front view of the same, FIG. 5 is a state diagram immediately before assembly, and FIG. 6 is a state diagram immediately after assembly. In the figure,
Parallel guide ribs 3 and 3 are integrally provided vertically along the inner surface of the upper column 1. The lower outermost portion 4 of the rib is formed so as to be able to come into contact with the inner surface of the lower column 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes a locking pawl that is integrally formed between the parallel guide ribs 3, 3, and the inner lower edge 6 is oblique in order to smooth the engagement operation. Reference numeral 7 denotes a locking pawl projecting above the lower column 2, which is integrally formed upright from a horizontal base piece 8 formed inside the upper side of the lower column 2. 9, 9 are reinforcing ribs.
The shape of the locking pawl 7 is such that the locking portion 10 of the pawl is slightly tapered in order to facilitate the engagement operation. Next, the action will be explained.

When the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are moved closer to each other from the state shown in FIG. 3, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. When pressing force is further applied from above and below, they are assembled as shown in FIG. 6. At this time, the parallel guide ribs 3, 3
serves as a guide when inserting the locking pawl 7, so that the assembly operation can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, after assembly, the outermost part 4 of the parallel guide rib 3 comes into contact with the inner surface of the lower column, so even if force is applied in the directions of arrows B and C, both columns will not separate from each other. It is also possible to provide resistance to loads in this direction.

It goes without saying that these locking pieces and locking claws need to be provided at several locations on the column cover, but this does not preclude their use in combination with conventionally employed locating pins and movement prevention ribs.

As explained above, according to this idea,
Its structure is such that a pair of parallel guide ribs are integrally hung along the inner surface of the upper column, the lower outermost part of the rib can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the lower column, and the parallel guide ribs are placed between the parallel guide ribs. Since the locking piece is integrally formed and the locking pawl that engages with the locking piece is formed on the inside of the lower column, it is structurally simple and can be easily manufactured by injection molding of synthetic resin. In addition, the parallel guide ribs make it easy to insert the locking pawl, allowing quick one-touch assembly. An upper column and a lower column do not easily separate even if force or rotational force is applied. Therefore, the overall thickness can be reduced and material costs can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a conventional example, Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the main part, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same from above, and Fig. 3 and subsequent figures show examples of the present invention. in,
Fig. 3 is a vertical side view of the main part, Fig. 4 is a front view of the same as above, Fig. 5 is a side sectional view showing the state immediately before assembly, and Fig. 6 is a side sectional view showing the state immediately after assembly. . 1...Upper column, 2...Lower column,
3... Parallel guide rib, 5... Locking piece, 7... Locking claw.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a steering column cover that is integrated by joining the peripheral edges of an upper column and a lower column, a pair of parallel guide ribs are integrally hung along the inner surface of the upper column, and the outermost part of the lower part of the rib is provided. abutting against the inner surface of the lower column, a locking piece is integrally formed between the parallel guide ribs, and a locking pawl that engages with the locking piece is provided on the inside of the lower column. A column cover characterized by a formed.