JPS6239964Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a steering wheel locking mechanism for a telescopic steering wheel of an automobile.

[Prior Art] In order to adjust the relative position of the steering wheel (steering wheel) to the seat and darts panel, or to alleviate the impact in the event of a collision, a steering shaft has become capable of sliding in the axial direction. Telescopic steering systems are known in the art.

As disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-117359, this type of telescopic steering has a cylindrical sliding column slidably supported inside a column case, and a steering shaft attached to the sliding column. is supported so that it does not slide in the axial direction but can rotate. In order to slidingly guide the sliding column, an axial groove is provided in the sliding column, and a guide member protruding from the column case is engaged with this groove.

However, in general, a steering wheel lock mechanism is installed that automatically locks the steering wheel so that it cannot be rotated when the starting key is removed, and this is because a lock bar supported on the column case engages with the steering shaft. However, both mechanisms are wasteful in their construction.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] Therefore, the purpose of the invention is to reduce costs by configuring a single lock bar to guide the sliding column in the axial direction and lock the steering shaft. The object of the present invention is to provide a handle lock mechanism for telescopic steering that makes it possible.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the structure of the present invention is such that a lock bar operated by an engine start key is supported on the column case side so as to be retractable and slidable on the column case. A supported sliding column and a steering shaft are each provided with an axial groove, and the lock bar engages with the groove of the sliding column when the engine is in operation, and when the engine start key is removed, the lock bar engages with the groove in the sliding column. It engages the column groove and the steering shaft groove.

[Operation] When the engine starting key 37 is installed, the lock bar 38 is retracted upward and engages only the groove 4 of the sliding column 6, so that the sliding column 6 can move in the axial direction within the range of the groove 4.

On the other hand, when the engine start key 37 is removed, the lock bar 38 projects upward and engages the grooves 4 and 8, and the steering shaft 7 is locked.

[Embodiment of the invention] To explain the invention based on an embodiment, as shown in FIG. A cylindrical sliding column 6 is supported so as to be slidable in the axial direction. This sliding column 6
A steering shaft 7 is supported with a pair of bearings 9 therein so as to be rotatable but not axially movable.

Then, the sleeve 10 is externally fitted and fixed to the steering shaft 7 between the pair of bearings 9,
This is provided with an axially extending groove 8 . Further, a groove 4 extending in the axial direction and having approximately the same length as this groove 8 is provided in the sliding column 6, and a lock bar 38 is engaged with one or both of the grooves 4 and 8 by operating the engine start key. be configured so as to be able to do so. The operating mechanism of the lock bar 38 is the same as that of the conventional one.

As shown in Fig. 2, half of the peripheral wall of the upper end of the column case 2 is cut off, and a bracket 21 that protrudes radially outward is integrally formed on the remaining cut edge of the peripheral wall, and bolt holes 22 are provided in this bracket 21. A starter 36 is integrally provided on a cover 35 having a semicircular cross section and a bracket 31 that corresponds to the bracket 21, and a starter key 37 is provided.
The cover 35 is constructed so that the lock bar 38 can project from the semicircular inner peripheral surface by the above-mentioned operation.
2. The groove 4 of the sliding column 6 shown in FIG.

In the above configuration, when the vehicle is in a driving state, that is, when the starting key 37 is inserted into the starting device 36, the lock bar 38 is retracted upward and the first
As shown, it engages only the groove 4 of the sliding column 6. Therefore, the lock bar 38 allows the sliding column 6 to slide in the axial direction within the length of the groove 4. Then, only the steering shaft 7 rotates as the steering wheel is operated.

On the other hand, when the vehicle is parked, that is, when the start key 37 is removed, the lock bar 38 protrudes downward and the groove 4
This engages with the groove 8 of the steering shaft 7, prevents rotation of the steering shaft 7, and helps prevent theft.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention is configured so that the groove 4 formed in the sliding column 6 and the groove 8 formed in the steering shaft 7 coincide at a predetermined rotational position of the steering shaft 7, and so that the lock bar 38 can protrude into these grooves 4, 8. Therefore, compared to the conventional device which separately provided a guide member which prevents the rotation of the sliding column 6 and guides the sliding in the axial direction, and a handle lock mechanism which prevents the rotation of the steering shaft 7, this helps to reduce the number of parts and labor, and makes it possible to provide a cheaper handle lock mechanism for telescopic steering.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the handle lock mechanism of the telescopic steering according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle lock mechanism of the telescopic steering with the starter removed, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover equipped with the starter. 2: Column case, 3: Bushing, 4, 8:
Groove, 6: sliding column, 7: steering shaft, 9: bearing, 10: sleeve, 38: lock bar.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A lock bar operated by an engine start key is supported on the column case side so that it can be moved in and out, and an axial groove is provided in each of the sliding column and the steering shaft that are slidably supported on the column case.
The lock bar engages with the groove of the sliding column when the engine is running, and the lock bar engages with the groove of the sliding column and the steering shaft when the engine start key is removed. Handle lock mechanism for telescopic steering.