KR0155029B1 - Tilt type steering apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The second side shaft oscillates with respect to the first side shaft below the front end of the rear steering column to reduce the size of the downward projection of the front end of the rear steering column to prevent a collision with the knees and to prevent the rear steering column from becoming unnecessarily large. And a rear end of the engagement member is pivotally supported by the second side shaft, so as to be secured to the bottom surface of the displacement side meshing teeth and the support bracket formed on the upper edge of the front end of the engagement member. The fixed side meshing teeth formed on the bottom face of the limiting member will be engageable and detachable with each other, and the engagement and detachment will be made by the swinging motion of the tilt lever.

Description

Tilt type steering device

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the basic part of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 with some portions omitted.

3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG.

4 is an enlarged view showing the meshing engagement of the fixed side meshing tooth displacement side meshing tooth.

5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the basic part of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5 with some omitted.

7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the basic part of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7 with some portions omitted.

9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the basic part of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the basic part of the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

11 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a side view showing an embodiment of a known tilt steering device.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of part XIII of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13. FIG.

FIG. 15 is taken along arrow XV of FIG. 13 with a portion cut away;

16A and 16B are enlarged views showing meshing coupling portions of the fixed side meshing teeth and the displacement side meshing teeth, respectively, of another embodiment.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: steering shaft 2,22: steering column

3: front steering column 4: rear steering column

5: support bracket 6: shaft

7, 33: tilt lever 9: the first engaging portion

10: first coupling tooth portion 12: second coupling portion

13: second engagement tooth 24, 40: circular hole

25: sliding bearing 30: coupling member

31: displacement side meshing teeth 32: fixed side meshing teeth

38: limiting member 41: protrusion

[Background of invention]

[Field of Invention]

The present invention relates to an improvement in the support of a steering column constituting a tilting steering device, in particular a steering device for automobiles that swings against a vehicle body.

[Private Technology]

BACKGROUND ART A height adjusting device for a steering wheel known as a tilting steal device designed to change the height of the steering wheel according to the driver's driving attitude or personality is known. In the above-mentioned steering apparatus, for example, one embodiment is known from Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-34145.

The tilt steering apparatus disclosed in the above publication has a structure as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 as a so-called vibration type. The steering column 2 formed in a cylindrical shape so that the steering shaft 1 can be fitted therebetween, the front steering column 3 is divided into the rear steering column 4.

The two steering columns 3 and 4 are connected to each other by a support bracket fixedly supported on the vehicle body. The rear steering column 4 swings against the side shaft 6 in the support bracket 5. A limiting device used for the tilt lever 7 oscillating with respect to the side shaft 6 is provided with a support bracket 5 between the rear steering columns 4.

In particular, one end of the rear steering column 4 is pivotally retained on the support bracket by the side shaft 6 of the support bracket 5 which is fixed to the vehicle body on a low surface or a place such as the instrument panel 8. have. In addition, the first coupling part 9 is fixed to the bottom side of the rear steering column 4. The bottom face of the first engagement portion 9 forms a bow-shaped block face on which the peripheral axial axis of the side shaft 6 is aligned, and the first engagement tooth 10 is formed on the bottom face.

On the other hand, one end (left end shown in Figs. 13 and 15) of the second engagement portion 12 connectable with the first engagement portion 9 which is subjected to the swinging motion of the tilt lever 7 is supported by the support bracket. It is pivotally supported on another side shaft 11 provided in (5). The second engagement tooth 13, which is engageable with the first engagement tooth 10 provided on the bottom of the first engagement part 9, has an upper edge at the other end of the second engagement part 12 (FIG. 13). On the upper edge of the right end portion shown in FIG.

In addition, the intermediate medium of the tilt lever 7 is retained on the side shaft 6 in a pivotable manner. The roller 15 is held on a shaft 14 having an end portion connected to the lower end of the tilt lever 7, and the upper surface of the roller 15 is supported by the second coupling member 12. . In addition, the pin 18 protruding from the side of the second coupling member 12 is connected to the inclined slot 17 formed in the swinging plate 16 fixed to the tilt lever 7.

In the above-described structure, when the tilt lever 7 swings while turning in the counterclockwise direction, the roller 15 is squeezed from below the other end (right end shown in FIG. 13) of the second engagement member 12. At the same time, the other end of the second engagement member 12 moves downward based on the engagement between the inclined slot 17 and the plate 18.

As a result, on the bottom surface of the second coupling teeth 13 formed on the upper surface of the other end of the second coupling member 12 and the first coupling member 9 fixed to the bottom of the rear steering column 4. The coupling between the formed first coupling teeth 10 is released. In this state, the rear steering column 4 is swingable relative to the side shaft 6 (wherein the pin 19 provided to protrude on the side of the rear steering column 4 is a bow formed in the support bracket 5). May be displaced into the slot 20).

By the rocking motion, the height of the steering wheel fixed to the end of the steering shaft 1 in which the rear steal is fitted to the column 4 is adjustable.

When the height of the steering wheel is adjusted in this way, the tilt lever 7 swings clockwise as shown in FIG.

In the swing, the roller 15 enters below the other end of the second engagement member 12 and pushes the other end of the second engagement member 12 upward. Therefore, this is the first engagement tooth 10 formed on the bottom of the first engagement member 9 fixed to the bottom of the second steering tooth 13 and the rear steering column 4 formed on the upper surface of the other end. ). As a result, it is difficult for the rear steering column 4 to rotate about the side shafts 6, 6 and the steering wheel is maintained at the above adjusted height. As shown in FIG. 13 by the tension spring 21, the elastic force for rocking the tilt lever 7 clockwise is added to the tilt lever 7, so that the roller 15 falls down the second engagement member 12. It does not happen to come by.

In the case of the conventional tilt-type steering apparatus implemented with the structure as described above, the first coupling member 9 is fixed to the bottom of the front end of the rear steering column 4, and additionally, the second coupling member ( The rear end 12 and the roller 15 are placed under the first engagement member 9. Therefore, a relatively large space for the provision of the members 9, 12, 15 is required below the front end of the rear steering column 4. When coupled to a working vehicle, the members 9, 12 and 15 are covered with a cover called the column cover but the bottom position of the column cover is lower so that the driver's knees are more likely to encounter the column cover. there is a problem.

In addition, the first coupling member 9 is fixed to the bottom surface of the front end of the rear steering column 4. However, the longitudinal size of the first defect member 9 is larger than some extent. In addition, when a combination switch for operation such as a light or a wiper is on the outer circumferential surface of the rear steering column 4, for example, it is necessary to provide the combination device toward the rearward direction of the first engaging portion 9. Thus, the longitudinal size of the rear steering column 4 will be larger than necessary.

When the rear steering column 4 has a large longitudinal length, it is applied to the engaging portion of the first and second coupling members 9 and 12 by the momentary force applied to the rear steering column 4 through the steering wheel. Power grows. Therefore, in order to prevent the two coupling members 9 and 12 from being detached by the force applied to the steering wheel, the two coupling members 9 and 12 need to be large and strong.

As a result, not only the position of the lower end of the column cover needs to be lowered, but also the weight thereof is increased.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tilted steering device which reduces the number of parts but operates safely.

The tilt steering apparatus of the present invention is a support bracket for fixing a vehicle body having a front steering column, a front steal supporting a shaft inside the front steering column which is only for rotation, and a rear end fixedly supporting the front steering column. And a rear steering column having a first side shaft provided in a portion fixed to the support bracket, a front end supported for pivotal movement by the first side shaft, and supporting only inside the rear steering column for rotation only. The rear steering shaft, a normal joint coupling the rear end of the rear steering shaft and the front end of the front steering shaft to each other, a second side shaft provided at a portion fixed to the rear steering column, and the second side. On its rear end and its front end pivotally supported on the shaft A coupling member having a displacement side meshing tooth, such as a formed rack, a fixed meshing tooth, such as the rack, provided at a fixed portion of the support bracket and opposite the meshing tooth displacement side, and the displacement side meshing tooth and The fixed side meshing teeth are provided with a tilt lever that engages and detaches each other by their rocking motion.

Further, during the non-operation of the tilt lever, the displacement side meshing teeth are against and against the fixed side meshing teeth.

The displacement side meshing teeth and the fixed side teeth are planar teeth so as to be supported by each other by their flat teeth. In addition, the direction of the support surface of the displacement-side meshing tooth and the fixed-side meshing tooth is a meshing pressure angle at which the direction of relative displacement of the displacement-side meshing tooth and the fixed-side meshing tooth intersects α and the displacement-side meshing tooth and the fixed-side meshing When the coefficient of friction between the support surfaces of the teeth is μ, the expression α ≦ tan-1 μ is satisfied.

In addition, the shape of the displacement side teeth and the fixed side teeth is a meshing pressure angle α1 corresponding to a support surface facing each other when an upward force of the meshing pressure angle α is applied to the rear end of the rear steering column. ) Is asymmetric along the longitudinal axis such that when downward force is applied to the rear end of the rear steering column, it is smaller than the meshing pressure angle α2 corresponding to the support surfaces facing each other.

When the height of the steering wheel is adjusted according to the driver's own or properties by the tilt-type steering apparatus of the present invention having the structure as described above, the engagement between the displacement side meshing tooth and the fixed tooth is a rocking motion of the tilt lever. By dominant relaxation. In this state, the rear steering column oscillates relative to the first side shaft thereby adjusting the height of the steering wheel fixed to the rear end of the rear steering shaft. After the adjustment of the device, the tilt lever swings in the opposite direction, where the displacement side meshing tooth and the fixed side meshing tooth engage with each other so that the steered wheel is fixed at the adjusted height.

In particular, in the case of the tilt-type steering apparatus of the present invention, the displacement side meshing tooth and the fixed side meshing tooth are flat teeth, and the meshing pressure angle α of the flat teeth is α≤ with respect to the friction coefficient μ. Since there is a relationship of tan-1 μ, even when no member is provided that prevents the displacement of the coupling member, the coupling between the meshing teeth will not be relaxed if the tilt lever is not operated. Thus, the number of members provided below the rear steering column or the front end of the rear steering column may be reduced and may also be absent. Thus, the size of the downward protrusion of the part can be small and the size of the longitudinal direction of the rear steering column can also be small.

In addition, the support surfaces which face each other when a downward force is applied to the rear end of the rear steering, have a meshing pressure angle α1 corresponding to the support surfaces against each other when applied to the rear end of the upward force rear steering column. Since it is smaller than the meshing pressure angle α2 corresponding to, the rear steering column can be prevented from being safely drawn up. As a result, in the event of a crash, the driver's body can be safely accommodated by an airbag inflated to the rear of the steering wheel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The front steering shaft 22 is retained inside the front steering column 3 for rotation only. In addition, the rear end (right end shown in FIG. 1) of the front steering column 3 holds a metal plate press-formed through the support plate in the manufactured support bracket 5. The support bracket 5 is fixed in the vehicle body at the bottom of the instrument panel 8 (Fig. 12). The front end of the rear steering column 4 is supported by the first side shaft 23.

It is pivotally retained on the rear end of the bracket 5.

The circular hole 24 is formed in the left and right sides of the front end (left end shown in FIG. 1) of the rear steering column 4 manufactured by die casting of aluminum alloy. Half of the first side shaft 23 is fitted into each circular hole 24 through each sliding bearing 25. Thus, the rear steering column 4 is pivotably held relative to the first side shafts 23 and 33 with respect to the support bracket 5.

With the rear steering column 4 inside supported, the rear steering shaft 26 is supported by rotation only by the groove ball bearings 27 in the front and rear. The rear end of the rear steering shaft 26 (left end shown in FIG. 1) and the rear end of the front steering shaft 22 (right end shown in FIG. 1) are connected to each other by a common joint 28. have. In the case of the first embodiment, the center of displacement of the general joint 28 is arranged on the extension of the pair of first side shafts 23. Thus, even when the rear steering column 4 swings relative to the first side shaft 23,

The rotational force transmission between the front steering shaft 22 and the rear steering shaft 26 is smooth.

The second side shaft 29 is also under the front end of the rear steering column 4, and the rear end of the coupling member 30 is pivotally supported on the second side shaft 29. A displacement side meshing tooth 31, like a rack (similar to a plane gear), is formed on the upper layer surface of the front end of the engaging member 30. On the other hand, the limiting member 38 is fixed to the bottom part of the support bracket 5 opposite the displacement side meshing tooth 31, and the fixed side meshing tooth 32 such as the rack has a limiting member 38. It is formed on the bottom of.

The displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 are loosely coupled to each other on the basis of the swinging motion of the tilt lever 33. The tilt lever 33 has a base (left end shown in FIG. 1) of the lever fixedly coupled to the rear end of the coupling member 30. Thus, when the front end (first right illustrated right end) of the tilt lever 33 is rocked, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 will be detached from each other by the rocking motion.

In addition, the upper end of the limiting pin 34 is Kirk fixed to the support bracket and the rear end of the bottom face. The limit pin 34 has a small small diameter portion 35 of the upper half and a large diameter portion 36 of the lower half half connected to each other by the step forming portion 37, and the small diameter portion 35 has a limiting member ( It is fitted in the circular hole 39 formed in the 38 and the circular hole 40 formed in the bottom of the support bracket (5). The upper protrusion of the support bracket is caulked on the upper end of the small diameter portion 35,

The restricting pin 34 and the restricting member 38 are formed at the bottom of the support bracket 5.

Rotation around the limiting pin 34 by a protrusion 41 formed on the upper layer surface of the front portion (the left portion shown in FIG. 1) of the restriction member 38 coupled with the through hole 42 formed in the front portion. Prevent it.

In addition, the large-diameter portion 36 of the limiting pin 34 is loosely inserted into the through hole 43 (left-right side as shown in FIG. 1) long in the longitudinal axis formed in the middle portion of the coupling member 30, It protrudes downward from the bottom of the coupling member (30). The leaf spring 45 is provided between the upper surface of the flange portion 44 and the bottom surface of the coupling member 30, the restricting pin 34 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end. The leaf spring 45 merely lifts up the front part (left part shown in FIG. 1) of the coupling member 30 which brings the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed shaft meshing teeth 32 into engagement with each other. It has a small elastic force that can be raised. Instead of the leaf spring 45, other elastic members such as coil springs or springs may bring the displacement side meshing teeth 31 towards the fixed side meshing teeth 32 during the inactivity of the tilt lever.

Further, in the case of the tilt steering device of the present invention, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 are flat tooth portions supported by each other by a flat surface. In other words, the meshing teeth 31 and 32 are not large curved surfaces made of wheels or the like, but large-diameter teeth having flat opposite surfaces. The direction of the supporting surface of the displacement side meshing tooth 31 and the fixed side meshing tooth 32 (indicated by the dashed line X in FIG. 4) and the displacement side meshing tooth 31 and the fixed side meshing tooth 32 The meshing input angle α of the relative displacement direction (indicated by the dashed-dotted line X in FIG. 4) between the support surface of the displacement side meshing tooth 31 and the fixed side meshing tooth 32 The friction coefficient mu is set small. That is, when the friction coefficient between the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the support surface of the fixed side meshing teeth 32 is μ, the expression α ≦ tan-1 μ is satisfied.

Although not shown, between the support bracket 5 and the rear steering column 4, there is a member such as a steering wheel supported by the rear steering column 4 and a support spring for weight support of the rear steering column 4. have. A coil spring provided between the bottom portion of the support bracket 5 and the bottom portion of the rear steering column 4 by the support spring 24, between the upper surface portion of the support bracket 5 and the upper surface portion of the rear steering column 4. The tension springs provided in can be used. In some cases, it should be understood that the resilient force of the support spring is only for basically supporting the weight of the member supported by the rear steering column 4.

This prevents or prevents the steering wheel from lowering strongly (without a support spring or with very small elastic forces) when the displacement of the displacement side meshing tooth 31 and the fixed side meshing tooth 32 is relaxed. It prevents it from being raised (if the elastic force of the support spring is too large).

When the height of the steering wheel is adjusted according to the driver's posture or property by the tilting steering apparatus of the present invention structured as described above, the rear end (right end shown in Fig. 1) of the tilt lever 33 is first raised. Displacement. Based on this operation, the tilt lever 33 and the engaging member 30 swing in the counter-clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the second side shaft 29 against the elastic force of the leaf spring 45. Simultaneous with the rocking motion, the coupling between the displacement side meshing tooth 31 and the fixed side meshing tooth 32 is relaxed.

In this state, the rear styling column 4 oscillates with respect to the first side shafts 23 and 23 thereby adjusting the height of a steering wheel, not shown, fixed to the rear end of the rear styling shaft 26. do. The adjustment can be easily done using a support spring. After adjustment, the rear end of the tilt lever 33 is lowered, and the tilt lever 33 and the engaging member 30 swing clockwise with respect to the second side shaft 29 as shown in FIG. Together with the rocking motion, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth are engaged with each other based on the elastic force of the leaf spring 45.

As a result, the steering wheel is fixed at the height after the adjustment.

In particular, in the case of the tilt-type steering apparatus of the present invention, the displacement-side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed-side meshing teeth 32 are flat and the meshing pressure angle α of the flat is expressed by the expression α≤ It satisfies tan-1μ. Therefore, even when a member which prevents displacement of the coupling member 30 is not particularly used, the meshing engagement between the meshing teeth 31 and 32 will not be relaxed unless the tilt lever 33 is not operated.

This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

For example, when the downward force is applied to the steering wheel having the meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 on the displacement side which fixed the height of the steering wheel and meshes with each other, the first side shaft 23 A force for rocking the rear steering column 4 in the clockwise direction is applied as shown in FIG. The front side (left side as shown in FIG. 4) of the displacement side meshing teeth 31 is directed toward the rear side (right side as shown in FIG. 4) of the fixed side teeth 32 (N). This is applied. Each of these sides has an inclination of the angle α with respect to the relative displacement of the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32. Therefore, the displacement side meshing tooth 31 has a force N sinα and is forced in a direction to be separated from the fixed side meshing tooth 32. On the other hand, when the friction coefficient between the two sides is μ, the frictional force μN acts in the tooth surface direction of the two sides, and the μNcosα acts in the direction of preventing displacement of the side, for example in the Y direction. In addition, the leaf spring 45 operates in the direction of maintaining the engagement between the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32.

Therefore, if the expression μ N cosα≥N sinα is satisfied, i.e., μ≥sinα / cosα = tanα, the coupling between the meshing teeth 31 and 32 is the displacement side meshing teeth 31 except for the leaf spring 45. Can be safely maintained even if no member is provided that closely adheres to the fixed-side meshing teeth 32.

In the case of the tilt steering device of the present invention, since the expression α ≦ tan-1 μ, the coupling between the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 satisfies the expression μ N cosα ≧ N sinα. The steal is not relaxed by the force exerted on the wheel.

Thus, the shaft 14 and the roller 15 (FIGS. 13 and 14) coupled to the conventional structure will be removed and the number of members under the rear steering column 4 and the support bracket 5 will be reduced.

As a result, the size of the downward projection of the part can be reduced, and the structure of the tilted steering device will not affect the driver's knee. In addition, since it is not necessary to mount the first coupling member 9 (FIGS. 13 to 15) coupled to the conventional structure on the bottom face of the rear steering column 4, the size of the longitudinal direction of the rear steering column 4 Can be small. The mounting plate 47 shown in FIG. 1 is for supporting a combination switch.

5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the upper part of the rear end (right end shown in FIG. 5) and the rear steering column (of the right end shown in FIG. 5) of the support bracket 5 pivotally supporting the rear steering column 4 on the support bracket 5 ( 4) is provided to extend through the upper layer portion of the front end of (left end shown in FIG. 5). The center of displacement of the universal joint 28 (shown in FIG. 1) that couples the front steering shaft 22 (shown in FIG. 1) and the rear steering shaft 26 (shown in FIG. 1) is the first side shaft 23. Does not exist on). Thus, a displacement recessed structure is required, which recesses the displacement to adjust the height of the steering wheel, such as the spline joint and the slit joint, on one of the steering shafts 22, 26 (shown in FIG. 1). Has the advantages of (1) to (3), such as:

(1) Since the first side shaft 23 can have a single shaft structure, the central movement arrangement adjustment work of the two shafts is unnecessary.

(2) By comparing the two first side shafts 23, the prevention of the inclination of the first side shaft 23 and the corresponding anti-sliping measures are easily obtained.

(3) The distance between the first side shaft 23 and the meshing engagement portions of the displacement side and fixed side meshing teeth 31, 32 can be increased. As a result, even when a vertical force is applied to the steering wheel, the force acting on the first side shaft 23 and the meshing engagement portion will be small.

As a result, the first side shaft 23 and the displacement side and fixed side meshing teeth 31 and 32 can be miniaturized.

Also, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following respects. In this embodiment, the disc spring 48 as an elastic member is interposed between the upper layer surface of the flange portion 44 on the lower end of the limiting pin 34 and the lower layer surface of the intermediate portion of the coupling member 30.

Moreover, the front end (left end shown in FIG. 5) of the limiting member 38 was fixed to the lower layer surface of the support bracket 5 by the rivet 49. As shown in FIG.

In addition, the front end (left end shown in FIG. 5) of the tilt lever 33 is fixed to the front side (left side shown in FIG. 5) of the second side shaft 29 at the base of the coupling base 30. FIG. Similar to that of the first embodiment described above, the same parts use the given reference numerals and need not be described.

7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the center of the transition of the general joint 28 which makes the front steering shaft 22 and the rear steering shaft 26 contact each other is rearward from the first side shaft 23.

Departure (shown in right direction in Figure 7). When the center of displacement of the plain joint 28 deviates rearwardly, the median displacement amount of the plain joint 28 may oscillate relative to the first side shaft 23 in order for the rear steering column 4 to adjust the height of the steering wheel. Even when small in the axial direction (left to right shown in FIG. 7).

Therefore, even when the displacement depression structure is not particularly necessary, the amount of movement will be reduced by the gap of each part.

Preferably, an elastic coupling capable of accommodating such a small amount of movement is provided continuously to the front steering shaft 22 or the rear steering shaft 26.

Further, in the third embodiment, the second side shaft 29 is obliquely offset. In order to support the weight of the rear steering column 4 supporting the steering wheel, an installation space for the compression spring provided between the rear steering column 4 and the support bracket 5 may be secured on the side of the rear support column 4. Can be. Also, rear

The front end of the steering column 4 is a shape in which a conflicting portion is opened, and is a small diameter portion that is an intermediate portion of the first shaft 23. The first side shaft, only the central portion of which is a small diameter portion, can support the force of the shaft but can make the weight of the shaft lighter and prevent interference with the steering shaft 22. In addition, the restricting ring 57 restricts the upper surface of the flange portion 44 at the lower end of the restricting pin 34 and the compression spring 58 is coupled to the upper surface of the restricting ring 57 and the engaging member 30. It is provided between the lower layers of.

In other respects, the structure and operation of the third embodiment are basically similar to those of the first and second embodiments described above. Therefore, the same parts have been given the same reference numerals and will not be described.

9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the limiting member 38 is fixed to the upper layer surface of the contact plate portion 50 of the support bracket 5. Further, the rear end (rear end shown in FIG. 9) of the coupling member 30 is on the front part (right end shown in FIG. 9) of the rear steering column 4 by the second side shaft 29. It is supported so that pivot movement is possible.

The displacement side meshing teeth 31 formed on the lower edge of the front end of the coupling member 30 oppose the fixed side coupling member 32 formed on the upper layer surface of the limiting member 38. In the embodiment of the present invention, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 are pressed toward the fixed side meshing teeth 32 based on the weight of the engagement member 30 while the tilt lever 30 is not operated. Therefore, there is no elastic member for the displacement side meshing teeth 31 which abuts on the fixed side meshing teeth 32. In FIG. 9, the collar 51 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rear steering shaft 26 and the key cylinder 52 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rear steering column 4 are members constituting the steering look device. In this embodiment, the engaging member 30 and the restricting member 38 are not exposed under the support bracket 5. Therefore, the interference of the members 30 and 38 on the driver's knees can be prevented more safely. In other respects, the structure and operation of the fourth embodiment are basically similar to those of the third embodiment described above. Therefore, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

10 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the contact bracket 53 is fixed to the rear end of the front steering column 3, and the front end of the rear steering column 4 is the contact bracket 53 on the pair of left and right first side shafts. It is supported in a pivotal motion on the image. In addition, the fixed side meshing teeth 32 are formed on the upper surface of the contact bracket 53.

Further, the second side shaft 29 is provided on the upper layer surface of the front end of the rear steering column 4, and the rear end (right end shown in FIG. 10) of the coupling member 30 is the second side shaft. It is supported by (29) so that pivoting is possible. The tilt lever 33 is provided continuously at the rear end of the engaging member 30. In addition, a tension spring 54 is provided between the engagement member 30 and the contact bracket 53 to form a displacement side meshing formed on the lower edge of the front end (left end shown in FIG. 10) of the engagement member 30. The teeth 31 are engaged with the fixed side meshing teeth 32. In this embodiment, since the engaging member 30 is not provided under the support bracket 5, the collision between the members 30 and 33 and the driver's knee can be more safely avoided. The parent of the outer surface of the displacement side meshing tooth 31 is a convex flattened shape with a large radius to avoid misalignment. In other respects, since the structure and operation of the fifth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 are engaged and detached by a simple rocking motion with each other by the tilt lever 33. . As a result, the amount of operation of the tilt lever 33 will be very small and rather give physical fatigue to the operator.

If the amount of displacement of the engagement member 30 becomes large, the amount of tilt lever 33 actuation will also increase. For example, the protruding size d of the bottom end of the limiting pin 34 shown in FIG. 1 will be large, which is not good.

Thus, in order to reduce the physical fatigue without increasing the protrusion size d, the operating amount of the tilt lever 33 can be increased by the structure of FIG. 11 showing the sixth embodiment.

That is, the tilt lever 33 is pivotally supported by the third side shaft 55 provided in parallel with the second side shaft 29, and the front end of the tilt lever 33 (shown in FIG. 11). The left end portion and the convex portion 56 formed on the rear end portion (right end portion shown in FIG. 11) of the coupling member 30 are engaged with each other. With this structure, the operating amount of the tilt lever 33 is the distance L ₂₉ from the engaging portion between the convex portion 56 and the rear end of the engaging member 30 to the second side shaft ₂₉ and the engaging portion. Will increase by an amount corresponding to the ratio L ₂₉ / Lss between the distance L ₅₅ from the third shaft 55 to the third side shaft 55.

Since the present invention operates in the same structure as described above, it is possible to provide a light and compact tilt-type steering device, and furthermore, the collision with the driver's knee does not occur.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B.

Similarly, in the case of the tilt steering device of the seventh embodiment, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 are flat, which can bear on each other with a flat surface. That is, the meshing teeth 31 and 32 are not curved surface teeth made of cartwheel curves, but teeth having flat large diameters on opposite sides. Direction of the support surface of the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 (indicated by dashed lines X in 16A and 16B) and the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth When the direction perpendicular to the pitch line of the mold part 32 (indicated by the dashed line Y in FIGS. 16A and 16B) intersects, the meshing pressure angle α, which is an inclination angle, is represented by the displacement side meshing tooth. The friction coefficient μ between the mold 31 and the support surface of the fixed-side meshing teeth 32 is small.

That is, when the friction coefficient between the moving side meshing teeth 31 and the support surface of the fixed side meshing teeth 32 is μ, the expression α ≦ tan-1 μ is satisfied.

Further, in the case of the tilt steering apparatus of the sixth embodiment, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 are asymmetric in the longitudinal axis direction. Further, the front side 32a (16A and 16B) of the fixed side meshing tooth 32 corresponding to each other with the rear side (shown to the right in FIGS. 16A and 16B) of the displacement side meshing tooth 31. The meshing pressure angle α1 between the left side in the figure) is the rear side of the teeth 32 which correspond to and correspond to the front side 31b of the displacement side meshing teeth 31 (shown on the left in FIGS. 16A and 16B). The value of the larger meshing pressure angle α2 among the meshing pressure angles α, α2 is also smaller than the meshing pressure angle α2 between the side 32b (shown on the right side of FIGS. 16A and 16B) (α1α2). It is defined to satisfy the above-mentioned expression?? Therefore, there is a relation that satisfies the expression α1α2 ≦ tan-1μ between the meshing pressure angles α1 and α2 and the above-mentioned friction coefficient μ.

In particular, in the case of the tilt-type steering apparatus of the seventh embodiment, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32 are flat teeth and their meshing pressure angles α1 and α2 are friction coefficients μ. In relation to the following expression, α1α2 ≦ tan-1μ is satisfied. therefore,

Even when a member that prevents displacement of the engagement member 30 is not particularly provided, the meshing engagement between the meshing teeth 31 and 32 will not be activated and the tilt lever 33 will not be relaxed.

This point will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B. For example, when a downward force is applied to a steering wheel having displacement side meshing teeth 31 and fixed side meshing teeth 32 meshed together such that the height of the steering wheel is fixed, the first side shaft 22, A force is applied which tends to rock the rear steering column 4 clockwise as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16A, the front side 31b of the displacement side meshing tooth 31 is pushed toward the rear side 32b of the fixed side meshing tooth 32 by the force N. As shown in FIG. Each of the side portions 31b and 32b is inclined at an angle α2 with respect to the relative displacement direction of the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32. Therefore, the displacement side meshing teeth 31 can receive (N sinα ₂ ) in a direction separate from the fixed side meshing teeth 32. On the other hand, when the friction coefficient between the sides 31b and 32b is μ, the friction force μN acts in the tooth surface direction of the _two sides 31b and 32b, and the force μN cosα ₂ is the side 31b and 32b. The force acts in the direction of Y, which hinders displacement. The leaf spring 45 also acts to maintain the engagement between the displacement side meshing teeth 31 and the fixed side meshing teeth 32.

Thus, the expression μ ₂ N cosα, i.e. μ≥sinα ₂ / cosα ₂ = tanα if any of the _second, meshing teeth (31, 32) displacement side meshing teeth 31 except for the leaf spring (45) coupled between the Even when no member is provided to bring the gear into engagement with the fixed side meshing teeth 32, it can be securely retained.

Between the case expression _{α 2 ≤tan-1μ, μ N} cosα 2, because they meet the ≥N sinα _2, the displacement-side meshing teeth 31 and the stationary-side meshing teeth 32, tilt-type steering device of the present invention Relaxation is not caused by the force applied to the steering wheel of the engagement.

Thus, the shaft 14 and roller 15 (FIGS. 13 and 14) coupled to the conventional structure will be excluded and the number of members and support brackets 5 provided under the rear steering column 4 will be reduced. will be.

As a result, the size of the downward projection of the part can be reduced and the configuration of the tilted steering device can avoid collision with the driver's knees. In addition, it is not necessary to mount a member such as the first side engaging member 9 (FIGS. 13-15) coupled to the conventional structure on the bottom face of the rear steering column 4. Therefore, the size of the longitudinal direction of the rear steering column 4 can be made small.

The mounting plate 47 shown in FIG. 1 is provided for supporting the combination switch.

The invention of this embodiment works as mentioned above and is miniaturized because of its structure

Occasionally it can provide a tilting steering device that is light and less likely to collide with the driver's knee.

In addition, since the present invention has the additional function of preventing the upward displacement of the steering wheel, the airbag extending to the rear side of the steering wheel in the event of a crash will safely accommodate the driver's body.

Claims (2)

A support bracket for fixing a vehicle body having a front steering column, a front steering shaft for supporting only inside the front steering column for rotation, a rear end for holding the front steering column fixedly, and a portion fixed to the support bracket. A rear steering column having a first side shaft provided, a front end supported by the first side shaft for pivotal movement, a rear steering shaft supported only inside the rear steering column for rotation, and the rear steering A universal joint for coupling the rear end of the shaft and the front end of the front steering shaft to each other, a second side shaft provided in a portion fixed to the rear steering column, and a rearward pivotally supported on the second side shaft Displacement side menu, such as a rack formed on the end and its front end A coupling member having teeth, a fixed meshing tooth such as the rack provided on a fixed portion of the support bracket and opposite the meshing tooth displacement side and the displacement side meshing tooth and the fixed side meshing tooth thereof When the meshing teeth are not in operation of the tilt lever, the displacement side meshing teeth are pressed toward the fixed side meshing teeth when the meshing teeth are engaged and detached from each other by oscillating motion. In the tilt steering device, in which the meshing teeth and the fixed side meshing teeth are flat teeth which are supported by each other by their planes, the directions of the supporting surfaces of the displacement-side meshing teeth and the fixed-side meshing teeth are fixed with the displacement-side meshing teeth. The meshing pressure angle intersecting the direction of the relative displacement of the side meshing teeth is α and the displacement side meshing teeth and the fixed side meshing A tilting steering apparatus characterized by satisfying the expression α ≦ tan-1 μ when the coefficient of friction between the support surfaces of the sing teeth is μ. A support bracket for fixing a vehicle body having a front steering column, a front steering shaft for supporting only inside the front steering column for rotation, a rear end for holding the front steering column fixedly, and a portion fixed to the support bracket. A first steering shaft provided, a rear steering column having a front end supported for pivotal movement by the first side shaft, a rear steering shaft supporting only inside the rear steering column for rotation, and the rear steering A universal joint for coupling the rear end of the shaft and the front end of the front steering shaft to each other, a second shaft shaft provided in a portion fixed to the rear steering column, and its rear pivotally supported on the second side shaft; Displacement side meshes, such as racks formed on the ends and their front ends A coupling member having teeth and a fixed meshing tooth such as the rack provided at a fixed portion of the support bracket and opposite the meshing tooth displacement side and the displacement side meshing tooth and the fixed side meshing tooth A tilting steering device having a tilt lever for engaging and detaching from each other by oscillating motion, wherein the meshing teeth are pressed toward the fixed side meshing teeth when the tilting lever is inoperative, and the displacement meshing teeth In the tilt steering device, in which the die and the fixed side teeth are flat teeth supported by their planes, the direction of the supporting surfaces of the displacement side meshing tooth and the fixed side meshing tooth is the displacement side meshing tooth and the fixed side meshing. The displacement-side meshing tooth and the fixed-side meshing tooth with the matching pressure angle intersecting the direction of relative displacement of the tooth When the coefficient of friction between the supporting surfaces is μ, the expression α ≦ tan-1 μ is satisfied, wherein the shape of the displacement side teeth and the fixed side teeth are interlocked with each other when upward force is applied to the rear end of the rear steering column. The meshing pressure angle α ₁ corresponding to the surface is longitudinally asymmetric such that the downward force is smaller than the meshing pressure angle α ₂ corresponding to the support surfaces that engage each other when a downward force is applied to the rear end of the rear steering column. Tilt type steering device.