KR20140073844A - Shock energy absorbing apparatus of steering column for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shock absorbing apparatus of a steering column for a vehicle to be installed on a steering column of a vehicle to protect a driver in a collision. The present invention provides a shock absorbing apparatus of a steering column for a vehicle to prevent a column from moving and escaping in a collision, in an overlap collision in particular, and to reduce injury to a driver by adopting a new type of column shock absorbing method using a structure for moving the column around a mounting bracket as a fixed point and a structure having a curling plate on the column to absorb collision energy.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a shock absorbing device for a steering column of a vehicle,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a shock absorber for a steering column of an automobile, and more particularly, to a shock absorber installed in a steering column of an automobile to protect the safety of a driver in the event of a vehicle collision.

Generally, the steering column of an automobile is basically provided with an impact energy absorbing function which is divided into a top and a bottom so as to be contractible so as to weaken the degree of lifting of the driver due to the impact when the driver and the steering wheel closely contact each other.

For example, when the upper body of the driver hits the steering wheel due to the impact force generated in the collision, the upper column is quickly moved toward the lower column to shrink the entire length of the steering column, The driver can be safely protected by absorbing the impact when the steering wheel strikes the steering wheel.

Various types of shock absorbing devices using such a shrinking action of the steering column are disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0986552 and Japanese Patent No. 10-0706998.

1 and 2 are perspective views showing a shock absorbing device of a conventional steering column.

1 and 2, the lower column 11 on the side of the cow assembly 10 and the upper column 12 on the side of the steering wheel (not shown) are coupled in a stretchable and contractible manner and the upper column 12 A mounting bracket 13 and a tilting bracket 14 are integrally welded to the upper portion of the cowl assembly 10. A frame 16 of the cowl assembly 10 is provided with a capsule 16, Is fixed to the mounting bracket 13 via a plastic member.

A curling plate 17 is connected to the capsule 16 installed in the frame 15 of the cow assembly 10 to perform a cushioning function.

3A and 3B, when the upper column 12 is pushed by the upper body of the driver in the event of a vehicle collision, the plastic member of the capsule 16 breaks and the mounting bracket 13 is detached from the capsule 16 At the same time, the entire upper column 12 is moved forward.

At this time, the curled plate 17 is rolled up by the mounting bracket 13 to absorb the collision energy, thereby relieving the impact of the driver.

However, as shown in Fig. 4, in the case of a vehicle overlap collision, the driver does not hit the center of the airbag but leans to the side of the airbag.

5, the plastic member of the capsule 16 is broken by the upward movement of the upper column 12, the mounting bracket 13 is released from the capsule 16, and the upper column 12 is sagged .

At this time, due to the moment due to the impact force of the driver, the driver moves to the left side to the upper side and the upper column moves to the right side, which prevents the driver from protecting the airbag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel type of structure in which a column side is moved with a mounting bracket side as a fixed point, a structure in which a curling plate for absorbing impact energy is arranged on a column side, The present invention provides a shock absorbing device for a steering column of an automobile which can prevent a column from flowing and departing from a collision during a vehicle collision, particularly an overlap collision.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a shock absorber for a steering column of a vehicle, which has the following features.

The shock absorbing device of the steering column includes a mounting bracket fixed to a cowl assembly side, a tilt hinge shaft fixed to a lower end of the mounting bracket, a tilt hinge shaft slidably coupled to the tilt hinge shaft, And a curling plate having one end fixed to the bottom surface of the distal end of the upper column and the other end configured to be engaged with the tilt hinge shaft in the mounting bracket.

Therefore, the shock absorbing device of the steering column is characterized in that, when the upper column is moved forward due to a vehicle collision, the curling plate is caught by the tilt hinge shaft of the mounting bracket and absorbs impact energy.

Here, the shock absorber of the steering column is provided with a pair of right and left telescopic guides having a groove at the tip end at the lower end of the mounting bracket, and is fitted to the groove of the telescopic guide on both sides of the bottom of the tip end of the upper column, And a structure in which a coating plate and a fixing bolt to be fastened are mounted.

Therefore, when the upper column is moved forward due to a vehicle collision, the coating plate is able to absorb the impact energy as it exits through the groove while causing interference.

In order to reduce impact and noise that may occur when the tilt hinge shaft and the upper column collide with each other, a stopper for impact buffering is mounted on the front and rear end portions of the slot of the upper column fitted in the tilt hinge shaft of the mounting bracket At this time, it is preferable that the shock buffer stopper in the slot is constituted by an integral shape of an ellipse, a separable shape of "T" shape, or the like.

The shock absorber of a vehicle steering column provided in the present invention has the following advantages.

First, by preventing the column from flowing and escaping in the event of a vehicle collision, the driver's seat airbag can safely protect the driver, thereby reducing the injuries of the driver and thus protecting the safety of the driver.

Second, the NVH performance can be improved by increasing the contact area of the mounting bracket of the column mounted on the cowl side.

Third, since there is no need to strengthen the strength of the MDPS motor and the column housing connection through the prevention of the leftward / rightward flow and separation of the column, the effect of simplification of the structure and weight reduction can be expected.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional shock absorber of a steering column
2 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional shock absorber of a steering column
Figs. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing a state before and after collision of a conventional shock-absorbing device for a steering column
4 is a plan view showing an overlapping collision situation of the vehicle
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a column rotation state after collision of a conventional shock absorber of a steering column
6 is a perspective view showing a shock absorbing device for a steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exploded perspective view showing a shock absorbing device for a steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a side view showing various forms of a shock buffer stopper in a shock absorption device for a steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention
9A and 9B are a bottom view and an enlarged view showing a state before and after collision of a shock absorbing device for a steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention
10A and 10B are schematic views showing various effects of the structure improvement in the shock absorber of the steering column according to the embodiment of the present invention

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6 and 7 are perspective views showing a shock absorbing device for a steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the shock absorber of the steering column is structured to prevent the column from flowing and escaping in the event of a vehicle collision, so that the driver can safely receive the protection by the airbag.

A cow assembly 10 including a cowl and the like is disposed on the front side of the automotive steering system and the lower column 11 of the cow assembly 10 arranged in this manner is provided with a lower column (12) are coupled in a structure capable of sliding back and forth.

At this time, since the slide coupling structure between the lower column 11 and the upper column 12 is the same as that of the conventional art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A mounting bracket 13 serving also as a tilt bracket is fixed to the bottom surface of the frame 15 of the cow assembly 10.

The mounting bracket 13 thus installed can be fixed to the frame 15 side of the cow assembly 10 without being moved together when the column is moved.

A tilt hinge shaft 18 serving as a center shaft at the time of tilting the upper column 12 is arranged in the lateral direction in the lateral direction of the mounting bracket 13. A tilt hinge shaft 18, (27) of both vertical plates (26) serving as a tilt bracket.

Accordingly, the upper column 12 is inserted into the tilt hinge shaft 18 through the slot 23 in the column housing 28, and the tilting can be performed with respect to the tilt hinge shaft 18 at this time .

A curling plate 17 is provided as a means for substantially absorbing the shock when the column is moved.

The curling plate 17 is an elongated strip-like member arranged on the bottom surface of the upper column 12, that is, the bottom surface of the column housing 28 in the front-rear direction, And the other end portion is placed on the latching line with the tilt hinge shaft 18. The tilt hinge shaft 18 is fixed to the end portion of the column housing 28,

That is, the rear end of the curling plate 17 is made of a U-shaped hooking part 25, and the hooking part 25 is positioned on the same height line as the tilt hinge shaft 18 So that the engagement between the engagement portion 25 and the tilt hinge shaft 18 can be established.

When the upper column 12 is moved forward, the curling plate 17 moves forward as well. Then, the engaging portion 25 at the end of the curling plate 17 is moved to the tilt hinge shaft 18 So that the impact energy can be absorbed by the deformation (bending) of the engaging portion 25.

In addition, in the present invention, in addition to the impact absorbing action by the deformation of the curling plate 17, the impact plate 18 is provided with a shock absorbing action exerted when the coating plate 21 interferes, for example, Thereby providing a method of further enhancing the energy absorption effect.

To this end, the vertical wall is provided with a pair of telescopic guides 20 each having a slot 29 formed in a longitudinally elongated shape in the longitudinal direction and a groove 19 formed in a U-shape at the distal end of the lower plate, The respective telescopic guides 20 are installed on the side surfaces of the vertical plates 26 on the mounting bracket 13 in a fastening structure while being arranged side by side on both sides.

Here, the telescopic guide 20 serves as a buffer between the column side moving on collision and the mounting bracket 13 side while providing a telescopic guide.

At this time, the tilt hinge shaft 18 can penetrate through the long hole 29 in the telescope 20.

A coating plate 21 is disposed on both sides of the bottom end of the column housing 28 and the coating plate 21 is mounted on the housing side by a fixing bolt 22.

Particularly, the coating plates 21 to be mounted in this manner are respectively located in the groove portions 19 in the telescopic guide 20, and the fixing bolts 22 fastening the coating plate 21 are also formed in the grooves 19, (19). ≪ / RTI >

That is, the coating plate 21 is positioned at the position of the groove 19 of the telescope 20 in a state where the lower plate of the telescope 20 is in contact with the bottom surface of the column housing 28, When the bolt 22 is fastened to the column housing 28, the column housing 28 and the telescope 20 are brought into a state of being temporarily coupled through the coating plate 21.

Therefore, the coating plate 21 fixed to the column housing 28 when the column collides with the vehicle collides with the telescope 20, and the impact energy can be absorbed by the interference.

8 is a side view showing various forms of a shock buffer stopper in a shock absorbing device for a steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8, the column housing 28 of the upper column 12 is fitted into the tilt hinge shaft 18 fixed at both ends of the mounting bracket 13 by using the slot 23, A shock buffer stopper 24 made of rubber or the like is fitted to the slot 23 of the column housing 28 to be fitted to the front and rear ends of the slot.

Accordingly, when the upper column 12, that is, the column housing 28, which moves forward in moving the column, hits against the tilt hinge shaft 18, the shock buffering stopper 24 is brought into contact with the upper column 12, Can be suppressed.

The shock absorber stopper 24 may be formed in the shape of a groove around the slot of the column housing 28 and mounted in it. The shock absorber stopper 24 is mounted along the entire circumference of the slot 23, Or an integral shape of the ellipse which is extended and exposed to the slot 23, or it can be formed as a separated shape of "T"

Here, the shock-absorbing stopper 24 may be provided at both ends of the long hole 29 in the telescope 20.

9A and 9B are a bottom view and an enlarged view showing a state before and after collision of a shock absorbing device for a steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, in the event of a vehicle collision, for example, in the event of a vehicle overlap collision, the upper body of the driver collides against the steering wheel (substantially the airbag), causing the entire column to move forward of the vehicle.

That is, the entire upper column 12 including the column housing 28 and the like is moved forward, and the curling plate 17 fixed to the upper column side also moves together.

Subsequently, the engaging portion 25 of the curling plate 17, which moves forward, is caught by the tilting hinge shaft 18 on the mounting bracket 13 side fixed so as not to move in the event of a collision, So that the shock to the driver can be minimized.

At this time, the coating plate 21 fixed to the column housing 28 also absorbs impact energy as it exits from the telescope 20, so that the shock absorbing action exerted by the curling plate 17, The shock absorbing function exerted by the shock absorber can be effectively added.

Particularly, in the case of the upper column 12 moving forward, while the mounting bracket 13 fixed to the cowl assembly 10 side is used as a supporting member, the guide is guided by the telescopic guide 20 and the tilting hinge shaft 18 is slidably supported So that it is possible to prevent the flow and deviation to the right and left sides.

As a result, since the driver's upper body hits the center of the airbag, it is possible to reliably receive the protection of the airbag, thereby reducing the injury value of the driver.

10A and 10B are schematic views showing various effects of the structure improvement in the shock absorber of the steering column according to the embodiment of the present invention.

10A, the gap between the mounting surface bracket 13 of the capsule 16 and the cow-side frame 15 is about 3.5 mm in the conventional upper structure. On the other hand, in the lower structure of the present invention, The capsule 16 and the mounting bracket 13 are formed as separate parts. On the other hand, the mounting seat surface and the mounting bracket 13 are formed as a single part, Further, in the present invention, the area of the mounting bracket of the column mounted on the cowl side generally increases, such that the area of the mounting bracket 13 increases, and the NVH performance can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 10B, it is unnecessary to strengthen the strength of the MDPS motor and the column housing connection portion by preventing the left and right flow and separation of the column, and it is possible to change the material and the fastening method between the parts.

In other words, it is possible to delete 3 pieces of hardware (assembly bolts), reduce airborne cost, reduce cost, change the motor housing cover material from hardware to steel, and reduce the number of part bearings (number of covers from 2 to 1) The cost can be greatly reduced.

In addition, it is possible to improve the collision performance by securing additional forward movement distance of the column (about 5 mm), thereby increasing the maximum shock absorption amount of the column and ultimately protecting the safety of the driver.

As described above, according to the present invention, by adopting the structure that prevents the column from flowing and departing in the event of a vehicle collision, the driver can reliably receive the protection by the airbag, thereby reducing the injury value of the driver, As much as possible.

10: cow assembly 11: lower column
12: Upper column 13: Mounting bracket
14: tilt bracket 15: frame
16: capsule 17: curling plate
18: tilt hinge shaft 19: groove
20: teler guide 21: coating plate
22: Fixing bolt 23: Slot
24: Stopper for impact buffering 25:
26: vertical plate 27: hole
28: Column housing 29: Long hole

Claims (7)

A mounting bracket 13 fixed to the cowl assembly 10 side;
A tilt hinge shaft 18 fixed to a lower end of the mounting bracket 13;
An upper column 12 slidably coupled to the tilt hinge shaft 18 and slidably coupled to the lower column 11;
The upper end of the upper column 12 is fixed to one end of the upper end of the upper column 12 and the other end of the lower end of the upper end of the upper end of the upper end of the upper end of the upper end of the upper end of the upper end 17);
Wherein the curling plate is engaged with a tilt hinge shaft of the mounting bracket when the upper column is moved forward due to a vehicle collision to absorb impact energy.
The method according to claim 1,
A pair of right and left telescopic guides 20 having a groove 19 at the tip end are provided at the lower end of the mounting bracket 13. A groove 19 of the telescope 20 is formed on both sides of the front end of the upper column 12 And a coating plate 21 and a fixing bolt 22 which are fastened to the column side are mounted so that the coating plate moves out of the groove while absorbing impact energy when the upper plate moves forward due to a vehicle collision Wherein the first and second support members are disposed on the vehicle body.
The method according to claim 1,
A shock buffer stopper 24 is mounted at the front and rear end portions of the slot 23 of the upper column 12 fitted in the tilt hinge shaft 18 of the mounting bracket 13 so that the tilt hinge shaft and the upper column Wherein a shock and a noise that may occur in the hill can be reduced.
The method of claim 3,
Characterized in that the impact buffering stopper (24) in the slot (23) has an integral shape of an ellipse or a separable shape of a "T" shape.
A mounting bracket 13 fixed to the cowl assembly 10 side;
A tilt hinge shaft 18 fixed to a lower end of the mounting bracket 13;
An upper column 12 slidably coupled to the tilt hinge shaft 18 and slidably coupled to the lower column 11;
A pair of right and left telescopic guides 20 provided at the lower end of the mounting bracket 13 with a groove 19 at the tip thereof and a pair of left and right telescopic guides 20 positioned on both sides of the bottom of the tip end of the upper column 12, 19 and a coating plate 21 and a fixing bolt 22 which are fastened to the column side;
Wherein the coating plate is capable of absorbing the impact energy when the upper plate is moved forward due to a vehicle collision, the coating plate exiting the groove portion while interfering with the impact.
The method of claim 5,
A shock buffer stopper 24 is mounted at the front and rear end portions of the slot 23 of the upper column 12 fitted in the tilt hinge shaft 18 of the mounting bracket 13 so that the tilt hinge shaft and the upper column Wherein a shock and a noise that may occur in the hill can be reduced.
The method of claim 6,
Characterized in that the impact buffering stopper (24) in the slot (23) has an integral shape of an ellipse or a separable shape of a "T" shape.

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