KR980008956A - Steering devices for automobiles - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a steering apparatus for a vehicle, which does not rotate even when the vehicle is rotating, and has a hub in which various instrument panels and various switches are installed. A steering column fixed to the frame, a steering handle rotatably engaged with the frame at a predetermined distance from the steering column, and a hub positioned inside the steering handle and fixed to the frame. An airbag module can be installed in the hub, and various instrument panels and various switches can be installed on the hub. Since the hub does not rotate even when the vehicle is rotating, it is possible to read various instrument boards as well as various switches during the rotation of the vehicle, and the airbag mounted in the hub can prevent the driver from colliding with the room mirror or the like .

Description

Steering devices for automobiles

The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly to a steering apparatus for a vehicle capable of separating a hub on which an airbag or the like is mounted from a steering wheel.

The steering apparatus of the vehicle is a device used when the driver rotates the vehicle in a desired direction or changes the traveling direction of the vehicle. The driver can use the steering wheel (steering wheel) of the steering unit to change the lane on which the vehicle is traveling or turn the vehicle left or right. Generally, the steering wheel is composed of a rim that the driver grasps by hand and manipulates the direction of the vehicle, and a hub that is connected to the rim and transmits rotational motion to the steering column by the driver. The steering apparatus is equipped with a headlight switch, a window wiper switch, and an airbag.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional steering apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 6-49485. As shown in the drawings, a conventional steering system 100 for a vehicle disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6049485 includes a steering handle 10 operated by a driver, a steering column 20 to which the steering handle 10 is connected, Respectively. The steering wheel 10 is connected to a steering shaft 30 of the steering column 20 and the steering column 20 is connected to a steering gear (not shown). A combination switch (40) is interposed between the steering wheel (10) and the steering shaft (30). The combination switch 40 is attached with a turn signal lamp, a headlight, an emergency light, and a window wiper switch.

2 shows a cable reel 50 of the steering system 100 for a vehicle disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6049485. As shown in the figure, a cable reel 50 is interposed between the combi-switch 40 and the steering handle 10. The cable reel 50 includes an upper case 52 coupled to the steering column 20, a lower case 54 coupled with the upper case 52, And a cable 58 whose one end is electrically connected to the rotor 56 and the other end is electrically coupled to the upper case 52. When the steering shaft 30 is rotated by the steering handle 10, the rotor 56 is rotated together and the cable 58 is mounted on the rotor 56 so as to be wound or loosened.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-98915 discloses a steering apparatus for other types of vehicles. The steering apparatus of Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-98915 has an electrical contact switch (not shown). The electric contact switch includes a rotary contact member provided at the lower end of the steering handle and an opposite contact provided at the upper end of the combination switch 40 fixed to the bracket for supporting the steering shaft 30, Ring.

An airbag module mounted on a hub of the steering handle 10, a horn switch, a remote control switch, and the like are connected to an SDV and / or a body wiring harness provided in a vehicle body (not shown). Furthermore, an inflator for deploying the airbag is built in the hub 12 of the steering handle 10, and a collision detection sensor for detecting collision of the vehicle is installed in the vehicle body. When the impact detection sensor senses an impact of the vehicle when the vehicle equipped with such an apparatus collides with the vehicle, the ECU (Electronically Control Unit) transmits an airbag deployment signal via the combination switch (40) or the electrical contact switch By transmitting to the inflator, the airbag is deployed and the driver avoids injury from collision of the vehicle.

The conventional steering apparatus configured as described above includes a steering wheel 10 and a combination switch 40 for electrically connecting an airbag module, a horn switch, a remote control switch, and the like configured in the hub to an SDV or a body- A cable reel (50) or an electrical contact switch is to be provided between the two. However, as described above, the cable reel 50 and the electrical contact switch complicate the structure of the steering handle 10, and it is difficult to maintain and repair the steering handle 10 when a failure occurs. The cable 58 of the cable reel 50 and the electrical contact switch are connected to the cable 58 by the number of windings of the cable 58, As the number of contact terminals of the switch increases, it is subjected to a lot of restrictions, and the assemblability of the steering device is deteriorated, so that the productivity of the vehicle as a whole deteriorates, and as a result, the cost of the vehicle increases.

Further, according to the steering apparatus of the related art, the steering handle 10 includes a rim that the driver grasps by hand and manipulates the direction of the vehicle, and a rotary motion connected to the rim and applied to the rim by the driver, And a spoke connecting the rim and the hub, and is integrally manufactured. That is, the rim of the steering wheel 10 and the hub 12 are inseparable, so that when the driver rotates the steering wheel 10, the hub 12 is rotated together with the steering wheel 10. When the steering wheel 10 is rotated, the hub 12 covers various instrument panels of the vehicle such as a speedometer, a flow meter, an RPM meter, a thermometer, etc., and the driver can not read various instrument panels In addition, various switches installed on the hub can not be operated (see FIG. 7).

As described above, the conventional steering apparatus, specifically, the hub 12 of the steering wheel 10, is equipped with an airbag capable of protecting the driver in the event of a vehicle collision. The type of collision of the vehicle is a frontal collision impulsive to the front, and a side collision occurring on the side of the vehicle. In the event of a frontal collision, a collision of the vehicle causes the driver to rush against the steering wheel of the vehicle and protect the driver by deploying the airbag mounted within the hub. However, in the case of a side collision, the driver rushes toward the room mirror located at the center of the front window inside the vehicle, not the steering wheel, or toward the left rearview mirror. In this case, the airbag can not protect the driver even in the event of a side collision of the vehicle (see FIGS. 3 to 6). To solve such a problem, an airbag protruding left and right sides of the airbag has been proposed.

However, since the steering wheel is in a rotated state at the time of side collision of the vehicle as described above, it is difficult to prevent the driver from rushing toward the room mirror or rearview mirror even if both sides (left and right sides) of the airbag are protruded. See also)

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering apparatus that can mount a large number of function switches and various instrument devices on a hub without using a separate electrical connecting device, and is simple in structure and easy to assemble and repair, And it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering apparatus for a vehicle which is capable of operating various operation switches mounted on a hub even when an airbag is mounted,

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame comprising: a frame fixed to a vehicle body and having a rib formed with first and second holes; A hub mounted in the first hole of the frame and having various instrument panels and various operation switches incorporated therein; A steering handle rotatably mounted outside the hub; And a steering column mounted to the second hole of the frame; And power transmission means provided between the steering column and the steering handle for transmitting the rotational force of the steering handle to the steering column.

The steering wheel includes a first rim that is grasped by a driver's hand, a second rim that has a conical shape, a spoke that connects the first and second rims, and a spline formed outside the second rim center And is integrally formed.

The hub includes a speedometer, a flow meter, an RPM meter, a turn signal switch, an audio remote switch, and an airbag module. The hub is located inside the steering handle and mounted in the second hole of the frame. The hub includes a case having a cone shape, various instrument panels and switches, a cover coupled to the upper surface of the case, and an airbag module, various instrument panels, and various switches And a fastener for passing through various electric cables for electrically connecting the hub to the second hole of the frame. The hub is located inside the steering handle and the fastener passes through the second hole of the frame via the hollow shaft of the steering handle and is mounted to the frame on a nut or the like. Therefore, even if the steering wheel rotates, the hub does not rotate.

The power transmission means includes a first pulley that is shunted to the hollow shaft of the steering handle, a second pulley that is shunted to the steering shaft of the steering column, and a belt that transmits power of the first pulley to the second pulley do.

According to the present invention, even when the steering wheel rotates, the hub provided with various instrument panels and the like is not rotated, so that the operator can read various instrument boards when changing the traveling direction of the vehicle or rotate the vehicle, .

Further, since the hub does not rotate, it is possible to prevent injury by the airbag mounted in the hub even when the steering wheel rotates and the vehicle collides laterally. In addition, the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention has a steering handle and a hub separated from each other, and various electrical connecting devices are simple and easy to maintain and repair.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional steering apparatus for a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a cable reel used in the steering apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.

3 is a plan view showing an example of the right side impulse of the vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the deployed configuration of the airbag mounted on the conventional steering apparatus and the direction of collision of the driver in the collision of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a left side floor stone of a vehicle. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the deployed form of the airbag mounted on the conventional steering apparatus and the direction of the driver's collision in the collision of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which an airbag mounted on a conventional steering apparatus is deployed and a steering wheel is rotated in a side collision of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle with the steering apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle with the steering apparatus shown in FIG. 10 being engaged.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the shape of the airbag deployed when the vehicle equipped with the steering apparatus of the vehicle according to the present invention shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 collides with the side, the unrotated configuration of the hub, FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings.

Example 1

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a steering apparatus 200 of a vehicle according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the steering apparatus 200 of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes first and second holes 214 and 216 which are fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) A hub 220 mounted on the first hole 214 of the frame 210 and equipped with various instrument panels and various operation switches, and a hub 220 And a steering column 230 mounted on the second hole 216 of the frame 210. The steering column 240 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the frame 210,

The frame 210 is integrally formed and the steering column 230 is inserted into the second hole 216 on the rib 212. A second bearing 232 is interposed between the steering column 230 and the second hole 216 and the steering column 230 is fixed to the frame 210 by a second nut 234.

The hub 220 is provided with various instrument panels 224 such as a speedometer, a flow meter and an RPM meter, a turn signal switch 222, various switches 226 such as a headlight switch and an audio remote switch, and an airbag module 228 do. The hub 220 includes a case 221 on which the airbag module 228 is installed, a cover 223 on which the various instrument panels 224 and various switches 226 are installed and coupled to the case 221, And a fastening part 225 formed on the bottom surface of the case 221 for fastening the hub 220 to the first hole 214 of the frame 210. The fastening portion 225 is formed of a hollow boss, and a screw is formed at an outer end thereof. The various instrument panels 224, the various switches 226 and various cables 227 for electrically connecting the airbag module 228 pass through the coupling part 225.

The first bearing 252 is inserted into the hub 220 and the first bearing 252 is inserted into the first hole 214 in a state where the first bearing 252 is extruded. The hub 220 inserted into the first hole 214 is fixed to the frame 210 by a first nut 252.

The steering handle 240 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the hub 220. The steering wheel 240 includes a first rim 242 grasped by the driver's hand, a second rim 244 having a conical shape, spokes 246 connecting the first and second rims 242, 244 And a hollow shaft 248 formed at the lower center of the second rim 244 and forming a spline on the outer side thereof. The hollow shaft 248 of the steering handle 240 is rotatably extrapolated to the first bearing 252 that is extrapolated to the fastening portion 225 of the hub 220.

A power transmission unit 250 is provided between the steering column 230 and the steering wheel 240 to transmit the rotational force of the steering wheel 240 to the steering column 230. The power transmission unit 250 includes a first pulley 254 coupled to the hollow shaft 248 of the steering handle 250, a second pulley 256 coupled to the steering shaft 232, And a belt 258 for transmitting the rotational force of the first pulley 254 to the second pulley 256.

The first pulley 254 is extruded into the hollow shaft 248 of the steering handle 240 and a third bearing 253 is coupled to the lower end of the hollow shaft 248 to connect the first pulley 254 And is prevented from falling off the hollow shaft 248. The second pulley 256 is extrapolated to the steering shaft 232 coupled to the second hole 216 of the frame 210 and is coupled to the end of the steering shaft 232, A second nut 234 is coupled to prevent the second pulley 256 from being disengaged from the steering shaft 232. The belt 258 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the first pulley 254 and the second pulley 256 so that the rotational force of the first pulley 254, 2 pulley 256, i.e., the steering shaft 232 of the steering column 230. [ 9). The belt 258 prevents backlash that may occur when the rotational direction of the steering handle 240 is changed as a timing belt.

In addition, the power transmission unit 250 may use a sprocket instead of the first and second pulleys 254 and 256, and a chain instead of the timing belt 258.

The operation of the steering apparatus 200 of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention as described above will be described.

First, when the steering wheel 240 is rotated by the driver, the first pulley 254 coupled to the hollow shaft 248 of the steering wheel 240 rotates. When the first pulley 254 rotates, the belt 258 connected to the first pulley 254 rotates the second pulley 256, so that the steering shaft 232 of the steering column 230 rotates, A steering gearbox (not shown) connected to the steering shaft 232 changes the direction of rotation or the traveling direction of the vehicle. However, even if the steering wheel 240 rotates, the hub 220 located inside the steering wheel 240 and fixed to the frame 210 does not rotate.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the vehicle is rotated, that is, when a collision occurs in a state in which the steering wheel 240 of the vehicle is rotated, the hub 220 does not rotate, The airbag 228 mounted in the vehicle can be deployed to safely protect the driver from the collision of the vehicle. In addition, since the hub 220 does not rotate even when the steering wheel 240 rotates, it is possible to read various instrument panels 224 installed on the hub 220 and to operate the various switches 226.

Example 2

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a steering apparatus 300 of a vehicle according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. A steering apparatus 300 of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a steering wheel 240 of a steering apparatus 200 of a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a hub 220, and a steering column 210 ) Are the same, so that only the components other than the steering apparatus 200 of the vehicle of the second embodiment will be described in this embodiment.

As shown in the drawing, the steering apparatus 300 of the vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes first and second holes 214 and 216 which are fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) A hub 220 mounted on the first hole 214 of the frame 210 and equipped with various instrument panels and various operation switches, and a hub 220 And a steering column 230 mounted on the second hole 216 of the frame 210. The steering column 240 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the frame 210,

The frame 210 is integrally formed with an idle shaft 218 formed between the first and second holes 214 and 216 on the rib 212. The steering column 230 is inserted into the second hole 216 on the rib 212. A second bearing 253 is interposed between the steering column 230 and the second hole 216 and the steering column 230 is fixed to the frame 210 by a second nut 234.

A power transmission unit 260 is provided between the steering column 230 and the steering wheel 240 to transmit the rotational force of the steering wheel 240 to the steering column 230. The power transmission unit 260 includes a first gear 262 coupled to the hollow shaft 248 of the steering wheel 240, a second gear 264 coupled to the steering shaft 232, And an idle gear 266 coupled to shaft 218.

The first gear 262 is extruded into the hollow shaft 248 of the steering handle 240 and the third bearing 253 is coupled to the lower end of the hollow side 248, And is prevented from falling off the hollow shaft 248. The second gear 264 is extrapolated to the steering shaft 232 coupled to the second hole 216 of the frame 210 and is connected to the end of the steering shaft 232, A second nut 234 is coupled to prevent the second gear 264 from being disengaged from the steering shaft 232. The idle gear 266 is engaged with the first gear 262 and the second gear 264 so that the rotational force of the first gear 262 and more specifically the rotational force of the steering wheel 240, 2 gear 264, that is, to the steering shaft 232 of the steering column 240. The idle gear 266 changes the direction of rotation of the first gear 262 and the idle gear 266 causes the second gear 264 to rotate about the first gear 262, As shown in Fig.

The operation of the steering apparatus 300 of the vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention as described above will be described.

First, when the steering wheel 240 is rotated by the driver, when the first gear 262 coupled to the hollow shaft 248 of the steering wheel 240 rotates, the first gear 262 And the gear 266 rotates in the direction opposite to the first gear 262. At this time, the second gear 264 engaged with the idle gear 266 rotates in a direction opposite to the idle gear 266, so that the rotational direction of the first gear 262, that is, the rotation of the steering wheel 240 In the same direction. The rotation of the second gear 264 rotates the steering shaft 232 to which the second gear 264 is coupled so that the vehicle is rotated by the steering gear box (not shown) connected to the steering shaft 232 Or change the direction of travel. However, even if the steering wheel 240 rotates, the hub 220 located inside the steering wheel 240 and fixed to the frame 210 does not rotate.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the vehicle is rotated, that is, when a collision occurs in a state in which the steering wheel 240 of the vehicle is rotated, the hub 220 does not rotate, The airbag 228 mounted in the vehicle can be deployed to safely protect the driver from the collision of the vehicle. In addition, since the hub 220 does not rotate even when the steering wheel 240 rotates, it is possible to read various instrument panels 224 installed on the hub 220 and to operate the various switches 226.

As described above with reference to the embodiments of the present invention, the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention can install an airbag module, various instrument panels, and various operation switches on a hub. It is easy to perform maintenance and repair in case of failure, and there is no need for a separate device for connecting the airbag module, various instrument panels, and various operation switches.

Further, according to the present invention, since the hub does not rotate even when the vehicle is rotating, that is, when the steering wheel rotates, various instrument panels on the hub can be read or various switches can be operated while rotating the steering wheel.

Further, the airbag mounted in the hub is deployed toward the front of the driver even if the vehicle collides with the steering wheel rotated. Therefore, the airbag is prevented from colliding with the driver's room mirror or the rear mirror (rearview mirror) And an airbag module designed to prevent such a driver collision can be efficiently used.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be < RTI ID = 0.0 > appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (9)

A frame fixed to the vehicle body; A hub fixed to the frame and incorporating various instrument panels and various operation switches; A steering handle rotatably extrapolating to the hub; A steering column fixed to the frame and changing the traveling direction of the vehicle; And a power transmitting means disposed between the steering column and the steering handle and mounted on the frame for transmitting rotational force of the steering handle to the steering column. 2. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ribs of the frame are formed with a first hole through which the hub is fixed, and a second hole through which the steering column is fixed. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hub comprises: A case in which the airbag is installed; A cover provided with various instrument panels and various switches and coupled to the case; And a fastening portion formed at a lower portion of the case, wherein the various instrument panels and various cables for electrically connecting the switches penetrate through the fastening portions. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steering handle comprises: A first rim that is grasped by the driver ' s hand; A second rim having a conical shape; A spoke connecting said first and second rims; And a hollow shaft formed at a lower portion of the second rim, wherein the hollow shaft is formed with a spline on an outer side thereof, and is integrally formed. The power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission means comprises: A first pulley extruded into the steering handle; A first pulley extruded into the steering column; And a belt for connecting the first pulley to the second pulley and transmitting the rotational force of the first pulley to the second pulley. The steering apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the belt is a timing belt. The power transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power transmission means comprises: A first sprocket extruded into the steering handle; A second sprocket extruded into the steering column; And a chain connecting the first sprocket and the second sprocket and transmitting rotational force of the first sprocket to the second sprocket. 2. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises an idle shaft between the first hole and the second hole. The power transmission apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the power transmission means comprises: A first gear extruded into the steering handle; An idle gear rotatably extruded on the idle shaft and engaged with the first gear; And a second gear that is extrapolated to the steering column and meshes with the idle gear. ※ Note: It is disclosed by the contents of the first application.