WO2011048883A1 - ステアリング装置 - Google Patents
ステアリング装置 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2011048883A1 WO2011048883A1 PCT/JP2010/065584 JP2010065584W WO2011048883A1 WO 2011048883 A1 WO2011048883 A1 WO 2011048883A1 JP 2010065584 W JP2010065584 W JP 2010065584W WO 2011048883 A1 WO2011048883 A1 WO 2011048883A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- inclined plate
- steering
- steering column
- coupling member
- end portion
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/04—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
- B60R21/045—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings associated with the instrument panel or dashboard
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R2021/003—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks characterised by occupant or pedestian
- B60R2021/0039—Body parts of the occupant or pedestrian affected by the accident
- B60R2021/0051—Knees
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a steering device used for giving a steering angle to a steering wheel of a vehicle, and more particularly to a steering device having a structure capable of protecting a driver's knee when a vehicle collides.
- the steering apparatus for an automobile includes a steering wheel 1, a steering shaft 2 that rotates based on an operation of the steering wheel 1, a first universal joint 3 that transmits this rotation, and an intermediate
- the shaft 4 is basically composed of a second universal joint 5 and a steering gear unit 6 through which rotation is transmitted.
- the steering gear unit 6 includes an input shaft 7 to which the rotation is transmitted, and a pair of left and right tie rods 8 that are pushed and pulled as the input shaft 7 rotates to give a steering angle to the steered wheels.
- FIGS. 10 to 13 show an example of a conventional structure of a column-type electric power steering apparatus among such an automobile steering apparatus.
- a steering shaft 2 having a steering wheel 1 mounted at the rear end is rotatably supported inside the steering column 9.
- a front end portion of the steering column 9 is supported by a horizontal shaft 10 so as to be swingable with respect to the vehicle body 11.
- the intermediate portion of the steering column 9 is supported by the vehicle body 11 via the clamp mechanism 12 on the lower side of the dashboard.
- the front-rear relationship in this specification is defined by the front and rear in the traveling direction of the vehicle. That is, in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, the left side is “front side” and the right side is “rear side”.
- the clamp mechanism 12 includes a pair of left and right sandwiching plate portions 14 constituting a support bracket 13 supported by the vehicle body 11 and a lifting bracket fixed to a portion sandwiched between the sandwiching plate portions 14 on the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the steering column 9. 15, a tilt bolt 18 inserted into a pair of elongated holes 16 formed in both sandwiching plate portions 14 in the vertical direction and a pair of through holes 17 formed in the lifting bracket 15, and the tip of the tilt bolt 18.
- a tilt lever 19 having a base end connected to the portion is provided. The height position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted by operating the tilt lever 19.
- the tilting lever 19 is rotated in a predetermined direction to release the force (clamping force) that the both clamping plate portions 14 clamp the lifting bracket 15.
- the steering wheel 1 is moved to a desired height position based on the swinging of the steering column 9 while moving the tilt bolt 18 along the long holes 16.
- the clamping force is increased by rotating the tilt lever 19 in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction at this height position. This disables the swinging of the steering column 9 and fixes the steering wheel 1 at the adjusted height position.
- a column type electric power assist mechanism 20 is assembled to the front end portion of the steering column 9.
- the electric power assist mechanism 20 includes a housing 21, which is a coupling member, coupled to the front end portion of the steering column 9.
- An electric motor 23 is supported on the upper side surface of the large-diameter main portion 22 constituting the front portion of the housing 21.
- a worm speed reducer (not shown) that decelerates the rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor 23 and transmits it to the steering shaft 2 is housed inside the main portion 22 of the housing 21.
- a torque sensor (not shown) that detects the direction and magnitude of torque applied from the steering wheel 1 to the steering shaft 2 is housed inside the small-diameter sub-portion 24 that forms the rear portion of the housing 21.
- a circuit board (not shown) for the torque sensor is housed inside a substantially rectangular casing 25 formed integrally with the lower portion 24 of the housing 21.
- an opening (not shown) for taking in and out the circuit board and the like is provided on the lower surface of the casing 25. In the illustrated state, the opening is a rectangular flat plate fixed to the lower surface of the casing 25.
- the lid body 26 is closed. The lid body 26 is fixed to the lower surface of the casing 25 by bolts 27 at the four corners.
- the electric power assist mechanism 20 includes a controller (not shown) that controls energization to the electric motor 23 based on a detection signal of the torque sensor and a signal indicating the vehicle speed.
- the torque sensor detects the direction and magnitude of the torque applied from the steering wheel 1 to the steering shaft 2.
- the detection signal is sent to the controller.
- the controller energizes the electric motor 23 to rotate the steering shaft 2 in the same direction as the rotation direction based on the operation of the steering wheel 1 via the worm reducer.
- the steering shaft 2 rotates with a torque larger than the torque applied from the steering wheel 1.
- the driver's body moves forward as shown by an arrow X in FIG. 10 due to inertia.
- the driver's knee 28 may collide with a vehicle equipment 29 such as a fuse box arranged in the front, and the vehicle equipment 29 may be pushed forward as indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. .
- the lower end portion of the housing 21 constituting the electric power assist mechanism 20 is disposed in front of the vehicle equipment 29 at a small distance from the steering column. It exists in the state which protruded below rather than the lower surface of 9 front-end parts.
- the vehicle equipment 29 may collide with the lower end portion of the housing 21 after moving forward by the small distance. As a result, the movement of the vehicle equipment 29 may suddenly stop, which may lead to an undesirable situation such as a large impact on the driver's knee 28.
- an object of the present invention is to realize, at a low cost, a structure capable of protecting a driver's knee in the case of a car collision in a steering device.
- the steering device of the present invention is coupled to and fixed to the front end portion of the steering column in a state where the steering column is supported by the vehicle body and the steering column is supported by the vehicle body, and the lower end portion thereof is connected to the front end portion of the steering column. And a coupling member protruding downward from the lower surface.
- a coupling member protruding downward from the lower surface.
- an inclined plate that is inclined downward in the direction toward the front, below the rear portion of the lower end portion of the coupling member that protrudes below the lower surface of the front end portion of the steering column. Is arranged in a state of covering at least the central portion in the width direction of the protruding portion.
- the width direction means the width direction of the vehicle.
- the inclined plate may be constituted by a part of an accessory part that is fixedly coupled to the steering column or the coupling member directly or via another member.
- the accessory part can be composed of a single elastic plate made of steel, stainless steel, other alloy steel plate or spring steel plate, synthetic resin plate, rubber plate, or the like.
- the accessory part is configured such that the inclination angle of the inclined plate with respect to the horizontal plane can be reduced by a predetermined amount by applying a pressing force to the lower surface of the inclined plate.
- the energy of the pressing force can be absorbed by the inclined plate itself deforming while reducing the inclination angle.
- the accessory part includes a fixed portion fixed to the steering column or the coupling member, the inclined plate, and a bent portion having an arcuate cross section connecting the fixed portion and the inclined plate. Can be configured.
- the fixed part of the accessory part can also have a function as a lid for closing the opening formed in the steering column or the coupling member.
- the accessory part is configured so that a gap is provided in a portion where the interval is reduced.
- the gap between the two surfaces facing each other between the upper surface of the inclined plate and the lower surface of the portion protruding below the lower surface of the front end portion of the steering column at the lower end portion of the coupling member is set to the middle of the inclined plate. More preferably, the accessory part is configured to be the smallest in the portion.
- an electronic power steering device including a pinion type and a rack type, and other steering devices are also provided with electronic control parts and sensors on the center of the steering shaft in the vicinity of the steering column.
- the present invention is preferably applied to a column type electric power steering apparatus in which the coupling member serves as a housing constituting the electric power assist mechanism.
- vehicle equipment such as a fuse box pushed forward by the driver's knee at the time of a vehicle collision is an inclination plate existing in front of the vehicle equipment.
- movement in a direction along the lower surface of the inclined plate (a direction toward the lower side toward the front) is smoothly promoted.
- the impact energy to the knee equal to the energy of the pressing force applied from the vehicle equipment to the lower surface of the inclined plate based on the change of the moving direction of the vehicle equipment before and after the collision. Absorbed.
- the impact energy to the knee is absorbed, and the movement of the vehicle equipment suddenly stops due to this collision. Therefore, a large impact is not applied to the driver's knee in accordance with the collision. Therefore, in the case of this example, the knee can be protected at the time of a vehicle collision.
- the inclined plate used for obtaining such an effect is sufficiently inexpensive as compared with the knee airbag device. Therefore, in the case of the present invention, a structure capable of protecting the knee as described above can be realized at low cost.
- the accessory can absorb the energy of the pressing force applied to the lower surface of the inclined plate, the effect of reducing the impact energy applied to the driver's knee can be enhanced.
- the accessory part is composed of a fixed part, an inclined plate and a bent part, it is possible to effectively prevent the impact (pressure energy) applied to the inclined plate from being transmitted to the fixed part. The influence on the member (steering column or coupling member) to which the fixing portion is fixed can be reduced.
- the inclination angle of the inclined plate can be changed using this gap. This is advantageous in enhancing the effect of reducing the impact energy to the knee.
- the lower end of the coupling member is formed by the front portion of the inclined plate with respect to the intermediate portion.
- the vehicle equipment can be smoothly moved along the lower surface of the inclined plate while effectively preventing the vehicle equipment from directly hitting the coupling member.
- an opening is provided in the flange so that a circuit board for a torque sensor can be taken in and out of the housing of the electric power assist mechanism that is a part of the coupling member.
- FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first example of an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a main part of FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II in FIG.
- FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a second example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a third example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a fourth example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a fifth example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the basic structure of the steering device.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the basic structure of the steering device.
- FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of a conventional structure of a steering apparatus that is an object of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing a main part of FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.
- FIGS. 10 to 13 show a first example of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a column type electric power steering apparatus.
- the feature of this example is the structure of the peripheral portion of the lower end portion of the housing 21 constituting the electric power assist mechanism 20 which is a coupling member coupled and fixed to the front end portion of the steering column 9. Since the structure and operation of other parts are the same as those of the conventional structure shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the same reference numerals are given to the equivalent parts, and overlapping illustrations and explanations are omitted or simplified. The description will focus on the features of this example.
- the lower side of the lower end of the housing 21 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the front end of the steering column 9 (behind the back when viewed from the front) is inclined downward toward the front.
- the inclined plate 30 made of a steel plate with a rectangular flat plate shape is arranged.
- the inclined plate 30 is integrally formed with a rectangular flat cover 26 that closes an opening (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the casing 25 of the housing 21. That is, the accessory part 31 formed integrally including the inclined plate 30 and the lid body 26 is made of a steel plate, and the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) intermediate portion of the rear edge of the lid body 26 is made.
- the rear end edge of the inclined plate 30 is connected via a curved plate portion 32 having a circular arc cross section in the width direction.
- the accessory part 31 is integrally formed by bending a single steel plate, which is an elastic metal plate, and is fixed to the lower surface of the casing 25 of the housing 21 so that the opening is formed.
- a lid 26 that is a fixed portion that closes the lid, an inclined plate 30, and a curved plate portion 32 that is a bent portion provided between the lid 26 and the inclined plate 30.
- the inclination angle of the inclined plate 30 with respect to the horizontal plane is also made larger than the inclination angle of the lid body 26 (and the steering column 9). Therefore, in the illustrated example, the inclination angle ⁇ of the inclined plate 30 with respect to the lid body 26 is set to about 25 degrees.
- the inclination angle ⁇ can be arbitrarily determined according to the shape and configuration of the housing 21 and the positional relationship with the steering column 9, the vehicle equipment 29, and the like.
- the distance between the upper surface of the inclined plate 30 and the lower surface of the lower end portion of the housing 21 is minimized at the front edge portion of the inclined plate 30, and a gap is provided in this portion.
- the front end edge of the inclined plate 30 is not brought into contact with the shoulder portion 34 of the main portion 22 constituting the front portion of the housing 21, which is opposed to the front end edge. It is made to face closely through a small gap (interval T).
- the driver's body moves forward as shown by the arrow X in FIG.
- the driver's knee 28 may collide with a vehicle equipment 29 such as a fuse box arranged in the front, and the vehicle equipment 29 may be pushed forward as indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. .
- the vehicle accessory 29 collides with the lower surface of the inclined plate 30 existing in front of the vehicle accessory 29, so that the direction indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. The movement in the direction along the lower surface of the inclined plate 30 is smoothly promoted.
- the curved plate portion 32 is elastically deformed (or plastically deformed), it is possible to prevent the impact (pressure energy) applied to the lower surface of the inclined plate 30 from being transmitted to the lid body 26.
- the housing 21 to which the lid 26 is fixed can be effectively prevented from being damaged (the influence on the housing 21 can be reduced).
- the distance T (FIG. 2) between the front end edge of the inclined plate 30 and the shoulder portion 34 of the main portion 22 of the housing 21 in the free state is reduced. If the interval T is increased by increasing the inclination angle ⁇ of the inclined plate 30, the impact energy applied to the knee 28 based on elastically reducing the inclination angle ⁇ of the inclined plate 30 correspondingly. The effect of absorbing can be increased.
- the inclination angle ⁇ is arbitrarily determined, but can be set to a maximum of about 60 degrees, preferably about 30 to 45 degrees.
- the accessory part 31 is not limited to the above-described steel plate, but may be made of an elastic metal such as a spring steel plate made of stainless steel.
- the material is not limited depending on the presence or absence of elasticity, as long as it has a fixed part to the steering column and the coupling member and a bent part that can change the inclination angle of the inclined plate. For example, unless the effect of smoothly changing the direction of movement of the vehicle equipment that collided with the lower surface to the direction along the lower surface is prevented, it is made of another metal plate such as an aluminum alloy plate or a synthetic resin plate. You can also.
- the accessory part by aluminum die casting because it is expensive and does not deform when the vehicle equipment collides, and it becomes difficult to obtain the effect of absorbing the energy of the collision.
- a surface treatment such as coating a lower friction synthetic resin such as polyamide resin or polytetrafluoroethylene resin on the lower surface of the inclined plate may be performed so that the effect can be easily obtained.
- the structure which combined the some member using these raw materials can also be taken.
- the inclined plate 30 absorbs not only the flat plate shape (planar shape) but also the impact caused by the collision with the vehicle equipment so as to more effectively prevent the obstacle of the driver's knee at the time of the collision. Good.
- the housing 21 constituting the electric power assist mechanism 20 is shown as the coupling member, but in addition to this, a part of a steering ratio variable device such as VGRS (gear ratio variable steering), A part of an attitude control device such as VSC (vehicle stability control) can also be adopted.
- the opening part of the collar part 25 can be provided in another location, and it can also attach to a coupling member, without giving the function as a lid
- the accessory part 31 including the inclined plate 30 can be directly attached to the steering column 9 instead of the coupling member.
- the lid portion has a function, so that it is bolted. However, if it is not necessary to remove it, it can be directly or banded using other attachment and fixing means such as welding. It can also be indirectly fixed by the fixing member.
- FIG. 5 show a second example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- a pair of side plates 33 are formed from both side edges in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 5) of the intermediate portion of the inclined plate 30 constituting the accessory part 31a, and the lid body 26 constituting the accessory part 31a.
- the upper end edges of these side plates 33 are brought into contact with the lower surface of the lid body 26.
- the deformation of the inclined plate 30 caused by the collision of the vehicle equipment 29 with the lower surface of the inclined plate 30 does not cause a problem as long as the deformation of the inclined plate 30 is limited to a small amount of elastic deformation (or plastic deformation). Rather, it can be said that it is preferable in that the impact energy to the knee 28 can be absorbed.
- the deformation becomes excessively large, the vehicle equipment moved forward is fitted between the main portion 22 and the flange portion 25 of the housing 21, for example, and the movement of the vehicle equipment 29 after the collision is inhibited, There is a possibility that a large impact is applied to the knee 28. Therefore, in the case of this example, the deformation resistance of the inclined plate 30 is increased as described above in order to suppress such a possibility.
- the shape for example, different from flat plate shape, curved plate shape, bellows shape, etc.
- dimension width dimension, thickness dimension
- the deformation resistance of the inclined plate 30 can be adjusted by changing the inclination angle.
- the deformation resistance can be tuned by forming the side plates 33 into a V shape, drilling holes, or providing ribs. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately obtain an impact energy absorption effect by slightly causing elastic deformation or plastic deformation at the time of collision while preventing the occurrence of the above-described problems.
- the upper end edges of the side plates 33 are brought into contact with the lower surface of the lid body 26 in a free state, and the front end edge of the inclined plate 30 is set to the lower end edge (not shown) of the main portion 22 of the housing 21. In the example, it is brought into contact with the shoulder 34), but a gap may be provided at each of the contact portions. If such a gap is provided, as in the case of the first example described above, the inclination angle ⁇ of the inclined plate 30 is reduced elastically (or by plastic deformation) until the gap disappears. Based on the impact energy absorption effect. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first example described above.
- the inclined plate 30 As another method for increasing the deformation resistance of the inclined plate 30, there is a method of increasing the thickness of the inclined plate 30. If such a method is employed, the inclined plate 30 may be excessively deformed as described above even in the case of the structure not including the pair of side plates 33 as in the structure of the first example described above. Can be lowered.
- FIG. 6 shows a third example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- the width of the entire accessory part 31b (the lid body 26a, the inclined plate 30a, the curved plate portion 32a) (the horizontal dimension in FIG. 6)
- the inclined plate 30a covers the entire lower end portion of the main portion 22 of the housing 21 in a state viewed from the rear.
- the vehicle equipment 29 see FIGS. 1 and 2
- Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first example shown in FIGS.
- FIG. 7 shows a fourth example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- the front end edge of the inclined plate 30b constituting the accessory 31c is extended forward by the length L, and an extension 35 is provided at the front end of the inclined plate 30b.
- the front end edge of the inclined plate 30b is positioned in front of the shoulder portion 34 of the main portion 22 constituting the front portion of the housing 21.
- the distance between the upper surface of the inclined plate 30b and the lower surface of the lower end portion of the housing 21 is minimized at the intermediate portion of the inclined plate 30b, and a small gap (interval T) is formed in the portion. Is provided.
- the front portion of the lower end portion of the housing 21 relative to the shoulder portion 34 of the main portion 22 can be entirely covered by the extension portion 35 of the inclined plate 30b. Therefore, the vehicle accessory 29 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) can be smoothly moved along the lower surface of the inclined plate 30b while effectively preventing the vehicle accessory 29 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) from directly hitting the housing 21. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a large impact from being applied to the driver's knee 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
- Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first example shown in FIGS.
- FIG. 8 shows a fifth example of the embodiment of the present invention.
- the attachment part 31d is integrally configured by bending a single steel plate which is an elastic metal plate.
- Such an accessory part 31d includes a fixed part 36 fixed to the lower surface of the sub-part 24 of the housing 21 with a bolt 27a, an inclined plate 30c, and a bent part provided between the fixed part 36 and the inclined plate 30c. 37.
- the rear end edge of the inclined plate 30c and the front end edge of the fixed portion 36 are connected via a bent portion 37, and the inclination angle ⁇ of the inclined plate 30c with respect to the fixed portion 36 in the free state.
- any structure can be employed as the structure of the bent portion 37 as long as the inclination angle of the inclined plate 30c with respect to the fixed portion 36 is changed.
- the mating member to which the fixing portion 36 is attached is inclined with respect to the axis of the steering shaft, it is not necessary to provide an angle between the fixing portion and the inclined plate.
- it can also be constituted by a plate having elasticity.
- the fixing portion 36 of the accessory part 31 d can be fixed to the steering column 9 instead of the sub-portion 24 of the housing 21.
- the fixing part 36 of the accessory part 31d in this example does not have a function as a lid for closing the opening, but has only a function of simply fixing the accessory part 31d to the housing 21. Therefore, when an opening is provided in the housing 21, a lid (lid) that closes the opening is provided separately. Also in the case of this example, in the free state of the accessory part 31d, the distance between the upper surface of the inclined plate 30c and the lower surface of the housing 21 is minimized at the front edge portion of the inclined plate 30c. There is a gap. More specifically, the front end edge of the inclined plate 30c is brought close to and opposed to the shoulder portion 34 of the main portion 22 constituting the front portion of the housing 21 via a small gap (interval T).
- the front edge of the inclined plate 30c is the shoulder of the main portion 22.
- the bent portion 37 is elastically deformed (or plastically deformed), and the inclination angle ⁇ of the inclined plate 30c increases elastically (or by plastic deformation).
- the shock energy is absorbed.
- the inclined plate 30c is bent slightly elastically (or by plastic deformation) to the knee 28. The shock energy is absorbed.
- the impact energy to the knee 28 is absorbed (added to the knee 28) based on the smooth change of the moving direction of the vehicle equipment 29 in the direction along the lower surface of the inclined plate 30c. Impact is alleviated).
- the inclination angle ⁇ between the fixed portion 36 and the inclined plate 30c is an obtuse angle, and the fixed portion 36 is not covered with the inclined plate 30c.
- the work of fixing to can be easily performed.
- Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first example shown in FIGS.
- the portions that cannot be covered by the inclined plate and the portions where the vehicle equipment may collide are smooth.
- the vehicle equipment does not interfere with the forward movement of the vehicle equipment when it collides with the relevant location.
- the electric motor 23 constituting the electric power assist mechanism 20 and the lifting bracket 15 constituting the clamp mechanism 12 are positioned above the steering shaft 2 respectively. Therefore, at the time of a vehicle collision, the electric motor 23 and the clamp mechanism 12 are preferable from the aspect of protecting the knee 28 because the driver's knee 28 is less likely to collide.
- the effects of the present invention can be optimized by optimizing the structural arrangement of members existing around the steering column.
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Abstract
Description
特に、本発明のステアリング装置においては、この結合部材の下端部で前記ステアリングコラムの前端部の下面よりも下方に突出した部分の後下方に、前方に向かう程下方に向かう方向に傾斜した傾斜板を、この突出した部分の少なくとも幅方向中央部を覆う状態で配置している。なお、幅方向とは、車両の幅方向を意味する。
図1~3は、本発明をコラムタイプの電動式パワーステアリング装置に適用した場合の実施の形態の第1例を示している。なお、本例の特徴は、ステアリングコラム9の前端部に結合固定した、結合部材である、電動式パワーアシスト機構20を構成するハウジング21の下端部周辺部分の構造にある。その他の部分の構造および作用は、前述の図10~13に示した従来構造の場合と同様であるため、同等部分には同一符号を付して重複する図示ならびに説明は省略もしくは簡略にし、以下、本例の特徴部分を中心に説明する。
図4~5は、本発明の実施の形態の第2例を示している。本例の場合には、付属部品31aを構成する傾斜板30の中間部の幅方向(図5の左右方向)両側縁から1対の側板33を、それぞれ前記付属部品31aを構成する蓋体26に向け延出する状態で一体形成するとともに、これら両側板33の上端縁をこの蓋体26の下面に当接させている。そして、このような構成を採用することにより、傾斜板30の下面に車両装備品29が衝突する際の、この傾斜板30の変形抵抗を大きくしている。すなわち、この傾斜板30の下面に車両装備品29が衝突することによって生じる、傾斜板30の変形は、それが少量の弾性変形(あるいは塑性変形)に止まる分には、問題を生じることはなく、むしろ、膝28への衝撃エネルギーを吸収できる点で好ましいといえる。ただし、当該変形が過度に大きくなると、前方に移動した車両装備品が、たとえばハウジング21の主部22と筺部25との間に嵌り込み、衝突後の車両装備品29の移動が阻害され、膝28に大きな衝撃が加わる可能性がある。したがって、本例の場合には、このような可能性をより低く抑えるべく、上述のように傾斜板30の変形抵抗を大きくしている。
これにより、上述のような不具合の発生を防止しつつ、衝突時に少しだけ弾性変形もしくは塑性変形させて、衝撃エネルギーの吸収効果を適切に得られるようにすることができる。
図6は、本発明の実施の形態の第3例を示している。本例の場合には、付属部品31b全体(蓋体26a、傾斜板30a、湾曲板部32a)の幅寸法(図6の左右方向寸法)を広げることにより、図示の方向から見た場合に、前記傾斜板30aによって、ハウジング21の主部22の下端部全体を、後方から見た状態で覆い隠せるようにしている。これにより、車両装備品29(図1~2参照)が前記主部22の下端部にぶつかることを確実に防止できるようにしている。その他の構成および作用は、前述の図1~2に示した第1例の場合と同様である。
図7は、本発明の実施の形態の第4例を示している。本例の場合には、付属部品31cを構成する傾斜板30bの前端縁を、長さL分だけ前方に延長して、この傾斜板30bの前端部に延長部35を設けている。これにより、本例の場合には、この傾斜板30bの前端縁を、前記ハウジング21の前部を構成する主部22の肩部34よりも前方に位置させている。また、付属部品31cの自由状態で、傾斜板30bの上面とハウジング21の下端部の下面との間隔を、この傾斜板30bの中間部分で最も小さくして、当該部分に小さい隙間(間隔T)を設けている。
図8は、本発明の実施の形態の第5例を示している。本例の場合にも、付属部品31dを、弾性金属板である1枚の鋼板に曲げ加工などを施すことにより、全体を一体に構成している。このような付属部品31dは、ハウジング21の副部24の下面にボルト27aにより固定した固定部36と、傾斜板30cと、これら固定部36と傾斜板30cとの間部分に設けられた屈曲部37とを備える。特に本例の場合には、傾斜板30cの後端縁と固定部36の前端縁とを屈曲部37を介して連結しており、自由状態での固定部36に対する傾斜板30cの傾斜角度θを鈍角としている。このような本例の場合には、この傾斜板30cの下面に車両装備品29(図1~2参照)が衝突した際に、前記傾斜角度θが増大する(反対に水平面に対する傾斜角度は減少する)。このように、屈曲部37の構造は、固定部36に対する傾斜板30cの傾斜角度を変化させるものであれば、任意のものが採用できる。また、たとえば、固定部36が取り付けられる相手部材がステアリングシャフトの軸に対して傾斜しているような場合で、固定部と傾斜板の間に角度を設ける必要がない場合には、この付属部品を1枚のたとえば弾性を有する板により構成することもできる。さらには、この構成においても、付属部品31dの固定部36を、ハウジング21の副部24の代わりにステアリングコラム9に固定することも可能である。
2 ステアリングシャフト
3 第一の自在継手
4 中間シャフト
5 第二の自在継手
6 ステアリングギヤユニット
7 入力軸
8 タイロッド
9 ステアリングコラム
10 横軸
11 車体
12 クランプ機構
13 支持ブラケット
14 挟持板部
15 昇降ブラケット
16 長孔
17 通孔
18 チルトボルト
19 チルトレバー
20 電動式パワーアシスト機構
21 ハウジング
22 主部
23 電動モータ
24 副部
25 筐部
26、26a 蓋体
27 ボルト
28 膝
29 車両装備品
30、30a、30b、30c 傾斜板
31、31a、31b、31c、31d 付属部品
32、32a 湾曲板部
33 側板
34 肩部
35 延長部
36 固定部
37 屈曲部
Claims (9)
- 車体に支持されるステアリングコラムと、このステアリングコラムを車体に支持した状態で、このステアリングコラムの前端部に結合固定されて、その下端部をこのステアリングコラムの前端部の下面よりも下方に突出させている結合部材とを備えたステアリング装置において、この結合部材の下端部で前記ステアリングコラムの前端部の下面よりも下方に突出した部分の後下方に、前方に向かう程下方に向かう方向に傾斜した傾斜板を、この突出した部分の少なくとも幅方向中央部を覆う状態で配置していることを特徴とするステアリング装置。
- 前記傾斜板は、前記ステアリングコラムまたは前記結合部材に対して、直接または他の部材を介して結合固定された付属部品の一部を構成するものである、請求項1に記載したステアリング装置。
- 前記付属部品は、弾性を有する1枚の板から構成されている、請求項2に記載したステアリング装置。
- 前記付属部品は、前記傾斜板の下面に押圧力を加えることによって、水平面に対するこの傾斜板の傾斜角度を所定量だけ減少させることが可能となっており、この傾斜角度を減少させつつ、前記傾斜板自身が変形することにより、前記押圧力のエネルギーを吸収する機能を有する、請求項2または3に記載したステアリング装置。
- 前記付属部品は、前記ステアリングコラムまたは前記結合部材に固定される固定部と、前記傾斜板と、これら固定部と傾斜板とを接続する断面円弧状の屈曲部とを備える、請求項2~4のうちの何れか1項に記載したステアリング装置。
- 前記付属部品の前記固定部が、前記ステアリングコラムまたは前記結合部材に形成された開口部を塞ぐ蓋としての機能を有する、請求項5に記載したステアリング装置。
- 前記傾斜板の上面と、前記結合部材の下端部で前記ステアリングコラムの前端部の下面よりも下方に突出した部分の下面との、互いに対向する両面同士の間隔のうち、最も間隔が小さくなった部分に隙間が設けられている、請求項1~6のうちの何れか1項に記載したステアリング装置。
- 前記傾斜板の上面と、前記結合部材の下端部で前記ステアリングコラムの前端部の下面よりも下方に突出した部分の下面との、互いに対向する両面同士の間隔が、前記傾斜板の中間部分で最も小さくなっている、請求項1~7のうちの何れか1項に記載したステアリング装置。
- 前記結合部材が、電動式パワーアシスト機構を構成するハウジングである、請求項1~8のうちの何れか1項に記載したステアリング装置。
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CN201080002268.9A CN102164782B (zh) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-09-10 | 转向装置 |
EP10807305.7A EP2347935B1 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-09-10 | Steering device |
JP2010536268A JP5397383B2 (ja) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-09-10 | ステアリング装置 |
US13/058,890 US8336669B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-09-10 | Steering apparatus |
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JP2009-244115 | 2009-10-23 | ||
JP2009244115 | 2009-10-23 |
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PCT/JP2010/065584 WO2011048883A1 (ja) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-09-10 | ステアリング装置 |
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US (1) | US8336669B2 (ja) |
EP (1) | EP2347935B1 (ja) |
JP (2) | JP5397383B2 (ja) |
CN (1) | CN102164782B (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2011048883A1 (ja) |
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JP5327165B2 (ja) * | 2010-08-26 | 2013-10-30 | 日本精工株式会社 | 電動式パワーステアリング装置を備えた衝撃吸収式ステアリング装置 |
JP6047896B2 (ja) * | 2012-03-13 | 2016-12-21 | マツダ株式会社 | 車両のニーボルスター |
JP6137219B2 (ja) * | 2015-02-23 | 2017-05-31 | マツダ株式会社 | 通話機器の配設構造 |
JP6413934B2 (ja) * | 2015-06-03 | 2018-10-31 | マツダ株式会社 | 乗員保護装置の配設構造 |
GB2563000B (en) * | 2017-05-30 | 2020-02-26 | Ford Global Tech Llc | A motor vehicle steering column assembly |
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JP5655912B2 (ja) | 2015-01-21 |
JPWO2011048883A1 (ja) | 2013-03-07 |
JP2013233931A (ja) | 2013-11-21 |
EP2347935B1 (en) | 2015-04-08 |
US20120125708A1 (en) | 2012-05-24 |
JP5397383B2 (ja) | 2014-01-22 |
EP2347935A4 (en) | 2013-10-23 |
CN102164782A (zh) | 2011-08-24 |
CN102164782B (zh) | 2013-10-02 |
US8336669B2 (en) | 2012-12-25 |
EP2347935A1 (en) | 2011-07-27 |
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