JP2015199384A - steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device in which space can be saved and operation force of an operating lever at release of lock does not become unnecessarily heavy.SOLUTION: A steering device 1 comprises a lock mechanism 31 and an energizing mechanism 38. The lock mechanism 31 fastens each first side plate 25 of a first bracket 21 formed in a groove shape to a corresponding second side plate 27 of a second bracket 22 fixed to a steering column 4 so as to attain lock. A fastening shaft 34 of the lock mechanism 31 is inserted through long grooves 32 for tilt of the first side plates 25 and insertion grooves (long grooves 33 for telescope) of the second side plates. The energizing mechanism 38 is arranged at an inner space of the first bracket 21 formed in a groove shape when viewed from a shaft direction of a steering shaft 3 and energizes a pair of end parts 34a and 34b in a shaft direction K of the fastening shaft 34 toward a top plate 26 of the first bracket 21.

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device.

In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, one end is locked to a pair of extending plates that protrude from the pair of side plates of the movable bracket to the left and right sides as a spring that raises the steering column during tilt adjustment. There can be seen a wire whose other end pushes up an axially central portion of a lock bolt (clamping shaft) disposed below the steering column.
In the spring-up spring disclosed in Patent Document 2, the arm portion connecting the pair of winding spring portions arranged on the outer sides of the pair of side plates of the tilt bracket pushes up the flange attached to the outer member of the steering column. Rush.

  In Patent Document 3, the movable column member that supports the steering column so as to be swingable about the swing center is interposed between the top plate of the fixed bracket and the movable column member as a repelling spring that urges the movable column member in the flip-up direction. A tension coil spring is used.

JP 2013-112147 A JP 2002-96746 A JP 2012-91600 A

In Patent Literatures 1 and 2, a structure (for example, an extension plate) for supporting the spring spring is required on the outer side of the pair of side plates of the bracket, and the space for arranging the steering device becomes large.
In Patent Documents 2 and 3, since the spring-up spring urges a member separated from the tightening shaft, the tightening shaft tends to tilt. Further, in Patent Document 1, although the spring-up spring biases the tightening shaft, the tightening shaft tends to be inclined because the center portion in the axial direction of the tightening shaft is biased. If the tightening shaft is tilted, the tightening shaft will be twisted at the part that penetrates both side plates of the bracket, so that the gap between the side plates does not widen when releasing the tilt lock, and as a result, the operating force of the operating lever May become unnecessarily heavy and difficult to unlock.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can save space and does not unnecessarily increase the operating force of the operating lever when unlocking.

  In order to achieve the object, the invention of claim 1 has a groove shape including a pair of first side plates (25) and a top plate (26; 26B) connecting the upper ends of the pair of first side plates, A first bracket (21; 21B) supported by the vehicle body (18), a cylindrical steering column (4) disposed between the pair of first side plates and rotatably supporting the steering shaft (3); A pair of second side plates (27) respectively opposed to the pair of first side plates; a second bracket (22) fixed to the steering column; a tilt long groove (32) of the first side plate; A tightening shaft (34) that is inserted through the insertion groove (33) of the two side plates, an operation lever (35) that rotates integrally with the tightening shaft, and an axial force applied to the tightening shaft as the operation lever rotates. Corresponding to each of the first side plates. A lock mechanism (31) including a tightening mechanism for tightening to a side plate, and an axial space (X) of the steering shaft, which is disposed in an inner space of the first bracket when viewed from the axial direction of the steering shaft, Provided is a steering device (1) including an urging mechanism (38) for urging a pair of end portions (34a, 34b) toward the top plate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the urging mechanism is engaged with the urging member (39) supported directly or indirectly on the top plate and the pair of ends of the tightening shaft, and And a connecting member (40; 40A) for connecting the biasing member and the fastening shaft.
The connection member may be directly engaged with the pair of end portions of the fastening shaft.

  As in claim 4, the biasing member includes a supported portion (41) supported directly or indirectly by the top plate, an engaged portion (42) engaged with the connection member, A spring portion (43) interposed between the supported portion and the engaged portion, and the connecting member is more than the central axis (C1) of the steering column when viewed from the axial direction. The first engaging portion (44) disposed above and engaged with the engaged portion of the biasing member, and each of the first side plate and the corresponding second side plate are respectively engaged with the fastening shaft. And a pair of second engaging portions (45; 45B) to be combined.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the connection member has an engagement hole (45; 45B) as the second engagement portion, and is disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate corresponding to each other. A pair of vertical plate portions (46; 46B), and the inner side surface of each first side plate is spaced apart in the column moving direction and presses the corresponding second side plate, and the pair of pressing surface portions (88). A concave portion (89) that is disposed between the pressing surface portions and accommodates the corresponding vertical plate portion may be included.

As in claim 6, the engaging hole (45B) as the second engaging portion may be a burring hole that forms a cylindrical portion (95) around it.
A suspension plate (49) comprising a long groove (48) extending in the column movement direction at the time of a secondary collision, facing the top surface of the top plate of the first bracket and fixed to the vehicle body, as in claim 7. A slide plate (57) including a support portion (57a) for supporting the supported portion of the biasing member along the lower surface of the top plate, the long groove of the suspension plate, and an insertion hole (52 for the top plate) ) And the insertion hole (56) of the slide plate, the top plate and the slide plate are suspended from the suspension plate, and the top plate, the slide plate, and the column are moved during a secondary collision. And a suspension bolt (29) that moves in the direction.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the urging mechanism is disposed in the inner space of the first bracket when viewed from the axial direction of the steering shaft, the space can be saved. In addition, since both end portions in the axial direction of the tightening shaft are urged toward the top plate by the urging mechanism, the tightening shaft is not easily inclined. Accordingly, since the tightening shaft is not easily twisted, the operation force of the operation lever when releasing the tilt lock is not unnecessarily heavy and it is difficult to release the lock.

According to the invention of claim 2, in the urging mechanism, the urging member urges both ends of the tightening shaft in the axial direction to the top plate side via the connection member. Since the functions are separated by the biasing member that bears the biasing function and the connection member that bears the connection function, the degree of freedom of shape setting and layout of the biasing member and the connecting member can be increased.
According to the invention of claim 3, since the connecting member is directly engaged with both ends of the tightening shaft, the influence on the magnitude of the operating force of the operating lever when unlocking can be suppressed. On the other hand, if the connecting member is engaged with the tightening mechanism, the gap between the side plates does not widen when unlocking, and the operating force of the operating lever becomes unnecessarily heavy. May occur.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first engaging portion of the connecting member is disposed above the central axis of the steering column and engages with the engaged portion of the biasing member. Since the two engaging portions engage with the fastening shafts between the corresponding first side plate and the second side plate, space can be saved.
According to the invention of claim 5, in the state where the corresponding vertical plate portion of the connecting member is accommodated in the concave portion of each first side plate, the pressing surface portions on both sides of the concave portion of each first side plate correspond to the corresponding first plate. Since the two side plates are pressed, the first side plate can stably press the second side plate. Accordingly, the support rigidity is improved.

According to the invention of claim 6, the contact surface pressure between the inner periphery (inner periphery of the cylindrical portion) of the burring hole as the engagement hole (second engagement portion) and the outer periphery of the fastening shaft is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress obstructing the operation of the tightening shaft when unlocking.
According to the invention of claim 7, since the slide plate, which is an element of the structure in which the top plate is suspended by the suspension plate, functions to support the urging member, it is necessary to provide a dedicated support member separately. And the structure can be simplified.

It is a typical sectional view showing a schematic structure of a steering device of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the steering apparatus of FIG. 1, and is equivalent to sectional drawing in alignment with the II-II line of FIG. In 1st Embodiment, it is a schematic exploded perspective view of a biasing mechanism, a 1st side plate, and a slide plate. (A) is a top view of a biasing member, (b) is a side view of a biasing member. In 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic sectional drawing of the engagement structure of a biasing member and a clamping shaft. In 3rd Embodiment of this invention, it is a schematic sectional drawing of the structure where a biasing member is directly supported by the top plate of a 1st bracket.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a steering apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a steering device 1 illustrates a steering member 2 such as a steering wheel, a steering shaft 3 having a steering member 2 connected to one end (an upper end in an axial direction) so as to be integrally rotatable, and the steering shaft 3. And a cylindrical steering column 4 that is rotatably supported via a non-supporting bearing.

The other end (lower end in the axial direction) of the steering shaft 3 protrudes downward in the axial direction from the steering column 4 and is connected to a steering mechanism 6 such as a rack and pinion mechanism via an intermediate shaft 5 or the like. Yes. The steering mechanism 6 steers steered wheels (not shown) in conjunction with the steering of the steering member 2.
The steering shaft 3 includes an upper shaft 7 and a lower shaft 8 that are connected to each other so as to be able to rotate together and to be relatively movable in the axial direction X by using, for example, spline coupling.

  The steering column 4 includes an upper tube 9 as an outer tube and a lower tube 10 as an inner tube that are fitted together so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, a sensor housing 11 connected to a lower end in the axial direction of the lower tube 10, and a sensor housing 11 and a gear housing 12 connected to the lower end of 11. The sensor housing 11 houses a torque sensor 13 that detects a steering torque applied to the steering member 2.

  The gear housing 12 houses a speed reduction mechanism 15 that decelerates the power of the steering assisting electric motor 14 and transmits it to the lower shaft 8. The speed reduction mechanism 15 includes a drive gear 16 such as a worm that is coupled to a rotation shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 14 and a driven gear such as a worm wheel that meshes with the drive gear 16 and rotates along with the lower shaft 8. 17.

The steering column 1 is supported by the vehicle body 18 via an upper side fixing bracket 19 fixed to the vehicle body 18 on the rear side of the vehicle and a lower side fixing bracket 20 fixed to the vehicle body 18 on the front side of the vehicle. Yes.
Specifically, the steering device 1 includes a first bracket 21 (corresponding to a tilt bracket) supported by a fixed bracket 19 on the upper side so as to be movable in a column movement direction X1 at the time of a secondary collision, and an upper portion of the steering column 4. A second bracket 22 (corresponding to an upper column bracket) fixed to the tube 9 is provided.

The steering device 1 also includes a lower-side column bracket 23 fixed to the gear housing 12 of the steering column 4. The column bracket 23 is supported by the fixed bracket 20 on the lower side so as to be rotatable around the tilt center axis 24 via a tilt center axis 24 as a pivot axis.
As a result, the entire steering column 4 can be rotated around the tilt center axis 24, and as a result, tilt adjustment for adjusting the height position of the steering member 2 is possible. Further, telescopic adjustment for adjusting the position of the steering member 2 by moving the upper tube 9 in the axial direction X with respect to the lower tube 10 of the steering column 4 is possible.

The first bracket 21 includes a pair of first side plates 25 and a top plate 26 that connects the upper ends of the pair of first side plates 25 and has a groove shape. The second bracket 22 includes a pair of second side plates 27 that are opposed to the inside of the pair of first side plates 25 and a connecting plate 28 that connects the lower ends of the pair of second side plates 27, and has a groove shape. Yes.
The steering device 1 suspends the steering column 4 via the second bracket 22 by suspending the first bracket 21 (the top plate 26 thereof) by a suspension bolt 29 supported by the fixed bracket 19. It has.

Further, the steering device 1 tilt-locks by locking the second bracket 22 fixed to the steering column 4 with respect to the first bracket 21 suspended and held by the fixed bracket 19 via the suspension mechanism 30. And a locking mechanism 31 for achieving telescopic locking.
The lock mechanism 31 includes a tightening shaft 34 through which a long tilt groove 32 provided in the first side plate 25 and a telescopic long groove 33 (insertion groove) provided in the second side plate 27 are inserted. A fastening shaft 34 and an operation lever 35 that rotates together with the fastening shaft 34 are provided around the central axis of the attached shaft 34.

Further, the lock mechanism 31 is held on the tightening shaft 34 and generates an axial force on the tightening shaft 34 as the operation lever 35 is rotated to tighten each first side plate 25 to the corresponding second side plate 27. A tightening mechanism for achieving tilt lock and telescopic lock is provided.
Further, the lock mechanism 31 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the fastening shaft 34, and the lower tube 10 is pushed up through the opening 36 of the upper tube 9, so that both the tubes 9, 10 are fixed and the both tubes 9, 10 are interposed. And a push-up cam 37 that achieves locking.

  In the present embodiment, the steering column device 1 will be described based on an example in which the steering column device 1 is applied to an electric power steering device. However, the present invention may be applied to a manual steering device. In the present embodiment, the steering column apparatus 1 is described as a steering column apparatus capable of tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment. However, the present invention has only a tilt adjustment function and a telescopic adjustment function. You may make it apply to the steering column apparatus which is not.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steering device 1 is disposed in an inner space of the groove-shaped first bracket 21 when viewed from the axial direction of the steering shaft 3, and a pair of the clamping shafts 34 in the axial direction K. A biasing mechanism 38 that biases the end portions 34 a and 34 b toward the top plate 26 of the first bracket 21 is provided. In the present embodiment, portions of the fastening shaft 34 that are disposed on the outer side of the corresponding second side plate 27 are referred to as end portions 34a and 34b.

The urging mechanism 38 is engaged with the urging member 39 supported by the top plate 26 and a pair of end portions 34 a and 34 b of the tightening shaft 34, and connects the urging member 39 and the tightening shaft 34. Member 40. The biasing member 39 is made of a bent wire. The connecting member 40 is directly engaged with both end portions 34 a and 34 b of the fastening shaft 34.
1 and 2, the urging member 39 includes a supported portion 41 supported by the top plate 26, an engaged portion 42 engaged with the connection member 40, a supported portion 41, and a supported portion. And a spring portion 43 that is a winding spring interposed between the engagement portion 42 and the engagement portion 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the biasing member 39 is formed symmetrically and includes a pair of supported portions 41, a pair of engaged portions 42, and a pair of spring portions 43.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a), 4 (b), the biasing member 39 has a bilaterally symmetric shape, and connects the pair of left and right halves 80 and the pair of halves 80 to each other. Part 81. Each half 80 includes a fixed end 82 connected to the connecting portion 81 and a movable end 84 formed with a hook 83. The connecting portion 81 connects the fixed ends 82 of the pair of halves 80.
Each half 80 has a first portion 85 extending in the column moving direction X1 from the fixed end 82 to the corresponding one end 43a of the spring portion 43, and a column moving direction X1 from the movable end 84 to the other end 43b of the corresponding spring portion 43. A second portion 86 extending. The first portion 85 includes the supported portion 41 and the second portion 86 includes the engaged portion 42.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 40 is disposed above the central axis C <b> 1 of the steering column 4 when viewed from the axial direction, and engages with the engaged portion 42 of the biasing member 39. And a pair of engaging holes 45 as a pair of second engaging portions that engage with the fastening shaft 34 between the first side plate 25 and the corresponding second side plate 27. The hook 83 of the urging member 39 suppresses detachment between the engaged portion 42 of the urging member 39 and the first engaging portion 44 of the connection member 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connection member 40 has an engagement hole 45 as a second engagement portion, and is disposed between the first side plate 25 and the second side plate 27 corresponding to each other. A pair of vertical plate portions 46 and a connecting plate 47 that connects the upper ends of the pair of vertical plate portions 46.
As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting plate 47 includes an upwardly projecting arch plate portion 91 and an inclined plate that rises in an inclined manner from each end portion 91 a of the arch plate portion 91 toward the corresponding first engaging portion 44. Part 92. Each first engagement portion 44 is a bent portion formed between the vertical plate portion 46 and the inclined plate portion 92 corresponding to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner side surface of each first side plate 25 of the first bracket 21 is separated in the column movement direction X1 and a pair of pressing surface portions 88 that press the corresponding second side plate 27, and a pair of A concave portion 89 is provided between the pressing surface portions 88 and accommodates the corresponding vertical plate portions 46. The depth of the recess 89 is equal to or greater than the thickness of the vertical plate portion 46.
Referring to FIG. 2 again, the fixed bracket 19 includes a suspension plate 49 formed with a pair of long grooves 48 extending in parallel to the column moving direction X1 (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface), and a horizontal direction of the suspension plate 49. A pair of fixing plates 50 extending at both ends. Each fixing plate 50 is fixed to the vehicle body 18 via fixing bolts 51.

The suspension mechanism 30 includes a suspension bolt 29 that passes through a long groove 48 of the suspension plate 49 of the fixed bracket 19 and a round hole 52 as an insertion hole provided in the top plate 26 of the first bracket 21, and the suspension bolt 29. And a nut 53 that is screw-fitted to the nut.
The suspension mechanism 30 is disposed along the upper surface of the suspension plate 49 and is disposed along the lower surface of the low friction plate 55 having the pair of insertion holes 54 and the top plate 26 of the first bracket 21. And a slide plate 57 having an insertion hole 56.

The slide plate 57 includes a support portion 57 a that supports the pair of supported portions 41 of the urging member 39 of the urging mechanism 38. The support portion 57 a is a recess provided on the upper surface of the slide plate 57, and a pair of supported portions 41 are accommodated and held between the recess (support portion 57 a) and the lower surface of the top plate 26.
Each suspension bolt 29 includes a head portion 58, a shoulder portion 59 that is connected to the head portion 58 and passes through a corresponding insertion hole 54 of the low friction plate 55 and a corresponding long groove 48 of the suspension plate 49, and the shoulder portion 59 to the head portion. It includes a screw shaft portion 60 that extends to the opposite side of the portion 58 and is inserted into the corresponding round hole 52 of the top plate 26 and the corresponding insertion hole 56 of the slide plate 57 and screwed into the corresponding nut 53.

The shoulder portion 59 has a smaller diameter than the head portion 58, and the screw shaft portion 60 has a smaller diameter than the shoulder portion 59. Each suspension bolt 29 includes a stepped portion 61 formed between the shoulder portion 59 and the screw shaft portion 60 and in contact with the upper surface of the top plate 26.
The suspension mechanism 30 includes a pair of disc springs 62 that are interposed between the heads 58 of the suspension bolts 29 and the upper surface of the low friction plate 55 and fitted to the shoulder portions 59.

  The suspension plate 49 and the top plate 26 of the first bracket 21 are connected via a resin pin 63 inserted through the insertion hole of the suspension plate 49 and the top plate 26. When the resin pin 63 is sheared at the time of the secondary collision, the suspension mechanism 30 (the pair of suspension bolts 29, the pair of disc springs 62, the low friction plate 55, the slide plate 57, the pair of nuts 53, etc.), the first The bracket 21, the second bracket 22, the upper tube 9, the upper shaft 7, and the steering member 2 move together in the column movement direction X <b> 1 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 1).

Although not shown, a low friction plate (not shown) is interposed between the suspension plate 49 and the top plate 26, so that the top plate 26 is smooth with respect to the suspension plate 49 at the time of a secondary collision. Move to.
The fastening shaft 34 includes a head portion 34c provided at one end portion 34a and a screw portion 34d provided at the other end portion 34b. The operation lever 35 is adjacent to the head portion 34c and is connected to the head portion 34c so as to be integrally rotatable.

The lock mechanism 31 is interposed between the operation lever 35 and one of the first side plates 25, and converts the operation torque of the operation lever 35 into the axial force of the fastening shaft 34 as the operation lever 35 rotates. A tightening mechanism 64 is provided.
That is, the tightening mechanism 64 tightens each first side plate 25 to the corresponding second side plate 27 as the operation lever 35 rotates in the locking direction.

The tightening mechanism 64 is supported by the shaft portion of the tightening shaft 34, is supported by the annular first cam 65 that rotates integrally with the operation lever 35, and the shaft portion of the tightening shaft 34, and is used for tilting the first side plate 25. And an annular second cam 66 whose rotation is restricted by the long groove 32.
The second cam 66 is interposed between the first side plate 25 and the first cam 65, and is opposed to the first side plate 25 and the first cam 65. The second cam body 66a is pivoted from the second cam body 66a. And a boss 66b through which the fastening shaft 34 is inserted.

Although not shown, a cam projection (not shown) is formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the first cam 65 and the second cam 66 of the second cam 66, and the cam projection and the cam engagement are formed on the other. A cam surface (not shown) is formed. The first cam 65 is restricted from moving in the axial direction on the fastening shaft 34 by the head 34c.
The second cam 66 is movable in the axial direction K of the fastening shaft 34. The boss 66b of the second cam 66 is inserted into the long slot for tilt 32 of the first side plate 25, whereby the rotation of the second cam 66 is restricted. The second cam 66 allows the tightening shaft 34 to rotate. The second cam 66 functions as one fastening member that fastens one first side plate 25 to the corresponding second side plate 27.

The lock mechanism 31 includes a nut 67 fitted to the threaded portion 34d of the fastening shaft 34 and the other fastening member that fastens the other first side plate 25 to the corresponding second side plate 27 along the other first side plate 25. An attachment member 68 and an interposition member 69 interposed between the other fastening member 68 and the nut 67 are provided.
The other fastening member 68 includes a main body 68a facing the other first side plate 25, and a boss 68b extending from the main body 68a in the axial direction and through which the fastening shaft 34 is inserted. The rotation of the fastening member 68 is restricted by the boss 68b being inserted into the long slot for tilt 32 of the other first side plate 25.

The interposition member 69 includes a washer 70 interposed between the nut 67 and the main body 68 a of the other tightening member 68, and a needle roller bearing 71 interposed between the washer 70 and the main body 68 a of the other tightening member 68. With.
A sleeve 72 that rotates integrally with the tightening shaft 34 is fitted on the outer periphery of the shaft portion of the tightening shaft 34 by, for example, serration fitting. A push-up cam 37 is provided on a part of the outer periphery of the sleeve 72 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  According to the present embodiment, the urging mechanism 38 is disposed in the inner space of the first bracket 21 when viewed from the axial direction X1 of the steering shaft 3, as shown in FIG. Can do. Further, since both end portions 34a and 34b of the tightening shaft 34 in the axial direction K are urged toward the top plate 26 by the urging mechanism 38, the tightening shaft 34 is not easily inclined. Therefore, the tightening shaft 34 is unlikely to be twisted, so that the operation force of the operation lever 35 when releasing the tilt lock is not unnecessarily heavy and it is difficult to release the lock.

In the urging mechanism 38, the urging member 39 urges both end portions 34 a and 34 b in the axial direction of the tightening shaft 34 to the top plate 26 side via the connection member 40. Since the functions are separated by the urging member 39 that bears the urging function and the connection member 40 that bears the connecting function, the degree of freedom of shape setting and layout of the urging member 39 and the connecting member 40 can be increased.
Further, the urging member 39 does not protrude outward from the first side plate 25, and the amount of protrusion from the first bracket 21 toward the column moving direction X1 can be reduced to zero or reduced. Therefore, the biasing member 39 can be reduced in size, and the steering device 1 can be reduced in size and weight.

Further, the amount of protrusion of the biasing member 39 toward the column movement direction X1 relative to the first bracket 21 can be reduced to zero or less, so that the biasing member 39 and the sensor housing 11 do not interfere with each other at the time of a secondary collision. The shock absorbing stroke can be easily secured. From this point of view, the steering device 1 can be downsized in the axial direction X.
Further, since the connecting member 40 is directly engaged with the both end portions 34a and 34b of the fastening shaft 34, the influence on the magnitude of the operating force of the operating lever 35 when unlocking can be suppressed. That is, if the connecting member is engaged with the tightening mechanism (for example, the second cam), the operation force of the operation lever 35 is unnecessary because the gap between the side plates does not widen when unlocking. There is a risk of adverse effects such as being heavier (the operator receives an operation feeling that the slidability of the operation lever 35 is poor). On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress adverse effects such as an unnecessarily heavy operating force of the operating lever 35 when unlocking.

  Further, in the inner space of the first bracket 21, the first engaging portion 44 of the connecting member 40 is disposed above the central axis C <b> 1 of the steering column 4 and is engaged with the engaged portion 42 of the biasing member 39. The pair of second engaging portions (engagement holes 45) of the connecting member 40 are engaged with the fastening shafts 34 between the corresponding first side plates 25 and second side plates 27, so that space is saved. Can be achieved.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the state where the corresponding vertical plate portion 46 of the connecting member 40 is accommodated in the concave portion 89 of each first side plate 25, the both side portions of the concave portion 89 of each first side plate 25 are arranged. Since the pressing surface portion 88 presses the corresponding second side plate 27, the first side plate 25 can stably press the second side plate 27. Accordingly, the support rigidity is improved.
In addition, the slide plate 57, which is an element of the structure (the suspension mechanism 30) that suspends the top plate 26 by the suspension plate 49, functions to support the biasing member 39, so that it is necessary to provide a dedicated support member separately. The structure can be simplified.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in the second embodiment of FIG. 5, the engagement as the second engagement portion provided in the vertical plate portion 46A of the connection member 40A. The hole 45 </ b> A may be a burring hole that forms the cylindrical portion 95 around it. In this case, the contact surface pressure between the inner periphery of the burring hole (the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 95) serving as the engagement hole 45A (second engagement portion) and the outer periphery of the fastening shaft 34 is suppressed. It can be suppressed that the hole 45A hinders the operation of the tightening shaft 34 when the lock is released.

Further, the urging member 39 may be directly supported by the top plate of the first bracket. For example, as shown in the third embodiment of FIG. 6, the connecting portion 81 of the biasing member 39 is supported by the support piece 98 cut and raised at the edge of the opening 97 of the top plate 26B of the first bracket 21B. It may be. In this case, the supported portion of the urging member 39 is disposed in the connecting portion 81.
In addition, conventionally, since an extension plate that protrudes outward from the side plate of the first bracket is provided to lock one end of the spring spring, the structure of the first bracket becomes complicated. As a result, there is a problem that the yield of the first bracket is deteriorated and the manufacturing cost is increased. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the extension board can be abolished, the structure of the first bracket can be simplified. As a result, the yield of the first bracket can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, even if the urging member 39 interferes with other parts at the time of absorbing the shock, the urging member 39 moves to suppress an increase in the shock absorbing load. can do.
In addition, the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering device, 2 ... Steering member, 3 ... Steering shaft, 4 ... Steering column, 7 ... Upper shaft, 9 ... Upper tube, 11 ... Sensor housing, 18 ... Vehicle body, 19 ... Fixed bracket, 21; 21B ... 1st Bracket, 22 ... second bracket, 24 ... tilt center axis, 25 ... first side plate, 26; 26B ... top plate, 27 ... second side plate, 29 ... suspending bolt, 30 ... suspending mechanism, 31 ... lock mechanism, 32 ... Long groove for tilt, 33 ... Long groove for telescopic (insertion groove), 34 ... Tightening shaft, 34a, 34b ... End, 35 ... Operation lever, 38 ... Biasing mechanism, 39 ... Biasing member, 40; 40A ... Connection member 41 ... supported portion 42 ... engaged portion 43 ... spring portion 44 ... first engagement portion 45; 45A ... engagement hole (second engagement portion) 46; 46A ... vertical plate 48, long groove 49 ... Suspension plate, 52 ... Round hole (insertion hole), 56 ... Insertion hole, 57 ... Slide plate, 57a ... Supporting part, 64 ... Tightening mechanism, 65 ... First cam, 66 ... Second cam (Clamping member), 68 ... (the other) clamping member, 80 ... half body, 81 ... coupling part, 82 ... fixed end, 83 ... hook, 84 ... movable end, 85 ... first part, 86 ... second part , 88 ... pressing surface part, 89 ... concave part, 91 ... arch plate part, 92 ... inclined plate part, C1 ... central axis, K ... axial direction of tightening shaft, X ... axial direction of steering shaft, X1 ... Column movement direction, Y ... Tilt direction

Claims (7)

A first bracket supported by the vehicle body, having a groove shape including a pair of first side plates and a top plate connecting between upper ends of the pair of first side plates;
A cylindrical steering column disposed between the pair of first side plates and rotatably supporting a steering shaft;
A second bracket that includes a pair of second side plates facing the pair of first side plates, respectively, and is fixed to the steering column;
A tightening shaft that is inserted through the long slot for tilting of the first side plate and an insertion groove of the second side plate; an operation lever that rotates integrally with the tightening shaft; and the tightening shaft that is rotated with the operation lever. A lock mechanism including a tightening mechanism that generates an axial force and fastens each first side plate to a corresponding second side plate;
An urging mechanism disposed in an inner space of the first bracket when viewed from the axial direction of the steering shaft, and urging a pair of end portions of the fastening shaft in the axial direction toward the top plate; A steering device provided.   2. The biasing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is engaged with a biasing member supported directly or indirectly by the top plate and the pair of ends of the clamping shaft, and the biasing member and the clamping member are engaged with each other. A steering device comprising: a connecting member that connects the shaft.   The steering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connection member directly engages with the pair of ends of the tightening shaft. 4. The biasing member according to claim 2, wherein the urging member includes a supported portion that is directly or indirectly supported by the top plate, an engaged portion that is engaged with the connection member, the supported portion, and the A spring part interposed between the engaged parts,
The connecting member is disposed above the central axis of the steering column when viewed from the axial direction, and engages with an engaged portion of the urging member, and the first engaging portion. A steering device including a pair of second engaging portions that engage with the fastening shaft between a side plate and a corresponding second side plate, respectively. 5. The connection member according to claim 4, wherein the connection member includes a pair of vertical plate portions each having an engagement hole as the second engagement portion and disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate corresponding to each other. ,
An inner surface of each of the first side plates is disposed between the pair of pressing surface portions and a pair of pressing surface portions that press the corresponding second side plate spaced apart in the column moving direction and accommodates the corresponding vertical plate portion. And a steering device.   6. The steering apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the engagement hole as the second engagement portion is a burring hole that forms a cylindrical portion around the periphery. The suspension plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a long groove extending in a column moving direction at the time of a secondary collision, facing a top surface of the top plate of the first bracket, and fixed to a vehicle body,
A slide plate including a support portion that supports the supported portion of the biasing member along the lower surface of the top plate;
The long plate of the suspension plate, the insertion hole of the top plate, and the insertion hole of the slide plate are inserted to suspend the top plate and the slide plate with respect to the suspension plate. A steering device comprising a top plate, the slide plate, and a suspension bolt that moves in the column moving direction.

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