JP2018030540A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device which can increase an impact energy absorption amount while inhibiting increase of the number of components.SOLUTION: A steering device (10) has an energy absorption member (21) which contacts with an inner pipe (14) in a restriction mode to absorb impact energy when the inner pipe (14) is displaced. A shaft member (51) forming a fastening mechanism (50) includes a cam part (51b) exhibiting a cam shape. A support member (60) having a substantially U shape is provided so as to sandwich the cam part (51b). The energy absorption member (21) is provided at one end part (60a) of the support member (60). An excessive movement prevention member (70) has: an arm part (71) extending from the other end part (60b) of the support member (60) to an inner pipe hole part (14b); and a stopper part (72) which is attached to a tip of the arm part (71) and moves forward or rearward toward the inner pipe hole part (14b).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device having a function of adjusting the position of a steering wheel in the front-rear direction and a function of absorbing impact energy at the time of a secondary collision.

  The vehicle is driven by drivers of various physiques. A steering device is known that can adjust the position of a steering wheel in the front-rear direction in accordance with the physique of each driver. As a conventional technique related to such a steering apparatus, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b). FIG. 11A corresponds to the movement mode disclosed in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1 and indicated by a solid line. FIG. 11B corresponds to the regulation mode disclosed in FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1 and indicated by a broken line. The reference numerals are appropriately reassigned.

  Reference is made to FIG. As shown in Patent Document 1, the steering device 110 includes an outer column 140 and an inner pipe 114 that is held by the outer column 140 so as to be movable in the vehicle front-rear direction. The inner pipe 114 is switched by the fastening mechanism 150 between a movement mode in which movement in the vehicle front-rear direction is allowed and a restriction mode in which movement is restricted. The steering device 110 is in a movement mode in which the inner pipe 114 is movably provided.

  The fastening mechanism 150 includes an operation lever 152 that is rotatably provided. An over-movement prevention member 122 is attached to the operation lever 152 via a link mechanism 170. The excessive movement preventing member 122 protrudes inward from the opening 123 formed in the outer column in the movement mode, and contacts the inner pipe 114 to prevent the inner pipe 114 from excessively moving. That is, when the inner pipe 114 moves to the position of the excessive movement preventing member 122, the inner pipe 114 comes into contact with the excessive movement preventing member 122 and is prevented from moving.

  Reference is made to FIG. FIG. 11B shows the steering device 110 in the restricted mode state. From the state shown in FIG. 11A, the operation mode can be switched from the movement mode to the restriction mode by rotating the operation lever 152 as shown by an arrow (see FIG. 11A).

  During the restriction mode, the movement of the inner pipe 114 is restricted by the fastening force of the fastening mechanism 150. The load generated at the time of the secondary collision is applied forward via the inner pipe 114 as indicated by the white arrow. When this load is large, the inner pipe 114 moves forward against the fastening force of the fastening mechanism 150. The impact energy can be absorbed by the frictional force generated between the inner pipe 114 and the outer column 140.

  In the steering device 110 in the restriction mode, the excessive movement preventing member 122 is retracted from the inner side of the outer column 140. Thereby, the inner pipe 114 does not contact the excessive movement preventing member 122 at the time of a collision. If the inner pipe 114 comes into contact with the excessive movement preventing member 122, it will hinder stable absorption of impact energy. The steering device 110 can stably absorb impact energy by retracting the over-movement prevention member 122 during the restriction mode.

  In such a steering apparatus, it is desirable that more impact energy can be absorbed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

JP 2005-1517 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can increase the amount of absorption of impact energy during a secondary collision while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

According to the invention of claim 1, the outer column supported by the bracket, and the inner pipe held movably in the vehicle front-rear direction by the outer column,
The outer column has a pipe holding part that holds the outer periphery of the inner pipe, and a pair of legs that extend from both ends of the pipe holding part,
The pair of legs are fastened together by a fastening mechanism,
In the steering device in which the inner pipe is switched between a movement mode in which movement in the vehicle longitudinal direction is allowed and a restriction mode in which movement is restricted by the fastening mechanism.
It operates in conjunction with the fastening mechanism and prevents the inner pipe from over-traveling by facing the inner pipe hole formed in the inner pipe in the movement mode, and retreats from the inner pipe hole in the regulation mode. An over-travel prevention member that
An energy absorbing member that contacts the inner pipe in the restriction mode and absorbs impact energy when the inner pipe is displaced by applying an impact from behind the inner pipe;
The fastening mechanism includes a shaft member that is rotatably provided through the pair of legs.
The shaft member includes a cam portion having a cam shape,
A substantially U-shaped support member is provided so as to sandwich the cam portion,
The energy absorbing member is provided at one end of the support member,
The over-travel prevention member includes a main body portion extending substantially in the front-rear direction from the other end portion of the support member, an arm portion extending from the main body portion to the inner pipe hole, and an inner pipe attached to a tip of the arm portion. There is provided a steering device having a stopper portion that can be advanced and retracted toward the hole portion.

According to claim 2, preferably, the inner pipe hole is formed on both left and right sides of the inner pipe,
Outer column holes are formed on the left and right sides of the outer column and at positions overlapping the inner pipe hole,
The arm portion extends upward from both sides in the width direction of the main body portion,
The stopper portion faces the inner pipe hole through the outer column hole,
The lower edge of the outer column hole is formed in a downward slope toward the outer periphery,
The lower end portion of the stopper portion is formed in a downward slope toward the outer periphery,
In the restriction mode, the stopper is separated from the inner pipe hole by pressing the main body downward by the cam portion of the shaft member.

According to claim 3, preferably, a plurality of locking holes are formed along the axial direction below the inner pipe,
The energy absorbing member includes a substantially U-shaped energy absorbing main body,
It consists of a hook-shaped portion that is bent from the tip of the energy absorbing main body and hooks into the locking hole in the restricting mode.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the support member sandwiches the cam portion. When the shaft member is rotated, the cam portion is also rotated, and the support member is displaced by the cam portion. Thereby, the energy absorption member provided in the one end part of the support member can be made to contact an inner pipe during control mode. When the inner pipe is displaced by an impact applied from the rear of the inner pipe during the regulation mode, this impact energy can be absorbed. Thereby, the absorption amount of impact energy can be increased. Here, an excessive movement preventing member is attached to the other end of the supporting member. That is, since the amount of shock absorption energy can be increased by using the support member for supporting the overtravel prevention member, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the amount of absorption of impact energy while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, both the lower edge part of the outer column hole part and the lower end part of the stopper part are formed in the downward gradient toward the outer periphery. As a result, when the cam portion presses the main body portion downward due to the rotation of the shaft member in the restriction mode, the stopper portion can be smoothly separated from the inner pipe hole portion, and the inner pipe and the stopper member are brought into contact with each other during the secondary collision. The inner pipe can be displaced forward without contact.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the hook shape part of an energy absorption member is hooked in the latching hole part formed in the inner pipe at the time of regulation mode. Thereby, at the time of a secondary collision, a hook shape part is displaced ahead with an inner pipe, an energy absorption main-body part deforms plastically, and it can absorb impact energy. Moreover, the setting of the energy absorption load can be easily changed by changing the shape, plate thickness, etc. of the energy absorption main body.

It is a left view of the steering device by the Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the steering device with the bracket shown in FIG. 1 removed. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the steering apparatus with the outer column shown in FIG. 3 removed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the steering device shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure explaining the steering device in movement mode. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. It is a figure explaining the steering device in regulation mode. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the steering apparatus shown by FIG. It is a figure explaining the basic composition of the conventional technology.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, left and right refer to the left and right based on the vehicle occupant, and front and rear refer to the front and rear based on the traveling direction of the vehicle. In the figure, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left when viewed from the occupant, Ri indicates right when viewed from the occupant, Up indicates top, and Dn indicates bottom.
<Example>

  Please refer to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the steering device 10 as viewed from the left side. The steering device 10 according to the present invention allows the occupant to adjust the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle front-rear direction (the left-right direction in the drawing) according to his / her physique. That is, the steering device 10 has a so-called telescopic function.

  Please refer to FIG. The steering device 10 includes a bracket 30 fixed to the vehicle body, an outer column 40 supported by the bracket 30, an inner pipe 14 held by the outer column 40 so as to be movable in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the inner pipe. 14 has a steering shaft 15 to which a steering wheel can be attached and a fastening mechanism 50 for restricting movement of the inner pipe 14 in the front-rear direction.

  In the state shown in FIG. 2, the inner pipe 14 is allowed to move in the front-rear direction. That is, FIG. 2 shows the steering device 10 in the movement mode.

  Please refer to FIG. 3 to FIG. A support member 60 made of a metal plate curved in a substantially U shape is provided at the lower portion of the inner pipe 14.

  With particular reference to FIGS. The support member 60 is a leaf spring that is biased toward the shaft member 51. The support member 60 includes a support member bottom 61 that is a curved portion disposed on the front side, and an upper side 62 that extends rearward from the upper end of the support member bottom 61 and is integrally formed with the energy absorbing member 21 at the tip. And a lower side portion 63 extending rearward from the lower end of the support member bottom portion 61 and provided with an excessive movement preventing member 70 at the tip.

  The energy absorbing member 21 is curved from the end 60 a of the upper side portion 62 toward the inner pipe 14. The energy absorbing member 21 is a member that absorbs impact energy by being deformed when the inner pipe 14 is displaced by an impact applied from behind the inner pipe 14. The other end portion 60b of the lower side portion 63 is provided with an over movement preventing member 70 that prevents the inner pipe 14 from over moving in the movement mode.

  Please refer to FIG. The bracket 30 includes a vehicle body attachment portion 31 fixed to the vehicle body, and left and right outer column support portions 32 and 32 that are formed integrally with the left and right lower portions of the vehicle body attachment portion 31 and sandwich the outer column 40. It consists of.

  The outer column support portions 32 and 32 are respectively formed with long holes 34a and 34a for tilt adjustment. In the state shown in the figure, the outer column support portions 32 and 32 face each other substantially in parallel.

  The outer column 40 includes a pipe holding portion 41 that opens downward in a cross-sectional view along the vehicle width direction, and a pair of leg portions 42 and 42 that extend downward from each of the lower end portions of the pipe holding portion 41. ing. The pipe holding part 41 is disposed along the outer periphery of the inner pipe 14.

  Bolt insertion holes 42a and 42a are formed in the leg portions 42 and 42 substantially horizontally, respectively. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the side surfaces of the leg portions 42 and 42 are in contact with the inner side surfaces of the outer column support portions 32 and 32, respectively, and are sandwiched between the outer column support portions 32 and 32.

  Please refer to FIG. A plurality of locking holes 14a are formed on the lower surface of the inner pipe 14 along the front-rear direction so that the tip of the energy absorbing member 21 is hooked in the restriction mode. Inner pipe hole portions 14b are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the inner pipe 14 so that the tip of the over movement preventing member 70 faces in the movement mode. The inner pipe hole 14b has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction.

  Please refer to FIG. In the fastening mechanism 50, an operation lever 52, a fastening cam 53, and a nut 56 are attached to a shaft member 51 that is inserted into the long holes 34a and 34a and the bolt insertion holes 42a and 42a and has a male screw at the tip. Become.

  The operation lever 52 is a component for rotating the shaft member 51 fixed to the end of the shaft member 51.

  The fastening cam 53 is a member for displacing the leg portion 42 in the direction of the axis C1 of the shaft member 51 when the shaft member 51 is rotated. The fastening cam 53 includes a movable cam 53a that is fixed to the shaft member 51 and can rotate with the shaft member 51, and a fixed cam 53b that contacts the movable cam 53a and cannot rotate.

  The shaft member 51 is formed by integrally forming a cam portion 51b having a substantially oval cross section at the center of a shaft member main body portion 51a which is a main body portion. Please refer to FIG. The cam portion 51b has a cam shape that can displace the support member 60 up and down as the shaft member 51 rotates.

  Please refer to FIG. The energy absorbing member 21 includes an energy absorbing main body portion 21a having a substantially U shape, and a hook-shaped portion 21b that is bent from the energy absorbing main body portion 21a and is hooked on the locking hole portion 14a of the inner pipe 14 in the regulation mode. .

  Please refer to FIG. Outer column hole portions 45 and 45 where the excessive movement preventing member 70 faces are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 40 and at positions overlapping the inner pipe hole portions 14b and 14b. The lower edge 45a of the outer column hole 45 is formed so as to descend toward the outer periphery.

  Please refer to FIG. The excessive movement preventing member 70 has a substantially U shape and is fixed to the other end portion 60 b of the lower side portion 63 of the support member 60, and has a substantially rectangular main body portion 74 that is long in the front-rear direction, and both left and right sides of the main body portion 74. It comprises arm portions 71, 71 extending to the inner pipe hole portions 14b, 14b, and resin or rubber stopper portions 72, 72 fixed to the ends of the arm portions 71, 71. The other end 60b of the lower side 63 and the main body 74 are fixed by welding, bolts, or the like.

  A rib 71 a is formed at the center of the main body 74. Referring to FIG. 7, stopper portions 72, 72 are formed in a substantially convex shape, and are composed of a base portion 72b that faces outer column hole portion 45 and a protruding portion 72c that faces inner pipe hole portion 14b. A lower end portion 72a of the base portion 72b is formed in a downward gradient toward the outer periphery.

  Next, the operation of the steering device 10 of the present invention will be described.

  Please refer to FIG. In the movement mode, the inner pipe 14 can be displaced in the vehicle front-rear direction. At this time, if the inner pipe 14 is to be moved beyond a predetermined amount, the edges 14c and 14c of the inner pipe hole 14b come into contact with the excessive movement preventing member 70 (stopper 72). This prevents the inner pipe 14 from moving beyond a predetermined range. In the movement mode, the operation load of the inner pipe 14 can be reduced by separating the energy absorbing member 21 from the inner pipe 14.

  Please refer to FIG. In order to restrict the movement of the inner pipe 14 in the front-rear direction, it is necessary to change the steering device 10 to the restriction mode. In order to change to the restriction mode, the operation lever 52 is rotated upward as indicated by the arrow (1).

  When the operation lever 52 is rotated from the state of the movement mode in FIG. 2, the shaft member 51 is rotated, and the movable cam 53 a is also rotated together with the shaft member 51. At this time, the fixed cam 53b does not rotate. Concave and convex shapes are continuously formed on the opposing surfaces of the movable cam 53a and the fixed cam 53b, respectively. The movable cam 53a is pressed against the movable cam 53a side by the leg portion. When the fixed cam 53b is used as a reference, the gap α between the movable cam 53a and the movable cam 53a can be widened by changing the uneven shape of the movable cam 53a. By widening the gap α, the gap β between the leg portions 42 and 42 can be narrowed. Thereby, the holding force of the inner pipe 14 in the pipe holding part 41 can be increased. Switching from the movement mode to the restriction mode ends. By increasing the holding force of the inner pipe 14, the displacement of the inner pipe 14 in the front-rear direction can be regulated.

  Please refer to FIG. The shaft member 51 is rotated when switching from the movement mode to the restriction mode. At this time, as indicated by the arrow (2), the cam portion 51b which is a part of the shaft member 51 also rotates. The upper side portion 62 is pushed up by the cam portion 51b, and the main body portion 74 of the excessive movement preventing member 70 fixed to the lower side portion 63 is pushed down. When the upper side portion 62 is pushed up, the energy absorbing member 21 is also pushed up, and the hook-shaped portion 21b faces the locking hole portion 14a.

  Please refer to FIG. When the main body 74 of the overtravel prevention member 70 is pushed down by the cam portion 51b, the arm portions 71 and 71 and the stopper portions 72 and 72 are also pushed down. The lower edge portion 45a of the outer column hole 45 and the lower end portion 72a of the base portion 72b of the stopper portion 72 are formed in a downward gradient toward the outer periphery. The stopper portion 72 is displaced downward and outward along the lower edge portion 45a when the lower side portion 62 is pushed down. Thereby, the protrusion 72c is separated from the inner pipe hole 14b. Since the lower edge portion 45a of the outer column hole portion 45 and the lower end portion 72a of the base portion 72b of the stopper portion 72 are formed with a downward gradient toward the outer periphery, the stopper portion 72 is separated from the inner pipe hole portion 14b. It can be separated smoothly.

  Please refer to FIG. At the time of the secondary collision, the inner pipe 14 moves forward against the fastening force of the fastening mechanism 50. Part of the impact energy is absorbed by the sliding load between the outer column 40 and the inner pipe 14.

  Please refer to FIG. The steering device 10 during driving is set to the restriction mode. During the restriction mode, the stopper 72 is retracted from the inner pipe hole 14b. Even if the inner pipe 14 moves forward in this state, the inner pipe 14 does not contact the stopper portion 72. Thereby, impact energy can be absorbed with a constant load without generating a load in which the inner pipe 14 and the excessive movement preventing member 70 come into contact with each other. In addition, a constant energy absorption load can be generated stably regardless of the position of the inner pipe 14 in the front-rear direction.

  Please refer to FIG. The steering device 10 during driving is set to the restriction mode. In the restriction mode, the hook-shaped portion 21 b of the energy absorbing member 21 faces the locking hole portion 14 a of the inner pipe 14. When the inner pipe 14 moves forward in this state, the hook-shaped portion 21b also moves forward, and the energy absorbing main body portion 21a is deformed. Thereby, a part of impact energy is absorbed. That is, in addition to absorbing impact energy by the holding force of the outer column 40, the energy absorbing member 21 can also absorb impact energy.

  The steering device 10 of the present invention described above has the following effects.

  Please refer to FIG. The support member 60 sandwiches the cam portion 51b. When the shaft member 51 is rotated, the cam portion 51b is also rotated, and the support member 60 is displaced by the cam portion 51b. Thereby, the energy absorption member 21 provided in the one end part 60a of the support member 60 can be brought into contact with the inner pipe 14 during the regulation mode. When the inner pipe 14 is displaced by applying an impact from the rear of the inner pipe 14 during the regulation mode, the energy absorbing member 21 is deformed in addition to the sliding load between the outer column 40 and the inner pipe 14, thereby reducing the impact energy. Can be absorbed. Thereby, the absorption amount of impact energy can be increased. Here, the excessive movement preventing member 70 is attached to the other end portion 60 b of the support member 60. That is, since the amount of shock absorption energy can be increased by using the support member 60 for supporting the overtravel prevention member 70, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the amount of absorption of impact energy while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. Moreover, the setting of the energy absorption load can be easily changed by changing the shape, plate thickness, etc. of the energy absorption main body 21a.

  In addition, when it may be the same as the absorption amount of the conventional impact energy, the stroke amount of the inner pipe 14 can be reduced. In this case, the steering device 10 can be downsized and the degree of freedom in layout can be increased.

  In order to increase the absorption amount of impact energy, it is conceivable to increase the absorption amount of impact energy by increasing the holding force of the inner pipe 14 in the pipe holding portion 41. However, in this case, the operation load of the operation lever 52 at the time of switching from the movement mode to the restriction mode increases. In this regard, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the absorption amount of impact energy while ensuring the operability of the operation lever 52.

  Further, the cam portion 51b is sandwiched by the support member 60 that is configured by a leaf spring curved in a substantially U shape. The support member 60 can be brought into close contact with the cam portion 51b. When the support member 60 is in close contact with the cam portion 51b, the movement mode and the regulation mode can be switched reliably.

  Further, the cam portion 51 b is formed integrally with a shaft member main body 51 a that is the main body of the shaft member 51. The cam portion 51b can be formed without increasing the number of parts.

  Further, the energy absorbing member 21 is formed integrally with the support member 60. Compared to the case where the energy absorbing member 21 is configured separately from the support member 60, the number of parts can be reduced.

  In addition, although the steering apparatus which can also adjust the angle according to the present invention has been described as an example, the present invention can be applied to a type in which there is no angle adjustment and only the front and rear position adjustment is performed.

  Further, the energy absorbing member 21 may be a member that simply contacts the inner pipe 14 in addition to a member that absorbs energy while being caught by the inner pipe 14 and deforms. These can be appropriately selected depending on the amount of energy absorption required.

  That is, the present invention is not limited to the examples as long as the operations and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

  The steering device of the present invention is suitable for use in a steering system of a passenger car.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering device 14 ... Inner pipe 14a ... Locking hole part 14b ... Inner pipe hole part 21 ... Energy absorption member 30 ... Bracket 40 ... Outer column 41 ... Pipe holding part 42 ... Leg part 50 ... Fastening mechanism 51 ... Shaft member 51b ... cam part 60 ... support member 60a ... one end part 60b ... other end part 70 ... excessive movement preventing member 71 ... arm part 72 ... stopper part 74 ... main body part

Claims (3)

An outer column supported by the bracket, and an inner pipe held movably in the vehicle front-rear direction by the outer column,
The outer column has a pipe holding part that holds the outer periphery of the inner pipe, and a pair of legs that extend from both ends of the pipe holding part,
The pair of legs are fastened together by a fastening mechanism,
In the steering device in which the inner pipe is switched between a movement mode in which movement in the vehicle longitudinal direction is allowed and a restriction mode in which movement is restricted by the fastening mechanism.
It operates in conjunction with the fastening mechanism and prevents the inner pipe from over-traveling by facing the inner pipe hole formed in the inner pipe in the movement mode, and retreats from the inner pipe hole in the regulation mode. An over-travel prevention member that
An energy absorbing member that contacts the inner pipe in the restriction mode and absorbs impact energy when the inner pipe is displaced by applying an impact from behind the inner pipe;
The fastening mechanism includes a shaft member that is rotatably provided through the pair of legs.
The shaft member includes a cam portion having a cam shape,
A substantially U-shaped support member is provided so as to sandwich the cam portion,
The energy absorbing member is provided at one end of the support member,
The over-travel prevention member includes a main body portion extending substantially in the front-rear direction from the other end portion of the support member, an arm portion extending from the main body portion to the inner pipe hole, and an inner pipe attached to a tip of the arm portion. A steering device comprising: a stopper portion that can be advanced and retracted toward the hole portion. The inner pipe hole is formed on both left and right sides of the inner pipe,
Outer column holes are formed on the left and right sides of the outer column and at positions overlapping the inner pipe hole,
The arm portion extends upward from both sides in the width direction of the main body portion,
The stopper portion faces the inner pipe hole through the outer column hole,
The lower edge of the outer column hole is formed in a downward slope toward the outer periphery,
The lower end portion of the stopper portion is formed in a downward slope toward the outer periphery,
The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper portion is separated from the inner pipe hole portion when the main body portion is pressed downward by the cam portion of the shaft member in the restriction mode. A plurality of locking holes are formed along the axial direction below the inner pipe,
The energy absorbing member includes a substantially U-shaped energy absorbing main body,
A steering device comprising: a hook-shaped portion that is bent from the tip of the energy absorbing main body portion and is hooked on the locking hole portion in a restriction mode.

Images