JP2019031178A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a steering device capable of maintaining a column position adjusted according to a driver's preference regardless of normal use and vehicle collision. A steering device includes a steering column supported to be tiltable with respect to a deck cross member, a steering column shaft rotatably supported on the steering column, and an open end of the steering column shaft. A steering wheel that can be adjusted by tilting the steering column, and a clamp mechanism that fixes the steering column to the deck cross member while the steering column is tilted arbitrarily. Further, the steering column support center is provided on the vehicle rear side, and the clamp mechanism has a fixing position of the clamp mechanism with respect to the steering column on the vehicle front side with respect to the deck cross member. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a steering apparatus.

Patent Document 1 discloses a steering device including a tilt position adjusting mechanism. Such a steering device can be attached to the vehicle body, and can be detached from the vehicle body in the event of a secondary collision. The vehicle attachment bracket is supported by the vehicle body attachment bracket so that the tilt position can be adjusted, and the steering shaft equipped with the steering wheel is rotated. A steering column that is pivotally supported, and a clamp device that clamps the steering column to the vehicle body mounting bracket at a desired tilt position are provided.
The clamp device includes a tightening rod, a fixed cam, a movable cam, an operation lever, and the like. The tightening rod is inserted into a long slot for tilt formed on the side surface of the vehicle body mounting bracket, and the steering column is configured to be tiltable about a pivot pin provided on the front side of the vehicle body. The steering column tilted according to the driver's preference is pressed and fixed to the vehicle body mounting bracket by the clamp device.

JP 2007-22124 A

In the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1, friction generated between the steering column and the body mounting bracket by the driver pushing his arm against the steering wheel, hitting the knee against the steering column, or an airbag deployed in a vehicle collision. When a load exceeding the force is applied, the steering column may move within a tiltable range (adjustment range).
However, it is preferable to maintain the position of the steering column adjusted according to the driver's preference regardless of whether the steering column is in normal use or during a vehicle collision.

  In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention provides a steering device capable of maintaining the position of a steering column adjusted according to the driver's preference regardless of whether it is in normal use or in a vehicle collision. With the goal.

  (1) A steering apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes a steering column supported to be tiltable with respect to a deck cross member, a steering column shaft rotatably supported on the steering column, and the steering column. A steering wheel fixed to the open end of the shaft and capable of adjusting the angle by arbitrarily tilting the steering column, and the steering column can be fixed to the deck cross member with the steering column tilted arbitrarily. A clamp mechanism, wherein the steering column has a support center of the steering column on the vehicle rear side of the deck cross member, and the clamp mechanism is on the vehicle front side of the deck cross member. The steering wheel Having a fixed position relative to beam.

  According to the configuration of (1), the steering column has the support center of the steering column on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the deck cross member, and the clamp mechanism has the steering column of the clamp mechanism on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the deck cross member. Having a fixed position relative to. Therefore, the distance from the steering wheel to the support center of the steering column is shorter when the support center of the steering column is provided on the rear side of the vehicle than when the support center of the steering column is provided on the front side of the vehicle than the deck cross member. Can do. Further, when the clamp mechanism has a fixed position with respect to the steering column on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the deck cross member, the distance from the fixed position to the support center, and the fixed position with respect to the steering column of the clamp mechanism on the vehicle front side with respect to the deck cross member The distance from the fixed position to the support center in the case of having can be made substantially the same. As a result, the holding force of the clamp mechanism with respect to the steering column can be relatively increased, and the position of the steering column adjusted according to the driver's preference can be maintained regardless of normal use and vehicle collision.

(2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of the above (1), an intermediate shaft having one end connected to the steering gear device and the other end connected to the steering column shaft is further provided. Is possible.
According to the configuration of (2) above, one end of the intermediate shaft is connected to the steering gear device and the other end is connected to the steering column shaft. Further, the intermediate shaft can be expanded and contracted. Therefore, even if the base end of the steering column shaft moves greatly by adjusting the tilt of the steering column, the intermediate shaft expands and contracts, so that one end of the intermediate shaft is connected to the steering gear device, and the other end of the intermediate shaft Can be maintained connected to the steering column shaft.

(3) In some embodiments, in the above configuration (1) or (2), the clamp mechanism is disposed in a vehicle upper area than the steering column shaft.
According to the configuration of (3) above, the clamp mechanism is disposed in the vehicle upper area than the steering column shaft. Thereby, it can avoid that a clamp mechanism protrudes in the downward area of a steering column shaft.

(4) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (3), the clamp mechanism is fixed to the vehicle body side bracket fixed to the deck cross member and the steering column. A column side bracket capable of adjusting a position relative to the vehicle body side bracket, and a clamp shaft penetrating the vehicle body side bracket and the column side bracket and capable of fixing the column side bracket to the vehicle body side bracket. .
According to the configuration of (4) above, the position of the column side bracket relative to the vehicle body side bracket can be adjusted, and the clamp shaft can fix the column side bracket to the vehicle body side bracket. As a result, the position of the steering column relative to the deck cross member can be adjusted, and the clamp shaft can fix the steering column to the deck cross member.

(5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of the above (4), the power steering driving device further includes a power steering driving device disposed at a base end portion of the steering column shaft, and the column side bracket is attached to the power steering driving device. Provided.
According to the configuration of (5) above, the casing of the power steering drive device can be a column side bracket. Thereby, rationalization of the structure of the steering device further provided with the power steering drive device can be achieved.

(6) In some embodiments, in the above configurations (1) to (5), the steering column shaft is extendable.
According to the configuration of (6) above, since the steering column shaft can be extended and contracted, the steering wheel can be arbitrarily adjusted along the extending and contracting direction of the steering column shaft.

  According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the holding force of the clamp mechanism with respect to the steering column can be increased, and the position of the steering column adjusted according to the driver's preference is maintained regardless of the normal use and the vehicle collision. be able to.

It is a side view which shows roughly the structure of the steering device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematically the force which acts on the steering apparatus shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows roughly the structure of the steering device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of a cardan joint schematically. It is a figure showing the power transmission of the steering apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view showing roughly the composition of the clamp mechanism concerning one embodiment. It is a side view which shows roughly the structure of the steering device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a side view which shows roughly the structure of the steering device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a side view which shows roughly the structure of the steering device which concerns on one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. Absent.
For example, expressions expressing relative or absolute arrangements such as “in a certain direction”, “along a certain direction”, “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “center”, “concentric” or “coaxial” are strictly In addition to such an arrangement, it is also possible to represent a state of relative displacement with an angle or a distance such that tolerance or the same function can be obtained.
In addition, for example, expressions representing shapes such as quadrangular shapes and cylindrical shapes not only represent shapes such as quadrangular shapes and cylindrical shapes in a strict geometric sense, but also within the range where the same effect can be obtained. A shape including a chamfered portion or the like is also expressed.
On the other hand, the expressions “comprising”, “comprising”, “comprising”, “including”, or “having” one constituent element are not exclusive expressions for excluding the existence of the other constituent elements.

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a steering device 1 (1A) according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the force acting on the steering device 1 (1A) shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a steering device 1 according to an embodiment is a vehicle steering device, and is attached to a deck cross member DCM. The deck cross member DCM is a vehicle body skeleton member that constitutes the skeleton of the vehicle body, and is arranged along the vehicle width direction on the inside of an instrument panel (not shown) arranged on the front surface of the vehicle interior. The deck cross member DCM is formed of, for example, a cylindrical vehicle body skeleton member having an annular cross section, and both ends (left end and right end) thereof are respectively fastened and fixed to a front pillar (not shown) which is a vehicle body skeleton member. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the deck cross member DCM includes a pair of arm portions D1 projecting from the deck cross member DCM toward the vehicle rear side, and a bearing portion D2 joined to the pair of arm portions D1. The steering device 1 is attached to the bearing portion D2 so as to be tiltable (rotatable).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the steering device 1 according to at least one embodiment includes a steering column 2, a steering column shaft 3, a steering wheel 4, and a clamp mechanism 5.

The steering column 2 is a cylindrical support member having an annular cross section, and is disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof gradually increases from the vehicle front side toward the vehicle rear side, and is attached to the deck cross member DCM. It is attached so that it can be tilted.
The steering column 2 has a support center (rotation center) RC of the steering column 2 on the vehicle rear side of the deck cross member DCM.
The steering column 2 has, for example, a shaft 21 (trunnion) projecting in the vehicle width direction substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction. Is supported by the bearing portion D2. Accordingly, the steering column 2 can be tilted with respect to the deck cross member DCM, and has a support center RC of the steering column 2 on the vehicle rear side with respect to the deck cross member DCM.

  The steering column shaft 3 is a cylindrical member having an annular cross section. The steering column shaft 3 is inserted into the steering column 2 and is rotatably supported by the steering column 2.

The steering wheel 4 is composed of a core of iron or light alloy as a strength member and the outside is molded of synthetic resin, reinforced wood or the like, and is fixed to the open end of the steering column shaft 3. The steering wheel 4 can be adjusted in angle (tilt adjustment) by arbitrarily tilting the steering column 2.
The steering wheel 4 includes an air bag AB and an inflator (not shown), and the air bag AB is expanded by the gas supplied from the inflator when the vehicle collides.

The clamp mechanism 5 can fix the steering column 2 to the deck cross member DCM in a state where the steering column 2 is arbitrarily tilted.
The clamp mechanism 5 has a fixed position FL of the clamp mechanism 5 with respect to the steering column 2 on the vehicle front side with respect to the deck cross member DCM.

  In the steering device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the steering wheel 4 attached to the open end of the steering column shaft 3 is arbitrarily tilted by the steering column 2 supported so as to be tiltable with respect to the deck cross member DCM. The angle can be adjusted.

  According to the steering device 1 according to some of the embodiments described above, the steering column 2 has the support center RC of the steering column 2 on the vehicle rear side of the deck cross member DCM, and the clamp mechanism 5 includes the deck cross member. A fixing position FL with respect to the steering column 2 of the clamp mechanism 5 is provided on the vehicle front side of the DCM. Therefore, when the support center of the steering column 2 is provided on the vehicle rear side rather than the case where the support center of the steering column is provided on the vehicle front side than the deck cross member DCM, the distance from the steering wheel 4 to the support center RC of the steering column 2 is increased. The distance L2 can be shortened. Further, when the clamp mechanism has a fixed position with respect to the steering column behind the deck cross member DCM, the distance from the fixed position to the support center, and with respect to the steering column of the clamp mechanism on the vehicle front side with respect to the deck cross member DCM. In the case of having a fixed position, the distance L1 from the fixed position to the support position can be made substantially the same.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the holding force (pressure contact force) F1 of the clamp mechanism 5 is about the same as the conventional one, and the moment M1 generated around the support center RC of the steering column 2 by the holding force F1 is about the same. Even so, the moment M2 generated around the support center of the steering column 2 due to the force F2 for lifting the steering wheel 4 becomes relatively small. As a result, the holding force of the clamp mechanism 5 with respect to the steering column 2 can be relatively increased, and the position of the steering column 2 adjusted according to the driver's preference can be maintained regardless of normal use and vehicle collision. it can.

FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the steering device 1 (1B) according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the steering device 1 according to some embodiments further includes an intermediate shaft 6. The intermediate shaft 6 has one end connected to the steering gear device 10 and the other end connected to the steering column shaft 3. Further, the intermediate shaft 6 can be expanded and contracted. The intermediate shaft 6 includes, for example, a shaft 61 having an irregular cross section and a sleeve 62 into which the shaft is fitted. A cardan joint 611 disposed at the end of the shaft 61 is coupled to the proximal end of the steering column shaft 3, and a cardan joint 621 disposed at the end of the sleeve 62 is coupled to the steering gear device 10.
The steering gear device 10 is constituted by, for example, a rack and pinion gear device, and a cardan joint 621 is connected to the pinion gear.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the arrangement of the cardan joints 611 and 621 includes an arrangement shown in (a) (hereinafter referred to as “W arrangement”) and an arrangement shown in (b) (hereinafter referred to as “Z arrangement”). . Regarding the increase in the bending angle change amount of the input shaft and the output shaft, the Z angle arrangement including the cardan joint 621 connected to the steering gear device 10 can offset the increase in the angle change amount to some extent.

  As shown in FIG. 5, for example, if the angle change of the steering column shaft 3 is ± 4 °, the amount of change of the combined bending angle (0 ° when θ1 = θ2) is about ± 2 ° at the intermediate position, and the cardan joint This is substantially the same as when 611 is the support center of the steering column 2. Thus, by setting the cardan joints 611 and 621 to the Z arrangement, the combined bending angle can be reduced.

  According to the steering device 1 according to some embodiments described above, the intermediate shaft 6 has one end connected to the steering gear device 10 and the other end connected to the steering column shaft 3. The intermediate shaft 6 can be extended and contracted. Therefore, even if the base end of the steering column shaft 3 moves greatly by adjusting the tilt of the steering column 2, the intermediate shaft 6 expands and contracts, so that one end of the intermediate shaft 6 is connected to the steering gear device 10, The state where the other end of the intermediate shaft 6 is connected to the steering column shaft 3 can be maintained.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the steering device 1 (1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B) according to some embodiments, the clamp mechanism 5 is disposed in the vehicle upper area than the steering column shaft 3.
According to the steering device 1 according to some embodiments described above, the clamp mechanism 5 is disposed in the vehicle upper area than the steering column shaft 3. Thereby, it can avoid that the clamp mechanism 5 protrudes in the downward area of the steering column shaft 3. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the clamp mechanism 5 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the steering device 1 according to some embodiments, the clamp mechanism 5 includes a vehicle body side bracket 51, a column side bracket 52, and a clamp shaft 53.
The vehicle body side bracket 51 is fixed to the deck cross member DCM.
The column side bracket 52 is fixed to the steering column 2 and can be adjusted in position with respect to the vehicle body side bracket 51.
The clamp shaft 53 passes through the vehicle body side bracket 51 and the column side bracket 52, and can fix the column side bracket 52 to the vehicle body side bracket 51.

  For example, the vehicle body side bracket 51 is provided with an arcuate groove 511 through which the clamp shaft 53 passes. The arc-shaped groove 511 is provided around the support center RC of the steering column 2. The column side bracket 52 is provided with a hole 521 that overlaps with the arc-shaped groove 511 provided in the vehicle body side bracket 51 and through which the clamp shaft 53 passes. Accordingly, the clamp shaft 53 passes through the arc-shaped groove 511 provided in the vehicle body side bracket 51 and the hole 521 provided in the column side bracket 52. Then, the vehicle body side bracket 51 and the column side bracket 52 are pressed against each other by pulling the clamp shaft in the axial direction by a cam or the like (not shown). As a result, a frictional force acts between the vehicle body side bracket 51 and the column side bracket 52, and the column side bracket 52 is fixed to the vehicle body side bracket 51. As a result, the steering column 2 is fixed to the deck cross member DMC.

  According to the steering device 1 according to some of the embodiments described above, the column side bracket 52 can adjust the position with respect to the vehicle body side bracket 51, and the clamp shaft 53 can be adjusted with respect to the vehicle body side bracket 51. Can be fixed. As a result, the steering column 2 can adjust the position with respect to the deck cross member DCM, and the clamp shaft 53 can fix the steering column 2 to the deck cross member DCM.

FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the steering device 1 (1D) according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the steering device 1 according to some embodiments, the steering column 2 has a support center RC of the steering column 2 on the vehicle rear side of the deck cross member DCM, and the clamp mechanism 5 Since the clamp mechanism 5 has a fixed position (FL) with respect to the steering column on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the deck cross member DCM, an extra space is created where the previous column tilt mechanism (not shown) was present. Thereby, the freedom degree of design of the column cover 7 can be raised.
In addition, the driver's safety can be improved by newly installing an impact buffer member in the column cover.

FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the steering device 1 (1E) according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the steering device 1 according to some embodiments further includes a power steering drive device 8.
The power steering drive device 8 is disposed at the proximal end portion of the steering column shaft 3.
The casing 81 of the power steering drive device 8 is a column side bracket.

  According to the steering device 1 according to some embodiments described above, the housing of the power steering drive device 8 can be a column side bracket. Thereby, rationalization of the structure of the steering apparatus 1 further provided with the power steering drive apparatus 8 can be achieved.

  In some embodiments, the steering column shaft 3 is extendable in the steering device 1.

  According to the steering device 1 according to some of the embodiments described above, the steering column shaft 3 can be expanded and contracted, so that the steering wheel 4 can be arbitrarily adjusted along the expansion and contraction direction of the steering column shaft 3.

FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the steering device 1 (1F) according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the steering device 1 according to some embodiments has an energy absorbing mechanism 9. The energy absorbing mechanism 9 is intended to reduce occupant obstacles in the event of a vehicle collision.
For example, the energy absorbing mechanism 9 is configured such that the bearing portion D2 is dropped from the arm portion D1 of the deck cross member DCM while absorbing the collision energy in the event of a vehicle collision, and the steering column 2 and the steering column shaft 3 are It is configured to contract in the longitudinal direction while absorbing collision energy.

According to the steering device 1 according to some embodiments described above, the bearing portion D2 is dropped from the arm portion D1 of the deck cross member DCM while absorbing energy at the time of the collision of the vehicle, and the bearing portion D2 supports the steering column 2. Finish the role as the center. Further, the steering column 2 and the steering column shaft 3 contract in the longitudinal direction while absorbing the collision energy.
On the other hand, a moment for rotating the steering column 2 around the clamp shaft is generated in the clamp mechanism 5 along with the operation of the energy absorbing mechanism.
However, since the support center RC of the steering column 2 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the deck cross member DCM and the fixing position FL of the clamp mechanism 5 with respect to the steering column 2 is provided on the vehicle front side of the deck cross member DCM, the clamp shaft It is possible to reduce the generation of a rotational moment for lifting the steering wheel 4 around.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes forms obtained by modifying the above-described embodiments and forms obtained by appropriately combining these forms.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering device 2 Steering column 21 Axis 3 Steering column shaft 4 Steering wheel 5 Clamp mechanism 51 Car body side bracket 511 Arc-shaped groove 52 Column side bracket 521 Hole 53 Clamp shaft 6 Intermediate shaft 61 Shaft 611 Cardan joint 62 Sleeve 621 Cardan joint 7 Column cover 8 Power steering drive device 81 Housing 9 Energy absorption mechanism 10 Steering gear device DCM Deck cross member D1 Arm portion D2 Bearing portion AB Airbag RC Support center FL Fixed position

Claims (6)

A steering column supported to be tiltable with respect to the deck cross member;
A steering column shaft rotatably supported by the steering column;
A steering wheel fixed to the open end of the steering column shaft and capable of adjusting the angle by arbitrarily tilting the steering column;
A clamp mechanism capable of fixing the steering column to the deck cross member with the steering column tilted arbitrarily;
With
The steering column has a support center of the steering column on the vehicle rear side of the deck cross member,
The clamp mechanism has a fixed position of the clamp mechanism with respect to the steering column on the vehicle front side of the deck cross member.
A steering device characterized by that. An intermediate shaft connected at one end to the steering gear device and connected at the other end to the steering column shaft;
The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate shaft is extendable and contractible.   The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamp mechanism is disposed in a vehicle upper area than the steering column shaft. The clamping mechanism is
A vehicle body side bracket fixed to the deck cross member;
A column side bracket fixed to the steering column and adjustable in position relative to the vehicle body side bracket;
A clamp shaft penetrating the vehicle body side bracket and the column side bracket, and capable of fixing the column side bracket to the vehicle body side bracket;
The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the steering device is included. A power steering drive device disposed at the proximal end of the steering column shaft;
The steering device according to claim 4, wherein the column side bracket is provided in the power steering driving device.   The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the steering column shaft is extendable and contractible.

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