JP2001158365A - Vehicle steering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the knob part of an operating lever from being locked to a steering column cover or the like when a steering column is separated from a vehicle body during a secondary collision. SOLUTION: When the steering column 1 is separated from the vehicle body in the secondary collision and the knob part 12 of the operating lever 10 is locked to the steering column cover 13 and exerted with a relatively light load, the two projections 18 of a spacer 17 are broken to bring two holes 15 in a lever body 11 out of engagement with two holes 16 in the knob part 12 to thereby enable the knob part 12 to be separated from the lever body 11. Thus, during the secondary collision the knob part 12 of the operating lever 10 is not locked to the steering column cover 13 as is the case with devices of the prior art.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle steering system having an operation lever operated by a driver when tilting or telescopically adjusting a steering wheel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a tilt type steering apparatus in which a steering column is tilted in accordance with a physique and a driving posture of a driver to adjust a tilt angle of a steering wheel.

[0003] For example, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-267752, a vehicle body side bracket is fixedly provided on a vehicle body so as to surround the steering column from below, and a steering column is provided inside the vehicle body side bracket. A column side bracket is provided so as to be able to move up and down. Further, a tilt bolt inserted into the column-side bracket is provided so as to be able to move up and down along the tilt groove of the vehicle body-side bracket, and a tilt lever is provided at one end of the tilt bolt.

Thus, the tilt lever is swung to press the vehicle body side bracket against the column side bracket to make sliding contact, thereby fixing the steering column so as not to tilt, and swinging the tilt lever in the opposite direction. Then, by releasing the sliding contact between the vehicle body side bracket and the column side bracket, the steering column can be freely tilted, and the steering wheel can be adjusted to a desired angle.

[0005]

The above-described tilt lever is generally composed of a metal lever body attached to the tilt bolt and a resin knob integrally formed with the lever body. The knob is relatively firmly fixed to the lever body.

[0006] The resin knob portion gripped by the driver is formed in a large and stable shape so that the driver can easily grip and operate it. Since the metal lever body to be attached is exposed from the column cover, it is designed to be as small as possible so as not to impair the appearance.

However, in order to protect the driver during a secondary collision, when the steering column separates from the vehicle body, the resin knob of the tilt lever may be caught on the steering column cover or the like.

Further, as disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the tilt lever is formed by integrally forming the lever main body and the knob portion and resin-molding the entire tilt lever, or by screwing the knob portion to the lever main body. Some are attached by stoppers. Even in such a case, when the steering column separates from the vehicle body, the knob portion may be caught on the steering column cover or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has a tilt lever (operation lever) when a steering column separates from a vehicle body in a secondary collision.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering device in which the knob portion of the vehicle does not catch on a steering column cover or the like.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention adjusts a tilt angle of a steering wheel by tilting a steering column by swinging an operation lever. Or
In a vehicle steering apparatus that adjusts an axial position of a steering wheel by moving a steering column in an axial direction, when a predetermined load is applied to a knob portion of the operation lever, the knob portion is separated from the lever body. Features.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a predetermined load is applied to the knob of the operation lever, the knob is separated from the lever main body. When the column separates from the vehicle body, if the knob portion of the operation lever is hooked on the steering column cover or the like and a relatively low load is applied to the knob portion, the knob portion can separate and separate from the lever body.
Therefore, unlike the related art, at the time of the secondary collision, the knob portion of the operation lever does not get caught on the steering column cover or the like.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vehicle steering system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle steering system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a)
FIG. 2B is a plan view including a partial cross section of the tilt lever shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the tilt lever, and FIG.
(C) is a rear view including a partial cross section of the tilt lever.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 1
Inside, a steering shaft 2 is rotatably supported, and a lower bracket 3 having a tilt center is provided below the steering column 1.

An intermediate portion of the steering column 1 is provided with a tilt lock mechanism. The tilt lock mechanism is provided so as to surround the steering column 1 from below.
A vehicle body side bracket 4 is provided fixed to the vehicle body via a detachable capsule 5. Inside the vehicle body side bracket 4, a column side bracket (not shown) of the steering column 1 is provided so as to be able to move up and down. A tilt bolt 6 inserted into a column-side bracket (not shown) is provided along a tilt groove (not shown) of the vehicle-body-side bracket 4 so as to be able to move up and down. A lever 10 is attached.

Thus, the tilt lever 10 is swung, and the vehicle body side bracket 4 is pressed against a column side bracket (not shown) to be in sliding contact therewith, thereby fixing the steering column 1 so as not to tilt, while tilting. Lever 1
0 is swung in the opposite direction to release the sliding contact between the vehicle body side bracket 4 and the column side bracket (not shown),
The steering column 1 can be freely tilted, and a steering wheel (not shown) can be adjusted to a desired angle.

Further, since the vehicle body side bracket 4 is attached to the vehicle body via the release capsule 5, when a collapse load acts on the steering column 1 toward the front of the vehicle at the time of a secondary collision, the release capsule 5 is damaged,
The steering column 1 moves to the front of the vehicle together with the vehicle body side bracket 4 and the tilt lever 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tilt lever 10 has a metal lever body 11 attached to the tilt bolt 6 and a resin knob 12 formed by injection molding.
It consists of:

The lever main body 11 is inserted through a long and narrow hole 14 of the steering column cover 13, and two holes 15 are formed at the end thereof.

The knob 12 is, as shown in FIG.
It has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and two holes 16 are formed corresponding to the two holes 15 of the lever body 11.

An elastic spacer 17 made of rubber, resin, or the like is interposed between the lever body 11 made of metal and the knob 12 made of resin. When assembling the tilt lever 10, after attaching the spacer 17 to the lever body 11,
The knob portion 12 is covered from outside the spacer 17.

The spacer 17 is formed with two projections 18 which engage with the two holes 15 of the lever body 11 and the two holes 16 of the knob portion 12, respectively.

With the above configuration, the two projections 18 of the spacer 17 are normally engaged with the two holes 15 of the lever body 11 and the two holes 16 of the knob portion 12, respectively. Therefore, the knob 12 does not come out of the lever main body 11. Further, since the spacer 17 is an elastic body made of rubber or resin, there is no play between the lever body 11 and the knob portion 12.

On the other hand, at the time of the secondary collision, the steering column 1
When the vehicle leaves the vehicle body, the knob 12 of the tilt lever 10
Is caught on the steering column cover 13 and a relatively low load is applied to the knob portion 12, the spacer 17
The two projections 18 are damaged and the two holes 15 of the lever body 11 are disengaged from the two holes 16 of the knob part 12, so that the knob part 12 is separated from the lever body 11. Can be removed. Therefore, unlike the related art, the knob 12 of the tilt lever 10 does not catch on the steering column cover 13 at the time of a secondary collision.

FIG. 3 is a plan view including a partial cross section of a tilt lever according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, an elastic spacer 17 made of rubber, resin, or the like is formed between the metal lever body 11 and the resin knob 12 by vulcanization molding or insert molding. It is. The spacer 17 is formed with two projections 18 that respectively engage with the two holes 16 of the knob portion 12. In addition, on the lever body 11 side,
No hole 15 is formed.

Also in the second embodiment, since the two projections 18 of the spacer 17 are normally engaged with the two holes 16 of the reknob portion 12 at normal times, the knob portion 12
Does not come out of the lever body 11. Further, since the spacer 17 is an elastic body made of rubber or resin, there is no play between the lever body 11 and the knob portion 12. On the other hand, when the steering column 1 separates from the vehicle body during a secondary collision, if the knob portion 12 of the tilt lever 10 is caught on the steering column cover 13, the two projections 18 of the spacer 17 are damaged and the knob portion 12 Since the engagement with the two holes 16 is released, the knob portion 12 can be separated and separated from the lever main body 11, so that the knob portion of the tilt lever 10 at the time of a secondary collision as in the related art. 12 does not get caught on the steering column cover 13.

FIG. 4 is a plan view including a partial cross section of a tilt lever according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, one hole 15 is formed at the tip of the lever body 11, and one hole 1 is formed in the knob 12.
6 are formed. The spacer 17 also has one projection 18 that engages with one hole 15 of the lever body 11 and one hole 16 of the knob part 12, respectively. That is, the engagement between the holes 15 and 16 and the projection 18 is limited to only one location. However, since there is only one engaging portion, the shape of the projection 18 is slightly larger than that of the first embodiment in order to slightly increase the engaging force.

Also in the third embodiment, normally, one projection 18 of the spacer 17 is engaged with one hole 15 of the lever body 11 and one hole 16 of the knob part 12, respectively. Therefore, the knob 12 does not come out of the lever body 11. Further, since the spacer 17 is an elastic body made of rubber or resin, there is no play between the lever body 11 and the knob portion 12. On the other hand, if the knob 12 of the tilt lever 10 is caught on the steering column cover 13 when the steering column 1 separates from the vehicle body during a secondary collision, one projection 18 of the spacer 17 is broken and the lever body In order to release the engagement between the one hole 15 of the knob 11 and the single hole 16 of the knob 12, the knob 12 can be separated from the lever body 11 and separated. Therefore, unlike the related art, the knob 12 of the tilt lever 10 does not catch on the steering column cover 13 at the time of a secondary collision.

FIG. 5A is a plan view including a partial cross section of a tilt lever according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the tilt lever. FIG.
(C) is a rear view including a partial cross section of the tilt lever. FIG. 6A is a side view of the lever body and the stopper of the tilt lever, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of the lever body and the stopper of the tilt lever, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a knob portion of the tilt lever.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the fourth embodiment, one leaf spring material is bent between a metal lever main body 11 and a resin knob portion 12. The spacer 20 formed is interposed.

The spacer 20 has a hole 1 in the knob 12.
6 and a plurality of elastic convex portions 22 for preventing backlash between the lever body 11 and the knob portion 12 are formed. Further, a pair of caulking portions 23 are formed at both bent ends of the stopper 20, and these caulking portions 23 are caulked to the holes 24 of the lever body 11, and the stopper 20 is fixed to the lever body 11. It is configured to do so.

When assembling the tilt lever 10, the spacer 20 is mounted on the lever body 11, and a pair of caulking portions 23 are inserted into the holes 24 of the lever body 11 as shown in FIGS. By caulking, the stopper 20 is fixed to the lever body 11, and then the knob portion 12 is
Is covered.

With the above-described structure, normally, one projection 21 of the spacer 20 is engaged with one hole 16 of the knob part 12 so that the knob part 12 is Never get out of Also, the spacer 20
Is an elastic body made of a leaf spring and has a plurality of elastic convex portions 22, so that there is no play between the lever body 11 and the knob portion 12.

On the other hand, at the time of the secondary collision, the steering column 1
When the vehicle leaves the vehicle body, the knob 12 of the tilt lever 10
Is caught on the steering column cover 13 and a relatively low load is applied to the knob portion 12, the spacer 20
The one protrusion 21 is broken and disengaged from the one hole 16 of the knob part 12, so that the knob part 12 can be separated and separated from the lever body 11. Therefore, unlike the related art, the knob 12 of the tilt lever 10 does not catch on the steering column cover 13 at the time of a secondary collision.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the tilt lever of the tilt-type steering device has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an operation lever of a telescopic steering device.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a predetermined load is applied to the knob portion of the operation lever, the knob portion is separated from the lever body. Therefore, when the steering column separates from the vehicle body in a secondary collision, the knob portion of the operation lever is When the handle is caught on the steering column cover or the like and a relatively low load is applied to the knob, the knob can be separated from the lever body and separated. Therefore, unlike the related art, at the time of the secondary collision, the knob portion of the operation lever does not get caught on the steering column cover or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 (a) is a plan view including a partial cross section of the tilt lever shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a side view of the tilt lever, and (c) is a partial cross section of the tilt lever. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view including a partial cross section of a tilt lever according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view including a partial cross section of a tilt lever according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a plan view including a partial cross section of a tilt lever according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5B is a side view of the tilt lever, and FIG. It is a rear view including a partial section of a lever.

6A is a side view of a lever body and a stopper of the tilt lever, FIG. 6B is a plan view of the lever body and the stopper of the tilt lever, and FIG. 6C is a plan view of the tilt lever. It is a top view of a knob part.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering column 2 Steering shaft 3 Lower bracket 4 Body side bracket 5 Capsule for detachment 6 Tilt bolt 10 Tilt lever (operation lever) 11 Lever body 12 Knob part 13 Steering column cover 14 Long hole 15 hole 16 hole 17 Stopper 18 Projection 20 Stopper DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Projection 22 Elastic convex part 23 Caulking part 24 hole

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle in which a steering column is tilted by swinging an operation lever to adjust a tilt angle of a steering wheel, or a steering column is moved in an axial direction to adjust an axial position of the steering wheel. A steering device for a vehicle, wherein when a predetermined load is applied to a knob portion of the operation lever, the knob portion is separated from the lever body.