JP2004182086A - Steering column device and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve rigidity of a distance part while reducing the number of part items and manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: In this steering column device, a cylindrical steering column 1 rotatably supports a steering shaft 13 inside, and the steering column 1 has the distance part 29 having an interposingly pressing object part 25 interposingly pressed by a car body fixing bracket 3, and a position to the car body fixing bracket 3 of the steering column 1 can be adjusted in a prescribed adjusting range. The steering column 1 has a swelling part 29 formed of the steering column 1 by plastic working, and a pipe member 55 is fitted in pressure contact to the outer periphery of the swelling part 29. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering column device constituting a steering device for an automobile or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Since a steering device of an automobile is used (steered) by an unspecified number of drivers, it is desirable that the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted in accordance with the physique, driving posture and the like of an individual. In order to respond to such a demand, not only passenger cars but also freight cars and the like often employ a tilt mechanism, a telescopic mechanism, or a tilt telescopic mechanism.
[0003]
The tilt mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the vertical direction, and includes a tilt pivot for swingably supporting the steering column and tilt fixing means for fixing the steering column at a desired position (swing angle). Etc. The telescopic mechanism is a mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the front-rear direction (axial direction of the steering shaft). (Telescopic fixing means) for fixing the steering shaft by (extension / contraction amount).
[0004]
Conventionally, as a tilt fixing means, a steel plate distance bracket is welded to a steel pipe steering column, and the distance bracket is clamped and fixed by a steel plate body fixing bracket fixed to the vehicle body. Was. However, when such a configuration is adopted, the number of constituent members and the number of welding steps are increased, and various inconveniences due to thermal distortion during welding are inevitable. A molded article has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-7003
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the steering column device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above also has the following problem. For example, when the driver tightens the tilt lever, a portion of the distance portion in the vicinity of the pinched portion is bent, and the operation feeling is extremely deteriorated, and the steering column may not be securely fixed by the vehicle body side bracket. is there. Further, when the driver tightens the tilt lever with a tightening force equal to or more than a predetermined value, there is a possibility that the deflection of the distance portion exceeds the elastic limit and is plastically deformed. These problems become remarkable when a thin-walled steel pipe is used as a material for the steering column, and this is an obstacle to reducing the weight of the steering device.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device that realizes an improvement in the rigidity of a distance portion while reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a steering column device having a tubular steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft therein.
The steering column has a bulge formed by plastic working from the steering column,
A steering column device is characterized in that a pipe member is press-fitted to the outer periphery of the bulging portion.
[0009]
Further, according to the present invention, a tubular steering column rotatably supporting a steering shaft therein,
The steering column includes a distance portion having a pressed portion pressed by the vehicle body fixing bracket,
A steering column device in which a position of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body fixing bracket is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range,
The steering column has a bulge formed by plastic working from the steering column,
A steering column device is provided, wherein a pipe member is press-fitted to the outer periphery of the bulging portion.
[0010]
Further, in the steering column device of the present invention, it is preferable that the pipe member is provided in the distance section.
[0011]
Further, in the steering column device of the present invention, it is preferable that the pipe member is formed of a vehicle body attaching member for attaching the steering column to a vehicle body.
[0012]
According to the present invention, there is provided a steering column device having a tubular steering column rotatably supporting a steering shaft therein.
In a method for manufacturing a steering column device having a bulged portion in which a pipe member is press-fitted on the outer periphery of the steering column,
By inserting the steering column through the pipe member, the steering column portion where the pipe member is located is subjected to swelling plastic working,
A method of manufacturing a steering column device, wherein the pipe member is press-fitted to an outer periphery of the steering column.
[0013]
Further, according to the present invention, a tubular steering column rotatably supporting a steering shaft therein,
The steering column includes a distance portion having a pressed portion pressed by the vehicle body fixing bracket,
The position of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body fixing bracket is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range,
In a method for manufacturing a steering column device having a bulged portion in which a pipe member is press-fitted on the outer periphery of the steering column,
By inserting the steering column through the pipe member, the steering column portion where the pipe member is located is subjected to swelling plastic working,
A method of manufacturing a steering column device, wherein the pipe member is press-fitted to an outer periphery of the steering column.
[0014]
Further, according to the present invention, a tubular steering column rotatably supporting a steering shaft therein,
The steering column includes a distance portion having a pressed portion pressed by the vehicle body fixing bracket,
The position of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body fixing bracket is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range,
In a method for manufacturing a steering column device having a bulging portion in which a pipe member is press-fitted around an end of the steering column,
An end of the steering column is inserted into the pipe member, a mandrel having an elliptical tip is press-fitted into the end, and the mandrel is rotated about its axis to swell and plastically process the end. By
A method of manufacturing a steering column device, wherein the pipe member is press-fitted to an outer periphery of an end of the steering column.
[0015]
According to these inventions, the rigidity of the entire distance portion is improved, and even if a large tightening force is applied to the pinched portion, bending is less likely to occur. Further, attachment of various pipe members such as a vehicle body attachment member to the steering column becomes easy.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a steering column device according to the present invention will be described.
1 is a side view of the steering column device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the upper column according to the present embodiment. is there.
[0017]
1 and 2, a steering column 1 is mounted on a vehicle body-side member 7 via a fixed bracket 3 which is a vehicle body fixed bracket and a pivot bracket 5, respectively, while an upper steering shaft is provided via bearings 9 and 11, respectively. (Hereinafter, simply referred to as a steering shaft) 13 is rotatably supported. A steering wheel (not shown) is attached to an upper end of the steering shaft 13, and a lower steering shaft (not shown) is connected to a lower end of the steering shaft 13 via a universal joint (not shown).
[0018]
The fixed bracket 3 is fixed to the vehicle rear side of the vehicle body-side member 7, and extends in the transverse direction of the steering column 1. The pair of horizontal portions 3 a and 3 a and the pair of horizontal portions 3 a and 3 a are integrated with the pair of horizontal portions 3 a. , 3a, and a pair of opposed flat plate portions 3b, 3b extending in the axial direction on both sides of the steering column 1. A pair of long holes 15 for tilt adjustment are formed in the pair of opposed flat plate portions 3b.
[0019]
The steering column 1 is composed of an upper column 21 made of a hydroform molded product made of a steel pipe, and a lower column 23 made of a steel pipe slidably fitted inside the upper column 21. When the bulging portion of the upper column 21 is subjected to plastic working by the hydroforming method, a pipe member 55 previously formed in a predetermined shape on the outer periphery of the upper column 21 by expanding the upper column 21 is press-fitted to the upper column 21. Then, the upper column 21 and the tube member 55 are integrally bulged to form the distance portion 29. The distance portion 29 is formed with a pair of flat pressure-receiving portions 25, 27 which are in surface contact with the opposed flat plate portions 3 b, 3 b of the fixing bracket 3 and are supported by the fixing bracket 3. , 27 are formed with a pair of telescopic adjustment slots 37, 37. By rotating the adjustment lever 35, the distance portion 29 is pinched with a predetermined fastening force via the fixed bracket 3 by the adjustment bolt 31 and the adjustment nut 33 penetrating the fixed bracket 3 coupled to the adjustment lever 35. Pressure and fixed.
[0020]
On the other hand, a lower bracket 41 is welded to the lower column 23 at a position corresponding to the pivot bracket 5. The lower bracket 41 is sandwiched by the pivot bracket 5 and is supported by a pivot bolt 43 and a nut 45 that pass through the pivot bracket 5.
[0021]
The steering column 1 is swingable about a pivot bolt 43. By operating the adjustment lever 35, the driver can move the steering wheel 1 up and down within the range in which the adjustment bolt 31 moves in the tilt adjustment hole 15. (Vertical direction in FIG. 1) can be adjusted. The upper column 21 is slidable with respect to the lower column 23. By operating the adjustment lever 35, the driver can adjust the steering wheel within the range in which the adjustment bolt 31 moves within the telescopic adjustment holes 37. Can be adjusted (the left-right direction in FIG. 1).
[0022]
In the upper column 21 of the present embodiment, the flat pressed portions 25 and 27 that contact the opposed flat plate portions 3b and 3b of the fixed bracket 3 are formed on both sides of the distance portion 29 in which the pipe member 55 is fitted to the upper column 21. Is formed. When the upper column 21 is bulged out of a steel pipe material by a hydroforming method described later, the pipe member 55 is press-fitted to the outer periphery of the distance portion 29 of the upper column 21 by a method described later. The tube member 55 is integrally provided on the outer periphery of the upper column 21 to form the distance portion 29. It is possible to increase the thickness of the distance portion 29 in contact with the opposed flat plate portions 3b, 3b of the fixed bracket 3 of the upper column 21, thereby achieving a reduction in the weight of the steering column 1 and increasing the rigidity of the distance portion 29. Can be.
[0023]
Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
When the position of the steering wheel becomes improper due to a driver change or the like, in the steering column device of the present embodiment, the driver first rotates the adjustment lever 35 clockwise to adjust the adjustment bolt 31 with respect to the adjustment bolt 31. Loosen the nut 33. Then, the axial force of the adjustment bolt 31 acting on the distance portion 29 of the upper column 21 via the fixed bracket 3 disappears, and the steering column 1 can swing about the pivot pin 31 by a predetermined amount, and at the same time, the upper The column 21 can slide with respect to the lower column 23 by a predetermined amount. Thereby, the driver can tilt or telescopically move the steering column 1 to adjust the steering wheel to a desired position.
[0024]
When the adjustment of the position of the steering wheel is completed, the driver turns the adjustment lever 35 counterclockwise to tighten the adjustment nut 33 to the adjustment bolt 31. Then, a predetermined axial force is generated in the adjusting bolt 31, and the opposed flat plate portions 3 b, 3 b of the fixed bracket 3 are pressed against the pinched surfaces 25, 27 of the distance portion 29, and the upper column 21 (ie, , Steering wheel) is fixed at a desired position.
[0025]
At this time, in the present embodiment, since the tube member 55 is fitted to the portion including the distance portion 29, the rigidity of the distance portion 29 is higher than that in the case where only the bulging portion is formed in the upper column 21. I have. As a result, the upper bracket 21 is reliably supported by the fixed bracket 3, and the steering wheel (the steering column 1) is less likely to be displaced from the expected position even when the driver puts his or her weight on the boarding or dismounting. In addition, vibration of the steering shaft 13 and the steering wheel during traveling is suppressed, and unintended movement of the upper column 21 and the like during a vehicle collision hardly occurs. Further, even if an excessive axial force is generated in the adjusting bolt 31 by tightening the adjusting lever 35 with a strong tightening force, elastic deformation and plastic deformation hardly occur in the distance portion 29, and the distance portion 29 is stable for a long time. Can be tightened.
[0026]
Next, a method for manufacturing the upper column 21 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the distance portion 29 (the bulging portion) having the above-described shape in which the steel pipe material 21 is expanded and press-fitted to the pipe member 55 formed in a predetermined shape in advance by the hydroforming method. The distance section 29 is formed with a pair of telescopic adjustment slots 37, 37 to form the upper column 21.
[0027]
The hydroforming method is a method of storing a thin steel pipe in a mold, filling the steel pipe with pressurized water or oil, expanding the steel pipe and forming it into a desired shape, or as a simple method. It is a method of filling and expanding using rubber etc., compared to the case of manufacturing a member with a closed cross-sectional structure by welding after press molding, since there is no welding point, there is less thermal deformation, processing and manufacturing costs There are advantages such as reduction and weight reduction.
[0028]
FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views schematically showing manufacturing steps of the upper column 21 according to the present embodiment by the hydroforming method.
In FIG. 4A, after a pipe member 55 formed in a predetermined shape in a mold 60 is installed at a predetermined position, a steel pipe blank 21 to be the upper column 21 is inserted. The tube member 55 is formed in advance in a shape that matches the shape of the above-described distance portion 29 formed in the mold 60. Thereafter, a shaft pushing cylinder (not shown) is inserted into both ends 21a and 21b of the steel pipe blank 21, and water or oil is injected into the inside 21c of the steel pipe blank 21. While applying water pressure (hydraulic pressure) to the inside 21c of the steel pipe material 21, the steel pipe material 21 is pressed in the directions of arrows P and P in the figure by an axial pushing cylinder, and as shown in FIG. It is swelled into the shape formed in the mold 60. At this time, the pipe member 55 is press-fitted to the outer periphery of the swelling steel pipe blank 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 4c, a pair of tilt telescopic adjustment slots 37, 37 is punched into the bulging portion 29 formed in the steel pipe material 21 and the pipe member 55 while applying hydraulic pressure (oil pressure). It is formed by punching inward. Thus, the upper column 21 in which the pipe member 55 is press-fitted to the bulging portion 29 is formed by the hydroforming method.
[0029]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the upper column 21 having the pipe member 55 in the bulging portion 29 and having the pair of tilt telescopic adjustment long holes 37, 37 is formed, the upper column 21 itself is raised. By making it rigid, the holding force of the upper column 21 to the fixed bracket 3 can be increased. In addition to the long hole punch (for telescoping), a round hole may be punched for tilting.
[0030]
Next, a description will be given of an example of fixing various pipe members such as a vehicle body attachment member by press-fitting using the above-described hydroforming method.
[0031]
In FIG. 5, after a pipe member 72 (for example, the lower bracket of the first embodiment) of a predetermined shape is installed in a second bulging portion 76 in a mold 70, the steel pipe material 21 is expanded by a hydroforming method. The bulging portion 29 and the second bulging portion 76 are formed, and the tube member 72 is press-fitted to the second bulging portion 72. Next, a pair of tilt telescopic adjustment holes 37 are punched in the bulging portion 29 to form the column member 21.
[0032]
6 (a), 6 (b), and 6 (c) are views showing various predetermined-shaped tube members. FIG. 6A shows an example of a tube member provided with a rotation preventing projection 84 on the inner peripheral portion of a cylindrical tube member 82. By fitting and fixing the pipe member to the steel pipe blank 21 by the above-described hydroforming method, the pipe member 82 can be securely fixed to the steel pipe blank 21. FIG. 6B shows a case where a rectangular tube member 86 is used, and FIG. 6C shows a case where a triangular tube member 88 is used. In any case, the rotation of the pipe member can be realized by fitting and fixing a pipe member having a non-circular inner diameter cross-sectional shape to the outer peripheral portion of the steel pipe raw material 21.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a view showing a different press-fitting method of fitting a pipe member. As shown in FIG. 7A, a case is shown in which a pipe member 94 is press-fitted to the end of the upper column 21 on which the bulging portion 29 is formed by the hydroforming method. The tube member 94 is arranged at the end of the upper column 21, and the elliptical mandrel 96 shown in FIG. 7B is pressed into the end of the upper column 21 (see FIG. 7C). The distal end portion 98 of the elliptical mandrel 96 is formed to have an elliptical cross section, and the length of the elliptical minor axis direction is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the upper column 21. Next, when the elliptical mandrel 96 is rotated about the axis, the end of the upper column 21 is expanded by the length in the major axis direction of the ellipse, and the pipe member 94 is press-fitted to the end of the upper column 21. The fitting and fixing method by expanding the elliptical mandrel has an advantage that the equipment can be smaller than the hydroforming method.
[0034]
This concludes the description of specific embodiments, but aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. For example, as a material of the steering column, carbon steel, various alloy steels, and the like can be adopted. In the plastic working of the steering column, a method other than the hydroforming method such as a rubber bulge forming method, an explosive bulge forming method, a press forming method, or the like may be employed. In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tilt / telescopic type steering column device. However, the present invention may be applied to a steering column device having only a tilt mechanism or only a telescopic mechanism. Further, the pipe member may be a member whose inner diameter is closed. For this reason, the pipe member may be a flat plate with holes. In all the embodiments, the pipe member may be made of aluminum or resin. In addition, the specific structure of the steering column device, the material and shape of each component, and the like can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a steering column device that achieves an improvement in the rigidity of the distance portion while reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a steering column device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the upper column according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a manufacturing process of the upper column according to the present embodiment by the hydroforming method.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of press-fitting fitting of a pipe member using a hydroforming method.
FIG. 6 is a view showing the shape of various pipe members.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a fitting and fixing method of the pipe member using an elliptical mandrel.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering column 3 Fixed bracket 5 Pivot bracket 7 Body side member 9, 11 Bearing 13 Steering shaft 15 Tilt adjustment hole 21 Upper column (steel pipe material)
25, 27 Pressure section 29 Distance section (bulging section)
31 Adjusting bolt (tilt bolt)
33 Adjusting nut (nut)
35 Adjust lever (tilt lever)
37 Telescopic adjustment long hole 41 Lower bracket 43 Pivot bolt 55 Tube member 60, 70 Mold 72 Tube member 76 Second bulge 82 Cylindrical tube member 84 Detent projection 86 Square tube member 88 Triangular tube member 94 Tube Member 96 oval mandrel

Claims (7)

A steering column device having a tubular steering column rotatably supporting a steering shaft therein,
The steering column has a bulge formed by plastic working from the steering column,
A steering column device, wherein a pipe member is press-fitted to the outer periphery of the bulging portion. A tubular steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft therein;
The steering column includes a distance portion having a pressed portion pressed by the vehicle body fixing bracket,
A steering column device in which a position of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body fixing bracket is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range,
The steering column has a bulge formed by plastic working from the steering column,
A steering column device, wherein a pipe member is press-fitted to the outer periphery of the bulging portion. The steering column device according to claim 2, wherein the tube member is provided at the distance portion. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the pipe member is formed of a vehicle body attachment member that fixes the steering column to a vehicle body. A steering column device having a tubular steering column rotatably supporting a steering shaft therein,
In a method for manufacturing a steering column device having a bulged portion in which a pipe member is press-fitted on the outer periphery of the steering column,
By inserting the steering column through the pipe member, the steering column portion where the pipe member is located is subjected to swelling plastic working,
A method of manufacturing a steering column device, wherein the pipe member is press-fitted to an outer periphery of the steering column. A tubular steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft therein;
The steering column includes a distance portion having a pressed portion pressed by the vehicle body fixing bracket,
The position of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body fixing bracket is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range,
In a method for manufacturing a steering column device having a bulged portion in which a pipe member is press-fitted on the outer periphery of the steering column,
By inserting the steering column through the pipe member, the steering column portion where the pipe member is located is subjected to swelling plastic working,
A method of manufacturing a steering column device, wherein the pipe member is press-fitted to an outer periphery of the steering column. A tubular steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft therein;
The steering column includes a distance portion having a pressed portion pressed by the vehicle body fixing bracket,
The position of the steering column with respect to the vehicle body fixing bracket is adjustable within a predetermined adjustment range,
In a method for manufacturing a steering column device having a bulging portion in which a pipe member is press-fitted around an end of the steering column,
An end of the steering column is inserted into the pipe member, a mandrel having an elliptical tip is press-fitted into the end, and the mandrel is rotated about its axis to swell and plastically process the end. By
A method of manufacturing a steering column device, wherein the pipe member is press-fitted to an outer periphery of an end of the steering column.

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