JP2004338549A - Position adjustment type steering column device for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to sufficiently secure a holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening while an assembling method is extremely simple.
A cylindrical spacer (30) is disposed around a tightening bolt (13) inside a steering column (1), and is further clamped inside flat portions (10a, 10b) of a bulging portion (10). Therefore, at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening, the spacers 30 project in the axial direction on the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1 to generate an axial reaction force, and the flat surface of the bulging portion 10 is formed. The surface rigidity of the portions 10a and 10b can be improved.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a position-adjustable steering column device for a vehicle including a bulging portion obtained by bulging a part of a tubular material of a steering column.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a tilt type, a telescopic type, or a tilt telescopic type in a vehicle steering device, generally, by swinging an operation lever, a distance bracket provided separately or integrally with a steering column is attached to a vehicle body on both sides thereof. Pressing and tightening the side brackets for tilt or telescopic tightening, while swinging the operation lever in the reverse direction releases the pressure contact of the vehicle body side brackets to the distance bracket to enable tilt or telescopic adjustment. ing.
[0003]
In Patent Document 1, in order to improve the rigidity of the distance bracket and sufficiently secure the holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening, the reinforcing plate is attached to the thin-walled distance bracket in the axial direction (tightening bolt). (In the axial direction).
[0004]
In Patent Document 2, similarly, in order to improve the rigidity of the distance bracket and sufficiently secure the holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening, the distance bracket is formed from a thick plate into a substantially U-shape. I have.
[0005]
Further, in Patent Literature 3, a distance bracket is integrally formed with a steering column made of a thin plate using a basil processing technique, and in order to improve surface rigidity of the distance bracket, tightening and tightening of the distance bracket are performed. A plurality of ribs (concave grooves) are formed in the plane portion.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-118415 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-229577 A [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-10-7003
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 3 are distance brackets each using a thin plate. Patent Literature 1 is formed by press molding, and Patent Literature 3 is formed by bulge molding. Yes, the steering column only performs tilt adjustment.
[0008]
Further, in order for the distance bracket to generate a reaction force for holding the steering column against the axial force at the time of tightening, in Patent Document 1, a reinforcing plate is provided so as to project in the bolt axial direction. In No. 3, a rib (concave groove) is formed to improve the rigidity of the tightening / flat portion, and both are structures for preventing bending of the tightening surface of the distance bracket.
[0009]
However, when the structures of Patent Literatures 1 and 3 are applied to a telescopic steering column, the telescopic slot provided in the distance bracket becomes an elongated slot extending in the axial direction, so that the deflection near the center of the slot is provided. The amount and the amount of deflection at the end of the slot may not be equal. As a result, there is a problem that the operating force of the operating lever varies and the holding force at the time of telescopic tightening varies.
[0010]
In addition, in order to apply to a bulge forming column, in Patent Document 1, the mounting method is difficult because the position of the reinforcing plate is inside the column pipe, and Patent Document 3 requires a large fastening force. However, there is a problem that sufficient strength cannot be obtained.
[0011]
Further, as disclosed in Patent Literature 3, it is conceivable to increase rigidity by using a thick plate, but this may lead to an increase in weight and an increase in manufacturing cost.
[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has an extremely simple assembling method, and is capable of sufficiently securing a holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening. An object of the present invention is to provide a steering column device.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a vehicle body mounting portion for mounting to a vehicle body, and a pair of left and right opposed flat plate portions extending substantially vertically. A body-side bracket having
A steering column rotatably supporting the steering shaft, having a bulging portion formed by bulging a part of a tubular material, and having a bulging portion for pressing against a pair of opposed flat plate portions of the vehicle body-side bracket;
A position adjusting type for a vehicle, comprising: a pair of opposed flat plate portions; and a shaft rod that penetrates the bulging portion and adjusts a distance between the pair of opposed flat plate portions with rotation of an operation lever. In the steering column device,
A spacer is arranged at least around the shaft inside the steering column.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle position adjusting type steering column device according to the first aspect, the spacer is covered by the shaft rod.
[0015]
Furthermore, a position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, the spacer is disposed so as to be sandwiched inside the bulging portion.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the bulging portion has elongated holes for position adjustment on both side surfaces thereof. It is characterized by having.
[0017]
As described above, according to the present invention, since the spacer is arranged around the shaft rod inside the steering column, at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening, the spacer extends in the axial direction at the bulging portion of the steering column. By stretching, a reaction force in the axial direction is generated, and the surface rigidity of the bulging portion can be improved, whereby a sufficient holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening can be secured.
[0018]
In addition, since the spacer is simply provided on the shaft, the assembling method is extremely simple, and there is no increase in weight or increase in manufacturing cost.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
(First embodiment: tilt telescopic type)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a tilt telescopic steering column device for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a clamp portion of the steering column device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a clamp portion of the steering column device shown in FIG.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, in a vehicle tilt / telescopic steering apparatus according to the first embodiment, a steering column 2 rotatably supports a steering shaft 2 on a steering column 1. Is equipped with a steering wheel 3.
[0023]
A central portion of the steering column 1 is swingably supported by the upper bracket 4 on the vehicle body side. The vehicle body side upper bracket 4 is fixed to the vehicle body side, and is integrated with the pair of vehicle body mounting portions 5a, 5b extending in the transverse direction of the steering column 1 and the pair of vehicle body mounting portions 5a, 5b. It has a pair of opposing flat plate portions 6a and 6b that extend further down and extend axially on both sides of the steering column 1. A pair of long slots for tilt 7a, 7b are formed in the pair of opposed flat plate portions 6a, 6b. In addition, the pair of vehicle body mounting portions 5a and 5b and the pair of opposed flat plate portions 6a and 6b may be formed separately.
[0024]
A bulging portion 10 (distance bracket) is integrally formed at the center of the steering column 1 by a hydroforming method described later.
[0025]
The bulging portion 10 integrally formed with the steering column 1 is integrally formed with flat portions 10a and 10b which are in pressure contact with the opposed flat plate portions 6a and 6b of the upper bracket 4 on the vehicle body side. A pair of telescopic slots 11a and 11b are formed in these flat portions 10a and 10b.
[0026]
A tightening bolt 13 having a clamp mechanism 12 is inserted into the pair of tilt slots 7a and 7b and the pair of telescopic slots 11a and 11b.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as the clamp mechanism 12, an operation lever 15 is provided on the head side of the tightening bolt 13 via a thrust bearing 14. An adjusting nut 18 is screwed into the screw portion of the tightening bolt 13.
[0028]
The operation lever 15 includes a first cam member 16 which rotates together with the operation lever 15 and has a peak and a valley, and a peak and a valley which engage with the peak and the valley of the first cam member 16. And a non-rotating second cam member 17 having a cam mechanism.
[0029]
Accordingly, when the tilt / telescopic position is adjusted and fixed, when the operation lever 15 is rotated in the tightening direction during the tilt / telescopic tightening, the first cam member 16 and the second cam member 17 are relatively rotated. Then, as the ridges rise, the widths of the two cam members 16 and 17 are increased, and thereby the distance between the head of the tightening bolt 13 and the second cam member 17 is reduced. A pair of opposed flat plate portions 6a, 6b of the bracket 4 are pressed against and fixed to the flat portions 10a, 10b of the bulging portion 10, respectively. Thereby, the tilt / telescopic position of the steering column 1 is fixed.
[0030]
On the other hand, at the time of adjusting the tilt / telescopic position (at the time of release), when the operation lever 15 is rotated in the release direction, the first cam member 16 and the second cam member 17 rotate relatively and head toward the valley. The width of the cam members 16 and 18 is reduced, and the distance between the head of the tightening bolt 13 and the adjustment nut 18 is increased. As a result, the pair of opposed flat plate portions 6a and 6b of the upper bracket 4 on the vehicle body side are connected to each other. The pressure contact between the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1 and the flat portions 10a and 10b is released. Thereby, the tilt / telescopic position of the steering column 1 can be adjusted. Through the above operation, the steering column 1 can be adjusted to a desired tilt / telescopic position.
[0031]
Note that the clamp mechanism 12 may be other than a cam mechanism, and may be, for example, a screw type.
[0032]
The vehicle front lower end portion of the steering column 1 is swingably supported by the vehicle body side lower bracket 20. The vehicle body side lower bracket 20 is fixed to the vehicle body side, and extends in the transverse direction of the steering column 1 in a pair of vehicle body mounting portions 21a, 21b. And a pair of opposed flat plate portions 22a, 22b extending in the axial direction on both sides. A pair of support holes 23a, 23b are formed in the pair of opposed flat plate portions 22a, 22b.
[0033]
A support portion 24 is provided integrally with the steering column 1 at a lower front portion of the steering column 1 in the vehicle.
[0034]
The support portion 24 is formed with flat portions 25a and 25b which are supported in contact with the opposed flat plate portions 22a and 22b of the vehicle body side lower bracket 20, respectively. A pair of telescopic slots 26a, 26b are formed in these flat portions 25a, 25b.
[0035]
The support portion 24 is slidably and rotatably supported by the vehicle body mounting bracket 20 via the hinge pin 27 in the telescopic slots 26a and 26b and the support holes 23a and 23b, respectively. Thus, the tilt telescopic steering device is configured.
[0036]
The support portion 24 is formed integrally with the steering column 1 by a hydroforming method described later. However, the steering column 1 may be separately formed by welding a bracket or the like.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the present embodiment, a single blank steel tubular material is formed into a steering column 1 integrally provided with a bulging portion 10 by a hydroforming method. A pair of telescopic slots 11a and 11b are formed in the flat portions 10a and 10b of the protrusion 10. The support portion 24 may also be formed integrally with the steering column 1 by a hydroforming method.
[0038]
Here, the hydroforming method is a method of storing a thin steel pipe in a mold, filling the steel pipe with pressurized water or oil, inflating the steel pipe to form a desired shape, or as a simple method. It is a method of filling and expanding by using rubber, etc., compared to the case of welding after press molding to produce a member with a closed cross-sectional structure, because there is no welding point, there is less thermal deformation, processing and manufacturing costs There is an advantage that reduction and weight reduction can be achieved. Note that, in the embodiment according to the present invention, the case where the steering column is manufactured by the hydroforming method has been described, but the steering column is not limited to the hydroforming method, and a rubber bulge forming method, an explosive bulge forming method, a press forming method, or the like is used. It is also possible to manufacture.
[0039]
Note that the outer peripheral surfaces of the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 are formed such that the lower interval is slightly wider than the upper interval.
[0040]
By the way, in general, if the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 (distance portion) do not have sufficient rigidity, the tightening force of the steering column 1 will be less than the tightening force of the operation lever 15 due to the elastic deformation of the steering column 1. There is a possibility that an effective tilt holding force cannot be obtained due to a small reaction force against the tightening force.
[0041]
In the case of the telescopic structure, the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 (distance portion) of the steering column 1 are provided with telescopic slots 11a and 11b extending in the axial direction. There is a possibility that the rigidity of the central portion of 11a and 11b is insufficient.
[0042]
For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the first embodiment, a cylindrical spacer 30 is arranged around the tightening bolt 13 inside the steering column 1, The spacer 30 is placed over the tightening bolt 13, and is further disposed so as to be sandwiched inside the flat portions 10 a and 10 b of the bulging portion 10.
[0043]
Therefore, an effective reaction force can be generated at the time of tilt / telescopic tightening, and in each position of the telescopic operation, the operation force of the operation lever 15 is stabilized, and a stable tilt holding force can be obtained.
[0044]
Further, the spacer 30 is put on the tightening bolt 13, and when the tightening bolt 13 is tightened, expansion is performed so that a reaction force is generated on each of the seat surface side of the tightening bolt 13 and the seat surface side of the adjustment nut 18. By stretching between the flat portions 10a and 10b of the protruding portion 10, variation in tilt holding force due to the telescopic position is suppressed, and an effective holding force can be secured.
[0045]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the cylindrical spacer 30 is disposed around the tightening bolt 13 inside the steering column 1, and further, the flat portion of the bulging portion 10 is provided. Since the spacers 30 are clamped inside the projections 10a and 10b, the spacers 30 project in the axial direction in the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1 during tilting or telescopic tightening, thereby causing an axial reaction force. Is generated, and the surface rigidity of the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 can be improved, whereby the holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening can be sufficiently ensured.
[0046]
Also, since the spacer 30 is only provided on the tightening bolt 13, there is no increase in weight or increase in manufacturing cost.
[0047]
Note that the cylindrical spacer 30 may be made of metal or synthetic resin.
[0048]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first embodiment, a working hole 31 for inserting the spacer 30 into the steering column 1 is provided outside the range of the telescopic long hole.
[0049]
Further, the spacer 30 has the following features.
The spacer 30 is arranged in a tubular shape around the tightening bolt (shaft rod) 13.
The spacer 30 extends in the axial direction of the tightening bolt (shaft rod) 13.
The spacer 30 is disposed inside the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1.
The spacer 30 connects the inner surfaces of the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1 facing the pair of opposed flat plate portions 6a and 6b of the vehicle body-side upper bracket 4.
The spacer 30 has a hole in the axial direction, and the tightening bolt (shaft rod) 13 is inserted through the hole.
-The outer periphery of the spacer 30 may be a polygon, an ellipse, etc. other than a circle.
[0050]
(Second embodiment: tilt telescopic type)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a clamp portion of a tilt-telescopic steering column device for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0051]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a clamp portion of the vehicle tilt / telescopic steering column device shown in FIG.
[0052]
In the second embodiment, a spacer 40 is arranged around the tightening bolt 13 inside the steering column 1.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer 40 is inserted from the support portion 24 of the steering column 1 at the front of the vehicle and is sandwiched and arranged inside the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 in advance. is there.
[0054]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, the support portion 24 of the steering column 1 at the front of the vehicle is formed so as to protrude in the vehicle width direction in order to facilitate the insertion of the spacer 40 into the steering column 1.
[0055]
Moreover, in the second embodiment, the spacer 40 has the thick portion 41 formed so as to fill the space between the lower side of the fastening bolt 13 and the inside of the bulging portion 10. .
[0056]
Further, the spacer 40 is formed so as to extend in the axial direction. The spacer 40 has an elongated hole 42 through which the tightening bolt 13 is inserted and which allows the tightening bolt 13 to move during telescopic adjustment.
[0057]
Therefore, also in the second embodiment, an effective reaction force can be generated at the time of tilt / telescopic tightening, and in each of the telescopic positions, the operation force of the operation lever 15 is stabilized, and stable tilt holding is achieved. You can gain power. Further, the spacer 40 is put on the tightening bolt 13, and when the tightening bolt 13 is tightened, expansion is performed so that a reaction force is generated on each of the seat surface side of the tightening bolt 13 and the seat surface side of the adjustment nut 18. By stretching between the flat portions 10a and 10b of the protruding portion 10, variation in tilt holding force due to the telescopic position is suppressed, and an effective holding force can be secured.
[0058]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the cylindrical spacer 40 is disposed around the tightening bolt 13 inside the steering column 1, and the flat portion of the bulging portion 10 is further provided. Since the spacer 40 is sandwiched between the inner surfaces 10a and 10b, the spacer 40 is stretched in the axial direction on the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1 at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening. Is generated, and the surface rigidity of the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 can be improved, whereby the holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening can be sufficiently ensured. Further, since the spacer 40 is only provided on the tightening bolt 13, the assembling method is extremely simple, and the increase in weight and the increase in manufacturing cost do not occur.
[0059]
The spacer 40 may be made of metal or synthetic resin.
[0060]
The spacer 40 may be integrally formed as a whole, but may have a divided structure, may be divided into two vertically, and may be divided into two right and left. May be. In this divided structure, the two divided pieces of the divided spacer 40 may be inserted into the steering column 1 and then assembled into two pieces.
[0061]
Further, the spacer 40 has the following features.
The spacer 40 is disposed around the tightening bolt (shaft rod) 13.
The spacer 40 extends in the axial direction of the tightening bolt (shaft rod) 13.
The spacer 40 is arranged inside the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1.
The spacer 40 connects the inner surfaces of the flat portions 10a and 10b of the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1 facing the pair of opposed flat plate portions 6a and 6b of the upper bracket 4 on the vehicle body side.
The spacer 40 has a hole extending in the axial direction, and the tightening bolt (shaft rod) 13 is inserted through the hole.
The “lower surface of the spacer 40” and the “inner side of the lower wall of the bulging portion 10 of the steering column 1” are in contact with each other.
[0062]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, the position adjustment type steering column device for a vehicle according to the present invention may be any of a tilt type, a telescopic type, and a tilt telescopic type.
[0063]
In the embodiment according to the present invention, the case where the steering column is manufactured by the hydroforming method has been described. It is also possible to manufacture.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the spacer is arranged around the shaft rod inside the steering column, when the tilt or the telescopic tightening is performed, the spacer is formed at the bulging portion of the steering column. By stretching in the direction, a reaction force in the axial direction is generated, and the surface rigidity of the bulging portion can be improved, whereby a sufficient holding force at the time of tilting or telescopic tightening can be secured.
[0065]
In addition, since the spacer is simply provided on the shaft, the assembling method is extremely simple, and there is no increase in weight or increase in manufacturing cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a tilt-telescopic steering column device for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of a clamp portion of the steering column device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a clamp portion of the steering column device shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a clamp portion of a tilt-telescopic steering column device for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a clamp portion of the tilt / telescopic steering column device for a vehicle shown in FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering column 1a Vehicle front part 1b Slot 2 Steering shaft 3 Steering wheel 4 Car body side upper bracket 5a, 5b Car body mounting part 6a, 6b Opposed flat plate part 7a, 7b Tilt long hole 10 Swelling part 10a, 10b Flat part 11a , 11b Telescopic slot 12 Clamping mechanism 13 Tightening bolt (shaft rod)
14 thrust bearing 15 operating lever 16 first cam member 17 second cam member 18 adjusting nut 20 vehicle body side lower brackets 21a, 21b vehicle body mounting portions 22a, 22b opposed flat plate portions 23a, 23b support holes 24 support portions 25a, 25b flat portion 26a , 26b Telescopic slot 27 Hinge pin 30 Spacer 31 Working hole 40 Spacer 41 Thick portion 42 Slot

Claims (4)

A vehicle body-side bracket having a vehicle body mounting portion for mounting to a vehicle body, and a pair of left and right opposed flat plate portions extending substantially vertically;
A steering column rotatably supporting the steering shaft, having a bulging portion formed by bulging a part of a tubular material, and having a bulging portion for pressing against a pair of opposed flat plate portions of the vehicle body-side bracket;
A position adjusting type for a vehicle, comprising: a pair of opposed flat plate portions; and a shaft rod that penetrates the bulging portion and adjusts a distance between the pair of opposed flat plate portions with rotation of an operation lever. In the steering column device,
A position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle, wherein a spacer is arranged at least around the shaft inside the steering column. The position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is covered on the shaft rod. The position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is disposed so as to be sandwiched inside the bulging portion. The position adjusting type steering column device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bulging portion has elongated holes for position adjustment on both side surfaces thereof.

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