JP2006137308A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

To absorb a load acting on a steering column with a simple configuration.
SOLUTION: An energy absorbing plate 2 is provided between a vehicle body 20 and a steering column 3, and when an axial load is input to the steering column 3, the steering column 3 can be moved relative to the vehicle body 20 to absorb energy. In the steering device 1 that absorbs a load when the plate 2 is deformed, the energy absorbing plate 2 is deformed, and a deformable pin 5 that is rotatable with respect to the energy absorbing plate 2 is provided. In this case, the deformation pin 5 is rotated, contacts the energy absorbing plate 2 at either the first sliding contact surface 50 or the second sliding contact surface 52, and the load absorption is variable by the rotation of the deformation pin 5. The configuration can be done.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering device, and in particular, when an axial load is input to a steering column, the load is absorbed by an energy absorbing member provided between the vehicle and the steering column. The present invention relates to a steering device capable of

  Conventionally, an energy absorbing member that absorbs energy by being deformed when an axial load is input to the steering column is provided between the vehicle body and the steering column, and the energy absorbing member cooperates with the energy absorbing member. There is known a configuration in which a deformation characteristic variable member that changes the deformation characteristics is provided. In this configuration, when the driver's body hits the steering wheel due to a vehicle collision or the like, an axial load is input to the steering column. When such a load acts on the steering wheel, the steering column that maintains the steering wheel can move relative to the vehicle body. In such a case, there is known a steering device that absorbs load by deforming an energy absorbing member provided between the vehicle body and the steering column, and varies load absorption by a deformation characteristic variable member. (For example, Patent Document 1).

In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, two bent plates having different thicknesses and the same shape are used. Two bent plates are provided with bent portions, and nut members are engaged with the bent portions. In this apparatus, the nut member is engaged with either or both of the bent portions having different plate thicknesses by driving the motor, so that the load input to the steering column can be variably absorbed. In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, the motor is driven depending on whether or not the driver wears the seat belt, and the nut member is selectively moved and engaged with one of the bending members of the bending plate. At the time of wearing, the nut member is positioned at the bending portion of the bending plate having a thick wall and high deformation characteristics. On the other hand, when the seat belt is worn, load absorption is achieved by positioning the nut member at a bent portion of a bent plate having a thin wall shape and low deformation characteristics.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-36281 (first page, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13)

  However, since the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses two bent plates with different plate thicknesses, the two bent plates with the same shape and different plate thicknesses must be stacked and assembled. As a result, the number of parts increases, resulting in poor assembly.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the axial load input to the steering column can be varied with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts of the energy absorbing member as compared with the conventional one. It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure that can absorb the light.

  The technical means taken in order to solve the above-mentioned problems are an energy absorbing member provided between the vehicle body and the steering column, and a deformation characteristic that changes the deformation characteristic of the energy absorbing member in cooperation with the energy absorbing member. A variable member, and when an axial load is input to the steering column, the steering column can be moved relative to the vehicle body, and the energy absorbing member is deformed when the load is deformed by the deformation characteristic variable member. In the steering apparatus that varies the absorption of the energy, the deformation characteristic variable member includes a deformation pin that is rotatable with respect to the energy absorption member, and the contact surface with the energy absorption member is variable by the rotation of the deformation pin. It is that.

  In this case, the deformation pin may have a first sliding contact surface that contacts the energy absorbing member in a wide range and a second sliding contact surface that contacts in a narrow range.

  Moreover, it is good for a deformation | transformation pin to have a notch in the site | part which contact | connects an energy absorption member.

  Furthermore, the deformation pin has an operation part, and it is good to provide the drive source which presses an operation part.

  Moreover, it is good to provide the drive source which presses and rotates an operation part.

  The drive source may be configured to press and rotate the deformation pin to bring the deformation pin into contact with the energy absorbing member at either the first sliding contact surface or the second sliding contact surface.

  According to the present invention, the contact surface between the energy absorbing member and the deformation pin can be varied by rotating the deformation pin. Therefore, when the driver hits the steering wheel in the event of a vehicle collision and an axial load is input to the steering column by simply rotating at least one deformation pin, the steering column moves relative to the vehicle body. The safety of the steering device can be improved as desired. In this case, when the energy absorbing member is deformed, the load absorption can be varied by the deformation pin which is a deformation characteristic variable member. Therefore, the load absorption can be varied depending on the state of the driver in the driver seat or the body shape of the driver. Can be done. This does not have to be constituted by two plates having different thicknesses as in the prior art, and load absorption is achieved by a simple configuration in which the deformation pin is rotated with respect to at least one energy absorbing member. It can be performed in a variable manner.

  If the deforming pin has a first sliding contact surface that contacts the energy absorbing member over a wide range and a second sliding contact surface that contacts a narrow range, for example, if the driver is a male or a large driver, Since a large load must be absorbed, the load that is input in the axial direction of the steering column can be absorbed by the first sliding contact surface that contacts the energy absorbing member over a wide range. On the other hand, when the driver is a woman or a driver with a small physique, the load that is input in the axial direction of the steering column is absorbed by the second sliding contact surface that is in contact with the narrow range, thereby absorbing the load absorption with the first sliding contact surface. It can be performed variably on the second sliding contact surface.

  If the deformation pin has a notch at a portion in contact with the energy absorbing member, the load acting in the axial direction of the steering column can be varied with a simple structure in which the notch is simply provided with the notch. .

  If the deformation pin has an operation part and includes a drive source that presses the operation part, the operation source is operated by the drive source to press the deformation pin, rotate the deformation pin, and The load acting in the axial direction can be varied.

  When the driving source is configured to press and rotate the deforming pin so that the deforming pin is brought into contact with the energy absorbing member on either the first sliding contact surface or the second sliding contact surface, the driving source has a simple configuration. The load acting in the axial direction of the steering column can be varied by rotating the deformation pin and bringing the energy absorbing member into contact with either the first sliding contact surface or the second sliding contact surface.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view when the steering device 1 according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, and FIG. 2 is a top view of the steering device 1. In the following description of the present embodiment, the left side shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the front of the vehicle, the right side as the rear, the upper side as the upper side of the vehicle, and the lower side as the lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the steering device 1 includes a steering shaft 11 at the center. In the steering device 1, a steering wheel 10 that is operated by a driver is attached to a rear end portion of a steering shaft 11 that is positioned at the center. The steering apparatus 1 rotates the steering wheel 10 to rotate the steering shaft 11, and a steering mechanism (not shown) attached in front of the steering shaft 11 is driven to perform steering. In the steering apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a tilt mechanism and a telescopic mechanism are integrally provided in the steering column 3. However, the configurations of these mechanisms are known, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The steering column 3 is supported at two positions in the axial direction with respect to the vehicle 20, and a load of a predetermined value or more is applied to the steering wheel 10 as typified when a driver's body hits the steering wheel 10 at the time of a vehicle collision or the like. Is input to the steering column 3 via the steering shaft 11, the steering column 3 is configured to be relatively movable in the axial direction with respect to the vehicle body 20. That is, the steering column 3 is supported at two locations, the front and rear, in the axial direction, and the front support point is supported by the vehicle body 20 via the bracket 8. On the other hand, the rear support point is configured such that the steering column 3 is supported by both left and right sides around the steering shaft 11 via a substantially rectangular capsule 20 made of resin.

  The bracket 8 is fixed to the vehicle body side with bolts or the like at two locations on the left and right sides. A U-shaped groove opening forward is formed in the center of the bracket 8. Bolts 31 are inserted into the grooves from above into the steering column 3, and the front of the steering column 3 is supported as shown in FIG. In this configuration, when a predetermined load or more is input from the axial direction of the steering column 3, the bolts 31 and the steering column 3 are moved by the bolts 31 in the groove portions opened in front of the bracket 8. And the bolted steering column 3 can be disengaged. On the other hand, the steering column 3 has recesses 32 formed on both the left and right sides of the steering shaft 11 at the center shown in FIG. In the recesses 32 formed on the left and right sides, the capsule 20 is integrated with the steering column 3 by resin molding, and the steering column 3 is connected to the vehicle body 20 via the two capsules 20 at the center of the steering column 3. Supported by The two capsules 20 are fastened together with the left and right bolts 33 to the vehicle body 20 with the energy absorbing plate 2 having a T-shape. In the capsule 20 as well, when a predetermined load or more is input from the axial direction of the steering column 3, the left and right capsules 20 fitted in the concave portion 32 of the steering column 3 are detached from the concave portion 32, and the steering column 3 The relative movement is possible.

  The energy absorbing plate 2 is made of a flat steel plate having deformability, and as shown in FIG. 3, a fixed portion 21 having an insertion hole 23 in the center on the rear side and a straight line extending forward from the fixed portion 21 as shown in FIG. 3. And a deformation portion 22 that absorbs a load by deformation. The energy absorbing plate 2 is supported together with the steering column 3 with respect to the vehicle body 20 by a bolt 33 inserted through the insertion hole 23 and integrated with the capsule 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the deforming portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 is bent in a substantially U shape in the middle of a straight line, and the deforming pin 5 is disposed in the bent portion. The deformation pin 5 is disposed in contact with the deformation portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 in the vertical direction (left-right direction), and the deformation pin 5 is supported by the steering column 3 in a rotatable state. The deformation pin 5 is a pin made of a material having rigidity without deformation, and is provided with an operation portion 55 extending in the radial direction at one outer end portion 53, and the other end is formed in the steering column 3. It fits in the locking hole that is not, and is locked in a rotatable state. The deformation pin 5 is disposed in a direction orthogonal to the deformation portion 22 of the energy absorption plate 2, and a notch 51 is formed only partially (half of the deformation portion 22 in the left-right direction) on the contact surface in contact with the energy absorption plate 2. And has a first slidable contact surface (contact surface) 50 in contact with the deformable portion 22 in the left-right direction and a second slidable contact surface (contact surface) 52 in contact with a surface other than the notch 51. When the deformation pin 5 is rotated, the deformation pin 5 comes into contact with the deformation portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 at the first sliding contact surface 50 or comes into contact with the second sliding contact surface 52. The deformation pin 5 in which the notch 51 is formed functions as a deformation characteristic variable member that changes the deformation characteristic of the energy absorbing plate 2.

  The operation portion 55 of the deformation pin 5 is provided on the locus of movement of the output shaft 4 of the solenoid 8 attached to the steering column 3, and the operation portion 55 is pressed by the output shaft 4, whereby the deformation pin 5. Is given a rotational force. In this case, in order to suppress the play of the deformation pin 5, the spring 7 that functions to always contact the operating portion 55 of the deformation pin 5 against the output shaft 4 of the solenoid 8 is provided on the side opposite to the output shaft 4. . Accordingly, in the state shown in FIG. 4 in which the output shaft 4 of the solenoid 8 does not protrude (for example, the energized state of the solenoid 8), the output shaft 4 resists the biasing force of the spring 9 provided around the output shaft 4. 5 is retracted, and a counterclockwise moment acts on the deformation pin 5 by the urging force of the spring 7, and the energy absorbing plate 2 and the first sliding contact surface 50 come into contact with each other in a wide range as shown in FIG. 5.

  On the other hand, when the energization of the solenoid 8 is stopped, the output shaft 4 protrudes forward by the biasing force of the spring 9 from the backward retracted state, and presses the operating portion 55 in the clockwise direction. As a result, a clockwise moment shown in FIG. 4 acts on the deforming pin 5 and the energy absorbing plate 2 and the second sliding contact surface 52 come into contact with a narrow range as shown in FIG. The rotation operation of the deformation pin 5 by the solenoid 8 is determined from a load detection switch or load sensor that detects the seating state in the driver's seat, and is driven by a control device (not shown). Here, since a method for detecting a driver's condition using a load sensor is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this case, for example, a person with a large physique is a When the vehicle is operating, the energy absorbing plate 2 is in contact with the first sliding contact surface 50. On the other hand, when a small physique is driving the vehicle, the energy absorbing plate 2 is It is preferable that the steering device 1 absorbs the load according to the physique of the driver so as to be in contact with the contact surface 52.

  Next, the operation of absorbing the load input to the steering wheel 10 will be described below.

  For example, when a forward collision occurs, such as when a forward collision with another vehicle occurs during driving of the vehicle, the driver's body driving in the driver's seat causes an inertial force at the time of the collision (referred to as a secondary collision), A part of the driver's body (for example, the upper body) hits the steering wheel 10, and a load at the time of collision is input to the steering wheel 10. The load input to the steering wheel 10 is transmitted to the steering column 3 via the steering shaft 11. In this case, the steering column 3 is supported by the vehicle body 20 at two locations, front and rear, in the axial direction, and is formed on the bracket 8 when the magnitude of the load at the time of collision exceeds a predetermined load (predetermined load value). As the bolt 31 moves forward through the groove, the capsule 20 that fits in the two recesses 32 is disengaged from the recess 32, and the steering column 3 can move relative to the vehicle body 20.

  In this case, when a predetermined load or more is input from the steering wheel 10 to the steering column 3, the steering column 3 moves in the axial direction while the bracket 8 and the left and right capsules 20 are fixed to the vehicle body side. At this time, the deformation portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 is deformed by the bolt 33 for fixing the capsule 20 on the vehicle side and the deforming pin 5 provided in the vertical direction (left and right direction), and in cooperation with the energy absorbing plate 2. By absorbing the load at the time of the vehicle collision by the energy absorbing plate 2, the influence of the load at the time of the collision on the driver is sufficiently reduced to ensure the safety of the vehicle.

  At this time, the steering device 1 detects the state of the driver from a load detection switch, a load sensor, or the like provided below the driver's seat. When a control device (not shown) determines that the driver is a large physique, the control device issues a command to the solenoid, and the control device places the output shaft 4 of the solenoid 8 in the state shown in FIG. The solenoid 8 is energized), and the state of the deforming pin 5 is changed to the state shown in FIG. In this state, the output shaft 4 retracts against the biasing force of the spring 9 and a counterclockwise moment acts on the operating portion 55 by the biasing force of the spring 7, so that the deformation pin 5 is biased counterclockwise. Then, the deformed portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 mainly comes into contact with the first sliding contact surface 50 in a wide range. In this state, the deforming portion 22 is deformed forward while being in sliding contact with the deforming portion 22 on the first sliding contact surface 50 according to the magnitude of the load at the time of collision, and is input to the steering column 3 by the energy absorbing plate 2. To absorb the load. In this state, the deformed portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 comes into contact with the first sliding contact surface 50 in a wide range, so that a relatively large load can be absorbed. In this case, in order to ensure the deformation of the deformation portion 22, L-shaped fixing portions 41 and 42 are formed on both front and rear sides with the deformation pin interposed therebetween. Both the fixing portions 41 and 42 are formed integrally or separately with the steering column 3.

  On the other hand, when the control device determines that the driver is a small physique, the control device issues a command to the solenoid, and the control device places the output shaft 4 of the solenoid 8 in the state shown in FIG. The solenoid 8 is turned off), and the state of the deformation pin 5 is changed to the state shown in FIG. In this state, the output shaft 4 of the solenoid 8 protrudes forward by the biasing force of the spring 9, and a clockwise moment acts on the operating portion 55 due to the protrusion of the output shaft 4. As a result, the deforming pin 5 is urged clockwise and comes into contact with the deforming portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 at the second sliding contact surface 52 in a narrow range, and at the second sliding contact surface 52 according to the magnitude of the load. When the steering column 3 moves forward as indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 7 while the sliding portion 22 is slidably contacted with the deforming portion 22 and is moved forward as shown in FIG. 7, the energy absorbing plate 2 inputs the steering column 3 to the steering column 3. To absorb the load. In this state, the deformation portion 22 of the energy absorbing plate 2 is mainly in contact with the second sliding contact surface 52 in a narrow range, so that a relatively small load can be absorbed.

  As described above, the solenoid 8 is used as a drive source in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the deformation pin 5 is rotated by a mechanical operation by a motor, a belt drive, or a wire drive. It is also good. Moreover, although the notch 51 is formed in the deformation pin 5, it is sufficient that the contact area with the energy absorbing plate 2 is changed, the deformation pin 5 may be eccentric or the deformation pin 5 may be partially uneven.

It is a side view of the steering device in one embodiment of the present invention. It is an upper view of the steering column in one embodiment of the present invention. It is the elements on larger scale of the invention important point shown in FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the steering device in one Embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the state which the output shaft of a solenoid has not pressed the action | operation part of a deformation | transformation pin, (b) shows the output shaft of a solenoid in a deformation | transformation pin. The state which pressed the operation part of is shown. It is state explanatory drawing which deforms | transforms an energy absorption plate with the 1st sliding contact surface of a deformation | transformation pin. It is state explanatory drawing which deforms an energy absorption plate with the 2nd sliding contact surface of a deformation | transformation pin. FIG. 7 is a state explanatory diagram showing a state in which a load is absorbed while the energy absorbing plate is deformed from the state shown in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

1 Steering device 2 Energy absorbing plate (energy absorbing member)
3 Steering column 4 Output shaft 5 Deformation pin (deformation characteristic variable member)
6 Solenoid (drive source)
7 Spring 8 Bracket 20 Car body 21 Support portion 22 Deformation portion 50 First sliding contact surface (contact surface)
51 Notch 52 Second sliding contact surface (contact surface)
53 End 55 Actuator

Claims (5)

An energy absorbing member provided between the vehicle body and the steering column, and a deformation characteristic variable member that changes the deformation characteristic of the energy absorbing member in cooperation with the energy absorbing member, and an axial load is applied to the steering column. In the steering apparatus, when the input is input, the steering column is movable relative to the vehicle body, and when the energy absorbing member is deformed, the load is varied by the deformation characteristic variable member.
The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformation characteristic variable member is formed of a deformation pin that is rotatable with respect to the energy absorbing member, and a contact surface with the energy absorbing member is varied by rotation of the deformation pin. 2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the deformation pin has a first sliding contact surface that contacts the energy absorbing member over a wide range and a second sliding contact surface that contacts a narrow range. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the deformation pin has a notch at a portion in contact with the energy absorbing member. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the deformation pin has an operating portion, and includes a drive source that presses the operating portion. The said drive source presses and rotates the said deformation | transformation pin, The said deformation | transformation pin is contact | abutted with respect to the said energy absorption member in either the said 1st sliding contact surface or the said 2nd sliding contact surface. 5. The steering device according to 4.

Images