JP2006273048A - Vehicle steering column device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle steering column device capable of absorbing in two steps according to impact energy applied to a vehicle body at the time of a vehicle collision and impact energy applied to a swinging wheel by a driver and a driving state of the driver.
In a vehicle steering column device in which a detachable bracket 4 is detachably attached to a vehicle body and one end of an energy absorbing member 11 is fixed to the vehicle body, the other end of the energy absorbing member 11 is engaged with and disengaged from the detachable bracket 4. A lock plate 10 for connecting and disengaging the other end of the energy absorbing member 11 with respect to the detachable bracket 4 and a pyroactuator 7 for driving the lock plate 10 are provided. The engaging member 11 is disengaged from the detaching bracket 4, and the energy absorbing member 11 is engaged with the detaching bracket 4 by the lock plate 10 when the load is high.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a variable energy absorption type vehicle steering column device capable of absorbing in two stages according to impact energy applied to a vehicle body at the time of a vehicle collision, impact energy applied to a steering wheel by a driver, and a driving state of a driver. Is.

  As a measure to ensure the safety of the driver in the event of a car collision, when the driver collides with the steering wheel, the structure is adopted in which the steering column contracts in the axial direction or moves away from the vehicle body and moves forward . In particular, in the case of the structure in which the latter steering column is detached from the vehicle body, the energy absorbing member made of a metal plate is torn by the movement of the steering column to the front of the vehicle body at the time of collision, and the energy consumed by the tearing is used to reduce the impact energy. Absorption and the impact received by the driver are reduced to ensure the driver's safety (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-217981

  However, in the conventional steering column device, when the impact load on the vehicle body and the impact load greater than the preset size from the driver to the steering wheel are not applied when the vehicle collides, the axial shrinkage of the steering column or the energy Since the tearing of the absorbing member is not started, there is a problem that the impact energy cannot be absorbed when an impact load equal to or lower than a set value is applied. For this reason, for example, with a light female driver, the impact load acting on the steering wheel does not reach the set value, and depending on the driver or the degree of collision, the driver's safety during the collision cannot be ensured. There was a case.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the target process is a two-step process according to the impact energy applied to the vehicle body at the time of a vehicle collision, the impact energy applied to the swinging wheel by the driver, and the driving state of the driver. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering column device for a vehicle that can absorb the shock energy reliably and can always ensure the safety of the driver by reliably absorbing the impact energy regardless of the physique of the driver and the degree of the collision.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a vehicle steering column comprising: a detachable bracket that supports the steering column is detachably attached to the vehicle body; and one end of a tearable energy absorbing member is fixed to the vehicle body. In the device
The other end of the energy absorbing member is detachably connected to the detachable bracket, and a lock plate for engaging and disengaging the other end of the energy absorbing member with respect to the detachable bracket, and an actuator for driving the lock plate are provided. ,
The energy absorbing member is disengaged from the release bracket by the lock plate when the load is low, and the energy absorbing member is engaged with the release bracket by the lock plate when the load is high. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the actuator is a pyroactuator, and the actuator is arranged to move in a direction perpendicular to a steering column axis. The lock plate is moved in a direction perpendicular to a steering column axis.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lock plate is provided with a taper portion, the pyroactuator is arranged so that the actuator moves in the steering column axial direction, and the operation of the pyroactuator is performed. The element is engaged with the taper portion of the lock plate, and the movement of the actuator in the steering axis direction is converted into the movement of the lock plate in the direction perpendicular to the steering column axis.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a guide portion for guiding the movement of the lock plate is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the energy absorbing member by the lock plate is used at a low load such as when the impact on the vehicle body at the time of the vehicle collision is small or when the impact on the steering wheel by the driver is small from the driving state. Since the engagement with the release bracket is released, the release bracket is detached from the vehicle body and moved forward, and the energy consumed for the separation is absorbed to protect the driver from the impact.

  In addition, the energy absorbing member is engaged with the release bracket by the lock plate when the load is high, such as when the impact on the vehicle body at the time of the vehicle collision is large or when the impact on the steering wheel by the driver is large from the driving state of the driver. Therefore, the energy absorbing member is torn by the separation bracket, and the impact energy is absorbed by the large energy consumed for the tearing, and the driver's safety is ensured.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the impact energy applied to the vehicle body at the time of a vehicle collision, the impact energy applied to the swinging wheel by the driver, and the driver's driving state can be absorbed in two steps. Regardless of the driver's physique or the degree of collision, the driver can always absorb the impact energy to ensure the driver's safety.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the movement direction of the actuator of the pyroactuator and the lock plate is the same, the mechanism can be simplified.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, since the pyroactuator can be arranged along the steering axis direction, a large space can be secured above the pyroactuator.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lock plate can be moved straight along the guide portion and the backlash caused by the vehicle vibration can be suppressed, so that the operation stability is enhanced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle steering column apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle steering column apparatus.

  In the vehicle steering column apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a cylindrical steering column, and a steer shaft 3 is inserted in the inside thereof, and one end (upper end) of the steering shaft 3 is not inserted. The illustrated steering wheel is attached.

  The steering column 2 is attached to the vehicle body by a release bracket 4 made of sheet metal. On the left and right sides of the release bracket 4, there are substantially V-shaped slits 4a that open toward the rear of the vehicle body as shown in FIG. Each is formed. A slide plate 5 having a U-shape when viewed from the side is fitted into each slit 4a of the detachment bracket 4, and each slide plate 5 is inserted into a long hole bolt insertion hole 5a formed therein. It is attached to the vehicle body by the illustrated bolt.

  By the way, the center part in the width direction of the separation bracket 4 is raised upward, and a channel-like support bracket 6 for supporting the steering column 2 is attached to the lower surface of the raised part. A pyroactuator 7 is attached along the front-rear direction (steering column axial direction) to the raised widthwise central portion of the release bracket 4. Here, the pyroactuator 7 includes a piston 7a that moves in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the steering column axis) as an actuator, and is attached to the upper surface of the release bracket 4 by the following structure.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a concave portion 4b having an arcuate curved surface extending in the front-rear direction along the outer shape of the pyroactuator 7 is formed in the raised portion at the center in the width direction of the detachment bracket 4, and the front and rear of the concave portion 4b. Is formed with a rectangular cut-out hole 4c.

  Thus, the pyroactuator 7 has both end portions in the length direction fitted in the holes 4c formed in the release bracket 4, the intermediate body portion is placed on the concave portion 4b of the release bracket 4, and a bearing cap shape is formed thereon. By covering the fixing bracket 8 and attaching the left and right portions of the fixing bracket 8 to the detaching bracket 4 with screws 9, the fixing bracket 8 is sandwiched and fixed between the fixing bracket 8 and the detaching bracket 4. In this manner, the pyroactuator 7 is securely fixed on the release bracket 4 in a state parallel to the front-rear direction (steering column axial direction), and the movement is restricted in the axial direction and the rotational direction. Note that a pair of left and right guide portions 8 a having an inverted U shape are integrally formed at the front end portion of the fixed bracket 8.

  In addition, a guide portion 4d that stands vertically is formed at the front end portion of the central portion in the width direction of the separation bracket 4, and a rectangular slit-shaped hole 4e is formed on both the left and right sides thereof.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a lock plate that is long in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a piston receiver 10a bent in an inverted L shape is integrally formed at the center of the lock plate 10 in the width direction. A rectangular fitting groove 10b is formed on the lower surface of the central portion. Further, at each end portion of the arm portion 10c extending from the central portion of the lock plate 10 to the left and right, a rectangular cut-out engagement groove 10d that opens upward is formed.

Thus, the lock plate 10 is supported by the release bracket 4 so as to be vertically movable by fitting the fitting groove 10b formed in the center portion in the width direction with the guide portion 4d of the release bracket 4. However, at this time, the left and right guide portions 8a formed on the fixing bracket 8 are fitted to the base end portions of the left and right arm portions 10c from above, and the lock plate 10 is guided as described later. It moves up and down while being guided by the parts 4d and 8a. The piston receiver 10 a of the lock plate 10 is in contact with the tip of the piston 7 a of the pyroactuator 7.

  Further, sheet metal energy absorbing members 11 are provided on both the left and right sides of the steering column 2 of the release bracket 4.

  Here, each energy absorbing member 11 is formed by forming support parts 11b and 11c bent at right angles in the front-rear direction on the upper part of a plate-like main body 11a extending vertically, and at the tip of one support part 11b. Is formed with a wide engaging portion 11d (smaller than the width of the rectangular slit-shaped hole 4e of the detachable bracket 4), and the other support portion 11c is formed with a long hole-like bolt insertion hole 11e. The main body 11a is preliminarily engraved with a tear induction line L that extends vertically downward from the boundary between the support portions 11b and 11c. The tear induction line L is constituted by a continuous or discontinuous notch having a substantially V-shaped cross section.

  Thus, one support portion (rear end portion) 11c of each energy absorbing member 11 is a bolt (not shown) that is inserted into a bolt insertion hole 11e formed therein (a bolt that fixes the slide plate 5 to the vehicle body). The other support portion (front end portion) 11b is attached to the vehicle body together with the slide plate 5 through the holes 4e formed on the left and right sides of the detachment bracket 4, and includes an engagement portion 11d as shown in FIG. The tip portion protrudes forward from the separation bracket 4. Then, the engaging groove 10d of the lock plate 10 is engaged with and disengaged from the protruding portion, whereby the support portion 11b of the energy absorbing member 11 is engaged / disengaged (locked / unlocked) with respect to the detachable bracket 4.

  By the way, ON / OFF control of the pyroactuator 7 is performed by ignition control by an ECU (electronic control unit) (not shown).

  Therefore, the ECU is connected to a seat position sensor, a weight sensor that detects the weight of the driver, a vehicle speed sensor, an occupant position sensor, a seat belt wearing sensor, and other driving state detection sensors and a collision detection sensor that detects an impact applied to the steering wheel. The information signals from these sensors are input. Based on these pieces of information, the ECU sends current to the pyroactuator 7 and controls the pyroactuator 7 to be turned on / off. Note that a collision detection sensor may be used in combination with the driving state detection sensor to improve detection accuracy.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle steering column device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described separately for low load and high load based on FIGS. FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the vehicle steering column device, where FIG. 3A shows an unlocked state (engaged state), and FIG. 3B shows a locked state (engaged state). 4 and FIG. 5 are side views showing the states at the time of each action, FIG. 4 (a) is the state before the collision, FIG. 4 (b) is the state after the collision at the time of low load, and FIG. ) Shows a state immediately after the collision under high load, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the energy absorbing member is torn after the collision under high load.

  In the state before the vehicle collision, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the pyroactuator 7 is in the OFF state, the lock plate 10 is at the lower limit position, and the engagement grooves 10d at both ends thereof. Is not engaged with the support portion 11b of the energy absorbing member 11 (unlocked state). Accordingly, the support portions (front end portions) 11 b of both the energy absorbing members 11 are not connected to the separation bracket 4.

  Thus, although the vehicle decelerates when the vehicle collides, the impact load applied to the steering wheel by the driver when the vehicle collision is relatively small, the weight of the driver is small, or the vehicle deceleration is relatively small. The pyroactuator 7 maintains an OFF state at a low load such as a relatively small case. For this reason, at the time of low load, the support part (front end part) 11b of both the energy absorption members 11 is not connected to the detachment bracket 4, and both are in a disconnected state.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the detachment bracket 4 is detached from the vehicle body and moves forward together with the pyroactuator 7 and the lock plate 10, and the left and right energy absorbing members 11 remain on the vehicle body side as they are. It is. The impact energy is absorbed by the energy consumed for the separation of the separation bracket 4 at this time, and the driver's safety at a low load is ensured.

  On the other hand, when the impact is relatively large, when the driver's weight is large, or when the impact load applied to the steering wheel from the driver is relatively large because the vehicle deceleration is relatively large, the pyroactuator is 7 is turned on, and the explosion of the explosive causes the piston 7a to move up and act on the piston receiver 10a of the lock plate 10 to push up the lock plate 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 5 (a). Therefore, the left and right engagement grooves 10d of the lock plate 10 are engaged with the tips of the support portions 11 of the left and right energy absorbing members 11 (in a locked state), and the support portions 11b of the energy absorbing member 11 are interposed via the lock plates 10. Connected to the release bracket 4. At this time, the lock plate 10 can move straightly and reliably along the guide portions 4d and 8a, and the backlash caused by the vehicle vibration is suppressed, so that the operation stability is enhanced.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the detachment bracket 4 is detached from the vehicle body and moves forward, and the energy absorbing members 11 connected thereto are torn along the tear induction line L. For this reason, at the time of high load, the impact energy is absorbed mainly by the large energy consumption when tearing both the energy absorbing members 11, thereby ensuring the safety of the driver at the time of high load.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the impact energy applied to the vehicle body in the event of a vehicle collision and the impact energy applied to the swinging wheel by the driver can be absorbed in two steps according to the degree of the impact. Regardless of the physique and the degree of collision, the driver can always absorb the impact energy and ensure the safety of the driver.

  In the present embodiment, the movement direction of the piston 7a of the pyroactuator 7 and the lock plate 10 are the same in the vertical direction, so that the mechanism can be simplified.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle steering column apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle steering column apparatus. The same elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted below.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that the movement in the front-rear direction of the piston 7a of the pyroactuator 7 is converted into the movement in the vertical direction of the lock plate 10 by a taper portion 10e formed in the lock plate 10. Only the portion is different from the first embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the vehicle steering column apparatus 1 ′ according to the present embodiment, the pyroactuator 7 attached horizontally to the release bracket 4 includes a piston 7a that moves in the front-rear direction, and an acute angle is formed at the tip of the piston 7a. A tapered surface is formed.

  Further, the taper portion 10e bent at a predetermined angle by cutting and raising is formed at the center in the width direction of the lock plate 10, and the tip portion of the piston 7a of the pyroactuator 7 is engaged with the taper portion 10e. ing.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle steering column device 1 ′ according to the present embodiment will be described separately for low load and high load based on FIGS. 8 to 10. 8A and 8B are perspective views of the vehicle steering column device, where FIG. 8A shows an unlocked state (engaged state), and FIG. 8B shows a locked state (engaged state). 9 and 10 are side views showing the states at the time of each action, FIG. 9A is a state before the collision, FIG. 9B is a state after the collision at the time of low load, and FIG. ) Shows a state immediately after the collision under high load, and FIG. 10B shows a state where the energy absorbing member is torn after the collision under high load.

  In the state before the vehicle collision, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, the pyroactuator 7 is in the OFF state and the piston 7a is in the retreat limit, so that the lock plate 10 is in the lower limit position. The engaging grooves 10d at both ends thereof are not engaged with the support portion 11b of the energy absorbing member 11 (unlocked state). Therefore, the support part (front end part) 11 b of both energy absorbing members 11 is not connected to the detachment bracket 4.

  Thus, when the load is low, the pyroactuator 7 is maintained in the OFF state. Therefore, the support portion (front end portion) 11b of both the energy absorbing members 11 is not connected to the release bracket 4 when the load is low. It is in a connected state.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9B, the detachment bracket 4 is detached from the vehicle body and moves forward together with the pyroactuator 7 and the lock plate 10, and the left and right energy absorbing members 11 remain on the vehicle body side as they are. It is. The impact energy is absorbed by the energy consumed for the separation of the separation bracket 4 at this time, and the driver's safety at a low load is ensured.

  On the other hand, when the load is high, the pyroactuator 7 is turned on, and as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 10 (a), the piston 7a moves forward and its tip acts on the tapered portion 10e of the lock plate 10 to lock it. In order to push up the plate 10, the left and right engagement grooves 10 d of the lock plate 10 engage with the tips of the support portions 11 b of the left and right energy absorbing members 11 (in a locked state), and the support portions 11 b of the energy absorbing member 11 are locked. It is connected to the release bracket 4 via the plate 10. At this time, the lock plate 10 can move straightly and reliably along the guide portions 4d and 8a, and the backlash caused by the vehicle vibration is suppressed, so that the operation stability is enhanced.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, the detachment bracket 4 is detached from the vehicle body and moves forward, and the energy absorbing members 11 connected to the detachment bracket 4 are torn along the tear induction line L. For this reason, at the time of high load, the impact energy is absorbed mainly by the large energy consumption when tearing both the energy absorbing members 11, thereby ensuring the safety of the driver at the time of high load.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the impact energy applied to the vehicle body and the shearing wheel at the time of a vehicle collision can be absorbed in two steps according to the degree of the impact. Regardless of the driver's physique or the degree of collision, the driver can always absorb the impact energy to ensure the driver's safety.

  In the present embodiment, since the piston 7a of the pyroactuator 7 is configured to move in the front-rear direction (steering comram axis direction), a large space can be secured above the pyroactuator 7.

  In the above embodiment, the impact energy applied to the vehicle body and the impact energy applied to the steering wheel by the driver can be absorbed in two stages according to the degree of the impact. As a condition for absorption, impact energy can be absorbed in two stages by information on the driving state of the driver from a seat position sensor, a weight sensor for detecting the weight of the driver, a vehicle speed sensor, an occupant position sensor, a seat belt wearing sensor, etc. It can also be.

  The present invention is applicable to a vehicle steering column apparatus that employs a safety measure for absorbing an impact load by tearing a plate-shaped energy absorbing member at the time of a collision.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle steering column device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle steering column device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, Comprising: (a) is an unlocking state (engagement release state), (b) is a figure which shows a lock state (engagement state). is there. It is a side view which shows the state at the time of each effect | action of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, Comprising: (a) is the state before a collision, (b) is the state after the collision at the time of low load. FIG. It is a side view which shows the state at the time of each effect | action of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, Comprising: (a) is the state immediately after the collision at the time of high load, (b) is the collision at the time of high load It is a figure which shows the state which tears an energy absorption member later. It is a perspective view of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, Comprising: (a) is an unlocking state (engagement release state), (b) is a figure which shows a lock state (engagement state). is there. It is a side view which shows the state at the time of each effect | action of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, Comprising: (a) is the state before a collision, (b) is the state after the collision at the time of low load. FIG. It is a side view which shows the state at the time of each effect | action of the steering column apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, Comprising: (a) is the state immediately after the collision at the time of high load, (b) is the collision at the time of high load It is a figure which shows the state which tears an energy absorption member later.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 'Steering column device for vehicle 2 Steering column 3 Steering shaft 4 Detachment bracket 4a Slit 4d Guide part 5 Slide plate 6 Support bracket 7 Viro actuator (actuator)
7a Piston (actuator)
8 fixing bracket 8a guide portion 9 screw 10 lock plate 10d engagement groove 10e taper portion 11 energy absorbing member 11a energy absorbing member main body 11b, 11c support portion 11d engaging portion L tear guide line

Claims (4)

In a steering column device for a vehicle, in which a release bracket that supports a steering column is detachably attached to a vehicle body, and one end of a tearable energy absorbing member is fixed to the vehicle body,
The other end of the energy absorbing member is detachably connected to the detachable bracket, and a lock plate for engaging and disengaging the other end of the energy absorbing member with respect to the detachable bracket, and an actuator for driving the lock plate are provided. ,
The energy absorbing member is disengaged from the release bracket by the lock plate when the load is low, and the energy absorbing member is engaged with the release bracket by the lock plate when the load is high. A steering column device for a vehicle.   The actuator is a pyro actuator, and the actuator is arranged to move in a direction perpendicular to the steering column axis, and the lock plate is moved in the direction perpendicular to the steering column axis by the operator of the pyro actuator. The vehicle steering column device according to claim 1.   The lock plate is provided with a taper portion, and the pyroactuator is arranged so that its actuator moves in the steering column axial direction, and the operator of the pyroactuator is engaged with the taper portion of the lock plate. 2. The vehicle steering column apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement in the steering axis direction is converted into a movement in a direction perpendicular to the steering column axis of the lock plate.   The vehicle steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a guide portion that guides movement of the lock plate.

Images