JP2012218543A - Steering device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

In an apparatus capable of selectively connecting a single electric motor to a telescopic mechanism or a tilt mechanism, mechanical switching is performed with an inexpensive and simple configuration, and the electric motor is started or stopped.
A shaft member having a first connecting portion that can be connected to a tilt mechanism and having a second connecting portion that can be connected to a telescopic mechanism, and connecting the same to an electric motor. A lever member 55 supported so as to be drivable, an operation member (57, 58) coupled to the lever member 55 to drive the shaft member in the axial direction, and a switch mechanism for switching the electric motor from stop to start in conjunction with this operation 8 is provided. When the operating member is not operated, the first connecting portion is kept connected to the tilt mechanism, and when the operating member is operated forward or backward, the second connecting portion is connected to the telescopic mechanism and is operated forward. When it is operated, the steering wheel is driven in the direction of moving forward, and when operated backward, it is driven in the reverse direction.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle steering device, and more particularly to a vehicle steering device that can selectively connect a single electric motor to a telescopic mechanism or a tilt mechanism to adjust an operation position of a steering wheel.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses a steering position adjusting device that switches between a tilting operation and a telescopic operation by a switching mechanism. In Patent Document 2 below, both the tilt mechanism and the telescopic mechanism can be individually driven by a single electric motor, and switching between the tilt mechanism and the telescopic mechanism is simple without using expensive components such as an electromagnetic clutch. A steering device that can be switched with a simple configuration has been proposed.

JP-A-10-297503 JP 2008-143229 A

  In the steering position adjusting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a switching mechanism by solenoid drive is used, electrical control for the switching mechanism is required separately from the control of the electric motor. On the other hand, according to the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, both the tilt mechanism and the telescopic mechanism can be individually driven by one electric motor, and the switching between the tilt mechanism and the telescopic mechanism can be performed mechanically. Although described, a switching mechanism using centrifugal force is used, the mechanical configuration is complicated, and it can not be configured at low cost, and it is adjusted to an operation position suitable for the actual driving state It is not easy.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle steering apparatus capable of selectively connecting a single electric motor to a telescopic mechanism or a tilt mechanism, and can be mechanically switched to the telescopic mechanism or the tilt mechanism with an inexpensive and simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device that can start or stop an electric motor.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention supports a steering column that can move forward and backward and swingably with respect to a vehicle body, and selectively connects a single electric motor to a telescopic mechanism or a tilt mechanism. In a vehicle steering apparatus capable of adjusting a steering wheel operation position by driving a mechanism or a tilt mechanism, the vehicle has a first connecting portion that can be connected to the tilt mechanism at one end and can be connected to the telescopic mechanism at the other end. A shaft member that has a second connecting portion, is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction of the telescopic mechanism, and is rotatably supported around the shaft, and is connected to the electric motor; A lever member supported so as to be drivable in the axial direction of the shaft member, and an operation member connected to the lever member and capable of driving the shaft member in the axial direction. Thus, when in the neutral position, the first connecting portion is maintained in a state of being connected to the tilt mechanism, and when operated forward or backward from the neutral position, the shaft member is moved in the axial direction via the lever member. An operation member for releasing the connection state between the first connection portion and the tilt mechanism and connecting the second connection portion to the telescopic mechanism, and for operating the operation member from the neutral position. A switch mechanism that interlocks and switches the electric motor from stop to start, and when the operation member is operated forward from the neutral position, the electric motor is rotated in one direction to move the steering wheel forward. The telescopic mechanism is driven in the direction, and when the operation member is operated backward from the neutral position, the electric motor is rotated in the direction opposite to the one. Moving to the steering wheel is obtained by a further comprising a switch mechanism for driving the telescopic mechanism in a direction to move backward.

  In the above steering device, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have a connecting structure that coaxially fits the tilt mechanism and the telescopic mechanism to transmit a rotational force. Good. As this connection structure, for example, there is spline fitting or hexagon bolt and hexagon socket fitting, and different connection structures may be used for the first connection portion and the second connection portion. Further, a reduction mechanism that decelerates the output of the electric motor may be provided, and an output shaft of the reduction mechanism may constitute the shaft member. The speed reduction mechanism includes a worm gear fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor, and a worm wheel screwed to the worm gear. It is good to set it as the structure connected via the connection structure which transmits. For example, the shaft member may be connected to the worm wheel by spline fitting.

  Further, in the above steering device, a connecting member that is detachably disposed with respect to the first connecting portion of the shaft member, and a flexible member that connects one end to the connecting member and connects the other end to the tilt mechanism. A wire may be provided, and the tilt mechanism may be driven by the electric motor via the flexible wire. For example, the first connecting portion and the connecting member may be engaged by spline fitting and disengaged when separated.

  Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects. In other words, the steering device of the present invention has a first connecting portion that can be connected to the tilt mechanism at one end and a second connecting portion that can be connected to the telescopic mechanism at the other end, and is arranged in the axial direction of the telescopic mechanism. A shaft member which is supported so as to be movable and is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis and which is connected to an electric motor; An operation member that is coupled to the lever member and can drive the shaft member in the axial direction. When the operation member is in a neutral position where the operation member is not operated, the first connection portion is maintained in a state of being coupled to the tilt mechanism. When operated forward or backward from the neutral position, the shaft member is driven in the axial direction via the lever member, and the connection state between the first connecting portion and the tilt mechanism is released to telescopically connect the second connecting portion. It is possible to connect to the configuration, easily and reliably, it is possible to selectively connect a single electric motor to a telescopic mechanism or tilt mechanism. In addition, a switch mechanism that switches the electric motor from stop to start in conjunction with the operation from the neutral position of the operation member is provided, so that when the operation member is operated forward, the telescopic mechanism moves in the direction in which the steering wheel moves forward. When the operation member is operated backward, the telescopic mechanism is driven in the direction in which the steering wheel moves backward. Therefore, the tilt mechanism is mechanically moved from the tilt mechanism to the telescopic mechanism only by operating the operation member forward or backward. In addition, the telescopic mechanism can be electrically driven to move the steering wheel forward or backward. When the operating member is in the neutral position, the electric motor is connected to the tilt mechanism via the shaft member, and if the operating member is operated upward or downward at that position, the electric motor is started. The mechanism can be driven to move the steering wheel up or down.

  In particular, if the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have a connecting structure that fits coaxially to the tilt mechanism and the telescopic mechanism, respectively, and transmits the rotational force, easily and reliably, It can be connected to any mechanism. Furthermore, it is assumed that a speed reduction mechanism is provided, which is provided with a worm gear fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor and a worm wheel that is screwed to the worm gear, and the shaft member is coaxially fitted to the worm wheel. Thus, if the connecting structure that transmits the rotational force, for example, the spline fitting is used, the single electric motor can be selectively connected to the telescopic mechanism or the tilt mechanism easily and reliably. The operation position of the steering wheel can be adjusted easily and appropriately.

  Furthermore, if the tilt mechanism is configured to be driven via the flexible wire as described above, the electric motor and the tilt mechanism can be easily and appropriately connected, and the driving force of the electric motor is applied to the tilt mechanism. It is transmitted easily and reliably.

It is a partial section side view of a steering device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the switching mechanism part in one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the switching mechanism part when the operation bar moves back in one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the switching mechanism part when an operation bar moves ahead in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which expands and shows the switching mechanism part and switch mechanism part in one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A steering column 2 is supported on a vehicle body (not shown) so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and swingable. (Not shown) is selectively connected to the tilt mechanism 4 or the telescopic mechanism 6, and the operation position of the steering wheel 1 is adjusted in accordance with the drive of the tilt mechanism 4 or the telescopic mechanism 6.

  In the present embodiment, an upper shaft 11 on which the steering wheel 1 is supported at the rear end, and an upper tube 12 that is rotatably connected coaxially so as to surround the upper shaft 11 are provided, and the upper shaft 11 and the upper tube are provided. 12 is comprised so that it can move to an axial direction integrally. On the other hand, a lower shaft 21 connected to a steering mechanism (not shown) and a main tube 22 that is coaxially arranged so as to surround the lower shaft 21 are also provided, and a telescopic tube 23 is provided in the main tube 22. The upper tube 12 is accommodated so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The upper shaft 11 and the lower shaft 21 are connected so as to be movable in the axial direction by spline fitting. The telescopic tube 23 is slidably held in the main tube 22 and supported so as to be movable in the axial direction.

  The main tube 22 is supported so as to be swingable about a swing center (C) with respect to a vehicle body (not shown), and is pressed and held by the fixed bracket 3 from the left and right directions. Thus, the steering tube 2 is constituted by the upper tube 12 and the main tube 22, and the main tube 22 is supported so as to be swingable about the swing center (C) as shown in FIG. Thus, the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted to a desired vertical position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tilt mechanism 4 of the present embodiment includes a screw shaft 40, a slider 41 that is screwed into the screw shaft 40 and moves in the axial direction. A second link 42 having a dogleg shape supported rotatably around the pivot 42a with respect to the steering column 2 and a pivot 43a with respect to the second link 42. A third link 43 that is rotatably supported at the center, is rotatably supported by the steering column 2 and is slidably supported by the bracket 3, and a flexible wire 44 joined to the front end of the screw shaft 40. And a connecting tool 45 joined to the front end of the flexible wire 44 and rotatably supported by the main tube 22 via a bearing. .

  Further, as described above, the telescopic tube 23, the upper tube 12, the upper shaft 11 and the steering wheel 1 are integrally movable with respect to the main tube 22, and the steering wheel 1 is moved by the telescopic mechanism 6. Can be adjusted to a desired axial position (vehicle longitudinal direction position). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the telescopic mechanism 6 of the present embodiment includes a slider (with a screw shaft 60 supported by the main tube 22 via a bearing 61, screwed onto the screw shaft 60, and movable in the axial direction. (Nut) 62 is fixed to the telescopic tube 23, and the slider 62 moves in the axial direction in accordance with the rotation about the axis of the screw shaft 60, and the telescopic tube 23 moves in the vehicle longitudinal direction along with this. It is configured. A hexagonal hole 63 is formed in the rear end surface of the screw shaft 60 as shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later.

  The switching mechanism 5 from the tilt mechanism 4 to the telescopic mechanism 6 is configured as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 and operates as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, in FIG. 2, a speed reduction mechanism 7 to be described later is connected to the shaft member 50, and has a first connecting portion 51 that can be connected to the tilt mechanism 4 at one end of the shaft member 50, An electric motor (not shown) has a second connecting portion 52 that can be connected to the mechanism 6, is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction of the telescopic mechanism 6, and is rotatably supported around the shaft. Connected to In the present embodiment, the first connecting portion 51 can be connected to the tilt mechanism 4 by spline fitting as a connecting structure for coaxially fitting and transmitting rotational force to the tilt mechanism 4 and the telescopic mechanism 6. In contrast, the second connecting portion 52 is formed in a hexagonal bolt shape, which is fitted into the hexagonal hole 63 of the screw shaft 60 and can be connected to the telescopic mechanism 6. May be reversed, or may be unified to either one.

  A lever member 55 is supported so as to be able to be driven in the axial direction with respect to the shaft member 50, and an operation bar 57 and its rear end are connected to the lever member 55 and can drive the shaft member 50 in the axial direction. An operation knob 58 that is integrally attached to is provided. An inner ring of a bearing 53 is fixed to the rear end of the shaft member 50, and a compression spring 54 is interposed between the outer ring of the bearing 53 and the main tube 22, and the bearing 53 and the shaft member 50 are urged rearward. Has been. The lever member 55 is supported on the main tube 22 so as to be swingable about the pivot P, the lower arm portion is held by the operation bar 57 via the compression spring 56, and the front end surface of the upper arm portion is the rear of the bearing 53. It arrange | positions so that it may contact | abut to an end surface.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, when the operation knob 58 (and hence the operation bar 57) is in a neutral position where it is not operated, the first connecting portion 51 is maintained in a state of being connected to the tilt mechanism 4, and the operation knob When 58 is operated forward or backward from the neutral position, the shaft member 50 is driven in the axial direction via the lever member 55 and the first connecting portion 51 is disengaged from the tilt mechanism 4. The connecting portion 52 is configured to be connected to the telescopic mechanism 6. For example, when the operation knob 58 is operated backward from the neutral position, the front engagement surface 57f of the operation bar 57 moves the front end surface of the arm portion below the lever member 55 as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. The lever member 55 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation axis P, and the upper arm portion of the lever member 55 presses the bearing 53 forward, and the shaft member 50 together with the bearing 53 is compressed spring. It is driven forward against the urging force of 54.

  When the operation knob 58 is operated forward from the neutral position, the operation bar 57 moves forward against the urging force of the compression spring 56 as shown by the white arrow in FIG. The rear engaging portion 57r presses the rear end surface of the upper arm portion of the lever member 55, the lever member 55 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation axis P, and the upper arm portion of the lever member 55 is a bearing. 53 is pushed forward, and the shaft member 50 is driven forward together with the bearing 53 against the urging force of the compression spring 54. As described above, when the operation bar 57 is operated in any of the front and rear directions, the shaft member 50 is driven forward, and the first connecting portion 51 is detached from the tilt mechanism 4, Two connecting portions 52 are connected to the telescopic mechanism 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the speed reduction mechanism 7 includes a worm gear 71 fixed to an output shaft 70 of an electric motor (not shown) and a worm wheel 72 screwed to the worm wheel 72. The shaft members 50 are coupled by spline fitting as a coupling structure that fits coaxially and transmits rotational force. Note that the worm gear 71 may be configured to transmit the rotational force to the output shaft 70 of the electric motor. For example, the worm gear 71 may be coupled to the output shaft 70 by a coupling (not shown) or the like.

  Further, a connector 45 joined to the front end of the flexible wire 44 is rotatably supported by the main tube 22 via a bearing, and is disposed so as to be able to be spline fitted to the first connector 51. . The other end of the flexible wire 44 is connected to the tilt mechanism 4 so that the tilt mechanism 4 is driven via the flexible wire 44. That is, when the tilt mechanism 4 is driven, the driving screw shaft 40 is inclined with respect to the shaft member 50, so that the rotational driving force of the shaft member 50 is easily and reliably transmitted to the screw shaft 40. As shown in the figure, they are connected via a flexible wire 44.

  Next, as a switch mechanism 8 for switching an electric motor (not shown) from stop to start, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, a group of switches (UP, DN, FW, RW). That is, the operation knob 58 also functions as an operation knob for the switch mechanism 8 for starting or stopping the electric motor (not shown) for driving the tilt mechanism 4 and the telescopic mechanism 6, and the operation knob 58 is operated upward. When this is done, the normally open switch UP is closed, and when operated downward, the normally open switch DN is closed and an electric motor (not shown) is driven. Similarly, when the operation knob 58 is operated forward, the normally open switch FW is closed, and when operated backward, the normally open switch RW is closed and an electric motor (not shown) is driven. It is configured as follows.

  Accordingly, when the operation knob 58 is operated forward or backward, mechanical switching from the tilt mechanism 4 to the telescopic mechanism 6 is performed, and the rotation direction of the electric motor (not shown) is switched, that is, telescopic operation is performed. The direction is electrically switched. That is, when the operation knob 58 is operated forward, it is switched to the telescopic mechanism 6 side and the normally open switch FW is closed (on), and when operated backward, it is switched to the telescopic mechanism 6 side and is normally open. The switch RW is closed and switched to the telescopic mechanism 6 in either case. However, since the rotation direction of the electric motor (not shown) is reversed between the closing of the switch FW and the closing of the switch RW, the telescopic mechanism is switched. The tube 23 is driven in the same direction (forward or backward) as the operation direction of the operation knob 58.

  The operation of the steering device having the above-described configuration will be described. Normally, the switching mechanism 5 is on the normal tilt mechanism 4 side, and the first connecting portion 51 of the shaft member 50 is connected to the connecting tool 45 of the tilt mechanism 4. It is connected. Therefore, in this state, when the operation knob 58 is operated upward or downward, an electric motor (not shown) is activated, and the shaft member 50 is rotationally driven via the speed reduction mechanism 7 and is connected to the flexible wire. The screw shaft 40 is rotationally driven through 44. The slider 41 moves in the axial direction in accordance with the rotation of the screw shaft 40, and the main tube 22 has the same operation direction as the operation knob 58 via the second link 42 and the third link 43 connected thereto. When the steering wheel 1 is driven in the direction (upward or downward) and the operation of the operation knob 58 is stopped, the steering wheel 1 is held at a desired vertical operation position (tilt position).

  In addition to the above configuration, if the switch UP or DN is closed (turned on) in conjunction with the on / off operation of a key switch (not shown) for starting the engine, the key switch is turned on. Since the steering wheel 1 can be moved to the upper retracted position, the driver can easily get on and off the vehicle. In addition, when the swing center (C) of the main tube 22 is in front of the vehicle as in the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure proper boarding / exiting performance without performing a telescopic operation.

  On the other hand, when the operation knob 58 is operated forward or backward, the switching mechanism 5 is switched to the telescopic mechanism 6 side, the first connecting portion 51 of the shaft member 50 is detached from the connecting tool 45 of the tilt mechanism 4, and the first The two connecting portions 52 are connected to the screw shaft 60 of the telescopic mechanism 6, and an electric motor (not shown) is activated to rotate the shaft member 50 via the speed reduction mechanism 7, and the screw connected thereto The shaft 60 is driven to rotate. In accordance with the rotation of the screw shaft 60, the slider 62 moves in the axial direction, and the telescopic tube 23 integrated therewith is driven in the same direction (forward or backward) as the operation direction of the operation knob 58, so that the operation knob 58 is operated. If stopped, the steering wheel 1 is held at a desired axial operation position (telescopic position).

  For example, when the operation knob 58 is operated rearward, the operation bar 57 moves rearward as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 3, and the engaging portion 57 f presses the lower arm portion of the lever member 55, The lever member 55 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation axis P and presses the bearing 53 and the shaft member 50 forward, and the shaft member 50 is released from the connection state with the tilt mechanism 4 and is connected to the telescopic mechanism 6. At the same time, the switch RW is closed and an electric motor (not shown) is activated, the shaft member 50 is driven to rotate, and the telescopic tube 23 is driven rearward.

  Conversely, when the operation knob 58 is operated forward, the operation bar 57 moves forward and the engaging portion 57r presses the upper arm portion of the lever member 55 as shown by the white arrow in FIG. The lever member 55 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation axis P and presses the bearing 53 and the shaft member 50 forward, and the shaft member 50 is released from the connected state with the tilt mechanism 4 and the telescopic mechanism 6. And the switch FW is closed to activate an electric motor (not shown), the shaft member 50 is rotationally driven in the opposite direction to the above, and the telescopic tube 23 is driven forward.

  As described above, it is possible to mechanically switch from the tilt mechanism 4 to the telescopic mechanism 6 only by operating the operation knob 58 forward or backward, and electrically drive the telescopic mechanism 6 to move the steering wheel 1 forward or backward. It can be moved backward. When the operation knob 58 is in the neutral position, the electric motor (not shown) is connected to the tilt mechanism 4 via the shaft member 50, and the electric motor can be operated by operating the operation knob 58 upward or downward at that position. Therefore, the tilt mechanism 4 can be electrically driven to move the steering wheel 1 upward or downward.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steering wheel 2 Steering column 3 Fixed bracket 4 Tilt mechanism 5 Switching mechanism 6 Telescopic mechanism 7 Deceleration mechanism 8 Switch mechanism 11 Upper shaft 12 Upper tube 21 Lower shaft 22 Main tube 23 Telescopic tube 44 Flexible wire 45 Connecting tool 50 Shaft member 55 Lever Member 57 Operation bar 58 Operation knob

Claims (5)

  A steering column is supported so as to be movable forward and backward and swingable with respect to the vehicle body. A single electric motor is selectively connected to a telescopic mechanism or tilt mechanism, and the steering wheel or tilt mechanism is driven to operate the steering wheel. In the vehicle steering apparatus capable of adjusting the position, the telescopic mechanism has a first connecting part connectable to the tilt mechanism at one end and a second connecting part connectable to the telescopic mechanism at the other end. A shaft member connected to the electric motor, and supported so as to be drivable in the axial direction of the shaft member with respect to the shaft member. A lever member and an operating member coupled to the lever member and capable of driving the shaft member in the axial direction, wherein the first member is in the neutral position; The connecting portion is connected to the tilt mechanism, and when operated forward or backward from the neutral position, the shaft member is driven in the axial direction via the lever member, and the first connecting portion and An operation member that releases the connection state with the tilt mechanism and connects the second connection portion to the telescopic mechanism, and the electric motor is stopped and started in conjunction with the operation of the operation member from the neutral position. A switch mechanism for switching, wherein when the operation member is operated forward from the neutral position, the electric motor is rotated in one direction to drive the telescopic mechanism in a direction in which the steering wheel moves forward; When the member is operated rearward from the neutral position, the electric motor is driven to rotate in the direction opposite to the one so that the steering wheel is moved backward. Steering device for a vehicle, characterized in that a switch mechanism for driving the telescopic mechanism in a direction to move.   The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion each have a connecting structure for coaxially fitting and transmitting a rotational force to the tilt mechanism and the telescopic mechanism, respectively. Vehicle steering device.   The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates an output of the electric motor, wherein an output shaft of the speed reduction mechanism constitutes the shaft member.   The speed reduction mechanism includes a worm gear fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor and a worm wheel screwed to the worm gear, and the shaft member is coaxially fitted to the worm wheel to transmit a rotational force. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle steering apparatus is connected via a connection structure.   A connecting member that is detachably disposed with respect to the first connecting portion of the shaft member; and a flexible wire that connects one end to the connecting member and connects the other end to the tilt mechanism. The vehicle steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tilt mechanism is driven by the electric motor.

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