JP2018149930A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device capable of constituting a mechanism for absorbing a secondary shock with a small number of components.SOLUTION: A steering device 100 is structured so that a tube housing 3 sandwiches one end of an inner tube 2 in the axial direction. An insertion member 5 extends laterally and is disposed to have a twisting position relative to the inner tube 2. The insertion member 5 is inserted into a through hole penetrating arm parts 32A, 32B of the tube housing 3 laterally. A shock absorbing member 4 is fixed on an outer-peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 and the inner tube 2 moves in the axial direction, so that it comes into contact with the insertion member 5. The shock absorbing member 4 includes a contact surface 411 in contact with the insertion member when the inner tube 2 moves in the axial direction. The contact surface 411 opposes to the insertion member 5 and includes an inclined surface 411B inclining so that a distance from a center line L1 becomes larger as it goes farther toward the other in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus, and more particularly, to a steering apparatus that absorbs a secondary impact generated when a vehicle collides.

  A steering device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile includes an impact absorbing device that absorbs a secondary impact generated when the vehicle collides. The secondary impact is an impact generated when the vehicle driver contacts the steering wheel due to inertia when the vehicle receives a large impact due to a traffic accident or the like.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2014-51130 (Patent Document 1) discloses a steering device including a steering column that contracts when a secondary impact occurs. The steering column includes an upper column tube disposed on the steering wheel side, and a lower column tube disposed on the opposite side of the steering wheel with respect to the upper column tube. A pressing member is provided integrally with the upper column tube.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-51130 (Patent Document 1), when a large impact is applied to the steering wheel due to a vehicle collision, the upper column tube moves in the axial direction so that the steering column contracts. At this time, the pressing member moves together with the upper column tube while deforming the shock absorbing plate provided integrally with the lower column tube. As the pressing member moves against the deformation resistance of the shock absorbing plate, the secondary shock (shock applied to the steering wheel) is absorbed.

  In the steering device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-51130 (Patent Document 1), a guide is provided so that the shock absorbing plate can be deformed into a desired shape. The guide is provided integrally with the upper column tube and is fixed by a bolt. That is, the steering device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-51130 (Patent Document 1) includes a guide in addition to the impact absorbing plate and the pressing member as a configuration for absorbing the secondary impact. The steering device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-51130 (Patent Document 1) has a problem that the configuration for absorbing the secondary impact becomes complicated.

JP 2014-51130 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can constitute a mechanism for absorbing a secondary impact with a small number of parts.

  A steering device according to the present disclosure includes an inner tube, a tube housing, an insertion member, and an impact absorbing member. The inner tube extends in the axial direction. The tube housing includes a pair of arm portions facing each other across the central axis of the inner tube, and clamps one end portion in the axial direction of the inner tube. The insertion member extends in a crossing direction that intersects the axial direction, is disposed so as to be in a twisted position with respect to the inner tube, and is inserted into two through holes that penetrate each of the pair of arm portions in the crossing direction. The impact absorbing member is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube, and comes into contact with the insertion member when the inner tube moves in the axial direction. The shock absorbing member includes a contact surface. A contact surface is arrange | positioned on the opposite side of the surface which opposes the outer peripheral side surface of an inner tube, and when an inner tube moves to an axial direction, it contacts an insertion member. The contact surface includes an inclined surface. The inclined surface faces the insertion member and is inclined so that the distance increases from the central axis of the inner tube toward the other axial direction.

  According to the steering device according to the present disclosure, it is possible to configure a mechanism for absorbing a secondary impact with a small number of parts.

1 is a perspective view of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the steering apparatus shown in FIG. 1 by the plane containing a central axis. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device shown in FIG. 1 cut along a plane perpendicular to the central axis. It is a top view of the contact member which comprises the impact-absorbing member shown in FIG. It is a side view of the contact member shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the holding member which comprises the impact-absorbing member shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the impact-absorbing member shown in FIG. 1, and an insertion member. 10 is a side view of a contact member according to Modification 1. FIG. It is a side view of the contact member shown in the modification 2.

  A steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an inner tube, a tube housing, an insertion member, and an impact absorbing member. The inner tube extends in the axial direction. The tube housing includes a pair of arm portions facing each other across the central axis of the inner tube, and clamps one end portion in the axial direction of the inner tube. The insertion member extends in a crossing direction that intersects the axial direction, is disposed so as to be in a twisted position with respect to the inner tube, and is inserted into two through holes that penetrate each of the pair of arm portions in the crossing direction. The impact absorbing member is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube, and comes into contact with the insertion member when the inner tube moves in the axial direction. The shock absorbing member includes a contact surface. A contact surface is arrange | positioned on the opposite side of the surface which opposes the outer peripheral side surface of an inner tube, and when an inner tube moves to an axial direction, it contacts an insertion member. The contact surface includes an inclined surface. The inclined surface is opposed to the insertion member and is inclined so that the distance increases from the central axis of the inner tube toward the other axial direction (first configuration).

  According to the first configuration, when the inner tube moves in one axial direction due to the secondary impact, the inclined surface of the impact absorbing member contacts the insertion member. When the insertion member pushes the inclined surface in the other axial direction, a reaction force is generated on the inclined surface that pushes the inclined surface in the other axial direction. The axial component of the reaction force cancels a part of the force with which the insertion member pushes the inclined surface in the other axial direction. Thus, the mechanism for absorbing the secondary impact is constituted by the insertion member and the impact absorbing member. Therefore, a mechanism for absorbing the secondary impact can be configured with a small number of parts.

  In the first configuration, the contact surface further includes a flat surface. A flat surface is arrange | positioned on the opposite side of an insertion member with respect to an inclined surface, and the distance from a central axis is constant (2nd structure).

  According to the second configuration, when the inclined surface moves to one side in the axial direction with respect to the insertion member, the insertion member compresses the shock absorption member, whereby a repulsive force against the compression is generated in the shock absorption member. The axial component of the repulsive force cancels a part of the force with which the insertion member pushes the shock absorbing member in the other axial direction. Accordingly, even when the inclined surface moves to one axial side of the insertion member, the secondary impact can be continuously absorbed.

  In the first or second configuration, the shock absorbing member includes a contact member and a holding member. The contact member has a contact surface, and contacts the insertion member when the inner tube moves in the axial direction. The holding member is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube and holds the contact member (third configuration).

  According to the third configuration, the shock absorbing member can be easily fixed to the inner tube.

  In the first to third configurations, the inclined surface includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface is inclined at a first predetermined angle with respect to the central axis. The second inclined surface is disposed on the opposite side of the insertion member with respect to the first inclined surface, and is inclined at a second predetermined angle different from the first predetermined angle with respect to the central axis (fourth configuration).

  According to the fourth configuration, since the first predetermined angle on the first inclined surface is different from the second predetermined angle on the second inclined surface, the direction of the reaction force generated on the first inclined surface is the second inclined surface. The direction of the reaction force generated in As a result, the magnitude of the axial component of the reaction force differs between when the insertion member contacts the first inclined surface and when the insertion member contacts the second inclined surface. When the shock absorbing member moves to one side in the axial direction, the magnitude of the force that cancels a part of the force by which the insertion member pushes the inclined surface in the other axial direction can be changed.

  In the first to third configurations, the inclined surface is a curved surface whose angle with respect to the central axis changes as it goes away in the other axial direction (fifth configuration).

  According to the fifth configuration, on the inclined surface, the angle with respect to the central axis changes toward the other axial direction. As a result, the direction of the reaction force generated on the inclined surface changes as the shock absorbing member moves to one side in the axial direction. Since the magnitude of the axial component of the reaction force changes as the shock absorbing member moves to one side in the axial direction, the magnitude of the force by which the insertion member cancels a part of the force pushing the inclined surface in the other axial direction is changed. be able to.

  In the third configuration, the contact member is formed of resin (sixth configuration).

  According to the 6th structure, when an insertion member contacts a contact member, a metal sound does not generate | occur | produce. Therefore, when the driver of the vehicle on which the steering device is mounted adjusts the position of the steering wheel, it is possible to suppress the generation of a loud sound due to the insertion member coming into contact with the contact member.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated. For convenience of explanation, in each drawing, the configuration may be simplified or schematically illustrated, or a part of the configuration may be simplified.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the steering device 100 shown in FIG. 3 is a BB cross-sectional view of the steering device 100 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a steering device 100 includes a steering shaft 1, an inner tube 2, a tube housing 3, an impact absorbing member 4, an insertion member 5, a tube bracket 6, a lever 7, and a fixed bracket 8. And a steering wheel 9. The tube housing 3 includes a cylindrical portion 31 and arm portions 32A and 32B. The inner tube 2 and the tube housing 3 constitute a steering column 10 that covers the steering shaft 1.

  In the following description, the extending direction of the central axis L1 shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the axial direction. In the axial direction, the side on which the tube housing 3 is disposed is defined as one axial direction. In the axial direction, the side on which the steering wheel 9 is disposed is defined as the other axial direction.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and extending in the arms 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B is defined as a vertical direction. In the vertical direction, the side on which the fixing bracket 8 is disposed is defined as the upper side. In the vertical direction, the side on which the insertion member 5 is disposed is defined as the lower side.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the vertical direction is defined as a lateral direction. That is, the horizontal direction is a direction in which the arm portions 32A and 32B of the tube housing 3 face each other. In the lateral direction, the side on which the arm portion 32A is disposed is defined as the left side. In the lateral direction, the side on which the arm portion 32B is disposed is defined as the right side.

(Steering shaft 1)
Referring to FIG. 2, steering shaft 1 is disposed coaxially with central axis L1 and rotates about central axis L1 as a rotation axis.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the steering shaft 1 includes an upper shaft 11 and a lower shaft 12. The upper shaft 11 is disposed on the other side in the axial direction than the lower shaft 12. The lower shaft 12 is disposed on one side in the axial direction from the upper shaft 11.

  One end of the lower shaft 12 in the axial direction is connected to an intermediate shaft (not shown). The end portion on the other axial side of the lower shaft 12 is connected to the end portion on the one axial side of the upper shaft 11 by serration coupling. The other end of the upper shaft 11 in the axial direction is connected to the steering wheel 9. The steering shaft 1 rotates together with the steering wheel 9. The steering shaft 1 transmits the rotation of the steering wheel 9 to a rack (not shown) via an intermediate shaft or the like.

(Inner tube 2)
Referring to FIG. 3, the inner tube 2 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction, and is disposed coaxially with the central axis L1. The inner tube 2 houses a part of the steering shaft 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner tube 2 accommodates a portion of the upper shaft 11 of the steering shaft 1 except for the end portion on the other axial side of the upper shaft 11.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a bearing 21 is press-fitted into the end portion on the other axial side of the inner tube 2. The bearing 21 holds the upper shaft 11 so that the upper shaft 11 rotates about the central axis L1 as a rotation axis.

(Tube housing 3)
With reference to FIG. 2, the tube housing 3 is arranged such that one end portion in the axial direction of the tube housing 3 is positioned on one side in the axial direction with respect to one end portion in the axial direction of the inner tube 2. The tube housing 3 holds one end of the inner tube 2 in the axial direction.

  In the tube housing 3, the cylindrical portion 31 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction, and is arranged coaxially with the central axis L1. The cylindrical portion 31 accommodates one end portion in the axial direction of the inner tube 2. Further, the cylindrical portion 31 houses a part of the steering shaft 1. Specifically, the cylindrical portion 31 houses a portion of the lower shaft 12 of the steering shaft 1 except for an end portion on one axial side of the lower shaft 12.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a notch 34 is formed below the cylindrical portion 31. The cutout 34 extends in the axial direction, and penetrates the outer peripheral side surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 in the vertical direction. The notch 34 is opened at the other end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 31.

  With reference to FIG. 2, a bearing 35 is press-fitted into an end portion on one axial side of the cylindrical portion 31. The bearing 35 holds the lower shaft 12 so that the lower shaft 12 rotates about the central axis L1 as a rotation axis.

  Referring to FIG. 1, arm portions 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B extend downward from the outer peripheral side surface of tubular portion 31 at the end portion on the other axial side of tubular portion 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the arms 32A and 32B face each other across the central axis L1 when viewed in the axial direction.

  Referring to FIG. 3, through-holes 33A and 33B are formed in arm portions 32A and 32B. The through hole 33A penetrates the arm portion 32A in the lateral direction. The through hole 33B penetrates the arm portion 32B in the lateral direction. When the through holes 33A and 33B are viewed in the lateral direction, the through holes 33A and 33B are arranged coaxially. That is, the central axis of the through hole 33A coincides with the central axis of the through hole 33B.

(Tube bracket 6)
With reference to FIG. 3, when the tube bracket 6 is viewed in the axial direction, the tube bracket 6 has a substantially U shape. The tube bracket 6 is disposed so as to cover the other axial end of the tube housing 3 from above. That is, the tube bracket 6 is disposed so as to cover the other end portion in the axial direction of the tubular portion 31 and the arm portions 32A and 32B in the tube housing 3.

  The upper bracket 61 has a flat plate shape parallel to the lateral direction, and is disposed above the other end portion in the axial direction of the tube housing 3. The upper bracket 61 is fixed to the fixing bracket 8 with a bolt or the like (not shown).

  The tilt brackets 62A and 62B are flat plate-like members extending in the vertical direction. That is, the tilt brackets 62A and 62B are arranged so as to sandwich the arm portions 32A and 32B of the tube housing 3. The tilt bracket 62A is positioned to the left of the arm portion 32A of the tube housing 3, and the tilt bracket 62B is positioned to the right of the arm portion 32B of the tube housing 3. That is, the tilt brackets 62A and 62B are arranged so as to sandwich the arm portions 32A and 32B of the tube housing 3 in the lateral direction. In other words, the tilt brackets 62A and 62B are opposed in the lateral direction with the central axis L1 interposed therebetween.

  The tilt bracket 62A is disposed on the left side of the tilt bracket 62B. Specifically, the tilt bracket 62A is disposed between the lever 7 and the arm portion 32A of the tube housing 3 in the lateral direction. An inner side surface 621A of the tilt bracket 62A is in contact with the arm portion 32A. The inner side surface 621A of the tilt bracket 62A is a surface facing the tilt bracket 62B.

  The tilt bracket 62A has a through hole 63A. The through hole 63A is a hole penetrating the tilt bracket 62A in the lateral direction, and has an elongated shape in the vertical direction. When the inner surface 621A of the tilt bracket 62A is in contact with the arm portion 32A, the through hole 63A is continuous with the through hole 33A of the arm portion 32A.

  The tilt bracket 62B is disposed on the right side of the tilt bracket 62A. The inner side surface 621B of the tilt bracket 62B is in contact with the arm portion 32B. The inner side surface 621B of the tilt bracket 62B is a surface facing the tilt bracket 62A.

  The tilt bracket 62B has a through hole 63B. The through hole 63B is a hole that penetrates the tilt bracket 62B in the lateral direction. When the inner side surface 621B of the tilt bracket 62B is in contact with the arm portion 32B, the through hole 63B is continuous with the through hole 33B of the arm portion 32B.

(Insert member 5)
The insertion member 5 is a bolt, for example, and is formed of a metal such as iron or aluminum. The insertion member 5 is inserted from the left into the through hole 63A of the tilt bracket 62A, the through hole 33A of the arm portion 32A, the through hole 33B of the arm portion 32B, and the through hole 63B of the tilt bracket 62B. The central axes of the through holes 33A and 33B extend in the lateral direction and are arranged coaxially. By inserting the insertion member 5 into the through holes 33 </ b> A and 33 </ b> B, the insertion member 5 is arranged at a position twisted with the inner tube 2.

  When the insertion member 5 is inserted into the through holes 33A, 33B, 63A, 63B, the head 51 of the insertion member 5 is disposed on the left side of the tilt bracket 62A of the tube bracket 6. The distal end 521 of the shaft portion 52 of the insertion member 5 protrudes to the right from the tilt bracket 62 </ b> B of the tube bracket 6. A nut 55 is fitted into the tip 521 of the shaft portion 52 of the insertion member 5. As a result, the insertion member 5 is prevented from coming off from both the tilt brackets 62A and 62B in the lateral direction.

(Lever 7)
The lever 7 is used to adjust the position of the steering wheel 9 connected to the steering shaft 1.

  When the lever 7 is in the locked position, a portion of the lever 7 that is positioned between the head 51 of the insertion member 5 and the tilt bracket 62 </ b> A in the lateral direction is fitted into the shaft portion 52 of the insertion member 5. As a result, the head 51 of the insertion member 5 is pushed leftward. In addition, the tip 521 of the shaft portion 52 in the insertion member 5 is maintained in a state of protruding to the right from the tilt bracket 62B by the nut 55. Since a force that narrows the interval between the arm portion 32A and the arm portion 32B is generated, the cylindrical portion 31 of the tube housing 3 tightens the inner tube 2.

  As a result, the inner tube 2 is fixed to the tubular portion 31 of the tube housing 3 except when a large impact due to a secondary collision is applied to the steering wheel 9 as described later.

  When the lever 7 unlocks the insertion member 5, the driver of the vehicle can adjust the position of the steering wheel 9 in the front-rear direction and adjust the position of the steering wheel 9 in the vertical direction. Adjustment of the position of the steering wheel 9 in the front-rear direction and adjustment of the position in the vertical direction will be described later.

(Fixing bracket 8)
The fixing bracket 8 is used for fixing the steering device 100 to a vehicle frame (not shown). As described above, the upper bracket 61 of the tube bracket 6 is fixed to the fixing bracket 8. When the fixing bracket 8 is fixed to the vehicle frame by a bolt (not shown), the steering device 100 is assembled to the vehicle.

(Shock absorbing member 4)
Referring to FIG. 1, shock absorbing member 4 is fixed to the lower side surface of the outer peripheral side surface of inner tube 2. The shock absorbing member 4 has an elongated shape extending in the axial direction, and is disposed so as to protrude downward from the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2. The shock absorbing member 4 contacts the insertion member 5 when the inner tube 2 moves in one axial direction so that the steering column 10 contracts. The shock absorbing member 4 includes a contact member 41 and a holding member 42.

  The contact member 41 is a member that contacts the insertion member 5 when the inner tube 2 moves in one axial direction so that the steering column 10 contracts. The contact member 41 is made of resin, for example.

  The holding member 42 is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 and holds the contact member 41 so that the contact member 41 does not move in the circumferential direction of the inner tube 2. The holding member 42 is made of a metal such as iron or aluminum, for example. The holding member 42 is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 by welding or a bolt, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the contact member 41 and corresponds to a view of the contact member 41 as viewed from below. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the contact member 41.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the contact member 41 has an elongated shape extending in the axial direction, and is bilaterally symmetric with respect to a plane including the central axis L1. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the contact member 41 has a trapezoidal shape when the contact member 41 is viewed in the lateral direction. The contact member 41 has a contact surface 411, end surfaces 412, 413, and an opposing surface 414.

  The contact surface 411 is a surface below the contact member 41, and has an inclined surface 411A and a flat surface 411B. The inclined surface 411A is disposed on one axial side of the flat surface 411B.

  The inclined surface 411A is a plane parallel to the horizontal direction and is inclined with respect to the central axis L1. Specifically, the inclined surface 411A is inclined so that the distance from the central axis L1 increases as the distance from the insertion member 5 increases. The inclined surface 411A faces the insertion member 5 in the axial direction. An end portion on one side in the axial direction of the inclined surface 411 </ b> A is continuous with an end surface 412 that is an end surface on one side in the axial direction of the contact member 41. The end of the inclined surface 411A on the other side in the axial direction is continuous with the flat surface 411B.

  The flat surface 411B is disposed on the opposite side to the insertion member 5 with respect to the inclined surface 411A, and is a surface parallel to both the axial direction and the lateral direction.

  The end surface 412 is a flat surface perpendicular to the axial direction, and is an end surface on one side of the contact member 41 in the axial direction. The upper end of the end surface 412 is continuous with the facing surface 414, and the lower end of the end surface 412 is continuous with the inclined surface 411A. The end surface 413 is a plane perpendicular to the axial direction and is the end surface on the other side in the axial direction of the contact member 41. The upper end of the end surface 413 is continuous with the facing surface 414, and the lower end of the end surface 413 is continuous with the flat surface 411B. The length of the end surface 412 in the up-down direction with respect to the facing surface 414 is smaller than the length of the end surface 413 in the up-down direction.

  Further, the contact member 41 has through holes 415 and 416. The through holes 415 and 416 are holes that penetrate the contact member 41 in the lateral direction. The through hole 415 is located on one axial side of the through hole 416.

  The facing surface 414 is a surface opposite to the contact surface 411 in the up-down direction. That is, the facing surface 414 is disposed so as to face the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the holding member 42. With reference to FIG. 6, the holding member 42 has a plate portion 421. The plate part 421 has a flat plate shape extending in the axial direction. The plate portion 421 is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the cylindrical portion 31 by welding or bolts, for example.

  The holding member 42 includes first side walls 422A and 422B, second side walls 423A and 423B, and a third side wall 424.

  The first side walls 422A and 422B and the second side walls 423A and 423B restrict the contact member 41 from moving in the lateral direction. The third side wall 424 restricts the contact member 41 from moving in the other axial direction when the contact member 41 is fixed to the holding member 42.

  The first side wall 422A extends downward from the right end of the plate portion 421. The first side wall 422B extends downward from the left end of the plate portion 421. The first side walls 422A and 422B are opposed to each other with the plate portion 421 interposed therebetween, and are positioned on one axial side of the second side walls 423A and 423B.

  Through holes 425A and 425B penetrating the first side walls 422A and 422B in the lateral direction are formed in the first side walls 422A and 422B. The central axis of the through hole 425A coincides with the central axis of the through hole 425B.

  The second side wall 423A extends downward from the right end of the plate portion 421. The second side wall 423 </ b> B extends downward from the left end of the plate portion 421. The second side walls 423A and 423B are opposed to each other with the plate portion 421 interposed therebetween, and are positioned on the other side in the axial direction than the first side walls 422A and 422B.

  Through holes 426A and 426B penetrating the first side walls 423A and 423B in the lateral direction are formed in the second side walls 423A and 423B. The central axis of the through hole 426A coincides with the central axis of the through hole 426B.

  The third side wall 424 has a flat plate shape having a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and extends downward from the other end of the plate portion 421 in the axial direction.

  Hereinafter, the fixing of the contact member 41 to the holding member 42 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The entire facing surface 414 of the contact member 41 is disposed so as to contact the plate portion 421 of the holding member 42. The contact member 41 is aligned with the holding member 42 in the axial direction. Specifically, as a result of the alignment, the through hole 415 of the contact member 41 forms one hole continuous with the through holes 425A and 425B of the first side walls 422A and 422B, and the through hole 416 of the contact member 41 is the first. The alignment is performed so as to form one hole continuous with the through holes 426A and 426B of the second side walls 423A and 423B.

  A bolt (not shown) is inserted into one hole formed by the through holes 415, 425A, 425B. A bolt (not shown) is inserted into one hole formed by the through holes 416, 426A, 426B. In this way, the contact member 41 is fixed to the holding member 42.

(Position relationship between impact absorbing member 4 and insertion member 5)
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the shock absorbing member 4 and the insertion member 5. 7 corresponds to an enlarged view of the area near the shock absorbing member 4 in the AA cross section of the steering device 100 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the insertion member 5 is in contact with the contact member 41 of the shock absorbing member 4. However, in FIG. 7, the insertion member 5 is shown for easy understanding of the positional relationship between the shock absorbing member 4 and the insertion member 5. 5 shows a state where the contact member 41 of the shock absorbing member 4 is not in contact.

  In FIG. 7, the components other than the inner tube 2, the shock absorbing member 4, and the insertion member 5 are not shown. In FIG. 7, the size of the contact member 41 in the shock absorbing member 4 in the vertical direction is exaggerated.

  Referring to FIG. 7, in contact member 41 of shock absorbing member 4, inclined surface 411 </ b> A faces axial portion 52 of insertion member 5 in the axial direction. Here, the distances S1, S2, and S3 are defined. The distance S <b> 1 is the shortest distance in the vertical direction from the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 to the insertion member 5. The distance S2 is the shortest distance in the vertical direction from the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 to the end portion on one side in the axial direction of the inclined surface 411A. The distance S3 is the shortest distance in the vertical direction from the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 to the end portion on the other side in the axial direction of the inclined surface 411A.

  The distance S2 is smaller than the distance S1 and the distance S3. The distance S3 is larger than the distance S1 and the distance S2. The distance S1 is larger than the distance S2 and smaller than the distance S3.

  When the inner tube 2 moves toward one side in the axial direction, the shock absorbing member 4 approaches the insertion member 5. Since the distances S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 are in the magnitude relationship as described above, when the inner tube 2 continues to move in one axial direction, the shaft portion 52 of the insertion member 5 tilts the contact member 41 of the shock absorbing member 4. The surface 411A is first contacted.

(Adjustment of the position of the steering wheel 9)
A driver of a vehicle on which the steering device 100 is mounted can adjust the position of the steering wheel 9 by operating the lever 7 and releasing the lock of the insertion member 5.

  The adjustment of the position of the steering wheel 9 in the axial direction will be described with reference to FIG. The driver of the vehicle operates the lever 7 to unlock the insertion member 5. A portion of the lever 7 that is sandwiched between the head 51 of the insertion member 5 and the tilt bracket 62 </ b> A is detached from the shaft portion 52 of the insertion member 5. As a result, the tightening of the inner tube 2 by the tubular portion 31 of the tube housing 3 is released.

  By releasing the tightening by the tubular portion 31 of the tube housing 3, the driver can move the steering wheel 9 in the axial direction and adjust the steering wheel 9 to a desired position in the axial direction. The inner tube 2 moves together with the steering wheel 9, and the tube housing 3 does not move.

  When the driver pushes the steering wheel 9 in one axial direction so as to contract the steering column 10, the contact member 41 may come into contact with the insertion member 5. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the axial length of the steering column 10 is adjusted to the minimum length in the steering device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, when the contact member 41 contacts the insertion member 5, the contact member 41 is further restricted from moving further to the one side in the axial direction.

That is, when the contact member 41 contacts the insertion member 5, even if the driver pushes the steering wheel 9 in one axial direction, the length of the steering column 10 in the axial direction cannot be further contracted. The insertion member 5 and the contact member 41 are used as members that define the minimum length in the axial direction of the steering column 10 when adjusting the position of the steering wheel 9. Moreover, since the contact member 41 is formed of resin, even if the insertion member 5 comes into contact with the contact member 41, it is possible to suppress the generation of a loud sound such as a metallic sound.
Next, adjustment of the vertical position of the steering wheel 9 will be described. When the driver operates the lever 7 to unlock the insertion member 5, the tightening of the inner tube 2 by the tubular portion 31 of the tube housing 3 is released. As a result, the steering column 10 can rotate around the central axis of the shaft portion of the insertion member 5. That is, the steering column 10 can swing in the vertical direction. Since the driver can move the steering wheel 9 in the vertical direction, the driver can adjust the steering wheel 9 to a desired position in the vertical direction.
When the adjustment of the position of the steering wheel 9 is completed, the driver operates the lever 7 to lock the insertion member 5 again. The tubular portion 31 of the tube housing 3 fastens the inner tube 2. Thereby, the inner tube 2 is clamped by the tube housing 3.

  (Secondary shock absorption by the shock absorbing member 4)

  As described above, when the contact member 41 comes into contact with the insertion member 5 by the inner tube 2 moving in one axial direction, the driver cannot further move the inner tube 2 in one axial direction. However, when a vehicle on which the steering device 100 is mounted collides, the driver of the vehicle collides with the steering wheel 9 due to inertia and a secondary impact is generated. The force generated by the secondary impact is much larger than the force by which the driver moves the steering wheel 9 in the axial direction.

  When a secondary impact occurs, the impact absorbing member 4 absorbs the secondary impact by canceling a part of the force generated by the secondary impact. Hereinafter, the absorption of the secondary impact by the impact absorbing member 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The insertion member 5 comes into contact with the contact member 41 as the inner tube 2 moves in one axial direction along with the secondary impact. As described above, the force generated by the secondary impact is much larger than the force by which the driver moves the steering wheel 9 in the axial direction. For this reason, even after the inclined surface 411 </ b> A of the contact member 41 contacts the insertion member 5, the inner tube 2 continues to move further in the axial direction.

  As a result, the inclined surface 411 </ b> A of the contact member 41 is pressed by the insertion member 5, and thus the force F <b> 1 directed in the other axial direction is applied to the inclined surface 411 </ b> A of the contact member 41 by the insertion member 5.

  The inclined surface 411A of the contact member 41 is inclined so that the distance from the central axis L1 (the outer peripheral side surface of the cylindrical portion 31) increases toward the other axial direction. A force F2 is generated on the inclined surface 411A of the contact member 41 in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface 411A. The force F2 is a reaction force of the force F1. A force F2a, which is an axial component of the force F2, is a force directed in one axial direction, and is a force opposite to the force F1. While the inclined surface 411A of the contact member 41 is in contact with the insertion member 5, a part of the force F1 is canceled by the force F2a. A part of the force F1 is canceled by the force F2a, so that the secondary impact is absorbed.

  The angle of the inclined surface 411A with respect to the central axis L1 is constant in the axial direction. For this reason, when the inner tube 2 moves toward the one axial direction while bringing the inclined surface 411A of the contact member 41 into contact with the insertion member 5, the force F2 generated by the insertion member 5 coming into contact with the inclined surface 411A. The size is constant. The shock absorbing member 4 can continuously cancel a part of the force F1 by the force F2a in a state where the insertion member 5 is in contact with the inclined surface 411A.

  When the inner tube 2 moves toward one side in the axial direction by the secondary impact, the inclined surface 411A of the contact member 41 may move to one side in the axial direction from the insertion member 5 depending on the magnitude of the secondary impact. . In this case, the impact absorbing member 4 absorbs the secondary impact by bringing the flat surface 411 </ b> B of the contact member 41 into contact with the insertion member 5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the distance S1 is smaller than the distance S3. Therefore, when the flat surface 411B of the contact member 41 comes into contact with the insertion member 5 due to the movement of the inner tube 2 in one axial direction due to the secondary impact, the insertion member 5 compresses the contact member 41 in the vertical direction. Deform. The repulsive force against the compression by the insertion member 5 cancels a part of the force F1 applied to the contact member 41 by the insertion member 5. Even when the flat surface 411B of the contact member 41 is in contact with the insertion member 5, the shock absorbing member 4 can absorb the secondary shock.

  In FIG. 7, the distance S3 which is the shortest distance from the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 to the flat surface 411B is constant in the axial direction. For this reason, when the inner tube 2 moves in one axial direction while bringing the flat surface 411B of the contact member 41 into contact with the insertion member 5, the force with which the insertion member 5 compresses the contact member 41 upward is constant. While the inner tube 2 is moving toward one side in the axial direction due to the secondary impact, the shock absorbing member 4 continuously generates a repulsive force against the compression of the contact member 41, and thus cancels out the force F1 continuously. Can do.

  As described above, in the steering device 100 according to the present embodiment, the impact absorbing member 4 and the insertion member 5 can absorb the secondary impact. Therefore, the steering device 100 can constitute a mechanism for absorbing the secondary impact with a small number of parts. Further, since the shock absorbing member 4 and the insertion member 5 are used for position adjustment of the steering wheel 9, the number of parts of the steering device 100 can be further reduced.

{Modification 1}
FIG. 8 is a right side view of the contact member 45 according to the first modification. In FIG. 8, the vertical size of the contact member 45 is exaggerated. Therefore, angles θ1 and θ2 described later are exaggerated in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 8, contact surface 451 of contact member 45 is a lower surface of contact member 45, and includes inclined surface 451A and inclined surface 451B instead of inclined surface 411A.

  The inclined surface 451A is disposed on one side in the axial direction from the inclined surface 451B and the flat surface 411B. The inclined surface 451B is located between the inclined surface 451A and the flat surface 411B in the axial direction. The flat surface 411B is disposed on the other side in the axial direction than the inclined surfaces 451A and 451B.

  The inclined surfaces 451A and 451B are planes parallel to the horizontal direction, and are inclined with respect to the central axis L1. Specifically, the inclined surfaces 451A and 451B are inclined so that the distance from the central axis L1 increases toward the other axial direction. The inclined surfaces 451A and 451B are opposed to the insertion member 5 in the axial direction. An angle θ1 with respect to the central axis L1 of the inclined surface 451A is smaller than an angle θ2 with respect to the central axis L1 of the inclined surface 451B.

  Although the insertion member 5 is not shown in FIG. 8, when the insertion member 5 comes into contact with the inclined surface 451A, a force F3 acting in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface 451A as a reaction force of the force F1 (see FIG. 7). Will occur. When the insertion member 5 comes into contact with the inclined surface 451B, a force F4 that acts in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface 451B is generated. Since the angles θ1 and θ2 are different, the direction of the force F3 is different from the direction of the force F4. That is, the magnitude of the axial component of the force F3 is different from the magnitude of the axial component of the force F4. As a result, the magnitude of the force that cancels the force generated by the secondary impact can be changed as the inner tube 2 moves in one axial direction.

  In FIG. 8, the example in which the angle θ1 of the inclined surface 451A with respect to the central axis L1 is smaller than the angle θ2 of the inclined surface 451B with respect to the central axis L1 is described, but the angle θ1 may be larger than the angle θ2.

{Modification 2}
FIG. 9 is a view showing the contact member 46 according to the second modification. Referring to FIG. 9, contact surface 461 of contact member 46 is a surface below contact member 46, and has inclined surface 461 </ b> A instead of inclined surface 411 </ b> A. The inclined surface 461A is a curved surface that protrudes downward when viewed in the horizontal direction.

  Although the insertion member 5 is not shown in FIG. 9, when the inner tube 2 moves while the inclined surface 461A of the contact member 41 is brought into contact with the insertion member 5 due to the secondary impact, the force F1 ( As a reaction force (see FIG. 7), a force F5 is generated. The force F5 acts in a direction perpendicular to the tangential direction at the portion where the insertion member 5 contacts the inclined surface 461A. Since the inclined surface 461A is a curved surface that protrudes downward when viewed in the lateral direction, the direction of the force F5 changes as the inner tube 2 moves in the other axial direction. As a result, the magnitude of the force that cancels the force generated by the secondary impact can be changed as the inner tube 2 moves in one axial direction.

  FIG. 9 shows an example in which the inclined surface 461A is a curved surface that protrudes downward when viewed in the horizontal direction, but the inclined surface 461A is protruded upward when viewed in the horizontal direction. Also good.

{Other variations}
In the said embodiment, although the example in which the contact member 41 was formed with resin was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this. The contact member 41 may be made of metal like the holding member 42. Even in this case, the impact absorbing member 4 can absorb the secondary impact.

  In the above embodiment, the contact surface 411 of the contact member 41 has the inclined surface 411A and the flat surface 411B. However, the contact surface 411 of the contact member 41 does not have the flat surface 411B. Also good. Even in this case, the impact absorbing member 4 can absorb the secondary impact.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example in which the contact member 41 and the holding member 42 are separate members in the impact-absorbing member 4, it is not restricted to this. The contact member 41 and the holding member 42 may be integrally formed. That is, the shock absorbing member 4 is disposed on the opposite side of the facing surface 414 facing the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube 2 and has a contact surface 411 that contacts the insertion member 5 when the inner tube 2 moves in the axial direction. The contact surface 411 only needs to have an inclined surface 411A that faces the insertion member 5 and is inclined so that the distance from the central axis L1 that is the central axis of the inner tube 2 increases toward the other axial direction.

  In the said embodiment, although the impact-absorbing member 4 and the insertion member 5 demonstrated the example used for position adjustment of the steering wheel 9, it is not restricted to this. The shock absorbing member 4 and the insertion member 5 may not be members used for adjusting the position of the steering wheel 9. In this case, the insertion member 5 extends in the crossing direction intersecting the axial direction and is arranged to be in a twisted position with the inner tube 2, and the pair of arm portions 32A and 32B are formed in the through holes 33A and 33B in the crossing direction. It only has to be inserted.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Steering apparatus 1 Steering shaft 2 Inner tube 3 Tube housing 4 Impact absorption member 5 Insertion member 9 Steering wheel 31 Cylindrical part 32A, 32B Arm part 41, 45, 46, Contact member 42 Holding member 411, 451, 461 Contact surface 411A , 451A, 451B, 461A Inclined surface 411B Flat surface

Claims (6)

An inner tube extending in the axial direction;
A tube housing that includes a pair of arms facing each other across the central axis of the inner tube, and sandwiches one axial end of the inner tube;
An insertion member that extends in a crossing direction that intersects the axial direction, is disposed so as to be twisted with the inner tube, and is inserted into two through-holes that penetrate each of the pair of arm portions in the crossing direction When,
An impact absorbing member that is fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube and that contacts the insertion member by moving the inner tube in an axial direction;
With
The shock absorbing member is
A contact surface that is disposed on the opposite side of the surface facing the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube and contacts the insertion member when the inner tube moves in the axial direction;
Including
The contact surface is
An inclined surface that faces the insertion member and inclines so that the distance from the central axis of the inner tube increases toward the other axial direction.
Including a steering device. The steering apparatus according to claim 1,
The contact surface further includes
A flat surface disposed on the opposite side of the insertion member with respect to the inclined surface and having a constant distance from the central axis;
Including a steering device. The steering apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The shock absorbing member is
A contact member that has the contact surface and contacts the insertion member when the inner tube moves in the axial direction;
A holding member fixed to the outer peripheral side surface of the inner tube and holding the contact member;
Including a steering device. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The inclined surface is
A first inclined surface inclined at a first predetermined angle with respect to the central axis;
A second inclined surface disposed on the opposite side of the insertion member with respect to the first inclined surface, and inclined at a second predetermined angle different from the first predetermined angle with respect to the central axis;
Including a steering device. The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The steering apparatus, wherein the inclined surface is a curved surface whose angle with respect to the central axis changes toward the other in the axial direction. The steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The steering device, wherein the contact member is made of resin.

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