JP5050629B2 - Shock absorbing steering column device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an impact-absorbing steering column device that reduces an impact force applied to a driver at the time of a vehicle collision.

At the time of the vehicle collision, a secondary collision in which the driver collides with the steering wheel occurs following the primary collision when the vehicle collides with an obstacle.
As an impact absorption type steering column apparatus that absorbs an impact force applied to a driver at the time of a vehicle collision, for example, an apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The device of Patent Document 1 includes a column bracket that fixes a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft to a vehicle body side member. The column bracket is connected to the vehicle body side member via a bolt above the steering column. A plate-like attachment portion to be fixed, a body portion connected to the attachment portion via the first bent portion, and provided with a fitting hole extending in the vehicle vertical direction and passing through the steering column; The main body part and a second bent part are connected to each other, and a substantially Z-shaped member having a support part fixed to the lower surface of the steering column. When an external force is applied to the front of the vehicle in the column axis direction of the steering column at the time of a secondary collision, the first and second bent portions are bent and deformed so that the impact force applied to the driver is absorbed. .

  By the way, in the column bracket of the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the mounting portion fixed to the vehicle body side member and the support portion fixed to the lower surface of the steering column are largely separated in the vehicle vertical direction, and the main body portion is between these parts. Since the first and second bent portions are provided at the upper and lower end portions of the main body part, the member has low rigidity in at least the vehicle vertical direction.

For this reason, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when an external force directed to the rear of the vehicle is applied to the steering column at the time of the primary collision, the column bracket with low rigidity is easily plastically deformed and the steering column moves to the rear of the vehicle. There is a possibility that the steering wheel mounted on the rear end of the vehicle may come into contact with the driver.
Therefore, in the device of Patent Document 2, a stopper that abuts the front end of the column tube on the vehicle rear side of the lower shaft connected to the universal joint or the like is disposed, and the vehicle rearward is directed toward the steering column at the time of the primary collision. Before the impact force is applied, the stopper absorbs the impact force and prevents the steering column from moving backward.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-53495 No. 1-8455

However, as in Patent Document 2, if a stopper that prevents the steering column from moving backward in the vehicle at the time of the primary collision is arranged, the number of parts increases, which causes problems in terms of assembly and manufacturing cost.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned unsolved problems of the conventional example, and the impact force at the time of the primary collision and the secondary collision of the vehicle while improving the assemblability and reducing the manufacturing cost. An object of the present invention is to provide an impact-absorbing steering column device that suppresses the vehicle from being applied to the driver.

In order to achieve the above object, an impact absorption type steering column apparatus according to claim 1 includes a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft, and a support bracket that supports the steering column on a vehicle body side member. In the impact absorption type steering column device, the support bracket includes a column rearward movement restricting portion for restricting the steering column from moving backward by the impact force at the time of the primary collision of the vehicle, and the driver from the driver at the time of the secondary collision. A first impact force absorbing portion that absorbs an impact force in front of the vehicle applied to the steering column by plastic deformation associated with a stroke of the steering column toward the vehicle front, and the support bracket is the vehicle body side member of the support bracket. The connecting portion to be connected to is connected via a bolt fastening member, and the fixing A plate-like caulking locking portion is provided on the steering column, and the caulking locking portion is inserted into a bracket locking hole formed in the steering column and fixed by caulking, whereby the steering column is supported by the vehicle body side member. I did it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorbing steering column device according to the first aspect, the support bracket is configured to slide an impact force at the time of a secondary collision with the steering column moving forward of the vehicle. A second impact force absorbing portion for absorbing is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorption type steering column apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the first shock force absorbing portion is connected to the vehicle body side member of the support bracket and the steering. It is a bent portion that is bent between a fixed portion that is fixed to the column and that undergoes plastic deformation when an impact force in front of the vehicle is applied during a secondary collision.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorbing steering column device according to the second aspect, the steering column formed on the support bracket passes through the column rearward movement restricting portion and the second shock absorbing portion. A plurality of tongue pieces that protrude while being circumferentially spaced from the periphery of the passage hole and are bent toward the front of the vehicle so that the outer periphery of the steering column is elastically deformed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorbing steering column device according to the fourth aspect, the plurality of tongue pieces include a pair of tongue pieces that sandwich the outer periphery of the steering column from the vehicle vertical direction, and the steering wheel. And a pair of other tongue pieces that clamp the outer periphery of the column from the vehicle width direction.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the shock absorbing steering column device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the support bracket supports the vehicle front side of the steering column to the vehicle body side member. The vehicle front side bracket and a vehicle rear side bracket that supports the vehicle rear side of the steering column to the vehicle body side member are configured.

  According to the shock absorbing steering column device of the present invention, the support bracket that supports the steering column on the vehicle body side member restricts the steering column from moving backward due to the impact force during the primary collision of the vehicle. Since it includes a movement restricting portion and a first impact force absorbing portion that absorbs the impact force in front of the vehicle applied from the driver to the steering column at the time of the secondary collision by plastic deformation accompanying the stroke of the steering column toward the front of the vehicle. Further, it is possible to suppress the impact force from being applied to the driver at the time of the primary collision and the secondary collision of the vehicle while improving the assembling property and reducing the manufacturing cost.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a vehicle in which a shock absorbing steering device according to the present invention is assembled.
In FIG. 1, an impact absorption type steering column device 10 is disposed to be tilted by a predetermined angle so as to rise rearward of the vehicle with respect to the horizontal direction of the vehicle, and has a steering column 12 that rotatably supports a steering shaft 11. . A steering wheel 13 is mounted on the steering shaft 11 at the rear end of the vehicle, and an intermediate shaft 15 is connected to the front end of the steering shaft 11 via a universal joint 14. A steering gear 17 composed of a rack and pinion mechanism or the like is connected to the intermediate shaft 15 through a universal joint 16 at the front end thereof. The output shaft of the steering gear 17 is connected to the steering wheel 19 via a tie rod 18.

  When the driver steers the steering wheel 13, the rotational force is transmitted to the steering gear 17 via the steering shaft 11, the universal joint 14, the intermediate shaft 15, and the universal joint 16, and the rack and pinion mechanism rotates the vehicle. The steering wheel 19 is steered through the tie rod 18 after being converted into a linear motion in the width direction.

(First embodiment)
2 to 5 are views showing the shock absorbing steering column device 10 of the first embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a structure from the shock absorbing steering column device 10 to the universal joint 16 of the present embodiment. 3 is a plan view showing the main part of the apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate shaft 15 connected between the universal joints 14 and 16 employs a telescopic shaft in which a male spline shaft 15a and a female spline shaft 15b are fitted.
The shock absorbing steering column device 10 of the present embodiment connected to the universal joint 14 on the vehicle rear side has an upper bracket 21 fixed to the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 and a vehicle front side of the steering column 12. The lower bracket 22 is fixed, and the upper bracket 21 and the lower bracket 22 are bolted to the vehicle body side member 20 so that the steering column 12 is arranged to be raised rearward of the vehicle.

A rolling bearing 23a is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the steering column 12 at the vehicle rear end portion, and a rolling bearing 23b is also disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the steering column 12 at the vehicle front end portion, and these rolling bearings 23a. , 23b, the steering shaft 11 is rotatably supported.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the upper bracket 21 includes a mounting plate portion 21 a in which a bolt passage hole 21 a 1 is formed, an upper bracket body 21 b in which a loose insertion hole 21 b 1 for loosely inserting the steering column 12 is formed, A bent portion 21e in which the mounting plate portion 21a and the upper bracket main body 21b are extended so as to extend at a predetermined obtuse angle, and a support plate portion 21c formed so as to have the same curvature as the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12. And a curved portion 21d that is curved in a direction away from the mounting plate portion 21a between the upper bracket body 21b and the support plate portion 21c. A bent piece 21b2 is provided on the side of the upper bracket body 21b that is not continuous with the mounting plate portion 21a and the curved portion 21d.

  Then, an upper bracket in which a bolt (not shown) that has passed through the bolt passage hole 21a1 of the mounting plate portion 21a is fastened to the vehicle body side member 20, and the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 that rises rearward of the vehicle is loosely inserted into the loose insertion hole 21b1. The support plate 21c is fixed to the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12 with the main body 21b extending below the vehicle, the bending portion 21d positioned below the vehicle, and positioned behind the upper bracket main body 21b. Thus, the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 is supported by the vehicle body side member 20 via the upper bracket 21.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the lower bracket 22 includes a mounting plate portion 22a in which a bolt passage groove 22a1 is formed, and a lower bracket main body 22b extending at right angles to the mounting plate portion 22a. And the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f formed to protrude from the peripheral edge of the column passage hole 22b1 formed in the lower bracket body 22b.
The first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f are bent so as to be elastically deformable in a direction in which the mounting plate portion 22a protrudes at a position approximately 90 ° apart from the periphery of the column passage hole 22b1 in the circumferential direction. The diameter of the imaginary circle defined by the tip portions of the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f is set smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery of the steering column 12. In addition, the bending piece 22g is continuously provided in the side part of the attachment board part 22a and the lower bracket main body 22b.

  Then, a bolt (not shown) that has passed through the bolt passage groove 22a1 of the mounting plate portion 22a is fastened to the vehicle body side member 20, and the vehicle front end portion of the steering column 12 projects from the column passage hole 22b1 of the lower bracket body 22b. The first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f are inserted while being elastically deformed. At this time, of the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f, the tips of the first tongue piece 22c and the third tongue piece 22d positioned in the vehicle vertical direction sandwich the outer periphery of the steering column 12 from the vertical direction, The tips of the second tongue piece 22e and the fourth tongue piece 22f positioned in the vehicle width direction sandwich the outer periphery of the steering column 12 from the vehicle width direction, so that the vehicle front end of the steering column 12 passes through the lower bracket 22. It is supported by the vehicle body side member 20.

  The support bracket of the present invention corresponds to the upper bracket 21 and the lower bracket 22, and the column rearward movement restricting portion and the second impact force absorbing portion of the present invention are connected to the first to fourth tongue pieces 22 c to 22 f of the lower bracket 22. Correspondingly, the first impact force absorbing portion and the bent portion of the present invention correspond to the curved portion 21d and the bent portion 21e, the connecting portion of the present invention corresponds to the mounting plate portion 21a, and the fixed portion of the present invention is the support plate portion. Corresponding to 21c, the passage hole of the present invention corresponds to the column passage hole 22b1.

Next, the operation of the shock absorption type steering column apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
At the time of the primary collision of the vehicle, for example, an impact force directed toward the rear of the vehicle from the universal joint 14 is applied to the steering column 12. At this time, the distal end portions of the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f bent forward of the vehicle of the lower bracket 22 holding the outer periphery of the steering column 12 engage with the outer periphery of the steering column 12, and the steering column 12 is Restrict movement to the rear of the vehicle. Further, the bent portion 21e and the curved portion 21d of the upper bracket 21 also restrict the steering column 12 from moving toward the rear of the vehicle.

For this reason, the steering shaft 11 supported by the steering column 12 does not move rearward during the primary collision of the vehicle, and the steering wheel 13 attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 11 contacts the driver. Is prevented.
When the driver collides with the steering wheel 13 due to the collision of the vehicle, a large impact force is applied to the steering column 12 toward the front of the vehicle via the steering shaft 11. At this time, in the upper bracket 21, as the steering column 12 moves forward of the vehicle, the bent portion 21e is plastically deformed so that the angle formed by the mounting plate portion 21a and the upper bracket body 21b becomes smaller, and the radius of curvature becomes smaller. As the curved portion 21d is plastically deformed, the impact force directed toward the front of the vehicle is absorbed. Since the steering column 12 moves forward of the vehicle while sliding on the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f of the lower bracket 22, the outer periphery of the steering column 12 and the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f By generating a sliding frictional force with 22f, the impact force toward the front of the vehicle is absorbed.

Further, the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f of the lower bracket 22 holding the steering column 12 while being elastically deformed are the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction of the steering column 12 that moves forward in the vehicle at the time of a secondary collision. Stable impact force absorption characteristics can be obtained.
Therefore, the shock absorption type steering column device 10 of the present embodiment does not require a part (stopper) for restricting the movement of the steering column 12 to the rear of the vehicle at the time of the primary collision unlike the conventional device, and is easy to assemble and manufacture. It is possible to suppress the impact force from being applied to the driver at the time of the primary collision and the secondary collision of the vehicle while achieving reduction.

Further, the lower bracket 22 supporting the front end of the vehicle of the steering column 12 is stable because the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f regulate the touch of the steering column 12 in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction. Impact absorption characteristics can be obtained.
(Second Embodiment)

  Next, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views showing the main part of the shock absorbing steering column device 10 of the second embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the shape of the upper bracket, and FIG. It is CC line arrow directional view of FIG.

  The upper bracket 24 of the present embodiment includes an attachment plate portion 24a in which a bolt passage hole 24a1 is formed, an upper bracket body 24b in which a loose insertion hole 24b1 for loosely inserting the steering column 12 is formed, the attachment plate portion 24a and the upper plate. A bent portion 24e that is continuous with the bracket body 24b so as to extend at a substantially right angle, a support plate portion 24c that is formed to have the same curvature as the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12, and an upper bracket body It is a member provided with a curved portion 24d that is curved in a direction away from the mounting plate portion 24a between the 24b and the support plate portion 24c. A bent piece 24b2 is provided on a side portion of the upper bracket body 24b that is not continuous with the mounting plate portion 24a and the curved portion 24d.

  Then, an upper bracket in which a bolt (not shown) that has passed through the bolt passage hole 24a1 of the mounting plate portion 24a is fastened to the vehicle body side member 20, and the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 rising rearward of the vehicle is loosely inserted into the loose insertion hole 24b1. The support plate 24c is fixed to the outer periphery of the lower portion of the steering column 12 with the main body 21b extending below the vehicle, the curved portion 24d positioned below the vehicle, and positioned in front of the upper bracket main body 21b. Thus, the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 is supported by the vehicle body side member 20 via the upper bracket 21.

  According to the present embodiment, at the time of the primary collision of the vehicle, the distal end portions of the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f that are bent forward of the vehicle of the lower bracket 22 are engaged with the outer periphery of the steering column 12, and the steering column 12 is In addition to restricting the rearward movement of the steering column 12, the bent portion 24e and the curved portion 24d of the upper bracket 24 restrict the rearward movement of the steering column 12, so that the steering shaft 11 supported by the steering column 12 is rearward of the vehicle. It is possible to prevent the steering wheel 13 attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 11 from coming into contact with the driver without moving to the driver.

  Further, at the time of the secondary collision of the vehicle, the outer periphery of the steering column 12 slides on the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f of the lower bracket 22 and moves to the front of the vehicle, so that the impact force facing the front of the vehicle is generated. As it is absorbed, the bent portion 24e of the upper bracket 24 is plastically deformed so that the angle formed by the mounting plate portion 24a and the upper bracket body 24b is increased, and the curved portion 24d is plastically deformed so that the radius of curvature is decreased. Thus, since the impact force facing the front of the vehicle is absorbed, it is possible to suppress the impact force during the secondary collision from being applied to the driver.

  Therefore, the impact absorption type steering column device 10 of the present embodiment can also suppress the impact force from being applied to the driver at the time of the primary collision and the secondary collision of the vehicle while reducing the assembling property and the manufacturing cost. .

(Third embodiment)
Next, FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 are views showing a shock absorption type steering column device 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a universal joint 16 from the shock absorption type steering column device 10 according to this embodiment. 9 is a side view showing the structure up to this point, FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line E-E in FIG. Note that the lower bracket 22 of the present embodiment has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and the other components of the same structure as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. The description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, a pair of bracket locking holes 25 are formed in the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12 on the vehicle rear end side.
Further, the upper bracket 26 of the present embodiment includes an attachment plate portion 26a in which a bolt passage groove 26a1 is formed, an upper bracket body 26b in which a column passage hole 26b1 through which the steering column 12 passes, an attachment plate portion 26a, and an upper bracket. A bent portion 26c formed so as to extend at a substantially right angle with the main body 26b, first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g formed protruding from the peripheral edge of the column passage hole 26b1, and a bent portion 26c. Is formed continuously with the upper bracket body 26b at the opposite position to the mounting plate portion 26a, and is formed continuously with the bending portion 26h. It is a member provided with the locking plate part 26i engaged with the formed pair of bracket locking holes 25.

The first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g are bent so as to be elastically deformable in a direction in which the mounting plate portion 26a protrudes at a position approximately 90 ° apart from the peripheral edge of the column passage hole 26b1 in the circumferential direction. The diameter of the virtual circle defined by the tip portions of the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g is set to be smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery of the steering column 12.
As shown in FIG. 9, the locking plate portion 26 i protrudes from both ends of the curved engagement portion 26 i 1 formed so as to have the same curvature as the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12. It comprises a pair of plate-like caulking locking portions 26i2. A bent piece 26j is provided on the inner corner side of the mounting plate portion 26a and the upper bracket body 26b.

  Then, by inserting the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 into the column passage hole 26b1 of the upper bracket body 26b, the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g protruding from the column passage hole 26b1 are elastically deformed to cause the steering column 12 to be elastically deformed. The curved engagement portion 26i1 of the locking plate portion 26i is brought into contact with the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12, and the pair of caulking locking portions 26i2 are caulked in the pair of bracket locking holes 25 of the steering column 12. By engaging, the locking plate portion 26 i of the upper bracket 26 is fixed to the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12 on the vehicle rear end side.

Then, by fastening a bolt (not shown) that has passed through the bolt passage groove 26a1 of the mounting plate 26a to the vehicle body side member 20, the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 is supported by the vehicle body side member 20 via the upper bracket 26. The
At this time, of the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g protruding from the column passage hole 26b1, the tips of the first tongue piece 26d and the third tongue piece 26f positioned in the vehicle vertical direction are the ends of the steering column 12. The outer periphery is clamped from the vertical direction, and the tips of the second tongue piece 26e and the fourth tongue piece 26g located in the vehicle width direction clamp the outer periphery of the steering column 12 from the vehicle width direction.

  The support bracket of the present invention corresponds to the upper bracket 26 and the lower bracket 22, and the column rearward movement restricting portion and the second impact force absorbing portion of the present invention are connected to the first to fourth tongue pieces 22 c to 22 f of the lower bracket 22. Correspondingly, the first impact force absorbing portion and the bent portion of the present invention correspond to the curved portion 26h and the bent portion 26c, the connecting portion of the present invention corresponds to the mounting plate portion 26a, and the caulking locking portion of the present invention is caulked. Corresponding to the locking portion 26i2, the passage hole of the present invention corresponds to the column passage hole 26b1.

Next, the operation of the shock absorbing steering column apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
At the time of the primary collision of the vehicle, the front end portions of the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f bent to the front of the lower bracket 22 engage with the outer periphery of the steering column 12, and the steering column 12 tends to move to the rear of the vehicle. The upper bracket 26 also attempts to move the steering column 12 to the rear of the vehicle by engaging the front ends of the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g bent to the front of the vehicle with the outer periphery of the steering column 12. Therefore, the steering shaft 11 supported by the steering column 12 does not move rearward during the primary collision of the vehicle, and the steering wheel 13 attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 11 contacts the driver. Is prevented.

  On the other hand, when the driver has a secondary collision with the steering wheel 13 due to the collision of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 11, the steering column 12 arranged to rise rearward of the vehicle faces the front of the vehicle that pushes up the steering column 12. A large impact force F is applied. In the upper bracket 26, as the steering column 12 moves forward of the vehicle, the bent portion 26c is plastically deformed so that the angle formed by the mounting plate portion 26a and the upper bracket body 26b becomes smaller, and the curved portion 26h also has a smaller curved shape. By so plastically deforming, the impact force facing the front of the vehicle is absorbed.

  Since the steering column 12 moves forward of the vehicle while sliding on the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g of the upper bracket 26, the outer periphery of the steering column 12 and the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g The impact force is absorbed by the generation of sliding friction force between the two. Further, the first tongue piece 26d of the upper bracket 26 positioned above the steering column 12 restricts the steering column 12 from moving upward while being elastically deformed.

Since the steering column 12 moves forward of the vehicle while sliding also on the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f of the lower bracket 22, the outer periphery of the steering column 12 and the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c are moved. A sliding frictional force is generated between ˜22f and the impact force toward the front of the vehicle is absorbed.
Thereby, at the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, the plastic deformation of the bent portion 26c and the curved portion 26h of the upper bracket 26, the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g of the upper bracket 26, and the first to fourth of the lower bracket 22 are performed. The impact force is absorbed by the sliding frictional force between the tongue pieces 22c to 22f and the outer periphery of the steering column 12.

Therefore, the shock absorption type steering column device 10 of this embodiment also eliminates the need for parts (stoppers) that restrict the movement of the steering column 12 to the rear of the vehicle at the time of the primary collision unlike the conventional device, and is easy to assemble and manufacture. It is possible to suppress the impact force from being applied to the driver at the time of the primary collision and the secondary collision of the vehicle while achieving reduction.
Further, the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f of the lower bracket 22 that sandwich the steering column 12 while being elastically deformed are the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction of the steering column 12 that move forward in the vehicle at the time of a secondary collision. Stable impact force absorption characteristics can be obtained.

  Further, the upper bracket 26 is positioned to support the mounting plate portion 26a and the steering column 12 (the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g projecting from the column passage hole 26b1 extend in the vertical direction and the vehicle width. Compared to a structure with a long span at the position for supporting the steering column and the vehicle body side member as in the conventional device, the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction are similar to each other. The upper bracket structure has high rigidity. As described above, since the upper bracket 26 having high rigidity supports the steering column 12, the steering column 12 is less likely to swing when the driver operates the steering wheel 13, so that the driver feels uncomfortable. There is no fear.

  Further, the column passage hole 26b1 from which the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g of the upper bracket 26 protrude and the loose insertion hole 22b1 from which the first to fourth tongue pieces 22c to 22f of the lower bracket 22 protrude. The upper bracket 26 and the lower bracket 22 are steered by inserting the steering column 12 and caulking and engaging the caulking locking portion 26 i 2 of the locking plate portion 26 i of the upper bracket 26 into the bracket locking hole 25 of the steering column 12. Since it can be easily mounted on the column 12 without performing welding or the like, it is possible to further reduce the assembling property and the manufacturing cost.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, FIGS. 12 and 13 are views showing the main part of the shock absorbing steering column device 10 of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 12 is a side view showing the shape of the upper bracket, and FIG. It is a FF line arrow directional view of FIG.

  The upper bracket 26 of the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the bolt passage hole 27 is formed in the mounting plate portion 26a, and the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g protrude from the mounting plate portion 26a. It is formed in the state bent to the opposite side with respect to the direction. The upper bracket 26 of the present embodiment is disposed between the steering column 12 and the vehicle body side member 20 so that the curved portion 26h is positioned in front of the vehicle with respect to the mounting plate portion 26a.

According to the present embodiment, at the time of the primary collision of the vehicle, the distal end portions of the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g that are bent forward of the upper bracket 26 are engaged with the outer periphery of the steering column 12 so that the steering column 12 is Restrict movement to the rear of the vehicle.
Further, at the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, the bent portion 26c is plastically deformed so that the angle formed by the mounting plate portion 26a of the upper bracket 26 and the upper bracket body 26b is increased, and the curved portion 26h is also reduced in the curved shape. By the plastic deformation, the impact force facing the front of the vehicle is absorbed. Since the steering column 12 moves forward of the vehicle while sliding on the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26g of the upper bracket 26, the outer periphery of the steering column 12 and the first to fourth tongue pieces 26d to 26d A sliding frictional force is generated between 26 g and the impact force is absorbed.
Therefore, this embodiment can also exhibit the same effect as the third embodiment.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, FIGS. 14 and 15 are views showing the main part of the shock absorbing steering column apparatus 10 of the fifth embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 14 is a side view showing the shape of the upper bracket, and FIG. It is a GG arrow directional view of FIG.

  The upper bracket 28 of the present embodiment includes a mounting plate portion 28a in which a bolt passage groove 28a1 is formed, an upper bracket body 28b having a bulged shape and a column passage hole 28b1 through which the steering column 12 passes, and a mounting plate portion. 28a and upper bracket body 28b are formed so as to extend at an obtuse angle, a bent portion 28c, first to fourth tongue pieces 28d to 28g formed to protrude from the peripheral edge of column passage hole 28b1, A curved portion 28h formed continuously with the upper bracket body 28b at a position opposite to the bent portion 28c and curved in a direction away from the mounting plate portion 28a, and continuously formed with the curved portion 26h, and the steering This is a member provided with a locking plate portion 28 i that engages with a pair of bracket locking holes 25 formed in the column 12.

The upper bracket body 28b includes a substantially U-shaped bulging plate 28b2 protruding toward the mounting plate portion 28a, and a front plate 28b3 formed so as to close the opening of the bulging plate 28b2 on the mounting plate portion 28a side. A column passage hole 28b1 is formed in the front plate 28b3.
The first to fourth tongue pieces 28d to 28g are bent so as to be elastically deformable in a direction in which the mounting plate portion 28a protrudes at a position approximately 90 ° apart from the periphery of the column passage hole 28b1 in the circumferential direction. The diameter of the imaginary circle defined by the tip portions of the first to fourth tongue pieces 28d to 28g is set to be smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery of the steering column 12. The locking plate portion 28i has the same shape as the locking plate portion 26i shown in FIG.

  Then, by inserting the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 into the column passage hole 28b1 of the upper bracket main body 28b, the first to fourth tongue pieces 28d to 28g protruding from the column passage hole 28b1 are elastically deformed, and the steering column 12 is inserted. The curved engagement portion 26i1 of the locking plate portion 28i is brought into contact with the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12, and a pair of caulking locking portions (not shown) of the locking plate portion 28i are connected to the steering column 12. By engaging by caulking in the pair of bracket locking holes 25, the locking plate portion 28 i of the upper bracket 28 is fixed to the lower outer periphery of the steering column 12 on the vehicle rear end side.

Then, by fastening a bolt (not shown) that has passed through the bolt passage groove 28a1 of the mounting plate portion 28a to the vehicle body side member 20, the vehicle rear side of the steering column 12 is supported by the vehicle body side member 20 via the upper bracket 28. The At this time, the upper bracket main body 28b of the upper bracket 28 is disposed so as to extend obliquely toward the vehicle rear side.
The first impact force absorbing portion and the bent portion of the present invention correspond to the upper bracket body 28b and the bent portion 28c of the upper bracket 28, and the connecting portion of the present invention corresponds to the mounting plate portion 28a. Corresponds to the column passage hole 28b1.

  According to the present embodiment, at the time of a secondary collision of the vehicle, the bent portion 28c is plastically deformed so that the angle formed by the mounting plate portion 28a of the upper bracket 28 and the upper bracket body 28b becomes small, and the curved portion 28h is also curved. By plastically deforming so as to become smaller, the impact force facing the front of the vehicle is absorbed. Since the steering column 12 moves forward of the vehicle while sliding on the first to fourth tongue pieces 28d to 28g of the upper bracket 28, the outer periphery of the steering column 12 and the first to fourth tongue pieces 28d to 28g A sliding frictional force is generated between 28 g and the impact force is absorbed.

Here, since the upper bracket main body 28b of the present embodiment is disposed so as to extend obliquely to the vehicle rear side, the plastic deformation region when absorbing the impact force is increased.
Therefore, in this embodiment, since the plastic deformation region when absorbing the impact force of the upper bracket body 28b of the upper bracket 28 is increased, a more stable impact force absorption characteristic can be obtained.

In each embodiment, the upper bracket and the lower bracket are fixed to the steering column 12 and the vehicle body side member 20 as separate parts, but are integrated with functions equivalent to the upper bracket and functions equivalent to the lower bracket. It may be a bracket.
Moreover, you may reverse the arrangement position of the front bracket direction of the upper bracket and lower bracket of each embodiment.

  Furthermore, although the shock absorbing steering column device 10 of each embodiment does not include the tilt mechanism and the telescopic position adjustment mechanism, these functions may be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a vehicle assembled with a steering device according to the present invention. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment according to the present invention. It is a principal part top view which shows 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is an AA arrow directional view of FIG. It is a BB line arrow directional view of FIG. It is a principal part side view which shows 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is CC line arrow directional view of FIG. It is a side view which shows 3rd Embodiment based on this invention. FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 8. It is the EE arrow directional view of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows operation | movement of the apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a principal part side view which shows 4th Embodiment concerning this invention. It is a FF line arrow directional view of FIG. It is a principal part side view which shows 5th Embodiment concerning this invention. It is a GG arrow directional view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Shock absorption type steering column apparatus, 11 ... Steering shaft, 12 ... Steering column, 13 ... Steering wheel, 14 ... Universal joint, 15 ... Intermediate shaft, 15a ... Male spline shaft, 15b ... Female spline shaft, 16 ... Universal joint 17 ... steering gear, 18 ... tie rod, 19 ... steering wheel, 20 ... vehicle body side member, 21 ... upper bracket, 21a ... mounting plate, 21a1 ... bolt passage hole, 21b ... upper bracket body, 21b1 ... free insertion hole, 21b2 ... bent piece, 21c ... support plate portion, 21d ... curved portion, 21e ... bent portion, 22 ... lower bracket, 22a ... mounting plate portion, 22a1 ... bolt passage groove, 22b ... lower bracket body, 22b1 ... column passage hole, 22c ... 1st tongue piece, 22d ... 2nd tongue piece, 2e ... 3rd tongue piece, 22f ... 4th tongue piece, 22g ... Bending piece, 23a, 23b ... Rolling bearing, 24 ... Upper bracket, 24a ... Mounting plate part, 24a1 ... Bolt passage hole, 24b ... Upper bracket body, 24b1 ... loose insertion hole, 24b2 ... bent piece, 24c ... support plate portion, 24d ... curved portion, 24e ... bent portion, 25 ... bracket locking hole, 26 ... upper bracket, 26a ... mounting plate portion, 26a1 ... bolt passage groove, 26b ... upper bracket body, 26b1 ... column passage hole, 26c ... bent portion, 26d ... first tongue piece, 26e ... second tongue piece, 26f ... third tongue piece, 26g ... fourth tongue piece, 26h ... curved portion, 26i ... locking plate portion, 26i1 ... curved engagement portion, 26i2 ... caulking locking portion, 26j ... bent piece, 27 ... bolt passage hole, 28 ... upper bracket, 28a ... mounting plate 28b1 ... bolt passage groove, 28b ... upper bracket body, 28b1 ... column passage hole, 28b2 ... bulge plate, 28b3 ... front plate, 28c ... bent portion, 28d ... first tongue piece, 28e ... second tongue piece, 28f ... 2nd tongue piece, 28g ... 4th tongue piece, 28h ... curved part, 28i ... locking plate part

Claims (6)

In an impact-absorbing steering column apparatus comprising a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft, and a support bracket that supports the steering column on a vehicle body side member,
The support bracket includes a column rearward movement restricting portion for restricting the steering column from moving rearward by the impact force at the time of the primary collision of the vehicle, and an impact on the front of the vehicle applied from the driver to the steering column at the time of the secondary collision. A first impact force absorbing portion that absorbs force by plastic deformation accompanying a stroke of the steering column forward of the vehicle ;
In the support bracket, a connecting portion connected to the vehicle body side member of the support bracket is connected via a bolt fastening member, and a plate-like caulking locking portion is provided in a fixing portion fixed to the steering column. An impact-absorbing steering column characterized in that the steering column is supported by the vehicle body side member by inserting a locking portion into a bracket locking hole formed in the steering column and fixing it by caulking. apparatus.   2. The impact according to claim 1, wherein the support bracket includes a second impact force absorbing portion that absorbs an impact force at the time of a secondary collision by sliding with the steering column moving forward of the vehicle. Absorption type steering column device.   The first impact force absorbing portion is formed by bending between a connecting portion that is connected to the vehicle body side member of the support bracket and a fixed portion that is fixed to the steering column. 3. The shock absorbing type steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing type steering column device is a bending portion that undergoes bending plastic deformation when force is applied.   The column rearward movement restricting portion and the second shock absorbing portion protrude from the periphery of a passage hole formed in the support bracket through which the steering column passes while being spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and bend toward the front of the vehicle while being bent. The shock absorbing type steering column apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the outer periphery of the plurality of tongue pieces is sandwiched so as to be elastically deformable.   The plurality of tongue pieces include a pair of tongue pieces that sandwich the outer periphery of the steering column from the vehicle vertical direction, and another pair of tongue pieces that sandwich the outer periphery of the steering column from the vehicle width direction. 5. The shock absorbing type steering column device according to claim 4, The support bracket includes a vehicle front side bracket that supports the vehicle front side of the steering column to the vehicle body side member, and a vehicle rear side bracket that supports the vehicle rear side of the steering column to the vehicle body side member. The shock absorbing type steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shock absorbing type steering column device is provided.

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