JP5167633B2 - Steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus, and more particularly to a steering apparatus that can adjust a telescopic position (front-rear direction position) and a tilt position (tilt angle) of a steering wheel in accordance with a driver's physique and driving posture.

  In a steering device that can adjust the telescopic position and tilt position of the steering wheel, after adjusting the telescopic position and tilt position of the steering wheel, the column is firmly clamped to the body mounting bracket so as not to move from that position.

  As a steering device capable of adjusting a telescopic position and having an outer column fastened to an inner column, there is a steering device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional steering apparatus, which is a steering apparatus in which a position offset from the axis of the outer column is tightened.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a steering shaft 4 is pivotally supported in the hollow cylindrical outer column 1, and the rear side of the vehicle body of the steering shaft 4 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 8). Is attached with a steering wheel (not shown).

  An inner column 2 is slidably fitted in the axial direction on a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 15B formed on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1 (the back side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 8). . The outer column 1 is attached to the vehicle body 6 by a vehicle body mounting bracket (upper bracket) 3.

  The vehicle body front side of the inner column 2 is pivotally supported by the vehicle body 6 via a tilt center axis (not shown). A pair of left and right flange portions 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B for attaching the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 to the vehicle body 6 are formed on the upper portion of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3.

  The flange portions 31A and 31B are fastened to the vehicle body 6 by bolts 312A and 312B, and the contact surfaces 311A and 311B on the top surfaces of the flange portions 31A and 31B are in contact with and fixed to the vehicle body 6. The flange portions 31A and 31B are formed with a pair of left and right side plates 32A and 32B that are bent in an L shape from the flange portions 31A and 31B and extend downward.

  Clamp portions 11A and 11B are integrally formed below the outer column 1. The lower surface of the outer column 1 and the lower surfaces of the clamp portions 11A and 11B penetrate from the outer peripheral surface 15A of the outer column 1 to the inner peripheral surface 15B. A slit 13 is formed. The slit 13 is formed over the entire length of the telescopic position adjustment range of the outer column 1.

  The side surfaces of the clamp portions 11A and 11B are sandwiched between the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 so as to be telescopically movable and tiltable.

  In the clamp portions 11A and 11B, telescopic long grooves 12A and 12B that are long in the axial direction of the outer column 1 are formed below the axis of the outer column 1. Further, a tightening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 8 (perpendicular to the axis of the outer column 1) into the long slots for tilt 33A, 33B formed in the side plates 32A, 32B and the long slots for telescopic 12A, 12B. Yes.

  On the right side of the tightening rod 34, a disk-shaped head (clamping member) 341 is formed, and on the outer periphery of the head 341, chamfered portions 342 and 342 are formed in parallel. The chamfered portion 342 is fitted into the long tilt groove 33B to prevent the tightening rod 34 from rotating with respect to the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 and to tilt the tightening rod 34 along the long tilt groove 33B.

  The end surface 343 of the head 341 is in contact with the outer surface 322B of the side plate 32B. A male screw 344 is formed on the left side of the tightening rod 34, and a cylindrical nut (clamping member) 35 is screwed into the male screw 344. An end surface 351 of the nut 35 is in contact with the outer surface 322A of the side plate 32A. An operation lever 36 is fixed to the nut 35 by a washer 37 and a bolt 38.

  Contact surfaces 17A and 17B are formed on the side surfaces of the clamp portions 11A and 11B in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34, respectively. The contact surfaces 17A and 17B lightly contact the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B even when the tightening rod 34 is loosened. The contact surfaces 17A and 17B can contact the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B over the entire length of the telescopic position adjustment range of the outer column 1.

  Even when the tightening rod 34 is tightened, the outer peripheral surface 15A of the outer column 1 has a gap between the inner surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B.

  When the operation lever 36 is swung, the nut 35 rotates, and the side plates 32A and 32B can be tightened or released from the tightening rod 34. That is, when the operation lever 36 is swung in the tightening direction, the nut 35 rotates, the end surface 351 of the nut 35 moves to the right side in FIG. 8, and the tightening rod 34 moves to the left side in FIG.

As a result, the end surface 351 of the nut 35 tightens the outer surface 322A of the side plate 32A, and the end surface 343 of the head 341 tightens the outer surface 322B of the side plate 32B. by this,
The inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B strongly press the contact surfaces 17A and 17B in the vicinity of the axis of the fastening rod 34, and the clamp portions 11A and 11B are deformed toward the axis of the outer column 1, The width of the slit 13 is narrowed.

  As a result, the inner peripheral surface 15B of the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter, and the outer column 1 is strongly tightened to the inner column 2. At the same time, the contact surfaces 17A and 17B in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod 34 are strongly tightened by the inner surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B.

  Therefore, with the axis of the outer column 1 as a fulcrum, the center of contact between the contact surfaces 17A and 17B and the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34 is the force point, and the distance L2 between the fulcrum and the force point The clamp portions 11A and 11B are tightened with a moment proportional to Therefore, the outer column 1 can be strongly tightened to the inner column 2.

  However, the tightening position between the side plates 32A and 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 and the outer column 1 is in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34 that is spaced downward from the axis of the outer column 1.

  Therefore, when a steering force is applied from the steering wheel to the outer column 1, the moment applied to the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 by this steering force is a fulcrum at the contact surfaces 311A and 311B between the flange portions 31A and 31B and the vehicle body 6.

  Further, the center of the contact portion between the contact surfaces 17A, 17B and the inner side surfaces 321A, 321B in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod 34 becomes a power point. A large force acts on the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 with a moment proportional to the distance L1 between the fulcrum and the power point. Therefore, the support rigidity in the left-right direction in FIG. 8 is weak with respect to the steering force applied to the outer column 1.

  In order to improve the support rigidity of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3, it is conceivable to expand the contact surfaces 17 </ b> A and 17 </ b> B in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34 to the vicinity of the axis of the outer column 1. However, due to variations in manufacturing dimensions, the tightening position between the side plates 32A, 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 and the outer column 1 is limited to the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod 34, and the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 is supported. It is difficult to improve rigidity.

  Further, in the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a synthetic resin spacer is interposed between the inner surface of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the left and right side surfaces of the outer column in order to improve the support rigidity of the vehicle body mounting bracket. I am letting. However, in the steering device of Patent Document 1, since the number of parts increases, there is a problem that the part cost increases and the number of assembly steps increases.

Japanese Patent No. 34159533

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering apparatus that is light in weight and has improved column support rigidity with respect to a vehicle body mounting bracket, without increasing the number of parts and assembly man-hours.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the first invention is that the steering shaft on which the steering wheel is mounted is rotatably supported and the outer column is fitted to the inner column so that the telescopic position can be adjusted. A vehicle body mounting bracket having a pair of left and right side plates sandwiching the left and right side surfaces of the column, a clamping rod inserted into the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the outer column, spaced from the axis of the outer column, and both ends of the clamping rod A fastening member for fastening the inner side surface of the side plate to the side surface of the outer column and fastening the outer column to the inner column at a predetermined telescopic adjustment position; formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column; Abuts the inner surface of the side plate near the shaft center Formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column, and has a width equal to or greater than the width of the abutting surface in the vicinity of the axis of the clamping rod and above the axis of the clamping rod. When the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened with the tightening member, the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is easily elastically deformed when the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened with the tightening member. A steering device comprising a through hole formed in a side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket .

According to a second aspect of the invention, an outer column that rotatably supports a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted and that is telescopically adjustable with respect to an inner column can be attached to a vehicle body. A vehicle body mounting bracket having a pair of left and right side plates sandwiching the left and right side surfaces, spaced from the axis of the outer column, a clamping rod inserted into the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the outer column, and formed at both ends of the clamping rod A tightening member for tightening the inner side surface of the side plate to the side surface of the outer column, tightening the outer column to the inner column at a predetermined telescopic adjustment position, and the inner surface of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket. The outer column near the axis of the rod A contact surface that can contact the left and right side surfaces, formed on the inner side surfaces of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, the width is narrower than the width in the left and right direction of the contact surface in the vicinity of the axial center of the clamping rod, When the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened by the abutting surface that can be brought into contact with the left and right side surfaces of the outer column at a position distant from the axis of the tightening rod and on the left and right sides of the outer column , the vehicle body A steering device comprising a through hole formed in the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket so that the side plate of the mounting bracket is easily elastically deformed .

A third invention is a column that rotatably supports a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted, a vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to a vehicle body and has a pair of left and right side plates that sandwich the left and right side surfaces of the column, Separated from the column center, the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the clamping rod inserted into the column, formed at both ends of the clamping rod, the inner side surface of the side plate is clamped to the side surface of the column, and predetermined tilt adjustment A fastening member for fastening the column to the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket at a position; a contact surface formed on the left and right side surfaces of the column and capable of contacting the inner side surface of the side plate in the vicinity of the axis of the fastening rod; Formed on the left and right side surfaces of the fastening rod and having a width equal to or greater than the width of the contact surface in the vicinity of the axial center of the fastening rod, Contact surface capable of contacting the inner surface of the side plate at a position away to the vehicle body upper side of the axis of de, and, when tightened side plates of the mounting bracket above the clamping member, the mounting bracket A steering device comprising a through-hole formed in the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket so that the side plate is easily elastically deformed .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a column for pivotally supporting a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted, a vehicle body mounting bracket having a pair of left and right side plates that can be attached to the vehicle body and sandwiches the left and right side surfaces of the column, Separated from the column center, the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the clamping rod inserted into the column, formed at both ends of the clamping rod, the inner side surface of the side plate is clamped to the side surface of the column, and predetermined tilt adjustment A fastening member for fastening the column to the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket at a position, formed on the inner surface of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, and capable of contacting the left and right side surfaces of the column in the vicinity of the axis of the clamping rod Abutting surface, formed on the inner surface of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, near the axis of the clamping rod Contact surface of the narrower than the lateral width, the clamping abutment surface capable of contacting the side surfaces of the left and right of the column at a position away to the vehicle body upper side of the axis of the rod, and said clamping member A steering device comprising a through hole formed in the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket so that the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is easily elastically deformed when the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened. is there.

  In the steering device of the present invention, formed on the left and right side surfaces of the column, formed on the left and right side surfaces of the column, the contact surface capable of contacting the inner surface of the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket in the vicinity of the axis of the fastening rod, The contact surface near the axis of the tightening rod has a width that is greater than the width in the left-right direction and can be contacted with the inner surface of the side plate of the body mounting bracket at a position farther upward than the shaft center of the tightening rod. And a contact surface.

  In the steering device of the present invention, the contact surfaces formed on the inner side surfaces of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket and capable of contacting the left and right side surfaces of the column in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod, and the left and right sides of the vehicle body mounting bracket Left and right side surfaces of the column at a position that is narrower than the lateral width of the contact surface in the vicinity of the axis of the clamping rod and that is further away from the axis of the clamping rod. And an abutting surface capable of abutting on.

  Therefore, the inner side surfaces of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket are in contact with the left and right side surfaces of the column both in the vicinity of the axial center of the clamping rod and at a position distant from the axial center of the clamping rod. . Therefore, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are not increased, the weight is light, and the column support rigidity with respect to the vehicle body mounting bracket can be improved.

  Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a steering apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an AA enlarged sectional view of FIG.

  A steering shaft 4 having a steering wheel 41 attached to the rear side of the vehicle body (the right side in FIG. 1) is rotatably supported in the hollow cylindrical outer column 1. The outer column 1 is integrally formed by a die casting method in which a molten metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy is press-fitted into a mold by applying pressure.

  An inner column 2 is slidable in the axial direction (telescopic position is adjustable) on a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 15B (see FIG. 2) formed on the front side of the vehicle body of the outer column 1 (left side in FIG. 1). It is fitted. The outer column 1 is attached to a vehicle body 6 (more specifically, a steering device support member attached to a dashboard (not shown)) by a vehicle body mounting bracket (upper bracket) 3. In FIG. 1, the inner column 2 is arranged on the vehicle body front side and the outer column 1 is arranged on the vehicle body rear side. However, the inner column 2 is arranged on the vehicle body rear side, and the outer column 1 is arranged on the vehicle body front side. May be.

  An electric power steering device 5 is attached to the vehicle body front side of the inner column 2. A bracket 51 formed integrally with the electric power steering device 5 is pivotally supported by a vehicle body mounting bracket (lower bracket) 61 fixed to the vehicle body 6 via a tilt center shaft 62. The electric power steering device 5 detects the steering torque of the steering shaft 4 and applies an auxiliary steering force proportional to the steering torque to the output shaft 52.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right flange portions 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B for attaching the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 to the vehicle body 6 are formed on the upper portion of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3. The flange portions 31A and 31B are fastened to the vehicle body 6 by bolts (not shown), and the contact surfaces 311A and 311B on the upper surfaces of the flange portions 31A and 31B are in contact with and fixed to the vehicle body 6. The flange portions 31A and 31B are formed with a pair of left and right side plates 32A and 32B that are bent in an L shape from the flange portions 31A and 31B and extend downward.

  On the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B, the side surface of the outer column 1 and the side surfaces of the clamp portions 11A and 11B integrally formed downward from the outer column 1 are telescopically movable and tilted. It is pinched as possible.

  A slit 13 that penetrates from the outer peripheral surface 15A of the outer column 1 to the inner peripheral surface 15B is formed on the lower surface of the outer column 1 and the lower surfaces of the clamp portions 11A and 11B. The vehicle body front side end portion (left side in FIG. 1) of the slit 13 is opened to the vehicle body front side end surface of the outer column 1, and the vehicle body rear side end portion (right side in FIG. 1) of the slit 13 is the axial direction of the outer column 1. A semicircular arc-shaped closed end 131 is formed extending to a substantially middle position of the length.

  In the clamp portions 11A and 11B, telescopic long grooves 12A and 12B that are long in the axial direction of the outer column 1 are formed below the axis of the outer column 1. Further, a tightening rod 34 is inserted from the right side of FIG. 2 (perpendicular to the axis of the outer column 1) into the long tilt grooves 33A and 33B and the long telescopic grooves 12A and 12B formed in the side plates 32A and 32B. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a disc-shaped head (clamping member) 341 is formed on the right side of the tightening rod 34, and chamfered portions 342 and 342 are formed in parallel on the outer periphery of the head 341. . The chamfered portion 342 is fitted into the long tilt groove 33B to prevent the tightening rod 34 from rotating with respect to the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 and to tilt the tightening rod 34 along the long tilt groove 33B.

  The end surface 343 of the head 341 is in contact with the outer surface 322B of the side plate 32B. A male screw 344 is formed on the left side of the tightening rod 34, and a cylindrical nut 35 is screwed into the male screw 344. Between the right end surface of the nut 35 and the outer surface 322A of the left side plate 32A of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3, a thrust bearing 391, an operation lever 36, a movable cam 392, and a fixed cam 393 are sandwiched in this order from the left side. Yes.

  The movable cam 392 is fixed to the operation lever 36 and rotates together with the operation lever 36 by the swinging operation of the operation lever 36. The fixed cam 393 is fitted in a tilt long groove 33A formed in the side plate 32A and is prevented from rotating with respect to the vehicle body mounting bracket 3.

  On the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1, contact surfaces 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B are formed at positions separated from the upper side of the vehicle body (upper side in FIG. 2) than the axis of the fastening rod 34. Further, contact surfaces 17A and 17B are formed on the side surfaces of the clamp portions 11A and 11B in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34, respectively.

  The width W1 in the left-right direction of the contact surfaces 16A, 16B at a position farther above the vehicle body than the axis of the clamping rod 34 is the width in the left-right direction of the contact surfaces 17A, 17B in the vicinity of the axis of the clamping rod 34. It is the same as W2 or has a wider width.

  The contact surfaces 16A and 16B extend from the vehicle body front side end surface of the outer column 1 to the vehicle body rear side, and are formed to a position slightly past the vehicle body rear ends of the telescopic long grooves 12A and 12B. Therefore, the contact surfaces 16A and 16B can contact the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B over the entire length of the telescopic position adjustment range of the outer column 1.

  Similarly, the contact surfaces 17A and 17B extend from the vehicle body front side end surface of the outer column 1 to the vehicle body rear side, and are formed to a position slightly past the vehicle body rear ends of the telescopic long grooves 12A and 12B. Therefore, the contact surfaces 17A and 17B can also contact the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B over the entire length of the telescopic position adjustment range of the outer column 1.

  Further, recesses 18A and 18B are formed from the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 to the left and right side surfaces of the clamp portions 11A and 11B. The recesses 18A and 18B are formed between the contact surfaces 17A and 17B in the vicinity of the axial center of the fastening rod 34 and the contact surfaces 16A and 16B in the vicinity of the axial center of the outer column 1, and the contact surfaces 17A, 17B, It is formed more depressed than 16A and 16B.

  The recesses 18A and 18B extend from the vehicle body front end surface of the outer column 1 to the vehicle body rear side and are formed to a position slightly past the vehicle body rear ends of the telescopic long grooves 12A and 12B.

  When the operation lever 36 is swung, the movable cam 392 rotates to move the fixed cam 393 to the right side in FIG. 2, and the clamping rod 34 is pushed by the movable cam 392 to move to the left side in FIG. As a result, the fixed cam 393 tightens the outer surface 322A of the side plate 32A, and the end surface 343 of the head 341 tightens the outer surface 322B of the side plate 32B.

  The lateral width W1 of the contact surfaces 16A, 16B at a position farther upward than the axis of the clamping rod 34 is the width of the contact surfaces 17A, 17B in the vicinity of the axial center of the clamping rod 34. It is the same as W2 or has a wider width. Therefore, when the width W1 is formed wider than the width W2, the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B are first brought into contact with the upper side of the vehicle body from the axis of the fastening rod 34. It abuts on the surfaces 16A and 16B.

  Further, when the operation lever 36 is swung in the tightening direction, the side plates 32A and 32B are supported by the contact portions with the contact surfaces 16A and 16B located at the position higher than the axis of the tightening rod 34 on the vehicle body upper side. Further elastic deformation is performed toward the axis of the outer column 1. Therefore, the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B abut on the abutting surfaces 17A and 17B near the axial center of the tightening rod 34, and the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B become the abutting surfaces 17A and 17B near the axial center. Press strongly. As a result, the clamp portions 11A and 11B are deformed toward the axial center of the outer column 1, and the width of the slit 13 is narrowed.

  As a result, the inner peripheral surface 15B of the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter, and the outer column 1 is strongly tightened to the inner column 2. At the same time, both of the contact surfaces 16A and 16B located at a position higher than the axial center of the clamping rod 34 and the contact surfaces 17A and 17B near the axial center of the clamping rod 34 are within the side plates 32A and 32B. Tightened by the side surfaces 321A and 321B.

  Further, even when the width W1 is the same as the width W2, the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B are simultaneously in contact with both the contact surfaces 16A and 16B and the contact surfaces 17A and 17B. Thereafter, when the operation lever 36 is swung in the tightening direction, the side plates 32A and 32B are elastically deformed toward the axial center of the outer column 1 with the contact portions with the contact surfaces 16A and 16B as fulcrums, and the contact surfaces. Both 16A, 16B and the contact surfaces 17A, 17B are strongly tightened by the inner surfaces 321A, 321B of the side plates 32A, 32B.

  Accordingly, the contact surfaces 16A and 16B located farther above the vehicle body than the axis of the tightening rod 34 are strongly tightened to the inner surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B. Therefore, the center of the contact portion between the contact surfaces 16A, 16B and the inner side surfaces 321A, 321B, which are located at a position higher than the axial center of the tightening rod 34, the flange portions 31A, 31B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and the vehicle body The distance L3 between the contact surfaces 311A and 311B with 6 is shorter than that of the conventional steering device.

  As a result, when a steering force is applied from the steering wheel 41 to the outer column 1, the moment applied to the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 by this steering force is based on the contact surfaces 311A and 311B between the flange portions 31A and 31B and the vehicle body 6. . Further, the center of contact between the contact surfaces 16A and 16B and the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B at positions away from the upper side of the vehicle body relative to the axis of the tightening rod 34 is a force point.

  A moment proportional to the distance L3 between the fulcrum and the force point acts on the vehicle body mounting bracket 3. Accordingly, there is no increase in the number of parts and the number of assembly steps, and the weight is light and the support rigidity in the left-right direction in FIG.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a single body mounting bracket according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow P in FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from those in the first embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the width in the left-right direction of the inner side surfaces 321A, 321B of the left and right side plates 32A, 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 is larger than the width in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod. This is an example in which the width of the position away from the axial center of the tightening rod 34 toward the upper side of the vehicle body is narrower. Although not shown, the structure of the clamp mechanism such as the operation lever 36, the clamping rod 34, the movable cam 392, and the fixed cam 393 that clamps the outer column 1 to the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the left and right side plates 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 are formed with convex portions 71 </ b> A and 71 </ b> B at positions away from the axial center of the tightening rod 34. Has been. Further, convex portions 72A and 72B are formed on the left and right side plates 32A and 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34, respectively. Each convex part 71A, 71B, 72A, 72B is formed so as to protrude to the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 from the inner side surfaces 321A, 321B of the left and right side plates 32A, 32B.

  The width W3 in the left-right direction of the contact surfaces 711A, 711B at which the convex portions 71A, 71B at positions away from the axial center of the tightening rod 34 abut on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 is as follows. The convex portions 72A and 72B in the vicinity of the axial center are formed to have the same or narrow width as the width W4 in the left-right direction of the contact surfaces 721A and 721B that contact the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1. Although not shown, the widths of the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 are formed to have the same dimensions in the vicinity of the axis of the outer column 1 and in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34.

  The convex portions 71A and 71B are formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body above the long tilt grooves 33A and 33B. In addition, two protrusions 72A and 72B are formed in a rectangular shape with a short vehicle front-rear direction, two on each side of the lower part of the tilt long grooves 33A and 33B. The convex portions 72A and 72B may be formed in a rectangular shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and may be one, or the convex portions 72A and 72B may not be provided.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, when the width W3 is formed to be narrower than the width W4, when the operating lever 36 is swung and the side plates 32A and 32B are tightened, they are separated from the axis of the tightening rod 34 to the upper side of the vehicle body. The contact surfaces 711A and 711B of the convex portions 71A and 71B at the corresponding positions first contact the left and right side surfaces near the axis of the outer column 1.

  Further, when the operation lever 36 is swung in the tightening direction, the side plates 32A and 32B are pivoted on the contact surfaces 711A and 711B at positions away from the axial center of the tightening rod 34 on the vehicle body. Further elastic deformation toward the heart. Accordingly, the contact surfaces 721A and 721B of the convex portions 72A and 72B in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod 34 contact the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1, and the contact surfaces 721A and 721B are the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1. Press strongly against. As a result, the clamp portions 11A and 11B are deformed toward the axial center of the outer column 1, and the width of the slit 13 is narrowed.

  As a result, the inner peripheral surface 15B of the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter, and the outer column 1 is strongly tightened to the inner column 2. At the same time, the contact surfaces 711A and 711B of the convex portions 71A and 71B located farther upward than the axis of the clamping rod 34 and the contact surfaces 721A of the convex portions 72A and 72B near the axial center of the clamping rod 34 are used. , 721B are firmly tightened to the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1.

  Therefore, the center of the contact portion between the contact surfaces 711A and 711B of the convex portions 71A and 71B at positions away from the axis of the tightening rod 34 and the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1, and the vehicle body mounting bracket The distance L4 between the three flange portions 31A and 31B and the contact surfaces 311A and 311B of the vehicle body 6 is shorter than that of the conventional steering device. Therefore, the support rigidity in the left-right direction in FIG. 4 is improved with respect to the steering force applied to the outer column 1.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a single body mounting bracket according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment, in which the side plates 32A and 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 are easily elastically deformed when the operation lever 36 is tightened. Although only the left side plate 32A is shown in FIG. 5, the right side plate also has the same shape.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the left side plate 32 </ b> A of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 is formed with a convex portion 73 </ b> A at a position away from the axial center of the tightening rod 34 toward the vehicle body upper side. Further, there is no convex portion in the vicinity of the axis of the fastening rod 34 of the left side plate 32A of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 so that the inner side surface of the left side plate 32A directly contacts the left side surface of the outer column 1. It is configured.

  Therefore, the protrusions 73A (and the protrusions on the right side plate not shown) located at the upper side of the vehicle body with respect to the axis of the tightening rod 34 are on the left and right sides of the contact surfaces that contact the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1. The width in the direction is wider than the width in the left-right direction in which the inner side surface of the side plate 32A in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod 34 (and the inner side surface of the right side plate not shown) abuts the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1. Is formed narrowly. Although not shown, as in the second embodiment, the widths of the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 are the same size at a position distant from the axial center of the clamping rod 34 and in the vicinity of the axial center of the clamping rod 34. Is formed.

  The left side plate 32A of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 is formed with through holes 74A, 74B, 74C, and 74D that penetrate the side plate 32A. The through holes 74A and 74B are formed in an elongated rectangular shape in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body above the tilting long groove 33A. Further, the through holes 74C and 74D are formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the vertical direction on both sides in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the tilting long groove 33A.

  Similarly to the second embodiment, when the operation lever 36 is swung and the side plate 32A is tightened, the convex portion 73A (and the convexity of the right side plate (not shown) at a position away from the axial center of the fastening rod 34 to the upper side of the vehicle body). Part) first comes into contact with the left side surface in the vicinity of the axis of the outer column 1.

  Further, when the operation lever 36 is swung in the tightening direction, the side plate 32A (and the right side plate (not shown)) has the outer surface as a fulcrum with the contact surface at a position away from the axis of the tightening rod 34 above the vehicle body. Further elastic deformation is performed toward the axis of the column 1.

  Since the through holes 74A, 74B, 74C, and 74D penetrating the side plate 32A are formed, the side plate 32A is easily elastically deformed, and the side plate 32A (and the right side plate (not shown)) in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod 34 is formed. The inner side faces the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 and strongly presses the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1. As a result, the clamp portions 11A and 11B are deformed toward the axial center of the outer column 1, and the width of the slit 13 is narrowed.

  As a result, the inner peripheral surface 15B of the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter, and the outer column 1 is strongly tightened to the inner column 2. At the same time, the abutment surface of the convex portion 73A (and the convex portion of the right side plate (not shown)) located farther upward than the axis of the clamping rod 34 and the side plate 32A (near the axis of the clamping rod 34) ( Both the inner side surfaces of the right side plate (not shown) are strongly tightened to the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1.

  In the third embodiment, the through holes 74A, 74B, 74C, and 74D are formed. However, if the distance between the convex portion 73A and the axis of the fastening rod 34 can be secured long, and the side plate 32A is easily elastically deformed. The through holes 74A, 74B, 74C, and 74D are not necessarily required. Further, the side plate 32A of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 is not formed with the convex portion 73A, and the convex portion is formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 at a position away from the axial center of the fastening rod 34 toward the vehicle body. Also good.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is an overall front view showing a steering apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow Q in FIG. In the following description, only structural parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, the same parts as those in the above embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  The fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side plates 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 are positioned farther above the vehicle body than the axis of the fastening rod 34. In addition, convex portions 75A and 75B are formed. Further, there are no projections in the vicinity of the axis of the fastening rod 34 of the side plates 32A, 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3, and the inner side surfaces 321A, 321B of the side plates 32A, 32B directly contact the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1. It is configured to touch.

  Therefore, the width W5 in the left-right direction of the abutting surface where the convex portions 75A, 75B located at the upper side of the vehicle body from the axis of the tightening rod 34 abut on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 is the width of the tightening rod 34. The inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B in the vicinity of the shaft center are formed to be narrower than the width W6 in the left-right direction contacting the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1.

  The side plates 32A and 32B of the vehicle body mounting bracket 3 are not formed with through holes as in the third embodiment, but the side plates 32A and 32B can be easily elastically deformed by reducing the thickness of the side plates 32A and 32B. I have to.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, when the operating lever 36 is swung and the side plates 32A and 32B are tightened, the contact surfaces of the convex portions 75A and 75B at positions away from the axial center of the tightening rod 34 on the vehicle body side are First, it contacts the left and right side surfaces in the vicinity of the axis of the outer column 1.

  Further, when the operation lever 36 is swung in the tightening direction, the side plates 32A and 32B are directed toward the axis of the outer column 1 with the contact surface at a position separated from the axis of the tightening rod 34 at the upper side of the vehicle body as a fulcrum. Further elastic deformation.

  Since the thickness of the side plates 32A and 32B is made thin as a whole, the side plates 32A and 32B are easily elastically deformed, and the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B in the vicinity of the axis of the tightening rod 34 are the outer columns. The left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1 are pressed strongly against the left and right side surfaces of the outer column 1. As a result, the clamp portions 11A and 11B are deformed toward the axial center of the outer column 1, and the width of the slit 13 is narrowed.

  As a result, the inner peripheral surface 15B of the outer column 1 is reduced in diameter, and the outer column 1 is strongly tightened to the inner column 2. At the same time, both of the contact surfaces of the convex portions 75A and 75B that are located on the upper side of the vehicle body from the axis of the clamping rod 34 and the inner side surfaces 321A and 321B of the side plates 32A and 32B in the vicinity of the axis of the clamping rod 34 The outer column 1 is firmly tightened to the left and right side surfaces.

  In the above-described embodiment, an embodiment is shown in which the present invention is applied to a steering apparatus capable of both telescopic position adjustment and tilt position adjustment. However, the present invention may be applied to a steering apparatus in which only the telescopic position can be adjusted. Further, the present invention may be applied to a steering apparatus in which the outer column and the inner column do not expand and contract (no telescopic position adjustment) and only the tilt position adjustment is possible. Further, the present invention can be applied to a steering device that does not have any adjustment mechanism. In the embodiment, the electric power steering device 5 is described as being provided. However, the electric power steering device 5 may not be provided. Moreover, although the tightening mechanism has been described as being based on a cam, it may be based on a screw.

1 is an overall front view showing a steering apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an AA expanded sectional view of FIG. It is a front view which shows the vehicle body attachment bracket single-piece | unit of Example 2 of this invention. FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow P in FIG. 3. It is a front view which shows the vehicle body attachment bracket single-piece | unit of Example 3 of this invention. It is a whole front view which shows the steering device of Example 4 of this invention. It is Q arrow view of FIG. It is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conventional steering device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer column 11A, 11B Clamp part 12A, 12B Telescopic long groove 13 Slit 131 Closed end part 15A Outer peripheral surface 15B Inner peripheral surface 16A, 16B Abutting surface 17A, 17B Abutting surface 18A, 18B Concavity 2 Inner column 3 Car body mounting bracket (Upper bracket)
31A, 31B Flange 311A, 311B Abutting surface 312A, 312B Bolt 32A, 32B Side plate 321A, 321B Inner side 322A, 322B Outer side 33A, 33B Tilting slot 34 Tightening rod 341 Head 342 Face cut 343 End face 344 341 Nut 351 End face 36 Operation lever 37 Washer 38 Bolt 391 Thrust bearing 392 Movable cam 393 Fixed cam 4 Steering shaft 41 Steering wheel 5 Electric power steering device 51 Bracket 52 Output shaft 6 Car body 61 Car body mounting bracket (lower bracket)
62 Tilt center axis 71A, 71B, 72A, 72B Convex part 711A, 711B, 721A, 721B Abutting surface 73A Convex part 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D Through hole 75A, 75B Convex part

Claims (4)

An outer column that rotatably supports a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted, and that is externally fitted to the inner column so that the telescopic position can be adjusted,
A vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body and has a pair of left and right side plates that sandwich the left and right side surfaces of the outer column;
A clamping rod that is spaced apart from the axis of the outer column and is inserted into the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the outer column,
A clamping member formed at both ends of the clamping rod, clamping the inner side surface of the side plate to the side surface of the outer column, and clamping the outer column to the inner column at a predetermined telescopic adjustment position;
A contact surface formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column and capable of contacting the inner surface of the side plate in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod;
It is formed on the left and right side surfaces of the outer column, has a width equal to or greater than the width in the left-right direction of the contact surface in the vicinity of the axial center of the clamping rod, and is located at a position away from the vehicle body upper side than the axial center of the clamping rod. A contact surface capable of contacting the inner surface of the side plate , and
A through hole formed in the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket so that the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is easily elastically deformed when the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened by the tightening member. A steering apparatus characterized by the above. An outer column that rotatably supports a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted, and that is externally fitted to the inner column so that the telescopic position can be adjusted,
A vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body and has a pair of left and right side plates that sandwich the left and right side surfaces of the outer column;
A clamping rod that is spaced apart from the axis of the outer column and is inserted into the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the outer column,
A clamping member formed at both ends of the clamping rod, clamping the inner side surface of the side plate to the side surface of the outer column, and clamping the outer column to the inner column at a predetermined telescopic adjustment position;
A contact surface formed on the inner side surface of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket and capable of contacting the left and right side surfaces of the outer column in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod;
Formed on the inner surface of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, the width of the contact surface in the vicinity of the shaft center of the clamping rod is narrower than the width in the left and right direction, and away from the vehicle body upper side than the shaft center of the clamping rod A contact surface capable of contacting the left and right side surfaces of the outer column at a position , and
When the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened by the tightening member, the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is provided with a through hole formed in the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket so as to be easily elastically deformed. Steering device. A column that rotatably supports a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted,
A vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body and has a pair of left and right side plates that sandwich the left and right side surfaces of the column;
A clamping rod inserted through the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the column, spaced apart from the axis of the column,
A clamping member formed at both ends of the clamping rod, clamping the inner side surface of the side plate to the side surface of the column, and clamping the column to the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket at a predetermined tilt adjustment position;
A contact surface formed on the left and right side surfaces of the column and capable of contacting the inner surface of the side plate in the vicinity of the axial center of the tightening rod;
The side plate is formed on the left and right side surfaces of the column, has a width equal to or greater than the width in the left-right direction of the contact surface in the vicinity of the axis of the clamping rod, and is separated from the axis of the clamping rod above the vehicle body. contact surface capable of contacting the inner surface of, and,
When the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened by the tightening member, the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is provided with a through hole formed in the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket so as to be easily elastically deformed. Steering device. A column that rotatably supports a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted,
A vehicle body mounting bracket that can be attached to the vehicle body and has a pair of left and right side plates that sandwich the left and right side surfaces of the column;
A clamping rod inserted through the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket and the column, spaced apart from the axis of the column,
A clamping member formed at both ends of the clamping rod, clamping the inner side surface of the side plate to the side surface of the column, and clamping the column to the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket at a predetermined tilt adjustment position;
A contact surface formed on the inner side surface of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket and capable of contacting the left and right side surfaces of the column in the vicinity of the axial center of the clamping rod;
Formed on the inner surface of the left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, the width of the contact surface in the vicinity of the shaft center of the clamping rod is narrower than the width in the left and right direction, and away from the vehicle body upper side than the shaft center of the clamping rod A contact surface that can contact the left and right side surfaces of the column at a certain position ; and
When the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is tightened by the tightening member, the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket is provided with a through hole formed in the side plate of the vehicle body mounting bracket so as to be easily elastically deformed. Steering device.

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