JPS60157962A - Steering tilting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the setting of tilt posture by carrying-out tilt-away and return operation through one-touch switch operation or perfectly automatic operation. CONSTITUTION:A tilting mechanism A is constituted of a brake-away bracket 14 installed under a body 13, rotary prime mover B installed over the bracket, reduction mechanism C connected to the prime mover B, upper bracket 15 swing-driven by the output shaft of the reduction mechanism C, and a feedback potentiometer P for detecting the tilt angle of an upper main shaft 11. When a driver sets a steering wheel at the optimum posture in operation by the aid of an up/down switch and pushes an away-switch, then the steering wheel automatically retreats and stops. When a return switch is pressed, the steering wheel shifts to the optimum posture set and stops.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic setting device for the tilt position of a steering wheel, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic setting device for tilting a steering wheel, and more particularly, for automatically setting the tilt position of a steering wheel by memorizing the optimum position and automatically starting the tilt position according to an instruction by operating a switch or depending on the state of the vehicle. This article concerns a steering tilting device that automatically sets the steering wheel to its optimal position.

The conventional tilt mechanism, which allows the steering wheel to be moved up or down, is designed to adjust the steering wheel's orientation (inclination) to the driver's preference while driving, and the driver can adjust the orientation by loosening a screw by hand. It is a mechanism that requires the action of tightening the screw. On the other hand, when you leave the driver seat.

When sitting, the steering wheel should be moved to the top of the tilt (away position) so that the steering wheel does not get in the way (chill 1-away), and when the steering wheel is seated, it should be set to the desired optimal posture (return position) (tilt Conventionally, there is a tilt mechanism using a mechanical locking mechanism and a flip-up mechanism using a spring.

In this case, when the lever is manually operated to release the lock, the steering wheel automatically moves to the away position using a flip-up mechanism, but when tilting back, the steering wheel must be pushed down manually against the spring force. There is. This conventional tilt mechanism generates a large mechanical impact during tilt away, and requires effort when tilting back. Furthermore, fine adjustment is difficult.

Since getting on and off the driver's seat is done relatively frequently, conventional tilt mechanisms are still inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic steering tilting device that performs tilt 1-away and tilt return with one touch or fully automatically.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the tilting Ia structure is provided with a prime mover such as an electric motor, and the steering wheel can be tilted up and down by the power of the prime mover; A first signal generator is coupled to the tilting In to generate an electrical signal that changes when the signal is changed; a prime mover energizing means is coupled to the prime mover for energizing the prime mover; an up/down signal generator for instructing tilt up and tilt down; switch means, away/return switch means for instructing tilt away and chill 1-return, and tilt control means; the chill 1 control means includes memory means and is responsive to signals of the up/down switch means; Then, instruct the prime mover unit 1 to tilt up and down the prime mover.

At the end of this tilt up/down at the latest, the tilting position information based on the signal from the first signal generator is stored in the memory means, and the tilting position information based on the signal from the away return switch means is transmitted to the prime mover energizing means.・Instructs the prime mover energization for return, and for tilt return.

When the tilting position information based on the signal of the first signal generator matches the tilting position information of the memory means, an instruction is given to stop the tilt return. When the based tilting position information matches the chill 1-away position, an instruction is given to stop the tilt away.

shall be taken as a thing.

A first preferred embodiment of the invention includes an away limit switch that is closed by the tilt gutter in the tilt away position; the first signal generator is a feedback potentiometer; and indicates tilt up and tilt down. The up/down switch means is an up/down switch that is operated by hand and remains switched on while a force is applied by the hand, but returns to the switched on state when the hand is released: tilt away and tilt return. The away/return switch means for instructing is also an away switch and a return switch that are operated by hand and remain switched on while a force is applied by the hand, but return to the on state when the hand is released; a memory potentiometer; the tilt control means includes an electric motor that drives the slider of the memory potentiometer; and an electric motor energizing means that energizes the electric motor in forward and reverse directions; the tilt control means has an up/down switch; is closed to the up side, instructs to bias the prime mover in the tilt-up direction, and biases the electric motor in a direction where the indicated value of the memory potentiometer becomes equal to the indicated value of the feedback potentiometer. When the up/down switch is opened, it instructs the prime mover to energize and stops the electric motor from energizing. Also, if the up/down switch is closed to the down side,
The prime mover is instructed to be biased in the tilt-down direction, and the electric motor is biased in a direction in which the indicated value of the memory potentiometer becomes equal to the indicated value of the feedback potentiometer. When the up/down switch is opened, it instructs the prime mover to energize and stops energizing the electric motor. This changes the attitude of the steering wheel while the driver operates the up/down switch, and stops it when the switch returns to open. ) is memory (
slider setting).

Furthermore, when the away switch is momentarily closed, the tilt control means instructs the prime mover to be energized in the tilt away direction (same direction as the tilt up direction), and when the away limit switch is closed, the energization instruction is canceled and the prime mover is stopped. let Also, when the return switch is momentarily closed, it instructs the prime mover to be energized in the tilt-away direction (tilt-down direction), and when the indicated value of the feedback potentiometer matches the indicated value of the memory potentiometer, the energizing instruction is canceled and the prime mover is energized. to stop. Therefore, tilt away and tilt return are performed by one-touch switch operation.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

The first signal generator is an absolute rotary encoder that generates digital data indicative of the rotation angle of the slider; the away/return switch means for instructing tilt away and tilt return connects the onboard electric power to the battery, which is the onboard power source. A key switch that connects the line (closed when the engine key is installed) and a driver door open/close detection switch; the memory means is a non-volatile semiconductor read/write memory (hereinafter referred to as NR).
(referred to as AM); Chill 1 - The control means is ■ a computer system mainly based on a chip microprocessor; In the tilt control means, when the up/down switch is turned to the up side,
Instruct the first group to tilt the prime mover in the up direction, and
When the down switch is opened, the individual instructions of the prime mover are stopped and the instruction data of the ABPLUE 1 rotary encoder is written into the NRAM. Also, when the up/down switch is turned to the down side, it instructs the prime mover to tilt down (J force), and when the up/down switch is opened, it stops energizing the prime mover and outputs the command data of the absolute rotary encoder. is written in NRAM.As a result, the attitude of the steering wheel is changed while the driver operates the up/down switch, and this is stopped when the switch is opened.
This means that the posture at the time of stopping (optimal posture) is stored in memory.

Furthermore, when the key switch is closed (on-vehicle battery power line on) by the tilt control means, the tilt return direction of the prime mover is instructed (-1 direction) on the condition that the driver door is closed.
Absolute rotary encoder instruction data is NR
Tilt return control is performed to stop the energization instruction when it matches the data stored in the AM memory, and then when the key switch is opened, it unconditionally instructs the prime mover to energize in the tilt-away direction and outputs the absolute rotary encoder instruction data. When the position indicates the away position, tilt away control is performed to stop the energizing instruction. Therefore, tilt return and tilt away are automatically performed in response to key switch operations.

Furthermore, this second embodiment is equipped with a mode instruction switch, and when this switch is open, only the above-mentioned control is carried out, but when it is closed (door response mode),
Furthermore, with the key switch closed (battery power on), door-responsive tilt-away return control is performed, which performs tilt-away control when the driver door changes from closed to open, and tilt-return control when the driver door changes from open to idle. Let's do it. Therefore, when the driver door is opened with the key switch on (normally the engine is running in this state), the steering wheel automatically retracts to the away position, and when the driver door is closed, it automatically returns to the return position. Return.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the tilting mechanism used in the first embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged side view of the mechanism in FIG. Figure [this second
A cross-sectional view taken along the line ■--■ in the figure is shown, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mechanical element, and FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view.

In FIG.
The tilting mechanism A, which adjusts the angle with respect to An attached rotary prime mover B, a speed reduction mechanism C connected to this prime mover B, an upper bracket 15 that is swing-driven by rotation of an output shaft at the end of this speed reduction mechanism C, and an upper main shaft 11. It consists of a feedback potentiometer P for detecting the tilt angle.

Note that the attachment 38 is fixed to the upper bracket 15 with bolts 15a and 15b.

The rotary motive force IMB is a DC motor in this embodiment,
A worm 17 is fixed to the tip of the output shaft 16 (FIG. 3) of the rotary drive IIB, and a worm wheel 18 of the deceleration mechanism C is engaged with the worm 17.

The deceleration *mc is for reducing the rotational speed of the rotary motor B and increasing the torque, and is configured using a planetary gear 'am. To explain its internal structure with reference to FIG. 3, an eccentric shaft 2o is attached to the center of the housing 19, which is a fixed member, so as to be rotatable around its axis 01 (gear center). The worm wheel 18 is assembled to rotate together with the worm wheel 18 via a damper member 21 within the worm wheel 18. The damper member is a rubber damper 21. A and a gold R$1 plate 21B that is integrally assembled therewith, and the inner peripheral portion of this plate 21B is connected to the shaft 20 so as to be able to rotate integrally therewith.

The shape of the eccentric shaft 20 is as shown in FIG. 4, and the axis 01 of the central shaft 201 and the axis 01 of the eccentric shaft 202 are e.
Only eccentric. Furthermore, a groove 203 is formed on the outer circumference of the eccentric shaft portion 202, and flat portions 204 are formed on both sides of the groove 203. Further, a flat portion 205 is also formed in the central shaft portion 201 .

An elastic member 22 (made of rubber in this embodiment) is fitted into the groove 203 of the eccentric shaft portion 202 .

The cross-sectional shape of the elastic member 22 matches the groove 203. Further, the height h of the member 22 is slightly larger than the depth of the groove 203.

Further, the collar 23 is attached to the outer periphery of the eccentric shaft portion 202, and in this case, the through hole 231 of the collar 23
The both side flat parts 232 of the eccentric shaft part 202 are flat parts 20 of the eccentric shaft part 202.
Slip into 4. Then, the collar 23 is pressed by the elastic member 22 in the direction of the arrow a in FIG. 3 (that is, the direction in which the planetary gear 24 to be described later meshes with the internal gear 25).

A planetary gear 24 is assembled on the outer periphery of the collar 23 and the elastic member 22, and teeth 241 formed on the outer periphery of the gear 24 mesh with two internal gears 25 and 26 at the same time. One internal gear 25 is fixed to the housing 19, and the other driven internal gear 26 has a slightly different number of teeth than the gear 25, and its outer periphery is slidably fitted to the housing 19, and the inner periphery is outside. An annular convex portion 261 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is fixed to the disc-shaped plate 27. Therefore, due to the rotation of the planetary gear 24, the integrated body of the internal gear 26 and the plate 27 is extremely decelerated as an output shaft and rotated around the axis 01. Here, a rotation pin 28 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the plate 27, and a convex portion (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2) on the opposite side of the pin 28 from the axis o1 in FIG. ) 29 protruding from the front side is formed on the plate 27.

Therefore, when the plate 27 is rotated on the output side as described above, the rotation pin 28 and the convex portion 29 rotate integrally. However, this rotation distance is a distance within which the convex portion 29 can move within the range of rotation angle α. That is, the bolt 30a is attached to the housing 19 in FIG.

The fixed plate 31 fixed with 30b and '30c has
A protruding plane part 31a protruding from the front side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.
12 so that the protrusion 29 can come into contact with it. The convex portion 29 is formed on a line connecting the axis of the bottle 28 and the drive center 01 as shown in FIG.
The planting is not necessarily limited to such planting, but the projections 29. End face 3, 11゜31
2 may be provided shifted in either direction.

The fixing plate 31 and the housing 19 are connected to each other by bolts 3
It is fixed to the breakaway bracket 14 (FIG. 1) by 3a, 33b, and 34.

Although the bracket 14 is not shown in FIG. 2, it is disposed on the front side of the protruding flat portion 31a in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line -V in FIG. 1.

Bolt 34 and nut 35. A swinging attachment 3.8 is mounted by washers 36, 37 so as to be able to swing relative to the breakaway bracket 14, which is the fixing member. Reference numerals 39° and 40 are intervening plates;
The breakaway bracket 14. They are each welded and fixed to the attachment 38. Further, 41 is a bearing metal.

The feedback potentiometer P shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. When the attachment 38 comes into contact with the rubber member 44 and swings, the rubber member 44. Shaft 4
3 rotates, converts the resistance value into a voltage number, and converts the swing angle of the attachment 38 into a voltage (analog) tkI! 8.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned chill 1 mechanism will be explained.

The steering wheel 10 is indicated by the chain double-dashed line 10' in FIG.
Or, when tilting to the attitude shown by tolL, the rotating prime mover B is energized. When the prime mover B rotates, the rotation is transmitted from the output shaft 16 (FIG. 3) to the worm wheel 18, the damper member 21, and the eccentric shirt 1-20.
- Collar 23 - Planetary gear 24 - Internal gear 26 - Plate 27. This is transmitted to the pin 28, and the pin 28 rotates at a low speed around the axis 01. For this reason, the attachment 38 is connected to the axis 0 of the bolt 34 via the elongated hole 38b (formed in the swing attachment 38) that engages with the pin 28.
2 (tilting). This oscillation is performed within a range of oscillation angle α. Note that the elongated hole 38b is provided in the attachment 38 because the pin 28 is connected to the gear center 0.
This is because the attachment 38 rotates around the tilt center 02, whereas the attachment 38 rotates around the tilt center 02.

FIG. 6 shows an electric motor driver (motor energizing means) MD that is coupled with the above-mentioned tilting mechanism to energize the mechanism.
Configuration of R and tilt control device OCR (first embodiment)
shows. The aforementioned rotary motor B is connected to the relay contacts 81c and 82c of the motor driver MDR, and the aforementioned feedback potentiometer P is connected to the tilt control device OC.
Connected to R. Further to the tilt control device OCR.

Tilt up/down switch 70. A tilt away switch 60a and a tilt return switch 60r are connected. As shown in FIG. 2, the away limit switch 50, which opens at the tilt-away position, is located at a position where it is driven to open at its lower end when the attachment 38 rotates to the tilt-away position. , is connected between the away direction biasing relay coil 81 and the seven-way biasing transistor 87 of the motor driver MDR.

The tilt control device OCR is equipped with a memory potentiometer 90 as a memory means, and the rotating shaft to which the slider is fixed is connected to a small DC motor 89 sufficient to rotationally drive the slider of the potentiometer. They are connected via a speed reducer. motor 89
A forward and reverse energizing circuit (motor driver: electric motor energizing means) consisting of transistors 91 to 94 is connected to the circuit, and comparators 97 and 98 instruct this circuit to perform forward and reverse directions. A comparator 99.degree. 100 instructs the motor driver MDR, which is a forward/reverse biasing circuit of the rotating prime mover B, to perform forward or reverse rotation.

The voltage Vf of the feedback potentiometer P (indicates the tilt angle of the steering wheel; low level on the tilt-away side, high level on the tilt-down side) is determined by the comparator 95.
and the voltage Vm of the memory potentiometer 90 at 96
compared to Comparators 95, 9 according to the values of Vf and Vm
The output of 6 is as shown in Table 1 below.

The output of comparator 95 is applied to the positive input terminals (+) of comparators 97 and 99, and the output of comparator 96 is applied to the positive input terminals (+) of comparators 98 and 100.

Vcc (+5V) is applied to the opposite polarity hexagonal ends of the comparators 97 and 98 when the up/down switch 7o is open, but when the switch 7o is closed to the up side contact 70a and the down side contact 70b is applied. At this time, +2.5V, which is obtained by dividing Vcc by resistors 101a and 101b, is added.

As a result of the above, the outputs of the comparators 97 and 98 are as shown in Table 2 below.

C: Memory attitude (memory position information) is tilted attitude (actual position) As is clear from the contents shown in Table 2, when the up/down switch 70 is open, the motor 89 is not energized and remains stopped. However, up/down switch 7
0 is closed to the up side (70a) or down side (70b), the motor 89 rotates normally so that the voltage Vm of the memory potentiometer 90 becomes equal to the voltage Vf of the feedback potentiometer P while it is closed. .

Or reversely biased.

The monostable multivibrator (hereinafter simply referred to as monomulti) 83 normally outputs a low level L (earth), but when the away switch 60a is closed, it outputs a high level H from the moment it is closed. The output H is maintained for the time Tda required for the prime mover B to drive the steering wheel from the down limit position to the away position, and the output is maintained at Td.
a, even if the switch 60a is still closed, the output -7'J returns to L, and after that, the switch 60a returns to L.
The output is maintained until a changes from open to closed.

When the output of the monomulti 83 is L, the amplifier 85
(earth) level, and outputs H when the output is H, and while the output of the amplifier 85 is H, the transistor 87 of the motor driver MDR is turned on.

The monostable multi-vibrator (mono-multi) 84 normally outputs a low voltage (earthed), but when the return switch 60r is closed, it outputs a high signal from the moment it closes, causing the prime mover B to control the steering wheel. The output is maintained at H for the time Tda required to drive from the away position to the down limit position, and when Tda elapses, the output is returned to L even if the switch 60r is still closed, and thereafter.

The output is maintained until the switch 60r is opened and closed.

The inverting amplifier 8G outputs T1 when the output of the monomulti 84 is , and outputs L (ground) when the output is t■, but a resistor 86a is connected to the output terminal, and this resistor and another resistor 86b divides Vcc (+5V) to correct the output of the inverting amplifier 86 and output it to the comparators 99 and 100.
Since the input is made to the reverse polarity input terminal (-) of
The voltage at the opposite polarity input terminals (-) of the comparators 99 and 100 is Vcc (+5 V) when the output of the monomulti 84 is H, but when the output of the mono multi 84 is L, the voltage at the opposite polarity input terminal (-) is Vcc (+5 V).
The result is +2.5v, which is obtained by dividing Vcc between 6a and 86b. The outputs of comparators 95 and 96 (see Table 1) are applied to the positive input terminals (+) of comparators 99 and 100, respectively.

Mono multi 83. according to the switch soa, 60r.
The relationship between the output of 84 and the output of amplifiers 85 and 86 is shown in Table 3 below.

An up drive relay coil 81 is connected to the transistor 87 of the motor driver MDR via an away limit switch 60a, and a down drive relay coil 82 is connected to the transistor 88. The prime mover B is energized (energized) in the forward and reverse directions through the relay contacts driven by these relay coils 81 and 82.

When the away switch 6, Oa is momentarily left idle and the output of the monomulti 83 becomes H (H only from close to Tda), (
In G) of Table 3, H is applied to the base of the transistor 87 via the diode 108, the transistor 87 becomes conductive, and the relay coil 81 is energized to the away limit 1 via the switch 50. As a result, the relay contact 81c is in switching contact with the contact 81p of the +B side voltage line, and the other relay contact 82c is in contact with the ground side contact, so the prime mover B is forced to drive the steering wheel in the away direction. The reverse biasing current flows. By the time the output of the monomulti 83 reaches L (before Tda exceeds), the steering wheel reaches the tilt-away position. At this time, the away limit switch 50 is opened by the tilting mechanism, thereby cutting off the power supply to the relay coil 81 and stopping the prime mover B.

Return switch 60r is momentarily closed and monomulti 8
When the output of 4 becomes H (H only between closed and Tda) (H, I, J in Table 3), the actual tilt position (feedback potentiometer P
When the output Vf) is on the down side (Vf>Vm) than the memory position (output Vm of the memory potentiometer 90), in (A), the transistor 88 is turned on in order to return the actual tilt position to the memory position (return position). This causes current to flow through the relay coil 82 and cause the relay contact piece 82 to become conductive.
c makes switching contact with the contact 82p on the 10B voltage line side, and a current flows through the prime mover B in the direction that makes the actual tilt position the memory position (return position), that is, in the direction of reverse biasing (the above is H in Table 3). )゛.

When the actual tilt position matches the memory position (becomes B),
Transistor 88 becomes non-conductive and prime mover B stops (I in Table 3).

When the actual tilt position is higher than the memory position (C), the transistor 87 is made conductive in order to advance the actual tilt position to the memory position (return position), which causes current to flow through the relay coil 81. Flowing relay contact piece 8
1c makes switching contact with the contact 81p on the 10B voltage line side, and sends the actual tilt position to the prime mover B at the memory position (return position).
A current flows in the direction shown in FIG.

When the actual position to chill 1 matches the memory position, the prime mover is stopped (I in Table 3).

The up side contact 70a of the up/down switch 7o is connected to the up bias relay coil 81 via the diode 105 and the away limit switch 5o]t
Since the up/down switch 70 is connected to the contact 70a
When it comes into contact with , the prime mover B is reversely energized and the steering wheel is driven toward the away position. When the away limit position is reached, switch 5o is opened.
J, relay coil 81 is de-energized, so prime mover B
stops.

With the above 4 tW configuration and operation, in the first embodiment described above, the up/down switch 7o is connected to the up side contact 70.
When closed at position a, the prime mover B is reversely energized and the steering wheel is driven toward the away position. When the away limit position is reached, the switch 5o is opened and the relay coil 81 is de-energized, but if the switch 70 is opened before then, the prime mover B stops there.

While the contact 70a is closed, please refer to Table 2.
As explained above, the motor 89 is energized to follow the change in the actual tilt position so that the output voltage Vm of the memory potentiometer 90 matches the output voltage Vf of the feedback potentiometer P. Therefore, when the up side contact 70a is opened, that is, the driving force 1i1B
When it stops, the potentiometer 9° will have memorized the actual tilt position at that time.

When the up/down switch 7o is closed to the down side contact 70r, the relay coil 82 is energized, the driving force 81B is urged to rotate in the normal direction, and the steering wheel is driven toward the down position. When the switch 70 is opened, the relay coil 82 is de-energized, and the prime mover I! B stops. While the down side contact 70r is idle, as explained with reference to Table 2, the memory potentiometer 9 is connected to the output voltage Vf of the feedback potentiometer P.
The motor 89 is energized to follow the change in the chill 1-actual position so as to match the output voltage Vm of 0. Therefore, when the down side contact 70r is opened, that is, when the driving force fiB is stopped, the potentiometer 90 stores the actual tilt position at that time.

When the away switch 60a is momentarily turned off, the prime mover B is driven in reverse until the away limit switch 50 is opened, as explained with reference to Table 3 (G).

At this time, the motor is not driven, so the slider of the memory potentiometer 90 does not move.

When the return switch 60r is momentarily closed, as explained with reference to Table 3 (H, I, J), the output voltage Vf of the feedback potentiometer P becomes equal to the output voltage Vm of the memory potentiometer 90. The prime mover B is urged to rotate, and is stopped when Vf becomes equal to Vm. In this case as well, the motor 89 is not energized, so the slider of the memory potentiometer 90 does not move.

As described above, the driver can use the up/down switch 70 to set the steering wheel to the optimum posture for driving. After making this setting, when the away switch 60a is released with one touch, the steering wheel automatically retreats to the tilt away position and stops.

When the return switch 60r is closed with a single touch, the steering wheel automatically moves to the previously set optimum position and stops at the optimum position.

Next, a modification related to the chill 1 control device CCR of the first embodiment described above will be described.

First, although the away limit switch 50 is used in the first embodiment described above, this may be omitted.

For example, by connecting a comparator to the slider end (output voltage end) of the feedback potentiometer P, when the output voltage Vf of the potentiometer P outputs a voltage corresponding to the tilt-away position, the comparator outputs an H or L voltage. This voltage may be used as an away limit detection signal to cut off the energization of the relay coil 81. Similarly, another comparator may be used to detect the down limit position, and the relay coil 82 may be de-energized at the down limit position.

The potentiometers P and 90 may be used as pulse generators to obtain posture information by counting the generated pulses with a counter, and perform the above-mentioned tilt control by digitally comparing the two count values.

In addition, an away switch 60a and a return switch 60
By omitting at least one of r, the opening/closing of the driver door is detected, and when the detection signal switches from door open to door idle, the monomulti 84 is set to 1-register, and when the detection signal switches from door closed to open. The monomulti 83 may also be triggered. In this case, when the door is closed, the steering wheel is automatically set to the optimal position, and when the door is opened, the steering wheel is automatically set to the away position.

In addition, by using the key switch of the on-board battery power line, which is considered to be idle with the engine key used to start the engine, when the power line rises to the battery voltage (key switch on) while it is idle, the monomulti 84 may be triggered, and the monomulti 83 may be triggered when the voltage of the power supply line drops (key switch on). According to this, when the key switch is closed (when power is turned on to the on-vehicle power line), the steering wheel is automatically set to the optimal posture, and when the key switch is opened, the steering wheel is automatically retracted to the away posture position.

Next, a second embodiment will be explained.

In the second embodiment, the feedback potentiometer P coupled to the tilting mechanism described above is changed to an absolute encoder (300P) that generates digital data indicating the slider position, the away limit switch 50 is omitted, and the tilt control The device CCR is the 7th
The configuration is shown in the figure.

Tilt control device [CCR is ■chip microprocessor (commonly known as microcomputer; hereinafter referred to as CPU)]
310 is the main body. An absolute rotary encoder 300P is connected to the CPU 310 via an input interface 311 mainly composed of an amplifier that performs waveform shaping, and this encoder 300P provides the CPU 310 with attitude information (digital data indicating the angle) of the tilting mechanism. An up/down switch 70 having the same structure as the up/down switch 70 used in the first embodiment is connected to the CPU 310 via an input interface 312, and is connected to the CPU 310 via an input interface 312. Then, this switch 70 gives an up instruction and a down instruction to the CPU 3 LO.

Also for CPU310. A driver door open/close detection switch DDS and a mode switch MIS are connected through input interfaces 315 and 316, respectively, and the switch DDS closes the driver door (L) when it is closed, and closes the driver door when it opens. Open (H) to CP
Inform U310. The mode switch MIS is for the purpose of instructing whether to execute the door opening/closing response tilt control that performs tilt away and return in response to the opening/closing of the driver door.Close (L) of the switch MIS is for the door opening/closing response tilt control The CPU 31 controls the door response mode that performs control.
0, and opening (H) of the switch MIS instructs the CPU 310 to enter a door non-response mode in which door opening/closing response tilt control is not performed.

In this second embodiment, NRAM 390 is used as the memory means.
This NRAM 390 constantly retains stored data through a memory refresh operation of a memory backup element 391 backed up by a small secondary battery 391.

A predetermined voltage is applied from a power supply circuit 409 to the small secondary battery 392 and the electrical system indicated by a two-dot chain line 400 in FIG. The voltage of the on-board battery (on-vehicle main power source) BOV is applied to the power supply circuit 409 via the battery power line BPL, the diode 409a, and the key switch PSS.

Furthermore, when the relay coil 314c is closed, even if the key switch PSS is open, the voltage of the on-board battery BOV is applied, and a predetermined, controlled voltage is applied to the system 40.
0 to each part.

The relay coil 314 and the relay contact piece 314c that is driven to open and close by the relay coil 314 temporarily operate the key switch P from the time the key switch PSS becomes idle until the predetermined control operation is completed.
It is provided for the purpose of applying battery voltage to the power supply circuit 409 even when SS is open. Simply, electric power is required to drive the steering wheel to the away position after the key switch PSs is opened (corresponding to stopping the engine).

It is used to secure this.

FIG. 8a shows the main flow of the tilt control operation by the CPU 310 based on the program and fixed data stored in the CPU 310, and FIG. ), and FIG. 8C shows the tilt-down control operation (subflow) in response to the down instruction.
Figure d shows the tilt-away control operation (subflow) in response to the change of the key switch PSS from closed to open.

Further, FIG. 8e shows tilt-away and return control operations (subflow) in response to opening and closing of the driver door in the door response mode.

First, the control operation of the CPU will be explained with reference to section 8b.

When the key switch PSS is closed and battery voltage is applied to the power supply circuit 409, the input port of the CPU 310 changes from L to H with a slight time delay.

When the input port P17 becomes H, the CPU 310 initializes the input/output port and initializes internal registers and flags. Next, H is set in the output port P14. As a result, the relay coil 314 is energized, and the relay contact piece 31
4c is closed and the input terminal of the power supply circuit 409 is connected to the on-board battery B.
Connected directly to OV (self-holding).

Next, the CPU 310 reads the signal level of the input port P6 to read the opening/closing of the driver door. 11 is between the doors, and L is between the doors. Then set this to the door flag.

The CPUs 3] and 0 next refer to the door flag, and if it is H indicating between doors, wait until it is between doors. When it is between the doors or when it is between the doors, it proceeds to tilt return control.

In tilt return control, first read the return position data RD from the NRAM 390, and also read the return position data RD from the encoder 30.
Read the actual position data AD from 0P and then compare them. If RD=AD, the attitude of the steering wheel is already at the return position (the position indicated by the optimum attitude data stored in NRAM41m), so output boat P15. Set L (stop motor B) to P16. If it is not in the return position (RD=AD), it is necessary to drive the driving force IiB, but in order to see the required rotation direction, RD-AD is calculated and the result is referred to.

If the result is greater than 0 (positive), it is necessary to energize the prime mover in the chill 1-down direction, so H is set in the output boat P16 and L is set in the output boat P15.

As a result, the relay coil 81 is de-energized, the relay coil 82 is energized, and the prime mover B is energized to rotate in the normal direction. If the result is smaller than 0 (negative), it is necessary to energize the prime mover in the tilt-up direction.
. . . L is set in the output port P16. As a result, the relay coil 81 is energized, the relay coil 82 is de-energized, and the prime mover B is reversely energized.

When the energization of prime mover B is started in this way, a time limit To (extremely short time) is set in the timer (program timer),
Wait for To time to pass. To" has elapsed, the actual position data of the encoder 300P is read and the actual position data AD stored in the register is replaced with the data read this time. Then, AD (actual position) is changed to RD (target position: optimal posture). Compare and repeat the above operation.This brings the steering wheel closer to its optimal posture.

When AD=RD (when the actual posture becomes the optimal posture), C
PU310 sets L to both boats P15 and PI3. As a result, the relay coils 81 and 82 are de-energized and the prime mover B is stopped (tilt return completed).
.

After that, the input capo of the up/down switch 70)
P4. P5. Input boat P17 that detects opening/closing of key switch PSS. It reads the mode switch MIS, etc. and performs tilt control according to their opening/closing.

When the up/down switch 70 instructs up (P
4=L) Proceed to the tilt-up control operation shown in FIG. 8b.

That is, the actual position data A and D of the encoder 300P are read and compared with fixed data CAW (corresponding to the position data of the encoder 300P at the tilt-away position and stored in advance in the CPU 310 as fixed data). That is, it is determined whether the steering wheel has reached the away position. If this has been reached, the prime mover B must not be energized in the reverse direction any more, so the output capo-hP15. P16 is set to L and the prime mover B is not energized. If it is not reached (AD is greater than CAW), the output boat P15 is set to H and PI3 is set to L, and the prime mover B is reversely energized (away direction). Then, a time limit To (extremely short time) is set in the timer (program timer), and the program waits for the time To to elapse. When To has passed,
Read the actual position data AD of encoder 300P, and
D is updated and stored in the NRAM 390 as optimal posture data (return position data).

Then, the process returns to step 9 in the main flow of FIG. 8a, and it is checked whether or not the up is still instructed (P4=L). If it is, the process is the same as described above.

Execute the tilt-up control shown in FIG. 8b.

When returning to the main flow (2), if P4 is no longer L (if there is no up instruction), the process proceeds to the next P5 to refer to P17. At this time, the prime mover B is still energized in the away direction, but when P5=L and the tilt-down control shown in FIG. 8c is entered, that control is used, and when P17=L, the tilt-away control shown in FIG. 8d is performed. If it does not proceed to any of these, P17
= L? goes through the route N (No), and the output boat P1
5 and PI3 are set to L, and the energization of prime mover B for tilting up is stopped.

With the above tilt-up control, the switch 70
- While the up is being instructed, the prime mover B is reversely energized, and the actual position data AD of the encoder 300P is read every predetermined short time period 'rO and is updated and stored in the NRAM 390. When the tilt-up instruction disappears or when the away position is reached, the engine moves there! ! &B stops. The tilt attitude data AI) at this time is stored in the NRAM 390.

In the main flow shown in FIG. 8a, when the up/down switch 70 instructs down (P5=L), the 8th C
The process proceeds to the tilt-down control operation shown in the figure. That is, it reads the actual position data A I) of the encoder 300P and compares it with fixed data tJLP (corresponds to the position data of the encoder 300P at the tilt down limit 1 position and is stored in advance in the CPU 310 as fixed data). do. That is, it is determined whether the steering wheel has reached the down limit position. If the output boat P15. Set L to P16 and switch to prime mover B.
is not energized. Not reached (A and D are UL)
P), output port P15 is set to L, and PI3 is set to H to urge the prime mover B to rotate normally (in the down direction). Then, a time limit To (extremely short time) is set in the timer (program timer), and the program waits for the time To to elapse. When To has elapsed, read the actual position data AD of the encoder 300P,
This AD is updated and stored in the NRAM 390 as optimal posture data (return position data).

Then, returning to step (2) in the main flow of FIG. 8a, it is checked whether down is still instructed (P 5 =L), and if it is, the same as described above is done.

Execute the tilt-down control shown in FIG. 8c.

If P5=L is no longer set when returning to the main flow (2) (if there is no down instruction), the process proceeds to the next step P17. At this time, the prime mover B is still biased in the down direction, but when the control advances to the chill 1-away control shown in FIG. 8d with P L 7 = L, if the control does not proceed to this, then PI7 = L? goes through the N (No) route, L is set in output ports P15 and PI3, and chill 1
- Down prime mover B energization is stopped.

With the above tilt-down control, while the switch 70 is instructing tilt-down, the prime mover B is energized to rotate in the normal direction.
The actual position data AD of the encoder 300P is read every predetermined short time To and updated and stored in the NRAM 390. When the tilt down instruction is removed or when the down limit position is reached, the prime mover B stops there. The tilt attitude data AD at this time is stored in the NRAM 390.

When P17=L (when key switch PSS is opened: when the engine is stopped).

Proceed to 8d tilt-away control.

In this control, the CPU 310 first compares the actual position data AD with CAW (away position data), and
If it is less than W, output boats P15 and PI3 are set to L to stop the prime mover B. If AD is larger than CAW, set H to output port P15 and L to PI3 to reversely energize prime mover B, set time limit To (extremely short time) to timer (program timer), and set 'ro time. Wait for the progress. , To elapses, the encoder 300P
The actual position data AD is read, and the process returns to the beginning of the tilt-away control shown in FIG. 8d, and the away control is performed in the same manner as described above.

While repeating tilt-away control in this way, 1c
A D = CA W tot 'J, outjJ hoh I
'15.

PI3 is set to L, and prime mover B stops (tilt-away ends). After that, the CPU 310 outputs the output capo-1-
Set L to P14. As a result, relay coil 3
14 is de-energized, the relay contact piece 314c opens, self-holding is released, and the power supply circuit 409 connects to the on-board battery BOV.
Since the key switch R8S is off,
System 400 powers down. However, NRAM390
is memory data (return position data; optimal posture data)
hold.

Now, while the key switch PSS is idle, the above-mentioned tilt-away control and power self-protection release (shown in FIG. 8d) are not performed.

This situation! (Key switch PSS on: Power supply voltage is applied to the battery power line BPL; normally the engine is running in this state) Then, the last step of the main flow shown in FIG. 8a, P7=H? switch MI
Read the mode instruction of S and determine the specified mode. In other words, when P7=H, the door non-response mode is instructed, so the main flow (Fig. 8a) is as follows.
Do, P7=H? The steps up to P7 are cycled through.
If it is not =H, the door response mode is instructed, so the program proceeds to the door response chill 1 to away return control shown in FIG. 8e.

Door response chill 1-away return control will be described with reference to FIG. 8e.

The cpU 310 first reads the input port P6 (reads the open/closed state of the driver door). The state read this time (H: door open, L: door closed) is read first and set in the door flag (H: door open).

L: Compare with door closed). If the door is still open before (the content of the door flag), the open/closed state of the door has not changed, so the process returns to the main routine (2). Thereafter, the process returns to the routine shown in FIG. 8e in the same manner.

If the previous (door flag) was door closed (L) and now the door is open (H), this means that the door has changed from open to closed, so update the contents of the door flag to H, which indicates the current state, and use encoder 300P. The actual position data AD is read, updated and stored in the NRAM 390, and tilt-away control similar to the tilt-away control shown in FIG. 8d is performed. However, in this tilt-away control, since the key switch PSS is on, the self-holding of the power supply circuit 409 is released (PI3
) is not performed.

Now, if the previous (contents of the door flag) and now the door is closed (L), the open/closed state of the door has not changed, so CPU3
Step 10 returns to the main routine (■). Thereafter, the process returns to the routine shown in FIG. 8e in the same manner.

Before (door flag) the door was open (H) and now the door is closed (L)
This means that the door has changed from idle to open, so the contents of the door flag are updated to ■7, which indicates the current state, and
Chill 1-return control similar to the chill 1-return control shown in the figure is performed.

With the above configuration and operation, in the second embodiment, when the key switch PSS is closed, the steering wheel is moved to the return position (optimum posture) automatically stored in the NRAM 390 on the condition that the driver door is closed. , the optimum position).

When the up/down switch 70 commands up, the steering wheel is driven in the away direction until the command is released, and when the command is released, the steering wheel is stopped.
The steering wheel attitude at that time is stored in NRAM390.

When a down command is given, the steering wheel is driven in the down direction until the command is released, and when the command is released, the drive is stopped, and the steering wheel attitude at that time is stored in the NRAM 390.

When the key switch PSS is opened, the steering wheel is automatically driven to the away position.

When the door non-response mode is instructed by the switch MIS, only the above control is performed. However, when the door response mode is instructed and the driver door changes from open to closed on the condition that the key switch PSS is closed, the steering wheel is automatically moved to the return position (optimum posture) stored in the NRAM390. , optimal position), and when the driver door changes from closed to UFJ, the steering wheel attitude data at that time AD t&NRAM390
to automatically drive the steering wheel to the away position.

In the second embodiment, when a potentiometer (P) is used instead of the Abflue 1 to the rotary encoder 300P, the output of the potentiometer may be A/D converted to obtain digital data. In addition, the encoder 300P is used as a pulse generator that generates an electric signal of 1 pulse for each predetermined unit of movement of the tilting mechanism, and the pulse is counted up and down from the away/r position or the down limit position as the origin to the actual position. Data ΔD may also be obtained. Also, NRAM390
omitted, CPU3], 0 are always backed up by battery, and the return position data is stored in the internal RAM of CPU310.
It may be stored in a register (register).

As described above, according to the steering tilting device of the present invention, tilt away and tilt return are performed by one-touch switch operation or completely automatically, and the driver's effort is greatly reduced. There is little mechanical impact. Also, the driver can set the tilt attitude very easily.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a side view showing a tilting mechanism section of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of a part thereof seen from the back side of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is Fig. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the tilting mechanism, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a tilt control device section according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the tilt control device section of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8a, FIG. 8b, FIG. 8c, FIG. 8d, and FIG. 8e.
The figure is a flowchart 1 showing the control operation of the microprocessor 310 shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8a shows a main flow including tilt return control, FIG. 8b shows a subflow for performing tilt up control, FIG. 8C shows a subflow for performing tilt-down control, FIG. 8d shows a subflow for performing tilt-away control, and FIG. 8e shows a sub-flow for performing tilt-away/return control in response to door opening/closing. A: Tilting mechanism B: Prime mover C: Reduction mechanism 14 Ni breakaway bracket 15 Near shoulder bracket 19: Housing 28 Double rotation bin oI: Gear center 02: Center to tilt 1 P: Feedback potentiometer (first signal generator 2 mechanical-electrical converter) 38: Attachment 109: Constant voltage circuit MDI:
Motor driver (motor separate means) 70 near-sub down switch (up/down switch means) 60a near switch (away return switch means 2 manual operation switch means) 60r = return switch (away return switch means 2 manual operation switch) means) 90: Memory potentiometer (memory means, second signal generator) CCII: Chill 1-control device (tilt control means) 89:
Electric motors 91 to 94: transistor (electric motor energizing means) 50
Near-way limit switch 390: Nonvolatile semiconductor read/write memory (memory means) 3
00p: Absolute rotary encoder (first signal generator 2 mechanical-electrical converter) pss: Key switch (away/return switch means, power switch) DDS: Driver door open/close detection switch (away/return switch means, power switch)
Return switch, door opening/closing detection means) Ako S: Mode switch

Claims (11)

[Claims] (1) A tilting mechanism that includes the prime mover and drives the steering wheel in a tilting manner; A first signal generator that is coupled to the tilting V& mechanism and generates an electric signal that changes in conjunction with the movement of the mechanism; Activation of the prime mover up/down switch means for instructing tilt up and tilt down; away/return switch means for instructing tilt away and tilt return; and memory means;
In response to the signal from the up/down switch means, the prime mover energizing means is instructed to tilt up or down the prime mover. When this tilt up/down is completed at the latest, tilting position information based on the signal from the first signal generator is stored in the memory means, and the tilting position information based on the signal from the away return switch means is transmitted to the prime mover energizing means. It instructs to energize the prime mover for return, and at the time of tilt return, instructs to stop tilt return when the tilting position information based on the signal from the first signal generator matches the tilting position information in the memory means, and instructs to stop tilt return. When the tilting position information based on the signal from the first signal generator matches the tilt-away position, the tilt control means instructs to stop the tilt-away. Steering tilting device. (2) The memory means is a second signal generator that has a slider and generates an electric signal according to the position of the slider; the tilt control means includes an electric motor that drives the slider, and a tilt control means that controls the electric motor that drives the slider and the electric motor that rotates the electric motor in forward and reverse directions. a second electric motor energizing means responsive to a signal of the up/down switch means;
The electric motor is energized in a direction in which the position information based on the electric signal of the signal generator matches the position information based on the electric signal of the first signal generator, and when the position information matches the position information based on the electric signal of the first signal generator, the energization of the electric motor is stopped; A steering tilting device according to claim (1). (3) The steering tilting device according to claim (2), wherein the second signal generator is a potentiometer. (4) The steering tilting device according to claim (1), wherein the memory means is a semiconductor read/write memory. (5) The steering tilting device according to claim (4), wherein the memory means is a nonvolatile RAM. (6) The steering tilting device according to claim (1), wherein the first signal generator is a mechanical-electrical converter that has a slider and generates an electric signal according to the position of the slider. . (7) The steering tilting device according to claim (6), wherein the mechanical-electrical converter is a potentiometer. (8) The steering tilting device according to claim (6), wherein the mechanical-electrical converter is an absolute rotary encoder. (9) The steering tilting device according to claim (1), wherein the away/return switch means for instructing tilt away and tilt return is a manually operated switch means. (10) The steering tilting device according to claim (1), wherein the away/return switch means for instructing tilt away and tilt return is a power switch of a vehicle equipped with the steering wheel. (11) The away return switch means for instructing tilt away and tilt return is door opening/closing detection means whose output signal is switched in response to opening/closing of a door of a vehicle equipped with the steering wheel. The steering tilting device described in (1)