JPS61105233A - Cluster switching device for car - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To augment the controllability by connecting a steering, which is capable of telescoping, with a cluster switch as a concetrical control switch by way of simple connecting device allowing the cluster switch to be movable linked with the telescopic movement of the steering. CONSTITUTION:A combination meter 4 and a cluster switch 5 are housed in a cluster case 3 which is arranged in car instrument panel as an integral unit, allowing a steering shaft 8 of a steering 7 which is capable of telescoping, to be installed through a through hole 6 which is made almost at the center of the cluster switch 5. In this configuration, the steering 7 is connected with the cluster switch 5 by way of a connecting device 18. This connecting device 18 includes a circular concave groove 19 arranged around the outer surface of the shaft 8 and an engaging pin 21, the tip of which is engaged with the groove 19 and is housed in a guide hole 20, allowing the engaging pin 21 to be pressed on by a spring 23 toward the direction that the engagement is pro vided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a cluster switch device in which a cluster switch moves in conjunction with a telescopic operation of a steering wheel in an automobile.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a steering device for steering the wheels (front wheels) of an automobile, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Pat.
So-called telescopic steering that can be adjusted is generally well known.

On the other hand, a cluster switch as a central control switch is placed near the steering wheel, and this cluster switch is normally housed and fixed in a cluster case provided on the instrument panel that is integrated with the vehicle body. (See Utility Model Application Publication No. 52-156032, etc.).

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in a vehicle in which the steering wheel is capable of telescopic operation as described above, the cluster switch may be moved in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the telescopic operation of the steering wheel. , convenient for operating the switch,
Its practical application is desired.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to connect the above-mentioned steering wheel capable of telescopic operation and the cluster switch with a simple configuration, so that the cluster switch can move in conjunction with the telescopic operation of the steering wheel. The present invention aims to provide a cluster switch device with excellent practicality.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the solving means of the present invention includes a steering wheel that is provided so as to be telescopically movable in the axial direction of the steering shaft, and a steering shaft of the steering wheel that is located approximately in the center of the steering shaft. The steering wheel includes a cluster switch that has a through hole formed therethrough and is movable in the axial direction of the steering shaft, and a connecting means that integrally connects the steering wheel and the cluster switch. The connecting means includes an annular groove recessed in the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft, and an engaging pin that is attached to the cluster switch and whose tip is fitted and locked in the annular groove.

(Function) According to the above configuration, in the present invention, the raster switch movable in the direction of the steering shaft and the steering wheel capable of telescopic operation penetrating through the through hole of the switch are integrally connected by the connecting means, so that the steering The cluster switch moves forward and backward in conjunction with the telescopic operation. The connection by the above-mentioned connection means is made by engaging the engagement pin on the cluster switch side with the annular groove on the steering shaft side, thereby easily and reliably connecting the two and preventing rotational steering of the steering wheel. There isn't.

(Example> Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

1 to 3 show an embodiment in which a left-hand drive vehicle is equipped with a cluster switch device according to the present invention, in which 1 is a driver's seat provided on the floor of the vehicle body, and 2 is an instrument panel integrated with the vehicle body. , 3 is a cluster case provided on the driver's seat 1 side (left side of the vehicle body) on the instrument panel 2, and the cluster case 3 is integrally formed or integrally connected to the instrument panel 2. A combination meter 4 and a cluster switch 5 are housed above and below in the cluster case 3, and a through hole 6 through which a steering shaft 8 (described later) passes is formed approximately in the center of the cluster switch 5. , the cluster switch 5 is provided within the cluster case 3 so as to be movable in the direction of the steering shaft 8.

A steering wheel 7 is a steering unit of a steering device that steers the front wheels. 8 and a steering handle 9 connected to the extending end of the steering shaft 8.

The steering shaft 8, as shown in FIG.
a lower shaft 11 rotatably disposed within a steering column tube 10; a hollow outer shaft 12 coaxially connected to the rear end of the lower shaft 11;
It includes a hollow inner shaft 13 that is slidably inserted into the outer shaft 12 and has a rear end connected to the steering handle 9, and a lock shaft 14 that is inserted into the inner shaft 13. The front end surface of the inner shaft 13 is formed with a cam surface 13a that is inclined with respect to its axis, while the lock shaft 14
A ring member 15 is screwed onto the front end of the ring member 15, and the side surface of the ring member 15 and the cam surface 13 of the inner shaft 13 are connected to each other.
A cam surface 1 that contacts the cam surface 13a is provided between the cam surface 13a and the cam surface 1a.
A cam member 16 having a diameter 6a is loosely fitted to the lock shaft 14. Further, the inner shaft 13 and the lock shaft 14 are the inner shaft 1
A male threaded portion 14 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rear end of the lock shaft 14, whereas a female threaded portion 13b is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rear end of the lock shaft 14.
The lever 17 is connected to the lock shaft 14 by screwing the lock shaft 14. When the cam member 16 is tightened between the ring member 15 and the inner shaft 13 via the lock shaft 14 by rotating the lever 17, the cam member 16 moves along the cam surface 13a of the inner shaft 13 to the outer shaft. The outer shaft 12 and the lock shaft 14 or the inner shaft 13 are configured to be moved in a direction to press against the inner surface of the shaft 12, and to be fastened to the outer shaft 12 and the lock shaft 14 or the inner shaft 13 via the cam member 16. Also,
The steering 7 is provided to be telescopically operable by changing the amount of insertion of the inner shaft 13 into the outer shaft 12, that is, the total length of the steering shaft 8, while rotating the lever 17 described above.

Further, the steering wheel 7 and the cluster switch 5 are integrally connected via a connecting means 18. As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the connecting means 18 includes an annular groove 19 recessed in the outer circumferential surface of the steering shaft 8 (inner shaft 13) and an annular groove 19 formed through the cluster switch 5 so as to be perpendicular to the through hole 6. The engagement pin 21 is inserted into the guide hole 20 and has its tip fitted into the annular groove 19, and the engagement pin 21 has a threaded portion 20a formed on the inner surface of the guide hole 20. It is supported under pressure via a spring 23 by an adjustment bolt 22 screwed into the annular groove 19, so that the force of contact with the annular groove 19 can be adjusted.

Here, since the cluster switch 5 is movable in the direction of the steering shaft 8 and the cluster switch 5 and the steering wheel 7 are integrally connected as described above, the cluster case 3 houses the cluster switch 5 and the combination meter 4. is formed such that its cluster switch storage section (lower section > 38) bulges out to the rear of the vehicle body beyond the combination meter storage section (upper section) 3b to cover the periphery of the cluster switch 5, and the opening of the cluster switch storage section 3a A filler ring 24 made of rubber or the like is attached to the edge of the steering wheel 7, so that when the cluster switch 5 moves in conjunction with the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 7, the movement of the cluster switch 5 is guided through the filler ring 24. It is composed of

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 25 denotes a back plate of the cluster switch 5, and a collar portion 25a formed in a portion of the back plate 25 corresponding to the through hole 6, a steering shaft 8, an inner shaft 13), A bearing 26 is interposed between them.

Therefore, in the cluster switch device of the above embodiment, the raster switch 5 is integrally connected to the steering shaft 8 of the steering wheel 7 which is capable of telescopic operation so as to be movable in the direction of the steering shaft 8. , will move forward and backward under the guide of the cluster case 3 in conjunction with the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 7, and as a result,
The cluster switch 5 can always be easily operated in response to the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 7.

Furthermore, the configuration of the cluster switch device itself is such that the steering shaft 8 passes through the through hole 6 formed in the approximate center of the cluster switch 5, and both 5 and 8 are connected to each other in an annular shape recessed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft 8. It is a simple structure in which the connection means 18 consists of a groove 19 and an engaging pin 21 inserted into the guide hole 20 of the cluster switch 5 and whose tip is fitted and locked in the annular groove 19. Therefore, it can be easily implemented in terms of cost and ease of assembly, and is highly practical.

Further, when the steering wheel 7 is rotated, the engagement pin 21 is moved into the annular groove 19 as the steering shaft 8 rotates.
Since the steering shaft 8 is freely rotatable with respect to the cluster switch 5 by sliding therein, rotational steering of the steering wheel 7 is not restricted or inhibited by the cluster switch 5 or the like.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied as a cluster switch device for a left-hand drive vehicle, but it goes without saying that it can be similarly applied to a cluster switch device for a right-hand drive vehicle.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the cluster switch device for an automobile according to the present invention, the steering shaft of the steering wheel that can be moved in the direction of the steering shaft and that can be telescopically operated is inserted into the through hole that is formed approximately in the center of the raster switch. The steering shaft is connected integrally with a connecting means consisting of an annular groove recessed in the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft and an engaging pin that is attached to the cluster switch and whose tip is fitted and locked in the annular groove. The simple structure of connecting the cluster switch allows the cluster switch to be reliably moved forward and backward in conjunction with the telescopic operation of the steering wheel without interfering with the rotational steering of the steering wheel, making switch operations for the cluster switch always easy. It is very advantageous in terms of cost, ease of assembly, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a cluster switch device, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the interior of an automobile. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the steering shaft, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken from six directions in FIG. 1. 5...Cluster switch, 6...Through hole, 7...
・Steering, 8...Steering shaft, 18
... Connecting means, 19... Annular groove, 21... Engagement pin.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A steering wheel that is movable telescopically in the axial direction of the steering shaft, and a cluster that is movable in the axial direction of the steering shaft, with a through hole formed approximately in the center through which the steering shaft of the steering wheel passes. A switch, and a connecting means for integrally connecting the steering wheel and the cluster switch, and the connecting means includes an annular groove recessed in the outer circumferential surface of the steering shaft, and the connecting means is attached to the cluster switch and has a tip end. A cluster switch device for an automobile, comprising an engaging pin that is fitted and locked in the annular groove.