Support bracket for a steering device and steering device

Abstract

The present invention realizes a configuration capable of improving the strength of a pair of support plate portions. The upper end edges of a pair of support plate portions (22a) are fixed to the lower surface of a bridge plate portion (55) constituting a mounting plate portion (54) via a welding flange portion (66). A reinforcing portion (65) constituted by a protrusion strip having a convex shape on the width direction outer side and a concave shape on the width direction inner side is provided from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the front end portion of the pair of support plate portions (22a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device support bracket for supporting a steering column to a vehicle body, and a steering device having the steering device support bracket. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 54 As shown, the steering device for imparting a steering angle to the steering wheels transmits the movement of the steering wheel 1 to the steering gear unit via the steering shaft 2, thereby imparting a steering angle to the left and right steering wheels 3. As such a steering device, a steering device that can adjust the position of the steering wheel 1 according to the driver's physique and driving posture has always been known.

[0003] Figure 55 and Figure 56 This illustrates an example of a steering device with a conventional structure as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-104871. This steering device includes a tilt and telescopic mechanism for adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions of the steering wheel 1 according to the driver's physique and driving posture, and is further equipped with an electric power steering system. The steering device includes: at the rear end ( Figure 55 The steering shaft 2, to which the steering wheel 1 is fixed (on the right end); a steering column 4, which supports the steering shaft 2 for free rotation, on its inner side; a steering force assist device 5 for imparting auxiliary torque to the steering shaft 2; and a steering gear unit 7 for displacing the steering tie rod 6 based on the rotation of the steering shaft 2. Furthermore, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the longitudinal direction refers to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body on which the steering device is installed, the width direction refers to the width direction of the vehicle body, and the vertical direction refers to the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

[0004] The steering shaft 2 is constructed by combining an inner shaft 8 located at the front and an outer shaft 9 located at the rear, which are capable of transmitting rotational force and can be displaced relative to each other along the axial direction. The inner shaft 8 and the outer shaft 9 can adjust the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel 1 by displaced relative to each other along the axial direction, and also have the function of reducing the overall length of the steering shaft 2 in the event of a collision.

[0005] The steering column 4 is constructed by externally fitting the front end of the rear outer column 11, which is positioned at the rear, into the rear end of the front inner column 10 in a manner that allows for relative axial displacement. It enables adjustment of the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel 1 and, in addition, has the function of reducing the overall length of the steering column 4 along with the steering shaft 2 in the event of a collision. The front end of the inner column 10 ( Figure 55The left end of the inner shaft 8 is fixed to the rear end face of the gearbox 12 that constitutes the steering force assist device 5. The inner shaft 8 is inserted into the gearbox 12, and the front end of the inner shaft 8 is connected to the input shaft that constitutes the steering force assist device 5. The front end of the output shaft 13 that constitutes the steering force assist device 5, which is connected to the input shaft via a torsion bar, protrudes from the front end face of the gearbox 12.

[0006] The inner pillar 10 is supported on a part of the body 15 via the gearbox 12 and the lower bracket 14, which supports the gearbox 12 so that it can swing freely about the inclined axis 16 arranged in the width direction.

[0007] The front portion of the outer pillar 11 is supported on a part of the vehicle body 15 by means of a support bracket 17. In the event of a strong forward impact, the support bracket 17 is supported on the vehicle body 15 by means of a locking member 18 in a manner that allows it to disengage forward.

[0008] In order to adjust the fore-and-aft and vertical positions of the steering wheel 1, the outer pillar 11 is supported on the support bracket 17 in a manner that allows it to move in both the fore-and-aft and vertical directions. For this purpose, a slit 19 extending axially along the lower surface of the front end of the outer pillar 11 is formed, and a pair of clamping portions 20 are integrally formed with the outer pillar 11 while the slit 19 is clamped from both sides in the width direction. At the positions where the pair of clamping portions 20 mate, elongated holes 21 extending in the fore-and-aft direction for telescopic adjustment are formed. Furthermore, a pair of support plate portions 22 are provided on the support bracket 17 while the pair of clamping portions 20 are clamped from both sides in the width direction. At portions of the pair of support plate portions 22 that mate with each other and with portions of the pair of elongated holes 21 in the fore-and-aft direction, tilting adjustment holes 23 extending in the vertical direction are formed.

[0009] With a pair of clamping parts 20 held by a pair of support plates 22 constituting the support bracket 17, the adjusting rod 24 is moved in the width direction ( Figure 56 The rod 24 is inserted into a pair of telescopic adjustment holes 21 and a pair of tilt adjustment holes 23 in the left and right directions. An adjusting nut 25 is threaded onto the other end of the adjusting rod 24, and the adjusting nut 25 can be rotated by the adjusting lever 26.

[0010] If the adjusting nut 25 is rotated based on the operation of the adjusting lever 26, the distance between the adjusting nut 25 (one pressing part) and the anchoring part 27 (the other pressing part) of the adjusting rod 24 changes, then the outer column 11 can be fixed or released relative to the support bracket 17. Furthermore, by changing the distance between the pair of clamping parts 20, the outer column 11 can be fixed or released relative to the inner column 10. In this example, the adjusting nut 25 and the anchoring part 27 of the adjusting rod 24 constitute a pair of pressing parts. With the distance between the adjusting nut 25 and the anchoring part 27 increased, the outer column 11 can be moved back and forth (relative displacement relative to the inner column 10) within the range of displacement of the adjusting rod 24 within the pair of telescopic adjustment holes 21 (telescopic adjustment range), allowing adjustment of the steering wheel 1's fore-and-aft position. Furthermore, the steering column 4 can be moved up and down within the range of displacement of the adjusting rod 24 within the pair of tilt adjustment holes 23 (tilt adjustment range), allowing adjustment of the steering wheel 1's vertical position. At this time, the steering column 4 swings and displaces in the vertical direction with the tilt axis 16 as the center.

[0011] The front end of the output shaft 13 constituting the steering force assist device 5 is connected to the rear end of the intermediate shaft 29 via a universal joint 28. The input shaft 31 of the steering gear unit 7 is connected to the front end of the intermediate shaft 29 via another universal joint 30. The steering gear unit 7 has a rack and pinion (not shown), wherein the pinion engages with the input shaft 31. The rack meshing with the pinion has steering tie rods 6 connected to both ends. By pushing or pulling the steering tie rods 6 based on the axial displacement of the rack, the steering wheel 3 (see reference) is activated. Figure 55 The desired steering angle is given. The steering force assist device 5 provides an auxiliary torque to the output shaft 13 in a predetermined direction and by a predetermined amount via an electric motor 32 and a worm gear reducer.

[0012] However, when an anti-theft steering lock device as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-265646 is assembled into an existing steering system, there is a possibility of problems arising from the perspective of ensuring the durability of the support bracket 17. The steering lock device is constructed by assembling a locking unit (key lock cylinder) around a locking through hole 33 formed in a part of the outer pillar 11 and assembling a key lock ring in a part of the steering shaft 2. Moreover, when the ignition key is removed, the key lock pin provided in the locking unit engages with the key lock hole (recess) provided in the key lock ring, thereby preventing the steering shaft 2 from rotating relative to the outer pillar 11.

[0013] When the steering locking device is engaged, if the steering wheel 1 is to be forcibly rotated, torque (torsional force) is sequentially transmitted to the steering shaft 2, key lock ring, locking unit, outer pillar 11, and support bracket 17, ultimately supported by the vehicle body 15. Between the outer pillar 11 and the support bracket 17, the torque transmitted from the locking unit is transmitted from the outer pillar 11 to a pair of support plates 22 constituting the support bracket 17. At this time, if the strength of the pair of support plates 22 is insufficient, the pair of support plates 22 may plastically deform, and there is a possibility that the outer pillar 11 cannot be stably held.

[0014] Figure 57 This shows another example of a steering device with a conventional structure as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-214291. In this steering device, at the front end of the adjusting rod 24, and from one of a pair of support plate portions 22 ( Figure 57 A nut 25a is fixed to the protruding portion of the outer side of the support plate portion 22 (on the right side). A thrust bearing 91 and a pressing plate 92 are provided between the outer side of the support plate portion 22 and the nut 25a. A locking block 93 is provided on the inner side of the pressing plate 92, which engages with the tilt adjustment elongated hole 23 formed in the support plate portion 22 in a manner that allows only displacement along the tilt adjustment elongated hole 23 (preventing rotation).

[0015] At the base end of the adjusting rod 24, and at the other of the pair of support plate portions 22 ( Figure 57 The base end of the adjusting lever 26 is fixed to the protruding portion of the outer side of the left support plate 22. A cam device 78 is provided between the outer side of the other support plate 22 and the adjusting lever 26. The cam device 78 expands or contracts the axial dimension based on the relative displacement between the driving cam 94 and the driven cam 95. The driven cam 95 is engaged with the tilt adjusting elongated hole 23 formed in the other support plate 22 in a manner that allows only displacement along the tilt adjusting elongated hole 23 (preventing rotation). On the other hand, the driving cam 94 can rotate together with the adjusting rod 24 via the adjusting lever 26.

[0016] When adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1, the drive-side cam 94 is rotated by rotating the adjusting lever 26 in a predetermined direction (generally downwards), thereby reducing the axial dimension of the cam device 78. Furthermore, the distance between the inner surfaces of the driven-side cam 95 (one pressing part) and the pressing plate 92 (the other pressing part), which constitute a pair of pressing parts, is increased to release the force exerted by the pair of support plates 22 on the pair of clamping parts 20. Simultaneously, the inner diameter of the fitting and retaining portion containing the rear part of the inner pillar 10 is elastically increased at the front of the outer pillar 11, reducing the surface pressure acting on the contact portion between the inner circumferential surface of the front part of the outer pillar 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the rear part of the inner pillar 10. In this state, the vertical and horizontal positions of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within the range of displacement of the adjusting lever 24 within the telescopic adjustment hole 21 and the tilt adjustment hole 23.

[0017] After moving the steering wheel 1 to the desired position, the axial dimension of the cam device 78 is expanded by rotating the adjusting lever 26 in the opposite direction (generally upwards) to the predetermined direction. This reduces the distance between the inner surfaces of the driven cam 95 and the pressing plate 92, allowing the pair of support plates 22 to forcefully press against the pair of clamping parts 20. Simultaneously, at the front of the outer pillar 11, the inner diameter of the fitting and retaining portion containing the rear of the inner pillar 10 is elastically contracted, increasing the surface pressure acting on the contact portion between the inner circumferential surface of the front of the outer pillar 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the rear of the inner pillar 10. In this state, the vertical and horizontal positions of the steering wheel 1 remain at the adjusted positions.

[0018] In this example of the steering device, the mounting plate portion 54 constituting the support bracket 17 is composed of a bridging plate portion 55 located at the center in the width direction and a pair of side plate portions 56 located on both sides of the bridging plate portion 55 in the width direction. In the case of such a support bracket 17, if the accuracy of the mounting surface (not shown) provided on the vehicle body 15 is poor, there is a possibility that the effect of this accuracy may affect the pair of support plate portions 22.

[0019] For example, on the mounting surface of vehicle body 15, such as Figure 57 The double-dotted line α indicates the land relative to the width direction ( Figure 57 When tilted (in a V-shape) in the left-right direction, in the assembled state, the pair of side plates 56 constituting the mounting plate portion 54 are also as... Figure 57 The double-dotted line α indicates that the two sides are inclined relative to the width direction along the mounting surface of the vehicle body 15. Thus, the pair of side panel portions 56 are inclined, and if the effect of this inclination extends to the pair of support plate portions 22, then the pair of support plate portions 22... Figure 57The double-dotted line β indicates that the lower ends are tilted (deformed) towards each other. As a result, the pair of support plate portions 22 abut against the outer pillar 11 with portions different from what should abut, or the holding force of the pair of clamping portions 20 changes, thereby reducing operability when adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1.

[0020] Existing technical documents

[0021] Patent documents

[0022] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-104871

[0023] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-265646

[0024] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-214291 Summary of the Invention

[0025] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0026] The present invention was made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its object is to realize a structure for a steering device bracket that can improve the strength of a pair of support plate portions constituting a support bracket. Furthermore, its object is to realize a steering device bracket structure in which the rigidity of the support bracket can be ensured even when the precision of the vehicle body mounting surface is insufficient, and the influence of such precision is unlikely to affect at least one of the pair of support plate portions.

[0027] Solution for solving the problem

[0028] The steering device support bracket of the present invention includes a mounting part and a pair of support plates.

[0029] The aforementioned mounting part is fixed to the vehicle body in the use state. In other words, the mounting part has a fixing part for fixing to the vehicle body in the use state.

[0030] The aforementioned pair of support plates are arranged opposite each other, separated in the width direction of the vehicle body. Each plate's upper end is connected to the lower surface of the mounting portion, and each has a fixed-side through-hole. For example, when assembled into a steering device equipped with a tilt mechanism that allows adjustment of the steering wheel's height, this fixed-side through-hole is an elongated hole extending vertically for tilt adjustment. On the other hand, when assembled into a steering device without the tilt mechanism, the fixed-side through-hole is a circular hole.

[0031] In particular, in the steering device support bracket of the present invention, a reinforcing portion extending in the vertical direction and having a free upper edge is provided on at least one of the pair of support plates at a position offset from the fixed side through hole to the front or rear. This reinforcing portion is used to increase the section modulus of the support plate in the width direction. Furthermore, in the present invention, since the upper edge of the reinforcing portion is a free end that is not connected to other components, the upper edge of the reinforcing portion is not connected to the lower surface of the mounting portion.

[0032] Preferably, the mounting portion is composed of a mounting plate portion. More specifically, the mounting portion may have a bridging plate portion and a pair of side plate portions provided on both sides of the bridging plate portion in the width direction of the vehicle body. In this structure, a mounting side slit extending in the front-rear direction can be formed at the midpoint of the inner end portion in the width direction of at least one of the pair of side plate portions. Furthermore, this mounting side slit may be a through hole that penetrates the pair of side plate portions in the thickness direction, or it may be composed of a recess, groove, opening, etc., that does not penetrate the pair of side plate portions in the thickness direction.

[0033] In this structure, a pair of ribs are provided in the continuous portion that is continuous with the inner end of the width direction of the aforementioned side plate portion and the two ends of the width direction of the aforementioned bridging plate portion, which are connected to the inner end of the width direction of the aforementioned side plate portion, and can be separated in the front-rear direction.

[0034] It is also possible to provide at least one of the aforementioned pair of ribs in the bridge plate portion in such a way that it extends along the width direction of the aforementioned vehicle body.

[0035] Furthermore, the aforementioned bridging plate portion may also include: a central plate portion, which is arranged parallel to the width direction of the vehicle body; and a pair of side inclined plate portions, which are provided on both sides of the central plate portion in the width direction of the vehicle body, and are inclined more and more downward in the direction of the vehicle body as they move outward in the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0036] In this invention, the reinforcing part can be composed of a protrusion extending in the vertical direction, the outer side of which is convex in the width direction and the inner side is concave in the width direction.

[0037] The aforementioned reinforcing portion can be located in either a position offset forward of the aforementioned fixed-side through hole or a position offset rearward of the aforementioned fixed-side through hole in the pair of support plates. In this structure, the reinforcing portion located forward of the aforementioned fixed-side through hole and the reinforcing portion located rearward of the aforementioned fixed-side through hole can have different cross-sectional shapes or the same cross-sectional shape.

[0038] In this invention, the upper ends of each of the pair of support plates can also be fixed to the lower surface of the mounting portion by welding.

[0039] In this invention, in the pair of support plates, a vertical slit extending through the pair of support plates can be formed in the portion between the reinforcing portion and the fixed-side through hole in the front-rear direction, and at least in the portion that matches the fixed-side through hole in the vertical direction (the portion that overlaps with the fixed-side through hole in the front-rear direction). Furthermore, the portion that matches the fixed-side through hole in the vertical direction refers to the portion whose vertical position overlaps with the vertical position of the fixed-side through hole.

[0040] In addition, the steering device of the present invention includes: a steering column for supporting the steering shaft rotatably on the inner side; and a support bracket for the steering device of the present invention.

[0041] More specifically, the steering device of the present invention includes, for example, a steering column, a displacement bracket, a support bracket, an adjustment rod, a pair of pressing parts, and a retracting device.

[0042] The steering column is used to support the steering shaft on the inside in a rotatable state during use.

[0043] The aforementioned displacement bracket is, for example, fixedly mounted on a portion of the steering column, and has a displacement-side through hole formed in a through-hole in the width direction. Such a displacement-side through hole is, for example, an elongated hole for telescopic adjustment extending in the front-rear direction in the case of a steering device equipped with a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel, and a circular hole in the case of a steering device without the aforementioned telescopic mechanism.

[0044] The aforementioned support bracket is a support bracket for the steering device of the present invention.

[0045] The aforementioned adjusting rod is configured to be inserted through the aforementioned displacement-side through hole and the aforementioned fixed-side through hole in the width direction.

[0046] The aforementioned pair of pressing parts are located at both ends of the adjusting rod, protruding from the outer side of the pair of support plates constituting the support bracket.

[0047] The aforementioned expansion and contraction device is used to expand or contract the distance between the pair of pressing parts.

[0048] Based on the expansion and contraction mechanism described above, the steering wheel can be switched between an unlocked state that allows adjustment of its forward / backward position (if a telescopic mechanism is provided) or its up / down position (if a tilting mechanism is provided) and a locked state that keeps the steering wheel in the adjusted position.

[0049] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0050] According to the present invention configured as described above, the rigidity of a pair of support plates constituting a support bracket can be improved.

[0051] That is, in the case of the present invention, at least one of the pair of support plates, located further forward or rearward than the fixed-side through hole, is provided with a reinforcing portion extending in the vertical direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the pair of support plates against the torsional torque applied from the steering column can be improved. As a result, plastic deformation of the pair of support plates can be prevented based on this torsional torque. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the steering device of the first embodiment as viewed from the width direction.

[0053] Figure 2 It is shown with a portion omitted. Figure 1 Enlarged sectional view of AOOA.

[0054] Figure 3 Viewed from one side of the width direction Figure 1 The side view of the removed outer column and support bracket of the device shown.

[0055] Figure 4 Viewed from the rear and below Figure 3 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the outer column and supporting bracket.

[0056] Figure 5 Viewed from the rear and above Figure 3 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the outer column and supporting bracket.

[0057] Figure 6 Viewed from the rear and from the top side Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the outer column and the outer column removed from the support bracket shown.

[0058] Figure 7 Viewed from one side of the width direction Figure 6 The side view of the outer column shown.

[0059] Figure 8 Viewed from the other side in the width direction Figure 6 The side view of the outer column shown.

[0060] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 The bottom view of the outer column is shown.

[0061] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 BB cross-sectional view.

[0062] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 CC section view.

[0063] Figure 12yes Figure 8 DD sectional view.

[0064] Figure 13 From Figure 3 The rear view of the support bracket removed from the outer column and support bracket shown.

[0065] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 EE sectional view.

[0066] Figure 15 Viewed from the rear and above Figure 13 A three-dimensional view of the support bracket shown.

[0067] Figure 16 Viewed from the front and above Figure 13 A three-dimensional view of the support bracket shown.

[0068] Figure 17 Viewed from the rear and below Figure 13 A three-dimensional view of the support bracket shown.

[0069] Figure 18 Viewed from the front and from the bottom side Figure 13 A three-dimensional view of the support bracket shown.

[0070] Figure 19 (a) is a schematic diagram showing the reinforcement section of the first embodiment. Figure 19 (b)

[0071] Figure 19 (f) are schematic diagrams of other examples of the reinforcement.

[0072] Figure 20 This is a partial side view of the lower half of the support plate portion in the support bracket of the second embodiment, viewed from the width direction.

[0073] Figure 21 It is equivalent to Figure 20 The figure shows the lower half of the support plate portion in the support bracket of the third embodiment.

[0074] Figure 22 It is equivalent to Figure 20 The figure shows the lower half of the support plate portion in the support bracket of the fourth embodiment.

[0075] Figure 23 It is equivalent to Figure 20 The figure shows the lower half of the support plate portion in the support bracket of the fifth embodiment.

[0076] Figure 24 It is equivalent to Figure 20The figure shows the lower half of the support plate portion in the support bracket of the sixth embodiment.

[0077] Figure 25 This is a front view of the support bracket in the seventh embodiment.

[0078] Figure 26 From Figure 25 The right side view shows the support bracket of the seventh embodiment.

[0079] Figure 27 This is a bottom view of the support bracket in the seventh embodiment.

[0080] Figure 28 This is a perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the support bracket, viewed from the rear and from the top.

[0081] Figure 29 This is a perspective view of the support bracket of the seventh embodiment, viewed from the front and from the top.

[0082] Figure 30 This is a perspective view of the support bracket of the seventh embodiment, viewed from the rear and from the bottom.

[0083] Figure 31 This is a perspective view of the support bracket of the seventh embodiment, viewed from the front and from the bottom.

[0084] Figure 32 It is equivalent to Figure 2 The cross-sectional view shows the steering device of the seventh embodiment.

[0085] Figure 33 It is equivalent to Figure 25 The figure shows the support bracket of the eighth embodiment.

[0086] Figure 34 It is equivalent to Figure 26 The figure shows the support bracket of the eighth embodiment.

[0087] Figure 35 It is equivalent to Figure 27 The figure shows the support bracket of the eighth embodiment.

[0088] Figure 36 It is equivalent to Figure 28 The figure shows the support bracket of the eighth embodiment.

[0089] Figure 37 It is equivalent to Figure 29 The figure shows the support bracket of the eighth embodiment.

[0090] Figure 38 It is equivalent to Figure 30The figure shows the support bracket of the eighth embodiment.

[0091] Figure 39 It is equivalent to Figure 31 The figure shows the support bracket of the eighth embodiment.

[0092] Figure 40 (A) is a partial top view of one side half of the mounting plate portion of the support bracket in the width direction of the ninth embodiment. Figure 40 (B) is equivalent to Figure 40 The diagram in (A) shows a figure with... Figure 40 (A) is a variation of the support bracket with a different shape compared to the mounting side slit.

[0093] Figure 41 This is a partial perspective view of the support bracket in the first example of the reference.

[0094] Figure 42 yes Figure 41 The top view of the support bracket shown.

[0095] Figure 43 It is equivalent to Figure 13 The diagram shows Figure 41 The support bracket shown.

[0096] Figure 44 It is equivalent to Figure 15 The diagram shows Figure 41 The support bracket shown.

[0097] Figure 45 It is equivalent to Figure 41 The figure shows the support bracket of the second example of the reference example.

[0098] Figure 46 It is equivalent to Figure 42 The diagram shows Figure 45 The support bracket shown.

[0099] Figure 47 It is equivalent to Figure 44 The diagram shows Figure 45 The support bracket shown.

[0100] Figure 48 It is equivalent to Figure 41 The figure shows the support bracket of the third example of the reference example.

[0101] Figure 49 It is equivalent to Figure 42 The diagram shows Figure 48 The support bracket shown.

[0102] Figure 50 It is equivalent to Figure 44The diagram shows Figure 48 The support bracket shown.

[0103] Figure 51 It is equivalent to Figure 41 The figure shows the support bracket of the fourth example of the reference example.

[0104] Figure 52 It is equivalent to Figure 42 The diagram shows Figure 51 The support bracket shown.

[0105] Figure 53 It is equivalent to Figure 44 The diagram shows Figure 51 The support bracket shown.

[0106] Figure 54 This is a simplified perspective view showing an example of a steering system mounted on a vehicle.

[0107] Figure 55 This is a simplified side view illustrating an example of a steering device with an existing construction.

[0108] Figure 56 yes Figure 55 The FF sectional view of an example of the steering device shown.

[0109] Figure 57 It is equivalent to Figure 56 The diagram shows other examples of existing steering mechanisms. Detailed Implementation

[0110] [First Example of Implementation]

[0111] Reference Figures 1 to 18 The first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the steering device assembled with the support bracket 17a of this example, a steering shaft 2 is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of the cylindrical steering column 4 supported on the vehicle body 15 via a plurality of rolling bearings (not shown). Furthermore, the steering wheel 1 is fixed to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 2, which protrudes further rearward than the rear end opening of the steering column 4 (see reference). Figure 54 and Figure 55 ).

[0112] The electric motor 32, which serves as a power source for providing auxiliary force, is mounted at the front end of the steering column 4 by a gearbox 12 fixed to the front end of the steering column 4. Furthermore, the output torque (auxiliary force) of the electric motor 32 is supplied to the steering shaft 2 via a reducer located within the gearbox 12. The gearbox 12 is supported and fixed to the vehicle body 15 via a lower bracket 14.

[0113] The steering device in this example includes a tilting mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 1 according to the driver's physique and driving posture, and a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the forward and backward position.

[0114] By loosely fitting the front end of the rear-mounted outer column 11a to the rear end of the front-mounted inner column 10 in a manner that allows for relative axial displacement, the entire length of the steering column 4 can be extended or retracted, thus forming a telescopic mechanism. The outer column 11a is supported on the support bracket 17a in this example in a manner that allows for movement in the front-rear direction. The steering shaft 2, which is rotatably supported on the inside of the steering column 4, is constructed by a telescopic combination that allows for torque transmission by spline engagement between the inner shaft 8 and the outer shaft 9.

[0115] The tilting mechanism is formed by supporting the steering column 4 on the vehicle body 15 in such a way that it can swing around the tilt axis 16 set in the width direction, and supporting the outer column 11a on the support bracket 17a in such a way that it can move in the vertical direction.

[0116] In the illustrated configuration, the outer column 11a is made of a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy, and integrally forms, in the axial direction, a clamping part body 34 disposed in the front half and a cylindrical part 35 disposed in the rear half. The clamping part body 34 is supported on the support bracket 17a in a manner that allows it to move in the front-back direction and the up-down direction. For this purpose, an axial slit 36 ​​extending in the axial direction is formed on the lower surface of the clamping part body 34, such that the front end of the axial slit 36 ​​is open at the front end face of the clamping part body 34. Furthermore, circumferential slits 37a and 37b extending in the circumferential direction are formed in the front and rear ends of the lower half of the clamping part body 34, respectively. The front circumferential slit 37a is formed to intersect the front end of the axial slit 36 ​​in the circumferential direction, while the rear circumferential slit 37b is formed to intersect the rear end of the axial slit 36 ​​in the circumferential direction. In this example, a pair of clamping parts 38 are formed on both sides of the clamped main body 34 in the width direction, which is surrounded by the axial slit 36 ​​and the circumferential slits 37a and 37b in three directions.

[0117] Since the pair of clamping portions 38 are surrounded in three directions by the axial slit 36 ​​and the circumferential slits 37a and 37b, their rigidity in the width direction is lower than that of other parts of the outer column 11a, allowing for elastic deformation in the width direction (elastic expansion and contraction of the inner diameter). The inner circumferential surfaces of the pair of clamping portions 38 are partially cylindrical, located on both sides adjacent to the circumferential direction of the axial slit 36, and have an axially elongated shape. At the lower end of the outer surface of the pair of clamping portions 38 in the width direction, a flat plate-shaped protruding plate portion 39 is provided, protruding outward in the width direction. Furthermore, the outer surface of the protruding plate portion 39 in the width direction is a flat pressing surface 40. Additionally, between the upper end and middle of the cylindrical outer surface of the pair of clamping portions 38 and the upper surface of the protruding plate portion 39, multiple (five in the illustrated example) flat plate-shaped reinforcing ribs 51 extending in the width direction are provided, separated in the front-rear direction.

[0118] In the lower portion of the clamping body 34, a reinforcing bridging portion 41 is integrally provided with the outer post 11a, covering the pair of clamping portions 38 from below. This reinforcing bridging portion 41 consists of a reinforcing plate portion 42 and a pair of connecting portions 43a and 43b, and its shape is approximately U-shaped when viewed in the width direction. The reinforcing plate portion 42 is positioned below the pair of clamping portions 38 and is extended in both the width and front-rear directions. Furthermore, the reinforcing plate portion 42 has a flat plate portion 44 arranged parallel to the central axis of the outer post 11a, and a pair of downwardly extending portions 45 extending downward from the lower surfaces of both ends of the flat plate portion 44 in the width direction, with a cross-section approximately U-shaped. A through-cut 46 is formed in the middle of the front end of the reinforcing plate portion 42 (flat plate portion 44) in the width direction. Between the lower surface of the middle portion of the flat plate portion 44 in the width direction and the inner side surface of the pair of lower protrusions 45 in the width direction, there are a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) flat plate-shaped reinforcing connecting plates 52 that extend in the width direction and are separated in the front-rear direction.

[0119] Of the pair of connecting portions 43a and 43b, the front connecting portion 43a is provided to extend upward from both sides (both sides of the cutout 46) in the width direction of the front end of the reinforcing plate portion 42, and is connected to the lower surface of the front end of the clamped portion body 34 at the portion adjacent to the front side of the circumferential slits 37a and 37b, and at the circumferential sides separated by the axial slit 36. On the other hand, the rear connecting portion 43b is provided to extend upward from the rear end of the reinforcing plate portion 42, and is connected to the lower surface of the rear end of the clamped portion body 34 at the portion adjacent to the rear side of the rear end of the axial slit 36.

[0120] In the illustrated example, the torsional rigidity of the outer column 11a is improved by providing the aforementioned reinforcing bridging portion 41, and a roughly U-shaped slit 47 is formed between the reinforcing bridging portion 41 and the pair of clamping portions 38. The spaces between the front ends (lower ends) of the pair of clamping portions 38 and the upper surface of the reinforcing plate portion 42 (flat plate portion 44), which extend axially along the outer column 11a, are elongated holes 21a for the adjustment rod 24a to be inserted in the width direction for telescopic adjustment.

[0121] On both sides of the outer column 11a in the width direction, in the part that is separated in the vertical direction by a pair of clamping parts 38, there are a pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b for transmitting the torque (torsional force) acting on the outer column 11a to the inner side of a pair of support plate parts 22a constituting the support bracket 17a.

[0122] To form the upper pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b, a straight protrusion 50a is provided on the portion of the outer column 11a (the clamped part body 34) that overlaps with the central axis of the outer column 11a in the vertical direction on both sides in the width direction. This protrusion extends outward in the width direction and is axially extended along the outer column 11a. The outer side of the protrusion 50a in the width direction is flat and is the upper torque transmission surface 49a. Conversely, to form the lower pair of torque transmission surfaces 49b, a straight protrusion 50b is provided at the lower end of the outer side of the lower extension 45 in the width direction. This protrusion 50b in the width direction is flat and is axially extended along the outer column 11a. The outer side of the protrusion 50b in the width direction is flat and is the lower torque transmission surface 49b. Both torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b have a shape that extends axially along the outer column 11a, and their rigidity in the width direction is sufficiently high compared to the pair of clamping portions 38. Furthermore, in the middle part of the upper and lower direction of the outer side surface of the lower protrusion 45 in the width direction (above the protrusion 50b), there are multiple (six in the illustrated example) recesses 53 that are recessed inward in the width direction in a state that is separated in the front and rear directions.

[0123] like Figure 10As shown, when no external force is applied to the outer column 11a, the width dimensions Ha of the pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a on the upper side, the width dimensions Hb of the pair of torque transmission surfaces 49b on the lower side, and the width dimensions Hc of the pressing surfaces 40 of the pair of clamping parts 38 are set to be the same (Ha = Hb = Hc). Therefore, the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b on one side of the width direction and the pressing surfaces 40 located between the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b are located on the same imaginary plane, and the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b on the other side of the width direction and the pressing surfaces 40 located between the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b are located on the same imaginary plane. Furthermore, when it is necessary to increase the clamping force of the pair of clamping parts 38, the width dimension Hc can be made larger than the width dimensions Ha and Hb (Hc > Ha = Hb).

[0124] like Figure 7 As shown, the front-to-back dimensions (X, Z) of the pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b are set to be larger than the front-to-back dimension (Y) of the pressing surface 40 of the pair of clamping parts 38 (X > Y, Z > Y). Furthermore, the front-to-back dimensions (X, Z) of the pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b are set to be approximately the same (X ≈ Z). Therefore, the distance from the center of the pair of telescopic adjustment elongated holes 21a in the front-to-back direction to the front edge of each of the pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b and the pressing surface 40 is set to be approximately the same as the distance to the rear edge.

[0125] However, in this example, when the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel 1 is changed by shifting the pressing surface 40 axially, it is difficult to change the operating force of the adjusting lever 26a. Specifically, when the steering wheel 1 is displaced to its maximum rearward position, the engagement clearance between the rear end of the inner pillar 10 and the front end of the outer pillar 11a becomes shorter. Therefore, the pressing surface 40 fastens the rear end portion of the inner pillar 10, but since the rigidity of the rear end portion of the inner pillar 10 is lower than that of the middle portion, the fastening reaction force is lower, and the operating force of the adjusting lever 26a is lower. By shifting the pressing surface 40 forward, the middle portion of the inner pillar 10, which has higher rigidity than the rear end portion, can be pressed, thereby increasing the fastening reaction force. Furthermore, similarly, when the steering wheel 1 is moved forward to increase the engagement clearance between the inner pillar 10 and the outer pillar 11a, the rigidity of the inner pillar 10 changes less, and the fastening reaction force is difficult to change. Therefore, even when the position of the steering wheel 1 changes, the change in the operating force of the adjusting lever 26a can be suppressed.

[0126] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the upper ends of the pair of connecting portions 43a and 43b constituting the reinforcing bridging portion 41 are continuous with the front and rear ends of the protruding portions 50a and 50b, respectively. However, in this example, the outer surfaces of the pair of connecting portions 43a and 43b in the width direction are positioned further inward (offset) than the pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b and the pressing surface 40 in the width direction. As a result, the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 22a constituting the support bracket 17a do not abut against the outer surfaces of the pair of connecting portions 43a and 43b in the width direction.

[0127] The outer column 11a in this example has the structure described above. However, due to the complex shape of the outer column 11a, a simplified explanation of the basic structure from another perspective has been added. In this example, the outer column 11a has a pair of clamping plates integrally provided with it, with axial slits 36 sandwiched between the two sides in the width direction. The front ends (lower ends) of the clamping plates are connected to each other in the width direction (through a portion corresponding to the reinforcing plate 42). Furthermore, the outer surfaces in the width direction of the clamping plates are generally flat fastening surfaces. Moreover, at approximately the center of the fastening surfaces, a generally U-shaped slit 47 is formed, which communicates with the inner circumferential surface of the outer column 11a, and the portion surrounded by the slit 47 is a pair of clamping portions 38. Furthermore, the upper and lower edges of the fastening surfaces are torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b, respectively.

[0128] In contrast, such as Figures 1-5 as well as Figures 13-18 As shown, the support bracket 17a is made of metal plate such as steel or aluminum alloy, and consists of a mounting plate portion 54 and a pair of support plate portions 22a. Furthermore, when the support bracket 17a is made of steel, the thickness of the components constituting the support bracket 17a can be set to 1.3mm to 2.6mm.

[0129] In this example, the mounting portion of the support bracket 17a is composed of a mounting plate portion 54. The mounting plate portion 54 is formed by stamping a plate-shaped component, and is composed of a bridging plate portion 55 and a pair of side plate portions 56 provided on both sides of the bridging plate portion 55 in the width direction.

[0130] In this example, the bridging plate portion 55 is approximately U-shaped, opening at both ends in the downward and forward / backward directions. Specifically, the bridging plate portion 55 includes a central plate portion 57 arranged parallel to the width direction, and a pair of lateral inclined plate portions 58 provided on both sides of the central plate portion 57 in the width direction. The pair of lateral inclined plate portions 58 are arranged such that they slope downwards as they move outwards from the two ends of the central plate portion 57 in the width direction. The front ends of such a pair of lateral inclined plate portions 58 are located further forward than the front end of the central plate portion 57. On the other hand, in the forward / backward direction, the rear end edge of the central plate portion 57 and the rear end edge of the pair of lateral inclined plate portions 58 exist on the same plane. Therefore, the forward / backward dimension of the central plate portion 57 is smaller than the forward / backward dimension of the pair of lateral inclined plate portions 58.

[0131] A pair of side plate portions 56 are provided to extend outward in the width direction from both end edges (outer end edges in the width direction of a pair of lateral inclined plate portions 58) of the bridging plate portion 55. In this example, a locking cutout 59 is formed in such a pair of side plate portions 56 with an opening at the rear end edge. In the assembled state, locking members 18, which are fixed to the vehicle body 15 by fixing components such as bolts or studs, are locked in the locking cutout 59. In this way, the support bracket 17a is normally supported on the vehicle body 15, but in the event of a collision, it detaches forward based on the impact of a secondary collision, thereby allowing the outer pillar 11a to displace forward.

[0132] In the mounting plate portion 54 of this example with the above structure, the rigidity of the bridging plate portion 55 is higher than that of the pair of side plate portions 56. Therefore, a first rib 60 and a second rib 61 with a semi-circular cross-section that extend in the width direction, are formed in the rear end portion and the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the bridging plate portion 55. The second rib 60 is convex on the upper side and concave on the lower side.

[0133] Specifically, the first rib 60 is formed such that its two ends in the width direction are located further outward than the two ends in the width direction of the bridging plate portion 55 (the outer ends in the width direction of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58). That is, the two ends of the first rib 60 in the width direction are located at the inner ends in the width direction of the pair of side plate portions 56. On the other hand, the second rib 61 is formed such that its two ends in the width direction are located further inward than the two ends in the width direction of the mounting plate portion 54 (the outer ends in the width direction of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58). That is, the second rib 61 is formed only in the bridging plate portion 55. Using the above structure, the rigidity of the bridging plate portion 55 is higher than the rigidity of the pair of side plate portions 56.

[0134] A pair of third ribs 62 are formed with the lower side concave and the upper side convex, in a state that spans the front end of the outer end of a pair of side inclined plate portions 58 constituting the bridging plate portion 55 in the width direction (the part that is in front of the second rib 61) and the front end of the inner end of a pair of side plate portions 56 in the width direction.

[0135] By utilizing the two ends of the pair of third ribs 62 and first ribs 60, which are set in a state of separation in the front-rear direction and have the above structure, the rigidity of the continuous portion between the two ends of the bridge plate portion 55 in the width direction (the outer ends of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58 in the width direction) and the inner ends of the pair of side plate portions 56 in the width direction is improved.

[0136] In this example, a mounting side slit 63 extending in the front-rear direction and penetrating the pair of side plate portions 56 is formed at the inner end of the pair of side plate portions 56 in the width direction and at the portion that matches the second rib 61 in the front-rear direction. In other words, a pair of mounting side slits 63 penetrating the pair of side plate portions 56 are formed at the inner end of the pair of side plate portions 56 in the width direction and at the portion between the two ends of the first rib 60 in the width direction and the pair of third ribs 62 in the front-rear direction.

[0137] In this example, a pair of support plate portions 22a hang down from the mounting plate portion 54 and are arranged to clamp the front ends (the clamped portion body 34 and the reinforcing bridging portion 41) of the outer pillar 11a from both sides in the width direction. In other words, the pair of support plate portions 22a are arranged opposite each other separately in the width direction of the vehicle body 15, and each of their upper ends is connected to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 54.

[0138] Specifically, in this example, each of the pair of support plate portions 22a is composed of a single plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, and includes a support plate body 64, a reinforcing portion 65, and a welding flange portion 66. The support plate body 64 is a plate-shaped member parallel to the vertical direction, and in a position opposite each other in the width direction (a mutually matching position) and in a portion that matches a pair of telescopic adjustment elongated holes 21a in the front-rear direction, a pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a extending in the vertical direction are formed. In this example, since a tilting mechanism is provided, the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a are equivalent to fixed-side through holes. However, in a steering device without a tilting mechanism, the fixed-side through hole is composed of a circular hole.

[0139] The reinforcing portion 65 is composed of a protruding member that extends vertically and is convex outward in the width direction and concave in the width direction. The reinforcing portion 65 is formed, for example, by stamping. Furthermore, the rear end edge of the reinforcing portion 65 is continuous with the front end edge of the support plate body 64. On the other hand, the front end edge 85 of the reinforcing portion 65 (see reference...) Figure 19(a) is a free end that is not connected to other components, and it faces inward in the width direction. Therefore, the reinforcing part 65 has a rear flange portion that bends outward in the width direction from the front edge of the support plate body 64, and a front flange portion that bends inward in the width direction from the front edge of the rear flange portion, forming a double flange structure. In this reinforcing part 65, the outer surface in the width direction is located further outward in the width direction than the outer surface in the width direction of the support plate body 64, and the inner surface in the width direction (the surface other than the inner surface in the width direction of the continuous portion that is continuous with the support plate body 64) is located further outward in the width direction than the inner surface in the width direction of the support plate body 64. Furthermore, the front edge 85 of the reinforcing part 65 is located further outward in the width direction than the inner surface in the width direction of the support plate body 64. Thus, in the state where the position of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted (unlocked state) and in the state where the steering wheel 1 can be held in the adjusted position (locked state), the front edge 85 of the reinforcing part 65 does not come into contact with the pressing surface 40 of the outer pillar 11a and the pair of torque transmission surfaces 49a, 49b.

[0140] Corresponding to the front-to-back slit 72, the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65 is located below the upper edge of the support plate body 64, and both become free ends. By providing such a reinforcing portion 65, compared to the case where the portion with the reinforcing portion 65 is formed into the same flat plate shape as the support plate body 64, the section modulus in the width direction of this portion is higher. As a result, compared to the case where the reinforcing portion 65 is not provided, the bending stiffness (torsional strength) of the support plate portion 22a is improved.

[0141] In this example, the reinforcing part 65 is provided at the front end of the support bracket 17a, but it may also be provided at the rear end of the support bracket 17a. Furthermore, the reinforcing part 65 may be provided not only at the front or rear end of the support bracket 17a, but also at the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the support bracket 17a. Additionally, multiple reinforcing parts 65 may be provided relative to each of the support plate portions 22a constituting the support bracket 17a, rather than just one.

[0142] Strengthening part 65 is not limited to Figure 19 The shape shown in (a). For example, it is also possible to use Figure 19 (b) Figure 19 The reinforcing parts 65a-65e, whose shapes are schematically shown in (f). Specifically, Figure 19 The cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing part 65a of (b) in the assembled state, passing through the central axis of the outer column 11a and orthogonal to the support plate body 64, is approximately "U"-shaped, with the outer side convex in the width direction and the inner side concave in the width direction. Specifically, the reinforcing part 65a extends from the front side ( Figure 19 (b) on the lower side) then moves outwards in the width direction ( Figure 19The (b) left-side inclined first reinforcing element (rear flange portion) 67 and the second reinforcing element (front flange portion) 68 formed in a (bent) state extending inward in the width direction from the front edge of the first reinforcing element 67 are constituted. The rear end edge of the first reinforcing element 67 of the reinforcing portion 65a is continuous with the front end edge of the support plate body 64. Moreover, in Figure 19 In the case of the configuration shown in (b), the inner edge of the second reinforcing element 68 in the width direction ( Figure 19 The right edge of (b) is located on the outer side of the width direction, which is closer to the inner side of the support plate body 64 in the width direction.

[0143] Figure 19 The cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion 65b in (c) in an imaginary plane orthogonal to the support plate body 64 is approximately a "コ" shape, convex outward in the width direction and concave in the width direction. Specifically, the reinforcing portion 65b is composed of a first reinforcing element (rear flange) 69 formed in a bent state extending outward in the width direction from the front edge of the support plate body 64, a second reinforcing element (middle flange) 70 formed in a bent state extending forward at a right angle from the first reinforcing element 69, and a third reinforcing element (front flange) 71 formed in a bent state extending forward at a right angle from the front edge of the second reinforcing element 70. Figure 19 In the case of the configuration shown in (c), the inner edge of the third reinforcing element 71 in the width direction ( Figure 19 The right edge of (c) is located on the outer side of the width direction of the inner side of the support plate body 64.

[0144] Figure 19 The cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion 65c of (d) in an imaginary plane orthogonal to the support plate body 64 is approximately L-shaped. Specifically, the reinforcing portion 65c is composed of a first reinforcing element (rear flange) 69 formed in a bent state extending outward in the width direction from the front edge of the support plate body 64 and a second reinforcing element (front flange) 70 formed in a bent state extending forward at a right angle from the first reinforcing element 69.

[0145] It can also be like Figure 19 (e) and Figure 19 As shown in (f), the reinforcing parts 65d and 65e are formed by plate-shaped portions whose width dimension is thicker than the width dimension of the main body 64 of the support plate. Figure 19 The thickness of the reinforcing portion 65d shown in (e) remains constant in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Furthermore, the inner surface of the support plate body 64 in the width direction and the inner surface of the reinforcing portion 65d in the width direction coexist on the same plane. On the other hand, Figure 19The reinforcing portion 65e shown in (f) extends along its entire length in the vertical direction, and its thickness increases towards the front. In this case, the inner side of the support plate body 64 in the width direction and the inner side of the reinforcing portion 65e in the width direction exist on the same plane, and the outer side of the reinforcing portion 65e in the width direction slopes outward towards the front. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the reinforcing portions 65d and 65e are integrally provided with the support plate body 64, but for example, it is also possible to weld a rod-shaped (or plate-shaped) member with a generally rectangular cross-section or a generally triangular rod-shaped (or plate-shaped) member in an imaginary plane orthogonal to the independently provided support plate body 64 to the front end of the outer side of the support plate body 64 in the width direction. Figure 19 (e) and Figure 19 The structure is combined with the part shown by the double-dotted line in (f). In addition, the front end of the support plate body 64 can be folded back 180 degrees, and the folded part can be used as a reinforcement.

[0146] As described above, as a reinforcement, compared to the case where no reinforcement is provided (the front end of the support plate body 64), various structures that can increase the section modulus in the width direction can be adopted.

[0147] The welding flange 66 is provided on the upper side of the support plate portion 22a (support plate body 64 and reinforcing portion 65) with an inclination that increases towards the upper side as it faces upward. This welding flange 66 ensures that the portion of its lower edge that matches the support plate body 64 in the front-rear direction is continuous with the upper edge of the support plate body 64. On the other hand, a front-rear slit 72 with openings at both ends and the front side in the width direction is provided between the portion of the lower edge of the welding flange 66 that matches the reinforcing portion 65 in the front-rear direction and the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65. Therefore, the lower edge of the welding flange 66 is separate from the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65 and is not continuous. Therefore, as explained below, when the welding flange 66 is welded and fixed to the lower surface of the bridging plate portion 55, the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65 does not connect to the lower surface of the bridging plate portion 55, but becomes a free end.

[0148] In this example, in a pair of support plate portions 22a, a vertical slit 73 is formed in the portion between the tilt adjustment elongated hole 23a in the front-back direction and the reinforcing portion 65, and in the portion adjacent to the reinforcing portion 65 (the boundary position between the support plate body 64 and the reinforcing portion 65), which extends through the pair of support plate portions 22a in the width direction and extends in the vertical direction.

[0149] Specifically, the aforementioned vertical slit 73 is formed from the upper portion of the reinforcing portion 65 to the lower portion. In other words, the vertical slit 73 is formed from the portion above the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a in the vertical direction at the boundary position between the support plate body 64 and the reinforcing portion 65, down to the lower portion. Therefore, the vertical slit 73 is formed over a large area above and below the portion that overlaps with the tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a in the vertical direction. However, in this example, the vertical position of the upper and lower ends of the vertical slit 73 is limited in such a way that the upper and lower ends of the vertical slit 73 do not reach the upper and lower ends of the support plate body 64. Preferably, it is in accordance with... Figure 3 The structures shown are different, but in the assembled state, the upper and lower ends of the vertical slit 73 are restricted to the portion located between the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b in the vertical direction.

[0150] Such a vertical slit 73 is composed of an upper slit 74, which is approximately circular when viewed from the width direction; a lower slit 75, which is elongated in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the width direction; and an intermediate slit 76, which is straight when viewed from the width direction and is a continuous upper slit 74 and lower slit 75 in the vertical direction. The vertical slit 73 is used to appropriately reduce the rigidity around the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. Furthermore, the upper slit 74 and lower slit 75 can prevent stress concentration around the upper and lower ends of the vertical slit 73 (the portions where the upper slit 74 and lower slit 75 are located).

[0151] The position of the vertical slit 73 in the front-to-back direction is not limited to the case in this example. For example, even when the front-to-back distance between the reinforcing part 65 and the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a is large, the vertical slit 73 can be formed close to the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. In this case, it is preferable that the vertical slit 73 is formed on the pair of support plates in the width direction not adjacent to the pair of pressing parts (adjusting nut 25 and anchoring part 27 (see reference)). Figure 56 ) or driven side cam 95 and nut 25a (refer to Figure 57 The overlapping positions.

[0152] The upper edges of the pair of support plate portions 22a having the above structure are fixed to the outer end of the lower side surface of the bridging plate portion 55 constituting the mounting plate portion 54 in the width direction. That is, the upper edges of the pair of support plate portions 22a are combined and fixed to the pair of lateral inclined plate portions 58 constituting the bridging plate portion 55 constituting the mounting plate portion 54 and the pair of side plate portions 56, which constitute the bridging plate portion 55 with higher rigidity.

[0153] Specifically, in this example, with the outer side of the welding flange 66 in the width direction abutting against the lower end of the inner side of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58 constituting the bridging plate portion 55 in the width direction, the lower end of the outer side of the welding flange 66 in the width direction is welded and fixed to the outer edge of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58 in the width direction. In other words, the lower end of the outer side of the welding flange 66 in the width direction is joined to the outer edge (lower edge) of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58 in the width direction via the welding portion 77. Furthermore, the upper edge of the welding flange 66 can also be joined to the inner side of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58 in the width direction by welding.

[0154] An adjusting rod 24a is inserted through a pair of telescopic adjustment elongated holes 21a and a pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a in the width direction. The adjusting rod 24a has an anchoring part 27 (see reference) disposed at one end in the width direction (axial direction). Figure 56 The external thread portion formed at the other end in the width direction and the shaft portion formed in the middle of the width direction are included. An adjusting rod 24a with this structure is inserted into a pair of telescopic adjustment elongated holes 21a and a pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. Furthermore, the anchoring portion 27 provided at one end of the adjusting rod 24a in the width direction is engaged in a manner that prevents relative rotation with one of the pair of support plate portions 22a. Figure 2 The right side of the support plate 22a has an elongated hole 23a for tilt adjustment. Furthermore, in the axial portion of the adjusting rod 24a, from another (… Figure 2 Around the protruding portion of the outer side of the support plate portion 22a on the left side, a cam device 78 consisting of a driving-side cam and a driven-side cam is provided (see reference). Figure 57 Or adjusting nut 25 (refer to) Figure 56 Adjusting lever 26, and threading a nut (not shown) onto the external threaded portion. Thus, by oscillating operation based on the adjusting lever 26a, the drive-side cam 94 constituting the cam device 78 (see reference) is activated. Figure 57 ) relative to the driven side cam 95 (refer to Figure 57 The relative rotation allows the width dimension (axial dimension) of the cam device 78 to expand or contract.

[0155] The illustrated steering mechanism is used by assembling a steering lock device, one of the vehicle anti-theft devices. For this purpose, a radially penetrating locking through-hole 33 is formed in the cylindrical portion 35 constituting the rear half of the outer pillar 11a. Furthermore, a fixing portion 80 (not shown) for supporting and fixing a locking unit is provided on the outer circumferential surface of this cylindrical portion 35, offset circumferentially from the locking through-hole 33. Moreover, the locking unit is supported and fixed around the locking through-hole 33 by a pair of mounting flanges 81 constituting the fixing portion 80, and a key lock ring (not shown) is externally fixed (pressed in) on a portion of the steering shaft 2 that is axially aligned with the locking unit. When the ignition key is turned off, the front end of the locking pin constituting the locking unit is displaced toward the inner diameter side of the outer pillar 11a and engages with a key locking recess formed on the outer circumferential surface of the key lock ring. Thus, rotation of the steering shaft 2 is practically impossible. Furthermore, the situation where the steering wheel 1 (refer to) cannot actually be rotated refers to the following: when the key is locked, with the key locking recess engaged with the front end of the locking pin, the steering wheel 1 is rotated with a force exceeding a predetermined value (exceeding the value specified by the key locking rules). Figure 54 and Figure 55 When the steering wheel is rotated, the steering shaft 2 is allowed to rotate relative to the key lock ring and the steering column 4. However, when the steering wheel 1 is operated in a normal driving position in order to give the steering wheel the desired steering angle, the steering shaft 2 will not rotate due to the force applied to the steering wheel 1 at that time.

[0156] In this example with the above structure, in order to hold the steering wheel 1 in the desired position (when switching from the unlocked state to the locked state), after moving the steering wheel 1 to the desired position, the adjusting lever 26a is rotated in a predetermined direction (generally upward) around the adjusting rod 24a. Furthermore, by increasing the width of the cam device 78, the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 22a is reduced. In this example, the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 22a press the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b, as well as the pressing surface 40 formed at the lower end (front end) of the pair of clamping portions 38. Moreover, the middle portions of the pair of support plate portions 22a in the vertical direction and the pair of clamping portions 38 are flexed (elastically deformed) inward in the width direction to elastically clamp the outer peripheral surface of the inner pillar 10. As a result, the steering wheel 1 can be held in the adjusted position. At this time, regardless of the front-rear position of the steering wheel 1, the front edge 85 of the reinforcing part 65 will not abut against the torque transmission surfaces 49a, 49b and the pressing surface 40.

[0157] In contrast, when adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1 (when switching from the locked state to the unlocked state), the adjusting lever 26a is swung in the opposite direction (generally downwards) to the predetermined direction. Furthermore, by reducing the width of the cam device 78, the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 22a is increased. As a result, the pressing force on the pair of support plate portions 22a is reduced, thereby elastically increasing the width of the pair of clamping portions 38 and reducing the force holding the outer periphery of the inner column 10. In this state, the fore-and-aft and vertical positions of the steering wheel 1 can be adjusted within the range that the adjusting lever 24a can move within the pair of telescopic adjustment elongated holes 21a and the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a.

[0158] In particular, the steering device according to this example ensures the strength of the outer pillar 11a and the holding force of the inner pillar 10. That is, in this example, a pair of clamping parts 38 and torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b are independently provided on both sides of the outer pillar 11a in the width direction. The pair of clamping parts 38 are used to elastically clamp the outer peripheral surface of the inner pillar 10, and the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b are used to transmit the torque acting on the outer pillar 11a when, for example, the steering wheel 1 is operated with a large force while the steering locking device is in operation, to the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate parts 22a constituting the support bracket 17a. Therefore, it is sufficient for the pair of clamping parts 38 to perform only the function of clamping the inner pillar 10 and to ensure strength without exceeding the required limits, thereby allowing for significant deflection in the width direction. In contrast, it is sufficient for the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b to perform only the function of transmitting torque and do not need to deflect significantly in the width direction. As a result, the steering mechanism in this example can ensure the strength of the outer pillar 11a and the holding force of the inner pillar 10.

[0159] Furthermore, in this example, to hold the steering wheel 1 in the desired position, the inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 22a are brought into contact with torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b while the pair of clamping portions 38 are flexed. These torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b are formed in portions with higher rigidity in the width direction compared to the pair of clamping portions 38. Therefore, the support rigidity of the outer pillar 11a can also be improved. Moreover, the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b, which support the torque acting on the outer pillar 11a, are located at a greater distance from the central axis of the outer pillar 11a. Therefore, the force acting on the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b can be suppressed to a lower level, thereby ensuring sufficient strength of the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b.

[0160] In this example, a reinforcing portion 65 is provided in the pair of support plate portions 22a. Therefore, the bending stiffness of the pair of support plate portions 22a relative to the torque acting from the outer column 11a (torque transmission surfaces 49a, 49b) can be improved. As a result, based on the aforementioned torque, plastic deformation of the pair of support plate portions 22a (large-scale bending in a "U" shape with the torque transmission surfaces 49a, 49b as fulcrums) can be prevented, and the vibration stiffness of the pair of support plate portions 22a when holding the outer column 11a is increased, enabling stable holding of the outer column 11a. In particular, even when the thickness of the support bracket 17a is reduced, the reinforcing portion 65 can be provided to ensure the stiffness of the pair of support plate portions 22a, thereby achieving both lightweight design and high stiffness (improved durability).

[0161] Furthermore, according to this example, even if the accuracy of the pair of side plate portions 56 or the mounting surface on the vehicle body side (not shown), it is possible to prevent the influence of such accuracy from affecting the pair of support plate portions 22a.

[0162] For example, on the mounting surface on the aforementioned vehicle body side, such as Figure 2 The double-dotted line indicates the land relative to the width direction ( Figure 2 When tilted (in a V-shape) in the left-right direction, the pair of side panels 56 are also in the assembled state. Figure 2 The double-dotted line indicates that the two sides are tilted relative to the width direction. If the tilt of the pair of side plate portions 56 affects the pair of support plate portions 22a, the pair of support plate portions 22a will tilt (deform) in the direction that their lower ends approach each other. As a result, the pair of support plate portions 22a will abut against the outer pillar 11a with a portion that is different from the portion that should abut, thereby reducing the operability when adjusting the position of the steering wheel 1.

[0163] In this example, by providing the first rib 60 and the second rib 61 in the bridging plate portion 55, the rigidity of the bridging plate portion 55 constituting the mounting plate portion 54 is made higher than the rigidity of the pair of side plate portions 56 constituting the mounting plate portion 54. Therefore, even if the pair of side plate portions 56 tilt or deform, the bridging plate portion 55 will not be affected by, or will be less affected by, such tilting or deformation. Furthermore, a mounting side slit 63 is formed at the inner end of the pair of side plate portions 56 in the width direction (near the continuous portion that is continuous with the bridging plate portion 55). Due to the presence of this mounting side slit 63, the pair of side plate portions 56 also tilt or deform with the portion where the mounting side slit 63 is formed as a fulcrum, and the effect of such tilting (deformation that causes the outer end portion in the width direction to shift vertically) is less likely to affect the bridging plate portion 55. Furthermore, as shown in this example, the pair of mounting side slits 63 are through holes in the pair of side plate portions 56 that extend through in the thickness direction. Alternatively, they can be constructed from recesses, grooves, openings, etc., that do not extend through the pair of side plate portions 56 in the thickness direction and extend in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, instead of through holes and recesses extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of mounting side slits 63 can be constructed from through holes and recesses formed in a separated state in the front-rear direction.

[0164] In addition, the first rib 60 extends to the continuous portion between the bridging plate portion 55 and the pair of side plate portions 56, and a pair of third ribs 62 are provided in the continuous portion between the bridging plate portion 55 and the pair of side plate portions 56 in a state separated from the first rib 60 in the front-rear direction, so as to improve the rigidity of the continuous portion. Even if the pair of side plate portions 56 are tilted or deformed, the bridging plate portion 55 will not be affected or will be less affected by the tilt or deformation.

[0165] Furthermore, in this example, mounting slits 63 are provided on both sides of the pair of side plate portions 56. However, in this invention, mounting slits 63 may be provided only on one side of the pair of side plate portions 56. Even if the pair of side plate portions 56 are tilted or deformed, the effects of such tilting or deformation are unlikely to affect the bridging plate portion 55. In this case, the first rib 60 may extend only to the continuous portion between the bridging plate portion 55 and the side plate portion 56 in the side plate portion 56 where the mounting slit 63 is provided, and the third rib 62 may be provided only in the continuous portion between the bridging plate portion 55 and the side plate portion 56 in a state separated from the first rib 60 in the front-rear direction.

[0166] Alternatively, the first rib 60 can be configured such that it does not extend to the bridge plate portion 55 in the width direction of the vehicle body, but is formed only in the continuity between the bridge plate portion 55 and a pair of side plate portions 56, just like the third rib 62.

[0167] In this example, a vertical slit 73 is arbitrarily formed in the continuous portion between the support plate body 64 and the reinforcing portion 65 constituting the pair of support plate portions 22a. Therefore, the rigidity of the portion of the pair of support plate portions 22a between the vertical slit 73 and the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a (around the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a) can be appropriately reduced. That is, without the vertical slit 73, the rigidity of the portion of the pair of support plate portions 22a between the reinforcing portion 65 and the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a is high due to the presence of the reinforcing portion 65. Consequently, when switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, the portion of the pair of support plate portions 22a around the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a is difficult to elastically deform, and there is a possibility that the force exerted by the pair of support plate portions 22a on the pressing surface 40 may decrease. In this example, by providing the vertical slit 73, the rigidity of the portion around the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a is appropriately reduced, thereby preventing a decrease in the force exerted on the pressing surface 40. However, in this example, the vertical slit 73 can also be omitted.

[0168] Furthermore, if the portion of the pair of support plate portions 22a with higher rigidity that deviates upward and downward from the vertical slit 73 in the vertical direction abuts against the torque transmission surfaces 49a and 49b, the support rigidity of the outer column 11a can be increased regardless of the presence of the vertical slit 73.

[0169] Furthermore, a pair of support plate portions 22a are joined to the bridging plate portion 55 via welding through the welding flange portion 66. That is, the pair of support plate portions 22a are directly joined and fixed to the bridging plate portion 55, which has high rigidity and is less susceptible to the tilting or deformation of the pair of side plate portions 56, rather than to the pair of side plate portions 56. With this structure, the effects of the tilting or deformation of the pair of side plate portions 56 will not affect or are difficult to affect the pair of support plate portions 22a.

[0170] Furthermore, in the pair of support plate portions 22a, since the upper edge of the stiffening portion 65, which has higher rigidity, is not connected to the bridging plate portion 55 of the mounting plate portion 54, the pair of support plate portions 22a are prone to flexing relative to the bridging plate portion 55. Therefore, even if the bridging plate portion 55 deforms due to the tilting or deformation of the pair of side plate portions 56, the pair of support plate portions 22a are less likely to be affected by the deformation of the bridging plate portion 55.

[0171] [Second example of implementation]

[0172] Reference Figure 20A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, the shape of the lower slit 75a constituting the vertical slit 73a differs from that of the lower slit 75 in the first embodiment. Specifically, in this example, the lower slit 75a is an elongated hole whose shape extends in the front-rear direction when viewed from the width direction. Furthermore, the rear end edge of the lower slit 75a is located further rearward than the front end edge of the lower side edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a (slightly further rearward in this example). When implementing such a configuration, for example, considering the rigidity of the portion of the pair of support plate portions 22a existing between the reinforcing portion 65 and the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a (around the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a), the position of the rear end edge of the lower slit 75a is determined within a range that matches the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, it is also possible to position the rear end edge of the lower slit 75a further rearward than the rear end edge of the lower side edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a.

[0173] In this example, the rigidity of the portion of the support plate body 64 constituting the pair of support plate portions 22a surrounding the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a can be less than in the first embodiment. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the upper slit constituting the vertical slit 73a has the same shape as in the first embodiment. However, this upper slit can also have a shape symmetrical to the lower slit 75a in the vertical direction. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0174] [Third example of implementation]

[0175] Reference Figure 21 A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, the lower slit 75b is an elongated hole that slopes downwards towards the rear. Furthermore, the rear end edge of the lower slit 75b is located slightly forward of the front end edge of the lower edge of the pair of tilt-adjusting elongated holes 23a. In implementing this configuration, the position of the rear end edge of the lower slit 75b is determined by considering the rigidity of the portion of the support plate body 64 constituting the pair of support plate portions 22a that exists around the pair of tilt-adjusting elongated holes 23a. Furthermore, in this example, the upper slit constituting the vertical slit 73b can also be symmetrical to the lower slit 75b in the vertical direction. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[0176] [Fourth example of implementation]

[0177] Reference Figure 22A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, the lower slit 75c is a circular hole that is approximately circular when viewed from the width direction. Furthermore, in this example, the upper slit constituting the vertical slit 73c can also be symmetrical to the lower slit 75c in the vertical direction.

[0178] Furthermore, in the support plate body 64 constituting the pair of support plate portions 22a, a second front-to-back slit 82, which is rectangular in shape and elongates in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the width direction, is formed on the lower side portion of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. The front end edge of the second front-to-back slit 82 is located further back than the front end edge of the lower side edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a, and the rear end edge coincides with the rear end edge of the lower side edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. In addition, the second front-to-back slit 82 matches the lower slit 75c constituting the upper-lower slit 73c in the vertical direction.

[0179] In this example, the rigidity of the portion of the pair of support plate portions 22a surrounding the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a can also be appropriately reduced. Furthermore, the vertical position of the second front-rear direction slit 82 and the positions of the front and rear edges of the second front-rear direction slit 82 are determined by considering the rigidity of the portion of the support plate body 64 constituting the pair of support plate portions 22a surrounding the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a.

[0180] In this example, a third front-back slit with the same shape as the second front-back slit 82 can also be provided above the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. Alternatively, the lower slit 75c constituting the vertical slit 73c can be made continuous with the second front-back slit 82. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[0181] [Fifth example of an implementation method]

[0182] Reference Figure 23A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, in the support plate body 64 constituting a pair of support plate portions 22a, a second front-to-back slit 82a, which is elongated in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the width direction, is formed on the lower portion of a pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. The front end edge of the second front-to-back slit 82a is located further back than the front end edge of the lower side edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a, and the rear end edge coincides with the rear end edge of the lower side edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. In this example, the second front-to-back slit 82a is also matched with the lower slit 75c constituting the upper-lower slit 73c in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this example, a third front-to-back slit with the same shape as the second front-to-back slit 82a can also be provided on the upper side of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the first and fourth embodiments.

[0183] [Sixth Example of Implementation]

[0184] Reference Figure 24 A sixth example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, in the support plate body 64 constituting a pair of support plate portions 22a, a second front-to-back slit 82b, which is approximately "U"-shaped when viewed from the width direction, is formed on the lower portion of a pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. The second front-to-back slit 82b is composed of a straight front slit 83 that extends in the front-to-back direction and a straight rear slit 84 that slopes upwards as it moves rearwards from the rear end edge of the front slit 83. The front end edge of the second front-to-back slit 82b is located further rearward than the front end edge of the lower edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. On the other hand, the rear end edge of the second front-to-back slit 82b is located further rearward than the rear end edge of the lower edge of the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a.

[0185] In this example, the front slit 83 is aligned vertically with the lower slit 75c that forms the vertical slit 73c, and the rear slit 84 is aligned with the lower end of the middle slit 76 that forms the vertical slit 73c. ​​Furthermore, a third front-rear slit with the same shape as the second front-rear slit 82b can be provided above the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a. According to this example, the rigidity of the portion of the pair of support plate portions 22a surrounding the pair of tilt adjustment elongated holes 23a can be less than in the fourth and fifth embodiments. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[0186] [Seventh Example of Implementation]

[0187] Reference Figures 25-32A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, reinforcing portions 65 and 65f are provided on the front and rear sides of a pair of support plate portions 22b constituting the support bracket 17b, respectively. That is, the reinforcing portion 65 is provided at a position offset forward from the tilt adjustment elongated hole 23a in the support plate portion 22b, and the reinforcing portion 65f is provided at a position offset rearward from the tilt adjustment elongated hole 23a.

[0188] The reinforcing portion 65 located on the front side has the same structure as that shown in the first embodiment, having a double flange structure, an arc-shaped cross-section, and is provided at the front edge of the flat plate-shaped support plate body 64a constituting the support plate portion 22b. In this example, since the front edge of the support plate body 64a is a straight line extending in the vertical direction, the reinforcing portion 65 provided along the front edge of the support plate body 64a also has a straight line shape extending in the vertical direction.

[0189] In contrast, the reinforcing portion 65f located at the rear has a straight cross-section and is provided at the rear end edge of the support plate body 64a. Specifically, the reinforcing portion 65f is flat and extends outward in the width direction by bending approximately at a right angle from the rear end edge of the support plate body 64a. Therefore, the reinforcing portion 65f has a single flange structure. Furthermore, in this example, the rear end edge of the support plate body 64a is composed of a straight portion provided in the upper half that extends in the vertical direction and an inclined portion provided in the lower half that slopes towards the front as it moves downward. Therefore, the reinforcing portion 65f provided along the rear end edge of the support plate body 64a is composed of a straight upper plate portion 86 that extends in the vertical direction and an inclined plate portion 87 that slopes towards the front as it moves downward. Furthermore, in this example, the upper end of the reinforcing portion 65f (upper plate portion 86) is slightly bent towards the front as it moves upward.

[0190] The upper edges of the reinforcing portions 65 and 65f are free ends and are not attached to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 54a that constitutes the support bracket 17b. That is, the welding flange 66, used for welding and fixing to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 54a, overlaps with the front reinforcing portion 65 in the vertical direction, but a front-to-back slit 72 with openings on both sides and the front side is provided between the lower edge of the welding flange 66 and the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65. Therefore, the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65 is a free end, and when the welding flange 66 is fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 54a by welding, the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65 is not directly attached to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 54a.

[0191] In contrast, the rear reinforcing portion 65f is located further rearward than the rear end edge of the welding flange portion 66. As a result, the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65f becomes a free end, and when the welding flange portion 66 is welded and fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 54a, the upper edge of the reinforcing portion 65f is not directly attached to the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 54a.

[0192] Furthermore, the support plate body 64a does not have the vertical slit provided in the first embodiment. Instead, the support plate body 64a has only an elongated hole 23a for tilt adjustment, which extends through the width direction.

[0193] In this example, the construction of the outer column 11b used in conjunction with the support bracket 17b as described above is examined as follows. That is, as... Figure 32 As shown, a flat pressing surface 40 is provided in the middle of the vertical direction of the two outer surfaces in the width direction of the outer column 11b, and a torque transmission surface 49a is provided above the pressing surface 40. However, the torque transmission surface 49b provided in the first embodiment is not provided below the pressing surface 40. In this example, a sitting surface 88 is provided on the outer surface in the width direction of the outer column 11b below the pressing surface 40, which is offset inward in the width direction from the pressing surface 40 and the torque transmission surface 49a. When no external force is applied to the outer column 11b, the relationship Ha = Hc > Hd holds between the width dimensions Ha of the torque transmission surfaces 49a, the width dimensions Hc of the pressing surfaces 40, and the width dimensions Hd of the sitting surfaces 88.

[0194] In this example with the above structure, reinforcing portions 65 and 65f are provided on the front and rear sides of the support plate portion 22b, respectively, and no vertical slit extending through the width direction is provided in the support plate body 64a. Therefore, the bending rigidity of the support plate portion 22b in the width direction can be improved. Furthermore, in this example, since the upper end of the reinforcing portion 65f bends more in the forward direction the further upward it faces, the bending rigidity of the support plate portion 22b in the width direction can be further improved.

[0195] Furthermore, the upper edges of the reinforcing parts 65 and 65f are respectively free ends and not directly attached to the lower surface of the mounting plate part 54a. Therefore, when the steering wheel 1 is clamped in the desired position, the presence of the reinforcing parts 65 and 65f prevents the support plate parts 22b from bending inwards in the width direction. Additionally, a seating surface 88 is provided at the lower end of the outer side surface in the width direction of the outer pillar 11b, which is offset inwards in the width direction from the pressing surface 40. Therefore, during the clamping process, the support plate parts 22b can be bent inwards in a U-shape with their respective lower ends approaching each other, thus preventing the middle portion of the support plate parts 22b in the vertical direction from bending inwards in the width direction. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0196] [Eighth Example of Implementation]

[0197] Reference Figures 33-39 The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this example, among the pair of support plate portions 22c constituting the support bracket 17c, a flat plate extension portion 89 is provided at a position further forward than the reinforcing portion 65 provided on the front side. In other words, in this example, the reinforcing portion 65 is provided in the middle portion in the front-rear direction, rather than at the front edge of the support plate body 64b.

[0198] Furthermore, in the upper part of the support plate body 64b, between the upper edge of the reinforcing part 65 and the lower edge of the welding flange part 66a, there is an upper slit 90 that extends in the front-rear direction and opens only on both sides in the width direction. Thus, the upper edge of the reinforcing part 65 becomes a free end. Therefore, when the welding flange part 66a is welded and fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate part 54a constituting the support bracket 17c, the upper edge of the reinforcing part 65 is not directly attached to the lower surface of the mounting plate part 54a. In contrast, the upper edge of the extension plate part 89 is directly connected to the lower edge of the welding flange part 66a.

[0199] In this example with the above structure, an extension plate portion 89 is provided in the support plate portion 22c at a position further forward than the reinforcing portion 65 located on the front side, which can increase the size of the support plate portion 22c in the front-rear direction. Therefore, as Figure 34 As shown, even when the position α secured by a pair of pressing parts and the position β fixed to the vehicle body are significantly separated in the front-rear direction during clamping, the support bracket 17c can be effectively prevented from tilting in the vertical direction based on the torque load acting on the support bracket 17c. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the first and seventh embodiments.

[0200] [Ninth Example of Implementation]

[0201] Reference Figure 40 (A) and Figure 40(B) describes a ninth example of an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the structure of the mounting side slit 63a differs from that of the mounting side slit 63 in the first embodiment. Specifically, in this example, as... Figure 40 As shown in (A), the outer edges of the pair of mounting side slits 63a in the width direction are positioned further outward in the width direction than the outer edges of the first rib 60 and the pair of third ribs 62 in the width direction. On the other hand, in the width direction, the inner edges of the pair of mounting side slits 63a are positioned further inward in the width direction than the outer edges of the first rib 60 and the pair of third ribs 62 in the width direction.

[0202] In addition, such as Figure 40 As shown in (B), in the width direction, the outer edge of the pair of mounting side slits 63a in the width direction can also be aligned with the outer edge of the first rib 60 in the width direction and the outer edge of the pair of third ribs 62 in the width direction.

[0203] The front-to-back dimension, width dimension, and shape of the pair of mounting side slits 63a are determined based on their rigidity relationship with the pair of side plate portions 56. The front-to-back position of the pair of mounting side slits 63a can be varied within the range between the two ends of the first rib 60 in the width direction and the pair of third ribs 62. It is also possible to provide only one of the pair of mounting side slits 63a and omit the other mounting side slit. Furthermore, as shown in this example, the pair of mounting side slits 63a are through holes that penetrate the pair of side plate portions 56 in the thickness direction. In addition, they can also be constructed from recesses, grooves, openings, etc., that do not penetrate the pair of side plate portions 56 in the thickness direction and extend in the front-to-back direction. Alternatively, the pair of mounting side slits 63a can be constructed from through holes, recesses, etc., that are formed in a state that is separated in the front-to-back direction, instead of through holes, recesses, etc. that extend in the front-to-back direction. The structure of other parts is the same as in the first example of the embodiment.

[0204] In implementing the present invention, as long as there are no differences between them, the first to ninth embodiments can be implemented by appropriate combination.

[0205] When implementing this invention, it can be applied not only to structures having both a tilting mechanism and a telescopic mechanism, but also to structures having only one of the mechanisms, or structures without either of the aforementioned mechanisms. Furthermore, the structure and shape of the reinforcing portion, the vertical slit, and the mounting side slit provided in the support bracket are not limited to the structures in the first to ninth embodiments.

[0206] In the first to sixth embodiments, from the perspective of preventing interference with the cam device, a reinforcing portion is provided only at the front end of the support bracket. However, it is also possible to provide a reinforcing portion only at the rear end of the support bracket. Furthermore, as shown in the seventh embodiment, reinforcing portions can be provided at both the front and rear ends of the support bracket. Moreover, the reinforcing portion may not be formed at the front or rear end of the support bracket; it may be provided in the middle of the support bracket in the front-rear direction. In addition, the reinforcing portion can be provided not only on the outer side of the support plate portion but also on the inner side (protruding inward).

[0207] [First example for reference]

[0208] Reference Figures 41-44 The first example of the reference example related to the present invention will be described. Similar to the first example of the embodiment, the support bracket 17f of this reference example is made of metal plate such as steel or aluminum alloy, and is composed of mounting plate portion 54b and a pair of support plate portions 22a.

[0209] The mounting plate portion 54b is composed of a bridging plate portion 55a and a pair of side plate portions 56a fixed to both ends of the bridging plate portion 55a in the width direction by welding. The bridging plate portion 55a is approximately U-shaped with openings at both ends in the downward and forward / backward directions. Specifically, the bridging plate portion 55a is composed of a central plate portion 57a, a pair of side inclined plate portions 58a, and a pair of connecting plate portions 96. The central plate portion 57a ​​is arranged parallel to the width direction, the pair of side inclined plate portions 58a are arranged so that they are inclined downward from both ends of the central plate portion 57a ​​in the width direction towards the outer side in the width direction, and the pair of connecting plate portions 96 extend outward from the outer edges of the pair of side inclined plate portions 58a in the width direction in a parallel manner in the width direction. In this reference example, the outer end faces of the pair of connecting plate portions 96 in the width direction are flat. When the bridging plate portion 55a is made of steel, the thickness of the bridging plate portion 55a can be set to 1.3mm to 2.6mm. Furthermore, in this reference example, the bridging plate portion 55a does not have the first rib 60, the second rib 61, and the pair of third ribs 62 present in the embodiment.

[0210] The pair of side plate portions 56a are independent of the bridging plate portion 55a and are composed of plate-shaped members with a thickness dimension smaller than that of the bridging plate portion 55a. In this reference example, the inner end faces of the pair of side plate portions 56a in the width direction are flat surfaces. The other structures of the pair of side plate portions 56a are basically the same as those of the pair of side plate portions 56 in one embodiment. The inner end edges of the pair of side plate portions 56a in the width direction are fixed to the two end edges in the width direction of the bridging plate portion 55a (the outer end edges in the width direction of the pair of connecting plate portions 96) by welding along their entire length in the front-rear direction.

[0211] In this reference example with the above structure, the thickness of the pair of side plate portions 56a is smaller than the thickness of the bridging plate portion 55a. Therefore, the rigidity of the pair of side plate portions 56a can be made smaller than that of the bridging plate portion 55a. As a result, similar to the example of the embodiment, even if the pair of side plate portions 56a are tilted or deformed, the bridging plate portion 55a will not be affected by, or will be less affected by, such tilting or deformation. The structure of the other parts is the same as in the example of the embodiment.

[0212] [Second example for reference]

[0213] Reference Figures 45-47 A second example of the reference example related to the present invention will be described. In the case of the support bracket 17g in this example, in the middle part of the joint between the bridging plate part 55a constituting the mounting plate part 54c and the pair of side plate parts 56b in the front-rear direction, mounting side slits 63a are formed that pass through the part in the thickness direction and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0214] Specifically, in this example, the two end faces of the bridging plate portion 55a in the width direction are both flat surfaces. On the other hand, a side plate recess 97 is formed in the middle of the front-rear direction of the inner end faces of the pair of side plate portions 56b in the width direction, which is recessed outward in the width direction. Moreover, the two end faces of the bridging plate portion 55a in the width direction and the portions of the inner end faces of the pair of side plate portions 56b in the width direction, excluding the side plate recess 97, are fixed by welding. In this fixed state, the bottom surface of the side plate recess 97 and the portions of the two end faces of the bridging plate portion 55a in the width direction that are opposite to the side plate recess 97 in the width direction constitute the mounting side slit 63a.

[0215] In this example with the above structure, the rigidity of the bridging plate portion 55a constituting the mounting plate portion 54c is higher than the rigidity of the pair of side plate portions 56b, and mounting side slits 63a are formed in the pair of side plate portions 56b. Therefore, the pair of side plate portions 56b are prone to tilting or deforming with the portion where the mounting side slits 63a are formed as a fulcrum, and the effects of such tilting or deformation are unlikely to affect the bridging plate portion 55a. As a result, in this example, as in one example of the embodiment, the effects of tilting or deformation of the pair of side plate portions 56b can be prevented from affecting the pair of support plate portions 22a. Other structures are the same as in the first example of the embodiment and the first example of the reference example.

[0216] [The third example in the reference series]

[0217] Reference Figures 48-50A third example of the reference examples related to the present invention will be described. In the case of the support bracket 17h in this example, a mounting side slit 63b is formed in the middle of the joint between the bridging plate portion 55b constituting the mounting plate portion 54d and the pair of side plate portions 56b in the front-rear direction, which extends through this portion in the thickness direction and extends in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the structure of the pair of side plate portions 56b is the same as that of the second example of the reference examples.

[0218] In this example, a pair of bridging side recesses 98 are formed at the midpoint of the front-rear direction of both end faces in the width direction of the bridging plate portion 55b. Furthermore, the portions of both end faces in the width direction of the bridging plate portion 55b, excluding the bridging side recesses 98, are fixed to the portions of the inner end faces in the width direction of the pair of side plate portions 56b, excluding the side plate side recesses 97, by welding. In this fixed state, the bottom surfaces of the bridging side recesses 98 and the bottom surfaces of the side plate side recesses 97 form the mounting side slit 63b. Other structures are the same as in the first example of the embodiment, the first example of the reference example, and the second example.

[0219] [Fourth example from the reference list]

[0220] Reference Figures 51-53 The fourth example of the reference examples related to the present invention will be described. In the case of the support bracket 17e in this example, a mounting side slit 63c is formed in the middle of the joint between the bridging plate portion 55b and the pair of side plate portions 56a in the front-rear direction, which extends through the thickness direction and elongates in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the structure of the bridging plate portion 55b is the same as that of the third example of the reference examples, and the structure of the pair of side plate portions 56a is the same as that of the first example of the reference examples.

[0221] In this example with the above structure, the portions of both end faces of the bridging plate portion 55b in the width direction, excluding the bridging side recess 98, are fixed to the inner end faces of the pair of side plate portions 56a in the width direction by welding. In this fixed state, the bottom surface of the bridging side recess 98 and the portions of the inner end faces of the pair of side plate portions 56a that face the bridging side recess 98 in the width direction form the mounting side slit 63c. Other structures are the same as in the first example of the embodiment and the first to third examples of the reference examples.

[0222] Industrial applications

[0223] This invention can be widely applied to the construction of a vehicle body for supporting a steering column that constitutes a steering device in a car or other vehicle.

[0224] Explanation of symbols

[0225] 1—Steering wheel, 2—Steering shaft, 3—Steering wheel, 4—Steering column, 5—Steering force assist device, 6—Steering tie rod, 7—Steering gear unit, 8—Inner shaft, 9—Outer shaft, 10—Inner column, 11, 11a, 11b—Outer column, 12—Gearbox, 13—Output shaft, 14—Lower bracket, 15—Body, 16—Tilting shaft, 17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17f, 17g, 17h, 17i—Support bracket, 18—Locking component, 19—Slit, 20—Clamping part, 21, 21a—Elongated hole for telescopic adjustment, 22, 22a, 22b, 22c—Support plate part, 23, 23a—Elongated hole for tilt adjustment, 24, 24a—Adjusting rod 25—Adjusting nut; 26, 26a—Adjusting lever; 27—Anchoring part; 28—Universal joint; 29—Intermediate shaft; 30—Universal joint; 31—Input shaft; 32—Electric motor; 33—Through hole for locking; 34—Main body of the clamped part; 35—Cylindrical part; 36—Axial slit; 37a, 37b—Circumferential slit; 38—Clamping part; 39—Extending plate part; 40—Pressing surface; 41—Reinforced bridging part; 42—Reinforced plate part; 43a, 43b—Connecting part; 44—Plate part; 45—Lower extension part; 46—Slit; 47—Gap; 49a, 49b—Torque transmission surface; 50a, 50b—Protruding part; 51—Reinforcing rib; 52—Reinforcing connecting plate; 53—Recess; 54 54a, 54b, 54c—Mounting plate section; 55, 55a, 55b—Bridging plate section; 56, 56a, 56b—Side plate section; 57, 57a—Central plate section; 58, 58a—Side inclined plate section; 59—Secondary locking notch; 60—First rib; 61—Second rib; 62—Third rib; 63, 63a, 63b, 63c—Mounting side slits; 64, 64a, 64b—Support plate body; 65, 65a, 65b, 65c, 65d, 65e, 65f—Reinforcing section; 66, 66a—Welding flange section; 67—First reinforcing element; 68—Second reinforcing element; 69—First reinforcing element; 70—Second reinforcing element; 71—Third reinforcing element; 72—Front... Rear slit, 73, 73a, 73b, 73c—upper and lower slits, 74—upper slit, 75, 75a, 75b, 75c—lower slits, 76—middle slit, 77—welding part, 78—cam device, 80—fixed part, 81—mounting flange, 82, 82a, 82b—second front and rear slits, 83—front slit, 84—rear slit, 85—front edge, 86—upper plate part, 87—inclined plate part, 88—seat surface, 89—extension plate part, 90—upper slit, 91—thrust bearing, 92—pressing plate, 93—locking block, 94—driving side cam, 95—driven side cam, 96—joining plate part, 97—side plate recess, 98—bridging side recess.

Claims

1. A support bracket for a steering device, characterized in that, have: Mounting part, which is fixed to the vehicle body; and A pair of support plates are arranged opposite each other in the width direction of the vehicle body, each having its upper end connected to the lower surface of the mounting portion, and each having a fixing side through hole. At least one of the aforementioned pair of support plates, located in a forward and backward direction offset from the aforementioned fixed side through hole, is provided with a reinforcing portion that extends in the vertical direction, has a free upper edge, and separates from the lower surface of the aforementioned mounting portion, with a free front or rear end edge. The aforementioned reinforcing part is composed of a protruding strip that extends in the vertical direction. The outer side of the protruding strip is convex in the width direction of the vehicle body, and the inner side is concave in the width direction of the vehicle body.

2. The steering device support bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned reinforcement increases the section modulus in the width direction of each of the aforementioned pair of support plates.

3. The steering device support bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned mounting portion is composed of a mounting plate portion, which has a bridging plate portion and a pair of side plate portions disposed on both sides of the bridging plate portion in the width direction of the aforementioned vehicle body.

4. The steering device support bracket according to claim 3, characterized in that, At the midpoint of the front-rear direction of the inner end portion in the width direction of at least one of the aforementioned pair of side plates, a mounting side slit extending in the front-rear direction through the thickness direction of the at least one side plate is formed.

5. The steering device support bracket according to claim 3, characterized in that, A pair of ribs are provided in the continuous portion of the inner end of at least one of the two side plate portions in the width direction and the two ends of the bridging plate portion in the width direction, which are continuous with the inner end of the width direction of the at least one side plate portion, in a state of being separated in the front-rear direction.

6. The steering device support bracket according to claim 4, characterized in that, A pair of ribs are provided in the continuous portion of the inner end of at least one of the two side plate portions in the width direction and the two ends of the bridging plate portion in the width direction, which are continuous with the inner end of the width direction of the at least one side plate portion, in a state of being separated in the front-rear direction.

7. The steering device support bracket according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, At least one of the aforementioned pair of ribs is provided on the aforementioned bridge plate portion in such a way that it extends along the width direction of the aforementioned vehicle body.

8. The support bracket for the steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The aforementioned bridging plate portion has: a central plate portion, which is arranged parallel to the width direction of the vehicle body; and a pair of side inclined plate portions, which are provided on both sides of the central plate portion in the width direction of the vehicle body, and are inclined towards the downward direction as they move outward in the width direction of the vehicle body.

9. The support bracket for a steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned reinforcing portion is located at two positions in the pair of support plates, one offset forward from the aforementioned fixed-side through hole and the other offset rearward from the aforementioned fixed-side through hole.

10. The support bracket for a steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8, and 9, characterized in that, The upper ends of each of the aforementioned pair of support plates are fixed to the lower surface of the aforementioned mounting portion by welding.

11. The steering device support bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8, and 9, characterized in that, In the aforementioned pair of support plates, in the portion between the aforementioned reinforcing portion and the aforementioned fixed side through hole in the longitudinal direction of the aforementioned vehicle body, and in at least the portion that matches the aforementioned fixed side through hole in the vertical direction, a vertical slit extending through the width direction of the aforementioned vehicle body is provided.

12. A steering device, characterized in that, have: Steering column, which supports the steering shaft rotatably on the inside; and The steering device support bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images