Steering column arrangement

Abstract

A column device (1) is provided with a column shaft (2) to which a steering wheel (5) is fixed, and a steering column (3) that supports the column shaft (2) so as to be rotatable. The steering column (3) is provided with a housing (31) configured to be supported to a vehicle body, a column tube (32) housed in the housing (31) so as to be movable in an axial direction, and a contact pad (61) disposed between the housing (31) and the column tube (32). The contact pad (61) is configured to be fixed to the column tube (32) and press the housing (31) from an inner side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to steering column devices. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, there exist steering column devices that allow adjustment of the vehicle's fore-and-aft position (hereinafter referred to as the telescopic position). Generally, such steering column devices include: a housing supported on the vehicle body; a column tube housed within the housing and capable of axial movement; and a column shaft supported within the column tube and capable of rotation.

[0003] In such a steering column assembly, the column tube is capable of axial movement, resulting in a small gap between the housing and the column tube. Therefore, for example, when an external force is applied to the steering wheel by the driver, the column tube may wobble. Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a steering column assembly that includes a pressing mechanism disposed between the housing and the column tube. In this steering column assembly, wobble of the column tube within the housing is suppressed by pressing the column tube radially inward using the pressing mechanism.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-52208

[0005] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0006] In the steering column device of Patent Document 1, the pressing mechanism is fixed to the outer casing. Therefore, if the column tube moves axially along with the adjustment of the extension / retraction position, the relative position of the pressing mechanism and the column tube changes, and the point of application of the pressing force acting on the column tube changes. That is, the distance between the point of application of the pressing force and the steering wheel changes depending on the extension / retraction position. As a result, the column tube is prone to wobbling due to the extension / retraction position. The larger the adjustable range of the extension / retraction position, the more pronounced this tendency becomes. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One disclosed technical solution provides a steering column assembly comprising: a column shaft for fixing a steering wheel; and a steering column supporting the column shaft for rotation. The steering column comprises: a housing supported on a vehicle body; a column tube housed within the housing for axial movement; and a contact pad disposed between the housing and the column tube. The contact pad is configured to be fixed to the column tube and press against the housing from the inside. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a steering column device according to one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the steering column assembly along the axial direction.

[0010] Figure 3yes Figure 1 The cross-section of the steering column assembly is orthogonal to the axial direction and is along... Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the outer tube and pressing mechanism of the steering column device.

[0012] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view near the pressing mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the steering column device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] (Overall structure)

[0015] The steering column assembly 1 is mounted on the vehicle generally along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the following description, it will be... Figure 1 The left inner side is set as the front side of the vehicle, and Figure 1 The right-hand front side is defined as the rear side of the vehicle, and the orientation indicated by terms such as "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" is defined based on the vehicle.

[0016] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the steering column assembly 1 includes a column shaft 2, a steering column 3 that houses the column shaft 2 and allows it to rotate, and a bracket 4 for connecting the steering column 3 to the vehicle body S. The column shaft 2 and the steering column 3 are arranged on a common axis L.

[0017] A steering wheel 5 is connected to the rear end of the column shaft 2. An intermediate shaft (not shown) is connected to the front end of the column shaft 2. The intermediate shaft is connected to the steering wheel via a gear and rack mechanism (not shown). The bracket 4 is connected to the steering column 3 using a hinge bolt 6. The steering column 3, supported on the vehicle body S via the bracket 4, can rotate around the hinge bolt 6.

[0018] The steering column assembly 1 is configured to adjust the vertical position (hereinafter referred to as the tilt position) and the longitudinal position (hereinafter referred to as the telescopic position) of the steering wheel 5. The tilt position is adjusted by rotating the steering column 3 around the hinge bolt 6. The telescopic position is adjusted by extending or retracting the steering column 3.

[0019] The steering column assembly 1 includes: a tilt actuator 11 configured to rotate the steering column 3 about a hinge bolt 6; and a telescopic actuator 12 configured to extend or retract the steering column 3. The tilt actuator 11 rotates the steering column 3 via a linkage mechanism 13, thereby changing the tilt position within a pre-set tilt adjustment range. The telescopic actuator 12 extends or retracts the steering column 3, thereby changing the telescopic position within a pre-set telescopic adjustment range. As an example, the telescopic adjustment range is set to a large range so that, for example, in the vehicle's autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel 5 can be retracted to a position that will not obstruct the driver.

[0020] Next, the construction for adjusting the telescopic position will be described.

[0021] (Column 2)

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the column shaft 2 includes an upper shaft 21 and a lower shaft 22. The upper shaft 21 is a long, thin cylindrical shape. A steering wheel 5 is connected to the rear end of the upper shaft 21. The lower shaft 22 is a long, thin cylindrical shape. The lower shaft 22 is engaged with the inner circumference of the upper shaft 21 via a spline. Thus, the lower shaft 22 can rotate integrally with the upper shaft 21 and is connected to be able to move axially relative to the upper shaft 21. Furthermore, the term "cylindrical" in this specification can refer to a shape that is cylindrical in general, and also includes structures that combine multiple parts to form a cylindrical shape, structures that have slits in a part like a C-shape, etc.

[0023] (Steering column 3)

[0024] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the steering column 3 includes a housing 31, a column tube 32, and multiple pressing mechanisms 33. As an example, the steering column 3 has two pressing mechanisms 33, but the number of pressing mechanisms 33 can also be one or more. Furthermore, in Figure 3 For ease of explanation, the diagrams of components other than the column shaft 2 and the steering column 3 are omitted.

[0025] The outer casing 31 is generally rectangular. The outer casing 31 is connected to the vehicle body S via a bracket 4. The lower shaft 22 is supported by a bearing 34 located at its front end, allowing it to rotate but preventing axial movement. The column tube 32 is cylindrical. The upper shaft 21 is supported by a bearing 35 located at its rear end, allowing it to rotate but preventing axial movement. Thus, the column tube 32 can move axially integrally with the upper shaft 21. The column tube 32 is housed within the outer casing 31 to allow axial movement. The aforementioned telescopic actuator 12 is connected to the column tube 32 to enable axial movement of the column tube 32. A pressing mechanism 33 is disposed between the outer casing 31 and the column tube 32. The pressing mechanism 33 is configured to be fixed to the column tube 32 and press the outer casing 31 from the inside.

[0026] The steering column 3 extends and retracts by moving the column tube 32 axially within the housing 31. Simultaneously, the upper shaft 21 moves axially relative to the lower shaft 22 along with the movement of the column tube 32, thereby extending and retracting the column shaft 2 and changing the extension / retraction position of the steering wheel 5.

[0027] The structure of the outer casing 31, the column tube 32, and the pressing mechanism 33 will be described in detail below.

[0028] (Outer shell 31)

[0029] The outer casing 31 comprises a casing body 41 and a cover 42. As an example, the casing body 41 has a generally quadrangular cylindrical shape. The casing body 41 has a peripheral wall 44 and an end wall 45 disposed at the front end of the peripheral wall 44. The peripheral wall 44 has an opening 46 that opens upwards. The opening 46 is rectangular, making the upper portion of the peripheral wall 44 substantially entirely open. The peripheral wall 44 has a lower portion, a left portion, and a right portion, and the cross-section of the peripheral wall 44 orthogonal to the axial direction is generally U-shaped. The end wall 45 has a through hole 47 extending axially. The aforementioned bearing 34 is disposed in the through hole 47.

[0030] The cover 42 is a rectangular plate. The cover 42 covers approximately the entire opening 46. The cover 42 is secured to the housing body 41 using a plurality of fixing bolts 48. The cover 42 has two ribs 49 extending axially. The ribs 49 extend throughout the entire axial region of the cover 42. The two ribs 49 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The ribs 49 are formed by bending a portion of the cover 42 downwardly. Furthermore, the ribs 49 are sometimes referred to as guide rails. The portion of the inner surface of the cover 42 between the ribs 49, i.e., the portion of the inner surface of the cover 42 that contacts the contact pad 61 (described later), is a flat shape without gaps throughout the entire axial region of the cover 42.

[0031] (column tube 32)

[0032] The column tube 32 includes an outer tube 51, an inner tube 52, and a sleeve 53. The outer tube 51, inner tube 52, and sleeve 53 are all cylindrical. The outer tube 51 is positioned forward of the inner tube 52. As an example, the outer tube 51 may also have an axial length that does not protrude rearward from the housing 31 when the steering wheel 5 is adjusted to any telescopic position. The rear end of the inner tube 52 protrudes from the housing 31. The aforementioned bearing 35 is provided at the rear end of the inner tube 52. The front end of the inner tube 52 engages with the inner circumference of the rear end of the outer tube 51. The sleeve 53 is sandwiched between the outer tube 51 and the inner tube 52.

[0033] A portion of the outer periphery of the outer tube 51 is riveted toward the inner tube 52. Thus, when adjusting the telescopic position of the steering wheel 5, the outer tube 51, the inner tube 52, and the sleeve 53 move axially as a single unit. On the other hand, for example, when an impact load caused by a vehicle collision acts on the steering wheel 5, the inner tube 52 deforms the sleeve 53 while moving axially relative to the outer tube 51, thereby absorbing the impact load.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 51 has a flat portion 54. The flat portion 54 is provided on the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 51 and extends throughout the entire axial region of the outer tube 51. The outer tube 51 has a plurality of mounting holes 55 opening in the flat portion 54. The mounting holes 55 are arranged axially.

[0035] (Pressing mechanism 33)

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the pressing mechanisms 33 are arranged axially spaced apart on the outer periphery of the outer tube 51. Specifically, one of the pressing mechanisms 33 is located rearward of the axial center position of the outer tube 51, and the other is located forward of the axial center position of the outer tube 51. These pressing mechanisms 33 are configured similarly, therefore, the pressing mechanism 33 located on the rear side will be described, and the description of the pressing mechanism 33 located on the front side will be omitted.

[0037] like Figures 3-5 As shown, the pressing mechanism 33 includes a contact pad 61, an elastomer 62, and a bracket 63. Furthermore, the pressing mechanism 33 includes an annular washer 64. The bracket 63 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube 51 and houses the contact pad 61 and the elastomer 62. That is, the contact pad 61 and the elastomer 62 are fixed to the outer tube 51, i.e., the column tube 32, via the bracket 63. The elastomer 62 applies force to the contact pad 61 towards the inner surface of the outer casing 31. The contact pad 61 presses against the outer casing 31 from the inside using the force of the elastomer 62.

[0038] In detail, the bracket 63 has a short cylindrical shape with one end sealed. For example, the bracket 63 is made of resin material. Specifically, the bracket 63 has a circular plate-shaped bottom wall 71 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 72. The outer diameter of the peripheral wall 72 is smaller than the spacing between the ribs 49 in the cover 42. The outer surface of the bottom wall 71 has a flat mounting surface 73. The outer surface of the bottom wall 71 is centrally recessed, and the mounting surface 73 is annular. Furthermore, the bracket 63 has: a plurality of protrusions 74 protruding from the center of the outer surface of the bottom wall 71, and a single support platform 75 protruding from the center of the inner surface of the bottom wall 71. Each protrusion 74 protrudes larger than the mounting surface 73 outwards from the bracket 63. The plurality of protrusions 74 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the axis of the bracket 63. The bracket 63 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 51 by contacting the mounting surface 73 with the flat portion 54 of the outer tube 51 and pressing these protrusions 74 into the mounting holes 55. The bracket 63 is positioned between the ribs 49 while being fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube 51. The support platform 75 is cylindrical. The height of the support platform 75 is lower than that of the peripheral wall 72.

[0039] The inner diameter of washer 64 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of support 75 and smaller than the inner diameter of peripheral wall 72. Washer 64 is disposed on bottom wall 71 in a state of being fitted with the outer periphery of support 75.

[0040] The elastic body 62 is a ring-shaped component. The inner diameter of the elastic body 62 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the support platform 75, and smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 72. In the elastic body 62, as an example, a structure obtained by overlapping multiple disc springs is adopted, but for example, a coil spring or the like could also be used. The elastic body 62 is disposed on the washer 64 in a state of being fitted into the outer periphery of the support platform 75.

[0041] The contact pad 61 is a thin, circular plate-shaped component. For example, the contact pad 61 is made of a resin material with a low coefficient of friction and excellent sliding properties. The outer diameter of the contact pad 61 is smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 72. That is, the washer 64, the elastomer 62, and the contact pad 61 are sequentially housed within the support 63. The contact pad 61 is positioned within the peripheral wall 44 while in contact with the front end face of the support platform 75. The thickness of the contact pad 61 is greater than the difference between the protrusion of the peripheral wall 44 and the protrusion of the support platform 75. Therefore, when in contact with the front end face of the support platform 75, the contact pad 61 protrudes from the front end face of the peripheral wall 72 and contacts the flat portion between the ribs 49 on the inner surface of the cover 42. Furthermore, the contact pad 61 is sometimes referred to as a sliding plate.

[0042] In this pressing mechanism 33, the contact pad 61 uses the force of the elastic body 62 to press the inner surface of the cover 42 from the radially inward to the outerward. Furthermore, due to the reaction force of the contact pad 61 pressing the cover 42, the column tube 32 is pressed radially. This suppresses the wobbling of the column tube 32 within the housing 31. Additionally, when adjusting the telescopic position of the steering wheel 5, the contact pad 61 slides axially while in contact with the inner surface of the cover 42.

[0043] Next, the function and effects of this implementation method will be explained.

[0044] (1) The steering column assembly 1 includes: a column shaft 2 for fixing a steering wheel 5; and a steering column 3 that supports the column shaft 2 so as to be rotatable. The steering column 3 includes: a housing 31 supported on the vehicle body S; a column tube 32 housed within the housing 31 so as to be axially movable; and a pressing mechanism 33 disposed between the housing 31 and the column tube 32. The pressing mechanism 33 is configured to be fixed to the column tube 32 and to press the housing 31 from the inside. The pressing mechanism 33 includes a contact pad 61 that contacts the housing 31.

[0045] In the above structure, since the contact pad 61 is fixed to the column tube 32, the position of the contact pad 61 relative to the column tube 32 will not change even if the extension / retraction position of the steering wheel 5 changes. That is, the distance between the point of application of the pressing force acting on the column tube 32 and the steering wheel 5 does not change according to the extension / retraction position. Therefore, for example, when an external force is applied to the steering wheel 5 by the driver's operation, the wobbling of the column tube 32 can be stably reduced regardless of the extension / retraction position.

[0046] Furthermore, the pressing force of the pressing mechanism 33 can always be applied at the position most suitable for reducing the swaying of the column tube 32. Therefore, excessive pressing force applied to the housing 31 can be suppressed, and the frictional force between the housing 31 and the contact pad 61 can be reduced. As a result, the load applied to the telescopic actuator 12 when adjusting the telescopic position can be reduced.

[0047] (2) The pressing mechanism 33 also includes an elastic body 62, which applies force to the contact pad 61 toward the outer casing 31. According to the above structure, the contact pad 61 presses the outer casing 31 from the inside using the force of the elastic body 62. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the force of the contact pad 61 pressing the outer casing 31, that is, the magnitude of the pressing force acting on the column tube 32, from deviations caused by dimensional errors of the structural components of the steering column device 1.

[0048] (3) The pressing mechanism 33 also includes a bracket 63, which is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the column tube 32 and houses the contact pad 61 and the elastomer 62. According to the above structure, the contact pad 61 and the elastomer 62 can be easily fixed to the column tube 32 as a single unit.

[0049] (4) The outer peripheral surface of the column tube 32 includes a flat portion 54. The bracket 63 has a flat mounting surface 73 that contacts the flat portion 54. According to the above structure, the bracket 63 can be stably fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the column tube 32. As a result, the force of the contact pad 61 pressing against the outer casing 31 can be stabilized.

[0050] (5) The outer casing 31 has: an outer casing body 41 having a peripheral wall 44 having a radially penetrating opening 46; and a cover 42 that seals the opening 46. The contact pad 61 contacts the inner surface of the cover 42.

[0051] Regarding the assembly sequence of the steering column 3, in the above structure, for example, the column tube 32 is first inserted into the interior of the housing body 41, and then the pressing mechanism 33 is fixed to the column tube 32 via the opening 46. Then, the steering column 3 is assembled by mounting the cover 42. Therefore, for example, compared to the case where the column tube 32 with the pressing mechanism 33 fixed is inserted into the housing 31 from the rear along the axial direction, the steering column 3 can be assembled more easily.

[0052] (6) The bracket 63 has a bottom wall 71, a peripheral wall 72, and a support platform 75 protruding from the bottom wall 71 in the same direction as the peripheral wall 72. The contact pad 61 protrudes from the front end face of the peripheral wall 72 when in contact with the front end face of the support platform 75. According to the above structure, for example, it is possible to suppress the contact between the bracket 63 and other parts other than the contact pad 61 and the cover 42 when vibrations are applied from the outside. In addition, by providing the support platform 75, the radial movement of the elastomer 62 and the washer 64 caused by external vibrations can be limited, thus suppressing the deviation of the pressing pressure.

[0053] (7) The cover 42 has two ribs 49 extending axially, which are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The contact pad 61 makes contact with the flat portion between the ribs 49 on the inner surface of the cover 42. According to the above structure, the strength of the cover 42 can be improved by the ribs 49. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the contact pad 61 from sliding in a direction deviating from the axis L when adjusting the telescopic position.

[0054] This embodiment can be implemented in variations as follows. This embodiment and the following variations can be implemented in combination with each other without technical inconsistencies.

[0055] • In the above embodiments, the ribs 49 may not be provided on the cover 42, so that the cover 42 is flat overall.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the outer shell body 41 may also be configured such that it does not have an opening 46 and the outer shell 31 does not have a cover 42.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the shape of the bracket 63 can be appropriately modified as long as it can accommodate the contact pad 61 and the elastomer 62. For example, the bracket 63 may be configured without the support platform 75. Alternatively, the bracket 63 may be configured with a single protrusion that is pressed into the mounting hole 55 instead of multiple protrusions 74. Furthermore, the bracket 63 may be configured without the protrusions 74. In this case, the bracket 63 may be fixed to the outer tube 51 by suitable methods such as screws or adhesives.

[0058] • In the above embodiment, the column tube 32 may not have a flat portion 54. Additionally, the bracket 63 may not have a flat mounting surface 73.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the column tube 32 may not have a sleeve 53, and the inner tube 52 may be directly fitted into the inner circumference of the outer tube 51.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the pressing mechanism 33 may not include the washer 64. Furthermore, the pressing mechanism 33 may not include the elastomer 62. Moreover, the pressing mechanism 33 may not include the elastomer 62, washer 64, and support 63, and may consist only of the contact pad 61. In this case, for example, the contact pad 61 may be pressed against the housing 31 by setting its thickness to a size such that the contact pad 61 is compressed between the housing 31 and the column tube 32.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the steering column assembly 1 is configured to adjust the tilt position and the telescopic position electrically, but it is not limited to this; it may also be configured to adjust at least one of the tilt position and the telescopic position manually. Alternatively, the steering column assembly 1 may be configured to only adjust the telescopic position.

Claims

1. A steering column device, comprising: Column shaft, which is used to fix the steering wheel; and A steering column that supports the column shaft so that it can rotate. in, The steering column has: The outer shell is configured to support the vehicle body; The column tube, which is housed within the housing and is axially movable; and A contact pad, disposed between the housing and the column tube, The contact pad is configured to be fixed to the column tube in such a way that the contact pad does not move axially relative to the column tube, and the contact pad presses the outer shell from the inside.

2. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes an elastomer that applies force to the contact pad toward the housing.

3. The steering column device according to claim 2, wherein, It also includes a bracket, which is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the column tube and houses the contact pad and the elastomer.

4. The steering column device according to claim 3, wherein, The outer circumferential surface of the column tube includes a planar portion. The bracket has a flat mounting surface that contacts the planar portion.

5. The steering column device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The outer casing has: The outer casing body has a peripheral wall having a radially penetrating opening; and A cover, which seals the opening. The contact pad is in contact with the inner surface of the cover.

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