Steering support unit

Abstract

To reduce the number of components of a steering support unit, and inhibit a manufacturing variance.SOLUTION: A steering support unit 1 includes a body 10 of an instrument panel reinforcement disposed in a front part of a vehicle, and a steering member 20 that is attached to the body 10 in order to support a steering. The steering member 20 includes an upper side member 30 and a lower side member 40 which are tubular and opposed to each other. The steering member has a hollow sectional shape formed with the upper side member 30 and the lower side member 40. At least one of the upper side member 30 and the lower side member 40 is connected to the body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering support device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a steering support device that includes a first member extending in the width direction of the vehicle and a second member that is spaced apart from the first member and extends in the width direction of the vehicle in the driver's seat area.

[0003] In this steering support device, the second member is attached to the first member via brackets at two locations on both ends in the longitudinal direction in order to distribute the load applied to the steering support device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-43294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the device described in Patent Document 1, the second member is attached to the first member via multiple brackets, which increases the number of parts and the number of welding points and the number of times to connect these parts together. As a result, there is a problem in that manufacturing variations in the device increase due to variations in processing such as press processing of each part and variations in welding processing.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to reduce the number of parts in a steering support device and suppress manufacturing variations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A steering support device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body portion of an instrument panel reinforcement disposed at a front portion of a vehicle, and a steering member attached to the main body portion to support a steering wheel.

[0008] The steering member has a hollow cross-sectional shape, and is plate-shaped and includes an upper member and a lower member arranged opposite each other, and at least one of the upper member and the lower member is connected to the main body.

[0009] In this way, the steering member has a monaka structure with a hollow cross section, so that the area of ​​the internal space can be made larger and rigidity can be increased compared to the second member described in Patent Document 1.

[0010] Furthermore, since the steering member is connected to the main body of the instrument panel reinforcement without using a bracket, the number of parts in the steering support device can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the steering support device.

[0011] Furthermore, since the number of parts can be reduced in this way, the rigidity of the steering support device can be increased. Note that the reason for this increased rigidity is that the composite spring constant decreases as the number of parts increases. In addition, by increasing the rigidity in this way, the steering feel experienced by the vehicle driver can be improved.

[0012] In addition, the shape of the steering member can be set as needed by changing the shapes of the upper and lower members, which increases the degree of freedom in designing the steering member. Also, depending on the shapes of the upper and lower members, the points and ranges of connection to the main body can be set as desired to distribute the force applied from the steering.

[0013] Therefore, by connecting at least one of the upper member and the lower member to the main body, it is possible to transmit force to the main body in a more distributed manner over a wider area than in the steering support device described in Patent Document 1, making it possible to make the main body less susceptible to deformation.

[0014] Furthermore, because the steering member has a sandwich structure made up of an upper member and a lower member, it is possible to increase rigidity by, for example, making the plate thickness of the lower member to which the steering column is attached thicker than that of the upper member.Furthermore, because the plate thicknesses of the upper and lower members can be set independently in this way, it is possible to reduce the weight of the steering member by reducing the plate thickness of one of the members while ensuring strength by increasing rigidity.

[0015] Here, the upper member and the lower member have an elongated shape that is long in the central axis direction of the main body portion, and at least one of the upper member and the lower member may have a portion of the outer peripheral edge facing the main body portion connected to the main body portion.

[0016] In addition, the lower member may have a portion of its outer peripheral edge facing the main body portion connected to the main body portion, and the upper member may have a portion of its outer peripheral edge facing the main body portion bent and extending toward the lower member, with the extending portion and the plate surface of the lower member being connected to each other.

[0017] In this case, an attachment member may be provided to which the bent portion of the upper member bent toward the lower member and the main body portion are attached. In a steering support device equipped with an attachment member, the steering member has a hollow cross-sectional shape formed by the upper member and the lower member, as well as a hollow cross-sectional shape formed by the lower member connected to the main body and the attachment member.

[0018] Therefore, the steering member has a higher rigidity due to the multiple hollow cross-sectional shapes, and can support the steering more stably, thereby improving the steering feel for the vehicle driver. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a steering support device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the steering member shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of the steering member in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a steering member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a steering member according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a steering member according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a steering member according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state of a steering member according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, a steering support device 1 of this embodiment is a device that is mounted on a vehicle and supports a steering wheel 3.

[0021] The steering support device 1 is constructed by connecting a steering member 20 to a main body 10 of an instrument panel reinforcement (hereinafter referred to as R / F) 8, the both ends of which in the width direction of the vehicle are fixed to the left and right pillars (not shown) of the vehicle via brackets 5, 6.

[0022] The pillars are provided near the driver's and passenger's doors and are components that constitute the vehicle body. The main body 10 of the R / F 8 is made of a hollow pipe. The R / F 8 is also used to support various components (not shown) other than the steering member 20.

[0023] The steering member 20 is provided with an upper member 30 and a lower member 40, and is used to mount the steering 3 on the main body 10 of the R / F 8 by fixing a steering column 50 in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0024] The steering column 50 rotatably supports a steering shaft 54 ​​that protrudes from a steering wheel 52 of the vehicle, and is fixed to the lower surface of the lower member 40 that constitutes the steering member 20.

[0025] The upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are produced by press-forming metal plates made of iron or the like so that an internal space 28 (see FIG. 3) is formed when the upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are arranged opposite each other.

[0026] The upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are disposed opposite each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and their outer peripheries away from the main body 10 of the R / F 8 are connected by welding or the like. Also, parts of the upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are directly connected to the main body 10 of the R / F 8 by welding or the like.

[0027] 2, the steering member 20 has an elongated shape that is long in the central axis direction of the main body 10 of the R / F 8, and includes a straight portion 22 that is arranged at an interval on the main body 10. The steering member 20 also includes first connection portions 24A and 24B that protrude from both longitudinal ends of the straight portion 22 toward the main body 10, and a second connection portion 26 that protrudes from the center of the straight portion 22 toward the main body 10.

[0028] The upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are press-molded so that the straight portion 22, the first connecting portions 24A, 24B, and the second connecting portion 26 of the steering member 20 bulge in the vertical direction, sandwiching the internal space 28 therebetween.

[0029] In the upper member 30 and the lower member 40, the edges of the first connecting portions 24A, 24B and the second connecting portion 26 on the side of the main body 10 are connected to the main body 10. In addition, in the upper member 30 and the lower member 40, the outer peripheral portions away from the main body 10 are bent by press molding so as to overlap each other and are connected to each other.

[0030] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the steering member 20 has a monaka structure with an internal space 28 formed by the upper member 30 and the lower member 40, and can achieve rigidity suitable for supporting the steering wheel 3.

[0031] The thickness of the lower member 40 is greater than the thickness of the upper member 30 so that the steering column 50 can be firmly fixed.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the upper member 30 and the lower member 40, fixing portions 60 protruding toward the front of the vehicle are connected to the upper and lower surfaces of the second connecting portion 26 in order to fix the steering member 20 to the vehicle body.

[0033] As described above, the steering support device 1 of this embodiment includes the main body 10 of the vehicle instrument panel reinforcement 8, and the steering member 20 connected to the main body 10 to support the steering wheel 3. The steering member 20 has a monaka structure with a hollow cross-sectional shape, formed by the upper member 30 and the lower member 40.

[0034] Therefore, as is clear from FIG. 3, the steering member 20 can have a larger area (specifically, cross-sectional area) of the internal space 28 than the second member described in Patent Document 1, thereby increasing the rigidity.

[0035] The steering member 20 is fixed to the main body 10 by connecting the end edges of the upper member 30 and the lower member 40 on the main body 10 side to each other. Therefore, the steering member 20 can be fixed to the main body 10 without using a bracket, and the number of parts of the steering support device 1 can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the steering support device 1. Furthermore, since the number of parts can be reduced, the rigidity of the steering support device 1 can be increased, and the steering feel of the steering wheel 3 by the vehicle driver can be improved.

[0036] Furthermore, since the plate thickness of the lower member 40 is thicker than that of the upper member 30, the steering column 50 can be firmly fixed to the lower member 40, and moreover, by making the plate thickness of the upper member 30 thinner, weight reduction can also be achieved.

[0037] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are described as having a hollow cross-sectional shape to form an internal space 28, not only in the straight portion 22 of the steering member 20 but also in the first connecting portions 24A, 24B and the second connecting portion 26.

[0038] 4, the upper member 30 of the steering member 20 is bent at the main body 10 side so that the plate surface thereof extends toward the lower member 40. The tip 34A of the extension portion 34 extending from the bent portion 32 is connected to the lower member 40.

[0039] According to the steering member 20 of this embodiment, at least the straight portion 22 has a hollow cross section and has a monaka structure with an internal space 28, so that rigidity can be increased similarly to the first embodiment.

[0040] In this case, the plate surface of the upper member 30 may be bent at the bends 32 to form the extension 34, and the tip 34A of the extension 34 may be connected to the lower member 40 only by the second connection portion 26. Similarly, the plate surface of the upper member 30 may be bent at the bends 32 to form the extension 34, and the tip 34A of the extension 34 may be connected to the lower member 40 only by the first connection portions 24A, 24B. In this way, the first connection portions 24A, 24B or the second connection portions 26 at both ends of the steering member 20 may be formed to have a hollow cross-sectional shape, thereby increasing rigidity.

[0041] [Third embodiment] 5, in the steering member 20, the plate surface of the lower member 40 on the main body 10 side is bent and extends toward the upper member 30. A tip 44A of an extension portion 44 extending from the bent portion 42 is connected to the upper member 30.

[0042] According to the steering member 20 of this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, at least the straight portion 22 has a monaka structure having an internal space 28, and therefore rigidity can be increased.

[0043] In addition, the plate surface of the lower member 40 is bent at the bending portion 42 to form the extension portion 44, and its tip 44A may be connected to the upper member 30 only by the second connecting portion 26, as in the second embodiment, or only by the first connecting portions 24A and 24B.

[0044] [Fourth embodiment] As shown in Figure 6, the steering member 20 of this embodiment is configured by providing a plate-shaped mounting member 38 to which the bent portion 32 of the upper member 30 and the main body portion 10 are attached in the second embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0045] In this embodiment of the steering member 20 equipped with the mounting member 38, in addition to the internal space 28 of the straight section 22, there is an internal space 29 formed by the lower member 40 connected to the main body portion 10, the mounting member 38, and the main body portion 10.

[0046] Therefore, the steering member 20 of this embodiment can be made more rigid by the two internal spaces 28, 29, and by fixing the steering column 50 to the lower member 40, the steering 3 can be more firmly supported, improving the steering feel. Note that the mounting member 38 does not necessarily have to be plate-shaped, as long as it can be attached to the bent portion 32 of the upper member 30 and the main body portion 10 and connect them.

[0047] [Fifth embodiment] As shown in FIG. 7, in the steering member 20 of this embodiment, the upper member 30 is bent and extends toward the lower member 40 at at least the first connection portion 24A, 24B or the second connection portion 26, and is connected to the lower member 40.

[0048] In addition, in the upper member 30, an extension portion 34 extending from the bent portion 32 is bent at a second bent portion 36 and extends from a connection portion 35 with the lower member 40 toward the main body portion 10 so as to widen the gap between the upper member 30 and the main body portion 10. A tip end 37A of a second extension portion 37 extending from the second bent portion 36 is connected to the main body portion 10. The lower member 40 is connected to the main body portion 10 in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

[0049] In the steering member 20 of this embodiment, in addition to the internal space 28 of the straight portion 22, there is an internal space 29 formed by the lower member 40 connected to the main body portion 10, the second extension portion 37 of the upper member 30, and the main body portion 10.

[0050] Therefore, in the steering member 20 of this embodiment as well, the two internal spaces 28, 29 can further increase the rigidity, and the same effect as in the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

[0051] [Sixth embodiment] 8, in the steering member 20 of this embodiment, the outer peripheral regions 58 of the upper member 30 and the lower member 40, which are away from the main body 10, are directly connected by a length that allows the steering column 50 to be attached. The steering column 50 is fixed to the underside of the lower member 40 at the outer peripheral regions 58 of the connected upper member 30 and lower member 40.

[0052] On the other hand, on the side of the main body 10 from the outer peripheral region 58 to which the steering column 50 is fixed, the upper member 30 and the lower member 40 are arranged opposite each other with a predetermined distance between them, and their tips, i.e., the edges on the main body 10 side, are each connected to the main body 10.

[0053] The steering member 20 of this embodiment cannot be provided with a straight section 22 having an internal space 28, as in the above-described embodiments. However, since it has an internal space 29 formed by the main body 10 and the lower member 40 and upper member 30 connected to the main body 10, this internal space 29 can increase the rigidity of the steering member 20 and ensure its strength.

[0054] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can take various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] For example, in the above embodiment, the steering member 20 has been described as having first connection portions 24A, 24B at both longitudinal ends of the steering member 20 and a second connection portion 26 in the center as connection portions connectable to the main body portion 10.

[0056] However, since the width of the second connection portion 26 can be set arbitrarily depending on the connection position of other components to the main body portion 10, the width of the second connection portion 26 can be widened to increase the connection strength with the main body portion 10.

[0057] Therefore, the first connection portions 24A, 24B do not necessarily need to be provided, and for example, the width and number of the second connection portions 26 may be appropriately changed depending on the connection position of other members to the main body portion 10, thereby connecting the steering member 20 to the main body portion 10.

[0058] Furthermore, although it has been described that welding is used to connect the upper member 30 and the lower member 40, or to connect each of these members 30, 40 to the main body 10, fastening members such as bolts and nuts, screws, etc. may also be used to make these connections.

[0059] Furthermore, multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Furthermore, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0060] [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] a main body of an instrument panel reinforcement disposed at a front part of a vehicle; a steering member attached to the main body portion and supporting a steering wheel, The steering member is The device includes an upper member and a lower member that are plate-shaped and arranged opposite each other, a hollow cross-sectional shape consisting of the upper member and the lower member, A steering support device, wherein at least one of the upper member and the lower member are connected to the main body portion.

[0061] [Item 2] The steering support device according to item 1, A steering support device in which the upper member and the lower member have an elongated shape that is long in the central axis direction of the main body portion, and at least one of the upper member and the lower member has a portion of its outer peripheral edge facing the main body portion that is connected to the main body portion.

[0062] [Item 3] The steering support device according to item 2, a part of the outer peripheral edge of the lower member facing the main body portion is connected to the main body portion; A steering support device in which the outer peripheral edge side of the upper member facing the main body portion is bent and extends toward the lower member, and the bent and extended extension portion and the plate surface of the lower member are connected to each other.

[0063] [Item 4] The steering support device according to item 3, A steering support device comprising a bent portion of the upper member bent toward the lower member and an attachment member to which the main body portion is attached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...steering support device, 3...steering, 8...instrument panel reinforcement (R / F), 10...main body, 20...steering member, 28, 29...internal space, 30...upper member, 40...lower member

Claims

1. a main body of an instrument panel reinforcement disposed at a front part of a vehicle; a steering member attached to the main body portion and supporting a steering wheel, The steering member is The device includes an upper member and a lower member that are plate-shaped and arranged opposite each other, a hollow cross-sectional shape consisting of the upper member and the lower member, A steering support device, wherein at least one of the upper member and the lower member are connected to the main body portion.

2. 2. The steering support device according to claim 1, A steering support device in which the upper member and the lower member have an elongated shape that is long in the central axis direction of the main body portion, and at least one of the upper member and the lower member has a portion of its outer peripheral edge facing the main body portion that is connected to the main body portion.

3. 3. The steering support device according to claim 2, a part of the outer peripheral edge of the lower member facing the main body portion is connected to the main body portion; A steering support device in which the outer peripheral edge side of the upper member facing the main body portion is bent and extends toward the lower member, and the bent and extended extension portion and the plate surface of the lower member are connected to each other.

4. 4. The steering support device according to claim 3, A steering support device comprising a bent portion of the upper member bent toward the lower member and an attachment member to which the main body portion is attached.

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