Steering device

Abstract

This steering device 10 comprises a restraining bracket 40 that is attached to an inner pipe 13. This restraining bracket has one restraint plate 50, a pair of pendant plates 61, and a pair of side plates 63. The restraint plate overlaps with an outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe and has a long hole 51 that follows the length of the inner pipe. A connecting bolt 52 that is inserted into the long hole fastens the restraint plate to the outer peripheral surface. The pendant plates extend from the restraint plate and along inner surfaces of a pair of clamp sections 23 of an outer column 12. The side plates extend from tips 61b of the pendant plates and along outer surfaces of the clamp sections, and are sandwiched between the clamp sections and outer column support sections 11a. The pendant plates and the side plates each have a telescoping adjustment long hole 63a penetrated by a clamp bolt 31. The connecting bolt advances through the long hole upon a secondary impact.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved technology for a steering device having a telescopic adjustment mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles are driven by drivers of various physiques. In recent years, steering devices have become known that have a telescopic adjustment mechanism that allows the position of the steering wheel to be adjusted in the fore-and-aft direction to suit the physique of each driver, a so-called telescopic adjustment (abbreviated as "telescopic adjustment"). The steering device of Patent Document 1 has an outer column that holds an inner pipe containing a steering shaft so that it can be moved in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and fixed.

[0003] The steering device technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to Figures 10(a) to 10(c). Figure 10(a) reproduces the content of Figure 3 in Patent Document 1. Figure 10(b) reproduces the content of Figure 2(a) in Patent Document 1. Figure 10(c) reproduces the content of Figure 2(b) in Patent Document 1. Reference numerals have been reassigned as appropriate.

[0004] As shown in Figures 10(a) to 10(c), the steering device 300 of Patent Document 1 has an outer column 303 (arcuate portion 303) attached to a vehicle body 302 via a vehicle body mounting bracket 301 (bracket 301). This outer column 303 is equipped with a pair of clamp portions 305 (fastened portions 305) that hold an inner pipe 304 (inner jacket 304) so ​​that the inner pipe 304 can be fixed and moved in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The vehicle body mounting bracket 301 has a pair of outer column support portions 306 (side plates 306) that sandwich the pair of clamp portions 305 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. A clamp bolt 307 passes through the pair of clamp portions 305 and the pair of outer column support portions 306. A pair of fastening members 308, 308 are interposed between both ends of the clamping bolt 307 and the pair of outer column support portions 306, 306. By turning a lock lever 309 provided on the clamping bolt 307, the pair of fastening members 308, 308 fasten the pair of clamp portions 305, 305 and the pair of outer column support portions 306, 306 together.

[0005] A restricting bracket 310 (energy absorbing unit 310) for restricting the telescopic adjustment range is provided on the inner pipe 304. This restricting bracket 310 is made up of a pair of side plates 311, 311 (friction plates 311, 311), a pair of connecting portions 312, 312, an engaging portion 313, and an energy absorbing portion 314.

[0006] The pair of side plates 311, 311 are interposed between the pair of outer column support portions 306, 306 and the pair of fastening members 308, 308, and are vertical plate-shaped portions whose plate surfaces face in the vehicle width direction.

[0007] The pair of connecting portions 312, 312 are located at the rear end of the regulating bracket 310, and are formed integrally with the rear lower ends of the pair of side plates 311, 311.

[0008] The engaging portion 313 is located at the front end of the regulating bracket 310, and is a vertical plate-like portion with its plate surface facing the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and its upper end is fixed by welding or the like to the front end of the inner pipe 304. In other words, the engaging portion 313 extends vertically downward from the front end of the inner pipe 304.

[0009] The energy absorbing portion 314 is a horizontal portion that connects the lower ends of the pair of connecting portions 312, 312 and the lower end of the engaging portion 313. Furthermore, the energy absorbing portion 314 extends in a wave-like shape from the pair of connecting portions 312, 312 toward the engaging portion 313.

[0010] When a secondary collision occurs, the inner pipe 304 moves forward due to the collision energy. The engagement portion 313 moves forward together with the inner pipe 304. The front end of the energy absorbing portion 314 is pulled by the lower end of the engagement portion 313 and attempts to move forward. However, the pair of side plates 311, 311 are fastened by the pair of outer column support portions 306, 306 and the pair of fastening members 308, 308. For this reason, the rear end of the energy absorbing portion 314 is restricted from moving forward. As a result, the corrugated energy absorbing portion absorbs the collision energy by plastically deforming so as to extend forward.

[0011] As described above, the engaging portion 313 is elongated in the vertical direction because it connects the upper inner pipe 304 and the lower energy absorbing portion 314. For this reason, excessive bending stress is generated in the engaging portion 313 due to collision energy. If the upper portion of the engaging portion 313 bends forward, the collision energy cannot be sufficiently transmitted from the engaging portion 313 to the energy absorbing portion 314, and the energy absorbing portion 314 may not be able to absorb the collision energy sufficiently and quickly. To address this, it is necessary to sufficiently increase the rigidity of the engaging portion 313 until it approaches a completely rigid body, and there is room for improvement.

[0012] Furthermore, the pair of side plates 311, 311 and the energy absorbing portion 314 are connected only at the lower rear end of the regulating bracket 310 by a pair of connecting portions 312, 312, and there is room for improvement in the overall rigidity of the regulating bracket 310 (energy absorbing unit 310).

[0013] Furthermore, in order for the energy absorbing portion 314 to absorb the collision energy appropriately, it is necessary to adequately control the dimensions and rigidity of the inner pipe 304 and the engaging portion 313 . [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-132308 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] The present invention aims to provide a steering device having a telescopic adjustment mechanism, in which a restricting bracket for restricting the telescopic adjustment range of an inner pipe can be constructed from a single member, and in which the restricting bracket can absorb collision energy in the event of a secondary collision sufficiently and quickly, while also enabling cost reduction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] According to the invention of claim 1, an inner pipe that accommodates the steering shaft and rotatably supports the steering shaft; an outer column having a pair of clamp portions that hold the inner pipe so that the inner pipe can be moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and can be fixed; a vehicle body mounting bracket that has a pair of outer column support portions that sandwich both sides in the width direction of the pair of clamp portions and that can be mounted to a vehicle body; a fastening mechanism having a clamp bolt capable of fastening the inner pipe via the pair of clamp portions and the pair of outer column support portions; a restricting bracket attached to the inner pipe; In a steering device comprising: The regulating bracket is a restricting plate located between the pair of clamp portions, overlapping the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe, having a long hole along the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe, the restricting plate being connected to the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe while restricting relative displacement of the inner pipe in the longitudinal direction by the tightening force of a connecting bolt inserted through the long hole; a pair of legs extending from the restricting plate along the pair of clamp portions; and The pair of legs are a pair of vertical hanging plates extending from the regulating plate along the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping portions and facing the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping portions; a pair of plate-like bending portions that are bent from the tips of the pair of hanging plates so as to bypass the tips of the pair of clamp portions; a pair of vertical side plates extending from the pair of bent portions along outer surfaces of the pair of clamp portions and interposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of clamp portions and the pair of outer column support portions, The steering device is characterized in that the pair of hanging plates and the pair of side plates each have a pair of telescopic adjustment long holes that are long in the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe and through which the clamping bolt can pass, and in the event of a secondary collision, the inner pipe and the connecting bolt move forward within the long holes of the regulating plates.

[0017] As described in claim 2, preferably, the elongated hole of the regulating plate is composed of a rear first elongated hole located at the rear of the regulating plate, a front second elongated hole extending continuously forward from the front end of the first elongated hole, and a protrusion located at the boundary between the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole, and the connecting bolt is inserted into the first elongated hole when in a normal state in which the secondary collision has not occurred.

[0018] As described in claim 3, preferably, the front end of the elongated hole of the regulating plate is an open end through which the connecting bolt connected to the inner pipe can come out in the event of a secondary collision.

[0019] As described in claim 4, preferably, the surface of the regulating plate that overlaps the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe has an arc shape that follows the outer circumferential surface.

[0020] As described in claim 5, preferably, the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping portions have a pair of rotation restricting portions that restrict rotation of the pair of hanging plates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] In the invention of claim 1, the regulating bracket is a single member composed of a regulating plate and a pair of legs each consisting of a hanging plate, a bent portion, and a side plate. The regulating plate overlaps the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe and is joined to the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe while the relative longitudinal displacement of the inner pipe is restricted by friction with the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe due to the tightening force of the connecting bolts. Each hanging plate of the pair of legs is a vertical plate facing the inner surface of the pair of clamping portions. Each bent portion of the pair of legs is a plate-shaped portion that bends from the tip of the pair of hanging plates to bypass the tip of the pair of clamping portions. Each side plate of the pair of legs extends from the respective bent portion along the outer surface of the clamping portion and is sandwiched between the pair of outer column support portions and the pair of clamping portions. This provides the regulating bracket with extremely high rigidity in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction. This configuration allows the regulating bracket to sufficiently absorb collision energy during a secondary collision. Therefore, the forward movement of the regulating bracket due to the collision energy is reliably restricted. The inner pipe and the connecting bolt connected to the inner pipe then move forward along the elongated hole, absorbing the collision energy through the tightening force of the connecting bolt and the friction with the restriction plate. As a result, the collision energy can be sufficiently and quickly absorbed between the inner pipe and the restriction plate. In this way, the restriction plate with the elongated hole has a collision energy absorbing function.

[0022] Furthermore, when the clamping bolts are loosened, the pair of hanging plates and the pair of side plates, which have a pair of telescopic adjustment slots, move in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, allowing the inner pipe to be adjusted in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (telescopic adjustment function). When the clamping bolts are tightened, the pair of side plates are sandwiched between the pair of outer column support portions and the pair of clamp portions, creating friction that allows the inner pipe to be held in place (telescopic retention function). In this way, a restricting bracket made of a single member can fulfill all three functions: telescopic adjustment function, telescopic retention function, and collision energy absorption function. In other words, the restricting bracket for restricting the telescopic adjustment range of the inner pipe can be constructed from a single member. This reduces the number of parts that perform these three functions and improves assembly ease. As a result, the cost of the steering device can be reduced.

[0023] In the invention according to claim 2, the connecting bolt inserted into the first elongated hole and connected to the inner pipe collides with the protrusion of the elongated hole, deforming it (including widening and crushing it), and begins to move forward. After passing through the protrusion, the connecting bolt further deforms (including widening and crushing) the second elongated hole and moves forward, absorbing the collision energy. As a result, the collision energy can be absorbed sufficiently and quickly between the inner pipe and the restricting plate.

[0024] In the invention according to claim 3, the front end of the elongated hole formed in the regulating bracket is an open end, so the length of the regulating plate in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be shortened accordingly, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in positioning the regulating plate relative to the vehicle body mounting bracket, outer column, and inner pipe.

[0025] In the invention of claim 4, the surface of the regulating plate that overlaps with the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe is arc-shaped along the outer peripheral surface, thereby allowing the regulating plate to be placed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe.

[0026] In the invention according to claim 5, the pair of rotation restricting portions provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping portions can reliably restrict the rotation of the pair of hanging plates. Moreover, there is no need to provide a separate member for restricting the rotation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view of a steering device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the restricting bracket shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inner pipe and the restricting bracket taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the restricting bracket and the connecting bolt taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the restricting bracket shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a restricting bracket of a steering device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a restricting bracket of a steering device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a restricting bracket of a steering device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of a conventional steering device seen from the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe, Figure 10(b) is an assembly diagram of the inner pipe and the regulating bracket shown in Figure 10(a), and Figure 10(c) is an enlarged view of the main parts of the inner pipe and the regulating bracket shown in Figure 10(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In the description, left and right refer to left and right relative to the vehicle occupant, and front and rear refer to front and rear relative to the vehicle's traveling direction. In the drawings, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left as seen from the occupant, Ri indicates right as seen from the occupant, Up indicates up, and Dn indicates down. Example 1

[0029] A steering device 10 of a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. As shown in Fig. 1, this steering device 10 has a telescopic adjustment function and a tilt adjustment function. The telescopic adjustment function is a function that allows an occupant to adjust the position of the steering wheel 15 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to suit their own physique when the steering device 10 is attached to the vehicle body. The tilt adjustment function is a function that allows an occupant to adjust the vertical tilt of the steering wheel 15 with respect to the vehicle body to suit their own physique when the steering device 10 is attached to the vehicle body.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this steering device 10 has a vehicle body mounting bracket 11 that can be attached to the vehicle body, an outer column 12 that is supported on this vehicle body mounting bracket 11 so that it can move up and down (swing), a cylindrical inner pipe 13 that is held on this outer column 12 so that it can move in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and can be fixed thereto, a steering shaft 14 that is located inside this inner pipe 13, and a fastening mechanism 30 that can fasten the inner pipe 13 to the outer column 12.

[0031] In this way, the outer column 12 is attached to the vehicle body via the vehicle body mounting bracket 11. The steering shaft 14 is rotatably mounted on the inner pipe 13 via a bearing (not shown). A steering wheel 15 is attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 14.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle body mounting bracket 11 has a pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a (side plate portions 11a, 11a) extending downward from both sides in the width direction. This pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a are formed in the shape of flat plates facing each other and generally parallel to each other, and each has a long hole 11b, 11b formed in the vertical direction for tilt adjustment. It should be noted that the present invention is sufficient as long as it has at least a telescopic adjustment function.

[0033] The shape of the outer column 12 is roughly an inverted U when viewed from the steering wheel 15 side (see Figure 1). The outer column 12 is an integrally molded product made up of a pipe holding portion 21 that holds the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe 13, an opening 22 formed along the axial direction of this pipe holding portion 21, and a pair of clamp portions 23, 23 that extend from the pipe holding portion 21 on both sides of the opening 22 in the width direction.

[0034] The pair of clamp portions 23, 23 are portions that hold the inner pipe 13 so that it is movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and so that it is fixed, and are located between the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a. The outer surfaces of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 in the vehicle width direction are adjacent to the inner surfaces of the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a in the vehicle width direction. This pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a can sandwich both sides of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 in the width direction. Furthermore, this pair of clamp portions 23, 23 each have a pair of bolt insertion holes 23a, 23a that pass through in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The fastening mechanism 30 is capable of fastening together the pair of clamp portions 23, 23. The fastening mechanism 30 is made up of a clamp bolt 31, a fastening cam 32, an operating lever 33, and a nut .

[0036] The clamping bolt 31 passes through each of the elongated holes 11b, 11b in the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a and each of the bolt insertion holes 23a, 23a in the pair of clamp portions 23, 23. The outer column 12 is supported on the vehicle body mounting bracket 11 by the clamping bolt 31. The clamping bolt 31 is capable of tightening the inner pipe 13 via the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 and the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a.

[0037] The fastening cam 32 and the operating lever 33 are located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of one of the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a, for example, the left outer column support portion 11a when viewed from the steering wheel 15 side. The nut 34 is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the other, and is screwed onto the clamping bolt 31.

[0038] The fastening cam 32 consists of a fixed cam 35 and a movable cam 36 that face each other. The opposing surfaces of the fixed cam 35 and the movable cam 36 each have a cam lobe. The fixed cam 35 is fitted into an elongated hole 11b in the outer column support part 11a on the left when viewed from the steering wheel 15 side so that it can slide up and down but its rotation is restricted. The clamping bolt 31 passes through the fixed cam 35. The movable cam 36 is fitted into the operating lever 33.

[0039] The operating lever 33 is an operating member that rotates the clamping bolt 31. The operating lever 33 is attached to the clamping bolt 31 so as to be rotatable together with the movable cam .

[0040] When the operating lever 33 is in movement position P1 indicated by the solid line in Figure 1, the fixed cam 35 and movable cam 36 shown in Figure 2 are close to each other, with a narrow gap Cr. This releases the fixation of the inner pipe 13 by the pipe holding portion 21, allowing the inner pipe 13 to be displaced in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In this way, by turning the clamping bolt 31 in one direction to loosen the fastening mechanism 30, a movement mode can be established in which the position of the inner pipe 13 relative to the outer column 12 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle can be adjusted.

[0041] Thereafter, when the operating lever 33 is rotated counterclockwise in Figure 1 to switch it to the restriction position P2 shown by the imaginary line, the fixed cam 35 and the movable cam 36 move apart, and the gap Cr widens. The pair of clamp portions 23, 23 are pressed against each other by the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a that are fastened by the fixed cam 35 and the nut 34, and are deformed so as to move closer to each other. In this way, by turning the clamp bolt 31 in the other direction to tighten the fastening mechanism 30, it is possible to enter a restriction mode in which movement of the inner pipe 13 relative to the outer column 12 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is restricted.

[0042] The outer column 12 is suspended from both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body mounting bracket 11 by a pair of tension springs 37, 37 via a clamping bolt 31. When the clamping bolt 31 is loosened by the operating lever 33, the pair of tension springs 37, 37 hold the outer column 12 in place by means of an urging force.

[0043] As is clear from the above explanation, the fastening mechanism 30 can switch the state in which the inner pipe 13 is held by the outer column 12 between a restriction mode and a movement mode. In other words, the fastening mechanism 30 switches between a restriction state in which longitudinal and vertical movement of the inner pipe 13 relative to the outer column 12 is restricted, and a permissive state in which movement is permitted.

[0044] 2 and 3, the steering device 10 further includes a regulating bracket 40 attached to the inner pipe 13. The regulating bracket 40 is configured as a single member made of a bent metal plate. More specifically, the regulating bracket 40 has a regulating plate 50 and a pair of legs 60, 60.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the restricting plate 50 is positioned between the pair of clamping portions 23, 23, overlaps the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13.

[0046] Furthermore, the surface 50a (overlapping surface 50a) of the regulating plate 50 that overlaps with the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13 is arc-shaped along this outer peripheral surface 13a, so that the regulating plate 50 can be placed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the regulating plate 50 has an elongated hole 51 that runs along the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13. The elongated hole 51 penetrates the regulating plate 50 from front to back. At least one (e.g., two) connecting bolts 52 that pass through the through-hole 51 are screwed into the threaded holes 13b of the inner pipe 13 (connected to the inner pipe 13). The regulating plate 50 is attached to the inner pipe 13 by the connecting bolts 52. In other words, the tightening force of the connecting bolts 52 that pass through the elongated holes 51 connects the regulating plate 50 to the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13, restricting relative displacement of the inner pipe 13 in the longitudinal direction by friction with the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13.

[0048] The width Wd of the elongated hole 51 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter db of the shank of the connecting bolts 52. If the width Wd of the elongated hole 51 is too large compared to the diameter db of the shank of the connecting bolts 52, there is a possibility that rattle will occur in the fixation of the restricting plate 50 to the inner pipe 13. In the event of a secondary collision, the connecting bolts 52 slide along the elongated hole 51 in the forward direction Ad.

[0049] As a modification of the first embodiment, the width Wd of the long hole 51 may be smaller than the diameter db of the shaft portions of the coupling bolts 52, 52 (Wd < db). In that case, when the coupling bolts 52, 52 slide in the forward direction Ad at the time of the occurrence of the secondary collision, they enter while crushing the edge of the long hole 51.

[0050] Basically, only one coupling bolt 52 is required. By adjusting the number of the coupling bolts 52, the frictional force between the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13 and the overlapping surface 50a of the regulating plate 50 can be adjusted to an optimal value. In particular, the frictional force at which the inner pipe 13 starts to slide in the forward direction Ad with respect to the regulating plate 50 at the time of the secondary collision can be finely set by selecting the number of the coupling bolts 52.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the pair of leg portions 60, 60 extend from the regulating plate 50 along the pair of clamp portions 23, 23, and have a U-shaped cross-section when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13, and are composed of a pair of hanging plates 61, 61, a pair of bent portions 62, 62, and a pair of side plates 63, 63.

[0052] The pair of hanging plates 61, 61 extend along the inner surfaces 23b, 23b of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 from the regulating plate 50, and are in a vertical plate shape facing the inner surfaces 23b, 23b of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23. The pair of hanging plates 61, 61 have a pair of telescopically adjustable long holes 61a, 61a that are long in the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13 through which the clamping bolts 31 can pass (see FIG. 4).

[0053] The pair of bent portions 62, 62 are in a plate shape that bends from the tips 61b, 61b (lower ends 61b, 61b) of the pair of hanging plates 61, 61 so as to bypass the tips 23c, 23c (lower ends 23c, 23c) of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 as they are.

[0054] The pair of side plates 63, 63 have a vertical plate-like configuration that extends from the pair of bent portions 62, 62 along the outer surfaces 23d, 23d of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 and is interposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 and the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a (see FIG. 3). In other words, the pair of side plates 63, 63 extend from the tip ends 61b, 61b of the pair of hanging plates 61, 61 along the outer surfaces 23d, 23d of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 and is interposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of clamp portions 23, 23 and the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a. Furthermore, the pair of side plates 63, 63 have a pair of telescopic adjustment elongated holes 63a, 63a that are long in the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13 and through which the clamping bolt 31 can pass (see FIG. 6).

[0055] 3, the inner surfaces 23b of the pair of clamp portions 23 have a pair of rotation restricting portions 23e that restrict rotation of the pair of hanging plates 61. Each rotation restricting portion 23e protrudes from the corresponding inner surface 23b toward the pair of hanging plates 61. Therefore, the pair of rotation restricting portions 23e can reliably restrict rotation of the pair of hanging plates 61. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a separate member for restricting rotation.

[0056] Next, the operation of the steering device 10 when a secondary collision occurs from the steering wheel 15 to the inner pipe 13 in the restricted mode in which the operating lever 33 is switched to the restricted position P2 as shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0057] In the restriction mode, prior to the secondary collision, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of side plates 63, 63 of the restriction bracket 40 are fastened by the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a and the pair of clamp portions 23, 23, and thereby maintain their current position by the frictional force between them.

[0058] 4 and 5, the restricting plate 50 overlaps the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13, and is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13 and maintains its current position while being restricted from relative displacement in the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13 by the frictional force against the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13 due to the tightening force of the connecting bolts 52. In other words, the restricting plate 50 is directly attached to the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13.

[0059] Thereafter, when a secondary collision occurs, the collision energy is transmitted directly from the inner pipe 13 to the restriction plate 50, and then from this restriction plate 50 to the pair of legs 60, 60. In other words, the collision energy is transmitted from the restriction plate 50 to the pair of side plates 63, 63 via the pair of hanging plates 61, 61.

[0060] The pair of leg portions 60, 60 have a U-shaped cross section when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13. Each of the hanging plates 61, 61 of the pair of leg portions 60, 60 is configured as a vertical plate facing the inner surfaces 23b, 23b of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23. Therefore, the rigidity of each of the hanging plates 61, 61 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is extremely high.

[0061] Each of the bent portions 62, 62 of the pair of leg portions 60, 60 is a plate-like portion that is bent from the tip ends 61b, 61b of the pair of hanging plates 61, 61 so as to bypass the tip ends 23c, 23c of the pair of clamp portions 23, 23. Therefore, the rigidity of each of the bent portions 62, 62 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is extremely high.

[0062] 2, because the clamping bolts 31 are in a tightened state, the pair of side plates 63, 63 can fully absorb the collision energy due to the frictional force generated by being sandwiched between the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a and the pair of clamp portions 23, 23. Therefore, the forward movement of the regulating plate 50 due to the collision energy is reliably regulated.

[0063] Each leg 60 has a highly rigid combined structure of hanging plates 61, bent portions 62, and a pair of side plates 63, providing extremely high rigidity in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. During a secondary collision, the pair of hanging plates 61, bent portions 62, and a pair of side plates 63 prevent the restricting plate 50 from moving, maintaining the telescopic position.

[0064] 4 and 5, when a collision force (collision energy) occurs that exceeds the frictional force between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 50, the inner pipe 13 and the connecting bolt 52 move in the forward direction Ad (front of the vehicle Ad) relative to the outer column 12 and the regulating plate 50 while absorbing the collision energy due to the frictional force. The collision energy is absorbed by the frictional force between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 50 due to the tightening force of the connecting bolts 52, 52. The inner pipe 13 and the connecting bolts 52, 52 move along the elongated holes 51 in the forward direction Ad (front of the vehicle Ad) relative to the outer column 12 and the regulating plate 50.

[0065] The above explanation can be summarized as follows. As shown in FIG. 4, the restriction plate 50 having the long hole 51 has a function of absorbing collision energy.

[0066] Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the clamping bolt 31 is loosened, a pair of hanging plates 61, 61 having a pair of telescopic adjustment long holes 61a, 61a, and a pair of side plates 63, 63 having a pair of telescopic adjustment long holes 63a, 63a, can move in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle to adjust the position of the inner pipe 13 (telescopic adjustment function).

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, when the clamping bolt 31 is tightened, the pair of side plates 63, 63 are sandwiched between the pair of outer column support portions 11a, 11a and the pair of clamp portions 23, 23, and as a result of friction, the inner pipe 13 can be held (telescopic holding function).

[0068] In this way, the restricting bracket 40, which is made of a single member, can perform all three functions: telescopic adjustment function, telescopic holding function, and collision energy absorption function. In other words, the restricting bracket 40 for restricting the telescopic adjustment range of the inner pipe 13 can be configured from a single member. This reduces the number of parts that have the three functions and improves assembly. As a result, the cost of the steering device 10 can be reduced.

[0069] Next, the restricting bracket 140 of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. <Example 2>

[0070] Fig. 7 shows the restricting bracket 140 of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment, and is illustrated corresponding to Fig. 5. Fig. 8 shows the restricting bracket 140 of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment, and is illustrated corresponding to Fig. 6.

[0071] The restricting bracket 140 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the restricting plate 50 of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is replaced with a restricting plate 150 shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The other basic configuration is common to the steering device 10 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the steering device 10 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The mating surface 150a of the regulating plate 150 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the mating surface 50a (see FIG. 3) of the first embodiment. This regulating plate 150 employs the elongated hole 151 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 instead of the elongated hole 51 of the first embodiment.

[0073] The long hole 151, similar to the long hole 51 in the first embodiment, extends along the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13 and penetrates the regulating plate 150 in the front-back direction. The regulating plate 150 is assembled to the inner pipe 13 by the coupling bolts 52. That is, due to the tightening force of the coupling bolts 52 passing through the long hole 151, friction against the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13 restricts the relative displacement of the inner pipe 13 in the longitudinal direction while being coupled to the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13.

[0074] The long hole 151 is composed of a rear first long hole 151a located at the rear part of the regulating plate 50, a front second long hole 151b continuously extending forward from the front end of the first long hole 151a, and a pair of protrusions 151c, 151c located at the boundary between the first long hole 151a and the second long hole 151b.

[0075] The first long hole 151a is the part where the coupling bolts 52, 52 are inserted and screwed into the screw holes 13b of the inner pipe 13 in the normal state where no secondary collision has occurred. The width W1 of the first long hole 151a is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter db of the shaft part of the coupling bolt 52.

[0076] The second long hole 151b is the part where the coupling bolts 52, 52 located in the first long hole 151a enter while crushing the pair of protrusions 151c, 151c when sliding in the forward direction Ad during the occurrence of a secondary collision. The width W2 of the second long hole 151b is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter db of the shaft part of the coupling bolt 52. That is, the width W2 of the second long hole 151b is the same as the width W1 of the first long hole 151a.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of protrusions 151c, 151c are positioned facing each other in a plan view. The distance W3 between the pair of protrusions 151c, 151c is smaller than the width W1 of the first long hole 151a (W3 < W1). By narrowing the distance W3 between the protrusions 151c, 151c, when the coupling bolts 52, 52 slide in the forward direction Ad during the occurrence of a secondary collision, a load that collides with and deforms the protrusions 151c, 151c is applied.

[0078] When a collision force (collision energy) exceeding the frictional force between the inner pipe 13 (see FIG. 4) and the regulating plate 150 is generated, the inner pipe 13 and the coupling bolts 52 absorb the collision energy by the frictional force and move forward in the forward direction Ad (front of the vehicle Ad) with respect to the outer column 12 and the regulating plate 150. The frictional force between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 150 due to the tightening force of the coupling bolts 52, 52 absorbs the collision energy. The inner pipe 13 and the coupling bolts 52, 52 move forward in the forward direction Ad (front of the vehicle Ad) with respect to the outer column 12 and the regulating plate 150 along the first long hole 151a.

[0079] The coupling bolts 52 coupled to the inner pipe 13 start to move in the forward direction Ad while colliding with and deforming the pair of protrusions 151c, 151c of the long hole 151 (including spreading or crushing). In addition to the frictional force between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 150 due to the tightening force of the coupling bolts 52, 52, the load that the coupling bolts 52, 52 collide with and deform the protrusions 151c, 151c absorbs the collision energy.

[0080] As a modification of Example 2, the width W2 of the second long hole 151b may be smaller than the diameter db of the shaft portion of the coupling bolts 52, 52 (W2 < db). The distance W3 between the pair of protrusions 151c, 151c is smaller than the width W2 of the second long hole 151b (W3 < W2). In that case, when the coupling bolts 52, 52 slide in the forward direction Ad at the time of a secondary collision, in addition to the frictional force between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 150 due to the tightening force of the coupling bolts 52, 52, the load that the coupling bolts 52, 52 collide with and deform the protrusions 151c, 151c absorbs the collision energy. The coupling bolts 52 that have passed through the pair of protrusions 151c, 151c further move in the forward direction Ad while deforming the second long hole 151b (including spreading or crushing) to absorb the collision energy. As a result, the collision energy can be sufficiently and quickly absorbed between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 150.

[0081] It should be noted that only one of the pair of protrusions 151c, 151c may be provided.

[0082] Next, the restricting bracket 240 of the steering device 200 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Example 3

[0083] FIG. 9 shows a restricting bracket 240 of a steering device 200 according to a third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG.

[0084] The restricting bracket 240 of the third embodiment is characterized in that the restricting plate 150 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 8 is replaced with a restricting plate 250 shown in Fig. 9. The other basic configuration is common to the steering device 100 of the second embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the steering device 100 of the second embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] The mating surface 250a of the regulating plate 250 of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the mating surface 50a of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). This regulating plate 250 employs a slit 251 instead of the elongated hole 151 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 8). This slit 251 has an open end 253 at an end 253 in the forward direction Ad of the inner pipe 13, and the rest of the configuration is the same as the elongated hole 151 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In other words, the end of the second elongated hole 151b in the forward direction Ad is the open end 253.

[0086] The description of Example 3 can be summarized as follows. As shown in Fig. 9, the restricting plate 250 has a slit 251 that runs along the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13 (see Fig. 4). The restricting plate 250 is coupled to the outer peripheral surface 13a of the inner pipe 13 while being restricted from relative displacement in the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe 13 by friction with the outer peripheral surface 13a (see Fig. 4) of the inner pipe 13 due to the tightening force of the coupling bolt 52 that passes through the slit 251. An end 253 of the slit 251 in the forward direction Ad of the inner pipe 13 is an open end 253 through which the coupling bolt 52 coupled to the inner pipe 13 can come out in the event of a secondary collision.

[0087] Therefore, when a collision force (collision energy) occurs that exceeds the frictional force between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 250, the inner pipe 13 and the connecting bolt 52 move in the forward direction Ad (toward the vehicle Ad) relative to the regulating plate 250 while absorbing the collision energy by the frictional force. As a result, the collision energy can be absorbed sufficiently and quickly between the inner pipe 13 and the regulating plate 250. The connecting bolt 52 connected to the inner pipe 13 can come out of the open end 253 if it moves forward in the forward direction Ad significantly.

[0088] The restricting plate 252 of the third embodiment has the end 253 in the forward direction Ad of the inner pipe 13 as the open end 53, which makes it possible to shorten the length of the restricting plate 252 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the restricting plate 252 relative to the vehicle body mounting bracket 11, outer column 12, and inner pipe 13 shown in FIG. 2, and it is also possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the restricting plate 252.

[0089] Other effects of the steering device 200 according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the steering device 100 according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0090] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but can be applied to various steering devices. In addition, in the present invention, the tilt adjustment mechanism may or may not be provided. Furthermore, the slit 251 of the regulating plate 250 of the third embodiment may be configured to be used in place of the long hole 51 (see FIG. 6) of the first embodiment. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] The steering devices 10, 100, 200 of the present invention are suitable for use in the steering systems of passenger cars. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10,100,200 Steering device 11 Body mounting bracket 11a Outer column support 12 Outer Column 13 Inner pipe 13a Outer surface of inner pipe 14 Steering shaft 23 Clamp section 23b Inner surface of clamp 23c Tip of clamp part (bottom end) 23d Outer surface of clamp 23e Rotation restriction part 30 Fastening mechanism 31 Clamp bolt 40,140,240 Regulatory Bracket 50,150,250 Restriction board 52 Connecting bolt 60 Legs 61 Hanging plate 61a Telescopic adjustment slot 61b Tip of hanging plate (lower end) 62 Bend 63 Side Panel 63a Telescopic adjustment slot 51 long hole 151 long hole 151a 1st long hole 151b 2nd long hole 151c protrusion 251 Slit 253 Opening end of slit (end of inner pipe in the forward direction of the restricting plate) Ad Forward direction of inner pipe 13

Claims

1. an inner pipe that accommodates the steering shaft and rotatably supports the steering shaft; an outer column having a pair of clamp portions that hold the inner pipe so that the inner pipe can be moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and can be fixed; a vehicle body mounting bracket that has a pair of outer column support portions that sandwich both sides in the width direction of the pair of clamp portions and that can be mounted to a vehicle body; a fastening mechanism having a clamp bolt capable of fastening the inner pipe via the pair of clamp portions and the pair of outer column support portions; a restricting bracket attached to the inner pipe; In a steering device comprising: The regulating bracket is a restricting plate located between the pair of clamp portions, overlapping the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe, having a long hole along the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe, the restricting plate being connected to the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe while restricting relative displacement of the inner pipe in the longitudinal direction by the tightening force of a connecting bolt inserted through the long hole; a pair of legs extending from the restricting plate along the pair of clamp portions; and The pair of legs are a pair of vertical hanging plates extending from the regulating plate along the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping portions and facing the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping portions; a pair of plate-like bending portions that are bent from the tips of the pair of hanging plates so as to bypass the tips of the pair of clamp portions; a pair of vertical side plates extending from the pair of bent portions along outer surfaces of the pair of clamp portions and interposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of clamp portions and the pair of outer column support portions, the pair of hanging plates and the pair of side plates each have a pair of telescopic adjustment elongated holes that are long in the longitudinal direction of the inner pipe and through which the clamping bolts can pass, and in the event of a secondary collision, the inner pipe and the connecting bolts move forward within the elongated holes of the regulating plates; A steering device characterized by:

2. the elongated hole of the regulating plate is composed of a rear first elongated hole located at a rear portion of the regulating plate, a front second elongated hole extending continuously forward from a front end of the first elongated hole, and a protrusion located at a boundary between the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole, 2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting bolt is inserted through the first elongated hole in a normal state in which the secondary collision has not occurred.

3. 3. A steering device according to claim 1, wherein a front end of the elongated hole of the restriction plate is an open end through which the connecting bolt connected to the inner pipe can come out in the event of a secondary collision.

4. 4. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the regulating plate that overlaps the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe is arc-shaped along the outer peripheral surface.

5. 5. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping portions have a pair of rotation restricting portions that restrict rotation of the pair of hanging plates.

Images