Steering support

Abstract

To propose a technology which enables improvement of rigidity and steering feeling of a steering support.SOLUTION: A steering support is mounted on a vehicle and supports a steering of the vehicle. The steering support includes a body part and a reinforcement member. The body part is formed by a plate and has an internal space. The reinforcement member is disposed in the internal space. The body part has a recessed part recessed toward the internal space. The reinforcement member reinforces the recessed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering support configured to support the steering of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] The driver's seat side portion of the instrument panel reinforcement disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured as a steering support. The main body of this driver's seat side portion has a so-called "monaka structure" in which an upper main body portion and a lower main body portion, which are plate-shaped members extending in the vehicle width direction, are combined from above and below. The driver's seat side portion supports the steering wheel from above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-270467 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, restrictions on the shape of the monaka structure have been imposed due to factors such as increased freedom in vehicle interior design and the increasing number of electronic components placed inside vehicles. Depending on the shape of the monaka structure, the rigidity of the steering support may not be maintained sufficiently high, which could result in a decrease in steering support rigidity or a deterioration in steering feel.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to propose a technology for improving the rigidity and steering feel of a steering support. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a steering support that is mounted on a vehicle and supports the steering of the vehicle, and includes a main body and a reinforcing member. The main body is formed from a plate material and has an internal space. The reinforcing member is disposed in the internal space. The main body has a recessed portion recessed toward the internal space. The reinforcing member reinforces the recessed portion.

[0007] With this configuration, the reinforcing member can suppress deformation of the recessed portion of the main body portion having the internal space of the steering support, which is likely to cause a decrease in rigidity. Therefore, a high reinforcing effect can be obtained by the reinforcing member, and the rigidity of the steering support can be improved. Furthermore, the improved rigidity of the steering support can improve the steering feel.

[0008] In the above-described steering support, one end of the reinforcing member may abut against the recessed portion, and the other end may abut against a position on the main body portion spaced apart from the recessed portion. With this configuration, the reinforcing member can suppress deformation of the recessed portion, which is prone to deformation toward the internal space when a load is applied, thereby achieving a high reinforcing effect by the reinforcing member.

[0009] In the above-described steering support, the recessed portion may be a portion that is bent in a valley shape toward the internal space. With this configuration, the reinforcing member can suppress deformation of the portion bent in a valley shape, thereby improving the rigidity of the steering support.

[0010] When the recessed portion has the above-described configuration, the portion of the recessed portion reinforced by the reinforcing member may have a length along the recessed portion. With this configuration, the portion bent in a valley shape, which is the recessed portion, i.e., the portion having a length, can be reinforced widely, and a high reinforcing effect can be obtained by the reinforcing member.

[0011] In the above-described steering support, the main body may include a first member and a second member, and an internal space may be formed between the first member and the second member. The reinforcing member may abut against the first member and the second member. With this configuration, the reinforcing member can prevent the first member and the second member from deforming in a direction that brings them closer to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing an upper part of the steering support. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a view showing a lower part of the steering support. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a view showing the rear part of the steering support. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a view showing the front part of the steering support. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a view showing a part of the left side of the steering support. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a view showing a part of the right side of the steering support. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing modified examples of the recessed portion. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the reinforcing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiment] [1-1. Overall structure] The steering support 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 8 is a device mounted on a vehicle for supporting a steering wheel 3. The steering support 1 is formed, for example, from a steel plate. The steering support 1 is a member having a length in the vehicle width direction (in other words, the left-right direction of the vehicle). The front, rear, right, and left of the vehicle will be simply referred to as front, rear, right, and left.

[0014] The steering support 1 of this embodiment is for a vehicle in which the driver's seat is provided on the left side, and is disposed in front of the driver's seat. On the right side of the steering support 1, a steering member 5 which is a pipe-shaped member is provided.

[0015] The left end of the steering support 1 is fixed to a driver's seat side pillar 102 via a bracket 101. The driver's seat side pillar 102 is a member that constitutes the body of the vehicle and is provided near the driver's seat side door. The right end of the steering support 1 is fixed to the left end of the steering member 5.

[0016] The steering member 5 is disposed in front of the passenger seat of the vehicle, extending linearly in the left-right direction. The right end of the steering member 5 is fixed to the vehicle body (for example, to a passenger-side pillar, not shown) via a bracket 103. The left end of the steering member 5 is fixed to the steering support 1. In this embodiment, the steering member 5 is fixed to the right end portion of the steering support 1, but is not limited to this configuration and may be fixed to, for example, the center portion of the steering support 1 in the left-right direction or to the left portion. The steering support 1 includes a main body 11, a protrusion 13, and reinforcing members 71, 73, 75, and 77.

[0017] [1-2. Main body] The main body 11 is formed from a plate material and has a hollow structure. The hollow portion of the main body 11 is the internal space 15. The plate material here refers to a material that is thin relative to its width. The length of the main body 11 in the left-right direction is greater than the length in the front-to-back direction, and the length in the front-to-back direction is greater than the length in the up-to-down direction. In other words, the main body 11 has a substantially flat shape with a small thickness in the up-to-down direction. The length in the front-to-back direction is greater toward the center in the left-to-right direction and gradually decreases toward the left and right ends.

[0018] The main body 11 includes an upper main body 31 and a lower main body 41. The upper main body 31 and the lower main body 41 are formed, for example, by press-forming a steel plate. The upper main body 31 corresponds to a first member, and the lower main body 41 corresponds to a second member.

[0019] The upper main body portion 31 has a shape in which the front and rear centers protrude upward compared to the front and rear ends, in other words, it has a shape that is concave in the upward direction. Upper flange portions 33 are formed in multiple locations on the outer periphery of the upper main body portion 31. The lower main body portion 41 has a shape in which the front and rear centers protrude downward compared to the front and rear ends, in other words, it has a shape that is concave in the downward direction. Lower flange portions 43 are formed in multiple locations on the outer periphery of the lower main body portion 41.

[0020] When the steering support 1 is attached to the vehicle, the upper body portion 31 is located above the lower body portion 41. When the upper body portion 31 is positioned above the lower body portion 41, the lower surface of the upper flange portion 33 and the upper surface of the lower flange portion 43 come into contact with each other. The upper body portion 31 and the lower body portion 41 are joined by joining the upper flange portion 33 and the lower flange portion 43 by welding or the like. An internal space 15 is formed between the upper body portion 31 and the lower body portion 41. The internal space 15 extends from the right end to the left end of the body portion 11.

[0021] A substantially cylindrical left end portion 51 is formed at the left end of the main body portion 11. A substantially cylindrical right end portion 53 is formed at the right end of the main body portion 11. The left end portion 51 and the right end portion 53 each form an opening that communicates with the internal space 15. The left end portion 51 and the right end portion 53 are formed by combining the upper main body portion 31 and the lower main body portion 41.

[0022] 4, 5, 8, etc., upper main body portion 31 is highest near left end 51 and near right end 53 in the left-right direction, and becomes lower in height toward the center. In other words, upper main body portion 31 has a curved shape that is lower in the left-right direction toward the center.

[0023] Furthermore, in the left-right direction, the lower main body portion 41 is highest near the left end 51 and near the right end 53, and decreases in height toward the center. However, the center portion in the left-right direction protrudes upward. In the following description, the elevated central portion will be referred to as the lower center portion 45. The recessed portion between the lower center portion 45 and the left end 51 will be referred to as the lower left portion 47, and the recessed portion between the lower center portion 45 and the right end 53 will be referred to as the lower right portion 49.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper main body portion 31 having the curved shape as described above is provided with three recessed portions 61, 63, and 65 extending substantially in the front-rear direction. The recessed portion 61 is located to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the main body 11. The recessed portion 61 bends and connects the left region 61a and the right region 61b of the recessed portion 61 so that the recessed portion 61 faces the internal space 15. In other words, the recessed portion 61 is bent in a valley shape between the regions 61a and 61b, and is recessed toward the internal space 15. The recessed portion 61 can also be said to be a portion where the angle between the two planes (the left region 61a and the right region 61b) changes.

[0025] The recessed portion 63 is located to the left of the center of the left and right sides of the main body 11 and closer to the center than the recessed portion 61. The recessed portion 63 is bent and connected to a left region 63a and a right region 63b of the recessed portion 63 so that the recessed portion 63 faces the internal space 15. In other words, the recessed portion 63 is bent in a valley shape between the regions 63a and 63b and is recessed toward the internal space 15.

[0026] The recessed portion 65 is located to the right of the center of the left and right sides of the main body 11, near the position where the floor brace 121 (described later) is connected. The recessed portion 65 connects a left region 65a and a right region 65b of the recessed portion 65 by bending the recessed portion 65 toward the internal space 15. In other words, the recessed portion 65 is bent in a valley shape between the regions 65a and 65b, and is recessed toward the internal space 15.

[0027] 5 and other figures, a recessed portion 67 extending substantially vertically is provided on the front side of the main body portion 11, to the right of the center. The recessed portion 67 extends across both the upper main body portion 31 and the lower main body portion 41. The recessed portion 67 connects a left region 67a and a right region 67b of the recessed portion 67 so that the recessed portion 67 forms a valley. In other words, the recessed portion 67 is bent in a valley shape between the regions 67a and 67b, and is recessed toward the internal space 15. When referring to the recessed portions 61, 63, 65, and 67 without any particular distinction, they will be simply referred to as recessed portions.

[0028] [1-3. Reinforcement members] 1 and 8, a plurality of reinforcing members 71, 73, 75, and 77 are arranged in the internal space 15. When referring to these reinforcing members without any particular distinction, they will be simply referred to as reinforcing members. The reinforcing members reinforce the recessed portions described above.

[0029] The reinforcing member 71 is a plate-shaped member that extends substantially vertically and substantially front-to-rear. The upper end of the reinforcing member 71 abuts against the recessed portion 61 in the upper main body portion 31. The recessed portion 61 has a length in the front-to-rear direction, and the abutting portion of the upper end of the reinforcing member 71 is aligned with the recessed portion 61. In other words, the portion of the recessed portion 61 that is reinforced by the reinforcing member 71 has a length that is aligned with the recessed portion 61.

[0030] The reinforcing member 73 is a plate-like member that extends substantially vertically and substantially front-to-rear. The upper end of the reinforcing member 73 abuts along the recessed portion 63, which has a length in the front-to-rear direction, similar to the reinforcing member 71. In other words, the portion of the recessed portion 63 reinforced by the reinforcing member 73 has a length that corresponds to the length of the recessed portion 63.

[0031] The reinforcing member 75 is a plate-like member that extends substantially vertically and substantially front-to-rear. The upper end of the reinforcing member 75 abuts along the recessed portion 65, which has a length in the front-to-rear direction, similar to the reinforcing member 71. In other words, the portion of the recessed portion 65 reinforced by the reinforcing member 75 has a length that corresponds to the length of the recessed portion 65.

[0032] The upper ends of the reinforcing members 71, 73, and 75 are joined to the upper main body portion 31 by welding or the like. The lower ends of the reinforcing members 71, 73, and 75 abut against the lower left portion 47, the lower central portion 45, and the lower right portion 49 of the lower main body portion 41, respectively, and are joined thereto by welding or the like.

[0033] The reinforcing member 77 is a plate-shaped member that extends substantially vertically and substantially front-to-rear. The front end of the reinforcing member 77 abuts along the recessed portion 67, which has a length in the vertical direction. In other words, the portion of the recessed portion 67 that is reinforced by the reinforcing member 77 has a length that corresponds to the length of the recessed portion 67. The reinforcing members 71, 73, 75, and 77 extend in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions within the interior space 15 so as to divide the interior space 15 into left and right sections.

[0034] [1-4.Protrusion] The protruding portion 13 is a portion that protrudes forward and upward from the center of the left and right of the main body portion 11. The protruding tip is fixed to the body of a vehicle (not shown) or the like.

[0035] The protrusion 13 has an upper protrusion 81 that is formed integrally with the upper main body 31, and a lower protrusion 83 that is formed integrally with the lower main body 41, which are combined to form a columnar shape. The upper protrusion 81 and the lower protrusion 83 have flanges 85 and 87 on their edges, respectively. When the upper protrusion 81 and the lower protrusion 83 are combined, the flanges 85 and 87 abut against each other. The flanges 85 and 87 are joined by welding or the like, thereby fixing the upper protrusion 81 and the lower protrusion 83 together.

[0036] [1-5. Steering support mechanism] As shown in Figures 2, 6, 7, etc., the steering wheel 3 has a handle 111, a steering shaft 113, a steering column 115, etc. The steering shaft 113 transmits the driver's rotation of the steering wheel 111 to a steering mechanism (not shown). The steering column 115 has a cylindrical portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the steering shaft 113. The steering support 1 supports the steering column 115 from above, thereby realizing support for the steering wheel 3.

[0037] The steering column 115 is fixed to the steering support 1 at multiple positions spaced apart in the front and rear of the steering column 115. First mounting portions 117 that extend in the left-right direction are formed in two positions, left and right, on the steering column 115. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a pair of left and right through holes 91 that penetrate the upper main body portion 31 and the lower main body portion 41 are formed in a rear position of the main body portion 11, and bolts 93 are inserted into the through holes 91. The through holes 91 are formed in positions in the lower main body portion 41 near the lower central portions 45 of the lower left portion 47 and lower right portion 49. The threaded portion of the bolt 93 protrudes downward and is inserted into a bolt hole formed in the first mounting portion 117, and the bolt 93 and the first mounting portion 117 are fastened together with the main body portion 11 sandwiched therebetween.

[0038] Further, second mounting portions 119 that extend in the vertical direction are formed in two locations, left and right, on the steering column 115 forward of the first mounting portion 117. A through hole is formed in the second mounting portions 119, into which the threaded portion of the bolt 95 can be inserted. A bolt hole is formed in the lower protrusion 83 of the protrusion 13, and the second mounting portion 119 is fixed to the protrusion 13 by passing the bolt 95 through the through hole in the second mounting portion 119 and fastening it between the bolts. In this manner, the steering column 115 is fixed to the main body 11.

[0039] [1-6. Fixing the steering support] 1 to 5, the right end portion 53 of the main body portion 11 of the steering support 1 is fastened to the left end of the steering member 5. That is, the left end of the steering member 5 is inserted into the opening of the right end portion 53. The edge portion surrounding the opening of the right end portion 53 is then joined to the left end of the steering member 5 over its entire periphery, for example by welding.

[0040] 1 to 3, left end portion 51 of main body 11 is fastened to driver's side pillar 102 via bracket 101. That is, left end portion 51 is inserted into an opening formed in bracket 101, and the edge portion surrounding the opening of left end portion 51 is joined to the opening of bracket 101 along its entire periphery by, for example, welding. Bracket 101 is then joined to driver's side pillar 102 by at least one bolt that passes through a front portion of bracket 101.

[0041] Additionally, the upper end of a floor brace 121 is fixed by a bolt near the right end 53 of the lower main body portion 41. The floor brace 121 is a long, thin member that protrudes upward from a portion of the vehicle body that is located below the steering support 1.

[0042] As described above, the protruding tip of the protruding portion 13 is fixed to the body of the vehicle. The fixing method is not particularly limited, but the fixing may be performed using bolts, nuts, etc., or by welding.

[0043] [1-7.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) In the steering support 1, the reinforcing member can suppress deformation of the recessed portion. Compared to other parts, the recessed portion recessed toward the internal space 15 is more likely to deform toward the internal space 15 when the steering support 1 is subjected to a load. However, by reinforcing the recessed portion with the reinforcing member, the rigidity of the steering support 1 can be improved. Furthermore, as the rigidity of the steering support 1 is improved, the steering feel of the steering wheel 3 can also be improved.

[0044] In addition, when the shape of the upper main body portion 31 is such that the central portion in the left-right direction is warped downward, a depression is often formed in the upper main body portion 31. In this way, a depression is formed by changing the shape of the main body portion from a neat monaka structure to a distorted shape, but the reinforcing member of the present disclosure can suppress a decrease in the rigidity of the main body portion in such cases.

[0045] (1b) Since one end of each reinforcing member abuts against the recessed portion and the other end is positioned at a distance from the recessed portion in the main body portion 11, the stress that tends to deform the recessed portion can be dispersed to other parts of the main body portion 11.

[0046] (1c) In the steering support 1, the recessed portion reinforced by the reinforcing member is a portion bent in a valley shape toward the internal space 15. A recessed portion of this shape may be easily deformed when a load is applied, but the reinforcing member supports the valley-shaped portion from the side of the internal space 15, and therefore can effectively suppress deformation of the recessed portion. Furthermore, because the reinforcing member is arranged along the valley-shaped portion, which has a length, deformation of the recessed portion can be even more effectively suppressed.

[0047] (1d) The reinforcing member is positioned between the upper body portion 31 and the lower body portion 41 and is joined to both the upper body portion 31 and the lower body portion 41 by welding or the like, thereby effectively suppressing deformation of the body portion 11 such as bringing the upper body portion 31 and the lower body portion 41 closer to or farther apart.

[0048] [2. Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that 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.

[0049] (2a) In the above embodiment, the main body 11 has a monaka structure formed by the upper main body 31 and the lower main body 41. However, the configuration of the main body is not limited to this. For example, the main body may be formed by combining members separated into front and rear parts. Furthermore, for example, the main body may be formed by combining three or more members, or may be formed from a single member.

[0050] (2b) In the above embodiment, the recessed portion is a portion bent in a valley shape toward internal space 15. However, as shown in Fig. 9A, a configuration may be adopted in which smoothly curved recessed portion 203 provided in main body portion 201 is reinforced with reinforcing member 205. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9B, a configuration may be adopted in which groove-shaped recessed portion 213 having a bottom surface provided in main body portion 211 is reinforced with reinforcing member 215.

[0051] (2c) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing member abuts against the upper main body portion 31 at a position overlapping the recessed portion. However, the reinforcing member may abut against the main body portion 11 at a position slightly shifted from the recessed portion, as long as the effect of suppressing deformation of the recessed portion toward the internal space 15 is obtained.

[0052] The reinforcing member does not have to abut along the recess. For example, if the reinforcing member is a columnar member extending vertically, it may abut against the main body so as to overlap a portion of the recess. Furthermore, for example, the reinforcing member may be a plate-shaped member having a length in the left-right direction, and the recess having a length in the front-to-back direction and the abutting portion may intersect.

[0053] (2d) In the above embodiment, a plate-shaped member was used as the reinforcing member. However, the reinforcing member is not limited to a plate-shaped member, and members of various shapes, such as a pillar-shaped member or a block-shaped member, can be used as the reinforcing member. Furthermore, a reinforcing member that reinforces one recessed portion may be composed of multiple plate-shaped members arranged at intervals. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, a reinforcing member 221 may have a flange-shaped contact portion 223 at the location where it contacts the upper main body portion 31.

[0054] (2e) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing member contacts not only the recessed portion of the upper main body portion 31 but also a position spaced from the recessed portion (specifically, the lower main body portion 41), and is joined to both the upper main body portion 31 and the lower main body portion 41 by welding or the like. However, the reinforcing member may be joined to only one of the upper main body portion 31 and the lower main body portion 41 by welding or the like. Furthermore, the reinforcing member does not have to be joined to the main body portion by welding or the like at the position where it contacts the main body portion. In that case, the position of the reinforcing member in the internal space 15 may be fixed by another member.

[0055] (2f) The positions and number of recesses reinforced by the reinforcing members are not particularly limited. The recesses may be provided only in the lower main body portion 41, and the reinforcing members may be configured to reinforce the recesses. The recesses may be provided in both the upper main body portion 31 and the lower main body portion 41. One reinforcing member may simultaneously reinforce the recesses in the upper main body portion 31 and the recesses in the lower main body portion 41.

[0056] (2g) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...steering support, 3...steering, 5...steering member, 11, 201, 211...main body portion, 13...protrusion portion, 15...internal space, 31...upper main body portion, 33...upper flange portion, 41...lower main body portion, 43...lower flange portion, 45...lower center portion, 47...lower left portion, 49...lower right portion, 51...left end portion, 53...right end portion, 61, 63, 65, 67, 203, 213, 233...recessed portion, 61a, 61b, 63a, 63b, 65a, 65b , 67a, 67b...area, 71, 73, 75, 77, 205, 215, 221, 231...reinforcing member, 81...upper protrusion, 83...lower protrusion, 85, 87...flange portion, 91...through hole, 93, 95...bolt, 101, 103...bracket, 102...driver's seat side pillar, 111...steering wheel, 113...steering shaft, 115...steering column, 117...first mounting portion, 119...second mounting portion, 121...floor brace, 223...abutment portion

Claims

1. A steering support mounted on a vehicle and supporting a steering wheel of the vehicle, a main body portion formed of a plate material and having an internal space; a reinforcing member that is flat and has a first surface and a second surface as both surfaces thereof, and an end surface that connects the first surface and the second surface, and is disposed in the internal space; The main body portion is a first member having a shape concave upward when the steering support is mounted on the vehicle; a second member that is recessed downward in the vehicle-mounted state and that is disposed below the first member in the vehicle-mounted state, The internal space is formed between the first member and the second member, the first member has a recessed portion recessed toward the internal space, The reinforcing member is arranged in the internal space with the first surface and the second surface oriented so as to extend at least approximately vertically, and an upper end surface, which is the end surface connecting the upper ends of the first surface and the second surface, abuts against the recessed portion in the first member, and a lower end surface, which is the end surface connecting the lower ends of the first surface and the second surface, abuts against a position spaced apart from the recessed portion in the second member, thereby reinforcing the recessed portion.

2. 2. The steering support according to claim 1, A steering support, wherein the recessed portion is a portion bent in a valley shape toward the internal space.

3. 3. The steering support according to claim 2, A steering support, wherein the portion of the recess reinforced by the reinforcing member has a length along the recess.

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