Steering column device

Abstract

To provide a steering column device that can freely set a separation load.SOLUTION: A steering column device according to the present invention includes: a capsule fixed to a vehicle body side frame; and a steering column bracket attachment plate sandwiched by the capsule. The capsule includes: a first flat plate having projecting portions; and a second flat plate located opposed to the first flat plate. The attachment plate includes through-holes or recessed portions into which the projecting portions are fitted. When the attachment plate separates from the capsule, the projecting portions are deformed to release the projecting portions fitted into the through-holes or the recessed portions therefrom, whereby a separation load of a steering column can be freely set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering column device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in automobiles and the like, a steering column that detaches from the vehicle body together with the steering shaft has been widely used to absorb the impact when the driver collides with the steering wheel.

[0003] As such a steering column, Patent Document 1 proposes an impact absorbing steering device that includes a column bracket and a capsule that detachably holds the mounting seat of the column bracket.

[0004] In the impact absorbing steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the capsule has a temporary holding protrusion and the mounting seat of the column bracket has a recess or a through hole, so by engaging these, it is possible to prevent the capsule from falling off from the mounting seat of the column bracket before the mounting seat of the column bracket is attached to the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-228469 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the impact absorbing steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the temporary retaining projection is provided on an elastic tongue supported in a cantilevered manner, and when the driver collides with the steering wheel, the elastic tongue immediately undergoes elastic bending deformation, causing the temporary retaining projection to come out of the through-hole, so the structure consisting of these temporary retaining projections and through-holes does not have a significant effect on the breakaway load of the steering column. In other words, such conventional steering columns have a limit to the breakaway load that can be stably generated by the sliding of the capsule, and there is a problem in that the breakaway load cannot be easily increased other than in the sliding portion.

[0007] The steering column device according to the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a steering column device that allows the separation load of the steering column to be freely set. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The steering column device according to the present invention is a steering column device comprising a capsule fixed to a vehicle body frame and a mounting plate of a steering column bracket clamped by the capsule, wherein the capsule has a first flat plate portion having a convex portion and a second flat plate portion facing the first flat plate portion, and the mounting plate has a through hole or a recess portion that fits with the convex portion, and when the mounting plate is detached from the capsule, the convex portion plasticity It deforms, and the projection and the through hole or recess are no longer fitted together. Therefore, the steering column separation load can be freely set. It is characterized by:

[0009] In a state in which the capsule holds the mounting plate, the first flat plate portion is preferably located on the upper surface side of the mounting plate, and the second flat plate portion is preferably located on the lower surface side of the mounting plate.

[0010] The capsule preferably has a coating layer made of a low-friction material on the portion that comes into contact with the mounting plate.

[0011] It is preferable that the portion where the flat portion of the first flat plate portion and the protrusion contact each other forms a figure having a perimeter in plan view.

[0012] The convex portion is preferably substantially hemispherical.

[0013] The protrusion is preferably substantially cylindrical.

[0014] The protrusion is preferably a pressing piece formed by a slit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The steering column device according to the present invention is a steering column device comprising a capsule fixed to a vehicle body frame and a mounting plate of a steering column bracket clamped by the capsule, wherein the capsule has a first flat plate portion having a convex portion and a second flat plate portion facing the first flat plate portion, and the mounting plate has a through hole or a recess portion that fits with the convex portion, and when the mounting plate is detached from the capsule, the convex portion plasticity The projection is deformed, and the engagement between the projection and the through hole or recess is released, so that the separation load of the steering column can be freely set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the steering column device of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the steering column device of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the capsule in the steering column device of this example is attached to the mounting plate of the steering column bracket. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of the steering column device of the present embodiment taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the start of removal of the steering column device of the present example. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the steering column device of the present example when it is detached. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state when removal of the steering column device of this example is completed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the steering column device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the upper side of Fig. 2 is referred to as "up" and the lower side of Fig. 2 is referred to as "down."

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the steering column device 100 of this example comprises a vehicle body frame 200, a capsule 400 fixed to the vehicle body frame 200 by a bolt 300, and a mounting plate 500 for a steering column bracket clamped by the capsule 400.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the steering column device 100 of this example rotatably supports a steering shaft 600. A steering wheel (not shown) for operation by the driver is attached to an end (not shown) of the steering shaft 600 located on the right side in Figure 2. The driver can adjust the inclination and position of the steering wheel by operating an operating lever 700.

[0020] 1 to 3, the vehicle body frame 200 is a member fixed to the vehicle body (not shown), and is located above the steering column device 100. The vehicle body frame 200 has a female thread (not shown) on its underside for passing the bolt 300 therethrough.

[0021] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the vehicle body side frame 200 is made up of a member fixed to the vehicle body. However, in the steering column device of the present invention, the vehicle body side frame may be made up of a part of the vehicle body and is not limited to the configuration of this example.

[0022] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the capsule 400 is a member formed by bending a single metal flat plate.

[0023] 4 and 5, capsule 400 has a first flat plate portion 410, a second flat plate portion 420 facing first flat plate portion 410, and a connecting portion 430 connecting first flat plate portion 410 and second flat plate portion 420. First flat plate portion 410, second flat plate portion 420, and connecting portion 430 are each flat plate-shaped.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first flat plate portion 410 is positioned parallel to the second flat plate portion 420, the connecting portion 430 is positioned perpendicular to the first flat plate portion 410 and the second flat plate portion 420, and the capsule 400 has an approximately U-shaped shape when viewed from the side.

[0025] 4, the first flat plate portion 410 has a generally elliptical hole 411 in the center, and the second flat plate portion 420 has a generally elliptical hole 421 in the center. The hole 411 and the hole 421 have the same shape and are positioned so as to overlap each other in a plan view.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first flat plate portion 410 has a convex portion 412. The convex portion 412 is a protrusion formed by plastic processing of the first flat plate portion 410. The convex portion 412 is substantially hemispherical and protrudes downward. The convex portions 412 are provided in two locations on the first flat plate portion 410. The convex portions 412 are provided near both ends of the side of the first flat plate portion 410 that is farther from the connecting portion 430.

[0027] 1 to 5, the mounting plate 500 is made up of a plate-like portion of the steering column bracket that is formed to be clamped by the capsule 400. The thickness of the mounting plate 500 is approximately the same as the length of the connecting portion 430 of the capsule 400. In the steering column device 100 of this example, of the planes that the mounting plate 500 has, the plane located at the top will be referred to as the upper surface, and the plane located at the bottom will be referred to as the lower surface.

[0028] 4, the mounting plate 500 has a cutout portion 510. The cutout portion 510 is a cutout that opens toward the steering wheel. When the capsule 400 clamps the mounting plate 500, the portion that opens by the cutout portion 510 is positioned so as to overlap the portions that open by the holes 411 and 421 in a plan view.

[0029] 4 and 5, the mounting plate 500 has a through-hole 520. The through-hole 520 is a hole that penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface of the mounting plate 500. The through-hole 520 is circular in plan view. The inner diameter of the through-hole 520 is the same as the outer diameter of the protrusion 412 of the capsule 400. The through-hole 520 is provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion 412 of the capsule 400.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the capsule 400 is moved from the direction where the steering wheel is located toward the mounting plate 500, and the first flat plate portion 410 and the second flat plate portion 420 sandwich the upper and lower surfaces of the mounting plate 500, and the protrusion portion 412 is fitted into the through hole 520, thereby allowing the capsule 400 to clamp the mounting plate 500.

[0031] When the mounting plate 500 is clamped by the capsule 400, the protrusion 412 protruding downward from the first flat plate portion 410 gets caught on the edge of the mounting plate 500, but by elastically deforming the capsule 400 and separating the first flat plate portion 410 and the second flat plate portion 420, the capsule 400 can clamp the mounting plate 500.

[0032] 1 to 3, the bolt 300 is passed through the hole 421 of the second flat plate portion 420, through the notch 510 of the mounting plate 500, through the hole 411 of the first flat plate portion 410, and further through the female thread provided in the vehicle body frame 200, and then tightened, whereby the capsule 400 is fixed to the vehicle body frame 200. Furthermore, by fixing the capsule 400 to the vehicle body frame 200, the mounting plate 500 held by the capsule 400 is attached to the vehicle body frame 200.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, when the mounting plate 500 held by the capsule 400 is attached to the vehicle body frame 200, the upper surfaces of the first flat plate portion 410 and the mounting plate 500 are in contact with each other without any gaps, and the lower surfaces of the second flat plate portion 420 and the mounting plate 500 are in contact with each other without any gaps, and the capsule 400 and the mounting plate 500 are tightly fastened together by the bolt 300.

[0034] The steering column device 100 of this example can adjust the friction generated between the capsule 400 and the mounting plate 500 by adjusting the tightening strength of the bolt 300, and set the load required for the mounting plate 500 to separate from the capsule 400 (hereinafter referred to as "separation load"). For example, in the steering column device 100 of this example, by tightening the tightening strength of the bolt 300, it is possible to set a high separation load, and by loosening the tightening strength of the bolt 300, it is possible to set a low separation load.

[0035] 1 to 5, when the mounting plate 500 clamped by the capsule 400 is attached to the vehicle body frame 200, the convex portion 412 fits into the through hole 520. This makes it possible for the steering column device 100 of this example to prevent the clamping of the mounting plate 500 by the capsule 400 from being accidentally released or the position at which the mounting plate 500 is clamped by the capsule 400 from being shifted until a load equal to or greater than the breakaway load is received.

[0036] 6 to 8, when the driver collides with the steering wheel, a load F acting on the steering wheel causes the mounting plate 500 of the steering column bracket connected to the steering wheel to move in the direction of the arrow shown in Figures 7 and 8, and to detach from the capsule 400. Note that the load F is higher than the detachment load set for the steering column device 100 of this example.

[0037] 7(a) to 7(c) show the state in which the attachment plate 500 moves from the state shown in FIG. 5 and separates from the capsule 400. FIG.

[0038] 7(a) to 7(c), when the driver collides with the steering wheel and a load equal to or greater than the breakaway load acts on the steering wheel, the mounting plate 500 moves in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the mounting plate 500 plastically deforms the convex portion 412 protruding downward from the first flat plate portion 410 by crushing it upward.

[0039] As shown in Figures 7(a) to (c), the convex portion 412 is plastically deformed by being crushed, and the portion protruding from the first flat plate portion 410 toward the through hole 520 disappears, thereby releasing the engagement between the convex portion 412 and the through hole 520.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) and 8, the fitting between the protrusion 412 and the through-hole 520 is released, so that the attachment plate 500 can be detached from the capsule 400.

[0041] Since a load is required to crush and plastically deform the convex portion 412 and release the engagement between the convex portion 412 and the through hole 520, the steering column device 100 of this example can set the breakaway load not only by the tightening strength of the bolt 300 but also by the load generated when the convex portion 412 is plastically deformed.

[0042] The steering column device 100 of this example can freely set the separation load by adjusting the tightening strength of the bolt 300 and the load generated during plastic deformation of the convex portion 412. As a result, the steering column device 100 of this example can prevent the attachment plate 500 from separating from the capsule 400 when a load lower than the set separation load is applied, and can separate the attachment plate 500 from the capsule 400 when a load equal to or greater than the set separation load is applied, thereby mitigating the impact when the driver collides with the steering wheel.

[0043] In the steering column device 100 of this example, when the attachment plate 500 is detached from the capsule 400, the protrusion 412 plasticity The steering column device 100 of this embodiment is configured such that the projection 412 is deformed, and the engagement between the projection 412 and the through-hole 520 is released. By adopting such a configuration, the steering column device 100 of this embodiment can be easily disengaged by the elastic tongue or the like provided with the projection or the like. Elasticity Compared to conventional steering columns that use deformable capsules, it is possible to set a higher load required to release the engagement between convex portion 412 and through hole 520, thereby expanding the range of loads that can be set as the steering column's breakaway load.

[0044] 1 to 8, when the capsule 400 is sandwiching the mounting plate 500, the first flat plate portion 410 is located on the upper surface side of the mounting plate 500, and the second flat plate portion 420 is located on the lower surface side of the mounting plate 500. With this configuration, the first flat plate portion 410 having the protrusion 412 is sandwiched between the vehicle body frame 200 and the upper surface of the mounting plate 500, plasticity As a result, in the steering column device 100 of this example, compared to a conventional steering column that uses a capsule having a protrusion or the like on the underside of the steering column bracket, it is possible to set a higher load required to release the engagement between the convex portion 412 and the through-hole 520, and it is possible to widen the range of loads that can be set as the steering column separation load.

[0045] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the first flat plate portion 410 is located on the upper surface side of the mounting plate 500, and the second flat plate portion 420 is located on the lower surface side of the mounting plate 500. However, in the steering column device of the present invention, the first flat plate portion may be located on the lower surface side of the mounting plate, and the second flat plate portion may be located on the upper surface side of the mounting plate, and this is not limited to the configuration of this example. Furthermore, in the steering column device of the present invention, the convex portion may be provided on the second flat plate portion in addition to the first flat plate portion, and this is not limited to the configuration of this example.

[0046] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the capsule 400 has a coating layer made of a low-friction material on the portion that comes into contact with the mounting plate 500. Specifically, the capsule 400 has a coating layer made of a low-friction material on the side of the first flat plate portion 410 that faces the second flat plate portion 420, the side of the second flat plate portion 420 that faces the first flat plate portion 410, and the side of the connecting portion 430 where the first flat plate portion 410 and the second flat plate portion 420 are located (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as the "inside of the capsule 400").

[0047] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the coating layer is made of a resin film applied to the inside of the capsule 400. However, in the steering column device of the present invention, the coating layer is not limited to the configuration of this example as long as it is made of a low-friction material.

[0048] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the capsule 400 has a coating layer made of a low-friction material on the part that comes into contact with the mounting plate 500, so that when the mounting plate 500 is detached from the capsule 400, the mounting plate 500 can be moved smoothly.

[0049] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the portion where the flat portion of the first flat plate portion 410 and the convex portion 412 come into contact forms a figure with a periphery in plan view. Specifically, in the steering column device 100 of this example, the convex portion 412 is semispherical and protrudes downward from the flat portion of the first flat plate portion 410, and therefore the portion where the flat portion of the first flat plate portion 410 and the convex portion 412 come into contact forms a substantially circular shape in plan view.

[0050] For example, in a steering column device that employs a pressing piece formed by a slit as a convex portion, the portion where the flat portion of the first flat plate portion and the convex portion come into contact is a figure such as a straight line in a plan view. In such a steering column device, the convex portion can be easily pressed against the flat portion of the first flat plate portion at the portion where the convex portion comes into contact with the flat portion of the first flat plate portion. plasticity This will cause deformation, and the steering column separation load cannot be increased.

[0051] On the other hand, in the steering column device 100 of this example, the contact portion between the flat portion of the first flat plate portion 410 and the convex portion 412 forms a figure with a periphery in a plan view, and therefore, in the steering column device 100 of this example, the convex portion 412 is easily displaced compared to a steering column device or the like that employs a pressing piece formed by a slit as the convex portion. plasticityThis also makes it possible to set a higher load required to release the engagement between the protrusion 412 and the through-hole 520 in the steering column device 100 of this example, thereby expanding the range of loads that can be set as the steering column separation load.

[0052] In the steering column device 100 of this example, the portion where the flat portion of the first flat plate portion 410 and the convex portion 412 come into contact is approximately circular in plan view. However, in the steering column device of the present invention, the portion where the flat portion of the first flat plate portion and the convex portion come into contact may be polygonal in plan view or may be any other shape having a perimeter in plan view, and is not limited to the configuration of this example.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, the steering column device 100 of this example may be one in which the number, positions, or shapes of the convex portions 412 and the through holes 520 are changed.

[0054] In the modified steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 9, the convex portions 412 are provided in three locations near the side of the first flat plate portion 410 that is farther from the connecting portion 430. Furthermore, the through holes 520 are provided at positions corresponding to the convex portions 412. Compared to the example shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the modified steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 9 has a larger number of mating convex portions 412 and through holes 520, and therefore a higher separation load can be set.

[0055] In the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 10, the convex portions 412 are provided in two locations on the first flat plate portion 410 near the portion that comes into contact with the connecting portion 430. Furthermore, the through holes 520 are provided at positions corresponding to the convex portions 412. In the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 10, compared to the example shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the positions of the mating convex portions 412 and through holes 520 are closer to the connecting portion 430, so that when the mounting plate 500 is detached from the capsule 400, the area of ​​contact between the convex portions 412 and the mounting plate 500 can be set shorter, and the detachment load of the steering column can be adjusted.

[0056] In the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 11, the convex portion 412 has a larger outer diameter than the example shown in Figs. 1 to 8, and the through-hole 520 has a larger inner diameter than the example shown in Figs. 1 to 8. In the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 11, the fitting portion consisting of the convex portion 412 and the through-hole 520 is larger than the example shown in Figs. 1 to 8, and the convex portion 412 fits deeply, so a high separation load can be set.

[0057] In the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 12, the convex portion 412 and the through hole 520 have a shape that extends in the direction in which the mounting plate 500 is detached from the capsule 400. As a result, in the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 12, compared to the example shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the range of contact between the convex portion 412 and the mounting plate 500 can be set longer when the mounting plate 500 is detached from the capsule 400, and the detachment load of the steering column can be adjusted.

[0058] In the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 13, the convex portion 412 is substantially cylindrical. The convex portion 412 is a hollow protrusion formed by burring the first flat plate portion 410. In the modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 13, the convex portion 412 is substantially cylindrical and protrudes downward from the flat portion of the first flat plate portion 410, so that the portion where the flat portion of the first flat plate portion 410 and the convex portion 412 come into contact is substantially circular in plan view.

[0059] In the modified steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 14, the convex portion 412 is a pressing piece formed by a slit. In the modified steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 14, the first flat plate portion 410 has a pair of slits extending in the direction in which the mounting plate 500 is detached from the capsule 400, and a single pressing piece protruding downward is formed by performing plastic processing on the flat portion located between the pair of slits. The convex portions 412 are provided in two locations on the first flat plate portion 410. The through hole 520 is substantially rectangular and is provided at a position corresponding to the convex portion 412.

[0060] In the modified steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 15, the convex portion 412 is a pressing piece formed by a slit. In the modified steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 15, the first flat plate portion 410 has a slit that is approximately U-shaped in plan view and is composed of a pair of slits extending in the direction in which the mounting plate 500 is detached from the capsule 400 and a slit connecting the pair of slits, and by performing plastic processing on the flat portion surrounded by the approximately U-shaped slits, one pressing piece that protrudes downward is formed. The convex portions 412 are provided in two locations on the first flat plate portion 410. The through-hole 520 is approximately rectangular and is provided at a position corresponding to the convex portion 412.

[0061] In a modified example of the steering column device 100 shown in Fig. 16, the mounting plate 500 has a recess 530 instead of the through hole 520. The recess 530 is a recess provided in the upper surface of the mounting plate 500. The recess 530 has a shape that is recessed deeper than the length of the protrusion 412. The recess 530 has the same function as the through hole 530 in each of the examples shown in Figs. 1 to 15.

[0062] In the steering column device of the present invention, the capsule and the mounting plate may have a configuration that combines the features of the convex portion, the through hole, and the concave portion in each of the above-mentioned examples, and are not limited to the configurations in each of the examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100 Steering column device 200 Body side frame 300 volts 400 capsules 410 First plate section 411 Hole 412 Convex part 420 Second plate section 421 Hole 430 Connection section 500 Mounting Plate 510 Notch 520 Through hole 530 recess 600 steering shaft 700 Control Lever

Claims

1. a capsule fixed to a vehicle body frame; a mounting plate for a steering column bracket that is clamped by the capsule; A steering column device comprising: the capsule has a first flat plate portion having a convex portion and a second flat plate portion facing the first flat plate portion, the mounting plate has a through hole or a recess that fits with the protrusion, When the mounting plate is detached from the capsule, the convex portion undergoes plastic deformation, and the engagement between the convex portion and the through hole or the concave portion is released, thereby allowing the steering column detachment load to be freely set.

2. 2. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein, when the capsule clamps the mounting plate, the first flat plate portion is located on the upper surface side of the mounting plate, and the second flat plate portion is located on the lower surface side of the mounting plate.

3. 3. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the capsule has a coating layer made of a low-friction material on a portion thereof that comes into contact with the mounting plate.

4. 4. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion between the flat portion of the first flat plate portion and the protrusion forms a shape having a periphery in a plan view.

5. 5. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is substantially hemispherical.

6. 5. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is substantially cylindrical.

7. 4. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is a pressing piece formed by a slit.

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