Steering column device

Abstract

[Problem] To allow, when an adjustment lever is operated to hold a steering wheel in an adjusted position, the operation of the adjustment lever to a normal position and to prevent damage to a lock mechanism even when the axial positions of a protruding engagement part and a recessed engagement part are misaligned. [Solution] An outer lock member 40 includes: a first element 51 supported so as to allow at least a portion thereof to move toward or away from an inner lock member 39; a second element 52 having a protruding engagement part 65 and supported so as to allow displacement in an engagement–disengagement direction of the protruding engagement part 65 with respect to a recessed engagement part 41 provided on the inner lock member 39; a first biasing member 53 that elastically biases at least a portion of the first element 51 toward a direction away from the inner lock member 39; and a second biasing member 54 that elastically biases the second element 52, in the engagement–disengagement direction, toward a direction for engaging the protruding engagement part 65 with the recessed engagement part 41.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a steering column device for rotatably supporting a steering shaft that supports a steering wheel.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 22 shows an example of an automotive steering device. The rotation of the steering wheel 100 is transmitted to the input shaft 102 of the steering gear unit 101, and as the input shaft 102 rotates, a pair of left and right tie rods 103 are pushed and pulled, and a steering angle is imparted to the front wheels. The steering wheel 100 is supported and fixed to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 104. The steering shaft 104 is inserted axially inside the steering column 105 and is rotatably supported by the steering column 105. The front end portion of the steering shaft 104 is connected to the rear end portion of the intermediate shaft 107 via a universal joint 106, and the front end portion of the intermediate shaft 107 is connected to the input shaft 102 via another universal joint 108.

[0003] As an automotive steering device, there is one that includes a tilt mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the steering wheel 100 and a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the front and rear positions according to the physique and driving posture of the driver. In order to constitute the tilt mechanism among these, the steering column 105 is supported with respect to the vehicle body 110 so as to be capable of swinging displacement about a pivot 109 arranged in the width direction. Further, an intermediate portion in the axial direction of the steering column 105 is supported with respect to a fixed bracket 111 supported by the vehicle body 110 so as to be capable of vertical displacement.

[0004] Furthermore, in order to constitute a telescopic mechanism, the steering column 105 is constructed by combining an outer column 112 and an inner column 113 in a telescopic manner to allow relative axial displacement. In addition, the steering shaft 104 is constructed by combining an outer tube 114 and an inner shaft 115 by spline engagement or the like to enable torque transmission and relative axial displacement. Furthermore, the axial intermediate portion of the steering column 105 (outer column 112) is supported by a fixed bracket 111 supported on the vehicle body 110, allowing displacement in the longitudinal direction.

[0005] In steering systems equipped with a tilt mechanism and / or telescopic mechanism, except for electrically operated systems, the position of the steering wheel 100 is switched between an adjustable state and a state in which it is held in the adjusted position based on the operation of an adjustment lever.

[0006] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-83936 describes a steering device that switches between a state in which the front-to-back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted and a state in which it is held in the adjusted position, based on the operation of an adjustment lever. In this steering device, the engagement state between the tooth portion of the tooth member and the tooth portion of the inner column is switched based on the operation of the adjustment lever, thereby switching between a state in which the front-to-back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted and a state in which it is held in the adjusted position.

[0007] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-190522 describes a locking mechanism that switches between a state in which the fore-aft position of the steering wheel can be adjusted and a state in which it is held in the adjusted position by switching the engagement state between an engaging projection of a locking member, which is pivotably supported on the outer column, and a locking hole of a locking plate supported on the inner column, based on the operation of an adjustment lever.

[0008] The locking mechanism includes a biasing spring that elastically biases the locking member in a direction in which the engaging projection engages with the locking hole. Therefore, even if a semi-locked state occurs when the adjustment lever is operated to hold the steering wheel in the adjusted position, causing the engaging projection and the portion of the locking plate that is not in the locking hole to come into contact, further operation of the adjustment lever from the semi-locked state causes the biasing spring to elastically deform, allowing the adjustment lever to rotate. As a result, the adjustment lever can be reliably returned to its proper position while the steering wheel is held in the adjusted position, and damage to the locking member and locking plate can be prevented. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-83936 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-190522 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The steering device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-83936 may have the following problems. Specifically, when the adjustment lever is operated to hold the steering wheel in the adjusted position, a semi-locked state may occur in which the tip surface of the protrusion constituting the tooth portion of the tooth member and the tip surface of the protrusion constituting the tooth portion of the inner column come into contact. If the adjustment lever is to be operated further from this semi-locked state, it may not be possible to operate the adjustment lever any further in the direction of operation that will allow the steering wheel to be held in the adjusted position (the force required for operation may become excessive), or damage such as deformation may occur to the tooth portion of the tooth member and / or the tooth portion of the inner column.

[0011] In the structure described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-190522, the above problem in the semi-locked state is avoided. However, if a large axial force is applied to the inner column while the engaging projection and the lock hole are engaged, causing the engaging projection and the lock hole to strongly interlock or become stuck, then when attempting to operate the adjustment lever to adjust the position of the steering wheel, a large force may be required, or the lock plate and / or lock member may be damaged, such as deformation.

[0012] In light of the circumstances described above, this disclosure aims to realize a steering column device structure that, when the adjustment lever is operated to hold the steering wheel in the adjusted position, allows the adjustment lever to be operated to the correct position even if the axial position of the engaging projection and the engaging recess constituting the locking mechanism is misaligned, and prevents damage to the locking mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A steering column device according to one aspect of this disclosure is: A steering column comprising an inner column and an outer column having a column-side through hole that penetrates in the width direction, positioned on one axial side of the inner column, and fitted to the inner column so as to be able to move relative to it in the axial direction, An adjustment rod having a cam portion on its outer circumference and inserted through the column-side through hole, A control lever fixed to the aforementioned control rod and used to rotate the control rod, A locking mechanism including an inner-side locking member provided on the inner column having multiple engagement recesses in the axial direction, and an outer-side locking member having an engagement projection that can engage with the engagement recesses, It is equipped with.

[0014] The outer locking member is, At least a portion thereof is supported to allow for near-far movement relative to the inner locking member, a second element having the engaging convex portion and being supported so as to allow displacement of the engaging convex portion in the engaging and disengaging direction with respect to the engaging concave portion; a first biasing member that elastically biases at least a part of the first element in a direction away from the inner locking member; a second biasing member that elastically biases the second element in a direction in which the engaging convex portion engages with the engaging concave portion with respect to the engaging and disengaging direction; and having.

[0015] Based on the rotation of the adjustment rod as the adjustment lever is operated, the cam portion presses the first element in a direction in which at least a part of the first element approaches the inner locking member.

[0016] In a steering column device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first element can have a stopper portion that prevents the second element from being displaced in the biasing direction by the second biasing member with respect to the first element in a state where the engaging convex portion is engaged with the engaging concave portion.

[0017] In a steering column device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the outer locking member is supported so as to be unable to relatively displace with respect to the outer column in the axial direction and the radial direction of the steering column, and can have a pivot arranged in the width direction, and can support the first element so as to be able to swing about the pivot.

[0018] The second element can be supported so as to be able to swing about the pivot.

[0019] The pivot can be arranged at a position closer to the inner locking member than the adjustment rod in the radial direction of the steering column.

[0020] The second biasing member can be arranged on the opposite side of the pivot with respect to the adjustment rod in the axial direction of the steering column.

[0021] The second biasing member can be constituted by a compression coil spring.

[0022] A steering column device according to an aspect of the present disclosure can include a coupling member that detachably supports the inner side lock member with respect to the inner column based on an impact load applied during a secondary collision.

[0023] A steering column device according to an aspect of the present disclosure can have a guide surface portion inclined in a direction toward one axial side as it goes radially outward on at least one of one axial side surface of the engaging concave portion and the tip surface of the engaging convex portion.

[0024] The second element can have a shoulder portion that is located on one axial side of the engaging convex portion and that is close to or abuts against a portion of the inner side lock member that axially deviates from the engaging concave portion in a state where the engaging convex portion is engaged with the engaging concave portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to a steering column device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, even if the axial positions of the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion constituting the lock mechanism are displaced when the adjustment lever is operated to hold the steering wheel at the adjusted position, the adjustment lever can be operated to the normal position, and damage to the lock mechanism can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steering column device according to a first example of an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the rear side and the upper side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the steering column device according to the first example as viewed from the rear side and the lower side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the steering column device according to the first example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the steering column device according to the first example. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view of the steering column device of the first example. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 4. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the CC shown in Figure 6. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6 using the DD method. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of EE in Figure 6. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of section F in Figure 6, showing the unlocked state. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of section F in Figure 6, showing the locked state. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an enlarged view of section F in Figure 6, showing the semi-locked state. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an enlarged view of section G in Figure 7, showing the unlocked state. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is an enlarged view of section G in Figure 7, showing the locked or semi-locked state. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is an enlarged view of section G in Figure 7, showing the unlocked state with the engaging projection and engaging recess fixed together. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of the steering column device of the first example. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the outer locking member that constitutes the steering column device of the first example. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of the outer column, adjustment rod, and outer side locking member that constitute the steering column device of the first example. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the steering column device of the first example in the state where a secondary collision has occurred. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 11, relating to a steering column device of a second example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22]Figure 22 is a partially cutaway side view showing an example of a conventional steering device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] The following description of a steering column device according to one aspect of this disclosure will be given with reference to the drawings, but the following description is merely an example, and the content of this disclosure is not limited to the following exemplary configuration. Furthermore, it is possible to apply known alternative members as each element constituting the steering column device.

[0028] [Example 1] Figures 1 to 20 show a steering column device of a first example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The steering column device 1 of this example comprises a steering column 2, an adjustment rod 3, an adjustment lever 4, and a locking mechanism 5. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction, and the width direction refer to the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction, and the width direction of the vehicle body when the steering column device 1 is attached to the vehicle body. Also, unless otherwise specified, the axial direction and the radial direction refer to the axial direction and the radial direction of the steering column 2. In this example, the front side corresponds to one axial side, and the rear side corresponds to the other axial side.

[0029] The steering column 2 includes an inner column 6 and an outer column 7, which has a column-side through hole 9 that penetrates in the width direction, is positioned on one axial side of the inner column 6, and is externally fitted to the inner column 6 so as to allow relative axial displacement. In other words, the steering column 2 is constructed by combining the inner column 6 and the outer column 7 so as to be extendable and retractable in terms of overall length. In this example, the inner column 6 is positioned on the rear side, and the outer column 7 is positioned on the front side. More specifically, the steering column 2 is constructed by externally fitting the rear portion of the outer column 7 to the front portion of the inner column 6 so as to allow relative axial displacement.

[0030] The inner column 6 has a cylindrical shape. In this example, the inner column 6 has coupling holes 8 at two axially separated positions on its lower surface for coupling and fixing the inner side locking member 39 to the inner column 6 so that it can be detached by the impact load associated with a secondary collision.

[0031] The outer column 7 comprises a column body 10, a pair of clamping portions 11, and a front support bracket 12.

[0032] The column body 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The column body 10 also has a slit 13 extending axially on the lower surface of its rear portion. The rear end of the slit 13 opens onto the rear end face of the column body 10.

[0033] A pair of clamped portions 11 are fixed to the lower surface of the column body 10, in the portion that clamps the slit 13 from both sides in the width direction (both sides with respect to the circumferential direction of the column body 10). Each clamped portion 11 has a column-side through hole 9 that penetrates in the width direction. In this example, the column-side through hole 9 is made up of a circular hole.

[0034] The front support bracket 12 is fixed to the upper surface of the front end of the column body 10. The front support bracket 12 has a pivot hole 14 that penetrates in the width direction.

[0035] A steering shaft 15 is rotatably supported inside the steering column 2. The steering shaft 15 is formed by combining an upper shaft 16 and a lower shaft 17 by spline engagement or the like, enabling torque transmission and allowing the overall length to be extended or retracted. The upper shaft 16 is rotatably supported inside the inner column 6 by a radial rolling bearing 18a, and the lower shaft 17 is rotatably supported inside the outer column 7 by another radial rolling bearing 18b. A steering wheel (not shown) is supported and fixed to the rear end of the steering shaft 15, i.e., the rear end of the upper shaft 16. The front end of the steering shaft 15, i.e., the front end of the lower shaft 17, is connected to the input shaft of the steering gear unit via an intermediate shaft or universal joint.

[0036] The front end of the steering column 2, that is, the front end of the outer column 7, is supported by the vehicle body in such a way that it can oscillate around a tilt axis that is inserted through the pivot hole 14.

[0037] The middle portion of the steering column 2, that is, the rear portion of the outer column 7, is supported by a vehicle-side bracket 19 that is fixed to the vehicle body, allowing for vertical displacement. The vehicle-side bracket 19 has a mounting plate portion 20 and a pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b.

[0038] The mounting plate portion 20 has mounting holes 22 that penetrate vertically at two positions spaced apart in the width direction, and is supported and fixed to the vehicle body by bolts inserted through the mounting holes 22.

[0039] A pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b hang downward from two positions in the width direction on the lower surface of the mounting plate portion 20, and are arranged to clamp a pair of clamped portions 11 of the outer column 7 from both sides in the width direction. The pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b have tilt slots 23a and 23b that extend in the vertical direction in the parts that align with each other. In this example, the tilt slots 23a and 23b have a partially arc-shaped opening centered on the tilt axis.

[0040] The adjustment rod 3 has a cam portion 24 on the outer circumferential surface of its axial intermediate portion (widthwise intermediate portion), and is inserted in the widthwise direction through a column-side through hole 9 provided in the outer column 7 and tilt elongated holes 23a and 23b provided in a pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b. In this example, the adjustment rod 3 is composed of a rod body 25 and a cam member 26.

[0041] The rod body 25 has a head portion 27 and a shaft portion 28.

[0042] The shaft portion 28 has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. Specifically, in this example, the shaft portion 28 has a two-sided cross-sectional shape.

[0043] The cam member 26 comprises a pair of arm portions 29, each having a substantially arrow shape, and a connecting portion 30 that connects the base ends of the pair of arm portions 29. The pair of arm portions 29 have fitting holes 31 in the parts that align with each other, into which the shaft portion 28 of the rod body 25 is fitted without rattling. The tip portions (upper ends) of the pair of arm portions 29 of the cam member 26 constitute the cam portion 24.

[0044] The shaft portion 28 of the rod body 25 constituting the adjustment rod 3 is inserted from one side in the width direction (lower side in Figure 3, upper side in Figure 4, left side in Figures 8-10) into the column-side through hole 9 provided in the outer column 7 and the tilt elongated holes 23a and 23b provided in the pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b, and a nut 32 is screwed onto the tip portion of the shaft portion 28 (the other end in the width direction). Between the support plate portion 21b on the other side in the width direction (upper side in Figure 3, lower side in Figure 4, right side in Figures 8-10) of the pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b and the nut 32, a thrust bearing 33 and a washer 34 are arranged in order from the side of the nut 32.

[0045] The steering column device 1 in this example is equipped with a pair of pressing parts 35a, 35b around the adjustment rod 3, positioned to sandwich a pair of support plate parts 21a, 21b from both sides in the width direction, and is equipped with an expansion / contraction mechanism 36 around the adjustment rod 3 that expands and contracts the distance between the pair of pressing parts 35a, 35b. Based on the operation of the adjustment lever 4, the steering column device 1 is configured to switch between a state in which the front-rear position and up-down position of the steering wheel, which is supported and fixed to the rear end of the steering shaft 15, can be adjusted and a state in which it is held in the adjusted position by expanding and contracting the distance between the pair of pressing parts 35a, 35b using the expansion / contraction mechanism 36 and switching the engagement state of the locking mechanism 5.

[0046] The expansion / contraction mechanism 36 is composed of a cam device consisting of a driven cam 37 and a drive cam 38.

[0047] The driven cam 37 has a driven cam surface on one side in the width direction, which is a surface with irregularities in the circumferential direction, and is fitted onto the adjustment rod 3 so as to enable relative rotation with respect to the adjustment rod 3 and relative displacement in the width direction (relative displacement with respect to the axial direction of the adjustment rod 3). Furthermore, the driven cam 37 engages an engaging projection on the other side in the width direction with a tilt slot 23a provided in one of the pair of support plate portions 21a, 21b in the width direction, so as to enable displacement only along the tilt slot 23a.

[0048] The drive cam 38 has a drive cam surface, which is a surface with irregularities in the circumferential direction, on the other side in the width direction opposite to the driven cam surface of the driven cam 37, and is externally fitted and fixed to the adjustment rod 3 so that it cannot rotate relative to the adjustment rod 3 or move relative to the adjustment rod 3 in the width direction.

[0049] The adjustment lever 4 is fixed to the adjustment rod 3 and has the function of rotating the adjustment rod 3. Specifically, the base end of the adjustment lever 4 is coupled and fixed to a drive cam 38 which is externally fitted and fixed to the adjustment rod 3. Therefore, when the adjustment lever 4 is operated, the adjustment rod 3 and the drive cam 38 rotate around the central axis of the adjustment rod 3.

[0050] By operating the adjustment lever 4, the axial dimension of the expansion / contraction mechanism 36, that is, the dimension in the width direction of the vehicle body, is expanded or contracted, thereby expanding or contracting the distance between the driven cam 37 and the washer 34, and thus the distance between the pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b can be expanded or contracted. Specifically, the driven cam 37 constitutes the pressing portion 35a on one side in the width direction, and the washer 34 constitutes the pressing portion 35b on the other side in the width direction.

[0051] The locking mechanism 5 includes an inner locking member 39 and an outer locking member 40.

[0052] The inner locking member 39 has engagement recesses 41 at multiple axial locations and is provided on the inner column 6. More specifically, the inner locking member 39 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base portion 42 that extends in the axial direction and a bent plate portion 43 that is bent radially outward (downward) from the front end of the base portion 42.

[0053] The substrate portion 42 has engagement recesses 41 at multiple axial locations, each composed of a substantially rectangular elongated hole that penetrates in the thickness direction (vertical direction) and whose opening shape extends in the width direction. The engagement recess 41 has an inner guide surface portion 44 on the lower part of the front side surface that is inclined toward the front as it goes downwards, and an inner flat surface portion 75 on the rear side surface that is perpendicular to the central axis of the inner column 6. The substrate portion 42 has coupling holes 45 that penetrate in the thickness direction in the portion in front of and behind the portion where the engagement recess 41 is provided.

[0054] The bent plate portion 43 has a through hole 46 that penetrates in the plate thickness direction (front-to-back direction).

[0055] The inner locking member 39 is supported by a connecting member 47 on the inner column 6 so as to be detachable based on the impact load applied during a secondary collision. More specifically, the connecting member 47 is press-fitted or inserted so as to span between a connecting hole 8 provided on the lower surface of the inner column 6 and a connecting hole 45 provided in the inner locking member 39. The connecting member 47 is made of synthetic resin, light alloy, steel, etc., and is designed to break due to the impact load applied during a secondary collision.

[0056] In this example, the damper 48, made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, has a pin portion 49 which is pressed into the through hole 46 of the bent plate portion 43 from the front, thereby supporting and fixing the damper 48 to the front end of the inner lock member 39. As a result, when the steering wheel is moved to the front end position within the adjustable range, the front end surface of the damper 48 comes into contact with the front end surface (inner end) of the slit 13 of the outer column 7. This prevents direct collision (metal contact) between the inner column 6 or a metal member supported by the inner column 6 and the outer column 7 or a metal member supported by the outer column 7 when the steering wheel is moved to the front end position within the adjustable range.

[0057] The outer locking member 40 has an engaging projection 65 that can engage with the engaging recess 41. More specifically, the outer locking member 40 is composed of a first element 51, of which at least a portion is supported to allow for near-far movement relative to the inner locking member 39; a second element 52 having an engaging projection 65 and supported to allow displacement of the engaging projection 65 in the engagement / disengagement direction relative to the engagement recess 41; a first biasing member 53 that elastically biases at least a portion of the first element 51 away from the inner locking member 39; and a second biasing member 54 that elastically biases the second element 52 in the direction that engages the engaging projection 65 with the engagement recess 41 in the engagement / disengagement direction.

[0058] In this example, the outer locking member 40 includes a pivot 50 as an element that enables the near-far movement of the first element 51 and the displacement of the second element 52 in the engagement / disengagement direction. The pivot 50 is positioned in the width direction and is supported with respect to the outer column 7 in such a way that relative displacement in the axial and radial directions (front-to-back and up-and-down directions) is impossible. The pivot 50 is cylindrical in shape, and both ends of the pivot 50 in the width direction (both ends on the axial direction of the pivot 50) are fitted into support holes 55 that penetrate in the width direction, in front of and above the column-side through-hole 9, of a pair of clamped portions 11. In this example, the pivot 50 is supported against the outer column 7 by press-fitting one end of the pivot 50 in the width direction into a support hole 55 provided in the clamped portion 11 on the width direction, and inserting (internal fitting by gap fitting) the other end of the pivot 50 in the width direction into a support hole 55 provided in the clamped portion 11 on the other side of the width direction.

[0059] The first element 51 is supported on the pivot 50 so that it can swing around the pivot 50. In this example, the first element 51 is configured in a roughly rectangular box shape and has a pair of side plates 56, a connecting plate 57, and an end plate 58.

[0060] A pair of side plate sections 56 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the width direction. Each side plate section 56 has a through hole 59 that penetrates in the thickness direction (width direction) at approximately the center of the aligned parts, and a support hole 60 that penetrates in the thickness direction at a portion aligned with each other, in front of and above the through hole 59. Each side plate section 56 has a cylindrical section 61 that protrudes outward in the width direction from the portion of its outer surface in the width direction that surrounds the support hole 60. The inner circumferential surface of the support hole 60 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 61 are formed from the same cylindrical surface. Furthermore, each side plate section 56 has a locking piece 62 that protrudes outward in the width direction from the middle of the front-rear direction at the upper end.

[0061] The connecting plate portion 57 connects the lower ends of a pair of side plate portions 56. The connecting plate portion 57 has a partially cylindrical spring locking portion 63 that protrudes upward from the rear portion of the upper surface.

[0062] The end plate portion 58 connects the rear ends of a pair of side plate portions 56. The lower end of the end plate portion 58 is connected to the rear end of the connecting plate portion 57. The end plate portion 58 has a rectangular hole 64 that penetrates through in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) approximately in the center.

[0063] The first element 51 is supported by the outer column 7 by fitting the pivot 50 into the support hole 60 and the cylindrical portion 61 without any rattle, thereby enabling oscillation around the pivot 50. In this state, the rear portion of the first element 51 can move in and out of the distance relative to the inner locking member 39. An adjustment rod 3 is inserted through a through hole 59 provided in a pair of side plate portions 56, enabling relative rotation with respect to the first element 51.

[0064] An engaging projection 65 that can engage with the engaging recess 41 of the inner locking member 39 is provided on the second element 52. The second element 52 is supported by the outer column 7 so as to allow displacement of the engaging projection 65 in the engagement and disengagement direction with respect to the engaging recess 41. More specifically, the second element 52 has a support hole 66 that penetrates in the width direction at its base end (front end), and an engaging projection 65 at the upper end of its front end portion (rear end). The engaging projection 65 has an outer side guide surface portion 67 on its front end surface (upper side) that is inclined downwards as it approaches the front, and an outer side flat surface portion 76 on its rear side that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the inner column 6 when the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 are engaged.

[0065] The second element 52 has a shoulder portion 77 that is in close proximity to or in contact with the portion of the inner locking member 39 that is axially away from the engaging recess 41, more specifically, the portion of the lower surface of the base portion 42 of the inner locking member 39 that is axially away from the engaging recess 41, when the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 are engaged. Furthermore, the second element 52 has a cylindrical spring locking portion 68 projecting downward on the lower surface of the tip portion, and a stopper piece 69 projecting rearward at the tip (rear end).

[0066] The second element 52 is supported so that it can swing around the pivot 50 by fitting the pivot 50 into the support hole 66 without any rattle. In this state, the stopper piece 69 of the second element 52 is positioned inside the rectangular hole 64 of the first element 51.

[0067] The first element 51 has a stopper portion that prevents the second element 52 from being displaced relative to the first element 51 in the biasing direction by the second biasing member 54 when the engaging projection 65 is engaged with the engaging recess 41. More specifically, when the second element 52 swings upward relative to the first element 51, the upper surface of the stopper piece 69 of the second element 52 comes into contact with the upper surface (downward-facing surface) of the rectangular hole 64 of the first element 51, preventing the second element 52 from swinging further upward relative to the first element 51. In other words, the upper surface of the rectangular hole 64 of the first element 51 constitutes the stopper portion.

[0068] The first biasing member 53 elastically biases the rear portion of the first element 51 away from the inner locking member 39. The first biasing member 53 is constructed by bending an elastic metal wire. The first biasing member 53 has a base portion 70, a pair of extending arms 71, a pair of folded-back portions 72, and a pair of locking arms 73.

[0069] The base portion 70 extends in the width direction.

[0070] The pair of extension arms 71 bend forward from both ends in the width direction of the base 70, and when viewed from the side, they are bent in a roughly S-shape (roughly crank-shaped).

[0071] The pair of folded-back sections 72 are folded back in a roughly U-shape upwards and backwards from the tip (front end) of the extended arm section 71.

[0072] Each pair of locking arms 73 extends from the upper end of the folded portion 72 toward the rear, and has a bent portion 74 at its tip (rear end) that is bent toward the rear.

[0073] The first biasing member 53 elastically contacts a pair of extension arms 71 with the lower surface of the adjustment rod 3, and elastically contacts a pair of locking arms 73 with the upper surface of the locking piece 62 of the first element 51. In this state, the base 70 is positioned behind the end plate portion 58 of the first element 51, and the pair of folded portions 72 are positioned in front of the cylindrical portion 61. The first biasing member 53 elastically presses the locking piece 62 of the first element 51 downwards due to the force that causes the pair of extension arms 71 and the pair of locking arms 73 to elastically return to their original position in the direction of moving toward each other. This elastically biases the rear portion of the first element 51 away from the inner locking member 39.

[0074] The second biasing member 54 elastically biases the second element 52 in a direction that causes the engaging projection 65 to engage with the engaging recess 41 of the inner locking member 39, with respect to the direction in which the engaging projection 65 engages with the engaging recess 41 of the inner locking member 39. The second biasing member 54 is made of a compression coil spring that has substantially linear spring characteristics and allows for easy adjustment of the initial load. The second biasing member 54 is elastically sandwiched between the upper surface of the connecting plate portion 57 of the first element 51 and the lower surface of the tip portion of the second element 52. That is, the lower end of the second biasing member 54 is locked to a spring locking portion 63 provided on the connecting plate portion 57 (the spring locking portion 63 is inserted into the lower end), and the upper end is locked to a spring locking portion 68 provided on the lower surface of the tip portion of the second element 52 (the spring locking portion 68 is inserted into the upper end). This elastically biases the tip portion of the second element 52 upwards.

[0075] The second biasing member 54 is positioned on the opposite side of the pivot 50 from the adjustment rod 3 in the axial direction. That is, the second biasing member 54 is positioned behind the adjustment rod 3, and the pivot 50 is positioned in front of the adjustment rod 3.

[0076] In the steering column device 1 of this example, when adjusting the vertical and / or front-to-back position of the steering wheel, the lock mechanism 5 is released and the distance between the pair of pressing parts 35a and 35b is widened to an unclamped state by operating the adjustment lever 4 in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the example of Figure 5).

[0077] In other words, by operating the adjustment lever 4 in a predetermined direction, the cam member 26 of the adjustment rod 3 is swung from the state shown in Figure 15 to the state shown in Figure 14, and the cam portion 24 releases the force pressing the locking piece 62 of the first element 51 upward. As a result, the elastic restoring force of the first biasing member 53 elastically presses the locking piece 62 downward, and the first element 51 swings around the pivot 50 in a direction away from the inner locking member 39, i.e., clockwise in Figures 14 and 15. Therefore, the upper surface of the stopper piece 69 of the second element 52 is pressed downward by the upper surface of the rectangular hole 64 of the first element 51. As a result, the second element 52 swings from the state shown in Figure 12 to the state shown in Figure 11 in the clockwise direction in Figures 11 and 12, disengaging the engagement between the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41.

[0078] By operating the adjustment lever 4 in a predetermined direction, the drive cam 38 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 36 is rotated, and the convex portions constituting the drive cam surface of the drive cam 38 and the convex portions constituting the driven cam surface of the driven cam 37 are arranged alternately. This reduces the axial dimension of the expansion / contraction mechanism 36, widens the distance between the pair of pressing portions 35a and 35b (driven cam 37 and washer 34), and creates an unclamped state. As a result, the contact pressure between the widthwise inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b and the widthwise outer surfaces of the pair of clamped portions 11 is reduced or lost, and the inner diameter of the rear portion of the outer column 7 elastically expands, reducing the contact pressure between the outer circumferential surface of the front portion of the inner column 6 and the inner circumferential surface of the rear portion of the outer column 7.

[0079] In this way, by releasing the locking mechanism 5 and widening the gap between the pair of pressing parts 35a and 35b to create an unclamped state, it becomes possible to adjust the front-to-back position and the up-and-down position of the steering wheel.

[0080] In this example, the front end position of the adjustable range of the steering wheel is restricted by the contact between the front surface of the damper 48, which is supported at the front end of the inner locking member 39, and the front end (rear end) of the slit 13 provided in the outer column 7. That is, when the steering wheel is moved to the front end position of the adjustable range, the front surface of the damper 48 and the front end of the slit 13 come into contact. In contrast, the rear end position of the adjustable range of the steering wheel is restricted by the contact between the rear end surfaces of a pair of lateral bent portions 78 that are bent downward from both sides in the width direction at the front end of the base portion 42 of the inner locking member 39, and the front surface of the cylindrical portion 61 of the first element 51. That is, when the steering wheel is moved to the rear end position of the adjustable range, the rear end surfaces of the pair of lateral bent portions 78 of the inner locking member 39 and the front surface of the cylindrical portion 61 of the first element 51 come into contact.

[0081] The vertical position of the steering wheel can be adjusted within the range that the adjustment rod 3 can move inside the tilt slots 23a and 23b provided in a pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b. That is, when the steering wheel is moved to the upper end of the adjustable range, the upper end of the tilt slot 23a provided in one support plate portion 21a in the width direction comes into contact with the upper surface of the engaging projection of the driven cam 37 fitted onto the shaft portion 28, and the upper end of the tilt slot 23b provided in the other support plate portion 21b in the width direction comes into contact with the upper surface of the shaft portion 28. In contrast, when the steering wheel is moved to the lower end of the adjustable range, the lower end of the tilt slot 23a provided in the support plate portion 21a on one side in the width direction comes into contact with the lower surface of the engaging projection of the driven cam 37 fitted onto the shaft portion 28, and the lower end of the tilt slot 23b provided in the support plate portion 21b on the other side in the width direction comes into contact with the lower surface of the shaft portion 28.

[0082] After moving the steering wheel to the desired position, the adjustment lever 4 is operated in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction (counterclockwise in the example of Figure 5) to lock the locking mechanism 5 and to clamp the pair of pressing parts 35a and 35b by reducing the distance between them.

[0083] In other words, by operating the adjustment lever 4 in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction, the cam member 26 of the adjustment rod 3 is swung from the state shown in Figure 14 to the state shown in Figure 15, and the cam portion 24 presses the locking piece 62 of the first element 51 upward. As a result, against the elastic restoring force of the first biasing member 53, the first element 51 swings around the pivot 50 in a direction in which the rear portion of the first element 51 approaches the inner locking member 39, i.e., counterclockwise in Figures 14 and 15. Furthermore, the tip portion of the second element 52 is pressed upward by the first element 51 via the second biasing member 54, causing the second element 52 to swing counterclockwise in Figures 11 and 12 from the state shown in Figure 11 to the state shown in Figure 12, and the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 engage. As a result, axial displacement of the inner column 6 relative to the outer column 7 is prevented.

[0084] By operating the adjustment lever 4 in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction, the drive cam 38 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 36 is rotated, causing the tip surface of the convex portion constituting the drive cam surface of the drive cam 38 to abut against the tip surface of the convex portion constituting the driven cam surface of the driven cam 37. This expands the axial dimension of the expansion / contraction mechanism 36 and reduces the distance between the pair of pressing portions 35a and 35b (driven cam 37 and washer 34), creating a clamped state. As a result, the contact pressure between the widthwise inner surfaces of the pair of support plate portions 21a and 21b and the widthwise outer surfaces of the pair of clamped portions 11 increases, and the inner diameter of the rear portion of the outer column 7 elastically shrinks, increasing the contact pressure between the outer circumferential surface of the front portion of the inner column 6 and the inner circumferential surface of the rear portion of the outer column 7. This prevents vertical displacement of the outer column 7 relative to the vehicle body bracket 19, and also prevents axial displacement of the inner column 6 relative to the outer column 7, thereby holding the steering wheel in the adjusted position.

[0085] In the steering column device 1 of this example, in the event of a collision, a secondary collision occurs when the driver's body strikes the steering wheel. When a forward impact load is applied to the inner column 6 via the upper shaft 16 from the steering wheel, the connecting member 47 that spans the inner column 6 and the inner side locking member 39 breaks, as shown in Figure 6, as shown in Figure 20. As a result, the forward displacement of the steering wheel supported by the inner column 6 via the inner column 6 and the upper shaft 16 is permitted, and the impact load applied to the driver's body is mitigated.

[0086] According to the steering column device 1 of this example, when the adjustment lever 4 is operated to hold the steering wheel in the adjusted position, even if the axial position of the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 is misaligned, the adjustment lever 4 can be operated to the correct position, and damage to the locking mechanism 5 can be prevented. The reason for this will be explained next.

[0087] In the steering column device 1, when the adjustment lever 4 is operated in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction in order to hold the steering wheel in the adjusted position, the tip surface of the engaging projection 65 of the outer locking member 40 and the portion of the lower surface of the base portion 42 of the inner locking member 39 that is axially away from the engaging recess 41 may come into contact. In the steering column device 1 of this example, if the adjustment lever 4 is further operated in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction from this state, the second element 52 having the engaging projection 65 remains in the same position without swinging, and the first element 51 swings counterclockwise around the pivot 50 as shown in Figure 13, while elastically deforming (elastically compressing) the second biasing member 54.

[0088] Therefore, even when attempting to further operate the adjustment lever 4 in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction from a state in which the tip surface of the engaging projection 65 and the portion of the lower surface of the base plate 42 that is axially offset from the engaging recess 41 are in contact, it is possible to prevent the force required to operate the adjustment lever 4 from becoming excessive, and to prevent the contact pressure between the engaging projection 65 and the lower surface of the base plate 42 from becoming excessive. Thus, it is possible to prevent deformation or other damage to the inner locking member 39 and / or the outer locking member 40. As a result, the adjustment lever 4 can be operated to the normal position in which the steering wheel is held in the adjusted position, that is, to the end position in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction within the operable range.

[0089] When the adjustment lever 4 is operated to the normal position that holds the steering wheel in the adjusted position, with the axial position of the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 misaligned, the locking mechanism 5 enters a semi-locked state as shown in Figure 13. In the semi-locked state, the tip surface of the engaging projection 65 and the portion of the lower surface of the base plate 42 that is axially offset from the engaging recess 41 come into contact, and the first element 51 is in the same position as the first element 51 in the locked state shown in Figure 12.

[0090] When the locking mechanism 5 is in a semi-locked state, for example, due to the impact load associated with a secondary collision, the inner column 6 is displaced slightly forward relative to the outer column 7, and the axial position of the engaging projection 65 coincides with the axial position of the engaging recess 41. Based on the elasticity of the second biasing member 54, the tip portion of the second element 52 is elastically pressed upward, and the engaging projection 65 engages with the engaging recess 41 (the engaging projection 65 is inserted inside the engaging recess 41). As a result, the locking mechanism 5 enters a locked state as shown in Figure 12. Therefore, even when the locking mechanism 5 is in a semi-locked state, in the event of a secondary collision, the connecting member 47 is ruptured, allowing the steering wheel supported by the inner column 6 via the inner column 6 and upper shaft 16 to be displaced forward, thereby mitigating the impact load applied to the driver's body.

[0091] In the steering column device 1 of this example, even if a large axial force is applied to the inner column 6 while the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65 are engaged, causing the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65 to strongly interlock or become stuck, it is possible to prevent deformation or other damage to the locking mechanism 5. That is, when the adjustment lever 4 is operated in a predetermined direction to adjust the position of the steering wheel while the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65 are strongly interlocked or stuck, the cam member 26 of the adjustment rod 3 swings from the state shown in Figure 15 to the state shown in Figure 16. On the other hand, the first element 51 of the outer locking member 40 remains in the same position, with the pair of extending arms 71 and the pair of locking arms 73 of the first biasing member 53 elastically deformed in a direction away from each other. Therefore, even if the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65 become tightly engaged or stuck together, it is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied to operate the adjustment lever 4, and to prevent damage such as deformation to the locking mechanism 5 caused by excessive force when disengaging the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65.

[0092] Even if the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65 become tightly engaged or stuck, after operating the adjustment lever 4 in a predetermined direction, moving the steering wheel slightly in the forward and backward directions will cause the locking piece 62 to be elastically pressed downward by the elastic restoring force of the first biasing member 53, and the first element 51 will swing clockwise around the pivot 50 as shown in Figure 16, thereby disengaging the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65. This makes it possible to adjust the forward and backward position of the steering wheel.

[0093] In this example, the engaging recess 41 has an inner guide surface 44 on the lower part of its front surface that is inclined toward the front as it moves downward, and the engaging projection 65 has an outer guide surface 67 on its tip surface (upper surface) that is inclined toward the down as it moves forward. Therefore, when the inner column 6 is slightly displaced forward relative to the outer column 7 from a state in which the tip surface of the engaging projection 65 and the part of the lower surface of the base portion 42 that is axially away from the engaging recess 41 are in contact, the inner guide surface 44 and the outer guide surface 67 can guide the engaging projection 65 toward the inside of the engaging recess 41.

[0094] In this example, the second biasing member 54 is positioned on the opposite side of the pivot 50 from the adjustment rod 3 in the axial direction, thereby increasing the distance between the pivot 50, which is the pivot center of the second element 52, and the portion of the second element 52 that is pressed by the second biasing member 54. As a result, the moment of force of the second element 52 around the pivot 50, based on the elasticity of the second biasing member 54, can be increased, and the force that elastically biases the engaging projection 65 in the direction of engaging the engaging recess 41 can be increased. Therefore, even when the locking mechanism 5 is in a semi-locked state, and the inner column 6 is displaced forward at a high speed relative to the outer column 7 due to, for example, an impact load associated with a secondary collision, the engaging projection 65 can be engaged with the engaging recess 41 at the moment when the inner column 6 is displaced slightly forward relative to the outer column 7 and the axial position of the engaging projection 65 coincides with the axial position of the engaging recess 41.

[0095] In this example, the pivot 50, which supports the first element 51 and the second element 52 relative to the outer column 7, is positioned above the column-side through hole 9, i.e., above the adjustment rod 3, thereby bringing the engagement portion between the engagement projection 65 and the engagement recess 41 and the pivot 50 closer together. As a result, when the inner column 6 is displaced forward relative to the outer column 7, the direction of the force applied from the engagement recess 41 to the engagement projection 65 can be made approximately parallel to the central axis of the steering column 2. Therefore, in the event of a secondary collision, the impact load applied to the inner column 6 can be efficiently transmitted from the engagement recess 41 to the engagement projection 65, causing the connecting member 47 to rupture quickly.

[0096] In this example, the engaging recess 41 has an inner flat surface portion 75 on its rear side that is perpendicular to the central axis of the inner column 6, and the engaging projection 65 has an outer flat surface portion 76 on its rear side that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the inner column 6 when the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 are engaged. Therefore, the impact load associated with the secondary collision is applied from the engaging recess 41 to the engaging projection 65 via the contact area between the flat surfaces of the inner flat surface portion 75 and the outer flat surface portion 76. In other words, by increasing the area of ​​the contact area between the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65 that transmit the impact load associated with the secondary collision, the surface pressure at the contact area can be kept low, and stress concentration at the engagement portion between the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 can be prevented.

[0097] In this example, the second element 52 has a shoulder portion 77 on its upper surface located in front of the engaging projection 65, which is adjacent to or in contact with a portion of the lower surface of the base portion 42 of the inner locking member 39 that is axially offset from the engaging recess 41, when the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 are engaged. Therefore, when the inner column 6 attempts to be displaced forward relative to the outer column 7, and the second element 52 attempts to rotate counterclockwise around the pivot 50 in Figure 12, with the inner flat surface portion 75 of the engaging recess 41 and the outer flat surface portion 76 of the engaging projection 65 in contact, the shoulder portion 77 comes into contact with a portion of the lower surface of the base portion 42 that is axially offset from the engaging recess 41. As a result, a portion of the impact load associated with the secondary collision can be transmitted by the contact between the shoulder portion 77 and the portion of the lower surface of the base portion 42 that is axially offset from the engaging recess 41. In other words, the surface pressure at the contact point between the inner flat surface portion 75 and the outer flat surface portion 76 can be kept low, and stress concentration at the engagement point between the engagement recess 41 and the engagement projection 65 can be prevented.

[0098] In this example, with the engaging projection 65 engaged with the engaging recess 41, the upper surface of the stopper piece 69 of the second element 52 abuts against the upper surface (downward-facing surface) of the rectangular hole 64 of the first element 51, preventing the second element 52 from swinging further upward relative to the first element 51. In other words, the upper surface of the rectangular hole 64 of the first element 51 constitutes the stopper portion. Therefore, when the first element 51 swings clockwise around the pivot 50 as shown in Figures 14 and 15 based on the operation of the adjustment lever 4 in a predetermined direction, the upper surface of the rectangular hole 64, which is the stopper portion, can press the upper surface of the stopper piece 69 of the second element 52 downward. As a result, the engagement between the engaging recess 41 and the engaging projection 65 can be reliably disengaged based on the operation of the adjustment lever 4 in a predetermined direction.

[0099] In this example, we have described an example in which the contents of this disclosure are applied to a steering column device that has both a telescopic mechanism for adjusting the fore-aft position of the steering wheel and a tilt mechanism for adjusting the up-down position. However, the contents of this disclosure can also be applied to a steering column device that has only a telescopic mechanism.

[0100] The steering column device 1 in this example includes a steering column 2 formed by combining a rear inner column 6 and a front outer column 7 in a retractable manner. However, the contents of this disclosure can also be applied to a steering column device that includes a steering column formed by combining a front inner column and a rear outer column in a retractable manner. In this case, the column-side through hole is formed by an elongated hole extending in the front-rear direction.

[0101] In this example, the locking mechanism 5 is located on the underside of the steering column 2, but when implementing the steering column device of this disclosure, the circumferential position of the locking mechanism is not particularly limited and can be located, for example, on the upper side of the steering column.

[0102] When implementing the steering column device of this disclosure, the outer locking member may also be provided with multiple engaging protrusions. Specifically, for example, the locking mechanism may be configured to switch to a locked state by engaging a rack-shaped inner tooth portion provided on the inner locking member with a rack-shaped outer tooth portion provided on the outer locking member. In this case, among the multiple claws that make up the inner tooth portion, the recesses between adjacent claws constitute the engaging recesses, and the claws that make up the outer tooth portion constitute the engaging protrusions.

[0103] [Example 2] A second example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 21. In this example, the first element 51a does not have a stopper portion that prevents the second element 52a from being further displaced relative to the first element 51a in the biasing direction by the second biasing member 54a when the engaging projection 65 is engaged with the engaging recess 41. Specifically, the first element 51a does not have the end plate portion 58 and rectangular hole 64 that the first element 51 had in the first example.

[0104] In this example, the second biasing member 54a is supported and fixed at its lower end to the spring locking portion 63a of the first element 51a by crimping or the like, and its upper end is supported and fixed at the spring locking portion 68a of the second element 52a by crimping or the like.

[0105] In this example, when the adjustment lever 4 (see Figures 1 to 5) is operated in a predetermined direction to enable the steering wheel position adjustment, the first element 51a swings clockwise around the pivot 50 in Figure 21, pulling the spring locking portion 68a of the second element 52a downward via the second biasing member 54a. This causes the second element 52a to swing clockwise around the pivot 50 in Figure 21, disengaging the engagement between the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41. To achieve this, the spring characteristics of the second biasing member 54a, which is a compression coil spring, such as the spring constant and free length, are restricted so that the engagement between the engaging projection 65 and the engaging recess 41 is disengaged when the adjustment lever 4 is operated to a certain extent in the predetermined direction. The other configurations and effects in the second example are the same as in the first example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1. Steering column device 2. Steering column 3 Adjustment Rod 4. Adjustment lever 5. Locking mechanism 6 Inner Column 7 Outer Column 8 Binding hole 9 Column side through hole 10 Column body 11 Clamped part 12 Front support bracket 13 slits 14 Pivot hole 15 Steering shaft 16 Upper Shaft 17 Lower Shaft 18a, 18b radial rolling bearings 19. Vehicle-side bracket 20 Mounting plate section 21a, 21b Support plate part 22 mounting holes 23a, 23b Tilt elongated holes 24 Cam section 25 Rod body 26 Cam component 27 Head 28 Shaft section 29 Arm 30 Connecting part 31 Fitting hole 32 nuts 33 Thrust bearings 34 Washers 35a, 35b Pressing part 36. Expand / Contract Mechanism 37 Driven cam 38 Drive Cam 39 Inner locking member 40 Outer side locking member 41 Engagement recess 42 Circuit board section 43. Bent plate section 44 Inner side guide surface 45 Binding hole 46 Through hole 47 Connecting member 48 Damper 49 Pin section 50 Axis 51, 51a 1st element 52, 52a Second element 53 First biasing member 54, 54a Second biasing member 55 Support hole 56 Side plate part 57 Connecting plate section 58 End plate part 59 Through hole 60 Support hole 61 Cylindrical section 62 Locking piece 63, 63a Spring locking part 64 Rectangular hole 65 Engagement protrusion 66 Support hole 67 Outer side guide surface 68, 68a Spring locking part 69 Stopper piece 70 base 71 Extended arm 72 Folded section 73 Locking arm 74. Bent section 75 Inner flat surface portion 76 Outer side flat surface section 77 Shoulder 78 Lateral bend 100 Steering Wheel 101 Steering Gear Unit 102 Input axes 103 Tie Rod 104 Steering shaft 105 Steering Column 106 Universal joint 107 Intermediate shaft 108 Universal joint 109 Axis 110 vehicle body 111 Fixing bracket 112 Outer Column 113 Inner Column 114 Outer tube 115 Inner Shaft

Claims

1. A steering column comprising an inner column and an outer column having a column-side through hole that penetrates in the width direction, positioned on one axial side of the inner column, and fitted to the inner column so as to be able to move relative to it in the axial direction, An adjustment rod having a cam portion on its outer circumference and inserted through the column-side through hole, A control lever fixed to the aforementioned control rod and used to rotate the control rod, A locking mechanism including an inner-side locking member provided on the inner column having multiple engagement recesses in the axial direction, and an outer-side locking member having an engagement projection that can engage with the engagement recesses, Equipped with, The outer locking member comprises a first element supported so that at least a portion thereof can move toward and away from the inner locking member, a second element having the engaging projection and supported so that the engaging projection can be displaced in the engagement / disengagement direction with respect to the engaging recess, a first biasing member that elastically biases at least a portion of the first element in a direction away from the inner locking member, and a second biasing member that elastically biases the second element in a direction that engages the engaging projection with the engaging recess in the engagement / disengagement direction. The cam portion, based on the rotation of the adjustment rod in conjunction with the operation of the adjustment lever, presses the first element in a direction such that at least a portion of the first element moves toward the inner locking member. Steering column device.

2. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the first element has a stopper portion that prevents the second element from being displaced relative to the first element in the biasing direction by the second biasing member when the engaging projection is engaged with the engaging recess.

3. The outer locking member is arranged in the width direction and has a pivot that is supported with respect to the outer column in such a way that relative displacement of the steering column in the axial and radial directions is impossible. The first element is supported in such a way that it can swing about the pivot. The steering column device according to claim 1.

4. The steering column device according to claim 3, wherein the second element is supported so as to be able to swing about the pivot.

5. The steering column device according to claim 4, wherein the pivot is positioned closer to the inner locking member than the adjustment rod with respect to the radial direction of the steering column.

6. The steering column device according to claim 4, wherein the second biasing member is positioned on the opposite side of the pivot from the adjustment rod with respect to the axial direction of the steering column.

7. The steering column device according to claim 6, wherein the second biasing member is composed of a compression coil spring.

8. The steering column device according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling member that detachably supports the inner locking member relative to the inner column based on an impact load applied in connection with a secondary collision.

9. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the axial side surface of the engaging recess and the tip surface of the engaging projection has a guide surface portion that is inclined toward the axial side as it extends radially outward.

10. The steering column device according to claim 1, wherein the second element has a shoulder portion located on one axial side of the engaging projection that, when the engaging projection is engaged with the engaging recess, is in close proximity to or in contact with the portion of the inner locking member that is axially displaced from the engaging recess.

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