Support bracket

Abstract

To provide a technology for upgrading the rigidity of a support bracket which supports a steering column of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A support bracket includes a main part, a rear steering fastening part, and plural body fastening parts. The main part is disposed to extend in an axial direction of a steering column in a top view. The rear steering fastening part is included in the main part and fastened to the steering column behind an instrument panel reinforcement of a vehicle. The plural body fastening parts are disposed at an end of a front part of the main part and fastened to the body of the vehicle. The plural body fastening parts include a first body fastening part, second body fastening part, and third body fastening part. The second body fastening part is located at a position substantially level with the first body fastening part. The third body fastening part is located at a position opposite to the first body fastening part and second body fastening part with a virtual horizontal surface, which passes the rear steering fastening part, interposed between the third body fastening part and the first and second body fastening parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support bracket for supporting a steering column in a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in Citation 1, a support bracket for supporting a steering column in a vehicle is disclosed. The support bracket described in Citation 1 supports the steering column by being fastened to the vehicle body and the steering column, respectively.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This type of support bracket preferably has high rigidity, for example, in order to improve handling stability and steering feel.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a technique for increasing rigidity in a support bracket for supporting a steering column in a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a support bracket for supporting a steering column in a vehicle. The support bracket comprises a main body, a rear steering fastening portion, and a plurality of body fastening portions. The main body is positioned to extend axially along the steering column in a top view. The rear steering fastening portion is provided on the main body. The rear steering fastening portion is fastened to the steering column rearward of the vehicle's instrument panel reinforcement. The plurality of body fastening portions are provided on the front end of the main body. The plurality of body fastening portions are fastened to the vehicle's body. The plurality of body fastening portions include a first body fastening portion, a second body fastening portion, and a third body fastening portion. The second body fastening portion is provided at approximately the same height as the first body fastening portion. The third body fastening portion is provided on the opposite side from the first and second body fastening portions, across a virtual horizontal plane passing through the rear steering fastening portion.

[0007] This configuration allows for increased rigidity in the support bracket that supports the steering column in the vehicle.

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, the third body fastening portion may be located between the first and second body fastening portions in the vehicle width direction. With such a configuration, the rigidity of the support bracket that supports the steering column in the vehicle can be further increased.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a front steering fastening portion. The front steering fastening portion is provided on the main body. The front steering fastening portion is fastened to the steering column in front of the instrument panel reinforcement. The main body of the front steering fastening portion may have a first extension portion, a second extension portion, and a third extension portion. The first extension portion extends from the front steering fastening portion to a first body fastening portion. The second extension portion extends from the front steering fastening portion to a second body fastening portion. The third extension portion extends from the front steering fastening portion to a third body fastening portion. At least one of the first extension portion, the second extension portion, and the third extension portion may be flat.

[0010] With this configuration, the rigidity of the support bracket that supports the steering column in the vehicle can be further increased.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a front steering fastening portion. The front steering fastening portion is provided on the main body. The front steering fastening portion is fastened to the steering column in front of the instrument panel reinforcement. The main body may have a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The first extension portion extends from the front steering fastening portion to a first body fastening portion and a third body fastening portion. The second extension portion extends from the front steering fastening portion to a second body fastening portion and a third body fastening portion. At least one of the first extension portion and the second extension portion may be wider towards the body side.

[0012] With this configuration, the rigidity of the support bracket that supports the steering column in the vehicle can be further increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the steering support structure. [Figure 2] This is a left side view showing the steering support structure. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the support bracket provided on the instrument panel reinforcement. [Figure 4] This is a top view of the support bracket provided on the instrument panel reinforcement. [Figure 5] This is a rear view of the support bracket provided on the instrument panel reinforcement. [Figure 6] This is a bottom view of the support bracket provided on the instrument panel reinforcement. [Figure 7] This is a left side view of the support bracket provided on the instrument panel reinforcement. [Figure 8]This is a right side view of the support bracket provided on the instrument panel reinforcement. [Figure 9] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the body fastening parts according to the embodiment. Figures 9B to 9D are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of the body fastening parts according to the first to third modified examples, respectively. [Figure 10] Figures 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of body fastening parts for the fourth to sixth modified examples, respectively. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Structure] The steering support structure 100 shown in Figure 1 is a structure that supports the steering member 1 in a vehicle. In the following description and drawings, up and down, front and back, and left and right refer to the up and down, front and back, and left and right directions as viewed from the driver's seat of the vehicle, respectively. In the following, the front and back direction will also be referred to as the vehicle's front and back direction, the up and down direction as the height direction, and the left and right direction as the vehicle's width direction. Figure 1 shows, as an example, the steering support structure 100 applied to a vehicle in which the driver's seat is located on the left side.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the steering support structure 100 comprises a steering member 1, an instrument panel reinforcement 2, and a support bracket 3.

[0016] The steering member 1 includes a steering wheel 11, a steering shaft 12, and a steering column 13. The steering shaft 12 is a rod-shaped member that transmits the rotational operation of the steering wheel 11 by the driver to the wheels (not shown). The steering column 13 is a cylindrical member that covers the outer circumference of the steering shaft 12. When the outer circumference of the steering shaft 12 is covered by the steering column 13, it is arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when viewed from above. The axial directions of the steering shaft 12 and the steering column 13 coincide with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when viewed from above.

[0017] The inner panel reinforcement 2 is a linearly extending member. The inner panel reinforcement 2 is, for example, cylindrical (cylindrical in this embodiment). The inner panel reinforcement 2 is arranged to extend in the vehicle width direction. The inner panel reinforcement 2 is fixed to the vehicle body (not shown) via fixing brackets 21A and 21B provided at both end portions in the axial direction. In FIG. 2, the fixing brackets 21A and 21B are not shown.

[0018] The support bracket 3 is a member that supports the steering column 13. The support bracket 3 is provided on the inner panel reinforcement 2. The support bracket 3 in this embodiment is configured as a separate member from the inner panel reinforcement 2 and is fixed to the inner panel reinforcement 2. The support bracket 3 is arranged above the steering column 13.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the support bracket 3 has a generally bilaterally symmetric shape. The support bracket 3 includes a main body portion 40, first to third inner panel fixing portions 50A to 50C, a front steering fastening portion 60, first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B, and first to third body fastening portions 80A to 80C.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body portion 40 is a member having a generally rectangular shape (i.e., a concave hexagonal shape) with a constriction at the central portion in the longitudinal direction in a top view. The main body portion 40 is arranged to extend in the axial direction of the steering column 13 in a top view. In other words, the main body portion 40 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction faces the vehicle front-rear direction in a top view.

[0021] The main body portion 40 includes a first connecting portion 41, a left reinforcing portion 42, a right reinforcing portion 43, a second connecting portion 44, and a third connecting portion 45.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the first connecting portion 41 is the part that connects the steering column 13 and the instrument panel reinforcement 2. The cross-sectional shape of the first connecting portion 41 along the vehicle's longitudinal direction is approximately L-shaped. The first connecting portion 41 is positioned so that the corners of the approximately L-shaped cross-section face upward. As shown in Figure 4, the first connecting portion 41 is generally trapezoidal in top view.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, a first instrument panel fixing portion 50A is provided on the lower surface of the intermediate portion of the first connecting portion 41. More specifically, the intermediate portion of the first connecting portion 41 is the part that constitutes the corner of the substantially L-shaped cross-section of the first connecting portion 41. The first instrument panel fixing portion 50A is the part that is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the instrument panel reinforcement 2. The first instrument panel fixing portion 50A is configured to have a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the instrument panel reinforcement 2. In this embodiment, since the instrument panel reinforcement 2 is cylindrical, the cross-sectional shape of the first instrument panel fixing portion 50A is configured to be a curved surface with an arc shape. The first instrument panel fixing portion 50A is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the instrument panel reinforcement 2 from above and fixed to the outer circumferential surface.

[0024] A front steering fastening portion 60 is provided in the portion of the first connecting portion 41 that is forward of the first instrument panel fixing portion 50A. Specifically, the front steering fastening portion 60 is provided at the front end of the first connecting portion 41. The front steering fastening portion 60 is the portion that is fastened to the steering column 13 in front of the instrument panel reinforcement 2.

[0025] In this embodiment, the front steering fastening portion 60 is configured to include an insertion hole that penetrates the first connecting portion 41 in the vehicle width direction, and fasteners such as bolts and nuts. The front steering fastening portion 60 is fastened to the steering column 13 by the fasteners inserted through the insertion hole.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the portion of the first connecting portion 41 rearward of the first instrument panel fixing portion 50A is provided with first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B. Specifically, the first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B are provided side by side on the left and right at the rear end of the first connecting portion 41. The first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B are the portions that are fastened to the steering column 13 rearward of the instrument panel reinforcement 2.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B are configured to include an insertion hole that penetrates the first connecting portion 41 in approximately the height direction, and fasteners such as bolts and nuts. The positions of the first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B coincide with each other in the vehicle's longitudinal and height directions, respectively. The first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B are fastened to the steering column 13 by fasteners inserted through the insertion holes.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7, the left reinforcing portion 42 is a wall-like portion provided on the left side of the first connecting portion 41. The left reinforcing portion 42 is generally triangular in side view. The left reinforcing portion 42 is provided on the portion of the first connecting portion 41 behind the first instrument panel fixing portion 50A. The front end of the left reinforcing portion 42 is provided with the second instrument panel fixing portion 50B.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the right reinforcing portion 43 is a wall-like portion provided on the right side of the first connecting portion 41. The right reinforcing portion 43 is configured symmetrically with the left reinforcing portion 42. That is, the right reinforcing portion 43 has a shape symmetrical to the left reinforcing portion 42. Also, the right reinforcing portion 43 is provided in a position symmetrical to the left reinforcing portion 42. A third instrument panel fixing portion 50C is provided at the front end of the right reinforcing portion 43.

[0030] The second and third instrument panel fixing parts 50B and 50C are portions that are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the instrument panel reinforcement 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The second and third instrument panel fixing parts 50B and 50C are configured to have a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the instrument panel reinforcement 2. In this embodiment, the second and third instrument panel fixing parts 50B and 50C have a cross-sectional shape that is curved in the shape of an arc. The second and third instrument panel fixing parts 50B and 50C are brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the instrument panel reinforcement 2 from the rear and are fixed to that outer circumferential surface.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the second connecting portion 44 is the part that connects the steering column 13 to the vehicle body. The second connecting portion 44 extends forward from the front end of the first connecting portion 41. As shown in Figure 5, the cross-sectional shape of the second connecting portion 44 perpendicular to the direction of extension is generally V-shaped. The second connecting portion 44 is positioned so that the corners of the roughly V-shaped cross-section face downward. The second connecting portion 44 has a bottom portion 441, a left side portion 442, and a right side portion 443.

[0032] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the bottom portion 441 is the part that constitutes the bottom of the corner of the substantially V-shaped cross-section of the second connecting portion 44. The bottom portion 441 is a substantially triangular flat plate in a plan view of the bottom portion 441.

[0033] The left side portion 442 is the left wall of the two side walls of the roughly V-shaped cross-section in the second connecting portion 44. As shown in Figure 7, the left side portion 442 has a first plate-like portion 442A and a second plate-like portion 442B. The first plate-like portion 442A and the second plate-like portion 442B are roughly triangular flat plate-like portions. The first plate-like portion 442A and the second plate-like portion 442B are continuous in this order from the left edge of the bottom portion 441.

[0034] The left side portion 442 is generally trapezoidal in a lateral view of the support bracket 3 (i.e., a plan view of the left side portion 442). The width of the left side portion 442 increases as it moves away from the first connecting portion 41. The width of the left side portion 442 refers to the length of the left side portion 442 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the left side portion 442 from the first connecting portion 41.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the right side portion 443 is the right-hand wall of the two side walls of the roughly V-shaped cross-section of the second connecting portion 44. The right side portion 443 is constructed symmetrically with the left side portion 442. As shown in Figure 8, the right side portion 443 has a first plate-like portion 443A and a second plate-like portion 443B. The first plate-like portion 443A and the second plate-like portion 443B are roughly triangular flat plate-like portions. The first plate-like portion 443A and the second plate-like portion 443B are continuous from the right edge of the bottom portion 441 in this order.

[0036] The right side portion 443 is generally trapezoidal in a lateral view of the support bracket 3 (i.e., a plan view of the right side portion 443). The width of the right side portion 443 increases as it moves away from the first connecting portion 41. Specifically, the width of the right side portion 443 is the width of the right side portion 443 in a lateral view of the support bracket 3 (i.e., a plan view of the right side portion 443). The width of the right side portion 443 can also be described as the length of the right side portion 443 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the right side portion 443 from the first connecting portion 41.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the bottom portion 441, the left side portion 442, and the right side portion 443 constitute the corner of the roughly V-shaped cross-section of the second connecting portion 44.

[0038] The front end of the second connecting section 44 is provided with first to third body fastening sections 80A to 80C. The first to third body fastening sections 80A to 80C are the parts that are fastened to the vehicle body.

[0039] More specifically, the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B are provided at the front end of the second connecting portion 44 and at both ends of the substantially V-shaped cross-section of the second connecting portion 44, respectively. In other words, the ends of the substantially V-shaped cross-section of the second connecting portion 44 are the end on the left side 442 opposite to the bottom portion 441 (i.e., the upper end) and the end on the right side 443 opposite to the bottom portion 441 (i.e., the upper end). As shown in Figure 7, the first body fastening portion 80A is provided at the front end of the second plate-shaped portion 442B of the left side 442. As shown in Figure 8, the second body fastening portion 80B is provided at the front end of the second plate-shaped portion 443B of the right side 443.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, the positions of the first and second body fastening parts 80A and 80B are approximately the same in the height direction. In other words, the second body fastening part 80B is located at approximately the same height as the first body fastening part 80A. The fact that the second body fastening part 80B is located at approximately the same height as the first body fastening part 80A means that, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the range X2 in which the second body fastening part 80B is located overlaps with at least a part of the range X1 in which the first body fastening part 80A is located. Figure 9A shows a schematic diagram of the case where the range X2 overlaps with the entirety of the range X1 in the height direction. Figure 9B shows a schematic diagram of the case where the range X2 overlaps with a part of the range X1 in the height direction.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 9A, the above range X2 overlaps with the entire above range X1 in the height direction. That is, the positions of the first and second body fastening parts 80A and 80B coincide with each other in the height direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positions of the first and second body fastening parts 80A and 80B also coincide with each other in the vehicle width direction. For this reason, it can also be said that the second body fastening part 80B is provided so as to overlap with the first body fastening part 80A when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the third body fastening portion 80C is provided at the front end of the second connecting portion 44 and at the corner of the substantially V-shaped cross-section of the second connecting portion 44. As shown in Figures 2, 7, and 8, the third body fastening portion 80C is provided on the opposite side from the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B, with the virtual horizontal plane S in between. The virtual horizontal plane S is a virtual horizontal plane passing through the first and second rear steering fastening portions 70A and 70B. In this embodiment, the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B are provided at a position above the virtual horizontal plane S. The third body fastening portion 80C is provided at a position below the virtual horizontal plane S. The distance L2 from the virtual horizontal plane S to the third body fastening portion 80C is greater than the distance L1 from the virtual horizontal plane S to the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5 and 9A, the third body fastening portion 80C is located between the first body fastening portion 80A and the second body fastening portion 80B in the vehicle width direction. The location between the first body fastening portion 80A and the second body fastening portion 80B in the vehicle width direction refers to the position in the vehicle width direction where the range Y3 in which the third body fastening portion 80C is located overlaps with the range Y1 in which the first body fastening portion 80A is located, and the position where it overlaps with the range Y2 in which the second body fastening portion 80B is located. Figure 9C shows a schematic diagram of the case where the third body fastening portion 80C is located at a position where the range Y3 in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the entirety of the range Y1. Figure 9A shows a schematic diagram of the case where the third body fastening portion 80C is located at a position where the range Y3 in the vehicle width direction is sandwiched between the range Y1 and the range Y2. Figure 9D shows a schematic diagram of a case where the third body fastening portion 80C is provided at a position where the above-mentioned range Y3 in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the entirety of the above-mentioned range Y2.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 9A, the third body fastening portion 80C is provided at a position where the above-mentioned range Y3 in the vehicle width direction is sandwiched between the above-mentioned ranges Y1 and Y2. The distance L3 from the third body fastening portion 80C to the first body fastening portion 80A is equal to the distance L4 from the third body fastening portion 80C to the second body fastening portion 80B. Also, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the position of the third body fastening portion 80C in the vehicle longitudinal direction coincides with the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B.

[0045] The first to third body fastening portions 80A to 80C of this embodiment are configured to include through-holes that penetrate the second connecting portion 44 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and fasteners such as bolts and nuts. The first to third body fastening portions 80A to 80C are fastened to the vehicle's body by fasteners inserted through the through-holes.

[0046] Returning to Figure 7, the second plate-like portion 442B of the left side portion 442, as described above, corresponds to an example of a first extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion 60 to the first body fastening portion 80A. As shown in Figure 8, the second plate-like portion 443B of the right side portion 443, as described above, corresponds to an example of a second extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion 60 to the second body fastening portion 80B. As shown in Figure 6, the bottom portion 441, as described above, corresponds to an example of a third extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion 60 to the third body fastening portion 80C. The second plate-like portion 442B of the left side portion 442, the second plate-like portion 443B of the right side portion 443, and the bottom portion 441 are flat plates as described above.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the left side portion 442 corresponds to an example of a first extension portion that extends from the front steering fastening portion 60 to the first and third body fastening portions 80A and 80C. As shown in Figure 8, the right side portion 443 corresponds to an example of a second extension portion that extends from the front steering fastening portion 60 to the second and third body fastening portions 80B and 80C. As mentioned above, the width of the left side portion 442 and the right side portion 443 increases as they move away from the first connecting portion 41. In other words, the width of the left side portion 442 and the right side portion 443 increases as they move towards the vehicle body.

[0048] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the third connecting portion 45 is the part that connects the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 44. The third connecting portion 45 is a flat plate with a roughly triangular shape. The third connecting portion 45 is fixed from above to the middle part of the first connecting portion 41 (that is, the part that constitutes the corner of the roughly L-shaped cross section as described above). The third connecting portion 45 is further fixed from above to the front end of the second connecting portion 44 and to both ends of the roughly V-shaped cross section.

[0049] [2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0050] (2a) The support bracket 3 has first to third body fastening portions 80A to 80C. The second body fastening portion 80B is located at approximately the same height as the first body fastening portion 80A. The third body fastening portion 80C is located on the opposite side from the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B, with the virtual horizontal plane S in between.

[0051] With this configuration, when a force is applied to the support bracket 3 from the steering column 13, the first to third body fastening parts 80A to 80C can suppress deformation of the support bracket 3 in the vehicle width direction and height direction. In particular, because the third body fastening part 80C is located on the opposite side from the first and second body fastening parts 80A and 80B, straddling the virtual horizontal plane S, deformation of the support bracket 3 in the height direction can be further suppressed compared to, for example, a configuration in which the first to third body fastening parts 80A to 80C are all located together on one side of the virtual horizontal plane S. Therefore, the rigidity of the support bracket 3 can be increased.

[0052] By increasing the rigidity of the support bracket 3, it becomes possible to reduce the thickness of the components that make up the support bracket 3. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is also possible to reduce the weight of the support bracket 3.

[0053] (2b) The third body fastening portion 80C is located between the first body fastening portion 80A and the second body fastening portion 80B in the vehicle width direction. With this configuration, when a force is applied to the support bracket 3 from the steering column 13, the first to third body fastening portions 80A to 80C can further suppress deformation of the support bracket 3 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the support bracket 3 can be further increased.

[0054] (2c) In particular, in this embodiment, the distance L3 from the third body fastening portion 80C to the first body fastening portion 80A is equal to the distance L4 from the third body fastening portion 80C to the second body fastening portion 80B. With this configuration, when a force is applied to the support bracket 3 from the steering column 13, the first to third body fastening portions 80A to 80C can further suppress deformation of the support bracket 3 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the support bracket 3 can be further increased.

[0055] (2d) From the viewpoint of further suppressing deformation of the support bracket 3 in the height direction, it is preferable that the distance from the first and second body fastening parts 80A, 80B to the third body fastening part 80C in the height direction be large. The distance from the first and second body fastening parts 80A, 80B to the third body fastening part 80C in the height direction is expressed as the sum of the distance L1 from the virtual horizontal plane S to the first and second body fastening parts 80A, 80B and the distance L2 from the virtual horizontal plane S to the third body fastening part 80C.

[0056] However, in a vehicle, other components such as a windshield are positioned above the support bracket 3, making it difficult to increase the distance L1 from the virtual horizontal plane S to the first and second body fastening parts 80A and 80B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance L2 from the virtual horizontal plane S to the third body fastening part 80C is configured to be greater than the distance L1 from the virtual horizontal plane S to the first and second body fastening parts 80A and 80B.

[0057] With this configuration, even if it is difficult to secure space above the support bracket 3 in the vehicle, it is possible to increase the distance in the height direction from the first and second body fastening parts 80A and 80B to the third body fastening part 80C.

[0058] (2e) The support bracket 3 has a second plate-like portion 442B on the left side 442, a second plate-like portion 443B on the right side 443, and a bottom portion 441, which correspond to examples of the first to third extension portions, respectively. The second plate-like portion 442B on the left side 442, the second plate-like portion 443B on the right side 443, and the bottom portion 441 are all flat plates.

[0059] With this configuration, for example, compared to a configuration in which the second plate-shaped portion 442B of the left side portion 442, the second plate-shaped portion 443B of the right side portion 443, and the bottom portion 441 are curved plates, it is possible to more easily transmit the force applied from the steering column 13 to the support bracket 3 to the vehicle body. Therefore, deformation of the support bracket 3 can be further suppressed. As a result, the rigidity of the support bracket 3 can be further increased.

[0060] (2f) The support bracket 3 has a left side portion 442 and a right side portion 443, which correspond to examples of the first and second extension portions, respectively. The left side portion 442 and the right side portion 443 are wider towards the vehicle body.

[0061] With this configuration, for example, compared to a configuration in which the widths of the left side portion 442 and the right side portion 443 are constant, deformation of the left side portion 442 and the right side portion 443 can be further suppressed when force is applied to the support bracket 3 from the steering column 13. Therefore, the rigidity of the support bracket 3 can be further increased.

[0062] [3. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0063] (3a) In the above embodiment, the third body fastening portion 80C is provided at a position between the first body fastening portion 80A and the second body fastening portion 80B in the vehicle width direction. However, the position of the third body fastening portion 80C in the vehicle width direction is not particularly limited. For example, the third body fastening portion 80C may be provided at a position on the opposite side of the second body fastening portion 80B from the first body fastening portion 80A in the vehicle width direction, or it may be provided at a position on the opposite side of the first body fastening portion 80A from the second body fastening portion 80B in the vehicle width direction. Even with such a configuration, for example, deformation of the support bracket 3 in the height direction can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the third body fastening portion 80C is not provided.

[0064] (3b) In the above embodiment, the position of the third body fastening portion 80C in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle coincides with the position of the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B. However, the position of the third body fastening portion 80C in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is not particularly limited. For example, the third body fastening portion 80C may be provided at a position further rearward than the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B.

[0065] (3c) In the above embodiment, the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B are provided at a position above the virtual horizontal plane S, and the third body fastening portion 80C is provided at a position below the virtual horizontal plane S. However, the third body fastening portion 80C does not necessarily have to be provided below the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B. For example, as shown in Figures 10A to 10C, the third body fastening portion 80C may be provided at a position above the virtual horizontal plane S, and the first and second body fastening portions 80A and 80B may be provided at a position below the virtual horizontal plane S. That is, in the above embodiment, the second connecting portion 44 is arranged so that the corners of its substantially V-shaped cross section face downward, but for example, it may be arranged so that the corners of its substantially V-shaped cross section face upward.

[0066] (3d) In the above embodiment, the first to third extended portions are all flat plates, but the shape of the first to third extended portions is not particularly limited. For example, at least one of the first to third extended portions may be a plate that is curved in part.

[0067] (3e) In the above embodiment, the width of the first and second extensions is greater towards the vehicle body side, but the shape of the first and second extensions is not particularly limited. For example, at least one of the first and second extensions may have a constant width.

[0068] (3f) The material of the support bracket 3 is not particularly limited. The support bracket 3 may be made of metal, for example, or resin. Similarly, the material of the instrument panel reinforcement 2 is not particularly limited. The instrument panel reinforcement 2 may be made of metal, for example, or resin.

[0069] (3g) In the above embodiment, the support bracket 3 is configured as a separate component from the instrument panel reinforcement 2 and is attached to the instrument panel reinforcement 2. However, the support bracket 3 may be configured as a single component (a so-called integrally molded product) with the instrument panel reinforcement 2, for example. Such a configuration also corresponds to a configuration in which the support bracket 3 is provided on the instrument panel reinforcement 2.

[0070] (3h) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to, replaced with, etc., the configuration of other above embodiments.

[0071] (3i) This disclosure can be realized in various forms, including the support bracket 3 described above, a steering support structure 100 which has the support bracket 3 as a component, and a vehicle to which the steering support structure 100 is applied.

[0072] [Technical concepts disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] A support bracket for supporting the steering column in a vehicle, A main body portion is positioned to extend in the axial direction of the steering column in a top view, A rear steering fastening portion is provided on the main body and fastened to the steering column on the rear side of the vehicle's instrument panel reinforcement, A plurality of body fastening portions are provided at the front end of the main body portion and fastened to the body of the vehicle, Equipped with, The aforementioned plurality of body fastening parts are The first body fastening section and A second body fastening portion is provided at approximately the same height as the first body fastening portion, A third body fastening portion is provided on the opposite side from the first and second body fastening portions, with a virtual horizontal plane passing through the rear steering fastening portion, Support brackets, including

[0073] [Item 2] The support bracket described in item 1, The third body fastening portion is a support bracket provided at a position between the first body fastening portion and the second body fastening portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0074] [Item 3] A support bracket as described in item 1 or item 2, The main body further comprises a front steering fastening portion, which is provided on the main body and fastened to the steering column in front of the instrument panel reinforcement, The main body is, A first extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the first body fastening portion, A second extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the second body fastening portion, A third extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the third body fastening portion, It has, A support bracket in which at least one of the first extension portion, the second extension portion, and the third extension portion is flat.

[0075] [Item 4] A support bracket as described in any one of items 1 to 3, The main body is further provided with a front steering fastening portion which is fastened to the steering column on a side forward of the instrument panel reinforcement, The main body is, A first extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the first body fastening portion and the third body fastening portion, A second extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the second body fastening portion and the third body fastening portion, It has, A support bracket in which at least one of the first and second extended portions is wider towards the body side. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1...Steering member, 11...Steering wheel, 12...Steering shaft, 13...Steering column, 2...Instrument panel reinforcement, 3...Support bracket, 40...Main body, 50A~50C...1st~3rd instrument panel fixing parts, 60...Front steering fastening part, 70A,70B...1st, 2nd rear steering fastening parts, 80A~80C...1st~3rd body fastening parts, 100...Steering support structure, S...Virtual horizontal plane.

Claims

1. A support bracket for supporting the steering column in a vehicle, A main body portion is positioned to extend in the axial direction of the steering column in a top view, A rear steering fastening portion is provided on the main body and fastened to the steering column on the rear side of the vehicle's instrument panel reinforcement, A plurality of body fastening portions are provided at the front end of the main body portion and fastened to the body of the vehicle, Equipped with, The aforementioned plurality of body fastening parts are The first body fastening section and A second body fastening portion is provided at approximately the same height as the first body fastening portion, A third body fastening portion is provided on the opposite side from the first and second body fastening portions, with a virtual horizontal plane passing through the rear steering fastening portion, Support brackets, including

2. A support bracket according to claim 1, The third body fastening portion is a support bracket provided at a position between the first body fastening portion and the second body fastening portion in the vehicle width direction.

3. A support bracket according to claim 1 or claim 2, The main body further comprises a front steering fastening portion, which is provided on the main body and fastened to the steering column in front of the instrument panel reinforcement, The main body is, A first extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the first body fastening portion, A second extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the second body fastening portion, A third extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the third body fastening portion, It has, A support bracket in which at least one of the first extension portion, the second extension portion, and the third extension portion is flat.

4. A support bracket according to claim 1 or claim 2, The main body is further provided with a front steering fastening portion which is fastened to the steering column on a side forward of the instrument panel reinforcement, The main body is, A first extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the first body fastening portion and the third body fastening portion, A second extension portion extending from the front steering fastening portion to the second body fastening portion and the third body fastening portion, It has, A support bracket in which at least one of the first and second extended portions is wider towards the body side.

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