JP2007203881A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device capable of simultaneously forming a shaft insertion portion at the time of molding a steering column. <P>SOLUTION: The steering device can adjust the position of the steering column 1 rotatably supporting a steering shaft 3. On the steering column 1, vehicle body attaching portions 11, 12 bulged outward and having a pair of attaching plate portions 15, 31 at both ends in a width direction are formed. First oblong holes 16a, 32a and second oblong holes 16b, 32b are formed at one or the other of the pair of the attaching plate portions so as to make a superimposed portion viewed from a side part become shaft insertion portions 17, 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering apparatus capable of adjusting the position of a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft.

As this type of steering device, for example, the upper bracket and the lower bracket previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention support a steering column integrally formed from a steel tubular material that is a single blank by hydroforming, and the upper bracket is attached to the upper bracket. The fastening bolt is inserted through the formed tilt adjustment long hole and the telescopic position adjustment column support hole formed in the steering column, and the bracket support hole formed in the lower bracket and the telescopic position adjustment bracket formed in the steering column. A vehicle steering apparatus is known in which a steering column is tilted and telescopically adjusted around a hinge pin by inserting a hinge pin through a support hole (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
International Publication No. WO2004 / 043766 Pamphlet

However, in the conventional example described in Patent Document 1, since the steering column is integrally formed from a single steel tubular material by hydroforming, a telescopic position adjusting long hole is formed as a support hole formed in the steering column. When a long hole is drilled in such a large flat part, it can be easily drilled by hydropiercing using a slide tool after forming by hydroforming, When forming a small round hole, even if hydropiercing is performed using a slide tool, the flat part around the round hole is bent and an accurate round hole shape cannot be formed, and hydroforming molding is completed. After that, there is an unresolved problem that a round hole must be formed by milling or pressing. .
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to the unsolved problems of the above-described conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering device capable of simultaneously forming a shaft insertion portion when a steering column is formed.

In order to achieve the above object, a steering apparatus according to claim 1 is a steering apparatus capable of adjusting the position of a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft,
The steering column is formed with a vehicle body mounting portion bulging outward and having a pair of mounting plate portions at both ends in the width direction, and overlapping portions viewed from the side are formed on one and the other of the pair of mounting plate portions. The first long hole and the second long hole are formed so as to be the shaft insertion portion.

  The steering device according to claim 2 is a steering device capable of adjusting a position of a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft, and is bulged outwardly from the steering column and is paired at both ends in the width direction. And a first elongated hole extending in a different direction with the shaft insertion portion as a center when viewed from the side, on one and the other of the pair of mounting plate portions. It is characterized in that two long holes are formed.

  The steering device according to claim 3 is a steering device capable of adjusting a position of a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft, and is bulged outwardly from the steering column and is paired at both ends in the width direction. A first mounting hole that intersects with one and the other of the pair of mounting plate portions so as to form a shaft insertion portion at the intersection when viewed from the side. And a second long hole is formed.

Furthermore, the steering device according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the pair of mounting plate portions are formed in a plane.
Still further, the steering device according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the vehicle body attachment portion is formed at a central portion side position in an axial direction of the steering column. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the steering device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is characterized in that the vehicle body attachment portion is formed on an axial end portion side of the steering column.
The steering device according to claim 7 is the steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the molding of the vehicle body mounting portion and the molding of the first and second elongated holes are performed by hydroforming of a steering column. It is characterized by things that are sometimes done.

According to the present invention, the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole are formed in the pair of mounting plate portions of the steering column so that the overlapping portions when viewed from the side are the shaft insertion portions. The first and second long holes can be simultaneously formed by hydropiercing using a slide tool during forming by forming, and the shaft is inserted into the shaft insertion part of the overlapping part of both long holes, thereby round holes The effect that positioning equivalent to can be performed can be obtained.
In this case, in order to make the first and second elongated holes have overlapping portions when viewed from the side, are the first and second elongated holes formed by extending in different directions around the shaft insertion portion? It is desirable that the crossing portions are formed so as to cross each other so as to form shaft insertion portions.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle showing an embodiment of the present invention, and a steering column 3 having a steering wheel 2 mounted on the rear end of the vehicle is rotatably supported on the steering column 1. A telescopic intermediate shaft 5 is connected to the front end of the steering shaft 3 via a universal joint 4.

  A rack and pinion type steering gear 7 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate shaft 5 via a universal joint 6, and a steered wheel 9 is connected to the steering gear 7 via a tie rod 8 or the like. The steered wheel 9 can be steered by steering. In addition, peripheral parts P such as a combination switch and a column cover are disposed at the vehicle rear portion of the steering column 1.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example in which the steering device according to the present invention is applied to a tilt type steering device.
As shown in FIG. 2, the steering column 1 is a hydroforming process in which a thin steel pipe, which is a single blank, is housed in a mold, filled with pressure water or oil, and the steel pipe is expanded to a desired shape. By molding, an upper bracket mounting portion 11 that bulges downward and outward in the axial center portion and a lower bracket mounting portion 12 that bulges outward in the width direction at the front end in the axial direction are integrally formed. By applying this hydroforming molding, compared with the case of manufacturing a member with a closed cross-section structure by welding after press molding, it has superior strength and rigidity, reducing processing costs and reducing weight. Can be planned. In FIG. 2, the left end side of the steering column 1 is defined as the front, and the right end side is defined as the rear.

The steering column 1 is mounted with a vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13 and a vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 fixed to the vehicle body side to an upper bracket mounting portion 11 and a lower bracket mounting portion 12, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, the upper bracket mounting portion 11 has a pair of flat surfaces that bulge outward and downward in the width direction in contact with the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13. A vertical contact plate portion 15 is formed. As shown in FIG. 3 which is a side view of the steering column, a first elongated hole 16a and a second elongated hole 16b extending in the axial direction are individually formed in the pair of vertical contact plate portions 15. That is, the first long hole 16 a is formed in the left vertical contact plate portion 15 as viewed in FIG. 4, and the second long hole 16 a is formed in the right vertical contact plate portion 15.

  Here, the first long hole 16a is formed so that the rear end portion thereof becomes the shaft insertion portion 17, and the second long hole 16b has a shaft insertion portion 17 whose front end portion coincides with the shaft insertion portion 17 and the central axis. As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 3, the first long hole 16 a and the second long hole 16 b are formed so that the shaft insertion portions 17 overlap each other. That is, the first long hole 16a and the second long hole 16b are formed to extend in directions different by 180 degrees (that is, directions different from each other in the front-rear direction) with the center of the shaft insertion portion 17 as the center.

On the other hand, the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13 is composed of a pair of left and right divided bracket portions 20A and 20B formed symmetrically with respect to the steering column 1 as clearly shown in FIG.
Each of the divided bracket portions 20A and 20B is formed in an L shape by a vehicle body mounting plate portion 21 attached to the vehicle body side and a vertical plate portion 22 that is bent at a right angle to the vehicle body mounting plate portion 21 and supports the steering column 1. The reinforcing plate portion 23 is integrally formed on the rear end surfaces of the horizontal plate portion (vehicle body attachment plate portion) 21 and the vertical plate portion 22. The vertical plate portion 22 is formed with a tilt adjusting long hole 24 that extends obliquely upward, for example, about 80 degrees according to the tilt angle when the steering column 1 is mounted on the vehicle body with respect to the axial direction of the steering column 1. . The long hole 24 for tilt adjustment is not limited to being formed in a straight line, but may be a long hole having an arc shape centering on a central axis of a pivot pin 34 to be described later.

  And the position which has a head through the shaft insertion part 17 of the 1st long hole 16a and 2nd long hole 16b which were formed in the steering column 1, and the long hole 24 for tilt adjustment formed in division | segmentation bracket part 20A and 20B. An adjustment bolt 26 is inserted, and an operation lever 27 is rotatably attached between the head of the position adjustment bolt 26 and the divided bracket portion 20A, and a clamp mechanism 28 is provided to adjust the position. A nut 26a is screwed onto the tip of the divided bracket portion 20B of the bolt 26 that protrudes from the right end, and is tightened with the nut.

  When the divided bracket portions 20A and 20B are mounted, the position adjusting bolt 26 is moved by contacting the rear end edge of the first long hole 16a with respect to the axial movement of the steering column 1 forward. The movement of the steering column 1 toward the rear side in the axial direction is restricted by the position adjusting bolt 26 coming into contact with the front end edge of the second long hole 16b. Eventually, the relative movement in the axial direction between the steering column 1 and the position adjusting bolt 26 is restricted in the same manner as when the position adjusting bolt 26 is inserted into the round hole formed in the vertical contact plate portion 15.

Here, the clamp mechanism 28 is slidable along the long hole 24 for tilt adjustment at a position facing the movable cam portion 28a rotating integrally with the operation lever 27 and the movable cam portion 28a of the divided bracket portion 20A. This is a mechanism known per se composed of a fixed cam 28b fixed so as not to be relatively rotatable.
Further, the hooking portion 29 formed on the reinforcing plate portion 23 of the divided bracket portions 20A and 20B has an elastic body 30 made of, for example, spring steel formed in a substantially L shape as seen in FIG. The lower end 30b of the elastic body 30 is in contact with the lower end of the steering column 1 to prevent the steering column 1 from falling when the operation lever 27 is released.

Note that the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13 is not limited to being configured with the divided bracket portions 20A and 20B, and may be integrated by connecting the divided bracket portions 20A and 20B with a connecting member.
Further, the lower bracket mounting portion 12 has a pair of flat vertical contact plate portions 31 extending in the axial direction of the steering column 1 as shown in FIG. Is formed. A first long hole 32a and a second long hole 32b are formed in the pair of vertical contact plate portions 31 to extend individually in the axial direction. That is, the first long hole 32 a is formed in the left vertical contact plate portion 31 as viewed in FIG. 5, and the second long hole 32 b is formed in the right vertical contact plate portion 31.

Here, the first long hole 32a is formed so that the rear end portion thereof becomes the shaft insertion portion 33, and the second long hole 32b has the front end portion of the shaft insertion portion 33 whose center axis coincides with the shaft insertion portion 33. As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 3, the first long holes 32 a and the second long holes 32 b are formed so that the shaft insertion portions 33 overlap each other. That is, the first long hole 32a and the second long hole 32b are formed to extend in directions different by 180 degrees (that is, directions different from each other in the front-rear direction) with the center of the shaft insertion portion 33 as the center.
A vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 is rotatably mounted on the lower bracket mounting portion 12 by a pivot pin 34 having a head.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 has a pair of left and right divided bracket portions 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B that are symmetrically disposed with the lower bracket mounting portion 12 of the steering column 1 interposed therebetween. Each of the divided bracket portions 40A and 40B includes a vehicle body mounting plate portion 41 attached to the vehicle body side and a vertical plate portion facing the lower bracket mounting portion 12 bent vertically from the inner end of the vehicle body mounting plate portion 41. 42 and L-shaped. An insertion hole 43 through which the pivot pin 34 is inserted is formed in the vertical plate portion 42 of the divided bracket portions 40A and 40B. Note that the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 is not limited to being configured by the divided bracket portions 40A and 40B, and may be integrated by connecting the divided bracket portions 40A and 40B with a connecting member.

  A split bracket portion 40A of the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 is provided from the inside of the steering column 1 to the disc spring 35 and the vertical contact plate portion 31 on the left side (as viewed in FIG. 5) of the lower bracket mounting portion 12 of the steering column 1. The pivot pins 34 through which the washers 36 are inserted in that order are inserted through the shaft insertion portions 33 of the first elongated holes 32a, the washers 37, and the insertion holes 43 of the divided bracket portions 40A, and the pivot pins 34 are pushed outward to serve as dishes. In a state where the spring 35 is elastically deformed, the spring 35 is mounted by caulking the tip portion protruding outward from the divided bracket portion 40A.

  Similarly, the split bracket portion 40B of the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 is provided from the inside of the steering column 1 to the disc spring 35 on the right side vertical contact plate portion 31 (as viewed in FIG. 5) of the lower bracket mounting portion 12 of the steering column 1. And the washer 36 are inserted in that order through the pivot pin 34 through the shaft insertion part 33 of the second elongated hole 32a, the washer 38 and the insertion hole 43 of the divided bracket part 40B, and the pivot pin 34 is pushed outward. The disc spring 35 is mounted by caulking the tip protruding outward from the divided bracket portion 40B in a state where the disc spring 35 is elastically deformed.

  With the divided bracket portions 40A and 40B attached, the movement of the steering column 1 forward in the axial direction is restricted by the pivot pin 34 coming into contact with the rear end edge of the first long hole 32a. The movement of the steering column 1 toward the rear side in the axial direction is restricted by the pivot pin 34 coming into contact with the front end edge of the second long hole 32b. Eventually, the movement of the steering column 1 in the axial direction is restricted and becomes the center of rotation during the tilt adjustment operation, as in the case where the pivot pin 34 is inserted through the round hole formed in the vertical contact plate portion 31.

  Thus, in the above embodiment, the first long holes 16a and 32a and the second long hole 16b are formed in the pair of vertical contact plate portions 15 and 31 in the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the lower bracket mounting portion 12 of the steering column 1. And 32b are formed as substitutes for the round holes. When the steering column 1 is integrally formed by hydroforming, the first long hole is formed by performing hydropiercing after hydroforming. 16a and 32a and the second long holes 16b and 32b can be efficiently performed as a series of operations in the same mold.

  That is, in the hydroforming molding, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a mold 51 having an inner hole portion 50 having a circular cross section in a portion excluding the intermediate portion in the axial direction and the front end portion is used. The mold 51 is divided into mold elements 52a and 52b on both sides as shown in FIG. The axially intermediate portion of the inner hole portion 50 bulges in a concave shape outward in the radial direction (upward in the drawing) at a part in the circumferential direction (upper portion in the drawing) to form a bulging portion. On the inner side surfaces on both sides of the concave portion 53, there are respectively provided vertical holes 54 a and 54 b that reach the outer surface of the mold 51. The extraction holes 54 a and 54 b are long holes extending in the central axis direction of the inner hole portion 50. Slide tools 55a and 55b are inserted into the holes 54a and 54b, respectively. Here, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tip surfaces of the slide tools 55 a and 55 b are formed on a vertical flat surface 56 whose upper half is parallel to the side surface of the mold 51. The inclined surface 57 is inclined so as to gradually move away from the vertical flat surface 56 as it goes downward from the edge.

  When the slide tools 55a and 55b are formed by hydroforming, as shown in FIG. 9, the vertical flat surface 56 from the vertical side surface 53a of the concave portion 53 of the mold 51 is slightly protruded in the direction of the mold. It protrudes and is set in the through holes 54a and 54b so that the end portion of the inclined surface 57 farthest from the most vertical flat surface 56 slightly enters the direction from the vertical side surface of the recess 53 in the direction outside the mold.

  In the forming process, a metal tube MT as a material is set in the inner hole portion 50 of the mold 51, and both end portions of the inner hole portion 50 are closed with plug-shaped axial push tools 58a and 58b. A predetermined hydraulic pressure (usually hydraulic) is applied to the metal tube MT through one or both of the center holes 59a and 59b of the shaft pushing tools 58a and 58b. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a part of the metal tube MT (part corresponding to the recess 53) bulges into the recess 53, and the upper bracket mounting portion 11 is formed and bulges in the left-right direction. The extended lower bracket mounting portion 12 is formed. In order to supply a material to the bulging portion and prevent thinning, the metal tube MT is compressed in the axial direction by the shaft pressing tools 58a and 58b.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the bulging portion formed in the concave portion 53 bulges in a convex shape so that a part in the circumferential direction (upper part in the figure) of the metal tube MT protrudes radially outward (upward in the figure). As shown in FIG. 9, the vertical contact plate portions 15 on both sides have a U-shaped cross section, and the upper portion (top side) opposite to the height direction, that is, the lower portion (base portion) close to the main body portion of the metal tube MT. It has a non-uniform wall thickness distribution in which the wall thickness decreases gradually. As a result, the thickness of the portion B corresponding to the blade portion on the thick side (lower side) of the punched holes 54a and 54b is T2, and the thickness of the portion A corresponding to the blade portion on the thin side (upper side) of the punched holes 54a and 54b. If the thickness is T3, then T2> T3.

  At the stage where the hydroforming molding is completed, the vicinity of the portion of the vertical contact plate portion 15 of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 where the hole is to be punched is as shown in FIG. That is, as a result of the vertical contact plate portion 15 of the formed bracket mounting portion 11 being pressed against the side surface of the concave portion 53 with internal pressure, the vicinity of the A portion corresponding to the thin portion (upper side) blade portion of the holes 54a and 54b is A space formed by the inclined surface 57 is located near the B portion corresponding to the blade portion of the thick portion (lower side) of the punched holes 54a and 54b. 60, it slightly bulges and deforms to the outside of the mold, and comes into contact with the blade portion on the thick side (lower side) of the punch holes 54a and 54b.

  When the hydroforming molding is completed and the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the lower bracket mounting portion 12 that are bulging portions are formed, the hydropiercing process is subsequently performed. In hydropiercing, the slide tools 55a and 55b in the holes 54a and 54b on both sides are slid toward the outside of the mold 51 while a predetermined hydraulic pressure is applied to the metal pipe MT.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), when the slide tool is retracted until the vertical flat surface 56 is flush with the side surface 53a of the recess 53, the vicinity of the thin A portion is bent to the inside of the mold. Becomes flat. As a result, this portion is subjected to compressive stress in a direction perpendicular to the shear direction. Also, shearing has not started. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the thick B portion, the gap 58 becomes deep, and the metal tube MT further enters here. As a result, this portion is subjected to a tensile stress in a direction perpendicular to the shear direction. Further, the shearing force is started by the lower blade portion of the punched holes 54a and 54b, and the shearing process is started.

  When the slide tools 55a and 55b are further retracted, as shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 13 (a), the vicinity of the thin portion A begins to enter the holes 54a and 54b, and the holes 54a and 54b The shearing force begins to be received by the upper blade portion of the blade, and the shearing process begins. However, as described above, since this portion is in a state where compressive stress is applied, shearing does not easily proceed, and cracks due to shearing hardly occur. On the other hand, the vicinity of the thick B portion enters deeper into the holes 54a and 54b, and shearing proceeds. In addition, since this portion is in a state where a tensile stress is applied, shearing easily proceeds and cracks due to shearing are likely to occur.

  Thus, in the portion facing the thick portion of the vertical contact plate portion 15 of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 that is scheduled to be punched, the tip surface protrudes inward of the mold 51 and in the portion corresponding to the thin side, By using the irregular shaped frying tools 55a and 55b whose front end surfaces are recessed toward the outside of the mold 51, it is possible to make the shearing start timing near the thick B portion faster than near the thin A portion. it can. Moreover, the timing of occurrence of cracks leading to breakage can be adjusted by separately adding compressive stress and tensile stress. These timing adjustments and the shape design of the front end surface for the adjustment are performed according to the difference between the thickness T3 of the A portion and the thickness T2 of the B portion, so that the shear phenomenon occurs around the entire through-hole to be formed. Can be terminated at the same time. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13B, the through hole is formed in a state in which pressure leakage is avoided until the portion where the through hole is to be formed is extracted. In other words, even with respect to the vertical contact plate portion 15 whose thickness changes, complete outside hydropiercing without any uncut portion is possible.

The lower bracket mounting portion 12 is also processed in the same manner as the hydroforming molding and hydropiercing processing of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 to form the first long hole 32a and the second long hole 32b.
Note that the initial position of the slide tools 55a and 55b before the hydropiercing is started is not limited to the case where the vertical flat surface 56 protrudes into the mold by the protrusion amount S as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the vertical flat surface 56 is flush with the side surface of the mold 51, or the vertical flat surface 56 is slightly retracted from the side surface of the mold 51 toward the outside of the mold as shown in FIG. The protruding amount S to be made may be a negative value. In this case, there is no significant difference in the state of stress between the thin A portion and the thick B portion in the vertical contact plate portion 15. As the slide tools 55a and 55b are retracted, any part is subjected to a tensile stress. However, the shearing processing start timing can be surely made earlier in the thick B portion than in the thin A portion. The tip surfaces of the slide tools 55a and 55b are changed according to the thickness difference between the A part and the B part so as to obtain a timing difference necessary to finish the shearing phenomenon around the through hole to be formed at the same time. If the shape is designed, it is possible to completely remove the outer piercing hydropiercing.
Note that the tip shape of the slide tools 55a and 55b is not limited to the inclined surface 57, but as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the arc surface 57a or the center point whose center point is outside the tip. Can be an arcuate surface 57b on the inner side of the tip.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
In order to mount the steering column 1 to the vehicle body, first, the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13 is mounted on the upper bracket mounting portion 11 of the steering column 1. For mounting the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13, the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13 is composed of divided bracket portions 20A and 20B. For example, an operation lever 27 and a clamp mechanism are provided in the tilt adjusting long hole 24 of the divided bracket portion 20A. The position adjusting bolt 26 inserted through the movable cam portion 28a of the 28 is inserted, and in this state, the first elongated hole 16a formed in the vertical contact plate portion 15 of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the first elongated hole 16a. 2 is inserted into the long hole 16b. After that, the tilt adjusting long hole 24 of the divided bracket portion 20B is inserted into the tip of the position adjusting bolt 26 protruding to the right end side of the upper bracket attaching portion 11, and then the nut 26a is screwed and tightened to be easily attached. can do.

  On the other hand, when mounting the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 to the lower bracket mounting portion 12, first, the first vertical contact plate portion 31 formed on the left side of the lower bracket mounting portion 12 of the steering column 1 as viewed in FIG. A pivot pin 34 in which a disc spring 35 and a washer 36 are inserted in that order from the inside is inserted into the shaft insertion portion 33 of the long hole 32a, and a washer 37 is inserted into the pivot pin 34 protruding from the vertical contact plate portion 31, and then the pivot pin In a state where the insertion hole 43 of the divided bracket portion 40A is inserted into the distal end of the lower end 34, the lower bracket is squeezed by crimping the distal end protruding from the divided bracket portion 40A while pressing the pivot pin 34 against the elasticity of the disc spring 35. The split bracket portion 40A of the vehicle body attachment lower bracket 14 can be easily attached to the attachment portion 12.

  Similarly, the disc spring 35 and the washer 36 are inserted into the shaft insertion portion 33 of the second long hole 32b formed in the vertical contact plate portion 31 on the right side in FIG. 5 in the lower bracket mounting portion 12 of the steering column 1 from the inside. In a state where the pivot pin 34 inserted in that order is inserted, the washer 37 is inserted into the pivot pin 34 protruding from the vertical contact plate portion 31, and then the insertion hole 43 of the divided bracket portion 40B is inserted into the tip of the pivot pin 34. By pressing the pivot pin 34 against the elasticity of the disc spring 37 and caulking the tip protruding from the split bracket portion 40A, the split bracket portion 40B of the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 can be easily mounted on the lower bracket mounting portion 12. can do.

  The steering column 1 is fixed to the vehicle body by attaching the vehicle body attachment upper bracket 13 and the vehicle body attachment lower bracket 14 to the vehicle body side. Thus, in the state where the vehicle body mounting upper bracket 13 and the vehicle body mounting lower bracket 14 are mounted on the vehicle body side, when an external force is applied to the steering column 1 to move forward in the axial direction, as described above, In the upper bracket mounting portion 11, the position adjusting bolt 26 comes into contact with the rear end of the first long hole 16 a to restrict the forward movement of the steering column 1 in the axial direction, and in the lower bracket mounting portion 12, the pivot pin 34. Comes into contact with the rear end of the first elongated hole 32a, and the movement of the steering column 1 in the axial direction is restricted. On the other hand, when an external force that moves rearward in the axial direction is applied to the steering column 1, the position adjustment bolt 26 contacts the front end of the second long hole 16 b in the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the steering column 1. In the lower bracket mounting portion 12, the pivot pin 34 comes into contact with the front end of the second long hole 32b, and the movement of the steering column 1 in the rear in the axial direction is restricted. A position restricting function substantially equivalent to the case where round holes are formed in the vertical contact plate portions 15 and 31 of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the lower bracket mounting portion 12 can be provided.

  Thus, in the above embodiment, since the first long holes 16a and 32a and the second long holes 16b and 32b are formed in the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the lower bracket mounting portion 12 instead of the round holes, hydroforming is performed. After forming the steering column 1 by molding, hydropiercing is performed to form the first long holes 16a and 32a and the second long holes 16b and 32b easily and accurately. It can be accurately formed by an inexpensive processing method, and the processing time can be shortened.

  In addition, since the first long holes 16a and 32a and the second long holes 16b and 32b are formed to extend in different directions by 180 degrees around the shaft insertion portions 17 and 33, the tilt type as in the above-described embodiment. The tilt column and the telescopic position adjusting type steering column 1 in which the telescopic position adjusting function is added to the tilt type steering column 1 can be formed with the same mold.

  That is, in the steering column 1 of the tilt and telescopic position adjustment type, as shown in FIG. 16, the first long hole of the above-described embodiment is formed in the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the lower bracket mounting portion 12 as viewed from the side. 16a, 32a and the second long holes 16b, 32b are added to the first long holes 16a, 32a and the second long holes 16b. It is formed at the same position as 32b.

  When the tilt type steering column 1 and the tilt and telescopic position adjustment type steering column 1 are formed by a common mold 51, the mold 51 is formed as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b). The through holes 62a and 62b having shapes corresponding to the telescopic position adjusting long holes 61 and 62 are formed, and the slide tools 55a and 55b and the remaining through holes in the above embodiment are closed in the through holes 62a and 62b. Tools 63a and 63b are arranged.

When the tilt type steering column 1 of the above embodiment is formed using the mold 51, only the slide tools 55a and 55b are slid outward during the hydropiercing process, and the first elongated holes 16a and 32a and Second elongated holes 16b and 32b are formed.
Further, when the tilt and telescopic position adjustment type steering column 1 is formed, both the sliding tools 55a, 55b and 63a, 63b are simultaneously slid outwardly during hydropiercing processing, thereby enabling long telescopic position adjustment. The long hole 61 can be formed. Therefore, it is possible to form the tilt type steering column 1 and the tilt and telescopic position adjustment type steering column 1 using the same mold 51.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the case where the 1st and 2nd long holes 16a and 16b were formed in the upper bracket mounting part 12 was demonstrated, as shown in FIG. 18, it is not limited to this. You may make it leave the protrusion parts 71a and 71b called a flange or flare which protrude inward over the full length of the 1st and 2nd long holes 16a and 16b.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the 1st long holes 16a and 32a and the 2nd long holes 16b and 32b were separately formed in the upper bracket mounting part 11 and the lower bracket mounting part 12 of the steering column 1 was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. The round hole 72 may be formed by drilling, pressing or the like instead of the first and second long holes 32a and 32b.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the lower bracket mounting portion 12, the first long holes 16a and 32a extend forward in the same direction from the shaft insertion portions 17 and 33, and the second long Although the case where the holes 16b and 32b are provided extending rearward in the same direction from the shaft insertion portions 17 and 33 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper bracket mounting portion 11 and the lower bracket mounting portion are not limited thereto. 12, the first elongated holes 16a, 32a are extended in the direction of, for example, the first elongated hole 16a of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 extending forward from the shaft insertion portion 17, and the first elongated hole of the lower bracket mounting portion 12 is extended. 32a is extended rearward from the shaft insertion portion 33, and the second elongated hole 16b of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 is extended rearward from the shaft insertion portion 17 accordingly. The second elongated hole 32b of the lower bracket mounting part 12 from the shaft insertion portion 33 may be caused to extend forward. In short, the extending direction of the first long holes 16a and 32a from the shaft insertion portions 17 and 33 can be arbitrarily set, and the shaft insertion portions 17 and 33 of the second long holes 16b and 32b are accordingly set. The extension direction from the first hole 16a, 32a may be the opposite direction.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, when extending the 1st long hole 16a and the 2nd long hole 16b of the upper bracket mounting part 11 in the direction different 180 degree | times centering on the shaft insertion part 17, ie, a different direction in the front-back direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 20, one of the first long hole 16a and the second long hole 16b, for example, the first long hole 16a is inserted through the shaft. It can be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise about the portion 17 to be formed in a direction different by 90 degrees with respect to the second long hole 16b, and can be formed in any other different direction. It is only necessary to form the shaft insertion portion 17 capable of supporting the shaft by the long hole 16a and the second long hole 16b. Similarly, the arrangement of the long holes of the upper bracket mounting portion 11 may be applied to the lower bracket mounting portion 12.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the shaft insertion part 17 is formed at the end of the first long hole 16a and the second long hole 16b of the upper bracket mounting part 11 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 21 (a), the first long hole 16a and the second long hole 16b are crossed in an X shape at an arbitrary crossing angle, or as shown in FIG. 21 (b). It may be crossed in a cross shape and formed as a long hole intersecting at an arbitrary position and at an arbitrary angle, and the shaft insertion part 17 may be formed at the intersecting position of both, and the upper bracket mounting part 11 may be bulged upward. Furthermore, the lower bracket mounting portion 12 may also be configured such that the first long hole 32a and the second long hole 32b intersect to form a shaft insertion portion at the intersecting position.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the split bracket portions 40A and 40B are mounted on the lower bracket mounting portion 12 using the pivot pin 34 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As in the bracket mounting portion 11, the divided bracket portions 40A and 40B may be fixed using a fastening bolt.

It is a typical perspective view which shows the vehicle provided with the steering device of this invention. It is a side view which shows the steering device of this invention. It is a side view of a steering column. It is an expanded sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view on the BB line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the step before hydroforming shaping | molding for demonstrating the compound processing method which forms an integrated steering column by hydroforming shaping | molding and hydropiercing process. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the shape of the slide tool used for a hydropiercing process. It is an expanded sectional view which shows a punching process with the stage before a process. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 6 which shows the stage after hydroforming shaping | molding. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the punching process part which shows the progress of a hydropiercing process in steps. It is sectional drawing of the punching process part which shows the further progress condition of hydropiercing process. It is sectional drawing of the punching process part which shows the other initial state of a hydropiercing process. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the front-end | tip shape of a slide tool. It is a side view which shows the steering column which has a telescopic position adjustment function. It is explanatory drawing which shows a slide tool in the case of manufacturing a tilt type steering column and a tilt and a telescopic position adjustment type steering column using the same metal mold | die. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the 1st long hole and 2nd long hole of an upper bracket mounting part. It is a figure which shows the other example of a steering column, Comprising: (a) is a side view, (b) is the EE sectional view taken on the line of a side view. It is a side view of the principal part which shows the modification of the 1st long hole and 2nd long hole of an upper bracket mounting part. FIG. 10 is a side view of a steering column showing still another modified example of the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole of the upper bracket mounting portion.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering column, 2 ... Steering wheel, 3 ... Steering shaft, 11 ... Upper bracket mounting part, 12 ... Lower bracket mounting part, 13 ... Car body mounting upper bracket, 14 ... Car body mounting lower bracket, 15 ... Vertical contact plate part, 16a ... 1st long hole, 16b ... 2nd long hole, 17 ... Shaft insertion part, 20A, 20B ... Split bracket part, 24 ... Long hole for tilt adjustment, 26 ... Position adjustment bolt, 26a ... Nut, 27 ... Operating lever, 28 ... Clamp mechanism, 31 ... Vertical contact plate part, 32a ... First elongated hole, 32b ... Second elongated hole, 33 ... Shaft insertion part, 34 ... Pivot pin, 40A, 40B ... Divided bracket part , 43 ... insertion hole

Claims (7)

A steering device capable of adjusting the position of a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft,
The steering column is formed with a vehicle body mounting portion bulging outward and having a pair of mounting plate portions at both ends in the width direction, and overlapping portions viewed from the side are formed on one and the other of the pair of mounting plate portions. A steering apparatus, wherein a first long hole and a second long hole are formed so as to be a shaft insertion portion. A steering device capable of adjusting the position of a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft,
The steering column is formed with a vehicle body mounting portion bulged outwardly and having a pair of mounting plate portions at both ends in the width direction, and one or the other of the pair of mounting plate portions has a shaft when viewed from the side. A steering device characterized in that a first long hole and a second long hole extending in different directions around an insertion portion are formed. A steering device capable of adjusting the position of a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft,
The steering column is formed with a vehicle body mounting portion bulging outward and having a pair of mounting plate portions at both ends in the width direction, and intersects one and the other of the pair of mounting plate portions when viewed from the side. A steering device characterized in that a first long hole and a second long hole are formed so as to form a shaft insertion part in the part.   The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pair of mounting plate portions are formed in a plane.   The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle body attachment portion is formed at a position on a central portion side in an axial direction of the steering column.   The steering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle body attachment portion is formed on an axial end portion side of the steering column.   The steering according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the forming process of the vehicle body attachment portion and the forming process of the first and second elongated holes are performed at the time of hydroforming forming of the steering column. apparatus.

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