POSITION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR STEERING WHEEL

• US 20110185839A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NSK Limited
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Inoue, Koji
• Granted Patent: US 8,555,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/493
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/195 Yieldable supports for the steering column

Abstract

The present invention realizes a structure for a tilt-telescopic steering device, capable of, without requiring particularly high accuracy, effectively preventing a steering wheel from being positionally displaced in a secondary collision. When an adjustment lever 18a is turned, tilt-locking serrated sections 54 of a pair of tilt-locking eccentric cams 23a and 23b are pressed against curved edges 53 of support plates 40. Moreover, a telescoping locking serrated section 62 of a telescoping locking eccentric cam 58 is pressed against the lower surface of an inner column. In a secondary collision, each of the serrated sections 54 and 62 engage with a mating surface thereof, to thereby prevent a steering wheel 1 from being displaced and moved.

Claims

1. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel comprising:

a cylindrical outer column in which at least the inner diameter of a part in the axial direction can be expanded and contracted;

a cylindrical inner column which is fitted and supported on the inner diameter side of this outer column so as to be capable of axial displacement;

a steering shaft which is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of this inner column, and which fixes a steering wheel on a rear end section thereof projecting to the rear side of a rear end opening section of this inner column;

a pair of supporting plate sections which is provided on a support bracket supported on a vehicle body, in a state of sandwiching, from widthwise both sides, a portion of the outer column where the inner diameter can be expanded and contracted;

a rod-shaped member arranged in the widthwise direction which is inserted through first through holes formed in positions of both of the support plates which align with each other, and through second through holes formed in portions of a part of the outer column and do not interfere with the inner column, and which, as it rotates, increases or reduces the distance between mutually opposing surfaces of both the support plates; and

an adjustment lever, a base end section of which is joined and fixed on this rod-shaped member in order to rotate this rod-shaped member,

the device further comprising;

a support shaft, in a state of being arranged parallel with the rod-shaped member, supported on part of the outer column; and

a telescoping locking eccentric cam, a base section of which is supported on an intermediate section of this support shaft;

a portion of the telescoping locking eccentric cam, which opposes to an outer circumferential surface of the inner column or to a surface of a member fixed on this inner column, being of a telescoping locking convex arc edge in which the distance from the center of the support shaft becomes greater with approach to the rear side,

a telescoping locking serrated section being formed on this telescoping locking convex arc edge,

a spring being provided between the adjustment lever and the support shaft, and

the spring allowing, as this adjustment lever being swing displaced from a state of adjusting the position of the steering wheel to a state of fixing it, for giving the support shaft an elastic force in a direction of pressing the telescoping locking serrated section against the outer circumferential surface of the inner column, or against the surface of a member fixed on the inner column.

9. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprising:

an elastic member which is provided between the telescoping locking eccentric cam and the outer column or a member fixed on the outer column, and which has an elastic force in a direction of bringing a front side portion of the telescoping locking serrated section, into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner column or the surface of a member fixed on this inner column; and

a lock release lever, which has its base end section supported on the intermediate section of the rod-shaped member, turns together with this rod-shaped member so as to be engaged with and disengaged from the telescoping locking eccentric cam, and causes the telescoping locking eccentric cam to be swing-displaced in a direction of separating the front end section of the telescoping locking serrated section from the mating portion thereof, when the adjustment lever is turned from a state of fixing the position of the steering wheel to a state of adjusting it.

2. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel provided with:

a cylindrical outer column in which a front section thereof is supported, directly or through another member, on a portion to be fixed on a vehicle body, so as to be capable of swing displacement about a pivot shaft installed in the widthwise direction, and at least the inner diameter of a part in the axial direction can be expanded and contracted;

a cylindrical inner column which is fitted and supported on the inner diameter side of this outer column so as to be capable of axial displacement;

a steering shaft which is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of this inner column, and which fixes a steering wheel on a rear end section thereof projecting to the rear side of a rear end opening section of this inner column;

a pair of supporting plate sections which is provided on a support bracket supported on a vehicle body, in a state of sandwiching, from widthwise both sides, a portion of the outer column where the inner diameter can be expanded and contracted;

a rod-shaped member arranged in the widthwise direction, which is inserted through long holes which are formed in a position of both of the support plates which align with each other and which are long in a direction of an arc about the pivot shaft, and through through holes formed in a portion of the outer column and do not interfere with the inner column, and which, as it rotates, increases or reduces the distance between mutually opposing surfaces of both the support plates; and

an adjustment lever, the base end section of which is joined and fixed on this rod-shaped member,

the device further comprising;

a curved edge in the shape of an arc about the pivot shaft, which is provided at least on a part of the rear end edge of the support plates;

a support shaft supported, in a state of being arranged parallel with the rod-shaped member, on a part of the outer column;

a tilt-locking eccentric cams supported on this support shaft; and

a telescoping locking eccentric cam supported on this support shaft,

a portion of the tilt-locking eccentric cams, which opposes to the curved edge, being of a tilt-locking convex arc edge in which the distance from the center of the support shaft becomes greater with approach to the rear side, and a tilt-locking serrated section being formed on this tilt-locking convex arc edge,

a portion of the telescoping locking eccentric cam, which opposes to the outer circumferential surface of the inner column or to the surface of a member fixed on this inner column, being of a telescoping locking convex arc edge, in which the distance from the center of the support shaft becomes greater with approach to the rear side, and a telescoping locking serrated section being formed on this telescoping locking convex arc edge,

the base section of one of the tilt-locking eccentric cam and telescoping locking eccentric cam, being fixed on the support shaft so as to rotate together with this support shaft, the base section of the other eccentric cam being supported on this support shaft so as to be capable of swing displacement with respect to this support shaft by a predetermined angle,

between the other eccentric cam and support shaft, there being provided a first spring having an elastic force in a direction of pressing a locking serrated section provided in the other eccentric cam, against a mating portion thereof,

between the adjustment lever and the support shaft, there being provided a second spring allowing for giving the support shaft an elastic force in a direction of pressing the locking serrated section provided on each of the eccentric cams, against the mating portion thereof, as the adjustment lever being swing-displaced from a state of adjusting the position of the steering wheel, to a state of fixing it.

3. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein:

the other eccentric cam is a telescoping locking eccentric cam;

in a state where this telescoping locking eccentric cam has entered a slit-shaped noncontiguous section provided in a part of the outer column in order to enable expansion and contraction of the inner diameter of the outer column, the telescoping locking serrated section opposes to or comes in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner column or the surface of a member fixed on the inner column;

the first spring is provided so as to span between the telescoping locking eccentric cam and the support shaft;

the base section of a pair of tilt-locking eccentric cams, which serve as the one eccentric cam, is externally fitted and fixed on both end sections of the support shaft;

a driven side engagement arm section is formed in a part of one tilt-locking eccentric cam among both of those tilt-locking eccentric cams, so as to project radially outward of the tilt-locking eccentric cam; and

the second spring is provided, as a rotational force transmission spring spanned between the tip end section of the driven side engagement arm section and a part of the adjustment lever, via the one tilt-locking eccentric cam, between the adjustment lever and the support shaft.

4. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein based on non-circular engagement between the inner circumferential surface of an attachment hole provided in the base section of the telescoping locking eccentric cam, and the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft, the telescoping locking eccentric cam is supported on the support shaft, so as to be capable of relative displacement only by a predetermined angle.

5. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein a circular attachment hole provided in the base section of the telescoping locking eccentric cam and the support shaft are rotatably engaged with each other, and the turning amount of the telescoping locking eccentric cam with respect to this support shaft, is restricted by the first spring.

6. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 3, wherein an elastic material, which functions as the first spring, intervenes between the inner circumferential surface of the attachment hole provided in the base section of the telescoping locking eccentric cam and the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft, and thereby, the telescoping locking eccentric cam is supported on the support shaft, while restricting the turning amount thereof.

7. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein:

the one eccentric cam is a telescoping locking eccentric cam;

this telescoping locking eccentric cam is supported on the intermediate section of the support shaft, so as to be capable of turning with respect to the support shaft;

in a state where this telescoping locking eccentric cam has entered the slit-shaped noncontiguous section provided in a part of the outer column in order to enable expansion and contraction of the inner diameter of the outer column, the telescoping locking serrated section opposes to the outer circumferential surface of the inner column or the surface of a member fixed on the inner column;

the base section of a pair of tilt-locking eccentric cams, which serve as the other eccentric cam, is externally fitted and fixed on both end sections of the support shaft;

a driven side engagement arm section is formed in a part of one tilt-locking eccentric cam among both of those tilt-locking eccentric cams, so as to project radially outward of the tilt-locking eccentric cam;

the second spring is provided, as a rotational force transmission spring spanned between the tip end section of the driven side engagement arm section and a part of the adjustment lever, via the one tilt-locking eccentric cam, between the adjustment lever and the support shaft; and

the intermediate section of the first spring provided to span between both of the tilt-locking eccentric cams, is engaged with a part of the telescoping locking eccentric cam.

8. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein:

the one eccentric cam is a pair of tilt-locking eccentric cams;

in a state where the adjustment lever is turned in a direction of reducing the distance between both of the support plates, the second spring causes the tilt-locking eccentric cam to approach the curved edge, and in a state where the adjustment lever is turned in the opposite direction, it causes the tilt-locking eccentric cam to move away from the curved edge;

a stopper section is provided, in a state of projecting widthwise outward, on a widthwise side surface of a part of a member having the support shaft installed thereon; and

in a state where the adjustment lever is turned in the opposite direction, contact between the tilt-locking eccentric cam and the curved edge is prevented based on engagement between the stopper and part of the tilt-locking eccentric cam.

10. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein there are further provided:

an elastic member which is provided between the telescoping locking eccentric cam and the outer column or a member fixed on the outer column, and which has an elastic force in a direction of bringing a front side portion of the telescoping locking serrated section, into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the inner column or the surface of a member fixed on this inner column; and

a lock release lever, which has its base end section supported on the intermediate section of the rod-shaped member, turns together with this rod-shaped member so as to be engaged with and disengaged from the telescoping locking eccentric cam, and causes the telescoping locking eccentric cam to be swing-displaced in a direction of separating the front end section of the telescoping locking serrated section from the mating portion thereof, when the adjustment lever is turned from a state of fixing the position of the steering wheel to a state of adjusting it.

11. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprising a joining member for separating the tilt-locking serrated section and the arc edge section from each other, in the state where the adjustment lever is turned to a state of adjusting the position of the steering wheel.

12. A position adjustment device for a steering wheel according to claim 11, wherein:

the elastic member is a torsion coil spring such that a coil section thereof is externally fitted on the intermediate section of the support shaft, and one end section thereof is engaged with the lock release lever and the other end section thereof is engaged with the outer column; and

the joining member is a torsion coil spring such that it has a coil section in the intermediate section thereof, and one end section thereof is engaged with the tilt-locking eccentric cam and the other end section thereof is engaged with a portion which rotates together with the rod-shaped member.

13. A telescopic steering device according to any one of claim 10 through claim 12, wherein the support shaft, the telescoping locking eccentric cam, the elastic member, and the lock release lever are provided above the outer column.