JP7334644B2 - steering column device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steering column device related to steering of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a steering column device is known that includes an inner tube that rotatably holds a column shaft to which a steering member is connected, and a housing that holds the inner tube slidably in the axial direction and is fixed to a vehicle. ing. In such a steering column device, a plurality of teeth arranged in an axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube and a lock member for determining the position of the inner tube with respect to the housing by engaging with the teeth at an arbitrary position. and (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-182611 A

A collision may occur in a vehicle equipped with a steering column device, and a secondary collision may occur in which the driver collides with the steering member. The steering column device is provided with an impact absorbing mechanism in order to mitigate the impact received by the driver due to this secondary collision.

However, the steering column device provided with both the locking mechanism and the shock absorbing mechanism that is separate from the locking mechanism is large in size as a whole, and the mounting position and mounting posture are greatly restricted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact steering column device by sharing a portion of the lock mechanism and a portion of the shock absorbing mechanism.

In order to achieve the above object, a steering column device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cylindrical inner tube that rotatably holds a column shaft connected to a steering member, and A housing that movably holds an inner tube and a lock mechanism that can restrict movement of the inner tube with respect to the housing at a plurality of locations, the lock mechanism being fixedly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube. a first engaging member having a plurality of first tooth portions arranged side by side in the axial direction of the inner tube; a second engaging member having a second tooth portion that separates from and contacts the first tooth portion and engages with the first tooth portion; a first biasing member that biases the second engaging member outward from the inner tube; a pressing mechanism that presses the second engaging member toward the first engaging member so that the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion mesh against the biasing force of the first biasing member; When a secondary collision occurs, the second engaging member moves while deforming the impact absorbing member and moves away from the pressing state of the pressing mechanism, and the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion are engaged with each other. a retaining member for retaining the second engaging member.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the steering column device and improve the degree of freedom of attachment to the vehicle.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a steering column device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the lock mechanism in a locked state according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the lock mechanism in a released state and a short end restricted state according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the lock mechanism, the engaging member, etc. when a secondary collision occurs according to Embodiment 1; 4 is a perspective view showing a first biasing member according to Embodiment 1; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a first biasing member and a first engaging member according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the lock mechanism in a short end restricted state according to the second embodiment; It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the first engaging member and the pressing mechanism. 1 is a perspective view showing a steering column device to which a mounting member according to an embodiment is attached; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a steering column device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in independent claims representing the highest concept will be described as optional constituent elements.

In addition, the drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omissions, and ratios are appropriately adjusted in order to illustrate the present invention, and may differ from actual shapes, positional relationships, and ratios.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a steering column device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The steering column device 100 is a device capable of rotatably holding a steering member (not shown) such as a steering wheel steered by a steer through a column shaft (not shown) and changing the position of the steering member. It includes an inner tube 120 , a housing 130 , a mounting member 200 (see FIG. 10), a locking mechanism 150 and a shock absorbing member 170 . Although the steering column device 100 may include a column shaft, a shaft member such as an intermediate shaft connected to the column shaft, and a steering mechanism such as a rack and pinion mechanism, illustration and description of these are omitted. .

In normal use without collision, the steering column device 100 rotates the operation lever 156 (described later) toward the release side and slides the inner tube 120 in the axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) with respect to the housing 130 . By doing so, the position of the steering member can be changed according to the physique of the steerer. Further, the position of the inner tube 120 can be fixed by the lock mechanism 150 by rotating the operation lever 156 toward the fixed side.

In the case of the first embodiment, the steering column device 100 can reduce the diameter of the housing 130 and tighten the inner tube 120 by rotating the operation lever 156 toward the fixed side. Further, the steering column device 100 is attached to the vehicle body in a suspended state by an attachment member 200 shown in FIG. 10, for example, so that the inclination of the housing 130 with respect to the vehicle body can be changed. It also has a mechanism that can fix and release the inclination of the housing 130 by means of the operation lever 156 .

The column shaft held by the inner tube 120 is a member to which a steering member steered by a steerer is attached to the distal end (the distal end on the Y-axis negative side in the figure). It is a member that is rotatably held in an inserted state and that transmits the steering angle of the steering member to a steering mechanism such as a rack and pinion. In the case of Embodiment 1, the column shaft is held by the inner tube 120 via bearings (not shown), is fixed to the inner tube 120 in the axial direction, and is rotatable in the circumferential direction. there is The column shaft has a spline fitting structure or the like, and is configured to expand and contract as the inner tube 120 moves in and out of the housing 130 and to maintain transmission of the steering angle.

The inner tube 120 is a member called a column jacket, an upper tube, or the like that rotatably holds the column shaft, and is held by a housing 130 attached to the vehicle body to allow the steering member to rotate via the column shaft. It is a member to be placed at a predetermined position in the The shape of the inner tube 120 is not particularly limited, but in the case of the first embodiment, it is cylindrical (tubular) and has a through hole in the housing 130 in the axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). Retained in the inserted state. The inner tube 120 holds the column shaft inside via at least one bearing, and moves along with the held column shaft in the axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) with respect to the housing 130 . ing.

The housing 130 is a member having a tubular portion that holds the inner tube 120 movably in the axial direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) with respect to the vehicle body. The housing 130 also has a first slit 131 that extends axially from one end face on the steering member side and penetrates in the radial direction (the Z-axis direction in the figure), and radial and a to-be-fastened portion 133 that protrudes toward. The first slit 131 is open at one end on the steering member side and closed at the other end on the opposite side.

The tightened portion 133 is provided with a through hole 134 orthogonal to the through direction of the first slit 131 (the Z-axis direction in the drawing) and the axial direction of the inner tube 120 . Through hole 134 is arranged outside inner tube 120 . A shaft 157 that serves as a rotation shaft of an operation lever 156, which will be described later, is inserted through the through hole 134. As shown in FIG. The two tightened portions 133 are engaged with both end portions of the shaft 157 in the axial direction of the shaft 157 . One of the tightened portions 133 is engaged with the end portion of the shaft 157 via an expansion/reduction mechanism 144 having a cam that changes the distance in the axial direction of the shaft 157 as the operating lever 156 rotates. With the above structure, it is possible to narrow the distance between the two clamped portions 133 that are arranged facing each other by rotating the operating lever 156 . By narrowing the space between the clamped portions 133 , the diameter of the housing 130 is reduced, and the pierced inner tube 120 is clamped by the housing 130 from the periphery and is fixedly held in the housing 130 .

Further, the housing 130 allows a first engaging member 151 (described later), which is a part of the locking mechanism 150, to move axially together with the inner tube 120, thereby allowing the locking mechanism 150 to be operated from the outside. A slit 132 is provided. In the case of Embodiment 1, the second slit 132 penetrates the inner tube 120 in the radial direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing). The penetrating direction of the second slit 132 intersects the penetrating direction of the first slit 131 (perpendicularly in the case of the first embodiment). Both ends of the second slit 132 in the axial direction are not open.

The operation lever 156 is a member that is operated by a driver or the like outside the inner tube 120 to switch between locking and unlocking of the lock mechanism 150 . Details of the lock mechanism 150 will be described later. In the case of the first embodiment, the operation lever 156 can lock and release the lock mechanism 150, and can also tighten the two clamped portions 133 of the housing 130 to position and release the inner tube 120. It has become. The operating lever 156 has a shaft 157 that is inserted into through-holes 134 extending integrally from both sides of the first slit 131 of the housing 130 , and rotates about the axis of the shaft 157 .
One side of the shaft body 157 is provided with a flange portion 158, and the other side is provided with a thrust bearing and a nut (not shown).

An expansion/contraction mechanism 144 is provided between one flange portion 158 and the tightened portion 133 . The expansion/contraction mechanism 144 is composed of two parts that rotate relatively. One part rotates together with the operation lever 156, and the other part is movable along the shaft 157. 200 through holes 210 are regulated. By rotating the operation lever 156 around the shaft 157 as described above, in addition to locking the lock mechanism 150, the distance between the pair of clamped portions 133 can be narrowed to fix the inner tube 120 to the housing 130. can.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lock mechanism. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the locking mechanism. The lock mechanism 150 is a mechanism capable of regulating movement of the inner tube 120 with respect to the housing 130 at a plurality of points, and includes a first engaging member 151, a second engaging member 152, a first biasing member 153, and a pressing mechanism. 105 , a retaining member 135 and an operating lever 156 .

The first engaging member 151 is a member that is fixedly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 120 and has a plurality of first tooth portions 161 arranged side by side in the axial direction of the inner tube 120 . In the case of the first embodiment, the first engaging member 151 is a strip-shaped sheet metal member, and the first toothed portion 161 is provided on one surface of the first engaging member 151 so as to be aligned in the axial direction of the inner tube 120 . there is The shape of the first tooth portion 161 is not particularly limited as long as it engages with the second tooth portion 162, which will be described later. In the case of form 1, the cross section of the first tooth portion 161 has a sawtooth shape, and the direction (the width direction of the first engaging member 151) perpendicular to the direction in which the first tooth portions 161 are arranged (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). It is an extended ridge.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first engaging member 151 is arranged in the axial direction of the second engaging member 152 ( It has a contact portion 177 that protrudes to a position where it contacts the end in the Y-axis direction. The contact portion 177 is integrally erected at the end portion of the first engagement member 151 on the steering member side (the Y-axis negative side in the drawing) in the axial direction. In order to reduce the collision between the contact portion 177 and the second engaging member 152, at least one of the contacting portions of the contact portion 177 and the second engaging member 152 is provided with a cushioning member such as rubber. You can install it.

In the case of the first embodiment, wall portions 163 are provided at both edges of the first engaging member 151 in the width direction (the Z-axis direction in the drawing) so as to stand outward from the inner tube 120 . In the width direction of the first engaging member 151, the first biasing member 153 abuts between both ends of the first toothed portion 161 and the respective wall portions 163, and when the inner tube 120 moves in the axial direction, A strip-shaped sliding portion 164 that slides on the first biasing member 153 is provided extending in the axial direction.

During normal use before a secondary collision occurs, the second engaging member 152 is fixed to the housing 130 via the impact absorbing member 170 in the axial direction of the inner tube 120, and extends radially of the inner tube 120 (Fig. It is a member having a second tooth portion 162 that is separated from and contacted with the first engaging member 151 along the middle X-axis direction and that meshes with the first tooth portion 161 . In the case of the first embodiment, the second engaging member 152 is fixed to the housing 130 via the shock absorbing member 170, and is movable with respect to the shock absorbing member 170 in the radial direction of the inner tube 120. . Specifically, the second engaging member 152 is recessed from the surface facing the first engaging member 151 in a direction away from the first engaging member 151 and extends in the width direction of the first engaging member 151 . A groove 166 is provided. By fitting the shock absorbing member 170 fixed to the housing 130 into the engaging groove portion 166, movement of the second engaging member 152 in the axial direction of the inner tube 120 is fixedly restricted, and movement in the radial direction is permitted. It is

The shape of the second tooth portion 162 is not particularly limited as long as it engages with the first tooth portion 161 . In the case of the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the second tooth portion 162 is a saw-tooth shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the first tooth portion 161, and the ridge extending in the width direction of the first engaging member 151. It has become.

The second engaging member 152 extends in the width direction of the first engaging member 151 by recessing in a direction away from the first engaging member 151 from the surface facing the first engaging member 151 at the intermediate portion in the axial direction. A retaining groove 167 is provided. The holding groove 167 is a portion that holds the first biasing member 153 . In the case of Embodiment 1, a pair of second tooth portions 162 are provided on both sides of the holding groove 167 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a first biasing member. The first biasing member 153 is a member that biases the second engaging member 152 outward from the inner tube 120 in the radial direction of the inner tube 120 . The shape of the first urging member 153 is not particularly limited, but in the case of the first embodiment, the first urging member 153 has a pair of elastic portions 168 extending in the axial direction of the inner tube 120. , and a holding portion 169 that bridges the central portions of the pair of elastic portions 168 to form an H shape in plan view. The elastic portion 168 is curved so as to protrude outward in the radial direction of the inner tube 120 (negative direction in the X-axis direction in the figure), and is attached by the elasticity of the material forming the first biasing member 153 and the curvature. It has the function of a leaf spring that exerts force. A pair of elastic portions 168 are arranged to straddle the first tooth portion 161 and abut against the sliding portion 164 of the first engaging member 151 . The holding portion 169 is fitted into the holding groove 167 of the second engaging member 152 . The first urging member 153 urges the second engaging member 152 radially outward of the inner tube 120 due to the balance of the urging forces of the pair of elastic portions 168 .

The pressing mechanism 105 pushes the second engaging member 152 toward the first engaging member 151 so that the first toothed portion 161 and the second toothed portion 162 mesh against the biasing force of the first biasing member 153 . It is a mechanism for pressing. In the case of Embodiment 1, the pressing mechanism 105 includes a second biasing member 154 and a cam member 155 .

The second biasing member 154 biases the second engaging member 152 in a direction opposite to the biasing direction of the first biasing member 153 . In the case of Embodiment 1, the second biasing member 154 is arranged on the same straight line as the second engaging member 152 and the first biasing member 153 . The biasing shaft indicating the biasing direction of the first biasing member 153 and the biasing shaft of the second biasing member 154 are arranged on a straight line. As a result, the second engaging member 152 sandwiched between the first biasing member 153 and the second biasing member 154 has the biasing force of the first biasing member 153 and the biasing force of the second biasing member 154 . can move in the direction in which the first biasing member 153 and the second biasing member 154 are arranged based on the relationship between .

The shape of the second biasing member 154 is not particularly limited. It is a spring that expands and contracts. Specifically, the second biasing member 154 is a coil spring.

Further, in the case of Embodiment 1, the second biasing member 154 is fixed to the housing 130 , and the expansion and contraction and movement of the second biasing member 154 are controlled by the first biasing member 153 and the second biasing member 154 . are guided by a guide mechanism 107 that guides them in the arranging direction. The structure of the guide mechanism 107 is not particularly limited. and a guide member 171 for guiding in the direction of alignment with 154 .

The shape of the holding body 172 is not particularly limited, but in the case of the first embodiment, it is a cylindrical shape that holds the second biasing member 154, which is a coil spring, in an accommodated state. One end of retainer 172 has an inwardly projecting flange that engages second biasing member 154 and the other end is an opening through which second uncompressed biasing member 154 projects. The length of the holding body 172 is set shorter than that of the second biasing member 154 in the non-compressed state.

The shape of the guide member 171 is not particularly limited. , a base 174 for holding the guide hole 173 at a predetermined position, and a guide portion 180 extending from the base 174 in the axial direction of the shaft 157 . The base body 174 is fixed to the vehicle body by the shaft body 157 that serves as the rotation shaft of the operation lever 156 being pierced through and the guide part 180 engaging with the through holes 210 provided in the pair of side walls of the mounting member 200 . . A ring-shaped cam, which is one side of the expansion/contraction mechanism 144, is provided around the base 174 through which the shaft 157 is pierced. That is, the base 174 can move along the shaft 157 by rotating the operating lever 156 .

The cam member 155 is arranged outside the inner tube 120 (outside the housing 130 in the case of the first embodiment), changes the distance of the second biasing member 154 with respect to the first engaging member 151, and changes the distance of the first biasing member. It is a member that changes the magnitude relationship between the biasing force of 153 and the biasing force of the second biasing member 154 . In the case of Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. , and a far surface 176 at a greater distance to the first engagement member 151 than the near surface 175 . The near surface 175 and the far surface 176 are connected by a smooth surface. The near surface 175 or the far surface 176 abuts the second biasing member 154 via the retainer 172 of the guide mechanism 107, and the second biasing member 154 functions as a follower.

In the case of Embodiment 1, the cam member 155 is integrally attached to the operating lever 156, and the cam member 155 also operates as the operating lever 156 is operated. Specifically, by rotating the operating lever 156, the cam member 155 rotates around the shaft 157 along the direction in which the first biasing member 153 and the second biasing member 154 are arranged, and the operating lever 156 is rotated. The second biasing member 154 is moved in a direction (alignment direction) perpendicular to the rotation direction (torque direction).

The impact absorbing member 170 is a member that is fixed to the housing 130, and is a member that fixes the second engaging member 152 in the axial direction of the inner tube 120 during normal use. Further, in the event of a secondary collision, the second engaging member 152 moves relative to the housing 130 as the inner tube 120 is retracted into the housing 130, thereby deforming the shock absorbing member 170 and absorbing the shock caused by the secondary collision. Absorb. In the case of the first embodiment, the impact absorbing member 170 is a bar-shaped member bent into an M shape, both ends of which are fixed to the housing 130, and the central portion of which is the engaging groove portion 166 of the second engaging member 152. is embedded in.

The maintaining member 135 moves while the second engaging member 152 deforms the impact absorbing member 170 when a secondary collision occurs, and as shown in FIG. It is a member that maintains the second engaging member 152 at a position where the first toothed portion 161 and the second toothed portion 162 mesh with each other at a position away from the pressed state. In the case of Embodiment 1, the maintenance member 135 is a sheet metal attached to the housing 130 so as to close at least part of the second slit 132 . During normal use before a secondary collision occurs, the maintaining member 135 extends from a position covering the second engaging member 152 to a position where the second engaging member 152 moves in the axial direction due to the occurrence of the secondary collision. are placed. The distance between the portion of the maintaining member 135 covering the second engaging member 152 and the first engaging member 151 during normal use is such that the first tooth portion 161 and the second tooth portion 162 do not mesh with each other. The distance is set so that the joining member 152 can move. The distance between the first engaging member 151 and the portion of the maintaining member 135 through which the second engaging member 152 passes at the time of the secondary collision is the second engaging member 151 while the first toothed portion 161 and the second toothed portion 162 are meshing. The distance is set so that the member 152 can move together with the first engaging member 151 .

The maintaining member 135 is provided with an inclined portion 136 between a portion covering the second engaging member 152 during normal use and a portion through which the second engaging member 152 passes during a secondary collision. The inclined portion 136 allows the second engaging member 152 to move smoothly when a secondary collision occurs. The end of the second engaging member 152 is also provided with a taper corresponding to the inclined portion 136, and the second engaging member 152 can be smoothly moved by the contact between the inclined portion 136 of the maintenance member 135 and the taper. can move.

In the case of the first embodiment, the maintenance member 135 is configured such that one end of the second engagement member 152 opposite to the steering member side in the axial direction of the inner tube 120 is mounted when the lock mechanism 150 is unlocked during normal use. A restricting portion 137 abuts on the second engaging member 152 to restrict the movement of the second engaging member 152 .

Due to the presence of the abutting portion 177 provided on the first engaging member 151 and the restricting portion 137 provided on the maintaining member 135, the driver can adjust the position of the steering member in order to adjust the position of the vehicle when the locking mechanism 150 is unlocked. When the steering member is pushed forward, as shown in FIG. 4, when the abutting portion 177 comes into contact with the restricting portion 137 via the second engaging member 152, the steering member is restricted from being further pushed in, so-called short end restriction. Realized. As described above, the number of parts can be reduced by sharing the short end regulating structure with the parts of the lock mechanism 150 .

In the case of the first embodiment, the restricting portion 137 is separate from the maintaining member 135 and is made of resin. When a secondary collision occurs, the second engaging member 152 moves while breaking the resin regulation portion 137 . The restricting portion 137 can function as a shock absorbing member that absorbs the shock generated in the initial stage of the secondary collision due to breakage. Note that the restricting portion 137 may be integrated with the maintaining member 135 .

Next, operation of the steering column device 100 will be described. During normal use, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second engaging member 152 linearly moves between the retaining member 135 and the first engaging member 151, and the lock mechanism 150 locks the inner tube 120. The locked state and unlocked state for locking movement with respect to the housing 130 are switched. Specifically, when the short distance surface 175 of the cam member 155, the second biasing member 154, the second engaging member 152, and the first biasing member 153 are aligned, the short distance surface of the cam member 155 is aligned. The surface 175 is brought into a state of pressing the second biasing member 154 toward the first biasing member 153 . As a result, the biasing force of the second biasing member 154 becomes stronger than the biasing force of the first biasing member 153, and the first tooth portion 161 of the first engaging member 151 and the second tooth portion of the second engaging member 152 162 are meshed and locked. The movement of the second biasing member 154 is guided by the guide mechanism 107 in the direction in which the first biasing member 153 and the second biasing member 154 are arranged, and the biasing axis of the second biasing member 154, which is a coil spring, is guided. is regulated by a cylindrical holder 172 so as to match the direction in which the first biasing member 153 and the second biasing member 154 are arranged. Also, the holding body 172 is not in contact with the second engaging member 152 .

Next, the driver or the like rotates the operating lever 156 around the shaft 157 so that the far surface 176 of the cam member 155 rotating with the operating lever 156 moves the second biasing member 154, the second engaging member 152, and the second engaging member 152. It is arranged in a straight line with one biasing member 153 . In this state, the distal surface 176 of the cam member 155 still forces the second biasing member 154 toward the first biasing member 153, but the position of the second biasing member 154 is the position of the first engaging member. It moves away from 151 and becomes relatively stretched. Thereby, the biasing force of the second biasing member 154 becomes weaker than the biasing force of the first biasing member 153 . The second engaging member 152 is lifted by the biasing force of the first biasing member 153, and the engagement between the first toothed portion 161 of the first engaging member 151 and the second toothed portion 162 of the second engaging member 152 is disengaged. be released.

By providing the steering column device 100 with the lock mechanism 150 having the structure described above, it is possible to reduce the size of the steering column device 100 as a whole (thin the inner tube 120 in the radial direction). It is possible to improve the degree of freedom of position and posture.

When a secondary collision occurs, the second engaging member 152 moves forward along with the first engaging member 151 while deforming the impact absorbing member 170 . As the movement of the second engaging member 152 progresses, the second engaging member 152 slips into the maintaining member 135 as shown in FIG. The engagement state between the member 151 and the second tooth portion 162 is maintained. As described above, the second engaging member 152 can move while deforming the impact absorbing member 170 together with the first engaging member 151 and the inner tube 120 to absorb the impact caused by the secondary collision. In addition, the parts of the lock mechanism 150 and the parts of the shock absorbing mechanism can be shared, and the number of parts of the entire steering column device 100 can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the steering column device 100 will be described. Parts (parts) having the same action, function, shape, mechanism, and structure as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof may be omitted. Further, the following description will focus on points different from the first embodiment, and descriptions of the same contents may be omitted.

7 is a perspective view showing a first engaging member and a first biasing member according to Embodiment 2. FIG. As shown in the figure, in the unlocked state where the second engaging member 152 is separated from the first engaging member 151 , the first engaging member 151 is first attached as the inner tube 120 moves with respect to the housing 130 . A sliding portion 164 that slides with the force member 153 is provided. In the case of the second embodiment, the first engaging member 151 has belt-like sliding portions 164 extending in the axial direction on both sides of the first tooth portion 161 .

The first engaging member 151 is arranged at the end of the sliding portion 164 on the side of the steering member (negative side of the Y axis in the drawing), and is fitted with a part of the first biasing member 153 to perform the first biasing. A recessed portion 108 is provided to allow movement of the member 153 toward the inner tube 120 (positive side of the X axis in the figure). As shown in FIG. 8, when the lock mechanism 150 is unlocked and the first biasing member 153 is fitted into the concave portion 108, the second engaging member 152 is pushed into the first engaging member 151. As shown in FIG. , the biasing force of the second biasing member 154 becomes stronger than the biasing force of the first biasing member 153, and the first tooth portion 161 and the second tooth portion 162 can be meshed. Thereby, movement of the inner tube 120 with respect to the housing 130 can be restricted.

In the case of the second embodiment, the recessed portion 108 is provided in each of the two sliding portions 164 corresponding to the shape of the first biasing member 153 . The recessed portion 108 also includes a first recessed portion 181 and a second recessed portion 182 arranged side by side in the axial direction of the inner tube 120 (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). The width of the first recess 181 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the inner tube 120, that is, the width of the first engaging member 151 in the width direction is the second recess located closer to the steering member than the first recess 181. It is set to be narrower than the width of the recess 182 . The first biasing member 153 has an H-shape in plan view, as in the first embodiment, and includes a first contact portion 183 that is aligned in the axial direction and contacts the sliding portion 164, and a second contact portion 183 that contacts the sliding portion 164. The width of the second contact portion 184 arranged closer to the steering member than the first contact portion 183 is wider than the width of the first recess 181 and is equal to the width of the second recess. It is set narrower than the width of 182. Also, the width of the first contact portion 183 is set narrower than the width of the first recessed portion 181 . As described above, the second contact portion 184 can pass over the first recessed portion 181 without falling into the first recessed portion 181, and the first contact portion 183 and the second contact portion 184 are simultaneously in contact with each other. One recess 181 and the second recess 182 can each be depressed at the same time. As a result, the first biasing member 153 can move parallel to the first engaging member 151, and the second engaging member 152 can approach the first engaging member 151 without being tilted.

In the case of the steering column device 100 according to the second embodiment, by providing the concave portion 108 in the first engaging member 151, it is possible to restrict the short end of the inner tube 120 with the parts provided in the lock mechanism 150. It is possible to reduce the number of parts of the steering column device 100 as a whole.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments. For example, another embodiment 1 realized by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification or omitting some of the components may be the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, modifications obtained by making various modifications that a person skilled in the art can think of without departing from the gist of the present invention, that is, the meaning indicated by the words described in the claims, to the first embodiment are also included in the present invention. included.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the second engaging member 152 may not move linearly, but may tilt around the shock absorbing member 170 as a rotating shaft.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the pressing mechanism 105 includes a cam 178 that rotates to bring the second engaging member 152 into and out of contact with the first engaging member 151, and a second attachment that urges the cam 178 in the rotational direction. A force member 154 may be provided. In the free state, the cam 178 is locked by pressing the second engaging member 152 against the first engaging member 151 by the biasing force of the second biasing member 154. By operating the operating lever 156, the cam 178 rotates. It does not matter if the locked state is released.

Further, the first engaging member 151 is a separate member from the inner tube 120, and the case in which the first engaging member 151 is fixedly attached to the first engaging member 151 by welding or the like has been described as the first embodiment. Member 151 may be formed integrally with inner tube 120 .

Also, the first biasing member 153, the second biasing member 154, the first engaging member 151, the second engaging member 152, etc. may be formed of any material such as metal.

Also, the case where the lock mechanism 150 can be locked and released by rotating the operating lever 156 and the inner tube 120 can be tightened and released by narrowing the distance between the clamped portions 133 of the housing 130 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. not something.

Moreover, although the case where one of the expansion/contraction mechanisms 144 is provided integrally with the guide member 171 has been described, the guide mechanism 107 and the expansion/contraction mechanism 144 may be separate mechanisms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for devices related to vehicle steering.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Steering column apparatus, 105... Pressing mechanism, 107... Guide mechanism, 108... Concave part, 120... Inner tube, 130... Housing, 131... First slit, 132... Second slit, 133... Tightened part, 134 Through hole 135 Maintaining member 136 Inclined portion 137 Restricting portion 144 Enlargement/reduction mechanism 150 Lock mechanism 151 First engagement member 152 Second engagement member 153 First attachment Force member 154 Second bias member 155 Cam member 156 Operation lever 157 Shaft 158 Flange 161 First tooth 162 Second tooth 163 Wall DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 164... Sliding part 166... Engaging groove part 167... Holding groove 168... Elastic part 169... Holding part 170... Impact absorbing member 171... Guide member 172... Holder 173... Guide hole 174... Substrate 175 Short range surface 176 Long range surface 177 Contact portion 178 Cam 180 Guide portion 181 First concave portion 182 Second concave portion 183 First contact portion , 184...Second contact portion, 200...Mounting member, 210...Through hole

Claims (4)

a cylindrical inner tube that rotatably holds a column shaft connected to the steering member;
a housing that holds the inner tube movably in the axial direction of the inner tube;
a locking mechanism capable of regulating movement of the inner tube with respect to the housing at a plurality of locations;
The locking mechanism is
a first engagement member that is fixedly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube and has a plurality of first teeth arranged side by side in the axial direction of the inner tube;
a second engaging member that is fixed to the housing via a shock absorbing member in the axial direction, separates from and contacts the first engaging member, and has a second tooth portion that meshes with the first tooth portion;
a first biasing member that biases the second engaging member outward from the inner tube;
a pressing mechanism that presses the second engaging member toward the first engaging member against the biasing force of the first biasing member so that the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion mesh with each other; ,
When a secondary collision occurs, the second engaging member moves while deforming the impact absorbing member and moves away from the pressing state of the pressing mechanism, and the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion are engaged with each other. a maintaining member that maintains the second engaging member. In a state in which the second engaging member is separated from the first engaging member,
The maintenance member is
a restricting portion that abuts on one end of the second engaging member in the axial direction of the inner tube and restricts movement of the second engaging member;
The first engagement member is
2. The steering column device according to claim 1, further comprising an abutting portion protruding to a position abutting the end portion of the second engaging member on the opposite side of the restricting portion. The pressing mechanism is
a second biasing member capable of pressing the second engaging member against the biasing force of the first biasing member;
The first engagement member is
a sliding portion that slides on the first biasing member as the inner tube moves relative to the housing when the second engaging member is separated from the first engaging member;
A concave portion disposed at an end portion of the sliding portion on the side of the steering member and into which a part of the first biasing member is fitted to allow movement of the first biasing member toward the inner tube. and
When the first biasing member is fitted into the concave portion, the biasing force of the second biasing member becomes stronger than the biasing force of the first biasing member, and the first tooth portion and the second tooth are separated. 2. The steering column apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portions mesh with each other. The first engagement member is
a first recess and a second recess arranged side by side in the axial direction of the inner tube;
the width of the first recess in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction is narrower than the width of the second recess located closer to the steering member than the first recess;
The first biasing member is
A first contact portion and a second contact portion arranged side by side in the axial direction and in contact with the sliding portion,
The width of the second contact portion arranged closer to the steering member than the first contact portion is wider than the width of the first recess and narrower than the width of the second recess,
4. The steering column device according to claim 3, wherein the width of the first contact portion is narrower than the width of the first recess.

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