Support mechanism of steering system

The present invention relates to a support mechanism for a steering device for an automobile.

In many automobile steering devices, the steering wheel is equipped with an air bag, and in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, a means of absorbing the impact force on the driver's steering wheel by operating the air bag is adopted. However, some are equipped with an energy absorption mechanism for absorbing the impact force transmitted to the steering wheel in the support mechanism of the steering device, and some are equipped with an air bag and an energy absorption mechanism in combination. ..

By the way, the steering device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below not only absorbs impact force on the driver by the operation of the air bag equipped on the steering wheel depending on whether or not the driver wears a seatbelt, but also uses the steering column as a vehicle. By pulling it forward, the distance between the steering wheel and the driver is maintained at an appropriate distance, and it is intended to further reduce the impact force.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-113954</text></patcit>

In the steering device, in order to interlock the airbag and the column moving mechanism, each member constituting the interlocking state of the airbag and the column moving mechanism, and the interlocking relationship between the airbag and the column moving mechanism are controlled. Equipped with a control device. Therefore, in the steering device, various constituent members for interlocking the airbag and the column moving mechanism are arranged around the steering column, which complicates the structure of the steering device and increases the cost. It will increase significantly. Further, in the steering device, how to set the energy absorption amount (impact force absorption amount) in the support mechanism of the steering device according to whether or not the driver wears a seatbelt and the position of the driver's seat. Not enough consideration has been given.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to steer a support mechanism of a steering device having an energy absorbing function in which the amount of impact energy (impact force) absorbed differs depending on whether or not the driver wears a seatbelt and the position of the driver's seat. The purpose is to simplify the structure while not interlocking with the airbag installed on the wheel.

The present invention relates to a steering device support mechanism, and particularly to a steering device support mechanism for supporting a steering column that rotatably supports a steering shaft in a circumferential direction on a part of a vehicle body. Basically, the support mechanism according to the present invention includes an energy absorption mechanism provided on at least one of the steering column side and the vehicle body side, and the energy absorption amount of the energy absorption mechanism is the seat of the driver. When the position is in front of the set position, the driver's seat position is set to be larger than the amount of energy absorbed when the position is in the set position.

The steering device support mechanism according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) is a steering device support mechanism for supporting a steering column that rotatably supports the steering shaft in a circumferential direction on a part of the vehicle body. The support mechanism includes an energy absorption mechanism provided on at least one of the steering column side and the vehicle body side, and the amount of energy absorption of the energy absorption mechanism can be adjusted to the seating position when the driver is not wearing a seatbelt. When is in front of the set position, the seating position when the driver is not wearing the seatbelt is larger than the amount of energy absorbed when the seating position is in the set position.<u style="single">The energy absorbing mechanism is attached to a part of the vehicle body through a support member fixed to the steering column and an elongated hole extending in the front-rear direction provided in the support member, and is attached to the support member via the support member. A support pin that supports the steering column on the vehicle body, an energy absorbing member that is provided on the support member and can be deformed by the support pin when the support pin moves relative to the elongated hole, and a deformation action amount on the energy absorbing member. The deformation characteristic variable means is provided, and the deformation characteristic variable means reduces the amount of deformation action on the energy absorbing member when the driver's seat position is at the set position and the driver's seat position is the set position. It works to make it bigger when it is further forward</u>It is characterized by that.

In addition, the support mechanism according to the present invention (<u style="single">Claim 2</u>Invention)<u style="single">Is provided with an energy absorption mechanism provided on at least one of the steering column side and the vehicle body side, and the energy absorption amount of the energy absorption mechanism is such that the seating seat position when the driver is not wearing a seatbelt is in front of the set position. Occasionally, the seating position when the driver is not wearing a seatbelt is larger than the amount of energy absorbed when the driver is in the set position.</u>The energy absorption mechanism includes an energy absorption member that is assembled on the vehicle body side and moves relative to the length direction of the steering column, and an energy absorption member provided on the steering column side that moves relative to the energy absorption member when the energy absorption member moves relative to each other. The deformation characteristic variable means includes a deformation means for deforming and a deformation characteristic variable means for changing the deformation action amount of the deformation means on the energy absorbing member by operating according to the seat position of the driver.<u style="single">Said</u>It is characterized in that the amount of deformation acting on the energy absorbing member functions to be small when the driver's seat position is at the set position and large when the driver's seat position is ahead of the set position.

In addition, the support mechanism according to the present invention (<u style="single">Claim 3</u>Invention)<u style="single">Is provided with an energy absorption mechanism provided on at least one of the steering column side and the vehicle body side, and the energy absorption amount of the energy absorption mechanism is such that the seating seat position when the driver is not wearing a seatbelt is in front of the set position. Occasionally, the seating position when the driver is not wearing a seatbelt is larger than the amount of energy absorbed when the driver is in the set position.</u>The energy absorption mechanism is attached to a part of the vehicle body through a support member fixed to the steering column and an elongated hole extending in the front-rear direction provided in the support member, and the steering column is provided via the support member. The support pin is provided with a support pin that supports the vehicle body and first and second energy absorbing members that are provided on the support member and are deformable by the support pin when the support pin moves relative to the inside of the elongated hole. When the driver's seat position is in the set position, the first energy absorbing member is deformed, and when the driver's seat position is in front of the set position, the first and second energy absorbing members are deformed. It is characterized in that it functions to transform both at the same time.

In addition, the support mechanism according to the present invention (<u style="single">Claim 4</u>The invention according to the invention) is characterized in that the steering wheel assembled to the steering shaft is equipped with an airbag.

Support mechanism for steering device according to the present invention (claim)<u style="single">1~3</u>In the invention), when the driver is not wearing a seatbelt and the seating seat position is in the set position, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the energy absorbing mechanism provided in the support mechanism is small, and the driver is seated. When the seating seat position is in front of the set position without wearing the belt, the impact energy absorption amount by the above-mentioned energy absorption mechanism becomes large.

Further, the support mechanism of the steering device according to the present invention (<u style="single">Claim 4</u>(Invention according to the invention), since impact energy is also absorbed by the operation of the airbag mounted on the steering wheel, the variable energy absorption mechanism provided on the steering column side or the vehicle body side in the support mechanism is downsized. It is possible to do.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a steering device that employs the first support mechanism 20a (the support mechanism of the first embodiment), which is the first support mechanism. The steering device 10a includes a steering column 11 and a steering shaft 12 that is inserted into the steering column 11, and the steering shaft 12 is supported in the steering column 11 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction.

In the steering device 10a , the rear of the steering column 11 is supported by a part of the vehicle body (not shown) via the upper support bracket 13, and the front of the steering column 11 is supported by the first support mechanism 20a of the vehicle body. It is supported by a part (not shown). Further, in the state where the steering device 10a is assembled to the vehicle, the front end portion of the steering shaft 12 is connected to the steering link mechanism 16 and the rear end portion of the steering shaft 12 is connected to the steering link mechanism 16 as schematically shown in FIG. A steering wheel 17 (in which an airbag 18 that operates in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle and absorbs the impact energy of the driver H is built in) is attached to the vehicle.

The upper support bracket 13 is a bracket that is assembled to a part of the vehicle body to support the steering column 11 in a forward breakaway manner, and when a predetermined load is applied to the steering column 11 toward the front of the vehicle, the steering column 11 is supported. The steering column 11 is detached so that it can be moved forward. Further, the upper support bracket 13 is provided with a lock mechanism of a tilt mechanism, and reference numeral 14 in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicates an operation lever for operating the lock mechanism to perform a lock operation and an unlock operation. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first support mechanism 20a includes a support bracket 21 which is a support member, a support pin 22, a bending plate 23 which is an energy absorbing member, and an engaging device which is a means for changing deformation characteristics. It is composed of 24.

The support bracket 21 has a gate shape and is horizontally long when viewed from the front-rear direction, and the side wall portions 21a facing each other are opposed to a long hole 21b extending diagonally upward from a portion slightly forward from the central portion. Is formed. The elongated hole 21b includes a circular hole portion 21b1 which is a base end portion, a band-shaped hole portion 21b2 extending diagonally upward from the circular hole portion 21b1, and a narrow portion 21b3 connecting these both hole portions 21b1 and 21b2. The strip-shaped hole portion 21b2 is formed to have a width substantially the same as the diameter of the circular hole portion 21b1. The support bracket 21 is fixed to the upper portion of the outer circumference of the steering column 11 at the lower end portions of the left and right side wall portions 21a.

The support pin 22 is attached to the lower support bracket 15 which is fixed to a part of the vehicle body while penetrating the elongated hole 21b of the support bracket 21. When the support pin 22 is attached to the lower support bracket 15, the support pin 22 is supported. The front end portion of the steering column 11 is rotatably supported by a part of the vehicle body via the bracket 21. The support pin 22 is positioned so as to be inserted into the circular hole 21b1 in the elongated hole 21b of the support bracket 21, and by moving relative to the support bracket 21 (relative movement), the support pin 22 overcomes the narrow portion 21b3 and has a strip-shaped hole 21b2. Move backwards inside.

The bent plate 23 is formed by bending the rear end side of a plate having a predetermined width by approximately 360 degrees, and the upper side wall portion 23a, the lower side wall portion 23b, and both wall portions facing each other while maintaining a predetermined interval. It is composed of an arc-shaped wall portion 23c that connects 23a and 23b on the rear end side, and an upright wall portion 23d that stands orthogonally from the tip portion of the lower side wall portion 23b.

Further, the bending plate 23 is welded and fixed to the support bracket 21 in a state of being positioned by a plurality of pins 21c planted so as to surround the outer periphery of the circular hole portion 21b1 of the elongated hole 21b in the side wall portion 21a of the support bracket 21. The support pin 22 is surrounded by the support bracket 21, the upright wall portion 23d is positioned in front of the support pin 22, and the arcuate wall portion 23c is located behind the support pin 22 in the elongated hole 21b. It crosses the strip-shaped hole 21b2 and passes through.

In the bending plate 23, as shown in FIG. 5, upper and lower groove portions 23e1, 23e2 extending in the length direction are formed in the central portion in the width direction of the upper side wall portion 23a, and the rear ends of both groove portions 23e1, 23e2. A circular engaging hole 23e3 and a notch groove 23e4 connecting the engaging hole 23e3 to both groove portions 23e1 and 23e2 are formed in the portion.

The engaging device 24 is composed of a solenoid 24a and a shearing action pin 24b that moves forward and backward by energizing / shutting off (energizing control) the solenoid 24a, and by fixing the solenoid 24a to the front end of the upper wall portion 21d of the support bracket 21. , Attached to the support bracket 21. In this mounted state, the engaging device 24 has the shearing action pin 24b penetrating the upper wall portion 21d of the support bracket 21 and facing the engaging hole 23e3 of the upper side wall portion 23a of the bending plate 23 so as to be able to advance and retreat. There is.

In the engaging device 24, the shearing action pin 24b protrudes when the solenoid 24a is energized, and as shown in FIG. 6A, it enters and engages with the engaging hole 23e3 of the bending plate 23, and the solenoid 24a is engaged. When the power is off, as shown in FIG. 6B, the shearing pin 24b retracts upward and exits from the engagement hole 23e3 of the bending plate 23 to enter the non-engaged state. The solenoid 24a is energized when the engine is started, and when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt (wearing / not wearing is detected by the sensor 92 provided on the driver's seatbelt 91 shown in FIG. 1). The electric control device ECU shown in FIG. 1 keeps the vehicle energized, and when the driver H wears the seatbelt 91, the electric control device ECU de-energizes the vehicle. It is also possible to energize and de-energize the solenoid 24a by setting it in the opposite direction to the above (however, when the driver H's seatbelt is not worn, the shearing action pin 24b protrudes and the driver H's seatbelt When worn, the shearing pin 24b remains retracted upwards).

In the steering device 10a supported by the first support mechanism 20a having such a configuration, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel 17 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 12 and the steering column 11 are supported. Move forward with the bracket 21.

As a result, the support pin 22 constituting the support mechanism 20a that supports the steering column 11 relatively moves rearward in the elongated hole 21b of the support bracket 21 with a force corresponding to the impact force. When the support pin 22 moves relative to each other, the support pin 22 deforms the bending plate 23 so as to extend the bent state and absorbs impact energy. Therefore, the impact energy of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is absorbed by the action of the support mechanism 20a, and the impact force of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is relaxed.

Therefore, in the support mechanism 20a, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt (when the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the steering column side is large), the solenoid constituting the engaging device 24 is formed. 24a is in the energized state, and the shearing action pin 24b enters and engages with the engagement hole 23e3 of the bending plate 23 as shown in FIG. 6 (a). Therefore, the bending plate 23 is stretched and deformed to the rear of the vehicle with the shearing action pin 24b as a base point, and at this time, the shearing action pin 24b passes through the notch groove 23e4 of the bending plate 23 to both grooves 23e1, 23e2. Migrate and shear the flex plate 23.

Therefore, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the support pin 22 that moves rearward at the time of impact stretches and deforms the bending plate 23, and at the same time, the bending plate 23 is sheared along both grooves 23e1 and 23e2. The force of action is given. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20a is large.

On the other hand, when the driver H wears the seatbelt (when the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the steering column side is small), the solenoid 24a constituting the engaging device 24 is in a non-energized state. Therefore, the shearing pin 24b is retracted from the engagement hole 23e3 of the bending plate 23 as shown in FIG. 6 (b). Therefore, the bending plate 23 is stretched and deformed rearward without using the shearing action pin 24b as a base point, and in this case, the shearing action pin 24b imparts a shearing action force to the bending action pin 23. There is no. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20a is smaller than that when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt.

In this way, the support mechanism 20a has a function in which the amount of impact energy absorbed is variable depending on whether or not the driver H wears a seatbelt (according to the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the steering column side). The steering device 10a is configured by effectively utilizing the support mechanism indispensable for supporting the steering device 10a on a part of the vehicle body. Therefore, the support mechanism 20a can be configured relatively simply and inexpensively, the steering device 10a does not have a complicated structure, and an increase in cost can be significantly suppressed. .. In addition to whether or not the driver H is wearing a seatbelt, various sensors that detect the vehicle speed, the physique of the driver H, etc. (for example, a sensor provided in the driver's seat to detect the seat position of the driver H) are shown in FIG. It is also possible to calculate the predicted impact force (always calculated when the vehicle is driving) based on the signal from the seat position detection sensor 93 or the weight sensor).

7 and 8 show the second support mechanism 20b (the support mechanism of the second embodiment) which is the first support mechanism. The second support mechanism 20b has a basic configuration of the first support mechanism 20a, and the engaging device 25 adopted is different from the engaging device 24 of the first support mechanism 20a. Therefore, in the second support mechanism 20b, the same components and the same components as those of the first support mechanism 20a are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The engaging device 25 used in the second support mechanism 20b consists of a solenoid 25a and a deformation action pin 25b that moves forward and backward by controlling the energization of the solenoid 25a, and supports the solenoid 25a on the upper wall portion 21d of the support bracket 21. It is attached to the support bracket 21 by fixing it to the front end of the solenoid. In this mounted state, the engaging device 25 has the deforming action pin 25b penetrating the upper wall portion 21d of the support bracket 21 and facing the base end portion of the slit hole 23f of the bending plate 23 so as to be able to advance and retreat. The deforming action pin 25b may have a stepped shape that gradually tapers like the deforming action pin 25b1 shown in FIG. 9 (a), and gradually tapers like the deforming action pin 25b2 shown in FIG. 9 (b). It may have a tapered shape that tapers.

In the engaging device 25, when the solenoid 25a is energized, the deforming action pin 25b advances and enters the slit hole 23f of the bending plate 23, and when the solenoid 25a is de-energized, the deforming action pin 25b moves upward. It retracts and exits from the slit hole 23f of the bending plate 23. In the engaging device 25, the solenoid 25a is energized when the engine is started, is maintained in the energized state when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, and is de-energized when the driver H is wearing the seatbelt. It is also possible to set and de-energize the solenoid 25a in the opposite direction to the above.

In the steering device 10a supported by the second support mechanism 20b having such a configuration, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel 17 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 12 and the steering column 11 are supported. Move forward with the bracket 21.

As a result, the support pin 22 constituting the support mechanism 20b that supports the steering column 11 relatively moves rearward in the elongated hole 21b of the support bracket 21 with a force corresponding to the impact force. When the support pin 22 is relatively moved, the support pin 22 deforms the bending plate 23 so as to extend the bent state and absorbs impact energy. Therefore, the impact energy of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is absorbed by the action of the support mechanism 20b, and the impact force of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is relaxed.

Therefore, in the support mechanism 20b, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the solenoid 25a constituting the engaging device 25 is in the energized state, and the deformation action pin 25b is the bending plate 23 as shown in FIG. It is in a state of entering the slit hole 23f of. Therefore, the bending plate 23 is stretched and deformed to the rear of the vehicle with the deformation action pin 25b as a base point, and at this time, the deformation action pin 25b moves relative to the bending plate 23 and has both side edges of the slit hole 23f. Deform the part.

Therefore, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the support pin 22 that moves rearward at the time of impact stretches and deforms the bending plate 23, and at the same time, the bending plate 23 deforms both side edges of the slit hole 23f. The deforming force to make it is given. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20b is large.

On the other hand, when the driver H wears the seatbelt, the solenoid 25a constituting the engaging device 25 is in a non-energized state, and the deformation action pin 25b is retracted upward from the slit hole 23f of the bending plate 23. I'm leaving. Therefore, the bending plate 23 is not deformed by the deforming pin 25b. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20b is smaller than that when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt.

In the support device 25, the amount of current applied to the solenoid 25a when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt is determined by the presence or absence of the driver H's seatbelt, the vehicle speed, the physique of the driver H, etc. It can be controlled by the magnitude of the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the side. As a result, when the above-mentioned predicted impact force is large, the protruding length of the deformation action pin 25b is lengthened, and in the case of the deformation action pin 25b1 shown in FIG. 9 (a), the large diameter step portion is slit. It can be engaged with the hole 23f, and in the deformation action pin 25b2 shown in FIG. 9B, a thick tapered portion can be engaged with the slit hole 23f. Therefore, in this case, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20b can be increased.

10 and 11 show a third support mechanism 20c (support mechanism of the third embodiment), which is the first support mechanism. The third support mechanism 20c has a basic configuration of the first support mechanism 20a, and is different in that the handling device 26 is provided in place of the engagement device 24 of the first support mechanism 20a. Therefore, in the third support mechanism 20c, the same components and the same components as those of the first support mechanism 20a are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The handling device 26 used in the third support mechanism 20c is composed of a fixing pin 26a, a movable pin 26b, and a solenoid 26c connected to the movable pin 26b. The fixing pin 26a is attached to the front portion of the side wall portion 21a of the support member 21 and is located in a crosslinked shape. Further, the solenoid 26c is attached to the outside of one side wall portion 21a of the support member 21 and holds the movable pin 26b so as to be able to advance and retreat from the one side wall portion 21a side to the inner surface side of the other side wall portion 21a. .. The fixing pin 26a is located at the anterior lower flexion portion 23a1 on the upper side wall portion 23a of the flex plate 23, and the movable pin 26b can advance and retreat to the rear upper flexion portion 23a2 at the upper side wall portion 23a of the flex plate 23. Is located in.

The movable pin 26b protrudes when the solenoid 26c is energized and is located at the rear upper bending portion 23a2 on the upper side wall portion 23a of the bending plate 23. When the solenoid 25a is not energized, the movable pin 26b retracts and the upper bending portion Separate from 23a2. The solenoid 26c is energized when the engine is started, and is maintained in the energized state when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, and is de-energized when the driver H is wearing the seatbelt. It is also possible to set and de-energize the solenoid 26c in the reverse manner of the above.

In the steering device 10a supported by the third support mechanism 20c having such a configuration, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel 17 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 12 and the steering column 11 are supported. Move forward with the bracket 21.

As a result, the support pin 22 constituting the support mechanism 20c that supports the steering column 11 relatively moves rearward in the elongated hole 21b of the support bracket 21 with a force corresponding to the impact force. When the support pin 22 is relatively moved, the support pin 22 deforms the bending plate 23 so as to extend the bent state and absorbs impact energy. Therefore, the impact energy of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is absorbed by the action of the support mechanism 20c, and the impact force of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is relaxed.

Therefore, in the support mechanism 20c, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the solenoid 26c constituting the handling device 26 is in the energized state, and the movable pin 26b protrudes as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. It is located at the upper bending portion 23a2 of the bending plate 23. Therefore, the bending plate 23 is stretched and deformed to the rear of the vehicle with the movable pin 26b as a base point, and at this time, the movable pin 26b and the fixing pin 26a handle the bending plate 23.

As a result, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the support pin 22 that moves rearward at the time of impact stretches and deforms the bending plate 23, and at the same time, both the fixing pin 26a and the movable pin 26b are attached to the bending plate 23. Receives the power of handling from. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20c is large.

On the other hand, when the driver H wears the seatbelt, the solenoid 26c constituting the handling device 26 is in a non-energized state, and the movable pin 26b is separated from the upper bending portion 23a2 of the bending plate 23. Therefore, the bending plate 23 is stretched and deformed to the rear of the vehicle with the fixing pin 26a as a base point, and at this time, the movable pin 26b does not receive the handling force, and the fixing pin 26a alone exerts the acting force. Will receive. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20c is smaller than that when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt.

FIG. 12 shows a fourth support mechanism 20d (support mechanism of the fourth embodiment), which is the first support mechanism. The fourth support mechanism 20d is based on the first support mechanism 20a, but employs two bending plates 23A and 23B having different thicknesses as bending plates, and also adopts a deformation characteristic variable device 27. In that respect, it differs from the first support mechanism 20a. Therefore, in the fourth support mechanism 20d, the same components and the same components as those of the first support mechanism 20a are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, in the support mechanism 20d, the bending plates 23A and 23B have different deformation characteristics, the bending plate 23A is thick and has high deformation characteristics, and the bending plate 23B is thick. Is thin and has low deformation characteristics. Both the bending plates 23A and 23B are bent in the same manner as the bending plate 23, and are arranged on the support bracket 21 in a state of being parallel to each other. 23g2 is formed. It is also possible to make the deformation characteristics of the bending plates 23A and 23B different by making the widths and materials of the bending plates 23A and 23B different.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the deformation characteristic variable device 27 includes an electric motor 27a, a screw shaft 27b integrated with the output shaft of the motor 27a, and a nut member screwed onto the screw shaft 27b so as to be able to advance and retreat. It consists of 27c. The motor 27a is attached to the outer surface of one side wall portion 21a of the support bracket 21, and the screw shaft 27b rotatably penetrates the side wall portion 21a and over the bending portions 23g1, 23g2 of the bending plates 23A and 23B. It is extending. The nut member 27c is screwed eccentrically to the screw shaft 27b and is positioned so as to engage with one or both of the bending portions 23g1 and 23g2 of the bending plate 23. The nut member 27c can also be implemented with a non-circular cross section.

In the deformation characteristic variable device 27, the motor 27a is driven depending on whether or not the driver H wears a seatbelt, and basically, the nut member 27c is selectively selected as one of the bending portions 23g1 and 23g2 of the bending plate 23. When the driver H is not wearing a seatbelt, the nut member 27c is located at the bending portion 23g1 of the thick and highly deformable bending plate 23A, as shown in FIG. 14 (b). When the driver H wears the seatbelt, as shown in FIG. 14A, the nut member 27c is positioned at the bending portion 23g2 of the bending plate 23B which is thin and has low deformation characteristics.

Therefore, in the support mechanism 20d, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the support pin 22 that moves rearward at the time of impact stretches and deforms the bending plates 23A and 23B, and at the same time, is thick and has deformation characteristics. The high bending plate 23A is given a bending deformation acting force by the nut member 27c, and as a result, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the driver H when the seatbelt is not worn is large.

On the other hand, when the driver H wears a seatbelt, the support pin 22 that moves rearward at the time of impact stretches and deforms the bending plates 23A and 23B, and at the same time, the bending plate 23B that is thin and has low deformation characteristics. The bending deformation acting force of the nut member 27c is applied, and as a result, the amount of impact energy absorbed when the driver H wears the seatbelt is smaller than that when the driver H does not wear the seatbelt. It becomes.

In the support mechanism 20d, by controlling the drive of the motor 27a, the nut member 27c straddles both the bending portions 23g1 and 23g2 of the bending plates 23A and 23B as shown in FIG. 14C. Can be positioned. In this state, the nut member 27c can simultaneously bend and deform both the bending plates 23A and 23B to further increase the amount of impact energy absorbed. In the case of a driver with a large physique (see driver Hr in FIG. 1), the drive of the motor 27a is controlled so as to be in the state shown in FIG. 14 (c) and the state shown in FIG. 14 (a) or (b). You may do so.

FIG. 15 shows a fifth support mechanism 20e (support mechanism of the fifth embodiment), which is the first support mechanism. The fifth support mechanism 20e has a basic configuration of the first support mechanism 20a, but a slide pin device 28 is used instead of the engagement device of the first support mechanism 20a as a means for changing the deformation characteristics. It is different from the first support mechanism 20a. Therefore, in the fifth support mechanism 20e, the same components and the same components as those of the first support mechanism 20a are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The slide pin device 28 constituting the support mechanism 20e includes a slide pin (slide plate) 28a having a substantially right triangle and a wedge shape in the side view, and an inclined support member 28b that slidably holds the slide pin 28a. , It is composed of a driving means (not shown) for moving the slide pin 28a forward and backward. As the driving means, an electric means for moving forward and backward by a solenoid or a mechanical means for pushing back by a cable can be adopted.

The slide pin 28a is positioned orthogonally to the lower surface of the upper side wall portion 23a of the bending plate 23, and is in an initial state when the driving means is not operating, as shown in FIG. 15 (b). , The upper side wall portion 23a is moved forward orthogonally to the upper side wall portion 23a of the bending plate 23, and the upper side wall portion 23a is locally lifted to form the convex portion 23h. Activates and retracts a predetermined amount with respect to the upper side wall portion 23a of the bending plate 23 as shown in FIG. 15 (c).

In the steering device 10a supported by the fifth support mechanism 20e having such a configuration, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel 17 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 12 and the steering column 11 are supported. Move forward with the bracket 21.

As a result, the support pin 22 constituting the fifth support mechanism 20e that supports the steering column 11 relatively moves rearward in the elongated hole 21b of the support bracket 21 with a force corresponding to the impact force. During the relative movement of the support pin 22, the support pin 22 deforms the bent plate 23 so as to extend the bent state and absorbs impact energy. Therefore, the impact energy of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is absorbed by the action of the fifth support mechanism 20e, and the impact force of the driver H on the steering wheel 17 is relaxed.

The support mechanism 20e is in the same state as the initial state shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, and the bending plate 23 is based on the slide pin 28a. As shown in FIG. 17, the slide pin 28a deforms the flexing plate 23, which moves relative to the vehicle, into the same convex shape as the convex portion 23h. As a result, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the support pin 22 that moves backward relative to the impact causes the bending plate 23 to be stretched and deformed, and at the same time, the bending plate 23 is subjected to the deformation acting force from the slide pin 28a. receive. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20e is large.

On the other hand, when the driver H wears the seat belt, the slide pin 28a is retracted by a predetermined amount with respect to the upper side wall portion 23a of the bending plate 23 due to the operation of the driving means. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the bending plate 23 is not subjected to any deformation acting force from the slide pin 28a, and is stretched and deformed rearward. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20e is smaller than that when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt.

18 to 22 show the sixth support mechanism 20f (support mechanism of the sixth embodiment) which is the first support mechanism. The sixth support mechanism 20f has a basic configuration of the first support mechanism 20a, and uses a pin interference device 29 instead of the engagement device 24 of the first support mechanism 20a as a means for changing the deformation characteristics. It is different from the first support mechanism 20a. Therefore, in the sixth support mechanism 20f, the same components and the same components as those of the first support mechanism 20a are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The pin interfering device 29 used in the 6th support mechanism 20f is a support plate 29c rotatably supported by the tips of the 1st and 2nd solenoids 29a and 29b and the plunger 29a1 of the 1st solenoid 29a. A spring 29a2 that urges the support plate 29c in the direction in which the plunger 29a1 protrudes, a pair of long guide pins 29d1, 29d2 planted in the support plate 29c, and a pair of short interference pins 29e1, It is composed of 29e2 and a support pin 29f that is connected to the second solenoid 29b and advances and retreats through the elongated hole 29c1 of the support plate 29c.

One guide pin 29d1 is located on the upper front side of the support plate 29c, and the other guide pin 29d2 is located on the central rear side of the support plate 29c. Further, the interference pins 29e1 and 29e2 are located at upper and lower parts between the guide pins 29d1 and 29d2 on the support plate 29c. The support plate 29c is in the forward position (see (a) in FIG. 20) when the first solenoid 29a is not energized, and retracts when the first solenoid 29a is energized (see (a) in FIG. 21). .. Further, the support pin 29f is in the forward position when the second solenoid 29b is not energized and is fitted in the elongated hole 29c1 of the support plate 29c. When the second solenoid 29b is energized, the support pin 29f is retracted to the support plate 29c. Exit from the long hole 29c1.

The bending plate 23 moves by being guided by both guide pins 29d1, 29d2 on the upper side wall portion 23a, but when the support plate 29c is in the forward position, both interference pins 29e1, 29e2 are shown in FIG. Faces the movement locus of the bending plate 23 and guides the moving bending plate 23 while interfering with each other. Further, when the support plate 29c is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 21, both interference pins 29e1 and 29e2 interfere with the bending plate 23 moving backward from the movement locus of the bending plate 23. There is nothing to do.

In the steering device 10a supported by the sixth support mechanism 20f having such a configuration, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel 17 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 12 and the steering column 11 are supported. Move forward with the bracket 21.

As a result, the support pin 22 constituting the sixth support mechanism 20f that supports the steering column 11 moves relative to the rear of the vehicle in the elongated hole 21b of the support bracket 21 with a force corresponding to the impact force. When the support pin 22 moves relative to each other, the support pin 22 deforms the bending plate 23 so as to extend the bent state and absorbs impact energy. Therefore, the collision energy of the driver H with respect to the steering wheel 17 is absorbed by the action of the sixth support mechanism 20f, and the impact force of the driver H with respect to the steering wheel 17 is alleviated.

Therefore, in the support mechanism 20f, the bending deformation action by the pin interference device 29 increases the amount of impact energy absorbed, but the bending deformation action by the pin interference device 29 controls the energization of the solenoids 29a and 29b. Will be changed as appropriate.

That is, when the first solenoid 29a is not energized, the support plate 29c is in the forward position, and as shown in FIG. 20, all of the guide pins 29d1, 29d2 and the interference pins 29e1, 29e2 face the movement trajectory of the bending plate 23. No. Therefore, the bending plate 23 is greatly bent and deformed by both interference pins 29e1 and 29e2 during its relative movement. On the other hand, when the first solenoid 29a is energized, the support plate 29c is in the retracted position, and both interference pins 29e1 and 29e2 are retracted from the movement locus of the bending plate 23 as shown in FIG. It does not interfere with the bending plate 23 at all. Therefore, the bending plate 23 is slightly bent and deformed by both guide pins 29d1 and 29d2 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 21 (b).

These bending deformation actions are changed by energization control for the second solenoid 29b. That is, when the second solenoid 29b is not energized, the support pin 29f protrudes and fits into the elongated hole 29c1 of the support plate 29c. Therefore, the support plate 29c is restricted from rotating and is in a fixed state. Therefore, both the guide pins 29d1, 29d2 and both interference pins 29e1, 29e2 are located in the state shown in FIG. 20 (b) or FIG. 21 (b), and exhibit the above-mentioned large and small bending deformation actions.

On the other hand, when the second solenoid 29b is energized, the support pin 29f is retracted and exits from the elongated hole 29c1 of the support plate 29c. Therefore, the support plate 29c is free from rotation restrictions and can rotate around the plunger 29a1 of the first solenoid 29a. Therefore, when the bending plate 23 is stretched and deformed, the support plate 29c rotates as shown in the virtual line of FIG. 22, and is a vertical line between both guide pins 29d1 and 29d2 and between both interference pins 29e1 and 29e2. Increase the tilt angle with respect to the direction.

As a result, the bending deformation between both guide pins 29d1 and 29d2 and between both interference pins 29e1 and 29e2 is smaller than when the support plate 29c is restricted from rotation, resulting in impact energy. The amount of absorption is also small. Table 1 shows the magnitude relationship of the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 20f by energization control of both solenoids 29a and 29b. However, SOL1 and SOL2 in Table 1 indicate the first solenoid 29a and the second solenoid 29b, and the EA load indirectly indicates the amount of impact energy absorbed.<tables num="1"><img file="JP4420008B2_D0001.tif" /></tables>

As is clear from Table 1, the support mechanism 20f can form various modes in which the amount of shock energy absorbed is different by controlling the energization of both solenoids 29a and 29b. Therefore, in the support mechanism 20f, whether or not the driver H wears a seatbelt is performed by controlling the energization of both solenoids 29a and 29b so that an appropriate combination with different amounts of shock energy absorption can be performed. The amount of impact energy absorbed in the case is optimized, and the size of the physique of driver H (detected by the seat position detection sensor 93 or weight sensor in FIG. 1 provided in the driver's seat), vehicle speed, etc. Can be taken into consideration to optimize the amount of impact energy absorbed.

23 and 24 show a steering device that employs the seventh support mechanism 30a (the support mechanism of the seventh embodiment), which is the second support mechanism. The steering device 10b includes a steering column 11 and a steering shaft 12 that is inserted into the steering column 11, and the steering shaft 12 is supported in the steering column 11 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction.

In the steering device 10b, the front of the steering column 11 is supported by a part of the vehicle body so as to be detachable forward via the lower support bracket 15, and the middle part of the steering column 11 is the upper support bracket 13 and a pair of left and right. It is supported by a part of the car body via the 7th support mechanism 30a. Both of these 7th support mechanisms 30a are arranged on the left and right sides of the steering device.

Each 7th support mechanism 30a includes an energy absorption plate 31 and a handling clip 32 similar to the known support mechanism disclosed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-295249, and in addition to these, deformation characteristics. It is equipped with a variable device 33. In this state, the steering device 10b has the front end of the steering shaft 12 connected to the steering link mechanism (see reference numeral 16 in FIG. 1), and the rear end of the steering shaft 12 has an airbag (reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1). A steering wheel with a built-in (see reference) (see reference numeral 17 in FIG. 1) is assembled.

As shown in FIG. 25, the energy absorption plate 31 is attached to the vehicle body by inserting the bolt 13a for attaching the upper support bracket 13 functioning as the breakaway bracket to the vehicle body through the bolt insertion hole 31a on the rear end side. .. The handling clip 32 has a curved pressing portion 32a, and is fixed to the upper support bracket 13 in a state of being placed on the energy absorbing plate 31. As a result, the handling clip 32 holds the energy absorption plate 31 up and down with the upper support bracket 13, and deforms the energy absorption plate 31 by handling it in the length direction when it moves relative to the energy absorption plate 31 in the event of a vehicle collision. Let me.

In the steering device 10b supported by both 7th support mechanisms 30a, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel 17 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 12 and the steering column 11 are attached to the upper support bracket. Move forward with 13. As a result, the energy absorbing plates 31 constituting both the seventh support mechanisms 30a that support the steering column 11 move relative to the handling clip 32. When the energy absorption plate 31 is relatively moved, the handling clip 32 gradually handles and deforms the energy absorption plate 31 in the length direction to absorb impact energy. Therefore, the collision energy of the driver H with respect to the steering wheel 17 is absorbed by the action of the seventh support mechanism 30a, and the impact force of the driver H with respect to the steering wheel 17 is alleviated.

Therefore, the seventh support mechanism 30a includes a deformation characteristic variable device 33. As shown in FIG. 25, the deformation characteristic variable device 33 includes a pair of sector gears 33a and 33b rotatably attached to the upper support bracket 13 and located at the left and right portions in the width direction of the energy absorption plate 31, and each sector gear 33a. , 33b consists of a pair of handling pins 33c, 33d that are planted on the energy absorption plate 31 and stand up on the left and right parts in the width direction, and an electric motor 33e that rotationally drives both sector gears 33a, 33b. The pinion 33f provided on the output shaft is meshed with one of the sector gears 33a and connected so that power can be transmitted. Further, both sector gears 33a and 33b are meshed with each other, and are rotated in opposite directions by the drive of the motor 33e.

FIG. 25 (a) shows the initial state of the seventh support mechanism 30a. In this initial state, the handling pins 33c and 33d of the deformation characteristic variable device 33 are attached to the side edges of the energy absorbing plate 31. It is in a state of being exactly fitted to the provided arcuate recesses 31b and 31c, and when the driver H wears the seatbelt 91 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the motor 33e rotates a predetermined amount to rotate the sector gears 33a and 33b. It is rotated by a predetermined amount, and the handling pins 33c and 33d are retracted from the arcuate recesses 31b and 31c provided at the side edges of the energy absorbing plate 31.

As described above, the support mechanism 30a is in the same state as the initial state shown in FIG. 25A when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, and the energy absorbing plater 31 is a double-handling pin during relative movement. Deformation of both sides is added due to the handling action of 33c and 33d. As a result, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the energy absorbing plate 31 that moves relative to the rear at the time of impact is deformed by the handling clip 32 as shown in FIG. Due to the handling action of both handling pins 33c and 33d, both sides are subjected to deformation acting force. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 30a is large.

On the other hand, when the driver H wears the seatbelt, both handling pins 33c and 33d exit from the arcuate recesses 31b and 31c provided on each side edge of the energy absorption plate 31 by driving the motor 33e. Both handling pins 33c and 33d do not apply a handling force to each side edge of the energy absorbing plate 31.

Therefore, the energy absorption plate 31 is not subjected to any deformation action from the double-handling pins 33c and 33d, and is stretched backward and deformed. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 30a is smaller than that when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt.

FIG. 26 shows a support mechanism 30b (a support mechanism of the eighth embodiment which is a second support mechanism) which is a modification of the seventh support mechanism 30a. In the support mechanism 30b, as the energy absorption plate, an energy absorption plate 34 having a shape in which the left and right widths gradually expand forward from the sandwiching portions of the double-handling pins 33c and 33d is adopted. If such an energy absorbing plate 34 is adopted, the handling force of both handling pins 33c and 33d can be gradually increased while the energy absorbing plate 34 moves relative to each other, and the amount of impact energy absorbed can be gradually increased.

27 and 28 show a steering device that employs the ninth support mechanism 120 (the support mechanism of the ninth embodiment), which is the third support mechanism. The steering device includes a steering column 111 and a steering shaft 112 that is inserted into the steering column 111, and the steering shaft 112 is supported in the steering column 111 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction.

In the steering device, the rear of the steering column 111 is supported by a part of the vehicle body (not shown) via the upper support bracket 113, and the front of the steering column 111 is one of the vehicle bodies via the ninth support mechanism 120. It is supported by a part (not shown). Further, in the state of being assembled to the vehicle, the front end portion of the steering shaft 112 is connected to the steering link mechanism (see reference numeral 16 in FIG. 1) and the steering device 112 is connected to the steering link mechanism (see reference numeral 16 in FIG. 1) in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. A steering wheel with a built-in airbag (see reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1) is attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 112 (see reference numeral 17 in FIG. 1).

The upper support bracket 113 is a bracket that is attached to a part of the vehicle body to support the steering column 111 in a forward breakaway manner, and when a predetermined load is applied to the steering column 111 toward the front of the vehicle, the steering column 111 is supported. The steering column 111 is detached so that it can be moved forward. Further, the upper support bracket 113 is provided with a lock mechanism of a tilt mechanism, and reference numeral 114 indicates an operation lever for operating the lock mechanism to perform a lock operation and an unlock operation.

As shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, the ninth support mechanism 120 includes a support bracket 121 as a support member, a support pin 122, a first bending plate 123 as a first energy absorption member, and a second energy. It is composed of a second bending plate 124 which is an absorbing member and an engaging device 125 which is an engaging / disengaging means.

The support bracket 121 has a gate shape and is horizontally long when viewed from the front-rear direction, and the side wall portions 121a facing each other are opposed to a long hole 121b extending diagonally upward from a portion slightly in front of the central portion toward the rear. Is formed. The elongated hole 121b connects a circular hole portion 121b1 which is a base end portion (front end portion), a band-shaped hole portion 121b2 extending diagonally upward from the circular hole portion 121b1, and both of these hole portions 121b1, 121b2. It is composed of a narrow portion 121b3, and the strip-shaped hole portion 121b2 is formed to have a width W substantially the same as the diameter of the circular hole portion 121b1. The support bracket 121 is fixed to the upper portion of the outer circumference of the steering column 111 at the lower ends of the left and right side wall portions 121a.

The support pin 122 is assembled to a bracket (not shown) provided in a part of the vehicle body in a state of penetrating the elongated hole 121b of the support bracket 121, and in the state of being assembled to the bracket, the support pin 122 is attached via the support bracket 121. The front end of the steering column 111 is rotatably supported on a part of the vehicle body in the vertical direction. Further, the support pin 122 is initially positioned so as to be inserted into the circular hole portion 121b1 in the elongated hole 121b of the support bracket 121, and overcomes the narrow portion 121b3 by relative movement (relative movement) with the support bracket 121. Moves backward in the band-shaped hole 121b2.

The first bent plate 123 is formed by bending a plate having a predetermined width by approximately 360 degrees, and maintains an predetermined interval and faces the upper side wall portion 123a, the lower side wall portion 123b, and both wall portions 123a, 123b. It is composed of an arc-shaped wall portion 123c that connects the two, and an upright wall portion 123d that stands orthogonally from the tip end portion of the lower side wall portion 123b. The first bending plate 123 is welded and fixed to the support bracket 121 while being positioned by a plurality of pins 121c planted so as to surround the outer circumference of the circular hole 121b1 of the elongated hole 121b in the side wall portion 121a of the support bracket 121. The support pin 122 is surrounded by the support bracket 121, the upright wall portion 123d is located on the front side of the support pin 122, and the arcuate wall portion 123c is on the rear side of the support pin 122 in the shape of a strip of elongated holes 121b. It crosses the hole 121b2 and passes through.

The second bending plate 124 is formed by bending a plate having a predetermined width by approximately 360 degrees to be one size larger than the first bending plate 123, and the upper side wall portion 124a and the lower side wall facing each other while maintaining a predetermined interval. It is composed of a portion 124b and an arc-shaped wall portion 124c connecting these two wall portions 124a and 124b. An engagement hole 124d is formed at the front end of the lower side wall portion 124b. The second bending plate 124 is arranged inside the support bracket 121 in a state of being separably fitted and polymerized on the outer periphery of the first bending plate 123.

The engaging device 125 is composed of a solenoid 125a and an engaging pin 125b that advances and retreats by interrupting the energization of the solenoid 125a, and is arranged on the front side inside the support bracket 121, and the engaging pin 125b is a second bending plate. It is located opposite the engagement hole 124d of 124. In this engaging device 125, the engaging pin 125b protrudes when the solenoid 125a is energized, enters the engaging hole 124d of the second bending plate 124 and engages, and when the solenoid 125a is not energized, the engaging pin 125b is engaged. It exits and retracts from the engaging hole 124d of the second bending plate 124 to be in an unengaged state.

Therefore, when the solenoid 125a is energized, the front end portion of the second bending plate 124 is fixed to the support bracket 121, and when the solenoid 125a is not energized, the front end portion of the second bending plate 124 is separated from the support bracket 121. The solenoid 125a is energized when the engine is started, and is worn by the sensor 92 provided on the driver's seatbelt 91 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt. (Non-wearing is detected) is maintained in the energized state by the electric control device ECU as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and when the driver H wears the seatbelt 91, the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is de-energized by the electric control device ECU. It is also possible to set the energization / de-energization of the solenoid 125a in the opposite direction to the above.

In the steering device provided with the ninth support mechanism 120 having such a configuration, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel 17 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 112 and the steering column 111 are moved forward. .. As a result, the support pin 122 of the support mechanism 120 that supports the steering column 111 moves relative to the rear of the vehicle through the elongated hole 121b of the support bracket 121 with a force corresponding to the impact force. When the support pin 122 is relatively moved, the support pin 122 deforms the first bent plate 123 so as to extend the bent state and absorbs impact energy. Therefore, the collision energy of the driver H with respect to the steering wheel 17 is absorbed by the action of the ninth support mechanism 120, and the impact force of the driver H with respect to the steering wheel 17 is alleviated.

By the way, in the support mechanism 120, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt (when the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the steering column side is large), the solenoid 125a constituting the engaging device 125 Is in the energized state, and as shown in FIG. 29, the engagement pin 125b has entered the engagement hole 124d of the second bending plate 124. Therefore, the second bending plate 124 is in a state of being fixed to the support bracket 121. Further, when the driver H is wearing a seatbelt (when the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the steering column side is small), the solenoid 125a constituting the engaging device 125 is in a non-energized state. The engagement pin 125b retracts from the engagement hole 124d of the second bending plate 124. Therefore, the second bending plate 124 is in a state of being separated from the support bracket 121.

Therefore, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the support pin 122, which moves rearward in the event of a collision, stretches and deforms the first bending plate 123 and at the same time deforms the second bending plate 123, as shown in FIG. The 124 is stretched and deformed. Therefore, the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism 120 is large. On the other hand, when the driver H wears the seatbelt, the support pin 122, which moves rearward in the event of a collision, stretches and deforms the first bending plate 123 as shown in FIG. 31, but the second bending plate 124 The amount of impact energy absorbed is smaller than that when the driver H is not wearing a seatbelt.

In this way, the support mechanism 120 has a function in which the amount of collision energy absorbed is variable depending on whether or not the driver H wears a seatbelt (according to the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the steering column side). It is configured by effectively utilizing the support mechanism which is indispensable for supporting the steering device to a part of the vehicle body. Therefore, the support mechanism 120 has a relatively simple structure and can be constructed at low cost, does not make the steering device a complicated structure, and can significantly suppress an increase in cost.

FIGS. 32 to 34 show the tenth support mechanism 130 (the support mechanism of the tenth embodiment) which is the third support mechanism. Like the ninth support mechanism 120, the support mechanism 130 functions to support the front side of the steering column 111 with a part of the vehicle body.

The support mechanism 130 includes a pair of left and right support brackets 131 as support members, support pins 132, a bending plate 133 as an energy absorbing member, a cam 134, an electric motor 135 as a driving means, and a cam 134 and an electric motor 135. It is composed of a supporting fixing bracket 136.

Each support bracket 131 has a side wall portion 131a, and the side wall portion 131a is formed with an elongated hole 131b extending obliquely upward from a front portion toward the rear. The elongated hole 131b is composed of a circular hole 131b1 which is a base end (front end) and a band-shaped hole 131b2 extending diagonally upward from the circular hole 131b1, and the circular hole 131b1 is a band-shaped hole. It is formed with a diameter dimension larger than the width dimension of 131b2. Further, each support bracket 131 is fixed to an upper portion of the outer periphery of the steering column 111 at its lower end.

The support pin 132 is attached to the fixing bracket 136 fixed to a part of the vehicle body in a state of penetrating the elongated hole 131b of each support bracket 131, and in the state of being attached to the fixing bracket 136, both are attached. The front end portion of the steering column 111 is rotatably supported on a part of the vehicle body via the support bracket 131. Further, the support pin 132 is initially positioned so as to be inserted into the circular hole 131b1 in the elongated hole 131b of the support bracket 131, and moves rearward in the band-shaped hole 131b2 by relative movement with the support bracket 131.

The bending plate 133 is formed by bending a plate having a predetermined width by approximately 360 degrees, and connects the upper side wall portion 133a and the lower side wall portion 133b, and both wall portions 133a and 133b, which face each other while maintaining a predetermined interval. It is composed of an arc-shaped wall portion 133c and an upright wall portion 133d that rises orthogonally from the tip end portion of the lower side wall portion 133b. The bending plate 133 is arranged between both support brackets 131 in a state of being fixed to the upper end portion of the outer periphery of the steering column 111 by the lower side wall portion 133b, and the cam 134 described later provided in the middle portion of the support pin 132. The arc-shaped wall portion 133c passes through the strip-shaped hole portion 131b2 of the elongated hole 131b on the rear side of the cam 134.

The cam 134 is a rectangular block whose front and rear ends are arcuate, and is rotatably assembled around the outer periphery of the support pin 132. In this cam 134, as shown in FIG. 34, the width W2 between the two sides facing each other is slightly smaller than the diameter of the circular hole 131b1 in the long hole 131b of each support bracket 131, and the long hole 131b It is formed to have a width larger than the width of the band-shaped hole portion 131b2 in the above. Further, the width W1 between the other both sides facing each other is formed to be slightly smaller than the width of the strip-shaped hole portion 131b2 in the elongated hole 131b of each support bracket 131.

The electric motor 135 rotates the cam 134 to change the width of the elongated hole 131b so as to face the width of the strip-shaped hole 131b2. As shown in FIG. 32, the electric motor 135 is formed at the tip of the output shaft 135a. It is connected to the side surface of the cam 134 by a hawk-shaped connecting portion 135b. The electric motor 135 is energized when the driver H engages and disengages the seatbelt and rotates by a predetermined amount to rotate the cam 134 by approximately 90 degrees. The cam 134 is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 34 (a), and when the driver H is wearing a seatbelt, the cam 134 is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 34 (b).

In the steering device supported by the tenth support mechanism 130 having such a configuration, when the driver H moves forward and interferes with the steering wheel at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the steering shaft 112 and the steering column 111 are moved forward. Move. As a result, the support pin 132 constituting the support mechanism 130 that supports the steering column 111 moves backward in the elongated hole 131b of the support bracket 131 integrally with the cam 134 by a force corresponding to the impact force. When the support pin 132 and the cam 134 move relative to each other, the cam 134 deforms the bending plate 133 so as to extend the bending state and absorbs impact energy. Therefore, the impact energy of the driver H on the steering wheel is absorbed by the action of the support mechanism 130, and the impact force of the driver H on the steering wheel is relaxed.

By the way, in the tenth support mechanism 130, when the driver H is not wearing the seatbelt, the cam 134 is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 34 (a) by the drive of the electric motor 135, so that it is relative to the rear in the event of a collision. The cam 134 integrated with the moving support pin 132 deforms the bending plate 132 and gradually deforms the upper and lower side edges of the strip-shaped hole 131b2 in the elongated hole 131b to move, so that the amount of impact energy absorbed is large. It becomes. On the other hand, when the driver H wears the seatbelt, the cam 134 is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 34 (b) by the drive of the electric motor 135. The integrated cam 134 deforms the bending plate 132, but does not deform the upper and lower side edges of the band-shaped hole 131b2 by passing through the band-shaped hole 131b2 in the elongated hole 131b, and the amount of impact energy absorbed is small. It becomes a thing.

In this way, the support mechanism 130 collides with the driver H depending on whether or not the driver H wears a seatbelt (according to the predicted impact force predicted to be received by the driver H from the steering column side), similarly to the ninth support mechanism 120. It has a function of varying the amount of energy absorbed, and is configured by effectively utilizing a support mechanism that is indispensable for supporting the steering device on a part of the vehicle body. Therefore, the support mechanism 130 also has the same effect as that of the ninth support mechanism 120. In the support mechanism 130, the electric motor 135 is configured to rotate the cam 134 by approximately 90 degrees, but the electric motor 135 is configured to rotate the cam 134 in multiple stages, for example, approximately 45 degrees or approximately 90 degrees. It is also possible to carry out.

The first support mechanism 20a of each of the above embodiments employs a solenoid 24a as a drive means, the second support mechanism 20b employs a solenoid 25a as a drive means, and the third support mechanism 20c employs a solenoid 26c as a drive means. The 4th support mechanism 20d adopts an electric motor 27a as a drive means, the 6th support mechanism 20f adopts solenoids 29a and 29b as a drive means, and the 7th support mechanism 30a and the 8th support mechanism 30b adopt an electric motor as a drive means. 33e was adopted, the solenoid 125a was adopted as the driving means in the 9th support mechanism 120, and the electric motor 135 was adopted as the driving means in the 10th support mechanism 130, but these driving means can be changed as appropriate. Is.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the energy absorption characteristics of the variable energy absorption mechanism (energy absorption mechanism having the deformation characteristic variable means) provided in each support mechanism are configured to change depending on whether or not the driver wears a seatbelt. However, the energy absorption characteristics of the variable energy absorption mechanism (energy absorption mechanism having deformation characteristic variable means) provided in each support mechanism change depending on whether or not the driver is wearing a seatbelt and the position of the driver's seat. (Specifically, when the seating seat position when the driver is not wearing the seatbelt is in front of or behind the set position, it is made larger than the amount of energy absorbed when the seating seat position is in the set position). It is also possible to configure and implement as such.

In this case, the non-fastening of the seat belt of the driver H is detected by the sensor 92 illustrated in FIG. 1, and the seat position of the driver H is detected by the seat position detection sensor 93 illustrated in FIG. .. Therefore, according to both sensors 92 and 93 shown in FIG. 1, the driver is not wearing a seatbelt and the seating position is at the set position (the driver H of the standard physique shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 is the seatbelt. It is possible to detect that the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, and that the driver is not wearing a seatbelt and the seating position is in front of the set position (the small driver Hf shown by the virtual line in Fig. 1). It is possible to detect that the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, and that the driver is not wearing a seatbelt and the seating position is behind the set position (a driver with a large physique shown by the virtual line in Fig. 1). It is possible to detect that Hr is not wearing a seatbelt).

Therefore, in this case, when the driver is not wearing the seatbelt and the seating seat position is in the set position, the action and effect obtained when the driver is wearing the seatbelt in each of the above-mentioned support mechanisms (impact energy absorption in the support mechanism). When the driver is not wearing a seatbelt and the seating seat position is in front of or behind the set position, the driver's seat is obtained in each of the above-mentioned support mechanisms. The same effect as that obtained when the belt is not worn (the amount of impact energy absorbed by the support mechanism is large) can be obtained.

As a result, the airbag 18 equipped on the steering wheel 17 fully exerts its function in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle when the small driver Hf shown by the virtual line in FIG. 1 is not wearing a seatbelt. Even if this is not the case, the operation of each support mechanism accurately alleviates the impact force of the driver Hf, who has a small physique, on the steering wheel 17. In addition, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle when the driver Hr, who has a large physique shown by the virtual line in FIG. 1, is not wearing a seatbelt, the function of the airbag 18 equipped on the steering wheel 17 and each support mechanism. By the operation of, the impact force on the steering wheel 17 of the driver Hr having a large physique (the impact force larger than the impact force received by the driver H having a standard physique) is accurately alleviated.

Further, in the support mechanism of each of the above embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the steering wheel 17 is equipped with the airbag 18, and the impact energy is also generated by the operation of the airbag 18 at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle. Since it is absorbed, it is possible to set a small amount of energy absorption obtained by the variable energy absorption mechanism provided on the steering column side or the vehicle body side in the support mechanism, and the energy absorption mechanism is miniaturized (vehicle front-rear direction). That is, it can be miniaturized in the relative movement direction).

<figref num="1">It is a schematic side view of the driver's seat including the steering device equipped with the first support mechanism.</figref><figref num="2">It is a top view of the steering apparatus equipped with the 1st support mechanism.</figref><figref num="3">It is a side view of the steering device.</figref><figref num="4">It is a vertical sectional side view of the main part of the first support mechanism.</figref><figref num="5">It is a plan view (a) of a bending plate constituting the first support mechanism, and a vertical sectional front view (b) along the bb line in the figure.</figref><figref num="6">It is the side view (a) which shows the initial state of the engaging device which constitutes the 1st support mechanism, and the side view (b) which shows the operating state.</figref><figref num="7">It is a top view of the 2nd support mechanism.</figref><figref num="8">It is a side view of the 2nd support mechanism.</figref><figref num="9">It is side view (a), (b) which shows the initial state of each engaging device which can be adopted in the 2nd support mechanism.</figref><figref num="10">It is a partial fracture plan view of the 3rd support mechanism.</figref><figref num="11">It is a partial fracture side view of the 3rd support mechanism.</figref><figref num="12">It is a vertical sectional side view of a main part of the 4th support mechanism.</figref><figref num="13">It is a perspective view of the bending plate which constitutes the 4th support mechanism.</figref><figref num="14">It is a plan view (a), (b), (c) which shows the operating state of the handling device which constitutes the 4th support mechanism.</figref><figref num="15">It is a vertical sectional side view (a) showing an initial state in the fifth support mechanism, a vertical sectional front view (b) along the bb line in the figure, and a vertical sectional front view (c) in a state where the slide pin is retracted.</figref><figref num="16">It is a vertical sectional side view (a) showing the state at the minimum energy absorption amount in the fifth support mechanism, and a vertical sectional front view (b) on the bb line in the same figure.</figref><figref num="17">It is a vertical sectional side view (a) showing a state at the maximum energy absorption amount in the fifth support mechanism, and a vertical sectional front view (b) on the bb line in the same figure.</figref><figref num="18">It is a vertical sectional side view of the main part of the sixth support mechanism.</figref><figref num="19">It is a perspective view which shows the pin interference device which comprises the 6th support mechanism.</figref><figref num="20">It is the side view (a) which shows the state at the time of the maximum energy absorption in the pin interference device, and the arrangement state diagram (b) of a pin.</figref><figref num="21">It is the side view (a) which shows the state at the time of the minimum energy absorption in the pin interference device, and the arrangement state diagram (b) of a pin.</figref><figref num="22">It is a front view which shows the rotating state of the support plate which comprises the pin interference device.</figref><figref num="23">It is a top view of the steering apparatus equipped with the 7th support mechanism which concerns on this invention.</figref><figref num="24">It is a side view of the steering device.</figref><figref num="25">It is a plan view (a) which shows the initial state in the 7th support mechanism, and a plan view (b) which shows an operating state.</figref><figref num="26">It is an initial state plan view which shows the modification of the 7th support mechanism (the 8th support mechanism).</figref><figref num="27">It is a top view of the steering apparatus equipped with the 9th support mechanism.</figref><figref num="28">It is a side view of the steering device.</figref><figref num="29">It is an enlarged longitudinal side view of the 9th support mechanism along the AA line of FIG. 27.</figref><figref num="30">It is a vertical sectional side view which shows the operating state when the seat belt of the 9th support mechanism is not worn.</figref><figref num="31">It is a vertical sectional side view which shows the operating state when the seat belt of the 9th support mechanism is worn.</figref><figref num="32">It is a bottom view of the tenth support mechanism.</figref><figref num="33">It is a vertical sectional side view along the BB line of FIG. 32.</figref><figref num="34">It is a longitudinal side view (a) showing an operating state when the seatbelt of the tenth support mechanism is not worn, and a longitudinal side view (b) showing the operating state when the seatbelt is worn.</figref>

Code description

10a, 10b ... Steering device, 11 ... Steering column, 12 ... Steering shaft, 13 ... Upper support bracket, 13a ... Bolt, 14 ... Operating lever, 15 ... Lower support Bracket, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f ... Support mechanism, 21 ... Support bracket, 21a ... Side wall, 21b ... Long hole, 21b1 ... Circular hole, 21b2. .. Strip hole, 21b3 ... Narrow part, 21c ... Hook pin, 21d ... Upper wall part, 22 ... Support pin, 23,23A, 23B ... Bending plate, 23a. .. Upper side wall part, 23a1 ... lower bending part, 23a2 ... upper bending part, 23b ... lower side wall part, 23c ... arc-shaped wall part, 23d ... standing wall part, 23e1, 23e2 ... groove, 23e3 ... engagement hole, 23e4 ... notch groove, 23f ... slit hole, 23g1, 23g2 ... bending part, 23h ... convex part, 24 ... Combiner, 24a ... solenoid, 24b ... shearing action pin, 25 ... engaging device, 25a ... solenoid, 25b (25b1, 25b2) ... deforming action pin, 26 ... handling device , 26a ... fixed pin, 26b ... movable pin, 26c ... solenoid, 27 ... deformation characteristic variable device, 27a ... electric motor, 27b ... screw shaft, 27c ... nut member , 28 ... slide pin device, 28a ... slide pin, 28b ... support member, 29 ... pin interfering device, 29a, 29b ... solenoid, 29c ... support plate, 29c1 ... Long hole, 29d1, 29d2 ... guide pin, 29e1, 29e2 ... interference pin, 29f ... support pin, 30a, 30b ... support mechanism, 31 ... energy absorption plate, 31a ... bolt Insertion hole, 31b, 31c ... Arc-shaped recess, 32 ... Handle clip, 33 ... Deformation characteristic variable device, 33a, 33b ... Sector gear, 33c, 33d ... Handle pin, 33e .. Electric motor, 33f ... pinion, 91 ...Seat belt, 92 ... sensor, 93 ... seat position detection sensor, ECU ... electric control device, 111 ... steering column, 112 ... steering shaft, 113 ... upper support bracket, 114 ... operating lever, 120 ... 9th support mechanism, 121 ... support bracket, 121a ... side wall, 121b ... long hole, 121b1 ... circular hole, 121b2 ... band hole Part, 121b3 ... Narrow part, 121c ... Hook pin, 122 ... Support pin, 123 ... First bending plate, 123a ... Upper side wall part, 123b ... Lower side wall part, 123c ... Arc-shaped wall, 123d ... Standing wall, 124 ... Second bending plate, 124a ... Upper side wall, 124b ... Lower side wall, 124c ... Arc-shaped wall , 124d ... engagement hole, 125 ... engagement device, 125a ... solenoid, 125b ... engagement pin, 130 ... 10th support mechanism, 131 ... support bracket, 131a .. Side wall, 131b ... long hole, 131b1 ... circular hole, 131b2 ... strip hole, 132 ... support pin, 133 ... bending plate, 133a ... upper side wall, 133b ... Lower side wall, 133c ... Arc wall, 133d ... Standing wall, 134 ... Cam, 135 ... Electric motor, 135a ... Output shaft, 135b ... Connecting , 136 ... Fixed bracket.Arc-shaped wall part, 123d ... Standing wall part, 124 ... Second bending plate, 124a ... Upper side wall part, 124b ... Lower side wall part, 124c ... Arc-shaped wall part, 124d .. .Engagement hole, 125 ... engagement device, 125a ... solenoid, 125b ... engagement pin, 130 ... 10th support mechanism, 131 ... support bracket, 131a ... side wall, 131b ... long hole, 131b1 ... circular hole, 131b2 ... strip hole, 132 ... support pin, 133 ... bending plate, 133a ... upper side wall, 133b ... lower Side wall, 133c ... arcuate wall, 133d ... standing wall, 134 ... cam, 135 ... electric motor, 135a ... output shaft, 135b ... connecting, 136 .. .Fixed bracket.Arc-shaped wall part, 123d ... Standing wall part, 124 ... Second bending plate, 124a ... Upper side wall part, 124b ... Lower side wall part, 124c ... Arc-shaped wall part, 124d .. .Engagement hole, 125 ... engagement device, 125a ... solenoid, 125b ... engagement pin, 130 ... 10th support mechanism, 131 ... support bracket, 131a ... side wall, 131b ... long hole, 131b1 ... circular hole, 131b2 ... strip hole, 132 ... support pin, 133 ... bending plate, 133a ... upper side wall, 133b ... lower Side wall, 133c ... arcuate wall, 133d ... standing wall, 134 ... cam, 135 ... electric motor, 135a ... output shaft, 135b ... connecting, 136 .. .Fixed bracket.