JP2000344111A - Vehicle steering structure - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A steering wheel operation is performed between an operation detection unit that detects an operation of a steering wheel of an occupant and a flexible transmission unit that transmits power of the operation detection unit to a steering unit of a steered wheel. By providing the direction changing means for changing the transmission direction of the steering operation unit, it is possible to compactly arrange the steering operation unit (the element including the steering wheel and the operation detection unit) along the steering shaft,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure capable of improving the degree of freedom in layout of other accessories and the like around an instrument panel. An operation detecting section for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant, a steering section for steering a steered wheel, and a flexible transmission means for connecting the operation detecting section to the steering section are provided. A steering structure for a vehicle provided with a direction changing means E for changing the direction of transmission of the operation of the steering wheel 29 between the operation detecting section 30 and the transmitting means 45.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation detecting section for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant, a steering section for steering a steered wheel, and a flexible transmission means for connecting between the operation detecting section and the steering section. And a vehicle steering structure such as a so-called cable-type steering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a steering structure of a vehicle of the above-described example, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-5543, 11-11325, and 11-11326 disclose the following.
There is a structure of the publication. That is, JP-A-11-5543
In the publication, a cable is stretched between a pulley (drive pulley) provided on a steering wheel side and a pulley (driven pulley) provided on a steering section for steering a steered wheel, and an outer peripheral surface of the drive pulley is provided. While the outer peripheral surface of the driven pulley is convex, while maintaining the tension of the cable constant, the tilting power and tilt of the steering wheel (front wheel) with respect to the rotational force and rotational angle of the steering wheel It is configured to change the angle.

[0003] Also, the cable described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-11325 has a cable stretched between a drive pulley provided on a steering wheel side and a driven pulley provided on a steering section for steering a steered wheel. At the same time, a pulley housing for rotatably storing the pulley is provided, and a slider biased in a direction away from the pulley is mounted in the pulley housing. The tension is applied to the wound cable to compensate for the elongation of the cable.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-11326 discloses that a steering wheel operated by an occupant and a steering gear box for steering the steered wheels are connected by a cable in which an inner member is housed inside an outer member. The rotation of the steering wheel is configured to be transmitted to the steering gear box via the inner member, and the outer member is made of a metal pipe material, thereby preventing the outer member from bending and preventing steering wheel operation. It has enhanced rigidity. When such a so-called cable-type steering is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, a mechanism from a steering wheel to a pulley housing provided on the wheel side, that is, a steering operation unit is compactly formed, and other components around the instrument panel are formed. It is required to improve the degree of freedom of the layout of the accessories.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation detecting unit for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant, and a flexible unit for transmitting the power of the operation detecting unit to a steering unit of a steered wheel. The steering operation unit (element composed of the steering wheel and the operation detection unit) is compactly arranged along the steering shaft by providing the direction changing means for changing the transmission direction of the steering wheel operation between the transmission means and the transmission means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure capable of improving the degree of freedom of layout of other accessories and the like around an instrument panel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect, the direction changing means converts the direction of the transmitting means into a front direction parallel to the steering shaft. , The steering operation unit can be formed compact in the vertical direction,
To provide a vehicle steering structure capable of improving the freedom of layout of other accessories around the instrument panel above and below the steering shaft, increasing the space in front of the knee, and effectively utilizing the living space. Aim.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first aspect of the present invention, the direction of the transmitting means is set to a downward direction substantially orthogonal to the steering shaft by the direction changing means. By converting, a steering operation unit can be formed compact in the front-rear direction, and a steering structure of a vehicle is provided which is particularly effective when a large auxiliary device such as a cooler unit or a blower unit is provided in an instrument panel. With the goal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the second aspect, a transmission unit is disposed on one of upper and lower sides of the steering shaft. An object of the present invention is to provide a steering structure of a vehicle in which a transmission assist unit and a steering assist mechanism can be compactly laid out by disposing a steering assist mechanism on the other side.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the third aspect of the present invention, a transmission unit is disposed on one of the front and rear sides of the front portion of the steering shaft. In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a steering structure of a vehicle in which a steering assist mechanism is disposed on the other side so that the transmission unit and the steering assist mechanism can be compactly laid out.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, a pulley which rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft, and , The power can be transmitted by the pulley and the cable, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the components constituting the steering structure and the accessories around the instrument panel is further improved It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering structure that can be driven.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of the sixth aspect, the power transmission between the steering shaft and the pulley is performed by a bevel gear mechanism. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering structure that can reliably change the transmission direction while having a simple structure.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation detecting unit for detecting an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant, a steering unit for steering a steered wheel, the operation detecting unit and a steering unit. And a flexible transmission means for connecting between the operation detection unit and the transmission means, wherein the direction change means for converting the transmission direction of the steering wheel operation is provided between the operation detection unit and the transmission means. It is characterized by a steering structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the direction changing means changes the direction of the transmission means to a front direction parallel to the steering shaft. It is characterized by having a structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the direction changing means changes the direction of the transmitting means to a downward direction substantially orthogonal to the steering shaft. It is a steering structure of a vehicle to perform.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, a transmission unit is provided on one of the upper and lower sides of the steering shaft. It is a vehicle steering structure in which a steering assist mechanism is disposed on a side portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, a transmission unit is disposed on one of the front and rear sides of a front portion of the steering shaft. And a steering structure of a vehicle in which a steering assist mechanism is disposed on the other side.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, a pulley which rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft, and A steering structure for a vehicle including a cable to be operated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the sixth aspect, power transmission between the steering shaft and the pulley is performed by a bevel gear mechanism. It is a vehicle steering structure.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation of the steering wheel by the occupant is transmitted to the steered wheels via the operation detecting part, the transmitting means and the steering part, and the steered wheels are steered. However, since the direction changing means for changing the transmission direction of the steering wheel operation is provided between the operation detecting section and the transmitting means, the steering operation unit (the element including the steering wheel and the operation detecting section) is steered. It can be arranged compactly and compactly along the shaft. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to arrange the layout flexibility of other accessories and the like around the instrument panel.

According to the invention described in claim 2 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, since the direction of the transmitting means is changed by the direction changing means to the front side parallel to the steering shaft, the steering operation unit can be formed small and compact in the vertical direction. As a result, the degree of freedom in the layout of other accessories around the instrument panel on both the upper and lower sides of the steering shaft is improved, the space in front of the knee is increased, and the living space can be effectively used. There is.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the direction of the transmission means is changed by the above-described direction changing means to a downward direction substantially orthogonal to the steering shaft, so that the steering operation unit can be compact and compact in the front-rear direction. Therefore, there is an effect that is extremely effective particularly when an air conditioner such as a cooler unit and a blower unit and other large auxiliary devices are provided in the instrument panel.

According to the invention described in claim 4 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission unit is disposed on one of the upper and lower sides of the steering shaft, and the steering assist mechanism is disposed on any of the other sides. Thus, the transmission unit and the steering assist mechanism can be laid out compactly.

According to the invention described in claim 5 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the third aspect of the present invention, a transmission unit is disposed on one of the front and rear sides of the front portion of the steering shaft, and a steering assist mechanism is disposed on any other side. Therefore, the transmission unit and the steering assist mechanism can be laid out compactly.

According to the invention described in claim 6 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, the pulley includes a pulley that rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft and a cable operated by the pulley. Thus, power can be transmitted, and there is an effect that the degree of freedom in laying out components constituting the steering structure and auxiliary equipment around the instrument panel can be further improved.

According to the invention described in claim 7 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the power transmission between the steering shaft and the pulley is performed by the bevel gear mechanism, the transmission direction can be reliably changed with a simple structure. There is an effect that can be.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show the steering structure of the vehicle. First, the front body structure of the vehicle will be schematically described with reference to FIGS.

A dash lower panel 1 for partitioning an engine room and a vehicle compartment is provided, and a floor panel 2 extending in a substantially horizontal direction is joined to a lower end of the dash lower panel 1, while a dash upper is attached to an upper end of the dash lower panel 1. A cowl box 6 that includes a panel 3, a cowl upper panel 4, and a cowl lower panel 5 and extends in the vehicle width direction is attached.

In an engine room 8 whose upper part is openably opened and closed by a hood 7 (hood), a battery 10 is mounted on an upper part of the tire house 9 and an engine mount (not shown) is mounted on a front side frame 11. )
The engine 12 is mounted via the.

On the other hand, the meter hood 13
The instrument panel 14 includes a meter 15, a vent duct 16 for air conditioning, and a defroster duct 17.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 18 denotes a front window glass, reference numeral 19 denotes a headlamp, reference numeral 20 denotes a front differential device, reference numeral 21 denotes a front wheel serving as a steering wheel, and reference numeral 22 denotes a master for converting the depressing force of a brake pedal 23 into hydraulic pressure. This is the back (mass cylinder).

Next, the steering structure of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. A steering gear box 24 which accommodates a rack and a pinion therein and extends in the vehicle width direction is provided, and tie rods 25, 25 are provided at both ends of the rack.
To form a steering unit 26 that steers the front wheels 21.

The steering gear box 24 described above
A cable operation unit 28 as a driven transmission unit is provided above a pinion holder 27 formed integrally with the
Is installed. The cable operation unit 28 has a driven pulley (not shown) therein, and is configured to transmit the rotational force of the driven pulley to a pinion in the pinion holder 27.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, an operation detecting section 30 for detecting the operation of the occupant on the steering wheel 29 is provided, and both the operation detecting section 30 and the above-mentioned steering wheel 29 form a steering operation unit 31. ing.

The steering operation unit 31 is configured as follows. That is, a movable shaft 34 as a steering shaft is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the fixed shaft 32 via a bearing 33 (bearing means), and a driving bevel gear 35 is integrally formed at a lower end portion of the movable shaft 34.

A column 36 is integrally connected to the outer periphery of the upper end of the movable shaft 34, while the horn pad 3 is connected to the upper end of the fixed shaft 32 via a base member 37.
8 is attached, and an airbag inflator 39 is disposed on the upper surface of the base member.

When the steering wheel 29 is operated, the column 36, the movable shaft 34, the driving bevel gear 3 and the non-rotating elements 32, 37 to 39 are maintained.
5 is configured to rotate.

A pulley box 40 as a driving side transmission unit mounted on the fixed shaft 32 is provided. A driving pulley 42 is rotatably mounted inside the pulley box 40 via a pulley shaft 41. A driven bevel gear 43 is formed integrally with the driving pulley 42.

A part of the pulley box 40 is cut out to form a notch 44, a part of the driven bevel gear 43 is led out from the notch 44, and this lead-out part is connected to the driving bevel gear 35. Are engaged.

In the pulley box 40, a flexible cable 45 (transmission means) is wound around the driving pulley 42, and the cable 45 is led out of the pulley box 40 via a cable guide 46. .

That is, the steering wheel 29 is provided between the operation detecting section 30 and the cable 45 as the transmission means.
In this embodiment, two bevel gears 35 and 43 as a bevel gear mechanism and a pulley 42 constitute a direction changing means E. The direction changing means E is provided in this embodiment. The means E is configured to change the leading direction of the cable 45 to a front side direction parallel to the movable shaft 34.

At the front of the movable shaft 34 as a steering shaft, a pulley box 40 is disposed at an upper portion thereof, and a steering lock portion 48 as a steering assist mechanism is disposed at a lower portion thereof. In the figure, reference numeral 47 denotes a combination switch.

Here, the cable 45 is connected to the driving pulley 42 in the pulley box 40 and the cable operating unit 2 as a driven transmission unit on the steering unit 26 side.
The cable 45 has an outer cable and an inner cable, but only the inner cable is shown for convenience of illustration. Next, a support structure of the steering operation unit 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dash upper panel 3
A steering bracket 51 having a gate-shaped cross section is stretched between a rear surface portion of the vehicle and a steering support member 50 (vehicle side support portion) as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction.

The above-mentioned steering support member 50 is provided with a fixing bracket 52 which is rotatable about the member 50. This fixing bracket 5
Numeral 2 denotes two members located outside the left and right side surfaces of the steering bracket 51 which are integrally connected by a connecting plate 53 (see FIG. 2). The front end of the fixing bracket 52 is formed on the steering bracket 51. A pin 55 (guide means) to be inserted into the arc-shaped guide groove 54 (guide means) is provided.

A bent rail mounting portion 52a (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is provided at the rear end of the fixing bracket 52 in the slant shape.
The slide rail 56 is attached to 2a.

The slide rail 56 includes a plurality of fixed rails (so-called outer rails) 57 and 58 fixed to the rail mounting portion 52a, and a movable rail (so-called inner rail) 59 slidable along the fixed rails 57 and 58.
And a ball 60 and a roller 61 interposed between the two rails, the movable rail 5 having a symmetrical configuration.
The aforementioned pulley box 40 is fixed between 9, 59.

Here, a support shaft 63 is provided outside the above-mentioned fixed rail 58 via a projecting piece 62, and the support shaft 63 is always engaged with the locking holes 58 a, 59 a of the rails 58, 59. A lock lever 64 biased by a spring is attached.

That is, the above-described steering operation unit 31 is supported so as to be vertically adjustable (tilt operation possible) around the steering support member 50 and to be adjustable in the front-rear direction (telescopic operation possible) by the slide rail 56.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the steering operation unit 31 is moved forward of the vehicle, the lower surface of the steering wheel 29 and the surface of the instrument panel 14 are configured to be substantially flat. The panel 14 has a correspondingly shaped concave portion 14a.

In the drawing, reference numeral 65 denotes a footrest (so-called ottoman) which can be raised and lowered about a support shaft 66.
The spring is always biased to the stowed state shown in the drawing, and when the occupant puts his / her foot during a rest or the like, it turns clockwise in the drawing against the urging force.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure will be described. Steering wheel 29
Is rotated, the operating force is transmitted to the driven bevel gear 43 on the pulley box 40 side via the column 36, the movable shaft 34, and the driving bevel gear 35, whereby the driving pulley 42 is rotated. Cable 4 whose rotational force is led out from pulley box 40 toward the front side
5 is transmitted to a driven pulley in a cable operation unit 28 via a steering wheel 5, and a front wheel 21 as a steered wheel can be steered through a steering unit 26 having a rack and pinion mechanism.

Incidentally, the steering operation unit 31
To adjust the position of the steering bracket in the vertical direction, the steering support member 50 is used as a tilt center to fix the fixing bracket 5.
When 2 is changed in the same direction, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the up and down direction within the range in which the arc-shaped guide groove 54 is formed, and the steering wheel 29 can be tilted.

On the other hand, to adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the front-rear direction, the lock lever 6 shown in FIG.
When the movable rail 59 is adjusted in the front-rear direction along the fixed rails 57 and 58 after releasing the slide lock by the slide lock 4 as shown in FIG. 6, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted back and forth. The wheel 29 can be telescopically operated.

As described above, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 (an embodiment corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7), the operation of the steering wheel 29 by the occupant is determined by the operation detecting unit 30,
The steering wheel (see the front wheel 21) is transmitted to the steering wheel (see the front wheel 21) via the transmission means (see the cable 45) and the steering unit 26, and
1) is steered, but since the direction changing means E for changing the transmission direction of the operation of the steering wheel 29 is provided between the operation detecting unit 30 and the transmitting means (see the cable 45), the steering operation unit 31 Can be arranged small and compact along the steering shaft (refer to the movable shaft 34), and as a result, there is an effect that the layout flexibility of other accessories and the like around the instrument panel 14 can be improved. .

The direction of the transmission means (see the cable 45) is changed by the above-mentioned direction changing means E to the steering shaft.
Since the steering operation unit 31 is converted in the front direction parallel to the movable shaft 34 (see the movable shaft 34), the steering operation unit 31 can be formed small and compact in the vertical direction. There is an effect that the degree of freedom of layout of other auxiliary devices around the ment panel 14 is improved, the space in front of the knee is widened, and the living space can be used effectively.

Further, a transmission unit (see pulley box 40) is disposed on one of the upper and lower sides (the upper part in this embodiment) of the above-described steering shaft (see movable shaft 34). Other side (lower part in this embodiment)
Since the steering assist mechanism (see the steering lock unit 48) is disposed in the transmission unit, the transmission unit (see the pulley box 40) and the steering assist mechanism (see the steering lock unit 48) can be laid out compactly.

In addition, a pulley (see the driving pulley 42) that rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft (see the movable shaft 34) and a cable 45 operated by the pulley 42 are provided. 4
5, the power can be transmitted, and there is an effect that the degree of freedom in laying out the components constituting the steering structure and the accessories around the instrument panel 14 can be further improved.

Further, the steering shaft described above
Since the power transmission between the movable shaft 34 (see movable shaft 34) and the above-described pulley 42 is performed by a bevel gear mechanism (see two bevel gears 35 and 43), the transmission direction can be reliably changed with a simple structure. There is an effect that can be done.

As shown in the embodiment, it is assumed that the steering operation unit 31 including the steering wheel 29 and the operation detection unit 30 is supported so as to be position-adjustable about the vehicle-side support unit (see the steering support member 50). The support rigidity of the steering operation unit 31 can be ensured, and the steering operation unit 31 including the steering wheel 29 does not have a long steering shaft as in the prior art.
There is an effect that the degree of freedom in position setting can be improved.

The steering operation unit 3 described above
When the first wheel 1 is supported so that the position can be adjusted in the vertical direction, there is an effect that the tilt operation of the steering wheel 29 can be secured.

Further, if the above-mentioned steering operation unit 31 is supported so that the position thereof can be adjusted in the front-rear direction, there is an effect that the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 can be ensured.

Further, the steering support member 50 as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction from the above-described vehicle-side support portion.
When set to (agree with the instrument panel member), the support rigidity of the steering operation unit 31 can be further increased.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the steering wheel 29 is configured to be substantially flat with the instrument panel 14 when the steering operation unit 31 is moved forward of the vehicle, the steering wheel 29 is moved forward. When it is made substantially flat with the instrument panel 14, the interior space of the vehicle is enlarged, and as a result, it is possible to achieve an improvement in getting on and off and a sufficient space for a break.

8 to 13 show another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, in FIGS. 8 to 13, the same parts as those in the previous figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the cable 45 is led downward from the pulley box 40 because the cooler unit 67 and the blower unit 68 are installed inside the instrument panel 14. It is.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, a movable shaft 34 (steering shaft) rotatably provided on the outer periphery of the fixed shaft 32 via bearings 33, 33 (bearing means), and a bearing on the outer periphery of the fixed shaft 32. 6
The driving pulley 42 rotatably provided via the bearings 9 and 69 (bearing means) and the driving pulley 42 are integrally formed by a bolt-up or integral forming means, and the cable is provided via a cable guide 46 provided below the pulley box 40. 45 is extended downward.

That is, the steering wheel 29 is provided between the operation detecting section 30 and the cable 45 as the transmission means.
In this embodiment, the pulley 42 and a coupling structure of the pulley 42 to the movable shaft 34 constitute a direction change means F, and the direction change means F is provided in this embodiment. The direction in which the cable 45 is led out is changed to a lower direction substantially orthogonal to the movable shaft 34.

A pulley box 40 is disposed at one of the front and rear sides of the movable shaft 34, that is, at the front side, and a steering lock section 48 as a steering assist mechanism is provided at the other side, that is, at the rear side. Is arranged. When the above-mentioned movable shaft 34 is formed to be short, the arrangement of the above-mentioned two members 40 and 48 may be reversed.

Further, the support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is configured as follows. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 0, 12, and 13, a steering support member 50 as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction and a sub member 70 as a strength member extending in the vehicle width direction in parallel with the steering support member 50 are provided. Member 5
Fixing brackets 71, 71 are mounted at left and right separated positions between 0, 70.

The left and right fixing brackets 71,
71, the steering support member 5 described above.
A pair of left and right control brackets 72, 72 rotatable about zero is provided.

On the other hand, a shaft 73 having a rectangular cross section is integrally attached to the above-described pulley box 40, and the shaft 73 is provided between the left and right control brackets 72.
A total of three guide rollers 74 so that the
... on the shaft.

Further, the left and right fixing brackets 7
Between the members 71, 71, the locking means 75
Is installed. The locking means 75 is a sub-member 70
A pipe portion 76 that is loosely fitted to the pipe portion, a lever portion 77 integrally or integrally formed with the pipe portion 76 and extending rearward, and projecting pieces 78 and 78 extending upward from right and left of the pipe portion 76.
A roll 79 is stretched between the protruding pieces 78, 78, and a gear (not shown) is gear-cut or knurled on the outer peripheral surface of the roll 79. A gear (not shown) is also gear-cut on the portion.

Further, the above-mentioned locking means 75 is always urged in the locking direction so that the gear of the roll 79 meshes with the gear on the lower surface of the shaft 73 and regulates the movement of the shaft 73.

On the other hand, the left and right fixing brackets 7
The guide brackets 1 and 71 are formed with arc-shaped guide holes 71a and 71a (guide means) around the steering support member 50, and guide pins 80 and 80 (guide means) provided at the free ends of the control brackets 72 and 72. ) Are inserted into the above-mentioned guide holes 71a, 71a.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure will be described. Steering wheel 29
Is rotated, the operating force is transmitted to the driving pulley 42 on the pulley box 40 side via the column 36, the movable shaft 34, and the driving bevel gear 35, and the pulley 42
Is rotated, the rotational force is transmitted to a driven pulley in the cable operation unit 28 via a cable 45 led out downward, and is turned as a steered wheel via a steering unit 26 having a rack & pinion mechanism. Of the front wheel 21 can be steered.

By the way, the steering operation unit 31
In order to adjust the position in the vertical direction, after the lock by the locking means 75 is released, the elements 74 and 80 including the control bracket 72 are changed using the steering support member 50 as a tilt center, and the arcuate guide hole 71 is formed.
a in the formation range of the steering operation unit 31
Can be adjusted in the vertical direction, and the steering wheel 29 can be tilted.

On the other hand, in order to adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the front-rear direction, the shaft 73 is adjusted in the front-rear direction along a total of three guide rollers 74 after releasing the lock by the lock means 75. The steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the front-rear direction in the range sandwiched by the guide rollers 74, and the steering wheel 29 can be telescopically operated.

As described above, according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 13 (embodiments corresponding to the first, third, fifth and sixth aspects), the transmission means (see the cable 45) is controlled by the direction changing means F described above. Since the direction is changed to a downward direction substantially perpendicular to the steering shaft (see the movable shaft 34), the steering operation unit 31 can be formed to be small and compact in the front-rear direction. This is extremely effective when air-conditioning equipment such as a cooler unit 67 and a blower unit 68 and other large-sized auxiliary equipment are provided therein.

Further, a transmission unit (see pulley box 40) is disposed at one of the front and rear sides of the front portion of the steering shaft (see movable shaft 34).
Since the steering assist mechanism (see the steering lock section 48) is disposed on any other side, the transmission unit section (see the pulley box 40) and the steering assist mechanism (see the steering lock section 48) can be laid out compactly. There is an effect that can be. In other respects, the operation and effects are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show still another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, in FIGS. 14 to 16, the same portions as those in the previous drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 is different from the first embodiment in that the cooler unit 67 and the blower unit 68 are installed inside the
The point that the cable 45 is led downward from FIG.
13 is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 13, but the support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is different.

The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 is configured as follows. That is, an upper shaft 81 and a lower shaft 82 are protrudingly provided on the left and right sides of the pulley box 40, and fixing brackets 83, 83 are fixedly connected to the left and right positions of the steering support member 50. Long hole 83a is formed.

A substantially fan-shaped control bracket 84 having a hole 84a into which the upper shaft 81 is inserted is provided. The control bracket 84 has an arc-shaped guide hole 84b (guide means) having the fitting portion 84a as a tilt center. )
Is formed.

The upper shaft 81 of the pulley box 40
The lower shaft 82 is located in the hole 84 a of the control bracket 84 and the guide hole 84 of the control bracket 84.
b, control brackets 84, 84 are attached to the left and right sides of the pulley box 40, and the upper shaft 81 is located in the long hole 83a of the fixing bracket 83 or protrudes from the long hole 83a as shown. Fixing brackets 83, 83 are attached to the left and right sides of the control brackets 84, 84, and the left and right fixing brackets 83, 83 are joined and fixed to the steering support member 50 in this state.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure (the embodiment corresponding to the first, third, fifth and sixth aspects) will be described. To adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the vertical direction, the pulley box 40 is moved so that the lower shaft 82 moves along the arc-shaped guide hole 84b of the control bracket with the upper shaft 81 as a tilt center.
By tilting the steering wheel, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the vertical direction within the range of the formation of the arc-shaped guide hole 84b, and the steering wheel 29 can be tilted.

In this embodiment, when the lower shaft 82 is moved to the front end side of the arc-shaped guide hole 84b,
Connect the steering wheel 29 to the instrument panel 1.
4) It can be located in the foot space below, so that the interior space of the vehicle can be sufficiently widened, and it is possible to improve getting on and off and secure a sufficiently wide space at the time of a break.

On the other hand, to adjust the position of the steering operation unit 31 in the front-rear direction, the fixing bracket 8
3 so that the upper shaft 81 moves along the long hole 83a,
When the positions of the elements 40, 81, 82, and 84 are integrally adjusted in the front-rear direction, the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted in the front-rear direction in the range in which the elongated holes 83a are formed, and the steering wheel 29 is telescopically operated. Can be.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a pulley box 40 including a cable 45 and a pulley (see the driving pulley 42) is provided.
0 is supported by the vehicle-side support portion (see the steering support member 50), so that the pulley box 40 having a relatively large shape is connected to the vehicle-side support portion (see the steering support member 50).
The space required for steering position adjustment can be minimized.

It should be noted that the operation and effect are substantially the same as those of the preceding embodiment in that the transmission direction is changed by the direction changing means F and other points. FIG. 17 shows still another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, FIG.
In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in the previous figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 17 uses a driving bevel gear 35 and a driven bevel gear 43 as a bevel gear mechanism, and the cable 4 extends forward from the pulley box 40.
5 is the same as in the embodiment of FIGS.
The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is different.

The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 in the embodiment of FIG. 17 is configured as follows. That is, the guide shaft 85 is integrally provided with the pulley box 40 so as to protrude, and the shaft 86 having a predetermined length is integrally attached thereto.

On the other hand, a steering bracket 87 having a gate-shaped cross section is joined and fixed to the rear part of the dash upper panel 3.
A link 89 that can swing around a support shaft 88 is attached to the steering bracket 87, and a free end of the link 89 is connected to a lower end of the shaft 86 by a pin 90.

A fixing bracket 91 is joined and fixed to the steering support member 50. The fixing bracket 91 has a substantially arc-shaped guide hole 91a.
(Guide means) is formed, and the above-described guide shaft 85 is located in the guide hole 91a.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure (an embodiment corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7) will be described. While swinging the link 89 counterclockwise from the state shown by the solid line in FIG.
5 can be moved upward along the guide hole 91a of the fixing bracket 91, the steering operation unit 3
1 can be adjusted obliquely upward, and the tilting operation and the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 can be performed simultaneously, as indicated by virtual lines α1 and α2 in FIG.

The link 8 from the state shown by the solid line in FIG.
When the guide shaft 85 can be moved downward along the guide hole 91a of the fixing bracket 91 while swinging the clockwise direction 9 in the same figure, the position of the steering operation unit 31 can be adjusted obliquely downward. Virtual line β at 17
As shown by 1, β2, the tilt operation and the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 can be performed simultaneously.

In short, the above-described steering wheel 29
Can be adjusted in the direction of arrow a in FIG. In this way, when the steering operation unit 31 is moved, the steering wheel 29 is configured to be moved substantially in parallel in the oblique front-rear direction. Can be adjusted simultaneously. In addition,
With respect to the point that the transmission direction is changed by the direction changing means E and other points, the same operation and effect as those of the previous embodiment can be obtained.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show still another embodiment of the steering structure of the vehicle. However, in FIGS. 18 and 19, the same parts as those in the previous figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is a driving bevel gear 35 and a driven bevel gear 4 as a bevel gear mechanism.
17 in that the cable 45 is led forward from the pulley box 40 in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 17 described above, but the support structure of the steering operation unit 31 is different.

The support structure of the steering operation unit 31 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is configured as follows. That is, a link 92 is provided on the steering support member 50 so as to be swingable in the direction of arrow b about the member 50, and the free end of the link 92 and the lower end of the shaft 86 are connected by the pin 93.

A support shaft 94 is provided below the vicinity of the shaft 86.
Is provided in the holder 95 so as to swing in the direction of arrow c, and a shaft 86 is displaceably supported in the holder 95 via a gap g.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle steering structure (the embodiment corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7) will be described. When the position of the steering operation unit 31 is adjusted, it is possible to move the steering shaft 86 guided by the holder 95 in the front-rear direction while swinging the link 92 swinging about the steering support member 50 in the direction of arrow b. The position of the steering operation unit 31 including the steering wheel 29 is adjusted obliquely in the forward and backward directions along the movement trajectory of the substantially S-shaped curve indicated by the arrow d in FIG. 18, and the tilt operation and the telescopic operation of the steering wheel 29 are performed simultaneously. Can be.

As described above, when the steering wheel 29 is configured to be moved substantially parallel in the oblique front-rear direction when the steering operation unit 31 is moved, the vertical movement of the steering wheel 29 can be performed in a simple manner according to the physique of the occupant. And adjustment before and after can be performed simultaneously. It should be noted that the operation and effect are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment in that the transmission direction is changed by the direction changing means E and other points.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the steered wheels of the present invention correspond to the front wheels 21 of the embodiment, and similarly, the transmitting means corresponds to the cable 45, and Means include bevel gears 35 and 43 and pulley 4
2 and a direction changing means F including a pulley 42 and a coupling structure of the pulley 42 and the movable shaft 34, and the transmission unit section includes a pulley box 40
(A so-called steering unit), the steering assist mechanism corresponds to the steering lock unit 48, the steering shaft corresponds to the movable shaft 34, the pulley corresponds to the driving pulley 42, and the bevel gear mechanism corresponds to 2
Although the present invention corresponds to the two bevel gears 35 and 43,
The configuration is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a front body structure of a vehicle provided with a steering structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the steering structure of the vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a steering operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an unlocked state.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the steering operation unit is moved forward.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a front body structure of a vehicle provided with the steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a steering operation unit.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a main part of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the vehicle steering structure of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Instrument panel 21 ... Front wheel (steering wheel) 26 ... Steering part 29 ... Steering wheel 30 ... Operation detecting part 34 ... Movable shaft (steering shaft) 35, 43 ... Bevel gear 40 ... Pulley box (transmission unit part) 42 ... Motor Pulley (pulley) 45 ... Cable (transmission means) 48 ... Steering lock part (steering assist mechanism) E, F ... Direction changing means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Nonaka 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Koji Noma 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3D030 DB00 DC14 DC29 DC39

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle comprising: an operation detection unit that detects an operation of a steering wheel by an occupant; a steering unit that steers a steered wheel; and a flexible transmission unit that connects the operation detection unit and the steering unit. A steering structure for a vehicle, comprising: a direction changing means for changing a transmitting direction of a steering wheel operation between the operation detecting unit and the transmitting means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction changing means changes the direction of the transmitting means to a front direction parallel to the steering shaft.
A vehicle steering structure according to any of the preceding claims. 3. The vehicle steering structure according to claim 1, wherein said direction changing means changes the direction of the transmission means to a downward direction substantially orthogonal to the steering shaft. 4. The steering structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a transmission unit is disposed on one of upper and lower sides of the steering shaft, and a steering assist mechanism is disposed on the other side. 5. A steering unit according to claim 3, wherein a transmission unit is disposed on one of the front and rear sides of the steering shaft, and a steering assist mechanism is disposed on the other side.
A vehicle steering structure according to any of the preceding claims. 6. The vehicle steering structure according to claim 1, further comprising a pulley that rotates in conjunction with said steering shaft, and a cable operated by said pulley. 7. The vehicle steering structure according to claim 6, wherein power transmission between the steering shaft and the pulley is performed by a bevel gear mechanism.