JPH0220142Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field This invention relates to a tilt device for a steering column for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART FIG. 1 schematically shows a typical conventional steering column tilt device. As shown in the figure, this consists of a fixed bracket 2 fixed to the lower tube 1 side, a movable bracket 4 fixed to the upper tube 3 side and rotatable around a rotation axis 5 with respect to the fixed bracket 2. , a tooth plate 6 rotatably supported by a fixed bracket 2, and an operating lever 7 rotatable around a rotating shaft 5.

An upper tooth 8 is formed at the end of the movable bracket 4, while a lower tooth 9 that engages with the upper tooth 8 is formed on the tooth plate 6.
The operating lever 7 also has a roller 1 that is in contact with the cam surface 10 on the tooth plate 6 side.
1 is pivoted.

The reference numeral 12 designates a balance spring that applies a counterclockwise rotational force to the movable bracket 4 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.

According to the above configuration, the roller 11 is moved into the engagement groove 14 based on the rotation operation of the operating lever 7 in the clockwise direction.
By engaging with the tooth plate 6 and rotating the tooth plate 6 in the clockwise direction, the upper teeth 8 and the lower teeth 9 are disengaged. Then, in this state, the upper tube 3 (movable bracket 4) is rotated to a desired position, and the optimal driving position of the steering wheel (not shown) at the tip of the upper tube 3 is set. Thereafter, by releasing the operating force of the operating lever 7, the upper tooth 8 and the lower tooth 9 are engaged again, and the upper tooth tube 3 is fixed at the optimal driving position set previously.

That is, according to the above structure, the inclination of the upper tooth tube 3 can be changed by changing the engagement position between the upper teeth 8 and the lower teeth 9.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a conventional tilt device, when the upper teeth 8 and the lower teeth 9 are disengaged from each other by rotating the operating lever 7, the upper teeth 3 cannot be moved to the maximum. It is possible to move freely within the range (maximum tilt angle), and since it is a stepped adjustment that is the engagement of the upper teeth 8 and lower teeth 9, it is difficult to determine the desired position, and the steering at the tip of the upper teeth 3 is difficult. Since the operating lever 7 must be operated while holding the wheel, even if the desired position is determined, when the operating lever 7 is returned to its original position, there is a risk that the operating lever 7 will be fixed at a position slightly deviated from the desired position.

Purpose of the invention The purpose of this invention is to provide a tilt device that allows the steering wheel to be easily adjusted to the desired position by giving a sense of moderation to the rotation of the upper tube during tilt operation to determine the optimum driving position of the steering wheel. It's about doing.

Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, in order to give a sense of moderation during tilt operation, a ratchet piece is attached to the fixed bracket, and this ratchet piece is always elastically engaged with a part of the upper tooth. It is characterized by

Function According to this structure, since the ratchet piece is always elastically engaged with the upper tooth, the upper tooth can be held in a predetermined position even if the upper tooth and lower tooth are disengaged. . When rotating the upper part tube to the desired position, if the upper part tube is rotated with an operating force that overcomes the elastic force of the ratchet piece, the above-mentioned engagement between the upper tooth and the ratchet piece will cause You can get a sense of moderation for each tooth, making it easier to determine the position of the upper tube and, by extension, the steering wheel.

Embodiments Hereinafter, more specific embodiments of this invention will be described based on the drawings. However, the same parts as in the conventional example described above are given the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a ratchet piece 15 made of a leaf spring is fixed on the fixed bracket 2 at a position facing the upper tooth 8 so as not to interfere with the tooth plate 6. 15 is always elastically engaged with a part of the upper tooth 8. This ratchet piece 15 may be of any shape as long as it constantly engages with the upper tooth 8 and allows rotation on the movable bracket 4 side through its elastic deformation.
In place of the cantilevered ratchet piece 15 shown in the figure, a fourth
It is also possible to use the ratchet piece 15B that is held on both sides as shown in the figure.

According to the above structure, when tilting the upper part tube 3 and the steering wheel, the upper part tooth 8 is operated by operating the operating lever 7.
Even if the engagement between the upper tooth 8 and the lower tooth 9 is released, the upper tube 3 is still self-retained in its previous position due to the elastic engagement between the upper tooth 8 and the ratchet piece 15.

In this state, when the upper tube 3 is rotated to the desired position with an operating force that overcomes the elastic force of the ratchet piece 15, the engagement between the upper tooth 8 and the ratchet piece 15 acts as resistance, and the upper tooth 8 is rotated. Since a sense of moderation can be obtained for each tooth, the amount of rotation of the upper tube 3 side and the position at the time of rotation can be accurately grasped, and the desired position can be easily set.

Even if the turning operation force of the upper part tube 3 is released when the position of the upper part tube 3 is determined, the upper part tube 3 will remain in that position due to the engagement between the upper tooth 8 and the ratchet piece 15 described above. Since it is self-retained, the rotation operating force of the operating lever 7 is released and the hot tooth 8 is
The tilt operation is completed by engaging the lower teeth 9 again.

Effects of the invention As described above, according to the invention, the ratchet piece is attached to the fixed bracket, and this ratchet piece is always elastically engaged with a part of the upper tooth, so that the upper tube side can be rotated. When determining the optimal driving position, the engagement between the upper tooth and the ratchet piece acts as resistance and provides a sense of moderation for each tooth, so it is important to accurately grasp the rotation amount and position of the upper tooth. As a result, the desired position can be easily set, and the operability during tilt operation is improved compared to the conventional method.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the main part showing the configuration of a conventional tilt device, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main part showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is the third
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part showing the aspect of the figure. 1...Lower tube, 2...Fixed bracket,
3... Atsupuru tube, 4... Movable bracket, 6... Tooth plate, 7... Operation lever,
8... Hot tooth, 9... Lower tooth, 1
5,15B... Ratchet piece.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A fixed bracket fixed to the lower tube,
a movable bracket fixed to an upper tube to which the steering wheel is connected and pivotally supported for rotation with respect to the fixed bracket; an upper tooth formed at an end of the movable bracket;
In a steering column tilting device, a tooth plate is provided with a lower tooth that engages with an upper tooth, and allows rotation of a movable bracket by disengaging the upper teeth and lower teeth. A steering column tilting device characterized in that a piece is always elastically engaged with a part of the upper tooth.