JPH0441009Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a support structure for a steering column used in vehicles such as automobiles.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY In vehicles such as automobiles, a steering column is generally connected at its lower end to a floor panel, and at its middle or near its upper end to a vehicle body member or column support member by a bracket or the like. A steering column support structure of this type is shown in US Pat. No. 3,578,782.

Problems that the invention aims to solve: It is not desirable for the steering column to move due to an impact such as a vehicle collision, thereby compressing the interior space of the vehicle. This is undesirable as it puts pressure on the upper area of the body.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a support structure for a steering column that is configured to prevent the steering column from rising and moving even if an impact force is applied to the steering column toward the rear of the vehicle due to a vehicle collision or the like. It is said that

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by connecting the steering column to the steering column at upper and lower mounting portions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the steering column and extending toward the front of the vehicle body. a substantially rigid bracket; an upper column support member extending in the vehicle width direction and connected to an upper portion of the bracket; and a lower mounting portion extending in the vehicle width direction. a lower column support member connected to the steering column at a position, and the lower column support member is provided offset to the rear of the vehicle body than the upper column support member. This is accomplished by a support structure.

Functions and Effects of the Invention According to the above-described configuration, the impact force to the rear of the vehicle caused by a collision etc. first acts on the upper column support member of the steering column, and then moves the steering column to the lower column via the bracket. The steering column is rotated so as to fall toward the rear of the vehicle using the connection part with the support member as a fulcrum, and the steering column will fall and move as described above until the upper column support member moves to a position corresponding to the installation position of the lower column support member. However, when the upper column support member moves to the position where the lower column support member is installed, the impact force acts on the upper column support member and the lower column support member, and only then does the steering column move toward the rear of the vehicle. It will move in parallel. At this time, the steering column is sufficiently reclined and even its upper end is at a low position, so that the steering column does not press down on the interior space, especially the upper space.

Embodiments Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The attached figure shows one embodiment of the steering column support structure according to the present invention. In the figure,
1 is the floor panel, 2 is the front panel, 3
4 indicates a front windshield glass, 4 indicates an upper column support member, 5 indicates a lower column support member, 6 indicates a steering column, and 7 indicates a steering wheel.

The steering column 6 has its lower end connected to the floor panel 1 by a bracket 8, and the lower mounting part 9 of the two mounting parts 9 and 10 provided at the middle part is connected to the lower column support member. 5 and upper mounting portions 10 are respectively connected to and supported by upper column support members 4 by brackets 11. Bracket 11
In the illustrated embodiment, it is a triangular plate member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and exhibits rigidity against forces acting in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

The upper column support member 4 and the lower column support member 5 are each provided between the left and right front pillars (not shown in the figure), and the front surface of the lower column support member 5 is smaller than the front surface of the upper column support member 4. It is provided so as to be offset by a predetermined amount A toward the rear of the vehicle body.

When an impact force is applied to the rear of the vehicle due to a vehicle collision, etc., the impact force first acts on the upper column support member 4 in the steering column support structure, and as a result, the steering column 6 is transferred to the lower column support member 5. Until the upper column support member 4 moves to a position corresponding to the installation position of the lower column support member 5, the upper column Until the support member 4 moves toward the rear of the vehicle by a predetermined amount A, the steering column 6 falls and moves as described above, and when the upper column support member 4 moves to the position where the lower column support member 5 is disposed, the impact force is applied. It is only at this time that the steering column 6 begins to move in parallel toward the rear of the vehicle body when it comes to act on the upper column support member 4 and the lower column support member 5. At this time, steering column 6
Since the steering column 6 is sufficiently tilted down and even the steering wheel 7 at its upper end is at a lower position than the initial mounting position, the movement of the steering column 6 may put pressure on the interior space, especially the upper area. Avoided. In addition, as the steering column rotates around the position of the lower column support member 5 so as to fall toward the rear of the vehicle body, the steering wheel 7 becomes almost parallel to the abdomen of the driver seated in the driver's seat. The impact on is softened.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It will be clear to those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The attached figure is a schematic vertical sectional view showing one embodiment in which the steering column support structure according to the present invention is applied as a steering column support structure for a cab-over type vehicle. 1...Floor panel, 2...Front panel,
3...Front windshield glass, 4...
Upper column support member, 5... Lower column support member, 6... Steering column, 7...
...Steering wheel, 8...Bracket,
9, 10...Mounting part, 11...Bracket.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] a substantially rigid bracket connected to the steering column at upper and lower mounting portions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the steering column and extending toward the front of the vehicle; and a substantially rigid bracket extending in the width direction of the vehicle. The lower column support member includes an upper column support member connected to the upper part of the bracket, and a lower column support member extending in the vehicle width direction and connected to the steering column at the lower mounting portion. A steering column support structure for a vehicle, wherein the column support member is provided offset to the rear of the vehicle body with respect to the upper column support member.