JPH0528150Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the invention] A. Purpose of the invention (1) Industrial application field The present invention is a combination switch assembly and an ignition key assembly mounted on a steering column to which a combination switch assembly and an ignition key assembly are attached. The present invention relates to a steering column cover mounting structure for mounting a column cover covering a steering key assembly.

(2) Conventional technology Conventionally, such a structure was disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-104574,
Utility Model Publication No. 56-77477 and Utility Model Application No. 59-172070
It is publicly known from the publication No.

(3) Problems to be solved by the invention By the way, in the above conventional method, the column cover is divided into two parts along the axis of the steering column, an upper part and a lower part, and the combination switch assembly and ignition key assembly are attached to the steering column. After the combination switch assembly and ignition key assembly are assembled, the upper and lower column covers are fastened together.

However, according to the conventional structure described above, it is difficult to assemble the combination switch assembly and ignition key assembly to the steering column with high accuracy, so the ignition key hole is inserted into the key hole provided in the column cover. It is difficult to accurately face the cylinder part of the key assembly, so the key hole is made larger than necessary and a column cover ring is fitted into the key hole to absorb the misalignment with the cylinder part. There is. In addition, the harness for electrically connecting the combination switch assembly is pulled out inside the column cover toward the ignition key assembly, and one of the upper and lower column covers has multiple bosses for connecting them together. Since the harness protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the steering column, it is difficult to route the harness. For these reasons, it has been difficult to automate the attachment of the column cover to the steering column.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering column cover mounting structure that facilitates automation of column cover mounting.

B. Structure of the invention (1) Means for solving the problem According to the invention, the column cover is connectable to the ignition key assembly fixed to the steering column and the ignition key assembly is connected to the column cover. a cylindrical lower column cover for covering, and a bottom that can be connected to the lower column cover at a connecting surface substantially orthogonal to the axis of the steering column and that can sandwich the combination switch assembly while covering it; It consists of a cylindrical top column cover.

(2) Effect According to the above configuration, after the ignition key assembly is attached to the steering column, the lower column cover is attached to the ignition key assembly,
Furthermore, by connecting the Atsupa column cover to the lower column cover with the combination switch assembly sandwiched between the lower column cover and the lower column cover,
This completes the installation of the column cover, and the ignition key assembly, lower column cover, combination switch assembly, and top column cover will be assembled in sequence along the axis of the steering column. The direction is constant, making automation easier. Further, the accuracy of assembling the ignition key assembly and the lower column cover can be improved, and there is no need to provide a portion that would obstruct the wiring of the harness.

(3) Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 1, an ignition key assembly 2 is attached to a steering column 1. for,
A synthetic resin column cover 4 for housing and fixing the combination switch assembly 3 is attached to cover the ignition key assembly 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 together, the column cover 4 is a cylinder that can be connected to an ignition key assembly 2 fixed to the steering column 1 and that covers the ignition key assembly 2. A combination switch assembly 3 is connected between a lower column cover 5 having a shape that can be connected to the lower column cover 5 at connecting surfaces 5a and 6a that are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the steering column 1, and the lower column cover 5. It consists of a bottomed cylindrical top column cover 6 that can be held while covering it.

The ignition key assembly 2 has a cylindrical cylinder portion 8 having a key insertion hole 7 at the tip and a built-in locking mechanism (not shown) for locking a steering shaft (not shown).
and a mounting portion 9 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and having a mounting surface 9a for mounting the lower column cover 5;
A bracket part 10 formed in a semicircular shape to be attached to the steering column 1 is integrally provided. The bracket part 10 can be fitted to the lower half of the steering column 1, and the bracket 11, which cooperates with the bracket part 10 and is attached to the steering column 1, can be fitted to the upper half of the steering column 1. It is preferably formed into a semicircular shape. The bracket part 10 and the bracket 11 are
Both end portions in the circumferential direction are joined to each other and tightened by a screw member 12 such as a breaking bolt, thereby positioning and fixing the ignition key assembly 2 at a predetermined position on the steering column 1.
In this fixed state, the cylinder part 8 of the ignition key assembly 2 is in an attitude inclined with respect to the axis of the steering column 1 so as to move away from the axis as it goes toward the distal end, and the mounting part 9 is Surface 9a is substantially perpendicular to the axis of steering column 1. Moreover, a pair of screw holes 13 are provided in the mounting surface 9a.

The combination switch assembly 3 includes a rectangular block-shaped main body 14 containing a switch mechanism (not shown), and a first operating lever 15 protruding from the right side of the main body 14 to operate the switch mechanism.
and a second operating lever 16 protruding from the left side surface,
The main body 1 is equipped with an operation camera 17 protruding from the top surface.
A slip ring 18 is attached to 4.

The lower column cover 5 is basically formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape.
Inside, the inside of the column cover 4 is connected to the ignition key assembly 2 side and the combination switch assembly 3 side.
A partition plate 19 is integrally provided to separate the two sides.
Further, a side portion 5b of the lower column cover 5 corresponding to the cylinder portion 8 of the ignition key assembly 2 is formed to be inclined perpendicularly to the axis of the cylinder portion 8. A key hole 20 is bored through which the tip of the cylinder portion 8 is exposed.

The partition plate 19 is provided with a through hole 21 approximately in the center thereof through which the steering column 1 passes, and a pair of boss portions 2 corresponding to the pair of screw holes 13 in the ignition key assembly 2.
2 is provided protrudingly. The boss portion 22 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom so that a closed end portion can come into contact with the mounting surface 9a. An insertion hole 24 is bored through which the inserted screw member 23 is screwed into the screw hole 13 .

The inner surfaces of the four corners of the lower column cover 5 closer to the combination switch assembly 3 than the partition plate 19 are fitted with the outer surfaces of the four corners of the main body 14 of the combination switch assembly 3. A groove-shaped guide portion 25 is provided for guiding the fitting of the switch assembly 3 into the lower column cover 5. Furthermore, support step portions 26 for receiving the rear end surface of the main body 14 of the combination switch assembly 3 are provided at the ends of the guide portions 25 on the partition plate 19 side.

From the rear end of the main body 14 of the combination switch assembly 3, a connection terminal 27 for achieving electrical connection is provided protruding toward the partition plate 19 side, and the end of the harness 28 is provided with a connection terminal 27. A connection terminal 29 is provided that fits into the terminal to establish an electrical connection. Furthermore, the partition plate 19 is provided with a rectangular connection fitting hole 30 for fitting the connection terminal 29 from the ignition key assembly 2 side, and an integral engagement hole 30 provided on the connection terminal 29. A pair of engagement holes 32 for engaging the claws 31 are bored.

The atsupa column cover 6 is basically formed into a rectangular bottomed cylinder shape to fit into the combination switch assembly 3, and has a circular shape at the closed end from which a part of the slip ring 18 protrudes. Hole 38
is drilled. Further, the combination switch assembly 3 is designed so that a portion of the slip ring 18 protrudes from the circular hole 33 when the top column cover 6 is fitted.
A plurality of abutment protrusions 34 are provided to protrude and abut against the inner surface of the closed end.

Insertion holes 36 for inserting the screw members 35 are formed in the four corners of the upper column cover 6, and in the portions of the lower column cover 5 corresponding to the respective insertion holes 36, Screw holes 37 are drilled into which the screw members 35 are respectively screwed. Therefore, the screw member 3 inserted into the insertion hole 36 with the connecting surfaces 5a and 6a mutually joined.
5 into each screw hole 37, the lower column cover 5 and upper column cover 6 are connected to each other to form the column cover 4, and the combination switch assembly 3 is attached to the support step 26. It is sandwiched between the lower column cover 5 and the upper column cover 6 so that the rear end surfaces thereof are brought into contact with each other and the contact protrusion 34 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the closed end of the upper column cover 6. Moreover, in this sandwiched state, the combination switch assembly 3 is covered by the column cover 4, but since the first and second operating levers 15, 16 and the operating lever 17 protrude from the column cover 4, the lower column cover 4 And the first operation lever 15 is attached to the Atsupa column cover 6.
Notches 38, 39 for cooperating to form a hole through which the second operating lever 16 protrudes; and notches 40, 41 for cooperating to form a hole through which the second operating lever 16 protrudes.
and cutouts 42 and 43 for cooperatively forming a hole through which the operation camera 17 protrudes are provided.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. For installation, the ignition key assembly 2 is first fixed to the steering column 1. Next, the tip of the boss portion 22 was brought into contact with the mounting surface 9a, and the ignition key assembly 2 was covered with the lower column cover 5 so that the steering column 1 passed through the through hole 21, and the lower column cover 5 was inserted into the boss portion 22. By screwing the screw member 23 into the screw hole 13, the lower column cover 5 is connected to the ignition key assembly 2. At this time, since it is easy to improve the dimensional accuracy of the lower column cover 5 with respect to the ignition key assembly 2, the tip of the cylinder portion 8 of the ignition key assembly 2 It is extremely easy to fit into the keyhole 20, there is no need to make the size of the keyhole 20 so large compared to the cylinder part 8, and the tip of the cylinder part 8 can be fitted to the keyhole 20 without the need for the column covering that was conventionally required. can be fitted so that the key insertion hole 7 can be exposed to the outside from the side portion 5b of the lower column cover 5.

After the lower column cover 5 has been connected to the ignition key assembly 2, the combination switch assembly 3 is fitted into the lower column cover 5. At this time, since the guide portion 25 can guide the fitting of the combination switch assembly 3 to the lower column cover 5, the fitting operation becomes extremely easy.

Thereafter, the column cover 4 is assembled by fitting the upper column cover 6 to the combination switch assembly 3 and screwing the screw member 35 into the screw hole 37. Through this assembly, the combination switch assembly 3 is covered with the column cover 4, and is also sandwiched between the lower column cover 5 and the upper column cover 6, so that it is fixed within the column cover 4. It turns out.

Furthermore, the above combination switch assembly 3
When the connection terminal 2 is fixed inside the column cover 4,
Reference numeral 7 is disposed corresponding to the connection fitting hole 30, and the connection terminal 29 is fitted into the connection fitting hole 30 from the ignition key assembly 2 side and then fitted into the connection terminal 27. An electrical connection is achieved.

In this way, the installation of the column cover 4 to the steering column 1 is completed, but at the time of this installation, the lower column cover 5 having the key hole 20 is installed to the ignition key assembly 2.
The accuracy of assembling the column cover 4 and the ignition key assembly 2 is improved, and the tip of the cylinder part 8 can be reliably fitted into the key hole 20 without the need for a conventional column cover ring. . Moreover, the connection terminal 29 is fitted into the connection fitting hole 30 provided in the partition plate 19, and the connection terminal 29 and the connection terminal 27 are connected to each other.
Since harness 2 is fitted and connected, harness 2
8 is no longer required to be dragged around inside the column cover 4. Furthermore, in the direction along the axis of the steering column 1, an ignition key assembly 2, a lower column cover 5, a combination switch assembly 3
Since the upper column cover 6 and the top column cover 6 are assembled one after another, the assembly direction is constant, and the assembly can be easily automated.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and parts corresponding to those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

A partition plate 19' that forms a gap 44 between the lower column cover 5' and the inner surface of the lower column cover 5' is integrally provided, and a pair of boss portions 22 protrude from the partition plate 19'. will be established. Further, the rear end surface of the combination switch assembly 3 is in contact with a partition plate 19', and the combination switch assembly 3 is held between the partition plate 19' and the upper column cover 6. Furthermore, a pair of fitting protrusions 45 that fit into the boss portion 22 and an engaging protrusion 46 that engage with both side edges of the partition plate 19' protrude from the rear end of the combination switch assembly 3. This prevents the combination switch assembly 3 from wobbling in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the steering link column 1. Furthermore, the connection terminals 27 and 29 are connected to the air gap 4.
4, they are mutually fitted and connected.

Also in this embodiment, the combination switch assembly 3 is sandwiched between the lower column cover 5' and the upper column cover 6, and the lower column cover 5' is coupled to the ignition key assembly 2. Therefore, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

C. Effects of the invention As described above, according to the invention, the column cover is a cylindrical lower column that is connectable to the ignition key assembly fixed to the steering column and that covers the ignition key assembly. a bottomed cylindrical upper column that can be connected to the lower column cover at a connecting surface substantially perpendicular to the axis of the steering column and that can sandwich the combination switch assembly between the cover and the lower column cover while covering the combination switch assembly; Since it consists of a cover and a cover, it improves the assembly accuracy of the column cover and ignition key assembly, eliminates the need for the column cover ring that was previously required, reduces the number of parts, and allows the assembly direction to be fixed. As a result, it can be easily adapted to assembly automation, and moreover, it is possible to eliminate parts that become obstacles to the arrangement of the harness.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view, Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line of Figure 1 in the installed state, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line of Figure 1. Figure 1 in the installed state - sectional view along the line,
FIG. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the present invention. 1... Steering column, 2... Ignition key assembly, 3... Combination switch assembly, 4... Column cover, 5, 5'... Lower column cover, 6... Top column cover, 1
9, 19'...Partition plate, 21...Through hole, 22...
...Boss portion, 27, 29...Connection terminal, 30...Connection fitting hole.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) To attach a column cover that covers the combination switch assembly and ignition key assembly to the steering column to which the combination switch assembly and ignition key assembly are mounted. In the steering column cover mounting structure, the column cover includes a cylindrical lower column cover that can be combined with an ignition key assembly fixed to the steering column and covers the ignition key assembly, and a cylindrical lower column cover that covers the ignition key assembly; and a bottomed cylindrical top column cover that can be connected to the lower column cover at a connecting surface substantially perpendicular to the axis of the combination switch assembly, and that can be held between the lower column cover and the combination switch assembly while covering the combination switch assembly. A steering column cover mounting structure featuring: (2) A partition plate is provided inside the lower column cover to divide the inside of the column cover into the combination switch assembly side and the ignition key assembly side, and the partition plate is connected to the ignition key assembly side. A boss part is provided protruding for the purpose of the combination, and a through hole for passing the steering column through and a connection fitting hole for fitting the connection terminal from the ignition key assembly side are drilled. The steering column cover mounting structure according to item (1), wherein a connection terminal capable of fitting and connecting the connection terminal is provided in a portion of the switch assembly corresponding to the connection fitting hole.