U.S. patent application number 13/607484 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for steering column for vehicle and steering apparatus having the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jong Han KIM. Invention is credited to Jong Han KIM.
Application Number | 20130055844 13/607484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47710868 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130055844 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Jong Han |
March 7, 2013 |
STEERING COLUMN FOR VEHICLE AND STEERING APPARATUS HAVING THE
SAME
Abstract
The present invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle
and a steering apparatus having the same. According to the present
invention, it is possible to prevent loads transmitted to the
steering column from being concentrated to a part of the steering
column, to uniformize the distribution of operation force of the
adjusting lever, and to prevent the deformation and damage of the
steering column when the driver operates the steering wheel by
maintaining the bearing forces of the upper tube and the lower tube
at the time of tightening and releasing the adjusting lever for a
tilt or telescope operation while increasing the rigidity of the
entirety of the steering column.
Inventors: |
KIM; Jong Han; (Bupyeong-gu,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIM; Jong Han |
Bupyeong-gu |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
47710868 |
Appl. No.: |
13/607484 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/492 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 1/16 20130101; B62D
1/189 20130101; B62D 1/184 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/492 |
International
Class: |
B62D 1/16 20060101
B62D001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0090487 |
Claims
1. A steering column for a vehicle comprising: a hollow lower tube
configured to enclose a steering shaft; and an upper tube fitted on
the outer periphery of the lower tube, wherein the upper tube is
formed with a first slot that is slit axially, a second slot that
is slit circumferentially at the lower end of the first slot,
supporting parts protruding from the outer periphery of the upper
tube at the upper side of the second slot to be diametrically
opposed to each other, and one or more stress dispersion parts
formed on the outer periphery of the upper tube at the axially
upper side of the supporting parts to disperse stresses.
2. The steering column as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
supporting parts are formed at circumferentially opposite sides of
the first slot.
3. The steering column as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
slot is formed at a boundary area between the lower ends of the
bearings and the outer periphery of the upper tube.
4. The steering column as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
slot and the second slot are formed to communicate with each
other.
5. The steering column as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lower end
of the first slot communicates with the center of the second
slot.
6. The steering column as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or
more stress dispersion parts are formed to communicate with the
first slot and to extend circumferentially.
7. The steering column as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stress
dispersion parts are formed at a boundary area between the upper
ends of the supporting parts and the outer periphery of the upper
tube.
8. The steering column as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stress
dispersion parts are formed at the circumferentially opposite sides
of the first slot to be symmetric to each other.
9. The steering column as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stress
dispersion part is formed by a through-hole spaced from the first
slot by a predetermined distance.
10. The steering column as claimed in claim 9, wherein the stress
dispersion part is formed at a position forming a predetermined
angle from the upper end of the first slot in relation to the upper
side axial direction.
11. The steering column as claimed in claim 10, wherein the stress
dispersion parts are formed at circumferentially opposed and
symmetric positions with reference to the first slot.
12. A steering apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a steering shaft
connected to a steering wheel; and a steering column coupled to the
steering shaft and assembled to a vehicle body, wherein the
steering column comprises: a hollow lower tube configured to
enclose a steering shaft; and an upper tube fitted on the outer
periphery of the lower tube, wherein the upper tube is formed with
a first slot that is slit axially, a second slot that is slit
circumferentially at the lower end of the first slot, supporting
parts protruding from the outer periphery of the upper tube at the
upper side of the second slot to be diametrically opposed to each
other, and a stress dispersion part formed on the outer periphery
of the upper tube at the axially upper side of the supporting parts
to disperse stresses.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from and the benefit under
35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) of Korean Patent Application No.
10-2011-0090487, filed on Sep. 7, 2011, which is hereby
incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a steering column for a
vehicle. In more particular, the present invention relates to a
steering column for a vehicle which is configured to prevent loads
transmitted to the steering column from being concentrated to a
part of the steering column, to uniformize the distribution of
operation force of an adjusting lever, and to increase the rigidity
of the entirety of the steering column while maintaining the
bearing forces of an upper tube and a lower tube at the time of
tightening and releasing the adjusting lever for a tilt or
telescope operation, so that the steering column can be prevented
from being deformed or damaged when a driver operates a steering
wheel. The present invention also relates to a steering apparatus
for a vehicle having the above-mentioned steering column.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] As generally known in the art, a steering column for a
vehicle is an apparatus that is formed to enclose a steering shaft
for transmitting a torque produced when a driver rotates a steering
wheel to a rack-and-pinion mechanism so as to support the rotation
of the steering shaft, in which the steering column is coupled to
the vehicle body through a bracket so as to fix the position of the
steering shaft.
[0006] Such a steering column may be additionally provided with a
telescope or tilt function, in which a tilt apparatus is an
apparatus for adjusting the fixing angle of the steering wheel, and
a telescope apparatus is formed by fitting two hollow tubes into
one another to be axially extendible/retractable so that the
steering shaft and the steering column can be collapsed to absorb
an impact energy in a vehicle crash.
[0007] Accordingly, steering apparatuses may be classified into a
telescope type steering apparatus and a tilt type steering
apparatus depending on the functions thereof. Occasionally, the
tilt function may be added to the telescope type steering
apparatus, so that a driver is allowed to adjust the degree of
extension or tilt angle of the steering wheel to be suitable for
his/her height or body type through the tilt function so as to
smoothly conduct the steering operation.
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part
of a conventional steering column for a vehicle.
[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional steering column
for a vehicle includes: an upper tube 100 configured to accommodate
a steering shaft 175; a lower tube 170 fitted in the upper tube
100; a lower mounting bracket 165 for fixing the lower tube 170 to
a vehicle body; an upper mounting bracket 105 installed on the top
side of the upper tube 100 and fixed to the vehicle body; a
distance bracket 180 fixed integrally with the upper tube 100 and
formed with a telescope slot 185; a tilt bracket 150 formed
integrally with the upper mounting bracket 105, and formed with an
elongated tilt slot 110; a stationary gear 145 formed on the outer
surface of the tilt bracket 150; a movable gear 140 configured to
be engaged with or disengaged from the stationary gear 145; a tilt
bolt 130 extending through the tilt slot 110; a cam 135 coupled to
the movable gear 140; a washer 125 and a nut 120 configured to fix
the cam 135 and an adjusting lever 115; and a gear spring 142
positioned between the movable gear 140 and the stationary gear
145.
[0010] Both the tilt and telescope operations are applied by
tightening or releasing the adjusting lever 115. When the adjusting
lever 115 is tightened, the tilt bracket 150 is narrowed to apply a
compressive force to the upper tube 100, so that the upper tube 100
and the lower tube 170 can be tightly contacted with each other to
disenable the tilt and telescope operations. To the contrary, when
the adjusting lever 115 is released, the compressive force
disappears from the upper tube 100 and the lower tube 170 to enable
the tilt and telescope operations.
[0011] The telescope operation is completed by releasing the
adjusting lever 115, then changing the position of the tilt bolt
130 along the telescope slot 185 formed in the distance bracket
180, and then tightening the adjusting lever 115.
[0012] The tilt operation is completed by releasing the adjusting
lever 115, then changing the tilt bolt 130 along the tilt slot 110,
and then tightening the adjusting lever 115.
[0013] In the state in which the adjusting lever 115 is locked, the
upper tube 100 and the steering shaft 175 are fixed. When the
adjusting lever 115 is released, the upper tube 100 and the lower
tube 170 may be tilted in relation to a tilt center 160 or the
steering column may be extended or retracted axially by the cam
135.
[0014] Such a conventional steering column for a vehicle has a
problem in that a column bearing force and rigidity of the column
itself are poor since loads are concentrated to the tilt bracket
and the distance bracket that tighten the steering column with the
tilt bolt and the adjusting lever.
[0015] Specifically, there are problems in that since a connection
part between the upper tube and the tilt bracket fixed to the
vehicle body through the upper mounting bracket is fragile, the
rigidity of the column itself is reduced as compared to the column
bearing force so that the steering column may be deformed or
damaged by a torsional load produced when the driver operates the
steering wheel, and a substantial bending may occur in a vehicle
crash.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve
the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an
aspect of the present invention is to provide a steering column for
a vehicle which is configured to prevent loads transmitted to the
steering column from being concentrated to a part of the steering
column, to uniformize the distribution of operation force of an
adjusting lever, and to increase the rigidity of the entirety of
the steering column while maintaining the bearing forces of an
upper tube and a lower tube at the time of tightening and releasing
the adjusting lever for a tilt or telescope operation, so that the
steering column can be prevented from being deformed or damaged
when a driver operates a steering wheel.
[0017] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a steering column for a vehicle including: a hollow
lower tube configured to enclose a steering shaft; and an upper
tube fitted on the outer periphery of the lower tube, wherein the
upper tube is formed with a first slot that is slit axially, a
second slot that is slit circumferentially at the lower end of the
first slot, supporting parts protruding from the outer periphery of
the upper tube at the upper side of the second slot to be
diametrically opposed to each other, and one or more stress
dispersion parts formed on the outer periphery of the upper tube at
the axially upper side of the supporting parts to disperse
stresses.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a steering apparatus for a vehicle including: a
steering shaft connected to a steering wheel; and a steering column
coupled to the steering shaft and assembled to a vehicle body,
wherein the steering column includes: a hollow lower tube
configured to enclose a steering shaft; and an upper tube fitted on
the outer periphery of the lower tube, wherein the upper tube is
formed with a first slot that is slit axially, a second slot that
is slit circumferentially at the lower end of the first slot,
supporting parts protruding from the outer periphery of the upper
tube at the upper side of the second slot to be diametrically
opposed to each other, and one or more stress dispersion part
formed on the outer periphery of the upper tube at the axially
upper side of the supporting parts to disperse stresses.
[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to
prevent loads transmitted to the steering column from being
concentrated to a part of the steering column, to uniformize the
distribution of operation force of the adjusting lever, and to
increase the rigidity of the entirety of the steering column while
maintaining the bearing forces of the upper tube and the lower tube
at the time of tightening and releasing the adjusting lever for a
tilt or telescope operation, so that the steering column can be
prevented from being deformed or damaged when a driver operates a
steering wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part
of a conventional steering column for a vehicle;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a steering column
for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steering column of
FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the upper tube of
FIG. 2; and
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary
embodiment of the upper tube in the steering column of the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
the following description, the same elements will be designated by
the same reference numerals although they are shown in different
drawings. Further, in the following description of the present
invention, a detailed description of known functions and
configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make
the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.
[0027] In addition, terms, such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or
the like may be used herein when describing components of the
present invention. Each of these terminologies is not used to
define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component
but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from
other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in
the specification that one component is "connected," "coupled" or
"joined" to another component, a third component may be
"connected," "coupled," and "joined" between the first and second
components, although the first component may be directly connected,
coupled or joined to the second component.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a steering column
for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steering
column of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the
upper tube of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating
another exemplary embodiment of the upper tube in the steering
column of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] As illustrated in these drawings, a steering column 200 for
a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention includes: a hollow lower tube 203 configured to enclose a
steering shaft 175; and an upper tube 205 fitted on the outer
periphery of the lower tube 203, wherein the upper tube 205 is
formed with a first slot 207 that is slit axially, a second slot
209 that is slit circumferentially at the lower end of the first
slot 207, supporting parts 211 protruding from the outer periphery
of the upper tube 205 at the upper side of the second slot 209 to
be diametrically opposed to each other, and one or more stress
dispersion parts 213 formed on the outer periphery of the upper
tube 205 at the axially upper side of the supporting parts 211 to
disperse stresses.
[0030] In addition, a steering apparatus for a vehicle in
accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention includes: a steering shaft 175 connected to a steering
wheel; and a steering column 200 coupled to the steering shaft 175
and assembled to a vehicle body, wherein the steering column 200
includes: a hollow lower tube 203 configured to enclose a steering
shaft 175; and an upper tube 205 fitted on the outer periphery of
the lower tube 203, the upper tube 205 being formed with a first
slot 207 that is slit axially, a second slot 209 that is slit
circumferentially at the lower end of the first slot 207,
supporting parts 211 protruding from the outer periphery of the
upper tube 205 at the upper side of the second slot 209 to be
diametrically opposed to each other, and one or more stress
dispersion parts 213 formed on the outer periphery of the upper
tube 205 at the axially upper side of the supporting parts 211 to
disperse stresses.
[0031] The steering column 200 of a vehicle in accordance with the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured such
that the upper tube 205 is fitted on the outer periphery of the
lower tube 203, and each of the supporting parts 211 on the upper
tube 205 is formed with a telescope operation hole 211a for a
telescope operation, and a tilt bolt 230 is coupled to the
telescope operation holes 211a. When the adjusting lever 235 is
tightened or released, the supporting parts 211 of the upper tube
205 are contracted or relaxed in the diametrical direction
perpendicular to the steering shaft 175 to compress or release the
lower tube 203 so that the tilt or telescope function can be
implemented.
[0032] The lower tube 203 has a hollow shape to enclose the
steering shaft 175 and is fixed to the vehicle body via a lower
mounting bracket (see reference numeral 165 in FIG. 1). At the time
of implementing the tilt function, the lower tube 203 is rotated
about a hinge axle (see reference numeral 160 in FIG. 1) provided
in the lower mounting bracket, and at the time of implementing the
telescope function, the lower tube 203 serves as a guide to make
the upper tube 205 slide in the direction of the steering shaft 175
along the lower tube 203.
[0033] The hollow upper tube 205 is configured to be fitted on the
lower tube 203 in the direction of the steering shaft 175 fixed to
the vehicle body by the lower mounting bracket, and is formed with
the first slot 207 and the second slot 209 at its end where the
lower tube 203 is fitted. Therefore, the upper tube 205 can be
contracted or relaxed either in the circumferential direction or in
the diametrical direction at the time of implementing the tilt or
telescope operation.
[0034] The first slot 207 is formed by slitting the upper tube 205
in the axial direction of the upper tube 205, and the second slot
209 is formed in the circumferential direction at the lower end of
the first slot 207.
[0035] The supporting parts 211 are formed at the upper side of the
second slot 209 to protrude from the outer periphery of the upper
tube 205 and to be diametrically opposed to each other. For the
telescope operation, the supporting parts 211 are formed at the
circumferentially opposite sides of the first slot 207 to be
symmetric to each other so as to support the contracting movement
of the upper tube 205 when the adjusting lever 235 is
tightened.
[0036] Specifically, the supporting parts 211 have a predetermined
thickness and are formed to extend in the direction of the steering
shaft 175 on the outer periphery of the upper tube 205 and to be
diametrically opposed to each other at the opposite sides with
reference to the first slot 207, so that the supporting parts 211
may contract the first slot 207 at the opposite sides of the first
slot 207. The first slot 207 is formed as an elongated hole slit in
the direction of the steering shaft 175.
[0037] In addition, for the telescope operation, the supporting
parts 211 are respectively formed with the telescope operation
holes 211a that extend in the direction of the steering shaft 175,
so that the tilt bolt 230 extends through the telescope operation
holes 211a to allow the upper tube 205 to be slid at the time of
implementing the telescope operation.
[0038] Specifically, in order for the supporting parts 211 to
readily contract the upper tube 205 to compress the lower tube 203
when the driver releases the adjusting lever 235 to set the
steering column 200 to be suitable for the driver, and then
tightens again the adjusting lever 235, the supporting parts 211
are formed to protrude from the outer periphery of the upper tube
205 and to be diametrically opposed to each other.
[0039] To the supporting parts 211, the tilt bracket 220 is coupled
at the outer opposite sides of the supporting parts 211, and the
supporting parts 211 are restrained by the tilt bolt 230 extending
through the tilt bracket 220 and the telescope operation holes 211a
and the adjusting lever 235 in such a manner that when the
adjusting lever 235 is operated, the supporting parts 211 are
contracted or relaxed either circumferentially or diametrically to
enable the tilt or telescope function.
[0040] In addition, the stress dispersion part 213 is provided on
the outer periphery of the upper tube 205 at the axially upper side
of the supporting parts 211 to disperse stresses when the upper
tube 205 is contracted or relaxed. Therefore, the stress dispersion
part 213 allows the torsional loads, which are produced in the
steering column 200 when the steering wheel is operated by the
driver, to be dispersed while supplementing the rigidity of the
upper tube 205. Consequently, the rigidity of the entirety of the
steering column 200 will be increased.
[0041] Specifically, the supporting parts 211 of the upper tube 205
are fixed to the vehicle body via the tilt bracket 220 and the
upper mounting bracket 225. Therefore, when the driver operates the
steering wheel, torsional loads are intensely produced at the upper
and lower ends of the first slot 207 due to the contraction and
relaxation movements of the supporting parts 211. However, since
the stress dispersion part 213 is provided, the torsional loads are
evenly dispersed and absorbed over the outer periphery of the upper
tube 205.
[0042] In addition, the second slot 209 formed by slitting the
upper tube 205 in the circumferential direction is provided at a
boundary area between the outer periphery of the upper tube 205 and
the lower ends of the supporting parts 211. Therefore, when
torsional loads are transmitted to the steering column 200 or the
adjusting lever 235 is operated for the tilt or telescope
operation, the transmitted loads are prevented from being
concentrated to a part of the steering column 200, and the
distribution of the operating force of the adjusting lever 235 is
uniformized.
[0043] That is, since the operation force of the adjusting lever
235 is uniformly produced, which in the prior art, has been largely
variably produced depending on the position of the tilt bolt 230 in
the telescope operation holes 211a at the time of telescope
operation, convenient and reliable feelings are provided to the
driver.
[0044] The second slot 209 also facilitates the circumferential or
diametrical contraction of the supporting parts 211 when the
adjusting lever 235 is tightened. Further, the first slot 207 and
the second slot 209 are formed to communicate with each other and
the lower end of the first slot 207 is formed to communicate with
the center of the second slot 209, so as to further facilitate the
contraction and relaxation movements of the supporting parts
211.
[0045] It is possible to provide one or more stress dispersion
parts 213 on the outer periphery of the upper tube 205 at the upper
side of the supporting parts 211. In which case, as illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 4, the stress dispersion parts 213 may be formed to
communicate with the first slot 207 and to extend in the
circumferential direction, and may be formed at the
circumferentially opposite sides of the first slot 207 to be
symmetrical to each other.
[0046] In addition, the stress dispersion parts 213 may be formed
at the boundary area between the upper ends of the supporting parts
211 and the outer periphery of the upper tube 205. If the stress
dispersion parts 213 are formed at an area where the outer
periphery of the upper tube 205 borders the upper ends of the
supporting parts 211, the stress dispersion parts 213 and the
second slot 209 are provided at the upper side and lower side of
the supporting parts 211, respectively. As a result, the
circumferential or diametrical contraction and relaxation movements
of the supporting parts 211 can be further facilitated, and the
distribution of the operation force of the adjusting lever 235 can
be uniformized. Furthermore, the torsional loads intensely produced
at the upper side and lower ends of the first slot 207 can be
uniformly dispersed.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the stress dispersion parts 213
may be formed by through-holes to be axially or diametrically
spaced from the first slot 207, for example, adjacent to the upper
end of the first slot 207.
[0048] In addition, the stress dispersion parts 213 may be formed
at positions which form a predetermined angle from the upper end of
the first slot in relation to the upper side axial direction, for
example in the range of about 20.degree. to 80.degree..
[0049] The stress dispersion parts 213, each of which is formed in
a through-hole shape, may be formed at circumferentially opposed
and symmetric positions with reference to the first slot 207 so
that the torsional load intensely produced at the upper end of the
first slot 207 can be further evenly dispersed and absorbed.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, such a steering column 200 may
constitute a steering apparatus for a vehicle that includes a
steering shaft 175 connected to a steering wheel, and a steering
column 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention which is coupled to the steering shaft 175 and
assembled to a vehicle body.
[0051] Since the steering column 200 has been described in detail
above, it will not be further described below.
[0052] In accordance with the inventive steering column for a
vehicle and a steering apparatus having the same which are
configured as described above, it is possible to prevent loads
transmitted to the steering column from being concentrated to a
part of the steering column, to uniformize the distribution of
operation force of the adjusting lever, and to increase the
rigidity of the entirety of the steering column while maintaining
the bearing forces of the upper tube and the lower tube at the time
of tightening and releasing the adjusting lever for a tilt or
telescope operation, so that the steering column can be prevented
from being deformed or damaged when a driver operates a steering
wheel.
[0053] Even if it was described above that all of the components of
an embodiment of the present invention are coupled as a single unit
or coupled to be operated as a single unit, the present invention
is not necessarily limited to such an embodiment. That is, among
the components, one or more components may be selectively coupled
to be operated as one or more units.
[0054] In addition, since terms, such as "including," "comprising,"
and "having" mean that one or more corresponding components may
exist unless they are specifically described to the contrary, it
shall be construed that one or more other components can be
included. All of the terminologies containing one or more technical
or scientific terminologies have the same meanings that persons
skilled in the art understand ordinarily unless they are not
defined otherwise. A term ordinarily used like that defined by a
dictionary shall be construed that it has a meaning equal to that
in the context of a related description, and shall not be construed
in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless it is clearly
defined in the present specification.
[0055] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are
intended to illustrate the scope of the technical idea of the
present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not
limited by the embodiment. The scope of the present invention shall
be construed on the basis of the accompanying claims in such a
manner that all of the technical ideas included within the scope
equivalent to the claims belong to the present invention.
* * * * *