U.S. patent application number 16/863230 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-13 for collapsible steering column assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to ERAE AMS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is ERAE AMS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Duck Moo JUNG, Jae Won JUNG, Se Hun JUNG, Young Kwang KIM, Hwan Gong MOON, Moo Young PARK, Ho Cheol SON.
Application Number | 20200255052 16/863230 |
Document ID | 20200255052 / US20200255052 |
Family ID | 1000004799877 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-13 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
United States Patent
Application |
20200255052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Young Kwang ; et
al. |
August 13, 2020 |
COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A collapsible steering column assembly includes: a mounting
bracket having a pair of arms and is configured to be fixed to a
vehicle body; a supporting housing which is disposed between the
pair of arms to be tiltable about the mounting bracket; a steering
column which passes through the supporting housing so as to be able
to undergo a tilt motion together with the supporting housing; and
a locking device which is configured to be in a locking state or an
unlocking state to selectively allow a telescopic motion and a tilt
motion of the steering column by selectively applying clamping
force to the pair of arms. The steering column comprises an outer
jacket and an inner jacket which is slidably inserted into the
outer jacket. The inner jacket is configured to slide in the
supporting housing together with the outer jacket during a
telescopic motion of the steering column in the unlocking state of
the locking device, and the inner jacket is configured to be able
to be collapsed into the outer jacket when impact is applied to the
steering column in the locking state of the locking device. The
locking device is configured to selectively allow movement of the
outer jacket in a direction of the telescopic motion through teeth
coupling which is selectively engaged or disengaged depending on
the locking state and the unlocking state. It is configured that
clearance exists between two teeth of the teeth coupling such that
the outer jacket is able to move by a predetermined length in a
direction of the telescopic motion in the locking state.
Inventors: |
KIM; Young Kwang; (Daegu,
KR) ; JUNG; Duck Moo; (Daegu, KR) ; SON; Ho
Cheol; (Daegu, KR) ; JUNG; Jae Won; (Daegu,
KR) ; MOON; Hwan Gong; (Daegu, KR) ; PARK; Moo
Young; (Daegu, KR) ; JUNG; Se Hun; (Daegu,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ERAE AMS CO., LTD. |
Daegu |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
ERAE AMS CO., LTD.
Daegu
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000004799877 |
Appl. No.: |
16/863230 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/KR2018/012896 |
Oct 29, 2018 |
|
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16863230 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 1/192 20130101;
B62D 1/187 20130101; B62D 1/184 20130101; B62D 1/185 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 1/19 20060101
B62D001/19; B62D 1/184 20060101 B62D001/184; B62D 1/185 20060101
B62D001/185; B62D 1/187 20060101 B62D001/187 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0143576 |
Claims
1. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising: a mounting
bracket having a pair of arms and is configured to be fixed to a
vehicle body; a supporting housing which is disposed between the
pair of arms to be tiltable about the mounting bracket; a steering
column which passes through the supporting housing so as to be able
to undergo a tilt motion together with the supporting housing; and
a locking device which is configured to be in a locking state or an
unlocking state to selectively allow a telescopic motion and a tilt
motion of the steering column by selectively applying clamping
force to the pair of arms, wherein the steering column comprises an
outer jacket and an inner jacket which is slidably inserted into
the outer jacket, wherein the inner jacket is configured to slide
in the supporting housing together with the outer jacket during a
telescopic motion of the steering column in the unlocking state of
the locking device, wherein the inner jacket is configured to be
able to be collapsed into the outer jacket when impact is applied
to the steering column in the locking state of the locking device,
wherein the locking device is configured to selectively allow
movement of the outer jacket in a direction of the telescopic
motion through teeth coupling which is selectively engaged or
disengaged depending on the locking state and the unlocking state,
and wherein it is configured that clearance exists between two
teeth of the teeth coupling such that the outer jacket is able to
move by a predetermined length in a direction of the telescopic
motion in the locking state.
2. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein the
locking device comprises: a lever which is able to rotate between a
locking position and an unlocking position; a tilting bolt which is
connected to the lever to rotate together with the lever; a cam
member which is configured to be able to apply clamping force to
the pair of arms in response to rotation of the tilting bolt; a
rotating member which is connected to the tilting bolt to rotate
together with the tilting bolt; a locking member which is
configured to rotate a locking position and an unlocking position
by rotation of the rotating member; and a biasing member which
provides force to bias the locking member to the locking
position.
3. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 2, wherein the
cam member comprises: a first cam member which is connected to the
tilting bolt; and a second cam member which is connected to the
first cam member via cam coupling and is supported against an outer
surface of the arm of the mounting bracket.
4. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 2, wherein the
outer jacket has a first locking teeth consisting of the teeth
coupling, and wherein the rotating member comprises: a body portion
which is connected to the tilting bolt; a pair of legs which are
protruded from both ends of the body portion; and a driving rod
which connects the pair of legs, and wherein the locking member
comprises: a slot into which the driving rod is inserted; and a
second locking teeth which is configured to be able to be
selectively engaged with the first locking teeth.
5. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 4, wherein the
first locking teeth and the second locking teeth are configured to
have clearance therebetween so as not to collide with one another
when the rotating member rotates about a longitudinal axis of the
tilt blot in a state before the steering column is collapsed.
6. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein the
steering column further comprises a tolerance ring which is
interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket, and
wherein a telescopic motion that the inner jacket and the outer
jacket slide together and collapse of the inner jacket into the
outer jacket are realized through the tolerance ring.
7. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising: a mounting
bracket having a pair of arms and is configured to be able to be
fixed to a vehicle body; a supporting housing which is disposed
between the pair of arms to be tiltable about the mounting bracket;
a steering column which passes through the supporting housing so as
to be able to undergo a tilt motion together with the supporting
housing; and a locking device which is configured to be a locking
state or an unlocking state to selectively allow a telescopic
motion and a tilt motion of the steering column by selectively
applying clamping force to the pair of arms, wherein the steering
column comprises an outer jacket and an inner jacket which is
partially inserted into the outer jacket so as to be able to slide
in a direction of a telescopic motion together with the outer
jacket in the unlocking state of the locking device and so as to be
able to be collapsed into the outer jacket when impact is applied
in the locking state of the locking device, and wherein the locking
device is configured such that movement of the outer jacket is
blocked after moving by a predetermined length in a direction of
the telescopic motion when impact is applied in the locking
state.
8. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 7, wherein the
locking device is configured to selectively block movement of the
outer jacket in the locking state via teeth coupling between a pair
of locking teeth which are selectively engaged or disengaged
depending on the locking state and the unlocking state, and wherein
movement of the outer jacket in a direction of the telescopic
motion in the locking state is realized by a clearance between the
pair of locking teeth.
9. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 8, wherein the
locking device comprises: a lever which is able to rotate between a
locking position and an unlocking position; a tilting bolt which is
connected to the lever to rotate together with the lever; a cam
member which is configured to be able to apply clamping force to
the pair of arms in response to rotation of the tilting bolt; a
rotating member which is connected to the tilting bolt to rotate
together with the tilting bolt; a locking member which is
configured to rotate a locking position and an unlocking position
by rotation of the rotating member; and a biasing member which
provides force to bias the locking member to the locking
position.
10. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 9, wherein
the outer jacket has a first locking teeth consisting of the teeth
coupling, and wherein the rotating member comprises: a body portion
which is connected to the tilting bolt; a pair of legs which are
protruded from both ends of the body portion; and a driving rod
which connects the pair of legs, and wherein the locking member
comprises: a slot into which the driving rod is inserted; and a
second locking teeth which is configured to be able to be
selectively engaged with the first locking teeth.
11. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 10, wherein
the first locking teeth and the second locking teeth are configured
to have clearance therebetween so as not to collide with one
another when the rotating member rotates about a longitudinal axis
of the tilt blot in a state before the steering column is
collapsed.
12. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 7, wherein
the steering column further comprises a tolerance ring which is
interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket, and
wherein collapse of the inner jacket into the outer jacket is
realized through the tolerance ring.
13. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising: a mounting
bracket having a pair of arms and is configured to be able to be
fixed to a vehicle body; a supporting housing which is disposed
between the pair of arms to be tiltable about the mounting bracket;
a steering column which passes through the supporting housing so as
to be able to undergo a tilt motion together with the supporting
housing; and a locking device which is configured to be a locking
state or an unlocking state to selectively allow a telescopic
motion and a tilt motion of the steering column by selectively
applying clamping force to the pair of arms, wherein the steering
column comprises an outer jacket and an inner jacket which is
partially inserted into the outer jacket so as to be able to slide
in a direction of a telescopic motion together with the outer
jacket in the unlocking state of the locking device and so as to be
able to be collapsed into the outer jacket when impact is applied
in the locking state of the locking device, wherein the locking
device is configured to selectively block movement of the outer
jacket in a direction of the telescopic motion in collapse of the
inner jacket by impact in the locking state through selective
engagement of a pair of locking teeth, wherein the pair of locking
teeth comprises a first locking teeth provided to the outer jacket
and a second locking teeth which is rotatable to be able to be
selectively engaged with the first locking teeth depending on the
locking state and the unlocking state of the locking device, and
wherein a clearance which makes the second locking teeth not
collide with the first locking teeth while the second locking teeth
rotates for a conversion from the locking state to the unlocking
state exists between the first locking teeth and the second locking
teeth.
14. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 13, wherein
the locking device comprises: a lever which is able to rotate
between a locking position and an unlocking position; a tilting
bolt which is connected to the lever to rotate together with the
lever; a cam member which is configured to be able to apply
clamping force to the pair of arms in response to rotation of the
tilting bolt; a rotating member which is connected to the tilting
bolt to rotate together with the tilting bolt; a locking member
which is configured to rotate a locking position and an unlocking
position by rotation of the rotating member; and a biasing member
which provides force to bias the locking member to the locking
position.
15. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 14, wherein
the rotating member comprises: a body portion which is connected to
the tilting bolt; a pair of legs which are protruded from both ends
of the body portion; and a driving rod which connects the pair of
legs, wherein the locking member comprises a slot into which the
driving rod is inserted, and wherein the first locking teeth is
provided to the outer jacket and the second locking teeth is
provided to the locking member.
16. The collapsible steering column assembly of claim 13, wherein
the steering column further comprises a tolerance ring which is
interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket, and
wherein a telescopic motion that the inner jacket and the outer
jacket slide together and collapse of the inner jacket into the
outer jacket are realized through the tolerance ring.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a collapsible steering
column assembly which can be collapsed in the event of collision
with an energy absorption function.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A steering column assembly is an apparatus which is
connected to a steering wheel to steer in response to a
manipulation of a driver. A steering column assembly is generally
configured to allow a tilt motion and a telescopic motion for a
convenience of a driver. A tilt motion regulates an angular
position of a steering wheel, and the telescopic motion regulates a
longitudinal position of a steering column. Also, a locking device
is provided which selectively allows the tilt motion and the
telescopic motion. The tilt motion and the telescopic motion are
restricted so as to maintain a position of the steering wheel when
the locking device is in a locking state, and the tilt motion and
the telescopic motion are allowed when the locking device is in an
unlocking state.
[0003] A steering column assembly may be configured to be able to
be collapsed while absorbing impact energy at the time of impact
such a moment of vehicle collision. That is, when a driver crashes
into a steering wheel, an inner jacket of a steering column moves
into an outer jacket by impact force so that a steering column is
collapsed, and during this process impact energy is absorbed. A
steering column having this function is generally called a
collapsible steering column.
[0004] In order to realize such an energy absorption function,
various methods such as a method of interposing a tolerance ring
between an inner jacket and an outer jacket, a method of using an
energy absorption strap, a method of using deformation of locking
teeth or the like have been introduced.
[0005] Such a collapsible steering column has corresponding two
locking teeth for fixing an outer jacket and rotation of one of the
two locking teeth occurs in a conversion between a locking state
and an unlocking state, and in such a rotation there is a problem
in that collision between the two locking teeth may cause noise and
abnormal feeling. Also, since impact is applied in a state that two
locking teeth are engaged with one another, there is a problem in
that impart energy cannot be effectively absorbed at an early stage
of collapse.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,822 (Date of patent: Feb. 19, 2013)
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 8,403,364 (Date of patent: Mar. 26, 2013)
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,168 (Date of patent: Aug. 6, 2013)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide
a collapsible steering column assembly in which noise and abnormal
manipulation feeling can be removed and stable impact absorption in
collapse of a steering column can be secured.
Technical Solution
[0010] A collapsible steering column assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention includes: a mounting bracket
having a pair of arms and is configured to be fixed to a vehicle
body; a supporting housing which is disposed between the pair of
arms to be tiltable about the mounting bracket; a steering column
which passes through the supporting housing so as to be able to
undergo a tilt motion together with the supporting housing; and a
locking device which is configured to be in a locking state or an
unlocking state to selectively allow a telescopic motion and a tilt
motion of the steering column by selectively applying clamping
force to the pair of arms. The steering column comprises an outer
jacket and an inner jacket which is slidably inserted into the
outer jacket. The inner jacket is configured to slide in the
supporting housing together with the outer jacket during a
telescopic motion of the steering column in the unlocking state of
the locking device, and the inner jacket is configured to be able
to be collapsed into the outer jacket when impact is applied to the
steering column in the locking state of the locking device. The
locking device is configured to selectively allow movement of the
outer jacket in a direction of the telescopic motion through teeth
coupling which is selectively engaged or disengaged depending on
the locking state and the unlocking state. It is configured that
clearance exists between two teeth of the teeth coupling such that
the outer jacket is able to move by a predetermined length in a
direction of the telescopic motion in the locking state.
[0011] The locking device may include: a lever which is able to
rotate between a locking position and an unlocking position; a
tilting bolt which is connected to the lever to rotate together
with the lever; a cam member which is configured to be able to
apply clamping force to the pair of arms in response to rotation of
the tilting bolt; a rotating member which is connected to the
tilting bolt to rotate together with the tilting bolt; a locking
member which is configured to rotate a locking position and an
unlocking position by rotation of the rotating member; and a
biasing member which provides force to bias the locking member to
the locking position.
[0012] The cam member may include: a first cam member which is
connected to the tilting bolt; and a second cam member which is
connected to the first cam member via cam coupling and is supported
against an outer surface of the arm of the mounting bracket.
[0013] The outer jacket may have a first locking teeth consisting
of the teeth coupling. The rotating member may include: a body
portion which is connected to the tilting bolt; a pair of legs
which are protruded from both ends of the body portion; and a
driving rod which connects the pair of legs. The locking member may
include: a slot into which the driving rod is inserted; and a
second locking teeth which is configured to be able to be
selectively engaged with the first locking teeth.
[0014] The first locking teeth and the second locking teeth are
configured to have clearance therebetween so as not to collide with
one another when the rotating member rotates about a longitudinal
axis of the tilt blot in a state before the steering column is
collapsed.
[0015] The steering column further may include a tolerance ring
which is interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket,
and wherein a telescopic motion that the inner jacket and the outer
jacket slide together and collapse of the inner jacket into the
outer jacket are realized through the tolerance ring.
[0016] A collapsible steering column assembly according to another
embodiment of the present invention includes: a mounting bracket
having a pair of arms and is configured to be able to be fixed to a
vehicle body; a supporting housing which is disposed between the
pair of arms to be tiltable about the mounting bracket; a steering
column which passes through the supporting housing so as to be able
to undergo a tilt motion together with the supporting housing; and
a locking device which is configured to be a locking state or an
unlocking state to selectively allow a telescopic motion and a tilt
motion of the steering column by selectively applying clamping
force to the pair of arms. The steering column includes an outer
jacket and an inner jacket which is partially inserted into the
outer jacket so as to be able to slide in a direction of a
telescopic motion together with the outer jacket in the unlocking
state of the locking device and so as to be able to be collapsed
into the outer jacket when impact is applied in the locking state
of the locking device, and the locking device is configured such
that movement of the outer jacket is blocked after moving by a
predetermined length in a direction of the telescopic motion when
impact is applied in the locking state.
[0017] The locking device may be configured to selectively block
movement of the outer jacket in the locking state via teeth
coupling between a pair of locking teeth which are selectively
engaged or disengaged depending on the locking state and the
unlocking state, and movement of the outer jacket in a direction of
the telescopic motion in the locking state may be realized by a
clearance between the pair of locking teeth.
[0018] The locking device may include: a lever which is able to
rotate between a locking position and an unlocking position; a
tilting bolt which is connected to the lever to rotate together
with the lever; a cam member which is configured to be able to
apply clamping force to the pair of arms in response to rotation of
the tilting bolt; a rotating member which is connected to the
tilting bolt to rotate together with the tilting bolt; a locking
member which is configured to rotate a locking position and an
unlocking position by rotation of the rotating member; and a
biasing member which provides force to bias the locking member to
the locking position.
[0019] The outer jacket may have a first locking teeth consisting
of the teeth coupling. The rotating member may include: a body
portion which is connected to the tilting bolt; a pair of legs
which are protruded from both ends of the body portion; and a
driving rod which connects the pair of legs. The locking member may
include: a slot into which the driving rod is inserted; and a
second locking teeth which is configured to be able to be
selectively engaged with the first locking teeth.
[0020] The first locking teeth and the second locking teeth may be
configured to have clearance therebetween so as not to collide with
one another when the rotating member rotates about a longitudinal
axis of the tilt blot in a state before the steering column is
collapsed.
[0021] The steering column may further include a tolerance ring
which is interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket,
and collapse of the inner jacket into the outer jacket may be
realized through the tolerance ring.
[0022] A collapsible steering column assembly according to another
embodiment of the present invention includes: a mounting bracket
having a pair of arms and is configured to be able to be fixed to a
vehicle body; a supporting housing which is disposed between the
pair of arms to be tiltable about the mounting bracket; a steering
column which passes through the supporting housing so as to be able
to undergo a tilt motion together with the supporting housing; and
a locking device which is configured to be a locking state or an
unlocking state to selectively allow a telescopic motion and a tilt
motion of the steering column by selectively applying clamping
force to the pair of arms. The steering column comprises an outer
jacket and an inner jacket which is partially inserted into the
outer jacket so as to be able to slide in a direction of a
telescopic motion together with the outer jacket in the unlocking
state of the locking device and so as to be able to be collapsed
into the outer jacket when impact is applied in the locking state
of the locking device, and the locking device is configured to
selectively block movement of the outer jacket in a direction of
the telescopic motion in collapse of the inner jacket by impact in
the locking state through selective engagement of a pair of locking
teeth. The pair of locking teeth comprises a first locking teeth
provided to the outer jacket and a second locking teeth which is
rotatable to be able to be selectively engaged with the first
locking teeth depending on the locking state and the unlocking
state of the locking device. A clearance which makes the second
locking teeth not collide with the first locking teeth while the
second locking teeth rotates for a conversion from the locking
state to the unlocking state exists between the first locking teeth
and the second locking teeth.
[0023] The locking device may include: a lever which is able to
rotate between a locking position and an unlocking position; a
tilting bolt which is connected to the lever to rotate together
with the lever; a cam member which is configured to be able to
apply clamping force to the pair of arms in response to rotation of
the tilting bolt; a rotating member which is connected to the
tilting bolt to rotate together with the tilting bolt; a locking
member which is configured to rotate a locking position and an
unlocking position by rotation of the rotating member; and a
biasing member which provides force to bias the locking member to
the locking position.
[0024] The rotating member may include: a body portion which is
connected to the tilting bolt; a pair of legs which are protruded
from both ends of the body portion; and a driving rod which
connects the pair of legs. The locking member may have a slot into
which the driving rod is inserted, and the first locking teeth may
be provided to the outer jacket and the second locking teeth is
provided to the locking member.
[0025] The steering column may further include a tolerance ring
which is interposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket,
and a telescopic motion that the inner jacket and the outer jacket
slide together and collapse of the inner jacket into the outer
jacket may be realized through the tolerance ring.
Advantageous Effects
[0026] According to the present invention, since there is a
clearance between locking teeth of a locking device, noise and
abnormal manipulation feeling generated by a collision of locking
teeth can be prevented and stable impact absorption in collapse of
a steering column can be secured.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible steering
column assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a locking state of a telescopic motion in
a collapsible steering column assembly according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an unlocking state of a telescopic motion
in a collapsible steering column assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates locking teeth of a locking device of a
collapsible steering column assembly according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which an outer jacket has been
moved by impact from the state shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a collapsible steering
column assembly includes a steering column 10. The steering column
10 may include an inner jacket 11 and an outer jacket 12. One end
portion of the inner jacket 11 is inserted into the outer jacket 12
to be movable in a longitudinal direction. At this time, a steering
wheel (not shown) may be coupled to an end of a steering column,
and steering shafts 13 and 14 which are connected to one another to
be relatively movable relative to one another may be connected to
the inner jacket 11 and the outer jacket 12. When impact force
which may cause collapse of a steering column is applied to the
steering wheel, the inner jacket 11 may be pushed to move into the
outer jacket 12 with the steering shaft 13 so that collapse of the
steering column occurs, and during this process energy absorption
occurs. This will be again described later.
[0036] At this time, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 1, the steering
column 10 may be configured to be able to move in a telescopic
direction 15 and to be able to tilt in a tilt direction 16.
[0037] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the collapsible
steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket 20. The
mounting bracket 20 may be configured to be fixed to a vehicle body
and may have a pair of arms 21 which face one another. The arms 21
are formed to be elastically deformed in a direction toward one
another when external force (clamping force) is applied
thereto.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the collapsible steering
column assembly includes a supporting housing 22 which is tiltably
connected to the mounting bracket 20. For example, the supporting
housing 22 may be connected to the mounting bracket 20 via a tilt
shaft 24 to be tiltable. At this time, a tilt direction of the
supporting housing 22 may be the same with the tilt direction 16 of
the steering column 10. The supporting housing 22 may be a
receiving space of a cylindrical shape which is elongated in a
longitudinal direction, the steering column 10 may be slidably
disposed in the receiving space. A telescopic motion of the
steering column 10 may occur by sliding of the steering column 10
within the supporting housing 22, and a tilt motion of the steering
column 10 may occur by tilting of the steering column 10 with the
supporting housing 22. That is, the steering column 10 may be
inserted into the supporting housing 22 to be able to undergo a
telescopic motion via a relative movement to the supporting housing
22 and a tilt motion via a tilting movement together with the
supporting housing 22.
[0039] The supporting housing 22 may include a pair of legs 23
which are formed to be able to face the pair of arms 21 of the
mounting bracket 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of legs 23 of the
supporting housing 22 may be spaced from one another while
respectively contacting inner surfaces of the pair of arms 21 of
the mounting bracket 20.
[0040] A biasing member 25 for preventing the supporting housing 22
and the steering column 10 which is supported thereto from falling
down may be provided. The biasing member 25 may be a coil spring
having an elastic resilient force, and one end thereof may be
connected to the mounting bracket 20 and the other end thereof may
be connected to the supporting housing 22.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the inner jacket 11 and the
outer jacket 12 may pass between the pair of arms 21 of the
mounting bracket 20 while passing through the supporting housing
22.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the collapsible steering
column assembly includes a locking device 30 which operates to
selectively block or allow a telescopic motion and a tilt motion.
The locking device 30 may selectively be in a locking position or
an unlocking position, and a telescopic motion and a tilt motion
are blocked in the locking position and are allowed in the
unlocking position. The locking device 30 is configured to
selectively apply clamping force to the pair of arms 21 of the
mounting bracket 20 so as to operate to selectively allow the
telescopic motion and the tilt motion.
[0043] The locking device 30 may include a lever 31 which can
rotate between a locking position and an unlocking position and a
tilting bolt 32 which is connected to the lever 31 so as to rotate
together with the lever 31. The lever 31 may be formed to be
rotated by a driver's hand, and the tilting bolt 32 may pass
through the pair of arms 21 of the mounting bracket 20 and the pair
of legs 23 of the supporting housing 22. The tilting bolt 32
defines a longitudinal axis passing across the pair of arms 21 of
the mounting bracket 20 and the pair of legs 23 of the supporting
housing 22, and is configured to be able to rotate about this
longitudinal axis. At this time, both end portions of the tilting
bolt 32 are jutted out from outer side of the first and the second
arms 21 of the mounting bracket 20, and the lever 31 may be
connected to one end portion and a fixing nut 33 may be connected
to the other end portion. Under these configurations, the tilting
bolt 32 can rotate about its longitudinal axis by the rotation of
the lever 31.
[0044] The locking device 30 may include cam members 34 and 35
which are respectively disposed between the arm 21 of the mounting
bracket 20 and the lever 31 and between the mounting bracket 20 and
the fixing nut 33. The outer cam member 34 may be connected to the
tilting bolt 32 to rotate together with the tilting bolt 32, and
the inner cam member 35 may be connected to the tilting bolt 32 to
be able to move in a longitudinal axis thereof. The outer cam
member 34 and the inner cam member 35 have cam surfaces
respectively, and if the tilting bolt 32 rotates to the locking
position, the inner cam member 35 is pushed by the outer cam member
34 to move toward the arm 21 of the mounting bracket 20. That is,
when the locking device 30 is in the locking state, the arm 21 of
the mounting bracket 20 and the leg 23 of the supporting housing 22
are pressurized by clamping force of the cam member 35 to be
contracted inwardly, and accordingly the outer jacket 12 and the
inner jacket 11 are sequentially pressurized so that the telescopic
motion and the tilt motion can be blocked. That is, the arms 21 of
the mounting bracket 20 is inwardly contracted by the clamping
force in the locking state so as to pressurize the legs 23 and
accordingly the legs 23 of the supporting housing 22 are also
inwardly contracted to tightly contact an outer surface of the
outer jacket 12. Thereby, a telescopic movement of the outer jacket
12 within the supporting housing 22 so that a telescopic motion of
the steering column 10 is blocked, and a tilt of the supporting
housing 22 is also blocked so that a tilt motion of the steering
column 10 is also blocked.
[0045] A return spring 36 for assisting returning of the pair of
legs 23 of the supporting housing 22 to their original position
during the conversion from the locking state to the unlocking state
may be provided. The return spring 36 may be set to elastically
outwardly support the pair of legs 23.
[0046] The locking device 30 may further include a structure for
selectively blocking movement of the outer jacket 12 in a
telescopic direction. For this, the locking device 30 may include a
rotating member 37 which is connected to the tilting bolt 32 so as
to rotate with the tilting bolt 32 about a longitudinal axis of the
tilting bolt 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating member 37 may be
disposed between the pair of arms 21 of the mounting bracket 20.
The rotating member 37 may include a body portion 38 which is
elongated along a longitudinal axis of the tilting bolt 32 and
through which the tilting bolt 32 passes, a first and a second legs
39 which are protruded from both ends of the body portion 38 and a
driving rod 40 which connects the two legs 39.
[0047] Also, the locking device 30 may include a locking member 41
for a locking function. The locking member 41 is configured to be
operated by the rotating member 37 and is disposed between the pair
of arms 21 of the mounting bracket 20 in the vicinity of the
rotating member 37. The locking member 41 is rotatably connected to
a connecting rod 42 which is connected respectively to the pair of
legs 23 of the supporting housing 22. Referring to FIG. 5, the
locking member 41 may have a slot 43 into which the driving rod 40
of the rotating member 37 is inserted, and the slot 43 may be
formed to be larger than the driving rod 40. If the rotating member
37 rotates in a clock wise in FIG. 3 about the tilting bolt 32 by
the rotation of the lever 31, the locking member 41 rotates in a
counter-clock wise in FIG. 3 about the connecting rod 42 by the
driving rod 40.
[0048] Locking teeth (first locking teeth) 45 are formed on an
outer surface of the outer jacket 12, and correspondingly the
locking member 41 has locking teeth (second locking teeth) 44. If
the locking teeth 44 of the locking member 41 and the locking teeth
45 of the outer jacket 12 are engaged with one another, movement of
the outer jacket 12 along a longitudinal direction is blocked, and
if two teeth 44 and 45 are disengaged, the blocking of the movement
of the outer jacket 12 in a longitudinal direction is removed.
[0049] The locking device 30 may include a biasing member 46 which
provides a biasing force to urge the locking member 41 to be in the
locking state. For example, the biasing member 46 may be formed of
material having an elastic resilient force, and the biasing member
46 provides a biasing force by elastically supporting the locking
member 41 to be in the locking position by an elastic resilient
force as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.
[0050] A tolerance ring 50 may be interposed between the inner
jacket 11 and the outer jacket 12. The tolerance ring 50 is
disposed to contact the outer circumferential surface of the inner
jacket 11 and an inner circumferential surface of the outer jacket
12 to generate friction force therebetween which urges the inner
jacket 11 and the outer jacket 12 to move together during a
telescopic motion. Meanwhile, during the collapse of the steering
column, the tolerance ring 50 performs an energy absorption
function while allowing the inner jacket 11 to move into the outer
jacket 12. For example, when external impact is applied to the
steering column, energy absorption occurs while the tolerance ring
50 deforms or an outer surface of the inner jacket 11 and/or an
inner surface of the outer jacket 12 is damaged, and during this
process the inner jacket 11 is further inserted into the outer
jacket 12 so that the steering column is collapsed.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, locking function by teeth
engagement of the locking device 30 will be described in more
detail. FIG. 4 shows the locking state by teeth engagement, and
FIG. 5 shows the unlocking state by teeth disengagement. Referring
to FIG. 4, when the lever 31 is in the locking position, the
rotating member 37 and the locking member 41 are in the locking
position shown in FIG. 4 and thereby the locking teeth 44 of the
locking member 41 and the locking teeth 45 of the lower jacket 12
are engaged with one another so that a movement of the outer jacket
12 is blocked. That is, in the locking state of the locking device
30, since the locking teeth 45 and the locking teeth 44 are engaged
with one another, a movement of the outer jacket 12 in a telescopic
direction is additionally blocked in addition to the locking of the
telescopic motion by the clamping force of the locking device in
the locking state. Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, when the lever
31 is rotated to the unlocking position, the rotating member 37
rotates about the tilting bolt 32 to raise the locking member 41
and thus the locking teeth 44 of the locking member 41 is
disengaged from the locking teeth 44 of the outer jacket 12 so that
a telescopic movement of the outer jacket 12 is allowed.
[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is
configured that a clearance exists between the first and the second
locking teeth 45 and 44 of the locking device 30. For example, as
shown in FIG. 6, a clearance d1 in a collapsing direction and a
clearance d2 in a direction approximately perpendicular to this may
exist between the first and the second locking teeth 45 and 44. Due
to such clearance, when the locking device 30 is in the locking
state, i.e., the state shown in FIG. 6, the first and the second
locking teeth 45 and 44 contact each other as shown in FIG. 7 after
the outer jacket 12 moves by a predetermined distance (distance
determined depending on the clearance). That is, if impact which
can overcome the clamping force of the locking device 30 in the
locking state shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the steering column,
the outer jacket 12 moves in a direction of an arrow in FIG. 7
while only overcoming the clamping force until the clearance
between the first and the second locking teeth 45 and 44 is
disappeared. Then, from the state shown in FIG. 7, a further
movement of the outer jacket 12 is blocked by the contact of the
first and the second locking teeth 45 and 44, and in this state the
inner jacket 11 is collapsed into the outer jacket 12. According to
an embodiment of the present invention, when impact is applied in
the locking state of the locking device 30, impact force is not
applied to a portion where the clamping force of the locking device
and to the teeth engagement of the locking teeth at the same time,
but a portion where the clamping force is acted absorbs the impact
until the clearance between the locking teeth 45 and 44 is
disappeared, and then the impact force is acted to the locking
teeth 45 and 44 only after the clearance disappears. Due to this
configuration, more stable impact absorption can be obtained during
the collapse of the steering column by impart in the locking state
of the locking device.
[0053] The clearance between the first and the second locking teeth
45 and 44 may prevent noise or abnormal manipulation feeling which
may be caused by collision between the locking teeth which may
occur during the conversion from the locking state to the unlocking
state. That is, the two locking teeth may collide with one another
so as to generate noise or abnormal manipulation feeling if there
is no clearance between the two locking teeth, but in an embodiment
of the present invention due to the clearance between the locking
teeth, a collision of the second locking teeth 44 to the first
locking teeth 45 can be prevented when the second locking teeth 44
rotates for the conversion from the locking state to the unlocking
state. For this, referring to FIG. 6, it is configured such that
rotation locus of respective ends of the second locking teeth 44
are positioned at the outside of the first locking teeth 45 when
the locking member 41 rotates about its rotation center axis RX for
conversion to the unlocking state.
[0054] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0055] The present invention relates to a steering column assembly
of a vehicle, so it has an industrial applicability.
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