JPS5821814Y2 - Column shaft energization device for automobile impact-absorbing steering - Google Patents

Description

【考案の詳細な説明】 この考案は、自動車の衝突時において、軸線方向に長さ
を縮小しながら衝突のエネルギーを吸収して運転者の安
全を計るようになった衝撃吸収型ステアリングのコラム
シャフトにおいて、例えば警笛用電気回路等の・・ンド
ル側で開閉操作が行われるスイッチ装置のアース側回路
となる前記シャフトの通電装置に関する。[Detailed description of the invention] This invention is a shock-absorbing steering column shaft that reduces the length in the axial direction and absorbs the energy of the collision during a car collision to ensure driver safety. The present invention relates to an energizing device for the shaft, which serves as a ground side circuit of a switch device that is opened and closed on the handle side, such as an electric circuit for a horn.

一般に衝撃吸収型ステアリングのコラムシャフトは、第
１図に示す如く、上部シャフト１と下部シャフト２とに
２分割され、この分割部を内外に重合して重合部３とな
し、該重合部３にある一定値以上の軸方向の衝撃力が作
用したときに、該重合部３において両シャフト１，２が
摺動してその長さを縮小し得るようになっている。In general, the column shaft of a shock-absorbing steering wheel is divided into two parts, an upper shaft 1 and a lower shaft 2, as shown in FIG. When an axial impact force of a certain value or more is applied, both shafts 1 and 2 can slide in the overlapping portion 3 to reduce their length.

このために、多くのコラムシャフトは、前記重合部３を
摺動可能に構成すると共に、前記重合部３における内側
シャフト部材としての下部シャフト２に適数の周溝４を
設け、外側シャフト部材としての上部シャフト１の前記
周溝４に対応する位置に適数の***５を穿設して、前記
周溝４と***５とで形成される空間に、非通電性のプラ
スチック、例えばポリアセテート、ポリアミド等のイン
ジェクションによるシアーピン６を充填成形して、一定
荷重以下、すなわち自動車の正常な運行の間は、両シャ
フト１．２の摺動を阻止する如く一体的に固定し、自動
車が衝突したとき、その衝突のエネルギーで前記ピン６
を破断せしめて、重合部３における前記摺動を可能とし
ている。For this reason, many column shafts are configured such that the overlapping portion 3 is slidable, and an appropriate number of circumferential grooves 4 are provided in the lower shaft 2 as an inner shaft member in the overlapping portion 3, and the lower shaft 2 is provided as an outer shaft member. An appropriate number of small holes 5 are bored in the upper shaft 1 at positions corresponding to the circumferential groove 4, and the space formed by the circumferential groove 4 and the small holes 5 is filled with non-conducting plastic, such as polyacetate, etc. A shear pin 6 is filled and molded by injection of polyamide or the like, and is fixed integrally to prevent sliding of both shafts 1.2 under a certain load, that is, during normal operation of the vehicle, and when the vehicle collides. , the energy of the collision causes the pin 6 to
is broken to enable the sliding movement in the overlapping portion 3.

ところがこのコラムシャフトは、その重合部３にシアー
ピン形成のための非通電性材料であるプラスチックが充
填され、また上下の両シャフト部材は、冷間鍛造等によ
り加工されるのが一般であるから、該加工を容易にする
ために、その表面に例えばボンデライトやボンデリュー
ベ処理が施されており、第１図の状態では重合部におけ
る通電性が極めて悪く、警笛用電気回路、あるいはその
他の電気回路のアース回路としてその１１利用すること
は軽重しくない。However, in this column shaft, the overlapping part 3 is filled with plastic, which is a non-conducting material for forming the shear pin, and both the upper and lower shaft members are generally processed by cold forging or the like. In order to facilitate this processing, the surface is treated with, for example, Bonderite or Bondelube, and in the state shown in Figure 1, the electrical conductivity at the overlapping part is extremely poor, making it difficult to ground the electric circuit for the horn or other electric circuits. It is not trivial to use part 11 as a circuit.

そこで例えば第２図に示す如く、上部シャフト１と下部
シャフト２とを電気的に導通させるために、導線７０両
端をそれぞれシャフト１，２に・・ンダ付け８して固定
したものが用いられるが、前記両シャフト１，２０表面
は、前記ボンデ加工等によって・・ンダの付着性が極め
て悪く、その作業が甚だ困難であると共に、・・ンダの
剥離等を招きやすく信頼性も劣る。For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to electrically connect the upper shaft 1 and the lower shaft 2, a conductive wire 70 is used in which both ends are attached to the shafts 1 and 2 by soldering 8. Due to the bonding process, etc., the surfaces of both shafts 1 and 20 have extremely poor adhesion of the solder, which makes the work extremely difficult, and also causes peeling of the solder, resulting in poor reliability.

一力、第３図に示す如く、上部シャフト１とコラムジャ
ケット９との間に、アースリング１０と呼ばれるリング
状導電部材を介装したものがあるが、この場合、アース
リング１０がコラムジャケット９内に完全に隠蔽されて
しまうために、ステアリングコラムの組立て後、アース
リング１０が組込１れているか否かが外見のみでは不明
であると共に、アースリング１０のばね力が弱いと通電
性が悪くなるために、製品１本毎に導電テストを行って
作用を確認する必要があり、渣た・・ンドル操作中にア
ースリング１０の摺動音が生じることがあり、さらに組
立て時にアースリング１０の爪が取れてし１うようなこ
とがある等、多くの欠点を持っている。As shown in FIG. 3, there is a structure in which a ring-shaped conductive member called an earth ring 10 is interposed between the upper shaft 1 and the column jacket 9. In this case, the earth ring 10 is connected to the column jacket 9. Because the grounding ring 10 is completely hidden inside the steering column, after the steering column is assembled, it is unclear from the outside whether the grounding ring 10 is installed or not. Because of this, it is necessary to conduct a conductivity test for each product to confirm its effectiveness. It has many drawbacks, such as the fact that the nails may come off.

この考案は以上のようなコラムシャフトにおいて、その
重合部に通電部材を打ち込んで埋設することにより、電
気的接続を確実に行わせると共に構造を可及的に簡単化
して、組立て作業を容易となし、かつ通電部材の組込み
を外見から容易にチェックし得るようにしたものであり
、さらに通電部材の埋設によるも、コラムシャフトの衝
撃吸収機能を阻害することがないようにしたものである
。This idea is to ensure electrical connection by driving and burying a current-carrying member into the overlapping part of the column shaft as described above, and to simplify the structure as much as possible, making assembly work easier. In addition, the installation of the current-carrying member can be easily checked from the outside, and even if the current-carrying member is buried, the shock absorption function of the column shaft is not inhibited.

実施例について説明すれば、第４図に示す如く・重合部
３における外側シャフト部材としての上部シャフト１と
、内側シャフト部材としての下部シャフト２とを軸方向
にのみ摺動可能に、回転方向には同体に回転する如く重
合して、下部シャフト２の数個所に周設した周溝４と、
上部シャフト１に前記周溝４に連続するように適数穿設
した径方向の***５とで形成する空間を、プラスチック
インジェクション等により充填してシアーピノ６を形成
したコラムシャフトにおいて、前記重合部３の適所に、
上部シャフト１を貫通する穴１１と、該穴１１に連続し
て下部シャフト２の少なくともある深さに達する穴１２
を穿設し、前記穴１１より穴１２に向って、銅球、ある
いは鉛球、鋼球等の導電性材料からなる通電部材１３を
打ち込んで埋設し、該部材１３を穴１１，１２の双方の
内面に通電可能に接触させ得る如くなし、上部シャフト
１の前記穴１１をかしめて、同図に破線で示す如く、通
電部材１３を穴１２内に押しつげて保持させてその脱落
を阻止するかしめ突起１４を穴１１の内側に突出させ、
該かしめ突起１４を通電部材１３に通電可能に接触させ
る。To explain the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper shaft 1 as the outer shaft member and the lower shaft 2 as the inner shaft member in the overlapping portion 3 are slidable only in the axial direction, and in the rotational direction. are superimposed so as to rotate as one body, and circumferential grooves 4 are provided around the lower shaft 2 at several locations;
In a column shaft in which a space formed by an appropriate number of radial small holes 5 formed in the upper shaft 1 so as to be continuous with the circumferential groove 4 is filled with plastic injection or the like to form a shear pinot 6, the overlapping portion 3 in the right place,
A hole 11 passing through the upper shaft 1 and a hole 12 adjoining the hole 11 reaching at least a certain depth in the lower shaft 2
A conductive member 13 made of a conductive material such as a copper ball, a lead ball, or a steel ball is driven into the hole from the hole 11 to the hole 12, and the member 13 is inserted into both the holes 11 and 12. The hole 11 of the upper shaft 1 is caulked so as to be able to come into contact with the inner surface in a energized manner, and the energizing member 13 is pressed and held in the hole 12 as shown by the broken line in the same figure, thereby preventing it from falling out. The protrusion 14 is made to protrude inside the hole 11,
The caulking protrusion 14 is brought into contact with the current-carrying member 13 so as to be electrically conductive.

第４図は前記重合部３を第１図に示す如き断面が長方形
の重合部として、上部シャフト１のトルクを下部シャフ
ト２に伝達し得るようにした場合を示すものであるが、
該重合部は、例えば第５図に示す如く、上部シャフト１
人と下部シャフト２人との重合面に互いに噛合するセレ
ーションを形成して軸方向にのみ摺動可能とすることも
できる。FIG. 4 shows a case in which the overlapping portion 3 has a rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 1, so that the torque of the upper shaft 1 can be transmitted to the lower shaft 2.
The overlapping portion is, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to form serrations that mesh with each other on the overlapping surfaces of the person and the two lower shafts so that they can slide only in the axial direction.

そして該重合部３Ａの適所に前記実施例と同様に穴を穿
設して銅球等の通電部材１３を打ち込んで埋設し、穴１
１のかしめ突起１４で通電部材１３の脱落を防止すると
共に、上部シャフトＩＡと下部シャツ）２Ａとの間を通
電可能に接続する。Then, a hole is drilled at a suitable location in the overlapping portion 3A in the same manner as in the embodiment described above, and a current-carrying member 13 such as a copper ball is driven into the hole 1.
The caulking protrusion 14 prevents the current-carrying member 13 from falling off, and connects the upper shaft IA and the lower shirt 2A so as to conduct electricity.

第６図はさらに、通電部材１３Ａを球体とせず、針状と
して、穴１１，１２が貫通する内外両シャフト１．２の
穴１２内に通電部材１３Ａを打ち込んで埋設すると共に
、穴１１をかしめてそのかしめ突起１４を通電部材１３
Ａに通電可能に接触させ、両シャフト１，２を電気的に
接続させたものである。FIG. 6 further shows that the current-carrying member 13A is not made into a sphere, but is shaped like a needle, and the current-carrying member 13A is driven into the hole 12 of both the inner and outer shafts 1.2 through which the holes 11 and 12 pass. Tighten the caulking protrusion 14 to connect the current-carrying member 13
The shafts 1 and 2 are electrically connected to each other by contacting the shaft A in a energized manner.

なお以上の実施例において、上部シャフト１を重合部に
おける外側シャフト部材とし、下部シャフト２を同じく
内側シャフト部材とした場合について示したが、これは
下部シャフト２を重合部における外側シャフト部材とし
、上部シャフト１を内側シャフト部材とすることも可能
であって、その重合における内外の区別を特に限定する
ものではない。In the above embodiments, the upper shaft 1 is used as the outer shaft member in the overlapping part, and the lower shaft 2 is used as the inner shaft member. It is also possible for the shaft 1 to be an inner shaft member, and there is no particular limitation on the distinction between inside and outside in the superposition.

また通電部材１３，１３Ａとしても、球状、針状以外の
任意の形状とすることができその設置を１個所に止めず
、複数個所に設けることもできる。Further, the current-carrying members 13, 13A can have any shape other than spherical or needle-like, and can be installed not only in one place but also in a plurality of places.

この考案は以上の如き構造であって、上部シャフト１と
下部シャフト２とをその重合部で重合し、プラスチック
インジェクション等によりシアーピン６を形成した後、
穴１１．１２を穿設して通電部材１３を打ち込んで埋設
し穴１１のかしめを行うことによって、通電部材１３を
穴１２に確実に保持せしめて振動等による脱落を防止す
ると同時に、上部シャフトと下部シャフトとを電気的に
完全に接続させることができる。This invention has the structure as described above, and after the upper shaft 1 and the lower shaft 2 are overlapped at their overlapping parts and the shear pin 6 is formed by plastic injection or the like,
By drilling holes 11 and 12, driving and embedding the current-carrying member 13, and caulking the hole 11, the current-carrying member 13 is securely held in the hole 12 to prevent it from falling off due to vibration, etc., and at the same time, it is possible to securely hold the current-carrying member 13 in the hole 12 and prevent it from falling off due to vibrations. A complete electrical connection can be made with the lower shaft.

この考案は以上のように、上下両シャフトを重合し、プ
ラスチックインジェクション等で固定した後に、穴をあ
げて前記通電部材を打ち込んで埋設し、前記かしめを行
えばよいから、上下両シャフトの電気的接続が極めて確
実に行われると共に、穴１１を通して目視による電気的
接続状態の確認ができ、例えば警笛用電気回路スイッチ
のアース側回路として確実な作用を行わせることができ
、前記穴１１．１２を穿設して通電部材を打ち込んで埋
設するだけであるから、構造が簡単であって製作工数を
従来に比べて大巾に減少すると共に、埋設された通電部
材がコラムシャフトの衝撃吸収作動の障害となることが
なく、かつシャーピンにより設定された該ピンの所定の
破断荷重に悪影響を及ぼすこともない。As described above, this idea is that after the upper and lower shafts are superimposed and fixed with plastic injection, etc., the holes are raised and the electrically conductive member is driven in and buried, and the caulking is performed. The connection is made extremely reliably, and the electrical connection status can be visually confirmed through the hole 11. For example, the electric circuit switch for a horn can function reliably as a ground side circuit. Since the structure is simple and the number of manufacturing steps is greatly reduced compared to the conventional method, the buried current-carrying member does not interfere with the shock absorption operation of the column shaft. , and there is no adverse effect on the predetermined breaking load of the pin set by the shear pin.

さらにこの考案によれば、その加工が甚だ容易となって
コストを大巾に低減し、また通電部材を球体等の小片と
することにより、その価格が低廉で、コストダウンに寄
与する。Further, according to this invention, the processing becomes extremely easy, which greatly reduces the cost, and by using the current-carrying member as a small piece such as a sphere, the price is low, contributing to cost reduction.

またこの考案は前記重合部をプラスチックインジェクシ
ョン等の非通電性材料で固定するものの他、前記重合に
より通電性が悪化する構造のコラムシャフトのすべてに
適用し得ることはいう１でもない。Furthermore, this invention can be applied not only to those in which the overlapping portion is fixed with a non-conducting material such as plastic injection, but also to all column shafts having a structure in which conductivity is deteriorated due to the overlapping.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は従来のコラムシャフト重合部をその一部を破断
して示す斜面図、第２図、第３図はそれぞれ従来例の要
部を示す縦断面図、第４図はこの考案の要部を示す縦断
面図、第５図、第６図はそれぞれ他の実施例の要部を示
す斜面図と縦断面図である。 １・・・・・・上部シャフト（外側シャフト部材）、２
・・・・・・下部シャフト（内側シャフト部材）、３・
・・・・・重合部、６・・・・・・シアーピン、１１，
１２・曲・穴、１３・・・・・・通電部材、１４・・・
・・・かしめ突起。Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a conventional column shaft overlapping part, Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing the main parts of the conventional example, and Fig. 4 is the main point of this invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view, respectively, showing essential parts of other embodiments. 1... Upper shaft (outer shaft member), 2
...Lower shaft (inner shaft member), 3.
...Polymerization part, 6 ... Shear pin, 11,
12・Curve・Hole, 13... Current carrying member, 14...
...Caulking protrusion.

Claims (1)

【実用新案登録請求の範囲】[Scope of utility model registration request] 自動車の衝突のエネルギーにより軸方向に長さを縮小し
得る如き重合部を形成した衝撃吸収型ステアリングのコ
ラムシャフトにおいて、前記重合部における外側シャフ
ト部材に貫通穴を設けると共に、内側シャフト部材に前
記貫通穴に連続して少なくともある深さに達する径方向
の穴を穿設し該穴に内外両シャフト部材に通電可能に接
触する導電材料からなる通電部材を打ち込んで埋設し、
外側シャフト部材の前記穴をかしめて形成したかしめ突
起を通電部材に通電可能に接触させて該通電部材の脱落
を防止してなる通電装置。In a column shaft for an impact-absorbing steering wheel having an overlapping portion whose length can be reduced in the axial direction due to the energy of an automobile collision, a through hole is provided in the outer shaft member at the overlapping portion, and the through hole is provided in the inner shaft member. Drilling a radial hole that reaches at least a certain depth continuously in the hole, and driving and burying a current-carrying member made of a conductive material that contacts both the inner and outer shaft members in a energized manner into the hole;
An energizing device in which a caulking protrusion formed by caulking the hole of an outer shaft member is brought into contact with an energizing member in a energizing manner to prevent the energizing member from falling off.