Tilt apparatus for vehicular steering column

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a tilt apparatus for a vehicular steering column. The tilt apparatus includes: a tilt bracket including a tilt guide portion supported on an outer side of a distance bracket and having a first tilt hole in the tilt guide portion; a fixed gear including a second tilt hole communicating with the first tilt hole and a first screw portion having a thread peak and a thread valley on opposite side ends thereof, the fixed gear being installed outside the tilt guide portion and the first screw portion being spaced apart from the tilt guide portion; a movable gear including a second screw portion having a thread peak and a thread valley to be meshed with or separated from the first screw portion during a tilt operation of an adjusting lever; and a lever bolt configured to rotate in cooperation with the adjusting lever and installed through the first tilt hole, the second tilt hole, and the movable gear.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0012715, filed on Jan. 26, 2017, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0033853, filed on Mar. 17, 2017, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a vehicular steering column, and more particularly to a tilt apparatus for a vehicular steering column.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Recent vehicles have a steering column to which a telescope or tilt function is added for the convenience of the driver. A telescope device is a device that allows the steering column to extend and contract in the axial direction, and a tilt device is a device that adjusts the angle of the steering column.

The tilt operation of the steering column is applied by tightening and releasing an adjusting lever. When the adjusting lever is tightened, a movable gear is meshed with a fixed gear by a tightening force of a lock unit coupled to an end of a lever bolt, so that the tilt operation is not performed. In contrast, when the adjustment lever is released, the meshed state between the fixed gear and the movable gear is released, so that the tilt operation is enabled.

However, a conventional vehicular steering column has a problem in that when the tilt operation is performed, the steering column is not locked due to a tooth-on-tooth phenomenon of the gears in which the peaks of the movable gear are engaged with the peaks of the fixed gear. In such a case, the driver's lever operation feeling deteriorates, and in severe cases, the lever or the gears may be damaged, which may cause the driver to feel uncomfortable.

In addition, the steering column is not stably fixed due to the tooth-on-tooth phenomenon of the gears. Thus, when the vehicle collides, the steering column pops up in the tilt direction, and the driver's safety is not ensured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a tilt apparatus for a vehicular steering column, which enables the steering column to be stably locked even if a tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs between a fixed gear and a movable gear when tilt-locked by a driver.

The embodiments are not limited to those described above, and other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure which are not mentioned here can be understood based on the following description.

A tilt apparatus for a vehicular steering column according to embodiments disclosed herein may include: a tilt bracket including a tilt guide portion supported on an outer side of a distance bracket and having a first tilt hole in the tilt guide portion; a fixed gear including a second tilt hole communicating with the first tilt hole and a first screw portion having a thread peak and a thread valley on opposite side ends thereof, the fixed gear being installed outside the tilt guide portion and the first screw portion being spaced apart from the tilt guide portion; a movable gear including a second screw portion having a thread peak and a thread valley to be meshed with or separated from the first screw portion during a tilt operation of an adjusting lever; and a lever bolt configured to rotate in cooperation with the adjusting lever and installed through the first tilt hole, the second tilt hole, and the movable gear.

According the embodiments disclosed herein, even if a tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs between the fixed gear and the movable gear, a driver can be provided with a stable lever operation feeling by the elastic force of the fixed gear, a portion of which is installed to be spaced apart from the tilt bracket. Further, since it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the steering column pops up due to an external impact or the like in the event of a vehicle collision, the driver's safety can be assured.

It should be understood that the effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above and include all effects that can be deduced from the detailed description of the embodiments or the configurations of the disclosure described in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to embodiments described herein. Further, parts irrelevant to the present disclosure are omitted in the drawings to make the present disclosure clear and the same reference numerals are designated to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when it is described that an element is “connected” to another element, not only the first element may be “connected directly” to the second element, but the first element may also be “electrically connected” to the second element while a third element is interposed therebetween. In the entire specification of the present application, when it is described that a certain unit “includes” a certain element, this means that the unit may include any other element rather than exclude the any other element unless otherwise described.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a vehicular steering column according to embodiments disclosed herein,FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating a tilt apparatus for the steering column according to the embodiments, andFIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state of the tilt apparatus for the steering column according to the present embodiments.FIG. 4is a side view illustrating the coupled state of the tilt apparatus for the steering column according to the present embodiments,FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view illustrating the coupled state of the tilt apparatus for the steering column according to the present embodiments, andFIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating a coupled state of the tilt apparatus for the steering column according to the present embodiments.FIG. 7is a side view illustrating the coupled state of the tilt apparatus for the steering column according to the present embodiments, andFIG. 8is a perspective view illustrating a part of the tilt apparatus for the steering column according to the present embodiments.

Referring to the drawings, a tilt apparatus for a steering column according to the embodiments includes a tilt bracket100, a fixed gear200, a movable gear300, a lever bolt400, and a lock unit600.

First, referring toFIG. 1, the steering column according to the embodiments includes an inner tube102coupled to the outside of the steering shaft101, and an outer tube103coupled to the outside of the inner tube102. Each of the inner tube102and the outer tube103may be made of a cylindrical hollow body, and the inner tube102is inserted into the outer tube103.

Thus, the inner tube102is introduced into the outer tube103or drawn out of the outer tube103. A distance bracket107and the tilt bracket100are provided on the outer circumference side of the outer tube103and are fixed to the vehicle body by a mount bracket105.

The tilt bracket100is installed between the distance bracket107and the mount bracket105of the steering column. The distance bracket107is fixedly coupled to the outer tube103so as to guide the radial expansion or contraction movement of the steering column during the tilt operation.

The tilt bracket100includes a base portion110in the form of a flat plate coupled to one side of the mount bracket105(the lower side of the mount bracket in reference toFIG. 1), and tilt guide portions120supported outside the distance bracket107on the opposite sides of the base portion110. For example, the tilt bracket100may have a cross-sectional shape “Π”.

Each of the tilt guide portions120has a first tilt hole121, which is elongated in the tilt direction of the steering column (upward and downward with respect to the steering column in the drawing). A fixed gear200and a movable gear300are disposed on the outer side of one tilt guide portion120. An adjusting lever101aconfigured to rotate the lever bolt400and a cam unit operated to be extended or retracted in the axial direction of the lever bolt400are disposed on the outer side of the other tilt guide portion.

In addition, a coupling protrusion122coupled to the movable gear300protrudes from the outer surface of the one tilt guide portion120. Two coupling protrusions122may be disposed above and below the first tilt hole121.

In addition, a stopper123configured to limit the play of the movable gear300may be disposed on the outer surface of the one tilt guide portion120. The stopper123may be disposed at a position adjacent to at least one of the two coupling protrusions. For example, although the stopper123is disposed between the first tilt hole121and the coupling protrusion122located at the lower side of the first tilt hole121in the embodiments, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to this. Stoppers may be disposed at both of the positions adjacent to the coupling protrusions which are disposed above and below the first tilt hole.

The lever bolt400is coupled with the adjusting lever101aand is rotated in cooperation with the adjusting lever101a, thereby enabling the tilt operation of the steering column according to the operation of the adjusting lever. A cam unit may be interposed between the adjusting lever and the lever bolt400.

The lever bolt400is installed through the opposite tilt guide portions120of the tilt bracket100. One end of the lever bolt400protrudes to the outside of the one tilt guide portion120, and screw threads may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the protruding lever bolt400so that the lock unit600or610is coupled thereto.

At this time, an elastic member500is coupled to one end of the lever bolt400, and the elastic member500is disposed between the distance bracket107and the movable gear300. That is, the elastic member500is supported by a fixing groove107ain the distance bracket107so as to elastically support the movable gear300, so that the movable gear300is able to ensure a sufficient distance from the fixed gear200during the release operation of the adjusting lever. The elastic member500may be a coil spring coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the lever bolt400.

Meanwhile, a head410, which has a diameter having a diameter larger than the diameter of the lever bolt400, may be provided at the other end of the lever bolt400. In this case, the head410may be coupled to the adjusting lever101aby the cam unit or the like between the head410and the tilt guide portion120.

The fixed gear200is coupled to the outer surface of the one tilt guide portion120. The fixed gear200includes a fixed gear body210having a substantially rectangular shape and fixing portions230connected to the upper and lower ends of the fixed gear body210to be coupled to the tilt guide portion120.

The fixed gear body210is disposed to be spaced apart from the tilt guide portion120a predetermined distance, and a second tilt hole211is disposed in the center of the fixed gear body210to correspond to the first tilt hole121of the tilt guide portion120.

First screw portions212, each of which includes peaks and valleys of screws, are provided on opposite outer side surfaces of the fixed gear body210spaced apart from the tilt guide portion120to be meshed with the movable gear300. One or more reinforcing ribs240may be disposed on the fixed gear body210in order to increase the rigidity of the fixed gear body210. The reinforcing ribs240may be provided between the second tilt hole211and the fixing portions230so as to interconnect the opposite side ends210of the fixed gear body210.

The fixing portions230are fixed to the tilt guide portion120and are connected to the fixed gear body210by bent portions230a. The bent portions230aare inclined at the end portions of the fixed gear body210so that the fixing portions230are stepped with the fixed gear body210. By the bent portions230a, the fixed gear body210and the fixing portions230are stepped with each other to be spaced apart from each other.

Accordingly, the fixed gear body210and the first screw portions212may be spaced apart from the tilt guide portion120. Coupling holes231may be disposed in the fixing portions230such that the coupling protrusions122are correspondingly coupled to the coupling holes231.

The fixing portions230are connected to the end portions of the fixed gear body portion210by the bent portions230aand are disposed between the opposite side ends of the fixed gear body portion210and the second tilt hole211, and the stopper123is coupled to a space between the fixed gear body210and the fixing portion230so as to more stably restrict the play of the fixed gear.

The movable gear300is coupled to the fixed gear200so as to fix the steering column. The movable gear300includes a movable gear body310disposed to face the outer side of the fixed gear body210and having a substantially flat plate shape, a support320protruding from the center of one side surface of the movable gear body310to be in contact with and supported by the fixed gear body210, and tooth portions340protruding toward the fixed gear200on opposite side ends of one side surface of the movable gear body310and having second screw portions341on surfaces which face each other.

The support320protrudes from the movable gear body310to come into contact with the fixed gear body210and presses the fixed gear body210when the lever bolt400is locked. A guide portion330may protrude toward the fixed gear200from the center of the support320, and the guide portion330is inserted into the second tilt hole211in the fixed gear200, so that the guide portion330is guided by the second tilt hole211when the movable gear300moves up and down.

A bolt hole311is disposed in the center of the guide portion330so that the lever bolt400passes therethrough. The tooth portions340protrude from both ends of the movable gear body310in the direction of the fixed gear200. The second screw portions341are disposed on the facing surfaces of the respective tooth portions340to be meshed with the first screw portions212of the fixed gear200.

The lock unit600and610is coupled to the end of the lever bolt400protruding to the outside of the movable gear300. For example, the lock unit600may include a lock nut600coupled to the end of the lever bolt400, and a bearing610or a washer may be interposed between the movable gear300and the lock nut600.

The operation of the tilt apparatus for a steering column configured as described above will be described below.

First, when the lever bolt400is rotated in one direction by the operation of the adjusting lever and the fastening with the lock unit600and610is released, the movable gear300is spaced apart from the fixed gear200by the restoring force of the elastic member500by the moving amount of the cam unit, thereby releasing the tilt lock state, so that the driver can perform the tilting operation of the steering column.

On the contrary, the driver should convert the tiltable state to the tilt lock state after adjusting the angle of the steering column to match his/her body shape. When the lever bolt400is rotated in the opposite direction by the operation of the adjusting lever, the lever bolt400and the lock units600and610are fastened to each other, and the movable gear300is engaged with the fixed gear200while compressing elastic member500.

During the tilt lock state, a tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs in which the thread peaks of the movable gear300are engaged with the thread peaks of the fixed gear200. In this case, the second screw portion341of the movable gear300presses the fixed gear body210and the fixed gear body210is elastically deformed toward the tilt guide portion120side, so that tilt lock is performed. At this time, when a predetermined impact is applied to the steering column, the thread peaks of the movable gear300slides to be meshed with the thread valleys of the fixed gear200, so that the steering column can be stably restrained.

At this time, a slit220may be provided in the fixed gear body210from an end of the fixed gear body210to the bent portion230a, so that the fixed gear body210can be elastically deformed more easily.

Meanwhile, the fixed gear200needs to have sufficient strength and elasticity such that a tilt lock operation can be performed even if a tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs between the fixed gear200and the movable gear300. Accordingly, a portion of the fixed gear200is coupled to the tilt bracket100in the state of being spaced apart from the tilt bracket100, and the spaced portion exerts an elastic force even when the tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs between the fixed gear200and the movable gear300. In addition, the fixed gear200may be made of a material having sufficient strength and elasticity, for example a spring steel.

As described above, according the embodiments disclosed herein, even if the tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs between the fixed gear200and the movable gear300, since it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which tilt lock between the fixed gear200and the movable gear300is not performed by the elastic force of the fixed gear200, a driver can be provided with a stable lever operation feeling. Further, since it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the steering column pops up due to an external impact or the like in the event of a vehicle collision, the driver's safety can be assured.

Meanwhile, referring toFIGS. 6 to 8, in order to cause the movable gear body210and the first screw portion212to be spaced apart from the tilt guide portion120in the tilt apparatus for a steering column according to the embodiments disclosed herein, bent fixing parts230bor flat fixing portions235may be disposed on the upper and lower portions of the movable gear body210. Here, since the configurations of the tilt bracket100, the movable gear300, the lever bolt400, and the lock unit600and610are the same as or similar to those described above, the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

First, referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the fixed gear200applied to the tilting apparatus for a steering column according to the present embodiment includes: a fixed gear body210disposed to be spaced apart from a tilt guide portion120, having a second tilt hole211in the center thereof and first screw portions212on outer surfaces of opposite side ends thereof; a bent fixing portion230bprovided on any one of upper and lower portions of the fixed gear body210and connected to an end of the fixed gear body210, in which the bent fixing portion230bis slit such that an empty space is provided between opposite side ends of the bent fixing portion and the second tilt hole211, and is bent toward and coupled to the tilt guide portion120; and a flat fixing portion235provided on a remaining one of the upper and lower portions of the fixed gear body210, in which the fixed gear body210is bent toward the tilt guide portion120, the flat fixing portion235is connected to a bent end portion and is slit such that an empty space is provided between opposite side ends of the flat fixing portion235and a second tilt hole211, and the flat fixing portion235is coupled to the tilt guide portion120.

That is, the bent fixing portion230bis provided in the upper portion of the fixed gear body210and the flat fixing portion235may be provided in the lower portion of the fixed gear body210. On the contrary, the flat fixing portion235may be provided in the upper portion of the fixed gear body210and the bent fixing portion230bmay be provided in the lower portion of the fixed gear body210is provided with the fixing portion235.FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate a case in which the flat fixing portion235is provided in the lower portion of the fixed gear body210, as an example.

Here, the bent fixing portion230bis provided in the bent portion230abent at the end of the fixed gear body portion210and is the same as the fixing portion230illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 5. Thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The flat fixing portion235is provided in the end portion where the fixed gear body portion210is bent toward the tilt guide portion120and is connected to the end portion of the fixed gear body210. The flat fixing portion235is slit such that an empty space is provided between the opposite inclined portions225of the fixed gear body210and the second tilt hole211, and the flat fixing portion235has a flat shape to be coupled to the tilt guide portion120.

Accordingly, the first screw portion212may be spaced apart from the tilt guide portion120along the inclined portions225of the fixed gear body210in the surface where the flat fixing portion235is fixed to the tilt guide portion120.

In addition, the flat fixing portion235may be provided on both the upper and lower portions of the fixed gear body210as illustrated inFIG. 8.

Accordingly, the fixed gear body210and the first screw portions212are spaced apart from the tilt guide portion120by a predetermined distance, and the second tilt hole211is disposed in the center of the fixed gear body210to correspond to the first tilt hole121in the tilt guide portion120and is coupled to the movable gear300. Accordingly, the fixed gear body210can be spaced apart from the tilt guide portion120.

The description of the above-described embodiments is for illustrative purposes only, and it will be understood by a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments are belonging that various changes in detailed form can be made without changing the technical spirit and essential features of the embodiments.

That is, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single form may be implemented in a distributed form, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the embodiments is defined by the appended claims as described below. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents are included in the range of the present disclosure.