Lever apparatus for vehicle

Ribs (19) are provided in a lattice pattern on an inner surface of an inclined portion (8) of a level upper (2) making up a first lever component, while first and second projecting portions (28, 29) for press fitting whose cross sections are L-shaped are provided on an inner surface of an inclined portion (12) of a lever lower (3) making up a second lever component. The arrangement provided is such that the first and second projecting portions (28, 29) for press fitting are respectively inserted into first and second inserting portions (22, 23) formed by the ribs (19).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lever apparatus for a vehicle for forming a hollow lever by causing a first lever component and a second lever component respectively extending in the longitudinal direction to be connected to each other by fitting the first lever component and the second lever component in an opposing state.

In a lever apparatus for a vehicle of this type, as the means for connecting a first lever component and a second lever component by fitting them in an opposing state, it has hitherto been the commonplace practice to use screws or an arrangement in which an engaging pawl is provided on one component and an engaging hole or an engaging recess for engaging that engaging pawl is provided in the other component.

However, in the case where the screws are used, there are drawbacks in that the screws are required as separate parts, and that a large number of assembling steps is involved, leading to higher cost. In addition, in the case where engaging portions based on engaging pawls are used in a large number, when the engaging holes or the engaging recesses are molded, simple mold releasing cannot be effected, i.e., the so-called undercut structure is adopted, so that the mold structure becomes complex. Therefore, there is a drawback in that the cost becomes high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been devised in view of the above-described circumstances, and its object is to provide a lever apparatus for a vehicle which, in fitting and connecting the first and second lever components, makes it possible to minimize the number of screws or engaging portions based on the engaging pawls, leading to a reduction in cost.

To attain the above object, there is provided a lever apparatus for a vehicle for forming a hollow lever by causing a first lever component and a second lever component respectively extending in the longitudinal direction to be connected to each other by fitting the first lever component and the second lever component in an opposing state, characterized in that

ribs are provided in an intersecting pattern on an inner surface of the first lever component, and that a projecting portion for press fitting which is inserted between the ribs in a press-fitted state is provided on an inner surface of the second lever component.

In order to solve the aforesaid object, the invention is characterized by having the following arrangement.

First Aspect

A lever apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a first lever component and a second lever component to be connected each other in an opposing state to form a hollow lever;

a plurality of ribs provided in an intersecting pattern on an inner surface of the first lever component;

a projecting portion for press fitting to be inserted between the plurality of ribs in a press-fitted state, provided on an inner surface of the second lever component.

Second Aspect

The lever apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of ribs are provided in a lattice pattern on the inner surface of the first lever component.

Third Aspect

The lever apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the projecting portion has a shape capable of face contact with the at least two ribs.

Fourth Aspect

The lever apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the shape of the projecting portion is an L-shape.

Fifth Aspect

The lever apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein

at least two of the projecting portions having the L-shape are provided on the inner surface of the second lever component, and

a direction of each L-shape is different from each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereafter, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the invention.

First,FIGS. 4 and 5show an overall structure of a lever apparatus. This lever apparatus is provided on a steering column portion of an unillustrated automobile (vehicle). A lever1of this lever apparatus is constructed in a hollow shape as a lever upper2and a lever lower3respectively extending in the longitudinal direction are connected to each other by being fitted in an opposing state. In this case, the lever upper2constitutes a first lever component, and the lever lower3constitutes a second lever component.

The lever upper2has an attaching portion at a proximal end portion (a right-hand portion inFIGS. 4 and 5) which is one end portion, and has first and second bent portions5and6in its longitudinally midway portions. A distal end portion side of the second bent portion6is formed as a switch installing portion7, and a portion between the first bent portion5and the second bent portion6is formed as an inclined portion8.

In addition, the lever lower3also has first and second bent portions9and10in its longitudinally midway portions in correspondence with the lever upper2. A distal end portion side of the second bent portion10is formed as a switch installing portion11, and a portion between the first-bent portion9and the second bent portion10is formed as an inclined portion12.

In addition, in this case, a display select switch13for information is provided between the switch installing portion7of the lever upper2and the switch installing portion11of the lever lower3, and a reset/set switch14is also provided therebetween. In this case, the display select switch13is constituted by a one-way rotary switch whose unillustrated switching element is changed over on the basis of the operation of a rotary knob15which can be rotatively operated only in one direction. Further, the reset/set switch14is constituted by a pushbutton switch whose switching element is changed over on the basis of the pressing operation of a pushbutton16.

Next, a description will be given of the structure for connecting the above-described lever upper2and lever lower3. InFIGS. 1 and 2A, a plurality o inwardly projecting engaging pawls18are projectingly provided on both side portions of the inner surfaces of the switch installing portion7in the lever upper2. Further, on the inner surface of the inclined portion8, a plurality of ribs19are provided over the substantially entire portion of the inclined portion8in an intersecting pattern or in a lattice pattern in this case. Recessed lead-wire routing portions20are respectively formed in the ribs19in such a manner as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the inclined portion8. The arrangement provided is such that unillustrated lead wires of the aforementioned switches13and14can be routed here. Further, a projecting portion21for fitting is projectingly provided on the inner surface in the vicinity of the first bent portion5at a position close to a side portion thereof.

Of the plurality of the recessed portions formed by the lattice-shaped ribs19, one close to one side portion in the vicinity of the second bent portion6is set as a first inserting portion22. Meanwhile, the recessed portion located midway between the first bent portion5and the second bent portion6and close to the side portion opposite to side portion where the first inserting portion22is located is set as a second inserting portion23. Low-height ribs24and25for low portions are provided at portions corresponding to bottoms of these first and second inserting portions22and23.

In contrast, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2B, a plurality of engaging ribs27having engaging holes26for engaging the aforementioned engaging pawls18are projectingly provided on both side portions on the inner surfaces of the switch installing portion11in the lever lower3at a plurality of positions corresponding to the engaging pawls18. A first projecting portion28for press fitting, which is inserted into the aforementioned first inserting portion22, is projectingly provided on the inner surface of the inclined portion12in such a manner as to be located in the vicinity of the second bent portion10. Further, a second projecting portion29for press fitting, which is inserted into the aforementioned second inserting portion23, is projectingly provided in such a manner as to be located midway between the first bent portion9and the second bent portion10. Furthermore, a plurality of cylindrical lead wire guides30are projectingly provided. In addition, a recessed portion31for fitting, which is fitted to the projecting portion21for fitting, is provided close to the side portion on the inner surface in the vicinity of the first bent portion9. In this case, cross sections of the first projecting portion28for press fitting and the second projecting portion29for press fitting are both formed in an L-shape.

Here, the lever apparatus of the above-described construction is assembled as follows. First, the display select switch13and the reset/set switch14are assembled to the switch installing portion11of the lever lower3. Then, the lever upper2is fitted to the lever lower3in an opposing state. Specifically, the plurality of engaging pawls18are engaged in the engaging holes26of the engaging ribs27, the first and second projecting portions28and29for press fitting are inserted into the first and second inserting portions22and23in a press-fitted state, and the projecting portion21for fitting is fitted to the recessed portion31for fitting.

Consequently, in a state in which both switches13and14are accommodated in both switch installing portions7and11, the lever upper2and the lever lower3are connected in a state of being prevented from coming off. At this time, as shown by the two-dot chain lines inFIG. 3, the first and second projecting portions28and29for press fitting are set in a state in which they are respectively brought into pressure contact (face contact) with the surfaces of the two adjacent ribs19in the corresponding first and second inserting portions22and23. Thus, as the first and second projecting portions28and29for press fitting are respectively brought into pressure contact with the corresponding first and second inserting portions22and23, it is possible to prevent the positional offset of the lever upper2and the lever lower3in their lateral direction (in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction). In addition, the frictional force acting between the first and second projecting portions28and29for press fitting and the ribs19makes it possible to prevent the lever upper2and the lever lower3from becoming disengaged.

According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to obtain the following effects. Namely, the arrangement provided is such that the first and second projecting portions28and29for press fitting are respectively fitted in a press-fitted state into the first and second inserting portions22and23formed by the ribs19in the intersecting state. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the number of screws for connection or engaging portions based on the engaging pawls18, or disuse them.

In addition, the ribs19in the intersecting state and the first and second projecting portions28and29for press fitting respectively extend in the mold releasing direction at the time of molding the lever upper2and the lever lower3, and are so structured as to permit fabrication with a simple mold releasing structure. For this reason, as compared with the case where engaging portions based on the engaging pawls18having the undercut structure are used in a large number, it becomes possible to simplify the mold structure, leading to a reduction in cost.

Moreover, since the aforementioned ribs19are provided in a lattice pattern on the inner surface of the lever upper2, an advantage is offered in that the strength of the lever upper2can be improved.

Further, since each projecting portion orients in a direction different from one another, i.e., L-shape of each projecting portion orients in direction different from one another, connecting force between the first and second lever components can be enhanced.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as described below.

The shapes of the projecting portions28and29for press fitting are not limited to the L-shape, and may be crisscross or cylindrical.

The ribs19may be provided on the lever lower3, while the projecting portions28and29for press fitting may be provided on the lever upper2.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, in accordance with the invention, the arrangement provided is such that, of the first and second lever components making up the lever, ribs are provided in an intersecting pattern on an inner surface of the first lever component, and a projecting portion for press fitting which is inserted between the ribs in a press-fitted state is provided on an inner surface of the second lever component. Therefore, an outstanding advantage is offered in that, in fitting and connecting the first and second lever components, it is possible to minimize the number of screws or engaging portions based on the engaging pawls, leading to a reduction in cost.