Steering device support structure

Abstract

Disclosed a structure for supporting a steering device including a steering shaftadapted to transmit a steering force of a steering wheel to road wheels, relative to a vehicle body through an instrument-panel memberextending a lateral direction of a vehicle. The support structure comprises a first bracketfixed to the instrument-panel member, a steering columnrotatably mounting the steering shaft, a second bracketfixed to the steering column, and coupling meansfor providing a coupling between the first bracketand the second bracket. The coupling meansis designed to allow the second bracketto have an axial relative displacement with respect to the first bracketon the basis of an axial direction of the steering shaftwhile allowing an upward relative displacement of the second bracketwith respect to the first bracketin the course of the axial relative displacement, during a vehicle collision. The support structure of the present invention makes it possible to displace a steering shaft upward during a vehicle collision so as to prevent the knee of a passenger from interfering with the steering shaft, while ensuring a steering operation by a passenger, in a simplified structure.