A kind of passenger car steering wheel safety flip device and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device and method, comprising a rocker arm and a steering column with butted ends, wherein one end of the steering column away from the rocker arm is connected to a steering wheel assembly, and one end of the rocker arm away from the steering column is provided with a collision part, and the steering column is installed on a bracket through a connecting beam, and the collision part receives external force and causes the connecting beam to undergo plastic deformation, and the collision part drives the steering wheel assembly to rotate around the connecting beam together, so as to move the steering wheel assembly away from the driver, and improve the safety of the driving area during a frontal collision by improving the local structure of the driving area, so that the steering wheel can be flipped upward and forward during a frontal collision of the passenger car, and the steering wheel moves in a direction away from the driver, so as to increase the driver's safety space, improve the passive safety of the passenger car, and achieve the purpose of ensuring the driver's safety during a collision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel safety flipping device and method. Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background art related to the present disclosure and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the safety of buses has received more and more attention. The national standard GB11551-2014 "Protection of members in frontal collision of automobiles" only makes corresponding provisions for M1 vehicles, N1 vehicles with a total mass not exceeding 2500kg, and multi-purpose trucks. At present, there is no frontal collision member protection standard for buses (M2 and M3 vehicles). However, with various news reports on frontal collision accidents of buses, especially large bus customers in low driving areas, more and more attention has been paid to the safety protection of drivers.

[0004] The inventors have discovered that the steering wheel assembly in the current bus driving area is positioned relatively low, at the lower part of the driver's chest. Once a head-on collision occurs, the driver will lean forward due to the inertia of his body. Since the seat belt has a certain reaction distance, the driver will directly collide with the steering wheel assembly which is relatively close. The collision position between the fixed steering wheel and the driver happens to be a relatively vulnerable position in the lower part of the chest, which brings greater driving risks and safety hazards to the driver, and it is difficult to meet the needs of existing low-driving area bus customers for driver safety protection. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to address the defects of the prior art and provide a bus steering wheel safety flipping device and method, which utilizes the improvement of the local structure of the driving area to improve the safety of the driving area during a frontal collision, so that when the bus collides head-on, the steering wheel can be flipped upward and forward, and the steering wheel moves away from the driver, so as to increase the driver's safety space, improve the passive safety of the bus, and achieve the purpose of ensuring the driver's safety during a collision.

[0006] The first object of the present invention is to provide a safe turning device for the steering wheel of a passenger car, which adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] It comprises a rocker arm and a steering column with butt-jointed ends, wherein one end of the steering column away from the rocker arm is connected to a steering wheel assembly, and one end of the rocker arm away from the steering column is provided with a collision part, and the steering column is mounted on a bracket via a connecting beam, and the collision part receives external force and causes the connecting beam to undergo plastic deformation, and the collision part drives the steering wheel assembly to rotate around the connecting beam, so as to keep the steering wheel assembly away from the driver.

[0008] Furthermore, two ends of the steering column are respectively fixedly connected to a rocker arm and a steering wheel assembly, and the steering column is used to receive the bending moment transmitted by the rocker arm and apply it to the connecting beam.

[0009] Furthermore, the rocker arm includes a first rod and a second rod butted at their ends, the first rod and the second rod are arranged at an angle, the end of the first rod away from the second rod is connected to the steering column, and the collision part is located at the end of the second rod away from the first rod.

[0010] Furthermore, a rib plate is connected between the first rod and the second rod, and the top of the rib plate is pressed against the bracket to limit the rotation direction of the rocker arm around the connecting beam.

[0011] Furthermore, the collision portion faces the front end of the bus and is used to receive the impact force when the front end of the bus collides.

[0012] Furthermore, one end of the connecting beam is fixedly connected to the bracket, and the other end is fixedly connected to the steering column. The connecting beam is used to undergo plastic deformation under the common bending moment of the bracket and the steering column.

[0013] Furthermore, the bracket includes a base and a crossbeam, the crossbeam is installed and fixed through the base, and the end of the connecting beam is fixed on the crossbeam.

[0014] The second object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for safely flipping the steering wheel of a passenger car, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0015] The method of utilizing the above-mentioned passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device comprises the following steps:

[0016] Fix the bracket on the driving area of ​​the bus and adjust the steering wheel assembly to a suitable operating position;

[0017] One end of the rocker arm receives the impact force generated when the front end of the bus collides, and generates a bending moment which is applied to the connecting beam through the steering column;

[0018] The bending moment overcomes the stability of the connecting beam itself, causing the connecting beam to undergo plastic deformation;

[0019] The rocker arm and the steering wheel assembly rotate around the deformation position of the connecting beam as an axis, and the steering wheel assembly swings away from the driver.

[0020] Furthermore, the rocker arm does not interfere with the driver before or after the collision.

[0021] Furthermore, after the coupling beam is deformed by the bending moment, the steering wheel assembly as a whole is constrained in the offset position.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present disclosure are:

[0023] (1) When a bus collides head-on, the lever principle and collision force are used to flip the steering wheel upward and forward. This is used in a large bus with a low driving area produced by Zhongtong Bus Holding Co., Ltd. When the initial collision speed is 30 km / h, the steering wheel flip angle reaches 38 degrees, which greatly increases the safe area in front of the driver and effectively prevents direct collision between the driver's body and related components such as the steering wheel, thus ensuring the driver's safety.

[0024] (2) The structure is simple, the weight is light, there are few special parts, many general parts, it is easy to manufacture, and the cost is low. Compared with the conventional structure, the present invention only adds one rocker arm, the overall weight change is small, maintenance-free, easy to repair, and has the same life as the car in the absence of a frontal collision, and is easy to promote and popularize;

[0025] (3) All components are not connected at hinge points, and the rotation during a collision is achieved by the plastic deformation of the components. This ensures that the present invention will not bring additional vibration, noise and other comfort indicators or potential safety hazards due to loose hinges during normal driving of the bus. The use of plastic deformation to achieve the flipping process of the steering wheel can maintain the steering wheel assembly in a safe position after flipping and will not return to the initial position, so that the space in the safe area can be maintained, avoiding secondary damage to the driver caused by the steering wheel returning to its initial state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings constituting a part of the present disclosure are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure and their descriptions are used to explain the present disclosure and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the safety flipping device in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the components of the safety flip device in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the position of the safety flipping device before and after flipping in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the rocker arm structure of the safety flipping device in Examples 1 and 2 of the present disclosure.

[0031] Among them: 1- rocker arm; 2- bracket; 3- connecting beam; 4- steering column; 5- steering wheel assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

[0033] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "include" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or their combinations;

[0034] For the convenience of description, if the words "up", "down", "left" and "right" appear in the present disclosure, they only indicate that they are consistent with the up, down, left and right directions of the drawings themselves, and do not limit the structure. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0035] As introduced in the background technology, in the prior art, the steering wheel assembly in the driving area of ​​a bus is positioned relatively low, and is located at the lower part of the driver's chest. Once a head-on collision occurs, the driver leans forward due to the inertia of the body. Since the seat belt has a certain reaction distance, the driver will directly collide with the steering wheel assembly which is relatively close at this time; and the collision position between the fixed steering wheel and the driver happens to be a relatively vulnerable position in the lower part of the chest, which brings greater driving risks and safety hazards to the driver, and is difficult to meet the needs of existing low-driving area bus customers for driver safety protection. In response to the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a bus steering wheel safety flipping device and method.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] In a typical embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, a passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device is proposed.

[0038] It includes a bracket 2, which is fixed in the driving area of ​​the bus to ensure that the bracket does not interfere with the driver after installation; a crossbeam is provided on the bracket, a connecting beam 3 is fixed on the crossbeam, a steering column 4 is installed on the connecting beam, a rocker arm 1 is installed at one end of the connecting beam, and a steering wheel assembly 5 is connected to the other end;

[0039] The two ends of the steering column are respectively fixedly connected to the rocker arm and the steering wheel assembly. The steering column is used to receive the bending moment transmitted by the rocker arm and apply it to the connecting beam. The end of the rocker arm away from the steering column is provided with a collision part. The collision part receives external force and causes the connecting beam to undergo plastic deformation. The collision part drives the steering wheel assembly to rotate around the connecting beam, so as to keep the steering wheel assembly away from the driver.

[0040] Of course, it is understandable that the steering wheel assembly can be matched with the steering column by bolt connection or welding, as long as the two can be fixedly connected. Considering the subsequent replacement of the connecting beam, it is better to use a detachable bolt connection for fixing.

[0041] It should be particularly pointed out that the collision portion is the position of one end of the rocker arm close to the front end of the vehicle, which is used to contact the deformed area, thereby obtaining the impact force when the vehicle collides, and applying a bending moment to the connecting beam to cause it to undergo plastic deformation;

[0042] After plastic deformation occurs, the steering wheel assembly rotates around the connecting beam, thereby moving away from the driver. When it rotates to the extreme position, due to the restraining effect of the connecting beam after plastic deformation, the steering wheel assembly is fixed at the extreme position after rotation, thereby ensuring a large safety area space between the driver and the steering wheel assembly, effectively protecting the driver.

[0043] When the bus collides head-on, the lower end of the rocker arm contacts the collision object first while the rocker arm and its components do not contact the collision object, causing the rocker arm to rotate counterclockwise (from the main view of the bus), thereby driving the steering column and steering wheel assembly to rotate counterclockwise.

[0044] Further, the rocker arm comprises a first rod and a second rod butted at their ends, the first rod and the second rod are arranged at an angle, an end of the first rod away from the second rod is connected to the steering column, and the collision portion is located at an end of the second rod away from the first rod;

[0045] A rib plate is also connected between the first rod and the second rod, and the top of the rib plate is pressed against the bracket to limit the rotation direction of the rocker arm around the connecting beam; the connecting beam is used to undergo plastic deformation under the common bending moment of the bracket and the steering column.

[0046] The bracket assembly is manufactured by welding 40*40*2 rectangular tubes, and the material is Q235; the connecting beam is manufactured by two 80*40*2 rectangular tubes, and the material is Q235; the rocker arm is manufactured by welding 40*40*2.5, 40*30*2.5 rectangular tubes and grooved steel plates to strengthen the angles, and the material is high-strength steel QSTE700; the steering column connecting seat is made of channel steel, with a wing width of 50mm, a belly width of 80mm, a plate thickness of 5mm, and the material is B510.

[0047] All parts are not connected by hinge points, and the rotation during collision is completed by plastic deformation of the parts, so the rigidity of the connecting beam 3 bending deformation around the Y axis should be small and the deflection should be large. The connecting beam 3 is made of two 80*40*2 rectangular tubes;

[0048] The Y dimension is 80. The rocker arm 1 is the power element that causes the steering wheel to flip upward and forward during a collision. Therefore, this component must have sufficiently high rigidity and strength. The engineering drawing of the rocker arm 1 is shown in Figure 4 It is precisely because all the components are not connected at hinge points that the present invention can ensure that no additional vibration, noise or other comfort indicators or potential safety hazards caused by loose hinges will be brought about during normal driving of the bus.

[0049] It should be pointed out that the bracket 2 must have a certain supporting stiffness and will not come into contact with the collision object or other parts deformed by the collision during the entire collision process, so that it can effectively ensure the steering wheel to flip upward and forward. Before the actual configuration, CAE analysis software is used for simulation analysis to ensure the stiffness and strength coordination of the rocker arm 1, bracket 2, connecting beam 3, steering column 4 and other components.

[0050] Example 2

[0051] In another typical embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for safely flipping the steering wheel of a passenger car is also provided.

[0052] The following steps are involved:

[0053] Fix the bracket to the driving area of ​​the bus, adjust the steering wheel assembly to the appropriate operating position, and adjust the rocker arm position so that it does not interfere with the driver before and after the collision;

[0054] One end of the rocker arm receives the impact force generated when the front end of the bus collides, and generates a bending moment which is applied to the connecting beam through the steering column;

[0055] The bending moment overcomes the stability of the connecting beam itself, causing the connecting beam to undergo plastic deformation;

[0056] The rocker arm and the steering wheel assembly rotate around the deformation position of the connecting beam as an axis, and the steering wheel assembly swings away from the driver.

[0057] After the connecting beam is deformed by the bending moment, the steering wheel assembly as a whole is constrained in the offset position.

[0058] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A passenger car steering wheel safety flip device, characterized in that: It comprises a rocker arm and a steering column with butt-jointed ends, wherein one end of the steering column away from the rocker arm is connected to a steering wheel assembly, and one end of the rocker arm away from the steering column is provided with a collision part, and the steering column is mounted on a bracket through a connecting beam, and the collision part receives an external force and causes the connecting beam to undergo plastic deformation, and the collision part drives the steering wheel assembly to rotate around the connecting beam together, so as to keep the steering wheel assembly away from the driver; The rocker arm comprises a first rod and a second rod butted at their ends, the first rod and the second rod are arranged at an angle, an end of the first rod away from the second rod is connected to the steering column, and the collision portion is located at an end of the second rod away from the first rod; A rib plate is also connected between the first rod and the second rod, and the top of the rib plate is pressed against the bracket to limit the rotation direction of the rocker arm around the connecting beam; the connecting beam is used to undergo plastic deformation under the common bending moment of the bracket and the steering column; After plastic deformation occurs, the steering wheel assembly rotates around the connecting beam and moves away from the driver. When it rotates to the limit position, due to the constraint of the connecting beam after plastic deformation, the steering wheel assembly is fixed at the limit position after rotation, thereby ensuring a large safety area between the driver and the steering wheel assembly to protect the driver. All parts are not connected by hinge points, and the rotation during collision is achieved by plastic deformation of the parts.

2. The passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the steering column are respectively fixedly connected to the rocker arm and the steering wheel assembly. The steering column is used to receive the bending moment transmitted by the rocker arm and apply it to the connecting beam.

3. The passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collision portion faces the front end of the bus and is used to receive the impact force when the front end of the bus collides.

4. The passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the connecting beam is fixedly connected to the bracket, and the other end is fixedly connected to the steering column.

5. The passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bracket comprises a base and a crossbeam, the crossbeam is installed and fixed through the base, and the end of the connecting beam is fixed on the crossbeam.

6. A method for safely turning over the steering wheel of a passenger car, characterized in that: The passenger car steering wheel safety flipping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 comprises the following steps: Fix the bracket on the driving area of ​​the bus and adjust the steering wheel assembly to a suitable operating position; One end of the rocker arm receives the impact force generated when the front end of the bus collides, and generates a bending moment which is applied to the connecting beam through the steering column; The bending moment overcomes the stability of the connecting beam itself, causing the connecting beam to undergo plastic deformation; The rocker arm and the steering wheel assembly rotate with the deformation position of the connecting beam as the axis, and the steering wheel assembly swings away from the driver; The rocker arm comprises a first rod and a second rod butted at their ends, the first rod and the second rod are arranged at an angle, an end of the first rod away from the second rod is connected to the steering column, and the collision portion is located at an end of the second rod away from the first rod; A rib plate is also connected between the first rod and the second rod, and the top of the rib plate is pressed against the bracket to limit the rotation direction of the rocker arm around the connecting beam; the connecting beam is used to undergo plastic deformation under the common bending moment of the bracket and the steering column; After plastic deformation occurs, the steering wheel assembly rotates around the connecting beam and moves away from the driver. When it rotates to the limit position, due to the constraint of the connecting beam after plastic deformation, the steering wheel assembly is fixed at the limit position after rotation, thereby ensuring a large safety area between the driver and the steering wheel assembly to protect the driver. All parts are not connected by hinge points, and the rotation during collision is achieved by plastic deformation of the parts.

7. The method for safely turning over the steering wheel of a passenger car according to claim 6, characterized in that: The rocker arm does not interfere with the driver before or after the collision.

8. The method for safely turning over the steering wheel of a passenger car according to claim 6, characterized in that: After the connecting beam is deformed by the bending moment, the steering wheel assembly as a whole is constrained in the offset position.

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