Synchronous quick double folding steering wheel

Abstract

The application discloses a synchronous quick double-folding steering wheel, which comprises a cover and a pair of armrest assemblies, the middle part of each armrest assembly is connected with a folding driving device in the cover through a connecting column, the folding driving device comprises an arc-shaped bevel gear segment and a lead screw, the top end of the lead screw is provided with a bevel gear, a driven gear is arranged between the middle part of the lead screw and the bevel gear, the driven gear is connected with an output gear of a forward-reverse rotating motor movably arranged in the cover, a nut block is threadedly connected on the lead screw, the two ends of the nut block are respectively connected with one end of a connecting rod through a shaft, the other end of the connecting rod is connected with a rotating boss through a shaft, the rotating boss is fixedly connected with the tail end of the connecting column, the folding driving device further comprises a pair of rotating components matched with the two rotating bosses respectively, each rotating component is rotatably arranged on the cover, each rotating component has a connecting arm extending out of the cover outwardly, the connecting arm is provided with a pin column penetrating through the middle part of the rotating boss, so that the rotating boss can rotate around the pin column.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of steering wheel technology, and in particular to a synchronous and rapid double-folding steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the global economy and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, more and more people are paying attention to the interior space and safety of cars. In the past two years, both customers and car manufacturers have been striving to expand the interior space of cars. Since the driver and passenger are the main users of the car, the size of the space for the driver and passenger directly affects the driving experience and is an important factor for customers to consider when purchasing a car.

[0003] The advantage of a folding steering wheel is that the grip area can be folded up to expand the interior space for the driver and passengers. Currently available folding steering wheels include those disclosed in Chinese Patent Publication No. CN115107853B, CN102991563B, and CN114394149A. These patents all involve folding and reducing the grip area, then storing it on the outer edge of the central part of the steering wheel, flush with the central body. This folding structure does not maximize space saving, and the legs of the driver and passengers can easily touch the folded steering wheel when resting. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned shortcomings and defects of the prior art by providing a synchronous and rapid double-folding steering wheel to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] The technical problem solved by this invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A synchronous, fast-folding dual-folding steering wheel includes a cover connected to the steering wheel's rotation axis and a pair of armrest assemblies connected to the cover. The middle of each armrest assembly is connected to a folding drive device within the cover via a connecting post. The folding drive device includes an arc-shaped bevel gear segment fixedly disposed within the cover and a lead screw corresponding to the arc-shaped bevel gear segment. A bevel gear, engaging with the arc-shaped bevel gear segment, is disposed at the top of the lead screw. A driven gear is disposed between the middle of the lead screw and the bevel gear. The driven gear is connected to a forward and reverse rotation motor movably disposed within the cover. The output gear is connected, and a nut slider is threadedly connected to the lead screw. The two ends of the nut slider are respectively axially connected to one end of the connecting rod, and the other end of the connecting rod is axially connected to a rotating boss. The rotating boss is fixedly connected to the tail end of the connecting column. The folding drive device also includes a pair of rotating parts that cooperate with the two rotating bosses respectively. Each rotating part is rotatably mounted on the cover. Each rotating part has a connecting arm that extends outward from the cover. A pin is provided on the connecting arm that passes through the middle of the rotating boss, so that the rotating boss can rotate around the pin.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each handrail assembly includes a handrail outer tube and a large flange and a small flange movably connected to both ends of the handrail outer tube.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two ends of the armrest outer tube are open structures, and the large rim and the small rim are respectively movably inserted into the two ends of the armrest outer tube.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner outer diameters of the large and small rims are adapted to match the inner diameters of both ends of the handrail outer sleeve.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer ends of the two small wheel rims are connected to each other by a plug-in structure.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of vehicle control buttons are provided on each large wheel rim.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an airbag box for installing airbags is provided inside the cover.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic screen is provided on the surface of the cover.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of the cover is provided with a rotating groove for rotating components to rotate.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the middle part of the rotating component is a hollow structure through which the lead screw passes, and a transition gear column is provided on the rotating component. The output gear of the forward and reverse rotating motor meshes with the driven gear through the transition gear provided on the transition gear column.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating boss is a fan-shaped boss, and the edge of the fan-shaped boss is provided with a pin that is axially connected to the other end of the connecting rod.

[0017] By employing the above technical solution, the steering wheel of the present invention folds by simultaneously performing two actions: flipping the pair of armrest assemblies inward and rotating them upward. This folds the armrest assemblies behind the cover, reducing the space occupied by the steering wheel in its retracted state by 78%. This minimizes the space occupied by the round steering wheel, making it less likely for the driver and passengers to bump their legs into the folded steering wheel when resting, thus expanding the driver's activity space. Furthermore, because the steering wheel of the present invention is stored behind the cover after folding, it can prevent accidental operation of the steering wheel by the driver in autonomous driving mode, thereby enhancing safety during autonomous driving. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention before it is folded.

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 One of the three-dimensional images.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The second 3D image.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the cover after the top surface has been removed.

[0023] Figure 4a yes Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0024] Figure 4b yes Figure 4a A structural diagram viewed from another angle.

[0025] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the folding process in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 One of the three-dimensional images.

[0027] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 The second 3D image.

[0028] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of the cover after the top surface has been removed.

[0029] Figure 8a yes Figure 8 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after folding according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 One of the three-dimensional images.

[0032] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 The second 3D image.

[0033] Figure 12 yes Figure 9 An enlarged view of the cover after the top surface has been removed.

[0034] Figure 12a yes Figure 12 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0035] Figure 13 yes Figure 1 A partial sectional view.

[0036] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the arc-shaped bevel tooth section and the lead screw in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 15 yes Figure 4 A magnified frontal view of a partial sectional section.

[0038] Figure 16 yes Figure 8 A magnified frontal view of a partial sectional section.

[0039] Figure 17 yes Figure 12 A magnified frontal view of a partial sectional section.

[0040] Figure 18 This is a top view of a folding drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 19This is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention after folding.

[0042] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outer ends of two small rims engaging in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 21 This is a front view of a nut slider according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 22 yes Figure 21 A three-dimensional image.

[0045] Figure 23 This is a magnified front view of a half-section of the cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 24 This is a three-dimensional enlarged schematic diagram of a half-section of the cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 25 This is a front view of a rotating component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 26 yes Figure 25 A three-dimensional image.

[0049] Figure 27 This is a front view of a rotating boss according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 28 yes Figure 27 AA sectional view.

[0051] Figure 29 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the handrail outer tube according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0052] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention is further described below.

[0053] See Figures 1 to 29 The synchronous fast double folding steering wheel shown includes a cover 100 connected to the steering wheel rotation axis and a pair of armrest assemblies 200 connected to the cover 100. The center of each armrest assembly 200 is connected to a folding drive device 400 inside the cover 100 via a connecting post 300.

[0054] In this embodiment, each handrail assembly 200 includes a handrail outer tube 210 and a large flange 220 and a small flange 230 movably connected to both ends of the handrail outer tube 210. Both ends of the handrail outer tube 210 are open structures 211, and the large flange 220 and the small flange 230 are respectively movably inserted into both ends of the handrail outer tube 210. Preferably, the outer diameter of the inner ends of the large flange 220 and the small flange 230 is adapted to match the inner diameter of both ends of the handrail outer tube 210. The outer ends of the two small flanges 230 are connected to each other through a plug-in structure 231. Specifically, one small flange 230 has an outwardly protruding circular boss 231a at its outer end, and the other small flange 230 has an inwardly protruding circular concave step 231b at its outer end. The dimensions of the circular boss 231a and the circular concave step 231b are adapted to each other, ensuring structural stability after docking. The large rim 220 and small rim 230 are in an unfolded state during normal use. When folding is required, most of the large rim 220 and small rim 230 are inserted into both ends of the armrest sleeve 210, reducing the space occupied by the folded steering wheel. To further enhance the steering wheel's control functions, each large rim 220 in this embodiment is equipped with several car control buttons 221. These buttons 221 can be used to set auxiliary control buttons for functions such as lights, music, and automatic cruise control. Alternatively, an RP button 222 can be set at the top of each large rim 220. The RP button 222 can add control functions; its position is similar to the R and P buttons on a game controller, increasing the driving experience for the driver. Raised textures 223 are provided on one side of the large rim 220 for anti-slip purposes and as part of a more comfortable and ergonomic design.

[0055] The folding drive device 400 includes an arc-shaped bevel gear section 410, a lead screw 420, a bevel gear 430, a driven gear 440, a forward and reverse rotation motor 450, a nut slider 460, a connecting rod 470, a rotating boss 480, and a rotating component 490. The arc-shaped bevel gear section 410 is fixedly installed inside the cover 100. The top of the lead screw 420 is provided with a bevel gear 430 that mates with the arc-shaped bevel gear section 410. A driven gear 440 is located between the middle of the lead screw 420 and the bevel gear 430, and the driven gear 440 is connected to the output gear 451 of the forward and reverse rotation motor 450. The nut slider 460 is threaded onto the lead screw 420. Both ends of the nut slider 460 are respectively shaft-connected to one end of the connecting rod 470, and the other end of the connecting rod 470 is shaft-connected to a rotating boss 480. In this embodiment, the nut slider 460 has two straight arms 461 at each end. The tail end of each straight arm 461 is axially connected to one end of a connecting rod 470, and the other end of the connecting rod 470 is axially connected to a pin 481 on a rotating boss 480. A pair of pins 481 on the rotating boss 480 are respectively arranged on the two end surfaces of the rotating boss 480, which is a fan-shaped boss. The rotating boss 480 is fixedly connected to the tail end of the connecting column 300, and a shaft hole 482 is provided in the middle of the rotating boss 480. The rotating components 490 are in pairs, each corresponding to a rotating boss 480. The rotating components 490 are rotatably disposed within a rotating groove 101 on the cover 100. Preferably, the rotating components 490 are provided with a rotating edge 498 that engages with the rotating groove 101. The rotating components 490 have a connecting arm 491 extending outward from the cover. The connecting arm 491 is provided with a pin 492 that passes through the shaft hole 482 in the middle of the rotating boss 480, allowing the rotating boss 480 to rotate around the pin 492. The middle part of the rotating component 490 is a hollow structure 493 through which the lead screw 420 passes. The rotating component 490 is provided with a transition gear post 494. The output gear 451 of the forward and reverse rotating motor 450 meshes with the driven gear 440 through a transition gear 495 provided on the transition gear post 494. The reversible motor 450 is fixed in the motor mounting slot 496 on the rotating component 490. The side wall of the motor mounting slot 496 is provided with fixing holes 497 for fasteners to pass through, which facilitates the fixing of the reversible motor 450. When the rotating component 490 rotates, the reversible motor 450 rotates together with the rotating component 490.

[0056] In this embodiment, the cover 100 contains an airbag housing for installing airbags. Installing a DAB airbag provides safety protection for the driver and also improves the NCAP evaluation score. An electronic screen is provided on the surface of the cover 100, which allows for human-machine interaction with the driver and provides real-time feedback on the vehicle's movement status, such as fuel level, tire pressure, and alarms for other vehicles merging in, improving the driver's understanding of the vehicle and the internal and external conditions.

[0057] The working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0058] When the present invention is used normally as a steering wheel, most of the large rim 220 and small rim 230 are not inserted into the armrest sleeve 210 and are in an unfolded state, with each armrest assembly 200 approximating a quarter-circle arc. When the steering wheel needs to be folded, firstly, most of the large rim 210 and small rim 230 are inserted into both ends of the armrest sleeve 210, reducing the space occupied by the folded steering wheel. Then, the forward and reverse rotation motor 450 operates in the forward direction, and the output gear 451 rotates, driving the driven gear 440 to rotate, which in turn drives the lead screw 420 to rotate. As the lead screw 420 rotates, the nut slider 460 slides in one direction (the direction in which the steering wheel folds) along the lead screw 420. During the sliding of the nut slider 460, it drives the connecting rod 470 to swing, which in turn drives the rotating boss 480 to rotate around the pin 492, causing the armrest assembly 200 to flip inward. At the same time, the rotation of the lead screw 420 causes the bevel gear 430 to move around the arc-shaped bevel tooth section 410, causing the lead screw 420 to flip. When the lead screw 420 flips, it drives the nut slider 460 to flip, which in turn drives the rotating boss 480 to flip through the connecting rod 470, causing the armrest assembly 200 to rotate upward, so that the armrest assembly 200 is folded into the rear of the cover. When the steering wheel of this invention is folded, two actions are performed simultaneously: flipping a pair of armrest assemblies inward and rotating them upward. This folds the armrest assemblies behind the cover, reducing the space occupied by the steering wheel in its retracted state by 78%. This minimizes the space occupied by the round steering wheel, making it less likely for the driver and passengers to bump their legs into the folded steering wheel when resting, thus expanding the driver's activity space. When it is necessary to change from the folded state to the unfolded state, the forward and reverse rotation motor 450 operates in reverse, and the output gear 451 rotates, driving the driven gear 440 to rotate in the reverse direction, which in turn drives the lead screw 420 to rotate in the reverse direction. While the lead screw 420 rotates in the opposite direction, the nut slider 460 slides in the other direction (the direction in which the steering wheel unfolds) along the lead screw 420. During the sliding of the nut slider 460, it will drive the connecting rod 470 to swing, which in turn will drive the rotating boss 480 to rotate around the pin 492, causing the armrest assembly 200 to flip outward. At the same time, the rotation of the lead screw 420 will cause the bevel gear 430 to move around the arc-shaped bevel tooth section 410, causing the lead screw 420 to flip. When the lead screw 420 flips, it will drive the nut slider 460 to flip, which will then drive the rotating boss 480 to flip through the connecting rod 470, causing the armrest assembly 200 to rotate downward, so that the armrest assembly 200 is unfolded.

[0059] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel, characterized in that, The steering wheel cover is connected with a steering wheel rotation shaft, and a pair of armrest assemblies are connected with the cover. The middle part of each armrest assembly is connected with a folding driving device in the cover through a connecting column. The folding driving device comprises an arc-shaped bevel gear segment fixedly arranged in the cover and a lead screw corresponding to the arc-shaped bevel gear segment. The top end of the lead screw is provided with a bevel gear matched with the arc-shaped bevel gear segment. A driven gear is arranged between the middle part of the lead screw and the bevel gear. The driven gear is connected with an output gear of a forward-reverse rotation motor movably arranged in the cover. A nut block is threadedly connected on the lead screw. The two ends of the nut block are respectively connected with one end of a connecting rod through a shaft. The other end of the connecting rod is connected with a rotating boss. The rotating boss is fixedly connected with the tail end of the connecting column. The folding driving device further comprises a pair of rotating components matched with the two rotating bosses respectively. Each rotating component is rotatably arranged on the cover. Each rotating component has a connecting arm extending out of the cover. The connecting arm is provided with a pin column penetrating through the middle part of the rotating boss, so that the rotating boss can rotate around the pin column. The forward-reverse rotation motor is fixed on the rotating component.

2. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein, Each armrest assembly comprises an armrest outer sleeve and a large wheel rim and a small wheel rim movably connected at the two ends of the armrest outer sleeve.

3. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein The two ends of the armrest outer sleeve are open structures. The large wheel rim and the small wheel rim are movably inserted at the two ends of the armrest outer sleeve respectively.

4. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 3, wherein, The inner end outer diameter of the large wheel rim and the small wheel rim is matched with the inner diameter of the two ends of the armrest outer sleeve.

5. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 4, wherein, The outer ends of the two small wheel rims are connected with each other through an insertion structure.

6. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 2, wherein, A plurality of automobile control buttons are arranged on each large wheel rim.

7. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 1, wherein, An airbag box for mounting an airbag is arranged in the cover.

8. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 1, wherein, An electronic screen is arranged on the surface of the cover.

9. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 1, wherein, A rotating groove for the rotation of the rotating component is arranged on the side wall of the cover.

10. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 1, wherein, The middle part of the rotating component is a hollow structure for the lead screw to penetrate through. A transition gear column is arranged on the rotating component. The output gear of the forward-reverse rotation motor is engaged with the driven gear through a transition gear arranged on the transition gear column.

11. The synchronous quick double-fold steering wheel of claim 1, wherein, The rotating boss is a fan-shaped boss. The edge of the fan-shaped boss is provided with a pin shaft for the shaft connection with the other end of the connecting rod.

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