Energy absorption device for a steering column

Abstract

The application relates to an energy-absorbing device of a steering column. The energy-absorbing device is composed of a rack structure and an energy-absorbing structure, the rack structure is square in shape, the side of the rack structure facing the steering column is arc-shaped, the other side opposite to the arc-shaped side is connected with an energy-absorbing sheet, the rack structure is parallel to the steering column and is not connected with the energy-absorbing sheet on one side of the rack structure, the side is provided with engaging teeth, the energy-absorbing structure is divided into a rack connecting sheet and the energy-absorbing sheet, one end of the rack connecting sheet is bolt-connected with the rack structure, the other end of the rack connecting sheet is bent backward into the energy-absorbing sheet, and the energy-absorbing sheet, the rack connecting sheet and the steering column are parallel. The rack structure and the energy-absorbing structure of the energy-absorbing device are designed in a split mode, compared with the integrated structure in the prior art, the energy-absorbing device can be selected according to the space of a vehicle, the engaging teeth can be arranged on a specific side of the rack structure according to actual needs, the energy-absorbing device has high adaptability, the application range is wider, and the energy-absorbing device can be adapted to different vehicles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of vehicle steering system, in particular to an energy-absorbing device of steering column. BACKGROUND

[0002] The collapsible steering column refers to the steering column which can be designed to collapse forward when the vehicle collides, thereby increasing the distance between the steering wheel and the driver to increase the survival space and protect the driver's chest from injury. During the collision of the vehicle, the impact force can cause great harm to the driver, so it is necessary to install an energy-absorbing structure in the steering column to reduce the damage of the impact energy to the driver and protect the safety and health of the driver.

[0003] The prior art steering column includes a column, a handle and an energy-absorbing structure, the rack and the energy-absorbing structure are made into an integrated structure and installed on the column, the handle is installed with a tooth stone, the tooth stone and the rack are matched, the handle can be locked or loosened, and the length of the column can be adjusted. When collapsing, the energy-absorbing structure is used to absorb the impact energy. Since the rack and the energy-absorbing structure are an integrated structure, the problems are: 1. Since the energy-absorbing structure is mostly flat, the modulus of the meshing teeth cannot be made very large, resulting in small meshing strength and poor stability of the tooth stone and the rack. 2. Since the meshing teeth are made on the energy-absorbing sheet, the position of the meshing teeth is single and cannot be adjusted according to actual needs. 3. Since the rack and the energy-absorbing sheet are an integrated structure, the material of the energy-absorbing sheet is limited, and the collapse force peak is low.

[0004] In addition, in order to absorb the impact energy, the steering column in the prior art is connected with the energy-absorbing sheet with teeth to one side of the column to absorb the impact energy by collapsing. This structure is affected by the tooth shape, and it is difficult to stamp out high-strength teeth under high collapse force. The meshing part of the tooth stone is easy to deform and separate, increasing the safety hazard of the driver. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide an energy-absorbing device of steering column which can improve the collapse force and has good energy-absorbing effect.

[0006] The technical scheme of the present application:

[0007] An energy-absorbing device of steering column is composed of a rack structure and an energy-absorbing structure, the main body of the rack structure is square, the side facing the column is arc-shaped, the other side opposite to the arc-shaped side is connected with the energy-absorbing structure, the rack structure is parallel to the column and has meshing teeth on one side which is not connected with the energy-absorbing structure, the energy-absorbing structure is divided into a rack connecting sheet and an energy-absorbing sheet, one end of the rack connecting sheet is bolted with the rack structure, the other end of the rack connecting sheet is bent backward into the energy-absorbing sheet, and the energy-absorbing sheet, the rack connecting sheet and the column are parallel.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows:

[0009] 1. The rack structure and energy absorption structure of the energy absorption device are designed separately, and compared with the integrated structure in the prior art, the meshing teeth can be arranged on the specific side of the rack structure according to actual needs, which is highly adaptable and has a wider application range and can be adapted to different vehicles.

[0010] 2. The rack structure and energy absorption structure are integrated in the prior art, so the materials of the rack structure and energy absorption structure are the same. In order to facilitate the processing of the tooth shape, the rack structure needs to be made of a relatively soft material, while in order to improve the collapse force, the energy absorption structure needs to be made of a relatively hard material. However, in the prior art, the two are integrated, and in actual production, in order to realize the two functions, a material with a medium hardness needs to be selected, which results in poor realization of the two functions. The rack structure and energy absorption structure of the energy absorption device can be made of different materials and processed by different processing techniques according to needs. The energy absorption device can be made of a relatively hard material to improve the collapse peak value and improve the collapse force.

[0011] 3. The meshing teeth are arranged on the energy absorption structure in the prior art, but the energy absorption structure is mostly flat, which makes the modulus of the meshing teeth small, the occlusion force weak, and the stability poor. The rack structure and energy absorption structure of the energy absorption device are designed separately, the rack structure can be made slightly larger and thicker, and the meshing teeth on the rack structure can be selected to have a larger modulus, which makes the meshing strength with the rack larger and the stability better.

[0012] 4. The energy absorption structure of the present application is similar to a "U" shape. When collapsing occurs, the pipe column moves with the energy absorption sheet, which has the characteristics of continuously absorbing impact energy, thereby significantly reducing the damage of impact energy to the driver and protecting the safety and health of the driver.

[0013] 5. The occlusion of the rack structure and the rack provides a more stable holding force. At the same time, because the rack structure and the energy absorption structure are independent parts, more structure forms of the energy absorption sheet can be added to improve and weaken the collapse force, and the adjustment range of the collapse force is large. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of the provided drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the energy absorption device of the present application.

[0016] Figure 2 Another overall schematic view of the energy-absorbing device of a steering column according to the present application.

[0017] Figure 3 Schematic view of the energy-absorbing structure of the energy-absorbing device of a steering column according to the present application.

[0018] Figure 4 Schematic view of another form of the energy-absorbing structure of the energy-absorbing device of a steering column according to the present application.

[0019] Marked in the figure:

[0020] 1, rack structure; 2, energy-absorbing structure; 11, meshing teeth; 12, first through hole; 21, rack connecting piece; 22, energy-absorbing piece; 23, rivet hole; 24, bolt hole; 25, second through hole; 26, limiting block; 27, rivet; 28, bolt; 221, reinforcing rib; 222, hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the energy-absorbing device of a steering column according to the present application is invented.

[0022] The present application will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. This application, however, is not to be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. As persons skilled in the art would readily appreciate, the disclosed features of the embodiments can be combined. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail for brevity and / or clarity.

[0023] The energy-absorbing device of a steering column according to the present application is composed of a rack structure 1 and an energy-absorbing structure 2. The main body of the rack structure 1 is square-shaped, and the side facing the steering column is arc-shaped. The other side opposite to the arc-shaped side is connected with the energy-absorbing structure 2. The rack structure 1 is parallel to the steering column and does not connect the energy-absorbing structure on one side. The side has meshing teeth 11. The energy-absorbing structure 2 is divided into a rack connecting piece 21 and an energy-absorbing piece 22. One end of the rack connecting piece 21 is bolted to the rack structure 1. The other end of the rack connecting piece 21 is bent backward to form the energy-absorbing piece 22. The energy-absorbing piece 22 and the rack connecting piece 21 are parallel to the steering column.

[0024] The energy-absorbing device according to the present application is applied to the steering column of a vehicle steering system. The rack structure 1 and the energy-absorbing structure 2 are fixed together. The rack structure 1 is used to cooperate with the toothed stone on the handle shaft. When the handle is opened, the rack structure 1 and the toothed stone are separated, and the length of the steering column can be adjusted. When the handle is locked, the rack structure 1 and the toothed stone are engaged, and the length of the steering column cannot be adjusted. The energy-absorbing structure 2 is similar to a "U"-shaped structure. When a collapse occurs, the steering column with the energy-absorbing piece 22 collapses in a predetermined direction. In the process of straightening the energy-absorbing piece 22, the impact energy is absorbed.

[0025] The rack structure 1 is provided with a first through hole 12, and the rack connecting piece 21 and the energy absorbing piece 22 of the energy absorbing structure 2 are both rectangular and flat. The rack connecting piece 21 is provided with a rivet hole 23, a bolt hole 24, a second through hole 25 and a limiting structure in sequence, and the energy absorbing piece 22 is provided with a bolt hole 24.

[0026] Rivets 27 pass through the first through-holes and the rivet holes to connect rack structure 1 and energy absorbing structure 2 to the pipe column. Bolts 28 pass through bolt holes 24 to connect rack structure 1 and energy absorbing structure 2. Energy absorbing sheet 22 is connected to the pipe column via bolts, and bolts 28 pass through the bolt holes to connect the energy absorbing sheet 22 to the pipe column.

[0027] The energy absorbing sheet 22 is fixed to the column tube by bolts, and then the toothed connecting piece 21 and the energy absorbing sheet 22 are riveted to the column by rivets (providing the function of peak collapse force). According to different collapse force requirements, the rivets of this application can also be replaced with plastic blocks.

[0028] The limiting structure comprises a connecting plate with bolt holes, mounted with a limit block 26 bolted to the connecting plate. The limit block 26 serves both limiting and guiding functions. The limiting function involves the block moving within the elongated hole in the aluminum cast tube, limiting the length adjustment range of the tube string by the length of the hole. The guiding function involves limiting radial rotation of the tube string by the width of the rectangular hole.

[0029] The energy-absorbing sheet 22 can be structurally adjusted based on the peak crush force requirements to suit different vehicles. Thicker material or the addition of reinforcing ribs 221 can increase crush force. Thinner material or hollowing out the sheet 22 can reduce crush force.

[0030] The application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0031] like Figure 1 、 2 As shown, the energy absorbing device of the present application is applied to the steering column of the vehicle steering system, and the rack structure 1 and the energy absorbing structure 2 are fixed together. One side of the rack structure 1 has meshing teeth 11 that mesh with the gear stone. The rack structure 1 is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped structure. One of the two flat sides of the rack structure 1 is arc-shaped and contacts the column, and the arc matches the outer surface of the column. The other flat side is bolted to the rack connecting piece 21 of the energy absorbing structure 2. The other two sides of the rack structure 1 ( Figure 1 One of the front and rear sides of the central rack structure 1 is provided with meshing teeth 11 for meshing with the gear stone. This structure allows the meshing teeth 11 to be positioned on either the front or rear side of the rack structure 1, providing flexibility in placement, allowing the front or rear side to be selected based on the actual space requirements of the vehicle.

[0032] likeFigures 3-4 As shown, in order to improve the collapse force, the energy-absorbing sheet 22 can be added with reinforcing ribs arranged according to the length direction of the energy-absorbing sheet 22. Or the bending angle is small, or the material with slightly hard texture is selected, the collapse force is increased. In order to reduce the collapse force, the energy-absorbing sheet 22 can be buckled, so that the strength is weakened. Or the bending angle is increased, or the material with slightly soft texture is selected, the collapse force is reduced.

[0033] Use process:

[0034] In normal use, the meshing teeth of the rack structure are engaged with the tooth stone on the handle of the steering column, when the length of the column needs to be adjusted, the handle is rotated to make the tooth stone disengage from the rack structure, and the length can be adjusted as required. When a collision occurs, the external force will break the rivet, and because the energy-absorbing sheet is connected with the column bolt, the column with the energy-absorbing sheet collapses inward, in this process, the energy-absorbing sheet is slowly straightened, and the energy of the impact is absorbed, reducing the harm to the driver.

[0035] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", etc. indicate the orientation relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. An energy absorbing device for a steering column, characterized by: The energy absorption device is composed of a rack structure and an energy absorption structure, the rack structure is square in shape, the side of the rack structure facing the pipe column is arc-shaped, the other side opposite to the arc-shaped side is connected with the energy absorption structure, the rack structure is parallel to the pipe column and has meshing teeth on one side not connected with the energy absorption structure, the energy absorption structure is divided into a rack connecting piece and an energy absorption piece, one end of the rack connecting piece is bolted with the rack structure, the other end of the rack connecting piece is bent backward into the energy absorption piece, the energy absorption piece, the rack connecting piece and the pipe column are parallel, and the rack structure and the energy absorption structure of the energy absorption device adopt different materials and different processing technologies.

2. An energy absorbing device for a steering column as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that: The rack connecting piece and the energy absorption piece of the energy absorption structure are both rectangular and flat, the rack connecting piece is sequentially provided with a rivet hole, a bolt hole, a second through hole and a limiting structure, and the energy absorption piece is provided with a bolt hole.

3. An energy absorbing device for a steering column as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that: The limiting structure comprises a connecting plate with a bolt hole, and the connecting plate is provided with a limiting block, and the limiting block is bolted with the connecting plate.

4. The energy absorbing device of claim 1, wherein: The energy absorption piece is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs.

5. The energy absorbing column of claim 1 wherein: The energy absorption piece is a hollow structure.

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