Connection mechanism, steering system and assembly method

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of shaft connection, and provides a connecting mechanism, a steering system and an assembling method. The connecting mechanism is used for connecting two shaft components and comprises the following parts: an external spline formed at the end of a first shaft component; a locking piece sleeved at the end of the first shaft component and connected with the external spline, the locking piece being provided with a spline part; and an internal spline formed at the end of a second shaft component, the internal spline being provided with a thrust groove. The first shaft component is sleeved with the second shaft component, the internal spline is connected with the external spline, the spline part is clamped into the thrust groove to axially lock the internal spline and the external spline. The connecting mechanism of the application utilizes the spline connection to ensure the high coaxiality and the extremely strong connection strength of the two shaft components, the spline connection does not need to punch holes on the shaft components, can ensure the good torque transmission capacity between the two shaft components, axially locks the internal and external splines by using the locking piece, improves the axial bearing capacity of the shaft components, fixes the two shaft components together, and keeps stable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of shaft connection, in particular to a connecting mechanism, a steering system and an assembling method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Shaft connection exists in various industries. For example, in automobile parts, there are many scenes that need shaft connection. For example, with the continuous development of automobile steering technology, the steering column and the auxiliary unit for assisting steering when the vehicle turns tend to be developed and supplied independently to achieve better steering flexibility and cost advantage. The shaft parts of the steering column and the auxiliary unit are connected by shaft connection.

[0003] The current shaft connection method usually radially punches a bolt on two shafts, and fixes the two shafts by tightening the bolt. This shaft connection method reduces the structural strength of the shaft part because it needs to punch a hole on the shaft part. Especially when applied to the connection of the steering column and the auxiliary unit, the current shaft connection method reduces the torque transmission capacity and affects the steering performance of the steering system. And the radial tightening of the bolt easily affects the coaxiality, and the use of the bolt also easily loosens, affecting the normal use of the steering system.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background section is only used to strengthen the understanding of the background of the present application, and therefore can include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, the present application provides a connecting mechanism, a steering system and an assembling method, which uses spline connection to ensure high coaxiality and strong connection strength of two shaft parts, the spline connection does not need to punch a hole on the shaft part, can ensure good torque transmission capacity between the two shaft parts, and uses a locking piece to axially lock the inner and outer splines, improves the axial bearing capacity of the shaft part, fixes the two shaft parts together, and keeps stable.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, a connecting mechanism for connecting two shaft parts is provided, comprising: an outer spline formed on an end of a first shaft part; a locking piece sleeved on the end of the first shaft part, the locking piece being provided with a spline part connected with the outer spline; an inner spline formed on an end of a second shaft part, the inner spline being provided with a thrust groove; the second shaft part is sleeved with the first shaft part, the inner spline is connected with the outer spline, and the spline part is clamped into the thrust groove to axially lock the inner spline and the outer spline.

[0007] The connecting mechanism can ensure high coaxiality of the first shaft component and the second shaft component by connecting the first shaft component and the second shaft component through the external spline and the internal spline; the spline connection does not need to punch holes on the shaft components, and can ensure good torque transmission capacity between the first shaft component and the second shaft component; in addition, the locking piece sleeved on the end of the first shaft component and having the spline part connected with the external spline, and the thrust groove arranged in the internal spline and used for clamping the spline part are used to realize that, with the first shaft component sleeved on the second shaft component, the spline part is clamped into the thrust groove, the internal spline and the external spline are axially locked, the first shaft component and the second shaft component are axially fixed together, and stability is maintained.

[0008] Therefore, the connecting mechanism can effectively realize torque transmission between the first shaft component and the second shaft component and avoid axial disengagement through cooperation of the internal spline, the external spline and the locking piece, the connecting mechanism is convenient to assemble, and the requirement of rapid assembly and disassembly can be met.

[0009] When the connecting mechanism is applied to a steering system to connect shaft components of a steering column and shaft components of an auxiliary unit, good torque transmission capacity and axial bearing capacity can be realized between the shaft components of the steering column and the shaft components of the auxiliary unit, the torque of 200 Nm and the axial force of 120 N can be borne in use, the steering performance of the steering system is ensured, the requirement of rapid assembly on a production line is met, and the performance is not affected after multiple assembly and disassembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the locking piece is further provided with a buckle part, the buckle part extends axially away from the spline part from the side wall of the corresponding key tooth of the spline part and circumferentially beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding key tooth of the spline part; the internal spline includes a first internal spline and a second internal spline located on both axial sides of the thrust groove, with the first shaft component sleeved on the second shaft component, the first internal spline connects the external spline, and the corresponding key tooth of the second internal spline circumferentially extrudes the buckle part, so that the locking piece rotates to the buckle part into the corresponding tooth groove of the second internal spline.

[0011] The buckle part extends axially away from the spline part from the side wall of the key tooth of the spline part and circumferentially beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding key tooth, and can cooperate with the second internal spline of the internal spline of the second shaft component; in the process of sleeving the second shaft component on the first shaft component, the side wall of the corresponding key tooth of the second internal spline can circumferentially extrude the buckle part, and drive the locking piece to automatically rotate / return to the buckle part into the corresponding tooth groove of the second internal spline, so that the spline part that has rotated can axially lock the internal spline and the external spline.

[0012] In some embodiments, with rotation of the locking piece, the key tooth end face of the spline part axially abuts against the opposite key tooth end face of the first internal spline and the second internal spline.

[0013] The opposite key tooth end faces of the first inner spline and the second inner spline form a thrust face; when the locking piece rotates, the spline portion follows the rotation, the key tooth end face of the spline portion axially abuts against the thrust face to axially lock the second shaft component.

[0014] In some embodiments, an end of the first inner spline away from the second inner spline is provided with a stop face; as the locking piece rotates, the spline portion and the stop face axially limit the outer spline.

[0015] When the locking piece rotates, the outer spline can be axially limited by the key tooth end face of the spline portion and the stop face of the first inner spline, and axial locking of the first shaft component is achieved.

[0016] In some embodiments, the spline portion is formed in a ring shape, and the buckle portion includes a plurality of circumferentially uniform distribution.

[0017] Through the ring-shaped spline portion, the inner spline and the outer spline can be stably axially locked; through the plurality of circumferentially uniform distribution buckle portions, the second inner spline of the second shaft component can generate multiple circumferential extrusion forces on the locking piece during the process of the second shaft component being sleeved with the first shaft component, so as to effectively drive the locking piece to rotate / return autonomously into the corresponding tooth groove of the second inner spline, thereby stably axially locking the spline portion, the inner spline and the outer spline.

[0018] In some embodiments, the outer spline includes: an integral spline integrally formed on the end portion of the first shaft component; and a spline sleeve plasticized outside the integral spline.

[0019] Through the spline sleeve plasticized outside the integral spline, the inner spline can be better adapted to realize matched coupling with the inner spline; and the plasticized spline sleeve can reduce the matching noise with the inner spline to realize silent transmission.

[0020] In some embodiments, the locking piece is made of plastic or metal.

[0021] The locking piece is made of ordinary plastic or metal, which can reduce the manufacturing cost and has a certain structural strength to ensure the realization of the function of axially locking the inner spline and the outer spline.

[0022] In some embodiments, the outer contour of the spline portion is the same as the outer contour of the outer spline and matches the inner contour of the inner spline.

[0023] The outer contour of the spline portion is the same as the outer contour of the outer spline and matches the inner contour of the inner spline, which ensures that the spline portion can be clamped into the thrust groove of the inner spline to axially lock the inner spline and the outer spline.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a steering system comprising a steering column and an auxiliary unit, the shaft component of the steering column and the shaft component of the auxiliary unit being connected by the connecting mechanism according to any of the above embodiments.

[0025] The inner spline, the outer spline and the locking member of the connecting mechanism are matched to effectively realize the stable connection between the shaft component of the steering column and the shaft component of the auxiliary unit, ensure the good torque transmission capability and axial bearing capacity between the steering column and the auxiliary unit; the connecting mechanism can bear 200Nm torque and 120N axial force in use, thereby ensuring the steering performance of the steering system; and the connecting mechanism is convenient to assemble, meets the requirement of quick assembly / disassembly of the steering system, and is not affected in performance after multiple assembly / disassembly.

[0026] In some embodiments, the steering system is a steer-by-wire system, and the auxiliary unit is a torque feedback unit.

[0027] The steering column and the torque feedback unit of the steer-by-wire system are two independent components, and the stable connection between the steering column and the torque feedback unit can be realized by the connecting mechanism, thereby ensuring the good torque transmission capability and axial fixing effect between the steering column and the torque feedback unit.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided an assembly method for assembling the connecting mechanism according to any of the above embodiments, comprising: sleeving the locking member on the first shaft component, and connecting the spline part of the locking member with the outer spline end of the first shaft component; sleeving the second shaft component on the first shaft component, and connecting the inner spline of the second shaft component with the outer spline; continuously pushing the second shaft component to make the spline part be clamped into the thrust groove of the inner spline to axially lock the inner spline and the outer spline.

[0029] The above assembly method sleeves the locking member on the first shaft component, connects the locking member with the outer spline end of the first shaft component, ensures that the spline part of the locking member is connected with the outer spline end surface and axially aligned, and facilitates the sleeving of the inner spline; sleeves the second shaft component on the first shaft component, connects the inner spline of the second shaft component with the outer spline of the first shaft component, and uses the spline connection to ensure the high coaxiality and good torque transmission capability of the first shaft component and the second shaft component; continuously pushes the second shaft component to make the spline part be clamped into the thrust groove of the inner spline to axially lock the inner spline and the outer spline, realizes the axial fixing of the first shaft component and the second shaft component together, and keeps stable; the above assembly method is simple in process and convenient to operate, can meet the requirement of quick assembly / disassembly, and can be disassembled multiple times without affecting the performance of the connecting mechanism.

[0030] In some embodiments, the locking piece is further provided with a buckle portion extending axially away from the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth of the spline portion and circumferentially beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth of the spline portion, the inner spline comprises a first inner spline and a second inner spline located on both axial sides of the thrust groove; in the assembly method: the second shaft component is sleeved with the first shaft component, the first inner spline is coupled with the outer spline; the second shaft component is continuously advanced, and the corresponding spline tooth of the second inner spline is circumferentially extruded on the buckle portion to drive the locking piece to rotate to the buckle portion into the corresponding tooth groove of the second inner spline.

[0031] By extending the buckle portion axially away from the side wall of the spline tooth of the spline portion and circumferentially beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth, the second inner spline of the second shaft component can be matched; in the process of sleeving the second shaft component with the first shaft component, the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth of the second inner spline is circumferentially extruded on the buckle portion to drive the locking piece to automatically rotate / return to the buckle portion into the corresponding tooth groove of the second inner spline, so that the spline portion that has rotated is axially locked with the inner spline and the outer spline, and the assembly of the connecting mechanism is completed.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first shaft component is integrally formed with an integral spline; the assembly method further comprises: after sleeving the locking piece on the first shaft component, a spline sleeve is overmolded on the outside of the integral spline to form the outer spline.

[0033] By overmolding the spline sleeve on the integral spline, the inner spline can be better adapted to realize matched coupling with the inner spline; and the overmolded spline sleeve can reduce the matching noise with the inner spline to realize silent transmission.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the present application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0035] The connecting mechanism of the present application couples the first shaft component and the second shaft component by using the outer spline and the inner spline, which can ensure high coaxiality of the first shaft component and the second shaft component; the spline coupling does not need to punch holes on the shaft components, which can ensure good torque transmission capability between the first shaft component and the second shaft component; in addition, by using the locking piece sleeved on the end portion of the first shaft component and having a spline portion terminated with the outer spline, and the thrust groove arranged in the inner spline for clamping the spline portion, the spline portion is clamped into the thrust groove as the second shaft component is sleeved with the first shaft component, so as to axially lock the inner spline and the outer spline, axially fix the first shaft component and the second shaft component together, and keep stable;

[0036] Therefore, the connecting mechanism of the present application can effectively realize torque transmission between the first shaft component and the second shaft component and avoid axial disengagement by cooperation of the inner spline, the outer spline and the locking member, and the connecting mechanism of the present application is convenient to assemble and can meet the requirement of quick assembly / disassembly.

[0037] When the connecting mechanism of the present application is applied to a steering system to connect the shaft component of a steering column and the shaft component of an auxiliary unit, good torque transmission capability and axial bearing capability between the shaft component of the steering column and the shaft component of the auxiliary unit can be realized, and in use, the torque of 200 Nm and the axial force of 120 N can be borne, the steering performance of the steering system is ensured, the requirement of quick assembly of the production line is met, and the performance is not affected after multiple assembly and disassembly.

[0038] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] The drawings incorporated into the specification and constituting a part of the specification show embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative labor for those skilled in the art.

[0040] Figure 1 The assembly structure schematic diagram of the connecting mechanism in the embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0041] Figure 2 The explosion structure schematic diagram of the connecting mechanism in the embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0042] Figure 3 The structure schematic diagram of the locking member in the embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0043] Figure 4 The structure schematic diagram of the inner spline in the embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 3 The projection schematic diagram along the axial direction thereof is shown;

[0044] Figure 5 The structure schematic diagram of the outer spline in the embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 6 The structure schematic diagram of the inner spline in the embodiment of the present application is shown from two perspectives;

[0045] Figure 7 The locking principle schematic diagram of the locking member and the inner spline in the embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0046] Figure 8 The locking principle schematic diagram of the locking member and the outer spline in the embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0047] Figure 9Fig. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of a steer-by-wire system in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 10 Fig. 4 shows a step schematic diagram of an assembling method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figures 11 to 14 Fig. 5 shows a structural schematic diagram of an assembling process of a connecting mechanism in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 15 Fig. 6 shows a partial enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 13 Fig. 7 shows a partial enlarged schematic diagram of

[0051] Figure 16 Fig. 8 shows a partial enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 14 Fig. 9 shows a partial enlarged schematic diagram of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Example implementations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example implementations can be implemented in any

[0053] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present application and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the present application. In the drawings:

[0054] It should be noted that the features of the embodiments of the present application and the features of different embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0055] Figure 1 Fig. 5 shows a structural schematic diagram of an assembling process of a connecting mechanism in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 Fig. 6 shows a partial enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 3 Fig. 7 shows a partial enlarged schematic diagram of Figures 1 to 3 Fig. 8 shows a partial enlarged schematic diagram of

[0056] The outer spline 11 is formed at the end of the first shaft component 10;

[0057] The locking member 20 is sleeved at the end of the first shaft component 10, and the locking member 20 is provided with a spline part 22 which is terminated with the outer spline 11;

[0058] The inner spline 33 is formed at the end of the second shaft component 30, and a thrust groove 330 is arranged in the inner spline 33; when the second shaft component 30 is sleeved with the first shaft component 10, the inner spline 33 is connected with the outer spline 11, and the spline part 22 is clamped into the thrust groove 330 to axially lock the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11.

[0059] The connecting mechanism described above connects the first shaft component 10 and the second shaft component 30 by the outer spline 11 and the inner spline 33, and can ensure high coaxiality of the first shaft component 10 and the second shaft component 30; the spline connection does not need to punch holes on the shaft components, and can avoid affecting the structural strength of the first shaft component 10 and the second shaft component 30, and ensure good torque transmission capability between the first shaft component 10 and the second shaft component 30. The connection strength between the outer spline 11 and the inner spline 33 mainly depends on the spline modulus and the number of teeth; when the modulus increases and the number of teeth decreases, the spline strength increases, and the connection strength increases accordingly. In addition, the connecting mechanism described above uses the locking piece 20 sleeved at the end of the first shaft component 10, having the spline part 22 connected with the outer spline 11, and the thrust groove 330 arranged in the inner spline 33 for clamping the spline part 22, to realize that when the second shaft component 30 is sleeved with the first shaft component 10, the spline part 22 is clamped into the thrust groove 330 to axially lock the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11, and axially fix the first shaft component 10 and the second shaft component 30 together, and keep stable.

[0060] Therefore, the connecting mechanism described above can effectively realize torque transmission between the first shaft component 10 and the second shaft component 30, avoid axial disengagement, and is convenient to assemble, which can meet the needs of rapid assembly and disassembly.

[0061] Figure 5 And Figure 6 The structure of the two views of the inner spline in the embodiment of the application is shown, Figure 7 The locking principle of the locking piece and the inner spline is shown; combined with Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the figure, in some embodiments, the locking piece 20 is also provided with a buckle part 24, the side wall of the buckle part 24 away from the spline part 22 axially extends from the corresponding tooth (for example, 220 indicated in the figure) of the spline part 22, and circumferentially exceeds the outer side wall of the corresponding tooth of the spline part 22; the inner spline 33 includes a first inner spline 333 and a second inner spline 336 located on both axial sides of the thrust groove 330, and when the second shaft component 30 is sleeved with the first shaft component 10, the first inner spline 333 is connected with the outer spline 11, and the side wall of the corresponding tooth (for example, 336' indicated in the figure) of the second inner spline 336 circumferentially extrudes the buckle part 24 to make the locking piece 20 rotate to the corresponding tooth groove (for example, 336' indicated in the figure) of the second inner spline 336. Figure 3 Figure 1 Figure 7 ​​The second inner spline 336 is shown in FIG. 33.

[0062] The snap portion 24 extends axially away from the side wall of the spline tooth of the spline portion 22 and circumferentially beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (220) of the spline portion 22, and can be matched with the second inner spline 336 of the inner spline 33 of the second shaft component 30; in the process of sleeving the first shaft component 10 with the second shaft component 30, the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (336') of the second inner spline 336 can circumferentially extrude the snap portion 24, drive the locking piece 20 to automatically rotate / return, and make the snap portion 24 enter the corresponding tooth groove (336") of the second inner spline 336, so that the rotating spline portion 22 can axially lock the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11.

[0063] Figure 4 The locking principle of the locking piece and the outer spline in the embodiment of the application is shown; in combination with Figure 3 The projection structure along the axis of the locking piece, in particular, the P direction; in combination with Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 33, in some embodiments, the snap portion 24 circumferentially extends beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (220) of the spline portion 22, in particular, can protrude the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (220) along the normal direction N of the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (220). Of course, the snap portion 24 is not limited to protrude the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (220) along the normal direction N of the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (220), as long as the snap portion 24 circumferentially extends beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (220) of the spline portion 22, so as to make the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth (336') of the second inner spline 336 circumferentially extrude the snap portion 24 in the process of sleeving the first shaft component 10 with the second shaft component 30, drive the locking piece 20 to automatically rotate / return, and realize the locking.

[0064] In some embodiments, with the rotation of the locking piece 20, the spline tooth end face of the spline portion 22 axially abuts against the opposite spline tooth end face of the first inner spline 333 and the second inner spline 336.

[0065] In particular, refer to Figures 3 to 7 As shown in FIG. 33, the opposite spline tooth end face of the first inner spline 333 and the second inner spline 336 forms a thrust face 338; when the locking piece 20 rotates, the spline portion 22 rotates, and the spline tooth end face 28 of the spline portion 22 axially abuts against the thrust face 338, so as to axially lock the second shaft component 30.

[0066] In some embodiments, the end of the first inner spline 333 away from the second inner spline 336 is provided with a stop face 339; with the rotation of the locking piece 20, the spline portion 22 and the stop face 339 axially limit the outer spline 11.

[0067] Figure 8 The locking principle of the locking piece and the outer spline in the embodiment of the application is shown; in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 8As shown, when the locking piece 20 rotates, one end surface 11' of the outer spline 11 is axially limited by the spline portion 22 of the locking piece 20, and the other end surface (not specifically shown in the figure) is axially limited by the stop surface 339, so as to realize the axial locking of the first shaft component 10.

[0068] In some embodiments, the spline portion 22 is formed in a ring shape, and the buckle portion 24 includes a plurality of circumferentially uniform distribution.

[0069] Through the ring-shaped spline portion 22, the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11 can be stably axially locked; through the plurality of circumferentially uniform distribution buckle portions 24, the second inner spline 336 of the second shaft component 30 can generate multiple circumferential extrusion forces on the locking piece 20 during the sleeving of the second shaft component 30 on the first shaft component 10, so as to effectively drive the locking piece 20 to rotate / return autonomously, so that the buckle portion 24 enters the corresponding tooth groove of the second inner spline 336, thereby stably axially locking the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11 of the spline portion 22.

[0070] In some embodiments, the outer spline 11 includes: an integral spline 111 integrally formed at the end of the first shaft component 10; and a spline sleeve 112 wrapped outside the integral spline 111.

[0071] Through the spline sleeve 112 wrapped outside the integral spline 111, the inner spline 33 can be better adapted to realize the matching connection with the inner spline 33; and the wrapped spline sleeve 112 can reduce the matching noise with the inner spline 33 to realize the silent transmission.

[0072] In some embodiments, the locking piece 20 is made of plastic or metal.

[0073] The locking piece 20 is made of ordinary plastic or metal, which can reduce the manufacturing cost and has a certain structural strength to ensure the realization of the function of axially locking the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11.

[0074] In the above embodiments, the outer contour of the spline portion 22 is the same as the outer contour of the outer spline 11, and matches the inner contour of the inner spline 33, so that the spline portion 22 can be clamped into the thrust groove 330 of the inner spline 33 to axially lock the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11.

[0075] The embodiments of the present application also provide a steering system, which includes a steering column and an auxiliary unit; wherein the shaft component of the steering column and the shaft component of the auxiliary unit are connected through the connecting mechanism described in any of the above embodiments. The features and principles of the connecting mechanism described in any of the above embodiments can be applied to the steering system of the present embodiment, and the features and principles that have been explained will not be repeated.

[0076] The connecting mechanism described in any of the above embodiments can be combined with Figures 1 to 8As shown, through the cooperation of the inner spline 33, the outer spline 11 and the locking piece 20 of the connecting mechanism, stable connection between the shaft component (corresponding to the second shaft component 30) of the steering column and the shaft component (corresponding to the first shaft component 10) of the auxiliary unit can be effectively realized, and good torque transmission capability and axial bearing capability between the steering column and the auxiliary unit are ensured; the connecting mechanism can bear a torque of 200 Nm and an axial force of 120 N in use, thereby ensuring the steering performance of the steering system; and the connecting mechanism is convenient to assemble, meets the requirement of quick assembly / dismounting of the steering system, and is not affected in performance after being dismounted and mounted for many times.

[0077] In some embodiments, the steering system is a steer-by-wire system, and the auxiliary unit is a torque feedback unit. Figure 9 The structure of the steer-by-wire system in the embodiments of the present application is shown; refer to Figure 9 As shown, the steering column 300 and the torque feedback unit 100 of the steer-by-wire system are two independent components, and stable connection between the steering column 300 and the torque feedback unit 100 can be realized through the connecting mechanism 200, and good torque transmission capability and axial fixing effect between the steering column 300 and the torque feedback unit 100 are ensured.

[0078] In the steer-by-wire system, the end of the steering column 300 away from the torque feedback unit 100 is connected to the steering wheel, and the torque feedback unit 100 can provide a resistance torque opposite to the rotation direction of the steering wheel according to the steering signal of the vehicle, so as to simulate road feeling information and feed back to the driver through the steering column 300, thereby facilitating the driver to drive reasonably and realizing auxiliary steering.

[0079] The specific structure of the connecting mechanism 200 can refer to Figures 1 to 8 The description of the corresponding embodiments shows that stable connection between the shaft component 30' of the steering column 300 and the shaft component 10' of the torque feedback unit 100 can be effectively realized through the cooperation of the inner spline 33, the outer spline 11 and the locking piece 20, and good torque transmission capability and axial bearing capability between the steering column 300 and the torque feedback unit 100 are ensured; the connecting mechanism 200 can bear a torque of 200 Nm and an axial force of 120 N in use, thereby ensuring the steering performance of the steer-by-wire system; and the connecting mechanism 200 is convenient to assemble, meets the requirement of quick assembly / dismounting of the steer-by-wire system, and is not affected in performance after being dismounted and mounted for many times.

[0080] The embodiments of the present application also provide an assembly method for assembling the connecting mechanism described in any of the above embodiments. The features and principles of the connecting mechanism described in any of the above embodiments can be applied to the assembly method of the present embodiment.

[0081] Figure 10 The main steps of the assembly method in the embodiments of the present application are shown; refer to Figure 10, and in combination with the above description of each embodiment, an assembly method for assembling the connecting mechanism, comprising the steps of:

[0082] S910, the locking piece is sleeved on the first shaft component, and the spline part of the locking piece is connected with the outer spline end of the first shaft component. The connection refers to that the end face of the spline part is connected with the end face of the outer spline, and the spline teeth of the spline part are axially aligned with the spline teeth of the outer spline, so as to facilitate the subsequent connection of the inner spline.

[0083] S920, the second shaft component is sleeved on the first shaft component, and the inner spline of the second shaft component is connected with the outer spline. By using spline connection, the high coaxiality and good torque transmission capacity of the first shaft component and the second shaft component can be ensured.

[0084] S930, continuously push the second shaft component, so that the spline part is clamped into the thrust groove of the inner spline to axially lock the inner spline and the outer spline. Thus, the first shaft component and the second shaft component are axially fixed together to maintain stability.

[0085] The above assembly method process is simple and convenient to operate, which can meet the needs of rapid assembly / disassembly, and can be disassembled multiple times without affecting the performance of the connecting mechanism.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first shaft component is integrally formed with an integral spline; the assembly method further comprises: after the locking piece is sleeved on the first shaft component, a spline sleeve is wrapped around the integral spline to form an outer spline. By wrapping the spline sleeve around the integral spline, the inner spline can be better adapted to the inner spline to achieve matched connection with the inner spline; and the wrapped spline sleeve can reduce the matching noise with the inner spline to achieve silent transmission.

[0087] In some embodiments, the locking piece is further provided with a buckle part extending axially away from the spline part from the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth and circumferentially beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth, and the inner spline comprises a first inner spline and a second inner spline located on both sides of the thrust groove in the axial direction; in the above assembly method: the second shaft component is sleeved on the first shaft component, and the first inner spline is connected with the outer spline; the second shaft component is continuously pushed, and the corresponding spline tooth of the second inner spline is also circumferentially extruded on the buckle part to drive the locking piece to rotate to the corresponding spline groove of the second inner spline.

[0088] By extending the buckle part axially away from the spline part from the side wall of the corresponding spline tooth and circumferentially beyond the outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth, the buckle part can be matched with the second inner spline of the inner spline of the second shaft component; during the process of sleeving the second shaft component on the first shaft component, the corresponding spline tooth of the second inner spline is circumferentially extruded on the buckle part to drive the locking piece to rotate / return to the corresponding spline groove of the second inner spline, so that the spline part that has rotated is axially locked with the inner spline and the outer spline, and the assembly of the connecting mechanism is completed.

[0089] Figures 11 to 14 The structure illustrating the assembly process of the connecting mechanism; combined with Figures 11 to 14 In accordance with the descriptions of the above embodiments, in a specific example, the assembly process of the connecting mechanism includes:

[0090] like Figure 11 As shown, the locking member 20 passes through the integral spline 111 along the axial direction and is sleeved onto the first shaft component 10.

[0091] Combination Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the spline sleeve 112 is encased in plastic around the integral spline 111 to form an external spline, and the spline portion 22 of the locking member 20 is connected to the end of the external spline 11.

[0092] like Figure 13 As shown, and in combination Figure 15 A partially enlarged schematic diagram shows that the second shaft component 30 is axially sleeved onto the first shaft component 10, so that the first internal spline 331 of the second shaft component 30 is connected to the external spline 11 of the first shaft component 10; in this step, the second shaft component 30 is continuously pushed forward axially so that the spline portion 22 of the locking member 20 is engaged in the thrust groove 330 of the internal spline 33, and the latching portion 24 is subjected to the circumferential extrusion force of the corresponding key teeth of the second internal spline 336.

[0093] like Figure 14 As shown, and in combination Figure 16 The enlarged view shows that when the second shaft component 30 is advanced, or during the advancement of the second shaft component 30, the latching part 24 is subjected to circumferential pressure, which drives the locking member 20 to rotate until the latching part 24 enters the corresponding tooth groove of the second internal spline 336 (see the above embodiment for details). Figure 7 (as shown); thus, the rotating spline 22 axially locks the inner spline 33 and the outer spline 11 through its key tooth end face, so that the first shaft component 10 and the second shaft component 30 are stably engaged, and the assembly of the connecting mechanism is completed.

[0094] In summary, the connecting mechanism, steering system, and assembly method of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0095] The first shaft part 10 and the second shaft part 30 are coupled by the external spline 11 and the internal spline 33, high coaxiality of the first shaft part 10 and the second shaft part 30 can be ensured, the spline coupling does not need to punch holes on the shaft parts, good torque transmission capacity between the first shaft part 10 and the second shaft part 30 can be ensured, and in addition, the locking piece 20 sleeved at the end of the first shaft part 10 and having the spline part 22 terminated with the external spline 11 and the thrust groove 330 arranged in the internal spline 33 and used for clamping the spline part 22 are used to realize that the spline part 22 is clamped into the thrust groove 330 along with the first shaft part 10 sleeved with the second shaft part 30, the locking piece 20 is further provided with the buckle part 24, the side wall of the corresponding key tooth of the spline part 22 extends axially away from the spline part 22 and circumferentially exceeds the outer side wall of the corresponding key tooth of the spline part 22, and in the process that the second shaft part 30 is sleeved with the first shaft part 10, the corresponding key tooth of the second internal spline 336 of the second shaft part 30 circumferentially extrudes the buckle part 24, the locking piece 20 is driven to rotate and rebound to the corresponding tooth groove of the second internal spline 336, so that the spline part 22 that has rotated is axially locked with the internal spline 33 and the external spline 11 through the key tooth end face, the first shaft part 10 and the second shaft part 30 are axially fixed together, and stability is maintained.

[0096] When the connecting mechanism of the application is applied to a steering system, the shaft parts of a steering column and the shaft parts of an auxiliary unit are connected, good torque transmission capacity and axial bearing capacity between the shaft parts of the steering column and the shaft parts of the auxiliary unit can be realized, 200Nm torque and 120N axial force can be borne in use, steering performance of the steering system is ensured, production line rapid assembly requirements are met, and performance is not affected after multiple disassembly and assembly.

[0097] The connecting mechanism of the application is especially suitable for a steer-by-wire system, and stably connects a steering column 300 and a torque feedback unit 100 of the steer-by-wire system.

[0098] The above is a further detailed description of the application in combination with specific preferred embodiments, and the specific implementation of the application cannot be limited to these descriptions. For ordinary skilled persons in the technical field to which the application belongs, some simple deductions or replacements can be made without departing from the concept of the application, and all of them should be regarded as falling within the protection scope of the application.

Claims

1. A connection mechanism for connecting two shaft parts, characterized in that The utility model relates to a connecting mechanism for connecting a steering column shaft component and an auxiliary unit, comprising: an external spline formed on an end of the first shaft component; a locking member sleeved on the end of the first shaft component, the locking member being provided with a spline portion ending with the external spline; an internal spline formed on an end of the second shaft component, the internal spline being provided with a thrust groove; sleeving the first shaft component with the second shaft component, the internal spline being coupled with the external spline, the spline portion being clamped into the thrust groove to axially lock the internal spline and the external spline; wherein the locking member is further provided with a buckle portion extending axially away from the spline portion from a side wall of a corresponding spline tooth of the spline portion and circumferentially beyond an outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth of the spline portion; the internal spline comprises a first internal spline and a second internal spline located on both axial sides of the thrust groove, the first internal spline being coupled with the external spline when the first shaft component is sleeved with the second shaft component, a corresponding spline tooth of the second internal spline circumferentially pressing the buckle portion to rotate the locking member to the corresponding spline tooth groove of the second internal spline.

2. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein, With the rotation of the locking member, a spline tooth end surface of the spline portion axially abuts against opposite spline tooth end surfaces of the first internal spline and the second internal spline.

3. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein, An end of the first internal spline away from the second internal spline is provided with a stop surface; With the rotation of the locking member, the spline portion and the stop surface axially limit the external spline.

4. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The spline portion is formed in an annular shape, and the buckle portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially uniformly distributed.

5. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The external spline comprises: an integral spline integrally formed on an end of the first shaft component; a spline sleeve overmolded on the integral spline.

6. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The locking member is made of plastic or metal.

7. A coupling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein An outer contour of the spline portion is the same as an outer contour of the external spline and matches an inner contour of the internal spline.

8. A steering system comprising a steering column and an auxiliary unit, characterized in that The shaft components of the steering column and the auxiliary unit are connected through the connecting mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The steering system of claim 8, wherein, The steering system is a steer-by-wire system, and the auxiliary unit is a torque feedback unit.

10. A method of assembly, characterized by, A method for assembling the connecting mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, comprising: sleeving a locking member on a first shaft component to end a spline portion of the locking member with an external spline of the first shaft component; sleeving a second shaft component on the first shaft component to couple an internal spline of the second shaft component with the external spline; continuously advancing the second shaft component to clamp the spline portion into a thrust groove of the internal spline to axially lock the internal spline and the external spline; wherein the locking member is further provided with a buckle portion extending axially away from the spline portion from a side wall of a corresponding spline tooth of the spline portion and circumferentially beyond an outer side wall of the corresponding spline tooth of the spline portion, and the internal spline comprises a first internal spline and a second internal spline located on both axial sides of the thrust groove; in the assembling method: the sleeving of the second shaft component on the first shaft component couples the first internal spline with the external spline; and the continuously advancing of the second shaft component further circumferentially presses a corresponding spline tooth of the second internal spline against the buckle portion to drive the locking member to rotate to the corresponding spline tooth groove of the second internal spline.

11. The method of assembly of claim 10, wherein, The first shaft component is integrally formed with an integral spline; The assembling method further comprises: After the locking member is sleeved on the first shaft component, a spline sleeve is over-molded outside the integral spline to form the outer spline.

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