A guide structure for electrically adjusting steering column

Abstract

The present invention discloses a guide structure for an electrically adjustable steering column, comprising a length adjustment bracket arranged on an inner tube column, a guide assembly arranged on the length adjustment bracket for guiding the axial movement of the inner tube column, a guide groove and a guide bar limiting groove arranged on a support sleeve, a guide bar embedded in the guide bar limiting groove for guiding the axial movement of the length adjustment bracket, and a baffle fixed on the support sleeve above the guide bar limiting groove for limiting the guide bar. The inner tube column is arranged in the support sleeve, the inner tube column moves axially relative to the support sleeve, and the guide assembly reciprocates along the guide groove. The present invention improves the stability of the inner tube column during length adjustment, effectively improves the collapse force, prevents the length adjustment bracket from deforming and losing its guiding function during collapse, and has a simple structure and is easy to assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrically adjustable steering columns, and in particular to a guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column. Background Art

[0002] Currently, electrically adjustable steering columns are guided in their length direction by means of a length-adjustment bracket and a plastic guide strip, or by adding a guide element to the bracket and the plastic guide strip. However, excessive crumple forces can cause the length-adjustment bracket to deform, damaging the plastic guide strip and causing the inner column to flip, affecting the stability of the crumple force and potentially interfering with the support sleeve, affecting the crumple function.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a guide structure for an electrically adjustable steering column with a simple structure and good stability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column with a simple structure and good stability, which is used to improve the stability of the inner column during length adjustment and ensure the stability of the collapse force.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] A guide structure for an electrically adjustable steering column includes a length adjustment bracket arranged on an inner tube column, a guide assembly arranged on the length adjustment bracket for guiding the axial movement of the inner tube column, a guide groove and a guide bar limiting groove arranged on a support sleeve, a guide bar embedded in the guide bar limiting groove for guiding the axial movement of the length adjustment bracket, and a baffle fixed on the support sleeve above the guide bar limiting groove for limiting the guide bar. The inner tube column is arranged in the support sleeve, the inner tube column moves axially relative to the support sleeve, and the guide assembly reciprocates along the guide groove.

[0007] Preferably, the guide assembly includes a guide bolt and a guide bolt sleeve mounted on the guide bolt.

[0008] Preferably, a guide groove is formed on the guide bar for guiding the axial movement of the length adjustment bracket.

[0009] Preferably, a guide boss is formed on the length adjustment bracket, and the guide boss moves in the guide groove.

[0010] Preferably, a fixing groove for fixing is formed under the length adjustment bracket.

[0011] Preferably, the guide bolt sleeve is a plastic part.

[0012] Preferably, a limiting boss for connecting to the baffle is formed above the guide bar.

[0013] Preferably, the guide assembly includes a rivet and a plastic rivet sleeve mounted on the rivet.

[0014] Preferably, the guide assembly is an integrally injection-molded plastic part.

[0015] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column of the present invention is provided with dual guides of a guide strip and a guide assembly, thereby improving the stability of the inner column during length adjustment.

[0017] 2. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column of the present invention has a guide assembly that can effectively prevent the length adjustment bracket from being deformed due to excessive collapse force, avoids the inner column from rotating due to the guide bar being damaged and losing its guiding function, and can also avoid the interference between the length adjustment bracket and the support sleeve after deformation, thereby ensuring the stability of the collapse force.

[0018] 3. The guide structure of the electrically adjustable steering column of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to assemble and repair, and has high maintenance efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] By referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and with a more complete understanding of the present invention, other objects and results of the present invention will become more clear and easy to understand. In the accompanying drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an electrically adjustable steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a portion of the structure of an electrically adjustable steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of a support sleeve of an electrically adjustable steering column to which the present invention is applied;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the energy absorbing sheet of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a structural diagram of the length adjustment bracket of the present invention;

[0025] The figure marks include: inner pipe column 1, C-shaped bar 2, energy absorbing plate 3, fixed boss 31, bending part 32, length adjustment bracket 4, guide boss 41, fixed groove 42, guide assembly 5, guide bolt 51, guide bolt sleeve 52, support sleeve 6, guide groove 7, guide bar limiting groove 8, guide bar 9, guide groove 91, limiting boss 92, baffle 10, motor 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of various embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to internal connections between two components. It should be noted that all figures are illustrative only. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific implementation examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 3A guide structure for an electrically adjustable steering column includes an inner column 1, a C-shaped bar 2, an energy absorbing sheet 3, a length adjustment bracket 4, a guide assembly 5, a support sleeve 6, a guide groove 7, a guide bar limiting groove 8, a guide bar 9, a baffle 10, and a motor 11. In this embodiment, the inner column 1 is provided with an energy absorbing sheet 3, which is fixed to the C-shaped bar 2 of the inner column 1 by rivets, the length adjustment bracket 4 is fixed to the energy absorbing sheet 3 by bolts, and the guide assembly 5 is fixed to the length adjustment bracket 4 for guiding the axial movement of the inner column 1. The guide groove 7 and the guide bar limiting groove 8 are connected to the guide bar 9, and the guide bar 9 is connected to the guide bar 10. The guide bar limiting groove 8 is set on the support sleeve 6. The guide bar 9 is a plastic part and is embedded in the guide bar limiting groove 8 to guide the axial movement of the length adjustment bracket 4. The baffle 10 is fixed above the guide bar limiting groove 8. The baffle 10 is used to press the guide bar 9 to prevent the guide bar 9 from being pushed upward, ensuring that the inner pipe column 1 does not move in other directions except the axial direction during the sliding process along the length direction; the inner pipe column 1 is set in the support sleeve 6, and the inner pipe column 1 moves axially relative to the support sleeve 6, and the guide assembly 5 reciprocates along the guide groove 7.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 The guide assembly 5 includes a guide bolt 51 and a guide bolt sleeve 52. The guide assembly 5 may be an integrally-molded plastic part, such as a plastic block with a buckle or an integrally-molded plastic part with a bolt-like shape. The guide assembly 5 may also include a rivet and a plastic rivet sleeve mounted on the rivet. The guide assembly 5 is provided to prevent the length adjustment bracket 4 from deforming when the collapse force is too large, thereby damaging the guide bar 9 and losing its guiding function. Specifically, the guide assembly 5 prevents the length adjustment bracket 4 from interfering with the support sleeve 6 after deformation, thereby affecting the collapse force. The guide bolt 51 in this embodiment is mounted with a plastic guide bolt sleeve 52 and fixed to the length adjustment bracket 4. The guide assembly 5 is pressed into the guide groove 7 on the support sleeve 6 to ensure that the inner column 1 does not rotate when the collapse occurs. The guide bolt 51 is a metal part, and the guide bolt sleeve 52 is a plastic part, which ensures strength while avoiding abnormal noise during sliding; the guide bolt sleeve 52 is provided with evenly distributed protrusions inside, which have an interference fit with the guide bolt 51. The special structure of the outside of the guide bolt sleeve 52 can also reduce the friction between the guide groove 7 of the support sleeve 6, making the sliding smoother.

[0032] Reference Figure 2 , the guide strip 9 is formed with a guide groove 91; Figure 5 A guide boss 41 is formed on the length adjustment bracket 4, and the guide boss 41 moves in the guide groove 91. Both sides of the guide boss 41 are in contact with the guide bar 9, and the upper side of the guide boss 41 is not in contact with the guide bar 9; a fixing groove 42 is formed under the length adjustment bracket 4, and the fixing boss 31 matches the fixing groove 42.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 A limiting boss 92 for connecting the baffle 10 is formed above the guide bar 9, and a hole matching the limiting boss 92 is opened on the baffle 10, so that the limiting boss 92 can be snapped in after assembly, so that the guide bar 9 is restricted in its upward movement; in addition, the four sides of the guide bar 9 are embedded in the guide bar limiting groove of the support sleeve, and the guide groove 91 of the guide bar 9 is limited by the guide boss 41 on the length adjustment bracket 4, so that the guide bar 9 is effectively limited on six sides, thereby effectively guiding the inner pipe column 1 to move axially relative to the support sleeve 6, thereby preventing the inner pipe column 1 from rotating.

[0034] Reference Figure 4 A fixing boss 31 for fixing bolts is formed above the energy absorbing sheet 3 to fix the bolts of the length adjustment bracket 4 and prevent the bolts from contacting the C-shaped bar 2; a bent portion 32 for energy absorption is formed at one end of the energy absorbing sheet 3. When an external force impacts, such as a car accident, the energy absorbing sheet 3 absorbs energy through deformation of the bent portion 32, thereby reducing damage to the driver. The bending length of the bent portion 32 is determined by the collapse stroke.

[0035] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 5 The working principle of the present invention is described.

[0036] The guide structure of the electrically adjustable steering column of the present invention is that the motor is connected to the length adjustment bracket 4, and the motor drives the length adjustment bracket 4 to move, and then the inner tube column 1 fixed with the length adjustment bracket 4 moves axially relative to the support sleeve 6, and the guide bar 9 embedded in the guide bar limiting groove 8 guides the movement of the inner tube column 1. At the same time, the guide assembly 5 fixed on the length adjustment bracket 4 reciprocates along the guide groove 7 on the support sleeve 6. The dual guiding effect of the guide bar 9 and the guide assembly 5 improves the stability of the inner tube column 1 during length adjustment, prevents the length adjustment bracket 4 from being deformed due to excessive collapse force, prevents the length adjustment bracket 4 from interfering with the support sleeve 6 and affecting the collapse force, and also avoids the guide bar 9 from being damaged and losing its guiding effect, thereby ensuring the stability of the collapse force.

[0037] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A guide structure for an electrically adjustable steering column, characterized in that: The cam is fixed on the support sleeve above the guide bar limiting groove, and the guide bar is fixed on the support sleeve above the guide bar limiting groove to limit the guide bar. The inner tube column is arranged in the support sleeve, and the inner tube column moves axially relative to the support sleeve, and the guide assembly reciprocates along the guide groove. The guide assembly includes a guide bolt and a guide bolt sleeve mounted on the guide bolt. A limiting boss for connecting the baffle is formed above the guide bar, and the inner tube column is provided with an energy absorbing plate, which is fixed on the C-shaped bar of the inner tube column, and the length adjustment bracket is fixed on the energy absorbing plate.

2. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guide groove is formed on the guide bar for guiding the axial movement of the length adjustment bracket.

3. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that: A guide boss is formed on the length adjustment bracket, and the guide boss moves in the guide groove.

4. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing groove for fixing is formed below the length adjustment bracket.

5. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide bolt sleeve is a plastic part.

6. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide assembly comprises a rivet and a plastic rivet sleeve sleeved on the rivet.

7. The guide structure of an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide assembly is an injection-molded plastic part.

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