Steering device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a steering device and a vehicle, and relates to the technical field of vehicle parts. According to the steering device, the middle mechanism of the steering device comprises the multiple linkage components, and each linkage component is hinged to the corresponding holding assembly, so that when each linkage component moves, the posture of the corresponding holding assembly changes, and finally the steering device is in the folded posture and the unfolded posture. Therefore, according to the steering device provided by the embodiment of the invention, the corresponding linkage component can be adjusted to move according to the shape of the holding mechanism needing to be presented, and the other linkage components are kept not to move, so that the holding assembly presents different postures, and different control requirements are met; the multi-stage unfolding posture selection is provided for the holding assembly between complete storage and complete unfolding of the holding assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicle components, and in particular to a steering device and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] At present, self-driving cars are gradually entering people's lives as a new ecosystem. After the vehicle enters high-level autonomous driving, the driver can free his hands and feet. The vehicle is fully controlled by autonomous driving. Therefore, the steering wheel can be removed to free up the driver's riding space. However, sometimes the driver needs to take over the vehicle. With the integration of the wire control steering function and the improvement of the vehicle's autonomous driving level, the variability of the steering wheel demand also increases. This requires the steering wheel to be able to switch between the two states of "cancel" and "appear".

[0003] At present, foldable steering wheels have appeared in the existing technology, but as mentioned above, due to the improvement of the vehicle's autonomous driving level, the existing foldable steering wheels cannot effectively meet the needs of the vehicle, and there is still room for improvement. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a steering device and a vehicle, the purpose of which is to solve the above technical problems to a certain extent.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a steering device, wherein the steering device is configured to be operable to control the steering of a vehicle, and the steering device comprises:

[0006] A middle mechanism, the middle mechanism comprising a center portion and a steering column connected to each other;

[0007] A gripping mechanism, the gripping mechanism comprising a plurality of gripping components, the plurality of gripping components being arranged around the outside of the central portion, the gripping components being hinged to the central portion;

[0008] Wherein, the middle mechanism further comprises a plurality of linkage members, each of the linkage members is hinged to some of the gripping assemblies among the plurality of gripping assemblies, and each of the linkage members is movably connected to the steering column so as to be able to move along the steering column;

[0009] Wherein, each of the linkage members and the corresponding gripping assembly are configured to be driven so that the gripping assembly has a stowed posture folded to the outside of the steering column and an unfolded posture unfolded to the outside of the central portion.

[0010] Preferably, at least two linkage members are configured as follows:

[0011] The gripping assembly connected to the linkage member comprises two groups of gripping assemblies which are opposite to each other.

[0012] Preferably, the at least two linkage members are sleeved on the steering column, and the steering device comprises a driving member, which is sleeved on the steering column and located between two adjacent linkage members of the at least two linkage members;

[0013] Wherein, the driving member moves between the two adjacent linkage members to respectively abut against the two adjacent linkage members;

[0014] Among them, the driving member abuts against the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present an expanded posture; the driving member abuts against the linkage member far from the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present a stored posture.

[0015] Preferably, the steering device further comprises a first reset member and a second reset member, wherein the first reset member connects the middle portion and the linkage member of the two adjacent linkage members close to the middle portion, and the second reset member connects the linkage member of the two adjacent linkage members far from the middle portion;

[0016] Among them, the first restoring member applies a first restoring force to the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present a retracted posture; the second restoring member applies a second restoring force to the linkage member far from the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present an expanded posture.

[0017] Preferably, the middle mechanism further comprises a plurality of clamping parts protruding from the steering column, and the clamping parts are further configured to be retractable into the steering column;

[0018] Wherein, along the extension direction of the steering column, the plurality of clamping parts include a first clamping part and a second clamping part corresponding to the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members, and a third clamping part and a fourth clamping part corresponding to the linkage member far from the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members;

[0019] The linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members is engaged with the first engaging portion to position the gripping assembly connected to the linkage member in an extended posture, and the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members is engaged with the second engaging portion to position the gripping assembly connected to the linkage member in a retracted posture;

[0020] Among them, the linkage member far away from the central part among the two adjacent linkage members is clamped with the third clamping part to position the holding component connected to the linkage member in the expanded posture, and the linkage member far away from the central part among the two adjacent linkage members is clamped with the fourth clamping part to position the holding component connected to the linkage member in the stored posture.

[0021] Preferably, the plurality of clamping parts further include a fifth clamping part, and the driving member is configured to be clamped with the fifth clamping part when the two adjacent linkage members are respectively clamped with the second clamping part and the fourth clamping part;

[0022] The driving member is also configured to continue to move toward the side of the linkage member located away from the middle part among the two adjacent linkage members, so as to drive the middle mechanism to move synchronously.

[0023] Preferably, the two adjacent linkage members can partially overlap in the extending direction of the steering column.

[0024] Preferably, the middle mechanism further comprises a bracket, which is sleeved on the outer side of the steering column and located at an end of the steering column away from the middle portion;

[0025] The steering column is capable of moving relative to the bracket to further enter the interior of the bracket and extend from the interior of the bracket.

[0026] Preferably, the steering device further comprises a power component, wherein the power component is disposed on the bracket and connected to the driving component to drive the driving component to move along the steering column.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application provides a vehicle, comprising the steering device as described above.

[0028] According to the steering device provided by the present application, the middle mechanism of the steering device includes a plurality of linkage components, each of which is hinged to the corresponding gripping assembly, so when each linkage component moves, the posture of the corresponding gripping assembly changes, and finally presents a stowed posture and an unfolded posture. Therefore, according to the steering device provided by the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to adjust the corresponding linkage component to move according to the form of the gripping mechanism to be presented, while keeping the remaining linkage components from moving, so that the gripping assembly presents different postures, thereby meeting different control requirements, and providing the gripping assembly with a multi-level unfolding posture selection between the gripping assembly being fully stowed and fully unfolded.

[0029] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, preferred embodiments are specifically cited below and described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional diagram of a state of a steering device provided according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing another three-dimensional diagram of a state of a steering device provided according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0033] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a state plan view of the steering device in the middle;

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a plan view of yet another state of a steering device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional diagram of a linkage component of a steering device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional diagram of another linkage component of a steering device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional diagram of a steering column of a steering device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional diagram of two linkage components of a steering device provided in an embodiment of the present application assembled together;

[0039] Fig. 9 A partial structural schematic diagram of a vehicle provided according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0040] Fig.10 Another schematic diagram showing a partial structure of a vehicle provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Reference numerals:

[0042] 10-steering device; 11-screen; 20-instrument;

[0043] 100-middle mechanism; 110-center part; 120-steering column; 131-first clamping part; 132-second clamping part; 133-third clamping part; 134-fourth clamping part; 135-fifth clamping part; 140-bracket;

[0044] 200-holding mechanism; 210-holding assembly;

[0045] 300 - linkage component; 310 - first shaft section; 320 - second shaft section; 330 - notch portion; 340 - ear portion; 400 - driving component; 500 - power component; 610 - first reset component; 620 - second reset component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The technical solution of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0047] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0048] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0049] In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but they must be based on the fact that they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0050] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a steering device 10 is provided. Figures 1 to 9 The structure and working principle of the steering device 10 will be described in detail.

[0051] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the steering device 10 is configured to be operable to control the steering of the vehicle, and the steering device 10 includes a central mechanism 100 and a gripping mechanism 200. In the embodiment, the central mechanism 100 includes a central portion 110 and a steering column 120 connected to each other, and the gripping mechanism 200 includes a plurality of gripping assemblies 210, the aforementioned plurality of gripping assemblies 210 are arranged around the outside of the central portion 110, and the gripping assemblies 210 are hinged to the central portion 110.

[0052] In an embodiment, the middle mechanism 100 further includes a plurality of linkage members 300 , each linkage member 300 being hinged to some of the plurality of gripping assemblies 210 , and each linkage member 300 being movably connected to the steering column 120 so as to be able to move along the steering column 120 .

[0053] In an embodiment, each linkage member 300 and the corresponding grip assembly 210 are configured to be driven so that the grip assembly 210 has a stowed posture folded outside the steering column 120 and an expanded posture expanded outside the central portion 110 .

[0054] Thus, according to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the middle mechanism 100 of the steering device 10 includes a plurality of linkage members 300, each linkage member 300 is hinged to the corresponding gripping assembly 210, so when each linkage member 300 moves, the posture of the corresponding gripping assembly 210 changes, and finally presents a stowed posture and an unfolded posture. Therefore, according to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to adjust the corresponding linkage member 300 to move according to the form of the gripping mechanism 200 to be presented, while keeping the remaining linkage members 300 not moving, so that the gripping assembly 210 presents different postures, thereby meeting different control requirements, and providing the gripping assembly 210 with a multi-level unfolding posture selection between the gripping assembly 210 being fully stowed and fully unfolded.

[0055] In the embodiment, according to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, by adjusting the movement of the linkage member 300, all the gripping components 210 can be in an unfolded posture, or in a retracted posture, or a part of the gripping components 210 can be in an unfolded posture, while the rest of the gripping components 210 can be in a retracted posture. Thus, the three postures of the gripping mechanism 200 meet the three control requirements correspondingly, which will be described in detail in the subsequent description.

[0056] In an embodiment, each grip assembly 210 may include an arc-shaped rim and a rod connecting the rim and the center portion 110. In an embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple grip assemblies 210 can be arranged on the outside of the center portion 110 in the unfolded posture, so that the rims of each grip assembly 210 substantially form a discontinuous annular structure together, which can be used as a substantial steering wheel. In addition, in an embodiment, each rod is hinged to the outer side of the center portion 110, so that the rod can be flipped toward the steering column 120.

[0057] Here, as an example, the extension direction of the rod portion may be, for example, perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the axis of the steering column 120 in the deployed posture of the grip assembly 210 .

[0058] In an embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple gripping components 210 may all be in an unfolded posture (such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 ), then these gripping components 210 are substantially arranged outside the central portion 110, and these gripping components 210 can be gripped by the driver when the driver attempts to control the vehicle. In this case, the gripping mechanism 200 is in a universal state and can be applied to the situation where the vehicle is traveling at a low speed.

[0059] In an embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple gripping components 210 may all be in a storage posture (such as Figure 2 ), in this state, the holding mechanism 200 does not provide a portion for holding, and the holding mechanism 200 is substantially stored as a whole. In this state, the steering device 10 meets the driver's need not to operate the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle can be in an automatic driving state.

[0060] In an embodiment, the plurality of gripping components 210 may partially present a storage posture (eg, Figure 4 ), the remaining gripping assembly 210 can be in an unfolded posture. In this state of the gripping mechanism 200, the gripping mechanism 200 provides less than all of the grippable parts, and in this state, the driver may have less operability in the range of rotating the steering device 10 than in the fully unfolded state, that is, in this state, it is more suitable for the driver to swing the gripping mechanism 200, and therefore, it is more suitable for the vehicle to be driven at high speed, and only a small adjustment of the gripping mechanism 200 is required to effectively change the vehicle's travel trajectory.

[0061] In addition, in the embodiment, the linkage member 300 can be slidably matched with the steering column 120. The linkage member 300 can be formed into a sleeve, and matching splines are processed on the outer sides of the sleeve and the steering column 120, so that the linkage member 300 can slide along the steering column 120 without rotating relative to the steering column 120. The specific structure of the linkage member 300 will be described in detail in the subsequent description.

[0062] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, in the embodiment, at least two linkage members 300 are configured in the following manner: the gripping components 210 connected to the linkage members 300 have two groups of gripping components 210 facing each other.

[0063] In this way, according to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, since the two groups of gripping components 210 connected to the same linkage member 300 are opposite to each other, when the linkage member 300 moves, the two groups of gripping components 210 are opposite to each other when unfolded, which is convenient for the driver to hold the slots with both hands.

[0064] In an embodiment, as an example, the number of gripping assemblies 210 may be, for example, four, and the number of linkage members 300 may be two, that is, the four gripping assemblies 210 may be arranged opposite to each other in pairs, and each pair of oppositely arranged gripping assemblies 210 is hinged to the same linkage member 300 .

[0065] In the embodiment, as an example, two gripping assemblies 210 may be opposite to each other in the horizontal direction at the driver's driving position, and the other two gripping assemblies 210 may be opposite to each other in the vertical direction at the driver's driving position. In other words, when the steering wheel of the vehicle is "returned to the center", that is, when the steering wheel of the vehicle is "returned to the center", the two gripping assemblies 210 are opposite to each other in the horizontal direction, and the other two gripping assemblies 210 are opposite to each other in the vertical direction, so as to facilitate the driver's operation.

[0066] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, in the embodiment, the steering device 10 may include a driving member 400 , and the driving member 400 may be sleeved on the steering column 120 and located between the two linkage members 300 mentioned above.

[0067] In an embodiment, the driving member 400 can move between two linkage members 300 to respectively abut against two adjacent linkage members 300. As an example, in an embodiment, the driving member 400 can abut against the linkage member 300 of the two linkage members 300 that is close to the middle portion 110 (in the working state of the steering device 10, it is the linkage member 300 located above the driving member 400) to drive the linkage member 300 to present an unfolded posture. In addition, the driving member 400 can abut against the linkage member 300 of the two linkage members 300 that is far from the middle portion 110 (as mentioned above, it is the linkage member 300 located below the driving member 400) to drive the linkage member 300 to present a retracted posture.

[0068] In this way, according to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the movement of the driving member 400 arranged between the two linkage members 300 along the steering column 120 is utilized, so that the driving member 400 can drive the linkage member 300 located above the driving member 400 of the two linkage members 300, and can also drive the linkage member 300 located below the driving member 400 of the two linkage members 300, thereby making the driving function of the driving member 400 reused, which is equivalent to saving a separate driving element for the action of the two linkage members 300, which is beneficial to reducing the volume and weight of the steering device 10.

[0069] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the steering device 10 may further include a first reset member 610 and a second reset member 620. The first reset member 610 may connect the central portion 110 and the linkage member 300 of the two linkage members 300 that is closer to the central portion 110. The second reset member 620 may connect the linkage member 300 of the two linkage members 300 of the central portion 110 that is farther from the central portion 110.

[0070] In an embodiment, the first reset member 610 can apply a first reset force to the linkage member 300 close to the central portion 110 of the two adjacent linkage members 300 to drive the linkage member 300 to present a stored posture, and the second reset member 620 can apply a second reset force to the linkage member 300 far from the central portion 110 of the two adjacent linkage members 300 to drive the linkage member 300 to present an expanded posture.

[0071] Therefore, for the linkage member 300 located above the driving member 400, the first reset force of the first reset member 610 makes the reset posture of the two gripping components 210 hinged thereon a storage posture, that is, when the driving member 400 no longer applies a force toward the central portion 110 to the linkage member 300, the first reset force can drive the two gripping components 210 to be stored, conversely, when the driving member 400 moves upward to push the linkage member 300, the driving member 400 and the linkage member 300 overcome the first reset force and push the two gripping components 210 to be unfolded.

[0072] In the embodiment, opposite to the first reset member 610, the second reset force applied by the second reset member 620 causes the reset posture of the two gripping components 210 connected to the linkage member 300 below the driving member 400 to be an expanded posture. That is, when the driving member 400 no longer applies a force away from the central portion 110 to the linkage member 300, the second reset force can drive the two gripping components 210 to be expanded. Conversely, when the driving member 400 moves downward to push the linkage member 300, the driving member 400 and the linkage member 300 overcome the second reset force and pull the two gripping components 210 together.

[0073] In this way, according to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, through the cooperation of the first reset member 610, the second reset member 620 and the driving member 400, a total of four actions of the two linkage members 300 can be realized (each linkage member 300 rises and falls along the steering column 120), effectively reducing the complexity of the steering device 10 and reducing the weight and volume of the steering device 10.

[0074] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing all the gripping assemblies 210 in a stowed position is shown. In this position, it can be seen that the hinged position between the rod portion and the central portion 110 of each gripping assembly 210 can be used to set a reset member. Here, the first reset member 610 and the second reset member 620 can both be formed as torsion springs, for example. In an embodiment, the torsion spring can be sleeved on the outside of the pivot axis of the hinged position between the rod portion and the central portion 110.

[0075] In an embodiment, the two holding assemblies 210 opposite to each other in the horizontal direction can be hinged to the linkage member 300 located below the driving member 400, so the corresponding second reset member 620 is set, and the two holding assemblies 210 opposite to each other in the vertical direction can be hinged to the linkage member 300 located above the driving member 400, so the corresponding first reset member 610 is set.

[0076] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the middle mechanism 100 may further include a plurality of clamping parts protruding from the steering column 120, and the clamping parts may further be configured to be retractable into the steering column 120. As an example, the clamping parts may be, for example, electromagnetic latches in the prior art, which may be protruded and retracted by electromagnetic control.

[0077] In an embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, along the extension direction of the steering column 120, the aforementioned multiple clamping portions may include a first clamping portion 131 and a second clamping portion 132 corresponding to the linkage member 300 close to the center portion 110 of the above-mentioned two linkage members 300, and a third clamping portion 133 and a fourth clamping portion 134 corresponding to the linkage member 300 far from the center portion 110 of the above-mentioned two linkage members 300.

[0078] Specifically, in an embodiment, the linkage member 300 closer to the center portion 110 of the above-mentioned two linkage members 300 can be clamped with the first clamping portion 131 to position the holding assembly 210 connected to the linkage member 300 in an expanded posture, and the linkage member 300 closer to the center portion 110 of the above-mentioned two linkage members 300 can be clamped with the second clamping portion 132 to position the holding assembly 210 connected to the linkage member 300 in a stored posture.

[0079] In an embodiment, the linkage member 300 away from the central portion 110 of the two linkage members 300 is clamped with the third clamping portion 133 to position the holding assembly 210 connected to the linkage member 300 in an expanded posture, and the linkage member 300 away from the central portion 110 of the two linkage members 300 is clamped with the fourth clamping portion 134 to position the holding assembly 210 connected to the linkage member 300 in a stored posture.

[0080] In the embodiment, the arrangement of the first to fourth clamping portions 131 , 134 effectively ensures the stability of the holding assembly 210 in the stored posture and the unfolded posture.

[0081] See also Figure 7 According to the steering device 10 provided by the embodiment of the present application, the plurality of clamping parts may further include a fifth clamping part 135, and the driving member 400 may be configured to be clamped with the fifth clamping part 135 when the two linkage members 300 are respectively clamped with the second clamping part 132 and the fourth clamping part 134. In other words, when all the gripping assemblies 210 are in the storage posture, the driving member 400 may also be positioned relative to the steering column 120 through the corresponding fifth clamping part 135.

[0082] In an embodiment, the driving member 400 may also be configured to continue to move toward the side of the linkage member 300 located away from the central portion 110 of the two adjacent linkage members 300, so as to drive the middle mechanism 100 to move synchronously. In this way, based on the further movement of the driving member 400, the middle mechanism 100 and the gripping mechanism 200 that has been fully stored will move further downward, thereby further moving from above the vehicle's instrument 20 to inside the vehicle's instrument 20, thereby freeing up space in front of the driver.

[0083] In addition, in the embodiment, the driving member 400 is used as a component for adjusting the storage and deployment of the gripping mechanism 200, and as a component for further storing and releasing the middle mechanism 100 and the gripping mechanism 200 (i.e., recharging and taking out the middle mechanism 100 and the gripping mechanism 200 from the instrument 20), thereby realizing the reuse of the driving member 400, without adding additional components to control the storage and release of the middle mechanism 100 and the gripping mechanism 200, effectively reducing the volume and weight of the steering device 10, and making the steering device 10 more compact. As an example, the driving member 400 can be, for example, a cylindrical slider sleeved on the outside of the steering column 120.

[0084] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the two linkage members 300 mentioned above can partially overlap in the extending direction of the steering column 120. Figure 5 and Figure 6 as well as Figure 8 In the embodiment, each linkage member 300 may include a first shaft segment 310 and a second shaft segment 320, wherein the first shaft segment 310 has a larger outer diameter, the two shaft segments have through holes with the same inner diameter, and the second shaft segment 320 is provided with a spline for cooperating with a spline on the steering column 120. In addition, a groove for cooperating with a corresponding clamping portion may be provided inside the hole of the first shaft segment 310.

[0085] In the embodiment, two notches 330 extending in the axial direction are formed on the second shaft segment 320. In the specific assembly process, the linkage member 300 located below the driving member 400 is longer in the axial direction and has a longer second shaft segment 320, while the second shaft segment 320 of the linkage member 300 located above the driving member 400 is shorter. In addition, the notches 330 make the second shaft segment 320 substantially formed into two arc-shaped sheet structures facing each other.

[0086] In an embodiment, when the two linkage members 300 are assembled to the steering column 120, Figure 8As shown, the second shaft section 320 of the lower linkage member 300 penetrates into the through hole of the upper linkage member 300 from the lower side of the upper linkage member 300, that is, the side where the first shaft section 310 is located, and the two arc-shaped sheet-like structure parts of the second shaft section 320 of the lower linkage member 300 are respectively located in the two notches of the upper linkage member 300. On this basis, the driving member 400 is located between the two first shaft sections 310 of the two linkage members 300.

[0087] In addition, in the embodiment, the end of the second shaft section 320 of each linkage member 300 may also have an ear 340 for providing a hinge position, and the ear is hinged to the corresponding gripping assembly through a connecting rod structure.

[0088] By assembling the two linkage members 300 in the above manner, Figure 3 When all the gripping assemblies 210 are deployed, the ends of the second shaft segments 320 of the two linkage members 300 are flush. When all the gripping assemblies 210 of the steering device are deployed, the vehicle can be in low-speed mode, and the ends of the second shaft segments 320 of the two linkage members 300 are flush, so that the lower ends of the four connecting rods are also flush (the flush mentioned here is relative to the axial direction of the steering column, and the lower ends of the four connecting rods are located at the same position on the axial direction of the steering column, but at different circumferential positions, for example, adjacent connecting rods are spaced 90 degrees apart), which makes the forces applied to the steering column 120 by different gripping assemblies 210 uniform in the low-speed mode, thereby providing better stability for the vehicle's control.

[0089] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the middle mechanism 100 may further include a bracket 140, which may be sleeved on the outside of the steering column 120 and located at an end of the steering column 120 away from the middle portion 110, i.e., the lower end. In the embodiment, the steering column 120 can move relative to the bracket 140 to further enter the interior of the bracket 140 and extend from the interior of the bracket 140. Figures 1 to 4 The bracket 140 is shown in the figure. In addition, the steering column 120 can rotate synchronously with the bracket 140 through a key structure, so that the rotation of the holding mechanism 200 can be transmitted to other structures of the vehicle through the bracket 140.

[0090] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the steering device 10 may further include a power component 500, which is disposed on the bracket 140 and may be connected to the driving component 400 to drive the driving component 400 to move along the steering column 120. As an example, the power component 500 may be, for example, a linear motor.

[0091] According to the steering device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, a foldable steering wheel that can be used for an autonomous driving vehicle is essentially provided, and the steering wheel adopts a multi-stage folding structure. Specifically, when the vehicle is autonomously driving, the four rims of the gripping mechanism 200 can be folded at the rear side (that is, the side close to the steering column 120). When the steering device 10 is in a high-speed and small-angle motion mode, the two rims in the vertical direction are folded at the back, and the two rims in the horizontal direction are unfolded to ensure the small-angle steering requirements. In the normal mode of the steering device 10, the four rims are unfolded when the vehicle is running at a low speed and a large angle, to ensure the large-angle operation requirements of the vehicle. In addition, in the embodiment, the hinge between the rim and the corresponding linkage member 300 can rely on a connecting rod, that is, supported by a connecting rod, and the two ends of the connecting rod are respectively hinged on the corresponding rim and the linkage member 300.

[0092] The central part 110 of the steering device 10 can be equipped with an airbag according to the conventional structure, or a screen 11 can be installed to display the instrument 20. When the steering device 10 is fully folded, the airbag can be installed. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, it can be received into the surface of the front instrument 20 and matched with the surface of the instrument 20 to ensure the aesthetic appearance of the outer surface.

[0093] In an embodiment, the movement of the middle mechanism 100 is achieved by the movement of the steering column 120. The height adjustment of the steering column 120 and the storage and deployment of the holding mechanism 200 share the same motor. The graded movement is achieved through a multi-layer tubular structure (i.e., an assembly structure formed by two linkage components 300 and a structure jointly formed by a driving component 400). The movement and separation of the tubular structure are achieved by the electromagnetic adsorption pin as described above.

[0094] In an embodiment, the movement of the steering column 120 is sent to the motor and the electromagnetic controller (i.e., the telescopic controller of the clamping part) through the automatic driving command, so as to realize the linkage between the automatic driving and the steering column 120, the automatic driving mode switching or the manual mode switching.

[0095] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include a steering device 10 as described above, and also include the beneficial effects as described above, which will not be repeated here. The vehicle may be, for example, an autonomous driving vehicle.

[0096] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the present application specification and drawings under the innovative concept of the present application, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A steering device, characterized in that: The steering device is configured to be operable to control the steering of the vehicle, and the steering device includes: A middle mechanism, the middle mechanism comprising a center portion and a steering column connected to each other; A gripping mechanism, the gripping mechanism comprising a plurality of gripping components, the plurality of gripping components being arranged around the outside of the central portion, the gripping components being hinged to the central portion; Wherein, the middle mechanism further comprises a plurality of linkage members, each of the linkage members is hinged to some of the gripping assemblies among the plurality of gripping assemblies, and each of the linkage members is movably connected to the steering column so as to be able to move along the steering column; Wherein, each of the linkage members and the corresponding gripping assembly are configured to be driven so that the gripping assembly has a stowed posture folded to the outside of the steering column and an unfolded posture unfolded to the outside of the central portion.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two linkage components are configured as follows: The gripping assembly connected to the linkage member comprises two groups of gripping assemblies which are opposite to each other.

3. The steering device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The at least two linkage members are sleeved on the steering column, and the steering device comprises a driving member, which is sleeved on the steering column and located between two adjacent linkage members among the at least two linkage members; Wherein, the driving member moves between the two adjacent linkage members to respectively abut against the two adjacent linkage members; Among them, the driving member abuts against the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present an expanded posture; the driving member abuts against the linkage member far from the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present a stored posture.

4. The steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The steering device further comprises a first reset member and a second reset member, wherein the first reset member connects the middle portion and the linkage member of the two adjacent linkage members close to the middle portion, and the second reset member connects the linkage member of the two adjacent linkage members far from the middle portion; Among them, the first restoring member applies a first restoring force to the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present a retracted posture; the second restoring member applies a second restoring force to the linkage member far from the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members to drive the linkage member to present an expanded posture.

5. The steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The middle mechanism further comprises a plurality of clamping parts protruding from the steering column, and the clamping parts are further configured to be retractable into the steering column; Wherein, along the extension direction of the steering column, the plurality of clamping parts include a first clamping part and a second clamping part corresponding to the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members, and a third clamping part and a fourth clamping part corresponding to the linkage member far from the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members; The linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members is engaged with the first engaging portion to position the gripping assembly connected to the linkage member in an extended posture, and the linkage member close to the middle part of the two adjacent linkage members is engaged with the second engaging portion to position the gripping assembly connected to the linkage member in a retracted posture; Among them, the linkage member far away from the central part among the two adjacent linkage members is clamped with the third clamping part to position the holding component connected to the linkage member in the expanded posture, and the linkage member far away from the central part among the two adjacent linkage members is clamped with the fourth clamping part to position the holding component connected to the linkage member in the stored posture.

6. The steering device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plurality of clamping parts further include a fifth clamping part, and the driving member is configured to be clamped with the fifth clamping part when the two adjacent linkage members are respectively clamped with the second clamping part and the fourth clamping part; The driving member is also configured to continue to move toward the side of the linkage member located away from the middle part among the two adjacent linkage members, so as to drive the middle mechanism to move synchronously.

7. The steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two adjacent linkage members may partially overlap in the extending direction of the steering column.

8. The steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The middle mechanism further comprises a bracket, which is sleeved on the outer side of the steering column and located at an end of the steering column away from the middle part; The steering column is capable of moving relative to the bracket to further enter the interior of the bracket and extend from the interior of the bracket.

9. The steering device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The steering device further comprises a power component, wherein the power component is arranged on the bracket and connected to the driving component to drive the driving component to move along the steering column.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises a steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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