Steering column locking structure and automobile thereof

Abstract

The application relates to a steering column locking structure and a car thereof, which comprises a body base, a front-rear locking assembly and an up-down locking assembly. The front-rear locking assembly comprises a first locking driving piece, a front-rear locking piece and a locked piece. The first locking driving piece is installed on the body base. The locked piece is used for being connected to a rotating end of a rotating column. One end of the first locking driving piece is connected with the front-rear locking piece and is used for driving the front-rear locking piece to lock or unlock the rotating end of the rotating column through the locked piece. The up-down locking assembly comprises a second locking driving piece, an up-down locking piece and an outer slide rail support. The second locking driving piece is installed on the body base. The outer slide rail support is in sliding connection with the body base. One end of the second locking driving piece is connected with the up-down locking piece and is used for driving the up-down locking piece to lock or unlock the body base through the outer slide rail support. In the application, the front-rear locking assembly and the up-down locking assembly are designed to lock or unlock, and the reliability and stability are higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the automotive field, and more particularly to a steering column locking structure and its automotive application. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the automotive industry, the requirements for cabin comfort are constantly increasing. Steering wheel adjustment is an essential requirement for customers. Steering wheel adjustment can meet the needs of drivers of different sizes for the vertical space between the steering wheel and the driver, allowing the driver to adjust the distance between the seat and the steering wheel while maintaining comfortable legroom. Currently, there are two basic ways to adjust the steering column rotation. The first is to simply generate axial pressure by rotating the handle to directly press the rotating end 3 of the rotating column. The second is to connect the rotating end 3 of the rotating column with friction plates, and press the friction plates with a cylinder or handle to generate sufficient friction to prevent the friction plates from moving, thereby controlling the rotating end 3 of the rotating column to not move.

[0003] The first structure is relatively simple, but it requires the operation of a handle to lock the steering column. It cannot be directly driven by a cylinder, is not as convenient as pneumatic adjustment, and requires a large operating force to manually lock the steering column. If the locking force is insufficient, it is easy to loosen, which is not safe enough.

[0004] The second option, although it can be driven by a cylinder and is easy to operate, has a more complex structure, higher weight and cost. When adjusting the steering wheel, the friction surface of the friction plate repeatedly moves and rubs against the contact shaft, which will reduce the friction force, resulting in a decrease in locking force and easy loosening, thus compromising safety. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a steering column locking structure and its automobile, which can solve the problem of easy loosening and insufficient safety when the steering column is locked in the related technology.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a steering column locking structure, comprising: a body base, front and rear locking components, and upper and lower locking components. The front and rear locking components include a first locking drive member, front and rear locking components, and a locked component. The first locking drive member is mounted on the body base, and the locked component is connected to the rotating end of the steering column. One end of the first locking drive member is connected to the front and rear locking components and is used to drive the front and rear locking components to lock or unlock the rotating end of the steering column through the locked component. The upper and lower locking components include a second locking drive member, upper and lower locking components, and an outer sliding bracket. The second locking drive member is mounted on the body base, and the outer sliding bracket is slidably connected to the body base. One end of the second locking drive member is connected to the upper and lower locking components and is used to drive the upper and lower locking components to lock or unlock the body base through the outer sliding bracket.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the front and rear locking members include: a connecting rod and front and rear fixed teeth, one end of the connecting rod being connected to a first locking drive member; the front and rear fixed teeth are rotatably connected to the body base, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the front and rear fixed teeth, which are connected to the locked member.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the locking member includes a rack fixed to the rotating end of the rotating column, the rack engaging with front and rear fixed teeth.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, one end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to an eccentric pin, and the eccentric pin passes through the body base and is slidably connected to the through grooves on the front and rear fixed teeth.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the front and rear locking assembly further includes a front and rear return spring, one end of which is connected to the rotating end of the rotating column, and the other end is connected to the body base.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the first locking drive member includes a front and rear adjusting cylinder, one end of which is fixed to the body base and the other end is hinged to the front and rear locking member.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the outer slide rail bracket is sleeved on the main body base and is slidably connected to the main body base.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the upper and lower locking members include a top rod, one end of which is rotatably connected to the main body base, and the other end is connected to the second locking drive member. The top rod is disposed between the second locking drive member and the outer slide bracket.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the second locking drive includes an up-and-down adjusting cylinder, the up-and-down adjusting cylinder includes a cylinder body, a cylinder catch pin is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder body, and a catch spring is provided between the cylinder catch pin and the cylinder body.

[0015] An upper and lower return spring is provided between the main body base and the outer slide rail support.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an automobile, which includes: a steering column locking structure as described above.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in this application include:

[0018] This application provides a steering column locking structure and its automotive counterpart. The design includes front and rear locking components, where a first locking drive unit drives the front and rear locking components to lock or unlock the rotating end of the steering column through the locked component. The design also includes upper and lower locking components, where a second locking drive unit drives the upper and lower locking components to lock or unlock the body base through the outer slide rail bracket. Compared with manual locking and friction plate locking mechanisms, this design offers higher reliability and stability. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 The steering column locking structure provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the eccentric pin provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating fixed teeth and rack provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the front and rear return springs provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the upper and lower locking components provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the outer slide rail support and the main body base provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the upper and lower return springs provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 8 Top view of the outer slide rail support and body base provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the outer slide rail support, body base and top rod provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating end of the rotating column provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the body base provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 12A schematic diagram of a rack provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the front and rear fixing teeth provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the front and rear adjusting cylinders provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0034] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the linkage provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the up-and-down adjusting cylinder provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the up-and-down adjusting cylinder provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0037] In the diagram: 1. Front and rear locking assembly; 10. Front and rear adjusting cylinder; 11. Connecting rod; 110. Eccentric pin; 12. Front and rear fixing teeth; 13. Rack; 14. Front and rear return springs;

[0038] 2. Upper and lower locking assembly; 20. Outer slide rail bracket; 21. Push rod; 22. Upper and lower adjusting cylinder; 220. Cylinder body; 221. Cylinder retaining pin; 222. Snap ring; 23. Upper and lower return spring;

[0039] 3. Rotating end of the rotating column;

[0040] 4. Body base. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0042] See Figures 1 to 17 This application provides a steering column locking structure and its vehicle, which can solve the problem of easy loosening and insufficient safety when the steering column is locked in the related art.

[0043] There are two basic ways to adjust the rotation of the steering column. The first is to simply generate axial pressure by rotating the handle to directly press the rotating end 3 of the steering column. The second is to connect the rotating end 3 of the steering column with a friction plate and press the friction plate with a cylinder or handle to make the friction plate generate enough friction to prevent it from moving, thereby controlling the rotating end 3 of the steering column to not move.

[0044] The first structure is relatively simple, but it requires the operation of a handle to lock the steering column. It cannot be directly driven by a cylinder, is not as convenient as pneumatic adjustment, and requires a large operating force to manually lock the steering column. If the locking force is insufficient, it is easy to loosen, which is not safe enough.

[0045] The second option, although it can be driven by a cylinder and is easy to operate, has a more complex structure, higher weight and cost. When adjusting the steering wheel, the friction surface of the friction plate repeatedly moves and rubs against the contact shaft, which will reduce the friction force, resulting in a decrease in locking force and easy loosening, thus compromising safety.

[0046] To address the issue of easy loosening and insufficient safety when the steering column is locked, this application provides a steering column locking structure, comprising: a main body base 4, a front and rear locking assembly 1, and an upper and lower locking assembly 2. The front and rear locking assembly 1 includes a first locking drive member, front and rear locking members, and a locked member. The first locking drive member is mounted on the main body base 4, and the locked member is connected to the rotating end 3 of the steering column. One end of the first locking drive member is connected to the front and rear locking members and is used to drive the front and rear locking members to lock or unlock the rotating end 3 of the steering column through the locked member. The upper and lower locking assembly 2 includes a second locking drive member, upper and lower locking members, and an outer slide bracket 20. The second locking drive member is mounted on the main body base 4, and the outer slide bracket 20 is slidably connected to the main body base 4. One end of the second locking drive member is connected to the upper and lower locking members and is used to drive the upper and lower locking members to lock or unlock the main body base 4 through the outer slide bracket 20.

[0047] In this application, a front and rear locking assembly 1 is designed so that the first locking drive member drives the front and rear locking members to lock or unlock the rotating end 3 of the rotating column through the locked member. An upper and lower locking assembly 2 is designed so that the second locking drive member drives the upper and lower locking members to lock or unlock the body base 4 through the outer slide bracket 20. Compared with manual locking and friction plate locking mechanisms, the reliability and stability are higher.

[0048] In other words, when the rotating column moves back and forth, the front and rear locking components 1 unlock from the rotating end 3 of the rotating column; when the rotating column needs to be fixed, the front and rear locking components 1 lock the rotating end 3 of the rotating column; when the rotating column needs to move up and down, it drives the main body base 4 to move together, and the upper and lower locking components 2 and the outer slide bracket 20 are in an unlocked state; when the rotating column does not need to move up and down, the upper and lower locking components 2 and the outer slide bracket 20 are in a locked state.

[0049] When the front and rear locking assembly 1 is in use, the first locking drive unit works, driving the front and rear locking components to move until the front and rear locking components are locked or separated from the locked component; when the upper and lower locking assembly 2 is in use, the second locking drive unit works, driving the upper and lower locking components to move until the upper and lower locking components are locked or separated from the outer slide rail.

[0050] In this embodiment, in order to improve the reliability of locking, the first locking drive is a front-to-back adjusting cylinder 10, and the second locking drive is an up-to-down adjusting cylinder 22.

[0051] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the front and rear locking components include: a connecting rod 11 and front and rear fixing teeth 12. One end of the connecting rod 11 is connected to the first locking drive component; the front and rear fixing teeth 12 are rotatably connected to the body base 4, and the other end of the connecting rod 11 is connected to the front and rear fixing teeth 12, which are connected to the locked component.

[0052] In this embodiment, the front and rear adjusting cylinder 10 is mounted on the main body base 4, and its output end is hinged to the connecting rod 11. The connecting rod 11 is also mounted on the main body base 4 and rotatably connected to the main body base 4. One end of the connecting rod 11 is connected to the front and rear adjusting cylinder 10, and the other end is connected to the front and rear fixed teeth 12. Further, a through groove is provided on the front and rear fixed teeth 12. The through groove is an elongated hole. An eccentric pin 110 is fixedly connected to one end of the connecting rod 11, and the eccentric pin 110 passes through the main body base 4 and is slidably connected to the through groove on the front and rear fixed teeth 12. One end of the front and rear fixed teeth 12 is rotatably connected to the main body base 4, and the other end is provided with a tooth groove. The connecting rod 11 is connected to the end of the front and rear fixed teeth 12 that is provided with a tooth groove.

[0053] When the front and rear locking assembly 1 is working, the pneumatic button is pressed first, and the output end of the front and rear adjusting cylinder 10 extends or retracts. In this embodiment, when the output end of the front and rear adjusting cylinder 10 extends, it drives the connecting rod 11 to rotate counterclockwise; when the output end of the front and rear adjusting cylinder 10 retracts, it drives the connecting rod 11 to rotate clockwise. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the front and rear adjusting cylinder 10 can also be configured to rotate clockwise when it extends and counterclockwise when it retracts. Since the connecting rod 11 is mounted on the main body base 4 and has an eccentric pin 110 structure, the eccentric pin 110 rotates when the connecting rod 11 rotates, and the eccentric pin 110 engages with the elongated hole on the front and rear fixed teeth 12. When the eccentric pin 110 moves back and forth, it slides in the elongated hole of the front and rear fixed teeth 12, thereby causing the end of the front and rear fixed teeth 12 with the tooth groove to swing towards the side closer to the locked part or away from the locked part.

[0054] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the locking component includes a rack 13 fixed to the rotating end 3 of the rotating column, and the rack 13 meshes with the front and rear fixed teeth 12.

[0055] In this embodiment, the rack 13 is fixedly connected to the surface of the rotating end 3 of the rotating column. Since the front and rear fixed teeth 12 have grooves that can mesh with the rack 13, the rack 13 is installed and fixed on the rotating end 3 of the rotating column, and the rotating shaft of the rotating end 3 of the rotating column is installed on the main body base 4. When the end of the front and rear fixed teeth 12 with grooves swings away from the rack 13, the front and rear fixed teeth 12 disengage from the rack 13, so that the rotating end 3 of the rotating column can rotate freely around the rotating shaft, realizing the front and rear adjustment function of the steering wheel; when the end of the front and rear fixed teeth 12 with grooves swings towards the rack 13, the front and rear fixed teeth 12 mesh with the rack 13, so that the rotating end 3 of the rotating column can be locked and fixed, realizing the front and rear locking function of the steering wheel.

[0056] Furthermore, the front and rear fixed teeth 12 are provided with tooth flanks fixed in the tooth grooves, and the rack 13 is also provided with tooth flanks. When the rack 13 is in any position during front and rear adjustment, as the front and rear fixed teeth 12 press against the rack 13, the tooth flanks of the front and rear fixed teeth 12 gradually slide into the tooth flanks of the rack 13. When the tooth flanks of the rack 13 are subjected to force, the rotating end 3 of the rotating column will rotate together with the rack 13 by a small angle, thereby automatically aligning and engaging the front and rear fixed teeth 12 and the rack 13.

[0057] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the front and rear locking assembly 1 further includes a front and rear return spring 14, one end of which is connected to the rotating end 3 of the rotating column, and the other end is connected to the body base 4.

[0058] In this embodiment, the rotating end 3 of the rotating column moves back and forth relative to the main body base 4. In order to prevent the steering wheel from deviating from the designed position, a front and rear return spring 14 is connected between one end of the front and rear return spring 14 and the main body base 4. When using the steering wheel front and rear adjustment function, if the steering wheel deviates from the designed position, the steering wheel can be pulled back to the original position by the front and rear return spring 14, which is convenient to use.

[0059] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, see... Figure 8 As shown, the outer slide rail bracket 20 is sleeved on the main body base 4 and is slidably connected to the main body base 4.

[0060] In this embodiment, the main body base 4 has protruding structures on both sides and rolled edge structures on both sides of the outer slide rail bracket. The protruding structures of the main body base 4 cooperate with the rolled edge structures on both sides of the outer slide rail bracket 20 to limit the vertical sliding of the main body base 4.

[0061] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the second locking drive component includes an up-and-down adjusting cylinder 22. The up-and-down locking component includes a push rod 21, one end of which is rotatably connected to the main body base 4, and the other end is connected to the second locking drive component. The push rod 21 is disposed between the second locking drive component and the outer slide rail bracket 20.

[0062] In this embodiment, the up-down adjusting cylinder 22 is horizontally arranged, with one end connected to the push rod 21 and the other end of the push rod 21 rotatably connected to the main body base 4. Specifically, the rotating shaft below the push rod 21 is connected to the main body base 4. Therefore, when the output shaft of the up-down adjusting cylinder 22 extends, it pushes one end of the push rod 21 to rotate, so that the other end of the push rod 21 abuts against the outer slide rail bracket 20. When the output shaft of the up-down adjusting cylinder 22 shortens, it drives one end of the push rod 21 to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the other end of the push rod 21 moves away from the outer slide rail bracket 20.

[0063] In other embodiments, one end of the push rod 21 is slidably connected to the body base 4. When the output shaft of the up-down adjusting cylinder 22 extends, it pushes one end of the push rod 21 to move closer to the outer slide rail bracket 20 so that the push rod 21 abuts against the outer slide rail bracket 20. When the output shaft of the up-down adjusting cylinder 22 shortens, it pulls one end of the push rod 21 to move away from the outer slide rail bracket 20 so that the push rod 21 moves away from the outer slide rail bracket 20.

[0064] Furthermore, an anti-slip layer is provided on the side of the top rod 21 near the outer slide rail bracket 20, and an anti-slip layer is also provided on the side of the outer slide rail bracket 20 near the top rod 21, so that the top rod 21 can better support the outer slide rail bracket 20 and increase the anti-slip performance.

[0065] The up-down adjusting cylinder 22 includes a cylinder body 220, and a cylinder retainer pin 221 is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder body 220. A retainer spring 222 is provided between the cylinder retainer pin 221 and the cylinder body 220.

[0066] Specifically, the upper end of the push rod 21 is connected to the cylinder body 220 via a cylinder pin 221 and a retaining spring 222. When the upper and lower locking assembly 2 is locked, the cylinder body 220 pushes the push rod 21. The push rod 21 rotates around the rotation axis connected to the base 4 at its bottom end or slides on the base 4. As a result, the protruding surface in the middle of the push rod 21 presses against the outer slide bracket 20, restricting the upper and lower movement of the base 4 and the outer slide bracket 20, thus achieving the purpose of upper and lower locking. When unlocking, the cylinder body 220 retracts, the push rod 21 moves in the opposite direction and disengages from the outer slide bracket 20, and the base 4 and the outer slide bracket 20 resume their upper and lower movement.

[0067] Furthermore, a square limiting block is designed on the cylinder retainer pin 221. When the cylinder body 220 extends, the push rod 21 tilts and presses against the body base 4, and the limiting block slides in the square groove of the push rod 21. Compared with the traditional round pin structure, this structure has the advantage of increasing the contact area between the pin and the groove, reducing the stress on the cylinder retainer pin 221, and preventing the cylinder retainer pin 221 from being damaged due to excessive force. Changing from point contact to line contact reduces the wear of the cylinder retainer pin 221 and avoids the problem of abnormal noise caused by the wear of the cylinder retainer pin 221 due to long-term use.

[0068] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, a return spring 23 is provided between the main body base 4 and the outer slide bracket 20. When using the steering wheel height adjustment function, if the steering wheel deviates from the designed position, the return spring 23 can pull the steering wheel back to its original position for convenient use.

[0069] In summary, this application designs a front and rear locking assembly 1 consisting of "front and rear adjusting cylinder 10 - connecting rod 11 - front and rear fixed teeth 12 - rack 13" to achieve the front and rear adjustment function of the steering column. The ingenious design of the elongated hole mating structure between the eccentric pin 110 of the connecting rod 11 and the rotating gear converts the rotation of the connecting rod 11 into the back and forth movement of the eccentric pin 110. The elongated hole further converts the back and forth movement of the eccentric pin 110 into the rotation of the front and rear fixed teeth 12. Compared to the friction plate locking mechanism of a transmission system, this design offers higher reliability and stability, a smaller motion envelope, and is more conducive to spatial arrangement.

[0070] The upper and lower locking assembly 2, consisting of "up and down adjusting cylinder 22 - push rod 21 - outer slide rail bracket 20", enables the steering column to adjust up and down. A cleverly designed cylinder retaining pin 221 connects the cylinder to the push rod 21. A square limiting block and slide groove are used to reduce the stress on the retaining pin, preventing damage due to excessive force, reducing wear on the cylinder retaining pin 221, and avoiding abnormal noise.

[0071] Meanwhile, the up-down adjustment mechanism and the front-back adjustment mechanism respectively adopt the structure of front-back return spring 14 and up-down return spring 23, making operation more convenient.

[0072] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an automobile that includes the steering column locking structure provided in any of the above embodiments of this application.

[0073] One type of steering column locking structure includes: a main body base 4, a front and rear locking assembly 1, and an upper and lower locking assembly 2. The front and rear locking assembly 1 includes a first locking drive member, a front and rear locking member, and a locked member. The first locking drive member is mounted on the main body base 4, and the locked member is used to connect to the rotating end 3 of the steering column. One end of the first locking drive member is connected to the front and rear locking member and is used to drive the front and rear locking member to lock or unlock the rotating end 3 of the steering column through the locked member. The upper and lower locking assembly 2 includes a second locking drive member, upper and lower locking members, and an outer slide bracket 20. The second locking drive member is mounted on the main body base 4, and the outer slide bracket 20 is slidably connected to the main body base 4. One end of the second locking drive member is connected to the upper and lower locking member and is used to drive the upper and lower locking member to lock or unlock the main body base 4 through the outer slide bracket 20.

[0074] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the front and rear locking components include a connecting rod 11 and front and rear fixing teeth 12. One end of the connecting rod 11 is connected to the first locking drive component; the front and rear fixing teeth 12 are rotatably connected to the body base 4, and the other end of the connecting rod 11 is connected to the front and rear fixing teeth 12, which are connected to the locked component.

[0075] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the locking component includes a rack 13 fixed to the rotating end 3 of the rotating column, and the rack 13 meshes with the front and rear fixed teeth 12.

[0076] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, one end of the connecting rod 11 is fixedly connected to an eccentric pin 110, and the eccentric pin 110 passes through the body base 4 and is slidably connected to the through groove on the front and rear fixed teeth 12.

[0077] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the front and rear locking assembly 1 further includes a front and rear return spring 14, one end of which is connected to the rotating end 3 of the rotating column, and the other end is connected to the body base 4.

[0078] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the first locking drive component includes a front and rear adjusting cylinder 10, one end of which is fixed on the main body base 4, and the other end is hinged to the front and rear locking component.

[0079] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the outer slide rail bracket 20 is sleeved on the main body base 4 and is slidably connected to the main body base 4.

[0080] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the upper and lower locking components include a top rod 21. One end of the top rod 21 is rotatably connected to the main body base 4, and the other end is connected to the second locking drive component. The top rod 21 is disposed between the second locking drive component and the outer slide bracket 20.

[0081] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the second locking drive includes an up-down adjusting cylinder 22, the up-down adjusting cylinder 22 includes a cylinder body 220, the output end of the cylinder body 220 is fixedly connected to a cylinder retaining pin 221, and a retaining spring 222 is provided between the cylinder retaining pin 221 and the cylinder body 220.

[0082] An upper and lower return spring 23 is provided between the main body base 4 and the outer slide rail bracket 20.

[0083] In this application, a front and rear locking assembly 1 is designed so that the first locking drive member drives the front and rear locking members to lock or unlock the rotating end 3 of the rotating column through the locked member. An upper and lower locking assembly 2 is designed so that the second locking drive member drives the upper and lower locking members to lock or unlock the body base 4 through the outer slide bracket 20. Compared with manual locking and friction plate locking mechanisms, the reliability and stability are higher.

[0084] In this application, a front and rear locking assembly 1 consisting of "front and rear adjusting cylinder 10 - connecting rod 11 - front and rear fixed teeth 12 - rack 13" is designed to realize the front and rear adjustment function of the steering column. The ingenious design of the eccentric pin 110 of the connecting rod 11 and the elongated hole of the rotating gear converts the rotation of the connecting rod 11 into the back and forth movement of the eccentric pin 110. The back and forth movement of the eccentric pin 110 is converted into the rotation of the front and rear fixed teeth 12 through the elongated hole. Compared with the friction plate locking mechanism of the transmission, it has higher reliability and stability, smaller mechanism motion envelope, and is more conducive to space layout.

[0085] The upper and lower locking assembly 2, consisting of "up and down adjusting cylinder 22 - push rod 21 - outer slide rail bracket 20", enables the steering column to adjust up and down. A cleverly designed cylinder retaining pin 221 connects the cylinder to the push rod 21. A square limiting block and slide groove are used to reduce the stress on the retaining pin, preventing damage due to excessive force, reducing wear on the cylinder retaining pin 221, and avoiding abnormal noise.

[0086] Meanwhile, the up-down adjustment mechanism and the front-back adjustment mechanism respectively adopt the structure of front-back return spring 14 and up-down return spring 23, making operation more convenient.

[0087] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0088] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0089] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A steering column lock structure characterized by comprising: It includes: The body base (4); The front and rear locking assembly (1) includes a first locking driving element, a front and rear locking element, and a locked element. The first locking driving element is installed on the body base (4). The locked element is used to be connected to the rotating end (3) of the rotating column. One end of the first locking driving element is connected with the front and rear locking element, and is used to drive the front and rear locking element to lock or unlock the rotating end (3) of the rotating column through the locked element. The front and rear locking element includes a connecting rod (11) and a front and rear fixed tooth (12). One end of the connecting rod (11) is connected with the first locking driving element. The front and rear fixed tooth (12) is rotatably connected to the body base (4), and the other end of the connecting rod (11) is connected with the front and rear fixed tooth (12). The front and rear fixed tooth (12) is connected with the locked element. One end of the connecting rod (11) is fixedly connected with an eccentric pin (110). The eccentric pin (110) is slidably connected with the through slot on the body base (4) and the front and rear fixed tooth (12); The up and down locking assembly (2) includes a second locking driving element, an up and down locking element, and an outer slide rail support (20). The second locking driving element is installed on the body base (4). The outer slide rail support (20) is slidably connected with the body base (4). One end of the second locking driving element is connected with the up and down locking element, and is used to drive the up and down locking element to lock or unlock the body base (4) through the outer slide rail support (20). The outer slide rail support (20) is sleeved on the body base (4) and is slidably connected with the body base (4). The up and down locking element includes a top rod (21). One end of the top rod (21) is rotatably connected with the body base (4), and the other end is connected with the second locking driving element. The top rod (21) is arranged between the second locking driving element and the outer slide rail support (20).

2. The steering column locking structure according to claim 1, wherein: The locked element includes a rack (13) fixed on the rotating end (3) of the rotating column. The rack (13) is engaged with the front and rear fixed tooth (12).

3. The steering column locking structure according to claim 1, wherein: The front and rear locking assembly (1) further includes a front and rear return spring (14). One end of the front and rear return spring (14) is used to be connected with the rotating end (3) of the rotating column, and the other end is connected with the body base (4).

4. The steering column locking structure according to claim 1, wherein: The first locking driving element includes a front and rear adjusting cylinder (10). One end of the front and rear adjusting cylinder (10) is fixedly connected with the body base (4), and the other end is hingedly connected with the front and rear locking element.

5. The steering column locking structure according to claim 1, wherein: The second locking driving element includes an up and down adjusting cylinder (22). The up and down adjusting cylinder (22) includes a cylinder body (220). A cylinder catch pin (221) is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder body (220). A snap spring (222) is arranged between the cylinder catch pin (221) and the cylinder body (220). The upper and lower return springs (23) are arranged between the body base (4) and the outer slide bracket (20).

6. An automobile characterized by comprising: It comprises: A steering column lock structure according to any one of claims 1-5.

Images