Vehicle steering system platformization device, steering system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle steering system platformization device, a steering system and a vehicle, the vehicle steering system platformization device comprises a connecting shaft, and one end of the connecting shaft is provided with a first external spline section matched with a middle shaft bottom joint fork so that the first external spline section can be fixedly connected with the middle shaft bottom joint fork through a first fixing piece; the other end of the connecting shaft is provided with a second outer spline section, the second outer spline section is matched with an inner spline structure arranged on the upper joint fork and fixedly connected with the upper joint fork, and the upper joint fork is connected with the lower joint fork through a cross shaft. The lower joint fork is provided with an internal spline structure matched with the external spline section of the input shaft of the steering engine so that the lower joint fork can be fixedly connected with the external spline section of the input shaft of the steering engine through a second fixing piece, and the part, located between the first external spline section and the second external spline section, of the connecting shaft is rotationally connected with a mounting frame. By adopting the platform device provided by the invention, the development efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle steering systems, and in particular to a vehicle steering system platform device, a steering system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The statements herein merely provide background information related to the present invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] As the times evolve, consumers' personalized demands for cars are becoming increasingly complex. Platform strategy has become a key choice for automakers to cope with market and technological challenges. Through modular design, platformization allows the development of diverse models on a unified architecture to meet a wide range of customer needs. At the same time, large-scale production helps reduce R&D and manufacturing costs, shorten the model development cycle, and improve market response speed, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.

[0004] On the other hand, in the context of globalization, driving habits, ergonomic standards and road conditions in different markets and cultures have put forward differentiated demands on the H-point height (i.e. the driver's sitting height) of the car. Automakers need to adjust the H-point height and steering wheel position according to the specific needs of the target market to improve product competitiveness and user satisfaction.

[0005] In the steering system, the intermediate shaft is a key component connecting the steering gear and the steering column. Its phase angle is crucial to the steering torque fluctuation and directly affects driving comfort. In view of the difference in the position of the steering column axis in models with different H-point heights, in order to meet specific torque fluctuation requirements, the intermediate shaft needs to adopt different lengths and phase angles. In some cases, a four-stage steering column that is completely different from the existing structure needs to be adopted. The diverse designs of steering columns and intermediate shafts have led to significant costs in development and logistics management, reducing development efficiency.

[0006] At present, the industry has not yet achieved a universal platform technology that can take into account the differences in steering wheel positions and meet torque fluctuation requirements in vehicles with different H-point heights, while using the existing steering gear, steering column and intermediate shaft assembly to reduce the number of product categories and improve development efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering system platform device, a steering system, and a vehicle, which can take into account the height differences of the steering wheel positions and meet the torque fluctuation requirements in vehicle models with different H-point heights, while continuing to use the existing steering gear, steering column, and intermediate shaft assembly to reduce the number of categories and improve development efficiency.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0009] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle steering system platform device, including a connecting shaft, one end of the connecting shaft is provided with a first external spline segment matching the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft so that the first external spline end can be fixedly connected to the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft through a first fixing member, the other end of the connecting shaft is provided with a second external spline segment, the second external spline segment is matched with the internal spline structure provided by the upper yoke and is fixedly connected to the upper yoke, the upper yoke is connected to the lower yoke through a cross shaft, the lower yoke is provided with an internal spline structure matching the external spline segment of the steering gear input shaft so that the lower yoke can be fixedly connected to the external spline segment of the steering gear input shaft through the second fixing member, and the part of the connecting shaft located between the first external spline segment and the second external spline segment is rotatably connected with a mounting frame.

[0010] Optionally, the outer peripheral surface of the first external spline segment is provided with a fixing groove matching the first fixing member.

[0011] Optionally, the upper yoke includes a first connecting part, the first connecting part is provided with an internal spline structure, the internal spline structure of the first connecting part is interference fit with the second external spline segment to achieve fixation of the upper yoke and the second external spline segment, the second connecting part is provided with two oppositely arranged first ear plates, the two first ear plates are provided with coaxial first ear holes, and the first ear holes match the first axis of the cross axis.

[0012] Optionally, the lower yoke includes a second connecting portion, the inner side surface of the second connecting portion is provided with an internal spline structure, one side of the internal spline structure is provided with an internal threaded fixing hole matching the second fixing member to threadably connect the second fixing member, the second connecting portion is provided with two oppositely arranged second ear plates, the two second ear plates are provided with coaxial second ear holes, and the second ear holes match the second axis of the cross axis.

[0013] Optionally, the middle position of the mounting bracket is rotatably connected to the connecting shaft segment between the first spline segment and the second spline segment.

[0014] Optionally, mounting holes are provided on both sides of the mounting frame, and the mounting frame can be fixed to the vehicle body mounting plate through the mounting holes and the third fixing member.

[0015] Optionally, the mounting holes on both sides of the mounting frame are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center of the mounting frame.

[0016] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle steering system, comprising an intermediate shaft, a steering gear, and also comprising the vehicle steering system platform device described in the first aspect, wherein the first external spline segment cooperates with the internal spline structure of the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft and is fixed by a first fixing member, the internal spline structure of the lower yoke cooperates with the external spline segment of the steering gear input shaft and is fixed by a second fixing member, and the mounting frame is fixed to the vehicle body mounting plate by a third fixing member.

[0017] Optionally, the third fixing member adopts a fixing stud and a fixing nut, one end of the fixing stud is fixed to the vehicle body mounting plate, the fixing stud passes through the mounting frame and is threadedly connected to the fixing nut, and the fixing nut presses the mounting frame against the surface of the vehicle body mounting plate.

[0018] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle provided with the vehicle steering system described in the second aspect.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] The vehicle steering system platform device of the present invention has a first external spline section of the connecting shaft that matches the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft and can be directly connected to the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft. The lower yoke is provided with an internal spline structure that matches the external spline section of the steering gear input shaft and can be directly connected to the input shaft of the steering gear. The intermediate shaft and steering gear structure of the current vehicle model can be used, and the mounting frame is rotatably connected to the connecting shaft. The upper yoke and the lower yoke are connected by a cross shaft, so the installation position and posture of the platform device can be adjusted so that the platform device can be connected to the intermediate shaft and the steering gear. It is connected to the second external spline section, so that the angle between the upper yoke and the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft, that is, the phase angle, can be adjusted, so that when the height of point H is adjusted, the phase angle of the intermediate shaft can continue to use the original phase angle to meet the torque fluctuation requirements. Therefore, by reasonably setting the installation position, posture and phase angle of the platform device, the phase angle of the intermediate shaft can be fully used while meeting the torque fluctuation requirements, thereby maintaining the complete use of the steering gear and the intermediate shaft, reducing the number of steering gears, steering columns and intermediate shafts, reducing logistics error prevention costs, and improving development efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the platform device of the vehicle steering system, the intermediate shaft and the steering gear in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the intermediate shaft and the steering gear of the steering system of a low H-point vehicle;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the intermediate shaft and the steering gear of the steering system of a high H-point vehicle;

[0026] Among them, 1. connecting shaft, 2. upper yoke, 3. cross shaft, 4. lower yoke, 5. mounting frame, 51. rolling bearing, 52. mounting hole, 6. vehicle body mounting plate, 71. fixing stud, 72. fixing nut, 8. intermediate shaft, 9. steering gear, 101. first fixing bolt, 102. second fixing bolt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] For the convenience of description, if the words "upper" and "lower" appear in the present invention, they only indicate that they are consistent with the upper and lower directions of the drawings themselves, and do not limit the structure. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] This embodiment provides a vehicle steering system platform device, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a connecting shaft 1, an upper yoke 2 and a lower yoke 4 which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom. The connecting shaft 1 has a first external spline segment and a second external spline segment. The first external spline segment matches the internal spline structure of the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft 2 of the vehicle steering system, can cooperate with the internal spline structure of the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft 2 and is directly connected to the yoke at the bottom of the intermediate shaft 2 through a first fixing member. The upper yoke 2 is connected to the lower yoke 4 through a cross shaft 3. The lower yoke 4 is provided with an internal spline structure, and the internal spline structure of the lower yoke 4 matches the external spline segment of the input shaft of the steering gear 9. The internal spline structure of the lower yoke 4 can cooperate with the external spline segment of the input shaft of the steering gear 9, and the lower yoke can be directly connected to the input shaft of the steering gear 9 through the second fixing member and the internal spline structure.

[0030] The upper end of the connecting shaft 1 is provided with a first external spline section, and the circumferential surface of the first external spline section is provided with a fixing groove, which is an arc groove matching the first fixing member, and the axis of the arc groove is perpendicular to the axis of the first external spline section, and the first fixing member can pass through the arc groove.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first fixing member adopts a first fixing bolt 101, and an internal threaded hole matching the first fixing bolt 101 is provided on one side of the internal spline structure of the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft 8. The first fixing bolt 101 passes through the internal threaded hole and is threadedly connected to the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft 8 through the internal threaded hole. The axial direction of the first fixing bolt 101 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first external spline segment and the rod of the first fixing bolt 101 is embedded in the fixing groove. The fixing groove axially limits the first external spline segment so that the first external spline segment will not fall off from the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft 8.

[0032] The lower end of the connecting shaft 1 is provided with a second external spline segment, and the connecting shaft is connected to the upper yoke 2 via the second external spline segment.

[0033] Specifically, the upper yoke 2 includes a first connecting part, which adopts a cylindrical tube structure, and an inner spline structure is provided on its inner side surface. The second outer spline segment cooperates with the inner spline structure of the first connecting part, and the second outer spline segment and the inner spline structure of the first connecting part are interference fit, so that the second outer spline segment is fixedly connected to the upper yoke 2.

[0034] Two oppositely arranged first ear plates are provided at the lower end of the first connecting portion, and the two first ear plates are provided with coaxial first ear holes, one of the first ear plates is rotatably connected to one end of the first axis of the cross shaft 3 through the first ear hole, and the other first ear plate is rotatably connected to the other end of the first axis of the cross shaft 3 through the first ear hole.

[0035] The lower yoke 4 includes a second connecting portion, and two oppositely arranged second ear plates are provided at the upper end of the second connecting portion. The two second ear plates are provided with coaxial second ear holes, and one of the second ear plates is rotatably connected to one end of the second shaft of the cross shaft 3 through the second ear hole, and the other second ear plate is rotatably connected to the other end of the second shaft of the cross shaft 3 through the second ear hole.

[0036] The cross axis 3 includes a first axis and a second axis which are vertically intersected and distributed in a cross shape.

[0037] The second connecting part adopts a cylindrical structure with an internal spline structure. The internal spline structure of the second connecting part matches the external spline section of the input shaft of the steering gear 9. A protrusion is provided on one side of the cylindrical structure, and the protrusion is provided with an internal threaded hole. The axis of the internal threaded hole is perpendicular to the axis of the second connecting part. The internal threaded hole is used for threaded connection with the second fixing member. In this embodiment, the second fixing member adopts a second fixing bolt 102, and the internal threaded hole is connected to the internal space of the second connecting part. After the external spline section of the input shaft of the steering gear 9 is matched with the internal spline structure of the second connecting part, the second fixing bolt 102 can be embedded in the fixing groove arranged on the peripheral surface of the external spline section of the input shaft of the steering gear 9 to prevent the input shaft of the steering gear 9 from being separated from the lower yoke 4.

[0038] In the connecting shaft, the shaft section between the first external spline section and the second external spline section is rotationally connected to the mounting bracket 5 , and the mounting bracket 5 is used to be fixedly connected to the vehicle body mounting plate 6 .

[0039] In this embodiment, the mounting frame 5 includes an annular portion, which is rotatably connected to the connecting shaft 1 through a rolling bearing 51. Mounting plates are provided on both sides of the annular portion, and mounting holes 52 are provided on the mounting plates. The mounting frame can be fixedly connected to the vehicle body mounting plate 6 through the mounting holes 52 and the third fixing member.

[0040] Preferably, the mounting holes 52 on both sides are symmetrically arranged relative to the center of the mounting frame.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] This embodiment provides a vehicle steering system, such as Figure 2 As shown, it includes an intermediate shaft 8, a steering gear 1, a steering column, etc., and also includes the vehicle steering system platform device described in Example 1, wherein the first external spline section cooperates with the internal spline structure of the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft 8 and is fixedly connected to the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft 8 by a first fixing bolt 101, the internal spline structure of the lower yoke 4 cooperates with the external spline section of the input shaft of the steering gear 9, and the lower yoke 4 is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the steering gear 9 by a second fixing bolt 102.

[0043] The mounting frame 5 is fixedly connected to the vehicle body mounting plate 6 through the mounting hole and the third fixing member. The third fixing member adopts a fixing stud 71 and a fixing nut 72. One end of the fixing stud 71 is welded and fixed to the vehicle body mounting plate 6. The fixing bolt 71 passes through the mounting hole 52 and is threadedly connected to the fixing nut 72. The fixing nut 72 is tightened, and the fixing nut 72 presses the mounting frame 5 onto the vehicle body mounting plate 6, thereby fixing the mounting frame 5.

[0044] The remaining structures of the vehicle steering system can adopt the existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] The application method of this embodiment is:

[0046] When developing a low H-point vehicle model, the intermediate shaft 8 is directly connected to the steering gear 9, and the phase angles of the yokes at both ends of the intermediate shaft 8 are set according to the torque fluctuation requirements.

[0047] When it is necessary to develop a high H-point vehicle model, the vehicle steering system platform device of this embodiment is introduced, and the intermediate shaft 8 and steering gear 9 of the low H-point vehicle model are used. The phase angle of the intermediate shaft 8 remains unchanged, and the phase angle between the upper yoke 2 and the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft 8, the posture of the entire platform device and the position of the mounting frame 5 are set. After the upper yoke 2 and the second external spline segment are fixed, the first external spline segment is connected to the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft 8 by the first fixing bolt 101, and the lower yoke 4 is connected to the input shaft of the steering gear 9 by the second fixing bolt 102.

[0048] In this embodiment, the low H-point and high H-point models only refer to that the H-point height of the high H-point model is higher than the H-point height of the low H-point model, and do not limit the specific value of the H-point height.

[0049] By adopting the steering system platform device of this embodiment and reasonably setting the installation position, posture and phase angle of the platform device, the phase angle of the intermediate shaft 8 can be fully used while meeting the requirements of torque fluctuation, thereby maintaining the complete use of the steering gear 9 and the intermediate shaft 8, reducing the number of types of steering gears 9, steering columns and intermediate shafts 8, reducing logistics error prevention costs, improving development efficiency, providing a platform solution for automobile manufacturers to provide differentiated products, shortening the development cycle of different vehicle models, improving market response speed, and enhancing corporate competitiveness.

[0050] In a practical application of this embodiment:

[0051] The Z-direction (vertical direction) height from the steering wheel to the steering gear 9 end of the low H-point vehicle model is 785mm, the steering wheel angle is 29°, the length of the intermediate shaft 8 is 322mm, the phase angle is set to 49°, and the torque fluctuation corresponding to the design position of the steering system is 5%, which meets the comfort requirements. When developing a high H-point vehicle model, the H-point of the high H-point vehicle model needs to be raised by 100mm, and the Z-direction height from the steering wheel to the steering gear 9 end is adjusted to 885mm accordingly, the steering wheel angle remains unchanged at 29°, and the steering gear 9 is used. At this time, according to the traditional method, the size of the intermediate shaft needs to be changed, and the length of the intermediate shaft 8 is increased to 398mm. The phase angle that meets the minimum torque fluctuation is 24°, and the torque fluctuation corresponding to the design position of the steering system is 22%, which is easy to cause driver fatigue and does not meet the design requirements. After the steering system platform device provided in this embodiment is introduced, the length of the intermediate shaft 8 remains unchanged at 322 mm, and the phase angle remains unchanged at 49°. By reasonably setting the installation position, posture and phase angle between the upper yoke 2 and the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft 8 of the platform device (the angle between the device connecting shaft 1 and the intermediate shaft 8 is set to 29°, and the phase angle between the upper yoke 2 and the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft 8 is set to 118°), the platform device is installed between the intermediate shaft 8 and the steering gear 9. The torque fluctuation corresponding to the design position of the steering system is 13%, which is nine percentage points lower than the original state. While greatly improving driving comfort, the steering gear 9, steering column and intermediate shaft 8 are ensured to be used.

[0052] Example 3

[0053] This embodiment provides a vehicle provided with the vehicle steering system described in Embodiment 2. The remaining structures of the vehicle may adopt the existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering system platform device, characterized in that: It includes a connecting shaft, one end of the connecting shaft is provided with a first external spline segment matching the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft so that the first external spline end can be fixedly connected to the bottom yoke of the intermediate shaft through a first fixing member, the other end of the connecting shaft is provided with a second external spline segment, the second external spline segment is matched with an internal spline structure provided on the upper yoke and is fixedly connected to the upper yoke, the upper yoke is connected to the lower yoke through a cross shaft, the lower yoke is provided with an internal spline structure matching the external spline segment of the steering gear input shaft so that the lower yoke can be fixedly connected to the external spline segment of the steering gear input shaft through the second fixing member, and the part of the connecting shaft located between the first external spline segment and the second external spline segment is rotatably connected with a mounting frame.

2. A vehicle steering system platform device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the first external spline segment is provided with a fixing groove matching the first fixing member.

3. A vehicle steering system platform device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The upper yoke includes a first connecting part, the first connecting part is provided with an internal spline structure, the internal spline structure of the first connecting part is interference fit with the second external spline segment to achieve the fixation of the upper yoke and the second external spline segment, the second connecting part is provided with two oppositely arranged first ear plates, the two first ear plates are provided with coaxial first ear holes, and the first ear holes match the first axis of the cross axis.

4. A vehicle steering system platform device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The lower yoke includes a second connecting part, the inner side surface of the second connecting part is provided with an internal spline structure, one side of the internal spline structure is provided with an internal threaded fixing hole matching the second fixing piece to threadably connect the second fixing piece, the second connecting part is provided with two second ear plates arranged opposite to each other, the two second ear plates are provided with coaxial second ear holes, and the second ear holes match the second axis of the cross axis.

5. The vehicle steering system platform device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle position of the mounting bracket is rotatably connected to the connecting shaft segment between the first spline segment and the second spline segment.

6. The vehicle steering system platform device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Mounting holes are arranged on both sides of the mounting frame, and the mounting frame can be fixed to the vehicle body mounting plate through the mounting holes and the third fixing member.

7. A vehicle steering system platform device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The mounting holes on both sides of the mounting frame are symmetrically arranged relative to the center of the mounting frame.

8. A vehicle steering system, comprising an intermediate shaft and a steering gear, characterized in that: It also includes the vehicle steering system platform device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first external spline segment cooperates with the internal spline structure of the yoke at the bottom end of the intermediate shaft and is fixed by a first fixing member, the internal spline structure of the lower yoke cooperates with the external spline segment of the steering gear input shaft and is fixed by a second fixing member, and the mounting frame is fixed to the vehicle body mounting plate by a third fixing member.

9. A vehicle steering system as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The third fixing member adopts a fixing stud and a fixing nut. One end of the fixing stud is fixed to the vehicle body mounting plate. The fixing stud passes through the mounting frame and is threadedly connected to the fixing nut. The fixing nut presses the mounting frame onto the surface of the vehicle body mounting plate.

10. A vehicle provided with the vehicle steering system according to claim 8.

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