An adjustable energy absorption and collapse method for a steering column of an automobile

Abstract

The invention discloses an adjustable energy absorption and collapse method for a steering column of an automobile, comprising an upper column and a lower column which are sleeved with each other, wherein the upper column is fixedly connected to a connecting frame and is slidably arranged on a fixing frame along a collapse direction through the connecting frame; the connecting frame is fixedly connected to the fixing frame through a collapse block; an energy absorption device is fixedly arranged on the fixing frame, when collapse begins, the connecting frame drives the collapse block to generate relative displacement relative to the fixing frame, so that the energy absorption device is coupled with the connecting frame or the upper column which is displaced by a set distance; the energy absorption device generates a damping force on the connecting frame or the upper column during the displacement process until the displacement stroke of the upper column ends; the energy absorption device does not participate in the process of generating a collapse peak force, and the collapse block plays a major role, thereby reducing the fluctuation of the transition between the collapse peak force and the collapse continuous force, and facilitating the adjustment of the collapse curve, so that a stable collapse process can effectively reduce the speed of the driver and provide a safe and effective protection for the driver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an automobile steering column, in particular to an adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of an automobile steering column. Background Art

[0002] When a car collides head-on, the driver moves forward under the action of inertia, and his chest collides violently with the steering wheel, causing serious injuries. In order to reduce the damage to the driver's chest, the lower rim of the steering wheel can be weakened, but this method has limited protective effect. Modern cars generally use the method of steering column collapse energy absorption. When a car collides violently, the driver often leans forward due to the strong inertia of stopping, and the human chest collides with the steering wheel. In order to reduce the impact force on the driver's chest that is impacted by the steering column, some cars design the steering column to collapse in two or three stages due to external compression during the collision, so as to disperse some of the impact force transmitted to the human body by the steering column due to the collision. When the human chest collides with the steering wheel and the peak force of the collapse is large, it is difficult to reduce the damage caused by the steering wheel to the human body. The peak force is generally composed of the force between the collapse block and the fixed frame, the force between the inner and outer tubes, and the damping force of the energy absorption belt. At present, due to the limitations of factors such as the strength of the connection structure between the steering column and the fixed frame, the damping force of the energy absorption belt during the collapse process, and the stability of the collapse force in the collapse displacement stage, it is difficult to ensure the strength of the connection structure between the steering column and the fixed frame and the stability of the collapse force in the collapse displacement stage while reducing the peak force. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides an adjustable energy absorption and collapse method for an automobile steering column, the purpose of which is to ensure product quality and facilitate adjustment of the collapse curve to enhance protection for the driver.

[0004] An adjustable energy absorption and collapse method for a vehicle steering column comprises an upper column and a lower column which are sleeved together, wherein the upper column is fixedly connected to a connecting frame and is slidably arranged on a fixing frame along a collapse direction through the connecting frame; the adjustable energy absorption and collapse method comprises the following steps:

[0005] Step 1: Fix the connecting frame to the fixing frame through the collapse block;

[0006] Step 2: An energy absorbing device is fixedly installed on the fixed frame. When collapse begins, the connecting frame drives the collapse block to generate relative displacement relative to the fixed frame, so that the energy absorbing device is coupled with the connecting frame or the upper pipe string at a displacement setting distance;

[0007] Step 3: The energy absorbing device generates a damping force on the connecting frame or the upper pipe column during the displacement process until the displacement stroke of the upper pipe column is completed.

[0008] Further, the connecting frame and the fixing frame are fitted together, a collapse block penetrates the fitting surface and the fixing frame is pressed onto the connecting frame at the fitting surface; at the same time, the fitting surface between the connecting frame and the fixing frame is lubricated, and when the connecting frame and the fixing frame slide, the fitting surface between the two slides.

[0009] Further: the energy absorbing device is a tearing belt or a curling belt, so that one end of the energy absorbing device is fixedly connected to the fixed frame, a connecting male head is fixedly arranged at the other end of the energy absorbing device and the connecting male head is placed close to the connecting frame, and a connecting female head is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the connecting male head on the connecting frame, and a gap is left between the connecting male head and the connecting female head. After the connecting male head and the connecting female head come into contact, they abut or clamp against each other, thereby realizing the coupling of the energy absorbing device and the upper pipe column.

[0010] Further, the travel of the connecting frame when the collapse block participates in the collapse is recorded as the first distance, and the travel required for the female connector to eliminate the gap and contact the male connector is recorded as the second distance, wherein the second distance is equal to the first distance.

[0011] Further, a step is integrally provided on the fixing frame at a position corresponding to the collapse block, the collapse block is a screw, the screw passes through the step and its head is pressed on the step, a notch is provided on the fixing frame at a position on one side of the step, the notch is used to allow the collapse block to escape from the step along the axial direction of the upper pipe column; the stroke for the collapse block to escape from the step is the first distance.

[0012] Further, a step is integrally provided on the fixed frame at a position corresponding to the collapse block, the collapse block is a screw, the screw passes through the step and its head is pressed on the step, a notch is provided on the fixed frame at a position on one side of the step, the notch is used to make the collapse block escape from the step along the axial direction of the upper pipe column; the energy absorbing device includes an energy absorbing slide groove provided on the fixed frame, the energy absorbing slide groove is connected to the notch, the long direction of the energy absorbing slide groove is provided along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the energy absorbing slide groove is used to slide with the collapse block, when the collapse block slides in the energy absorbing slide groove, the side walls of the energy absorbing slide groove squeeze the collapse block and generate a damping force on the collapse block, thereby generating a damping force on the connecting frame or the upper pipe column during the displacement process; wherein, a wide-mouth area is provided on the energy absorbing slide groove at a position between the energy absorbing slide groove and the notch, when the collapse block passes through the wide-mouth area, the side walls of the wide-mouth area are separated from the collapse block, thereby coupling the collapse block with the energy absorbing device after passing through the wide-mouth area.

[0013] Furthermore, two guide mechanisms for moving the connecting frame along the collapse direction are respectively arranged on both sides of the energy absorbing device, and the two guide mechanisms are symmetrically arranged with respect to the energy absorbing device.

[0014] Further: the guide mechanism includes a strip slide groove opened on the fixed frame, a screw is fixedly connected at a position corresponding to the strip slide groove on the connecting frame, and the screw is slidably matched with the strip slide groove; the long direction of the strip slide groove is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the screw is located at the starting end of the strip slide groove, and a step is integrally arranged at the position corresponding to the screw at the starting end of the strip slide groove, and the head of the screw is pressed on the step, a collapse block and two screws are both located above the upper pipe column, the collapse block and the two screws form an isosceles triangle structure, the midline of the isosceles triangle structure is located directly above the upper pipe column and is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, and the collapse block is located directly above the upper pipe column and at the vertex position of the isosceles triangle structure.

[0015] Further, in step 2, when the energy absorbing device is coupled with the upper pipe column displaced by a corresponding distance, the damping force exerted on the upper pipe column at the previous moment, the current moment and the next moment are all within the flow channel defined by the maximum threshold range and the minimum threshold range.

[0016] Furthermore, the difference between the peak collapse force and the sustained collapse force is less than or equal to 1000N.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the energy absorbing device does not participate in the process of generating the peak crush force, and the crush block plays a major role, thereby reducing the transition fluctuation between the peak crush force and the continuous crush force, and facilitating the adjustment of the crush curve to avoid excessive peak crush force and damage to the driver, and making the stable crush process able to effectively reduce the speed of the driver, thereby providing safe and effective protection for the driver. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the steering column, the connecting frame, the fixing frame and the energy absorbing device in the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the connecting frame in the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the fixing frame and the energy absorbing device in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the connecting frame, the fixing frame and the energy absorbing device in the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a curve diagram of the axial force exerted on the driver under the action of the peak force and the continuous force of the collapse when the steering column collapses. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and cannot be interpreted as limiting the present invention. The directional terms such as left, middle, right, top, and bottom in the embodiments of the present invention are only relative concepts or are based on the normal use state of the product, and should not be considered as restrictive.

[0025] An adjustable energy absorption and collapse method for a steering column of an automobile, such as Figures 2 to 4 As shown, it includes an upper pipe column 42 and a lower pipe column 41 which are sleeved with each other. The upper pipe column 42 is fixedly connected to the connecting frame 1 and is slidably set on the fixing frame 2 along the collapse direction through the connecting frame 1; the lower end of the lower pipe column 41 is hinged on the fixing frame 2, and the fixing frame 2 can be a split structure or an integrated structure; the upper pipe column 42 is fixedly installed on the connecting frame 1 through an angle adjustment mechanism, the connecting frame 1 is located directly above the upper pipe column 42 and is arranged across both sides of the upper pipe column 42, and the fixing frame 2 is located directly above the lower pipe column 41 and is arranged across both sides of the lower pipe column 41; the lower end of the connecting frame 1 and the upper end of the fixing frame 2 are fitted together, and a collapse block 21 The connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2 are penetrated through the fitting surface between the connecting frame and the fixing frame, and the fixing frame 2 is pressed downward on the connecting frame 1 at the fitting surface; at the same time, the fitting surface between the connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2 is lubricated, and the lubricating treatment includes fixing a plastic gasket 11 between the fitting surfaces or applying grease between the fitting surfaces. When the connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2 slide, the fitting surfaces between the two slide relative to each other to reduce the friction between the fitting surfaces, thereby reducing the influence of the friction of the fitting surfaces on the collapse peak force, making it easy to adjust the tightening force of the collapse block 21, so that the collapse mechanism has a smaller collapse peak force, and ensuring the connection strength of the connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2; combined with Figure 1 As shown, the adjustable energy absorption and collapse method includes the following steps:

[0026] Step 1: The connecting frame 1 is fixedly connected to the fixing frame 2 through the collapse block 21;

[0027] Step 2: The energy absorbing device 3 is fixedly mounted on the fixed frame 2. When collapse begins, the connecting frame 1 drives the collapse block 21 to generate relative displacement relative to the fixed frame 2, so that the energy absorbing device 3 is coupled with the connecting frame 1 or the upper pipe column 42 at a displacement setting distance. The setting distance is adjusted and determined by comprehensive factors such as the collapse curve design requirements, the collapse structure of the collapse block, and the change of the collapse force when the energy absorbing device intervenes in the collapse;

[0028] When the energy absorbing device 3 is coupled with the connecting frame 1 or the upper pipe column 42 which is displaced by a set distance, Figure 6As shown, the damping force on the upper column 42 at the previous moment, the current moment and the next moment (i.e., the axial force on the driver) is all within the channel defined by the maximum threshold range [B~C] and the minimum threshold range [0~A]. The damping force on the upper column 42 at the previous moment refers to the moment before the energy absorbing device 3 generates the damping force on the upper column 42. The damping force on the upper column 42 at the current moment refers to the moment when the energy absorbing device 3 starts to generate the damping force on the upper column 42 and does not move. The damping force on the upper column 42 at the next moment refers to the moment when the energy absorbing device 3 starts to generate the damping force on the upper column 42 and does not move. The force refers to the damping force generated by the energy absorbing device 3 on the upper column 42 after displacement; the difference between the peak force of collapse and the continuous force of collapse is less than or equal to 1000N. Since the energy absorbing device 3 does not generate damping force when the steering column just begins to collapse, the collapse block 21 makes a major contribution to the peak force of collapse. When the main contribution of the collapse block 21 transitions to the main contribution of the energy absorbing device 3, the difference between the two is small, so that the peak force of collapse can transition to the continuous force of collapse smoothly, reducing secondary damage to the driver;

[0029] Step 3: The energy absorbing device 3 generates a continuous or intermittent damping force on the connecting frame 1 or the upper pipe column 42 during the displacement process until the displacement stroke of the upper pipe column 42 is completed;

[0030] Among them, the energy absorbing device 3 is a tearing belt or a curling belt, which are collectively referred to as energy absorbing belts, so that the long direction of the energy absorbing belt is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42, and the energy absorbing belt is fixedly connected to the fixing frame 2, and a connecting male head 32 is fixedly arranged at one end of the energy absorbing belt and the connecting male head 32 is close to the connecting frame 1, so that the other end of the energy absorbing belt is fixedly connected to the fixing frame 2, and a connecting female head 12 is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the connecting male head 32 on the connecting frame 1, and a gap is left between the connecting male head 32 and the connecting female head 12. After the connecting male head 32 and the connecting female head 12 contact, they abut or clamp each other, thereby realizing the coupling of the energy absorbing belt and the upper pipe column 42, and the damping force is controlled by controlling the thickness of the energy absorbing belt or the specification of its tear line; when the energy absorbing device 3 is a tearing belt, in order to adjust the damping force of the middle section of the tearing belt, a waist-shaped through hole 311 is arranged in the middle of the tear line 31 of the tearing belt.

[0031] In addition, the stroke of the connecting frame 1 when the collapse block 21 participates in the collapse is recorded as the first distance, and the stroke required for the connecting female head 12 to eliminate the gap and contact the connecting male head 32 is recorded as the second distance. In order to make the collapse peak force and the collapse continuous force have a certain rise and fall, the second distance can be greater than the first distance; in order to make the collapse peak force to the collapse continuous force have a certain rise and fall, the second distance can also be made smaller than the first distance; in order to facilitate the collapse peak force and the collapse continuous force to be able to relay and cooperate, the second distance can be made equal to the first distance, wherein the second distance is preferably equal to the first distance, so as to facilitate the collapse peak force and the collapse continuous force. A step 25 is integrally provided on the fixing frame 2 at a position corresponding to the crush block 21. The crush block 21 is a screw, which passes through the step 25 and has its head pressed on the step 25. A notch 22 is provided on the fixing frame 2 at a position on one side of the step 25. The notch 22 is used to make the crush block 21 escape from the step 25 along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42, so as to control the connection strength of the connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2 by adjusting the pressing force of the screw on the step 25, so as to facilitate the adjustment of the magnitude of the crush peak force; the stroke of the crush block 21 escaping from the step 25 is the first distance.

[0032] Second embodiment:

[0033] Other technical features are the same as those of the first embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, two guide mechanisms for moving the connecting frame 1 along the collapse direction are respectively arranged on both sides of the energy absorbing device 3, and the two guide mechanisms are symmetrically arranged with respect to the energy absorbing device 3, so as to ensure that the upper pipe column 42 does not fall when it collapses, and the stability of the function of the energy absorbing device 3 is ensured; the guide mechanism includes a strip slide 24 provided on the fixing frame, and a screw 23 is fixedly connected to the position of the connecting frame 1 corresponding to the strip slide 24, and the screw 23 is slidably matched with the strip slide 24; the long direction of the strip slide 24 is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42, and the screw 23 is located in the strip slide 24, a step 25 is integrally provided at the starting end of the strip slide 24 corresponding to the position of the screw 23, the head of the screw 23 is pressed on the step 25, a collapse block 21 and two screws 23 are all located above the upper tube column 42, the collapse block 21 and the two screws 23 form an isosceles triangle structure, the midline of the isosceles triangle structure is located directly above the upper tube column 42 and is arranged along the axial direction of the upper tube column 42, the collapse block is located directly above the upper tube column and at the vertex position of the isosceles triangle structure, thereby dispersing the collapse peak force and improving the fixing effect of the fixing frame 2 and the connecting frame 1.

[0034] Third embodiment:

[0035] Other technical features are the same as those of the first embodiment. Figure 5As shown, the energy absorption device 3 includes an energy absorption chute 33, which is opened on the fixing frame 2 or fixedly connected to the fixing frame 2. A step 25 is integrally provided at a position corresponding to the collapse block 21 on the fixing frame 2. The collapse block 21 is a screw, which passes through the step 25 and its head is pressed on the step 25. A notch 22 is opened at a position on one side of the step on the fixing frame 2. The notch 22 is used to make the collapse block 21 escape from the step 25 along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42; the energy absorption chute 33 is connected to the notch 22, and the long direction of the energy absorption chute 33 is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42. The energy absorbing groove 33 is used to slide with the crush block 21. When the crush block 21 slides in the energy absorbing groove 33, the side walls of the energy absorbing groove 33 squeeze the crush block 21 and generate a damping force on the crush block 21, thereby generating a damping force on the connecting frame 1 or the upper pipe column 42 during the displacement process; wherein, a wide mouth area 5 is opened on the energy absorbing groove 33 at a position between the energy absorbing groove 33 and the notch 22. When the crush block 21 passes through the wide mouth area 5, the side walls of the wide mouth area 5 are separated from the crush block 21, so that the crush block 21 is coupled with the energy absorbing device 3 after passing through the wide mouth area 25.

[0036] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An adjustable energy absorption and collapse method for a vehicle steering column, comprising an upper column and a lower column which are sleeved together, wherein the upper column is fixedly connected to a connecting frame and is slidably arranged on a fixing frame along a collapse direction through the connecting frame; characterized in that: The adjustable energy absorption collapse method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Fix the connecting frame to the fixing frame through the collapse block; Step 2: An energy absorbing device is fixedly installed on the fixed frame. When collapse begins, the connecting frame drives the collapse block to generate relative displacement relative to the fixed frame, so that the energy absorbing device is coupled with the connecting frame or the upper pipe string at a displacement setting distance; Step 3: Make the energy absorbing device generate damping force on the connecting frame or upper column during the displacement process until the displacement stroke of the upper column ends; wherein, adjust the stroke of the connecting frame when the crush block participates in the crushing and adjust the set distance, and make the difference between the crush peak force and the crush continuous force less than or equal to 1000N. When the steering column just starts to crush, the energy absorbing device does not generate any damping force, and the crush block makes the main contribution to the crush peak force.

2. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of a vehicle steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting frame and the fixing frame are fitted together, a collapse block penetrates the fitting surface between the connecting frame and the fixing frame, and the fixing frame is pressed on the connecting frame at the fitting surface; at the same time, the fitting surface between the connecting frame and the fixing frame is lubricated, and when the connecting frame and the fixing frame slide, the fitting surface between the two slides.

3. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of a vehicle steering column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The energy absorbing device is a tearing belt or a curling belt, so that one end of the energy absorbing device is fixedly connected to the fixed frame, a connecting male head is fixedly arranged at the other end of the energy absorbing device and the connecting male head is placed close to the connecting frame, and a connecting female head is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the connecting male head on the connecting frame, and a gap is left between the connecting male head and the connecting female head. After the connecting male head and the connecting female head come into contact, they abut or clamp against each other, thereby realizing the coupling of the energy absorbing device and the upper pipe column.

4. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of the automobile steering column according to claim 3, characterized in that: The travel of the connecting frame when the collapse block participates in the collapse is recorded as the first distance, and the travel required for the female connector to eliminate the gap and contact the male connector is recorded as the second distance, wherein the second distance is equal to the first distance.

5. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of a vehicle steering column according to claim 4, characterized in that: A step is integrally provided on the fixing frame at a position corresponding to the collapse block. The collapse block is a screw, which passes through the step and has its head pressed on the step. A notch is provided on the fixing frame at a position on one side of the step. The notch is used to allow the collapse block to escape from the step along the axial direction of the upper pipe column; the stroke for the collapse block to escape from the step is the first distance.

6. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of a vehicle steering column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A step is integrally provided on the fixed frame at a position corresponding to the collapse block, and the collapse block is a screw, which passes through the step and has its head pressed on the step, and a notch is provided on the fixed frame at a position on one side of the step, and the notch is used to allow the collapse block to escape from the step along the axial direction of the upper pipe column; the energy absorbing device includes an energy absorbing slide groove provided on the fixed frame, the energy absorbing slide groove is connected to the notch, the long direction of the energy absorbing slide groove is provided along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the energy absorbing slide groove is used to slide with the collapse block, and when the collapse block slides in the energy absorbing slide groove, the side walls of the energy absorbing slide groove squeeze the collapse block and generate a damping force on the collapse block, thereby generating a damping force on the connecting frame or the upper pipe column during the displacement process; wherein, a wide-mouth area is provided on the energy absorbing slide groove at a position between the energy absorbing slide groove and the notch, and when the collapse block passes through the wide-mouth area, the side walls of the wide-mouth area are separated from the collapse block, so that the collapse block is coupled with the energy absorbing device after passing through the wide-mouth area.

7. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of a vehicle steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two guide mechanisms for moving the connecting frame along the collapse direction are respectively arranged on both sides of the energy absorbing device, and the two guide mechanisms are symmetrically arranged with respect to the energy absorbing device.

8. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of a vehicle steering column according to claim 7, characterized in that: The guide mechanism includes a strip slide groove opened on the fixed frame, a screw is fixedly connected at a position corresponding to the strip slide groove on the connecting frame, and the screw and the strip slide groove are slidably matched; the long direction of the strip slide groove is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the screw is located at the starting end of the strip slide groove, and a step is integrally arranged at the position corresponding to the screw at the starting end of the strip slide groove, and the head of the screw is pressed on the step, a collapse block and two screws are both located above the upper pipe column, and the collapse block and the two screws form an isosceles triangle structure, the midline of the isosceles triangle structure is located directly above the upper pipe column and is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, and the collapse block is located directly above the upper pipe column and at the vertex position of the isosceles triangle structure.

9. The adjustable energy absorption and collapse method of a vehicle steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 2, when the energy absorbing device is coupled with the upper pipe column displaced by a corresponding distance, the damping force on the upper pipe column at the previous moment, the current moment and the next moment is within the flow channel defined by the maximum threshold range and the minimum threshold range.

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