Steering column, steering column assembly, steering system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering tubular column, a steering tubular column assembly, a steering system and a vehicle, the steering tubular column comprises a tubular column sleeve, a tubular column shell and a friction mechanism, the tubular column sleeve is used for being arranged on the outer side of a tubular column rotating shaft in a sleeving mode, the tubular column shell is arranged on the outer side of the tubular column sleeve in a sleeving mode, and at least part of the friction mechanism is arranged between the tubular column sleeve and the tubular column shell; the friction mechanism comprises a supporting piece and a rolling body, the rolling body is rotatably installed on the supporting piece, the outer surface of the tubular column casing is provided with an abutting face, the friction mechanism abuts against the abutting face through the rolling body, and the peripheral face of the rolling body and the abutting face form a rolling friction pair. The friction force between the rolling body and the tubular column casing pipe which roll mutually is small, abrasion of the tubular column casing pipe and / or the friction mechanism in the using process can be reduced, the situation that a large gap is likely to be generated between the tubular column casing pipe and / or the friction mechanism can be effectively avoided, and therefore the NVH performance of the steering tubular column can be improved, and the service life of the steering tubular column can be prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of vehicle steering, and in particular to a steering column, a steering column assembly, a steering system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of the automobile industry, in order to adapt to the body shapes and driving habits of different drivers, the length-adjustable steering column has become an important trend in automobile design.

[0003] In the related art, in order to adjust the length of the steering column, the steering column is usually composed of a sleeve and a shell. The sleeve is arranged in the shell and supported by a mounting sleeve, thereby adjusting the length of the steering column. However, the friction between the sleeve and the mounting sleeve is large, and the wear is large. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a steering column, a steering column assembly, a steering system and a vehicle, so as to at least partially overcome the problems existing in the related art.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a steering column, comprising a column sleeve, a column housing and a friction mechanism; The pipe column casing is used to be sleeved on the outside of the pipe column rotating shaft; The column housing is sleeved on the outside of the column casing; At least part of the friction mechanism is arranged between the column sleeve and the column housing; Wherein, the friction mechanism includes a support member and a rolling body, the rolling body is rotatably mounted on the support member, the outer surface of the column sleeve has an abutment surface, the friction mechanism abuts against the abutment surface through the rolling body, and the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body abuts against the abutment surface.

[0006] Optionally, the rolling body is a columnar body, and both ends of the columnar body are rotatably connected to the support member.

[0007] Optionally, the outer peripheral surface of the columnar body is a concave cylindrical surface.

[0008] Optionally, the friction mechanism further comprises a pressing component, and the pressing component is used to apply a pressing force to the support member or the rolling body so that the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body remains pressed against the abutment surface.

[0009] Optionally, the pressing assembly includes an elastic member and a pressing block; The pressing block is located outside the support member in the radial direction of the steering column and is used to press the support member. The elastic member is used to provide the pressing force to the pressing block.

[0010] Optionally, the pressing block comprises a wedge-shaped block; The elastic member is connected to the wedge block and is used to apply the pressing force along a first direction of the steering column to the wedge block, wherein the plane where the first direction is located is parallel to the central axis of the steering column; The wedge surface of the wedge block is suitable for abutting against the first inclined surface of the support member, so that the wedge block can apply a radially inward abutment force to the support member and the rolling body under the action of the pressing force. Optionally, the number of the rolling bodies is at least two; The two rolling bodies are spaced apart and arranged at an angle along the circumference of the column sleeve.

[0011] Optionally, the number of the rolling bodies and the number of the supporting members are both two, and each supporting member is provided with at least one rolling body; The two support members are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the pipe column casing; The two rolling bodies are spaced apart and arranged at an angle along the circumference of the column casing; The number of the wedge blocks is two; The first sides of the two supporting members facing each other are provided with the first inclined surfaces, and the first inclined surfaces abut against the wedge surfaces of the corresponding wedge blocks; The two wedge blocks are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the column casing, and the opposite ends of the elastic member are respectively connected to the two wedge blocks.

[0012] Optionally, the first side is provided with a mounting groove and a connecting column located in the mounting groove; The elastic member is a spring, the end of which is located in the installation groove and sleeved on the connecting column.

[0013] Optionally, the support member includes a first plate, a second plate, a first extension plate, and a second extension plate; The first plate is connected to the second plate at an angle; One end of the first plate away from the second plate is connected to the first extension plate; The second extension plate is connected to one end of the second plate away from the first plate; The first plate is provided with the first inclined surface; Both ends of the rolling body are rotatably connected to the first extension plate and the second extension plate respectively.

[0014] Optionally, the first extension plate is connected to the first plate at an angle; and / or the second extension plate is connected to the second plate at an angle.

[0015] Optionally, the first extension plate extends in a radial direction of the steering column; and / or the second extension plate extends in a radial direction of the steering column.

[0016] Optionally, a side wall of the column housing is provided with a radially penetrating opening, and the second extension plate is used to abut against the side wall of the column housing where the opening is located in the circumferential direction.

[0017] Optionally, the side wall of the column housing is provided with a radially penetrating opening; The support member and the rolling body are both located in the opening; The friction mechanism further comprises a cover plate, which is arranged on the opening and used for pressing other parts of the friction mechanism into the opening.

[0018] Optionally, the number of the friction mechanisms is multiple; At least two of the plurality of friction mechanisms are aligned in the axial direction of the steering column and arranged at an angle in the circumferential direction; and / or, At least two friction mechanisms among the plurality of friction mechanisms are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the steering column.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a steering column assembly, comprising an axial adjustment mechanism and the steering column as described above; The power output end of the axial adjustment mechanism is drivingly connected to the column sleeve and is used to adjust the axial position of the column sleeve in the column housing.

[0020] Optionally, the steering column assembly further includes a circumferential adjustment mechanism; The power output end of the circumferential adjustment mechanism is drivingly connected to the tubular column sleeve and is used to adjust the axial position of the tubular column sleeve in the tubular column housing.

[0021] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a steering system, comprising: a steering wheel; The steering column assembly as described above, wherein the column rotating shaft of the steering column is connected to the steering wheel; and The steering gear is used to drive the steering wheel to steer, and the steering gear is communicatively connected or mechanically connected to the steering column assembly.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the steering system as described above.

[0023] Through the above technical solution, since the friction mechanism abuts against the abutment surface through the rolling body, and the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body and the abutment surface are constructed as a rolling friction pair, when the length of the above-mentioned steering column needs to be adjusted, the rolling body can roll on the column sleeve, and the friction force between the rolling bodies and the column sleeve that roll against each other is small, which is beneficial to reducing the wear of the column sleeve and / or the friction mechanism during use, and can effectively avoid the situation where a large gap is easily generated between the column sleeve and / or the friction mechanism, thereby improving the NVH performance and service life of the steering column.

[0024] Compared with the technical solution in the related art that the sleeve of the steering column is supported by the mounting sleeve, if the stroke of the steering column is large, it will lead to the NVH performance of the steering column and the lower service life, the steering column provided by the present disclosure optimizes the friction between the column sleeve and the friction mechanism, so that even when the column sleeve moves a long distance in the column housing, it is conducive to maintaining a low wear rate. In this way, the steering column provided by the present disclosure can not only extend the service life of the steering column while meeting the NVH performance, but also allow the steering column to have a longer service life while having a longer adjustment stroke.

[0025] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a steering column provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a steering column provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 1 Different perspective.

[0029] Figure 3 is a side view of a steering column provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic cross-sectional view along the A direction.

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic cross-sectional view along the B direction.

[0032] Figure 6Detailed description is given of an exploded schematic diagram of a friction mechanism of a steering column provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a column housing is schematically shown.

[0033] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a friction mechanism of a steering column provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a column sleeve and a column housing are schematically shown.

[0034] Description of Reference Numerals 100-steering column; 1-column sleeve; 2-column housing; 21-abutment surface; 22-opening; 23-side wall; 3-friction mechanism; 31-support member; 311-first inclined surface; 312-first plate; 313-second plate; 314-first extension plate; 315-second extension plate; 32-rolling body; 33-pressing assembly; 331-elastic member; 332-pressing block; 333-wedge block; 334-mounting groove; 335-connecting column; 336-wedge surface; 34-cover plate; 200-axial adjustment mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The specific implementation of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementation described herein is only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure, and is not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0036] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise stated, the directions or positional relationships indicated by the directional words such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are defined based on the drawing directions shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, specific directional structure and operation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present disclosure. The terms "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside of the corresponding structural contours. "First direction" and "second direction" can be found in Figure 1 The first direction and the second direction are shown.

[0037] In addition, it should be noted that the terms used, such as "first", "second", etc., are used to distinguish one element from another element, and do not have order or importance. In addition, in the description with reference to the drawings, the same number in different drawings represents the same element.

[0038] In the description of the present disclosure, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "connect", "connected", and "installed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0039] As mentioned above, in the related art, the mounting sleeve arranged in the shell of the steering column can support the sleeve, thereby preventing the sleeve of the steering column from being suspended in the shell and shaking. However, since a sliding friction pair is formed between the inner circumference of the mounting sleeve and the outer circumference of the sleeve, during the length adjustment process of the steering column, the friction between the sleeve and the mounting sleeve is relatively large, which can easily lead to wear of the sleeve and / or the mounting sleeve. The gap between the worn sleeve and / or the mounting sleeve is relatively large, which will affect the NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) performance of the steering column on the one hand, and on the other hand, it will also affect the stiffness and strength of the entire steering column.

[0040] In view of this, if Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the present disclosure provides a steering column 100, including a column sleeve 1, a column housing 2 and a friction mechanism 3, wherein the column sleeve 1 is used to be sleeved on the outside of the column rotating shaft, the column housing 2 is sleeved on the outside of the column sleeve 1, and at least part of the friction mechanism 3 is arranged between the column sleeve 1 and the column housing 2, wherein the friction mechanism 3 includes a support member 31 and a rolling body 32, the rolling body 32 is rotatably mounted on the support member 31, the outer surface of the column sleeve 1 has an abutment surface 21, the friction mechanism 3 abuts against the abutment surface 21 through the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body 32, and the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body 32 and the abutment surface 21 are constructed as a rolling friction pair.

[0041] When the above-mentioned steering column 100 is applied to a vehicle, the column shaft of the steering column 100 can be connected to the steering wheel of the vehicle. The driver can control the wheel angle through the steering wheel, the steering column 100, and the steering gear and other components arranged in the vehicle, thereby realizing the steering of the vehicle.

[0042] In the above-mentioned steering column 100, the rolling body 32 of the friction mechanism 3 can abut against the abutment surface 21 located on the outer peripheral surface of the column sleeve 1, the friction mechanism 3 can support the column sleeve 1, the column sleeve 1 is better fixed in the column housing 2, the column sleeve 1 is not easy to shake, and the steering column 100 has high rigidity and strength.

[0043] Through the above technical solution, since the friction mechanism 3 abuts against the abutment surface 21 through the rolling body 32, and the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body 32 and the abutment surface 21 are constructed as a rolling friction pair, when the length of the above-mentioned steering column 100 needs to be adjusted, the rolling body 32 can roll on the column sleeve 1, and the friction force between the rolling bodies 32 and the column sleeve that roll against each other is small, which is beneficial to reducing the wear of the column sleeve 1 and / or the friction mechanism 3 during use, and can effectively avoid the occurrence of a large gap between the column sleeve 1 and / or the friction mechanism 3, thereby improving the NVH performance and service life of the steering column 100.

[0044] Compared with the technical solution in the related art that the sleeve of the steering column 100 is supported by the mounting sleeve, if the stroke of the steering column 100 is large, it will lead to the NVH performance of the steering column 100 and the lower service life, the steering column 100 provided by the present disclosure optimizes the friction between the column sleeve 1 and the friction mechanism 3, so that even when the column sleeve moves a long distance in the column housing 2, it is also conducive to maintaining a low wear rate. In this way, the steering column 100 provided by the present disclosure can not only extend the service life of the steering column 100 while meeting the NVH performance, but also allow the steering column 100 to have a longer service life under the premise of having a longer adjustment stroke (such as more than 200mm).

[0045] In addition, since the rolling body 32 is rotatably mounted on the support member 31, during the use of the steering column 100, the rolling body 32 and the support member 31 can also form a rolling friction pair, and the friction between the rolling body 32 and the support member 31 is also relatively small, which is also beneficial to reducing the wear of the rolling body 32 and / or the support member 31 during use, thereby increasing the service life of the friction mechanism 3.

[0046] The present disclosure does not limit the length adjustment range of the steering column 100, as long as the steering column 100 can meet the driver's use requirements. As an embodiment of the present disclosure, the travel of the steering column 100 is 150 mm to 300 mm. The steering column 100 has a long adjustment travel, which can meet the use requirements of drivers of different body shapes and habits, and can also realize functions such as hiding the steering wheel. The practicality of the steering column is relatively high.

[0047] Here, it should be noted that the present disclosure does not limit the specific support method between the rolling body 32 and the support member 31, as long as the support member 31 can reliably press the rolling body 32 against the abutment surface 21 of the column casing 1, and the rolling body 32 can rotate relative to the support member 31. As an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the rolling body 32 is a columnar body, and the two ends of the columnar body are rotatably connected to the support member 31. In other words, the support member 31 can support both ends of the columnar body at the same time. On the one hand, the support effect of the support member 31 on the columnar body can be improved, and the columnar body is not easily deviated by force; on the other hand, the support at both ends can also reduce the local force on the columnar body, thereby effectively avoiding the situation where the columnar body is overstressed and easily damaged.

[0048] As another embodiment of the present disclosure, the rolling body 32 can also be configured as a spherical body, similar to a ball structure. In this way, the support member 31 can also achieve the fixation of the column on the column casing 1.

[0049] It should be noted that, in the present disclosure, the outer peripheral surface of the columnar body may have any appropriate shape, as long as the columnar body can support the column sleeve 1 disposed in the column housing 2 and can rotate relative to the column sleeve 1. As an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer peripheral surface of the columnar body is a concave cylindrical surface.

[0050] In this way, by reasonably designing the shape of the concave cylindrical surface, the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the column can be adapted to the shape of the abutment surface 21 of the column sleeve 1, and the column can form surface-to-surface contact with the column sleeve 1, thereby increasing the contact area between the column and the column sleeve 1. On the one hand, the larger contact area can improve the supporting effect of the column on the column sleeve 1, and the column sleeve 1 is not easy to shake in the column shell 2; on the other hand, the larger contact area can also disperse the force of the column acting on the column sleeve 1, thereby avoiding stress concentration in the column sleeve 1, and the strength of the column sleeve 1 is relatively high.

[0051] In order to further prevent the pipe column casing 1 from shaking in the pipe column housing 2, optionally, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the friction mechanism 3 may further include a pressing assembly 33 for applying a pressing force to the support member 31 or the rolling body 32 so that the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body 32 remains pressed against the abutting surface 21 .

[0052] In this way, when the friction mechanism 3 is installed on the steering column 100, the rolling body 32 can be pressed against the abutment surface 21 under the action of the support member 31 or the pressing assembly 33. In this way, on the one hand, it can avoid that there is an excessive gap between the rolling body 32 and the column sleeve 1, which makes the column sleeve easy to shake in the column housing 2, thereby improving the fixing effect of the column sleeve 1 in the column housing 2; on the other hand, the rolling body 32 pressed on the column sleeve 1 can also roll compared to the column sleeve 1, so that the column sleeve can move in the column housing 2.

[0053] In the steering column 100 provided by the present disclosure, the pressing assembly 33 may have any appropriate structure. For example, the pressing assembly 33 may include a linear motor, and the output shaft of the linear motor is pressed against the support member 31, thereby pressing the rolling body 32 against the abutment surface 21. As an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the pressing assembly 33 may include an elastic member 331 and a pressing block 332. The pressing block 332 is located outside the support member 31 in the radial direction of the steering column 100 and is used to press the support member 31. The elastic member 331 is used to provide a pressing force to the pressing block 332. The pressing assembly 33 formed by the elastic member 331 and the pressing block 332 has a simple structure, low cost, and is easy to install, which is conducive to improving the compactness of the entire steering column 100.

[0054] Here, it can be understood that for the implementation of the pressing component 33 using the elastic member 331 and the pressing block 332, by replacing the elastic member 331 with different stiffness, the elastic force of the elastic member 331 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the preload force of the elastic member 331 pressing against the pressing block 332.

[0055] In order to improve the compactness of the steering column 100, optionally, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the pressing block 332 includes a wedge block 333, and the elastic member 331 is connected to the wedge block 333, which is used to apply a clamping force along a first direction of the steering column 100 to the wedge block 333, and the plane where the first direction is located is parallel to the central axis of the steering column, and the wedge surface 336 of the wedge block 333 is suitable for abutting against the first inclined surface 311 of the support member 31, so that the wedge block 333 can apply an abutting force radially inward (i.e., toward the steering column shaft, toward the central axis of the steering column 100) to the support member 31 and the rolling body 32 under the action of the clamping force. The wedge surface 336 cooperates with the first inclined surface 311 of the support member 31 to convert the clamping force of the elastic member 331 on the wedge block 333 along the first direction into an abutment force acting on the rolling body 32 radially inwardly of the steering column 100, thereby pressing the rolling body 32 onto the column sleeve 1. The rolling body 32 has a better fixing effect on the column sleeve 1, and the column sleeve 1 is not easy to shake in the column housing 2.

[0056] In addition, since the clamping force applied by the elastic member 331 to the wedge block acts on the wedge block 333 along the first direction, and the plane in the first direction is parallel to the central axis of the steering column 100, that is, the elastic member 331 is horizontally arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the column sleeve 1, the elastic member horizontally arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the column sleeve 1 occupies a smaller space in the radial direction of the column sleeve 1, which is beneficial to reducing the radial dimension of the entire steering column 100. The steering column 100 is more compact and smaller in size, and is not easy to interfere with other components in the vehicle, which is beneficial to the arrangement of the steering column 100 in the vehicle.

[0057] It is understood that the first direction may be as follows Figure 7In the direction shown, at this time, the plane where the first direction is located is parallel to the central axis of the steering column 100, and the first direction is perpendicular to the central axis of the steering column 100. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the plane where the first direction is located is parallel to the central axis of the steering column 100, and the first direction is parallel to the central axis of the steering column 100.

[0058] In order to improve the supporting effect of the steering column 100, optionally, as Figures 4 to 7 As shown, there are at least two rolling bodies 32, and the two rolling bodies 32 are spaced and arranged at an angle along the circumference of the column sleeve 1. In this way, the multiple rolling bodies 32 can support different positions of the circumference of the steering column 100, and the steering column 100 is better fixed in the steering housing and is not easy to shake.

[0059] In order to facilitate the support of multiple rolling elements 32, optionally, as Figures 4 to 7 As shown, there are at least two support members 31, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the column sleeve 1, and each support member 31 is provided with at least one rolling body 32. The multiple support members 31 can jointly support the rolling body 32, and the rolling body 32 has a good fixing effect between the steering column 100 and the steering housing, and is not easy to slip off.

[0060] Alternatively, if Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the number of the above-mentioned rolling bodies 32 and support members 31 is two, each support member 31 is provided with at least one rolling body 32, the two support members 31 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the tubular column casing 1, the two rolling bodies 32 are arranged at intervals and at an angle along the circumference of the tubular column casing 1, the number of the wedge blocks 333 is two, the first sides of the two support members 31 facing each other are provided with a first inclined surface 311, the first inclined surface 311 abuts against the wedge surface 336 of the corresponding wedge block 333, the two wedge blocks 333 are arranged at intervals in the circumference of the tubular column casing 1, the opposite ends of the elastic member 331 are respectively connected to the two wedge blocks 333, the elastic member 331 is in a compressed state, and the elastic member 331 is used to provide a pressing force that enables the wedge block 333 to press the support member 31 and the rolling body 32 onto the abutting surface 21. In this way, the elastic member 331 can always apply a force to the wedge block 333 , and act on the support member 31 through the wedge block 333 , so that the rolling body 32 is pressed against the abutment surface 21 of the column casing 1 through the support member 31 .

[0061] In addition, since the opposite ends of the elastic member 331 are respectively connected to the two wedge blocks 333, and the wedge surfaces 336 of the two wedge blocks 333 cooperate with the first inclined surface 311 on the support member 31, only one elastic member 331 is needed to achieve the compression of the above-mentioned two rolling bodies 32, which is conducive to simplifying the structure of the friction mechanism 3 and improving the structural compactness of the steering column 100.

[0062] In order to prevent the elastic member 331 from sliding off the wedge block 333, optionally, as Figure 6 As shown, the first side is provided with a mounting groove 334 and a connecting column 335 located in the mounting groove 334, and the elastic member 331 is a spring, the end of the spring is located in the mounting groove 334 and sleeved on the connecting column 335. The connecting column 335 can limit the spring, and the spring is not easy to fall off the wedge block 333, which effectively prevents the elastic member 331 from sliding off the wedge block 333 and affecting the normal use of the friction mechanism 3.

[0063] Here, it should be noted that the present disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the above-mentioned support member 31, as long as the support member 31 can cooperate with the elastic member 331 and the wedge block 333 to press the rolling body 32 against the abutment surface 21 of the column casing 1. As an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the support member 31 includes a first plate 312, a second plate 313, a first extension plate 314 and a second extension plate 315. The first plate 312 is connected to the second plate 313 at an angle. One end of the first plate 312 away from the second plate 313 is connected to the first extension plate 314, and one end of the second plate 313 away from the first plate 312 is connected to the second extension plate 315. Optionally, one end of the first plate 312 away from the second plate 313 is connected to the first extension plate 314, and the other end of the second plate 313 away from the first plate 312 is connected to the second extension plate 315. The other end of the first plate 312 is connected to the other end of the second plate 313. The first plate 312 is provided with a first inclined surface 311. For example, the first plate 312 is located on the radial outer surface of the steering column 100 and is provided with the first inclined surface 311. The two ends of the rolling body 32 are rotatably connected to the first extension plate 314 and the second extension plate 315, respectively. The first inclined surface 311 on the first plate 312 can cooperate with the wedge surface 336 on the wedge block 333, so that the support member 31 can press the rolling body 32 against the abutment surface 21 of the tubular column casing 1 under the elastic force of the elastic member 331, thereby achieving support for the tubular column casing 1.

[0064] In addition, the first extension plate 314 and the second extension plate 315 can also be supported at the two ends of the column respectively. In this way, on the one hand, the supporting effect of the support member 31 on the column can be improved, and the column is not easily displaced by force; on the other hand, the local force on the column can be reduced, thereby effectively avoiding the situation where the local force on the column is too large and easy to be damaged.

[0065] In addition, since the first plate 312 and the second plate 313 are arranged at an angle, if the support member 31 and the rolling body 32 are both arranged in the opening 22 of the column housing 2, by reasonably designing the angle between the first plate 312 and the second plate 313, a certain angle can be made between the second plate 313 and the side wall 23 of the opening 22 of the column housing 2. In this way, when the support member 31 moves in the opening 22, the second plate 313 with the angle will not contact the side wall 23 of the opening 22 of the column housing 2, thereby effectively avoiding contact between the second plate 313 and the side wall 23 of the opening 22. The friction between the second plate 313 and / or the side wall 23 of the opening 22 is relatively large, which makes the support member 31 and / or the column housing 2 easy to wear, thereby improving the service life of the steering column 100.

[0066] In order to facilitate the fixing of the rolling element 32, optionally, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first extension plate 314 is connected to the first plate 312 at an angle; and / or, the second extension plate 315 is connected to the second plate 313 at an angle. In this way, by properly designing the angle between the first extension plate 314 and the first plate 312, and / or, properly designing the angle between the second extension plate 315 and the second plate 313, it is possible to provide a gap between the first plate 312 and / or the second plate 313 under the premise that the rolling body 32 is rotatably fixed to the first extension plate 314 and the second extension plate 315, thereby avoiding the first plate 312 and / or the second plate 313 and the rolling body 32 from contacting each other and being easily worn.

[0067] The present disclosure does not limit the angle between the first extension plate 314 and the first plate 312, and the angle between the second extension plate 315 and the second plate 313. As an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the first extension plate 314 extends in the radial direction of the steering column 100; and / or the second extension plate 315 extends in the radial direction of the steering column 100. In other words, the first extension plate 314 and / or the second extension plate 315 are arranged perpendicular to the abutting surface 21 of the column sleeve 1, and the first extension plate 314 and / or the second extension plate 315 arranged perpendicular to the abutting surface 21 of the column sleeve 1 can abut against the side wall 23 of the opening 22 opened on the column housing 2, and the inner wall of the opening 22 can limit the first extension plate 314 and / or the second extension plate 315, so that the support member 31 is not easy to shake.

[0068] The present disclosure does not limit the specific installation position of the friction mechanism 3 between the column sleeve 1 and the column housing 2, as long as the friction mechanism 3 can be rotatably connected to the column sleeve 1. As an embodiment of the present disclosure, the side wall 23 of the column housing 2 is provided with a radially penetrating opening 22, and the second extension plate 315 is used to abut against the side wall 23 where the opening 22 is located in the circumferential direction of the column housing 2. In other words, the friction mechanism 3 is installed on the outer peripheral surface of the column sleeve 1 through the opening 22 of the side wall 23 of the column housing 2. In this way, by reasonably designing the structure of the friction mechanism 3, the friction mechanism 3 can occupy less space on the outside of the column housing 2, which is conducive to improving the compactness of the steering column 100, thereby facilitating the arrangement of the steering column 100 in the vehicle.

[0069] In order to facilitate fixing the friction mechanism 3 between the pipe column sleeve 1 and the pipe column housing 2, optionally, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the side wall 23 of the column housing 2 is provided with a radially penetrating opening 22, the support member 31 and the rolling body 32 are both located in the opening 22, and the friction mechanism 3 further includes a cover plate 34, which is covered on the opening 22 and used to press other parts of the friction mechanism 3 (such as the support member 31, the rolling body 32, the elastic member 331, the pressing block 332, the wedge block 333, etc. mentioned above) into the opening 22. In other words, the friction mechanism 3 is fixed in the opening 22 of the column housing 2 through the cover plate 34, so that, on the one hand, the cover plate 34 can play a role in fixing the friction mechanism 3, and the friction mechanism 3 is not easy to fall from the opening 22 of the column housing 2; on the other hand, the cover plate 34 can also play a role in sealing the column housing 2, effectively preventing impurities such as dust from entering the interior of the column housing 2 through the opening 22 of the column housing 2, and affecting the normal use of the friction mechanism 3 and the column sleeve 1.

[0070] In order to improve the fixing effect of the pipe column casing 1, optionally, as Figures 1 to 5As shown, there are multiple friction mechanisms 3, at least two of the multiple friction mechanisms 3 are aligned in the axial direction of the steering column 100 and arranged at an angle in the circumferential direction, and / or, the multiple friction mechanisms 3 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the steering column 100. The multiple friction mechanisms 3 can all support the column sleeve 1, and the column sleeve 1 has a better fixing effect in the column housing 2 and is not easy to shake.

[0071] Alternatively, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the steering column includes two pairs of friction mechanisms 3, which are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the column sleeve 1, and the two friction mechanisms 3 in each pair of friction mechanisms 3 are aligned along the axial direction of the steering column 100 and arranged at an angle in the circumferential direction. In this way, the multiple friction mechanisms 3 arranged at different positions on the column sleeve 1 can all support the column sleeve 1, and the column sleeve 1 has a good fixing effect on the column housing 2 and is not easy to shake. According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a steering column assembly is provided, including an axial adjustment mechanism 200 and the steering column 100 as described above, and the power output end of the axial adjustment mechanism 200 is transmission-connected with the column sleeve 1, and is used to adjust the axial position of the column sleeve 1 in the column housing 2. The axial adjustment mechanism 200 can drive the column sleeve 1 to move in the column housing 2, so as to adjust the length of the steering column 100, so as to adapt to the stature and driving habits of different drivers.

[0072] The steering column assembly has all the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned steering column 100, which will not be described in detail here.

[0073] Optionally, the steering column assembly may further include a circumferential adjustment mechanism, the power output end of which is in transmission connection with the column sleeve 1, and is used to adjust the circumferential position of the column sleeve 1 in the column housing 2, that is, to adjust the circumferential rotation angle of the column sleeve 1 in the column housing. In this way, even when the steering column assembly is applied to a vehicle, and there is a deviation between the steering wheel and the wheel of the vehicle, and the steering wheel deviates, the circumferential position of the column sleeve 1 in the column housing 2 is adjusted by the circumferential adjustment mechanism, and the steering wheel deviation problem can be corrected, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle during driving.

[0074] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a steering system is provided, including a steering wheel, a steering column assembly and a steering gear, wherein a column shaft of the steering column 100 is connected to the steering wheel, the steering gear is used to drive the steering wheel to steer, and the steering gear is communicatively connected or mechanically connected to the steering column assembly.

[0075] When the steering gear and the steering column assembly are connected through communication, there is no intermediate shaft between the steering column assembly located in the cab and the steering gear located on the chassis in the steering system. The steering column assembly and the steering gear interact through communication, and the structure of the steering system is relatively simple. In other words, the above-mentioned steering system can be constructed as a wire-controlled steering system.

[0076] Alternatively, the steering system may also be connected to a steering gear located on the chassis via an intermediate connecting shaft. In other words, the steering system may also be formed as a mechanical steering system, and the connection between the steering system and the steering gear is more reliable.

[0077] When the above steering system is applied to a vehicle, the rotation of the steering wheel can be transmitted to the steering gear through the steering column 100, so that the steering of the vehicle can be achieved.

[0078] The steering system has all the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned steering column assembly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0079] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising a steering system as described above.

[0080] The vehicle has all the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned steering system, which will not be described in detail here.

[0081] It should be noted that the present disclosure does not limit the type of vehicle, and the vehicle may be any vehicle suitable for adopting the steering system. For example, the vehicle may be a car, a truck, a van, or a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle (extended range vehicle), etc., and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0082] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0083] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0084] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A steering column, characterized in that: It includes a tubular casing, a tubular casing and a friction mechanism; The pipe column casing is used to be sleeved on the outside of the pipe column rotating shaft; The column housing is sleeved on the outside of the column casing; At least part of the friction mechanism is arranged between the column sleeve and the column housing; The friction mechanism comprises a support member and a rolling body, the rolling body is rotatably mounted on the support member, the outer surface of the column sleeve has an abutment surface, and the friction mechanism abuts against the abutment surface through the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body.

2. The steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rolling body is a columnar body, and both ends of the columnar body are rotatably connected to the supporting member.

3. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the columnar body is a concave cylindrical surface.

4. The steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The friction mechanism further comprises a pressing component, which is used to apply a pressing force to the support member or the rolling body so that the outer peripheral surface of the rolling body is kept pressed against the abutment surface.

5. The steering column according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressing assembly comprises an elastic member and a pressing block; The pressing block is located outside the support member in the radial direction of the steering column and is used to press the support member. The elastic member is used to provide the pressing force to the pressing block.

6. The steering column according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pressing block comprises a wedge-shaped block; The elastic member is connected to the wedge block and is used to apply the pressing force along a first direction of the steering column to the wedge block, wherein the plane where the first direction is located is parallel to the central axis of the steering column; The wedge surface of the wedge block is suitable for abutting against the first inclined surface of the support member, so that the wedge block can apply a radially inward abutment force to the support member and the rolling body under the action of the pressing force.

7. The steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the rolling elements is at least two; The two rolling bodies are spaced apart and arranged at an angle along the circumference of the column sleeve.

8. The steering column according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of the rolling bodies and the number of the supporting members are both two, and each supporting member is provided with at least one rolling body; The two support members are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the pipe column casing; The two rolling bodies are spaced apart and arranged at an angle along the circumference of the column casing; The number of the wedge blocks is two; The first sides of the two supporting members facing each other are provided with the first inclined surfaces, and the first inclined surfaces abut against the wedge surfaces of the corresponding wedge blocks; The two wedge blocks are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the column casing, and the opposite ends of the elastic member are respectively connected to the two wedge blocks.

9. The steering column according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first side is provided with a mounting groove and a connecting column located in the mounting groove; The elastic member is a spring, the end of which is located in the installation groove and sleeved on the connecting column.

10. The steering column according to claim 8, characterized in that: The support member includes a first plate, a second plate, a first extension plate, and a second extension plate; The first plate is connected to the second plate at an angle; One end of the first plate away from the second plate is connected to the first extension plate; The second extension plate is connected to one end of the second plate away from the first plate; The first plate is provided with the first inclined surface; Both ends of the rolling body are rotatably connected to the first extension plate and the second extension plate respectively.

11. The steering column according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first extension plate is connected to the first plate at an angle; and / or the second extension plate is connected to the second plate at an angle.

12. The steering column according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first extension plate extends in a radial direction of the steering column; and / or the second extension plate extends in a radial direction of the steering column.

13. The steering column according to claim 11, characterized in that: The side wall of the column housing is provided with a radially penetrating opening, and the second extension plate is used to abut against the side wall of the column housing where the opening is located in the circumferential direction.

14. The steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The side wall of the column housing is provided with a radially penetrating opening; The support member and the rolling body are both located in the opening; The friction mechanism further comprises a cover plate, which is arranged on the opening and used for pressing other parts of the friction mechanism into the opening.

15. The steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The number of the friction mechanisms is multiple; At least two of the plurality of friction mechanisms are aligned in the axial direction of the steering column and arranged at an angle in the circumferential direction; and / or, At least two friction mechanisms among the plurality of friction mechanisms are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the steering column.

16. A steering column assembly, characterized in that: A steering column comprising an axial adjustment mechanism and any one of claims 1 to 15; The power output end of the axial adjustment mechanism is drivingly connected to the column sleeve and is used to adjust the axial position of the column sleeve in the column housing.

17. The steering column assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that: The steering column assembly also includes a circumferential adjustment mechanism; The power output end of the circumferential adjustment mechanism is drivingly connected to the column sleeve and is used to adjust the circumferential position of the column sleeve in the column housing.

18. A steering system, characterized in that: include: steering wheel; According to the steering column assembly of claim 16 or 17, the column shaft of the steering column is connected to the steering wheel; and The steering gear is used to drive the steering wheel to steer, and the steering gear is communicatively connected or mechanically connected to the steering column assembly.

19. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising a steering system according to claim 18.

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