Long-stroke electric adjusting steering column

Abstract

A long-stroke electric adjusting steering column comprises an upper column body and a lower column body, the upper column body is arranged in the lower column body in a sleeved mode and is in sliding fit with the lower column body, a sliding table is fixedly connected to the outer wall of one side of the lower column body, a sliding base is arranged on the sliding table in a sliding mode, and the sliding direction of the sliding base and the sliding table is consistent with the axial direction of the lower column body; a driving assembly is fixedly arranged on the lower tubular column, a first transmission part of the driving assembly is connected with the lower end of the sliding seat, and a second transmission part of the driving assembly penetrates through a strip-shaped through groove formed in the side wall of the lower tubular column and then is connected with the upper tubular column; the lower pipe column is in sliding fit with the sliding seat through the sliding table, the lower pipe column is in sliding fit with the upper pipe column after being arranged in a sleeving mode, through combination of the two sliding fit relations and the transmission effect of the two transmission branches of the driving assembly, it is avoided that notch structures are formed in the lower pipe column and the upper pipe column, and therefore the structural strength of the upper pipe column and the structural strength of the lower pipe column are guaranteed; and the synchronism of two paths of transmission is easily ensured, so that the stability of the steering column is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle, in particular to a long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column. Background Art

[0002] The electric adjustment stroke range of traditional applications is relatively narrow (40-80) mm, which cannot meet customers' needs for future autonomous driving or flexible space. With the concept of self-driving, the steering wheel is no longer a necessity. When customers do not need it, they hope that the steering wheel can be completely stored and hidden to create a larger cockpit space. To realize the storage and hiding function of the steering wheel and the welcome function, and to free up more operating space for other interior components, a long-stroke electric adjustment column is a basic prerequisite.

[0003] In a steering column with publication number CN116379144A that realizes long-stroke axial telescopic adjustment, both the middle protective tube and the lower protective tube are provided with opening structures, and the protective tubes need to be slidably matched, which makes the stability of the steering column poor. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column, aiming to improve the stability of the steering column.

[0005] A long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column comprises an upper column and a lower column, the upper column is sleeved in the lower column and slidably cooperates with the upper column, a slide is fixedly connected to an outer wall of one side of the lower column, a slide seat is slidably arranged on the slide, and the sliding direction of the slide seat and the slide is consistent with the axial direction of the lower column; a driving assembly is fixedly arranged on the lower column, a first transmission member of the driving assembly is connected to the lower end of the slide seat, and a second transmission member of the driving assembly is connected to the upper column after passing through a strip-shaped through groove arranged on the side wall of the lower column; the second transmission member is used to make the upper column and the lower column slide after being driven by the driving assembly, and the first transmission member is used to make the lower column slide through the slide and the slide seat after being driven by the driving assembly.

[0006] Further: an angular adjustment mechanism is installed on the slide, the angular adjustment mechanism includes a fixed plate and a connecting plate, the upper end of the connecting plate is hinged to the upper end of the slide, the lower end of the connecting plate is hinged to the upper end of the fixed plate, the lower end of the fixed plate is close to the lower end of the slide, the lower end of the slide is hinged to the fixed plate through a fixing pin, a strip slide groove is opened on the fixing plate for the position of the fixing pin, the fixing pin is located in the strip slide groove and slidably cooperates with it; a second drive assembly is fixedly arranged on the slide, the third transmission member of the second drive assembly is connected to the connecting plate, and the third transmission member is used to make the upper end of the slide away from or close to the upper end of the fixed plate when driven by the second drive motor of the second drive assembly.

[0007] Furthermore, a linear bearing or a lubricating sheet is arranged between the slide table and the slide seat to reduce the friction between the two.

[0008] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the lower pipe column is larger than the outer diameter of the upper pipe column, a pre-tightening mechanism is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the lower pipe column, the inner end of the pre-tightening mechanism abuts against the outer wall of the upper pipe column and is used to adjust the friction between the upper pipe column and the lower pipe column.

[0009] Furthermore, a dovetail sliding structure is provided between the slide table and the slide seat.

[0010] Further, an input shaft is sleeved in the upper column, the input shaft is rotatably installed in the upper column, an output shaft is sleeved in the input shaft, the upper end portion of the output shaft is slidingly matched with the lower end portion of the input shaft through a spline structure, the upper end portion of the output shaft passes through the upper column and is used to connect with the steering wheel; the lower end of the output shaft is linked to a force sensing motor fixedly connected to the lower end of the lower column, or is rotatably matched with a fixed seat fixedly connected to the lower end of the sliding seat.

[0011] Further: a collapse assembly is arranged between the upper pipe column and the lower pipe column, the collapse assembly includes a collapse chute and a collapse block slidably arranged in the collapse chute, the long direction of the collapse chute is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the collapse block is interference fit with the collapse chute and is located at the lower end of the collapse chute, and the second transmission member is connected to the collapse block.

[0012] Further, a clearance opening is opened at a position corresponding to the collapse groove on the lower pipe column, a C-shaped groove body is fixedly connected between the two side edges of the clearance opening, the C-shaped groove body covers the clearance opening, the collapse assembly is located in the clearance opening and the C-shaped groove body, and the strip through groove is located on the side wall of the C-shaped groove body.

[0013] Further: the first transmission member includes a first screw rod, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the lower end of the slide seat; the second transmission member includes a second screw rod, the upper end of which is fixedly connected to the upper end of the upper pipe column, and the upper end of the first screw rod and the lower end of the second screw rod are both linked to the driving motor of the driving assembly.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: a strip-shaped through groove is arranged on the lower pipe column, and then the driving assembly is fixedly arranged on the lower pipe column, so that the driving assembly respectively causes the slide seat and the upper pipe column to move relative to the lower pipe column through two transmission parts; the lower pipe column is slidably matched with the slide seat through the slide table, and the lower pipe column and the upper pipe column are slidably matched after being sleeved. Through the combination of the two sliding matching relationships and the transmission action of the two transmission branches of the driving assembly, it is avoided to open a notch structure on both the lower pipe column and the lower pipe column, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the upper pipe column and the lower pipe column, and easily ensuring the synchronization of the two-way transmission, thereby improving the stability of the steering column. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of the structure from a first viewing angle of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second viewing angle of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the collapse component in the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the angular adjustment mechanism and the slide seat in the third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] 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.

[0017] First embodiment: A long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes an upper pipe column 1 and a lower pipe column 2, the upper pipe column 1 is sleeved in the lower pipe column 2 and slidably cooperates with it, the cross-sections of the upper pipe column 1 and the lower pipe column 2 are circular, square, C-shaped, petal-shaped, etc., a slide 21 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of one side of the lower pipe column 2, the slide 21 extends from the upper end to the lower end of the lower pipe column 2, and a slide seat 3 is slidably arranged on the slide 21, the slide seat 3 is a plate-like structure and its length is greater than the length of the lower pipe column 2, the sliding direction of the slide seat 3 and the slide 21 is consistent with the axial direction of the lower pipe column 2, and the slide A dovetail sliding structure is preferably provided between the platform 21 and the slide 3; a driving assembly is fixedly provided on the lower pipe column 2, a first transmission member 51 of the driving assembly is connected to the lower end of the slide 3, and a second transmission member 52 of the driving assembly is connected to the upper pipe column 1 after passing through the strip-shaped through groove 24 provided on the side wall of the lower pipe column 2; the second transmission member 52 is used to make the upper pipe column 1 and the lower pipe column 2 slide after being driven by the driving assembly, and the first transmission member 51 is used to make the lower pipe column 2 slide with the slide 3 through the sliding platform 21 after being driven by the driving assembly.

[0018] Among them, a linear bearing 22 or a lubricating sheet for reducing the friction between the two is arranged between the slide 21 and the slide seat 3. The lubricating sheet can be made of nylon or plastic. The inner diameter of the lower column 2 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper column 1. A pre-tightening mechanism 25 is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the lower column 2. The pre-tightening mechanism 25 can be a top block. The pre-tightening mechanism 25 is threadedly matched with the side wall of the lower column 2. The inner end of the pre-tightening mechanism 25 abuts against the outer wall of the upper column 1 and is used to adjust the friction between the upper column and the lower column. Two pre-tightening mechanisms 25 are arranged axially along the lower column 2. The friction between the slide 21 and the slide seat 3 and the friction between the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are adjusted respectively by adjusting the lubricating sheet 22 and the pre-tightening mechanism 25. The friction between the slide 21 and the slide seat 3 is preferably equal to the friction between the upper column 1 and the lower column 2, so that the first transmission member 51 and the second transmission member 52 have the same transmission effect, and the stability of the steering column during telescopic adjustment is further improved.

[0019] Combination Figure 3 As shown, a crush assembly is arranged between the upper column 1 and the lower column 2, and the crush assembly includes a crush groove 43 and a crush block 42 slidably arranged in the crush groove 43. The long direction of the crush groove 43 is arranged along the axial direction of the upper column 1, the crush block 42 is interference fit with the crush groove 43 and is located at the lower end of the crush groove 43, and the second transmission member 52 is connected to the crush block 42; a clearance opening is opened at a position corresponding to the crush groove 43 on the lower column 2, and a C-shaped groove body 23 is fixedly connected between the side edges of the clearance opening, the C-shaped groove body 23 covers the clearance opening, the crush assembly is located in the clearance opening and the C-shaped groove body 23, and the strip through groove 24 is located on the side wall of the C-shaped groove body 23; the C-shaped groove body 23 and the lower column 2 form an integrated structure to ensure the strength of the overall structure of the lower column 2 and expand the crushing function of the steering column. When a collision occurs at the top of the upper pipe column 1 , the crush block 42 overcomes the friction between the crush block 42 and the crush chute 43 and slides upward from the lower end of the crush chute 43 , so that the upper pipe column 1 moves downward relative to the lower pipe column 2 .

[0020] The first transmission member 51 includes a first screw, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the lower end of the slide 3; the second transmission member 52 includes a second screw, the upper end of which is fixedly connected to the upper end of the upper pipe column 1, and the upper end of the first screw and the lower end of the second screw are both linked to the drive motor 5 of the drive assembly through the gear set in the gear box 53. When a collapse assembly is set between the upper pipe column 1 and the lower pipe column 2, the upper end of the second screw is fixedly connected to the collapse block 42 in the collapse assembly through the second connecting plate 41, and the second connecting plate 41 is set in the strip-shaped through groove 24. The first screw and the second screw both pass through the gear box 53, the drive motor 5 is fixedly connected to the gear box 53, the gear box 53 is fixedly connected to the lower pipe column 2, the gear set includes a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel, the first screw movably passes through the first drive wheel and is threadedly engaged with the first drive wheel, the second screw passes through the second drive wheel and is threadedly engaged with the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel are both engaged with the output wheel fixedly sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor, thereby improving the stability of the linkage structure of the screw and the drive motor, and the connection structure of the gear set and the first screw and the second screw is conventional technology and is not shown in the figure.

[0021] During operation, the slide 3 is fixed on the frame, and the driving motor 5 in the driving assembly drives the first screw and the second screw to rotate through the gear box 53, so that the upper tube column 1 and the lower tube column 2 move downward or upward relative to the slide 3, thereby making the top of the upper tube column 1 have a longer adjustment distance; in the movement process of the upper tube column 1 and the lower tube column 2, since the upper tube column 1 and the lower tube column 2 are in a tube-to-tube matching relationship, the lower tube column 2 and the slide 3 are matched through a dovetail sliding structure. At the same time, by adjusting the friction between the slide 21 and the slide 3 and the friction between the upper tube column 1 and the lower tube column 2, it is ensured that the upper tube column 1 and the lower tube column 2 can move stably under the drive of the driving assembly.

[0022] Second embodiment: Other technical features are the same as those of the first embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, an input shaft 61 is sleeved in the upper column 1, and the input shaft 61 is rotatably installed in the upper column 1. An output shaft 62 is sleeved in the input shaft 61, and the upper end portion of the output shaft 62 is slidably matched with the lower end portion of the input shaft 61 through a spline structure. The upper end portion of the output shaft 62 passes through the upper column 1 and is used to connect with the steering wheel; the lower end of the output shaft 62 is linked to a force-sensing motor fixedly connected to the lower end of the lower column 2, or is rotatably matched with a fixing seat 31 fixedly connected to the lower end of the slide seat 3; when a force-sensing motor is fixedly provided at the lower end of the lower column 2, the output shaft 62 can realize wire-controlled steering after being linked with the force-sensing motor; when the lower end of the output shaft 62 is rotatably installed on the fixing seat 31, traditional steering and wire-controlled steering can be realized.

[0023] Third embodiment: Other technical features are the same as those of the first embodiment. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, an angular adjustment structure is installed on the slide 3, and the angular adjustment structure includes a fixed plate 6 and a connecting plate 7. The connecting plate 7 is located at the upper end of the lower pipe column 2, the upper end of the connecting plate 7 is hinged to the upper end of the slide 3, and the lower end of the connecting plate 7 is hinged to the upper end of the fixed plate 6. The lower end of the fixed plate 6 is close to the lower end of the slide 3, and the lower end of the slide 3 is hinged to the fixed plate 6 through a fixed pin 32. A strip slide groove 61 is opened on the fixed plate 6 for the position of the fixed pin 32. The fixed pin 32 is located in the strip slide groove 61 and slidably cooperates with it, so as to swing the slide 3. Displacement compensation, the fixing pin 32 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the lower tube column 2, and the long direction of the strip slide groove 61 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the fixing pin 32; a second driving assembly is fixedly arranged on the slide 3, and the third transmission member 81 of the second driving assembly is connected to the connecting plate 7. The third transmission member 81 is used to make the upper end of the slide 3 move away from or close to the upper end of the fixing plate 6 when driven by the second driving motor 8 of the second driving assembly, and the fixing plate 6 is fixedly connected to the vehicle body. After the second driving assembly, the fixing plate 6 and the connecting plate 7 cooperate, the slide 3, the lower tube column 2 and the upper tube column 1 can swing together.

[0024] 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. A long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column, characterized in that: It comprises an upper pipe column and a lower pipe column, the upper pipe column is sleeved in the lower pipe column and slidably cooperates with the lower pipe column, a slide is fixedly connected to the outer wall of one side of the lower pipe column, a slide seat is slidably arranged on the slide, and the sliding direction of the slide seat and the slide is consistent with the axial direction of the lower pipe column; a driving assembly is fixedly arranged on the lower pipe column, a first transmission member of the driving assembly is connected to the lower end of the slide seat, and a second transmission member of the driving assembly is connected to the upper pipe column after passing through a strip-shaped through groove arranged on the side wall of the lower pipe column; the second transmission member is used to make the upper pipe column and the lower pipe column slide after being driven by the driving assembly, and the first transmission member is used to make the lower pipe column slide through the slide table and the slide seat after being driven by the driving assembly.

2. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: An angular adjustment mechanism is installed on the slide, and the angular adjustment mechanism includes a fixed plate and a connecting plate. The upper end of the connecting plate is hinged to the upper end of the slide, and the lower end of the connecting plate is hinged to the upper end of the fixed plate. The lower end of the fixed plate is close to the lower end of the slide, and the lower end of the slide is hinged to the fixed plate through a fixing pin. A strip slide groove is opened on the fixing plate for the position of the fixing pin, and the fixing pin is located in the strip slide groove and slidably cooperates with it; a second drive assembly is fixedly arranged on the slide, and a third transmission member of the second drive assembly is connected to the connecting plate. The third transmission member is used to make the upper end of the slide move away from or close to the upper end of the fixed plate when driven by the second drive motor of the second drive assembly.

3. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A linear bearing or a lubricating sheet is arranged between the slide table and the slide seat to reduce the friction between the two.

4. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the lower pipe column is larger than the outer diameter of the upper pipe column. A pre-tightening mechanism is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the lower pipe column. The inner end of the pre-tightening mechanism abuts against the outer wall of the upper pipe column and is used to adjust the friction between the upper pipe column and the lower pipe column.

5. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a dovetail sliding structure between the slide table and the slide seat.

6. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: An input shaft is sleeved in the upper column, and the input shaft is rotatably installed in the upper column. An output shaft is sleeved in the input shaft, and the upper end of the output shaft is slidingly matched with the lower end of the input shaft through a spline structure. The upper end of the output shaft passes through the upper column and is used to connect with the steering wheel; the lower end of the output shaft is linked to a force sensing motor fixedly connected to the lower end of the lower column, or is rotatably matched with a fixed seat fixedly connected to the lower end of the sliding seat.

7. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A collapse assembly is arranged between the upper pipe column and the lower pipe column, and the collapse assembly includes a collapse chute and a collapse block slidably arranged in the collapse chute. The long direction of the collapse chute is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column. The collapse block is interference fit with the collapse chute and is located at the lower end of the collapse chute. The second transmission member is connected to the collapse block.

8. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 7, characterized in that: A clearance opening is opened on the lower pipe column at a position corresponding to the collapse groove, a C-shaped groove body is fixedly connected between the two side edges of the clearance opening, the C-shaped groove body covers the clearance opening, the collapse assembly is located in the clearance opening and the C-shaped groove body, and the strip through groove is located on the side wall of the C-shaped groove body.

9. The long-stroke electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first transmission member includes a first screw rod, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the lower end of the slide seat; the second transmission member includes a second screw rod, the upper end of which is fixedly connected to the upper end of the upper pipe column, and the upper end of the first screw rod and the lower end of the second screw rod are both linked to the driving motor of the driving assembly.

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