A spring bumper assembly for an adjustable steering column

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of buffer, specifically for a kind of spring buffer assembly for adjustable steering column, spring buffer assembly for adjustable steering column includes: mounting pipe, one end of mounting pipe is provided with a number of sliding slots, one end of a number of sliding slots is communicated with flow guide, one end of flow guide is communicated with oil storage cavity, the side surface of oil storage cavity is communicated with two symmetrically arranged second sliding slots, a number of sliding slots, flow guide, oil storage cavity, second sliding slot inner cavity are all stored with hydraulic oil;Steering column main body;Beneficial effect is that: the both ends of buffer spring are compressed simultaneously in the present application, which can not only compress buffer spring more quickly, but also make buffer spring generate greater reaction force more quickly to buffer steering column main body, and the distance between mounting plate and fixed plate can be shortened to better reduce the influence caused by elastic fatigue of buffer spring after long-term use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dampers, specifically to a spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column. Background Technology

[0002] An adjustable steering column is a car component whose position can be adjusted to accommodate different driver sizes and driving preferences.

[0003] Currently, the spring damper assembly in adjustable steering columns improves driver comfort and safety by absorbing the impact force generated during adjustment and smoothing the adjustment action.

[0004] However, the springs in existing spring damper assemblies will experience reduced damping effect due to elastic fatigue after long-term use. To address this problem, the present invention proposes a spring damper assembly for adjustable steering columns. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column, so as to solve the problem mentioned in the background art that the spring in the prior art spring damper assembly will reduce the damping effect due to elastic fatigue after long-term use.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column, the spring damper assembly for the adjustable steering column comprising:

[0007] The installation tube has a first groove at one end, a guide channel at one end of the first groove, an oil storage chamber at one end of the guide channel, and two symmetrically arranged second grooves on the side of the oil storage chamber. Hydraulic oil is stored in the first groove, the guide channel, the oil storage chamber, and the inner cavity of the second groove.

[0008] The steering column body is located at one end of the mounting tube and is slidably inserted into the first slide groove. One end of the steering column body is fixedly connected to a first pressure plate for pushing hydraulic oil to slide. The first pressure plate and the first slide groove are sealed and slidably connected. A fixing plate is fixedly connected to the side of the steering column body.

[0009] The mounting plate is located at one end of the mounting tube. The connecting rod is slidably inserted into the second slide groove. One end of the mounting plate is connected to the second pressure plate via the connecting rod, which is used to allow hydraulic oil to push the connecting rod to slide. The second pressure plate and the second slide groove are sealed and slidably connected. One end of the second slide groove is fixedly connected to two protrusions that restrict the second pressure plate from sliding out of the second slide groove. The side of the second pressure plate is fixedly connected to multiple protrusions that restrict the rotation of the second pressure plate. Multiple buffer springs distributed in a circumferential array are inserted and fixed between the mounting plate and the fixed plate.

[0010] Preferably, a plurality of constraint rods are fixedly connected to one side of the first slide groove, and the first pressure plate and the plurality of constraint rods are all sealed and slidably sleeved, and one end of the constraint rod is fixedly connected to a limiting plate to prevent the first pressure plate from sliding out of the first slide groove.

[0011] Preferably, the first pressure plate has multiple insertion holes on its side for sliding insertion of the constraint rod, the outermost side of the first pressure plate is fixedly connected to a first sealing ring, and the side of the insertion hole is fixedly connected to a second sealing ring.

[0012] Preferably, the guide channel is configured in a wavy shape, and a small-diameter transmission channel connects the oil storage chamber and the two second-stage sluices.

[0013] Preferably, the side of the second sliding groove is connected to a plurality of positioning grooves for the second pressure plate to slide, and the side of the second pressure plate is fixedly connected to a third sealing ring.

[0014] Preferably, a connecting rod is fixedly connected to one end of the second pressure plate, and one end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the mounting plate.

[0015] Preferably, both ends of the buffer spring are fixedly connected to support sliders, one of the support sliders is slidably inserted into the mounting plate, and the other support slider is slidably inserted into the fixing plate. The two support sliders are fixed to the mounting plate and the fixing plate respectively by bolts.

[0016] Preferably, each of the two supporting sliders is fixedly connected to a "T"-shaped locking block on its side, and the two locking blocks are slidably inserted into the mounting plate and the fixing plate, respectively.

[0017] Preferably, one end of the mounting plate has a first mounting slot for the card block to slide into, and one end of the fixing plate has a second mounting slot for the card block to slide into.

[0018] Preferably, the mounting plate has a first threaded hole on its side for bolt threading, the fixing plate has a second threaded hole on one end for bolt threading, and the support slider has a positioning hole through its side for bolt insertion.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] This invention involves sliding an mounting plate onto a mounting tube, and then sliding multiple buffer springs between the mounting tube and the mounting plate. When the steering column body is subjected to impact, the buffer springs are first subjected to the pressure of the steering column body. The buffer springs, under their own elasticity, cushion the steering column body. Simultaneously, the steering column body pushes the hydraulic oil in the first groove through a guide channel to the oil reservoir. Utilizing the small diameter of the guide channel, the damping effect of the hydraulic oil's small orifice is fully utilized. The friction between the hydraulic oil and the mounting tube offsets and absorbs the impact force generated by the mounting tube. At this time, the hydraulic oil in the oil reservoir, after being compressed, also flows into the second groove. The hydraulic oil in the second groove then pushes the mounting plate towards the fixed plate end, thereby compressing the buffer springs at both ends simultaneously. This not only allows for faster compression of the buffer springs, enabling them to generate a larger reaction force more quickly to cushion the steering column body, but also reduces the impact of elastic fatigue caused by prolonged use of the buffer springs by shortening the distance between the mounting plate and the fixed plate, extending the service life of the buffer springs and reducing operating costs. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a side sectional view of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a side view of the mounting pipe structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a side view of the main structure of the No. 1 pressure plate and steering column of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a side view of the mounting plate structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a side view of the buffer spring structure of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Mounting pipe; 11. No. 1 chute; 12. Guide channel; 13. Oil reservoir; 14. Transmission channel; 15. No. 2 chute; 16. Protrusion; 17. Positioning groove; 2. No. 1 pressure plate; 21. No. 1 sealing ring; 22. Insertion hole; 23. No. 2 sealing ring; 3. Steering column body; 4. Connecting rod; 5. No. 2 pressure plate; 51. No. 3 sealing ring; 6. Mounting plate; 61. No. 1 mounting slot; 62. No. 1 threaded hole; 7. Buffer spring; 71. Support slider; 72. Positioning hole; 8. Constraint rod; 81. Limiting plate; 9. Fixing plate; 91. No. 2 mounting slot; 92. No. 2 threaded hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clear and complete, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only some, not all, embodiments of the present invention, and are merely illustrative of the embodiments of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Please see Figures 1 to 6 The present invention provides a technical solution:

[0030] Example 1: A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column, comprising: a mounting tube 1, a steering column body 3, and a mounting plate 6.

[0031] Specifically, a first groove 11 is provided at one end of the installation pipe 1. One end of the first groove 11 is connected to a guide channel 12. One end of the guide channel 12 is connected to an oil storage chamber 13. The side of the oil storage chamber 13 is connected to two symmetrically arranged second grooves 15. Hydraulic oil is stored in the inner cavities of the first groove 11, the guide channel 12, the oil storage chamber 13, and the second groove 15. The first groove 11, the guide channel 12, the oil storage chamber 13, and the second groove 15 can better store hydraulic oil and better exert the viscosity of the hydraulic oil, thereby offsetting and absorbing the impact force.

[0032] Secondly, the steering column body 3 is located at one end of the mounting pipe 1 and is slidably inserted into the first slide groove 11. One end of the steering column body 3 is fixedly connected to a first pressure plate 2 for pushing the hydraulic oil to slide. The first pressure plate 2 and the first slide groove 11 are sealed and slidably connected. Under the action of impact force, the steering column body 3 will push the first pressure plate 2 to slide. When the first pressure plate 2 slides, it will push the hydraulic oil in the first slide groove 11 to flow into the oil storage chamber 13 through the guide channel 12. A fixing plate 9 is fixedly connected to the side of the steering column body 3.

[0033] Furthermore, the mounting plate 6 is located at one end of the mounting tube 1, and the connecting rod 4 is slidably inserted into the second slide groove 15. One end of the mounting plate 6 is connected to the second pressure plate 5, which is used to push the connecting rod 4 to slide, through the connecting rod 4. The second pressure plate 5 and the second slide groove 15 are sealed and slidably connected, and one end of the second slide groove 15 is fixedly connected to two protrusions 16 that restrict the second pressure plate 5 from sliding out of the second slide groove 15. The side of the second pressure plate 5 is fixedly connected to multiple protrusions that restrict the rotation of the second pressure plate 5. Multiple buffer springs 7 arranged in a circumferential array are inserted and fixed between the mounting plate 6 and the fixed plate 9. The buffer springs 7 are slidably inserted and fixed between the mounting plate 6 and the fixed plate 9. Firstly, this allows each buffer spring 7 to be independent of each other, making it easier to replace damaged buffer springs 7. Secondly, the water flows into the second... The hydraulic oil in the slide groove 15 pushes the second pressure plate 5 and the mounting plate 6 to slide away from the mounting pipe 1, thereby compressing the buffer spring 7 from both ends simultaneously. This allows the buffer spring 7 to exert its elasticity more quickly, thus making its buffering effect more immediate. This also counteracts the effects of elastic fatigue caused by prolonged use of the buffer spring 7. In addition, the circulation of hydraulic oil designed in this device can extend the contact path between the hydraulic oil and the mounting pipe 1, further enhancing the function of the hydraulic oil and better offsetting the impact force of the steering column body 3. This further reduces the impact force borne by the buffer spring 7, thereby extending the time before the buffer spring 7 reaches elastic fatigue and extending its service life.

[0034] In order to better match the movement of the steering column body 3, a number of constraint rods 8 are fixedly connected to one side of the first slide groove 11 of this application. The first pressure plate 2 and the multiple constraint rods 8 are sealed and slidably connected, and one end of the constraint rod 8 is fixedly connected to a limiting plate 81 to prevent the first pressure plate 2 from sliding out of the first slide groove 11. The constraint rods 8 can better constrain the first pressure plate 2 and limit the rotation of the first pressure plate 2, so that the first pressure plate 2 can better adapt to the movement of the steering column body 3.

[0035] To ensure the sliding seal of the first pressure plate 2, the side of the first pressure plate 2 of this application is provided with multiple insertion holes 22 for the sliding insertion of the constraint rod 8. The insertion holes 22 facilitate the sliding insertion of the constraint rod 8. The outermost part of the first pressure plate 2 is fixedly connected to the first sealing ring 21, which can seal the contact position between the first pressure plate 2 and the mounting tube 1. The side of the insertion hole 22 is fixedly connected to the second sealing ring 23, which can seal the contact position between the first pressure plate 2 and the constraint rod 8, preventing hydraulic oil leakage and foreign objects from entering the hydraulic oil and causing it to deteriorate.

[0036] To further enhance the viscosity of the hydraulic oil, the guide channel 12 of this application is designed in a wavy shape. This extends the contact path between the hydraulic oil and the mounting pipe 1, fully utilizing the damping effect of the small orifice and improving the device's absorption of the impact force from the steering column body 3. The oil reservoir 13 and the two secondary slide grooves 15 are connected by transmission channels 14 with smaller diameters. The transmission channels 14 not only reduce the amount of hydraulic oil used, but also further enhance the damping effect of the small orifice, thereby further improving the device's absorption of the impact force. This will better distribute the impact force borne by the buffer spring 7 and extend the time before the elastic fatigue of the buffer spring 7 occurs.

[0037] To better install the second pressure plate 5, the side of the second slide groove 15 of this application is connected with multiple positioning grooves 17 for the second pressure plate 5 to slide. The side of the second pressure plate 5 is fixedly connected with a third sealing ring 51. This allows the second pressure plate 5 to slide better in the second slide groove 15, and the third sealing ring 51 can ensure the sealing effect of the second pressure plate 5.

[0038] In order to better facilitate the sliding installation of the mounting plate 6, one end of the second pressure plate 5 of this application is fixedly connected to a connecting rod 4. One end of the connecting rod 4 is fixedly connected to the mounting plate 6, and the connecting rod 4 allows the second pressure plate 5 to be better connected to the mounting plate 6.

[0039] To facilitate the installation and replacement of the buffer spring 7, both ends of the buffer spring 7 in this application are fixedly connected to support sliders 71. One support slider 71 is slidably inserted into the mounting plate 6, and the other support slider 71 is slidably inserted into the fixing plate 9. The two support sliders 71 are fixed to the mounting plate 6 and the fixing plate 9 respectively by bolts. In this way, the buffer spring 7 can be stably installed between the mounting plate 6 and the fixing plate 9. At the same time, compared with the traditional installation method of buffer spring 7, this installation method can also make the installation of buffer spring 7 better and more convenient. It does not require disassembling the entire device, and the buffer spring 7 can be replaced independently.

[0040] To ensure a more stable installation of the buffer spring 7, both support sliders 71 of this application are fixedly connected to "T"-shaped locking blocks on their sides. The two locking blocks are slidably inserted into the mounting plate 6 and the fixing plate 9, respectively. This allows the mounting plate 6 and the fixing plate 9 to bear the main tension of the buffer spring 7, avoiding the bolts bearing the main tension, thereby making the buffer spring 7 more stable to install.

[0041] To facilitate the installation of the card block, one end of the mounting plate 6 of this application is provided with a first mounting slot 61 for the card block to slide into, and one end of the fixing plate 9 is provided with a second mounting slot 91 for the card block to slide into. The first mounting slot 61 and the second mounting slot 91 can facilitate the sliding insertion of the card block on the mounting plate 6 and the fixing plate 9.

[0042] To facilitate bolt fixing of the support slider 71, the mounting plate 6 of this application has a first threaded hole 62 on its side for bolt thread insertion. One end of the fixing plate 9 has a second threaded hole 92 for bolt thread insertion, and the side of the support slider 71 has a through-hole locating hole 72 for bolt insertion. Through the engagement of the locating hole 72 with the first threaded hole 62 and the second threaded hole 92, the support slider 71 can be further fixed to the mounting plate 6 and the fixing plate 9 by bolts.

[0043] In actual implementation, the steering column body 3 will push the first pressure plate 2 to slide under the impact force. The sliding of the first pressure plate 2 will push the hydraulic oil in the first slide groove 11 into the oil storage chamber 13 through the guide channel 12. Then the hydraulic oil in the oil storage chamber 13 will flow into the second slide groove 15 through the transmission channel 14. During the flow of hydraulic oil, the viscosity characteristics of hydraulic oil will be brought into play, absorbing and offsetting the impact force of the steering column body 3. In addition, the hydraulic oil flowing into the second slide groove 15 will also push the second pressure plate 5, the connecting rod 4 and the mounting plate 6 to slide towards the fixed plate 9 end. Thus, the two ends of the buffer spring 7 will compress the buffer spring 7 together, shortening the compression time of the buffer spring 7, thereby buffering the steering column body 3 more quickly. Furthermore, the effect of the buffer spring 7 after elastic fatigue can be reduced by increasing the reaction time.

[0044] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column, characterized in that: The spring damper assembly for the adjustable steering column includes: The installation pipe (1) has a first groove (11) at one end, a guide channel (12) at one end, an oil storage chamber (13) at one end, and two symmetrically arranged second grooves (15) on the side of the oil storage chamber (13). Hydraulic oil is stored in the inner cavities of the first groove (11), the guide channel (12), the oil storage chamber (13), and the second groove (15). Steering column body (3), the steering column body (3) is located at one end of the mounting tube (1) and is slidably inserted into the first slide groove (11). One end of the steering column body (3) is fixedly connected to a first pressure plate (2) for pushing hydraulic oil to slide. The first pressure plate (2) and the first slide groove (11) are sealed and slidably connected. A fixing plate (9) is fixedly connected to the side of the steering column body (3). Mounting plate (6), the mounting plate (6) is located at one end of mounting tube (1), the connecting rod (4) is slidably inserted into the second slide groove (15), one end of the mounting plate (6) is connected to the second pressure plate (5) through the connecting rod (4) to allow hydraulic oil to push the connecting rod (4) to slide, the second pressure plate (5) and the second slide groove (15) are sealed and slidably connected, and one end of the second slide groove (15) is fixedly connected to two protrusions (16) that restrict the second pressure plate (5) from sliding out of the second slide groove (15), and the side of the second pressure plate (5) is fixedly connected to multiple protrusions that restrict the rotation of the second pressure plate (5), and multiple buffer springs (7) arranged in a circumferential array are inserted and fixed between the mounting plate (6) and the fixing plate (9).

2. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of constraint rods (8) are fixedly connected to one side of the first slide groove (11). The first pressure plate (2) and the plurality of constraint rods (8) are all sealed and slidably sleeved, and one end of the constraint rod (8) is fixedly connected to a limiting plate (81) to prevent the first pressure plate (2) from sliding out of the first slide groove (11).

3. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first pressure plate (2) has multiple insertion holes (22) on its side for the sliding insertion of the constraint rod (8). The outermost side of the first pressure plate (2) is fixedly connected to a first sealing ring (21), and the side of the insertion hole (22) is fixedly connected to a second sealing ring (23).

4. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide channel (12) is arranged in a wavy line shape, and the oil storage cavity (13) and the two second slides (15) are all connected by a small diameter transmission channel (14).

5. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 4, characterized in that: The side of the second slide groove (15) is connected to multiple positioning grooves (17) for the second pressure plate (5) to slide. The side of the second pressure plate (5) is fixedly connected to the third sealing ring (51).

6. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both ends of the buffer spring (7) are fixedly connected to support sliders (71). One of the support sliders (71) is slidably inserted into the mounting plate (6), and the other support slider (71) is slidably inserted into the fixing plate (9). The two support sliders (71) are fixed to the mounting plate (6) and the fixing plate (9) respectively by bolts.

7. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both of the support sliders (71) are fixedly connected to the sides of a "T"-shaped locking block, and the two locking blocks are slidably inserted into the mounting plate (6) and the fixing plate (9) respectively.

8. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 7, characterized in that: One end of the mounting plate (6) is provided with a first mounting slot (61) for the card block to slide into, and one end of the fixing plate (9) is provided with a second mounting slot (91) for the card block to slide into.

9. A spring damper assembly for an adjustable steering column according to claim 8, characterized in that: The mounting plate (6) has a first threaded hole (62) for bolt threading on its side, and the fixing plate (9) has a second threaded hole (92) for bolt threading on one end. The support slider (71) has a positioning hole (72) for bolt threading through its side.

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