Telescopic folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire

Abstract

The invention discloses a telescopic folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire, and belongs to the field of automobile manufacturing. The steering wheel mechanism comprises a sliding rail assembly, a sliding block is arranged on the sliding rail assembly in a sliding mode, a transmission assembly is fixed to the sliding block, a steering wheel assembly is installed on the transmission assembly and comprises a foldable steering wheel grip, and a lifting assembly is installed on the sliding rail assembly. The spoke of the steering wheel is turned and folded upwards in an electric control mode, the steering wheel assembly moves downwards through the sliding rail assembly, the sliding rail assembly is contracted towards the inner side of the lower portion of the instrument board through the lifting assembly, and the steering wheel is completely hidden into the instrument board. By means of the design, the activity space in front of a driver is remarkably increased, convenience of vehicle entering and exiting is improved, a wider and more comfortable driving environment is provided for the driver, and the space in front of the driver is released to the maximum extent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobile manufacturing, and particularly to a telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are approximately two solutions for the steering system of driverless vehicles: one is to directly adopt the steering mechanism of conventional non-autonomous vehicles, and the steering wheel is non-detachable; the other is to adopt a mechanical collapsible steering wheel, which is folded and retracted according to the driver's needs in certain scenarios.

[0003] In the first solution, since the steering transmission device of traditional vehicles is completely retained, it occupies the interior space of the vehicle and reduces the space utilization rate inside the vehicle. In the second solution, the entire or the upper and lower parts of the steering wheel spokes are flipped up and down for folding or partial retraction, but the folding structure is relatively complex and also requires manual operation, and some solutions encroach on the interior space of the cab, none of which is the best choice. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, and provide a telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire, which can realize the automatic telescoping and folding of the steering wheel, improve the space utilization rate inside the vehicle, and at the same time simplify the folding structure and reduce manual operation.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention designs a telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire, including a slide rail assembly, on which a slider is slidably arranged, a transmission assembly is fixed on the slider, a steering wheel assembly is installed on the transmission assembly, the steering wheel assembly includes a foldable steering wheel grip, and a lifting assembly is installed on the slide rail.

[0006] Preferably, the steering wheel grip folds upward by 90°.

[0007] Preferably, the slide rail assembly includes a bottom plate, end plates are fixed at both ends of the bottom plate, two tracks are installed on the bottom plate, a chute for cooperating with the track is provided at the bottom of the slider, a threaded through hole is opened in the middle of the slider, and a rotating lead screw is installed between the two end plates, and the slider is installed on the lead screw through the threaded through hole.

[0008] Preferably, a motor fixing plate is fixed at one end of one of the end plates, a motor is installed on the motor fixing plate, a transmission belt is provided after the lead screw penetrates through the end plate, and the other end of the transmission belt is installed on the rotating shaft of the motor.

[0009] Preferably, a limit block is provided at one end of the lead screw close to the motor.

[0010] Preferably, the lifting assembly includes a hydraulic press and a fixed seat. The fixed seat is fixed to the bottom of the slide rail assembly. A connecting seat and a mounting seat are hinged to the fixed seat. The telescopic end of the hydraulic press is fixed to the connecting seat. The mounting seat is fixed to the vehicle body. The tail end of the hydraulic press is hinged to a hydraulic press mounting seat, and the hydraulic press mounting seat is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0011] Preferably, a telescopic assembly cooperating with the lifting assembly is fixed to the bottom of the slide rail assembly. The telescopic assembly includes a first U-shaped seat and a second U-shaped seat. The tail end of the first U-shaped seat is fixed to the slide rail assembly. The tail end of the second U-shaped seat is fixed to the vehicle body. The inner wall of the open end of the second U-shaped seat is telescopically sleeved on the outer wall of the first U-shaped seat.

[0012] Preferably, a pair of screw holes are provided on the first U-shaped seat, and screws are installed in the screw holes. A sliding groove cooperating with the screws is provided on the first U-shaped seat.

[0013] Preferably, the steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel housing and a housing cover. A folding motor and a folding rod are installed in the middle of the steering wheel housing. A steering wheel grip is installed on the folding rod.

[0014] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes a support frame. The support frame is fixed to the slider. A fixed pipe column is connected to the support frame. A U-shaped bracket is connected to the fixed pipe column. A steering wheel mounting platform is fixed to the top of the U-shaped bracket. A PEPS controller is installed below the steering wheel mounting platform. The steering wheel assembly is installed on the steering wheel mounting platform.

[0015] Preferably, an upper housing and a lower housing are provided outside the transmission assembly.

[0016] Advantages of the present invention:

[0017] 1. The present invention realizes the upward flipping and folding of the steering wheel spokes through an electric control method, moves the steering wheel assembly downward through the slide rail assembly, and contracts the slide rail assembly inward below the instrument panel through the lifting assembly, completely hiding the steering wheel inside the instrument panel. This design significantly increases the activity space in front of the driver, improves the convenience of getting in and out of the vehicle, provides a more spacious and comfortable driving environment for the driver, and maximally releases the space in front of the driver.

[0018] 2. The present invention adopts an electric control method to realize the folding of the steering wheel and the sliding of the steering column, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the actions. The steering wheel grip is connected to the folding rod through the motor rotating shaft. The rotation of the steering wheel grip is controlled by the folding motor. After the steering wheel grip rotates 90° circumferentially, the transmission assembly slides downward through the slider until the steering wheel is completely hidden in the instrument panel. The whole process is precisely controlled by the vehicle control system through the control program to ensure the smoothness and safety of the actions. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the present invention after folding and shrinking;

[0021] Figure 3 is an internal structure diagram of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is an assembly structure diagram of the slide rail assembly, lifting assembly and telescopic assembly of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lifting assembly of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 is an assembly structure diagram of the transmission assembly and the steering wheel assembly of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 is an internal structure diagram of the steering wheel assembly of the present invention.

[0026] Reference numerals:

[0027] 1 Slide rail assembly, 11 Slide block, 12 Base plate, 13 End plate, 14 Track, 15 Lead screw, 151 Limit block, 16 Fixed plate, 17, Motor, 18 Transmission belt,

[0028] 2 Transmission assembly, 21 Support frame, 22 Fixed pipe column, 23 U-shaped bracket, 24 Steering wheel mounting table, 25 PEPS controller, 26 Upper housing, 27 Lower housing

[0029] 3 Steering wheel assembly, 31 Steering wheel grip, 32 Steering wheel housing, 33 Cover, 34 Folding motor, 35 Folding rod,

[0030] 4 Lifting assembly, 41 Hydraulic press, 411 Hydraulic press mounting seat, 42 Fixed seat, 421 Connecting seat, 422 Mounting seat,

[0031] 5 Telescopic assembly, 51 First U-shaped seat, 511 Threaded hole, 52 Second U-shaped seat, 521 Chute. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0033] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0034] It should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0035] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0036] The reference to "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in the specification of the present application means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, the statements "in an embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in other some embodiments", "in still other embodiments" etc. that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "comprising", "including", "having" and their variants all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0037] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0038] Embodiment

[0039] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, the telescopic folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire includes a slide rail assembly 1. A slider 11 is slidably disposed on the slide rail assembly 1. A transmission assembly 2 is fixed on the slider 11. A steering wheel assembly 3 is installed on the transmission assembly 2. The steering wheel assembly 3 includes a steering wheel grip 31 that can be folded upward by 90°. A lifting assembly 4 is installed on the slide rail assembly 1.

[0040] The slide rail assembly 1 includes a bottom plate 12. End plates 13 are fixed at both ends of the bottom plate 12. Two tracks 14 are installed on the bottom plate 12. A chute that mates with the track is provided at the bottom of the slider 11. A threaded through-hole is provided in the middle of the slider 11. A rotating lead screw 15 is installed between the two end plates 13. The slider 11 is installed on the lead screw 15 through the threaded through-hole. One end of one of the end plates 13 is fixed with a motor fixing plate 16. A motor 17 is installed on the motor fixing plate 16. A transmission belt 18 is provided after the lead screw 15 passes through the end plate. The other end of the transmission belt 18 is installed on the rotating shaft of the motor 17. A limit block 151 is provided at one end of the lead screw 15 close to the motor 17.

[0041] The lifting assembly 4 includes a hydraulic press 41 and a fixing seat 42. The fixing seat 42 is fixed at the bottom of the slide rail assembly 1. A connecting seat 421 and a mounting seat 422 are hinged on the fixing seat 42. The telescopic end of the hydraulic press 41 is fixed on the connecting seat 421. The mounting seat 422 is fixed on the vehicle body. A hydraulic press mounting seat 411 is hinged at the tail end of the hydraulic press 41. The hydraulic press mounting seat 411 is fixed on the vehicle body. A telescopic assembly 5 that mates with the lifting assembly 4 is fixed at the bottom of the slide rail assembly 1. The telescopic assembly 5 includes a first U-shaped seat 51 and a second U-shaped seat 52. The tail end of the first U-shaped seat 51 is fixed on the slide rail assembly 1. The tail end of the second U-shaped seat 52 is fixed on the vehicle body. The inner wall of the open end of the second U-shaped seat 52 is telescopically sleeved on the outer wall of the first U-shaped seat 51. A pair of screw holes 511 are provided on the first U-shaped seat 51. Screws are installed in the screw holes 511. A chute 521 that mates with the screw is provided on the first U-shaped seat 51.

[0042] The steering wheel assembly 3 includes a steering wheel housing 32 and a housing cover 33. A folding motor 34 and a folding rod 35 are installed in the middle of the steering wheel housing 32. A steering wheel grip 31 is installed on the folding rod 35.

[0043] The transmission assembly 2 includes a support frame 21. The support frame 21 is fixed on the slider 11. A fixed pipe column 22 is connected to the support frame 21. A U-shaped bracket 23 is connected to the fixed pipe column 22. A steering wheel mounting platform 24 is fixed at the top of the U-shaped bracket 23. A PEPS controller 25 is installed below the steering wheel mounting platform 24. The steering wheel assembly 3 is installed on the steering wheel mounting platform 24. An upper housing 26 and a lower housing 27 are provided outside the transmission assembly 2.

[0044] The following introduces the technological process when the present invention works:

[0045] When the vehicle starts, the in-vehicle control system conducts self-checks to ensure that all components are working properly and detects the current state of the steering wheel assembly 3. After the driver issues an instruction to fold and retract the steering wheel through a control button or a voice command, the in-vehicle control system starts the folding motor 34. The folding motor 34 drives the folding rod 35 to rotate. The folding rod 35 drives the steering wheel grip 31 to rotate upward by 90° until it touches the limit switch and stops.

[0046] Next, the in-vehicle control system starts the motor 17. The motor 17 drives the lead screw 15 to rotate through the transmission belt 18. The lead screw 15 drives the slider 11 to slide along the track 14, and the transmission component 2 on the slider 11 moves accordingly. The transmission component 2 includes a support frame 21. A fixed pipe column 22 is connected to the support frame 21. A U-shaped bracket 23 is connected to the fixed pipe column 22. A steering wheel mounting platform 24 is fixed to the top of the U-shaped bracket 23. A PEPS controller 25 is installed below the steering wheel mounting platform 24. A steering wheel assembly 3 is installed on the steering wheel mounting platform 24. When the slider 11 moves, it drives the steering wheel assembly 3 to slide downward.

[0047] Next, the telescopic end of the hydraulic press 41 of the lifting component 4 contracts, pulling the connecting seat 421 and the slide rail assembly 1 downward. The fixed seat 42 at the bottom of the slide rail assembly 1 fixes the telescopic component 5 of the lifting component 4. The first U-shaped seat 51 slides in the second U-shaped seat 52 through a screw, causing the entire slide rail assembly 1 to sink below the vehicle instrument panel until the steering wheel completely disappears into the instrument panel.

[0048] During the whole process, the in-vehicle control system precisely controls the speed and position of the steering wheel folding, the sliding of the slider 11, the sinking of the lifting component 4, and the sliding of the steering column through the program to ensure smooth and safe operation. If a fault is detected during the folding or sliding process (such as insufficient hydraulic pressure, slider jamming, folding rod overload, or telescopic component 5 jamming), the system will automatically stop the current operation and prompt the driver with the fault information through the instrument panel or voice. The driver can also manually adjust the steering wheel and the steering column.

[0049] When the steering wheel needs to be restored, the driver issues a restoration command again through the control button or voice instruction. The in-vehicle control system executes according to the following steps. First, the telescopic end of the hydraulic press 41 of the lifting component 4 extends, pushing the connecting seat 421 and the slide rail assembly 1 upward. The fixed seat 42 at the bottom of the slide rail assembly 1 fixes the telescopic component 5 of the lifting component 4. The first U-shaped seat 51 slides back into place from the second U-shaped seat 52 through a screw, and the slide rail assembly 1 returns to its initial height. Subsequently, the motor 17 is started, and the lead screw 15 is driven to rotate through the transmission belt 18. The lead screw 15 drives the slider 11 to slide upward along the track 14, and the transmission component 2 on the slider 11 moves accordingly, driving the steering wheel assembly 3 to slide upward. Then, the in-vehicle control system starts the folding motor 34. The folding motor 34 drives the folding rod 35 to rotate in the reverse direction. The folding rod 35 drives the steering wheel grip 31 to rotate upward until it returns to the initial position. During this process, the mounting seat 422 and the hydraulic press mounting seat 411 continue to fix the vehicle body end to provide stable support until it returns to the initial position.

[0050] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and should all be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire, characterized in that: The invention comprises a slide rail assembly (1), a slider (11) is slidably arranged on the slide rail assembly (1), a transmission assembly (2) is fixed on the slider (11), a steering wheel assembly (3) is installed on the transmission assembly (2), the steering wheel assembly (3) comprises a foldable steering wheel handle (31), and a lifting assembly (4) is installed on the slide rail assembly (1).

2. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slide rail assembly (1) comprises a base plate (12), end plates (13) are fixed at both ends of the base plate (12), two rails (14) are installed on the base plate (12), a slide groove matching the rails is provided at the bottom of the slider (11), a threaded through hole is opened in the middle of the slider (11), a rotating screw (15) is installed between the two end plates (13), and the slider (11) is installed on the screw (15) through the threaded through hole.

3. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 2, characterized in that: A motor fixing plate (16) is fixed to one end of one of the end plates (13), a motor (17) is mounted on the motor fixing plate (16), a transmission belt (18) is provided after the screw rod (15) passes through the end plate, and the other end of the transmission belt (18) is mounted on the rotating shaft of the motor (17).

4. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 2, characterized in that: A limit block (151) is provided at one end of the screw rod (15) close to the motor (17).

5. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly (4) comprises a hydraulic press (41) and a fixed seat (42), wherein the fixed seat (42) is fixed to the bottom of the slide rail assembly (1), a connecting seat (421) and a mounting seat (422) are hingedly connected to the fixed seat (42), the telescopic end of the hydraulic press (41) is fixed to the connecting seat (421), the mounting seat (422) is fixed to the vehicle body, and the rear end of the hydraulic press (41) is hingedly connected to a hydraulic press mounting seat (411), and the hydraulic press mounting seat (411) is fixed to the vehicle body.

6. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 4, characterized in that: A telescopic assembly (5) cooperating with the lifting assembly (4) is fixed at the bottom of the slide rail assembly (1), and the telescopic assembly (5) includes a first U-shaped seat (51) and a second U-shaped seat (52), wherein the tail end of the first U-shaped seat (51) is fixed to the slide rail assembly (1), and the tail end of the second U-shaped seat (52) is fixed to the vehicle body, and the inner wall of the opening end of the second U-shaped seat (52) is telescopically sleeved on the outer wall of the first U-shaped seat (51).

7. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first U-shaped seat (51) is provided with a pair of screw holes (511), screw rods are installed in the screw holes (511), and the first U-shaped seat (51) is provided with a sliding groove (521) matched with the screw rod.

8. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steering wheel assembly (3) comprises a steering wheel housing (32) and a housing cover (33); a folding motor (34) and a folding rod (35) are installed in the middle of the steering wheel housing (32); and a steering wheel handle (31) is installed on the folding rod (35).

9. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission assembly (2) comprises a support frame (21), the support frame (21) is fixed on a slider (11), a fixed pipe column (22) is connected to the support frame (21), a U-shaped bracket (23) is connected to the fixed pipe column (22), a steering wheel mounting platform (24) is fixed to the top of the U-shaped bracket (23), a PEPS controller (25) is installed below the steering wheel mounting platform (24), and a steering wheel assembly (3) is installed on the steering wheel mounting platform (24).

10. The telescopic and folding steering wheel mechanism for steer-by-wire according to claim 9, characterized in that: The transmission assembly (2) is provided with an upper shell (26) and a lower shell (27).

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