Roller pin type locking cam device of automobile steering column adjusting mechanism and using method of roller pin type locking cam device

Abstract

The invention relates to an automobile steering column adjusting mechanism roller pin type locking cam device and a using method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of automobile steering columns, the automobile steering column adjusting mechanism roller pin type locking cam device comprises a locking connecting plate, a steering column is arranged in the locking connecting plate, a hoop locking frame is arranged between the steering column and the locking connecting plate, and a locking cam assembly is arranged on one side edge of the locking connecting plate; the locking cam assembly is provided with a fixed limiting shaft which penetrates through the hoop locking frame and the locking connecting plate, and the two ends of the fixed limiting shaft are locked through nuts. The fixed limiting shaft is slidably connected with the two sides of the locking connecting plate in an inserted mode through kidney-shaped holes. The device has the characteristics of simple structure, good operation stability and long service life. Through a roller pin type locking cam structure, an existing cam foot friction type structure is improved into a rolling type structure. The locking force of the locking handle is greatly increased under the condition that the locking force of the locking handle is basically unchanged, meanwhile, the requirements of the locking force of the locking handle and the NVH performance of a system are met, and the problems of hand feeling and safety are solved at the same time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle steering columns, and in particular to a needle roller locking cam device of an automobile steering column adjustment mechanism and a use method thereof. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle's steering column transmits steering force from the steering wheel to the vehicle's steering system, controlling the vehicle's direction of travel. The steering column is the steering mechanism that connects the steering wheel and steering gear. A crucial component of a vehicle's steering system, the steering column is typically fixed to the vehicle's instrument panel, connecting the steering wheel at the top and the steering drive shaft at the bottom to transmit the driver's steering force. The electric power steering column houses the steering motor, which facilitates electric power steering.

[0003] To accommodate drivers of varying body shapes and heights, automotive steering columns are typically designed with a two- or four-way adjustment mechanism for adjusting the steering wheel's position. The driver uses a switch handle to move and fix the mechanical adjustment mechanism. The amount of force applied to the handle affects both driver feel and driving safety. To ensure easy handle adjustment, the handle locking force should not be set too high. Furthermore, to prevent the handle from opening due to vibration or minor collisions during normal vehicle use, which could cause a sudden change in the steering wheel's position, the handle release force should not be set too low. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention primarily addresses the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a needle roller locking cam device for an automotive steering column adjustment mechanism and its use method. The device features a simple structure, excellent operational stability, and a long service life. The needle roller locking cam structure improves upon the existing cam foot friction structure to a rolling structure. This significantly increases the release force of the locking handle while maintaining essentially unchanged locking force. This simultaneously meets the requirements for locking force and system NVH performance, satisfying both tactile feel and safety.

[0005] The above technical problems of the present invention are mainly solved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A roller-type locking cam device for an automobile steering column adjustment mechanism comprises a locking connecting plate, a steering column is arranged inside the locking connecting plate, a clamp locking frame is provided between the steering column and the locking connecting plate, a locking cam assembly is provided on one side of the locking connecting plate, a fixed limiting shaft is provided on the locking cam assembly, the fixed limiting shaft passes through the clamp locking frame and the locking connecting plate and is locked with nuts at both ends, and the fixed limiting shaft and the two sides of the locking connecting plate are slidably plugged in with waist-round holes.

[0007] The locking cam assembly includes a cam plate, a pressure plate is provided between the cam plate and the locking connecting plate, a retaining ring frame is provided between the pressure plate and the cam plate, and the retaining ring frame is provided with a plurality of rollers distributed in a ring shape and plugged into the retaining ring frame, and the rollers and the pressure plate are clamped in a groove-type limiting press connection.

[0008] Preferably, a fixed mounting bracket is provided on the end surface of the locking connecting plate, and both ends of the fixed mounting bracket are provided with limit plugs that are snap-fitted with the fixed mounting bracket.

[0009] Preferably, tension springs are provided on both sides of the locking connecting plate, one end of the tension spring is hooked and fixed with the fixed mounting frame, and the other end of the tension spring is hooked and fixed with the fixed limiting shaft.

[0010] Preferably, a tension spring guide rod sleeved with the tension spring is provided in the tension spring.

[0011] Preferably, a locking handle is provided on the side of the pressure plate and is plug-in-engaged with the pressure plate.

[0012] The method for using the needle roller locking cam device of the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism includes the following steps:

[0013] Step 1: Pull the locking handle to rotate the cam disc on the locking cam assembly.

[0014] Step 2: The cam disc presses against the fixed mounting frame, driving the fixed limit shaft to slide backward in the waist-round hole of the locking connecting plate, so that the clamp locking frame and the steering column are in a loose state.

[0015] Step 3: Adjust the steering column telescopically and reset the locking handle after the adjustment is completed.

[0016] Step 4: The cam disc rotates and disengages from the fixed mounting bracket, and the fixed limit shaft slides forward in the waist-round hole of the locking connecting plate, so that the clamp locking bracket and the steering column are in a locked state.

[0017] Preferably, when the fixed limiting shaft is in the process of resetting and locking the clamp locking frame, the pull-back is achieved by the tension spring on the tension spring guide rod.

[0018] The present invention can achieve the following effects:

[0019] The present invention provides a needle roller locking cam device for an automotive steering column adjustment mechanism and its use method. Compared to existing technologies, this device features a simple structure, excellent operational stability, and a long service life. The needle roller locking cam structure improves upon the existing cam foot friction structure to a rolling structure. This significantly increases the release force of the locking handle while maintaining essentially unchanged locking force. This simultaneously meets the requirements for locking force and system NVH performance, ensuring both tactile feel and safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a front structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the locking cam assembly of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a side structural schematic diagram of the locking cam assembly of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a structural sectional view of the locking cam assembly of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure: locking handle 1, clamp locking frame 2, steering column 3, locking connecting plate 4, fixed mounting frame 5, tension spring 6, limit plug plate 7, tension spring guide rod 8, fixed limit shaft 9, locking cam assembly 10, pressure plate 11, needle roller 12, retaining ring frame 13, cam plate 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The technical solution of the invention is further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Example: Figure 1-5 The figure shows a needle roller locking cam device for an automotive steering column adjustment mechanism. The device comprises a locking connecting plate 4, with a fixed mounting bracket 5 provided on its end face. The fixed mounting bracket 5 has stopper plates 7 at both ends that snap-fit with the fixed mounting bracket 5. A steering column 3 is mounted within the locking connecting plate 4, with a clamping clamp 2 positioned between the steering column 3 and the locking connecting plate 4. A locking cam assembly 10 is mounted on one side of the locking connecting plate 4. The locking cam assembly 10 is provided with a fixed stopper shaft 9 that passes through the clamping clamp 2 and the locking connecting plate 4 and is locked with nuts at both ends. The fixed stopper shaft 9 is slidably engaged with both sides of the locking connecting plate 4 via rounded holes. Tension springs 6 are mounted on both sides of the locking connecting plate 4. One end of the tension spring 6 is locked with the fixed mounting bracket 5 for positional fixation, and the other end of the tension spring 6 is locked with the fixed stopper shaft 9 for positional fixation. A tension spring guide rod 8 is positioned within the tension spring 6 and is sleeved with the tension spring 6.

[0028] The locking cam assembly 10 includes a cam plate 14, with a pressure plate 11 disposed between the cam plate 14 and the locking connecting plate 4. A locking handle 1 is provided on the side of the pressure plate 11 and is plugged into and engaged with the pressure plate 11. A retaining ring frame 13 is disposed between the pressure plate 11 and the cam plate 14. The retaining ring frame 13 is provided with four annularly distributed needle rollers 12 that are plugged into and engaged with the retaining ring frame 13. The needle rollers 12 are in a slotted, limit-limiting, press-fit connection with the pressure plate 11.

[0029] The method for using the needle roller locking cam device of the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism includes the following steps:

[0030] Step 1: Pull the locking handle 1 to drive the cam plate 14 on the locking cam assembly 10 to rotate.

[0031] Step 2: The cam plate 14 is in a state of supporting the fixed mounting frame 5, driving the fixed limit shaft 9 to slide backward in the waist-round hole of the locking connecting plate 4, so that the clamp locking frame 2 and the steering column 3 are in a loose state.

[0032] Step 3: The steering column 3 is telescopically adjusted, and the locking handle 1 is reset after the adjustment is completed.

[0033] Step 4: The cam plate 14 rotates and disengages from the fixed mounting frame 5, and the fixed limit shaft 9 slides forward in the waist-round hole of the locking connecting plate 4, so that the clamp locking frame 2 and the steering column 3 are in a locked state.

[0034] When the fixed limiting shaft 9 is in the process of resetting and locking the clamp locking frame 2, the tension spring 6 on the tension spring guide rod 8 is used to pull back.

[0035] In summary, the needle roller locking cam device for the automotive steering column adjustment mechanism and its use method feature a simple structure, excellent operational stability, and a long service life. The needle roller locking cam structure improves upon the existing cam foot friction structure to a rolling structure. This significantly increases the release force of the locking handle while maintaining essentially unchanged locking force, simultaneously meeting the locking handle locking force and system NVH performance requirements, thus satisfying both tactile feel and safety concerns.

[0036] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the structural features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any changes or modifications made by any technician in this field within the scope of the present invention are included in the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A roller-type locking cam device for an automobile steering column adjustment mechanism, characterized in that: The invention comprises a locking connecting plate (4), wherein a steering column (3) is provided in the locking connecting plate (4), a clamp locking frame (2) is provided between the steering column (3) and the locking connecting plate (4), a locking cam assembly (10) is provided on one side of the locking connecting plate (4), and a fixed limiting shaft (9) is provided on the locking cam assembly (10) which passes through the clamp locking frame (2) and the locking connecting plate (4) and is locked with nuts at both ends, and the fixed limiting shaft (9) and the locking connecting plate (4) are slidably connected with each other through waist-round holes on both sides; The locking cam assembly (10) includes a cam plate (14), a pressure plate (11) is provided between the cam plate (14) and the locking connecting plate (4), a retaining ring frame (13) is provided between the pressure plate (11) and the cam plate (14), and the retaining ring frame (13) is provided with a plurality of roller needles (12) distributed in an annular shape and plugged into the retaining ring frame (13), and the roller needles (12) and the pressure plate (11) are clamped in a groove-type limiting press connection.

2. The needle roller type locking cam device for the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end surface of the locking connecting plate (4) is provided with a fixed mounting frame (5), and both ends of the fixed mounting frame (5) are provided with limiting plug plates (7) that are snap-fitted with the fixed mounting frame (5).

3. The needle roller type locking cam device of the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both sides of the locking connecting plate (4) are provided with tension springs (6), one end of the tension spring (6) is hooked and fixed with the fixed mounting frame (5), and the other end of the tension spring (6) is hooked and fixed with the fixed limiting shaft (9).

4. The needle roller type locking cam device for the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: A tension spring guide rod (8) sleeved with the tension spring (6) is provided in the tension spring (6).

5. The needle roller type locking cam device of the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The side of the pressure plate (11) is provided with a locking handle (1) which is plug-in and snap-connected with the pressure plate (11).

6. The method for using the needle roller type locking cam device of the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that The steps are as follows: Step 1: Pull the locking handle (1) to drive the cam plate (14) on the locking cam assembly (10) to rotate; Step 2: The cam plate (14) is in a state of supporting the fixed mounting frame (5), driving the fixed limit shaft (9) to slide backward in the waist-round hole of the locking connecting plate (4), so that the clamp locking frame (2) and the steering column (3) are in a loose state; Step 3: The steering column (3) is telescopically adjusted, and the locking handle (1) is reset after the adjustment is completed; Step 4: The cam disc (14) rotates and disengages from the fixed mounting frame (5), and the fixed limit shaft (9) slides forward in the waist-round hole of the locking connecting plate (4), so that the clamp locking frame (2) and the steering column (3) are in a locked state.

7. The method for using the needle roller type locking cam device of the automobile steering column adjustment mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the fixed limiting shaft (9) is in the process of resetting and locking the clamp locking frame (2), the pull-back is achieved through the tension spring (6) on the tension spring guide rod (8).

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