Engineering machinery steering column

Abstract

The invention discloses an engineering machinery steering column, and relates to the technical field of vehicle steering, the engineering machinery steering column comprises a supporting assembly, a column body and a driving locking mechanism, the supporting assembly comprises two side plates which are oppositely arranged, an obliquely-arranged supporting bracket is fixedly connected between the bottoms of the two side plates, and the driving locking mechanism is fixedly connected between the two side plates. A connecting plate is fixedly connected between the front sides of the two side plates, a support is fixedly connected between the inner sides of the upper portions of the two side plates, the tubular column body comprises an upper tubular column and a shaft, and the upper tubular column and the shaft are connected through a rotating assembly; and asymmetric guide sheets are arranged on the outer side wall of the upper tubular column. Through the effects of the supporting bracket, the top connecting plate, the asymmetric guide sheets and the double bearings, the supporting rigidity is enhanced, the mechanical property of the steering column is optimized, the inherent frequency is changed, the vibration frequency superposition during engineering machinery operation is effectively avoided, the resonance generation is inhibited, the shaking of a steering wheel is reduced, and the steering precision and the driving safety are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle steering technology, and more particularly to a steering column for engineering machinery. Background Technology

[0002] Construction machinery operates in harsh environments, often accompanied by severe and continuous irregular vibrations. These vibrations are primarily caused by the periodic operation of the engine and the violent impacts of the working devices (such as excavator buckets and loader blades) on the ground. As a crucial transmission component connecting the steering wheel and steering gear, the dynamic performance of the steering column directly affects handling precision and driving safety.

[0003] Chinese patent CN215971727U discloses a vehicle steering column that achieves convenient adjustment of the steering wheel position and cushioning during collisions by setting a limiting shaft, an arc-shaped groove, a sliding column, and a cylinder-driven lever clamping mechanism. However, this solution and other existing steering column technologies mainly focus on ergonomic adjustment and passive collision safety, and are not designed for the special working conditions of high-intensity and high-vibration engineering machinery.

[0004] Research has revealed the following pressing issues when existing steering columns are used in construction machinery: Due to the lack of specific design for the system's inherent frequencies, the column structure is prone to resonance with the excitation frequencies of the engine or operating equipment. Resonance causes severe steering wheel vibration, significantly impacting the driver's handling experience and operational precision. Long-term resonance also accelerates fatigue wear on the steering column's connecting components and bearings, leading to abnormal noises, loosening, and even premature failure, drastically shortening its service life and increasing maintenance costs.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a steering column for engineering machinery that is adapted to the working conditions of engineering machinery and can effectively suppress natural frequency resonance, improve steering stability and service life, so as to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems by providing a steering column for engineering machinery, which solves the problem that existing steering columns are easily affected by natural frequencies and resonate when used in engineering machinery, resulting in poor steering stability and rapid component wear.

[0007] To achieve the above technical objectives and requirements, the technical solution adopted by this invention is as follows: a steering column for engineering machinery, comprising a support assembly, a column body slidably disposed on the support assembly, and a drive locking mechanism. The support assembly includes two opposing side plates, with a sliding plate on the outer side of each side plate. A diagonally positioned support bracket is fixedly connected between the bottoms of the two side plates, significantly enhancing the bracket's resistance to deformation under longitudinal and lateral impact loads. A connecting plate is fixedly connected between the front sides of the two side plates, and a bracket is fixedly connected between the upper inner sides of the two side plates, forming a closed frame structure at the top of the bracket, which greatly improves the torsional stiffness and overall stability of the structure. The column body includes an upper column and a shaft, which are connected by a rotating assembly. A guide plate is disposed on the outer wall of the upper column, and the guide plate is laterally disposed between the two side plates. Each end of the guide plate has an asymmetrical elastic portion bent towards the side plate, which changes the natural frequency of the steering column system and absorbs vibration energy.

[0008] Preferably, the rotating assembly includes an upper bearing and a lower bearing sleeved on the shaft, and an upper snap ring and a lower snap ring for axially limiting the upper bearing and the lower bearing. The force transmission path is optimized by supporting the dual bearings, and radial movement is suppressed.

[0009] Preferably, the upper and lower retaining rings are respectively secured to the outer periphery of the shaft, with the upper retaining ring located above the upper bearing and the lower retaining ring located below the lower bearing.

[0010] Preferably, the supporting bracket is at an angle of 20°-60° to the horizontal plane, preferably 40°.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic portion at one end of the guide plate bends to the upper left and the elastic portion at the other end bends to the lower right, and the guide plate has a plurality of mounting holes distributed thereon.

[0012] Preferably, the drive locking mechanism is a mechanical locking mechanism including a cylinder and a connecting block, or an electric locking mechanism including a motor and a lead screw.

[0013] Preferably, it further includes a tension spring assembly, which includes a first tension spring assembly connecting the side plate and the slide plate, and a second tension spring assembly connecting the column body and the support assembly. The first and second tension spring assemblies provide preload and jointly dampen multi-directional vibrations.

[0014] Compared with the traditional structure, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. Excellent anti-resonance performance: By supporting the bracket, top connecting plate, asymmetric guide plate, and double bearings, the support rigidity is enhanced, the mechanical properties of the steering column are optimized, the natural frequency is changed, and the superposition of vibration frequency with that of construction machinery during operation is effectively avoided, the generation of resonance is suppressed, steering wheel vibration is reduced, and steering accuracy and driving safety are improved. 2. Significantly improved reliability and lifespan: Effective suppression of resonance greatly reduces the damage of alternating stress to various components; the high-rigidity frame structure and dual bearing support ensure smooth force transmission, good steering stability, and reduce wear and loosening; the overall structure is more robust and durable, especially suitable for the harsh operating environment of engineering machinery, and its service life is significantly extended. 3. While achieving excellent anti-resonance performance, this invention is compatible with various drive locking mechanisms, such as mechanical or electric ones, and integrates adjustment and buffering functions, making it highly practical. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is the front view of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The right view; Figure 3 for Figure 1 The left view; Figure 4 for Figure 3 AA view; Figure 5 for Figure 2 View from direction B; Figure 6 for Figure 2 Top view; In the diagram: 1. Shaft, 2. Upper column, 3. First tension spring assembly, 4. Guide plate, 5. Cylinder, 6. Bracket, 7. Side plate, 8. Second tension spring assembly, 9. Slide plate, 10. Lifting bracket, 11. Upper snap ring, 12. Upper bearing, 13. Lower bearing, 14. Lower snap ring, 15. Friction plate, 16. Connecting block, 17. Connecting plate, 18. Locking block. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will be further described below.

[0017] See attached document Figures 1-6A steering column for engineering machinery includes a support assembly, a column body slidably mounted on the support assembly, and a drive locking mechanism. The support assembly includes two opposing side plates 7, with a sliding plate 9 on the outer side of each side plate 7. A diagonally positioned support bracket 10 is fixedly connected between the bottoms of the two side plates 7. The support bracket 10 forms an angle of 20°-60° with the horizontal plane, preferably 40°, which greatly enhances the rigidity and impact resistance of the connection point between the support assembly and the vehicle frame. A connecting plate 17 is fixedly connected between the front sides of the two side plates 7, closing the open end of the bracket and forming a high torsional frame structure. A bracket 6 is fixedly connected between the upper inner sides of the two side plates 7, improving the torsional rigidity and overall stability of the support assembly. The main body of the tubular column includes an upper tubular column 2 and a shaft 1. The upper tubular column 2 is slidably mounted in the support assembly via a sliding assembly (the slider engages with a groove on the side plate 7) to achieve height adjustment. The upper tubular column 2 and the shaft 1 are connected by a rotating assembly; the rotating assembly includes an upper bearing 12 and a lower bearing 13 sleeved on the shaft 1, and an upper retaining spring 11 and a lower retaining spring 14 for axially limiting the upper bearing 12 and the lower bearing 13. The inner rings of the two bearings are interference-fitted with the shaft 1, and the outer rings are interference-fitted with the upper tubular column 2, ensuring extremely high rotational accuracy and support rigidity. The upper retaining spring 11 and the lower retaining spring 14 respectively engage with corresponding grooves on the shaft 1 to precisely position the two bearings axially, completely eliminating the slight clearance and high-frequency abnormal noise that may be caused by the axial movement of the bearings.

[0018] A guide plate 4 is provided on the outer wall of the upper column 2. The guide plate 4 is arranged horizontally between the two side plates 7. Several mounting holes are distributed on the guide plate 4. The two ends of the guide plate 4 adopt an asymmetrical design, with one end bent to the upper left and the other end bent to the lower right, forming a unique arc-shaped elastic part.

[0019] In this preferred embodiment, the driving locking mechanism is a mechanical locking mechanism including a cylinder 5 and a connecting block 16. The cylinder 5 drives the connecting block 16, which in turn drives the locking block 18 to press the friction plate 15, thereby achieving position locking.

[0020] The steering column of the engineering machinery also includes a tension spring assembly, which includes a first tension spring assembly 3 connecting the side plate 7 and the slide plate 9, and a second tension spring assembly 8 connecting the column body and the support assembly. The first tension spring assembly 3 and the second tension spring assembly 8 provide preload and jointly dampen multi-directional vibration.

[0021] In practical implementation, during the operation of construction machinery, vibrations are transmitted to the support components through the frame. The high-strength frame, composed of the supporting bracket 10, side plate 7, connecting plate 17, and bracket 6, effectively resists deformation and prevents itself from becoming a new source of vibration. The asymmetric guide plate 4 elastically deforms to absorb and dissipate a large amount of vibration energy, while tuning it to a safe frequency range. The dual-bearing structure ensures smooth and precise torque transmission of the steering wheel, eliminating local vibrations caused by loose support. The tension spring assembly provides auxiliary damping. All these components work together to ensure that the steering wheel remains stable under severe vibration conditions, significantly improving handling, safety, and assembly lifespan.

[0022] The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples to clearly illustrate the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent technical solutions also fall within the scope of the present invention, and the patent protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A steering column for engineering machinery, comprising a support assembly, a column body slidably disposed on the support assembly, and a drive locking mechanism, wherein the support assembly includes two opposing side plates (7), and a sliding plate (9) is disposed on the outer side of the side plates (7), characterized in that: An obliquely arranged support bracket (10) is fixedly connected between the bottoms of the two side plates (7) to improve the support stiffness of the bottom of the support assembly; a connecting plate (17) is fixedly connected between the front sides of the two side plates (7), and a bracket (6) is fixedly connected between the upper inner sides of the two side plates (7) to improve the torsional stiffness and overall stability of the support assembly; the column body includes an upper column (2) and a shaft (1), and the upper column (2) and the shaft (1) are connected by a rotating assembly; a guide plate (4) is provided on the outer side wall of the upper column (2), and the guide plate (4) is arranged transversely between the two side plates (7). The two ends of the guide plate (4) have asymmetrical elastic parts that bend towards the side plates (7) to change the natural frequency of the steering column system and absorb vibration energy.

2. The steering column for engineering machinery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating assembly includes an upper bearing (12) and a lower bearing (13) sleeved on the shaft (1), and an upper retaining ring (11) and a lower retaining ring (14) for axially limiting the upper bearing (12) and the lower bearing (13). The force transmission path is optimized by the double bearing support, and radial movement is suppressed.

3. The steering column for engineering machinery according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper retaining ring (11) and the lower retaining ring (14) are respectively attached to the outer periphery of the shaft (1), with the upper retaining ring (11) located above the upper bearing (12) and the lower retaining ring (14) located below the lower bearing (13).

4. The steering column for engineering machinery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting bracket (10) forms an angle of 20°-60° with the horizontal plane.

5. The steering column for engineering machinery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic part at one end of the guide plate (4) bends to the upper left and the elastic part at the other end bends to the lower right. Several mounting holes are distributed on the guide plate (4).

6. The steering column for engineering machinery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive locking mechanism is a mechanical locking mechanism including a cylinder (5) and a connecting block (16), or an electric locking mechanism including a motor and a lead screw.

7. The steering column for engineering machinery according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a tension spring assembly, which includes a first tension spring assembly (3) connecting the side plate (7) and the slide plate (9) and a second tension spring assembly (8) connecting the column body and the support assembly. The first tension spring assembly (3) and the second tension spring assembly (8) provide preload and together dampen multi-directional vibration.

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