Limiting structure for preventing joint of steering column assembly and intermediate shaft assembly from moving downwards
By designing a limit slot and jaw structure on the fork and limit sleeve, the downward sliding problem at the connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly is solved, and precise alignment is achieved, reducing the difficulty when turning the steering wheel Uniformity and abnormal noise improve assembly efficiency and vehicle performance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421149892.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-05-24
AI Technical Summary
The connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly slides downward due to gravity, resulting in inaccurate connection, which increases the rotational unevenness and abnormal noise problems when turning the steering wheel, and is difficult to assemble.
The fork and the limit sleeve are designed with limit slots and limit jaws. By cooperating with each other, the fork cannot move downward in the axial direction, and the limit slot structure of the rectangular clamping end and arc-shaped connecting end is adopted, and the limit slot structure is adopted. Type limit jaw structure ensures accurate alignment at the connection.
It solves the problem of downward offset at the connection, reduces torque fluctuations when turning on the steering wheel, prevents abnormal noise, and improves assembly efficiency and vehicle performance.
Smart Images

Figure CN222347111U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of automobile parts, and in particular relates to a limiting structure for preventing a connection between a steering column assembly and an intermediate shaft assembly from moving downward. Background Art
[0002] The steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly are connecting structures installed between the steering wheel and the steering gear. They are mainly used to control the direction of the vehicle, transmit torque, and absorb energy when the vehicle hits a collision.
[0003] The connection point B between the existing steering column assembly 1 and the intermediate shaft assembly 2 is as follows: Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, the steering shaft 11 on the steering column assembly 1 passes through the limiting sleeve body 31 on the limiting sleeve 3 and is interference connected with the limiting plug 32. The yoke 21 on the intermediate shaft assembly 2 passes through the limiting plug 32, and the steering shaft 11 fits with the side 311 of the limiting sleeve body 31. At this time, the connecting groove 331 on the first connecting arm 33 on the limiting sleeve 3 corresponds to the position of the circular connecting hole 211 on the yoke 21 and the avoidance groove 111 on the steering shaft 11. The intermediate shaft assembly 2 is connected to the steering column assembly 1 through the limiting sleeve 3 by passing the bolt through the connecting hole 211, the connecting groove 331 and the avoidance groove 111. However, this connection method has the following problems:
[0004] 1. The steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly are contracted separately. The steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly are not assembled at the first-tier supplier, but need to be assembled in the vehicle at the OEM. Figure 1 This is a diagram of the connection state of the steering column assembly 1 and the intermediate shaft assembly 2 in the simulated loading state. Figure 1 It can be seen that the intermediate shaft assembly 2 will slide downward due to the influence of gravity in the spatial state. Since the connecting hole 211 on the existing yoke 21 is a circular design, and the connecting groove 331 on the limiting sleeve 3 is an oblong arc groove design (its design is to comprehensively consider the tolerance dimensions of the mating parts to achieve the assembly and limiting functions of the steering column assembly 1 and the intermediate shaft assembly 2), the intermediate shaft assembly 2 and the steering column assembly 1 will slide downward relative to the connecting groove 331 on the limiting sleeve 3 under the action of gravity, so that there is a gap between the yoke 21 and the side 311 of the limiting sleeve 3, resulting in the connection point B being offset downward in the vehicle coordinates, so that the connection between the steering column assembly 1 and the intermediate shaft assembly 2 is not in the accurate position, thereby increasing the unevenness of rotation when turning the steering wheel, and even generating abnormal noise.
[0005] 2. The connection point B between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly is located below the vehicle space. Due to the small space below and the gravity sinking problem of the intermediate shaft assembly, there is a misalignment between the connecting hole 211 and the connecting groove 331, which makes it difficult for the installer to assemble the three by bolts. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a limiting structure for preventing the connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly from moving downward. The limiting structure is an improvement made on the basis of the existing limiting sleeve and yoke, and solves the problem that point B of the connection is offset downward in the coordinates of the whole vehicle, so that the connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly is not in the correct position, so that the assembly between the steering column assembly, the limiting sleeve and the intermediate shaft assembly is simpler, and the assembly efficiency is improved.
[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model provides a limiting structure for preventing the connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly from moving downward, comprising a yoke and a limiting sleeve, a limiting groove is provided on the side wall of the connection end of the yoke and the steering shaft, and a limiting claw is provided on the side surface of the limiting sleeve relative to the position of the limiting groove, which cooperates with the limiting groove to ensure that the yoke cannot move downward in the axial direction.
[0008] As a further optimization, the end of the limiting groove close to the limiting sleeve is a rectangular clamping end, the end of the clamping end away from the limiting sleeve is an arc-shaped connecting end, and the depth of the connecting end is greater than the depth of the clamping end.
[0009] As a further optimization, the limiting claw is a C-shaped structure, including a second connecting arm and a claw. The claw is connected to the side of the limiting sleeve through the second connecting arm. The shape of the second connecting arm is similar to the shape of the clamping end and is interference fit with the clamping end. The position of the claw corresponds to that of the connecting end, so that the claw passes through the arc-shaped connecting end and hooks on the end of the clamping end.
[0010] Advantages and beneficial effects of the utility model
[0011] 1. The utility model is provided with a limit groove on the yoke, and a limit claw is provided on the side of the limit sleeve at a position relative to the limit groove. Through the cooperation between the limit groove and the limit claw, it can be ensured that the yoke cannot move downward along the axial direction, thereby solving the problem of the connection point B being offset downward in the vehicle coordinate, so that the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly are connected at an accurate position, and the torque fluctuation of the steering wheel is consistent with the theoretical algorithm, which reduces the unevenness of the rotation when the steering wheel is turned, prevents the generation of abnormal noise, and improves the performance and quality of the vehicle.
[0012] 2. The utility model can ensure that the yoke cannot move downward along the axial direction through the cooperation between the limit groove and the limit claw, thereby ensuring that the connection hole on the yoke corresponds to the position of the connection groove on the limit sleeve, making it easier for the installer to assemble the three by bolts, thereby improving the assembly efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative work.
[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the connection state of the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly in a simulated vehicle loading state;
[0015] Figure 2 It is an enlarged view of point B where the existing steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly are connected;
[0016] Figure 3 It is an exploded and enlarged view of the existing steering column assembly, limit sleeve and intermediate shaft assembly;
[0017] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure provided by an embodiment of the utility model;
[0018] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the middle fork of the utility model;
[0019] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the limit sleeve in the utility model;
[0020] Figure 7 It is an exploded view of the intermediate shaft assembly, the limiting sleeve and the steering column assembly in the utility model;
[0021] Figure 8 This utility model Figure 7 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.
[0022] Figure numerals: steering column assembly 1, steering shaft 11, avoidance groove 111, intermediate shaft assembly 2, yoke 21, connecting hole 211, side wall 212, limiting groove 213, clamping end 2131, connecting end 2132, limiting sleeve 3, limiting sleeve body 31, side surface 311, limiting plug 32, first connecting arm 33, connecting groove 331, limiting claw 34, second connecting arm 341, claw 342 and connection point B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. in the specification and claims of the present utility model and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.
[0024] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "front", "back", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.
[0025] like Figure 4 As shown, a limiting structure for preventing the connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly from moving downward includes a yoke 21 and a limiting sleeve 3. A limiting groove 213 is provided on the side wall 212 at the right end of the yoke 21. A limiting claw 34 is provided at a position relative to the limiting groove 213 to cooperate with the limiting groove 213 to ensure that the yoke 21 cannot move downward in the axial direction.
[0026] As a further optimization, Figure 5 As shown, the right end of the limiting groove 213 is a rectangular clamping end 2131, the left end of the clamping end 2131 is an arc-shaped connecting end 2132, and the depth of the connecting end 2132 is greater than the depth of the clamping end 2131. Figure 6 As shown, one end of the limiting sleeve 3 is a limiting sleeve body 31 interconnected with the steering shaft 11, and one side of the limiting sleeve body 31 is connected to the limiting plug 32 through a first connecting arm 33, and the first connecting arm 33 has a connecting groove 331 that cooperates with the avoidance groove 111 on the steering shaft 11 and the connecting hole 211 on the yoke 21, and a C-shaped limiting claw 34 is provided at a position of the side 311 of the limiting sleeve body 31 relative to the limiting groove 213, and the limiting claw 34 includes a second connecting arm 341 and a claw 342, and the claw 342 is connected to the side 311 of the limiting sleeve 3 through the second connecting arm 341. 1, the shape of the second connecting arm 341 is similar to that of the clamping end 2131, and is interference fit with the clamping end 2131, the claw 342 corresponds to the position of the connecting end 2132, so that the claw 342 passes through the arc-shaped connecting end 2132 and is hooked on the end of the clamping end 2131, and the limiting groove 213 on the yoke 21 and the limiting claw 34 on the limiting sleeve 3 are clamped to ensure that the yoke 21 cannot move downward in the axial direction, so that the intermediate shaft assembly 2 is not affected by gravity and slides downward, thereby ensuring that the two are assembled to the correct position, reducing the unevenness of rotation when turning the steering wheel, and preventing the generation of abnormal noise.
[0027] Installation Process
[0028] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the steering shaft 11 on the steering column assembly 1 passes through the limiting sleeve body 31 on the limiting sleeve 3 and is connected to the limiting plug 32, and then the yoke 21 on the intermediate shaft assembly 2 passes through the limiting sleeve 32, and the steering shaft 11 is fitted with the side surface 311 of the limiting sleeve body 31. At this time, the claw 342 at the left end of the limiting claw 34 passes through the connecting end 2132 at the left end of the limiting groove 213 and is hooked at the end of the clamping end 2131, and the second connecting arm 341 at the right end of the limiting claw 34 is interference-fitted with the clamping end 2131 at the right end of the limiting groove 213, thereby securing the The yoke 21 cannot move axially downward under the cooperation of the limiting groove 213 and the limiting claw 34. At the same time, since the yoke 21 fits with the side surface 311 of the limiting sleeve 3, it can be ensured that the yoke 21 cannot move axially upward, thereby limiting the intermediate shaft assembly. At this time, the positions of the connecting hole 211 on the yoke 21, the avoidance groove 111 on the steering shaft 11 and the connecting groove 331 on the limiting sleeve 3 correspond to each other, which is convenient for the installer to insert the bolts to connect the three, thereby realizing the precise assembly of the steering column assembly 1 and the intermediate shaft assembly 2.
[0029] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the utility model, rather than to limit them. Although the embodiments of the utility model are described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the embodiments of the utility model.
Claims
1. A limiting structure for preventing a connection between a steering column assembly and an intermediate shaft assembly from moving downward, comprising a yoke (21) and a limiting sleeve (3), characterized in that: A limiting groove (213) is provided on the side wall (212) of the connection end of the yoke (21) and the steering shaft (11), and a limiting claw (34) is provided on the side surface (311) of the limiting sleeve (3) at a position relative to the limiting groove (213) and cooperates with the limiting groove (213) to ensure that the yoke (21) cannot move downward in the axial direction.
2. A limiting structure for preventing the connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly from moving downward according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the limiting groove (213) close to the limiting sleeve (3) is a rectangular clamping end (2131), and one end of the clamping end (2131) away from the limiting sleeve (3) is an arc-shaped connecting end (2132), and the depth of the connecting end (2132) is greater than the depth of the clamping end (2131).
3. A limiting structure for preventing the connection between the steering column assembly and the intermediate shaft assembly from moving downward according to claim 2, characterized in that: The limiting claw (34) is a C-shaped structure, comprising a second connecting arm (341) and a claw (342); the claw (342) is connected to the side surface (311) of the limiting sleeve (3) through the second connecting arm (341); the shape of the second connecting arm (341) is similar to that of the clamping end (2131) and is interference fit with the clamping end (2131); the position of the claw (342) corresponds to that of the connecting end (2132), so that the claw (342) passes through the arc-shaped connecting end (2132) and is hooked on the end of the clamping end (2131).