Novel energy absorption crumple mechanism of automobile steering column

Abstract

A novel energy absorption crumple mechanism of an automobile steering column comprises an upper column and a lower column which are connected in a sleeved mode, the upper column is fixedly connected with a connecting frame, the connecting frame is fixedly connected to a fixing frame through a crumple block, and an energy absorption device is fixedly arranged on the fixing frame. A to-be-coupled distance is reserved in the position, located between the energy absorption device and the connecting frame, in the crumple direction, the to-be-coupled distance is used for enabling the connecting frame to move by a corresponding distance after crumple occurs and then generate coupling with the energy absorption device, and the energy absorption device is used for generating damping force on the connecting frame which continuously moves after the connecting frame is coupled with the energy absorption device; the to-be-coupled distance is arranged between the energy absorption device and the connecting frame, and when the steering column begins to collapse, the energy absorption device does not generate damping force, and only the collapse block makes a main contribution to collapse peak force, so that superposition of the effects of the energy absorption device and the collapse block is avoided, and the collapse peak force can be effectively reduced and controlled; and secondary damage of the steering wheel to a driver is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an automobile steering column, in particular to a novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column. Background Art

[0002] When a car collides head-on, the driver moves forward under the action of inertia, and his chest collides violently with the steering wheel, causing serious injuries. In order to reduce the damage to the driver's chest, the lower rim of the steering wheel can be weakened, but this method has limited protective effect. Modern cars generally use the method of steering column collapse energy absorption. When a car collides violently, the driver often leans forward due to the strong inertia of stopping, and the human chest collides with the steering wheel. In order to reduce the impact force on the driver's chest that is impacted by the steering column, some cars design the steering column to collapse in two or three stages due to external compression during the collision, so as to disperse some of the impact force transmitted to the human body by the steering column due to the collision. At present, the national standard requires that the peak crush force of the crumple mechanism be more than 10,000 Newtons, and the peak crush force required by car companies is around 7,000. In order to further reduce the harm of the steering wheel to the human body, some car companies have put forward higher requirements, which require the peak crush force to be lowered. However, in the current crumple mechanism, the crumple mechanism needs to be firmly fixed to the vehicle body through a fixing frame, which makes it difficult to reduce the peak crush force. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, the utility model provides a novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism for a steering column of an automobile, aiming at reducing the peak collapse force of the energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism.

[0004] A novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism for a steering column of an automobile comprises an upper column and a lower column which are sleeved with each other, the upper column being fixedly connected to a connecting frame, the connecting frame being fixedly connected to a fixing frame via a collapsing block, an energy absorbing device being fixedly arranged on the fixing frame, a coupling spacing being reserved between the energy absorbing device and the connecting frame in the collapsing direction, the coupling spacing being used to couple the connecting frame with the energy absorbing device after the connecting frame moves a corresponding distance after the collapse occurs, and the energy absorbing device being used to generate a damping force on the connecting frame which continuously displaces after the connecting frame is coupled with the energy absorbing device.

[0005] Further, the collapse block is a screw, which passes through the connecting frame and cooperates with the fixing frame thread. A notch is opened on the connecting frame at the position corresponding to the screw, and the screw is located in the notch. A step is integrally provided on the connecting frame at the position corresponding to the screw head. The screw head is pressed on the step and slidably cooperates with the step along the moving direction of the connecting frame. The coupling spacing is greater than or equal to the sliding distance of the screw head on the step.

[0006] Further, the lower end of the connecting frame and the upper end of the fixing frame are fitted together, the collapse block penetrates the fitting surface between the connecting frame and the fixing frame and makes the fixing frame be pressed downward on the connecting frame at the fitting surface; a plastic gasket is fixedly arranged between the fitting surfaces of the connecting frame and the fixing frame or grease is applied between the fitting surfaces.

[0007] Further, the energy absorbing device is an energy absorbing belt, the long direction of the energy absorbing belt is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, a connecting male head is fixedly arranged at one end of the energy absorbing belt, and the connecting male head is close to the connecting frame, the other end of the energy absorbing belt is fixedly connected to the fixing frame, and a connecting female head is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the connecting male head on the connecting frame, a gap is left between the connecting male head and the connecting female head, and the connecting male head and the connecting female head abut or clamp each other after contact.

[0008] Further, the energy absorbing belt is a tearing belt or a curling belt.

[0009] Furthermore, the energy absorbing belt is a tearing belt, and a waist-shaped through hole is arranged in the middle of the tearing line of the tearing belt.

[0010] Further: a step is integrally provided on the fixed frame at a position corresponding to the collapse block, the collapse block is a screw, the screw passes through the step and its head is pressed on the step, a notch is provided on the fixed frame at a position on one side of the step, the notch is used to make the collapse block escape from the step along the axial direction of the upper pipe column; the energy absorbing device includes an energy absorbing groove provided on the fixed frame, the energy absorbing groove is connected to the notch, the long direction of the energy absorbing groove is provided along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the energy absorbing groove is used to slide and interfere with the collapse block, a wide-mouth area is provided on the energy absorbing groove at a position between the energy absorbing groove and the notch, and when the collapse block passes through the wide-mouth area, the wide-mouth area is gap-fitted with the collapse block.

[0011] Furthermore, two guide mechanisms for moving the connecting frame along the collapse direction are respectively arranged on both sides of the energy absorbing device, and the two guide mechanisms are symmetrically arranged with respect to the energy absorbing device.

[0012] Further: the guide mechanism includes a strip slide groove opened on the fixed frame, a screw is fixedly connected at a position corresponding to the strip slide groove on the connecting frame, and the screw and the strip slide groove are slidably matched; the long direction of the strip slide groove is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the screw is located at the starting end of the strip slide groove, and a step is integrally arranged at the starting end of the strip slide groove at a position corresponding to the screw, and the head of the screw is pressed on the step, a collapse block and two screws are both located above the upper pipe column, the collapse block and the two screws form an isosceles triangle structure, the midline of the isosceles triangle structure is located directly above the upper pipe column and is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, and the collapse block is located directly above the upper pipe column and at the vertex position of the isosceles triangle structure.

[0013] Further, the lower end of the lower tube column is hinged to the fixing frame, and the fixing frame is used to be fixedly connected to the vehicle body; the upper tube column is fixedly installed on the connecting frame through an angle adjustment mechanism, the connecting frame is located directly above the upper tube column and is arranged across both sides of the upper tube column, and the fixing frame is located directly above the lower tube column and is arranged across both sides of the lower tube column.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows: by setting a coupling distance between the energy absorbing device and the connecting frame, when the steering column begins to collapse, since the energy absorbing device does not generate a damping force, only the collapse block makes a major contribution to the collapse peak force, thereby avoiding the superposition of the effects of the energy absorbing device and the collapse block, and thus being able to effectively reduce and control the collapse peak force and reduce the secondary damage of the steering wheel to the driver. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the connecting frame in the utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the connecting frame, the energy absorbing device and the fixing frame in the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the connecting frame, the energy absorbing device and the fixing frame in the second embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The utility model is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the utility model are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the utility model, and cannot be interpreted as limiting the utility model. The directional terms such as left, middle, right, top, and bottom in the embodiments of the utility model are only relative concepts or are based on the normal use state of the product, and should not be considered as restrictive.

[0020] First embodiment:

[0021] A new type of energy absorbing collapse mechanism for a vehicle steering column, such as Figure 1As shown, it includes an upper pipe column 42 and a lower pipe column 41 which are sleeved with each other, the upper pipe column 42 is fixedly connected to the connecting frame 1, the connecting frame 1 is fixedly connected to the fixing frame 2 through the collapse block 21, the lower end of the lower pipe column 41 is hinged to the fixing frame 2, and the fixing frame 2 is used to be fixedly connected to the vehicle body; the upper pipe column 42 is fixedly installed on the connecting frame 1 through the angle adjustment mechanism 6, the connecting frame 1 is located directly above the upper pipe column 42 and is arranged across both sides of the upper pipe column 42, and the fixing frame 2 is located directly above the lower pipe column 41 and is arranged across both sides of the lower pipe column 41; an energy absorbing device 3 is fixedly arranged on the fixing frame 2, and a coupling spacing 7 is reserved at a position between the energy absorbing device 3 and the connecting frame in the collapse direction, and the coupling spacing 7 is used to make the connecting frame 1 move a corresponding distance after collapse occurs and then couple with the energy absorbing device 3, and the energy absorbing device 3 is used to generate a continuous or intermittent damping force on the continuously displaced connecting frame 1 after the connecting frame 1 is coupled with it.

[0022] Among them, combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the collapse block 21 is a screw, and the screw 21 passes through the connecting frame 1 and is threadedly matched with the fixing frame 2. A notch 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the screw on the connecting frame 1, and the opening direction of the notch 22 is consistent with the moving direction of the connecting frame 1. The screw is located in the notch 22, and a step 25 is integrally provided at a position corresponding to the screw head on the connecting frame 1. The screw head is pressed on the step 25 and slidably matched with it along the moving direction of the connecting frame 1. The coupling spacing 7 is greater than or equal to the sliding distance of the screw head on the step 25, wherein the sliding distance can be interpreted as the distance from the screw head starting to slide on the step 25 to the beginning of the slip. The distance when the connection frame 1 is separated or completely separated; the lower end portion of the connecting frame 1 and the upper end portion of the fixing frame 2 are fitted, and the crushing block 21 passes through the fitting surface between the connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2, and the fixing frame 2 is pressed downward on the connecting frame 1 at the fitting surface; a plastic gasket 11 is fixedly arranged between the fitting surfaces of the connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2 or grease is applied between the fitting surfaces to reduce the friction between the fitting surfaces, thereby reducing the influence of the friction of the fitting surfaces on the crushing peak force, making it easy to adjust the fastening force of the crushing block 21, so that the crushing mechanism has a smaller crushing peak force, and ensuring the connection strength of the connecting frame 1 and the fixing frame 2.

[0023] In addition, the energy absorbing device 3 is an energy absorbing belt, which is a tearing belt or a curling belt. The long direction of the energy absorbing belt is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42. A connecting male head 32 is fixedly arranged at one end of the energy absorbing belt, and the connecting male head 32 is close to the connecting frame 1 along the collapse direction. The other end of the energy absorbing belt is fixedly connected to the fixing frame 2. A connecting female head 12 is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the connecting male head 32 on the connecting frame 1. A gap is left between the connecting male head 32 and the connecting female head 12, and the gap is the coupling spacing 7. After the connecting male head 32 and the connecting female head 12 contact each other, they abut or clamp each other. In this embodiment, they abut each other, thereby realizing the coupling of the energy absorbing belt and the connecting frame 1, and the damping force is controlled by controlling the thickness of the energy absorbing belt or the specification of its tearing line. When the energy absorbing belt is a tearing belt, in order to adjust the damping force of the middle section of the tearing belt, a waist-shaped through hole 311 is arranged in the middle of the tearing line of the tearing belt.

[0024] Second embodiment:

[0025] Other technical features are the same as those of the first embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, two guide mechanisms for moving the connecting frame 1 along the collapse direction are respectively arranged on both sides of the energy absorbing device 3, and the two guide mechanisms are symmetrically arranged with respect to the energy absorbing device 3, so as to ensure that the upper pipe column 42 does not fall when it collapses, and the stability of the function of the energy absorbing device 3 is ensured; the guide mechanism includes a strip slide 24 provided on the fixing frame 2, and a screw 23 is fixedly connected to the position of the connecting frame 1 corresponding to the strip slide 24, and the screw 23 is slidably matched with the strip slide 24; the long direction of the strip slide 24 is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42, and the screw 23 is located in the strip slide 2 4, a step 25 is integrally provided at the starting end of the strip slide 24 corresponding to the position of the screw 23, the head of the screw 23 is pressed on the step 25, a collapse block 21 and two screws 23 are all located above the upper pipe column 42, the collapse block 21 and the two screws 23 form an isosceles triangle structure, the midline of the isosceles triangle structure is located just above the upper pipe column 42 and is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42, the collapse block 21 is located just above the upper pipe column 42 and at the vertex position of the isosceles triangle structure, thereby dispersing the collapse peak force and improving the fixing effect of the fixing frame 2 and the connecting frame 1.

[0026] Third embodiment:

[0027] Other technical features are the same as those of the first embodiment, such as Figure 4As shown, a step 25 is integrally provided at a position corresponding to the collapse block 21 on the fixing frame 2. The collapse block 21 is a screw, which passes through the step 25 and its head is pressed on the step 25. A notch 22 is provided at a position on one side of the step 25 on the fixing frame 2. The notch 22 is used to make the collapse block 21 escape from the step 25 along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42; the energy absorbing device 3 includes an energy absorbing chute 33, which is provided on the fixing frame 2 or fixedly connected to the fixing frame 2, and is communicated with the notch 22. The long direction of the energy absorbing chute 33 is provided along the axial direction of the upper pipe column 42, and the energy absorbing chute 33 is used to slide with the collapse block 21 Combined with the interference fit, when the crush block 21 slides in the energy absorbing groove 33, the side walls of the energy absorbing groove 33 squeeze the crush block 21 and generate a damping force on the crush block 21, thereby generating a damping force on the connecting frame 1 or the upper pipe column 42 during the displacement process; wherein, a wide mouth area 5 is opened on the energy absorbing groove 33 at a position between the energy absorbing groove 33 and the notch 22, and when the crush block 21 passes through the wide mouth area 5, the wide mouth area 5 and the crush block 21 are gap-fitted, that is, the side walls of the wide mouth area 5 are separated from the crush block 21, so that the crush block 21 is coupled with the energy absorbing device 3 after passing through the wide mouth area 5, and the wide mouth area 5 is the said coupling spacing 7.

[0028] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that the utility model is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the utility model. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model, the utility model may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the utility model to be protected. The scope of protection claimed by the utility model is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism for a vehicle steering column, characterized in that: It comprises an upper pipe column and a lower pipe column which are sleeved with each other, the upper pipe column is fixedly connected to a connecting frame, the connecting frame is fixedly connected to a fixing frame via a collapse block, an energy absorbing device is fixedly arranged on the fixing frame, a coupling interval is reserved between the energy absorbing device and the connecting frame in the collapse direction, the coupling interval is used to couple the connecting frame with the energy absorbing device after the collapse occurs, and the energy absorbing device is used to generate a damping force on the connecting frame which continuously displaces after the connecting frame is coupled with the energy absorbing device.

2. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The collapse block is a screw, which passes through the connecting frame and cooperates with the thread of the fixing frame. A notch is opened on the connecting frame at the position corresponding to the screw, and the screw is located in the notch. A step is integrally provided on the connecting frame at the position corresponding to the screw head. The screw head is pressed on the step and slidably cooperates with the step along the moving direction of the connecting frame. The coupling spacing is greater than or equal to the sliding distance of the screw head on the step.

3. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The lower end of the connecting frame and the upper end of the fixing frame are fitted together, and the collapse block penetrates the fitting surface between the connecting frame and the fixing frame and presses the fixing frame downward on the connecting frame at the fitting surface; a plastic gasket is fixedly arranged between the fitting surfaces of the connecting frame and the fixing frame or grease is applied between the fitting surfaces.

4. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The energy absorbing device is an energy absorbing belt, and the long direction of the energy absorbing belt is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column. A connecting male head is fixedly arranged at one end of the energy absorbing belt, and the connecting male head is close to the connecting frame along the collapse direction. The other end of the energy absorbing belt is fixedly connected to the fixing frame, and a connecting female head is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the connecting male head on the connecting frame. A gap is left between the connecting male head and the connecting female head, and the gap is the spacing to be coupled. After the connecting male head and the connecting female head come into contact, they abut or clamp against each other.

5. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The energy absorbing belt is a tearing belt or a curling belt.

6. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The energy absorbing belt is a tearing belt, and a waist-shaped through hole is arranged in the middle of the tearing line of the tearing belt.

7. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A step is integrally provided on the fixed frame at a position corresponding to the collapse block. The collapse block is a screw, which passes through the step and has its head pressed on the step. A notch is provided on the fixed frame at a position on one side of the step, and the notch is used to allow the collapse block to escape from the step along the axial direction of the upper pipe column. The energy absorbing device includes an energy absorbing groove provided on the fixed frame, the energy absorbing groove is connected to the notch, the long direction of the energy absorbing groove is provided along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the energy absorbing groove is used to slide and interfere with the collapse block, and a wide-mouth area is provided on the energy absorbing groove at a position between the energy absorbing groove and the notch. When the collapse block passes through the wide-mouth area, the wide-mouth area is gap-fitted with the collapse block, and the wide-mouth area is the spacing to be coupled.

8. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 1, 4 or 7, characterized in that: Two guide mechanisms for moving the connecting frame along the collapse direction are respectively arranged on both sides of the energy absorbing device, and the two guide mechanisms are symmetrically arranged with respect to the energy absorbing device.

9. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 8 is characterized in that: The guiding mechanism includes a strip slide groove opened on the fixing frame, a screw is fixedly connected at a position corresponding to the strip slide groove on the connecting frame, and the screw and the strip slide groove are slidably matched; the long direction of the strip slide groove is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, the screw is located at the starting end of the strip slide groove, and a step is integrally arranged at the position corresponding to the screw at the starting end of the strip slide groove, and the head of the screw is pressed on the step, a collapse block and two screws are all located above the upper pipe column, and the collapse block and the two screws form an isosceles triangle structure, the midline of the isosceles triangle structure is located directly above the upper pipe column and is arranged along the axial direction of the upper pipe column, and the collapse block is located directly above the upper pipe column and at the vertex position of the isosceles triangle structure.

10. The novel energy absorbing and collapsing mechanism of the automobile steering column according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The lower end of the lower tube column is hinged to the fixing frame, and the fixing frame is used to be fixedly connected to the vehicle body; the upper tube column is fixedly installed on the connecting frame through an angle adjustment mechanism, the connecting frame is located directly above the upper tube column and is arranged across both sides of the upper tube column, and the fixing frame is located directly above the lower tube column and is arranged across both sides of the lower tube column.

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