Steering column assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a steering column assembly and a vehicle, and the steering column assembly comprises a steering shaft, a steering column body and a steering column, the steering shaft is sleeved with the guide sleeve, the guide sleeve and the steering shaft synchronously move in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft and can move in the axial direction of the steering shaft, and a guide groove is formed in the periphery of the guide sleeve; the steering column is arranged on the steering shaft and the guide sleeve in a sleeving mode, the steering column is provided with a limiting part, the limiting part is matched with the guide groove, and when the limiting part makes contact with the end of the guide groove, the steering column and the guide sleeve are in limiting fit in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft. Therefore, by arranging the steering column assembly, the number of turns of rotation of the steering shaft can be limited, so that the angle sensor and the clock spring are protected, and the steering column assembly is simple and reliable in structure, low in cost and small in size.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a steering column assembly and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The steering system is one of the important systems of the automobile chassis. The function of the steering system is to convert the torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel into the movement of the wheels through the steering column, intermediate shaft and other components to achieve the purpose of vehicle steering. As an important component of the steering system, the steering column is a component that connects the steering wheel and the steering gear. Its main function is to transmit the steering wheel torque to the steering gear through the intermediate transmission shaft. With the development of steering technology, the steering system has developed from mechanical steering, hydraulic steering, electric hydraulic, electric power steering, and wire control steering.

[0003] In the related technology, compared with other steering systems, the wire control steering cancels the mechanical connection in the traditional steering system. The steering column and the wire control steering gear are only transmitted through electrical signals to realize information exchange between the upper and lower structures. Therefore, the hard limit of the rack travel of the steering gear of the wire control system will not meet the purpose of mechanical hard limit of the number of steering wheel turns. There are many physical buttons on the steering wheel in the whole vehicle. Currently, it is necessary to add a clock spring between the steering column and the steering wheel to solve the power supply and communication needs. However, the clock spring has a limit on the number of turns. After exceeding the number of turns, the clock spring will be damaged, causing the steering wheel buttons to fail. In addition, the angle sensor also has angle range restrictions, so the steering column cannot be rotated a random number of times. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, one purpose of the utility model is to provide a steering column assembly, which can limit the number of rotations of the steering shaft, thereby achieving a protective effect on the angle sensor and the clock spring.

[0005] The utility model further provides a vehicle.

[0006] According to the first aspect of the utility model, the steering column assembly includes: a steering shaft; a guide sleeve, which is sleeved on the steering shaft, the guide sleeve and the steering shaft move synchronously in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft and are movable along the axial direction of the steering shaft, and the outer periphery of the guide sleeve is provided with a guide groove; a steering column, which is sleeved on the steering shaft and the guide sleeve, and the steering column is provided with a limiting portion, the limiting portion cooperates with the guide groove, and when the limiting portion contacts the end of the guide groove, the steering column and the guide sleeve cooperate in the circumferential limit position of the steering shaft.

[0007] In the above technical solution, the guide sleeve is sleeved with the steering shaft, and the steering column is sleeved with the guide sleeve again, and the steering column is fixed. When the guide sleeve rotates with the rotation of the steering shaft, the guide groove on the guide sleeve slides relative to the limiting part on the steering column until the limiting part contacts the end of the guide groove. At this time, the guide groove and the limiting part are axially limited, that is, the limiting part prevents the guide sleeve from continuing to rotate. In this way, the number of circles that the steering shaft continuously rotates in a certain direction (such as clockwise or counterclockwise) can be effectively limited, thereby achieving the effect of limiting the number of circles that the steering wheel continuously rotates in a certain direction (such as clockwise or counterclockwise), thereby improving the protection effect of the angle sensor and the clock spring (for example, in a wire control steering system, compared with other steering systems, its cancellation of the center The arrangement of the intermediate shaft enables the steering shaft and the wire-controlled steering gear to achieve up and down information exchange only through electrical signal transmission. Therefore, the traditional hard limit of the rack travel of the steering gear of the steering system will not meet the purpose of mechanical hard limit of the number of steering wheel turns. There are many physical buttons on the steering wheel of the whole vehicle. A clock spring is set between the steering wheel and the column to solve the power supply and communication needs. However, the clock spring has a limit on the number of turns. After exceeding the number of turns, the clock spring will be damaged, causing the steering wheel button to fail. In addition, the angle sensor also has an angle range restriction requirement, so the steering shaft cannot rotate an arbitrary number of turns. The embodiment in this case can effectively achieve the effect of limiting the number of turns of the steering wheel, thereby achieving the protection effect of protecting the angle sensor and the clock spring). In addition, the rotation limit mechanism has a simple and reliable structure, low cost, and small size, which effectively improves its practicality.

[0008] Therefore, by setting up the steering column assembly, the number of rotations of the steering shaft can be limited, thereby achieving the protection effect on the angle sensor and the clock spring, and its structure is simple and reliable, low cost and small size.

[0009] In some examples of the present invention, the guide groove is spirally shaped on the outer circumference of the guide sleeve.

[0010] In some examples of the present invention, there are a plurality of the limiting parts, and the plurality of limiting parts are arranged at intervals on the steering column and a shape formed by sequentially connecting the limiting parts is a spiral shape.

[0011] In some examples of the present invention, the limiting portion is configured as a pin, and the limiting portion is protruded from the inner wall surface of the steering column toward the guide groove.

[0012] In some examples of the present invention, the steering column assembly further includes: an elastic buffer, which is respectively arranged at both ends of the guide groove to contact and cooperate with the limiting portion at the end of the guide groove.

[0013] In some examples of the present invention, the outer periphery of the steering shaft is provided with an external spline, the inner periphery of the guide sleeve is provided with an internal spline, and the external spline is meshed with the internal spline.

[0014] In some examples of the present invention, the guide sleeve includes: a first section, the inner circumference of which is provided with the internal spline; and a second section, the second section is connected to one end of the first section, the outer circumference of which is provided with the guide groove.

[0015] In some examples of the present invention, the steering column assembly further includes: a bearing, which is arranged in the steering column and located at one end of the steering column, and the steering shaft passes through the bearing; and / or a spring clip, which is sleeved on the steering shaft, and the spring clip abuts against the other side of the bearing away from the guide sleeve.

[0016] In some examples of the present utility model, the steering shaft is provided with a limiting step, and the limiting step abuts against a side of the bearing facing the guide sleeve.

[0017] The vehicle according to the second aspect of the utility model comprises: the above-mentioned steering column assembly, so that the vehicle with the steering column assembly can mechanically limit the number of turns of the steering wheel, thereby achieving a protective effect on the angle sensor and the clock spring.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the following description, or will be learned through the practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a steering shaft according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of a guide sleeve according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a bearing and a spring clip according to an embodiment of the utility model.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 100. Steering column assembly;

[0029] 1. Steering shaft; 11. External spline; 12. Limiting step;

[0030] 2. Guide sleeve; 21. Guide groove; 22. Internal spline; 23. First section; 24. Second section;

[0031] 3. Steering column; 31. Limiting part; 4. Elastic buffer; 5. Bearing; 6. Spring clip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail below. The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary. The embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail below.

[0033] Reference below Figure 1-Figure 7 A steering column assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described, which can limit the number of rotations of the steering shaft 1, thereby achieving a protective effect on the angle sensor and the clock spring.

[0034] Combination Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, the steering column assembly 100 according to the first embodiment of the utility model comprises a steering shaft 1, a guide sleeve 2 and a steering column 3. The steering shaft 1 is fixedly connected to the steering wheel, and when the steering wheel rotates, the steering shaft 1 is driven to rotate synchronously.

[0035] Specifically, the guide sleeve 2 is sleeved on the steering shaft 1, and the guide sleeve 2 and the steering shaft 1 move synchronously in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft 1, and the guide sleeve 2 is movable along the axial direction of the steering shaft 1. A guide groove 21 is arranged on the outer periphery of the guide sleeve 2, and the steering column 3 is sleeved on the steering shaft 1 and the guide sleeve 2. The steering column 3 is provided with a limiting portion 31, and the limiting portion 31 is matched with the guide groove 21. When the limiting portion 31 contacts the end of the guide groove 21, the steering column 3 and the guide sleeve 2 are matched in the circumferential limit direction of the steering shaft 1.

[0036] Specifically, when the steering wheel is turned, the steering wheel will drive the steering shaft 1 to rotate synchronously, and at the same time, the steering shaft 1 will drive the guide sleeve 2 arranged on its outer periphery to rotate synchronously, and the guide sleeve 2 will also perform linear motion along the axial direction of the steering shaft 1 while performing circumferential rotation (that is, when the limiting portion 31 on the steering column 3 rotates relative to the guide groove 21 of the guide sleeve 2, the guide groove 31 is subjected to the axial force from the limiting portion 22, causing the guide sleeve 2 to produce axial displacement).

[0037] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the guide sleeve 2 is provided with a guide groove 21 for guiding its movement direction, so that the guide sleeve 2 can move according to the specified movement path, so that it can also realize axial linear movement while performing synchronous rotation movement with the steering shaft 1, thereby ensuring the movement stability and accuracy of the guide sleeve 2.

[0038] Furthermore, the guide sleeve 2 is sleeved on the steering shaft 1, and the steering column 3 is sleeved on the guide sleeve 2 again, and the steering column 3 is fixed. When the guide sleeve 2 rotates with the rotation of the steering shaft 1, the guide groove 21 on the guide sleeve 2 slides relative to the limiting portion 31 on the steering column 3 until the limiting portion 31 contacts the end of the guide groove 21. At this time, the guide groove 21 and the limiting portion 31 are axially limited, that is, the limiting portion 31 prevents the guide sleeve 2 from continuing to rotate, so that the number of circles of continuous rotation of the steering shaft 1 in a certain direction (such as clockwise or counterclockwise) can be effectively limited, thereby achieving the effect of limiting the number of circles of continuous rotation of the steering wheel in a certain direction (such as clockwise or counterclockwise), thereby improving the protection effect of the angle sensor and the clock spring (for example, in a wire control steering system, relative to Other steering systems, which eliminate the arrangement of the intermediate shaft, enable the steering shaft and the wire-controlled steering gear to achieve up and down information interaction only through electrical signal transmission. Therefore, the hard limit of the rack travel of the steering gear of the traditional steering system will not meet the purpose of mechanical hard limit of the number of steering wheel turns. There are many physical buttons on the steering wheel of the whole vehicle. A clock spring is set between the steering wheel and the column to solve the power supply and communication needs, but the clock spring has a limit on the number of turns. After exceeding the number of turns, the clock spring will be damaged, causing the steering wheel button to fail, and the angle sensor also has an angle range restriction requirement, so the steering shaft cannot rotate an arbitrary number of turns. The embodiment in this case can effectively achieve the effect of limiting the number of turns of the steering wheel, thereby achieving the protection effect of protecting the angle sensor and the clock spring). In addition, the rotation limit mechanism has a simple and reliable structure, low cost, and small size, which effectively improves its practicality.

[0039] In particular, the axial dimensions of the guide groove 21 on the guide sleeve 2 at the two ends with the largest distance in the axial direction of the steering shaft 1 define an adjustment range for the axial linear motion of the guide sleeve 2 relative to the steering column 3 .

[0040] Therefore, by providing the steering column assembly 100, the number of rotations of the steering shaft 1 can be limited, thereby achieving a protective effect on the angle sensor and the clock spring, and the structure is simple and reliable, the cost is low, and the volume is small.

[0041] According to some optional embodiments of the present invention, combined with Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the guide groove 21 is spirally formed on the outer circumference of the guide sleeve 2. The guide groove 21 extends in a spiral shape along the outer circumference of the guide sleeve 2, so that the guide sleeve 2 can also perform linear motion along the axial direction during the rotational motion. On the one hand, this allows the steering shaft 1 to rotate multiple times, and on the other hand, it is convenient to accurately limit the number of rotations of the steering shaft 1 by setting the path length of the guide groove 21, thereby ensuring the limiting effect of the steering column assembly 100 on the number of rotations of the steering wheel. The spiral guide groove 21 also has a certain self-locking property, so as to prevent the guide sleeve 2 from rotating and falling under the action of its own gravity during the process of rising relative to the steering column 3.

[0042] Specifically, combined Figure 2-Figure 4 As shown, there are multiple limiting parts 31, and the multiple limiting parts 31 are arranged at intervals on the steering column 3, and the shape formed by the multiple limiting parts 31 connected in sequence is a spiral shape. It can be understood that multiple limiting parts 31 are arranged at intervals on the inner wall of the steering column 3, and the spiral shape formed by the multiple limiting parts 31 connected matches the spiral shape of the guide groove 21, so that the multiple limiting parts 31 can smoothly slide relatively along the guide path of the guide groove 21 (actually, the limiting parts 31 are fixed and the limiting parts 31 slide relative to the guide groove 21), and because the multiple limiting parts 31 are connected to form spiral sections at different positions on the guide groove 21, the accuracy of the relative sliding of the guide groove 21 along the limiting parts 31 can be improved, thereby improving the movement accuracy of the guide sleeve 2.

[0043] According to some optional embodiments of the present invention, combined with Figure 2-Figure 4 As shown, the limiting part 31 is constructed as a pin, and the limiting part 31 is protruded from the inner wall surface of the steering column 3 toward the guide groove 21. Among them, the pin can better withstand variable loads and impacts, one end of the limiting part 31 is connected to the inner wall of the steering column 3, and the other end thereof protrudes toward the guide groove 21, so that the limiting part 31 can be easily inserted into the guide groove 21, so that the end of the limiting part 31 contacting the guide groove 21 can be circumferentially limited, and the guide groove 21 can slide smoothly relative to the limiting part 31 within the set stroke without interfering, thereby improving the rationality of its arrangement.

[0044] According to some optional embodiments of the present invention, combined with Figure 4As shown, the steering column assembly 100 further includes an elastic buffer 4 , which is respectively disposed at both ends of the guide groove 21 to contact and cooperate with the limiting portion 31 at the end of the guide groove 21 .

[0045] Furthermore, the elastic buffer 4 is made of elastic material, which can be elastically deformed, thereby effectively absorbing and dispersing impact energy, reducing vibration and noise. The guide groove 21 is provided with elastic buffers 4 at both ends along its own guide path, so that the impact energy of the limiting portion 31 when it is in limiting contact with the end of the guide groove 21 can be effectively absorbed and dispersed, thereby achieving the effects of buffering, vibration reduction and noise reduction.

[0046] According to some optional embodiments of the present invention, combined with Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the outer circumference of the steering shaft 1 is provided with an outer spline 11, and the inner circumference of the guide sleeve 2 is provided with an inner spline 22, and the outer spline 11 is meshed with the inner spline 22. Among them, the outer spline 11 on the outer circumference of the steering shaft 1 and the inner spline 22 on the inner circumference of the guide sleeve 2 are tightly meshed with each other, so that a transmission matching relationship can be established between the two, that is, the steering shaft 1 can smoothly transmit torque and power to the guide sleeve 2, and compared with the key connection of a single contact surface such as a flat key, the spline matching is characterized by multi-tooth contact, which can provide greater load-bearing capacity, higher coaxiality and smoother operation, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the transmission. In addition, the spline matching between the two can also maintain a high coaxiality, thereby ensuring the limiting accuracy of the steering shaft 1 for the number of rotations.

[0047] Specifically, combined Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the guide sleeve 2 includes a first section 23 and a second section 24 . The inner circumference of the first section 23 is provided with an internal spline 22 . The second section 24 is connected to one end of the first section 23 . The outer circumference of the second section 24 is provided with a guide groove 21 .

[0048] It can be understood that the guide sleeve 2 is sequentially formed with a first section 23 and a second section 24 along its axial direction. An internal spline 22 is provided on the inner circumference of the first section 23, which can facilitate the guide sleeve 2 to be firmly connected to the steering shaft 1. The two can also transmit torque to each other and maintain a high coaxiality through the spline cooperation, thereby ensuring the transmission stability and accuracy between the two. A guide groove 21 is provided on the outer circumference of the second section 24, and the guide groove 21 can cooperate with the limit portion 31 to achieve the effect of limiting the number of rotations of the steering shaft 1, thereby protecting the angle sensor and the clock spring.

[0049] According to some optional embodiments of the present invention, combined with Figure 2-Figure 4As shown, the steering column assembly 100 further includes a bearing 5 , which is disposed in the steering column 3 , and is located at one end of the steering column 3 , and the steering shaft 1 passes through the bearing 5 .

[0050] Among them, the bearing 5 can be used to support the steering shaft 1, so as to ensure that the steering shaft 1 can rotate smoothly, and can also ensure the relative position and rotation accuracy of the steering shaft 1, so as to ensure the operating stability and accuracy of the steering shaft 1, thereby improving the working reliability of the steering shaft 1.

[0051] In addition, the bearing 5 includes an inner ring, an outer ring and a rolling body, the outer ring surrounds the inner ring, the rolling body is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, the inner ring is sleeved on the steering shaft 1, and the inner ring and the steering shaft 1 are interference fit, and the outer ring is connected to the inner circumference of the steering column 3. The inner ring can be tightly matched with the steering shaft 1, and rotates with the steering shaft 1. The inner surface of the inner ring is processed with a raceway for the rolling body (such as a ball, a roller) to roll on it; the outer ring is fixed to the inner wall of the steering column 3, which can provide a relatively static support surface for the inner ring and the rolling body, and its outer surface also has a raceway, which matches the raceway of the inner ring. In summary, the bearing 5 can achieve efficient force transmission and rotational motion while reducing friction and wear.

[0052] Furthermore, combined with Figure 7 As shown, the steering column assembly 100 also includes a spring clip 6, which is sleeved on the steering shaft 1 and abuts against the other side of the bearing 5 away from the guide sleeve 2, so that it can have an axial limiting effect on the steering shaft 3 and the bearing 5, thereby ensuring their position stability.

[0053] Specifically, combined Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the steering shaft 1 is provided with a limiting step 12, and the limiting step 12 abuts against the side of the bearing 5 facing the guide sleeve 2. In other words, the limiting step 12 on the steering shaft 1 can play an axial limiting effect on the bearing 5, thereby ensuring the relative position stability of the bearing 5.

[0054] The vehicle according to the embodiment of the second aspect of the utility model includes the steering column assembly 100 of the above embodiment, so that the vehicle with the steering column assembly 100 (using a wire-controlled steering system) can mechanically limit the number of turns of the steering wheel, thereby achieving a protective effect on the angle sensor and the clock spring.

[0055] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations 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 orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0056] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0057] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0059] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A steering column assembly, characterized in that: include: Steering shaft; A guide sleeve, wherein the guide sleeve is sleeved on the steering shaft, the guide sleeve and the steering shaft move synchronously in the circumferential direction of the steering shaft and are movable in the axial direction of the steering shaft, and a guide groove is arranged on the outer circumference of the guide sleeve; A steering column, wherein the steering column is sleeved on the steering shaft and the guide sleeve, and the steering column is provided with a limiting portion, and the limiting portion cooperates with the guide groove. When the limiting portion contacts the end of the guide groove, the steering column and the guide sleeve cooperate in the circumferential limit position of the steering shaft.

2. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide groove is spirally shaped on the outer circumference of the guide sleeve.

3. The steering column assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are a plurality of the limiting parts, and the plurality of limiting parts are arranged at intervals on the steering column and a shape formed by sequentially connecting the limiting parts is a spiral shape.

4. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting portion is configured as a pin, and the limiting portion is protruded from the inner wall surface of the steering column toward the guide groove.

5. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Elastic buffer parts are respectively arranged at two ends of the guide groove to contact and cooperate with the limiting part at the end of the guide groove.

6. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the steering shaft is provided with an external spline, and the inner periphery of the guide sleeve is provided with an internal spline, and the external spline is meshed with the internal spline.

7. The steering column assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The guide sleeve comprises: a first section, wherein the inner circumference of the first section is provided with the inner spline; The second section is connected to one end of the first section, and the outer periphery of the second section is provided with the guide groove.

8. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A bearing, wherein the bearing is disposed in the steering column and located at one end of the steering column, and the steering shaft passes through the bearing; and / or A spring clip is provided on the steering shaft, and the spring clip abuts against the other side of the bearing away from the guide sleeve.

9. The steering column assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The steering shaft is provided with a limiting step, and the limiting step abuts against a side of the bearing facing the guide sleeve.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: include: The steering column assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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