Intermediate shaft assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides an intermediate shaft assembly and a vehicle. The intermediate shaft assembly is applied to a vehicle and comprises an intermediate shaft, a steering column yoke, an intermediate yoke, a steering gear yoke and a supporting piece. And one end of the intermediate shaft is in universal rotation connection with the steering column joint fork. The end, away from the steering column joint fork, of the middle shaft is connected with one end of the middle joint fork in a universal rotating mode. The end, deviating from the middle shaft, of the middle joint fork is connected with the steering gear joint fork in a universal rotating mode. The intermediate shaft is fixed to the supporting piece, and the supporting piece is used for being connected with a dash panel of a vehicle. The intermediate shaft, the steering column yoke, the intermediate yoke and the steering gear yoke form three universal joint structures, so that the degree of freedom of the intermediate shaft assembly is improved, and the intermediate shaft assembly can reduce the mounting space required by the intermediate shaft assembly by changing the arrangement of parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of transmission structures, and particularly to an intermediate shaft assembly and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The intermediate shaft assembly is an important component in a vehicle, which is connected between a steering gear and a steering column at the bottom of a steering wheel to transmit power. Currently, in some vehicles, in order to increase the space at the rear of the vehicle, it is necessary to arrange the parts at the front of the vehicle more compactly, resulting in the compression of the installation space of the intermediate shaft assembly. Taking commercial vehicles as an example, in order to ensure the volume of the cargo compartment, parts such as the driver's seat and the steering wheel need to be moved forward. Due to the low degree of freedom of the traditional intermediate shaft assembly, its layout form on the vehicle is relatively single, and it is difficult to make adaptive changes to the reduction of the installation space by changing the layout form. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides an intermediate shaft assembly and a vehicle to solve related technical problems.

[0004] This application provides an intermediate shaft assembly for use in a vehicle, including an intermediate shaft, a steering column joint fork, an intermediate joint fork, a steering gear joint fork, and a support member; one end of the intermediate shaft is rotatably connected to the steering column joint fork in a universal manner, and one end of the intermediate shaft facing away from the steering column joint fork is rotatably connected to one end of the intermediate joint fork in a universal manner; one end of the intermediate joint fork facing away from the intermediate shaft is rotatably connected to the steering gear joint fork in a universal manner; the intermediate shaft is fixed to the support member, and the support member is used to be connected to the front bulkhead of the vehicle.

[0005] Further, it further includes a seal, and the seal is installed on the support member to make the support member and the front bulkhead of the vehicle be sealed and connected.

[0006] Further, the support member includes a front bulkhead connecting plate and a mounting seat extending from the front bulkhead connecting plate towards one side, and the support member is provided with a mounting hole passing through the front bulkhead connecting plate and the mounting seat, and the intermediate shaft is installed in cooperation with the mounting hole.

[0007] Further, the front bulkhead connecting plate is elliptical.

[0008] Further, it further includes a bearing and a pair of seal structures respectively abutting against both end faces of the bearing, the bearing is assembled in the mounting hole, and the intermediate shaft is connected to the bearing.

[0009] Further, the mounting hole includes a first section and a second section arranged coaxially; the first section is close to the front bulkhead connecting plate, the second section is far from the front bulkhead connecting plate, the aperture of the first section is larger than that of the second section, and the bearing and the oil seal structure are arranged in the second section.

[0010] Further, a limiting step is provided on the inner wall of the mounting hole, and the limiting step is located at one end away from the end face of the mounting seat, and the oil seal structure abuts against the limiting step.

[0011] Further, the support member is integrally cast.

[0012] Further, the intermediate joint fork includes a pipe body, a pair of first connecting plates, and a pair of second connecting plates; the pair of first connecting plates protrude from one end of the pipe body to form a joint fork structure for universal rotational connection with the intermediate shaft; the pair of second connecting plates protrude from the other end of the pipe body to form a joint fork structure for universal rotational connection with the steering gear joint fork.

[0013] The present application further provides a vehicle, including a front bulkhead and the above-mentioned intermediate shaft assembly. Front engine compartments and a driver's cab are provided on both sides of the front bulkhead, and the support member is fixed to the side of the front bulkhead facing the driver's cab.

[0014] In the present application, the intermediate shaft, the steering column joint fork, the intermediate joint fork, and the steering gear joint fork form three universal joint structures, which improve the degree of freedom of the intermediate shaft assembly, enabling the intermediate shaft assembly to reduce the required installation space by changing the part layout. At the same time, the front bulkhead of the vehicle is used to fix the intermediate shaft assembly, eliminating the need to provide a fixing point on the steering column of the vehicle and simplifying the structure.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and do not limit this specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and form a part of the specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present specification, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present specification.

[0017] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an intermediate shaft assembly in an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a structural diagram of the support member when installing the seal, bearing, and oil seal structure;

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a sectional view of the support member when installing the seal, bearing, and oil seal structure;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Description of the reference numerals in the drawings: intermediate shaft, 10; inner shaft, 11; outer shaft, 12; dust cover, 13; first joint fork, 14; second joint fork, 15; steering column joint fork, 20; intermediate joint fork, 30; pipe body, 31; first connecting plate, 32; second connecting plate, 33; steering gear joint fork, 40; support member, 50; front panel connecting plate, 51; lug, 511; fixing hole, 512; mounting seat, 52; end face, 521; mounting hole, 53; first section, 531; second section, 532; limiting step, 533; seal, 60; bearing, 70; oil seal structure, 80; oil seal ring, 81; oil seal fixing ring, 82; front panel, 90; front engine compartment, 901; cockpit, 902. Detailed implementation manners

[0022] Here, the technical solutions in the embodiments (or "implementation manners") of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. When the following description involves the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements.

[0023] If there are terms related to directional indication or positional relationship in the embodiments of the present application (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inner, outer, top, bottom, center, vertical, horizontal, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, counterclockwise, clockwise, axial, radial, circumferential, etc.), such terms are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings); if this specific posture changes, then the directional indication or positional relationship will also change accordingly. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of convenient description and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] The traditional intermediate shaft assembly has a low degree of freedom, and its layout form on the vehicle is relatively single, making it difficult to make adaptive changes to the reduction of the installation space by changing the layout form. The present application provides an intermediate shaft assembly and a vehicle to solve the related technical problems.

[0025] As Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown, the present application provides an intermediate shaft assembly for use in a vehicle. The intermediate shaft assembly includes an intermediate shaft 10, a steering column joint fork 20, an intermediate joint fork 30, a steering gear joint fork 40, and a support member 50. One end of the intermediate shaft 10 is rotatably connected to the steering column joint fork 20 in a universal joint manner, and the end of the intermediate shaft 10 facing away from the steering column joint fork 20 is rotatably connected to one end of the intermediate joint fork 30 in a universal joint manner. The end of the intermediate joint fork 30 facing away from the intermediate shaft 10 is rotatably connected to the steering gear joint fork 40 in a universal joint manner. The intermediate shaft 10 is fixed to the support member 50, and the support member 50 is used to connect to the front panel 90 of the vehicle.

[0026] The intermediate shaft 10, the steering column joint fork 20, the intermediate joint fork 30 and the steering gear joint fork 40 form three universal joint structures, which improve the degree of freedom of the intermediate shaft assembly, enabling the intermediate shaft assembly to reduce the required installation space by changing the part layout. Specifically, by changing the relative angles of the intermediate shaft 10, the steering column joint fork 20, the intermediate joint fork 30 and the steering gear joint fork 40, the intermediate shaft assembly tends to be vertically arranged to reduce the space occupied in the vehicle's front-rear direction.

[0027] Since the intermediate shaft assembly is provided with three universal joint structures, it is necessary to fix and limit the intermediate shaft 10 to prevent the intermediate shaft 10 from swinging during operation. The present application is provided with a support member 50 to restrain the swinging tendency of the intermediate shaft 10. Moreover, the support member 50 is fixed to the front bulkhead 90 of the vehicle, eliminating the need to set fixed points on the relatively complex vehicle steering column, thus simplifying the structure.

[0028] As Figure 4 shown, the present application also provides a vehicle, including a front bulkhead 90 and the above-mentioned intermediate shaft assembly. The two sides of the front bulkhead 90 are provided with a front engine compartment 901 and a cockpit 902, and the support member 50 is fixed to the side of the front bulkhead 90 facing the cockpit 902. Compared with the front engine compartment 901, the cockpit 902 has a larger space. The support member 50 is fixed to the front bulkhead 90 from the cockpit 902, with simple installation and high assembly efficiency. The vehicle of the present application can be a passenger vehicle, a commercial vehicle, etc., and the specific vehicle type is not limited.

[0029] As Figure 1 shown, the intermediate shaft 10 may include an inner shaft 11, an outer shaft 12, a dust cover 13, a first joint fork 14 and a second joint fork 15. The inner shaft 11 is sleeved inside the outer shaft 12, and the two are connected by splines and installed slidably to improve the assembly convenience. A nylon coating layer is provided on the external splines of the inner shaft 11, which can improve the wear resistance of the inner shaft 11 and the sliding smoothness between the inner shaft 11 and the outer shaft 12. A dust cover 13 is provided between the inner shaft 11 and the outer shaft 12 to prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering and avoid affecting the sliding effect.

[0030] The first joint fork 14 and the second joint fork 15 are respectively fixed to both ends of the intermediate shaft 10. The first joint fork 14 is first press-fitted with the inner shaft 11 through splines and then fixed to the inner shaft 11 by welding. The second joint fork 15 is first press-fitted with the outer shaft 12 through splines and then fixed to the outer shaft 12 by welding.

[0031] The steering column yoke 20 is installed on the steering column of the vehicle. The steering gear yoke 40 is installed on the steering gear of the vehicle. The first yoke 14 and the steering column yoke 20 can be connected by a cross shaft equipped with a needle bearing. The first yoke 14 and the steering column yoke 20 are press-fitted into the cross shaft to achieve the universal rotation connection between the intermediate shaft 10 and the steering column yoke 20. The specific manner of achieving the universal rotation connection between the intermediate shaft 10 and the steering column yoke 20 is not limited.

[0032] The intermediate yoke 30 can be provided with corresponding yoke structures at both ends. The yoke structure at one end of the intermediate yoke 30 and the second yoke 15 can be assembled by a cross shaft equipped with a needle bearing to achieve the universal rotation connection between the intermediate yoke 30 and the intermediate shaft 10. The yoke structure at the other end of the intermediate yoke 30 and the steering gear yoke 40 can also be assembled by a cross shaft equipped with a needle bearing to achieve the universal rotation connection between the intermediate yoke 30 and the steering gear yoke 40. The specific manner of achieving the universal rotation connection between the intermediate yoke 30 and the intermediate shaft 10, and between the intermediate yoke 30 and the steering gear yoke 40 is not limited.

[0033] As Figure 1 shown, the intermediate yoke 30 can include a tube body 31, a pair of first connecting plates 32 and a pair of second connecting plates 33. The pair of first connecting plates 32 protrude from one end of the tube body 31 to form a yoke structure for universal rotation connection with the intermediate shaft 10. The pair of second connecting plates 33 protrude from the other end of the tube body 31 to form a yoke structure for universal rotation connection with the steering gear yoke 40. The intermediate yoke 30 is hollow and integrally formed, which reduces the manufacturing difficulty of the intermediate yoke 30 and improves the production efficiency of the intermediate shaft assembly. At the same time, the strength of the intermediate yoke 30 is increased and the stability of the intermediate shaft assembly is improved.

[0034] In production and manufacturing, the torque fluctuation of the intermediate shaft assembly can be optimized by reasonably setting the phase angle between the yokes. The phase angle between the yokes refers to the included angle between the connecting axes of the yokes. The included angle between the first yoke 14 and the second yoke 15 is the phase angle A, that is: Figure 1 the included angle between the first axis and the second axis in is the phase angle A. The included angle of the yoke structures at both ends of the intermediate yoke 30 is the phase angle B, that is: Figure 1 the included angle between the third axis and the fourth axis in is the phase angle B.

[0035] In an embodiment, the phase angle A can be 0°, that is: the first axis and the second axis are parallel. The phase angle B can be -52°, that is: on the projection of the axis of the intermediate yoke 30 and in the direction from the first connecting plate 32 to the second connecting plate 33, the third axis coincides with the fourth axis after rotating 52° clockwise. The specific size of the phase angle of the intermediate shaft assembly is not limited.

[0036] As Figure 2As shown, the support member 50 can be integrally cast to improve the strength of the support member 50, thereby improving the stability of the intermediate shaft assembly. Specifically, the support member 50 can be cast aluminum, which has high strength and light weight. The support member 50 can include a front wall connecting plate 51 and a mounting seat 52. The front wall connecting plate 51 is fixed to the front wall 90 of the vehicle. The mounting seat 52 is formed by extending from the front wall connecting plate 51 toward one side. The support member 50 can be provided with a mounting hole 53. The mounting hole 53 passes through the front wall connecting plate 51 and the mounting seat 52. The intermediate shaft 10 is mounted in cooperation with the mounting hole 53.

[0037] Since the mounting seat 52 is formed by extending from the front wall connecting plate 51 toward one side, the side of the support member 50 away from the mounting seat 52 can be fixed to the front wall panel 90 of the vehicle, which reduces the occupied volume of the support member 50, further reduces the volume occupied by the intermediate shaft assembly, and improves the adaptability of the intermediate shaft assembly to a smaller installation space. The mounting seat 52 can be tilted relative to the front wall connecting plate 51 to meet the installation requirements of the intermediate shaft 10.

[0038] The dash connecting plate 51 may be elliptical, which can improve the internal stress distribution, reduce the risk of stress concentration, and improve the installation stability of the intermediate shaft assembly. The dash connecting plate 51 may be provided with a lug 511, and a fixing hole 512 is provided on the lug 511. The support member 50 may be screwed to the dash panel 90 through the fixing hole 512.

[0039] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the intermediate shaft assembly may further include a seal 60. The seal 60 is mounted to the support member 50 so that the support member 50 is sealedly connected to the front panel 90 of the vehicle to prevent moisture and dust in the front cabin 901 from entering the cockpit 902. Specifically, the seal 60 may be glued to the side of the front panel connecting plate 51 away from the mounting seat 52. When the support member 50 is screwed to the front panel 90 through the fixing hole 512, the seal 60 is deformed and sealed against between the support member 50 and the front panel 90. The seal 60 may be a sealing lip made of rubber, and the specific material and structure are not limited.

[0040] The intermediate shaft assembly may further include a bearing 70 and a pair of oil seal structures 80 respectively abutting against the two end surfaces of the bearing 70. The bearing 70 is assembled in the mounting hole 53, and the intermediate shaft 10 is connected to the bearing 70. By providing the bearing 70, the intermediate shaft 10 is supported and ensured to rotate smoothly during the power transmission process, thereby improving the stability of the vehicle steering. The bearing 70 may be a needle bearing, and the specific type is not limited. The oil seal structures 80 are provided on the two end surfaces of the bearing 70, which can play a sealing role and prevent moisture and dust from entering the cockpit 902.

[0041] In one embodiment, the mounting hole 53 may include a first section 531 and a second section 532 arranged coaxially. The first section 531 is close to the front wall connecting plate 51, and the second section 532 is far from the front wall connecting plate 51. The aperture of the first section 531 is larger than that of the second section 532. In the axial direction of the mounting hole 53, the projection of the second section 532 is located within the projection of the first section 531. The bearing 70 and the oil seal structure 80 are arranged in the second section 532. Since during the assembly process, the intermediate shaft 10 needs to pass through the mounting hole 53, by increasing the section of the mounting hole 53 where the bearing 70 and the oil seal structure 80 are not installed, the intermediate shaft 10 can pass through the mounting hole 53 more easily, reducing the assembly difficulty of the intermediate shaft 10 and improving the assembly efficiency of the intermediate shaft assembly.

[0042] In one embodiment, a limiting step 533 is provided on the inner wall of the mounting hole 53. The limiting step 533 is located at one end far from the end face 521 of the mounting seat 52. The oil seal structure 80 abuts against the limiting step 533. By providing the limiting step 533, the assembly efficiency of the intermediate shaft assembly is improved. During assembly, an oil seal structure 80, a bearing 70, and another oil seal structure 80 can be press-fitted into the mounting hole 523 in sequence.

[0043] After the press-fitting is completed, a limiting structure can also be formed at a position of the mounting hole 53 close to the end face 521 by means of spin riveting. There are limits on both sides of the whole formed by the bearing 70 and the oil seal structure 80, preventing the oil seal structure 80 or the bearing 70 from falling off from the mounting hole 53 and improving the stability of the intermediate shaft assembly.

[0044] The specific structural form of the oil seal structure 80 is not limited. In one embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the oil seal structure 80 may include an oil seal ring 81 and an oil seal fixing ring 82. The oil seal fixing ring 82 can be made of nylon material. The oil seal ring 81 can be made of rubber. During assembly, the oil seal ring 81 is first snapped into the oil seal fixing ring 82 and then press-fitted into the mounting seat 52.

[0045] It should be noted that the technical solutions or technical features described in the above embodiments can be combined or supplemented with each other without conflict. The scope of protection of this application is not limited to the precise structures described in the above embodiments and shown in the drawings; all modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this application shall be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An intermediate shaft assembly, applied to a vehicle, characterized in that: include: Intermediate shaft, steering column yoke, intermediate yoke, steering gear yoke and support parts; One end of the intermediate shaft is universally connected to the steering column yoke, and one end of the intermediate shaft away from the steering column yoke is universally connected to one end of the intermediate yoke; one end of the intermediate yoke away from the intermediate shaft is universally connected to the steering gear yoke; The intermediate shaft is fixed to the support member, and the support member is used to be connected to a dash panel of a vehicle.

2. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a seal mounted to the support member so that the support member is sealingly connected to the dash panel of the vehicle.

3. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support member includes a front wall connecting plate and a mounting seat extending from the front wall connecting plate toward one side. The support member is provided with a mounting hole passing through the front wall connecting plate and the mounting seat. The intermediate shaft is mounted in cooperation with the mounting hole.

4. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The front wall connecting plate is oval in shape.

5. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a bearing and a pair of oil seal structures respectively abutting against the two end surfaces of the bearing. The bearing is assembled in the mounting hole, and the intermediate shaft is connected to the bearing.

6. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mounting hole includes a first section and a second section which are coaxially arranged; the first section is close to the front enclosure connecting plate, and the second section is far away from the front enclosure connecting plate, the aperture of the first section is larger than the aperture of the second section, and the bearing and the oil seal structure are arranged in the second section.

7. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner wall of the mounting hole is provided with a limiting step, the limiting step is located at an end away from the end surface of the mounting seat, and the oil seal structure abuts against the limiting step.

8. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support member is integrally cast.

9. The intermediate shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate yoke includes a tube body, a pair of first connecting plates and a pair of second connecting plates; the pair of first connecting plates protrude from one end of the tube body to form a yoke structure universally connected to the intermediate shaft; the pair of second connecting plates protrude from the other end of the tube body to form a yoke structure universally connected to the steering gear yoke.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: include: A dash panel and an intermediate shaft assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a front cabin and a cockpit are arranged on both sides of the dash panel, and the support member is fixed to the side of the dash panel facing the cockpit.

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