Friction energy absorption mechanism of electric steering column

Abstract

The utility model discloses a friction energy-absorbing mechanism of an electric steering column, which belongs to the technical field of automobile electric steering columns and comprises a second column tube, a telescopic part, a driving part and an energy-absorbing part, the energy-absorbing part comprises a first support, a second support, an energy-absorbing piece and two long strip blocks, the first support and the second support are connected in a butt joint mode to form a frame, and the two long strip blocks are connected in a butt joint mode. A clamping groove for containing the lead screw nut is formed in the bottom of the frame, the two long-strip-shaped blocks are arranged in square holes formed in the first support and the second support respectively, and V-shaped grooves are symmetrically formed in the two long-strip-shaped blocks. Bosses are arranged on the two sides of the energy absorption piece, a third square hole is formed in the bottom of the energy absorption piece, the energy absorption piece is arranged in the frame and is in sliding fit with the two V-shaped grooves through the bosses on the two sides, and springs are arranged at the grooves; and the bent part of the folded plate can be broken or deformed under the action of external force. The energy absorption piece slides in the V-shaped groove in the long strip block to achieve friction energy absorption, so that the accuracy and the energy absorption effect during collapse of the tubular column are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automotive electric steering columns, and particularly relates to a friction energy absorption mechanism for an electric steering column. Background Art

[0002] With the popularization of electric vehicles, as one of the key components of automobiles, the safety and energy absorption performance requirements of electric steering columns are increasing day by day. Traditional electric steering columns have problems such as limited energy absorption capacity and insufficient safety in collision accidents, making it difficult to effectively protect passengers and vehicles, and having a greater impact on the overall vehicle structure. Therefore, it is necessary to design a new type of electric steering column collapse energy absorption mechanism to improve its energy absorption performance and safety in collision accidents, while reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing the impact on the overall vehicle structure.

[0003] There is already an electric steering column collapse energy absorption mechanism. For example, in the electric steering column collapse energy absorption mechanism disclosed in the published specification of the Chinese invention patent CN116238581A, titled "Electric Steering Column Structure and Vehicle", when the device is impacted, the first connecting portion breaks at a predetermined break point. At this time, the transmission assembly is only connected to the first column tube through the second connecting portion. The first column tube stretches or compresses the second connecting portion under the action of gravity, and the collapse energy absorption is achieved through the deformation of the second connecting portion, playing a buffering role. The device has a good collapse energy absorption effect, but the movement form during the collapse of the column is not stable enough, and the structure is relatively complex. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Object of the Invention: The purpose of the utility model is to provide a friction energy absorption mechanism for an electric steering column aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art. When the column collapses, the long strip collides with the stop block, pushing the long strip to move in the opposite direction. The energy absorption part slides in the V-shaped groove of the long strip to achieve friction energy absorption, so as to improve the accuracy and energy absorption effect during the collapse of the column.

[0005] Technical solution: The friction energy absorption mechanism of an electric steering column described in the utility model comprises: a second column tube, in which a second core shaft is provided which is transmission-connected to a wheel assembly; a telescopic part, comprising a first core shaft and a first column tube, wherein one end of the first core shaft is connected to a steering wheel assembly, and the other end is transmission-connected to the second core shaft; a connecting piece, wherein the upper and lower ends of the connecting piece are respectively assembled with the energy absorption part and the first column tube by bolts; a driving part, comprising a motor and a screw rod, wherein the screw rod is transmission-connected to a screw rod nut to drive the energy absorption part, the telescopic part and the connecting piece to move synchronously; the energy absorption part , including a first bracket, a second bracket, an energy absorbing member and two long strips, the first bracket and the second bracket are butt-jointed to form a frame, a slot for accommodating the screw nut is provided at the bottom of the frame, the two long strips are respectively placed in the square holes opened on the first bracket and the second bracket, and V-shaped grooves are symmetrically provided on the two long strips; the energy absorbing member includes bosses on both sides and a third hole on the bottom, the energy absorbing member is arranged in the frame and slidably cooperates with the two V-shaped grooves through the bosses on both sides, and a spring is provided at the groove; the folding plate, the bending part of which can be broken or deformed under the action of external force;

[0006] A slot is provided at the top of the screw nut, and the energy absorbing member is connected to the slot of the screw nut via a folding plate provided at the third hole; when impacted, the folding plate breaks or deforms at the bend, and the energy absorbing member is disconnected from the screw nut, so that the energy absorbing part, the telescopic part and the connecting member move synchronously under the action of the impact force, and energy is absorbed during the movement through the friction between the energy absorbing member and the two V-grooves and the rupture of the folding plate.

[0007] The lead screw nut moves forward and backward under the drive of the motor, driving the energy absorbing part, the telescopic part and the connecting piece to move synchronously in the slide groove of the second column tube, realizing the automatic adjustment of the front and rear steering wheel of the car. When impacted, the bending part of the folding plate breaks, and the energy absorbing part is disconnected from the lead screw nut. At this time, the energy absorbing part, the telescopic part and the connecting piece collapse backward synchronously under the action of the impact force. After the two long blocks collide with the block, the long blocks move forward, and the energy absorbing part and the V-shaped groove in the long blocks absorb energy by friction, which plays a buffering role. At the same time, it can prevent the telescopic part and other components from collapsing further, avoiding secondary damage to the driver.

[0008] To further improve the above technical solution, an inner spline is provided on one end of the first mandrel facing the second mandrel, and an outer spline is provided on one end of the second mandrel facing the first mandrel.

[0009] Furthermore, a third assembly hole and a second assembly hole are respectively provided at the upper and lower ends of the connecting member, the upper end of the connecting member is assembled and connected to the first bracket through a bolt located in the third assembly hole, and the lower end of the connecting member is assembled and connected to the first column tube through a bolt located in the second assembly hole, thereby realizing synchronous movement of the energy absorbing part, the telescopic part and the connecting member.

[0010] Further, one end of the second column tube facing the first column tube is provided with a section of chute, and the connecting piece is configured to move back and forth in the chute.

[0011] Further, a limit seat is provided on the second column tube for restricting the movement range of the connecting piece.

[0012] Further, two stoppers are provided on the second column tube, and a gap is left between the two stoppers for the lead screw nut to pass through. The height of the stoppers is at least higher than the installation height of the long strip to restrict the movement of the long strip. The stoppers play a role in blocking the backward movement of the long strip during the crash energy absorption stage, enabling the long strip to move in the opposite direction to the energy absorption part to achieve frictional energy absorption.

[0013] Further, an opening is formed on the outside of the card slot, and a second limiting portion is formed on the inside for restricting the folding plate.

[0014] Further, fifth assembly holes and sixth assembly holes are respectively provided on the protruding parts at the upper ends of the first bracket and the second bracket, and bolts are passed through the fifth assembly hole and the sixth assembly hole to assemble the first bracket and the second bracket together.

[0015] Further, a groove is provided at the top of the energy absorption part, a spring is provided in the groove, and a ninth assembly hole is provided on the top of the first bracket corresponding to the groove. A first bolt is passed through the ninth assembly hole and sleeved with the spring. The spring is placed at the groove of the energy absorption part, which plays a stabilizing role in the upward movement of the energy absorption part during the crash energy absorption stage. One end of the folding plate passes through the third-party hole on the energy absorption part, and the other end is placed in the card slot of the lead screw nut, so that the energy absorption part can move synchronously with the lead screw nut.

[0016] Further, the folding plate is a rigid member or a flexible member; when the folding plate is a rigid member, a predetermined breaking point is provided at the bent part of the folding plate, and the predetermined breaking point breaks when impacted; when the folding plate is a flexible member, the bent part of the folding plate deforms when impacted.

[0017] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present utility model are as follows: In the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column of the present utility model, the energy absorption part mainly realizes the energy absorption effect through the friction between the convex platform on the energy absorption part and the V-shaped groove, without the need for complex mechanical devices, and can effectively convert the collision energy into frictional heat energy to achieve the energy absorption effect; and a spring is provided between the energy absorption part and the first bracket. Due to the structural characteristics of the V-shaped groove, the energy absorption part will move upward during the crash energy absorption stage, and at this time, the spring can maintain the stability of the energy absorption component; and the overall structure of this mechanism is simple and the cost is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 The structural schematic diagram of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to the embodiment of the present utility model is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 Shows an exploded view of the main part of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 Shows a schematic structural view of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention during the crushing energy absorption stage;

[0021] Figure 4 Shows a three-dimensional view of the connecting member of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 Shows a three-dimensional view of the first and second brackets of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 Shows a three-dimensional view of the lead screw nut of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 Shows a three-dimensional view of the energy absorption member of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 Shows a three-dimensional view of the second column tube of the friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Wherein: 1. Second column tube, 2. First column tube, 3. First core shaft, 10. Lead screw, 12. Connecting member, 13. Second core shaft, 28. Telescopic part, 29. Energy absorption part, 30. Driving part, 11. Lead screw nut, 14. Energy absorption member, 15. First bracket, 16. Second bracket, 17. First long block, 18. Second long block, 22. First bolt, 23. Spring, 24. Folding plate, 51. First V-shaped groove, 52. Second V-shaped groove, 47. First boss, 50. Stopper, 32. Second assembly hole, 33. Third assembly hole, 34. Fourth assembly hole, 35. Fifth assembly hole, 36. Sixth assembly hole, 39. Ninth assembly hole, 40. First square hole, 41. Second square hole, 42. First limiting part, 44. Card slot, 45. Second limiting part, 37. Third square hole, 46. Groove, 47. First boss, 48. Second boss, 43. Limiting seat, 49. Slide groove. Detailed implementation manners

[0027] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0028] Embodiment 1: As Figure 1The electric steering column friction energy absorption mechanism shown includes: a second column tube 1, in which a second core shaft 13 is arranged, and the second core shaft 13 is transmission-connected to the wheel assembly; a telescopic part 28, including a first core shaft 3 and a first column tube 2, one end of the first core shaft 3 is connected to the steering wheel assembly, and the other end is transmission-connected to the second core shaft 13 to achieve synchronous rotation, the first core shaft 3 is assembled in the first column tube 2 through a bearing, and the rotation of the first core shaft 3 will not affect the first column tube 2; a connecting member 12, the upper and lower ends of which are respectively assembled with the energy absorption part 29 and the first column tube 2 by bolts, the driving part 30 is transmission-connected to the screw nut 11 by a screw, and can drive the energy absorption part 29, the telescopic part 28 and the connecting member 12 to move forward and backward during normal use, so as to realize automatic front and rear adjustment of the steering wheel of the vehicle.

[0029] Specifically, the first mandrel 3 and the second mandrel 13 are connected by transmission to achieve synchronous rotation. The first mandrel 3 and the second mandrel 13 are connected by splines. An internal spline is provided at one end of the first mandrel 3 facing the second mandrel 13, and an external spline is provided at one end of the second mandrel 13 facing the first mandrel 3.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the second assembly hole 32 at the lower end of the connecting member 12 is assembled with the assembly hole on the first column tube 3 by bolts, and the third assembly hole 33 at the upper end of the connecting member 12 is assembled with the matching hole on the first bracket 16 by bolts, so as to realize the synchronous movement of the energy absorbing part 29, the telescopic part 28 and the connecting member 12.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, the second column tube 1 is provided with a slide groove 49 at one end facing the first column tube 2, and the connecting member 12 is configured to move forward and backward in the slide groove 49. The second column tube is also provided with a stopper 50 and a limit seat 43, on which the driving part 30 is assembled. The limit seat 43 can cooperate with the driving part 30 to limit the position, so as to realize the positioning of the driving part 30, and facilitate the alignment of the driving part 30 with the axis of the column tube. At the same time, the limit seat 43 assembles the driving part 30 with the second column tube 1 through bolts, so as to ensure the connection strength between the driving part 30 and the second column tube 1; the stopper 50 plays a role in blocking the long strip from moving backward in the collapse energy absorption stage, so that the long strip and the energy absorption part 29 move in the opposite direction, and realize friction energy absorption.

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, the upper raised parts of the first bracket 15 and the second bracket 16 are respectively provided with a fifth assembly hole 35 and a sixth assembly hole 36. Bolts are passed through the fifth assembly hole 35 and the sixth assembly hole 36 to assemble the first bracket 15 and the second bracket 16 together. The interiors of the first bracket 15 and the second bracket 16 are hollowed out, and the energy-absorbing member 14, the folding plate 24, and the lead screw nut 11 are arranged within the framework formed by the docking of the first bracket 15 and the second bracket 16.

[0033] Among them, the lower end of the first bracket 16 is provided with a fourth assembly hole 34. Bolts are passed through the third assembly hole 33 at the upper end of the connecting member 12 and the fourth assembly hole 34. The upper end of the first bracket is provided with a ninth assembly hole 39. The first bolt 22 is passed through the ninth assembly hole 39, and the spring 23 is arranged outside the first bolt 22.

[0034] In addition, the front and rear end faces of the first bracket 15 and the second bracket 16 are also provided with a first square hole 40 and a second square hole 41. The first long block 17 and the second long block 18 are correspondingly placed in the first square hole 40 and the second square hole 41, and the long blocks can only move forward and backward within the square holes.

[0035] It should be noted that in order to ensure that the energy-absorbing part 29 can move backward synchronously when the lead screw nut 11 moves backward, a first limiting part 42 is provided on the rear end face of the first bracket 15 and the second bracket 16. The rear end face of the lead screw nut 11 contacts the first limiting part 42 to achieve synchronous backward movement. At the same time, during the collapse energy-absorbing stage, after the energy-absorbing part 29 is disconnected from the lead screw nut 11, the backward movement of the energy-absorbing part 29 will not affect the lead screw nut 11.

[0036] As Figure 2 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, one end of the folding plate 24 parallel to the upper end face of the lead screw nut 11 is placed in the card slot 44 on the lead screw nut 11. Under the restriction of the second limiting part 45, the folding plate 24 will not move arbitrarily within the card slot 44. The other end of the folding plate 24 is inclined upward at a certain angle. During normal use, the lower end face of the energy-absorbing member 14 contacts the upper end face of the lead screw nut 11. Therefore, the inclined end of the folding plate 24 passes through the third square hole 37 of the energy-absorbing member 14. When the lead screw nut 11 moves forward, the inclined end of the folding plate 24 contacts the side of the third square hole 37 of the energy-absorbing member 14 to achieve synchronous movement of the energy-absorbing part 29 and the lead screw nut 11. During the collapse energy-absorbing stage, a predetermined breaking point is provided at the bending part of the folding plate 24, so that when the electric power steering column is impacted, it can break at the predetermined breaking point, thereby disconnecting the connection between the energy-absorbing member 14 and the lead screw nut 11 through the folding plate 24, and only retaining the connection between the first bracket 15 and the connecting member 12.

[0037] The folding plate 24 can be a rigid member. In this case, a predetermined break point is provided at the bending part of the folding plate 24, facilitating timely fracture when the folding plate 24 is impacted. The folding plate 24 can also be a deformable member. When impacted, the inclined end of the folding plate 24 will deform under the extrusion of the side of the third-party hole 37 of the energy-absorbing member 14. When the inclined end of the folding plate 24 deforms to be parallel to the other end, the energy-absorbing member 14 can pass through the folding plate 24 and continue to move backward.

[0038] A groove 46 is provided at the upper end of the energy-absorbing member 14. The lower end of the spring 23 is placed in the groove 46. The first bolt 22 passes through the ninth assembly hole 39 of the first bracket 15 and is arranged inside the spring 23. In the stage of collapse and energy absorption, the upward movement of the energy-absorbing member 14 compresses the spring 23. Due to the limitation of the groove 46 and the first bolt 22, the spring 23 will not deform arbitrarily.

[0039] In addition, a first boss 47 and a second boss 48 are respectively provided on both sides of the energy-absorbing member 14. The first boss 47 and the second boss 48 are respectively placed in the first V-shaped groove 51 and the second V-shaped groove 52 inside the first long strip 17 and the second long strip 18. In the stage of collapse and energy absorption, the bosses absorb energy through friction in the V-shaped grooves.

[0040] As Figure 3 shown, in the stage of collapse and energy absorption, the bending part of the folding plate 24 is fractured under impact, and the energy-absorbing member 14 is disconnected from the folding plate 24. The energy-absorbing part 29, the telescopic part 28 and the connecting member 12 remain connected and continue to collapse backward, while the lead screw nut 11 remains stationary due to self-locking. When collapsing a certain distance, due to the connection between the second column tube 1 and the vehicle assembly remaining stationary, the first long strip 17 and the second long strip 18 collide with the baffle 50 during the collapse process, causing the first long strip 17 and the second long strip 18 to move in the opposite direction of the collapse. At this time, the first boss 47 and the second boss 48 on the energy-absorbing member 14 undergo friction in the first V-shaped groove 51 and the second V-shaped groove 52, absorbing part of the impact. Due to the structural characteristics of the V-shaped grooves and the fact that the energy-absorbing member 14 is restricted inside the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 17, as the bosses move in the V-shaped grooves, the energy-absorbing member 14 gradually moves upward, and the spring 23 is compressed accordingly to play a role in buffering and stabilizing. Finally, the electric steering column stops collapsing under the action of buffering and energy absorption, avoiding secondary injury to the driver and improving the safety factor of the vehicle.

[0041] As described above, although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention itself. Various changes can be made to it in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A friction energy absorption mechanism for an electric steering column, characterized in that, include: A second column tube (1) is provided with a second spindle (13) drivingly connected to the wheel assembly; The telescopic part (28) comprises a first core shaft (3) and a first column tube (2), wherein one end of the first core shaft (3) is connected to the steering wheel assembly, and the other end is drivingly connected to the second core shaft (13); A connecting member (12), the upper and lower ends of which are respectively assembled with the energy absorbing portion (29) and the first column tube (2) by bolts; The driving part (30) comprises a motor and a screw rod (10), wherein the screw rod (10) is in driving connection with a screw rod nut (11) to drive the energy absorbing part (29), the telescopic part (28) and the connecting piece (12) to move synchronously; The energy absorbing part (29) comprises a first bracket (15), a second bracket (16), an energy absorbing member (14) and two long strips (17, 18); the first bracket (15) and the second bracket (16) are connected to form a frame; a slot for accommodating the screw nut (11) is provided at the bottom of the frame; the two long strips (17, 18) are respectively placed in square holes provided on the first bracket (15) and the second bracket (16); V-shaped grooves are symmetrically provided on the two long strips (17, 18); the energy absorbing member (14) comprises bosses on both sides and a third hole on the bottom; the energy absorbing member (14) is arranged in the frame and slidably cooperates with the two V-shaped grooves through the bosses on both sides; a groove (46) is provided at the top of the energy absorbing member (14); a spring (23) is provided in the groove (46); A folded plate (24), the folded portion of which can be broken or deformed under the action of an external force; The top end of the screw nut (11) is provided with a slot (44), and the energy absorbing member (14) is connected to the slot (44) of the screw nut via a folding plate (24) arranged at the third hole; when impacted, the folding plate (24) is broken or deformed at the bending part, and the energy absorbing member (14) is disconnected from the screw nut (11), so that the energy absorbing part (29), the telescopic part (28) and the connecting member (12) move synchronously under the impact force, and energy is absorbed during the movement through the friction between the energy absorbing member (14) and the two V-shaped grooves and the breaking of the folding plate (24).

2. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric power steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that An end of the first mandrel (3) facing the second mandrel (13) is provided with an internal spline, and an end of the second mandrel (13) facing the first mandrel (3) is provided with an external spline.

3. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper and lower ends of the connecting member (12) are respectively provided with a third assembly hole (33) and a second assembly hole (32); the upper end of the connecting member (12) is assembled and connected to the first bracket (15) via a bolt located in the third assembly hole (33); and the lower end of the connecting member (12) is assembled and connected to the first column tube (2) via a bolt located in the second assembly hole (32).

4. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric power steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the second column tube (1) facing the first column tube (2) is provided with a slide groove (49), and the connecting member (12) is configured to move forward and backward in the slide groove (49).

5. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric power steering column according to claim 4, wherein, The second column tube (1) is provided with a limit seat (43) for limiting the movement range of the connecting member (12).

6. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to claim 5, characterized in that, Two stoppers (50) are provided on the second column tube (1). A gap is left between the two stoppers (50) for the lead screw nut (11) to pass through. The height of the stopper (50) is at least higher than the installation height of the long strip (17) to limit the movement of the long strip (17).

7. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, An opening is formed on the outside of the card slot (44), and a second limiting portion (45) is formed on the inside for limiting the folding plate (24).

8. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric power steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, Raised portions at the upper ends of the first bracket (15) and the second bracket (16) are respectively provided with a fifth assembly hole (35) and a sixth assembly hole (36). Bolts are inserted through the fifth assembly hole (35) and the sixth assembly hole (36) to assemble the first bracket (15) and the second bracket (16) together.

9. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, A ninth assembly hole (39) is provided at the top of the first bracket (15) corresponding to the groove (46). A first bolt (22) is inserted through the ninth assembly hole (39) and sleeved with the spring (23).

10. The friction energy absorption mechanism of the electric power steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folding plate (24) is a rigid member or a flexible member; when the folding plate (24) is a rigid member, a predetermined breaking point is provided at the bending portion of the folding plate (24), and when impacted, the breaking occurs at the predetermined breaking point; when the folding plate (24) is a flexible member, the bending portion of the folding plate (24) will deform when impacted.

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