Steering wheel for vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a steering wheel for a vehicle. The steering wheel includes a steering wheel center body, a rim assembly disposed about the steering wheel center body and including a first rim and a second rim symmetrically disposed with respect to a first reference line, and a drive assembly configured to drive the rim assembly, the first wheel flange and the second wheel flange can move relative to each other, so that the wheel flange assembly can stretch or contract. For the situation that highly automatic driving is applied to a vehicle, the steering wheel body of a smaller size can be obtained, and therefore the space occupied by the steering wheel body is minimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of vehicles, and particularly to a steering wheel for vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Manual driving is the driving control carried out through subjective operation by a human. The steering wheel is a wheel-shaped or similar wheel-shaped device for a driver to manipulate the driving direction of a vehicle, and its function is to convert the force applied by the driver to the edge of the steering wheel into torque and then transmit it to the steering shaft. An autonomous vehicle refers to a vehicle that can autonomously drive without the operation of a driver or a passenger. When the vehicle is driving autonomously, the driver does not need to operate the steering wheel, and in this case, the steering wheel will affect the activity space of the driver's seat. The shape and size of a traditional steering wheel are fixed and do not have the function of adjusting the size of the steering wheel.

[0003] Currently, there already exists a technology of folding the steering wheel by rotating the holding part of the steering wheel, so as to obtain more activity space for the driver's seat. However, during and after the folding or unfolding process of the steering wheel, it is inconvenient for the driver to manually operate the steering wheel, which will bring some potential safety risks, and the folding method cannot quantitatively adjust the size of the steering wheel.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a steering wheel for vehicles, which can achieve quantitative adjustment of the size of the steering wheel, and even during and after the adjustment process of the steering wheel, the driver can operate the steering wheel.

[0005] The above statement of the background art is only for facilitating the in-depth understanding of the technical solution of the utility model (such as the technical means used, the technical problems solved, and the technical effects produced, etc.), and should not be regarded as an admission or any form of implication that this information constitutes the prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a steering wheel for vehicles, which can achieve the adjustment of the size of the steering wheel.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the utility model, there is provided a steering wheel for vehicles, which includes: a steering wheel central body; a rim assembly, which is arranged around the steering wheel central body and includes a first rim and a second rim symmetrically arranged; and a driving assembly, which is configured to drive the rim assembly so that the first rim and the second rim can move relative to each other, so that the rim assembly can extend or contract.

[0008] The first rim and the second rim may be symmetric with respect to the first reference line, and under the drive of the drive assembly, the first rim and the second rim may move in opposite directions along the second reference line, and the second reference line is set to be perpendicular and intersecting with the first reference line in the same plane.

[0009] The drive assembly may include: a rotating body rotatably disposed at the center body of the steering wheel, and the rotating body is formed with a first transmission groove and a second transmission groove. When the rotating body rotates to the first rotation position, the first end of each of the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove is located on the second reference line and forms a first distance along the second reference line between the center point of the rotating body. When the rotating body rotates to the second rotation position, the second end of each of the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove is located on the second reference line and forms a second distance along the second reference line between the center point of the rotating body, and the first distance is greater than the second distance; transmission members including a first transmission member and a second transmission member restricted to move along the second reference line, the first transmission member is connected to the first rim and is in sliding fit with the first transmission groove, and the second transmission member is connected to the second rim and is in sliding fit with the second transmission groove.

[0010] The steering wheel for a vehicle may further include: a spoke assembly including a first spoke and a second spoke, the first spoke extends along the second reference line and is connected between the first rim and the first transmission member, and the second spoke extends along the second reference line and is connected between the second rim and the second transmission member.

[0011] The center body of the steering wheel may form a first receiving groove matching the first spoke and a second receiving groove matching the second spoke; each of the first receiving groove and the second receiving groove may be formed with a rib extending in a direction parallel to the second reference line, and each of the first spoke and the second spoke is formed with a groove matching the rib.

[0012] The rib may be formed on two opposite side walls of each of the first receiving groove and the second receiving groove.

[0013] The drive assembly may further include: a rotating motor having an output shaft that outputs a rotational force; a gear connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor; the rotating body is formed with a gear structure meshing with the gear, so that the rotational force output by the output shaft of the rotating motor is transmitted to the rotating body, and thus the rotating body can rotate.

[0014] A perforation extending along a third reference line may be formed in the center of the steering wheel center body, and the steering wheel center body rotates around the third reference line; the rotating body includes a disc portion and a cylindrical portion connected together along the third reference line, the cylindrical portion is arranged to pass through the perforation in the center of the steering wheel center body, and a gear structure is formed on the outer wall of the cylindrical portion away from the rotating body, the disc portion is arranged above the perforation along the third reference line, and the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove are formed in the disc portion.

[0015] The rim assembly may further include: a third rim, both ends of which are respectively sleeved outside the first rim and the second rim, so that the rim assembly forms a continuous ring.

[0016] The third rim may include at least one third rim unit sleeved together, and the third rim units located at the head and tail of the third rim are sleeved outside the first rim or the second rim.

[0017] Adopting the above technical solutions, the present utility model has the following beneficial effects: for the case of highly automated driving of vehicles, the present utility model can obtain a steering wheel body with a smaller size, thereby minimizing the space occupied by the steering wheel body. Compared with the method of folding the steering wheel by rotating the rim of the steering wheel, the size of the steering wheel for vehicles of the present utility model can be quantitatively adjusted, so as to meet the different requirements of different users for the size of the steering wheel. In addition, even during the process of adjusting the size of the steering wheel, the driver can manually operate the steering wheel to rotate at any time to cope with special situations that require manual driving. The steering wheel for vehicles of the present utility model has a simple structure and only uses one rotating motor, with low cost. Description of the Drawings

[0018] The exemplary embodiments of the present utility model will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. For clarity, the same components in different drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the drawings only serve as a schematic illustration and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In these drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of a steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 is a front view of a steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 is an exploded structural view of a steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 4A is a schematic view of the state where the rim assembly is extended according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0023] Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram of the state of contraction of the rim assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5A It is a schematic diagram of the state of the drive assembly when the rim assembly is extended according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5B It is a schematic diagram of the state of the drive assembly when the rim assembly is contracted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure between the transmission member and the rim assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7A It is a schematic diagram of the state of the rim assembly of the steering wheel for a vehicle when extended according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7B It is a schematic diagram of the state of the rim assembly of the steering wheel for a vehicle when contracted according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] The following gives a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are implemented on the premise of the technical solution of the present invention, and detailed implementation manners and specific operation processes are given. However, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a front view of the steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is an exploded view of the structure of the steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In combination with Figures 1 to 3 , the steering wheel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a steering wheel center body 100, a rim assembly 200, a drive assembly, and a cover body 400.

[0031] The rim assembly 200 is disposed around the steering wheel center body 100, and the rim assembly 200 includes a first rim 210 and a second rim 220. The first rim 210 and the second rim 220 are symmetrically arranged with respect to a first reference line L1.

[0032] Specifically, the first reference line L1 refers to the central axis extending in the up and down direction of the steering wheel central body 100 when the steering wheel central body 100 is in the neutral position (in this position, the vehicle steered by the steering wheel is in a straight-ahead state). The directional terms "up" and "down" here refer to the "up" and "down" directions as seen by the driver sitting in the vehicle observing the steering wheel.

[0033] The first rim 210 and the second rim 220 can be respectively configured as arcs, and the cross-sections of the first rim 210 and the second rim 220 can be respectively circular, oval or elliptical. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In actual application, the first rim 210 and the second rim 220 can be configured according to the needs of vehicle styling and ergonomics.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly is configured to drive the rim assembly 200 such that the first rim 210 and the second rim 220 can move relative to each other, so that the rim assembly 200 can be extended or contracted, thereby changing the size of the steering wheel for the vehicle.

[0035] Specifically, Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the extended state of the rim assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the contracted state of the rim assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Combining Figure 4A and Figure 4B , under the drive of the drive assembly, the first rim 210 and the second rim 220 move in opposite directions along the second reference line L2 to change the distance between the first rim 210 and the second rim 220 along the second reference line L2, so that the rim assembly 200 can be extended or contracted, thereby changing the size of the steering wheel for the vehicle.

[0036] Specifically, the second reference line L2 refers to: the central axis extending in the left and right direction of the steering wheel central body 100 when the steering wheel central body 100 is in the neutral position. Here, the directional terms "left" and "right" refer to the "left" and "right" directions as seen by the driver sitting in the vehicle observing the steering wheel. Therefore, the relationship between the second reference line L2 and the first reference line L1 is: the second reference line L2 is perpendicular and intersects the first reference line L1 in the same plane.

[0037] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the state of the drive assembly when the rim assembly is extended according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the state of the drive assembly when the rim assembly is contracted according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the drive assembly will be described in detail in combination with Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B

[0038] The driving component includes a rotating body 310. The rotating body 310 is rotatably arranged at the center body 100 of the steering wheel, and the rotating body 310 is formed with a first transmission groove 311 and a second transmission groove 312. As Figure 3 and Figure 5A shown, when the rotating body 310 rotates to the first rotation position, the first end portions 311a, 312a of each of the first transmission groove 311 and the second transmission groove 312 are located on the second reference line L2 and form a first distance X along the second reference line L2 between the center point M of the rotating body 310. As Figure 3 and Figure 5B shown, when the rotating body 310 rotates to the second rotation position, the second end portions 311b, 312b of each of the first transmission groove 311 and the second transmission groove 312 are located on the second reference line L2 and form a second distance Y along the second reference line L2 between the center point M of the rotating body 310. Wherein, the first distance X is greater than the second distance Y.

[0039] The driving component includes a transmission member 320. The transmission member 320 includes a first transmission member 321 and a second transmission member 322 restricted to move along the second reference line L2. The first transmission member 321 is connected to the first rim 210 and is in sliding fit with the first transmission groove 311. The second transmission member 322 is connected to the second rim 220 and is in sliding fit with the second transmission groove 312.

[0040] Therefore, when the rotating body 310 rotates clockwise from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, taking the first transmission groove 311 and the first transmission member 321 as an example, each position in the first transmission groove 311 sequentially rotates to the second reference line L2, and the distance from the center point M of the rotating body 310 along the second reference line L2 to each position in the first transmission groove 311 continuously decreases from the first distance X to the second distance Y. Since the first transmission member 321 is in sliding fit with the first transmission groove 311, the first transmission member 321 can slide along the first transmission groove 311. In addition, since the first transmission member 321 is restricted to move along the second reference line L2, the first transmission member 321 can move following each position in the first transmission groove 311 rotating to the second reference line L2, and move from the first end portion 311a of the first transmission groove 311 to the second end portion 311b. That is, the first transmission member 321 moves to the right along the second reference line L2. Similarly, the second transmission member 322 can move from the first end portion 312a of the second transmission groove 312 to the second end portion 312b, that is, the second transmission member 322 moves to the left along the second reference line L2.

[0041] Since the first transmission member 321 is connected to the first rim 210 and the second transmission member 322 is connected to the second rim 220, the movement of the first transmission member 321 and the second transmission member 322 described above can cause the first rim 210 and the second rim 220 to move in opposite directions along the second reference line L2. Therefore, the rim assembly 200 contracts, and the size of the steering wheel for the vehicle becomes smaller.

[0042] Conversely, when the rotating body 310 rotates counterclockwise from the second rotation position to the first rotation position, the first transmission member 321 moves leftward along the second reference line L2, and the second transmission member 322 moves rightward along the second reference line L2. Therefore, the rim assembly 200 expands, and the size of the steering wheel for the vehicle becomes larger.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the first transmission groove 311 and the second transmission groove 312 is provided as an arc, and during one rotation of the rotating body 310, the distance from the center point M of the rotating body 310 to each position of the first transmission groove 311 or the second transmission groove 312 along the second reference line L2 continuously decreases or increases. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, as long as the first distance X formed between the first end portions 311a, 312a of the first transmission groove 311 or the second transmission groove 312 and the center point M of the rotating body 310 is greater than the second distance Y formed between the second end portions 311b, 312b of the first transmission groove 311 or the second transmission groove 312 and the center point M of the rotating body 310, each of the first transmission groove 311 and the second transmission groove 312 can be configured in any shape.

[0044] Preferably, the transmission member 320 can be a roller. In the sliding fit with the first transmission groove 321 and the second transmission groove 322, the roller can reduce frictional noise and resistance, making the expansion or contraction movement of the rim assembly 200 smoother and more upscale. However, the present invention does not limit the transmission member 310 to a roller.

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram between the transmission member and the rim assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 3 and Figure 6 shown, the steering wheel for the vehicle further includes a spoke assembly 500. The spoke assembly 500 includes a first spoke 510 and a second spoke 520. The first spoke 510 extends along the second reference line L2 and is connected between the first rim 210 and the first transmission member 321. The second spoke 520 extends along the second reference line L2 and is connected between the second rim 220 and the second transmission member 322. Therefore, the first transmission member 321 is connected to the first rim 210 and the second transmission member 322 is connected to the second rim 210.

[0046] In addition, the steering wheel center body 100 may form a first receiving groove 110 that matches the first spoke 510 and a second receiving groove 120 that matches the second spoke 520. Thus, each of the first spoke 510 and the second spoke 520 is restricted to move along the second reference line L2, that is, the first transmission member 321 and the second transmission member 322 are restricted to move along the second reference line L2.

[0047] Furthermore, each of the first receiving groove 110 and the second receiving groove 120 is formed with a rib 130 extending in a direction parallel to the second reference line L2, and each of the first spoke 510 and the second spoke 520 is formed with a groove 530 that matches the rib 130. Through the mutual matching between the rib 130 and the groove 530, the movement of the spoke assembly 500 will be more stable, that is, the stretching or contracting movement of the rim assembly 200 is more stable.

[0048] Preferably, the rib 130 may be formed on two opposite side walls of each of the first receiving groove 110 and the second receiving groove 120. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the rib 130 may also be formed on the bottom surface of each of the first receiving groove 110 and the second receiving groove 120.

[0049] When a driver operates a steering wheel for a vehicle to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel for the vehicle (i.e., the steering wheel center body 100) can rotate about a third reference line (not shown). A through hole 140 extending along the third reference line is formed in the center of the steering wheel center body 100. The rotating body 310 includes a disc portion 313 and a cylindrical portion 314 connected together along the third reference line.

[0050] The cylindrical portion 314 is arranged to pass through the through hole 140 of the steering wheel center body 100, the disc portion 313 is arranged above the through hole 140 along the third reference line, and the disc portion 313 is formed with the above-mentioned first transmission groove 311 and second transmission groove 312.

[0051] The drive assembly may further include a rotating motor 330 and a gear 340. The rotating motor 330 has an output shaft that outputs a rotational force. The gear 340 is connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor 330. Accordingly, the rotating body 310 (specifically, the cylindrical portion 314) is formed with a gear structure 315 that meshes with the gear 340, so that the rotational force output by the output shaft of the rotating motor 330 is transmitted to the rotating body 310. Therefore, the rotating body 310 can be rotatably arranged on the steering wheel center body 100.

[0052] Under the action of the forward or directional rotational force of the rotating electric machine 330, the rotating body 310 can rotate between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. Preferably, a button for controlling the rotating electric machine 330 can be provided. The button can be a hard key type button having a mechanical structure (for example, which is arranged at a position convenient for the driver to operate on the instrument panel) or a soft key type button displayed on a display (for example, an AVNT multimedia screen).

[0053] In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical portion 314 is formed with the above-mentioned gear structure 315 on the outer wall away from the rotating body 310. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gear structure 315 can also be formed on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 314. Correspondingly, when the gear structure 315 is formed on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 314, the positions of the rotating electric machine 330 and the gear 340 change accordingly.

[0054] Return to Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cover body 400 is arranged to cover the steering wheel center body 100, and there is still a large amount of space between the cover body 400 and the steering wheel center body 100, which can be used to place other structures required for the vehicle's steering wheel, such as an airbag. In addition, the cover body 400 is formed with a first opening 410 and a second opening 420 along the second reference line L2, so that the first spoke 510 can move in the first opening 410, and the second spoke 520 can move in the second opening 420.

[0055] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the state when the rim assembly of the steering wheel for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention is extended. Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the state when the rim assembly of the steering wheel for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention is contracted. Combining Figure 7A and Figure 7B , the rim assembly can further include two third rims 230. Both ends of each third rim 230 are respectively sleeved on the outside of the first rim 210 and the second rim 220, so that the rim assembly 200 forms a continuous ring.

[0056] Specifically, each third rim 230 can include at least one third rim unit 231 sleeved together. For example, the third rim 230 can include three third rim units 231 sleeved together. Correspondingly, the third rim units 231 located at the head and tail of the third rim 230 are sleeved on the outside of the first rim 210 or the second rim 220.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the distance between the first rim 210 and the second rim 220 of the steering wheel for a vehicle can be changed, so that the size of the steering wheel for a vehicle can be automatically adjusted. For the case where highly automated driving is applied to the vehicle, a steering wheel with a smaller size can be obtained, thereby minimizing the space occupied by the steering wheel.

[0058] Compared with the method of folding the steering wheel by rotating the rim of the steering wheel, the size of the steering wheel for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present utility model can be quantitatively adjusted, so as to meet the different requirements of different users for the size of the steering wheel.

[0059] In addition, even when the steering wheel is in the process of size adjustment, the driver can manually operate the rotation of the steering wheel for the vehicle at any time to cope with special situations that require manual driving.

[0060] Compared with the method of using two rotating motors to rotate the rim of the steering wheel, the structure of the steering wheel for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present utility model is simple, and only one rotating motor is used, with a simple structure and low cost.

[0061] The various embodiments of the present utility model are not an exhaustive list of all possible combinations, but are intended to describe the representative aspects of the present utility model, and the content described in the various embodiments can be applied independently or in combinations of two or more.

[0062] The description presented in the above exemplary embodiments is only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present utility model, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present utility model to the precise forms described. Obviously, many changes and variations are possible for those of ordinary skill in the art according to the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments are selected and described to explain the specific principles of the present utility model and its practical applications, so that other technical personnel in the art can understand, implement and utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the present utility model and their various alternative forms and modifications. The scope of protection of the present utility model is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A steering wheel for a vehicle, characterized in that, Comprising: A steering wheel center body; A rim assembly that is disposed around the steering wheel center body and includes a first rim and a second rim that are symmetrically disposed with respect to a first reference line; And A drive assembly configured to drive the rim assembly such that the first rim and the second rim can move in opposite directions relative to each other along a second reference line, so that the rim assembly can expand or contract. The second reference line is disposed perpendicular to and intersecting the first reference line in the same plane, and the drive assembly includes: A rotating body that is rotatably disposed on the steering wheel center body, and the rotating body is formed with a first transmission groove and a second transmission groove. When the rotating body rotates to a first rotation position, a first end of each of the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove is located on the second reference line and forms a first distance along the second reference line between the center point of the rotating body. When the rotating body rotates to a second rotation position, a second end of each of the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove is located on the second reference line and forms a second distance along the second reference line between the center point of the rotating body, and the first distance is greater than the second distance; A transmission member that includes a first transmission member and a second transmission member that are restricted to move along the second reference line. The first transmission member is connected to the first rim and is in sliding cooperation with the first transmission groove. The second transmission member is connected to the second rim and is in sliding cooperation with the second transmission groove.

2. The steering wheel for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: A spoke assembly that includes a first spoke and a second spoke. The first spoke extends along the second reference line and is connected between the first rim and the first transmission member. The second spoke extends along the second reference line and is connected between the second rim and the second transmission member.

3. The steering wheel for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steering wheel center body forms a first receiving groove that matches the first spoke and a second receiving groove that matches the second spoke; Each of the first receiving groove and the second receiving groove is formed with a rib that extends in a direction parallel to the second reference line, and each of the first spoke and the second spoke is formed with a groove that matches the rib.

4. The steering wheel for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rib is formed on two opposite side walls of each of the first receiving groove and the second receiving groove.

5. The steering wheel for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly further includes: A rotating motor that has an output shaft that outputs a rotational force; A gear that is connected to the output shaft of the rotating motor; The rotating body is formed with a gear structure that meshes with the gear, so that the rotational force output by the output shaft of the rotating motor is transmitted to the rotating body, so that the rotating body can rotate.

6. The steering wheel for a vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that, A through hole that extends along a third reference line is formed in the center of the steering wheel center body, and the steering wheel center body rotates around the third reference line; The rotating body includes a disc portion and a cylindrical portion that are connected together along the third reference line. The cylindrical portion is disposed to pass through the through hole in the center of the steering wheel center body, and the cylindrical portion forms the gear structure on the outer wall away from the rotating body. The disc portion is disposed above the through hole along the third reference line, and the disc portion is formed with the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove.

7. The steering wheel for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rim assembly further includes: A third rim, the two end portions of which are respectively sleeved on the outside of the first rim and the second rim, so that the rim assembly forms a continuous ring.

8. The steering wheel for a vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The third rim includes at least one third rim unit sleeved together, and the third rim units located at the head and tail of the third rim are sleeved outside the first rim or the second rim.

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