Torque calibration clamp of steering gear input shaft

Abstract

The utility model discloses a torque calibration clamp for an input shaft of a steering gear, and solves the technical problems that the conventional torque calibration equipment is relatively complex in overall structure and is not suitable for torque calibration in a research and development stage. The calibration clamp comprises a positioning assembly, a driving assembly and a connecting assembly. The positioning assembly comprises a base, a sleeve arranged on the base and a supporting frame. The sleeve is vertically mounted at one end of the base and connected with one end of a steering gear input shaft; the supporting frame is installed at the other end of the base and used for supporting the driving assembly. The driving assembly comprises a driving wheel, a lead screw, a nut and two fixing bases. The two fixing seats are mounted at the two ends of the supporting frame; the nut sleeves the screw rod and is in sliding connection with the upper surface of the support frame; the two ends of the lead screw are installed on the two fixing bases respectively, and one end of the lead screw is connected with the driving wheel. And the other end of the connecting assembly is connected with the other end of the input shaft of the steering gear. The clamp is simple in structure and high in use flexibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a torque calibration fixture, in particular to a torque calibration fixture for an automobile steering input shaft. Background Art

[0002] The automotive steering gear effectively and appropriately converts the steering torque and steering angle from the steering wheel, thereby acting on the steering rod structure and effectively controlling the vehicle's driving direction. The torque angle sensor, typically located on the steering gear input shaft, measures the torque transmitted between the steering wheel and the steering gear and converts the torque into a duty cycle signal for output. The quality of this duty cycle directly impacts vehicle handling, especially safety at high speeds. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the accuracy of the torque angle sensor's dual-channel linear operating range. This accuracy is typically achieved by calibrating the torque of the steering gear input shaft torque angle sensor subassembly.

[0003] Existing techniques often use a two-point oscillation method for calibration. For example, Chinese Patent Publication No. CN116989935A discloses a torque sensor midpoint calibration device and method, which uses automated equipment to rapidly calibrate the steering sensor midpoint. However, this device's overall structure is relatively complex and is suitable for use in production and assembly processes. However, its use in torque calibration processes during the R&D phase is costly and inflexible. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to solve the technical problem that the existing torque calibration equipment has a relatively complex overall structure and is not suitable for torque calibration in the research and development stage, and to provide a torque calibration fixture for the input shaft of an automobile steering gear.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, the technical solutions provided by this utility model are:

[0006] A torque calibration fixture for the input shaft of an automobile steering gear has the following features:

[0007] Including positioning components, driving components and connecting components;

[0008] The positioning assembly includes a base, a sleeve and a support frame arranged on the base;

[0009] The base is a rectangular structure, and the sleeve is vertically installed at one end of the base in the length direction, and is used to connect one end of the steering gear input shaft; the support frame is a long strip structure, which is installed at the other end of the base in the length direction, and its length direction is consistent with the width direction of the base, and is used to support the drive assembly;

[0010] The driving assembly includes a driving wheel, a screw rod, a nut and two fixing seats;

[0011] Two fixing seats are located above the support frame and are respectively installed at both ends of the support frame; the nut is sleeved on the screw rod and is slidably connected to the upper surface of the support frame; the two ends of the screw rod are rotatably installed on the two fixing seats, and one end of the screw rod is connected to the driving wheel;

[0012] One end of the connecting assembly is mounted on the upper end of the nut, and the other end is used to connect to the other end of the steering gear input shaft.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting assembly is a torque wrench, one end of which is provided with a fixed block, which is installed on the upper end of the nut; one end of the torque wrench is connected to the fixed block through a universal bearing, and the other end is used to connect to the other end of the steering input shaft through a sleeve.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes two support plates installed on the base, and the two support plates are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the sleeve for supporting the outer shell of the steering gear.

[0015] Furthermore, a slide groove is provided on the upper surface of the support frame along its length direction, and a slider matching the slide groove is provided on the lower end surface of the nut. The slider is installed in the slide groove to realize sliding connection between the nut and the upper surface of the support frame.

[0016] Furthermore, mounting holes are respectively provided on the two fixing seats, and both ends of the screw rod are respectively installed in the corresponding mounting holes through bearings.

[0017] Furthermore, the driving wheel is a self-locking handwheel.

[0018] Furthermore, the sleeve is a spline sleeve.

[0019] Furthermore, the support frame and the base are an integrated structure, and a weight-reducing groove is provided at the bottom of the support frame.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. This utility model includes a positioning assembly, a drive assembly, and a connecting assembly. During use, the two ends of the steering gear input shaft are connected to the sleeve and connecting assembly, respectively. The drive wheel then drives the lead screw to rotate, moving the drive nut. This, in turn, causes the connecting assembly to deflect the steering gear input shaft to a corresponding angle. This, combined with a torque angle sensor and a PC, allows for torque calibration. This fixture has a simple structure, securely clamps the steering gear input shaft, and provides high calibration accuracy.

[0022] 2. The connection component of the present invention selects a torque wrench, and one end of the torque wrench is connected to the fixed block through a universal bearing, so that the torque wrench can be deflected to a corresponding angle, further improving the calibration accuracy.

[0023] 3. The present invention further comprises two support plates. When the steering gear input shaft with the outer shell installed is calibrated, the support plates can support the outer shell, thereby improving the stability of the steering gear input shaft installation during the calibration process.

[0024] 4. The utility model has a compact structure, low cost and high flexibility, and is particularly suitable for use in the early research and development stage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the positioning component in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the connecting assembly in the embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0029] 1-base, 2-sleeve, 3-support frame, 31-slide, 32-weight reduction groove, 4-steering gear input shaft, 5-drive wheel, 6-screw, 7-nut, 8-fixed seat, 81-mounting hole, 9-fixing block, 10-universal bearing, 11-sleeve, 12-support plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the purpose, advantages and features of the present invention more clear, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] This utility model primarily focuses on the calibration process of the steering gear input shaft angle sensor / torque angle sensor subassembly, completing the measurement of torque during left and right rotation, fixing the rotation angle, and writing the sensor torque value. The steering gear input shaft is the core component for reading torque signals within the steering gear. Its two-point calibration process directly impacts subsequent programming and testing of the input shaft assembly, as well as the functionality of the steering gear. Therefore, calibrating its left and right positions is crucial.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 , this embodiment provides a torque calibration fixture for a steering gear input shaft, including a positioning component, a driving component and a connecting component.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 The positioning assembly includes a base 1, a sleeve 2 and a support frame 3 arranged on the base 1, wherein the upper surface of the base 1 is a rectangular structure, the sleeve 2 is a spline sleeve, which is vertically installed at one end of the length direction of the base 1 and is used to connect (spline connection) one end of the steering gear input shaft 4 (one end of the steering gear input shaft 4 is an external spline) to fix it.

[0034] The support frame 3 is an elongated structure, mounted at the other end of the base 1 in the longitudinal direction, with its length aligned with the width of the base 1. It is used to support the drive assembly. The support frame 3 and base 1 can be designed as a one-piece structure or as a separate structure. This embodiment uses a one-piece structure, and a weight-reducing groove 32 is provided at the bottom of the support frame 3 to reduce the weight of the clamp and make it more flexible.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 The drive assembly includes a drive wheel 5, a screw rod 6, a nut 7, and two fixing seats 8. The two fixing seats 8 are located above the support frame 3 and are respectively installed at both ends of the support frame 3. The nut 7 is sleeved on the screw rod 6 and is slidably connected to the upper surface of the support frame 3. Specifically, the upper surface of the support frame 3 is provided with a slide groove 31 along its length, and the lower end surface of the nut 7 is provided with a slider that matches the slide groove 31. By installing the slider in the slide groove 31, the nut 7 is slidably connected to the upper surface of the support frame 3.

[0036] The two fixing seats 8 are respectively provided with mounting holes 81, and the ends of the screw rod 6 are respectively mounted in the corresponding mounting holes 81 through bearings. The driving wheel 5 is mounted on one end of the screw rod 6 and is located outside the fixing seat 8. The driving wheel 5 is a self-locking handwheel that can be rotated at a corresponding angle.

[0037] One end of the connecting assembly is mounted on the upper end of the nut 7 , and the other end is used to connect to the other end of the steering gear input shaft 4 .

[0038] Reference Figure 3 The connecting component of this embodiment is a torque wrench, one end of which is provided with a fixed block 9, which is installed on the upper end of the nut 7; one end of the torque wrench is connected to the fixed block 9 through a universal bearing 10, and the other end is used to connect to the other end of the steering gear input shaft 4 through a sleeve 11.

[0039] In order to ensure that the outer shell of the steering gear is supported after the outer shell is installed, this embodiment also includes two support plates 12 installed on the base 1. The two support plates 12 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the sleeve 2 to support the outer shell of the steering gear, thereby realizing the calibration of the steering gear input shaft torque after the outer shell is installed.

[0040] In order to prevent the components in the fixture from interfering with the torque angle sensor and causing calibration deviation, in this embodiment, the base 1, sleeve 2, support frame 3, drive wheel 5, screw 6, nut 7, fixing seat 8, fixing block 9, torque wrench and other related accessories are all demagnetized using austenitic stainless steel.

[0041] The method of using the torque calibration fixture of the steering gear input shaft in this embodiment is as follows:

[0042] (1) Loading: The operator inserts one end of the steering input shaft 4 into the sleeve 2. Prior to this, the torque angle sensor has been welded to the steering input shaft 4 according to process requirements.

[0043] (2) Plug in the wires: Connect the TAS wiring harness connector of the PC to the socket of the torque angle sensor.

[0044] (3) Pushing the socket head: Insert the socket head 11 of the torque wrench into the other end of the steering input shaft 4 and press the two together.

[0045] (4) Torque wrench measurement: Rotate the drive wheel 5, which drives the screw 6 to rotate. At this time, the nut 7 drives the fixed block 9 to move axially along the screw 6. Driven by the fixed block 9, the torque wrench deflects at a corresponding angle along the universal bearing 10, thereby driving the sleeve 11 to rotate. The sleeve 11 also causes the steering input shaft 4 to twist. When the torque reaches the specified position, stop the rotation of the drive wheel 5. Since it is a self-locking handwheel, the torque wrench stays at this specified position. At this time, read the torque value displayed on the torque wrench. At the same time, the torque angle sensor transmits the collected information to the PC, and the electronic control software loaded on the PC calculates and calibrates the angle torque.

[0046] According to the above method, the torque wrench is rotated forward and reverse respectively, thereby completing the high-precision calibration of the torque of the steering gear input shaft 4.

[0047] (5) Disassembly: After calibration, return the torque wrench sleeve 11 to its original position and separate the sleeve 11 from the steering input shaft 4. Then, disassemble the wiring harness of the torque angle sensor and remove the steering input shaft 4.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or that some or all of the technical features therein may be replaced with equivalents. Such modifications or replacements do not deviate from the essence of the corresponding technical solutions within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A torque calibration fixture for a steering gear input shaft, characterized by: Including positioning components, driving components and connecting components; The positioning assembly comprises a base (1), a sleeve (2) and a support frame (3) arranged on the base (1); The upper surface of the base (1) is a rectangular structure, and the sleeve (2) is vertically mounted on one end of the base (1) in the longitudinal direction and is used to connect one end of the steering input shaft (4); the support frame (3) is a long strip structure, which is mounted on the other end of the base (1) in the longitudinal direction, and its longitudinal direction is consistent with the width direction of the base (1), and is used to support the drive assembly; The driving assembly comprises a driving wheel (5), a screw rod (6), a nut (7) and two fixing seats (8); Two fixing seats (8) are located above the support frame (3) and are respectively mounted on the two ends of the support frame (3); the nut (7) is sleeved on the screw rod (6) and is slidably connected to the upper surface of the support frame (3); the two ends of the screw rod (6) are respectively rotatably mounted on the two fixing seats (8), and one end thereof is connected to the driving wheel (5); One end of the connecting assembly is mounted on the upper end of the nut (7), and the other end is used to connect to the other end of the steering gear input shaft (4).

2. The torque calibration fixture for the steering gear input shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting assembly is a torque wrench, one end of which is provided with a fixing block (9), which is mounted on the upper end of a nut (7); one end of the torque wrench is connected to the fixing block (9) via a universal bearing (10), and the other end is used to connect to the other end of the steering gear input shaft (4) via a sleeve (11).

3. The torque calibration fixture for the steering input shaft according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also includes two support plates (12) mounted on the base (1). The two support plates (12) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the sleeve (2) and are used to support the outer shell of the steering gear.

4. The torque calibration fixture for the steering input shaft according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper surface of the support frame (3) is provided with a slide groove (31) along its length direction, and the lower end surface of the nut (7) is provided with a slider matching the slide groove (31), and the sliding connection between the nut (7) and the upper surface of the support frame (3) is achieved by installing the slider in the slide groove (31).

5. The torque calibration fixture for the steering input shaft according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two fixing seats (8) are respectively provided with mounting holes (81), and both ends of the screw rod (6) are respectively mounted in the corresponding mounting holes (81) through bearings.

6. The torque calibration fixture for the steering input shaft according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving wheel (5) is a self-locking hand wheel.

7. The torque calibration fixture for the steering input shaft according to claim 6, characterized in that: The sleeve (2) is a spline sleeve.

8. The torque calibration fixture for the steering input shaft according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support frame (3) and the base (1) are an integrated structure, and a weight-reducing groove (32) is provided at the bottom of the support frame (3).

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