Automobile steering column structure

Abstract

The utility model belongs to an automobile steering column structure in the technical field of automobile steering systems. Comprising an upper tubular column (1) and a lower tubular column (2), the upper tubular column (1) and the lower tubular column (2) are connected in a sleeved mode, a concave upper tubular column stamping point (3) is arranged on the portion, close to the lower end, of the upper tubular column (1), a concave lower tubular column stamping point (4) is arranged on the portion, close to the upper end, of the lower tubular column (2), and the upper tubular column stamping point (3) and the lower tubular column stamping point (4) are clamped together. According to the automobile steering column structure, the number of parts can be reduced, the crumple structure is relatively simple, sliding crumple is achieved, meanwhile, product crumple reliability is improved, and safety of a driver is protected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of automobile steering systems, and more specifically relates to an automobile steering column structure. Background Art

[0002] With the growing number of car users and the increasing frequency of car collision accidents, car collision safety is becoming increasingly important. Existing steering column sliding and collapsing structures require a component, typically a plastic part or a combination of plastic and one or more sets of steel balls, between the upper and lower column tubes where the steering column slides and collapses. This ensures the consistency of the steering column's collapsing force, allowing the steering column to maintain a force close to the design requirements during a collision, preventing the steering system from causing further damage to the driver. This type of collapsing structure, designed to protect the driver, has numerous and complex components, resulting in relatively low reliability and failing to effectively meet vehicle usage requirements.

[0003] The prior art includes a technology entitled "A Cost-Effective Cantilever Steering Column" and having a publication (announcement) number of "CN207809500U." This technology relates to a cost-effective cantilever steering column, comprising a lower guard tube adjacent to a mounting bracket and a telescopically adjustable upper guard tube. The upper portion of the upper guard tube is provided with a retraction limit block. The lower guard tube is connected to the mounting and adjustment bracket, which has a positioning mounting hole. The bottom of the lower guard tube is provided with an open groove, in which a column pull-out limit block is provided. This column assembly uses a compression bracket composed of multiple stamped metal plates and a steel pipe to replace the traditional cast aluminum lower guard tube assembly. In addition, a sophisticatedly designed multifunctional telescopic adjustment limit block is used to simultaneously meet the requirements of telescopic adjustment travel limit, initial crushing force, and maximum rotational torque of the upper and lower guard tubes, thereby reducing the cost of the current cantilever column without sacrificing the high natural frequency and good adjustment force of the cantilever column.

[0004] However, this technology does not involve the technical problems and technical solutions of the present application. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: in view of the deficiencies of the existing technology, a steering column structure for an automobile is provided which can reduce the number of parts, make the collapse structure relatively simple, realize sliding collapse, and at the same time improve the product collapse reliability and protect the safety of the driver.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] The utility model discloses a steering column structure for an automobile, comprising an upper column and a lower column. The upper column and the lower column are sleeved and connected. A recessed upper column stamping point is provided near the lower end of the upper column, and a recessed lower column stamping point is provided near the upper end of the lower column. The upper column stamping point and the lower column stamping point are clamped together.

[0008] The steering wheel mounting shaft includes an upper section, a lower section and a middle section. The middle section is provided with a hollow structure. The lower end of the upper section is interference fit in the hollow structure. The upper end of the lower section is interference fit in the hollow structure.

[0009] The upper pipe string and the lower pipe string are connected by interference fit.

[0010] The lower end of the upper pipe column is sleeved on the outer portion of the upper end of the lower pipe column, and the lower pipe column punching point of the lower pipe column is clamped in the upper pipe column punching point of the upper pipe column.

[0011] The steering wheel mounting shaft passes through the interior of the upper tube column and the lower tube column.

[0012] The upper end of the steering wheel mounting shaft and the upper end of the upper tube column are movably connected via an upper bearing.

[0013] The lower end of the steering wheel mounting shaft and the lower end of the lower pipe column are movably connected via a lower bearing.

[0014] The upper pipe column and the lower pipe column are both metal pipe fittings.

[0015] The technical solution of this utility model is adopted, and the working principle and beneficial effects are as follows:

[0016] The automobile steering column structure of the present invention is characterized in that, during the structural configuration, an upper column and a lower column are separately fabricated, and then the upper column and the lower column are joined together. After the upper column and the lower column are joined together, a stamping component is used to stamp the overlapping portion of the upper column and the lower column, thereby forming a recessed upper column stamping point near the lower end of the upper column and a recessed lower column stamping point near the upper end of the lower column. The upper column stamping point and the lower column stamping point are then clamped together, reliably constraining the relative positions of the upper column and the lower column, ensuring the structural reliability of the upper column and the lower column under normal vehicle operation. When a vehicle is involved in a head-on collision, the driver will continue to move forward due to inertia. After the driver hits the steering wheel, due to the presence of the steering sliding collapse structure and the force exerted by the driver's body, the impact force exerted on the upper column and the lower column of the steering column is greater than the force connecting the upper column and the lower column, causing the two to slip and the steering column to collapse, thus achieving impact cushioning and reducing the damage to the driver caused by the collision. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The following is a brief description of the contents and symbols in the drawings of this specification:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the automobile steering column structure according to the present invention;

[0019] The marks in the accompanying drawings are: 1. Upper tube column; 2. Lower tube column; 3. Upper tube column stamping point; 4. Lower tube column stamping point; 5. Steering wheel mounting shaft; 6. Upper section of mounting shaft; 7. Lower section of mounting shaft; 8. Hollow structure; 9. Upper bearing; 10. Lower bearing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, such as the shapes, structures, positions and connections of the various components involved, the functions and working principles of the various components, etc., by referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] As attached Figure 1 As shown, the utility model is a vehicle steering column structure comprising an upper column 1 and a lower column 2. The upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are connected in a sleeve-type manner. The upper column 1 has a recessed upper column stamping point 3 near the lower end, and the lower column 2 has a recessed lower column stamping point 4 near the upper end. The upper column stamping point 3 and the lower column stamping point 4 are clipped together. The above structure addresses the shortcomings of the existing technology and provides an improved technical solution. When setting up the structure, the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are made separately, and then the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are connected by fitting. After the two are fitted in place, the overlapping parts of the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are punched by a stamping component, thereby forming a recessed upper column punching point 3 near the lower end of the upper column 1 and a recessed lower column punching point 4 near the upper end of the lower column 2. At this time, the upper column punching point 3 and the lower column punching point 4 are clamped together, which reliably constrains the relative position of the upper column 1 and the lower column 2, ensuring the structural reliability of the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 under normal vehicle use conditions. When a vehicle is in a head-on collision while driving, the driver will continue to move forward due to inertia. When the driver strikes the steering wheel, the steering sliding collapse structure and the driver's body force cause the impact force on the upper column tube 1 and lower column tube 2 of the steering column to exceed the force connecting the upper column 1 and lower column 2. This causes the upper column 1 and lower column 2 to slip, and the steering column collapses, cushioning the impact and reducing collision damage to the driver. The automotive steering column structure described in this utility model reduces the number of components, resulting in a relatively simple collapse structure, achieving sliding collapse, and improving product collapse reliability, thereby protecting driver safety.

[0022] The steering wheel mounting shaft 5 comprises an upper mounting shaft section 6, a lower mounting shaft section 7, and a middle mounting shaft section 11. The middle mounting shaft section 11 is provided with a hollow structure 8. The lower end of the upper mounting shaft section 6 is interference fit within the hollow structure 8, and the upper end of the lower mounting shaft section 7 is interference fit within the hollow structure 8. With the above structure, when the steering wheel mounting shaft 5 is in normal use of the vehicle, the upper mounting shaft section 6, the lower mounting shaft section 7, and the middle mounting shaft section 11 are normally connected. When a head-on collision occurs while the vehicle is driving, the driver hits the steering wheel due to inertia. Due to the presence of the steering sliding collapse structure, under the force of the driver's body, the upper mounting shaft section 6 and the lower mounting shaft section 7 collapse relative to the middle mounting shaft section 11. At the same time, the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 collapse to protect safety.

[0023] The upper and lower columns 1 and 2 of the steering column are connected by an interference fit. In this structure, the dimensions of the upper and lower columns 1 and 2 are carefully controlled during design, resulting in an interference fit after assembly. Furthermore, the impact point is designed to effectively ensure a secure interface during normal use. Only in a head-on collision will the upper and lower columns 1 and 2 collapse due to the applied force.

[0024] The lower end of the upper column 1 is sleeved onto the outer portion of the upper end of the lower column 2, and the lower column stamping point 4 of the lower column 2 is clamped into the upper column stamping point 3 of the upper column 1. With the above structure, when machining the steering column, the upper and lower columns are sleeved into place and then impacted to form overlapping upper and lower column impact points, which are recessed to achieve reliable constraint of the structures of the two.

[0025] The steering wheel mounting shaft 5 passes through the interior of the upper column 1 and the lower column 2. The upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are both metal pipes. The metal pipes have good strength and long service life. The upper end of the steering wheel mounting shaft 5 and the upper end of the upper column 1 are movably connected via an upper bearing 9. The lower end of the steering wheel mounting shaft 5 and the lower end of the lower column 2 are movably connected via a lower bearing 10. The above structure ensures that the steering wheel mounting shaft is reliably driven to rotate when the steering wheel is rotated, thereby realizing reliable transmission of steering power. The bearings effectively eliminate friction and improve rotation flexibility.

[0026] The automobile steering column structure described in the present invention is that when the structure is set up, an upper column 1 and a lower column 2 are made separately, and then the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are connected by fitting. After the two are fitted in place, the overlapping parts of the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are punched by a punching component, thereby forming a recessed upper column punching point 3 near the lower end of the upper column 1, and a recessed lower column punching point 4 near the upper end of the lower column 2. At this time, the upper column punching point 3 and the lower column punching point 4 are clamped together, which reliably constrains the relative position of the upper column 1 and the lower column 2, ensuring that the upper column 1 and the lower column 2 are structurally reliable under normal vehicle use conditions. When a vehicle is in a head-on collision while driving, the driver will continue to move forward due to inertia. After the driver hits the steering wheel, due to the existence of the steering sliding collapse structure and under the force of the driver's body, the impact force exerted on the upper column tube 1 and the lower column tube 2 of the steering column is greater than the force connecting the upper column 1 and the lower column 2, the two slip and the steering column collapses, achieving impact cushioning, reducing the damage to the driver caused by the collision, and protecting the driver's safety.

[0027] The above is an exemplary description of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned method. As long as various improvements are made using the method concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the concept and technical solution of the present invention are directly applied to other occasions without improvement, they are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automobile steering column structure, characterized in that: The upper pipe column (1) and the lower pipe column (2) are connected in a sleeve manner. A recessed upper pipe column punching point (3) is provided near the lower end of the upper pipe column (1), and a recessed lower pipe column punching point (4) is provided near the upper end of the lower pipe column (2). The upper pipe column punching point (3) and the lower pipe column punching point (4) are clamped together.

2. The automobile steering column structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steering wheel mounting shaft (5) comprises an upper mounting shaft section (6), a lower mounting shaft section (7), and a middle mounting shaft section (11). The middle mounting shaft section (11) is provided with a hollow structure (8). The lower end of the upper mounting shaft section (6) is interference fit within the hollow structure (8), and the upper end of the lower mounting shaft section (7) is interference fit within the hollow structure (8).

3. The automobile steering column structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The upper pipe column (1) and the lower pipe column (2) are connected by interference fit.

4. The automobile steering column structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower end of the upper pipe column (1) is sleeved on the outside of the upper end of the lower pipe column (2), and the lower pipe column punching point (4) of the lower pipe column (2) is clamped in the upper pipe column punching point (3) of the upper pipe column (1).

5. The automobile steering column structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The steering wheel mounting shaft (5) passes through the interior of the upper tube column (1) and the lower tube column (2).

6. The automobile steering column structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper end of the steering wheel mounting shaft (5) and the upper end of the upper tube column (1) are movably connected via an upper bearing (9).

7. The automobile steering column structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lower end of the steering wheel mounting shaft (5) and the lower end of the lower column (2) are movably connected via a lower bearing (10).

8. The automobile steering column structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The upper pipe column (1) and the lower pipe column (2) are both metal pipe fittings.

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