Steering column assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a steering column assembly and a vehicle, and the steering column assembly comprises a column main body structure which is provided with a mounting bracket; the crumple energy-absorbing bracket is fixed on an instrument desk cross beam, and the crumple energy-absorbing bracket is provided with a crumple channel along the axial direction of the tubular column main body structure; the collapse energy absorption bracket is connected with the mounting bracket through the falling block; the fixing piece is fixed on the mounting bracket and is arranged in the crumple channel in a penetrating manner; in the collision process, the falling-off block can absorb part of collision energy to be separated from the installation support, and the installation support can drive the fixing piece to slide along the crumple channel in a sliding mode to absorb part of collision energy. In the collision process, crumple energy absorption is continued through friction force which needs to be overcome when the fixing piece slides along the crumple channel, the structure is simple, energy absorption is stable, the crumple force can be adjusted by adjusting sliding friction force, and the requirement for the crumple force is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of vehicles, and in particular to a steering column assembly and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of automotive technology, the demand for vehicle safety is becoming increasingly stringent. Most existing automotive steering column assemblies incorporate a crumple energy-absorbing structure. When a vehicle experiences a violent frontal collision, the driver may experience a secondary collision with the steering wheel due to inertia. The crumple energy-absorbing structure in the steering column assembly absorbs some of the impact energy, thereby providing some protection for the driver.

[0003] Conventional steering column assembly crush energy absorption structures typically utilize two tear-off plates connected at one end to the steering column assembly's bracket, while the other ends of the two tear-off plates are fixedly connected to the instrument panel's crossbeam. During a collision, the upper column moves downward relative to the lower column, and the tear-off plates absorb some of the impact energy through stretching and tearing, thus achieving crush energy absorption. However, the tear-off plate manufacturing process is complex, and the strength of the tear-off area is difficult to adjust. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a steering column assembly and a vehicle to solve the technical problems that the steering column assembly uses the stretching and tearing of the tear plate to achieve collapse energy absorption, but there are complex manufacturing processes for the tear plate and the force strength of the tearing part is difficult to adjust.

[0005] The above-mentioned purpose of the present invention can be achieved by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0006] The utility model provides a steering column assembly, comprising: a column main structure, having a mounting bracket; a crush energy absorbing bracket, fixed on an instrument panel cross beam, the crush energy absorbing bracket being provided with a crush channel along the axial direction of the column main structure; a fall-off block, the crush energy absorbing bracket being connected to the mounting bracket via the fall-off block; a fixing member, fixed on the mounting bracket and passing through the crush channel; wherein, during a collision, the fall-off block can absorb part of the collision energy and separate from the mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket can drive the fixing member to slide and rub along the crush channel to absorb part of the collision energy.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the collapse channel has two sliding friction surfaces arranged opposite to each other, and the fixing member has a sliding friction portion, which is located between the two sliding friction surfaces and in friction contact with the two sliding friction surfaces.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the crush channel is arranged to pass through the crush energy absorbing bracket in the thickness direction, and the steering column assembly can adjust the magnitude of the friction between the sliding friction portion and the two sliding friction surfaces by adjusting the thickness of the crush energy absorbing bracket, the distance between the two sliding friction surfaces and / or the width of the sliding friction portion.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the two sliding friction surfaces is gradually reduced from top to bottom.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding friction surface includes a serrated surface extending along the axial direction of the column main body structure.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member is a fixing bolt, and the rod portion of the fixing bolt constitutes the sliding friction portion.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the head of the fixing bolt is clearance-matched with the crush energy absorbing bracket.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, a gap between the head of the fixing bolt and the crush energy absorbing bracket is 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, there are two shedding blocks, and the two shedding blocks are symmetrically arranged relative to the collapse channel.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the collapse energy absorbing bracket is provided with a joint, and the joint is interference fit into the fall-off block.

[0016] The utility model also provides a vehicle, comprising the steering column assembly.

[0017] The characteristics and advantages of this utility model are:

[0018] The steering column assembly and vehicle of the present invention, under normal conditions, utilize the connection between the shedding block and the mounting bracket to fix the crush energy absorbing bracket and the fixing member relative to the column main structure; during a collision, the shedding block can absorb part of the collision energy and separate from the mounting bracket, thereby causing the fixing member to slide along the crush channel relative to the crush energy absorbing bracket under the drive of the mounting bracket, thereby utilizing the friction force of the fixing member sliding along the crush channel to continue crushing and absorbing energy. The structure is simple, the energy absorption is stable, and the magnitude of the crush force can be adjusted by adjusting the magnitude of the sliding friction force to meet the crush force requirement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0020] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one side of the steering column assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the other side of the steering column assembly in the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the crush energy absorbing bracket in one embodiment of the present utility model.

[0023] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of a fixing member in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a partial side view of a steering column assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one side of a steering column assembly in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of a crush energy absorbing bracket in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 1. Pipe column main structure; 11. Mounting bracket; 111. Clamping part; 112. Clamping screw; 12. Inner pipe column; 13. Outer pipe column;

[0029] 2. Crush energy absorbing bracket; 21. Crush channel; 22. Joint; 23. Sliding friction surface; 231. Serrated surface; 24. Inner surface; 25. Outer surface;

[0030] 3. Falling off pieces;

[0031] 4. Fixing part; 41. Sliding friction part; 42. Limiting part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Implementation Method 1

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the utility model provides a steering column assembly, comprising: a column main structure 1, having a mounting bracket 11; a crush energy absorbing bracket 2, fixed on the instrument panel cross beam, and the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 is provided with a crush channel 21 along the axial direction of the column main structure 1; a falling block 3, the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 is connected to the mounting bracket 11 through the falling block 3; a fixing member 4, fixed on the mounting bracket 11 and passed through the crush channel 21; wherein, during a collision, the falling block 3 can absorb part of the collision energy and separate from the mounting bracket 11, and the mounting bracket 11 can drive the fixing member 4 to slide and rub along the crush channel 21 to absorb part of the collision energy.

[0035] The steering column assembly of the present invention, under normal conditions, utilizes the connection between the shedding block 3 and the mounting bracket 11 to fix the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 and the fixing member 4 relative to the column main structure 1; during a collision, the shedding block 3 can absorb part of the collision energy and separate from the mounting bracket 11, thereby causing the fixing member 4 to slide along the crush channel 21 relative to the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 under the drive of the mounting bracket 11, thereby utilizing the friction force required to be overcome by the fixing member 4 sliding along the crush channel 21 to continue crushing and absorbing energy. The structure is simple, the energy absorption is stable, and the magnitude of the crush force can be adjusted by adjusting the magnitude of the sliding friction force to meet the crush force requirement.

[0036] Specific, combined Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the column main structure 1 includes an inner column 12 connected to the steering wheel and an outer column 13 sleeved on the inner column 12. The mounting bracket 11 is mounted on the outer column 13. The mounting bracket 11 has two clamping parts 111, which are connected by clamping screws 112 and clamped to the two sides of the outer column 13. The outer column 13 has a sliding groove along its axial direction for the clamping screws 112 to pass through. Under normal conditions, the inner column 12, outer column 13, mounting bracket 11, crush energy absorbing bracket 2, dropout block 3, and fixing member 4 are relatively fixed. When the vehicle is subjected to a violent collision, after the steering wheel is squeezed by the driver, the friction between the two clamping parts 111 and the outer column 13 is first used to absorb the collision energy, causing the outer column 13 to slide relative to the mounting bracket 11 until the clamping screw 112 abuts the inner top wall of the slide groove. Then, the dropout block 3 absorbs part of the collision energy and separates from the mounting bracket 11, causing the column main structure 1 to drive the mounting bracket 11 downward and drive the fixing member 4 to slide down along the crush channel 21, thereby using the friction of the fixing member 4 sliding along the crush channel 21 to continue absorbing the collision energy and achieve crush energy absorption. The more specific structure of the column main structure 1 can be the same as the existing technology and will not be repeated here.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the number of the shedding blocks 3 is preferably two, and the two shedding blocks 3 are symmetrically arranged relative to the crush channel 21, so that the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 is more evenly stressed and the connection with the instrument panel cross beam is more stable. Specifically, the shedding block 3 can be injection molded and connected to the mounting bracket 11 through an injection pin. During the collision, the injection pin absorbs the collision energy and breaks, so that the shedding block 3 is separated from the mounting bracket 11. The crush energy absorbing bracket 2 is fixed to the instrument panel cross beam through the shedding block 3. The shedding block 3 can be fixedly connected to the instrument panel cross beam by bolt connection or other fixing methods.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 can be manufactured by stamping, bending or mechanical cutting of steel plates or steel bars, and has a simple structure, is easy to process and has low cost. The crush energy absorbing bracket 2 is provided with a joint 22, and the joint 22 is interference fit in the shedding block 3. The left and right ends of the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 are embedded in the two shedding blocks 3 through the joint 22. The shape of the joint 22 includes but is not limited to the ring shape in this embodiment. In some embodiments, the joint 22 is interference fit in the shedding block 3 during the injection molding process of the shedding block 3, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the joint 22 and the shedding block 3. In other embodiments, the joint 22 is interference fit in the shedding block 3 through assembly. Optionally, the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 can also be fixedly connected to the shedding block 3 in other fixed ways.

[0039] like Figure 1As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, the friction force that the fixing member 4 needs to overcome when sliding along the crush channel 21 includes the friction force generated by the frictional contact between the fixing member 4 and any part of the crush support 2. For example, the friction force may be generated by the frictional contact between the fixing member 4 and the surface of the crush support 2 located inside the crush channel 21, or the friction force may be generated by the frictional contact between the fixing member 4 and the surface of the crush support 2 located outside the crush channel 21.

[0040] Combine Figure 1 、 Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the collapse channel 21 has two sliding friction surfaces 23 arranged opposite to each other in the width direction W thereof, and the fixing member 4 has a sliding friction portion 41, which is located between the two sliding friction surfaces 23 and in frictional contact with the two sliding friction surfaces 23, that is, the width of the sliding friction portion 41 is greater than the spacing J1 between the two sliding friction surfaces 23, that is, the width of the sliding friction portion 41 is greater than the width of the collapse channel 21, so that the sliding friction portion 41 is in frictional contact with the two sliding friction surfaces 23.

[0041] Specific, combined Figure 3 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the upper end of the crush channel 21 is open to facilitate assembly of the crush support 2 and the sliding friction portion 41; the lower end of the crush channel 21 is closed. The length of the crush channel 21 extending axially along the column main structure 1 is the crush stroke. The crush channel 21 extends through the thickness direction H of the crush support 2. The steering column assembly can adjust the friction between the sliding friction portion 41 and the two sliding friction surfaces 23 by adjusting the thickness of the crush support 2, the spacing J1 between the two sliding friction surfaces 23, and / or the width of the sliding friction portion 41. The thicker the crush energy absorbing bracket 2, the larger the contact area between the sliding friction surface 23 and the sliding friction portion 41, and the friction force increases accordingly; conversely, the friction force decreases. The smaller the spacing J1 between the two sliding friction surfaces 23, the greater the extrusion force between the sliding friction portion 41 and the two sliding friction surfaces 23, and the friction force increases accordingly; conversely, the friction force decreases. The wider the sliding friction portion 41, the greater the extrusion force between the sliding friction portion 41 and the two sliding friction surfaces 23, and the friction force increases accordingly; conversely, the friction force decreases. Furthermore, the friction force can be adjusted by varying the surface roughness of the sliding friction portion 41 and the sliding friction surface 23.

[0042] like Figure 3 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 5As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member 4 is a fixing bolt, and the shank of the fixing bolt constitutes the sliding friction portion 41. The head of the fixing bolt is clearance-fitted with the crush energy absorbing bracket 2. Therefore, there is no force acting between the head of the fixing bolt and the crush energy absorbing bracket 2, which does not affect the sliding of the shank of the fixing bolt along the crush channel 21. The clearance J2 between the head of the fixing bolt and the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 is 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm. The outer diameter of the shank of the fixing bolt is 10 mm, and the width of the crush channel 21 is less than 10 mm.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the distance J1 between the two sliding friction surfaces 23 is gradually set from top to bottom, so that when the sliding friction part 41 slides from top to bottom, the friction force between the sliding friction part 41 and the sliding friction surface 23 gradually increases, thereby being able to utilize the gradually increasing friction force to achieve more reliable collapse energy absorption.

[0044] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in other embodiments of the present invention, the sliding friction surface 23 includes a serrated surface 231 extending axially along the main structure 1 of the tubular column. The serrations of the serrated surface 231 are not specifically limited and can be wavy or V-shaped. By adjusting parameters such as the length, pitch, height, and width of the serrated surface 231, the force between the sliding friction portion 41 and the serrated surface 231 can be varied, thereby adjusting the collapse force.

[0045] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in other embodiments of the present invention, the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 has an inner surface 24 and an outer surface 25 arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction H thereof, and the fixing member 4 further has a limiting portion 42. The outer surface 25 of the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 is in frictional contact with the limiting portion 42. Therefore, the friction force that the fixing member 4 needs to overcome when sliding along the crush channel 21 includes the friction force between the outer surface 25 of the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 and the limiting portion 42. The limiting portion 42 can be formed by the head of the fixing bolt. In addition, the inner surface 24 of the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 can be in frictional contact with the mounting bracket 11. The friction force that the fixing member 4 needs to overcome when sliding along the crush channel 21 can also include the friction force between the inner surface 24 of the crush energy absorbing bracket 2 and the mounting bracket 11.

[0046] Implementation Method 2

[0047] Combine Figure 1 As shown, the present invention further provides a vehicle including a steering column assembly. The specific structure, working principle and beneficial effects of the steering column assembly in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0048] The above are only several embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to the embodiments of the present invention based on the contents disclosed in the application documents without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A steering column assembly, characterized in that: include: The main structure of the pipe column has a mounting bracket; A crush energy absorbing bracket is fixed on the instrument panel crossbeam, and the crush energy absorbing bracket is provided with a crush channel along the axial direction of the column main structure; a shedding block, the collapse energy absorbing bracket being connected to the mounting bracket via the shedding block; a fixing member, fixed to the mounting bracket and passing through the collapse channel; During the collision, the falling block can absorb part of the collision energy and separate from the mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket can drive the fixing member to slide and rub along the collapse channel to absorb part of the collision energy.

2. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The collapse channel has two sliding friction surfaces arranged opposite to each other, and the fixing member has a sliding friction portion. The sliding friction portion is located between the two sliding friction surfaces and is in friction contact with the two sliding friction surfaces.

3. The steering column assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The crush channel is arranged to penetrate along the thickness direction of the crush energy absorbing bracket, and the steering column assembly can adjust the magnitude of the friction between the sliding friction part and the two sliding friction surfaces by adjusting the thickness of the crush energy absorbing bracket, the distance between the two sliding friction surfaces and / or the width of the sliding friction part.

4. The steering column assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The distance between the two sliding friction surfaces is gradually reduced from top to bottom.

5. The steering column assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The sliding friction surface includes a serrated surface extending along the axial direction of the column main body structure.

6. The steering column assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing member is a fixing bolt, and the rod portion of the fixing bolt constitutes the sliding friction portion.

7. The steering column assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The head of the fixing bolt is clearance-matched with the crush energy absorbing bracket.

8. The steering column assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The gap between the head of the fixing bolt and the crush energy absorbing bracket is 0.5mm to 5mm.

9. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the shedding blocks is two, and the two shedding blocks are symmetrically arranged relative to the collapse channel.

10. The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The collapse energy absorbing bracket is provided with a joint, and the joint is interference fit into the falling block.

11. A vehicle, characterized in that: A steering column assembly comprising any one of claims 1-10.

Images