Electric adjusting tubular column

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of steering columns, in particular to an electric adjusting column, which comprises a steering inner column tube with a first end connected with a steering wheel, a steering outer column tube sleeved on the steering inner column tube, and a support rod respectively connected with the steering outer column tube and the steering inner column tube, the supporting rod can support the steering inner column pipe. Through the arrangement of the supporting rods, when the part, extending out of the steering outer column pipe, of the steering inner column pipe is long, the supporting rods connected with the steering outer column pipe can support the steering inner column pipe, and through connection of the supporting rods, the steering outer column pipe and the steering inner column pipe form a whole; the structural rigidity of the steering inner column tube in the extending state is improved, so that the overall structure is more stable; when the steering wheel arranged at the first end of the steering inner column pipe is pulled or pressed down by a driver, the steering inner column pipe, the steering outer column pipe and the supporting rod can stably support the steering wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of steering columns, in particular to an electric adjustment column. Background Art

[0002] In the iteration and evolution of autonomous driving, the steering wheel can be stored and unfolded through the length adjustment mechanism of the electric control column. In order to reserve more space in the cockpit, the electric control column needs to have a longer adjustment stroke and a faster storage speed. Considering the cost, a single-screw motor and a single-stacked tube are generally used to achieve this. At the same time, the long-stroke electric control column must also take into account the driving needs of a general column when it is not stored, which requires the column to have high rigidity when it is fully extended.

[0003] For example, a long-stroke electrically adjustable column is generally used with a folding steering wheel. The general storage requirements are: it can be stretched 50mm outward and retracted (stored) 150-200mm inward. The long-stroke electrically adjustable column still needs to take into account the driving needs of a general column when it is not stored or after being stretched 50mm in length. This requires the steering column to have high rigidity when it is not stored or in a fully extended state.

[0004] In particular, when a driver applies force to the steering wheel in a horizontal or vertical direction to pull or press the steering wheel, the steering wheel needs to have a certain degree of support. However, the existing single-stack tube column has poor support when it is extended too long. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above problems existing in the prior art, the utility model provides an electrically adjustable pipe string.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is solved by the following technical solutions:

[0007] An electric adjustment column comprises an inner steering column tube whose first end is connected to a steering wheel and an outer steering column tube sleeved on the inner steering column tube.

[0008] It also includes support rods connected to the outer steering column tube and the inner steering column tube respectively, and the support rods can support the inner steering column tube.

[0009] Preferably, a first connecting piece for radially limiting the support rod is fixedly provided on the steering outer column tube, and the support rod can reciprocate in the axial direction relative to the first connecting piece.

[0010] Preferably, a through hole is provided on the first connecting member; the first connecting member is sleeved on the supporting rod through the through hole.

[0011] Preferably, a self-lubricating bearing is fixedly provided in the through hole, and the first connecting member is sleeved on the support rod through the self-lubricating bearing in the through hole.

[0012] Preferably, a second connecting piece is fixedly provided on the steering inner column tube; and the support rod is fixedly connected to the second connecting piece.

[0013] Preferably, a first connecting hole is formed on the second connecting member, and the second connecting member is sleeved through the first connecting hole and fixed on the steering inner column tube.

[0014] Preferably, a second connecting hole is formed on the second connecting member, and the support rod is passed through and fixed in the second connecting hole.

[0015] Preferably, a mounting platform is provided on the circumferential outer side wall of the support rod, and the support rod on the side of the mounting platform close to the steering wheel is fixedly connected to the second connecting hole by means of threads.

[0016] Preferably, the support rod on the side of the mounting platform close to the steering wheel is provided with an external thread;

[0017] When the support rod passes through the second connecting hole, the external thread cooperates with the nut to fix the support rod in the second connecting hole.

[0018] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the support rod on the side of the mounting platform close to the steering wheel matches the second connecting hole, and the second connecting hole is not circular, so that the second connecting hole can circumferentially limit the support rod.

[0019] The utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The present application arranges the support rod so that when the inner steering column tube extends out of the outer steering column tube for a long distance, the support rod connected to the outer steering column tube can better support the inner steering column tube. Through the connection of the support rod, the outer steering column tube and the inner steering column tube form a whole, thereby improving the structural rigidity of the inner steering column tube in the extended state and making the overall structure more stable. When the steering wheel arranged on the first end of the inner steering column tube is pulled or pressed down by the driver, the inner steering column tube, the outer steering column tube and the support rod can stably support the steering wheel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Shows a schematic diagram of the assembly of the inner steering column tube, the outer steering column tube and the support rod in some embodiments of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2Shows a schematic diagram of the assembly of the steering inner column tube and the steering outer column tube in some embodiments of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 Shows a schematic diagram of the assembly of the support rod, the self-lubricating bearing and the second connecting member in some embodiments of the present application;

[0024] Figure 4 An exploded schematic diagram of a support rod, a self-lubricating bearing, and a second connecting member in some embodiments of the present application is shown;

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an electrically adjustable column in some embodiments of the present application is shown from a perspective obliquely downward and facing the steering wheel.

[0026] The parts indicated by the numbers in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0027] 100, steering inner column tube; 110, second connecting member; 111, first connecting hole; 112, second connecting hole; 200, steering outer column tube; 210, first connecting member; 211, through hole; 212, self-lubricating bearing; 220, U-shaped groove; 300, support rod; 310, mounting platform; 320, external thread; 400, nut. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to further understand the content of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the embodiments are merely for explanation of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] like Figure 1-4 As shown, this embodiment provides an electric adjustment column, which includes an inner steering column tube 100 and an outer steering column tube 200. A steering wheel (not shown in the figure) is fixedly mounted on the first end of the inner steering column tube 100, and the second end of the inner steering column tube 100 is connected to the steering system of the vehicle. The outer steering column tube 200 is sleeved on the inner steering column tube 100 and fixedly mounted on the vehicle body. When receiving a driver's command, the adjustment motor can drive the inner steering column tube 100 to further extend the outer steering column tube 200 or further retract the outer steering column tube 200 along its axial direction to realize the use or storage of the steering wheel.

[0030] Furthermore, the present embodiment further includes a support rod 300 , which is connected to the outer steering column tube 200 and the inner steering column tube 100 , respectively, so that the support rod 300 can support the inner steering column tube 100 .

[0031] It should be noted that the support rod 300 can support the three states of the steering inner column tube 100: first, the steering inner column tube 100 reaches the maximum extension state relative to the steering outer column tube 200; second, the steering inner column tube 100 reaches the maximum retracted state relative to the steering outer column tube 200; and third, the steering inner column tube 100 is in the process of further extending the steering outer column tube 200 and the steering inner column tube 100 is in the process of further retracting the steering outer column tube 200.

[0032] It can be understood that, through the provision of the support rod 300, when the steering inner column tube 100 extends a longer length from the steering outer column tube 200, the support rod 300 connected to the steering outer column tube 200 can better support the steering inner column tube 100. Through the connection of the support rod 300, the steering outer column tube 200 and the steering inner column tube 100 form a whole, thereby improving the structural rigidity of the steering inner column tube 100 in the extended state and making the overall structure more stable. When the steering wheel arranged on the first end of the steering inner column tube 100 is pulled or pressed down by the driver, the steering inner column tube 100, the steering outer column tube 200 and the support rod 300 can stably support the steering wheel.

[0033] Furthermore, in order to improve the supporting effect of the support rod 300 on the steering inner column tube 100, the support rod 300 can be connected to the first end of the steering inner column tube 100, so that the support rod 300 can directly support the first end of the steering inner column tube 100 farther away from the steering outer column tube 200, thereby improving the stability of the steering wheel.

[0034] Furthermore, the interior of the support rod 300 may be configured to be hollow, so as to reduce the weight of the support rod 300 on the one hand and reduce the cost on the other hand.

[0035] In some embodiments, a first connecting member 210 is fixedly provided on the steering outer column tube 200, and the support rod 300 is connected to the steering outer column tube 200 by connecting with the first connecting member 210. When the support rod 300 is connected to the first connecting member 210, the first connecting member 210 can limit the support rod 300 in the radial direction of the support rod 300, and the support rod 300 can reciprocate in its axial direction relative to the first connecting member 210.

[0036] It should be noted that when the adjustment motor drives the steering inner column tube 100 to further extend the steering outer column tube 200, since the support rod 300 is connected to the steering inner column tube 100, the support rod 300 will move with the steering inner column tube 100. During this process, the support rod 300 moves in its axial direction relative to the first connecting member 210, so that the support rod 300 can always provide better support force for the steering inner column tube 100, thereby improving its structural rigidity.

[0037] Furthermore, by radially limiting the support rod 300 through the first connecting member 210, radial shaking of the support rod 300 can be better avoided when following the movement of the steering inner column tube 100, so that the overall structure of the steering outer column tube 200, the steering inner column tube 100 and the support rod 300 is more stable, thereby achieving better support effect on the steering wheel.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first connecting member 210 is fixedly mounted on the circumferential side wall of the steering outer column tube 200 by welding, and a through hole 211 penetrating the first connecting member 210 is opened on the first connecting member 210, wherein the first connecting member 210 is sleeved on the outside of the support rod 300 through the through hole 211. When the steering inner column tube 100 is further extended from the steering outer column tube 200 or further retracted into the steering outer column tube 200 under the drive of the adjusting motor, the support rod 300 passes through the through hole 211, thereby realizing that the steering inner column tube 100 drives the support rod 300 to move synchronously, and always maintains the supporting effect of the support rod 300 on the steering inner column tube 100.

[0039] Furthermore, by allowing the support rod 300 to pass through the through hole 211, the support rod 300 can be better moved in the axial direction relative to the first connecting member 210. Furthermore, since the first connecting member 210 is sleeved on the support rod 300 through the through hole 211, the through hole 211 can also serve to radially limit the support rod 300, thereby maintaining the stability of the support rod 300 and preventing the support rod 300 from radially swinging.

[0040] It is particularly important to note that since the support rod 300 is passed through the through hole 211, when the force acting on the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering inner column tube 100, the steering inner column tube 100 will transmit the force to the support rod 300. While supporting the steering inner column tube 100, the support rod 300 will also squeeze the inner wall of the through hole 211, so that the first connecting member 210 provided on the steering outer column tube 200 can play an auxiliary supporting role for the support rod 300 through the through hole 211, so that the support rod 300 has a better supporting effect on the steering inner column tube 100, and the rigidity of the overall structure is better improved, making the use of the steering wheel more stable and safe.

[0041] In some embodiments, a self-lubricating bearing 212 is provided in the through hole 211 on the first connecting member 210, and the self-lubricating bearing 212 is fixedly installed in the through hole 211 by an interference fit to achieve stable installation of the self-lubricating bearing 212 in the through hole 211; further, the support rod 300 is passed through the self-lubricating bearing 212, that is, the first connecting member 210 is sleeved on the support rod 300 through the self-lubricating bearing 212 in the through hole 211.

[0042] It can be understood that the self-lubricating bearing 212 is arranged between the through hole 211 and the support rod 300, which can better improve the smoothness of the movement of the support rod 300 in the through hole 211, and better avoid the support rod 300 directly generating friction with the inner wall of the through hole 211, thereby affecting the movement and stability of the support rod 300.

[0043] In some embodiments, a second connecting member 110 is fixedly provided on the steering inner column tube 100, and the steering inner column tube 100 is fixedly connected to the support rod 300 through the second connecting member 110, so that the steering inner column tube 100 can synchronously drive the support rod 300 to move when further extending the steering outer column tube 200 or further retracting the steering outer column tube 200, so that the support rod 300 can always maintain support for the steering inner column tube 100, thereby improving the rigidity and stability of the overall structure.

[0044] Furthermore, in order to improve the supporting effect of the support rod 300 on the steering inner column tube 100, the second connecting member 110 is arranged on the first end of the steering inner column tube 100 close to the steering wheel, so that when the steering inner column tube 100 extends out of the steering outer column tube 200 to the maximum extent, the support rod 300 can support the first end of the steering inner column tube 100 farther away from the steering outer column tube 200, thereby better improving the rigidity and stability of the steering inner column tube 100, thereby achieving stable support for the steering wheel.

[0045] In some embodiments, a first connecting hole 111 is provided on the second connecting member 110 and passes through the second connecting member 110. The second connecting member 110 is sleeved and fixed on the steering inner column tube 100 through the first connecting hole 111. Specifically, the second connecting member 110 is sleeved and welded to the steering inner column tube 100 through the first connecting hole 111, thereby achieving fixed installation of the second connecting member 110 on the steering inner column tube 100, so that the support rod 300 and the steering inner column tube 100 can be stably connected.

[0046] In some embodiments, a second connecting hole 112 is provided on the second connecting member 110, and the support rod 300 is passed through and fixed in the second connecting hole 112, thereby achieving a stable connection between the support rod 300 and the second connecting member 110, and further achieving a stable connection between the support rod 300 and the steering column tube 100, so that when the steering column tube 100 moves, the support rod 300 can be synchronously driven to move, and the support rod 300 can always maintain support for the steering column tube 100, so as to improve the rigidity and stability of the overall structure.

[0047] When the steering inner column tube 100 moves, the steering inner column tube 100 can directly and synchronously drive the support rod 300 to move through the second connecting piece 110, thereby causing the support rod 300 to move along its axial direction in the self-lubricating bearing 212. During the entire movement process of the steering inner column tube 100, the support rod 300 is inserted into the self-lubricating bearing 212 and moves, so that the overall structure formed by the steering outer column tube 200, the steering inner column tube 100 and the support rod 300 has better rigidity and stability.

[0048] In some embodiments, a mounting platform 310 is provided on the circumferential outer wall of the support rod 300. In this embodiment, the mounting platform 310 is generally annular, but may also be any other shape, as long as the mounting platform 310 protrudes from the circumferential outer wall of the support rod 300. Furthermore, the mounting platform 310 can be fixedly connected to the support rod 300 on the side closest to the steering wheel by a threaded connection in the second connecting hole 112, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the support rod 300 and the second connector 110.

[0049] It should be noted that, in the process of installing the support rod 300 in the steering inner column tube 100 and the steering outer column tube 200, the support rod 300 is first passed through the self-lubricating bearing 212, and then the part of the support rod 300 close to the steering wheel is installed in the second connecting hole 112 by means of a threaded connection, so that the mounting platform 310 on the support rod 300 can abut against the second connecting member 110, thereby realizing the installation between the support rod 300 and the steering outer column tube 200 and the steering inner column tube 100 respectively.

[0050] It can be understood that when the support rod 300 is threadedly connected and fixed to the second connecting member 110, the mounting platform 310 can limit the support rod 300, so that the mounting platform 310 and the second connecting member 110 are offset against each other through the threaded connection, thereby fixing the position of the support rod 300 relative to the second connecting member 110, thereby improving the stability of the support rod 300 in supporting the steering column tube 100.

[0051] In some embodiments, an external thread 320 is provided on the support rod 300 on the side of the mounting platform 310 close to the steering wheel. When the support rod 300 on the side of the mounting platform 310 close to the steering wheel is passed through the second connecting hole 112, a nut 400 can be used to be sleeved on the support rod 300, so that the nut 400 can cooperate with the external thread 320 to press the second connecting member 110 onto the mounting platform 310, thereby realizing a fixed connection between the support rod 300 and the second connecting member 110.

[0052] In some embodiments, the shape of the second connecting hole 112 is a runway, and the cross-sectional shape of the support rod 300 on the side of the mounting platform 310 close to the steering wheel matches the second connecting hole 112, so that when the support rod 300 is installed in the second connecting hole 112, the second connecting hole 112 can circumferentially limit the support rod 300 to prevent the support rod 300 from circumferentially rotating in the second connecting hole 112 and preventing the support rod 300 from shaking, thereby better improving the stability of the support rod 300, so that the support rod 300 can stably support the steering column tube 100 to improve the rigidity and stability of the overall structure.

[0053] It is understandable that the shape of the second connecting hole 112 can also be other shapes besides the runway shape, as long as it is not circular and can play a circumferential limiting role on the support rod 300 to prevent the support rod 300 from circumferential rotation. No special limitation is made here.

[0054] In some embodiments, a U-shaped groove 220 is provided on the circumferential outer side wall of the steering outer column tube 200. The U-shaped groove 220 extends along the axial direction of the steering outer column tube 200. The U-shaped groove 220 can allow the support rod 300 on the side of the first connecting member 210 away from the second connecting member 110 to extend into. Through the provision of the U-shaped groove 220, the support rod 300 can be better protected to prevent external components from touching the support rod 300 and causing instability or bending of the support rod 300.

[0055] It can be understood that the U-shaped groove 220 can also play a certain guiding role on the support rod 300. Through the blocking of the side wall of the U-shaped groove 220, the support rod 300 can only move along the length direction of the U-shaped groove 220, which can better improve the stability of the movement of the support rod 300, so that the support rod 300 can further stably support the steering column tube 100.

[0056] It is worth mentioning that the bottom side wall of the U-shaped groove 220 away from the first connecting member 210 can limit the movement of the support rod 300 along its axial direction. When the steering inner column tube 100 is further retracted into the steering outer column tube 200, the steering inner column tube 100 simultaneously drives the support rod 300 to move, so that the support rod 300 moves toward the bottom side wall of the U-shaped groove 220. When the support rod 300 moves to abut against the bottom side wall of the U-shaped groove 220, the support rod 300 can no longer move, and then the steering inner column tube 100 connected to the support rod 300 can no longer be retracted further into the steering outer column tube 200, so that the steering inner column tube 100 reaches the maximum retraction degree, which can better avoid the steering inner column tube 100 from excessively retracting into the steering outer column tube 200, thereby improving the stability and safety of the overall mechanism.

[0057] In some embodiments, when the inner column tube 100 is further extended from the outer column tube 200 to the maximum extent, the driver can operate the steering wheel on the first end of the inner column tube 100. In this state, from a downward angle and facing the steering wheel, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, in Figure 5 The steering wheel is hidden in the middle, so that it can be intuitively seen that the support rod 300 is between the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Y, that is, the position of the support rod 300 is neither in the horizontal direction X nor in the vertical direction Y. Therefore, when the steering wheel is pulled or pressed down by the driver, the support rod 300 can better support the steering column tube 100, thereby improving the stability of the steering wheel.

[0058] Furthermore, since the driver's pulling force or downward force is generally applied to the lower half of the steering wheel, the support rod 300 is set at a position corresponding to the lower half of the steering wheel, so that the support rod 300 can better achieve the effect of indirectly assisting in supporting the steering wheel by supporting the steering inner column tube 100, so that the overall structure of the steering outer column tube 200, the steering inner column tube 100 and the support rod 300 has better rigidity and better stability.

[0059] In short, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention should fall within the scope of coverage of the present patent.

Claims

1. An electrically adjustable column, comprising an inner column tube connected to a steering wheel at a first end and an outer column tube sleeved on the inner column tube, characterized in that: It also includes support rods connected to the outer steering column tube and the inner steering column tube respectively, and the support rods can support the inner steering column tube.

2. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first connecting piece for radially limiting the support rod is fixedly provided on the steering outer column tube, and the support rod can reciprocate in the axial direction relative to the first connecting piece.

3. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first connecting member is provided with a through hole; the first connecting member is sleeved on the supporting rod through the through hole.

4. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 3, characterized in that: A self-lubricating bearing is fixedly arranged in the through hole, and the first connecting member is sleeved on the support rod through the self-lubricating bearing in the through hole.

5. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second connecting piece is fixedly provided on the steering inner column tube; and the support rod is fixedly connected to the second connecting piece.

6. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 5, characterized in that: A first connecting hole is formed on the second connecting member, and the second connecting member is sleeved through the first connecting hole and fixed on the steering inner column tube.

7. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second connecting member is provided with a second connecting hole, and the supporting rod is passed through and fixed in the second connecting hole.

8. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 7, characterized in that: A mounting platform is provided on the circumferential outer side wall of the support rod, and the support rod on the side of the mounting platform close to the steering wheel is fixedly connected to the second connecting hole through a thread.

9. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to claim 8, characterized in that: The support rod on the side of the mounting platform close to the steering wheel is provided with an external thread; When the support rod passes through the second connecting hole, the external thread cooperates with the nut to fix the support rod in the second connecting hole.

10. The electrically adjustable pipe column according to any one of claims 8-9, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape of the support rod on the side of the mounting platform close to the steering wheel matches the second connecting hole, and the second connecting hole is not circular, so that the second connecting hole can limit the circumferential position of the support rod.

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