Steering column and vehicle
By incorporating a groove and a limiting shear block on the steering column, stable collapse of the steering column during a collision is achieved, preventing it from detaching, simplifying the structure, reducing manufacturing difficulty, and improving safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423306693.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-31
AI Technical Summary
The steering column of existing vehicles is prone to detachment during a collision, which may lead to secondary injury to the driver. In addition, the structure is complex and the manufacturing process is difficult to control.
Design a steering column including an upper column tube and a lower column tube that are nested together. The upper column tube is provided with a groove, and the lower column tube is provided with a limiting shear block. The axial collapse of the upper column tube and the lower column tube is achieved by the limiting shear block sliding in the groove, so as to prevent them from falling off.
Upon impact, the upper and lower column tubes collapse and stabilize, preventing detachment. The structure is simple, easy to control in the process, and reduces development costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN223520880U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of automobiles, in particular to a steering column and a vehicle. BACKGROUND
[0002] With the development of automobile industry and the popularization of automobile consumption, people pay more and more attention to the safety of automobiles. According to statistical data and research on automobile collision tests, when a car collides head-on, many drivers are injured by the steering mechanism such as steering wheel, steering column and steering gear.
[0003] However, in the existing steering column structure of the vehicle, the clamping mechanism and the mounting bracket are connected through a collapse bolt. When a collision occurs, the peak force is ensured by the disengagement force of the collapse bolt and the friction force between the upper column pipe and the lower column pipe, and the holding force is ensured by the interference fit between the internal hexagonal screw and the sliding groove. When the steering column is subjected to a collision, it is easy to fall off, so it cannot reliably support the driver, and there is a possibility of secondary injury caused by hitting the driver. At the same time, the existing structure requires multiple parts to ensure the collapse peak force and the holding force, and the process control is more complex, which increases the development cost. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL
[0004] The technical problem solved by the present application is to provide a steering column and a vehicle which is not easy to fall off, has high collapse stability, and has a simple structure which is conducive to process control.
[0005] To solve the above technical problems, one technical solution adopted by the present application is to provide a steering column, comprising an upper column pipe and a lower column pipe which are mutually sleeved, one of the upper column pipe and the lower column pipe is provided with a sliding groove, the sliding groove extends along the axial direction of the steering column, the other of the upper column pipe and the lower column pipe is provided with a limiting shear block, the limiting shear block extends along the radial direction of the steering column into the sliding groove and is in sliding connection with the sliding groove.
[0006] Preferably, the lower column pipe is sleeved outside the upper column pipe, the lower column pipe is provided with a slot, the slot extends along the axial direction and penetrates through the lower column pipe; the steering column further comprises an adjusting and locking mechanism connected outside the lower column pipe for driving the lower column pipe to tightly hold the upper column pipe.
[0007] Preferably, the sliding groove is arranged on the upper column pipe, the lower column pipe is provided with a first mounting hole corresponding to the sliding groove, and the limiting shear block is fixed in the first mounting hole and extends into the sliding groove.
[0008] Preferably, the sliding groove is arranged on the lower column pipe, the upper column pipe is provided with a second mounting hole corresponding to the sliding groove, and the limiting shear block is fixed in the second mounting hole and extends into the sliding groove.
[0009] Preferably, the limiting shearing block comprises a first part and a second part connected with each other, the first part is connected with the lower column tube, the second part is connected with the upper column tube, and the second part is located within the first part in orthographic projection.
[0010] Preferably, one side of the first part facing the second part is attached to the outer wall of the upper column tube.
[0011] Preferably, the steering column further comprises an upper mounting bracket fixed outside the lower column tube, a pin shaft is arranged in the upper mounting bracket and the lower column tube, the pin shaft is located between the slot and the upper column tube, and the pin shaft is locked with the upper mounting bracket by a locking nut.
[0012] Preferably, the steering column further comprises a lower mounting bracket located on the side of the upper mounting bracket away from the upper column tube, and the lower mounting bracket is fixedly connected outside the lower column tube.
[0013] Preferably, an upper steering pipe is arranged in the upper column tube and rotationally connected with the upper column tube along the axial direction, a lower steering pipe is arranged in the lower column tube and rotationally connected with the lower column tube along the axial direction, and the lower steering pipe is slidingly connected with the upper steering pipe along the axial direction.
[0014] To solve the above technical problems, another technical scheme adopted by the present application is to provide a vehicle comprising the steering column of any one of the embodiments.
[0015] The present application has the following beneficial effects: Different from the prior art, the present application is provided with a sliding slot and a limiting shearing block on the steering column. When the vehicle is normally driven, the static friction between the upper column tube and the lower column tube causes the two to be fixedly connected. When the vehicle is subjected to a frontal collision, the upper column tube and the lower column tube are subjected to pressure along the axial direction to move closer to each other. When the pressure on the upper column tube is greater than the axial static friction between the upper column tube and the lower column tube, the upper column tube and the lower column tube slide along the axial direction, at which time the limiting shearing block slides along the axial direction in the sliding slot, and the limiting shearing block limits the circumferential rotation between the upper column tube and the lower column tube. When the limiting shearing block moves to the end of the sliding slot and the axial pressure on the upper column tube exceeds a preset pressure, the limiting shearing block is subjected to shearing force from the upper column tube and the lower column tube and is thus cut off, and the upper column tube and the upper steering pipe can continue to collapse toward the lower column tube until the limit. The steering column of the present application is not easy to fall off during the energy absorption process of the collision, and only the upper column tube moves along the axial direction during the collapse process, so that the collapse is carried out in the steering column, the inner collapse is realized, the collapse cannot be smoothly carried out due to interference of external structures, the stability of the collapse is ensured, and the collapse structure of the present application is simple, easy to control, low in process difficulty, and convenient to arrange and design. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of one embodiment of the steering column of the present application;
[0017] Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of another embodiment of the steering column of the present application;
[0018] Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 2 ;
[0019] Figure 4 is a structural schematic view of one embodiment of the limiting shear block of the present application;
[0020] Figure 5 is a structural schematic view of one embodiment of the lower column tube of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] For the purpose, technical solutions and effects of the present application to be clearer, more explicit, the present application is further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0022] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of one embodiment of the steering column of the present application. The steering column 10 comprises an upper column tube 2 and a lower column tube 3 which are sleeved with each other, the upper column tube 2 is arranged at a side close to the steering wheel, and the lower column tube 3 is arranged at a side away from the steering wheel. In the embodiment, the lower column tube 3 is sleeved outside the upper column tube 2, the upper column tube 2 is provided with a sliding groove 10a, the sliding groove 10a is a blind groove extending along the axial direction of the steering column 10, the sliding groove 10a penetrates the side wall of the upper column tube 2 along the radial direction, the lower column tube 3 is provided with a first mounting hole (not labeled), the first mounting hole is arranged in the circumferential direction corresponding to the sliding groove 10a, and the limiting shear block 4 is arranged in the first mounting hole, one end of the limiting shear block 4 is in interference fit with the first mounting hole, and the other end of the limiting shear block 4 extends to the sliding groove 10a along the radial direction of the steering column 10 and is in sliding connection with the sliding groove 10a. Specifically, the upper steering tube 1 is arranged to penetrate the upper column tube 2, the inner part of the end of the upper column tube 2 away from the lower column tube 3 is provided with an upper mounting bearing 21, and the upper steering tube 1 is in axial rotational connection with the upper column tube 2 through the upper mounting bearing 21. The lower steering column 9 is arranged to penetrate the lower column tube 3, the inner part of the end of the lower column tube 3 away from the upper column tube 2 is provided with a lower mounting bearing 31, and the lower steering column 9 is in axial rotational connection with the lower column tube 3 through the lower mounting bearing 31, the lower steering column 9 is in axial sliding connection with the upper steering tube 1, specifically, the end of the lower steering column 9 close to the upper steering tube 1 and the end of the upper steering tube 1 close to the lower steering column 9 are inserted and connected, and the two are in axial sliding connection through the spline and are limited in the circumferential direction.
[0023] The application sets the sliding groove 10a and the limiting shear block 4 on the steering column 10. In normal driving, the static friction between the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3 makes them fixedly connected. When the vehicle is subjected to a frontal collision, the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3 are subjected to pressure along the axial direction to make them close to each other. When the pressure on the upper column pipe 2 is greater than the axial static friction between the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3, the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3 slide along the axial direction. In this embodiment, the upper column pipe 2 drives the sliding groove 10a to move. At this time, the limiting shear block 4 slides along the axial direction in the sliding groove 10a. The limiting shear block 4 limits the circumferential rotation between the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3. Meanwhile, the upper steering pipe 1 and the lower steering column 9 slide along the axial direction. When the limiting shear block 4 moves to the end of the sliding groove 10a and the axial pressure on the upper column pipe 2 exceeds the preset pressure, the limiting shear block 4 is subjected to the shearing force of the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3 and is thus cut off. The axial limitation between the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3 is removed, so that the upper column pipe 2 and the upper steering pipe 1 can continue to collapse toward the lower column pipe 3 until the limitation. The steering column 10 of the application is not easy to fall off during the energy absorption process of the collision. Only the upper column pipe 2 and the upper steering pipe 1 therein move along the axial direction during the collapse process, so that the collapse is carried out in the steering column 10, the inner collapse is realized, the collapse cannot be smoothly carried out due to the interference of the external structure, the stability of the collapse is ensured, and the collapse structure of the application is simple, easy to control, low in process difficulty, and convenient to arrange and design.
[0024] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of another embodiment of the steering column of the application, Figure 3 is Figure 2 a sectional view. The difference between the steering column 10 and the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is that the sliding groove 10a is arranged on the lower column pipe 3 and the limiting shear block 4 is fixed on the upper column pipe 2. Specifically, the upper column pipe 2 is provided with a second mounting hole (not indicated) corresponding to the sliding groove 10a. The limiting shear block 4 is fixed in the second mounting hole and extends into the sliding groove 10a. In this embodiment, the upper column pipe 2 drives the limiting shear block 4 to move. At this time, the limiting shear block 4 slides along the axial direction in the sliding groove 10a. The limiting shear block 4 limits the circumferential rotation between the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3. Meanwhile, the upper steering pipe 1 and the lower steering column 9 slide along the axial direction. When the limiting shear block 4 moves to the end of the sliding groove 10a and the axial pressure on the upper column pipe 2 exceeds the preset pressure, the limiting shear block 4 is subjected to the shearing force of the upper column pipe 2 and the lower column pipe 3 and is thus cut off. The upper column pipe 2 and the upper steering pipe 1 can continue to collapse toward the lower column pipe 3 until the limitation.
[0025] Optionally, referring to Figure 4 , Figure 4is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the limiting shear block of the present application. The limiting shear block 4 comprises a first part 41 and a second part 42 connected to each other, the first part 41 is connected to the lower column tube 3, and the second part 42 is connected to the upper column tube 2. The orthographic projection of the second part 42 on the first part 41 is located within the first part 41. In this embodiment, the orthographic projection of the first part 41 and the second part 42 in the radial direction is rectangular. In other embodiments, the orthographic projection of the first part 41 and the second part 42 in the radial direction can be other shapes, such as circular.
[0026] Optionally, referring to Figure 4 , the side of the first part 41 facing the second part 42 is in contact with the outer wall of the upper column tube 2, that is, the inner wall of the first part 41 is a curved surface that is in contact with the curved surface of the outer wall of the upper column tube 2, ensuring that the limiting shear block 4 is stable and fixed to the upper column tube 2 during sliding.
[0027] Optionally, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the lower column tube of the present application. The lower column tube 3 is provided with a slot 32 extending along the axial direction and penetrating through the lower column tube 3. The slot 32 is arranged on the opposite side of the sliding groove 10a in the radial direction, so that the cross section of the lower column tube 3 perpendicular to the axial direction is in the shape of "C". The "C" shaped lower column tube 3 can adjust the width of the slot 32 by external pressure, thereby adjusting the diameter of the lower column tube 3. When the diameter of the lower column tube 3 decreases, the gripping force between the lower column tube 3 and the upper column tube 2 increases, thereby increasing the axial static friction force between them. When the diameter of the lower column tube 3 increases, the gripping force decreases, thereby reducing the static friction force. The steering column 10 further comprises an adjusting and locking mechanism connected outside the lower column tube 3 for driving the lower column tube 3 to grip the upper column tube 2. The present application satisfies the passive safety requirement by designing a corresponding axial static friction force, specifically, the range of the axial static friction force is between 1000N-1200N, realizing the adjustment of the collapse condition of the steering column 10.
[0028] Optionally, referring to Figure 2 , the steering column 10 further comprises an upper mounting bracket 51 fixed outside the lower column tube 3. The upper mounting bracket 51 and the lower column tube 3 are provided with a pin shaft 7 therebetween, and the pin shaft 7 is located between the slot 32 and the upper column tube 2. The pin shaft 7 is locked with the upper mounting bracket 51 by a locking nut (not shown). Specifically, the upper mounting bracket 51 and the lower column tube 3 are provided with a through hole on each side of the slot 32, and the pin shaft 7 is arranged in the four through holes. The adjusting and locking mechanism comprises an adjusting handle and a locking block arranged at one end of the pin shaft 7. The locking block is located between the adjusting handle and the lower mounting bracket, and the other end of the pin shaft 7 is locked by a locking nut. The adjusting of the pressure of the upper mounting bracket 51 and the lower column tube 3 by the locking block can be realized by rotating the adjusting handle, thereby realizing the adjustment of the gripping force and the friction force.
[0029] Optionally, continuing to refer to Figure 2 , the steering column 10 further comprises a lower mounting bracket 52, which is located on the side of the upper mounting bracket 51 away from the upper column tube 2, and is fixedly connected outside the lower column tube 3.
[0030] The application also provides a vehicle comprising the steering column 10 of any of the preceding embodiments. The vehicle provided by the application includes various types of vehicles, such as electric vehicles, fuel vehicles, etc.
[0031] The above is only an embodiment of the application, and does not limit the patent scope of the application, and any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation using the content of the specification and drawings, or direct or indirect application in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the application.
Claims
1. A steering column, characterized in that, comprising an upper column tube and a lower column tube sleeved with each other, one of the upper column tube and the lower column tube is provided with a sliding groove extending along an axial direction of the steering column, and the other of the upper column tube and the lower column tube is provided with a limiting shear block extending along a radial direction of the steering column into the sliding groove and in sliding connection with the sliding groove. 2.The steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, the lower column tube is sleeved outside the upper column tube, and the lower column tube is provided with a slot extending along the axial direction and penetrating through the lower column tube; the steering column further comprises an adjusting and locking mechanism connected outside the lower column tube for driving the lower column tube to tightly embrace the upper column tube. 3.The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, the sliding groove is arranged on the upper column tube, the lower column tube is provided with a first mounting hole corresponding to the sliding groove, and the limiting shear block is fixed in the first mounting hole and extends into the sliding groove. 4.The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, the sliding groove is arranged on the lower column tube, the upper column tube is provided with a second mounting hole corresponding to the sliding groove, and the limiting shear block is fixed in the second mounting hole and extends into the sliding groove. 5.The steering column according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, the limiting shear block comprises a first part and a second part connected with each other, the first part is connected with the lower column tube, the second part is connected with the upper column tube, and a normal projection of the second part on the first part is located inside the first part. 6.The steering column according to claim 5, characterized in that, a side of the first part facing the second part is in abutment with an outer wall of the upper column tube. 7.The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, the steering column further comprises an upper mounting bracket fixed outside the lower column tube, a pin shaft is arranged in the upper mounting bracket and the lower column tube, the pin shaft is located between the slot and the upper column tube, and the pin shaft is locked with the upper mounting bracket by a locking nut. 8.The steering column according to claim 7, characterized in that, the steering column further comprises a lower mounting bracket located on a side of the upper mounting bracket away from the upper column tube, and the lower mounting bracket is fixedly connected outside the lower column tube. 9.The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, an upper steering column is arranged in the upper column tube and is in rotational connection with the upper column tube along the axial direction, a lower steering column is arranged in the lower column tube and is in rotational connection with the lower column tube along the axial direction, and the lower steering column is in sliding connection with the upper steering column along the axial direction.
10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: a steering column as claimed in any one of claims 1-9.