Steering column rack matching inclination angle locking mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a steering column rack matched dip angle locking mechanism and belongs to the technical field of automobile steering column adjustment. The tool comprises an inner sleeve and a column pipe which are connected in a sliding fit mode, a bolt core shaft penetrates through a through hole in the column pipe, a handle is connected to the bolt core shaft through a fixing frame, and open grooves are formed in the two sides of the end, matched with the inner sleeve, of the column pipe. The bolt mandrel simultaneously penetrates through the first positioning shifting block and the second positioning shifting block and is in clearance fit with the first positioning shifting block and the second positioning shifting block, convex columns matched with the opening grooves in the two sides of the column pipe are arranged on the side faces of the first positioning shifting block and the second positioning shifting block respectively, and tooth block mechanisms are arranged on the sides, close to the column pipe, of the first positioning shifting block and the second positioning shifting block respectively. Racks are arranged on the two vertical faces of the rotating support respectively, and the two tooth block mechanisms are matched with the two racks respectively. After the adjusting mechanism is locked, the position of the steering wheel is fixed, so that the problem of locking failure of the steering wheel when the inclination angle is reduced in the running process of a vehicle is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive steering column adjustment technology, specifically relating to a steering column rack and pinion locking mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Almost all modern car steering columns have steering wheel tilt adjustment. A basic requirement for steering columns is that the steering wheel remains at a fixed tilt angle during normal driving. However, steering columns with tilt adjustment often rely solely on a cam-locking mechanism via a handle. When the cam wears down or breaks due to material defects, this tilt locking mechanism may fail, jeopardizing driver safety. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention addresses the aforementioned problems and overcomes the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a steering column rack and pinion engagement tilt angle locking mechanism. This invention further ensures that the steering wheel position is fixed after the adjustment mechanism is locked, preventing the steering wheel tilt angle reduction locking failure problem during vehicle operation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0005] This utility model provides a steering column rack and pinion engagement tilt locking mechanism, comprising an inner sleeve and a column tube that slide and engage with each other. A rotating bracket is provided on the outer side of the column tube. A bolt mandrel is provided through a through hole in the column tube. A handle is connected to the bolt mandrel via a fixing bracket. The bolt mandrel passes through two vertical surfaces of the rotating bracket and the through hole and is fixedly provided with a cam. A groove is provided in the through hole of the column tube to engage with the cam. The column tube is characterized by having opening slots on both sides of the end that engages with the inner sleeve. A first positioning block and a second positioning block are respectively provided on both sides of the column tube. The bolt mandrel passes through both the first positioning block and the second positioning block and is clearance-fitted. The sides of the first positioning block and the second positioning block are respectively provided with protrusions that engage with the opening slots on both sides of the column tube. The protrusions are located in the opening slots on the corresponding sides. A toothed block mechanism is provided on the side of the first positioning block and the second positioning block near the column tube. A rack is provided on each of the two vertical surfaces of the rotating bracket, and the two toothed block mechanisms engage with the two racks respectively.

[0006] Furthermore, a pin is connected to the first positioning block, and the pin passes through an arc-shaped hole on the side of the handle.

[0007] Furthermore, a planar thrust bearing is provided on the outer side of the second positioning block, and a locking nut is connected to the outer side of the planar thrust bearing on the bolt mandrel. After the locking nut is tightened, the inner side of the planar thrust bearing is attached to the side of the second positioning block, and the second positioning block is attached to the side of the column tube.

[0008] Furthermore, the toothed block mechanism includes a cam toothed block, a compression spring, and a positioning baffle. The positioning baffle is connected to the bolt mandrel and rotates simultaneously with the bolt mandrel. The cam toothed block is sleeved on the positioning baffle and has a clearance fit with the positioning baffle. The two ends of the compression spring are respectively connected to the cam toothed block and the positioning baffle. The cam toothed block meshes with the rack on the rotating bracket.

[0009] The beneficial effects of this utility model.

[0010] This invention features a toothed block mechanism on a bolt mandrel. When the handle connected to the bolt mandrel tilts, it drives the toothed block mechanism to move, meshing with the rack on the rotating bracket. Simultaneously, the bolt mandrel drives the column tube to tilt, thus achieving both tilt and locking functions of the steering column. This, combined with the existing cam locking, provides double locking, further ensuring the stability of the steering wheel position after the adjustment mechanism is locked, preventing steering wheel tilt angle reduction and locking failure during vehicle operation. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To make the technical problems solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0012] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the meshing structure between the toothed block mechanism and the rotating support rack of this utility model.

[0014] The markings in the diagram are as follows: 1 is the inner sleeve, 2 is the column tube, 3 is the rotating bracket, 4 is the through hole, 5 is the bolt mandrel, 6 is the handle, 7 is the fixing bracket, 8 is the vertical surface, 9 is the cam, 10 is the opening slot, 11 is the first positioning block, 12 is the second positioning block, 13 is the protruding column, 14 is the rack, 15 is the pin, 16 is the planar thrust bearing, 17 is the locking nut, 18 is the cam tooth block, 19 is the compression spring, and 20 is the positioning baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0015] As shown in the accompanying drawings, this embodiment provides a steering column rack and pinion tilt locking mechanism, including an inner sleeve 1 and a column tube 2 that are slidably connected. A rotating bracket 3 is provided on the outside of the column tube 2. A bolt mandrel 5 is provided through a through hole 4 on the column tube 2. A handle 6 is connected to the bolt mandrel 5 through a fixing bracket 7. The bolt mandrel 5 passes through the two vertical surfaces 8 of the rotating bracket 3 and the through hole 4 and is fixedly provided with a cam 9. A groove that mates with the cam 9 is provided in the through hole 4 of the column tube 2. The cam 9 is rotated relative to the column tube 2 by the handle 6 to lock it. This is a locking method in the prior art and serves as the first tilt locking method for the column tube 2.

[0016] The column tube 2 has opening slots 10 on both sides of the end that mates with the inner sleeve 1. The column tube 2 has a first positioning block 11 and a second positioning block 12 on both sides respectively. The bolt mandrel 5 passes through the first positioning block 11 and the second positioning block 12 and is in clearance fit with each other.

[0017] A pin 15 is connected to the first positioning block 11. The pin 15 passes through the arc-shaped hole on the side of the handle 6, so that the first positioning block 11 is connected to the handle 6. The pin can move in the arc-shaped groove, and the stroke length of the handle 6 is limited by the pin.

[0018] A planar thrust bearing 16 is provided on the outer side of the second positioning block 12. A locking nut 17 is connected to the outer side of the planar thrust bearing 16 on the bolt spindle 5. After the locking nut 17 is tightened, the inner side of the planar thrust bearing 16 is attached to the side of the second positioning block 12, and the second positioning block 12 is attached to the side of the column tube 2. When the handle 6 drives the bolt spindle 5 to rotate, the planar thrust bearing 16 can ensure that the locking nut 17 can rotate with the bolt spindle 5, while the second positioning block 12 does not move, ensuring that the entire mechanism will not loosen.

[0019] The first positioning block 11 and the second positioning block 12 are respectively provided with protruding posts 13 in the opening slots 10 on both sides of the column tube 2. The protruding posts 13 are located in the opening slots 10 on the corresponding side. The tilting motion of the column tube 2 is controlled by the protruding posts 13 of the first positioning block 11 and the second positioning block 12.

[0020] The first positioning block 11 and the second positioning block 12 are respectively provided with a toothed block mechanism on the side near the column tube 2. The toothed block mechanism includes a cam toothed block 18, a compression spring 19 and a positioning baffle 20.

[0021] The positioning baffle 20 is connected to the bolt spindle 5 and rotates simultaneously with the bolt spindle 5. The cam tooth block 18 is sleeved on the positioning baffle 20 and is in clearance fit with the positioning baffle 20. The two ends of the compression spring 19 are connected to the cam tooth block 18 and the positioning baffle 20 respectively. The cam tooth block 18 rotates due to the rotation of the positioning baffle 20 and the compression spring 19. When locking, the compression spring 19 is compressed, which generates a spring force. Under the action of this spring force, the teeth on the cam tooth block 18 are tightly meshed with the rack 14 set on the rotating bracket 3, which plays a locking role.

[0022] Racks 14 are respectively provided on the two vertical surfaces 8 of the rotating bracket 3. Two cam blocks 18 mesh with the racks 14 on the rotating bracket 3. The meshing of the cam blocks 18 and the racks 14 restricts the rotation of the column tube 2. The inner end faces of the first positioning block 11 and the second positioning block 12 control the movement position boundary of the racks 14 on the rotating bracket 3. Under the action of the handle 6, the cam blocks 18 rotate and mesh with the racks 14 of the rotating bracket 3 and lock them. The elongated groove at the upper end of the column tube 2 deforms and hugs the inner sleeve 1, which is a second way of locking the column tube 2 at the inclination angle.

[0023] The working principle is as follows: When the handle 6 is rotated in one direction, one end of the arc-shaped hole can push the pin 15, causing the first positioning block 11 to rotate, which in turn causes the column tube 2 and the second positioning block 12 to rotate to adjust the tilt angle. When the tilt angle is adjusted and locking is performed, the handle 6 is rotated in the opposite direction. During the rotation, the arc-shaped groove and the pin rotate relative to each other, causing the handle 6 to disengage from the pin. That is, when locking, the first positioning block 11, the column tube, and the second positioning block 12 do not move. The cam 9 rotates with the bolt spindle 5 and enters the groove in the through hole 4 of the column tube 2 to lock. The cam tooth block 18 also meshes with the rack 14 to lock, realizing the double locking function.

[0024] The working principle is as follows: When the handle 6 mechanism is released, the handle 6 drives the bolt spindle 5 to rotate. The two cam blocks 18 will disengage from the rack 14 on the rotating bracket 3 under the action of the bolt spindle 5. The cam 9 in the groove at the front end of the column tube 2 will also be released. The inner sleeve 1 and the column tube 2 are not affected by the clamping force and are in a gap state. When the bolt spindle 5 rotates, it will also drive the first positioning block 11 and the second positioning block 12 to rotate. The protruding post 13 on the first positioning block 11 and the second positioning block 12 will drive the column tube 2 to rotate to the required tilt angle position. When the appropriate tilt angle position is adjusted, the handle 6 mechanism is locked. The handle 6 drives the bolt spindle 5 to rotate in the opposite direction. The cam blocks 18 will engage with the rack 14 on the rotating bracket 3 under the action of the bolt spindle 5 and the compression spring 19. The cam 9 in the groove at the front end of the column tube 2 will also be locked. The inner sleeve 1 and the column tube 2 are affected by the clamping force and are in a fixed state, thus completing the locking of the tilt angle mechanism.

[0025] It is understood that the above specific description of this utility model is only used to illustrate this utility model and is not limited to the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to this utility model to achieve the same technical effect; as long as the use needs are met, they are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A steering column rack and pinion tilt locking mechanism, comprising an inner sleeve (1) and a column tube (2) that are mutually slidingly connected, a rotating bracket (3) is provided on the outer side of the column tube (2), a bolt mandrel (5) is provided through a through hole (4) on the column tube (2), a handle (6) is connected to the bolt mandrel (5) through a fixing bracket (7), the bolt mandrel (5) passes through two vertical surfaces (8) of the rotating bracket (3) and the through hole (4) and is fixedly provided with a cam (9), and a groove that mates with the cam (9) is provided in the through hole (4) of the column tube (2), characterized in that, The column tube (2) has opening slots (10) on both sides of the end that mates with the inner sleeve (1). The column tube (2) has a first positioning block (11) and a second positioning block (12) on both sides. The bolt mandrel (5) passes through the first positioning block (11) and the second positioning block (12) and is clearance-fitted. The sides of the first positioning block (11) and the second positioning block (12) are respectively fitted with protruding posts (13) in the opening slots (10) on both sides of the column tube (2). The protruding posts (13) are located in the opening slots (10) on the corresponding side. The first positioning block (11) and the second positioning block (12) are respectively provided with toothed block mechanisms on the side close to the column tube (2). The two vertical surfaces (8) of the rotating bracket (3) are respectively provided with racks (14). The two toothed block mechanisms are respectively engaged with the two racks (14).

2. The steering column rack and pinion engagement tilt angle locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pin (15) is connected to the first positioning block (11), and the pin (15) is inserted into the arc-shaped hole on the side of the handle (6).

3. The steering column rack and pinion engagement tilt angle locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A planar thrust bearing (16) is provided on the outer side of the second positioning block (12). A locking nut (17) is connected on the outer side of the planar thrust bearing (16) on the bolt spindle (5). After the locking nut (17) is tightened, the inner side of the planar thrust bearing (16) is attached to the side of the second positioning block (12), and the second positioning block (12) is attached to the side of the column tube (2).

4. The steering column rack and pinion engagement tilt angle locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The toothed block mechanism includes a cam toothed block (18), a compression spring (19), and a positioning baffle (20). The positioning baffle (20) is connected to the bolt spindle (5) and rotates simultaneously with the bolt spindle (5). The cam toothed block (18) is sleeved on the positioning baffle (20) and has a clearance fit with the positioning baffle (20). The two ends of the compression spring (19) are connected to the cam toothed block (18) and the positioning baffle (20) respectively. The cam toothed block (18) meshes with the rack (14) on the rotating bracket (3).

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