A collapse signal triggering structure for a steering column in a collision

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of collision detection, concretely is a kind of collapse signal trigger structure for steering column when colliding. It includes spacing support, installation component and trigger component;Two groups are symmetrically arranged on installation component in trigger component, including support, buckle collapse switch being arranged on support and dust cover being sleeved on collapse switch and being inserted in support, dust cover is cylindrical structure, collapse switch front end is located inside dust cover, collapse switch is towards spacing support, the distance from the front end of one collapse switch to spacing support is less than the distance from the front end of another collapse switch to spacing support. The utility model can detect the collapse phenomenon of steering column, realize grading detection, to trigger the grading explosion of safety air bag, can effectively limit the angle change of steering column when collapsing, ensure the operation stability and safety of driver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of collision detection, and in particular to a collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision. Background Technology

[0002] Current automotive steering systems use a two-way adjustable manual column to fix the steering wheel angle position via a manual adjustment handle. When a collision occurs, the steering wheel is subjected to the combined impact of the driver's force and the reaction force of the airbag deployment. This force is transmitted through the input shaft to the sleeve, causing the sleeve to move along the crumple path (downward or axially sliding). Traditional crumple mechanisms typically employ locking force limiting and passive crumple. In the locking force limiting method, the inner sleeve and adjustment handle are fixed by locking force, relying on friction to resist the crumple force upon impact. However, the locking force is easily breached by the impact force. The passive crumple method lacks an active detection and linkage mechanism, failing to provide real-time feedback on the crumple status to trigger safety systems (such as early airbag deployment or door unlocking).

[0003] The existing technology has the following shortcomings:

[0004] 1. The steering wheel is unrecognizable after it collapses;

[0005] 2. When the crumple force is too large, the sleeve may move along the angle adjustment trajectory (instead of only axially crumple), causing the steering wheel angle to deviate, which in turn causes the airbag deployment direction to deviate from the design range, increasing the risk of driver injury.

[0006] 3. The airbag is a single-stage airbag and cannot achieve multi-stage airbag deployment based on the collapse state of the steering column. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems existing in the background technology by proposing a crumple signal triggering structure for the steering column during a collision. This structure can detect the crumple phenomenon of the steering column, achieve graded detection, and thus trigger the graded deployment of the airbag. It can effectively limit the angle change of the steering column when it crumples, ensuring the driver's operational stability and safety.

[0008] The technical solution of this utility model is a collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision, including a limiting bracket, a mounting component, and a triggering component; the triggering component is symmetrically arranged in two sets on the mounting component, including a bracket, a collapsibility switch snapped onto the bracket, and a dust cover fitted onto the collapsibility switch and inserted into the bracket. The dust cover has a cylindrical structure, the front end of the collapsibility switch is located inside the dust cover, the collapsibility switch faces the limiting bracket, and the distance from the front end of one collapsibility switch to the limiting bracket is less than the distance from the front end of the other collapsibility switch to the limiting bracket.

[0009] Preferably, the limiting bracket includes an arc-shaped connecting plate portion and two collapsible plate portions respectively connected to both ends of the connecting plate portion, with the front ends of the two collapsible switches facing the two collapsible plate portions respectively.

[0010] Preferably, the mounting assembly includes a mounting frame and two connecting frames symmetrically welded to the mounting frame, with the brackets welded to the connecting frames.

[0011] Preferably, the bracket has an "L" shaped structure, with an installation channel on one side and an installation hole on the other side. The front end of the collapse switch passes through the installation channel, and the side has a plug portion for inserting into the installation hole.

[0012] Preferably, the installation channel includes a strip channel and a circular channel connected to one end of the strip channel, and the dust cover is inserted into the circular channel and interference-fitted with the collapse switch.

[0013] Preferably, the inner wall of the mounting hole has a groove parallel to the central axis, the insertion part is a cylindrical structure, the outer circumferential surface of the insertion part is provided with a limiting claw that slides along the groove, and the bracket is provided with a stop block part distributed around the mounting hole.

[0014] Preferably, the limiting claw has a wedge-shaped structure.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0016] This invention can detect the collapse of the steering column. It uses two collapse switches with different distances to the limit bracket to detect the degree of collapse, achieving graded detection. The two connecting brackets on both sides can effectively limit the angle change of the steering column when collapse occurs, ensuring the driver's operational stability and safety. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the present utility model is applied in an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial structural cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 A structural diagram illustrating the process of installing the collapse switch onto the bracket;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of the limiting claw engaging with the stop block.

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the structure of the collapse switch and dust cover mounted on the bracket.

[0022] Reference numerals: 1. Limiting bracket; 11. Connecting plate; 12. Collapsible plate; 2. Mounting bracket; 3. Connecting bracket; 4. Bracket; 41. Mounting channel; 42. Mounting hole; 421. Slide groove; 43. Stop block; 5. Collapsible switch; 51. Insertion post; 511. Limiting claw; 6. Dust cover; 7. Outer tube. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Example 1

[0024] like Figures 1-5 As shown, this embodiment proposes a collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision, including a limiting bracket 1, a mounting assembly, and a triggering assembly. The limiting bracket 1 is welded to the outer sleeve 7. Two sets of triggering assemblies are symmetrically arranged on the mounting assembly, including a bracket 4, a collapsibility switch 5 snapped onto the bracket 4, and a dust cover 6 fitted onto the collapsibility switch 5 and inserted into the bracket 4. The dust cover 6 has a cylindrical structure, with the front end of the collapsibility switch 5 located inside the dust cover 6, providing dust protection. Simultaneously, the dust cover 6 also serves to prevent accidental triggering of the collapsibility switch 5. The collapsibility switch 5 adopts a structure similar to a self-resetting push-button switch, triggering a signal when touched. The collapsibility switch 5 faces the limiting bracket 1, with the distance from the front end of one collapsibility switch 5 to the limiting bracket 1 being less than the distance from the front end of the other collapsibility switch 5 to the limiting bracket 1, and the two collapsibility switches 5 have different lengths.

[0025] When a vehicle collision occurs, the steering wheel collapses downwards under force, causing the input shaft to collapse downwards as well. The input shaft and outer sleeve 7 are connected by bearings, which can be considered a rigid connection. The limit bracket 1 is welded to the outer sleeve 7, which can also be considered a rigid connection. Therefore, the input shaft, outer sleeve 7, and limit bracket 1 are a single unit, moving downwards together under the collapse force. The mounting assembly and triggering assembly are also a single unit. During collapse, the outer sleeve 7 moves the limit bracket 1. If the limit bracket 1 only touches the nearest collapse switch 5, it indicates a minor collapse (minor collision). If the limit bracket 1 triggers a more distant collapse switch 5 after triggering the nearest one, it indicates a severe collapse (severe collision), thus achieving two-level collapse detection.

[0026] The collapsibility switch 5 communicates with the controller and vehicle infotainment system, providing graded collapsibility signals to assist the vehicle infotainment system in taking action based on the degree of collapsibility. For minor collapsibility, the airbags deploy with a lower first-level burst force; for severe collapsibility, the airbags deploy with a higher second-level burst force to protect the driver. Upon detecting collapsibility, the vehicle infotainment system automatically unlocks the doors for rescue.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the limiting bracket 1 includes an arc-shaped connecting plate portion 11 and two collapsible plate portions 12 respectively connected to both ends of the connecting plate portion 11. The front ends of the two collapsible switches 5 face the two collapsible plate portions 12 respectively. When collapsing occurs, the collision detection of the two collapsible switches 5 is triggered by the two collapsible plate portions 12 on both sides.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket 2 and two connecting brackets 3 symmetrically welded to the mounting bracket 2, with a support 4 welded to the connecting brackets 3. The two connecting brackets 3 are located on both sides of the outer sleeve 7, respectively, limiting the collapse direction of the outer sleeve 7 and improving driver safety.

[0029] This embodiment can detect steering column collapse by using two collapse switches 5 at different distances from the limit bracket 1 to detect the degree of collapse, achieving graded detection. A collapse signal is sent to the vehicle's control system, triggering the graded deployment of the airbag. The two connecting brackets 3 on both sides effectively limit the angle change of the steering column during collapse, preventing deviation and ensuring the driver's operational stability and safety. This embodiment has low modification costs and does not require changes to the existing steering column's overall structure.

[0030] Example 2

[0031] like Figures 1-5 As shown, this embodiment proposes a collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision. Compared to Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the bracket 4 has an "L"-shaped structure with a mounting channel 41 on one side and a mounting hole 42 on the other side. The front end of the collapsibility switch 5 passes through the mounting channel 41, and the side has a plug portion 51 for inserting into the mounting hole 42. The collapsibility switch 5 is installed by inserting the plug portion 51 into the mounting hole 42.

[0032] like Figures 3-5 As shown, the installation channel 41 includes a strip channel and a circular channel connected to one end of the strip channel. The dust cover 6 is inserted into the circular channel and is interference-fitted with the collapse switch 5 to ensure secure installation.

[0033] like Figure 4As shown, the inner wall of the mounting hole 42 has a groove 421 parallel to the central axis. The insertion part 51 is a cylindrical structure, and a limiting claw 511 that slides along the groove 421 is provided on the outer circumference of the insertion part 51. The bracket 4 is provided with stop parts 43 distributed around the periphery of the mounting hole 42. When installing the collapse switch 5, the insertion part 51 is inserted into the mounting hole 42, and the limiting claw 511 slides along the groove 421. Then, the collapse switch 5 is rotated, and the front end of the collapse switch 5 is inserted into the strip channel and the circular channel of the mounting channel 41 in sequence, so that the limiting claw 511 abuts against the stop part 43, which can position the rotation process and ensure the accuracy of the collapse signal detection. Finally, the dust cover 6 is interference-fitted at the collapse switch 5 and the circular channel, so that the collapse switch 5 is not easy to fall off.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, the limiting claw 511 has a wedge-shaped structure with a beveled front end for easy insertion into the slide groove 421. The slide groove 421, the limiting claw 511, and the stop block 43 are all arranged in a ring with four pieces evenly distributed, thereby achieving multi-directional installation guidance and limiting.

[0035] In this embodiment, the collapse switch 5 is installed by first inserting and then rotating, and the dust cover 6 is installed with an interference fit to ensure the reliability of the installation.

[0036] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision, characterized in that, It includes a limit bracket (1), a mounting component and a triggering component; the triggering component is symmetrically arranged in two sets on the mounting component, including a bracket (4), a collapsible switch (5) snapped on the bracket (4) and a dust cover (6) fitted on the collapsible switch (5) and inserted into the bracket (4). The dust cover (6) is a cylindrical structure. The front end of the collapsible switch (5) is located inside the dust cover (6). The collapsible switch (5) faces the limit bracket (1). The distance from the front end of one collapsible switch (5) to the limit bracket (1) is less than the distance from the front end of the other collapsible switch (5) to the limit bracket (1).

2. The crumple signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting bracket (1) includes an arc-shaped connecting plate portion (11) and two collapsible plate portions (12) respectively connected to both ends of the connecting plate portion (11), with the front ends of the two collapsible switches (5) facing the two collapsible plate portions (12) respectively.

3. The crumple signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket (2) and two connecting brackets (3) symmetrically welded to the mounting bracket (2), with a support (4) welded to the connecting brackets (3).

4. The crumple signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket (4) has an "L" shaped structure, with an installation channel (41) on one side and an installation hole (42) on the other side. The front end of the collapse switch (5) passes through the installation channel (41), and the side has a plug part (51) that inserts into the installation hole (42).

5. A collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision, as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The installation channel (41) includes a strip channel and a circular channel connected to one end of the strip channel. The dust cover (6) is inserted into the circular channel and is interference-fitted with the collapse switch (5).

6. A collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision, as described in claim 5, is characterized in that, The inner wall of the mounting hole (42) has a groove (421) parallel to the central axis. The insert part (51) is a cylindrical structure. The outer circumferential surface of the insert part (51) is provided with a limiting claw (511) that slides along the groove (421). The bracket (4) is provided with a stop part (43) distributed around the mounting hole (42).

7. A collapsibility signal triggering structure for a steering column during a collision, as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The limiting claw (511) has a wedge-shaped structure.

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