Steering column device and vehicle

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a steering column device and a vehicle. The steering column device includes a housing, an outer steering column tube, and a protective cover. The housing is used to connect to the vehicle body. The outer steering column tube is telescopically fitted inside the housing with one end extending out of the housing. The direction of the telescopic displacement is a first direction parallel to the axial direction of the outer steering column tube. The protective cover is spaced apart on the outer periphery of the outer steering column tube. The housing is provided with a first slot extending along the first direction. The outer steering column tube and the protective cover are connected via a protective cover bracket passing through the first slot. Along the circumferential direction of the outer steering column tube, the width of the first slot is a, and the width of the protective cover bracket is b. Along the radial direction of the outer steering column tube, the distance between the center of the outer steering column tube and the outer opening of the first slot is c. Wherein, a = b; or, a > b, and (a - b) / c ≤ 0.01.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of vehicle and accessory technology, and in particular to a steering column device and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The steering column assembly, as a crucial component for the mechanical assembly of the steering wheel module in a vehicle, is still widely used. The steering column assembly includes a housing and a steering column that is retractably fitted within the housing. The end of the steering column extending beyond the housing houses components such as the steering wheel and combination switches. Current axial adjustment methods for steering column assemblies involve releasing the column handle and pushing or pulling the steering wheel to adjust its position; that is, the steering wheel causes the steering column to extend or retract axially relative to the housing. However, when the column handle is released, due to the clearance fit between the steering column and the housing, a certain amount of rotation occurs in the steering column. This rotation is transmitted to the combination switches, causing noticeable displacement and wobbling of components such as levers, resulting in noise and negatively impacting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the problems existing in the related technologies, this disclosure provides a steering column device and a vehicle.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a steering column device is provided for installation in a vehicle. The steering column device includes a housing, an outer steering column tube, and a protective cover. The housing is connected to the vehicle body. The outer steering column tube is telescopically fitted inside the housing with one end extending out of the housing. The direction of the telescopic displacement is a first direction parallel to the axial direction of the outer steering column tube. The protective cover is spaced apart on the outer periphery of the outer steering column tube. The housing has a first slot extending along the first direction. The outer steering column tube and the protective cover are connected via a protective cover bracket passing through the first slot. Along the circumferential direction of the outer steering column tube, the width of the first slot is a, and the width of the protective cover bracket is b. Along the radial direction of the outer steering column tube, the distance between the center of the outer steering column tube and the outer opening of the first slot is c. Wherein, a = b; or, a > b, and (a - b) / c ≤ 0.01.

[0005] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the width of the first slot is greater than the width of the protective cover bracket; the first slot is disposed directly below the housing, and the first slot has two first slot walls arranged circumferentially along the outer tube of the steering column; wherein, under normal conditions, the outer tube of the steering column has equal-width gaps between the two sides of the protective cover bracket and the two first slot walls along the circumferential direction, and the width of a single gap is e, e = (a - b) / 2, e / c ≤ 0.005.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the width of the first slot is greater than the width of the protective cover bracket; the first slot is disposed directly below the housing, and the first slot has two first slot walls arranged circumferentially along the outer tube of the steering column; wherein, under normal conditions, the outer tube of the steering column has equal-width gaps between the two sides of the protective cover bracket and the two first slot walls along the circumferential direction, and the first slot limits the maximum rotation angle of the outer tube of the steering column relative to the housing to ±0.8°.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the first slot limits the maximum rotation angle of the steering column outer tube relative to the housing to ±0.3°.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the first slot has two second slot walls spaced apart along the first direction; wherein at least one of the second slot walls is used to abut against the cover bracket as a telescopic limiting slot wall to limit the maximum telescopic position of the steering column outer tube on at least one side in the first direction.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the side of the protective cover bracket facing the telescopic limiting groove wall is provided with a buffer structure, and the protective cover bracket abuts against the telescopic limiting groove wall via the buffer structure.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the steering column device further includes a telescopic limiting structure disposed between the housing and the steering column outer tube, for limiting the maximum telescopic position of the steering column outer tube on both sides in the first direction.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the telescopic limiting structure includes a second slot disposed on the housing and extending along the first direction, and a limiting protrusion disposed on the outer tube of the steering column. The limiting protrusion is slidably disposed in the second slot, and the limiting protrusion and the protective cover bracket are arranged offset from each other along the circumference of the outer tube of the steering column. The two side walls of the second slot, which are spaced apart along the first direction, are respectively used to abut against the limiting protrusion to limit the maximum telescopic position of the outer tube of the steering column on both sides in the first direction.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the steering column assembly further includes a locking mechanism for adjustablely locking or releasing the relative position of the housing and the steering column outer tube.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, wherein the vehicle includes a steering column device as presented in the present disclosure and described in the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0014] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure can include the following beneficial effects: The steering column device proposed in this disclosure includes a housing and an outer tube of the steering column; the housing is provided with a first slot, and the outer tube of the steering column is connected to a protective cover via a protective cover bracket passing through the first slot. Based on this, the width of the first slot is equal to the width of the protective cover bracket. Alternatively, the width of the first slot is greater than the width of the protective cover bracket, and the ratio of the width difference between the two to the distance from the center of the outer tube of the steering column to the outer opening of the first slot is less than or equal to 0.01. Through the above structural design, when the width of the first slot and the protective cover bracket are equal, there is no gap between the side of the protective cover bracket and the groove wall of the first slot along the circumference of the outer tube of the steering column. Accordingly, this disclosure can achieve circumferential positioning of the housing and the outer tube of the steering column, preventing the outer tube of the steering column from rotating relative to the housing. Alternatively, when the width of the first slot is greater than the width of the protective cover bracket, this disclosure controls the width difference between the two within a small dimensional range, which can significantly reduce the rotation angle of the outer tube of the steering column relative to the housing and limit the amount of rotation of the outer tube of the steering column.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a steering column device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the steering column assembly in another exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a portion of the steering column assembly is shown.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the diagram;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A plan view;

[0022] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view made by line BB in the middle;

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged schematic diagram of part C in the diagram;

[0024] Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view of the line EE in the diagram;

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged schematic diagram of part F in the diagram.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 100. Steering column assembly;

[0028] 110. Shell;

[0029] 111. First slotting;

[0030] 1111. First tank wall;

[0031] 1112. Second tank wall;

[0032] 120. Steering column outer tube;

[0033] 121. Protective cover bracket;

[0034] 1211. Buffer structure;

[0035] 1212. Screw;

[0036] 130. Steering column inner tube;

[0037] 140. Protective shield;

[0038] 150. Control handle;

[0039] 200. Combination switch;

[0040] 210. Lever;

[0041] G. Gap;

[0042] L. Distance;

[0043] O. Center;

[0044] W1. Width;

[0045] W2. Width;

[0046] W3. Width. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Some embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. Various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein will become apparent upon understanding this disclosure. For example, the order of operations described herein is merely illustrative and is not limited to those orders set forth herein, but can be changed as will become apparent upon understanding this disclosure, except for operations that must be performed in a particular order. Furthermore, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of features known in the art may be omitted.

[0048] The embodiments described in the following examples of this disclosure are not representative of all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0049] See Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a typical structural schematic of the steering column assembly 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the steering column assembly 100 of this disclosure is described using an example of its application in a range-extended electric vehicle. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, or other changes may be made to the specific embodiments described below in order to apply the relevant designs of this disclosure to other types of vehicles, and these changes shall still be within the scope of the principles of the steering column assembly 100 of this disclosure.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the steering column assembly 100 includes a housing 110, an outer steering column tube 120, an inner steering column tube 130, and a protective cover 140. (See also...) Figures 2 to 9 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the steering column assembly 100 in another exemplary embodiment is shown in the figure; Figure 3 The diagram shows a representative partial structure of the steering column assembly 100, with the protective cover 140 omitted. Figure 4 China representatively shows Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the diagram; Figure 5 China representatively shows Figure 3 A plan view; Figure 6 The middle section represents the direction along Figure 5 A sectional view made by line BB in the middle; Figure 7 China representatively shows Figure 6 An enlarged schematic diagram of part C in the diagram; Figure 8 The middle section represents the direction along Figure 5 A sectional view of the line EE in the diagram; Figure 9 China representatively shows Figure 8 An enlarged schematic diagram of part F in the figure. The structure, connection method, and functional relationship of each major component of the steering column device 100 proposed in this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the above-mentioned figures.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the housing 110 is used to connect to the vehicle body. A steering column outer tube 120 is telescopically fitted inside the housing 110, with one end of the steering column outer tube 120 extending out of the housing 110. The direction of the telescopic displacement of the steering column outer tube 120 is a first direction parallel to the axial direction of the steering column outer tube 120, which can be referred to as direction D1 shown in the accompanying drawings. A protective cover 140 is spaced apart on the outer periphery of the steering column outer tube 120. Based on this, the housing 110 is provided with a first slot 111 extending along the first direction. The steering column outer tube 120 and the protective cover 140 are connected via a protective cover bracket 121, which passes through the first slot 111 of the housing 110. During the telescopic movement of the steering column outer tube 120 relative to the housing 110, the protective cover bracket 121 can move along the first slot 111 with the steering column outer tube 120. The protective cover bracket 121 can be connected to the steering column outer tube 120 via screws 1212. Along the circumferential direction of the steering column outer tube 120, the width W1 of the first slot 111 is a, and the width W2 of the cover bracket 121 is b. Along the radial direction of the steering column outer tube 120 (for example, refer to...), Figure 6In the direction D2 shown, the distance L between the center O of the steering column outer tube 120 and the outer groove of the first slot 111 is c. Where a = b, that is, the width W1 of the first slot 111 is equal to the width W2 of the cover bracket 121, meaning that the side of the cover bracket 121 in the aforementioned circumferential direction is in contact with the corresponding groove wall of the first slot 111 (e.g., the first groove wall 1111 described below) without any gap. Alternatively, a > b, and (a - b) / c ≤ 0.01, that is, the width W1 of the first slot 111 is greater than the width W2 of the cover bracket 121, meaning that there is a gap G between the side of the cover bracket 121 in the aforementioned circumferential direction and the corresponding groove wall of the first slot 111 (e.g., the first groove wall 1111 described below). The embodiment of "a > b" will be described in detail in this specification with reference to the accompanying drawings. Through the above structural design, when the width of the first slot 111 is equal to that of the cover bracket 121, there is no gap between the side of the cover bracket 121 and the groove wall of the first slot along the circumference of the steering column outer tube 120. Accordingly, this disclosure can achieve circumferential positioning of the housing 110 and the steering column outer tube 120, preventing the steering column outer tube 120 from rotating relative to the housing 110. Alternatively, when the width W1 of the first slot 111 is greater than the width W2 of the cover bracket 121, this disclosure controls the width difference between the two within a small dimensional range, that is, controls the gap G within a small width range, which can significantly reduce the rotation angle of the steering column outer tube 120 relative to the housing 110 and limit the amount of rotation of the steering column outer tube 120. Based on this, when the inner tube 130 of the steering column is connected to the combination switch 200, this disclosure can reduce or avoid significant displacement and shaking of the components of the combination switch 200 (such as lever 210, specifically the light control lever, wiper control lever, gear control lever, etc.) caused by the rotation of the outer tube 120 of the steering column being transmitted to the combination switch 200, thereby reducing noise and improving the user's driving experience.

[0052] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the width W1 of the first slot 111 is greater than the width W2 of the protective cover bracket 121 (i.e., a > b). The first slot 111 is located directly below the housing 110, and the first slot 111 has two first slot walls 1111 arranged circumferentially along the outer tube of the steering column 120. Under normal conditions, the outer tube of the steering column 120 has equal-width gaps G between its two sides and the two first slot walls 1111 along the circumferential direction. The width W3 of each gap G is e, where e = (a - b) / 2, and e / c ≤ 0.005. It should be noted that the term "normal state" refers to the state where, when the locking between the housing 110 and the steering column outer tube 120 is released (e.g., by switching to the unlocked state via the operating handle 150), since the first slot 111 is located directly below the housing 110, the cover bracket 121 can generally maintain a free state where it extends downward from the steering column outer tube 120 into the first slot 111. In other embodiments of this disclosure, when the first slot 111 is located at other positions of the housing 110, such as the side, when the locking between the housing 110 and the steering column outer tube 120 is released, the cover bracket 121 may rotate with the steering column outer tube 120 to a certain extent, causing the cover bracket 121 to abut against the lower one of the two first slot walls 1111. In this case, there is a gap between only one side of the cover bracket 121 in the circumferential direction and the corresponding first slot wall 1111.

[0053] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, taking the width W1 of the first slot 111 as greater than the width W2 of the cover bracket 121, and the first slot 111 being located directly below the housing 110 as an example, in the normal state, along the circumferential direction, the two sides of the cover bracket 121 and the two first slot walls 1111 have equal gaps G. The first slot 111 limits the maximum rotation angle of the steering column outer tube 120 relative to the housing 110 to ±0.8°. That is, taking the above-mentioned normal state as the initial state, the maximum rotation angle of the cover bracket 121 with the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the steering column outer tube 120 can be 0.8° respectively, where "±" can be understood as clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0054] like Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, by selecting the dimensional relationships of components or structures such as the housing 110, the steering column outer tube 120, the first slot 111, and the protective cover bracket 121, the first slot 111 can further limit the maximum rotation angle of the steering column outer tube 120 relative to the housing 110 to within ±0.3°. Accordingly, this disclosure can control the amount of wobbling of the lever 210 to within approximately 1 mm, that is, significantly reduce the wobbling amplitude of the lever 210.

[0055] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the first slot 111 has two second slot walls 1112 arranged at intervals along a first direction. Based on this, the two second slot walls 1112 are respectively used to abut against the cover bracket 121 (on both sides along the first direction), so that the two second slot walls 1112 respectively serve as telescopic limiting slot walls, thereby limiting the maximum telescopic position of the steering column outer tube 120 on both sides in the first direction. Through the above structural design, this disclosure utilizes the first slot 111 to limit the maximum extension and retraction stroke of the steering column outer tube 120, that is, the first slot 111 simultaneously achieves circumferential (rotational restriction) and axial limitation of the steering column outer tube 120, eliminating the need for an additional separate axial limiting mechanism, which helps to simplify structural complexity, reduce the number of parts, and lower the overall vehicle BOM cost. Furthermore, since the aforementioned circumferential and axial limiting functions are integrated into a single mating structure (the cover bracket 121 and the first slot 111), this disclosure can reduce one assembly step during assembly (i.e., the assembly step of the separately provided axial limiting mechanism), thereby further improving production efficiency and reducing production costs.

[0056] It should be noted that in some other embodiments of this disclosure, the first slot 111 may be used only to axially limit one side of the steering column outer tube 120 in the first direction. That is, the first slot 111 may only provide an extension limit or only a retraction limit, and a telescopic limiting structure may be provided between the housing 110 and the steering column outer tube 120 to limit the other side. In other words, in various possible embodiments that conform to the design concept of this disclosure, at least one second groove wall 1112 is used to abut against the cover bracket 121 as a telescopic limiting groove wall to limit the maximum telescopic position of at least one side of the steering column outer tube 120 in the first direction.

[0057] like Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, based on the structural design of the first groove wall 1111 of the first slot 111 and the limiting engagement of the protective cover bracket 121, in one embodiment of this disclosure, a buffer structure 1211 can be provided on the side of the protective cover bracket 121 facing the telescopic limiting groove wall. The protective cover bracket 121 abuts against the telescopic limiting groove wall via the buffer structure 1211. Through the above structural design, when the protective cover bracket 121 moves with the steering column outer tube 120 to the maximum extended position or the maximum retracted position, the buffer structure 1211 abuts against the first groove wall 1111, which serves as the telescopic limiting groove wall. The buffer structure 1211 can generate a certain deformation to absorb impact using its own deformation. Specifically, the buffer structure 1211 can be a gasket, a bending arm, an airbag, etc.

[0058] Unlike the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, which uses a first slot 111 to achieve axial extension and retraction limitation of the steering column outer tube 120, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the steering column device 100 proposed in this disclosure may further include an extension and retraction limitation structure disposed between the housing 110 and the steering column outer tube 120. This extension and retraction limitation structure is used to limit the maximum extension and retraction positions of the steering column outer tube 120 on both sides in a first direction.

[0059] Based on the structural design of the telescopic limiting structure, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the telescopic limiting structure may include a second slot disposed on the housing 110 and extending along a first direction, and a limiting protrusion disposed on the steering column outer tube 120. The limiting protrusion is slidably disposed in the second slot, and the limiting protrusion and the protective cover bracket 121 are arranged offset from each other along the circumference of the steering column outer tube 120. Furthermore, the two side walls of the second slot, spaced apart along the first direction, are respectively used to abut against the limiting protrusion to limit the maximum telescopic position of the steering column outer tube 120 on both sides in the first direction.

[0060] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the steering column assembly 100 proposed in this disclosure may further include a locking mechanism, such as the operating handle 150 shown in the figures, which is used to adjustably lock or release the relative position of the housing 110 and the steering column outer tube 120.

[0061] It should be noted that the steering column assembly shown in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification is merely a few examples among many steering column assemblies capable of employing the principles of this disclosure. It should be clearly understood that the principles of this disclosure are by no means limited to any detail or component of the steering column assembly shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification.

[0062] Based on the above detailed description of several exemplary embodiments of the steering column device proposed in this disclosure, an exemplary embodiment of the vehicle proposed in this disclosure will be described below.

[0063] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the vehicle proposed in this disclosure includes the steering column device proposed in this disclosure and described in detail in the above embodiments.

[0064] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the vehicle proposed in this disclosure can be a hybrid vehicle, a non-hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or other types of vehicles. The vehicle can be an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, or a non-autonomous vehicle.

[0065] It should be noted that the vehicles shown in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification are merely a few examples among many vehicles capable of employing the principles of this disclosure. It should be clearly understood that the principles of this disclosure are by no means limited to any detail or component of the vehicles shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification.

[0066] In summary, the steering column device 100 proposed in this disclosure includes a housing 110 and a steering column outer tube 120. The housing 110 is provided with a first slot 111, and the steering column outer tube 120 is connected to a protective cover 140 via a protective cover bracket 121 passing through the first slot 111. Based on this, the width of the first slot 111 is equal to the width of the protective cover bracket 121. Alternatively, the width of the first slot 111 is greater than the width of the protective cover bracket 121, and the ratio of the width difference between the two to the distance from the center O of the steering column outer tube 120 to the outer opening of the first slot 111 is less than or equal to 0.01. Through the above structural design, when the widths of the first slot 111 and the protective cover bracket 121 are equal, there is no gap between the side of the protective cover bracket 121 and the groove wall of the first slot along the circumference of the steering column outer tube 120. Therefore, this disclosure can achieve circumferential positioning of the housing 110 and the steering column outer tube 120, preventing the steering column outer tube 120 from rotating relative to the housing 110. Alternatively, when the width of the first slot 111 is greater than the width of the cover bracket 121, this disclosure controls the width difference between the two within a small dimensional range, which can significantly reduce the rotation angle of the steering column outer tube 120 relative to the housing 110 and limit the amount of rotation of the steering column outer tube 120.

[0067] Furthermore, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous compared to other aspects or designs. Rather, the use of the term “exemplary” is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. As used herein, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, “X applies A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive arrangements. That is, “X applies A or B” satisfies any of the foregoing instances if X applies A; X applies B; or both X applies A and B. Additionally, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context to refer to the singular form, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims are generally understood to mean “one or more.”

[0068] Similarly, although this disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification and drawings. This disclosure includes all such modifications and variations and is limited only by the scope of the claims. In particular, with respect to the various functions performed by the components described above (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), unless otherwise indicated, the terminology used to describe such components is intended to correspond to any component (functionally equivalent) that performs the specific function of the described component, even if structurally not equivalent to the disclosed structure. Furthermore, although specific features of this disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other implementations, as may be desired and advantageous to any given or particular application. Moreover, with regard to the terms “comprising,” “owning,” “having,” “having,” or variations thereof as used in the detailed description or claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “including.”

[0069] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0070] It should be understood that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms herein according to the specific circumstances.

[0071] Although terms such as “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, or sections, these components, parts, regions, layers, or sections are not limited to these terms. Rather, these terms are used only to distinguish one component, part, region, layer, or section from another. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein, the first component, part, region, layer, or section mentioned in the examples may also be referred to as the second component, part, region, layer, or section. Furthermore, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as “first” or “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description herein, “a plurality” means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0072] It should be understood that spatial relative terms, such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” and “lower,” are used herein to describe the relationship between one element and another shown in the figures. In addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, these spatial relative terms are also intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “above” or “upper” relative to another element would be “below” or “lower” relative to that other element. Thus, depending on the spatial orientation of the device, the term “above” encompasses both above and below orientations. Devices may have other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative terms used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0073] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A steering column assembly (100) for installation in a vehicle, the steering column assembly (100) comprising a housing (110), an outer tube of the steering column (120), and a protective cover (140), the housing (110) being connected to the vehicle body, the outer tube of the steering column (120) being telescopically fitted inside the housing (110) with one end extending out of the housing (110), the telescopic displacement direction being a first direction parallel to the axial direction of the outer tube of the steering column (120), and the protective cover (140) being spaced apart on the outer periphery of the outer tube of the steering column (120); characterized in that: The housing (110) is provided with a first slot (111) extending along the first direction, and the steering column outer tube (120) is connected to the protective cover (140) via a protective cover bracket (121) passing through the first slot (111); Along the circumference of the steering column outer tube (120), the width (W1) of the first slot (111) is a, and the width (W2) of the cover bracket (121) is b; along the radial direction of the steering column outer tube (120), the distance (L) between the center (O) of the steering column outer tube (120) and the outer opening of the first slot (111) is c; Where a = b; or a > b, and (a - b) / c ≤ 0.

01.

2. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width (W1) of the first slot (111) is greater than the width (W2) of the protective cover bracket (121); the first slot (111) is located directly below the housing (110), and the first slot (111) has two first groove walls (1111) arranged circumferentially along the outer tube of the steering column (120); wherein, under normal conditions, the outer tube of the steering column (120) has equal gaps (G) of equal width between the two sides of the protective cover bracket (121) and the two first groove walls (1111) along the circumferential direction, and the width (W3) of a single gap (G) is e, e=(a-b) / 2, e / c≤0.

005.

3. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width (W1) of the first slot (111) is greater than the width (W2) of the protective cover bracket (121); the first slot (111) is located directly below the housing (110), and the first slot (111) has two first groove walls (1111) arranged circumferentially along the outer tube of the steering column (120); wherein, under normal conditions, the outer tube of the steering column (120) has equal gaps (G) of equal width between the two sides of the protective cover bracket (121) and the two first groove walls (1111) along the circumferential direction, and the first slot (111) limits the maximum rotation angle of the outer tube of the steering column (120) relative to the housing (110) to ±0.8°.

4. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first slot (111) limits the maximum rotation angle of the steering column outer tube (120) relative to the housing (110) to ±0.3°.

5. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first slot (111) has two second slot walls (1112) arranged at intervals along the first direction; wherein at least one of the second slot walls (1112) is used to abut against the cover bracket (121) as a telescopic limiting slot wall to limit the maximum telescopic position of the steering column outer tube (120) on at least one side in the first direction.

6. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The protective cover bracket (121) has a buffer structure (1211) on the side facing the telescopic limiting groove wall, and the protective cover bracket (121) abuts against the telescopic limiting groove wall via the buffer structure (1211).

7. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steering column assembly (100) further includes a telescopic limiting structure disposed between the housing (110) and the steering column outer tube (120) for limiting the maximum telescopic position of the steering column outer tube (120) on both sides in the first direction.

8. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The telescopic limiting structure includes a second slot disposed on the housing (110) and extending along the first direction, and a limiting protrusion disposed on the steering column outer tube (120). The limiting protrusion is slidably disposed in the second slot, and the limiting protrusion and the protective cover bracket (121) are staggered along the circumference of the steering column outer tube (120). The two side walls of the second slot, which are spaced apart along the first direction, are respectively used to abut against the limiting protrusion to limit the maximum telescopic position of the steering column outer tube (120) on both sides in the first direction.

9. The steering column assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steering column assembly (100) further includes a locking mechanism for adjustablely locking or releasing the relative position of the housing (110) and the steering column outer tube (120).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle includes the steering column assembly (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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