A structure for preventing the lower tube of an internally collapsible steering column from detaching.

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of steering system technology, specifically to an anti-detachment structure for the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column. The anti-detachment structure for the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column includes a lower column tube, characterized in that: a retaining ring groove is provided on the inner surface of the lower column tube, and a retaining ring is embedded in the retaining ring groove; the retaining ring is a C-shaped sheet structure, with through holes at its opening, and both ends of the opening are bent inward to form an inwardly protruding structure; the retaining ring is interference-fitted with the lower column tube through the retaining ring groove on the inner surface of the lower column tube. Compared with the prior art, this anti-detachment structure for the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column achieves the requirement of preventing the input shaft inside the steering column from detaching without changing the existing lower column tube assembly position dimensions, while not affecting the collapsible stroke of the steering column.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of steering system technology, specifically to a structure for preventing the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column from coming off. Background Technology

[0002] In the design of the lower stator tube of the steering column, a redundant anti-disengagement design was implemented to prevent the input shaft from dislodging from the steering column. Existing anti-disengagement designs involve drilling holes in the surface of the lower stator tube, bending it, and adding rubber plugs to achieve a seal. However, due to the collapse process under impact loads, the surface rubber plugs can affect the maximum collapse stroke, limiting the collapse stroke and creating a safety hazard.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, in the existing anti-detachment structure design, to prevent the input shaft from detaching, it is mainly achieved through the lower column tube 1, the sealing plug 2, and the housing end cover 3. The lower column tube 1 and the housing end cover 3 are connected together by welding, and the sealing plug 2 is manually assembled onto the lower column tube 1 on the production line. Figure 2 As shown, the outer surface of the lower column tube 1 is perforated and then bent to form two dead stops, thereby blocking the input shaft from disengaging and preventing it from coming out. Because the surface of the lower column tube 1 is perforated, it is necessary to add... Figure 3 The rubber sealing plug 2 shown is placed above the dead stop of the lower column tube 1 to provide a certain sealing effect.

[0004] The existing anti-disengagement structure can achieve the anti-disengagement function of the input shaft. However, when the steering gear encounters axial load and collapses, the rubber sealing plug protrudes from the surface of the lower column tube, which affects the collapse stroke and prevents the upper column tube from collapsing to the surface of the housing end cover, thus affecting the collapse distance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this utility model provides a lower column tube anti-disengagement structure for an internally collapsible steering column. Under the condition that the assembly position and size of the lower column tube remain unchanged, it achieves the requirement of preventing the input shaft inside the steering column from disengaging, while not affecting the collapsible stroke of the steering column.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, a lower column tube anti-detachment structure for an internally collapsible steering column is designed, comprising a lower column tube, characterized in that: a retaining ring groove is provided on the inner surface of the lower column tube, and a retaining ring is embedded in the retaining ring groove; the retaining ring is a "C"-shaped sheet structure, with through holes respectively located at the opening of the retaining ring, and the two ends of the opening of the retaining ring are bent inward to form an inwardly protruding structure; the retaining ring is interference-fitted with the lower column tube through the retaining ring groove on the inner surface of the lower column tube.

[0007] The lower column tube is a cylindrical structure, and one end of the lower column tube is welded to the end cap of the housing. The retaining ring groove is located on the inner surface of the lower column tube near the end cap of the housing.

[0008] The retaining ring groove is an annular groove.

[0009] The two inwardly protruding structures of the retaining ring abut against the bottom of the input shaft.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a structure to prevent the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column from detaching. Under the condition that the assembly position and size of the lower column tube remain unchanged, the requirement of preventing the input shaft inside the steering column from detaching is achieved, while not affecting the collapsible stroke of the steering column.

[0011] To meet the requirement of preventing the input shaft from coming off, the lower column tube has no holes on its outer surface, so there is no need to seal the outer surface of the lower column tube. The lower column tube, which has no protruding outer surface features, will not affect the collapse stroke requirement of the upper column tube. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing anti-detachment structure.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the existing lower tubular column structure.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an existing sealing plug structure.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the lower tube column structure of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the retaining ring structure of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-detachment structure of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] like Figures 3 to 7 As shown, a retaining ring groove 1-1 is provided on the inner surface of the lower column tube 1, and a retaining ring 4 is embedded in the retaining ring groove 1-1; the retaining ring 4 is a "C"-shaped sheet structure, and a through hole 4-1 is provided at the opening of the retaining ring 4. The two ends of the opening of the retaining ring 4 are bent inward to form an inward protruding structure 4-2; the retaining ring 4 is interference-fitted with the lower column tube 1 through the retaining ring groove 1-1 on the inner surface of the lower column tube 1.

[0021] The lower column tube 1 has a cylindrical structure. One end of the lower column tube 1 is welded to the end cover 3 of the housing. The retaining ring groove 1-1 is located on the inner surface of the lower column tube 1 near the end cover 3 of the housing.

[0022] The retaining ring groove 1-1 is an annular groove.

[0023] The two inwardly protruding structures 4-2 of the retaining ring 4 abut against the bottom of the input shaft 5.

[0024] This utility model proposes a lower column tube 1 of a steering column with a retaining ring 4. The lower column tube 1 and the retaining ring 4 are composed of the lower column tube 1 and the retaining ring 4. The outer surface of the lower column tube 1 does not need to be drilled to add a rubber sealing plug. The inner surface of the lower column tube 1 is designed with a retaining ring groove 1-1. The retaining ring 4 is placed in the retaining ring groove 1-1 to achieve the requirement of preventing dislodgement. At the same time, since the rubber sealing plug is eliminated, it does not affect the crumple stroke.

[0025] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower column tube 1 and the housing end cap 3 are connected by welding, and the retaining ring 4 is interference-fitted with the lower column tube 1 through the retaining ring groove 1-1 on the inner surface of the lower column tube 1. Figure 5 As shown, the optimized lower column tube 1 eliminates the hole-cutting and bending design, and instead features a grooved inner surface. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the retaining ring 4 is inserted into the retaining ring groove 1-1 of the lower column tube 1 by means of two through holes 4-1 and clamped by a tooling fixture. After natural elastic deformation, the retaining ring 4 has an interference fit with the retaining ring groove 1-1 of the lower column tube 1, and an axial clearance fit with the retaining ring groove 1-1. Figure 7 As shown, the anti-disengagement function is achieved through the optimized lower column tube 1 and retaining ring 4. The two inward protruding structures 4-2 on the retaining ring 4 will perform hard limiting during the disengagement of the input shaft 5 after the torsion bar inside the input shaft 5 breaks, thereby limiting the disengagement of the input shaft 5.

[0026] The optimized anti-out-of-bounds structure design shows that, because the sealing plug on the outer surface of the lower column tube is eliminated, the crumple stroke is no longer affected when the steering gear encounters axial load and crumples, compared to the existing anti-out-of-bounds structure. This allows the upper column tube to crumple to the surface of the housing end cap, achieving the maximum crumple stroke. At the same time, the surface of the lower column tube no longer needs to be sealed, avoiding the potential problem of sealing failure caused by the rubber sealing plug falling off.

[0027] The advantages of this utility model are: 1. Better sealing performance: While meeting the requirements for preventing the input shaft from coming out, the lower column tube has no holes on its outer surface, so there is no need to seal the outer surface of the lower column tube. 2. Stable collapse stroke: The sealing plug structure on the outer surface of the lower tube is eliminated, and the lower tube without protruding outer surface features will not affect the collapse stroke requirements of the upper tube.

Claims

1. A lower column tube anti-disengagement structure of an in-cupped steering column, comprising a lower column tube, characterized by: A retaining ring groove (1-1) is provided on the inner surface of the lower column tube (1), and a retaining ring (4) is embedded in the retaining ring groove (1-1); the retaining ring (4) is a "C"-shaped sheet structure, and a through hole (4-1) is provided at the opening of the retaining ring (4), and the two ends of the opening of the retaining ring (4) are bent inward to form an inward protruding structure (4-2); the retaining ring (4) is interference-fitted with the lower column tube (1) through the retaining ring groove (1-1) on the inner surface of the lower column tube (1).

2. The anti-detachment structure of the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower column tube (1) is a cylindrical structure. One end of the lower column tube (1) is connected to the end cap (3) of the housing by welding. The retaining ring groove (1-1) is located on the inner surface of the lower column tube (1) near the end cap (3) of the housing.

3. The anti-detachment structure of the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The retaining ring groove (1-1) is an annular groove.

4. The anti-detachment structure of the lower column tube of an internally collapsible steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two inwardly protruding structures (4-2) of the retaining ring (4) abut against the bottom of the input shaft (5).

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