Automobile steering wheel angle sensor tool

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of automobile steering wheel angle sensor tool, including base, first positioning mechanism for being positioned to gear and end cover is provided on base;Base is also provided with support assembly for clamping and positioning elastic mounting frame, elastic mounting frame has first part and second part connected by elastic member;Support assembly includes first positioning part for clamping first part and second positioning part for clamping second part, the clamping direction of first positioning part and second positioning part is perpendicular, so that elastic mounting frame is fixed and maintained in unfolded state;Support assembly further includes movable support, support has retracted position and working position, when support is in working position, it can extend below fixed elastic mounting frame, for supporting to be installed encoder;The application integrates gear / end cover assembly station and encoder / mounting frame assembly station on the same base, reduces the time of part taking and circulation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive technology, and in particular to a tooling for an automotive steering wheel angle sensor. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as automotive driving simulation, the installation of steering wheel angle sensors is a precise and tedious process. The sensor itself contains several small components such as encoders, gears, and end caps. Before installation onto the steering column, two key sub-assembly steps need to be completed: first, aligning and securing the gears and end caps, which are two half-piece parts; and second, connecting the encoder to a flexible mounting bracket (which typically includes two adapter plates connected by torsion springs and a mounting cover).

[0003] In existing technologies, the assembly work described above relies entirely on manual operation, which has significant drawbacks: First, when assembling gears and end caps, due to the small size of the parts, the operator needs to precisely align the screw holes of both with one hand while tightening the screws with the other. This process is time-consuming, and slippage is prone to occur during alignment and tightening, making it difficult to screw in the screws smoothly, resulting in low assembly efficiency and a low yield rate. Second, when installing the encoder onto the flexible mounting bracket, the operator must overcome the enormous elastic force of the torsion spring to pry the two adapter plates apart to a 90-degree angle, while simultaneously holding the encoder by hand and aligning the mounting holes on its top with the holes on the mounting cover before tightening the screws. This process is not only extremely physically demanding and prone to fatigue, but also makes it difficult to maintain the stability of the encoder because multiple operations need to be performed simultaneously, leading to alignment difficulties, inconvenient screw tightening, and even potential damage to parts or sensors due to operational errors.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a dedicated installation auxiliary tool to solve the problems of low efficiency, high labor intensity, and difficulty in ensuring assembly accuracy caused by the above manual operation. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a tooling for an automotive steering wheel angle sensor, which significantly improves the assembly efficiency and accuracy of the gear and end cover, completely freeing up manpower and enabling the safe and efficient assembly of the encoder and the flexible mounting bracket. The technical solution is as follows: This application provides a tooling for an automotive steering wheel angle sensor, including a base. A first positioning mechanism for pre-positioning a gear and an end cap is provided on the base. A support assembly for clamping and positioning an elastic mounting bracket is also provided on the base. The elastic mounting bracket is used to connect with an encoder of the angle sensor. The elastic mounting bracket has a first part and a second part connected by an elastic element. The support assembly includes a first positioning part for clamping the first part and a second positioning part for clamping the second part. The clamping directions of the first and second positioning parts are perpendicular to each other, so that the elastic mounting bracket is fixed and maintained in an extended state. The support assembly also includes a movable support member with a retractable position and a working position. When the support member is in the working position, it can extend below the fixed elastic mounting bracket to support the encoder to be installed.

[0006] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, the first positioning mechanism is at least one recessed groove formed on the base platform, the contour of the recessed groove being adapted to the shape of the gear and / or end cap, so as to circumferentially limit and axially align the gear and end cap placed therein.

[0007] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, the sidewall of the sinking groove is provided with a stepped surface, which is used to support the end cap and to keep the gear and the end cap at a predetermined distance in the axial direction and to align the connection hole.

[0008] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, a first support post is provided along a first side of the base, and a first positioning part is a first clamping groove formed on the first support post, the extension direction of the first clamping groove being parallel to the first side of the base; a second support post is provided along a second side of the base, and a second positioning part is a second clamping groove formed on the second support post, the extension direction of the second clamping groove being parallel to the second side of the base, and the first side and the second side being perpendicular to each other.

[0009] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, the width of the first clamping groove is adapted to the thickness of the first part of the elastic mounting bracket, and the width of the second clamping groove is adapted to the thickness of the second part, so as to achieve sliding clamping.

[0010] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, the support is a support platform that is rotatably connected to the support assembly via a hinge, and the switching between the retracted position and the working position is achieved by rotating around the hinge.

[0011] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, the elastic mounting bracket further includes a mounting cover plate connected to the top of the first part or the second part. When the support platform is in the working position, the upper surface of the support platform is used to support the bottom of the encoder and keep the top of the encoder in contact with the mounting cover plate on the elastic mounting bracket.

[0012] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, the elastic element of the elastic mounting bracket is a torsion spring, and the unfolded state is such that the first part and the second part form a 90° angle to create a space for mounting the encoder.

[0013] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, the gear and the end cap are two halves of a split structure.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor tooling provided in some embodiments of this application are as follows: This utility model integrates the gear / end cover assembly station and the encoder / mounting bracket assembly station on the same base, forming an assembly line-like work platform. This layout allows the entire pre-assembly process to be carried out in an orderly and step-by-step manner, reducing the time for handling and turnover of parts and avoiding mutual interference between different processes. Each part is in a state of precise positioning and reliable fixation during the assembly process, thereby ensuring that the final assembled components have higher consistency and reliability, laying a good quality foundation for the subsequent overall installation of the sensor assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor tooling of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the loading state structure of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor tooling of this application; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor tooling of this application; Figure 4 This is another schematic diagram of the overall structure of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor tooling of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, is provided below.

[0018] This application provides a tooling for an automotive steering wheel angle sensor, such as... Figure 1-4 As shown, the device includes a base 100, on which a first positioning mechanism 400 is provided for pre-positioning the gear 200 and the end cap 300; the base 100 also includes a support assembly 600 for clamping and positioning an elastic mounting bracket 500, the elastic mounting bracket 500 being used to connect with an encoder 700 of an angle sensor, the elastic mounting bracket 500 having a first portion 510 and a second portion 520 connected by an elastic element 530; the support assembly 600 includes a component for clamping the first portion 510. The first positioning part 610 and the second positioning part 620 for clamping the second part 520 are perpendicular to the clamping direction of the first positioning part 610 and the second positioning part 620, so that the elastic mounting bracket 500 is fixed and maintained in the unfolded state; the support assembly 600 also includes a movable support member 630, which has a retracted position and a working position. When the support member 630 is in the working position, it can extend to the underside of the fixed elastic mounting bracket 500 to support the encoder 700 to be installed.

[0019] in, Figure 1 The diagram shows the support component 630 in the retracted position. Figure 2 The diagram shows the support component 630 in its working position.

[0020] The automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture of this application provides a foundation for the pre-assembly of the gear 200 and end cover 300 by setting a first positioning mechanism 400; it achieves mechanical fixation of the elastic mounting bracket 500 by setting a support component 600 with a vertical clamping direction, replacing manual overcoming of elastic force; and it provides stable support for the encoder 700 by setting a movable support component 630, replacing manual lifting. The combination of these three parts achieves a systematic solution to two major assembly problems.

[0021] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the first positioning mechanism 400 is at least one recessed groove 410 formed on the platform of the base 100. The outline of the recessed groove 410 is adapted to the shape of the gear 200 and / or the end cover 300 to circumferentially limit and axially align the gear 200 and the end cover 300 placed therein.

[0022] According to the above embodiments, the sinking trough 410 uses its physical contour for positioning, and its technical effect is to provide a simple, low-cost and highly reliable positioning method, in which the position of the part is automatically corrected when it is placed in.

[0023] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the side wall of the sinking groove 410 is provided with a stepped surface 411. The stepped surface 411 is used to support the end cover 300 and to keep the gear 200 and the end cover 300 at a predetermined distance in the axial direction and to align with the connection hole 310.

[0024] According to the above embodiment, since a recessed groove 410 with a specific contour and stepped surface is provided on the base 100, its structural design matches the shape of the gear and end cap. During assembly, the worker only needs to place the gear and end cap into different levels of the recessed groove, and the sidewall of the recessed groove will automatically limit their circumferential positioning. The structure of the stepped surface has a key effect: it provides a graded positioning reference for gears and end caps of different thicknesses or different installation positions in the axial direction, ensuring that their holes in the vertical direction can also be automatically aligned, achieving precise positioning in three-dimensional space. The stepped surface automatically achieves their axial alignment, ensuring that the connection holes of the two are naturally aligned. This eliminates the need for operators to spend time on manual alignment and allows for direct screw tightening, fundamentally eliminating the slippage and offset problem caused by unstable manual alignment, thereby greatly improving assembly efficiency and first-time success rate.

[0025] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, a first support post 611 is provided along the first side 110 of the base 100, and the first positioning part 610 is a first clamping groove 612 formed on the first support post 611. The extending direction of the first clamping groove 612 is parallel to the first side 110 of the base 100. A second support post 621 is provided along the second side 120 of the base 100, and the second positioning part 620 is a second clamping groove 622 formed on the second support post 621. The extending direction of the second clamping groove 622 is parallel to the second side 120 of the base 100. The first side 110 and the second side 120 are perpendicular to each other.

[0026] According to the above embodiments, the design of the first clamping groove 612 and the second clamping groove 622 extending in a perpendicular direction has the effect of perfectly matching the actual geometric state of the elastic mounting bracket 500 after it is pried open, so that the mounting bracket can be naturally and stably embedded and fixed, the clamping force is evenly distributed, and it will not cause the component to deform.

[0027] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the width of the first clamping groove 612 is adapted to the thickness of the first portion 510 of the elastic mounting bracket 500, and the width of the second clamping groove 622 is adapted to the thickness of the second portion 520, so as to achieve sliding clamping.

[0028] According to the above embodiments, the groove width is adapted to the thickness of the component, which provides a precise sliding fit, ensuring the firmness of the clamping and preventing the component from shaking or coming out during operation, while also facilitating the operator to smoothly insert and remove the component, thus achieving a balance between reliability and ease of use.

[0029] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the support member 630 is a support platform that is rotatably connected to the support assembly 600 via a hinge 631, and the switching between the retracted position and the working position is achieved by rotating around the hinge 631.

[0030] According to the above embodiment, the support platform that rotates via hinge 631 achieves an extremely convenient position switching method—the operator can easily flip the support platform from the side into the working position with one hand, the movement is smooth and does not take up extra space, thus optimizing the operating experience.

[0031] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the elastic mounting bracket 500 also includes a mounting cover plate 540 connected to the top of the first part 510 or the second part 520. When the support member 630 (support platform) is in the working position, the upper surface of the support platform is used to support the bottom of the encoder 700, and to keep the top of the encoder 700 in contact with the mounting cover plate 540 on the elastic mounting bracket 500, and to align the mounting cover plate 540 with the top connection hole 541 of the encoder 700.

[0032] According to the above embodiment, the upper surface of the support platform supports the bottom of the encoder, which ensures that the encoder is in a completely stable state during the screw tightening process and will not sink or shift due to force, thereby ensuring that the holes on the mounting cover 540 and the top of the encoder 700 can always be aligned, which facilitates screw tightening.

[0033] The automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture of this application, due to the inclusion of a support assembly 600 with vertical clamping slots, can overcome the spring force of the torsion spring, replacing manual labor. The operator simply slides the two parts of the elastic mounting bracket 500 into the corresponding clamping slots to reliably fix it and maintain it in the required 90° extended position. Subsequently, the flip-up support platform can be screwed under the encoder 700, providing stable support and replacing manual lifting. This design completely frees the operator's hands, allowing them to focus on delicate operations such as handling the encoder and tightening screws. This not only reduces labor intensity and operational difficulty but also avoids assembly quality problems or component damage caused by physical exhaustion or unstable operation.

[0034] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, the elastic element 530 of the elastic mounting bracket 500 is a torsion spring, and the unfolded state is such that the first part 510 and the second part 520 form a 90° angle to create a space for mounting the encoder 700.

[0035] According to the above embodiments, the tooling of this application is for a specific but common structure of a mounting bracket that is provided with elastic force by a torsion spring and needs to be unfolded to 90°.

[0036] For example, in one embodiment of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor fixture, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the gear 200 and the end cover 300 are two halves of a split structure.

[0037] According to the above embodiments, the tooling of this application is also applicable to assembling split-type and half-type gears and end caps.

[0038] The assembly method of the automotive steering wheel angle sensor tooling of this application is as follows: the gear 200 and the end cover 300 are placed in the first positioning mechanism 400 for pre-positioning and centering, and then connected and fixed. The first part 510 and the second part 520 of the elastic mounting bracket 500 are clamped and fixed in the first positioning part 610 and the second positioning part 620 respectively, so that it overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member and is maintained in the unfolded state. The encoder 700 is placed under the fixed elastic mounting bracket 500, and the support 630 is moved to the working position to support the encoder 700, so that the encoder 700 is aligned with the elastic mounting bracket 500. The encoder 700 is fixedly connected to the mounting cover 540 of the flexible mounting bracket 500; Remove the support member 630 and take the assembled whole out from the first positioning part 610 and the second positioning part 620.

[0039] This fixture integrates the gear / end cover assembly station and the encoder / mounting bracket assembly station on the same base, forming a streamlined work platform. This layout allows the entire pre-assembly process to be carried out in an orderly and step-by-step manner, reducing the time spent on parts handling and turnover, and avoiding mutual interference between different processes. Each part is precisely positioned and reliably fixed during the assembly process, thus ensuring higher consistency and reliability of the final assembled components, laying a solid quality foundation for the subsequent overall installation of the sensor assembly.

[0040] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automobile steering wheel angle sensor tool characterized by, The device includes a base on which a first positioning mechanism for pre-positioning a gear and an end cap is provided. The base also includes a support assembly for clamping and positioning an elastic mounting bracket, which is used to connect with an encoder of an angle sensor. The elastic mounting bracket has a first part and a second part connected by an elastic element. The support assembly includes a first positioning part for clamping the first part and a second positioning part for clamping the second part. The clamping directions of the first and second positioning parts are perpendicular to each other, so that the elastic mounting bracket is fixed and maintained in an extended state. The support assembly also includes a movable support member with a retractable position and a working position. When the support member is in the working position, it can extend below the fixed elastic mounting bracket to support the encoder to be installed.

2. The tooling for an automobile steering wheel angle sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The first positioning mechanism is at least one recessed groove formed on the platform surface of the base. The contour of the recessed groove is adapted to the shape of the gear and / or end cap to circumferentially limit and axially align the gear and end cap placed therein.

3. The tooling for automotive steering wheel angle sensor as claimed in claim 2 wherein, The sidewall of the sinking trough is provided with a stepped surface, which is used to support the end cover and to keep the gear and the end cover at a predetermined distance in the axial direction and to align the connection hole.

4. The tooling for an automobile steering wheel angle sensor according to claim 1, wherein A first support column is provided along the first side of the base, and the first positioning part is a first clamping groove formed on the first support column, the extension direction of the first clamping groove being parallel to the first side of the base; a second support column is provided along the second side of the base, and the second positioning part is a second clamping groove formed on the second support column, the extension direction of the second clamping groove being parallel to the second side of the base, and the first side and the second side being perpendicular to each other.

5. The tooling for an automotive steering wheel angle sensor of claim 4, wherein, The width of the first clamping groove is adapted to the thickness of the first part of the elastic mounting bracket, and the width of the second clamping groove is adapted to the thickness of the second part, so as to achieve sliding clamping.

6. The tooling for an automobile steering wheel angle sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The support member is a support platform that is rotatably connected to the support assembly via a hinge, and the switching between the retracted position and the working position is achieved by rotating around the hinge.

7. The tooling for automotive steering wheel angle sensor as claimed in claim 6 wherein, The flexible mounting bracket also includes a mounting cover plate connected to the top of the first part or the second part. When the support platform is in the working position, the upper surface of the support platform is used to support the bottom of the encoder and keep the top of the encoder in contact with the mounting cover plate on the flexible mounting bracket.

8. The tooling for an automobile steering wheel angle sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic element of the elastic mounting bracket is a torsion spring, and the unfolded state is such that the first part and the second part form a 90° angle to create a space for mounting the encoder.

9. The automotive steering wheel angle sensor tooling of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The gear and the end cap are two halves of a split structure.

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