Pneumatic locking steering column

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of pneumatic locking steering column, belong to automobile parts technical field.The pipe column includes column pipe shell, and connecting seat is equipped on column pipe shell by assembling shaft, and locking mechanism is set on the both ends of assembling shaft;Symmetrically fitted cam is equipped on assembling shaft, and toggle is set between cam, and cylinder driving toggle is equipped below toggle.The pipe column can drive cam movement by cylinder cooperation toggle, not easy to be blocked by steering wheel to visual line, can conveniently control the locking or loosening of steering column, can conveniently adjust steering column.Due to cancel handle, only by cylinder control, not only can save labor in loosening or locking steering column process, and not easy to be hit hand.Solve the existing steering column when using handle, visual line is easy to be blocked, not easy to rotate, while handle is easy to hit hand and rotate laborious problem, especially suitable for being used on heavy truck with gas source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a pneumatic locking steering column, belonging to the field of automotive parts technology. Background Technology

[0002] The steering column is the intermediate component connecting the steering wheel and the steering gear, transmitting the torque from turning the steering wheel to the steering gear. Most existing steering columns have adjustment functions, allowing adjustment of the steering wheel's angle and height to suit the driver and provide a better driving experience. Examples include the needle roller locking cam device and its usage method disclosed in CN120503860A, and a mechanical steering column assembly disclosed in CN223315061U.

[0003] The aforementioned patent applications all allow for steering column adjustment, but both before and after adjustment require turning a handle to loosen or lock the steering column via a cam. Since the steering column is located below the steering wheel, turning the handle is obstructed by the steering wheel, hindering visibility and making operation difficult. Furthermore, the cam exerts a reaction force on the handle when it is turned, either pushing or hindering its rotation. Pushing the handle (during steering column loosening adjustment) can easily cause hand injuries; hindering rotation (during steering column locking) makes turning the handle very difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to design a pneumatically locking steering column to solve these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pneumatically locking steering column that can easily lock or release the steering column, is easy to adjust, and does not cause hand injury.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model is: A pneumatic locking steering column comprises a column housing, a central shaft, an assembly shaft, a connecting seat, a locking mechanism, cams, paddles, and a cylinder. The central shaft is movably mounted on the column housing via bearings. The column housing is characterized by having connecting seats mounted on the assembly shaft, with locking mechanisms provided between the connecting seats at both ends of the assembly shaft and the column housing. Cams are symmetrically mounted on the assembly shaft, and paddles are mounted on the assembly shaft between the cams. A cylinder is mounted on the connecting seat below the paddle via a support shaft, with the piston rod end of the cylinder abutting against the paddle.

[0006] The top end of the paddle is bent in a U-shape, and the bottom end of the paddle is provided with a limiting groove, which is fitted and connected to the support shaft.

[0007] The cam end face on one side of the paddle is shaped like the number 7.

[0008] The rear end of the column tube housing is U-shaped, and positioning grooves are provided on both sides of the rear end of the column tube housing. A spring connecting rod is provided at the bottom of the column tube housing on one side of the positioning groove.

[0009] The connecting seat is in the shape of an inverted π. The front and rear ends of the top two sides of the connecting seat are respectively provided with upper axial sliding grooves, and the connecting seat below the upper axial sliding grooves is provided with lower axial sliding grooves.

[0010] The locking mechanism consists of a pad, a gasket, and a friction plate disposed between the connecting seat and the column tube housing. Multiple layers of gaskets are spaced apart on the inner side of the pad, and friction plates are disposed between the gaskets. The gaskets are engaged with the positioning groove.

[0011] Balance plates are respectively provided on the outer sides of the connecting seat. The balance plates and pads are movably connected to the column tube housing by pins. The pins are slidably connected to the upper axial groove at the front end of the connecting seat. A support plate is provided between the balance plates on both sides of the connecting seat. The support plate is inserted into the lower axial groove. Balance springs are provided between the support plate and the spring connecting rod, and between the balance plate and the support lugs provided on the connecting seat.

[0012] The gasket and the pad are respectively provided with waist-shaped holes; the two ends of the assembly shaft pass through the waist-shaped holes of the gasket, the friction plate, the waist-shaped holes of the pad, and the upper axial sliding groove at the rear end of the connecting seat to extend to the outside of the balance plate. A nut is provided at one end of the assembly shaft extending to the outside of the balance plate, and a locking nut is provided at the other end of the assembly shaft extending to the outside of the balance plate.

[0013] An adjusting sleeve is fitted on the assembly shaft above the cylinder, and an adjusting nut is threaded onto the adjusting sleeve.

[0014] The cylinder is equipped with a cylinder fixing spring at the front end. One end of the cylinder fixing spring is connected to the connecting seat, and the other end of the cylinder fixing spring is connected to the cylinder.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This pneumatic locking steering column uses a cylinder in conjunction with a paddle to drive a cam, thereby controlling the locking or unlocking of the steering column. This eliminates the need for a lever to drive the cam. The cylinder can be controlled via a switch and a control valve, with the switch integrated into the vehicle's control buttons, minimizing obstruction of the steering wheel's view. This allows for convenient cylinder-to-cylinder control of the steering column, facilitating easy adjustment. Because the lever is eliminated and control is achieved solely through the cylinder, locking or unlocking the steering column requires less effort and reduces the risk of injury. This solves the problems of obstructed vision, difficulty in rotating the lever, and the effort required to rotate it when using a lever, making it particularly suitable for heavy-duty trucks equipped with an air supply. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an isometric schematic diagram of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pry bar of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cam of this utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the column tube shell of this utility model; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connector of this utility model; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pad of this utility model; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gasket of this utility model; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the balance plate of this utility model.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Column tube housing, 2. Central shaft, 3. Assembly shaft, 4. Connecting seat, 5. Cam, 6. Paddle, 7. Cylinder, 8. Support shaft, 9. Limiting groove, 10. Positioning groove, 11. Spring connecting rod, 12. Upper axial slide groove, 13. Lower axial slide groove, 14. Pad, 15. Shim, 16. Friction plate, 17. Balance plate, 18. Pin, 19. Support plate, 20. Support lug, 21. Balance spring, 22. Waist-shaped hole, 23. Locking nut, 24. Adjusting sleeve, 25. Adjusting nut, 26. Cylinder fixing spring. Detailed Implementation

[0018] This pneumatic locking steering column consists of a column housing 1, a central shaft 2, an assembly shaft 3, a connecting seat 4, a locking mechanism, cams 5, paddle shifters 6, and a cylinder 7. The central shaft 2 is movably mounted on the column housing 1 via bearings, connecting the steering wheel and steering gear. The connecting seat 4 is mounted on the column housing 1 via the assembly shaft 3, fixing it to the engine compartment wall and thus securing the steering column. A locking mechanism is provided between the connecting seats 4 at both ends of the assembly shaft 3 and the column housing 1, locking the relative position of the column housing 1 and the connecting seats 4 by adjusting the locking mechanism, thereby fixing the central shaft 2 and thus fixing the position of the steering wheel. Cams 5 are symmetrically mounted on the assembly shaft 3, and paddle shifters 6 are mounted on the assembly shaft 3 between the cams 5. A cylinder 7 is mounted on the connecting seat 4 below the paddle shifter 6 via a support shaft 8, with the piston rod end of the cylinder 7 abutting against the paddle shifter 6. The support shaft 8 is inserted into the piston rod of the cylinder 7 to restrict and guide the movement of the piston rod, preventing it from deviating during movement. The cylinder 7 pushes the bottom of the paddle shifter 6, which in turn pries the cams 5 on both sides of the top of the paddle shifter 6, causing the cams 5 to press outward against the locking mechanism. This locking mechanism then locks the connecting seat 4 and the column housing 1, fixing their relative positions. When the piston rod of the cylinder 7 retracts, it no longer presses the paddle shifter 6, and consequently, the paddle shifter 6 no longer presses the cams 5, preventing the cams 5 from pressing the locking mechanism. This releases the connection between the connecting seat 4 and the column housing 1, allowing the column housing 1 to adjust relative to the connecting seat 4 and thus the position of the central shaft 2, thereby adjusting the steering wheel.

[0019] The top end of the paddle 6 is bent in a U-shape, and the end face of the cam 5 on one side of the paddle 6 is shaped like a "7". The U-shaped bend at the top end of the paddle 6 amplifies the relative displacement distance between the paddles 6 on the upper and lower sides of the mounting shaft 3 during movement, thus ensuring that the paddle 6 can pry open the cams 5, thereby ensuring a locking effect. Simultaneously, the protruding part of the cam 5 inserts into the bend of the paddle 6, ensuring a stable connection between the cam 5 and the paddle 6. The bottom end of the paddle 6 is provided with a limiting groove 9, which is fitted onto the support shaft 8. The function of the limiting groove 9 is to restrict the position of the bottom end of the paddle 6 through the cooperation of the limiting groove 9 and the support shaft 8, ensuring that the piston rod of the cylinder 7 can push the bottom end of the paddle 6 to move.

[0020] The rear end of the column tube housing 1 is U-shaped, and positioning grooves 10 are respectively provided on both sides of the rear end of the column tube housing 1. A spring connecting rod 11 is provided at the bottom of the column tube housing 1 on one side of the positioning groove 10. The connecting seat 4 is inverted π-shaped, and upper axial sliding grooves 12 are respectively provided at the front and rear ends of the top two sides of the connecting seat 4. A lower axial sliding groove 13 is provided on the connecting seat 4 below the upper axial sliding groove 12. The locking mechanism consists of a pad 14, a gasket 15, and a friction plate 16 provided between the connecting seat 4 and the column tube housing 1. Multiple layers of gaskets 15 are provided at intervals on the inner side of the pad 14, and friction plates 16 are provided between the gaskets 15. The gaskets 15 are engaged with the positioning grooves 10. Balance plates 17 are respectively provided on the outer sides of the connecting seat 4. The balance plates 17 and the pads 14 are movably connected to the column tube housing 1 by pins 18. The pins 18 are slidably connected to the upper axial sliding groove 12 at the front end of the connecting seat 4. The gasket 15 and the pad 14 are respectively provided with oblong holes 22. The two ends of the assembly shaft 3 pass through the oblong holes 22 of the gasket 15, the friction plate 16, the oblong holes 22 of the pad 14, and the upper axial groove 12 at the rear end of the connecting seat 4, extending to the outside of the balance plate 17. A nut is provided at one end of the assembly shaft 3 extending to the outside of the balance plate 17, and a locking nut 23 is provided at the other end of the assembly shaft 3 extending to the outside of the balance plate 17. The function of the upper axial groove 12 is to allow the pin 18 and the assembly shaft 3 to slide in the upper axial groove 12, thereby allowing the column tube housing 1 to slide back and forth axially relative to the connecting seat 4, so that the central shaft 2 on the column tube housing 1 can slide back and forth, thereby adjusting the height of the steering wheel. The function of the oblong holes 22 is to allow the column tube housing 1 to rotate relative to the connecting seat 4 with the pin 18 as the axis, thereby adjusting the angle of the central shaft 2, thereby adjusting the pitch angle of the steering wheel. The function of friction plate 16 is to create friction between the pad 14, friction plate 16, and pad 15 when the cam 5 presses the pad 14 and the alternating friction plates 16 and pads 15. This friction locks the relative position between the friction plates 16 and pads 15. Since the pad 15 is engaged in the positioning groove 10 of the column tube housing 1, the relative position between the pad 14 and the connecting seat 4 is also locked. At the same time, when the balance plate 17, the top of the connecting seat 4, the pad 14, and the rear end of the column tube housing 1 are pressed by the cam 5, friction is created between them, locking the pad 14, the connecting seat 4, and the column tube housing 1. Combined with the locking of the friction plate 16, this locks the relative position between the connecting seat 4 and the column tube housing 1, preventing them from rotating or sliding axially.

[0021] A support plate 19 is provided between the balance plates 17 on both sides of the connecting seat 4, and the support plate 19 is inserted into the lower axial sliding groove 13; a balance spring 21 is provided between the support plate 19 and the spring connecting rod 11, and between the balance plate 17 and the lug 20 provided on the connecting seat 4. The function of the balance spring 21 is to balance the weight of the column tube housing 1, the central shaft 2 and the steering wheel, thereby reducing the resistance during the adjustment process and facilitating adjustment.

[0022] An adjusting sleeve 24 is fitted onto the mounting shaft 3 above the cylinder 7, and an adjusting nut 25 is threaded onto the adjusting sleeve 24. The function of the adjusting nut 25 is to adjust the force exerted by the cam 5 on the shim 15 and the rear end of the column tube housing 1 by adjusting the adjusting nut 25 in conjunction with the adjusting sleeve 24, thereby adjusting the friction between the balance plate 17, the top of the connecting seat 4, the pad 14, the column tube housing 1, the friction plate 16, and the shim 15, ensuring that the friction can lock the relative position of the connecting seat 4 and the column tube housing 1.

[0023] A cylinder fixing spring 26 is provided at the front end of the cylinder 7. One end of the cylinder fixing spring 26 is connected to the connecting seat 4, and the other end of the cylinder fixing spring 26 is connected to the cylinder 7. The function of the cylinder fixing spring 26 is to fix the position of the cylinder 7 and prevent the cylinder 7 from sliding on the support shaft 8.

[0024] When adjusting the pneumatic locking steering column, the piston rod of cylinder 7 retracts, ceasing to push the bottom of paddle 6. Paddle 6 then stops pressing cam 5, thereby sequentially releasing the pressure on shim 15, friction plate 16, column housing 1, pad 14, connecting seat 4, and balance plate 17, allowing column housing 1 to move relative to connecting seat 4. After the piston rod of cylinder 7 is fully retracted, it pushes the steering wheel. The steering wheel, through the central shaft 2, drives the column housing 1, thereby adjusting the height and pitch angle of the steering wheel.

[0025] After adjustment, start cylinder 7. The piston rod of cylinder 7 pushes the bottom end of paddle 6, which in turn pries cam 5 through paddle 6, causing cam 5 to move outward. Cam 5 then presses shim 15, friction plate 16, column tube housing 1, pad 14, connecting seat 4, and balance plate 17 in sequence, locking column tube housing 1 and connecting seat 4, thus locking the position of the steering wheel.

[0026] This pneumatic locking steering column uses a cylinder in conjunction with a paddle to drive a cam, thereby controlling the locking or unlocking of the steering column. This eliminates the need for a lever to drive the cam. The cylinder can be controlled via a switch and a control valve, with the switch integrated into the vehicle's control buttons, minimizing obstruction of the steering wheel's view. This allows for convenient cylinder-to-cylinder control of the steering column, facilitating easy adjustment. Because the lever is eliminated and control is achieved solely through the cylinder, locking or unlocking the steering column requires less effort and reduces the risk of injury. This solves the problems of obstructed vision, difficulty in rotating the lever, and the effort required to rotate it when using a lever, making it particularly suitable for heavy-duty trucks equipped with an air supply.

Claims

1. A pneumatic locking steering column, comprising a column housing (1), a central shaft (2), an assembly shaft (3), a connecting seat (4), a locking mechanism, a cam (5), a paddle (6), and a cylinder (7), wherein the central shaft (2) is movably mounted on the column housing (1) via bearings; characterized in that: A connecting seat (4) is mounted on the column tube housing (1) via an assembly shaft (3). A locking mechanism is provided between the connecting seats (4) at both ends of the assembly shaft (3) and the column tube housing (1). Cams (5) are symmetrically mounted on the assembly shaft (3). A paddle (6) is mounted on the assembly shaft (3) between the cams (5). A cylinder (7) is mounted on the connecting seat (4) below the paddle (6) via a support shaft (8). The piston rod end of the cylinder (7) is abutted against the paddle (6).

2. The pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top end of the paddle (6) is bent in a U-shape, and the bottom end of the paddle (6) is provided with a limiting groove (9), which is fitted and connected to the support shaft (8).

3. The pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end face of the cam (5) on one side of the paddle (6) is shaped like the number 7.

4. The pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear end of the column tube housing (1) is U-shaped, and positioning grooves (10) are provided on both sides of the rear end of the column tube housing (1). A spring connecting rod (11) is provided at the bottom of the column tube housing (1) on one side of the positioning groove (10).

5. A pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting seat (4) is in the shape of an inverted π. The front and rear ends of the top two sides of the connecting seat (4) are respectively provided with upper axial grooves (12), and the connecting seat (4) below the upper axial grooves (12) is provided with lower axial grooves (13).

6. A pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 5, characterized in that: The locking mechanism consists of a pad (14), a gasket (15), and a friction plate (16) disposed between the connecting seat (4) and the column housing (1). Multiple layers of gaskets (15) are spaced apart on the inner side of the pad (14), and friction plates (16) are disposed between the gaskets (15). The gaskets (15) are engaged with the positioning groove (10).

7. A pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 6, characterized in that: Balance plates (17) are respectively provided on the outer sides of the connecting seat (4). The balance plates (17) and the pads (14) are movably connected to the column tube housing (1) by pins (18). The pins (18) are slidably connected to the upper axial sliding groove (12) at the front end of the connecting seat (4). A support plate (19) is provided between the balance plates (17) on both sides of the connecting seat (4). The support plate (19) is inserted into the lower axial sliding groove (13). A balance spring (21) is provided between the support plate (19) and the spring connecting rod (11) and between the balance plate (17) and the lug (20) provided on the connecting seat (4).

8. A pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 7, characterized in that: The gasket (15) and the pad (14) are respectively provided with waist-shaped holes (22); the two ends of the assembly shaft (3) pass through the waist-shaped hole (22) of the gasket (15), the friction plate (16), the waist-shaped hole (22) of the pad (14), and the upper axial sliding groove (12) at the rear end of the connecting seat (4) and extend to the outside of the balance plate (17). A nut is provided at one end of the assembly shaft (3) extending to the outside of the balance plate (17), and a locking nut (23) is provided at the other end of the assembly shaft (3) extending to the outside of the balance plate (17).

9. A pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: An adjusting sleeve (24) is fitted on the mounting shaft (3) above the cylinder (7), and an adjusting nut (25) is threaded onto the adjusting sleeve (24).

10. A pneumatic locking steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder (7) is provided with a cylinder fixing spring (26) at the front end. One end of the cylinder fixing spring (26) is connected to the connecting seat (4), and the other end of the cylinder fixing spring (26) is connected to the cylinder (7).

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