Steering column and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a steering column and a vehicle, the steering column comprising an upper end spindle, a lower end spindle, a cross shaft universal joint and an angle adjusting mechanism, the upper end spindle and the lower end spindle extending along a first direction; the cross shaft universal joint comprising a cross shaft, a first yoke and a second yoke, the first yoke being rotatably connected with the cross shaft with the second direction as an axis, the second yoke being rotatably connected with the cross shaft with the third direction as an axis, the upper end spindle being fixedly connected with the first yoke, and the lower end spindle being fixedly connected with the second yoke; the angle adjusting mechanism comprising a driving motor, a worm wheel and a first rotating shaft, the output end of the driving motor being engaged with the worm wheel, the worm wheel being fixedly connected with the first rotating shaft and rotatably connected with the driving motor with the third direction as an axis, and the first rotating shaft being used for driving the upper end spindle to rotate relative to the lower end spindle with the third direction as an axis. Through the above scheme, the application can realize folding and unfolding of the steering column, and the steering column occupies a small space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive technology, and in particular to a steering column and automotive headlight. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous iteration and upgrading of automotive technology, consumers' demands for overall vehicle comfort and space utilization are increasing, and modern cars are gradually evolving into a third living space with mobile attributes. Under this development trend, the optimization design of in-vehicle space has become a key issue, among which the steering wheel folding and storage technology has attracted much attention due to its significant space-saving advantages.

[0003] In existing technologies, to support steering wheel folding and storage, the steering column can be configured to fold and unfold via an adjustment mechanism. However, existing adjustment mechanisms are relatively large, resulting in a large space occupied by the steering column. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main technical problem this application addresses is to provide a steering column and vehicle that can fold and unfold the steering column while occupying little space.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one technical solution adopted in this application is: providing a steering column, including an upper spindle, a lower spindle, a cross-shaped universal joint, and an angle adjustment mechanism. The upper spindle extends along a first direction; the lower spindle extends along the first direction and is disposed on one side of the upper spindle along the first direction; the cross-shaped universal joint includes a cross shaft, a first fork, and a second fork. The first fork is rotatably connected to the cross shaft about a second direction, and the second fork is rotatably connected to the cross shaft about a third direction. The upper spindle is fixedly connected to the first fork, and the lower spindle is fixedly connected to the second fork; wherein the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are all intersecting each other; the angle adjustment mechanism includes a drive motor, a worm gear, and a first rotating shaft. The output end of the drive motor meshes with the worm gear. The worm gear is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft and rotatably connected to the drive motor about the third direction. The first rotating shaft is used to drive the upper spindle to rotate relative to the lower spindle about the third direction.

[0006] The steering column further includes an upper fork, a lower fork, and a lower inner tube. The upper fork is sleeved outside the upper spindle, and the upper spindle is rotatably connected to the upper fork about the first direction. The upper fork has a first mounting hole. The lower fork has a second mounting hole. The first rotating shaft passes through the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole along the third direction. The first rotating shaft is rotatably disposed in the second mounting hole and fixed in the first mounting hole. The lower inner tube is sleeved outside the lower spindle, and the end of the lower fork away from the upper fork is fixed outside the lower inner tube.

[0007] The angle adjustment mechanism further includes a mounting bracket, which is fixedly connected to the lower end fork. The drive motor is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket has a rotating hole in which the first rotating shaft is rotatably disposed.

[0008] A ball bearing is provided between the first rotating shaft and the rotating hole.

[0009] Wherein, a limiting member is provided at the end of the first rotating shaft away from the upper fork, and the worm gear is disposed on the side of the limiting member facing the upper fork.

[0010] The first mounting hole is provided with a bushing, and the first rotating shaft is fixed inside the bushing.

[0011] The first mounting hole and the second mounting hole are provided in twos, and one first mounting hole and one second mounting hole are respectively provided to form a mounting hole group. The two mounting hole groups are respectively provided on both sides of the cross shaft universal joint along the third direction. The first rotating shaft passes through one of the mounting hole groups, and the other mounting hole group is also provided with a second rotating shaft. The second rotating shaft is rotatably provided in the second mounting hole and fixed in the first mounting hole.

[0012] A needle roller bearing is provided between the first rotating shaft and the second mounting hole.

[0013] An angular contact bearing is provided between the upper fork and the upper spindle.

[0014] Another technical solution adopted in this application is: to provide a vehicle including a steering column and a steering wheel as described in any of the technical solutions, wherein the steering wheel is fixedly connected to the end of the upper spindle away from the lower spindle.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: Unlike existing technologies, this application divides the steering column axially into an upper spindle and a lower spindle, and decouples the upper and lower spindles by using a universal joint. This allows the upper and lower spindles to rotate relative to each other about a third direction, achieving folding of the steering column. Furthermore, the upper and lower spindles can also rotate synchronously about a first direction, achieving steering. An angle adjustment mechanism drives the upper spindle to rotate. Specifically, a worm gear can be installed at the output end of the drive motor, meshing with a worm wheel. Therefore, when the worm gear rotates, it drives the worm wheel to rotate. The worm wheel rotates about a third direction with the first rotation axis. Simultaneously, the rotation of the first rotation axis drives the upper spindle to rotate relative to the lower spindle. The forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor can drive the forward and reverse rotation of the upper spindle, thereby achieving folding and unfolding of the steering column. Meanwhile, since this application uses a worm gear to transmit torque and change direction, this structure allows the drive motor to extend axially along the lower spindle and be positioned close to the upper spindle, resulting in a smaller space occupied by the angle adjustment mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the steering column of this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the steering column of this application; Figure 3 This application Figure 1 A cross-sectional view at one angle; Figure 4 This application Figure 1 A cross-sectional view from another angle.

[0017] Reference numerals: 100, Steering column; 10, Upper spindle; 11, Upper fork; 111, First mounting hole; 112, Bushing; 12, Angular contact bearing; 20, Lower spindle; 21, Lower fork; 211, Second mounting hole; 212, Needle roller bearing; 30, Universal joint; 31, Universal joint; 32, First fork; 33, Second fork; 40, Angle adjustment mechanism; 41, Drive motor; 42, Worm gear; 43, First rotating shaft; 44, Ball bearing; 45, Second rotating shaft; 46, Mounting bracket; 461, First mounting plate; 462, Second mounting plate; 463, Rotating hole; 47, End cap; 50, Lower inner tube; 60, Outer tube. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this application clearer and more explicit, the following detailed description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] For ease of understanding, the attached diagram shows the mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the X-direction, which is the axial direction of the steering column; the direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the Y-direction, which is the height direction of the steering column; and the direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the Z-direction, which is the left-right direction of the steering column. The Z-direction is the normal direction relative to the plane containing the X and Y directions.

[0020] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the steering column of this application. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the steering column of this application.

[0021] The steering column 100 of this application includes an upper spindle 10, a lower spindle 20, a universal joint 30, and an angle adjustment mechanism 40. The upper spindle 10 extends along a first direction X, with its front end for connection to a steering wheel and its rear end for connection to the lower spindle 20. The lower spindle 20 is coaxially arranged with the upper spindle 10, both extending along the first direction X, and is positioned on one side of the upper spindle 10 along the first direction X. A universal joint 30 is provided between the upper spindle 10 and the lower spindle 20, and the universal joint 30 includes a universal joint 31, a first fork 32, and a second fork 33. The universal joint 31 has two shafts extending along a second direction Y and a third direction Z, respectively. The first fork 32 is rotatably connected to one axis of the cross shaft 31 about the second direction Y. The second fork 33 is rotatably connected to the other axis of the cross shaft 31 about the third direction Z. The end of the upper spindle 10 facing the lower spindle 20 is fixedly connected to the first fork 32, and the end of the lower spindle 20 facing the upper spindle 10 is fixedly connected to the second fork 33. Specifically, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are all intersecting each other; in this embodiment, they are perpendicular to each other. The angle adjustment mechanism 40 includes a drive motor 41, a worm gear 42, and a first rotating shaft 43. The output end of the drive motor 41 meshes with the worm gear 42. The worm gear 42 is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft 43 and rotatably connected to the drive motor 41 about the third direction Z. The first rotating shaft 43 drives the upper spindle 10 to rotate relative to the lower spindle 20 about the third direction Z.

[0022] This application divides the steering column 100 axially into an upper spindle 10 and a lower spindle 20, and decouples the upper spindle 10 and lower spindle 20 by setting a universal joint 30, so that the upper spindle 10 and lower spindle 20 can rotate relative to each other about a third direction Z, realizing the folding of the steering column 100. The upper spindle 10 and lower spindle 20 can also rotate synchronously about a first direction, realizing steering. An angle adjustment mechanism 40 is used to drive the upper spindle 10 to rotate. Specifically, the output end of the drive motor 41 can be equipped with a worm gear, which meshes with a worm wheel 42. Therefore, when the worm gear rotates, it drives the worm wheel 42 to rotate. The worm wheel 42 rotates with the first rotating shaft 43 about a third direction Z. When the first rotating shaft 43 rotates, it drives the upper spindle 10 to rotate relative to the lower spindle 20. The forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 41 can drive the forward and reverse rotation of the upper spindle 10, thereby realizing the folding and unfolding of the steering column 100. Meanwhile, since this application uses the worm gear 42 to transmit torque and change direction, this structure allows the drive motor 41 to extend axially along the lower spindle 20 and be positioned close to the upper spindle 10, resulting in a smaller space occupied by the angle adjustment mechanism 40.

[0023] Optionally, continue to refer to 2 and combine Figure 3 , Figure 3 This application Figure 1 A cross-sectional view at one angle. The steering column 100 also includes an upper fork 11, a lower fork 21, and a lower inner tube 50. The upper fork 11 is sleeved outside the upper spindle 10, and the upper spindle 10 is rotatably connected to the upper fork 11 about a first direction X. Specifically, an angular contact bearing 12 is provided between the upper fork 11 and the upper spindle 10, and the end of the upper spindle 10 away from the lower spindle 20 passes through and protrudes from the upper fork 11. The upper fork 11 is provided with a first mounting hole 111, and the axial direction of the first mounting hole 111 extends along a third direction Z. The lower fork 21 is provided with a second mounting hole 211, and a first rotating shaft 43 passes through the first mounting hole 111 and the second mounting hole 211 along a third direction Z, wherein the first rotating shaft 43 is rotatably disposed in the second mounting hole 211 and fixed in the first mounting hole 111. Optionally, a bushing 112 is provided in the first mounting hole 111, and the first rotating shaft 43 is fixed inside the bushing 112. Specifically, the bushing 112 can be a nylon bushing 112, and the bushing 112 is fixed in the first mounting hole 111 to reduce friction between the first rotating shaft 43 and the first mounting hole 111. A needle roller bearing 212 is provided between the first rotating shaft 43 and the second mounting hole 211 to ensure that the first rotating shaft 43 rotates smoothly in the second mounting hole 211. The needle roller bearing 212 has high precision to ensure the coaxiality between the first rotating shaft 43 and the second mounting hole 211. The lower inner tube 50 is sleeved outside the lower spindle 20, and the end of the lower fork 21 away from the upper fork 11 is fixed outside the lower inner tube 50.

[0024] The first rotating shaft 43 passes through both the upper fork 11 and the lower fork 21. Since the first rotating shaft 43 is fixedly connected to the first mounting hole 111, the rotation of the first rotating shaft 43 drives the upper fork 11 to rotate, which in turn drives the upper spindle 10 to rotate. At the same time, since the first rotating shaft 43 is rotatably connected to the second mounting hole 211, when the first rotating shaft 43 rotates, the lower fork 21 and the lower inner tube 50 remain fixed and do not rotate with the rotation of the first rotating shaft 43. This causes the upper fork 11 to rotate relative to the lower fork 21, thereby driving the upper spindle 10 to rotate relative to the lower spindle 20.

[0025] Optionally, the lower inner tube 50 is fitted with an outer tube 60, and the lower inner tube 50 is telescopically disposed inside the outer tube 60 along a first direction.

[0026] Optionally, continue reading Figure 2 and combined Figure 4 , Figure 4 This application Figure 1 A cross-sectional view from another angle. The angle adjustment mechanism 40 also includes a mounting bracket 46, which is fixedly connected to the lower fork 21. The drive motor 41 is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 46. The mounting bracket 46 has a rotating hole 463, in which the first rotating shaft 43 is rotatably disposed. Specifically, the mounting bracket 46 includes a first mounting plate 461 and a second mounting plate 462 connected to each other. The first mounting plate 461 is perpendicular to the first direction X, and the second mounting plate 462 is perpendicular to the third direction Z. The first mounting plate 461 is fixed outside the lower fork 21 by bolts. The drive motor 41 is fixed to the first mounting plate 461. The second mounting plate 462 is located outside the upper fork 11 along the third direction Z. The rotating hole 463 is disposed on the second mounting plate 462, and the first rotating shaft 43 passes through the rotating hole 463. Specifically, a ball bearing 44 is provided between the first rotating shaft 43 and the rotating hole 463. Along the third direction Z, the first rotating shaft 43 passes through the second mounting hole 211, the first mounting hole 111, and the rotating hole 463 in sequence, and is fixedly connected to the worm gear 42. The mounting bracket 46 is used to fix the drive motor 41 and ensure that the first rotating shaft 43 is coaxially arranged with the first mounting hole 111 and the second mounting hole 211.

[0027] Optionally, continue reading Figure 2 and combined Figure 4A limiting member is provided at the end of the first rotating shaft 43 away from the upper fork 11, and the worm gear 42 is located on the side of the limiting member facing the upper fork 11. The limiting member is used to prevent the worm gear 42 from disengaging from the first rotating shaft 43. Specifically, the limiting member may include an end cap 47, which is located on the side of the worm gear 42 away from the upper fork 11, and the end cap 47 can be fixed to the second mounting plate 462 by bolts. Furthermore, the end of the first rotating shaft 43 facing the end cap 47 can be riveted to the worm gear 42 to ensure their relative fixation.

[0028] Optionally, continue reading Figure 2 and combined Figure 4 The universal joint 30 has two mounting holes, one first mounting hole 111 and one second mounting hole 211, forming a mounting hole group. These two mounting hole groups are respectively located on both sides of the universal joint 30 along the third direction Z. The first rotating shaft 43 passes through one mounting hole group, and the other mounting hole group also houses a second rotating shaft 45. The second rotating shaft 45 is rotatably mounted in the second mounting hole 211 and fixed in the first mounting hole 111. Specifically, the two mounting hole groups are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the universal joint 30. The bushing 112 and the needle roller bearing 212 can be located in the first mounting holes 111 and the second mounting holes 211 on both sides. The second rotating shaft 45 is coaxially arranged with the first rotating shaft 43, and is used to drive the upper fork 11 to rotate on both sides, ensuring rotational stability.

[0029] The structure of this application can be assembled in the following manner: First, assemble the first component: press the angular contact bearing 12 with the upper spindle 10 in sequence, press them together with the universal joint 31, press them with the lower spindle 20, press the upper spindle 10 with the upper fork 11, and then assemble the bushing 112 into the first mounting hole 111.

[0030] Then, the second component is assembled: the ball bearing 44 and the worm gear 42 are pressed onto the first rotating shaft 43 in sequence, and then pressed onto the drive motor 41 together, and the worm gear 42 is riveted to the end face of the first rotating shaft 43.

[0031] Next, the third component is assembled: the needle roller bearing 212 is press-fitted into the second mounting hole 211 of the lower end fork 21, and then the lower end fork 21 is press-fitted outside the lower end inner tube 50.

[0032] Finally, perform the final assembly: Align the first mounting hole 111 of the first component and the second mounting hole 211 of the third component using a fixing fixture; then, press-fit the second component with the upper fork 11 via the first rotating shaft 43 and simultaneously install it into the second mounting hole 211; then press-fit the second rotating shaft 45 with the upper fork 11 and simultaneously install it into the second mounting hole 211 on the other side; after pressing, use bolts to connect and fix the drive motor 41 to the lower fork 21; finally, assemble and connect the end cover 47 to the mounting bracket 46.

[0033] Another technical solution adopted in this application is to provide a vehicle including a steering column 100 and a steering wheel (not shown), with the steering wheel fixedly connected to the end of the upper spindle 10 away from the lower spindle 20. This application allows the steering column to be folded using an angle adjustment mechanism 40, enabling the steering wheel to be stored and hidden, creating more interior space when the vehicle is stationary. Simultaneously, the angle adjustment mechanism 40 can also control the rotation angle, allowing for small-angle rotation to adjust the steering wheel height and adapt to different driving needs.

[0034] The vehicles provided in this application can be pure gasoline vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or pure electric vehicles, and are also applicable to any other type of vehicle, such as SUVs, off-road vehicles, MPVs, etc.

[0035] The above are merely embodiments of this application and do not limit the scope of this patent application. Any equivalent structural or procedural changes made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A steering column, characterized in that, include: The upper mandrel extends along the first direction; The lower end spindle extends along the first direction and is disposed on one side of the upper end spindle along the first direction; A universal joint includes a universal joint, a first fork, and a second fork. The first fork is rotatably connected to the universal joint about a second direction, and the second fork is rotatably connected to the universal joint about a third direction. The upper spindle is fixedly connected to the first fork, and the lower spindle is fixedly connected to the second fork. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are all arranged to intersect each other. An angle adjustment mechanism includes a drive motor, a worm gear, and a first rotating shaft. The output end of the drive motor meshes with the worm gear. The worm gear is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft and rotatably connected to the drive motor about the third direction. The first rotating shaft is used to drive the upper spindle to rotate relative to the lower spindle about the third direction.

2. The steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steering column also includes: The upper fork is sleeved outside the upper spindle, and the upper spindle is rotatably connected to the upper fork about the first direction. The upper fork is provided with a first mounting hole. The lower end fork has a second mounting hole, and the first rotating shaft passes through the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole along the third direction. The first rotating shaft is rotatably disposed in the second mounting hole and fixed in the first mounting hole. The lower inner tube is sleeved outside the lower mandrel, and the end of the lower fork away from the upper fork is fixed outside the lower inner tube.

3. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, The angle adjustment mechanism further includes a mounting bracket, which is fixedly connected to the lower end fork. The drive motor is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket is provided with a rotating hole, in which the first rotating shaft is rotatably disposed.

4. The steering column according to claim 3, characterized in that, A ball bearing is provided between the first rotating shaft and the rotating hole.

5. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, A limiting member is provided at the end of the first rotating shaft away from the upper fork, and the worm gear is disposed on the side of the limiting member facing the upper fork.

6. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, A bushing is provided in the first mounting hole, and the first rotating shaft is fixed inside the bushing.

7. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole are provided in twos, and one first mounting hole and one second mounting hole correspond to form a mounting hole group. The two mounting hole groups are respectively arranged on both sides of the cross shaft universal joint along the third direction. The first rotating shaft passes through one of the mounting hole groups, and the other mounting hole group is also provided with a second rotating shaft. The second rotating shaft is rotatably arranged in the second mounting hole and fixed in the first mounting hole.

8. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, A needle roller bearing is provided between the first rotating shaft and the second mounting hole.

9. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, An angular contact bearing is provided between the upper fork and the upper spindle.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: Steering column as described in any one of claims 1-9; A steering wheel, wherein the steering wheel is fixedly connected to the end of the upper spindle away from the lower spindle.

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