A collapsible concealed steering wheel for a vehicle

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of automobile parts, specifically discloses a retractable hidden automobile steering wheel, the steering wheel includes the fixed part that is connected with the steering column and the movable part that is connected with the rim, a guide rail is arranged on the fixed part, and the movable part is in extension and retraction movement along the guide rail through the sliding block. The key lies in that a locking mechanism of manual operation is arranged, a vertical pressure to the sliding direction is applied between the guide rail and the sliding block by operating the driving wedge-shaped pad of the lever, and the movable part is stably locked by the large-area friction force generated by the V-shaped sliding groove matching surface. The guide rail can be designed as an arc shape, so that the steering wheel can be completely hidden under the center console after being retracted. The utility model has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, reliable locking and significant improvement of the utilization rate of the in-vehicle space, and is suitable for automatic driving vehicles and other scenes requiring space saving.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts technology, and in particular to a retractable and concealable automotive steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of automotive intelligence and automation technologies, autonomous driving is gradually moving from concept to widespread adoption. In high-level autonomous driving modes, the driver's hands and attention are freed, and the function of the vehicle's interior space transforms from a simple cockpit into a mobile space for rest, entertainment, or work. In this scenario, the traditional fixed steering wheel occupies valuable space in front of the driver, limiting the driver's freedom of movement, such as adjusting seating position, resting, or interacting with other passengers.

[0003] In addition, in some special application scenarios, such as long-distance transportation of commercial vehicles or vehicle display, if the steering wheel can be retracted or hidden, the longitudinal space occupied by the vehicle can be effectively reduced, thereby allowing more vehicles to be loaded on the transport vehicle and reducing the transportation cost per vehicle.

[0004] Currently, there are several foldable or retractable steering wheel solutions on the market, but they generally suffer from several problems: some solutions have overly complex structures, including multiple links and pivots, resulting in high costs and insufficient long-term reliability; others are inconvenient to operate, requiring multiple steps to retract or unfold, making them slow and inefficient; still others have some play or gaps after locking, affecting the handling and safety during manual driving. Therefore, the market urgently needs a retractable, hidden steering wheel that is simple in structure, easy to operate, reliably locked, and effectively saves space. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Purpose of the invention: The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a retractable steering wheel. This steering wheel has a simple and compact structure, is easy and quick to operate, and has a stable and reliable locking mechanism. It can be easily retracted and hidden when needed, thereby significantly improving the utilization of in-vehicle space and the driving experience.

[0006] Technical solution: To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a retractable and concealable steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel hub and a rim; the steering wheel hub includes a fixed part connected to the steering column and a movable part connected to the rim, the fixed part is provided with a guide rail, and the movable part slides with the guide rail via a slider, so that the movable part can extend and retract relative to the fixed part along the guide rail;

[0007] The fixed part and the movable part are connected by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is used to selectively apply a force perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider to lock the movable part onto the fixed part by friction.

[0008] To further improve the above technical solution, the guide rail includes an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail, and the slider includes a left slider and a right slider; the mating surfaces of the upper guide rail, lower guide rail, left slider, and right slider all have the same V-shaped cross-sectional structure. In the locked state, the V-shaped cross-sectional structure allows the guide rail and the slider to form a large-area contact to generate sufficient friction.

[0009] Furthermore, the V-shaped cross-sections of the left and right sliders are formed by stamping steel plates, which produce a wedge-shaped automatic positioning and centering effect when pressed by the guide rail, and undergo slight elastic deformation to ensure that there are no gaps in the contact surface and prevent loosening due to vehicle vibration.

[0010] Furthermore, the locking mechanism includes a wedge-shaped pad and a lever. The lever is used to drive the wedge-shaped pad to engage with the guide rail to lock or unlock the slider. When the lever is pushed in, the wedge-shaped pad clamps the slider with the guide rail, fixing the movable part by friction. When the lever is pulled out, the wedge-shaped pad separates from the guide rail, and the movable part can freely extend and retract along the guide rail.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking operation direction of the lever is perpendicular to the direction of the force applied to the slider by the locking mechanism, and in the locked state, sufficient friction is generated between the wedge-shaped pad and the lever to prevent the lever from loosening during vibration.

[0012] Furthermore, the guide rail is an arc-shaped telescopic rail; when the movable part is extended along the arc-shaped telescopic rail, its position is not lower than the surface of the vehicle's central control screen or center console; when it is retracted along the arc-shaped telescopic rail, it is completely hidden under the center console.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail are made of high-strength alloy and fixed to the steering column.

[0014] Furthermore, the steering wheel hub and the rim are made of aluminum-magnesium alloy.

[0015] Furthermore, the outer surface of the rim is treated with a skinning process.

[0016] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: This utility model combines the telescopic structure of the guide rail slider with the manual friction locking mechanism to achieve rapid unfolding and retraction of the steering wheel, making operation intuitive and quick; the locking mechanism generates huge friction by applying a vertical force, and combined with the large-area contact of the V-groove structure, it ensures that the steering wheel is stable and gapless in the locked state, ensuring the safety of manual driving; the arc-shaped track design allows the steering wheel to be completely hidden under the center console after retraction, completely freeing up the space in front of the driver; the use of lightweight and high-strength materials such as aluminum-magnesium alloy reduces the overall weight; the wheel rim is wrapped with leather, improving the grip and comfort. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a top view of the retractable and concealed steering wheel of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is the front view of the retractable and concealed steering wheel of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 This utility model is based on Figure 2 The horizontal sectional view shows the cooperation between the guide rail, slider, and locking mechanism.

[0020] Figure 4 This utility model is based on Figure 2 A vertical sectional view.

[0021] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Wheel rim, 2. Lever, 3. Guide rail, 4. Slider, 6. Screw, 302. Lower guide rail, slider, 301. Upper guide rail, lever, wedge-shaped pad, 7. Fixing part. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solution of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0023] Example 1: As Figures 1 to 4 The retractable steering wheel shown mainly includes a steering wheel hub and a rim 1. The steering wheel hub includes a fixed part 7 and a movable part. The fixed part 7 is rigidly connected to the vehicle's steering column to transmit steering torque. The movable part is connected to the rim 1. The fixed part 7 and the movable part are connected by a locking mechanism.

[0024] like Figure 2As shown, a set of guide rails 3 are provided on the fixed part 7. In this embodiment, the guide rails include an upper guide rail 301 and a lower guide rail 302 fixed to the steering column. The upper guide rail 301 and the lower guide rail 302 are made of high-strength alloy to ensure sufficient rigidity and durability. The movable part forms a sliding engagement with the guide rails 3 through corresponding sliders 4. In this embodiment, the sliders 4 include a left slider 401 and a right slider 402. This design allows the movable part (along with the wheel rim 1) to move smoothly along the guide rails relative to the fixed part 7.

[0025] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, in order to achieve reliable locking, the mating surfaces of the guide rail 3 and the slider 4 are designed with a V-shaped cross-section structure of the same size. The V-shaped groove structure constrains the movement of the slider 4 in two directions, and when pressed, its inclined surface can generate a contact area much larger than that of a plane, thereby generating greater friction under the same pressure and ensuring a stable lock.

[0026] The locking mechanism includes a lever 2, a wedge-shaped pad 5, and a screw 6. When the driver needs to lock the steering wheel in the extended (i.e., normal driving) position, they push the lever 2 forward. The lever 2 drives the wedge-shaped pad 5 into the preset space between the upper guide rail and the slider. Because the wedge-shaped pad 5 has an inclined surface, its pushing process generates a force perpendicular to the sliding direction of the guide rail, pressing the slider tightly between the upper and lower guide rails. At this time, a huge static friction force is generated between the large contact surfaces of the V-shaped structure, thereby firmly locking the moving part in the current position.

[0027] The locking mechanism employs an anti-loosening design. The pushing and pulling direction of the lever 2 is perpendicular to the direction of the final locking force, ensuring that the locking force itself does not generate a component force that "pushes out" the lever. Simultaneously, in the locked state, the wedge-shaped pad 5 and the lever 2 also generate friction due to pressure, effectively resisting vibrations during vehicle operation and preventing accidental loosening of the lever that could lead to unlocking.

[0028] To further improve the reliability of the locking mechanism, the V-shaped cross-section of the slider is preferably formed by stamping steel plate. This allows the slider to achieve automatic positioning and alignment through the V-shaped structure when pressed, ensuring a tight, gapless contact with the guide rail, and also generates a slight elastic deformation. This elastic deformation acts like a pre-tensioned spring, continuously compensating for any tiny gaps that may be caused by wear or vibration, thus preventing loosening and eliminating free play between the telescopic steering wheel and the steering column.

[0029] Example 2: In this example, the guide rail is designed as an arc-shaped telescopic track. When the steering wheel is in the extended state, its position is no lower than the surface of the vehicle's center console screen or dashboard, conforming to ergonomics and facilitating driver operation. When retraction is required, the locking mechanism is unlocked, and the movable part can slide downwards along the arc-shaped track, eventually being completely hidden under the center console without affecting the operation of other functions of the center console, maximizing the space in front of the driver.

[0030] The operation process is as follows:

[0031] Unfold and lock: The driver pulls the movable part along the guide rail to the predetermined working position, and then pushes the lever forward. The wedge-shaped pad wedges in and locks the slider, and the steering wheel is firmly locked, allowing normal driving.

[0032] Unlocking and retracting: In automatic driving mode, the driver pulls the lever back, the wedge-shaped pad separates from the guide rail, and the lock is released. Then, the driver can push the movable part back along the arc-shaped guide rail until it is completely hidden under the center console.

[0033] Example 3: In terms of material selection, the steering wheel hub and rim 1 frame are made of aluminum-magnesium alloy, which effectively reduces weight while ensuring structural strength, thus helping to reduce the vehicle's energy consumption. The outer surface of the rim 1 is treated with a leather-wrapping process, that is, wrapped with a layer of leather or other soft materials. This not only greatly improves the grip and comfort of the steering wheel, but also protects the internal metal frame.

[0034] As described above, although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should not be construed as limiting the present invention itself. Various changes in form and detail may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A retractable and concealable car steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel hub and a rim; characterized in that, The steering wheel hub includes a fixed part connected to the steering column and a movable part connected to the wheel rim. The fixed part is provided with a guide rail, and the movable part slides with the guide rail via a slider, so that the movable part can extend and retract relative to the fixed part along the guide rail. The fixed part and the movable part are connected by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is used to selectively apply a force perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider to lock the movable part onto the fixed part by friction.

2. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail includes an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail, and the slider includes a left slider and a right slider; the mating surfaces of the upper guide rail, the lower guide rail, the left slider, and the right slider all have the same V-shaped cross-sectional structure.

3. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The V-shaped cross-sections of the left and right sliders are formed by stamping steel plates.

4. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes a wedge-shaped pad and a lever. The lever is used to drive the wedge-shaped pad to engage with the guide rail to lock or unlock the slider. When the lever is pushed in, the wedge-shaped pad clamps the slider with the guide rail, fixing the movable part by friction. When the lever is pulled out, the wedge-shaped pad separates from the guide rail, and the movable part can freely extend and retract along the guide rail.

5. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking operation direction of the lever is perpendicular to the direction of the force applied to the slider by the locking mechanism.

6. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail is an arc-shaped telescopic track; When the movable part is extended along the arc-shaped telescopic track, its position is not lower than the surface of the vehicle's central control screen or center console; when it is retracted along the arc-shaped telescopic track, it is completely hidden under the center console.

7. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper guide rail and the lower guide rail are made of high-strength alloy and are fixed to the steering column.

8. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steering wheel hub and the rim are made of aluminum-magnesium alloy.

9. The retractable and concealable car steering wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outer surface of the rim is treated with a skin-wrapping process.

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