Steering column assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of for vehicle's control rod assembly, including base, control rod shift fork, flexible shaft, the proximal end of flexible shaft is pivotally connected in the driven end of the lower part of control rod shift fork, wherein, base includes: shell, shell includes the circumferential side wall around the driven end of control rod shift fork, circumferential side wall includes: first side wall part, first side wall part is equipped with hole, flexible shaft is extended from proximal end to distal end and passes through hole, the bottom of first side wall part is below hole, second side wall part, second side wall part is opposite with first side wall part, wherein, the bottom of the circumferential side wall of shell falls in in single plane and gradually rises from the bottom of first side wall part to the bottom of second side wall part, so that the bottom of second side wall part is higher than the bottom of first side wall part;And bottom cover, bottom cover covers the opening of the bottom of the circumferential side wall of shell, bottom cover bottom portion is below both proximal end of flexible shaft and hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a control lever assembly for vehicles, which can realize gear shift control and parking brake. This utility model belongs to the field of vehicle design. Background Technology

[0002] A typical joystick assembly usually includes a joystick fork, a base housing, and a bottom cover. The housing houses the driven end of the joystick fork, which connects to the flexible shaft. The housing has a shaft hole for the flexible shaft to pass through and for providing support.

[0003] In existing technologies, the housing typically uses a square, one-piece cast aluminum structure. While this meets strength requirements, it results in higher material costs and greater weight. The bottom cover is usually made of stainless steel sheet metal, primarily serving to cover the bottom opening of the housing to prevent dust from entering; it does not bear mechanical loads. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, there is an urgent need to develop a manipulator base structure that is structurally optimized, lightweight, and maintains necessary strength, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring functionality.

[0005] To achieve one or more of the above-mentioned utility model objectives, this utility model provides a control lever assembly for a vehicle, including a base, a control lever fork, and a flexible shaft. The proximal end of the flexible shaft is pivotally connected to the driven end of the lower part of the control lever fork. The base includes: a housing, the housing including a circumferential sidewall surrounding the driven end of the control lever fork, the circumferential sidewall including: a first sidewall portion having a hole through which the flexible shaft extends from the proximal end to the distal end, the bottom of the first sidewall portion being below the hole; and a second sidewall portion opposite to the first sidewall portion, wherein the bottom of the circumferential sidewall of the housing falls into a single plane and gradually rises from the bottom of the first sidewall portion to the bottom of the second sidewall portion, such that the bottom of the second sidewall portion is higher than the bottom of the first sidewall portion; and a bottom cover covering the opening at the bottom of the circumferential sidewall of the housing, the bottom portion of the bottom cover being below both the proximal end of the flexible shaft and the hole.

[0006] As described above, the bottom of the circumferential sidewall of the housing 10 forms a cut-off plane, which, compared to stepped surfaces, curved surfaces, or other shapes, is advantageous for achieving a tight fit between the housing 10 and the bottom cover 20 at a lower cost, thus ensuring a sealing effect.

[0007] In addition, the bottom cover 20 is located below the flexible shaft, ensuring that there is a gap between the bottom cover and the flexible shaft.

[0008] In a second example of the joystick assembly, the first example may be optionally included, the joystick assembly further comprising: a minimum distance of 2.5 mm between the bottom of the first sidewall portion and the periphery of the hole.

[0009] Based on the above configuration, for the sake of housing strength and fit tolerances, at least 2.5mm is required below the periphery of the hole to ensure a gap between the bottom cover and the flexible shaft.

[0010] In a third example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the examples above may be included. The joystick assembly further includes: a housing including a partition extending laterally outward from at least a portion of the circumferential sidewall of the housing, the partition being fixed to the floor of the vehicle, and the bottom of the second sidewall portion not exceeding the partition.

[0011] As described above, the bottom of the second sidewall portion does not extend beyond the upper partition (the upper partition is used to fix it to the vehicle floor) so as not to affect the shape and structure of the partition and not to affect the installation of the partition of the housing onto the vehicle floor.

[0012] In a fourth example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the examples above may be included, and the joystick assembly further includes a housing that is a die-cast part.

[0013] In a fifth example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the examples above may be included, and the joystick assembly further includes a housing made of aluminum alloy ADC12.

[0014] In the sixth example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the above examples may be optionally included, and the joystick assembly further includes: the thickness of the circumferential sidewall of the housing is 4 mm.

[0015] In the seventh example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the examples above may be included, and the joystick assembly further includes: the bottom portion of the bottom cover has a minimum distance of 5 mm from the flexible shaft.

[0016] Based on the above configuration, taking into account the tolerances and fits of the parts, ensure that sufficient range of motion is provided for the shaft, and that a certain amount of clearance is maintained.

[0017] In the eighth example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the above examples may be included, and the joystick assembly further includes a bottom cover made of sheet metal.

[0018] In the ninth example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the above examples may be included, and the joystick assembly further includes a bottom cover made of stainless steel SUS304.

[0019] In the tenth example of the joystick assembly, one or more of the above examples may be optionally included, and the joystick assembly further includes a bottom cover with a thickness of 0.6 mm.

[0020] This invention provides an improved joystick assembly. The base housing has a stepped section on the left side, where two shaft holes are provided for the flexible shaft to pass through and for support; this is the main stress-bearing area of ​​the housing. Stress analysis revealed that the bottom right side of the housing does not bear a large load. Therefore, this invention optimizes the housing structure, making the bottom right side higher than the bottom left side, thereby reducing material usage and weight while maintaining the necessary structural strength to provide support. The bottom of the housing adopts an asymmetrical design, ensuring a good seal while reducing manufacturing costs and overall weight.

[0021] The joystick assembly of this utility model can realize gear shift control and parking brake, aiming to achieve precise, labor-saving, reliable and driving-friendly operation, so as to meet the needs of commercial vehicles that are difficult to install, high-intensity, long-cycle, and lightweight. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To describe embodiments of the above and other features of this invention, a more detailed description of the invention, as briefly described above, will be presented with reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and should not be considered as limiting its scope; the invention will be described and explained using the drawings and with the aid of additional features and details. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a side view of the base of a prior art joystick assembly, in which the bottom cover is joined to the housing;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of the base of the joystick assembly, in which the bottom cover is separated from the housing;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a joystick assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the bottom cover is separated from the housing;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a side view of the base of the joystick assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the bottom cover is joined to the housing;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A side view of the base of the joystick assembly, wherein the bottom cover is separated from the housing; and

[0028] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A side sectional view of the base of the joystick assembly.

[0029] The accompanying drawings are drawn roughly to scale; however, the dimensions in the drawings are merely schematic and do not need to be strictly to scale, but are intended to make the illustration clearer. Other relative dimensions may be used in other embodiments. Throughout this and all subsequent descriptions, the same features appearing in different drawings are indicated by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0030] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0031] 1 base

[0032] 2. Control lever fork

[0033] 2a Slave end

[0034] 3 flexible shafts

[0035] 3a proximal

[0036] 10 housing

[0037] 11 First sidewall section

[0038] 12 Second sidewall portion

[0039] 13 holes

[0040] 14 partitions

[0041] 20 bottom cover

[0042] 21 Bottom section Detailed Implementation

[0043] The term “fixed” as used in this article is intended to describe a component that is connected to another component and is able to maintain its relative position to the other, so that forces, torques, etc., can be transmitted from one component to the other.

[0044] The directional terms used herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inward,” “outer,” and “outward,” are used to assist in describing the orientation of the present invention according to the embodiments shown in the figures. Unless otherwise stated, such as “horizontal direction,” “gravity direction,” etc., the directional terms are not absolute up, down, horizontal, vertical, etc., and should not be construed as limiting the present invention to any particular direction.

[0045] As used herein, the term "circumferential" and its variations refer to the direction around the perimeter of an object, or around the elongated direction of the object. Unless otherwise stated, features described as transverse may be substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction.

[0046] The terms “including,” “having,” “comprising,” and variations thereof, as used herein, are intended as open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that require the presence of a specified component / step, but also allow for the presence of other components / steps.

[0047] In this invention, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are not intended to indicate any difference in order, position, quantity, or importance, but are merely used as labels to distinguish different positions or components, and to differentiate one element, component, area, and / or location from another element, component, area, and / or location.

[0048] The terms "approximately" and "roughly" can be used to include any value that may vary without altering its fundamental function. Generally, the terms "approximately" and "roughly" can refer to plus or minus 10% of the number referred to. Values ​​used herein should be understood to include the same value reduced to the same number of significant digits, as well as values ​​that differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error determined by conventional measurement techniques of the type described in this application. Finally, the values ​​given in the various embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.

[0049] The vehicle control lever assembly of this utility model includes a base 1, a control lever fork 2, and a flexible shaft 3; the proximal end 3a of the flexible shaft 3 is pivotally connected to the driven end 2a of the lower part of the control lever fork 2; the base 1 includes an overall housing 10 and a bottom cover 20.

[0050] First, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 The diagram illustrates, from a side view, the base of a prior art joystick assembly for a vehicle, in which... Figure 1 The bottom cover is shown to be joined to the housing. Figure 2 This shows the bottom cover separating from the housing. Figure 2 The driven end 2a of the joystick fork 2 can be seen extending downwards beyond the bottom of the housing 10. The housing 10 of the base 1 has two shaft holes on the left side for the flexible shaft 3 to pass through and provide support.

[0051] The left side of the shell 10 is the main stress area, while the bottom right side of the shell does not bear any load according to stress analysis. However, the existing design still maintains a complete rectangular structure with a consistent bottom height. The structure has not been optimized according to the actual stress conditions, which has increased unnecessary material usage and weight, resulting in material waste.

[0052] Therefore, this invention optimizes the shell structure by reducing the material of the shell at its right bottom, making the height of the right bottom higher than that of the left bottom, thereby reducing the total material usage and weight, while maintaining the necessary structural strength to provide support capacity.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 — Figure 6 The present invention provides an illustrative description of the control lever assembly for vehicles.

[0054] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a joystick assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the bottom cover is separated from the housing.

[0055] In one embodiment, the housing 10 includes a circumferential sidewall surrounding the driven end 2a of the lever fork 2, the circumferential sidewall including a first sidewall portion 11 and a second sidewall portion 12, wherein the second sidewall portion 12 is opposite to the first sidewall portion 11.

[0056] The first sidewall portion 11 may be provided with a hole 13, through which the flexible shaft 3 extends from the proximal end 3a of the flexible shaft 3 to the distal end of the flexible shaft 3.

[0057] Figure 3 The diagram shows two holes 13 for the flexible shaft 3 to pass through. It can be understood that the number of holes is not limited to this, but can be designed according to the actual needs of the joystick assembly.

[0058] Figure 4 , Figure 5 The base of the joystick assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated in a side view, wherein... Figure 4 The bottom cover is shown to be joined to the housing. Figure 5 This shows the bottom cover separating from the housing. Figure 5 It can be seen that the driven end 2a of the control lever fork 2 extends downward beyond the bottom of the housing 10.

[0059] The first sidewall portion 11 of the shell 10 is the main stress-bearing area of ​​the shell. The second sidewall portion 12 of the shell 10 does not bear a large load, so the amount of material used can be reduced and the weight can be reduced, while maintaining the necessary structural strength to provide support capacity.

[0060] The bottom of the circumferential sidewall of the housing 10 falls into a single plane A and gradually rises from the bottom of the first sidewall portion 11 to the bottom of the second sidewall portion 12, such that the bottom of the second sidewall portion 12 is higher than the bottom of the first sidewall portion 11.

[0061] from Figure 4 Figure 5 From a side view, the bottom of the circumferential sidewall of the housing 10 forms a cut-off plane A. Compared with stepped surfaces, curved surfaces, and other shapes, this is beneficial for achieving a tight fit between the housing 10 and the bottom cover 20 at a lower cost, thus ensuring a sealing effect.

[0062] The bottom cover 20 does not bear mechanical loads; it is only used to cover the bottom opening of the housing to prevent dust from entering. The bottom cover can be a sheet metal part, made of stainless steel SUS304, and 0.6mm thick.

[0063] Figure 6 The side sectional view further illustrates this. Figure 4The base of the joystick assembly is shown, illustrating the relative positions of the base, joystick, and flexible shaft.

[0064] The bottom of the first sidewall portion 11 is below the hole 13, so that the structure of the housing 10 can provide support for the flexible shaft 3 passing through the hole 13.

[0065] The housing 10 can be a die-cast part, the material can be aluminum alloy ADC12, and the thickness of the circumferential sidewall can be 4mm. For the strength consideration of the housing 10, preferably, the minimum distance between the bottom of the first sidewall portion 11 and the periphery of the hole 13 is 2.5mm.

[0066] The bottom cover 20 is located below the flexible shaft 3, ensuring a gap between them. Considering the minimum possible movement clearance between the lowest point and the lowest possible position of the joystick's movable shaft, as well as part tolerances and fits, preferably, the minimum distance between the bottom portion 21 of the bottom cover 20 and the flexible shaft 3 is 5mm, ensuring sufficient range of motion for the shaft.

[0067] Return to Figure 3 In one embodiment, the housing 10 includes a partition 14 extending laterally outward from at least a portion of the circumferential sidewall of the housing 10, the partition 14 being fixed to the floor of the vehicle to ensure the stability of the lever assembly during vehicle operation.

[0068] Preferably, the bottom of the second sidewall portion 12 is not higher than the partition 14, so as not to affect the shape and structure of the partition. For example, if the bottom of the second sidewall portion 12 is too high, it may cause a gap between the partition 14 and the vehicle floor, affecting the fit between the partition 14 and the vehicle floor and weakening the fixing effect.

[0069] The fact that the bottom of the second sidewall portion 12 is not higher than the partition 14 can ensure the operational stability of the lever fork after the base 1 is installed on the vehicle floor, and even affect the overall strength of the base 1 and the vehicle floor.

[0070] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present utility model clearer, the technical solution of the present utility model has been clearly and completely described in conjunction with the specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0071] While specific embodiments of this application have been described above, it should be understood that the described embodiments are only a part of, and not all, of the embodiments of this utility model, and are presented by way of example rather than limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit and essential characteristics.

Claims

1. A joystick assembly for a vehicle, comprising a base (1), a joystick fork (2), and a flexible shaft (3), wherein a proximal end (3a) of the flexible shaft (3) is pivotally connected to a driven end (2a) of the lower portion of the joystick fork (2), characterized in that, The base (1) includes: Housing (10), the housing (10) including a circumferential sidewall surrounding the driven end (2a) of the lever fork (2), the circumferential sidewall comprising: - A first sidewall portion (11) is provided with a hole (13), through which the flexible shaft (3) extends from the proximal end (3a) to the distal end, and the bottom of the first sidewall portion (11) is below the hole (13). - Second sidewall portion (12), the second sidewall portion (12) is opposite to the first sidewall portion (11), - wherein the bottom of the circumferential sidewall of the housing (10) falls into a single plane and gradually rises from the bottom of the first sidewall portion (11) to the bottom of the second sidewall portion (12), such that the bottom of the second sidewall portion (12) is higher than the bottom of the first sidewall portion (11); and The bottom cover (20) covers the opening at the bottom of the circumferential sidewall of the housing (10), and the bottom portion (21) of the bottom cover (20) is located below both the proximal end (3a) of the flexible shaft (3) and the hole (13).

2. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The minimum distance between the bottom of the first sidewall portion (11) and the periphery of the hole (13) is 2.5 mm.

3. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (10) includes a partition (14) extending laterally outward from at least a portion of the circumferential sidewall of the housing (10), the partition (14) being fixed to the floor of the vehicle, and The bottom of the second sidewall portion (12) is not higher than the partition (14).

4. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (10) is a die-cast part.

5. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the housing (10) is aluminum alloy ADC12.

6. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the circumferential sidewall of the shell (10) is 4 mm.

7. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The minimum distance between the bottom portion (21) of the bottom cover (20) and the flexible shaft (3) is 5 mm.

8. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom cover (20) is a sheet metal part.

9. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom cover (20) is made of stainless steel SUS304.

10. The joystick assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the bottom cover (20) is 0.6 mm.

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