Steering column, steering system, and vehicle

Abstract

A steering column, a steering system, and a vehicle. The steering column comprises a column body (100), an adjustment assembly (200), and a driving assembly (400). The adjustment assembly (200) comprises a first mounting base (210) and a second mounting base (220). A crumple assembly (300) comprises a bracket (310), an energy-absorbing band (320), and a limiting member (330). The column body (100) is capable of crumpling axially, enabling the second mounting base (220) to undergo an impact force in a crumple direction, which shears off a shear member (350) to absorb energy, and after disconnection, the second mounting base (220) can move in the crumple direction, and drive the energy-absorbing band (320) to deform axially and absorb energy. The limiting member (330) enables a first bracket body (311) of the bracket (310) to abut against the first mounting base (210), and the energy-absorbing band is stably connected between the second mounting base (220) and the bracket (310).

Description

Steering column, steering system and vehicle

[0001] Related applications

[0002] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410853040.4, filed on June 27, 2024, and entitled "Steering column, steering system and vehicle", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a steering column, a steering system and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0004] The steering column includes a collapse structure with energy absorption function. When the automobile collides, the steering wheel is subjected to a huge impact, and the steering column can collapse in the axial direction and absorb energy through the collapse structure, thereby reducing the impact and reducing the degree of injury to the driver. In an alternative way, some steering columns are unstable during the collapse process, and cannot provide stable absorption of collapse force, so the effect of reducing impact is not good. SUMMARY

[0005] The following is a summary of the subject matter described in detail herein. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims.

[0006] The present application proposes a steering column capable of providing stable absorption of collapse force. The present application also proposes a steering system having the steering column, and a vehicle having the steering system.

[0007] The present application provides a steering column, which includes a column body, an adjusting assembly and a driving assembly.

[0008] The adjusting assembly includes a first mounting seat and a second mounting seat, the second mounting seat is rigidly connected with the column body and movably connected with the first mounting seat along the axial direction of the column body;

[0009] The collapse assembly includes a bracket, an energy absorption belt, a first connecting piece and a limiting piece, the bracket includes a first bracket body and a second bracket body rigidly connected, the first bracket body is rigidly connected with the first mounting seat, the second bracket body is fixedly connected with the second mounting seat through a shearing piece, the limiting piece is rigidly connected with the first mounting seat and abuts the first bracket body on the first mounting seat, the connecting piece is rigidly connected with the first mounting seat, the energy absorption belt is an elastic structure, the energy absorption belt includes a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end is rigidly connected with the first bracket body or the second bracket body, the free end is arranged to be bent along the axial direction of the column body, and the first connecting piece is arranged to pass through the bending position of the free end;

[0010] The driving assembly is rigidly connected with the second frame body and is configured to drive the bracket to move along the axial direction;

[0011] The pipe column body is adapted to collapse along the axial direction under a set impact force and to push the second mounting base along the collapsing direction to apply the impact force to the shear member, the second mounting base is configured to move along the collapsing direction after the shear member is sheared, and the free end is deformed and unfolded along the collapsing direction by the first connecting member.

[0012] The steering column has at least the following beneficial effects: during the collapsing process of the pipe column body along the axial direction, the pipe column body transmits the impact force to the second mounting base along the collapsing direction, the first mounting base and the bracket remain stationary due to the rigid connection of the driving assembly, and therefore the second mounting base has a tendency to move along the collapsing direction relative to the first mounting base and the second frame body under the impact force, thereby applying the impact force to the shear member, and as the collapsing process proceeds, the shear member is sheared under a set force to absorb part of the collapsing force. After the second mounting base is disconnected from the second frame body, it moves along the collapsing direction under the collapsing force, thereby deforming and unfolding the free end of the energy absorption belt along the collapsing direction by the first connecting member. Since the fixed end of the energy absorption belt is rigidly connected with the first frame body or the second frame body, the free end absorbs part of the collapsing force by resisting deformation, providing a buffer for the sliding of the pipe column body. In this process, the limiting member abuts the first mounting base against the first frame body, which can ensure stable connection of the bracket and the first mounting base, effectively avoiding displacement or twisting of the bracket, thereby ensuring stable connection and work of the energy absorption belt, so that the energy absorption belt can provide stable absorption of the collapsing force, slow down the impact, and slow down the sliding of the pipe column body and the second mounting base.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least two first connection positions are provided on the first frame body along the axial direction; the collapsing assembly further comprises a number of second connecting members consistent with the number of the first connection positions, and each second connecting member is rigidly connected with the limiting member and the first connection position.

[0014] Optionally, the limiting member is provided with a mounting hole extending along the axial direction to form a long hole structure, and the second connecting member is detachably connected with the first connection position through the mounting hole.

[0015] Optionally, along the axial direction, the extension length of the mounting hole is greater than the distribution length of the first connection position.

[0016] Optionally, the first mounting base comprises a first body and two first mounting platforms spaced along the axial direction, the second mounting base is movably connected with the first body along the axial direction of the column body, and the first mounting platforms are rigidly connected with the first body and protrude from the surface of the first body; the limiting member comprises a connecting portion and an abutting portion which are rigidly connected, the connecting portion is rigidly connected to the side of the first mounting platform away from the first body, and the abutting portion extends from the side of the first body.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second frame body is provided with a second connecting position and a third connecting position, the second mounting base is provided with a second mounting portion, the shearing member is fixedly connected with the second mounting portion through the second connecting position, so as to fix the second frame body to the second mounting base, and the third connecting position is located on one side of the second connecting position in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the column body, and the driving assembly is rigidly connected with the third connecting position.

[0018] Optionally, the collapse assembly further comprises a positioning member, the second frame body is further provided with a sliding groove, the positioning member is rigidly connected with the second mounting base through the sliding groove, at least part of the groove wall of the sliding groove abuts against the positioning member, one side of the sliding groove along the collapse direction has an opening, and the second mounting base can drive the positioning member to move along the collapse direction to separate the positioning member from the sliding groove.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second mounting base comprises a second body and a second mounting platform, the second body is connected with the first mounting base, the second mounting platform is fixedly connected with the second body and protrudes from the surface of the second body, the second frame body comprises an abutting surface, the second frame body is connected with the second mounting platform, and the abutting surface abuts against the second mounting platform.

[0020] In some embodiments, the steering column further comprises a third mounting base, the third mounting base is movably connected with the second mounting base along the axial direction, and the driving assembly is arranged to drive the first mounting base and the second mounting base to move relative to the third mounting base along the axial direction through the support, so as to adjust the position of the column body.

[0021] Further, the application also provides a steering system, which comprises a steering wheel and the above steering column, and the steering wheel is connected with the column body. Therefore, when the steering system is impacted, the column body can collapse in the axial direction away from the steering wheel, the collapse assembly has stable structure and can provide stable absorption of collapse force, so as to effectively slow down the impact, and under the connection of the energy absorption zone, the sliding of the steering wheel, the column body and the second mounting base can be effectively slowed down, so as to avoid the impact on the driver.

[0022] The application also provides a vehicle comprising the above-mentioned steering system, when impacted, the steering wheel can move axially along the column body to the direction away from the driver and effectively slow down the impact, the steering wheel, the column body and the second mounting seat can slow down the sliding under the connection of the energy absorption belt, avoiding impacting the driver, thereby improving the safety.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the application will be made apparent by the following description and the appended claims.

[0024] Other aspects can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the attached figures and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application, and for those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained from these drawings without creative labor.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a steering column according to an embodiment.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the steering column shown in Fig. 1.

[0028] Fig. 3 is an exploded schematic diagram of the partial structure shown in Fig. 2.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a partial structural schematic diagram of a steering column according to an embodiment, in which the column body and the driving assembly are omitted.

[0030] Fig. 5 is an exploded schematic diagram of the partial structure shown in Fig. 3, showing the structure of the bracket, the energy absorption belt and the limiting member.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of the limiting member according to an embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the first mounting seat according to an embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of the bracket according to an embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of the second mounting seat according to an embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 10 is a state of the steering column according to an embodiment before the collapse occurs, in which only some components are shown for convenience of observation.

[0036] Fig. 11 is a state of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 after the collapse occurs.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a driving assembly in an embodiment.

[0038] In the figure: 100, column body; 200, adjusting assembly; 210, first mounting seat; 211, first body; 212, first mounting table; 220, second mounting seat; 221, second body; 222, second mounting table; 223, third mounting table; 224, first connecting piece; 225, second mounting part; 230, third mounting seat; 300, collapsing assembly; 310, bracket; 311, first bracket body; 312, second bracket body; 3121, first part; 3122, second part; 313, first connecting position; 314, second connecting position; 315, third connecting position; 316, sliding groove; 317, opening; 318, abutting surface; 319, fourth connecting position; 320, energy-absorbing belt; 321, fixed end; 322, free end; 323, bending position; 330, limiting piece; 331, mounting hole; 332, abutting part; 333, connecting part; 340, second connecting piece; 350, shearing piece; 360, positioning piece; 370, fourth connecting piece; 400, driving assembly; 410, power piece; 420, first driving piece; 430, second driving piece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The concept and the resulting technical effects of the present application will be described below in conjunction with embodiments, so as to fully understand the purposes, features and effects of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, if the position description such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right" and the like is described, the position or location relationship indicated by the position or location relationship shown in the figure is based on the position or location relationship shown in the figure, and is only for the purpose of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or device must have a particular position, be constructed and operated in a particular position, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of the application, if a certain feature is referred to as "arranged", "fixed", "connected" or "installed" to another feature, it can be directly arranged, fixed, connected or installed to the other feature, or indirectly arranged, fixed, connected or installed to the other feature. In the description of the embodiments of the application, if "several" is referred to, it means more than one, if "multiple" is referred to, it means more than two, and if "greater than", "less than" or "more than" is referred to, it should be understood as not including the number itself. If "and the like", "above", "below" or "within" are referred to, they should be understood as including the number itself. If "first", "second" are referred to, they should be understood as being used to distinguish technical features, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or the sequence of indicated technical features.

[0042] The application provides a steering column capable of providing stable collapse force absorption and effectively reducing impact. The application also provides a steering system with the steering column and a vehicle with the steering system, which are beneficial to improving driving safety. The embodiments of the application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0043] In FIGS. 1-12, the axial direction of the column body is indicated by X-Y arrows.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the application provides a steering column, which includes a column body 100, an adjusting assembly 200 and a collapse assembly 300. The column body 100 is arranged to be connected to a steering wheel, the adjusting assembly 200 includes a first mounting seat 210 and a second mounting seat 220, and the collapse assembly 300 includes a bracket 310, an energy-absorbing belt 320 and a first connecting piece 224.

[0045] The second mounting seat 220 is rigidly connected to the column body 100 and movably connected to the first mounting seat 210 along the axial direction of the column body 100, the bracket 310 is rigidly connected to the first mounting seat 210 and a driving assembly 400, and the bracket 310 is fixedly connected to the second mounting seat 220 through a shear member 350. The energy-absorbing belt 320 is of an elastic structure, one end of the energy-absorbing belt 320 is rigidly connected to the bracket 310, and the other end is arranged to be bent along the axial direction of the column body 100, the first connecting piece 224 is rigidly connected to the second mounting seat 220, and the first connecting piece 224 is arranged to pass through the bent position of the energy-absorbing belt 320. It can be understood that the steering column is applied to a vehicle, has a normal use state when no collapse occurs and a collapse state when an impact force occurs, and the collapse state of the steering column is triggered when the vehicle suffers a certain impact force. The specific impact force threshold can be reasonably configured according to the design of the vehicle, the material of the connecting structure and the structural characteristics of the steering column.

[0046] In use, a part of the driving assembly 400 is directly connected to or indirectly connected to the vehicle instrument beam, and another part of the driving assembly 400 is directly connected to or indirectly connected to the bracket 310 through the connecting structure. In a normal use state, the driving assembly 400 is configured to drive the bracket 310 to move along the axial direction of the column body 100. The bracket 310 drives the first mounting seat 210 and the second mounting seat 220 to move along the axial direction of the column body 100, so as to adjust the position of the column body 100. Thus, the height of the steering wheel connected to the column body 100 can be adjusted according to the needs of the driver.

[0047] When the collapse state is triggered by the impact of a collision, the column body 100 can collapse along the axial direction of itself (collapse along the axial direction towards the Y direction) under the impact force, and the impact force is transmitted to the second mounting seat 220. The first mounting seat 210 and the bracket 310 remain stationary due to the rigid connection of the driving assembly 400, and the second mounting seat 220 is subjected to the impact force and has a movement tendency to move along the collapse direction relative to the first mounting seat 210 and the bracket 310, so that the shear member 350 is subjected to a shearing force and sheared when the impact force reaches a preset impact force threshold. Therefore, the second mounting seat 220 is disconnected from the bracket 310, and a peak force absorbing part absorbs part of the collapse force at this time. Subsequently, the column body 100 drives the second mounting seat 220 to move along the collapse direction relative to the first mounting seat 210, and the second mounting seat 220 drives the energy-absorbing belt 320 to deform and expand along the collapse direction through the first connecting member 224. Therefore, after the bracket 310 is disconnected from the second mounting seat 220, the energy-absorbing belt 320 provides a large part of the collapse force absorption by resisting deformation, buffers the sliding of the column body 100, and reduces the injury degree of the driver.

[0048] The rigid connection of the support 310 with the first mounting seat 210 and the driving assembly 400 can be welding, riveting, connection through a connecting piece or forming an integral structure. Among them, the rigid connection is relative to the shearing force of the shear piece 350, which means that the connection force of the support 310 with the first mounting seat 210 and the driving assembly 400 is greater than the shearing force of the shear piece 350, or the strength of the connecting piece connecting the support 310 with the first mounting seat 210 and the driving assembly 400 is higher than the strength of the shear piece 350, so as to avoid connection failure before the shear piece 350 is sheared, and ensure that the energy can be absorbed by shearing the shear piece 350 in the collapse state. Among them, the connection force of the support 310 with the first mounting seat 210 and the driving assembly 400 can be defined as: the shearing force of the connecting piece connecting the support 310 with the first mounting seat 210 and the connecting piece connecting the support 310 with the driving assembly 400 in rigid connection, or the force when the connecting structure such as welding, riveting and integral forming between the support 310, the first mounting seat 210 and the driving assembly 400 is connected due to stress.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the embodiment of the present application, the collapse assembly 300 further comprises a limiting piece 330, the support 310 comprises a first frame body 311 and a second frame body 312 connected with each other, the first frame body 311 is rigidly connected with the first mounting seat 210, the second frame body 312 is fixedly connected with the second mounting seat 220 through the shear piece 350, and the limiting piece 330 is rigidly connected with the first mounting seat 210 and abuts the first frame body 311 on the first mounting seat 210. The energy absorption belt 320 is an elastic structure, which can include a fixed end 321 and a free end 322, the fixed end 321 is rigidly connected with the first frame body 311 or the second frame body 312, and the free end 322 is arranged to be bent along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100, and the first connecting piece 224 is arranged to pass through the bending position of the free end 322.

[0050] Among them, in the collapse state, the pipe column body 100 can collapse along the axial direction of itself, and push the second mounting seat 220 along the collapse direction to act the impact force on the shear piece 350, and the first mounting seat 210 and the support 310 remain static due to the rigid connection of the driving assembly 400, so that the second mounting seat 220 has a tendency to move along the collapse direction relative to the first mounting seat 210 and the second frame body 312, thereby acting the impact force on the shear piece 350, and as the collapse process proceeds, the shear piece 350 is adapted to be sheared under the set acting force, thereby absorbing part of the collapse force.

[0051] The second mounting seat 220 is configured to move in the collapse direction after the shear member 350 is sheared, and the free end 322 is deformed and unfolded in the collapse direction by the first connecting member 224. Since the fixed end 321 of the energy absorption belt 320 is rigidly connected to the first frame body 311 or the second frame body 312, the free end 322 resists deformation to absorb part of the collapse force, thereby providing a buffer for the sliding of the pipe column body. In this process, the limiting member 330 effectively ensures the stability of the connection between the first frame body 311 and the first mounting seat 210, thereby ensuring the stable connection between the support 310 and the first mounting seat 210, effectively avoiding displacement or twisting of the support 310 during the collapse process, so that the energy absorption belt 320 works stably.

[0052] The rigid connection between the limiting member 330 and the first mounting seat 210 can be welding, riveting, connecting through a connecting member, or forming an integral structure. Among them, the rigid connection is relative to the shearing force of the shear member 350, which means that the connecting force between the limiting member 330 and the first mounting seat 210 is greater than the shearing force of the shear member 350, or the strength of the connecting member connecting the limiting member 330 and the first mounting seat 210 is higher than the strength of the shear member 350, thereby avoiding connection failure before the shear member 350 is sheared, and ensuring that the energy absorption belt 320 can be sheared by the shear member 350 in the collapse state. Among them, the connecting force between the limiting member 330 and the first mounting seat 210 can be defined as: the shearing force of the connecting member connecting the limiting member 330 and the first mounting seat 210 in a rigid connection, or the force acting on the connecting structure between the limiting member 330 and the first mounting seat 210 when the connecting structure is caused to fail due to stress.

[0053] In the process of collapsing the pipe column body 100 in the axial direction, the shear member 350 is sheared to disconnect the second mounting seat 220 from the second frame body 312, thereby absorbing part of the collapse force. After the connection is disconnected, the second mounting seat 220 deforms the energy absorption belt 320, and the energy absorption belt 320 resists deformation to absorb part of the collapse force. In this process, the limiting member 330 abuts the first frame body 311 on the first mounting seat 210, thereby ensuring the stable connection and work of the energy absorption belt 320, so that the energy absorption belt 320 can provide stable absorption of the collapse force, and the energy absorption belt 320 is stably connected between the second mounting seat 220 and the support 310, which can slow down the sliding of the pipe column body 100 and the second mounting seat 220, and avoid the steering wheel, the pipe column body 100 and the second mounting seat 220 from falling quickly to cause secondary injury to the driver.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the first frame body 311 is provided with at least two first connecting positions 313 along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100, and the collapse assembly 300 further comprises a second connecting piece 340 consistent with the number of the first connecting positions 313, each second connecting piece 340 being connected to the limiting piece 330 and the first connecting position 313, so that the first frame body 311 has at least two connecting positions along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100, further improving the stability of the connection, and effectively preventing the bracket 310 from deviating radially along the pipe column body 100. Further, the limiting piece 330 is connected by at least two second connecting pieces 340, and the stability of the connection of the limiting piece 330 is also guaranteed, which can stably press the abutting frame against the first mounting seat 210, and can effectively prevent the first frame body 311 from being warped or twisted. Thus, the energy-absorbing belt 320 can be stably connected and deformed to absorb energy.

[0055] Wherein, the limiting piece 330 can be provided with a mounting hole 331, which can be a through hole structure corresponding to the first connecting position 313 one by one, or a long hole structure extending along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100, and the second connecting piece 340 is detachably connected with the first connecting position 313 through the mounting hole 331. When the mounting hole 331 adopts the long hole structure, it only needs to correspond to any position of the long hole-shaped mounting hole 331 along the axial distribution of the first connecting position 313 of the pipe column body 100 during assembly, which reduces the accuracy requirements for processing and assembly.

[0056] Specifically, the extension length of the mounting hole 331 along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100 is greater than the distribution length of the first connecting position 313, so that the fixed position of the first mounting frame relative to the first mounting seat 210 along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100 can be adjusted within the extension length range of the mounting hole 331. Adjusting the position of the first mounting frame relative to the first mounting seat 210 also changes the position of the second mounting seat 220 relative to the first mounting seat 210, which can adjust the adjustment range of the position of the steering pipe column by adjusting the movement of the bracket 310, the first mounting seat 210 and the second mounting seat 220 along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100, and adjust the sliding displacement size of the second mounting seat 220 during collapse. Thus, it can be adjusted according to actual needs, and has high applicability.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, in some embodiments, the first mount 210 includes a first body 211 and two first mounting platforms 212 spaced along the axial direction of the tubular string body 100, and the second mount 220 is movably connected to the first body 211 along the axial direction of the tubular string body 100, and a friction sheet can be arranged therebetween. The first mounting platforms 212 are rigidly connected to the first body 211, for example, by welding, connecting members, or forming an integral structure. The first mounting platforms 212 protrude from the surface of the first body 211. The limiting member 330 includes a connecting portion 333 and an abutting portion 332 rigidly connected, for example, by welding, connecting members, or forming an integral structure. The connecting portion 333 is rigidly connected to the side of the first mounting platform 212 away from the first body 211, for example, by connecting members. Thus, the first mounting platform 212 is horizontally arranged on the upper portion of the first body 211. The first frame body 311 of the bracket 310 is clamped between the connecting portion 333 and the surface of the first body 211.

[0058] In some embodiments, the abutting portion 332 of the limiting member 330 extends toward the side of the first body 211, and the abutting portion 332 abuts against the side wall of the first mounting platform 212, which can serve as a limiting function, effectively preventing the limiting member 330 from deflecting along the radial direction of the tubular string body 100, and ensuring that the first frame body 311 of the bracket 310 is stably connected to the first mount 210 and stably abuts against the first mount 210. Alternatively, the connecting portion 333 can be provided with abutting portions 332 on both sides along the radial direction, and the abutting portions 332 on both sides extend in opposite directions, which can prevent incorrect installation. Thus, either side of the surface of the connecting portion 333 abuts against the first mounting platform 212, and the abutting portion 332 can extend toward the first body 211, thereby abutting against the side wall of the first mounting platform 212.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second frame body 312 of the bracket 310 is connected to the second mount 220 by a shearing member 350. During the collapse process, when the second mount 220 is impacted to reach a set impact force threshold, the shearing member 350 is sheared and broken, thereby disconnecting the second frame body 312 and absorbing part of the collapse force. In some embodiments, the second frame body 312 is provided with a second connecting site 314, the second mount 220 is provided with a second mounting portion 225, and the shearing member 350 is connected to the second mounting portion 225 through the second connecting site 314 to fixedly connect the second frame body 312 to the second mount 220. The second mount 220 moves along the collapse direction to shear the shearing member 350, and the shearing peak force of the shearing member 350 can absorb part of the collapse force. The second connecting site 314 and the second mounting portion 225 can be a hole structure, and the shearing member 350 can be a screw, a bolt, or a pin. In application, the material and size parameters of the shearing member 350 can be configured according to the required shearing peak force.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, further, the collapse assembly 300 can further comprise a positioning member 360, the second frame body 312 is further provided with a sliding slot 316, the positioning member 360 passes through the sliding slot 316 and is connected with the second mounting seat 220, at least part of the slot wall of the sliding slot 316 abuts against the positioning member 360, one side of the sliding slot 316 along the collapse direction has an opening 317, thus, after the connection between the second frame body 312 and the second mounting seat 220 is disconnected, the second mounting seat 220 can drive the positioning member 360 to move along the collapse direction to separate from the sliding slot 316 from the opening 317, the friction between the slot wall of the sliding slot 316 and the positioning member 360 can absorb part of the collapse force. The positioning member 360 can be a screw, a bolt or the like, the positioning slot can have a positioning wall at the other end opposite to the opening 317, when the positioning member 360 abuts against the positioning wall during assembly, the second connecting position 314 can be aligned with the second mounting portion 225, thus playing a positioning role, thereby facilitating the installation of the shearing member 350 and being beneficial to rapid assembly.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, in some embodiments, the second mounting seat 220 can comprise a second body 221 and a second mounting table 222, the second body 221 is slidably connected with the first mounting seat 210 along the axial direction of the pipe column body 100, and a friction sheet can be arranged therebetween. The second mounting table 222 is rigidly connected with the second body 221, for example, is welded, is connected through a connecting member or is formed as an integral structure. The second mounting table 222 protrudes from the surface of the second body 221. The second frame body 312 has an abutting surface 318 (referring to FIG. 3), the second frame body 312 is connected with the second mounting table 222, and the abutting surface 318 abuts against the second mounting table 222, thus, after the connection between the second frame body 312 and the second mounting seat 220 is disconnected, the second mounting seat 220 moves along the collapse direction to cause the abutting surface 318 of the second frame body 312 and the second mounting table 222 to generate friction, and the friction force between the two can absorb part of the collapse force.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the second mounting base 220 can include a second body 221, a third mounting platform 223 and a first connecting member 224, the second body 221 is movably connected with the first mounting base 210 along the axial direction of the tubular column body 100, the third mounting platform 223 is fixedly connected with the second body 221 and protrudes from the surface of the second body 221, the first connecting member 224 is rigidly connected with the third mounting platform 223 and extends along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular column body 100, and the first connecting member 224 can be a fastener such as a rivet, a screw or a bolt. The first connecting member 224 and the second body 221 have a first gap therebetween, and the second body 221 and the first frame body 311 have a second gap therebetween. The first connecting member 224 is arranged to be connected with the energy-absorbing belt 320, and specifically, the energy-absorbing belt 320 can include a fixed end 321 and a free end 322, the fixed end 321 is connected with the first frame body 311, for example, the first frame body 311 can be provided with a fourth connecting site 319, and the fixed end 321 can be rigidly connected with the fourth connecting site 319 through a fourth connecting member 370, and the fourth connecting member 370 can be a fastener such as a rivet, a screw or a bolt. The free end 322 is arranged to be bent along the axial direction of the tubular column body 100 and is arranged to pass around the first connecting member 224 through the first gap and the second gap, so that the first connecting member 224 is arranged to pass through the bent position 323 of the free end 322, and the second mounting base 220 drives the first connecting member 224 to move along the collapsing direction to push the free end 322 to deform and expand.

[0063] The connecting force of the fourth connecting member 370 is greater than the restoring force generated by the deformation of the free end 322 and is greater than the connecting force of the first connecting member 224, or the strength of the fourth connecting member 370 is greater than the strength of the fixed end 321 and is greater than the strength of the first connecting member 224, so as to ensure that the fixed end 321 can be stably connected during the energy-absorbing process of the free end 322. The connecting force of the fourth connecting member 370 can be defined as the force acting on the fourth connecting member 370 when the fourth connecting member 370 is subjected to shear failure, or the force acting on the connection between the fourth connecting member 370 and the fourth connecting site 319 when the connection is caused to fail due to force. Similarly, the connecting force of the first connecting member 224 can be defined as the force acting on the first connecting member 224 when the first connecting member 224 is subjected to shear failure, or the force acting on the connection between the first connecting member 224 and the third mounting platform 223 when the connection is caused to fail due to force.

[0064] The energy-absorbing belt 320 can adopt a steel belt structure, and the length, material, thickness and width of the energy-absorbing belt 320 can be adjusted to adjust the size of the collapse force to absorb impact energy, so as to meet the design requirements of various vehicle models.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, FIG. 10 is a state before the collapse occurs, and FIG. 11 is a state after the collapse occurs, and the state of the energy absorption belt 320 after being unfolded is shown. The energy absorption process can be divided into two stages, the first stage at the beginning of the collapse, and the second stage after the second mount 220 is disconnected from the bracket 310 and the second mount 220 continues to move to drive the energy absorption belt 320 to continue to deform.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present application, the energy absorption sources in the first stage include the peak force of the shear failure of the shear member 350 and the force generated by the energy absorption belt 320 resisting its own deformation. In the scheme provided with the positioning member 360, the energy absorption sources in the first stage also include the friction force between the positioning member 360 and the second frame body 312. In the scheme provided with the second mount 222, the energy absorption sources in the first stage also include the friction force between the second mount 222 and the abutting surface 318 of the second frame body 312. The energy absorption sources in the second stage include the process of the second mount 220 continuing to move to drive the energy absorption belt 320 to move, and the force generated by the energy absorption belt 320 resisting its own deformation. In the second stage, the limiting member 330 can keep the second frame body 312 pressed against the first mount 210, ensuring that the bracket 310 is stably connected without deflection or torsion, thereby effectively preventing the radial movement of the energy absorption belt 320, so that the energy absorption belt 320 can stably absorb the collapse force.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the second frame body 312 is further provided with a third connecting position 315, and the driving assembly 400 is rigidly connected to the third connecting position 315. In the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular column body 100, the third connecting position 315 is located on one side of the second connecting position 314, so that the second connecting position 314 and the third connecting position 315 are not collinear in the axial direction of the tubular column body 100, facilitating the assembly and connection of the bracket 310 with the driving assembly 400, the first mount 210, the second mount 220, and other components.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the first frame body 311 and the second frame body 312 of the bracket 310 can be plate-shaped structures, and they are arranged vertically, facilitating the arrangement of multiple connecting positions in the radial direction of the tubular column body 100, so as to connect the first mount 210, the second mount 220, the driving assembly 400, and other components.

[0069] The support 310 can be integrally formed by a common process, for example, can be stamped and bent from sheet metal, and each connecting position can be formed by stamping or by machining. The support 310 has a simple structure, and assembly and disassembly of each component are relatively convenient. The second bracket body 312 can include a first portion 3121 and a second portion 3122, the two portions can be parallel to the axial direction of the pipe column body 100, can be staggered in the radial direction of the pipe column body, and can be staggered in a direction perpendicular to the first bracket body 311. The second connecting position 314 and the sliding groove 316 are arranged on the first portion 3121, and the third connecting position 315 is arranged on the second portion 3122. The fourth connecting position 319 arranged to connect the energy absorption belt 320 can be arranged on the first bracket body 311 or the second bracket body 312, and is determined according to the specific position of the energy absorption belt 320.

[0070] The support 310 can facilitate connection of the second mounting seat 220 and the driving assembly 400, respectively, so that by connecting the first mounting seat 210, the second mounting seat 220, the driving assembly 400, the energy absorption belt 320 and other components through the support 310, the connecting positions on the support 310 can be correspondingly arranged at multiple positions according to the connecting positions of each component, the matching requirements between each component can be reduced, and the assembly difficulty can be reduced. In the embodiment of the present application, the connection between each connecting position on the support 310 and the driving assembly 400, the first mounting seat 210, the second mounting seat 220, the energy absorption belt 320 and other components can adopt a connection mode such as a screw or a rivet, which has a simple structure, low precision requirements and convenient operation, can effectively reduce the assembly difficulty, and is convenient for disassembly and replacement.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments, the steering column further comprises a third mount 230 movably connected with the second mount 220 along the axial direction of the column body 100. The third mount 230 can be fixedly connected to a vehicle instrument beam, and the driving assembly 400 is configured to drive the first mount 210 and the second mount 220 to move relative to the third mount 230 along the axial direction of the column body 100 via the bracket 310 to adjust the position of the column body 100, thereby adjusting the height of the steering wheel. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, the driving assembly 400 can comprise a power member 410, a first driving member 420, and a second driving member 430, the power member 410 is connected to the second mount 220, the first driving member 420 is connected to the second bracket 312, and the second driving member 430 is connected to the third mount 230. The power member 410 can be an electric motor, and the first driving member 420 and the second driving member 430 can be screw rods, respectively. The power member 410 can drive the first driving member 420 to drive the bracket 310 to drive the first mount 210 and the second mount 220 to move relative to the third mount 230 along the axial direction of the column body 100, and the power member 410 can drive the second driving member 430 to drive the first mount 210 to move to adjust the relative position of the power member 410 and the third mount 230, thereby adjusting the adjustable range of the column body 100 in the axial direction, achieving a larger sliding range, and improving the adjustment efficiency.

[0072] Further, the present application also provides a steering system comprising a steering wheel and the above-mentioned steering column. The steering wheel is connected to the column body 100. Therefore, when subjected to a collision impact, in the steering system, the column body 100 can collapse in the axial direction away from the steering wheel, the collapse assembly 300 has a stable structure and can provide stable absorption of collapse force, effectively mitigating the impact, and under the connection of the energy absorption belt 320, the sliding of the steering wheel, the column body 100, and the second mount 220 can be effectively mitigated to avoid impacting the driver.

[0073] Further, the present application also provides a vehicle comprising the above-mentioned steering system. The vehicle involved in the present application can be a private car, such as a sedan, an SUV, an MPV, or a pickup truck, etc. The vehicle can also be an operating vehicle, such as a van, a bus, a small truck, or a large trailer, etc. The vehicle can be a new energy vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle or a pure electric vehicle. The vehicle adopts the above-mentioned steering system and is equipped with the steering column of the present application. When subjected to a collision impact, the steering wheel can collapse and move in the axial direction away from the driver along with the column body 100 and effectively mitigate the impact, and the sliding of the steering wheel, the column body 100, and the second mount 220 can be mitigated under the connection of the energy absorption belt 320 to avoid impacting the driver, thereby improving the safety.

[0074] Any combination of the technical features in the above-described embodiments can be made, and for the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations are described, however, as long as there is no conflict, any combination of the technical features should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0075] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present application, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the patent scope of the present application. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary skilled persons in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A steering column, comprising: a column body; an adjusting assembly comprising a first mount and a second mount, the second mount being rigidly connected with the column body and movably connected with the first mount along an axial direction of the column body; a collapsing assembly comprising a bracket, an energy-absorbing belt, a first connector and a limiting member, the bracket comprising a first bracket body and a second bracket body rigidly connected, the first bracket body being rigidly connected with the first mount, the second bracket body being fixedly connected with the second mount through a shear member, the limiting member being rigidly connected with the first mount and abutting the first bracket body on the first mount, the connector being rigidly connected with the first mount, the energy-absorbing belt being of an elastic structure, the energy-absorbing belt comprising a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being rigidly connected with the first bracket body or the second bracket body, the free end being arranged to be bent along the axial direction of the column body, the first connector being arranged to pass through a bending position of the free end; and a driving assembly rigidly connected with the second bracket body and arranged to drive the bracket to move along the axial direction, wherein the column body is capable of collapsing along the axial direction and pushing the second mount along a collapsing direction under a set impact force to apply the impact force to the shear member, the shear member being adapted to be sheared under a set force, the second mount being arranged to move along the collapsing direction after the shear member is sheared and to drive the free end to deform and expand along the collapsing direction through the first connector.

2. The steering column of claim 1, wherein: At least two first connecting positions are arranged on the first bracket body along the axial direction. The collapsing assembly further comprises a number of second connectors corresponding to the number of the first connecting positions, each of the second connectors being rigidly connected with the limiting member and the first connecting positions.

3. The steering column of claim 2, wherein: The limiting member is provided with a mounting hole extending along the axial direction to form a long hole structure, and the second connectors are detachably connected with the first connecting positions through the mounting hole.

4. The steering column of claim 3, wherein: The extension length of the mounting hole is greater than the distribution length of the first connecting positions along the axial direction.

5. The steering column of claim 2 wherein: The first mount comprises a first body and two first mounting platforms arranged along the axial direction, the second mount being movably connected with the first body along the axial direction of the column body, the first mounting platforms being rigidly connected with the first body and protruding from the surface of the first body. The limiting member comprises a connecting portion and an abutting portion rigidly connected, the connecting portion being rigidly connected with the side of the first mounting platform away from the first body, the abutting portion extending towards the side of the first mounting platform facing the first body, and the abutting portion abutting the side wall of the first mounting platform.

6. The steering column of claim 1, wherein: The second bracket body is provided with a second connecting position and a third connecting position, the second mount is provided with a second mounting portion, the shear member is fixedly connected with the second mounting portion through the second connecting position to fix the second bracket body to the second mount, and the third connecting position is located on one side of the second connecting position in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the column body, and the driving assembly is rigidly connected with the third connecting position.

7. The steering column of claim 6, wherein: The collapsing assembly further comprises a positioning member, the second frame body is further provided with a sliding slot, the positioning member is rigidly connected with the second mounting base through the sliding slot, at least part of the slot wall of the sliding slot abuts against the positioning member, one side of the sliding slot along the collapsing direction has an opening, and the second mounting base can drive the positioning member to move along the collapsing direction to separate from the sliding slot through the opening.

8. The steering column of claim 1, wherein: The second mounting base comprises a second body and a second mounting table, the second body is connected with the first mounting base, and the second mounting table is fixedly connected with the second body and protrudes from the surface of the second body; The second frame body comprises an abutting surface, the second frame body is connected with the second mounting table, and the abutting surface abuts against the second mounting table.

9. The steering column of claim 1 or 8 wherein: The steering column further comprises a third mounting base, the third mounting base is movably connected with the second mounting base along the axial direction, and the driving assembly is arranged to drive the first mounting base and the second mounting base to move along the axial direction relative to the third mounting base through the support, so as to adjust the position of the column body.

10. A steering system comprising a steering wheel and a steering column as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The steering wheel is connected with the column body. 11.A vehicle comprising the steering system according to claim 10.

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