CN109835408B

CN109835408B - Locking device for steering column

Info

Publication number: CN109835408B
Application number: CN201711190775.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高明; 赵敏彧
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
Priority date: 2017-11-24
Filing date: 2017-11-24
Publication date: 2021-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-24
Also published as: CN109835408A

Abstract

The application discloses a locking device of a steering column. It includes: a steering column having a locking portion; a bracket having a first arm and a second arm spaced apart by the locking portion; a clamping assembly including a rod passing through the first arm, the second arm, and the locking portion of the bracket; the clamping assembly further comprises: a sleeve, said clamping assembly being actuatable between a release position and a locking position, said sleeve having a receiving portion, said rod passing through said sleeve, said bracket releasing said locking portion in said release position; when the support moves from the release position to the locking position, the support clamps the locking part, and the locking part drives the retraction part to contract towards the rod. The device is simple in structure, reliable in operation and low in cost.

Description

Locking device for steering column

Technical Field

The present application relates to a steering system of an automobile, and more particularly, to a locking device of a steering column.

Background

A steering column is an element of a steering system that connects a steering wheel and a steering gear. The steering wheel can be adjusted to a position comfortable to the driver by adjusting the steering column (e.g., adjusting the height or inclination of the steering column, etc.). The position of the steering column may be fixed by a locking device. When locking, the steering column is fixed and can not be adjusted; when released, the steering column is adjusted. In addition, the locking device provides a locking retention force for the steering column that meets certain design specifications.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present application is directed to provide a locking device of a steering column, the locking device including:

a steering column having a locking portion;

a bracket having a first arm and a second arm spaced apart by the locking portion;

a clamping assembly including a rod passing through the first arm, the second arm, and the locking portion of the bracket;

the clamping assembly further comprises:

a sleeve, said clamping assembly being actuatable between a release position and a locking position, said sleeve having a receiving portion, said rod passing through said sleeve, said bracket releasing said locking portion in said release position; when the support moves from the release position to the locking position, the support clamps the locking part, and the locking part drives the retraction part to contract towards the rod.

In the locking device, the clamping assembly further comprises a cam mechanism, the cam mechanism is sleeved on the rod, an elastic element is arranged between the sleeve and the cam mechanism, and in the locking position, the retractable part of the sleeve is abutted to the opening of the locking part through which the rod passes under the action of the elastic element.

In the above-described locking device, the accommodating portion of the sleeve is in contact with the opening through the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve and the inner wall of the opening.

In the above locking device, the sleeve has a first inclined surface converging toward the opening on an outer peripheral surface of the accommodating portion, and a second inclined surface contacting with the first inclined surface is provided on an inner wall surface of the opening.

In the above locking device, the sleeve has at least 2 grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the rod in the receiving and releasing portion, and the receiving and releasing portion enters the opening.

In the above locking device, the clamping assembly further includes a handle fixed to the lever outside the first arm, the cam mechanism is fixed to the first arm of the bracket, cam transmission is performed between the handle and the cam mechanism, and when the handle drives the lever to rotate, the handle applies additional clamping force to the first arm.

In the above locking device, the cam mechanism further includes a protective sleeve fitted around the lever on the inner side of the first arm.

In the above locking device, the rod is provided with a thread, the clamping assembly comprises a nut assembly located on the outside of the second arm, the nut assembly is engaged with the thread, and when the clamping assembly is moved from the release position to the locking position, the rod is rotated and the nut assembly moves relative to the rod in a direction approaching the first arm.

In the above locking device, the locking part has a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from each other, and the first wall and the second wall of the locking part are connected to each other by a welding plate.

In the locking device, the rod passes through the sleeve with a clearance fit, the sleeve is located between the first wall and the second wall, in the locking position, the first arm abuts against the first wall and the second arm abuts against the second wall, and the opening is provided in the second wall.

When the locking device is locked, the retraction part is in a contraction state, and the locking part keeps certain contact with the rod, so that effective clamping force is applied to the locking part by the support on two sides of the steering column, and improved supporting force is provided for the steering column. Here, the contact connection of the locking part to the rod is realized by the sleeve holder. During locking, the sleeve enters the rod and passes through the opening of the locking part, and the gap between the locking part and the rod in the opening is eliminated. In order to be able to maintain contact with the locking part and the rod, a suitable fit is designed between the sleeve and the opening, the contact surfaces of which are designed as wedges. Furthermore, one end of the sleeve is designed to be flexible to facilitate the entry of the sleeve into the opening. The device is simple in structure, reliable in operation and low in cost.

Other aspects and features of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the application, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein, and that, unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Drawings

The present application will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the views. Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of one embodiment of a steering column locking device to which the present application relates;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the locking device of the steering column shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of a cross section of the locking device of the steering column shown in FIG. 2 at an opening of the locking portion; and

fig. 4 is a schematic structural view of a sleeve in the steering column locking device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

To assist those skilled in the art in understanding the subject matter claimed herein, specific embodiments thereof are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a locking device of a steering column according to the present application. As shown, the locking device of the steering column includes a steering column 10, a locking portion 20, and a bracket 30. The locking portion 20 is fixed to the steering column 10, which is a part of the steering column. The locking portion 20 includes spaced apart first and second walls a, b (not shown) that are approximately U-shaped. The bracket 30 is connected to the vehicle, and the bracket 30 is spaced apart by the locking portion 20. The bracket 30 includes a first arm a 'and a second arm b' in an approximately square configuration. Thus, on each side of the steering column 10 there are two components as clamps: a first wall a and a first arm a ', and a second wall b and a second arm b'.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the locking device of the steering column of fig. 1. The clamping assembly of the locking device comprises a rod 41, the rod 41 being a bolt as shown in the figure, passing through the first arm a 'of the bracket 30, the first wall a of the locking part 20, the second wall b of the locking part 20, and the second arm b' of the bracket 30 in that order. Under the action of the clamping assembly, the bracket 30 is pressed against the locking portion 20 to apply a clamping force to the steering column 10. The clamping assembly further comprises a cam mechanism 42 provided on one end of the lever 41 on the first arm a 'and a sleeve 43 on one end of the second arm b'. The sleeve 43 has a receiving portion 432, the rod 41 passing through the sleeve 43 with a clearance fit. The sleeve 43 is movable and actuatable along the rod 41 between a release position and a locking position when the cam mechanism 42 is activated. In the release position, the bracket 30 releases the locking portion 20. When the locking mechanism is operated from the locking position to the releasing position, the bracket 30 locks the locking portion 20, and the locking portion 20 drives the accommodating portion 432 to contract toward the rod 41. The accommodating portion 432 contracts so that the locking portion 20 comes into contact with the rod 41 via the sleeve 43, whereby the steering column 10 is locked in the column axial direction.

The first and second walls a, b of the locking portion 20 are each provided with openings for the passage of the rod 41, and when the rod 41 passes through these openings of the locking portion 20, the rod 41 does not come into contact with the locking portion 20. The clamping assembly acts through the rod 41 to collapse the first and second arms a ', b' of the bracket 30 toward the first and second walls a, b of the locking portion 20 to generate a clamping force applied to the steering column 10. This clamping force provides the steering column 10 with a certain support force in the axial direction of the steering column to resist an external force applied to the steering column 10 (e.g., a driver supports the steering wheel when entering or exiting the vehicle to generate an external force on the steering column) and to ensure that the steering column 10 is not damaged and does not displace. If there is a gap between the rod 41 and the locking portion 20 in this process, the clamping force of the bracket 30 to the locking portion 20 does not work normally, and thus a reliable supporting force for the steering column 10 is not provided. The addition of the sleeve 43 allows the sleeve to be in a contracted state when locked, and the locking portion 20 is held in contact with the rod 41 via the contracted sleeve 43, eliminating the gap, thereby ensuring that the bracket 30 applies an effective clamping force to the locking portion 20, and thus, the supporting force of the steering column 10.

A gap exists between the locking portion 20 and the rod 41 within the opening 21 and the sleeve 43 moves into the opening 21 of the locking portion 20 to make a contact connection therewith. The sleeve 43 has a first end 431 and a second end 432 along the rod 41 and is located inside the second arm b of the locking portion 20, with the receiving portion located on the second end 432. The first end 431 is connected to the cam mechanism 42 by a resilient member 44 (a spring as shown) that is mounted on the rod 41. In the release position, the elastic member 44 is in an initial state. When the cam mechanism 42 is activated, the cam mechanism 42 moves along the rod 41 towards the second arm b of the locking portion 20, thereby pushing the elastic element 44 and the sleeve 43 until the receiving portion 432 of the sleeve 43 enters the opening 21. At this time, the elastic member 44 is compressed, and therefore, a resilient force that pushes the sleeve 43 into the opening 21 is generated, ensuring that the locking portion 20 comes into contact with the rod 41 via the sleeve 43 in the opening 21. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the cross section of fig. 2 at the opening 21. The sleeve 43 is cylindrical, the outer peripheral surface of the accommodating part 432 of the sleeve 43 is provided with a first inclined surface 433, meanwhile, the inner wall of the opening 21 is provided with a second inclined surface 211 contacted with the first inclined surface 433, and the wedge-shaped structure has a certain self-locking function and ensures that the locking part 20 is contacted and connected with the rod 41 in the opening 21. Fig. 4 is a structural schematic of the sleeve 43. In order to ensure that the receiving and release portion 432 of the sleeve 43 enters the opening, the receiving and release portion 432 of the sleeve 43 is designed to be "flexible" or to have a certain elasticity in contraction. At least two grooves 434 extending for a certain distance along the longitudinal direction of the sleeve are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 43, and the complete circle of the second end 432 is divided into a conical ring consisting of a plurality of cones 435. The advantage of this design is that the tapers 435 will be consciously drawn up against the second inclined surface 211 of the opening 21 and enter the opening 21 smoothly during the process of pushing the sleeve 43 into the opening 21. The angles of the first and second

inclined surfaces

433 and 211 and the number of the grooves 434 are determined by design requirements.

The cam mechanism 42 of the clamping assembly has a cam structure that varies in axial length (i.e., in the direction of the rod 41), and therefore the axial position of the locking portion 20, the bracket 30, the resilient member 44, and the sleeve 43 relative to the rod 41 can be varied. Under the action of the cam mechanism 42, the locking portion 20 and the bracket 30 are tightened towards the steering column 10, and the elastic element 44 and the sleeve 43 are moved towards the second arms b, b'. This can be achieved by the embodiment shown in fig. 1-2 in which the clamping assembly further comprises a handle 45 secured to the rod 41, the handle 45 being located on the outside of the bracket 30. The cam mechanism 42 is fixedly connected to the first arm a' of the bracket 30. The handle 45 and the cam mechanism 42 are in cam transmission. For example, the cam mechanism 42 is provided with a cam surface protrusion, and the handle 45 is correspondingly provided with a groove, so that when the handle 45 is rotated, the groove and the protrusion are matched to push the cam mechanism 42 and the first arm a' of the bracket 30 to move towards the first wall a of the locking part 20. When the clamp assembly is locked, the handle 45 applies an additional clamping force to the bracket 30 that helps clamp the steering column. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the configuration of the cam drive herein is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be implemented in alternative designs of cam as desired. A protective sleeve 46 is also provided on the side of the cam mechanism 42 opposite the resilient element 44, the protective sleeve 46 being configured to limit displacement of the cam mechanism 42 and having a cushioning and noise-reducing effect.

At the other end of the rod there is provided a nut assembly 51, the nut assembly 51 comprising a nut, a bearing and a washer etc., which nut is screwed on and which bearing and washer press against the second arm b' of the bracket 30. As the lever 41 is rotated, the nut assembly 51 moves relative to the lever 41 toward the first arm a', applying another additional clamping force to the bracket 30 that helps clamp the steering column. A plate 61 having a supporting function is also welded between the first wall a and the second wall b of the locking portion 20.

When the clamping assembly is released, the steering column 10 can be adjusted in height in its axial direction. The sleeve 43 is in the release position and the resilient element 44 is in the initial state, in which there is a clearance between the locking portion 20 and the rod 41.

When the clamp assembly is locked, the handle 45 is rotated, and the handle 45 rotates the lever 41 together. The cam mechanism 42 is moved along the rod 41 in the direction of the sleeve 43 by the cam transmission action between the handle 45 and the cam mechanism 42, and the cam mechanism 42 moves the holder 30, whereby the holder 30 applies a pressing force to the locking portion 20. At this time, the elastic member 44 and the sleeve 43 move toward the opening 21 of the second arm b of the locking portion 20 until the second end 432 of the sleeve 43 enters the opening 21. In the opening 21, the locking part 20 is in contact connection with the rod 41 via a sleeve 43. The resilience of the resilient element 44, the action of the wedge force between the sleeve 43 and the opening 21, and the clamping force of the second arm b' of the bracket 30 on the other end of the rod 41 against the second wall b of the locking portion 20 and the nut assembly 51 against the bracket 30, causes the sleeve 43 to remain in contact with the opening 21 and the rod 41 in the opening 21, effecting locking of the clamping assembly. Meanwhile, in the locked position, the first arm a 'of the bracket 30 exerts a plurality of effective pressures on the first wall a of the locking portion 20, the handle 45 on the cam mechanism 42 (the bracket 30), the second arm b' of the bracket 30 on the second wall b of the locking portion 20, and the nut assembly 51 on the bracket 30 to clamp the steering column 10, so that the steering column 10 is reliably fixed at a predetermined height position.

While specific embodiments of the present application have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the principles of the application, it will be understood that the application may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A locking device of a steering column, comprising:

a steering column (10), the steering column (10) having a locking portion (20);

a bracket (30), the bracket (30) having a first arm (a ') and a second arm (b') spaced apart by the locking portion (20);

a clamping assembly comprising a rod (41), said rod (41) passing through a first arm (a '), a second arm (b') and said locking portion (20) of said bracket (30);

characterized in that the clamping assembly further comprises:

a sleeve (43), said clamping assembly acting between a release position and a locking position, said sleeve (43) having a receiving and releasing portion (432), said rod (41) passing through said sleeve (43), in said release position said bracket (30) releasing said locking portion (20); when the locking device is operated from the release position to the locking position, the bracket (30) clamps the locking part (20), and the locking part (20) drives the accommodating part (432) to contract towards the rod (41).

2. A steering column locking device according to claim 1, wherein: the clamping assembly further comprises a cam mechanism (42), the cam mechanism (42) is sleeved on the rod (41), an elastic element (44) is arranged between the sleeve (43) and the cam mechanism (42), and in the locking position, a retractable part (432) of the sleeve (43) is abutted to an opening (21) of the locking part (20) through which the rod (41) passes under the action of the elastic element (44).

3. The locking device of a steering column according to claim 2, wherein: the accommodating portion (432) of the sleeve (43) is in contact with the opening (21) through contact between the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve (43) and the inner wall of the opening (21).

4. The locking device of a steering column according to claim 2, wherein: the sleeve (43) is provided with a first inclined surface (433) which is folded towards the opening (21) on the outer peripheral surface of the accommodating part (432), and a second inclined surface (211) which is contacted with the first inclined surface (433) is arranged on the inner wall surface of the opening (21).

5. A steering column locking device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: the sleeve (43) is provided with at least 2 grooves (434) extending along the longitudinal direction of the rod (41) on a storage part (432), and the storage part (432) enters the opening (21).

6. The locking device of a steering column according to claim 2, wherein: the clamping assembly further comprises a handle (45) fixed on the rod (41) and arranged outside the first arm (a '), the cam mechanism (42) is fixed on the first arm (a ') of the bracket (30), cam transmission is adopted between the handle (45) and the cam mechanism (42), and when the handle (45) drives the rod (41) to rotate, the handle (45) applies additional clamping force to the first arm (a ').

7. The locking device of a steering column according to claim 6, wherein: the cam mechanism (42) further comprises a protective sleeve (46) fitted over the lever (41) on the inside of the first arm (a').

8. The locking device of a steering column according to claim 6, wherein: -a screw thread is provided on the rod (41), -the clamping assembly comprises a nut assembly (51) located outside the second arm (b'), the nut assembly (51) engaging the screw thread, and-when the clamping assembly is moved from the release position to the locking position, the rod (41) is rotated and the nut assembly (51) is moved relative to the rod in a direction towards the first arm.

9. A locking device of a steering column according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: the locking part (20) is provided with a first wall (a) and a second wall (b) which are spaced apart, and the first wall (a) and the second wall (b) of the locking part (20) are connected through a welding plate (61).

10. The locking device of a steering column according to claim 9, wherein: the rod (41) passes through the sleeve (43) with a clearance fit, the sleeve (43) being located between the first wall (a) and the second wall (b), the first arm (a ') abutting the first wall (a) and the second arm (b') abutting the second wall (b) in the locked position, the opening (21) being provided in the second wall (b).