CN114872781A - Steering system for vehicle and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a steering system for a vehicle and a vehicle. The steering system includes a steering wheel assembly and a shift mechanism. The steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel and a steering column. The first end of the steering column is connected with the steering wheel. The index mechanism is coupled to a second end of the steering column opposite the first end. The indexing mechanism is configured to tilt and move the steering wheel assembly into and within the cabin space after the steering wheel is extended from the instrument panel. The shifting mechanism includes a tilting mechanism for tilting the steering column with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a moving mechanism for moving the steering column in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The steering system not only can enable the arrangement of the steering wheel of the vehicle to be more flexible so as to adapt to different driving conditions, but also can enable the steering wheel component to make full use of the space of the cab to move flexibly, so that the interference between the steering wheel and the instrument panel is avoided.

Description

Steering system for vehicle and vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicle technologies, and in particular, to a steering system for a vehicle and a vehicle.

Background

In the modern society, people often need to go back and forth in two places due to the needs of work and life, and vehicles are important in the life of people as indispensable vehicles when people go out. However, the rules for manufacturing and using vehicles vary from country to country. For example, in some countries or regions, the vehicle travels on the right side of the road, while in other countries or regions, the vehicle travels on the left side of the road. Further, as the technology is developed, more and more new technologies and new functions are applied to the vehicle, for example, an automatic driving mode, a driver assistance mode, an unmanned driving mode, etc. of the vehicle. Thus, there is an increasing demand for flexibility in vehicle design to accommodate a variety of different driving situations.

Disclosure of Invention

It would be advantageous to provide a mechanism that alleviates, mitigates or even eliminates one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a steering system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an instrument panel, a front seat, and a cockpit space between the instrument panel and the front seat. The steering system includes a steering wheel assembly and a shift mechanism. The steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel and a steering column. The first end of the steering column is connected with the steering wheel. The index mechanism is coupled to a second end of the steering column opposite the first end. The indexing mechanism is configured to tilt and move the steering wheel assembly into and within the cabin space after the steering wheel is extended from the instrument panel. The shift mechanism includes a tilting mechanism for tilting the steering column with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a moving mechanism for moving the steering column in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a steering system for a vehicle is provided. The steering system includes a steering wheel assembly and an adjustment mechanism. The steering wheel assembly includes a steering column and a steering wheel. The steering wheel is connected with the steering column. The adjustment mechanism is used for adjusting the height position of the steering wheel in the longitudinal extension direction of the steering column and the angle of inclination relative to the steering column. The steering wheel is substantially flush with the outer surface of both the instrument panel when the steering wheel is retracted into the instrument panel.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an instrument panel and a steering system according to the present disclosure. The steering system includes a steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel and a steering column, and an indexing mechanism.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing the shift mechanism to change the position of the steering column in the lateral direction and the position of the steering column in the longitudinal direction, and enabling the steering wheel assembly to be tilted into and moved in the cabin space, on the one hand, the arrangement of the steering wheel of the vehicle can be more flexible to adapt to different driving conditions, and on the other hand, the steering wheel assembly can be made to make full use of the cabin space to move flexibly, thereby avoiding the interference between the steering wheel and the instrument panel.

These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

Further details, features and advantages of the disclosure are disclosed in the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle in which a steering system described herein may be applied, according to some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a steering system, according to some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steering system of FIG. 2 with the steering column in another position in the transverse direction T;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steering system of FIG. 2, wherein the steering column is at another angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal direction L;

fig. 5a to 5c show schematic views of the dashboard and the steering wheel in different positions in fig. 1, respectively, wherein fig. 5a shows the steering wheel in an intermediate position of the dashboard, fig. 5b shows the steering wheel in a left position of the dashboard, and fig. 5c shows the steering wheel in a right position of the dashboard.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an instrument panel and steering system with a steering wheel retracted within the instrument panel according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the instrument panel and the steering system of fig. 6, in which a steering wheel is extended from the instrument panel.

Description of reference numerals:

1000 vehicles; 110 an instrument panel; 130 front seats; 140 cockpit space; 151 left front door; 152 a right front door; the T transverse direction; l longitudinal direction;

2000 a steering system; 200 steering wheel unit; 210 a steering wheel; 220 a steering column; 300 a transposition mechanism;

310 a moving mechanism; 311 a first transmission member; 312 a second transmission member; 313 a first motor;

320 a support mechanism; 321 a first support; 322 a second support; 322-1 chute; 323 a balancing weight;

330 a tilting mechanism; 331 a first guide; 331-1 guide groove; 332 a second guide; 333 a second motor; 334 a first gear;

111 left recess; 112 intervening recesses; 113 right side recess;

3000 a steering system; 220' a steering column; 211 rotating the shaft.

Detailed Description

It will be understood that in this specification, the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like, indicate an orientation or positional relationship or dimension based on that shown in the drawings, which terms are used for convenience of description only and do not indicate or imply that the device or element being referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be considered limiting to the scope of the disclosure.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicit to a number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly and can, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integral; the connection can be mechanical connection, electrical connection or communication; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood as a specific case by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

In the present disclosure, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may comprise the first and second features being in direct contact, or may comprise the first and second features being in contact, not directly, but via another feature in between. Also, the first feature being "on," "above" and "over" the second feature includes the first feature being directly on and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "under," "below," and "beneath" a second feature includes the first feature being directly under and obliquely below the second feature, or simply meaning that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle 1000 in which a steering system 2000 described herein may be applied, according to some example embodiments.

Referring to fig. 1, a vehicle 1000 may include a dash panel 110, a front seat 130, a cockpit space 140 between dash panel 110 and front seat 130, and a steering system 2000. Specifically, the cabin space 140 is a space surrounded by the instrument panel 110, the left front door 151, the front seat 130, and the right front door. The vehicle 1000 has a transverse direction T and a longitudinal direction L. Herein, the transverse direction T of the vehicle refers to the X-axis direction in the vehicle coordinate system, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of gravity, along the lateral direction of the vehicle. The longitudinal direction L of the vehicle refers to the Y-axis direction in the vehicle coordinate system, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of gravity, along the front-rear travel direction of the vehicle. The steering system 2000 is used to control steering of the vehicle 1000. In some examples, steering system 2000 may be partially mounted inside instrument panel 110 and may be a steer-by-wire system. Wherein the system may comprise a manual actuation member (i.e. a steering wheel) which may provide an electrical signal for transmission to and control of the mechanical actuator and which, in addition, may also be mechanically connected to the mechanical actuator. The mechanical actuator is used to perform a physical operation of steering the vehicle, and may be, for example, a steering engine or a motor mounted on each wheel, etc.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a steering system 2000, according to some exemplary embodiments; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steering system 2000 of FIG. 2 with the steering column 220 in another position along the lateral direction T; fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steering system 2000 of fig. 2, wherein the steering column 220 is at another angle inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L. The steering system 2000 is described in detail below with reference to fig. 2-4 in conjunction with the vehicle 1000 of fig. 1. Steering system 2000 may include steering wheel assembly 200 and indexing mechanism 300. Steering wheel assembly 200 may include a steering wheel 210 and a steering column 220. A first end of steering column 220 is coupled to steering wheel 210 and a second end of steering column 220, opposite the first end, is coupled to indexing mechanism 300. The indexing mechanism 300 is configured to vary the position of the steering column 220 in the transverse direction T of the vehicle 1000 and the position of the steering column 220 in tilt relative to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle 1000 so that the steering wheel assembly 200 can be tilted into the cabin space 140 and moved in the cabin space 140.

In some examples, the first end of the steering column 220 may refer to an end face of the end of the steering column 220, and in other examples, the first end of the steering column 220 may also refer to the end face of the end of the steering column 220 and a portion of the circumferential side around the end face. Similarly, the second end of steering column 220 may refer to the end surface of the other end of steering column 220, or may refer to the end surface of the other end of steering column 220 and a part of the circumferential side surface around the end surface.

Herein, changing the position of the steering column 220 in the lateral direction T means changing the position of the steering column 220 in the lateral direction T, and may be achieved, for example, in any of the following ways: the steering column 220 is moved in the transverse direction T, the steering column 220 is moved in a direction at an angle (e.g., caused by an installation error or the like, e.g., about 0 to 10 degrees) to the transverse direction T, and the steering column 220 is moved in a curved path extending substantially in the transverse direction T.

Herein, changing the position at which the steering column 220 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L means changing the angle at which the steering column 220 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L, and may be achieved, for example, in any of the following ways: the steering column 220 is rotated in the lateral direction T, and the steering column 220 is rotated in a direction at a certain angle (for example, about 0 to 10 degrees due to an installation error or the like) to the lateral direction T.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the shift mechanism 300 is configured to tilt the steering wheel assembly 200 into the cabin space 140 and move in the cabin space 140 after the steering wheel 210 is projected from the instrument panel 110, wherein the shift mechanism 300 includes a tilting mechanism 330 for tilting the steering column 220 with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle and a moving mechanism 310 for moving the steering column 220 in the lateral direction T of the vehicle. By providing a moving mechanism 310 to change the position of steering column 220 in the transverse direction T and a tilting mechanism 330 to change the position of steering column 220 inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L, so that steering wheel assembly 200 can be tilted into cockpit space 140 and moved in cockpit space 140, on the one hand, the arrangement of steering wheel 210 of vehicle 1000 can be made more flexible to adapt to different driving situations, and on the other hand, steering wheel assembly 200 can be made to move flexibly making full use of cockpit space 140, thereby avoiding steering wheel 210 interfering with instrument panel 110.

The process of adjusting the position of the steering wheel assembly 200 of the above-described steering system 2000 is as follows. For example, in some examples, an adjustment mechanism (described in detail below) extends steering wheel 210 from instrument panel 110 (shown in FIG. 7) when steering wheel assembly 200 is retracted into instrument panel 110 (shown in FIG. 6). Then, the shifting mechanism 300 can first change the position of the steering column 220 inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L using its tilting mechanism 330, so that the steering column 220 and the steering wheel 210 thereon are tilted into the cockpit space 140, thereby avoiding the instrument panel 110 and its surrounding components. Next, the shifting mechanism 300 changes the position of the steering column 220 in the lateral direction T using its moving mechanism 310 to move the steering column 220 and the steering wheel 210 thereon in the cabin space 140. When steering column 220 is moved to be opposed to a predetermined position in instrument panel 110, indexing mechanism 300 then changes the position in which steering column 220 is tilted in longitudinal direction L (i.e., tilts steering column 220 toward instrument panel 110) again using its tilting mechanism 330 to move steering column 220 to a predetermined position in instrument panel 110.

For another example, in other examples, the displacement mechanism 300 can simultaneously change the position of the steering column 220 inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction L and the position of the steering column 220 in the lateral direction T by the tilting mechanism 330 and the moving mechanism 310 thereof, so that the steering column 220 and the steering wheel 210 thereon are moved into the cabin space 140 as long as the change in the position of the steering column 220 in the lateral direction T does not interfere with the instrument panel 110 and its surrounding parts. The indexing mechanism 300 can then change the position of the steering column 220 in the transverse direction T using its displacement mechanism 310 to displace the steering column 220 and the steering wheel 210 thereon in the cockpit space 140. When steering column 220 is moved close to a predetermined position in instrument panel 110, without interfering with instrument panel 110 and its surrounding parts, indexing mechanism 300 can simultaneously change the position of steering column 220 inclined with respect to longitudinal direction L (i.e., tilt steering column 220 toward instrument panel 110) and the position of steering column 220 in lateral direction T, again by its tilting mechanism 330 and moving mechanism 310, to move steering column 220 to a predetermined position in instrument panel 110.

In some embodiments, indexing mechanism 300 is configured to tilt steering wheel assembly 200 a particular angle after steering wheel assembly 200 is extended from instrument panel 110 to enable movement of steering wheel assembly 200 in cockpit space 140 and below the bottom edge of instrument panel 110. Wherein, as shown in fig. 4, the specific angle e is the angle between the inclined position S1 when the steering column 220 is in the instrument panel and the inclined position S2 when the steering column 220 is in the cockpit space 140 and below the bottom edge of the instrument panel 110. Steering wheel assembly 200 is thereby made flexible to move to take advantage of cockpit space 140, thereby avoiding interference of steering wheel 210 with instrument panel 110 and eliminating the need for unnecessary track openings in instrument panel 110.

In some embodiments, index mechanism 300 is located on the inside of instrument panel 110 and is fixed to vehicle 1000.

In some embodiments, indexing mechanism 300 may include a moving mechanism 310. The moving mechanism 310 includes a first motor 313 and a first transmission structure. The first electric motor 313 is used to drive the first transmission structure in rotation. The first transmission structure may be configured as a screw transmission, such as a ball screw pair, and the output end of the first transmission structure is connected with the second end of the steering column 220 to convert the rotational movement of the first motor 313 into a translational movement of the steering column 220. In particular, the first transmission structure may comprise a first transmission piece 311 and a second transmission piece 312, wherein the first transmission piece 311 is connected to the first electric motor 313 and extends in the transverse direction T when in the vehicle, and the second transmission piece 312 is fixed on the second end of the steering column 220. A through hole for passing the first transmission member 311 is formed in the second transmission member 312, and the circumferential surface of the first transmission member 311 and the through hole of the second transmission member 312 are provided with threads matched with each other, so that the rotational motion of the first motor 313 is converted into the translational motion of the steering column 220 under the rotational drive of the first motor 313.

In some examples, the first motor 313 may be disposed on one side of the first transmission piece 311 (as shown in fig. 2 to 4), or may be disposed at any position of the first transmission piece 311.

In some examples, such as the example shown in fig. 2-4, movement mechanism 310 is disposed at substantially the same location along longitudinal direction L as steering wheel assembly 200, and second transmission 312 forms a portion of the housing of steering column 220 or is directly secured to the housing of steering column 220, such as by bolting, welding, or the like, to steering column 220.

In other examples, movement mechanism 310 is disposed at a different location along longitudinal direction L than steering wheel assembly 200, e.g., second transmission member 312 may be fixedly coupled to steering column 220 at a spaced location via a coupling member (e.g., a rod-like coupling member). In this case, a guide (not shown in the drawings) may be provided at the steering column 220, the guide extending in the lateral direction T when installed in the vehicle, the steering column 220 being movably connected with the guide so that the steering column 220 can move along the guide. Wherein the guide may comprise any one of a shaft, a groove, etc. Where the guide member is an axle, the second end of the steering column 220 may be sleeved directly on the axle, or on the axle via another connector secured to the second end thereof. Where the guide member is a groove, the second end of the steering column 220 may be nested within the groove, or may be nested within the groove via another connector secured to the second end thereof.

In some other embodiments, the first transmission piece 311 may extend in a direction at an angle (excluding a right angle) to the transverse direction T when installed in a vehicle, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the indexing mechanism 300 can further include a tilting mechanism 330, and the tilting mechanism 330 includes a second motor 333 and a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a first guide 331 and a second guide 332. In some examples, the first guide 331 has a guide rail (e.g., a groove or ridge for guiding) with which the second guide 332 is engaged and guided for movement by the guide rail. For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 2 to 4, the first guide member 331 has a guide groove 331-1, the second guide member 332 is configured as a guide block slidable in the guide groove 331-1, the guide groove 331-1 has an arc shape and a plane in which the guide groove 331-1 is located is perpendicular to the lateral direction T of the vehicle. The guide block 332 is connected, directly or indirectly, to the steering column 220. Thus, when the second motor 333 drives the guide block 332 to move in the arc-shaped guide groove 331-1, the steering column and thus the steering wheel assembly tilt with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle (as shown in fig. 4, the steering column 220 is in another position inclined in the longitudinal direction).

In some embodiments, the second guide 332 is configured with teeth, and the second motor 333 drives the second guide 332 through a gear transmission (e.g., the first gear 334 shown in fig. 2 that meshes with the teeth of the second guide 332, but the present disclosure is not limited to only one gear shown in fig. 2). At this time, the second motor 360 may drive the second guide through the gear transmission mechanism, and the second guide 332 moves under the guidance of the first guide 331.

In some embodiments, the indexing mechanism 300 may further include a support mechanism 320. The supporting mechanism 320 may include a first support 321 and a second support 322, and the first support 321 is movably connected with the second support 322. The first support 321 is configured to be moved by the moving mechanism 310 in the transverse direction T of the vehicle, the first support 321 is fixed relative to the steering column 220, for example, one side of the first support 321 close to the steering column 220 may be fixed to the second end of the steering column 220 or a component of the moving mechanism 320 fixed to the second end of the steering column 220, and the other side of the first support 321 away from the second end of the steering column 220 is movably connected to the second support 322. The second support 322 may be directly or indirectly supported on the vehicle body.

For example, the second supporting member 322 may be a sliding rail (a groove or a ridge) extending parallel to the moving mechanism 310 (specifically, the first transmission member 311), and the other side of the first supporting member 321 away from the second end is embedded in or sleeved on the sliding rail. For another example, the second supporting member 322 may also be a bracket as shown in fig. 2 to 4, which includes a sliding slot 322-1 extending parallel to the moving mechanism 310 (specifically, the first transmission member 311), and the other side of the first supporting member 321 away from the second end may pass through the sliding slot. Specifically, the first support 321 may be a slider for moving in the chute. In addition, a weight 323 for balancing the weight of the steering column 220 and the steering wheel 210 may be provided on the side of the first support 321 connected to the second support 322. By means of the above-described embodiment it is ensured that the steering column 220 and thus the steering wheel assembly does not topple over in relation to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle.

In some examples, as shown in fig. 2 to 4, the support mechanism 320 is disposed between the tilting mechanism 330 and the moving mechanism 310, with its first support 321 fixed relative to the steering column 220 and adapted to be carried by the moving mechanism to move in the transverse direction T of the vehicle, and with its second support 322 fixed to the second guide 332 (guide block shown in fig. 2) of the tilting mechanism and adapted to be carried by the tilting mechanism 330 to tilt relative to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle. Further, the first guide member 331, i.e., the guide plate, having the guide rail 331-1 (e.g., a groove or ridge for guiding) may be fixed with respect to the vehicle body, e.g., to the instrument panel, so that the second support member 322 of the support mechanism is indirectly supported on the vehicle body.

In some embodiments, the number of the guide assemblies of the tilting mechanism may be one, and one end side of the second support 322 in the lateral direction T is movably connected with the guide assemblies. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 2 to 4, the number of the guide assemblies may be two, and both end sides of the second support 322 in the transverse direction T are movably connected to one of the guide assemblies, respectively.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5a to 5c, the instrument panel 110 may be provided at left, intermediate, and right positions in the lateral direction T with left, intermediate, and right recesses 111, 112, and 113, respectively, for accommodating the steering wheel assembly 200. In some examples, the left position of instrument panel 110 may be a position that facilitates manual operation of the vehicle by a driver from the left side of the vehicle, the right position of instrument panel 110 may be a position that facilitates manual operation of the vehicle by a driver from the right side of the vehicle, and the intervening position may be a position that facilitates stowing steering wheel assembly 200 when the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode. In some other examples, the left position of the instrument panel 110 may be any position between a side of the instrument panel 110 near the left front door to an intermediate position of the instrument panel 110, and the right position of the instrument panel 110 may be any position between a side of the instrument panel 110 near the right front door to an intermediate position of the instrument panel 110. The above-described embodiments may facilitate arranging steering wheel assembly 200 at different locations of the instrument panel to accommodate different driving conditions.

In some embodiments, a through slot may also be provided in the intermediate position of the instrument panel 110, communicating the intermediate recess 112 with the cockpit space 140, for tilting the steering wheel assembly 200 from the first tilted position of the steering column 220 (i.e. in the intermediate recess 112) to the third tilted position (i.e. in the cockpit space 140). The through groove may extend linearly (e.g., perpendicular to the transverse direction) or may extend in a curve.

In some embodiments, the indexing mechanism 300 may be configured to move the steering column 220 between left, intermediate, and right positions and may achieve first, second, and third tilt positions relative to the longitudinal direction L. With the steering column 220 in the intermediate position and in the first tilted position, the steering wheel assembly 200 is nested in the intermediate recess 112, as shown in FIG. 5 a. When the steering column 220 is in the left position and in the second tilted position, the steering wheel assembly 200 is nested in the left recess 111, as shown in FIG. 5 b. When the steering column 220 is in the right position and in the second tilted position, the steering wheel assembly 200 is nested in the right recess 113, as shown in FIG. 5 c. When steering column 220 is in the third tilted position, steering wheel assembly 200 is located in cockpit space 140. In some other embodiments, the indexing mechanism 300 may also tilt the steering column 220 to a fourth tilted position, in which the steering wheel assembly 200 nests in the right-side recess 113 when the steering column 220 is in the right-side position and in the fourth tilted position. The first inclined position, the second inclined position and the fourth inclined position may be the same or different. The above-described embodiments may facilitate arranging steering wheel assembly 200 at different locations of the instrument panel to accommodate different driving conditions.

In some embodiments, the indexing mechanism 300 may further include locks for locking the steering wheel assembly 200 in specific positions, such as left, right, and intermediate positions of the instrument panel 110. Among them, the locking member may be provided on one or more of the first transmission member 311 of the moving mechanism 310, the first support member 321 or the second support member 322 of the support mechanism 320, the second guide member 332 of the tilting mechanism 330, and the like.

According to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the process of adjusting the position of the steering wheel assembly 200 may be as follows: steering wheel assembly 200 may be received within an intermediate recess 112 of instrument panel 110, as shown in FIG. 5 a. When the driver needs to manually operate the vehicle from the left side of the vehicle, the second motor 333 of the indexing mechanism 300 can drive the second guide member 332 to move under the guidance of the first guide member 331 so that the steering column 220 is rotated at an angle to reach a third tilted position where the steering wheel assembly 200 is tilted into the cockpit space 140 to avoid the instrument panel 110. Then, the first motor 313 drives the first transmission piece 311 to rotate, so that the steering column 220 is moved to the left position in the lateral direction T of the vehicle via the threaded engagement of the second transmission piece 312 with the first transmission piece 311, and subsequently, the second motor 333 drives the second guide piece 332 again to move under the guidance of the first guide piece 331, so that the steering column 220 reaches the second tilted position at which the steering wheel assembly 200 is tilted into the left recess 111, as shown in fig. 5 b. The process of returning the steering wheel assembly 200 from the left side recess 111 to the middle recess 112 is the reverse of the above process, and for the sake of brevity, will not be described again. In addition, the movement process of the steering wheel assembly 200 moving into the right recess 113 is the same as the above-described movement process of moving into the left recess, and for the sake of brevity, the description thereof is omitted.

For another example, the first motor 313 and the second motor 333 may be operated simultaneously for at least a portion of the time period. The process of adjusting the position of steering wheel assembly 200 may be as follows: steering wheel assembly 200 may be received within an intermediate recess 112 of instrument panel 110, as shown in FIG. 5 a. When the driver needs to manually operate the vehicle from the left side of the vehicle, the second motor 333 of the shift mechanism 300 can drive the second guide member 332 to move under the guidance of the first guide member 331 while the first motor 313 can drive the first transmission member 311 to rotate, so that the steering column 220 can be tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle and simultaneously moved in the transverse direction T of the vehicle, until a third tilt angle with respect to the longitudinal direction is reached, at which time the steering wheel assembly 200 is tilted into the cabin space 140 to completely clear the dashboard 110, without the steering wheel assembly interfering with the dashboard. Then, the second electric motor 333 stops operating, and the first electric motor 313 continues to drive the first transmission member 311 to rotate, so that the steering column 220 moves to the near-left position in the lateral direction T of the vehicle. Subsequently, the second motor 333 is operated again so that the second guide member 332 is moved under the guidance of the first guide member 331 to bring the steering column 220 to a second tilted position with respect to the longitudinal direction L, at which time the steering wheel assembly 200 is tilted into the left recess 111, as shown in fig. 5 b. The process of returning the steering wheel assembly 200 from the left side recess 111 to the middle recess 112 is the reverse of the above process, and for the sake of brevity, will not be described again. In addition, the movement process of the steering wheel assembly 200 moving into the right recess 113 is the same as the above-described movement process of moving into the left recess, and for the sake of brevity, the description thereof is omitted.

In some embodiments, steering wheel assembly 200 may further include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height position of steering wheel 210 in the direction of longitudinal extension of steering column 220 and the angle of tilt relative to steering column 220, and the adjustment mechanism is configured to extend and retract steering wheel 210 into instrument panel 110. Steering wheel 210 may thus be stowed within instrument panel 110 without using steering wheel 210 to avoid occupying the interior space of the vehicle and interfering with other operations of the vehicle by the driver. The adjustment mechanism allows the steering wheel to be retracted into the instrument panel 110 (as shown with reference to fig. 6). Further, the adjustment mechanism may also extend steering wheel 210 from instrument panel 110 (see FIG. 7). In the case where an adjustment mechanism is provided, in adjusting the position of the steering wheel assembly 200, the steering wheel 210 may be first extended from the instrument panel 110 by the adjustment mechanism before the steering wheel assembly 200 is tilted, to initially avoid the instrument panel 110 and its surrounding components. The height of the steering wheel 210 may be adjusted by a steering column structure in the related art, and will not be described in detail herein.

In some embodiments, the height position of steering wheel 210 in the longitudinal extension direction of steering column 220 and the angle of inclination with respect to steering column 220 are adjusted such that steering wheel 210 is retracted within instrument panel 110 and steering wheel 210 is substantially flush with the outer surface of both instrument panel 110 (as shown with reference to fig. 6), thereby making it possible to avoid interference with the operation of the vehicle by the driver or passengers. Herein, "substantially flush" with the outer surface of both steering wheel 210 and instrument panel 110 may include any of the following: the outer surfaces of both steering wheel 210 and instrument panel 110 are completely flush (i.e., completely aligned), and the outer surface of steering wheel 210 is slightly above or below (i.e., has a step difference) the outer surface of instrument panel 110.

In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism may include a shaft 211 parallel to the steering wheel 210, and the first end of the steering column 220 is coupled to the steering wheel 210 via the shaft 211 to enable rotation of the steering wheel 210 about the shaft. The above-described embodiments facilitate adjusting the position at which steering wheel 210 is tilted relative to steering column 220 to facilitate achieving a substantially flush, approximately continuous surface of steering wheel 210 and instrument panel 110 when steering wheel 210 is retracted within instrument panel 110. Herein, "substantially flush" with the outer surface of both steering wheel 210 and instrument panel 110 may include any of the following: the outer surfaces of both steering wheel 210 and instrument panel 110 are completely flush (i.e., completely aligned), and the outer surface of steering wheel 210 is slightly above or below (i.e., has a step difference) the outer surface of instrument panel 110. It will be appreciated that the contours of steering wheel 210 and the recess in dashboard 110 for receiving the steering wheel need not be strictly designed to match each other. In some other embodiments, the first end of the steering column 220 and the steering wheel 210 may be connected by other structures (e.g., hinges, etc.) to enable the steering wheel 210 to tilt relative to the steering column 220.

In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism may also include a lock for locking the steering wheel 210 at a desired tilt position relative to the steering column 220.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating instrument panel 110 and steering system 3000 with steering wheel 210 retracted within instrument panel 110, according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and fig. 7 is a schematic view illustrating instrument panel 110 and steering system 3000 of fig. 6, in which steering wheel 210 is extended from instrument panel 110. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, steering system 3000 may include steering wheel assembly 200 and an adjustment mechanism. Steering wheel assembly 200 may include a steering column 220 'and a steering wheel 210 coupled to steering column 220'. The adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the height position of steering wheel 210 in the longitudinal extension direction of steering column 220 and the angle of inclination with respect to steering column 220, so that steering wheel 210 can be extended from instrument panel 110 or retracted into instrument panel 110. When steering wheel 210 is retracted within instrument panel 110 (as shown in fig. 6), steering wheel 210 is substantially flush with the outer surface of instrument panel 110. The above-described embodiments may facilitate adjusting the height of steering wheel 210 and the position of the tilt relative to steering column 220 to facilitate achieving a substantially flush, approximately continuous surface of the outer surfaces of both steering wheel 210 and instrument panel 110 when steering wheel 210 is retracted within instrument panel 110. It will be appreciated that the contours of steering wheel 210 and the recess in dashboard 110 for receiving the steering wheel need not be strictly designed to match each other.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, the adjustment mechanism may include a rotating shaft 211 parallel to the steering wheel 210, and the steering column 220 may be pivotally connected to the steering wheel 210 via the rotating shaft 211 to enable the steering wheel 210 to rotate about the rotating shaft 211. The above-described embodiments may facilitate adjusting the position at which steering wheel 210 is tilted relative to steering column 220 to facilitate achieving a substantially flush surface of steering wheel 210 and instrument panel 110 when steering wheel 210 is retracted within instrument panel 110. It will be appreciated that the contours of steering wheel 210 and the recess in dashboard 110 for receiving the steering wheel need not be strictly designed to match each other.

In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism may also include a lock for locking the steering wheel 210 at a desired tilt position relative to the steering column 220.

Features of the steering wheel assembly 200 of the steering system 3000 described above with reference to fig. 6 and 7 are the same as those of the steering wheel assembly 200 of the steering system 2000 described in fig. 2 to 5, and thus, no further description is given. Further, the features in the steering system 3000 described above with reference to fig. 6 and 7 and the features in the steering system 2000 described in fig. 2 to 5 may be interchanged with or added to each other, and for example, the features of the shift mechanism of the steering system 2000 may be added to the steering system 3000.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an instrument panel 110 and the above-described steering system 2000 or steering system 3000 according to the present disclosure. Steering system 2000 or 3000 may include steering wheel assembly 200 having steering wheel 210 and steering column 220, and indexing mechanism 300.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative and exemplary and not restrictive; the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps not listed, the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, the term "a" or "an" means two or more, and the term "based on" should be construed as "based at least in part on". The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (17)

1. A steering system for a vehicle including an instrument panel, a front seat, and a cockpit space between the instrument panel and the front seat, the steering system comprising:

a steering wheel assembly, the steering wheel assembly comprising:

a steering wheel extendable from or retractable into the instrument panel; and

a steering column, a first end of the steering column being connected to the steering wheel; and

a position change mechanism connected to a second end of the steering column opposite the first end,

wherein the shift mechanism is configured to tilt the steering wheel assembly into and move in the cabin space after the steering wheel is extended from the instrument panel, wherein the shift mechanism includes a tilting mechanism for tilting the steering column with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a moving mechanism for moving the steering column in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

2. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the indexing mechanism is configured to tilt the steering wheel assembly a specific angle after the steering wheel is extended from the instrument panel to enable the steering wheel assembly to move in the cockpit space and below a bottom edge of the instrument panel.

3. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism comprises:

a first motor; and

a first transmission structure configured as a screw drive for converting a rotational movement into a translational movement,

the first motor is used for driving the first transmission structure to rotate, and the output end of the first transmission structure is connected with the second end of the steering column.

4. The steering system of claim 3, wherein the first transmission structure comprises:

a first transmission member connected to the first motor; and

the second transmission piece is fixed to the second end of the steering column, a through hole for the first transmission piece to penetrate through is formed in the second transmission piece, and threads matched with each other are arranged on the peripheral surface of the first transmission piece and the through hole of the second transmission piece.

5. The steering system according to claim 1, wherein the tilting mechanism includes:

a second motor; and

the guide assembly comprises a guide groove and a guide block, and the guide block is connected to the second end of the steering column and is used for driving the steering column to move along the guide groove; and

the second motor is used for driving the guide block to move in the guide groove, the guide groove is arc-shaped, and the plane of the guide groove is perpendicular to the transverse direction of the vehicle.

6. The steering system according to claim 1, wherein the shift mechanism further includes a support mechanism provided between the tilting mechanism and the moving mechanism, the support mechanism including:

a first support member that is attached to the second end of the steering column, or to a part of the moving mechanism that is fixed to the second end of the steering column, and that is adapted to be moved in the lateral direction of the vehicle by the moving mechanism,

a second support member connected to the tilting mechanism and adapted to be driven by the tilting mechanism to tilt with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and

wherein the first support is movably connected with the second support.

7. The steering system according to claim 6, wherein the first support is a slider for moving in the slide groove, and the second support is a bracket having a slide groove parallel to the moving mechanism.

8. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the steering wheel assembly further comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a height position of the steering wheel in a direction of longitudinal extension of the steering column and an angle of inclination with respect to the steering column.

9. The steering system according to claim 8, wherein a height position of the steering wheel in a longitudinal extending direction of the steering column and an angle of inclination with respect to the steering column are adjusted such that the steering wheel is retracted into a recess in the instrument panel and the steering wheel is substantially flush with outer surfaces of both the instrument panel and the steering wheel.

10. The steering system of claim 9, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a shaft parallel to the steering wheel, the first end of the steering column being connected to the steering wheel via the shaft to enable the steering wheel to rotate about the shaft.

11. The steering system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the shift mechanism is configured to shift the steering column between left, intermediate, and right positions in the lateral direction and between first, second, and third inclined positions that are inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle,

wherein steering column is located intermediate position just is located during first inclined position, steering wheel assembly inlays to be established in the intermediate recess of panel board steering column is located left side position just is located during the second inclined position, steering wheel assembly inlays to be established in the left side recess of panel board steering column is located right side position just is located during the second inclined position, steering wheel assembly inlays to be established in the right side recess of panel board steering column is located during the third inclined position, steering wheel assembly is located in the cockpit space.

12. A steering system for a vehicle, comprising:

a steering wheel assembly, the steering wheel assembly comprising:

a steering column; and

a steering wheel connected to the steering column; and

an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a height position of the steering wheel in a longitudinal extension direction of the steering column and an angle of inclination with respect to the steering column,

wherein the steering wheel is substantially flush with the outer surface of both the dashboard of the vehicle when the steering wheel is retracted into the dashboard.

13. The steering system of claim 12, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a shaft parallel to the steering wheel, the steering wheel being pivotably connected to the steering column by the shaft.

14. A vehicle, comprising:

an instrument panel; and

a steering system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a steering wheel assembly having a steering wheel and a steering column, and an indexing mechanism.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the dash panel is provided at a left position, an intermediate position, and a right position in the lateral direction with a left recess, an intermediate recess, and a right recess, respectively, for accommodating the steering wheel assembly.

16. The steering system according to claim 15, wherein the shift mechanism is configured to move the steering column between the left position, the intermediate position, and the right position and to tilt between first tilt positions, second tilt positions, and third tilt positions that are tilted with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle,

wherein the steering column is located intermediate position just is located during first inclined position, steering wheel assembly inlays to be established in the intermediate recess steering column is located left side position just is located during the second inclined position, steering wheel assembly inlays to be established in the left side recess steering column is located right side position just is located during the second inclined position, steering wheel assembly inlays to be established in the right side recess steering column is located during the third inclined position, steering wheel assembly is located in the cockpit space.

17. The steering system of claim 16, wherein a through slot communicating the intervening recess and the cockpit space is further provided at an intervening location of the instrument panel for tilting the steering wheel assembly from the first tilted position to the third tilted position.

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