WO2020073799A1

WO2020073799A1 - Steering pipe column assembly for vehicle, and vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020073799A1
Application number: PCT/CN2019/107553
Authority: WO
Inventors: 李宇纬; 屈宝鹏; 邢洪滨
Original assignee: 吉利汽车研究院（宁波）有限公司; 浙江吉利控股集团有限公司
Priority date: 2018-10-08
Filing date: 2019-09-24
Publication date: 2020-04-16
Also published as: PH12021550749A1; RU2767085C1; CN109291985B; CN109291985A

Abstract

A steering pipe column assembly for a vehicle, relating to the field of vehicle safety. The steering pipe column assembly comprises a fixed bracket (3) fixedly connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle; a steering pipe column (1) comprising a steering pipe column lower shaft assembly (11) and a steering pipe column upper column pipe assembly (12) movably connected to the steering pipe column lower shaft assembly (11), wherein the steering pipe column upper column pipe assembly (12) is movably connected to the fixed bracket (3), so as to allow the steering pipe column upper column pipe assembly (12) to move with respect to the steering pipe column lower shaft assembly (11) and the fixed bracket (3) in an axial direction of the steering pipe column upper column pipe assembly; and an anti-overturning piece (4) provided on the steering pipe column upper column pipe assembly (12) and used for preventing the steering pipe column upper column pipe assembly (12) from rotating with respect to the fixed bracket (3) around the central axis of the steering pipe column upper column pipe assembly. Meanwhile, the invention relates to the vehicle, comprising the steering pipe column assembly. According to the steering pipe column assembly, after the steering pipe column is collapsed to a certain length, an impacting force acting on a driver by a steering wheel can keep unchanged along with continuous collapse of the steering pipe column.

Description

Steering column assembly for vehicle and vehicle

Technical field

The invention relates to the field of vehicle safety, in particular to a steering column assembly for vehicles and vehicles.

Background technique

With the development of the vehicle industry, people are paying more and more attention to the safety performance of vehicles, and good safety technology is more and more recognized by people, and it is also the future development trend of vehicles.

Among them, during the collision of the vehicle, the steering column located in the cab can absorb part of the energy through the collapse of its own structure, thereby reducing the impact force of the steering wheel directly connected to the steering column on the driver. It also reduces the damage to the occupants by the collision of vehicles.

Summary of the invention

However, the inventor of the present application found that when the steering column collapses to a certain length, the impact force of the steering wheel on the driver gradually increases as the steering column continues to collapse, which greatly increases the impact on the driver s damage. Fig. 1 is a steering column collapse curve when no anti-overturning member is added, that is, a steering column collapse curve in the prior art, wherein the abscissa represents the distance of the collapse of the steering column, and the ordinate represents the steering wheel acting on the driving The impact force of the driver is shown in Figure 1 (in the dotted frame in the figure). When the steering column collapses a certain distance, the impact force of the steering wheel on the driver gradually increases as the steering column continues to collapse. At the same time, the inventor of the present application also found that the reason why the impact force of the steering wheel on the driver gradually increases is that the steering column forms a certain angle with the ground of the cab when it is arranged in the cab. When the vehicle is hit, due to the inertia , The driver will generate a horizontal force to compress the steering wheel, and the transmission of the force will cause the upper column tube assembly in the steering column directly connected to the steering wheel to be relative to the fixed bracket (movably connected to the upper column tube by fixing The bracket assembles the steering column with the vehicle) and the lower column assembly of the steering column (movably connected to the upper column tube). Since the steering column has a certain angle with the ground of the cab and is subjected to a horizontal force, so After the steering column collapses to a certain length (that is, after the upper column tube assembly slides down a certain distance), an upward force will form, which is called "force couple" M in mechanical engineering, and this force will act on the fixed bracket. The fixed bracket rotates upward relative to the upper column tube assembly. This force causes the steering column to collapse to a certain length, and the steering wheel acts on the driver ’s impact. As the force continues to collapse of the steering column is gradually increased.

Therefore, an object of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a steering column assembly for a vehicle, which can solve the problem that the steering wheel impact force on the driver becomes larger after the steering column collapses by a certain distance when the vehicle collides The problem.

Another object of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a steering column assembly in which a steering column collapses and smoothly when a vehicle collides.

An object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle in which the steering column of the vehicle can minimize the damage to the occupants during the collision by collapsing.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle, including:

A fixing bracket for fixedly connecting with the body of the vehicle;

A steering column includes a steering column lower shaft assembly and a steering column upper column tube assembly movably connected to the steering column lower shaft assembly, the steering column upper column tube assembly and the fixed bracket Movably connected to allow the steering column upper column tube assembly to move along its axis relative to the steering column lower shaft assembly and the fixed bracket; and

An anti-overturning member is provided at the upper column tube assembly of the steering column to prevent the upper column tube assembly of the steering column from rotating relative to the fixed bracket about its central axis.

Further, the anti-overturning member is an anti-overturning boss that protrudes outward from the outer wall of the upper column tube assembly of the steering column. After the lower shaft assembly of the steering column moves downward for a certain distance, the anti-overturning boss abuts against the fixed bracket to prevent the fixed bracket from rotating relative to the upper column tube assembly of the steering column.

Further, a gear block is provided at the fixed bracket, and when the vehicle collides with the steering column upper column tube assembly relative to the steering column lower shaft assembly and moves down a certain distance, the anti-flip convex The stage abuts the gear block to prevent the fixed bracket from rotating relative to the upper column tube assembly of the steering column.

Further, the anti-overturning boss is set so that its strength is sufficient to prevent breakage due to excessive force when the fixing bracket abuts against the anti-overturning boss.

Further, the steering column is arranged in the cab of the vehicle, one end of which is connected to the steering wheel of the vehicle, and the other end is arranged near the ground of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the steering column and the ground of the passenger compartment of the vehicle cross at a preset angle.

Further, a lower mounting point is provided at the lower shaft assembly of the steering column, and an upper mounting surface is provided at the fixing bracket, and the steering column passes through the lower mounting point and the upper mounting surface to the vehicle Assemble together.

Further, the steering column lower shaft assembly and the steering column upper column tube assembly form an inner and outer casing structure, and the steering column lower shaft assembly and the steering column upper column tube assembly pass through a gap Connect in a cooperative manner.

Further, the fixing bracket is provided with a connecting hole, the steering column upper column tube assembly is provided with a strip groove extending along the axial direction thereof, the fixing bracket and the steering column upper column tube It is movably connected by a plug inserted into the connection hole and the strip groove, the plug is configured to move along the axial direction in the strip groove when the column tube assembly on the steering column moves in its axial direction Strip groove sliding.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention provides a vehicle, including a steering wheel, and further including the steering column assembly connected to the steering wheel described above.

The steering column assembly for vehicles and the vehicle of the present invention, by providing an anti-overturning member at the column column assembly on the steering column, when the vehicle collides, it can collapse the steering column to a certain length, The fixed bracket abuts against the overturning piece to prevent the fixed bracket from rotating relative to the upper column tube assembly of the steering column, thereby preventing the upward force formed by the steering column from acting on the fixed bracket and increasing the impact force of the steering wheel on the driver, which is effective Reduced injuries to drivers and passengers.

At the same time, due to the provision of the above-mentioned anti-rollover member, when the steering column continues to collapse, the steering wheel acts on the driver only when the steering column collapses on the steering wheel, so the force acting on the driver can be kept The steering column continues to collapse and remains unchanged, thus effectively ensuring the smoothness of the collapse of the steering column.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary but non-limiting manner with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is the collapse curve of the steering column without the addition of anti-turning parts;

2 is a schematic perspective view of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an exploded schematic view of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a collapse curve of a steering column when an anti-turning member is added according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the anti-flip member in FIG. 3;

6 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a steering column assembly and a complete vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

2 is a schematic perspective view of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of a steering column assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, and also to FIG. 3, this embodiment is mainly described with reference to FIG. 2. The steering column assembly for a vehicle may include a fixed bracket 3, a steering column 1 and an anti-overturning member 4. The fixing bracket 3 is used for fixed connection with the vehicle body. The steering column 1 includes a steering column lower shaft assembly 11 and a steering column upper column tube assembly 12 movably connected to the steering column lower shaft assembly 11, the steering column upper column tube assembly 12 is movably connected with the fixed bracket 3 to allow the steering column upper column tube assembly 12 to move relative to the steering column lower shaft assembly 11 and the fixed bracket 3 along its axial direction. The anti-overturning member 4 is provided at the steering column upper column tube assembly 12 to prevent the steering column upper column tube assembly 12 from rotating relative to the fixed bracket 3 about its central axis.

The steering column assembly for vehicles of the present invention is provided with an anti-overturning member 4 at the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column, when the vehicle collides, it can collapse the steering column to a certain length The fixing bracket 3 abuts against the overturning member 4 to prevent the fixing bracket from rotating relative to the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column, that is, the upward force formed after the steering column collapses to a certain length disappears, and FIG. 4 is according to the present invention In one embodiment, the collapse curve of the steering column when the anti-flip member is added is shown in FIG. 4 (in the dotted frame in the figure). The impact force of the steering wheel on the driver follows the steering after the steering column collapses by a certain distance. The string continued to collapse and remained unchanged. Therefore, the upward force formed by the steering column is prevented from acting on the fixed bracket, so that the impact force of the steering wheel on the driver is increased, and the damage to the occupants is effectively reduced.

At the same time, due to the provision of the above-mentioned anti-overturning member 4, when the steering column 1 continues to collapse, the steering wheel acts on the driver only when the steering column 1 collapses and acts on the steering wheel. The force remains unchanged as the steering column continues to collapse, thus effectively ensuring the smoothness of the collapse of the steering column 1.

Specifically, FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the anti-turnover member in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5 and in conjunction with FIG. 3, the anti-rollover member 4 may be an anti-rollover boss that protrudes outward from the outer wall of the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column. After the upper column pipe assembly 12 of the pipe column moves downward a certain distance relative to the lower shaft assembly 11 of the steering column, the anti-flip boss and the fixing bracket 3 abut together to prevent the fixing bracket 3 from opposing The steering column upper column tube assembly 12 rotates. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a gear block 31 may be provided at the fixed bracket 3, when the vehicle collides with the steering column upper column tube assembly 12 relative to the steering column lower shaft assembly After the component 11 moves downward for a certain distance, the anti-overturn boss and the gear block 31 abut together to prevent the fixed bracket 3 from rotating relative to the steering column upper column tube assembly 12.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing bracket 3 is a semi-closed ring wall as a whole, and two pieces of two sides of the opening of the ring wall extend outward from the two sides in the same direction A clip 34 having a connecting hole 35 at the clip 34, wherein the fixing bracket 3 has a latch 33 formed between the opposing surfaces of the two clips 34, and at the same time, the turning The column tube assembly 12 on the column can be a round tube with a circular cross-section, which has a side wall 22 extending in the same direction on both sides in the radial direction. The side wall 22 is provided with a strip-shaped groove 21, so The strip groove 21 extends along the axial direction of the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column to form a certain length. When the fixed bracket 3 is movably connected to the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column, that is When the fixed bracket 3 and the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column are movably connected by inserting the connecting hole 35 and the latch 33 of the strip groove 21, as shown in FIG. 2, three sets of the fixed bracket The column tube assembly 12 is provided on the steering column, and at the same time, the plug 33 extends into the strip groove 21 and is connected with a clearance fit, and is configured as Column tube 21 slides on the column assembly 12 as it moves axially along the stripe groove along the groove 21 of the steering bar. When the steering column 1 is not collapsed, the latch 33 is located at the end of the strip-shaped groove 21 close to the ground of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. When the steering column 1 collapses, the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column slides downward relative to the fixed bracket 3 and the lower column assembly 11 of the steering column, and at the same time, the latch 33 is opposed along the length direction of the strip groove 21 The strip groove 21 moves toward the end close to the steering wheel 5 (shown in FIG. 6). When the latch 33 moves to the end of the strip groove 21 close to the steering wheel 5 (shown in FIG. 6), that is, the steering column 1 At a certain distance of collapse, if there is no anti-turning element 4, the fixed bracket 3 will rotate upward with respect to the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column with the pin 33 as the axis. If the anti-turning element 4 is provided, then the anti-turning element 4 abuts the gear block 31, and the anti-overturning member 4 prevents the rotation of the fixed bracket 3, so that when the steering column 1 continues to collapse, the force of the steering wheel on the driver remains unchanged. In this process, since the anti-overturning boss needs to prevent the fixed bracket 3 from rotating relative to the upper column tube assembly 12 of the steering column, that is, it needs to withstand the collapse of the steering column to a certain length (that is, the latch 33 moves to the The strip groove 21 is close to the end of the steering wheel) and the upward force on the fixed bracket is formed. Therefore, the anti-overturning boss should have a certain strength to satisfy that it does not occur after the gear block 31 is impacted. Fracture and displacement shall prevail.

Meanwhile, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of assembly of a steering column assembly and a complete vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the steering column is arranged in the cab of the vehicle, one end of which is connected to the steering wheel 5 of the vehicle, and the other end is arranged near the ground of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the steering column is at a preset angle to the ground of the passenger compartment of the vehicle Cross layout. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 2, a lower mounting point 13 is provided at the lower shaft assembly 11 of the steering column, and an upper mounting surface 32 is provided at the fixed bracket 3, as shown in FIG. 6. The steering column 1 is assembled with the vehicle through the lower mounting point 13 and the upper mounting surface 32.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, in an embodiment of the present invention, the steering column lower shaft assembly 11 and the steering column upper column tube assembly 12 may be an inner and outer casing structure, the steering column The lower shaft assembly 11 and the steering column upper column tube assembly 12 may be connected by a clearance fit.

In addition, it should be understood that the position of the anti-flip member 4 is different according to different vehicle models and manufacturers. The position of the anti-overturning element 4 can be obtained through experimental analysis. Specifically, when the latch 33 moves to the end of the bar 21 near the steering wheel 5, the anti-overturning element 4 just abuts the gear block 31.

In particular, the present invention also provides a vehicle including a steering wheel 5 and the steering column assembly connected to the steering wheel 5 described above.

Since the vehicle includes the steering column assembly described above, by providing an anti-overturning member at the column tube assembly on the steering column, when the vehicle collides, it can be fixed after the steering column collapses to a certain length The bracket abuts against the overturning piece to prevent the fixed bracket from rotating relative to the upper column tube assembly of the steering column, thereby preventing the upward force formed by the steering column from acting on the fixed bracket to increase the impact force of the steering wheel on the driver and effectively reduce Injury to the occupants.

By now, those skilled in the art should realize that although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, they can still directly Many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the present invention are determined or derived. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

A steering column assembly for a vehicle, including:

A fixing bracket for fixedly connecting with the body of the vehicle;

A steering column includes a steering column lower shaft assembly and a steering column upper column tube assembly movably connected to the steering column lower shaft assembly, the steering column upper column tube assembly and the fixed bracket Movably connected to allow the steering column upper column tube assembly to move along its axis relative to the steering column lower shaft assembly and the fixed bracket; and

An anti-overturning member is provided at the upper column tube assembly of the steering column to prevent the upper column tube assembly of the steering column from rotating relative to the fixed bracket about its central axis.
The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein the anti-overturning member is an anti-overturning boss protruding outward from the outer wall of the upper column tube assembly of the steering column, when the vehicle collides with the After the steering column upper column tube assembly moves down a certain distance relative to the steering column lower shaft assembly, the anti-flip boss and the fixing bracket abut together to prevent the fixing bracket from turning relative to the steering The column tube assembly on the column rotates.
The steering column assembly according to claim 2, wherein a gear block is provided at the fixed bracket, and when the vehicle collides, the steering column upper column tube assembly is oriented relative to the steering column lower shaft assembly. After moving down a certain distance, the anti-overturning boss abuts the gear block to prevent the fixed bracket from rotating relative to the steering column upper column tube assembly.
The steering column assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the anti-rollover boss is set to be strong enough to prevent breakage due to excessive force when the fixing bracket abuts against the anti-rollover boss .
The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein the steering column is arranged in a vehicle cab, one end of which is connected to the vehicle steering wheel, and the other end is arranged near the ground of the vehicle passenger compartment, the steering column and the vehicle The ground of the passenger compartment is arranged at a preset angle.
The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein a lower mounting point is provided at the lower shaft assembly of the steering column, an upper mounting surface is provided at the fixing bracket, and the steering column passes through the lower The mounting point and the upper mounting surface are assembled with the vehicle.
The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein the steering column lower shaft assembly and the steering column upper column tube assembly form an inner and outer casing structure, and the steering column lower shaft assembly and the The upper column tube assembly of the steering column is connected by a clearance fit.
The steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein

The fixing bracket is provided with a connecting hole, the steering column upper column tube assembly is provided with a strip groove extending along the axial direction thereof, the fixing bracket and the steering column upper column tube assembly are inserted by The connecting hole is movably connected with a bolt of the strip groove, the bolt is configured to move along the strip groove in the strip groove when the column tube assembly on the steering column moves along its axial direction slide.
A vehicle includes a steering wheel, and further includes a steering column assembly connected to the steering wheel according to any one of claims 1-8.