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Production method for a modular steering column having extruded profiled elements

  • US 10,370,023 B2
  • Filed: 09/22/2015
  • Issued: 08/06/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for producing a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising an inner steering column tube for receiving a steering shaft such that the steering shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft;

  • an outer steering column tube that receives the inner steering column tube and includes a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis;

    a clamping apparatus that is switchable between a release position in which the inner steering column tube is adjustable with respect to the outer steering column tube and a fixing position in which the inner steering column tube is fixed with respect to the outer steering column tube, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a clamping axle that is guided through a recess in the outer steering column tube transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal slot has a greater width in the release position than in the fixing position, the method comprising;

    manufacturing a single blank of the outer steering column tube using an extrusion process;

    cutting the single blank to a required length;

    producing a predefined number of recesses at a predefined spacing from an end side of the single blank of the outer steering column by way of a metal cutting operation for configuring functional elements in the outer steering column tube;

    manufacturing a single blank of the inner steering column tube using an extrusion process;

    cutting the single blank of the inner steering column tube to a required length and reducing a cross-sectional area of the single blank of the inner steering column tube by up to 30% in each length region of the inner steering column tube; and

    attaching components to the steering column.

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