Steering column having an electro-mechanical fixing device

• US 10,449,992 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2016
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thyssenkrupp AG, ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Original Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Inventors: Blattler, Simon, Specht, Jean-pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Condra, Darlene P
• Application Number:
  US15/736,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20180170419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/187 with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment B62D1/183, B62D1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/93 Fastener comprising feature for establishing a good electrical connection, e.g. electrostatic discharge or insulation feature
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 19/001 for conveying reciprocating or limited rotary motion

Abstract

An adjustable steering column may include a casing tube that rotatably supports a steering spindle, a holding part that has two lateral cheeks between which the casing tube is positioned, and an electromechanical fixing device. In a release position of the fixing device, the casing tube may be adjustable relative to the holding part. In a fixing position, a set position of the casing tube may be fixed relative to the holding part. The fixing device may include a clamping bolt that passes through the lateral cheeks and is rotatable about its axis by an electric motor positioned in a housing as the fixing device is opened and closed, a cam mechanism, and a support bearing. The lateral cheeks and the casing tube may be positioned between the cam mechanism and the support bearing. A first cam disk of the cam mechanism may rotate with the clamping bolt, and a second cam disk may be guided on the clamping bolt so as to be axially movable in the housing. The housing may be mounted in a floating manner on the second cam disk.

Claims

1. A steering column for a motor vehicle that is adjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction or a vertical direction of the steering column, the steering column comprising:

a casing tube that rotatably supports a steering spindle;

a holding part that is connectable to a body of the motor vehicle and includes two lateral cheeks between which the casing tube is disposed;

an electromechanical fixing device, wherein in a release position of the electromechanical fixing device the casing tube is adjustable relative to the holding part in the at least one of the longitudinal direction or the vertical direction of the steering column, wherein in a fixing position of the electromechanical device a set position of the casing tube is fixed relative to the holding part, the electromechanical fixing device comprising

a clamping bolt that passes through the two lateral cheeks of the holding part and is rotatable about an axis of the clamping bolt by way of an electric motor disposed in a housing as the electromechanical fixing device is opened and closed; and

a stroke-generating mechanism and a support bearing, wherein the two lateral cheeks of the holding part and the casing tube are disposed between the stroke-generating mechanism and the support bearing, wherein the stroke-generating mechanism comprises a first stroke-generating disk and a second stroke-generating disk, with the first stroke-generating disk being connected for conjoint rotation to the clamping bolt and the second stroke-generating disk being guided on the clamping bolt such that the second stroke-generating disk is axially movable in the housing, wherein the housing is mounted in a floating manner on the second stroke-generating disk.

2. The steering column of claim 1 further comprising a guide clamp that is disposed between the holding part and the casing tube, wherein the guide clamp guides the casing tube in the longitudinal direction of the steering column.

3. The steering column of claim 2 wherein the guide clamp is supported in the holding part such that the guide clamp is pivotable about a pivoting axis.

4. The steering column of claim 3 further comprising a fixing disk disposed between the second stroke-generating disk and the lateral cheek of the holding part that is closest to the second stroke-generating disk, the fixing disk being connected substantially for conjoint rotation to the second stroke-generating disk and forming a movement lock in the vertical direction of the steering column in conjunction with the lateral cheek closest to the second stroke-generating disk in the fixing position of the fixing device.

5. The steering column of claim 1 wherein a rotor shaft of the electric motor is connected for conjoint rotation to a worm, wherein the worm meshes with a worm wheel that is connected to conjoint rotation to the first stroke-generating disk.

6. The steering column of claim 5 further comprising a tension spring disposed between the housing and the worm wheel, wherein the tension spring is a closing aid for the electromechanical fixing device and is pre-tensionable by rotation of the worm wheel when the electromechanical fixing device is transferred to the release position.

7. The steering column of claim 1 wherein the first and second stroke-generating disks interact as a stroke-generating gear with the support bearing to provide a clamping stroke for the fixing position of the electromechanical fixing device.

8. The steering column of claim 7 wherein the stroke-generating gear is disposed in the housing, wherein the housing is secured on one of the two lateral cheeks of the holding part.

9. The steering column of claim 1 further comprising a fixing hook that is disposed between the two lateral cheeks of the holding part and is adjustable by rotation of the clamping bolt as the electromechanical fixing device is opened and closed, the fixing hook engaging in a mating fixing part in the fixing position and being spaced apart from the mating fixing part in the release position, wherein the mating fixing part is disposed on or formed by a wall of the casing tube that is parallel to the axis of the clamping bolt.

10. The steering column of claim 1 wherein the second stroke-generating disk has a circular main body with two projecting attachments, wherein the two projecting attachments form an axial guide for the second stroke-generating disk in conjunction with a corresponding recess in the housing.