Electrically adjustable steering column and operating method thereof

• US 20050268740A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Original Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Inventors: Muller, Olaf
• Granted Patent: US 7,216,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/493
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory

Abstract

An electrically adjustable steering column includes a steering column servo-drive with a motor in two planes. The steering column is configured so that an inner shaft, mounted in an outer shaft provides for vertical movement or so that the inner shaft accomplishes the lengthwise movement.

Claims

1. Electrically adjustable steering column, with a steering column servo-drive with a motor in two planes, configured so that a shaft, mounted in the second shaft, preferably provides for the vertical movement, or so that the inner shaft accomplishes the lengthwise movement.

2. Electrically adjustable steering column per claim 1, wherein the steering column servo-drive is configured so that the two shafts, which can rotate but are otherwise stationary, are each provided with a pinion.

3. Electrically adjustable steering column per claim 2, wherein the shaft pinions mesh with pinions of a ratchet mechanism, which accomplishes the vertical or lengthwise movement of a steering column in both directions of turning.

4. Electrically adjustable steering column per claim 1, wherein a bent lever system is provided for the vertical adjustment.

5. Electrically adjustable steering column per claim 4, wherein the bent lever system for the vertical adjustment is geometrically configured so that the drive shafts can be fixed stationary on the steering column bearing.

6. Electrically adjustable steering column per claim 1, wherein a transmission of motion by bent levers to the opposite side is provided, so that a perfectly unconstrained and “

stable”

adjustment is possible.

7. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column, with a steering column servo-drive with a motor in two planes, such that one shaft, mounted in the second shaft, preferably provides for the vertical movement, or such that the inner shaft accomplishes the lengthwise movement.

8. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column per claim 7, wherein the steering column servo-drive is such that both shafts, which can rotate but are otherwise stationary, are each provided with a pinion.

9. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column per claim 8, wherein the shaft pinions mesh with pinions of a ratchet mechanism, which accomplishes the vertical or lengthwise movement of a steering column in both directions of turning.

10. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column per claim 7, wherein a bent lever system accomplishes the vertical adjustment.

11. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column per claim 10, wherein the bent lever system is geometrically designed for a vertical adjustment, such that the drive shafts can be fixed stationary on the steering column bearing.

12. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column per claim 7, wherein a transmission of motion by bent lever to the opposite side occurs, so that a perfectly unconstrained and “

stable”

adjustment is made possible.