Steering column arrangement

• US 20070039402A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Loeffler, Hans-Dieter, Hebenstreit, Axel, Mauch, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/492
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/10 Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/16 Steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20256 Steering and controls assemblies

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering column arrangement having a steering spindle (2) which is mounted in a casing tube (3, 5) so as to be rotationally movable, and having a switch module (7) which is held immovably with respect to the steering spindle (2). The switch module (7) is fixed radially and axially on the casing tube (3), the switch module (7) being supported on a bearing (12) which is arranged on the steering spindle (2).

According to the invention, the switch module (7) comprises a centering device (8) which, under the action of a force (F) which is oriented coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the steering spindle (2), fixes the switch module (7) on the casing tube (3). The centering device (8) has the effect that the switch module (7) is fixed during mounting in such a way that a defined orientation between the steering wheel (4) and the switch module (7) is carried out.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A steering column arrangement comprising:

a steering spindle which is mounted in a casing tube so as to be rotationally movable; and

a switch module which is held immovably with respect to the rotational movement of the steering spindle and is fixed radially and axially on the casing tube;

wherein,

the switch module is supported on a bearing arranged on the steering spindle; and

the switch module comprises a centering device which, under a force which is oriented coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle, fixes the switch module on the casing tube and clamps it radially.

12. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the centering device comprises a stator and clamping jaws.

13. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stator is connected to the bearing.

14. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stator is connected to each clamping jaw via a spring element.

15. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stator is connected to each clamping jaw via a spring element.

16. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein each clamping jaw is in contact with the casing tube by way of a support.

17. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein that face of the clamping jaw which faces the stator extends obliquely with regard to the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle.

18. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 17, wherein the inner face of the stator extends parallel to the oblique face of the clamping jaw.

19. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein an elevation protrudes from that face of the clamping jaw which faces the casing tube.

20. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 17, wherein an elevation protrudes from that face of the clamping jaw which faces the casing tube.

21. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the axial force can be applied by means of a steering wheel bolt.

22. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 11, a leaf spring which engages in a cut-out of the casing tube is provided on the stator.