PRODUCTION METHOD FOR A MODULAR STEERING COLUMN HAVING EXTRUDED PROFILED ELEMENTS
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method may be used to produce a steering column for a motor vehicle that includes an inner steering column tube that receives a steering shaft such that the steering shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, an outer steering column tube that receives the inner steering column tube and has a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and a clamping apparatus that can be switched over between a release position in which the inner steering column tube is adjustable relative to the outer steering column tube and a fixing position in which the inner steering column tube is fixed relative to the outer steering column tube. The longitudinal slot may have a greater width in the release position than in the fixing position. The method may involve, amongst other steps, manufacturing at least one single blank of the outer steering column tube and/or of the inner steering column tube using an extrusion process.
15 Citations
32 Claims
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1-13. -13. (canceled)
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14. 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 by way of a metal cutting operation for configuring functional elements in the outer steering column tube; and attaching components to the steering column. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- 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;
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28. A steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising:
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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 extruded outer steering column tube that receives the inner steering column tube and encloses the inner steering column tube in one piece by at least 270°
, the extruded outer steering column tube including a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the extruded outer steering column tube has a length and a predefined number of recesses that are disposed at a predefined spacing; anda clamping apparatus that is switchable between a release position in which the inner steering column tube is adjustable with respect to the extruded outer steering column tube and a fixing position in which the inner steering column tube is fixed with respect to the extruded outer steering column tube, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a clamping pin that is guided through a recess in the extruded 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. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification