MOTOR-ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20190308654A1
• Filed: 01/08/2018
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thyssenkrupp AG, ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Original Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Inventors: SCHMIDT, Rene Marco, GOMEZ REDONDO, Samuel
• Granted Patent: US 10,967,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/185 adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/189 the entire column being tiltable as a unit
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/02 Sliding-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/123 using elastic means

Abstract

A motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, includes a support unit, which can be mounted on a vehicle body, and by which an actuator unit is held, in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis. An adjusting drive is connected to the support unit and to the actuator unit, and by which the actuator unit can be adjusted relative to the support unit. The adjusting drive includes a drive unit and a threaded spindle engaging in a spindle nut with a threaded spindle axis, wherein the threaded spindle can be driven in rotation or in translation by the drive unit. The drive unit is connected to a component of the steering column such that it is movable in a transverse direction transversely to the threaded spindle axis.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a support unit, which is configured to mount on a vehicle body,

an actuator unit held by the support unit,

a steering spindle rotatably mounted in the actuator unit about a longitudinal axis,

an adjusting drive connected to the support unit and to the actuator unit, and configured such that the actuator unit is adjustable relative to the support unit,

wherein the adjusting drive comprises a drive unit and a threaded spindle engaging in a spindle nut and having a threaded spindle axis, wherein the threaded spindle is driven in rotation or in translation by the drive unit, and

wherein the drive unit is connected to a component of the steering column which is formed by the support unit, the actuator unit or a casing unit holding the actuator unit and connected to the support unit, such that the drive unit is movable in a direction transverse to the threaded spindle axis.

16. The steering column of claim 15, wherein the drive unit is displaceable in a linear manner relative to the component substantially transversely to the threaded spindle axis and transversely to the longitudinal axis.

17. The steering column of claim 15, wherein the drive unit is spring-loaded by at least one spring element.

18. The steering column of claim 15, wherein a holding element is arranged on the component, against which element the drive unit is braced at least in the transverse direction.

19. The steering column of claim 18, wherein at least one spring element is arranged between the holding element and the drive unit and/or between the drive unit and the component.

20. The steering column of claim 18, wherein the holding element is configured as a spring-elastic holding bracket.

21. The steering column of claim 20, wherein the holding element and/or the component comprises a holding protrusion which engages with a holding recess of the drive unit.

22. The steering column of claim 21, wherein a ring-shaped spring element is arranged on the holding protrusion.

23. The steering column of claim 21, wherein the holding protrusion is resilient.

24. The steering column of claim 21, wherein at least one holding protrusion is arranged on the drive unit.

25. The steering column of claim 21, wherein the holding protrusion is convex rounded.

26. The steering column of claim 20, wherein the holding element is a sheet metal part.

27. The steering column of claim 20, wherein the axis lying in the transverse direction extends through the holding element and/or the holding protrusion.

28. A motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a support unit configured to be mounted on a vehicle body,

an actuator unit held by the support unit,

a steering spindle rotatably mounted in the actuator unit about a longitudinal axis,

an adjusting drive connected to the support unit and to the actuator unit, and configured such that the actuator unit is adjustable relative to the support unit,

wherein the adjusting drive comprises a drive unit and a threaded spindle engaging in a spindle nut and having a threaded spindle axis, wherein the threaded spindle is driven in rotation or in translation by the drive unit,

wherein the drive unit is connected to a component of the steering column which is formed by the support unit, the actuator unit or a casing unit holding the actuator unit and connected to the support unit, such that it swivels about an axis lying in a transverse direction.

29. The steering column of claim 28, wherein the drive unit is displaceable in a linear manner relative to the component substantially transversely to the threaded spindle axis and transversely to the longitudinal axis.

30. The steering column of claim 28, wherein the drive unit is spring-loaded by at least one spring element.

31. The steering column of claim 28, wherein a holding element is arranged on the component, against which element the drive unit is braced at least in the transverse direction.