Adjustable motor vehicle safety steering column

• US 5,193,848 A
• Filed: 09/24/1991
• Issued: 03/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Faulstroh, Hans-Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US07/764,907
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 280/775, 280/777, 74/493, 74/500
• US Class Current: 280/775
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/192 Yieldable or collapsible columns

Abstract

A motor vehicle adjustable safety steering column for a motor vehicle, including a column with an air bag, has a steering spindle which can be pushed together in a telescope-type manner and is disposed in outer casing tube parts. The steering column are supported by way of a deformation element. The deformation element comprises a first outer casing tube part which, on the end side, is supported on an inner casing tube to envelope the deformation element. This casing tube has a toothed rack into which a pinion of an adjusting device engages for axial displacement of the steering column. Thus, a steering column of compact construction can be both axially adjustable and have an energy-absorbing effect.

Claims

1. An adjustable safety steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a telescopable steering spindle disposed in outer casing tube parts and supported by a deformation element, wherein a first outer casing tue part comprising one of the outer casing tube parts is guided between a steering spindle and a second outer casing tube part comprising another of the outer casing tubing parts and, on a free end of the first outer casing tube part facing away from the steering wheel, the first outer casing tube part is connected with the deformation element which is supported at an end face of an inner casing tube surrounding the deformation element, said third casing tube having a toothed rack into which a pinion of an adjusting device is arranged to engage for axial displacement of the steering column.

2. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

3. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, wherein the first outer casing tube part is axially slidably between slide bearings held inside the second one of the outer casing tube parts.

4. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 3, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

5. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device is operatively held on the second one of the outer casing tube parts, and the pinion penetrates an opening of the second outer casing part and engages in a profile of the toothed rack.

6. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 5, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

7. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 6, wherein the first outer casing tube part is axially slidable between slide bearings held inside the second one of the outer casing tube parts.

8. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, wherein axial displacement of the inner casing tube part is prevented by the operative connection of the pinion and the toothed rack, and the inner casing tube forms an abutment for the deformation element.

9. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 8, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

10. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 9, wherein the first outer casing tube part is axially slidable between slide bearings held inside the second one of the outer casing tube parts.

11. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, wherein the inner casing tube has an end facing away from the deformation element, and is guided on the first outer casing tube part.

12. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 11, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

13. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, wherein the inner casing tube has a free end facing away from the deformation element, and is operatively connected to the first outer casing tube part by at least one shearable plastic pin.

14. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 13, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

15. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, wherein the deformation element is a corrugated tube.

16. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 15, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

17. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 1, a lower area of the deformation element is arranged coaxially inside the inner casing tube and is configured to be guided in an approximately resting manner to an inner circumferential surface thereof, with an upper area of the deformation element being held on the steering spindle.

18. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 17, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.

19. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 17, wherein a part of the steering spindle is operatively held on the second outer casing tube part by a bearing, another part of the steering spindle is operatively connected via a bearing with the first outer casing tube part, and the steering spindle parts, are operatively held in a connection area by toothing, so as to be longitudinally displaceable with respect to one another.

20. The adjustable safety steering column according to claim 19, wherein the first outer casing tube part is one piece with the deformation element and has a free end fastened to the inner casing tube.