Steering column for a motor vehicle

• US 7,159,904 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AG
• Original Assignee: ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AG
• Inventors: Lindhorst, Sabine, Schafer, Burkhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn; David R.
• Application Number:
  US11/082,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20050161930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 280/775, 280/779, 744/93
• US Class Current: 280/775
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/187 with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment B62D1/183, B62D1/19 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrically adjustable steering column as it is used in motor vehicles. The present invention pertains, in particular, to a steering column that has at least two adjusting units, which are arranged on an adjusting spindle and can be moved in the axial direction of the adjusting spindle. The steering column comprises according to the present invention:

• • a mounting plate (9),
  • a steering column jacket (6) with a steering wheel connection (12),
  • an electrically driven adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment and the tilt adjustment of the steering column (2), wherein the adjusting device comprises:
  • an electric drive unit (1) for rotatingly driving a one-part adjusting spindle (2),
  • two adjusting units (3 and 4, respectively), which are arranged on the adjusting spindle (2) and can be moved in the axial direction of the adjusting spindle (2),
    wherein the first adjusting unit (4) is pivotably connected with the mounting plate via a pivoted lever (7) such that the axial movement of the adjusting unit (4) is mechanically transmitted [sic—converted—Tr.Ed.] into a tilting movement of the steering column jacket (6), and the second adjusting unit (3) is connected with the mounting plate via a fastening element (8) such that the axial movement of the first adjusting unit (3) is mechanically transmitted [sic—converted—Tr.Ed.] into a longitudinal movement of the steering column jacket (6), wherein one of the two adjusting units (3 and 4, respectively) is in permanent functional connection with the adjusting spindle (2) and is moved in the axial direction during the rotation of the adjusting spindle (2) and the other of the two adjusting units (4 and 3, respectively) can be brought into functional connection with the adjusting spindle (2) only by activating a switching device (5).

Claims

1. A steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising:

a mounting plate;

a steering column jacket with a steering wheel connection;

an electrically driven adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment and the tilt adjustment of the steering column, wherein the adjusting device comprises;

a one-part adjusting spindle, an electric drive unit for rotatingly driving said one-part adjusting spindle, a switching device and adjusting units arranged on the adjusting spindle and are movable in the axial direction of said adjusting spindle, said adjusting units including a first adjusting unit connected pivotably with said mounting plate via a pivoted lever such that the axial movement of said adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a tilting movement of said steering column jacket, and including a second adjusting unit connected with said mounting plate via a fastening element such that the axial movement of said second adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a longitudinal movement of said steering column jacket, wherein one of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit is in permanent functional connection with said adjusting spindle and is moved in the axial direction during rotation of said adjusting spindle, and the other of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit can be brought into functional connection with said adjusting spindle only by activating said switching device.

2. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adjusting unit that is in permanent functional connection with said adjusting spindle is a spindle adjusting nut.

3. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said spindle adjusting nut is not able to rotate together with said adjusting spindle about an axis of said adjusting spindle.

4. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adjusting unit which can be brought into functional connection with said adjusting spindle only by activating said switching device comprises a housing with a spindle nut mounted rotatably, said spindle nut being prevented from rotating together with said adjusting spindle only by the activation of said switching device.

5. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching device is one of a lifting magnet, a magnetic friction brake, an eddy current brake and a hysteresis brake.

6. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adjusting spindle is accommodated with said adjusting units and said electric drive unit under said steering column jacket in a compact manner.

7. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fastening element is rigidly connected with said mounting plate.

8. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mounting plate has a flange with a pivot pin.

9. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pivoted lever is mounted rotatably in a flange of said mounting plate via a pivot pin.

10. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pivoted lever is mounted rotatably at said first adjusting unit via a pivot pin.

11. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said mounting plate is pivotably connected to said steering column jacket.

12. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said mounting plate is pivotably connected to said steering column jacket by means of a pivot pin.

13. A steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising:

a mounting plate;

a steering column jacket with a steering wheel connection;

an adjusting spindle;

an electric drive unit for rotatingly driving said adjusting spindle;

a switching device;

a first adjusting unit arranged on the adjusting spindle and movable in an axial direction of said adjusting spindle, said first adjusting unit being connected pivotably with said mounting plate via a pivoted lever such that the axial movement of said adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a tilting movement of said steering column jacket;

a second adjusting unit connected with said mounting plate via a fastening element such that the axial movement of said second adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a longitudinal movement of said steering column jacket, wherein one of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit is a permanently connected adjusting unit in permanent functional connection with said adjusting spindle and movable relative to said adjusting spindle in the axial direction during rotation of said adjusting spindle, and the other of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit is a switchable adjusting unit that can be brought into functional connection with said adjusting spindle only by activating said switching device.

14. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said pivoted lever is mounted rotatably in a flange of said mounting plate via a pivot pm.

15. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said pivoted lever is mounted rotatably at said first adjusting unit via a pivot pin.

16. A steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising:

a mounting plate;

a steering column jacket with a steering wheel connection;

an electrically driven adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment and the tilt adjustment ofthe steering column, wherein the adjusting device comprises;

a one-part adjusting spindle, an electric drive unit for rotatingly driving said one-part adjusting spindle, a switching device and adjusting units arranged on the adjusting spindle and are movable in the axial direction of said adjusting spindle, said adjusting units including a first adjusting unit connected pivotably with said mounting plate via a pivoted lever such that the axial movement of said adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a tilting movement of said steering column jacket, and including a second adjusting unit connected with said mounting plate via a fastening element such that the axial movement of said second adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a longitudinal movement of said steering column jacket, wherein one of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit is in permanent functional connection with said adjusting spindle and is moved in the axial direction during rotation of said adjusting spindle, and the other of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit can be brought into functional connection with said adjusting spindle only by activating said switching device;

said fastening element having an elongated hole, in which said second adjusting unit is guided such that said second adjusting unit and consequently also said steering column jacket can be moved at right angles in relation to said mounting plate.

17. A steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising:

a mounting plate;

a steering column jacket with a steering wheel connection;

an electrically driven adjusting device for the longitudinal adjustment and the tilt adjustment ofthe steering column, wherein the adjusting device comprises;

a one-part adjusting spindle, an electric drive unit for rotatingly driving said one-part adjusting spindle, a switching device and adjusting units arranged on the adjusting spindle and are movable in the axial direction of said adjusting spindle, said adjusting units including a first adjusting unit connected pivotably with said mounting plate via a pivoted lever such that the axial movement of said adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a tilting movement of said steering column jacket, and including a second adjusting unit connected with said mounting plate via a fastening element such that the axial movement of said second adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a longitudinal movement of said steering column jacket, wherein one of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit is in permanent functional connection with said adjusting spindle and is moved in the axial direction during rotation of said adjusting spindle, and the other of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit can be brought into functional connection with said adjusting spindle only by activating said switching device.

18. A motor vehicle steering column unit in accordance with claim 17, wherein said flange of said steering column jacket has a elongated hole, in which said pivot pin is guided such that said mounting plate and said steering column jacket can be displaced in parallel to one another.

19. A steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising:

a mounting plate;

a steering column jacket with a steering wheel connection;

an adjusting spindle;

an electric drive unit for rotatingly driving said adjusting spindle;

a switching device;

a first adjusting unit arranged on the adjusting spindle and movable in an axial direction of said adjusting spindle, said first adjusting unit being connected pivotably with said mounting plate via a pivoted lever such that the axial movement of said adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a tilting movement of said steering column jacket;

a second adjusting unit connected with said mounting plate via a fastening element such that the axial movement of said second adjusting unit is mechanically converted into a longitudinal movement of said steering column jacket, wherein one of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit is a permanently connected adjusting unit in permanent functional connection with said adjusting spindle and movable relative to said adjusting spindle in the axial direction during rotation of said adjusting spindle, and the other of said first adjusting unit and said second adjusting unit is a switchable adjusting unit that can be brought into functional connection with said adjusting spindle only by activating said switching device;

said fastening element being rigidly connected with said mounting plate and having an elongated hole, in which said second adjusting unit is guided such that said second adjusting unit and consequently also said steering column jacket can be moved at right angles in relation to said mounting plate and said mounting plate has a flange with a pivot pin and said pivot pin is mounted rotatably in a flange of said steering column jacket and said flange of said steering column jacket has a elongated hole, in which said pivot pin is guided such that said mounting plate and said steering column jacket can be displaced in parallel to one another.

20. A steering column arrangement, the steering column arrangement comprising:

a mounting plate;

a steering column;

p1 a linkage arrangement movably connecting said steering column to said mounting plate, said linkage arrangement including;

an adjusting spindle;

a drive unit for rotating said adjusting spindle;

a first adjusting unit arranged on said adjusting spindle and movable in an axial direction of said adjusting spindle by rotation of said adjusting spindle;

a second adjusting unit arranged on said adjusting spindle and selectively movable in an axial direction of said adjusting spindle by rotation of said adjusting spindle;

linkage connected to said mounting plate and said adjusting units, said linkage pivoting said steering column about a tilt axis with respect to said mounting plate when said first adjusting unit axially moves on said spindle and said second adjusting unit is stationary with respect to said spindle, said linkage longitudinally moving said steering column with respect to said mounting plate when said first and second adjusting units axially move on said spindle, said linkage holding said steering column rotationally fixed about said tilt axis when said first and second adjusting units axially move on said spindle.

21. An arrangement in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said linkage performs substantially no longitudinal movements of said steering column when said first adjusting unit axially moves on said spindle and said second adjusting unit is stationary.

22. An arrangement in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said tilt axis is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said steering column;

said linkage includes a fastening element connecting said second adjusting unit to said mounting plate, said fastening element holding said second adjusting unit rotationally fixed about said tilt axis when said first and second adjusting units axially move on said spindle.

23. An arrangement in accordance with claim 22, wherein:

said fastening element has an elongated hole which guides said second adjusting unit when said steering column pivots about said tilt axis.