Electrically adjustable steering column and operating method thereof

• US 7,216,562 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Original Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Inventors: Muller, Olaf
• Primary Examiner(s): Ridley; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pilkington; James
• Application Number:
  US11/139,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 744/94, 744/95, 744/92, 744/93, 744/96, 280/775, 280/777
• US Class Current: 74/493
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory

Abstract

An electrically adjustable steering column includes a steering column servo-drive with a motor in two planes. The steering column is configured so that an inner shaft, mounted in an outer shaft provides for vertical movement or so that the inner shaft accomplishes the lengthwise movement.

Claims

1. Electrically adjustable steering column, comprising:

a motor;

an outer drive shaft connected to the motor; and

an inner drive shaft longitudinally mounted through the outer drive shaft and connected to the motor, wherein the motor provides a rotational movement of the outer drive shaft to control the vertical movement of the adjustable steering column and a rotational movement of the inner drive shaft to control the longitudinal movement of the adjustable steering column.

2. Electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, further comprising a bent lever system for the vertical adjustment.

3. Electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 1, further comprising a first drive pinion operably connected to the inner shaft and a second drive pinion operably connected to the outer drive shaft.

4. Electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 3, wherein the first and second pinions are operably connected to the motor, such that an actuation of the second drive pinion controls the vertical movement of the steering column and an actuation of the first drive pinion controls lengthwise movement of the steering column.

5. An electrically adjustable steering column, comprising:

a steering column bearing, wherein the steering column bearing is pivotably mounted to a body;

a steering column tube mounted to the steering column bearing;

a drive shaft including a first end mounted to the steering column bearing and a second end mounted to the steering column tube;

a motor operably connected to the drive shaft such that an actuation of the motor rotates the drive shaft to laterally move the steering column tube with respect to the steering column bearing ; and

a hollow drive shaft mounted to the steering column bearing, wherein the drive shaft is positioned through the hollow drive shaft and the motor is operably connected to the hollow drive shaft such that an actuation of the motor rotates the hollow drive shaft to pivot the steering column bearing with respect to the body.

6. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 5 wherein the drive shaft is mounted to the steering column bearing with a fixed bearing, such that the drive shall is longitudinally fixed within the steering column bearing.

7. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 5 wherein the first end of the first drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the steering column tube.

8. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 5 wherein the hollow drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the steering column bearing, such that the hollow drive shaft is longitudinally fixed within the steering column bearing.

9. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 5 further comprising a first drive pinion operably connecting the drive shaft to the motor and a second drive pinion operably connecting the hollow drive shaft to the motor.

10. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 9, wherein the first and second pinions are operably connected to the motor, such that an actuation of the first drive pinion controls lengthwise movement of the steering column tube and an actuation of the second drive pinion controls the vertical movement of the steering column tube.

11. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 5, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow drive shaft is threaded.

12. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 11 further comprising a bent lever system adjustably connecting the steering column bearing to the body.

13. An electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 12 wherein the bent lever system is operably connected to the hollow drive shaft such that a rotation of the hollow drive moved the bent lever system to pivotably adjust the position of the steering column bearing with respect to the body.

14. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column, the electrically adjustable steering column including a steering column bearing, wherein the steering column bearing is pivotably mounted to a body;

a steering column tube mounted to the steering column bearing;

a drive shaft including a first end mounted to the steering column bearing and a second end mounted to the steering column tube;

a motor operably connected to the drive shaft such that an actuation of the motor rotates the drive shaft to laterally move the steering column tube with respect to the steering column bearing; and

a hollow drive shaft mounted to the steering column bearing, wherein the drive shaft is positioned through the hollow drive shaft and the motor is operably connected to the hollow drive shaft such that an actuation of the motor rotates the hollow drive shaft to pivot the steering column bearing with respect to the body, the method comprising;

adjusting the longitudinal position of the steering column tube; and

adjusting the vertical position of the steering column tube.

15. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 14, wherein the electrically adjustable steering column further includes a first drive pinion operably connected to the drive shaft and a second drive pinion operably connected to the hollow drive shaft.

16. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 15, wherein the first and second pinions are operably connected to the motor, such that an actuation of the second drive pinion controls the vertical movement of the steering column tube and an actuation of the first drive pinion controls lengthwise movement of the steering column tube.

17. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 14, wherein the electrically adjustable steering column further includes a bent lever system adjustably connecting the steering column bearing to the body.

18. Operating method for an electrically adjustable steering column according to claim 17, wherein the bent lever system operably connected to the hollow drive shaft such that a rotation of the hollow drive shaft moves the bent lever system to pivotably adjust the position of the steering column bearing with respect to the body.