Steering column arrangement

• US 7,992,464 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Loeffler, Hans-Dieter, Hebenstreit, Axel, Mauch, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon; Thomas R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Waits; Alan B
• Application Number:
  US10/539,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20070039402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,856 Days
• Field of Search: 744/92, 744/93, 744/84.R, 280/775, 280/777
• US Class Current: 74/492
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/10 Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/16 Steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20256 Steering and controls assemblies

Abstract

A steering column arrangement having a steering spindle (2) which is mounted in a casing tube (3, 5) so as to be rotationally movable, and having a switch module (7) which is held immovably with respect to the steering spindle (2). The switch module (7) is fixed radially and axially on the casing tube (3), the switch module (7) being supported on a bearing (12) which is arranged on the steering spindle. The Switch module comprises a centering device (8) which, under action of a force (F) which is oriented coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the steering spindle (2), fixes the switch module (7) on the casing tube (3).

Claims

1. A steering column arrangement comprising:

a steering spindle which is mounted in a casing tube so as to be rotationally movable; and

a switch module which is held immovably with respect to the rotational movement of the steering spindle and is fixed radially and axially on the casing tube;

wherein,

the switch module is supported on a bearing arranged on the steering spindle;

the switch module comprises a centering device which, under a force which is oriented coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle, fixes the switch module on the casing tube and clamps the switch module radially,

the centering device comprises a stator and clamping jaws;

an elevation protrudes toward the casing tube in a substantially radial direction from a central portion of a first face of a first clamping jaw that faces the casing tube, the elevation contacting an outermost surface of the casing tube and centering the switch module; and

wherein a second face of the first clamping jaw faces away from the casing tube and toward the stator and extends obliquely with regard to the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle, and wherein the inner face of the stator extends parallel to the oblique face of the clamping jaw.

2. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator is connected to the bearing.

3. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stator is connected to each clamping jaw via a spring element.

4. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stator is connected to each clamping jaw via a spring element.

5. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each clamping jaw is in contact with the casing tube by way of a support.

6. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axial force is applied by means of a steering wheel bolt.

7. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first face of the clamping jaw is spaced apart from the outermost surface of the casing tube based upon an amount of protrusion of the elevation from the first face of the first clamping jaw.

8. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising spring elements that are recessed into the stator and provide an axial force on the clamping jaws.

9. A steering column arrangement, comprising:

a steering spindle which is mounted in a casing tube so as to be rotationally movable; and

a switch module which is held immovably with respect to the rotational movement of the steering spindle and is fixed radially and axially on the casing tube;

wherein,

the switch module is supported on a bearing arranged on the steering spindle;

the switch module comprises a centering device which, under a force which is oriented coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle, fixes the switch module on the casing tube and clamps it radially,

the centering device comprises a stator and clamping jaws; and

a leaf spring, which is separate from the casing tube, engages in a cut-out of the casing tube and is fastened in a recess in an inner wall of the stator,

wherein the cut-out provides an opening in the casing tube through which the leaf spring protrudes radially toward the steering spindle.

10. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein each clamping jaw is in contact with the casing tube by way of a support.

11. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein a first face of a first clamping jaw faces the stator and extends obliquely with regard to the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle.

12. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner face of the stator extends parallel to the oblique face of the clamping jaw.

13. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein an elevation protrudes from a second face of the first clamping jaw which faces the casing tube.

14. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the axial force is applied by means of a steering wheel bolt.

15. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a control pin fastened to an outer side of the leaf spring.

16. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control pin projects through the switch module to a trim panel of the steering column arrangement.

17. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein a center region of the leaf spring has a concave configuration.

18. The steering column arrangement as claimed in claim 9, further comprising spring elements that are recessed into the stator and provide an axial force on the clamping jaws.