DE102019201543A1 - Adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, with a steering column body (10) for mounting a steering shaft (12), a jacket tube (14) arranged longitudinally displaceably in an opening (10a) of the steering column body (10), a jacket tube (14) in an opening ( 14a) of the casing tube (14) longitudinally displaceable crash tube (16) and a plurality of guide arrangements (18, 20) for moving the casing tube (14) in the axial direction of the steering column body (10) and a plurality of the crash tube (16) in the casing tube (14) leading second guide arrangement (30, 32) for moving the crash tube (16) in the axial direction of the steering column body (10).

Description

The invention relates to an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle.

State of the art

As a rule, steering columns in cars are manually or electrically adjustable in height and length. In particular, the longitudinal adjustment is often implemented as a telescope between the housing, which carries out the pivoting movement for the height adjustment, and the telescopic tube, often referred to as a crash tube or guide tube.

In addition, some steering columns have a so-called easy-entry function, which enables a steering column body of the steering column to be retracted as deeply as an adjustment range of the steering column allows. The adjustment range of the steering column usually has a stroke of 25 mm to 35 mm.

The DE 10 2008 060 225 B4 discloses an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle with a steering column body for supporting a rotatable steering shaft, a clamping mechanism for implementing a stepless adjustability of the steering shaft along the longitudinal direction of the steering column body and an energy absorption mechanism for energy-consuming displacement of the steering shaft in the event of an accident.

In the context of the use of an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle, however, it is desirable to enable a larger adjustment range of the steering column so that the steering column and a steering device attached to it can largely be lowered into a dashboard or interior trim of the vehicle in an autonomous driving mode of the vehicle.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, which enables an extended adjustability of a telescopic mechanism relative to a steering column body.

The object is achieved with an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention provides an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, with a steering column body for mounting a rotatable steering shaft, a casing tube arranged longitudinally displaceably in an opening of the steering column body and a crash tube arranged longitudinally displaceably in an opening of the steering column body.

The adjustable steering column further comprises a plurality of first guide assemblies guiding the jacket tube in the steering column body for moving the jacket tube in the axial direction of the steering column body, the plurality of first guide assemblies having a section that is essentially concave on an inner circumference of the steering column body and one on an outer circumference of the steering column body A substantially concave portion and a plurality of balls, which are arranged in a cavity formed between the substantially concave portion on the inner circumference of the steering column body and the substantially concave portion on the outer circumference of the casing tube.

The adjustable steering column further comprises a plurality of second guide arrangements, guiding the crash tube in the casing tube, for moving the crash tube in the axial direction of the steering column body, the plurality of second guide arrangements having a section that is essentially concave on an inner circumference of the casing tube and one on an outer circumference of the crash tube A substantially concave portion, and a plurality of balls, which are arranged in a cavity formed between the substantially concave portion on the inner circumference of the casing tube and the substantially concave portion on the outer circumference of the crash tube.

One idea of the present invention is, by providing the tube-in-tube telescopic mechanism comprising the casing tube arranged longitudinally displaceably in the opening of the steering column body and the crash tube arranged longitudinally displaceably in the opening of the casing tube, which are ball-bearing mounted by the corresponding guide arrangements to provide a compact adjustment mechanism for adjusting the steering column, which can also be installed in the steering column in a simple manner. Furthermore, the guide arrangements having a plurality of balls have the advantage of low-friction and low-noise adjustability of the tubes.

Advantageous embodiments and developments emerge from the subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

According to a preferred development it is provided that the plurality of balls of each of the plurality of first guide arrangements in one Ball cage are arranged, which is designed to space the plurality of balls from one another, and wherein the plurality of balls of each of the plurality of second guide arrangements are arranged in a ball cage which is designed to space the plurality of balls from one another. In this way, the tubes can advantageously be adjusted with little friction and noise.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the ball cage of each of the plurality of first guide arrangements is designed to accommodate a first plurality of balls and a second plurality of balls, with a spacer between the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls for the axial Spacing the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls is arranged. The spacer advantageously enables the first plurality of balls to be spaced apart from the second plurality of balls of each of the guide arrangements in such a way that the tubes that are adjustable with respect to one another can be adjusted with the smallest possible number of balls.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the ball cage of each of the plurality of second guide arrangements is designed to accommodate a first plurality of balls and a second plurality of balls, with a spacer between the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls for axial Spacing the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls is arranged. The spacer advantageously enables the first plurality of balls to be spaced apart from the second plurality of balls of each of the guide arrangements in such a way that the tubes that are adjustable with respect to one another can be adjusted with the smallest possible number of balls.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that an axial length of the spacer has at least an axial length of the first plurality of balls and / or an axial length of the second plurality of balls. It can thus be made possible that the respective first plurality of balls and the respective second plurality of balls can be spaced as far apart from one another as possible relative to a length of the tubes to be adjusted, in order to enable simple and low-friction and low-noise adjustability.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the plurality of first guide arrangements is arranged in a first plane running through a central longitudinal axis of the crash tube, and the plurality of second guide arrangements being arranged in a second plane running through the central longitudinal axis of the crash tube, the first plane being for second plane is inclined at a predetermined angle.

The inclination of the first plane to the second plane by the predetermined angle enables the plurality of first guide arrangements to be advantageously arranged in a space-saving manner for moving the casing tube in the axial direction of the steering column body and the plurality of second guide arrangements guiding the crash tube in the casing tube for moving the crash tube in the axial direction of the steering column body, since the jacket tube, the crash tube and the steering column body do not have to be made larger in order to accommodate the guide arrangements.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the jacket tube is connected to the crash tube by a rack and pinion gear which is designed to convert a movement of the jacket tube into a proportional movement of the crash tube. Thus, the axial adjustability of the steering column can advantageously be made possible by just one drive.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the steering column can be adjusted from a first driving position, in particular a steering column position for manual driving, into a second driving position, in particular a steering column position for autonomous driving. The steering column is thus advantageously suitable for manual driving as well as for autonomous driving of the motor vehicle.
According to a further preferred development, it is provided that an axial adjustment range of the steering column from the first driving position to the second driving position is at least 70 mm, preferably at least 100 mm. The telescopic mechanism of the steering column thus advantageously enables the steering wheel or the steering device to be completely lowered into a dashboard or an interior lining of the motor vehicle in the second driving position.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the steering column has a spindle drive connected to an electrical machine, a spindle nut of the spindle drive being connected to the casing tube, and the spindle drive being designed to axially adjust the casing tube by moving the spindle nut.

Due to the connection of the spindle nut with the jacket tube and the provision of the Rack-and-pinion gear for connecting the casing tube to the crash tube, the crash tube is thus moved proportionally to the casing tube when it moves.

The configurations and developments described can be combined with one another as desired.

Further possible configurations, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments.

Figure list

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer verstellbaren Lenksäule für ein Kraftfahrzeug gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 eine Querschnittsansicht der verstellbaren Lenksäule für das Kraftfahrzeug gemäß der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 eine Seitenansicht der verstellbaren Lenksäule für das Kraftfahrzeug in einer zweiten Fahrposition gemäß der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 4 eine Seitenansicht der verstellbaren Lenksäule für das Kraftfahrzeug in einer ersten Fahrposition gemäß der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und
• 5 eine Längsschnittansicht der verstellbaren Lenksäule für das Kraftfahrzeug in einer Position für autonomes Fahren gemäß der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned emerge with a view to the drawings. The elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily shown true to scale with one another.
Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a cross-sectional view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;
• 3 a side view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle in a second driving position according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;
• 4th a side view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle in a first driving position according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and
• 5 a longitudinal sectional view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle in a position for autonomous driving according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the figures of the drawings, the same reference symbols denote the same or functionally identical elements, parts or components, unless stated otherwise.

1 shows a schematic representation of an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The adjustable steering column 1 for the motor vehicle has a steering column body 10 for mounting a rotatable steering shaft 12th on. The steering shaft 12th is in an opening 16b a crash tube 16 inserted.

Furthermore, the adjustable steering column 1 one in an opening 10a of the steering column body 10 Longitudinally displaceable casing tube 14th on. It also has the adjustable steering column 1 that in an opening 14a of the jacket pipe 14th Crash tube arranged to be longitudinally displaceable 16 on.

The steering column 1 also has one with an electric machine 50 connected spindle drive 52 on. A spindle nut 54 of the spindle drive 52 is with the jacket pipe 14th connected. The spindle drive 52 is designed for the jacket pipe 14th by moving the spindle nut 54 to be adjusted axially. About the axial adjustability of the jacket tube 14th through the spindle nut 54 to enable, has the steering column body 10 for this a (in 1 not shown) elongated hole along which the spindle nut 54 relative to the steering column body 10 in connection with the jacket pipe 14th is movable.

2 Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The majority of first guide arrangements 18th , 20th have one on an inner circumference 10b of the steering column body 10 substantially concave section 22a , 22b on. Furthermore, the majority of the first guide arrangements 18th , 20th one on an outer circumference 14b of the jacket pipe 14th substantially concave section 24a , 24b as well as a plurality of balls 26th , 27 on, which in a between the substantially concave portion 22a , 22b on the inner circumference 10b of the steering column body 10 and the substantially concave portion 24a , 24b on the outer circumference of the jacket pipe 14th formed cavity 28a , 28b are arranged.

Furthermore, the adjustable steering column 1 a plurality of, the crash tube 16 in the jacket pipe 14th leading second guide arrangements 30th , 32 to move the crash tube 16 in the axial direction of the steering column body 10 on. The majority of second guide arrangements 30th , 32 have one on an inner circumference 14c of the jacket pipe 14th substantially concave section 34a , 34b on.

Furthermore, the majority have second guide arrangements 30th , 32 one on one Outer circumference 16a of the crash tube 16 substantially concave section 36a , 36b and a plurality of balls 38 , 39 on, which in a between the substantially concave portion 34a , 34b on the inner circumference 14c of the jacket pipe 14th and the substantially concave portion 36a , 36b on the outer circumference 16a of the crash tube 16 formed cavity 40a , 40b are arranged.

The majority of first guide arrangements 18th , 20th is in a through a central longitudinal axis M of the crash tube 16 running first level E1 arranged. The majority of second guide arrangements 30th , 32 are in a through the central longitudinal axis M of the crash tube 16 trending second level E2 arranged. The first level E1 is to the second level E2 inclined by a predetermined angle α.

The steering shaft 12th is in an opening 16b of the crash tube 16 inserted. The crash tube 16 points in the area of the outer circumference 16a of the crash tube 16 substantially concave section 36a , 36b one on an inner circumference of the crash tube 16 substantially convex section 46a , 46b on.

The jacket pipe 14th is with the crash tube 16 by a rack and pinion gear 48 connected, which is designed to move the jacket tube 14th into a proportional movement of the crash tube 16 to implement. The rack and pinion gear 48 can be designed in any way to ensure the functionality mentioned above.

3 shows a side view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle in a second driving position according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. The second driving position P2 is a steering column position for autonomous driving in which the steering column 1 , i.e. that (in 3 jacket pipe (not shown) and the (in 3 not shown) crash tube completely in the steering column body 10 are sunk.

4th shows a side view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle in a first driving position according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The longitudinal section refers to the in 2 Section plane shown AA . The steering column 1 is in a first driving position P1 shown. The first driving position P1 is a steering column position for manual driving, in which both the jacket tube 14th as well as the crash tube 16 are fully extended. An axial adjustment range V of the steering column 1 from the first driving position P1 in the in 4th second driving position shown P2 is at least 70 mm, preferably at least 100 mm.

5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the adjustable steering column for the motor vehicle in a position for autonomous driving according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The majority of bullets 26th , 27 each of the plurality of first guide assemblies 18th , 20th are in a ball cage 42a , 42b arranged. The ball cage 42a , 42b is designed to hold the plurality of balls 26th , 27 to be spaced from each other.

Furthermore, the majority of (in 5 balls (not shown) of each of the plurality of second guide arrangements are likewise arranged in a ball cage which is designed to space the plurality of balls from one another. The plurality of balls of each of the plurality of second guide assemblies are due to the angular displacement of the plurality of balls of each of the plurality of second guide assemblies to the balls 26th , 27 each of the plurality of first guide assemblies 18th , 20th in 5 not visible as it is arranged on a different level.

The ball cage 42a , 42b each of the plurality of first guide assemblies 18th , 20th is designed to have a first plurality of balls 26a , 27a and a second plurality of balls 26b , 27b record. Between the first plurality of balls 26a , 27a and the second plurality of balls 26b , 27b is a spacer each 26c , 27c for axially spacing the first plurality of balls 26a , 27a and the second plurality of balls 26b , 27b arranged.

Furthermore, the (in 5 ball cage (not shown) of each of the plurality of second guide arrangements designed to receive a first plurality of balls and a second plurality of balls, with a spacer between the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls for axially spacing the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls is arranged.

An axial length of the spacer 26c , 27c has at least an axial length of the first plurality of balls 26a , 27a or an axial length of the second plurality of balls 26b , 27b on. Alternatively, the spacer 26c , 27c have another suitable dimensioning, such as an axial length L2 the first plurality of balls 26a , 27a and an axial length of the second plurality of balls 26b , 27b in combination.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102008060225 B4 [0004]

Claims (10)

Adjustable steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, with: a steering column body (10) for supporting a rotatable steering shaft (12); one in an opening (10a) of the steering column body (10) arranged to be longitudinally displaceable jacket tube (14); a crash tube (16) arranged to be longitudinally displaceable in an opening (14a) of the jacket tube (14); a plurality of first guide arrangements (18, 20) guiding the jacket tube (14) in the steering column body (10) for moving the jacket tube (14) in the axial direction of the steering column body (10), wherein the plurality of first guide arrangements (18, 20) have a section (22a, 22b) which is substantially concave on an inner circumference (10b) of the steering column body (10) and a section (22a, 22b) which is substantially concave on an outer circumference (14b) of the jacket tube (14) (24a, 24b), and a plurality of balls (26, 27) which in a between the substantially concave portion (22a, 22b) on the inner circumference (10b) of the steering column body (10) and the substantially concave portion (24a, 24b) are arranged on the outer circumference (14b) of the jacket tube (14) formed cavity (28a, 28b); and a plurality of second guide arrangements (30, 32) leading the crash tube (16) in the casing tube (14) for moving the crash tube (16) in the axial direction of the steering column body (10), the plurality of second guide arrangements (30, 32) having one an inner circumference (14c) of the casing tube (14) essentially concave section (34a, 34b), a section (36a, 36b) essentially concave at an outer circumference (16a) of the crash tube (16), and a plurality of balls ( 38, 39), which in a between the essentially concave section (34a, 34b) on the inner circumference (14c) of the casing tube (14) and the essentially concave section (36a, 36b) on the outer circumference (16a) of the crash tube (16) formed cavity (40a, 40b) are arranged. Adjustable steering column according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the plurality of balls (26, 27) of each of the plurality of first guide arrangements (18, 20) are arranged in a ball cage (42a, 42b) which is designed to hold the plurality of balls (26, 27) from one another and wherein the plurality of balls (38, 39) of each of the plurality of second guide assemblies (30, 32) are arranged in a ball cage which is designed to space the plurality of balls (38, 39) from one another. Adjustable steering column according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the ball cage (42a, 42b) of each of the plurality of first guide arrangements (18, 20) is designed to receive a first plurality of balls (26a, 27a) and a second plurality of balls (26b, 27b), wherein between the first plurality of balls (26a, 27a) and the second plurality of balls (26b, 27b) a spacer (26c, 27c) for axially spacing the first plurality of balls (26a, 27a) and the second plurality of balls (26b) apart , 27b) is arranged. Adjustable steering column according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the ball cage of each of the plurality of second guide arrangements (30, 32) is designed to receive a first plurality of balls and a second plurality of balls, with a spacer between the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls axially spacing the first plurality of balls and the second plurality of balls. Adjustable steering column according to Claim 3 or 4th , characterized in that an axial length of the spacer (26c, 27c) has at least an axial length of the first plurality of balls (26a, 27a) and / or an axial length of the second plurality of balls (26b, 27b). Adjustable steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of first guide arrangements (18, 20) is arranged in a first plane (E1) running through a central longitudinal axis (M) of the crash tube (16), and wherein the plurality of second guide arrangements ( 30, 32) is arranged in a second plane (E2) running through the central longitudinal axis (M) of the crash tube (16), the first plane (E1) being inclined to the second plane (E2) by a predetermined angle (a). Adjustable steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jacket tube (14) is connected to the crash tube (16) by a rack and pinion gear (48) which is designed to convert the jacket tube (14) into a proportional movement of the crash tube (16) to be implemented. Adjustable steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering column (1) is adjustable from a first driving position (P1), in particular a steering column position for manual driving, into a second driving position (P2), in particular a steering column position for autonomous driving. Adjustable steering column according to Claim 8 , characterized in that an axial Adjustment range (V) of the steering column (1) from the first driving position (P1) to the second driving position (P2) is at least 70mm, preferably at least 100mm. Adjustable steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering column (1) has a spindle drive (52) connected to an electrical machine (50), a spindle nut (54) of the spindle drive (52) being connected to the jacket tube (14) is, and wherein the spindle drive (52) is designed to axially adjust the jacket tube (14) by moving the spindle nut (54).

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