阅读说明：本技术 用于机动车的能够调节的转向柱 (Adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle ) 是由 J.高蒂埃 R.克莱里 S.塞格迪 Z.霍瓦特 于 2020-02-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于机动车的转向柱(1),该转向柱具有用于将驱动器(16)固定在转向柱本体(10)并且用于将驱动器(16)从转向柱本体(10)松开的组件(20),其中,该组件(20)具有机械的操纵元件(36),该机械的操纵元件(36)构造成在第一运行位置(S1)中将驱动器(16)固定在转向柱本体(10)上并且在第二运行位置(S2)中将驱动器(16)从转向柱本体(10)松开。(The invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising an assembly (20) for fastening a drive (16) to a steering column body (10) and for releasing the drive (16) from the steering column body (10), wherein the assembly (20) comprises a mechanical actuating element (36), wherein the mechanical actuating element (36) is designed to fasten the drive (16) to the steering column body (10) in a first operating position (S1) and to release the drive (16) from the steering column body (10) in a second operating position (S2).)

1. An adjustable steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, having:

a steering column body (10) for supporting a rotatable steering shaft (12);

a steering column tube (14) longitudinally movably arranged in an opening (10 a) of the steering column body (10);

a drive (16) for axially adjusting the steering column tube (14), having a drive unit (18), in particular an electric motor (18 b) coupled to a gear (18 a), and a spindle drive (18 c) connected to the drive unit (18), wherein a spindle nut (18 d) which is axially movable along the spindle drive (18 c) is coupled to the steering column tube (14) for adjusting the steering column tube (14); and

an assembly (20) for fastening the drive (16) to the steering column body (10) and for releasing the drive (16) from the steering column body (10), wherein the assembly (20) has a mechanical actuating element (37) which is designed to fasten the drive (16) to the steering column body (10) in a first operating position (S1) and to release the drive (16) from the steering column body (10) in a second operating position (S2).

2. Adjustable steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly (20) has a guide rail (24) which is fastened to the steering column body (10) or is formed integrally therewith and which has at least one elongated hole (24 a) formed in the longitudinal direction, in which a connecting element (24 b) is guided which connects the spindle nut (18 d) and the steering column tube (14), and in that the drive unit (18) is fitted with a plurality of fastening means (26) on a fastening plate (28) which is releasably connected to the steering column body (10).

3. Adjustable steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing plate (28) is mounted on the guide rail (24) by means of a bolt (30), wherein the bolt (30) passes through an elongated hole (24 a) configured in the guide rail (24) and an opening (28 a) configured in the fixing plate (28), and wherein the bolt (30) is fastened on an axial end section (30 a) with a nut (32).

4. Adjustable steering column according to claim 3, characterized in that the assembly (20) has a first, preferably welded, engaging element (34) which is fixedly connected to the fastening plate (28) and the mechanical actuating element (37), wherein the mechanical actuating element (37) is formed by a second engaging element (36), wherein the first engaging element (34) and the second engaging element (36) have an opening (34 a, 36 a) through which the bolt (30) passes, wherein the first engaging element (34) is arranged adjacent to the second engaging element (36), and wherein a bearing (38), preferably a needle thrust bearing, is arranged between the second engaging element (36) and the nut (32).

5. The adjustable steering column according to claim 4, characterized in that the first engagement element (34) is at least partially plate-shaped and has a plurality of projections (34 c) arranged on the surface of a plate-shaped section (34 b), wherein the second engagement element (36) is at least partially plate-shaped and has a plurality of projections (36 c) arranged on the surface of a plate-shaped section (36 b), and wherein the plate-shaped section (34 b) of the first engagement element (34) and the plate-shaped section (36 b) of the second engagement element (36) are arranged opposite one another.

6. The adjustable steering column according to claim 5, characterized in that in the first operating position (S1) of the second engagement element (36), the projection (34 c) arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section (34 b) of the first engagement element (34) and the projection (36 c) arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section (36 b) of the second engagement element (36) bear on each other at the end sides.

7. The adjustable steering column according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the second engagement element (36) is rotatably supported on the bolt (30) relative to the first engagement element (34) in such a way that a projection (36 c) arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section (36 b) of the second engagement element (36) can be moved relative to a projection (34 c) arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section (34 b) of the first engagement element (34) in such a way that the projection (36 c) of the second engagement element (36) engages in a gap (34 d) formed between the projections (34 c) of the first engagement element (34) in the second operating position (S2) of the second engagement element (36).

8. Adjustable steering column according to claim 7, characterized in that the nut (32) is pretensioned such that in the second operating position (S2) of the second engagement element (36) the projections (36 c) of the second engagement element (36) are pressed into the gaps (34 d) between the projections (34 c) of the first engagement element (34).

9. The adjustable steering column according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the second engagement element (36) is operable by a cable (40), wherein the first engagement element (34) has an opening (34 e) for fixing the cable (40), and wherein the second engagement element (36) has an opening (36 d) for threading a rope (42 b) of the cable (40).

10. The adjustable steering column according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the second engagement element (36) has a radial projection (44) which is configured to abut against a stop (46) of the first engagement element (34) by the second engagement element (36) in order to limit the angle of rotation of the second engagement element (36) when the second operating position (S2) is reached.

11. The adjustable steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steering column tube (14) is constructed by a sleeve, wherein the steering column (1) has a crash tube (48) which is arranged longitudinally displaceably in an opening (14 a) of the sleeve, and wherein the steering shaft (12) is arranged in an opening (48 a) of the crash tube (48).

12. Adjustable steering column according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axial adjustment range (V) of the steering column (1) from the first driving position (P1) to the second driving position (P2) is at least 100mm, preferably at least 300 mm.

Technical Field

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

Background

Typically, the steering column in a passenger car can be adjusted in height and length manually or electrically. In particular, the longitudinal adjustment is often implemented as a telescopic device between a housing, which performs a pivoting movement for the height adjustment, and a telescopic tube (often referred to as a crash tube or guide tube).

Furthermore, some steering columns have a so-called easy entry function, which enables the steering column body of the steering column to be retracted to a depth allowed by the adjustment range of the steering column. The adjustment range of the steering column typically has a stroke of 25mm to 35 mm.

DE 102008060225B 4 discloses an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, which steering column has a steering column body for mounting a rotatable steering shaft, a clamping mechanism for achieving a continuously variable adjustability of the steering shaft in the longitudinal direction of the steering column body, and an energy-absorbing mechanism for the energy-consuming displacement of the steering shaft in an accident.

However, in the context of autonomous driving operation using a vehicle, it is desirable to allow a greater adjustment range of the steering column so that the steering column and the steering device mounted thereon can sink to the greatest extent into the dashboard or inner lining of the vehicle in the autonomous driving operation of the vehicle.

However, in the event of a failure of the drive unit for adjusting the steering column, a standby mode must be ensured in which a mechanical resetting of the steering device by the driver must be maintained during the changeover from autonomous driving operation to manual driving operation.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, which enables mechanical adjustment of the steering column in the event of a failure of the drive unit of the steering column.

This object is achieved by an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, having a steering column body for mounting a rotatable steering shaft, having a steering column tube arranged in an opening of the steering column body in a longitudinally displaceable manner, and having a drive unit, in particular an electric motor coupled to a gear mechanism, and having a spindle drive connected to the drive unit, and having a spindle nut which is axially movable along the spindle drive and is coupled to the steering column tube for adjusting the steering column tube.

The adjustable steering column furthermore comprises an assembly for fastening the drive to the steering column body and for releasing the drive from the steering column body, wherein the assembly has a mechanical actuating element which is designed to fasten the drive to the steering column body in the first operating position and to release the drive from the steering column body in the second operating position.

The idea underlying the invention is that by providing an assembly for fixing the drive to the steering column body and for releasing the drive from the steering column body, the possibility is achieved that the drive, including the drive unit, can be decoupled from the steering column body in the event of a failure of the drive unit, in which case the steering spindle is locked and therefore the spindle nut, which is axially movable, cannot be moved. Since the driver can be decoupled from the steering column body, the driver can advantageously be moved manually by the vehicle driver together with the steering column tube connected to the spindle nut after decoupling. In this way, a further driveability of the vehicle in the manual driving mode by the driver can be advantageously achieved even in the event of a failure of the drive for adjusting the steering column.

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

According to a preferred refinement, it is provided that the assembly has a guide rail which is fastened to the steering column body or is formed integrally therewith and has at least one elongated hole formed in the longitudinal direction, in which elongated hole a connecting element is guided which connects the spindle nut and the steering column tube, and wherein the drive unit is mounted with a plurality of fastening means on a fastening plate which is releasably connected to the steering column body. The releasable fixing of the fixing plate from the steering column body advantageously enables the drive or drive unit to be moved relative to the guide rail in the decoupled state.

According to a further preferred refinement, it is provided that the fastening plate is mounted on the guide rail by means of a bolt, wherein the bolt passes through an elongated hole formed in the guide rail and an opening formed in the fastening plate, and wherein the bolt is fastened to the axial end section by means of a nut. The bolt advantageously achieves the displaceability of the drive mounted on the fastening plate in the decoupled state of the assembly in the elongated hole of the guide rail through the fastening plate and the guide rail.

According to another preferred refinement, it is provided that the assembly has a first, preferably welded, joining element fixedly connected to the fastening plate and a mechanical actuating element, wherein the mechanical actuating element is formed by a second joining element, wherein the first and second joining elements have an opening through which a screw passes, wherein the first joining element is arranged adjacent to the second joining element, and wherein a bearing, preferably a needle thrust bearing (naddrucklager), is arranged between the second joining element and the nut. The first and second engagement elements can be precisely oriented relative to each other by their positioning or arrangement on the bolt. Furthermore, the provision of the needle thrust bearing has the advantage that the second engagement element can be rotated even in a state in which the driver is fixed to the steering column body.

According to a further preferred refinement, it is provided that the first joining element is at least partially plate-shaped and has a plurality of projections arranged on a surface of the plate-shaped section, wherein the second joining element is at least partially plate-shaped and has a plurality of projections arranged on a surface of the plate-shaped section, and wherein the plate-shaped section of the first joining element and the plate-shaped section of the second joining element are arranged opposite one another. Due to the arrangement of the plate-shaped sections, the projections can thus be oriented precisely relative to one another.

According to a further preferred refinement, it is provided that in the first operating position of the second engaging element the projection arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section of the first engaging element and the projection arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section of the second engaging element bear on one another on the end sides. The abutment of the projections of the first and second engagement elements on the end faces against one another advantageously results in the drive unit being thus advantageously fixable on the guide rail by screwing the assembly with a nut and a bolt.

According to a further preferred refinement, it is provided that the second engaging element is mounted on the screw so as to be rotatable relative to the first engaging element in such a way that the projections arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section of the second engaging element can be moved relative to the projections arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section of the first engaging element in such a way that the projections of the second engaging element engage in the gaps formed between the projections of the first engaging element in the second operating position of the second engaging element. Thus, a reduction of the axial length of the assembly for fixing the drive on the steering column body can advantageously be achieved, and the drive is thus released from the guide track in the second operating position.

According to a further preferred development, the nut is pretensioned in such a way that, in the second operating position of the second joining element, the projections of the second joining element are pressed into the gaps between the projections of the first joining element. The pretensioning of the nut thus advantageously makes it possible to move the second engaging element in the axial direction into the gap between the projections of the first engaging element as a result of the pretensioning after the second engaging element has been rotated into the second operating position.

According to another preferred refinement, it is provided that the second coupling element can be actuated by a cable (Seilzug), wherein the first coupling element has an opening for fastening the cable, and wherein the second coupling element has an opening for threading the cable. The first and second engagement elements are thus advantageously configured such that they enable a fixing of the cable.

According to a further preferred refinement, it is provided that the second engagement element has a radial projection which is designed to come into abutment against a stop of the first engagement element by the second engagement element when the second operating position is reached in order to limit the angle of rotation of the second engagement element. Thus, the second coupling element can advantageously be prevented from over-rotating and can therefore be moved only from the first operating position into the second operating position and back.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the steering column tube is formed by a sleeve, wherein the steering column has a crash tube which is arranged in an opening of the sleeve in a longitudinally displaceable manner, and wherein the steering spindle is arranged in the opening of the crash tube. Such a telescopic arrangement (teleskopaandnung) or tube-in-tube arrangement advantageously enables a large adjustment range of the steering column, wherein the driver can manually move the telescopic arrangement along the entire adjustment range by specifying an arrangement for fixing and releasing the driver from the steering column body.

According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the axial adjustment range of the steering column from the first driving position to the second driving position is at least 100mm, preferably at least 300 mm. The telescopic mechanism of the steering column thus advantageously achieves full sinking of the steering wheel or steering device in the dashboard or lining of the motor vehicle in the second driving position.

The described embodiments and modifications can be combined with one another as desired.

Other possible embodiments, improvements and embodiments of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention not explicitly mentioned above or below in connection with the examples.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and aspects of the invention.

Other embodiments and many of the mentioned advantages arise in relation to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. In which is shown:

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

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an assembly for securing an actuator to a steering column body and for releasing the actuator from the steering column body of an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembly for securing and releasing an actuator to and from a steering column body in a first operating position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly for securing and releasing the actuator to and from the steering column body in a second operational position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and is

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of an assembly for securing an actuator to a steering column body and for releasing the actuator from the steering column body, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers indicate identical or functionally identical elements, components or assemblies, unless stated to the contrary.

Detailed Description

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

An adjustable steering column 1 for a motor vehicle has a steering column body 10 for mounting a rotatable steering shaft 12. Furthermore, the adjustable steering column 1 has a steering column tube 14 which is longitudinally movably arranged in the opening 10a of the steering column body 10.

Furthermore, the steering column 1 has a drive 16 for axially adjusting the steering column tube 14. The drive 16 has a drive unit 18, in particular an electric motor 18b coupled to a gear mechanism 18a, and a spindle gear 18c connected to the drive unit 18.

A spindle nut 18d, which is axially movable along a spindle drive 18c, is coupled to the steering column 14 for adjusting the steering column 14.

The steering column tube 14 is formed by a sleeve, wherein the steering column 1 has a crash tube 48 which is arranged in the opening 14a of the sleeve in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The steering shaft 12 is also disposed in the opening 48a of the collision tube 48.

The axial adjustment range V of the steering column 1 from the first driving position P1 corresponding to the manual driving operation to the second driving position P2 corresponding to the autonomous driving operation is at least 100mm, preferably at least 300 mm.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of an assembly for fastening an actuator to a steering column body and for releasing the actuator from the steering column body of an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The adjustable steering column (not shown in fig. 2) also has an assembly 20 for securing the driver 16 to the steering column body and for releasing the driver 16 from the steering column body. The assembly 20 has a mechanical actuating element 37. The mechanical actuating element 37 is configured to fix the drive 16 to the steering column body in the first operating position and to release the drive from the steering column body in the second operating position.

The assembly 20 has a guide track 24, which is fastened to the steering column body or is formed integrally therewith and which has at least one elongated hole 24a formed in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the guide rail 24 has two elongated holes separated from each other.

A connecting element 24b, which connects the spindle nut 18d to a steering column (not shown in fig. 2), is guided in the elongated hole 24 a.

The drive unit 18 is mounted with a plurality of fixing means 26 on a fixing plate 28 releasably connected to the steering column body.

The fixing plate 28 is mounted on the guide rail 24 by bolts 30. The bolt 30 passes through an elongated hole 24a formed in the guide rail 24 and an opening 28a formed in the fixing plate 28.

Furthermore, the bolt 30 is fastened to the axial end section 30a with a nut 32. The assembly 20 has a first engaging element 34, preferably welded, which is fixedly connected to the fastening plate 28, and a mechanical actuating element 37. The mechanical actuating element 37 is formed by the second engaging element 36.

The first and second engagement elements 34, 36 each have an opening 34a, 36a through which the screw 30 passes, wherein the first engagement element 34 is arranged adjacent to the second engagement element 36.

A bearing 38, preferably a needle thrust bearing, is disposed between the second engagement element 36 and the nut 32.

The first engaging element 34 is at least partially plate-shaped and has a plurality of projections 34c arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section 34 b.

The second engagement element 36 is likewise at least partially plate-shaped and has a plurality of projections 36c arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section 36 b.

The plate-like section 34b of the first engaging element 34 and the plate-like section 36b of the second engaging element 36 are arranged oppositely.

The second engaging element 36 is mounted on the screw 30 so as to be rotatable relative to the first engaging element 34 in such a way that a projection 36c arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section 36b of the second engaging element 36 is movable relative to a projection 34c arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section 34b of the first engaging element 34 in such a way that the projection 36c of the second engaging element 36 engages in a gap 34d formed between the projections 34c of the first engaging element 34 in its second operating position.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly for securing and releasing an actuator to and from a steering column body in a first operating position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the first operating position S1 of the second engaging element 36, the projection 34c arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section 34b of the first engaging element 34 and the projection 36c arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped section 36b of the second engaging element 36 bear against one another at the end.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly for securing and releasing an actuator to and from a steering column body in a second operational position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The nut 32 is pretensioned in such a way that in the second operating position S2 of the second joining element 36, the projections 36c of the second joining element 36 are pressed into the gaps 34d between the projections 34c of the first joining element 34.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of an assembly for securing and releasing an actuator to and from a steering column body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The second engagement element 36 has a radial projection 44. The radial projection 44 is designed to abut against a stop 46 of the first coupling element 34 when the second operating position is reached, via the second coupling element 36, in order to limit the angle of rotation of the second coupling element 36.

The second engagement element 36 is operable by a cable 40. The first engaging element 34 has an opening 34e for fixing the sheath portion 42a of the cable 40. The second engaging element 36 has an opening (not shown in fig. 5) for threading the cord 42b of the cable 40.