Steering column for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising: an actuation unit (3) in which a steering spindle (30) is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (L) extending in the longitudinal direction; a support unit (2) capable of being connected to the vehicle body, and the actuation unit (3) being held in the support unit so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction; and an energy absorption device (6) combined between the support unit (2) and the actuation unit (3), the energy absorption unit having an elongated energy absorption element (61) and a deformable member (67) fastened to the actuation unit (3) or the support unit (2) via fasteners (63, 64, 7), the deformable member interacting with the energy absorption element and attached to the support unit (2) or the actuation unit (3), and causing energy absorption plastic deformation of the energy absorption element (61) in the event of a collision in which the actuation unit (3) and the support unit (2) are displaced relative to each other. In order to provide an improved energy absorption device that allows for more uniform energy absorption, according to the present invention, the fastener has at least one fastening device (63, 7) that provides offset compensation in the longitudinal direction.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising: an actuation unit in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction; a support unit connectable to the vehicle body, and the actuation unit being held in the support unit to allow for longitudinal displacement; and an energy absorption device coupled between the support unit and the actuation unit and having an elongated energy absorption element and a deformable member fastened to the actuation unit or the support unit via fasteners, the deformable member interacting with the energy absorption element and attached to the support unit or the actuation unit, and causing energy-absorbing plastic deformation of the energy absorption element in the event of a collision in which the actuation unit and the support unit are displaced relative to each other.

[0002] In this type of steering column, the steering wheel is attached to the rear end of the steering spindle relative to the direction of travel. The steering spindle is rotatably mounted in a housing tube, also known as the inner housing or inner housing tube, within the actuation unit. The actuation unit is held in place by a support unit mounted on the vehicle body.

[0003] To enhance passenger safety in the event of a vehicle collision—also known as a crash—in which the body impacts the steering wheel at high speed, it is known to house the actuation unit so as to allow flexible longitudinal displacement relative to the support unit, for example, in a nested telescopic arrangement within a shell unit also called a housing or housing tube, and it is known to connect the actuation unit and the support unit to an energy-absorbing device also known as a crash system. This type of safety steering column is known in the prior art, for example, from DE 10 2011 015 140 A1 or DE 10 2016 220 531 A1.

[0004] In the event of a collision, if a high peak force exceeding a predetermined limit is applied to the steering wheel by a body impact, the actuation unit and the support unit are pushed together in the longitudinal direction. During this process, the energy-absorbing element of the energy-absorbing device undergoes plastic deformation and absorbs the kinetic energy introduced in the longitudinal direction by converting kinetic energy into deformation work, thus slowing down the body impacting the steering wheel in a controlled manner and reducing the risk of injury.

[0005] In DE 10 2011 015 140 A1, it is proposed that an energy-absorbing strip, such as a strip-shaped metal plate, extending in the longitudinal direction, be attached as an energy-absorbing element to an actuating unit in the longitudinal direction, and a deformable slider, as a deformable member, be attached to the housing of a support unit and have a passageway engaging the longitudinal side of the energy-absorbing strip. The passageway is smaller than the cross-section of the energy-absorbing strip, i.e., the energy-absorbing strip is wider than the passageway when measured laterally relative to the longitudinal direction. In the event of a collision, the deformable member moves along the energy-absorbing strip in the longitudinal direction and is pulled through the passageway, wherein the energy-absorbing strip is continuously and laterally plastically compressed together along its length. This effectively absorbs energy.

[0006] To ensure reliable function, it is known from the prior art that the energy-absorbing element is fastened to the actuating unit by means of fasteners, so that the impact force generated in the longitudinal direction due to deformation in the event of a collision is reliably absorbed. For this purpose, it is proposed to fix the two end regions of the energy-absorbing band to the actuating unit in a fixed position by means of a fastening device designed as a fixed connector. This creates a robust support. However, during plastic deformation in the event of a collision, not only does the cross-section deform, but the energy-absorbing band also plastically extends or elongates in the longitudinal direction. This increase in length causes the energy-absorbing band, which is fixedly supported between the fixed connectors in the longitudinal direction, to laterally break freely in a manner similar to a buckling rod and sag laterally relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the energy absorption characteristics may be undesirably impaired, which may lead to uneven energy absorption in the event of a collision.

[0007] In view of the above problems, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved energy absorption device that allows for more uniform energy absorption. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the steering column of the present invention.

[0009] In the case of a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column includes: an actuation unit in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction; a support unit that can be connected to the vehicle body, and the actuation unit is held in the support unit so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction; and an energy absorption device combined between the support unit and the actuation unit and having an elongated energy absorption element and a deformable member, the energy absorption element being fastened to the actuation unit or the support unit via fasteners, the deformable member interacting with the energy absorption element and attached to the support unit or the actuation unit, and causing energy absorption plastic deformation of the energy absorption element in the event of a collision in which the actuation unit and the support unit are displaced relative to each other, wherein, according to the invention, the fastener has at least one fastening device designed to compensate for offset in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] The steering column according to the invention allows for various embodiments in the following aspects: In a first embodiment, the energy-absorbing element is fastened to the actuation unit, and a deformable member interacting with the energy-absorbing element is attached to the support unit. In another embodiment variation, the energy-absorbing element is fastened to the support unit, and a deformable member interacting with the energy-absorbing element is attached to the actuation unit.

[0011] In this invention, at least one fastening device—by means of fastening the energy-absorbing element to the actuating unit or support unit—is designed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, such that the at least one fastening device allows the energy-absorbing element to move relative to the actuating unit or support unit in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the possible relative displacement within the fastening device according to the invention can compensate for local offsets in the longitudinal direction caused by the elongation of the energy-absorbing element during plastic deformation in the event of a collision. By means of the offset-compensating fastening device according to the invention, the energy-absorbing element, preferably an elongated strip-shaped energy-absorbing strip, is laterally fixed and held relative to the longitudinal direction, i.e., radially relative to the longitudinal axis and in the circumferential direction, which is also the same as in the case of rigid fixed connections in the prior art. In contrast, according to the invention, the fastening point can also move in the longitudinal direction during the increase in length, and therefore, no compressive stress is formed in the energy-absorbing element in the longitudinal direction during deformation in the event of a collision, and there is no longer a loading similar to a buckling rod. The advantage of this is that even if the energy absorption element is designed as an energy absorption band in the form of a relatively narrow metal plate or strip, it can avoid free breakage or lateral sagging.

[0012] Relative displacement within the fastening device according to the invention preferably occurs without plastic deformation and energy absorption, and at least this is undesirable. In the theoretically ideal fastening device according to the invention, relative displacement, i.e., offset compensation, will occur without resistance to said displacement, because the greater the force used for relative displacement to achieve offset compensation, the greater the extent to which the disadvantages of known unfavorable rigid connections in the prior art will occur. Therefore, the resistance is preferably configured to be so small that it is technically negligible for offset compensation, for example, relative displacement in elongated holes.

[0013] The offset compensation fastening device is preferably spatially and functionally separate from the energy-absorbing portion of the energy-absorbing element. The energy-absorbing portion undergoes plastic deformation by means of a deformable member, and the fastening device is located outside the deformable region and remains undeformed during energy absorption in the event of a collision. Due to this separate design, the individual parts can be precisely constructed and their functions optimized for each part without adversely affecting each other.

[0014] Therefore, one advantage is increased functional reliability during energy absorption in the event of a collision. This improves occupant safety. Another advantage is increased design freedom for the energy-absorbing element, as it experiences little or no compressive stress in the longitudinal direction, and thus allows for a greater degree of deformation, for example. Thanks to this invention, the associated greater elongation can be reliably compensated for in the event of a collision without compromising energy absorption. A relatively narrower energy-absorbing band than in the prior art can also be used, resulting in optimized structural space.

[0015] Preferably, fastening devices are arranged in each end region of the energy-absorbing element. The energy-absorbing element can be a strip-shaped design, for example, in the form of a narrow energy-absorbing band or a deformable band, and is elongated in the longitudinal direction, for example, in the form of a metal strip or metal mesh. The fastener has at least two fastening devices arranged in the end regions of the energy-absorbing band. Thus, in each case, the fastening devices are arranged at the front and rear in the direction of travel. According to the invention, at least one of the two fastening devices is configured to be offset-compensated, i.e., capable of displacement in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] Advantageously, the fastener has a fixed connecting member that is fixed in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the fastener is secured. This fixed connecting member forms a rigid connection between the energy-absorbing element and the actuating unit, which is immovable in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the energy-absorbing device constructed according to the invention has at least one fixed connecting member fixed in the longitudinal direction and a variable offset-compensating fastening device in the longitudinal direction. One advantage here is that the fixed connecting member can be constructed to be loadable independently of the compensation function according to the invention, thereby ensuring fixed support in the longitudinal direction in the event of a collision. In the event of a collision, the energy-absorbing element is held in a fixed position in the fixed connecting member, and according to the invention, the portion of the energy-absorbing element that moves in the longitudinal direction due to elongation can be displaced in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] In the previously described embodiment where the fastening devices are arranged at the front and rear, it is advantageous that the fastening device at the front in the driving direction is designed as a fixed connector, and correspondingly, an offset compensation fastening device is present at the rear. In normal operation before a collision, the deformable member in the front region of the energy-absorbing band is located in the region of the fixed connector, and in the event of a collision, the deformable member moves along the length of the energy-absorbing element in the direction of the rear offset compensation fastening device. The energy-absorbing element is here subjected to a tensile load in the longitudinal direction between the fixed connector and the deformable member, and is thereby elongated or stretched. The longitudinal offset between the energy-absorbing band and the actuating unit, which occurs at the other fastening device at the rear end, is compensated by the offset compensation fastening device according to the invention.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the offset-compensating fastening device has an elongated hole extending longitudinally through which a connecting element extends. The elongated hole can be formed in the energy-absorbing element at minimal cost, and the connecting element can be fixed to the actuating unit. For example, the elongated hole can be formed, for instance, by stamping in the end portion of a deformable band made of sheet metal. The connecting element can be in the form of a pin or bolt, and can have a lateral dimension corresponding to the elongated hole, allowing it to be displaced longitudinally within the hole. The connecting element is preferably held in a manner unaffected by clearance or low clearance in the lateral direction, and thus the fastening in the circumferential direction, which is laterally relative to the longitudinal direction, is fixed and immovable. In this way, the fastening device according to the invention has a sliding guide in the longitudinal direction. The connecting element is inserted from the outside through the elongated hole and is connected to the actuating unit in a non-movable manner in the longitudinal direction. Thus, a longitudinally variable, displaceable connecting element is provided simply and effectively, and the energy-absorbing element can be displaced longitudinally relative to the actuating unit by the length of the elongated hole, compensating for offset due to elongation in the event of a collision.

[0019] In a favorable improvement, the elongated hole has a clearance fit relative to the connecting element in at least one portion. Tests show that during offset compensation, a clearance fit with a clearance greater than 10 μm has virtually no interference resistance and, in particular, can very adequately avoid stick-slip effects. Therefore, a clearance fit with a clearance greater than 10 μm is particularly preferred. The clearance fit is determined here in the lateral movement relative to the direction of movement for offset compensation.

[0020] In an advantageous improvement, the elongated hole can be configured to have an interference fit with the connecting element in another portion. The connecting element is arranged in said portion before the offset compensation movement occurs, and is moved out of said portion and into the portion with a clearance fit by the offset compensation movement. Due to the interference fit portion, the energy absorbing element can be reliably fixed to the actuating unit or support unit without interference clearance.

[0021] The connecting element may be in the form of a rivet, hollow rivet, journal, bolt or screw, etc. The connecting element is fixed to the actuating unit and is preferably connected to the actuating unit in a non-releasable manner, for example by attaching to the outside of the housing tube.

[0022] The connecting element may preferably have a head that protrudes beyond the lateral dimension of the elongated aperture, and the energy-absorbing element is held against the actuating unit from the outside through this head. The energy-absorbing element is thus held on the actuating unit in a form-fitting and fixed manner.

[0023] It can be configured that the elongated hole is closed in the longitudinal direction, preferably closed on both sides. The final predetermined length of the elongated hole minus the cross-section of the connecting element limits displacement in the longitudinal direction, and thus limits possible offset compensation in the event of a collision. One advantage here is that even in the event of a collision, during and after elongation, the energy-absorbing element, such as the energy-absorbing band, remains on the actuating unit in each direction.

[0024] Alternatively, the elongated aperture can be configured to be open at one end. Since the elongated aperture is open longitudinally toward one end of the energy-absorbing element, a fork-shaped arrangement is formed. One advantage is that, for installation, the connecting element can already be arranged or formed on the actuating unit, and the fork-shaped opening can be easily inserted longitudinally, allowing the connecting element to be pushed into the elongated aperture.

[0025] Because the energy absorption element has a fastening opening, a fixed connector that is fixed in the longitudinal direction can be reliably manufactured at very low cost. The connector is also accommodated in the fastening opening in a form-fit manner without any clearance in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] The energy-absorbing element can be configured to have a deformable band around which a deformable member engages. The deformable band, also known as the energy-absorbing band, can have a strip-shaped web or band, such as a narrow metal strip made of steel or another metal material, or the deformable band can be made of plastic. The deformable band is guided through a passage in the deformable member, which is continuous in the longitudinal direction. The deformable member can be designed as a slider supported on a support unit in the longitudinal direction, the passage engaging around the longitudinal side of the deformable band and preferably smaller than the deformable band in the transverse direction. By means of relative motion, the deformable band is pulled through the passage upon impact and subjected to continuous plastic compression in the longitudinal direction, i.e., deformation upon energy absorption. The passage can be U-shaped, and thus the slider can be externally mounted on the deformable band. This arrangement, essentially described in the already mentioned DE 10 2011 015 140 A1 or DE 10 2016 220 531 A1, can advantageously be constructed more flexibly by means of the invention and has increased functional reliability without additional manufacturing costs.

[0027] It can be configured such that the support unit has a housing unit, which is adjustable in the vertical direction, and the actuating unit is housed within the housing unit. This vertical adjustment can be achieved, for example, by a housing tube of the actuating unit mounted in the forward region and away from the steering wheel in the direction of travel, in a manner known per se, thereby enabling upward and downward pivoting on the support unit about a horizontal pivot axis arranged laterally relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the steering wheel, attached to the rear of the steering spindle, can be height-adjusted.

[0028] The actuation unit may have a shell tube or inner shell, which is arranged in a nested telescopic manner within a shell unit including an outer shell. A steering column with a length-adjustable shell arrangement is known, for example, from the already mentioned DE 10 2016 220 531A1, and the shell arrangement includes a shell tube arranged within the shell unit so that it can be adjusted individually or in multiple nested telescopic manner. An energy absorption device is coupled between the two shells, wherein, due to the invention, greater safety can be achieved in the event of a collision, and improved energy absorption and a more compact design can be achieved through the potentially greater deformation of the energy absorption element. Length adjustment and vertical adjustment can preferably be combined with each other.

[0029] It can be configured such that the support unit has a clamping device that can be brought into a fixed position or a released position, wherein the actuation unit is fixed relative to the support unit in the fixed position and adjustable relative to the support unit in the released position. The telescoping housing can be releasably supported by the clamping device to allow longitudinal adjustment in the released position. If vertical adjustment is provided, the actuation unit can be additionally releasably supported on the support unit to allow vertical adjustment in the released position. This actuation can be performed manually, for example via a manually operable clamping lever that interacts with a known clamping device, such as a V-pulley mechanism, a cam mechanism, or a tilting pin mechanism, to lock the steering wheel adjustment in a driving mode or allow adjustment to suit the driver's position in the released position.

[0030] Alternatively, a motorized adjustment actuator can be arranged between the support unit and the actuation unit. The adjustment actuator can be coupled between the housings for longitudinal adjustment. The adjustment actuator may include, for example, a spindle drive having a spindle nut arranged on a threaded spindle and an electric drive motor, which drives the threaded spindle and spindle nut to rotate relative to each other. This type of adjustment actuator is substantially known from the prior art and is considered reliable and robust. The spindle nut is attached to one housing in a non-displaceable manner in the longitudinal direction, and the threaded spindle is attached to another housing that is nested and telescoping relative to it. The drive motor is used to rotatably drive the spindle nut or threaded spindle via a suitable transmission, such as a worm gear or belt drive, so that the threaded spindle or spindle nut, which is fixed relative to the transmission, translates along the spindle axis, and, depending on the direction of relative rotation, the housings are brought together or moved apart in the longitudinal direction. For vertical adjustment, a similarly configured electric adjustment actuator can be combined between the actuation unit or housing unit and the support unit in the vertical direction. If desired, longitudinal and vertical adjustment actuators can be combined. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The advantageous embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specifically:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the steering column according to the invention is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 Another 3D diagram shows the results based on Figure 1 The steering column,

[0034] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the cutting method based on... Figure 1 The energy absorption device of the steering column,

[0035] Figure 4 Showing from Figure 3 A detailed view of the energy absorption element.

[0036] Figure 5 Another 3D diagram shows the results based on Figure 3 Energy absorption device,

[0037] Figure 6 The evidence shows the normal operating state prior to the collision. Figure 1 A schematic partial side view of the steering column.

[0038] Figure 7 It shows the situation after the collision. Figure 6 A schematic partial side view of a similar steering column.

[0039] Figure 8 A second embodiment of the steering column according to the present invention is illustrated in a schematic perspective view.

[0040] Figure 9 The energy absorption element in the second embodiment is shown as follows. Figure 3 A detailed view within. Detailed Implementation

[0041] In the various figures, the same parts are always given the same reference numerals, and therefore each part is usually named or mentioned only once in each case.

[0042] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The steering column 1 according to the invention is schematically illustrated in a perspective view tilted from the rear (based on the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, not shown).

[0043] The steering column 1 can be fastened to the body of a motor vehicle (not shown) by means of a support unit 2, also known as a bracket. For connection to the body, the support unit 2 includes a fastening device 21, which is designed here as a fastening opening. In the illustrated variant, the support unit 2 is a casting made of a lightweight metal alloy. Alternatively, it is conceivable and possible that the support unit 2 is in the form of a bent sheet metal component.

[0044] The actuation unit 3 includes a steering spindle 30, which is mounted in an inner housing tube 31, also referred to as an inner housing 31, thereby enabling rotation about a longitudinal axis L extending in the longitudinal direction of the inner housing tube 31. A fastening portion 32 for securing a steering wheel (not shown) is formed at the rear of the steering spindle 30 for manual input of steering commands. The inner housing tube 31 is housed and held in an outer housing tube 33, also referred to as a short outer housing, outer housing unit, or housing unit, so that it can be displaced in a telescoping manner in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] To enable vertical adjustment, the housing unit 33 is mounted on the support unit 2 so that it can pivot about the horizontal pivot axis 22, allowing the steering main shaft 30 to move up and down in the vertical direction H, as indicated by the double arrows.

[0046] The adjustment actuator 4, designed as a rotary spindle drive, is used for vertical adjustment and has a drive unit 41. This drive unit 41 has a drive housing 42 on which an electric motor 43, serving as a drive motor, is flanged. A transmission mechanism (not specifically shown) connected to the motor 43 is housed within the drive housing 42 and can be designed, for example, a worm gear transmission. At the output of the transmission mechanism, a threaded spindle 44 can be driven to rotate about its spindle axis. The threaded spindle 44 extends axially relative to the drive housing 42, i.e., along the spindle axis, and the drive housing 42 is partially axially supported on the housing unit 33.

[0047] The threaded spindle 44 is engaged in a spindle nut 45 by means of its external thread, the spindle nut 45 being fixed relative to rotation about the spindle axis G. The spindle nut 45 acts on an actuating rod, which is mounted between the housing unit 33 and the support unit 2 in horizontally spaced-apart bearings. Therefore, the rotational drive of the threaded spindle 44 causes axial linear displacement of the spindle nut 45, and thereby causes adjustment of the actuating rod, thus allowing the housing tube 33 and the actuating unit 3 to be adjusted together in the vertical direction H relative to the support unit 2.

[0048] The second adjustment actuator 5 is configured for longitudinal adjustment and is constructed in principle similar to the spindle actuator. The adjustment actuator includes a drive unit 51, a drive housing 52, a motor 53, a threaded spindle 54, and a spindle nut 55. The drive housing 52 is axially supported on the outer casing 33, the threaded spindle 54 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L, and the spindle nut 55 acts on the casing tube 31 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Due to the activation of the drive unit 51, the inner casing tube 31 can thus retract or extend longitudinally relative to the outer casing 33 in a telescoping manner, as indicated by the double arrows.

[0049] exist Figure 3 China and Israel Figure 2 The view shows the energy absorption device 6 in a schematically cut-out form, in which the outer casing 33 is omitted for clarity. Figure 5 A view from the opposite side is shown, in which the inner shell tube 31 is also omitted. Figure 6 and Figure 7 It shows what happened before the collision ( Figure 6 ) and after the collision ( Figure 7 )of Figure 3 A side view of the device.

[0050] The energy absorption device 6 includes an energy absorption element in the form of a deformable band 61. The deformable band 61 has a strip-shaped deformable portion 62 that extends in the longitudinal direction, and has a fastening portion 63 constructed according to the invention in its rear end region, and a conventional fastening portion 64 in its other front end region. The deformable portion 62 has an energy absorption portion between the fastening portions 63 and 64.

[0051] The fastening parts 63 and 64 are bent so that the fastening parts 63 and 64 rest against the outside of the inner shell tube 31, while the deformed part 62 is a certain distance away from the outer surface of the inner shell tube 31.

[0052] According to the present invention, in Figure 4 The fastening portion 63, shown in enlarged detail, has an elongated hole 65 extending in the longitudinal direction. A connecting element 7, which may be in the form of a rivet or bolt and is movable in the longitudinal direction within the elongated hole 65, extends through the elongated hole 65. The connecting element 7 preferably has a head 71 that protrudes laterally over the elongated hole 65 and thus holds the fastening portion 63 from the outside of the inner housing tube 31 in a form-fitting manner.

[0053] The connecting element 7, which can be longitudinally displaced in the elongated hole 65, forms an offset compensation fastener within the meaning of the present invention, which allows the fastener portion 63 to move relative to the inner shell tube 31 in a manner that is guided in the longitudinal direction.

[0054] The elongated hole 65 and the connecting element 7 are preferably designed such that the elongated hole 65 and the connecting element 7 can move relative to each other with the smallest possible force in the event of a collision, thereby allowing offset compensation displacement according to the invention.

[0055] The elongated hole 65 preferably has a clearance fit relative to the connecting element 7 in at least one portion. Tests have shown that during offset compensation, a clearance fit with a clearance greater than 10 μm has virtually no interference resistance and, in particular, can thus very adequately avoid stick-slip effects.

[0056] A fastening opening 66 is formed in another fastening portion 64, and the passage cross-section of the fastening opening corresponds substantially to the connecting element 7 inserted through the fastening opening without clearance, for example, it is circular like the connecting element, and thus a fixed connection is formed between the deformation band 61 and the inner shell tube 31 of the actuation unit 3, which is also fixed in the longitudinal direction in a form-fit manner.

[0057] A deformable member in the form of a deformable slider 67 is attached to the spindle nut 55, and the deformable member is fastened to the housing 33 via the threaded spindle 54 and the drive housing 52 and is supported in the longitudinal direction.

[0058] The deformable slider 67 has a basic U-shaped shape with two deformable wings 68 that define a longitudinally continuous passage. The deformable slider 67 engages externally around the deformable band 61, allowing the deformable portion 62 to be guided through the passage. The distance between the deformable wings 68 indicating the width of the passage is less than the width of the deformable portion 62 measured laterally relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0059] In the event of a collision, the impact of the body on the steering wheel causes a large force F to act forward longitudinally on the actuator 3, such as... Figure 6 The inner shell tube 31 is schematically indicated in the side view of the actuating unit 3 before the collision. The collision force F causes the inner shell tube 31, together with the deformable band 61, to shift forward relative to the outer shell 33 and the adjusting actuator 5 attached to the outer shell 33. The deformable portion 62 is pushed forward in the longitudinal direction through the passage of the deformable slider 67. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the diagram, the deformable slider 67 is hidden by the spindle nut 55 supported on the adjusting drive 5 and is shown by a dashed line. With the aid of the deformable wing 68, the deformable portions 62 are continuously and laterally plastically compressed together along the length of the deformable portions 62 during the collision, thereby converting kinetic energy into deformation work and absorbing it.

[0060] By continuously extruding together in the transverse direction, the deformed portion 62 not only undergoes plastic deformation in the transverse direction, but also elongates by an amount X in the longitudinal direction, that is, it undergoes plastic extension or plastic elongation in the longitudinal direction, as in... Figure 7 This is shown in the state after the collision. The fixed connection of the front fastening part 64 is fixed in the longitudinal direction. The elongation causes the rear fastening part 63 to move rearward by an offset X. The connecting element 7 can slide along the elongated hole 65 in an offset-compensated manner, so that the fastening part 63 can move rearward relative to the actuating unit 3 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the offset caused by the elongation of the deformable band 61 is compensated, and the bending stress that could cause destructive sagging of the deformable part 62 in the event of a collision does not occur.

[0061] Figure 9 With Figure 4 The same view shows a modification of the invention, wherein the elongated hole 65 is open toward the end of the fastening portion 63, i.e., has an opening 69. Thus, a fork-shaped arrangement structure that is easy to install is formed.

[0062] Figure 8 With Figure 1 A similar view shows a manually adjustable steering column 1, which does not have adjustable drives 5 and 6, but uses the same reference numerals in other respects.

[0063] The outer shell 33 is arranged vertically adjustable between two downwardly projecting side plates 24 in a fork-like shape. By means of a clamping device 8—which can be manually actuated by a clamping rod 81 to a fixed or released position—the side plates 24 are supported in the fixed position by force against the outer shell 33, such that the outer shell 33 is fixed vertically between the side plates 24, while the inner shell 31 is clamped within the outer shell 33 and fixed longitudinally relative to it. In the released position, the support is released, and thus manual adjustment is possible in both the longitudinal and vertical directions.

[0064] As in the first embodiment, which can be adjusted by a motor, the energy absorption device 6 is integrated between the inner shell 31 and the outer shell 33 in terms of its effect in the longitudinal direction. As described, the offset compensation configuration of the fastening of the rear fastening portion 63 of the deformable band 61 can compensate for the elongation X that occurs in the event of a collision, thereby achieving the advantages according to the invention.

[0065] List of reference numerals

[0066] 1. Steering column

[0067] 2 Support Unit

[0068] 21 Fastening device

[0069] 22 Pivot axis

[0070] 24. Cheek plates

[0071] 3 Actuation Unit

[0072] 31 Inner shell tube

[0073] 32 Fastening parts

[0074] 33 Outer casing tube (outer casing)

[0075] 4, 5 Adjust the driver

[0076] 41, 51 drive units

[0077] 42, 52 Drive housing

[0078] 43, 53 motors

[0079] 44 and 54 threaded spindles

[0080] 45, 55 spindle nuts

[0081] 6. Energy Absorption Device

[0082] 61 Deformation zone

[0083] 62 Deformed Part

[0084] 63, 64 Fastening parts

[0085] 65 elongated holes

[0086] 66 Fastening opening

[0087] 67 Deformation slider

[0088] 68 Deformable Wings

[0089] 69 Opening

[0090] 7 Connecting elements

[0091] 71 Head

[0092] 8. Clamping device

[0093] 81 Clamping Rod

[0094] L longitudinal axis

[0095] H Vertical direction

[0096] F Collision force

[0097] X represents the amount of elongation (offset).

Claims

1. A steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, the steering column (1) comprising: The actuation unit (3) has a steering spindle (30) rotatably mounted in the actuation unit (3) about a longitudinal axis (L) extending in the longitudinal direction. A support unit (2) is connected to the vehicle body, and the actuation unit (3) is held in the support unit (2) so as to be displaced in the longitudinal direction; and an energy absorption device (6) is combined between the support unit (2) and the actuation unit (3) and has an elongated energy absorption element (61) and a deformable member (67), the energy absorption element (61) being fastened to the actuation unit (3) or the support unit (2) via fasteners (63, 64, 7), the deformable member (67) interacting with the energy absorption element and attached to the support unit (2) or the actuation unit (3), and causing energy absorption plastic deformation of the energy absorption element (61) in the event of a collision in which the actuation unit (3) and the support unit (2) are displaced relative to each other. The energy-absorbing element (61) is fastened to the actuation unit (3), and the deformable member (67) that interacts with the energy-absorbing element (61) is attached to the support unit (2); or, the energy-absorbing element (61) is fastened to the support unit (2), and the deformable member (67) that interacts with the energy-absorbing element (61) is attached to the actuation unit (3). The fastener has a fixing connector (64) that is fixed in the longitudinal direction. Its features are, The fastener has at least one offset compensation fastening device (63); the offset compensation fastening device (63) has an elongated hole (65) extending along the longitudinal direction, a connecting element (7) extending through the elongated hole (65), and the offset compensation fastening device (63) is designed to be able to shift longitudinally in the event of a collision to compensate for the offset in the longitudinal direction, during which the elongated hole has a clearance fit relative to the connecting element.

2. A steering column according to claim 1, characterised in that The fasteners are arranged in each end region of the energy absorption element (61).

3. A steering column according to any one of claims 1-2, characterised in that The elongated hole (65) is formed in the energy absorption element (61), and the connecting element (7) is fixed to the actuation unit (3).

4. A steering column according to any one of claims 1-2, characterised in that The elongated hole (65) is closed in the longitudinal direction.

5. The steering column of any of claims 1-2, wherein, The elongated hole (65) is open at one end.

6. A steering column according to one of the preceding claims 1-2, characterized in that The energy-absorbing element (61) has a deformable band (62), and the deformable member (67) is engaged around the deformable band (62).

7. A steering column according to one of the preceding claims 1-2, characterized in that The support unit (2) has a shell unit (33) which is adjustable in the vertical direction (H), and the actuation unit (3) is housed in the shell unit (33).

8. A steering column according to claim 7, characterised in that The actuation unit (3) has a shell tube (31) arranged in the shell unit (33) in a nested telescoping manner.

9. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The support unit (2) has a clamping device (8) that can be brought into a fixed position or a released position, wherein the actuation unit (3) is fixed relative to the support unit (2) in the fixed position and can be adjusted relative to the support unit (2) in the released position.

10. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, An electric adjustment driver (4) is arranged between the support unit (2) and the actuation unit (3).

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