Steering column for a motor vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing unit in which a steering spindle is mounted and rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction, and the housing unit comprising at least two housing tubes adjustable relative to each other in a nested telescoping manner in the longitudinal direction. The steering column includes a roller guide having at least one bearing support, the roller guide being radially displaceable on a first housing tube, and at least one roller mounted in the roller guide being rotatable about a roller axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The roller can roll longitudinally on a second housing tube via its outer circumference, wherein a preload device interacts with the bearing support to preload the roller against the second housing tube. The invention proposes that the bearing support be guided on the first housing tube at an inclination relative to the longitudinal axis, and the preload device is designed to apply an axial force to the bearing support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising a housing unit in which a steering spindle is mounted to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction, and the housing unit comprising at least two housing tubes adjustable relative to each other in a nested telescoping manner in the longitudinal direction, the steering column comprising a roller guide having at least one bearing support, the roller guide being radially displaceable on a first housing tube, and at least one roller mounted in the roller guide to be rotatable about a roller axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and the roller being able to roll in the longitudinal direction on a second housing tube through the outer periphery of the roller, wherein a preload device interacts with the bearing support to preload the roller against the second housing tube. Background Technology

[0002] The steering column for a motor vehicle includes a housing unit in which a steering spindle is mounted and rotatable about its longitudinal axis. A steering wheel or another manual steering handle for driver-introduced steering commands is attached to the rearward end of the steering spindle facing the driver in the direction of travel. The housing unit is held in place by a support unit fastened to the vehicle body. The position of the steering wheel relative to the vehicle body can be set by adjusting the housing unit relative to the support unit.

[0003] Longitudinal adjustment is achieved through a nested telescopic configuration of the shell units, in which the steering wheel can be adjusted axially forward or backward relative to the driver's position in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In a simplified embodiment, such a nested telescopic device may include an inner shell tube or an inner shell tube that extends longitudinally into an outer shell tube or an outer shell tube in an axially displaceable manner. In the case of a multiple nested telescopic system, one or more nested telescopic intermediate shell tubes may be additionally inserted between the outer shell tube and the inner shell tube. In addition to longitudinal adjustment, another advantage is that, in the event of a collision, the steering column can retract longitudinally, thus effectively preventing the steering column from penetrating the passenger compartment and causing injury to the occupants.

[0004] To achieve an easily adjustable, yet minimally clearanceable and rigidly rigid, nested telescoping device, prior art, such as US 2019 / 0061804 A1, describes a linear roller guide arranged between adjustable shell tubes. The linear roller guide preferably has multiple rollers, each held in a first shell tube, mounted to rotate about its axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and capable of rolling longitudinally over an adjacent second shell tube via its outer circumference. For example, the first shell tube may be an outer shell tube, and the second shell tube may be an inner or intermediate shell tube arranged in a nested telescoping manner within the outer shell tube. Because at least one roller is mounted in a bearing support that can move radially relative to the first shell tube and withstand radial loads from a preload device, the roller can be preloaded to roll into rolling contact with the second shell tube without clearance.

[0005] Known preload devices include set screws that can be radially screwed into a threaded hole in the first housing tube, and which elastically apply radial preload to the bearing support via a spring element, and thus to the rollers. Advantageously, the radially movable bearing support allows clearance to be eliminated, and this elimination of clearance can be maintained independently by means of the elastic preload. However, a disadvantage is the need for relatively large installation space, thus the preload device can practically only be arranged on the outer housing tube.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to achieve a smaller required installation space and a more flexible layout. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention, the objective is achieved by a steering column having one aspect of its characteristics. Advantageous improvements will become apparent from other aspects.

[0008] In the case of a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column includes a housing unit in which a steering spindle is mounted to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and the housing unit includes at least two housing tubes that are adjustable relative to each other in a nested telescoping manner in the longitudinal direction. The steering column includes a roller guide having at least one bearing support, the roller guide being radially displaceable on a first housing tube, and at least one roller in the roller guide being rotatable about a roller axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The roller can roll in the longitudinal direction on a second housing tube through its outer circumference. A preload device interacts with the bearing support to preload the roller against the second housing tube. According to the invention, the bearing support is guided on the first housing tube at an inclination toward the longitudinal axis, and the preload device is designed to apply an axial force to the bearing support.

[0009] This invention provides a guiding device by which a bearing support is guided relative to a first housing tube at an inclination toward the longitudinal axis. In this respect, the bearing support on the first housing tube is preferably guided along a guide track in a form-fit manner, the guide track being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis as viewed in the axial direction, i.e., forming an inclination angle α (alpha), where 0° < α < 90°. The guide track may have a linear profile, at least in some portions, or a curved profile. If the bearing support moves in the longitudinal direction, i.e., axially relative to the first housing tube, the inclined form-fit guidance generates a radial motion component, wherein the roller moves radially inward or outward transversely to its roller axis. Corresponding to the deflection in the direction of motion, the introduced axial force is also converted into a radial force acting on the bearing support and capable of radially pressing the roller into rolling contact with the second housing tube. This allows for the realization of a preloaded roller guide with no clearance.

[0010] According to the present invention and as described above, since the preload device includes a deflection device, the preload device can be primarily designed to generate axial force. A suitable force-generating device can be arranged in the axial direction, thus enabling an axial structure with a small size in the radial direction and requiring a smaller overall installation space.

[0011] Another fundamental advantage of the axial structure of the preload device according to the invention is that the bearing support and the preload device as a whole can be arranged within a given shell cross-section, for example, within the outer shell in the prior art example mentioned in the introduction. Compared to the prior art, it is also possible that the shell wall does not need to be radially interrupted to accommodate the preload device, and therefore no additional radial mounting space is required on the side of the bearing support or the first shell radially away from the preload rollers. This allows, for the first time, the roller guides of one or more intermediate shells or inner shells located within the outer shell of a telescoping device to be set without clearance, without occupying mounting space on the outer side of the outer shell.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the preload device allows for a defined force transmission ratio that specifies a force-distance relationship, through which the axial force introduced via a given axial distance is converted into a radial force acting on the radial distance of the bearing support. In this case, the product of force and distance is essentially constant, where a tilt angle α = 45° corresponds to a 1:1 transmission. Shallower tilt angles α < 45° have a greater effect on the radial force relative to the axial force. This means that a relatively small axial force is required to radially press the rollers against the second housing tube with sufficient preload. Correspondingly, a force generating device with smaller dimensions and saving installation space can be used.

[0013] By using the tilt direction of the guide members of the bearing support, it is possible to specify whether the introduced axial force subjectes the bearing support to a radially outward or inward load. In this case, it holds true that when the tilt angle α—viewed along the direction of the axial force—widens, the bearing support will expand radially outward due to the axial force; that is, the rollers or rollers are preloaded radially outward. Correspondingly, when the axial force is applied along the direction of the converging tilt angle α, the rollers can be subjected to a radially inward load.

[0014] Preferably, the bearing support and the first housing tube may be configured with corresponding tapered guide surfaces. The tapered guide surfaces, also called wedges or conical surfaces, form a wedge-shaped arrangement as viewed in a longitudinal section, wherein they are inclined at an angle α toward the longitudinal axis, the angle corresponding to half the cone angle. The guide surfaces preferably have corresponding inner and outer conical surfaces, coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and each of the inner and outer conical surfaces preferably extends at least in a circumferential portion. The conical surfaces on the first housing tube and the bearing support are axially positioned relative to each other such that they can slide against each other at least in certain portions. For example, an outer cone may be formed on the first housing tube, pressed into the corresponding inner cone of the bearing support by an axial force. This allows the bearing support to be radially extended, and the rollers or rollers mounted on the bearing support to be preloaded radially outward against the inner wall of the second housing tube. The advantages of tapered guide surfaces are that they can be manufactured at a lower cost and can be integrated into bearing supports and housings. Furthermore, the device is reliable and easy to assemble.

[0015] It is also conceivable and possible to arrange an inner cone on the first shell tube and an outer cone extending into the inner cone on the bearing support. The axial force allows the bearing support to be subjected to a radially inward load, so that the rollers or rollers press radially outward against the second shell tube arranged inside the first shell tube.

[0016] The wedge-shaped or tapered guide surface preferably has a linear or curved profile, that is, the cross-section of the guide surface follows a linear or curved profile. Therefore, the preload behavior of the device according to the invention can be easily adapted to requirements.

[0017] Advantageously, at least one guide surface can be plastically formed on the shell tube. The tapered guide surfaces can be integrally formed on the shell tube by plastically shaping the tube wall, for example by means of cold forming or hot forming such as pressing, forging, shot peening, etc. At least in the region of the guide surface, the shell tube can preferably be made of a metallic material, preferably steel, which allows for efficient plastic forming. The advantage of plastic forming is lower production costs. Furthermore, advantageous material hardening can be induced. Rework can be achieved, for example, by grinding, where appropriate.

[0018] It is possible to form at least one guide surface on the outer side of the inner shell tube or the inner side of the outer shell tube. Therefore, corresponding guide surfaces are arranged on the inner or outer side of the bearing support. For ease of construction, reliability, and low manufacturing costs, it is advantageous to integrally form the guide surfaces on the shell tube and / or the bearing support, for example, in the form of conical or wedge-shaped surfaces.

[0019] One advantageous embodiment can be achieved by having a bearing support member with an annular shape and arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis in at least some portions. For example, the bearing support member may include a guide surface that is continuous throughout the circumference or formed in certain portions, such as a conical or wedge-shaped surface as described above. In this respect, an inner cone can be implemented, so that the bearing support member is radially widened or expanded by a corresponding outer cone subjected to axial force loads on the first housing tube, and the rollers or rollers are radially preloaded against the inner wall of a second housing tube surrounding the first housing tube. To achieve the desired radial widening, the bearing support member may have a radially deformable annular support member or support member body. For this purpose, the bearing support member may have an open annular shape, i.e., an annular support member or support member body interrupted in the circumferential direction. For example, the bearing support member may have a C-shaped basic shape or segmented annular portions. The bearing support member itself may preferably be elastically deformable, so that the free limbs can be bent radially inward or outward, thereby changing the diameter of the bearing body. In each case, one or more rollers can be mounted on a single bearing support, or distributed across multiple bearing supports, preferably circumferentially. The annular bearing support can be assembled at low cost, wherein the rollers and guide surfaces are optimally positioned when mounted on the first housing.

[0020] Alternatively, or as an alternative to interruption, the annular body or support body may include at least one circumferential portion that is continuous in the circumferential direction but deformable, for example, by means of a portion that is thinned in a membrane manner. This also allows the diameter of the bearing support to be modified for preload purposes.

[0021] It can be configured such that at least one roller is held radially elastically by a bearing support. For example, as in the preceding embodiments, the bearing support itself can be radially elastic. Alternatively, or additionally, the rotating bearing of the roller can be arranged radially elastically within the bearing support, so that the roller can move elastically relative to the bearing support. Due to the radially elastic bearing, the radial preload acting on the roller or rollers can be generated by the bearing support, thereby achieving a simple construction without the need for additional force-generating devices.

[0022] Preferably, multiple rollers can be arranged circumferentially. Preferably, at least two, and preferably three or more, rollers evenly distributed circumferentially provide the advantages of a uniform guide with no clearance and capable of withstanding high loads, as well as the high rigidity of the housing unit. Three rollers allow for advantageous independent centering of the roller guide.

[0023] An advantageous embodiment may be configured such that an axially fixed, radially projecting opposing support is attached to the shell tube, and a bearing support is axially supported against the opposing support. The bearing support may be supported against the opposing support on its axial side away from the first shell tube. An elastic preload element, such as an axially acting spring element, may be inserted with a preload force between the opposing support and the associated bearing support, thus applying its spring force as an axial force to the bearing support. To reliably support the axial force, the opposing support may be attached to the shell tube in a form-fit manner, for example, in the form of a retaining ring, which may engage in a form-fit manner with a groove formed in the circumference of the first shell tube by means of a snap-fit ​​action. The spring element may be axially arranged between the opposing support and the bearing support. This spring element forms an elastic force generating or preload element and may preferably be annular and coaxially arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis, for example in the form of a helical spring, leaf spring, corrugated spring, etc., or as a spring assembly consisting of multiple axially stacked spring elements. This device can be accommodated in the annular gap between the first and second shell tubes, thus enabling an advantageously compact structure. In this respect, the first shell tube can be arranged inside the second shell tube, so that the rollers or rollers are preloaded radially outward against the inner side of the second shell tube and in rolling contact with it. Alternatively, the rollers can be preloaded inward against the outer side of the second shell tube arranged inside the first shell tube.

[0024] An advantageous improvement could be that two axial bearing supports are axially spaced apart on the shell tube in a mirror manner. In the mirror plane of the mirror assembly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the axial forces applied to the two bearing supports point towards each other. Therefore, assembly can be easily achieved by placing the bearing supports at the free ends of the first shell tube. Since the two bearing supports, and thus the two preload devices, are axially spaced apart from each other, a high bending stiffness of the shell unit can be advantageously achieved.

[0025] Advantageously, the first shell tube is an inner shell tube, and the rollers are preloaded radially outward against the outer shell tube. In this case, the inner shell tube forms the first shell tube within the sense of the invention and can be an inner or intermediate shell tube arranged within and coaxially with the outer shell tube, while the outer shell tube forms the second shell tube and can be an outer shell tube or another intermediate shell tube. In any case, the rollers or multiple rollers are preloaded radially outward against the inner wall of the outer or intermediate shell tube surrounding the inner shell tube. The axial structure of the preload device according to the invention allows the roller guide of the inner shell tube to be preloaded, which is not possible in the prior art. This advantageously allows for increased rigidity of the shell unit, even for multiple nested telescopic devices, or when mounting space on the outer side of the outer shell tube should not be occupied.

[0026] It is also conceivable and possible that the first shell tube is the outer shell tube, and the rollers are preloaded radially outward against the inner shell tube. In this respect, the outer shell tube forms the first shell tube, and can be an outer shell tube or an intermediate shell tube, wherein the inner shell tube or intermediate shell tube is arranged as the second shell tube. This leads to a wider range of possible applications.

[0027] The shell unit may have three or more nested telescopic shell tubes. Thus, a multi-nested telescopic system is formed, wherein one or more intermediate shell tubes are arranged in a nested telescopic manner between the outer and inner shell tubes. According to the invention, one or more shell tubes can each interact with at least one bearing support. This also allows for pre-tensioning of the internal roller guides, thereby increasing the rigidity of the shell unit of the multi-nested telescopic device.

[0028] Advantageously, the bearing support may include a molded plastic component. This molded plastic component can take the form of a support body for the roller and may include a swivel bearing for the roller. Such a swivel bearing can preferably be formed as a single piece, for example, integrally molded, for example, in the form of a bearing opening for the roller's journal or a journal engaging an opening in the roller. The plastic allows for a smooth-running bearing system, for example, for metal journals or roller pins, which requires no maintenance. Furthermore, the plastic guide surface can reliably and easily slide on a corresponding guide surface on a first housing tube, preferably made of a metal material such as steel. Another advantage is that the sufficiently elastic plastic allows for elastic deformation of the bearing support when the roller is preloaded.

[0029] Preferably, the bearing support may comprise a one-piece plastic injection molded component or may be in the form of a one-piece plastic injection molded component, which can be effectively manufactured by plastic injection molding.

[0030] The shell tube can have a circular or polygonal cross-section, such as triangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal, or octagonal. In the case of a circular cross-section, the guiding surface can have a tapered lateral surface portion. In the case of a polygonal cross-section, the guiding surface can be wedge-shaped and have a flat portion. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Advantageous embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

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

[0033] Figure 2 It shows that according to Figure 1 A schematic 3D view showing a partially open steering column.

[0034] Figure 3 It shows crossing according to Figure 1 The longitudinal section of the steering column,

[0035] Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 3 The cross-section of BB,

[0036] Figure 5 It shows that according to Figure 3 The cross section DD. Detailed Implementation

[0037] In the various figures, the same parts are always represented by the same reference numerals, and therefore will usually be named or mentioned only once in each case.

[0038] Figure 1 The steering column 1 according to the invention is shown in a side view relative to the direction of travel, wherein the direction of travel points to the right. Figure 2 A perspective view tilted from the front is shown.

[0039] The steering column 1 has a housing unit 2, which has an inner housing tube 21 that extends along the longitudinal axis L in the longitudinal direction and is arranged in an intermediate housing tube 22 and is arranged coaxially with the intermediate housing tube 22 in a longitudinally overlapping manner. The intermediate housing tube for a component is also arranged in an outer housing tube 23 and is arranged coaxially with the outer housing tube 23 in a longitudinally overlapping manner. The outer housing tube is also simply referred to as the outer housing 23.

[0040] The steering spindle 3 is mounted in the housing unit 2 so as to be able to rotate about the longitudinal axis L. Figure 1 and Figure 2Located at the rear end in the direction of travel and pointing to the left, the steering spindle 3 has a fastening portion 31 for attaching a steering wheel (not shown) or another manual steering handle.

[0041] An electrically operated adjustment drive 4, in the form of a spindle drive, is arranged between the inner shell tube 21 and the outer shell tube 23. The adjustment drive includes a drive unit 41 fixed to the outer shell tube 23 and having a spindle nut—not explicitly shown—that can be driven by an electric motor to rotate about a threaded axis, and a threaded spindle 42 is engaged in the spindle nut. The threaded spindle 42 is rotatably fixed to the inner shell tube 21 via its free end for fixation in the longitudinal direction. The rotational drive of the spindle nut allows the threaded spindle 42 to be moved forward or backward relative to the drive unit 41 depending on the direction of rotation, such as... Figure 1 As indicated by the double-headed arrow. Therefore, the inner shell tube 21 and the intermediate shell tube 22 can retract or extend in a nested telescoping manner relative to the outer shell 23 in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] Two implementations of the pre-tightening device 5 according to the invention are attached between the inner shell tube 21 and the intermediate shell tube 22. These implementations have the same structure and are arranged axially spaced apart, and have a mirror form relative to a mirror plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. For the purpose of better illustration, Figure 2 In the middle, in with Figure 1 In the same view, the intermediate shell tube 22 has been omitted, allowing the interior to be seen. Figure 3 A longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis L is shown, and Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 3 The cross section DD.

[0043] The preload device 5 has a corresponding bearing support 51, which is annular and coaxially arranged with the longitudinal axis L. The bearing support can have an open annular shape, such as a C-shape with a continuous gap 52. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, a closed annular shape can also be formed, wherein the gap 52 is bridged in the circumferential direction by a circumferential elastic compensation element 53, such as a deformable part, a spring element, etc.

[0044] Three rollers 6 are mounted in the bearing support 5 so as to be able to rotate about their roller pins 61, which are tangential to the circumference and transverse to the longitudinal axis L. Through their outer circumference, the rollers 6 abut against the inner wall of the intermediate shell tube 22 and can roll on it in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] The bearing support 51 has a guide surface in the form of an inner cone 54 coaxial with the longitudinal axis L. The inner cone axially abuts against a corresponding guide surface in the form of an outer cone 24 formed on the inner shell tube 21. According to the invention, these tapered guide surfaces 54 and 24 have an inclination slope toward the longitudinal axis L, particularly... Figure 3 The tilt angle α depicted in the figure corresponds to half of the cone angle of the inner cone 54 or the outer cone 24, respectively.

[0046] On its axially outer end face away from the inner cone 54, the bearing support 51 is axially supported in the longitudinal direction by a spring element 55 against an opposing support 56 attached to the inner shell tube 21, so as to be fixed in the longitudinal direction. The opposing support 56 may be formed, for example, by a radially outwardly projecting retaining ring attached to the inner shell tube 21 and, for example, latched into a retaining groove in a form-fit manner, thus being firmly fixed to the intermediate shell tube 22 in the longitudinal direction.

[0047] The spring element 55 may preferably include a coaxial, annular, axially acting spring, such as a leaf spring, a corrugated spring, or a spring assembly consisting of multiple axially stacked springs.

[0048] Spring element 55 forms a force-generating element and is axially supported on opposing support 56 for this purpose, and is preloaded to apply an elastic axial force to bearing support 51. This axial force presses the inner cone 54 axially against the outer cone 24 on the intermediate shell tube 22, as... Figure 4 As indicated by the middle arrow, the tapered or wedge-shaped action converts the axial force into a radial force, which causes the bearing support 51 to expand or widen radially. In this process, the roller 6 is subjected to a radially outward load and is therefore preloaded against the inner wall of the intermediate shell tube 22 in a rolling contact manner.

[0049] like Figure 3 As can be seen, the two preload devices 5 are arranged axially spaced in a mirror manner. The axial forces act in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows pointing towards each other.

[0050] In the example shown, the intermediate shell tube 22 has a polygonal, particularly octagonal, cross-section. The inner shell tube 21, which has a nesting expansion and contraction function, has a circular cross-section, but this cross-section can also be octagonal.

[0051] like Figure 3 neutralization Figure 5As shown in the cross-section, the intermediate shell tube 22 is also linearly guided in the outer shell tube 23 by a roller bearing arrangement. The outer shell includes rollers 71 mounted to be rotatable in each case about roller pins 72 transverse to the longitudinal direction L in the bearing support 73. Since the bearing support 73 is radially guided and spring-loaded in the outer shell tube 23, a preloaded roller bearing guide with no clearance can be produced.

[0052] The bearing support 51 can preferably be made of plastic, and is preferably in the form of a one-piece plastic injection molded part. As mentioned above, it can itself be radially flexible, so that it can be radially widened to apply preload to the roller 6. The roller pin 61 can be made of a metallic material, such as steel.

[0053] The shell tubes 21, 22, and 23 can preferably be made of metallic materials such as steel, aluminum alloy, etc. In this respect, the outer cone 24 can be formed as a single piece on the inner shell tube 21 by plastic forming, for example by internal high-pressure forming.

[0054] List of reference numerals

[0055] 1 Steering column

[0056] 2 shell units

[0057] 21 Internal Shell Tube

[0058] 22 intermediate shell tube

[0059] 23 Outer shell tube

[0060] 24 outer cone

[0061] 3 steering spindles

[0062] 31 Fastening parts

[0063] 4 Adjustment drive device

[0064] 41 drive units

[0065] 42 threaded spindle

[0066] 5. Pre-tightening device

[0067] 51 Bearing Support

[0068] 52 gap

[0069] 53 Compensation Components

[0070] 54 inner cone

[0071] 55 spring element

[0072] 56 opposing supports

[0073] 6 rollers

[0074] 61 roller pin

[0075] 7 Roller Bearing Arrangement

[0076] 71 Roller

[0077] 72 roller pin

[0078] 73 Bearing Support

[0079] L longitudinal axis

[0080] α tilt angle

Claims

1. A steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising a housing unit (2), a steering spindle (3) mounted in the housing unit (2) rotatable about a longitudinal axis (L) extending in a longitudinal direction, and the housing unit (2) comprising at least two housing tubes (21, 22, 23) adjustable relative to each other in a nested telescoping manner in the longitudinal direction, the steering column comprising a roller guide having at least one bearing support (51), the roller guide being radially displaceable on a first housing tube (21), and at least one roller (6) mounted in the roller guide being rotatable about a roller axis (61) transverse to the longitudinal axis (L), and the roller (6) being rollable along the longitudinal direction on a second housing tube (22) via the outer periphery of the roller, wherein, The preload device (5) interacts with the bearing support (51) to preload the roller (6) against the second housing tube (22). Its features are, The bearing support (51) is guided on the first housing tube (21) at an inclination toward the longitudinal axis (L), and the preload device (5) is designed to apply an axial force to the bearing support (51).

2. The steering column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing support (51) and the first shell tube (21) have corresponding tapered guide surfaces (54, 24).

3. The steering column according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least one guiding surface (24) is plastically formed on the first shell tube (21).

4. The steering column according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that, At least one tapered guide surface (24) is formed on the outer side of the inner shell tube or the inner side of the outer shell tube.

5. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The bearing support (51) has an annular shape and is arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis (L) in at least some portions.

6. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, At least one roller (6) is held radially elastically by the bearing support (51).

7. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Multiple rollers (6) are distributed in the circumferential direction.

8. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, An axially fixed, radially protruding opposing support (56) is attached to the first shell tube (21), and a bearing support (51) is axially supported against the opposing support (56).

9. The steering column according to claim 8, characterized in that, A spring element (55) is axially arranged between the opposing support (56) and the bearing support (51).

10. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The two bearing supports (51) are axially spaced apart on the first housing tube (21) in a mirror manner.

11. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first shell tube (21) is the inner shell tube (21), and the roller (6) is radially outwardly offset against the outer shell tube.

12. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The shell unit (2) includes three or more nested telescopic shell tubes (21, 22, 23).

13. The steering column according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The bearing support (51) comprises a molded plastic component.

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