Steering column for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, which comprises a guide box (2), a steering shaft (21) is supported in the guide box in a manner of rotating around a longitudinal axis (22) extending in the longitudinal direction, and the guide box is accommodated in a box-shaped rocker arm (3) in a manner of being adjustable in the longitudinal direction (L). A longitudinal adjustment drive (5) is arranged between the guide box (2) and the box-shaped rocker arm (3), and a height adjustment drive (6) is arranged between the box-shaped rocker arm (3) and the support unit (4), and wherein a limiting device (7) is provided for limiting the longitudinal adjustment drive (5) and the height adjustment drive (6). The limiting device is configured to limit the height adjustment of the box rocker arm (3) relative to the supporting unit (4) according to the longitudinal adjustment of the guide box (2) relative to the box rocker arm (3). In order to limit the height adjustment more reliably and more simply, the limiting device (7) is provided with a blocking element (71), the blocking element is supported on the box-shaped rocker arm (3) in a mode of moving between a locking position and a releasing position, the blocking element limits the height adjustment of the box-shaped rocker arm (3) relative to the supporting unit (4) in the locking position, and the blocking element limits the height adjustment of the box-shaped rocker arm (3) relative to the supporting unit (4) in the releasing position. And in the release position, the height adjustment of the box rocker arm (3) relative to the support unit (4) is released.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of steering column for motor vehicles. BACKGROUND

[0002] This type of steering column for motor vehicles has a steering shaft, on the end of the steering shaft which is behind the driving direction and which faces the driver, a steering input device is mounted, for example a steering wheel for inputting a manual steering command by the driver. The steering shaft is rotatably supported in a guide box around a longitudinal axis which extends in the longitudinal direction. The guide box is longitudinally adjustable accommodated in a box rocker in the longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal axis. The box rocker is held by a support unit which can be mounted on the automobile body in its side in a height-adjustable manner in a height direction which points transversely to the longitudinal direction.

[0003] By longitudinal adjustment and height adjustment, the steering column can be selectively set into a steering region or a comfort region, in which manual steering input is possible, or into a stowage position, in which the steering input device is disposed outside the steering region, for example in order to be able to use the vehicle interior otherwise in autonomous driving or in a parked state. In the manual driving state, the guide box together with the steering shaft can be telescopically extended out of the box rocker into the steering region by longitudinal adjustment towards the driver position, i.e. behind with respect to the driving direction. For height adjustment, the box rocker can be adjusted upwards or downwards with respect to the support unit. In order to set into the stowage position, the guide box can be retracted into the box rocker to the greatest extent away from the driver position in the longitudinal direction and adjusted to the greatest extent upwards in the height direction, so that the steering input device can be disposed as far as possible outside the steering region.

[0004] For height adjustment and longitudinal adjustment, height adjustment drive means and longitudinal adjustment drive means are provided, which are configured as motorized adjustment drive means, for example as electrically drivable spindle drive means.

[0005] The height adjustment and the longitudinal adjustment each have a possible maximum adjustment range which is given by the maximum height adjustment travel of the height adjustment drive and the maximum longitudinal adjustment travel of the longitudinal adjustment drive. It is particularly advantageous in the stowage region for the height adjustment likewise to be adjusted to the maximum possible extent in the case of the longitudinal adjustment being retracted to the maximum extent in order to release the foot space below the steering column as much as possible. However, in the operating region, i.e. in the case of the longitudinal adjustment being extended, when the steering column is adjusted so close to the dashboard that a collision or jamming can occur, maximum adjustment of the height adjustment can be problematic at this point. In order to avoid this, it is proposed in US 2015 / 0239488 A1 for the height adjustment to be limited in the operating region depending on the longitudinal adjustment. Here, an electrical limitation is achieved by corresponding electrical control of the motorised adjustment drives such that, in the extended operating region, the height adjustment is only permitted within a permissible height adjustment range section, the electrical limitation being effected.

[0006] The aforementioned purely electrical limitation of the height adjustment has the disadvantage that the maintenance of the limitation cannot be ensured in the event of a fault in the electrical control. Furthermore, large forces acting externally on the steering shaft must be completely absorbed by the height adjustment drive when, for example, supported or held on the steering wheel, when the body impacts in a collision, or when force is applied as a result of a mistake, which requires high outlay.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the task of the present invention is to achieve a limitation of the height adjustment in a more reliable and simpler manner. Invention content

[0008] According to the invention, the task is achieved by a steering column.

[0009] In a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprises a guide box in which a steering shaft is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction, and the guide box is adjustably accommodated in a box-shaped rocker in a longitudinal direction, the box-shaped rocker being held by a support unit in an adjustable manner in a height direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein a longitudinal adjustment drive is arranged between the guide box and the box-shaped rocker, and a height adjustment drive is arranged between the box-shaped rocker and the support unit, and wherein a limitation device is provided, which is configured to limit the height adjustment of the box-shaped rocker relative to the support unit depending on the longitudinal adjustment of the guide box relative to the box-shaped rocker, according to the invention, the limitation device has a blocking element which is supported on the box-shaped rocker in a movable manner between a blocking position and a release position, wherein the blocking element limits the height adjustment of the box-shaped rocker relative to the support unit in the blocking position and releases the height adjustment of the box-shaped rocker relative to the support unit in the release position.

[0010] The mechanical limiting device according to the application makes it possible to switch between a locked position and a release position. Specifically, for this purpose the blocking element can be moved selectively into the locked position or the release position relative to the box rocker. In the locked position the height adjustment is mechanically limited to a range section of the possible maximum height adjustment travel.

[0011] In the release position the box rocker can be adjusted in the height direction over the possible entire height adjustment travel, which is also referred to synonymously as the height adjustment range. The height adjustment can be carried out between the end portions of this maximum height adjustment travel, wherein end stops can be provided as appropriate, which delimit the height adjustment range upward and downward.

[0012] In the locked position the blocking element is arranged within the possible maximum height adjustment travel for the height adjustment such that the blocking element is mechanically stopped on the support unit or on a part mechanically connected to the support unit in the limiting position when the height of the box rocker is adjusted. By the blocking element being arranged with a spacing in the height adjustment direction from the end portion, for example the upper end portion, of the possible maximum height adjustment travel, a limiting position is achieved by the mechanical stop on the blocking element, which limits the maximum height adjustment travel. As a result, the height adjustment of the box rocker relative to the support unit is mechanically limited, for example upward. In other words, by the blocking element being in the locked position, the height adjustment travel is positively locked by a mechanical blocking in the limiting position. A locking region or exclusion region beyond the limiting position cannot be set any more. Accordingly, in the locked position the height adjustment is only possible within the range section of the permitted height adjustment, which is mechanically limited by the blocking element.

[0013] In an advantageous refinement the blocking element can be displaced between the locked position and the release position by means of electrical and / or magnetic and / or electromechanical and / or mechanical and / or electromagnetic means.

[0014] A possible design of these means can be, for example, the integration of an electric motor, which is activated by external control pulses. This motor can displace the blocking element directly or by means of a certain mechanism in order to switch it between the different positions.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally to this, magnetic means can be used, which influence the blocking element by laying or removing a magnetic field. This can be achieved, for example, by an electromagnetic actuator, which is dependent on a control signal.

[0016] Another alternative or additional possibility consists in integrating an electromechanical device which uses a combination of electrical and mechanical elements to move the blocking element. This can be, for example, an electromagnetically controlled mechanism which is activated by a voltage.

[0017] Thus, by integrating different combinations of the electrical, magnetic, electromechanical, mechanical or electromagnetic devices into the structure, the displacement of the blocking element can be flexible and adapted to specific requirements.

[0018] Preferably, the blocking element cooperates with the guide box in such a way that the blocking element is displaceable by the guide box between a locking position and a release position at an operating position relative to the box-shaped rocker arm when longitudinal adjustment is made.

[0019] The operation of the mechanical limiting device is achieved by a coupled cooperation of the guide box with the blocking element. For this purpose it can be provided that, when longitudinal adjustment of the guide box is made, at a defined operating position, or when the operating position is adjusted beyond, the movement relative to the guide box is converted into a displacement of the blocking element. For example, in a region of the guide box which extends out of the box-shaped rocker arm in a longitudinal direction relatively far into a region of operation or comfort, the blocking element can be arranged in a locking position in order to limit the height adjustment. If the guide box is retracted into the box-shaped rocker arm from the region of operation into a stowed region, the guide box can operate the limiting device when reaching or passing a predetermined operating position relative to the box-shaped rocker arm in order to bring the blocking element into a release position. Thereby the limitation of the height adjustment is cancelled and this can enable the guide box to be adjusted in height to the maximum beyond the limiting position defined by the blocking element in the locking position. In this way, the steering column can be stowed, for example, space-savingly. Conversely, when the guide box extends out of the box-shaped rocker arm to the operating position, the limiting device can move the blocking element from the release position into the locking position by the guide box.

[0020] The advantage of the limiting device according to the application is that the height adjustment travel is reliably mechanically limited by the mechanical stop on the blocking element. The form-fitting mechanical stop ensures that the necessary limitation of the height adjustment range is ensured even in the event of an occasional fault in the electric adjustment drive. Another advantage is that even relatively high external forces, for example by holding or support, or body impact in the event of a collision, which are applied to the steering input, can be completely absorbed by the blocking element in the limiting device. Since in the prior art these external forces cannot or cannot be completely intercepted by the adjustment drive, violent adjustment of the steering column is possible, or the adjustment drive must have an expensive brake device or the like. This structural disadvantage in the prior art can be reliably and with relatively little outlay avoided in the application. Thus, the risk of a collision or jamming of the steering column with the dashboard can be effectively avoided.

[0021] Advantageously, the guide box is coupled with the blocking element in a force-locked manner. In this embodiment, an operation of the guide box for longitudinal adjustment causes the blocking element to be displaced in a force-locked manner. It is preferably provided that the guide box forces the limiting device to be operated when the guide box reaches a defined operating position relative to the box rocker during adjustment, or is adjusted beyond this operating position. It is thereby preferably possible for the blocking element to be moved from the locked position into the released position in one adjustment direction, and vice versa in the opposite adjustment direction. In this way, the mechanical limitation of the height adjustment can be activated automatically depending on the longitudinal adjustment when the guide box is adjusted. Here, it is advantageous to implement the function independently of the electrical control device.

[0022] A preferred embodiment is that the guide box is coupled with the blocking element in a mechanical manner. Thereby, a mechanical, preferably fully mechanical, operating device can be implemented for the limiting device. It is preferably provided that, when longitudinal adjustment is carried out, at a defined operating position relative to the guide box, the guide box directly or indirectly exerts an operating force on the blocking element, which causes the blocking element to be moved from the released position into the locked position, or vice versa. This can be implemented in an advantageous manner by a purely mechanical coupling, for example by a mechanical turning device, which is configured to convert the longitudinal movement of the guide box into a displacement of the blocking element, which is oriented transversely to the longitudinal movement. This mechanical coupling has the advantage that it reliably works in the event of a random failure of the electrical system, and can be implemented with less outlay, for example by a simple wedge mechanism or lever mechanism.

[0023] It is possible for the blocking element to be displaceable on the box rocker transversely to the longitudinal axis. During height adjustment, the longitudinal axis of the box rocker and thus of the steering axle moves up and down relative to the support unit. The blocking element can be positioned in the locked position relative to the box rocker such that it protrudes radially from the longitudinal axis and can mechanically stop the support unit or a part connected to the support unit in the height direction.

[0024] It can be provided that the blocking element is movably radial through the box rocker and can form a mechanical action engagement with an operating contour configured on the radial outside of the guide box. The movably radial blocking element can be moved inward toward the guide box and outward away from the guide box transversely to the longitudinal axis. The blocking element abuts from the outside onto the operating contour. The operating contour constitutes an operating member which is configured to exert an operating force on the blocking element oriented transversely to the longitudinal movement of the guide box when the guide box is moved longitudinally. For example, the operating contour can extend in the longitudinal direction and have grooves, protrusions or the like projecting and / or retracting transversely to the longitudinal direction, by which the operating force can be exerted on the blocking element in mechanical contact. The blocking element follows the radial course of the operating contour as in a slide guide and is moved radially here in accordance with the longitudinal adjustment of the guide box relative to the box rocker. Thereby, the blocking element can be moved purely mechanically inward or outward into the blocking position or the release position.

[0025] It is possible that the blocking element is spring-loaded relative to the guide box. Thereby, the blocking element can be kept in elastic action engagement with the operating contour, so that the blocking element is automatically switched between the blocking position and the release position by the spring force and the operating force acting counter to the spring force when the guide box is adjusted longitudinally.

[0026] The limitation of the height adjustment can be realized in that the blocking element in the blocking position projects outward beyond the box rocker and in the release position is flush with the box rocker. In the blocking position, the blocking element projects radially out so much that it projects outward transversely to the longitudinal axis so much that the blocking element can mechanically stop the support unit or a part connected with the support unit. In the release position, in contrast, the blocking element is retracted in the direction of the box rocker, wherein "flush" means that the blocking element is retracted relative to the box rocker so much that the box rocker can be moved freely past.

[0027] It is preferably provided that the blocking element in the blocking position can directly or indirectly stop the support unit transversely to the longitudinal axis.

[0028] It is possible that the height adjustment drive can have an adjustment lever which is articulated between the support unit and the box rocker and which can be blocked in a locked position by a blocking element. The adjustment lever is pivotably supported on the support unit and the box rocker about an articulation axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis and transverse to the height direction. A motorized adjustment drive, for example a spindle drive, of the height adjustment drive engages on the adjustment lever. A motorized pivoting of the adjustment lever can cause a height adjustment of the box rocker relative to the support unit. Since the swing lever is positively connected with the box rocker and the support unit, a blocking of the movement of the swing lever results in a blocking of the relative movement of the box rocker and the support unit, in turn resulting in a limitation of the height adjustment range. An advantage of this device is that the blocking element can be positioned flexibly on the box rocker.

[0029] The box rocker is pivotably supported on the support unit about a height adjustment axis which is likewise transverse to the longitudinal axis and transverse to the height direction and which is spaced apart from the adjustment lever in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] In order to realize a multiple telescoping, at least one intermediate housing which can be adjusted relative thereto along the longitudinal direction can be arranged between the box rocker and the guide box. The blocking element can pass through the intermediate housing. It is possible, for example, that a first locking element and a second locking element are supported on the intermediate housing with an axial spacing from one another, wherein the first locking element cooperates with the blocking element and can be selectively brought into a first locking position or a first release position relative to the intermediate housing, in which the first locking element is fixed relative to the box rocker, wherein the second locking element can be selectively brought into a second locking position or a second release position relative to the intermediate housing. In this way, a controlled adjustment of the multiple telescoping can be realized mechanically by a longitudinal adjustment of the guide box. The locking elements can comprise locking balls or the like which are movable transverse to the longitudinal adjustment direction and which can cooperate with operating contours or the like on the guide box, the intermediate housing and the box rocker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The advantageous embodiments of the application are explained in detail below with the aid of the drawings.

[0032] are shown in detail:

[0033] Figure 1 A steering column according to the application is shown in three dimensions,

[0034] Figure 2 a further three-dimensional view of a steering column according to Figure 1 is shown,

[0035] Figure 3 a detailed view according to Figure 2 is shown,

[0036] Figure 4 A partial view of a longitudinal section of a steering column according to Figures 1-3 the utility model is shown, wherein the limiting device according to the utility model is in a locked position,

[0037] Figure 5 A view as in Figure 4 is shown, wherein the limiting device according to the utility model is in a released position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In the different figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference numerals and are therefore generally also named or mentioned only once each.

[0039] Figure 1 And Figure 2 Different three-dimensional views of a steering column 1 according to the utility model are shown, precisely a view from the left rear obliquely forward with respect to the mounting position along the driving direction is shown in Figure 1 , while a view from the right rear obliquely forward is shown in Figure 2 . Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of Figure 2 is shown.

[0040] The steering column 1 has a guide box 2, which can also be called an inner housing, and a steering shaft 21 is rotatably supported in the guide box 2 about a longitudinal axis 22. The steering shaft 21 has a mounting section 23 on its rearward end with respect to the driving direction, facing the driver position, for fixing a steering wheel, which is not shown here.

[0041] The guide box 2 is telescopically adjustably accommodated in a box-shaped rocker arm 3, which can also be called an outer housing, in the direction of the longitudinal axis 22, i.e. in the longitudinal adjustment direction L indicated by the arrow and in the opposite direction. The direction indicated by the arrow represents the longitudinal adjustment direction L, which serves to retract the guide box 2 into the box-shaped rocker arm 3, i.e. points forward by definition. Correspondingly, in the extended state, the longitudinal adjustment takes place against the arrow direction.

[0042] The box-shaped rocker arm 3 is held by a support unit 4, which has fixing means 41, for example fixing holes, for mounting the steering column 1 on the body of a motor vehicle, which is not shown here.

[0043] The box-shaped rocker arm 3 is pivotably supported on the support unit 4 in its front region about a height adjustment axis 31 transverse to the longitudinal axis 22. Thereby a height adjustment is achieved, in which the guide box 2 together with the steering shaft 21 supported therein can be adjusted in height along the height adjustment direction H indicated by the arrow and against this direction. The arrow direction indicated here points upward to the support unit 4.

[0044] For the purpose of motorized longitudinal adjustment, a longitudinal adjustment drive 5 is provided, which is configured as a spindle drive, i.e. a feed spindle drive. This longitudinal adjustment drive has a drive unit 51 which is mounted in a bearing manner on the box rocker 3 in the longitudinal adjustment direction L and has a spindle nut 53 which is fixed in the longitudinal adjustment direction L, which spindle nut 53 can be driven in rotation about the spindle axis by means of an electric motor 52. A spindle 54 is engaged in this spindle nut 53, which spindle is fixedly engaged in relation to the rotation about the spindle axis at the guide box 2. Thereby, a linear drive is realized in a manner known per se, wherein, by driving the spindle nut 53 in rotation, the spindle 54 can be adjusted in relation to the drive unit 51. Correspondingly, the guide box 2 can be retracted into the box rocker 3 along the longitudinal adjustment direction L (in the direction of the arrow shown) or can be extended therefrom against this direction.

[0045] For the purpose of motorized height adjustment, a height adjustment drive 6 is provided, which is likewise configured as a spindle drive, i.e. a rotary spindle drive. This height adjustment drive has a drive unit 61 which is mounted in a bearing manner on the box rocker 3 and which has a spindle 64 which is supported in the direction of its spindle axis, which spindle can be driven in rotation about its spindle axis by means of an electric motor 62. The spindle 64 is engaged in a spindle nut 63 which is fixed in relation to the rotation about the spindle axis.

[0046] The spindle nut 63 is mounted on an adjustment lever 65. This adjustment lever is articulated on the box rocker 3 about a swivel axis 66 which is parallel to the height adjustment axis 31 and is articulated on the support unit 4 by means of a swivel axis 67 which is spaced apart from and parallel to the swivel axis 66. A linear adjustment of the spindle nut 63 by means of the height adjustment drive 6 brings about a pivoting of the adjustment lever 65, which pivoting brings about a height adjustment of the box rocker 3 in relation to the support unit 4. Here, a pivoting of the adjustment lever 65 along a direction of adjustment V (which is indicated by an arrow in an enlarged view of Figure 3 ), results in a height adjustment in the direction of height adjustment H, i.e. towards the support unit 4.

[0047] The limiting device 7 according to the invention has a blocking element in the form of a blocking pin 71. This blocking pin is displaceably supported in a guide portion in the box rocker 3 transversely to the longitudinal axis 22, i.e. radially to the longitudinal axis 22. This is indicated in a longitudinal section which is shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 , which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 22, by an arrow.

[0048] Here, Figure 4 a locking position is shown, while Figure 5 a release position is shown.

[0049] In the locked position according to Figure 4 , the blocking pin protrudes so far out of the box rocker 3 that it mechanically blocks the movement of the adjustment lever 65 in the adjustment direction V. The oscillating movement of the adjustment lever 65, which is driven by the height adjustment drive 6, is mechanically limited by the stop on the blocking pin 71 shown in Figure 4 . Thereby, the height adjustment of the box rocker 3 connected with the adjustment lever 65 is limited upwards, i.e. the box rocker 3 cannot be adjusted further upwards towards the support unit 4 since the adjustment lever 65 is mechanically stopped on the blocking pin 71.

[0050] The adjustment state shown in Figure 4 corresponds to a set position in which the guide box 2 is extended from the box rocker 3 along the longitudinal direction so far that the steering wheel mounted on the steering shaft is located in a steering region or comfort region in which a manual steering input can be made. Here, as described, the possible height adjustment is mechanically limited upwards by the limiting device.

[0051] In the release position shown in Figure 5 , the blocking pin 71 is moved radially inwards so that it sinks flush with respect to the movement space of the adjustment lever 65 and releases the movement of the adjustment lever 65. Correspondingly, the adjustment lever 65 can be moved by the height adjustment drive 6 over the blocking pin 71 so that a possible maximum height adjustment upwards along the height adjustment direction H can be achieved along which the box rocker 3 is adjusted upwards, for example until contact with the support unit 4.

[0052] As will be explained below, the switching from the locked position into the release position is achieved when the guide box is retracted along the longitudinal adjustment direction L.

[0053] The blocking pin 71 is spring-loaded by means of a spring 72 towards a locking ball 73 which is supported radially movably in a recess in the box rocker 3. Thereby, the locking ball is pressed radially from the outside with spring tension against an operating profile 74 constructed on the outside of the guide box 2. The operating profile has a protruding section 75 extending along the longitudinal adjustment direction L and a recess 76 adjoining the protruding section in the longitudinal direction. As can be seen in Figure 4 , the protruding section 75 is arranged radially outwards (upwards in Figure 4 ) so far that the blocking pin 71 is held in the locked position by the locking ball 73 resting against the protruding section 75.

[0054] If the guide box 2 is retracted from Figure 4Starting from the extended setting position shown in Fig. 6, the retraction along the longitudinal adjustment direction L leads to a radial inward movement of the locking ball 73 by the spring tension and to a sinking into the recess 76 of the operating contour 74. Thereby, the blocking pin 71 likewise moves radially inward and sinks flush, so that the adjustment lever 65 can be moved along the adjustment direction V past the blocking pin 71, which is now retracted from the locking position (downward) in Fig. 6. Figure 5

[0055] In the setting position shown in Fig. 6, the adjustment lever 65 is in the locking position, in which the blocking pin 71 is in the blocking position in the operating contour 74 of the guide box 2. Figure 5 The setting position shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to the stowed area, in which the guide box 2 is retracted into the box rocker 3 along the longitudinal adjustment direction L so much that the greatest possible height adjustment can be carried out in order to move the guide box 2 into the stowed position from the foot space as far upward as possible, for example.

[0056] If the guide box 2 is extended from the stowed position shown in Fig. 6 in order to set to the operating area or the comfort area, the locking position is automatically activated when the locking ball 73 enters the protruding section 75 of the operating contour 74. Figure 5

[0057] In the described embodiment, the guide box 2 is mechanically forcedly coupled with the blocking pin 71. Thereby, the switching between the locking position and the release position, by which the limitation of the allowed setting of the steering column 1 depending on the adjustment position of the steering wheel is achieved, can be carried out purely mechanically and is accordingly reliable and independent of an electrical control.

[0058] Legend of the Figures

[0059] 1 steering column

[0060] 2 guide box

[0061] 21 steering shaft

[0062] 22 longitudinal axis

[0063] 23 mounting section

[0064] 3 box rocker

[0065] 31 height adjustment axis

[0066] 4 support unit

[0067] 41 fixing

[0068] 5 longitudinal adjustment drive

[0069] 51, 61 drive unit

[0070] 52, 62 motor

[0071] 53, 63 screw nut

[0072] ​​54, 64 screw spindle

[0073] 6 height adjustment drive

[0074] 65 adjustment lever

[0075] 66, 67 swivel axis

[0076] 7 limiting device

[0077] 71 blocking pin

[0078] 72 spring

[0079] 73 locking ball

[0080] 74 operating contour

[0081] 75 protruding section

[0082] 76 recess

[0083] L longitudinal adjustment direction

[0084] H height adjustment direction

[0085] V adjustment direction of 65

Claims

1. A steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a guide box (2), in which a steering shaft (21) is supported in a manner rotatable about a longitudinal axis (22) extending in a longitudinal direction, and the guide box (2) is accommodated in a box-shaped rocker arm (3) in a manner adjustable in the longitudinal direction (L), the box-shaped rocker arm (3) being held by a support unit (4) in a manner adjustable in a height direction (H) transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), wherein Between the guide box (2) and the box rocker (3) a longitudinal adjustment drive (5) is arranged and between the box rocker (3) and the support unit (4) a height adjustment drive (6) is arranged, and wherein a limiting device (7) is provided which is configured to limit the height adjustment of the box rocker (3) relative to the support unit (4) depending on the longitudinal adjustment of the guide box (2) relative to the box rocker (3), characterized in that the limiting device (7) has a blocking element (71) which is supported on the box rocker (3) in a manner displaceable between a blocking position and a release position, wherein the blocking element in the blocking position limits the height adjustment of the box rocker (3) relative to the support unit (4) and in the release position releases the height adjustment of the box rocker (3) relative to the support unit (4).

2. A steering column according to claim 1, wherein The blocking element (71) can be displaced between the blocking position and the release position by means of electrical and / or magnetic and / or electromechanical and / or mechanical and / or electromagnetic means.

3. A column according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that The blocking element (71) cooperates with the guide box (2) in such a way that the blocking element can be displaced between the blocking position and the release position by the guide box (2) when being adjusted in the longitudinal direction at an operating position relative to the box rocker (3).

4. A steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that, The guide box (2) is positively coupled with the blocking element (71).

5. A steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The guide box (2) is mechanically coupled with the blocking element (71).

6. A steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that, The blocking element (71) is displaceable on the box rocker (3) transversely to the longitudinal axis (22).

7. A steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The blocking element (71) is radially movably penetrated through the box rocker (3) and can form a mechanical engagement with an operating contour (74) configured on the radial outside of the guide box (2).

8. A steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that, The blocking element (71) is spring-loaded relative to the guide box (2).

9. A steering column as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that, The blocking element (71) protrudes outward beyond the box rocker (3) in the blocking position and is flush with the box rocker (3) in the release position.

10. A steering column according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that, The blocking element (71) can directly or indirectly stop the support unit (4) in the blocking position.

11. A steering column as claimed in any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that, The height adjustment drive (6) has an adjustment lever (65) hinged between the support unit (4) and the box rocker (3), which can be stopped by the blocking element (71) in the blocking position.

12. A steering column as claimed in any of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that, Between the box rocker (3) and the guide box (2) at least one intermediate housing is arranged which can be adjusted relative thereto in the longitudinal adjustment direction (L).

13. A steering column according to claim 12, characterised in that The blocking element (71) is penetrated through the intermediate housing.

14. A column according to claim 13, characterised in that On the intermediate housing a first locking element and a second locking element are supported with an axial spacing from one another, wherein the first locking element cooperates with the blocking element (71) and can be selectively brought into a first locking position or a first release position relative to the intermediate housing, wherein the second locking element can be selectively brought into a second locking position or a second release position relative to the intermediate housing.

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