Steering column for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising an inner sleeve tube (12) supporting a steering spindle (10), which is longitudinally adjustable in an outer sleeve tube (14) mounted on a console (16), and a clamping device (18) by means of which the inner sleeve tube (12) can be fixed in its set longitudinal position relative to the outer sleeve tube (14), wherein the clamping device (18) comprises a clamping plate (26) attached to the inner sleeve tube (12), which is clamped on the outside of the outer sleeve tube (14), characterized in that the clamping plate (26) comprises respective stop elements (38, 40) which, together with corresponding stop elements (42, 44) on the outer sleeve tube (14), limit a longitudinal adjustment of the inner sleeve tube (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a steering column is already known, for example, from DE 10 2012 008 836 A1 and comprises an inner sleeve tube supporting a steering spindle, which is longitudinally adjustable and mounted in an outer sleeve tube supported on a bracket. Furthermore, a clamping device is provided by means of which the inner sleeve tube can be fixed in its set longitudinal position relative to the outer sleeve tube.

[0003] US 2011 / 0259140A1 discloses a steering column for motor vehicles that is adjustable in depth and / or tilt. The steering column comprises a steering shaft mounted in a tubular body that supports the steering wheel. The tubular body is mounted and clamped to the vehicle structure in the desired position. A clamping device allows the tubular body to be fixed in its set longitudinal position relative to the vehicle structure. The clamping device includes a clamping plate that presses and clamps the tubular body against the vehicle structure. In the known steering column, the clamping plate is arranged on a clamping bolt that passes through a longitudinal slot in the tubular body. The longitudinal slot allows relative displacement of the bolt and thus of the clamping plate, which can be clamped to the inside of the tubular element by means of the clamping bolt.

[0004] This clamping principle is also described in US 2003 / 0172765A1, according to which a clamping element is arranged inside the inner tube and can be fixed to the inside of the tube by means of a bolt to hold the inner tube in a desired position. The clamping element (bolt) passes through the longitudinal slot of the inner tube component and can be tightened by means of an actuator supported on the bracket.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a steering column of the type mentioned above in which the inner casing tube is longitudinally adjustable and lockable relative to the outer casing tube in an improved manner.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a steering column having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] To create a steering column in which the inner tube can be adjusted and locked in an improved manner relative to the outer tube, the invention provides that the clamping device comprises a clamping plate attached to the inner tube with corresponding stop elements, which, together with corresponding stop elements on the outer tube, limit the longitudinal adjustment of the inner tube. The limitation of the longitudinal adjustment of the inner tube created by the respective stop elements results in a robust design of the corresponding adjustment travel limitation of the inner tube, so that, for example, it does not occur during

[0008] Reaching the respective end positions can lead to unwanted impact noises. Furthermore, the clamping plate provides longitudinal adjustment, enabling particularly reliable and stable clamping of the inner casing tube in the set longitudinal position. All in all, this provides longitudinal adjustment of the inner casing tube that does not generate any disturbing noises or hard impacts when reaching the respective end positions and also reliably secures the inner casing tube relative to the outer casing tube.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the outer casing tube has a slot in the longitudinal direction, at least over a certain length, whereby the outer casing tube can be clamped to the inner casing tube by means of the clamping device in a clamping-like manner. With such a design, a separate clamping box is no longer required, and the outer casing tube provides a particularly favorable and stable fixing of the inner casing tube.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the outer casing tube has a recess through which the clamping plate attached to the inner casing tube extends through the outer casing tube towards its outside. Thus, the clamping plate can be used in a particularly advantageous way as part of the clamping device to achieve a particularly favorable fixation of the inner casing tube relative to the outer casing tube.

[0011] In this context, it has proven further advantageous if the clamping plate has an elongated hole through which a clamping bolt of the clamping device passes. This allows the forces to be transferred to the clamping plate particularly efficiently.

[0012] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the clamping plate rests against a clamping unit of the clamping device located on the console. This allows the clamping force of the clamping device to be transferred even more effectively between the components to be clamped.

[0013] Finally, it has proven advantageous for the clamping plate to include tabs to which the stop buffers are attached. This results in a particularly simple arrangement of the respective stop elements from a manufacturing perspective.

[0014] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings.

[0015] This shows: Fig. 1 a perspective side view of a steering column according to the invention for a motor vehicle with an inner sleeve tube supporting a steering spindle, which is longitudinally adjustable in an outer sleeve tube mounted on a console, and with a clamping device by means of which the inner sleeve tube can be fixed in its set longitudinal position relative to the outer sleeve tube; Fig. 2 a side view in perspective of the opposite Fig. 1 opposite side from obliquely below, in particular a clamping unit of the clamping device is visible in the area of ​​the console, which clamps together with a clamping plate connected to the inner casing tube; Fig. 3 a perspective side view of the outer and inner casing tubes with the console omitted, whereby the clamping plate connected to the inner casing tube is visible and wherein the inner casing tube is fixed in its foremost position in which a front stop element on the side of the clamping plate interacts with a corresponding stop element of the outer casing tube; Fig. 4 a perspective side view of the inner and outer casing tube analogous to Fig. 3, wherein the inner casing tube is fixed in a central longitudinal position; Fig. 5 a perspective side view of the inner and outer casing tube analogous to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, wherein the inner casing tube is fixed in a maximally extended longitudinal position, in which a stop element on the side of the clamping plate interacts with a corresponding stop element of the outer casing tube; and in Fig. 6 a perspective view of the clamping plate attached to the inner casing tube with the respective stop elements for limiting the longitudinal adjustment of the inner casing tube.

[0016] In Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a steering column for a passenger car in a perspective side view from one side and the opposite side, respectively. This steering column comprises an inner sleeve 12 that receives and supports a steering spindle 10. This inner sleeve is longitudinally adjustable or telescopically mounted in an outer sleeve 14, which in turn is pivotally mounted or mounted on a bracket 16 in the region of a pivot axis S extending transversely to the vehicle. Furthermore, the steering column includes a clamping device 18 with a clamping bolt 20 that passes through the bracket 16 and the outer sleeve 14 and extends transversely below the inner sleeve 12. On one side, in Fig. On the visible side, the clamping bolt 20 is connected to a clamping lever 22, which can be pivoted between a closed position (shown here) and a release position in order to release the clamping device 18. On the side opposite the clamping lever 22, in Fig. On the recognizable side of the console 16, the clamping device 18 comprises a clamping unit 24, which is housed in a recess provided for this purpose in the console 16. By pivoting the clamping lever 22, for example, two clamping discs – each having a pitch – are rotated relative to each other about the axis formed by the clamping bolt 20 such that the axial length of the clamping bolt 20 of the clamping device 18 is adjusted accordingly, so that either a corresponding clamping force is applied in the area of ​​the clamping unit 24 to secure the inner casing tube 12 to the outer casing tube 14, or not. For this purpose, the clamping unit 24 interacts with a clamping plate 26, which will be explained in more detail below. The front end of the clamping plate 26 is connected to the inner casing tube 12 in a manner described in more detail below, and the outer casing tube 14 is clamped in the area of ​​a recess 28 ( Fig. 3-5) towards the outside of the outer casing tube 14. With the clamping device 18 relaxed, the clamping unit 24 therefore exerts a corresponding clamping force on the clamping plate 26, so that it is clamped between the clamping unit 24 and the outside of the outer casing tube 14, thus preventing any movement of the inner casing tube 12 relative to the outer casing tube 14.

[0017] To enable such a clamping action, the outer casing tube 14 has a [feature] on its underside in Fig. The 2 discernible slots 30 extend longitudinally at least over a length of the outer casing tube 14, so that when the clamping device 18 is engaged, the outer casing tube 14 secures or clamps the inner casing tube 12 in the manner of a clamping clamp. This clamping is supported by the clamping plate 26 on the outside of the outer casing tube 14, which transmits a corresponding clamping force from the clamping unit 24 to the outer casing tube 14.

[0018] In the Fig. Figures 3-5 show the inner and outer casing tubes 12 and 14 in perspective side views, respectively, with the bracket 16 and the clamping device 18 partially omitted – in particular, the clamping unit 24 is missing. The approximately rectangular recess 28 in the outer casing tube 14 is especially visible, in the area of ​​which the Fig. 6. The clamping plate 26, shown again in a separate perspective view, has a defined front end.

[0019] A summary of Fig. Figures 3-5 therefore show how the clamping plate 26 is moved along with the inner casing tube 12 when the latter is adjusted telescopically in the axial or longitudinal direction. Fig. Figure 3 shows a maximum inserted longitudinal position of the inner casing tube 12 in the outer casing tube 14. Fig. 4 shows a corresponding intermediate position, and Fig. Figure 5 shows a maximally extended longitudinal position of the inner casing tube 12 relative to the outer casing tube 14. This is evident, among other things, from the position of the clamping bolt 20 relative to an elongated hole 32, which extends below the inner casing tube 12 and accommodates a clamping bolt 20 bridging the slot 30, which is fixedly arranged on the outer casing tube 14, relative to the elongated hole. It can be seen that, in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 at the near upper end of the elongated hole 32 and in Fig. 5 runs at the near lower end of the elongated hole 32, whereas in the intermediate position according to Fig. 4 is arranged in a central area of ​​the elongated hole 32. From Fig. Figure 3 also shows how the clamping plate 26 is pressed against the outside of the outer casing tube 14 when the clamping unit (not shown) generates a corresponding clamping force on the clamping plate 26 or the outer casing tube 14 in order to clamp the inner casing tube 12 in a clamp-like manner. During this clamp-like clamping, the width of the slot 30, which extends longitudinally from the upper end of the outer casing tube 14 at least over a portion of its length, is reduced accordingly.

[0020] Based on Fig. Figure 6 also shows that the clamping plate 26, which is made of sheet metal, has respective tabs 34, 36 bent, to which a respective stop element 38, 40 is attached. These stop elements 38, 40 are, in this case, corresponding buffer elements made, for example, of an elastomer or another reversibly flexible plastic.

[0021] How now, in conjunction with Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the stop element 38, located at the front end of the clamping plate 26, serves to interact with a front stop element 42 of the outer casing tube 14 in such a way that the longitudinal adjustment of the inner casing tube 12 relative to the outer casing tube 14 is limited in the longitudinal direction forward. In this case, the stop element 42 on the side of the outer casing tube 14 is, for example, a correspondingly projecting collar. However, a plastic element, such as a reversibly flexible plastic element, could also be provided here.

[0022] Conversely, from Fig. 5 can be seen that the rear stop element 40 of the clamping plate 26 interacts with a corresponding stop element 44 of the outer casing tube 14, which is designed as a collar in the area of ​​the recess 28, and thereby determines the maximum extended longitudinal position of the inner casing tube 12.

[0023] The longitudinal adjustment or travel of the inner casing tube 12 relative to the outer casing tube 14 is limited by the mutually interacting stop elements 38 and 40, and 42 and 44, respectively, on the side of the clamping plate 26 and on the side of the outer casing tube 14. This limitation is achieved in this case by corresponding buffer elements 38-44, so that no undesirable impact noises or metallic impacts occur. Accordingly, the elongated hole 32 is designed such that the respective stops are not formed by its combination with the clamping bolt 20, but rather by the stop elements 38-44.

[0024] In summary, it is evident that a steering column has been created in which the longitudinal adjustment of the inner sleeve tube 12 relative to the outer sleeve tube 14 can be limited in an improved manner, or rather, the limitation of this longitudinal adjustment is designed in an improved manner. It is also evident that the clamping system is formed by the outer sleeve tube 14, which is provided with the slot 30, thus providing the corresponding clamping plate 26, which is adjusted together with the inner sleeve tube 12 during longitudinal adjustment. This longitudinal adjustment is limited by the respective stop elements 38-44. The hardness of the stop elements or buffer elements 38-44 is variable and easy to manufacture and assemble.The functional separation in the clamping system enables a robust design of the stops, while the arrangement of the stop elements 38, 40 on the clamping plate 26 allows for easy assembly and simple variation in different installation spaces.

Claims

[1] Steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising an inner sleeve tube (12) supporting a steering spindle (10), which is longitudinally adjustable in an outer sleeve tube (14) supported on a console (16), and a clamping device (18) by means of which the inner sleeve tube (12) can be fixed in its set longitudinal position relative to the outer sleeve tube (14), wherein the clamping device (18) comprises a clamping plate (26) attached to the inner sleeve tube (12), which is clamped on the outside of the outer sleeve tube (14), characterized by , that the clamping plate (26) comprises respective stop elements (38, 40) which, together with corresponding stop elements (42, 44) on the outer casing tube (14), limit a longitudinal adjustment of the inner casing tube (12). [2] Steering column according to claim 1, characterized by, that the outer casing tube (14) has a slot (30) in the longitudinal direction at least over a length range, whereby the outer casing tube (14) can be clamped to the inner casing tube (12) by means of the clamping device (18) in a clamping manner. [3] Steering column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the outer casing tube (14) has a recess (28) through which the clamping plate (26) attached to the inner casing tube (12) penetrates the outer casing tube (14) towards its outside. [4] Steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clamping plate (26) has an elongated hole (32) which is penetrated by a clamping bolt (20) of the clamping device (18). [5] Steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clamping plate (26) rests against a clamping unit (24) of the clamping device (18) arranged on the console (16). [6] Steering column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clamping plate (26) includes respective tabs (34, 36) on which the stop elements (38, 40) are held.

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