Steering system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Steering system (1) for a motor vehicle, with a steering column (10); an adjusting device (12) which is designed to adjust the steering column (10) relative to a bearing device (14) in a first adjustment range (16); and a locking device (18) for locking the steering column (10), wherein the locking device (18) is designed to lock the steering column (10) into a second adjustment range (20) contained in the first adjustment range (16) by adjusting the steering column (10) by means of the adjustment device (12), wherein the second adjustment range (20) is located at an end section of the first adjustment range (16), characterized by that the locking device (18) has a sleeve tube (22) arranged in the steering column (10), a locking sleeve (24) arranged adjacent to the sleeve tube (22) in the axial direction (A) of the steering column (10) and a lever (26) which can be deflected by moving the sleeve tube (22), wherein the lever (26) can be moved from an unlocking position (S1) to a locking position (S2) by vertical and / or axial movement of the sleeve tube (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Both manual and electrically adjustable steering columns today feature steering locks, which have separate steering locks. These are attached to the steering columns and lock the steering system. They are activated to prevent unauthorised steering or theft of the vehicle. The steering locks are unlocked mechanically via an ignition key or activated via an electronic driver authorization system.

[0003] Each steering lock has an electromechanical locking mechanism and a control unit, which are mounted on the steering column in a housing that is as theft-proof as possible and are connected to the driving authorization system via control lines.

[0004] The actual locking of the steering line is done by a locking bolt that engages from the electric steering lock into a locking sleeve in the steering line and thus blocks the steering movement.

[0005] DE 10 2010 043 533 A1 discloses a steering device for a motor vehicle, having an electric drive which is designed to generate a torque to facilitate steering of the motor vehicle, wherein the electric drive has an electric motor with a rotor, and the steering device has an electric steering lock which is designed to engage in a positive and / or non-positive manner in the drive in a rotor position of the rotor and to lock or release a steering movement, and the steering device has a control unit and a memory for at least one rotor position data set representing the rotor position, and the steering device is designed to control the electric motor by means of the control unit to lock the steering device and to rotate the rotor into the rotor position which corresponds to a rotor position data set stored in the memory and to lock the rotor there.

[0006] JP 2006 - 224 867 A discloses a steering column with a locking mechanism. The steering column can be adjusted telescopically, whereby at a specific position within the adjustment range, a locking element engages the steering shaft, thereby preventing rotation of the steering shaft.

[0007] Separate steering locks require a stable attachment to the steering column and locking in the steering shaft, as the law requires a locking torque of at least 100 Nm. Insurers also require theft protection against overloading and the associated repair costs, as well as a time-limited protection against dismantling the locking device in the vehicle. To meet these requirements, the electric steering locks must be partially armored, secured with shear bolts to prevent dismantling, positioned above the steering column body, etc., which adversely impacts the effort and costs involved.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved steering system which provides a cost-effective locking device for locking the steering column, which reduces the complexity of the steering system and has a smaller number of components.

[0009] The problem is solved by a steering system for a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The present invention provides a steering system for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering column, an adjusting device which is designed to adjust the steering column relative to a bearing device in a first adjusting range, and a locking device for locking the steering column, wherein the locking device is designed to lock the steering column by adjusting the steering column by means of the adjusting device in a second adjusting range contained in the first adjusting range, wherein the second adjusting range is located at an end section of the first adjusting range.

[0011] The locking device comprises a steering column jacket arranged in the steering column, a locking sleeve arranged adjacent to the steering column jacket in the axial direction of the steering column, and a lever that can be deflected by moving the steering column jacket. The lever can be moved from an unlocked position into a locked position by vertical and / or axial movement of the steering column jacket. Thus, the steering column jacket can advantageously be used to lock the steering column by moving the adjustment mechanisms into the easy-entry position.

[0012] One idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a simplified steering system by actuating the locking device when the adjustment mechanism is actuated. This function is particularly advantageous for electrically adjustable steering columns, since when the motor vehicle is parked, the steering column can be adjusted, for example, to a so-called easy-entry position, which allows the driver to get in and out of the motor vehicle more easily. Within the scope of the present invention, this function is additionally used to lock the steering column by means of the locking device. Thus, the functionality of adjusting the steering column to the easy-entry position can be advantageously combined with the simultaneous locking of the steering column.This extended functionality in the sense of integrating the adjustment mechanism and the steering lock function of the steering column also has the advantage that a conventional steering lock and the control unit conventionally provided for this purpose can be dispensed with.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

[0014] According to a preferred development, the locking device is designed to lock the steering column by vertical and / or axial adjustment of the steering column. Thus, the steering column can be locked independently of a previously set driving position of the steering column.

[0015] According to a further preferred development, the lever is mounted on the steering column, in particular on a mounting plate of the steering column. The lever is mounted in such a way that it is movable at least partially in the radial direction of the steering column. A spring element applies spring tension to the lever, which pushes the lever toward the unlocked position. Thus, in an operating state of the motor vehicle's steering system, the lever remains in the unlocked position due to the application of spring tension.

[0016] According to a further preferred development, the locking sleeve is substantially cylindrical, wherein the locking sleeve has a plurality of projections formed on its outer circumference and extending in the axial direction of the locking sleeve, and wherein the lever has a support surface which can be placed flat on the outer circumference of the locking sleeve. By providing the plurality of projections on the outer circumference of the locking sleeve, it can advantageously be ensured that the lever can always be placed between adjacent projections on the outer circumference of the locking sleeve, regardless of a radial position of the lever relative to the locking sleeve. When the lever is placed on one of the projections, the lever engages between respective projections when the driver turns a steering wheel.

[0017] According to a further preferred development, the support surface of the lever, in the locking position of the lever, rests flat on the outer circumference of the locking sleeve between adjacent projections of the locking sleeve. Thus, in the locking position, the lever can be securely and reliably positioned between the adjacent projections of the locking sleeve, thus providing a reliable steering lock.

[0018] According to a further preferred development, the locking device is designed to move the lever at a first end section, in particular in the region of the mounting plate of the steering column, along with the steering column by vertically adjusting the steering column, at least in sections in the radial direction of the steering column, and to move the lever at a second end section, in particular in the region of the locking sleeve, at least in sections in the radial direction of the steering column towards the locking sleeve. Due to the bearing of the lever, the movement of the lever with the steering column during vertical adjustment of the steering column advantageously causes the lever to move towards the locking sleeve on the other side of the pivot axis of the lever in the region of the locking sleeve.

[0019] According to a further preferred development, the locking device is designed to deflect the lever at a first end section, in particular in the region of the mounting plate of the steering column, at least partially in the radial direction of the steering column by axially adjusting the steering column casing tube, and to move the lever at a second end section, in particular in the region of the locking sleeve, at least partially in the radial direction of the steering column toward the locking sleeve. Thus, the lever can also be advantageously deflected by axially adjusting the steering column casing tube in order to lock the steering column.

[0020] According to a further preferred development, the casing tube has a projection in the region of the first end section of the lever, which projection is designed to deflect the lever at the first end section away from the steering column upon axial adjustment of the casing tube. The axial movement of the casing tube thus advantageously locks the steering column by engaging the lever in the locking sleeve.

[0021] According to a further preferred development, the steering column is adjustable by an electric motor, wherein a control unit of the adjustment device is configured to adjust the steering column within the first adjustment range when the motor vehicle is in operation and into the second adjustment range when the motor vehicle is parked. The control unit of the adjustment device thus advantageously performs both the function of adjusting the steering column and the function of locking the steering column.

[0022] The described designs and further training courses can be combined as desired.

[0023] Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described previously or below with regard to the embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. Short description of the drawings

[0024] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention.

[0025] Other embodiments and many of the aforementioned advantages will become apparent upon review of the drawings. The elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0026] They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a steering system for a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the steering system for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the steering system for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the steering system for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0027] In the figures of the drawings, the same reference symbols designate the same or functionally equivalent elements, parts or components, unless otherwise stated.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a steering system for a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0029] The steering system 1 for the motor vehicle has a steering column 10, an adjustment device 12, and a locking device 18. The adjustment device 12 is designed to adjust the steering column 10 relative to a bearing device 14 of the steering column 10 within a first adjustment range 16. The first adjustment range 16 corresponds to a total adjustment range of the steering column, i.e., an adjustment range available for operating the motor vehicle as well as an adjustment range usable for a parked state of the motor vehicle, in which the steering column can be adjusted into an easy-entry position.

[0030] The locking device 18 for locking the steering column 10 is designed to lock the steering column 10 by adjusting the steering column 10 by means of the adjusting device 12 into a second adjustment range 20 contained in the first adjustment range 16. The second adjustment range 20 is located at an end section of the first adjustment range 16.

[0031] The locking device 18 is further designed to lock the steering column 10 by vertical and / or axial adjustment of the steering column 10. The locking device 18 has a casing tube 22 arranged in the steering column 10, a locking sleeve 24 arranged adjacent to the casing tube 22 in the axial direction A of the steering column 10, and a lever 26 which can be deflected by moving the casing tube 22. The lever 26 can be moved from an unlocking position S1 by vertical and / or axial movement of the casing tube 22 into a (in Fig. 1 not shown) locking position.

[0032] The lever 26 is mounted on the steering column 10, in particular on a mounting plate 28 of the steering column 10. The lever 26 is mounted such that it is movable at least intermittently in the radial direction R of the steering column 10. The lever 26 is further subjected to spring tension by a spring element 32, which presses the lever 26 toward the unlocking position S1.

[0033] The locking sleeve 24 is substantially cylindrical, with the locking sleeve 24 having a plurality of projections 34 formed on its outer circumference 24a and extending in the axial direction A of the locking sleeve 24. The lever 26 has a support surface 36 which can be placed flat on the outer circumference 24a of the locking sleeve 24. The steering column 10 is further adjustable by an electric motor. Alternatively, the steering column 10 can be adjusted mechanically, for example. The adjusting device 12 has a control unit 38 which is configured to adjust the steering column 10 within the first adjustment range 16 when the motor vehicle is in operation and into the second adjustment range 20 when the motor vehicle is in park.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the steering system for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0035] In Fig. 2, the steering system 1 is shown in a parking state in which the steering column 10 is arranged in the second adjustment range 20 and the locking device 18 of the steering system 1 is positioned in the locking position S2.

[0036] In the locking position S2 shown, the support surface 36 of the lever 26 is arranged flat on the outer circumference 24a of the locking sleeve 24 between projections 34 of the locking sleeve 24, which are arranged adjacent to one another. The locking device 18 is designed to move the lever 26 at a first end section 26a, in particular in the region of the mounting plate 28 of the steering column 10, at least partially in the radial direction R of the steering column 10 with the steering column 10 by vertically adjusting the casing tube 22, and to move the lever 26 at a second end section 26b, in particular in the region of the locking sleeve 24, at least partially in the radial direction R of the steering column 10 towards the locking sleeve 24.

[0037] In the Fig. 2, the support surface 36 of the lever 26 rests on the locking sleeve 24, so that the steering column 10 is locked.

[0038] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the steering system for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3, the steering column 10 is shown in the unlocked position S1. Furthermore, the adjusting device 12 comprises an electric motor / gear unit 12a and a spindle drive 12b, which is designed to adjust the steering column in the axial direction. A device for vertically adjusting the steering column 10 is shown in Fig. 3 not shown.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the steering system for the motor vehicle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0040] The locking device 18 is further designed to deflect the lever 26 at a first end section 26a, in particular in the region of the mounting plate 28 of the steering column 10, at least in sections in the radial direction R of the steering column 10 by axially adjusting the casing tube 22, and to move the lever 26 at a second end section 26b, in particular in the region of the locking sleeve 24, at least in sections in the radial direction R of the steering column 10 towards the locking sleeve 24.

[0041] The casing tube 22 has a projection 30 in the region of the first end portion 26a of the lever 26. This projection is designed to deflect the lever 26 at the first end portion 26a away from the steering column 10 during the axial adjustment of the casing tube 22.

[0042] In the case of application of the present invention in the context of a steer-by-wire steering system in which the locking of the steering column is implemented with software support, i.e. the steering column is held in a defined position, for example, by an electric motor or electromagnetically, the present invention can also be applied, since in this case too, integration of the adjustment device of the steering column and a locking device described above is possible, even if the locking device is designed differently than in the preferred embodiment in accordance with the respective structural and / or system requirements of a steer-by-wire steering system.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described above using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in a variety of ways. In particular, the invention can be changed or modified in a variety of ways without deviating from the essence of the invention.

[0044] For example, a shape, dimension and / or quality of the components of the steering system for the motor vehicle may be modified.

Claims

[1] Steering system (1) for a motor vehicle, with a steering column (10); an adjusting device (12) which is designed to adjust the steering column (10) relative to a bearing device (14) in a first adjustment range (16); and a locking device (18) for locking the steering column (10), wherein the locking device (18) is designed to lock the steering column (10) by adjusting the steering column (10) by means of the adjusting device (12) into a second adjusting range (20) contained in the first adjusting range (16), wherein the second adjusting range (20) is located at an end section of the first adjusting range (16), characterized by , that the locking device (18) has a casing tube (22) arranged in the steering column (10), a locking sleeve (24) arranged adjacent to the casing tube (22) in the axial direction (A) of the steering column (10) and a lever (26) which can be deflected by moving the casing tube (22), wherein the lever (26) can be brought from an unlocking position (S1) into a locking position (S2) by vertical and / or axial movement of the casing tube (22). [2] Steering system according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking device (18) is designed to lock the steering column (10) by vertical and / or axial adjustment of the steering column (10). [3] Steering system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the lever (26) is mounted on a mounting plate (28) of the steering column (10), wherein the lever (26) is mounted in such a way that it is movable at least in sections in the radial direction (R) of the steering column (10), and wherein the lever (26) is subjected to a spring tension by a spring element (32), which presses the lever (26) in the direction of the unlocking position (S1). [4] Steering system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking sleeve (24) is cylindrical, wherein the locking sleeve (24) has a plurality of projections (34) formed on its outer circumference (24a) and extending in the axial direction (A) of the locking sleeve (24), and wherein the lever (26) has a bearing surface (36) which can be placed flat on the outer circumference (24a) of the locking sleeve (24). [5] Steering system according to claim 4, characterized bythat the support surface (36) of the lever (26) in the locking position (S2) of the lever (26) rests flat on the outer circumference (24a) of the locking sleeve (24) between projections (34) of the locking sleeve (24) arranged adjacent to one another. [6] Steering system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking device (18) is designed to move the lever (26) at a first end section (26a) at least partially in the radial direction (R) of the steering column (10) with the casing tube (22) by vertical adjustment of the casing tube (22) and to move it at a second end section (26b) at least partially in the radial direction (R) of the steering column (10) towards the locking sleeve (24). [7] Steering system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized byin that the locking device (18) is designed to deflect the lever (26) at a first end section (26a) at least in sections in the radial direction (R) of the steering column (10) by axially adjusting the casing tube (22), and to move it at a second end section (26b) at least in sections in the radial direction (R) of the steering column (10) towards the locking sleeve (24). [8] Steering system according to claim 7, characterized by in that the casing tube (22) has a projection (30) in the region of the first end section (26a) of the lever (26), which projection is designed to deflect the lever (26) at the first end section (26a) away from the steering column (10) during the axial adjustment of the casing tube (22). [9] Steering system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the steering column (10) is adjustable by an electric motor, wherein a control unit (38) of the adjusting device (12) is designed to adjust the steering column (10) within the first adjustment range (16) in an operating state of the motor vehicle and into the second adjustment range (20) in a parked state of the motor vehicle.

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