Steering column adjustment unit

Abstract

Adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle, comprising: an adjustment device having at least one adjustment motor (3), a spindle (2), wherein the adjustment motor (3) is coupled to the spindle (2) in a torque-transmitting manner, an extension device (4) having an extension carrier (5) which is configured to be arranged to be rotationally and axially fixed on a body of the vehicle, and at least one inner extension element (6) which is arranged to be axially displaceable in the extension carrier (5), wherein the extension carrier (5) and / or the extension element (6) has at least one support structure (8) which is shaped like a tab, characterized by the fact that the support contour (8) is designed as a sheet metal component and comprises a second support contour (10) on the extension element (6) and a third support contour (11) on the extension carrier (5), wherein the spindle (2) is rotatably mounted by means of the second support contour (10) and the adjustment motor (3) is attached to the third support contour (11).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a steer-by-wire steering system with such an adjustment unit. Background of the invention

[0002] In today's steering systems and steering devices, the steering wheel can be adjusted in height and length, i.e., in an axial position. In such adjustment systems, the steering column elements or steering shaft elements are movable relative to each other, for example, designed as a telescopic arrangement. This allows the steering wheel to be adjusted to a position that suits the driver.

[0003] Steer-by-wire steering systems are also known, which dispense with the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the axle to be steered via the steering column, and the steering of the wheels is controlled via corresponding signals. Steer-by-wire steering systems can be divided into two types: steer-by-wire steering systems with a force feedback actuator located away from the steering wheel and steer-by-wire steering systems with a force feedback actuator located close to the steering wheel.

[0004] Steer-by-wire steering systems with a force-feedback actuator located away from the steering wheel utilize common crash elements, such as sheet metal strips that plastically deform when a defined force is exceeded. Plastic sleeves on the telescopic steering shaft are also known; these sleeves are destroyed by a predetermined force. Steer-by-wire steering systems with a force-feedback actuator located close to the steering wheel can eliminate the need for a telescopic steering shaft.

[0005] Furthermore, with such steering column adjustment systems, the steering column housing sections must be able to move relative to each other. This is achieved by a telescopic arrangement of the housing sections. This allows the steering wheel to be adjusted to a position that suits the driver. Recently, there has been a requirement for the steering wheel to be retracted into a stowed position in the dashboard.

[0006] WO 2022 / 043 533 A1 describes a one-piece extension with continuous transition and screw connection of the steering wheel connection.

[0007] EP 3 476 692 A1 discloses a steering column with a one-piece steering column adjustment mechanism. EP 1 342 639 A2 shows a SbW steering column with an offset axle and a gearbox for the FFA connection.

[0008] The generic US 2019 / 0 152 508 A1 discloses a steering column kit comprising an outer shell with a cavity defined by an inner shell surface. This inner shell surface extends from a first end of the outer shell and has projections that protrude into the cavity. Each projection has a curved contact surface that enables telescopic support of the inner shell surface. The arrangement of the projections is configured such that, when projected onto a flat surface, an angle between certain endpoints of the projections is measured between one and fifteen degrees.

[0009] WO 2022 / 045346 A1 discloses a steering column device equipped with a steering column and an actuator for telescopic adjustment. The steering column comprises a first and a second column element, the second column element being displaceable relative to the first column element in an axial direction. A low-friction sliding element is arranged between the two column elements to facilitate movement. The actuator for telescopic adjustment includes a motor that axially displaces the second column element relative to the first column element.

[0010] US 2019 / 0 390 709 A1 discloses a plain bearing for a steering spindle of a steering column for a motor vehicle. The bearing comprises an inner ring with an axially continuous bearing opening for slidingly receiving the steering spindle. A key feature is a preload element configured to exert a preload force on the inner ring to clamp it firmly to the steering spindle. This transmits a defined, uniform braking torque, which contributes to the stability and control of the steering movement. Summary of the invention

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustment unit.

[0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved by an adjusting unit of a steering column of a vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 and by a steer-by-wire steering system of patent claim 3.

[0013] By creating one or more support contours, it is possible to use various components of the adjustment unit for support, stiffening, or additional support. Such designs are particularly advantageous when the existing adjustment motor is mounted close to the steering wheel. This creates additional space within the adjustment unit. This space can be used to support and mount the various components inside the adjustment unit.

[0014] According to the invention, the support structure is designed as a sheet metal component. The support structures are preferably formed as a single piece directly onto the drawer support and / or the drawer element, i.e., they are formed from formed sheet metal sections instead of, for example, an aluminum die-cast interface. This limits the use of additional material. Thus, the overall weight of the adjustment unit can be reduced. The support structures can be formed in parallel from multiple components.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is provided in the pull-out support.

[0016] Preferably, a crash element is attached to the support contour. This simultaneously enables axial stop of the crash element and optimal support of the crash force. The crash element can also be enclosed laterally by a structure.

[0017] According to the invention, the adjustment motor is attached to the at least one support contour. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the adjustment motor no longer needs to be attached to a die-cast aluminum support. Consequently, this can contribute to weight savings.

[0018] According to the invention, the spindle is rotatably mounted by means of the at least one support contour. This has the advantage that vibrations can be minimized during longer spindle travels.

[0019] Preferably, a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle, comprising a spindle, a steering element which is axially fixed and torque-transmittingly coupled to the spindle, and an adjustment unit, wherein the spindle is arranged within the extension support and is axially fixedly coupled to the inner extension element. Short description of the drawing

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated below with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an adjustment unit according to the invention, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the adjustment unit according to the invention, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an extension device of the adjustment unit according to the invention, and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an adjustment unit according to the invention. Detailed description of the drawings

[0021] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 schematically show an adjustment unit 1 for the axial and / or radial length adjustment or setting of a steering element, e.g., a steering wheel (not shown), and a height adjustment unit for adjusting the height of the steering element. The longitudinal adjustment of the steering element is realized in particular by an axial displacement of a spindle 2 that can be coupled to the steering element in a torque-transmitting manner. The adjustment unit 1 also has an adjustment motor 3 that is coupled to the spindle 2 in a torque-transmitting manner. The adjustment motor 3 can comprise a motor or a motor in combination with a gear. Furthermore, it can be seen from the figures that the adjustment motor 3 has a spindle 2, wherein the adjustment motor 3 is coupled to the spindle 2 in a torque-transmitting manner.

[0022] For a further detailed description, please refer to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0023] The adjustment unit 1 has an extension device 4, which has an extension support 5, which is designed to be arranged in a rotationally and axially fixed manner on a body of the vehicle, and at least one inner extension element 6, which is arranged axially displaceably in the extension support 5. Furthermore, the inner extension element 6 is axially fixedly coupled to the steering shaft 7, so that the steering shaft 7 can be axially displaced by the adjustment device 6 via the inner extension element 12.

[0024] Furthermore, the pull-out support 5 and / or the pull-out element 6 has at least one support structure 8, which is shaped like a tab. In this exemplary embodiment, three support contours 9, 10, 11 are visible.

[0025] A first support contour 9 is designed to accommodate a tilt-resistant double-row (angular contact) bearing or a bearing sleeve 12 with supporting steering shaft bearings. Furthermore, contour 9 provides protection against penetrating components in the event of a crash.

[0026] A second support contour 10 is provided in such a way that it serves to support the spindle 2 of the length adjustment and to minimize vibration during longer travel distances.

[0027] A third support contour 11 serves to support the adjustment motor 3 and to support the crash force. List of reference symbols 1 adjustment unit 2 spindles 3 Adjustment motor 4 Pull-out device 5 pull-out supports 6 inner pull-out element 7 Steering shaft 8 Support contour 9 first support contour 10 second support contour 11 third support contour

Claims

[1] Adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle, comprising: an adjustment device having at least one adjustment motor (3), a spindle (2), wherein the adjustment motor (3) is coupled to the spindle (2) in a torque-transmitting manner, a pull-out device (4) having a pull-out support (5) which is designed to be arranged in a rotationally and axially fixed manner on a body of the vehicle, and at least one inner pull-out element (6) which is arranged in an axially displaceable manner in the pull-out support (5), wherein the pull-out support (5) and / or the pull-out element (6) has at least one support structure (8) which is shaped like a tab, characterized by , that the support contour (8) is designed as a sheet metal component and comprises a second support contour (10) on the pull-out element (6) and a third support contour (11) on the pull-out support (5), wherein the spindle (2) is rotatably mounted by means of the second support contour (10) and the adjusting motor (3) is fastened to the third support contour (11). [2] Adjustment unit according to the preceding claim, wherein a crash element is attached to the support structure (8). [3] Steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle, comprising: a spindle (2), a steering element which is coupled to the spindle (2) in an axially fixed and torque-transmitting manner, and an adjusting unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the spindle (2) is arranged within the extension support (5) and is coupled to the inner extension element (6) in an axially fixed manner.

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