Steering column adjustment unit

Abstract

Adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle with a magnetorheological braking device (1), wherein the magnetorheological braking device (1) has a shaft (2) arranged along an axis of rotation and with at least one housing element (3) rotatable about the shaft (2), wherein a magnetorheological medium is provided in a receiving space (5) formed between the shaft (2) and the housing element (3), wherein the receiving space (5) is sealed by means of a sealing device (6) between the housing element (3) and the shaft (2), wherein the sealing device (6) is designed by means of a labyrinth seal, wherein at least one labyrinth sealing part (7, 10, 14)) is provided on the housing element (3), characterized in that the at least one labyrinth sealing part (7) is provided on the housing element (3) as an integrally formed first inclined plane (8).

Description

Birth of the invention

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

[0002] Modern steering systems allow the steering wheel to be adjusted in height and reach, i.e., its axial position. In such systems, steering column or steering shaft components are movable relative to each other, for example, in a telescopic configuration. This allows the steering wheel to be positioned optimally for the driver.

[0003] Furthermore, steer-by-wire steering systems are also known, in which the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the axle to be steered via the steering column is omitted, and the steering of the wheels is controlled by corresponding signals. Two types of steer-by-wire steering systems can be distinguished in particular: steer-by-wire systems with a force feedback actuator located far from the steering wheel and steer-by-wire systems with a force feedback actuator located near the steering wheel.

[0004] Steer-by-wire systems with a force feedback actuator located far from the steering wheel utilize familiar crash elements, such as metal strips that deform plastically when a defined force is exceeded. Plastic sleeves on the telescopic steering shaft, which are destroyed by a predetermined force, are also known. Steer-by-wire systems with a force feedback actuator located near the steering wheel eliminate the need for the telescopic steering shaft.

[0005] Furthermore, in such steering column adjustment systems, the steering column housing parts must be able to move relative to each other. This is achieved through a telescopic arrangement of the housing parts. This allows the steering wheel to be moved into a position suitable for the driver.

[0006] Furthermore, it is necessary that such adjustment systems have braking devices that allow for controlled deceleration up to and including locking. Magnetorheological braking devices, among others, can be used for this purpose.

[0007] DE 10 2021 111 965 A1 describes a magnetorheological braking device for braking rotary movements. This device has a receiving chamber equipped with a magnetorheological medium. The receiving chamber containing the magnetorheological medium is sealed by a sealing device with a sealing unit featuring non-contact sealing lips between moving parts.

[0008] The generic German patent DE 11 2007 001 851 B4 discloses a continuous-load shear cell for magnetorheological fluids with a rotatable shaft to which a rotor plate is attached. A first and a second gap are formed between the two surfaces of the rotor plate and corresponding shear surfaces, serving to hold the magnetorheological fluid. At least one magnet generates a magnetic field in these gaps, the outer regions of which can be filled with fluid, while the inner regions contain displacement bodies. This achieves a stable, defined shear effect of the magnetorheological medium under continuous load.

[0009] DE 10 2021 123 061 A1 discloses a method for operating an input device with a swiveling input element whose angular position is detected by a sensor device, whereby a signal influenced by the change in angle is output. Furthermore, from a start time, a free-running state of the input element is simulated, in which a signal is generated that is independent of the angular position. The publication thus primarily describes the electronic detection of the input and the software-based generation of a free-running state. Summary of the invention

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adjustment unit with an improved sealing device.

[0011] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an adjusting unit of a steering column of a vehicle with a magnetorheological braking device, wherein the magnetorheological braking device has a shaft arranged along an axis of rotation and with at least one housing element rotatable about the shaft, wherein a magnetorheological medium is provided in a receiving space formed between the shaft and the housing element, wherein the receiving space is sealed by means of a sealing device between the housing element and the shaft, wherein the sealing device is designed by means of a labyrinth seal, wherein at least one labyrinth sealing part is provided on the housing element, wherein the at least one labyrinth sealing part is provided on the housing element as an integrally formed first inclined plane.

[0012] The at least one labyrinth seal on the housing element allows the magnetorheological medium to be guided along a defined path. This guides the medium into the interior of the braking device. Furthermore, the labyrinth seal has no sealing lips, resulting in a lower drag torque within the braking device. According to the invention, the at least one labyrinth seal on the housing element is formed as an integral first slope. By forming the slope as an integral or one-piece element, it is possible to reduce the number of components, thereby making the unit more compact.

[0013] According to the invention, at least one second labyrinth sealing element is provided on the housing element as an integrally formed second slope. The second labyrinth sealing element, which is also formed as a single-piece or integral slope on the housing element, has the primary function of directing the magnetorheological medium, which was not guided into the interior of the braking device by means of the first labyrinth sealing element, into the interior of the braking device at the latest through the second labyrinth sealing element.

[0014] According to an alternative embodiment, the sealing device has a sleeve arranged around the shaft. This sleeve serves to form an additional labyrinth sealing element. This can be provided in addition to the first labyrinth sealing element and / or the second labyrinth sealing element. Preferably, the sleeve is made of a plastic material. Furthermore, the sleeve is preferably provided with at least one additional labyrinth sealing element, which is designed as at least one integrally formed chamfer.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the magnetorheological medium comprises magnetorheological particles and / or gas and / or liquid as a filling medium.

[0016] Furthermore, the sealing device is preferably designed as a partial tapering of the shaft.

[0017] Further aspects of the invention relate to a steer-by-wire steering system with the use of an adjustment unit according to the invention. Brief description of the drawing

[0018] Three exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated below with reference to four figures. These show: Fig. 1 a longitudinal section of an adjustment unit according to the invention with a magnetorheological braking device according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of an adjustment unit according to the invention with a magnetorheological braking device according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of an adjustment unit according to the invention with a magnetorheological braking device according to a third embodiment, and Fig. 4. A representation of a guide for the magnetorheological medium in a magnetorheological braking device according to the Fig. 1 to 3. Detailed description of the drawings

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of an adjustment unit according to the invention (not shown in detail) with a magnetorheological braking device 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0020] The magnetorheological braking device 1 has a shaft 2 arranged along a rotational axis, with at least one housing element 3 rotatable about the shaft 2. This housing element 3 is supported relative to the shaft 2 by means of two bearing elements 4. The housing element 3 can be designed as a type of cover, sleeve, or in another form. A receiving chamber 5 is formed between the shaft 2 and the housing element 3, which contains a magnetorheological medium. The magnetorheological medium can be provided as magnetorheological particles and / or gas and / or liquid as the filling medium. The receiving chamber 5 is sealed between the housing element 3 and the shaft 2 by means of a sealing device 6.

[0021] The sealing device 6 is designed by means of a labyrinth seal, wherein a labyrinth sealing part 7 is provided by means of a first inclined plane 8 formed integrally on the housing element.

[0022] Furthermore, a sleeve 9, which is arranged around the shaft 2, is provided. The sleeve 9 serves to form a further labyrinth sealing element 10 of the sealing device 6. Preferably, the sleeve 9 is made of a plastic.

[0023] The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows further embodiments of the invention. To simplify the description, identical components are named with the same reference numerals. The following description therefore focuses on the differences.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment. As can be seen, no sleeve is provided around the shaft 2. The shaft 2 has a partial taper 11 in this area, which forms a further part of the sealing device 6. Furthermore, a second labyrinth sealing element is provided on the housing element 3 as an integrally formed second chamfer 12. The second chamfer 12 adjoins the first chamfer 8 and forms a kind of V-shape in longitudinal section. The second chamfer 12 extends in the direction of the taper 11.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows a third embodiment. As can be seen, the sleeve 9 is provided, which includes a further labyrinth sealing element 14, which is designed as an integrally formed third slope 13.

[0026] Fig. Figure 4 shows a representation of a guide for the magnetorheological medium in a magnetorheological braking device 1 according to the Fig.1 to 3. By means of the first inclined plane 8, a large part of the magnetorheological medium is directed into the interior of the braking device 1. The remaining medium that is not directed into the interior is then guided into the interior by means of the other labyrinth seal components or inclined planes. Reference symbol list 1 magnetorheological braking device 2nd wave 3 Housing element 4 bearing element 5 Recording room 6 Sealing device 7 Labyrinth sealing part 8 first slope 9 sleeve 10 Labyrinth sealing part 11 Wave tapering 12 second slope 13 third slope 14 Labyrinth sealing part

Claims

[1] Adjustment unit of a vehicle steering column with a magnetorheological braking device (1), wherein the magnetorheological braking device (1) has a shaft (2) arranged along an axis of rotation and with at least one housing element (3) rotatable about the shaft (2), wherein a magnetorheological medium is provided in a receiving chamber (5) formed between the shaft (2) and the housing element (3), wherein the receiving chamber (5) is sealed by means of a sealing device (6) between the housing element (3) and the shaft (2), wherein the sealing device (6) is designed by means of a labyrinth seal, wherein at least one labyrinth sealing part (7, 10, 14) is provided on the housing element (3). characterized by , that the at least one labyrinth sealing element (7) is provided on the housing element (3) as an integrally formed first inclined plane (8). [2] Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a second labyrinth sealing part is provided on the housing element (3) as an integrally formed second inclined plane (12). [3] Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (6) has a sleeve (9) which is arranged around the shaft (2). [4] Adjustment unit according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve (9) is made of a plastic. [5] Adjustment unit according to one of claims 3 and / or 4, wherein the sleeve (9) has at least one further labyrinth sealing part (10) which is provided at least as an integrally formed inclined plane (13). [6] Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetorheological medium comprises magnetorheological particles and / or gas and / or liquid as the filling medium. [7] Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (6) is designed as a partial tapering (11) of the shaft. [8] Steer-by-wire steering system comprising an adjustment unit according to any of the preceding claims.

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