Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft (1), an upper support (3), a left side plate (4) and a right side plate (5), wherein the steering column has a left and a right side, wherein both ends of the steering shaft (1) are installed via a bearing inside the upper holder (3), wherein a hand controller (6) is provided on an outside of the holder (3), wherein a second bore (9) is provided on a left and on a right side of the upper holder (3), wherein the second bores (9) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), wherein the left side plate (4) and the right side plate (5) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1) on a left and a right outer side of the upper holder (3), wherein the left side plate (4) and the right side plate (5) are each provided with a third sliding recess (10), wherein the third sliding recesses (10) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), wherein the left side plate (4) and the right side plate (5) are each provided with a fourth sliding recess (11), wherein the fourth sliding recesses (11) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), characterized by the fact that a first sliding recess (8) is provided on a left and on a right side of the upper holder (3), wherein the two first sliding recesses (8) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), wherein an electric motor (12) is mounted on an inner side of the right side plate (5) for The extension and retraction mechanism is provided, which is connected to an adapter plate (13) whose lower end is connected to a front-back angle electric motor (14) which is connected to a connecting plate (15), wherein a through-hole associated with the connecting plate (15) is provided on the left side of the upper holder (3), which is connected to the connecting plate (15) via a second bolt (16), wherein an upper end of the adapter plate (13) is connected to a threaded shaft (17), wherein the first sliding recess (8) and the third sliding recess (10), which are located on the left side of the steering column, are connected to each other via a stud bolt (18), wherein the stud bolt (18) is connected at one end to a first end of the threaded shaft (17) and at the other end to a first end of a left pull plate (19), wherein the second bore (9) and the fourth sliding recess (11), which are arranged on the left side of the steering column, are connected to each other via a first bolt (20) which is connected to a second end of the left pull plate (19), wherein the first sliding recess (8) and the third sliding recess (10), which are located on the right side of the steering column, are connected to each other via the threaded shaft (17), wherein a second end of the threaded shaft (17) is connected to a first end of a right-hand pull plate (21), and wherein the first bolt (20) which is located on the right side of the steering column is connected to a second end of the right pull plate (21).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive accessories and specifically to an electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The generic patent DE 10 2015 112 089 A1 describes a device for reversibly adjusting a steering column of a motor vehicle from a working position to an easy-entry position with a bearing block in which a steering column housing of the steering column is adjustableally mounted.

[0003] DE 36 34 977 A1 describes an arrangement for a vehicle for tilting a steering wheel by means of an auxiliary drive force, wherein the arrangement includes a motor that rotates in only one direction.

[0004] US 5,131,287 A describes a steering column support for vehicles that is partially displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the steering column by a distance and partially tiltable in a vertical plane about a transverse axis.

[0005] DE 691 02 452 T2 describes an adjustable steering column with a steering wheel shaft which is rotatably mounted between two vertical side flanges in a column body which can pivot about a horizontal axis.

[0006] In adjustable steering gears of various types offered by domestic automakers, the steering wheel is adjusted by manually or pneumatically opening a locking mechanism. Manual adjustment is cumbersome, requires force, and is uncomfortable; a certain amount of hand force is needed to release or lock the handle, so if the hand force is insufficient, the locking mechanism is difficult to open, resulting in a laborious steering wheel adjustment. Furthermore, after locking, the steering becomes unstable and an unusual noise is produced when the steering wheel is moved. With pneumatic adjustment, the gas pressure must be higher than 0.5 MPa to allow adjustment of the steering column. Conversely, no adjustment is possible with insufficient gas pressure or an interrupted gas supply. CONTENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages, which is characterized by a high degree of automation, electric adjustment, independence from control via a gas source, low actuating force, large adjustment range upwards and downwards, large adjustment angle forwards and backwards and low actuating effort for the operator.

[0008] According to the invention, the problem is solved by the object having the features of claim 1.

[0009] The present invention achieves the following advantageous effects: The present invention is characterized by a high degree of automation, electric adjustment, independence from control via a gas source, a large adjustment range upwards and downwards, a large adjustment angle forwards and backwards, low actuation force, low operating effort for the operator and automatically adjustable movement of the threaded rod of the electric motor, which ensures a more stable and smoother adjustment upwards and downwards as well as forwards and backwards and a significantly extended service life of the electric motor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] This shows Fig. 1 a first schematic structural representation of the present invention, Fig. 2 a second schematic structural representation of the present invention, Fig. 3. The electric motor for extending and retracting upwards and downwards (front-back angle electric motor) in a schematic representation.

[0011] The numbers 1 for steering shaft, 2 for side plate base, 3 for upper bracket, 4 for left side plate, 5 for right side plate, 6 for hand controller, 7 for wear-resistant nylon washer, 8 for first sliding recess, 9 for second bore, 10 for third sliding recess, 11 for fourth sliding recess, 12 for electric motor for extending and retracting up and down, 13 for adapter plate, 14 for front-to-rear angle electric motor, 15 for connecting plate, 16 for second bolt, 17 for threaded shaft, 18 for first stud bolt, 19 for left pull plate, 20 for first bolt, 21 for right pull plate, 12.1 for first electric motor mount, 12.2 for first electric motor housing, 14.1 for second electric motor mount, and 14.2 for second electric motor housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] As from Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig.As can be seen from Figure 3, the present invention relates to an electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft 1, an upper bracket 3, a left side plate 4, and a right side plate 5. The two ends of the steering shaft 1 are mounted via a bearing within the upper bracket 3 and secured by means of a shaft retaining ring. A hand control 6 is provided on the outside of the upper bracket 3. A first sliding recess 8 and a second bore 9, arranged symmetrically to each other, are provided on the left and right sides of the upper bracket 3. The left side plate 4 and the right side plate 5 are arranged symmetrically to each other on the outside of the upper bracket 3. The left side plate 4 and the right side plate 5 are each provided with a third sliding recess 10 and a fourth sliding recess 11, which are arranged symmetrically to each other.On the inside of the right side plate 5, an electric motor 12 is provided for extending and retracting the steering column upwards and downwards. This motor is connected to an adapter plate 13, the lower end of which is connected to a forward-backward angle electric motor 14, which is connected to a connecting plate 15. On the left side of the upper bracket 3, a through-hole is provided for the connecting plate 13, which is connected to the connecting plate 13 via a second bolt 16. The upper end of the adapter plate 15 is connected to a threaded shaft 17. The first sliding recess 8 and the third sliding recess 10, located on the left side of the steering column, are connected to each other via a first stud bolt 18. This first stud bolt is connected at one end to an end of the threaded shaft 17 and at the other end to an end of a left-hand pull plate 19.The second bore 9 and the fourth sliding recess 11, located on the same side, are connected to each other via a first bolt 18, which is connected to the other end of the left pull plate 19. The first sliding recess 8 and the third sliding recess 10, located on the right side, are connected to each other via the threaded shaft 17, which is connected at one end to an end of a right pull plate 21. The first bolt 20, located on the right side, is connected to the other end of the right pull plate 21. The right and left pull plates ensure more stable movement of the upper holder forwards and backwards as well as left and right.

[0013] The first sliding recess 8 is kidney-shaped, the center of which corresponds to the first bolt 20. The angle formed by the two ends of the kidney-shaped recess and the first bolt 20 can be a maximum of 35°. The distance between the first bolt 20 and the first stud 18 corresponds to the radius of rotation of the first sliding recess 8.

[0014] Between the two ends of the left pull plate 19 or the right pull plate 21 on the one hand and the third sliding recess 10 and the fourth sliding recess 11 on the other hand, which are arranged on the same side, a wear-resistant nylon washer 7 is provided in each case.

[0015] The lowest area of ​​the left side panel 4 and the lowest area of ​​the right side panel 5 are each provided with a side panel foot 2.

[0016] A first electric motor mount 12.1 of the electric motor 12 for extending and retracting upwards and downwards is articulated to a first electric motor housing 12.2 and is rigidly connected to the right side plate 5, while a second electric motor mount 14.1 of the forward-backward angle electric motor 14 is articulated to a second electric motor housing 14.2 and is rigidly connected to the adapter plate 15. The threaded rod of the electric motor 12 for extending and retracting upwards and downwards and of the forward-backward angle electric motor 14 can be automatically adjusted to compensate for the force absorption of the threaded rod, which ensures a more stable and smoother linear movement of the threaded rod. This also prevents premature failure of the threaded rod and extends the service life of the electric motor.

[0017] A threaded rod of the electric motor 12, used for extending and retracting the motor upwards and downwards, is connected to the adapter plate 13. A worm gear of the electric motor 12, used for extending and retracting the motor upwards and downwards, is moved upwards and downwards by rotating the threaded rod. A threaded rod of the forward-backward angle electric motor 14 is connected to the connecting plate 15. A worm gear of the forward-backward angle electric motor 14, also used for retracting the motor, moves the threaded rod forwards and backwards by rotating the adapter plate 13.

[0018] The electric motor 12 for extending and retracting the mechanism upwards and downwards is connected to the adapter plate 13 via a bolt, and a threaded rod of the electric motor 12 is moved upwards and downwards by rotating the upper bracket, with a maximum movement distance of 75 mm. The forward-backward angle electric motor 14 is connected to the connecting plate 15 via a bolt; and a threaded rod of the forward-backward angle electric motor 14 is moved forwards and backwards by rotating the upper bracket.

Claims

[1] Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft (1), an upper support (3), a left side plate (4) and a right side plate (5), wherein the steering column has a left and a right side, wherein both ends of the steering shaft (1) are installed via a bearing inside the upper holder (3), wherein a hand controller (6) is provided on an outside of the holder (3), wherein a second bore (9) is provided on a left and on a right side of the upper holder (3), wherein the second bores (9) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), wherein the left side plate (4) and the right side plate (5) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1) on a left and a right outer side of the upper holder (3), wherein the left side plate (4) and the right side plate (5) are each provided with a third sliding recess (10), wherein the third sliding recesses (10) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), wherein the left side plate (4) and the right side plate (5) are each provided with a fourth sliding recess (11), wherein the fourth sliding recesses (11) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), characterized by , that a first sliding recess (8) is provided on a left and on a right side of the upper holder (3), wherein the two first sliding recesses (8) are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the steering shaft (1), wherein an electric motor (12) is mounted on an inner side of the right side plate (5) for The extension and retraction mechanism is provided, which is connected to an adapter plate (13), the lower end of which is connected to a front-back angle electric motor (14), which is connected to a connecting plate (15). wherein a through-hole associated with the connecting plate (15) is provided on the left side of the upper holder (3), which is connected to the connecting plate (15) via a second bolt (16), wherein an upper end of the adapter plate (13) is connected to a threaded shaft (17), wherein the first sliding recess (8) and the third sliding recess (10), which are located on the left side of the steering column, are connected to each other via a stud bolt (18), wherein the stud bolt (18) is connected at one end to a first end of the threaded shaft (17) and at the other end to a first end of a left pull plate (19), wherein the second bore (9) and the fourth sliding recess (11), which are arranged on the left side of the steering column, are connected to each other via a first bolt (20) which is connected to a second end of the left pull plate (19), wherein the first sliding recess (8) and the third sliding recess (10), which are located on the right side of the steering column, are connected to each other via the threaded shaft (17), wherein a second end of the threaded shaft (17) is connected to a first end of a right-hand pull plate (21), and wherein the first bolt (20) which is located on the right side of the steering column is connected to a second end of the right pull plate (21). [2] Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first sliding recess (8) is a kidney-shaped recess whose center of the circle corresponds to the first bolt (20). [3] Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that a wear-resistant nylon washer (7) is provided between the first end of the left pull plate (19) and the third sliding recess (10) of the left side plate (4), as well as between the second end of the left pull plate (19) and the fourth sliding recess (11) of the left side plate (4), as well as between the first end of the right pull plate (21) and the third sliding recess (10) of the right side plate (5), as well as between the second end of the right pull plate (21) and the fourth sliding recess (11) of the right side plate (5). [4] Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the lowest area of ​​the left side plate (4) and the lowest area of ​​the right side plate (5) is each provided with a side plate foot (2). [5] Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that a first electric motor mount (12.1) of the electric motor (12) is articulated to a first electric motor housing (12.2) for extension and retraction and the first electric motor mount (12.1) is fixedly connected to the right side plate (5), while a second electric motor mount (14.1) of the front-back angle electric motor (14) is articulated to a second electric motor housing (14.2) and the second electric motor mount (14.1) is fixedly connected to the adapter plate (13). [6] Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, that a first threaded rod of the electric motor (12) is connected to the adapter plate (13) for extension and retraction and a worm gear of the electric motor (12) sets the first threaded rod in motion by turning it for extension and retraction, and that a second threaded rod of the front-back angle electric motor (14) is connected to the connecting plate (15) and a worm gear of the front-back angle electric motor (14) sets the second threaded rod in motion by turning it. [7] Electrically controlled and adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, that the electric motor (12) for extension and retraction is connected to the adapter plate (13) via a third bolt and the first threaded rod of the electric motor (12) sets the upper holder (3) in motion by turning it for extension and retraction, and that the front-back angle electric motor (14) is connected to the connecting plate (15) via a fourth bolt and the second threaded rod of the front-back angle electric motor (14) sets the upper holder (3) in motion by turning it.

Images