DEVICE FOR COUPLING TWO SHAFTS OF A VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN
A coupling device with a parallel manipulation axis and motion transformation system simplifies steering column shaft assembly by enabling assembly outside interference zones, facilitating efficient assembly of vehicle steering column shafts.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FLEXIS
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR THE COUPLING OF TWO SHAFTS OF A VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a device for coupling two shafts of a vehicle steering column. Technical background
[0002] Coupling the different shafts of a motor vehicle steering column is an operation that is particularly delicate when carried out for the first time during the assembly of the vehicle on the production line.
[0003] Indeed, in this situation, this operation is carried out during a so-called "marriage" operation during which the vehicle body, already pre-equipped with a number of equipment such as a dashboard, is assembled to all the mechanical components of this vehicle.
[0004] More particularly, vehicle components such as a powertrain, running gear, and a number of equipment including the steering rack, are carried by a support which is presented under the body and then raised under it, so that all of these components and equipment occupy a position in which they can be fixed to the body.
[0005] With regard to the steering rack coupling, the operation consists, during the coupling, of a shaft integral with the rack, called the intermediate steering shaft, passing through a cutout in the vehicle bulkhead to emerge under the vehicle dashboard in order to be coupled there with a final steering shaft of the vehicle intended to be coupled to the vehicle's steering wheel. Generally, the end of the intermediate shaft is located near the cutout formed in the vehicle bulkhead, under the bulkhead, or inside the passenger compartment.
[0006] The coupling of these two shafts is thus often carried out in an area that is not easily accessible since it is located in the immediate vicinity of the cut, under it or above it next to a pedal assembly of the vehicle.
[0007] Consequently, a conventional coupling, achieved by means of a coupling device having a screw with an axis perpendicular to the rack shaft and the steering column, is particularly difficult, since it requires the use of tools that are difficult to handle in this area, either because they are difficult to handle under the bulkhead, or because they can interfere, above the bulkhead, with a pedal assembly of the vehicle,
[0008] There is therefore a real need for a coupling device that can be operated from a more accessible area of the vehicle's passenger compartment. Summary of the invention
[0009] The invention satisfies this need by proposing a coupling device that can be manipulated along an axis parallel to that of the steering column.
[0010] To this end, the invention proposes a device for coupling a first shaft and a second shaft of axis A of a steering column of a motor vehicle, comprising:
[0011] - a housing, suitable for being fixed to one end of the first shaft and comprising a housing configured to receive one end of the second shaft with clearance along a U-shaped direction transverse to axis A
[0012] - at least one movable jaw along the transverse direction U in the housing, comprising a first active transverse end capable of protruding into said housing to lock the end of the second shaft into said housing,
[0013] - a control element for said jaw comprising a control portion capable of being driven relative to the housing and an active part capable of being activated by the control part along an axis B parallel to axis A,
[0014] - a motion transformation device housed in said casing, transforming the movement along axis B of the active part of the control element in a movement of the jaw along the direction U.
[0015] The coupling device according to the invention advantageously allows the control member to be manipulated along an axis parallel to that of the steering column, which makes it possible to manipulate this control member outside of an area of interference with the vehicle's pedal assembly or outside of an area that is difficult to access.
[0016] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention:
[0017] - the motion transformation device comprises a first ramp guide rail for the jaw, formed in the housing, contained in a substantially transverse plane, and inclined with respect to the direction U,
[0018] - the motion transformation device includes a second ramp of guidance, complementary to the first guide ramp, formed on the surface of the jaw, and capable of cooperating with the first guide ramp,
[0019] - the motion transformation device includes drive means along axis B of the jaw by the control member,
[0020] - the motion transformation device includes guiding means sliding relative to said housing or jaw of the control element, called floating, along the transverse direction U, the axis B being transversely mobile,
[0021] - the control member is a screw and nut assembly with axis B, one of said screws and Nut is floating transversely relative to the housing or jaw.
[0022] - one of said screws and nuts comprises said active part of the control member,
[0023] - one head of the screw forms the control part,
[0024] - the screw is capable of being subjected to rotational stress about axis B,
[0025] - the screw is floating relative to the housing, one thread of the screw forming the active part,
[0026] - the nut is fixed relative to the jaw,
[0027] - the nut is in continuous material with a second transverse end of the bit and form said training means,
[0028] - the housing includes a barrel, delimiting the compartment,
[0029] - the casing comprises a body, attached to the barrel,
[0030] - the body is oriented globally parallel to the axes A, B,
[0031] - the body receives the sliding guide means for the floating screw,
[0032] - the body receives the first guide ramp,
[0033] - the body receives means for guiding the jaw in the transverse plane.
[0034] - the means for guiding the sliding movement of said floating screw along the direction transverse U-shaped elements include a guide light that passes axially through the body parallel to axis B.
[0035] - the light is suitable for accommodating the floating screw,
[0036] - the light has an oblong cross-section,
[0037] - the light has two first walls parallel to the transverse plane, between which is the floating screw received,
[0038] - the means for guiding the jaw in the transverse plane comprise a slot of transverse orientation guide, which is formed in the body, in which a portion of the jaw is received sliding in the transverse plane,
[0039] - the guide slot opens directly into the guide light,
[0040] - the slot is delimited, between said guide light and the housing, at least by two second parallel flat walls of transverse orientation between which the jaw is received and by the first guide ramp joining said second walls,
[0041] - the body has a flat face turned towards the first shaft in which opens the guide light,
[0042] - the flat face is configured to receive the head of the floating screw as a support,
[0043] - the end of the second shaft is substantially cylindrical,
[0044] - the housing consists of a bore formed in the barrel.
[0045] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle steering column assembly comprising the first and second shafts of axis A, and the device of the type described above.
[0046] According to another feature of the steering column assembly, the end of the first shaft and the housing are in continuity of material. Brief description of the figures
[0047] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:
[0048] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a steering column assembly of a motor vehicle according to the invention;
[0049] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a motor vehicle steering column assembly mounted through a vehicle bulkhead;
[0050] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a partial axial cross-sectional view of the steering column assembly of the [Fig.1];
[0051] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is an axial cross-sectional view of the housing and the first shaft of a coupling device according to the invention;
[0052] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the housing and the first shaft of a coupling device according to the invention;
[0053] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a movable jaw of the coupling device according to the invention;
[0054] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a perspective view of the housing, the control member, and the first shaft of the coupling device according to the invention.
[0055] [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the housing, the control member, the jaw and the first shaft of the coupling device according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention
[0056] In the description that follows, identical reference numerals designate identical parts or parts having similar functions.
[0057] Figure 1 shows a steering column assembly 10 for a motor vehicle produced according to the invention. The assembly 10 and its components will be described with reference to the directions of the trihedron "X, U, V" where "X" designates an axial direction, "U" designates a first substantially horizontal transverse direction perpendicular to the axial direction "X", and "V" designates a second substantially vertical transverse direction perpendicular to the axial direction "X".
[0058] The assembly 10 which has been represented here comprises, without limitation, a first shaft 12 of axis A, parallel to the axial direction X, which is intended to be coupled to a steering wheel of a steering column, a second shaft 14 also of axis A, also called intermediate shaft, which is intended to be coupled to a steering rack of the vehicle.
[0059] The second shaft 14, or intermediate shaft, is here coupled to the rack via a universal joint 16, or constant velocity joint. The universal joint 16 essentially comprises a first fork 18 integral with the second shaft 14, a cross member 20, and a second fork 22 integral with an output shaft (not shown) of the steering rack.
[0060] According to the invention, the first shaft 12 and the second shaft 14 are coupled via a coupling device 24.
[0061] As illustrated in [Fig.2], which represents the assembly 10 of a motor vehicle steering column mounted through a vehicle apron 23, the coupling device 24 is generally arranged near the vehicle apron 23, immediately on or below a cutout 25 in the apron intended to allow passage of the first shaft 12 or the second shaft 14. In the specific case shown in [Fig.2], the coupling device is arranged below the cutout 25, but it could also be arranged above the cutout 25.
[0062] This type of assembly prohibits the use of an assembly tool positioned transversely with respect to the axis A of the first shaft 12, whether because the coupling device 24 is located below the cutout 24 or because it is arranged above the cutout 24, at the same level as a pedal assembly 31 of the vehicle, fixed to the apron 23.
[0063] The invention proposes a solution to this problem by proposing a coupling device 24 that can be manipulated in a direction parallel to the axis A.
[0064] According to the invention, the coupling device 24 according to the invention comprises firstly a housing 26, which is adapted to be fixed to an end 28 of the first shaft 12. As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 and 7, 8, this housing 26 comprises a recess 30. This recess 30 is configured to receive an end 32 of the second shaft 14 with a transverse clearance along the direction U, which is also transverse to the axis A. Without limiting the invention, the recess 30 is substantially complementary in shape to the end 32 of the second shaft 14. Thus, the recess 30 can take a substantially cylindrical shape if the end 32 of the second shaft 14 is substantially cylindrical, or have a counterbored shape if the end 32 of the second shaft 14 has a square cross-section.
[0065] The coupling device 24 further comprises a jaw 34, which is movable at least along the transverse direction U in the housing 26. This jaw 34 comprises a first active transverse end 36, which is able to protrude into the housing 30 to lock the end of the second shaft 14 in the housing 30. By extending transversely into the housing 30 along the direction U, the first end 36 is able to clamp transversely the end of the second shaft 14 against an opposite wall 33 of the housing 30 in order to make it fixed to the housing 26.
[0066] The coupling device 24 also includes a control element 38 for the jaw 34. This control element 38 includes a control part 40 which is capable of being moved relative to said housing 26 and an active part 42 which is capable of being stressed by the control part 40 along an axis B parallel to the axis A.
[0067] Finally, to cause the movement of the jaw 34, as illustrated in [Fig.3], the coupling device 24 advantageously includes a motion transformation device 44, which is housed in the casing 26. This motion transformation device 44 transforms the movement along the axis B of the active part 42 of the control member 38 into a movement of the jaw 34 along the direction U.
[0068] Generally speaking, since the active part 42 of the control member 38 can be actuated along axis B, its movement can be a rotation, a translation, or a combination of these two movements. Furthermore, the movement of the jaw 34, which is intended to allow its first active end 36 to move with a component along the transverse direction U, is at least partially oriented along the transverse direction U. It will therefore be understood that any motion transformation device that transforms a movement of the active part 42 of the control member 38 along axis B into a movement having at least one transverse component in the direction U can be suitable for the proper implementation of the invention.
[0069] However, in simple terms, the motion transformation device 44 is made in two parts distributed between the housing 26 and the jaw 34. For this purpose, the motion transformation device 44 includes firstly a first guide ramp 46 for the jaw 34, which is formed in the housing 26. This ramp 46, visible in figures 3 to 5, is included in a substantially transverse plane defined by the directions X, U, and is inclined with respect to the direction U by a determined angle, for example by an angle of 30 to 70 degrees.
[0070] Secondly, the motion transformation device 44 includes a second inclined ramp 48, complementary to the first ramp 46, which is formed on the surface of the jaw 34. This second ramp 46 is able to cooperate with the first guide ramp to allow the jaw 34 to slide along the first ramp 46.
[0071] Thirdly, the motion transformation device 44 includes means for driving the jaw 34 along the axis B by the control member 38.
[0072] Thus, any movement given to the jaw 34 along the axis B by the control member 38 results in the transformation of this movement into a combined movement both along the axis B and in the direction U, that is to say along the direction of the plane of the first and second ramps 46, 48 due to the cooperation of the second ramp 48 of the jaw 34 with the first ramp 46.
[0073] It will obviously be understood that, in order for the cooperation of the first and second ramps 46, 48 to allow the transformation of a movement along the axis B and a movement of components along the directions X and U, it is necessary that the jaw 34 be free to move transversely along the direction U.
[0074] To achieve this, the motion transformation device 44 includes, in a fourth position, sliding guidance means 50, relative to said housing 26 or said jaw 34, of the control member 38 along the transverse direction U. The axis B is then transversely mobile and accompanies the member 34 along the transverse direction U. The control member 38 is said to be a floating member.
[0075] Any control element 38 for applying translational force to the jaw 34 along axis B may be suitable for the proper implementation of the invention. For example, the control element 38 could consist of a simple tie rod, or a lever mechanism for applying force to the jaw 34 along axis B. However, preferably, the control element 38 not only applies force to the jaw 34 along axis B but also maintains the position it has conferred on it along axis B once it has been applied force.
[0076] The control member 38 is here a screw 51 and nut 52 assembly with axis B, one of which is floating transversely relative to said housing 26 or said jaw 34. One of said screws 51 and nut 52 also forms the active part of the control member 38.
[0077] In this configuration, a head 40 of the screw 51 forms the control part 40 and is able to be stressed in rotation around the axis B.
[0078] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the screw 51 is floating relative to the housing 26 and the nut 52 is fixed relative to the jaw 34. A thread formed at the end of the screw 51 forms the active part 42.
[0079] It will be understood that the axis B of the screw 51 accompanies the jaw 34 in its transverse movement in the direction U.
[0080] It will also be understood that, conversely, the screw could be fixed relative to the housing 24 and the nut 52 could be mounted sliding in the jaw 34 in the direction U without modifying the operation of the invention.
[0081] In the embodiment shown of the invention, the nut 52 is fixed relative to the jaw 34. The nut 52 is in continuous material with a second The transverse end 54 of the jaw forms the said drive means. The nut 52 therefore consists of a thread formed in the second end 54 of the jaw.
[0082] In an unrepresented variant of the invention, the nut 52 is a captive nut inserted in the jaw 34.
[0083] To perform all of its functions, the housing 26 is made in one piece. It includes a barrel 56, defining the housing 30. Preferably, the barrel 56 is substantially cylindrical, so as to receive the housing 30, which is also cylindrical.
[0084] Attached to the barrel 56, the housing 26 includes a body 58, which is oriented globally parallel to the axes A, B. The body 58 extends here in transverse projection relative to the first shaft 12. This body 58 receives the sliding guide means 50 of the floating screw 38, the first guide ramp 46, and guide means 60 of the jaw 34 in the transverse plane X, U.
[0085] More particularly, the sliding guide means 50 of the floating screw 51 along the transverse direction U comprise a guide slot 50 axially traversing the body parallel to the axis B. This slot 50 is suitable for receiving the floating screw 51 and has an oblong cross-section along the direction U.
[0086] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the slot 50 has two first parallel walls 62 to the transverse plane X, U between which the floating screw 51 is received. For this purpose, the first parallel walls 62 are spaced according to the diameter of the screw 51. Furthermore, the slot 50 has two curved end walls 64, spaced apart by a distance corresponding to one stroke of the translation of the jaw along the direction U, which delimit the extreme transverse positions of the screw 51.
[0087] The guiding means 60 of the jaw 34 in the transverse plane X, U comprise a transverse orientation guide slot 60, which is formed in the body 58. A portion of the jaw 34 is therefore received sliding in this slot 60 in the transverse plane X, U.
[0088] The slot 60 opens at the right of the guide light 30 to allow the jaw 34 to protrude into the bore forming the housing 30. The slot 60 advantageously delimited, between the guide light 50 and the housing 30, by at least two second parallel flat walls 66 of transverse orientation, between which are received flat walls 68 of the jaw 34, visible in particular in figures 6 and 8, and by the first guide ramp 46. The first ramp 46 joins the said second walls 66 and receives by sliding the second ramp 48 of the jaw 34.
[0089] To allow the screw 51 to engage the jaw 34 via the nut 52, the screw must bear against the body 58. For this purpose, the body 26 has a flat face 70 which is oriented towards the first shaft 12. The guide slot 50 opens into this face plane 70. The flat face 70 is configured to receive the head 40 of the floating screw 38 as a support.
[0090] Therefore, as illustrated in [Fig.2], the head 40 of the screw 51 can be operated very simply along the axis B using a socket 74 of a screw tool 72 such as an electric screwdriver.
[0091] Finally, it should be noted that the end 28 of the first shaft 12 and the housing 26 are here in continuous material. This makes it possible to simplify the steering column assembly 10.
[0092] The invention makes it possible to facilitate the assembly of a steering column assembly in a simple and efficient manner.
Claims
Demands
1. A device (24) for coupling a first shaft (12) and a second shaft (14) of axis A of a steering column of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a housing (26), adapted to be fixed to one end (28) of the first shaft (12) and having a recess (30) configured to receive one end (32) of the second shaft (14) with clearance along a direction U transverse to the axis A, - a jaw (34) movable at least along the transverse direction U in the housing (26), having a first active transverse end (36) adapted to protrude into said recess (30) to lock said end (32) of the second shaft (14) in said recess (30), - a control member (38) of said jaw (36) having a control portion (40) adapted to be moved relative to said housing (26) and an active portion (42) adapted to be actuated by the control portion (40) along an axis B parallel to axis A,- a motion transformation device (44) housed in said casing, transforming the motion along axis B of the active part (42) of the control member (38) into a motion of the jaw (36) along the direction U.,
2. Device (24) according to the preceding claim, in which the motion transformation device (44) comprises: - a first guide ramp (46) for the jaw, formed in the housing (26), included in a substantially transverse plane, and inclined with respect to the direction U, - a second guide ramp (48) complementary to the first guide ramp, formed on the surface of the jaw (36), and adapted to cooperate with the first guide ramp (46), - means for driving along the axis B of the jaw (34) by the control member (38), - means for sliding guidance (50) with respect to said housing (26) or said jaw (34) of the control member 38), said to be floating, along the transverse direction U, the axis B being transversely movable.
3. Device (24) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control member (38) is a screw (51) and nut assembly (52) of axis B of which one of said screw (51) and nut (52) is floating transversely with respect to said housing (26) or said jaw (34) and of which one of said screw (51) and nut (52) comprises said active part (42) of the control member (38).
4. Device (24) according to the preceding claim, wherein a head (40) of the screw forms the control part and is capable of being subjected to rotation about the axis B.
5. Device (24) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the screw (51) is floating relative to the housing (26) and the nut (52) is fixed relative to the jaw (34), a thread of the screw (51) forming the active part (42).
6. Device (24) according to the preceding claim, wherein the nut (52) is in continuity of material with a second transverse end (54) of the jaw (34) and forms said drive means.
7. Device (24) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, in which the housing comprises: - a shaft (56), delimiting the housing (30), - a body (58), attached to the shaft (56), oriented globally parallel to the axes A, B, which receives the sliding guide means (50) of the floating screw (51), the first guide ramp (46), and guide means (60) of the jaw (34) in the transverse plane (X, U).
8. Device (24) according to the preceding claim, wherein the means for guiding the sliding of said floating screw (51) along the transverse direction U comprise a guide slot (50) axially passing through the body ((58) parallel to the axis B, which is suitable for receiving the floating screw (51) and which has an oblong cross-section.
9. Device (24) according to the preceding claim, in which the light (50) has two first walls (62) parallel to the transverse plane (A,U) between which the floating screw (51) is received.
10. Device (24) according to claim 8, wherein the means for guiding the jaw (34) in the transverse plane (X, U) comprise a transverse orientation guide slot (60), which is formed in the body (58), which opens at the guide light (50), in which a portion of the jaw (34) is received sliding in the transverse plane (X, U).
11. Device (24) according to the preceding claim, in which the slot (60) is delimited, between said guide light (50) and the housing (30), at least by two second parallel flat walls (66) of transverse orientation between which the jaw (34) is received and by the first guide ramp (46) joining said second walls (66).
12. Device (24) according to claims 4 and 8, wherein the body has a flat face (70) turned towards the first shaft (12) into which the guide light (50) opens, and which is configured to receive the head (40) of the floating screw (51) as a support.
13. Device (24) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the end (32) of the second shaft (14) is substantially cylindrical and wherein the housing (30) is made up of a bore formed in the shaft (56).
14. Assembly (10) of motor vehicle steering column comprising the first and second shafts (12, 14) of axis A, and the device (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, the end (28) of the first shaft (12) and the housing (26) being in continuity of material.