DE102006037941A1 - Vehicle steering column module, with a metal carrier, has a bearing ring for the rotor attached to the carrier by a plastics bond - Google Patents

Abstract

The motor vehicle steering column module has a metal carrier (1). The bearing ring (3) for the rotor is attached to the carrier by a plastics bonding (2). An acoustic damper (6) is between the steering column and the module.

Description

The The invention relates to a steering column module for a motor vehicle, with a non-rotatably connectable with a steering column support member and with one on the carrier part arranged bearing ring for storage by a steering shaft rotatable rotor.

Such a steering column module is from the DE 102 42 252 A1 known. Furthermore, from the German patent application DE 41 29 468 A1 a known by plastic injection or casting technique sliding bearing is known, which is integrally formed on a metal bearing plate.

The mutually movable parts of a steering column module, and that non-rotatably with a steering column connectable carrier part as a stator and the rotatably mounted rotor part, are mostly in one piece made of plastic. Therefore, there is also the pivot bearing as a compound of two plastic elements. Such, in themselves advantageous, because particularly inexpensive to produce steering column modules have disadvantages if particularly precise, robust and at the same time small-sized and low noise Steering column modules are needed. The one for this required precision, in particular in the manufacture against each other rotatable parts, is in Plastic technology can not be realized or only with great effort.

It Thus, the task was to create a steering column module, which Extremely precise and robust with little effort and at the same time small construction and low noise executable is.

These Task is inventively characterized solved, that the carrier part Made of metal and that the bearing ring via a plastic connection with the carrier part connected is.

in this connection are essential elements of the steering column module in so-called "outsert" manufactured The outsert technology will be functional plastic elements such as Expanding mandrels, centering domes or even moving levers on one metal support sprayed on and over Undercuts and breakthroughs anchored (see http://www.outsert.com/seiten/3-1-definition.html).

central Element is here the carrier part made of metal, which is particularly easy and inexpensive from a galvanized Steel sheet can be produced. Alternatively, the carrier part as a die-cast part (eg made of die-cast zinc) accomplished be. The carrier part has a plurality of recesses through which a plastic material form-fitting can be sprayed onto the carrier part or pourable is.

Of the Bearing ring can be inexpensive as a separately molded plastic part or preferably by be formed a particularly low tolerance manufacturable metal part. It is particularly advantageous, the bearing ring with a Teflon coating to be provided, since such a coated bearing ring by a high bearing precision and very low bearing noise distinguished.

As well can also be the rotor part as plastic, metal or Outsertteil be manufactured, and in particular be provided with a coating. It is particularly advantageous if the bearing ring and the rotor part made of the same material and therefore the same thermal Have expansion characteristic. Since thus the thermal expansion behavior not specifically considered must, can these Elements are manufactured with particularly low tolerances, whereby the precision of the Camp still further increased becomes.

By that in outsert technique to the support part attached Plastic material can advantageous at the same time be further functional elements formed For example, electrical or mechanical fasteners or also housing parts the at the steering column module arranged steering angle sensor.

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be described below closer to the drawing explain. Show it

1 and 2 each a view of a rotatably mounted part of a steering column module,

3 an enlarged sectional view through the 2 ,

The 1 shows a view of a part of a steering column module, which is firmly connected in the mounted state with the steering column of a motor vehicle and forms together with other, not shown parts, a steering angle sensor for detecting the rotational position of a steering wheel.

The steering column module is comparatively small in size and at the same time mechanically precise and quiet. In order to achieve the required robustness and stiffness, the carrier part ( 1 ), which forms an essential housing part of the steering column module, made of metal, preferably made of an embossed or cast zinc sheet or a galvanized sheet steel.

The carrier part ( 1 ) has a breakthrough in its central area ( 4 ), which is replaced by an inserted bearing ring ( 3 ) is limited. The bearing ring ( 3 ) has the function, not shown, drehbe wegliches part of the steering column module, hereinafter referred to briefly as a rotor, as low as possible to perform and store.

In the final assembled state is through the breakthrough ( 4 ) and through the bearing ring ( 3 ) guided the rotatable rotor of the sensor, wherein the rotor is driven by the rotatable steering shaft of the steering column. The rotor, which forms part of the steering angle sensor is not on the steering shaft, but as already mentioned, on the bearing ring ( 3 ) stored. This is particularly advantageous because the steering column module can thus be largely preassembled prior to installation in a motor vehicle and is largely independent of the steering column in terms of its mechanical properties.

It is advantageous that between the rotor and the bearing ring ( 3 ) largely dampen bearing noise and from the other parts of the steering column module, in particular the carrier part ( 1 ) to decouple. Also, the sound generated by friction should not be transferred to the metal steering column. In order to achieve such an acoustic decoupling, a contacting arrangement of metal parts must be avoided as much as possible.

Therefore, the connection of the bearing ring ( 3 ) to the support part ( 1 ) by a Kunststoffanspritzung or a Kunststoffverguß in so-called "outsert technique." The applied plastic engages in a variety of small recesses ( 8th ) in the carrier part ( 1 ) and also encloses a border area ( 9 ) of the bearing ring ( 3 ). Before the encapsulation, the carrier part ( 1 ) and the bearing ring ( 3 ) in the injection mold exactly to each other. Because the exact position of the two elements is due to the precise tool geometry ( 2 ), so creates a high-precision and low-noise bearing for the rotor. In addition, the plastic injection ( 2 ) for an acoustic decoupling of the bearing ring ( 3 ) from the carrier part ( 1 ).

Additionally advantageous is that the bearing ring ( 3 ) is first made as a separate item. Compared to one directly to the support part ( 1 ) integrally formed bearing ring ( 3 ), this is much less tolerant to produce. The bearing ring ( 3 ) can be made particularly cost-effective from a plastic or very precisely made of a metal. In addition, a coating of the bearing ring ( 3 ) with polytetrafluoroethylene (trade name: Teflon) are provided in order to achieve particularly favorable friction properties of the bearing.

Advantageously, in the production of Kunststoffanspritzung between the bearing ring ( 3 ) and the carrier part ( 1 ) in the same operation further functional elements to the support part ( 1 ) can be sprayed. This can, for example, fasteners ( 5 ), electrically insulated areas for receiving a circuit carrier or so-called pinch dome ( 6 ).

As fastening elements ( 5 ) are in the 1 and 2 to the support part ( 1 ) molded Schraublaschen recognizable. Pinch dome ( 6 ) are moldings which consist of at least one surface of the carrier part ( 1 ) and which are distinguished by recesses ( 8th ) of the carrier part ( 1 ) inserted plastic material are formed. As a result, they come when attaching the support member ( 1 ) to a steering column section as a spacer to the effect, which prevent the direct contact of metal to metal in the connection of the steering column module to the steering column. Thus also the squeezing dome ( 6 ), as well as the fasteners ( 5 ), significantly contributes to the acoustic decoupling of the steering column module.

To clarify the connection between the carrier part ( 1 ) and the bearing ring ( 3 ) show the 3 a cut through the 2 which is defined by two connection points ( 10a . 10b ) runs. The connection points ( 10a . 10b ) are formed by plastic material, which in recesses ( 8th ) in the carrier part ( 1 ) is injected. On the surface of the carrier part ( 1 ) the connection points ( 10a . 10b ) each over the edge region of the recesses ( 8th ), so that the connection points ( 10a . 10b ) have approximately the shape of a sprayed riveted joint. At the same time, the connection points ( 10a . 10b ), several of which are around the bearing ring ( 3 ) are arranged around, in each case an edge region ( 9 ) of the bearing ring ( 3 ) and preferably along the entire circumference of the bearing ring ( 3 ), which is so strong with the carrier part ( 1 ) connected is.

Furthermore, in the 3 a section through a molded flat section ( 7 ) recognizable, which may be provided for example as a mounting surface for a circuit carrier not shown.

1

support part (Carrier sheet)

2

Plastic connections (Kunststoffanspritzung)

3

bearing ring

4

breakthrough

5

fasteners

6

Quetschdome (noise-damping element)

7

flat section

8th

recesses

9

border area (of the bearing ring)

10a, 10b

connection points

Claims (13)

Steering column module for a motor vehicle, having a rotatably connected to a steering column support member and a support member arranged on the bearing ring for supporting a rotatable by a steering shaft rotor, characterized in that the carrier part ( 1 ) consists of metal and that the bearing ring ( 3 ) via a plastic connection ( 2 ) with the carrier part ( 1 ) connected is. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic connection ( 2 ) is produced by injection or casting. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier part ( 1 ) consists of a galvanized sheet steel. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier part ( 1 ) consists of an embossed or cast zinc sheet. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing ring ( 3 ) consists of metal. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing ring ( 3 ) consists of plastic. Steering column module according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the bearing ring ( 3 ) has a lubricious coating. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one further functional element by the plastic connection ( 2 ) is trained. Steering column module according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one fastening element ( 5 ) by the plastic connection ( 2 ) is trained. Steering column module according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one noise-damping element ( 6 ) by the plastic connection ( 2 ) is trained. Steering column module according to claim 10, characterized in that the noise-damping element ( 6 ) is arranged as a spacer between the steering column and the steering column module. steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one part the rotor is made of a metal. steering column module according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one part the rotor consists of an overmolded metal.