DE102006037943A1 - Steering column module for motor vehicle, has steering angle sensor provided with code disk which is rotatably arranged, where code disk and housing parts of coil spring cartridge are commonly rotatably supported at storage position - Google Patents

Abstract

The module has a steering angle sensor provided with a code disk (1) which is rotatably arranged. The code disk and housing parts (2a, 2b) of a coil spring cartridge (13) are commonly rotatably supported at a storage position. The code disk and the housing parts of the coil spring cartridge are connected with each other by a rotor (8) using a locking connection, where the rotor is driven by a steering spindle. A torque proof side of the storage position is arranged at a carrier part (5) of a steering angle sensor housing.

Description

The The invention relates to a steering column module for a motor vehicle, with a steering angle sensor having a rotatably arranged code disk has and with a coil spring cassette for electrical contacting electrical or electronic components.

Such steering column modules are for example from the DE 101 08 377 C1 and the DE 197 55 094 A1 known. In known steering column modules, the coil spring cassette consists of a first, non-rotatably mounted housing part and a second, with respect to the first rotatably mounted housing part. Furthermore, a code disk, which is rotatably mounted on a steering angle sensor housing part, forms part of a preferably optical steering angle sensor. It is also known that the steering angle sensor housing part can simultaneously form integrally the rotationally fixed housing part of the coil spring cassette; in any case, however, both the rotatably arranged housing part of the coil spring cassette, as well as the code disk are mounted at a separate bearing point.

This is appropriate in this respect, as As a result, a stable storage of both the coil spring cassette as also the code disk can be achieved. The disadvantage, however, is that this two bearings are required, both each Friction and noise cause.

It Therefore, the task was a steering column module with a special simply constructed and at the same time particularly low-noise storage to accomplish.

These Task is inventively characterized solved, that the code disk and rotatable parts of the coil spring cassette are rotatably mounted together on a single bearing point.

There thus, instead of previously at least two storage locations only a single Storage is provided, hereby reduces the number of potential noise sources inside the steering column module.

Advantageous is also that through the common depository of the code disk and the coil spring cassette on the coupling of the steering column module the steering column very simple, because in any case the coupling over only a single rotatable element can be provided. This is In addition, the structure of the steering column module largely independent of provided location in the motor vehicle ausgestaltbar.

to Achieving a particularly good noise reduction, it is advantageous manufacture at least one of the parts of the bearing of a metal and this preferably to be provided with a lubricious coating.

Of the Range of temperatures occurring in a motor vehicle, of a maximum to a minimum temperature below that installed in the vehicle Components need to work properly is significant. This means, that usually a relatively large one Bearing clearance between the parts of a pivot bearing can be provided must to thermal Compensate for expansion effects.

Around the bearing clearance to be provided as small as possible to be able to hold It is advantageous if the interacting parts of the same Material exist and thus the same thermal expansion behavior exhibit. This allows a high-precision storage over a high temperature range can be achieved.

Especially It is advantageous if both parts of the bearing made of metal and preferably consist of the same metal. This is a bearing with a high stability, as well as with small tolerances and high precision easily realizable,

Further advantageous embodiments and developments emerge the dependent claims. One embodiment The invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be described below closer to the drawing explained.

The 1 shows a sectional view of a steering column module; in the 2 is an excerpt from the 1 shown, which illustrates in particular the area of the bearing.

The steering column module is connected in the assembled state with the steering column of a motor vehicle and in particular forms a steering angle sensor for detecting the rotational position of a steering wheel. For this purpose, within a sensor housing fixed relative to the steering column, a code disk ( 1 ) rotatably mounted. The sensor housing consists of a carrier part ( 5 ), which is preferably made of metal for a high stability, and of a support part ( 5 ) overlapping lid ( 4 ), which closes the sensor housing.

The code disc ( 1 ) consists of two concentrically arranged, interconnected annular sections, wherein the radially outer portion carries an optically evaluable coding that can be evaluated by an electronic sensor, not shown. The sensor determines the momentarily each of the code disc ( 1 ) assumed angular position. The pause re section of the code disc ( 1 ), in the following as code disk carrier ( 10 ), serves in particular for the rotatable mounting of the code disk ( 1 ).

In order to achieve the required robustness and rigidity, the support part ( 5 ) preferably made of an embossed or cast zinc sheet. The carrier part ( 5 ) has a breakthrough in its central area ( 14 ) into which a bearing ring ( 7 ) is inserted. The bearing ring ( 7 ) is fixed to the carrier part ( 5 ) and has the function, a rotatable part, here especially the code disk carrier ( 10 ), as low as possible to lead and store. The code disk carrier ( 10 ) is equipped with a hollow cylindrical rotor ( 8th ), which is driven in the final assembled state by the rotatable steering shaft of the steering column.

Above the sensor housing is a coil spring cassette ( 13 ), which contains an up and unwindable electrical conductor (not shown in the drawing), and which serves for electrical connection between rotatable and non-rotatable electrical or electronic components. The coil spring cassette ( 13 ) consists of several rotatable and non-rotatable housing parts, wherein the former a rotor base ( 2a ) and a rotor shell ( 2 B ) and to the latter a stator top ( 3a ) and a stator lower part ( 3b ) belongs.

The rotatable housing parts ( 2a . 2 B ) of the coil spring cassette ( 13 ) are also, preferably via snap-in connections, with the rotor ( 8th ) connected.

Thus, all rotatable parts of the code disk ( 1 ) and the coil spring cassette ( 13 ) over the rotor ( 8th ) and together in a single storage location ( 11 ) stored. This depository ( 11 ) is passed through the innermost region of the code disk carrier ( 10 ), which forms a bearing shell ( 12 ) formed on the bearing ring ( 7 ) to be led.

This makes it possible to pre-assemble all the rotatable parts of the steering column module into one unit. By only one common depository ( 11 ), the friction and noise is low.

The depository ( 11 ) is also extremely precise and designed with little play. The bearing ring ( 7 ) can be inexpensively formed as a plastic part or preferably by a metal part which can be produced with a particularly low tolerance. It is particularly advantageous to use the bearing ring ( 7 ) with a Teflon coating, since such a coated bearing ring ( 7 ) characterized by a high bearing precision and very low bearing noise. It is additionally advantageous if the bearing ring ( 7 ) is first manufactured as a separate item, which in comparison to a one-piece to the support part ( 5 ) integrally formed bearing ring is much less tolerant to produce. The bearing ring ( 7 ) can advantageously via a plastic connection ( 6 ), so a partial encapsulation, with the carrier part ( 5 ).

Both the bearing ring ( 7 ) and also the bearing shell ( 12 ) of the code disk carrier ( 10 ) are made of similar material and thus have the same thermal expansion characteristics. Thus, the bearing clearance to be provided between bearing ring ( 7 ) and bearing shell ( 12 ), despite the motor vehicle typical possible large temperature differences, are kept very low.

1

code disk

2a

Rotor base (the coil spring cassette)

2 B

Rotor shell (the coil spring cassette)

3a

Statorunterteil (the coil spring cassette)

3b

Statoroberteil (the coil spring cassette)

4

cover (of the sensor housing)

5

(Support) part

6

Plastic connections

7

bearing ring

8th

rotor (Sensor-)

9

release cam

10

Code disc carrier

11

depository

12

bearing shell

13

Coil spring cassette

14

breakthrough

2a, 2 B

rotatable Parts (the coil spring cassette)

3a, 3b

fixed Parts (the coil spring cassette)

Claims (12)

Steering column module for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering angle sensor, which has a rotatably arranged code disk and with a coil spring cassette for electrical contacting of electrical or electronic components, characterized in that the code disk ( 1 ) and rotatable parts ( 2a . 2 B ) of the coil spring cassette ( 13 ) together at a single depository ( 11 ) are rotatably mounted. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the code disc ( 1 ) and rotatable parts ( 2a . 2 B ) of the coil spring cassette ( 13 ) are interconnected. Steering column module according to claim 2, characterized in that the code disc ( 1 ) and rotatable parts ( 2a . 2 B ) of the coil spring cassette ( 13 ) via a rotor ( 8th ) are connected to each other, which is driven by a steering shaft. Steering column module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the code disc ( 1 ) and rotatable parts ( 2a . 2 B ) of the coil spring cassette ( 13 ) by means of latching connections with each other or with the rotor ( 8th ) are connected. Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-rotatable side of the bearing ( 11 ) on one part ( 5 ) is arranged a steering angle sensor housing. Steering column module according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the non-rotatable side of the bearing ( 11 ) as a bearing ring ( 7 ) or bearing shell is formed. Steering column module according to claim 6, characterized in that the rotatable side of the bearing as a bearing shell ( 12 ) or bearing ring is formed and part of the code disk ( 1 ). Steering column module according to claim 6, characterized in that the rotatable side of the bearing as a bearing shell ( 12 ) or bearing ring is formed and part of the rotor ( 8th ). Steering column module according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-rotatable and rotatable side of the bearing ( 11 ) consist of the same material. Steering column module according to claim 9, characterized in that the non-rotatable and the rotatable side of the bearing ( 11 ) consist of metal. Steering column module according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that the non-rotatable side of the bearing ( 11 ) as a bearing ring ( 7 ) or bearing shell is formed of metal, the / by means of a plastic connection ( 6 ) on the part ( 5 ) of the steering angle sensor housing is attached. Steering column module according to claim 5 or 11, characterized in that the part ( 5 ) of the steering angle sensor housing is made of metal.