DE102013217904A1 - Steering column assembly and rolling bearing on a shaft for steering columns of motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering column assembly with a steering spindle (1) consisting of two steering spindle sections (3, 5). Both steering shaft sections (3, 5) are rotatably connected to each other and rotatably mounted in a steering shaft housing (7). In addition, each steering shaft section (3, 5) associated with a rolling bearing (9). According to the invention, each roller bearing (9) has two seals (11) which are arranged between an outer sleeve (13) of each roller bearing (9) and the steering spindle (1) of each steering spindle section (3, 5). Furthermore, the invention relates to a rolling bearing (9) on a shaft (1) for steering columns of motor vehicles.

Description

The present invention relates to a steering column assembly with a steering shaft consisting of two steering spindle sections. Both steering shaft sections are rotatably connected to each other and rotatably mounted in a steering shaft housing. Each steering spindle section is associated with a rolling bearing.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a rolling bearing on a shaft for steering columns of motor vehicles. The rolling bearing comprises at least one outer sleeve and a rolling bearing cage for receiving a plurality of rolling elements.

Background of the invention

There are steering column assemblies or steering columns are used, which are equipped with a steering shaft having two telescopically assembled steering spindle sections to allow in the event of a collision accident, for example, the relative displacement of a steering shaft portion relative to the other, so as to shift the steering column toward to avoid the driver. In particular, these telescopic connections are also provided for steering spindles to provide axial adjustment of the position of a steering wheel relative to a driver.

In addition, in steering columns with a steering shaft known, such as in the German patent applications DE 101 30 908 A1 and DE 10 2005 025 051 A1 discloses to provide the two steering shaft sections with a rolling bearing, so that these two steering shaft sections can move axially against each other in a steering shaft housing.

In general, today in the automotive industry there is a great lack of wear of various components, including steering columns. In particular, this high component wear caused by contamination, such as by the penetration of foreign particles in the steering column assemblies. Due to the penetration of these foreign particles then various components, v. a. Rolling, contaminated, which in turn impairs or even suspends operation. This leads above all to a shortened service life.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a steering column assembly with a steering shaft, which prevents ingress of foreign particles, thus ensuring both proper operation and increases the life.

This object is achieved by a steering column assembly comprising the features of claim 1.

A further object of the invention is to provide a roller bearing on a shaft for steering columns of motor vehicles, which prevents the penetration of foreign particles and thus ensures both proper operation and increases the life.

This object is achieved by a rolling bearing on a shaft for steering columns of motor vehicles, comprising the features of claim 3.

The steering column arrangement according to the invention with a steering spindle consists of two steering spindle sections. Both steering shaft sections are rotatably connected to each other and rotatably mounted in a steering shaft housing. In addition, each steering spindle section is associated with a rolling bearing.

According to the invention, each roller bearing has two seals. In this case, the two seals between an outer sleeve of each roller bearing and the steering shaft of each steering shaft section are arranged. Through these seals between the rolling bearings and the steering spindle sections of the steering spindle penetration of foreign particles is excluded in the bearings. Thus, a previously known from the prior art faster wear of the bearings is prevented in steering column assemblies. This in turn allows proper operation and also increases the life of both the rolling bearings and the entire steering column assembly.

In the steering column arrangement according to the invention, each seal preferably engages in the outer sleeve of each roller bearing and rests against the steering spindle.

The rolling bearing according to the invention on a shaft for steering columns of motor vehicles comprises at least one outer sleeve and a roller bearing cage for receiving a plurality of rolling elements. According to the invention, in each case a seal is arranged on a first free end and on a second free end of the roller bearing cage, which engage in the outer sleeve of the rolling bearing and bear against the shaft. These seals on the rolling bearing prevents penetration of foreign particles, which ensures both proper operation and increases the life of the rolling bearing.

In a preferred embodiment, each seal is an O-ring.

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages with reference to the accompanying figures will be explained in more detail. The proportions in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, as some shapes are simplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for ease of illustration. Showing:

1 a perspective view of a steering column assembly with a steering shaft;

2 a perspective view of a known from the prior art rolling bearing for steering columns of motor vehicles;

3 a perspective view of a rolling bearing for steering columns of motor vehicles according to the invention;

4 a detail from 3 in which a seal engages an outer sleeve of the rolling bearing and bears against the shaft; and

5 an embodiment of a seal in the form of an O-ring.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the steering column assembly according to the invention and the rolling bearing according to the invention can be configured on a shaft for steering columns of motor vehicles and thus do not represent a final limitation of the invention.

1 shows a perspective view of a steering column assembly with a steering shaft 1 consisting of two steering spindle sections 3 . 5 , Both steering spindle sections 3 . 5 are rotatably connected to each other and in a steering shaft housing 7 rotatably mounted. Therefore, each steering shaft section 3 . 5 a rolling bearing 9 zugordnet.

A known from the prior art rolling bearing 9 for steering columns 1 of motor vehicles is in a perspective view in 2 shown. There is the rolling bearing 9 from an outer sleeve 13 and a Wälzlagerkä 15 for receiving a plurality of rolling elements 17 , A disadvantage of this known rolling bearing 9 is that between the in 1 shown steering spindle 1 and the rolling bearings 9 In the operation of a motor vehicle foreign particles can penetrate, which is the rolling bearing 9 thus significantly contaminate. This not only affects the operation, but also leads to a shortened life of the bearing 9 ,

To overcome these disadvantages, shows 3 a perspective view of a rolling bearing according to the invention 9 for steering columns 1 of motor vehicles, in which at a first free end 19 and at a second free end 21 of Wälzlagerkä 15 one seal each 11 , such as a in Fig. 5 shown O-ring, which is arranged in the outer sleeve 13 of the rolling bearing 9 engage and on the steering column 1 or more generally on a wave 1 issue. Thus, no foreign particles can penetrate more.

4 shows a detail 3 in which a seal 11 of the rolling bearing 9 in an outer sleeve 13 of the rolling bearing 9 engages and on the shaft or the steering column 1 is applied.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Steering spindle, shaft

3, 5

 Steering shaft section

7

 Steering shaft housing

9

 roller bearing

11

 Gasket, O-ring

13

 shell

15

 Rolling bearing cage

17

 rolling elements

19

 first free end of the rolling bearing cage

21

 second free end of the rolling bearing cage

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10130908 A1 [0004]
• DE 102005025051 A1 [0004]

Claims (4)

Steering column arrangement with a steering spindle ( 1 ) consisting of two steering spindle sections ( 3 . 5 ), both steering spindle sections ( 3 . 5 ) rotatably connected to each other and in a steering shaft housing ( 7 ) are rotatably mounted and each Lenkspindelabschnitt ( 3 . 5 ) a rolling bearing ( 9 ), characterized in that each rolling bearing ( 9 ) two seals ( 11 ), which between an outer sleeve ( 13 ) of each rolling bearing ( 9 ) and the steering spindle ( 1 ) each Lenkspindelabschnitts ( 3 . 5 ) are arranged. Steering column assembly according to claim 1, wherein each seal ( 11 ) in the outer sleeve ( 13 ) of each rolling bearing ( 9 ) and on the steering spindle ( 1 ) is present. Roller bearing ( 9 ) on a wave ( 1 ) for steering columns of motor vehicles, with at least one outer sleeve ( 13 ) and a rolling bearing cage ( 15 ) for receiving a plurality of rolling elements ( 17 ), characterized in that at a first free end ( 19 ) and at a second free end ( 21 ) of the roller bearing cage ( 15 ) each a seal ( 11 ) arranged in the outer sleeve ( 13 ) of the rolling bearing ( 9 ) and on the shaft ( 1 ) issue. Roller bearing ( 9 ) according to claim 3, wherein each seal is an O-ring ( 11 ).

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