DE102023110003A1 - Adjustment unit of a steering column - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle, comprising:an adjustment device which has at least one adjustment motor (3), a spindle (2), wherein the adjustment motor (3) is coupled to the spindle (2) in a torque-transmitting manner,an extension device (4) which has an extension carrier (5) which is designed to be arranged in a rotationally and axially fixed manner on a body of the vehicle,and at least one inner extension element (6) which is arranged axially displaceably in the extension carrier (5), wherein the extension carrier (5) and/or the extension element (6) has at least one support structure (8) which are formed in the shape of a tab.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle and a steer-by-wire steering system with such an adjustment unit.

Background of the invention

In today's steering systems and steering devices, the steering wheel can be adjusted in height and length, i.e. in an axial position. In such adjustment systems, steering column elements and steering shaft elements can be moved relative to one another, for example in a telescopic arrangement. This allows the steering wheel to be brought into a position that suits the driver.

Steer-by-wire steering systems are also known, in which the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the axle to be steered via the steering column is dispensed with and the steering of the wheels is controlled via corresponding signals. There are two types of steer-by-wire steering systems in particular: steer-by-wire steering systems with a force feedback actuator remote from the steering wheel and steer-by-wire steering systems with a force feedback actuator close to the steering wheel.

In steer-by-wire steering systems with a force feedback actuator remote from the steering wheel, known crash elements are used, such as metal strips that plastically deform when a defined force is exceeded. Plastic sleeves on the telescopic steering shaft are also known, which are destroyed by a predetermined force. In steer-by-wire steering systems with a force feedback actuator close to the steering wheel, the telescopic steering shaft can be omitted.

Furthermore, with such steering column adjustment systems, the steering column housing parts must be able to move relative to one another. This is achieved by a telescopic arrangement of the housing parts. This allows the steering wheel to be moved into a position that suits the driver. Recently, there has been a requirement to retract the steering wheel into a stowage position in the dashboard.

The WO22043533 describes a one-piece extension with continuous transition and screwing of the steering wheel connection.

From the EP3476692 A steering column with a one-piece steering column adjustment is known. EP1342639 shows a SbW steering column with axle offset and a gearbox for FFA connection.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustment unit.

• - eine Verstelleinrichtung, die mindestens einen Verstellmotor und eine Spindel aufweist, wobei der Verstellmotor drehmomentübertragend mit der Spindel gekoppelt ist,
• - eine Auszugeinrichtung, die einen Auszugträger aufweist, der dazu eingerichtet ist, dreh- und axialfest an einer Karosserie des Fahrzeugs angeordnet zu sein, und mindestens ein inneres Auszugelement, das in dem Auszugträger axial verschieblich angeordnet ist, wobei der Auszugsträger und/oder das Auszugselement mindestens eine Unterstützungsstruktur aufweist, welche laschenförmig ausgeformt ist.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle, comprising:

• - an adjustment device which has at least one adjustment motor and a spindle, wherein the adjustment motor is coupled to the spindle in a torque-transmitting manner,
• - a pull-out device which has a pull-out support which is designed to be arranged in a rotationally and axially fixed manner on a body of the vehicle, and at least one inner pull-out element which is arranged axially displaceably in the pull-out support, wherein the pull-out support and/or the pull-out element has at least one support structure which is formed in the shape of a tab.

By creating one or more support contours, it is possible to use various components of the adjustment unit for support, stiffening or for additional support. Such designs are particularly advantageous when the existing adjustment motor is mounted close to the steering wheel. This creates space in the adjustment unit. This can be used to support and store the various components inside the adjustment unit.

The support structure is preferably designed as a sheet metal component. The support structures are preferably formed in one piece directly on the pull-out support and/or the pull-out element, i.e. they are formed sheet metal sections instead of, for example, an aluminum die-cast interface. This limits the use of additional material. This means that the overall weight of the adjustment unit can be reduced. The support structures can be formed in parallel from several components.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is provided in the pull-out carrier.

Preferably, a crash element is attached to the support contour. This simultaneously enables an axial stop of the crash element and optimal support of the crash force. The crash element can also be enclosed on the sides by a structure.

Preferably, the adjustment motor is attached to the at least one support contour. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the adjustment motor no longer has to be attached to an aluminum die-cast carrier. Consequently, this can contribute to weight savings.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the spindle is rotatably mounted by means of the at least one support contour. This has the advantage that vibrations can be minimized over longer travel distances of the spindle.

Preferably, a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle, comprising a spindle, a steering element which is coupled to the spindle in an axially fixed and torque-transmitting manner, and an adjustment unit, wherein the spindle is arranged within the extension carrier and is coupled to the inner extension element in an axially fixed manner.

Short description of the drawing

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Verstelleinheit,
• 2 einen Längsschnitt durch der erfindungsgemäßen Verstelleinheit,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Auszugseinrichtung der der erfindungsgemäßen Verstelleinheit, und
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Verstelleinheit.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are illustrated below with reference to figures. They show:

• 1 a schematic representation of an adjustment unit according to the invention,
• 2 a longitudinal section through the adjustment unit according to the invention,
• 3 a schematic representation of an extension device of the adjustment unit according to the invention, and
• 4 a schematic representation of an adjustment unit according to the invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

1 and 2 show schematically an adjustment unit 1 for axial and/or radial length adjustment or setting of a steering element, e.g. a steering wheel (not shown), and a height adjustment unit for height adjustment of the steering element. The longitudinal adjustment of the steering element is implemented in particular by an axial displacement of a spindle 2 that can be coupled to the steering element in a torque-transmitting manner. The adjustment unit 1 also has an adjustment motor 3 that is coupled to the spindle 2 in a torque-transmitting manner. The adjustment motor 3 can comprise a motor or a motor in combination with a gear. It can also be seen from the figures that the adjustment motor 3 has a spindle 2 and a, the adjustment motor 3 being coupled to the spindle 2 in a torque-transmitting manner.

For a further detailed description, please refer to the 3 and 4 referred to.

The adjustment unit 1 has an extension device 4, which has an extension support 5, which is designed to be arranged in a rotationally and axially fixed manner on a body of the vehicle, and at least one inner extension element 6, which is arranged to be axially displaceable in the extension support 5. Furthermore, the inner extension element 6 is coupled in an axially fixed manner to the steering shaft 7, so that the steering shaft 4 can be axially displaced by the adjustment device 6 via the inner extension element 12.

Furthermore, the pull-out support 5 and/or the pull-out element 6 has at least one support structure 8, which is formed in the shape of a tab. In this exemplary embodiment, three support contours 8 are visible.

A first support contour 9 is provided in such a way that it can accommodate a tilt-resistant double-row (angular contact ball) bearing or a bearing sleeve 12 with supporting steering shaft bearings. Furthermore, the contour 9 offers protection against penetrating components in the event of a crash.

A second support contour 10 is provided in such a way that it serves to support the spindle 2 of the length adjustment and to minimize vibrations during longer travel distances.

A third support contour 11 serves to support the adjustment motor 3 and to support the crash force.

List of reference symbols

1

Adjustment unit

2

spindle

3

Adjustment motor

4

Pull-out device

5

Pull-out supports

6

inner pull-out element

7

Steering shaft

8th

Support contour

9

first support contour

10

second support contour

11

third support contour

12

Bearing sleeve

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 22043533 [0006]
• EP3476692 [0007]
• EP1342639 [0007]

Claims (7)

Adjustment unit of a steering column of a vehicle, comprising: an adjustment device which has at least one adjustment motor (3), a spindle (2), wherein the adjustment motor (3) is coupled to the spindle (2) in a torque-transmitting manner, an extension device (4) which has an extension carrier (5) which is designed to be arranged in a rotationally and axially fixed manner on a body of the vehicle, and at least one inner extension element (6) which is arranged axially displaceably in the extension carrier (5), characterized in that the extension carrier (5) and/or the extension element (6) has at least one support structure (8) which is formed in the shape of a tab. Adjustment unit according to Claim 1 , wherein the support contour (8) is designed as a sheet metal component. Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (8) is provided in the pull-out support (5). Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a crash element is attached to the support structure (8). Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment motor (3) is attached to the at least one support structure (8). Adjustment unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spindle (2) is rotatably mounted by means of the at least one support structure (8). Steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle, comprising: a spindle (2), a steering element which is axially fixed and torque-transmittingly coupled to the spindle (2), and an adjusting unit (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the spindle (2) is arranged within the pull-out support (5) and is axially fixedly coupled to the inner pull-out element (6).