FR2765546A1 - CLAMPING DEVICE FOR AN ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE STEERING COLUMN - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the clamping of a steering column and relates to a device for clamping an adjustable vehicle steering column, comprising an internal member (2) having an external surface of particular configuration and an external member ( 3) having an internal hole whose surface corresponds to the particular configuration. The outer member (3) is divided so that it can be clamped on the inner member (2) or loosened relative to it when the two members have coincident positions. The inner hole of the outer member or the outer surface of the inner member or both have members selected from ridges, grooves and other members. Application to motor vehicles.

Description

The invention relates to a device for tightening a

  adjustable vehicle steering column.

  Various clamping systems are known for adjustable steering columns in the desired position, whether they are adjustable in inclination or in height. Various devices have been tried to ensure a robust tightening of the steering column, even in the event of a vehicle collision. The invention

relates to another improvement.

  The present invention thus relates to a device for clamping an adjustable vehicle steering column, comprising an internal member having an external surface of a particular configuration and an external member having an internal hole whose surface corresponds to the particular configuration, characterized in that that the external organ is divided so that it can be clamped on the internal organ or loosened with respect to it when the two organs have

coincident positions.

  The invention also relates to an adjustable steering column for a vehicle comprising a clamping device.

as defined above.

  Preferably, the particular configuration of the

  internal and external organs is practically circular.

  The internal hole of the external organ and / or the external surface of the internal organ can have edges or

  throats or the like.

  The internal organ and / or the external organ can be

each in the form of a square.

  The internal member and / or the external member can be molded. The internal member and the external members can be bent with a common radius of curvature centered on a pivot point delimiting the pivoting of the column of

  direction for tilt adjustment.

  The internal member may comprise a flexible part intended to allow an angular defect in alignment of a

  internal shaft of the steering column.

  The separation of the external organ can be placed longitudinally so that it practically follows the axis of the

  inner tube of the steering column.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will be better understood on reading the description which will

  follow exemplary embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically represent an internal shaft adjustable in inclination of a steering column incorporated in a clamping device, the three figures representing progressive positions d 'shaft adjustment, Figure 4 is a schematic end view of another embodiment of the clamping device, Figure 5 is a schematic side elevational view of the clamping device shown in Figure 4, Figure 6 is analogous to FIG. 4 and represents another embodiment, FIG. 7 is a view analogous to FIG. 5, but it represents the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a schematic end view of an organ

internal clamping device.

  We refer to Figures 1 to 3; a tilt adjustable steering column has an internal tube or shaft i passing through an internal member in the form of a

  molded internal square 2 having a practical external surface

  only circular, the internal square 2 fitting into an internal hole of corresponding circular configuration with a molded external square 3. The external square 3 has a section which is separated on three sides from the rest of the square, it that is to say divided, to play the role of a flexible band. A clamping device 4, for example a cam or screw system, clamps the strip portion of the outer bracket 3 around the inner bracket 2 so that it is clamped in place. The clamping device 4

  can be controlled by a handle 4A for example.

  In FIGS. 1 to 3, the internal and external brackets 2, 3 are both curved, the radius of curvature being centered on a pivot point 5 which determines the pivoting of the adjustment in inclination of the steering column, the figure 1 showing an upper position of the column, FIG. 2 an intermediate position and the

Figure 3 a lower position.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the internal and external brackets 2, 3 have rectilinear axes and, in this case, the internal bracket has a flexible end piece 6 which is fixed to the tube or internal shaft 1 for allow angular misalignment when the

  column is moved for tilt adjustment.

  When the internal square 2 grips the tube or shaft 1, an effect obtained is that the internal square 2 tends to exhibit a torsion under the action of high forces which can be observed in the event of a collision of the vehicle, so that the internal square 2 locks itself on the spot. To increase this effect, various internal shapes, such as edges or grooves, can be placed in the internal hole of the external bracket 3 and / or

  on the outer surface of the inner square 2.

  Figures 6, 7 and 8 show an embodiment

  sation which also allows an adjustment of the height of the steering column and it is noted that the internal square 2 is also divided into 2A as shown in FIG. 8. The hole in the internal square is rectilinear while, in the modes of previous achievements, a seat is formed for

  contain inner tube support bearings 1.

  Thanks to the arrangement of a separation 2A (FIG. 8) in the internal bracket 2, the tube or shaft i of the steering column, in the loose state, is free to slide in or out to allow height adjustment. When the outer bracket 3 is tightened, the inner bracket 2 is tightened and in turn tightens the tube or shaft 1

  so that it is locked in position.

  When the clamping device is loose, the internal bracket 2 is also free to slide upwards

  and down to allow tilt adjustment.

  A single separation 2A is shown in Figure 8; however, two partitions can be used, for example a top partition and a partition

  lower, to form two separate elements.

  Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the devices which have just been described solely by way of nonlimiting example.

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

  1. Clamping device for an adjustable steering column (1) of a vehicle, comprising an internal member (2) having an external surface of a particular configuration and an external member (3) having an internal hole whose surface corresponds to the configuration particular, characterized in that the external member (3) is divided so that it can be clamped on the internal member (2) or released with respect to it when the two members have positions which coincide.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the particular configuration of the internal organs and   external is practically circular.   3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that the internal hole of the external member or the external surface of the internal member or both comprise members chosen from edges, grooves and other organs.   4. Device according to any one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the internal organ or the organ   external at least in the form of a square.   5. Device according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that the internal organ or   at least the external member is molded.   6. Device according to any one of claims   previous, characterized in that the internal member and the external members are curved with a common radius of curvature centered on a pivot point determining the pivoting of the steering column for adjustment tilt.   7. Device according to any of the claims   above, characterized in that the internal member has a flexible part (6) intended to allow an angular misalignment of an internal shaft of the column direction.   8. Device according to any one of claims   previous, characterized in that the separation of the external member is placed longitudinally so that it practically follows the axis of the internal tube of the steering column.