FR2784343A1 - POSITION ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY, FOR EXAMPLE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

This assembly comprising a support structure (2) adapted to be fixed to the vehicle structure and to receive a column body (5) comprising two telescopic portions one inside the other (6, 7), the support structure (2) comprising at one end a fitting (13) for fixing this body, extending laterally relative to the latter and associated with means for hooking (14) this body to this fitting, provided with means for locking (15) in position of this body relative to the fitting by clamping the latter against this fitting, is characterized in that the means for attaching the body to the fitting comprise clip-shaped means (17) comprising a first jaw (18) interposed between the fitting (13) and one of the body portions (7) and provided with support means (19, 20) on this body portion and a second adapted jaw (23) to extend around the body, provided with support means on the other portion of the body, the opposite of the support means of the first jaw, and connected to the locking means (15).

Description

The present invention relates to a steering column assembly

  adjustable in position for example for a motor vehicle.

  Already known in the prior art, sets of co-

  lonne of direction of this type adjustable for example in angular and axial positions and which comprise a support structure adapted to be fixed on the

  structure of the vehicle and to receive a column body comprising two doors

  telescopic one inside the other and in which is arranged a shaft of di-

rection.

  One end of this steering shaft is adapted to receive

  see a steering wheel, while the other end of it has a gimbal fork adapted to be connected to the rest of the steering mechanism

of the vehicle.

  Generally, the support structure comprises at one end means forming a guide bearing for the body and at another end,

means for fixing this body.

  In the state of the art, there are sets of columns in

  which the means for fixing the body are in the form of a fer-

  groove extending laterally with respect to the body and associated with means for attaching this body to this fitting, provided with locking means in

  position of the body with respect to the fitting, by clamping the latter against this fitting

  rure. These means include locking means that can be moved between locking positions to block the body relative to the fitting and therefore to the support structure, and to unlock, to allow movement of the body relative to the fitting and the structure of support and therefore a setting of

this one in position.

  Also known are such assemblies in which the locking means comprise a tie rod passing through a lumen of the fitting and one end of which is connected to the locking means and the other end of which is

connected directly to the body.

  This connection between this end of the tie rod and the body is for example

  produced by welding this end of the tie rod on this body.

  However, we can see that this structure has a certain number

  disadvantages, in particular with regard to the reliability of such a bond by

  dage, and therefore risks concerning the driving of the vehicle in the event of breakage

of it.

  Indeed, in the event of such a weld breaking, the body is no longer held in position relative to the fitting and therefore to the rest of the vehicle structure, which compromises driving safety.

  The object of the invention is therefore to solve these problems.

  To this end, the invention relates to a set of steering column

  adjustable position for example for a motor vehicle, of the type

  bearing a support structure adapted to be fixed to the structure of the vehicle

  and to receive a column body comprising two telescopic portions

  as one inside the other, and in which a steering shaft is arranged, one of which

  end is adapted to receive a steering wheel and of which another ex-

  end comprises a gimbal fork adapted to be connected to the rest of the vehicle steering mechanism, the support structure comprising at one end, means forming a guide bearing for the body and at another end, a fitting for fixing this body extending laterally relative to the latter, and associated with means for attaching this body to this fitting, provided with means for locking this body in position relative to the fitting, by clamping the body against this fitting, comprising locking means movable between locking positions, to block the body relative to the fitting and therefore to the support and unlocking structure, to allow movement of the body relative to the fitting and the support structure and

  therefore an adjustment thereof in position, characterized in that the means of ac-

  hooking of the body on the fitting comprises clamp-shaped means comprising on the one hand, a first jaw-shaped part, interposed between the fitting and one of the body portions and provided with means of support on this portion of body and secondly, a second jaw-shaped part, adapted to extend around the body and provided with support means on the other body portion, opposite the support means of the first piece in the form of a jaw, and connected to the locking means, to allow a blocking of the two body portions with respect to one another and with respect to the fitting, when the locking means are in the locking position, by tightening

  these one against the other and against the fitting.

  The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows.

  vre, given only by way of example and made with reference to the drawings an-

  attached, in which: - Figs.1 and 2 show two perspective views of a steering column assembly according to the invention; - Fig.3 shows a top view in section of such a column assembly; - Fig.4 shows a perspective view of the movable part of such a column assembly; - Fig.5 shows a front view of such a column assembly; - Figs.6 and 7 show two sectional views illustrating the structure of the clip-shaped means used in the constitution of such an assembly; and - Fig.8 shows a sectional view illustrating the structure of the means forming a guide bearing for a column body in the rest of the

  structure of a column assembly according to the invention.

  We recognize in these different figures, a set of co-

  adjustable steering column for example in angular and axial positions, in particular

  ment for a motor vehicle, which is designated by the general reference 1.

  Conventionally, such an assembly comprises a support structure

  port designated by the general reference 2, adapted to be fixed on the structure

  ture of the vehicle, for example by means of fastening means arranged near each end of this structure and designated by the references

general 3 and 4.

  Such a support structure is adapted to receive a column body designated by the general reference 5 in these figures, comprising by

  example two telescopic portions one inside the other, designated respectively-

  ment by the general references 6, for the internal body portion and 7, for the

  external body portion, and in which a steering shaft is arranged, desi-

  affected by the general reference 8, one end of which 9 is adapted to receive a vehicle steering wheel and of which another end 10 has a

  gimbal fork for example 11, adapted to be connected to the rest of the mechanism

vehicle steering gear.

  The support structure comprises at one end means forming a guide bearing for the body, these bearing means being designated by the

general reference 12.

  At another end, this support structure comprises a fitting for fixing this body, extending laterally relative to the latter, this iron-

  rure being designated by the general reference 13.

  This fitting is associated with means 14 for hooking this body onto this fitting, which are provided with locking means 15 in the position of this

  body relative to the fitting, comprising blocking means 16 displaced

  between positions of locking, to block the body relative to the fitting and therefore to the support and unlocking structure, to allow movement of the body relative to the fitting and to the supporting structure and therefore

  an adjustment in position thereof.

  According to the invention, the means for attaching the body to the fitting comprise clip-shaped means designated by the general reference 17 in these figures, which comprise, on the one hand, a first jaw-shaped part, designated by the general reference 18, interposed between the fitting 13 and one of the body portions, this first jaw-shaped part being

  provided with support means on this body portion.

  So for example, this first piece in the shape of a jaw

  has four support legs on the outer body portion, two of which are designated

  by the general references 19 and 20, are represented in these figures.

  These are more clearly visible in Figure 7, where we can see that the support legs 19 and 20 are for example engaged in

  corresponding axial impressions 21 and 22 of the external body portion 7.

  Furthermore, the clip-shaped means comprise a second

  jaw-shaped part, designated by the general reference 23 on these figures

  res, adapted to extend around the body and provided with support means on the other body portion, opposite the support means of the first part in

jaw shape 18.

  For example, this second piece in the form of a male

  choire 23 also has four support legs on the body portion

  dull 6, as illustrated in Figure 7.

  In this figure, two support legs 24 and 25 are illustrated, these legs

  your support being adapted to pass through lights 26 and 27 respectively

  of the outer body portion 7 to bear on the inner body portion

dull 6.

  This second jaw-shaped part 23 is then connected to the locking means 15 to allow blocking of the two body portions 6 and 7, one with respect to the other and with respect to the fitting 13, when the

  blocking means 16 are in the locked position, by tightening these ports

  body against one another and against the fitting of the support structure.

  As can be seen more clearly in Figure 6, the second

  jaw-shaped part 23 means in the form of a clamp comprises ef-

  fet, an intermediate portion 28 which is provided with the support tabs 24 and 25 on the corresponding body portion and the two lateral portions respectively

  29 and 30, which extend in the embodiment described above and above

  below the body and whose ends are connected by a piece in the form of

  spreader with locking means 15.

  The part in the shape of a lifting beam is designated by the general reference 31 and has for example ends respectively 32 and 33, engaged

  in corresponding recesses 34 and 35 of the ends of the lateral portions

  lines of the second jaw-shaped part.

  The central part of this spreader-shaped part 31 is associated

  ciée a tie rod of locking means 15, this tie rod being designated by the ref-

General reference 36.

  This tie rod then passes through a light designated by the general reference

  rale 37 of the fitting 13 of the support structure, so that one of its ends is associated with the locking means 16, which are arranged on the side of the fitting opposite the clamp-shaped means, while the other end

  of this tie rod is connected to the part in the shape of a lifting beam.

  This connection to the part in the form of a lifting beam can be obtained for example by an abutment surface 38 of the tie rod adapted to bear on

  an abutment surface complementary to this part in the shape of a lifter.

  This abutment surface has for example come in one piece with the

  rant or formed by a washer crimped thereon, etc. The locking means 16 can have different appropriate structures. Thus, for example, in the state of the art, blocking means are known which include eccentric, cam, toggle, ball, etc. means. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the light 37 of the fitting 13

  of the support structure advantageously has a progressive section-

  decreasing, to allow guiding of the column body 5 in position during its displacement and in particular during a displacement along a

  shock energy absorption stroke.

  This makes it possible to orient the column assembly and therefore the di

  rection in a preferential position with a view for example to the deployment

  timal of an air bag of a safety module located in the central cushion

of the steering wheel.

  At its end associated with the part in the shape of a lifting beam, the tie rod 36 also includes a projecting part, designated by the general reference 39 in these figures, which extends in a recess 40 in the outer body portion 7 and in a axial light 41 of the internal body portion 6, for moving

  in this, if the axial adjustment stroke of the assembly is exceeded

  ble, especially for shock energy absorption.

  Means for guiding the movement of the means of ver-

  rusting can also be provided on the external face of the fitting 13 as illustrated in FIG. 1, in which ribs, for example 13a and 13b, are provided to guide the movements of a support plate 42

locking means 15.

  In the embodiment shown, the blocking means 16

  are actuable for example by a lever 43 manipulated by a user.

  It goes without saying of course that other embodiments can

be considered.

  In the embodiment described, the support means of the se-

  this piece in the form of a jaw means in the form of a clamp, are adapted to bear on the internal body portion through the openings in the external body portion, while the support means for the first piece in the form of a jaw clamp-shaped means, are adapted to take

  support on the external body portion.

  It goes without saying of course that the reverse can also be envisaged.

  It can therefore be seen that when the blocking means 16 are moved to their locking position, the tie rod 36 is urged by these blocking means to bring the workpiece in the form of a lifting beam closer to the fitting of the structure.

of support.

  This spreader-shaped part 31 being associated with the second jaw-shaped part 23 of the gripper-shaped means 17, these also tend to approach the fitting 13 by bringing the support legs of this second part jaw-shaped to press on the portion of

internal body.

  This then comes into reaction on the outer body portion 7 which is

  itself resting on the support legs on the first piece in the form of a

  choir 18 of the clip-shaped means 17, which is interposed between the outer body portion 7 and the fitting 13, so that the body portions are then

  blocked relative to each other and to the fitting.

  When the locking means 16 are moved towards their unlocking position, the user can move these body portions one relative to

  I'autre and relative to the fitting to allow adjustment in position of the steering wheel.

  As indicated above, the second end of the support structure comprises means forming the body's guide bearing,

  designated by the general reference 12.

  In fact, the corresponding end of the body 5 associated with these means

  forming guide bearing 12 on the fixing structure 2 comprise for example-

  ple fork-shaped means, designated by the general reference 44 on

  FIG. 3, provided with two branches 45 and 46.

  Each branch 45 and 46 of this fork is then provided with means

  articulation respectively 47 and 48 on a shoe, respectively 49 and 50,

  axially placeable to the rest of the fixing structure, for example

  in an imprint made of material with this fixing structure. These em-

  stamps are designated by the references 51 and 52 respectively on the figures

res 3 and 8.

  Means for automatically adjusting the mounting clearances can

  be provided at this level of the column assembly.

  These include, for example, means for adjusting the con-

drag on these skates.

  Likewise, means for automatically adjusting the clearances between the

  two body portions can be considered as can be seen in the figure

  gure 6, in which these take-up means comprise for example a wedge elastically urged between these two body portions and designated by the

general reference 53.

  Finally, it will be noted with reference to FIG. 3, that the gimbal fork 11

  associated with the end of the shaft 8 adapted to be connected to the rest of the mechanism

  vehicle steering gear, can be attached to it by means of

removable fixing means.

  Indeed, a rotation sensor designated by the general reference 54 can be associated with the steering shaft and for maintenance reasons, it

  may need to be replaced.

  The use of a removable gimbal fork allows to realize

easily this operation.

  It is therefore conceivable in view of the above, that the structure of the set-

  ble of steering column according to the invention has increased reliability by

  compared to the sets of the state of the art insofar as no support

  hard does not intervene in the connection between the column body and the fixing fitting

  of it on the rest of the support structure.

  It goes without saying of course that different embodiments of this

together can be considered.

Claims (10)

  1. Steering column assembly adjustable in position, for example for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a support structure (2) adapted to be fixed to the vehicle structure and to receive a column body (5) comprising two telescopic portions l 'one inside the other (6,7) and in which is disposed a steering shaft (8), one end of which (9) is adapted to receive a steering wheel and of which another end (10)   comprises a gimbal fork (11), adapted to be connected to the rest of the mete   vehicle steering gear, the support structure (2) comprising at one end means (12) forming a guide bearing for the body and at another end, a fitting (13) for fixing this body, extending laterally relative to the latter, associated with means for hooking (14) this body onto this fitting, provided with locking means (15) in position of this body relative to the fitting by clamping the body against this fitting, comprising locking means (16), movable between locking positions, to block the body relative to the fitting and therefore to the support and unlocking structure, to allow movement of the body relative to the fitting and to the support structure, and therefore an adjustment thereof in position, characterized in that the means for attaching the body to the fitting comprise clip-shaped means (17) comprising on the one hand, a first shaped part jaw (18) interposed between the fitting (13) and one of the portions (7)   body and provided with support means (19,20) on this body portion and other   On the other hand, a second jaw-shaped part (23) adapted to extend around the body and provided with support means (24,25) on the other body portion (6), opposite the means of support of the first jaw-shaped part (18) and connected to the locking means (15), to allow a blocking of the two body portions (6,7) relative to each other and relative to the fitting, when the locking means (16) are in the locked position, by tightening   of these one against the other and against the fitting.   2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the se-   clamping piece in the form of a jaw (23) of the clamp-shaped means (17) comprises an intermediate portion (28) provided with bearing means (24,25) on the corresponding body portion and two lateral portions (29, 30) in the form of branches, extending on either side of the body and the ends of which are   connected by a spreader-shaped part (31) to the locking means (15).   3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means comprise a tie rod (36) passing through a lumen (37) of the fitting (13) and one end of which is connected to the locking means (16) which are arranged on the side of the fitting opposite the clamp-shaped means (17)   and of which another end is connected to the part in the form of a lifting beam (31).   4. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the light   (37) of the fitting (13) has a progressively decreasing section.   5. Assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the tie rod (36) comprises at its end associated with the workpiece in the shape of a lifting beam (31), a projecting part (39) passing through a hole (40) of the outer body portion (7) and adapted to extend in an axial lumen (41) of the   internal body portion (6), to move therein, in the event of   ment of the axial adjustment stroke of the assembly.   6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the support means (24,25) of the second jaw-shaped part (23) of the clamp-shaped means (17) are adapted to take   support on the internal body portion (6) through the openings (26,27) of the door tion of external body (7).   7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the end of the body (5) associated with the means forming a   guide link (12) on the fixing structure comprises fork-shaped means (44) with two branches (45,46), each of which is provided with articulation means (47,48) on a shoe (49, 50) axially movable relative to the rest of the fixing structure.   8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that each shoe (49.50) is movable in an imprint (51.52) made of material with the fixing structure.   9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the gimbal fork (11) provided at the end of the drive shaft   direction is fixed thereon by means of fixing means disassembled wheat.   10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that means (53) for automatically adjusting the clearances are   provided between the two body portions.