GB2329454A

GB2329454A - Adustable steering column mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2329454A
Application number: GB9720021A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Thomas Hancock; Yasuhisa Yamada
Original assignee: Nastech Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Nastech Europe Ltd
Priority date: 1997-09-19
Filing date: 1997-09-19
Publication date: 1999-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-19
Also published as: DE19840426B4; DE19840426A1; GB9720021D0; GB2329454B; FR2768685B1; FR2768685A1

Abstract

A mounting for a tilt and reach adjustable steering column 2 includes a bush formed in two parts 7A, 7B and pivotable in a housing 3 by means of axially aligned trunnions 8. The two bush parts 7A, 7B are held fixed relatively to one another by connecting means 9, 10. A gap is provided between an outer wall of each bush part and an inner wall of the housing 3 to allow the bush to float.

Description

1 ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLMM MOUNTING is 2329454 This invention relates to

an adjustable steering column mounting and in particular for a steering column that can be angularly and/or axially adjustable.

A typical mounting for such a steering column is shown and described in EP-A-0 559 523.

According to the present invention, there is provided an adjustable steering column mounting comprising a bush formed in two parts, each part having an inner profile to wrap around a portion of a steering column tube and each part having a trunnion which is mounted in an external housing, the trunnions being axially aligned to allow pivoting with play of the bush and the two bush parts being held fixed relatively to one another by connecting means located on and between the two bush parts.

Preferably, the two bush parts are located in the external housing by respective push-on fixing members.

The connecting means can be at least one nut and bolt joining the two parts together. The two parts can also be joined together by a nonresilient support clip or fixing plate.

A gap can be provided between an outer wall of each bush part and an inner wall of the housing to allow the bush to f loat.

The housing can comprise a rigid support bracket with out-turned flanges in which the trunnions are located. An 2 upper side of the support bracket extends over the top of the two bush parts so that one lateral side of the support bracket is integral with the other lateral side. The lower side of the support bracket can terminate in opposed flanges, which are joined by means of a U-shaped plate, the walls of which can be welded to the respective flanges of the lower side of the support bracket.

The invention also extends to an adjustable steering column assembly incorporating a mounting essentially as defined above.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an adjustable steering column assembly incorporating a steering column mounting, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional end view of the steering column mounting.

Figure 1 shows an adjustable steering column assembly including a steering wheel 1, an outer steering column tube 2, a steering column support bracket forming a housing 3, a lower steering column assembly 4 and a clamp handle 5 for the steering column adjustment mechanism. Steering column rake adjustment is indicated by the arrows A and steering column reach adjustment is shown by the arrows B. The steering column tube 2 is pivotally and axially slidably mounted at a lower mounting point 6, which is illustrated in detail in Figure 2.

- 3 The mounting 6 comprises a bush formed in two parts 7A, 7B which, as illustrated, are symmetrical. Each bush part 7A, 7B has a curved inner profile to wrap around a portion of the cylindrical profile of the outer steering column tube 2. Each bush part 7A, 7B has a respective trunnion 8 mounted in the housing 3 formed by the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is rigid and is fixed by welding or otherwise to another part of the vehicle. The trunnions 8 are axially aligned to allow pivoting of the bush. The two bush parts 7A, 7B are held fixed relatively to one another by connecting means located on and between the two bush parts. Two connecting means are shown, namely a nut and bolt assembly 9 and a nonresilient fixing plate or support clip 10. The adjustment nut and bolt assembly is not intended to apply radial stress but merely to take up play of the bush parts 7A, 7B on the steering column outer tube 2.

Each trunnion 8 extends outwardly through out-turned flanges 3A of the housing 3 and are located by respective push-on fixing members 11 through the intermediary of washers or spacers 12 sitting on the flanges 3A.

The two lateral sides of the housing 3 are joined together on their upper side by an integral top face 3B, whilst the lower lateral sides of the housing 3 terminate in flanges 3C to which are welded respective walls 12A of a U-shaped plate 13 extending along the lower side of the housing 3 to maintain rigidity.

on assembly, the bush parts 7A, 7B are first inserted in the housing 3, the steering column outer tube 2 is then inserted through the bush, the support clip 3 is fitted and 1 the adjustment nut and bolt assembly 9 is adjusted to allow movement of the column tube 2 relative to the housing 3. The assembled mounting then can allow pivoting of the tube 2 about the axis of the trunnions 8 and reach adjustment axially of the tube 2.

A gap 14 is provided between the outer wall of each bush part 7A, 7B and the inner wall of the housing 3 to allow the bush to float.

Claims

CLAIMS:

is 1. An adjustable steering column mounting comprising a bush formed in two parts, each part having an inner profile to wrap around a portion of a steering column tube and each part having a trunnion which is mounted in an external housing, the trunnions being axially aligned to allow pivoting with play of the bush and the two bush parts being held fixed relatively to one another by connecting means located on and between the two bush parts.
2. A mounting according to claim 1, wherein the two bush parts are located in the external housing by respective push-on fixing members.
3. A mounting according to claim 2, wherein each said trunnion extends outwardly through out-turned flanges of the housing and are located by said push-on fixing members.
4. A mounting according to claim 4, wherein a spacer is located between each push-on fixing member and a said flange of the housing, the spacer sitting on that flange.
5. A mounting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting means is at least one nut and bolt joining said two parts together.
6. A mounting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said two parts are joined together by a non-resilient support clip of fixing plate.
7. A mounting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a gap is provided between an outer wall of 11 each said bush part and an inner wall of said housing to allow the bush to float.
8. A mounting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing comprises a rigid support bracket with an upper side of the support bracket extending over the top of the two bush parts so that one lateral side of the support bracket is integral with the other lateral side.
9. A mounting according to claim 8, wherein a lower side of said support bracket terminates in opposed flanges, which are joined by means of a plate.
10. An adjustable steering column mounting, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
11. An adjustable steering column assembly incorporating an adjustable steering column mounting according to any one of the preceding claims.