WO2019025261A1

WO2019025261A1 - Steering column clamp carrier and adjustment apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2019025261A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/070184
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomasz KARP; Slawomir Kwasny
Original assignee: Trw Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-08-02
Filing date: 2018-07-25
Publication date: 2019-02-07
Also published as: WO2019025261A8; DE102017117502A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering column clamp carrier for a length-adjustable and/or height-adjustable steering column (12), said carrier having at least one clamp jaw (22), which delimits a channel (28) for the steering column (12) extending substantially in the direction of the steering axis of the steering column (12), and a press piece (46) associated with the clamp jaw (22), the clamp jaw (22) having an inner side facing toward the channel (28). The press piece (46) has a press portion running along the inner side of the clamping jaw (22) and a fastening portion angled thereto with at least one fastening point, by means of which the press piece (46) is fastened pivotably relative to the inner side. The invention further relates to an adjustment apparatus (10).

Description

Steering column clamp carrier and adjusting device

The invention relates to a steering column clamp carrier for a longitudinal and / or height-adjustable steering column and an adjusting device.

Steering column clamps for longitudinally adjustable and height-adjustable steering columns are known. They usually have a spring plate or a pressure piece to guide the steering column or the steering column leading steering column housing after loosening the clamping device in the holder and to prevent unwanted play.

These plungers are on the inside, d. H. attached to the steering column side facing the steering column clamp carrier, for example, welded. The welds, if carried out improperly, can damage the surface of the steering column housing and cause scratching and / or squeaking noises.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a steering column clamp carrier and an adjusting device, which have little play, the steering columns wear only slightly and do not produce unwanted noise.

The object is achieved by a steering column clamp support for a longitudinally adjustable and / or height-adjustable steering column, with at least one jaw defining a channel for the steering column, which extends substantially in the direction of the steering axis of the steering column, and a jaw associated pressure member. The jaw has an inner side facing the channel. The pressure piece has a pressure section extending along the inner side of the clamping jaw and a fastening section angled away therefrom with at least one fastening point, by means of which the pressure piece is pivotably mounted relative to the inner side.

Here, the inside is the side facing the channel and the outside of the side facing away from the channel of a component. The pressure piece can be one of the Jaw be separate component and is attached, for example, only on the mounting portion on the steering column clamp.

The attachment portion may connect directly to the pressure portion and the attachment portion may be partially curved. The pressure piece is designed, for example, resiliently with respect to the clamping jaw.

Characterized in that the fastening portion is angled relative to the printing portion, the attachment point is removed from the printing portion, so that bumps, protrusions or the like, which are caused by the attachment points, do not protrude into the channel for the steering column and thus not damage the steering column or parts of the steering column can.

In other words, the attachment points are offset from the surface of the pressure section, which come into contact with the steering column or the steering column housing.

Preferably, two opposing jaws are provided, which are coupled together by a connecting web and form together with this a U-shape, wherein the jaws have a main extension direction, which is directed away from the connecting web. The at least one attachment point defines a pivot axis which is substantially parallel to the main extension direction. In this case, the U-shape is realized in particular in the section of the steering column clamp carrier. In this way, the pressure piece along the main extension direction is evenly against the steering column or the steering column housing, whereby a punctual load and thus wear of the steering column housing is prevented.

For example, the attachment to the end remote from the printing section of the attachment portion, whereby the range of motion of the pressure piece is increased.

The inside and the pressure portion may have a similar contour, in particular, they are congruent to each other. As a result, the inner side can support the pressure portion evenly under load, whereby the punctual load on the steering column or the steering column housing is reduced. Preferably, in each case a slot is formed in the inside and in the pressure section, wherein the slots are at least largely aligned with each other, so that a guide pin of the steering column can be controlled. In this case, the slots may extend substantially in the main extension direction of the clamping jaws and be slightly curved.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one spacer element is provided on the clamping jaw, which protrudes inward on the inside and which bears against the outside of the pressure piece, whereby the game of the steering column clamp carrier can be manually adjusted after installation. Preferably, the spacer element is provided in the region of the longitudinal edge of the inner side, which faces away from the fastening section and / or the pivot axis in order to be able to adjust the pressure piece precisely.

In order to inexpensively perform a spacer element, the spacer element may be a screw which extends through the jaw and which bears against the outside of the pressure piece.

In one embodiment variant, the spacing element has an adjusting screw and a bracket with two legs and a base, wherein the legs extend through openings in the clamping jaw, protrude into the channel and bear against the outside of the pressure piece, wherein the adjusting screw extends through the base and on the outside of the jaw attacks. The length of the portion of the legs, which projects beyond the inside out into the channel, is adjustable by the adjusting screw. In this case, the bracket can be acted upon by a spring element, in particular a spring washer between the base and jaw with a force to the outside. As a result, the provision of the spacer element is simplified. In this way, by means of a single screw, the contact pressure can be distributed to the pressure piece at several points in order to achieve as even as possible a load on the steering column or the steering column housing as uniformly as possible.

In one embodiment of the invention, the jaw on a support portion to which the mounting portion attached, in particular welded, whereby a spatial separation of the inside and the attachment point takes place. In case that the attachment section welded is, the welds or the weld can define the pivot axis.

In order to keep the overall length of the steering column clamp carrier small, the jaw and / or the pressure piece in cross-section may be L-shaped with a long leg and a short leg, wherein the inside or the pressure portion on the long leg and the support portion or the Attachment section are provided on the short leg. The short section may extend outward from the long section.

Preferably, the two jaws are mirror-symmetrical, whereby the effect of the jaws is increased. The second jaw may also be associated with a second pressure piece, but this is not mandatory. In particular, the slots of the jaws are aligned.

The object is further achieved by an adjusting device for longitudinal and / or height adjustment of a steering column, with a steering column clamp according to the invention, a steering column housing, which is at least partially provided in the channel of the steering column clamp carrier, and a clamping device having a tie bolt which extends through the steering column housing and the steering column clamp carrier.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings show:

1 shows an exploded view of an adjusting device according to the invention, together with a steering column clamping support according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a perspective front view of a steering column clamping support according to the invention,

3 shows a rear view of the steering column clamp carrier according to FIG. 2, FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the steering column clamp carrier according to FIG. 2,

5 shows a section of the steering column clamp carrier along the line VV of FIG. 4, FIG. FIG. 6 shows a steering column clamp carrier according to a second embodiment in a perspective front view,

FIG. 7 shows the steering column clamp according to FIG. 6 in section,

Figure 8a shows a section through a jaw together with pressure piece of the steering column clamp carrier of Figure 2 or Figure 6, and Figures 8b and 8c sections through a jaw together with pressure piece further embodiments of steering column clamp supports according to the invention.

1 shows an adjusting device 10 for longitudinal and / or height adjustment of a steering column 12 of a vehicle (not shown), in particular of a passenger car.

The adjusting device 10 has a steering column clamp support 14, a steering column housing 16, a clamping device 18 and a telescopic tube 20.

The steering column clamp support 14 has two opposing, mirror-symmetrical jaws 22 and a connecting web 24, via which the jaws 22 are connected to each other.

The jaws 22 are fixed to the vehicle and can spring against the connecting web 24.

The jaws 22 each have a slot 26, wherein the slots 26 are aligned.

Between the two jaws 22, a channel 28 is formed, which is bounded laterally by the jaws 22 and the connecting web 24. In the channel 28, the steering column housing 16 can be inserted.

The steering column housing 16 has a cuboid portion 30, in which the telescopic tube 20 is at least partially received, wherein the steering shaft 32 extends through the telescopic tube 20 and thus through the cuboid portion 30. In the cuboid portion 30, a longitudinal slot 34 is provided, whose longitudinal axis extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the slots 26 of the jaws 22 and partially aligned with the slots 26.

The clamping device 18 has a draw bolt 35, a lever 36 and a plurality of locking members 38 which can be actuated by the lever 36. An exact embodiment of the clamping device 18 is described for example in the German patent application DE 10 2013 107 728 A1, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In the assembled state, the telescopic tube 20 is inserted in the steering column housing 16, wherein the steering column housing 16 is arranged in the channel 28.

The draw bolt 35 of the clamping device 18 extends in the mounted state of the adjusting device 10 both through the slots 26 of the clamping jaws 22 and through the longitudinal slots 34 of the steering column housing sixteenth

By means of the clamping device 18, the steering column 12 can be fixed in one position. For this purpose, the lever 36 is actuated, whereby the clamping jaws 22 are pressed along the tie bolt 35 by the locking members 38 together.

When the lever 36 is again operated in the other direction, the jaws 22 detach from the steering column housing 16, and the steering column 12 can then be adjusted in its longitudinal and transverse directions. In Figures 2 to 5 of the steering column clamp carrier 14 is shown in detail.

As can be clearly seen in FIG. 5, the connecting web 24 forms a U-shape together with the clamping jaws 22, wherein the clamping jaws 22 have a main extension direction R, which is directed away from the connecting web 24. In the embodiment shown, the main extension direction R thus extends upward with respect to FIGS. 2 to 7.

The direction perpendicular to the main extension direction R and perpendicular to the extension of the connecting web 24 is referred to below as the channel direction K.

As a result, the channel 28 results as the region within the U-shape and runs essentially in the channel direction K (in FIG. 4, therefore, horizontal). The jaws 22 each have a wing portion 40 and a support portion 42.

The jaws 22 are made in one piece, for example, they are made by bending the support portion 42 relative to the wing portion 40.

The jaws 22 are each secured with their wing portions 40 on the connecting web 24, wherein the wing portions 40 each have an inner side 44 which faces the channel 28.

At the end facing away from the support section 42, the wing sections 40 have a longitudinal edge 45 which can extend substantially in the main extension direction R.

The wing sections 40 may extend in the channel direction K, starting from the support section 42, beyond the connecting web 24, as can be seen in particular in FIG. As a result, the longitudinal edges 45 of the wing sections 40 can spring against the connecting web 24 and the support section 42.

The support portions 42 of the jaws 22 are angled relative to the wing portions 40 and the inner sides 44 and extend from the channel 28 to the outside. In the main extension direction R, the support sections 42 do not extend to the connecting web 24 and are thus shorter in the main direction of extension R than the wing sections 40.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support portions 42 and the connecting web 24 are in the same area in the channel direction K. The jaws 22 thus have in a section along the channel direction

K an L-shape, wherein the support portion 42, the short leg and the wing portion forms the long leg (Fig. 8a).

The steering column clamp support 14 has on one of the jaws 22 a separate from the jaw 22 pressure piece 46, which is made for example of a thin sheet and thus elastic. The pressure piece 46 has a pressure portion 48 and a mounting portion 50 which can merge into one another.

The pressure portion 48 extends on the inner side 44 of the wing portion 40 and has a substantially similar contour as the wing portion 40. In the embodiment shown, the pressure portion 48 is partially opposite to the wing portion 40, wherein the protruding portions of the wing portion 40, in particular the longitudinal edge 45th slightly embrace the wing section 40.

Likewise, the pressure piece 46 in the pressure section 48 has a slot 52 which is aligned with the slot 26 of the jaw 22. The slots 26, 52 are almost congruent and slightly curved.

The attachment portion 50 follows the pressure portion 48 on the same side in the channel direction K, at which also the support portion 42 connects to the wing portion 40, and extends from the pressure portion 48 and the channel 28 to the outside.

In the embodiment shown, the fastening portion 50 is angled relative to the pressure portion 48 by 90 °, so that the pressure piece 46 in a section along the channel direction K has an L-shape. In this case, the attachment portion 50 forms the small leg and the pressure portion 48 the large leg of the L-shape.

The attachment portion 50 thus abuts against the support portion 42 and is at its end facing away from the pressure portion 48 on the support portion 42, d. H. attached to the jaw 22 (see Figure 3).

The attachment takes place at an attachment point 54, for example by welding. In the embodiment shown, the attachment point 54 is a weld extending along the main extension direction R.

The attachment point 54 is the only attachment of the pressure piece 46 with the jaw 22, so that the pressure member 46 relative to the jaw 22, in particular against the inner side 44 is pivotable. The pivot axis S is formed by the attachment point 54 and extends parallel to the main extension direction R.

In the embodiment shown, the pressure piece 46, in particular the pressure portion 48 with respect to the inside 44 is resilient. To the minimum distance between the inside 44, in particular the

To be able to change the longitudinal edge 45 and the pressure section 48 of the pressure piece 46, the clamping jaws 22 at least one spacer 56 on. The spacer 56 may be provided in the region of the longitudinal edge 45.

In the embodiment shown, two spacer elements 56 are provided, which are designed as screws 58. The screws 58 extend through threaded holes in the wing portion 40. The threaded holes are arranged in the region of the longitudinal edge 45.

In this way, the largest possible distance between the attachment point 54 and the spacer 56. In the main extension direction R, the screws 58 and the

Tapped holes 60 spaced from each other.

The spacers 56, more precisely the screws 58, protrude from the inside 44 and thus protrude into the channel 28. Since the pressure section 48 of the pressure piece 46 largely covers the inner side 44, the spacing elements 56 bear against the outer side of the pressure section 48. Thus, by tightening and unscrewing the screws 58, the minimum distance between the inside 44 of the wing portion 40 and the pressure piece 46 can be adjusted at the longitudinal edge 45.

In the mounted state of the adjusting device 10 is formed between the pressure section 48 and the steering column housing 16 has a contact surface, wherein the steering column housing 16 is guided by the pressure piece 46, more precisely by the pressure section 48. The guide also exists when the clamping device 18 is released, so the wing sections 40 are not pressed against the steering column housing 16. The pressure section 48 is flat on its inner side and has no projections or bumps that the steering column housing 16 can damage. The uneven attachment point 54 is provided on the attachment portion 50 and on the support portion 42, which is remote from the contact surface. There is thus no risk that the steering column housing 16 is damaged by the uneven fastening point 54. As a result, a noise can be reduced.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of a steering column clamp support 14 according to the invention, which essentially corresponds to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences will be discussed below and identical and functionally identical parts are given the same reference numerals.

The steering column clamp support 14 of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment only in the embodiment of the spacer 56.

In the second embodiment, the spacer 56 has a bracket 62 having a base 64 and two legs 66.

The legs 66 extend through openings 70 or grooves on the longitudinal edge 45 of the wing portion 40 similar to the screws 58 in the first embodiment. Accordingly, they rest on the outside of the pressure piece 46. Through the base 64 of the bracket 62, an adjusting screw 72 which engages in a thread 74 on the wing portion 40 extends.

Between the base 64 and the wing portion 40, a spring member 76 is also provided, which urges the bracket 62 with a force from the wing portion 40 away. In the embodiment shown, the spring element 76 is designed as a spring washer, which surrounds the adjusting screw 72.

By adjusting screw 72, the length of the portions of the legs 66 can be adjusted, which protrude beyond the inside 44 also. In this way, the minimum distance between the inside 44 and the pressure portion 48 can be adjusted.

In the two described embodiments, only one of the clamping jaws 22 has a pressure piece 46 in each case. Of course, the steering column Clamping carrier 14 of both embodiments, two pressure pieces 46 which are each associated with one of the jaws 22.

The jaws 22 may be formed completely mirror-inverted, so that all the features of a jaw 22 also find on the other jaw.

In FIGS. 8a to 8c, various sections along the channel direction K perpendicular to the main extension direction R of one of the clamping jaws 22, together with the pressure piece 46, are shown schematically.

The section shown in Figure 8a corresponds to the two embodiments described above. Both the clamping jaw 22 and the pressure piece 46 have an L-shape, so that the carrier section 42 or the fastening section 50 is angled away from the wing section 40 or from the pressure section 48 by 90 °.

It is also conceivable that the L has no sharp corner, but is executed rounded.

FIGS. 8b and 8c show further possible embodiments of the clamping jaws 22 and of the pressure piece 46. The jaws 22 and the pressure piece 46 of the embodiments described above can be formed without problems also with such cross sections. In the embodiment of Figure 8b, the jaw 22 is flat, so that the

Wing portion 40 and the support portion 42 lie in a plane.

However, the attachment point 54 between the pressure piece 46 and the jaw 22 is provided on the outside of the support portion 42. Accordingly, the fixing portion 50 is formed angled toward the pressing portion 48 so as to have a U-shaped portion.

In this case, the U-shaped area circumscribes the edge of the carrier section 42 facing away from the wing section 40.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8c, the support portion 42 and the wing portion 40 do not enclose an angle with each other, but are offset from one another. In this case, the attachment portion 50 is formed similarly bent as in the embodiment of Figure 8a by 90 °, or describes, indicated dotted in Figure 8c, an S-shape.

Through all of the arrangements of the fastening point 54 shown, it is ensured that the fastening point 54 is formed away from the pressure section 48 and thus away from the contact surface.

Claims

claims

1 . Steering column clamp carrier for a longitudinally adjustable and / or height-adjustable steering column (12), with at least one clamping jaw (22) defining a channel (28) for the steering column (12) extending substantially in the direction of the steering axis of the steering column (12) extends, and one of the jaw (22) associated pressure piece (46), wherein the clamping jaw (22) has an inner side (44) facing the channel (28), wherein the pressure piece (46) along the inside (44) of the jaw (46) 22) extending pressure portion (48) and an angled thereto attachment portion (50) having at least one attachment point (54) by means of which the pressure piece (46) is pivotally mounted relative to the inside (44).

2. Steering column clamp carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that two opposing clamping jaws (22) are provided, which are coupled together by a connecting web (24) and together with this form a U-shape, wherein the clamping jaws (22) has a main extension direction (R), which is directed away from the connecting web (24), and that the at least one attachment point (54) defines a pivot axis (S) which is substantially parallel to the main extension direction (R).

3. Steering column clamp carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the attachment to the from the pressure section (48) facing away from the end of the attachment portion (50).

4. Steering column clamp carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner side (44) and the pressure section (48) have a similar contour, in particular are congruent to each other.

5. Steering column clamp carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the inner side (44) and in the pressure section (48) each have a slot (26, 52) is formed, wherein the slots (26, 52) at least largely aligned with each other ,

6. Steering column clamp carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the clamping jaw (22) at least one spacer element (56) is provided, which projects beyond the inside (44) inwardly and on the outside of the pressure piece (46). is applied.

7. Steering column clamp carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that the spacer element (56) in the region of the longitudinal edge (45) of the inner side (44) is provided, which faces away from the fastening portion (50) and / or the pivot axis (S).

8. Steering column clamp carrier according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the spacer element (56) is a screw (58) which extends through the clamping jaw (22) and bears against the outside of the pressure piece (46).

9. Steering column clamp carrier according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the spacer element (56) has a set screw (72) and a bracket (62) with two legs (66) and a base (64), wherein the legs ( 66) through openings (70) in the jaw (22) extend into the channel (28) protrude and abut the outside of the pressure piece (46), wherein the adjusting screw (72) through the base (64) and extends to the Outside of the jaw (22) engages, and wherein the length of the portion of the legs (66), which projects beyond the inside (44) out into the channel (28), is adjustable by the adjusting screw.

10. Steering column clamp carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping jaw (22) has a support portion (42) to which the fastening portion (50) attached, in particular welded.

1 1. Steering column clamp carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping jaw (22) and / or the pressure piece (46) in cross-section L-shaped with a long leg and a short leg, wherein the inner side (44) and the Pressure section (48) on the long leg and the support portion (42) and the attachment portion (50) are provided on the short leg.

12. Steering column clamp carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two clamping jaws (22) are mirror-symmetrical.

13 adjusting device for longitudinal and / or height adjustment of a steering column (12), with a steering column clamp carrier (14) according to one of the preceding claims, a steering column housing (16) at least partially in the channel (28) of the steering column clamp carrier (14 ), and a clamping device (18).