The invention relates to a spring element comprising at least one spring tongue for spring-loading a separately implemented arresting part of a steering column of a motor vehicle and at least one securement part for securing the spring element on a bolt of the steering column.
Generic spring elements are utilized in the prior art, for example in adjustable steering columns, for the purpose of connecting with one another a first structural part of the steering column, such as a vehicle-stationary bracket unit, with a second structural part of the steering column, such as a steering spindle bearing unit, in which a steering spindle is rotatably bearing-supported. Thus, an arresting part secured on one of the two structural parts is arrested by the spring tongue of the spring element in at least one operating state in or on an engagement element secured on the other structural part. In a second operating state of the steering column, however, this arrester is to be released, for example in order to displace the two structural parts of the steering column into a different position relative to one another. For this purpose it must be possible to release the arresting part from the engagement element. Generic spring elements provided herefor, are disclosed, for example, in WO 2009/121 386 A1. In the first embodiment of WO 2009/121 386 A1, the spring tongue is guided fixedly in a groove of the hook-like arresting part. During a swiveling of the spring element therefore the arresting part is entrained in all directions by the spring tongue. In a second embodiment of WO 2009/121 386 A1, the spring tongue rests only on the arresting part. During a corresponding swivel movement of the bolt, on which the spring element is seated, the spring tongue is raised from the arresting part. In order for the arresting part to be released from the engagement element during a corresponding rotational movement of the bolt, in this second embodiment a pin is provided on the bolt of the steering column, which is guided in an elongated hole of the arresting part and entrains the arresting part as soon as the pin abuts one end of the elongated hole.
The invention addresses the problem of providing an alternative disposition whose structure is implemented as simply as possible and is simple in production.
This is achieved through a spring body according to the present invention.
The invention thus provides that the spring element comprises additionally at least one entrainer arm, preferably at least two opposingly disposed entrainer arms, for entraining the arresting part during a movement of the spring element. The arresting action of the arresting part is preferably effected through the engagement of the arresting part into an engagement element and can be designated for different purposes of the steering column. Depending on requirements, by switching or by actuation it is feasible to switch on and off the arresting action. The arresting action is effected through the movement of the arresting part between the switched-on and switched-off arresting action. Depending on requirements, the arresting part can, in particular, arrest the position of an adjustable steering column and/or enable a connection of an energy absorption means with a portion of the steering column. For the improvement of the function, it can advantageously be provided that the movement of the arresting part is under spring pre-loading at least in the direction of an end position, preferably in the direction of the switched-on arresting state. The arresting part is implemented as a separate structural part whereby a realization especially well suited for the purpose of arresting is enabled, and the choice of the material can be adapted to the requirements while the spring element can be realized to be especially appropriate for satisfying the spring action and the entrainment effect. In terms of the invention, by entrainment operation or entrainment is to be understood a transmission of the movement between two elements, in particular between the spring element and the arresting part.
Through the realization according to the invention, the spring element is enabled to fulfill a double function. Thus, the spring tongue can preload or load the arresting part in one direction, for example in order to arrest the arresting part on the engagement element. The at least one entrainer arm, which is also a part of the spring element, can be utilized for the purpose of releasing, with the corresponding movement or swiveling of the spring element, the arresting part from the engagement element. Thereby that the spring element fulfills both functions overall a very simple structure results. By using the spring element, in addition, tolerance differences in the several parts are well compensated.
Especially preferred physical forms provide in these terms that the spring element is implemented in one piece, preferably as a reformed sheet metal part. The spring tongue can be a leaf spring. The entrainer arm or arms can also be resilient in order to facilitate assembly in preferred physical forms. The entrainer arms can be disposed opposingly such that between them the arresting part can be disposed. Further preferred physical forms of the invention provide that the spring element comprises a receptor cavity, partially encompassed by walls of the spring element, for receiving at least a portion of the arresting part. The arresting part can in this case at least partially be disposed in the receptor cavity partially encompassed by walls of the spring element.
Apart from the spring element per se, the invention also relates to a configuration with at least one such spring element and with at least one arresting part. In such a configuration, it is in particular provided that the arresting part comprises at least one stop region for the abutment of the entrainer arm or arms on the stop region. The stop region can be a portion of a delimitation of an elongated hole. The spring tongue and the entrainer arm or the spring tongue and the entrainer arms can engage on it at different sides of the arresting part.
Especially preferred physical forms of the invention provide that the spring tongue spring loads the arresting part in all operating positions. Consequently, in such physical forms, a continuous action of the spring tongue onto the arresting part is provided. When the arresting part is in engagement with the engagement element, the spring tongue presses the arresting part securely on or into the engagement element. If, on the other hand, the arresting part is located with its stop region on the entrainer arm or arms, the spring tongue presses the arresting part against the entrainer arm or arms. The arresting part is preloaded in both cases such that an undesirable clattering of the arresting part cannot occur.
To dampen vibrations and/or noises, it can be provided to form the spring element such that it is realized completely or at certain surface regions with a cushioning cover or to dispose cushioning on the spring element.
The configuration according to the invention advantageously comprises in addition at least one bolt. This can be, for example, a clamp bolt known per se of a securement device or energy absorption device of a steering column. Advantageous physical forms provide that the spring element is secured on the bolt, preferably under form closure, by means of the securement part such that it is nonturnable relative to the bolt. The bolt can be guided through a bolt receptor opening of the arresting part. In terms of simple assembly of the spring element and the arresting part on the bolt, preferred physical forms provide that the securement part of the spring element and/or the bolt receptor opening comprise an outwardly open plug-in opening. By means of the particular plug-in opening, the spring element and arresting part can optionally jointly be slid, preferably snapped, onto the bolt in a direction orthogonally to the bolt longitudinal axis.
The bolt receptor opening in the arresting part is advantageously implemented such that the bolt can be rotated, preferably over 360° and more, stop-free in the bolt receptor opening of the arresting part. To this end, the bolt receptor opening, optionally except for the plug-in opening, can have, for example, a circular cross section. Especially preferred physical forms of the invention provide that a rotational movement of the bolt into a first direction is transmittable exclusively by means of the spring tongue onto the arresting part, and a rotational movement of the bolt into a second direction opposite to the first direction is exclusively transmittable by means of the entrainer arm or arms onto the arresting part. The rotational movement herein does not need to be transmitted completely from the spring element onto the arresting part. It is frequently preferred that during a turning of the bolt from its one end position into its other end position of the arresting part comes out of engagement with the engagement element only shortly before reaching the one end position. It can also be desirable to bring about the engagement of the arresting part into the engagement part only shortly before reaching the other end position of the bolt. It is further conceivable and feasible that the bolt, for example in the realization as a clamp bolt, for opening and closing the fixing system of a steering column must be turned about another angular range than is required or desired for the turning of the arresting part between the arresting and the non-arresting position.
The invention also relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one first structural part and at least one second structural part. The structural parts are movable relative to one another at least in one operating state of the steering column, and the structural parts are secured or are securable on one another via a securement device and/or an energy absorption device. The steering column is characterized thereby that the securement device and/or the energy absorption device comprise or comprises at least a spring element according to the invention or at least one configuration according to the invention.
One of these structural parts of the steering column can be, for example, a steering spindle bearing unit in which the steering spindle, on which the steering wheel is secured, is rotatably supported. The other of the structural parts of the steering column can be, for example, a so-called bracket unit which is fixed on the motor vehicle itself. Steering columns with two structural parts movable, preferably displaceable, relative to one another are known per se as adjustable steering columns in numerous physical forms within prior art. By displacing the two structural parts, thus for example steering spindle bearing unit and bracket unit relative to one another, the position of the steering wheel can be adapted to the driver. A securement device of the steering column herein comprises at least one position in which the two structural parts can be moved relative to one another for the displacement. The securement device comprises further at least one second position in which the structural parts are fixed relative to one another in their position under form and/or friction closure. It is further known in prior art to provide in steering columns so-called energy absorption devices. These serve the purpose of avoiding in the event of a crash as much as possible an injury of the driver through the impact of the driver onto the steering wheel if the motor vehicle impacts onto an obstacle. Generic energy absorption devices known per se serve for the purpose of the two structural parts of the steering column to be shifted relative to one another under defined conditions in order to absorb the energies occurring during the impact of the driver onto the steering wheel in a manner noninjurious to the driver. The securement devices and energy absorption devices can be integrated as one device. However, they can also be realized as devices separate from one another. The concept according to the invention now comprises equipping such securement devices and/or energy absorption devices of a steering column with a spring element according to the invention or a configuration according to the invention.
In the following description of the Figures, the embodiments selected as examples are described, wherein preferred physical forms and characteristics of the invention are evident.
a shows an alternative variant of the spring element, such as can be employed, for example, in an arresting part according to
Similar or identically acting elements are denoted in the Figures by the same reference numbers.
The steering column 4 depicted in
In order to be able to absorb specifically the energy introduced into the steering column 4 in the event of a crash through the impact of the driver onto the steering wheel or the steering spindle 16, the present first embodiment comprises, in addition to the securement device 20, also an energy absorption device 21. In the depicted embodiment, this provides a tear-bend tab 22, which is fixed on the first structural part 14. Alternatively, a pure bending tab or a pure tearing tab can also be provided. This fixing can be attained via the most diverse measures known within prior art. In the depicted physical form, the tear-bend tab 22, however, comprises openings 32, through which hooks 23 fixed on the first structural part 14 are guided. The cooperation of hooks 23 and openings 32 leads to the desired securement of the tear-bend tab 22 on the first structural part 14. The tear-bend tab 22 comprises in the depicted embodiment a tab section 27 in which a sequence of recesses 28 is depicted. Into these recesses 28 the arresting part 3 can engage with its at least one arresting tooth 10. The arresting part 3 can be realized as a catch, as a hook or the like. As is also realized in the depicted embodiment, the arresting part 3 is preferably disposed on the bolt 6 such that it is swivellable.
In the depicted embodiment the tab section 27 with its recesses 28 serves as an engagement element into which the arresting part 3 can engage with its arresting tooth 10. The engagement element or the tab section 27 is herein fixed on the first structural part 14 in the described manner. Due to its bearing, the arresting part 3 is swivellably, but otherwise fixedly, secured on the bolt 6 on the second structural part, thus on the vehicle-stationary bracket unit. If, in the event of a crash, there occurs an impact of the driver on the steering wheel, not depicted here and to be attached on the mounting neck 41 of the steering spindle 16, and therewith on the steering spindle 16, the latter, together with the spindle bearing unit in the form of the first structural part 14, is shifted in the longitudinal direction of the steering spindle 16 into the bracket unit in the form of the second structural part 15. With corresponding energy introduction, the bending-over and tearing-open of the tear-bend tab 22 occurs at the attenuations 24, since the tear-bend tab 22, as already described, is secured, on the one hand, on the first structural part 14 and, on the other hand, via the arresting part 3 also on the second structural part 15. A stop 42 can herein be provided which delimits the displacement in the longitudinal axis and which breaks away after a predefined force has been exceeded, and therewith enables further dislocation during which the energy absorption takes place via the tear-bend tab 22.
Regarding the physical form of the tear-bend tab 22 it should be noted that through a realization of the tab in which the tab is torn open along the attenuation 24 the tear-bend tab 22 is converted in simple manner into a pure bending tab 22a while maintaining the same formation. It is in any event also advantageous for a connection region to remain between the tab section and the holding region in which the openings 32 are located for receiving the hooks 23.
The fundamental structure is known per se and disclosed, for example, in WO 2009/121 386 A1 and can be realized in many diverse physical forms. With respect to the configuration realized according to the invention of spring element 1, arresting part 3 and bolt 6 of the first embodiment, reference is now made to
For the sake of completeness, reference is made to the fact that on the arresting part 3 and engagement element, instead of the arresting tooth 10 and the recesses 28, other projections, structural parts or other elements can also be disposed with which the arresting part 3 and the engagement element, here the tab section 27, come into engagement with one another.
In the first embodiment, as can be seen in
Through the described physical form of spring element 1 and arresting part 3 it is in any event ensured in the first as well as also in the other embodiments that a rotational movement of the bolt 6 into a first direction 12 is exclusively transmittable by the spring tongue 2 onto the arresting part 3, and a rotational movement of the bolt 6 into a second direction 13 opposite the first direction is transmittable exclusively by means of the entrainer arms 7 onto the arresting part 3.
In
In
With reference to
In the first embodiments according to
In
a shows a spring element 1 in particular suitable for the arresting part 3 according to
In particular through this realization, the arresting part 3 is able to shift with its bolt receptor opening 11 with respect to the bolt 6 such that bolt 6 is positioned shifted with respect to the arresting part 3 in the direction of, with respect to the arresting part 3, the plug-in opening 35. Due to the prestress, the spring tongue 2 ensures with the press-on section 40 the secure engagement of the arresting tooth or teeth into the recesses 28. Such a shift can be expedient in order to effect a “deeper incarving” of the arresting tooth or teeth when moving the steering spindle 16 with respect to the bracket, the second structural part 15. Through the “deeper incarving” or the cut-back, the form closure can be improved or maintained even at incipient deformation of the recesses 28 in the tab section. The shifting can also serve for a tolerance compensation and enable employing tabs 27 of different thicknesses at otherwise identical structural parts, as can be expedient for different motor vehicle constructions.
Further improvement of the form closure between the arresting part 3 and the engagement element can be attained through the improved form of that region of the energy absorption device 21 in which the recesses 28 for the engagement of the arresting part 3 are located. Examples thereof are illustrated in
Alternatively to an integral, one-piece embodiment, the tab section 27 can be reinforced through a second separately implemented tab 44. The tab 44 is disposed approximately congruently with the tab section 27 and comprises corresponding recesses disposed approximately congruently with recesses 28. Here also arresting teeth 10 are preferably correspondingly longer. The connection between the two tabs 27, 44 can be established by welding, riveting, adhesion or other means. The rivet can even be guided through one of the recesses 28 in both tabs 27, 44 in order to effect the connection. The rivet can be implemented of a synthetic material.
For increasing the force of resistance against a deformation of the recesses 28, it is further conceivable and feasible to implement these with a special cross sectional form. In
It is further conceivable and feasible to adapt the tooth form of the one arresting tooth 10 or the several arresting teeth 10 to the form of the recess 28. The tooth can in particular have an outer form corresponding (quasi identical) to the inner form of the recess, as is depicted in
In all of the embodiments depicted here the spring element 1 is implemented integrally in one piece as a reformed metal sheet part.
Using two tabs disposed next to each other as examples,
To the extent applicable or implementable, all of the diverse individual features of the several examples can be interchanged and/or combined among one another without leaving the scope of the invention.
Legend to the Reference Numbers
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10 2010 017 080 | May 2010 | DE | national |
10 2010 036 894 | Aug 2010 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2011/001894 | 4/14/2011 | WO | 00 | 11/21/2012 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2011/147503 | 12/1/2011 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4793204 | Kubasiak | Dec 1988 | A |
5029489 | Burmeister et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5524927 | Toussaint | Jun 1996 | A |
5547221 | Tomaru et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5562307 | Connor | Oct 1996 | A |
5580091 | Doty | Dec 1996 | A |
5606892 | Hedderly | Mar 1997 | A |
6139057 | Olgren et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6276719 | Gartner | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6378903 | Yabutsuka et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6394241 | Desjardins et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6592148 | Byers et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
7188867 | Gatti et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7350815 | Spano et al. | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7422239 | Ishibashi et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7685903 | Streng et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7703804 | Cymbal et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7721620 | Matsui et al. | May 2010 | B2 |
7735868 | Ridgway et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
7866699 | Levin et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7891268 | Park | Feb 2011 | B2 |
7896395 | Cymbal et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7963561 | Waibel et al. | Jun 2011 | B2 |
8006587 | Schnitzer et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8056436 | Marable et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8065931 | Marable et al. | Nov 2011 | B1 |
8408089 | Oshita et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
20030000330 | Murakami et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20060090586 | Lee | May 2006 | A1 |
20060181070 | Imamura et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060243089 | Cymbal et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060290128 | Ridgway et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070137377 | Kamei | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070252372 | Spano et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20080191457 | Ridgway et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080229867 | Waibel et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080236325 | Ridgway et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080257097 | Graf | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080284150 | Yamada | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20100018340 | Schnitzer et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100031768 | Oshita et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100275721 | Davies et al. | Nov 2010 | A1 |
20100282016 | Oehri et al. | Nov 2010 | A1 |
20100300237 | Ridgway et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20100300238 | Ridgway et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20110041642 | Havlicek | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20110115206 | Sulser et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
20110210537 | Uesaka | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20120024101 | Schnitzer et al. | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120125139 | Tinnin et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
20120266716 | Sulser et al. | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20130118292 | Sulser et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
28 21 707 | Nov 1978 | DE |
39 14 608 | Oct 1990 | DE |
10 2004 051 060 | Jan 2006 | DE |
10 2005 052 123 | Jan 2007 | DE |
10 2007 002 091 | Jul 2008 | DE |
10 2007 003 091 | Aug 2008 | DE |
10 2008 007 094 | Sep 2009 | DE |
10 2008 007 093 | Nov 2009 | DE |
10 2008 016 742 | Nov 2009 | DE |
10 2010 061 268 | Jun 2012 | DE |
0 179 690 | Apr 1986 | EP |
0 323 298 | Jul 1989 | EP |
0 537 454 | Nov 1995 | EP |
0 641 705 | Jan 1997 | EP |
0 802 104 | Oct 1997 | EP |
1 464 560 | Oct 2004 | EP |
1 125 820 | Mar 2008 | EP |
1 955 921 | Aug 2008 | EP |
1 975 036 | Oct 2008 | EP |
2 781 748 | Feb 2000 | FR |
2 840 869 | Dec 2003 | FR |
2 881 707 | Aug 2006 | FR |
2 932 143 | Jun 2008 | FR |
1 584 984 | Feb 1981 | GB |
2 288 154 | Oct 1995 | GB |
2 291 840 | Feb 1996 | GB |
2 311 839 | Oct 1997 | GB |
2 454 345 | May 2009 | GB |
62-161081 | Oct 1987 | JP |
7-117685 | May 1995 | JP |
9-2294 | Jan 1997 | JP |
2004-67012 | Mar 2004 | JP |
2006-96120 | Apr 2006 | JP |
9604162 | Feb 1996 | WO |
2006042604 | Apr 2006 | WO |
2007048153 | May 2007 | WO |
2008071306 | Jun 2008 | WO |
2008142312 | Nov 2008 | WO |
2009047516 | Apr 2009 | WO |
2009121386 | Oct 2009 | WO |
2010000980 | Jan 2010 | WO |
2010009486 | Jan 2010 | WO |
2009147325 | Oct 2010 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report issued Jul. 6, 2011 in International (PCT) Application No. PCT/EP2011/001894. |
International Search Report issued Mar. 5, 2009 in International (PCT) Application No. PCT/EP2008/009794. |
German Search Report dated Feb. 14, 2011 in German Patent Application No. 10 2010 017 080.1. |
German Search Report dated Jan. 29, 2009 in German Patent Application No. 10 2008 016 742.8-21. |
Japanese Office Action dated Apr. 19, 2013 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-501108. |
U.S. Office Action dated Apr. 11, 2014 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/994,213. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20130074641 A1 | Mar 2013 | US |