Patent ID: 11970202
Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING VENDOME
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 16:
17. A sleeve for a steering column having (i) two elements that include an outer tube and an inner tube, and (ii) an adjusting system for adjusting a resistive force countering a relative translational movement between the two elements, the adjusting system comprising:
at least one friction pad supported by a first one of the two elements;
a clamping surface integral with a second one of the two elements, the friction pad being configured to be in contact with and to bear against the clamping surface; and
an adjusting mechanism having a cam which bears directly or indirectly against a bearing so as to generate a pressure variation of the friction pad with respect to the clamping surface parallel to a reference axis fixed with respect to the first one of the two elements, so as to vary pressure force of the friction pad against the clamping surface of the second one of the two elements, between:
i. a use position in which a predetermined use pressure of the friction pad is applied against the clamping surface of the second one of the two elements, and
ii. an adjusting position in which an adjustment pressure lower than the predetermined use pressure is applied by the friction pad against the clamping surface of the second one of the two elements,

wherein
the adjusting mechanism of the adjusting system is configured to bring about a relative rotational movement between the cam and the bearing about the reference axis sleeve;
a first one of two members that include the bearing and the cam of the adjusting mechanism is in engagement with the first one of the two elements in the use position, and adjustable in terms of axial position in relation to the first one of the two elements;
a second one of the two members comprises a plate, the plate being configured to be rotated by a transmission mechanism connected to at least one actuator; and
the adjusting mechanism has a spring arranged between the plate and the friction pad, the spring being a spring washer arranged coaxially with respect to the reference axis, the adjusting mechanism of the adjusting system having a ball arranged between the plate and the spring washer, the ball being a single ball and centered on the reference axis.