Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5992263?dq=6373188
Timestamp: 2017-03-25 23:57:33
Document Index: 512660754

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Patent US5992263 - Device for locking an adjustable steering column, especially for motor vehicles - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA locking device for locking an adjustable steering column in an adjusted position including a lateral clamping element having enlarged heads at opposite ends thereof and a piston and a cylinder between the enlarged heads and a rotatable locking rod for locking or unlocking the steering column arranged...http://www.google.com/patents/US5992263?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5992263 - Device for locking an adjustable steering column, especially for motor vehiclesAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS5992263 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 08/880,715Publication dateNov 30, 1999Filing dateJun 23, 1997Priority dateJul 19, 1996Fee statusLapsedAlso published asDE19629246A1, EP0912386A1, EP0912386B1, WO1998003386A1Publication number08880715, 880715, US 5992263 A, US 5992263A, US-A-5992263, US5992263 A, US5992263AInventorsWalter Bleuel, Wolfgang MarkardOriginal AssigneeGeneral Motors CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (12), Referenced by (27), Classifications (11), Legal Events (11) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetDevice for locking an adjustable steering column, especially for motor vehicles
US 5992263 AAbstract
A locking device for locking an adjustable steering column in an adjusted position including a lateral clamping element having enlarged heads at opposite ends thereof and a piston and a cylinder between the enlarged heads and a rotatable locking rod for locking or unlocking the steering column arranged axially immovable relative to the steering column and compactly in a space that is little used. The piston and cylinder have overlapping bores parallel to the centerline of the steering column. The locking rod, also parallel to the centerline of the steering column, has an oval-shaped portion protruding through the overlapping bores so that when the long axis of the oval-shaped portion is vertical the clamping element is loose and the steering column is vertically and horizontally adjustable and when the long axis of the oval-shaped portion is horizontal the clamping element is tight and the steering column is vertically and horizontally locked.
1. A locking device operative to clamp a first pair of vertical side of a bracket on a body of a motor vehicle against a second pair of vertical sides of a bracket on a steering column of the motor vehicle disposed between the first pair of vertical sides comprising a first clamping element having a cylinder portion thereon and an enlarged head at an end thereof, a second clamping element having a piston portion thereon and an enlarged head at an end thereof, the piston portion being slidably disposed in the cylinder portion to vary a span between the enlarged heads on the first and the second clamping elements, the first and the second clamping elements being disposed laterally of the steering column in a plurality of slots in the first pair of vertical sides and in the second pair of vertical sides with the enlarged heads on the first and the second clamping elements on opposite sides of the first pair of vertical sides so that reduction of the span between the enlarged heads clamps the first pair of vertical sides against the second pair of vertical sides, a first bore in the first clamping element axially parallel to the steering column, a second bore in the second clamping element axially parallel to the steering column overlapping the first bore, a locking rod having an oval-shaped cross section in the overlapped first bore and second bore, and means operative to mount the locking rod on the steering column for movement as a unit with the steering column and for rotation relative thereto in the overlapped first bore and second bore, the oval-shaped cross section being operative in response to rotation of the locking rod to a position in which a maximum dimension of the oval-shaped cross section is substantially horizontal to minimize the span between the enlarged heads on the first and the second clamping elements thereby to clamp the first pair of vertical sides against the second pair of vertical sides,the enlarged head at the end of the first clamping element comprising:a bore in the cylinder portion having a screw thread therein, a shaft having an enlarged head, a screw thread on the shaft received in the screw thread in the cylinder portion so that rotation of the shaft relative to the bore adjusts the span between the enlarged head on the shaft and the enlarged head on the second clamping element, and a nut on the screw thread on the shaft engageable on the first clamping element to capture the position of the shaft relative to the first clamping element. 2. A locking device operative to clamp a first pair of vertical sides of a bracket on a body of a motor vehicle against a second pair of vertical sides of a bracket on a steering column of the motor vehicle disposed between the first pair of vertical sides comprising:a first clamping element having a cylinder portion thereon and an enlarged head at an end thereof, a second clamping element having a piston portion thereon and an enlarged head at an end thereof, the piston portion being slidably disposed in the cylinder portion to very a span between the enlarged heads on the first and second clamping elements, the first and second clamping elements being disposed laterally of the steering column in a plurality of slots in the first pair of vertical sides and in the second pair of vertical sides with the enlarged heads on the first and the second clamping elements on opposite sides of the first pair of vertical sides so that reduction of the span between the enlarged heads clamps the first pair of vertical sides against the second pair of vertical sides, the plurality of slots in the first pair of vertical sides and the second pair of vertical sides comprising a pair of vertical slots in one of the first pair of vertical sides and the other pair of vertical sides and a pair of horizontal slots on the other of the first pair of vertical sides and the second pair of vertical sides, a first bore in the first clamping element axially parallel to the steering column, a second bore in the second clamping element axially parallel to the steering column overlapping the first bore, a locking rod having an oval-shaped cross section in the overlapped first bore and second bore, means operative to mount the locking rod on the steering column for movement as a unit with the steering column and for rotation relative thereto in the overlapped first bore and second bore, the oval-shaped cross section being operative in response to rotation of the locking rod to a position in which a maximum dimension of the oval-shaped cross section is substantially horizontal to minimize the span between the enlarged heads on the first and the second clamping elements thereby to clamp the first pair of vertical sides against the second pair of vertical sides, a handle on an end of the locking rod rotatable as a unit therewith, and a recess on the steering column in which the handle on the locking rod seats in the position of the locking rod in which the maximum dimension of the oval-shaped cross section of the locking rod is substantially horizontal. 3. The locking device recited in claim 2 further comprising:a latching means between the steering column and the handle on the locking rod operative to capture the locking rod in the position thereof in which the maximum dimension of the oval-shaped cross section thereof is substantially horizontal and to provide a perceptible signal corresponding achievement of such capture. Description
The invention relates to a device for locking an adjustable steering column in an adjusted position.
German patent DE 39 25 706 C1 describes a device for locking an adjustable steering column in an adjusted position in which a clamping device is provided with an eccentric element arranged axially on the activation rod in order to lock the swiveling steering column. Upon rotation of the activation rod, by means of the eccentric element and a pull rod connected to the activation rod, the steering column is clamped between two brackets of the vehicle structure. A disadvantage of this design is the complicated structure of the eccentric element and its arrangement off-set with respect to the pull rod outside of the brackets of the vehicle structure.
This invention is a new and improved device for locking an adjustable steering column in an adjusted position which is of compact structure and lowers production and engineering costs. The locking device according to this invention includes a lateral clamping element having enlarged heads at opposite ends thereof and a piston and a cylinder between the enlarged heads and a rotatable activation rod for locking or unlocking the steering column arranged axially immovable relative to the steering column and compactly in a space that is little used. The piston and cylinder have overlapping bores therein parallel to the centerline of the steering column. The activation rod, also parallel to the centerline of the steering column, has an oval-shaped portion protruding through the overlapping bores so that when the long axis of the oval-shaped portion is vertical the clamping element is loose and the steering column is vertically and horizontally adjustable and when the long axis of the oval-shaped portion is horizontal the clamping element is tight and the steering column is vertically and horizontally locked.
FIG. 1 a lateral sectional view of a locking device according to this invention taken generally in the region of a clamping element of the locking device;
FIG. 2 a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 2--2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the locking device according to this invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 4--4 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing features of the clamping element in different relative positions;
FIG. 6 a view taken generally in the direction identified by arrow X in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken generally in the direction identified by arrow Y in FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 1 but showing a modified embodiment of the locking device according to this invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a steering column 2 is supported on a motor vehicle body by a steering column support 4 connected to a vehicle structure 8 in a manner not shown in detail having two supporting parts 3, 3a aligned parallel and vertically and by a U-shaped holder 7 having two parallel and vertically aligned legs 5, 5a whose free ends are welded to a jacket tube 6 of the steering column 2. The steering column 2 can be locked in vertically and horizontally adjusted positions by means of a locking device 9 according to this invention which clamps the holder 7 between the supporting parts 3, 3a.
To adjust the steering column 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3, guide slots 11, 11a running essentially perpendicular to the steering column 2 on the supporting parts 3, 3a in each case and guide slots 12, 12a arranged on the legs 5, 5a in each case approximately axially parallel to the steering column 2 are provided. The neighboring guide slots 11, 12, 11a, 12a, in this case are arranged in a crossing manner and thus form a rocker arm guide for two clamping elements 10, 10a, arranged in a clampable manner in the cross direction or laterally of the vehicle (FIG. 1), and of the locking device 9.
The clamping elements 10, 10a form of a cylinder-piston unit including a cylindrical part 14 on the clamping element 10a and a piston part 13 on the clamping element 10 axially displaceable in the cylindrical part 14. The clamping elements 10, 10a have their opposite ends through the guide slots 11, 12, 11a, 12a with a head part 15, 15a on the clamping elements 10, 10a outside of the corresponding supporting parts 3, 3a. The head part 15a in this case is formed by a nut 16 and, between the nut 16 and the supporting part 3a, a washer 17 which are mounted on a threaded shaft portion 18 of the cylindrical part 14. The steering column 2 is therefore supported on the one hand (for height adjustment) together with the clamping elements 10, 10a in the approximately vertical guide slots or slotted guides 11, 11a and on the other (for longitudinal adjustment) by means of the approximately horizontally arranged guide slots 12, 12a on the clamping elements 10, 10a in a moveable manner.
An alternative design of the locking device 9 is shown in FIG. 8. In this arrangement on the cylindrical part 14 of the clamping element 10a an axially arranged threaded boring 31 is provided into which a threaded shaft 32 is screwed. The threaded shaft 32 in this case is formed as one part with the head part 15a. To adjust the locking device 9, a nut 33 is provided on the threaded shaft 32 which is tightened after the adjustment of the distance between the head parts 15, 15a.
To achieve an optimal displacement and locking of the steering column 2, between the supporting parts 3, 3a and the legs 5, 5a on the clamping element 10, 10a a pair of guide disks or washers 22, 22a are provided (FIGS. 1 and 8) with collars 23, 23a on the guide discs closely engaging the guide slots 11, 11a and with collars 24, 24a on the guide discs closely engaging the guide slots 12, 12a. Upon the adjustment of the steering column 2 the movement of adjustment is supported in the vertical direction by a pair of springs 37, 37a acting from below on the guide disks 22, 22a.
The clamping elements 10, 10a, on the piston part 13 and on the cylindrical part 14, have borings 19, 19a which are arranged axially parallel to the steering column, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the clamping elements 10, 10a, and partially overlap. The two borings 19, 19a are pierced by an activation rod 20 arranged also axially parallel to the steering column 2 with an oval cross section 21 in the borings 19, 19a. The activation rod 20 is supported rotatably but axially immovably relative to the steering column 2 at the other end, as shown in FIG. 2, on a steering lock housing (FIG. 6) of the steering column 2 near the steering wheel so that upon the adjustment of the steering column 2 the position of the activation rod 20 relative to the steering column 2 is preserved.
In FIGS. 4 and 5, the clamping of the clamping elements 10, 10a by means of the activation rod 20 is illustrated. As FIG. 4 shows, in the unlocked state the largest diameter of the activation rod 20 in the region of the oval cross-section 21 is aligned approximately vertically so that the clamping elements 10, 10a in each case are in the position pushed farthest apart from each other. In this position of the activation rod 20, the borings 19, 19a of the clamping elements 10, 10a overlap approximately halfway and the head parts 15, 15a (FIGS. 1 and 8) of the clamping elements 10, 10a lie without tension on the corresponding supporting parts 3, 3a. Upon rotation of the oval cross-section 21 by about 90°--as a result of the rotation of the activation rod 20--the clamping elements 10, 10a move toward each other and thus tighten the holder 7 between the supporting parts 3, 3a. The difference between the dimension A which is the maximal distance of the vertical central axes of the borings 19, 19a from each other in the unlocked position and the dimension A' which is the minimal distance between the central axes in the locked position thus determines the maximal clamping movement of the clamping elements 10, 10a which depends essentially on the dimensions of the oval cross-section 21 and the borings 19, 19a. If as shown in FIG. 5 the largest diameter of the oval cross-section 21 is an approximately horizontal position, the highest clamping force is achieved and the holder 7 connected to the steering column 2 is firmly clamped to the steering column support 4.
To rotate the activation rod 20 between the locked and the unlocked positions--as shown in FIG. 6--at the end of the activation rod 20 near the steering wheel, an activation lever 25 arranged approximately perpendicular to the activation rod 20 is provided which, upon the locking of the steering column 2, audibly and palpably engages a snapping device 27 arranged on the steering lock housing 28. The snapping device 27 in this case consists of conventional, and therefore not described in detail, elastic spring elements which surround the activation lever 25 designed as a round rod in a partially force-locking and/or form-fitting manner at least in this region. The position of the activation lever 25 in the unlocked position is indicated in a simplified way by the broken dotted line Z.
In order to operate the locking device 9 better, a handle 26 is provided at the free end of the activation lever 25 which in the locked position as shown in FIG. 7 is in a recess 30 on the steering lock 29. In this position, which can easily be observed visually, the handle 26 can be very favorably reached and activated in order to adjust the steering column 2.
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type steering column device for vehiclesUS7516985May 19, 2005Apr 14, 2009Delphi Technologies, Inc.Multi piece bearing for telescoping steering column assemblyUS8261425Mar 3, 2009Sep 11, 2012Steering Solutions Ip Holding CorporationMethod of making a telescoping steering column assemblyUS8302503Nov 24, 2007Nov 6, 2012Thyssenkrupp Presta AktiengesellschaftSteering column for a motor vehicleUS8777266 *Jan 6, 2012Jul 15, 2014Jtekt CorporationSteering deviceUS8777267 *May 16, 2008Jul 15, 2014Zf Systemes De Direction Nacam, S.A.S.Device for adjusting the position of a steering column in an automobileUS8882148 *Jan 6, 2012Nov 11, 2014Jtekt CorporationSteering systemUS20040031299 *Jun 3, 2003Feb 19, 2004Strattec Security CorporationSteering column lock apparatus and methodUS20040123695 *Oct 14, 2003Jul 1, 2004Knott Jeffrey A.Steering wheel tilt mechanismUS20050146124 *Jan 6, 2004Jul 7, 2005Hitonobu OhtsuTelescoping steering column assembly with brakeUS20050183476 *Feb 21, 2004Aug 25, 2005Feucht Michael G.Steering column lock apparatus and methodUS20050200111 *Mar 11, 2004Sep 15, 2005Cymbal William D.Multi piece bearing for telescoping steering column assemblyUS20050223838 *Feb 19, 2003Oct 13, 2005Nsk Ltd.Method of assembling steering columnsUS20050242560 *Jul 25, 2003Nov 3, 2005Nsk Ltd.Steering column deviceUS20060151984 *Aug 31, 2004Jul 13, 2006Kiyoharu HigashinoPosition adjustment type steering column device for vehiclesUS20060156854 *Aug 4, 2003Jul 20, 2006Nsk LtdVehicle position adjustment type steering column deviceUS20090165280 *Mar 3, 2009Jul 2, 2009Delphi Technologies, Inc.Method of making a telescoping steering column assembly cross reference to related applicationsUS20110259140 *May 16, 2008Oct 27, 2011Laurent FevreDevice for adjusting the position of a steering column in an automobileUS20130298718 *Jan 6, 2012Nov 14, 2013Jtekt CorporationSteering deviceUS20130305871 *Jan 6, 2012Nov 21, 2013Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaSteering systemCN101547824BNov 24, 2007Aug 29, 2012泰森克鲁普普里斯塔股份公司Steering column for a motor vehicle* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification74/493, 74/531, 280/775, 403/110International ClassificationB62D1/16, B62D1/184, B62D1/19Cooperative ClassificationY10T74/2066, Y10T403/32532, B62D1/184European ClassificationB62D1/184Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 23, 1997ASAssignmentOwner name: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BLEUEL, WALTER;MARKARD, WOLFGANG;REEL/FRAME:008625/0452Effective date: 19970507Apr 30, 2003FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4May 4, 2007FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8May 11, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:019317/0284Effective date: 20070504Oct 20, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023449/0065Effective date: 20091002Owner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.,MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023449/0065Effective date: 20091002Feb 25, 2010ASAssignmentOwner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.,MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023988/0754Effective date: 20091002Owner name: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY,DISTRICTFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023990/0349Effective date: 20090710Owner name: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST,MICHIGANFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023990/0831Effective date: 20090710Owner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023988/0754Effective date: 20091002Owner name: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, DISTRICTFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023990/0349Effective date: 20090710Owner name: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST, MICHIGANFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023990/0831Effective date: 20090710Nov 22, 2010ASAssignmentOwner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., MICHIGANFree format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY;REEL/FRAME:025386/0591Effective date: 20100420Owner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., MICHIGANFree format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST;REEL/FRAME:025386/0503Effective date: 20101026Jul 4, 2011REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedNov 30, 2011LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesJan 10, 2012ASAssignmentOwner name: PACIFIC CENTURY MOTORS, INC., CHINAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:027842/0918Effective date: 20101130Owner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:027842/0918Effective date: 20101130Jan 17, 2012FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20111130RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services