Patent Description:
The content of this section merely provides background information relevant to the present disclosure, and might not constitute prior art.

A steering column is a component of a steering system that connects the steering wheel to the steering gear. An adjustable steering column is configured to be adjustable in a longitudinal and/or height direction, so that the position of the steering wheel is matched to the driver of the motor vehicle. However, when the steering column is adjusted in the longitudinal and/or height direction, a gap between an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve of the steering column might cause a creaking noise, so a gap elimination means is needed to eliminate the gap between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve.

Existing gap elimination means generally consist of a spring such as a curved plate spring and a wedge-shaped body; the spring applies a pressing force to the wedge-shaped body in the height direction, so that the wedge-shaped body abuts the inner sleeve and thereby eliminates the gap between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve. However, in such a gap elimination means, a force applied to the wedge-shaped body by the inner sleeve will be transmitted back to the spring, causing shifting or deformation of the spring; as a result, the gap elimination means is unable to stably maintain a gapless state between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve.

A steering column according to the state of the art is described in <CIT> or <CIT>.

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a steering column capable of stably maintaining a gapless state between a first sleeve and a second sleeve.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a structurally compact steering column that saves installation space.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a steering column, which may comprise: a first sleeve; a second sleeve, the first sleeve being received in the second sleeve in a telescopic way in a longitudinal direction; and a gap elimination means, the gap elimination means comprising an elastic pretensioning element and a wedge-shaped body, the wedge-shaped body having a first wedge-shaped surface and a second mating surface, characterized in that the gap elimination means further comprises an intermediate element, the intermediate element having a third wedge-shaped surface which abuts the first wedge-shaped surface and has a shape fitted to the shape of the first wedge-shaped surface, and the pretensioning element applies a pressing force to the wedge-shaped body via the intermediate element such that the second mating surface of the wedge-shaped body abuts an outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve.

The elastic pretensioning element is arranged in a tangential direction of the first sleeve and apply a pressing force to the intermediate element in the tangential direction, and the intermediate element and the wedge-shaped body apply a force to the first sleeve in a radial direction under the action of the pressing force.

According to the invention, the intermediate element may be provided with a first mating part and the wedge-shaped body may be provided with a second mating part, the intermediate element and the wedge-shaped body being releasably engaged by means of the first mating part and the second mating part, and the first mating part and the second mating part defining a maximum range of movement of the intermediate element and the wedge-shaped body relative to each other.

According to the invention, the first mating part comprises at least one hook protruding towards the intermediate element, and the second mating part may be formed as a recess, the hook and the recess forming a releasable engagement.

In some embodiments, the gap elimination means may further comprise a cover, and the cover may be formed with an opening that accommodates the elastic pretensioning element and the intermediate element.

In some embodiments, the opening may have a first part formed in the middle, and a second part and a third part respectively located at two sides of the first part, the width of the first part being greater than the width of the second part and the width of the third part in the longitudinal direction, and the intermediate element is provided with a stop part, the width of the stop part being equal to or less than the width of the first part and greater than the width of the second part and the width of the third part.

In some embodiments, the intermediate element comprises a first body part and a second body part arranged in a height direction, the width of the first body part being less than the width of the second part and the width of the third part, and the width of the second body part being greater than the width of the first body part, such that a step face is formed between the first body part and the second body part.

In some embodiments, the step face abuts a lower surface of the cover when the first body part and the second body part of the intermediate element are inserted into the opening of the cover.

In some embodiments, the intermediate element comprises a first intermediate element arranged at a first end of the elastic pretensioning element and a second intermediate element arranged at a second end of the elastic pretensioning element, the second end and the first end being located at opposite sides of the elastic pretensioning element.

In some embodiments, the elastic pretensioning element is formed as a spring, and the first intermediate element and the second intermediate element are each formed with an engagement part which is insertable into a hollow part of the spring.

In some embodiments, the wedge-shaped body comprises a first wedge-shaped body and a second wedge-shaped body connected to each other.

In some embodiments, the gap elimination means is disposed in an opening part of the second sleeve, the opening part being defined by a vertical wall, and the wedge-shaped body also has a third surface, which is formed as a vertical surface and faces the vertical wall.

In the steering column according to the present disclosure, the elastic pretensioning element can apply a pressing force to the wedge-shaped body via the intermediate element with the wedge-shaped surface. Thus, a force applied to the wedge-shaped body by the first sleeve will not be transmitted to the elastic pretensioning element, making it possible to stably maintain a gapless state between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and thus preventing creaking noises. Further, in the steering column according to the present disclosure, the wedge-shaped body may be connected to the intermediate element, which is connected to the cover by insertion, all of the components being connected to each other in a forward direction; this realizes a maximally flattened design, and a structurally compact gap elimination means is thereby provided, reducing the installation space needed for the gap elimination means and steering column; and a structurally compact steering column is thereby provided.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings, in an exemplary manner only. In the drawings, identical features or components are indicated with identical reference labels, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:.

The following description is essentially only exemplary, and not intended to limit the present disclosure, applications and uses. It should be understood that in all of these drawings, similar reference labels indicate identical or similar components and features. The drawings merely show schematically the concept and principles of embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not necessarily show the specific dimensions and proportions of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Exaggeration may be employed in specific parts of specific drawings to show relevant details or structures of embodiments of the present disclosure.

<FIG> and <FIG> are 3D drawings showing a steering column <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is a sectional view showing the steering column <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and <FIG> is a 3D drawing showing some of the components of a gap elimination means of a steering column according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the steering column <NUM> may comprise a first sleeve <NUM> (also called an inner sleeve) and a second sleeve <NUM> (also called an outer sleeve). A steering main shaft <NUM> is provided in the first sleeve <NUM>, the steering main shaft being installed in the first sleeve <NUM> in such a way as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis L. The first sleeve <NUM> is received in the second sleeve <NUM> in a telescopic way. The telescopic configuration of the first sleeve <NUM> with respect to the second sleeve <NUM>, allows the steering column <NUM> to be adjustable in a longitudinal direction <NUM>. In addition, the first sleeve <NUM> is adjustable not only in the longitudinal direction <NUM> but also in a height direction <NUM> perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the first sleeve <NUM> is movable in the height direction <NUM> about a pivot axis X. A steering wheel (not shown) can be connected to the steering main shaft <NUM>, and the adjustability of the first sleeve <NUM> in the longitudinal and height directions provides the ability of the steering wheel to have its position adjusted relative to the driver.

The steering column <NUM> may further comprise a carrier unit <NUM> and a drive unit <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the carrier unit <NUM> comprises a fixing splice <NUM>, by means of which the steering column <NUM> can be fixed to a body (not shown) of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the drive unit <NUM> may comprise a motor, and movement of the first sleeve <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM> and the height direction <NUM> may be adjusted with the aid of the motor.

Referring to <FIG>, the steering column <NUM> may further comprise a gap elimination means <NUM>. The gap elimination means <NUM> may be fastened to the second sleeve <NUM> by screws for example. As specifically shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the gap elimination means <NUM> may comprise an elastic pretensioning element <NUM>, an intermediate element <NUM> and a wedge-shaped body <NUM>. The wedge-shaped body <NUM> may be formed with a first wedge-shaped surface <NUM> and a second mating surface <NUM>. The intermediate element <NUM> may be formed with a third wedge-shaped surface <NUM>, which has a shape fitted to the shape of the first wedge-shaped surface and abuts the first wedge-shaped surface <NUM>. The elastic pretensioning element <NUM> applies an action force to the wedge-shaped body <NUM> via the intermediate element <NUM>, such that the second mating surface <NUM> of the wedge-shaped body <NUM> abuts an outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve <NUM>, and applies a pressing force to the first sleeve <NUM> in the height direction <NUM>, thereby eliminating a gap between the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM>. Preferably, the second mating surface <NUM> may be formed as a substantially wedge-shaped surface.

As shown in <FIG>, the elastic pretensioning element <NUM> may be arranged in a tangential direction <NUM> of the first sleeve <NUM> and apply a pressing force in the tangential direction <NUM>. The tangential direction <NUM> may be perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction <NUM> and the height direction <NUM>.

In the steering column according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first wedge-shaped surface <NUM> of the wedge-shaped body <NUM> has a shape fitted to the shape of the third wedge-shaped surface and abuts the third wedge-shaped surface <NUM> of the intermediate element <NUM>. Thus, the pressing force applied by the elastic pretensioning element <NUM> in the tangential direction <NUM> is applied downwards to the first sleeve <NUM> in radial directions <NUM> via the intermediate element <NUM> and the wedge-shaped body <NUM>. That is to say, the elastic pretensioning element <NUM> applies the pressing force to the wedge-shaped body and the first sleeve via the intermediate element <NUM>, rather than directly applying the pressing force to the wedge-shaped body and the first sleeve. Thus, a reaction force applied to the wedge-shaped body <NUM> by the first sleeve <NUM> will not be transmitted to the elastic pretensioning element <NUM> such that the elastic pretensioning element experiences elastic deformation or displacement. That is to say, such a wedge-shaped surface realizes a self-locking effect, making it possible to stably maintain a gapless state between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

Referring to <FIG>, the second sleeve <NUM> may comprise a pair of vertical walls <NUM> defining an opening part <NUM>, and the wedge-shaped body <NUM> may further comprise a third surface <NUM> extending between the first wedge-shaped surface and the second mating surface; the third surface <NUM> may be formed as a vertical surface, so as to stably abut an inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> of the second sleeve <NUM>. The gap elimination means <NUM> may further comprise a cover <NUM>, the cover <NUM> being fixed to the vertical wall <NUM> by fasteners (e.g. screws) extending through the cover. The elastic pretensioning element <NUM> may be formed as a spring, and preferably, the wedge-shaped body <NUM> may be made of a carbon fibre reinforced material, so as to reduce wear to the wedge-shaped body <NUM> from the intermediate element and the first sleeve <NUM> in the course of adjustment.

Referring to <FIG>, the intermediate element <NUM> may comprise a first intermediate element and a second intermediate element arranged symmetrically at a first end and a second end of the elastic pretensioning element <NUM>. Each of the first intermediate element and second intermediate element may be formed to have a first body part <NUM> and a second body part <NUM>; the second body part <NUM> may be arranged at a lower side of the first body part and has a width greater than the width of the first body part, such that a step face <NUM> is formed between the first body part <NUM> and the second body part <NUM>. A stop part <NUM> may be formed on a side of the intermediate element <NUM> that is close to the spring, the width of the stop part <NUM> being greater than the width of the first body part <NUM>. It must be explained that as used herein, the term "width" means the dimension in the longitudinal direction <NUM>.

The wedge-shaped body <NUM> and the intermediate element <NUM> may be releasably engaged with each other by means of a first mating part and a second mating part respectively formed thereon. As shown schematically in <FIG>, the wedge-shaped body <NUM> may be formed with a hook <NUM> protruding towards the intermediate element, and the intermediate element may be formed with a recess <NUM>; the wedge-shaped body <NUM> may be engaged with the intermediate element <NUM> by the hook <NUM> hooked to the recess <NUM>, the hook <NUM> and the recess <NUM> thus forming a releasable engagement.

The process of assembling the gap elimination means <NUM> is described in specific terms below with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> of the gap elimination means <NUM> may be formed with an opening <NUM>, which accommodates the elastic pretensioning element and the intermediate element. The opening <NUM> may comprise a first part <NUM> formed in the middle, as well as a second part <NUM> and a third part <NUM> which are respectively located at two sides of the first part <NUM>; the width of the first part <NUM> may be greater than the width of the second part <NUM> and the width of the third part <NUM>. The width of the stop part <NUM> of the intermediate element is less than or equal to the width of the first part <NUM>, and greater than the width of the second part <NUM> and the width of the third part <NUM>. The first intermediate element and second intermediate element may be formed with engagement parts <NUM>, which are insertable into a hollow part of the spring. In the process of assembling the gap elimination means <NUM>, firstly, the engagement parts <NUM> of the first intermediate element and second intermediate element are inserted into the hollow part of the spring, to connect the spring and the intermediate elements together.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the spring and intermediate elements that have been connected together are inserted, in a compressed state, into the first part <NUM> of the opening <NUM> of the cover <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the wedge-shaped body <NUM> is pressed against the intermediate elements <NUM> from below. The spring is then released, and as the spring is released, the first intermediate element and second intermediate element move away from each other. When the stop parts <NUM> move from the first part <NUM> to the second part <NUM> and the third part <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, due to the fact that the widths of the stop parts <NUM> are greater than the widths of the second part <NUM> and the third part <NUM>, the stop parts <NUM> serve a stopping function, preventing the intermediate elements from moving downwards in the height direction and escaping out of the cover <NUM>. At this time, the hooks <NUM> of the wedge-shaped body are hooked to the recesses <NUM> of the intermediate elements <NUM>, thereby connecting the wedge-shaped body <NUM> to the intermediate elements <NUM>. Furthermore, the first intermediate element and second intermediate element can move away from each other until they respectively abut an end wall of the second part <NUM> and an end wall of the third part <NUM>; the end walls of the second part and third part prevent further movement of the first intermediate element and second intermediate element, which can thus be stably held in the cover.

In addition, the width of the second body parts <NUM> of the intermediate elements may be greater than the width of the second part <NUM> and the width of the third part <NUM>, so the step faces <NUM> of the intermediate elements can prevent the intermediate elements from moving out of the opening of the cover <NUM> in the height direction. As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the wedge-shaped body <NUM> may comprise a first wedge-shaped body and a second wedge-shaped body corresponding to the first intermediate element and the second intermediate element, and the first wedge-shaped body and second wedge-shaped body may be elastically connected together.

<FIG> shows a 3D drawing of a fully assembled gap elimination means according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. When the fully assembled gap elimination means <NUM> is inserted into the opening part <NUM> of the second sleeve <NUM>, the engagement between the wedge-shaped body <NUM> and the intermediate elements <NUM> can be released to adjust their relative positions, so as to adapt to different sizes of gap between the first sleeve and second sleeve in different steering columns. Specifically, when the the fully assembled gap elimination means <NUM> is inserted into the opening part <NUM> of the second sleeve <NUM>, the elastic pretensioning element <NUM> may firstly be compressed so that the hooks <NUM> of the wedge-shaped body <NUM> disengage from the recesses <NUM> of the intermediate elements <NUM>; at this time, the intermediate elements <NUM> are able to move relative to the wedge-shaped body <NUM>, so as to be located at positions corresponding to the corresponding gap size. The elastic pretensioning element <NUM> may then be released, so that the elastic pretensioning element <NUM> presses the wedge-shaped body <NUM> into abutment with the first sleeve <NUM> via the intermediate elements <NUM>. Furthermore, the hook <NUM> and the recess <NUM> can limit the maximum range of movement of the intermediate element <NUM> and the wedge-shaped body <NUM> relative to each other, so as to prevent the intermediate element <NUM> from completely disengaging from the wedge-shaped body <NUM>. Thus, by changing the positions of the intermediate elements <NUM> relative to the wedge-shaped body <NUM> to adapt to different gap sizes, it is possible to prevent a change in position of the cover <NUM> of the gap elimination means <NUM> in the height direction, so that the gap elimination means takes up less installation space in the height direction.

The gap elimination means <NUM> of the steering column according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure realizes a self-locking function with the aid of a wedge-shaped structure, thus being able to stably eliminate the gap between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve. At the same time, the installation space needed for the gap elimination means and thus for the steering column can be reduced, so a compact steering column design is provided, preventing collision between the steering column and the knees of the driver in the vehicle or components such as a knee airbag.

In addition, compared with a situation in which a wedge-shaped body is directly connected to a cover via a connecting member, the gap elimination means <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides many further advantages. Specifically, when the wedge-shaped body is directly connected to the cover via the connecting member, the need for the connecting member to protrude from the cover increases the installation space taken up by the gap elimination means in the height direction, and when the position of the wedge-shaped body in the height direction is adjusted to adapt to gaps of different sizes, the position of the connecting member also changes according to the change in position of the wedge-shaped body; consequently, it is necessary to provide additional space to allow movement of the connecting member in the height direction, thus further increasing the need for installation space in the height direction. At the same time, it is necessary to provide multiple through-holes in the cover to receive connecting members, and these through-holes increase the installation space of the cover and thus of the gap elimination means in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the connecting member might easily break. In comparison, in the gap elimination means <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the wedge-shaped body <NUM> is engaged with the intermediate element <NUM> and not connected to the cover <NUM>, the height of the gap elimination means will not change when the height position of the wedge-shaped body is adjusted to adapt to gaps of different sizes, and such a manner of fitting can realize a flat design to the maximum extent, thereby greatly reducing the installation space needed for the gap elimination means <NUM> and the steering column <NUM>, and in particular reducing the installation space needed for the gap elimination means and steering column in the height direction <NUM> and longitudinal direction <NUM>. This is very beneficial in motor vehicles, because numerous components in motor vehicles take up a large amount of installation space. In particular, with regard to the steering column, it is desired that the steering column take up as little installation space as possible in the height direction, to avoid collision between the steering column and lower shell of the vehicle or a knee airbag, which would affect the safe and effective operation of the vehicle. Thus, the steering column according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can effectively save installation space, especially installation space in the height direction. In addition, the various components of the gap elimination means are able to operate durably and effectively without breaking easily, and thus can have an extended service life, providing a reliable and effective gap elimination function.

Claim 1:
Steering column (<NUM>), comprising:
a first sleeve (<NUM>);
a second sleeve (<NUM>), the first sleeve (<NUM>) being received in the second sleeve (<NUM>) in a telescopic way in a longitudinal direction (<NUM>); and
a gap elimination means (<NUM>), the gap elimination means comprising an elastic pretensioning element (<NUM>) and a wedge-shaped body (<NUM>), the wedge-shaped body (<NUM>) having a first wedge-shaped surface (<NUM>) and a second mating surface (<NUM>),
wherein the gap elimination means further comprises an intermediate element (<NUM>), the intermediate element having a third wedge-shaped surface (<NUM>) which abuts the first wedge-shaped surface (<NUM>) and has a shape fitted to the shape of the first wedge-shaped surface (<NUM>), and the pretensioning element (<NUM>) applies a pressing force to the wedge-shaped body (<NUM>) via the intermediate element (<NUM>) such that the second mating surface (<NUM>) of the wedge-shaped body abuts an outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve (<NUM>),
wherein the elastic pretensioning element (<NUM>) is arranged in a tangential direction (<NUM>) of the first sleeve (<NUM>) and applies a pressing force to the intermediate element (<NUM>) in the tangential direction, and the intermediate element and the wedge-shaped body apply a force to the first sleeve (<NUM>) in a radial direction (<NUM>) under the action of the pressing force,
wherein the intermediate element (<NUM>) is provided with a first mating part and the wedge-shaped body (<NUM>) is provided with a second mating part, the intermediate element and the wedge-shaped body being releasably engaged by means of the first mating part and the second mating part, and the first mating part and the second mating part defining a maximum range of movement of the intermediate element (<NUM>) and the wedge-shaped body (<NUM>) relative to each other,
characterized in
that the first mating part comprises at least one hook (<NUM>) protruding towards the intermediate element, and the second mating part is formed as a recess (<NUM>), the hook (<NUM>) and the recess (<NUM>) forming a releasable engagement.