Patent ID: 12222004

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. Moreover, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that reciting “a” element or “an” element in the appended claims does not restrict those claims to articles, apparatuses, systems, methods, or the like having only one of that element, even where other elements in the same claim or different claims are preceded by “at least one” or similar language. Similarly, it should be understood that the steps of any method claims need not necessarily be performed in the order in which they are recited, unless so required by the context of the claims. In addition, all references to one skilled in the art shall be understood to refer to one having ordinary skill in the art.

The invention relates to a bearing cup set for a steering column having a bearing cup. The bearing cup has a bearing cup portion for receiving a rolling bearing and a holding portion extending radially outwards starting from the bearing cup portion. The bearing cup portion has a first opening side with a collar extending radially inwards and a second opening side. In addition, the invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle having a jacket tube and a steering shaft. The steering shaft is supported by a rolling bearing and arranged so as to be rotatable within the jacket tube.

A bearing cup set and a steering column according to the independent claims are proposed. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the description and represented in the figures.

The proposed solution envisages a bearing cup set for a steering column comprising a bearing cup and a securing element, wherein the bearing cup has a bearing cup portion for the at least partial receiving of a rolling bearing and a holding portion extending radially outwards starting from the bearing cup portion, wherein the bearing cup portion has a first opening side with a collar extending radially inwards and a second opening side, and wherein the securing element is connected to the bearing cup in particular in such a manner that the securing element fixes a rolling bearing received by the bearing cup portion in the axial direction in respect of the bearing cup. The bearing cup set advantageously has connection means, in order to connect the securing element to the bearing cup at the second opening side of the bearing cup portion.

The proposed solution further envisages a bearing cup set for a steering column comprising a bearing cup and a securing element, wherein the bearing cup has a bearing cup portion for the at least partial receiving of a rolling bearing and a holding portion extending radially outwards starting from the bearing cup portion, wherein the bearing cup portion has a first opening side with a collar extending radially inwards and a second opening side, and wherein the bearing cup set has connection means, in order to connect the securing element to the bearing cup at the second opening side of the bearing cup portion, in particular in such a manner that the securing element connected to the bearing cup is designed to fix a rolling bearing received by the bearing cup portion in the axial direction in respect of the bearing cup.

If a bearing is received by the bearing cup, in particular pressed into the bearing cup portion, and the securing element is connected to the bearing cup, the securing element connected to the bearing cup advantageously prevents the bearing from being able to fall out of the bearing cup portion or from being able to be displaced in relation to the bearing cup portion. The design of the bearing cup itself advantageously allows easy introduction into a tube, in particular into the jacket tube of a steering column. The holding portion is advantageously designed to be supported against an inner wall of a tube, in order for the bearing cup to be arranged in a tube, and it may, in particular, be designed as a holding ring. By adapting the holding portion of the bearing cup, an identical rolling bearing may advantageously be inserted into different tubes, which may in particular have different internal tube diameters. Further advantageously, the holding portion offers a sufficiently rigid support.

The bearing cup portion of the bearing cup has, in particular, a base portion with an opening for feeding through a shaft and a wall portion, wherein the base portion is advantageously formed by the collar which extends radially inwards of the bearing cup portion. The bearing cup in this case is advantageously designed to receive a rolling bearing, in such a manner that the wall portion at least partially encloses an outer element of a received rolling bearing, which surrounds the rolling bearing in a particularly ring-shaped manner, and the base portion of the bearing cup at least partially covers one side of a rolling bearing which is received. In particular, it is provided that the wall portion is designed in the form of a cylinder casing. The embodiment of the bearing cup enables a rolling bearing to be advantageously easily inserted, in particular pressed, into the receiving region formed from the base portion and the wall portion. In particular, the bearing cup and the securing element are differently configured. In particular, the bearing cup and the securing element do not have a symmetrical design. In particular, the securing element and the bearing cup have different geometries. More particularly, the securing element does not have a holding portion. In the case of a bearing cup set introduced into a tube, the bearing cup set in this case is advantageously only supported against an inner wall of the tube by the holding portion of the bearing cup and advantageously not by the securing element. The outer dimensions of the securing element, in particular the diameter of the securing element, are advantageously smaller in the radial direction than in the case of the bearing cup.

Advantageously, the securing element also has a base portion with an opening for feeding through a shaft and also a wall portion, wherein the base portion is advantageously formed by a radially inwardly extending collar. The securing element is advantageously designed to fix a rolling bearing received by the bearing cup, in such a manner that the wall portion of the securing element partially encloses an outer element of a rolling bearing that has been received, which outer element particularly surrounds the rolling bearing in a ring-shaped manner, and the base portion of the securing element at least partially covers the side of the rolling bearing which is not received by the bearing cup. In particular, it is provided that the wall portion is designed in the form of a cylinder casing. The wall portion advantageously also has a connection portion via which the securing element can be connected to the bearing cup. In particular, it is provided that the securing element has a ring-shaped contour. In particular, the securing element may be designed in the manner of a cover for the bearing cup.

According to an advantageous development of the bearing cup set, the securing element has form-fitting elements and the bearing cup has form-fitting recesses as the connection means of the bearing cup set. The form-fitting elements in this case advantageously engage with the form-fitting recesses, when the securing element is connected to the bearing cup.

In an advantageous development, it may be provided that the form-fitting elements are provided by means of a reforming operation, for example by means of wobble riveting, caulking or ultrasound welding. Consequently, the reforming operation is advantageously carried out following the positioning of the securing element in relation to the bearing cup and the form-fitting elements are consequently formed.

Alternatively or in addition, it may be provided that the bearing cup has form-fitting elements and the securing element has form-fitting recesses as the connection means of the bearing cup set, wherein the form-fitting elements also advantageously engage with the form-fitting recesses in this case, when the securing element is connected to the bearing cup. The form-fitting elements and the form-fitting recesses advantageously allow a fixed connection between the bearing cup and securing element, so that a bearing received by the bearing cap is advantageously prevented from being able to fall out of the bearing cup portion or to be displaced in respect of the bearing cup portion even more effectively. Further advantageously, the form-fitting elements and the form-fitting recesses are designed in such a manner that the bearing head and the securing element can be separated from one another again in a nondestructive manner, preferably without the use of tools.

It is particularly advantageous, especially when it comes to making assembly even simpler, for the securing element to be able to be clipped to the bearing cup. A further advantageous embodiment of the bearing cup set provides that the form-fitting elements are designed as latching lugs, in particular as resilient latching lugs, and the form-fitting recesses are designed as receiving slots for the latching lugs.

In particular, it is provided that the holding portion of the bearing cup comprises the connection means of the bearing cup. In particular, it is provided that the holding portion has the form-fitting recesses, in particular distributed at equidistant intervals over the holding portion.

Further advantageously, the securing element has a connection portion, wherein the connection portion advantageously has the connection means of the securing element, in particular the form-fitting elements. The form-fitting elements in this case are advantageously arranged on the holding portion in a manner corresponding to the form-fitting recesses.

A further advantageous embodiment envisages that the securing element has a receiving portion for the partial receiving of a rolling bearing, in particular in such a manner that a rolling bearing received by the bearing cup set is completely received by the bearing cup and the securing element connected to the bearing cup and is fixed by the securing element in the axial direction in respect of the bearing cup. In this way, the securing element may advantageously also help to protect the rolling bearing from foreign bodies and contaminants.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the bearing cup is a one-piece, integral component and the bearing cup is advantageously made of a metallic material. In this case, the configuration as a one-piece, integral component advantageously makes handling of the bearing cup easier. If the bearing cup is made of a metal material, the bearing cup is advantageously durable and advantageously suitable for absorbing relatively large forces without suffering any damage. The bearing cup is advantageously made of a lightweight metal, in particular aluminum. The bearing cup may, in particular, also be made of steel or sheet metal. In particular, it is provided that the bearing cup is a deep-drawn punched component. As a result of this, the bearing cup can advantageously be produced cost-effectively.

The securing element, on the other hand, is advantageously made of plastic and to this extent is advantageously favorable in production terms. The securing element is advantageously also a one-piece, integral component. In particular, the securing element may be an injection-molded part. Particularly when the bearing cup is made of a metal material and is made of plastic, it is advantageous for the bearing cup to have the form-fitting recesses, in particular slots, and the securing element the form-fitting elements, in particular latching lugs, as connection means. This is because, on the one hand, weight advantages result from this embodiment. In addition, the latching lugs can be directly formed in a resilient manner from plastic.

In an advantageous development it is provided that the securing element and the bearing cup are designed as a one-piece component. This component is preferably formed in the holding portion or in the wall portion and comprises at least one holding tongue which protrudes inwardly. The at least one holding tongue in this case advantageously forms the pull-out securing means for the rolling bearing, so that said rolling bearing cannot be removed from the bearing cup again after it has been pressed in without requiring greater force. The at least one holding tongue advantageously has a resilient design. The at least one holding tongue is advantageously tilted against the fitting direction. In this way, the at least one holding tongue is wedged in a rolling bearing inserted in the bearing cup advantageously with the outer lateral surface of the outer ring (outer element) of the rolling bearing, when the rolling bearing is exposed to a force against the fitting direction in the bearing cup. As a result of this, a fixed and reliable seat of the rolling bearing in a bearing cup is advantageously achieved. According to an advantageous embodiment, the securing element and the bearing cup are therefore together designed according to an advantageous embodiment as a single, one-piece component, wherein the securing element is advantageously designed in the holding portion or in the wall portion of the bearing cup, in particular as a plurality of holding tongues which are preferably oriented radially inwards and, more advantageously, in the direction of the first opening side of the bearing cup.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the holding portion of the bearing cup comprises a pull-out securing means. This pull-out securing means advantageously prevents a movement of the bearing cup, which has been introduced into a tube in a fitting direction, against said fitting direction. The fitting direction is the direction in which the bearing head is introduced into a tube. In particular, it is provided that the outer contour of the holding portion forms the pull-out securing means. The holding portion of the bearing cup advantageously comprises at least one holding tongue, in particular multiple holding tongues. The at least one holding tongue in this case advantageously forms the pull-out securing means. The at least one holding tongue advantageously has a resilient design. The at least one holding tongue is advantageously tilted against the fitting direction. As a result of this, the at least one holding tongue of a bearing cup inserted into a tube is advantageously wedged with an inner tube wall of the tube, when the bearing cup is exposed to a force against the fitting direction in the tube. In this way, a fixed and reliable fit of the bearing cup in a tube is advantageously achieved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding portion of the bearing cup has stabilizing elements at its outer end which point radially outwards. The stabilizing elements are advantageously designed to receive forces acting radially on the bearing cup arranged in a tube. In this way, the supporting action in the radial direction is advantageously further improved. In particular, it is provided that the holding portion comprises at least three stabilizing elements. The stabilizing elements are advantageously tilted against the fitting direction, but preferably tilted less sharply than the holding tongues. In particular, it may also be provided that the stabilizing elements are not tilted and, in particular, lie completely in the plane spanned by the holding portion.

The stabilizing elements and the holding tongues of the holder portion are advantageously arranged in alternation, in particular in regular alternation. In particular, the number of holding tongues in this case may exceed the number of stabilizing elements. In particular, a ratio of holding tongues to stabilizing elements may be greater than 1:1, in particular greater than 1.4:1, in particular 2:1 or greater than 2:1.

In accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bearing cup comprises a rolling bearing damping limiter. As a result of this, damping provided by a rolling bearing introduced into the bearing cup is advantageously limited. It is particularly important for the bearing to have a good damping action in steering systems, so that shocks on a steering column can be dampened. However, good responsiveness on the part of this damping action is regularly associated with a relatively long damping path. A long damping path may, however, result in a steering shaft having a greater deflection than desired. With the rolling bearing damping limiter provided by the bearing cup, the damping path is advantageously reduced and an excessive deflection of a steering shaft can therefore be advantageously prevented.

Further advantageously, the bearing cup comprises a shoulder which is designed to create a distance from a predefined counter-shoulder, which may be formed by a steering shaft or an inner ring of a rolling bearing, and to limit a deflection of a steering shaft. In particular, the shoulder of the bearing cap may also be formed by the radially inwardly extending collar of the bearing cap portion. The bearing cap in this case is advantageously designed in such a manner that in this case of a rolling bearing arranged on a shaft and received by the bearing cup in the no-load state, a distance between the collar and a contact surface facing the collar is formed. This distance is advantageously smaller than the maximum possible damping path of a received rolling bearing. In this way, a rolling bearing damping limit is advantageously provided, which advantageously prevents excessive deflection of a steering shaft.

In order to use the bearing cup set, it is particularly provided that a bearing is mounted in the bearing cup at a preassembly stage, wherein the bearing is received by the bearing cup portion. The bearing cup portion in this case must be of such dimensions, however, that the bearing is completely enclosed by the bearing cup portion. It may be provided that the bearing is pressed into the bearing cup portion. Once the bearing has been mounted in the bearing cup, the bearing cup and the securing element are connected to one another, in particular in such a manner that the securing element is clipped into the holding portion of the bearing cup which is designed as a holding ring. The holding ring has, in particular, corresponding recesses for this purpose and the securing element has corresponding lugs, so that the lugs can engage with the recesses and advantageously form an undercut after fitting. In this way, the securing element is advantageously fixedly connected to the bearing cup. As soon as a press-out force is achieved between the bearing and the holding portion, the securing element advantageously takes over the remaining forces and ensures that the requirements are met. In other words, that once a maximum holding force has been reached between the holding portion of the bearing cup and bearing, the securing element is advantageously designed to take over the remaining forces which are required.

The steering column further proposed in order to solve the problem referred to above comprises a jacket tube, in which a steering shaft is received in a rotatably mounted manner by a rolling bearing, wherein the rolling bearing is arranged in a bearing cup portion of a bearing cup and the bearing cup is supported with a holding portion against an inner wall of the jacket tube, wherein a securing element is connected to the bearing cup, in particular such that the rolling bearing is fixed in the axial direction in respect of the bearing cup. In particular, it is provided that the bearing cup and the securing element are a bearing cup set designed according to the invention. To this extent, the bearing cup and the securing element have, in particular, the previously described features, either individually or in combination.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the steering column, the bearing cup comprises a shoulder which is at a defined distance from a counter-shoulder formed by the steering shaft or an inner ring of the rolling bearing, wherein the shoulder is designed with the defined spacing to restrict a deflection of the loaded steering shaft. This is particularly the case when a steering wheel lock is secured and a high torque is introduced into the steering shaft. By limiting the deflection, the locking bolt can advantageously be prevented from jumping over out of the locking bolt receiving groove of the steering shaft or the latching star wheel mounted on the steering shaft.

An advantageous embodiment further envisages that the rolling bearing of the proposed steering column comprises a rolling body, an inner ring, an outer element and at least one shock-absorbing element. The outer element which surrounds the rolling bearing, particularly as the external ring, in particular as the outer ring, is advantageously fixed by the bearing cup in this case and positioned in an axial direction by the securing element in respect of the bearing cup. The bearing cup geometry of the holding ring advantageously provides radial support for the inner ring of the rolling bearing. The rolling bearing is advantageously designed in such a manner that when force is applied, the inner ring can perform a damping movement in the radial direction relative to the outer element, wherein the damping movement is restricted by a rolling bearing damping limit provided by means of the bearing cup. In particular, it is provided in this case that a contact surface lies at a distance opposite the collar of the bearing cup in when there is no load, wherein the collar forms a shoulder, against which the contact surface can rest as a counter-shoulder when a load is applied. The counter-shoulder is advantageously formed by a steering shaft portion of the steering shaft. According to an advantageous embodiment variant in this respect, the counter-shoulder is formed by a part of the inner ring of the rolling bearing. The inner ring of the rolling bearing advantageously projects beyond the outer element of the rolling bearing, at least on the side facing the base portion of the bearing cup with an inner ring portion, in particularly laterally, wherein the counter-shoulder is formed by the inner ring portion. The inner ring portion in this case is advantageously turned, in particular bent, towards the collar of the bearing cup. The distance between the shoulder formed by the collar and the counter-shoulder formed by the steering shaft portion or the part of the inner ring means that a damping movement of the rolling bearing is allowed, but advantageously only until the shoulder and the counter-shoulder come into contact. The damping path provided by the rolling bearing is therefore advantageously limited and a deflection of the steering shaft of the steering column is therefore also advantageously restricted. In particular, when a steering shaft comprising a locking bolt receiving groove or a latching star wheel is secured using a steering wheel lock, by limiting the deflection of the steering shaft the locking bolt can be prevented from jumping over out of the locking bolt receiving groove of the steering shaft or the latching star wheel mounted on the steering shaft can be prevented from jumping over.

In particular, it is provided that the distance existing between the shoulder formed by the collar and the counter-shoulder formed by the steering shaft portion or the part of the inner ring is smaller than the vertical distance starting from the center point of one of the rolling bodies to the inner diameter of a shock-absorbing element which, particularly as a rubber ring, supports outer rings of the rolling bearing. It has proved advantageous in this case, on the one hand, for a sufficient damping action to be achieved and, on the other hand, for a deflection of the steering shaft to be adequately prevented.

A further advantageous embodiment of the steering column envisages that the steering shaft has a latching star wheel with a plurality of points to interact with a steering wheel lock, wherein the distance, so in particular the distance between the shoulder formed by the collar and the counter-shoulder formed by the steering shaft portion or the part of the inner ring, is designed to be smaller than the height of the points of the latching star wheel.

Using the proposed steering column a method can advantageously be achieved for preventing a locking bolt from jumping over out of a locking bolt receiving groove in a steering shaft secured using a steering wheel lock or for preventing a latching star wheel which is arranged on a steering shaft from jumping over, said latching star wheel being engaged with a fixing element of a steering wheel lock. In particular, a method for preventing a locking bolt from jumping over out of a locking bolt receiving groove of a steering shaft secured using a steering wheel lock, or for preventing a latching star wheel mounted on a steering shaft secured using with a steering wheel lock from jumping over when a torque is applied to the steering shaft is therefore also proposed, wherein the steering shaft is mounted in a rolling bearing with an inner ring and an outer element which particularly surrounds the rolling bearing in a ring-shaped manner, wherein the rolling bearing is arranged in a bearing cup which is connected to a securing element in a jacket tube. The bearing cup and the securing element in this case are advantageously designed as a bearing cup set according to the invention. When the rolling bearing is arranged in the bearing cup, the outer element of the rolling bearing is fixed relative to the jacket tube by the bearing cup and the rolling bearing is positioned by the securing element in the axial direction in relation to the bearing cup. On account of the torque which is applied, the steering shaft displaces the inner ring radially relative to the outer element, wherein the displacement is limited by the fact that a shoulder of the bearing cup, in particular the shoulder formed by the collar of the bearing cup, is in contact with a counter-shoulder which lies opposite the shoulder and is formed by a contact surface, in particular before an over-jump can take place. The counter-shoulder in this case is advantageously formed by a steering shaft portion or a part of the inner ring of the rolling bearing.

In the different figures, the same parts are usually provided with the same reference numbers and are therefore also each only explained in connection with one of the figures.

An exemplary embodiment for a bearing cup set100designed according to the invention, which comprises a bearing cup1and a securing element50, and a rolling bearing10are depicted as a perspective representation inFIG.1.FIG.2shows the same exemplary embodiment turned to a different perspective. The bearing cup1and the securing element50in this exemplary embodiment have a rotationally symmetrical structure in relation to the axis L. The bearing cup1in this exemplary embodiment is a one-piece, integral component made of a metal material and the securing element50is a one-piece, integral component made of a plastic.

The bearing cup1comprises a bearing cup portion40which is designed to receive the rolling bearing10, wherein the rolling bearing10need not be completely received by the bearing cup portion40in this case. The bearing cup1has a holding portion5which extends radially outwards starting from the bearing cup portion40. The bearing cup portion40also has a first opening side41and a second opening side42, wherein the bearing cup portion40has a wall portion4between the first opening side41and the second opening side42, which wall portion is designed as a lateral surface of a cylinder in this exemplary embodiment. At the first opening side41, the bearing cup1comprises a collar9which extends radially inwards, wherein a base portion2, in particular, is formed by the collar9. In this case, the base portion2and the wall portion4of the bearing cup1form a receiving region for the rolling bearing10. The base portion2may, in particular, have a planar design, although, as shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, it may also be non-planar, particularly at the transition with the wall portion4, and particularly exhibit a curvature. In addition, the base portion2of the bearing cup1comprises an opening3on the first opening side41, through which a shaft can be fed. In the holding portion5of the bearing cup1, the bearing cup1has form-fitting recesses45designed as receiving slots, which are introduced into the holding portion5in an equally distributed manner along a circular path.

The securing element50has a receiving portion52which is formed by a base portion53with an opening56for feeding through a shaft and by a wall portion54. The wall portion54is designed as a cylindrical lateral surface starting from the outer end of the base portion53. The wall portion54of the securing element50in this exemplary embodiment has a thinner design than the wall portion4of the bearing cup1. In particular, the wall portion54of the securing element50may be half as wide as the wall portion4of the bearing cup1. In particular, the securing element50comprises a collar59which extends radially inwards. On the side of the securing element50facing away from the collar59, the securing element50has a connection portion51with form-fitting elements55designed as latching lugs which are evenly distributed on the connection portion51corresponding to the form-fitting recesses45.

The bearing cup1, the securing element50and the rolling bearing10are coordinated with one another in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1andFIG.2in such a manner that the rolling bearing10can be pressed into the receiving region of the bearing cup1. When the rolling bearing10is pressed into the receiving region, in other words is arranged in the bearing cup1, the wall portion4partially encloses an outer element11surrounding the rolling bearing10on the outside, wherein the outer element11, as shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, can be designed as a ring-shaped sleeve. The base portion2of the bearing cup1in this case partially covers one side13of the two sides of the rolling bearing10. The securing element50is then connected to the bearing cup1on the second opening side42of the bearing cup portion40, namely in such a manner that the form-fitting elements55of the securing element50are introduced into the form-fitting recesses45of the bearing cup1. Since the form-fitting elements55designed as latching lugs have a resilient design, said form-fitting elements55are pressed slightly outwards when they are fitted into the form-fitting recesses45and then form an undercut, and therefore a means of securing to prevent loss, once they have been completed fitted. The securing element50and the bearing cup1are then fixedly connected to one another, wherein the rolling bearing10received by the bearing cup portion40is fixed in an axial direction34in respect of the bearing cup1by the securing element50. The wall portion54of the securing element50connected to the bearing cup1partially surrounds the outer element11of the rolling bearing10which is received in this case. The base portion53of the securing element50further partially covers the side13of the rolling bearing10which is not received by the bearing cup1. A bearing cup set100comprising a rolling bearing10connected to one another in this way is shown inFIG.5.

The bearing cup1of the bearing cup set100in this case may be arranged with the connected securing element50and the received rolling bearing10in a tube, in particular in a jacket tube of a steering column. The holding portion5in this case advantageously forms a diameter enlargement for the rolling bearing10, so that via the embodiment of the holding portion5, the rolling bearing10can be inserted into tubes with different internal diameters. With the holding portion5, the bearing cup1or the bearing cup set100connected to one another may in this case be supported against an inner wall of the tube. For this purpose, the holding portion5in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1andFIG.2has in alternation at the outer end of the holding portion5holding tongues7designed as a pull-out securing means6and stabilizing elements8, wherein the stabilizing elements8and the holding tongues7end at the same distance from the axis34. The bearing cup1is advantageously designed in such a manner that when the rolling bearing10is pressed into the bearing cup1, the holding portion5is pressed with the holding tongues7and the stabilizing elements8further outwards in the direction of an inner wall of a tube.

In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, two holding tongues7are always arranged alongside one another, then follows a stabilizing element8, then once again two holding tongues7and another stabilizing element8etc., wherein the holding portion5comprises a total of eight stabilizing elements8arranged in a star shape and sixteen holding tongues7. The number of holding tongues7and stabilizing elements8in this case may, in particular, vary depending on the size of the bearing cup1. The stabilizing elements8are oriented radially outwards and have supporting surfaces at their ends, with which the bearing cup1can rest against the inner wall of a tube, wherein the stabilizing elements8are designed to receive forces which act via a tube on the bearing cup, in particular, when the bearing cup1is introduced into the tube. The forces caused by the stabilizing elements8do not act on the rolling bearing10, or at least only to a substantially lesser degree.

In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the holding tongues7and the stabilizing elements8are tilted against a fitting direction30, in which the rolling bearing10is fitted into the bearing cup1, in particular through a curvature of the holding tongues7and the stabilizing elements8. The holding tongues7are to a certain extent designed to be elastically yielding. If a force is applied to a bearing cup1introduced into a tube against the fitting direction30, the holding tongues7act like barbed hooks and prevent said bearing cup1from being moved in this direction. Since the holding tongues7in this case tend to be further straightened, this locking action increases.

With reference toFIG.3toFIG.5, an exemplary for a steering column20designed according to the invention is explained in greater detail below. In this exemplary embodiment, the steering column20is a steering column designed to be manually adjustable. In particular, however, it may also be provided that the steering column has an electrically adjustable design or also a nonadjustable design.

The steering column20shown inFIG.3comprises a first jacket tube21and a second jacket tube22, wherein the first jacket tube21can be inserted telescopically into the second jacket tube22or extended from the second jacket tube22, in order to adjust the length of the steering column20. For this purpose, the fixing lever27of the steering column20must be released. The second jacket tube22is, moreover, arranged over a hinge29and, in the region of the fixing lever hinge, on a carrier unit26, with which the steering column20can be arranged on a body part of a motor vehicle. When the fixing lever27is released, the steering column20may, in addition, be height-adjusted due to the elongate hole partially concealed by the fixing lever27inFIG.3.

The steering column20further comprises a steering shaft23. The steering shaft23in this case is arranged so as to be rotatable within the first jacket tube21and the second jacket tube22, wherein at the end28of the steering shaft23a steering handling device, in particular a steering wheel, may be arranged. The steering shaft23in this case is supported by a rolling bearing10, wherein the rolling bearing10is arranged in a bearing cup1and is secured by a securing element50connected to the bearing cup1, to prevent it from falling out or being displaced in relation to the bearing cup1. The bearing cup1with the rolling bearing10and the securing element50is inserted into the first jacket tube21in this case. The arrangement of the bearing cup1with the rolling bearing10inserted into the bearing cup1and the securing element50connected to the bearing cup1in the first jacket tube21is shown in detail in the sectional depiction inFIG.4in this case. Moreover,FIG.5shows the rolling bearing10surrounded by the connected bearing cup set100in a further representation without the steering shaft23and without the first jacket tube21.

The rolling bearing10in this exemplary embodiment comprises an inner ring12, a plurality of rolling bodies14, a first outer ring17and a second outer ring18. The outer rings17,18in this case are held by a shock-absorbing element16which is supported against a sleeve-shaped outer element11. The shock-absorbing element16in this exemplary embodiment is formed by two rubber rings. The shock-absorbing element16in this case allows a damping movement33of the inner ring12relative to the outer element11in a radial direction32up to a maximum damping path. As a result of this, forces which are exerted on the guide shaft23in the radial direction are dampened. The inner ring12of the rolling bearing10projects laterally beyond the outer element11with an inner ring portion15. The rolling bearing10is pressed into the bearing cup1.

The bearing cup1comprises a wall portion4and a base portion2adjacent thereto with an opening3and a collar9delimiting the opening3, wherein the steering shaft23is fed through the opening3. The base portion2partially covers the side13with which the rolling bearing10is introduced into the bearing cup1. The wall portion4of the bearing cup1partially encloses the outer element11of the rolling bearing10which is received and thereby fixes the outer element11of the rolling bearing10relative to the first jacket tube21. A holding portion5of the bearing cup1adjoining the wall portion4, which bearing cup extends radially outwards from the wall portion4, is supported against the inner wall24of the first jacket tube21. At the outer end of the holding portion5, said holding portion5has stabilizing elements8and holding tongues7as a means of preventing it from being pulled out. The holding portion5with the stabilizing elements8and the holding tongues7may, in particular, be designed as is explained with reference toFIG.1andFIG.2. The holding tongues7in this case secure the bearing cup1to prevent movement against the fitting direction30. Using a securing element50which is fixedly connected to the bearing cup1by joining, in particular as explained with reference to the exemplary embodiment according toFIG.1andFIG.2, the rolling bearing10is also fixed against the bearing cup1in the axial direction. The bearing cup set100thereby secures the rolling bearing10to prevent it from accidentally falling out or shifting its position.

In addition, the bearing cup1of the bearing cup set100and the rolling bearing10are adapted to one another in such a manner that the collar9and the inner ring portion15, which is bent towards the collar9, are facing one another. The collar9in this case forms a shoulder and the inner ring portion15forms a counter-shoulder, which lie opposite one another at a distance31. This distance31is smaller than the maximum damping path technically prescribed by the rolling bearing10in this case. In particular, the distance31is smaller than the vertical distance starting from the midpoint of one of the rolling bodies14to the inner diameter of a shock-absorbing element16.

In a variant which is not depicted, it may also be provided that the inner ring12of the rolling bearing10does not project laterally beyond the outer element11and, instead of this, a steering shaft portion25forms the counter-shoulder which is arranged at a distance31from the collar9.

If a force is now exerted on the steering shaft23, so that the inner ring12of the rolling bearing moves in a radial direction32relative to the outer element11of the rolling bearing10in a damping movement, this damping movement is not technically restricted by the rolling bearing10, but by the shoulder formed by the collar9and the counter-shoulder formed by the inner ring portion15encountering one another. In this way, a deflection of the steering shaft23is also restricted. In this case, the securing element50connected to the bearing cup1also prevents the rolling bearing10from leaving the receiving region of the bearing cup1completely or partially when there are forces acting on it.

Restricting the deflection of the steering shaft23is particularly advantageous as a means of protecting the steering shaft23fixed using a steering wheel lock. In the case of motor vehicles, a steering wheel lock is used as a means of securing to prevent unauthorized starting of the motor vehicle. In order to circumvent this securing means, attempts are sometimes made to overcome the steering wheel lock by applying high torque to the steering wheel23.

In this case, a steering column20explained with reference toFIG.3toFIG.5is suitable for a method for preventing damage to the steering shaft23and for a method for preventing the steering wheel lock from being overcome. Depending on the embodiment of the steering wheel lock, it may be provided in this case that the method it designed to prevent a locking bolt from jumping over out of a locking bolt receiving groove of a steering shaft23bolted to a steering wheel lock or to prevent a latching star wheel mounted on a steering shaft23bolted using a steering wheel lock from jumping over when a torque is applied to the steering shaft23. The steering shaft23in this case, in particular as described with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.3toFIG.5, is mounted in a rolling bearing10with an inner ring12and an outer element11, wherein the rolling bearing10is arranged in a jacket tube21in a bearing cup set100in which a securing element50is fixedly connected to the bearing cup1. In the method, the outer element11is fixed relative to the jacket tube21by the bearing cup1. The steering shaft23displaces the inner ring12radially relative to the outer element11due to the torque applied. This displacement is restricted in this case by the fact that the shoulder formed by the collar9of the bearing cup1is in contact with a counter-shoulder formed by a contact surface15,25opposite the shoulder. This contact means that a further displacement of the inner ring12relative to the outer ring12is prevented, and therefore also a further deflection of the steering shaft23, and therefore also that the steering shaft23is deflected so far that the locking bolt can jump out of a locking bolt receiving groove or that a locking bolt jumps over a point of a latching star wheel.

A perspective representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a bearing cup set100designed according to the invention and a rolling bearing10is represented inFIG.6.FIG.7shows in a sectional representation the exemplary embodiment inFIG.6for a bearing cup set100designed according to the invention with the bearing cup1connected and a securing element50as an integral, one-piece embodiment and also a pressed-in rolling bearing10.

In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.6andFIG.7, two holding tongues7are always arranged side by side, then there follows a stabilizing element8, then again two holding tongues7and another stabilizing element8, etc. The number of holding tongues7and the stabilizing elements8in this case may, in particular, vary depending on the size of the bearing cup1. The stabilizing elements8are directed radially outwards and have supporting surfaces at their ends, with which the bearing cup1can be supported against the inner wall of a tube, wherein the stabilizing elements8are designed for receiving forces which particularly act via a tube on the bearing cup, when the bearing cup1is introduced into the tube. The forces caused by the stabilizing elements8do not act on the rolling bearing10, or at least only to a substantially lesser degree. All aspects in relation to the holding tongues7and the stabilizing elements8of the other exemplary embodiments can be transferred to the exemplary embodiment inFIG.6andFIG.7.

The bearing cup1and the securing elements50designed as the holding tongue56are designed as a one-piece, integral component in this exemplary embodiment, which is formed from a metal material as a stamped and formed component. The securing elements50, which each comprise a holding tongue56which projects inwardly substantially in the radial direction32, are formed in the holding portion5. A securing element50may also comprise more than one holding tongue56. The securing elements50or the holding tongues56are arranged evenly distributed over the periphery.

The holding tongues56form the securing means preventing removal for the rolling bearing10, so that once it has been pressed in, said roller bearing cannot be removed from the bearing cup1again without a greater expenditure of force. The holding tongues56have a flexible design and are tilted against the fitting direction, wherein the maximum described diameter which is formed by the holding tongues56before the pressing-in is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer element11of the rolling bearing10. As a result of this, the holding tongues56are wedged into the rolling bearing10inserted in the bearing cup1with the outer lateral surface of the outer ring11of the rolling bearing10, when the rolling bearing10is exposed to a force against the fitting direction in the bearing cup1. As a result of this, a fixed and reliable fit of the rolling bearing10in a bearing cup1is achieved.

The exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures and explained in conjunction with these are used to explain the invention and do not serve to limit it.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1bearing cup2base portion3opening4wall portion5holding portion6pull-out securing means7holding tongue8stabilizing element9collar (shoulder)10rolling bearing11outer element (outer ring)12inner ring (counter-shoulder)13side of the rolling bearing (10)14rolling body15inner ring portion16shock-absorbing element17first outer ring18second outer ring20steering column21first jacket tube22second jacket tube23steering shaft24inner wall of the first jacket tube (21)25steering shaft portion26carrier unit27fixing lever28end of the steering shaft (23) for receiving a steering handling device29hinge30fitting direction31distance32radial direction33damping movement34axial direction40bearing cup portion41first opening side42second opening side45form-fitting recess50securing element51connection portion52receiving portion53base portion54wall portion55form-fitting element56holding tongue59collar100bearing cup setL longitudinal axis