IP Library Granted Patent US 8,827,558
Granted Patent B2
US 8,827,558 · App. 13/661,336 · Granted Sep 9, 2014

Bearing bush assembly for a telescopic steering shaft and steering system equipped therewith

Inventors: Manfred Heintschel (Schwaebisch Gmuend, DE); Ralf Urban (Geislingen, DE); Sebastian Kubisch (Stuttgart, DE); Achim Kraus (Lorh am Main, DE)
Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,827,558
App. No.
13/661,336
Granted
Sep 9, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bearing bushing assembly for a telescopic steering shaft comprises an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the bearing bushing assembly comprises a bearing bushing, which is seated against the inner tube and made of an inflexible plastic material, and a sealing element, which is molded onto the bearing bushing and made of an elastic plastic material so as to connect the inner tube to the outer tube in an axially movable and sealing manner, the bearing bushing being enclosed by an elastic bushing, which in turn is enclosed by an end section of the outer tube, the outer circumference of the elastic bushing comprising outwardly extending rib-shaped elements, the elastic bushing comprises at least one sealing lip extending in the axial direction.

Claims (13)

1. A bearing bushing assembly for a telescopic steering shaft comprising an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the bearing bushing assembly comprises a bearing bushing, which is seated against the inner tube and made of an inflexible plastic material, and a sealing element, which is molded onto the bearing bushing and made of an elastic plastic material, so as to connect the inner tube to the outer tube in an axially movable and sealing manner, the bearing bushing being enclosed by a rubber bushing, which in turn is enclosed by an end section of the outer tube, the outer circumference of the rubber bushing comprising outwardly extending convex ribs, bushing at least one sealing lip extending in the axial direction.

2. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing bushing assembly comprises a retaining cap that encloses the end section of the outer tube, which in turn encloses the rubber bushing.

3. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the sealing element comprises at least one first seal that is seated against the retaining cap in the axial direction; and wherein the sealing element is a wiper seal.

4. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the sealing element comprises at least one second seal that is seated against the retaining cap in the radial direction; and wherein the sealing element is a wiper seal.

5. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the seals comprises two or more sealing lips that are arranged in a V shape.

6. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the outside diameters of the rubber bushing, and/or of the sealing element are smaller than the inside diameter of a retaining flap, whereby a radial clearance remains; and wherein the sealing element is a wiper seal.

7. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the outer circumference of the rubber bushing comprises radial contact surfaces.

8. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the convex ribs and the radial contact surfaces are alternately disposed on the outer circumference of the rubber bushing.

9. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing bushing comprises at least one protrusion that extends in the radial direction and that is encapsulated by a section of the sealing element.

10. The bearing bushing assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the protrusion is designed as an annular rib and/or the sealing element is designed as a wiper seal comprising a sealing lip that is seated against the inner tube.

11. A module for a steering system comprising a steering shaft that has a telescopic design and comprises an outer tube and an inner tube, and further comprising a bearing bushing assembly according to claim 1 .

12. A steering system having a module comprising a steering shaft that has a telescopic design and comprises an outer tube and an inner tube, and further comprising the bearing bushing assembly according to claim 1 .

13. Use of a bearing bushing assembly for a telescopic steering shaft comprising an outer tube and an inner tube, wherein the bearing bushing assembly comprises a bearing bushing, which is seated against the inner tube and made of an inflexible plastic material, and a sealing element, which is molded onto the bearing bushing and made of an elastic plastic material, so as to connect the inner tube to the outer tube in an axially movable and sealing manner, wherein the bearing bushing is enclosed by a rubber bushing, which in turn is enclosed by an end section of the outer tube.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 21, 2015
From: ZF LENKSYSTEME GMBH
To: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING GMBH
Reel/Frame 035749/0293 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2013
From: HEINTSCHEL, MANFRED; URBAN, RALF; KUBISCH, SEBASTIAN; KRAUS, ACHIM
To: ZF LENKSYSTEME GMBH
Reel/Frame 029698/0612 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 10 2010 028 297 · Apr 28, 2010 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2011051964 · Feb 10, 2011
Related Publication 20130118291A1 · May 16, 2013