IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,173,944
Granted Patent B2
US 11,173,944 · App. 16/768,128 · Granted Nov 16, 2021

Motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle

Inventors: Christoph Munding (Eschen, LI); Hieronymus Schnitzer (Gamprin, LI)
Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG; THYSSENKRUPP AG
B62D1/181B62D1/185B62D1/192B62D1/195
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,173,944
App. No.
16/768,128
Granted
Nov 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle includes an outer casing which is held by a support unit that is attachable to a vehicle body and in which an actuator unit is received so as to be telescopically adjustable in the longitudinal direction. A steering spindle is coaxially mounted in a casing tube in the actuator unit so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis. An adjustment drive is disposed between the outer casing and the actuator unit and has a threaded spindle which is at least in part disposed within the actuator unit and is drivable in a rotating manner by an electric servomotor engaged in a spindle nut. In order for a compact adjustment drive which is accommodated in a protected manner to be provided, the threaded spindle is disposed at a spacing from the longitudinal axis.

Claims (19)

1. A motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a support unit that is configured to attach to a vehicle body;

an outer casing which is held by the support unit;

an actuator unit comprising a casing tube, the actuator unit received within the outer casing and configured to telescopically adjust in a longitudinal direction;

a steering spindle coaxially mounted in the casing tube and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis; and

an adjustment drive disposed operatively between the outer casing and the actuator unit, the adjustment drive comprising a threaded spindle which is at least in part disposed within the actuator unit and is configured to be driven in a rotating manner by an electric servomotor engaged in a spindle nut, the threaded spindle being spaced apart from the longitudinal axis.

2. The steering column of claim 1 wherein the threaded spindle is supported in the longitudinal direction on the outer casing, and the spindle nut is attached in a rotationally fixed manner on the actuator unit so as to be supported in the longitudinal direction.

3. The steering column of claim 1 wherein the threaded spindle is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis.

4. The steering column of claim 1 wherein the actuator unit has an opening that receives the steering spindle, and the threaded spindle is disposed in a spindle tunnel that is configured so as to be separate from the opening.

5. The steering column of claim 4 wherein the opening and the spindle tunnel are both circumferentially closed.

6. The steering column of claim 4 wherein the opening and the spindle tunnel are configured in the casing tube of the actuator unit.

7. The steering column of claim 6 wherein the casing tube is configured as an extruded profile.

8. The steering column of claim 4 wherein the spindle nut is fastened in the spindle tunnel.

9. The steering column of claim 1 wherein the outer casing comprises an extruded profile.

10. The steering column of claim 1 wherein at least one sliding or roller-bearing mounted linear guide is disposed between the outer casing and the actuator unit.

11. The steering column of claim 1 wherein an energy absorbing installation is disposed between the outer casing and the actuator unit.

12. The steering column as of claim 11 wherein the energy absorbing installation has an energy absorbing element which is disposed directly or indirectly between the spindle nut or the threaded spindle and the actuator unit.

13. The steering column of claim 1 wherein a predetermined breaking element is disposed between the spindle nut or the threaded spindle and the actuator unit.

14. The steering column of claim 1 wherein the steering spindle is coupled to a steering gear or a feedback actuator.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2020
From: MUNDING, CHRISTOPH; SCHNITZER, HIERONYMUS
To: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG; THYSSENKRUPP AG
Reel/Frame 053497/0293 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2017 223 469.5 · Dec 20, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200317251A1 · Oct 8, 2020
Cited By (2)
US 12,337,893 US 12,397,848