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DE-102024111229-B4 - Locking mechanism for steering system

DE102024111229B4DE 102024111229 B4DE102024111229 B4DE 102024111229B4DE-102024111229-B4

Abstract

Axially adjustable steering column, including: a first coat (48); a second jacket (50), wherein the first jacket (48) is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket (50); an adjusting lever (52); a locking mechanism (62), wherein the adjusting lever (52) selectively moves the locking mechanism (62) between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first shell (48) relative to the second shell (50) in both axial directions and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first shell (48) relative to the second shell (50), wherein the locking mechanism (62) comprises: an energy-absorbing belt (64) defining a first row of teeth (80) extending axially; a first cam (66) with a plurality of teeth (84) which, in the locked position, can be engaged with the first row of teeth (80) and, in the unlocked position, are disengaged from the first row of teeth (80), wherein the first cam (66) is rotatably mounted on a pin to allow the plurality of teeth (84) of the first cam (66) to rotate in and out of engagement with the first row of teeth (80) of the energy-absorbing belt (64); and a second cam (67) with a plurality of teeth (86), wherein the second cam (67) is mounted on a pin (94), characterized in that the energy-absorbing belt (64) defines a second row of teeth (82) extending axially, the first row of teeth (80) and the second row of teeth (82) are arranged on respective surfaces of the energy-absorbing belt (64) which are oriented perpendicular to each other, the multitude of teeth (86) of the second cam (67) can be engaged with the second row of teeth (82) in the locked position and are released from the second row of teeth (82) in the unlocked position, and the second cam (67) is mounted on the pin (94) to allow the multitude of teeth (86) of the second cam (67) to move in and out of engagement with the second row of teeth (82) of the energy-absorbing belt (64).

Inventors

  • Shenbing (Assur) Wen
  • Donald A. Buzzard
  • Dianxin Zheng
  • Michael P. Anspaugh

Assignees

  • STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240422
Priority Date
20230421

Claims (7)

  1. An axially adjustable steering column comprising: a first sleeve (48); a second sleeve (50), wherein the first sleeve (48) is axially adjustable relative to the second sleeve (50); an adjusting lever (52); a locking mechanism (62), wherein the adjusting lever (52) selectively moves the locking mechanism (62) between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first sleeve (48) relative to the second sleeve (50) in both axial directions and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first sleeve (48) relative to the second sleeve (50), wherein the locking mechanism (62) comprises: an energy-absorbing belt (64) defining a first row of teeth (80) extending axially; a first cam (66) with a plurality of teeth (84) which can be engaged with the first row of teeth (80) in the locked position and are released from the first row of teeth (80) in the unlocked position, wherein the first cam (66) is rotatably mounted on a pin to allow the plurality of teeth (84) of the first cam (66) to rotate in and out of engagement with the first row of teeth (80) of the energy-absorbing belt (64); and a second cam (67) with a plurality of teeth (86), wherein the second cam (67) is mounted on a pin (94), characterized in that the energy-absorbing belt (64) defines a second row of teeth (82) extending axially, the first row of teeth (80) and the second row of teeth (82) are arranged on respective surfaces of the energy-absorbing belt (64) that are oriented perpendicular to each other, the plurality of teeth (86) of the second cam (67) can be engaged with the second row of teeth (82) in the locked position and are released from the second row of teeth (82) in the unlocked position, and the second cam (67) is mounted on the pin (94) to allow the plurality of teeth (86) of the second cam (67) to engage and disengage with the second row of teeth (82) of the energy-absorbing belt (64). to move the belt (64).
  2. Axially adjustable steering column according to Claim 1 , wherein the first row of teeth (80) and the second row of teeth (82) are angled differently from each other.
  3. Axially adjustable steering column Claim 1 , wherein the first cam (66) is pre-tensioned in the direction of the locked position by a pre-tensioning element (120) in contact with the first cam (66) in a rotating manner.
  4. Axially adjustable steering column Claim 3 , wherein the preload element (120) is a torsion spring.
  5. Axially adjustable steering column Claim 1 , wherein the first cam (66) and the second cam (67) are formed from the same materials.
  6. Axially adjustable steering column Claim 1 , wherein the first cam (66) and the second cam (67) are made of different materials.
  7. Axially adjustable steering column Claim 1 , wherein the first cam (66) comprises a first cam surface (90) in contact with a second cam surface (92) of the second cam (67), wherein a rotational movement of the first cam (66) in the direction of the unlocked position displaces the second cam (67).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA The following description relates to an axially adjustable steering column according to the preamble of claim 1, including a locking mechanism. BACKGROUND A vehicle, such as a car, truck, SUV, crossover, minivan, personal watercraft, aircraft, all-terrain vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other suitable vehicle, incorporates various steering system schemes, for example, steer-by-wire and driver interface steering. These steering system schemes typically include a steering column to translate steering input into output, which works in conjunction with a steering linkage to ultimately cause the vehicle's wheels (or other elements) to turn the vehicle. Some steering columns are axially adjustable between positions to provide flexibility in steering wheel position and to allow for more comfortable driving positions for drivers of different sizes or for autonomous driving capabilities. Many axially adjustable steering columns also include tilt actuators that allow for tilting motion around one or more pivot points. In addition to providing adjustability, axially adjustable steering column assemblies may also include a collapse functionality that provides safety benefits during an energy absorption event. A locking mechanism may be required to hold a moving section of the steering column assembly in a desired position after axial adjustment. One type of locking mechanism commonly used in the automotive industry is known as a telescopic positive locking mechanism. When designing a telescopic positive locking mechanism, care is typically taken to allow proper locked and unlocked states of the steering column. The unlocked state must ensure that the full telescopic/axial adjustment range is available. When the steering column assembly is locked, it must maintain a fixed telescopic/axial position under normal vehicle operating conditions. However, during a collapse event, various measures may be implemented to ensure a required collapse state and/or range of movement within a range of applied load. The US 2021 / 0 403 074 A1 discloses an axially adjustable steering column according to the preamble of claim 1. The US 2019 / 0 100 242 A1 A teaching comprises an axially adjustable steering column comprising: a first sleeve and a second sleeve, wherein the first sleeve is axially adjustable relative to the second sleeve; an adjusting lever and a locking mechanism, wherein the adjusting lever selectively moves the locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locked position preventing axial adjustment of the first sleeve relative to the second sleeve in both axial directions and the unlocked position allowing adjustment of the first sleeve relative to the second sleeve. The locking mechanism comprises two energy-absorbing straps, wherein a first of the energy-absorbing straps defines a first row of axially extending teeth and a second row of axially extending teeth, the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth being arranged on respective surfaces of the energy-absorbing strap that are oriented perpendicular to each other. A cam with a plurality of teeth is provided, which, in the locked position, can be engaged with the first row of teeth and, in the unlocked position, are disengaged from the first row of teeth. The cam is rotatably mounted on a pin to allow the plurality of teeth of the cam to rotate in and out of engagement with the first row of teeth of the energy-absorbing belt. A second row of teeth on the second of the absorbing belts can, in the locked position, be engaged with the second row of teeth of the first energy-absorbing belt, for example, via a pyrotechnic device, and is disengaged from the first row of teeth in the unlocked position. From the US 2020 / 0 398 885 A1 An axially adjustable steering column is known, comprising: a first sleeve and a second sleeve, wherein the first sleeve is axially adjustable relative to the second sleeve; an adjusting lever and a first locking mechanism, wherein the adjusting lever selectively moves the first locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locked position preventing axial adjustment of the first sleeve relative to the second sleeve in both axial directions and the unlocked position allowing adjustment of the first sleeve relative to the second sleeve. An energy-absorbing belt is provided, comprising a first row of teeth extending axially and a second row of teeth extending axially and parallel to the first row. The locking mechanism extends across a defined plane. Locking teeth of a secondary locking mechanism can be engaged with the second row of teeth by linear displacement, e.g., via a pyrotechnic device or a solenoid, and released from the second row of teeth in the unlocked position. Depending on the severity of an impact event, one or both rows of teeth are used for energy absorption. The object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of a locking mechanism of