U.S. patent application number 09/785420 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for linear guide device for an automobile vehicle steering colum.
This patent application is currently assigned to NACAM FRANCE SA, Z.I.. Invention is credited to Andre, Laisement, Benoit, Duval, Benoit, Paillard, Philippe, Badaire.
Application Number | 20010017463 09/785420 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8847481 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010017463 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Philippe, Badaire ; et
al. |
August 30, 2001 |
Linear guide device for an automobile vehicle steering colum
Abstract
A linear guide device for an automobile vehicle steering column
includes a steering shaft rotatably mounted inside a guide-tube
which is connected to a support assembly which is fixed to the
chassis of the vehicle. A fixed support member is fastened to the
chassis of the vehicle. A mobile support member is connected to the
fixed support member in order to constitute the support assembly
and is immobilized to the fixed support member against forces up to
particular value. Rolling members are disposed between fixed
rollways formed on the fixed support member and mobile rollways
formed on the mobile support member. The fixed and mobile rollways
each lie in the required guidance direction.
Inventors: |
Philippe, Badaire;
(Montoire, FR) ; Benoit, Paillard; (Vendome,
FR) ; Andre, Laisement; (La Chapelle Encherie,
FR) ; Benoit, Duval; (Vendome, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lawrence E. Laubscher, Sr.
745 South 23rd Street
Arlington
VA
22202-2451
US
|
Assignee: |
NACAM FRANCE SA, Z.I.
Sude, Route de Blois
Vendome
FR
41000
|
Family ID: |
8847481 |
Appl. No.: |
09/785420 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/779 ;
74/492 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 1/195 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/779 ;
74/492 |
International
Class: |
B62D 001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2000 |
FR |
00-02484 |
Claims
What we claimed is:
1. A linear guide device for an automobile vehicle steering column,
which device includes a steering shaft rotatably mounted inside a
guide-tube which is connected to a support assembly which is fixed
to a chassis of said vehicle, which linear guide device includes: a
fixed support member which is adapted to be fastened to said
chassis of said vehicle and a mobile support member which is
adapted to be connected to said fixed support member in order to
constitute said support assembly and which is immobilized to said
fixed support member against forces up to particular value such
that it is no longer immobilized in the event of an impact; rolling
members which are disposed between a fixed rollway formed on said
fixed support member and a mobile rollway formed on said mobile
support member, said fixed rollway and said mobile rollway each
lying in the required guidance direction.
2. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1 adapted to operate in
a guidance direction that is raised toward the front relative to a
horizontal plane so that in the event of an impact the steering
wheel is raised and pushed forward.
3. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1 adapted to operate in
a guidance direction that is inclined toward the front relative to
a horizontal plane so that in the event of an impact said steering
wheel is lowered and pushed forward. each of its lateral portions,
one end of which has a tenon which engages in a notch formed in the
corresponding lateral portion, said tenon being extended by a
tongue substantially parallel to said mobile slide so as to come
into contact with an inner face of the corresponding lateral
portion, the other end of said mobile side having a hole through it
facing another hole through the corresponding lateral portion to
receive means for fixing said mobile slide to the corresponding
lateral portion; a corresponding mobile rollway is formed in each
mobile slide; and balls are disposed between said fixed rollway and
said mobile rollway.
10. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1, wherein said roller
members have a retaining cage to guarantee the position of said
rolling members relative to each other.
11. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixed
rollways have axes inclined at an angle to the axis which
represents the guide direction.
12. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1, wherein said mobile
rollways have axes inclined at an angle to the axis which
represents the guide direction.
13. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixed
rollways have axes inclined to the axis which represents the guide
direction and said mobile
4. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1, wherein said rolling
members are balls.
5. A linear guide device as claimed in claim 1 further including a
fixed rollway formed on a fixed slide which constitutes an
independent member mounted on and fixed to said fixed support
member.
6. A linear guide device as claimed in claim 1 further including a
mobile rollway formed on a mobile slide which constitutes an
independent member mounted on and fixed to said mobile support
member.
7. A linear guide device as claimed in claim 1 further including a
fixed rollway formed directly on said fixed support member and
forming an integral part of said fixed support member.
8. A linear guide device as claimed in claim 1 further including a
mobile rollway formed directly on said mobile support member and
forming an integral part of said mobile support member.
9. The linear guide device claimed in claim 1 wherein: said fixed
support member has a fixed slide disposed in a housing on each of
its uprights; a corresponding fixed rollway is formed in each fixed
slide; said mobile support member has a mobile slide on rollways
have axes inclined to the axis which represents the guide
direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a linear guide device for
an automobile vehicle steering column.
[0003] The device according to the invention applies in particular
to a steering column whose depth and/or inclination can be adjusted
and whose steering shaft is mounted inside a body-tube which is
supported on and immobilized to the body of the vehicle in the
required position. The steering column includes a steering shaft
rotatably mounted inside a body-tube which is connected to a
support assembly fixed to the chassis of the vehicle or to an
element of the body of the vehicle. The invention can also be
applied to a non-adjustable steering column, in which case the
body-tube is mounted directly in the support assembly.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] The ongoing improvement to the safety of steering columns
requires manufacturers to master all parameters of energy absorbing
systems. Accordingly, with particular reference to the method of
absorbing energy by unwinding a wire, which is increasingly used on
steering columns, it is necessary to prevent the mobile assembly
moving relative to the fixed assembly at the time of impact with
unintentional resisting forces which are due to wedging, clamping
or play phenomena. All these drawbacks are associated with poor
linear guiding of the mobile assembly relative to the fixed
assembly.
[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose a linear
guide device for guiding the mobile assembly of an automobile
vehicle steering column relative to the fixed assembly at the time
of impact to prevent the occurrence of unwanted forces that
interfere with the required absorption of energy.
[0007] Moreover, the linear guide device must be easy to mount
within the overall dimensions of existing steering columns.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention relates to a linear guide device for an
automobile vehicle steering column, which device includes a
steering shaft rotatably mounted inside a guide-tube which is
connected to a support assembly which is fixed to a chassis of the
vehicle. The linear guide device includes a fixed support member
which is adapted to be fastened to said chassis of said vehicle and
a mobile support member which is adapted to be connected to said
fixed support member in order to constitute said support assembly
and which is immobilized to said fixed support member against
forces up to particular value such that it is no longer immobilized
in the event of an impact, said device further including rolling
members which are disposed between a fixed rollway formed on said
fixed support member and a mobile rollway formed on said mobile
support member, said fixed rollway and said mobile rollway each
lying in the required guidance direction.
[0009] In a embodiment of the invention, the linear guide device is
adapted to operate in a guidance direction that is raised toward
the front relative to a horizontal plane so that in the event of an
impact the steering wheel is raised and pushed forward.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the linear guide
device is adapted to operate in a guidance direction that is
inclined toward the front relative to a horizontal plane so that in
the event of an impact said steering wheel is lowered and pushed
forward.
[0011] Advantageously, the rolling members are balls. Moreover the
roller members have a retaining cage to guarantee the position of
said rolling members relative to each other.
[0012] According to some structures of the invention, at least one
fixed rollway is formed on a fixed slide which constitutes an
independent member mounted on and fixed to said fixed support
member; and at least a mobile rollway is formed on a mobile slide
which constitutes an independent member mounted on and fixed to
said mobile support member.
[0013] According to other structures of the invention, at least one
fixed rollway is formed directly on said fixed support member and
constitutes an integral part of said fixed support member; and at
least a mobile rollway is formed directly on said mobile support
member and constitutes an integral part of said mobile support
member.
[0014] According to an interesting feature of the invention:
[0015] said fixed support member has a fixed slide disposed in a
housing on each of its uprights;
[0016] a corresponding fixed rollway is formed in each fixed
slide;
[0017] said mobile support member has a mobile slide on each of its
lateral portions, one end of which has a tenon which engages in a
notch formed in the corresponding lateral portion, said tenon being
extended by a tongue substantially parallel to said mobile slide so
as to come into contact with an inner face of the corresponding
lateral portion, the other end of said mobile side having a hole
through it facing another hole through the corresponding lateral
portion to receive means for fixing said mobile slide to the
corresponding lateral portion;
[0018] a corresponding mobile rollway is formed in each mobile
slide; and the balls are disposed between said fixed rollway and
said mobile rollway.
[0019] Advantageously, according to the invention, the fixed
rollways have axes inclined at an angle to the axis which
represents the guide direction.
[0020] In another structure, the mobile rollways have axes inclined
at an angle to the axis which represents the guide direction.
[0021] In another embodiment, the fixed rollways have axes inclined
to the axis which represents the guide direction and said mobile
rollways have axes inclined to the axis which represents the guide
direction.
[0022] The linear guide device according to the invention therefore
has the advantage of having a structure that is extremely simple to
produce, allowing the possibility of very high manufacturing
quality when mass-produced, as is the case in the automobile
industry. This simplicity of manufacture also leads to a very low
cost. The linear guide device according to the invention finally
has the decisive advantage of preventing the occurrence of unwanted
forces that interfere with the required absorption of energy. Thus
the linear guide device absorbs energy in the required manner.
Moreover, the device is easy to fit within the overall dimensions
of existing steering columns.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more clearly apparent on reading the following description
of preferred embodiments of the invention, which description is
given with reference to the corresponding accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an automobile vehicle
steering column which is fitted with a linear guide device
according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 in which the fixed
support member is not shown;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the fixed support
member of the device according to the invention shown in FIG.
1;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the
various components of the embodiment of the linear guide device
shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] In the same way as for the mobile support member 9, the
lateral portion 21 has an inner face 25 and an outer face 27 and
the lateral portion 22 has an inner face 26 and an outer face
28.
[0029] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the energy-absorbing
device is adjustable and includes:
[0030] a retaining pin 5,
[0031] an attachment pin 7, and
[0032] a plurality of windings 33, namely two windings in the
device shown in the Figures.
[0033] The retaining pin 5 is substantially perpendicular to the
steering axis 3 of the steering column and is disposed inside the
mobile support member 9. The attachment pin 7 is substantially
perpendicular to the steering axis 3 of the steering column and is
disposed inside the fixed support member 8. The windings 33 are
made from a metal member of particular cross section, which can be
round, rectangular or square, for example. The windings 33 are
mounted on a roller which is disposed on the retaining pin 5
fastened to the mobile support member 9 and disposed at its end
29.
[0034] The windings 33 have respective free ends 35 which are
attached to the attachment pin 7 which is disposed on the fixed
support member 8. The corresponding end 29 of the mobile support
member 9 is at the same end as the steering box, i.e. at the end
opposite the steering wheel.
[0035] The attachment pin 7 for the windings 33 takes the form of a
retaining rod 32 which can move along its axis. It is moved by an
actuator 30 which is operated by control means. In this way it is
possible to connect the
[0036] FIG. 5 is a partial view in axial section taken along the
line V-V in FIG. 4;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the assembly corresponding to
FIG. 1, with the guide inclined to the horizontal; and
[0038] FIG. 7 is a lateral view of the assembly corresponding to
FIG. 1 with a different inclination of the guide relative to the
horizontal.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] As can be seen in FIG.S 1, 2 and 3, the automobile vehicle
steering column includes a steering shaft 1 which is rotatably
mounted in a body-tube 2 to rotate about a steering axis 3. The
body-tube 2 is connected to a support assembly 6 by a system 4 for
adjusting its depth and/or inclination. The invention can equally
apply to a non-adjustable steering column, in which case the
body-tube 2 is connected directly to the support assembly 6.
[0040] The support assembly 6 includes a fixed support member 8 and
a mobile support member 9. The fixed support member 8 is fastened
to the chassis 13 of the vehicle or to an element of the body of
the vehicle not shown in FIG. 1. The mobile support member 9 is
connected to the body-tube 2 by the position adjustment system 4.
The mobile support member 9 is connected to the fixed support
member 8 and said mobile support member 9 is immobilized relative
to said fixed support member 8 against forces up to a particular
value which allows for the impact to be absorbed, from which
particular value the mobile support member 9 is able to slide
inside the fixed support member 8.
[0041] The fixed support member 8 includes a base 19 with two
substantially vertical uprights 11 and 12 mounted on the base 19.
The uprights 11 and 12 are substantially parallel to the steering
axis 3 and more particularly substantially parallel to the vertical
plane passing through the steering axis 3.
[0042] The mobile support member 9 includes two substantially
vertical lateral portions 21 and 22 and a substantially horizontal
connecting portion 20. The two lateral portions 21 and 22 of the
mobile support member 9 engage between the two uprights 11 and 12
of the fixed support member 8. They are substantially parallel to
the steering axis 3, and more particularly substantially parallel
to the vertical plane passing through the steering axis 3.
[0043] Each of the lateral portions 21 and 22 has a hole in its
lower part through which a pin of the adjustment systems 4
passes.
[0044] In the remainder of the description, and when referring to
the same member, the term "inner" when used in relation to the
steering axis 3 means nearer the steering axis 3 and the term
"outer" means farther away from it.
[0045] Accordingly, the upright 11 of the fixed support member 8
has an inner face 15 and an outer face 17 relative to the steering
axis 3. Similarly, the upright 12 has an inner face 16 and an outer
face 18 relative to the same steering axis 3.
[0046] In the same way as for the mobile support member 9, the
lateral portion 21 has an inner face 25 and an outer face 27 and
the lateral portion 22 has an inner face 26 and an outer face
28.
[0047] As can be seen in FIG.S 1, 2 and 3, the energy-absorbing
device is adjustable and includes:
[0048] a retaining pin 5,
[0049] an attachment pin 7, and
[0050] a plurality of windings 33, namely two windings in the
device shown in the Figures.
[0051] The retaining pin 5 is substantially perpendicular to the
steering axis 3 of the steering column and is disposed inside the
mobile support member 9. The attachment pin 7 is substantially
perpendicular to the steering axis 3 of the steering column and is
disposed inside the fixed support member 8. The windings 33 are
made from a metal member of particular cross section, which can be
round, rectangular or square, for example. The windings 33 are
mounted on a roller which is disposed on the retaining pin 5
fastened to the mobile support member 9 and disposed at its end
29.
[0052] The windings 33 have respective free ends 35 which are
attached to the attachment pin 7 which is disposed on the fixed
support member 8. The corresponding end 29 of the mobile support
member 9 is at the same end as the steering box, i.e. at the end
opposite the steering wheel.
[0053] The attachment pin 7 for the windings 33 takes the form of a
retaining rod 32 which can move along its axis. It is moved by an
actuator 30 which is operated by control means. In this way it is
possible to connect the attachment pin 7 to the retaining pin 5 by
a required number of windings, which number is determined according
to the characteristics of the driver and in particular the driver's
weight. Accordingly, in the event of an impact, the support member
9 which is connected to the body-tube 2, and therefore to the
steering wheel, pulls on the free end of the windings, which are
attached to attachment pin 7, and therefore unwinds the winding or
windings to absorb the energy to be dissipated.
[0054] The two windings 33 are mounted on a roller. The roller is
disposed on a sleeve around the retaining pin 5. Each winding 33
has a rectilinear portion 34 in substantially the same direction as
the force to be damped. Each rectilinear portion 34 is extended by
a free end 35 which surrounds the retaining rod 32.
[0055] The retaining pin 5 takes the form of a retaining rod 31
which passes through the mobile support member 9. The retaining rod
31 carries a sleeve which is disposed between the respective inner
faces 25 and 26 of the two lateral portions 21 and 22 of the mobile
support member 9. The retaining rod 31 is held at each end by a
fixing assembly which is mounted on the lateral portions 21 and 22
of the mobile support member 9.
[0056] The attachment pin 7 is materialized by the retaining rod 32
which is mounted in holes 39. The holes are formed in lugs 36 of
the fixed support member 8.
[0057] Each of the uprights 11 and 12 of the fixed support member 8
has a respective oblong hole 23 and 24 through which the retaining
pin 5 of the windings 33, i.e. the retaining rod 31, passes.
[0058] As can also be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixed support
member 8 has on each of its uprights 11 and 12 a fixed slide 41 and
42 which is disposed in a housing 37 and 38 of the corresponding
upright 11 and 12.
[0059] A corresponding fixed rollway 45 and 46 is provided in each
fixed slide 41 and 42.
[0060] The mobile support member 9 has on each of its lateral
portions 21 and 22 a respective mobile slide 43 and 44 one end of
which is provided with a respective tenon 51 and 52 which engages
in a respective notch 57 and 58 formed in the respective
corresponding lateral portion 21 and 22. Each tenon 51 and 52 is
extended by a respective tongue 53 and 54 substantially parallel to
the respective mobile slide 43 and 44 so as to come into contact
with the respective inner face 25 and 26 of the respective
corresponding lateral portion 21 and 22.
[0061] The other ends of said mobile slides 43 and 44 include
respective holes 55 and 56 facing respective other holes 61 and 62
formed in the respective corresponding lateral portions 21 and 22
to receive respective means 63 and 64 for fixing the respective
mobile slides 43 and 44 to the respective corresponding lateral
portions 21 and 22.
[0062] A respective corresponding mobile rollway 47 and 48 is
formed in each of the mobile slides 43 and 44.
[0063] Rolling members in the form of balls 40 are disposed between
the fixed rollways 45 and 46 and the mobile rollways 47 and 48.
[0064] In a different embodiment, not shown, the rolling members 40
have a retaining cage to guarantee the position of the rolling
members relative to each other.
[0065] Accordingly, in accordance with the invention, rolling
members, which can be balls 40, are disposed between at least one
fixed rollway 45, 46 formed on the fixed support member 8 and at
least one mobile rollway 47, 48 formed on the mobile support member
9. The fixed rollways 45 and 46 and the mobile rollways 47 and 48
are each formed in the required guidance direction.
[0066] In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 the linear
guide device, which includes rollways 45, 46, 47, 48, operates in a
guide direction represented by the axis 50 which is raised towards
the front relative to the horizontal plane 10, so that in the event
of an impact the steering wheel is raised and pushed forward.
[0067] In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 7, the
linear guide device, which includes rollways 45, 46, 47, 48,
operates in a guide direction represented by the axis 50 which is
inclined toward the front relative to the horizontal plane 10, so
that in the event of an impact the steering wheel is lowered and
pushed forward.
[0068] In some structures according to the invention, fixed
rollways 45 and 46 are formed on fixed slides 41 and 42 which take
the form of an independent member mounted on and fixed to the fixed
support member 8 and mobile rollways 47 and 48 are formed on mobile
slides 43 and 44 which take the form of an independent member
mounted on and fixed to the mobile support member 9.
[0069] In other embodiments of the invention fixed rollways 45 and
46 are formed directly on the fixed support member 8 and form an
integral part of the fixed support member 8 and mobile rollways 47
and 48 are formed directly on the mobile support member 9 and form
an integral part of the mobile support member 9.
[0070] In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 the axes
of the fixed rollways 45 and 46 are inclined at respective angles
.beta.1 and .beta.2 to the axis 50, which represents the guide
direction.
[0071] In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 the
axes of the mobile rollways 47 and 48 are inclined at respective
angles .alpha.1 and .alpha.2 to the axis 50, which represents the
guide direction.
[0072] In another embodiment the axes of the fixed rollways 45 and
46 are inclined at respective angles .beta.1 and .beta.2 to the
axis 50 and the axes of the mobile rollways 47 and 48 are inclined
at respective angles .alpha.1 and .alpha.2 to the axis 50, which
represents the guide direction.
* * * * *