MXPA98004031A - Device to hold a steering steering wheel to a direcc column - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for attaching a steering wheel to a steering column, which transmits both torsional and axial forces without clearance, whereby the end of the column and the hub of the steering wheel is designed to ensure transmission of shape-adjusting torsion at the site of its coupling, characterized by a groove-like depression (2) around the coupling site in the column (1), in which the coupling site in the hub (3) comprises a stationary component (4) and a component (5) pivoting about it on an axis parallel to the axis of the column, where the stationary component can be joined by the shape adjustment to the column, by an elevation (6) in the pivot component, which corresponds to the groove depression groove and extends along at least part of it, and that because the pivot component can pivot in two directions by a nut and bolt assembly (7 and 8) installed ax in a non-displaceable form in both the stationary component and the pivot component, which couples and uncouples the elevation with the depression

Description

, -OR? DEVICE TO HOLD A STEERING STEERING WHEEL TO A STEERING COLUMN The present invention relates to a device 5 for fastening a steering wheel to a steering column, transmitting both torsional and axial forces without clearance, whereby the end of the column and the steering wheel hub are designed to ensure a shape adjustment torsion transmission, at the site of its coupling. 10 The steering wheels are usually fastened to a steering column by means of a conical component, saw teeth and an external thread on the upper end of the column and of another conical component and additional saw teeth in the hub of this steering wheel . The steering wheel is mounted on the column at a correct angle and tensioned axially to the column with a nut, so that the adjustment of the force that is derived from the conical component is sufficient to transmit any torsion that normally occurs. The sawing teeth, the means of transmitting the shape adjustment torsion, that is, only one play occurs when the force adjustment connection is overloaded, in the case of an accident, for example, or when the self-locking axial threaded connection becomes loosened. Since no shape adjustment connection for the transmission of torsion from a steering wheel to a steering column completely without play, can be assembled at a justifiable expense and since such play is covered by the tolerances dictated in the manufacture, are the components of the force adjustment and not the shape adjustment components which must depend on the transmission of the torsion between the steering wheel and the column. However, the former are not considered intrinsically adequate and must be augmented with the shape adjustment components. These mentioned clamping methods assume that the hub of the steering wheel will be accessible from the front, so that the nut can be screwed onto the steering column. - However, more and more vehicles are manufactured, on an industrial scale, with at least one air bag in the driver's side, which must be accommodated in this steering wheel, and the airbag module can generally be installed only once the steering wheel has been mounted on the column. This is not only relatively complicated, but also leads to manufacturing problems, in that the airbags are sometimes installed not by the manufacturers or by the steering wheel manufacturers, but only during the final assembly of the motor vehicle. Also, there is a growing tendency to produce steering wheel covers as much as possible in one piece, not leaving any way to attach the steering wheel to the column by the mentioned procedures. The object of the present invention is, therefore, a device that can be used to attach a steering wheel to a steering column without central access to the front of the steering wheel and without sacrificing the principle of mutually increasing the adjustment connections. of strength and shape adjustment. This object is achieved, according to the present invention, by a groove-like depression, around the coupling site in the column, wherein the coupling site in the hub comprises a stationary component and a component pivoting about the same. on an axis that is parallel to the axis of the column, in which the stationary component can be joined in the shape adjustment to the column, by an elevation on the pivot component corresponding to the groove-type depression and extends as far as possible. length of at least part of it, and in which the pivot component can be pivoted in two directions by a set of nut and bolt, installed axially, in non-displaceable form, while the stationary component as the pivot component, which engages and uncouples elevation with depression.

The axial tension to create a force adjustment connection is replaced, according to the present invention, by an equivalent radial tension, which does not require access from the front of the steering wheel, for its establishment, The steering wheel can also be held and detached from the rear by the action of the radial threaded connection with a tubular wrench. The front part of the steering wheel will be available, therefore, without restriction for mounting an airbag, and a one-piece steering wheel cover can be applied on at least the front part, when the airbag is installed from the back of the steering wheel. Advantageous alternative versions and embodiments of the principle of the present invention are pointed out in subsidiary claims 2 to 11. Some embodiments will now be specified with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 illustrates part of a steering wheel hub with a closed radial threaded connection, as seen from the back of the wheel; Figure 2 illustrates part of the hub of the steering wheel with an open radial threaded connection; Figure 3 is a section along line A-A in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a section along the line BB in Figure 1. Figures 1 to 4 show only the coupling site of a steering wheel hub 3 with a stationary component 4 and a pivot component 5. The stationary component 4 is integrated in the hub 3. The pivot component pivots about a bolt 9, which is itself integrated into the hub. The end of a steering column 1 has been provided, by a known method, with saw teeth 10a and is, as will be evident particularly from Figure 3, surrounded by a groove-like depression 2. The stationary component 4 is provided with a semicircular depression with saw teeth 10b which engage the saw teeth 10a in the column 1, when the parts are assembled. The pivot component 5 is provided with the elevation 6, which extends along part of the depression 2 in the column 1. This elevation 6 is coupled to the depression 2, while the radially threaded connection is closed, which constitutes a Shape adjustment axial connection in addition to the radial force adjustment connection, constituted by the closed threaded connection. The pivot component 5 is secured axially to a bolt 9 by a flush lid 16. The closing direction of the pivot component 5 is limited by a fastening section and its opening direction by a stop 17. The radial threaded connection is established with a nut and bolt assembly, 7 and 8, which is mounted both in a recess 11 in a stationary component 4 as in another recess 12 in the elevation 6. Since the recesses 11 and 12 are mirror-symmetrical, the head of the pin 7 can be inserted into the stationary component 4 from the outside, with the recess 12 in the pivot component 5 accommodating the other end of the bolt along the nut 8, once it has been placed on the bolt 9. The nut and bolt assembly, 7 and 8, can not, therefore, escape from the components 4 and 5. The assembly, 7 and 8, can be operated by a tubular key inserted inside the head of the bolt 7 through the hole 13, which projects from the end of the bolt into the stationary component 4. The mechanism is completed by the washers 14 and 15. Washer 15 can be designed to prevent the nut 8 from rotating, unless another element securing it is employed. The nut and bolt assembly, 7 and 8, is inserted far enough into the recesses 11 and 12, to establish sufficient play of this assembly to ensure that the rotation of the bolt not only closes the connection, but also forces the pivot component 5 to open up The device, in accordance with the present invention, provides a steering wheel that is fastened to the rear of the steering wheel, which not only will comply with all safety settings but will also use shape adjustment components that operate in an additional manner. , according to the principle of primary connections of force adjustment.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS 1. A device for attaching a steering wheel to a steering column, which transmits both torsional and axial forces without play, whereby the end of the column and the hub of the steering wheel are designed to ensure the torsional transmission of shape adjustment at the site of its coupling, characterized by a groove-like depression (2) around the coupling site in the column (1), in which the coupling site in the hub (3) comprises a stationary component (4) and a component (5) pivoting about it on an axis parallel to the axis of the column, where the stationary component can be joined by the shape adjustment to the column, by an elevation (6) in the pivot component, which corresponds to the slot-type depression and extends along at least part of it, and because the pivot component can pivot in two directions by a nut and bolt assembly (7 and 8) installed axially in a non-displaceable manner in both the component stationary as the pivot component, which couples and uncouples the elevation with the depression. Device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the steering column (1) can be secured by the nut and bolt assembly (7 and 8) between the stationary and pivoting component, so as to constitute an adjusting connection of force to transmit the torque and because the shape adjustment components of the device participate in the transmission of force only when the force adjustment components are overloaded. Device, according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the stationary component (4) is integrated in the hub (3) of the steering wheel. Device, according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot component (5) pivots about a bolt (9), integrated into the hub (3 = of the steering wheel or has a bolt that engages a hole in this cube 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the hub (3) of the steering wheel is a cast part 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the coupling site of the steering column (1) is provided with saw teeth (10a) and in that the stationary component (4) is provided with corresponding saw teeth (10b), which extend about half the circumference of the column. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the recesses (11 and 12) on the stationary component (4) and on the pivot component (5) accommodate the nut and bolt assembly (7 and 8) that you can not slide towards outside, and because at least one of the recesses has a hole that projects axially away from the axis of the pin. Device, according to claim 7, characterized in that the nut and bolt assembly (7 and 8) can be inserted into the recess (11) in the stationary component (4), through the bolt axis and because, since the recess (12) is a mirror image symmetrical to the recess in the stationary component, the assembly will be permanently secured on the pin (9), once the pivot component (5) has been inserted and secured. Device, according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a washer (14), between the head of the bolt (7) and the pivot component (5), and by another washer (15) between the nut (8) ) and the stationary component (4). Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pivot component (5) is axially secured to the bolt (9) by a flush cover (16). Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the opening movement of the pivot component (5) is limited by a stop (17).