Clamping device for a steering column

US5921577A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• INA-WALZLAGER SCHAEFFLER KG · DE
• Daimler-Benz AG · DE

Inventors

• Jurgen Weiss
• Wilfried Soyka · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Reiner Martin · Pommersfelden, DE
• Alexander Zernickel · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Stephan Gaertner · Pforzheim, DE
• Thomas Kambies · Schwäbisch Hall, DE
• Michael Siemers · Feldkirch, AT
• Reiner Scheu · Hülben, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 1997
• Grant date: Jul 13, 1999
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D1/184
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A clamping device for a steering column (6) which is guided in fixed mounting arms (4, 5) and comprises a tie bolt (7) which is arranged at right angles to the steering column (6), the tie bolt (7) extends between the two mounting arms (4, 5), there being arranged on one end of the tie bolt (7), between a thrust washer (11a) and the mounting arm (4), a clamping washer (12a) comprising clamping ramps (13a) on which rolling elements (14a) are supported while being guided in a retention disc (15a) mounted for rotation on the tie bolt (7), the retention disc (15a) can be rotated by means of a hand lever (19), and, depending on a direction of rotation of the retention disc (15a), the mounting arms (4, 5) effect a clamping or a releasing of the steering column (6), characterized in that the clamping device (1a) comprises a pot-shaped housing (2) which bears against the mounting arm (4) by a bottom (3) and encloses all the clamping means, the housing (2) is closed at one end by a thrust washer (11a), while the clamping ramp (13a) of the clamping washer (12a) has a contour which changes continuously from a zero position up to a clamped position.