DE102011080165A1 - Fuse element i.e. toothed ring, for use in steering column of steering bearing, has forehead edges formed at cross-sections of hole by end of holding tongues that comprise recess in surface, where recess is limited at position - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (1) has holding tongues (4) falling away from an annular body and ending at a hole (6) centered at a middle axis (5) of the fuse element. The hole is axially rectified with the middle axis and guided by the fuse element that is made of a metal sheet. Forehead edges (7) are formed at radial narrow hole cross-sections of the hole by an end of the holding tongues. The holding tongues comprise a recess in a surface. The recess is limited at a position by the forehead edges along direction. The recess disrupts the forehead edges. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a steering bearing (2) a steering column.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a securing element made of sheet metal with an annular body and with retaining tongues, which depart from the annular body and terminate at a central axis of the securing element centered hole in the securing element, wherein the hole axially aligned with the center axis through the securing element leads and at radial narrowest hole cross-sections of the hole is limited at least by the end of the retaining tabs formed end edges. The invention also relates to a steering bearing with such a securing element and a steering bearing and at least one of the securing elements exhibiting steering bearing.

Background of the invention

Such securing elements are supported positively on the surface of a shaft via the retaining tongues. The also in DE 33 05 419A1 called Zackenringe securing elements are resilient and hardened. The radial dimensions of the free hole cross section of a hole between the holding tongues (prongs) opposite the central axis of the prong ring are less than the radial outer dimensions of the shaft at the seat of the prong ring measured in the same direction. If the serrated ring is pushed onto the shaft, the serrations are elastically deflected and spring open, so that the free cross section of the hole can be enlarged except for the radial outer dimensions of the shaft and the shaft can be pushed into the hole.

The front edges of the retaining tongues slightly cling to the intended position of the serrated ring under the resilient bias of the retaining tongues in the surface of the shaft. The surface of the shaft must be soft. The front edges intersect in the material at the surface of the shaft. The seat of a serrated ring is therefore usually positive fit. If the serrated ring is loaded against the original insertion direction of the shaft, this is based on the retaining tongues on the shaft and digs into this. Such security elements are therefore also referred to as self-locking.

Such security elements can be set at any point and thus tolerances independent on waves advantageous. In addition, these security elements are mass-produced inexpensively and are for example provided in the upper part of steering columns for securing the shaft seat of steering bearings on the steering shaft.

A steering column of the generic type is in EP 2 249 050 A1 described. The steering bearings are angular contact ball bearings. The inner rings of the two against each other and against each biased angular contact ball bearings are each centered with a clamping ring on the shaft. Against the clamping ring in each case a wave spring or other spring is axially elastically biased. Spring, clamping ring and thus also the respective inner ring are fixed with a serrated ring.

A steering bearing of the generic type for rotatably supporting a shaft formed as a steering shaft in a casing tube of a steering column is in DE 10 2009 051 107 B3 described. The inner ring of the angular contact ball bearing is integrally formed with the generic fuse element. When mounting the steering column advantageous one component must be mounted less. The effort for assembly, feeding, storage and transport can be kept low. In addition, the manufacturing costs for such steering columns are reduced.

Steering columns are assemblies to which high demands are placed on operational safety and crash behavior. So it must not be that the steering spindle penetrates dagger-like in a crash in the driver's cab. The requirements for the axial holding capacity of the generic fuse elements are therefore very high.

Serrated and inner rings of steering bearings with integrated locking elements are stamped from sheet metal and cold formed. The end edges are the result of initial punching of the mostly rotationally symmetric rings. Of the design of the end edges is not least the ability to retain the fuse element dependent.

Edges are usually formed by two surfaces meeting one another. One of the surfaces that terminates at the end edge is accordingly the end face of the retaining tongues, which extends transversely to the two front surfaces of the retaining tongue and is directed to the central axis. This end face is formed during the production of the securing element by punching and radially limited part of the hole in the fuse element. The other surface is a surface portion on a front side of the securing element of the respective retaining tongue, which is directed towards the shaft in the supply direction in the mounting of the serrated ring.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide preferably for use in steering columns provided security elements and steering bearings whose shaft seats are held securely and can be easily and inexpensively.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.

The respective retaining tongue has at least one recess in a surface of the retaining tongue at the end, wherein the depression is delimited in at least one direction at least at one point by at least one of the end edges.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the thickness of the sheet of the respective retaining tongue is smaller at the recess than in other sections of this retaining tongue. The sheet thickness of the retaining tongue preferably decreases continuously with respect to its free end adjacent to the hole, wherein the end edge is formed at the thinnest end and the recess extends over the entire tangentially or circumferentially directed width of the retaining tongue. Alternatively, an end portion of the retaining tongue is reduced for example by embossing in the sheet thickness, wherein the end edge extends again over the entire tangentially or circumferentially directed width of the retaining tongue.

Alternatively, the recess interrupts the end edge in the form of an embossment, whereby the sharp end edge is broken at this point by the recess and not sharp. The front edge continues on both sides of the depression.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the recess is shortened by the over the entire width of the retaining tongue extending end edge on one side or preferably on both sides of the end edge recesses. In addition, the end edges may be interrupted at a serration element by a plurality of recesses. In addition, the wells can interrupt the front edges at a point at any point or complete. In addition, the recesses may be circumferentially distributed at equal or different distances from each other.

Such formations can have a positive effect on a further improved holding ability, since the end edge as a whole better digs into the surface of the shaft and clinging, because the circumferential contour of the front edge due to the interruptions by the wells in more than two places on the surface the steering shaft is supported. In addition, jagged sharp corners are formed at the limited by the recesses points through which the front edge can penetrate better into the surface of the shaft.

Both the end edge generating surfaces according to an embodiment of the invention according to at least one of the retaining tongues, preferably inclined to each retaining tongues, the securing element with at least one acute angle to each other. The angle which the surfaces enclose between them from the front edge is in a range of 15 ° ≤ α ≤ 60 °. The cutting edge is interrupted by at least one of the recesses.

The security element described with the invention, deviating from the prior art, two surfaces, the front and the end face, which are inclined from the front edge of a blade-like manner at an acute angle to each other. Thus, an improved holding ability is secured to waves for a large part of the security elements, because a sharp edge penetrates very well into the surface of the shaft. The shaft should preferably be made of unhardened steel, and the securing element should be hardened as much as possible, at least on the end edge formed as a cutting edge. With regard to the resistance, the elastic behavior and cost reasons, it is advantageous if the entire fuse element or one integral with the fuse element inner ring are hardened.

There are securing elements, in which the retaining tongues, when the locking ring is finished but not yet mounted on a shaft, front complete with a radial plane - that are not axially passed through in the initial state The retaining tongues such security elements are only moved from the radial plane and tilted, when the shaft is inserted into the hole that is slightly too small for its outer diameter. The retaining tongues must dodge resiliently rectified with the thrust direction of the shaft until the hole for the shaft diameter is large enough. The invention also applies to these security elements. However, it is preferred for the securing elements to which the retaining tongues were already inclined inclined in the manufacture at an acute angle to the radial plane. It does not matter whether the retaining tongues are inclined at an angle to the radial plane or extend arcuately or discontinuously inclined with respect to the radial plane.

The cutting edge similar running front edge is according to an embodiment of the invention over the level of one of the surfaces or beyond the level of both of the front edge on the meeting surfaces. The surface portion extends shortly before the end edge curved or linearly rising from the respective surface beyond its level beyond the front edge. The advantage of this design is that despite the possible unwanted edge fractures on the soft tissue due to the protruding edge of the surfaces always a comparatively sharp protruding residual material can be maintained.

The front or cutting edges of the retaining tongues are straight and aligned tangentially, for example. Alternatively, they are curved on a circumferential line whose curvature corresponds to the surface of the shaft on which the securing element is to sit later.

The retaining tongues of the securing element are preferably in one piece - einmaterialig formed with the annular body. In the circumferential direction, the annular body is cut to form the retaining tongues for forming radial slots, by which the retaining tongues in the circumferential direction adjacent retaining tongues are relatively spring-movably separated from each other. The circumferentially closed or once slotted ring body holds the retaining tongues circumferentially in position, since they are formed integrally therewith. The slots may be so narrow that the tabs on the slots contact each other. In contrast, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the central hole of the securing element is bounded by recesses by an inner edge adjoining the end edges. The retaining tongues are peripherally separated from one another by the recesses which terminate at the annular body and open towards the hole. The mutually closed or alternatively once slotted annular body holds the retaining tongues together. With the rounding of the recesses, notch stresses in the securing element and resulting cracks can be avoided. In addition, the spring-elastic behavior of the retaining tongues can be made variable by choosing suitable dimensions of the recesses.

It is provided a steering bearing with a fuse element according to the invention. The steering bearing has at least the inner ring and rolling elements, an outer race - possibly on an outer ring or directly in a casing tube, and a cage. The securing element is integrated into the steering bearing either as a separate component in a self-holding unit, the z. B. from outer ring, balls, inner ring, spring ring and serrated ring is formed. Alternatively, the securing element is integrally formed einmaterialig with the inner ring of the steering bearing.

It is a steering column with at least one steering tube and provided with a rotatably mounted by means of steering bearings in the steering tube steering spindle. In this steering column, the inner ring of the steering bearing is positively fixed at least by means of securing element on the steering spindle, wherein the securing element is designed as a separate component or integrated into the inner ring. The inner ring is axially supported on the fixed to the steering shaft securing element on the steering shaft, rigid or elastic, with or without the interposition of at least one spring element.

The term "shafts" are understood to mean all structural parts and machine elements which are suitable and intended to be rotatable or rigid for receiving and fixing various components.

Description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments.

Fig. 1, Fig. 1a, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3:

1 shows a main view of a fuse element 1 as a serrated ring 2 is trained.

1a shows enlarged and not to scale the detail X from 1 ,

2 shows one along the line II-II after 1 and along the central axis 5 cut representation of the fuse element 1 ,

3 does not show to scale an enlarged view of the detail Z after 2 ,

The fuse element 1 has a ring body 3 with retaining tongues 4 on which in the fuse element 1 at one to the central axis 5 of the fuse element 1 centered hole 6 end up. The hole 6 leads axially to the central axis 5 rectified by the fuse element 1 , The radially narrowest points of the hole 6 are described by the inner radii R1 to R9 and are the ends of the retaining tongues 4 through front edges 7 limited. The hole 6 is further by a the front edges 7 adjoining inner edge with recesses 1a limited. The recesses 1a go from the ring body 3 out and are to the hole 6 open, causing the retaining tongues 4 circumferentially separated from each other and are distributed at a uniform pitch angle γ each other around the circumference.

At the respective front edge 7 at least two meet a part of the surface of the respective retaining tongue 4 delimiting surfaces 8th and 9 each other. The surface 8th is the front side of the respective retaining tongue 4 formed and from the front edges 7 and 7a limited. The other surface 9 covers the front of the fuse element 1 and is a surface portion located in an inner cylindrical surface 10 of the ring body 3 continues.

1a shows how one of the surfaces 8th , the face, in the middle of the retaining tongue 4 for example, a radial in the end 4a the retaining tongue 4 introduced recess 29 can have. The depression 29 is left and right side of the front edge 7 limited, which in this way from the depression 29 is interrupted.

The retaining tongues 4 are from the perpendicular from the central axis 5 pierced and mutually parallel radial planes E and E 'axially exposed to the respective radial plane E and E' inclined.

3 : The surfaces 8th and 9 go from the front edge 7 from and are inclined at an acute angle α to each other. This is the front edge 7 radially in the direction of the central axis 5 continue from the end 4a the respective retaining tongue than the front edge 7a , leaving only the front edge 7 when inserting a shaft into the hole 6 is in contact with the surface of the shaft. In addition, the front edge is 7 in the radial direction over the surface 8th (Face) addition, because the surface 8th towards the front edge 7 a flat surface section 8a whose course is from the surface 8th out to the front edge 7 over the level of the surface 8th out to the front edge 7 rises, leaving the front edge 7 about the actual level of a front edge and the frontally formed surface 8th in the hole 6 protrudes into it.

2 and 3 : The respective front edge 7 at the respective retaining tongue 4 is from one part in both surfaces 8th and 9 extending recess 11 in the surface section 8a and in the surface 9 interrupted. The depression 11 has an area 11a that is different from the surface 8th to the surface 9 extends and is left and right in the tangential direction from the front edge 7 is limited.

4 : 4 shows a steering bearing 15 made of an inner ring 12 an outer ring 13 and out in the cage 14 guided rolling elements 28 is formed. The fuse element 1 is integral with the inner ring 12 educated. The ring body 12a of the fuse element 1 is integral with a track section 12b of the inner ring 12 executed. At the track section 12b the rolling elements run 28 from. The track section 12b follows one piece with the inner ring 12 trained shaft seat section 12c which has an extension section 12d of the inner ring 12 followed. At the extension section 12d are radially outward retaining lugs 12e formed, through which the individual parts outer ring 13 , Cage 14 with rolling elements 28 and the inner ring 12 with fuse element 1 to a self-contained unit.

1 . 3 and 4 : The fuse element 1 has the ring body 12a on, but otherwise corresponds to the with the 1 and 3 shown construction, in which case 3 the detail Y off 4 reproduces. The ring body 12a is with holding tongues 4 provided, which in the fuse element 1 at one to the central axis 5 of the fuse element 1 centered hole 6 end up. The hole 6 leads axially to the central axis 5 rectified by the fuse element 1 , The course of the front edges 7 is at radial narrowest points of the hole 6 described by the inner radii R1 to R9. The hole 6 is further by a the front edges 7 adjoining inner edge with recesses 1a limited. The recesses 1a go from the ring body 3 out and are to the hole 6 open, causing the retaining tongues 4 circumferentially separated from each other and are distributed at a uniform pitch angle γ each other around the circumference.

At the respective front edge 7 at least two meet a part of the surface of the respective retaining tongue 4 limiting surfaces 8th and 9 each other. The surface 8th is the front side of the respective retaining tongue 4 trained and ends at the front edges 7 and 7a , The other surface 9 covers the front of the fuse element 1 and is a surface portion located in an inner cylindrical surface 10 of the ring body 3 continues. The retaining tongues 4 are the mutually parallel radial planes E and E 'out and inclined to these radial planes E and E'.

The surfaces 8th and 9 go from the front edge 7 from and are inclined at an acute angle α to each other. Here is the front edge 7 in the radial direction over the actual level of the surface 8th (Face) out. The area section 8a indicates one of the surface 8th out to the front edge 7 over the level of the surface 8th out to the front edge 7 rising gradient on, leaving the front edge 7 over the frontally formed surface 8th out into the hole 6 protrudes into it.

3 and 4 : The respective front edge 7 at the respective retaining tongue 4 is partly in both surfaces 8th and 9 extending recess 11 interrupted.

5 . 6 . 7 and 8th : The 5 . 6 . 7 and 8th show embodiments of securing elements 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ or 1 ₄ , where the design of the retaining tabs 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ or 4 ₄ with respect to the wells 31 . 32 . 33 or 34 differ from each other.

5 shows a fuse element 1 ₁ in the form of a serrated ring, whose retaining tongues 4 ₁ each two step-like depressions 31 in the surfaces 8th ₁ and 9 ₁ have. The wells 31 close to the left and right of the front edge 7 ₁ to the front edge 7 ₁ and are to one side at one point by the front edge 7 ₁ and on the other side through the recesses 1a limited.

6 shows a fuse element 1 ₂ in the form of a serrated ring, whose retaining tongues 4 ₂ each two wells 32 in the surfaces 8th ₂ and 9 ₂ , for which a surface 32a is characteristic. The area 32a extends between the surfaces 8th and 9 , The wells 32 close to the left and right of the front edge 7 ₂ to the front edge 7 ₂ and are to one side at one point by the front edge 7 ₂ and on the other side through the recess 1a limited.

7 shows a fuse element 1 ₃ in the form of a toothed ring, the retaining tongues 4 ₃ each have a step-like depression 33 in the surface 9 ₃ have. The thickness D _{1 of} the sheet of the respective retaining tongue 4 ₃ at the recess 33 is over the entire width of the retaining tongue 4 ₃ less than the thickness D in other sections of this retaining tongue 4 ₃ . The lower edge of the depression 33 is from the front edge 7 ₃ limited. In addition, it is conceivable that the front edge on the model of the representations in 2 to 5 is interrupted by depressions.

8th shows a fuse element 1 ₄ in the form of a serrated ring, on each of which due to the respective recess 3 ₄ the thickness D of the sheet of the retaining tongues 4 ₄ each to the end 4a is increasingly reduced to the thickness D ₁ . The lower edge of the depression 34 is from the front edge 7 ₄ limited. In addition, it is conceivable that the front edge on the model of the representations in 2 to 5 is interrupted by depressions.

9 : 9 shows a section of a steering column 20 in a longitudinal section along a central axis 5 a steering spindle 17 , The steering column 20 has the steering bearing 15 , a steering tube 16 and the steering spindle 17 on. The steering spindle 17 is by means of the steering bearing 15 rotatable in the steering tube 16 stored. To sit the outer ring 13 firmly in the steering tube 16 and the inner ring 12 firmly on the steering spindle 17 , The inner ring 12 is with the shaft seat portion 12c on the wave seat 18 the steering spindle 17 possibly supported by a press fit. The extension section 12d is contactless to the steering spindle 17 , Furthermore, the inner ring 12 by means of the securing element 1 against axial thrusts fixed axially on the steering shaft 17 secured. These are the retaining tongues 4 under elastic preload on the surface 19 the steering spindle 17 and are with the front edges 7 in the surface 19 digs.

10 shows a section of a steering column 25 in a longitudinal section along its central axis 5 , The steering column 25 has a steering bearing 21 in the steering tube 16 , a clamping ring 22 , a wave spring 23 and a fuse element 1 in the form of a toothed ring 24 as well as the steering spindle 17 on.

1 . 3 and 10 , The serrated ring 24 is essentially like the serrated ring 2 constructed and with the description to the 1 and 3 described. Unlike the serrated ring 2 has the fuse element 1 not the ring body 3 but a ring body 26 on, which is directed in the picture to the right and thereby the retaining tongues 4 surrounds circumferentially. This shows the serrated ring 24 a flat face 27 on, on which the wave spring 23 is supported. The serrated ring 24 is against the force of the wave spring 23 by means of the retaining tongues 4 on the steering spindle 17 supported. The clamping ring 22 is by means of the corrugated spring between the inner ring 28 of the steering bearing 21 and the steering spindle 17 pressed and jammed there. The inner ring 21 is in one direction over the clamping ring 22 on the steering spindle 17 supported and otherwise contactless to the steering shaft 17 as well as in the other direction over in the cage 14 guided rolling elements 28 on the outer ring 13 supported. reference numeral 1 fuse element 24 toothed ring 1 ₁ fuse element 25 steering column 1 ₂ fuse element 26 ring body 1 ₃ fuse element 27 flat surface 1 ₄ fuse element 28 rolling elements 1a recess 29 deepening 2 toothed ring 30 - 3 ring body 31 deepening 4 holding tongue 32 deepening 4 ₁ holding tongue 32a area 4 ₂ holding tongue 33 deepening 4 ₃ holding tongue 34 deepening 4 ₄ holding tongue 4a The End 5 central axis 6 hole 7 front edge 7 ₁ front edge 7 ₂ front edge 7 ₃ front edge 7 ₄ front edge 7a front edge 8th surface 8th ₁ surface 8th ₂ surface 8th ₃ surface 8th ₄ surface 8a surface section 9 surface 9 ₁ surface 9 ₂ surface 9 ₃ surface 9 ₄ surface 10 inside cylindrical surface 11 deepening 12 inner ring 12a ring body 12b Race section 12c Shaft seat section 12d extension section 12e retaining lugs 13 outer ring 14 Cage 15 steering bearings 16 Steering pipe / casing pipe 17 steering shaft 18 shaft seat 19 Surface of the steering spindle 20 steering column 21 steering bearings 22 clamping ring 23 Well spring

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 3305419 A1 [0002]
• EP 2249050 A1 [0005]
• DE 102009051107 B3 [0006]

Claims (9)

Fuse element ( 1 . 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) of sheet metal with a ring body ( 3 . 12a . 26 ) and with retaining tongues ( 4 . 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ , 4 ₄ ), which of the annular body ( 3 . 12a . 26 ) and at one to the central axis ( 5 ) of the security element ( 1 . 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) centered hole ( 6 ) in the security element ( 1 . 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ), with the hole ( 6 ) axially with the central axis ( 5 ) rectified by the securing element ( 1 . 1 ₁ , 1 ₂ , 1 ₃ , 1 ₄ ) and at radial narrowest hole cross-sections of the hole ( 6 ) at least by the end of the retaining tongues ( 4 . 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ , 4 ₄ ) formed end edges ( 7 . 7 ₁ , 7 ₂ , 7 ₃ , 7 ₄ ) is limited, characterized in that the respective retaining tongue ( 4 . 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ , 4 ₄ ) end at least one recess ( 11 . 29 . 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 ) in a surface ( 8th . 8th ₁ , 8th ₂ , 8th ₃ , 8th ₄ , 9 . 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ , 9 ₃ , 9 ₄ ) the retaining tongue ( 4 . 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ , 4 ₄ ), wherein the recess ( 11 . 29 . 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 ) in at least one direction at at least one point through at least one of the end edges ( 7 . 7 ₁ , 7 ₂ , 7 ₃ , 7 ₄ ) is limited. Fuse element according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the sheet of the respective retaining tongue ( 4 . 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ , 4 ₄ ) at the recess ( 11 . 29 . 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 ) is smaller than in other sections of this retaining tongue ( 4 . 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , 4 ₃ , 4 ₄ ). Securing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the depression ( 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 ) at only one point from the front edge ( 7 . 7 ₁ , 7 ₂ , 7 ₃ , 7 ₄ ) is limited. Securing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the depression ( 11 . 29 ) the front edge ( 7 ) and in two places from the front edge ( 7 ) is limited. Securing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining tongues ( 4 ) each from a perpendicular from the central axis ( 5 ) pierced radial plane (E, E ') are inclined out and inclined at an acute angle (α) to the radial plane (E, E'). Securing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the end edge ( 7 ) at least in sections as one end of the retaining tongue ( 4 ) protruding cutting edge is formed, wherein the cutting edge by at least two in the apex angle to each other and running towards each other at the end edge surfaces ( 8th . 9 ) of the retaining tongue ( 4 ) and the depression ( 11 ) in at least one of the surfaces ( 8th . 9 ) is introduced. Steering bearing ( 15 ) at least with an inner ring ( 12 ), an outer ring ( 13 ), between the inner ring ( 12 ) and the outer ring ( 13 ) arranged rolling elements ( 28 ) and with a security element ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 7. Steering bearing according to claim 7, characterized in that the securing element ( 1 ) in one piece with the inner ring ( 12 ) is trained. Steering column at least one steering tube ( 16 ) and at least one steering bearing ( 15 ) according to claim 1 or 9 and by means of the steering bearing ( 15 ) rotatable in the steering tube ( 16 ) mounted steering spindle ( 17 ), wherein the inner ring ( 12 ) at least by means of the end edges ( 7 ) of the security element ( 1 ) on the steering spindle ( 17 ).

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