Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Patent
1992-04-30
1993-11-09
Herrmann, Allan D.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
74531, 188166, 280775, 403 61, 403 85, 403146, B62D 118
Patent
active
052592642
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering wheel arrangement for motor vehicles, comprising a steering wheel, a steering shaft joined to the steering wheel, a bearing device in which the steering shaft is rotatably mounted, means for moveably suspending the bearing device in the vehicle and locking means, by means of which the bearing device is lockable in various positions relative to the suspension means, wherein the bearing device is joined to the suspension means for pivot movement about a first shaft, and that the lock means comprise, firstly, a first package of thin friction plates alternatingly joined to the bearing device and the suspension means, secondly, spring clamping means arranged to press together, with constant spring force, the thin plates in the plate package to lock the bearing device and, thirdly, manually actuated means to remove the clamping effect of the clamping means and release the bearing device for resetting relative to the suspension means.
Known arrangements of this type make it possible to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel to adapt it to the driving position of the driver, either through a telescoping arrangement or through an arrangement with articulating means with a horizontal pivot shaft. In the latter case, the vertical adjustment also involves changing the steering wheel angle relative to the driver. Such devices also facilitate entering and exiting from the vehicle, as do arrangements which permit lateral swinging of the steering wheel.
Common to most of the various known adjustment arrangements is that they have a locking means actuated by a manual knob or lever of friction type, the locking effect of which is dependent on how hard the driver turns the knob or pulls the lever. Since it is difficult to see to it that the lever or knob is always tightened with the same force, the locking force will in practice vary and deviations from ideal tightening, which produces a locking force which is suitably balanced for both normal loads and crash loads, are difficult to avoid.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS
One purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable steering wheel arrangement, in which the locking force is constant, so that one has full control of the locking characteristics and can achieve a suitable balance for normal loads and crash loads, which is always automatically maintained.
This is achieved according to the invention in a steering wheel arrangement of the type described by way of introduction by virtue of the fact that the suspension means comprise a first supporting arm, which is mounted in the vehicle for pivotal movement about a second shaft and in which supporting arm the bearing device is mounted for pivotal movement about said first shaft, and that friction plates alternatingly joined to the supporting arm and to a fixed portion of the vehicle form a second plate package, which, by clamping means, can be compressed to lock the supporting arm relative to the vehicle.
By using thin friction plates it is possible to adapt the material and the size of the frictional surface to the requirements in order to achieve the desired lock in force, using a spring device, the spring force of which can be overcome without power assistance. For example, a simple foot pedal or wire arrangement in combination with a lever device can be sufficient to suspend the locking force.
In a further development of the invention for the purpose of achieving a particularly ergonomically advantageous adjustment range and a simple and secure installation in combination with a simple and secure locking mechanism, the suspension device comprises a first supporting arm pivotally mounted in the vehicle and that thin friction plates alternatingly joined to the supporting arm and to a fixed portion of the vehicle form a second plate package which, by clamping means, can be compressed to lock the supporting arm relative to the vehicle with the aid of spring clamping means coordinated with the first plate package in connection with the bea
REFERENCES:
patent: 4018104 (1977-04-01), Bland et al.
patent: 4449419 (1984-05-01), Bruguera
patent: 4656888 (1987-04-01), Schmitz
Bodin Jan-Olof
Hurtig Sven-Ake
AB Volvo
Herrmann Allan D.
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