Cycles Peugeot

Ecia

Ecia- Equipements Et Composants Pour L'industrie Automobile

Jean-Pierre Barnabe

Frederic M Mouhot

Andre Hoblingre

Michel M Clerc

Francois Fourrey

Ghislain Passebecq

Nicolas Lapalu

Andre Hobluigie

This steering-wheel shaft, having a cylindrical tubular body (1) with a circular cross-section, has a profiled part (8) forming a lock element. In this part (8), longitudinal grooves (10), having a width which corresponds to that of a locking catch, have a depth at least equal to the thickness of the wall of the initial tube and are separated by solid ribs (12). On the inner face of the element (8), projections define between them V-shaped grooves whose peaks correspond substantially to the mid part of the ribs. Each rib (12) thus has a sufficient resistance to counteract the torque exerted when a theft is attempted. Each groove can receive the catch in a locking position. The shaft has at least two grooves (10).

Steering-wheel shaft forming an anti-theft lock element

A telescopic steering-wheel shaft (1) is rotatably mounted in a column body (4-6) capable of pivoting about a horizontal axis (17). The column body (6) is supported at one end by a slide (48) for suspension on a rack (26) driven by a pinion (24) carried by the output shaft of a geared motor (20). A pressure screw (52) acting on the column body and on the slide ensures that play is taken up. The column body (6) is connected at its opposite end to a rack driven by a pinion (80) carried by the output shaft of a second geared motor (84).

Adjustable steering column

This connection has, on one of two shafts, a hollow socket (1) which is connected to a driving block (16) whose inner surface forms a frustum of a pyramid for receiving a pyramidal head (24) connected to the second shaft. Furthermore, the socket (1) carries retractable pins (6) urged toward the interior by an elastic system (12, 8) but retained in an outer position by an inner ring (14) which is displaced by the elongated stem of the second shaft when it is fitted in the socket. Notches (30) for receiving the pins (6) are provided on the stem (22) and contribute to the axial locking of the two shafts.

Rapid connection between two shafts or the like

This device comprises a sleeve (31) perforated with at least one slot (20) receiving the bolt (22) of a locking mechanism integral with the vehicle body. This sleeve (31) has, at one of its ends, longitudinal slots (4) which are engaged over axial projections (6) carried by a bush (28) interposed between the sleeve (31) and the steering-wheel shaft (2), this bush being splined on the inside and thus being made integral with the shaft (2). A rotation of the steering wheel must therefore overcome a periodically variable resistant torque.

Anti-theft device for the steering column of a motor vehicle

This sub-assembly is formed by two shafts (1, 2), an inner and an outer shaft respectively, of which the surfaces facing one another are in contact locally in the vicinity of diametrically opposite points (16, 18), a space (22) being provided between them between the contact zones. These contact zones (8, 10, 12, 14) are pressed together as a result of force-fitting and elastic deformation, the inner shaft (1) initially having extra thicknesses, while the cavity of the outer shaft has portions narrower than these extra thicknesses. The shafts can, however, shift axially under the effect of a substantial shock.

Telescopic sub-assembly for a steering column

The tubular part (1) passes through a middle support piece (25) which is arranged between two clamping flanges (17a, 17b). A tie rod (21) passes through the flanges (17) and bears against the external surfaces of these flanges by means of a stop (29) and a clamping device on the one hand, and a nut (31), on the other hand. The clamping device consists of a bistable toggle-joint system comprising two levers (40,41) located in between the stop (29) and a bearing part (34). The stop (29), the levers (40,41) and the bearing part (34) have complementary hinging surfaces which are freely engaged with each other for assembly of the clamping device. With the device according to the invention it is possible to fix a steering column which can be continuously adjusted by pivoting and/or sliding. It is also possible to absorb the torques which may be transmitted to the steering column when the anti-theft device of the vehicle is engaged.

Fixing device for a tubular part, in particular for the steering column

This shaft is formed by a tube in a single piece having one end portion which is enlarged and cut away so as to constitute a universal joint yoke 5. A main cylindrical body 18 having a wall of reduced thickness connects this yoke to a portion 23 of greater wall thickness and provided with two slots 22 constituting a locking keeper. At the end of the shaft opposed to the yoke there is formed a steering wheel support constituted by a portion of the tube which has a smaller diameter and a greater wall thickness.

Steering wheel shaft for a motor vehicle steering column

The device comprises an oval cam 10 and two toothed rings 3, 4 which are coaxial with the cam and have the same diameter but different numbers of teeth, one of the rings being connected to one of the elements to be adjusted while the other ring is connected to the other element, a flexible set of teeth 16 having a number of teeth less than the number of teeth of the rings, and a flexible ring 30. The ring 30 has a smooth surface in facing relation to the cam 10 and a set of teeth 32 on the opposite side of the ring. The ring is urged by the cam 10 into engagement with the flexible set of teeth 16 and the latter is urged toward the teeth of the rings 3, 4.

Growing community of inventors

Valentigney, France

Jean-Pierre Barnabe