# US 10,370,023 B2 · Production method for a modular steering column having extruded profiled elements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,023 B2 - Document ID: US10370023B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/542,105 - Filed: 2015-09-22 - Published: 2018-09-27 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-08 - Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Presta AG; thyssenkrupp AG - Applicants: Thyssenkrupp Presta AG; thyssenkrupp AG - Inventors: Eric Gstöhl; Sven Hausknecht; Stefan-Hermann Loos; Frank Pasch; Christian Geissler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370023B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/185: adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically (B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence) - B23P 15/00: Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass or a group in this subclass - B62D 1/16: Steering columns - B62D 1/184: Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions - B21C 23/02: Making uncoated products - B23P 2700/50: Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B21C: MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES, PROFILES OR LIKE SEMI-MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL ## Abstract A method may be used to produce a steering column for a motor vehicle that includes an inner steering column tube that receives a steering shaft such that the steering shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, an outer steering column tube that receives the inner steering column tube and has a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and a clamping apparatus that can be switched over between a release position in which the inner steering column tube is adjustable relative to the outer steering column tube and a fixing position in which the inner steering column tube is fixed relative to the outer steering column tube. The longitudinal slot may have a greater width in the release position than in the fixing position. The method may involve, amongst other steps, manufacturing at least one single blank of the outer steering column tube and/or of the inner steering column tube using an extrusion process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for producing a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising an inner steering column tube for receiving a steering shaft such that the steering shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft; an outer steering column tube that receives the inner steering column tube and includes a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis; a clamping apparatus that is switchable between a release position in which the inner steering column tube is adjustable with respect to the outer steering column tube and a fixing position in which the inner steering column tube is fixed with respect to the outer steering column tube, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a clamping axle that is guided through a recess in the outer steering column tube transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal slot has a greater width in the release position than in the fixing position, the method comprising: manufacturing a single blank of the outer steering column tube using an extrusion process; cutting the single blank to a required length; producing a predefined number of recesses at a predefined spacing from an end side of the single blank of the outer steering column by way of a metal cutting operation for configuring functional elements in the outer steering column tube; manufacturing a single blank of the inner steering column tube using an extrusion process; cutting the single blank of the inner steering column tube to a required length and reducing a cross-sectional area of the single blank of the inner steering column tube by up to 30% in each length region of the inner steering column tube; and attaching components to the steering column. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the outer steering column tube encloses the steering shaft in one piece by more than 270°. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing exclusively recesses by way of material cutting into the single blank that has been extruded. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein prior to attaching the components to the steering column, the method further comprises: producing a predefined number of recesses at a predefined spacing from an end side of the single blank of the inner steering column tube by way of a metal cutting operation for configuring functional elements in the inner steering column tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein attaching the components comprises mounting the clamping apparatus such that the clamping axle penetrates the functional elements in the inner steering column tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the metal cutting operation comprises reducing a cross-sectional area of the single blank of the outer steering column tube by up to 30% in each length region of the outer steering column tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein attaching the components comprises installing the steering shaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein attaching the components comprises attaching a bracket. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein attaching the components comprises mounting the clamping apparatus such that the clamping axle penetrates the functional elements in the outer steering column tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising placing a carrying element onto the outer steering column tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the carrying element includes a bush. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the steering shaft is telescopic, the method further comprising mounting the steering shaft rotatably in the outer steering column tube or the inner steering column tube by way of anti-friction bearings. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An adjustable steering column produced in accordance with the method of claim 1. ### Claim 14 A method for producing a steering column for a motor vehicle, the steering column comprising an inner steering column tube for receiving a steering shaft such that the steering shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft; an outer steering column tube that receives the inner steering column tube and includes a longitudinal slot that extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis; a clamping apparatus that is switchable between a release position in which the inner steering column tube is adjustable with respect to the outer steering column tube and a fixing position in which the inner steering column tube is fixed with respect to the outer steering column tube, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a clamping axle that is guided through a recess in the outer steering column tube transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal slot has a greater width in the release position than in the fixing position, the method comprising: manufacturing a single blank of the outer steering column tube using an extrusion process; cutting the single blank to a required length; producing a predefined number of recesses at a predefined spacing from an end side of the single blank of the outer steering column by way of a metal cutting operation for configuring functional elements in the outer steering column tube; and attaching components to the steering column; wherein the metal cutting operation comprises reducing a cross-sectional area of the single blank of the outer steering column tube by up to 30% in each length region of the outer steering column tube.