Steering column module

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention concerns a steering column module. In particular, the invention concerns a motor vehicle steering column module containing at least two functional modules arranged adjacent to one another in the axial direction of the steering column, and an electronic module which is intended to make contact with the functional modules arranged in the different planes by means of plug-and-socket connectors and also to connect them to the vehicle electrical system, with the one part of each plug-and-socket connector being assigned to one functional module and the one cooperating with it being assigned to the electronic module.

#2. Background Art

#Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following Figures:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a steering column module mounted on the casing tube of a steering column;

#FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a steering column module according to the invention; and

#A steering column module 1 is attached to the casing tube 2 of a steering column 3. The free end of steering shaft 4 has a steering wheel 5 arranged on it. Steering column module 1 consists of several functional modules F1-F4, which are arranged to lie above one another in layers, so to speak, in four parallel planes E1-E4. One functional module plane can have several individual functional modules arranged in it. The functional module planes E1-E4 run transverse to the longitudinal extension of steering column 3. Functional modules F1-F4 have an electronic module 6 which is arranged to border them on the outside and which is attached to the stack of functional modules by bracing feet 7, 8. Electronic module 6 consists of a housing 6′ containing electronics (not shown), which provide contact between the individual functional modules F1-F4 and the vehicle electrical system and hold the power electronics of the individual functional modules F1-F4. Electronic module 6 has a connection 9 which can connect it with the motor vehicle electrical system.

#The individual functional modules F1-F4 make electronic contact through the electronic module via plug-and-socket connectors S1-S4, which are schematically shown in FIG. 1 by dashed lines. Plug-and-socket connectors S1-S4 each consist of two parts, one of which is assigned to a functional module F1-F4, and the other, complementary one of which is assigned to the electronic module 6. Pushing electronic module 6 on from a radial or tangential direction to the longitudinal axis of steering column 3 makes contact with the individual functional modules F1-F4. The fact that the functional module stack is grasped by bracing feet 7, 8 provides additional axial fixing for the functional modules F1-F4 that are contained in the individual planes E1-E4.

#In the sample embodiment shown, steering column module 1 is attached to casing tube 2 through the lock body 10 of a steering column lock. Functional unit 4 is an ignition switch, whose activation can also unlock the steering wheel.