# US 8,146,945 B2 · Motor vehicle steering column > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,146,945 B2 - Document ID: US8146945B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/534,369 - Filed: 2003-09-19 - Published: 2011-09-08 - Granted: 2012-04-03 - Earliest claimed: 2002-11-07 - Assignees: Daimler AG - Inventors: Christian Born; Karl-Heinz Knoll; Karsten Mausolf; Hermann Raabe; Wolfgang Schuliers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8146945B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/181: with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory - 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) ## Abstract A motor vehicle steering column includes a bracket fixed to the vehicle and a steering column tube. The steering column tube may be adjusted in inclination relative to the bracket fixed to the vehicle via an adjusting device. The adjusting device includes a lever which is mounted pivotably on the bracket and may be deflected about a pivot axis by a driving device. The motor vehicle steering column may permit a maximum inclination setting irrespective of the available construction space. A deflecting clamp which is connected pivotably to the steering column tube is coupled to an output end of the lever. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A motor vehicle steering column, comprising: a bracket adapted to be fixed to a vehicle; an adjustment device including a lever mounted pivotably on the bracket, a driver device and a deflection clamp, the lever deflectable about a pivot axis by the driver device; and a steering column tube adjustable in inclination relative to the bracket by the adjustment device, the deflection clamp connected pivotably to the steering column tube and coupled to one output end of the lever; wherein the lever is deflectable about the pivot axis by reciprocating movement at one driving end of the lever; wherein the driver device is configured to compensate for the movement of the driving end of the lever; wherein the steering column tube includes two steering column tube sections, an outer steering column tube section including an integrally-formed flange below a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle steering column, a pivot axis of the deflection clamp arranged on the flange. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle steering column according to claim 1, wherein the steering column tube is mounted on the bracket to move about a pivot axis that extends transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle steering column. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle steering column according to claim 1, wherein the lever has a substantially triangular longitudinal sectional form. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The motor vehicle steering column according to claim 1, wherein the lever is arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle steering column. ### Claim 5 A motor vehicle steering column, comprising: a bracket adapted to be fixed to a vehicle; an adjustment device including a lever mounted pivotably on the bracket, a driver device and a deflection clamp, the lever deflectable about a pivot axis by the driver device; and a steering column tube adjustable in inclination relative to the bracket by the adjustment device, the deflection clamp connected pivotably to the steering column tube and coupled to one output end of the lever; wherein the lever is deflectable about the pivot axis by reciprocating movement at one driving end of the lever; wherein the driver device is configured to compensate for the movement of the driving end of the lever; wherein the deflection clamp is U-shaped, a free limb end of the deflection clamp coupled to the output end of the lever. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The motor vehicle steering column according to claim 5, wherein the steering column tube is mounted on the bracket to move about a pivot axis that extends transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle steering column. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The motor vehicle steering column according to claim 5, wherein the lever has a substantially triangular longitudinal sectional form. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The motor vehicle steering column according to claim 5, wherein the lever is arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle steering column. ### Claim 9 A motor vehicle steering column, comprising: a bracket fixed to a vehicle; an adjustment device including a lever mounted pivotably on the bracket, a driver device and a deflection clamp, the lever deflectable about a pivot axis by the driver device; and a steering column tube adjustable in inclination relative to the bracket by the adjustment device, the deflection clamp connected pivotably to the steering column tube and coupled to one output end of the lever; wherein the lever is deflectable about the pivot axis by reciprocating movement at one driving end of the lever; wherein the driver device is configured to compensate for the movement of the driving end of the lever; wherein the steering column tube includes two steering column tube sections, an outer steering column tube section including an integrally-formed flange below a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle steering column, a pivot axis of the deflection clamp arranged on the flange. ### Claim 10 A motor vehicle steering column, comprising: a bracket fixed to a vehicle; an adjustment device including a lever mounted pivotably on the bracket, a driver device and a deflection clamp, the lever deflectable about a pivot axis by the driver device; and a steering column tube adjustable in inclination relative to the bracket by the adjustment device, the deflection clamp connected pivotably to the steering column tube and coupled to one output end of the lever; wherein the lever is deflectable about the pivot axis by reciprocating movement at one driving end of the lever; wherein the driver device is configured to compensate for the movement of the driving end of the lever; wherein the deflection clamp is U-shaped, a free limb end of the deflection clamp coupled to the output end of the lever.