Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080202275 | ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WITH SINGLE DIRECTION ACTUATOR TRAVEL - A steering column assembly includes a column jacket coupled to a support bracket. The column jacket is moveable in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and in a pivotable direction relative to the support bracket about a pivot axis. A locking mechanism interconnects the support bracket and the column jacket, and includes a torsion shaft rotatable about a shaft axis in a first direction and a second direction to move the locking mechanism between a lock position and a release position. A motor includes an output shaft rotatable about a primary axis in a single rotational direction. A linkage interconnects the motor and the torsion shaft of the locking mechanism. The linkage is actuated by rotation of the output shaft in the single rotational direction to rotate the torsion shaft in alternating fashion between the first direction and the second direction. | 08-28-2008 |
20080202276 | ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY - A steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in a telescoping direction and a tilting direction is disclosed. A first bracket defines a telescoping slot having a first tooth rack extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. A second bracket defines a tilting slot having a second tooth rack extending transverse to the telescoping slot. A first locking member and a second locking member are moveable along a pivot axis transverse the longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking members have a first locking surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second locking surface transverse to the longitudinal and pivot axes. The locking surfaces are disposed in the telescoping and tilting slots, respectively when in the locked position such that the locking surfaces engage the first and second tooth racks, respectively for preventing movement of the column jacket. | 08-28-2008 |
20080238070 | Shear capsule for steering column assembly - A shear capsule for an energy absorbing steering column assembly of a vehicle has a pin projecting along a centerline and from a preferably stationary bracket generally of the vehicle chassis. The pin extends along a centerline through a deformation member being or connected to a support of the steering column assembly and to a distal end that connects to a fastener. The fastener is preferably a threaded nut that exerts an axial compressive force upon the bracket through a portion of the spring clip and another axially directed force to the resiliently flexible fingers of the spring clip through the deformation member. Upon a forward directed force placed upon the assembly with respect to the vehicle and during a vehicle collision, the deformation member plastically deforms thereby releasing the steering column assembly from the bracket and preferably with the pin, spring clip and fastener remaining as one rigid and non-compliant element attached to the bracket. | 10-02-2008 |
20090084218 | Tilt steering column assembly for a vehicle - A tilt steering column assembly having a first housing defining at least one orifice disposed along a central axis and a second housing defining at least one hole disposed along the central axis is disclosed. A pin includes a body having a first end and a second end facing the first end to define a seam. A first tab extends outwardly from a segment of the first end and a second tab extends outwardly from a segment of the second end. The first tab abuts the second tab to define a portion of the seam with a remainder of the first and second ends being spaced from each other to define a gap and a remaining portion of the seam for providing a proper fit of the pin within the orifice and the hole by compensating for varying dimensions of at least one of the orifice and the hole. | 04-02-2009 |
20090087254 | Shaft assembly with lash free bipot joint connection - A shaft assembly having a first shaft and a second shaft interconnected by a bipot joint is disclosed. The first shaft and the second shaft are disposed in overlapping spaced relationship. The bipot joint includes a pivot block sandwiched between the first shaft and the second shaft. The pivot defines a mounting surface abutting one of the first and second shafts, and a semi-annular surface opposing the mounting surface and abutting the other of the first shaft and the second shaft. A fastener extends through a bore defined by the first shaft, the pivot block and the second shaft to interconnect the first shaft, the pivot block and the second shaft. The fastener includes a spring to bias the first shaft, the pivot block and the second shaft together, thereby de-lashing the bipot joint. | 04-02-2009 |
20090212546 | BALL RAMP CLAMPING MECHANISM - A clamping mechanism having a static plate and a dynamic plate rotatable about a transverse axis relative to the static plate is disclosed. The static plate defines a plurality of static lifting ramps, and the dynamic plate defines a plurality of dynamic lifting ramps opposing the static lifting ramps. A roller is disposed between each opposing pair of the static lifting ramps and dynamic lifting ramps. The rollers move between a raised position and a recessed position in response to rotation of the dynamic plate relative to the static plate between a lock position and a release position. The lifting ramps are arranged in a spiral configuration relative to each other, with the dynamic lifting ramps substantially transverse to the static lifting ramps to force radial movement of the rollers relative to the transverse axis during rotational movement of the dynamic plate relative to the static plate. | 08-27-2009 |
20120017719 | ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WITH SINGLE DIRECTION ACTUATOR TRAVEL - A steering column assembly includes a column jacket coupled to a support bracket. The column jacket is moveable in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and in a pivotable direction relative to the support bracket about a pivot axis. A locking mechanism interconnects the support bracket and the column jacket, and includes a torsion shaft rotatable about a shaft axis in a first direction and a second direction to move the locking mechanism between a lock position and a release position. A motor includes an output shaft rotatable about a primary axis in a single rotational direction. A linkage interconnects the motor and the torsion shaft of the locking mechanism. The linkage is actuated by rotation of the output shaft in the single rotational direction to rotate the torsion shaft in alternating fashion between the first direction and the second direction. | 01-26-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140109713 | ON CENTER ACTUATING LEVER WITH CROSS AXIS RAKE AND TELESCOPE LOCK - An adjustable steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes a rake bracket having a first leg and a second leg, a steering shaft extending within an upper jacket along a first axis between the first and second legs, a telescope clamp positioned about the upper jacket and a telescope lock connected to the telescope clamp to selectively apply a first clamping force to the upper jacket to secure the steering shaft against adjustment in a telescope direction. An actuating lever is coupled to a rake bolt, the rake bolt extending along a second axis intersecting the telescope clamp and is rotatable by the actuating lever. A rake lock is positioned on the rake bolt and selectively applies a second clamping force between the rake bracket and telescope clamp to secure the steering shaft against adjustment in the rake direction. A lash adjusting device is coupled to the telescope clamp for adjusting lash. | 04-24-2014 |
20140109714 | CROSS AXIS RAKE AND TELESCOPE LOCK - An adjustable rake and telescope steering column is provided. The steering column includes a rake bracket having a first leg and a second leg, a steering shaft extending within an upper jacket along a first axis between the first and second legs, a telescope clamp positioned about the upper jacket and a telescope lock connected to the telescope clamp and configured to operate the telescope clamp to selectively apply a first clamping force to the upper jacket to secure the steering shaft against adjustment in a telescope direction. An actuating lever is coupled to a rake bolt, the rake bolt extending along a second axis through the first leg and second leg and spaced from the upper jacket. A rake lock is positioned on the rake bolt and configured to selectively apply a second clamping force in a direction along the second axis to secure the steering shaft against adjustment in the rake direction. | 04-24-2014 |
20140140759 | COUPLING ASSURANCE ASSEMBLY FOR AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CONNECTION IN A STEERING COLUMN - A coupling assurance assembly for an intermediate shaft in a steering column is provided. The assembly includes a shaft having a longitudinal bore extending a first longitudinal axis and a fastening receptacle for receiving a fastener, a yoke having a cross hole for receiving the fastener, and a biasing device configured to urge the shaft and the yoke apart from each other. | 05-22-2014 |
20140216844 | POWER STEERING SYSTEM - A power steering system includes a first linkage arm pivotally coupled to a cross-link member extending in a transverse direction. Also included is a first shaft generally orthogonal to the first linkage arm and configured to rotate the first linkage arm. Further included is a second linkage arm pivotally coupled to the cross-link member with a pivot location. The power steering system yet further includes an electric actuator. Also included is a linkage member extending from the electric actuator and operatively coupled to an assist portion of the second linkage arm to reduce the steering effort required by a driver of the vehicle. | 08-07-2014 |