Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110197429 | Method of Magnetically Driven Simultaneous Assembly - Magnetically Driven Simultaneous Assembly is a method for the integration of devices onto substrates. It is a non-statistical, fully controllable and deterministic, simultaneous method of assembly with error checking and handling that is capable of scalable, versatile, and high-yield integration. The method employs a combination of magnetic and gravitational forces (as well as a bonding agent) to assemble devices onto substrates. Devices, coated with a layer of a soft magnetic material, are moved from an initial to a final location by the action of an array of electromagnets above a template. Various devices of arbitrary geometries, with different physical properties and functionalities, are positioned simultaneously above specific desired locations and dropped onto a template under the action of gravity by locally weakening the applied magnetic field. Desired locations on the template correspond to sites on a substrate that contain recesses matching the specifics of the devices. When all desired devices are placed on top of the template, a substrate is brought into contact with that template and devices are transferred from the template to the substrate (for example, by pressing or by rolling). Devices are physically secured onto a substrate by a bonding agent (such as a layer of an adhesive or a hard magnetic material) applied inside of the recesses. Sensors monitor the accuracy of the placement of devices on a template and provide continuous, real-time feedback to an external control unit that automates the process of assembly. If devices are not situated properly on a template, then a specified technique is employed to correct such errors before the final process transfers the devices onto a substrate, thus assuring an accurate, 100% yield. | 08-18-2011 |
20110198711 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC AND OPTICAL MEMS BASED SENSOR - This patent discloses an integrated electronic and optical MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) based sensor wherein the same embossed diaphragm is used as the sensing element of both integrated parts. The optical part of the sensor is based on a Fabry-Perot cavity and the electronic part of the sensor is based on the piezoresistive effect. The signal output obtained from the electronic part of the sensor will be used to assist the fabrication of the Fabry-Perot cavities and as a reference to establish the quiescence point (Q-point) of the signal output from the optical part of the sensor. The invention includes sensors for detecting mechanical movements, such as those caused by pressure, sound, magnetic fields, temperature, chemical reaction or biological activities. | 08-18-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080196534 | Steering column assembly comprising a bushing assembly of elongated pins - A bushing assembly for a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly includes an outer jacket defining a bore extending along a longitudinal axis. An inner jacket is disposed within the bore of the outer jacket. The bushing assembly is disposed between the outer jacket and the inner jacket to remove the lash between the outer jacket and the inner jacket. The bushing assembly includes a plurality of elongated split-pins partially disposed in a plurality of channels defined by the outer jacket. The elongated split-pins are transversely compressible relative to the longitudinal axis to bias against the inner jacket, thereby removing the lash. | 08-21-2008 |
20080196536 | Adjustable steering column assembly having a rake and telescope locking system - A steering column assembly is moveable in a rake direction and a telescope direction and extends along a longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a compression bracket mounted to a column jacket. A rake bracket is disposed over the compression bracket. The rake bracket defines a rake slot and includes a rake tooth rack disposed in the rake slot. The compression bracket defines a telescoping slot and includes a telescope tooth rack disposed in the telescope slot. A telescoping lock is disposed within the telescoping slot. A rake lock is disposed within the rake slot. A cam mechanism moves the rake lock into interlocking engagement with the rake tooth rack and moves the telescope lock into interlocking engagement with the telescope tooth rack when in the lock position, and disengages the rake lock from the rake tooth rack and the telescope lock from the telescope tooth rack when in the adjustment position. | 08-21-2008 |
20080229865 | Central lock device of an adjustable steering column assembly - An adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle has a central lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has an actuator preferably having an outer member supported operably by a guide feature carried between the outer member and the bracket for movement along a first centerline traverse to the steering shaft. The bracket also supports a lever of the actuator for movement along a second centerline that intersects the first centerline. At least one roller is located in a raceway defined between the outer member and the lever. Because the raceway is angled with respect to both the first and second centerlines, motion of the lever along the second centerline is converted to motion of the second member along the traversing first centerline. | 09-25-2008 |
20080229866 | Adjustable steering column utilizing a sleeve and a method of forming a filler with a sleeve - A steering column assembly has an outer jacket extending, an inner jacket is slideably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement relative to the outer jacket, and a sleeve disposed between the inner and outer jackets. The sleeve exerts a predetermined frictional force on the inner jacket opposing the telescoping movement. A filler formed from a liquid thermosetting composition is disposed between the sleeve and the outer jacket for securing the sleeve to the outer jacket. Furthermore, a method of forming the steering column assembly includes disposing the inner jacket into the outer jacket and disposing the sleeve between the inner and outer jackets. The method further includes inserting the liquid thermosetting composition into the outer jacket between the outer jacket and the sleeve and curing the liquid thermosetting composition to form the filler. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231031 | Releasable push/pull lock device of an adjustable steering column assembly - A steering column assembly of a vehicle has a releasable push/pull lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has a toggle apparatus having a push/pull lever that may extend substantially parallel to a rotating axis of the steering shaft and move in a first direction along its length and between locked and unlocked positions. A carrier of the device connects to the toggle apparatus and moves along its length in a second direction that may be perpendicular to the first direction and as the lever moves between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, an indexing apparatus is generally carried between the carrier and at least one of the housing and the bracket for selecting adjustment of the steering column assembly when the device is in the unlocked position. | 09-25-2008 |
20080245176 | Steering column assembly having an actuation mechanism for telescoping and tilting movement - A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a support bracket and a column jacket coupled to the support bracket. A compression bracket is mounted to the column jacket. A clamping device is disposed on the support bracket and has a rake bolt extending through the support bracket and the compression bracket for applying a frictional force on the support bracket to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the support bracket. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the support bracket. The actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a first direction to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket. Likewise, the actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a second direction to permit telescoping movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the actuation mechanism and the support bracket and tilting movement. | 10-09-2008 |
20100032933 | STEERING COLUMN HAVING AN ACTUATOR FOR APPLYING A RESULTANT FORCE - The invention provides for a collapsible steering column assembly and method for applying a varying resultant force to resist the collapse of the steering column assembly during an emergency condition. The steering column assembly includes a column jacket adapted to be releasably coupled to the frame for movement along the longitudinal axis L in the emergency condition. The column jacket includes an anvil and is supported by a support bracket. An absorbing strap secured to the supporting bracket is routed around the anvil. The absorbing strap is plastically deformed as the column jacket moves along axis L and an actuator supported by the support bracket applies a force against the absorbing strap. The actuator selectively varies the applied for as the absorbing strap is drawn over the anvil in the emergency condition to optimize the resultant force for the emergency condition. | 02-11-2010 |
20120067159 | ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN UTILIZING A SLEEVE AND A METHOD OF FORMING A FILLER WITH A SLEEVE - A steering column assembly has an outer jacket extending, an inner jacket is slideably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement relative to the outer jacket, and a sleeve disposed between the inner and outer jackets. The sleeve exerts a predetermined frictional force on the inner jacket opposing the telescoping movement. A filler formed from a liquid thermosetting composition is disposed between the sleeve and the outer jacket for securing the sleeve to the outer jacket. Furthermore, a method of forming the steering column assembly includes disposing the inner jacket into the outer jacket and disposing the sleeve between the inner and outer jackets. The method further includes inserting the liquid thermosetting composition into the outer jacket between the outer jacket and the sleeve and curing the liquid thermosetting composition to form the filler. | 03-22-2012 |
20130319162 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A STEERING COLUMN TO A VEHICLE STRUCTURE - A steering column assembly comprises an upper column for supporting a steering wheel and a position lock bracket disposed about the upper column. The position lock bracket is configured to be fixed to the upper column when the position lock bracket occupies a locked mode. The position lock bracket is further configured to be selectively fixed to a rigid structure of the vehicle when operating in a fixed mode and to be instantaneously released from the vehicle structure when operating in a release mode. | 12-05-2013 |
20140260749 | SHIFT CONTROL DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - A shift control device for an automatic transmission comprises a shift control member configured for manipulation by an operator to control a shift mechanism of a vehicle transmission, and an artificial feel mechanism coupled to the shift control member for providing tactile feedback. The artificial feel mechanism comprises a sensor, a controller, and a piezoelectric element. The sensor is configured for detecting a position of the shift mechanism and sending a signal that is indicative of the position. The controller is configured for receiving the signal, determining a control voltage, and providing the control voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is configured and arranged so as to receive the control voltage and to apply a mechanical force that depends upon the control voltage and that is configured and applied so as to mechanically resist movement of the shift control member relative to the shift control bracket. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260760 | STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPING BUSHING WITH ROLLER SPRINGS - An adjustable steering column for a vehicle and a bushing for the adjustable steering column are provided. The adjustable steering column includes a column jacket having a lower jacket extending along a first axis and an upper jacket telescopically coupled to and extending with the lower jacket. The lower and upper shafts are configured to selectively move telescopically relative to one another for telescope adjustment of the steering column. The adjustable steering column also includes a bushing positioned between the lower jacket and the upper jacket, the bushing including a support portion extending along a length between the lower jacket and upper jacket, the support portion including a first seating area, and a roller portion positioned in the first seating area, the roller portion configured to engage at least one of an outer surface of the lower jacket and an inner surface of the upper jacket. | 09-18-2014 |