Steering column decoupling system

• US 10,160,473 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2016
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bodtker, Joen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brittman, Felicia L.
• Application Number:
  US15/264,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20180072339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 180444
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/183 adjustable between in-use and out-of-use positions, e.g. to improve access
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/001 Mechanical components or aspects of steer-by-wire systems, not otherwise provided for in this maingroup
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/0454 Worm gears

Abstract

A steering column decoupling system includes a steering shaft. Also included is an intermediate shaft. Further included is a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith. Yet further included is a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, the driven disk disposed adjacent the driving disk. Also included is a slot defined by the driven disk. Further included is a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the slot, the driven disk moveable relative to the coupling element between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position.

Claims

1. A steering column decoupling system comprising:

a steering shaft;

an intermediate shaft;

a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith;

a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, the driven disk disposed adjacent the driving disk;

a slot defined by the driven disk; and

a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the slot, the driven disk moveable relative to the coupling element between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position, the slot extending from a first position radially outward to a second position, the first position disposing the coupling element in coaxial alignment with a central axis of the driven disk.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the driving disk is rotationally locked in the column decoupled position, and the driving disk rotating in the column coupled position due to torque applied by a slot wall on the coupling element.

3. A steering column decoupling system comprising:

a steering shaft;

an intermediate shaft;

a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith;

a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, the driven disk disposed adjacent the driving disk;

a slot defined by the driven disk; and

a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the slot, the driven disk moveable relative to the coupling element between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position, the coupling element comprising a ball.

4. A steering column decoupling system comprising:

a steering shaft;

an intermediate shaft;

a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith;

a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, the driven disk disposed adjacent the driving disk;

a slot defined by the driven disk; and

a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the slot, the driven disk moveable relative to the coupling element between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position, the coupling element comprising a pin.

5. A steering column decoupling system comprising:

a steering shaft;

an intermediate shaft;

a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith;

a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, the driven disk disposed adjacent the driving disk;

a slot defined by the driven disk;

a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the slot, the driven disk moveable relative to the coupling element between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position; and

an actuation mechanism engageable with the driven disk, the actuation mechanism comprising a worm actuator driven by a motor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pivotable engagement crank driven by the worm actuator.

7. A steering column decoupling system comprising:

a steering shaft;

an intermediate shaft;

a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith;

a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, the driven disk disposed adjacent the driving disk;

a slot defined by the driven disk; and

a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the slot, the driven disk moveable relative to the coupling element between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position, the steering column decoupling system being part of an advanced driving assist steering (ADAS) system that autonomously or semi-autonomously drives a vehicle.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the driven disk is in the column coupled position in a non-ADAS driving mode, and the driven disk is in the column decoupled position in an ADAS driving mode.

9. A steering column decoupling system comprising:

a steering shaft;

an intermediate shaft;

a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith;

a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith;

a receiving element of the driven disk;

a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the receiving element of the driven disk, the driving disk and the driven disk moveable relative to each other; and

an actuation mechanism engageable with the driven disk to move the driven disk between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position, the actuation mechanism comprising;

a motor;

a worm actuator driven by the motor; and

a pivotable engagement crank driven by the worm actuator.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the receiving element comprises a slot defined by the driven disk and the coupling element is disposed within the slot.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the slot extends from a first position radially outward to a second position, the first position disposing the coupling element in coaxial alignment with a central axis of the driven disk.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the driving disk is rotationally locked in the column decoupled position, and the driving disk rotating in the column coupled position due to torque applied by a slot wall on the coupling element.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the coupling element comprises a ball.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the coupling element comprises a pin.

15. An advanced driving assist steering (ADAS) system comprising:

a steering shaft;

an intermediate shaft;

a driving disk operatively coupled to the steering shaft and rotatable therewith;

a driven disk operatively coupled to the intermediate shaft and rotatable therewith, the driven disk disposed adjacent the driving disk;

a slot defined by the driven disk;

a coupling element coupled to the driving disk and disposed within the slot, the driven disk moveable relative to the coupling element between a column coupled position and a column decoupled position, the driven disk is in the column coupled position in a non-ADAS driving mode, and the driven disk is in the column decoupled position in an ADAS driving mode; and

an actuation mechanism engageable with the driven disk to move the driven disk between the column coupled position and the column decoupled position.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the slot extends from a first position radially outward to a second position, the first position disposing the coupling element in coaxial alignment with a central axis of the driven disk.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the driving disk is rotationally locked in the column decoupled position, and the driving disk rotating in the column coupled position due to torque applied by a slot wall on the coupling element.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the steering wheel is in a 12 o'"'"'clock position in the column decoupled position.