Steering column assembly for autonomous vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising:
- a steering wheel; and
a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel, the steering shaft comprising;
an annular recess extending around a circumference of the steering shaft to receive a ball therein;
a pocket defined by the steering shaft to receive the ball therein; and
a track defined by the steering shaft, the track extending from the annular recess to the pocket to transfer the ball therebetween.
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Abstract
A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft selectively coupleable to the steering wheel with a plurality of balls, the steering wheel and the steering shaft transitioning between a rotationally coupled condition and a rotationally decoupled condition, the steering wheel in a rotationally stationary position during the decoupled condition.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising:
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a steering wheel; and a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel, the steering shaft comprising; an annular recess extending around a circumference of the steering shaft to receive a ball therein; a pocket defined by the steering shaft to receive the ball therein; and a track defined by the steering shaft, the track extending from the annular recess to the pocket to transfer the ball therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising:
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a steering wheel; a steering shaft selectively coupleable to the steering wheel with a plurality of balls, the steering wheel and the steering shaft transitioning between a rotationally coupled condition and a rotationally decoupled condition, the steering wheel in a rotationally stationary position during the decoupled condition; at least one recess extending around a circumference of the steering shaft to receive a ball therein; a pocket defined by the steering shaft to receive the ball therein; and a track extending between the recess and the pocket. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising:
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a steering wheel; a coupler shaft fixed to the steering wheel, the steering wheel and the coupler shaft rotationally coupled to each other, the coupler shaft having an annular ball cage for retaining a plurality of balls; a steering shaft coupled to the coupler shaft, the steering shaft comprising; a first ball retaining structure extending completely around a circumference of the steering shaft; a second ball retaining structure; and a track defined by the steering shaft, the track extending from the first ball retaining structure to the second ball retaining structure to transfer the plurality of balls therebetween; and a coupler plate operatively coupled to the steering wheel and having a tube portion surrounding the plurality of balls, an inner wall of the tube portion angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the steering column assembly to selectively retain the plurality of balls within the first ball retaining structure or the second ball retaining structure and to selectively transfer the plurality of balls between the first ball retaining structure and the second ball retaining structure. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification