Electric actuator mechanism for retractable steering column assembly with manual override
First Claim
1. An electric actuator mechanism for a retractable steering column assembly comprising:
- an electric motor;
a drive gear driven by the electric motor; and
a driven gear driven by the drive gear, the driven gear and the drive gear moveable relative to each other between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the driven gear operatively coupled to a translating assembly for translating a retractable portion of the retractable steering column assembly between an extended position and a retracted position, the retractable portion disposed in the extended position in a standard driving mode and in the retracted position in an autonomous driving mode, the driven gear and the drive gear configured to be moved to the disengaged condition upon exertion of a force on the retractable portion by a driver in a direction toward the extended position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric actuator mechanism for a retractable steering column assembly includes an electric motor. The mechanism also includes a drive gear driven by the electric motor. The mechanism further includes a driven gear driven by the drive gear, the driven gear and the drive gear moveable relative to each other between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the driven gear operatively coupled to a translating assembly for translating a retractable portion of the retractable steering column assembly between an extended position and a retracted position, the retractable portion disposed in the extended position in a standard driving mode and in the retracted position in an autonomous driving mode, the driven gear and the drive gear moved to the disengaged condition upon a force exerted on the retractable portion by a driver in a direction toward the extended position.
239 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electric actuator mechanism for a retractable steering column assembly comprising:
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an electric motor; a drive gear driven by the electric motor; and a driven gear driven by the drive gear, the driven gear and the drive gear moveable relative to each other between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the driven gear operatively coupled to a translating assembly for translating a retractable portion of the retractable steering column assembly between an extended position and a retracted position, the retractable portion disposed in the extended position in a standard driving mode and in the retracted position in an autonomous driving mode, the driven gear and the drive gear configured to be moved to the disengaged condition upon exertion of a force on the retractable portion by a driver in a direction toward the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A retractable steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising:
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a retractable portion of the assembly translatable between an extended position and a retracted position, the retractable portion disposed in the extended position in a standard driving mode and in the retracted position in an autonomous driving mode; a nut and threaded rod, the nut operatively coupled to the retractable portion to translate the retractable portion between the extended position and the retracted position; an electric motor; a drive gear driven by the electric motor; a driven gear driven by the drive gear, the driven gear and the drive gear moveable relative to each other between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the driven gear operatively coupled to the nut to drive the nut along the threaded rod in the engaged condition; a biasing mechanism biasing the driven gear and the drive gear into the engaged condition, the driven gear and the drive gear configured to be moved to the disengaged condition upon a force exerted on the retractable portion by a driver in a direction toward the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A retractable steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising:
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a retractable portion of the assembly translatable between an extended position and a retracted position, the retractable portion disposed in the extended position in a standard driving mode and in the retracted position in an autonomous driving mode; and an electric actuator mechanism operatively coupled to the retractable portion for transitioning the retractable portion between the extended position and the retracted position, the electric actuator mechanism configured to be manually overridden upon a force exerted on the retractable portion by a driver in a direction toward the extended position, the electric actuator mechanism manually overridden while the retractable portion is in the retracted position.
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Specification