Self-locking telescope actuator of a steering column assembly
First Claim
1. An extendable steering column assembly comprising:
- a steering shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the steering shaft including a forward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a support structure, and a rearward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a jacket, the rearward shaft portion being configured to axially translate with the jacket and with respect to the support structure and the forward shaft portion;
an energy absorption device engaged to the jacket; and
a telescope actuator including a screw engaged to the support structure and extending along a centerline, and a shuttle assembly engaged between the energy absorption device and the screw, at least a portion of the shuttle assembly being configured to translate axially along the centerline with the energy absorption device, the rearward shaft portion, and the jacket when in a power state and when in a manual state, and at least the portion of the shuttle assembly being configured to prevent translation when in an energy absorption state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An extendable steering column assembly includes a steering shaft, an energy absorption device, and a self-locking telescope actuator. The steering shaft is configured to rotate about an axis, and includes a forward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a fixed support structure, and a rearward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a jacket. The rearward shaft portion is configured to axially translate with the jacket. The energy absorption device is engaged to the jacket. The telescope actuator includes a rod extending along a centerline, a nut threaded to the rod, and a casing in operable contact with the nut. Rotational motion along with axial translational motion is induced between the rod and the nut when at least in at least a power state.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An extendable steering column assembly comprising:
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a steering shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the steering shaft including a forward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a support structure, and a rearward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a jacket, the rearward shaft portion being configured to axially translate with the jacket and with respect to the support structure and the forward shaft portion; an energy absorption device engaged to the jacket; and a telescope actuator including a screw engaged to the support structure and extending along a centerline, and a shuttle assembly engaged between the energy absorption device and the screw, at least a portion of the shuttle assembly being configured to translate axially along the centerline with the energy absorption device, the rearward shaft portion, and the jacket when in a power state and when in a manual state, and at least the portion of the shuttle assembly being configured to prevent translation when in an energy absorption state.
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2. An extendable steering column assembly comprising:
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a steering shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the steering shaft including a forward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a support structure, and a rearward shaft portion mounted for rotation to a jacket, the rearward shaft portion being configured to axially translate with the jacket and with respect to the support structure and the forward shaft portion; an energy absorption device engaged to the jacket; and a telescope actuator including a screw engaged to the support structure and extending along a centerline, and a shuttle assembly engaged between the energy absorption device and the screw, at least a portion of the shuttle assembly being configured to translate axially along the centerline with the energy absorption device, the rearward shaft portion, and the jacket when in a power state and when in a manual state, and at least the portion of the shuttle assembly being configured to prevent translation when in an energy absorption state, wherein the shuttle assembly includes a nut operably threaded to the screw for translating motion between the screw and the nut along the centerline when in the power and manual states. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An extendable steering column assembly comprising:
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a support structure; a jacket configured to axially translate along an axis; a steering shaft configured to rotate about the axis, the steering shaft including a forward shaft portion mounted for rotation to the support structure, and a rearward shaft portion mounted for rotation to the jacket, wherein the rearward shaft portion is configured to axially translate with the jacket; an energy absorption device engaged to the jacket and configured to absorb energy directed in an axial direction when in an energy absorption state; and a telescope actuator including; a casing, wherein the energy absorption device is engaged to and extends between the casing and the jacket; a threaded rod mounted to the support structure; an electric motor constructed and arranged to induce motion between the threaded rod and the casing when in a power state; and a nut disposed at least in-part in the casing and operably threaded to the threaded rod, wherein the casing is constructed and arranged to translate axially with respect to the threaded rod when in the power state and when in a manual state, and wherein the rearward shaft portion and the jacket are constructed and arranged to translate axially with respect to the support structure when in the power and manual states, and one of the nut and the threaded screw is constructed and arranged to back-spin upon and with respect to the other of the nut and the threaded screw when in the manual state, and axially translate and rotate with respect to the other of the nut and threaded rod when in the power state. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification