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Linkage for steering wheel electric motor tilt assembly

  • US 10,569,798 B2
  • Filed: 10/03/2016
  • Issued: 02/25/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An adjustable rake steering column assembly, comprising;

  • a. a steering column mounting structure;

    b. a column housing adapted to carry an inner column tube having a steering shaft therein, and having a wall with an opening therein, and being fixed in position along its length for affording a generally upward and downward pivotal motion in relation to the mounting structure, the column housing having a longitudinal axis;

    c. a tilt screw having a threaded shank portion and a gear portion, and having a longitudinal axis;

    d. a tilt nut positioned at least partially within the column housing wall opening, the tilt nut having a body with an outer surface and an optional bushing located around at least a portion of the tilt nut, wherein the outer surface or the optional bushing is in contact with a surface defining the column housing wall opening, wherein the tilt nut includes a threaded bore therethrough adapted to receive the tilt screw in threaded engagement, wherein the contact arranged between the tilt nut or the optional bushing and the column housing wall opening is such that the load transmitted from the column housing wall opening to the tilt nut and/or the optional bushing is substantially on axis with the threaded bore;

    e. at least one motor adapted for raising and lowering the column housing, the motor configured to operatively rotate the gear portion of the tilt screw and cause the tilt nut to advance toward the gear portion or withdraw away from the gear portion;

    wherein when the tilt nut advances toward the gear portion or withdraws away from the gear portion, the position of the tilt nut and optional bushing within the column housing causes the column housing to raise or lower relative to the mounting structure, andwherein as a result of the outer surface of the tilt nut body or the optional bushing contacting the surface of the wall opening, the longitudinal axis of the threaded shank portion of the tilt screw is able to pivot fore or aft generally relative to the column housing as the column housing is raised or lowered.

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