Linkage for steering wheel electric motor tilt assembly
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering column assembly (10) including a mounting structure (20); a column housing (50) having a wall opening (54) and being fixed in position for upward and downward pivotal motion; a tilt screw (72) having a threaded shank and a gear; a tilt nut (80) and optionally a bushing surrounding the tilt nut positioned at least partially within and contacting a surface defining wall opening (54) and having a threaded bore adapted to receive the tilt screw, the contact between the tilt nut and the wall opening such that the load transmitted from the wall opening to the tilt nut is substantially on axis with the threaded bore; a motor (96) for raising and lowering the column housing by rotating the gear portion and causing the tilt nut to advance toward or away from the gear, causing the column housing to raise or lower, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the threaded shank can pivot fore or aft as the column housing is raised or lowered.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An adjustable rake steering column assembly, comprising;
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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, and wherein 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An adjustable rake steering column assembly, comprising;
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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. an elongated actuatable member having a longitudinal axis and an engagement element; d. a position securing member positioned at least partially within the column housing wall opening, the position securing member having a body with an outer surface that is in contact with a surface defining the column housing wall opening, and having a bore therethrough adapted to at least partially surround the elongated actuatable member and selectively engage the elongated actuatable member, the contact arranged between the position securing member and the column housing wall opening such that the load transmitted from the column housing wall opening, to the elongated actuatable member is substantially on axis with the bore; e. at least one motor adapted for raising and lowering the column housing, the motor coupled to the elongated actuatable member by a drive shaft, and the motor configured to operatively rotate the elongated actuatable member and cause the position securing member to advance upwardly or downwardly along the elongated actuatable member; wherein when the position securing member advances upwardly or downwardly along the elongated actuatable member, the position of the position securing, member within the column housing causes the column housing to raise or lower relative to the mounting structure, and wherein as a result of the outer surface of the position securing member body contacting the surface of the wall opening, the longitudinal axis of the elongated actuatable member is able to pivot fore or aft generally relative to the column housing as the column housing is raised or lowered. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification