Retractable steering column assembly and method
First Claim
1. A selectively autonomous steering column assembly comprising:
- a steering column shaft;
a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft;
a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position;
at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position;
directional control being automated when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled; and
a decoupling assembly configured to decouple the steering input device from a steering gear, the decoupling assembly providing the at least one signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A selectively autonomous steering column assembly comprising:
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a steering column shaft; a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft; a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position; at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position; directional control being automated when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled; and a decoupling assembly configured to decouple the steering input device from a steering gear, the decoupling assembly providing the at least one signal.
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2. A selectively autonomous steering column assembly comprising:
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a steering column shaft; a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft; a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position; at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position; directional control being automated when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled; and an extension detection device operatively arranged to detect when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a steering column assembly of an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising:
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translating a steering column shaft from a retracted position towards an extended, driving position; sending at least one signal from a steering column shaft component to a controller when the steering column shaft is in the extended, driving position; enabling a steering input device, operatively arranged with the steering column shaft, to be operational only when the steering column shaft is in the extended, driving position, as indicated by the at least one signal, the steering input device being prohibited from providing directional control until the steering column shaft is in the extended, driving position; determining that the autonomous vehicle is in a non-autonomous driving mode; determining if at least one monitored condition value is outside of a predefined range of condition values; not permitting retraction of the steering column shaft from the extended position to the retracted position if the at least one monitored condition value is outside of the predefined range of condition values; and permitting retraction of the steering column shaft to the retracted position if the at least one monitored condition value is within the predefined range of condition values.
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Specification