Steering column assembly with crash bracket rotation dampening mechanism and methods of making and using same

• US 10,597,062 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2017
• Issued: 03/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thyssenkrupp AG, ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Original Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG (Thyssenkrupp AG)
• Inventors: Yoho, Justin, Geiselberger, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanaman, Frank B
• Application Number:
  US15/727,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20190106143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/185 adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/192 Yieldable or collapsible columns
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/195 Yieldable supports for the steering column

Abstract

A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a motorized length adjustment drive unit, a box rocker having a control surface, a column jacket, and a crash bracket releasably coupled to the column jacket. The assembly includes an energy absorbing member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is coupled to the crash bracket and the distal end is coupled to the column jacket. A plate is attached to the box rocker such that a channel is formed between the plate and the control surface. At least one anti-rotation member is coupled to the crash bracket and extends through the channel. The at least one anti-rotation member is adapted to inhibit rotation of the crash bracket during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a motorized length adjustment drive unit;

a box rocker having a control surface;

a column jacket;

a crash bracket releasably coupled to said column jacket; and

an energy absorbing member having a proximal end and a distal end;

said proximal end being coupled to said crash bracket;

said distal end being coupled to said column jacket;

a plate coupled to said box rocker such that a channel is formed between said plate and said control surface; and

at least one anti-rotation member coupled to said crash bracket and extending through said channel;

wherein, said at least one anti-rotation member is adapted to inhibit rotation of said crash bracket during a frontal collision of said vehicle.

2. The steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one anti-rotation member includes a bolt.

3. The steering column assembly of claim 1, further comprising a drive unit spindle coupled to said crash bracket.

4. The steering column assembly of claim 3, wherein said energy absorbing member includes a sheet configured to deform during said frontal collision.

5. The steering column assembly of claim 4, wherein said distal end is welded to said column jacket.

6. The steering column assembly of claim 5, wherein said anti-rotation member inhibits rotation of said crash bracket after said crash bracket is released from said column jacket during said frontal collision.

7. A shock absorbing steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a box rocker having a channel associated therewith;

a column jacket;

a crash bracket having a pair of openings, the crash bracket openings each being between an outer edge of the channel and the column jacket;

an energy absorbing member coupled to said column jacket and said crash bracket; and

a pair of anti-rotation members respectively extending through said channel and said crash bracket openings for inhibiting rotation of said crash bracket during a collision of said vehicle;

a rivet releasably coupling said crash bracket to said column jacket; and

a length adjustment drive unit;

wherein a plate is coupled to said box rocker to form said channel; and

wherein said energy absorbing member is a bend tear sheet.

8. The shock absorbing steering column assembly of claim 7, wherein said length adjustment drive unit includes a motor having associated therewith with a spindle coupled to said crash bracket.

9. The shock absorbing steering column assembly of claim 8, wherein said spindle is coupled to said crash bracket via a rotationally free nut.

10. The shock absorbing steering column assembly of claim 7, wherein said pair of anti-rotation members includes a first bolt and a second bolt.

11. The shock absorbing steering column assembly of claim 10, wherein said first bolt is configured to constrain rotation of said crash bracket by abutting against a control surface of said box rocker.

12. The shock absorbing steering column assembly of claim 11, wherein said second bolt is configured to constrain rotation of said crash bracket by abutting against a plate coupled to said box rocker.

13. The shock absorbing steering column assembly of claim 12, wherein a lateral distance between said first bolt and a neighboring edge of said crash bracket is less than a lateral distance between said first bolt and said second bolt.

14. A method for inhibiting rotation of a crash bracket of a steering column assembly of a vehicle, comprising:

coupling an energy absorbing member to said crash bracket and a column jacket;

attaching a plate to a box rocker such that a channel is formed therebetween;

passing at least one anti-rotation member through each of said channel and said crash bracket to inhibit rotation of said crash bracket during a frontal collision of said vehicle;

coupling said crash bracket to said column jacket via one of a rivet and a pin;

wherein, said rivet or said pin is configured to shear during said frontal collision; and

coupling said crash bracket to a spindle of a length adjustment drive unit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said anti-rotation member facilitates relative movement between two ends of said energy absorbing member.