Electrically actuated steering column mechanism

• US 20040000779A1
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Riefe, Richard K., Manwaring, Marvin V., Jwalapathy, Ravindra, Armstrong, Ray G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,055,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/775
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions

Abstract

An electrically actuated steering column system that includes an electrically actuated steering column mechanism. A switch is interconnected with the electrically actuated steering column mechanism to allow for movement of a steering column housing relative to a driver. There is also included electrical control structure that regulates the electrically actuated steering column mechanism. The electrically actuated steering column system allows a driver to activate a switch and apply a force to initiate movement of the steering column housing and then deactivate the switch to halt movement and retain the steering column housing in a secure manner.

Claims

1. An electrically actuated steering column mechanism comprising:

a steering column housing;

at least one movement bracket attached to the steering column housing;

a support plate associated with the at least one movement bracket, the support plate including a cam;

a rake bolt positioned to intersect with the at least one movement bracket, the rake bolt having first and second ends;

an electric actuator attached to the rake bolt at the first end, the electric actuator moving the rake bolt allowing a switching action whereby movement of the steering column housing relative to a driver is initiated and halted.

2. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 further including a cam insert disposed about the rake bolt and interacting with the cam, facilitating increasing or decreasing a compression force to allow movement of the steering column housing relative to a driver.

3. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 wherein the at least one movement bracket comprises a mounting bracket and a rake bracket attached to the steering column housing.

4. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 3 wherein the mounting bracket and rake bracket include slots formed therein for allowing the rake bolt to pass through.

5. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 3 wherein the mounting bracket has a symmetrical shape including slots formed on opposite sides thereof, allowing the rake bolt to pass through.

6. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 including a second rake bracket attached to the steering column housing on an opposite side of the steering column housing relative to a first rake bracket, creating a symmetrical orientation.

7. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 wherein the cam is formed integrally with the support plate.

8. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 wherein the cam is press fit into a bore formed within the support plate.

9. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 wherein the support plate includes a cam guide associated therewith.

10. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 wherein the electric actuator comprises an electric motor assembly.

11. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 10 wherein the electric motor assembly comprises an electric motor, gearing for transferring the rotary motion of the electric motor, and a mounting rod for attaching the electric motor assembly to the support plate.

12. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 11 wherein the gearing comprises a partial gear meshed with a gear connected to the electric motor.

13. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 12 wherein the rake bolt is connected to the partial gear for providing movement to the rake bolt.

14. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 10 wherein the motor assembly further includes a limiting switch associated with the partial gear for stopping rotation of the partial gear corresponding to initiating and halting movement of the steering column housing relative to a driver.

15. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 3 wherein the rake bolt includes a locking portion circumferentially disposed thereon for interacting with the mounting and rake brackets.

16. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 6 wherein two locking portions are disposed about the rake bolt to interact with the symmetrically positioned mounting bracket and rake brackets.

17. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 10 wherein the first end of the rake bolt includes a shaped portion for mating with the electric motor assembly.

18. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 11 wherein the support plate includes a bore formed therein corresponding to a location of the mounting rod of the electric motor assembly.

19. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 11 further including a spring associated with the support plate allowing for movement of the electric motor assembly corresponding to movement of the steering column housing.

20. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 further including a positioning spring positioned between the rake bracket and the steering column housing for applying a constant biasing force that returns the steering column housing to an initial position when a force is not applied by the driver to move the steering column housing.

21. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 1 wherein the at least one movement bracket comprises a rake bracket.

22. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 21 wherein the support plate is attached to the rake bracket.

23. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 21 wherein the electric actuator comprises an electric motor assembly.

24. The electrically actuated steering column mechanism of claim 23 further including a motor mounting bracket for attaching the electric motor assembly to the rake bracket.

25. An electrically actuated steering column system comprising:

an electrically actuated steering column mechanism;

a switch interconnected with the electrically actuated steering column mechanism for allowing movement of a steering column housing by a driver;

electrical control structure for regulating the electrically actuated steering column mechanism;

the electrically actuated steering column system allowing a driver to activate the switch and apply a force to initiate movement of the steering column housing and deactivate the switch to halt movement of the steering column housing.

26. The electrically actuated steering column system of claim 25 wherein the switch is positioned on a steering hand wheel.

27. The electrically actuated steering column system of claim 25 wherein the electrically actuated steering column mechanism comprises:

a steering column housing;

at least one movement bracket attached to the steering column housing;

a support plate associated with the at least one movement bracket, the support plate including a cam;

a rake bolt positioned to intersect with the at least one mounting bracket, the rake bolt having first and second ends;

an electric actuator attached to the rake bolt at the first end, the electric actuator moving the rake bolt allowing a switching action whereby movement of the steering column housing relative to a driver is initiated and halted.

28. The electrically actuated steering column system of claim 27 wherein the electrically actuated steering column mechanism further includes a positioning spring positioned between the rake bracket and the steering column housing for applying a constant biasing force that returns the steering column housing to an initial position when a force is not applied by the driver to move the steering column housing.

29. The electrically actuated steering column system of claim 28 further including a switch associated with a driver door whereby opening the driver door initiates movement of the rake bolt allowing movement of the steering column housing and wherein the positioning spring moves the steering column housing to the initial position.