Composite steering column housing

• US 20040083844A1
• Filed: 11/05/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chris J. Koleszar, Joseph A. Krizan, Ryan E. Greenamyer
• Original Assignee: Chris J. Koleszar, Joseph A. Krizan, Ryan E. Greenamyer
• Inventors: Greenamyer, Ryan E., Krizan, Joseph A., Koleszar, Chris J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,077,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/492
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/16 Steering columns

Abstract

A polymeric steering column housing assembly is provided formed from a plurality of components interconnected together using conventional fastening methods for housing a tilting and/or telescoping steering column shaft assembly. In one form of the invention, the steering column housing assembly includes a lower housing member formed from at least two mating parts. Pivotally coupled to the lower housing assembly is an upper steering column assembly likewise formed from at least two mating parts interconnected together. The upper and lower housing members are in turn interconnected by a positioning locking system to control the tilt position of the upper housing member relative to the lower housing member.

Claims

1. A steering column assembly, comprising in combination:

a lower steering column housing formed from at least a first and a second mating member adapted to be interconnected together to form a longitudinal passage between an upper and a lower end, said longitudinal passage having at least one bearing seat formed therein;

an upper steering column housing formed from at least a first and a second mating member adapted to be interconnected to form a longitudinal passage between an upper and a lower end, said lower end of said longitudinal passage within said upper steering column housing having an inside diameter greater than an inside diameter of said upper end with said longitudinal passage having at least one bearing seat formed therein, said lower end of said upper steering column housing pivotally coupled to said upper end of said lower steering column housing such that said upper steering column housing pivots between a first and a second position relative to said lower steering column housing; and

a positioning device interconnecting said upper steering column housing with said lower steering column housing to adjustably hold a pivot position of the upper steering column housing relative to the lower steering column housing.

2. The steering column assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one bearing member disposed within said at least one bearing seat formed within each of said lower and upper steering column housings.

3. The steering column assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a lower steering column shaft journaled within said lower steering column housing; and

an upper steering column shaft journaled within said upper steering column housing and interconnected to said lower steering column shaft within said lower end of said upper steering column housing by a universal joint.

4. The steering column assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second mating members of said lower and upper steering column housing members are formed from a polymeric material.

5. The steering column assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second mating members of said lower and upper steering column housing members are injection molded from a polymeric material.

6. The steering column assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said positioning device is selected from the group of pneumatic, hydraulic, tooth and pawl, and magneto-rheological locking members.

7. A method for manufacturing a steering column assembly from a polymeric material, comprising the steps of:

molding a lower and an upper steering column housing from the polymeric material; and

journaling a lower and an upper steering column shaft and fixing said lower and upper steering column shafts within a respective one of said lower and upper steering column housings.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising the steps of pivotally interconnecting said upper and lower steering column housings and said upper and lower steering column shafts together such that said upper steering column housing is permitted to pivot about a predetermined axis relative to said lower steering column housing.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of molding said lower and upper steering column housings each in at least two portions adapted to be interconnected together.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the steps of injection molding said lower and upper steering column housings from a polymeric material.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the step of fixing said lower and upper steering column shafts within a respective one of said lower and upper steering column housings includes positioning said lower and upper steering column shafts within at least one of said at least two portions prior to being interconnected.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the step of molding bearing seats within each of said at least two portions of said lower and upper steering column housings and adapted to receive a respective bearing member therein.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the steps of molding attachment bosses to each of said at least two member of said upper and lower steering column housings for receiving fasteners therein and coupling said at least two members together.

14. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the steps of pivotally coupling said upper and lower steering column housing together with at least one of said upper and lower steering column housing having at least one ball coupler, and the other of said upper and lower steering column housing having at least one socket for receiving said at least one ball coupler.

15. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the steps of interconnecting said lower and upper steering column housings together with a positioning device, said positioning device comprising one of a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a tooth and pawl locking mechanism, and a magneto-rheological locking mechanism.

16. A tiltable, molded polymeric steering-column housing for a motor vehicle, comprising in combination:

a lower member formed from at least two injection-molded halves and adapted to be coupled together to define a longitudinal passage interconnecting an upper end to a lower end of said lower member, said longitudinal passage of said lower member having at least one bearing seat formed therein;

an upper member formed from at least two injection-molded halves and adapted to be coupled together to define a longitudinal passage interconnecting an upper end to a lower end of said upper member, said longitudinal passage of said upper member having at least one bearing seat formed therein, said lower end of said upper member pivotally interconnected to said upper end of said lower member such that said upper member pivots between a first and a second position relative to said lower member;

a journal bearing configured to be disposed within each of said at least one bearing seat formed in each of said lower and upper member;

a lower and an upper steering column shaft configured to be disposed within a respective one of said longitudinal passages defined in each of said lower and upper members, and journaled within each longitudinal passage by said journal bearing; and

a universal coupler for interconnecting said lower and upper steering column shafts.