Single-motor power telescope and tilt steering column

• US 20050199087A1
• Filed: 03/11/2004
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2004
• 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., Li, Xiaoyu, Tinnin, Melvin L., Stinebring, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,293,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/493
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions

Abstract

A drive mechanism is provided for a tilting and telescoping steering column. The drive mechanism can selectively tilt the steering wheel or telescope the steering column in response to input from the driver. A single drive mechanism controls the tilting movement and the telescoping movement. The invention includes a locking device for locking the single drive mechanism in one of first and second modes of operation corresponding to tilting movement and telescoping movement. A pivoting device for engaging the locking device is provided. The pivoting device can be a lever arm or can be a solenoid mounted to the steering column.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adjusting the position of a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:

a lower steering column jacket for attachment to a vehicle;

an upper steering column jacket engaged with said lower steering column jacket for telescoping movement for supporting a steering wheel in a desired longitudinal position relative to said lower steering column jacket;

a tilt housing engaged with said upper steering column jacket for tilting movement for supporting the steering wheel in a desired angular position relative to said upper steering column jacket; and

a single drive mechanism for controlling said telescoping movement and said tilting movement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said single drive mechanism includes a first mode of operation for moving said tilt housing in said tilting movement relative to said upper steering column jacket and a second mode of operation for moving said upper steering column jacket in said telescoping movement relative to said lower steering column jacket.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said single drive mechanism includes a locking device for locking said single drive mechanism in one of said first mode of operation and said second mode of operation.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said single drive mechanism includes a member pivotally connected to said tilt housing to direct said tilt housing in said tilting movement.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said locking device selectively engages said member to lock said single drive mechanism in said second mode of operation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said locking device is further defined as being substantially fixed to said upper steering column jacket.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said single drive mechanism includes a motor fixedly connected to said lower steering column jacket.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said motor includes a rotatable shaft and said member moves linearly in response to rotation of said shaft.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said member encircles said shaft.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said locking device includes a locking arm engaged for pivoting movement with said upper steering column jacket between a tilting-locked position and a telescoping-locked position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said locking arm includes a pivot axis associated with said pivoting movement and a first finger engageable with said lower steering column jacket when said locking arm is in said telescoping-locked position and a second finger engageable with said member when said locking arm is in said tilting-locked position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said pivot axis is disposed between said first and second fingers.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of said first and second fingers and said member and said lower steering column jacket respectively define mating teeth to engage one another.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said locking device includes a slide block extending from said upper steering column jacket and supporting said locking arm for said pivoting movement.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said lower steering column jacket defines a slot and said slide block extends through said slot.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein slide block defines an aperture and said member extends through said aperture.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 including a resilient member disposed between said slide block and said locking arm.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said slide block includes a pin portion extending transverse to said upper steering column jacket wherein said locking arm being supported by said pin portion for said pivoting movement.

19. The apparatus of claim 10 including a pivoting device operably associated with said locking device to direct said pivoting movement of said locking arm between said tilting-locked and telescoping-locked positions.

20. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pivoting device includes a lever arm pivotally associated with said upper steering column jacket adjacent to said tilt housing.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 including a switch communicating with said motor for selectively engaging said motor to rotate said shaft and being rotatably positioned at an end of said lever arm.

22. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pivoting device includes a cam portion and said locking arm defines a slot cooperating with said cam portion as a cam-follower to direct said locking arm in said pivoting movement.

23. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pivoting device includes a solenoid having a rod moveable between extended and retracted positions and wherein said rod being pivotally engaged with said locking arm.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said lower steering column jacket defines a second slot and said solenoid is substantially fixedly associated with said upper steering column jacket through said second slot.

25. An apparatus for adjusting the position of a steering wheel in a vehicle comprising:

a lower steering column jacket for attachment to a vehicle;

an upper steering column jacket engaged with said lower steering column jacket for telescoping movement for supporting a steering wheel in a desired longitudinal position relative to said lower steering column jacket;

a tilt housing engaged with said upper steering column jacket for tilting movement for supporting the steering wheel in a desired angular position relative to said upper steering column jacket; and

characterized by

a single drive mechanism for controlling said telescoping movement and said tilting movement including a locking device for locking said single drive mechanism to direct one of said telescoping movement and tilting movement at a time.