Steering column assembly

• US 20060156856A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Camp, Eckart
• Granted Patent: US 7,406,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/493
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/24 Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns in general B62D
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 27/02 Sliding-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/04 Brasses; Bushes; Linings

Abstract

A steering column assembly comprising a steering column shroud which supports a steering column shaft, the shroud being connected to the vehicle by a clamping mechanism which is operable between a locked position in which the shroud is clamped in position relative to a fixed portion of the vehicle chassis and an unlocked position in which the shroud is adjustable for reach and/or rake relative to the vehicle chassis. The clamping mechanism includes an actuator and a user operated switch that is connected to the actuator and which is operable to control the operation of the actuator to move the clamp between the locked and the unlocked position.

Claims

1. A steering column assembly comprising a steering column shroud which supports a steering column shaft, the shroud being connected to a vehicle by a clamping mechanism which is operable between a locked position in which said shroud is clamped in position relative to a fixed portion of a chassis of said vehicle and an unlocked position in which said shroud is adjustable for reach and/or rake relative to said chassis, said clamping mechanism including an actuator, said actuator being adapted to move said clamp between said locked position and said unlocked position.

2. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 including a user operated switch, which is connected to said actuator and which is operable to control an operation of said actuator to move said clamp between said locked position and said unlocked position.

3. A steering column assembly according to claim 2 wherein said user operated switch comprises a one touch switch, operable by a user between a locked and an unlocked position corresponding to said locked position and said unlocked position of said clamping mechanism respectively.

4. A steering column assembly according to claim 3 wherein said actuator comprises an electric motor.

5. A steering column assembly according to claim 4 wherein on operation of said switch from said locked position to said unlocked position, a drive current is applied to said motor to drive it in a first direction to move said clamp to said unlocked position and on operation of said switch from said unlocked to said locked position a drive current is applied to said motor so that it is driven in a second, opposite direction to move said clamp to said unlocked position.

6. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein adjustment of said steering column is made by manual adjustment.

7. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator drives at least one gear.

8. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator rotates a cam relative to a cam follower.

9. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein a manual override is provided which permits said mechanism to be locked or unlocked in the event of a malfunction.

10. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said clamp comprises a pin which carries a clamping head assembly, said pin being connected to said actuator through at least one gear and which can be driven axially upon operation of said actuator, said pin passing through an opening in a bracket fixed to said vehicle and an opening in said shroud with said head being on an opposite side of said shroud to said bracket such that operation of said actuator to said locked position draws said clamping head assembly towards said shroud and clamps said shroud to said bracket.

11. A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein said opening in said fixed portion, comprises an elongate slot which is parallel to an axis of said steering shaft and orthogonal to an axis of said pin to allow said pin to move in said slot for adjustment of said shroud for reach.

12. A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein said opening in said fixed portion or bracket comprises an elongate slot which is orthogonal to an axis of said steering shaft and an axis of said pin to permit adjustment of said shroud for rake.

13. A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein said head of said pin is provided with at least one track of teeth, which engage corresponding teeth on said guide post when in said locked position.

14. A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein a toothed member is provided between said head and said guide post which has at least one track of teeth that engage corresponding sets of teeth on said shroud.

15. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said assembly is provided with actuator control means for receiving at least one signal from a sensor which detects an operation of said vehicle to which said assembly is fitted and in response to a signal indicating an abnormal deceleration said control means is operable to move said clamping mechanism from said locked position to a collapse position in which said clamping mechanism is at least partially released to permit controlled collapse of said steering column shroud and hence steering column.

17. A steering column assembly according to claim 15 wherein said signal received by said actuator control means is a signal indicating a firing of an airbag.

18. A steering column assembly according to claim 15 wherein said signal received by said actuator control means is a signal indicating a unusually high deceleration of said vehicle.

19. A steering column assembly according claim 15 wherein, upon detection of collapse, said actuator control means operates said actuator to rapidly release said clamp to an initial collapse position and subsequently to gradually unclamp said clamp over time providing a decreasing resistance to collapse.

20. A steering column assembly according to claim 15 wherein, after a short time equal to a time for an airbag to inflate, said clamp is held in a fixed position to maintain a constant force resisting collapse.

21. A steering column assembly according to claim 15 wherein, after a short period corresponding to an onset of deflation of an airbag, said clamp is further released to reduce a force opposing further collapse.

22. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein engagement between two surfaces of said clamping mechanism is by way of complimentary teeth, an application of a collapse load to said steering assembly causing said teeth to ride over one another as said column collapses, said ride over being opposed by a force provided by a biasing means.

23. A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein engagement between two surfaces of said clamping mechanism is by frictional engagement, at least one surface being provided with a section of friction lining of high coefficient of friction.

16. A steering column assembly comprising a steering column shroud which supports a steering column shaft, said shroud being connected to said vehicle by a clamping mechanism which is operable between a locked position in which said shroud is clamped in position relative to a fixed position of said vehicle chassis and an unlocked position in which said shroud is adjustable for reach and/or rake relative to said vehicle chassis, said clamping mechanism including an actuator being adapted to move said clamp between said locked position and said unlocked position, said assembly being further provided with actuator control means for receiving at least one signal from a sensor which detects an operation of said vehicle to which said assembly is fitted and in response to a signal indicating an abnormal deceleration said control means is operable to move a clamping mechanism from a locked position to a collapse position in which said clamping mechanism is at least partially released to permit controlled collapse of a steering column shroud and hence said steering column.