Adjustable steering column assembly having an attached instrument cluster

• US 20070296195A1
• Filed: 03/23/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• 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: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Riefe, Richard K., Ravindra, Ravi, Cymbal, William D., Ridgway, Jason R., Manwaring, Marvin V., MacDonald, Brad M., Huber, Albert C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,611,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/775
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/187 with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment B62D1/183, B62D1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/195 Yieldable supports for the steering column

Abstract

A steering column assembly includes a rake adjustment mechanism, and is attached to a vehicle by a mounting bracket. A rake bracket is coupled to the mounting bracket. A column jacket is collapsible in response to an emergency event and is supported by the mounting bracket and the rake bracket, and is rotationally moveable with the rake bracket about a rake axis relative to the mounting bracket. An instrument cluster is coupled to the rake bracket for movement along with the rake bracket and the column jacket to prevent obstruction of the instrument cluster by a steering wheel upon re-positioning the steering wheel, while not restricting movement of the column jacket during collapse of the column jacket in response to the emergency event. A dynamic absorber interconnects the instrument cluster and the rake bracket to reduce vibration of the steering column assembly caused by additional weight of the instrument cluster.

Claims

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

a mounting bracket for attachment to the vehicle;

a rake bracket coupled to said mounting bracket and pivotable relative to said mounting bracket about a rake axis with said rake bracket extending from said mounting bracket along a longitudinal axis to a distal end;

a column jacket supported by said mounting bracket and detachably supported by said rake bracket and longitudinally moveable relative to said mounting bracket along said longitudinal axis in response to an emergency event and pivotably moveable with said rake bracket relative to said mounting bracket about said rake axis; and

an instrument cluster coupled to said distal end of said rake bracket and rotatably moveable with said rake bracket and said column jacket relative to said mounting bracket about said rake axis.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a dynamic absorber interconnecting said instrument cluster and said rake bracket for reducing vibration transmitted to said instrument cluster.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said dynamic absorber includes a linear spring having a pre-determined spring constant.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said linear spring includes a cluster bracket having a flange interconnecting said cluster bracket and said instrument cluster.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said instrument cluster includes an outer casing and at least one gauge supported by said outer casing with said outer casing attached to said flange of said cluster bracket.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes a hinge extending transverse to said longitudinal axis and defining said rake axis.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a rake adjustment mechanism for rotationally adjusting said column jacket and said rake bracket about said rake axis relative to said mounting bracket and locking said column jacket and said rake bracket relative to said mounting bracket.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an energy absorption mechanism for absorbing energy transmitted through the column jacket in response to the emergency event.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a telescoping mechanism for adjusting said column jacket axially along said longitudinal axis and locking said column jacket relative to said mounting bracket.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said rake bracket is axially adjustable along said longitudinal axis with said column jacket.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said instrument cluster is fixedly mounted to said dynamic absorber and stationary relative to said mounting bracket in response to the emergency event.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said rake bracket is in telescopic engagement with said mounting bracket for axial movement along said longitudinal axis relative to said mounting bracket.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said dynamic absorber includes an arm in telescopic engagement with said rake bracket.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said instrument cluster is fixedly mounted to said dynamic absorber and axially moveable with said dynamic absorber along said longitudinal axis relative to said mounting bracket in response to the emergency event.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said dynamic absorber defines a notch.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a release capsule disposed in said notch and a pin extending through said column jacket, said release capsule and said rake bracket for interconnecting said column jacket, said dynamic absorber, and said rake bracket.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said dynamic absorber is fixedly mounted to said rake bracket.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said instrument cluster is fixedly mounted to said dynamic absorber and stationary relative to said mounting bracket in response to the emergency event.