RETRACTABLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A selectively autonomous steering column assembly comprising:
- a steering column shaft;
a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft;
a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position; and
at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position;
directional control being automated when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.
98 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A selectively autonomous steering column assembly comprising:
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a steering column shaft; a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft; a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position; and at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position; directional control being automated when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A selectively autonomous vehicle comprising:
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a steering column shaft; a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft; a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position; and at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position; directional control being automated when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of operating a steering column assembly of an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising:
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translating a steering column shaft from a retracted position towards an extended, driving position; sending at least one signal from a steering column shaft component to a controller when the steering column shaft is in the extended, driving position; and enabling a steering input device, operatively arranged with the steering column shaft, to be operational only when the steering column shaft is in the extended, driving position, as indicated by the at least one signal, the steering input device being prohibited from providing directional control until the steering column shaft is in the extended, driving position. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification