LEVER ASSEMBLY FOR CONTROLLING A LOCK OF A STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

• US 20180072340A1
• Filed: 09/15/2016
• Published: 03/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Streng, Joseph R.
• Application Number:
  US15/266,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20180072340A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/055 Padded or energy-absorbing fittings , e.g. seat belt anchors sun visors B60J3/00; head rests B60N2/80
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/09 Control elements or operating handles movable from an operative to an out-of-the way position, e.g. pedals, switch knobs, window cranks specially adapted for brake pedals, e.g. by venting of master cylinder or destruction of force transmitting rod, B60T7/065
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/185 adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence

Abstract

A lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly includes a lever body extending from a first end to a second end. Also included is a pivot portion integrally formed with the lever body and disposed at the second end of the lever body, the pivot portion defining a hollow portion and pivotable about an axis. Further included is an insert disposed within the hollow portion of the pivot portion and rotatable about the axis, the insert defining a receiving feature for receiving a fuse extending from the pivot portion, the fuse breaking upon application of a load that exceeds a predetermined load.

Claims

1. A lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, the lever assembly comprising:

a lever body extending from a first end to a second end;

a pivot portion integrally formed with the lever body and disposed at the second end of the lever body, the pivot portion defining a hollow portion and pivotable about an axis, the hollow portion defined by an inner surface of the pivot portion;

a fuse formed with the inner surface and extending radially inwardly therefrom; and

an insert disposed within the hollow portion of the pivot portion and rotatable about the axis, the insert defining a receiving feature for receiving the fuse extending from the pivot portion, the fuse breaking upon application of a load that exceeds a predetermined load.

2. The lever assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever body and pivot portion are each formed of plastic and the insert is formed of metal.

3. The lever assembly of claim 1, wherein the hollow portion is a cylindrical hollow portion and the inner surface is a cylindrical inner surface, the insert being cylindrical with a first circumferential wall fitting within the cylindrical surface.

4. The lever assembly of claim 3, wherein the receiving feature is disposed along the first circumferential wall of the insert.

5. The lever assembly of claim 4, wherein the receiving feature is a notch.

6. The lever assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot portion defines an aperture with an aperture wall, the insert having a protruding portion protruding through the aperture, the protruding portion having a second circumferential wall fitting within the aperture wall, the first circumferential wall and the second circumferential wall connected with a shoulder wall.

7. The lever assembly of claim 6, wherein the shoulder wall is oriented perpendicular to the first and second circumferential walls.

8. The lever assembly of claim 1, wherein disposal of the fuse within the receiving feature prevents relative rotation between the pivot portion and the insert when the predetermined load is not exceeded.

9. A lever assembly for controlling a lock of a steering column assembly, the lever assembly comprising:

a lever body extending from a first end to a second end;

a pivot portion formed with the lever body and disposed at the second end of the lever body, the pivot portion defining a hollow portion and pivotable about an axis, the hollow portion defined by an inner surface of the pivot portion; and

a fuse disposed within the hollow portion of the pivot portion and formed with the inner surface and extending radially inwardly therefrom, the fuse breaking upon application of a load that exceeds a predetermined load.

10. The lever assembly of claim 9, wherein the lever body and pivot portion are each formed of plastic.

11. The lever assembly of claim 9, wherein the hollow portion is a cylindrical hollow portion and the inner surface is a cylindrical inner surface, wherein an insert is disposed within the hollow portion and receives the fuse therein.

12. The lever assembly of claim 11, wherein the pivot portion defines an aperture with an aperture wall, the insert having a protruding portion protruding through the aperture, the protruding portion having a circumferential wall fitting within the aperture wall.

13. A steering column assembly comprising:

a steering shaft;

a collar;

a steering column jacket that supports the steering shaft and is biased between a locked and unlocked position to lock and unlock movement between the steering column jacket and the collar;

a lock assembly for adjusting movement of the steering column jacket; and

a lever assembly for controlling the lock assembly, the lever assembly comprising;

a lever body extending from a first end to a second end;

a pivot portion integrally formed with the lever body and disposed at the second end of the lever body, the pivot portion defining a hollow portion and pivotable about an axis, the pivot portion formed of plastic, the hollow portion defined by a inner surface of the pivot portion;

a fuse formed with the inner surface and extending radially inwardly therefrom; and

an insert disposed within the hollow portion of the pivot portion and rotatable about the axis, the insert defining a notch for receiving the fuse, the fuse breaking upon application of a load that exceeds a predetermined load, the insert formed of metal.

14. The steering column assembly of claim 13, wherein the hollow portion is a cylindrical hollow portion and the inner surface is a cylindrical inner surface, the insert being cylindrical with a first circumferential wall fitting within the cylindrical surface.

15. The steering column assembly of claim 13, wherein the pivot portion defines an aperture with an aperture wall, the insert having a protruding portion protruding through the aperture, the protruding portion having a second circumferential wall fitting within the aperture wall, the first circumferential wall and the second circumferential wall connected with a shoulder wall.

16. The steering column assembly of claim 15, wherein the shoulder wall is oriented perpendicular to the first and second circumferential walls.

17. The steering column assembly of claim 13, wherein disposal of the fuse within the notch prevents relative rotation between the pivot portion and the insert when the predetermined load is not exceeded.