Steering column memory mechanism

• US 7,584,996 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Cartwright, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERLEY, NICOLE T
• Application Number:
  US11/440,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 280/775, 280/779, 280/731, 744/93, 744/95
• US Class Current: 280/775
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/183 adjustable between in-use and out-of-use positions, e.g. to improve access
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/184 Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions

Abstract

A steering column (10) includes a steering column member (12) connectable with a steering wheel and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels. A support (24), through which the steering column member (12) extends, is connected with a mounting bracket (54). The support (24) is movable relative to the mounting bracket (54) through a first range of motion into any one of a plurality of positions. The support (24) has a first position relative to the mounting bracket (54). A locking mechanism (80) locks the support (24) in any one of the plurality of positions relative to the mounting bracket (54). A memory mechanism (130) defines a memory position of the support (24) relative to the mounting bracket (54). The memory mechanism (130) guides movement of the support (24) relative to the mounting bracket (54) through a second range of motion smaller than the first range of motion between the first position and the memory position. The memory mechanism (130) has a first position in which the support (24) is movable relative to the mounting bracket (54) into any one of the plurality of positions relative to the mounting bracket (54). The memory mechanism (130) has a second position in which the support (24) is only movable relative to said mounting bracket (54) between the first position and the memory position.

Claims

1. A steering column for a vehicle comprising:

a steering column member connectable with a steering wheel and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels;

a mounting bracket which connects said steering column to a vehicle frame;

a support connected with said mounting bracket and through which said steering column member extends, said support supporting said steering column member for rotation about a longitudinal axis of said steering column member, said support being movable relative to said mounting bracket into any one of a plurality of positions, said support having a first position relative to said mounting bracket, said first position being one of said plurality of positions;

a locking mechanism having an unlocked position that allows said support to move relative to said mounting bracket into any one of said plurality of positions, said locking mechanism having a locked position that locks said support in any one of said plurality of positions relative to said mounting bracket; and

a memory mechanism spaced from said locking mechanism which defines a memory position of said support relative to said mounting bracket, said memory position being any one of said plurality of positions of said support relative to said mounting bracket, said memory mechanism guiding movement of said support relative to said mounting bracket between said first position and said memory position, said memory mechanism having a first position and a second position, said support being movable relative to said mounting bracket into any one of the plurality of positions relative to said mounting bracket when said memory mechanism is in said first position and said locking mechanism is in said unlocked position, said support being movable relative to said mounting bracket only between said first position of said support and said memory position when said memory mechanism is in said second position and said locking mechanism is in said unlocked position.

2. A steering column as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory mechanism includes a first member for at least partially defining said memory position, said first member being engageable with said support and being movable relative to said mounting bracket, a memory lock prevents movement of said first member relative to said mounting bracket to define said memory position.

3. A steering column as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first member has a slot into which a portion of said support extends, said portion of said support being movable relative to said first member along said slot, said portion of said support being engageable with surfaces defining said slot in said first member.

4. A steering column as set forth in claim 3 wherein said portion of said support is engageable with said mounting bracket to limit movement of said support relative to said mounting bracket.

5. A steering column as set forth in claim 3 wherein a second member is engageable with said portion of said support to limit movement of said portion along said slot.

6. A steering column as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second member is movable relative to said mounting bracket and said first member.

7. A steering column as set forth in claim 6 wherein said second member is biased toward engagement with said portion of said support.

8. A steering column as set forth in claim 6 wherein said memory lock prevents movement of said first and second members relative to said mounting bracket to define said memory position.

9. A steering column as set forth in claim 6 wherein said second member includes a flexible member with a first end connected to said portion of said support and a second end wrapped around a spool member, said spool member being rotatable relative to said mounting bracket.

10. A steering column as set forth in claim 9 wherein said spool member is biased to wind said flexible member onto said spool member.

11. A steering column as set forth in claim 9 wherein said memory lock prevents movement of said first member and said spool member relative to said mounting bracket to define said memory position.

12. A steering column as set forth in claim 2 including a second member for at least partially defining said memory position, said second member being movable relative to said mounting bracket and said first member, said memory lock preventing movement of said first and second members relative to said mounting bracket.

13. A steering column as set forth in claim 12 wherein said support is engageable with said first and second members.

14. A steering column as set forth in claim 13 wherein one of said first and second members is biased into engagement with said support.

15. A steering column as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first and second members are pivotally connected to said mounting bracket.

16. A steering column as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first member is pivotally connected to a first portion of said mounting bracket and said second member is pivotally connected to a second portion of said mounting bracket.

17. A steering column as set forth in claim 12 wherein said memory lock includes a locking shaft extending through at least one of said first and second members.

18. A steering column as set forth in claim 17 wherein said memory lock engages said second member and is spaced from said first member.

19. A steering column as set forth in claim 17 wherein said locking shaft extends through a slot in said second member.

20. A steering column as set forth in claim 17 wherein said memory lock engages said first and second members.

21. A steering column as set forth in claim 17 wherein said locking shaft extends through said first and second members.

22. A steering column as set forth in claim 21 wherein said second member is rotatable relative to said locking shaft, a first end of a flexible member being connected to said support and a second end of said flexible member being wrapped around said second member.

23. A steering column as set forth in claim 12 wherein said memory lock prevents movement of said first and second members relative to said mounting bracket.

24. A steering column as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory mechanism includes a manually actuatable handle for moving said memory mechanism between said first and second positions.

25. A steering column as set forth in claim 1 wherein a member urges said support toward said first position.

26. A steering column as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support is pivotally connected with a pivot member, said pivot member being pivotally connected with said mounting bracket, said locking mechanism preventing pivotal movement of said support relative to said pivot member and pivotal movement of said pivot member relative to said mounting bracket.

27. A steering column comprising:

a steering column member connectable with a steering wheel and rotatable to turn steerable vehicle wheels;

a mounting bracket which connects said steering column to a vehicle frame;

a support connected with said mounting bracket and through which said steering column member extends, said support supporting said steering column member for rotation about a longitudinal axis of said steering column member and being movable relative to said mounting bracket;

a first mechanism that defines a first range of motion of said support relative to said mounting bracket;

a locking mechanism having an unlocked position that allows said support to move relative to said mounting bracket through at least the entire first range of motion and a locked position that prevents movement of said support relative to said mounting bracket; and

a second mechanism spaced from said locking mechanism that defines a second range of motion of said support relative to said mounting bracket, said second range of motion being smaller than said first range of motion, said second range of motion being part of said first range of motion, said second mechanism having a first position and a second position, said support being movable relative to said mounting bracket through the entire first range of motion when said second mechanism is in said first position and said locking mechanism is in said unlocked position, said support being movable relative to said mounting bracket only through the second range of motion when said second mechanism is in said second position and said locking mechanism is in said unlocked position.

28. A steering column as set forth in claim 27 wherein said second mechanism includes a first member for at least partially defining said second range of motion, said first member being engageable with said support and being movable relative to said mounting bracket, a lock prevents movement of said first member relative to said mounting bracket to define said second range of motion.

29. A steering column as set forth in claim 28 wherein said first member has a slot into which a portion of said support extends, said portion of said support being movable relative to said first member along said slot, said portion of said support being engageable with surfaces defining said slot in said first member.

30. A steering column as set forth in claim 29 wherein said portion of said support is engageable with said mounting bracket to define said first range of motion.

31. A steering column as set forth in claim 29 wherein a second member is engageable with said portion of said support to limit movement of said portion along said slot and define said second range of motion.

32. A steering column as set forth in claim 31 wherein said second member is movable relative to said mounting bracket and said first member.

33. A steering column as set forth in claim 32 wherein said second member is biased toward engagement with said portion of said support.

34. A steering column as set forth in claim 32 wherein said lock prevents movement of said first and second members relative to said mounting bracket to define said second range of motion.

35. A steering column as set forth in claim 32 wherein said second member includes a flexible member with a first end connected to said portion of said support and a second end wrapped around a spool member, said spool member being rotatable relative to said mounting bracket.

36. A steering column as set forth in claim 35 wherein said spool member is biased to wind said flexible member onto said spool member.

37. A steering column as set forth in claim 35 wherein said lock prevents movement of said first member and said spool member relative to said mounting bracket to define said second range of motion.

38. A steering column as set forth in claim 28 including a second member for at least partially defining said second range of motion, said second member being movable relative to said mounting bracket and said first member, said lock preventing movement of said first and second members relative to said mounting bracket.

39. A steering column as set forth in claim 38 wherein said lock includes a locking shaft extending through at least one of said first and second members.

40. A steering column as set forth in claim 39 wherein said lock engages said second member and is spaced from said first member.

41. A steering column as set forth in claim 40 wherein said locking shaft extends through a slot in said second member.

42. A steering column as set forth in claim 39 wherein said lock engages said first and second members.

43. A steering column as set forth in claim 42 wherein said locking shaft extends through said first and second members.

44. A steering column as set forth in claim 43 wherein said second member is rotatable relative to said locking shaft, a first end of a flexible member being connected to said support and a second end of said flexible member being wrapped around said second member.

45. A steering column as set forth in claim 27 wherein said second mechanism includes a manually actuatable handle for moving said second mechanism between said first and second positions.