Adjustable steering column assembly
First Claim
1. An apparatus for adjusting the position of a steering wheel connected with a steering column assembly, said apparatus comprising:
- an actuating system operatively connected to the steering column assembly, said actuating system being operable to adjust the steering column assembly to change the position of the steering wheel, said actuating system being operable to move the steering wheel along a central axis of the steering column assembly and operable to tilt the steering wheel relative to the central axis of the steering column assembly;
at least one weight sensor operatively associated with a driver'"'"'s seat for sensing a driver'"'"'s weight on the seat, said weight sensor outputting a signal which is a function of the driver'"'"'s weight;
a controller operatively connected to said weight sensor and said actuating system, said controller being operable to provide a control signal to said actuating system to effect operation of said actuating system to adjust the steering column assembly and change the axial position and tilt position of the steering wheel as a function of a signal from said weight sensor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for adjusting the position of a steering wheel (16) includes an actuating system (22) operatively connected to the steering column assembly (18) for adjusting the position of a steering wheel (16). The actuating system (22) is operable to move the steering wheel (16) along a central axis of the steering column assembly (18) and operable to tilt the steering wheel relative to the central axis of the steering column assembly (18). The apparatus further includes at least one weight sensor (102) operatively associated with a driver'"'"'s seat (100) for sensing a driver'"'"'s weight on the seat. The weight sensor (102) outputs a signal which is a function of the sensed weight. The apparatus includes a controller (54) that receives the signal and outputs a control signal to the actuating system (22) to adjust the position of the steering wheel (16) based on the weight on the seat (100).
45 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An apparatus for adjusting the position of a steering wheel connected with a steering column assembly, said apparatus comprising:
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an actuating system operatively connected to the steering column assembly, said actuating system being operable to adjust the steering column assembly to change the position of the steering wheel, said actuating system being operable to move the steering wheel along a central axis of the steering column assembly and operable to tilt the steering wheel relative to the central axis of the steering column assembly;
at least one weight sensor operatively associated with a driver'"'"'s seat for sensing a driver'"'"'s weight on the seat, said weight sensor outputting a signal which is a function of the driver'"'"'s weight;
a controller operatively connected to said weight sensor and said actuating system, said controller being operable to provide a control signal to said actuating system to effect operation of said actuating system to adjust the steering column assembly and change the axial position and tilt position of the steering wheel as a function of a signal from said weight sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification