Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly having an outer jacket and an inner jacket slidably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement is disclosed. The assembly includes a locking device having a pivot pin coupled to the outer jacket and defining a pin axis. A pawl is coupled to the pivot pin and a lever having a cam surface is coupled to the pawl. The pawl rotates about the pin axis between an engaged position engaging the inner jacket and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for preventing and allowing the telescoping movement, respectively. An extension is movable between a first position engaging a first portion of the cam surface and a second position engaging a second portion of the cam surface for moving the lever away from the inner jacket and causing the pawl to rotate about the pin axis to disengage the pawl from the inner jacket.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided including at least one needle roller that is resiliently compressible in response to a load applied to an exterior surface thereof. In addition, a method is provided for taking up a clearance between one or more first rollers and a bearing race in which the rollers are positioned. At least one resiliently compressible second roller is provided rollably secured within the bearing. The compressible second roller has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of any of the first rollers, such that the compressible second roller resiliently compresses when the bearing is positioned in the bearing race. Forces generated by compression of the resiliently compressible second roller urge the first rollers against a surface of the bearing race, thereby taking up the clearance between the first rollers and the race.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly has a steering column with a jacket movable along a longitudinal axis for telescoping and collapsing movement. The jacket is movable about a pivot axis for tilting movement between an upper and a lower limit. A biasing device includes a fixed arm and a rake arm for urging the jacket toward the upper limit. A support bracket is detachably coupled to a mounting component connected to the vehicle. The support bracket is coupled to and supports the jacket during the movements and is movable with the jacket during the collapsing movement. A friction member is mounted to the support bracket and at least partially encircles the fixed arm and engages the fixed arm to form a friction-fit. The friction member slides along the fixed arm during the collapsing movement for transferring energy from the jacket and the support bracket to the biasing device.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle has a central lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has a roller actuator preferably having inner outer members with a lever supported operably in between by a guide feature for movement along a first centerline substantially parallel to the steering shaft. Preferably, cam couplers are located between the outer member and the lever and the inner member and the lever for converting movement of the lever along the centerline to longitudinal movement of a carrier that traverses the centerline.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly having an outer jacket and an inner jacket movable relative to the outer jacket is disclosed. The assembly includes an energy absorbing device having a support disposed on the outer jacket for supporting a first anvil and a second anvil in relative proximity to each other. An energy absorbing member is secured to the inner jacket and disposed adjacent the first and second anvils for transferring energy from the inner jacket to the first and second anvils during movement of the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket. The second anvil defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first locking member selectively engaging the support with the second anvil movable along the longitudinal axis and rotatable about the longitudinal axis between a plurality of positions for engaging and disengaging the first locking member with the support to facilitate the varied resistance of the second anvil.

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.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a steering column with an outer jacket moveable along an axis. An instrument panel is coupled to the outer jacket. An instrument panel hood is connected to the instrument panel and the outer jacket. A support bracket includes a pair of support arms including flanges, with a first mounting component and a second mounting component connected to the flanges. The outer jacket is slideably coupled to the first mounting component and the instrument panel is slideably coupled to the second mounting component. The support bracket is pivotable about a pivot axis between an upper limit and a lower limit. A spring is attached to the support bracket for biasing the support bracket toward the upper limit. Coordinated movement between the instrument panel and the outer jacket is possible and the load from the instrument panel is diverted from the outer jacket to the support bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle has an integral rake pivot joint carried between a mounting structure generally attached to the vehicle chassis and a support bracket that pivots about a pivot axis. A preferably telescoping shaft extends along a centerline and connects to a steering wheel at one end and is rotationally supported near an opposite end by the support bracket. Preferably, the pivot axis is orientated substantially perpendicular to the centerline. The pivot joint has a boss preferably elongated with respect to the pivot axis and generally orientated concentrically to the pivot axis. The boss fits pivotally in a bore disposed concentrically to the pivot axis and carried by the other of the mounting structure and support bracket. Preferably, a web portion of the boss projects through a slit extending axially and communicating radially inward with the bore.

Abstract: A telescopically collapsible vehicular steering column assembly includes inner and outer shaft tubes which are joined in a sliding fit by a bushing. The bushing includes a pair of spaced journal bearings formed of steel-backed PTFE held in a plastic carrier body. The bushing is located in a receiving chamber in the outer shaft tube. A clearance compensator reacts against the receiving chamber to exert a radial compressive force through the carrier body and the journal bearings to improve the sliding fit with the inner shaft tube and remove lash. The clearance compensator can take any form, such as a hollow annular rib, a skirt with a flexible free end, or an array of nubs carried in thinned sections of the carrier body. The clearance compensator in all of these variations operates within a clearance space and has dimensional attributes which can be changed during the design and manufacturing phases of the bushing to optimize a characteristic of the steering column assembly.

Abstract: A telescoping steering column assembly and method of manufacturing the assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes an outer jacket defining at least one hole and a central axis. An inner jacket is disposed in the outer jacket and slides relative to the outer jacket along the central axis. A plug having a body portion and a flange extending radially outwardly from the body portion is disposed in the hole of the outer jacket. The plug defines at least one channel and the plug is heated to create a molten material that flows into the channel of the plug for securing the plug within the hole to prevent movement of the plug along the central axis and for aligning the inner jacket within the outer jacket to allow the inner jacket to slide within the outer jacket.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly (10, 10a, 10b) for a vehicle. The steering column assembly (10, 10a, 10b) includes a steering column (12, 12a, 12b) operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle. The steering column assembly (10, 10a, 10b) is moveable along a path (14, 14a, 14b) for collapsing movement relative to a vehicle in response to an impact situation. The steering column assembly (10, 10a, 10b) also includes an energy absorber (16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f) for dissipating energy associated with the collapsing movement of the steering column (12, 12a, 12b) along the path (14, 14a, 14b). The energy absorber (16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f) includes an anvil (18, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) fixedly disposed relative to one of the steering column (12, 12a, 12b) and the path (14, 14a, 14b).

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a steering column operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle. The steering column is moveable along a path for collapsing movement relative to a vehicle in response to an impact situation. The steering column assembly also includes an energy absorber for dissipating energy associated with the collapsing movement of the steering column along the path. The energy absorber includes an anvil fixedly disposed relative to one of the steering column and the path. The energy absorber also includes a strap drawable over the anvil and substantially fixedly disposed relative to the other of the steering column and the path. The steering column assembly also includes a second strap fixedly disposed relative to one of the steering column and the path for dissipating energy associated with the collapsing movement of the steering column along the path.