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 steering column assembly has a steering column with a longitudinal axis and disposable in a vehicle for tilting movement and telescoping movement. A wedge lock is engaged with the steering column and moveable between a first unlocked position and a first locked position along a first path to selectively lock the steering column with respect to the telescoping movement. A force required to move the wedge lock increases along the first path from the first unlocked position to the first locked position. A lever is pivotally engaged with the steering column about a pivot axis for rotation between an adjusting position and a locking position. The wedge lock moves from the first unlocked position to the first locked position along the first path in response to rotation of the lever from the adjusting position to the locking position. A cable assembly includes a cable with first and second ends and a sheath substantially encircling the cable.

Abstract: A vehicular steering column assembly (16) comprises a support bracket (26) which is joined to an outer, non-rotating sleeve (22). A release capsule (30) is releasably joined to a mounting surface (28) of the support bracket (26) via a plurality of spherical bodies (56) whose protruding crowns (52) are seated in corresponding longitudinally-extending furrows (54) in the release capsule (30). Upon the application of sufficient force to the steering column (16), such as during a collision, the support bracket (26) is urged out of engagement with the release capsule (30) with the respective furrows (54) sliding over the crowns (52). The sliding engagement between the crowns (52) and the furrows (54) can be adjusted to establish a highly predictable and consistent release force and which is capable of increasing the frequency value for the steering column (16).

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 assembly also includes a locking bracket adjacent to the steering column and moveable along a path for collapsing movement. The steering column assembly also includes a locking member supported in two-way movement by the locking bracket between a first position and a second position spaced from one another. In the first position, the locking member locks the locking bracket and the steering column member together. When the locking member is in the second position, the steering column member is moveable relative to the locking bracket. The steering column assembly also includes at least one quick release bolt engaged with the locking bracket to selectively fix the locking bracket with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly (10) for a vehicle. The steering column assembly (10) includes first and second steering column members (12, 14) engaged for movement relative to one another along one of a tilting path (16) and a telescoping path. The steering column assembly (10) also includes an electric lock (18) operable in a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration to selectively lock the first and second steering column members (12, 14). When the electric lock (10) is in the locked configuration, the first and second steering column members (12, 14) are locked with respect to one another. When the electric lock (10) is in the unlocked configuration, the first and second steering column members (12, 14) are moveable with respect to one another. The steering column assembly (10) also includes a sensor (20) operable to sense a condition corresponding to a vehicle crash. The sensor (20) emits a signal corresponding to the condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method an apparatus for dissipating energy associated with the telescopic collapse of two members, such as steering column members. The apparatus according to the invention includes first and second steering column members moveable relative to one another along a collapse path. At least one anvil is fixedly associated with one of said first and second steering column members. A strap extends along a bent path around the at least one anvil and includes first and second free ends. The apparatus also includes a lock device operative in a first condition to restrain one of the first and second free ends of said strap with respect to one of the first and second steering column members. The lock device is also operative in a second condition to release said one of said first and second free ends of said strap.

Abstract: A locking device for selectively preventing telescoping movement between first and second members and tilting movement associated with the first and second members. The locking device includes an electric motor for generating a moving force. The locking device also includes a first locking portion associated with the electric motor to move between first locked and unlocked positions in response to the moving force. The first locking portion selectively prevents telescoping movement between the first and second members. The locking device also includes a second locking portion spaced from the first locking portion. The second locking portion is also associated with the electric motor to move between second locked and unlocked positions in response to the moving force. The second locking portion selectively prevents tilting movement associated with the first and second members.

Abstract: A column shroud for covering a steering column including a shroud body. The shroud body has first and second portions connectable to one another about a steering column. The shroud body defines an opening in the first portion. The column shroud also includes a coil bobbin fixed to the shroud body adjacent to the opening. In the event of an attempted theft of the vehicle, the coil bobbin would be removed from the column in the event the shroud body is removed and the vehicle would be disabled. The present invention also provides an ignition assembly. The ignition assembly includes a shroud body having an opening. The shroud body of the ignition assembly can have one or more portions. The ignition assembly also includes an ignition receptor accessible through said opening for receiving a pass key. Also, a coil bobbin is fixed to the shroud body adjacent to the opening. The present invention also provides a steering column assembly.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column having a selectively collapsible structure that enables said column to collapse in the event of an impact force resulting from a vehicle crash. An adaptive energy absorbing device is associated with said column and operates in a first condition to absorb a first level of energy of the collapsing column and in a second condition to absorb a second level of energy of the collapsing column. The assembly includes a telltale detection device that is associated with the adaptive energy absorbing device and is responsive to a change in condition of the energy absorbing device prior to a collapse event to provide a signal to a user of the condition of the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for absorbing energy in a collapsible steering column of a vehicle. A portion of the apparatus is deformable in response to an excessive frontal impacting force to the steering column so that injury to the vehicle operator is reduced. The apparatus includes a first steering column member and a second steering column member connected to one another such that the first steering column member slides relative to the second steering column member. The apparatus also includes a first anvil associated with a said first steering column member and a second anvil associated with said second steering column member. The apparatus also includes an energy absorbing member having a first portion extending around and operable to be drawn over said first anvil and a second portion extending around and operable to be drawn over said second anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus for absorbing energy includes first and second steering column members connected for sliding movement. A first anvil is associated with one of the first and second steering column members and an energy absorbing member is provided having a first portion that extends around and operable to be drawn over the first anvil in response to the sliding movement between the first and second steering column members. A dead loop is formed in the energy absorbing member between its mounting location and the first anvil and is operative to enable the dead loop to straighten in response to application of an applied force prior to movement of the energy absorbing member across the first anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for absorbing energy in a collapsible steering column. The energy absorbing device includes an anvil rotatable relative to a strap. The anvil defines a plurality of profiles corresponding to different rates of energy absorption. The plurality of profiles are radially adjacent to one another about the rotational axis of the anvil. The anvil can be rotated by explosive charges. For example, the anvil can define a follower portion and first and second explosive charges can be disposed on opposite sides of the follower portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for absorbing energy. The energy absorbing device includes an anvil movable relative to a spaced axis. The anvil defines a plurality of profiles corresponding to different rates of energy absorption. The plurality of profiles are radially adjacent to one another with respect to axis. The anvil can be moved by explosive charges. For example, the anvil can define a follower portion adjacent a first explosive charge and move in response to an explosion of the first explosive charge.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a compression bracket for attachment to a vehicle body, and an adjustable steering column assembly movably supported by the compression bracket along a longitudinal axis between adjusted positions. A pair of locking elements are operably connected to the compression bracket and movable between a locked position for preventing longitudinal movement therebetween and a release position for allowing longitudinal adjustment of the steering column. The first element presents a detent recess, and the second locking element is movable between the locked position engaging the detent recess and the release position out of engagement with the detent recess.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle is able to compensate for the severity of a crash and the weight of the driver to better manage the absorption of energy in a crash event. A housing has at least one fixed abutment surface, and at least one adjuster disposed in the housing for selective lateral slidable movement. At least one anvil is disposed adjacent an initial abutment surface of the adjuster in spaced relation to the fixed abutment surface of the housing in a first position of the anvil associated with high energy absorption. A plastically deformable strap is supported between the anvil and the housing. The adjuster slides out of the path of the anvil in a crash event in response to input of a control signal allowing the anvil to slide into contact with the fixed abutment surface of the housing to define a second position of the anvil associated with lower energy absorption.

Abstract: The steering column assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, a support member supported by the housing for movement about a shift axis, and a shift lever operatively connected to the support member and extending radially from the shift axis for shifting movement in a limited space. The present invention includes a break-away device having a shear container that extends through a translating bracket and the support member for limiting movement of the shift lever upwardly toward a parallel relationship with the shift axis and for releasing the shift lever for the movement toward the parallel relationship in response to a crash condition.