Patents by Inventor Richard K. Riefe
Richard K. Riefe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11597424Abstract: A control system for a steering wheel includes a steering wheel switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition. The control system also includes a steering gear operatively coupled to a plurality of road wheels of a vehicle, the steering wheel and the steering gear electrically coupled to each other. The control system further includes a controller in operative communication with the steering wheel and the steering gear, the controller configured to control the steering gear independent of the steering wheel when the vehicle is in an autonomous vehicle driving condition, the steering wheel being in a retracted position during the autonomous vehicle driving condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 11560169Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is an energy absorbing mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the steering column shaft and the steering input device. Yet further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Also included is at least one signal indicating whether the steering column shaft is in the retracted position or the driving position, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control of a vehicle is automated and the energy absorbing mechanism is in a non-operational state, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, the energy absorbing mechanism is in an operational state.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 11220285Abstract: A rotation control system for a steering system of a vehicle includes a steering shaft. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering shaft switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode. The rotational control system further includes a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Publication number: 20210197892Abstract: A rotational control system for a steering wheel includes a steering wheel, the entire steering wheel switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition, a steering wheel angle of the entire steering wheel in a straight ahead position in the non-rotational condition. The rotational control system also includes a steering gear operatively coupled to the plurality of road wheels, the steering wheel and the steering gear electrically coupled to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10766518Abstract: A rotation control system for a steering wheel is provided. The rotation control system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft configured to switch the steering wheel between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10676121Abstract: A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe, Joen C. Bodtker, Bryan L. Faist
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Publication number: 20200148249Abstract: A rotation control system for a steering system of a vehicle includes a steering shaft. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering shaft switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode. The rotational control system further includes a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10577009Abstract: A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe, Joen C. Bodtker, Bryan L. Faist
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Publication number: 20200033876Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz
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Patent number: 10496102Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz
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Publication number: 20190322306Abstract: A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe, Joen C. Bodtker, Bryan L. Faist
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Patent number: 10384708Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable therewith. Further included is a steering gear input shaft operatively coupled to an electric power assist steering gear. Yet further included is an electric actuator operatively coupled to the electric power assist steering gear. Also included is a controller in operative communication with the steering shaft and the electric actuator for steering in a primary mode. Further included is an intermediate shaft assembly mechanically coupling the steering shaft to a rack and pinion assembly to steer in a redundant mode when communication between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft is not available.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
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Publication number: 20190248403Abstract: A control system for a steering wheel includes a steering wheel switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition. The control system also includes a steering gear operatively coupled to a plurality of road wheels of a vehicle, the steering wheel and the steering gear electrically coupled to each other. The control system further includes a controller in operative communication with the steering wheel and the steering gear, the controller configured to control the steering gear independent of the steering wheel when the vehicle is in an autonomous vehicle driving condition, the steering wheel being in a retracted position during the autonomous vehicle driving condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10343706Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, an energy absorbing mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the steering column shaft and the steering input device, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and at least one signal indicating if the steering column shaft is in the retracted position or the driving position. When the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control of a vehicle is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, the energy absorbing mechanism is operational.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10328966Abstract: A steering column adjustment assembly includes a steering column that is automatically adjustable in an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving mode. Also included is a controller receiving information from at least one detection component, the controller adjusting the steering column in the autonomous or semi-autonomous driving mode to a position that is selected for an impact event, the position determined by at least one factor related to the information received from the at least one detection component.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventor: Richard K. Riefe
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Publication number: 20180362067Abstract: A single vehicle steering arrangement is provided. The steering arrangement includes a steering wheel and at least one human machine interface configured to allow a human to steer the vehicle, the human machine interface being a component separate from the steering wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
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Publication number: 20180354545Abstract: A steering column adjustment assembly includes a steering column that is automatically adjustable in an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving mode. Also included is a controller receiving information from at least one detection component, the controller adjusting the steering column in the autonomous or semi-autonomous driving mode to a position that is selected for an impact event, the position determined by at least one factor related to the information received from the at least one detection component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2017Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventor: Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10112639Abstract: A single vehicle steering arrangement is provided. The steering arrangement includes a steering wheel and at least one human machine interface configured to allow a human to steer the vehicle, the human machine interface being a component separate from the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
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Publication number: 20180273081Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is an energy absorbing mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the steering column shaft and the steering input device. Yet further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Also included is at least one signal indicating whether the steering column shaft is in the retracted position or the driving position, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control of a vehicle is automated and the energy absorbing mechanism is in a non-operational state, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, the energy absorbing mechanism is in an operational state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10029724Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering wheel having a convenience feature, an environmental detection system, and a controller in communication with an autonomous vehicle. The steering wheel is selectively coupled to a steering shaft and is movable between a deployed position and a retracted position. The environmental detection system is configured to provide a cabin environmental signal. The controller is programmed to move the steering wheel towards the retracted position and operatively decouple the steering wheel from the steering shaft, while the steering wheel is in the deployed position and in response to a request to activate an advanced driver assist system and the cabin environmental signal indicating a clear path of travel of the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe