Adjustable Patents (Class 74/493)
  • Patent number: 11958526
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a telescope drive bracket. The steering column assembly also includes a first jacket operatively coupled to the telescope drive bracket. The steering column assembly further includes a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is telescopingly moveable relative to the second jacket. The steering column yet further includes a collapse limiting feature having a cam portion and a blocking portion, wherein the blocking portion defines a first range of travel of the first jacket in a first position, wherein contact between the telescope drive bracket and the cam portion biases the blocking portion out of a first jacket path to allow a second, greater range of travel for the first jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob A. Caverly, James E. Rouleau, Randy W. Jones
  • Patent number: 11958525
    Abstract: A telescoping steering column having a lower jacket extending along a central axis between a lower jacket lower end and a lower jacket upper end and an upper jacket extending along the central axis between an upper jacket lower end and an upper jacket upper end, with an actuator configured to impart a pressure between the lower jacket and the upper jacket to move the upper jacket from an extended operating position to a retracted stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Lee M. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 11919564
    Abstract: A steering column sleeve includes (i) a translationally movable outer tube and inner tube, and (ii) an adjusting system for adjusting the relative position of the tubes. The adjusting system includes a screw for adjusting the axial position of the two elements. The adjusting system further includes an adjusting device for adjusting a resistance force opposing the relative movement between the tubes. The adjusting device has a friction pad and a clamping surface against which the friction pad moves between operating and adjustment positions. The adjusting system also includes a kinematic chain so that, beyond a threshold resistance torque transmitted by the screw to a single motor that it drives, its torque is transmitted to the adjusting device so as to move the friction pad from its operating position to its adjustment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendome
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont
  • Patent number: 11912333
    Abstract: A steering device includes a steering shaft, a steering column, a bracket, and a fastening mechanism. An upper column includes a clamp, a cylindrical part, a pair of protrusions, and contact ribs. The clamp includes a continuous clamp and a spaced clamp. The protrusions include a continuous protrusion and a spaced protrusion. The contact ribs include first contact ribs disposed each of which is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the clamp, second contact ribs each of which is disposed on a side surface of the protrusion and disposed opposite to the first contact rib with respect to a long groove, and at least one third contact rib disposed on a side surface of the spaced protrusion and between the first contact rib and the long groove. The third contact rib has a protrusion amount greater than those of the first contact rib and the second contact rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikuta, Yoshiyuki Sato, Suguru Sugishita, Hirotaka Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11891109
    Abstract: According to the present embodiments, locking and unlocking can be smoothly performed even when gears for fixing a steering column during a telescoping operation of the steering column are not properly engaged, a collapse motion for absorbing impact can be smoothly performed even when a vehicle collision occurs in a state in which the gears are not properly engaged, impact is absorbed at the minimum and maximum of strokes so as to enable the prevention of noise generation during the telescoping operation, and the number of components can be reduced and assembly process can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sunghun Park
  • Patent number: 11891113
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. And a lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket is operatively coupled to the column mounting bracket and translates relative to the column mounting bracket, wherein the column mounting bracket defines a first set of tapered rail slots, each of the first set of tapered rail slots disposed on opposite sides of the column mounting bracket and extending longitudinally along the column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket defines a second set of tapered rail slots, each of the second set of tapered rail slots disposed on opposite sides of the lower jacket and extending longitudinally along the lower jacket. The steering column assembly yet further includes a first pair of sliding wedge bushings disposed within the first set of tapered rail slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob A. Caverly, Randy W. Jones, Scott A. Stinebring
  • Patent number: 11891111
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an axially adjustable steering column having an adjustment lever, the locking mechanism includes: a locking cam including a hub, an upper arm, and a leg defining a set of teeth, the upper arm and the leg extend from the hub in a same direction to define a space therebetween, the upper arm includes an interface surface facing the leg that interfaces with the adjustment lever to move the locking cam between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a pin extending through the locking cam to allow the locking cam to pivot about the pin between the locked position and the unlocked position. In the locked position, the set of teeth of the leg engage with a set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column. In the unlocked position, the set of teeth of the leg are spaced apart from the set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher
  • Patent number: 11873021
    Abstract: A steering column may include a casing unit in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction, and casing tubes that are adjustable telescopically relative to one another in the longitudinal direction. A roller guide with at least one bearing support can be displaced radially on a first of the casing tubes, and in which at least one roller is mounted rotatably about a roller axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The roller can roll via its outer circumference in the longitudinal direction on a second of the casing tubes. A pretensioning device interacts with the bearing support to pretension the roller against the second casing tube. The bearing support may be guided on the first casing tube with an oblique inclination relative to the longitudinal axis, and the pretensioning device may apply an axial force to the bearing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventor: Thomas Raich
  • Patent number: 11827267
    Abstract: A steering device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a column unit, a front bracket, a rear bracket, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a rod supported by the column unit so as to be movable in a vertical direction in tilt guide holes in an unlocked state, and an operation portion that is fixed to a first side end portion of a rod in a right-left direction and that is used to operate of the rod. The first through-hole includes a first straight portion and a first tapered portion. The second through-hole includes a second straight portion and a second tapered portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Akaishi, Yasushi Yokokura, Daichi Okumura
  • Patent number: 11807294
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an energy absorption device for arrangement between a fastening device and a holder, wherein the holder is movable relative to the fastening device when a predetermined impact force is exceeded. The energy absorption device includes a deformable strand for absorbing energy, and a guide device for guiding the strand during the deformation. In order to be able to implement the assembly and/or the production more cost-effectively, the strand and the guide device are formed in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Büker, Stephan Haenisch
  • Patent number: 11767051
    Abstract: According to various example embodiments, there is provided a steering column for an automotive vehicle including, an inner tube 100 surrounding a steering shaft 120, an outer tube 110 into which the inner tube 100 is inserted, a nut screw 230 mounted on the outside of the outer tube 110 and fixed to the inner tube 100, and a first lead screw 210 which is inserted into the nut screw 230 and screwed therein and is rotated by a motor. In the steering column for the automotive vehicle, the nut screw 230 and the inner tube 100 are transferred together by translational motion by rotation of the first lead screw 210.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jong Han Kim, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 11613294
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a casing unit, in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis and which has at least two casing tubes which are guided adjustably relative to one another by an adjustment distance in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In order to permit easier adjustment, the casing tubes can be brought along the adjustment distance relative to one another into at least one comfort region and at least one transition region, wherein a transition adjustment force for the relative adjustment of the casing tubes in the transition region is smaller than a comfort adjustment force for the relative adjustment of the casing tubes in the comfort region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Tim Bayer, Daniel Kreutz
  • Patent number: 11554804
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket, an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket, and a telescope actuator assembly. The telescope actuator assembly includes a jackscrew nut translatable along a lead screw. The telescope actuator assembly includes a telescope drive bracket having a base portion and a pair of arms extending from the base portion, the pair of arms each defining a slot with a respective slot surface, wherein the jackscrew nut is disposed within the slots. The telescope actuator assembly includes a first nut capture plug coupled to one of the pair of arms, the first nut capture plug having at least one tooth disposed within a cavity on a first side of the jackscrew nut to prevent relative rotation between the jackscrew nut and the telescope drive bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Maida, Timothy D. Beach
  • Patent number: 11524713
    Abstract: A steering column includes an adjusting unit that is fixedly clampable releasably to a supporting unit and in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis, a clamping device with a release position and a fixing position for locking the adjusting unit to the supporting unit, a clamping bolt arranged along a clamping axis and guided transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis through an elongated hole in the supporting unit extending in an adjustment direction and in which the clamping bolt in the release position is movable. A fixing element on the clamping bolt can be braced by the clamping device in the direction of the clamping axis against the supporting unit. A guide device may have guide elements on the fixing element and on the supporting unit that are spaced apart from the elongated hole, the fixing element being guided in the guide elements in a translational manner relative to the supporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Adrian Vincent Geiger, Manoel Machinek, Balint Kalman Nagy
  • Patent number: 11465681
    Abstract: A position identification assembly for a steering column is provided. The assembly may include a mount bracket, a steering column, a sensor, and a controller. The mount bracket may define an opening to the cavity. The steering column may be mounted to the mount bracket for translation at least partially in to and out of the cavity and the steering column may define one or more physical features therealong. The sensor may be secured to the mount bracket to detect the physical features. Each of the one or more physical features may be arranged upon the steering column such that the sensor detects the one or more physical features when the steering column translates between positions and may send a signal to the controller reflecting the same. The controller is programmed to identify a steering column position based on the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Blake J. Riley, Robert C. Derocher, Keith A. Kidder, Paul M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 11465666
    Abstract: A steering system includes: a variable mechanism that reversibly changes a configuration of an operating member between a configuration for automated driving and a configuration for manual driving, the configuration including at least one of a position, an orientation, and a shape; a variable drive source; a receiver that receives an operation of a driver; and a controller that controls the variable drive source to cause the variable mechanism to return the configuration of the operating member to the configuration for manual driving, when the receiver receives the operation of the driver in a period when the configuration of the operating member is being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro Ochi, Yousuke Nishimura, Yasuyuki Nozawa, Kei Kitahara, Takeshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11440579
    Abstract: A steering column device has an inner column; an outer column combined with the inner column and having a slit extending in the axial direction, the inner column and the outer column configuring a telescopic steering column; a release bracket arranged inside the slit of the outer column and supported by and fixed to the inner column; a support bracket joined to the release bracket so as to be able to detach due to an impact load that is applied to the inner column during a secondary collision; and a telescopic friction plate having a function to increase a holding force for holding the steering column with respect to a vehicle-body-side bracket and supported by the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kakita, Kazuki Hara
  • Patent number: 11420669
    Abstract: An adjustment lever deceleration assembly for a steering column includes an adjustment lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly also includes a component positioned proximate the adjustment lever, the component rotating at a speed less than a rotational speed of the adjustment lever during adjustment between the locked position to the unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly further includes an adjustment lever decelerator integrally formed with the adjustment lever, the adjustment lever decelerator positioned on the adjustment lever to contact the component during rotation of the adjustment lever toward the unlocked position, wherein the adjustment lever deflects and absorbs energy upon contact with the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
  • Patent number: 11414121
    Abstract: A steering column may include a casing unit in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis and which is connectable via a height adjustment lever to a vehicle. The height adjustment lever has two opposing sidewalls between which the casing unit is received pivotably about a joint axis. The casing unit may have guide grooves that extend in a direction of the longitudinal axis. A sliding body may be disposed between each sidewall and the casing unit. Each sliding body may be displaceable in a sliding manner in a guide groove in the direction of the longitudinal axis and is supported on the respective sidewall. A supporting element may be arranged between each sliding body and the respective sidewall, which supporting element is supported from the inside against the respective sidewall and pushes the respective sliding body from the outside into the respective guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Sascha Rist, Helmut Kirmsze
  • Patent number: 11400968
    Abstract: A method for setting an actuating force for securing a motor vehicle adjustable steering column. The actuating force is to be exerted on an actuating element for actuating a locking device of the steering column to switch the locking device between release and securing positions. The locking device has an adjustable adjustment element for setting the actuating force. The method includes: positioning the steering column within reach of a robot manipulator, controlled in an automated manner, in a pre-assembled state of the adjustment element, actuating the locking device by means of the robot manipulator, measuring the exerted actuating force, and comparing the measured actuating force to a specified reference value. If the measured actuating force corresponds to the reference value ending the method, and if the measured actuating force deviates from the reference value adjusting the adjustment element via the robot manipulator and returning to the actuating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Andreas Muenster, Sebastian Schaedler
  • Patent number: 11383753
    Abstract: A traveling vehicle includes a steering shaft to which a steering handle is attached, the steering shaft being adjustable in tilt angle and length, a tilt lock to lock the steering shaft at an adjusted tilt angle, a telescopic lock to lock the steering shaft at an adjusted length, and an operator including an operation area to allow locking of both of the tilt lock and the telescopic lock to be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Kita
  • Patent number: 11358626
    Abstract: A steering column assembly including a steering column that extends between a first end and a second end and includes a hand wheel location on the first end and a rotation output on the second end. The steering column comprising an upper jacket, a lower jacket, and a sliding bracket, wherein the upper jacket is telescopically connected to the lower jacket and the lower jacket is slidably connected to the sliding bracket. A telescopic actuator extends between the sliding bracket and the upper jacket and facilitates relative telescopic movement between the upper jacket and the lower jacket and slidable movement between the lower jacket and the sling bracket. The lower jacket including a shaft connected to the rotation output via a splined inner bore that permits axial play. The movement of the lower jacket resulting in translational movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, George E. Arlt
  • Patent number: 11358627
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket. The assembly also includes a plurality of cylindrical lead screws threadably coupled to each other, the plurality of lead screws rotatable relative to each other and translatable relative to each other. The assembly further includes a nut threadably coupled to one of the plurality of lead screws and operatively coupled to the jacket to axially move the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Patrik Ryne, George E. Arlt
  • Patent number: 11318982
    Abstract: A steering column device includes a metal outer-side cylindrical member, a metal inner-side cylindrical member, and a resin intermediate cylindrical member that is disposed between the outer-side cylindrical member and the inner-side cylindrical member. The intermediate cylindrical member has an oil feed orifice through which the semisolid lubricating oil is guided from an outer circumferential face side to an inner circumferential face side when inserting the intermediate cylindrical member into the outer-side cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidenori Kakinuma, Yasunori Kamitani, Soma Iwai, Keiji Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11312407
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle steering column. A lower column has an open area, an axial slot provided in a central portion of the open area, a connecting portion connecting portions of the lower column located on both sides of the open area, a cut portion corresponding to the slot and provided on one side of the connecting portion, and a pair of protruding opposite end portions. A hinge pin is fitted into the opposite end portions of the lower column. An upper column is fitted into the lower column. A telescopic fixing plate of the upper column is provided in a location corresponding to the slot, and has a plurality of catch recesses spaced apart from each other. A telescopic catch member is located in the cut portion between the opposite end portions to be rotatably supported by the hinge pin, and has a catch protrusion engaging with the catch recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: HyunBi Kwon, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 11292415
    Abstract: An airbag device includes: an airbag body that is configured to deploy toward a front side of a driver; and a control unit that is configured to deploy the airbag body using a first deployment method when a central axis of a rim portion of a steering member of a vehicle is in a first state and a deployment condition is satisfied and deploy the airbag body using a second deployment method in a second state when an inclination angle of the central axis in relation to the central axis in the first state exceeds a threshold and the deployment condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mimura, Masahiko Asakura, Hironori Takano, Junichi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11235798
    Abstract: An adjusting drive for a motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, includes a motorized drive unit and an external threaded spindle which has an external thread and a coaxial internal thread into which an internal threaded spindle engages. The external threaded spindle and the internal threaded spindle can be driven in rotation relative to one another about an axis by the drive unit. In order to provide an adjusting drive which requires a reduced drive torque and delivers an optimized free adjustment path, the external threaded spindle engages with its external thread in a drive nut, wherein the drive nut or the internal threaded spindle is able to be driven in rotation by the drive unit and is supported relative to the drive unit in the direction of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht
  • Patent number: 11230316
    Abstract: A rake adjustment assembly for a steering column system includes a rake lever that is rotatable. The rake adjustment assembly also includes a rake bolt operative coupled to the rake lever and positioned to selectively exert a clamping force to lock and unlock the rake position of the steering column system. The rake adjustment assembly further includes a cam assembly comprising an outer cam formed of stamped steel and press fit within a pocket defined by an outer face of the lever. The outer cam includes a main body. The outer cam also includes a plurality of legs extending from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Gembrowski, Randy W. Jones, Ethan S. Jacobs, Tyler M. Reno
  • Patent number: 11214294
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly has a central hub configured to connect to a steering column, at least one retractable hand grip attached to the central hub, one or more control cables disposed internal of each retractable hand grip, and a drive mechanism connected to the control cables. The drive mechanism is located either at or in the central hub or remotely relative to the steering wheel assembly. The drive mechanism when activated can selectively move one or more of the control cables to move the retractable grips to a retracted position or a non-retracted position. Optionally, the hand grips can be connected directly to the central hub and/or to one or more spokes extending form the central hub. Each of the retractable hand grips has at least one and up to four control cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventor: Makoto Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 11208139
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a clamp mechanism having a first rack of teeth and a second rack of teeth. A blocking device includes at least one gearwheel. At least one tooth of the blocking device is carried by the gearwheel and is engaged with the first rack of teeth when the clamp mechanism is in both the clamped position and the released position. The blocking device is disengaged from the second rack when in the released position thereby allowing the gearwheel of the blocking device to roll along the first rack of teeth during adjustment of the steering column assembly. At least one tooth of the blocking device engages the second rack of teeth when the clamp mechanism is in the clamped position. The at least one gearwheel of the blocking device in this condition is prevented from rolling along the first rack of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. z.o.o.
    Inventors: Artur Wojtalik, Pawel Ponikiewski
  • Patent number: 11203375
    Abstract: The present application relates to an adjustment bushing, a steering column and a vehicle. The adjustment bushing comprises: a frame provided with a linear track that allows an adjusting bolt to slide left and right; and damping structures respectively disposed near both ends of the linear track and including convex hulls extending from upper and lower inner sides of the frame into the linear track, wherein, when the adjusting bolt slides to both ends of the linear track to extreme positions of the linear track, the convex hulls are squeezed between the adjusting bolt and the frame to play a damping role. The adjustment bushing can rebound after the endurance adjustment, has excellent noise reduction and energy absorption effect, and improves the durability and service life of the adjustment bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignees: MANDO CORPORATION, MANDO CHINA HOLDINGS LTD.
    Inventor: Zhuo Liu
  • Patent number: 11203373
    Abstract: A vehicle steering column includes a support unit and by which an actuator unit is held in which a steering spindle is mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis. An adjustment drive is disposed between the support unit and the actuator unit and by which the actuator unit is adjustable. The adjustment drive has a threaded spindle which engages in a spindle nut and has a spindle axis. The spindle nut and the spindle are drivable by a servomotor to rotate in a mutually relative manner. The servomotor has a motor shaft which is coupled to a drive gear which is rotatable about a drive axis and which operatively engages with an output gear which is rotatable about the spindle axis and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the spindle nut or the threaded spindle. The drive axis and the spindle axis are disposed mutually parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Specht, Sebastian Huber
  • Patent number: 11186308
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a steering column for a vehicle including an upper column on which a bracket is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the upper column, a lower column having an inner peripheral surface supported on the outer peripheral surface of the upper column and having a telescopic driving device fixed to a side corresponding to the bracket, a connecting member coupled to the telescopic driving device so as to be movable in the axial direction during a telescopic operation, and a bending plate fixed to the bracket and having one end being bent and spaced apart from a portion fixed to the bracket and coupled to the connecting member, thereby it is possible to perform the smooth collapse operation and to reduce the number of components, assembling process and cost of the steering column of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: HyunBi Kwon, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 11148703
    Abstract: Construction for reinforcing the strength of a pair of support plate sections is achieved. Upper end edges of the pair of support plate sections are fastened to a bottom surface of a bridge plate section of an installation plate section via lug sections for welding. A reinforcing member comprising a protrusion which is convex on the outside in the width direction and concave on the inside in the width direction is provided from the upper end section to the lower end section of the front-end section of each one of the pair of support plate sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Suguru Sugishita, Naoki Kabe
  • Patent number: 11110953
    Abstract: A locking device is presented for an adjustable steering column assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating element and a damping device. The damping device has a first damping element and a second damping element, wherein the first damping element is attached to the actuating element and the second damping element is attached to a frame part, wherein the first and/or second damping element relative to the other damping element are rotatably mounted. The first and the second damping element each have a coupling section, wherein the coupling sections are engaged at least over a partial section of a movement of the actuating element, and wherein a relative rotation between the two damping elements is damped by deformation of the first and/or second damping element and/or by friction, at least over a partial section of a movement of the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lingemann, Marcus Zimpel
  • Patent number: 11052935
    Abstract: A motor-adjustable steering column for a vehicle includes a supporting unit attachable to a vehicle body and by which there is held an adjusting unit in which a steering spindle is mounted so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis. An adjustment drive is connected to the supporting unit and to the adjusting unit and is adjustable relative to the supporting unit. The adjustment drive includes a drive unit and a threaded spindle which engages in a spindle nut and which has a threaded spindle axis. The threaded spindle and the spindle nut can be driven to rotate relative to one another about the threaded spindle axis by the drive unit. To prevent slipping or spinning of the spindle drive in a crash situation the adjustment drive includes a blocking device which can be brought into a blocking position for blocking the threaded spindle relative to the spindle nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Arne Schacht, Jean-Pierre Specht, Sebastian Huber
  • Patent number: 11034378
    Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprising a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, the telescopic steering shaft comprising a first shaft having a hollow end and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft. A plurality of radially-adjustable pins and a resilient contact member are axially separated along a longitudinal axis of the steering column assembly, each being adjustable for the elimination of free play between the first shaft and the second shaft. The pins transmit torque by rotationally interlocking the first shaft and the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Artur Wojtalik
  • Patent number: 11034375
    Abstract: An industrial truck comprising a driver's cab including a steering unit, a steering bracket having a base plate and a profile structure for receiving the steering unit, a fastener disposed in combination with the driver's cab and configured to secure the steering bracket to the driver's cab, and an adapter unit mounting the steering bracket to the driver's cab while allowing variations in the vertical position of the steering unit. More specifically, the steering unit defines a longitudinal cavity for receiving the outwardly projecting profile structure of the steering bracket. Additionally, the adapter plate defines at least two apertures, at least one of the apertures mounting to one of the at least two height differentiating positions of the fastener. As such, the vertical height of the steering unit may be varied relative to a fixed vertical height or position within the driver's cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sebastian Heusinger
  • Patent number: 11014599
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column includes an actuating unit for rotatably mounting a steering shaft, a carrying unit in which the actuating unit is mounted so as to be axially displaceable via a motorized longitudinal adjustment drive, a transmission device coupled to the actuating unit and to the longitudinal adjustment drive, an energy absorption apparatus for absorbing energy when the actuating unit moves relative to the transmission device, and a coupling device connected to the actuating unit and to the transmission device. The coupling device may be disconnected from the actuating unit and/or the transmission device in a crash event, allowing movement between the actuating unit and the transmission device. The coupling device may have a pin-shaped holding element that protrudes into a slot. A blocking element may block movement of the holding element in the slot, and in a crash event permit movement of the holding element in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventor: Helmut Kirmsze
  • Patent number: 11014597
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a shroud; a steering shaft, which is supported by the shroud; a support bracket, a clamp, and a clamp mechanism. The support bracket is configured to be secured to a fixed part of the vehicle and includes two arms that depend from a base portion to embrace the shroud. The clamp pin extends through an opening in each of the arms of the support bracket and in a slot in the shroud. The clamp mechanism is movable between an unclamped position in which the shroud can move relative to the support bracket and a clamped position in which the shroud is fixed relative to the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Artur Wojtalik
  • Patent number: 11001291
    Abstract: A rake adjustment mechanism for an electronically adjustable steering col disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering LLC
    Inventors: Murali Atluru, Venkateswaran Subramanian, Oliver Perichon
  • Patent number: 10981592
    Abstract: A power steering assembly has a housing and a ball nut assembly supported on the housing. The ball nut assembly has a ball nut axis. The housing has a first surface between the housing and the ball nut assembly. The ball nut assembly also has a second surface. The second surface rotates on the first surface such that the ball nut assembly rotates relative to the housing on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Urbach, John F. Santori
  • Patent number: 10974755
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a handle, a first movement unit, and a second movement unit. The handle is held by an occupant and configured to steer a vehicle by the occupant, and is divided into at least a first division and a second division. The first movement unit is configured to allow the first division to move. The second movement unit configured to allow the second division to move. After the first division is separated from the second division, the second movement unit moves the second division forward, and the first movement unit moves the first division to a region in which the second division was initially disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10946887
    Abstract: A cargo handling vehicle includes a universal joint that allows an upper shaft to swing with respect to a lower shaft around a predetermined horizontal axis, a column tube that covers an outer periphery of the upper shaft, and a lockable gas spring that supports the upper shaft via the column tube. The gas spring is disposed under the column tube and connects a cowl with the column tube. The column tube has a cowl backing bracket that is disposed on a side of the universal joint and connected to the cowl, and the cowl supports the cowl backing bracket swingably around the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI LOGISNEXT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshioka, Takuya Sano
  • Patent number: 10940881
    Abstract: Reinforcing ribs (33a and 33b) are provided between mounting plate parts (30a and 30b) and support plate parts (31a and 31b) forming a support bracket (18a). Side plate parts (40a and 40b) forming a distance bracket (17a) are disposed between the support plate parts (31a and 31b), and an outer column (13a). When an adjustment lever (26a) is operated to hold a steering wheel at a position after adjustment, a steering column (6a) is pushed toward an upper side by column pressing parts (42a and 42b) provided at the side plate parts (40a and 40b), and, therefore, a pair of widened parts (43a and 43b) provided at upper parts of the side plate parts (40a and 40b) are pushed and expanded to the outside in a width direction. The widened parts (43a and 43b) are sandwiched between the support plate parts (31a and 31b) and the outer column (13a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kurokawa, Nobuyuki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10919559
    Abstract: A steering device includes a column unit, a front bracket, a lock bolt, a rear bracket provided with a tilting guide hole, and a second urging member. The column unit is provided with a bumping portion that restricts the column unit from rising by coming into contact with the rear bracket before the lock bolt abuts onto an upper end inner circumferential edge of the tilting guide hole in accordance with rotation of the column unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Shiroishi
  • Patent number: 10919562
    Abstract: An energy absorption plate (52) for a steering column assembly (10) having a first end (54) and a second end (56), an arcuate segment (62), a first generally flat segment (58) between the first end (54) and the arcuate segment (62), and a second generally flat segment (64) between the second end (56) and the arcuate segment (62). The first generally flat segment (58) is situated generally parallel to the second generally flat segment (64). The first generally flat segment (58) is configured to face away from a column tube (18) of a steering column assembly (10). The second generally flat segment (64) is adapted to be secured to the column tube (18) of the steering column assembly (10). The first generally flat segment (58) includes one or more features, such as a toothed portion (66), for engaging with a fastener, such as a spring-biased fastener (44), to lock the column tube (18) in proper position. A steering column assembly (10) including this energy absorption plate (52) is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Scott Lewis Strong, David Ray Hartman, Victor Corona Martinez
  • Patent number: 10882548
    Abstract: A steering column apparatus includes a telescoping column assembly and a stowing assembly. The telescoping column assembly includes a lower jacket and an upper jacket. The upper jacket is adapted to move between extended and retracted positions along a telescope axis and with respect to the lower jacket. The stowing assembly is engaged to the lower jacket, and is adapted to move between stowed and un-stowed states along a stow axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Freudenstein, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 10875568
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a steering column of vehicle which includes an upper column with a fixing plate having a latching groove on an outer surface thereof, a lower column coupled to an outer surface of the upper column with a mounting hole on a side facing to the fixing plate, and an impact absorbing module, wherein the impact absorbing module includes a module cover covering the mounting hole and being coupled to the lower column, a latching element detachably coupled to the latching groove, a module body rotatably coupled to the latching element via an elastic element, and a bending plate which one end is coupled to the module body and bended other end is coupled to the module cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: HyunBi Kwon, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 10836230
    Abstract: A RevoKnuckle-type suspension for a wheeled vehicle has a hub mounted to a bearing carrier for rotation relative thereto about a steering axis, and a shock absorber connected non-rotatably to the bearing carrier. The shock absorber has an outer cylinder having an axially-extending guide hole defined therein, and a piston and attached piston rod retained for axial reciprocation in the guide hole. The guide hole and at least one of the piston and the piston rod retained therein have respective complementary-shaped, non-circular cross-sectional shapes which engage one another to resist axial rotation of the piston and/or the piston rod within the guide hole. The carrier is therefore restrained against rotation relative to the vehicle sprung structure without the need for any additional component(s) such as a control arm or stabilizer, as required in a traditional RevoKnuckle-type suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Hintzen, Thomas Gerhards