Abstract: An adjustable steering column adjustable includes a steering shaft mounted in a body tube arranged in a movable support member and immobilized on a fixed support member by an electric clamping system. The clamping system is mounted in a casing supporting an electric actuator and includes a transmission mechanism, an immobilizing assembly and a clamping rod passing through the fixed support member. The immobilizing assembly includes a fixed cam rotationally fixed with respect to the clamping rod, and a rotationally movable cam, the cams having rolling paths for balls. Each rolling path has the shape of a spiral with an escape slope for a ball, in order to initiate clamping or unclamping depending on the rotation direction of the movable cam relative to the fixed cam.

Abstract: The yoke member of Cardan joint is made in one unitary part of one piece and includes a pivot fork including two pivot arm portions each comprising a crossing hole, the axis of which is the pivot axis of a cross-piece, and a connecting element for the motion transmission shaft and having two tightening portions connected via a junction portion. Each of the two tightening portions comprises a tightening hole. Four reinforcing appendices are arranged on the tightening portions and opposite one another in pairs to form together with the portions a housing for the motion transmission shaft. The yoke member is stamped in order to give it the desired thickness in highly stressed and lowly stressed regions.

Abstract: A motorized steering column module with position control including a moving device that moves a steering wheel in an axial direction, bringing it closer or further away from a selected position, and in a radial plane for regulating upward and downward movement with the aid of at least one electronic motor controller; and a controller that varies the speed of the motor at least proximate a departure position and an arrival position.

Abstract: Device for coupling an inner shaft and an outer shaft that slide in the direction of a common axis with balls disposed between the two shafts. The balls are disposed in axial grooves of the inner shaft and in axial grooves of the outer shaft. Each row of balls is held by a double spring member that bears on the groove and which pushes on two rolling tracks for the balls, which come into contact with the groove. The two rolling tracks are articulated at the junction of the groove and the inner shaft.

Abstract: A deformation device, especially for the steering column of a motor vehicle. The deformation device comprises a deformation tube (2), which can be deformed in a defined manner, as well as a deforming cone (1) associated with the deformation tube (2). The deformation device has at the deforming cone (1) at least one elevation (13, 28) or recess, whose edges (8) engage edges (9) of at least one impression (23, 25) or recess (10), whose shape corresponds to the elevation of the cone or the recess of the cone at the cone-side end of the deformation tube (2), in a positive (material blocking) manner, as a result of which essentially any desired high torque can be transmitted between the deformation tube (2) and the deforming cone (1) without any change in the good behavior in a collision.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle steering column is locked to a vehicle chassis by a remote-controlled electrically-operable locking arrangement that is carried by one end of a locking arm the other end of which is pivotally connected with the vehicle chassis. The locking arrangement has a locking axis that is parallel with and spaced a given distance from the pivot axis of the locking arm.

Abstract: A motorized steering column module with position control including a moving device that moves a steering wheel in an axial direction, bringing it closer or further away from a selected position, and in a radial plane for regulating upward and downward movement with the aid of at least one electronic motor controller; and a controller that varies the speed of the motor at least proximate a departure position and an arrival position.

Abstract: An adjustable-force energy absorbing device includes first and second support members connected for sliding movement in a direction parallel with the steering shaft axis of a vehicle, the first support member being secured to the vehicle chassis, and the second support member being connected with the outer tube of the steering mechanism. Upon impact, the second support member is displaced from its normal first position spaced from one end of the first support member toward a second position adjacent the first support member one end. This displacement is resisted by at least one U-shaped energy absorbing element, the number and/or degree of operability of the energy absorbing elements being controlled by at least one impact-responsive pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mechanism for collapsible vehicle steering column includes a deformable wire connected between the fixed and movable column members. The wire includes a straight portion connected at one end with the movable column member, and a second portion that is deformed around a cylinder that is secured to the fixed column member. A force generator is operable upon impact to apply laterally to the wire a controlled frictional force that is a function of various physical properties of the driver, the vehicle, or the environment, thereby to afford infinitely variable and modulatable energy absorption.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column with a positioning device (1) is provided as well as a positioning device for motor vehicle steering columns.

Abstract: An anti-theft locking device for vehicles includes an annular locking sleeve mounted concentrically about and normally in frictional engagement with the vehicle steering shaft. The locking sleeve includes a body portion having a serpentine cross-sectional configuration, thereby defining on the inner periphery of the sleeve a plurality of alternate smooth convex projections and concave valleys. The convex projections are in frictional engagement with the circumferential surface of the steering shaft by a predetermined frictional force that is greater than the rotational torque force produced during normal steering operation of the vehicle. A plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth extend radially outwardly from the locking sleeve, thereby to define between the teeth a plurality of locking slots one of which is arranged to receive the free extremity of the locking arm of a locking device.

Abstract: A vehicle steering mechanism includes an electrical power assist device connected with the steering shaft by an adjustable coupling, thereby to permit accurate perfect alignment between the output shaft of the power assist device and the steering shaft on the steering axis of the mechanism. One or more transverse connecting members may be provided between the flange portions of the swivel plate and the front face of the housing of the power assist device.

Abstract: A steering column comprises a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a body-tube which is disposed on a lateral upright of a support assembly fixed to the structure of a vehicle by a connecting system. A bearing member is connected to the support assembly by the connecting system acting along the axis and to the body tube by an axial guidance system acting along the steering axis. In normal operation, the axial guidance system is sufficiently tightly clamped for there to be no axial sliding movement between the body-tube and the bearing member. In the event of an impact, there is axial sliding between the body-tube and the bearing member immobilized on the support assembly by the connection system acting along the axis.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for adjusting an energy absorbing system of an automobile vehicle steering column mounted in a support assembly which is connected to and attached to the structure of the vehicle by fixing devices each having a respective fixing axis. At least one fixing device includes at least one energy absorbing capsule disposed in the support assembly on a retaining axis and clamped in the support assembly by fastening devices. The fixing axis and the retaining axis coincide. The fastening devices are independent of the fixing devices and include a nut and a rod shoulder in order to allow adjustment to achieve the required clamping of the fastening devices to obtain the required energy absorption. Adjustment of the clamping of the energy absorbing capsule or capsules is therefore independent of the clamping of the devices for fixing the support assembly to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a steering column module for commanding motorized positioning comprising a single motor for adjusting the position of the steering wheel along a transverse pivoting axis for the adjustment of the tilt of the steering wheel and along a longitudinal axis for adjusting the depth, the motor driving the displacement of a first threaded joint element providing a first adjustment mechanism along one of the axes and a second threaded joint element driving a second adjustment mechanism along at least the other axis, wherein the motor drives a single incremental position sensor sending a position signal to a controller and the controller comprises an input receiving moreover at least one activation information unit representative of the engagement state of at least one of the joint elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for clamping a system adjusting the position of a member (30) relative to a support assembly (6). The adjustment system can adjust in height and/or in depth an automobile vehicle steering column body-tube considered as the member. The member is disposed inside two vertical uprights (11, 12) of the support assembly. The clamping axis (5) is perpendicular to the two uprights. The device comprises a bracket (20) consisting of a base (21) and two tie-rods (22, 23) which are connected by a closure and support member (56) on one (12) of the uprights, and an external clamping rod (19) mounted on the base. A locking assembly (40), an intermediate member bearing on the upright (11) and disposed between the base (21) and the locking assembly (40), and an axial retention assembly (47) for the locking assembly that is adjusted to obtain clamped and unclamped positions, are mounted on the external clamping rod (19).

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column with a positioning device (1) is provided as well as a positioning device for motor vehicle steering columns.

Abstract: At least one first mounting part (1), which has at least one passage opening (1a) for guiding a connector (3). The connector connects to one another at least two clamping parts (4, 7) that are movable in relation to one another, which clamp the connecting piece (2). The connector (3) and the clamping parts (4, 7) form a first clamping mechanism. Structure is provided for securing the first clamping mechanism, and includes a second clamping mechanism (10, 11), which is located between the clamping parts (4, 7) of the first clamping mechanism and is coupled with same. The second clamping mechanism has at least one second mounting part (1), which has a passage opening (11a) that is at least congruent with the passage opening (1a) of the first mounting part (1), as well as a spindle (10), which is connected with the first clamping mechanism (3, 4, 7) via a clamping part (4) of the first clamping mechanism (3, 4, 7).

Abstract: A system for rotationally coupling telescopic interior and exterior shafts, which are disposed so that they can slide one within the other along a common axis, includes a first rotational coupling between the two shafts which is constituted by a rotation friction system. A second rotational coupling between the two shafts is constituted by internal and external splines. The internal splines are on the periphery of the end of the interior shaft and the external splines are on the internal face of the exterior tubular shaft so that a normal rotation torque is transmitted by friction and an exceptional rotation torque is additionally transmitted by the splines.

Abstract: A tilting pin mechanism is provided, preferably for the clamping device of a motor vehicle steering column, whose position is adjustable, for detachably fixing a housing accommodating the steering column at a bracket that is a rigid part of the body. The housing and the bracket have at least one cooperating friction surface pair that can be pressed against each other by means of the tilting pin mechanism. The tilting pin mechanism includes a centrally arranged bolt which is displaceable in the direction of its central longitudinal axis and with at least one tilting pin whose longitudinal axis is arranged approximately in parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the bolt. The tilting pin is supported on one side directly or indirectly at a bolt collar and is accommodated at its other end in a recess on the front side of an actuating ring.