Abstract: An electric powered recirculating ball assembly includes a shaft having a plurality of sector teeth extending therefrom. The assembly also includes an eccentric sleeve defining a bore containing a portion of the shaft, the eccentric sleeve comprising an upper sleeve segment and a lower sleeve segment that are separate components, the eccentric sleeve defining an opening that the sector teeth extend through.

Abstract: An electric powered recirculating ball assembly includes a shaft having a plurality of sector teeth extending therefrom. The assembly also includes an eccentric sleeve defining a bore containing a portion of the shaft, the eccentric sleeve comprising an upper sleeve segment and a lower sleeve segment that are separate components, the eccentric sleeve defining an opening that the sector teeth extend through.

Abstract: A gear control system for controlling output torque provided to axles of a vehicle may include a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a set of engageable locking mechanisms. Each planetary gear set may include at least a sun gear, a ring gear circumferentially disposed around the sun gear, and a carrier that is coupled to the sun gear and an axle. The set of engageable locking mechanisms may include at least one of a first engageable locking mechanism that is engageable with the first planetary gear set or a second engageable locking mechanism that is engageable with the second planetary gear set. The set of engageable locking mechanisms may be selectively configured to engage or disengage based on a trigger condition being satisfied.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes providing a solid shaft, a tubular shaft, and a wear plate. The solid shaft includes first and second ends. A tubular shaft includes an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein. The groove includes an inner surface. The wear plate includes a bottom surface that defines an axially extending channel. The wear plate is orientated in the groove of the tubular shaft with a gap defined by the wear plate and the groove of the tubular shaft. The solid shaft is then inserted into the tubular shaft. At least one ball bearing is inserted within the channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: A steering shaft decoupling assembly includes a steering shaft. The assembly also includes a lower shaft mechanically coupled to the steering shaft. The assembly further includes a steering shaft locking component engageable with the steering shaft and moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position locking the steering shaft to prevent axial translation and the second position unlocking the steering shaft to allow axial translation of the steering shaft, the steering shaft locking component being in the second position in an autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving mode comprising an advanced driving assist system controlling road wheels of a vehicle resulting in rotation of the lower shaft.

Abstract: A stationary steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel connected to an axially extending column. The assembly also includes a steering wheel locking component engageable with the steering wheel and moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position locking the steering wheel to prevent rotation and the second position unlocking the steering wheel to allow rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel and an upper steering shaft rigidly coupled to the steering wheel. Also included is a lower steering shaft operatively coupled to the upper steering shaft. Further included is a ball coupling assembly comprising balls retained within the upper steering shaft, the balls disposed in a first radial position that engages the balls with the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a coupled condition, the balls disposed in a second radial position that disengages the balls from at least one of the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a decoupled condition.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft selectively coupleable to the steering wheel with a plurality of balls, the steering wheel and the steering shaft transitioning between a rotationally coupled condition and a rotationally decoupled condition, the steering wheel in a rotationally stationary position during the decoupled condition.

Abstract: A steering shaft decoupling assembly includes a steering shaft. The assembly also includes a lower shaft mechanically coupled to the steering shaft. The assembly further includes a steering shaft locking component engageable with the steering shaft and moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position locking the steering shaft to prevent axial translation and the second position unlocking the steering shaft to allow axial translation of the steering shaft, the steering shaft locking component being in the second position in an autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving mode comprising an advanced driving assist system controlling road wheels of a vehicle resulting in rotation of the lower shaft.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes providing a solid shaft, a tubular shaft, and a wear plate. The solid shaft includes first and second ends. A tubular shaft includes an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein. The groove includes an inner surface. The wear plate includes a bottom surface that defines an axially extending channel. The wear plate is orientated in the groove of the tubular shaft with a gap defined by the wear plate and the groove of the tubular shaft. The solid shaft is then inserted into the tubular shaft. At least one ball bearing is inserted within the channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: A rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having first and second ends. Also included is a tubular shaft configured to receive the first end, the tubular shaft having an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein, the axially extending groove having an inner surface. Further included is a wear plate having a bottom surface and an elastically deformable body having first and second ends, the body defining an axially extending channel, the body of the wear plate received in the tubular shaft groove. Yet further included is an outer surface of the body of the wear plate defining a gap between the wear plate and the axially extending groove of the tubular shaft, the gap reduced upon flexure of the wear plate. Also included is at least one ball bearing disposed within the wear plate channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel and an upper steering shaft rigidly coupled to the steering wheel. Also included is a lower steering shaft operatively coupled to the upper steering shaft. Further included is a ball coupling assembly comprising balls retained within the upper steering shaft, the balls disposed in a first radial position that engages the balls with the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a coupled condition, the balls disposed in a second radial position that disengages the balls from at least one of the upper steering shaft and the lower steering shaft to place the steering shafts in a decoupled condition.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft selectively coupleable to the steering wheel with a plurality of balls, the steering wheel and the steering shaft transitioning between a rotationally coupled condition and a rotationally decoupled condition, the steering wheel in a rotationally stationary position during the decoupled condition.

Abstract: A stationary steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel connected to an axially extending column. The assembly also includes a steering wheel locking component engageable with the steering wheel and moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position locking the steering wheel to prevent rotation and the second position unlocking the steering wheel to allow rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having first and second ends. Also included is a tubular shaft configured to receive the first end, the tubular shaft having an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein, the axially extending groove having an inner surface. Further included is a wear plate having a bottom surface and an elastically deformable body having first and second ends, the body defining an axially extending channel, the body of the wear plate received in the tubular shaft groove. Yet further included is an outer surface of the body of the wear plate defining a gap between the wear plate and the axially extending groove of the tubular shaft, the gap reduced upon flexure of the wear plate. Also included is at least one ball bearing disposed within the wear plate channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect, a rolling element intermediate shaft assembly is provided. The assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end and a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end. The tubular shaft includes an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein, and the axially extending groove includes an inner surface. The assembly further includes a wear plate having a bottom surface and defining an axially extending channel, the wear plate being received in the tubular shaft axially extending groove, and at least one ball bearing disposed within the wear plate channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: A power actuator assembly includes a torque transmission device, a motor mounted to the torque transmission device extending along a motor axis, and a screw coupled to the torque transmission device and extending along a screw axis. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the screw and the torque transmission device and permits selective rotational adjustment between the adjustment mechanism and the torque transmission device to rotate the motor relative to the torque transmission device. A connecting device releasably interconnects the adjustment mechanism to the torque transmission device to permit repeated re-positioning of the motor relative to the torque transmission device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a magnetic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the magnetic apparatus including a magnet having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing each other with the inner surface having a first portion and a second portion integrally connected to and facing each other and utilizing a fluid and a fixture body defining a hole along a fixture axis and a deflector disposed within the hole. The method includes the steps of installing the magnet on the fixture body and securing the magnet to the fixture body. The method further includes the steps of flowing the fluid through the magnet transverse to the fixture axis to form at least one aperture and intersecting the fluid with the deflector to redirect the fluid generally along the fixture axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a magnetic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the magnetic apparatus including a magnet having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing each other with the inner surface having a first portion and a second portion integrally connected to and facing each other and utilizing a fluid and a fixture body defining a hole along a fixture axis and a deflector disposed within the hole. The method includes the steps of installing the magnet on the fixture body and securing the magnet to the fixture body. The method further includes the steps of flowing the fluid through the magnet transverse to the fixture axis to form at least one aperture and intersecting the fluid with the deflector to redirect the fluid generally along the fixture axis.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly is provided that includes a column jacket and a bracket for attaching the assembly to a vehicle. A plate is coupled to the column jacket, and defines a opening therethrough and a slot extending along a longitudinal axis from the opening. A pyrotechnic device interconnects the bracket to a pin, and transversely moves the pin relative to the plate into the opening in response to a collision event. The pin deforms the slot as a result of longitudinal movement of the plate relative to the pin for absorbing energy imparted to the vehicle during the collision event, thereby reducing the likelihood of injuring a driver of the vehicle.