Patents by Inventor Eddy DuPont

Eddy DuPont 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).

  • Patent number: 11970202
    Abstract: A steering column sleeve includes two elements made up of an outer tube and an inner tube, and a system for adjusting a resistive force against a relative translational movement between the elements. A friction pad is supported by a first of the elements, and a clamping surface is rigidly connected to a second of the elements, wherein the friction pad is configured to contact and bear on the clamping surface, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjusting mechanism includes a cam bearing on a support member to generate a variation in pressure of the friction pad on the clamping surface parallel to a reference axis that is fixed relative to the first element, between a use position and an adjustment position. The adjustment mechanism of the adjustment system is configured to generate a relative rotational movement between the cam and the support member about the reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendôme
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont
  • Patent number: 11919563
    Abstract: A sleeve of a steering column includes (i) an outer tube and an inner tube that are movable relative to each other, and (ii) an adjustment system. The adjustment system includes a screw for adjusting the axial position along an adjustment axis constrained to move in translation with a first of the two elements by at least two guide bearings for rotationally guiding the adjusting screw about the adjustment axis. At least one of the bearings supporting the adjusting screw is a guide bearing with axial force take-up for blocking the translational movement of the adjusting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendome, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230192172
    Abstract: A steering column includes a support base intended to be mounted fixedly with respect to a vehicle chassis. The steering column further includes a steering member on which a vehicle steering wheel is mounted. The steering member includes a transmission shaft mounted so as to rotate with respect to the support base about a longitudinal main axis. The steering column also includes at least one force sensor that is interposed between a first non-rotating element of the steering column and a second non-rotating element belonging either to the steering column or to the chassis of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Omar Brahmi, Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont, Franck Boussemart
  • Patent number: 11591002
    Abstract: An absorber of steering column shock energy includes a plastically deformable part forming a loop, a breakaway link closing this loop on itself, and a first attachment interface and a second attachment interface separate from the breakaway link and arranged on either side of the loop. The part and the fusible link are arranged so that the exertion of forces in opposite directions on the first attachment interface and on the second attachment interface respectively, causes a stress leading to a deformation of the loop, breaking of the breakaway link and further deformation of the loop after this break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendome
    Inventors: Mickael Sauquet, Eddy Dupont
  • Publication number: 20230018690
    Abstract: A sleeve of a steering column includes (i) an outer tube and an inner tube that are movable relative to each other, and (ii) an adjustment system. The adjustment system includes a screw for adjusting the axial position along an adjustment axis constrained to move in translation with a first of the two elements by at least two guide bearings for rotationally guiding the adjusting screw about the adjustment axis. At least one of the bearings supporting the adjusting screw is a guide bearing with axial force take-up for blocking the translational movement of the adjusting screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont
  • Publication number: 20220410962
    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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont
  • Publication number: 20220402540
    Abstract: A steering column sleeve includes (i) two elements made up of an outer tube and an inner tube, and (ii) a system for adjusting a resistive force against a relative translational movement between the two elements. The adjustment system includes (i) at least one friction pad that is supported by a first of the two elements, (ii) a clamping surface rigidly connected to a second of the two elements, wherein the friction pad is configured to be in contact with and bear on the clamping surface, and (iii) an adjustment mechanism. The adjusting mechanism includes a cam directly or indirectly bearing on a support member in order to generate a variation in the pressure of the friction pad on the clamping surface parallel to a reference axis that is fixed relative to the first of the two elements so as to vary the pressure exerted by the friction pad on the clamping surface of the second of the two elements, between a use position and an adjustment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont
  • Publication number: 20220073125
    Abstract: An absorber of steering column shock energy includes a plastically deformable part forming a loop, a breakaway link closing this loop on itself, and a first attachment interface and a second attachment interface separate from the breakaway link and arranged on either side of the loop. The part and the fusible link are arranged so that the exertion of forces in opposite directions on the first attachment interface and on the second attachment interface respectively, causes a stress leading to a deformation of the loop, breaking of the breakaway link and further deformation of the loop after this break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Mickael Sauquet, Eddy Dupont
  • Publication number: 20210179161
    Abstract: A steering column including a support base configured to be fixedly mounted with respect to a vehicle chassis, a steering member configured to be connected to a vehicle steering wheel, said steering member being pivotally mounted with respect to said support base about a first transverse axis, a steering column tilt adjustment device for tilt adjustment of the steering member with respect to the support base by pivoting the steering member about the first transverse axis, where the steering member tilt adjustment device includes an actuator which is mounted on the steering member so as to pivot about a second transverse axis substantially parallel to the first transverse axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: David CAPELA, Raphael CANON, Eddy DUPONT, Vincent EYMERY
  • Publication number: 20180118249
    Abstract: A cam lock mechanism used for locking an adjustable steering column in a position comprises a fixed cam (52)defining a geometric reference plane (101) for the lock mechanism, a tensioning member (16), the tensioning member being able to move at least translationally with respect to the fixed cam parallel to a locking axis (100) perpendicular to the reference plane, in a tensioning direction; and a mobile cam (54) able to move with respect to the fixed cam along a pathway in a locking direction and interacting with the fixed cam in such a way that movement of the mobile cam along the pathway in the locking direction causes translational movement of the tensioning member (16) parallel to the locking axis in the tensioning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Eddy Dupont, Alexandre Sarandao
  • Patent number: 8448986
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a steering column includes a body and a cap assembled by a pivot and a connection element enabling the displacement of the body with respect to the cap under the action of a motor-reduction unit mounted on the body. The device is characterized in that the connection element includes at least one arm of which a first end is attached to the cap and a second end is connected to a threaded rod with vertical displacement cooperating in rotation with the drive shaft of a motor-reduction unit so that the arm forms a hinge enabling the reversible angular displacement of the body with respect to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Systemes de Direction Nacam SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont, Alexandre Sarandao
  • Publication number: 20110121552
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a steering column includes a body and a cap assembled by a pivot and a connection element enabling the displacement of the body with respect to the cap under the action of a motor-reduction unit mounted on the body. The device is characterized in that the connection element includes at least one arm of which a first end is attached to the cap and a second end is connected to a threaded rod with vertical displacement cooperating in rotation with the drive shaft of a motor-reduction unit so that the arm forms a hinge enabling the reversible angular displacement of the body with respect to the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ZF SYSTEMES DE DIRECTION NACAM SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont, Alexandre Sarandao
  • Patent number: 5816615
    Abstract: An articulation device for the steering column of an automobile vehicle includes a member joined to the steering wheel of the vehicle, a member joined to the structure of the vehicle, and a single member joining and disposed between the two above mentioned members. The single member is a spherical articulation member enabling axial displacement between the two above mentioned members and providing a seal between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Lemforder Nacam SA
    Inventors: Eddy Dupont, Jean-Rene Blais, Charles Daviau
  • Patent number: 5673937
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing device for an automobile steering column having a body-tube housing the steering shaft. A support made as two parallel vertical members mountably fixed on a vehicle body mount the steering column axially between them. The body-tube has reinforcement members on two opposite sides. An attaching device compresses the reinforcement members in the support with a tightening non-rotatable bolt extending axially through the body-tube reinforcement members and the support members. A nut on one end of the bolt is tightened by an operator for establishing a determined level of a frictional force between the support and body tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Nacam
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy DuPont, Jean-Michel Fouquet
  • Patent number: 5609364
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing device disposed between two elements which are movable apart from each other in response to an externally applied force. The device has a wire coil winding having a plurality of turns at one end and a rectilinear length portion at another end extending away from a turn of the coil winding. One of the two elements has a support axis about which the coil winding turns are would axially thereof. A second of the two elements has an end of the rectilinear length portion of the wire secured thereto. The turns of the coil winding are deformable and unwind about the axis to absorb energy of a force applied in a direction parallel to the rectilinear relatively separating apart the two elements. The energy device is uable on automobile vehicle steering columns for absorbing impact forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: NACAM
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Fouquet, Benoit Duval, Eddy DuPont