Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column shroud which supports a steering shaft for a steering wheel. The column shroud includes an inner member and an outer member. The inner member being at least partially received within the outer member. A support bracket is fixed in position relative to a part of the vehicle. A clamp mechanism is movable between a locked position in which the clamp mechanism fixes the inner member and the outer member in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp mechanism permits movement of at least one of the inner and outer members relative to the support bracket. The clamp mechanism includes a clamp pin that passes through an opening in the support bracket and is connected to a loop plate.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises an upper shroud portion (8) which is adapted to receive a steering column (1, 2), a lower guide portion (7) which is adapted to support the shroud portion (8) and be secured to a mounting bracket (14) fixed relative to the chassis of the vehicle, a connecting pin (13) which projects through an elongate opening provided in the fixed bracket (14), an opening in the lower guide portion (7) and an elongate opening in the upper shroud portion (8), a toothed rail member (19) which is connected to the upper-shroud portion by an energy absorbing device (22), and an operating lever (17) which is operatively connected to the connecting pin (13).

Abstract: An assembly comprises a male component and a female component which connect together to form a mechanical connection, the female component being adapted to at least partially receive an end portion of the male component. The female component has at least one bore which is adapted to receive a clamping pin which can be tightened to clamp the female component around the male component. A guide is provided which is carried by the male component and which defines at least one blocking region and one opening region, the opening region being aligned with the at least one bore in the female component to permit insertion of the clamping pin into the bore when the male component and female component are correctly aligned and the blocking region otherwise preventing insertion of the clamping pin when the male component is inserted into the female component with an incorrect alignment. The guide assists in achieving correct alignment of the male and female components during assembly.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprises: an upper column portion (3); an intermediate column portion (2); and a lower column portion (1). The upper portion (3) is telescopically connected to the intermediate portion (2) and the intermediate portion (2) in turn is telescopically connected to the lower portion (1) to define a column having a first length when in an extended position and a second length when in a collapsed position, the first length being greater than the second length.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises an upper shroud portion (8) which is adapted to receive a steering column (1, 2), a lower guide portion (7) which is adapted to support the shroud portion (8) and be secured to a mounting bracket (14) fixed relative to the chassis of the vehicle, a connecting pin (13) which projects through an elongate opening provided in the fixed bracket (14), an opening in the lower guide portion (7) and an elongate opening in the upper shroud portion (8), a toothed rail member (19) which is connected to the upper-shroud portion by an energy absorbing device (22), and an operating lever (17) which is operatively connected to the connecting pin (13).

Abstract: The assembly comprises: a hollow lower guide portion 7 a hollow upper shroud portion 10, which fits at least partially within the guide portion and extends away from the guide portion a telescopic steering shaft 1, 2 having at least an upper part 2 and a lower part 1, the upper part co-operating with the lower part and the two parts extending through the guide portion and the upper shroud portion a lower axial bearing 16, which is supported in a seat in the guide portion and provides axial location for the lower steering shaft part an upper axial bearing 17, which is supported in a seat in the upper shroud portion and provides axial location for the upper steering shaft part and in which the guide portion has at least one arcuate guide wall, which co-operates with a complimentary arcuate guide wall of the upper shroud to define a contact surface along which the upper shroud portion is adapted to slide relative to the guide portion in the event of an accident.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system is disclosed in which a motor (1) is adapted to provide, an assistance torque to an output shaft (12) through a worm gear (13) and wheel gear assembly (11) and a biasing means (14) is provided which biases the shaft carrying the worm gear (13) into engagement with the shaft carrying the wheel gear (11). The biasing means (14) may comprise a spring member provided between the gearbox housing and the bearing (9) supporting the free end of the worm gear shift, or a torsion spring adapted to act upon the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system is disclosed in which a motor (1) is adapted to provide, an assistance torque to an output-shaft (12) through a worm gear (13) and wheel gear assembly (11) and a biasing means (14) is provided which biases the shaft carrying the worm gear (13) into engagement with the shaft carrying the wheel gear (11). The biasing means (14) may comprise a spring member provided between the gearbox housing and the bearing (9) supporting the free end of the worm gear shift, or a torsion spring adapted to act upon the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system is disclosed in which a motor (1) is adapted to provide an assistance torque to an output shaft (12) through a worm gear (13) and wheel gear assembly (11) and a biasing means (14) is provided which biases the shaft carrying the worm gear (13) into engagement with the shaft carrying the wheel gear (11). The biasing means (14) may comprise a spring member provided between the gearbox housing and the bearing (9) supporting the free end of the worm gear shaft, or a torsion spring adapted to act upon the bearing assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing the backlash and free-play present between a worm (8) and worm wheel (10) in the gearbox of an electric power assisted steering system is disclosed. The worm (8) is provided on an output shaft (6) from an electric motor (4) and the wheel is provided on another separate shaft (9) (possibly the steering column). The wheel is fixed relative to a housing (1), and the worm is fixed relative to the housing through at least a first and a second support assembly (100, 200). The first support assembly (100) is provided at the end of the output shaft (8) distal from the motor (4) and comprises an eccentric bush (101) which can be rotated to adjust the radial position of the output shaft and hence worm gear. The second support assembly (200) allows for angular movement of the output shaft (6). The first support assembly (100) may be manually rotated or may automatically rotate under a spring force to adjust the amount of free-play.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an adjustable steering column (1) adapted to pivot about a point along its length relative to a mounting bracket (6). The steering column assembly also includes a gearbox adapted to transfer torque generated by an electric motor to the steering column (1). A spring (9), between the steering column (1) and the bracket (6), applies a twisting force sufficient to take up any radial play at the pivot. The spring (9) may be offset radially from the axis of the pivot in a direction parallel to the steering column axis as well as laterally offset from the axis of the steering column (1). An advantage is that the spring (9) eliminates vibration in the steering column (1) due to reaction torque from the electric motor, and can also act as a counter-balance to the weight of the electric motor.

Abstract: An electrical power-assisted steering system is disclosed comprising a brushless electric motor (1) which has a plurality of phase windings connected at a start point and in which a switching means (13) such as a relay is provided in at least one phase of the motor, the switching means being movable between a closed position in which current is able to flow in the phase winding and an open position which prevents current flowing in the respective phase in the event of a fault. Also disclosed is a substantially rigid connector assembly (19) onto which is mounted the switching means (13), conductors (20) for connecting the motor phase windings and a motor position sensor (21) to an associated motor control means (6), the connector acting as a support for the motor stator, which simplifies the steps involved in assembly.

Abstract: An electrical power-assisted steering system comprising a brushless electric motor which has a plurality of phase windings connected at a star point and in which a switching device such as a relay is provided in at least one phase of the motor, the switching device being movable between a closed position in which current is able to flow in the phase winding and an open position which prevents current flowing in the respective phase in the event of a fault.

Abstract: A video camera or equivalent sensor is mounted on a vehicle and used to detect the lane markings on the road (usually the white painted lines). An associated signal processor (11) estimates the vehicle's lateral position in relation to the lane markings. An electric motor (4) coupled to the steering mechanism (1) is used to provide a torque input to the steering which may either assist or oppose the steering torque from the driver. The processor (11) is designed to assist the driver to maintain the vehicle's lane position by holding the vehicle at a set-point using a biasing torque. This simulates the effect of the lane being cambered upwards towards the lane edges. However the driver is able to override or cancel the effect if the driver applied steering torque exceeds a prescribed torque threshold.

Abstract: A load measuring device is incorporated in a damper or suspension strut of a vehicle. The device comprises an annular plate which is interposed between axially spaced opposite faces of a thrust bearing and an abutment for the adjacent end of the spring, and the plate is supported from the opposite faces at at least three angularly spaced locations of which a location on one side of the plate is disposed substantially at the mid-point in the circumferential length between a pair of locations on the opposite side of the plate. Bending moments in the plate are monitored by thick film technology to give a direct reading of load.

Abstract: A vehicle cab 10 with a window aperture 11 closed by a pivotable glazing panel 12. The window aperture is of vertically tapering form such that the width `W` of the lower regions of the aperture is less than higher regions of the aperture and the glazing panel 12 is of a similar vertically tapering form. A glazing panel mounting structure 13 allows the glazing panel to be moved from a generally upright closed position to a generally horizontal open position 12' by raising the panel in a vertical sense so that the lower narrower portion of the panel is in alignment with a wider higher portion of the aperture and then pivoting the lower narrower portion of the glazing panel about a first generally horizontal axis 21 through the wider higher portion of the aperture to its generally horizontal open position.