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 solid shaft sub-assembly includes a solid shaft having a first portion and a second portion, and a yoke including an inner wall defining an aperture to receive the solid shaft. The aperture has a non-circular first cross-sectional profile, and the solid shaft first portion is positioned within the aperture and is deformed such that the first portion is formed with a second cross-sectional profile complementary to the first cross-sectional profile to axially and torsionally couple the solid shaft to the yoke.

Abstract: A lumbar support apparatus for a powered exoskeleton includes a support member and a lumbar support member. The support member includes a back portion, a first arm, and a second arm. The back portion has a first surface and a second surface that extends between a back portion first end and a back portion second end. The first arm extends from the back portion first end. The first arm defines a first attachment point for a first leg support. The second arm extends from the back portion second end. The second arm defines a second attachment point for a second leg support. The lumbar support member is disposed on the first surface of the back portion.

Abstract: A rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.

Abstract: A rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.

Abstract: A steering assembly that is provided with an autonomous vehicle includes a display interface and a controller. The display interface is disposed on a steering wheel and is configured to display an image. The controller is in communication with the display interface and an advanced driver assist system. The controller is configured to operate the display interface to display the image in response to activation of the advanced driver assist system and orient the image based on a rotational position of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An embodiment of a control system includes a sensing element configured to detect a gesture from at least one user in a vehicle including a handwheel, and a gesture control module configured to receive gesture information from the sensing element and control at least one of the handwheel and the vehicle based on the gesture information.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a gearbox assembly for a medical assist device having a motor assembly and a leg support is provided. The gearbox assembly includes a worm configured to be operably coupled to the motor assembly, and a worm gear meshingly engaged with the worm. The worm gear is configured to be operably coupled to the leg support, and the worm and the worm gear are configured to transfer rotary motion from the motor assembly to the leg support upon initiation of a force applied to the leg support.

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 human exoskeleton is provided and includes a power source. The human exoskeleton also includes a controller configured to activate power between the exoskeleton and the power source. The human exoskeleton further includes a power disconnect mechanism electronically connected to the controller and configured to disconnect power between the exoskeleton and the battery when activated, the power disconnect mechanism physically in contact with a wearer of the human exoskeleton.

Abstract: A human exoskeleton includes a battery. The human exoskeleton also includes an electric motor electrically coupled to the battery and powered by the battery to actuate at least one component of the human exoskeleton in an activated state of the electric motor, the electric motor back-driven during a non-activated state of the electric motor to regenerate power in the battery.

Abstract: In one aspect, a rolling element shaft assembly is provided. The rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.

Abstract: In one aspect, a solid shaft sub-assembly is provided. The solid shaft sub-assembly includes a solid shaft having a first portion and a second portion, and a yoke including an inner wall defining an aperture to receive the solid shaft. The aperture has a non-circular first cross-sectional profile, and the solid shaft first portion is positioned within the aperture and is deformed such that the first portion is formed with a second cross-sectional profile complementary to the first cross-sectional profile to axially and torsionally couple the solid shaft to the yoke.

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 steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column for operatively mounting a hand controller used for controlling the steering of the vehicle. A support member is disposed adjacent the steering column and is coupled thereto by a rake pivot connection which enables the steering column to pivot about an axis of the rake pivot connection relative to the support member along a rake adjustment path for adjusting a rake position of the steering column. A torsion spring is disposed about the axis between the steering column and the support member to provide a constant spring bias force therebetween. The torsion spring preferably provides near-equilibrium support of the column through its full rake adjust travel. The torsion spring further is readily adaptable to telescopic-type columns and does not interfere with the telescopic adjustment.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column for operatively mounting a hand controller used for controlling the steering of the vehicle. A support member is disposed adjacent the steering column and is coupled thereto by a rake pivot connection which enables the steering column to pivot about an axis of the rake pivot connection relative to the support member along a rake adjustment path for adjusting a rake position of the steering column. A torsion spring is disposed about the axis between the steering column and the support member to provide a constant spring bias force therebetween. The torsion spring preferably provides near-equilibrium support of the column through its full rake adjust travel. The torsion spring further is readily adaptable to telescopic-type columns and does not interfere with the telescopic adjustment.

Abstract: An energy absorber for a steering column includes a pair of plastic guides each of which is molded flat and closes at an integral living hinge around a corresponding one of a pair of serpentine flat metal straps so that the straps are captured in the guides between pairs of convex anvils on the guides. Each guide snaps into a guide slot in a mounting bracket on the steering column mast jacket. An inboard end of each flat metal strap is clamped to a vehicle body so that during a collapse stroke of the mast jacket, relative linear translation between the mounting bracket and the serpentine flat metal straps causes each of the straps to be thrust against and pulled across corresponding ones of the convex anvils. Plastic deformation of the flat metal straps at the convex anvils resist linear translation of the mast jacket. The dimensional accuracy of the molded plastic guides contributes to consistently predictable performance of the energy absorber.

Abstract: An energy absorbing raked steering column including a rake bracket on a vehicle body, a rake bolt on a collapsible mast jacket of the steering column traversing the rake bracket through a pair of vertical slots in the rake bracket, and a rake clamp for selectively coupling the rake bracket to the mast jacket. The rake bracket releases from the vehicle body for linear translation with the mast jacket in response to an impact on a steering hand wheel on the steering column. An energy absorber includes a pair convex anvils on the rake bracket which are thrust against and pulled across a pair of stationary serpentine metal straps. Forces attributable to plastic deformation of the metal straps resist linear translation of the mast jacket and urge rotation of the rake bracket about the rake bolt. A pair of lateral trunnions on the mast jacket intercept the rake bracket and block rotation thereof to maintain the contact geometry between the convex anvils and the metal straps.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column having thereon a column mounted electric power assist apparatus including a tubular mast jacket, a structural housing of the assist apparatus, a socket in an end wall of the housing consisting of an annular seat in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the housing and a cylindrical guide wall around the annular seat, and an annular end plate rigidly attached to the bottom of the mast jacket in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline thereof having a circular edge machined concentric with the longitudinal centerline of the mast jacket. The end plate plugs into the socket and bears flush against the seat with the circular edge of the end plate fitted closely in the cylindrical guide wall of the socket so that the longitudinal centerlines of the mast jacket and the housing are precisely aligned. A C-shaped retainer in an annular groove in the cylindrical guide wall overlaps the end plate to prevent dislodgment of the mast jacket from the housing.