Abstract: The invention provides for a collapsible steering column assembly and method for applying a varying resultant force to resist the collapse of the steering column assembly during an emergency condition. The steering column assembly includes a column jacket adapted to be releasably coupled to the frame for movement along the longitudinal axis L in the emergency condition. The column jacket includes an anvil and is supported by a support bracket. An absorbing strap secured to the supporting bracket is routed around the anvil. The absorbing strap is plastically deformed as the column jacket moves along axis L and an actuator supported by the support bracket applies a force against the absorbing strap. The actuator selectively varies the applied for as the absorbing strap is drawn over the anvil in the emergency condition to optimize the resultant force for the emergency condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a steering column operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle. The steering column assembly also includes a locking bracket adjacent to the steering column and moveable along a path for collapsing movement. The steering column assembly also includes a locking member supported in two-way movement by the locking bracket between a first position and a second position spaced from one another. In the first position, the locking member locks the locking bracket and the steering column member together. When the locking member is in the second position, the steering column member is moveable relative to the locking bracket. The steering column assembly also includes at least one quick release bolt engaged with the locking bracket to selectively fix the locking bracket with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly having an outer jacket, an inner jacket, and a tilt housing. A longitudinal locking device moves between released and engaged positions allowing and preventing longitudinal movement of the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket. A tilt locking device moves between released and engaged positions allowing and preventing tilting movement of the tilt housing relative to the inner jacket. A control lever is coupled to both of the longitudinal locking device and the tilt locking device for simultaneously moving the devices between the released and engaged positions. The longitudinal locking device has first and second members each having interengaging chamfers. The first member has an engagement surface abutting an abutment surface of the inner jacket when in the engaged position to prevent the longitudinal movement of the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket and a lower jacket partially disposed within said upper jacket. A bushing is disposed between the upper jacket and the lower jacket. The upper jacket and the lower jacket are collapsible along a longitudinal axis in response to a collision event. A first roller mechanism and a second roller mechanism are mounted to the upper jacket near a forward end and a rearward end of the bushing respectively for engaging the lower jacket in rolling engagement. The first and second roller mechanisms resist a resultant force caused by a bending moment created by a transverse load applied to a distal end of the upper jacket to minimize an increase in a sliding frictional force between the bushing and the lower jacket.

Abstract: A shaft assembly includes a first shaft member and a second shaft member telescopically engaged with the first shaft member. A roller carrier supporting a plurality of rollers is disposed between the first and second shaft members. The first shaft member defines a first slot extending along and angled relative to a longitudinal axis. The second shaft member defines a second slot extending along and angled relative to the first slot and the longitudinal axis. The roller carrier defines a carrier slot extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pin extends through the first slot, the second slot and the carrier slot and moves the roller carrier at a slower speed than the relative movement speed between the first shaft member and the second shaft member during telescoping movement. A wedge is disposed between the first shaft member and a portion of the rollers to de-lash the shaft assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle has a central lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has an actuator preferably having an outer member supported operably by a guide feature carried between the outer member and the bracket for movement along a first centerline traverse to the steering shaft. The bracket also supports a lever of the actuator for movement along a second centerline that intersects the first centerline. At least one roller is located in a raceway defined between the outer member and the lever. Because the raceway is angled with respect to both the first and second centerlines, motion of the lever along the second centerline is converted to motion of the second member along the traversing first centerline.

Abstract: An information system for a vehicle includes a computer for handling informational data corresponding to operation of the vehicle. A primary display is connected to the computer in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle for presenting the informational data in multiple, sequential, interactive menu screens. A manual controller mounted on the steering wheel allows input to the computer and manipulation of the primary display through the menu screens. The controller includes a scroll wheel which is oriented so that its rotational axis is parallel to the steering axis. The controller includes a central push button for activating a particular selection highlighted on the primary display. A plurality of category selector buttons operate as mode switches for activating various vehicle system subjects through the information system.

Abstract: The invention provides for a collapsible steering column assembly and method for applying a varying resultant force to resist the collapse of the steering column assembly during an emergency condition. The steering column assembly includes a column jacket adapted to be releasably coupled to the frame for movement along the longitudinal axis L in the emergency condition. The column jacket includes an anvil and is supported by a support bracket. An absorbing strap secured to the supporting bracket is routed around the anvil. The absorbing strap is plastically deformed as the column jacket moves along axis L and an actuator supported by the support bracket applies a force against the absorbing strap. The actuator selectively varies the applied for as the absorbing strap is drawn over the anvil in the emergency condition to optimize the resultant force for the emergency condition.

Abstract: A steering column assembly of a vehicle has a releasable push/pull lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has a toggle apparatus having a push/pull lever that may extend substantially parallel to a rotating axis of the steering shaft and move in a first direction along its length and between locked and unlocked positions. A carrier of the device connects to the toggle apparatus and moves along its length in a second direction that may be perpendicular to the first direction and as the lever moves between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, an indexing apparatus is generally carried between the carrier and at least one of the housing and the bracket for selecting adjustment of the steering column assembly when the device is in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a rake adjustment mechanism, and is attached to a vehicle by a mounting bracket. A rake bracket is coupled to the mounting bracket. A column jacket is collapsible in response to an emergency event and is supported by the mounting bracket and the rake bracket, and is rotationally moveable with the rake bracket about a rake axis relative to the mounting bracket. An instrument cluster is coupled to the rake bracket for movement along with the rake bracket and the column jacket to prevent obstruction of the instrument cluster by a steering wheel upon re-positioning the steering wheel, while not restricting movement of the column jacket during collapse of the column jacket in response to the emergency event. A dynamic absorber interconnects the instrument cluster and the rake bracket to reduce vibration of the steering column assembly caused by additional weight of the instrument cluster.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket and a lower jacket partially disposed within said upper jacket. A bushing is disposed between the upper jacket and the lower jacket. The upper jacket and the lower jacket are collapsible along a longitudinal axis in response to a collision event. A first roller mechanism and a second roller mechanism are mounted to the upper jacket near a forward end and a rearward end of the bushing respectively for engaging the lower jacket in rolling engagement. The first and second roller mechanisms resist a resultant force caused by a bending moment created by a transverse load applied to a distal end of the upper jacket to minimize an increase in a sliding frictional force between the bushing and the lower jacket.

Abstract: An information system for a vehicle includes a computer for handling informational data. This information data includes vehicle data corresponding to operation of the vehicle and external data such as internet web pages and email. A primary display is connected to the computer and in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle. A primary input device allows input to the computer and manipulation of the primary display. A plurality of remote communicators are also operatively connected to the computer and movable about the vehicle. Each of the remote communicators includes a secondary display and a secondary input device for sending input to the computer and manipulating the secondary display. The secondary input device is also programmed to control the primary display for manipulating the informational data that is displayed to the driver.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis with a plurality of first plates fixedly mounted to the steering shaft. The first plates are spaced from each other to define a gap therebetween. A plurality of second plates are disposed about the steering shaft with at least one of the second plates disposed in each of the gaps. The plates abut each other for providing a frictional engagement therebetween to cause concurrent rotation of the steering shaft and the plates when a locking member is in an unlocked position. The locking member engages the second plates when in a locked position for preventing rotation of the second plates with the steering shaft and the first plates continuing to be impeded from rotating until the frictional engagement is overcome thereby allowing relative rotation of the steering shaft and the first plates relative to the second plates.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket having a jacket portion and a compression bracket attached thereto. The compression bracket includes a planar wall spaced from the column portion and a sidewall extending between the planar wall and the jacket portion. The sidewall defines a telescope slot extending along a longitudinal axis. A shaft extends through the telescope slot of the sidewall. A roller is supported on and rotatable about the shaft, and in rolling engagement with the planar wall. The roller positions the shaft within the telescope slot to prevent sliding frictional engagement between the shaft and the sidewall. The rolling coefficient of friction between the roller and the planar wall is less than the sliding coefficient of friction between the shaft and the sidewall to reduce a frictional load produced during longitudinal collapse of the steering column assembly.

Abstract: A telescoping steering column assembly includes upper and lower jackets having inner and outer surfaces and telescoping ends, respectively, and two sleeves disposed therebetween and having an annular cavity defined within each of the sleeves to hold bearings therewithin. One bearing is connected to the outer jacket and the other bearing is connected to the inner jacket. A method of making the assembly includes the steps of disposing the inner jacket within the outer jacket followed by disposing the sleeves therebetween and injecting a plastic material therethrough to form bearings. The plastic material is extracted from one of the apertures in each of the jackets to provide a sliding engagement between one of the bearing and the inner jacket and another bearing and the outer jacket.

Abstract: A telescoping steering column assembly includes upper and lower jackets having inner and outer surfaces and telescoping ends, respectively, and two sleeves disposed therebetween and having an annular cavity defined within each of the sleeves to hold bearings therewithin. One bearing is connected to the outer jacket and the other bearing is connected to the inner jacket. A method of making the assembly includes the steps of disposing the inner jacket within the outer jacket followed by disposing the sleeves therebetween and injecting a plastic material therethrough to form bearings. The plastic material is extracted from one of the apertures in each of the jackets to provide a sliding engagement between one of the bearing and the inner jacket and another bearing and the outer jacket.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a steering column operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle. The steering column is moveable along a path for collapsing movement relative to a vehicle in response to an impact situation. The steering column assembly also includes an energy absorber for dissipating energy associated with the collapsing movement of the steering column along the path. The energy absorber includes an anvil fixedly disposed relative to one of the steering column and the path. The energy absorber also includes a strap drawable over the anvil and substantially fixedly disposed relative to the other of the steering column and the path. The steering column assembly also includes a second strap fixedly disposed relative to one of the steering column and the path for dissipating energy associated with the collapsing movement of the steering column along the path.