Abstract: Electrically-driven steering column apparatus including: lower jacket; upper jacket axially slidably inserted thereinto; and telescopic drive disposed astride these two jackets. The telescopic drive contains: support member; screw shaft connected to the support member; and electric motor unit fixed to the lower jacket. The screw shaft is rotatably driven by the motor unit to make slidable motion of the upper jacket with respect to the lower jacket thereby allowing telescopic operation. The lower jacket has axially extending evacuation section shaped by partially increasing the inner diameter of the lower jacket, thereby allowing the passage of nut member provided on the upper jacket. Attaching bolt is screwed into the nut member through longitudinally extending rectangular hole defined by the evacuation section. The support member is supported by the upper jacket through the attaching bolt. Pushing member is disposed circumferentially opposite to the evacuation section, for pushing the upper jacket inwardly.

Abstract: A steering column device includes a mount bracket including a suspended portion hanging from a fixation portion. The suspended portion includes: a first wall extending along and adjacent to the jacket guide, a second wall located on an outside of the first wall in a vehicle width direction; and a front side wall and a rear side wall connecting front ends and rear ends of the first wall and the second wall to each other. Operation of an operating lever protruding from the suspended portion tightens a clamp bolt to connect and fix the jacket to the mount bracket.

Abstract: A jacket unit for a steering shaft is pivotally connected to a vehicle body through a first pivot mechanism and a swing arm is pivotally connected to the vehicle body through a second pivot mechanism. A first free part of the swing arm is pivotally connected to the jacket unit. A first screw rod member is rotatably held by the jacket unit and has a first splined end portion. A nut member is operatively engaged with the first screw rod member and pivotally connected to a second free part of the swing arm. A holding structure is provided for rotatably holding one end of the first screw rod member on the jacket unit. An electric actuator is held by the jacket unit and includes an output shaft that has a second splined end portion. The first splined end portion is operatively engaged with the second splined end portion to achieve a united rotation of the output shaft and the first screw rod member while permitting an axial movement relative to each other.

Abstract: A steering column device includes a mount bracket including a suspended portion hanging from a fixation portion. The suspended portion includes: a first wall extending along and adjacent to the jacket guide, a second wall located on an outside of the first wall in a vehicle width direction; and a front side wall and a rear side wall connecting front ends and rear ends of the first wall and the second wall to each other. Operation of an operating lever protruding from the suspended portion tightens a clamp bolt to connect and fix the jacket to the mount bracket.

Abstract: A jacket unit for a steering shaft is pivotally connected to a vehicle body through a first pivot mechanism and a swing arm is pivotally connected to the vehicle body through a second pivot mechanism. A first free part of the swing arm is pivotally connected to the jacket unit. A first screw rod member is rotatably held by the jacket unit and has a first splined end portion. A nut member is operatively engaged with the first screw rod member and pivotally connected to a second free part of the swing arm. A holding structure is provided for rotatably holding one end of the first screw rod member on the jacket unit. An electric actuator is held by the jacket unit and includes an output shaft that has a second splined end portion. The first splined end portion is operatively engaged with the second splined end portion to achieve a united rotation of the output shaft and the first screw rod member while permitting an axial movement relative to each other.

Abstract: An electric steering column for a motor vehicle is provided, which has a steering shaft. A jacket tube extends along the steering shaft to cover the same. A worm wheel is rotatably held by the jacket tube and has a center bore through which a given portion of the steering shaft loosely passes. A collar member is tightly disposed on the given portion of the steering shaft defining an annular clearance between the collar member and the worm wheel. An elastically deformable structure is put and compressed in the annular clearance in such a manner as to induce a rotation of the collar member when the worm wheel is rotated. An electric motor rotates the worm wheel with an electric power. Due to provision of the elastically deformable structure, a possible ill-alignment between the worm wheel and the collar member is absorbed or compensated.

Abstract: A reductive seat belt retractor for an automotive seat belt arrangement has a belt spool rotatably supported on a housing by a spool shaft which is rotatable with the belt spool in belt extracting and retracting directions. The spool shaft rigidly mounts a first gear for co-rotation therewith. A plurality of second gears are associated with the first gear for transmitting rotational torque therebetween. An internal gear is associated with the first and/or second gears for transmitting rotational torque therebetween, the internal gear being provided greater gear ratio versus the first gear. A ratchet wheel defining a spring receptacle chamber and a locking member associated with the ratchet wheel are provided for establishing and releasing locking of the ratchet wheel for preventing the ratchet wheel from rotating at least in the belt retracting direction.