Abstract: A method of operating a climate control system includes determining a thermal characteristic for an occupant of a vehicle based on thermal images from a thermal image device within the vehicle. Determining a thermal characteristic includes determining a clothing condition signal, determining an occupant entry condition signal, determining a heat loss area signal and controlling a climate control system based of the thermal characteristic.

Abstract: A method of operating a climate control system includes determining a sun/shade line within a vehicle based on thermal images from a thermal image device within the vehicle. The method further includes controlling a climate control system based of the sun/shade line.

Abstract: A safety steering column (1) is provided for a motor vehicle, which has a telescopic steering spindle (2) with an upper spindle part (3) which is near to the steering wheel and a lower spindle part (4) which is remote from the steering wheel, and is rotatably mounted in a jacket tube (5). The jacket tube (5) is of telescopic design and has an upper tube part (6) which is near to the steering wheel and a lower tube part (7) which is remote from the steering wheel, the lower tube part (7) being mounted so as to be pivotable about a first axis (10) on a bracket (9) which can be arranged fixed to the vehicle. In addition, an adjustment device which serves to vertically adjust the safety steering column (1) and has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a second axis (14) is provided.

Abstract: A steering column is provided column including a bracket adapted to enable the steering column to move as desired by an operator and a clamping system adjacent to the bracket. The clamping system includes a threaded member. A threaded clamping stud extends through the bracket. The threaded clamping stud is selectively coupled to the threaded member of the clamping device. A transmission is coupled to the threaded member. A motor is coupled to the transmission. The motor is operable to drive the transmission to rotate the threaded member in a first position to unclamp the bracket to enable the steering column to move based on receipt of an input from the operator.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly includes a mounting plate having a slot and a raised contact surface adjacent to at least part of the slot and a bracket coupled to the mounting plate, adapted to support at least a portion of a steering column. A coupler extends through the slot, and has a head overlying at least a portion of the contact surface, and engages with the bracket to retain the position of the steering column mount relative to the bracket. The combined thickness of all members between the head and the connecting portion is greater when the head overlies the contact surface than when the head is not overlying the contact surface. A greater clamping force is applied by the coupler to all members between the head and the connecting portion when the head overlies the contact surface than when the head is not overlying the contact surface.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly includes a steering column having a forward section and a rearward section movable relative to the forward section, a mounting plate adapted to be carried by the vehicle and a bracket releasably coupled to the mounting plate, and operably coupled to the rearward section of the steering column for movement therewith. The assembly also includes a stationary reaction surface disposed adjacent to the rearward section of the steering column and adapted to be engaged by the steering column during at least some events wherein the rearward section is displaced relative to the forward section. This maintains the position of a reaction force on the steering column during movement of the rearward section of the steering column, which provides a decreasing reaction force on the steering column.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly with a movable steering column includes a mounting plate carried by the vehicle, a bracket supporting a portion of the steering column, movable with the steering column, and coupled to the mounting plate, a bend mandrel, and a bend strap operably associated with the bracket for movement with the bracket. The bend strap has a pair of legs on opposed sides of the bend mandrel and a bight interconnecting the legs and arranged so that upon movement of the bracket relative to the mounting plate the bend strap engages the bend mandrel and one leg is progressively deformed about the mandrel to absorb energy from the moving bracket and steering column. A portion of the leg progressively deformed about the mandrel upon movement of the bracket engages a reaction surface defined by at least one of the mounting plate or the bracket.

Abstract: A steering column lock assembly and a method of operating the same, the steering column lock assembly including a steering column having a gear portion and a rotatable shaft; an actuator operably attached to the steering column, the actuator being free to translate with respect to the steering column; and a lever arm operably attached to the steering column; wherein translation of the actuator engages the lever arm with the gear portion to lock the steering column.

Abstract: A steering assembly and a method of operating the same. The assembly includes a steering column and a steering component operably attached to the steering column. The steering component includes at least one range of motion. The steering component is operably attached to a shaft. At least one gas spring is operably attached to the steering assembly. The at least one gas spring mediates the at least one range of motion. The method includes providing a steering column. A steering component operably attached to the steering column is provided. A steering component operably attached to a shaft is provided. At least one range of motion of the steering component is provided. A gas pressure is modulated while providing at least one range of motion.