With Adjustable Steering Wheel Or Column Patents (Class 280/775)
  • Patent number: 11814097
    Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly is disclosed, which comprises a collapsible steering column shroud that supports a collapsible steering shaft. The steering shaft has a first end for connection to a steering wheel of a vehicle a mounting bracket that supports the steering column shroud relative to the vehicle. The mounting bracket comprises a fixed portion secured to a fixed part of a vehicle body and a releasable portion secured to the steering shaft. The releasable portion is also secured to the fixed portion of the mounting bracket by one or more frangible connectors. The connectors are adapted to break in the event of a crash to permit the releasable portion and the steering shaft to move relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion includes a first anvil which has a rounded nose that faces towards the steering wheel, and a guide part which is offset from the first anvil in a direction away from the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Artur Wojtalik, Dawid Klimek, Lukasz Dudzic
  • Patent number: 11807293
    Abstract: An adjustment drive for a steering column for a motor vehicle may include a housing that is able to be connected to the steering column, in which a gear wheel that is able to be rotatingly driven by a motor is mounted in a bearing assembly so as to be rotatable about a spindle axis, and on which a threaded spindle that engages in a spindle nut is axially supported in a direction of the spindle axis. To enable less complexity in manufacturing and assembling, an energy absorbing installation is disposed between the threaded spindle and the housing. When repositioning the threaded spindle relative to the housing in the direction of the spindle axis, the energy absorbing installation is configured to absorb kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht, Tim Bayer
  • Patent number: 11753063
    Abstract: According to the present embodiments, a telescopic stroke is increased while an installation space of a steering column is easily secured, and a telescopic operation can be quickly performed without increasing a motor output. During the telescopic operation, noise may be reduced, and assemblability and mass productivity of the steering column may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Chul Ku, Kwon Ho Lee, Sung Hun Park
  • Patent number: 11697449
    Abstract: A steering column assembly including a steering column for a steer-by-wire application. The steering column extends between a first end and a second end and includes a hand wheel location on the first end and a rotation output on the second end. The steering column assembly further includes a rake bracket assembly that is spaced from the rotation output and towards the hand wheel location. The rake bracket assembly defines a pivot axis from which the steering column can tilt. During rake movement or tilting, the first end and the second end of the steering column both pivot as the steering column is adjusted about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, George E. Arlt
  • Patent number: 11697447
    Abstract: A tilt assembly (30) for a steering column assembly (10) including a pair of downwardly disposed plates each having a slot (36); an elongated member adapted to be rotated, wherein the elongated member penetrates the slot (36) of each downwardly disposed plate and extends therebetween; a rotational member (50) located within each slot (36) and having an opening through which the elongated member is received; a biasing member (60) with a first end (62) and a second end (68), where at least one end engages with the rotational member (50). The biasing member (60) is adapted to drive rotation of the rotational member (50). When the tilt assembly (30) is in an unlocked position, the rotational member (50) is adapted to travel with respect to the slot (36), and when the tilt assembly (30) is in a locked position, the rotational member (50) is adapted to rotate and engage with a wail that is fixed with respect to the slot (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Alex Carl, Daniel Gazzerro, David Ray Hartman, Victor Corona Martinez
  • Patent number: 11685420
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to a spacer having a body portion and two or more opposing contact surfaces extending from the body portion, forming an angle with the body portion. The spacer may be adapted to engage with a portion of a steering column assembly to reduce or prevent rotation of a column tube during a telescoping adjustment. The teachings also include an adjustable steering column assembly having a column tube with a portion extending therefrom; a steering shaft supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube; a column housing for at least partially supporting the column tube; and the spacer. The spacer may be secured to the column tube to reduce or prevent rotation of the column tube. The teachings further contemplate a method of limiting rotational travel of a column tube during telescoping adjustment using the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Victor Corona Martinez, Logananth Chinniah, David Ray Hartman
  • Patent number: 11673599
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly comprises a steering column extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The steering column includes a lower portion extending from the second end, a middle portion connected to and axially moveable with respect to the lower portion, and an upper portion connected to and axially moveable with respect to the middle portion and extending towards the first end. A component is connected to the steering column adjacent to the lower portion and at least one axial actuator is connected between the component and the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Bonkowski, Jeremy M. Zemla, Scott A. Stinebring, Patrik M. Ryne
  • Patent number: 11667323
    Abstract: A steering column may include an actuating unit in which a steering shaft is mounted rotatably, a holding unit that is connectable to a body of a motor vehicle and that adjustably supports the actuating unit, a locking element that is coupled movably to the holding unit for axial locking of the actuating unit, a spring element that exerts a prestressing force on the locking element, a securing element for fixing the spring element, and a counterbearing. The locking element, the securing element, and the counterbearing may form a three-point arrangement in which the spring element is fixed. The spring element may be supported on one side on the locking element and on the other side on the counterbearing. The securing element may be arranged between the locking element and the counterbearing and may prestress the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: René Marco Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11667320
    Abstract: An adjustment drive for a steering column may include a drive unit having a threaded spindle that is supported in a gearbox housing at a bearing portion so as to be rotatable, with the threaded spindle including a threaded portion with a spindle thread that is axially adjoined to a shaft portion on which a gear wheel is arranged in a rotationally secure manner. The gear wheel meshes with a drive wheel that is coupled to a motor. Between the threaded portion and the gear wheel a peripheral bearing groove with a groove base may extend between groove flanks thereof. The bearing portion may be disposed in the bearing groove in a region of the groove base, and the bearing portion may be supported in a sliding manner in a bearing opening of a bearing plate that engages radially in the bearing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Huber, Walter Lampert, Jean-Pierre Specht
  • Patent number: 11661023
    Abstract: A driver seat airbag apparatus for a vehicle is proposed. The driver seat airbag apparatus includes an airbag module including an airbag cushion and an inflator, and provided in rear of a functional unit at a center portion of a steering wheel, and an actuator provided at the steering wheel and connected to the functional unit, and in operation thereof, the actuator being configured to move the functional unit to expand an unfolding space of the airbag cushion between the functional unit and the airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min June Song, Seok Hoon Ko, Geum Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 11644057
    Abstract: A release mechanism for releasably securing a releasable structure to a stationary structure, where the mechanism employs release balls that can re-secure the releasable structure to the stationary structure. The release mechanism includes a base portion having three rails extending radially outward from a center of the base portion, and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the base portion, where the rotatable portion has a cam indentation. The release balls are positioned between the base portion and the rotatable portion so that one of the release balls is ridable on each of the rails and all of the release balls are positioned within the cam indentation. The cam indentation is configured so that as the rotatable portion is rotated relative to the base portion the cam indentation causes and allows the release balls to move along the rails in unison with each other to hold and release the releasable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott G. Sabo
  • Patent number: 11623677
    Abstract: An electrically adjustable steering device includes a top bracket fixed to a vehicle body, a steering shaft to which a steering wheel is connected, a steering jacket which is held by the top bracket and rotatably supports the steering shaft inside, a tilt actuator which adjusts a tilt of the steering jacket, and a link member which is pivotably supported by the top bracket, the steering jacket, and the tilt actuator. The tilt of the steering jacket can be adjusted by transmitting power of the tilt actuator to the steering jacket via the link member. The link member is placed only on one side of the steering jacket in a vehicle left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kurokawa, Victor Corona Martinez
  • Patent number: 11623678
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a telescoping steering column includes an energy absorption strap having a plurality of teeth disposed therealong. Also included is a clamp bolt rotatably driven by an adjustment lever. Further included is an actuator body coupled to the clamp bolt and rotated therewith. Yet further included is a first lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a first direction. Also included is a second lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a second direction different than the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, Michael W. Clark, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 11597425
    Abstract: A friction plate for a vehicle steering system is provided. The friction plate includes a plate body defining a slot for receiving a rake bolt therethrough, the plate body having a planar side. The friction plate also includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the plate body to define a non-planar region of the friction plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Yihong (Britney) Wu, Michael P. Anspaugh, Shenbing (Assur) Wen
  • Patent number: 11591004
    Abstract: A bracket includes a first plate that faces a steering column, a second plate that faces a column cover covering the steering column, and a third plate that connects the first plate and the second plate, and a fourth plate that intersects with the first plate and the third plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Suguru Sugishita, Hikaru Okabe
  • Patent number: 11591006
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having an impact absorption device for absorbing an impact force introduced via a steering wheel. The steering apparatus has a fastening device for fastening to a vehicle carrier or a vehicle body. The fastening device has a bracket for holding a steering column. The bracket has at least one connecting portion for connecting to the fastening device by a fastening element. At least one target breaking portion is designed to break starting from a predetermined impact force. In order to simplify the construction and/or to be able to realize production more economically, the bracket has and/or forms the target breaking portion, with the connecting portion being separated from the bracket after breaking the target breaking portion and remaining on the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Markus Lingemann
  • Patent number: 11535293
    Abstract: A steering shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle, having at least two steering shaft elements, via which a steering wheel is mechanically connectable to a steering gear of the steering system, and having at least one joint, via which the steering shaft elements are connected to one another in a torque-transmitting manner and so they are pivotable relative to one another around the pivot axis. At least one securing element, which secures the steering shaft elements relative to one another against pivot movements extending around the pivot axis both in a first pivot direction and also in a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction and releases the steering shaft elements for a pivot movement relative to one another taking place around the pivot axis in at least one of the pivot directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Thomas Klinger, Ruben Goldberg
  • Patent number: 11511789
    Abstract: A steering column that is adjustable by a motor may include a supporting unit that is attachable to a vehicle body, an actuating unit held by the supporting unit, a steering spindle mounted in the actuating unit rotatably about a longitudinal axis, an adjusting drive for adjusting the actuating unit relative to the supporting unit via a threaded spindle and spindle nut, and a drive unit by which the threaded spindle can be driven rotationally relative to the spindle nut. To improve compactness and greater structural freedom, the drive unit may be connected via a flexible drive connection to a gear unit that can be moved spatially relative to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Thomas Geiselberger, Benedikt Heigenhauser
  • Patent number: 11505235
    Abstract: A steering column for vehicle is disclosed. The steering column for vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure include a steering shaft; an inner tube into which the steering shaft is inserted and coupled and which forwardly or backwardly moves the steering shaft when moving in the longitudinal direction; an outer tube moving together with the inner tube when moving in the longitudinal direction, and coupled to the outside of the inner tube to allow the inner tube to independently move in the longitudinal direction; an outer tube drive for moving the outer tube in the longitudinal direction; and an inner tube drive for moving the inner tube in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Hun Park
  • Patent number: 11505236
    Abstract: A steering device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a column unit configured to rotatably support a steering shaft; a front bracket configured to rotatably support the column unit; a lock bolt configured to protrude in a right-left direction from the column unit; a rear bracket that includes a tilt guide hole and is attached to a vehicle body behind the front bracket, the tilt guide hole guiding the lock bolt to move upward and downward as the column unit rotates around an axis; and a connection piece bridged between the front bracket and the rear bracket in a state of being fixed to each of the front bracket and the rear bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Shiroishi
  • Patent number: 11498603
    Abstract: A steering column includes a steering shaft, a fixing bracket, a first cylinder, a second cylinder, an angle adjustment motor, an angle adjustment screw-nut assembly, a linkage assembly, a height adjustment motor, and a height adjustment screw-nut assembly, where the second cylinder is slidably sleeved with the first cylinder, the steering shaft runs through the first and second cylinders, the steering shaft includes an upper shaft and a lower shaft that are in splined connection, the upper shaft is supported in the second cylinder through a first bearing, the lower shaft is supported in the first cylinder through a second bearing, the first cylinder is hinged to the fixing bracket, the angle adjustment motor can drive the first cylinder to rotate relative to the fixing bracket, and the height adjustment motor can drive the second cylinder to axially move relative to the first cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peng Zhang, Chenggang Luo
  • Patent number: 11498606
    Abstract: In a steering device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a driven cam includes a lock position restriction surface with which a cam portion of a drive cam engages in a locked state and a release position restriction surface that is provided to be separated front the lock position restriction surface in a bolt circumferential direction and that engages with the drive cam in the bolt circumferential direction in an unlocked state. The cam portion includes a sliding surface that faces the driven cam in the unlocked state and a flank surface that faces the release position restriction surface in the bolt circumferential direction. The angle of the flank surface with respect to the bolt circumferential direction is smaller than the angle of the release position restriction surface with respect to the bolt circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yokokura, Kazuya Akaishi
  • Patent number: 11498604
    Abstract: An annular member includes a first through hole extending through a first face to a second face forming the back face relative to the first face and having an inner face formed as a concave curved face and a tubular spherical inner ring having an outer face formed as a convex curved face extending along the inner face of the first through hole. The spherical inner face is pivotable and tiltable along the inner face of the first through hole. In a lock mechanism, the annular member is supported to a steering support mount with a support portion being fixed to the spherical inner ring of the annular member provided at the one end and the other end is pivotally supported to a vehicle body frame and supports a tilt lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ukai, Ryuki Wada, Naoya Otani, Takahiro Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 11492032
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may comprise a guide box in which a steering spindle is mounted so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis and which guide box is adjustably held by a support unit that is able to be connected to the body of the motor vehicle, a pivot bearing in which the guide box in a front region is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis that lies horizontally so as to be transverse to the longitudinal axis, and an actuation lever that is mounted in a first lever bearing in a rear region of the guide box and in a second lever bearing of the support unit. To increase stiffness and resonance frequency, the pivot bearing may be mounted so as to be displaceable transversely to the pivot axis in a displacement plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Thomas Raich, Zhengjie Xue
  • Patent number: 11479288
    Abstract: An adjustment drive for a motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, includes a spindle drive having a threaded spindle which engages in a spindle nut which, so as to be able to be driven in a rotating manner about the spindle axis relative to the threaded spindle, is coupled to the rotor shaft of a drive motor which has a rotor and a stator. In order to enable a compact design with minor complexity, the rotor shaft of the drive motor is configured as a hollow shaft which is disposed so as to be coaxial with the spindle axis and in which the threaded spindle is coaxially disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht
  • Patent number: 11472465
    Abstract: A steering device for steering a vehicle includes a movable member, a holding member, an impact absorbing member, a movement driving unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform first control and second control by which the movement driving unit is controlled. The first control is a control for moving the movable member along an axial direction of a shaft member within such a range that a front end of at least one of the shaft member and the movable member is located rearward of a space for movement in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The second control is a control for moving the movable member along the axial direction within such a range that the front end portion is located inside the space for movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Nozawa, Norihiro Ochi, Ryoichi Tokioka, Takeshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11459019
    Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus, including: a steering column; a link member; an actuator including: a vehicle body side engaging portion, and a link side engaging portion, and when operated, the actuator changing a spacing between the vehicle body side engaging portion and the link side engaging portion, and swinging the steering column between the first position and the second position; a steering support that supports the steering column from the vehicle lower side in a state in which the steering column is disposed at the first position; and a clamp member provided at the link member, the clamp member being engaged with the steering support in the state in which the steering column is disposed at the first position, and the clamp member moving away from the steering support when the steering column is to swing from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Ohrui, Akira Kaneko, Akihiro Harada
  • Patent number: 11459016
    Abstract: A vehicle (12) operable in manual and autonomous modes has a manual steering control unit (10) movable between a stowed position and an operative position. Movement of the steering control unit (10) as it transitions between stowed and operative positions comprises at least a component in a lateral direction of the vehicle so that when not in use, it is located laterally outside the free interior volume of the vehicle cabin (14) in the stowed position. The manual steering control unit (10) can be received within a recess (18) in a side wall region (16) of the vehicle cabin or in a central console in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventor: George Channing Bowen
  • Patent number: 11459018
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The assembly also includes an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket. The assembly further includes a telescope actuator assembly comprising a nut translatable along a lead screw. The assembly yet further includes a telescope drive bracket having a base portion and a pair of arms extending from the base portion, the pair of arms each defining a slot with a respective slot surface, wherein the nut is disposed within the slots in an assembled condition to move the upper jacket in a telescope direction relative to the lower jacket. The assembly also includes a first pair of anti-rotation features disposed on the slot surface of a first arm of the pair of arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Maida, Timothy D. Beach, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 11433939
    Abstract: A clamp mechanism for a steering column assembly includes a support bracket; a clamp pin; a fixing member; and a toothed rack. The toothed rack includes a plurality of recesses each spaced from an adjacent recess by a land and extends alongside the elongate slot. A locking pin is located in a bore in the fixing member that is biased in a direction towards the toothed rack by a spring and a clamp means which may cause the fixing member to move between a clamped condition and unclamped condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Artur Wojtalik, Slawomir Kwasny
  • Patent number: 11427242
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket. The column assembly also includes a drive bracket movable in a telescope direction, the drive bracket coupled to the column jacket to move the column jacket in the telescope direction. The column assembly further includes a plate operatively coupled to the column jacket and operatively coupled to the drive bracket, the plate defining a slot extending from an open end of the plate. The column assembly yet further includes a tab disposed within the slot to prevent pivoting of the drive bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Ben D. Reichard, Nicholas M. Messing, Dusten L. Dittenbir, Jason L. Myers
  • Patent number: 11414126
    Abstract: A method for detecting steering column defects. The method includes applying a voltage to a steering column mounted on a steering column stand, to cause the steering column to perform an adjustment operation. The method also includes receiving, from at least one force sensor, a plurality of force measurements during performance of the adjustment operation. The method also includes determining whether the steering column is operating within predetermined parameters based on the plurality of force measurements. The method also includes, in response to a determination that the steering column is not operating within the predetermined parameters, identifying the steering column as including at least one defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, David W. Koehler, Neil A. Rumschlag, Robert C. Taub
  • Patent number: 11407438
    Abstract: A lever assembly for a steering column includes a rotatable lock lever. The lever assembly also includes a bolt operatively coupled to the rotatable lock lever and rotated therewith. The lever assembly further includes a clamp load assembly operatively coupled to the bolt. The clamp load assembly includes an assist cam having a cam profile defined by at least one ramp. The clamp load assembly also includes an assist follower having a follower profile in contact with the cam profile. The clamp load assembly further includes an assist spring disposed between the assist follower and a column structure, the assist spring biasing the assist follower into contact with the assist cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas M. Schneider, Robert J. Smith, Brandon M. McComb, Matthew L. Messing
  • Patent number: 11396322
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system may include an electric motor disposed in a motor housing. The electric motor may have at least three phases, and for each phase a high side MOSFET and a low side MOSFET may be assigned. The MOSFETs may be part of an inverter that supplies voltages into the electric motor. A first non-insulated contact point of the electric motor and a second non-insulated contact point of the motor housing may be configured such that water that ingresses into the motor housing electrically connects the electric motor with the motor housing via the non-insulated contact points. A pull-up resistor may be disposed in parallel with one of the high side MOSFETs of one of the at least three phases. A measurement unit may detect a phase voltage of the one of the at least three phases as being indicative of water present in the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Gergely RĂ¡cz, Attila KonfĂ¡r
  • Patent number: 11383756
    Abstract: A moveable steering column assembly can include a steering column having a first jacket and a first shaft. The first jacket can linearly translate relative to the steering column. The first shaft can telescope relative to the first jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Patrik Ryne, George E. Arlt
  • Patent number: 11383754
    Abstract: A steering system includes an upper jacket, a lower jacket, a support, a lock mechanism, and a shock absorber. The support supports the lower jacket. The lock mechanism switches a restriction of a telescopic adjustment and a termination of the restriction. The upper jacket includes a protruding stopper configured to regulate a position of the upper jacket at one end of a telescopic stroke range. The lock mechanism includes an opening and closing portion configured to enter a path of the stopper while the restriction of the telescopic adjustment is terminated, and configured to open the path of the stopper while the telescopic adjustment is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susumu Imagaki, Masayoshi Sakuda, Kota Higuchi, Kazuki Fujiwara, Kenji Utsunomiya, Takuya Adachi
  • Patent number: 11377134
    Abstract: A steering device includes: a first moving unit that moves in an axial direction along with a shaft member to which an operating member is connected; a second moving unit; a holding unit; a first screw mechanism; a second screw mechanism; a driving unit; and a transmission mechanism that transmits driving force of the driving unit to the first screw mechanism and the second screw mechanism. One of the first screw mechanism and the second screw mechanism is provided so as to operate in a forward direction when the operating member moves between a retraction region and an operation region, and reverse efficiency of that one screw mechanism is set such that when the operating member is subjected to an external force directed toward the retraction region, that one screw mechanism does not operate in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Kunihiro Oka, Yasuyuki Nozawa, Kei Kitahara
  • Patent number: 11352047
    Abstract: Steering column comprising a cradle (21) mounted tilting on the body of the vehicle and receiving, in a deformable bearing (22), a sleeve (2) provided with a tube bearing the steering wheel. A clamping device (3) comprising a manoeuvring lever (32) bearing a clamping axle (31) and pressed against a bearing block (34) by a ramp connection (341) and by an escutcheon (33) with teeth (331). The bearing block (34), has a ramp (341) for each tooth (331) ending in a stop (343) projecting into the circular segments (335) between two teeth (331). One of the teeth (331) has, on its unclamping side, a damping element (334).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING VENDOME S.A.S.
    Inventors: Stephane Thebault, Nicolas Genet, Christophe Pata, Jeremy Renard, Benjamin Moulys, Alexis De Weer
  • Patent number: 11345390
    Abstract: A steering device according to an embodiment includes a pipe, a housing, and a telescopic mechanism. The housing includes a first support portion which supports the pipe from below, and a second support portion and a third support portion which support the pipe from above. A central angle of the pipe formed by any one contact point of a contact point between an outer peripheral surface of the pipe and the second support portion and a contact point between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe and the third support portion, and an intersection point between a center line and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe is set in a range of 45° to 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyohei Tokizaki
  • Patent number: 11345384
    Abstract: A steering wheel control system associated with a vehicle includes a steering wheel movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein, in the deployed position, the steering wheel is centrally located relative to an operator of the machine. The steering wheel control system also includes a sensor assembly configured to generate a control signal pertaining to a position of the steering wheel. The steering wheel control system further includes a control module communicably coupled with the sensor assembly. The control module is configured to receive the control signal corresponding to the position of the steering wheel. The control module is also configured to control at least one operation of the vehicle based on receipt of the control signal from the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael William Ries, Keith Daniel Koshiol, Yasin Haji Mohamed, Bryan Joseph Downing
  • Patent number: 11345389
    Abstract: A rake assembly for a steering column includes a pin adapted to move along a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The rake assembly also includes a first tray fixed to a support structure, the first tray having a plurality of teeth. The rake assembly further includes a rocker tray having a plurality of teeth adapted to mesh with the plurality of teeth of the first tray when in the locked position and un-mesh when in the unlocked position, the rocker tray being adapted to rock about a second axis from an un-tilted state when in the locked position and to a tilted state when in the unlocked position to provide a degree of motion to facilitate meshing of the plurality of teeth of the first tray and the plurality of teeth of the rocker tray, the second axis being transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11338839
    Abstract: The position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a storage operation of storing the steering wheel in a storage position to secure a space in a driver seat for a driver and an adjustment operation of adjusting the steering wheel to a position suitable for driving within an adjustment operation range. The motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed of the steering wheel during the storage operation is higher than a speed of the steering wheel during the adjustment operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kurokawa, Simon Read, Steven Marmillo
  • Patent number: 11338840
    Abstract: A clamping device for a longitudinally adjustable and/or vertically adjustable steering column of a vehicle, has an actuating lever, an actuating component, a tie bolt and a mating component, wherein the actuating component is assigned to the actuating lever, and the mating component is assigned to the tie bolt, and wherein the actuating component is movable relative to the mating component between a release position and a fixing position. A solid damping element is provided for damping a relative movement between the actuating component and the mating component. An adjusting device is furthermore shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Birkheim
  • Patent number: 11325636
    Abstract: A steering column device includes an inner tube, a housing, and a lock mechanism configured. The lock mechanism includes a first engagement member, a second engagement member, a first urging member, a second urging member, a cam member configured to rotate about a rotation axis extending in a direction in which the first urging member and the second urging member are arranged such that the second urging member serving as a follower is moved in the direction in which the first urging member and the second urging member are arranged to change a magnitude relationship between an urging force of the first urging member and an urging force of the second urging member, and an operation lever configured to operate the cam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susumu Imagaki, Masayoshi Sakuda, Takahiro Baito, Takuya Adachi, Kota Higuchi, So Tanaka, Kazuki Fujiwara, Kenji Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 11305807
    Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle includes a support assembly configured to attach to the vehicle. An axially movable steering spindle jacket is disposed in the support assembly. A jacket housing is attached to the steering spindle jacket. The jacket housing includes a slot formed therethrough and an interior space accessible through the slot. An energy absorbing element is disposed within the interior space and is attached to the jacket housing. A motor drive assembly is configured to cause the steering spindle jacket to extend and retract axially. A length adjustment support is operatively attached to the motor drive assembly and configured to engage the energy absorbing element, wherein during an impact event movement of the steering spindle jacket relative to the length adjustment support causes a post to actuate the energy absorbing element to reduce the effects of the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Luke McClelland, Kevin Templin, Adam Cabaj
  • Patent number: 11292502
    Abstract: A steering assembly for a machine is provided. The steering assembly includes a frame. The steering assembly also includes a steering column mounted on the frame. The steering column includes a steering input device and a controller communicably coupled to the steering input device. The steering assembly further includes a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering column. The steering wheel is disposed adjacent to the steering input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John James Krone, Kenneth Marvin Roat, Jeremy Todd Peterson, Robert T. Cameron, Jason Rex Dare, Micheal David Valerio, Michael Weston Burns
  • Patent number: 11285989
    Abstract: A steering column has an actuating unit and retaining unit. A clamping device includes a clamping lever and a clamping shaft which are rotationally coupled and the clamping shaft has a cam which is connected to the clamping shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. A fixing device includes an arresting element and is arranged in the retaining unit. An engagement element is connected to the actuating unit. The cam and a guide track of the arresting element such that the arresting element can be brought into engagement with the engagement element by a rotary movement of the cam. The guide track has a first ramp region, a second ramp region and, situated therebetween, a transition region starting from which the ramp regions are formed, wherein the first ramp region is designed as a rising ramp, and the second ramp region comprises a falling ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Balint Kalman Nagy
  • Patent number: 11285990
    Abstract: A steering column device includes: a vehicle-body attachment bracket configured to be fixed to a vehicle body and having a pair of sidewall portions; and an outer jacket arranged between the pair of sidewall portions along a vehicle front-rear direction. In addition, the steering column device includes: an inner jacket inserted in the outer jacket to be movable in a tube-axial direction; and a distance bracket having a long hole open along the vehicle front-rear direction and attached to the outer jacket. The distance bracket has a slit having an open end in the opposite direction to that of a slit of the outer jacket and is arranged such that the slit of the distance bracket is set over the slit of the outer jacket in a tube radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouta Higuchi, Kentaro Kikuiri
  • Patent number: 11279393
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket pivotable about a rake axis. The steering column assembly also includes a rake adjustment assembly that includes a lever rotatable to lock and unlock the rake adjustment assembly. The rake adjustment assembly also includes a lever cam operatively coupled to, or integrally formed with, the lever. The rake adjustment assembly further includes an inner cam assembly in contact with the lever cam, wherein the inner cam assembly is formed of two different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan S. Jacobs, Randy W. Jones, Peter A. Gembrowski
  • Patent number: 11279397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column with adjustment of the longitudinal extension and the incline of the steering wheel, comprising a sleeve carried by a deformable bearing provided with a clamping mechanism consisting of a clamping axle. The deformable bearing has two side limbs that are connected by a cross-member formed by two inclined faces joined by a bottom. The two side limbs each form a first side support close to the end of the limb and the two inclined faces each form an inclined second side support located opposite the first side supports, the bottom forming an intermediate support between the two inclined side supports. The clamping axle passes through the end of the two side limbs, beyond the first two side supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING VENDOME S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurent Buys, Jean Gautier