Abstract: An arrangement for electrical lines is set forth which is mounted in a steering column switching module and/or in a steering wheel mounted on the module, equipped with its ends electrically conductively connected to one of the electrical components, which is fixedly mounted in the steering wheel switching module or in the steering wheel mounted thereon. At least two of the lines are connected with their other free ends to electrical contacts, which are arranged in at least one coupling body of insulation material in such a way that they are accessible on the plug-in side thereof. The coupling body is accessible from the outside connected with a plug-in side on or in the steering column switching module of the motor vehicle and, in the assembly position, an electrical line leading to the coupling body is connected through an electrical line leading to the onboard network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steering apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus including: a plate bracket supported on distance brackets and having a first slot through which an adjustment bolt passes, the distance brackets being coupled to the outer circumferential surface of an upper tube to face each other; a stationary gear coupled to the plate bracket, wherein the stationary gear has a second slot that corresponds to the first slot and through which the adjustment bolt passes and first gear teeth formed at opposite edges thereof; and a movable gear having a through-hole through which adjustment bolt passes and second gear teeth formed on opposite sides thereof and engaged with the first gear teeth.

Abstract: A spline telescoping shaft includes an inner shaft including a male spline and a tubular outer shaft including a female spline. A resin film is provided on a surface of at least either of both the splines. An addendum modification coefficient e, the number of teeth Z, a module m, a reference pitch circle diameter PCD, a tip circle diameter d1 and a root circle diameter d2 of the male spline and a tip circle diameter D1 and a root circle diameter D2 of the female spline have relations expressed by expressions (1) to (8). m(Z+4)>d1>m(Z+2)??(1), mZ>d2>m(Z?1)??(2), m(Z+4)>D2>m(Z+2)??(3), mZ>D1>m(Z?1)??(4), D2>d1??(5), D1>d2??(6), PCD=mZ??(7), and 0.4<e<1.

Abstract: A telescopic latch apparatus of a steering column for a vehicle is provided, wherein supporting force against a collision load is more constantly maintained while the steering column collapses, by structurally increasing the supporting force during the initial period of the collapse, in respect to a telescopic structure of the steering column, and thus increasing the amount of collision load (collapse load) initially absorbed by the steering column, and reducing a difference between the supporting force during the initial period of the collapse and the supporting force during the middle and late periods of the collapse after the initial period of the collapse at the time of a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A steering column arrangement for a motor vehicle may include a guide part for rotatably mounting a steering shaft about a longitudinal axis, a guide box that is mountable on the motor vehicle and in which the guide part is arranged displaceably along the longitudinal axis, and a clamping system that is for locking the guide part in the guide box and that is switchable between a locked state where the guide part is secured relative to the guide box and a released state where the guide part is displaceable relative to the guide box in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and first and second contact surfaces disposed between the guide box and the guide part. In the released state the first contact surface is in first frictional contact with a surface of the guide part that opposes a displacement of the guide part along the longitudinal axis relative to the guide box.

Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle includes a steering handle for manual actuation of the steering system, at least one steerable motor vehicle wheel which can be mechanically coupled to the steering handle, and a steering column which is rotatable about a steering-system axis and has an input shaft connected fixedly to the steering handle and an output shaft connected to the at least one steerable motor vehicle wheel for rotation therewith. A steering-system-blocking element is connected fixedly to a body of the motor vehicle. A locking device can either enable or block a relative rotation between the input shaft and the body-mounted steering-system-blocking element. A coupling device can either enable or block a relative rotation between the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a restriction assembly that is operatively connected to a jacket assembly and a mounting bracket. The restriction assembly includes a first strap and a second strap. The first strap has a pivot that extends into the mounting bracket and has a plurality of first locking teeth. The second strap is disposed transverse to the first strap. The second strap has a plurality of second locking teeth that face towards the plurality of first locking teeth and has a plurality of third locking teeth disposed opposite the plurality of second locking teeth.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. Also included is a lower jacket, the upper jacket translatable relative to the lower jacket. Further included is an energy absorption strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket and the lower jacket, the strap translatable with the upper jacket. Yet further included is an engagement mechanism operatively coupled to the lower jacket, the engagement mechanism moveable between an engaged condition with the energy absorption strap and a disengaged condition with the energy absorption strap, the engaged condition increasing the energy absorption load of the steering column assembly during collapse of the upper jacket into the lower jacket, the engagement mechanism remaining in a stationary position relative to the lower jacket during translation of the energy absorption strap.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprising a steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, the shroud comprising an upper shroud portion and a lower shroud portion, in which the upper shroud portion is located towards the end of the steering shaft that is nearest the steering wheel and the lower portion is located towards the end of the shaft furthest from the steering wheel, the upper portion being at least partially received within the lower portion so that the upper portion can telescopically collapse into the lower portion during a crash, a support bracket that in use is secured to a fixed part of the vehicle and includes two support bracket arms that depend from a base portion to embrace the shroud, a clamp rail that is releasably secured to the upper shroud portion, the clamp rail including a slot that extends generally horizontally, and a clamp pin that extends through an opening in each of the arms of the bracket and through the generally horizontal slot in the rail, the cla

Abstract: A steering device according to the present invention has: a column pipe; a hanger bracket; an outer column that covers the column pipe in such a manner that the column pipe can move in a front-back direction; a fixed bracket that sandwiches the outer column; a fastening tool that has a bolt shaft and an operation lever portion, is inserted into a long hole of the hanger bracket, and locks and unlocks the outer column and the fixed bracket; a stopper member that is provided in the bolt shaft and swings as the bolt shaft rotates; and a telescopic regulating member that moves in the front-back direction together with the column pipe. The stopper member is capable of coming into abutment with the telescopic regulating member in an unlocked state but is not capable of coming into abutment with the telescopic regulating member in a locked state.

Abstract: A steering device includes a steering column (4a), a support bracket (17a) attachable to a vehicle body to support the steering column, and a tightening mechanism (80). The steering column includes an outer column (11a) and an inner column (10a) partially enclosed by the outer column (11a). The tightening mechanism has a first state in which the steering column is tightened with the support bracket and a second state in which the tightening is released. The outer column includes a first surface (49a) and a second surface (49b) arranged spaced apart from each other in a first direction, which intersects an axial direction, and such that the first surface and the second surface is pressed by the support bracket in the first state, and includes a clamp part (38). The clamp part has a third surface (40) provided independently from the first surface and the second surface and such that the third surface is pressed by the support bracket in the first state.

Abstract: The occurrence of a collision sound between a driven-side cam 32a and a long tilt hole 25b in which the driven-side cam 32a engages when tilting an adjustment lever 18a for adjusting the position of a steering wheel is prevented. Bracket-side inclined surface sections 37 that are inclined in directions outward in the width direction going away in the forward-backward direction from both side edges in the forward-backward direction of a long tilt hole 25b are provided on both side edge sections in the forward-backward direction of the long tilt hole 25b in the outside surface of a support-plate section 24b. Cam-side inclined surface sections 38 that are inclined in directions outward in the width direction going away in the forward-backward direction from an engaging convex section 33a are provided in portions on both sides in the forward-backward direction of the engaging convex section 33a on the inside surface of the driven-side cam 32a.

Abstract: Construction is achieved of a steering device that is capable of preventing impact going forward from being applied to a support bracket even when a steering wheel is vigorously displaced to a front-end position when adjusting the forward-backward position of the steering wheel. Part of the stopper member 28 is supported by a fastening member such as a housing 10a. When an outer column 22a is displaced forward in a state in which the forward-backward position of the steering wheel can be adjusted, a portion that displaces forward together with the outer column 22a hits a pair of stopper surfaces 41 of the stopper member 28 before an adjustment rod hits a pair of long telescopic-adjustment holes.

Abstract: The invention discloses a steering column arrangement that has a steering spindle and a casing tube enclosing the steering spindle, which may be mounted to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to the casing tube, and also has a switch module, which has a housing and a fastening sleeve provided on the housing. The fastening sleeve is designed such that the switch module with the fastening sleeve can be mounted on the casing tube and can be securely clamped to the casing tube. The casing tube on an outer circumferential surface has at least one radial projection, and the fastening sleeve on an inner circumferential surface has at least one extending guide groove when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The radial projection engages the guide groove when the switch module is mounted on the casing tube.

Abstract: A steering column (4a) is configured such that a rear section of an inner column (10a) disposed on a front side of the steering column and a front section of an outer column (11a) disposed on a rear side of the steering column are displaceably set with respect to each other in an axial direction so that a total length of the steering column can be extended and contracted. A roller (70) is rotatably supported on a lower portion of a front end section of the outer column (11a) by a shoulder bolt (56) disposed in a width direction. An outer circumferential surface of the roller (70) is in contact with a lower surface of the inner column (10a).

Abstract: A pair of clamp parts (38 and 38) are provided on both sides of a front end portion of an outer column (11a) in a width direction and enclosed in three directions by slit portions. The clamp parts bend when an interval of inside surfaces of a pair of support plate units constituting an upper bracket is reduced so as to elastically sandwich an outer peripheral surface of an inner column (10a). First and second surfaces (49a and 49b) are provided on both sides of the outer column (11a) in the width direction and are spaced apart in a vertical direction such that each of the pair of clamp parts (38 and 38) is arranged therebetween, and such that torque acting on the outer column (11a) via the first and second surfaces is transmitted to inner surfaces of the support plate units.

Abstract: A support shaft includes a first supported portion and a second supported portion supported by respective support holes of a pair of fastened portions. The support shaft includes a large-diameter portion including the first supported portion, a small-diameter portion including the second supported portion and having a diameter smaller than the large-diameter portion, and a stepped portion formed between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion. The small-diameter portion includes a tapered portion provided in the small-diameter portion so as to be adjacent to the stepped portion and having a diameter gradually decreasing toward the stepped portion, a first to-be-broken portion placed in a smallest-diameter portion of the tapered portion so as to be broken at a time of a secondary collision, and a second to-be-broken portion placed adjacent to the second supported portion so as to be broken at the time of the secondary collision.

Abstract: A tilt spring (72) is provided in a state being bridged between an upper bracket (17a) and an adjusting rod (24a). An upward biasing force is exerted on the adjusting rod (24a). A pair of rollers (63) are rotatably supported by the adjusting rod (24a). The force from the tilt spring (72) is transmitted to an outer column (11a) via the pair of rollers (63).

Abstract: A steering column may comprise a body-side holder with two fastening elements that each comprise a fastening portion for fastening the fastening element to a vehicle and a holding portion for holding a casing unit supporting a steering spindle rotatably about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation may be arranged between the two holding portions, and the fastening and holding portions may be integral with a connecting portion disposed integrally there between. The connecting portion may be connected to the fastening portion via a first line of intersection, and the connecting portion may be connected to the holding portion via a second line of intersection. The first and second lines of intersection can define an intermediate plane with a surface normal. The second line of intersection together with a fastening point of the holding portion to the casing unit define a holding plane with another surface normal.

Abstract: A steering system enabling telescopic adjustment within a predetermined range includes a second tooth member supported by a lower jacket, a damper fixed to an upper jacket so as to face the second tooth member, and an abutting contact member fixed to the lower jacket and coming into abutting contact with the second tooth member from a side opposite from a side where the damper faces the second tooth member. The damper includes an inclined surface that is located at a portion (an end) of the damper, which faces the second tooth member and that is inclined so as to gradually be closer to the upper jacket toward the second tooth member. During telescopic adjustment, the second tooth member comes into abutting contact with the inclined surface of the damper at a sliding limit position.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a holding element that is securable on a chassis of the motor vehicle, an adjustment element that is adjustable relative to the holding element and is configured to receive a steering shaft, and a locking device for locking the adjustment element relative to the holding element. The locking device may include a clamping lever that is movable between a locking position where the adjustment element is locked with respect to the holding element and an open position where the adjustment element is adjustable with respect to the holding element. The steering column may further include a retaining element that provides a form-fitting connection between the holding element and the adjustment element in the locking position of the clamping lever. The retaining element may include a slotted guide contour, which in the locking position of the clamping lever, is supported on a contact section of the clamping lever.

Abstract: A steering column device includes: a steering column; and a the telescopic guide mechanism including a second telescopic elongated hole formed in one of the lower wall portion of the tilt bracket and the bottom wall portion of the steering column, and a sliding guide member which is provided to the other of the lower wall portion of the tilt bracket and the bottom wall portion of the steering column which does not include the second telescopic elongated hole, whose a portion confronts the second telescopic elongated hole, and which elastically sandwiches an edge portion of the second telescopic elongated hole in the upward and downward directions.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for repositioning a steering wheel and/or airbag cushion prior to and/or during deployment of the airbag cushion resulting from an impact event. Some embodiments may comprise a steering wheel configured to be positioned between a first, operational configuration and a second, deployed configuration, wherein in the second configuration the steering wheel is positioned laterally relative to the first configuration, and wherein the steering wheel is configured to be repositioned between the first configuration and the second configuration. A steering wheel actuator may be configured to move the steering wheel laterally from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an energy absorption assembly. The energy absorption assembly includes an energy absorption strap, a bracket, a pin, and a cam member. The energy absorption strap includes a plurality of engagement members. The bracket is disposed on at least one of a lower jacket assembly and an upper jacket assembly. The bracket has a first wall disposed opposite a second wall. The pin extends through the first wall and the second wall to couple the cam member to the bracket. The cam member has a plurality of complementary engagement members configured to engage the plurality of engagement members.

Abstract: At least one of the vehicle body side through holes and the column side through hole is an adjusting long hole which is long in a direction in which a position of the steering wheel can be adjusted. A base end portion of the adjusting lever includes a lever side through hole penetrating through the base end portion in the width direction. The adjusting rod is press-fitted into the lever side through hole.

Abstract: A steering device includes: an inner pipe; an outer column that includes an embracing main body section embracing the inner pipe and a clamp configured by both tightening sections formed in width-direction both edge parts of a slit section, the slit section being formed in a lower part of the embracing main body section and along an axial direction; a fixed bracket that includes fixed side sections holding therebetween the outer column; and a tightening fixture that tightens the fixed bracket and the outer column. The steering device further includes: first contact sections that are formed on respective outer surface sides of both the tightening sections of the outer column; and third contact sections that are located above an axis of the embracing main body section of the outer column and formed to project in a horizontal diameter direction.

Abstract: A column jacket includes a pair of facing portions facing each other, and a stepped portion which extends in a direction that intersects with a column axial direction and at which an outer surface of the corresponding facing portion projects outward halfway toward an end side of the column jacket. Tilt grooves are formed in respective side plates of an upper bracket fixed to a vehicle body. A clamping mechanism including a clamping shaft inserted through the tilt grooves clamps the side plates to bend the side plates such that an end of each side plate on the extending direction upper side is displaced toward the corresponding facing portion. The stepped portion is located between a fulcrum portion serving as a fulcrum when the corresponding side plate is bent by being clamped by the clamping mechanism and the corresponding tilt groove, in an extending direction of the side plates.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a steering shaft; a column jacket including an outer jacket including a slit and a pair of fastened portions, and an inner jacket; a fastening mechanism; an engaged tooth formation member including at least one engaged tooth and fixed to the inner jacket; a support shaft including end portions supported by support holes of the fastened portions; a tubular reinforcing member fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft at a prescribed area between the pair of end portions; and an engaging tooth formation member including an engaging tooth that engages with the engaged tooth.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a guide box that accommodates a steering spindle, a bracket for holding the guide box in adjustable fashion on a chassis of the motor vehicle, and a thrust piece through which a clamping shaft extends to fix the guide box relative to the bracket. The thrust piece may be arranged on an outer side of a first side web of the bracket, and the thrust piece may include a dome that extends through a slot of the first side web and serves to generate a force-fitting connection to the guide box.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an adjustable shroud and a locking mechanism that comprises a clamp pin, a locking handle and a cam mechanism fitted to the clamp pin, in which the cam mechanism comprises first and second cam portions which can be moved relative to each other by operation of the locking handle to vary the overall length of the cam mechanism, the unlocked position of the cam mechanism being defined by contact of a first end stop of the first cam portion with a second end stop of the second cam portion. At least one of the end stops comprises a resilient cushioning member which provides cushioning as the at least one end stop engages the other end stop upon the locking mechanism reaching the unlocked position. The resilient cushioning member is free to move so that on a first engagement, a portion of the resilient cushioning member makes contact with the end stop; and on a second engagement, a different portion of the resilient cushioning member makes contact with the end stop.

Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a support element, an adjusting element that is displaceable relative to the support element for the rotatable mounting of a steering spindle, and a locking device for locking the adjusting element relative to the support element in a crash event. The locking device may include a blocking element disposed on the support element, which can be brought into engagement with an engagement part of the adjusting element. Further, a switching element may be provided for bringing about the engaging of the blocking element in the engagement part in a crash event. The switching element may bring about the engaging based on its mass inertia.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided and includes a steering column shaft and a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a deployed position. A disengagement assembly selectively couples a steering column telescope lead screw to the column adjustment assembly. The disengagement assembly is configured to selectively disengage the telescope lead screw from the column adjustment assembly to facilitate manual movement of the steering column shaft between the retracted position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A steering column device includes: a steering shaft; a steering column; a vehicle body mounting bracket; one of the pair of the clamping pieces including a slit which has a substantially U-shape, and which surrounds one of a front side and a rear side of the tilt hole, and an upper side and a lower side of the tilt hole, and a tongue piece portion which is surrounded by the slit, the tilt hole being positioned at a tip end side of the tongue piece portion, and at least the one of the clamping pieces including the slit, including a reinforcement portion which surrounds an outside of the slit, and which is integrally provided with the one of the clamping pieces including the slit.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a locking assembly having a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member has a first member first surface that defines a first recess and a second recess and has a first member second surface disposed opposite the first member first surface. The second member is disposed opposite the first member. The second member has a second member first surface that faces towards the first member first surface. The second member first surface defines a third recess and a fourth recess and has a second member second surface disposed opposite the second member first surface. The third member is disposed between the first member and the second member. The third member is movable relative to the first member and the second member between a lock position and an unlock position.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes: a fixing bracket fixed by being suspended to a vehicle body and having fixed side portions on both sides in a width direction of the vehicle body; and an outer column formed of aluminum by die-casting and sandwiched between the fixed side portions, wherein protrusion portions protruding toward both sides in the width direction are integrally formed on a rear end of the outer column.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a support bracket, a jacket assembly, and a locking assembly. The support bracket is configured to connect to a vehicle. The jacket assembly is connected to the support bracket. The locking assembly is connected to and disposed between the support bracket and an adjustment lever. The locking assembly includes an inner cam connected to the support bracket and an outer cam rotatably connected to the inner cam and connected to the adjustment lever. The adjustment lever and the outer cam are movable between an unlock position and a lock position.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. The steering column assembly further includes a retraction actuator to translate an adjustment actuator mounting plate within a retraction range. The steering column further includes an adjustment actuator mounted on the adjustment actuator mounting plate to translate a steering column bracket within an adjustment range. The steering column bracket translates the steering column shaft within a steering column shaft movement range. The steering column shaft movement range is a sum of the retraction range and the adjustment range.

Abstract: An adjustment mounting bracket assembly for a steering column includes a mounting bracket mountable to a steering column mating element, the mounting bracket having a bracket aperture configured to receive a clamp bolt therethrough, the mounting bracket also having an arcuate slot. The bracket assembly also includes a spacer having a spacer aperture configured to receive the clamp bolt therethrough to align the spacer with the mounting bracket, the spacer having a first engaging feature disposed within the arcuate slot of the mounting bracket and a second engaging feature engageable with a recess of the steering column, disposal of the first engaging feature within the arcuate slot and disposal of the second engaging feature within the recess restricting the degree of freedom of the mounting bracket relative to the steering column.

Abstract: A steering system includes an insertion shaft that is movable in a tilt direction C along with a column jacket, a first tooth member including a plurality of first teeth aligned along a first linear direction, and a second tooth member including a plurality of second teeth aligned along the first linear direction. A first restriction portion restricts movement of the first tooth member in the first linear direction with respect to an upper bracket. A second restriction portion is movable in the first linear direction and immovable in a second linear direction, with respect to a linear slot in the first tooth member that extends along the first linear direction. The second restriction portion restricts movement of the second tooth member in the second linear direction with respect to the first tooth member.

Abstract: In a steering system, a pair of side plates of an upper bracket support first tooth rows each including a plurality of first teeth arranged at a pitch and second tooth rows each including a plurality of second teeth arranged at the pitch. An insertion shaft supports third teeth that can come into and out of contact with the first tooth rows and fourth teeth that can come into and out of contact with the second tooth rows. One pair out of a pair of the tooth tip of each first tooth and the tooth tip of the corresponding second tooth and a pair of the tooth tip of each third tooth and the tooth tip of the corresponding fourth tooth are in the same position in a tilt direction, and the other pair are displaced from each other by a length smaller than the pitch in the tilt direction.

Abstract: An upper surface of a front portion of an outer column is provided with a slit having a substantial T shape as seen from a radial direction and a pair of sandwiched portions. In a rear end side portion of an outer surface of the sandwiched portion, a dented portion is formed to be dented inward in a width direction at a lower half portion thereof. Accordingly, a distance from the position of a force which acts on the sandwiched portions according to an operation on an adjustment lever to a position of a main outer column body which is a fulcrum of elastic deformation becomes longer. Therefore, a structure capable of reducing change of a force necessary for operating the adjustment lever and stably fitting and holding an inner column regardless of the position of a steering wheel in a front-rear direction is implemented.

Abstract: Provided is a steering device including an inner pipe, an outer column including a holding main body section and a clamp section, a fixed bracket including fixed side sections, a stopper bracket including a movable guide section firmly attached to the inner pipe, and attachment sections formed at front-back-direction both ends of the movable guide section, and a hanger bracket in which sections to be attached to both the attachment sections are formed on front-back-direction both sides, the hanger bracket including side plate sections which sandwich width-direction both side surfaces of the clamp section and in which long holes for telescopic adjustment are formed. The attachment sections of the stopper bracket and the sections to be attached of the hanger bracket are firmly attached and joined by joining members.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for guiding a body, comprising two guide walls which have inwardly directed surfaces with in each case a sliding area, wherein, in the event of loading perpendicular to the sliding areas, the loaded guide wall is elastically deformed outward away from the guided body in the region of the sliding area and therefore the risk of damage to the guide at the sliding areas is minimized.

Abstract: In a steering system, a pair of first tooth rows that is movable integrally with an upper jacket includes first teeth each of which has a tooth trace extending in an up-down direction Z and which is arranged at a pitch in an axial direction. A tooth member shaped by compression molding includes a pair of second teeth provided on respective side surfaces of a pair of side surfaces of a body portion supported by a lower jacket, the side surfaces extending parallel to each other. The second teeth mesh with the respective first tooth rows in accordance with operation of an operation member that regulates extension and contraction of a column jacket. The second teeth have tooth tips displaced from each other by a distance shorter than a predetermined pitch.

Abstract: A position lock for a steering column assembly is provided. The position lock includes an outer cam. Also included is an inner cam defining a slotted aperture to receive a rake bolt operatively coupled to the outer cam, the slotted aperture facilitating shuttling movement of the rake bolt therein. Further included is a tooth lock operatively coupled to the inner cam, the tooth lock rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position. Yet further included is a pin extending through the inner cam and operatively coupled to the outer cam, and rotation of the outer cam facilitates movement of the tooth lock out of engagement with the rake lock tooth wall when rotating between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: A tilt steering apparatus includes a steering column having a tube member housing a steering shaft and rotatably installed on a body frame for tilt about a steering column tilt axis. Between a steering gearbox and the steering shaft, the apparatus includes a first universal joint secured to the steering shaft, an intermediate shaft and a second universal joint. The first universal joint includes a swing center defining a steering shaft tilt axis. Bearings rotatably support the steering shaft within the steering column tube and elastic members engage with the bearings to flex for axial movement of the steering shaft in the steering column tube. This relative movement accommodates an offset between the steering shaft and steering column tilt axes, thereby avoiding an increase in thrust load between the shaft and column during tilt for improved steerability.

Abstract: Disclosed is steering column of a vehicle including: a plate bracket that surrounds a distance bracket that is coupled to an outer column, has tilt slits on opposite sides thereof, and has a locking gear in any one of opposite surfaces of the tilt slits; an adjusting bolt that has a body passing through the tilt slits and the distance bracket from a head thereof, and in which a fixed cam and an actuating cam are coupled to a side of the body opposite to the head in order to press or release opposite sides of the plate bracket; a locking member into which the adjusting bolt is inserted and which is coupled to or released from the locking gear; and a resilient body that is coupled to the locking member and the adjusting bolt in order to apply a resilient restoring force to the locking member.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an adjustment assembly for allowing or preventing adjustment of a component is provided. The adjustment assembly includes a first bracket at least partially surrounding the component, a second bracket at least partially surrounding the first bracket, and a piezoelectric device biasing against one of the first bracket or the second bracket in a first position, the piezoelectric device configured to contract and release the bias against one of the first bracket and the second bracket in a second position.

Abstract: A steering system includes: a first tooth member provided with a first tooth row that includes a plurality of first teeth each of which has a tooth trace extending in a lateral direction and which are aligned along a tilt direction, the first tooth row being elastically deformable in the lateral direction, and a second tooth member including a second tooth row that includes a plurality of second teeth each of which has a tooth trace extending in the lateral direction and which are aligned along the tilt direction, the second tooth member facing the first tooth member in the lateral direction. The first tooth member is supported by an upper bracket such that the first tooth row is disposed away from the upper bracket in the lateral direction. The second tooth member is movable in the tilt direction along with a column jacket.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism fastens a first side plate to a second side plate by a fastening member. A boss with a rhombic cross-section of the fastening member is inserted into a telescopic-adjust long groove of the second side plate. An outer periphery of the boss includes a first corner part and a third corner part each forming an obtuse angle and facing each other. The first corner part is disposed on an upper side in an axial direction, on a lower side in a tilt direction, while the third corner part is disposed on a lower side in the axial direction, on an upper side in the tilt direction. A width across the first corner part and the third corner part is shorter than a groove width W of the telescopic-adjust long groove.