Steering Column Or Wheel Movable In Response To Collision Patents (Class 280/777)
  • Patent number: 8881618
    Abstract: A lock for an adjustable steering column includes a rotatable locking lever to actuate the lock between an unlocked position and locked position, a lock plate including plate lock teeth and a first slot, and a slider including slider lock teeth and a second slot angled relative to the first slot. The slider teeth are received between respective plate lock teeth. A lock bolt rotates with the locking lever and extends through the first and second slots, and has a retainer on one end. A cam positioned on the lock bolt applies or releases a force to the slider in response to rotation of the locking lever to actuate the lock. In the locked position the slider lock teeth lockingly engage between the plate lock teeth, and in the unlocked position, the slider lock teeth are released from locking engagement with and are positioned between the plate lock teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 8882147
    Abstract: A steering column includes a steering spindle mounted rotatably about the steering-spindle longitudinal axis thereof, and a bracket unit fixed to the motor vehicle. The casing unit is held on the bracket unit so as to be displaceable in at least one direction parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the steering-spindle longitudinal axis and can be locked in differing positions by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has at least one locking element which is mounted moveably, preferably rotatably. In at least one locking position of the locking element, the casing unit is locked in the position thereof in the bracket unit and, in at least one release position of the locking element, the casing unit can be displaced relative to the bracket unit in at least one of the directions parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the steering-spindle longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rony Schnitzer, Hansjörg Sulser
  • Publication number: 20140327235
    Abstract: Provided is a steering apparatus for a vehicle including a steering column, a mounting bracket laterally installed at the steering column and having a pair of through-holes formed at each of both sides and spaced apart from each other, a guide block including a base section and a pair of guide sections extending upward from the base section and spaced apart from each other to be inserted into the through-holes, and a capsule including a fixing section fixed to the mounting bracket and configured to be separated from the mounting bracket upon a collision of a vehicle, and a slide section lengthily extending from the fixing section and slidably inserted between the pair of guide sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyun Bi KWON
  • Patent number: 8869646
    Abstract: In a steering device having a steering lock device, the stress applied to around a through hole formed in a column to which the steering block device is attached is reduced. Since there is a slight clearance formed, in the vehicle height direction, between the outer periphery of the lock pin and the through hole and also between the guide groove and the engaging convex part, the clamping force is born by the flange section and first ribs and also by the flange section and second ribs without any force applied to the through hole. The engaging convex part is not fitted in the through hole, so that the through hole is only required to be large enough to allow the lock pin whose cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the engaging convex part to come in and out. This makes it possible to reduce the cross-sectional area of the through hole and thereby increase the strength of the outer column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140312603
    Abstract: A steering system of an automobile may include a mounting bracket having a flange portion supporting a steering column and contacting with an automobile body, and an opening hole formed at the flange portion and opening toward one side of the flange portion, a capsule slidably coupled to the opening hole and adapted to be decoupled from the opening hole when an impact is given thereto, and at least one molded supporter fixing the capsule and the flange portion and adapted to be sheared off from the capsule or the flange portion when the impact is given thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, NAMYANG IND. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Jong HONG, Kwang Mo KOO, Tae Young KIM, Jung-Woo PARK, Jin-Ho BAE, Joon Mo PARK, Sang-Gyu YOON
  • Patent number: 8863610
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle includes a mounting and a carriage received in a guideway of the mounting for movement between a rearward starting position and a forward end position. Arranged between the carriage and the mounting is an actuatable locking device to lock the starting position of the carriage during normal travel and, when being released, to allow a shift of the carriage to the forward end position together with the steering wheel to thereby facilitate entry of the driver. The locking device has at least one predetermined breaking element dimensioned to either break or to become deformed sufficient to release the locking device and to allow the carriage to move from the starting position to the end position, when an impacting predefined crash force is exceeded in the event of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Thomas Kräuter
  • Patent number: 8833799
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a steering column for a vehicle. In a steering column (10) including an outer tube (100) accommodating a steering shaft (P), an inner tube (200) retracted into the outer tube (100), a main bracket (300) installed to the outer tube (100) and fixed to a vehicle body, a telescopic bracket (400) integrally fixed to the outer tube (100) and formed with a pair of slots for telescoping (410), and a position fixing bolt (600) installed through the slots for telescoping (410), wherein the telescopic bracket (400) is further formed with a slot for energy absorption (420) extending from at least one of the pair of slots for telescoping (410) and having a height (h) smaller than a diameter (D) of the position fixing bolt (600), thereby enabling impact energy to be absorbed by means of friction with the position fixing bolt during a vehicle impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Hyun Bi Kwon
  • Patent number: 8826770
    Abstract: An objective is to provide an electric steering lock device capable of preventing a lock member from being falsely detected as being at an unlock position to unfailingly ensure that an engine is started with a steering wheel being unlocked. In the electric steering lock device, magnetic detection means placed at a position corresponding to an unlock position of the lock member is configured by including a Hall element (north-pole magnetic detection element) configured to be turned on when detecting the north pole of a magnet fixed to the lock member and a Hall element (south-pole magnetic detection element) configured to be turned on when detecting the south pole of the magnet. A microcomputer (control means) determines that the lock member has moved to the unlock position when the Hall elements (north-pole and south-pole magnetic detection elements) are both turned on, and then stops driving an electric motor (electric actuator).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: U-Shin Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Inoue, Hideki Norma
  • Patent number: 8827311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spring element including at least one spring tongue for spring-loading a separate locking part of a steering column of a motor vehicle and at least one fastening part for fastening the spring element to a pin of the steering column. The spring element also has at least one carrier arm, preferably at least two carrier arms, arranged opposite each other for carrying along the locking part when the spring element moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rony Schnitzer, Simon Blättler
  • Patent number: 8826769
    Abstract: A steering device includes an outer column including fastening pieces formed to face each other at both sides, in the width direction, of a slot portion formed at either of a lower side or an upper side of an embracing body portion along an axial direction thereof, a fixed bracket clamping the outer column, a fastener that fastens the outer column and the fixed bracket, an inner column, and a pushing member having an expanding shaft portion. The two fastening pieces of the embracing body portion are connected by the fastener so that the two fastening pieces can be expanded and contracted, and the expanding shaft portion is elastically biased in an axial center direction of the outer column so as to abut on end zones of the slot portion and expand the two fastening pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yamada Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Takezawa, Yoshiyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20140246848
    Abstract: A steering column device includes a steering column for supporting a steering shaft in a freely rotatable manner, and a guide plate and a column bracket for assembling the steering column onto a part of a vehicle body. The steering column device further includes coupling bolts coupled to the column bracket through guide grooves of the guide plate and movable along the guide grooves when the column bracket moves toward the front of the vehicle relative to the guide plate. Further, an upper column cover movable toward the front of the vehicle together with the steering column is assembled above the steering column at a position corresponding to a vehicle rear of the guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shosuke Yachida, Seiji Kondou, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8807265
    Abstract: A tractor includes: a driver's compartment; an engine compartment; a partitioning member that partitions the driver's compartment and engine compartment and has a through-hole; a steering wheel provided in the driver's compartment; a power steering unit disposed on the engine compartment side; a steering shaft that extends from the steering wheel and is connected to the power steering unit; an elastic sealing member provided in an inner circumferential portion of the through-hole; and an anti-vibration member. The elastic sealing member includes a supported portion supported to the inner circumferential portion and a ring-shaped lip portion protruding downward from one end of the supported portion. The power steering unit is mounted to the partitioning member via the anti-vibration member, the ring-shaped lip portion is elastically clamped to the upper face of the power steering unit, and the steering shaft is connected to the power steering unit while inserted in the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Asada, Yoshihisa Tahara, Kiyokazu Fujibayashi
  • Publication number: 20140217713
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a steering shaft, a column rotatably supporting the steering shaft, a bracket attached to the column, a capsule configured to be fixed to a vehicle body and having upper and lower holding plates sandwiching the flange portion, a coupling part coupling the flange portion and the capsule such that the flange portion is detachable from the capsule by an impact force toward the front of the vehicle body, a rounded portion formed at a front end portion of the flange portion with a curvature radius varying along a vehicle-width direction, and an energy-absorbing member. The energy-absorbing member includes a rear portion engaged with the capsule, a front extension portion extending forward from the rear portion, a bent portion bent in front of the rounded portion, and a rear extension portion extending rearward and inclined in the vehicle-width direction with respect to the column center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: NSK LTD
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hattori
  • Publication number: 20140210196
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes an inner column, an outer column fitted onto the inner column, a vehicle body mounting bracket, a distance bracket fixed to the outer circumference of the outer column and slidably held between left and right side plates of the vehicle body mounting bracket, and a tightening rod. The distance bracket is formed with telescopic slots through which the tightening rod is inserted. The distance bracket includes left and right front tightening portions and left and right rear tightening portions. The axial distance between the pair of left and right front tightening portions and the pair of left and right rear tightening portions is shorter than the axial length of each telescopic slot. The outer column is formed with a pair of left and right through-holes into which the left and right front tightening portions or the left and right rear tightening portions is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Seiichi Moriyama, Kazuhiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 8783717
    Abstract: A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of column teeth operably connected to the steering column and an adjustment lever operably connected to the steering column to allow user adjustment of a position of the steering column. A locking bolt extends from the adjustment lever, and a cam is located at the locking bolt and rotatable thereon. The cam includes one or more tab features interactive with the locking bolt such that rotation of the locking bolt engages the tab features with the locking bolt to drive rotation of the cam between a locked and unlocked position. The tab further includes a plurality of cam teeth meshable with the plurality of column teeth when the cam is in a locked position. A spring is operably connected to the cam to maintain the cam position in the locked and/or unlocked position when the cam is rotated thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M Burns, John Frank Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 8783719
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle has a rotatably mounted steering spindle and a motor-powered steering assistance device for steer angle superposition and/or torque assistance. The steering assistance device is connected to the steering spindle by at least one transmission element, and the steering spindle has at least two steering spindle parts connected to one another in torque-transmitting fashion. The steering spindle parts connected to one another in at the steering spindle between the transmission element and a steering wheel connection of the steering spindle, by at least one damping body for damping vibrations transmitted via the steering spindle. At least one of the steering spindle parts is rotatably mounted in a casing unit of the steering column. In the damping body, there is formed a cavity into which the casing unit can slide preferably in the event of a crash-induced deformation and/or displacement within the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sebastian Huber
  • Patent number: 8783718
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a vehicle is provided. The adjustable steering column includes a mounting bracket including at least one arm having a rake slot through which a rake bolt extends. The steering column also includes a column jacket pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket, the column jacket extending along a first axis and pivotable relative to the mounting bracket for adjustment in a rake direction and movable along the first axis for adjustment in a telescope direction, and a shift assembly. The shift assembly includes a shift mechanism secured to the column jacket and a shift cable bracket extending from the shift mechanism, the shift cable bracket having a slot formed therein, a telescope adjustment portion along a first length of the slot, an energy absorbing (E/A) release portion along a second length of the slot, and a raised collar formed in the telescope adjustment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Clark, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 8764064
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a column jacket and an energy absorption system. The column jacket is configured to undergo a collapse event involving a translation of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis in response to application of a column compression force. The energy absorption system includes an anvil coupled to the vehicle and a strap coupled to the column jacket with the strap extending through the anvil such that the strap is drawn over the anvil in response to the collapse event. The strap is configured to cause: (a) a friction force to be created between the strap and the anvil; and (b) a deformation force to be created between the strap and the anvil. The strap is configured such that at least one of the friction force and the deformation force varies along the length of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 8764063
    Abstract: A steering device contains a rolling bearing that axially supports a steering shaft to allow rotation, and whose upper column and lower column engage along the axis in a sliding motion in order to provide improved steering wheel operating stability during high-speed driving. The elastic force of an O-ring tightens the outer circumferential surface of a female steering shaft against the cylindrical surface of a bushing. A specific frictional force therefore occurs between the cylindrical surface of the bushing and the outer circumferential surface of the female steering shaft so that handling stability of the steering wheel during high-speed driving is improved. Moreover, vehicle vibrations are prevented from being conveyed to the steering wheel by the O-ring crushed due to the pressing force of the inner circumferential surface of the first lower column and that absorbs the vibration of the female steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Jouta, Satoru Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 8746740
    Abstract: A steering column device includes a tilt bracket that is fixed to a vehicle body, and a telescopic bracket that is fixed to a column jacket. A lock mechanism includes a fastening shaft that is inserted through a first side plate and a second side plate of the tilt bracket, and a third side plate and a fourth side plate of the telescopic bracket, and achieves tilt locking and telescopic locking by fastening the third and fourth side plates by using the first and second side plates. Tilt friction plates and telescopic friction plates are provided separately from each other on right and left sides of the tilt bracket, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8733793
    Abstract: The present invention provides construction that keeps the load required for a locking capsule 50d that is supported by the steering column to come out in the forward direction from a locking hole 48b that is formed in a fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side low. Small through holes 52e are formed in a flange section 51d of the locking capsule 50d. Small notch sections 62a that are each open toward the inside of the locking hole 48b are formed in portions of the fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side around the locking hole 48b that are aligned with each of the small through holes 52e. Injection molding is performed to inject synthetic resin 72 such that the synthetic resin 72 spans between these small through holes 48b and small notch sections 62a, and connects the locking capsule 50d and the fastening bracket 11e on the vehicle side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Minamigata, Minao Umeda, Takeshi Fujiwara, Osamu Tatewaki, Kiyoshi Sadakata, Toru Segawa
  • Patent number: 8714048
    Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure relate to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a bracket which carries an upper jacket unit and a lower jacket unit, wherein the jacket units surround a steering shaft rotatably mounted therein, and wherein the jacket units comprise an inner jacket tube and an outer jacket tube which surrounds the inner jacket tube at least in some sections, said jacket tubes being mounted such that they can be displaced one inside the other in their axial direction by means of a plastic sleeve made of thermoplastic which is located therebetween. Freedom from play is achieved in that the plastic sleeve is inserted into the outer jacket tube with a press fit, and in that the outer jacket tube has at least one opening, in the region of which the plastic sleeve is pressed against the inner jacket tube by deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG
    Inventor: Rony Schnitzer
  • Patent number: 8702126
    Abstract: A pencil brace is incorporated into a cross car assembly of an automotive vehicle as a secondary energy absorption device to assist in managing the energy and controlling the column stroke due to a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Grayson Gloden, Sarah Beth Certeza, Alvin Matti, Daniel Blaine Bollinger, Leonard Anthony Shaner, William Moore Sherwood
  • Patent number: 8696026
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column having an energy-absorbing device that includes a first element and a second element which engages the first element and moves with respect thereto during a vehicle impact to carry out mechanical deformation that absorbs energy. The first element is an elongated metal plate which extends in the longitudinal direction of the steering column and the second element has at least one guide element which is guided along the first element during a relative movement of the first and second elements and in so doing deforms the first element. The guide element is guided along an outer side of one of the longitudinal edges of the metal plate and engages therewith, which longitudinal edges extend in the longitudinal direction of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Progress-Werk Oberkirch AG
    Inventor: Florian Kircher
  • Patent number: 8689659
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle includes a first and a second part, which in the event of a vehicle crash can be displaced relative to each other in a displacement direction. At least one absorption element acts between the two parts for absorbing energy during the mutual displacement of the two parts, and at least one shift unit, which includes a shift component that can be shifted between a passive and an active shift position. The amount of the energy absorbed during the mutual displacement of the two parts differs in the passive and the active shift position of the shift component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rony Schnitzer, Simon Blättler, Mathias Senn, Martin Rohr, Hansjörg Sulser
  • Patent number: 8684411
    Abstract: Construction is achieved wherein the rear section of a steering column 6a can be prevented from displacing upward regardless of the occurrence of a secondary collision, and thus can effectively protect the driver. Capsules 28 are supported by a bracket on the vehicle body side. An installation plate section 14b of a bracket 13 on the housing side is held between a top plate section 29 and bottom plate section 30 of each of the capsules 28 so that the installation plate section 14b can displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision. The top and bottom plate sections 29, 30 extend forward to a position where they can support the installation plate section 14b even when the bracket 13 on the housing side has displaced in the forward direction due to a secondary collision. Alternatively, a suspended arm that functions in the same way is provided on the bracket on the vehicle body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Akutsu, Makoto Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 8678436
    Abstract: A support bracket assembly for a steering column assembly comprises a first bracket part, a second bracket part which is fixed to the vehicle by at least one fastener, and at least one capsule which comprises a main body fixed to the first bracket part by a frangible connector. The main body of the capsule is fixed to the second bracket part by the at least one fastener. The main body includes at least one opening which is aligned with a corresponding opening in the first bracket part and the two aligned openings are filled with a frangible material that forms part of the frangible connector which secures the capsule to the first bracket part. A further opening is provided in the second bracket part which is coaxial with an opening in the capsule and filled with additional frangible material which forms a frangible connection between the capsule and the second bracket part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive US LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Anthony Duffy
  • Patent number: 8678437
    Abstract: Construction of an impact absorbing steering wheel apparatus that is capable of obtaining excellent performance at low cost while maintaining the freedom of design is achieved. An energy absorbing member 36a, 36b is provided between a tightening rod 27a that displaces in the forward direction together with an outer column 13a during a secondary collision and a housing 16 or support pin 63 that does not displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision, and being a member that plastically deforms as the outer column displaces in the forward direction during a secondary collision, absorbs part of the impact energy by the relative movement of the plastic deformation. Part of the energy absorbing member 36a, 36b is fastened to the tightening rod 27a, and plastic deformation of this member 36a, 36b is restricted in the width direction by a pair of held wall sections 11a of the outer column 13a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritomo Narita, Kou Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8668226
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a wire fitting bracket that is fitted to an end portion of a connecting wire for connecting an outer tube to an inner tube and that has a bracket body and a plurality of protrusions. The bracket body is fitted to a steering column-side member with a bolt, and has a bolt insertion hole through which the bolt is passed. The protrusions protrude from the bracket body, and are arranged around an axis of the bolt insertion hole. The protrusions are formed of rotation restricting protrusions that restrict rotation of the wire fitting bracket and an erroneous fitting prevention protrusion that prevents erroneous fitting of the wire fitting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Hirose, Yoshiaki Takagi
  • Patent number: 8666598
    Abstract: A method of controlling a yawing movement of an aircraft running along the ground, the aircraft comprising at least one first landing gear with a steerable bottom part bearing wheels. The method comprises the steps of (1) on the basis of a yaw rate setpoint {dot over (?)}c, determining a wheel-steering prepositioning angle ?p; and (2) using closed-loop control which as its input has the yaw rate setpoint and which generates a command to steer the bottom part in order to steer it through a steering angle ?c equal to the sum of this prepositioning angle ?p and of an angle ?z which is determined taking account of an error between the yaw rate setpoint {dot over (?)}c and the measured yaw rate {dot over (?)}m when the steerable bottom part is steered by the steering angle ?c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventors: David Lemay, David Frank, Michel Basset, Yann Chamaillard
  • Patent number: 8657339
    Abstract: In a steering apparatus configured by including: a steering shaft to which a steering wheel can be fitted; a steering column supported on a vehicle body and supporting the steering shaft rotatably; and a combination switch fixedly fitted to the steering column and constructed by combining a plurality of switches having different functions into one integral unit, the improvement comprises: a spacer having an inner peripheral surface that is fixedly fitted onto an outer peripheral surface of an end portion of the steering column on a rear side with respect to a vehicle body and an outer peripheral surface that is formed to have a dimension of an outer diameter enabling an inner peripheral surface of a fitting portion provided in the combination switch to be fitted onto the outer peripheral surface; and a rotation preventive mechanism preventing the spacer from rotating about the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Yamamoto, Noritomo Narita, Youhei Nakazato
  • Patent number: 8651526
    Abstract: In a steering apparatus, an upper bracket that supports a steering column is configured as a breakaway bracket, and has a telescopic adjustment function that allows the steering wheel position to be adjusted in the axial direction of the steering column. The upper bracket has a first through-hole extending through the upper bracket in the axial direction. The upper bracket is provided with a guide rail 7 that has a fixed portion and a body portion. The fixed portion is fixed to a mounting stay. The body portion extends from the fixed portion toward the front of a vehicle in the axial direction, and is inserted in the first through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakamura, Keiji Kishimoto, Kazuyuki Tamenaga, Takeshi Matsuda, Hiroji Nagano, Kazuyoshi Wakabayashi, Shigeru Hoshino, Tomokazu Fujita
  • Patent number: 8641094
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket and a lower jacket secured to the rake bracket. An upper jacket is slidably disposed in the lower jacket and a locking bolt is rotatably located at the lower jacket configured to allow the upper jacket allow the translate along a steering column axis relative to the lower jacket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position. A bolt driver is located at the locking bolt and is configured to interrupt a load path through a column retainer between the lower jacket and the rake bracket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M Burns, Michael Patrick Anspaugh, Matthew James-Thomas Vincent
  • Publication number: 20140028008
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes an instrument panel, a steering column defining a longitudinal axis, and a steering wheel arranged on the steering column in a region of the instrument panel. The steering wheel is configured for movement in relation to the instrument panel in a direction of the longitudinal axis towards the instrument panel from a first position to a second position. The steering column is also constructed to enable the steering wheel to move from the second position to the first position when the motor vehicle is subjected to a force caused by an accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Michael Stadler, Ingo Schütz
  • Patent number: 8632098
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a first shroud portion comprising an outer tube, a second shroud portion which comprises an inner tube, and a clamp mechanism that includes a part that is fixed relative to the outer tube, the first and second shroud portions being releasably engaged by the clamp mechanism to selectively permit an amount of relative movement between the first and second shroud portions that is required during adjustment of the steering column assembly, the assembly further including an energy absorbing member which includes a strap that interconnects the inner tube and the part of the clamp bolt assembly, the assembly being so arranged that upon collapse the inner tube moves relative to the clamp assembly whereupon the energy absorbing member is deformed beyond its elastic limit, thereby absorbing energy in the system to control the collapse of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Niclas Davies, Patrick Anthony Duffy
  • Patent number: 8627742
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a first jacket defining a first bore and a second jacket defining a second bore aligned with the first bore prior to collapse of the first jacket and the second jacket. A jacket connector extends through the bores to interconnect the first jacket and the second jacket. The jacket connector includes a pre-determined shear resistance, above which the jacket connector is sheared to permit telescopic movement between the first jacket and the second jacket. Accordingly, in response to an axial load greater than the pre-determined shear resistance of the jacket connector being applied to one of the first jacket and the second jacket, the jacket connector shears, permitting the telescopic movement. The jacket connector includes a pin defining a pin bore. The pin bore defines a cross sectional area, with the pre-determined shear resistance depending upon the cross sectional area of the pin bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Ridgway, Albert C. Huber, Robert D. Maida, Scott A. Stinebring
  • Patent number: 8622427
    Abstract: Provided is a steering column support apparatus that simplifies tuning for stabilizing the forward displacement of the steering wheel during a secondary collision, and suppresses the absolute value and variation of the break away load without strong rubbing between the bracket 11 on the vehicle side and the bracket 33 on the column side. By forming an extending section 57 on the top plate section 55 of the bracket 33 on the column side, and a convex curved surface 58 on the top surface of the front end section of that extending section 57, a rise in contact pressure at the area of contact that occurs when the edge on the front end of the top surface of the top plate section 55 is pressed against the bottom surface of the bracket 11 on the vehicle side by a moment that is applied from the steering column 6c to the bracket 33 on the column side during a secondary collision is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Minamigata, Minao Umeda, Takeshi Fujiwara, Osamu Tatewaki, Toru Segawa, Kiyoshi Sadakata
  • Patent number: 8615348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating the current flow of a coil that controls the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid of a controllable energy absorber in a steering system for a motor vehicle, wherein during an accident the energy absorber acts as a hydraulic damper between two parts movable with respect to one another, whose damping force is determined by the current flow through the magnetic coil, wherein the following steps are provided: the relative velocity between a first part of the steering column movable with the steering wheel and a second part of the steering column fixed to the vehicle body is determined continuously or at intervals, the acceleration required for the braking from the measured relative velocity at standstill up to the end of the travel path is calculated, the current flow is calculated from the calculated acceleration in such a way that the value of the acceleration is approximately reached during the further travel of the parts movable with respect to one anoth
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG
    Inventors: Gernot Elsensohn, Stefan Battlogg, Jürgen Pösel
  • Patent number: 8596160
    Abstract: The invention provides a steering apparatus which includes: an inner column 3; an outer column 4 fitted with the inner column 3 in such a manner that it is movable in a telescopic manner; a steering shaft 102 which is rotatably supported on the inner column 3 and outer column 4, and on the vehicle body rearward side of which a steering wheel 103 can be mounted; a lock apparatus 7 including a lock pin 73A which can be operated by an actuator to thereby prevent the rotation of the steering shaft 102; and, a lock housing 71 which is formed integrally with the outer column 4 and stores the lock apparatus 7 therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonao Nagamura, Naoki Sawada, Wataru Hagiwara, Masaki Tomaru, Seiichi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8596683
    Abstract: In a steering apparatus including a column 46, a column 42, a bracket 21 movable with respect to the column 42 upon a secondary collision, a member 81 attaching to the moving bracket 21 and absorbing impact energy with making plastic deformation, a guide bracket 61 fixed to the column 46 and having a guide groove 63 guiding movement of the column 42, and a guide pin 71 fixed to the bracket 21 and movable with the bracket 21 with being guided by the guide groove 63, the guide bracket 61 includes a gap forming portion 61e forming a gap 61d between the guide bracket 61 and the bracket 21, a member 81 is latched to the guide bracket 61 and includes an extending portion extending along the gap 61d, thereby providing a steering apparatus not necessary to fix an end of an impact-energy-absorption member to a vehicle-body-side bracket upon attaching the steering apparatus to the vehicle body, or not restricting a shape of a connecting member by the impact-energy-absorption member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Ishii
  • Patent number: 8596684
    Abstract: The invention provides a steering column assembly having a steering column extending between a pivot end and a steering wheel supporting end. The steering wheel supporting end is operable to engage a steering wheel. The steering column is moveable along a collapse path in response to an impacting force acting on the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column includes a cam-follower surface in fixed relation to the steering wheel supporting end. The steering column assembly also includes a cam surface spaced from the steering column and slidably engaging the cam-follower surface. The cam surface and the cam-follower surface cooperate during movement of the steering column along the collapse path to guide the steering column in rotation upwardly about the pivot end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Ridgway, Richard K. Riefe, Sam L. Scrivener
  • Patent number: 8590933
    Abstract: Construction of an impact absorbing steering wheel apparatus that is capable of obtaining excellent performance at low cost while maintaining the freedom of design is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritomo Narita, Kou Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8590932
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle includes a clamping device, in the opened state of which the steering column is adjustable and in the closed state of which the set position of the steering column is fixed. The clamping device comprises an actuating lever and a clamping piece, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation by the actuating lever in order to open and close the clamping device. The actuating lever can be twisted about the axis of rotation at least in one direction of rotation with respect to the clamping piece when a limit of a torque acting between the actuating lever and the clamping piece is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maximilian Dietz, Tillmann Rutzel
  • Patent number: 8585089
    Abstract: An assembly method for a steering column support apparatus is achieved that simplifies tuning for stabilizing forward displacement of a steering wheel during a secondary collision, eliminates space in the engagement section between a bracket 11 on the vehicle side and a locking capsule 47a, and suppresses rocking displacement of the steering column due to that space. Of a plurality of small through holes 49a, 49b on the capsule side and a plurality of small notch sections 55a, 55b, part of the small through holes 49a and the small notch sections 55a are aligned, and pin shaped members 58 are formed so as to span these small through holes and small notch sections. After that, the locking capsule 47a and bracket 11 on the vehicle side are put into the final assembled position, shearing the pin shaped members 58 in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Minamigata, Minao Umeda, Takeshi Fujiwara, Osamu Tatewaki, Kiyoshi Sadakata
  • Patent number: 8579327
    Abstract: A steering column is provided for a motor vehicle, which can be moved within a predetermined adjustment range, and in the event of a crash can be shifted beyond the predetermined adjustment range into a crash position, with a steering column cladding and a latching device for locking the steering column into the respective position. The latching device has a manually activatable actuating element, and the steering column cladding and actuating element can be positioned relative to each other in such a way by moving the steering column into the crash position that the actuating element is or can be supported against the steering column cladding as it is being fixed in place with the steering column locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Martin Klos, Torsten Kerz, Eduard Mendzigall
  • Patent number: 8562020
    Abstract: Construction of a steering column support apparatus is achieved that is able to suppress an increase in the height dimension, maintain a function of the steering column 6a being able to displace smoothly in the forward direction during a secondary collision and prevent the steering column from dropping down even when the steering column 6a is displaced in the forward direction due to a secondary collision. The steering column support apparatus comprises a non-dropping bracket 45 that is fastened to the vehicle body, a dropping bracket 46 that is supported by the steering column 6a, a pair of bolts 47 and a pair of support capsules 16a. During a secondary collision, the supporting force of the support capsules 16a for supporting the non-dropping bracket 45 is lost and the steering column 6a displaces in the forward direction together with the bolts 47, support capsules 16a and dropping bracket 46, however, does not drop from the non-dropping bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Arakawa, Hiroshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8549953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a bracket (1) which carries an upper jacket unit (3) and a lower jacket unit (5), wherein the jacket units (3, 5) surround a steering shaft (8) rotatably mounted therein, and wherein the jacket units (3, 5) comprise an inner jacket tube (10) and an outer jacket tube (11) which surrounds the inner jacket tube (10) at least in some sections, said jacket tubes being mounted such that they can be displaced one inside the other in their axial direction by means of a plastic sleeve (6) made of thermoplastic which is located therebetween. Freedom from play is achieved in that the plastic sleeve (6) is inserted into the outer jacket tube (11) with a press fit, and in that the outer jacket tube (11) has at least one opening (12), in the region of which the plastic sleeve (6) is pressed against the inner jacket tube (10) by deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG
    Inventor: Rony Schnitzer
  • Patent number: 8544887
    Abstract: Construction of a steering column support apparatus is achieved that is capable of simplifying tuning for stabilizing the forward displacement of the steering wheel 1 during a secondary collision, and lowering and stabilizing the break away load of the steering column 6c. A connecting bracket 30 is used that comprises an installation plate section 31 that connects and fastens to the portion on the top surface of the top plate section 23 of a bracket 12b on the column side which is exposed on the inside of a locking notch 28, a raised section 32 that rises upward from the installation plate section 31, and a restraining plate section 33 that is bent and extends outward from the edge on the top end of the raised section 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujiwara, Kiyoshi Sadakata, Toru Segawa, Takahiro Minamigata
  • Patent number: 8544886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle with electrical power assistance comprising: a steering-spindle bearing unit, in which the steering shaft is mounted rotatably and is guided in a slide, which can be connected to the vehicle body, wherein the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable at least in its inclination, an electric motor, which is coupled rotatably via reduction gearing to a steering spindle, wherein the reduction gearing is enclosed and mounted in a housing, wherein the housing has means for forming a swivelling axis, about which the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable in its inclination, wherein the steering system further comprises a retaining clamp for fastening the steering system to the motor vehicle, wherein the retaining clamp has a guideway that interacts with a counterstay arranged on the slide, wherein the slide is movable along the guideway after it overcomes a presettable releasing force, and in the case of displacement of the slide along the guidew
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG
    Inventors: Christoph Klukowski, Johannes Schönlechner, Rolf Ackermann
  • Patent number: 8540280
    Abstract: A steering apparatus has a column 46, a column 42 fitted to the column 46 and able to make collapsing movement or move, a bracket 21 attached to a vehicle body in such a way that it can be detached with the column 42 by an impact force of a secondary collision, a guide bracket 61 fixed to the column 46 and having a guide groove 63, and a pin 71 fixed to the bracket 21 and movable with the bracket 21 while being guided by the guide groove 63. The guide bracket 61 has a flat plate portion 61d that is not contact with the bracket 21. A guide groove 63 is provided in the flat plate portion 61d. The pin 71 has a head portion 713 at the top having a diameter larger than its shaft portion. The apparatus has a gap setting portion that is in abutment with the upper surface of the bracket 21 when the pin 71 is fixed to the bracket 21 to set the distance between the lower surface of the head portion 713 and the upper surface of the bracket 21 to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Ishii, Takahiro Tanaka