Adjustable Patents (Class 74/493)
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Patent number: 11613294Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a casing unit, in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis and which has at least two casing tubes which are guided adjustably relative to one another by an adjustment distance in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In order to permit easier adjustment, the casing tubes can be brought along the adjustment distance relative to one another into at least one comfort region and at least one transition region, wherein a transition adjustment force for the relative adjustment of the casing tubes in the transition region is smaller than a comfort adjustment force for the relative adjustment of the casing tubes in the comfort region.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Tim Bayer, Daniel Kreutz
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Patent number: 11554804Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket, an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket, and a telescope actuator assembly. The telescope actuator assembly includes a jackscrew nut translatable along a lead screw. The telescope actuator assembly 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 jackscrew nut is disposed within the slots. The telescope actuator assembly includes a first nut capture plug coupled to one of the pair of arms, the first nut capture plug having at least one tooth disposed within a cavity on a first side of the jackscrew nut to prevent relative rotation between the jackscrew nut and the telescope drive bracket.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Robert D. Maida, Timothy D. Beach
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Patent number: 11524713Abstract: A steering column includes an adjusting unit that is fixedly clampable releasably to a supporting unit and in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis, a clamping device with a release position and a fixing position for locking the adjusting unit to the supporting unit, a clamping bolt arranged along a clamping axis and guided transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis through an elongated hole in the supporting unit extending in an adjustment direction and in which the clamping bolt in the release position is movable. A fixing element on the clamping bolt can be braced by the clamping device in the direction of the clamping axis against the supporting unit. A guide device may have guide elements on the fixing element and on the supporting unit that are spaced apart from the elongated hole, the fixing element being guided in the guide elements in a translational manner relative to the supporting unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Adrian Vincent Geiger, Manoel Machinek, Balint Kalman Nagy
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Patent number: 11465681Abstract: A position identification assembly for a steering column is provided. The assembly may include a mount bracket, a steering column, a sensor, and a controller. The mount bracket may define an opening to the cavity. The steering column may be mounted to the mount bracket for translation at least partially in to and out of the cavity and the steering column may define one or more physical features therealong. The sensor may be secured to the mount bracket to detect the physical features. Each of the one or more physical features may be arranged upon the steering column such that the sensor detects the one or more physical features when the steering column translates between positions and may send a signal to the controller reflecting the same. The controller is programmed to identify a steering column position based on the received signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Blake J. Riley, Robert C. Derocher, Keith A. Kidder, Paul M. Fisher
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Patent number: 11465666Abstract: A steering system includes: a variable mechanism that reversibly changes a configuration of an operating member between a configuration for automated driving and a configuration for manual driving, the configuration including at least one of a position, an orientation, and a shape; a variable drive source; a receiver that receives an operation of a driver; and a controller that controls the variable drive source to cause the variable mechanism to return the configuration of the operating member to the configuration for manual driving, when the receiver receives the operation of the driver in a period when the configuration of the operating member is being changed.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Norihiro Ochi, Yousuke Nishimura, Yasuyuki Nozawa, Kei Kitahara, Takeshi Watanabe
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Patent number: 11440579Abstract: A steering column device has an inner column; an outer column combined with the inner column and having a slit extending in the axial direction, the inner column and the outer column configuring a telescopic steering column; a release bracket arranged inside the slit of the outer column and supported by and fixed to the inner column; a support bracket joined to the release bracket so as to be able to detach due to an impact load that is applied to the inner column during a secondary collision; and a telescopic friction plate having a function to increase a holding force for holding the steering column with respect to a vehicle-body-side bracket and supported by the support bracket.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: NSK LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Kakita, Kazuki Hara
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Patent number: 11420669Abstract: An adjustment lever deceleration assembly for a steering column includes an adjustment lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly also includes a component positioned proximate the adjustment lever, the component rotating at a speed less than a rotational speed of the adjustment lever during adjustment between the locked position to the unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly further includes an adjustment lever decelerator integrally formed with the adjustment lever, the adjustment lever decelerator positioned on the adjustment lever to contact the component during rotation of the adjustment lever toward the unlocked position, wherein the adjustment lever deflects and absorbs energy upon contact with the component.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 11414121Abstract: A steering column may include a casing unit in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis and which is connectable via a height adjustment lever to a vehicle. The height adjustment lever has two opposing sidewalls between which the casing unit is received pivotably about a joint axis. The casing unit may have guide grooves that extend in a direction of the longitudinal axis. A sliding body may be disposed between each sidewall and the casing unit. Each sliding body may be displaceable in a sliding manner in a guide groove in the direction of the longitudinal axis and is supported on the respective sidewall. A supporting element may be arranged between each sliding body and the respective sidewall, which supporting element is supported from the inside against the respective sidewall and pushes the respective sliding body from the outside into the respective guide groove.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Sascha Rist, Helmut Kirmsze
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Patent number: 11400968Abstract: A method for setting an actuating force for securing a motor vehicle adjustable steering column. The actuating force is to be exerted on an actuating element for actuating a locking device of the steering column to switch the locking device between release and securing positions. The locking device has an adjustable adjustment element for setting the actuating force. The method includes: positioning the steering column within reach of a robot manipulator, controlled in an automated manner, in a pre-assembled state of the adjustment element, actuating the locking device by means of the robot manipulator, measuring the exerted actuating force, and comparing the measured actuating force to a specified reference value. If the measured actuating force corresponds to the reference value ending the method, and if the measured actuating force deviates from the reference value adjusting the adjustment element via the robot manipulator and returning to the actuating step.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Andreas Muenster, Sebastian Schaedler
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Patent number: 11383753Abstract: A traveling vehicle includes a steering shaft to which a steering handle is attached, the steering shaft being adjustable in tilt angle and length, a tilt lock to lock the steering shaft at an adjusted tilt angle, a telescopic lock to lock the steering shaft at an adjusted length, and an operator including an operation area to allow locking of both of the tilt lock and the telescopic lock to be released.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventor: Yusuke Kita
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Patent number: 11358626Abstract: A steering column assembly including a steering column that 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 comprising an upper jacket, a lower jacket, and a sliding bracket, wherein the upper jacket is telescopically connected to the lower jacket and the lower jacket is slidably connected to the sliding bracket. A telescopic actuator extends between the sliding bracket and the upper jacket and facilitates relative telescopic movement between the upper jacket and the lower jacket and slidable movement between the lower jacket and the sling bracket. The lower jacket including a shaft connected to the rotation output via a splined inner bore that permits axial play. The movement of the lower jacket resulting in translational movement of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Patrik M. Ryne, George E. Arlt
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Patent number: 11358627Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket. The assembly also includes a plurality of cylindrical lead screws threadably coupled to each other, the plurality of lead screws rotatable relative to each other and translatable relative to each other. The assembly further includes a nut threadably coupled to one of the plurality of lead screws and operatively coupled to the jacket to axially move the jacket.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Patrik Ryne, George E. Arlt
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Patent number: 11318982Abstract: A steering column device includes a metal outer-side cylindrical member, a metal inner-side cylindrical member, and a resin intermediate cylindrical member that is disposed between the outer-side cylindrical member and the inner-side cylindrical member. The intermediate cylindrical member has an oil feed orifice through which the semisolid lubricating oil is guided from an outer circumferential face side to an inner circumferential face side when inserting the intermediate cylindrical member into the outer-side cylindrical member.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Hidenori Kakinuma, Yasunori Kamitani, Soma Iwai, Keiji Kishimoto
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Patent number: 11312407Abstract: Provided is a vehicle steering column. A lower column has an open area, an axial slot provided in a central portion of the open area, a connecting portion connecting portions of the lower column located on both sides of the open area, a cut portion corresponding to the slot and provided on one side of the connecting portion, and a pair of protruding opposite end portions. A hinge pin is fitted into the opposite end portions of the lower column. An upper column is fitted into the lower column. A telescopic fixing plate of the upper column is provided in a location corresponding to the slot, and has a plurality of catch recesses spaced apart from each other. A telescopic catch member is located in the cut portion between the opposite end portions to be rotatably supported by the hinge pin, and has a catch protrusion engaging with the catch recesses.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventors: HyunBi Kwon, Sang Hyun Park
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Patent number: 11292415Abstract: An airbag device includes: an airbag body that is configured to deploy toward a front side of a driver; and a control unit that is configured to deploy the airbag body using a first deployment method when a central axis of a rim portion of a steering member of a vehicle is in a first state and a deployment condition is satisfied and deploy the airbag body using a second deployment method in a second state when an inclination angle of the central axis in relation to the central axis in the first state exceeds a threshold and the deployment condition is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshitaka Mimura, Masahiko Asakura, Hironori Takano, Junichi Maruyama
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Patent number: 11235798Abstract: An adjusting drive for a motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, includes a motorized drive unit and an external threaded spindle which has an external thread and a coaxial internal thread into which an internal threaded spindle engages. The external threaded spindle and the internal threaded spindle can be driven in rotation relative to one another about an axis by the drive unit. In order to provide an adjusting drive which requires a reduced drive torque and delivers an optimized free adjustment path, the external threaded spindle engages with its external thread in a drive nut, wherein the drive nut or the internal threaded spindle is able to be driven in rotation by the drive unit and is supported relative to the drive unit in the direction of the axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht
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Patent number: 11230316Abstract: A rake adjustment assembly for a steering column system includes a rake lever that is rotatable. The rake adjustment assembly also includes a rake bolt operative coupled to the rake lever and positioned to selectively exert a clamping force to lock and unlock the rake position of the steering column system. The rake adjustment assembly further includes a cam assembly comprising an outer cam formed of stamped steel and press fit within a pocket defined by an outer face of the lever. The outer cam includes a main body. The outer cam also includes a plurality of legs extending from the main body.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Peter A. Gembrowski, Randy W. Jones, Ethan S. Jacobs, Tyler M. Reno
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Patent number: 11214294Abstract: A steering wheel assembly has a central hub configured to connect to a steering column, at least one retractable hand grip attached to the central hub, one or more control cables disposed internal of each retractable hand grip, and a drive mechanism connected to the control cables. The drive mechanism is located either at or in the central hub or remotely relative to the steering wheel assembly. The drive mechanism when activated can selectively move one or more of the control cables to move the retractable grips to a retracted position or a non-retracted position. Optionally, the hand grips can be connected directly to the central hub and/or to one or more spokes extending form the central hub. Each of the retractable hand grips has at least one and up to four control cables.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLCInventor: Makoto Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 11208139Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a clamp mechanism having a first rack of teeth and a second rack of teeth. A blocking device includes at least one gearwheel. At least one tooth of the blocking device is carried by the gearwheel and is engaged with the first rack of teeth when the clamp mechanism is in both the clamped position and the released position. The blocking device is disengaged from the second rack when in the released position thereby allowing the gearwheel of the blocking device to roll along the first rack of teeth during adjustment of the steering column assembly. At least one tooth of the blocking device engages the second rack of teeth when the clamp mechanism is in the clamped position. The at least one gearwheel of the blocking device in this condition is prevented from rolling along the first rack of teeth.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. z.o.o.Inventors: Artur Wojtalik, Pawel Ponikiewski
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Patent number: 11203375Abstract: The present application relates to an adjustment bushing, a steering column and a vehicle. The adjustment bushing comprises: a frame provided with a linear track that allows an adjusting bolt to slide left and right; and damping structures respectively disposed near both ends of the linear track and including convex hulls extending from upper and lower inner sides of the frame into the linear track, wherein, when the adjusting bolt slides to both ends of the linear track to extreme positions of the linear track, the convex hulls are squeezed between the adjusting bolt and the frame to play a damping role. The adjustment bushing can rebound after the endurance adjustment, has excellent noise reduction and energy absorption effect, and improves the durability and service life of the adjustment bushing.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignees: MANDO CORPORATION, MANDO CHINA HOLDINGS LTD.Inventor: Zhuo Liu
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Patent number: 11203373Abstract: A vehicle steering column includes a support unit and by which an actuator unit is held in which a steering spindle is mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis. An adjustment drive is disposed between the support unit and the actuator unit and by which the actuator unit is adjustable. The adjustment drive has a threaded spindle which engages in a spindle nut and has a spindle axis. The spindle nut and the spindle are drivable by a servomotor to rotate in a mutually relative manner. The servomotor has a motor shaft which is coupled to a drive gear which is rotatable about a drive axis and which operatively engages with an output gear which is rotatable about the spindle axis and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the spindle nut or the threaded spindle. The drive axis and the spindle axis are disposed mutually parallel.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Jean-Pierre Specht, Sebastian Huber
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Patent number: 11186308Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a steering column for a vehicle including an upper column on which a bracket is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the upper column, a lower column having an inner peripheral surface supported on the outer peripheral surface of the upper column and having a telescopic driving device fixed to a side corresponding to the bracket, a connecting member coupled to the telescopic driving device so as to be movable in the axial direction during a telescopic operation, and a bending plate fixed to the bracket and having one end being bent and spaced apart from a portion fixed to the bracket and coupled to the connecting member, thereby it is possible to perform the smooth collapse operation and to reduce the number of components, assembling process and cost of the steering column of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventors: HyunBi Kwon, Sang Hyun Park
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Patent number: 11148703Abstract: Construction for reinforcing the strength of a pair of support plate sections is achieved. Upper end edges of the pair of support plate sections are fastened to a bottom surface of a bridge plate section of an installation plate section via lug sections for welding. A reinforcing member comprising a protrusion which is convex on the outside in the width direction and concave on the inside in the width direction is provided from the upper end section to the lower end section of the front-end section of each one of the pair of support plate sections.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Suguru Sugishita, Naoki Kabe
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Patent number: 11110953Abstract: A locking device is presented for an adjustable steering column assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating element and a damping device. The damping device has a first damping element and a second damping element, wherein the first damping element is attached to the actuating element and the second damping element is attached to a frame part, wherein the first and/or second damping element relative to the other damping element are rotatably mounted. The first and the second damping element each have a coupling section, wherein the coupling sections are engaged at least over a partial section of a movement of the actuating element, and wherein a relative rotation between the two damping elements is damped by deformation of the first and/or second damping element and/or by friction, at least over a partial section of a movement of the actuating element.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Markus Lingemann, Marcus Zimpel
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Patent number: 11052935Abstract: A motor-adjustable steering column for a vehicle includes a supporting unit attachable to a vehicle body and by which there is held an adjusting unit in which a steering spindle is mounted so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis. An adjustment drive is connected to the supporting unit and to the adjusting unit and is adjustable relative to the supporting unit. The adjustment drive includes a drive unit and a threaded spindle which engages in a spindle nut and which has a threaded spindle axis. The threaded spindle and the spindle nut can be driven to rotate relative to one another about the threaded spindle axis by the drive unit. To prevent slipping or spinning of the spindle drive in a crash situation the adjustment drive includes a blocking device which can be brought into a blocking position for blocking the threaded spindle relative to the spindle nut.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AGInventors: Arne Schacht, Jean-Pierre Specht, Sebastian Huber
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Patent number: 11034375Abstract: An industrial truck comprising a driver's cab including a steering unit, a steering bracket having a base plate and a profile structure for receiving the steering unit, a fastener disposed in combination with the driver's cab and configured to secure the steering bracket to the driver's cab, and an adapter unit mounting the steering bracket to the driver's cab while allowing variations in the vertical position of the steering unit. More specifically, the steering unit defines a longitudinal cavity for receiving the outwardly projecting profile structure of the steering bracket. Additionally, the adapter plate defines at least two apertures, at least one of the apertures mounting to one of the at least two height differentiating positions of the fastener. As such, the vertical height of the steering unit may be varied relative to a fixed vertical height or position within the driver's cab.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Jungheinrich AktiengesellschaftInventor: Sebastian Heusinger
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Patent number: 11034378Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprising a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, the telescopic steering shaft comprising a first shaft having a hollow end and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft. A plurality of radially-adjustable pins and a resilient contact member are axially separated along a longitudinal axis of the steering column assembly, each being adjustable for the elimination of free play between the first shaft and the second shaft. The pins transmit torque by rotationally interlocking the first shaft and the second shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Z.o.o.Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Artur Wojtalik
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Patent number: 11014599Abstract: An adjustable steering column includes an actuating unit for rotatably mounting a steering shaft, a carrying unit in which the actuating unit is mounted so as to be axially displaceable via a motorized longitudinal adjustment drive, a transmission device coupled to the actuating unit and to the longitudinal adjustment drive, an energy absorption apparatus for absorbing energy when the actuating unit moves relative to the transmission device, and a coupling device connected to the actuating unit and to the transmission device. The coupling device may be disconnected from the actuating unit and/or the transmission device in a crash event, allowing movement between the actuating unit and the transmission device. The coupling device may have a pin-shaped holding element that protrudes into a slot. A blocking element may block movement of the holding element in the slot, and in a crash event permit movement of the holding element in the slot.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AGInventor: Helmut Kirmsze
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Patent number: 11014597Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a shroud; a steering shaft, which is supported by the shroud; a support bracket, a clamp, and a clamp mechanism. The support bracket is configured to be secured to a fixed part of the vehicle and includes two arms that depend from a base portion to embrace the shroud. The clamp pin extends through an opening in each of the arms of the support bracket and in a slot in the shroud. The clamp mechanism is movable between an unclamped position in which the shroud can move relative to the support bracket and a clamped position in which the shroud is fixed relative to the support bracket.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Artur Wojtalik
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Patent number: 11001291Abstract: A rake adjustment mechanism for an electronically adjustable steering col disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering LLCInventors: Murali Atluru, Venkateswaran Subramanian, Oliver Perichon
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Patent number: 10981592Abstract: A power steering assembly has a housing and a ball nut assembly supported on the housing. The ball nut assembly has a ball nut axis. The housing has a first surface between the housing and the ball nut assembly. The ball nut assembly also has a second surface. The second surface rotates on the first surface such that the ball nut assembly rotates relative to the housing on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLCInventors: Brian A. Urbach, John F. Santori
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Patent number: 10974755Abstract: A steering wheel includes a handle, a first movement unit, and a second movement unit. The handle is held by an occupant and configured to steer a vehicle by the occupant, and is divided into at least a first division and a second division. The first movement unit is configured to allow the first division to move. The second movement unit configured to allow the second division to move. After the first division is separated from the second division, the second movement unit moves the second division forward, and the first movement unit moves the first division to a region in which the second division was initially disposed.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Isamu Nagasawa
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Patent number: 10946887Abstract: A cargo handling vehicle includes a universal joint that allows an upper shaft to swing with respect to a lower shaft around a predetermined horizontal axis, a column tube that covers an outer periphery of the upper shaft, and a lockable gas spring that supports the upper shaft via the column tube. The gas spring is disposed under the column tube and connects a cowl with the column tube. The column tube has a cowl backing bracket that is disposed on a side of the universal joint and connected to the cowl, and the cowl supports the cowl backing bracket swingably around the horizontal axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI LOGISNEXT CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Yoshioka, Takuya Sano
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Patent number: 10940881Abstract: Reinforcing ribs (33a and 33b) are provided between mounting plate parts (30a and 30b) and support plate parts (31a and 31b) forming a support bracket (18a). Side plate parts (40a and 40b) forming a distance bracket (17a) are disposed between the support plate parts (31a and 31b), and an outer column (13a). When an adjustment lever (26a) is operated to hold a steering wheel at a position after adjustment, a steering column (6a) is pushed toward an upper side by column pressing parts (42a and 42b) provided at the side plate parts (40a and 40b), and, therefore, a pair of widened parts (43a and 43b) provided at upper parts of the side plate parts (40a and 40b) are pushed and expanded to the outside in a width direction. The widened parts (43a and 43b) are sandwiched between the support plate parts (31a and 31b) and the outer column (13a).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: NSK LTD.Inventors: Yoshifumi Kurokawa, Nobuyuki Nishimura
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Patent number: 10919559Abstract: A steering device includes a column unit, a front bracket, a lock bolt, a rear bracket provided with a tilting guide hole, and a second urging member. The column unit is provided with a bumping portion that restricts the column unit from rising by coming into contact with the rear bracket before the lock bolt abuts onto an upper end inner circumferential edge of the tilting guide hole in accordance with rotation of the column unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoshinori Shiroishi
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Patent number: 10919562Abstract: An energy absorption plate (52) for a steering column assembly (10) having a first end (54) and a second end (56), an arcuate segment (62), a first generally flat segment (58) between the first end (54) and the arcuate segment (62), and a second generally flat segment (64) between the second end (56) and the arcuate segment (62). The first generally flat segment (58) is situated generally parallel to the second generally flat segment (64). The first generally flat segment (58) is configured to face away from a column tube (18) of a steering column assembly (10). The second generally flat segment (64) is adapted to be secured to the column tube (18) of the steering column assembly (10). The first generally flat segment (58) includes one or more features, such as a toothed portion (66), for engaging with a fastener, such as a spring-biased fastener (44), to lock the column tube (18) in proper position. A steering column assembly (10) including this energy absorption plate (52) is also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: NSK LTD.Inventors: Scott Lewis Strong, David Ray Hartman, Victor Corona Martinez
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Patent number: 10882548Abstract: A steering column apparatus includes a telescoping column assembly and a stowing assembly. The telescoping column assembly includes a lower jacket and an upper jacket. The upper jacket is adapted to move between extended and retracted positions along a telescope axis and with respect to the lower jacket. The stowing assembly is engaged to the lower jacket, and is adapted to move between stowed and un-stowed states along a stow axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Thomas A. Freudenstein, Melvin L. Tinnin
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Patent number: 10875568Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a steering column of vehicle which includes an upper column with a fixing plate having a latching groove on an outer surface thereof, a lower column coupled to an outer surface of the upper column with a mounting hole on a side facing to the fixing plate, and an impact absorbing module, wherein the impact absorbing module includes a module cover covering the mounting hole and being coupled to the lower column, a latching element detachably coupled to the latching groove, a module body rotatably coupled to the latching element via an elastic element, and a bending plate which one end is coupled to the module body and bended other end is coupled to the module cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventors: HyunBi Kwon, Sang Hyun Park
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Patent number: 10836230Abstract: A RevoKnuckle-type suspension for a wheeled vehicle has a hub mounted to a bearing carrier for rotation relative thereto about a steering axis, and a shock absorber connected non-rotatably to the bearing carrier. The shock absorber has an outer cylinder having an axially-extending guide hole defined therein, and a piston and attached piston rod retained for axial reciprocation in the guide hole. The guide hole and at least one of the piston and the piston rod retained therein have respective complementary-shaped, non-circular cross-sectional shapes which engage one another to resist axial rotation of the piston and/or the piston rod within the guide hole. The carrier is therefore restrained against rotation relative to the vehicle sprung structure without the need for any additional component(s) such as a control arm or stabilizer, as required in a traditional RevoKnuckle-type suspension.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralf Hintzen, Thomas Gerhards
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Patent number: 10823272Abstract: A gearbox assembly for an electric power assisted steering system. The gearbox assembly includes a housing, a worm shaft, and a gear wheel, the worm shaft being supported relative to the housing by a main bearing assembly and a tail bearing assembly. The tail bearing assembly at least is free to move relative to the housing, allowing the worm shaft to move radially away from the axis of the gear wheel. The worm shaft is enables to move normal to the worm shaft axis such that it can move in and out of meshing contact with the gear wheel. The assembly further includes a gripping means that acts between the tail bearing assembly and the housing such that torque transmitted through the gear wheel generates a friction force that locks the tail bearing assembly to prevent movement of the worm shaft normal to the worm shaft axis that would otherwise occur.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: ZF Automotive UK LimitedInventors: Michael Appleyard, Mark Anthony Wilkes
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Patent number: 10814902Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud. The telescopic steering shaft comprises a first shaft having a hollow end with an inwardly facing wall and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft. A damper device is located at the end of the second shaft that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft and includes a contact member defining a contact part that contacts the inwardly facing wall. A portion of the inwardly facing wall tapers away from the open end of the hollow end so that in the event of a collapse of the steering column assembly the damper device is forced to move along the tapered portion whereby it is increasingly deformed radially thereby to provide a resistance to further collapse of the steering column assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. z.o.o.Inventors: Artur Wojtalik, Pawel Ponikiewski, Slawomir Kwasny
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Patent number: 10766520Abstract: A steering column (10), comprising: —a base (20); —a lower section (25), hinged to the base (20); —an intermediate section (30), hinged to the lower section (25); —an actuation lever (60) operable between a locked position, in which the actuation lever (60) is in stable equilibrium and constrains the mutual rotation of the lower section (25) relative to the base (20) and the mutual rotation of the intermediate section (30) relative to the lower section (25), and a first unlocked position or a second unlocked position, distinct from each other, in each of which it respectively releases one of the mutual rotation of the lower section (25) relative to the base (20) and the mutual rotation of the intermediate section (30) relative to the lower section (25).Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: MMX—MECCANOPLAST S.R.L.Inventor: Massimiliano Casini
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Patent number: 10752279Abstract: A lever assembly includes a lever, a first lever member, and a second lever member. The first lever member has a first lever member first portion and a first lever member second portion. The first lever member first portion defines a first opening and a notch. The second lever member defines a tab that extends into the notch and a first post that extends into the first opening to connect the second lever member to the first lever member first portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Mathew T. Vincent, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 10745042Abstract: According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a steering apparatus for a vehicle, the steering apparatus including: a steering wheel including a housing connected to a upper steering shaft of the vehicle and having a first opening and a second opening on both sides, a first movable partial wheel and a second movable partial wheel configured to be inserted into and protruded out of the housing through the first opening and the second opening, and a wheel actuator disposed in the housing and combined with the first movable partial wheel and the second movable partial wheel to provide a driving force; and a steering column including an inner cover shaft having an end coupled to an end of an upper steering shaft, an inner housing coupled to an end of the inner cover shaft and having a guide protrusion on the outer side thereof, a control housing having a guide hole axially formed to receive the guide protrusion, and a cover housing in which the control housing is rotatably inserted and thaType: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventors: Woo Jin Shin, TaeHyun Sung, Suk Hee Lee
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Patent number: 10717457Abstract: A steering column assembly that includes a rake bracket and a rake bolt assembly. The rake bracket is disposed on a jacket assembly that extends along a steering column axis. The rake bracket defines an opening and rake bracket teeth. The rake bolt assembly includes a rake bolt that extends through the opening along a rake bolt axis and a rake element that is disposed about the rake bolt. The rake element has a toothed region defining rake teeth that engage the first rake bracket teeth and a non-toothed region defining a flag.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gostyla, Devin M. King
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Patent number: 10683028Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly comprises a telescopic steering shaft that is supported within a steering column shroud, comprising a first shaft having a hollow end, the inner surface of the hollow end being provided with a plurality of inwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the inner surface, and a second shaft that has an end that is located within the hollow end of the first shaft, the second shaft being provided with a set of outwardly facing elongate splines that each extend axially along the outer surface of the end of the second shaft, the splines of the second shaft inter-engaging the splines of the first shaft to prevent relative rotational movement of the two shafts whilst permitting the two shafts to move axially relative to one another at least in the event of a crash.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: TRW Steering Systems Poland Sp. z o.o.Inventor: Pawel Ponikiewski
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Patent number: 10683029Abstract: The present disclosure provides a steering column of a vehicle, the steering column including: a fixed gear disposed on the outer side of an inner tube, in which a steering shaft is inserted, in the axial direction of the steering column, and having a plurality of telescopic motion stop holes arranged in the axial direction of the steering column; a movable gear inserted into or separated out of the telescopic motion stop holes; an outer tube fitted on the inner tube such that the inner tube can slide in the axial direction of the steering column, and having distance members disposed at both sides of the fixed gear; a lever bolt disposed through the distance members and supporting the movable gear such that the fixed gear and the movable gear are coupled to or separated from each other when a control lever is tightened or loosened; and a load-absorbing unit comprising a guide block coupled to the outer tube and a first load-absorbing member coupled to the movable gear to be able to slide in the axial directioType: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventor: HyunBi Kwon
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Patent number: 10654512Abstract: A steering device includes an inner column and an outer column which has a guide cylinder portion supporting the inner column to be movable in an axial direction and a holding cylinder portion located at a rear side in the axial direction in relation to the guide cylinder portion and having a slit extending in the axial direction. The guide cylinder portion has a support face which slidably supports an outer circumferential face of the inner column and a regulation face which is located at a front side in the axial direction in relation to the support face and regulates a movement of the inner column in a radial direction. The guide cylinder portion is formed so that a distance from an axis to the regulation face in the radial direction is longer than a distance from the axis to the support face.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignees: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshihito Osawa, Minoru Takakusaki, Eric M. Heitkamp, Robert A. Salemme, Cameron R. Titus, Joshua D. Pritchard, Toshihiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 10654509Abstract: An adjustment drive for a steering column adjustable by motor includes a threaded spindle with an axis. The threaded spindle engages in a spindle nut, a drive unit and a gear wheel connected to the spindle nut or the threaded spindle for rotation therewith, which is driveable to rotate about the axis by the drive unit and rotatably mounted about the axis in a bearing housing in an arrangement between two outer bearing rings axially supported at the bearing housing. The outer bearing rings each have, on their facing sides, a circumferential outer bearing face coaxial to the axis, the outer bearing face in each case lying opposite a bearing face on the end side at the gear wheel. At least one outer bearing ring is axially resiliently supported at the bearing housing by an elastic preloading element that axially braces the two outer bearing rings together.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignees: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AGInventors: Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht, Arne Schacht
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Patent number: 10654513Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, a clamp rail fixed to an upper face of the inner shroud portion including a slot, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud, a rocker comprising a body from which extends a lever arm, the body having an opening through which the clamp bolt passes, the rocker converting a rotation of the clamp bolt about its axis in a first direction into an upward motion of the lever arm and into a downward motion when the clamp bolt is rotated in the opposing second direction, a toothed block having two opposed racks of locking teeth that is connected to a carrier element, the carrier element in turn being connected to the lever of the rocker arm such that movement of the lever arm up and down causes movement of the carrier element up and down between an upper position and a lower position.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignees: TRW Automotive GmbH, TRW LimitedInventors: Jan Dite, Niclas Davies, Markus Lingemann