Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Donald A Buzzard

Michael Patrick Anspaugh

Melvin Lee Tinnin

Randy W Jones

Robert W Dubay

John Frank Schulz

Joen Christen Bodtker

Roger A Bourbina

James C Russell

Tyler M Reno

Michael W Clark

Floyd E Eschenbacher, Jr

Matthew J T Vincent

Shenbing (Assur) Wen

Ravi Ravindra

Richard Paul Nash

Troy A Daenzer

Robert C Derocher

Matthew T Vincent

Justin D Mills

Floyd E Eschenbacher

James Edward Rouleau

Todd M King

Damian Z Gosztyla

Robert D Bueche

Zachery P Schultz

Jason L Myers

Matthew L Messing

Chet A Hickmott

Malgorzata Renata Szeliga

Kirk D Potts

Todd A Barshaw

Hongwei (Kevin) Song

Super Su

Kathleen M Brown

Lelio Huang

Dianxin Zheng

Zach P Schultz

John C Maxwell

An axially adjustable steering column includes a first jacket. The steering column also includes a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket. The steering column further includes an adjustment lever. The steering column yet further includes a locking mechanism, wherein the adjustment lever selectively moves the locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket in both axial directions, and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket.

Single actuator panel lift and clamp system

A travel stop assembly for a vehicle steer-by-wire steering system includes a shaft defining a spiral track extending from a first track end to a second track end. The travel stop assembly also includes a nut extending radially from an inner radial surface to an outer radial surface, the nut extending circumferentially from a first circumferential end to a second circumferential end, wherein the inner radial surface is disposed within the spiral track, wherein the nut is rotationally fixed such that rotation of the shaft axially translates the nut along the spiral track, wherein the first track end, the second track end, the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end are positioned to limit the axial movement of the nut and rotation of the shaft to a predetermined axial distance of the nut and a predetermined rotational angle of the shaft.

Steer-by-wire rotational travel stop

A cam clamping assembly includes a lever rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position of the cam clamping assembly. The cam clamping assembly also includes a cam follower operatively coupled to the lever and rotatable with the lever, the cam follower having an inner surface with at least one cam follower member extending therefrom. The cam clamping assembly further includes a cam having an outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the cam follower, wherein the outer surface of the cam includes at least one cam member extending therefrom and in contact with the cam follower member, wherein the cam member is a ramped surface having a contact path portion and at least one relief portion, wherein the cam follower member is only in contact with the contact path portion of the cam member during relative movement between the cam follower and the cam.

Customizable cam clamping assembly for steering column

An integrated locking feature for a rake lock mechanism of a steering column assembly includes a toothed portion. The integrated locking feature also includes a driver portion. The integrated locking feature further includes a spring portion coupling the driver portion and the toothed portion, wherein the toothed portion, the driver portion and the spring portion are integrally formed with each other as a single, uniform structure, wherein the spring portion has a thickness less than a thickness of the toothed portion.

Steering column rake lock mechanism

Locking mechanism for steering system

A locking cam for an axially adjustable steering column, the locking cam including: a hub; a leg extending from the hub in a first direction, the leg defining a set of teeth; and an arm extending from the hub to define a space between the arm and the leg. The arm includes an interface surface facing the leg, the interface surface interfacing with a mechanism of the adjustable steering column to pivot the locking cam. Each of the hub, the arm, and the leg are formed of a single, monolithic one-piece structure.

Telescopic unlocking mechanism

A locking mechanism for a telescoping steering column includes an energy absorption strap having a plurality of teeth disposed therealong. Also included is a clamp bolt rotatably driven by an adjustment lever. Further included is an actuator body coupled to the clamp bolt and rotated therewith. Yet further included is a first lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a first direction. Also included is a second lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a second direction different than the first direction.

Dual direction locking mechanism for telescoping steering column

A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket operatively coupled to the lower jacket, the upper jacket telescopingly moveable relative to the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a rake bracket operatively coupled to the lower jacket. The steering column assembly yet further includes an energy absorption strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket, at least a portion of the energy absorption strap disposed radially outward of the rake bracket.

Steering column energy absorption strap assembly

A locking mechanism for an axially adjustable steering column having an adjustment lever, the locking mechanism includes: a locking cam including a hub, an upper arm, and a leg defining a set of teeth, the upper arm and the leg extend from the hub in a same direction to define a space therebetween, the upper arm includes an interface surface facing the leg that interfaces with the adjustment lever to move the locking cam between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a pin extending through the locking cam to allow the locking cam to pivot about the pin between the locked position and the unlocked position. In the locked position, the set of teeth of the leg engage with a set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column. In the unlocked position, the set of teeth of the leg are spaced apart from the set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column.

A rake assembly for a steering column includes a pin adapted to move along a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first tray fixed to a support structure, the first tray comprising an exterior surface, at least one set of teeth extending from the exterior surface, and a wall at an edge of the set of teeth and extending from the exterior surface at least partially along a length of the set of teeth, and a rocker tray comprising an inner surface, and at least one set of teeth extending from the inner surface, the at least one set of teeth of the rocker tray are adapted to mesh with the set of teeth of the first tray when in the locked position and un-mesh when in the unlocked position.

Rake adjustment assembly of steering column

A rake assembly for a steering column includes a pin adapted to move along a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first tray fixed to a support structure, the first tray including an exterior surface and an extension, at least one set of teeth defined on the exterior surface, the extension extending from an edge of the set of teeth formed in the exterior surface and at least partially along a length of the set of teeth, the extension including an upper surface spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a step, and a rocker tray including an inner surface, at least one set of teeth defined on the inner surface and adapted to mesh with the set of teeth of the first tray when in the locked position and un-mesh when in the unlocked position.

A locking mechanism for an axially adjustable steering column includes a lock cam including a cam portion and a hub portion, wherein the cam portion and the hub portion are independent, separately formed components. The locking mechanism also includes a pin extending through the cam portion to permit the cam portion to pivot. The locking mechanism further includes a toothed portion formed on the cam portion for pivoting into engagement with teeth associated with the axially adjustable steering column in a locked position and out of engagement with the teeth in an unlocked position. The locking mechanism yet further includes an interface surface on the hub portion that includes at least one angled surface that interfaces with an adjustable lever and biases the cam portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.

A rake assembly for a steering column includes a pin adapted to move along a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The rake assembly also includes a first tray fixed to a support structure, the first tray having a plurality of teeth. The rake assembly further includes a rocker tray having a plurality of teeth adapted to mesh with the plurality of teeth of the first tray when in the locked position and un-mesh when in the unlocked position, the rocker tray being adapted to rock about a second axis from an un-tilted state when in the locked position and to a tilted state when in the unlocked position to provide a degree of motion to facilitate meshing of the plurality of teeth of the first tray and the plurality of teeth of the rocker tray, the second axis being transverse to the first axis.

A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket at least partially received within the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a jacket wall integrally formed with the lower jacket, the jacket wall extending longitudinally form a first end to a second end and having a first side and a second side. The steering column assembly yet further includes an energy absorption strap offset from the first side of the jacket wall to form a recess extending along the jacket wall, the energy absorption strap having a first end and a second end, the energy absorption strap having at least one tear line at an interface with the jacket wall.

Growing community of inventors

Saginaw, MI, United States of America

Donald A Buzzard