Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Floyd E Eschenbacher, Jr

Michael Patrick Anspaugh

Donald A Buzzard

Randy W Jones

Patrik M Ryne

Xiaoyu Li

Kevin Carlton Ross

Tyler M Reno

Richard Thomas Stuedemann

Matthew L Messing

Laura F Stock

Jeremy M Zemla

Justin D Mills

Edwin J Nab, Jr

Kevin Lawrence Roe

Leroy L Gatz

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.

Locking mechanism for steering system

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 steering column assembly includes a jacket extending longitudinally about a jacket axis, the jacket defining an opening extending radially completely through the jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an end stop assembly disposed in the opening and protruding radially inwardly. The steering column assembly further includes a steering shaft, at least a portion of the steering shaft disposed within the jacket and extending longitudinally about the jacket axis. The steering column assembly yet further includes a stop ring mounted to the steering shaft, the stop ring positioned to contact the end stop assembly at an end of rotational travel position of the steering shaft.

Steer by wire end of travel stop bracket

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.

Telescopic unlocking mechanism

A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly. The steering column assembly also includes a steering actuator operatively coupled to the jacket assembly with a connector plate, the connector plate defining an opening having a main portion and a channel extending radially outward from the main portion of the opening.

Collapsible steering column assembly

A travel control system for a cam assembly includes a cam having a plurality of lobes on a first face of the cam. Also included is a cam follower engageable with the first face of the cam to follow the lobe profile defined by the plurality of lobes. Further included is a pair of cam prongs extending outwardly from an outer perimeter of the cam. Yet further included is a lock indicator cam follower tab in contact with a first cam prong of the pair of cam prongs in a locked position of the cam assembly and in contact with a second cam prong of the pair of cam prongs in an unlocked position of the cam assembly.

Travel control system for cam assembly

A steering column for a motor vehicle having a gear box of an electric power assist apparatus in front of the steering column. The steering column includes a rigid mast jacket consisting of a short tubular sleeve and a bracket attached to the tubular sleeve having a pair of laterally separated guides straddling the gear box. A pair of lugs on the gear box cooperate with a pair of elongated slots in the guides in connecting the mast jacket to the gear box for vertical pivotal movement and for linear translation. A longitudinally collapsible steering shaft is rotatably supported on the tubular sleeve with a steering hand wheel at one end and a flexible coupling at the other end connecting the steering shaft to an input shaft on the gear box. The tubular sleeve is connected to the vehicle body by a clamp which releases the tubular sleeve for a collapse stroke of the mast jacket. The mast jacket protects the steering shaft against beam bending during the collapse stroke. The unobstructed span in front of the tubular sleeve between the guides yields a collapse stroke of the mast jacket consistent with acceptable performance of an energy absorber.

Growing community of inventors

Freeland, MI, United States of America

Floyd E Eschenbacher, Jr