Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Nexteer (beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.

George E Arlt

Patrik M Ryne

Troy P Strieter

James J Shavrnoch

Joel A Bickel

David P Holm

Bryan G Freed

Michael L Arrand

Joen Christen Bodtker

Anthony J Champagne

Michael A Eickholt

Thomas C Rytlewski

Tony M Dodak

Roy William Heath

David Michael Kubiak

Dominique Fanelli

Troy Michael Kinne

Dale P Wawrzyniec

Stanley J Iseler

Rod M Sanderson

Kenneth John Hill

Joseph B Rombach

Cory R Ricker

Mohammed Rhezrani

Jeremy D Florence

Kenneth Joseph Seyuin

Douglas D Mc Clain

A system for adjusting a rake of a steering column includes a rake actuator. The system also includes a jacket assembly. The system further includes a first bracket operatively coupled to the jacket assembly, the first bracket defining a first slot. The system yet further includes a second bracket defining a second slot, the second bracket fixed in a stationary position relative to the first bracket, the first and second slots oriented at different angles, but partially aligned. The system also includes a cam follower operatively coupled to the rake actuator, the cam follower having an arm extending through the first slot and the second slot, wherein translation of the cam follower adjusts the angular position of the first bracket and the jacket assembly.

System, method and apparatus for rake adjustment of a steering column

A steering column assembly including a steering column for a steer-by-wire application. The steering column 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 assembly further includes a rake bracket assembly that is spaced from the rotation output and towards the hand wheel location. The rake bracket assembly defines a pivot axis from which the steering column can tilt. During rake movement or tilting, the first end and the second end of the steering column both pivot as the steering column is adjusted about the pivot axis.

System, method and apparatus for alternate locations for a rake pivot axis for a steer-by-wire steering column

A hand-wheel actuator for preventing over rotation of a hand-wheel shaft. The hand-wheel actuator comprises a housing that defines an opening aligned about an axis. The hand-wheel shaft extends along and is rotatable about the axis. A drive gear is rotationally coupled to the hand-wheel shaft, wherein the drive gear is at least partially disposed in the opening and includes a drive gear tooth. A stop gear is coupled to the housing and includes a plurality of stop gear teeth for engagement with the drive gear tooth and prevents rotation of the drive gear over a predetermined threshold.

Indexing gear mechanical stop

A steering assembly including an electric motor, and a motor shaft coupled to and extending from the electric motor to an end. The motor shaft is rotatable about a motor shaft axis by the motor. The steering assembly further includes a friction pad at the end of the motor shaft, where the friction pad has a coefficient of friction configured to resist rotation of the motor shaft.

Cantilevered worm gear assembly with brake bushing

A moveable steering column assembly can include a steering column having a first jacket and a first shaft. The first jacket can linearly translate relative to the steering column. The first shaft can telescope relative to the first jacket.

System, method and apparatus translating and telescoping a steering column

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.

System, method and apparatus for a telescopic jacket for a steering column

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.

System, method and apparatus for a telescopic lead screw for a steering column

A travel stop support bushing includes a body and an extension. The body has a first outer surface that extends between a first body face and a second body face along an axis. The body defines a plurality of fins that are at least partially defined between the first outer surface and the second body face. The extension has a second outer surface that extends between the first body face and an end face.

Travel stop support bushing

A ball-screw assembly isolator is provided and includes a housing, a ball-screw, a ball-screw nut, a bearing assembly, a retaining member, a second retaining member, a first compressible member and a second compressible member. The bearing assembly is located between the housing and the ball-screw. The bearing assembly includes an inner race and an outer race. The retaining member is secured by the housing. The second retaining member is secured to the ball-screw nut. The first compressible member positioned between the housing and the outer race. The second compressible member is positioned between the outer race and the retaining member. The retaining member is configured to be preloaded to exert an axial force upon the first compressible member and the second compressible member.

Ball-screw assembly isolator having compressible members

An automotive steering system includes a steering assembly including a rack and a pinion, and a rack bearing configured to contact the rack, the rack bearing disposed in a rack bearing bore of a housing. The system also includes a wear compensation assembly in fluid communication with a rack bearing bore cavity disposed within the rack bearing, the wear compensation assembly configured to draw fluid into the rack bearing bore cavity in response to movement of the rack bearing within the rack bearing bore.

Rack and pinion wear compensation

A ball-screw assembly isolator is provided, and includes a housing; a ball-screw, a bearing assembly, a retaining member, a first compressible member and a second compressible member. The bearing assembly is located between the housing and the ball-screw. The bearing assembly includes an outer race. The retaining member is secured by the housing. The first compressible member is positioned between the housing and the outer race. The second compressible member is positioned between the outer race and the retaining member. The retaining member is configured to be preloaded to exert an axial force upon the first compressible member and the second compressible member.

The invention provides for a power steering apparatus comprising of a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis. A rack is disposed within the housing and supported for movement along the longitudinal axis by a bearing. A pinion supported by the housing is in meshing engagement with the rack. The bearing disposed around the rack includes a wall of a continuous varying radial thickness that circumferentially surrounds the rack. An adjustment device supported by the housing is connected to the bearing and rotatably adjusts the bearing relative to the longitudinal axis. The continuous varying radial thickness of the wall positions the rack as the bearing is rotated by the adjustment device relative to the pinion ensuring proper meshing engagement between the rack and the pinion.

Power steering apparatus with adjustment device

A power steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and is moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack relative to the housing and is moveable relative to the housing to re-position the rack relative to the pinion. An adjustment mechanism continuously biases the bearing in response to loosening of the meshing engagement to re-position the rack. A dampener resists the movement of the bearing to slow the re-positioning of the bearing. Preferably, the dampener includes a plastic fluid having a very high viscosity. The plastic fluid is disposed between adjacent moving parts to resist the relative movement between the bearing and the housing.

Rack and pinion steering apparatus having rack bearing wear compensation with damping

A steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and an aperture extending into the chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack within the chamber relative to the housing. The bearing includes a wall having a continuously varying radial thickness. An adjustment mechanism includes a shaft partially disposed within the aperture in threaded engagement with the aperture and engaging the bearing for rotating the bearing about the longitudinal axis, thereby repositioning the rack relative to the pinion. A plug is disposed within the aperture. A spring is disposed within the aperture between the plug and the shaft to bias against the shaft, thereby urging rotational threaded movement of the shaft to produce linear movement of the shaft into engagement with the bearing.

Rack and pinion steering gear assembly having self-adjusting eccentric rack bearing

A rack and pinion steering gear assembly including a housing, a rack that is translatably moveable relative to the housing along an axis and a bushing operably disposed between the rack and housing. The bushing defines a gap which extends the entire axial length of the bushing. At least one compressible member may be disposed between the bushing and the housing with the compressible member extending across the gap in the bushing and fully encircling the bushing. The bushing may also include a radial flange that acts as a travel stop. The bushing may also be formed of an acetal material wherein the flange and a tubular portion of the bushing are axially separated by an intermediate portion having a relatively thin radial thickness. Axially extending recesses may be provided to enhance the flexibility of the bushing.

Growing community of inventors

Midland, MI, United States of America

George E Arlt