Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Leslie E Edmundson

Robert C Derocher

Michael Patrick Anspaugh

Randy W Jones

Kurt Daniel Dubay

Anthony R Talhelm

Jeremy M Zemla

Benjamin J Kolhagen

Kyle R Mazure

Jeffrey J Toth

Kenton Waineo

A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorbing strap having a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a curved portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion, the first leg portion coupled to the upper jacket, wherein the first leg portion, the second leg portion and the curved portion define a single integrally formed structure. The steering column assembly yet further includes a protrusion extending from the energy absorbing strap and disposed within a slot defined by the upper jacket.

Customizable energy absorption strap assembly for steering system

An intermediate shaft for a steering system includes a main body having a radially outer surface. The intermediate shaft also includes a grooved portion located along the main body and defining at least one groove to allow deformation of the main body when a predetermined force on the main body is exceeded, wherein the entirety of the grooved portion does not radially exceed the radially outer surface of the main body.

Grooved intermediate shaft for energy absorption in steering system

A steering column includes an upper jacket. The steering column also includes a lower jacket that the upper jacket is telescopingly coupled to. The steering column further includes an energy absorbing strap directly coupled to the upper jacket with at least one mechanical fastener.

Energy absorbing strap assembly for a steering column

A telescoping steering column is adapted to be supported by a vehicle structure. The telescoping steering column includes a jacket assembly and a jacket. The jacket is telescopically coupled to the jacket assembly along an axis. The jacket assembly and the jacket are adapted to collapse axially from a normal state to a collapsed state upon exertion of an axial force in a forward direction. The energy absorbing assembly includes a pin and a rupture member disposed axially adjacent to the pin. The pin is fixed to the jacket assembly and extends radially with respect to the axis and through a first opening defined by the jacket. The rupture member is part of the jacket, defines at least in-part first and second openings in the jacket. The rupture member is adapted to break as the jacket assembly and the jacket move from the normal state to the collapsed state.

Energy absorbing assembly of a telescoping steering column

A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The assembly also includes a lower jacket operatively coupled to the upper jacket, the upper and lower jackets telescopingly movable relative to each other in an automated manner, the upper and lower jackets moveable in a rake direction over a first range of rake positions and over a second range of rake positions that is outside the first range of rake positions. The assembly further includes a clamp load controlling component in contact with the lower jacket to apply a first clamp load on a jacket interface between the upper and lower jackets while the lower jacket is within the first range of rake positions, the clamp load controlling component applying a lower clamp load on the jacket interface while the lower jacket is in the second range of rake positions.

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Clio, MI, United States of America

Leslie E Edmundson