Zf Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.

Marcin Brzoska

Artur Wojtalik

Pawel Ponikiewski

Damian Uchyla

Radoslaw Szymoszek

Wojciech Gola

A steering column has a telescopic shroud with an upper shroud part and a lower shroud part. The upper part is adjustable with respect to the lower part to provide for reach of the steering column assembly. A steering shaft and a clamp mechanism that adjusts the shroud parts, is included, the clamp mechanism comprising a first cam that pivots about a first pivot axis fixed the upper shroud part, a second cam pivoting around a second pivot axis relative to the upper shroud part, the two pivot axes spaced apart axially. A cam follower is fixed relative to the two pivot axes and to the upper shroud portion.

Reach adjustable steering column assembly

A steer by wire steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a shroud having a first shroud portion and a second shroud portion, the two shroud portions being constrained to move telescopically relative to one another for adjustment of a reach position of the steering column assembly; a shaft supported by one or more bearing assemblies housed within the shroud and adapted for supporting a handwheel or another user operable device at a free end; and a linear actuator that includes an elongate threaded rod that is connected at a first location to one of the shroud portions by a first bracket assembly and at a second location to the other shroud portion by a second bracket assembly, the linear actuator controlling the telescopic position of the shroud by causing the threaded rod to rotate around its axis. At least one of the bracket assemblies is adapted to provide a degree of lost motion between the linear actuator and the associated shroud portion that accommodates misalignment of the two shroud portions during use of the steering column assembly that would otherwise apply a bending moment to the linear actuator.

Steer by wire steering column assembly

A steering column assembly is disclosed that comprises: a housing having outer, intermediate and inner elongate, telescopically mounted housing portions movable relative to one another along an adjustment axis; a steering column rotatably mounted in the inner elongate housing portion and being configured at one end for attachment of a steering member (e.g. a steering wheel); a leadscrew rotatably mounted on the intermediate housing portion and having first and second threaded portions of opposite handedness; a motor for rotating the leadscrew; a first displacement member screw-threadedly mounted to the first threaded portion of the leadscrew and connected to one of the outer and inner elongate housing portions; and a second displacement member screw-threadedly mounted to the second threaded portion of the leadscrew and connected to the other of the outer and inner elongate housing portions; whereby rotation of the leadscrew causes displacement of the first and second displacement members in opposite directions along the adjustment axis.

Steering column assembly for a vehicle

A steering column assembly comprises: a housing having outer, intermediate and inner elongate, telescopically mounted housing portions movable relative to one another along an adjustment axis; a steering column rotatably mounted in the inner elongate housing portion and being configured at one end for attachment of a steering member (e.g. a steering wheel); a leadscrew rotatably mounted on one of the inner and outer housing portions and having first and second threaded portions which overlap each other for at least part of the length of the leadscrew; a motor for rotating the leadscrew; a first displacement member screw-threadedly mounted to the first threaded portion of the leadscrew and connected to the outer or inner elongate housing portion on which the leadscrew is not rotatably mounted; and a second displacement member screw-threadedly mounted to the second threaded portion of the leadscrew and connected to the intermediate housing portion. Rotation of the leadscrew causes displacement of the first and second displacement members along the adjustment axis.

Growing community of inventors

Zabrzeg, Poland

Marcin Brzoska