Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Philip J McCarthy

Ray Garnet Armstrong

Neal Richard Roller

William David Cymbal

Ravindra Jwalapathy

Richard Paul Nash

Xiaoyu Li

David L Keaner

Herbert E Ziehl

A steering column assembly has a steering column with a longitudinal axis and disposable in a vehicle for tilting movement and telescoping movement. A wedge lock is engaged with the steering column and moveable between a first unlocked position and a first locked position along a first path to selectively lock the steering column with respect to the telescoping movement. A force required to move the wedge lock increases along the first path from the first unlocked position to the first locked position. A lever is pivotally engaged with the steering column about a pivot axis for rotation between an adjusting position and a locking position. The wedge lock moves from the first unlocked position to the first locked position along the first path in response to rotation of the lever from the adjusting position to the locking position. A cable assembly includes a cable with first and second ends and a sheath substantially encircling the cable. The first end is engaged with the lever to move in response to rotation of the lever. A tilt lock member engaged with the steering column is moveable between a second unlocked position and a second locked position along a second path to selectively lock the steering column with respect to the tilting movement. The second end of the cable is engaged with the tilt lock member such that the tilt lock member moves from the second unlocked position to the second locked position along the second path in response to rotation of the lever from the adjusting position to the locking position. The steering column assembly also includes a biasing device urging the tilt lock member to the locked position and cooperating with the lever to offset the force required to move the wedge lock from the first unlocked position to the first locked position along the first path.

One lever tilt and telescope mechanism

A steering column () according to the invention includes a steering column jacket () having an engaging surface (). The steering column jacket () is operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft () in a vehicle. The steering column () also includes a tilt housing () engaged with the steering column jacket () for tilting movement about a tilt axis () between a plurality of tilt positions. The steering column () also includes a locking member () pivotally supported at a pivot end () by the tilt housing (). The locking member () extends to a distal locking end () moveable outwardly from the tilt axis () along a first arcuate path () to a locked position contacting the engaging surface () and inwardly towards the tilt axis () along the first arcuate path () to an unlocked position spaced from the engaging surface (). The steering column () also includes a lever () pivotally supported by the tilt housing () for movement along a second arcuate path () between a locking position and an adjusting position. The lever () and the locking member () are disposed in cam-cam follower relationship such that the locking member () moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to movement of the lever () from the adjusting position to the locked position. The locking position of the lever () being disposed along the first arcuate path () to positively block the locking end () from moving along the first arcuate path ().

Tiltable steering column

A locking device for selectively preventing telescoping movement between first and second members and tilting movement associated with the first and second members. The locking device includes an electric motor for generating a moving force. The locking device also includes a first locking portion associated with the electric motor to move between first locked and unlocked positions in response to the moving force. The first locking portion selectively prevents telescoping movement between the first and second members. The locking device also includes a second locking portion spaced from the first locking portion. The second locking portion is also associated with the electric motor to move between second locked and unlocked positions in response to the moving force. The second locking portion selectively prevents tilting movement associated with the first and second members. The first and second members can tilt about a first end of the first member or the tilting movement can be defined between the second member and a third member pivotally associated with the second member.

Electrical tilt and telescope locking mechanism

An energy absorbing device for a steering column includes first and second elongated plastically deformable straps connected to the steering column. A bushing connected to stationary vehicle support structure is engagable with the straps in a manner such that when the steering column collapses the straps advance linearly across the bushing and thereby resist collapse of the steering column. One of the straps may be disconnected from the steering column at the instant of a crash event, in circumstances where less resistance to steering column collapse is desired.

Growing community of inventors

Saginaw, MI, United States of America

Philip J McCarthy