Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Nexteer (beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.

Steering Solutions IP Holding Company, a Delaware Corporation

Ravi Ravindra

Richard Kremer Riefe

Marvin V Manwaring

William David Cymbal

Melvin Lee Tinnin

Richard Paul Nash

Amelia M Lask

Arthur W Nellett

Albert Clifford Huber

Michael Patrick Anspaugh

Donald A Buzzard

Michael C Vermeersch

Daniel N Crishon

David M Schluckebier

Rosemary L Kramer

Joen Christen Bodtker

James Edward Rouleau

Ray Garnet Armstrong

Timothy Wesley Kaufmann

Ronald Henry Dybalski

Ratko Menjak

Jason Robert Ridgway

David E Witucki

Justin D Mills

Jason R Ridgeway

David G Motousek

Michael D Smith

Brad M MacDonald

Albert C Huber

Marvin Mainwaring

A shift control device for an automatic transmission comprises a shift control member configured for manipulation by an operator to control a shift mechanism of a vehicle transmission, and an artificial feel mechanism coupled to the shift control member for providing tactile feedback. The artificial feel mechanism comprises a sensor, a controller, and a piezoelectric element. The sensor is configured for detecting a position of the shift mechanism and sending a signal that is indicative of the position. The controller is configured for receiving the signal, determining a control voltage, and providing the control voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is configured and arranged so as to receive the control voltage and to apply a mechanical force that depends upon the control voltage and that is configured and applied so as to mechanically resist movement of the shift control member relative to the shift control bracket.

Shift control device for an automatic transmission

An adjustable steering column assembly includes a locking assembly having a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member has a first member first surface that defines a first recess and a second recess and has a first member second surface disposed opposite the first member first surface. The second member is disposed opposite the first member. The second member has a second member first surface that faces towards the first member first surface. The second member first surface defines a third recess and a fourth recess and has a second member second surface disposed opposite the second member first surface. The third member is disposed between the first member and the second member. The third member is movable relative to the first member and the second member between a lock position and an unlock position.

Adjustable steering column assembly having a locking assembly

A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly connected to a support bracket and a locking assembly. The locking assembly has a first cam member, a second cam member, and a lever. The first cam member is connected to the support bracket and has a first locking pattern. The second cam member has a second cam member body that extends between a second cam member body first end and a second cam member body second end. The second cam member body second end defines a second locking pattern configured to selectively engage the first locking pattern. The lever is disposed about the second cam member body.

Steering column assembly

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an adjustment assembly for allowing or preventing adjustment of a component is provided. The adjustment assembly includes a first bracket at least partially surrounding the component, a second bracket at least partially surrounding the first bracket, and a piezoelectric device biasing against one of the first bracket or the second bracket in a first position, the piezoelectric device configured to contract and release the bias against one of the first bracket and the second bracket in a second position.

Adjustable steering column

A steering column assembly comprises an upper column for supporting a steering wheel and a position lock bracket disposed about the upper column. The position lock bracket is configured to be fixed to the upper column when the position lock bracket occupies a locked mode. The position lock bracket is further configured to be selectively fixed to a rigid structure of the vehicle when operating in a fixed mode and to be instantaneously released from the vehicle structure when operating in a release mode.

System and method for attaching a steering column to a vehicle structure

An adjustable steering column for a vehicle and a bushing for the adjustable steering column are provided. The adjustable steering column includes a column jacket having a lower jacket extending along a first axis and an upper jacket telescopically coupled to and extending with the lower jacket. The lower and upper shafts are configured to selectively move telescopically relative to one another for telescope adjustment of the steering column. The adjustable steering column also includes a bushing positioned between the lower jacket and the upper jacket, the bushing including a support portion extending along a length between the lower jacket and upper jacket, the support portion including a first seating area, and a roller portion positioned in the first seating area, the roller portion configured to engage at least one of an outer surface of the lower jacket and an inner surface of the upper jacket.

Steering column telescoping bushing with roller springs

A steering column assembly has an outer jacket extending, an inner jacket is slideably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement relative to the outer jacket, and a sleeve disposed between the inner and outer jackets. The sleeve exerts a predetermined frictional force on the inner jacket opposing the telescoping movement. A filler formed from a liquid thermosetting composition is disposed between the sleeve and the outer jacket for securing the sleeve to the outer jacket. Furthermore, a method of forming the steering column assembly includes disposing the inner jacket into the outer jacket and disposing the sleeve between the inner and outer jackets. The method further includes inserting the liquid thermosetting composition into the outer jacket between the outer jacket and the sleeve and curing the liquid thermosetting composition to form the filler.

Adjustable steering column utilizing a sleeve and a method of forming a filler with a sleeve

A telescopically collapsible vehicular steering column assembly includes inner and outer shaft tubes which are joined in a sliding fit by a bushing. The bushing includes a pair of spaced journal bearings formed of steel-backed PTFE held in a plastic carrier body. The bushing is located in a receiving chamber in the outer shaft tube. A clearance compensator reacts against the receiving chamber to exert a radial compressive force through the carrier body and the journal bearings to improve the sliding fit with the inner shaft tube and remove lash. The clearance compensator can take any form, such as a hollow annular rib, a skirt with a flexible free end, or an array of nubs carried in thinned sections of the carrier body. The clearance compensator in all of these variations operates within a clearance space and has dimensional attributes which can be changed during the design and manufacturing phases of the bushing to optimize a characteristic of the steering column assembly. The optimized characteristic may be the sliding friction between the inner and outer shaft tubes, or the stiffness of the assembled column which affects its vibrational frequency, or other value.

Sleeve bearing for collapsible steering column

A bearing assembly is provided including at least one needle roller that is resiliently compressible in response to a load applied to an exterior surface thereof. In addition, a method is provided for taking up a clearance between one or more first rollers and a bearing race in which the rollers are positioned. At least one resiliently compressible second roller is provided rollably secured within the bearing. The compressible second roller has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of any of the first rollers, such that the compressible second roller resiliently compresses when the bearing is positioned in the bearing race. Forces generated by compression of the resiliently compressible second roller urge the first rollers against a surface of the bearing race, thereby taking up the clearance between the first rollers and the race.

Needle roller bearing

The invention provides for a collapsible steering column assembly and method for applying a varying resultant force to resist the collapse of the steering column assembly during an emergency condition. The steering column assembly includes a column jacket adapted to be releasably coupled to the frame for movement along the longitudinal axis L in the emergency condition. The column jacket includes an anvil and is supported by a support bracket. An absorbing strap secured to the supporting bracket is routed around the anvil. The absorbing strap is plastically deformed as the column jacket moves along axis L and an actuator supported by the support bracket applies a force against the absorbing strap. The actuator selectively varies the applied for as the absorbing strap is drawn over the anvil in the emergency condition to optimize the resultant force for the emergency condition.

Steering column having an actuator for applying a resultant force

A collapsible steering column assembly has a steering column with a jacket movable along a longitudinal axis for telescoping and collapsing movement. The jacket is movable about a pivot axis for tilting movement between an upper and a lower limit. A biasing device includes a fixed arm and a rake arm for urging the jacket toward the upper limit. A support bracket is detachably coupled to a mounting component connected to the vehicle. The support bracket is coupled to and supports the jacket during the movements and is movable with the jacket during the collapsing movement. A friction member is mounted to the support bracket and at least partially encircles the fixed arm and engages the fixed arm to form a friction-fit. The friction member slides along the fixed arm during the collapsing movement for transferring energy from the jacket and the support bracket to the biasing device.

Energy absorbing steering column assembly

A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a support bracket and a column jacket coupled to the support bracket. A compression bracket is mounted to the column jacket. A clamping device is disposed on the support bracket and has a rake bolt extending through the support bracket and the compression bracket for applying a frictional force on the support bracket to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the support bracket. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the support bracket. The actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a first direction to prevent telescoping and tilting movement of the column jacket. Likewise, the actuation mechanism rotates the rake bolt in a second direction to permit telescoping movement of the column jacket and the compression bracket relative to the actuation mechanism and the support bracket and tilting movement.

Growing community of inventors

Saginaw, MI, United States of America

Ravi Ravindra