Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Robert C Derocher

Donald A Buzzard

James Edward Rouleau

Todd M King

Leslie E Edmundson

Michael Patrick Anspaugh

Melvin Lee Tinnin

John Frank Schulz

Paul M Fisher

Keith A Kidder

Jeremy M Zemla

Michael J Srda

Blake J Riley

A position identification assembly for a steering column is provided. The assembly may include a mount bracket, a steering column, a sensor, and a controller. The mount bracket may define an opening to the cavity. The steering column may be mounted to the mount bracket for translation at least partially in to and out of the cavity and the steering column may define one or more physical features therealong. The sensor may be secured to the mount bracket to detect the physical features. Each of the one or more physical features may be arranged upon the steering column such that the sensor detects the one or more physical features when the steering column translates between positions and may send a signal to the controller reflecting the same. The controller is programmed to identify a steering column position based on the received signal.

Position identification assembly for 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 stow release assembly for a manually translatable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The stow release assembly also includes a lower jacket, the upper jacket translatable relative to the lower jacket, the upper jacket translatable between a retracted range and a stowed range. The stow release assembly further includes an electromechanical blocking element coupled to a stationary component of the steering column assembly and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the electromechanical blocking element selectively preventing translation of the upper jacket at a plurality of translation positions.

Stow release assembly for a manually adjustable steering column assembly

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.

Clamp load adjustment assembly for steering column

A telescoping steering column is supported by a vehicle structure, and includes a steering shaft, first, second, and third jackets, and first and second adjustment mechanisms. The steering shaft is adapted to rotate about an axis. The first jacket is adapted to rotatably support the steering shaft. The second jacket is adapted to support the first jacket, and the first jacket is constructed to slide axially with respect to the second jacket. The third jacket is adapted to support the second jacket, and the second jacket is constructed to slide axially with respect to the third jacket. The first adjustment mechanism is supported by the first and second jackets for axial movement of the first jacket with respect to the second jacket. The second adjustment mechanism is supported by the second and third jackets for axial movement of the second jacket with respect to the third jacket.

Telescoping steering column

A telescoping steering column is constructed to be mounted to a vehicle structure. The telescoping steering column includes a plurality of jackets in telescopic relation to one another along a telescopic axis, an electric motor, at least one leadscrew, first and second thread sets, and first and second nuts. The plurality of jackets include a first jacket and a second jacket. The electric motor is rigidly fixed to one of the plurality of jackets. Then at least one leadscrew is rotationally driven by the electric motor. The first and second thread sets are carried by the at least one leadscrew. The first and second nuts are threaded upon the respective first and second thread sets, and attached to the respective first and second jackets.

An electric actuator mechanism for a retractable steering column assembly includes an electric motor. The mechanism also includes a drive gear driven by the electric motor. The mechanism further includes a driven gear driven by the drive gear, the driven gear and the drive gear moveable relative to each other between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the driven gear operatively coupled to a translating assembly for translating a retractable portion of the retractable steering column assembly between an extended position and a retracted position, the retractable portion disposed in the extended position in a standard driving mode and in the retracted position in an autonomous driving mode, the driven gear and the drive gear moved to the disengaged condition upon a force exerted on the retractable portion by a driver in a direction toward the extended position.

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Essexville, MI, United States of America

Robert C Derocher