Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Nexteer (beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.

Shawn A Haring

James Edward Rouleau

Joen Christen Bodtker

Frederick J Berg

Michael C Vermeersch

John Frank Schulz

Arthur W Nellett

Todd M King

Frank P Lubischer

David Edward Harris

Carl R Castanier

Gerald M McCann

Chase A Szostak

Michael J Srda

Gregory D Brezinski

A steering column includes a steering column component. The steering column also includes a driven assembly operatively coupled to the steering column component. The steering column further includes a driving assembly. The steering column yet further includes a connection assembly that includes a connection gear having a first set of teeth operatively connected to the driving assembly, the connection gear having a set of gear clutch teeth. The connection assembly also includes a clutch member operatively connected to the driven assembly, the driven assembly moving along an axis in response to actuation from the driving assembly and causes the provided axially adjustable steering column to be adjusted along the axis, the clutch member having a set of clutch member teeth. The clutch member teeth and the gear clutch teeth are disengaged in an overload state.

Steering column adjustment assembly

A self-locking insert includes an insert body having an outer surface. Also included is a bore extending through the insert body, the bore defining an inner surface and configured to receive a lead screw. Further included is a self-locking feature configured to engage a holder to retain the self-locking insert in a predetermined position, the self-locking feature comprising at least one lug configured to be compressed by the holder during installation of the self-locking insert in the holder, the self-locking insert configured to be pressed into position in the holder. Yet further included is a de-lashing feature configured to interference fittingly engage the holder.

Self-locking insert

A roller I-shaft includes an inner shaft, a hollow outer member, and a plurality of bearings. The inner shaft extends along an axis, and includes an outward face defining a plurality of first and second grooves that both extend axially and are alternately spaced circumferentially from one-another. The outer member is disposed radially outward from the inner shaft and includes an inward surface defining a plurality of first channels substantially aligned with the plurality of first grooves, and a plurality of second channels substantially aligned with the plurality of second grooves. The first grooves and the first channels form a plurality of first bearing races, and the second grooves and the second channels form a plurality of second bearing races. The plurality of bearings are disposed in a selected plurality of bearing races comprising one of the plurality of first bearing races and the plurality of second bearing races.

Telescoping roller I-shaft and method of assembly

A steering column assembly is provided and includes a steering column shaft and a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a deployed position. A disengagement assembly selectively couples a steering column telescope lead screw to the column adjustment assembly. The disengagement assembly is configured to selectively disengage the telescope lead screw from the column adjustment assembly to facilitate manual movement of the steering column shaft between the retracted position and the deployed position.

Retractable steering column with manual retrieval

A steering column assembly includes an outer jacket, an inner jacket, a pin, and a bracket. The inner jacket is configured to telescopically slide with respect to the outer jacket along a telescopic axis. The pin is engaged to and projects radially outward from one of the inner and outer jackets. The bracket is pivotally engaged to the other of the inner and outer jackets, and includes first and second surfaces that extend substantially axially and are generally opposed to one-another for selective contact with the pin to limit a pivoting range as a function of telescopic position.

Retractable steering column with rake limiter

A self-locking insert and a linear actuator having a self-locking insert are provided. The self-locking insert includes an insert body having an outer surface, a bore extending through the insert body, the bore defining an inner surface, a self-locking feature configured to engage a holder to retain the self-locking insert in a predetermined position, and a de-lashing feature configured to interference fittingly engage the holder.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly includes a steering column, a mounting bracket, an actuator rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket, the actuator rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a detection assembly configured to detect when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

Systems for detecting locked condition of steering column

A clamping mechanism having a static plate and a dynamic plate rotatable about a transverse axis relative to the static plate is disclosed. The static plate defines a plurality of static lifting ramps, and the dynamic plate defines a plurality of dynamic lifting ramps opposing the static lifting ramps. A roller is disposed between each opposing pair of the static lifting ramps and dynamic lifting ramps. The rollers move between a raised position and a recessed position in response to rotation of the dynamic plate relative to the static plate between a lock position and a release position. The lifting ramps are arranged in a spiral configuration relative to each other, with the dynamic lifting ramps substantially transverse to the static lifting ramps to force radial movement of the rollers relative to the transverse axis during rotational movement of the dynamic plate relative to the static plate.

Ball ramp clamping mechanism

A steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in a telescoping direction and a tilting direction is disclosed. A first bracket defines a telescoping slot having a first tooth rack extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. A second bracket defines a tilting slot having a second tooth rack extending transverse to the telescoping slot. A first locking member and a second locking member are moveable along a pivot axis transverse the longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking members have a first locking surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second locking surface transverse to the longitudinal and pivot axes. The locking surfaces are disposed in the telescoping and tilting slots, respectively when in the locked position such that the locking surfaces engage the first and second tooth racks, respectively for preventing movement of the column jacket.

Growing community of inventors

Swartz Creek, MI, United States of America

Shawn A Haring