The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 2021
Filed:
Oct. 29, 2019
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Juergen Koehler, Cologne, DE;
Linh Ngoc Doan, Belleville, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A steering column for autonomous vehicles includes a powered actuator controlling rotation of a lower column, an inner column, and an upper column that is movable relative to the lower and inner columns. Rotation of the lower column relative to the upper column moves the upper column lengthwise. A powered lock rotatably interconnects the inner and lower columns when in a first position, and locks the inner column to a base when in a second position. In an autonomous mode, the upper column is stowed, the powered lock is in the first position, and the motor inhibits rotation of the lower column. In a manual mode, the upper column is extended, the powered lock is in the second position, and a sensor detects an angular position of the upper column.