The subject matter disclosed herein relates to vehicle steering columns and, more particularly, to an electronic release module linkage assembly with a collapsible link member for such steering columns.
Some steering columns may be adjustable in a rake direction and a telescope direction. A traditional adjustable steering column includes a jacket clamp positioned about a steering column jacket and configured to apply a clamping force to the steering column jacket to prevent adjustment of the steering column in the telescope direction. In addition, a traditional adjustable steering column may include a rake clamp configured to apply a clamping force to the jacket clamp and/or steering column jacket to prevent adjustment of the steering column in the rake direction. The adjustable steering column is in a locked condition when the telescope clamp and the rake clamp respectively apply clamping forces to prevent adjustment of the adjustable steering column in the rake and telescope directions. The adjustable steering column is in an unlocked condition when respective clamping forces from the telescope clamp and the rake clamp are released so that the steering column may be adjusted.
The clamping force may be released by mechanical components controlled by an electronic release module that is coupled to a cam bracket. Unfortunately, requiring coupling of the electronic release module to the cam bracket limits the mounting location for different steering columns, which may have different dimensions and geometries. Mounting to the cam bracket cantilevers the electronic release module to the steering column. Undesirably, steering column designs that are cantilever in nature generally have low stiffness and poor natural frequency.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electronic release linkage assembly for a vehicle steering column. The linkage assembly includes a stationary portion of a steering column. Also included is a module mounting bracket of an electronic release module, the module mounting bracket coupled to the stationary portion of the steering column. Further included is a cam bracket assembly operatively coupled to a steering column mounting bracket, the cam bracket assembly configured to selectively apply a clamping force on the steering column upon receipt of input from the electronic release module, the cam bracket assembly comprising a lever arm rotatable about a cam axis. Yet further included is a link member that is collapsible and operatively coupled at a first link member end to the electronic release module with a gear pin extending from the electronic release module, the link member operatively coupled at a second link member end to the lever arm, the link member transferring an input from the electronic release module to drive rotation of the lever arm, the collapsible link member configured to collapse in response to a load imparted by the cam bracket assembly in excess of a predetermined load.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a steering column assembly includes a stationary portion of a steering column. Also included is a moveable portion of a steering column in telescoping engagement with the stationary portion. Further included is a module mounting bracket directly coupled to the stationary portion of the steering column. Yet further included is an electronic release module operatively coupled to the module mounting bracket. Also included is a steering column mounting bracket operatively coupled to the stationary portion of the steering column. Further included is a lever arm of a cam bracket assembly operatively coupled to the steering column mounting bracket and rotatable about a cam axis. Yet further included is a link member that is collapsible and operatively coupled at a first link member end to the electronic release module and operatively coupled at a second link member end to the lever arm, the collapsible link member configured to collapse in response to a load imparted by the cam bracket assembly in excess of a predetermined load.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to the Figures, where the invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments, without limiting same,
Referring to
A steering column mounting bracket 16 is coupled to the vehicle and is coupled to the stationary portion 12 of the steering column assembly 10. A cam bracket assembly 18 is operatively coupled to the steering column mounting bracket 16 and is configured to selectively apply or release a clamping force to moveable portion 14 in response to a manual input by a vehicle operator or in response to a collapsible function. The application and releasing of the clamping force by the cam bracket assembly is controlled by an electronic release linkage assembly 20. The electronic release linkage assembly 20 includes an electronic release module 22 that comprises an actuator, such as a motor, that is operatively coupled to the cam bracket assembly 18 which applies the clamping force on the moveable portion 14.
The electronic release module 22 is operatively coupled to the stationary portion 12 of the steering column assembly 10 with a module mounting bracket 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the module mounting bracket 24 is directly coupled to the stationary portion 12, but it is to be appreciated that intervening components may be present in some embodiments. Coupling of the electronic release module 22 may be made in any suitable manner, such as with mechanical fasteners 26. Advantageously, mounting the electronic release module 22 to the stationary portion 12 avoids a cantilevered disposition of the electronic release module 22, thereby reducing excessive moments, while also accommodating the collapsibility requirements of the steering column assembly 10. Additionally, coupling the electronic release module 22 to the stationary portion 12 provides packaging options for different steering column designs, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the vehicles with which the electronic release module 22 may be mounted to without significant modification.
Referring now to
The lever arm 30 includes at least one protrusion 36 on a second side 42 of the lever arm 30 that establishes a reference datum for mounting of the lever arm 30 to a guide member 38. The guide member 38 is attached to the lever arm 30 by heat staking the components together in some embodiments, but it is to be appreciated that alternative joining methods are contemplated. In some embodiments, the guide member 38 is formed of steel or the like. A rake bolt 44 extends through the guide member 38, the lever arm 30 and the cam 32 along the cam axis 34. The rake bolt 44 may extend through apertures of additional components of the cam bracket assembly 18, as well as through the stationary and/or moveable portions 12, 14 of the steering column assembly 10 to fixedly secure the cam bracket assembly 18 to the stationary portion 12.
Referring now to
The wheels 84, 86 are positioned to protrude away from the first side 40 of the lever arm 30 to contact the cam 32. In particular, the wheels 84, 86 are each in contact with a cam ramp 88 that is disposed on a side of the cam 32 that is closest to the first side 40 of the lever arm 30. In operation, as the lever arm 30 rotates in response to input from the electronic release module 22, the wheel rides along the cam ramp 88 to adjust the clamping force exerted on the steering column assembly 10, thereby determining whether the steering column assembly 10 is in a locked or unlocked condition. This is achieved based on the wheel exerting a separation force on the cam 32 relative to the lever arm 30. The cam 32 is pinned to the stationary portion 12 of the steering column assembly 10 to prevent rotation of the cam 32, but the cam is permitted to move along the rake bolt 44 (i.e., cam axis 34) in a cross-car direction to provide the clamping force on the steering column.
Referring now to
A gear pin 52 extends from the electronic release module 22 as an integrally formed component or one operatively coupled thereto. Regardless of the connection of the gear pin 52, the gear pin 52 is operatively coupled to the link member 50 proximate a first end 54 of the link member 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the gear pin 52 extends through an aperture defined by the link member 50 proximate the first end 54. This connection establishes a physical connection between the link member 50 and the electronic release module 22 to provide an input from the electronic release module 22 to the link member 50 and the cam bracket assembly 18. Specifically, the link member 50 is operatively coupled to the cam bracket assembly 18 proximate a second end 56 of the link member 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the link member 50 is coupled to the lever arm 30 by inserting a lever pin 58 into an aperture defined by the link member proximate the second end 56. Coupling of the lever pin 58 to the second end aperture may be made with one or more clip members 60 disposed on the lever pin 58 or the wall defining the second end aperture. The lever pin 58 is snapped into engagement with the link member 50 upon insertion of the lever pin 58 into the aperture. Similar coupling may be employed for the gear pin 52 and the first end aperture. In some embodiments, the snap-on feature provided by the clip member(s) 60 is combined with bearing(s) 62 disposed proximate an inner wall that defines the link aperture (
Referring now to
The embodiments described herein provide the advantages discussed above that are associated with avoiding direct coupling of the electronic release module 22 to the cam bracket assembly 18 that results in a cantilevered mounting of the module. Rather, the electronic release module 22 is mounted to the stationary portion 12 of the steering column assembly 10. Additionally, the link member 50 maintains a physical connection between the module and the cam bracket assembly to control the clamp force applied to the moveable portion 14 of the steering column assembly 10. The link member 50 transfers an input from the electronic release module 22 to drive rotation of the lever arm 30 to transmit the input.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the cutout portion 90 extends in a longitudinal direction along the link member 90. Although illustrated as extending entirely from a first end aperture 92 to a second end aperture 94, it is to be appreciated that the cutout portion 90 may extend partially along the illustrated length. For example, the cutout portion 90 may extend from the first end aperture 92 to a longitudinal location that falls short of the second end aperture 94. Conversely, the cutout portion 90 may extend form the second end aperture 94 to a longitudinal location that falls short of the first end aperture 92. Additionally, the cutout portion 90 may not extend to the first end aperture 92 or the second end aperture. While a single cutout portion is illustrated, it is contemplated that multiple cutout portions may be present to facilitate collapsibility of the link member 50. The precise number of cutout portions, the orientation and the length thereof may be modified to tune the collapsibility of the link member 50. This provides the ability to adjust the load under which the link member collapses.
Although the cutout portion 90 is shown in the context of the link member shown in
Referring now to
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/839,288, filed Aug. 28, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14839288 | Aug 2015 | US |
Child | 14880775 | US |