Patent Application
20060169088
The invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle and more particularly to steering column operable to support a gage cluster.
A steering column usually extends into the vehicle passenger compartment under the instrument panel. One or more gages are mounted, or clustered, on the instrument panel. In the past, gages which are not included on the instrument panel have been fixedly mounted to the steering column structure. Examples of these arrangements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,795,566; 1,944,905; 2,465,825; and 4,368,454.
The invention provides a steering column assembly for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a steering column having a first end and a longitudinal axis. The steering column assembly is disposable in the vehicle for raking movement about the first end and for collapsing movement along the longitudinal axis. The steering column assembly also includes a collar engaged with the steering column to move with the steering column at least during the raking movement. The steering column assembly also includes a support bracket for supporting at least one gage of the vehicle. The support bracket is releasibly engaged with the collar such that the support bracket separates from the collar in response to the collapsing movement.
Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
A plurality of different embodiments of the invention are shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the invention. Similar features have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic designation. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.
Referring now to
In the first exemplary embodiment, the steering column 12 includes a first steering column member 26 and a second steering column member 28. The first steering column member 26 defines the first end 14. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the second steering column member 28 could be disposed for the telescoping movement 76 relative to the first steering column member 26 along the longitudinal axis 16. The arrow 76 shown in
The collar 22 encircles the second steering column member 28 to move with the second steering column member 28 during raking movement 18. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the collar 22 could be slidable relative to the second steering column member 28 to accommodate telescoping movement 76. The second steering column member 28 engages the collar along a collar aperture 82. The first exemplary embodiment includes an extension bracket 84 operably disposed between the collar 22 and the support bracket 24. The extension bracket 84 can be integral with the collar 22 or can be fixedly connected to the collar 22. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the extension bracket 84 could be releasibly engaged with the collar 22 and fixedly connected to the support bracket 24. When the steering column 12 moves in raking movement 18, the collar 22, extension bracket 84, and support bracket 24 move in raking movement as well.
The support bracket 24 can be fixedly engaged with an gage cluster support 86. The support 86 includes one or more apertures, such as aperture 88. Each aperture can receive a gage associated with a monitored condition of the vehicle. In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the gages (not shown) can be fixedly mounted to the support 86 and the support 86 can be fixedly mounted to the support bracket 24. As a result, when the steering column 12 moves in raking movement 18, the support 86 and gages move in raking movement as well.
The first exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a mounting bracket 30 operable to be fixedly mounted to the vehicle. The support bracket 24 is slidably engaged with the mounting bracket 30. For example, as best shown in
The first exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a rake bracket 44 slidably engaged with the collar 22. The rake bracket 44 includes slots 90, 92 and the collar 22 includes apertures (not visible) adjacent the slots 90, 92. A bolt 94 extends through the slots 90, 92 and the apertures (not visible) of the collar 22. The slots 90, 92 are centered on the first end 14, corresponding to the raking movement 18. The bolt 94 travels the lengths of the slots 90, 92 as the collar 22 moves in raking movement 18 with the steering column 12. A spring 46 can be disposed between the rake bracket 44 and the collar 22 to urge the collar 22 upwardly.
The first exemplary embodiment of the invention also includes a lock 42 operably disposed to concurrently lock the mounting bracket 30 and support bracket 24 relative to one another as well as lock the rake bracket 44 and the collar 22 relative to one another. The lock 42 includes a lever 96 and a cable assembly 98. The lever 96 pivots about an axis defined by the bolt 94. The lever 96 is associated with a pair of cams (not visible) that move apart from one another in response to rotation of the lever 96 in a first direction to lock the rake bracket 44 and the collar 22 relative to one another. The pair of cams (not visible) move closer together in response to rotation of the lever 96 in a second direction opposite the first direction to unlock the rake bracket 44 and the collar 22 relative to one another.
The cable assembly 98 includes a sheath 100 and a cable 102 slidably movable in the sheath 100. The sheath 100 is fixed to the collar 22 and the mounting bracket 30. A first end 104 of the cable 102 is engaged with one end of the lever 96 to move with the lever 96. A second end 106 of the cable 102 is engaged with a plate 108. The plate 108 includes a slot 110 and the pin 40 extends through the slot 110. The plate 108 also includes a cam surface 112 having a first portion 114, a second portion 116, and a transition portion 118. The lock 42 also includes a locking member 120 having a cam follower portion 122 and moveable between locked and unlocked positions. The cam surface 112 engages the cam follower portion 122 to move the locking member 120 between the locked and unlocked positions.
When the lever 96 is rotated in the first direction as set forth above (locking the rake bracket 44 and the collar 22 relative to one another), the plate 108 moves to the position shown in
When the lever 96 is rotated in the second direction as set forth above (unlocking the rake bracket 44 and the collar 22 relative to one another), the plate 108 moves downwardly from the position shown in
In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the extension bracket 84 of the collar 22 includes connecting apertures 48, 50 and the support bracket 24 includes slots 52, 54 aligned with the connecting apertures 48, 50. Each of the slots 52, 54 includes a closed end as well as an open end spaced further from the collar 22 relative to the closed end. The open ends of the slots 52, 54 are shown in
In response to an impact situation, the steering column 12 moves in collapsing movement 20 along the longitudinal axis 16. During at least a portion of the collapsing movement, the collar 22 moves with the steering column 12 in collapsing movement. When the collar 22 moves in collapsing movement 20, the bolts 56, 58 move out of the slots 52, 54, releasing the support bracket 24 from the collar 22. The collar 22 can continue to move in collapsing movement 20 with the steering column 12 while the support bracket 24 remains substantially fixed relative to the vehicle.
In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the rake bracket 44 and the mounting bracket 30 are slidably engaged with one another. The mounting bracket 30 includes guide apertures 60, 62, 64, 66. Elongate members 68, 70, 72, 74 fixedly engaged with the rake bracket 44 and are slidably received in the guide apertures 60, 62, 64, 66. The cooperation between the guide apertures 60, 62, 64, 66 and the elongate members 68, 70, 72, 74 guide movement of the rake bracket 44 relative to the mounting bracket 30 during the collapsing movement 20.
Referring now to
In the second exemplary embodiment, the steering column 12a includes a first steering column member 26a and a second steering column member 28a. Both the first and second steering column members 26a, 28a are movable during collapsing movement 20a. The steering column member 26a is not disposed for telescoping movement relative to the second steering column member 28a. A mounting bracket 30a is operable to be fixedly mounted to the vehicle and the support bracket 24a is slidably engaged with the mounting bracket 30a. The support bracket 24a includes first and second arcuate slots 36a, 38a radially centered on the first end 14a of the first steering column member 26a. A pin 40a extending through apertures of the mounting bracket 30a and the first and second arcuate slots 36a, 38a. A lock 42a is operably disposed to selectively lock the mounting bracket 30a and support bracket 24a relative to one another as well as lock the mounting bracket 30a relative to the steering column 12a.
In the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, the collar 22a could be received in slots defined in the second steering column member 28a to permit telescoping adjustment of the second steering column member 28a relative to the first steering column member 26a. The slots would define a length such that an end of the slot may engage the collar 22a during collapsing movement 20a and cause the collar 20a to move along the longitudinal axis 16a. The collar 22a is releasibly connected to the support bracket 24a similar to the connection between the collar 22 and support bracket 24 described above.
Referring now to
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
