The invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle and more particularly to a structure and method for connecting a steering column with a vehicle.
Steering systems for vehicles often include a steering column adjustable in at least one of tilting adjustment, raking adjustment, or telescoping adjustment. Adjustable steering columns include a locking device to selectively allow and prevent adjusting movement of the steering column. Adjustable steering columns can be engaged with the vehicle to collapse in response to in an impact situation. For example, capsules can be operably disposed between the steering column and the vehicle. The capsules maintain the steering column in place during normal vehicle handling. In an impact situation such as a vehicle crash, the capsules break in response to an impact force and the steering column collapses relative to the vehicle.
The invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle. The steering column assembly includes a steering column operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle. The steering column assembly also includes a locking bracket adjacent to the steering column and moveable along a path for collapsing movement. The steering column assembly also includes a locking member supported in two-way movement by the locking bracket between a first position and a second position spaced from one another. In the first position, the locking member locks the locking bracket and the steering column member together. When the locking member is in the second position, the steering column member is moveable relative to the locking bracket. The steering column assembly also includes at least one quick release bolt engaged with the locking bracket to selectively fix the locking bracket with respect to the vehicle. The at least one quick release bolt is selectively divisible into at least two portions independently of the collapsing movement of the locking bracket along the path.
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:
The invention provides a steering column assembly 10 for a vehicle. The steering column assembly 10 includes a steering column 12 operable to adjustably support a steering wheel in the vehicle. The steering column assembly 10 also includes a locking bracket 14 adjacent to the steering column 12 and moveable along a path 16 for collapsing movement. The steering column assembly 10 also includes a locking member 18 supported in two-way movement by the locking bracket 14 between a first position and a second position spaced from one another. In the first position, the locking member 18 locks the locking bracket 14 and the steering column 12 member together. When the locking member 18 is in the second position, the steering column 12 member is moveable relative to the locking bracket 14. The steering column assembly 10 also includes at least one quick release bolt 20, 22 engaged with the locking bracket 14 to selectively fix the locking bracket 14 with respect to the vehicle. The at least one quick release bolt 20, 22 is selectively divisible into at least two portions 24, 26 independently of the collapsing movement of the locking bracket 14 along the path 16.
In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the steering column assembly 10 is positionable in a vehicle and includes first and second members 28, 30 engaged for movement relative to one another along a telescoping path 32 and a raking path 34, best shown in
The locking bracket 14 substantially surrounds the steering column 12 and is releasibly engaged with a fixed portion of the vehicle, such as bracket 36. The locking bracket 14 includes side walls 38, 40. The steering column 12 includes a bracket 42 fixedly engaged with the second member 30 and disposed between the side walls 38, 40. The steering column 12 moves relative to the locking bracket 14 during telescoping and raking movement.
The locking member 18 can prevent both telescoping movement and raking movement of the steering column 12 relative to the locking bracket 14. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the locking member may only prevent one of telescoping movement and raking movement. The exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a pair of second locking members 18, 66 disposed on opposite sides the bracket 42. The operation of the locking member 18 will be described in detail and operation of the locking member 66 is similar. The bracket 42 defines a first slot 44 and the locking bracket 14 defines a second slot 46. The locking member 18 extends through both the first and second slots 44, 46. The locking member 18 is disposed in both the first and second slots 44, 46 during movement between the first and second positions.
The first slot includes a first locking portion 48 and the locking bracket 14 includes a second locking portion 50. The first locking portion 48 of the first exemplary embodiment of the invention defines a plurality of teeth. The second locking portion 50 also defines a plurality of teeth. The locking member 18 includes third and fourth locking portions 52, 54, each defining a plurality of teeth. When the locking member 18 is in the first position, the first locking portion 48 and the fourth locking portion 54 are interlocked and immovably associated with one another. Cooperation between the first locking portion 48 and the fourth locking portion 54 lock the steering column 12 with respect to telescoping adjustment. Also, the second locking portion 50 and the third locking portion 52 are interlocked and immovably associated with one another when the locking member 18 is in the first position. Cooperation between the second locking portion 50 and the third locking portion 52 lock the steering column 12 with respect to raking adjustment. When the locking member 18 is in the second position, the first locking portion 48 and the fourth locking portion 54 are spaced from one another and the second locking portion 50 and the third locking portion 52 are spaced from one another, permitting adjusting movement of the steering column 12.
The locking member 18 of the exemplary embodiment of the invention is moveable with a lever 56. The lever 56 cooperates with a pair of cams 60, 62. In response to rotation of the lever in a first direction, the cams 60, 62 push each other apart and the cam 62 urges the locking member 18 upwardly to separate the first and fourth locking portions 48, 54, as well as forwardly to separate the second and third locking portions 50, 52. In response to rotation of the lever in a second direction opposite the first direction, the cams 60, 62 move closer together and the cam 62 retracts from the locking member 18. A biasing device 64 urges the locking member 18 to the first position. The biasing device 64 urges the locking member 18 downwardly to bring together the first and fourth locking portions 48, 54, as well as rearward to bring together the second and third locking portions 50, 52. In operation, a driver of the vehicle can rotate the lever 56 along an arcuate path of movement 58 to move the locking member 18 between the first position and the second position. When the locking member 18 is moved to the second position, the driver can adjust the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle telescopically and in rake. After the steering wheel has been moved to a desired position, the lever 56 can be rotated back along the path of movement 58 to move the locking member 18 to the first position.
During normal vehicle handling, the locking bracket 14 is fixed to the bracket 36 with the quick release bolts 20, 22. In response to an impact situation, such as a vehicle crash, each of the quick release bolts 20, 22 divides into two portions 24, 26, releasing the locking bracket 14 from the bracket 36. The locking bracket 14 is movable along the path 16 of collapsing movement after each of the quick release bolts 20, 22 divides into two portions 24, 26. The quick release bolt 20 divides into portions 24, 26 to quickly separate the locking bracket 14 from the bracket 36. The portion 24 is relatively fixedly engaged with the bracket 36 and the portion 26 is spaced from the bracket 36. The portion 24 of the exemplary embodiment defines threads engageable with corresponding threads defined by the bracket 36. The portion 26 of the exemplary embodiment includes an incendiary device. If the locking bracket 14 and steering column 12 are locked together, the locking bracket 14 and steering column 12 are moveable concurrently along the path 16 of collapsing movement after each of the quick release bolts 20, 22 divides into the two portions 24, 26. The line of demarcation between the portions 24 and 26 can vary so long as the locking bracket 14 is movable along the path 16 of collapsing movement after each of the quick release bolts 20, 22 divides into the two portions 24, 26. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a slip plate 76 is engaged with the locking bracket 14. The slip plate 76 defines an aperture receiving the portion 24 and is pressed between the portion 26 and the bracket 36 during normal vehicle handling. When the incendiary device of the portion 26 is blown, the pressing force on the slip plate 76 dissipates. When the locking bracket 14 moves along the path 16 of collapsing movement, the threaded portion 24 substantially maintains the position with the bracket 36 and the slip plate 76, the threaded portion 24 and the slip plate 76 separating from the locking bracket 14.
In operation, an impact situation such as a vehicle crash can result in the driver being propelled against the steering wheel. This impacting force acts against the steering column 12 also. The quick release bolt 20 can be controlled such that the locking bracket 14 and the steering column 12, which are likely locked together, can move along the collapsing path as soon as an impacting force is applied or slightly before. The steering column assembly 10 can include an energy absorbing device to dissipate energy in response to movement of the steering column 12 and locking bracket 14 along the collapse path 16. The exemplary embodiment of the invention includes an anvil 68 and a strap 70. As best seen in
The steering column assembly 10 can also include one or more sensors, such as sensor 72, and a controller 74. The sensor 72 is engageable with the vehicle and can sense conditions corresponding to an impact situation, such as vehicle velocity, vehicle acceleration, lateral acceleration, deployment of self inflatable restraint, or any other condition tending to be predicative relative to an impact situation. The sensor 72 communicates sensed conditions to the controller 74. According to programmed logic stored in memory, the controller 74 interprets the conditions sensed by the sensor 72 and, if appropriate, communicates a signal to the quick release bolt 20 to explode, releasing the steering column assembly 10 from the bracket 36. Use of the quick release bolt 20 eliminates variation in release of the steering column assembly 10 from the bracket 36, as may occur in capsules.
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.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3530759 | Francis | Sep 1970 | A |
3940945 | Hardmark | Mar 1976 | A |
3960031 | Chometon | Jun 1976 | A |
4616522 | White | Oct 1986 | A |
4862761 | Sander | Sep 1989 | A |
4949992 | Abramczyk | Aug 1990 | A |
5026092 | Abramczyk | Jun 1991 | A |
5052715 | Ervin | Oct 1991 | A |
5082311 | Melotik | Jan 1992 | A |
5209512 | Hancock | May 1993 | A |
5390955 | Kaliszewski | Feb 1995 | A |
5402728 | Garner | Apr 1995 | A |
5673937 | Fevre | Oct 1997 | A |
5673938 | Kaliszewski | Oct 1997 | A |
5769455 | Duval | Jun 1998 | A |
5788279 | Pfannebecker | Aug 1998 | A |
5899116 | Armstrong et al. | May 1999 | A |
5944348 | Boyle, III | Aug 1999 | A |
5953961 | Stuedemann | Sep 1999 | A |
6062100 | Sarsfield | May 2000 | A |
6099038 | Jurik | Aug 2000 | A |
6205882 | Jolley | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6227571 | Sheng et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6272945 | Jolley | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6357794 | DuRocher | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6367840 | Duval et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6371519 | Jurik et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6394494 | Jurik | May 2002 | B1 |
6419269 | Manwaring et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6578872 | Duval et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6634250 | Schroter | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6659504 | Riefe | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6685225 | Hancock | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6749222 | Manwaring et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6761376 | Riefe | Jul 2004 | B2 |
20020020999 | Duval et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20030000330 | Murakami et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20040232685 | Gatti et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20060207379 A1 | Sep 2006 | US |