Patent Application
20070085317
The invention relates to mounting a steering column to a vehicle.
Many production steering column assemblies are mounted to the vehicle using threaded studs from the instrument panel through mounting points on the steering column. The studs can receive flanged mounting nuts that are torqued as desired. Vibration generated at various locations in the vehicle can be transmitted through the vehicle and the studs to the steering column and felt by the driver.
The invention provides a mounting assembly for a steering column of a vehicle and a method for mounting a steering column to a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a steering column member having a first aperture extending along an aperture axis. The mounting assembly also includes a rigid member extending between first and second ends along the aperture axis in the first aperture. The mounting assembly also includes a resilient member extending along the aperture axis in the first aperture past at least one of the first and second ends of the rigid member.
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. Also, to enhance consistency, features in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic designation even if the feature is shown in less than all embodiments. 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
Each of the mounting assemblies 10, 12, 14, 16 includes a rigid member, such as rigid members 30, 32 of the mounting assemblies 10, 14, respectively. The mounting assembly 12 is constructed similarly as the mounting assembly 10 and the mounting assembly 16 is constructed similarly as the mounting assembly 14. The rigid members 30, 32 extend between respective first ends 36, 40 and second ends 38, 42 along the respective aperture axis 26, 28 in the respective apertures 22, 24.
Each of the mounting assemblies 10, 14 also includes a resilient member 44, 46, respectively. The resilient members 44, 46 extend along the corresponding aperture axis 26, 28 in the corresponding aperture 22, 24 past at least one of the first and second ends 36, 38, 40, 42 of the adjacent rigid member 30, 32. A compressing device, such as compressing device 48, can be encircled by one of the rigid members 30, 32 and compress the corresponding resilient member 44, 46. Compression of the resilient member 44, 46 is limited by the rigid member 30, 32. The exemplary compression device 48 is best shown in
The exemplary rigid members 30, 32 include flange portions 50, 52 at the first ends 36, 40. A compressing device similar to compressing device 48 could compress a portion of the resilient member 46 between the flange portion 52 and the steering column member 20. The rigid members 30, 32 also include sleeve portions 54, 56 extending away from the flange portions 50, 52 to the second ends 38, 42. The exemplary resilient members 44, 46 extend past the second ends 38, 42. However, in alternate embodiments of the invention, one or both of the resilient members 44, 46 could extend past the first ends 36, 40.
The resilient members 44, 46 isolate the steering column members 18, 20 from the rigid members 30, 32. As a result, vibration transmitted through the vehicle 64 and through the rigid members 30, 32 is substantially prevented from being transmitted to the steering column members 18, 20. Furthermore, vibration is substantially prevented from being transmitted to a driver of the vehicle 64.
One or both of the resilient members 44, 46 can be formed in situ with respect to one or both the steering column members 18, 20 and the rigid members 30, 32. Alternatively, one or both of the resilient members 44, 46 can be formed separately from both of the respective steering column member 18, 20 and the respective rigid member 30, 32. Such a resilient members 44, 46 could be placed in the respective aperture 22, 24 to receive the respective rigid member 30, 32 or could be placed over the respective rigid member 30, 32 for insertion in the respective aperture 22, 24.
Referring now to
The exemplary rigid member 34a is a capsule operable to separate from the steering column member 18a in an impact situation. The structure and operation of the capsule 34a is set forth more fully in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/037,313, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in
Referring to
The predetermined amount of compression applied to each of the resilient members 44, 46 can be selected based on the natural frequency of the corresponding steering column member 18, 20. Also, a material for forming the resilient member 44, 46 can be selected in response to the natural frequency of the steering column member 18, 20. Generally, lowering the natural frequency of the steering column is desirable. In one example, if the natural frequency of the corresponding steering column member 18, 20 is relatively high and lowering the frequency is desired, a lower durometer of rubber can be selected to form the resilient members 44, 46 and/or the amount of compression can be relatively low. Generally, compression of the resilient members 44, 46 relates to dampening inversely. In other words, increased compression results in diminished dampening, generally. Also, generally, the durometer of the resilient members 44, 46 relates to dampening inversely. In other words, increased durometer results in diminished dampening, generally. If the natural frequency of the corresponding steering column member 18, 20 is relatively low and relatively high dampening of the steering column is not required, a higher durometer of rubber can be selected to form the resilient members 44, 46 and/or the amount of compression can be relatively high. Another factor that can be varied in response to the natural frequency of the steering column is the height of the portion 78. Generally, the height of the portion 78 relates to dampening directly. In other words, increased height results in enhanced dampening, generally. In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient members 44, 46 can be made of a natural rubber with a durometer of 45. The height of the portion 78 can be 3.5 mm thick as molded. When the steering column is installed into the vehicle, the portion 78 is compressed to approximately 1.0 mm.
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.
