阅读说明：本技术 转向柱向后保持特征 (Steering column rearward retention feature ) 是由 T·D·比奇 R·D·梅达 于 2021-04-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种转向柱组件,其包括下部护套,该下部护套具有处在下部护套的前向端附近的桥形部,该桥形部限定槽口。该组件还包括与下部护套伸缩式接合的上部护套。转向柱组件进一步包括伸缩致动器组件。转向柱组件还进一步包括伸缩驱动托架,该伸缩驱动托架被操作性地连结至伸缩致动器组件,且通过伸缩致动器组件来平移,该伸缩驱动托架具有连结到上部护套的基部,以使上部护套在伸缩方向上相对于下部护套运动。转向柱组件还包括板,该板连结到上部护套的外表面,且被设置在伸缩驱动托架的基部与上部护套之间,该板具有保持特征,该保持特征被定位成与下部护套的桥形部接触以限定向后伸缩极限值。(A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket having a bridge portion near a forward end of the lower jacket, the bridge portion defining a notch. The assembly also includes an upper jacket telescopically engaged with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a telescopic actuator assembly. The steering column assembly still further includes a telescopic drive bracket operatively coupled to and translated by the telescopic actuator assembly, the telescopic drive bracket having a base coupled to the upper jacket to move the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket in a telescopic direction. The steering column assembly also includes a plate coupled to an outer surface of the upper jacket and disposed between the base of the telescopic drive bracket and the upper jacket, the plate having a retention feature positioned to contact the bridge of the lower jacket to define a rearward telescopic limit.)

1. A steering column assembly comprising:

a lower sheath having a bridge portion near a forward end of the lower sheath, the bridge portion defining a slot;

an upper sheath telescopically engaged with the lower sheath;

a telescopic actuator assembly;

a telescoping drive carriage operatively coupled to and translated by the telescoping actuator assembly, the telescoping drive carriage having a base coupled to the upper sheath to move the upper sheath relative to the lower sheath in a telescoping direction; and

a plate coupled to an outer surface of the upper sheath and disposed between the base of the telescopic drive bracket and the upper sheath, the plate having a retention feature positioned to contact the bridge portion of the lower sheath to define a rearward telescopic limit.

2. The steering column assembly of claim 1 in which the plate extends through the slot defined by the bridge, the retention feature of the plate including a pair of laterally extending steps positioned to contact a forward face of the bridge to define the rearward limit of reach.

3. The steering column assembly of claim 1 in which the plate extends through the slot defined by the bridge, the retention feature of the plate comprising a tapered width portion of the plate.

4. The steering column assembly of claim 1 in which an end of the plate defines the retention feature, the end having a cross-sectional area greater than an area of the notch of the bridge portion.

5. The steering column assembly of claim 1 in which the telescopic actuator assembly comprises:

a lead screw driven by a motor; and

a nut in threaded engagement with the lead screw, the nut being movable along the lead screw to drive the telescopic drive carriage in the telescopic direction.

6. The steering column assembly of claim 1 in which the plate is welded to the upper sheath.

7. The steering column assembly of claim 1 in which the base of the telescopic drive bracket is joined to the plate and the upper shroud by at least one mechanical fastener.

8. A steering column assembly comprising:

a lower sheath;

an upper sheath telescopically engaged with the lower sheath;

a telescopic actuator assembly;

a telescoping drive carriage operatively coupled to and translated by the telescoping actuator assembly, the telescoping drive carriage having a base coupled to the upper sheath to move the upper sheath relative to the lower sheath in a telescoping direction; and

a retention feature operatively coupled to the base of the telescoping drive bracket positioned to contact the lower sheath to define a rearward telescoping limit.

9. The steering column assembly of claim 8 in which the lower jacket includes a bridge portion near a forward end of the lower jacket, the bridge portion defining a notch, the retention feature contacting a forward face of the bridge portion to define the rearward travel limit.

10. The steering column assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a plate joined to the upper sheath and disposed between the base and the upper sheath, wherein the retention feature is a portion of the plate, the plate extending through the slot defined by the bridge, the retention feature of the plate including a pair of laterally extending steps positioned to contact a forward face of the bridge to define the rearward limit of flex.

11. The steering column assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a plate joined to the upper sheath and disposed between the base and the upper sheath, wherein the retention feature is a portion of the plate, wherein the plate extends through the slot defined by the bridge, the retention feature of the plate comprising a tapered width portion of the plate.

12. The steering column assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a plate joined to the upper sheath and disposed between the base and the upper sheath, wherein the retention feature is a portion of the plate, wherein an end of the plate defines the retention feature, the end having a cross-sectional area greater than an area of the slot of the bridge portion.

13. The steering column assembly of claim 8 in which the telescopic actuator assembly comprises:

a lead screw driven by a motor; and

a nut in threaded engagement with the lead screw, the nut being movable along the lead screw to drive the telescopic drive carriage in the telescopic direction.

14. The steering column assembly of claim 10 in which the plate is welded to the upper sheath.

15. The steering column assembly of claim 14 in which the base of the telescopic drive bracket is joined to the plate and the upper shroud by at least one mechanical fastener.

Technical Field

Embodiments described herein relate to vehicle steering systems and, more particularly, to a hold-back feature.

Background

The steering column assembly of the vehicle may be adjustable in a forward (tilt) direction and/or a telescopic direction. Each of these adjustments may be performed by a respective power assembly or mechanism. A typical telescoping drive system may include a telescoping drive bracket mounted to the column jacket. The telescopic drive system is firmly mounted in one position while the other position moves in a linear direction, thereby driving the components fixed thereto, achieving the desired telescopic stroke.

Certain design requirements for a steering column assembly may require retention of the steering shaft and associated components when moving in a rearward direction. However, in the above-described rearward holding process, when a rearward load is applied to the steering shaft, the steering shaft and the associated one or more components are not expected to separate.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a steering column assembly includes a lower jacket having a bridge portion near a forward end of the lower jacket, the bridge portion defining a notch. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket telescopically engaged with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a telescopic actuator assembly. The steering column assembly still further includes a telescopic drive bracket operatively coupled to and translated by the telescopic actuator assembly, the telescopic drive bracket having a base coupled to the upper jacket to move the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket in a telescopic direction. The steering column assembly also includes a plate coupled to an outer surface of the upper sheath and disposed between the base of the telescopic drive bracket and the upper sheath, the plate having a retention feature positioned to contact the bridge of the lower sheath to define a rearward telescopic limit.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket telescopically engaged with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a telescopic actuator assembly. The steering column assembly still further includes a telescopic drive bracket operatively coupled with and translated by the telescopic actuator assembly, the telescopic drive bracket having a base coupled to the upper jacket to move the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket in a telescopic direction. The steering column assembly also includes a retention feature operatively coupled with the base of the telescopic drive bracket positioned in contact with the lower jacket to define a rearward telescopic limit.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

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:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a steering column assembly;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the steering column assembly;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of portions of the telescoping drive carriage and upper and lower sheath interfaces;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retention feature;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the retention feature of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the retention feature of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a retaining feature according to another aspect of the present disclosure; and

fig. 8 is a plan view of a retention feature according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of a retention feature that prevents rearward translation of a steering shaft and associated components beyond a predetermined position while avoiding separation of the steering column during such retention, the present invention will be described with reference to particular embodiments, but is not limited thereto.

Figures 1 and 2 show a steering column assembly generally indicated by the numeral 10. The steering column assembly 10 is for a vehicle and extends along a longitudinal axis X. The steering column assembly 10 is adjustable in a telescoping direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis X (i.e., adjustable along the longitudinal axis X), and in some embodiments, in a rake/tilt direction. The steering column assembly 10 includes a lower jacket 12, an upper jacket 13, and a steering shaft 14 extending along a longitudinal axis X. The steering shaft 14 and the upper jacket 13 are operatively coupled to each other and are disposed in telescopic engagement with the lower jacket 12. In other words, the steering shaft 14 has a portion disposed within the upper sheath 13 and a portion disposed within the lower sheath 12. The upper sheath 13 extends partially into the lower sheath 12 and is capable of translating within the lower sheath.

A telescopic actuator assembly 30 is provided for assisted telescopic adjustment of the upper sheath 13 and steering shaft 14. The telescopic actuator assembly 30 includes a lead screw 32 on which is provided a nut 34 which is screwed onto the lead screw. The motor 36 drives the lead screw 32 to translate the nut 34 along the lead screw. The nut 34 is operatively linked to the upper sheath 13 by a drive bracket 38 such that linear movement of the nut 34 along the lead screw 32 drives the upper sheath 13 to and from different telescopic positions.

Referring now to fig. 3, the attachment of the drive carriage 38 to the upper sheath 13 is shown in more detail. In particular, the drive bracket 38 comprises a base 40 extending longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X. Although it is contemplated that the base 40 of the drive bracket 38 may be secured directly to the outer surface of the upper sheath 13, as illustrated, a plate 42 is provided in some embodiments. The plate 42 may be welded to the upper jacket 13 in some embodiments, but other methods of securing are also contemplated. The plate 42 provides additional material thickness to better facilitate mechanical fastening of the drive bracket 38 (and/or possibly other components) to the upper sheath 13. The base 40 of the drive bracket 38 may be fastened to the plate 42 and the upper jacket 13 by bolts, rivets, or the like.

As shown in fig. 1-3, plate 42 and base 40 extend through a slot 44 defined by a bridge 46 of lower sheath 12. Specifically, the slot 44 is defined by an outer wall 48 and a pair of side walls 49. During assisted telescoping adjustment, as the upper sheath 13 and steering shaft 14 translate, the plate 42 and base 40 slide through the slot 44.

Referring now to fig. 4-6, a retention feature is illustrated that prevents rearward translation of the upper sheath 13 and steering shaft 14 beyond a predetermined position, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The retention feature includes a pair of steps 50 formed on the plate 42. The pair of steps 50 extend laterally to a length necessary to not pass through the slot 44 defined by the bridge portion 46. In other words, the plate 42 includes a first portion 52 having a first width and a second portion 54 having a second width that is greater than the first width. The pair of steps 50 contact the forward face 56 of the bridge portion 46 to define a rearward limit of motion.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of steps are provided, but it is contemplated that only one side of the plate 42 has a step 50. Additionally, it is contemplated that base 40 of drive bracket 38 (rather than plate 42) may include step 50, or that the base of the drive bracket may include a step in addition to plate 42.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another aspect of the retention feature is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention feature is a tapered region 60 of the plate 42. In particular, the plate 42 tapers inwardly from a larger width to a narrower width in the front-to-rear direction from the plate 42 to the upper jacket 13. This taper is sized to ensure that rearward movement of the plate 42 frictionally slows and eventually stops during translation. This is achieved by frictional engagement between the plate 42 and the side wall 49 and/or the forward face 56 of the bridge 46. It is contemplated that the base 40 of the drive bracket 38 (rather than the plate 42) may include a tapered profile, or that the base may include a tapered profile in addition to the plate 42 including a tapered region/profile.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another aspect of the retention feature is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention feature is simply an enlarged end of the plate 42 that does not allow any portion of the plate 42 to extend to the rearward side of the bridge 46. In other words, unlike the embodiment of fig. 1-7, the plate 42 does not pass through the notch of the bridge 46, and this end of the plate 42 contacts the forward face 56 of the bridge 46 only at the rearward travel limit.

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.