Power column actuator mounting device

A power driven, telescoping steering column, comprising:

• a tubular outer jacket extending along a central axis between an outer jacket lower end and an outer jacket upper end;
• a tubular inner jacket extending along said central axis between an inner jacket lower end and an inner jacket upper end;
• a tubular intermediate jacket extending along said central axis between an intermediate jacket lower end and an intermediate jacket upper end, said intermediate jacket lower end being configured for telescopic movement relative to said tubular outer jacket and said intermediate jacket upper end being configured for telescopic movement relative to said tubular inner jacket;
• an actuator assembly configured to power the relative telescoping movement between said intermediate jacket lower end and said tubular outer jacket and between said intermediate jacket upper end and said tubular inner jacket;
• a mounting device disposed in one of an interference press fit, a line-to-line fit, and a clearance fit with said tubular outer jacket, said mounting device being coupled to said actuator assembly, such that upon selective actuation of said actuator assembly, said intermediate jacket lower end moves in telescoping relation with said tubular outer jacket and said intermediate jacket upper end moves in telescoping relation with said tubular inner jacket;
• and
• an end cover fixed to said outer jacket lower end, said end cover preventing relative axial movement between said mounting device and said tubular outer jacket.

A method of constructing a power driven, telescoping steering column, comprising:

• providing a tubular outer jacket extending along a central axis between an outer jacket lower end and an outer jacket upper end;
• providing a tubular inner jacket extending along said central axis between an inner jacket lower end and an inner jacket upper end;
• providing a tubular intermediate jacket extending along said central axis between an intermediate jacket lower end and an intermediate jacket upper end;
• arranging said intermediate jacket lower end for telescopic movement relative to said tubular outer jacket;
• arranging said intermediate jacket upper end for telescopic movement relative to said tubular inner jacket;
• coupling a mounting device against relative axial movement with said tubular outer jacket in one of an interference press fit, a line-to-line fit, and a clearance fit with said tubular outer jacket;
• coupling an actuator assembly to said mounting device such that upon selective actuation of said actuator assembly, said intermediate jacket lower end moves in telescoping relation with said tubular outer jacket and said intermediate jacket upper end moves in telescoping relation with said tubular inner jacket;
• and
• operably coupling said actuator assembly against relative axial movement to said tubular outer jacket without fixedly connecting or attaching the actuator assembly directly to the tubular outer jacket.

A method of constructing a power driven, telescoping steering column, comprising:

• providing a tubular outer jacket extending along a central axis between an outer jacket lower end and an outer jacket upper end;
• providing a tubular inner jacket extending along said central axis between an inner jacket lower end and an inner jacket upper end;
• providing a tubular intermediate jacket extending along said central axis between an intermediate jacket lower end and an intermediate jacket upper end;
• arranging said intermediate jacket lower end for telescopic movement relative to said tubular outer jacket;
• arranging said intermediate jacket upper end for telescopic movement relative to said tubular inner jacket;
• coupling a mounting device against relative axial movement with said tubular outer jacket in one of an interference press fit, a line-to-line fit, and a clearance fit with said tubular outer jacket;
• coupling an actuator assembly to said mounting device such that upon selective actuation of said actuator assembly, said intermediate jacket lower end moves in telescoping relation with said tubular outer jacket and said intermediate jacket upper end moves in telescoping relation with said tubular inner jacket;
• and
• coupling said mounting device against relative axial movement with said tubular outer jacket by bringing a cylindrical outer surface of said mounting device into a clearance fit with a cylindrical inner surface of said tubular outer jacket.