# US 11,999,408 B2 · Translating power adjustable steering column with geared rack for an absolute sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,999,408 B2 - Document ID: US11999408B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/200,267 - Filed: 2023-05-22 - Published: 2024-01-18 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-07-12 - Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Applicants: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Inventors: Jacob Caverly; Todd M. King; Randy W. Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999408B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/189: the entire column being tiltable as a unit - B62D 1/184: Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions - B62D 1/181: with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The steering column assembly also includes a lower jacket, wherein the upper jacket is received within the lower jacket and is telescopingly adjustable therein, the lower jacket defining a pair of slots extending in an axial direction of the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket translates and rotates relative to the column mounting bracket. The steering column assembly yet further includes a pair of bushings positioned within the pair of slots. The steering column assembly also includes a geared rack operatively coupled to one of the pair of bushings, the geared rack correspondingly rotatable with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a sensor in operative contact with the geared rack to detect the axial position of the axially adjustable steering column assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An axially adjustable steering column assembly comprising: an upper jacket; a lower jacket, wherein the upper jacket is received within the lower jacket and is telescopingly adjustable therein, the lower jacket defining a pair of slots extending in an axial direction of the lower jacket; a column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket translates and rotates relative to the column mounting bracket; a pair of bushings positioned within the pair of slots; a geared rack operatively coupled to one of the pair of bushings, the geared rack correspondingly rotatable with the lower jacket; and a sensor in operative contact with the geared rack to detect the axial position of the axially adjustable steering column assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of bushings have at least one tapered surface disposed in contact with one or more walls defining the pair of slots. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 2, wherein the one or more walls of the pair of slots are tapered to correspond to the at least one tapered surface of the pair of bushings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein the geared rack is integrally formed with the one of the pair of bushings. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 4, wherein the geared rack is operatively coupled to the column mounting bracket and is pivotable relative to the column mounting bracket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein the geared rack includes a plurality of rack teeth, the sensor comprising an absolute position sensor having a toothed wheel in contact with the plurality of rack teeth. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 6, wherein the toothed wheel is one of a plurality of toothed wheels of the absolute position sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, wherein the geared rack does not translate relative to the column mounting bracket. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The axially adjustable steering column assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first actuator operatively coupled to the upper jacket to control axial adjustment of the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket; a second actuator operatively coupled to the lower jacket to control axial adjustment of the lower jacket relative to the column mounting bracket; and a rake actuator operatively coupled to the lower jacket to control rake adjustment of the lower jacket. ### Claim 10 An axial position sensing system for a steering column assembly comprising: a column mounting bracket; a column structure operatively coupled to the column mounting bracket, the column structure moveable in an axial direction relative to the column mounting bracket and rotatable relative to the column mounting bracket, the column structure defining a pair of slots extending in an axial direction of the column structure; a pair of wedge bushings positioned within the pair of slots, the wedge bushings have at least one tapered surface disposed in contact with one or more walls defining the pair of slots; a geared rack integrally formed with one of the pair of wedge bushings; and a sensor in operative contact with the geared rack to detect the axial position of the column structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The axial position sensing system of claim 10, wherein the one or more walls of the pair of slots are tapered to correspond to the at least one tapered surface of the pair of wedge bushings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The axial position sensing system of claim 10, wherein the geared rack is operatively coupled to the column mounting bracket and is pivotable relative to the column mounting bracket. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The axial position sensing system of claim 10, wherein the geared rack includes a plurality of rack teeth, the sensor comprising an absolute position sensor having a toothed wheel in contact with the plurality of rack teeth. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The axial position sensing system of claim 13, wherein the toothed wheel is one of a plurality of toothed wheels of the absolute position sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The axial position sensing system of claim 10, wherein the geared rack does not translate relative to the column mounting bracket.