# US 11,999,409 B2 · Electromagnetic brake mechanism for steering column energy absorption system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,999,409 B2 - Document ID: US11999409B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/665,047 - Filed: 2022-02-04 - Published: 2023-08-10 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-04 - Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Applicants: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Inventors: John F. Schulz; Michael P. Anspaugh; Randy W. Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999409B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/195: {Yieldable supports for the steering column} - B62D 1/197: {incorporating devices for preventing ingress of the steering column into the passengers space in case of accident} - B62D 1/181: with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory - B62D 1/192: {Yieldable or collapsible columns} - 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 energy absorption system for a vehicle steering column includes a lower jacket. The energy absorption system also includes an upper jacket operatively coupled to, and moveable relative to, the lower jacket. The energy absorption system further includes a tooth rack operatively coupled to the upper jacket. The energy absorption system yet further includes an electromagnetic brake mechanism engageable with the tooth rack to exert a braking force on the tooth rack. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An energy absorption system for a vehicle steering column comprising: a lower jacket; an upper jacket operatively coupled to, and moveable relative to, the lower jacket; a tooth rack operatively coupled to the upper jacket; and an electromagnetic brake mechanism engageable with the tooth rack to exert a braking force on the tooth rack, wherein the electromagnetic brake mechanism comprises: a stationary portion operatively coupled to a steering column structure; a rotatable portion rotatable relative to the stationary portion; a rod operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and rotatable therewith; and a pinion directly coupled to the rod and rotatable therewith, the pinion having a plurality of pinion teeth directly engaged with a plurality of rack teeth formed on a surface of the tooth rack. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The energy absorption system of claim 1, wherein the braking force exerted on the tooth rack is adjustable over a continuous range between a low force setting and a high force setting. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The energy absorption system of claim 2, wherein the low force setting is zero (0) units of force. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The energy absorption system of claim 1, wherein the rod extends along a longitudinal axis within a cavity defined by the stationary portion and the rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion is translatable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod upon application of a voltage to selectively increase or decrease the braking force based on increasing or decreasing friction contact between the rotatable portion and the stationary portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The energy absorption system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic brake mechanism is in operative communication with a control system, the control system monitoring at least one operational steering column condition, wherein the braking force exerted on the tooth rack is adjusted based on a command communicated by the control system to the electromagnetic brake mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The energy absorption system of claim 5, wherein the at least one operational condition is deployment of an airbag. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The energy absorption system of claim 5, wherein the at least one operational condition is an axial stroke position of the upper jacket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The energy absorption system of claim 1, wherein the braking force is applied in a first axial direction of movement of the upper jacket and in a second, opposite axial direction of movement of the upper jacket. ### Claim 9 An energy absorption system for a vehicle steering column comprising: a lower jacket; an upper jacket operatively coupled to, and moveable relative to, the lower jacket, the upper jacket having a plurality of jacket teeth formed on an outer surface of the upper jacket; an electromagnetic brake mechanism engageable with the plurality of jacket teeth to exert a braking force on the upper jacket, wherein the electromagnetic brake mechanism comprises: a stationary portion operatively coupled to a steering column structure; a rotatable portion rotatable relative to the stationary portion; a rod operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and rotatable therewith; and a pinion directly coupled to the rod and rotatable therewith, the pinion having a plurality of pinion teeth directly engaged with the plurality of jacket teeth. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The energy absorption system of claim 9, wherein the braking force exerted on the upper jacket is adjustable over a continuous range between a low force setting and a high force setting. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The energy absorption system of claim 10, wherein the low force setting is zero (0) units of force. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The energy absorption system of claim 9, wherein the rod extends along a longitudinal axis within a cavity defined by the stationary portion and the rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion is translatable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod upon application of a voltage to selectively increase or decrease the braking force based on increasing or decreasing friction contact between the rotatable portion and the stationary portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The energy absorption system of claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic brake mechanism is in operative communication with a control system, the control system monitoring at least one operational steering column condition, wherein the braking force exerted on the upper jacket is adjusted based on a command communicated by the control system to the electromagnetic brake mechanism. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The energy absorption system of claim 13, wherein the at least one operational condition is deployment of an airbag. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The energy absorption system of claim 14, wherein the at least one operational condition is an axial stroke position of the upper jacket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The energy absorption system of claim 9, wherein the braking force is applied in a first axial direction of movement of the upper jacket and in a second, opposite axial direction of movement of the upper jacket.