Production steering column positioning fixture
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsSteve Popmarkov, Alex Zoccatelli, Brian Birrell, Nathaniel P. Jalbert, Mark Stephen Modena
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A production steering column fixture includes a production steering column, a steering wheel, and a shroud. A steering component frame receives the production steering column, the steering wheel and the shroud in a predetermined design car position of a vehicle. An instrument panel is positioned proximate to the steering component frame. An occupant confirms visibility of the instrument panel at any position of the steering wheel.
Claims18
A production steering column fixture, comprising:
- a production steering column;
- a steering wheel;
- a shroud;
- a steering component frame receiving the production steering column, the steering wheel and the shroud in a predetermined design car position of a vehicle;
- an instrument panel positioned proximate to the steering component frame and configured to be visible by an occupant at any position of the steering wheel;
- a fixture frame wherein the fixture frame defines a metal including aluminum further defining an aluminum fixture system receiving the steering component frame, the production steering column, the steering wheel and the shroud;
- and
- a 3D printed steering column mount, wherein a first mounting surface of the steering component frame and an opposed second mounting surface of the steering component frame are mated to opposed inside facing first and second surfaces of the 3D printed steering column mount.
A production steering column fixture, comprising:
- a production steering column of a vehicle;
- a steering component frame receiving the production steering column in individual ones of a predetermined test position and a stored position;
- a vehicle seat removably connected to the steering component frame;
- and
- an instrument panel of a clay material positioned proximate to the steering component frame, wherein the instrument panel is configured to be visible by an occupant seated on the vehicle seat at different displaced positions of the vehicle seat.
A method for operating a production steering column fixture, comprising:
- assembling a production steering column, a steering wheel, and a shroud in a test position of a production assembly of a vehicle;
- mounting the production assembly on a steering component frame having a 3D printed steering column mount;
- individually axially aligning multiple through apertures created in the 3D printed steering column mount with individual ones of multiple apertures of the steering component frame;
- and
- extending a first bolt and a second bolt through the individually axially aligned multiple through apertures of the 3D printed steering column mount and the individual ones of the multiple apertures of the steering component frame;
- connecting the steering component frame to a fixture frame defining an aluminum fixture system;
- positioning an instrument panel of a clay material mimicking a production vehicle instrument panel proximate to the steering component frame;
- and
- confirming visibility of the clay instrument panel at any displaced position of the steering wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.