US 6,390,505 B1 · Steering column adjustment system using force feedback system

Abstract

An automotive vehicle steering column (10) and adjustment system has a telescope adjustment mechanism for adjusting the fore-aft position of the steering wheel (12) to the driver of the vehicle and a tilt adjustment mechanism for adjusting steering wheel inclination. Each adjustment mechanism includes a respective motorized linear actuator (24, 26). A force feedback system operates the actuators and includes telescope and tilt sensors (42, 44) for sensing telescope and tilt adjustment forces externally applied to the steering wheel by the driver during adjustment of steering wheel position. A controller (40) is responsive to the sensors for operating the actuators to position the steering wheel in directions of adjustment corresponding to the directions of telescope and tilt forces applied by the driver. Adjustment motion stops when the externally applied forces causing the motion cease.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An automotive vehicle steering column and adjustment system comprising:

a steering column, including a steering wheel whose motion is transmitted through the steering column to a steering mechanism to steer wheels of a vehicle;
an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle relative to a driver of the vehicle, including an actuator for performing the adjustment;
and a system for operating the actuator, including a sensor for sensing an adjustment force externally applied to the steering wheel by a driver during adjustment of the steering wheel position, and a controller that is responsive to the sensor for causing the actuator to move the steering wheel in the direction of the externally applied force and to terminate further movement when the externally applied force causing the movement ceases;
including an adjustment activation input disposed for actuation by the driver and operatively connected to the controller to initiate a steering wheel position adjustment.

1 more element

A system for adjusting the position of a steering wheel in an automotive vehicle comprising:

an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle relative to a driver of the vehicle, including an actuator for performing the adjustment;
and a force feedback system for operating the actuator, including a sensor for sensing an adjustment force externally applied to the steering wheel by the driver during adjustment of the steering wheel position, and a controller that is responsive to the sensor for operating the actuator to position the steering wheel in a direction of adjustment corresponding to the direction of external force applied to the steering wheel by the driver;
including an adjustment activation input disposed for actuation by the driver and operatively connected to the controller to initiate a steering wheel position adjustment.

A system for adjusting the position of a steering wheel in an automotive vehicle comprising:

an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in a vehicle relative to a driver of the vehicle, including an actuator for performing the adjustment;
and a system for operating the actuator, including a sensor for sensing an adjustment force externally applied to the steering wheel by the driver during adjustment of the steering wheel position, and a controller that is responsive to the sensor for causing the actuator to move the steering wheel in the direction of the externally applied force and to terminate further movement when the externally applied force causing the movement ceases;
including an adjustment activation input disposed for actuation by the driver and operatively connected to the controller to initiate a steering wheel position adjustment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Steering column adjustment system using force feedback system

Life of this patent

Steering column adjustment system using force feedback system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19