# US 7,406,894 B2 · Steering column assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,406,894 B2 - Document ID: US7406894B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/241,731 - Filed: 2005-09-30 - Published: 2006-07-20 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-30 - Assignees: Lucas Automotive GmbH - Inventors: Eckart Op Den Camp - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7406894B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/184: Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions - F16C 27/02: Sliding-contact bearings - F16C 33/04: Brasses; Bushes; Linings - F16C 2326/24: Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or 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) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract A steering column assembly comprising a steering column shroud which supports a steering column shaft, the shroud being connected to the vehicle by a clamping mechanism which is operable between a locked position in which the shroud is clamped in position relative to a fixed portion of the vehicle chassis and an unlocked position in which the shroud is adjustable for reach and/or rake relative to the vehicle chassis. The clamping mechanism includes an actuator and a user operated switch that is connected to the actuator and which is operable to control the operation of the actuator to move the clamp between the locked and the unlocked position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering column assembly comprising a steering column shroud which supports a steering column shaft, said shroud being connected to said vehicle by a clamping mechanism which is operable between a locked position in which said shroud is clamped in position relative to a fixed position of said vehicle chassis and an unlocked position in which said shroud is adjustable for reach and/or rake relative to said vehicle chassis, said clamping mechanism including an actuator being adapted to move said clamp between said locked position and said unlocked position, said assembly being further provided with actuator control means for receiving at least one signal from a sensor which detects an operation of said vehicle to which said assembly is fitted and in response to a signal indicating an abnormal deceleration said control means is operable to move a clamping mechanism from a locked position to a collapse position in which said clamping mechanism is at least partially released to permit controlled collapse of a steering column shroud and hence said steering column, wherein, upon detection of collapse, said actuator control means operates said actuator to rapidly release said clamp to an initial collapse position and subsequently to gradually unclamp said clamp over time providing a decreasing resistance to collapse. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 including a user operated switch, which is connected to said actuator and which is operable to control an operation of said actuator to move said clamp between said locked position and said unlocked position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A steering column assembly according to claim 2 wherein said user operated switch comprises a one touch switch, operable by a user between a locked and an unlocked position corresponding to said locked position and said unlocked position of said clamping mechanism respectively. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A steering column assembly according to claim 3 wherein said actuator comprises an electric motor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A steering column assembly according to claim 4 wherein on operation of said switch from said locked position to said unlocked position, a drive current is applied to said motor to drive it in a first direction to move said clamp to said unlocked position and on operation of said switch from said unlocked to said locked position a drive current is applied to said motor so that it is driven in a second, opposite direction to move said clamp to said unlocked position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein adjustment of said steering column is made by manual adjustment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator drives at least one gear. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator rotates a cam relative to a cam follower. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein a manual override is provided which permits said mechanism to be locked or unlocked in the event of a malfunction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said clamp comprises a pin which carries a clamping head assembly, said pin being connected to said actuator through at least one gear and which can be driven axially upon operation of said actuator, said pin passing through an opening in a bracket fixed to said vehicle and an opening in said shroud with said head being on an opposite side of said shroud to said bracket such that operation of said actuator to said locked position draws said clamping head assembly towards said shroud and clamps said shroud to said bracket. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein said opening in said fixed portion, comprises an elongate slot which is parallel to an axis of said steering shaft and orthogonal to an axis of said pin to allow said pin to move in said slot for adjustment of said shroud for reach. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein said opening in said fixed portion or bracket comprises an elongate slot which is orthogonal to an axis of said steering shaft and an axis of said pin to permit adjustment of said shroud for rake. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein said head of said pin is provided with at least one track of teeth, which engage corresponding teeth on said guide post when in said locked position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A steering column assembly according to claim 10 wherein a toothed member is provided between said head and said guide post which has at least one track of teeth that engage corresponding sets of teeth on said shroud. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein said signal received by said actuator control means is a signal indicating an unusually high deceleration of said vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein engagement between two surfaces of said clamping mechanism is by way of complimentary teeth, an application of a collapse load to said steering assembly causing said teeth to ride over one another as said column collapses, said ride over being opposed by a force provided by a biasing means. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A steering column assembly according to claim 1 wherein engagement between two surfaces of said clamping mechanism is by frictional engagement, at least one surface being provided with a section of friction lining of high coefficient of friction.