Retractable steering column with dual actuators
AssigneeSteering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
InventorJames E. Rouleau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. The steering column assembly further includes a retraction actuator to translate an adjustment actuator mounting plate within a retraction range. The steering column further includes an adjustment actuator mounted on the adjustment actuator mounting plate to translate a steering column bracket within an adjustment range. The steering column bracket translates the steering column shaft within a steering column shaft movement range. The steering column shaft movement range is a sum of the retraction range and the adjustment range.
Claims20
A steering column assembly comprising:
- a steering column shaft;
- a retraction actuator to translate an adjustment actuator mounting plate within a retraction range;
- an adjustment actuator mounted on the adjustment actuator mounting plate to translate a steering column bracket within an adjustment range, the steering column bracket configured to translate the steering column shaft within a steering column shaft movement range, the steering column shaft movement range being a sum of the retraction range and the adjustment range.
A method to deploy and retract a steering column shaft, the method comprising:
- translating an adjustment actuator within a retraction range via a retraction actuator;
- translating a steering column bracket within an adjustment range via the adjustment actuator;
- and
- translating a steering column shaft within a steering column shaft movement range via the steering column bracket, the steering column shaft movement range being a sum of the retraction range and the adjustment range.
A vehicle comprising:
- a steering column assembly comprising:
- a steering column shaft;
- a column jacket;
- a steering wheel coupled to the steering column shaft;
- a retraction actuator to translate an adjustment actuator mounting plate within a retraction range;
- and
- an adjustment actuator mounted on the adjustment actuator mounting plate to translate a steering column bracket within an adjustment range, the steering column bracket configured to translate the steering column shaft within a steering column shaft movement range, the steering column shaft movement range being a sum of the retraction range and the adjustment range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.