Steering column assembly having a locking assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10093339-B2
Application number	US-201615334631-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 26, 2016
Priority date	Oct 26, 2016
Publication date	Oct 9, 2018
Grant date	Oct 9, 2018

Abstract

A steering column assembly includes a locking assembly. The locking assembly is operatively connected to a jacket assembly. The locking assembly includes a housing, a first member, a second member, and a third member. The housing has a base and a wall that extends from the base. The wall and the base define a cavity. The first member is disposed within the cavity. The first member defines a first member ramp. The second member is disposed within the cavity and is spaced apart from the first member. The second member defines a second member ramp. The third member has a body that is disposed between the first member and the second member and an actuation arm that extends from the body.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:

1. A steering column assembly, comprising:
a jacket assembly that is configured to be adjustable along a steering column axis, and
a locking assembly pivotally connected to the jacket assembly, the locking assembly comprising:
a first member having a first member first surface, a first member second surface disposed opposite the first member first surface, and a first member ramp that extends from the first member first surface towards the first member second surface,
a second member spaced apart from the first member, the second member having a second member first surface that faces towards the first member first surface, a second member second surface disposed opposite the second member first surface, and a second member ramp that extends from the second member first surface towards the second member second surface, and
a third member being movable relative to at least one of the first member and the second member, the third member having a body disposed between the first member and the second member, the body of the third member has a first face that faces towards the first member first surface, a second face that faces towards the second member first surface, and a first arm that extends towards an energy absorption assembly.

2. The steering column assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first arm is operatively connected to an actuator that is configured to move the first arm and the third member relative to at least one of the first member and the second member.

3. The steering column assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body of the third member defines a first body pocket that extends from the first face towards the second face.

4. The steering column assembly of claim 3 , wherein the body of the third member defines a second body pocket that extends from the second face towards the first face.

5. The steering column assembly of claim 4 , wherein the locking assembly further comprising:
a first rolling element at least partially received within the first body pocket and the first member ramp.

6. The steering column assembly of claim 5 , wherein the locking assembly further comprising:
a second rolling element at least partially received within the second body pocket and the second member ramp.

7. The steering column assembly of claim 6 , wherein the third member further comprising a second arm extending from the body.

8. The steering column assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second arm is operatively connected to an actuator that is configured to move the second arm and the third member relative to at least one of the first member and the second member.

9. The steering column assembly of claim 8 , wherein the locking assembly further comprising a biasing member operatively connected to the second arm and a bracket disposed on the jacket assembly, the biasing member configured to move the second arm and the third member relative to at least one of the first member and the second member.

10. The steering column assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a retainer assembly disposed about and operatively connected to the first member and the second member.

11. A steering column assembly, comprising:
a locking assembly operatively connected to a jacket assembly that extends along a steering column axis, the locking assembly comprising:
a housing having a base and a wall extending from the base, the wall defining a slot that extends transverse to the steering column axis, the wall and the base defining a cavity,
a first member disposed within the cavity, the first member defining a first member ramp and a first anti-rotation tab that is configured to extend into the slot,
a second member disposed within the cavity and spaced apart from the first member, the second member defining a second member ramp and a second anti-rotation tab that is configured to extend into the slot
a third member having a body disposed between the first member and the second member and an actuation arm extending from the body, the actuation arm extends through the slot, and
a biasing member; and

a rake bolt extending at least partially through the jacket assembly, the housing, the first member, the second member, and the third member, the biasing member being disposed about the rake bolt.

12. The steering column assembly of claim 11 , wherein the body defines a first body pocket that faces towards the first member ramp and a second body pocket disposed opposite the first body pocket and faces towards the second member ramp.

13. The steering column assembly of claim 12 , wherein the locking assembly further comprising:
a first rolling element at least partially received within the first body pocket and the first member ramp; and
a second rolling element at least partially received within the second body pocket and the second member ramp.

14. The steering column assembly of claim 13 , wherein in response to actuation of an actuator operatively connected to the actuation arm, the third member pivots about the rake bolt relative to the first member and the second member.

15. A steering column assembly, comprising:
a locking assembly operatively connected to a jacket assembly, the locking assembly comprising:
a housing having a base and a wall defining a slot, the wall and the base defining a cavity,
a first member disposed within the cavity, the first member defining a first member ramp and a first anti-rotation tab that extends into the slot,
a second member disposed within the cavity and spaced apart from the first member, the second member defining a second member ramp, and
a third member having a body disposed between the first member and the second member.

16. The steering column assembly of claim 15 , wherein the third member has an actuation arm that extends from the body and through the slot.

17. The steering column assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second member defines a second anti-rotation tab that extend into the slot.

18. The steering column assembly of claim 15 , further comprising:
a rake bolt that extends at least partially through the jacket assembly, the housing, the first member, the second member, and the third member.

19. The steering column assembly of claim 18 , further comprising:
a biasing member disposed about the rake bolt.

Assignees

• Steering Solutions Ip Holding

Inventors

• Bodtker Joen C
• Jones Randy W

Classifications

• B62D1/187

  with tilt adjustment; with tilt and axial adjustment (B62D1/183, B62D1/19 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D1/185

  adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically (B62D1/183, B62D1/187, B62D1/19 take precedence) · CPC title

• B62D1/184 Primary

  Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions · CPC title