Steering assembly having a tilt steering wheel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11628875-B2
Application number	US-202217592011-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2022
Priority date	Feb 12, 2021
Publication date	Apr 18, 2023
Grant date	Apr 18, 2023

Abstract

A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a tilt steering wheel which is capable of being positioned in at least one steering position and at least one non-steering position, wherein the tilt steering wheel can be locked in the at least one non-steering position by a first locking mechanism. The steering assembly includes a second locking mechanism for additionally locking the tilt steering wheel in the at least one non-steering position, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a locking device which is movable from a locking position into a release position and vice versa using an actuating mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A steering assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a tilt steering wheel capable of being positioned in at least one steering position and at least one non-steering position;
a first locking mechanism for locking the tilt steering wheel in the at least one non-steering position; and
a second locking mechanism for additionally locking the tilt steering wheel in the at least one non-steering position, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a locking device which is movable from a locking position into a release position and vice versa using an actuating mechanism, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are arranged in a non-aligned arrangement, and wherein the tilt steering wheel is adapted such that, when locked by the first and/or second locking mechanism, the tilt steering wheel is prevented from turning about a steering axis.

2. The steering assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a visual warning device for indicating that the tilt steering wheel is locked in the at least one non-steering position.

3. The steering assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the visual warning device generates an output in the form of at least one of a graphical representation, a representation in text form, an illuminated representation and a pictogram.

4. The steering assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the tilt steering wheel, when locked by the first and/or second locking mechanism, is prevented from tilting about a tilt axis.

5. The steering assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second locking mechanism has an actuation interface which is adapted to cooperate with the actuating mechanism for initiating movement of the locking device from the locking position into the release position and vice versa.

6. The steering assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the actuation interface is a vehicle actuation interface.

7. The steering assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second locking mechanism provides a theft protection device.

8. The steering assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the locking device is a mechanical device which, in the locking position, mechanically prevents the tilt steering wheel from tilting and/or turning.

9. The steering assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the locking device has an electric motor which is adapted to actuate the mechanical device.

10. A motor vehicle comprising:
a steering assembly;
a tilt steering wheel capable of being positioned in at least one steering position and at least one non-steering position;
a first locking mechanism for locking the tilt steering wheel in the at least one non-steering position; and
a second locking mechanism for additionally locking the tilt steering wheel in the at least one non-steering position, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a locking device which is movable from a locking position into a release position and vice versa using an actuating mechanism, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are arranged in a non-aligned arrangement, and wherein the tilt steering wheel is adapted such that, when locked by the first and/or second locking mechanism, the tilt steering wheel is prevented from turning about a steering axis.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10 further comprising a visual warning device for indicating that the tilt steering wheel is locked in the at least one non-steering position.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the visual warning device generates an output in the form of at least one of a graphical representation, a representation in text form, an illuminated representation and a pictogram.

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the tilt steering wheel, when locked by the first and/or second locking mechanism, is prevented from tilting about a tilt axis.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the second locking mechanism has an actuation interface which is adapted to cooperate with the actuating mechanism for initiating movement of the locking device from the locking position into the release position and vice versa.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 14 , wherein the actuation interface is a vehicle actuation interface.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the first and/or second locking mechanism provides a theft protection device.

17. The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the locking device is a mechanical device which, in the locking position, mechanically prevents the tilt steering wheel from tilting and/or turning.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 17 , wherein the locking device has an electric motor which is adapted to actuate the mechanical device.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Kuepper Philipp
• Fassbender Martin
• Hurr Simon John William

Classifications

• G05G5/03

  Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) · CPC title

• B62D1/10 Primary

  Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable (B62D1/11 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60Q3/80

  Circuits; Control arrangements (for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47) · CPC title

• B60R25/022 Primary

  operating on the steering wheel, e.g. bars locked to the steering wheel rim (B60R25/021 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60Q3/283

  Steering wheels; Gear levers · CPC title