Systems for detecting locked condition of steering column

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016144883-A1
Application number	US-201414552754-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 25, 2014
Priority date	Nov 25, 2014
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The steering column assembly includes a steering column, a mounting bracket, an actuator rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket, the actuator rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a detection assembly configured to detect when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:

1 . A steering column assembly comprising:
a steering column; a mounting bracket; an actuator rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket, the actuator configured to adjust the steering column between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a detection assembly configured to detect when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in signal communication with the detection assembly, the detection assembly configured to indicate to the controller when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

3 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to generate at least one of a warning light, a digital display, and an audible sound when the actuator is in the unlocked position.

4 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the detection assembly comprises a detection switch having a plunger movable between a first position and a second position.

5 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the actuator comprises an engagement portion and a detent portion, the engagement portion engaging the plunger when the actuator is in the unlocked position such that the plunger is moved from the first position to the second position.

6 . The assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a cam assembly having a cam rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the actuator is moved to the unlocked position, the actuator engages the cam and rotates the cam from the first position to the second position such that the cam engages the plunger and moves the plunger from the first position to the second position.

7 . The assembly of claim 6 , further comprising an energy absorbing roll strap having teeth formed therein, the cam further comprising a plurality of locking teeth configured to meshingly engage the roll strap teeth when the cam is in the first position and to disengage the roll strap teeth when the cam is rotated to the second position.

8 . The assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a motor assembly having a motor configured to rotate the lever between the locked position and the unlocked position.

9 . The assembly of claim of claim 1 , further comprising a motor assembly comprising:
a rod assembly having a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet; and a motor coupled to the actuator and the rod assembly, the motor configured to linearly translate the rod assembly between a first position and a second position, and to rotate the actuator between the locked position and the unlocked position; wherein the detection assembly includes a sensor module configured to sense a magnetic field of the first and second permanent magnets.

10 . The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first permanent magnet is positioned proximate the sensor module when the rod assembly is in the first position and the actuator is in the locked position, and the second permanent magnet is positioned proximate the sensor module when the rod assembly is in the second position and the actuator is in the unlocked position.

11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the sensor module is a hall effect sensor.

12 . The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the motor assembly further comprises a first worm gear and a second worm gear, the first worm gear rotatably coupled between the motor and the second worm gear, the second worm gear rotatably coupled between the first worm gear and the rod assembly.

13 . The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the rod assembly is coupled to the actuator to move the actuator between the locked position and the unlocked position when the rod assembly is translated between the first position and the second position.

14 . The assembly of 1 , further comprising a motor assembly comprising:
a gear having a permanent magnet coupled thereto; a motor operably associated with the gear, the motor configured to rotate the gear between a first position and a second position, and to rotate the actuator between the locked position and the unlocked position; wherein the detection assembly includes a first sensor module and a second sensor module, the first and second sensor modules configured to sense a magnetic field of the permanent magnet.

15 . The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the permanent magnet is positioned proximate the first sensor module when the gear is in the first position and the actuator is in the locked position, and the permanent magnet is positioned proximate the second sensor module when the gear is in the second position and the actuator is in the unlocked position.

16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first and second sensor modules are hall effect sensors.

17 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the detection assembly is coupled to the mounting bracket.

Assignees

• Steering Solutions Ip Holding

Inventors

• Vermeersch Michael C
• Nellett Arthur W
• Mccann Gerald M
• Haring Shawn A
• Berg Frederick J

Classifications

• B62D1/19

  incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible (shock absorbers using plastic deformation of members in general F16F7/12) · CPC title

• B62D1/184 Primary

  Mechanisms for locking columns at selected positions · CPC title