Automatic storage column

Abstract

A telescopic steering column includes a lower jacket extending along a central axis between a lower jacket end and an upper jacket end, and an upper jacket extending along the central axis between a lower jacket end and an upper jacket end, and a brake configured to apply pressure between the lower jacket and the upper jacket to move the upper jacket from an extended operating position to a retracted storage position.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 289,954, filed on December 15, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The following description relates to steering column assemblies, and more particularly, to retractable, stowable steering column assemblies for motor vehicles. Background Art

[0004] Vehicles are increasingly being provided with power-driven telescopic steering columns. A power-driven telescopic steering column has an actuator mounted to the steering column to effect power-driven telescopic movement of one or more coaxially aligned tubes (also referred to as sheaths) of the steering column. The actuator is typically capable of moving the coaxially aligned tubes to perform fine relative adjustments in order to optimally position a steering member, such as a steering wheel, into a comfortable position for manually steering the vehicle by the driver. Furthermore, the actuator is typically configured to move the coaxially aligned tubes into a fully retracted, stowed position, thereby allowing easy ingress and egress for the driver. Additionally, in modern vehicles with autonomous driving systems, the steering column may be moved to the stowed position during periods when the vehicle is being driven autonomously, thereby allowing additional driving space for improved comfort.

[0005] The ability to move the steering column to a stowed position during autonomous control presents an additional challenge in providing an optimal supplemental inflatable restraint (commonly referred to as an airbag) due to the varying spacing between the driver and the steering wheel during manual and autonomous driving modes. In manual driving mode, the steering wheel is closer to the driver than in autonomous driving mode, and therefore, the size of the airbag required during a vehicle crash changes. Thus, it is conceivable that a first-sized airbag could be deployed when in manual driving mode and a second-sized airbag could be deployed when in autonomous driving mode, with the steering wheel in the stowed position, where the first-sized airbag is smaller than the second-sized airbag. While multiple-sized airbags could prove effective, this comes with the added cost and design challenges of having to accommodate two separate airbags from different locations in the vehicle.

[0006] It is therefore desirable to provide a vehicle with an autonomous driving mode in which the steering column is movable to a stowed position, which enables a single airbag to be deployed reliably and economically, independent of the vehicle's driving mode, while increasing vehicle design flexibility and reducing costs associated with the design, manufacture, and assembly of vehicle components. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a power-operated, telescoping steering column is provided. The power-operated telescoping steering column includes: a tubular lower jacket extending along a central axis between a lower jacket end and an upper jacket end; a tubular upper jacket extending along the central axis between a lower jacket end and an upper jacket end; a first actuator assembly configured to power relative telescopic movement between the lower and upper jackets during normal use to move the upper jacket between a manually operated position and a stowed position; and a second actuator configured to apply gas and / or fluid pressure between the lower and upper jackets to move the upper jacket from the manually operated position to the stowed position during a crash condition.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a telescopic steering column is provided. The telescopic steering column includes: a lower jacket extending along a central axis between a lower jacket end and an upper jacket end; an upper jacket extending along the central axis between a lower jacket end and an upper jacket end; and an actuator configured to apply pressure between the lower jacket and the upper jacket to move the upper jacket from a first operating position to a stowed position.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for moving a telescoping steering column from an extended position to a stowed position is provided. The method includes providing an actuator configured to apply pressure between a lower tubular jacket and an upper tubular jacket of the telescoping steering column to move the upper tubular jacket, which is in telescoping relationship with the lower tubular jacket, from the extended position to the stowed position.

[0010] These and other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The subject matter considered as the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly set forth in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle and a steering column assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a steering column assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in an extended position;

[0014] Figure 2A is similar to Figure 2 , wherein the lower jacket of the steering column assembly is shown in a transparent manner for clarity;

[0015] Figure 3Yes Figure 2A a top perspective view of the steering column assembly shown;

[0016] Figure 4 Yes Figure 2A a bottom perspective view of the steering column assembly shown;

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 and Figure 2A A perspective view of a mounting device for a steering column assembly;

[0018] Figure 6 is similar to Figure 2A , which shows the initial stage of actuating the decoupling actuator to begin retracting the steering column assembly from the extended position to the stowed position during a crash condition;

[0019] Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 , which shows the decoupling actuator assembly being actuated;

[0020] Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7 a view of the steering column assembly wherein the decoupling actuator is actuated to release the lower rack pinion from its attachment to the tubular lower jacket of the steering column assembly;

[0021] Figure 9 is similar to Figure 8 , which shows the initial stage of actuating the collapse actuator to begin retracting the steering column assembly from the extended position to the stowed position;

[0022] Figure 10 is similar to Figure 9 , which shows the collapse actuator being actuated and the tubular upper jacket of the steering column assembly axially collapsing in response to pressure acting on a reaction member secured to the tubular upper jacket;

[0023] Figure 11 is similar to Figure 10 , which shows a continuous portion of the tubular upper sheath being axially collapsed;

[0024] Figure 12 is similar to Figure 11 , which shows the lower gear rack being axially ejected in response to the tubular upper sheath being axially collapsed;

[0025] Figure 13 is similar to Figure 12 , which shows the reaction member of the tubular upper jacket engaging the stop surface of the tubular intermediate jacket of the steering column assembly;

[0026] Figure 13A is similar to Figure 13, which shows another embodiment including a plurality of supplemental collapse actuators configured to facilitate moving the tubular upper sheath and the intermediate sheath to the stowed position;

[0027] Figure 14 is similar to Figure 13 a view showing the pinion gear moving out of engagement with the upper gear rack fixed to the tubular upper jacket as the lower gear rack is ejected and moved out of engagement with the lower gear rack to facilitate movement of the tubular upper jacket and the intermediate jacket to the stowed position; and

[0028] Figure 15 is similar to Figure 14 , which shows the tubular upper sheath and the intermediate sheath fully moved to the stowed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which the invention will be described with reference to particular embodiments, without limiting the invention, Figure 1 An exemplary vehicle 10, such as one equipped with autonomous driving assisted steering ("ADAS"), is shown having a powered telescoping steering column assembly 14. The steering column assembly 14 includes a steering column shaft 16 and a steering input device, such as a manually operable steering wheel 18, coupled thereto.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the steering column assembly 14 is movable between a retracted position (also referred to as a stowed position 20) and an extended position (also referred to as a deployed position or manual driving position 22). In the retracted position 20, portions of the steering column assembly 14 (such as the steering wheel 18) are positioned away from the driver, which provides increased space for the driver. The displacement of the steering column shaft 16 and the steering wheel 18 to the retracted position 20 creates additional cockpit space so that the driver can comfortably and conveniently perform non-driving activities, including but not limited to reading, working, entertaining, eating, documenting, etc. In the driving position 22, the driver can use the steering wheel 18 to manually steer the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the position of the steering column shaft 16 and the steering wheel 18 can be selectively adjusted when in the driving position 22 to provide the driver with a desired position. When returning to the driving position 22 from the retracted position 20, the adjustable driving position can be stored or otherwise recorded.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the steering wheel 18 can automatically retract to the retracted position 20 in response to the start of an autonomous driving event. Thus, when the vehicle 10 is autonomously driven without direct input from the driver, the same additional cockpit space is provided between the steering wheel 18 and the driver as when the vehicle is being driven. Similarly, the steering wheel 18 can be extended to the driving position 22 at any desired time to provide manual control to the driver upon termination of the autonomous driving event or when the autonomous driving system requires driver input. Thus, it may be desirable to quickly extend the steering wheel 22 to the driving position 22 to provide control to the driver as needed. During normal use, the controlled movement of the steering column assembly 14 between the stowed position 20 and the extended position 22 can be facilitated by any suitable powered actuator, also referred to as the first actuator assembly 42.

[0032] The steering column assembly 14 includes a tubular lower jacket (also referred to as a tubular outer jacket 24) extending along a central axis A between an outer jacket lower end 26 and an outer jacket upper end 28. A tubular upper jacket (also referred to as a tubular inner jacket 30) extends along the central axis A between an inner jacket lower end 32 and an inner jacket upper end 34. A tubular middle jacket (also referred to as a tubular intermediate jacket 36) extends along the central axis A between an intermediate jacket lower end 38 and an intermediate jacket upper end 40. The intermediate jacket lower end 38 is configured for telescopic movement relative to the tubular outer jacket 24, and the intermediate jacket upper end 40 is configured for telescopic movement relative to the tubular inner jacket 30. The first actuator assembly 42 is configured to power relative telescopic movement between the intermediate jacket lower end 38 and the tubular outer jacket 24, and between the intermediate jacket upper end 34 and the tubular inner jacket 30, such that the first actuator 42 can move the steering column assembly between the extended position 22 and the stowed position during normal use. A powered column actuator mounting bracket (hereinafter referred to as the mounting arrangement 44) is operably coupled to the tubular outer jacket 24 to prevent relative axial movement. The mounting arrangement 44 is operably coupled to the actuator assembly 42 such that upon selective actuation of the actuator assembly 42, the intermediate jacket lower end 38 moves in a telescopic relationship with the tubular outer jacket 24, and the intermediate jacket upper end 40 moves in a telescopic relationship with the tubular inner jacket 30.

[0033] In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the intermediate sheath lower end 38 is disposed within the outer sheath upper end 28 for low-friction sliding translation within the tubular outer sheath 24 along the central axis A, and the inner sheath lower end 32 is disposed within the intermediate sheath upper end 40 for low-friction sliding translation within the intermediate sheath 36 along the central axis A. Thus, according to one aspect, the outer sheath 24, the intermediate sheath 30, and the inner sheath 30 can be oriented in a coaxial relationship relative to one another for linear translation relative to one another. It is contemplated herein that the outer sheath 24, the intermediate sheath 30, and the inner sheath 30 can have round walls (also referred to as circular walls), or non-round walls, such as square or rectangular (by way of example and not limitation), and can move in a non-coaxial relationship with one another along the central axis A.

[0034] The tubular outer jacket 24 is configured to be attached to a vehicle body frame member 46 via a mounting bracket 44 to prevent relative movement therewith.

[0035] By way of example and not limitation, the actuator assembly 42 may be configured to have a screw 76 configured to rotatably drive the screw 76 (in the embodiment of FIG. Figure 4 , wherein a screw 76 is arranged to drive a nut 78 for translation along the screw 76 parallel to the central axis A, thereby driving a gear assembly 79 that operably couples the upper tubular sheath 30 and the lower tubular sheath 24 to each other. The gear assembly 79 includes an upper gear rack 50 secured to the upper tubular sheath 30, a lower gear rack 52 releasably secured to the lower tubular sheath 24, and at least one pinion gear, shown as a pair of pinions 54, that mesh with the lower gear rack 52 and the upper gear rack 50 to operably couple the upper gear rack 50 to the lower gear rack 52, thereby operably coupling the lower tubular sheath 24 to the upper tubular sheath 30. The nut 78 has a pair of trunnions 80 secured thereto, wherein the trunnions 80 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the nut 78 for releasable receipt in trunnion pockets (also referred to as recesses 82 formed in the tubular intermediate jacket 36). The trunnions 80 each support one of the pinion gears (also referred to as the trunnion gear 54) for rotation thereon.

[0036] The second actuator 60 is configured to apply pressure, such as gas and / or fluid pressure, between the tubular lower jacket 24 and the tubular upper jacket 30 to move the tubular upper jacket 30 from the extended manually-operated position 22 to the stowed position 20 during a crash condition. The second actuator 60 can be triggered or actuated (also referred to as firing) in response to a signal detecting a crash condition, such as for deploying an airbag, as understood by those skilled in the art of airbag igniters. Thus, as the steering column assembly 14 moves from the extended manually-operated position 22 to the stowed position 20, such as within milliseconds during a crash condition, an increased amount of space is immediately provided between the driver and the steering wheel 18, thereby providing the same amount of space for airbag deployment as if the steering column assembly 14 were initially in the stowed position 20 prior to the crash condition (such as when the vehicle 10 is in autonomous driving mode). In this way, regardless of the position (i.e., extended or stowed) of the steering column assembly 14 immediately prior to the crash condition, a single air bag can be used to deploy within a single-sized space corresponding to the size of the space provided when the steering column assembly 14 is in the stowed position. Thus, there is no need to deploy multiple-sized air bags from different locations within the vehicle 10. Thus, a single air bag can be used in all locations of the steering column assembly 14, wherein the single air bag can be provided in a single location, such as in the steering wheel 18, on the steering column assembly 14, in the instrument panel 56, or in the side panel 58 of the passenger door (by way of example and not limitation).

[0037] The second actuator 60 may be provided as a first pyrotechnic actuator, such as used with airbag deployment. The first pyrotechnic actuator 60 applies air pressure P between the lower tubular jacket 24 and the upper tubular jacket 30 to move the upper tubular jacket 30 from the manually operated extended position 22 to the stowed position 20 during a crash condition.

[0038] In order to direct the gas to produce the desired pressure P, the tubular intermediate sheath 36 is shown having a gas / reaction member pocket (also referred to as a cavity 62) that extends generally parallel to the central axis A to contain the pressurized gas therein. A piston (also referred to as a reaction member 64) secured to the tubular upper sheath 30 is disposed within the cavity 62, wherein the gas pressure P acts on the reaction member 64 to translate the reaction member 64 through the cavity 62, thereby moving the tubular upper sheath 30 toward the stowed position 20. The cavity 62 extends to a stop surface 66, wherein the reaction member 64 is configured to engage the stop surface 66 when translated through the entire length of the cavity 62. When the reaction member 64 engages the stop surface 66, the translational movement of the tubular upper sheath 30 causes the tubular upper sheath 30 and the tubular intermediate sheath 36 to move in conjunction with one another into the stowed position. Figure 13A, a steering column assembly 114 constructed according to another embodiment is shown, wherein like reference numerals are used to represent like features, and one or more additional actuators 160 may be deployed along the cavity 62 as needed to facilitate movement of the reaction member 64 along the entire length of the cavity 62.

[0039] To allow the tubular intermediate jacket 36 to move relative to the tubular lower jacket 24 without being hindered by the gear assembly 79, a decoupler actuator (also referred to as a third actuator 68) is configured to decouple the gear assembly 79. During a crash condition, when the third actuator 68 is actuated, the third actuator 68 releases the lower gear rack 52 from being secured to the tubular lower jacket 24. The third actuator 68 can be configured as a second pyrotechnic actuator in a manner similar to the first pyrotechnic actuator of the second actuator 60, wherein, when the third actuator 68 is ignited, the pin 70 (by way of example and not limitation) can be moved from a pinned connection coupling the lower gear rack 52 to a disconnected, decoupled, pinless connection between the lower gear rack 52 and the tubular lower jacket 24, thereby separating the lower gear rack 52 and allowing it to move freely relative to the tubular lower jacket 24. The third actuator 68 can be configured to actuate before or simultaneously with the second actuator 60 during a crash condition.

[0040] exist Figure 6-Figure 15 , a sequence of events is shown when the steering column assembly 14 experiences a detected crash condition, such as detection from one or more sensors configured to communicate with a vehicle control unit as described above, to cause the steering column assembly 14 to move from a first, extended, operative position to a second, retracted, stowed position.

[0041] exist Figure 6-Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the third actuator 68 is first actuated to separate the lower rack 52 from the tubular lower sheath 24. By way of example and not limitation, the pin is pulled or otherwise removed from the lower rack 52 and the tubular lower sheath 24 ( Figure 8 ) coupling. In a few milliseconds, or simultaneously, such as Figure 9-10 As shown, the second actuator 60 is actuated to generate a high pressure, such as generated by gas, in the cavity 62. When the gas pressure acts on the reaction member 64 ( Figure 11 ), the tubular upper sheath 30 is driven in a telescopic manner along the central axis A relative to the tubular middle sheath 36. When the tubular upper sheath 30 translates along the central axis A, the pinion 54 rotates, and the rotational force from the pinion 54 acting on the lower rack 52 causes the lower rack 52 to translate and pop outward from the tubular lower sheath 24. The popping out of the lower rack 52 is possible because the lower rack 52 is separated from the tubular lower sheath 24, which is caused by the actuation of the third actuator 68. Figure 13, the reaction member 64 is shown as having passed through the entire length of the cavity 62, whereupon the reaction member 64 forcibly engages the stop surface 66 of the tubular intermediate sheath 36. The force from the reaction member 64 acting on the stop surface 66 causes the tubular intermediate sheath 36 to move in conjunction with the tubular upper sheath 30 along the central axis A. By displacing the trunnions 80 outwardly from the notches 82 ( Figure 14 ), the pinion 54 is removed from engagement with the upper rack 50 and joint movement of the tubular intermediate sheath 36 and the tubular upper sheath 30 is possible. Subsequently, the upper sheath 30 and the intermediate sheath 36 continue to translate until they reach a fully collapsed and stowed position ( Figure 15 ).

[0042] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention may be modified to incorporate any number of variations, changes, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not described above but consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various aspects of the present invention may include only some of the embodiments described. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where applicable and may be used in selected embodiments even if not specifically shown or described. Therefore, the present invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A power-driven telescopic steering column comprising: a tubular lower sheath extending along a central axis between a lower end of the tubular lower sheath and an upper end of the tubular lower sheath; a tubular upper sheath extending along the central axis between a lower end of the tubular upper sheath and an upper end of the tubular upper sheath; a first actuator assembly configured to power relative telescopic movement between the lower tubular sheath and the upper tubular sheath during normal use to move the upper tubular sheath between a manually operated position and a stowed position; a second actuator configured to apply fluid pressure between the lower tubular jacket and the upper tubular jacket to move the upper tubular jacket from the manually operated position to the stowed position during a crash condition; as well as A gear assembly operatively coupling the upper and lower tubular sheaths to each other and further comprising a third actuator configured to decouple the gear assembly to allow the upper and lower tubular sheaths to move relative to each other without hindrance from the gear assembly.

2. The power-operated telescopic steering column according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid pressure is air pressure.

3. The power-operated telescopic steering column of claim 1, wherein: The second actuator is a pyrotechnic actuator.

4. The power-operated telescopic steering column according to claim 3, wherein: The pyrotechnic actuator applies gas pressure between the lower tubular guard and the upper tubular guard to move the upper tubular guard from the manually operated position to the stowed position during a crash condition.

5. The power-operated telescopic steering column of claim 4 , further comprising a tubular intermediate sheath disposed between the lower tubular sheath and the upper tubular sheath, the tubular intermediate sheath being configured to telescope relative to the lower tubular sheath and the upper tubular sheath when the upper tubular sheath moves toward the stowed position.

6. The power-operated telescopic steering column according to claim 5, wherein: The tubular intermediate sheath has a cavity extending generally parallel to the central axis and further includes a reaction member disposed within the cavity, the gas pressure being configured to act on the reaction member to translate the reaction member through the cavity, thereby moving the tubular upper sheath toward the stowed position.

7. The power-operated telescopic steering column of claim 6, wherein: The reaction member is secured to the tubular upper sheath.

8. The power-operated telescopic steering column of claim 6, wherein: The cavity extends to a stop surface, and the reaction member is configured to engage the stop surface when translated through the cavity, whereupon the upper and intermediate tubular sheaths are biased by the gas pressure to move collectively to the stowed position relative to the lower tubular sheath.

9. The power-operated telescopic steering column of claim 1, wherein: The gear assembly includes an upper gear rack secured to the tubular upper jacket, a lower gear rack releasably secured to the tubular lower jacket, and a pinion gear meshing with the lower gear rack and the upper gear rack to operably couple the upper gear rack and the lower gear rack, wherein during a crash condition, when the third actuator is actuated, the third actuator releases the lower gear rack from being secured to the tubular lower jacket.

10. The power-operated telescopic steering column of claim 9, wherein: The third actuator is a pyrotechnic actuator configured to actuate before or simultaneously with the second actuator during a crash condition.

11. A telescopic steering column comprising: a tubular lower sheath extending along a central axis between a lower end of the tubular lower sheath and an upper end of the tubular lower sheath; a tubular upper sheath extending along the central axis between a lower end of the tubular upper sheath and an upper end of the tubular upper sheath; a first pyrotechnic actuator configured to apply pressure between the lower tubular shield and the upper tubular shield to move the upper tubular shield from a manually operated position to a stowed position; as well as A gear assembly operatively couples the upper and lower tubular jackets to one another, and further includes a decoupler actuator configured to decouple the gear assembly to allow the upper and lower tubular jackets to move relative to one another without hindrance from the gear assembly.

12. The telescopic steering column according to claim 11, wherein: The first pyrotechnic actuator applies gas pressure between the lower tubular guard and the upper tubular guard to move the upper tubular guard from the manually operated position to the stowed position during a crash condition.

13. The telescopic steering column of claim 12, further comprising a tubular intermediate sheath disposed between the lower tubular sheath and the upper tubular sheath, the tubular intermediate sheath being configured to telescope relative to the lower tubular sheath and the upper tubular sheath when the upper tubular sheath moves toward the stowed position.

14. The telescopic steering column according to claim 11, wherein: The decoupler actuator is a second pyrotechnic actuator configured to actuate prior to or simultaneously with the first pyrotechnic actuator during a crash condition.

15. A method for moving a telescoping steering column from an extended position to a stowed position, comprising: providing an actuator configured to apply pressure between a lower tubular jacket of the telescoping steering column and an upper tubular jacket of the telescoping steering column to move the upper tubular jacket in telescoping relationship with the lower tubular jacket from the extended position to the stowed position; as well as A gear assembly is provided that operably couples the upper and lower tubular sheaths to each other, and a decoupler actuator is provided that is configured to decouple the gear assembly to allow the upper and lower tubular sheaths to move relative to each other without being hindered by the gear assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing the actuator as a pyrotechnic actuator.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The pressure is provided as air pressure.

Images