ADJUSTING LEVER DELAY ARRAY FOR A SINGLE STEERING COLUMN

Abstract

Adjustment lever delay arrangement for a steering column (10), comprising: an adjusting lever (22) which can be rotated between a locked position and an unlocked position; a component (50) positioned near the adjusting lever (22), wherein the component (50) is a fixed, non-rotating section of a lower outer tube (14) of the steering column (10); and an adjusting lever delay (40) formed integrally with the adjusting lever (22), wherein the adjusting lever delay (40) is positioned on the adjusting lever (22) to be in contact with the component (50) during the rotation of the adjusting lever (22) towards the unlocked position, wherein the adjusting lever (22) is deflected and absorbs energy upon contact with the component (50), and wherein the adjusting lever delay (40) is a cantilever finger extending from an edge of the adjusting lever (22) to a free end of the cantilever finger.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The embodiments described herein relate to steering columns and, more particularly, to an adjustment lever delay assembly for steering columns and a steering column assembly.

[0002] Tilt and / or reach-adjustable steering columns typically utilize linear or rotary actuation of a lever to lock a steering column's tilt and / or reach adjustment position. Actuation movement in the locking direction is typically used to create clamping tension to maintain an adjustment position or to relieve tension from a system to meet noise and vibration (NVH) requirements. When adjustment levers are actuated in the unlocking direction, it is common for the lever to accelerate toward the unlocked position if the operator does not maintain a firm grip on the lever. The stored clamping energy can create a reverse torque that accelerates the lever toward the lever's unlocking stop.This acceleration away from the unlocking load initially applied by the operator can create undesirable noise, wear, and / or lever overtravel conditions.

[0003] US 5 570 610 A discloses an adjustable steering column with an operating lever. A locking ring is also provided, which rotates with the operating lever when it is actuated. Further steering columns with an adjustment lever are known from US 2015 / 0 166 093 A1 and US 2017 / 0 267 273 A1. SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0004] The object is achieved by an adjustment lever delay assembly for a steering column, comprising an adjustment lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The adjustment lever delay assembly also includes a component positioned proximate the adjustment lever, the component being a fixed, non-rotatable portion of a lower steering column sleeve.The adjustment lever delay assembly further comprises an adjustment lever delayer formed integrally with the adjustment lever, the adjustment lever delayer being positioned on the adjustment lever to contact the component during rotation of the adjustment lever toward the unlocked position, the adjustment lever deflecting and absorbing energy upon contact with the component, and the adjustment lever delayer being a cantilevered finger extending from an edge of the adjustment lever to a free end of the cantilevered finger.

[0005] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a steering column assembly comprising a steering column assembly having a lower steering column. The steering column assembly also includes an adjustment lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a component positioned proximate the adjustment lever, the component being a fixed, non-rotatable portion of the lower steering column.The steering column assembly further includes an adjustment lever retarder formed integrally with the adjustment lever, the adjustment lever retarder being positioned on the adjustment lever to contact the component during rotation of the adjustment lever toward the unlocked position, the adjustment lever deflecting and absorbing energy upon contact with the component, and the adjustment lever retarder being a cantilevered finger extending from an edge of the adjustment lever to a free end of the cantilevered finger.

[0006] These and other advantages will become clearer from the following description in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a steering column assembly with an adjustment lever; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the adjustment lever with an integrated retarder; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the adjustment lever in a locked position; Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the adjustment lever in an unlocked position; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a first side of the adjustment lever with an integrated retarder according to another aspect of the disclosure; Fig. 6 a perspective view of a second side of the adjustment lever with the integrated delay of Fig. 5 is; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the adjustment lever with the integrated delay of Fig. 5, with the adjustment lever in the locked position; and Fig. 8 a perspective view of the adjustment lever with the integrated delay of Fig. 5, with the adjustment lever in the unlocked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Referring now to the figures in which the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments, but without limiting the same, an adjustment lever delay assembly for steering columns is provided, as will be clear from the disclosure herein.

[0009] Now referring to Fig. 1, a portion of a steering column is illustrated and generally designated by reference numeral 10. The steering column 10 includes several components, including an upper sleeve 12 and a lower sleeve 14 that telescopically engage each other in an axial direction (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the steering column). A first side 16 of the portion of the steering column 10 is closer to the driver, where a steering wheel would be positioned. A second side 18 of the portion of the steering column 10 is closer to a steering gear for controlling a position of road wheels.

[0010] The steering column 10 can be used in any type of vehicle requiring steering actuation. A bracket 20 is operatively coupled to the steering column to secure the steering column 10 to the vehicle and to allow adjustment or relative movement of components of the steering column 10. Adjustment is enabled by manipulating an adjustment lever 22 that is operatively coupled to the lower sleeve 14. In particular, the adjustment lever 22 is coupled to a clamp screw 26 that extends in a transverse direction through openings of the upper sleeve 12 and through bracket openings of the bracket 20. Spaced outwardly from the bracket 20, in some embodiments, one or more components are disposed on each side of the bracket 20. For example, a spacer 30 may be disposed on each side of the bracket 20.Additionally, a mounting member 32 may be included to provide structural stability to the adjustment lever 22. All additional components disposed outwardly from the bracket 20 include respective openings configured to receive the clamp screw 26 therethrough to align the components with the bracket 20.

[0011] Operation of the adjustment lever 22 allows a user to toggle the steering column between a locked and an unlocked state. In the unlocked state, a user is able to adjust one or more components of the steering column 10 to reposition the steering column 10 to suit the user's preference. In the locked state, relative movement of components of the steering column 10 is prevented. Operating movement (e.g., rotation, pivoting, etc.) of the adjustment lever 22 in the locking direction creates a clamping force through the lower sleeve tube 14 on the upper sleeve tube 12 to maintain an adjusted position. When the adjustment lever 22 is operated in the unlocking direction, it is common for the adjustment lever 22 to accelerate toward the unlocked position if the operator does not maintain a firm grip on the adjustment lever 22.To avoid undesirable aspects associated with acceleration of the adjustment lever 22 as it moves in the unlocking direction, embodiments of an adjustment lever retarder are provided and disclosed herein.

[0012] Now referring to Fig. 2-4, the adjustment lever 22 is illustrated in greater detail. The adjustment lever 22 includes an adjustment lever retarder 40 formed integrally with the adjustment lever 22. In other words, the adjustment lever retarder 40 and the adjustment lever 22 are a single, unitary component. The integration of the two features can be produced by any suitable manufacturing process. For example, the adjustment lever 22 and the adjustment lever retarder 40 can be a molded component. In some embodiments, the adjustment lever 22 and, thus, the adjustment lever retarder 40 are formed at least in part from a plastic material.

[0013] The adjustment lever retarder 40 is positioned in an orientation that allows contact between the retarder 40 and a component 50 of the steering column 10. The component 50 may be any component that does not rotate at the same rotational speed as the adjustment lever 22 during rotation of the adjustment lever 22 during actuation of the adjustment lever 22. In other words, the component 50 may be completely stationary relative to the rotational speed of the adjustment lever 22, or it may rotate at a speed that is slower than the rotational speed of the adjustment lever 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the component 50 comprises a portion of the lower manifold 14, but it should be understood that any component that rotates more slowly—or not at all—relative to the adjustment lever 22 is suitable.In an embodiment in which component 50 rotates, but not as rapidly as adjustment lever 22, the relative rotation of component 50 and adjustment lever 22 is designed to ensure that retarder 40 contacts component 50 at a desired location to benefit the retarding disclosed herein, while still allowing sufficient range of rotation for travel of adjustment lever 22 to lock and unlock steering column 10.

[0014] The adjustment lever retarder 40 extends from the adjustment lever 22 from a cantilevered end 42 to a free end 44. The cantilevered connection and the material of the retarder 40 form a flexible, resilient finger that can be deflected upon contact with the component 50 and to provide a retarder of the adjustment lever 22 while it is being moved to the unlocked position of Fig. 4 is moved.

[0015] When actuated, the adjusting lever retarder 40 rotates with the adjusting lever 22 when the adjusting lever 22 is moved from the locked position ( Fig. 3) is pushed in the unlocking direction. In the locked position, which is shown in Fig. 3, the adjustment lever retarder 40 is not in contact with the component 50. Upon rotation of the adjustment lever 22 in the unlocking direction, the adjustment lever retarder 40 contacts the component 50 and is deflected about the cantilevered end 42 or some intermediate position of the retarder 40 to provide resistance to the acceleration of the adjustment lever 22. The resistance effectively retards the adjustment lever 22 and dampens undesirable effects associated with an unrestrained unlocking movement of the adjustment lever 22.

[0016] The Fig. 5-8 illustrate another aspect of the disclosure. In particular, the embodiment of Fig. 5-8 the adjusting lever 22, which is in a position corresponding to the Fig. 2-4 illustrated opposite direction. In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 5-8, the adjustment lever 22 is locked in a forward direction of the vehicle and is unlocked when moved backward relative to the vehicle orientation.

[0017] The adjustment lever retarder 40 from Fig. 5-8 comes into contact with the same or another component 50 as described in detail above, while the operation and functionality of the overall arrangement is that of Fig. 2-4 equal.

[0018] The embodiments disclosed herein employ the retarder 40, which is integrally formed with the adjustment lever 22 to engage a mating component to deflect and absorb energy. As the retarder 40 absorbs energy, the speed of the adjustment lever 22 decreases and noise is reduced as it reaches the final unlocked position.

[0019] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention may be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not described above, which also fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

[1] Adjustment lever delay arrangement for a steering column (10), comprising: an adjustment lever (22) rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position; a component (50) positioned near the adjustment lever (22), the component (50) being a fixed, non-rotatable portion of a lower sleeve tube (14) of the steering column (10); and an adjustment lever retarder (40) formed integrally with the adjustment lever (22), the adjustment lever retarder (40) being positioned on the adjustment lever (22) to contact the component (50) during rotation of the adjustment lever (22) toward the unlocked position, the adjustment lever (22) deflecting and absorbing energy upon contact with the component (50), and the adjustment lever retarder (40) being a cantilevered finger extending from an edge of the adjustment lever (22) to a free end of the cantilevered finger. [2] The adjustment lever delay assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustment lever (22) and the adjustment lever delay (40) are a single molded component. [3] The adjustment lever delay assembly of claim 2, wherein the adjustment lever (22) and the adjustment lever delayer (40) are a plastic injection-molded component. [4] An adjustment lever delay assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment lever (22) moves forward in a direction of the steering column (10) during movement toward the unlocked position. [5] An adjustment lever delay assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment lever (22) moves rearward in a direction of the steering column (10) during movement toward the unlocked position. [6] Adjustment lever delay assembly according to claim 1, wherein the free end of the cantilevered finger is in contact with the component (50). [7] The adjustment lever delay assembly of claim 1, wherein an edge of the cantilevered finger is in contact with the component (50). [8] Steering column assembly comprising: a jacket tube assembly comprising a lower jacket tube (14); an adjustment lever (22) rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position; a component (50) positioned near the adjustment lever (22), the component (50) being a fixed, non-rotatable portion of the lower jacket tube (14); and an adjustment lever retarder (40) formed integrally with the adjustment lever (22), the adjustment lever retarder (40) being positioned on the adjustment lever (22) to contact the component (50) during rotation of the adjustment lever (22) toward the unlocked position, the adjustment lever (22) deflecting and absorbing energy upon contact with the component (50), and the adjustment lever retarder (40) being a cantilevered finger extending from an edge of the adjustment lever (22) to a free end of the cantilevered finger. [9] The steering column assembly of claim 8, wherein the adjustment lever (22) and the adjustment lever retarder (40) are a single molded component. [10] A steering column assembly according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment lever (22) and the adjustment lever retarder (40) are a plastic injection-molded component. [11] A steering column assembly according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment lever (22) moves forward in a direction of the steering column assembly during movement toward the unlocked position. [12] A steering column assembly according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment lever (22) moves rearward in a direction of the steering column assembly during movement toward the unlocked position. [13] A steering column assembly according to claim 8, wherein the free end of the cantilevered finger is in contact with the jacket tube assembly. [14] A steering column assembly according to claim 8, wherein an edge of the cantilevered finger is in contact with the jacket tube assembly.

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