TELESCOPIC DRIVE BAR

Abstract

Telescopic drive bracket (42) for coupling a telescopic actuator (46) to an upper steering shroud (30), wherein the telescopic drive bracket (42) comprises: a plate (50) having a first end (58), an opposite second end (60) and a pair of sides (62) extending from the first end (58) to the second end (60); a belt holder (52) formed with the plate (50) and having a reaction wall (78) extending parallel to the plate (50); and a belt (44) comprising a first section (104) engaging with the belt holder (52), a second section (106) extending along the plate (50), and a curved section (108) between the first section (104) and the second section (106), wherein the first section (104) and the second section (106) extend from the curved section (108) in the same direction, characterized by the fact that the telescopic drive bracket (42) further comprises an anti-rotation feature (56) comprising a pair of tabs (100) extending from the sides (62) of the plate (50), which are designed to prevent the telescopic drive bracket (42) from rotating relative to the upper steering shroud (30).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a telescopic drive bracket for coupling a telescopic actuator to a steering casing according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a steering assembly according to the preamble of patent claim 9.

[0002] Telescopic actuator yokes allow the attachment of an actuator to a sleeve in a steering assembly to allow a steering wheel to be moved toward or away from a driver. However, in the event of a vehicle crash, it is desirable for the steering assembly to collapse at a controlled rate to position the steering wheel at a specific distance from the driver. Rigidly attaching the actuator to the steering assembly sleeve prevents the steering assembly from collapsing until the rigid attachment breaks, causing the steering assembly to collapse uncontrollably. Positioning the steering wheel too close to the driver will cause the driver to collide with the steering wheel if the steering wheel is not far enough away to deploy an airbag.Alternatively, positioning the steering wheel too far away from the driver will cause the driver to accelerate toward the steering wheel and airbag due to the force of the vehicle crash, increasing the severity of injuries resulting from the crash.

[0003] DE 11 2020 001 223 T5 discloses a telescopic drive bracket according to the preamble of claim 1 and a steering assembly according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved telescopic drive bracket and an improved steering assembly.

[0005] This object is achieved by a telescopic drive bracket having the features of claim 1 and a steering assembly having the features of claim 9.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle steering assembly having a telescopic steering wheel in accordance with one or more embodiments shown and described herein; Fig. 2 schematically shows a side perspective view of the vehicle steering assembly of Fig. 1, including a telescopic drive bracket with an energy absorbing belt, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; Fig. 3 schematically shows an exploded view of the vehicle steering assembly of Fig. 2 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; Fig. 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the vehicle steering assembly of Fig. 2, taken along line 4-4, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, wherein the vehicle steering assembly is shown in a non-displaced state; and Fig. 5 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of the vehicle steering assembly of Fig. 2, taken along line 4-4, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, wherein the vehicle steering assembly is shown in a displaced condition.

[0008] The embodiments described herein are used in connection with a steering assembly of a vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a car, truck, SUV, crossover, minivan, watercraft, aircraft, off-road vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other suitable vehicles incorporating various steering system schemes.

[0009] Now at the beginning with reference to Fig. 1, a steering assembly 20 and a telescoping assembly 40 for a vehicle 10 are illustrated. The steering assembly 20 may be configured as a driver interface steering system, an autonomous driving system, or a system that allows both driver interface and autonomous steering. The steering assembly 20 may include an input device 22, such as a steering wheel, wherein a driver can mechanically provide a steering input by turning the steering wheel, an airbag device 24 disposed at or near the input device 22, and a steering column 26 extending along an axis from the input device 22 to an output assembly 28. The output assembly 28 is mechanically or electrically connected to a rack and pinion assembly 34 of the vehicle 10 to operate as a rack and pinion assembly 34 and thus steer a pair of wheels (not shown) of the vehicle 10 in response to input from the input device 22.

[0010] The steering column 26 may include at least two axially adjustable parts, for example, a first portion 30 and a second portion 32, which are axially adjustable relative to each other to move the input device 22 closer to or farther away from a driver. The first portion 30 may be an upper shell 30, and the second portion 32 may be a lower shell 32 that is axially movable relative to the upper shell 30. The upper shell 30 may include a hollow cylinder 31 defining an interior space 31a and a projection 33 on an outer surface 35 of the hollow cylinder 31 extending from the outer surface 35. The interior space 31a of the hollow cylinder 31 may receive the lower shell 32 to movably couple the lower shell 32 to the upper shell 30 and allow the lower shell 32 to move axially relative to the upper shell 30.

[0011] The upper shell 30 may be coupled to the input device 22 to move the input device 22 with the upper shell 30 relative to the lower shell 32. The lower shell 32 may be coupled to the output assembly 28 to limit axial movement of the lower shell 32, while allowing the upper shell 30 to move together with the input device 22 relative to the lower shell 32 and the output assembly 28. The output assembly 28 may be attached to a vehicle frame (not shown) or other static component to limit movement of the output assembly 28.

[0012] Now with reference to the Fig. 1 to 3, the telescoping assembly 40 may be coupled to the steering assembly 20 to move the upper shell 30 relative to the lower shell 32, thereby adjusting a position of the input device 22 relative to the driver. The telescoping assembly 40 may include a telescoping drive bracket 42, an energy-absorbing belt 44, and a telescoping actuator 46. The telescoping drive bracket 42 may be coupled between the upper shell 30 and the telescoping actuator 46 to transmit motion from the telescoping actuator 46 to the upper shell 30, thereby moving the upper shell 30 relative to the lower shell 32. The telescoping actuator 46 may be attached to a static vehicle structure, such as an instrument panel 36, and coupled to the telescoping drive bracket 42 to move the telescoping drive bracket 42 and the upper shell 30 relative to the instrument panel 36.In some embodiments, the telescoping actuator 46 may be coupled to the lower shroud 32 to move the upper shroud 30 relative to the lower shroud 32 without being coupled to an external structure, such as the instrument panel 36. As explained in more detail below, the energy-absorbing strap 44 is coupled between the telescoping actuator bracket 42 and the upper shroud 30 to absorb energy during a vehicle crash and control the speed at which the steering column 26 and steering wheel 22 collapse.

[0013] With reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the telescopic drive bracket 42 may include a plate 50, a belt retainer 52, an attachment portion 54, and an anti-rotation feature 56. Each of the plate 50, the belt retainer 52, the attachment portion 54, and the anti-rotation feature 56 may be formed as a single, monolithic structure. However, it is contemplated and possible that any combination of the plate 50, the belt retainer 52, the attachment portion 54, and the anti-rotation feature 56 may be formed as a single, monolithic structure, with the remaining components formed separately and attached thereto.

[0014] The plate 50 may include a first end 58, an opposite second end 60, a pair of sides 62 extending from the first end 58 to the second end 60, a lower side 64 facing the upper shell 30, and an upper side 66 facing away from the upper shell 30. The plate 50 may have a curvature complementary to a curvature of the upper shell 30, such that the plate 50 is curved between the pair of sides 62 and the lower side 64 is concave. The plate 50 may define an opening 68 near the second end 60, which defines a step 70 and receives a fastener 72 for coupling the plate 50 to the upper shell 30. The upper shell 30 may have an opening 39 ( Fig. 4) aligned with the opening 68 in the plate 50 to receive the fastener 72, wherein the plate 50 is coupled to the upper shell 30. The step 70 may be sized to accommodate a head 74 of the fastener 72 such that the head 74 of the fastener 72 is below the upper side 66. The fastener 72 may have a shear strength designed to shear under a predetermined load, such as from a vehicle crash, to decouple the plate 50 from the upper steering shell 30. The fastener 72 may be, for example, a shear pin. However, it is contemplated and possible for the fastener 72 to be any coupling capable of decoupled the telescoping drive bracket 42 from the upper shell 30 in the event of a vehicle crash, such as, but not limited to, welding.

[0015] Further with reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the belt holder 52 may include a sidewall 76 extending from one of the sides 62 of the plate 50 away from the upper shell 30, a reaction wall 78 extending from the sidewall 76 parallel to the upper side 66 of the plate 50, and a retaining member 80 extending from the reaction wall 78. The reaction wall 78 may be spaced from the plate 50 to define a first opening 82 at the second end 60 of the plate 50 that is partially enclosed by the plate 50, the sidewall 76, and the reaction wall 78. The reaction wall 78 may include an inner end 84 and an opposite outer end 86 adjacent the first opening 82, and the retaining member 80 may extend from the inner end 84 toward the first end 58 of the plate 50.The reaction wall 78 may further define a hole 83 adjacent the second end 60 of the plate 50 that extends through the reaction wall 78 into the space between the reaction wall 78 and the plate 50. The retaining member 80 may be shaped to retain one end of the strap 44; for example, the retaining member 80 may be shaped as a hook that defines a second opening 88 into the space between the retaining member 80 and the plate 50 and that faces or is open to the outer end 86 of the reaction wall 78. The hole 83 may be concentric with the opening 68 about an axis A1 to receive the fastener 72 that couples the plate 50 to the upper shell 30.

[0016] The attachment portion 54 may be positioned proximate the first end 58 of the plate 50, between the strap holders 52 and the first end 58. The attachment portion 54 is rigidly attached to the telescoping drive actuator 46 to move with the upper shell 30 when the telescoping drive actuator 46 is actuated. The attachment portion 54 may include a pair of tabs 92 extending from the top side 66 and each of the sides 62 of the plate 50. The pair of tabs 92 are spaced one width of the plate 50 to define a space S therebetween. Each tab 92 of the attachment portion 54 defines an attachment opening 94 for receiving and coupling a telescoping member 47 of the telescoping drive actuator 46.The telescoping member 47 is extendable and retractable by the telescoping drive actuator 46, such that actuation of the telescoping drive actuator 46 extends and retracts the telescoping member 47 and the plate 50 over the mounting portion 54. Each tab 92 may further define a lower opening 96 positioned on the sides 62 of the plate 50 to allow the anti-rotation feature 56 to extend therethrough, extending from the sides 62 of the plate 50.

[0017] The anti-rotation feature 56 may include a pair of lateral tabs 100 extending from the sides 62 of the plate 50 through the lower opening 96 in the tabs 92 of the mounting portion 54. The anti-rotation feature 56 extends outwardly from the plate 50, contacting the outer surface 35 of the upper shell 30 and preventing the telescoping drive bracket 42 from rotating relative to the upper shell 30.

[0018] With reference to the Fig. 2 to 4, the strap 44 may be coupled between the telescoping drive bracket 42 and the upper shell 30 to absorb energy from the collapse of the steering column 26 in the event of a vehicle crash. The strap 44 may include a first portion 104, a second portion 106, and a bend 108 disposed between the first portion 104 and the second portion 106, wherein the bend 108 redirects the extension of the strap 44 from the first portion 104 to the second portion 106. The first portion 104 of the strap 44 extends from the retaining member 80 along the reaction wall 78 of the strap retainer 52 such that it contacts the reaction wall 78. The second portion 106 extends from the bend 108 along the plate 50 such that it contacts the upper side 66 of the plate 50. The first portion 104 may extend parallel to the second portion 106 so that it extends in the same direction.The direction in which the first portion 104 and the second portion 106 extend may be an extension direction of the plate 50, or, in other words, a direction extending through the first end 58 and the second end 60 of the plate 50. The strap 44 may define a notch 110 at a first end 112 on the first portion 104, wherein the notch 110 engages the retaining member 80 of the strap retainer 52 to maintain the first end 112 of the strap 44 in contact with the retaining member 80 and the strap retainer 52.

[0019] The strap 44 may include a second end 114 opposite the first end 112 that is coupled to the upper shell 30. The strap 44 may define a fastener opening 116 proximate the second end 114 that is concentric with an opening 37 in the boss 33 of the upper shell 30 about an axis A2 for receiving a rigid fastener 118 that rigidly couples the strap 44 to the upper shell 30. The rigid fastener 118 couples the strap 44 to the upper shell 30 to maintain the rigid attachment between the strap 44 and the upper shell 30 in the event of a vehicle crash. The rigid fastener 118 may have a shear strength greater than the shear strength of the fastener 72 such that the rigid fastener 118 will not shear when receiving the predetermined load.The rigid fastener 118 maintains the coupling between the second end 114 of the strap 44 during a vehicle crash while the other fastener 72 shears, allowing the second end 114 of the strap 44 and the upper shroud 30 to move relative to the telescoping drive bracket 42. As described in more detail below, the telescoping drive bracket 42 remains coupled to the telescoping actuator 46 while the upper shroud 30 separates and moves away from the telescoping drive bracket 42, unwinding the strap 44 between the plate 50 and the reaction wall 78.

[0020] The belt 44 may be formed from an elongated sheet metal that is bent and inserted between the belt holder 52 and the plate 50, where the telescopic drive bracket 42, which holds the belt 44 in a bent configuration, creates a preload force against the telescopic drive bracket 42 when the bent belt 44 attempts to unfold to return to the sheet metal's initial state. The preload force from the bent belt 44 biases the first portion 104 of the belt 44 into the reaction wall 78 and the second portion 106 into the upper side 66 of the plate 50.

[0021] Now with reference to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the telescoping assembly 40 can be moved from an unmoved state ( Fig. 4) into a shifted state ( Fig. 5). With reference to Fig. 4, the fastener 72 is intact in the undisplaced state, coupling the telescoping drive bracket 42 to the upper shell 30. In the undisplaced state, the strap 44 is in a home position with the bend 108 extending through the first opening 82 to extend at least partially past the second end 60 of the plate 50, and the retaining member 80 and the first end 112 of the strap 44 are a first distance d1 from the fastener 118. In the undisplaced state, the telescoping drive bracket 42 connects the telescoping actuator 46 to the upper shell 30 to allow the telescoping actuator 46 to adjust the position of the upper shell 30 along with the input device 22. When a vehicle crash occurs, the crash may exert a force on the telescoping assembly 40.When the force is greater than the predetermined load, the fastener 72 shears to decouple the telescoping drive bracket 42 from the upper shell 30. The telescoping drive bracket 42 is held in substantially the same position by the connection to the telescoping actuator 46. The upper shell 30 retracts toward the output assembly 28 and away from the telescoping drive bracket 42 to the displaced state due to the force from the crash and other forces (such as gravity, a motor, or the like). The upper shell 30 is retracted to retract the input device 22 away from the driver, thus preventing a collision between the driver and the input device 22 during the crash.

[0022] With reference to Fig. 5, in the unshifted state, the telescopic drive bracket 42 is moved relative to the projection 33 of the upper shell 30 such that the second end 144 of the belt 44 is attached thereto and the retaining member 80 and the first end 112 of the belt 44 are a second distance d2 from the fastening member 118, wherein the second distance d2 is greater than the first distance d1. The movement of the telescopic drive bracket 42 relative to the upper shell 30 causes the belt 44 to unwind between the reaction wall 78 and the upper side 66 of the plate 50. The unwinding of the belt 44 further increases the preload force of the bent belt 44 against the reaction wall 78 and the plate 50 as the belt 44 moves over the plate 50. The increased pre-tensioning force increases a normal force between the belt 44 and the telescopic drive bracket 42, which increases a frictional force between the belt 44 and the plate 50 as the belt 44 moves over the plate 50 between the undisplaced state ( Fig. 4) and the displaced state. The increased force from the unwinding and movement of the belt 44 slows the movement of the upper shell 30 relative to the telescoping drive bracket 42, reducing the speed at which the input device 22 retracts away from the driver. This positions the input device 22, along with the airbag device 24, a desired distance away from the driver when the airbag device 24 is deployed, thereby reducing driver injury.

Claims

[1] Telescopic drive bracket (42) for coupling a telescopic actuator (46) to an upper steering casing (30), the telescopic drive bracket (42) comprising: a plate (50) having a first end (58), an opposite second end (60), and a pair of sides (62) extending from the first end (58) to the second end (60); a belt holder (52) formed with the plate (50) and having a reaction wall (78) extending parallel to the plate (50); and a belt (44) having a first portion (104) engaging the belt holder (52), a second portion (106) extending along the plate (50), and a curved portion (108) between the first portion (104) and the second portion (106), the first portion (104) and the second portion (106) extending from the curved portion (108) in a same direction, characterized by , that the telescopic drive bracket (42) further comprises an anti-rotation feature (56) comprising a pair of tabs (100) extending from the sides (62) of the plate (50) configured to prevent the telescopic drive bracket (42) from rotating relative to the upper steering shell (30). [2] Telescopic drive bracket (42) according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic drive bracket (42) is configured for attachment to the upper steering sleeve (30), wherein the plate (50) has a curvature that is complementary to a curvature of the upper steering sleeve (30). [3] The telescoping actuator bracket (42) of claim 1, further comprising an attachment portion (54) coupled to the plate (50) at a first end (58) and a pair of tabs (92) extending from the pair of sides (62) of the plate (50), each tab (92) defining an opening (94) for receiving and coupling to the telescoping actuator (46). [4] The telescopic drive bracket (42) of claim 1, wherein the strap holder (52) further comprises a side wall (76) extending from one of the sides (62) of the plate (50), the reaction wall (78) being coupled to the side wall (76) and spaced from the plate (50) to define an opening (86) at the second end (60) of the plate (50), and the curved portion (108) of the strap (44) extending through the opening (86). [5] The telescopic drive bracket (42) of claim 1, wherein the strap holder (52) further comprises a hook (80) extending from the reaction wall (78) such that an end of the strap (44) is engaged therewith. [6] Telescopic drive bracket (42) according to claim 5, wherein the strap (44) defines a notch (110) at the end of the strap (44) which receives the hook (80) of the strap holder (52) and thus engages the strap (44) with the strap holder (52). [7] Telescopic drive bracket (42) according to claim 1, wherein the belt (44) is made of steel. [8] Telescopic drive bracket (42) according to claim 1, wherein the telescoping actuator (46) is configured to move the upper steering sleeve (30) along a steering axis and thus move the steering wheel (22) toward or away from a driver. [9] Steering assembly (20) comprising: an upper steering sleeve (30); and a telescopic drive bracket (42) comprising: a plate (50) having a first end (58), an opposite second end (60), and a pair of sides (62) extending from the first end (58) to the second end (60); a belt holder (52) formed with the plate (50) and having a reaction wall (78) extending parallel to the plate (50); and a belt (44) having a first portion (104) engaging the belt holder (52), a second portion (106) extending along the plate (50), and a curved portion (108) between the first portion (104) and the second portion (106), the first portion (104) and the second portion (106) extending from the curved portion (108) in a same direction, and the second portion (106) being attached to the upper steering shell (30), characterized by , that the upper steering sleeve (30) comprises a hollow cylinder (31) designed to receive a lower steering sleeve (32) and a projection (33) to which the second end (114) of the belt (44) is coupled. [10] The steering assembly (20) of claim 9, further comprising a telescoping actuator (42) coupled to a mounting portion (54) of the telescoping drive bracket (42) and configured to move the upper steering shroud (30) along a steering axis. [11] The steering assembly (20) of claim 10, further comprising a mounting portion (54) coupled to the plate (50) at the first end (58) and a pair of tabs (92) extending from the pair of sides (62) of the plate (50), each tab (92) defining an opening (96) for receiving and coupling to the telescoping actuator (46). [12] The steering assembly (20) of claim 9, wherein the belt (44) is rigidly coupled to the upper steering shell (30), and the plate (50) is coupled to the upper steering shell (30) by a shear pin (72) such that when a predetermined load is applied to the steering assembly (20), the shear pin (72) decouples the plate (50) from the upper steering shell (30) and the belt (44) remains coupled to the upper steering shell (30). [13] Steering assembly (20) according to claim 9, wherein the plate (50) has a curvature that is complementary to a curvature of the upper steering shell (30). [14] The steering assembly (20) of claim 9, further comprising an anti-rotation feature (56) comprising a pair of tabs (100) extending from the sides (62) of the plate (50) and configured to prevent the telescoping drive bracket (42) from rotating relative to the upper steering shell (30). [15] The steering assembly (20) of claim 9, wherein the belt holder (52) further comprises a sidewall (76) extending from one of the sides (62) of the plate (50), the reaction wall (78) being coupled to the sidewall (76) and spaced from the plate (50) to define an opening (82) at the second end (60) of the plate (50), and the curved portion (108) of the belt (44) extending through the opening (82). [16] The steering assembly (20) of claim 9, wherein the belt holder (52) further comprises a hook (80) extending from the reaction wall (78) and engaging one end (112) of the belt (44). [17] The steering assembly (20) of claim 16, wherein the strap (44) defines a notch (110) at the end (112) of the strap (44) that receives the hook (80) of the strap retainer (52) to engage the strap (44) with the strap retainer (52). [18] Steering assembly (20) according to claim 9, wherein the belt (44) is made of steel.

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