An electric power-steering device has a speed-reducing mechanism (17) for reducing the speed of an output shaft (16) of an electric motor (15). The speed-reducing mechanism (17) has an internal gear (39) engaged and rotated with the output shaft (16) and an external gear (40) with which the internal gear (39) internally meshes. A drive pulley (41) rotatable together with the external gear (40) and a driven pulley (42) provided so as to surround a steering shaft are connected by an endless belt (43). Speed reduction is obtained by the internal gear (39) and the external gear (40), and the speed-reducing mechanism (17) as a whole achieves a high reduction ratio without greatly reducing the diameter of the drive pulley (41).

Electric power-steering device

A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprises a shroud comprising an axially movable upper portion and an axially fixed lower portion, which move telescopically to provide adjustment for reach of the steering column assembly, a steering shaft supported by the shroud, a pivot which connects a part of the lower portion to a fixed part of the vehicle, a clamp mechanism which releasably fixes the upper and lower portions and the shroud in position relative to a further fixed part of the vehicle. A sprung support assembly is secured to a fixed part of the vehicle and includes an axle that passes underneath the upper portion of the shroud and a cylindrical roller that surrounds a part of the axle and has an outer surface that engages the underside of the shroud and an inner surface that bears on the axle, the sprung support at least partially supports the weight of the shroud when the clamp mechanism is released, and the cylindrical roller rotating around the axle as the shroud is adjusted for reach.

Steering column assembly

An electric power steering apparatus has a steering mechanism SM having universal joints 4, 6 in a torque transmitting system, a steering toque detecting unit 14, a steering angle detecting, unit 18, a torque fluctuation detecting unit 43 for detecting a torque fluctuation due to the crossing angle α in the universal joints 4, 6 on the basis of the steering angle θ detected by the steering angle detecting unit 18 and any one of the steering torque T detected by the steering torque detecting unit, a current command value It and self-aligning torque SAT; and a current command value correcting unit 44 for correcting the current command value on the basis of the torque fluctuation detected by the torque fluctuation detecting unit 43 and the steering angle θ detected by the steering angle detecting unit 18.

Electric Power Steering Apparatus

A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and a first interlock configured to indicate when the steering column shaft is in the driving position and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position. When the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is non-deployable, and when the steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable.

Retractable steering column system, vehicle having the same, and method

A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.

Retractable steering column assembly and method

A steering system (10) for a vehicle (12) may include an actuator
having a rotary to linear actuator (214), a movable linear section (216), and an
interface (212) between the rotary to linear actuator (214) and the linear section
(216). The interface (212) may include one or more cylindrical joints (244),
revolute joints (272), compliant members (324, 376, 410, 412, 414, 416), or a
block on a plane (424, 436) wherein the total degrees of freedom for the system
including the rotary to linear actuator (214), rack (216), and interface (212) may
be one, while the interface (212) may be limited to three degrees of freedom.

Apparatus for steering a vehicle

A gear isolator assembly includes a gearbox housing (101), a first gear (102) having a first axis of rotation about a first shaft (114) and the second gear (104) having a second axis of rotation about a second shaft (109). The first (102) and second gears (104) are rotatably mounted in a gearbox housing (101) so that the first (102) and second gears (104) mesh with each other such that the first axis of the first gear (102) is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second gear (104). The gear isolator assembly is preferably disposed within the gearbox housing (101) about the second gear (104) for reducing noise generated between the first (102) and second gears (104) during operation of the mechanism (100).

Electric power steering assist mechanism

A steering column assembly and method of preventing rotation of a tilt mechanism relative to a steering column during application of a predetermined force is disclosed. The tilt mechanism is coupled to the steering column and includes a tilt head pivotable about a tilt axis with a lever and a moveable shoe pivotally mounted to the tilt head respectively. The moveable shoe pivots between an engaged position for preventing rotation of the tilt head and a disengaged position for allowing rotation of the tilt head. A stopping member is coupled to at least one of the lever and the tilt head for deforming at least one of the tilt and the lever to maintain the moveable shoe in the engaged position and to prevent the tilt head from pivoting about the tilt axis upon a predetermined force applied to the steering column.

Suat Ali Ozsoylu

Papers

Apparatus for steering a vehicle

Electric power steering assist mechanism

Steering column assembly having a stopping member for preventing rotation of a tilt mechanism