公开(公告)号：US20050070365A1

公开(公告)日：2005-03-31

申请号：US10674541

申请日：2003-09-30

申请人： Richard Riefe ,  David Byers ,  Christopher Walsh ,  Jeffrey Toth ,  Jesse Kalkman

发明人： Richard Riefe ,  David Byers ,  Christopher Walsh ,  Jeffrey Toth ,  Jesse Kalkman

IPC分类号： B62D1/185 ,  F16C3/035 ,  F16C27/02 ,  F16C29/00 ,  F16C29/02 ,  F16C3/03

CPC分类号： F16C29/002 ,  F16C3/035 ,  F16C29/02 ,  F16C2326/24

摘要： A telescoping steering column assembly includes lower and upper jackets having inner and outer surfaces, respectively, disposed with respect to one another in telescoping relationship. The telescoping steering column assembly includes a linear bushing disposed between the inner surface of the upper jacket and the outer surface of the lower jacket, that includes a plurality of convolutions disposed axially in side-by-side relationship as viewed in cross-section to provide outer and inner load bearing surfaces to engage the upper and lower jackets and to provide radial walls for flexing to maintain the bearing surfaces in engagement with the jackets to allow the bushing to radially expand and contract. The present invention provides the length-wise grooves formed by the convolutions to allow for reservoirs for lubricant solution to help reduce friction between the jackets, wherein the convolutions are elastically deformed to adapt to the annual clearance between the jackets.

摘要翻译： 伸缩转向柱组件包括分别具有相对于彼此以伸缩关系设置的内表面和外表面的下夹套和上夹套。 伸缩转向柱组件包括设置在上护套的内表面和下护套的外表面之间的线性套管，其包括沿横截面观察并排轴向并排设置的多个卷绕体，以提供 外部和内部承载表面以接合上部和下部夹套并且提供用于弯曲的径向壁，以保持轴承表面与夹套接合以允许套管径向膨胀和收缩。 本发明提供了通过旋转形成的长度方向的槽，以允许用于润滑剂溶液的储存器有助于减小夹克之间的摩擦，其中卷积弹性变形以适应夹克之间的年度间隙。

公开(公告)号：US20060005646A1

公开(公告)日：2006-01-12

申请号：US10887410

申请日：2004-07-08

申请人： Richard Riefe ,  Tamara Reppuhn ,  Michael Vermeersch ,  David Byers ,  Ravindra Jwalapathy

发明人： Richard Riefe ,  Tamara Reppuhn ,  Michael Vermeersch ,  David Byers ,  Ravindra Jwalapathy

IPC分类号： F16H59/00

CPC分类号： F16H61/32 ,  F16H59/12 ,  F16H2061/2884 ,  F16H2061/326 ,  Y10T74/19251 ,  Y10T74/2003

摘要： The invention provides an apparatus for shifting an automatic transmission having a shift position select lever. The invention selectively shifts the transmission to one of a plurality of different transmission shift positions. The invention includes a steering column positionable in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A switch is mountable in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and operable to emit a first signal representative of a desired change with respect to a transmission shift position. A motor generates a moving force and a linkage associated with the motor to transmit the moving force from the motor to a shift lever of a transmission of the vehicle. A sensor is responsive to a current transmission shift position and emits a second signal corresponding to the sensed current transmission shift position. A controller is responsive to the switch and to the sensor. The controller selectively controls the motor to engage in response to the first and second signals received from the switch and the sensor, respectively. The motor is mounted on the steering column of the vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20050248142A1

公开(公告)日：2005-11-10

申请号：US10840692

申请日：2004-05-06

申请人： Xiaoyu Li ,  John Schulz ,  Tracy Zehnder ,  Richard Riefe ,  David Byers

发明人： Xiaoyu Li ,  John Schulz ,  Tracy Zehnder ,  Richard Riefe ,  David Byers

IPC分类号： B62D1/19

CPC分类号： B62D1/195

摘要： The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a steering wheel in a vehicle during normal vehicle handling and is breakable in response to an impact situation. The apparatus includes a member attachable to a vehicle and a steering column connected to the member for sliding movement. The apparatus also includes a capsule for connecting the member and the steering column to one another to prevent the sliding movement during normal vehicle handling. The capsule maintains the member and the steering column relative to one another, overcoming forces urging movement between the member and the steering column relative to one another, up to a first predetermined level of force. When the forces reach the first predetermined level, such as in an impact situation, the capsule breaks and releases the member and the steering column relative to one another. The apparatus of the present invention also includes an adjusting device associated with the capsule for adjusting the capsule to break in response to a second predetermined level of force lower than the first predetermined level of force.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种用于在正常车辆处理期间在车辆中支撑方向盘的装置，并且响应于冲击情况是可破坏的。 该装置包括可附接到车辆的构件和连接到构件以用于滑动运动的转向柱。 该装置还包括用于将构件和转向柱彼此连接以防止在正常车辆处理期间的滑动运动的胶囊。 胶囊相对于彼此保持构件和转向柱，克服力促使构件和转向柱之间相对于彼此移动，直到第一预定水平的力。 当力达到第一预定水平时，例如在冲击情况下，胶囊相对于彼此破裂并释放构件和转向柱。 本发明的装置还包括与胶囊相关联的调节装置，用于响应于低于第一预定水平的力的第二预定水平力来调节胶囊而破裂。

公开(公告)号：US20070039403A1

公开(公告)日：2007-02-22

申请号：US11204505

申请日：2005-08-16

申请人： Marvin Manwaring ,  Richard Riefe ,  Ray Armstrong ,  Ravi Ravindra

发明人： Marvin Manwaring ,  Richard Riefe ,  Ray Armstrong ,  Ravi Ravindra

IPC分类号： B62D1/16

CPC分类号： B62D1/192 ,  F16C33/201 ,  F16C2326/24

摘要： A telescopically collapsible vehicular steering column assembly includes inner and outer shaft tubes which are joined in a sliding fit by a bushing. The bushing includes a pair of spaced journal bearings formed of steel-backed PTFE held in a plastic carrier body. The bushing is located in a receiving chamber in the outer shaft tube. A clearance compensator reacts against the receiving chamber to exert a radial compressive force through the carrier body and the journal bearings to improve the sliding fit with the inner shaft tube and remove lash. The clearance compensator can take any form, such as a hollow annular rib, a skirt with a flexible free end, or an array of nubs carried in thinned sections of the carrier body. The clearance compensator in all of these variations operates within a clearance space and has dimensional attributes which can be changed during the design and manufacturing phases of the bushing to optimize a characteristic of the steering column assembly. The optimized characteristic may be the sliding friction between the inner and outer shaft tubes, or the stiffness of the assembled column which affects its vibrational frequency, or other value.

摘要翻译： 可伸缩的可折叠的车辆转向柱组件包括通过衬套以滑动配合接合的内轴管和外轴管。 衬套包括一对隔开的轴颈轴承，该轴颈轴承由保持在塑料载体主体中的钢背PTFE形成。 衬套位于外轴管中的接收室中。 间隙补偿器对接收室作出反应，以通过承载体和轴颈轴承施加径向压缩力，以改善与内轴管的滑动配合并去除间隙。 间隙补偿器可以采取任何形式，例如中空的环形肋，具有柔性自由端的裙部，或者承载在承载体的薄化部分中的一排衬套。 所有这些变化中的间隙补偿器在间隙空间内操作，并且具有能够在套管的设计和制造阶段期间改变的尺寸属性，以优化转向柱组件的特性。 优化的特性可以是内轴管和外轴管之间的滑动摩擦力，或者组装的柱的刚度影响其振动频率或其他值。

公开(公告)号：US20070008083A1

公开(公告)日：2007-01-11

申请号：US11153096

申请日：2005-06-15

申请人： Frederick Berg ,  Timothy Bennett ,  Alan Davis ,  Richard Riefe ,  Ronald Dybalski ,  Timothy Phillips

发明人： Frederick Berg ,  Timothy Bennett ,  Alan Davis ,  Richard Riefe ,  Ronald Dybalski ,  Timothy Phillips

IPC分类号： B60Q1/00

CPC分类号： B60K28/066 ,  B60W50/16 ,  B60W2040/0818 ,  B60W2710/20 ,  B62D1/181 ,  B62D15/029

摘要： A steering column assembly (18) of the type for controlling one or more steerable wheels in a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel (14) interface secured to the free end of a steering column (20). The steering column assembly (18) includes powered telescope adjust and tilt adjust features which a driver (16) uses to adjust the position of the steering wheel (14) for maximum comfort. One or more condition sensors (48) monitor numerous parameters about the vehicle. When an emergency condition is detected, such as the seat belt warning, a door that is ajar, various engine conditions, or erratic driving activity, a haptic controller (50) rapidly vibrates the steering wheel (14) through the telescoping and tilt adjusting motors (32, 40) as a means of alerting the driver (16) to the emergency condition. These warnings can be given priority so that a first warning is communicated by steering wheel (14) vibrations in one direction, and a second warning is communicated by vibrations in both the first direction and a second direction simultaneously. In addition, a third warning can be given emphasis by increasing the power of the vibration to a resonance mode to cause an audible warning.

公开(公告)号：US20060243089A1

公开(公告)日：2006-11-02

申请号：US11325921

申请日：2006-01-05

申请人： William Cymbal ,  Richard Riefe ,  Kurt Hilbrandt

发明人： William Cymbal ,  Richard Riefe ,  Kurt Hilbrandt

IPC分类号： B62D1/18

CPC分类号： F16D3/06 ,  B62D1/185 ,  B62D1/192 ,  F16B7/14 ,  F16D2300/12

摘要： The invention provides a steering shaft assembly for a vehicle. The steering shaft assembly includes a first shaft extending along an axis of rotation for connection to one of a steering wheel and a steerable element of a vehicle. The steering shaft assembly also includes a second shaft extending along the axis of rotation for connection to the other of the steering wheel and the steerable element of the vehicle. The first shaft and the second shaft at least partially overlap one another along the axis of rotation for telescoping relative movement. The steering shaft assembly also includes a keyway formed in one of the first shaft and the second shaft and extending along and spaced from the axis of rotation. The steering shaft assembly also includes a key connected to the other of the first shaft and the second shaft and slidably positioned in the keyway. The key and the keyway cooperate to couple the first shaft with the second shaft for concurrent rotation and for telescoping movement along the axis of rotation.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种用于车辆的转向轴组件。 转向轴组件包括沿着旋转轴线延伸的第一轴，用于连接到车辆的方向盘和可转向元件中的一个。 转向轴组件还包括沿着旋转轴延伸的第二轴，用于连接到车辆的方向盘和可操纵元件中的另一个。 第一轴和第二轴沿着旋转轴线至少部分地彼此重叠以伸缩相对运动。 转向轴组件还包括形成在第一轴和第二轴中的一个中并沿着旋转轴线并且与旋转轴线间隔开的键槽。 转向轴组件还包括连接到第一轴和第二轴中的另一个的键并且可滑动地定位在键槽中。 键和键槽配合以将第一轴与第二轴联接，用于同时旋转并沿着旋转轴线进行伸缩运动。

公开(公告)号：US20060243088A1

公开(公告)日：2006-11-02

申请号：US11116519

申请日：2005-04-28

申请人： William Cymbal ,  Richard Riefe

发明人： William Cymbal ,  Richard Riefe

IPC分类号： B62D1/16 ,  B62D1/18

CPC分类号： B62D1/185

摘要： A telescopically adjustable vehicular steering column assembly (16) includes an upper steering shaft (18, 118) operatively coupled to a lower steering shaft (20, 120). The lower steering shaft (20, 120) is fitted with a guide head (32, 132) which is precision machined to slide within a receiving chamber (28, 128) in the upper steering shaft (18, 188). An axially extending keyway (40, 140) is formed in either the guide head (32) or in the receiving chamber (128) for sliding registry with a key (44, 144). The guide head (32, 132) is affixed to the end of the lower steering shaft (20, 120) through a sheer member (35) which is created by injecting a fluidic plastic material (35) through injection ports (34) so that the plastic forms in injection grooves (36). Once solidified, the plastic material (35) securely affixes the guide head (32, 132) in an operative position on the end of the lower steering shaft (20, 120). However, in the event of a catastrophic collision, the plastic material (35) will sheer, allowing the lower steering shaft (20, 120) to translate into an upper tubular section (22, 122) of the upper steering shaft (18, 118).

摘要翻译： 可伸缩调节的车辆转向柱组件（16）包括可操作地联接到下转向轴（20,120）的上转向轴（18,118）。 下转向轴（20,120）装配有精密加工以在上转向轴（18,188）中的接收室（28,128）内滑动的引导头（32,132）。 轴向延伸的键槽（40,140）形成在导向头（32）或接收室（128）中，用于与键（44,144）滑动对准。 引导头（32,132）通过通过注射端口（34）注射流体塑料材料（35）而形成的透明构件（35）固定到下转向轴（20,120）的端部，使得 在注入槽（36）中形成塑料。 一旦固化，塑料材料（35）将引导头（32,132）牢固地固定在下转向轴（20,120）的端部上的操作位置。 然而，在发生灾难性碰撞的情况下，塑料材料（35）将被剪切，允许下转向轴（20,120）平移到上转向轴（18,118）的上管状部分（22,122） ）。

公开(公告)号：US20070245845A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-25

申请号：US11407453

申请日：2006-04-20

申请人： Jason Ridgway ,  Marvin Manwaring ,  Ravi Ravindra ,  William Cymbal ,  Scott Stinebring ,  Richard Riefe ,  Kurt Hilbrandt ,  Albert Huber ,  Dennis McDonagh

发明人： Jason Ridgway ,  Marvin Manwaring ,  Ravi Ravindra ,  William Cymbal ,  Scott Stinebring ,  Richard Riefe ,  Kurt Hilbrandt ,  Albert Huber ,  Dennis McDonagh

IPC分类号： B62D1/18

CPC分类号： B62D1/189

摘要： An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle has an integral rake pivot joint carried between a mounting structure generally attached to the vehicle chassis and a support bracket that pivots about a pivot axis. A preferably telescoping shaft extends along a centerline and connects to a steering wheel at one end and is rotationally supported near an opposite end by the support bracket. Preferably, the pivot axis is orientated substantially perpendicular to the centerline. The pivot joint has a boss preferably elongated with respect to the pivot axis and generally orientated concentrically to the pivot axis. The boss fits pivotally in a bore disposed concentrically to the pivot axis and carried by the other of the mounting structure and support bracket. Preferably, a web portion of the boss projects through a slit extending axially and communicating radially inward with the bore.

摘要翻译： 用于车辆的可调节转向柱组件具有整体的前刀架枢转接头，其承载在通常附接到车辆底盘的安装结构和围绕枢转轴线枢转的支撑支架之间。 优选地，伸缩轴沿着中心线延伸并且在一端处连接到方向盘，并且通过支撑支架旋转地支撑在相对端附近。 优选地，枢转轴线基本上垂直于中心线定向。 枢转接头具有优选地相对于枢转轴线细长并且大体上定向为枢转轴线的凸起。 凸台枢轴转动在与枢转轴线同心设置的孔中，并由另一个安装结构和支撑支架承载。 优选地，凸台的腹板部分突出穿过轴向延伸并与孔径向向内延伸的缝隙。

公开(公告)号：US20060131863A1

公开(公告)日：2006-06-22

申请号：US11013585

申请日：2004-12-16

申请人： Richard Riefe ,  Minoo Shah ,  Ray Armstrong ,  Ravindra Jwalapathy

发明人： Richard Riefe ,  Minoo Shah ,  Ray Armstrong ,  Ravindra Jwalapathy

IPC分类号： B62D1/18

CPC分类号： B62D1/19 ,  B62D1/184

摘要： The invention provides a steering column assembly (10) for a vehicle. The steering column assembly (10) includes first and second steering column members (12, 14) engaged for movement relative to one another along one of a tilting path (16) and a telescoping path. The steering column assembly (10) also includes an electric lock (18) operable in a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration to selectively lock the first and second steering column members (12, 14). When the electric lock (10) is in the locked configuration, the first and second steering column members (12, 14) are locked with respect to one another. When the electric lock (10) is in the unlocked configuration, the first and second steering column members (12, 14) are moveable with respect to one another. The steering column assembly (10) also includes a sensor (20) operable to sense a condition corresponding to a vehicle crash. The sensor (20) emits a signal corresponding to the condition. The steering column assembly (10) also includes a controller (22) operable to receive the signal from the sensor (20) and controls the electric lock (18) to change from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to the signal.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种用于车辆的转向柱组件（10）。 转向柱组件（10）包括第一和第二转向柱构件（12,14），其接合以沿着倾斜路径（16）和伸缩路径中的一个相对于彼此运动。 转向柱组件（10）还包括可锁定构型和解锁结构操作的电锁（18），以选择性地锁定第一和第二转向柱构件（12,14）。 当电锁（10）处于锁定构造时，第一和第二转向柱构件（12,14）相对于彼此锁定。 当电锁（10）处于解锁构造时，第一和第二转向柱构件（12,14）可相对于彼此移动。 转向柱组件（10）还包括可操作以感测对应于车辆碰撞的状况的传感器（20）。 传感器（20）发出与条件对应的信号。 转向柱组件（10）还包括控制器（22），其可操作以响应于该信号从传感器（20）接收信号并且控制电锁（18）从锁定配置改变到解锁配置。

公开(公告)号：US20050285722A1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-29

申请号：US10878878

申请日：2004-06-28

申请人： Todd King ,  Ray Armstrong ,  Richard Riefe ,  Scott Scherzer ,  Josh McDonald

发明人： Todd King ,  Ray Armstrong ,  Richard Riefe ,  Scott Scherzer ,  Josh McDonald

IPC分类号： B60R25/04 ,  B60R25/10

CPC分类号： B60R25/2063 ,  B60R25/04 ,  Y10T70/7079 ,  Y10T74/2186

摘要： A column shroud for covering a steering column including a shroud body. The shroud body has first and second portions connectable to one another about a steering column. The shroud body defines an opening in the first portion. The column shroud also includes a coil bobbin fixed to the shroud body adjacent to the opening. In the event of an attempted theft of the vehicle, the coil bobbin would be removed from the column in the event the shroud body is removed and the vehicle would be disabled. The present invention also provides an ignition assembly. The ignition assembly includes a shroud body having an opening. The shroud body of the ignition assembly can have one or more portions. The ignition assembly also includes an ignition receptor accessible through said opening for receiving a pass key. Also, a coil bobbin is fixed to the shroud body adjacent to the opening. The present invention also provides a steering column assembly. The steering column assembly includes the ignition assembly set forth in greater detail above. The steering column assembly includes a column member with an aperture. The opening of the shroud body is aligned with the aperture of the column member and the shroud body covers the column member. The ignition receptor is disposed in the aperture and is accessible through the opening for receiving a pass key. The coil bobbin fixed to the shroud body adjacent to the opening.

摘要翻译： 一种用于覆盖包括护罩体的转向柱的柱罩。 护罩主体具有围绕转向柱彼此连接的第一和第二部分。 护罩主体在第一部分中限定开口。 柱罩还包括固定到与主体相邻的开口的线圈架的线圈架。 在企图盗窃车辆的情况下，在取下护罩主体并且车辆将被禁用的情况下，线圈筒管将从柱上移除。 本发明还提供点火组件。 点火组件包括具有开口的护罩主体。 点火组件的护罩体可以具有一个或多个部分。 点火组件还包括可通过所述开口接近的点火接收器，用于接收通过钥匙。 此外，线圈骨架固定在与开口相邻的护罩体上。 本发明还提供一种转向柱组件。 转向柱组件包括上面更详细阐述的点火组件。 转向柱组件包括具有孔的柱构件。 护罩主体的开口与柱构件的孔对准，护罩主体覆盖柱构件。 点火接收器设置在孔中并且可通过开口接近以接收通过钥匙。 线圈架固定在与开口相邻的护罩体上。