Polymer composite steering column support housing and assembly

Details Polymer composite steering column support housing and assembly Polymer composite steering column support housing and assembly

2001-09-13

2004-02-17

Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Running gear

C280S780000, C074S492000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06692026

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to steering columns and more particularly to polymer composite steering column support housings and assemblies.
BACKGROUND
Steering column support housings are assemblies used to house and support the various sub-assemblies used to control and steer a vehicle. A support housing typically contains one or more of a steering column, a steering shaft, a tilt head, a telescoping mechanism, a key ignition, an interlock mechanism a wiring harness, and a column shift mechanism. The primary functions of a support housing are to: (1) support the steering column in a vehicle; (2) support the tilt and/or telescoping features of a steering column; and (3) provide for energy absorption in a crash. Support housings also provide, among other things, a place to mount a wiring harness, support column shift mechanisms, support interlock mechanisms, and support key ignitions.
Presently available support housing designs typically utilize a cast metal housing that is attached with brackets to a vehicle's instrument panel and/or cross car beam. Depending upon the type of steering column (rake, tilt, or telescoping) and the crash energy management scheme (breakaway or internal collapse) utilized, the attachment method of the steering column support housing to the vehicle structure varies greatly. For optimum performance, support housings are designed to meet weight, NVH (noise vibration and harshness), and crash energy management targets required of a steering column assembly.
Design trends with steering column support housings are very similar to other vehicle design features. Lighter, stronger, more easily constructed materials are being investigated to enhance current steering column support designs and to improve component features. This can lead to stronger, safer vehicles that can also meet fuel economy targets.
It is thus highly desirable to design a stiffer, but lighter, steering column support housing with improved crash energy management and NVH characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a fiber reinforced composite steering column support housing for use in a vehicle. The present invention will provide an inherently stiffer and lighter structure while improving NVH and crash energy management characteristics. Further, by utilizing composite material technology, the present invention allows for integrated tilt, telescoping and mounting features within the design.
The steering column support housing is formed by one of many composite manufacturing processing. This includes but is not limited to compression molding, injection molding, and bladder molding. The goal is to form a one-piece assembly having an integrated tilt, telescoping and mounting features.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description and appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4274646 (1981-06-01), Olligschlager et al.
patent: 4465301 (1984-08-01), Bongers et al.
patent: 4577736 (1986-03-01), Bongers et al.
patent: 4589679 (1986-05-01), Wackerle et al.
patent: 4655475 (1987-04-01), Van Gelderen
patent: 4998999 (1991-03-01), Yuzuriha et al.
patent: 5035307 (1991-07-01), Sadeghi et al.
patent: 5356179 (1994-10-01), Hildebrandt et al.
patent: 5390956 (1995-02-01), Thomas
patent: 5417452 (1995-05-01), Khalifa et al.
patent: 5497675 (1996-03-01), Brown et al.
patent: 5673938 (1997-10-01), Kaliszewski
patent: 6027088 (2000-02-01), Stedman et al.
patent: 6237956 (2001-05-01), Haba et al.
patent: 6398259 (2002-06-01), Palmer et al.
patent: 6497432 (2002-12-01), Scheib et al.
patent: 6517114 (2003-02-01), Scheib et al.
patent: 2001/0024035 (2001-09-01), Scheib et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Polymer composite steering column support housing and assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Polymer composite steering column support housing and assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Polymer composite steering column support housing and assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3345931