Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-26
2002-04-02
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
C280S775000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06363810
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicular steering mechanism arrangement. The invention is intended in particular to be used in connection with steering mechanisms for motor vehicles which are designed with an integrated adjusting and tilting function.
2. Prior Art
In vehicles such as passenger cars, a steering mechanism is normally used that includes a steering wheel and a steering wheel shaft that together enable steering of the vehicle. For reasons of comfort and safety, the steering mechanisms in use today are often designed to permit adjustment of the position of the steering wheel shaft, and thus also of the steering wheel, with respect to height and depth in relation to the driver of the vehicle. In this way, the steering wheel can be adjusted and then locked in a position that is individually adapted to the vehicle driver.
The abovementioned adjusting function can additionally be combined with what is commonly referred to as a tilting function. This means that the steering mechanism is additionally designed so that the steering wheel can be displaced between two distinct positions. These positions include a lower end position that corresponds to normal driving, and an upper end position in which the steering wheel is raised slightly in the vertical direction and which is used when the vehicle driver is getting into or out of the vehicle. This function is preferably made automatic and is provided primarily for reasons of comfort since it is easier for the driver to get into and out of the vehicle when the steering wheel is moved slightly away from the position it is in during driving. The tilting function can preferably be activated by means of an electric switch, for example in the door on the driver's side of the vehicle, that is connected to a computerized control unit. In this way, a signal can be generated, for example when the driver opens the door, so that the tilting function is activated and the steering wheel is moved upwards to the upper end position as the driver is getting into the vehicle and sitting down in the driver's seat. This provides increased comfort for the driver.
In previously known combined adjusting and tilting arrangements for steering mechanisms, it has been sought to arrange the mechanism in such a way that the system maintains an adjusted and locked position even while the tilting function is activated. In this way the steering wheel setting which is used when driving the vehicle is maintained as regards height and depth after the driver has climbed into the vehicle and the adjustment functions have been activated.
A further problem in known systems having combined adjusting and tilting functions is that these systems are relatively complicated in structure and include a relatively large number of components which, taken together, contribute to high production costs and increase the weight of the vehicle.
In addition, previously known systems of this type require a relatively large construction volume, which of course encroaches on the already very confined space around the steering mechanism in the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement for steering mechanisms having adjusting and tilting functions which avoid the problems outlined above. In particular, the invention aims to make it possible for an adjusted position of the steering wheel to be maintained with respect to height and depth, even after the tilting function has been activated.
The invention provides an arrangement that is intended to be used in an adjustable steering mechanism in a vehicle. The arrangement includes a steering wheel that is fixed to an inner steering wheel shaft, which in turn is arranged to be adjustable with respect to height and depth. The invention has a first lock arrangement intended to fix the inner steering wheel shaft in a chosen position with respect to height and depth, and a second lock arrangement that is intended to set the steering wheel in at least two distinct vertical positions independently of any locking of the first lock arrangement.
The first lock arrangement is supported on a locking spindle extending essentially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inner steering wheel shaft and is connected to the inner steering wheel shaft. The second lock arrangement includes a rotatable tilting spindle extending coaxially through the locking spindle. The invention affords the important advantage that the steering wheel can be tilted between the distinct positions while a position set by means of the first lock arrangement is maintained.
The fact that the tilting spindle and the locking spindle are arranged concentrically in relation to each other means that the arrangement occupies only a very small space or construction volume in the area of a steering mechanism. A further advantage of the invention is that it has a relatively small number of components and can thus be manufactured at relatively low weight, volume and cost.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4507982 (1985-04-01), Turner et al.
patent: 4607540 (1986-08-01), Kinoshita et al.
patent: 4750379 (1988-06-01), Nishikawa et al.
patent: 4788880 (1988-12-01), Kester
patent: 4876910 (1989-10-01), Nikhikawa et al.
patent: 5606891 (1997-03-01), Tisell et al.
patent: 6095012 (2000-08-01), Lutz
patent: 61-21860 (1986-01-01), None
patent: 449329 (1987-04-01), None
Bucci David A.
Joyce William C
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
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