Motor vehicle steering column and method
US6134983A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/187
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tilt-adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a stationary mast jacket, a tilt housing supported on the mast jacket for up and down pivotal movement, an articulated steering shaft having a lower portion rotatably supported on the mast jacket and an upper portion rotatably supported on the tilt housing, a steering hand wheel on the upper portion of the steering shaft, and a balance spring preloaded in compression flexure between an inboard spring seat on the mast jacket and an outboard spring seat on the tilt housing. The tilt housing has a spring bore therein facing the inboard spring seat. The outboard spring seat is a screw thread in the spring bore defined by a raised boss in the spring bore. The balance spring is a helical coil spring having a helix angle matching the screw thread in the spring bore. Rotation of the balance spring in the spring bore advances an inboard end of the balance spring toward the inboard spring seat. After the inboard end of the balance spring engages the inboard spring seat, continued rotation of the balance spring preloads the latter in compression flexure between the inboard and the outboard spring seats.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.