Locking mechanism for tilt steering column
US6349967B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2066
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a first steering column part (60) and a second steering column part (20) adjacent the first steering column part. The first steering column part (60) and the vehicle steering wheel (16) are supported for pivotal movement about an axis (46) between a plurality of different orientations relative to the second steering column part (20). A locking mechanism is interposed between the first steering column part (60) and the second steering column part (20) for locking the first steering column part in a selected one of the plurality of orientations. The locking mechanism comprises a fluid (90) having a shear strength which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The apparatus further comprises magnets (114, 116) for varying the shear strength of the fluid (90) by varying the energy field to vary the resistance to movement of the first steering column part (60) relative to the second steering column part (20).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.