System for selectively locking a steering column

摘要

A system for selectively locking a steering column comprises a lock bolt configured for translating along its axis so as to extend, in a first state, a first length from a base and, in a second state, a second length from the base. A motor is supported by a housing and has an output shaft. A driving platform with driving ramps is disposed about the lock bolt and coupled to the output shaft. A driven platform is disposed about the lock bolt, between a shoulder of the lock bolt and the driving platform. The driven platform is configured for interacting with each of the driving ramps to define a separation distance that depends upon a rotational position of the driving platform. The driven platform is also configured to cooperate with the shoulder of the lock bolt such that translation of the driven platform causes the lock bolt to translate.

主权项

1. A system for selectively locking a steering column comprising:
a housing having a base; a lock bolt concentrically disposed about a lock bolt axis and configured for translating along the lock bolt axis so as to extend, in a first state, a first extended length outwardly from the base of the housing and so as to extend, in a second state, a second extended length outwardly from the base of the housing, the first extended length being greater than the second extended length, the lock bolt comprising a shoulder at a location on the lock bolt that is distal from the base of the housing; a motor supported by the housing, the motor having an output shaft that is disposed about a motor output shaft axis and that is configured for rotating about the motor output shaft axis; a driving platform disposed about the lock bolt axis and supported relative to the base, the driving platform being mechanically coupled to the motor output shaft and configured for rotating about the lock bolt axis as the motor output shaft rotates about the motor output shaft axis; a driven platform disposed about the lock bolt axis and axially between the shoulder and the driving platform with respect to the lock bolt axis; a plurality of driving ramps disposed on the driving platform and fixed to the driving platform for rotation about the lock bolt axis with the driving platform, each of the plurality of driving ramps defining a bearing surface that is disposed along a range of ramp heights between the driving platform and the driven platform; the driven platform configured for interacting, directly or indirectly, with each of the driving ramps so as to define a platform separation distance that depends upon a rotational position of the driving platform; and the driven platform being further configured to cooperate with the shoulder of the lock bolt such that translation of the driven platform along the lock bolt axis away from the base of the housing causes the lock bolt to translate with the driven platform.