IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,338,839
Granted Patent B2
US 11,338,839 · App. 17/082,501 · Granted May 24, 2022

Electrically adjustable steering

Inventors: Yoshifumi Kurokawa (Ann Arbor, MI); Simon Read (Ann Arbor, MI); Steven Marmillo (North Bennington, VT)
Assignee: NSK LTD.
B62D1/181B60Q9/00B62D1/04B62D1/183B62D1/189H02P6/08B60Q5/005
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,338,839
App. No.
17/082,501
Granted
May 24, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a storage operation of storing the steering wheel in a storage position to secure a space in a driver seat for a driver and an adjustment operation of adjusting the steering wheel to a position suitable for driving within an adjustment operation range. The motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed of the steering wheel during the storage operation is higher than a speed of the steering wheel during the adjustment operation.

Claims (30)

1. An electrically adjustable steering comprising:

a steering mechanism in which a steering wheel is mounted;

a position adjustment mechanism which includes an electric motor configured to adjust a telescopic position and a tilt position of the steering wheel; and

a motor control unit configured to control driving of the electric motor,

wherein the position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a storage operation of storing the steering wheel in a storage position to secure a space in a driver seat for a driver and an adjustment operation of adjusting the steering wheel to a position suitable for driving within an adjustment operation range,

wherein the motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed of the steering wheel during the storage operation is higher than a speed of the steering wheel during the adjustment operation, and

wherein the motor control unit is configured to determine the speed of the steering wheel during the storage operation based on a position of the steering wheel immediately before the storage operation.

2. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 1 ,

wherein the motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that the speed of the steering wheel changes during the storage operation.

3. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 2 ,

wherein the motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed at a beginning during the storage operation is higher than a speed at a different point in time during the storage operation.

4. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 1 ,

wherein the position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a return operation of returning the steering wheel from the storage position back to an inside of the adjustment operation range, and

the motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed changes during the return operation.

5. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 1 ,

wherein the motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that an upward movement operation of moving the steering wheel upward is included at a beginning of the storage operation.

6. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 5 ,

wherein the motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a speed of the upward movement operation at the beginning of the storage operation is higher than a speed at a different point in time during the storage operation.

7. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 1 ,

wherein the position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a return operation of returning the steering wheel from the storage position back to an inside of the adjustment operation range, and

the motor control unit is configured to drive the electric motor such that a final speed during the return operation is slower than a speed at a different point in time during the return operation.

8. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 1 ,

wherein the position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a return operation of returning the steering wheel from the storage position back to an inside of the adjustment operation range, and

the storage operation and the return operation are different from each other in (i) locus and/or (ii) speed.

9. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 1

wherein the position adjustment mechanism is configured to perform a return operation of returning the steering wheel from the storage position back to an inside of the adjustment operation range,

the electrically adjustable steering further comprises a notification unit configured to notify status of the return operation during the return operation, and

the notification unit is configured to notify through an image, light, sound, odor, or vibration.

10. The electrically adjustable steering according to claim 1 ,

wherein the position adjustment mechanism performs the storage operation during automatic driving of a vehicle or when a driver enters or exits the vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2021
From: KUROKAWA, YOSHIFUMI; READ, SIMON; MARMILLO, STEVEN
To: NSK LTD.
Reel/Frame 055409/0991 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62927810 · Oct 30, 2019
Related Publication 20210171086A1 · Jun 10, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,397,845