Granted Patent B2

US 12,722,684 · App. 19/044,160 · Granted Sep 1, 2026

Inventors: Erik William Soderlind (Harrison Township, MI); Steven Bryan Amburgy (Commerce Township, MI); Taras Andrew Palczynski, Jr. (Ann Arbor, MI)

Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC

B62D1/16

Abstract

Claims (27)

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a bracket fixed to a steering column assembly, the bracket including a bracket surface; and

a housing including projections extending from a housing surface of the housing, the housing surface facing a same direction as the bracket surface, the projections including first portions and second portions, the first portions extending from the housing surface in a first direction, the second portions extending from the first portions in a second direction different than the first direction, the second portions of the projections to overlap the bracket surface.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an orifice in which the steering column assembly is to be positioned, and wherein the second portions of the projections extend from the first portions towards the steering column assembly.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the housing includes radial de-lash projections extending from a tubular surface to be positioned around the steering column assembly when the housing is coupled to the bracket, the radial de-lash projections to be in contact with the steering column assembly.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the projections include third portions extending from the second portions towards the bracket surface.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is coupled to the bracket via a translation of the housing relative to the bracket.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is coupled to the bracket via translation and rotation of the housing relative to the bracket.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a spring-loaded pin positioned in an orifice of the bracket when the housing is coupled to the bracket.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes insertion indents defined in a perimeter of the bracket, wherein the second portions of the projections align with the insertion indents during translation of the housing relative to the bracket.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second portions of the projections are positioned over the bracket surface after rotation of the housing relative to the bracket.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second portions of the projections contact the bracket surface.

11 . An apparatus comprising:

a bracket extending radially outward from a steering column assembly, the bracket including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and

a housing coupled to the bracket, the housing including a housing surface and projections extending from the housing surface, the first surface of the bracket in contact with the housing surface, the second surface of the bracket in contact with the projections.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bracket includes an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and slots defined between the inner diameter and the outer diameter, the slots to receive the projections of the housing.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each of the slots includes a circumferential end and a channel extending from the circumferential end, wherein the circumferential end receives one if the projections during a first coupling operation, and wherein a portion of the one of the projections is positioned in the channel after a second coupling operation.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first coupling operation includes translation of the housing relative to the bracket, and wherein the second coupling operation includes rotation of the housing relative to the bracket.

15 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each of the projections includes a slit separating a first section and a second section of the projection, and wherein the channel includes a first edge and a second edge, the first edge in contact with the first section, the second edge in contact with the second section.

16 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each of the projections includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the housing surface, the second portion extending from the first portion, the second portion in contact with the second surface of the bracket, wherein the first portion of the projections includes a fixed side and a movable side, wherein the second portion of the projections extends from the movable side away from the fixed side.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the second portion of the projection includes a tapered surface against which the bracket moves during coupling.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the tapered surface faces away from the bracket when the bracket is coupled to the housing.

19 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each of the projections includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the housing surface, the second portion extending from the first portion, the bracket including a third surface defining an outer perimeter of the bracket, and wherein the first portion of the projections is in contact with the third surface.

20 . A vehicle comprising:

a steering column assembly including a steering column;

a bracket fixedly coupled to the steering column assembly, the bracket including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and

a multifunction switch housing coupled to the bracket, the multifunction switch housing including a housing surface and projections extending from the housing surface, the bracket positioned between the housing surface and the projections.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (14)