In one aspect of the invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes a tubular jacket having a first end and a second end, a steering shaft at least partially disposed within the tubular jacket, and an elastic vibration damper disposed between the steering shaft and the tubular jacket.

A steering column for a motor vehicle having a steering shaft mounted in a steering column tube so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a damping device. The damping device has an element which is stationary in relation to the steering column tube and a rotatable element which is coupled in terms of rotation to the steering shaft. The rotatable element is rotatable relative to the stationary element about an axis of rotation. A damping fluid is arranged between the rotatable and the stationary element. The steering column thus permits operationally reliable damping of the steering shaft in a steering system. At least two surfaces of the rotatable element are provided, which are parallel to the axis of rotation, are in contact with the damping fluid, and are arranged so as to be spaced apart coaxially from one another.

A torque transmission joint has a shock-absorbing member between a drive shaft and a driven shaft. When the drive shaft is rotated in one direction, forces due to torque transmitted from the drive shaft to the driven shaft act inward in a radial direction of the shock-absorbing member on held sections that are held between one side surfaces in the circumferential direction of drive-side arm sections that are positioned in the front side in the one direction of rotation of the drive shaft, and side surfaces in the circumferential direction of driven-side arm sections that are positioned on the rear side in the one direction of rotation of the drive shaft.

A steering column arrangement has a sliding sleeve and a universal joint yoke, which has a receiving section in which the sliding sleeve is included at least in sections and coaxially. The covering outer surface of the sliding sleeve and the covering inner surface of the receiving section have molded components for the positive connection. A torsion damper element is arranged between the sliding sleeve and the receiving section of the universal joint yoke. This is an annular arrangement, including an inner carrier ring, an outer carrier ring and an elastomer ring arranged between them. The inner carrier ring and outer carrier ring are elastic in a radial direction and rigid in an axial direction.

A steering system has a support tube that supports a steering shaft, and a housing that has a cylindrical portion housing a speed reducer. A bearing support member is fitted to an inner circumferential face of the cylindrical portion. A bearing is disposed between an outer circumferential face of the steering shaft and an inner circumferential face of the bearing support member. The bearing support member has an inner circumferential wall that fits to an outer circumferential face of the bearing, an outer circumferential wall that fits to the inner circumferential face of the cylindrical portion, and a coupling wall that couples the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall in a radial direction. The inner circumferential wall extends from the coupling wall in a same direction as a mounting direction, and the outer circumferential wall extends in an opposite direction from the mounting direction.

A steering shaft for a motor vehicle may include a first shaft part and a second shaft part. The first and second shaft parts may be connected in a way such that torques are transferred. A damping element can be disposed between the first and second shaft parts for damping oscillations and/or vibrations. The damping element may contact a carrier along a contact area. The damping element may be coupled to the carrier at only a portion of the contact area. The carrier may be, for example, the first shaft part, the second shaft part, a sleeve, or a bushing.

A method of controlling a steering system of a vehicle, the steering system comprising a first steering shaft, a second steering shaft, and a mechanical member comprising a first portion connected to the first steering shaft and a second portion connected to the second steering shaft. A mutual relative rotation between the first and second steering shafts is obtainable by an angular mechanical play between the first and second portions, the mechanical member being adapted to assume a first state in which a first angular mechanical play is provided between the first and second portions. An angular displacement between the first and second steering shafts is controlled, in response to an indication of the lateral acceleration, such that the mechanical member assumes a second state in which a second angular mechanical play is provided between the first and second portions.

An I-shaft assembly includes an upper shaft extending along an axis between a first upper end and a first lower end bounding a first hollow bore. An intermediate shaft extends along the axis between a second upper end and a second lower end bounding a second hollow bore. The second upper end is disposed in the first hollow bore. A lower shaft extends along the axis between a third upper end and a third lower end disposed in the second hollow bore. The upper shaft is releasably fixed for controlled movement along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft, and the lower shaft is releasably fixed against movement along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft during a normal operating condition. The upper shaft moves along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft and the lower shaft moves along the axis relative to the intermediate shaft during an abnormal operating condition.

The present disclosure relates to an assembly for a steering system of a vehicle, the assembly comprising an axle part having a coupling recess, and a steering cylinder having a coupling projection. The coupling projection is received in the coupling recess and an interference fit is formed between the coupling projection and the coupling recess.

Provided herein is a system and method for damping the steering of a vehicle. Methods of an example include: steering a pair of steerable wheels of the vehicle with a steering mechanism about an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of a respective one of the pair of steerable wheels; damping the steering mechanism at a first damping rate in response to a steering change rate of the pair of steerable wheels being below a predetermined rate; and damping the steering mechanism at a second damping rate in response to the steering change rate of the pair of steerable wheels being above the predetermined rate.