A steering system includes a fastening mechanism that makes an upper jacket fastened to be held by a lower jacket. In a fastened state of the fastening mechanism, a first tooth member on the upper jacket side is meshed with a second tooth member on the lower jacket side. The second tooth member is connected to the lower jacket via a guide shaft (connecting member) that is fracturable during a secondary collision. During the secondary collision in an unfastened state of the fastening mechanism, a second engagement portion (driving member) that moves in a column axial direction integrally with the upper jacket abuts on the second tooth member in an unmeshed state to fracture the guide shaft, and deforms an impact absorbing member via the second tooth member to absorb an impact.

A steering column includes an outer jacket that is adjustably secured to a carrier unit and clamped to a telescopically adjustable inner jacket. The outer jacket has a tubular body with a clamping slot extending longitudinally. Opposing side plates disposed alongside the clamping slot extend longitudinally. The side plates are connected to the tubular body and each have a longitudinally-extending elongated hole spaced apart from the tubular body in an outer region that protrudes from the tubular body. A clamping bolt extends through the elongated holes and an opening of the carrier unit. The clamping bolt applies a clamping force to load the side plates. An inner region of each side plate is fixed to the tubular body. A support element is connected to each side plate between the elongated hole and the inner region and is connected to the tubular body in an edge region of the clamping slot.

A steering column includes an outer jacket that is adjustably secured to a carrier unit and clamped to a telescopically adjustable inner jacket. The outer jacket has a tubular body with a clamping slot extending longitudinally. Opposing side plates disposed alongside the clamping slot extend longitudinally. The side plates are connected to the tubular body and each have a longitudinally-extending elongated hole spaced apart from the tubular body in an outer region that protrudes from the tubular body. A clamping bolt extends through the elongated holes and an opening of the carrier unit. The clamping bolt applies a clamping force to load the side plates. An inner region of each side plate is fixed to the tubular body. A support element is connected to each side plate between the elongated hole and the inner region and is connected to the tubular body in an edge region of the clamping slot.

A locking mechanism for a telescoping steering column includes an energy absorption strap having a plurality of teeth disposed therealong. Also included is a clamp bolt rotatably driven by an adjustment lever. Further included is an actuator body coupled to the clamp bolt and rotated therewith. Yet further included is a first lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a first direction. Also included is a second lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a second direction different than the first direction.

A locking mechanism for a telescoping steering column includes an energy absorption strap having a plurality of teeth disposed therealong. Also included is a clamp bolt rotatably driven by an adjustment lever. Further included is an actuator body coupled to the clamp bolt and rotated therewith. Yet further included is a first lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a first direction. Also included is a second lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a second direction different than the first direction.

A tilt assembly (30) for a steering column assembly (10) including a pair of downwardly disposed plates each having a slot (36); an elongated member adapted to be rotated, wherein the elongated member penetrates the slot (36) of each downwardly disposed plate and extends therebetween; a rotational member (50) located within each slot (36) and having an opening through which the elongated member is received; a biasing member (60) with a first end (62) and a second end (68), where at least one end engages with the rotational member (50). The biasing member (60) is adapted to drive rotation of the rotational member (50). When the tilt assembly (30) is in an unlocked position, the rotational member (50) is adapted to travel with respect to the slot (36), and when the tilt assembly (30) is in a locked position, the rotational member (50) is adapted to rotate and engage with a wail that is fixed with respect to the slot (36). The elongated member, rotational member (50), and biasing member (60) may be configured to eliminate lash. A steering column assembly (10) incorporating the tilt assembly (30) is also contemplated.

A tilt assembly (30) for a steering column assembly (10) including a pair of downwardly disposed plates each having a slot (36); an elongated member adapted to be rotated, wherein the elongated member penetrates the slot (36) of each downwardly disposed plate and extends therebetween; a rotational member (50) located within each slot (36) and having an opening through which the elongated member is received; a biasing member (60) with a first end (62) and a second end (68), where at least one end engages with the rotational member (50). The biasing member (60) is adapted to drive rotation of the rotational member (50). When the tilt assembly (30) is in an unlocked position, the rotational member (50) is adapted to travel with respect to the slot (36), and when the tilt assembly (30) is in a locked position, the rotational member (50) is adapted to rotate and engage with a wail that is fixed with respect to the slot (36). The elongated member, rotational member (50), and biasing member (60) may be configured to eliminate lash. A steering column assembly (10) incorporating the tilt assembly (30) is also contemplated.

A steering column sleeve includes (i) a translationally movable outer tube and inner tube, and (ii) an adjusting system for adjusting the relative position of the tubes. The adjusting system includes a screw for adjusting the axial position of the two elements. The adjusting system further includes an adjusting device for adjusting a resistance force opposing the relative movement between the tubes. The adjusting device has a friction pad and a clamping surface against which the friction pad moves between operating and adjustment positions. The adjusting system also includes a kinematic chain so that, beyond a threshold resistance torque transmitted by the screw to a single motor that it drives, its torque is transmitted to the adjusting device so as to move the friction pad from its operating position to its adjustment position.

A steering column sleeve includes (i) two elements made up of an outer tube and an inner tube, and (ii) a system for adjusting a resistive force against a relative translational movement between the two elements. The adjustment system includes (i) at least one friction pad that is supported by a first of the two elements, (ii) a clamping surface rigidly connected to a second of the two elements, wherein the friction pad is configured to be in contact with and bear on the clamping surface, and (iii) an adjustment mechanism. The adjusting mechanism includes a cam directly or indirectly bearing on a support member in order to generate a variation in the pressure of the friction pad on the clamping surface parallel to a reference axis that is fixed relative to the first of the two elements so as to vary the pressure exerted by the friction pad on the clamping surface of the second of the two elements, between a use position and an adjustment position. The adjustment mechanism of the adjustment system is configured to generate a relative rotational movement between the cam and the support member about the reference axis.

A steering column sleeve includes (i) two elements made up of an outer tube and an inner tube, and (ii) a system for adjusting a resistive force against a relative translational movement between the two elements. The adjustment system includes (i) at least one friction pad that is supported by a first of the two elements, (ii) a clamping surface rigidly connected to a second of the two elements, wherein the friction pad is configured to be in contact with and bear on the clamping surface, and (iii) an adjustment mechanism. The adjusting mechanism includes a cam directly or indirectly bearing on a support member in order to generate a variation in the pressure of the friction pad on the clamping surface parallel to a reference axis that is fixed relative to the first of the two elements so as to vary the pressure exerted by the friction pad on the clamping surface of the second of the two elements, between a use position and an adjustment position. The adjustment mechanism of the adjustment system is configured to generate a relative rotational movement between the cam and the support member about the reference axis.