Patent ID: 6390505
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An automotive vehicle steering column and adjustment system comprising:a steering column, including a steering wheel whose motion is transmitted through the steering column to a steering mechanism to steer wheels of a vehicle; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel in the vehicle relative to a driver of the vehicle, including an actuator for performing the adjustment; and a system for operating the actuator, including a sensor for sensing an adjustment force externally applied to the steering wheel by a driver during adjustment of the steering wheel position, and a controller that is responsive to the sensor for causing the actuator to move the steering wheel in the direction of the externally applied force and to terminate further movement when the externally applied force causing the movement ceases; including an adjustment activation input disposed for actuation by the driver and operatively connected to the controller to initiate a steering wheel position adjustment.