Energy-absorbing steering column
US10532762B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/189
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a steering column tube in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis. The steering column tube is fastened to a carrier connected to a vehicle chassis so that in normal operation the steering column tube is retained non-displaceably on the carrier, but is displaceable along the longitudinal axis in a crash event where a force that acts on the steering spindle exceeds a threshold value. An energy-absorption device may comprise a bending element that is connected to the carrier and the steering column tube and may be deformed in a crash event as a result of the longitudinal displacement of the steering column tube, thereby absorbing part of the energy of the steering column tube. The bending element may be at least partially surrounded by an insertion body, which prevents the binding element from contacting adjacent structural elements and deforms together with the bending element in a crash event.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.