Patent · US Active

Steering column for a motor vehicle

US11345391B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
7References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 27, 2019
Grant dateMay 31, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 27, 2039

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D1/181
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A steering column may include an inner casing tube in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis, an outer casing unit in which the inner casing tube is retained, and a motorized adjustment drive for longitudinal relative movement between the outer casing unit and the inner casing tube. The inner casing tube and the outer casing unit are coupled via an energy absorption device that has at least two energy absorption elements and a coupling device. A first energy absorption element can be coupled or uncoupled between the inner casing tube and the outer casing unit via the coupling device, which energy absorption element can be plastically deformed in the coupled state with relative displacement in the longitudinal direction of the inner casing tube and the outer casing unit. The coupling device has a coupling element that is movable between the uncoupled and the coupled state. The coupling element can be brought into operative engagement with a coupling piece that is connected to the first energy absorption element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.