Energy-absorbing device for automobile vehicle steering columns
US5673937A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/184
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy-absorbing device for an automobile steering column having a body-tube housing the steering shaft. A support made as two parallel vertical members mountably fixed on a vehicle body mount the steering column axially between them. The body-tube has reinforcement members on two opposite sides. An attaching device compresses the reinforcement members in the support with a tightening non-rotatable bolt extending axially through the body-tube reinforcement members and the support members. A nut on one end of the bolt is tightened by an operator for establishing a determined level of a frictional force between the support and body tube. The reinforcement members have release passage openings for the tightening member in the form of an edge notch open in the direction of the driver's wheel to allow the body-tube to translate axially free in response to an impact force parallel to the body-tube longitudinal axis in a direction away from the driver's wheel at a force level greater than the determined frictional force between the body-tube and support, as when an unrestrained driver impacts the steering wheel in a collison. A deformable element to which the body-tube tube is articula…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.