Safety steering column for a motor vehicle

US5737970A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Mercedes-Benz Group AG · DE

Inventors

• Ulrich Asbrand · Altdorf, DE
• Juergen Class · Mühlacker, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 24, 1996
• Grant date: Apr 14, 1998
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D1/197
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A safety steering column for a motor vehicle comprising a multi-member steering spindle, of which a portion close to the steering wheel is guided in a steering column tube which is fastened on a cross member largely unaffected in the case of a front collision. A portion of the steering spindle located close to the steering gear is constructed as a deformation member for absorbing an axial displacement of the steering gear. The deformation member is hinged on at one end to the portion of the steering spindle close to the steering wheel and is hinged on the other end to the input shaft of a steering gear. The input shaft of the steering gear has a desired bending point which is designed such that, when the steering gear in the direction of the passenger compartment such as during an accident, first the axial displacement path of the deformation member is largely used up before a buckling deformation starts at the desired bending point. A vehicle-body-fixed supporting element, such as a catch loop, may be provided to support the buckling deformation.