Internally collapsible steering column assembly

摘要

A collapsible steering column assembly comprising an inner tube operatively connectable with a steering wheel; a top bracket for mounting the steering column assembly; a column housing pivotally coupled with the top bracket and configured to telescopically receive the inner tube; a telescoping actuator device operatively attached to the column housing and the inner tube by one or more drive members; and an energy absorption device housed at least partially within or carried at least partially on the telescoping actuator device and fixed in place to the column housing; wherein the column housing remains generally fixed in place relative to the top bracket in an event of a secondary impact, and during the secondary impact, the inner tube telescopically translates into the column housing; and wherein, during the secondary impact, the energy absorption device undergoes plastic deformation to absorb energy from a load caused by the secondary impact.

主权项

1. A collapsible steering column assembly comprising:
a. an inner tube operatively connectable with a steering wheel; b. a top bracket configured for both mounting the steering column assembly within an automotive vehicle and accommodating a tilt function of the steering column assembly relative to a vehicle operator as a single unit; c. a column housing that is pivotally coupled with the top bracket and is configured to telescopically receive the inner tube; d. a telescoping actuator device operatively attached to the column housing and to the inner tube by way of one or more drive members in a manner that allows the inner tube to be actuated selectively in a fore or aft direction by the vehicle operator; and e. an energy absorption device that is housed at least partially within or carried at least partially on the telescoping actuator device and is fixed in place to the column housing, wherein the energy absorption device includes a metal strip; wherein the column housing is adapted to remain generally fixed in place relative to the top bracket in an event of a secondary impact, and during the secondary impact, the inner tube is adapted to telescopically translate into the column housing; and further wherein, during the secondary impact, the energy absorption device undergoes plastic deformation to absorb energy from a load caused by the secondary impact.