STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEM

摘要

A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a column jacket and an energy absorption system. The column jacket is configured to undergo a collapse event involving a translation of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis in response to application of a column compression force. The energy absorption system includes an anvil coupled to the vehicle and a strap coupled to the column jacket with the strap extending through the anvil such that the strap is drawn over the anvil in response to the collapse event. The strap is configured to cause: (a) a friction force to be created between the strap and the anvil; and (b) a deformation force to be created between the strap and the anvil. The strap is configured such that at least one of the friction force and the deformation force varies along the length of the strap.

主权项

1. A steering column assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a column jacket configured to undergo a collapse event involving a translation of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis in response to application of a column compression force following the occurrence of a predefined event; an energy absorption system including an anvil coupled to the vehicle and a strap coupled to the column jacket with the strap extending through the anvil such that the strap is drawn over the anvil in response to the collapse event; the strap being configured to cause a friction force to be created between the strap and the anvil so as to resist relative movement between the strap and the anvil during the collapse event; the strap being configured to cause a deformation force to be created between the strap and the anvil so as to resist relative movement between the strap and the anvil during the collapse event; the strap being configured such that at least one of the friction force and the deformation force varies along the length of the strap.