An adjustable, collapsible steering column with load-bearing part to prevent collapse during adjustment.

摘要

A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members 310 and 311 that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member 311 is attached to a structural part 313 of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism 320, 324 that allows the upper steering column 311 to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means 330 is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism 320, 324 when an adjustment lever 314U, 314L is moved to a position, engaging a detent or end stop 317 with the load transfer means, allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse. The load transfer means could be a bracket or strap engaging with a fixed part of the vehicle whilst the steering column is adjusted (Figs 4-6), a cam engaging a slot (Figs 7a and b), an abutment surface 317 engaging a rod 330 or a pin engaging a hole (Fig 9).