Energy absorbing steering column assembly

摘要

A collapsible steering column assembly (20) has a steering column (22) with a jacket (26) movable along a longitudinal axis (28) for telescoping and collapsing movement. The jacket (26) is movable about a pivot axis (30) for tilting movement between an upper and a lower limit. A biasing device (36) includes a fixed arm (54) and a rake arm (56) for urging the jacket (26) toward the upper limit. A support bracket (32) is detachably coupled to a mounting component (34) connected to the vehicle. The support bracket (32) is coupled to and supports the jacket (26) during the movements and is movable with the jacket (26) during the collapsing movement. A friction member (40) is mounted to the support bracket (32) and at least partially encircles the fixed arm (54) and engages the fixed arm (54) to form a friction-fit. The friction member (40) slides along the fixed arm (54) during the collapsing movement for transferring energy from the jacket (26) and the support bracket (32) to the biasing device (36).