CRASH RESPONSIVE ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE FOR A STEERING COLUMN

摘要

An energy absorbing device (10) for a collapsible steering column has a plastically deformable strap (18) extending along a track (30) in a base (24). When the steering column collapses in a collision, the strap (18) moves along the track (30) and a portion (57) of the strap (18) is displaced by a ball (48) in a pocket (36) in the track (30), which resists strap movement in a an amount related to the diameter of the ball (48). Different diameter balls (44, 46, 48) are provided. One ball (48) is selected depending on the amount of resistance desired. The ball (48) is selected by an actuator (53) operable by a signal generated by a controller (54) in response to a vehicle collision.