| 摘要 |
<p>An energy absorbing raked steering column (10) including a rake bracket (30) on a vehicle body (20, 46), a rake bolt (52) on a collapsible mast jacket (16) of the steering column traversing the rake bracket through a pair of vertical slots (54) in the rake bracket, and a rake clamp (58) for selectively coupling the rake bracket to the mast jacket. The rake bracket (30) releases from the vehicle body (20, 46) for linear translation with the mast jacket in response to an impact 'F' on a steering hand wheel (28) on the steering column. An energy absorber (70) includes a pair convex anvils (74A) on the rake bracket (30) which are thrust against and pulled across a pair of stationary serpentine metal straps (76A, 76B). Forces attributable to plastic deformation of the metal straps (76A, 76B) resist linear translation of the mast jacket (16) and urge rotation of the rake bracket (30) about the rake bolt (52). A pair of lateral trunnions (62A, 62B) on the mast jacket (16) intercept the rake bracket (30) and block rotation thereof to maintain the contact geometry between the convex anvils (74A) and the metal straps (76A, 76B). One of the lateral trunnions (62A) also cooperates with a barb (68) on a cantilever spring (66) on a control lever (56) of the rake clamp (58) in retaining the control lever in a locked position.</p> |
