Collapsible steering column has adjustable fluid-controlled shock absorber which creates resistance to relative movement between shock absorber and column by varying fluid flow, during collapse of column in event of vehicle crash

摘要

The steering column assembly incorporates an adjustable fluid-controlled shock absorber (3) which creates a greater or lesser resistance to relative movement between the shock absorber and the column (2) by varying fluid flow, during collapse of the column in the event of a vehicle crash, in response to an electric signal supplied by sensors sensing various sensed conditions of a driver in the vehicle. The shock absorber may be telescopic and controlled by means of a solenoid. The shock absorber may form part of the steering column and may be located between a steering wheel and a yoke (1) of the assembly. The shock absorber may be formed from a static external cylinder (4) and an internal member (l5) that rotates with the wheel.