Energy absorbing device for a steering column

摘要

An energy-absorbing device for a steering column of an automotive vehicle comprising energy-absorbing straps on opposite sides of the steering column. The straps are made of relatively stiff, bendable, flexible strip material. Each strap has a laterally inner leg and a laterally outer leg secured to the inner leg by one or more rivets. The legs of each strap extend lengthwise of the steering column and have corresponding ends laterally connected together by a curved loop portion. The inner leg of each strap is rigidly connected to the steering column. The outer leg of each strap is rigidly connected to the instrument panel. The rivets are adapted to shear in a frontal impact to allow the inner leg of each strap to move with the steering column as it collapses, with the loop portion of each strap resisting such collapse to gradually absorb energy and prevent excessive reaction forces of the steering column against the driver./!