ABSORBING STEERING COLUMN FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

摘要

An energy absorbing steering column for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, an upper steering column tube, a lower steering column tube telescopically engaged with the upper steering column tube, a steering shaft rotatably suspended within the steering column and having a steering wheel secured to the rearward end of the shaft. A first means is provided for mounting the upper steering column tube to the body and for absorbing impact loads through plastic deformation as the column tubes move together axially. A second means is provided for securing the upper column tube to the lower column tube and for allowing the tubes to move axially relative to each other.