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Pre-crash column release

  • US 20060131863A1
  • Filed: 12/16/2004
  • Published: 06/22/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A steering column assembly (10) for a vehicle comprising:

  • first and second steering column members (12, 14) engaged for movement relative to one another along one of a tilting path (16) and a telescoping path;

    an electric lock (18) operable in a locked configuration wherein said first and second steering column members (12, 14) are locked with respect to one another and an unlocked configuration wherein said first and second steering column members (12, 14) are moveable with respect to one another to selectively lock said first and second steering column members (12, 14);

    a sensor (20) operable to sense a condition corresponding to a vehicle crash and to emit a signal corresponding to the condition; and

    a controller (22) operable to receive said signal and to control said electric lock (18) to change from said locked configuration to said unlocked configuration in response to said signal.

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