Energy-absorbing device with axial holding for automobile vehicle steering columns
First Claim
1. An energy-absorbing device in an automobile steering column adjustable in depth and inclination comprising:
- a support structure fixed to an automobile body for receiving a steering column body-tube and a steering shaft therein and mounting the body-tube and steering shaft to the automobile body so as to be adjustable in a selected depth and inclination;
a securing device for locking the body-tube in said support structure and having a rotatable elongate tightening element mounted on the support structure extending in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the steering column;
said securing device having an operator operable in a direction for rotating the tightening element in a direction to tighten and lock the body-tube in said support structure;
clamping elements mounted on said support structure coactive therewith and with said tightening element for clamping the body-tube and locking it in said support structure;
said clamping elements and support structure having slots through which said tightening element extends axially coactive to accommodate positioning of the axis of the tightening element in accordance with a selected depth and inclination of the steering column in said support structure;
an energy-absorbing element mounted and connected at an end of the body-tube facing toward a driving wheel of the automobile steering column and translating therewith in response to an impact force applied to the body-tube at said end and in a direction parallel to the axis of the body-tube and effecting axial translation thereof and absorbing energy of the impact force during said translation;
intermediate toothed elements coupling the energy-absorbing element to the securing device operator for effecting translation of the securing device operator and tightening element axis in response to axial translation of the body-tube relative to said support structure to absorb energy of the impact force when the impact force is applied and said energy absorbing element is rendered effective and absorbs the energy of the impact force.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An energy-absorbing device for an automobile steering column adjustable in depth and/or inclination mounted on a support structure fixed to the vehicle body. The body-tube and steering shaft are clamped and locked in the support structure. A securing device with a rotatable elongate tightening element, such as a bolt or rod, and an operator for rotating the axis of the tightening element clamps the body-tube between coacting clamping elements and vertical sides of the support structure. Provision is made for depth adjustment and inclination of the steering column body-tube by slots in the clamping elements and support structure that allow positioning the tightening element axis at a selected position in accordance with a selected depth and inclination of the body-tube. An energy-absorbing element, in the form of a flat coiled band or a coiled wire, is fixed to an end of the body-tube facing the vehicle steering wheel so that an impact force applied at that end and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body-tube effects axial translation of the body-tube relative to the support structure. Intermediate toothed elements of the securing device connect the energy-absorbing element to the body-tube and the securing device operator which translates in response to the body-tube translation. If the impact force reaches the value of the tightening or clamping forces, the energy-absorbing element absorbing element absorbs the energy of the impact force as the body-tube translates.
40 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An energy-absorbing device in an automobile steering column adjustable in depth and inclination comprising:
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a support structure fixed to an automobile body for receiving a steering column body-tube and a steering shaft therein and mounting the body-tube and steering shaft to the automobile body so as to be adjustable in a selected depth and inclination; a securing device for locking the body-tube in said support structure and having a rotatable elongate tightening element mounted on the support structure extending in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the steering column; said securing device having an operator operable in a direction for rotating the tightening element in a direction to tighten and lock the body-tube in said support structure; clamping elements mounted on said support structure coactive therewith and with said tightening element for clamping the body-tube and locking it in said support structure; said clamping elements and support structure having slots through which said tightening element extends axially coactive to accommodate positioning of the axis of the tightening element in accordance with a selected depth and inclination of the steering column in said support structure; an energy-absorbing element mounted and connected at an end of the body-tube facing toward a driving wheel of the automobile steering column and translating therewith in response to an impact force applied to the body-tube at said end and in a direction parallel to the axis of the body-tube and effecting axial translation thereof and absorbing energy of the impact force during said translation; intermediate toothed elements coupling the energy-absorbing element to the securing device operator for effecting translation of the securing device operator and tightening element axis in response to axial translation of the body-tube relative to said support structure to absorb energy of the impact force when the impact force is applied and said energy absorbing element is rendered effective and absorbs the energy of the impact force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An energy-absorbing device in an automobile steering column adjustable in depth and inclination comprising:
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a support structure fixed to an automobile body for receiving a steering column body-tube and a steering shaft therein and mounting the body-tube and steering shaft to the automobile body as as to be adjustable in a selected depth and inclination; a securing device for locking the body-tube in said support structure and having a rotatable elongate tightening element rotatably mounted on the support structure extending in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the steering column; said securing device having an operator operable in a direction for rotating the tightening element in a direction to tighten and lock the body-tube in said support structure; clamping elements mounted on said support structure coactive therewith and with said tightening element for clamping the body-tube and locking it in said support structure; said clamping elements and support structure having respective slots through which said tightening element extends axially to accommodate positioning of the axis of the locking element in accordance with a selected depth and inclination of the steering column; an energy-absorbing element mounted and connected at an end of the body-tube facing toward a driving wheel of the automobile steering column and translating therewith in response to an impact force applied to the body-tube at said end and in a direction parallel to the axis of the body-tube and effecting axial translation thereof; intermediate toothed elements coupling the energy-absorbing element to the securing device operator to effect translation thereof in response to said translation of the energy-absorbing device, and said toothed elements having elongate slots for said securing device tightening element axis to translate therein in response to said impact force. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification