Crash responsive energy absorbing device for a steering column
An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column has a plastically deformable strap extending along a track in a base. When the steering column collapses in a collision, the strap moves along the track and a portion of the strap is displaced by a ball in a pocket in the track, which resists strap movement in an amount related to the diameter of the ball. Different diameter balls are provided. One ball is selected depending on the amount of resistance desired. The ball is selected by an actuator operable by a signal generated by a controller in response to a vehicle collision. Alternatively, an anvil displaces a portion of the strap into a U-shape to resist linear movement of the strap. The position of the anvil is adjustable by a stepped adjuster bar to vary the displacement of the U-shaped portion.
Delphi Technologies, Inc.
F B
F16F B62D
inventional inventional
Xiaoyu James Edward
Li Rouleau