公开(公告)号：US20030071451A1

公开(公告)日：2003-04-17

申请号：US10266666

申请日：2002-10-08

Applicant: Delphi Technologies Inc.

Inventor： Richard Kremer Riefe ,  James R. Salois ,  David Michael Byers

IPC: B62D001/11

CPC classification number: B62D1/195

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle includes an M-shaped plastically deformable strap for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision. An anvil adjusts the resistance to collapse imposed on the steering column by the strap. A controller produces a signal of a magnitude indicative of an amount of resistance needed to be imposed on the steering column by the strap to better protect from injury a driver seated behind the steering column at the time of the collision. An actuator receives the signal and actuates the anvil to adjust the amount of resistance imposed by the strap in accordance with the magnitude of the signal.