公开(公告)号：US07226083B2

公开(公告)日：2007-06-05

申请号：US10787426

申请日：2004-02-26

申请人： Xiaoyu Li ,  Richard K. Riefe ,  Rick P. Nash

发明人： Xiaoyu Li ,  Richard K. Riefe ,  Rick P. Nash

IPC分类号： B62D1/19

CPC分类号： B62D1/195

摘要： The subject invention provides a collapsible steering column assembly. The assembly includes a support for attachment to a vehicle. A steering column is movably supported by the support. An energy absorbing mechanism interconnects the steering column and the support for absorbing energy in response to the steering column moving relative to the support during a collision. The energy absorbing mechanism includes a elongated element and a brake for variably resisting the movement of the elongated element and absorbing the energy during the collision. The elongated element, in combination with the brake, is capable of adjustment to absorb energy at forces of various magnitude such that a universal energy absorbing device may be installed on each type of vehicle. Furthermore, the elongated element retains structural integrity after absorbing the energy and need not be replaced.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种可折叠转向柱组件。 组件包括用于附接到车辆的支撑件。 转向柱由支撑件可移动地支撑。 能量吸收机构将转向柱和支撑件互连，以响应于在碰撞期间相对于支撑件移动的转向柱来吸收能量。 能量吸收机构包括细长元件和用于可变地抵抗细长元件的运动并在碰撞期间吸收能量的制动器。 细长元件与制动器组合能够调节以在各种大小的力下吸收能量，使得通用能量吸收装置可以安装在每种类型的车辆上。 此外，细长元件在吸收能量之后保持结构完整性，并且不需要更换。