Patent ID: 11970206
Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F | IPC B  F

Claim 10:
11. A method of operating a steering column for a motor vehicle that includes a crash device with two components that have mutually facing surfaces and that are connected by a shear element that is disposed in an opening passing at least partially through the two components, the method comprising:
shearing off the shear element and dividing the shear element into two shear element fragments upon application of a force between the two components that exceeds a predetermined crash force; and
plastically shaping each of the two shear element fragments to include a widened portion configured in at least a respective edge region of the opening bounding each of the mutually facing surfaces to form a retaining edge that produces a positive connection that acts in a direction of passage of the opening between the at least one of the shear element fragments and the respective component.