Patent ID: 6322103
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
An actively variable energy absorber comprising:a flat metal strap,a convex anvil,an attachment means operable to attach the flat metal strap to a first one of a housing of a steering column and a steering column support and the convex anvil to a second one of the steering column housing and the steering column support so that during a collapse stroke of the steering column housing relative to the steering column support the flat metal strap is thrust against and pulled across an active surface area of the convex anvil and the collapse stroke of the steering column housing is opposed by a resisting force attributable to plastic deformation of the flat metal strap at the active surface area of the convex anvil and to friction between the flat metal strap and the active surface area of the convex anvil, anda control means operable in response to changes in a predetermined control variable to vary the active surface area of the convex anvil thereby to vary the magnitude of the resisting force by changing the severity of plastic deformation of the flat metal strap and the friction between the flat metal strap and the convex anvil.