Patent ID: 6578872
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A variable system for absorbing energy from a steering column of an automotive vehicle having a chassis (10), and a steering shaft (1) rotatably mounted in a body tube (2) for rotation about a steering axis (3), comprising:(a) fixed support means (8) connected with the vehicle chassis; (b) movable support means (9) connected with said body tube for movement relative to said fixed support means; (c) a pair of resilient metal coils (21; 25) arranged on opposite sides of a vertical plane containing said steering axis, each of said coils including a helical coil turn portion, and a linear end portion (22; 26) extending linearly from one end of said coil portion; (d) means connecting said coils between said fixed support means and said movable support means, including: (1) a pair of parallel retaining pins (5) connected with said fixed support means; (2) a pair of rollers (24; 28) rotatably mounted on said retaining pins, respectively, said helical coil turn portions been mounted concentrically about said rollers respectively; (3) a pair of fastening pins (7) connected with said movable support means in longitudinally spaced relation relative to said retaining pins, respectively, said linear end portions extending longitudinally in a direction of a force to be damped and having free ends connected with said fastening pins, respectively; and (e) pyrotechnic charge means for selectively axially displacing at least one of said retaining and fastening pins associated with each of said coils, whereby upon the occurrence of impact to the vehicle, said movable support means is connected with said fixed support means by a desired number of coils to absorb at least part of the energy to be dissipated as the body tube is moved longitudinally of the steering axis.