Patent ID: 6234528
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A system for modulating a absorption of energy from an automobile vehicle steering column upon an impact to the vehicle which comprises a steering shaft rotatably mounted in a body-tube connected to a support assembly which is fixed to the chassis of said vehicle, which modulating system operates in a direction substantially parallel to the steering axis of said steering column and comprises:(a) a fixed support member fastened to said chassis of said vehicle, and a mobile support member connected to said fixed support member to constitute said support assembly, said mobile support member being connected to and locked on said fixed support member by a force having a predetermined value, whereby said locking is overcome in the event of an impact;(b) at least one retaining pin means 5 arranged in said fixed support member substantially perpendicular to said steering axis of said steering column;(c) at least one anchor pin means (7) arranged in said mobile support member substantially perpendicular to said steering axis of said steering column; and(d) a plurality of resilient windings (41-53: 101-103) connected between said retaining pin means and said anchor pin means, wherein:(1) said windings comprise helical torsion windings mounted concentrically on at least one tubular roller rotatable mounted on the retaining pin means (5) fastened to said fixed support;(2) each of said windings having a free end which is anchored to the anchor pin means (7) arranged at the end of said mobile support member intermediate said retaining pin means and the steering wheel end of the steering shaft;(3) at least one of said retaining pin means and said anchor pin means being axially displaceable by control means (30);(4) said control means being operable to select a number of windings connected between said anchor pin means and said retaining pin means, whereby the number of windings unwound upon the occurrence of impact to the vehicle corresponds with the absorption energy that is to be dissipated.