Patent ID: 7357417
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: B62D,F16F

Abstract:
1. A shock-absorption steering apparatus, comprising: a steering column; a support member for supporting the steering column detachably from a vehicle body; and an energy absorption device for supporting the steering column relatively movably frontward of the vehicle body and absorbing impact energy applied to the steering column by restricting the movement of the steering column, the energy absorption device comprising: an energy absorption plate adapted to be fixed to the vehicle body; a rotatable support pin supported by the steering column to apply a squeezing load to the energy absorption plate, a squeezing position of the support pin on the energy absorption plate varying by rotation of the support pin, and the squeezing load applied to the energy absorption plate, varying according to the squeezing position; a retainer fixed to the support pin for rotating with the support pin; restricting means for restricting rotation of the retainer; and a motor for controlling the restricting means to either permit or prevent rotation of the retainer corresponding to a predetermined condition, wherein the support pin is a crank pin having a first crank and a second crank, and the first crank squeezes the energy absorption plate while the second crank is provided with the retainer, and wherein by rotating the second crank, the squeezing position is varied.