Patent ID: 7406894

Claim:
A steering column assembly comprising a steering column shroud which supports a steering column shaft, said shroud being connected to said vehicle by a clamping mechanism which is operable between a locked position in which said shroud is clamped in position relative to a fixed position of said vehicle chassis and an unlocked position in which said shroud is adjustable for reach and/or rake relative to said vehicle chassis, said clamping mechanism including an actuator being adapted to move said clamp between said locked position and said unlocked position, said assembly being further provided with actuator control means for receiving at least one signal from a sensor which detects an operation of said vehicle to which said assembly is fitted and in response to a signal indicating an abnormal deceleration said control means is operable to move a clamping mechanism from a locked position to a collapse position in which said clamping mechanism is at least partially released to permit controlled collapse of a steering column shroud and hence said steering column, wherein, upon detection of collapse, said actuator control means operates said actuator to rapidly release said clamp to an initial collapse position and subsequently to gradually unclamp said clamp over time providing a decreasing resistance to collapse.