Importance

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Abstract

An energy-absorbing device for an automobile steering column adjustable in depth and/or inclination mounted on a support structure fixed to the vehicle body. The body-tube and steering shaft are received in the support structure and clamped and locked therein by clamping elements coactive with the support structure. A locking device is provided with a rotatable elongate locking element to which is connected an operator for rotating the axis of the locking element in a direction for clamping the body-tube between coacting clamping elements and vertical sides of the support structure. The locking element is a bolt or rod having reverse pitch nuts on opposite ends and which tighten the sides of the support structure and clamping elements toward the body-tube to lock the body-tube in place when the locking element axis is rotated by the locking device operator. Provision is made in parts of the support structure and clamping elements for depth adjustment and inclination of the steering column body-tube by providing in the support structure and clamping elements slots that allow positioning of the locking element axis at a selected position in accordance with the selected depth and inclination of the body-tube. An energy-absorbing device is provided in the form of a hydraulic shock absorber the body or cylinder of which is fixed to an end of the body-tube facing the vehicle steering wheel so that an impact force applied at that end and which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body-tube effects axial translation of the body-tube relative to the support structure. An intermediate element of the locking device connects a piston of the shock absorber to the locking device operator which rotates the axis of the elongate locking element in a direction for tightening the body-tube in the support structure as the body-tube translates. The locking element thus preliminarily tightens the support structure and clamping elements in response to the body-tube translation. If the impact force reaches the value of the tightening or clamping forces the damping device is rendered effective and absorbs the energy of the impact force.

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First Claim