Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Jeffrey D Ottenhoff

Mirjana Jurik

Rodney L Eaton

Glenn F Syrowik

Thomas S Kaliszewski

Gregory A Wasek

Scott Munro

Donald A Mahoney

A steering column bracket for a motor vehicle includes a body defining a bore adapted to receive a lower mounting bracket. A pair of wings extend out from the body on opposite sides thereof. A bracing is formed on at least a portion of a surface of the body and a at least a portion of a surface of the wings. The bracing includes of a plurality of ribs defining pockets. The bracing provides stiffness to the steering column bracket.

Steering column bracket

An energy absorption device for use in a steering column assembly in a motor vehicle includes a steering column bracket having a groove formed therein. A sheet strap is mounted on the groove in a hooked configuration and has a first end and a second end. An insert is mounted on the first end of the sheet strap. A pop rivet is mounted to the steering column bracket and extends across the groove to prevent the insert from moving. A pin is mounted on the second end of the sheet strap opposite the first end. The pin is adapted to be coupled to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle. The sheet strap unwinds during an impact event thereby absorbing energy.

Energy absorption system for a steering column bracket

A steering column mounting system that includes a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a steering column and at least one pull strap made of a resiliently bendable material, the pull strap having a first leg with a slot through which extends a fastener fixedly attached to a motor vehicle structure and having a free second leg substantially parallel to the first leg. The pull strap has at least two portions having different widths. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may be selected so as to provide a predetermined amount of resiliency to the unwinding of the pull straps. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may also be selected so as to provide differing amounts of resiliency at different stages of the unwinding of the pull straps. A support frame is attached to the mounting bracket and maintains the first leg and the second leg of the pull strap substantially parallel relative to each other. Upon relative movement between the mounting bracket and the fastener, the pull strap is caused to unwind. The mounting bracket may also include a slot through which extends a fastener fixedly attached to a motor vehicle structure, the mounting bracket having a tapered cross-section over a length of the slot such that frictional force between the fastener and the mounting bracket is reduced when the fastener is caused to move from a first end of the slot to a second end of the slot.

System and method for energy management in a steering column of a motor vehicle

A steering column in an automotive vehicle is supported by a stationary wall that carries two capsules on either side of the steering column. The steering column has an attachment wall that extends within the capsules. Each capsule has two support walls sandwiched around the attachment wall and a tubular connector joining the support walls together. Severable ribs are integral with the tubular connector and in contact with edge areas of the attachment wall, such that in a crash situation the steering column can collapse forwardly to minimize chest injury to the driver of the vehicle.

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Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey D Ottenhoff