Nsk Steering Systems Europe Limited

Patrick Anthony Duffy

James Peter Bentley

Laurence George Herbert Barton

An energy absorption device for a steering column for a vehicle includes a resilient device, preferably in the form of a coil spring, having turns that are wound in a clamping manner around a component such as a cylindrical rod connectable to the steering column. The coil spring and cylindrical rod are slidable relatively to each other to absorb energy in the event of a vehicle crash. An adjusting device is arranged to vary the clamping force of the turns of the coil spring on the rod by winding or unwinding the coils of the spring. The clamping force may be adjusted in accordance with data such as stature of the driver, vehicle speed and vehicle attitude.

Energy absorption device for vehicle steering column

A collapsible steering column assembly includes a steering column mounting bracket with a deformable component that is joined to the mounting bracket and that can collapse in the event of vehicle crash thereby to absorb energy. The deformable component is restrained in a normal position by locating means and is provided with regions of weakness to allow collapse. The provision of such deformable means actually in the mounting bracket itself eliminates the need for additional brackets, for example, to achieve the same purpose.

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Leicester, United Kingdom

Patrick Anthony Duffy