The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 14, 2023
Filed:
Oct. 25, 2022
Zf Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o., Czechowice-Dziedzice, PL;
Pawel Ponikiewski, Pewel Mala, PL;
Artur Wojtalik, Katowice, PL;
Dawid Klimek, Żywiec, PL;
Lukasz Dudzic, Tychy, PL;
ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o., Czechowice-Dziedzice, PL;
Abstract
A collapsible steering column assembly is disclosed, which comprises a collapsible steering column shroud that supports a collapsible steering shaft. The steering shaft has a first end for connection to a steering wheel of a vehicle a mounting bracket that supports the steering column shroud relative to the vehicle. The mounting bracket comprises a fixed portion secured to a fixed part of a vehicle body and a releasable portion secured to the steering shaft. The releasable portion is also secured to the fixed portion of the mounting bracket by one or more frangible connectors. The connectors are adapted to break in the event of a crash to permit the releasable portion and the steering shaft to move relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion includes a first anvil which has a rounded nose that faces towards the steering wheel, and a guide part which is offset from the first anvil in a direction away from the steering wheel. The guide part has a surface that is vertically offset from an adjacent surface of the fixed portion of the mounting bracket to define a space bounded by the surface of the guide part. The adjacent surface of the fixed part of the mounting bracket defines a convoluted path. An energy absorption strap has a first region fixed to at least one of the steering column shroud and the releasable portion and from which the energy absorption strap extends along a path that first loops around the first anvil and then passes along the convoluted path.