Shock absorbing type steering column assembly

Abstract

A shock absorbing type steering column assembly includes a first bracket fixed to a steering column at a middle portion thereof, a second bracket formed integrally with the car body for supporting the first bracket, and a connecting device having an energy absorbing member for supporting the first bracket until a predetermined load is applied upon a secondary collision and absorbing a collision energy applied on the steering column and allowing the first bracket to move relative to the second bracket to absorb the shock energy when the predetermined load is applied on the steering column upon a secondary collision. The energy absorbing member includes a metallic wire which has a basic portion and elongated deformable portions extending respectively from the ends of said basic portion toward free ends. Each of the deformable portions has a folded-back portion and a deformable portion extending from the folded-back portion to the free end. The energy absorbing member is retained at the basic portion by one of the first and the second brackets and engaged or engageable with the other of the first and second brackets at the folded-back portion. When the applied load exceeds the predetermined value and the first bracket moves forward relative to the second bracket, the wire is so urged by the first bracket that the folded-back portions are shifted along the deformable portions toward the free ends, thereby absorbing the collision energy.