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:
Jun. 15, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2002
Xiaoyu Li, Saginaw, MI (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
An active energy absorbing system including a steering column housing movable on a collapse stroke. An energy absorbing device is mounted on the steering column housing and exerts a resistance force against the movement of the steering column housing along its collapse stroke. The energy absorbing device includes a base unit having an adjustable deforming member disposed within. A deformable strap is also housed by the base unit and is attached at one end to a vehicle structure. The deformable strap engages the adjustable deforming member. An actuator is associated with the base unit and adjusts the adjustable deforming member. A spring attachment member is associated with the base unit and includes an adjustment portion that engages the adjustable deforming member and provides for movement of the adjustable deforming member to vary the total active surface area engaging the deformable strap. A stop is associated with the base unit and is positioned to interact with the adjustment portion of the spring attachment member such that removal of stop by the actuator in response to a control parameter allows for adjustment of the adjustable deforming member such that an optimized energy absorbing load is provided.