Impact absorbing steering apparatus

Abstract

Construction of an impact absorbing steering wheel apparatus that is capable of obtaining excellent performance at low cost while maintaining the freedom of design is achieved. An energy absorbing member comprises: a base plate section; an energy absorbing sectionthat is located in the rear half section of the base plate section, or extends toward the rear from the base plate section and has a bent back sectionthat is bent back in a U shape upward or downward with respect to the base plate section; a rear end installation sectionthat is located on the tip end section of the bent back section; and a front end installation sectionthat is located in front of the base plate section; wherein the tip end section of the bent back sectionand the rear end installation sectionare located in a space between a pair of held wall sectionsand fastened to a tightening rod; the front end installation sectionis fastened to the front end section of an inner columnor the housingof a electric-powered steering apparatus. Near the energy absorbing section, there is a guide section that, when the bent back sectionmoves as the rear end installation sectionmoves in the forward direction together with an outer columnduring a secondary collision, guides the movement of the bent back section