Steering column assembly

Abstract

A steering column assembly comprises a shroud which supports a steering column shaft, a support bracket assembly comprising at least a first support bracket which is arranged to be fixed to the shroud through a releasable clamp assembly and to be fixed to a fixed part of the vehicle through at least one frangible capsule, and at least one energy absorbing device that acts between the first support bracket and a fixed portion of the vehicle or the capsule and which in the event of a collapse of the steering column assembly that causes the capsule to break deforms so as to absorb energy and thereby at least partially control the collapse of the steering column assembly, the energy absorbing device comprising an elongate strip having two opposed ends and a central portion that is wound into a coil, the two free ends of the strip projecting away from the coil, a first end being secured to the first support bracket part and a second end being secured to the fixed part of the vehicle or the capsule, whereby in the event of a collapse of the steering column assembly following breaking of the capsule the two ends of the strip are pulled away from one another causing the coiled portion of the strip to at least partially become unwound.