VEHICLE ENERGY-ABSORBING STEERING COLUMN Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: mechanical and transport engineering. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to energy-absorbing collapsible steering gears. Said energy absorbing steering column has telescopic shaft consisting of two coaxial parts 1 and 2. End of part 1 is interference fitted into end of parts 2, both ends being rigidly connected with members made in form of truncated cylinders 3, 4. In case of road accident, when steering wheel hits the driver, part 2 of telescopic shafts moving axially in direction of arrow P, thus absorbing energy of impact overcoming friction force in mated generating surfaces of truncated cylinders 3, 4 and mated truncated cylinder 3 and part 2 and part 1 of shaft and cylinder 4. Amount of absorber energy depends of friction force and size L. EFFECT: improved manufacturability of steering column, reduced weight and size of column owing to increased rigidity and torsional strength of shaft, reduced to minimum traumatic injuries of driver. 3 cl, 2 dwg