The present invention relates to a steering column bracket in a motor vehicle, and more particularly to an energy absorption system for a steering column bracket in a motor vehicle.
Steering column brackets are known in the art and are generally used to support a lower mounting bracket that extends from the steering wheel of a motor vehicle to a steering assembly. The steering column bracket is mounted to the instrument panel of the motor vehicle. As the point of support for the steering assembly of the motor vehicle, steering column brackets must be able to absorb collision energy in the event of an impact.
Accordingly, steering column brackets typically include an energy absorption device mounted thereto that absorbs energy during an impact event. Because the energies involved during an impact event can be relatively high, a specially designed energy absorption device is provided.
An energy absorption device for use in a steering column assembly in a motor vehicle includes a steering column bracket having a groove formed therein. A sheet strap is mounted on the groove in a hooked configuration and has a first end and a second end. An insert is mounted on the first end of the sheet strap. A pop rivet is mounted to the steering column bracket and extends across the groove to prevent the insert from moving. A pin is mounted on the second end of the sheet strap opposite the first end. The pin is adapted to be coupled to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle. The sheet strap unwinds during an impact event thereby absorbing energy.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
With reference to
The energy absorption system 10 generally includes a sheet strap 16 mounted on a groove 18 formed on the steering column bracket 14. Only one of two energy absorption systems 10 are shown on the steering column bracket 14 for purposes of clarity. The groove 18 extends in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the steering column bracket 14, indicated by arrow A—A.
The sheet strap 16 has a hooked configuration that wraps around the end of the groove 18. The sheet strap 16 is preferably made of a metal and coated with a lubricating substance. For example, the sheet strap 16 may be made from steel and coated with Teflon, though various other materials may be employed. As will be described in greater detail below, the sheet strap 16 unwinds from its hooked configuration during an impact event by sliding along the groove 18, absorbing energy from the impact event as the sheet strap 16 unwinds.
The energy absorption system 10 further includes a plastic insert 20 mounted under the groove 18. The plastic insert 20 includes a slot 22 sized to receive a pop rivet 23. As best seen in
Returning to
The sheet strap 16 is held by a screw attachment 24 or other type of pin within the groove 18 at a second end 29 opposite that of the first end 25. The screw attachment 24 connects the sheet strap 16 to an instrument panel (not shown) of a motor vehicle (not shown). Accordingly, the second end 29 is essentially coupled to the body of the motor vehicle and cannot move relative thereto.
During an impact event, the steering column bracket 14 moves relative to the instrument panel (not shown) and body (not shown) of the motor vehicle. However, the second end 29 of the sheet strap 16 is fixed by screw attachment 24 to the instrument panel and therefore does not move relative to the instrument panel (not shown). Accordingly, the screw attachment 24 and sheet strap 16 move relative to the steering column bracket 14 within the groove 18 as the steering column bracket 14 moves relative to the instrument panel and body of the motor vehicle. This in turn forces the sheet strap 16 to unwind as it is pinned at the first end 25 by the plastic insert 20 and the pop rivet 23 from moving in the direction of arrow B—B. As the sheet strap 16 unwinds, the sheet strap 16 absorbs energy from the impact event.
The sheer strength of the pop rivet 23 is approximately 5.56 kn and the tensile strength is approximately 4.67 kn. The pop rivet 23 is sufficiently strong to hold the sheet strap 16 in place when unwinding during an impact event. Moreover, prior to installation of the pop rivet 23, the groove 18 can be finished to a smooth surface prior to the assembly process so that the sheet strap 16 may slide therein during the impact event.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3177540 | Hall et al. | Apr 1965 | A |
3230592 | Hosea | Jan 1966 | A |
3485133 | Rapata | Dec 1969 | A |
3745612 | Seckerson | Jul 1973 | A |
4630716 | Faust | Dec 1986 | A |
4988308 | Toedtman | Jan 1991 | A |
5024118 | Khalifa et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5390955 | Kaliszewski et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5573362 | Asami et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5605073 | Milton et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5609364 | Fouquet et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5609423 | Jurik et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5704642 | Jurik et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5755461 | Halacka et al. | May 1998 | A |
5797685 | Jurik et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5960673 | Eaton et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5979860 | Jurik et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6234528 | Ben-Rhouma et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6578872 | Duval et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6592148 | Byers et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6655716 | Riefe | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6659504 | Riefe et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6749221 | Li | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6749222 | Manwaring et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6769715 | Riefe et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6811185 | Bohlen et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6814373 | Munro et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6854765 | Heinzman et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6942250 | Dubay et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050167964 A1 | Aug 2005 | US |