GB2269140A

GB2269140A - Energy absorbing collapsible steering column.

Info

Publication number: GB2269140A
Application number: GB9219760A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Thomas Hancock
Original assignee: Torrington Co Ltd; Torrington Co
Current assignee: Torrington Co Ltd; Timken US LLC
Priority date: 1992-07-28
Filing date: 1992-09-18
Publication date: 1994-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2012-09-18
Also published as: GB9215995D0; FR2694257A1; DE4325040A1; FR2694257B1; GB9219760D0; GB2269140B

Abstract

In a steering column structure mountable to a break away mounting an inner steering shaft (15) is drivably coupled by a splined arrangement (8) to an outer shaft (16), and has an energy absorption member in the form of a tube (17) which surrounds a pin (18) which is mounted diametrically through the inner shaft. A crash induced force on the column structure causes the outer shaft to be forced relatively towards the tube (17), thereby inducing an interaction between the pin and tube, the latter being deformed thereby to achieve the requisite energy absorption. In an alternative embodiment, the splined outer shaft (16) itself acts as the absorption energy member, the pin (18) deforming the splined arrangement (8). <IMAGE>

Description

2269140 VEHICLE CRASH ENERGY ABSORBING MECHANISM The present invention

relates to an automotive vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism.

During a crash a suitable mechanism is required to meet statutory regulations in respect of the force imposed on a driver of a vehicle when in contact with the vehicle's steering wheel. There are various mechanisms for this purpose.

A vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a steering column structure mountable to a breakaway mounting. the structure including an inner steering shaft and an outer shaft drivably coupled to the inner shaft and axially slidable over and with respect to the inner shaft, the inner shaft having an energy absorption member mounted thereon by means of a pin, the mechanism acting so that a crash induced force on the column structure causes the outer shaft to be forced relatively towards the energy absorption member inducing an interaction between the pin and member.

Preferably the pin is mounted diametrically through the inner shaft. The absorption member can comprise a tube.

The pin is preferably of such a length as to f orm an interference fit within at least an initial part of the tube. This initial part may have diametrically opposite slots extending in the axial direction some 10 mm or so from the outer end of the tube.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism comprising a steering column structure mountable to a breakaway mounting, the structure including an inner steering shaft and an outer shaft drivably coupled to the inner shaft and axially slidable over and with respect to the inner shaft, the inner shaft having a pin incorporated therein, the mechanism acting so that a crash induced f orce on the column structure causes the outer shaft to be f orced relatively towards the pin thereby inducing an interaction between the pin and outer shaft, the latter acting as an energy absorption member.

An advantage of this mechanism is the low cost and the ease with which it can be adapted to meet particular vehicle requirements.

The pin diameter and/or length, tube thickness and interference can be varied. A further advantage is that at the point of manufacture the mechanism as assembled can be completely checked by measuring the installed force of inserting the pin into the mouth of the tube.

Further embodiments and variation may be constructed having more than one cross pin.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a general elevation of a steering column structure having one form of an energy absorbing mechanism.

Figure 2 is an enlarged axial cross-section of the mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 2A is a diametral cross-section taken at A-A on Figure 2 showing pin and tube construction; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of another form of energy absorbing mechanism; Figure 3A is a diametral cross-section taken at A-A on Figure 3 showing pin and sleeve construction; Figure 3B is a diametral cross-section takenat imaginary line B-B in Figure 3 illustrating deformation by pin after crash movement of steering column; and Figure 4 is a diagram of the f orce on the steering column shaf t against movement of the tube relative the outer shaft shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 1 there is shown a steering column structure 10 with steering wheel 13 and mounting bracket 2 connected by breakaway capsules 11 to cross member 14 having an inner steering shaft 15 to which is mounted by means of a spline 8 to an outer steering column shaft 16, so that the outer shaft can move axially over and with respect to the inner shaft.

Mounted around the inner shaft 15 is a tubular energy absorption member 17 having an inner abutment f lange shaped portion 2 and an outer mouth 3 within which and extending inwards from the outer extremity of the mouth are two axially aligned grooves 4 which are diametrically opposed and which receive, by means of an interference fit, the ends 5 of a cross pin 18.

When a crash occurs, impact by the driver on steering wheel 13 f orces bracket 12 to breakaway from cross member 14.

The outer end 7 of the outer tube 16 then moves relatively a distance L1 to impact on abutment portion 2 of member 17.

The movement of the cross pin 18 along length L2 within member 17 under controlled interference achieves the requisite energy absorption.

With the modification illustrated in Figures 3, 3A and 3B, the tubular energy absorption member 17 is replaced by the splined outer steering column shaft 16 itself. In this case, the pin 18 is held in place in the inner shaft 15 by a sleeve 19, which is located as an interference fit about the inner shaft 15.

The end of the spline 8 adjacent the end 7 of the outer tuber 16 is given a chamfered entry 8A. When a crash occurs, the outer end 7 of the outer tube 16 is moved the distance L,, which is free travel to impact on the facing end of the sleeve 19, which is pushed clear of the cross pin 18. The chamfered entry 8A of the spline 8 receives the opposite ends of the cross pin 18, which then proceed to def orm the spline 8 in the outer tube 16, the energy being absorbed over length L2 (see Figures 3 and 3B).

The absorption energy is shown graphically in Fig. 3.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism comprising a steering column structure mountable to a breakaway mounting, the structure including an inner steering shaft and an outer shaft drivably coupled to the inner shaft and axially slidable over and with respect to the inner shaft, the inner shaft having an energy absorption member mounted thereon by means of a pin, the mechanism acting so that a crash induced f orce on the column structure causes the outer shaft to be forced relatively towards the energy absorption member inducing an interaction between the pin and member.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said energy absorption member is a tube.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the pin is of such a length as to form an interference fit within at least an initial part of the tube.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said initial part of the tube has diametrically opposite slots extending ---inthe axial direction from the outer end of the tube.

5. A vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism comprising a steering column structure mountable to a breakaway mounting, the structure including an inner steering shaft and an outer shaft drivably coupled to the inner shaft and axially slidable over and with respect to the inner shaft, the inner shaft having a pin incorporated therein, the mechanism acting so that a crash induced force on the column structure causes the outer shaft to be forced relatively towards the pin thereby inducing an interaction between the pin and outer shaft, the latter acting as an energy absorption member.

6. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said inner steering shaft and said outer shaft are drivably coupled to one another by means of a splined arrangement.

7. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length of free travel is provided for said shaft prior to the pin being encountered.

8. A vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism, 10 substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to either one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A vehicle incorporating an energy absorbing mechanism 15 according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6 as appendant to claim 5, wherein a crash induced force on the column structure causes the pin to deform said splined arrangement.

8. A mechanism according to claim 5 or 7, wherein said pin is held in place prior to any crash induced f orce by means of a sleeve, which is urged clear of the pin by said outer shaft when it is forced towards the pin.

9. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin is mounted diametrically through said inner shaft.

10. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length of free travel is provided f or said shaft prior to the pin being encountered.

11. A vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to either one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS:

I. A vehicle crash energy absorbing mechanism comprising a steering column structure mountable to a breakaway mounting, the structure including an inner steering shaft and an outer shaft drivably coupled to the inner shaft and axially slidable over and with respect to the inner shaft, and an energy absorbing means f or absorbing energy from crash induced forces on the steering column structure, the energy absorbing means being mounted on the inner steering shaft, the energy absorbing means comprising a tube mounted about the inner steering shaft and a pin extending outwardly of the inner steering shaft, the pin having a length as to form an interference fit within at least an initial part of the tube.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said initial part of the tube has diametrically opposite grooves extending in the axial direction from the outer end of the tube.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said inner steering shaft and said outer shaft are drivably coupled to one another by means of a splined arrangement.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3. wherein said tube is constituted by said outer shaft and a crash induced force on the column structure causes the pin to deform said splined arrangement.

5. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pin is held in place prior to any crash induced force by means of a sleeveffl which is urged clear of the pin by said outer shaft when it is forced towards the pin.

6. A mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin is mounted diametrically through said inner shaft.