# US 2014/0150595 A1 · Steering column assembly with improved energy absorption > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150595 A1 - Document ID: US20140150595A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/690,639 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Applicants: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation - Inventors: Richard K. Riefe; James E. Rouleau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150595A1 ## CPC - B62D 1/195: {Yieldable supports for the steering column} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises a column jacket and an energy absorption system. The column jacket is configured to undergo a collapse event involving a translation of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis in response to application of a column compression force following the occurrence of a predefined event. The energy absorption system includes an anvil coupled to the vehicle and a strap coupled to the column jacket with the strap extending through the anvil such that the strap is drawn over the anvil in response to the collapse event. The strap is configured to cause a deformation force to be created between the strap and the anvil so as to resist relative movement between the strap and the anvil during the collapse event. The strap is configured such that the deformation force varies along the length of the strap. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering column assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a column jacket configured to undergo a collapse event involving a translation of the column jacket along a longitudinal axis in response to application of a column compression force following the occurrence of a predefined event; an energy absorption system including an anvil coupled to the vehicle and a strap coupled to the column jacket with the strap extending through the anvil such that the strap is drawn over the anvil in response to the collapse event; the strap being configured to cause a deformation force to be created between the strap and the anvil so as to resist relative movement between the strap and the anvil during the collapse event; the strap being configured such that the deformation force varies along the length of the strap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to exhibit a yield strength that varies along the length of the strap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to exhibit a hardness that varies along the length of the strap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to exhibit a toughness that varies along the length of the strap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to exhibit a ductility that varies along the length of the strap. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to exhibit an elasticity that varies along the length of the strap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to exhibit a width that varies along the length of the strap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein an increased strength region is disposed at a location along the length of the strap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the increased strength region is heat treated so as to exhibit a relatively higher yield strength. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the increased strength region comprises metal that has been heat-treated. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein the increased strength region comprises metal that has been induction hardened. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein the increased strength region comprises metal that has been laser hardened. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein the increased strength region comprises a plurality of laser hardened bands. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the laser hardened bands are arranged substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction of the strap. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the laser hardened bands are arranged substantially along the lengthwise direction of the strap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the increased strength region is positioned so as to interacts with the anvil near a final stage of the collapse stroke. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the increased strength region is configured to provide only partial coverage of the width of the strap. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein the increased strength region is configured such that a width of the region varies along a lengthwise direction of the strap. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein the width of the increased strength region is configured so as to provide a smooth transition toward increasing collapse resistance force. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) An assembly as set forth in claim 1: wherein the strap is configured to provide a resistance force characteristic that is tailored for absorbing lesser levels of energy during earlier portions of the collapse stroke; and wherein the strap is configured to provide a collapse resistance force characteristic that is tailored for absorbing greater levels of energy during later portions of the collapse stroke.