Adjustable energy absorbing steering column with adjustment disabled during collision

Abstract

A steering system for an automotive vehicle, arranged to effectively absorb an impact energy at a secondary collision in a head-on collision. The steering system comprises a steering column including an upper shaft and a lower shaft. The lower shaft is axially movably connected to the upper shaft and includes a first section connected to the upper shaft, and a second section. An upper bracket is connected to the steering column. An energy absorbing member is provided in a manner that the upper bracket is connected through the energy absorbing member to a vehicle body to be generally horizontally movable relative to the vehicle body. A first universal joint is disposed between the first and second sections of the lower shaft. A bearing bracket is rotatably supported to the vehicle body and rotatably supports the second section of the lower shaft. A second universal joint is disposed between a lower end section of the second section of the lower shaft and an upper end section of an intermediate shaft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.