Steering attenuator assembly for motor vehicle
AssigneePowers and Sons, LLC
InventorsGene J. Messenger, Charles E. Letts, III, Joseph M. Martin, Ronald D. North
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering attenuator assembly including a first and second sleeves defining axial passages, the second sleeve engaged within the first sleeve and movable relative thereto in an axial direction, and first and second spring members fitted internal to the attenuator, the first spring member arranged to compress under compressive loading of the steering attenuator and the second spring member arranged to compress under tensile loading of the steering attenuator, wherein the attenuator is tunable.
Claims19
A steering attenuator assembly, comprising:
- a first sleeve defining an axial passage;
- a second sleeve defining an axial passage, the second sleeve engaged within the first sleeve and movable relative thereto in an axial direction;
- and
- first and second spring members fitted internal to the steering attenuator assembly, the first spring member arranged between the first and second sleeves to compress under compressive loading of the steering attenuator assembly and the second spring member arranged between the first and second sleeves to compress under tensile loading of the steering attenuator assembly;
- and
- wherein each of the first and second sleeves is configured to receive and retain a drag link member therein.
A steering attenuator assembly, comprising:
- a first sleeve defining an axial passage therethrough;
- a second sleeve defining an axial passage therethrough, the second sleeve engaged within the first sleeve and movable relative thereto in an axial direction;
- a first spring member located internal to the steering attenuator assembly and captured between a first end of the first sleeve and a first end of the second sleeve configured to compress under compressive loading of the steering attenuator;
- a second spring member located internal to the steering attenuator assembly and captured between a second end of the first sleeve and a second end of the second sleeve configured to compress under tensile loading of the steering attenuator;
- and
- first and second clamps positioned at opposing ends of the steering attenuator assembly configured to be tightened to radially compress around drag link members engaged therein.
A drag link assembly for motor vehicle steering linkage, comprising:
- a first drag link member configured for attachment to a tie rod by way of a ball joint;
- a second drag link member attached to a pitman arm by way of a ball joint;
- and
- a steering attenuator assembly connected in series between the first and second drag link members, the steering attenuator assembly comprising:
- a first sleeve defining an axial passage therethrough;
- a second sleeve defining an axial passage therethrough, the second sleeve engaged within the first sleeve and movable relative thereto in an axial direction;
- and
- first and second spring members fitted internal to the steering attenuator assembly, the first spring member arranged to compress under compressive loading of the steering attenuator assembly and the second spring member arranged to compress under tensile loading of the steering attenuator assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.