Pyrotechnically-controlled energy storage device for vehicle steering columns

1. Energy absorbing means for absorbing the impact energy developed in the steering mechanism of an automotive vehicle having a chassis ( 10 ), said steering mechanism including a steering shaft ( 1 ) having a steering axis ( 3 ), and a steering tube ( 2 ) arranged concentrically about the steering shaft, said energy storing apparatus including:

(a) first ( 8 ) and second ( 9 ) support members connected for sliding displacement in a direction parallel with said steering shaft axis, said first and second support members including a pair of adjacent parallel spaced surfaces ( 14 , 25 ) parallel with said steering axis, said first and second support members being adapted for connection with said vehicle chassis and said steering tube, respectively, said second support member being displaceable upon vehicle impact from a first position spaced from one end of said first support member toward a second position adjacent said first support member one end;

(b) energy absorbing means ( 40 ; 50 ; 60 ) including a plurality of deformable energy absorbing elements normally connected between said first and second support members for resisting movement of said second support member from said first position toward said second positions, said energy absorbing elements being arranged between said pair of parallel spaced surfaces, each of said energy absorbing elements being generally U-shaped and including:

(1) a pair of parallel spaced leg portions extending parallel with said steering shaft axis adjacent said parallel surfaces of said first and second support surfaces, respectively; and

(2) a curved connections portion connecting the ends of said leg portions remote from said first support member one end; and

(3) a plurality of connecting means normally connecting the free ends of said leg portions of said enemy absorbing elements with said first and second support members, respectively, said connecting means including

(a) first pins ( 72 b ) for connecting one leg of each of the impact absorbing elements with corresponding apertures ( 26 ) contained in the movable support member;

(b) at least one second pin ( 71 ) extending from said pyrotechnic means into an aperture ( 34 ) contained in the other leg of at one of said enemy absorbing elements; and

(c) third pins ( 72 a ) for connecting said first support member with corresponding apertures ( 33 ) contained in the other legs of the remaining enemy absorbing elements; and

(c) controllable pyrotechnic means ( 70 ) operable upon impact to vary the amount of resistive force provided by said energy absorbing means.

2. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein said second pin is operable to a severed condition by said pyrotechnic means.

3. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein said second pin is axially displaceable by said pyrotechnic means relative to said energy absorbing element from first position to a second position, thereby to vary the resistive force developed by the associated energy absorbing member.

4. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein said second pin contains an intermediate portion of reduced diameter ( 73 ); and further wherein the aperture ( 34 ) associated with said one connecting pin is elongated includes an extension portion ( 76 ) that extends in the direction away from said first support member one end, said elongated aperture being dimensioned to receive said one connecting pin reduced diameter portion when said one connecting pin is in said disconnect position, thereby to vary the resisting impact force afforded by the associated energy absorbing element.

5. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein the leg portions of said U-shaped energy absorbing elements adjacent said second support member are joined by a common connecting base portion ( 43 ; 54 ; 64 ).

6. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein said energy absorbing means ( 40 ) includes two energy absorbing elements ( 41 , 42 ).

7. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein said energy absorbing means ( 50 ; 60 ) includes a least three energy absorbing elements ( 51 , 52 , 53 ; 61 , 62 , 63 ).

8. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein the leg portions of said U-shaped elements have the same width throughout their length.

9. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein the leg portions of at least one of said energy absorbing elements have different widths.

10. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein one leg portion of at least one of said U-shaped energy absorbing elements has a tapered width that decreases in the direction of said leg connecting portion.

11. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein the width of one leg portion of at least one of said U-shaped energy absorbing elements is greater than that of the associated other leg portion.

12. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein the width of at least one leg portion of at least one of said U-shaped energy absorbing elements is stepped.

13. Energy absorbing means as defined in claim 1 , wherein said leg portions of said U-shaped energy absorbing elements have a rectangular cross-sectional configuration.