STRUCTURE FOR ABSORBING IMPACT ENERGY OF STEERING COLUMN FOR VEHICLE, CAPABLE OF PROPERLY CONTROLLING COLLAPSING SPEED AT COLLISION OF VEHICLES

摘要

PURPOSE: An impact energy absorbing structure of a steering column for a vehicle is provided to absorb impact energy of the steering column, and to reduce injury of a driver by deforming the major axis or the minor axis of the buffering material in collapse of the steering column at a collision. CONSTITUTION: A steering column absorbs impact energy at a collision by collapsing of an inner tube(2) and an outer tube(3) surrounding a steering shaft(1). The inner tube is fastened to a vehicle body by a mounting bracket(4), and plural curling parts(3a) are formed in the inner periphery of the outer tube and combined with the end of the inner tube. A diamond-shaped hole is formed in a buffering material(5), and both ends of the buffering material are fastened to the inner tube and the outer tube. The buffering material is made of an iron plate of about 1.5 mm in thickness to absorb impact energy. Collapsing speed of the steering column is adjusted by modifying the thickness, the length of the buffering material and the angle of the diamond shape.