Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1998-03-09
1999-06-15
Mai, Lanna
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
280775, B62D 111, B62D 118
Patent
active
059114380
ABSTRACT:
An energy absorber including a yoke on a vehicle body pivotable about a lateral centerline thereof, a linear bore in the yoke surrounding a steering column mast jacket, a ball sleeve between the mast jacket and the linear bore, a plurality of steel spheres interference fitted between the mast jacket and the linear bore and loosely received in apertures in the ball sleeve, and an annular lip on the yoke. The interference fit of the steel spheres yields a rigid, lash-free connection between the vehicle body and a lower end of the mast jacket. An impact on the steering column induces linear translation of the mast jacket through the linear bore. The ball sleeve is trapped in the linear bore by the annular lip on the yoke. The steel spheres are held stationary by the apertures in the ball sleeve and plastically deform the mast jacket by plowing tracks therein to convert into work a fraction of the kinetic energy of the impact on the steering column. The interference fit of the steel spheres prevents tipping of the mast jacket relative to the yoke and pivots the yoke as a unit with the steering column to prevent binding of the mast jacket.
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Anspaugh Michael Patrick
Armstrong Ray Garnet
Smazenka James Anthony
Brooks Jason S.
Ellis Dean L.
General Motors Corporation
Mai Lanna
Sigler Robert M.
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