A vehicle includes a vehicle support structure and a steering linkage. The vehicle support structure includes a dash wall. The dash wall separates an engine compartment and a passenger compartment. The dash wall has an energy absorption member supported by the support structure on an engine compartment side of the dash wall. The steering linkage extends through an opening of the dash wall between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment. The steering linkage includes a steering column in the passenger compartment. The steering linkage further includes an abutment. The abutment is positioned and configured to contact the energy absorption member upon a frontal impact of the vehicle to transfer energy from the steering linkage to the energy absorption member and to limit a rearward displacement of the steering linkage.

A detachable steering mechanism, comprising a steering wheel (1), an upper steering column (2), a worm (10), and a drive system and control system (20); said steering wheel (1) being fixedly connected to said upper steering column (2); said upper steering column (2) being provided with a thread (11), and a first drive gear (3) being provided on said worm (10); the thread (11) of the upper steering column (2) meshing and rotating with said first drive gear (3); upon said control system (20) detecting the ejection of the steering wheel airbag, controlling said drive system to drive said worm (10), said first drive gear (3) is driven to move away from the thread (11) of the upper steering column (2), allowing said upper steering column (2) to move along its own axis. When the steering wheel airbag deploys, said detachable steering mechanism allows the steering wheel (1) to move in the axial direction, thereby increasing the buffer travel in a collision between the driver's head and the steering wheel airbag, reducing the impact of the airbag on the driver's head and improving safety performance of the vehicle.

A steering column assembly includes a plunger assembly received within an opening defined by a mounting bracket. The plunger assembly includes a sleeve, a plunger, and a biasing member. The sleeve disposed within the opening. The plunger slidably disposed within the sleeve. The biasing member that engages the plunger to bias the plunger towards a deployed position.

An energy absorbing device for a steering column assembly of a vehicle is provided. The energy absorbing device includes tear initiation grooves having offset tear initiation points, such that tearing is initiated in the grooves at different points in time, thus balancing loads experienced during a frontal crash and collapse of the steering column assembly.

A vehicle brake system comprises an input device (21) attached to a bulkhead (15) separating a power unit room and a passenger compartment of the vehicle from each other, and including a part extending into the power unit room. A free end of the part of the input device extending into the power unit room is fitted with a protective member (70) defining a slanted surface (70a) opposing the power unit and slanting rearward as one moves in a prescribed lateral direction so that the input device is protected from a frontal impact. In particular, the slanted surface aligns with a corner part (83a) of the power unit (83).

Apparatus, methods, and systems for repositioning an airbag cushion prior to and/or during deployment of the airbag cushion resulting from an impact event. Some embodiments may comprise one or more sensors, which may be used to detect at least a first directional component of an impact with a vehicle. A steering wheel actuator may be provided to move a vehicle steering wheel laterally in a direction opposite from a lateral component of the impact in response to a signal from the one or more sensors. The system may further comprise an airbag cushion configured to be positioned, following deployment, in a location corresponding with lateral movement caused by the steering wheel actuator.

A stowing steering column is provided for use with an autonomous vehicle that is capable of traveling at a slower rate of speed and a higher rate of speed, depending on the situation. The slower speed, that of about 20 mm/sec, is the standard speed that is utilized during regular stowage and unstowage of the steering wheel under ordinary conditions. The higher rate of speed is necessary in a situation where a possible impact event is sensed and the steering wheel must be extended back to the original design intent position in case the airbags need to be deployed or the vehicle operator needs to over-ride the system for an evasive maneuver. The slower rate of speed is preferably about 20 mm/sec while the higher rate of speed is preferably about 40 mm/sec.

A steering column assembly includes a plunger assembly received within an opening defined by a mounting bracket. The plunger assembly includes a sleeve, a plunger, and a biasing member. The sleeve disposed within the opening. The plunger slidably disposed within the sleeve. The biasing member that engages the plunger to bias the plunger towards a deployed position.

A cowl cross member for a vehicle is provided. The cowl cross member includes a cowl cross bar that has first and second ends fixed to an interior panel of a front pillar of the vehicle and is disposed in a horizontal direction at a front side of a vehicle body, with a steering column fixed thereto. A center support is vertically disposed to support a central portion of the cowl cross bar to couple the cowl cross bar at a predetermined height and is configured to adjust a length of the center support during a vehicle collision.

A vehicle occupant restraint system includes an airbag module (18) that is disposed in a roof area (16) of a vehicle and is assigned to a front seat (14). The airbag module (18) comprises an airbag (20) that is disposed so that it deploys in the vehicle longitudinal direction (L) in front of a vehicle occupant (12) seated in the front seat (14), wherein a baffle (24) of the airbag (20) in the filled state is aligned transversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction (L) and faces the vehicle occupant (12). In a situation of restraint, it can be decided whether the airbag (20) is filled depending on whether the vehicle occupant (12) is touching a steering wheel (38) of the vehicle, wherein a steering wheel airbag is exclusively filled when a contact with the steering wheel (38) is detected.