APPLICATION OF RIGID POLYURETHANE FOAM TO THE ENERGY-ABSORBING STEERING COLUMN

Rigid polyurethane foam has shown a remarkable ability to absorb energy under compressive load. This foam has been applied to the automobile steering column by forming it into a cylindrical shape and placing it inside the outer pipe of the column. A conical indenter, with a diameter larger than the minimum diameter of the foam body, is fixed to the end of the inner pipe, and it acts to compress the foam towards the inner wall. This provides the steering column with an excellent impact absorbability, which fully satisfies the US Motor Vehicle Safety Standard MVSS203.