US Patent 11970206 Steering column for a motor vehicle

A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a crash device that has at least two components that have mutually facing surfaces. The at least two components may be connected to each other by means of a shear element that is arranged in an opening passing at least partially through the components such that the shear element is broken in two if the components move relative to each other. To improve the predetermined breaking connection, the opening may have, in at least one edge region bounding one of the mutually facing surfaces, a widened portion that extends at least over a partial circumferential region and is open towards the respective other surface.