US Patent 11975658 Controlled detachment features of steering column mounted camera

A camera assembly adapted for mounting to an interior of a motor vehicle on an upper surface of the steering column assembly. The camera assembly has mounting features interacting with a mounting structure that cause the camera assembly to separate from the mounting structure upon the occurrence of a collision with an object or through inertial forces acting on the camera assembly. The separation in such conditions is provided in a controlled manner through the use of cam or ramp surfaces provided in the camera assembly or mounting structure. A cable or tether may be attached to the camera assembly and mounted to the vehicle to further control movement of the camera assembly after separation.