Safety steering column, motor vehicle with a safety system and safety method
First Claim
1. In a safety steering system for a motor vehicle including a carriage coupled to a steering column in non-rotary fashion for adjustment of the steering column in its axial direction and comfort positioning means for the steering column whereby the steering column can be set for driver operation in any selected axial position the improvement comprising a gas generator mounted on the carriage for introducing gas into the steering column, an igniter for the gas generator actuated responsive to a vehicle crash and a mechanism mounted inside the steering column that is actuated by said gas pressure for initiating release of the comfort positioning means to enable the steering column to move axially away from the driver in case of a crash.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A safety steering column which is adjustable in its axial direction whereby pyrotechnically driven steering column retraction is provided for a positioning of a safety steering column in its axial direction, to move it away from the driver in case of an accident. Furthermore, a safety system incorporating such a safety steering column and a motor vehicle so equipped that can distinguish between different drivers regarding weight, size and belted condition; the system providing alternative safety measures depending on the driver'"'"'s needs for protection.
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Citations
33 Claims
- 1. In a safety steering system for a motor vehicle including a carriage coupled to a steering column in non-rotary fashion for adjustment of the steering column in its axial direction and comfort positioning means for the steering column whereby the steering column can be set for driver operation in any selected axial position the improvement comprising a gas generator mounted on the carriage for introducing gas into the steering column, an igniter for the gas generator actuated responsive to a vehicle crash and a mechanism mounted inside the steering column that is actuated by said gas pressure for initiating release of the comfort positioning means to enable the steering column to move axially away from the driver in case of a crash.
- 9. In a safety steering system for a motor vehicle including a carriage coupled to a steering column in non-rotary fashion for adjustment of the steering column in its axial direction and comfort positioning means for the steering column whereby the steering column can be set for driver operation in any selected axial position the improvement comprising a cylinder mounted on the carriage, a gas generator mounted in the cylinder, an igniter for the gas generator actuated responsive to a vehicle crash and a piston and piston rod mounted inside the cylinder with the rod extending out the cylinder into contact with the comfort positioning means, the gas generator when fired by the igniter producing gas pressure for driving said piston and piston rod for initiating release of the comfort positioning means to enable the steering column to move axially away from the driver in case of a crash.
- 17. In a safety steering system for a motor vehicle including a carriage coupled to a steering column in non-rotary fashion for adjustment of the steering column in its axial direction and the carriage being coupled to a load absorber via a coupling pin the improvement comprising a gas generator mounted on the carriage for generating gas upon ignition to drive an element to decouple the coupling pin, an igniter for the gas generator, and a control preset by predetermined conditions to selectively actuate the igniter responsive to a vehicle crash under one set of conditions to decouple the coupling pin and partially deactivate the load absorber to enable the carriage to move more easily relative to the load absorber and to carry the steering column axially away from the driver in case of a crash, and under a different set of conditions not actuate the igniter to make it more difficult to move the carriage against the load absorber to carry the steering column away from the driver in case of a crash.
- 27. In a safety steering system for a motor vehicle including a carriage coupled to a steering column in non-rotary fashion for adjustment of the steering column in its axial direction and a load absorber coupled to the carriage and fixed to the vehicle whereby the steering column can move axially responsive to a vehicle crash and a driver striking the steering column the improvement comprising a sensor to sense driver data, a mechanism mounted on the carriage for initiating decoupling of the carriage from the load absorber to enable the steering column to move axially more easily away from the driver in case of a crash, and a control for the mechanism that is conditioned by the sensed driver data for activating the mechanism responsive to predetermined driver data.
- 32. A safety method for a motor vehicle in the event of a vehicle crash and in which vehicle a steering column is set in a preselected axial position, but releasable for axially movement away from the driver, and a load absorber is connected to the steering column, comprising the steps of sensing driver data, and responsive to a vehicle crash and in dependence on the sensed driver data, and controlling the connection between the load absorber and the steering column, such that for a large person as driver the connection to the load absorber is maintained and the steering column is not released, for a medium person as driver the load absorber is disconnected and the steering column is not released, and for a small person as driver the load absorber is disconnected, and the steering column is released for axial movement away from the driver.
Specification