Tilting mechanism

• US 20070029771A1
• Filed: 09/15/2004
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Haglund, Lennart, Ekdahl, Kalle, Erlandsson, Hans
• Granted Patent: US 7,455,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/775
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/197 incorporating devices for preventing ingress of the steering column into the passengers space in case of accident

Abstract

A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit is disclosed. The tilting arrangement incorporates a mount (2) to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle. A support element (11) is provided, and the steering wheel unit is pivotally connected (13) to the support element (11) to effect tilting pivotal movement about a pivot axis (13). The support element (11) is moveable relative to the mount (2) so as to move the pivotal axis (13) with a movement which has a substantial upward component.

Claims

1. A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit, the tilting arrangement incorporating a mount to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle, a support element, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the support element to effect a tilting pivotal movement, about a pivot axis, the support element being movable relative to the mount so as to move the pivot axis with a movement which has a substantial upward component.

2. A tilting arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit is towards the rear of the steering wheel unit, there being a further member pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit towards the front of the steering wheel unit so that, as the pivotal connection between the support element and the steering wheel unit effects said movement with a substantial upward component, the steering wheel tilts forwardly.

3. A tilting arrangement according to claim 2 wherein:

when the pivotal connection between the steering wheel unit and the support plate has effected said upward movement and the steering wheel has tilted, the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point, is not substantially lower than the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point before said movement commenced.

4. A tilting arrangement according to claim 2 wherein:

when the pivotal connection between the steering wheel unit and the support plate has effected said upward movement and the steering wheel has tilted, the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point, is not lower than the rim of the steering wheel, at its lowest point before said movement commenced.

5. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein:

the said further element is an element of selectively adjustable length, to enable the degree of tilt of the steering wheel to be selected by a vehicle driver.

6. A tilting arrangement according to claim 5 wherein:

the element of selectively adjustable length is a lockable gas spring.

7. A tilting arrangement according to claim 6 wherein:

the lockable gas spring is adapted to adopt a condition of minimal length upon receipt of a signal from a sensor.

8. A tilting arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the support element comprises a pivotally mounted support arm, the support arm being pivotally mounted to a support plate at its lower end and being pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit at its upper end, movement of the arm causing the axis of the pivotal connection between the arm and the steering wheel unit to follow an arcuate path.

9. A tilting arrangement according to claim 8 wherein:

means are provided to retain the arm in an initial position, and to release the arm in an accident situation.

10. A tilting arrangement according to claim 9 wherein:

the said retaining means comprise a frangible pin.

11. A tilting arrangement according to claim 9 wherein:

the retaining means comprise a retractable pin, retractable in response to a signal from a sensor.

12. A tilting arrangement according to claim 8 wherein a drive unit is provided to drive said support arm to effect said pivotal movement.

13. A tilting arrangement according to claim 12 wherein:

the drive unit is a pyrotechnic unit.

14. A tilting arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the support plate is mounted to effect a sliding movement relative to the mount, an energy-absorber being provided to absorb energy as the support plate effects the sliding movement relative to the mount.

15. A tilting arrangement according to claim 14 wherein:

the energy-absorbing unit is a lockable energy-absorbing unit, the lockable energy-absorbing unit being configured to be unlocked in response to a signal from a sensor.

16. A tilting arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the support element is a support plate, the steering wheel unit being pivotally connected to the plate, the said further member being pivotally connected to the support plate and being pivotally connected to the steering wheel unit.

17. A tilting arrangement according to claim 16 wherein:

the support plate is slidably mounted relative to the mount, and an energy-absorber is provided connected to the support and to the mount to absorb energy as the support plate moves relative to the mount.

18. A tilting arrangement according to claim 16 wherein:

the mount is provided with a hinge to engage part of the chassis of a motor vehicle and is provided with an energy-absorber to absorb energy if the mount executes a hinging movement about the hinge.

19. A tilting arrangement according to claim 18 wherein:

the energy-absorber is a lockable energy energy-absorber, the lock being releasable in response to a signal from a sensor.