RESERVOIR IN THE STEERING COLUMN

• US 3,632,135 A
• Filed: 09/15/1969
• Issued: 01/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Richard Chute, Russell J. Bergendahl
• Inventors: Chute, Richard, Bergendahl, Russell J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US04/857,733
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 74/492 180/78 222/3 239/555 9/11A,316
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/027 between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2032 the inflator or inflatable member not being rotatable with the steering wheel; Arrangements using the steering column or steering wheel rim for storing, supplying or evacuating the inflation gas or for storing the inflatable member
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence

Abstract

A safety apparatus for protecting an operator or occupant of a vehicle during a collision includes a confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of the occupant during an accident. The safety apparatus also includes a closed elongated fluid reservoir for providing a pressurized fluid supply for inflating the confinement, and diffuser means in fluid communication with the closed elongated fluid reservoir and the confinement. The diffuser directs fluid from the closed elongated fluid reservoir to expand the confinement from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition. The safety apparatus also has one end of the reservoir drivingly connected to a steering wheel such that the steering wheel is prohibited from axial movement with respect to the reservoir. The other end of the reservoir is drivingly connected to a steering column member such that when torque is exerted on the steering wheel by the operator of the vehicle, the torque will be transmitted through the reservoir to a steering column member for steering the vehicle. The confinement is mounted on the steering wheel and is adapted to be expanded by the pressurized fluid contained in the reservoir upon the occurrence of an accident to protect the operator or occupant of the vehicle.

Claims

1. In a safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprising a confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of the occupant during an accident and a closed elongated fluid reservoir for storing fluid for inflating said confinement to expand said confinement from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition, the improvement comprising a drive means drivingly connected with a first end of the reservoir and for driving connection to a steering wheel to transmit steering rotation from the steering wheel to the reservoir to rotate the entire reservoir, the reservoir having a second end for driving connection to a drive shaft for steering the vehicle, said drive means including first and second drive members, one of said drive members having a drive connection with said first end of said reservoir and means for clamping the steering wheel between said first and second drive members, a housing means supporting said reservoir and first and second drive members for rotation relative thereto, electrically operated means carried by said reservoir to effect flow therefrom, and roller bearing means interposed between said housing means and said first drive member for supporting said reservoir for rotation and operating to provide electrical energy to said electrically operated means.

2. In a safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle having a steering wheel mounted for rotation about an axis relative to said vehicle, the safety apparatus including a confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of the occupant during an accident and a reservoir containing a fluid supply for providing fluid for inflating the confinement, the improvement which comprises said reservoir having an elongated configuration, the longitudinal axis of said reservoir being disposed along the rotational axis of said steering wheel, drive means drivingly connected with a portion of the reservoir and for connection to the steering wheel of the vehicle to effect rotation of the reservoir upon rotation of the steering wheel, said reservoir having a second portion operatively associated with a drive shaft for steering the vehicle, said drive means comprising one drive member drivingly connected to the reservoir and for driving connection with the steering wheel to trAnsmit steering torque therebetween and a clamping member cooperating with the one drive member for clamping a portion of the confinement therebetween.

3. In a safety apparatus as defined in claim 2, diffuser means for diffusing and directing fluid flow from the reservoir into the confinement and means for securing the diffuser means to the one drive member.

4. In a safety apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the diffuser means comprises a plurality of plates spaced from one another to provide openings for directing fluid therefrom.

5. In a safety apparatus as defined in claim 2, another drive member splined to the reservoir and connected with the one drive member, the drive members providing a clamping structure for clamping the steering wheel therebetween.

6. In a safety apparatus as defined in claim 5, a housing means supporting the reservoir and the drive members, electrically operated means associated with the reservoir to effect flow therefrom, and roller bearing means interposed between the housing means and the another drive member for supporting the fluid supply for rotation and operating to transmit electrical energy to said electrically operated means.

7. In a safety apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle having a steering wheel and a steering shaft mounted for rotational motion about a steering axis relative to said vehicle, the safety apparatus including a confinement having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition for restraining movement of the occupant during a collision and a reservoir containing a fluid supply for providing fluid for inflating the confinement, the improvement which comprises;

said reservoir having an elongated cylindrical configuration, the longitudinal axis of said reservoir being disposed in coaxial relationship with said steering axis, said reservoir extending between said steering wheel and said steering shaft and mounted in driving connection with each respectively thereof whereby said reservoir is effective to transmit rotary motion therebetween.

8. In a safety apparatus as defined in claim 7, a diffuser in fluid communication with said reservoir for receiving fluid under pressure from said reservoir and diffusing the fluid under pressure into said confinement, said diffuser comprising a plurality of plates spaced from one another and an end plate, said diffuser plates having a central opening therein in communication with said reservoir to allow the fluid to flow from said reservoir and through the spaces between said plates into said confinement for expanding said confinement to the expanded condition.

9. In a safety apparatus as defined in claim 8, said diffuser plates having extending portions formed thereon extending from the surface of said diffuser plates for spacing the diffuser plates.

10. In a vehicle having a steering wheel and a steering shaft mounted for rotation about a steering axis for steering the vehicle, means extending between said steering wheel and said steering shaft and adapted for connection with each respectively thereof for transmitting rotary motion therebetween, and a safety device which is expansible for protecting an occupant of the vehicle during a collision, the improvement wherein said means comprises a reservoir having an elongated configuration, the longitudinal axis of said reservoir extending along said steering axis, one end of said reservoir having a driving connection with said steering wheel and the other end of said reservoir having a driving connection with said steering shaft, said reservoir containing a pressurized fluid supply and being actuable upon the occurrence of a collision to supply fluid for expanding said safety device.