Device for positioning an automobile vehicle steering column in the event of an impact

• US 5,769,454 A
• Filed: 04/30/1997
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lemfoerder Nacam
• Original Assignee: Lemforder Nacam SA
• Inventors: Millet, Pascal, Gentet, Frederic, Duval, Benoit
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/841,686
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 280/777, 280/775, 280/731, 74/492, 74/493, 180/274
• US Class Current: 280/777
• 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 steering column includes a steering shaft freely rotatable in a tube-body disposed in a support member attached to a chassis of the vehicle. The tube-body is locked by a system for adjusting its position. The positioning device comprises an additional guide system for the tube-body in the event of an impact such that the angle of the steering shaft and the steering wheel of the vehicle to the horizontal plane is smaller after retraction of the steering wheel in order to allow correct functioning of the air-bag.

Claims

1. A device for positioning an automobile vehicle steering column in the event of an impact,

said steering column including a steering shaft freely rotatable in a tube-body disposed in a support member attached to a chassis of said vehicle, said tube-body being locked in said support member by a system for adjusting the position of said steering column, and

said positioning device comprising additional guide means for said tube-body in the event of an impact, said additional guide means comprising an additional guide slide on said tube-body, such that an angle of said steering shaft and a steering wheel of said vehicle to a horizontal plane is smaller after retraction of said steering wheel in order to allow correct functioning of an air-bag.

2. The positioning device claimed in claim 1 wherein said steering column is retracted by a pyrotechnic piston and cylinder actuator controlled by a collision sensor.

3. The positioning device claimed in claim 2 wherein said cylinder is mounted on said support member and a rod end of said piston is connected to said tube-body.

4. The positioning device claimed in claim 1 wherein said additional guide slide is on a reinforcing member of said tube-body, aligned with a depthwise adjustment slide of said steering column, and said additional guide slide is inclined to said depthwise adjustment slide at an angle allowing correct functioning of said air-bag after retraction.

5. A device for positioning an automobile vehicle steering column in the event of an impact,

said steering column including a steering shaft freely rotatable in a tube-body disposed in a support member attached to a chassis of said vehicle, said tube-body being locked in said support member by a system for adjusting the position of said steering column, and

said positioning device comprising additional guide means for said tube-body in the event of an impact, said additional guide means comprising an additional guide slide on said support member such that the angle of said steering column and a steering wheel of said vehicle to a horizontal plane is smaller after retraction of said steering wheel in order to allow correct functioning of an air-bag.

6. The positioning device claimed in claim 5 wherein said steering column is retracted by a pyrotechnic piston and cylinder actuator controlled by a collision sensor.

7. The positioning device claimed in claim 5 wherein said additional guide slide is on said support member and comprises two U-shape guide members disposed parallel to each other on said support member in such manner as to receive and hold a plate carried by a reinforcing member of said tube-body, said plate being attached to said two U-shape guide members by fusible pins;

said two guide members being inclined to said support member at an angle allowing correct functioning of said air-bag after retraction due to breaking of said fusible pins caused by said impact, said retraction resulting from sliding of said plate in said two U-shaped guide members.

8. The positioning device claimed in claim 7 wherein said steering column is retracted by a pyrotechnic piston and cylinder actuator controlled by a collision sensor, said cylinder is mounted on said support member, and a rod end of said piston is connected to said tube-body.