Motor vehicle steering column safety device
First Claim
1. A steering column safety device and valve head combination for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having collision sensing means for sensing a collision operably mounted on the vehicle, the device comprising:
- a hollow cylinder having a top and a bottom, a head secured to the top for receiving a steering wheel, the head having an outlet;
a piston residing within the cylinder;
a rod connecting the piston to the steering mechanism of the vehicle, wherein the cylinder is axially slidable on the piston between an extended position and a collapsed position;
sealing means for sealing a space between the interior wall of the cylinder and the piston, thereby defining a gas-tight cavity between the piston and the head containing pressurized gas;
a frangible seal hermetically secured within the head between the steering wheel and the cavity;
biasing means inside the cylinder for biasing the piston and the bottom of the cylinder apart; and
,fracturing means for fracturing the seal in communication with the sensing means,wherein the seal prevents the flow of the pressurized gas from the cavity prior to collision, and a signal produced by the sensing means actuates the fracturing means upon collision, thereby allowing the pressurized gas to flow out of the cavity via the head permitting movement of the cylinder from the extended position to the collapsed position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A collapsible steering column for a motor vehicle has an elongated hollow cylinder slidably mounted on a piston while also fast to the piston for rotary movement. The space between the interior wall of the cylinder and the piston is sealed in a gas-tight fashion. A head is attached to the top of the cylinder. The head has a frangible seal hermetically secured inside it so that the top of the piston, the interior wall of the cylinder and the seal define an air cavity. The cavity is under pressure such that the cylinder is supported by a column of pressurized gas. A coil spring inside the cylinder urges the piston and the bottom of the cylinder apart. The seal has a bore in which resides an explosive compound. Lead lines connect the explosive compound with an electronic collision sensor, which is located in the front of the vehicle. When a collision occurs, the sensor sends an electronic signal which ignites the explosive compound and fractures the seal permitting the gas to escape from the cavity causing collapse of the cylinder. The vehicle'"'"'s steering wheel is secured to the top of the head, and the piston is connected by way of appropriate linkages to the front wheels of the vehicle so that axial rotation of the cylinder, by way of the steering wheel, causes the front wheels to turn in accordance with normal vehicle operations. An air bag stowed in the steering wheel may be connected to the top of the head to capture the air released from the cavity providing additional protection to the occupant.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A steering column safety device and valve head combination for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having collision sensing means for sensing a collision operably mounted on the vehicle, the device comprising:
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a hollow cylinder having a top and a bottom, a head secured to the top for receiving a steering wheel, the head having an outlet; a piston residing within the cylinder; a rod connecting the piston to the steering mechanism of the vehicle, wherein the cylinder is axially slidable on the piston between an extended position and a collapsed position; sealing means for sealing a space between the interior wall of the cylinder and the piston, thereby defining a gas-tight cavity between the piston and the head containing pressurized gas; a frangible seal hermetically secured within the head between the steering wheel and the cavity; biasing means inside the cylinder for biasing the piston and the bottom of the cylinder apart; and
,fracturing means for fracturing the seal in communication with the sensing means, wherein the seal prevents the flow of the pressurized gas from the cavity prior to collision, and a signal produced by the sensing means actuates the fracturing means upon collision, thereby allowing the pressurized gas to flow out of the cavity via the head permitting movement of the cylinder from the extended position to the collapsed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A steering column safety device and valve head combination for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having collision sensing means for sensing a collision operably mounted on the vehicle, the device comprising:
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an elongated hollow cylinder having a top and a bottom, a cap with a bore extending therethrough is secured to the bottom; a piston residing within the cylinder; a rod connecting the piston to the steering mechanism of the vehicle, wherein the cylinder is axially slidable on the piston between an extended position and a collapsed position; biasing means inside the cylinder for biasing the piston and the bottom of the cylinder apart; pressurized gas being contained in the cylinder; an inflatable air bag positioned within the steering wheel for protecting an occupant; and
,gas flow control means coupled to the cylinder between the pressurized gas and the air-bag, the gas flow control means being in communication with the sensing means for releasing the pressurized gas from the cylinder upon collision. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A steering column safety device and valve head combination for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having collision sensing means for sensing a collision operably mounted on the vehicle the device comprising:
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a hollow cylinder having a top and a bottom, an interior wall joining the top and the bottom; a cap with a bore extending therethrough secured to the bottom of the cylinder, and a head with an outlet is secured in an air-tight fashion to the top of the cylinder; a piston residing in the cylinder, the piston comprising a cylindrical body having a boss at one end and a circumferential wall, an axial rod connecting the boss to the steering mechanism of the vehicle, at least one o-ring groove formed in the circumferential wall where at least one o-ring resides, wherein the cylinder and the piston are axially aligned, and the cylinder and the cap are movable axially as a single unit relative to the piston between an extended position and a collapsed position; biasing means for biasing the piston and the cap apart; a seal hermetically secured within the head, wherein the seal and the interior wall and the piston define an air cavity; pressurized gas being contained in the air cavity; and
, an inflatable air bag positioned within the steering wheel for protecting an occupant. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A steering column safety device and valve head combination for use in a motor vehicle having a steering wheel for communicating steering torque to a steering mechanism, and having collision sensing means for sensing a collision operably mounted on the vehicle, the device comprising;
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a hollow cylinder having a top end and a bottom end, the top end adapted to be connected to a steering wheel; a piston residing within the cylinder, the hollow cylinder being axially slideable on the piston between an extended position and a collapsed position, an elongated rod with one end secured to the piston and its other end adapted to be connected to the steering mechanism such that rotation of the steering wheel is communicated to the steering mechanism via the hollow cylinder and the piston to control the direction of travel of the vehicle; sealing means for sealing the hollow cylinder in order to define an air-tight cavity within the hollow cylinder, the air-tight cavity containing prior to collision pressurized gas; opening means to rapidly open the sealing means in response to a signal generated by the collision sensing means, thereby permitting movement of the hollow cylinder from the extended position to the collapsed position. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification