Steering column arrangement for occupant protection
First Claim
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1. A steering column arrangement comprising:
- a steering column having a first connection connected to a steering wheel and a second connection connected to a steering mechanism and an intermediate column segment supported for rotation between the first connection and the second connection, and compression means including at least one first deformation member associated with the first connection and at least one second deformation member associated with the second connection;
wherein the deformation members and the intermediate column segment of the steering column comprises a one-piece tubular member;
whereby the distance between the first and second connections can be reduced when a predetermined force is applied to the steering column in the axial direction due to an accident.
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Abstract
A steering column for a vehicle is an integral constituent of a safety steering arrangement or an occupant protection arrangement. To minimize the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, the steering column includes deformation members and a geometrically stable intermediate segment. Such a steering column is combined with a steering wheel to which an airbag cover, movable into an open position by the airbag, is articulated so that it will not protrude from the contour of the steering wheel during opening motion of the airbag.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A steering column arrangement comprising:
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a steering column having a first connection connected to a steering wheel and a second connection connected to a steering mechanism and an intermediate column segment supported for rotation between the first connection and the second connection, and compression means including at least one first deformation member associated with the first connection and at least one second deformation member associated with the second connection;
wherein the deformation members and the intermediate column segment of the steering column comprises a one-piece tubular member;
whereby the distance between the first and second connections can be reduced when a predetermined force is applied to the steering column in the axial direction due to an accident. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of producing a vehicle steering column comprising:
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providing a tubular member for a steering column with segments to produce deformation members and with an intermediate column segment between the deformation member segments by assembling the deformation members and the intermediate column segment;
inserting a subassembly comprising a gas generator and a diffuser having a cartridge-like configuration into the tubular member; and
deforming of the deformation member segments while simultaneously fixing the subassembly in the tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of producing a vehicle steering column comprising:
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providing a one-piece tubular steering column member having deformation member segments and an intermediate column segment between the deformation member segments;
combining the intermediate column segment of the steering column with a subassembly comprising a gas generator and a diffuser into a group; and
forming the deformation member segments into deformation members.
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- 37. A steering wheel arrangement comprising a steering wheel having a hub, at least one cover positioned in the region of the hub, an airbag mounted within the hub and inflatable by a propellant charge so as to project into an open position, and articulation means connecting the cover to the hub and providing articulated support for the cover and positioned to prevent the cover from protruding beyond the steering wheel upon actuation of the propellant charge.
Specification