Steering device for a motor vehicle

• US 20070262573A1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Frisch, Ralph, Helmstetter, Matthias, Faeth, Stefan, Mueller, Toralf
• Application Number:
  US11/801,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20070262573A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/731
• 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 21/2037 the module or a major component thereof being yieldably mounted, e.g. for actuating the horn switch or for protecting the driver in a non-deployment situation horn switches integrated in steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21658
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/16 Steering columns

Abstract

A steering device (10) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel (12) and a gas bag (20) accommodated in the steering wheel (12). The steering wheel (12) is connected with a steering column (16) via a hub (14). The steering device (10) further includes a gas generator (22) which is able to be activated to fill the gas bag (20). The gas generator (22) is arranged on a side of the hub (14) facing away from the steering wheel (12) outside the steering column (16). The steering column (16) forms a part of a flow connection between the gas generator (22) and the gas bag (20) when the gas generator (22) is activated.

Claims

1. A steering device for a motor vehicle, the steering device comprising a steering wheel and a gas bag accommodated in the steering wheel, the steering wheel being connected with a steering column via a hub, the steering device further comprising a gas generator which is able to be activated to fill the gas bag, the gas generator being arranged on a side of the hub facing away from the steering wheel outside the steering column, the steering column forming a part of a flow connection between the gas generator and the gas bag when the gas generator is activated.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, further comprising a diffuser which deflects gas provided by the gas generator and emerging from the steering column.

3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is securely connected with the steering column.

4. The steering device according to claim 3, wherein electric leads of the gas generator are connected with an electronic activation unit by a rotary joint.

5. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is arranged so as to be fixed to the vehicle, a relative rotation being possible between the steering column and the gas generator.

6. The steering device according to claim 5, wherein coupling contours are provided for a flow connection between the gas generator and the steering column.

7. The steering device according to claim 6, wherein the coupling contours comprise a flange.

8. The steering device according to claim 5, wherein a coupling element is provided for a flow connection between the gas generator and the steering column.

9. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein the coupling element is one of a pipe and a tube.

10. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the steering column has radial openings through which gas from the gas generator can enter into the steering column.

11. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the steering column has an opening on a side facing the steering wheel, through which gas from the gas generator can enter into an interior of the steering wheel.

12. The steering device according to claim 11, wherein the opening is closed by a closure which opens passively at a certain pressure.

13. The steering device according to claim 11, wherein the opening is closed by a closure which can be opened actively by a control arrangement.

14. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein an end side of the steering column facing away from the steering wheel is permanently closed.

15. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein an end side of the steering column facing away from the steering wheel is closed by a mechanism with a variable opening cross-section and/or with a variable moment of opening.

16. A steering device according to claim 1, wherein an end side of the steering column facing away from the steering wheel is closed by a mechanism with a variable opening point in time.

17. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement for filtering particles is provided in the steering column.

18. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement for cooling gas from the gas generator is provided in the steering column.