초록 ▼

A steering wheel assembly for vehicles which incorporates an energy absorbing coupling which mounts the steering wheel for tilting movement with respect to a column to an optimum impact position when the wheel receives inertia load and which provides for subsequent energy management by deformation o

A steering wheel assembly for vehicles which incorporates an energy absorbing coupling which mounts the steering wheel for tilting movement with respect to a column to an optimum impact position when the wheel receives inertia load and which provides for subsequent energy management by deformation of a plurality of metallic legs which collapse at controlled rates.

대표청구항 ▼

A steering wheel operatively interconnected to a rotatable steering shaft of a steering column and thereby being disposed at a predetermined position in a vehicle, said steering wheel comprising an outer rim and an inner hub interconnected to one another by a plurality of spokes which space said rim

A steering wheel operatively interconnected to a rotatable steering shaft of a steering column and thereby being disposed at a predetermined position in a vehicle, said steering wheel comprising an outer rim and an inner hub interconnected to one another by a plurality of spokes which space said rim outwardly of said hub, an energy absorbing coupling operatively connected to an end portion of said steering shaft for yieldably supporting said steering wheel axially outwardly from the end of said steering shaft, said energy absorbing coupling being of a plastically deformable material having an annular base drivingly connected to said steering shaft and having a plurality of arcuately spaced and separate energy-absorbing legs extending upwardly from said base and surrounding the longitudinal steering axis of said steering shaft, each of said legs having a radial and inwardly extending bend therein located at a predetermined distance above said base and terminating in an outwardly extending foot portion, fastener means connecting each said foot portion to said inner hub of said steering wheel such that an inertia force of at least a predetermined magnitude directed to a lower portion of said rim will compressively load and buckle said legs of a corresponding lower portion of said coupling while tensioning said legs of an upper portion of said coupling to thereby turn said steering wheel on an axis transverse to said steering axis and from said predetermined position to a second position angularly disposed with respect to said predetermined position so that additional portions of said rim will receive said force for transmission to and subsequent compressive deformation of all of said legs for energy dissipation.