EXTENDABLE STEERING WHEEL FOR PASSIVE RESTRICTION SUPPORT

Abstract

Extendable steering wheel for passive restraint support, including: a plurality of steering wheel sections (14) which can be connected together to form a steering wheel (12); an extension element (34) which is arranged partly in a first steering wheel section cavity (15) and partly in a second steering wheel section cavity (15); and a plurality of support arms (22), wherein a support arm extension (30) is arranged in each of the plurality of support arms (22); and further comprising a passive restraint system (36); which features an extendable steering wheel: a control unit and at least a triggering mechanism (42) designed to cause the control unit to interrupt a connection point (24) between the first and second steering wheel sections (14); wherein the support arm extensions (30) are designed to extend between the support arms (22) and the steering wheel sections (14) when the steering wheel (12) is in an extended position; characterized in that the control unit is programmed to trigger the aforementioned separation mechanism upon detection of an oblique impact and then trigger a passive restraint system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an extendable steering wheel for passive restraint support, comprising: a plurality of steering wheel sections that can be connected together to form a steering wheel; an extension member disposed partially in a first steering wheel portion cavity and partially in a second steering wheel portion cavity; and a plurality of support arms, wherein a support arm extension is arranged in each of the plurality of support arms, further comprising a passive restraint system (36); The extendable steering wheel has: a control unit and at least one trigger mechanism (42) configured to cause the control unit to interrupt a connection point (24) between first and second steering wheel sections (14); wherein the support arm extensions (30) are configured to extend between the support arms (22) and the steering wheel portions (14) when the steering wheel (12) is in an extended state.

[0002] Oblique impacts pose particular risks to vehicle occupants. An oblique impact is an impact in which a vehicle impacts another object at an angle, e.g., at an angle of a vehicle's longitudinal axis relative to the object, where the angle is approximately 15 degrees. When an oblique impact occurs on the front of a vehicle, a vehicle occupant may move at an angle relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This means that when an oblique impact occurs, the vehicle occupant may be moved in a direction determined by the angle of impact, i.e., the vehicle occupant, or at least the vehicle occupant's head and / or upper body, may be moved in a direction at an angle to the vehicle's longitudinal axis involved in the oblique impact. Consequently, vehicle safety mechanisms (e.g.,a restraint system) that protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a frontal impact provide less or inadequate protection in the event of an oblique impact.

[0003] For example, a driver-side airbag (DAB) that is deployed from a vehicle's steering wheel may provide inadequate protection for the driver in an oblique impact. In a non-oblique impact, such as a frontal impact, the driver's head may impact a DAB after deployment in or near the center of the airbag, generally receiving direct support from the vehicle's steering wheel. In an oblique impact, however, the driver's head may impact the airbag (e.g., the DAB) at an angle of less than 90 degrees, causing the head to rotate outward and slide completely off the airbag. In this case, the steering wheel provides inadequate support for the airbag, and the driver is more likely to sustain a head injury and / or any sustained head injury may be more severe.

[0004] The following documents are cited as state of the art:

[0005] CN 2 934 006 Y describes a vehicle steering wheel, in particular a movable, articulated steering wheel, comprising a circular rim, a wheel seat, and a support rod connecting the rim and the wheel seat. The rim comprises at least three rim rods A connected to the support rod, rim rods B in number twice as many as the rim rods A, and rim rods C in number equal to the rim rods A. The rim rods A are evenly distributed on the rim, each of them arranged between two rim rods B and connected to the rim rods B via pairs of ball joints. Each rim rod C is positioned between two rim rods B. The steering wheel can deform geometrically when subjected to large external forces. The damage caused to the driver by the steering wheel is reduced as much as possible.In addition, the diameter of the steering wheel can be changed and adjusted to the driver's needs.

[0006] JP 2009- 56 837 A describes a rotation assistant mechanism for a steering wheel.

[0007] DE 10 2008 060 184 A1 describes a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel rim, a hub body via which the steering wheel can be mounted on a motor vehicle so as to be rotatable about a steering axis, and at least one spoke via which the hub body is connected to the steering wheel rim, so that the at least one spoke is adjustable with respect to the steering wheel rim.

[0008] The generic KR 10 2007 0 062 114 A describes a steering wheel to improve driver comfort by allowing the size of a rim to be freely changed according to the length of a spoke; this is achieved by designing the spoke so that it is variable in size. This steering wheel comprises a rim, a hub, a plurality of spokes and a spoke length changing unit, and a plurality of annular rods arranged on the rim. The hub is arranged in the center of the rim to be connected to a steering wheel. The spokes are arranged radially between the hub and the rim. The spoke length changing unit changes the length of the spoke. The rim rod is connected to an adjacent rod by a hollow tubular connecting piece. The connecting piece is larger than the rim rod so that the rod is inserted into the connecting piece.

[0009] DE 197 01 503 C1 describes a steering system for a motor vehicle with a steering shaft and a steering wheel carried by the steering shaft, as well as with at least one actuating element which can be acted upon by a pressure medium and by means of which the steering wheel can be displaced at least axially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft.

[0010] The KR 10 2005 0 048 097 A describes a diameter-adjustable steering wheel that allows the diameter of the steering wheel to be easily changed simply by a user pushing the steering wheel down and operating a handle.

[0011] Based on the prior art, the invention is based on the object of better protecting a vehicle occupant in the event of an oblique impact. This object is achieved according to the invention with an extendable steering wheel having the features of patent claims 1 and 4. The subclaims represent advantageous embodiments of the independent claims.

[0012] In particular, the invention relates to an extendable steering wheel for passive restraint support, comprising: a plurality of steering wheel sections that can be connected together to form a steering wheel; an extension member disposed partially in a first steering wheel portion cavity and partially in a second steering wheel portion cavity; and a plurality of support arms, wherein a support arm extension is arranged in each of the plurality of support arms, and further comprising a passive restraint system; The extendable steering wheel has: a control unit and at least one trigger mechanism configured to cause the control unit to interrupt a connection point between first and second steering wheel sections; wherein the support arm extensions are designed to extend between the support arms and the steering wheel portions when the steering wheel is in an extended state characterized in that the control unit is programmed, upon detection of an oblique impact, to trigger the aforementioned separation mechanism and then to trigger a passive restraint system. In order to better protect vehicle occupants in the event of an oblique impact, the extendable steering wheel comprises a control unit and at least one trigger mechanism which is designed, when caused by the control unit, to interrupt a connection point between first and second steering wheel sections; wherein the support arm extensions are designed to extend between the support arms and the steering wheel sections when the steering wheel is in an extended state.

[0013] Furthermore, the extendable steering wheel has a passive restraint system.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the steering wheel changes from a non-extended state to the extended state when the separation mechanism is triggered.

[0015] According to the invention, when an oblique impact is detected, the control unit is programmed to trigger the separation mechanism and then to trigger the passive restraint system.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the element has a first flange end.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention relates to an extendable steering wheel for passive restraint support, comprising: a plurality of steering wheel sections forming a steering wheel; a plurality of connection points at which respective steering wheel sections are connected to one another; a plurality of extension members, each extension member being partially disposed in a first of the steering wheel portions and partially in a second of the steering wheel portions; a plurality of support arms, each support arm being attached to one of the steering wheel portions; a plurality of support arm extensions, each support arm extension being at least partially disposed in one of the support arms, and further comprising a passive restraint system; The extendable steering wheel has: a control unit and a release mechanism configured to cause the control unit to exert a force to separate the steering wheel sections at the joints, thereby transitioning the steering wheel from an unextended state to an extended state; wherein the support arm extensions are configured to extend between the support arms and the steering wheel portions when the steering wheel is in the extended state characterized in that, upon detection of an oblique impact, the control unit is programmed to trigger the aforementioned separation mechanism and then to trigger a passive restraint system.

[0018] In order to better protect vehicle occupants in the event of an oblique impact, the extendable steering wheel comprises a control unit and at least one trigger mechanism which is designed, when triggered by the control unit, to exert a force to separate the steering wheel sections at the connection points, whereby the steering wheel changes from a non-extended state to an extended state wherein the support arm extensions are configured to extend between the support arms and the steering wheel portions when the steering wheel is in the extended state.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the separating mechanism is arranged in a steering wheel section cavity of at least one steering wheel section.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the separation mechanism comprises at least one spring, gas from an airbag gas generator and / or a pyromechanical device.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the elements have a substantially tubular cross-section.

[0022] According to the invention, the extendable steering wheel comprises a passive restraint system.

[0023] According to the invention, when an oblique impact is detected, the control unit is programmed to trigger the separation mechanism and then to trigger the passive restraint system. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a steering wheel system with an extendable steering wheel in a non-extended state. Fig. 2. is a perspective view of the steering system from Fig. 1, which shows the extendable steering wheel in an extended state. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a steering wheel of the steering wheel system of Fig. 1 in a non-extended state. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a steering wheel of the steering wheel system of Fig. 1 in an extended state. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view with further exemplary elements of the steering wheel system from Fig. 1, with the steering wheel in a non-extended state. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view with further exemplary elements of the steering wheel system from Fig. 1, with the steering wheel in an extended state. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the steering wheel system Fig. 1 with the steering wheel in an extended position and a passive restraint system deployed.

[0024] An extendable steering wheel system 10 is disclosed herein and shown in the various figures. An extendable steering wheel 12 includes extendable support arms 22 and extension members 34, wherein the steering wheel 12 can be extended to provide a larger reaction surface for a passive restraint system (36), e.g., an airbag, than would be possible with an elongated steering wheel 12.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a steering wheel system 10 with an extendable steering wheel 12 in a non-extended state, while Fig. 2 a perspective view of the extendable steering wheel system 10 from Fig. 1, which shows the extendable steering wheel 12 in an extended state. As in Fig. 1, the steering wheel 12, in an unextended state, includes two steering wheel sections 14 connected together at a joint 24. Extendable support arms 22 attach the steering wheel 12 to a steering column assembly 32, which includes a steering column 16 and a steering wheel cover support 26. Although two support arms 22 are shown in the present figures, additional support arms 22 are possible. Further, the steering wheel sections 14 are shown as two half pieces of the steering wheel 12, but they could also include more than two steering wheel sections 14. Generally, each steering wheel section 14 requires at least one support arm 22, but it could also be supported by more than one support arm 22. A support arm 22 can be attached to a steering wheel section 14 using one or more of a variety of known mechanisms, such as adhesive, bolts, welds, etc.

[0026] The support arms 22 can be attached to the steering column assembly 32 in a conventional manner, e.g., with bolts, welds, or the like. As shown in Fig. 2, the support arms 22 may include respective support arm extensions 30. Likewise, the steering wheel 12 may include two or more extension members 34. Generally, one extension member 34 is provided for each connection point 24 between the steering wheel sections 14. The support arm extensions 30 and extension members 34 are generally tubular to conform to a shape of the steering wheel sections 14 and the support arms 22. Further, the support arm extensions 30 and extension members 34 may be formed from any compliant, flexible material that provides sufficient strength and flexibility to allow the steering wheel system 10 to perform as disclosed herein. For example, the support arm extensions 30 and / or extension members 34 could be constructed from rubber, plastic, etc.

[0027] Various mechanisms can be used to trigger the transition of the steering wheel 12 from the non-extended state as shown in Fig. 1, in an extended state as seen in Fig. 2 can be seen. Furthermore, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 Cross-sectional views of a portion of the steering wheel 12 in a non-extended state and an extended state, respectively. As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, a wall of each steering wheel portion 14 may define a generally tubular interior steering wheel portion cavity 15, wherein each steering wheel portion cavity 15 receives at least a portion of an extension member 34. Further, the extension members 34 are generally shaped to be accommodated within a steering wheel portion cavity 15, i.e., a diameter of a tubular extension member 34 is generally close to, e.g., within one millimeter or less, a diameter of a tubular steering wheel portion cavity 15.

[0028] Furthermore, the extension members 34 may include flange ends 38. A first flange end 38 of an extension member 34 may be attached to an end of a first steering wheel portion 14, e.g., using adhesive or other connection means, such that the flange end 38, and hence the extension member 34, remains securely attached to the steering wheel portion 14 when the steering wheel 12 transitions from a non-extended to an extended state. A second flange end 38 of the extension member 34 may be retained by a circumferential lip 40 in a second steering wheel portion 14 of the steering wheel 12 when the steering wheel 12 transitions from a non-extended to an extended state. Consequently, the circumferential lip 40 may limit expansion of the steering wheel 12, thereby providing an extended steering wheel 12 configuration that supports a passive restraint system 36 (see Fig. 7), e.g. supports an airbag.

[0029] Although not shown in the separate drawings to avoid duplication, the support arms 22 may have similar structures to the peripheral lip 40 for retaining a flange or the like of a support arm extension 30 when the steering wheel 12 transitions from a non-extended to an extended state. Alternatively or additionally, one end of a support arm extension 30 may be securely attached to a steering wheel portion 14 or the steering column assembly 32 so that a joint securing the support arm extension 30 is not interrupted when the steering wheel 12 transitions from a non-extended to an extended state.

[0030] In addition to receiving at least a portion of an extension member 34, a steering wheel portion cavity 15 may also receive a trigger mechanism 42. For example, a trigger mechanism 42 may comprise a known pyrotechnic device, a tensioned spring, or other mechanical device biased against one end of the extension member 34. A control unit or the like within a vehicle, e.g., an airbag control unit, etc., may be used to actuate the trigger mechanism 42, causing the steering wheel portions 14 to separate at the junction 24. For example, a control unit could generate a signal for the trigger mechanism 42 using a collision detection algorithm and crash data measured by a known vehicle-based sensor.Such control units are well known and include a processor and a memory, the memory storing program instructions executable by the processor. For example, a control unit here could include programming to determine when to provide instructions to trigger a trigger mechanism 42 and / or other disconnect mechanism. Instructions, such as a signal to actuate the trigger mechanism 42, could be communicated via a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or similar communication mechanism in a vehicle.

[0031] Alternatively, or in addition to the trigger mechanism 42, other separation mechanisms could be used to cause the connection point 24 to be interrupted and the steering wheel 12 to be extended. For example, a portion of the gas used by the gas generator system of a steering wheel airbag could be directed into a steering wheel portion cavity 15 and used to press an extension element 34, thereby interrupting the connection point 24. Furthermore, the connection point 24 could include an adhesive or other connection point in which adhesive strength is dissolved or lost upon the application of intense heat. In this example, an extension element 34 could be preloaded with a tensioned spring or the like, and the trigger mechanism could ignite a burn to separate the connection point 24, after which the preloading mechanism, e.g.the tensioned spring, which could forcibly trigger the extension elements 34, so that the steering wheel 12 is thereby extended.

[0032] In general, the control unit is designed to prevent the steering wheel 12 from being pulled out before a passive restraint system 36 is triggered (see Fig. 7) or the like. For example, a steering wheel 12 may be extended substantially within the first 20 milliseconds after detecting an oblique impact, after which a passive restraint system 36 could be deployed.

[0033] In any event, the joint 24 is generally configured to be broken by a predetermined pressure, e.g., a pressure resulting from actuation of the trigger mechanism 42. For example, the steering wheel sections 14 may be glued or otherwise joined together at a joint 24. A strength of the adhesive or other joint may be calibrated such that the steering wheel 12 is maintained in an unextended state in the absence of a force applied by actuation of the trigger mechanism 42. The trigger mechanism 42, in turn, may be configured to cause a force greater than the adhesive force at the joint 24 when the trigger mechanism 42 is actuated, thereby breaking the joint 24 and transitioning the steering wheel 12 from an unextended state to an extended state.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an example of the steering wheel system 10 of Fig. 1 with an extendable steering wheel 12 in a non-extended state. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view with further exemplary elements of the steering wheel system 10, including a steering wheel hub cover 18, which is arranged over the steering wheel cover support 26 (in Fig. 5 not visible). As is known, a compartment formed by the steering wheel hub cover 18 and the steering wheel cover support 26 may contain various components, including a passive restraint system such as an airbag, e.g., a DAB. Alternatively or additionally, an airbag may be deployed by a steering column 16. Other components may be housed in a compartment formed by the steering wheel hub cover 18 and the steering wheel cover support 26, for example, vehicle electronics or the like.

[0035] In any case, the steering wheel cover support 26 may have pull handles 20, e.g. made of molded plastic or the like, mounted around the steering wheel 12. As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, the tear handles 20 are generally configured to break when the trigger mechanism 42 causes the steering wheel portions 14 to be forced apart and the extension member 34 and support arm extensions 30 to be triggered. Alternatively or additionally, another portion of the steering wheel hub cover 18 and / or the steering wheel cover support 26 may be configured to break when the steering wheel 12 transitions from a non-extended state to an extended state.

[0036] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the steering wheel system 10 Fig.1, wherein the steering wheel 12 is in an extended state and a passive restraint system, in this case an airbag, e.g., a passive restraint system 36, has been deployed. As can be seen, the extended steering wheel 12 provides support for a passive restraint system 36 even at its edges. Consequently, a driver's head and / or other body part impacting the passive restraint system 36 will be better protected in an oblique impact because the passive restraint system 36 is supported at its edges. Thus, the steering wheel system 10 disclosed herein provides the benefit of improved driver safety in an oblique impact situation. Another advantage is that parameters for installing and deploying a passive restraint system, such as a driver's side airbag, need not be changed to use the steering wheel system 10 and achieve the increased driver safety.

[0037] In addition to the steering wheel system 10 disclosed herein, it should be understood that a method for extending the steering wheel 12 and / or deploying a passive restraint system 36 is also disclosed herein. For example, upon detection of an oblique impact by a control unit of a vehicle, the deployment mechanism 42 may be actuated, e.g., as discussed above, whereby a pressure or force may be applied to an extension member 34 within a steering wheel portion cavity 15 of the steering wheel portion 14. Furthermore, as discussed above, a connection 24 between the steering wheel portions 14 is broken upon application of an appropriate force, thereby deploying an extension member 34 stowed within one or more steering wheel portions 14 of the steering wheel portion cavity 15 and deploying a support arm extension 30 stowed within a support arm 22.After the extension element 34 and the support arm extension 30 are triggered, the steering wheel 12 has changed from a non-extended state to an extended state.

Claims

[1] Extendable steering wheel for passive restraint support, comprising: a plurality of steering wheel sections (14) which can be connected together to form a steering wheel (12); an extension element (34) arranged partially in a first steering wheel section cavity (15) and partially in a second steering wheel section cavity (15); and a plurality of support arms (22), wherein a support arm extension (30) is arranged in each of the plurality of support arms (22); and further comprising a passive restraint system (36); The extendable steering wheel has: a control unit and at least one trigger mechanism (42) configured to cause the control unit to interrupt a connection point (24) between first and second steering wheel sections (14); wherein the support arm extensions (30) are configured to extend between the support arms (22) and the steering wheel portions (14) when the steering wheel (12) is in an extended state; characterized by that the control unit is programmed to trigger the aforementioned separation mechanism upon detection of an oblique impact and then trigger a passive restraint system [2] An extendable steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the steering wheel (12) transitions from a non-extended state to the extended state when the trigger mechanism (42) is triggered. [3] An extendable steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the extension member (34) has a first flange end (38). [4] Extendable steering wheel for passive restraint support, comprising: a plurality of steering wheel sections (14) forming a steering wheel (12); a plurality of connection points (24) at which respective steering wheel sections (14) are connected to one another; a plurality of extension elements (34), each extension element (34) being arranged partially in a first of the steering wheel sections (14) and partially in a second of the steering wheel sections (14); a plurality of support arms (22), each support arm (22) being attached to one of the steering wheel sections (14); a plurality of support arm extensions (30), each support arm extension (30) being at least partially disposed in one of the support arms (22); and further comprising a passive restraint system (36); The extendable steering wheel has: a control unit and a release mechanism (42) configured to cause the control unit to exert a force to separate the steering wheel sections (14) at the connection points (24), whereby the steering wheel (12) transitions from a non-extended state to an extended state; wherein the support arm extensions (30) are configured to extend between the support arms (22) and the steering wheel portions (14) when the steering wheel (12) is in the extended state; characterized by that when an oblique impact is detected, the control unit is programmed to trigger the aforementioned separation mechanism and then to trigger a passive restraint system. [5] An extendable steering wheel according to claim 4, wherein the release mechanism (42) is arranged in a steering wheel section cavity (15) of at least one steering wheel section (14). [6] An extendable steering wheel according to claim 4, wherein the trigger mechanism (42) comprises at least one of a spring, gas from an airbag inflator and a pyromechanical device. [7] An extendable steering wheel according to claim 4, wherein the extension elements (34) have a tubular cross-section.

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