Assembly for triggering a reverse movement of a motor vehicle's steering wheel and vehicle comprising such an assembly

Abstract

Assembly for triggering a reverse movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and vehicle comprising such an assembly. The invention relates to an assembly (1) comprising a steering wheel and a depth adjustment system for said steering wheel.The assembly comprises an elastic return means (3) and a motion transmission device (5) compressing said return means when said steering wheel moves from rear to front and engaging, when said elastic return means moves from a compressed position to a decompressed position, said depth adjustment system so that said steering wheel moves from front to rear, said assembly comprising a triggering device (7) whose actuation is adapted to allow said elastic return means to move from its compressed position to its decompressed position, the actuation being controlled by sending a command signal from a central computer when an imminent collision is detected. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly for triggering a reverse movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and vehicle comprising such an assembly. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, in particular to the field of passive safety of the motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an assembly for triggering a reverse movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

[0003] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an assembly. Previous technique

[0004] The front safety airbags of a motor vehicle conventionally include at least one driver airbag integrated into the steering wheel, opposite the driver's seat.

[0005] In the event of a collision, in particular in the event of a frontal impact, the driver's airbag deploys in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle, so as to protect the driver in relation to the steering wheel.

[0006] During the deployment of the driver's airbag, the intensity of the impact between the driver and the airbag is very high and may be likely to injure the driver.

[0007] In order to reduce the intensity of the impact between the driver and the driver's airbag, it is known to equip the vehicle with a device designed to quickly move the steering wheel towards the driver when the vehicle is subjected to a shock, so that the driver's airbag is closer to the driver when it is deployed.

[0008] US10899378B2 describes a device in which the movement of the steering wheel from a forward position to a rear position is triggered by the activation of a pyrotechnic charge.

[0009] However, the use of a pyrotechnic charge increases the risk of injury to occupants in the event of a malfunction during the triggering of the pyrotechnic charge.

[0010] Also, the cost of such a device is relatively high.

[0011] Finally, the implementation of such a pyrotechnically triggered device is relatively long and complex to implement. Description of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to an assembly for triggering a reverse movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel capable to contain a driver's airbag, and a steering wheel reach adjustment system adapted to alternately move said steering wheel between a forward and a rear position relative to said motor vehicle, said assembly being notable in that it comprises an elastic return means and a motion transmission device between said elastic return means and said reach adjustment system, said motion transmission device being designed, on the one hand, to compress said elastic return means when said reach adjustment system is stressed by a movement of said steering wheel from the rear to the front of said vehicle, and, on the other hand, when said elastic return means moves from a compressed position to a decompressed position, to stress said reach adjustment system so that said steering wheel moves from said forward position to said rear position,said assembly further comprising a triggering device whose actuation is adapted to allow the passage of said elastic return means from said compressed position to said decompressed position, the actuation of said triggering device being controlled by the sending of a command order from a central computer of said motor vehicle when an imminent collision of said vehicle is detected.

[0013] Thus, the steering wheel of the vehicle equipped with the assembly according to the invention is propelled into its rear position very quickly by mechanical means by the decompression of the elastic return means when a risk of imminent collision is detected.

[0014] In this way, the use of a pyrotechnic charge to trigger the rear movement of the steering wheel is avoided, thus eliminating any risk of injury to the occupants that could occur in the event of a malfunction in the triggering of the pyrotechnic charge.

[0015] Also, the cost of such a mechanical solution is largely reduced compared to the cost generated by the prior art pyrotechnic charge system.

[0016] Moreover, the implementation of such a mechanical device is also quick and simplified compared to the pyrotechnic charge system.

[0017] According to optional features of the assembly according to the invention: - said motion transmission device comprises a ratchet system including a ratchet wheel and a retaining element in the position of said ratchet wheel, which is movable between an engagement position of said ratchet wheel and a disengagement position of said ratchet wheel, the movement of said retaining element from its engagement position to its disengagement position being effected by the actuation of said triggering device, said elastic return means being a torsion spring mounted on said ratchet wheel such that the rotation of said ratchet wheel in a first direction of rotation causes the passage of said spring torsion from said decompressed position to said compressed position and such that the passage of said torsion spring from said compressed position to said decompressed position causes the rotation of said ratchet wheel in a second direction of rotation, said motion transmission device is further designed, on the one hand, to drive said ratchet wheel in its first direction of rotation when said depth adjustment system is stressed by a movement of said steering wheel from the rear to the front of said vehicle, and, on the other hand, when said ratchet wheel is driven in rotation in its second direction of rotation, to stress said depth adjustment system so that said steering wheel passes from said front position to said rear position; - said motion transmission device comprises a toothed wheel connected to said ratchet wheel by a transmission means designed such that driving said toothed wheel in a first direction of rotation drives said ratchet wheel in its first direction of rotation, driving said toothed wheel in a second direction of rotation does not cause said ratchet wheel to rotate, driving said ratchet wheel in its second direction of rotation drives said toothed wheel in its second direction of rotation, said motion transmission device being further designed to drive said toothed wheel in its first direction of rotation when said depth adjustment system is activated by a movement of said steering wheel from the rear to the front of said vehicle,to drive said toothed wheel in its second direction of rotation when said depth adjustment system is activated by a movement of said steering wheel from the front to the rear of said vehicle, and to, when said toothed wheel is driven in rotation in its second direction of rotation, activate said depth adjustment system so that said steering wheel moves from said front position to said rear position; - said motion transmission device is further designed so that the assembly formed by said ratchet wheel, said torsion spring and said release device mechanically disengages from said toothed wheel when said torsion spring reaches a predetermined torsion threshold, and so that after disengagement, said assembly formed by said ratchet wheel, said torsion spring and said release device mechanically engages with said toothed wheel when said ratchet wheel is driven in its second direction of rotation; - said motion transmission device comprises a rack engaging said toothed wheel and integral with said depth adjustment system of said flywheel; - said toothed wheel, said ratchet wheel and said torsion spring are concentric; - said triggering device includes an electromagnetic actuator consisting of a spring-loaded electromagnet; - said command order is sent by said central computer of said motor vehicle within a time interval of between approximately 600ms and approximately 1000ms before the collision of said vehicle; - the time it takes for the steering wheel to move from an extreme front position to an extreme rear position is between approximately 300ms and approximately 500ms.

[0018] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a reverse movement triggering assembly for a steering wheel of said motor vehicle, remarkable in that said reverse movement triggering assembly for said steering wheel is according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other features, objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] shows an example of an embodiment of an assembly for triggering a reverse movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0021] [Fig.2] represents a kinematic adjustment of the vehicle's steering wheel position from the rear to the front of the vehicle.

[0022] [Fig.3] represents a kinematic adjustment in position of the vehicle's steering wheel from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

[0023] [Fig.4] illustrates a kinematic triggering of a rearward movement of the steering wheel. Description of the implementation methods

[0024] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0025] By convention, and without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted as indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0026] In what follows, the terms "left", "right", "lower" and "upper" are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0027] Similarly, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle as taken in its normal direction of travel.

[0028] Reference is made to [Fig.1] showing an example of an embodiment according to the invention of an assembly 1 for triggering a reverse movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

[0029] Assembly 1 comprises a steering wheel (not shown), capable of containing a driver's airbag, and a steering wheel reach adjustment system adapted to alternately move the steering wheel between a relatively forward position to the motor vehicle, the furthest from the driver, and a rear position relative to the motor vehicle, the closest to the driver.

[0030] According to the invention, the assembly 1 comprises an elastic return means 3 and a motion transmission device 5 between the elastic return means 3 and the depth adjustment system.

[0031] The motion transmission device 5 is designed to compress the elastic return means 3 when the adjustment system is stressed by a movement of the steering wheel from the rear to the front of said vehicle.

[0032] Also, the motion transmission device 5 is designed to stress the adjustment system so that the steering wheel moves from the front position to the rear position when the elastic return means moves from a compressed position to a decompressed position.

[0033] The assembly 1 according to the invention further comprises a triggering device 7 whose actuation is adapted to allow the passage of the elastic return means 3 from the compressed position to the decompressed position.

[0034] The activation of the triggering device 7 is controlled by sending a command order from a central computer (not shown) of the vehicle when an imminent collision of the vehicle is detected.

[0035] By way of example, the command order is sent by the central computer in a time interval of between approximately 600ms and approximately 1000ms before the vehicle collision.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the motion transmission device 5 comprises a ratchet system 9 including a ratchet wheel 11, free to rotate on a rotation axis 12 extending substantially transversely relative to the vehicle. The ratchet system 9 further comprises a retaining element 13 adapted to retain the ratchet wheel 11 in position and which may, for example, be a pawl.

[0037] The retaining element 13 is movable between an engagement position of the ratchet wheel 11, position illustrated in figures 1 to 3, and a disengagement position of the ratchet wheel 11, position illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0038] The passage of the retaining element 13 between its engagement position and its release position is operated by the actuation of the triggering device 7.

[0039] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the release device 7 includes an electromagnetic actuator. For example, the electromagnetic actuator may consist of an electromagnet comprising a spring 14 mounted so as to permanently return the retaining element 13 to its engagement position of the ratchet wheel 11.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the elastic return means 3 is a torsion spring 15 mounted on the ratchet wheel 11.

[0041] The torsion spring 15 is mobile in rotation on an axis of rotation 16 extending substantially transversely relative to the vehicle.

[0042] The mounting of the torsion spring 15 on the ratchet wheel 11 is carried out so that the rotational drive of the ratchet wheel 11 in a first direction of rotation, represented by the solid arrow 17, causes the torsion spring 15 to move from its decompressed position to its compressed position, as represented by the solid arrow 19.

[0043] The mounting of the torsion spring 15 on the ratchet wheel 11 is further carried out so that the passage of the torsion spring 15 from its compressed position to its decompressed position, as represented by the dashed arrow 21, causes the ratchet wheel 11 to rotate in a second direction of rotation, represented by the dashed arrow 23.

[0044] Also, according to one provision of the invention, the motion transmission device 5 is designed to drive the ratchet wheel 11 in its first direction of rotation 17 when the depth adjustment system is stressed by a movement of the steering wheel from the rear to the front of said vehicle, as represented by the solid arrow 25.

[0045] The motion transmission device 5 is further designed to engage the depth adjustment system so that the steering wheel moves from the front position to the rear position, as represented by the dashed arrow 27, when the ratchet wheel 11 is driven into rotation in its second direction of rotation 23.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the motion transmission device 5 comprises a toothed wheel 29, connected to the ratchet wheel 11.

[0047] The toothed wheel 29 is movable in rotation on an axis of rotation 30 extending substantially transversely relative to the vehicle.

[0048] The connection between the toothed wheel 29 and the ratchet wheel 11 is operated by means of a transmission means (not shown) designed so that the drive of the toothed wheel 29 in a first direction of rotation, represented by the solid arrow 31, drives the ratchet wheel 11 in its first direction of rotation 17.

[0049] The transmission means operating the link between the toothed wheel 29 and the ratchet wheel 11 is further designed so that the drive of the toothed wheel 29 in a second direction of rotation, represented by the dashed arrow 33, does not cause the ratchet wheel 11 to rotate.

[0050] The transmission means operating the link between the toothed wheel 29 and the ratchet wheel 11 is further designed so that the drive of the ratchet wheel 11 in its second direction of rotation 23 drives the toothed wheel 29 in its second direction of rotation 33.

[0051] According to another feature of the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the motion transmission device 5 is further designed to drive the toothed wheel 29 in its first direction of rotation 31 when the depth adjustment system is activated by a movement of the steering wheel from the rear to the front of the vehicle, as represented by the solid arrow 25. Also, the motion transmission device 5 is designed to drive the toothed wheel 29 in its second direction of rotation 33 when the depth adjustment system is activated by a movement of the steering wheel from the front to the rear of the vehicle, as represented by the dashed arrow 27.

[0052] According to another feature, the motion transmission device 5 is also designed to engage the depth adjustment system so that the steering wheel moves from its front position to its rear position, as represented by the dashed arrow 27, when the toothed wheel 29 is driven into rotation in its second direction of rotation 33.

[0053] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the motion transmission device 5 comprises a rack 35 engaging the toothed wheel 29 and integral with the depth adjustment system of the steering wheel.

[0054] Thus, the drive of the toothed wheel 29 in its first direction of rotation 31 drives the rack 35 from the rear to the front of the vehicle, as represented by the solid arrow 25. The drive of the toothed wheel 29 in its second direction of rotation 33 drives the rack 35 from the front to the rear of the vehicle, as represented by the dashed arrow 27.

[0055] Similarly, the drive of the rack 35 from the rear to the front of the vehicle, as represented by the solid arrow 25, drives the toothed wheel 29 in its first direction of rotation 31. The drive of the rack 35 from the front to the rear of the vehicle, as represented by the dashed arrow 27, drives the toothed wheel in its second direction of rotation 33.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the toothed wheel 29, the ratchet wheel 11 and the torsion spring 15 are concentric. Thus, the axes of rotation 12, 16, 30 coincide.

[0057] In one embodiment of the invention, the motion transmission device 5 is designed such that the assembly formed by the ratchet wheel 11, the torsion spring 15, and the release device 7 mechanically disengages from the toothed wheel 29 when the torsion spring 15 reaches a predetermined torsion threshold. This prevents the steering wheel's forward reach adjustment from locking up. The motion transmission device 5 is further designed so that that after disengagement, the assembly formed by the ratchet wheel 11, the torsion spring 15 and the release device 7 mechanically re-couples to the toothed wheel 29 when the ratchet wheel 11 is driven in rotation in its second direction of rotation 23, which allows the toothed wheel 29 to be mechanically re-engaged so that it can be driven in rotation in its second direction of rotation 33 when the torsion spring 15 passes from its compressed position to its decompressed position.

[0058] Reference is made to [Fig.2] which shows a kinematic adjustment in position of the steering wheel of the vehicle, the steering wheel being moved from the rear to the front of the vehicle, as represented by the solid arrow 25.

[0059] The steering wheel is moved from the rear to the front of the vehicle. The depth adjustment system is thus moved towards the front of the vehicle, as well as the rack 35 attached to the depth adjustment system.

[0060] The movement of the rack 35 from the rear to the front of the vehicle, represented by the solid arrow 25, causes the toothed wheel 29 to rotate in its first direction of rotation 31.

[0061] The toothed wheel 29 drives the ratchet wheel 11 in rotation in its first direction of rotation 17 by means of the transmission means between the toothed wheel 29 and the ratchet wheel 11.

[0062] The retaining element 13 occupies its engagement position and the rotation of the ratchet wheel 11 is permitted by the retaining element 13, which slides along the ratchet wheel 11 when the ratchet wheel rotates in its first direction of rotation 17.

[0063] The ratchet wheel 11 drives the torsion spring 15 from its decompressed position to its compressed position, as represented by the solid arrow 19.

[0064] Reference is made to [Fig.3] which shows a kinematic adjustment in position of the steering wheel of the vehicle, the steering wheel being moved from the front to the rear of the vehicle, as represented by arrow 27 in dotted lines.

[0065] The steering wheel is moved from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The depth adjustment system is thus moved towards the rear of the vehicle, as well as the rack 35 attached to the depth adjustment system.

[0066] The movement of the rack 35 from the front to the rear of the vehicle, represented by the arrow 27 in dotted lines, causes the toothed wheel 29 to rotate in its second direction of rotation 33.

[0067] The ratchet wheel 11 remains fixed, the transmission means operating the link between the toothed wheel 29 and the ratchet wheel 11 being designed so that the drive of the toothed wheel 29 in its second direction of rotation 33 does not cause the ratchet wheel 11 to rotate.

[0068] The torsion spring 15 remains in a compressed position by means of the retaining element 13 preventing the rotation of the ratchet wheel 11 in its second direction of rotation 23.

[0069] Reference is made to [Fig.4] which shows a kinematic of triggering a rearward movement of the steering wheel.

[0070] When a risk of imminent collision of the vehicle is detected, the central computer of the motor vehicle sends a command order to the triggering device 7.

[0071] The release device 7 is actuated, causing the spring 14 of the release device 7 to be compressed, as shown by arrow 37. The retaining element 13 moves from its engagement position to its release position, as illustrated by arrow 39.

[0072] The retaining element 13 disengages from the ratchet wheel 11 and the torsion spring 15 moves from its compressed position to its decompressed position, as represented by the arrow 21 in dotted lines.

[0073] The passage of the torsion spring 15 from its compressed position to its decompressed position causes the ratchet wheel 11 to rotate in its second direction of rotation 23, in turn causing the toothed wheel 29 to rotate in its second direction of rotation 33 by means of the transmission means operating the link between the toothed wheel 29 and the ratchet wheel 11.

[0074] The drive of the toothed wheel 29 in its second direction of rotation 33 drives the rack 35 from the front to the rear of the vehicle, as represented by the arrow 27 in dotted lines.

[0075] The rack 35, integral with the steering wheel depth adjustment system, causes the steering wheel to move rapidly towards the rear of the vehicle, bringing the steering wheel closer to the driver and thus reducing the intensity of the impact of the driver with the driver's airbag during its deployment.

[0076] The time it takes for the steering wheel to move from an extreme front position to an extreme rear position can, for example, be between approximately 300ms and approximately 500ms.

[0077] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this assembly for triggering a reverse movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and vehicle comprising such an assembly, described above solely as illustrative examples, but on the contrary it encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (1) for triggering a rearward movement of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel capable of containing a driver's airbag, and a depth adjustment system for said steering wheel, adapted to alternately move said steering wheel between a forward and a rearward position relative to said motor vehicle, said assembly (1) being characterized in that it comprises an elastic return means (3) and a motion transmission device (5) between said elastic return means (3) and said depth adjustment system, said motion transmission device (5) being designed, on the one hand, to compress said elastic return means (3) when said depth adjustment system is induced by a movement of said steering wheel from the rear to the front of said vehicle, and, on the other hand,when said elastic return means (3) moves from a compressed position to a decompressed position, to activate said depth adjustment system so that said steering wheel moves from said forward position to said rear position, said assembly (1) further comprising a triggering device (7) the actuation of which is adapted to permit the passage of said elastic return means (3) from said compressed position to said decompressed position, the actuation of said triggering device (7) being controlled by the sending of a command order from a central computer of said motor vehicle when imminent collision of said vehicle is detected.

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - said motion transmission device (5) comprises a ratchet system (9) including a ratchet wheel (11) and a retaining element (13) in the position of said ratchet wheel (11) movable between an engagement position of said ratchet wheel (11) and a disengagement position of said ratchet wheel (11), the movement of said retaining element (13) from its engagement position to its disengagement position being effected by the actuation of said release device (7), - said elastic return means (3) is a torsion spring (15) mounted on said ratchet wheel (11) such that the drive in rotation of said ratchet wheel (11) in a first direction of rotation (17) causes said torsion spring (15) to move from said decompressed position to said compressed position and such that the movement of said torsion spring (15) from said compressed position to said decompressed position causes said ratchet wheel (11) to rotate in a second direction of rotation (23), - said motion transmission device (5) is further designed, on the one hand, to drive said ratchet wheel (11) in its first direction of rotation (17) when said depth adjustment system is activated by a movement of said steering wheel from the rear to the front of said vehicle, and, on the other hand, when said ratchet wheel (11) is driven in rotation in its second direction of rotation (23), to activate said depth adjustment system so that said steering wheel moves from said front position to said rear position.

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said power transmission device (5) comprises a toothed wheel (29) connected to said ratchet wheel (11) by a transmission means designed such that: - driving said toothed wheel (29) in a first direction of rotation (31) drives said ratchet wheel (11) in its first direction of rotation (17), - driving said toothed wheel (29) in a second direction of rotation (33) does not drive said ratchet wheel (11) in rotation, - driving said ratchet wheel (11) in its second direction of rotation (23) drives said toothed wheel (29) in its second direction of rotation (33), said power transmission device (5) being further designed to: - drive said toothed wheel (29) in its first direction of rotation (31) when said depth adjustment system is actuated by a movement of said handwheel from the rear towards the front of said vehicle,- to drive said toothed wheel (29) in its second direction of rotation (33) when said depth adjustment system is activated by a movement of said steering wheel from the front to the rear of said vehicle, - when said toothed wheel (29) is driven in rotation in its second direction of rotation (33), to engage said depth adjustment system so that said steering wheel moves from said front position to said rear position.

4. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said motion transmission device (5) is further designed so that the assembly formed by said ratchet wheel (11), said torsion spring (15) and said release device (7) mechanically disengages from said toothed wheel (29) when said torsion spring (15) reaches a predetermined torsion threshold, and so that after disengagement, said assembly formed by said ratchet wheel (11), said torsion spring (15) and said release device (7) mechanically engages with said toothed wheel (29) when said ratchet wheel (11) is driven in its second direction of rotation (23).

5. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said motion transmission device (5) comprises a rack (35) engaging said toothed wheel (29) and integral with said depth adjustment system of said flywheel.

6. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said toothed wheel (29), said ratchet wheel (11) and said torsion spring (15) are concentric.

7. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said triggering device (7) comprises an electromagnetic actuator consisting of a spring-loaded electromagnet.

8. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said command order is sent by said central computer of said motor vehicle in a time interval of between about 600ms and about 1000ms before the collision of said vehicle.

9. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the time of passage of said steering wheel from an extreme front position to an extreme rear position is between about 300ms and about 500ms.

10. A motor vehicle, comprising a reverse movement trigger assembly (1) for a steering wheel of said motor vehicle, characterized in that said trigger assembly (1) for rearward movement of said steering wheel is according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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